188 



History of Hingham. 



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THE THAXTEK HOUSE, 

 Which stood on North Street opposite Broad Bridge. 



Derby, — the old Thaxter House. At the time of the Revolu- 

 tion it was owned and occupied by a Mr. Elisha Leavitt, who was 

 a bitter Tory. It was thought by the patriots that he suggested to 

 the British commander, during the siege of Boston, the sending of 

 the expedition to Grape Island for the purpose of securing for- 

 age. To punish him for this, a mob assembled and started for his 

 house, with the idea, perhaps, of destroying the mansion, or pos- 

 sibly, even, of offering him personal violence. He got wind of 

 their coming, however, and had a barrel of rum rolled out of his 

 cellar in front of the house, with other refreshments, such as 

 crackers and cheese, for the rank and file of the mob, while cake 

 and wine were provided in the house for the gentlemen leading 

 the populace. Upon the arrival of the crowd, they were invited 

 to help themselves to the refreshments, while the gentlemen 

 aforesaid were received by Mrs. Leavitt in elegant dress, and 

 urged to walk in and partake of the wine. This unexpected and 

 politic courtesy disarmed the fury of the Whigs, and the threat- 

 ened violence was drowned in good cheer. 



Just beyond South Street the road formerly divided. The prin- 

 cipal roadway came over the low hill upon which the Derby 

 Academy stands, the westerly portion of which has since been 

 cut down. The other road ran along the foot of this hill. Be- 

 tween the two roads on the high land stood the post-office, and 

 one or two other buildings. Several old gravestones also were 



