Ecclesiastical History. 23 



of the posts " twenty, or one and twenty feet," with galleries on 

 one side and at both ends. 



May 2, 1681, the town approved of the action of the Selectmen 

 in relation to the building of the new meeting-house, and the place 

 where it was to be set. Thirty-seven persons dissented from this 

 vote. These transactions were brought to the notice of the Gov- 

 ernor, and the authority of the magistrates interposed. 



The following are copies of papers in the State archives : — 



Boston, May 16th, 1681. 



The Governo r and Magistrates having considered the p r sent motions 

 in Hingham relating to the placing of a New meeting house, and also 

 perceiving by Information of the Hon d W m- Stoughton and Joseph Dud- 

 ley Esq" who were desired to view the place of the present House (which 

 is judged to be inconvenient by them), do therefore hereby disallow of the 

 setting up of a New meeting house either in the old place or in the plaine. 

 And do further order that a new meeting of all persons in the Towne 

 who have right to vote in such cases be speedily ordered at which it may 

 be fairly voted where to place the new meeting house, and the Selectmen 

 are hereby required to make a speedy returne of the number of votes to 

 the Hon rd Governo r . 



Jn°- Hull, p r order. 



Superscribed to the Selectmen 

 of Hingham, to be communicated 

 to the Towne. 



At a Towne meeting holden at Hingham on the 24th day of May, 1681, 

 Thomas Andrews was Chosen moderator of that meeting, and at the said 

 meeting the vote passed by papers, with seventy-three hands for the new 

 meeting house that is now building in Hingham to be set in the conve- 

 nientest place in Captaine Hobart's land, next or nearest to Samuell 

 Thaxter's house. 



As Attest, Daniell Cushing, Towne Clarke. 

 26 May, 1681. 



The magis* 3 having Considered the Returne of the Selectmen of Hing- 

 ham in refferenc to the voate for setting the meeting house there, Doe 

 Approove of said vote and Judge meete, all Circumstances considered, that 

 the new meeting house be errected accordingly in the convenientest place 

 in Cap| Hubbards land neerest to Samuell Thaxte r s house. 



Past by y" Council, 



Edw d Rawson, Secre 1 - 



And so, after a controversy of more than a year the location of 

 the new house was settled. Immediate measures were taken to 

 carry the votes of the town into effect. July 8, 1681, Capt. 

 Joshua Hobart conveyed to the town by deed of gift the site for 

 the meeting-house, which is the same upon which it now stands. 



The frame of the meeting-house was raised on the 26th, 27th, 

 and 28th days of July, 1681, and it was opened for public wor- 

 ship Jan. 8, 1681-82. It cost the town £430 and the old house, 



