58 History of Hingham. 



tain worship according to their faith were great. Services were 

 held at private houses until August, 1823, when a hall was se- 

 cured for the purpose in the building next south of the black- 

 smith-shop on North Street, near the harbor.- It was a rough 

 room, in strange contrast to the elaborate churches of the present 

 time. The walls were not plastered, the seats were simply boards 

 nailed upon blocks of wood, which together with a small pine 

 table and chair constituted the furniture. In this room meet- 

 ings were held for nearly a year, and in spite of opposition and 

 disturbance, both outside and inside the building during the ser- 

 vices, the worshippers increased in number. 



A building was found in a more quiet location, which could be 

 purchased ; but on account of the objection likely to arise if it 

 should be known that it was to be sold to the Baptists, it was 

 deemed prudent to obtain the assistance of some person outside 

 the denomination to make the purchase, that the purpose for 

 which it was to be used might not be suspected. Mr. Ebenezer 

 Shute was willing to purchase the building, costing about $450, 

 provided some individual could be found who would arrange the 

 bargain with discretion. Capt. Laban Hersey, a Unitarian, con- 

 sented to take the deed in his own name, and subsequently con 

 veyed the property to Mr. Shute. This building was the one now 

 occupied by M. & A. McNeil, near Hobart's Bridge. The upper 

 story was suitablv arranged for meetings, and for more than two 

 years afforded a convenient and pleasant place for worship. 



Up to this time the pulpit had been supplied by many different 

 ministers, among them Rev. Thomas Conant, who was engaged 



Cj CD C" 



to come and labor here as often as his other engagements would 

 permit, Deacon Wilbur becoming personally responsible for the 

 expense thus incurred. 



As an illustration of how earnest these Baptists were in such 

 days of struggle and sacrifice to maintain preaching, it is related 

 that on learning late on a Saturday that the preacher expected 

 from Boston was unable to come, Aunt Polly Barnes, as she was 

 called, mounted her horse in the early evening and set out for 

 Scituate to engage Mr. Conant for the next day's services. As 

 she went on her way over a lonely road, a man suddenly sprang 

 from the woods, seized her horse by the bridle and demanded her 

 money. 



" You must wait until I can get it," she said, " for I have but 

 one hand." (She had lost her left hand by amputation.) 



The highwayman released the bridle for a moment, thinking his 

 booty now secure, when she struck her horse a sharp blow ; he 

 sprang away, and the rider reached Mr. Conant's house in safety, 

 engaged him to preach the next day, and rode quietly home to 

 Hingham, some six miles, the same evening. 



March 9, 1828, twenty persons were publicly recognized as a 

 branch of the Second Baptist Church, of Boston, Mr. Nathaniel T. 



