66 History of Hingham. 



Mr. Atkinson was born in Gloucester, Mass., Nov. 17, 1809, and 

 died in Boston, Dec. 27, 1888. He studied theology with Rev. 

 Thomas Whittemore, D. D., and was ordained in 1829. He was 

 installed in Hingham April 30, 1830. His pastoral settlements 

 were in Hingham, Dover, N. H., Weare, N. H., Marblehead, Mass., 

 Westbrook, Me., Orleans, Mass., and Orange, Mass. During the 

 last thirty-six years of his life his residence was chiefly in Laco- 

 nia, N. H. After his retirement from his settled pastorates he 

 administered for a time the affairs of the Universalist Publish- 

 ing House in Boston with success. His funeral services took place 

 in the Unitarian Church, Laconia, N. H., and were conducted by 

 Rev. A. A. Miner, D.D., of Boston, assisted by several of the 

 local clergymen. 



Mr. Folsom's pastorate was of about seven years' duration, 

 and Mr. Livermore was the minister for eleven years. 



Mr. Biggs began to preach for the society in September, 1888, 

 having charge of a parish in the neighboring town of Norwell at 

 the same time. After a few months he received a call to become 

 the settled pastor. His services as such began in March, 1889, 

 and continued until July 1, 1891. He was a graduate from the 

 Tufts Divinity School. 



From a time almost as early as the formation of the society 

 the ordinance of the Lord's Supper has been administered to all 

 who have felt its helpfulness, and in 1856, during the ministry 

 of Rev. Mr. Cargill, a distinct church was organized, consisting 

 of members who subscribed to the Winchester Confession of 

 Faith. 



The installation of Mr. Atkinson, and the ordinations of Rev. 

 John Nichols and Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford have taken place in 

 this meeting-house. 



The Sunday-school of this society has been in a flourishing 

 condition during these many years, having had at times a mem- 

 bership of one hundred and twenty-five scholars. 



The Universalist denomination has not found in Hingham a 

 very productive field for its growth. Enthusiasm and determina- 

 tion have not been wanting among those of this faith in Hingham, 

 especially in the early days of the society, but the predominant 

 strength of the Unitarians, existing in the older parishes, has 

 given the Universalists less opportunity for increasing their num- 

 bers than might have been the case had they found themselves 

 surrounded by other ecclesiastical neighbors. 



