146 History of Hingham. 



affairs held since the establishment of the Library, to make an official 

 statement of its history for the information of the Town. 



In pursuance of a design long entertained by Hon. Albert Fearing of 

 establishing a Free Library for the use of the inhabitants of his native 

 town, he purchased, in 18G8, two adjoining lots of land situated on Main 

 street, which were deemed by him eligible for a suitable location for the 

 Library, and caused to be erected thereon a beautiful and commodious 

 edifice for its reception, and conveniently furnished for the purposes of 

 such an institution. He also made provision for opening the Library to 

 the public as soon as practicable, paying the salary of the Librarian to 

 March 1, 1870, and providing a fund for its maintenance of five thousand 

 dollars. The aggregate of expenditures by Mr. Fearing, for the purposes 

 before mentioned, exceed the sum of twenty-one thousand dollars. 



On the Fourth (Fifth) of July, 1869, the building for the Library was 

 publicly dedicated to the objects of its erection by an eloquent address 

 delivered by Hon. Thomas Russell, and other appropriate ceremonies, 

 with strong demonstrations of public interest. 



On the same day, a deed of the property was delivered by Mr. Fearing 

 to Trustees selected by him to carry out his designs. The following were 

 the Trustees then selected, viz. : Calvin Lincoln, Solomon Lincoln, Ezra 

 Stephenson, Fearing Burr, Jonathan Tilson, Henry W. Jones, Quincy 

 Bicknell, George Hersey, Junior. Elijah Shute, Amasa Whiting, William 

 Fearing 2d, Arthur Lincoln, and Lincoln Fearing, all of Hingham, and 

 David Whiton and Thomas T. Bouve, of Boston. 



The persons thus selected, it will be seen, are located in different sec- 

 tions of the town, and represent various callings in the community. 



The deed is in trust, for the purpose of carrying into effect the designs 

 of the founder of the Library, as set forth in indentures which accom- 

 panied it, and which were duly executed by the parties thereto, and by 

 which the several persons named as Trustees accepted the trust. 



The Deed and Indentures are laid before the town herewith for in- 

 formation. Authentic copies of both instruments will be lodged with the 

 Town Clerk as soon as they are printed. 



Books for the Library were contributed by the proprietors of other 

 social libraries, associations, institutions, and individuals, including the 

 founder. The Library now contains upwards of four thousand volumes 

 of books in the various departments of science, history, art, and literature, 

 with many works for consultation and reference, which are regarded as of 

 great value to the community. Since the Library was opened, it has 

 been enriched by numerous and valuable donations of books and works of 

 art. The Smithsonian Institution has honored us by the gift of the entire 

 series of their publications for the Library. And we have the assurance 

 of other donations of books from persons, not residents of the Town, but 

 who take a deep interest in its welfare. 



It is a subject of congratulation that the value of the Library has been 

 justly appreciated by the citizens who have availed themselves of its 

 privileges. Hundreds have taken tickets for books, from all sections of 

 the town, even from the most extreme parts. The exact number of 

 tickets taken during the eight months for which the Library has been 

 opened, has been six hundred and seventy, and the number of volumes 

 taken from the Library during the same period, has been nine thousand 

 five hundred. 



The Trustees respectfully submit this brief history of the Library from 



