Manufactures and Commerce. 173 



hew ; Caleb B. Marsh ; Rafus Lane, Jr. ; Peter L. Whiton ; At- 

 kinson Nye. 



Fish-flakes for "curing" cod and hake were established at 

 Major's Wharf ; also nearly opposite the Hingham landing or load- 

 ing place, which was in the vicinity, and west of the present Steam- 

 boat Wharf. 



There are records in Hingham which show that some of the 

 residents of this town were interested in the whaling business 

 during the last century. Very little, however, is known about the 

 industry here, either as to how many persons there were who fol- 

 lowed the pursuit, or who gave financial encouragement to it. 

 Two illustrations given below will throw some light upon the 

 subject : — 



" Apr : 1738. Jno : Marble of this Place Died suddenly att Cape 

 Cod a Whaling-, anno iEtatis 4-V" (Record of Rev. Nchemiah 

 Hobart, of the Second Precinct.) 



[Abstract.] "Isral" Nichols, mariner, Thomas Andrews, yeo- 

 man, and Elisha Leavitt, blacksmith, all of Hingham, charter " the 

 sloop ' Betty & Ruth,' of 50 tons burden, as she now lyes in Bos- 

 ton, for a Whaling Voyage on the Banks to the Southward for to 

 catch Whales for three or four months more or less." This agree- 

 ment, which was dated Feb. 17, 1743-44, permits the vessel " to 

 go into Cape Cod or any other harbor suitable to try out oyle 

 which they may gett on the voyage." The " Betty & Ruth " be- 

 longed to "Israel Nichols & Comp'y," — Timothy and Ebenezer 

 Prout, of Boston, being part owners. 



Masts and spars were made in Hingham, up to 1820 and after, 

 by the local shipwrights, principally from trees grown in this 

 town, or its vicinity. 



The pump and block business was also a local industry, John 

 Leavitt having been engaged in the pursuit at Hingham Centre 

 before the close of the last century. Other workers of wood, 

 wheelwrights, coopers, etc., had previously made this specialty 

 a part of their employment. 



William Davis came here in 1829 and located as a manufacturer 

 of masts and spars as well as of pumps and blocks. His wharf and 

 shop were on Summer Street. 



Charles Howard manufactured bait-mills at Hingham Centre. 

 He was succeeded by his brother, Waters Howard. 



Abner L. Leavitt also manufactured ships' wheels for Boston 

 market on Main Street, Hingham Centre. 



Barrel-coopering was carried on principally at the head of, or 

 near all the wharves at the cove where mackerel were landed and 

 packed. It was carried on with but few exceptions for the special 

 accommodation of those who owned or occupied the wharves. 

 As a pursuit, it was dependent somewhat upon the success of the 

 fisheries ; but from fifteen to twenty hands were usually given 

 steady employment in the shops during the greater part of the 



