280 



History of Ming ham. 



Col. Benjamin Loring 1 was born in Hingham, Dec. 17, 1775, 

 and died in Boston, Dec. 24, 1859. His affection for his native 



Loring Hall; Insurance Company and Savings-Bank Building. 



town had caused in him a desire to do something which might 

 be a permanent memorial of that sentiment, and this project 

 seemed to afford him such an opportunity. 



In July, 1851, the committee of ladies had appointed Robert T. 

 P. Fiske, Caleb B. Marsh, Ebenezer Gay, and Solomon Lincoln to 

 purchase a site for the Hall. A lot was purchased of Thomas 

 Loring, situated on Main Street, near the Old Meeting-house, and 

 the funds of the ladies were expended in paying for the lot and in 

 preparing a foundation for the Hall. 



To carry his design into effect, Colonel Loring appointed a 

 building committee, which as finally constituted consisted of the 

 following persons : — 



Solomon Lincoln, Robert T. P. Fiske, 



Marshall Lincoln, Caleb B. Marsh, 



Hersey Stowell, Atherton Tilden, 



Joseph Sprague. 



The ladies appointed the same committee to cause the lot to be 

 prepared and the foundation to be laid. 



The plans, drawings, and specifications for the building were 

 made by Arami B. Young, of Boston. A contract for its erection 

 was made Oct. 31, 1851, with Samuel Virgin, of Boston. 



i See Vol. Ill p. 35. 



