Burial-grounds. 371 



Royal Wliiton, 1842-53; Charles Lane, 1842-48; Charles W. Seymour, 

 1848-53; Bela Whiton, 1853-67; John Todd, 1853-67; Elijah L. 

 Whiton, 1855-67; Enos Loring, 1866-67. 



In 1867 the Directors voted not to choose a Committee on Im- 

 provements, but in place thereof to create the office of Superin- 

 tendent, to which office John Todd was elected. Mr. Todd still 

 holds this position, having been re-elected annually since the date 

 ■of its adoption. 



HINGHAM CENTRE CEMETERY. 



The older part of this centrally located, well-kept, and easily 

 approached cemetery was probably first occupied for burial pur- 

 poses as early as 1700. Its ancient memorials are numerous, 

 well preserved, and carefully arranged ; and they afford much 

 valuable information in the way of names and dates to the an- 

 tiquary and genealogist. In the absence of any record by which 

 to fix the precise time when burials were first made here, the in- 

 scription upon the oldest stone originally erected here (which 

 corresponds in date with that first erected in the Hingham Cem- 

 etery) will throw some light upon its early occupancy. The in- 

 scription reads thus : — 



ERECTED 



In Memory of 



Hezekiah Leauitt 



Who Died 



April the 20 th 



1708 Aged 71 



Years & 7 



Months 



There is, however, another stone in this inclosure of still 

 greater antiquity, which originally stood in the first burial-ground 

 where the early settlers were buried ; but which within the pres- 

 ent century was taken to Hingham Centre and re-erected in this 

 cemetery. It bears the following inscription : — 



HERE LYES Y« BODY 

 OF MATHEW HAWKE 

 AGED 74 YEARS 

 DEC D DECEMBER Y e 



11 th . 16S4. 



Concerning the early history of this burial-place but little in- 

 formation can be obtained. It was undoubtedly rough, unfenced, 

 and almost uncared for until after the Revolution. But with the 

 establishment of our National Independence there seems to have 

 come a desire for improvement, and this was made manifest both 

 by individual and corporative acts. 



From an authentic source dating back a century ago I copy the 

 following : — 



