OLD AND NEW STYLE. 



A CCORDING to "Old Style" the year began on the 25th of March, 

 ■^^ and 1751 was the last year of "Old Style.' In recording events 

 which occurred from the 1st of January to the 25th of March before 

 1751, double dating has been practised in Hingham, as elsewhere. Ac- 

 cording to "New Style" the year begins on the 1st of January, and 

 1752 was the first year of "New Style." The day following the 2d 

 of September, 1752, was called the 14th, omitting eleven intermediate 

 nominal days. 



FREEMEN. 



To be a freeman in the early history of the Colony was to be a member 

 of the Church ; and none but freemen could vote for rulers or be elected 

 to office. The freeman's oath bound him to be a true and faithful subject 

 of the government, and if called upon he was to yield assistance and support 

 thereto with his person and estate. 



Among the many laws enacted by the Colonists relating to freemen 

 were the following : — 



" 1641. Every Court within this Jurisdiction where two Magistrates are 

 present, may admit any Church Members, that are fit to be freemen, giv- 

 ing them the Oath, and the Clerk of each Court shall certifie their Names 

 to the Secretary at the next General Court." 



"Oct. 15, 1673. As an addition to the Law Title Freeman (sec. iii). 

 It is ordered by this Court, and the Authority thereof; That henceforth, 

 the Names of such as desire to be admitted to the Freedome of this Com- 

 monwealth, not being Members of Churches in full Communion, shall be 

 entered with the Secretary from time to time at the Cburt of Election, 

 and Read over before the whole Court, sometime that Sessions, and 

 shall not be put to Vote in the Court till the Court of Election, next 

 following." 



