Lincoln Statue
On Hingham Common sits a large bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln is seated, reflective and contemplative. The statue was dedicated in 1939, placed there as a tribute not only to Lincoln’s national significance, but to a deeper, local connection.
Long before Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky or rose to lead the nation through the Civil War, his ancestors lived in Hingham. In the 17th century, Samuel Lincoln emigrated from Hingham, England, and settled in Hingham, Massachusetts. From that New England root, the Lincoln family line eventually moved westward, culminating in the birth of the 16th President. Though Abraham Lincoln himself never lived in Hingham, the town holds pride in this ancestral link.
The inscription on the sculpture recalls Lincoln’s words: “With malice toward none, with charity for all,” capturing the spirit of reconciliation that marked his Second Inaugural Address.
Hingham is known for its colonial architecture, its meetinghouse and its deep 17th-century roots. The presence of Lincoln here bridges centuries, connecting early Puritan settlement to the defining moral struggle of the Civil War.
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A Hingham Firkin
At first glance, this blue-painted wooden bucket seems like an ordinary household object. It was made to carry water, collect grain, or store food and was one of the countless tools that quietly supported daily life in early New England. Yet in Hingham, Massachusetts, a bucket was much more than a useful container. It represented […]
Hingham Historical Society
While visiting Hingham for the day, we stopped by the Hingham Historical Society to learn more about what this town is most proud of. Hingham is one of the oldest towns in Massachusetts, founded in 1635, and its museum captures much of the town’s story, from its colonial roots to its maritime heritage and civic […]
Benjamin Lincoln’s Oath of Allegiance
Inside the Benjamin Lincoln House in Hingham, we found this remarkable document bearing Lincoln’s signature. It is his oath of allegiance to the United States, sworn on May 2, 1778, while the Revolutionary War was still being fought. The printed portion begins: “I Benjamin Lincoln, Major General do acknowledge the UNITED STATES of AMERICA to […]
