The Old Fort House Has a New Home
The Old Fort House, also known as the "Indian Fort House" or the "Thomas
Lincoln Military Storehouse" built in 1685 by Captain Thomas Lincoln (16381708) will be moved from its current location at 99 Fort Hill Street to The Old
Ordinary at 21 Lincoln Street. The Hingham Historical Commission in
cooperation with the Historical Society has launched an effort to save an
important historic resource from being demolished. The effort to save the Old Fort
House began last fall with an application to demolish the structures on the property
in order to clear the lot for new construction. Thanks to the Town’s Demolition
Delay By-Law, the Historical Commission was able to prevent the structure from
being torn down for a period of six months allowing the commission time to find a
way to preserve an irreplaceable historic asset. When presented with an
alternative, property owner Joyce Ciccolo, who was already exploring ways to save
the house with the assistance of realtor Judy Jennings, welcomed the opportunity
to donate the house to the Historical Society. Contractor Mark Roukas, who will
take possession of the property once the house is relocated, is donating his time and
resources.
History of the Old Fort House
The history of the house and its significance to Hingham has been well
researched by Preservation Consultants Fannin-Lehner and by former owner
and noted Hingham historian and archaeologist the late John P. Richardson.
According to Mr. Richardson, who lived in the house from 1965 until his death in
2011, "This structure stood within the fort palisado on the summit of Fort Hill
and was used as a 'provision' building. The fort was constructed to protect the
settlers of the Fort Hill plain from Indian attack and may be the only surviving
structure of its kind in the United States."
Fannin-Lehner cites the writings of other Hingham historians in their description
of the structure’s history. “Solomon Lincoln in his 1827 History of the Town of
Hingham speaks of early forts in Hingham: "There were, also, in the town three
forts, but the date of their erection cannot be ascertained. One of them was
situated on the hill, which at that time commanded the harbour, the same of
which the mounds are still visible in the Burying Yard; another at the place
called Fort Hill, and another 'on the Plain about a mile from the Harbour."'
A further description of the fort is supplied by Walter L. Bouve in his chapter
"Military History" included in The History of Hingham, 1893:
Here (Fort Hill Street) also, and on the crown of the hill, and within a very
few feet of the street to which it gave its name, was erected at this time one of
the three forts which formed a part of the defenses against the Indians. The
location was admirable, the eminence overlooking and commanding the fertile
fields on its several sides, as well as the village clustered around its base, while the
road to Weymouth, much of the water supply, and a wide range of country were
within the protecting fire of its guns; while signals by day or a beacon by
night would carry an alarm to distant points. (p. 225)
William Stowell (1694-1771) a bachelor was the first owner and resident of 99
Fort Hill Street, although there may have been earlier ones since the 'provision'
house was converted to a dwelling by 1730. William is listed on the Tax
Valuation list for 1752 and he lived there until his death in 1771. Joseph
Stowell (1726/27-1782), William's nephew, was the next proprietor, from 1772
until he died in 1782. The Stowells were large landowners in this area, owning
many properties along North, South and West Streets, in addition to Fort Hill
Street. All the Stowells were descended from Samuel Stowell (d. 1683), whose
name was mentioned in Peter Hobart's diary as early as 1649.
In 1798 Abijah Hersey (1769-1841), a "box-cooper," acquired the Old Fort
House, and he remained there until at least 1830. There were close family links of
the Hersey properties on Fort Hill Street to the many Herseys on nearby South
Street. William Hersey (d. 1657-58), was the progenitor of the Hersey family in
America having emigrated from Berkshire England, to Hingham in 1635.
Shoemaker Henry Binney (1811-1882) had bought 99 Fort Hill Street by 1840,
probably on the occa si on of hi s ma rr i a g e to El mi ra P orter i n 1 8 3 9 .
He ha d a dee p co ncern for the deteriorating Fort Hill Cemetery and
served as a director of the Fort Hill Cemetery Corporation 1868-1872 and
1881-1882. In The Genealogies there is the intriguing reference: "Resided at
Fort Hill on 'Silver Street."'
French-born John Manuel (b. 1783), a shoemaker, was listed as owner of the Old
Fort House in 1850. At the time of the French Revolution he ran away from a
French war ship and came to the United States with Captain Luther Lincoln of
Hingham.
The map of 1857 notes Charles Spring (b. 1826) at 99 Fort Hill Street. Spring
was for many years a constable, later becoming a deputy sheriff. Although
George Lincoln's History of Hingham, The Genealogies, 1893, lists him as
residing on Thaxter Street (Vol. III, p. 183) he may have earlier occupied the Fort
Hill Street property. Both he and his wife, Nancy H. Remington Spring (b. 1826),
shared a keen interest in the Fort Hill Cemetery. Charles was a director of the
Fort Hill Cemetery Corporation 1859-1860 and Nancy was the first treasurer in
1849 of the Fort Hill Ladies Sewing Circle, which benefited the Cemetery, and
served as secretary, vice president, and president in various years until 1862.
Alphonso Cain (1844-1925), a shoemaker, "edger." and later a tax collector,
acquired the Old Fort House in 1866, probably in anticipation of his marriage to
Mary McNeil in 1868. Much of the Cain family, which was descended from
Arthur Cain (d. 1687), settled in West Hingham, particularly on North, South
and Fort Hill Streets. Alphonso was a director of the Fort Hill Cemetery from
1879 to 1893 and the Superintendent of the Cemetery from 1881 to 1893 and his
wife, Mary McNeil Cain, a member of the Fort Hill Ladies Sewing Circle. Both
organizations frequently met at their home. After Alphonso passed away in 1925,
the property was owned by Margaret J. Cain et al until 1938. The well-known
lawyer, judge and writer (see above), Walter L. Bouve (1849-1944?), purchased the
Old Fort House from Arthur F. Cain in 1938 and Bouve heirs retained the
property until 1965. None of the Bouves resided on the premises. Historian John P.
Richardson bought the Old Fort House in 1965.
Although there have been later additions to the Old Fort House, only the original
portion of the house will be relocated to the Old Ordinary for future use as an
exhibit of First Period architecture. The move is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday,
June 25 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. with rain dates of June 26 and June 27.
Saving this structure is possible because of the support and cooperation of many
volunteers. General Contractors Peter Bickford and Ben Wilcox have donated
countless hours of their time over the past six months to manage the move. Noel
Ripley and Dave Thorne volunteered their services to help separate the historic
portion of the house in preparation for the move. Jim Gordon will move the house
to its new location. The support of Town Administration, the Community Planning
Department, Hingham Police, Hingham’s Fire Department, the Hingham Light
Plant, Town Engineer Roger Fernandes, Building Commissioner Michael Clancy,
the DPW, Verizon and Comcast has been critical to this effort.