Local Author Writes Book about Hingham's History

South Shore author Ted Clarke has recently released his brand new book about the history of the town of Hingham.

Clarke’s book titled, “Hingham: Four Centuries of History,”   explains how Hingham was settled and how it got to be the way it is today.

Clarke explains why Hingham is different than neighboring towns such as Weymouth, Hull, Marshfield or Plymouth.

In the book’s introduction Clarke raises the question, “How has a small town managed to have a fine, publicly supported education system along with excellent private schools of wide acclaim? In short, what makes Hingham so special, and what does its history have to do with it?”

 In Clarke’s new book, readers will find chronicles from four hundred years of Hingham's unique past.

“The early settlement came from the Hingham in England and they sort of set up the town here the same way,” Clarke said. “They had a village where the people who had the most money got their pick of the lots. From the center of the town they had farm lands and pastures for everyone of the settlers.  And of course it was founded on religious principles.”

Clarke conducted most of his research at the Hingham Public Library and found out that old settlers married amongst themselves to keep the leadership in town.

In his book, Clarke writes about the town’s old cotton and craft industries, the fourth of July celebrations, how the company Talbots settled in town, and the history of the Hingham Shipyard.

Clarke is a local historian and has written many published books about the history of the South Shore.  Clarke resides in Weymouth and is the Chairman of the Weymouth Historical Commission and a Member of the Weymouth Historical Society.  Some of his recently released books include, “Brookline, Allston-Brighton and the Rebuilding of Boston," which recently hit stores in Dec. 2010, and  "South of Boston," which was released in the Fall.

Clarke will hold book signings at the on June 11, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and at the on Derby Street from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 16.