Thomas and Benjamin Loring House-ca 1690
Thomas Loring, saddle-maker, built the east half of this home around 1690. Thomas was active in town affairs, serving as a representative to the General Court, and a selectman numerous times. His son, Capt. Benjamin Loring, inherited the property and remodeled it around 1730. Benjamin also served as a selectman for several years, and raised eleven children in the house. Benjamin died in 1764, and bequeathed the home to his son, Thomas, who probably added the new addition on to the west side around 1785.
The new addition reflected a provincial Georgian style. In keeping with the new taste, the entire front of the house was reconfigured at that time to make it nearly symmetrical. The 8-panel Georgian front doors probably date to 1785. One original “bullseye” glass remains in the left front door. Original clapboards can be seen on the west wall, as well as 1780s windows. Original wide pine floors remain throughout. Also, in the current dining room (original parlor in the east side), note the original 1690s shallow thumbnail molding, and a fine reproduction Queen Anne chandelier.
During the later 1800s, the building was used by the Hingham Agricultural and Horticultural Society (located where the Library now stands) as a boarding house during fairs.
The current owners purchased the house in 1991, and recently converted it to a single family home. Their detective work has uncovered much of the past, both in style and in interesting artifacts. A china tea cup was found in the back of the 1780s kitchen fireplace, and a ca. 1730s knife was found placed on the lintel of a second story firebox in the 1690 half of the house.
The new addition reflected a provincial Georgian style. In keeping with the new taste, the entire front of the house was reconfigured at that time to make it nearly symmetrical. The 8-panel Georgian front doors probably date to 1785. One original “bullseye” glass remains in the left front door. Original clapboards can be seen on the west wall, as well as 1780s windows. Original wide pine floors remain throughout. Also, in the current dining room (original parlor in the east side), note the original 1690s shallow thumbnail molding, and a fine reproduction Queen Anne chandelier.
During the later 1800s, the building was used by the Hingham Agricultural and Horticultural Society (located where the Library now stands) as a boarding house during fairs.
The current owners purchased the house in 1991, and recently converted it to a single family home. Their detective work has uncovered much of the past, both in style and in interesting artifacts. A china tea cup was found in the back of the 1780s kitchen fireplace, and a ca. 1730s knife was found placed on the lintel of a second story firebox in the 1690 half of the house.
