Starkes Whiton House-1871
This Gothic Revival style home was built in 1871 by Starkes Whiton. Mr. Whiton, a 7th Generation Hingham resident, served several terms in the Massachusetts State Senate and was appointed by the Governor as Chairman of the Board of the Board of Gas Commissioners and a Commissioner of Savings Banks. In the town of Hingham, Mr. Whiton was active in the Hingham Agricultural and Horticultural Society, a member of the Free Soil Party, and treasurer of the Boston and Hingham Steamboat Company.
The B&H Steamboat Company, founded in 1831, was one of Hingham’s most successful businesses in 1860s and 70s, ferrying pleasure seekers from Boston to the many resorts at Nantasket Beach. Starkes Whiton’s stylish home stands in marked contrast to the modest Beal-Gardner House at 26 Ship Street. Beal was a pilot for the B&H Steamboat Company.
With his brother-in-law, John W. Peirce, serving as master carpenter, Mr. Whiton built his home on land believed to be originally granted to 1st Generation Hingham resident James Whiton. The cellar was dug and stoned during the winter and spring of 1870-1871. The home is distinguished by the steep center pitch of its roof, the rounded arch windows on the second floor, the arched double entry doors, and the large bay window in the dining room. Tall ceilings and elaborate interior molding add to the grandeur of this home.
While there is no record of Starkes Whiton serving in any capacity during the Civil War, he was a member of the Free-Soil Party that was formed in 1848 and opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories.
Like many successful businessmen of his era, Starkes Whiton was also a gentleman farmer. He was treasurer and an active member of the Hingham Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and won several prizes for his hen breeding efforts.
Mr. Whiton’s forebear, James Whiton, the first Whiton to reside in Hingham, received a grant of land from the town in 1657, and at subsequent dates other lots of meadow and upland. He was one of the larger tax-payers of Hingham at the time the new meeting-house was erected in 1681, and at his death possessed land in the neighboring towns of Scituate, Abington, and Hanover, as well as in Hingham. James Whiton’s house in Liberty Plain, was one of the houses that were burned by Metacom’s forces during King Philip’s War on April 20, 1676.
In James Whiton’s will, dated 29 Sept. 1708, he provides liberally for his three sons and one daughter, including Matthew (Starkes Whiton’s direct forebear), and also seven grandchildren of son Thomas Witon, who was deceased at the time of James Whiton’s death. Interestingly, in his will his name is written "James Witon”, and several of his children went by the surname Whiting which seems to suggest that the Whitings in Hingham originated from James Witon as well the Whiton’s that descended to Starkes Whiton.
The B&H Steamboat Company, founded in 1831, was one of Hingham’s most successful businesses in 1860s and 70s, ferrying pleasure seekers from Boston to the many resorts at Nantasket Beach. Starkes Whiton’s stylish home stands in marked contrast to the modest Beal-Gardner House at 26 Ship Street. Beal was a pilot for the B&H Steamboat Company.
With his brother-in-law, John W. Peirce, serving as master carpenter, Mr. Whiton built his home on land believed to be originally granted to 1st Generation Hingham resident James Whiton. The cellar was dug and stoned during the winter and spring of 1870-1871. The home is distinguished by the steep center pitch of its roof, the rounded arch windows on the second floor, the arched double entry doors, and the large bay window in the dining room. Tall ceilings and elaborate interior molding add to the grandeur of this home.
While there is no record of Starkes Whiton serving in any capacity during the Civil War, he was a member of the Free-Soil Party that was formed in 1848 and opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories.
Like many successful businessmen of his era, Starkes Whiton was also a gentleman farmer. He was treasurer and an active member of the Hingham Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and won several prizes for his hen breeding efforts.
Mr. Whiton’s forebear, James Whiton, the first Whiton to reside in Hingham, received a grant of land from the town in 1657, and at subsequent dates other lots of meadow and upland. He was one of the larger tax-payers of Hingham at the time the new meeting-house was erected in 1681, and at his death possessed land in the neighboring towns of Scituate, Abington, and Hanover, as well as in Hingham. James Whiton’s house in Liberty Plain, was one of the houses that were burned by Metacom’s forces during King Philip’s War on April 20, 1676.
In James Whiton’s will, dated 29 Sept. 1708, he provides liberally for his three sons and one daughter, including Matthew (Starkes Whiton’s direct forebear), and also seven grandchildren of son Thomas Witon, who was deceased at the time of James Whiton’s death. Interestingly, in his will his name is written "James Witon”, and several of his children went by the surname Whiting which seems to suggest that the Whitings in Hingham originated from James Witon as well the Whiton’s that descended to Starkes Whiton.
