Hingham : a story of its early settlement and life, its ancient landmarks, its historic sites and buildings . e lay inwait with a dark lantern to discover who was taking hay fromhis barn. Presently the thief came along, carrying a largebundle of hay upon his back. Taking the candle from thelantern, and following softly after, Dr. Gay thrust it into themiddle of the hay, which was presently in a fine blaze, to thegreat terror of the bearer. A few days after the culprit appearedto confess his misdeed. He was convinced that fire from heavenhad been sent to punish him, and even Dr. Gays explanatio
Hingham : a story of its early settlement and life, its ancient landmarks, its historic sites and buildings . e lay inwait with a dark lantern to discover who was taking hay fromhis barn. Presently the thief came along, carrying a largebundle of hay upon his back. Taking the candle from thelantern, and following softly after, Dr. Gay thrust it into themiddle of the hay, which was presently in a fine blaze, to thegreat terror of the bearer. A few days after the culprit appearedto confess his misdeed. He was convinced that fire from heavenhad been sent to punish him, and even Dr. Gays explanationfailed to change his belief. Knowing his Tory principles, the Committee of Safety oncevisited the minister to inquire what arms he had in the courage forsook them when they were fairly in his presence,and it was with faltering hesitation that they finally made knowntheir errand. The good doctor looked at them for a moment withmild reproach before he answered, laying his hand on the largeBible which lay open upon his table, Gentlemen, these are myarms ; and I trust they will prove THE GAY HOUSE ON NORTH STREET, HINGHAM, AND THE OLD TORY. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES speaks somewhere of thehouse standing gable end to the street, in a mannerimplying that all proper old houses do stand in that position, butthe house on North Street built by Dr. Ebenezer Gay standseaves side to the street, and is certainly as proper and respec- (102) THE GAY HOUSE AND THE OLD TORY. 103 table, as an old house need be, from age, appearance and Gay preached in the old meeting-house of the First Parishfrom 1718 to 1787, and some time between the former date and1750 it is said his house was built. Durinor its buildins; he lived in the next house to the West,since altered and enlarged into two dwellings at present occupiedby Mrs. Lane and Mr. Nelson, and one of the many stories toldof the parson was of his well, dug probably while he was livingin that house. It is a very dry
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookidhinghamstory, bookyear1911
