Sarah Derby, who endowed it with funds for its support. She died in
1790, and the school was opened in 1791, since which time it has
continued uninterruptedly to educate many pupils in the town as well as
a number from neighboring towns. The list of graduates contains the
names of many who became distinguished in after life. It is for both
males and females, and is managed by a board of trustees. Its history is
one of credit to its founder and to the town. Mrs. Derby's first
husband, from whom she acquired her property, was Dr. Ezekiel Hersey, of
Hingham, well known as the founder of the professorship bearing his name
in Harvard College.
Among the other benefactions to the town must be mentioned the Hingham
Public Library, opened for the use of the inhabitants, in 1869, through
the liberality of the late Hon. Albert Fearing. By liberal gifts of
money from him a building was built and books were purchased. Large and
valuable donations of books were also made by other public-spirited
citizens until several thousand volumes were collected together. The
building and its contents were totally destroyed by fire, Jan. 3, 1879.
A more commodious building was immediately erected, and opened to the
public April 5, 1880.
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