January 28, 2026 by Geri Duff
Daniel Souther was a private in the American Revolution and along with his brothers John and Joseph and his cousin Samuel Souther was a part of the companies formed for seacoast defense in 1776. He is buried in the Hingham Centre Cemetery. In 1791 Daniel planted this Buttonwood tree to give shade over his blacksmith shop and it is in his small smithy the irons were formed for Hingham’s first fire engine, the Precedent, in 1802. The dark building behind the tree is Jack Studley’s law office and the white building on the right is Charlie Cushing’s Gas Station. Today Eastern Bank has taken their place under the Buttonwood. Photo is from the Hingham Historical Society archives.
Geri- We use to sit under that tree to watch the 4th of July parade. The nearest mailbox was right there also.
We use to buy our penny candy, a loaf of bread(.25), get my father’s newspapers and once in a while a Coke at the soda fountain.
The dark building was a little gift store run by Jane Fanning who lived over on School Street. My mother took me there to buy birthday presents to give to my family and friends. Jack took it over later.
I have many memories of growing up in that neighborhood. Thanks for the photo.
I absolutely love the way back Wednesday photos. But I frequently find myself wondering when the photo itself was taken. Can you share that information in the future?