Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 26.

The flocks of sheep on the hills provided the family with the homespun clothing. Carding at first was done at home with card combs made by fastening wire strands to a slab of wood. Soft cotton sheets were unknown. One of the well-to-do families had in the inventory of household goods one sheet, as late as 1730. Some settlers wore silk but before the Revolution the garments were made of wool and flax. Towels made of this flax are still in existence. Farmers' boots were part of their cattle. They were kept soft and pliable by the use of tallow.

The early settlers of Cohasset were forced to pay taxes on the Hingham church and help support their minister. Church-going was a universal custom. There isolated farmers met together to talk over the affairs of the town. The ride to Hingham was long and weary, so the fortunate owner of a horse would share with his neighbor. He, with his wife on a pillion, would help his neighbors by the old-fashioned way of riding and tying. The first couple would ride half the distance, then dismount and tie the horse to a tree and walk. Meanwhile the second couple soon reached the horse and rested on his back to the meeting-house. It was long before the church of Hingham would allow the precinct of Cohasset to have its own church. But money was collected and a meeting-house was built in 1760.

The pulpit was supplied by young men being educated at Harvard College. Many Saturday mornings a young student might be seen starting on horseback for Cohasset. The fees were thirty shillings per day if ‘he couldn't be had under.’ Nehemiah Hobart was the first minister settled in Cohasset. A few of the congregation could sing a little but Mr. Hobart could preach a great deal, so a long service was carried through. After a noon hour of social intercourse with refreshments, the afternoon service was held.

Now there were living in Cohasset at this time two young men friends. One was Job Cushing; the other