The Peter Jacob House, 1752

648 Main Street
The Peter Jacob House, 1752

Hingham is fortunate to have over 120 homes built in the Colonial period 1637-1775 and this home is one of them. The Georgian architectural style can be seen in the two story five window facade with architectural details including corner quoins and on the center entrance; fluted pilasters and dental molding. Peter Jacob, born in 1701 was a descendant of Nicolas Jacob, an early settler from Hingham, England. Peter, a dairy farmer and fuller, built this home in 1752. Peter was a deacon at first parish “Old Ship” and he and his wife, Hannah, were part of the original group of settlers who formed Third Parish, now known as Second Parish when they wanted a meetinghouse closer to their homes in South Hingham. People called Peter “Deacon” and it is possible that when he built this house, he used a pattern book from London to design and construct his home. Peter and Hannah’s son John Jacob lived in the home from 1762 to 1790. He was a blacksmith and fought in the French and Indian War also known as the Seven Years War (1754-1763.) In 1867, Joshua Jacob, a descendant and also a blacksmith, worked at the local hatchet factory. According to Edwin B. Whitcomb, a Third Parish church member, Joshua was a celebrated clarinet player in Hingham and neighboring towns. When residents needed their pianos tuned, they often called Joshua. Following the Jacobs, other farming families including Gallup and Billings lived in the home. In 1921 the barn burnt down and it was never rebuilt. Dr. Wallace Kemp and his wife, Betty, purchased the house in the middle of the 20th century and did much to upgrade what had become an old farmhouse. Dr. Kemp’s hobby was working with hand tools. Inspired by furniture maker Samuel McIntire (1735-1811,) Kemp is credited with the dado paneling in the den and dining room and the detailed trim work on the mantle done with a penknife. Kemp was a founding member of South Shore Medical Center. The owners in 2009 undertook a major renovation that resulted in a modern kitchen with eating area and a large family room. The current owners relocated to this home from Texas and enjoy viewing the fall foliage from the deck they added on the rear of the home.