Though Cohasset was explored in 1614 by Captain John Smith, the area wasn’t settled until 1670. Originally part of Hingham, the community was called Hingham’s Second Parish. It officially separated in 1770, using the Algonquian word “Conahasset,” which means “long, rocky place” as inspiration for the town name Cohasset.
While the town seceded from Hingham in 1770, there were strong ties between the two communities. Shares of the land in the new town of Cohasset were divided in long strips among many wealthy landowners from Hingham during a special town meeting. Hingham Town Clerk, Daniel Cushing received the most at 35 shares along with Hingham minister Rev. Peter Hobart, Captain Joshua Hobart, Lt. John Smith.
