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HISTORY

SOUTH BOSTON;

Dorchefter Neck,

WARD XII. OF THE CITY OF BOSTON.

By THOMAS C. SIMONDS.

BOSTON :
DAVID CXAPP  OVER 184 WASHINGTON STREET.
1857.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by
DAVID CLAPP,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

PREFACE

Much of the following History was written for the columns of the
" South Boston Gazette and Dorchester Chronicle," and was printed
in that paper, at irregular intervals, during the years 1850 and 1851.
The writer, since deceased, was peculiarly well qualified for this
species of authorship ; it was a work in which he took great delight,
and no pains were spared in diligent research and careful preparation
of materials. It was his intention to collate these scattered chapters
of the " History of Mattapannock," as he styled them, at some
future period, and publish them in a book, with such alterations and
additions as might be found necessary or expedient. The sudden
failure of his health, in the summer of 1856, induced him to do this
earlier than he had .intended, and the whole of the printed matter
which he thought suitable to re-publish in this form was carefully
prepared for the press before he was wholly confined to a sick-bed.
Early in the year 1857, an arrangement was made by him with
the present Publisher to issue the work during the ensuing summer, .
with the hope of all that he might live to see it completed. But a .
wise Providence determined otherwise; he died March 2d, 1857,,
when but little more than twenty-four years of age, and this work
now follows his premature and lamented decease — his name not
more lastingly impressed upon its title-page than it is cherished .
in the affectionate remembrance and esteem of his many friends.
The printing of the work was begun, with little thought of adding :
to the matter then contained in it, or of including any other:

4 PREFACE.
engravings than an ancient Plan of Dorchester Neck and a
View of the Lawrence Enclosure ; and an edition of a few hundred
copies, it was supposed, would suffice for the demand. As it pro
gressed, however, it was found that additional matters of interest
might be advantageously included, as well as various illustra
tions. These have augmented the expense of publication materially,
and may increase the demand for the book; but as the printing
had considerably advanced, neither the expense nor the anticipated
demand could be met by an enlargement of the edition.
In obtaining additional information with which to enrich the
" History," and in a general supervision of the whole as it has
passed through the press, Alvan Simonds, Esq., and Mr. Joseph
H. Simonds, have given much time and valuable labor.
For most of the sketches of " distinguished citizens," the reader is
indebted to the pen of the Rev. Lemuel Capen, whose long and fami
liar acquamtance with the individuals, and acknowledged skill and
impartiality in the delineation of character, eminently qualified him
for writing these memoirs of some of the Fathers of our Peninsula.
To all others who have aided in supplying materials for this little
work, either recently or to the deceased author in his original efforts,
many thanks are cheerfully tendered. Messrs. Frank Hedge
and John Andeew, whose fine wood engravings add much to its
embellishment, as well as all concerned in furnishing the beautifully
executed portraits, are deserving of praise.
The work is now submitted, by the Publisher, to the citizens of
South Boston, in the hope that it may make known and preserve to
them a knowledge of persons and events which should not be
suffered to pass into oblivion ; and that, though it be found incom
plete in many respects, its errors may prove few and unimportant.
August 1, 1867.

CONTENTS

CHAPTEE I.

Mattapan Settled and called Dorchester— Mattapan
nock called Dorchester Neck  9
CHAPTEE II.
Division of Mattapannock  18
CHAPTEE III.
First Settlers of Mattapannock  31
CHAPTEE IV.
First Settlers of Mattapannock, continued ... 40
CHAPTEE V.
Dorchester Heights — Eevolutionary Events ... 45
CHAPTEE VI.
Further Settlement of Mattapannock ..... 61
CHAPTEE VII,
Annexation to Boston  72
CHAPTEE VIII,
Bridges and Avenues  80

6 CONTENTS.
CHAPTEE IX.
Bridges and Avenues, continued  94
CHAPTEE X.
War with England — Public Execution .... 104
CHAPTEE XI.
Schools and School-houses  Ill
CHAPTEE XII.
Schools, continued  133
CHAPTEE XIII.
Schools, continued  145
CHAPTEE XIV.
Churches  154
CHAPTEE XV.
Churches, continued  163
CHAPTEE XVI.
Mattapan Literary Association — Blind Asylum —
School for Idiots  182
CHAPTEE XVII.
Streets . .  194
CHAPTEE XVIII.
Manufactories  204
CHAPTEE XIX.
Miscellaneous  oig

CONTENTS. 1
CHAPTEE XX.
Early Inhabitants — Statistics of Population, &c. —
Municipal Government  228
CHAPTEE XXI.
Distinguished Citizens  238

APPENDIX.
A. — Memorial of the Committee of the Town of
Dorchester against Annexation .... 277
B. — Memorial of Petitioners in favor of Annexation 279
C. — Act annexing Dorchester Neck to Boston . 282
D. — Land owned by Mr. Gould — Foster Estate . 284
E. — Act in part authorizing the Erection of Boston
South Bridge  288
F. — Act establishing a Free Bridge in the City of
Boston  292
G. — Extracts from the Will of John Hawes . . 295
H. — Instruction of Laura Bridgman  297
I.— South Boston Memorial, in 1847  300
J. — Act to annex Washington Village to Boston . 313
New Census of Voters  315
Eesignation of Ministers, &c  316

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of Cyrus Alger, Esq. . . . Frontispiece.
Portrait of Hon. Isaac Adams  p. 206
Plan of Dorchester Neck in 1775  31
Plan of South Boston in 1857  196
View of the Lawrence Enclosure at Mt. Auburn 140
View of the Bigelow School-house  148
View of the Lawrence School-house .... 148
View of the Mt. Washington Female Institute 153
View of the Dwelling-house of Capt. Noah
Brooks  265

HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.

CHAPTER I.

MATTAPAN SETTLED AND CALLED DOECHESTEE 
MATTAPANNOCK CALLED DOECHESTEE NECK.
In the early part of the year 1630, a party of pious
persons, chiefly residents of the counties of Devon,
Dorset and Somerset, in England, came to the deci
sion to emigrate to North America. Accordingly,
they held a meeting at Plymouth, and set apart a day
for solemn fasting and prayer to seek the divine
approbation and assistance. They chose the Rev.
John Maverick and the Rev. John Wareham to be
their ministers.
Arrangements were immediately made for their
emigration ; and on the 20th day of March, the com
pany set sail in the ship Mary and John, of 400 tons,..
commanded by Capt. Squeb. They encountered a
violent storm on their passage, but yet, as recorded
by one of their number, " they came by the good
hand of the Lord, through the deeps comfortably."
In a poem written by Gov. Wolcott, son of Roger
Wolcott, one of the passengers, some particulars or
the voyage are narrated. This poem is to be founcL
2

10 HISTOEY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
in the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical
Society, Vol. IV., pages 262—298. We select from
it the following account of the storm to which we
have referred. " The winds awhile
Are courteous, and conduct them on their way,
To near the midst of the Atlantic sea,
"When suddenly their pleasing gales they change
For dismal storms that on the ocean range.
Meanwhile our founders in the cabin sat,
Reflecting on their truly sad estate,
Whilst holy Wareham's sacred lips did treat
About God's promises and mercies great.
And now a mighty sea the ship o'ertakes,
Which, falling on the deck, the bulk-head breaks ;
The sailors cling to ropes, and frighted cry,
' The ship is foundered ! Oh, we die, we die I '
Those in the cabin heard the sailors screech,
All rise, and reverend Wareham do beseech,
That he would now uplift to heaven a cry
For preservation in extremity.
He, with a faith sure bottom'd on the Word
Of Him that was of seas and winds the Lord,
His eye lifts up to Heaven, his hand extends,
And fervent prayers for deliverance sends.
The winds abate, the threatening waves appease,
And a sweet calm sits regent on the seas.
They bless the name of their deliverer,
And now they found a God that heareth prayer."
The remainder of the poem is very interesting,
and gives an account of the motives which actuated
these persons to remove to a wilderness, as also an
excellent description of the voyage.
Suffice it to say, that
" Religion was the cause that did incline
Ard moved our founders to this great design."

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 11
It was on the 29th of May, Old Style, 1630, that
this company arrived on the coast of Massachusetts.
It was the last day of the week, and as the rays of the
setting sun gilded the land which was in future to be
their home, they were very desirous that they might
land, that the rest of the Sabbath might not be dis
turbed. The wind was favorable, and every thing
seemed propitious to enable the pilgrims to land ere
the day was totally spent. But the captain not
knowing the channel, and fearing lest there might
not be a sufficient depth of water for his vessel, cast
anchor for the night.
According to the agreement, the captain was to
land them on the Charles River. Yet in spite of his
promises, and in disregard of their veneration for
the Lord's Day, and their repeated protestations
against the course he was pursuing, the whole com
pany were obliged to land with their goods on Nan-
tasket Point. The captain was afterwards obliged
to pay damages for this act.
Prom their known habits, we can have no doubt
that their first act on landing was to kneel in prayer
to Him who had thus far been a God to them.
Sweetly must the subdued supplication of the belov
ed Wareham have floated on the air. Landed on a
shore far different from what they expected, know
ing not which way to proceed, nor how to act, we
we may suppose that the prayers offered on that day
came from lips that offered no mock service.
In imagination, we think we hear the voices of
those who had left friends and home to seek an asy
lum in the wilds of America, uplifted in prayer and
praise. Fervently do they supplicate for protection,
and with gratitude do they offer up thanks for their
safe arrival; and

12 HISTOEY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
" As the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang
To the anthems of the free,"
solemn and impressive must have been the scene.
Thus left to provide for themselves, they succeed
ed in procuring a boat from an old planter, probably
John Oldham, who had left Plymouth Colony, and
had settled at Nantasket. This man afterwards
united with the company. On Monday forenoon,
Captain Southcoat, Roger Clap, and eight other able-
bodied men, were appointed to take the boat and
visit Mishawaum, at the mouth of Charles River, and
ascertain whether they could be there accommodated.
In the mean time, other parties were despatched in
various directions, to spy out the land. On Wed
nesday, a part of the company sailed up a bay now
called, from that circumstance, Old Harbor, and see
ing that the peninsula, now known as South Boston,
was a favorable place for the pasturage of cattle,
they immediately decided to settle in Mattapan,
afterwards called Dorchester. By this means they
could enjoy the use of Mattapannock, as it was called
by the Indians, or Mattapan neck.
That this was the cause of their settlement in
Mattapan, is proved by the following passage from
the " Annals " of the town of Dorchester : —
" They had not stayed here at Watertown but a
few days but ye rest of their Company below had
found out a neck of land Joyning to a place called
by ye Indians Mattapan, that was a fit place to turn
their cattle upon to prevent their straying : So they
sent to their friends to come away from Watertown,
and they settled at Mattapan, and turned their Cat
tle upon ye Sd neck then called Mattapannock, now
called Dorchester Neck."
From Prince's New England Chronology we also
copy the following record : —

EAELY SETTLEMENT. 13
_ " May 30th (Lord's Day), Mr. Wareham, Mave
rick, Rossiter, and Ludlow, arrived at Nantasket.
Capt. Squeb puts them and their goods on shore at
Nantasket Point, and leaves them to shift for them
selves. But getting a boat of some old planters,
they lade her with goods, and some able-bodied men,
well armed, go up to Charlestown, where we find
some wigwams, some few English, and one house
with an old planter who can speak Indian. We go
up Charles River until it grows narrow and shallow,
and there with much labor land our goods, the banks
being steep. Our Captain is Mr. Southcot, a brave
low country soldier, but we are not above ten in
number. But are not there many days before we
have orders to come away from this place, which is
after called Watertown, to Matapan (so spelt in this
record, but in those made afterwards written with
two t's), because there is a neck fit for to keep
cattle on."
It would thus appear, that to the benefits supposed
to be gained by having Mattapannock as a pasture
ground for cattle, Dorchester is indebted for its
early settlement.
The settlers immediately went to work, and for
several days " the setting up of cottages, booths and
tents " for the shelter of their families, occupied
their attention.
Many of the first settlers of Dorchester were
" persons of note and figure, being dignified with the
title of Mr., which but few in those days were."
Quite a number of these men were traders, and
when they first selected Dorchester as their resi
dence, intended it as a place of commerce. They
accordingly built a fort near the water-side, and
mounted several cannon ; but on account of the poor
2*

14 HISTOEY OP SOUTH BOSTON'.
channel and difficult landing, it was thought best to
desist from their design, and not a few afterwards
removed to Boston, which soon became a place of
some commercial importance.
The first settlers landed near the neck, between
Mattapan and Mattapannock, and there built their
town. Says Blake, " These first settlers set down
pretty thick together at the northerly end of the
town, next the aforesaid neck of land, and on the
easterly side of the sea." This was necessary in
order that they might be near their cattle.
Arriving at too late a period to plant even com
mon legumes, they soon came to want. The habita
tions they had erected were very uncomfortable,
and quite a number were obliged to live in tents.
In the early part of 1631, bread failed in every house
in the settlements except that of the Governor. The
ipeople ate muscles, clams and ground-nuts, and of
these even they had but a limited supply. Accustomed
to the best of fare, and to comfortable habitations, it
must have proved a great hardship for these " per
sons of good rank and circumstances in their native
-country." They endured great suffering, and yet they
murmured not. Though cast down, still they were
not overcome ; trusting in an Almighty arm, they felt
;a strength of soul, and a mighty courage, which ena
bled them to brave every danger. Their privations
and sufferings are thus described by Capt. Roger
Clap, in his " Memoirs." " 0 ! the hunger that many
suffered, and saw no hope in the eye of reason to be
supplied only by clams, muscles and fish. We did
•quickly build boats, and some went a fishing : but
Ibread was with many a scarce thing, and flesh of all
Mnds as scarce."
Feeling that God alone could aid them in their

EAELY SETTLEMENT. 15
troubles, they set apart February sixth as a day of
fasting and prayer. Before the day came, however,
they were relieved from their want and distress.
The Governor, who had forseen that provisions
would be needed, had sent to Ireland for a supply.
The arrival of the " Lion," laden with food, on the
fifth of February, prevented the colony from perish
ing by famine. This unexpected supply of provi
sions excited anew the hopes of the colonists, and
the sixth of February was observed as a day of
Thanksgiving and Praise, instead of a day of Fasting.
Roger Clap, in his "Memoirs," thus makes men
tion of the arrival of a supply of provisions : —
" And in those Days, in our Straits, though I can
not say God sent a Raven to feed us, as He did the
prophet Elijah ; yet this I can say to the Praise of
God's Glory, that he sent not only poor ravenous
Indians, which came with their Baskets of Corn on
their Backs, to Trade with us ; but also sent ships
from Holland and Ireland with Provisions, and In
dian corn from Virginia, to supply the Wants of his
dear Servants in this Wilderness, both for Food and
Rayment. And when Peoples Wants were great,
not only in one Town but in divers Towns, such was
the godly Wisdom, Care and Prudence (not Selfish
ness, but Self-Denial) of our Governour Winthrop
and his Assistants, that when a Ship came laden with
Provisions, they did order that the whole Cargo
should be bought for a General Stock ; and so ac
cordingly it was, and distribution was made to every
Town, and to every Person in each Town, as every
Man had need. Thus God was pleased to care for
his People in Times of Straits, and to fill his Ser
vants with Food and Gladness. Then did all the
Servants of God ble^s his holy Name, and love one
another with pure Hearts fervently."

16 HISTOEY op south boston.
During the year 1631, the arrival of several ships
increased the number of the colonists, and likewise
augmented their stock of provisions, as each vessel
brought food for the settlement. Our ancestors also
reaped a plentiful harvest at the close of the season,
and although they had enough and to spare, yet they
practised the greatest economy, not knowing what
was before them. One of their number thus writes ;
" We were taught by our many trials and sufferings
to stoop to a wilderness condition, which we had
freely chosen to ourselves for the quiet of our own
minds and the good of posterity." The affairs of
the colony appeared very prosperous, and those who
but the year before had felt fearful lest the settle
ment would be abandoned, now looked forward with
hope to the time when it should become a stronghold
of those religious principles, for the free exercise of
which they had left their native land and braved the
dangers of the wilderness.
The years 1631 and 1632 were mostly occupied
in settling the affairs of the colony, in building habi
tations, and in establishing a body to make laws, to
provide for the common defence, and carry into ope
ration all measures which it might be thought best
to adopt. Says Blake, in his " Annals," which con
tain nearly all the authentic history of the settlement
of Dorchester extant, " These years were spent in
working themselves into Settlements, & Incorporat
ing into a Body to carry on ye Public Affairs of y"
Plantation; in Granting many Parcels of Land &
Meadow to I suppose every particular Person ; but
for ye House-lots where they first Set down, we have
no Records of them, they being taken up as afore
said." It is believed that the form of government or

EAELY SETTLEMENT. 17
Town organization, which has prevailed in New
England for the last two centuries, and which has
contributed so much to the well-being of society,
had its origin in the town of Dorchester. The set
tlers of this town in 1633 began the practice of elect
ing Selectmen to provide for the best interests of
the colony, and to put into execution all laws that
might be made. Says Blake, "This year (1633)
this Plantation began ye Practice of Choosing men,
that we now call Selectmen or Townsmen. They
Chose 12 this year to order ye Affairs of ye Planta
tion, who were to have their Monthly Meeting, and
their orders being Confirmed by ye Plantation were
of full force and being to ye Inhabitants. There
were many orders made this year concerning Cattle
and Fences, &c, & Penalties annexed ; besides many
grants of Land."
On the 16th of August, 1635, the Rev. Richard
Mather arrived at Boston. This distinguished cler
gyman, of whom we shall speak at greater length
hereafter, was accompanied with one hundred other
persons desirous of settling in New England. Blake
says, "Arriued here on Aug. 16th, the Revd. Mr.
Richard Mather, that was a long time after Pastor
of this Church, and with him a great Number of
Godly People that Settled here with him. There
came with him 100 Passengers, & 23 Seamen, 23
Cows and Heifers, 3 Sucking Calues, and 8 Mares,
& none Died by ye way, though they met with as
terrible a storm as was almost ever heard of." Im
mediately on his arrival, Mr. Mather received invi
tations to settle at Plymouth, Roxbury, and Dorches
ter. By the advice of his friends, Cotton and Hooker,
he chose the latter place.
The following is a record made of this year by

18 HISTOEY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
Blake. "This year made great alteration in ye town
of Dorchester, for Mr. Mather & ye Godly people
that came with him from Lancashire wanting a place
to settle in, some of ye People of Dorchester were
willing to remoue and make room for them, and so
Mr. Warham & about half ye Church remoued to
Windsor in Connecticut Colony, and Mr. Mather &
his people came & Joined with Mr. Maverick and
that half of y* Church that were left, and from these
people so united are ye greatest part of ye present
Inhabitants descended. When these two Companies
of people were thus united they made one Church,
having ye Sd Revd. Mr. John Maverick, & ye S" Revd.
Mr. Richard Mather for their Pastors."

CHAPTER II.
DIVISION OP MATTAPANNOCK.
It was not till the year 1637 that there was any
formal division of Mattapannock, and it is probable
that till that date all the settlers had a right to have
their cattle pastured in South Boston. In this year,
however, a number of the colonists obtained from
the town the exclusive privilege of using the penin
sula. Says Blake, " In some part of this Year the
Town chose 20 Men to order y* affairs of ye Planta
tion ; and very many orders were made for ye dispo
sal of small pieces of Land & Marsh, &c, and a List of
those who were to haue Land in ye Division of ye
Neck & other Lands, consisting of about 104 Names."
It is supposed that no legal division was made ;
that is, the land was not divided into separate por-

DIVISION OP MATTAPANNOCK. 19
tions, but each had a right in common to use it as a
pasture. The following is a list of the names of
those who had a right to use Mattapannock, now
South Boston, taken from the Town Records : —
Thomas Andrews. Mr. Humphrey Atherton. Mr.
James Bates. Mr. Bellingham. John Benham. Mrs. '
Briggs. William Blake. Edward Bullock. Mr.
Nicholas Butler. Bernard Capen (this man died
Nov. 8, 1638, aged 76 years). John Capen (a dis
tinguished personage, who became a Freeman in
1634, was Captain of the Militia, Deacon and Repre
sentative, and died April 4, 1692, aged 80 years),
Edward Clap (this man was Deacon of the Church
26 years). Nicholas Clap (also Deacon). Roger
Clap (afterwards Captain of the Castle, and author
of the interesting Memoirs of the first settlement of
the Town). Austin Clement. Richard Collicot-
Robert Deeble. Thos. Dickerman. Thomas Dim-
mock. Nathaniel Duncan. George Dyer. John
Eelles. Joseph Farnsworth. Benjamin Fenn. Jo-
seph Flood. Widow Foster. Christopher Gibson
(this person was one of the founders of the Second
Church in Boston, and bequeathed his property, after
the payment of his debts and legacies, to be invest
ed in some real estate, " for the promoting of Dor
chester; it amounted to £104). Mr. John Gilbert.
Mr. John Glover (another distinguished man, a Cap
tain and a Representative, the first who set up tan
ning in Massachusetts, and died Jan. 1654). John
Greenway (Good man). Thos. Hatch. Mr. William
Hathorne (a Representative, Speaker of the House,
Captain of the Militia, Major and Assistant). John
Hayden. Richard Hawes (Good man). Mr. Haw
kins. Mr. John Hill. John Holland. John Hol-
man. John Hull. Jonas Humphreys. Mr. Hutch-

24 HISTOEY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
inson. Richard Jones. Thos. Jones. Mr. John
Knight. Thomas Kinnersley. John Kinsley. Thos.
Lambert. William Lane (Good man). Mr. Thomas
Makepeace. Mr. Martin. Rev. Richard Mather.
Alexander Miller. John Miller. Thomas Millet.
Mr. George Minot (this man was Ruling Elder of
the Church for 30 years). John Moore. Edward
Munnings. Mr. Thomas Newbury. John Niles. Mr.
James Parker (a clergyman). John Phillips. John
Pierce. Robert Pierce. Andrew Pitcher. John
Pope. William Preston. Daniel Price. George
Proctor. Widow Purchase. William Read. Mr.
Thomas Richards. Joseph Rigby. Thos. Samford.
Matthew Sension. Widow Smed. John Smith. Mr.
Stoughton. William Sumner. Thomas Swift. Nich
olas Upsall. Richard Wade. Nathaniel Wales.
George Way. George Weeks. John Whitcomb.
Edward White. Mr. Whitfield. Mr. Whitman.
Bray Wilkins. Thomas Wiswall. Mr. Withington.
Henry Wright. Richard Wright.
It appears, then, that Mattapannock, now so valu
able a part of Boston, was considered by the first
settlers as not- of sufficient value to be divided. It
was a fine pasture for the herds of cattle which the
colonists brought with them, and accordingly was
used exclusively for that purpose. We can imagine
the appearance of South Boston at that time. A
peninsula, or rather an island at high water, covered
with a rich growth of grass, marked the spot now
occupied by hundreds of dwelling-houses. Where
now are laid out wide streets, once grazed a large
number of cattle. In some parts of the peninsula
were found clumps of trees, which afforded shelter
for the kine. By constructing a few rods of fence,
the cattle were prevented from straying away. This

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 25
fence was built near the present junction of Dor
chester Avenue and the causeway between South
Boston and Dorchester. From thence ran a path
way to the Neck, commanded by a gate. Persons
were appointed to collect and drive all the kine
to the common pasture, and to go for them at night.
We are informed by the chronicle that " The oxen
and steers were in one fenced pasture by themselves,
and the younglings in another."
Thus for many years was South Boston used only
as a pasture for cattle. It may be a consolation, how
ever, to reflect that among those who had a right to
occupy Mattapannock, there were numbered some of
the most illustrious of the colonists. Several Re
presentatives, three or four Captains, two clergymen,
quite a number of Good men and Misters, sent their
kine daily to South Boston to eat of the fat of the
land; while among the names of the one hundred
and four, we find several Widows who also shared
in the peninsula which was " so fit a place for cattle."
Even good Richard Mather shared in this privilege,.
and sent his Brindle to graze on the very ground
perchance where now stands the edifice called by
his name and devoted to the acquisition of useful
knowledge. In 1642 was launched the first ship built in Dor
chester. Although we find no mention made as to
the place where it was built, still there is but little
doubt that it was constructed near the residences of"
the colonists, and therefore not far from South Bos
ton. It was probably launched into the Old Harbor..
The following are some of the regulations made
at various times by the Town in regard to the cattle
to be pastured in Mattapannock.
"April 3, 1638. It is ordered that for this year
3

26 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
only the oxen, mares, goats and young cattle shall
be kept at the Neck, and no man shall keep any
cowes there on pain of ten shillings for every cow
so kept there contrary to this order.
" Feb. 13, 1639. It is ordered that no swine shall
be kept at the Great Neck, on pain of five shillings
to be levied by distress.
"April 1, 1640. It is ordered that no man shall
put any cattle on the Great Neck till the 15th of
this month, on pain of 12d. for every beast that shall
be found there before that day, to be levied by dis
tress." The last order was passed in order to prevent
persons from turning their cattle out to pasture be
fore the grass was of sufficient growth to supply
them with food. The same order was passed in
succeeding years.
Several years passed before any definite division
was made. From the following order, passed the
7th of the 4th month, 1642, we are led to suppose
that those who received land on the Neck in 1637,
had commenced marking out their plots.
" Agreed that in laying out the Neck of land, they
are to begin at the north side of the Neck, and lay
that out first, namely of the north side of the way
that is laid out. And when that is laid out, then to
begin at the south side of the way and go forward;
that if any land be left, it may lie at the farthest
part towards the castle, and Bro. Jones, Mr. Glover,
and Bro. Wilks are to give such allowance for swamps
as they in their wisdom shall think meet."
When the division was made, a certain portion of
the Neck was reserved by the town as a common
pasture. Any person had the privilege of allowing
his cattle to graze on this parcel, provided he paid
a small tax imposed by the town.

EAELY SETTLEMENT. 27
In November, 1656, the proprietors of the Neck
made a long statement of grievances which they suf
fered, and requested certain changes in the position
of the fence about the town pasture. The matter
was duly considered, and such changes were made
as to satisfy the complainants. In 1657 the fence
across the passage from the main land to Mattapan
nock had become broken in some places, and the
causeway needed repairs. The following order was
passed Dec. 4, at a regular Town Meeting : —
" Ordered, that the proprietors of the Neck be
requested to repair the fence and causeway, and in
default of so doing they be prosecuted under the law
in regard to roads and fences."
In 1667 the persons who owned land in Mattapan
nock were obliged to pay a tax of half a penny on
each acre of plowed land only. The following is a
list of those who were rated, 11th month, 3d day: —
" Capt. Clap, 7d. ; Jos. Farnsworth, Is. ; Anniel
Weeks, 2d. ; Obadiah Swift, 2d. ; Widow Smith, 3d. ;
Mr. Patten, 2d. ; Richard Baker, Is. ; William Sum
ner, 7d.; John Blackman, Id.; Nicholas Clap, lid.;
Augustin Clement, 4d. ; Widow Clap, 9d. ; Timothy
Mather, is- 2d.; Capt. Foster, Is. 6d. ; Richard
Withington, Is. ld. ; William Clarke, 6d. ; John
Blake, Id.; Samuel Clap, 4d. ; Wid. Baker, Is. 3d.;
Obadiah Hawes, ld. ; Wid. Mannings, 3d. ; Ezra
Clap, 6d. ; John Capen, Junr., 2d.; Deacon Wiswall,
8d.; George Dyer, 6d. ; Dea. Capen, 3d.; Mr. How
ard, 7<L; John Mosely, 2d.; Mrs. Stoughton, 2s.;
Isaac Jones, 6<L ; Widow Batten, 4d. ; James White,
2d. ; Mr. Jones, lOd. ; Ebenezer Williams, 3d. ; Enoch
Wiswall, 6d. ; Thomas Lake, ld. ; James Blake, lid. ;
Nath'l Clap, 6d. Total sum, 19s. 9d.
Charges laid out for Gate and Hinges, £1 2s."

28 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Previous to 1690, the value of the Neck Lands is
not known. It is probable that the transfers of ti
tles, in most instances, were merely an exchange for
the greater convenience of all parties. The fol
lowing table, however, shows the value of land at
different times : —
In 1690, a lot of choice upland sold for <£4 an acre.
1694, a lot of 12 acres in the vicinity of the pre
sent Lyceum building sold for £40 New England
currency — about $3,33 per acre.
1720, choice upland, $7 per acre.
1740, choice meadow, $2,75 per acre.
1750, upland below M street, about $3 per acre.
1760, upland below M street, about $3 per acre.
From this time till after the Revolution, the price
varied but little.
In ancient deeds we find apparently a great dif
ference in the price of land at different times, when
in fact there was but little. This is caused by the
variation in the value of paper money. The sub
joined table shows the number of shillings necessary
to make a dollar in silver at different periods : —
From 1630 to 1652, 26s. 8d. was the value of one
ounce of silver, or about $1.
From 1652 to 1700, 20s. to an ounce of silver.
In 1710, 8s. to an ounce of silver.
1720, 12s. " " "
1730, 20s. " " "
1740, 28s. " " "
1750,60s. " "
Most of the land in South Boston changed hands
before 1700, as by the death of the first proprietors
a division was made among the heirs. In 1718,
those who held land in Mattapannock held a meet
ing, and decided to fence their several lots. The

EARLY SETTLEMENT, 29
following is a copy of the record of this meeting.
We transcribe it from the original document in the
hand-writing of Adam Winthrop, the Secretary.
"Dorchester, Nov. 26, 1718.
"At a Meeting of the Proprietors of Dorchester
Neck, warned by Mr. Preserved Capen, to consider
of the Future Management and Improvement of
Sd Neck.
" Present- — Lieut. Foster, 70 acres ; Capt. Wiswall,
60; Elder Topliffe, 2; Deacon James Blake, 80;
Sam'l Capen, 1 1-2; Sam'l Clap, 14; Jona. Clap and
mother, 25; Eben'r Clap, 11; Benja. Bird, 30 ; John
Eliot, 23 ; Sam'l Capen, Junr., 4 ; Richard Withing-
ton and mother, 30; Humphrey Atherton, 17; Pre
served Capen, 16 1-2; Abiel Bird, 3; Thomas Bird,
5 1-2 ; Ephraim Pearson, 3 ; John Blackman, 3 ; Oba
diah Swift, 3 ; John Glover, 2 ; Jerijah Wales, 1 1-2 ;
William Clap, 2; Hopestill Capen, 2 1-4; Adam
Winthrop, 35; Winthrop for Col. Tailer, 19 ; Eben
ezer Holmes, 7 ; Jona. Clap for Widow Blake, 12 ;
Jos. Weeks for his mother, 4. Total, 486 1-4 acres.
" Desired by the Proprietors that Adam Winthrop
should enter the votes.
" Voted, That we allow persons absent to be re
presented by those that are present upon their
Desire. " Voted, that each Proprietor's Vote shall be ac
cording to the Number of Acres he possesses.
" That Lieut. Foster and Deacon Blake be desired
at or before the Town's Meeting, which is to be Next
Monday, the first of December, to notify the Select
men of Dorchester that the Causeway over to Dor
chester Neck is defective and out of Repair, and that
it is the Desire of the Proprietors that the Town
3*

30 HISTOEY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
would direct it to be mended speedily, or as soon
as may be.
" That in case the Town shall not order the mend
ing of Sd Causeway at or before the Town's Meet
ing in March next, that then Capt. Oliver Wiswall
and Mr. Benja. Bird do present the Said Way to the
Quarter Session for the County of Suffolk in Apr ill next.
" Voted, that the Said Neck, from and after the
Term of Six Months from this Time, wch will be the
26th Day of May next, be no longer held or deemed
as a Common or Generall Field. But that the Pro
prietors of Lands there be obliged to make, main
tain and keep up Fences there, as in other places in
the Province, any Useage or Custom to the Contra
ry notwithstanding.
" At the desire of Deacon Blake that he may set
up a Gate across the Way by his Orchard, to pre
vent a great charge of Fencing which it will other
wise take to keep Cattle from the Water and the
Meadow, consented to, provided he keep up a Good
Gate convenient for Horses and Carts.
" That we are still willing the Gate at the Mouth
-of the Neck shall still stand, Provided it do not in
terfere with the Votes abovementioned.
" That Copies of these Votes be lodged, as soon
as they are drawn fair, in the hands of Lieut. Foster,
Capt. Wiswall and Deacon Blake, and secured there
.hereafter, that any proprietor may have a Coppy by
paying for it.
" At the Desire of the Proprietors that I would
attest the above Votes as passed at the
Sd Meeting, I do accordingly attest the same.
Adam Wintheop."
At the House of
Mr. Sam'l Clap,
Nov. 26, 1718."

PLAN OF DORCHESTER NECK— Drawn for the use of the British Army in 1775.

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 31

CHAPTER III.
FIRST SETTLERS OP MATTAPANNOCK.
It is not known when the first dwelling-house was
built in South Boston. No record is made of it in
the Town Books, and the Assessors' Lists anterior
to 1770 have all been destroyed by fire. It is pro
bable, however, that the first house erected in Mat
tapannock was built about the year 1660, by Dea.
James Blake, an ancestor of the Blake Family now
resident among us. The site of this building was
on the spot where now stands the residence of Sam
uel Blake, Esq., at the Point. In a will made in
1693, we find mention of this house, and in the year
1732 it was so impaired by age that it was taken
down, and a new one erected on the same spot.
Gradually the number of persons residing in South
Boston increased; and in 1776 there were nine
dwelling-houses and twelve families in Mattapan
nock. From a map of Boston and its vicinity, drawn
by order of the British General, in 1775, we have a
projection of South Boston, with every house and
every tree on the peninsula. An aged member of
the Blake Family, who was born in 1776, has given
us such information that we are now able to state the
names of the occupants of all the houses.
First, on Nook's Lane, afterwards called "The
Way," was the house of Mrs. Foster, situated on the
parcel of land where now stand two large trees, at
the corner of Fourth and E streets, and opposite
the Bigelow School-house. This was for many years
the residence of Ebenezer Jones, and in 1750 it

32 HISTOEY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
passed into the hands of the Fosters. At the time
of the Revolution, this dwelling was one of the most
elegant in the vicinity of Boston, and it is related
that in 1776 several Continental soldiers who stroll
ed over to the Neck were with difficulty restrained
from destroying the house, thinking it belonged to a
Tory, as several of the rooms were papered, a lux
ury almost unknown in those days. To the soldiers
this was considered a sure sign that the occupant
was a Tory or traitor.
The next house, owned by Mr. Bird, was situated
on a lane leading from what is now the head of Fourth
street. A short distance farther east, near the present
location of G street, was a lane on which was built
a barrack but one story high. This barrack was
afterwards altered into a dwelling-house by building
a second story, and was occupied by Oliver Wiswall.
Near the present site of the Hawes Place Church
once stood several houses designated as the " Vil
lage." One of these was occupied by Mr. Deluce,
one by Mr. Marshall, and another by Mr. Harrington.
One of them still exists. Deluce's will be remem
bered as a low building, for years unoccupied, situ
ated next to the Omnibus Office, and lately torn
down. Williams's house has been kept in good re
pair, and is now inhabited. It stands a little back
from the Old Road. Behind Williams's house, and
near the sea-shore, stood another dwelling, occupied
by Mr. Ferrington ; and a little to the east of this,
on a lane leading from the Old Road, stood Mann's
house. A short distance farther east, and near the
present location of the Hawes Burying Ground,
stood the house of Mr. Harrington, whose descen
dants are still among us. At some distance south-

PIEST SETTLEES OP MATTAPANNOCK. 33
east of the house stood his barn. Nearly opposite,
and where now stands the stockade fence, was John
Wiswall's dwelling, and in his orchard, situated east
of his house, was his barn. Then at the extreme
Point was the house and barn of Deacon Blake, of
whom we have spoken before. Connected with this
house was a large orchard, consisting of one hundred
trees of different kinds. Near Mr. Harrington's
barn it is said there were several locust trees, bear
ing a fruit very pleasant to the taste.
The cellar of the first Foster house, built under
the two elm trees at the corner of E and Fourth
streets, is still to be seen. These two trees are
more than two hundred years old, and. during the
last few years many branches have become lifeless
and have blown ofl.* The Foster house, as we re
marked, was nearest to Boston, and was the only house
west of Dorchester street. The remainder of the
land was a pasture. There were quite a number of
trees situated between Dorchester and D streets.
There was also by far the best orchard in the vici
nity connected with this house. Peach, apple and
plum trees were found in considerable numbers.
In 1681, died Mr. John Foster, one of the family
who resided in South Boston. We find the follow
ing in the " Annals," under date of this year. " Died
Mr. John Foster, Son of Capt. Hopestill Foster;
School-master of Dorchester, and he that made the
then Seal or Arms of y" Colony, namely, an Indian
with a Bow & Arrow, &c. Upon his Tomb or Grave
Stone is written as follows : —

* These trees, since the above was written, have heen cut down to
make room for buildings.

34 HISTOEY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
'The
' Ingenious
' Mathematition & Printer
' Me. John Foster,
' Aged Thirty three years : Died Sept. 9,
'1681.
'Apr. 1682.'"
Mr. Foster was a graduate of Harvard College,
and was a man of considerable note. His funeral
was attended by a large number of mourning friends,
and in accordance with the custom of the times, the
afflicted family received Elegies on the death of their
brother. There are now living in South Boston
persons directly descended from the Fosters who
first lived on Dorchester Neck. From them we have
received two of the Elegies written on the death of
Mr. John Foster. As they are rather curious docu
ments, we have transcribed them from the original
copies. "FUNERAL ELEGY,
Dedicated to the Memory of His
Worthy Friend, The Learned and Religious
Mb. John Foster, who Deceased in Dorchester the
9 of Septr. 1661.
Amongst the Mourners that are met
(For Payment of their last love'debt
Unto the dead) to Solemnize,
With Sighs and Tears his Obsequies,
Love's Laws command that I appear
And drop a kindly friendly Tear.
I'll venture to bewail his Herse
Though in a homely Country verse.
To omit the same, it were
A Crime at least Piacular.

FIRST SETTLERS OP MATTAPANNOCK. 35
Our woful loss for to Set forth
By setting forth the matchless worth
Of the Deceased is too high
For my poor Rural Poetry,
And greater Skill it doth require
Than whereunto I may aspire.
Records declare how he excelled
In Parentage unparallell'd,
Whose Grace and Virtues very great
He did himself Impropriate
Unto Himself; improved withall
By Learning Academical.
His Curious works had you but seen
You would have thought Him to have been
By Some Strange Metempsychosis
A new reviv'd Archimedes ;
At least you would have judg'd that he
A rare Apolles would soon be.
Adde to these things I have been hinting,
His skill in that rare Abt of Printing ;
His accurate Geography,
And Astronomick Poetry ;
And you would say 'twere pitty He
Should dy without an Elegie.
His piercing Astronomick Eye
Could penetrate the Cloudy Sky,
And Soar aloft, ith' highest sphere
Descrying Stars that disappear
To common eyes ; But Faith and Hope
His all excelling Telescope,
Did help his heaven-born Soul to pry
Beyond the Starry Canopy.
His excellencies here, we find
Were crowned with a humble mind ;
Thus (Grace obtain'd and Art acquir'd
And thirty-three years near expir'd)

36 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
He that here liv'd, belov'd, contented,
Now dies bewail'd and much lamented.
Who knows the Skill, which to our losse
This grave doth now alone ingrosse j
Ah who can tell John Foster's worth
Whose Anagram is, I shone forth.
Presage was his Apoge,
By a preceding Prodigie.
Heaven's blazing Sword was brandished
By Heaven's enraged wrath we dread ;
Which Struck us with amazing fear
Some fixed Star would disappear ;
Th' appearance was not long adjourn' d
Before our Fear to Sorrow turn'd.
Oh Fatal Star (whose fearful flame
A fiery chariot became,
Whereby our Phoenix did ascend),
Thou art our Foe, although his Friend-
That rare Society, which forth
Hath Sent Such Gems of greatest worth,
Its Oaks and pleasant Plants by death
Being pluckt up, it languisheth ;
Thus dye our hopes, and Harvard's glory
Scarce parallel' d in any Story.
That God does thus our choice ones Slay
And cunning Artist take away,
The Sacred Oracles do show
A dreadfull flood of wrath in view.
Oh then let every one of you
His rare accomplishments that knew,
Now weep ; weep ye of Harvard Hall
With bitterest Tears ; so weep we all.
Chiefly such as were alone
Flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone,

FIRST SETTLERS OP MATTAPANNOCK. 37
Lament indeed, and fill the skys
With th' echo's of their dolefull cryes ;
Let James and let Eusha too
With Comfort,* Standfast weeping go,
Thankfull, Patience, Mart likewise
Like loveing Sisters solemnize
With Sighs your greatest loss, but yet
Your Thankfull, Hope do not forget
With Perseverance to fulfill.
Know your Elijah's God lives still.
Standfast therefore with Patience,
Comfort shall be your recompence.
And as you yet survive your Brother,
So be like comforts to your mother,
Who like Naomi sad is left
Of Husband and two Sons bereft ;
So bitterly th' Almighty one
Hath to our weeping Marah done.
Grieve not too much, the time draws near
You'll re-enjoy Relations dear,
And all together will on high
With everlasting Melody
And perfect peace His praises sing,
Who through all troubles did you bring.
THOMAS TILESTON."
We know little of the history of the author of*
this piece of poetry. He was without doubt a rare-
genius. It is mentioned that in 1676 he planted.
" ye Elm Trees now about y" Meeting House," in
Dorchester. The following is a copy of another, of a still more
curious character.
* It is said that Comfort was a rather mischievous chap, and when:
his mother read this line, she remarked that she wished he would be.'
a little more of a comfort to her.
4

38 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
"FUNERAL ELEGY,
Upon the much to bo Lamented Death and most Deplorable Expiration of the Pious,
Learned, Ingenious, and Eminently T/sefull Servant of Uod,
Mr. Jobs Foster,
Who Expired and Breathed out his Soul quietly into the Anna of His Blessed BE
DEEMER, at Dorchester, Sept. 9th, Anno Dom : 1681. Atatis Anno sa.
HERE rye the relict Fragments, which were took
Out of Consumtion's teeth, by Death the Cook.
Voracious Apetite dost thus devour
Scarce ought hast left for worms t' live on an Hour
But Skins & Bones, (no bones thou maks't of that,
It is thy common trade t' eat all the fat.)
Here lyes that earthly House, where once did dwell
That Soul that Scarce hath left its Parallel
For Sollid Judgment, Piety and Parts
And peerless Skill in all the practick Arts,
Which as the glittering Spheres it passed by,
Methinks I saw it glance at Mercury ;
Ascended now ; 'bove Tide and Time abides,
Which sometimes told the world of Time and Tides.
Next to the Third Heavens the Stars were his delight,
Where his Contemplation dwelt both day and night,
Soaring unceartainly but now at Shoar,
Whether Sol moves or stands He doubts no more.
He that despis'd the things the world admired,
As having Skill in rarer things acquired,
The heav'ns Interpreter doth disappear ;
The Starre's translated to his proper sphere.
What e'er the world may think did cause his Death,
Consumption, 'twas not Cupid, stopt his breath.
The Heavens which God's glory doe discover,
Have lost their constant Friend and instant Lover ;
Like Atlas, he help't bear up that rare Art
Astronomy, & always took her part :
Most happy Soul who didst not there Sit down,
But didst make after an eternal Crown,
Sage Archimede ! Second Begalleell !
Oh how didst thou in Curious works excell !

FIRST SETTLERS OP MATTAPANNOCK. 39
Thine Art and Skill deserve to see the Press,
And be Composed in a Printer's dress.
Thy Name is worthy for to be enroll'd
In Printed Letters of the Choicest Gold.
Thy Death to five foretold Eclipses sad,
A great one, unforetold, doth superad,
Successive to that strange JEthereal Blaze,
Whereon thou didst so oft astonish'd gaze :
Which daily gives the world such fatal blows ;
Still what's to come we dread ; God only knows.
Thy body which no activeness did lack,
Now's laid aside like an old Almanack ;
But for the present only's out of date —
'Twill have at length a far more active State.
Yea, though with dust thy body soiled be,
Yet at the Resurrection we shall see
A fair Edition and of matchless worth,
Free from Errata, new in Heaven set forth :
'Tis but a word from God the great Creatour,
It shall be Done when He saith Imprimatur.
Semoestus cecinit.
JOSEPH CAPEN."
It is probable that this Elegy was not received
for some months after Mr. Foster's death, as we find
appended to it the following note : —
" Mrs. Foster, — I am very Happy to have it in my
power to Send you this Coppy. I have long intend
ed it, but want of leisure is the cause. That this
may meet you and Children in Health is the wish of
A. Shores."
The father of Mr. James Foster, Capt. Hopestill
Foster, died October 15th, 1676. He was of great
worth, and was extensively engaged in public affairs.
On the 5th of January, 1 702—3, Mrs. Foster, consort
of Capt. Hopestill Foster, and the lady to whom the

40 HISTORY of south BOSTON.
two Elegies were presented, died at Dorchester,
aged 83 years. From this couple there has descend
ed a large number of families, and one branch has
resided in Mattapannock ever since the old Foster
house was built.
About the year 1700 there stood on the Mann es
tate, a wooden building occupied by Mr. James Fos
ter and his family, consisting of his wife and a negro '
girl. One Sabbath Mr. Foster repaired to Dorches
ter to attend meeting, and while he was absent, the
dwelling by some means took fire. As there were
few inhabitants in South Boston at that time, and as
nearly all the males had gone to meeting, no efforts
were made to save the house, and it was burnt down,
together with all its contents. Mrs. Foster, anxious
to save her husband's private papers, entered the
house and succeeded in bringing out his desk, but
unfortunately, in her haste, she let the treasure fall
from her hands, and the papers were scattered by
the wind. Mr. Foster, on his return at night, in
place of his comfortable dwelling, found nothing but
a heap of ruins.

CHAPTEE IV.
FIRST SETTLERS OP MATTAPANNOCK.
Mr. James Blake, who built the first house in Mat
tapannock, was born in England, in 1623. He was
the son of William and Agnes, who were among the
first settlers of Dorchester ; and, as we have before
remarked, he built a dwelling-house in South Boston
about the year 1660. However, as old age crept

FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK. 41
upon him, his eldest son James took possession of
the homestead, and the old gentleman lived with
him. On the 28th of June, 1700, he died, aged 77
years. In the " Annals " we find the following re
cord made of this event : —
" 1700. This year, June 28th, Died Elder James
Blake, aged -77 years. He was first a Deacon of
ye Church in Dorchester about 11 years, & then a
Ruling Elder of ye same Church about 14 years, unto
his death." In his will he left to his son James,
"the house and land whereon he now lives." This
son married, on the 8th of July, 1684, Miss Ruth
Batchelder as his second wife, and they had several
children, the eldest son of whom was called James.
In 1732 he died, after a long and painful sickness.
Says the Annals : —
" Oct. 22d, Died Deacon James Blake, in ye 81st
year of his age, he having Languished about 7 years
with an ulcerous Leg very painfull ; but at last died
of an Epedemical Gold that then carried off many
aged People. He was a Deacon in this Church
about 23 years, and once Chosen Elder but refused
it. Upon his G-raue Stone is thus written :
' Here lyes Buried ye Body of
Mr. James Blake,
Who departed this Life Oct. 22d, 1732,
aged 80 years & 2 months.
' He was a member in full Communion with ye Church
of Christ in Dorchester aboue 55 years, and a
Deacon of ye Same Church aboue 35 years.
' Seven years Strong Pain doth end at last,
His weary Days and Nights are past ;
The way is Rough, ye End is Peace ;
Short Pain gives place to endless Ease.' "
4*

42 history op south boston.
At his death his son James purchased the rights
of the other children to the old homestead, and be
came sole possessor of it. This man, born in Mat
tapannock, April 30, 1688, 0. S., was one of the
most distinguished personages in Dorchester. He
was for many years Town Clerk and Town Treasu
rer, and for several years the principal Selectman.
All these offices he continued to fill till he was ren
dered incapable of active duty by sickness and in
firmity. He was first elected Selectman and Town
Treasurer in 1724, and in 1725 he was also chosen
Town Clerk. In 1749 he was prevented from at
tending the Town Meeting by sickness, and the citi
zens chose another person to the offices he had so
long held. The following extract from the Annals
shows what he thought of this deprivation of office : —
"By Reason of my sickness I was 'forced to be
absent from this last Anniversary Town-Meeting,
which I had not been before (as I suppose) for
ye space of 30 years or more. And the Town left
me out of all Publick business, after I had served
ithem (I hope I may say faithfully according to my
;ability), as a Town Treasurer, Selectman and Asses
sor, for ye space of 25 Years successively, and as
'Town Clerk for ye space of 24 Years successively;
I having in that time wrote in the second Book of
ye Town Records 208 pages which finished the Book;
and have begun the Third Book of Records, & wrote
therein 119 pages; besides making Tables for both
ye two first Books of Records, in an Intire Book by
itself. I have also in the Treasurer's business made,
begun and wrote out two large folio Books of Ac-
.compts, containing about 224 folios or 448 Pages
each; and the major part of the Third Folio Book
«of about ye same bigness. Besides large Bundles of

FIRST SETTLERS OP MATTAPANNOCK. 43
Tax Lists, Tables to make Rates by, Warrants
for Town Meetings, Divisions of ye Highways, Plans
of Land sold by ye Town, &c. All which is more
(I suppose) by many times over than any one man
before me has wrote & done for the Town. When I
first came into ye business I found many things in
poor order ; but I set myself Industriously (accord
ing to my ability), to Reform and Methodize things
in ye best order I could. And though the Business
was not Profitable, I spending a great deal of time
& doing a great many things I was never paid for,
especially in former years ; yet, since I spent the
prime of my time in ye Town's service, when I might
have Imployed it more Profitably otherwise, and
now am advanced in years, & so infirm and weakly
as not to be able to do any other Business, to leave
me out (not for any suggestion of male-administra
tion, but) only to help a young man to some Busi
ness, I cannot but look upon as ungratefull in ye Town ;
and yet I would not Impute it to ye whole Town,
the matter being carried chiefly (as I suppose) by a
discontented Factious party."
The young man to whom reference is here made,
was Mr. Noah Clap, who held the offices of Town
Treasurer and Town Clerk for many years.
Mr. Blake was an excellent mathematician, and
the most noted surveyor of his time. His plans
were so accurate as to elicit universal praise, and
during his life he surveyed several whole towns. He
once made plans of every acre of land in Dorchester,
and that when its territorial limits were much larger
than at the present time. Many plans drawn by him
are still in existence, and show by their elegant con
struction the hand of a master workman. The large
book of plans of the whole of Dorchester, however,

44 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
cannot be found. When last seen, it was produced
in one of the Courts in Boston to prove certain
claims, and so great was the reliance placed on it,
that the case was decided without any further evi
dence. These plans would prove of inestimable
value, could they be found, in settling land claims,
and any reasonable price would be paid for them by
the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society.
It is feared that they are destroyed, although they
may at some future time be brought to light. Among
the plans which have escaped the destroying hand of
time, there are several projects of different parts of
South Boston. There is not in existence, however,
to our knowledge, a complete map of Mattapannock
made previous to 1776.
But by far the most useful work of Mr. Blake, was
the compiling of his celebrated " Annals of Dorches
ter." This work gives a minute history of the town
for a period of one hundred and twenty years previ
ous to his death. It contains lists of the Town Of
ficers for nearly every year ; and many very inter
esting historical reminiscences, nowhere else to be
found, are here preserved. The Annals were proba
bly written in South Boston, as the author resided
in the Blake House at the Point during most of his
life. To a Mattapannock man, and to a Mattapan
nock book, then, are we indebted for a work which
was for many years the only authentic authority for
the early accounts of the town of Dorchester, and
even now it is considered by far the best history of
the Town extant. It has been published in a neat
form by the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical
Society, and is possessed by many of our citizens.
Mr. James Blake died in the year 1750, in the
63d year of his age. The following is the record

DORCHESTER HEIGHTS. 45
made of it by his son, and is appended to the "An
nals :" —
" This Year Died Mr. James Blake, who wrote
this Book thus far, on ye 4th Day of December, be
tween 8 & 9 of y" clock in ye Evening, in ye 63d year
of his age : he had been in a very poor state of
Health ever since his Relapse mentioned in ye year
1749. He was a very useful & serviceable man &
often Imployed in ye Town & Proprietors' Business,
& did a great deal for them, as may be seen by what
he wrote himself in ye aforesaid year, 1749. He
was much esteemed by men of Learning for his
Learning & Piety."
In 1752 his mother, Mrs. Ruth Blake, died, in the
90th year of her age. She suffered from no disease,
but died of old age.
In 1701, Blake says that "This year, July 26th,
Abby Christian was drowned & Cast ashore upon
the Dorchester Neck of Land." Of the circumstan
ces of the death of this person we know nothing. It
is probable she was drowned in Old Harbor, and
washed upon the beach in Mattapannock by the
waves.

CHAPTER V.
DORCHESTER HEIGHTS.  REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS.
In 1776 Mattapannock was made to perform a
most important part in the successful termination of
the struggles of the American Colonists in their ef
forts for freedom. The British had for months oc
cupied Boston; and although besieged by the Amer
ican army, they had become quite contented, open

46 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
communication with England and other places, by
water, supplying them every needed demand.
On the 22d of December, 1775, Congress, after a
long and serious debate, passed a resolution author
izing Gen. Washington to attack the troops in the
town of Boston, notwithstanding the town and pro
perty in it might be destroyed. Feeling, however,
that with his present army he could not succeed in
dislodging the British, the Commander-in-Chief call
ed for more troops and also for ammunition. These
in February were granted, and Washington felt like
immediately adopting decisive measures. As near
as could be ascertained, the British army consisted
of only about five thousand men, while that of the
Americans was composed of more than seventeen
thousand. About this time supplies arrived for the
loyal army, and Gen. Howe soon thought himself se
cure in his strong-hold. He determined on evacuat
ing Boston, but intended to wait till he could make
arrangements for a long voyage. The Americans,
however, did not consult his wishes, and prepared to
make an immediate attack on the town, being deter
mined to oblige the British to leave, cost what it
might. Dorchester Heights had long been considered as
the most convenient point from which to dislodge
the British. Situated near Boston, it had complete
command of the town, and also of the whole harbor.
Nature had apparently formed the hill in a manner
to second the ends of the sons of Liberty, and it
only remained for them to take possession. Ac
cordingly, as soon as Washington could strengthen
his army sufficiently to warrant the undertaking,
he made active preparations for erecting redoubts
on Dorchester Heights.

DORCHESTER HEIGHTS. 47
In a letter dated Cambridge, 26th Feb., 1776, and
directed to the Council of Massachusetts Bay, Gene
ral Washington wrote :
" I am making all possible preparation to take
possession of the Heights of Dorchester, which I ex
pect I shall be able to accomplish by the latter end
of this week, and it is believed that this, if any thing
can, will bring the enemy out of Boston."
In another letter, directed to John Reed, and
bearing date, Cambridge, March 3, 1776, we find the
following : —
" I hope in a few nights to be in readiness to take
post on Dorchester Point, as we are using every
means in our power to provide materials for this
purpose ; the ground being so hard frozen yet, that
we cannot intrench, and therefore are obliged to de
pend entirely upon chandeliers, fascines, and screwed
hay for our redoubts. It is expected that this work
will bring on an action between the king's troops
and ours."
It was felt to be a critical period, and every pre
caution was taken to strengthen the lines, and pre
pare for any repulse which the British might attempt
to make. The following extract from the general
orders, February 26, 1776, shows the care taken to
prevent crime and cowardice : — -
" All officers, non-commissioned officers, and sol
diers, are positively forbid playing at cards, and oth
er. games of chance. At this time of public distress,
men may find enough to do in the service of their
God and their country, without abandoning them
selves to vice and immorality."
" As the time is now fast approaching when every
man must expect to be drawn into the field of action, it
is highly important that he should prepare his mind,

48 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
as well as every thing necessary for it. It is a no
ble cause we are engaged in ; it is the cause of virtue
and mankind. Every temporal advantage and com
fort to us. and our posterity depends upon the vigor
of our exertions ; in short, freedom or slavery must
be the result of our conduct. There can, therefore,
be no greater inducement to behave well. But it
may not be amiss for the troops to know, that if any
man in action shall presume to skulk, hide himself,
or retreat from the enemy without the orders of his
commanding officer, he will be instantly shot down
as an example of cowardice ; cowards having too
frequently disconcerted the best formed troops by
their dastardly behavior."
General Washington applied at two foundries for
mortars, and succeeded in contracting for quite a
number of thirteen-inch ones to be delivered immedi
ately. As the ground was frozen very hard, it was
necessary to procure substitutes for dirt, and, accord
ingly, chandeliers, fascines and screwed hay in vast
quantities were collected in the American camp. The
fascines were an immense collection of white birch
faggots, procured from the farm of Capt. John Ho-
mans, in the upper part of Dorchester. ' Washington
rode over this farm, and selected it as the most pro
per place for the labor on account of its obscurity.
A lieutenant and thirty soldiers were delegated to
cut the brush. Two thousand bandages were pre
pared to dress broken limbs, and forty-five bateaux,
each capable of carrying eighty men, and two float
ing batteries, were collected in Charles River. The
whole design, however, was kept a profound secret,
and for three nights the Americans cannonaded Bos
ton from Cobble Hill, Lechmere Point, and Lamb's
Dam.

DOECHESTEE HEIGHTS. 49
Washington was certain that the taking possession
of Dorchester Heights" would bring on a battle, and
he intended to attack Boston at the same time on
the Cambridge side. He wrote to Congress on the
26th of Feb., and requested them to direct the towns
in the vicinity to order the militia " to repair to the
lines with their arms, ammunition, and accoutre
ments, instantly upon a signal being given." Accord
ingly, large numbers of troops came pouring into
the camp, and every thing gave token of an approach
ing conflict. Four thousand chosen men were select
ed to attack Boston as soon as the attention of the
British should be attracted to Dorchester Heights.
On Monday night, March 4th, a severe cannonading
on Boston was commenced by the Americans, and in
return the British fired shot and shells into the camp
at Cambridge. At about seven o'clock, two thou
sand men, under the command of General Thomas,
marched across the causeway to Dorchester Heights.
A covering party of eight hundred led the way ; then
followed the carts with the necessary intrenching
tools ; then twelve hundred soldiers, under the im
mediate command of Gen. Thomas, and in the rear
followed three hundred carts loaded with fascine*:
and hay. The greatest silence was observed, no-
one being permitted to speak above a whisper ; and
at eight o'clock the party arrived on the Heights-
and began operations. The covering party was di
vided, so that a portion were stationed at the point-
nearest Boston, and the remainder at the point near
est the Castle. As soon as the order was given to
commence, the three hundred cartm'en, under the spe
cial command of Mr. Goddard, of Brookline, began
to transport the fascines to the hill, and in a very
few hours the necessary quantity was on the ground..
5

50 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
Bundles of hay were arranged so as to protect the
teams, and some of the drivers made three or more
trips during the night. One of the teamsters, Mr.
William Sumner, made five trips before daylight.
This gentleman, who died a few years since, said
that he saw and recognized Gen. Washington riding
towards the forts, accompanied by a few of his offi
cers. The veteran Gridley, the engineer of Bunker Hill,
was engineer on Dorchester Heights at this time.
The occasion was one of intense interest and ex
citement. All the laborers exerted themselves to
their utmost, and, as by magic, the fascines were set
up with stakes like basket work, and the interstices
were filled with whatever was procurable. The
moon shone brightly, and lent her light to aid in the
completion of a work which was to prove of the
greatest advantage to Boston, and help secure the
salvation of America. The silence of the night was
disturbed by the continual roaring of cannon, and the
bursting of the British shells, which often exploded
high in the air, and threw their fiery fragments in
every direction.
At about four o'clock, a party was sent to the hill
to relieve those who had labored all night, and be
fore daylight two forts of sufficient strength to be a
good defence against grape shot and small arms
were finished. As the sun rose above the horizon,
it revealed to the British two fortifications which
had no existence the evening before. The haze of
morn only served to render the redoubt still more
formidable, and with astonishment they gazed on the
work which had so completely brought them into the
power of their enemies. Gen. Howe, when he saw
the forts, exclaimed, " I know not what I shall do.

DORCHESTER HEIGHTS. 51
The rebels have done more in one night than my
whole army Would have done in a month." " It must
have been the employment of at least twelve thou
sand men," he wrote to Lord Dartmouth. It was
immediately decided by the Admiral of the British
fleet, that unless the Americans were dislodged, the
vessels stationed in the harbor could not ride in safe
ty; and it was also very evident that the troops in
Boston were now in a precarious situation. There
were but two alternatives. Either the town must
be evacuated, or the Americans driven from the
Heights. General Howe could not for a moment think of
thus quietly yielding the possession of the town
whose inhabitants had been the original cause of the
war. Relying on the superior strength and disci
pline of his army, he immediately decided to attack
the intrenchments, however great the hazard.
He ordered twenty-four hundred men, under the
command of Earl Percy, to repair to Castle William,
and at night to assail the new works. These prepa
rations were seen by the Americans, and with fever
ish excitement they prepared for the contest. Gen.
Washington felt it to be a moment of the greatest
importance to the cause of liberty, and his soldiers,
worked to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, were ea
ger for the battle. Thousands assembled upon the
neighboring hills, expecting to see repeated the
S3enes of Bunker Hill. The American works were
now very strong, and in order to render the passage
up the hill, should it be attempted, still more difficult,
a large number of barrels filled with stones and sand
were placed on the brow of the hill. These were
to be rolled down the embankment as the columns
were advancing. It is said that one of these barrels

52 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
was sent down the hill in order to see how far it
would roll, and in its course it cut off a large elm
tree at the root, and made an indenture a foot deep
in another tree which was in its path.
Washington, as he walked among his soldiers, ani
mated them by saying, " Remember it is the 5th of
March, and avenge the death of your brethren."
Both the Americans and British were eager for the
contest, and to all human foresight the fields of Mat
tapannock were to be drenched with the blood of the
combatants. At 12 o'clock the loyal troops began
to embark for the Castle, but soon a violent wind
arose, and prevented the soldiers from reaching their
place of destination. During the night the storm
continued, and the rain poured in torrents. So great
was the surf that an attempt to land must have prov
ed fatal. The next day the wind was very boister
ous, and the rain still continued.
In the mean time the Americans were actively at
work strengthening their redoubt. At length Gene
ral Howe gave up his project to attack the new works,
and recalled his troops to Boston. He felt that the
fortifications were now too strong to give any pro
bable hope for a successful assault ; and although he
was well aware of the dishonor which it would bring
upon the British arms, still he concluded to evacuate
the town rather than to have his army cut to pieces
by the Americans.
On the 7th of March, Gen. Howe called a council
of his officers, and it was then determined that it
was advisable to leave Boston. As may be supposed,
the army were surprised when they "heard of this
decision. To the Tories the news was astounding.
They had been repeatedly informed that reinforce
ments sufficient to protect the town would be furnish-

REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 53
cd by Parliament ; and therefore, when they wero
told that the British army was to retire from Bos
ton, they knew not which way to turn for protection.
Many decided to undergo a long voyage rather than
to commit themselves to the wrath of the Whigs,
and Gen. Howe provided vessels for their accommoda
tion. Others ventured to remain.
Immediately the army in Boston began to make
preparations to evacuate. The Tories, eager to save
their personal property, used every exertion to have
their goods, rather than the king's stores, placed in
the vessels. The soldiers also fell to plundering the
houses, and stripped them of every valuable article.
Gen. Howe issued orders against these outrages,
and threatened" with death any who should be found
engaged in them; but yet they were continued,
and nearly every house and shop was entered and
robbed of its most valuable contents. Gen. Howe
caused all the public stores which could not be taken,
to be destroyed. Several sloops were sunk, and
many of the cannon spiked, or thrown into the sea.
The greatest anxiety was now felt for the safety of
the town. A few weeks before, the Americans had
determined to destroy Boston if it should be neces
sary in order to dislodge the British. But now the
danger was from another source. General Howe
threatened, that if his troops were assaulted while
leaving the harbor, he would fire the city. With the
design of averting if possible such a calamity, certain
indirect communications were attempted. Washing
ton was anxious to save blood-shed so far as it was
in accordance with the best welfare of the cause of
freedom, and Howe was equally desirous of prevent
ing an engagement ; and although there was no ex
press negotiation, yet there was a tacit understand-
5*

54 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
ing that the British were to leave the harbor unmo
lested. On the ninth of March, Washington planted a bat
tery on Leak, and Bird's Hill, and another at the
Point, with the design of annoying the fleet if found
necessary. Nook's Hill, also, from its proximity to the city,
was an important position, and Washington decided
to fortify it, with a view of bringing the British com
pletely under his power. Accordingly, on the same
night, a detachment was sent to erect a battery upon
it. The night was very severely cold and bluster
ing, and the soldiers, by some strange thoughtless
ness, built a fire. The British had greatly feared
the occupancy of Nook's Hill, and- guided by the
light, they commenced a severe cannonading upon
the fortifying party, from the Green Store Battery,
near the present corner of Washington and Dover
streets. Four soldiers and a regimental surgeon
named Dole were killed, and the troops were obliged
to suspend operations and retreat. These were the
only persons who lost their lives during all the mili
tary operations at Mattapannock.
The cannonade was a signal for a general discharge
of cannon and mortars from the American batteries,
and all night there was a continuous roar of artille
ry, no less than eight hundred shot being fired. The
scene was one of terrific grandeur. The whole sky
was lighted up as the cannon belched forth their
fiery columns of sulphurous flame.
The people of Boston, to whom had been commu
nicated the design of Howe to evacuate, were terror-
stricken at the prospect that the town would be
destroyed. Mrs. Adams in her Letters refers to
;this night's cannonading in the following manner : —

REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 55
"Sunday evening, March 10. — A most terrible and
incessant cannonade from half after eight until six this
morning. I hear we have lost four men killed and
some wounded, in attempting to take the hill nearest
the town, called Nook's Hill. We did some work,
but fire from the ships beat off our men, so that they
did not secure it, but retired to the fort upon the
other hill."
The next week was one of great anxiety to both
parties. In Boston, preparations were being made
to evacuate, not only by the soldiers, but by Tory
citizens. In the American camp there was much
disquietude. The designs of Howe could not be
ascertained, and his moderation in preparing to va
cate the town made the besiegers very impatient.
With the enemy wholly in their control, they de
sired, if possible, to save Boston from destruction.
Washington feared the British General might be de
ceiving him, and that the arrival of additional troops
and vessels, which were hourly expected, might
change the aspect of affairs, and it was decided in a
council of war, held on the 14th, at General Ward's
head quarters in Roxbury, that if Boston was not
evacuated on the next day, Nook's Hill should be
fortified " at all events."
On Friday, the 15th, the troops in Boston were
paraded, preparatory to taking their departure,
the inhabitants of the town being ordered, by
proclamation of the crier, not to leave their houses
from 11 o'clock, A. M., till night. But a strong east
erly wind suddenly sprung up, and the soldiers
returned to their barracks. On the next day, as we
learn from a manuscript journal kept by a gentleman
who continued in Boston during its occupancy by the
British, " The wind continued east, and the troops

53 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
indulged in great mischief by breaking open stores,
and tossing the contents (being private property)
into "the dock, destroying the furniture of every
house they could get into, and otherwise committing
every kind of wantonness which disappointed malice
could suggest."
Washington had, of course, no knowledge of tho
outrages which the British were committing. He
however had no idea of allowing them to remain un
molested any longer, let the wind be as it might.
He determined, therefore, to bring matters to a cri
sis, and this end he thought could be best attained
by completing the fortifications commenced on Nook's
Hill, whatever opposition might be made. A large
detachment of soldiers was ordered on Saturday
night, March 16th, to take possession of the emi
nence, and erect thereon such forts as would place
the enemy in so perilous a position that they must
cither retreat or be entirely destroyed. Operations
were accordingly commenced in the evening.
The British discovered the movement, and com
menced a severe cannonade. Nothing daunted, the
Americans kept steadily at work, and erected a sub
stantial fort upon the hill. The new Lawrence
School-House on B street now marks the precise spot
where the embankments were thrown up, the hill
then being some forty or fifty feet higher than the
present level of the street.
The British found, to their dismay, when day
broke, that a strong fortification had been erected
so near the city that they could not remain with
safety another day. Says Gordon, in his History of
the American War, published in London, " A breast
work was discovered this morning (March 17, 1776)
to be thrown up by the Americans at Nook's Hill,

REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 57
on Dorchester peninsula, which, from its proximity,
had entire command of Boston Neck and the south
end of the town — a work which the king's troops
had most fearfully dreaded. In consequence of it,
they began to embark at four o'clock in the morning.
and were all on board and under sail before ten.
What so hastened the British upon the sight of the
works on Nook's Hill, was probably an apprehen
sion that the Americans would possess themselves
of Noddle's Island, and by erecting batteries at both
places, -enclose the harbor with the fire of their
cannon." So early in the morning did General Howe com
mence the embarkation of his army, that at nine
o'clock a large number of troops and inhabitants left
the wharves of Boston. No sooner was this observed
in the American camp, than General Ward with
about five hundred men marched in over the Neck,
opened the gates of the town, and entered Boston
just as the last remnant of that army, which had been
a scourge to the metropolis of New England for
eleven months, dropped down the harbor. With
drums .beating, and flags unfurled, the victorious
troops marched triumphantly through the streets,
greeted on all sides by the inhabitants of the town
who so long had suffered the insults and reproaches
of an insolent soldiery.
The following anecdote, connected with Dorchester
Heights, is related. On the night of the proposed
attack on the fortifications by the British, the senti
nels stationed at the foot of the hill, overcome by fa
tigue, and anxious to escape from the severe storm
which raged at the time, took shelter under a pile of
boards, and were soon sound asleep. A waggish
soldier at the top, who by some means ascertained tho

58 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
whereabouts of the sleepers, sat in motion one of the
barrels filled with stones, directing it in such a way
as to strike the boards. With a tremendous impetus
it dashed down the steep declivity, and met in its
course the pile of lumber. As may be supposed,
the boards flew in all directions, and the sentinels,
frightened out of their wits, and supposing that the
enemy were making an attack, fired their guns and
aroused the camp. After considerable alarm, the
Americans discovered the cause of the firing, and re
turned to their quarters for the night.
As soon as Boston was evacuated, the greater part
of the American army was ordered to New York, as
it was supposed that the loyalists would attempt to
gain that important post. One regiment only was
left on Dorchester Heights. These soldiers resided
in a building erected at the foot of the forts, near G
street. The inhabitants of Boston, as soon as the town
was evacuated by the enemy, returned to their
homes. Mechanics were again at work, the stores
were opened, and public worship was resumed. The
schools also were again opened, and the scholars,
after a long vacation, returned to their accustomed
studies. On the same Sabbath that the British left Boston,
Rev. Mr. Leonard preached a sermon appropriate
to the occasion. The following extract, relating to
this sermon, is from the " New England Chronicle
and the Essex Gazette," of Wednesday, March 20,
1776; a newspaper published at that time in Cam
bridge, by Samuel Hall, but formerly issued from
Boston: —
" Last Sabbath, a few hours after the enemy retreat
ed from Boston, the Rev. Mr. Leonard preached an

REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS- 59
excellent sermon, in the audience of His Excellency
the General, and others of distinction, well adapt
ed to the interesting event of the day, from these
words in Exodus 14: 25 : — ' So that the Egyptians
said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord
fightelhfor them against the Egyptians.' "
The news of the evacuation of Boston excited the
greatest joy in the colonies, and it was everywhere
received as a prestige of the future success of the
Americans in the cause which they had so gallantly
espoused. Congratulations were sent to Washing
ton from all directions.
The Selectmen of Boston waited on the General,
and in behalf of their constituents, presented to him
the following address : —
" May it please your Excellency —
" The Selectmen of Boston, in behalf of them
selves and fellow citizens, with all grateful respect,
congratulate your Excellency on the success of your
military operations, in the recovery of this town
from an enemy, collected from the once respected
Britons, who, in this instance, are characterized by
malice and fraud, rapine and plunder, in every trace
left behind them.
" Happy are we that this acquisition has been made
with so little effusion of human blood, which, next to
the Divine favor, permit us to ascribe to your Excel
lency's wisdom, evinced in every part of the long
besiegement. "If it be possible to enhance the noble feelings of
that person, who, from the most affluent enjoyments,
could throw himself into the hardships of a cam
paign to save his country, uncertain of success, 'tis
then possible this victory will heighten your Excel
lency's happiness, when you consider you have not

60 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
only saved a large, elegant and once populous city
from total destruction, but relieved the few wretched
inhabitants from all the horrors of a besieged town,
from the insults and abuses of a disgraced and cha
grined army, and restored many inhabitants to their
quiet habitations who had fled for safety to the bo
som of their country.
" May your Excellency live to see the just rights
of America settled on a firm basis, which felicity we
sincerely wish you ; and, at a late period, may that
felicity be changed into happiness eternal."
To this address Washington made the following
reply :—
"To the Selectmen and Citizens of Boston.
" Gentlemen — Your congratulations on the suc
cess of the American arms gives me the greatest
pleasure. I most sincerely rejoice with you on being
once more in possession of your former habitations ;
and, what greatly adds to my happiness, is that this
desirable event has been effected with so little effu
sion of human blood.
" I am exceedingly obliged by the good opinion
you are pleased to entertain of my conduct. Your
virtuous efforts in the cause of freedom, and the un
paralleled fortitude with which you have sustained
the greatest of all human calamities, justly entitle
you to the grateful remembrance of your American
brethren ; and I heartily pray that the hand of ty
ranny may never more disturb your repose, and that
every blessing of a kind Providence may give happi
ness and prosperity to the town of Boston."
A joint committee from the Council and House of
Representatives of Massachusetts, also presented
him with an address expressive of their thanks, for
the great services he had rendered the country, and

REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 61
informing him of their respect and attachment. To
this the General made a reply, in which he congratu
lated them on the recent evacuation of their metro- >
polis, adding that he had only done his duty, and
"wished for no other reward tlW that arising
from a conscientious discharge of his important trust,
and that his services might contribute to the estab
lishment of freedom and peace, upon a permanent
foundation, and merit the applause of his country
men and every virtuous citizen."
As soon as Congress received the intelligence of
the evacuation of Boston,, on motion of John Adams
a vote of thanks to Washington and his officers and
soldiers was passed, and a gold medal was ordered
to be struck and given to the General. John Adams,
John Jay and Stephen Hopkins were also chosen to
prepare a letter of thanks, of which the following is
a copy :— - " Philadelphia, April 2, 1776.
" Sir, — It gives me the most sensible pleasure to
convey to you, by order of Congress, the only tribute
which a free people will ever consent to pay — the
tribute of thanks and gratitude to their friends and
benefactors. " The disinterested and patriotic principles which:
led you to the field have also led you to glory ;. and
it affords no little consolation to your countrymen
to reflect that, as a peculiar greatness of mind in
duced you to decline any compensation for serving"
them, except the pleasure of promoting their happi
ness, they may without your permission bestow upon
you the largest share of their affection and esteem. !
" Those pages in "the annals of America will re
cord your title to a conspicuous place in the temple
of fame, which shall inform posterity that, under your ¦
6

62 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
direction, an undisciplined band of husbandmen, in
the course of a few months, became soldiers, and
that the desolation meditated against the country by
a brave army of veterans, commanded by the most
experienced generals, but employed by bad men in
the worst of causes, was by the fortitude of your
troops, and the address of their officers, next to the
kind interposition of Providence, confined for near a
year within such narrow limits as scarcely to admit
more room than was necessary for the encampments
and fortifications they lately abandoned.
" Accept, therefore, sir, the thanks of the United
Colonies, unanimously declared by their delegates to
be due to you, and the brave officers and troops under
your command ; and be pleased to communicate to
them this distinguished mark of the approbation of
their country.
" The Congress have ordered a gold medal, adapt
ed to the occasion, to be struck, and, when finished,
to be presented to you.
" I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of
esteem, Sir, your most obedient and very humble
servant, John Hancock, President.
To His Excellency,
General Washington."
To this message General Washington returned
the following answer : —
"New York, April 18, 1776.
" Sir, — Permit me, through, you, to convey to the
honorable Congress the sentiments of gratitude I
feel for the high honor they have done me in the
public mark of approbation contained in your favor
of the 2d instant, which came to hand last night. I

EEVOLUTIONAEY EVENTS. 63
beg to assure them that it will ever be my highest
ambition to approve myself a faithful servant of the
public ; and that, to be in any degree instrumental
in procuring to my American brethren a restitution
of their just rights and privileges, will constitute my
chief happiness.
" Agreeably to your request, I have communicated,
in general orders, to the officers and soldiers under
my command, the thanks of Congress for their good
behavior in the service ; and am happy in having such
an opportunity of doing justice to their merit. They
were indeed, at first, ' a band of undisciplined hus
bandmen;' but it is (under God) to their bravery
and attention to their duty that I am indebted for
that success which has procured me the only reward
I wish to receive — the affection and esteem of my
countrymen. " The medal, intended to be presented to me by
your honorable body, I shall carefully preserve as a
memorial of their regard.
" I beg leave to return you, Sir, my warmest
thanks for the polite manner in which you have been
pleased to express their sentiments of my conduct ;
and am, with sincere esteem and respect, Sir, yours
and their most obedient and most humble servant,
Geoege Washington.
To John Hancock, )
President of Congress." $
The medal was struck in Paris, from a die' cut by
Duvivier. On the obverse was a head of Washing
ton in profile, and around it the following inscrip
tion : —
"GEORGIO WASHINGTON SVPREMO DVCI EXERCITVVM
ADSERTORI LIBERTATIS COMITIA AMERICANA."

64 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
On the reverse is the town of Boston in the dis
tance, with a fleet in view, under sail. Washington
and his officers are on horseback in the fore-ground,
and he is pointing to the ships as they depart from
the harbor. The inscription is,
"HOSTIBVS PEIMO PVGATIS BOSTONIVM EECVPEEATVM
XVII MAETH 'MDCCLXXVI."
As may be supposed, the news of the evacuation
of Boston excited the greatest surprise in England.
The Parliament saw with the deepest mortification
the dishonor of the British arms, and there were
spirited debates on the subject. General Howe's
conduct was severely criticised, and the periodicals
of the day were filled with comments on the loss of
Boston. The chief point of complaint against Gen
eral Howe was his long neglect of Dorchester
Heights, which he intended to fortify some months
before. Said a writer in an English paper, " Now
I beg leave to ask Sir William Howe whether Bos
ton was tenable or not ? He had indeed staked his
reputation as a general on the affirmative. If it was
not, how could he, or his favorite engineer, overlook
this (Dorchester) post? Could they suppose that
the rebels, who, before winter, had made regular
approaches to the foot of this hill, would fail, as
soon as the season opened, to occupy the top of it ?
Why was not a post established there, as at Bunker
Hill ?"
The works erected on Dorchester Heights were
built with much skill, and clearly showed that though
the workmen were mere yeomen, still they were
commanded by officers worthy of the important sta
tion they occupied. It has been truly remarked that
" nothing but the enthusiasm of liberty could have

REVOLUTION AEY EVENTS. 65
enabled the men of America to have constructed such
works. In history they are equalled only by the
lines and forts raised by Julius Cassar to surround
the army of Pompey." May the inhabitants of Mat
tapannock ever remember, with pride, that to the
erection of the forts upon the heights which tower
above us, we are in a great measure indebted for our
liberty, our free institutions and our many privi
leges. May we strive to be worthy of the spot which
is so celebrated in the history of our beloved Repub
lic, and so long as the Mount shall bear the name of
him who was " first in war, first in peace, and first in
the hearts of his countrymen," may we stand fast by
that Constitution and those privileges which were
bequeathed us by our fathers.
During the siege of Boston, the inhabitants of
Mattapannock, from their- proximity to the enemy,
were in constant dread of being attacked. On the
19th of April, the day of the battle of Lexington,
the South Bostonians were so fearful lest the British
should reek their vengeance on the peninsula, that
they all removed to Dorchester. Soon, however,
the greater part returned to their residences, and
although they were often in danger of being killed
by the shells thrown from the Castle, yet for several
months they received no material injury. An aged
lady, a descendant of Mr. Foster, from whom much
valuable information in regard to the early history
of South Boston has been derived, when asked if
there were any Tories residing in Mattapannock,
replied, with great energy, " No, every one here was
ready to fight till he died." It is said, however, that
a Mr. Pratt, who lived with Mrs. Foster, and aided
in tilling her farm, thought it a great waste to have
a whole cargo of tea lost ; and accordingly, when
6*

66 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
Boston Harbor was made a Tea Pot by the patriotic
Bostonians, he actually went down to the sea-shore,
recovered a quantity of tea from the water, and hid it
in Mrs. Foster's barn. He never used it, however, as
his mistress was too much of a Whig to drink any of
the contraband beverage.
In the latter part of the year 1775, Deacon James
Blake, who resided at the ' extreme Point, became
fearful lest he should receive injury from the British
soldiers stationed at, the Castle, who were in the
habit of visiting Mattapannock. Several times his
¦family were grossly insulted, and at last he was forced
to remove to Dorchester, leaving his house and barn
to the mercy of the enemy. One day the old gentle
man saw the red-coats point their cannon towards
the Neck, and thinking they were about to practise
a little, he sent his eldest son to take the glass win
dows out of the homestead, as there was great dan
ger that they would be broken by the concussion.
The young.man immediately mounted his horse, and
was soon busily engaged in obeying his father's -com
mand, when a cannon-ball passed directly through
vthe window on which he was at work, and lodged in
tthe back-wall of the house. Fortunately he was
istooping to reach something on the floor at the time,
:and hence escaped with his life. Soon another ball
-came whizzing by the house, and passed very near
the horse, which stood tied to a tree about a rod
from the homestead. The young man then thought
ithat the British were becoming rather social, and
leaving the windows to their fate, he sprung upon
.his horse, and hastened with all speed to Dorchester.
Soon after this, a party of soldiers visited the
IPoint, and placing a tar-barrel near Mr. Blake's
-dwelling, set fire to it, and the house was totally

FURTHER SETTLEMENT. 67
destroyed. The barn was also consumed. The
blaze was seen by Mr. Blake, at Dorchester, but he
could do nothing to save his property.
In the early part of the year 1776, the weather
was very cold, and the harbor was frozen over. The
ice was quite thick, and improving the opportunity,
on the night of the thirteenth of February, about five
hundred grenadiers and light infantry crossed over
to Mattapannock with the design of surprising the
American guard, consisting of seventy men. They
nearly succeeded in their design, but the guard man
aged to escape. Not wishing to return without some
exploit, they set fire to several of the houses on the
Neck, made prisoners of two persons, and then re
turned. A detachment of Americans was sent to
attack them, but the red-coats escaped unharmed.
Among the houses destroyed was the princely resi
dence of Mrs. Foster, situated under the two old
elms. This conflagration was perhaps one of the
most dastardly acts committed during the war, as
the inhabitants of Mattapannock were very inoffen
sive, making no attempts even to preserve their
property from the enemy.

CHAPTER VI.

FURTHER SETTLEMENT OF MATTAPANNOCK.
Of the history of Mattapannock from the year
1776 till 1804, we know but little. It is plain that
during this period the number of families residing
on the peninsula was not increased. There were
few inducements to attract persons to select that

68 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
part of Dorchester for a residence, as the church and
town school were situated at some distance, and at
high tide it was very difficult to pass the causeway.
An old gentleman who resided in Mattapannock at
that period, informed us, in a late conversation, that
he had often heard his father say, " We must rise
early Sunday morning, or the water will prevent us
from crossing the causeway." Often, he added, have
we started by sunrise on a winter morning, and been
obliged to sit in a cold church all day. At that time,
as is well known, the meeting-houses were not
warmed, and our ancestors were often obliged to
perform their devotions with frost-bitten feet and
chattering teeth.
As we have before remarked, the Town of Dor
chester kept possession of a portion of the land at
the Point. This land was called the Town Pasture,
and in 1775 we find the following order passed in
regard to it : —
"At a legal meeting of the freeholders of Dor
chester, held Nov. 24, 1775, it was
" Voted,— To Sell the Wood off of the Town's
Pasture at Dorchester Neck." At a later period of
the meeting it was
" Voted, — That the above vote be so far reconsid
ered as that one or two trees be reserved for shade."
" Voted,— That Mr. Thomas Moseley sell Sd Wood,
and return the money into the Town Treasury."
From the following extract from the Town Re
cords we are led to conclude that for more than one
hundred and fifty years Mattapannock was used as a
pasture by the inhabitants of Dorchester. Indeed,
until within the last quarter of a century many acres
of the peninsula were devoted to this purpose.
" At a meeting of the freeholders of Dorchester,
held June 5, 1776, it was

FURTHER SETTLEMENT. 69
" Voted, — That the Income of the Common Land
at Powow Point this year be allowed towards main
taining a gate across the way leading on to Dorches
ter Neck."
The greatest scourge which in those days visited
the colonies of New England was the small-pox, and
Boston and the towns in its vicinity were particu
larly afflicted. In 1702, 313 persons died of this
disease in Boston; and in 1721, 5,729 persons —
half of the number of inhabitants — had the small
pox, and 844 died. About this time Dr. Zabdiel
Boylston, a distinguished physician of Boston, dared
to inoculate with the small-pox three of his house
hold. By this means the violence of the disease was
much abated. The experiment, however, excited
the greatest opposition both on the part of the medi
cal faculty and the public. In due time, however,
the benefits of inoculation were appreciated, and
thousands voluntarily contracted the disease by this
method. But it was found necessary to separate
those who were inoculated from the healthy portion
of the community. Accordingly, hospitals were
opened in the different towns, and to these places
all resorted who desired to have the small-pox. No
one was allowed to approach these places, though
generally those who were inoculated did not suffer
much from the disease. In 1792, one of these hos
pitals was established at Dorchester Neck, and
thither were sent all the small-pox patients of Dor
chester. The following vote we find in the Town
Records : —
"Nov. 2d, 1792. Voted,— That Doctor Phinehas
Holden have Liberty for a Hospital at Dorchester
Neck. " Voted, — That the House of Mr. Jonathan Bird

70 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
tertius, at Dorchester Neck, be used as a Hospital
for Inoculating for the Small-Pox."
Previous to the year 1796, the passage between
South Boston and Boston was passable to shipping
craft only at high tide. On the 26th of February,
1796, however, an act was passed by the Legislature,
incorporating John Lowell, Esq., Increase Sumner,
Esq., Thomas Williams, Physician, John Reed, Esq.,
and Mr. Thomas Williams, Jr., into a company to
dig and clear a channel to Roxbury. It was called
the Roxbury Canal, and was of the greatest advantage
to the inhabitants of that town. In process of years,
the tide has washed away the land on each side, till
it is now a wide opening.
In 1801 occurred the only duel which was ever
fought in Mattapannock. It was a bright Sabbath
morning in June, just at break of day, that several
men were seen passing through South Boston to
wards the Point. As it was common for persons
who resided in Boston to visit the peninsula on
Sunday for recreation, little was thought of the mat
ter. Arriving near the present position of Alger's
Gun Yard, at the Point, they appeared to be for
some minutes in consultation, and then two of the
men were seen to measure off the ground. This at
tracted no particular attention, as it was supposed
that the party were to engage in a game of quoits.
Soon, however, the report of a pistol was heard, and
soon after another broke upon the stillness of the
morning. No alarm was excited by these reports,
as it was thought the men might be firing at a target.
Soon, however, a portion of the party were seen
hastening away, while at the same time the remain
der slowly bore alung Lhe insensible bleeding body
of one of their company. He was taken into the

PUETHEE SETTLEMENT. 71
house of Mr. Blake, and every thing done to save
his life, but he died in a few minutes.
It appeared that two men, named Rand and Miller,
fell into a dispute, and determined to settle the mat
ter by a duel. Accordingly, they proceeded to the
Point, accompanied by their seconds and several of
their friends, to seek satisfaction for their wounded
honor. Rand had his first shot, and, although Miller
was a very portly man, did not hit his adversary.
Miller's turn then came, but feeling assured that he
should kill Rand, he attempted to settle the dispute.
But no, Rand must have satisfaction, and Miller fired.
Rand fell, and Miller fled to New York, where he
amassed an immense fortune, and died a few years
since. This occurrence, as it may be supposed, produced
great excitement among the people of Dorchester
Neck. To have a man killed in their midst on Sun
day morning seemed a dreadful thing, and indeed
must have struck all with horror. Mrs. Blake, into
whose house the deceased was taken, is still alive,
and recollects distinctly the events of that morning.
As Boston and Dorchester were wholly discon
nected by land, the passage to and from the former
place by our citizens was either in boats or around
through Roxbury. On the evening of December 24th,
1803, a most distressing accident occurred between
the two places. Three young men, James Pike, aged
28 years, David Williams, Jr., aged 20 years, and
Moses Whitney, aged 17 years, while returning from
Boston to their residences on Dorchester Neck, in a
small boat, were upset, and all drowned. Mr. Whit
ney's father had accompanied the three young men
to Boston, and intended returning with them, but ar
rived at the wharf just after they had pushed off, and

72 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
was obliged to go round by land. But for this mo
ment's tardiness, he must have shared the fate of the
others. The friends of the deceased waited in sus
pense till the morning, when the- hat of one of the
young men was found on the beach. Their bodies
were shortly after recovered, and the funeral obse
quies were performed in the church, where a large
concourse of people were assembled. An appropri
ate dirge was sung by the choir, and a very solemn
address made by Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris, who had
then been Pastor of the church in Dorchester for
about ten years.

CHAPTER VH.
ANNEXATION TO BOSTON.
In the latter part of the year 1 803, a number of
distinguished citizens of Boston, among whom were
William Tudor, Gardiner Green, Jonathan Mason,
and Harrison Gray Otis, with an impression, which
time has shown was well founded, that Boston was
destined to be one of the most important commercial
emporiums in America, and that it was not of suffi
cient size to accommodate the business of the place,
bought a large number of acres of land on Dorchester
Neck. It is said that they were advised to make
this purchase by Joseph Woodward, a native of
Tewksbury, who selected Mattapannock as being
land most easily annexed to Boston; and in order to
render it accessible, it was proposed to build a
bridge. In the early part of the year 1804, a peti
tion was presented to the Town of Boston, by the

ANNEXATION TO BOSTON. 73
proprietors of lands at said Neck, for its consent to
the annexation of that tract of land to the Town.
This petition was referred to a large committee
chosen to consider on what conditions the annexation
should be made.
The committee subsequently reported several con
ditions, and the freeholders of the Town of Boston
were called together to consult on the matter. On
the 1 7th of January, it was
" Voted, — That the Town will consent that the
Lands on Dorchester Neck, agreeably to the Petition
of the Owners, shall be annexed to and incorporated
with the Town of Boston, provided it can be done
on such conditions as the Town shall hereafter agree
to." Another meeting was called on the 30th of Janu
ary, and so great was the excitement that no busi
ness could be transacted. The greater part of the
day was spent in angry debates, and at last it was
deemed advisable to adjourn the meeting till the
next day, when it was hoped a better state of feel
ing might exist. This. was done, and at the adjourned
meeting it was decided that if the Neck was an
nexed, " The Proprietors of the land to be annexed shall!
consent that the Selectmen of the Town of Boston
shall immediately lay out such Streets, Public Squares
and Market Places as they shall judge necessary for
the public accommodation, without any compensation
for the land so appropriated."
On the twenty-fifth day of February, at a meeting
of the Selectmen of the Town of Boston,
" The Chairman was directed to apply to the Sen
ators of the County and the Representatives of the
Town, to inform them that the Board think it im--
7

74 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
portant that a clause should be inserted in the Bill
now under the consideration of the Legislature for
annexing Dorchester Point to the Town; that the
Streets, Market Places and Public Squares shall be
laid out by the Selectmen, or a Committee chosen
by the Town, without any compensation in money
being required by the Proprietors for the land taken
for such purposes."
In the mean time the petitioners were making the
most strenuous efforts to effect the passage of the
bill. They had bought a large number of acres at
Mattapannock at a very cheap rate, and they were
convinced that if the bill should pass, the property
would immediately rise in value. It was also con
sidered highly important to the Town of Boston that
this Neck should be annexed, as it was then supposed
the peninsula itself could not contain many more in
habitants. The inhabitants of Dorchester, however, were very
much opposed to the change. They considered Mat
tapannock as belonging to them, and were deter
mined to retain their property- if possible.
At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabi
tants of the Town of Dorchester, qualified by law to
vote in town affairs, held January 23, 1804, of which
Moses Everett, Esq., was chosen Moderator, it was
" Voted, — That the Town have no Objection to a
Bridge being Erected from Dorchester to Boston.
" Voted, — To remonstrate against Dorchester Neck
being set off and annexed to the Town of Boston.
"Voted, — To Choose a Committee to Remonstrate
to the General Court against Dorchester Neck being
set off and annexed to the Town of Boston.
" Voted, — that Sd Committee consist of Nine per
sons :— Ebenezer Wales, Esq., Stephen Badlam, Esq.,

ANNEXATION TO BOSTON. 75
John Howe, Esq., Mr. Samuel Withington, Major
James Robinson, with Ebenezer Tolman, Mr. Lemuel
Crane, Mr. Thomas Moseley, Mr. Edward W. Baxter,
the present Selectmen.
" Voted, — That the above Committee be requested
to attend to all matters and things for the Interest
of the Town of Dorchester, as it relates to the Peti
tion of Wm. Tudor, Esq., and others, praying that
the Lands on Dorchester Neck may be annexed to
and incorporated with the Town of Boston."
This committee immediately prepared to oppose
the passage of the Bill, and drew up a strong remon
strance (See Appendix A), which was presented to
the General Court.
A memorial was presented to the Selectmen of Bos
ton by those in favor of the movement. (See Ap
pendix B.)
At a town meeting held Feb. 16th, 1804, the com
mittee appointed to draw up the remonstrance
against annexation, reported as follows : —
" Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Dorchester
on the 23d of January last, Your Committee have
attended to the business assigned them, and have
preferred to the Honorable Legislature a Written
Remonstrance to prevent that part of this Town
called the Neck from being set off to the Town of
Boston as prayed for in a Petition of William Tudor,
Esq., and others ; and notwithstanding your Commit
tee have opposed the same in every stage of the
business, a Report is made in favor thereof by a
Joint Committee of both Houses, without any com
pensation being allowed for it to the Town of Dor
chester ; and your Committee not feeling themselves
authorized to proceed any further in a business so
highly important, considered it expedient that the

76 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Town be called together, and are ready to give all
the Information they have obtained on the subject.
Eben'r Wales,
In behalf of the Committee."
This Report was accepted, and a verbal report
was then made by one of the Committee, in which it
was stated that the sum of $6,000 might be obtained,
provided the Town would oppose the Petitioners no
farther. It is probable that the Town would have accepted
this sum, and made no more opposition; indeed,
they had nearly decided on this measure, when John
Howe, Esq., an influential citizen of Dorchester,
arose, and with great emphasis called on the town to
retract, and make no agreement by which they were
to lose the most valuable portion of their territory.
He was certain that the Legislature would not grant
leave to annex Dorchester Neck to Boston, provided
the citizens of Dorchester were opposed to it.
This speech had great influence over the assembly,
and as soon as he sat down, it was moved and
"Voted, — Not to accept the 6000 Dollars on the
conditions they are offered.
"Voted, — That the Selectmen be a Committee
to attend to the Petition of William Tudor, Esq.,
and others, now pending before the General Court,
and that they act in all Matters according to their
Discretion for the Interest of the Town."
A motion was made to withdraw the Remonstrance,
but it was
"Voted, — Not to withdraw said Remonstrance."
Subsequently, the petitioners, through Harrison
Gray Otis, offered $20,000 to the Town of Dorches
ter provided they would not oppose the bill. This
offer was rejected, and every effort was made to pre
vent its passage.

ANNEXATION TO BOSTON. 77
However, after considerable debate, on the 6th of
March, a bill was passed by the Legislature, annexing
Dorchester Neck to Boston. (See Appendix C.)
By this means the citizens of Dorchester lost the
jurisdiction over Mattapannock, and also the money
offered, much to the chagrin of those who had oppos
ed the acceptance of the proffered sum. Land at
South Boston — for from the passage of the bill it
took this name — immediately increased in value.
Lots that could be bought in 1803 for $40 an acre,
now sold for $400 or $500, and a new impulse seem
ed to be given to the Neck. Many purchased large
ly, and South Boston immediately became quite a
noted place. The population also began to increase,
and those who owned land on the Neck suddenly be
came rich. And yet two, out of the twelve tax-pay:
ers who lived in South Boston, never would give
their consent to the separation, although one of them
held a farm of 52 acres, which was thereby so greatly
increased in value.
At the same time that the Act was passed by which
Dorchester Neck was annexed to the Town of Boston,
other acts were passed, authorizing the building of a
bridge from the Neck to the town, and also the con
struction of a street within the town, leading from
the bridge to ,the more populous parts of it. As we
intend, however, to make this bridge the subject of
more extended remark in another chapter, we pass
to other topics.
When annexed, South Boston contained about six
hundred acres of upland, and nineteen persons who
paid a poll tax resided in the place. The following
is a list of the proprietors at that time, with the tax
they paid.

78

HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.

State, Town and County Tax, 1804.

No.

Value

Real.

Total

Names.

Polls.

Poll Tax.

Real Estate.

Estate Tax.

Tax.

Blake James, .

$7,000
$43 68
$43 63
Bird Jonathan, 3d,
1
175
15,400
9610
97 85
Bird Samuel and Ezekiel,
2,700
16 85
16 85
Bird Thomas, .
600
3 74
3 74
Bird Jacob, .
1
175
175
Bird Elijah, .
1
175
175
Clap Lemuel, .
1
176
3,700
23 09
24 84
Clap Jason (Brick yd),
2,000
12 48
12 48
Clap Mary (Widow),
2,700
16 85
16 86
Cobb Samuel,
3,300
20 61
20 61
Champney John, .
2,200
13 73
13 73
Deluce John,
1
175
800
4 99
6 74
Everett Moses, Esq.,
6,000
37 44
37 44
Farrington John, 2d,
1
175
7,800
48 67
50 42
Gore Jeremiah,
500
312
312
Gray John,
1,200
7 49
7 49
Gould Abraham, .
1
175
27,000
168 48
170 23
Harrington Rufus,
1
175
800
4 99
6 74
Humphries James,
750
4 68
4 68
" " (Guardian)
800
4 99
4 99
Hartshorn Oliver, .
750
4 68
4 68
Higginson Stephen,
4,800
29 95
29 95
Leeds Thomas,
1
175
600
3 74
5 49
Loring Israel,
1
175
800
4 99
6 74
Marshall Moses, .
1
175
300
187
3 62
Munroe Thomas, .
1
175
175
Newman Henry, .
1
175
10,600
6614
67 89
Fayson Samuel,
1,300
811
8 11
Bobbins Edward, .
3,000
18 72
18 72
Spear Lemuel,
1
175
2,500
15 60
17 35
Spear Aaron,
1
175
400
2 50
4 25
Temple James,
1
175
176
Tudor William, Esq., .
12,600
78 62
78 62
Tileston Onisepherus, .
1
175
175
Williams David, .
1
175
500
312
'4 87
TWoodward Joseph,
1
1 75
15,800
98 59
100 34
33 25
139,200
868 61
90186
Value of Real Estate, $139,200. Personal, no
thing. Number of Polls, 19. Poll Tax, $33 25. Real
Estate Tax, $868 61. Total Tax, $901 86.
In the year 1805, Judge Tudor, desirous of increas
ing the inducements to settle in South Boston, and
feeling confident that money invested in that place
would pay a good interest, built the large block
of brick buildings situated at the corner of Broad
way and A street, and usually known as the " Bar-
hacks," or " Brinley Block." Three of the houses
ANNEXATION TO BOSTON. 79
were finished in the most magnificent style, while
the fourth, the most westerly, was not completed in
side till some years afterwards.
It will be remembered that within a few years
the front doors of these houses were in the second
story, and were reached by a long flight of steps.
When they were built, Broadway was not graded,
and these doors were on a level with the ground.
Subsequently the street was dug down, and stories
built beneath. Still more recently, these front doors
have been changed into windows of the second story,
and the flight of steps removed.
At the same time, a Mr. Murphy built the house
now known as the " South Boston Hotel." When
first constructed, it was only half as large as at the
present time. As soon as it was completed, Mr.
Murphy opened it as a Public House, hanging out as
his sign a large golden ball. Mr. Ross, a soap man
ufacturer, also, in 1805, built the large brick build
ing at the corner of Fourth and Turnpike streets,
for some years occupied by Mr. Holmes as the
" Twelfth Ward Hotel." Mr. Ross used it as a
dwelling house for some time, and it then passed into
other hands, and was used as a private dwelling.
These buildings, with Mr. Gould's, under the old
elms, near the corner of Fourth and E streets, were
the only brick buildings in the place. Soon after
the annexation, quite a number of wooden houses
were built, occupied partly by persons who formerly
resided in Boston proper, and partly by the work
men engaged in Mr. Ross's Soap Factory. Unfortu
nately for those who built the "Block," and the
" Hotel," South Boston did not increase in impor
tance so rapidly as was expected. For a long
time, three of the four houses in the " Block " re-

80 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
mained unoccupied, and the rent for the other only
amounted to $120 per annum. After keeping the
Golden Ball Hotel for four or five years, Mr. Mur
phy gave up the business, and the house was occupied
by Mr. Hunting as a private residence for twenty-
eight years.
Abraham Gould, Esq., mentioned above, was for
many years a prominent citizen of Mattapannock.
His wife was a direct descendant of the Fosters
who have been alluded to in previous chapters. As
seen by the list of tax payers in 1804, he then held
a large amount of real estate — more than any other
individual in the place. He died in the brick house
just spoken of, on Fourth street, in February, 1840,
in the 84th year of his age. Mr. Gould was on guard
-duty at Nook's Hill on the night of the erection of
the forts on the Heights. (See Appendix D.)

CHAPTER VIII.
BRIDGES AND AVENUES.
Previous to the annexation of Dorchester Neck
to Boston, there was no means of direct communica
tion between the two peninsulas, as already men
tioned, except by boats. There were but ten fami
lies then residing on Mattapannock, and the travel
between the town and the Neck was very small.
Small row-boats plied across to accommodate those
who might wish to pass, running from Wind-mill
Point, now the site of the Planing Mill in Sea street,
to the foot of B street, and from Rainsford's Lane
across to the foot of Fourth street. When, however,

BEIDGES AND AVENUES. 81
in 1803, the proposition was made to annex Dorches
ter Neck to Boston, it was judged necessary to pro
vide some better mode of communication between
the places. A scheme was made to build a bridge
from Wind-mill Point across to the Neck. A peti
tion was sent to the town, asking for the privilege
of having Dorchester Neck annexed to Boston, " upon
the single condition that the inhabitants of Boston
will procure a bridge to be erected between Boston
and Dorchester Neck."
And now commenced a discussion, which, perhaps,
excited public attention and feeling more than any
that has ever been brought before the Bostonians.
Several confused meetings of the citizens were helgl
on the subject. At one time they would pass reso
lutions, which at their next assemblage they would
nullify. The greatest excitement prevailed, and it
was necessary sometimes to adjourn the meetings
because order could not be maintained. The chief
subject of dispute seemed- not to be as to the feasi
bility of annexing Dorchester Neck, and of building
a bridge, but as to the conditions upon which it
should be annexed, and where the bridge should be
located. At last, on the 31st of January, 1804, the town
agreed to the proposition of annexation, provided
" that the place from which and the terms on which
the bridge should be built, shall be left entirely with
the Legislature." The Representatives from Bos
ton were authorized to favor the measure.
It was then proposed to build a bridge from South
street to the Neck, nearly in the present position
of the North Free Bridge. In the " New England
Palladium" for February 17, 1804, we find the fol
lowing record.

82 HISTOEY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
" SENATE. Tuesday, Feb. 14.
" New Beidge. — The joint Committee on the peti
tion of William Tudor and others, praying for leave
to build a Bridge from Boston to Dorchester Neck,
reported, That the petitioners have leave to bring
in a bill, authorizing them to build a Bridge from
South street in Boston, to Dorchester Neck, as set
forth in the petition ; agreeably to such rules, regu
lations and conditions as shall be prescribed by the
Legislature. " @^» We learn, that the committee report as their
opinion, that the conditions on which the leave be
given, shall be, that the Proprietors of the bridge
shall furnish, from the 1st of April to the 1st Decem
ber, each year, a boat, with two hands, whose busi
ness it shall be, at all times, to aid all vessels in
passing the draw, that they may not be necessitated
to cast anchor : — That the Proprietors of the Bridge
shall pay Eleven Hundred Dollars, annually, to the
wharf-holders at the South end and at Roxbury ;
which sum shall annually be expended to promote
the navigation above the bridge : — That it shall be
lawful for the proprietors, after the expiration of
three years, to make application to the Governor,
who shall be authorized to appoint three persons to
hear the parties, and decide on any new conditions
they shall deem just and equitable, provided they
shall not raise the sum to be paid annually ; and that
every five years after, it shall be lawful to make a
similar application, that similar process may be had
thereon." On the petition for the annexation of Dorchester
Neck to the town of Boston, the committee reported
in favor of the petitioners, on condition that two

BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 83
cross Streets be laid out by the petitioners, one run
ning E. and W., the other N. and S., and that three
lots be appropriated for public purposes, viz. — one
for a meeting-house, one for a school-house, and one
for a burial-place.
The inhabitants at the south end of the town were
very desirous that the bridge should be built from
Orange street, in the present position of the South
Free Bridge. The newspapers of the early part of
the year 1804, were filled with communications on the
subject, some merely squibs, while others occupied
several columns. Different editors took different
views of the subject, and the matter was most fully
discussed both by the public and in the legislative
halls. At this juncture the inhabitants of the south end
formed a plan to change the position of the bridge,
offering, if it was built to accord to their wishes, to
construct a commodious street across the flats from
Rainsford's Lane to the head of the proposed bridge.
They presented a petition to the General Court to
be incorporated for this purpose, upon the presump
tion that no liberty would be granted for the erec
tion of any avenue to South Boston northward of
this bridge, " unless at some future period the in
creased settlement of this part of the country should
be such that the public exigencies should require the
same." This plan met with so favorable a reception, that
the Dorchester Point proprietors were induced to
make a compromise with the South-enders, and the
South street bridge was abandoned.
On the 23d of February, the joint Committee made
a report on the basis of the compromise, which was
accepted, and

84 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
On Saturday, Feb. 25, a bill to incorporate certain
persons "for the purpose of making a street from
Rainsford Lane to the Bridge proposed to be built
from, or near, the Town's Landing at Dorchester
Neck," was read for the first time.
On Monday, Feb. 27, it had a second reading, and
on Thursday, March 1, the bill was passed to be en
grossed. On Tuesday, March 6th, three highly important
bills were signed by Governor Strong; viz., one an
nexing Dorchester Neck to Boston, another incorpo
rating the Proprietors of Boston South Bridge, and
a third incorporating the Front Street Corporation.
(See Appendix E.)
No sooner was the act authorizing the Bridge
passed, than workmen began to drive the piles ne
cessary for its erection, and in the summer of 1805
it was completed. It was one thousand five hundred
and fifty-one feet in length, and cost the proprietors
about $56,000. On the 1st day of October, soon
after it was completed, it was the scene of a grand
military display, concluded by a sham fight.
Before its completion, however, it was manifest
that its location did not suit a large portion of those
interested in South Boston. The compromise made
with the South end people did not seem to them a
sufficient reason for changing the location of the
bridge, and no sooner had the General Court assem
bled in January, 1805, than petitions were pre
sented praying for a bridge from Wheeler's Point.
As the South Bridge was not yet completed, it was
undoubtedly the design to prevent, by the passage
of the new bill, the building of the Bridge from Front
street. Public opinion on the subject was very much di-

BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 85
vided. Those who were interested at the South
End were bitterly opposed to the passage of the
Free Bridge Act, while those interested in South
Boston and also the whole of the South Shore towns1
were in favor of a bridge from Wheeler's Point.
The newspapers of that time were made the medium
through which hundreds of communications on the
subject Were presented to the public. We have been
much interested in looking over the files of the Co
lumbian Centinel, Independent Chronicle, and New
England Palladium. Benj. Russell, the famous editor
of the Centinel, after publishing a lengthy communi
cation in favor of the new bridge, in his paper of
Jan. 16, 1805 — says:
" In answer to a note which accompanied the pre
ceding communication, we observe, that from the ex
tensive circulation of the Centinei, we expect nume
rous communications on the subject therein broached.
We therefore take this early occasion to notify
the parties that the most exact impartiality will be ob
served by us ; that we shall give the pieces on both
sides as early publicity as may be consistent with
other duties ; and that we shall demand a compensa
tion for our labor."
It is clear that he saw the interest manifested on<
the subject, and by thus making his paper the orgam
of neither party, but admitting at the same time the
communications of both, he rendered it popular to>
the public, and undoubtedly profitable to himself.
As it was important that the sense of the people
should be ascertained, a town meeting was called on
Monday, February 4, 1805, at Faneuil Hall. The
attendance was very large, and the Hall was SO'
crowded that it was deemed advisable to adjourn
the meeting till Thursday, when a more commodious-
8

86 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
place could be procured. Applications were made
for leave to occupy several of the large churches,
but only two societies were willing to grant the re
quest; these were the South-End Society and the
Universalist Society. It was decided to occupy the
latter. The meeting was very lengthy, and the
time was spent in angry discussion, and at a late hour,
without accomplishing any thing, the meeting was ad
journed till Friday. Again there was the most bit
ter wrangling ; but after a long debate, those in favor
of the bridge gained a majority, and passed a reso
lution instructing the Senators of Suffolk County
and the Representatives for Boston in General Court
assembled, to aid by every possible endeavor the
passage of an act authorizing the building of a bridge
from Wheeler's Point, in a line with South street, to
South Boston. Notwithstanding the passage of this
resolution, the opponents of the new bridge were too
strong in the General Court to permit it to have
much influence, and on the 20th of February, 1805,
leave of withdrawal was given to those who peti
tioned for a bridge from Wheeler's Point to South
Boston. In January, 1807, a petition was again presented,
praying that ieave might be granted for the building
of a bridge from this same Point to South Boston.
Again there was a long discussion, both in the public
prints and in the halls of legislation. Sometimes the
disputants even came to blows, and it is said that a
leader of one of the parties, being in conversation
with a member of the legislature, was offended at
something said, and gave the law-maker a sound kick
with the toe of his boot. The most bitter feeling ex
isted among the parties, and a feud was made which
even now occasionally shows itself. Several town

BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 87
meetings were held about this time to discuss the
matter ; and it is said that at one of them the excite
ment was so great it was feared there would be a
riot. The meeting at that time was held in the Old
South Church, and as the leaders of one .party were
attempting to address the assembly, one of the oppo
nents with all the noise possible was attempting, in
another part of the church, to drown the voice of the
other speaker. Confusion reigned supreme, and all
was in an uproar. At this juncture an aged and
respected citizen forced his way through the crowd,
entered the pulpit, and calling for silence, said :
" Citizens, I demand to be heard. 1 declare my
self moderator of this meeting, and call it to order.
Citizens, out of respect to my age, in deference to
my snowy locks, I call on you to listen. Let the
mob be quiet and refrain from any injudicious acts."
After a time the meeting was adjourned to a fu
ture period, when similar disorderly scenes were
enacted, and similar attempts to quell the disturbance
were made.
In February, 1807, the Senate passed a bill author
izing the building of a bridge from Wheeler's Point,
and it was sent to the House of Representatives for
concurrence. The latter body, however, refused to
concur, but a notice of reconsideration was made,
and on the next day the matter was again discussed.
As, however, there were only 226 present, 38 less
than when the bill was rejected, a vote could not be
taken, and the bill was returned to the Senate. This
body non-concurred in the rejection, and a Commit
tee of Conference was chosen. After a lengthy dis
cussion the bill was voted down, and the project
of building the South Street Bridge was again de
ferred.

88 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
The Dorchester and Milton Turnpike, which was
another important work connected with the growth
and prosperity of South Boston, was constructed in
1805, by a corporation entirely distinct from the one
which built the bridge. It extended from the bridge
to Milton Lower Mills ; and toll, as established by law,
was taken for all carriages and beasts passing over
it. It continued in the hands of the Company till
1854, when all its right therein was purchased with
money raised by subscription, and the road accepted
by the town of Dorchester, as a public highway,
which is now known as Dorchester Avenue.
During the time of the dispute respecting the brid
ges, one of the land-holders at South Boston built out
a wharf in the line of the Dorchester Turnpike. He
did not perform the whole off-hand, but accomplished
the work a few feet at a time, until at last it extend
ed nearly to the channel. One night, a cob-wharf
was floated around from the North End, and moored
at Wheeler's Point, reaching to the South Boston
wharf, and thus making an avenue from shore 'to
shore. The object of this latter act was very obvious ;
and no sooner did the morning dawn than the South-
End people saw the bridge which had been built in
a night, and, greatly exasperated, a party of them,
dressed as Indians, went and cut away the cob-wharf,
and giving it a push into the current, sent it sailing
down the harbor.
About two weeks after, in the night time, another
party, disguised in the same manner, cut away the
wharf on the South Boston side. The remains of
some of the piles of which this wharf was construct
ed, could long be seen on the easterly side of the
bridge, nearly opposite the Fulton Iron Foundry.

BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 89
No prosecution was made, although the names of the
persons who instigated these acts were well known.
Both parties were very rash, and committed many
acts which they undoubtedly lamented afterwards.
The public feeling ran very high. Rarely has there
been a subject which so absorbed the attention of
the whole community, the Bridge and the Anti-Bridge
parties being at that time as well known as the dif
ferent political parties are at present.
After the failure of the various attempts for the
passage of a bill granting a bridge from Wheeler's
Point to South Boston, the public seemed for a time
to have concluded that it was useless to make any
further exertions in favor of the project, and the
matter rested for nearly fifteen years. There were
some, however, who were still firm in the belief that
a bridge was absolutely necessary for the interests
both of South Boston and of Boston itself, and who
embraced every opportunity to agitate the question.
Among these, none were more zealous than Joseph
Woodward, Esq., a gentleman well known to most
of the "oldest citizens" of South Boston, and he to
whom is due the credit of originating the plan of
annexing South Boston to Boston. During the period
which has been appropriately called " The Dark Ages
of the Bridge Question," he endeavored by every pos
sible means to bring the subject again before the
public mind.
In 1823, the land proprietors at South Boston
began again publicly to agitate the subject. Public
meetings were held in the city, and quite a number
of meetings of the citizens of South Boston were held
in the Hawes School-house. Nothing definite was
done, however, till at a meeting of the Board of Al
dermen (for Boston had now -been a city for two
8*

90 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
years), held on Monday evening, March 8, 1824: —
" On petition of Lot Wheelwright and others, a
warrant was issued for calling a general meeting of
the citizens, on Monday next, at 10 o'clock, in Fa-
neuil Hall, to give in their yeas and nays on the
question —
" Is it for the interest and convenience of the city
to have a free bridge or dam, from Wheeler's Point
to South Boston, provided the same can be effected
without any expense to the city, and whether they
will instruct the City Government to petition for
the same, and instruct their Senators and Represen
tatives in the next Legislature to labor to support
such a measure."
We find in the Columbian Centinel, of March 13,
1824, the following article on the subject, which
speaks for itself: —
" Meeting on Monday. No less than five articles,
pro and con, on the subject which is to be voted on
at the public meeting notified for Monday next, are
on our table. To insert them would occupy some
columns, to select might give offence ; and the sub
ject having been before the public for years, and
most minds made up on it, we ask leave to let them
lie on the table."
On Monday, March 15th, the meeting of the citi
zens was held. We copy an account of it, ad verba
tim, from one of the newspapers of the day.
"GENERAL MEETING.
" On Monday a general meeting of the citizens was
held at Faneuil Hall, on notification of the Mayor
and Aldermen, on the petition of a competent num
ber of citizens, to determine, by yeas and nays,
whether, in the opinion of the citizens at large, it is

BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 91
for the interest and convenience of the city to have
a Free Bridge or Dam, from Wheeler's Point to
South Boston, provided the same can be effected
without any expense to the city — and whether they
will instruct the City Council to petition for the
same, and their Senators and Representatives in the
next Legislature to support such a measure.
" The warrant for the meeting was read by the
City Clerk, and Francis J. Oliver, Esq., was chosen
moderator. The Mayor and Aldermen occupied the
old Selectmen's seats. The notification of the meet
ing having expressed that the citizens were convened
for the purpose of giving their yeas and nays on the
question propounded in the notification, much impa
tience was exhibited by a very crowded Hall, and a
great reluctance to attend to any debate on the subject.
"It was moved by Mr. Kendall, that the ballot for
the yeas and nays be opened.
" Before this was put, A. Townsend, Esq., moved the
indefinite postponement of the whole subject, and spoke
at some length in opposition to the project of the Bridge.
[He was frequently interrupted with cries of ' Ques
tion, Question.'] Judge Orne opposed the postpone
ment, and advocated the proposition for the Bridge.
He was followed by Hon. Mr. Gorham, who consi
dered himself obliged to explain the principle which
induced him to oppose the project when before the
Senate during the last session. The call for the
question then became general ; and the motion to
postpone the subject indefinitely was negatived by a
large majority. The ballot by yeas and nays was
then commenced, a vote having been passed to close
it at 5 o'clock, P. M. At the close of the poll, the
following result was announced —
Yeas  2847
Nays  779

92 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
" The question having been determined in favor
of a Free Bridge, the meeting was dissolved. We
have seldom seen a political excitement more intense
than that exhibited on the present occasion."
From this account we can understand the feeling
of the public upon the subject. There were, as
we have before said, two parties. The one interest
ed in Front street and in the South Toll Bridge —
the other, land-holders at South Boston, owners of
flats in the vicinity of Wheeler's Point, and the citi
zens of the towns on the South Shore. Agreeably
to the vote passed at the meeting of the citizens, the
City Government petitioned the General Court, at
its session in May, 1824, to have a free bridge
from Wheeler's Point to South Boston in a line with
South Street. Instructions were given the Senators
and Representatives to aid by every possible means
the passage of the bill, and now came a struggle per
haps unparalleled in the legislature of our State.
Each party endeavored to influence all who came in
their way, and lobbying was all in vogue. The mat
ter, although seemingly of a sectional nature, never
theless excited the feelings of the Representa
tives from all parts of the State, and the discussions
of the Anti-Bridge and the Bridge parties occupied
the attention and a greater part of the time of the
Legislature. Notwithstanding the most strenuous efforts of
some of the most influential citizens of Boston, the
subject took a political turn, and while the party
now known as Whigs, favored the Bridge, the Demo
crats were as utterly opposed to it. Even the elec
tion of municipal officers in'Boston was based on the
famous Bridge question, and the inquiry, " Is he in
favor of the Bridge ?" was made by hundreds previous
to casting a vote for City Officers.

BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 93
At that time Ward XII. consisted of the South
End and South Boston, the two antagonists in the
struggle. As may be supposed, under the state of
feeling which then existed, there was very little
union, and when a meeting was called . to nominate
four Common Councilmen to represent the Ward,
there was great excitement. The South Bostonians
contended for two of the four Councilmen, while the
South-Enders were only willing to grant one. A
caucus was held, and two South-Enders and one
South Boston man were nominated, while the fourth
was left as a point of dispute. Both parties were
dissatisfied, and both held private caucuses. The
South-Enders nominated four persons from their dis
trict, while the South Bostonians nominated as their
candidates four men who resided in South Boston.
The day for election came, and the South-End voters
succeeded in electing their four men, much to the
chagrin of the people of South Boston, who were
thus left unrepresented in the City Council.
At the State House, the discussions on the subject
of the new bridge were earnest and exciting, and
often quite personal. To show the state of feeling,
we will relate the following incident. A warm up
holder of the project was one day speaking very
earnestly on the subject, much to the discomfort of
the opposite side. The speaker chanced to have
left a fine blue broadcloth cloak hanging in the back
part of the hall. When he had finished his speech,
he retired, and on taking down his cloak, he found
that some one with a jack-knife, in the heat of pas
sion, had cut it into shreds. Who it was that com
mitted this act, was never known. The cloak is
still in existence, and is preserved as a memorial of
the struggle for the South Street Bridge.

94 HISTOEY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
At another time, one of the Representatives _ was
making an eloquent appeal in favor of the bridge,
when an opponent seated near, and exasperated by
his words, shouted with an oath, " That's a lie 1"
The speaker then proceeded a few sentences farther,
when again, " That's a lie ! ! " and yet again, " That's
another lie ! ! " was shouted by the person sitting
near, and thus was the pleader rudely disturbed till
he had concluded his address.

CHAPTER IX.
BEIDGES AND AVENUES.
Such is an account of the struggle which took
place before the bill authorizing the building of the
North Free Bridge was passed. Over twenty years
elapsed from the time the question was first discuss
ed, ere the Legislature decided to grant the request
of the landholders of South Boston for a new avenue.
Hard had been the struggle, but it was now over,
and seemingly a new era for the interests of South
Boston was about to dawn. With increased facili
ties for intercourse, it was expected that business
would be improved. (See Appendix F.)
But now, a new difficulty presented itself. Who was
to build the bridge ? The city was unwilling to
move in the matter ; no single individual was able
to take hold and build it. The lowest estimated
cost was $30,000, and how could this sum be raised?
A committee was chosen to select the best method
of obtaining the required amount, and they proposed
a direct tax on all the inhabitants and landholders

BEIDGES AND AVENUES. 95
of South Boston. A tax was accordingly levied, and
a large proportion took hold in good earnest. The
tax, however, was binding on no one, and after col
lecting all that was possible, the sum total amounted
to much less than the required amount. It was evi
dent that resort must be had to some other plan
in order to obtain the desired end. Accordingly, a
proposition was made to have the stock divided into
shares, and to solicit subscriptions from all interest
ed. Again did the South Bostonians, eagerly desi
rous of securing the benefit of the proposed bridge,
come forward and contribute largely. Still, the sum
was not sufficient to warrant the Committee to pro
ceed and build the Bridge. Things looked dark.
Every attempt had been made to obtain the desired
amount, but as yet the sum was far from sufficient.
A meeting of those most interested in the matter
was held, and after long debate, the Chairman re
marked, " Gentlemen, there is but one way to do ;
either the bridge project must be given up, the char
ter cast aside, and the labor of long years lost, or
we must contribute a sufficient sum to erect the ave
nue. Gentlemen, I hold in my hand a list of names
against each of which is placed a certain sum, which
you are invited to loan to the Bridge Company, with
the proviso that the lenders shall be entitled to re
ceive all that remains after the completion of the
bridge." Some of the men were " doomed," as it
was called, to $1,000, some $1,500, and one or two
as high as $2,000. No time was given for delibera
tion, and it was requested that each give his promise
before he left the room. One gentleman, a zealous
friend of the bridge, but one who felt unwilling to
put his hand into his purse in the manner proposed,
was seen to creep towards the door. The Chairman

96 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
had his attention directed to the person, and with
loud voice, he said, " It is of no use ; either you must
make the loan or give up the project." At last, all,
save one, agreed to loan the amount for which they
were " doomed," although it was known at the time
that it was extremely doubtful whether any return
would be made.
The Committee then proceeded to erect a bridge.
Proposals were solicited, and at last the Messrs.
Newcombs, of Quincy, were selected to erect the
abutments on the South Boston side ; Wm. Wright
and A. A. Dame, the abutments on the Boston side ;
and Samuel Chittendon was engaged to erect the
wood work. And here a new difficulty presented
itself. The act of incorporation did not specifically
define the position of the bridge, and there were
different opinions as to the best site. At last, a
wealthy gentleman of South Boston, the owner of
much real estate in the vicinity of the proposed
bridge, and the proprietor of the flats on the west
erly side of Turnpike street, offered, if they would
run the bridge directly to his flats in a line with
Turnpike street, to erect at his own expense the
necessary sea wall on the westerly side. The pro
position was accepted, and the abutments of the
bridge were run in a direct line with Turnpike street,
and then a turn was made, and the wood work was
laid directly in a line with Sea street. Those in the
least conversant with the situation of the bridge re
member the turn near the Fulton Iron Foundry,
and this is the cause of its occurrence.
But at last the bridge was completed, and seem
ingly the long struggle was over. Not so, however,
for one night the piles on which the bridge was
placed slid an inch or so, and made it impossible to

BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 97
open the draw. Vessels were waiting for a passage ;
and after repeated attempts an axe was procured,
and sufficient cut off from the draw to make it possi
ble to open it. The next night it moved again ; again
was the axe brought -into requisition, and it was
found necessary to make some extensive alterations
before the bridge stood firm.
On the 5th of February, 1827, the City Council had
passed a resolve, that, in case the Boston Free
Bridge Corporation should build a bridge, such as
the City Council should direct and approve, and
should locate it to the satisfaction of said Council,
it would be expedient for the City to accept the
same, and to assume the care and obligation of
keeping said bridge in repair, and to provide for
lighting, the same, antl for raising the draw or draws
thereof, as long as South Boston should remain a
part of the City of Boston, upon such terms and con
ditions as should be required by the City Council.
On the 11th of August, 1828, a committee was ap
pointed by the City Council, with full power to ac
cept from the Boston Free Bridge Corporation the
surrender of the bridge, with its abutments, on the
compliance by the Corporation with the terms and
conditions prescribed, and to submit all matters in
dispute to arbitration. The committee reported,.
October 7, 1828, that they had submitted the same
to the arbitration of Loammi Baldwin, Samuel Hub
bard and Willard Phillips, Esqrs., who had made an
award; that the requisite deeds had been delivered,.
on the second of October, and the sum of sixteen
hundred and seven dollars paid to the City by the
Corporation, upon which delivery and payment, the
obligation of the care and superintendence of the
bridge and streets devolved upon the' City, by force
9

98 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
of said award. The Corporation also gave notice of
their election to complete the northerly abutment,
and claimed the return of four hundred and seventy-
four dollars, according to the award, which was re
turned accordingly. By the deed of the Corpora
tion, which was executed by Francis J. Oliver, the
President, on September 26th, 1828, pursuant to a
vote of the Corporation passed September 24th, the
Boston Free Bridge Corporation surrendered and
conveyed the said bridge and abutments, wharves,
&c. to the City of Boston, upon the terms and con
ditions on which the said City agreed to accept the
same, by the resolve of February 5, 1827; and also
assigned to the City a deed from Gardiner Greene,
dated August 1, 1828, and a deed from John T. Ap-
thorp and others, dated August 21, 1828, and convey
ed to the City all the lands and flats, rights and privi
leges, acquired thereby.
By a subsequent act, the City of Boston is author
ized to construct and maintain such wharves or
piers, on either or both sides of the Free Bridge, as
shall be necessary for the preservation and safety of
said bridge, provided, however, that the said wharves
or piers shall not extend in width from the sides of
said bridge more than twenty-five feet. Also, " If
any person shall wilfully do any injury or damage to
said bridge, said wharves or piers, or shall disturb
or hinder the said City in the occupation of said
wharves or piers, for the purpose aforesaid, the per
son so offending shall forfeit and pay, for each of
fence, a penalty not less than fifty dollars, nor more
than one hundred dollars, to the use of the Common
wealth, to be recovered by indictment, or informa
tion in any court of competent jurisdiction, and such
person so offending shall be further liable to answer

BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 99
in damages to the City of Boston; provided, that
nothing in this act shall be construed as intending
to impair or affect the lawful rights of any person
whatsoever. '• Whenever the wharves or piers erected, or
which shall be erected by the authority of the said
act, shall be used or improved for any other purpose
or purposes than those therein specified, all right and
authority to maintain them shall cease, and be void.
" No part of the wharves or piers, which the City
of Boston is authorized to construct by virtue of the
act last cited, shall be maintained within the distance
of forty-five feet of any wharf or pier which shall
have been or may hereafter be lawfully constructed
by any individual or individuals."
Much opposition was made to the project of mak-
the bridge city property, but at last all difficulty was
amicably settled.
Thus was opened a new avenue between Boston
and South Boston. Wearisome days and sleepless
nights, hard labor and unceasing exertions, were
necessary to effect the desired end, and it was not
accomplished until twenty-five years had elapsed
from the time that the first movement was made in
the matter. In 1 832, after the affairs of the compa
ny had been duly audited, it was found that $2,431 13
remained to be divided among those who loaned to
the company, or about 41 per cent, on the whole
loan. We have seen a list of all who contributed to
the bridge, and find on it the names of nearly all
those who were citizens of South Boston at that
time. On the 12th of March, 1830, an act was passed by
the Legislature repealing the provision for a pay
ment to vessels passing the South Bridge draw. On

100 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
th.e 23d of June, 1831, after the North Bridge had
beep built, and the South Bridge had been greatly
diminished in value in consequence thereof, an act
was passed, authorizing and empowering the propri
etors of the South Bridge to sell, assign and trans
fer to the City of Boston, the franchise and materials
of said Bridge, to have and to hold the same to the
City and its successors forever.
Provisions were made, however, that no toll or
duty should be exacted or paid for any travel over
said bridge, or passing the draw of the same, and
that the City should keep the bridge in repair, and
provide a keeper who should raise the draw, and
afford all necessary and proper accommodation to
vessels that might have occasion to pass. Also, the
City was to keep the bridge sufficiently lighted.
In case the City did not buy the bridge before the
13th of September, 1831, authority was given the
proprietors to surrender the franchise to the Com
monwealth. The City and the proprietors could not come to
an agreement; and on the 16th of March, 1832, an
additional act was passed, by which the proprietors
of the South Bridge were authorized to discontinue
said Bridge as a pass way, at any time between the
passage of this act and the 1st day of August, 1832,
if the City should not, before the 1st day of May,
pay to the proprietors such a sum of money as might
be agreed upon by them and the City.
Matters did not wear a very favorable aspect;
and as the proprietors of the bridge seemed resolved
to take advantage of the privilege granted them, the
joint Committee of the City Council on the subject
was authorized, on the 12th of March, 1832, to agree
with the proprietors for the purchase of their fran-

BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 101
chise. On the 2d of April, they made their report,
that the proprietors were willing to sell for a sim
not less than thirty-five hundred dollars, and recom
mended that the offer be accepted.
On the 19th of April, 1832, a deed was executed
for the sum of $3500, conveying to the City of Bos
ton and its successors, " all the franchise and also all
the materials of the Boston South Bridge, together
with the buildings, rights, wharves and real estate
of the said Corporation, and every part and parcel
thereof, whatsoever the same may be, and whereso
ever situated, with all the privileges, appurtenances,
and immunities of every description to the granted
premises and every part thereof in any wise apper
taining, subject nevertheless always to all the pro
visos, terms, duties, conditions and tenure in the
aforesaid acts of the said Commonwealth set forth
and expressed."
Thus the South Bridge became city property, and
was made a free passage way for the public. In
1849, an order was passed for the filling up with
gravel of about two hundred feet on the South Boston
extremity of the Bridge. This was accomplished in
1850, and is now solid earth. It is highly probable
that before many years the same process will be
undergone at the other extremity,, and the bridge
only extend sufficiently far to have a passable channel
for vessels.
In 1856, the North Bridge having become badly
worn, appropriations were made by the City of Bos
ton for a thorough rebuilding. Three months were
occupied in the work, which was concluded on the
12th of December. The bridge is now one of the
most substantial and best constructed in the vicinity
of Boston. It is hereafter to be known as the Fed-
9*

102 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
eral Street Bridge, and the South one is to be called
the Dover Street Bridge. ,
Old Colony Rail-Road Bridge.
The act of incorporation of the Old Colony Rail
Road, obtained in 1844, provided that the road should
terminate in South Boston. This terminus, however,
did not suit the Corporation, and in 1845 they peti
tioned for leave to construct a bridge across the
water, and to have a passenger depot on the Boston
side. This measure was strongly opposed both by
the citizens of Roxbury, who were fearful that it
would injure the navigation to their wharves, and by
the South Boston people, who were anxious to re
tain the business which a rail-road depot would pro
bably attract.
The opposition, however, was in vain, and in 1845
the bill authorizing the building of a bridge was
passed. The new avenue was built sufficiently wide
for two tracks, and provided with a sliding draw.
The length of the bridge is 290 feet. Since its com
pletion, the depot on Dorchester Avenue, South Bos
ton, which was before used as a passenger station,
has been used only for freight. The cost of the
Abridge was $14,000. The width of the draw is 32
feet. Evans's Rail-Road Bridge.
In 1848, the City Government, desirous of filling
up a large number of acres of flats at the South End,
made a contract with William Evans, Esq., to supply
the gravel requisite. To accomplish the desired end,
it was necessary to construct a bridge across from
Boston, near Roxbury, to South Boston. Under the
.name of the Mt. Hope Rail Road, leave was obtained

BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 103
to build this bridge. It is a pile bridge, running
from the rail-road crossing at Turnpike street (now
Dorchester Avenue) in South Boston, across in a
south-westerly direction. It was nearly a mile in
length, not floored, and had two draws for the pas
sage of vessels. In 1856 this bridge was removed,
the purpose for which it was built having been ac
complished. Boston Sf New York Central Rail-Road Bridges.
This Company, having located their Depot or Sta
tion-house at the foot of Summer street in Boston,
and the track of their road lying through a portion
of South Boston, it became necessary to construct a
bridge for the use of the road, across the water, be
tween the two shores. This was done, not in a
straight line across, but in a circular course, from
the wharf of the Company in Boston to Slane's wharf
in South Boston, making a distance of 4700 feet, and
built for a double track. It is a pile bridge, and has
a draw of improved construction where the channel
passes under it. As the line of the rail-road from
South Boston to Dorchester lay across the South or
Roxbury Bay, another bridge was here required,
passing from Dorchester Avenue to the upland in
the town of Dorchester. This is 5030 feet long,
and is built mostly for a single track. The total
length of the two bridges is 9730 feet, or about
If miles; the cost was $91,500 — and they were
opened for the use of the road in January, 1855.
This rail-road passing under the streets in South
Boston, bridges were also required at the different
crossings. These were for a considerable time un
finished, on account of the pecuniary embarrassments
of the Company, and the necessary excavations for

104 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
the road are in some places still (1857) remaining
without the proper stone embankments.
Mount Washington Avenue.
The avenue under this name, leading from the foot
of Kneeland street in Boston, over Boston Wharf to
the foot of A street in South Boston, and making the
third public passage way between these two parts of
the city, was finished and opened to the public in 1855.
It was built by the Boston Wharf Company, and is
a continuation of their wharf, which extended into
the sea from the South Boston shore to the Commis
sioners' line, so called. The City paid the Company
$60,000 for the bridge and a street leading from it
to 1st street, and opened it as a public highway. The
distance over it, from Broadway to Kneeland street,
is somewhat greater than over the Federal Street
Bridge. It has one draw for the passage of vessels.

CHAPTER X.
WAE WITH ENGLAND  PUBLIC EXECUTION.
On the 17th day of June, 1812, a bill declaring
war between the United States and England passed
the American House of Representatives by a vote of
79 to 49, and the Senate by one of 19 to 13. On
the 18th, President Madison signed the bill, and war
was commenced between two of the most powerful
nations of the globe.
Immediately after the declaration, the President
called on the various States for troops, and volun
teers began to gather under the stars and stripes,

INCIDENTS OP THE WAR. 105
to fight for the honor of their country. There
was, however, difficulty in obtaining the requisite
number, as a portion of the people of the United
States thought the war wholly unnecessary. In
Massachusetts, during the latter part of the war,
Governor Strong issued a proclamation for troops, and
the militia gathered from the vicinity in great num
bers at Boston, as it was feared the British might
attack that town. The United States troops were
stationed at the forts on the islands, and were enlist
ed for the war. The State militia, however, were
enlisted for only thirty days.
It was thought best to fortify Dorchester Heights,
and as the embankments had been partially washed
away, it was deemed expedient to repair the works.
This labor was done by volunteers. Patriotic citi
zens united in the work, and in several instances
the male members of a church, headed by their min
ister and accompanied with martial music, contribu
ted a day's labor to accomplish the object. A new
powder-house was erected, and platforms built with
in the forts, on which were placed a number of cannon
ready for action whenever they might be needed.
Several regiments of militia were stationed in
South Boston, and for some time our peninsula pre
sented the appearance of a military camp. Wooden
barracks were erected on a large field now lying
north of Broadway, and between D and Dorchester
streets. There were then no houses in that vicinity,
and on the spacious field near the barracks the militia
were drilled, every morning and evening, in the man
ual of arms. Guards were stationed day and night
upon the beach from South Boston to Commercial
Point, in Dorchester, and no one was allowed to
leave the peninsula during the night. A lady, who

106 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
at that time was but a small child, informs us that
one evening a man was badly scalded, and it was
necessary to visit Boston in order to procure some
lint to dress his burns. She, with another girl, was
sent on the errand, but was stopped by the guards,
and only allowed to pass after a long examination
into the facts of the case.
In the barracks, at the corner of Broadway and
A street, Capt. McNeil opened a United States Re
cruiting Rendezvous. Here the troops, as soon as
they were enlisted, were brought and quartered till
they were ordered to other parts of the country.
The Massachusetts militia did not enter the service
of the United States ; that is, they did not put them
selves under the command of a United States Officer,
but were commanded by militia officers appointed
by the State, and were paid from its treasury. By
this means they were not required to leave the
State. The soldiers received their pay from the
State government, and were always paid off in gold
and silver, while the regular United States troops
received checkered paper money, which was then at
a discount of 25 per cent. As is well known, Mas
sachusetts since the war has endeavored to obtain
from the general government the amount she paid
for her defence, but it has never been received
in full.
Each soldier daily drew a certain quantity of pro
visions sufficient for his wants. Those stationed in
South Boston, however, were in the habit of stealing
from the few inhabitants thenresiding here, pigs, sheep,
fowls, potatoes, turnips, and, in a word, every thing
they could obtain. At one time, as we are informed
by a gentleman who was present and heard the con
versation, a soldier met one of his companions in

INCIDENTS OP THE WAR. 107
arms, and asked him what he had for breakfast.
"Nothing but corn beef and bread," replied the
soldier. « Well, I had something better than that, I reckon."
" What was it ? "
" Why, new potatoes."
As new potatoes were then very scarce, the sol
dier immediately asked where they were obtained.
" Oh, I drew them."
" Drew them ! how's that ? I did not."
" Oh, I drew them, tops and all, down there," point
ing as he spoke to a large potato field near the camp.
" You did, did you, you scoundrel ! " cried the
owner, who chanced to be within hearing. " You
did, did you ? Well, you may have what you've got,
but try that game again, and you'll get paid for it."
'And thus it was. The militia seemed to have for:
gotten that property should be inviolable, and
thought that because they were fighting for their
country they had a right to take what they pleased.
Although there was no attack made on Boston,
yet the inhabitants were in constant fear of an inva
sion, and the militia were expecting every day to
be called on to repel it. Several times the whole
camp was thrown into the most intense excitement
by receiving notice that the British fleet was coming
up the harbor. A watch was constantly stationed
on the Heights, to ascertain the movements of the
enemy, whose ships of war were for a time in sight.
One evening, it was very cloudy, and the sentinels
discovered six or eight large vessels entering the
harbor. The alarm was immediately given, and af
ter due examination the commander of the forts on
the islands in the harbor decided that they must be
British vessels, and accordingly began to make pre-

108 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
parations to oppose the enemy. Capt. F. was
commander of one foft, but he possessed little
valor, and as soon as he saw the enemy as he sup
posed, coming towards the fort, he began to trem
ble. His wife and sister, together with all' his valu
ables, were moved from the fort to South Boston for
safety, and he himself was so overcome with fear,
that one of the officers, Colonel, afterwards General
Porter, a man who feared nothing, came up to him,
and said,
" Captain, carry your wife and sister out of this
fort. We don't want any wincing and blubbering
here. Clear every one of them out, and if you are
afraid, clear out yourself, and I'll see to the. fort.
We don't want any scare-crows in it."
In due time the clouds dispersed, and instead of
the British fleet, the soldiers discovered only a
portion of the American squadron giving chase to a
British frigate. Of course Capt. F. felt rather
ashamed. At another time, the officers of the militia, "it 'is
said, desirous of trying the bravery of* the soldiers
quartered in South Boston, one night caused to be
stationed a large number of boats in the harbor,
"placing on each one a blue light. At about midnight,
the drum beat to arms, and the astonished militia,
half dressed and but half awake, saw before .them, as
they supposed, the British fleet just ready to fire
upon them. As soon as they could be formed into .
columns, the roll was called, when it was found that
one third of the men had deserted, and had scamper
ed off, as fast as their legs would permit, to Dorches
ter. After waiting in suspense for some time, the
officers remarked that they thoughfr there would be
no trouble before morning, and ordered the men
into their quarters.

PUBLIC EXECUTION. 109
After several months' service at this place, peace
was declared, the troops returned to their homes,
and South Boston was no longer the scene of milita
ry operations. Execution.
The following account of an execution which took
place in South Boston, will be read with interest.
In the latter part of the year. 1813, two men,
named Samuel Tully and John Dalton, were convict
ed of piracy and sentenced to be hung. Accordingly,
on the 10th day of December, of that year, the two
men were taken from the Prison at Charlestown,
and a procession was formed as follows : — First, the
Deputy Marshal on horseback, bearing the Marshal's
mace, a silver oar. Next came carriages containing
the officers of the State Prison, and the Marshal and
Sheriff of Suffolk county. Then came the criminals
in the Prison carriage, a wagon hung in black, at
tended by Rev. Mr. Collier, Chaplain of the Prison.
They were pinioned, and wore white caps. Their
coffins projected from each side of the carriage.
.Following behind were Deputy Marshals and an im
mense crowd of men, women and children, eager to
witness the death-struggles of a human being. In
this manner they passed through the town, Tully re
peatedly addressing those who crowded about the
carriage. Crossing the Old bridge, they passed up
Fourth street, to the gallows, which was built at the
foot of Nook Hill, now the corner of C and Third
streets. On arriving at the place of execution, the
Marshal and his Deputies, and the Sheriff and the
Chaplain, ascended the stage. Tully then read a
written communication, in which he confessed that
he had been guilty of piracy. He also spoke feel
ingly of the great kindness and attention he had re-
10

110 HISTORY OF SOUTH , BOSTON.
ceived in prison. The criminals then kneeled, and
amidst the tumult of the immense crowd who sur
rounded the place of execution, Rev. Mr. Collier ad
dressed the Throne of Grace. He then took the
culprits by the hand, and bade them farewell. At
quarter past 2, Tully mounted the drop, and letting
fall a handkerchief (the signal that he was ready),
the drop fell, and he was launched into eternity
without a struggle, the limbs merely undergoing a
slight contraction and extension.
The Marshal then made a suitable address to the
immense gathering, and concluded by reading a
respite for Dalton, by which the President deferred
his execution till the 10th of January, 1814. He
was, however, eventually sentenced to imprisonment
for life. The halter was then taken from his neck,
a hat placed on his head instead of the white cap,
and he was transported back to the prison with the
body of Tully, in the same carriage in which they
had been taken to the gallows. No less than ten
thousand spectators were present, and a much larger
number would have attended if the weather had not
been so intensely cold. So cold, indeed, was it, that
several were frost-bitten. The place of execution
was exposed to a sharp piercing wind from the ocean,
and rendered it very uncomfortable for the specta
tors to stand any length of time. Every thing was con
ducted with propriety and decorum, and the arrange
ments of the day reflected the greatest credit on the
Marshal. The following stanza was sung with a
clear voice, by Tully, upon the scaffold, a few mo
ments before the drop fell : —
¦• All hail, my dear companions, all hail to you again !
You wish to know my station, if I am free from pain.
I'm free from pain and sorrow, and every earthly wo,
And happy in my Saviour whence all my blessings flow."

SCHOOLS. Ill

CHAPTER XI.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES.
Among the many advantages which South Boston
has derived from its union with the City proper, there
is none which has produced so great an effect as the in
crease of opportunities for acquiring education. The
inhabitants of Dorchester Neck were almost forgot
ten by the Town of Dorchester in its annual appro
priations for schools, and they were obliged to sup
port a school at their own expense. We find the
following on the Records of the Town of Dorches
ter: "At a meeting of the Freeholders of Dorches
ter, held the 18th day of May, 1761, It was voted,
that four £ be allowed Dorchester Neck towards
the support of a school." The amount was after
wards increased, as will be seen from the annexed
vote. At a meeting of the Freeholders of the Town
of Dorchester, held May 12th, 1794, it was voted,
"That six £b& allowed the Inhabitants of Dorches
ter Neck towards the support of a school." As may
be supposed, this sum was not sufficient to sustain a
school for any great portion of the year. Still, the
inhabitants of the Neck were obliged to get along
as best they could, with this trifling assistance.
In 1804, as we have before remarked, Dorchester
Neck was annexed to Boston, and the inhabitants
were now dependent on that town for the support
of their school. The town of Boston, however, did
not immediately make an appropriation for this pur
pose, and the young South Bostonians were still
obliged to attend a private school, which was sup
ported by subscription. We can obtain no informa-

112 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
tion in regard to this school, save that it was far
from answering the wishes of those for whom it was
designed. In 1807, however, the inhabitants of
South Boston, thinking they were entitled to the same
privileges as those in other parts of the town, re
quested the School Committee to provide a suitable
school for the instruction of their children. On the
22d of May, 1807, a petition, reading as follows, was
presented to the School Committee by a number of
the inhabitants of South Boston.
" To the Honorable Selectmen of the town of Bos
ton and School Committee, the inhabitants of South
Boston humbly show, that for three years past they
have paid a tax to the amount of nearly one thousand
dollars per annum to the said Town, without any
allowance for schooling or any other expenses they
have been at, since the annexation of this peninsula
to the metropolis ; therefore they pray your honora
ble board to insert an article in your warrant for the
next Town meeting, requesting the town to allow
and pay a sum of money to our committee for the
support of a woman's school, and the rent of a room
for that purpose, for six months. Also, from the
next tax a sum of money sufficient to build a conve
nient School House, and the support of a Schoolmas
ter for one year. As in duty bound, we shall ever
pray. Joseph Woodward, 1 Committee
Abraham Gould, > in behalf of the
John Deluce, ) Inhabitants.
South Boston, April 30th, 1807."
This petition received no attention from the
School Committee, excepting the passage of an order
that all future consideration of the subject be indefi
nitely postponed.

SCHOOLS. 113
The inhabitants of the town, however, did not
treat the subject so carelessly, and voted to grant
$300 for the support of a school for one year. This
was not sufficient to pay all expenses, but what was
wanting was cheerfully paid by the citizens of South
Boston. A school-house, capable of seating about
90 scholars, was built, and the school was placed
under the charge of a woman. Its location was on
the south side of G street, the yard making the cor
ner of G and Dorchester streets.
The School Commicuec did not take this school
under their charge till 1811, at which time the in
habitants presented another petition, and " At a le
gal meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants
of the Town of Boston, held on the 27th day of May,
1811, it was voted, That the Petition of the inhabi
tants of South Boston respecting schooling their
children be referred to the School Committee, who
are hereby requested to pay an immediate attention
to the same, and to take the school under their care
and supervision." The Committee then appropriated
three hundred dollars for the support of a school for
one year, and also took the school under their
charge. On June 28th, 1816, a petition signed by Adam
Bent, John Deluce, and Abel He wins, a committee
of the inhabitants of South Boston, was presented to
the School Committee, praying for an additional
grant, and the following order was passed :
" Voted, that an additional grant of $100 be made
for the present year, making the whole grant $400,
and also, a grant be made of five cords of wood."
Of this early school, a gentleman now resident
among us, and who attended it, gives the following
account. 10*

114 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
" I commenced going to that school some time dur
ing the war of 1812 — as it is called — while the
whole neighborhood of the school-house was an en
tire camp ; and the whole locality and interior ar
rangement of the building are as vivid in my recol
lection now as are those of any room in my house.
A long desk ran lengthwise in the building: this
was the seat of the first and second classes of boys.
All who occupied it were compelled to climb over
the bench to take a seat, the plank which formed the
seat running the whole length of the building, with
the exception of some five feet at the west end of it,
which was occupied by the master's desk, and this
was elevated about three feet. This long desk, as I
have said, ran from east to west on the south side
¦of the house, and some shorter desks and benches
ran crosswise the building, from north to south,
leaving an aisle of about four feet the whole length
of the building, in the centre of which stood a stove.
There was a fire-place in the west end of the build
ing, which, when I first went to the school, was the
only apparatus for warming it, but it was found diffi
cult to do this in extreme cold weather, and hence
the getting of the stove. There was a great descent
on G street then, as now, and while the east end of
the house was on the ground, the west end was
blocked up with stone perhaps three feet or more.
There were no windows in either end of the build
ing, and the east end was used by the boys for play
ing marbles, ball, and other games. Thirty or forty
feet from the east end of the school-house stood the
public pound.
" These short cross-seats and desks of which! have
spoken, were occupied by the girls of the school, and
by the boys of the under classes. The first class of

SCHOOLS. 116
girls was at the extreme end of the room, farthest
from the master's desk, and boys of the lower class
es in front of them.
" The desks of the higher classes of girls had con
veniences for writing, and I distinctly remember
distributing the writing-books to the girls occupying
those seats. The long desk had shelves under it for
the storage of books, &c. Most of the pupils, living
at a distance from the school, in winter carried their
dinners, which were generally deposited on those
shelves, and occasionally some hungry urchin would
make free with his neighbor's viands, while the de
spoiled would make reprisals upon the provisions of
his neighbor. The bench or plank on which the oc
cupants of this desk sat, had no paling of any kind
either in front or rear, but was entirely naked, giving
a fair view to those occupying the cross seats of
all that was going on under and around the long
desk. " I well remember one winter, after an extremely
copious fall of snow, succeeded by a slight rain and
vigorous frost, which left the surface of the snow as
smooth and nearly as hard as ice, the boys were en
abled to skate to school, elevated to nearly the tops
of the fences, which were about the only obstructions,
there being but few houses in the place. Most of
the boys availed themselves of this novel method of
travelling over the pastures (for there were no
streets), and, as might be expected, when school was
out there was great rivalry to see who could get
on his skates first and be off. One day I conceived
the plan of putting on my skates before the school
was dismissed, expecting to pass out in the crowd
unnoticed by the master. Accordingly, I got under
the desk and tackled on my skates, unnoticed indeed

116 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
by the master, but observed by one of the girls on
the cross seats, who made some kind of a telegraphic
signal to him, and when I emerged from under my
desk, I was invited to visit his, which I was rather
reluctant to do. However, I was compelled to sub
mit, and, all skated as I was, forced to perambulate the
room, to the no small merriment of the boys upon
whom I had been attempting to steal a march. The
old building is still extant, being, I believe, the one
at the old entrance, on Fourth street, to the institu
tions at the Point."
The first master of the school was Zephaniah
Wood, of Lunenburg. In May, 1811, when the Com
mittee first took the school under their charge, this
gentleman, then but about twenty years of age, was
appointed teacher. The religious society, which
was afterwards incorporated as the Hawes Place
Congregational Society, was then without a minister,
and as Mr. Wood was of a serious and studious turn
of mind, he engaged to preach to them, without any
other compensation than the sum of $300 which he
received for teaching school. Mr. Wood was uni
versally loved and respected by all with whom he
was associated, and his untimely death, on the 26th
of October, 1822, was a source of the greatest lamen
tation both to the church over which he officiated
and to his numerous relatives and friends. He left
a widow and several young children in the deepest
affliction. Immediately after his decease, Rev. Lem
uel Capen, of Dorchester, was appointed to take
charge of the school, and entered upon the duties of
his office Nov. 21st, 1822. Previous to this, at a
meeting of the Committee, held June 14, 1819, it
was " Voted, — That two medals be given annually to
the Boy who most excels in Reading and Writing in

SCHOOLS. Ill
the School at South Boston." The names of the
first medal scholars are not known, as they were not
recorded. At a meeting of the School Committee held Feb.
18, 1818, it was voted, that the master of the school
in South Boston be put, in point of salary, upon the
same footing as the Ushers of the other Public
Schools. At a meeting of the School Committee, held March
15, 1819, it was voted that the Committee of the
South School visit the school in South Boston, and
hire a carriage for that purpose.
In 1821, there arose some trouble in regard to
the ownership of the school-house which had been
built in South Boston, and a committee was chosen
to inquire into the tenure by which it was held. On
Feb. 27th, this committee reported, and as their re
port gives a little of the history of the school in
this place, we present parts of it.
" The Sub-committee appointed to inquire by what
tenure the school-house at South Boston is held, and
what right the Town has therein, respectfully ask
leave to report, — That they have taken the subject
into consideration; that in consequence of the loss
of the records of this Committee embracing the pe.
riod of time at which said school-house was built, they
have been unable to ascertain from the best authority
what votes were passed relative to the subject,
Your Committee, however, have since their appoint
ment visited the school in South Boston, and from
conversation with some of the citizens of that part
of the Town, and particularly with Mr. Woodward,
who appears to have had the principal agency in the
transaction, they have ascertained the following par
ticulars ;—

118 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
" That about three or four years after the annexa
tion to this town of that part of Dorchester, an ap
plication was made by several of the inhabitants to
the School Committee for aid in supporting a school
at that part of the town : the inhabitants having pre
viously made some exertions to establish a private
school there. The School Committee therefore vot
ed an appropriation of three hundred dollars an
nually for this object, and authorized a person,
agreed upon by the inhabitants, to receive the money
and apply it, under the direction of a committee of
the inhabitants of South Boston. Mr. Woodward
contracted with a Mr. Everett, and the house was
built at an expense of four hundred dollars. Before
the house was paid for, however, it is stated that the
inhabitants of South Boston, by voluntary subscrip
tion, raised forty or fifty dollars to help out the com
pensation of the master and keep him contented.
The appropriation was afterwards raised to $350,
and then to $400, and it is now six hundred dollars,
placing the Master upon the same footing with the
Ushers of the other public schools."
Upon the ground of aiding in building the school-
house, certain persons attempted to get possession
of it, to be used as a place of worship. The Com
mittee, however, ruled against these persons, and the
right of the Town to the school-house was estab
lished. About the same time, also, the citizens of South
Boston began to feel the need of having a new school-
house, and accordingly, on the 24th of April, 1821,
a petition to this effect was presented and referred
to the Sub-Committee of the Franklin School. As
is usual in such cases, the subject was for a long time

SCHOOLS. 119
under deliberation, and it was not till the 20th of
February following that it was
" Voted, — That the School Committee are of the
opinion that it is expedient that a new school-house
be built in that part of the city called South Boston,
and also that the said school-house should consist of
at least two rooms, each sufficient to accommodate
150 scholars." A site was selected, and the brick
edifice known as the Hawes School-house, and situ
ated on Broadway, between F and Dorchester streets,
was built. One room only was fitted up, the school
being then so small that the whole building was not
aeeded to accommodate the pupils.
In the fall of 1823, the building was ready for
use, and the pupils, under the direction of Mr.
Capen, marched in a procession to the new house,
and were appropriately addressed by the Rev. Mr.
Pierpont. We find the following in the records of the School
Committee : —
"Sept. 7, 1824. Noah Brooks petitioned for the
use of the room of the new school-house for a sing
ing-school." This petition was granted, and there
are many now resident in South Boston who can
well remember the singing-school held in the Hawes
School-house. In 1826, Mr. Capen resigned his office as master,
and was succeeded, on the 5th of September, by Bar-
num Field, afterwards master of the Franklin School.
Mr. Field remained here till 1829, when he was
succeeded by Jairus Lincoln. In 1827 we find the
school first mentioned as the Hawes School, although
that name was not fully established till 1830, as we
find it mentioned as the South Boston School several
times afterwards in the Records of the School Com
mittee.

120 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
On the 4th of September, 1829, it was Voted, that
the salary of the Master of the Hawes School be
$1,000; and in 1833, the master of this school was
made equal to the masters of the other Grammar
Schools. Mr. Lincoln continued master but a few months,
as he found it impossible to control the wayward
ness of the scholars, and on the 9th of February,
1830, he was succeeded by Mark Anthony DeWolf
Howe, who was quite a young man and of small sta
ture, but he had few equals in efficiency, either as a
disciplinarian or instructor. If he had continued in
the Boston schools, as he had serious thoughts of
doing, he would now probably have been second to
none of our most distinguished masters. He left the
Hawes School to take a tutorship in Brown Univer
sity, at Providence, R. I., of which he was a most
honored graduate. He had become greatly attached
to the school, and was then, as ever since, most
deeply interested in the elevation of our Common
Schools. He is now one of the most respectable
and influential ministers of the Episcopal Church, in
the City of Philadelphia.
Mr. Howe resigned February 8th, 1831, when Mr.
William P. Page was chosen master. During the
time Mr. Page was in office the previous troubles
were greatly increased. The master was wanting in
efficiency, and had little tact for discipline or govern
ment. Truancy was very common, and the boys and
girls were perfectly lawless. At length, on the 14th of
August, 1832, Mr. "Page was obliged to resign, and
was succeeded by Mr. Moses W. Walker, who en
tered on the duties of his office on the 28th of Au
gust. Mr. Walker was well aware of the state of
the school, and was determined to quell the rebel-

SCHOOLS. 121
lious spirit of the scholars. Accordingly, he entered
school, and commenced his labors with a whipping
affair, which caused great excitement.
From the Records of the School Committee, we
make several extracts relating to this matter, think
ing it may interest those who would like to know
of the discipline of our first school.
It appears that Mr. Leonard Harrington, the fa
ther of the boy who was flogged, presented a com
plaint to the Committee that his son was cruelly
beaten and wounded by Mr. Moses W. Walker, mas
ter of the Hawes School, South Boston, " for no such
misconduct on the part of the boy as would have
justified the infliction of even moderate chastisement,
much less the aggravated whipping he received."
He asked an investigation of the subject, and an op
portunity to be heard before the Committee, that if
the charges against the master were sustained, he
might obtain redress.
To this the master made a long reply, from
which we give extracts.
He first remarks that, previous to entering the
Hawes School, he had learned that it was in a bad
condition ; that the boys had in one instance physi
cally opposed the master, and that the girls had.
struck the teacher. He then goes on to give an ac
count of his first half day in school.
"I found the scholars collected, and in great dis
order. I took the chair, stamped loudly upon the floor,
and called the school to order. And here for the
first time Harrington attracted my attention, by
continuing his talk and laughter. I again enjoined
silence, directing my remarks particularly to Har
rington, after which the house was still. I then said, ,
' Hear me. I see many things which I do not like,,
11

122 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
and which must not be continued. I am about to
command you to do some few things, and I shall
speak but once. Be careful to obey me promptly,
as a failure in this respect will expose you to cer
tain punishment.' Seeing a great part of the scholars
supporting their heads upon their hands, with elbows
upon their desks, I said to them, ( The first thing
which you are to do, is to take your elbows from
those desks.' This was instantly done by all except
Harrington, to whom I again addressed myself, in a
manner which left no room for his mistaking my
meaning. Upon this he removed his elbows from
his desk, but assumed a smile in which I read his
character. The children were then told to fold their
arms, and to remain in that position until further
orders. This was done; but I now observed that
Harrington and two or three in his immediate vici
nity were casting looks at each other and laughing.
They were ordered to take those smiles from their
faces ; — whereupon Harrington removed his arms
from the position in which he had just been com
manded to hold them, placed his elbows on the desk,
his hands before his face, and continued laughing and
looking from behind his hands at the boys about him.
" After this third exhibition of his indifference to
my commands, I thought it necessary to make an ex
ample of him. Accordingly I called him to my desk
and bade him place his hands upon the floor, which
after a little hesitation he did. I then struck him
upon his posteriors three blows with a rattan, bade
him stand up, and inquired of him if he was disposed
to do what I commanded. He made no reply, but
stood shaking his head. He was ordered to place
himself in the same position again. This he refused
to do, but was assisted by my left hand, while with

SCHOOLS. 123
the right I inflicted about the same number of blows
as before. He was again told to stand up, and asked
the same question, to which he muttered, ' yes.' I
told him to satisfy me of his sincerity by walking to
the farther side of the room lightly upon his toes.
He moved off in a most impudently swaggering man
ner. He was called back, and allowed another op
portunity, but not thinking it best to improve it, he
was again punished in a similar manner. On being
allowed to stand, he was asked if he would obey me,
to which he very promptly replied that he would.
He was called on for the same evidence of his dis
position as before, which he gave to my satisfaction.
I then bade him lie down upon his back, and get up,
which he did. This last he was called on to repeat,
which being done to my acceptance, he was allowed
to take his seat."
The whole subject was referred to a Special Com
mittee appointed by the School Committee, and after
hearing both parties, and listening to the evidence
of several of the pupils present, together with the
opinion of a physician who was called to examine
the wounds, it was decided that as the master was
not in anger at the time, but appeared perfectly
cool, and as the wounds were not of a nature to
cause the supposition that the boy was inhumanly or
cruelly punished, therefore Mr. Harrington had leave
to withdraw. Mr. Walker was thus upheld in his
first attempt to subdue the insubordinate spirit of
the young South Bostonians, and he continued his
attempts till it appears he had whipped enough to
secure the obedience of the scholars. His course,
however, did not meet the approval of the parents,
who thought him too severe in his treatment of their
children, and on the 14th of January, 1834, he re-

124 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
signed his office, and Joseph Harrington, Jr., was
chosen to take his place.
On the 27th of March, it was voted to fit up the
upper story of the new school house, and also to
supply the school with new desks. This measure
was rendered necessary by the rapid increase of
scholars. As soon as Mr. Harrington assumed the duties of
his office, a great change was observed. His policy
was altogether different from that of Mr. Walker,
and its good effects were immediately felt. Instead
of using the rod for every little offence, he attempted
to subdue the scholars by appealing to their sense of
right and wrong. Did a boy break a rule of the
school, instead of calling him to his desk and giving
him a whipping, he allowed him an opportunity to
reflect on his conduct, and strove to convince him of
the guilt of his behavior. He endeavored to show
that he had an interest in the welfare of his pupils,
and did not punish the-m out of revenge. . He was in
the habit of joining with the boys in their sports,
and was always ready to perform anything which
would conduce to their happiness. Often he pro
posed excursions to the country, or visits to exhibi
tions, and his mind seemed unceasingly occupied in
devising plans to secure not only the love and esteem
of his pupils, but also their advancement in a moral
point of view. In school he was strict, and yet kind.
A perfect lesson was required if a boy would meet
his approval, and the pupils were urged to study
from a desire to please him. He invented the posi
tions which are now in use in nearly every school in
New England, and adopted such rules in regard to
truancy that the boys were seldom or never absent
from school unless obliged to remain at home.

SCHOOLS. 125
Hawes Juvenile Association.
Mr. Harrington was the founder of the Hawes Ju
venile Association, a society whose influence was
most beneficial on the youth of South Boston, and
whose effects are still felt in our community. This
association was the first of the kind known, and al
though hundreds have since been formed, South Bos
ton has the honor of giving birth to the first, and
Mr. Harrington has the enviable distinction of being
the founder of an institution which has had great in
fluence upon the moral character of our schools.
The following letter from Mr. Harrington gives
an excellent account of the Association and its ob
jects, and will be read with interest by those who
have participated in its benefits.
"Hartford, Nov. 26th, 1849.
" Dear Sir, — Trusting that you will excuse what
must be a somewhat hurried communication, I will
say whatever occurs to me touching the formation of
the ' Hawes Juvenile Association.'
" Profane swearing had always seemed to me a
most useless, as well as a criminal habit — a habit
that was likely to leave an unfavorable moral impress
upon character, yet which was not the result of any
great depravity of character.
" General moral inculcations, or specific precepts,
would have their effect in lessening this evil in a
school; but that which springs from thoughtlessness,
and from corrupt example, and which has come to be
rather an external habit, than the expression of radi
cal viciousness, needs external agencies, perpetual
reminders, the constraint of favorable circumstances,
to subdue it — and in most cases such agencies will,
in youth, correct the habit.
11*

126 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
" Such an external constraint I determined to or
ganize in the Hawes School. Yet not external, only,
did I anticipate such an organization would be. I
trusted that it would quicken the moral sentiment
of the school, and that, by bringing an actual rein
forcement to individual virtue, as well as by its con
stant attrition against a superficial habit, it would
effect a great change in respect to profaneness.
" Having matured my plan, and having prepared
the boys for a solemn consideration of the subject, I
one day requested all who did not use profane lan
guage, nor any thing that approached to it, to rise.
There was a mingled expression of curiosity, inter
est, almost of alarm, in the school, as the request
was made. Some fifteen or twenty boys, out of near
two hundred, if I recollect aright, stood up.
" These constituted the pure nucleus for the pro
posed Association. I opened my plans. They were
received with apparent approval and pleasure. We
had meetings ; a constitution was formed ; a name
was adopted; officers were chosen, and a Library
was set on foot.
" The association had privileges. It was of course
honored by the teachers of the school. Its influence
was soon manifest to a most gratifying degree. The
practice which it was instituted to suppress, fell at
once into condemnation, and was gradually banished
from the school — not that it was ever entirely extir
pated in individuals ; but I think it may be said that
a spirit hostile to the practice pervaded the school
— and under such circumstances, a vice whose foun
dation is deeper than habit must fall.
" The Association, before many months, numbered,
J should think, half or two-thirds of the school.
" Parents cordially approved the movement, and

SCHOOLS. 127
it is my conviction that its good results were extend
ed into homes, acting upon others than the pupils of
the school. How could it be otherwise ?
" When children should come home, and speak of
the Association and its objects, of their own partici
pation in its privileges, of the necessity of guardian
ship over their tongues, of the forfeiture of member
ship by any indulgence in the habit of swearing, how
could it be otherwise, than that parents, or brothers,
or even friends, should be led to think, and to for
bear a habit of whose folly and sin they would be
thus incessantly yet unobtrusively reminded ?
" It was a special object with members of the As
sociation to dissuade those whom they heard using
profane language, from perseverance in the habit ;
and if any who were members were found lapsing,
they were admonished by a committee, and, if the
case demanded, were suspended, or expelled.
" I made it a point to learn the restrictive power
of the Association ; and for this purpose lent an ear
to the conversation of the boys, in their sports. Oc
casionally I have stood concealed, of moonlight
nights, where I could overhear their language when
they were gathered, in large numbers, at play ; but
it is my impression that, on these occasions, I never
heard from one of my own boys a profane word.
" The influence of the Association seems to have
been acknowledged by strangers. A distinguished
gentleman of Boston, riding for his health to South
Boston Point, was obliged of course to pass the school-
house, which he often did at times when the boys were
out at recess, or at play near the building. It seems
that their decorous behavior, and their freedom from
objectionable language, attracted his attention. He
stopped and made some inquiry as to the cause of

128 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
such striking and agreeable results. Having learned
it, he, with a very kind letter, enclosed anonymously
Fifty dollars, for the benefit of the Library of the
Association. " It is of course easy to see that the same influen
ces that would guard a boy from profane swearing,
would also shield him from indecencies of expres
sion. That this was the case, I was fully convinced.
" The Association held regular meetings. I myself
was a member. The affairs of the society were ad
ministered by proper officers and committees. It
Was one object to familiarize the members with par
liamentary forms, in their debates and transactions
of business.
"You ask me to speak of the exhibitions, of the
Association. They were occasions of deep and uni
versal interest. I think they occurred semi-annually.
Original addresses and poems were spoken at
them ; or perhaps some short drama, written to il
lustrate the evils of profaneness, was acted. The
exercises were interspersed with music.
"Delegations from similar societies in adjacent
towns, with their badges, &c, were often present,
and contributed greatly to the interest of the oc
casions. " It is not to be denied that to sustain a constant
interest in the Association, and to preserve it as a
living agent of moral influence, required no little
sacrifice of time, and no slight exercise of ingenuity.
But if there is one act of my life which in the re
membrance gives me satisfaction, it is that of the
establishment of the ' Hawes Juvenile Association.'
" I have of late years met but few of the young
men (then boys) who were connected with the Asso
ciation, but it would be pleasant to hear their testi-

schools. 129
mony respecting its value. Perhaps I overrate its
permanent usefulness.
"As I have, in obedience to your request, run
through this general sketch, the old scenes which it
describes have arisen vividly to view. My relations
to teachers and pupils have been revived, and I can
not but hope that they, in some measure, participate
with me in pleasant remembrances of the period
when we were all connected in labor and duty.
Truly yours, Jos. Harrington."
To show more fully the design of the " Hawes Ju
venile Association," we here introduce the Preamble.
" We, the undersigned members of the Hawes
School, regarding profane swearing as a most per
nicious sin, and earnestly desiring to abstain from it
ourselves, and to check its progress in others, have
resolved to form ourselves into a society for the
suppression of profanity, and to be governed by the
following regulations, as a Constitution."
.The 6th Article of the Constitution defines what
swearing was considered by the Association, and
therefore we copy it.
" Profane swearing shall be divided into two class
es. In the First Class shall be comprehended the
use of the name of ' God,' or the < Saviour,' together
with that of ' damn,' or its compounds, and ' hell,'
or its compounds. In the Second Class shall be in
cluded all other words which may indirectly come
under the title of profane, such as ' curse,' ' devil,'
and their compounds, of which the society shall
judge." The following is a list of the Original Members of
the Association, which is copied from the Records of
the Society : —

130 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
" Joseph Harrington, Jr., John Alex'r Harris, El-
kanah C. Crosby, George A. Stevens, Lewis F. Ba
ker, James Moore, Calvin F. How, Samuel M. Bed-
lington, William McCarthy, Willis H. Colburn, Ben
jamin Thacher, E. H. Rogers, F. H. Clapp, Theodore
Russell Glover, B. Capen, D. Nickerson, Joseph B.
Johnson, Ober Spiller, Lyman G. Bruce, William E.
Jenkins, James B. Rogers, Albert H. Blanchard,
George T. Thacher, Charles W. Dexter, John W.
Whiston, M. E. Day, Warren W. W. Glover, Max
well Poole, John Burrill, Joseph S. Binney, Nehe
miah P. Mann, Rowland E. Jenkins, Richard Faxon,
William B. Fairchild, Tho's Hoar, John B. Pope,
David W. Osborn, Edward W. Haynes, Richard
Seward, Edwin A. Sherman."
Soon after the society became prosperous, the
sins of lying and stealing were added to that of
swearing, and any member who was convicted of
either of these crimes was expelled.
. The Exhibitions to which allusion is made in Mr.
Harrington's letter, were of the most interesting
nature, and were productive of much good. We
have before us the Orders of Exercises of several of
them, but too much space would be occupied by
copying them.
On the occasion of the Annual Exhibition of the
Hawes School, on Wednesday, August 23, 1837, an
Original Address was delivered before the Hawes
Juvenile Association, by Master George A. Stevens,
one of the pupils of the school. This address was
printed, and, although the writer was but fourteen
years of age, it would do credit to a much more ma
ture mind.
On Wednesday, March 14, 1838, the First Anni
versary Celebration of the Association took place.

SCHOOLS. 131
On this occasion, an address was made by Master
William S. Thacher, and original Hymns, written by
Misses Irene S. Thacher and Rebecca A. Goodridge,
were sung.
On Wednesday, March 13, 1839, the Second Anni
versary was celebrated, and so intense was the in
terest felt by the citizens of South Boston, that the
performances were held in the Baptist Church, and
consisted of an address by Master Henry W. Alex
ander, and a Poem by Master Wm. B. Wells. On
this occasion an Original Moral Drama, illustrative
of the evils of Profaneness, was introduced. This
Drama was written by Mr. Harrington, and ten
misses and eight lads took part in it.
The Third Anniversary Celebration was held in
the Phillips Church, on the 4th of March, 1 840 ; and
on Thursday evening, April 21, there was a Grand
Juvenile Concert at the same place. The design of
this was to raise funds to increase a Library which
had been collected by the Association. The tickets
of admission were twenty-five cents, and the house
was crowded. On this occasion another drama,
written by Mr. Harrington, was presented, and was
considered so interesting that it was published in
book-form. The interest of this celebration was much en
hanced by the attendance of delegations from kindred
societies that had sprung up in the surrounding
towns, and who came in a body, with appropriate
banners and badges.
On the 29th of August, 1834, the Hawes School-
House was struck by lightning during a violent thun
der shower. The pupils were engaged in studying
at the time, and, as may be supposed, were much
alarmed. With one impulse they made for the

132 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
door, and tumbled heels over heads down stairs, —
boys, girls, . books, caps and bonnets in one mass.
Fortunately no one was seriously injured, although
several were somewhat bruised, and all were ex
ceedingly frightened. After the alarm was over,
the children were again collected, and Mr. Harring
ton made an appropriate address, and joined with
them in a prayer to Him who had preserved them
in time of danger.
The following laughable incident is related : — At
the time when the lightning struck, a foreigner was
engaged in digging in the vicinity. Half frightened
out of his wits, he started on the full run, and met
on his way the gentleman for whom he was working.
" What is the matter ?" said the gentleman.
" Sure, an' a ball of fire jest fell down by your
house." On going towards the school-house, just as he ar
rived in sight of it, the gentleman saw a large swarm
of wasps that had been frightened from their nest
on the eaves. Thinking it smoke, he began to cry
" Fire ! Fire !" and could not for some time be per
suaded that he was mistaken.
The next day the scholars were engaged in study
ing, when a piece of mortar fell between the ceiling
and the wall. Although the sky was clear, the child
ren thought the school-house was struck again by
lightning, and were again much frightened.
In January, 1838, the School Committee decided
to try the experiment of teaching Music in the Gram
mar Schools, and into the Hawes School was the
study first introduced. Mr. Lowell Mason was the
first master. The experiment proved successful,
and music is now one of the prominent studies in
the Grammar Schools. Mr. Johnson was the next

SCHOOLS. 133
music master, and he was succeeded by Mr. Albert
Drake, who is still in office, and by his skill in im
parting musical knowledge has become deservedly
popular. On the 1st of July, 1839, Mr. Harrington felt it
his duty to resign his situation to prepare himself
for the ministry. He left, amidst the mutual regrets
of his pupils and the citizens of South Boston. As
a testimonial of respect and gratitude, his pupils
presented him with a very valuable gift.
Mr. Frederick Crafts was chosen his successor,
and retained the office till he was appointed Master
of the Bigelow School.
On the 11th of August, 1835, it was voted to have
a Writing Master in the Hawes School, with a salary
of $1,000. Mr. John A. Harris was appointed to
the office.
On the 17th of January, 1848, it was voted to
divide the school into two distinct portions, one to
be called the " Hawes School for Boys," and the
other the "Hawes School for Girls." This arrange
ment was continued till the completion of the Bige
low School-House, on Fourth street, when the Hawes
School for Girls became the Bigelow School.
In August, 1852, Mr. Harris was succeeded by-
Mr. Samuel Barrett, the present master.

CHAPTER XII.

SCHOOLS  CONTINUED .

The Hawes School may be considered the Parent;
School in South Boston, as from it have sprung no>
12

134 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
less than two new institutions of learning. In May,
1840, the Sub-Committee of the Hawes School, in
their Quarterly Report of the condition of the school,
stated that there were belonging to it 292 boys and
271 girls — total, 563. The school-house was only
capable of seating 468 pupils, and hence nearly a
hundred were unprovided with seats. The Commit
tee strongly recommended that a new school be im
mediately organized. After considerable discussion,
an order was passed, authorizing the Committee of
the Hawes School to hire a proper room, fit it up,
and procure teachers, provided the cost should not
exceed $2,000.
The Committee immediately hired Franklin Hall,
at the corner of Turnpike and Fourth streets; and
on the first Monday after the June vacation, a por
tion of the Hawes School, under the charge of Jona
than Battles, Usher in the above-named school, and
Miss Lucy Floyd and Miss Lydia S. Brooks, Assist
ants, were removed to this Hall, and designated the
Branch School. The names of one hundred and
seventy-eight pupils are enrolled on the books of
this school, as having been removed from the Hawes
School. On November 2, 1840, the Committee reported
that the school in Franklin Hall had so increased
that it was found necessary to transfer a part of
the pupils back to the Hawes School. The Commit
tee also added that the citizens of Ward XII. had a
right to expect a new school-house, and in their opin
ion a new one must be immediately built.
In the early part of 1841, an order was passed
authorizing the erection of a new school-house for
the Branch School, on a piece of land on Broadway,
between B-and C streets.

SCHOOLS. 135
On November 2, 1841, a committee was appointed
to report a name for the new school. After some
deliberation they proposed that it should be called
the " Everett School." This order was indefinitely
postponed. On January 11, 1842, another committee was ap
pointed for the same purpose, who reported that it
should be known as the " Lowell School." This
name, however, did not meet with favor, and at last
it was ordered that the school be called the Mather
School, in honor of Richard Mather, one of the first
ministers in Dorchester.
On Thursday, March 3d, 1842, the school-house
was finished, and first occupied by the school. At
half past 2 in the afternoon, there was an exhibition,
at which the pupils were examined in their various
studies. Declamations by the boys of the first class
also added to the interest of the occasion. The sal
ary of Mr. Battles was increased, and Mr. Isaac F.
Shepard was chosen to assist him as Usher, and in
May the school was reported as being in a prosper
ous condition, and numbering 352 pupils. All resid
ing above C street were required to attend the
Hawes School, while all below were to be connected
with the Mather.
The school continued without being fully organ
ized till August, 1843, when Mr. Josiah A. Stearns,
Usher in the Adams School, was appointed Grammar
Master, and Mr. Jonathan Battles, Writing Master.
From this time the school seemed to receive a
new impulse. It had long labored under many dis
advantages arising from the want of a complete or
ganization, but when this was accomplished, it im
mediately rose to a high rank among its kindred
institutions.

136 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
In October, 1847, the Hawes School was so crowd
ed, and so large a number attending the Mather
School were found to reside in the Hawes district,
it was thought best to change the school-districts,
and accordingly all pupils residing east of the centre
of D street were obliged to attend the Hawes, while
all to the west of said street belonged to the Mather.
The first medals were awarded to William B.
Fairchild, Francis H. Jenney, Nancy Porter Walton,
Sarah Agnes Loring and Elizabeth Brown.
In March, 1854, the school was placed under a
single head ; Mr. Battles retiring, and Mr. Stearns
becoming Principal.
In January, 1856, the name of the school was
changed from Mathee to Lawrence, in honor of a
patron of the School. The school edifice still re
tains its old name.
The Mather School-House was erected at a cost
of $21,314 80, and is 3 stories high. In the upper
story, it had originally a large hall, occupied by the
Grammar Department, while beneath it was a room
of the same size, used by the Writing Department.
Connected with each of these rooms was a recitation-
room. On the basement was a large Ward Room,
used for public purposes, and also occupied in lat
ter times by a portion of the school. Two rooms
for Primary Schools were likewise contained in the
building. In the fall of 1856 the building was re-modelled,
so that the entrances are now made at the centre of
the sides of the building, into a passage way furnish
ed with stairs giving access to eight Primary School-
Rooms on the second and third stories. The first
story is occupied in front by the Ward Room, and
in the rear by two Primary School-Rooms.

SCHOOLS. 137
Lawrence Association.
The Lawrence Association of the Mather School
was established in January, 1844. Its objects were
similar to those of the Association already mentioned
as existing in the Hawes School.
It received its name out of respect to Mr. Amos
Lawrence, a part of whose donation of books to the
Hawes School now constituted its Library. It was
at first conducted solely by the boys ; but under their
management it soon proved a total failure. It was,
however, thoroughly re-organized in the spring of
1846, when some improvements were made, and the
Grammar Master was chosen President. Thus firmly
founded, the affairs of the society took a new turn.
On May 1st, 1846, the Association sent the Preamble
and first Article of their Constitution to Mr. Law
rence, who answered in a manner characteristic of
the man. The following aceount of the occurrence,
with Mr. Lawrence's letter to a committee of the
Association, we copy from the Boston Atlas : —
" A committee of three little boys was constituted,
who on May-day morning acquainted their benefac
tor with the object of the Association, and the res
pect intended by what had been done. In a few
days a gentleman's carriage halted at the school-
house gate ; the members of the committee were
summoned to appear; and, presently afterwards,
they were toiling up stairs, in much excitement, each
with a bundle of books as large as he could carry.
In reporting to the Association, the chairman stated
that 'The Committee were called to the door,
where they met a very benevolent-looking gentleman,
who spoke very kindly to them — told them they
were good boys — and gave each of them a bundle of
12*

138 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
books — and said he hoped they would try to improve
all in their power.'1 The bundles were found to con
tain about one hundred volumes, sundry valuable
articles of stationery, ten dollars in money, and the
following very affecting note : —
' Monday Morning, 10 o'clock, May 4th, '48.
'My Dear Young Friends: —
' Your " May-Flower," in the form of the note and
Preamble and first Article of the " Lawrence Asso
ciation of the Mather School," I shall keep as a pre
cious flower for my grandsons ; and by this you may
know the estimation I have for your objects in form
ing, thus early, the habits so important to your future
well-being. The difference between starting just
right or a little wrong, in the journey of life, may
make just the difference of your being on the sunny
side of the hill, with pure air, and pleasant objects
above and around you, at the age of mature life, or
being in the dark slough, or the swamp, among rep
tiles, and insects, and poisonous and tormenting
weeds, and dogwood, and briers, and thistles. In
another communication I shall tell you more : but in
this I have only strength to say, that a few- months
since I had a young son, just such in every thing as I
wished. He lies buried in Mount Auburn, under the
-" Old Oak," which the keeper of the grounds will
explain to you. When you visit this spot, cast a
twig or a flower upon it, as I trust that his spirit is
in unison with such as feel as he felt. With this you
will receive some of his books, and some others,
which I have hastily gathered, and which will help
to keep him and your friend in mind. May you be

SCHOOLS. 139
strengthened to go forward in all good works. So
prays Amos Laweence.
To C. J. F. ALLEN, Jr., ) Committee of the
Da a ^»,mTT . „ ™ ( Lawrence Association
. A. Southard, > of the
N. S. JENNEY, ) Mather School.
' P. S. The bill enclosed will help in little mat
ters ; the penknives to keep the pens mended, the
blank books for memoranda, &c. A. L.' '
With this aid, the Association went on its way
rejoicing, and soon exerted an excellent influence
over the pupils of the school. The citizens of South
Boston, together with the teachers of the school, con
tributed to the funds of the Association, and Mr.
Lawrence also made repeated donations, until the
library is now quite large and valuable.
Mr. Lawrence had been deeply afflicted by the
loss of his son, a young man of promising talents.
The Association sympathized strongly with Mr. Law
rence in his sorrow, and in October, 1846, the mem
bers visited Mt. Auburn to pay a tribute to the
memory of Robert Means Lawrence, whose remains
are there deposited. In two omnibuses, the mem
bers were conveyed to the gate-way, when they
marched in silence up the main avenue. As they
approached the grave, they sang a solemn, plaintive
song, and then gathered around the last resting-place
of their friend. Under the old oak that overhangs
the Lawrence Enclosure (which is well represented
by an engraving on the next page), they all stood
in perfect silence, and listened with serious demean
or to some appropriate remarks from Mr. Josiah A.
Stearns,, the President of the Association, and then
they united in singing the following original hymn,
to the tune of " Home, sweet Home " : —

140

HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.

SCHOOLS. 141
TO THE MEMORY OF ROBERT MEANS LAWRENCE.
The old oak is riven, its branches lie low.
And tears of affection abundantly flow ;
For blasted, the promise of excellence here ;
And earth now encloses the lov'd one so dear !
Dear, dear, lov'd, lov'd, dear !
And earth now encloses the lov'd one so dear.
O fear not, he shouted, my spirit goes up ;
My Father has mingled and given the cup,
And through the dark valley I fearlessly roam,
For lov'd ones have passed it, who beckon me home !
Home, home, lov'd, lov'd home !
For lov'd ones have passed it, who beckon me home.
The pride of his father, his mother's delight,
Then yielded his spirit and passed out of sight ;
His life, though but transient, this tribute had won ;
In all things he liv'd a most dutiful son.
Son, son, lov'd, lov'd son !
In all things he liv'd a most <

And he, that reposes beneath the cold sod,
A spirit in glory, walks brightly with God ;
So, bring ye of flowers, the fairest in bloom,
And sprinkle their fragrance to hallow the tomb ;
Tomb, tomb, sad, sad tomb !
And sprinkle their fragrance to hallow the tomb.
Before us he slumbers in garden of love ;
And old oak is pointing to treasure above ;
Bright angels are glancing, and heaven looks on,
Delighting to honor the spirit that's gone.
Gone, gone, lov'd, lov'd, gone !
Delighting to honor the spirit that's gone.
The moist eye, the quivering lip and the heaving
breast clearly showed the deep emotion of those
who took part in this mournful requiem, and an influ
ence was exerted which will ever be remembered.

142 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
The next month after this visit to Mt. Auburn to
express their sympathy with their patron in his af
fliction, the Association was called to mourn the loss
of one of their own number, an especial favorite of
all — one who by his winning manners and affable dis
position had endeared himself in a peculiar manner
to all his associates. On Monday, the 30th of No
vember, 1846, David Anson Southard, who had
been with them in as good health and spirits as any
on Saturday morning, died from injuries occasioned
by an accident which happened to him in his play.
This sudden affliction excited deep feeling among
the members of the Association ; and as they gather
ed around his coffin they sang, to the same tune in
which he had joined them so shortly before, lines
composed for the occasion and expressive of their
deep sorrow : —
" O ! low lies the brother our hearts held so dear,
And now have we come here to follow his bier j
Our bosoms are swelling, our full eyes are dim,
For cold must the heart be that never lov'd him —
Him, him, — lov'd, lov'd him !
For cold must the heart be that never lov'd him."
So deeply did this affect them, that the sad mea
sure was often interrupted by their sobs and tears,
and it was long before the unmeaning laugh and
foolish chatter were heard again among the school
mates of the departed. Since this first instance of
death among the members of the Association, many
of their number have passed beyond the line of Time ;
and as at irregular intervals they have been called
to part with loved companions, they have gathered
in a body around the coffin of each, and paid the
last sad tribute of affection and respect.

SCHOOLS. 143
The first visit to Mt. Auburn was followed by
several others at the invitation of Mr. Lawrence, all
of which afforded much gratification .to the members.
He seemed to take a very deep interest in the Asso
ciation, visiting the school frequently, and making
many donations.
In February, 1 847, he sent over to the Associa
tion two purses of money, and requested each mem
ber to contribute half a dollar from their contents
towards the fund for the relief of the destitute in
Ireland, then being raised in the city. One hundred
and two members and four hundred and thirty-eight
other pupils of the school availed themselves of the
privilege, and contributed one hundred and sixty
dollars. On Christmas day, 1849, a silver cup was present
ed Mr. Lawrence by the misses of the Association.
The last time Mr. Lawrence visited the school, he
was accompanied by General Franklin Pierce, at
that time President elect of the United States.
On the night of December 31st, 1852, he died
quite suddenly, and his funeral services were attend
ed on the 4th of January, 1853, in Brattle Street
Church, Boston. The Association attended, and
gathering around the coffin and strewing it with
flowers, sang the following hymn : —
He has gone — he has gone —
To his spirit home ;
And oh, it 'thrills his soul with joy,
In realms of bliss to roam ;
But we must shed the burning tear
To part with him we love ;
And now for us the world is gloom,
Since he has gone above.

144 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
He has gone — he has gone —
To his spirit home ;
And oh, it thrills his soul with joy,
In realms of bliss to roam.
Weeping eyes — broken hearts —
Oft he bid rejoice ;
And homes of woe were full of praise,
That heard his loving voice ; -
For oft he soothed poor sorrow's tear,
And wept when they were sad ;
And many were the orphan forms,
His gen'rous bounty clad.
Weeping eyes — broken hearts —
Oft he bid rejoice ;
And homes of woe were full of praise,
That heard his loving voice.
Gentle words — heav'nly thoughts —
Linger where he trod ;
And oh, it was our childhood's charm,
To hear him talk of God ;
Then let us ever strive to live,
As he, our friend, has done ;
That we may reach the happy life
Which he has now begun.
Gentle words — heav'nly thoughts —
Linger where he trod ;
And oh, it was our childhood's charm,
To hear him talk of God.
Fare thee well — fare thee well —
We around thee weep ;
But oh, we love thee, father, still, —
And angels guard thy sleep.
The kind " Old Oak " for us no more
Shall sheltering branches spread;
And oh, our hearts are wrung with grief,
For he we lov'd is dead.

SCHOOLS. 145
Fare thee well — fare thee well —
We around thee weep ;
But oh, we love thee, father, still, —
And angels guard thy sleep.
Since Mr. Lawrence's death, his son Amos A.
Lawrence has evinced a deep interest in the Associ
ation, which is still in a most flourishing condition.
To encourage the literary efforts of the members,
he has distributed among them, in the form of prizes
for excellent essays, the sum of forty dollars, an
nually.

CHAPTER XIII.
SCHOOLS  CONTINUED.
Bigelow School.
In 1849, the two Grammar Schools in South Bos
ton became so crowded that it was deemed necessary
that another school should be immediately organized-
and a school-house built. After considerable delay,,.
an order was passed for the erection of a school--
house on the corner of E and Fourth streets, and on.
Thursday, May 2d, 1850, the Bigelow School-House
was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. Ad
dresses were made by His Honor, Mayor Bigelow.
for whom the school was named ; Baenas Seaes, Esq
Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education
and by other distinguished gentlemen, and the fol
lowing dedicatory Hymn, written by John Tillson,
was then sung by seventeen young ladies in a pecu
liarly beautiful manner.
13

146 HISTOEY op south boston.
Fount of Wisdom ! Source of Light !
Father, Teacher, Friend and Guide ;
Let thy sacred influence bright,
O'er this hallowed scene preside;
While we grateful homage bring,
And our cheerful voices raise ;
Aid our vocal powers to sing —
Teach us how to hymn thy praise !
For the rich and varied lore,
Educated mind imparts ;
For the treasures, here in store,
Give us glad and thankful hearts.
For the institutions great,
Which our Commonwealth sustains : —
All that elevates the State, —
Faith's pure shrines, and Art's proud fanes I
For the intellectual wealth,
Which exalts the present age : —
Social culture, — moral health, —
Which the master minds engage !
All these blessings, freely shared,
To thy bounteous hand we owe ;
From thy care and kind regard,
All our streams of knowledge flow.
Truth and Science, here unite,
For thy glory and our weal —
To improve thy gifts aright,
Fill our youthful hearts with zeal ;
On this stately Edifice,
Rear'd in learning's holy cause,
Shed thy beams of heavenly grace,
Guard and rule it by thy laws !
The cost of the building itself was $31,000, and
the land on which it stands was $8,500, making the
total expense $39,500. The building is 50 feet high.

SCHOOLS. 147
A splendid clock, with two dials placed on the east
and west ends of the house, is of the greatest conve
nience to the citizens of Ward XII. This clock was
presented by Mayor Bigelow, and is another evidence
of his desire for the happiness and well-being of the
public. The Bigelow School-House, standing as it does on
high ground, commands a very extensive prospect,
and from the Hall can be enjoyed a splendid view of
the harbor, the city proper, and all the neighboring
towns. (See engraving on next leaf.)
The Bigelow School is composed wholly of girls,
and has at the present time (1857) above five hun
dred pupils, including about twenty who, with an
equal number of boys belonging to the Hawes School,
are, on account of their remoteness, taught in two
Branch Schools, one at the Point and the other at
Washington Village.
The fourth story of the building is wholly occu
pied by a large hall. Each of the other stories i9
divided into four rooms ; those of the second and
third stories being furnished with desks and chairs,
two of them for 56 pupils, and the remaining six for
63 pupils each. The rooms on the lower floor are
occupied by Primary Schools ; there is also an Inter
mediate School for girls in one of the rooms of the
second story.
The Bigelow School proper (that is, in the build
ing) is taught by a master and seven female assis
tants. The five primary schools have, on an average,
about sixty-five pupils each. The whole number of
children attending school in the building is above
seven hundred and fifty.
Mr. Frederick Crafts was first master, and was
succeeded by Mr. Joseph Hale in August, 1852.

148 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Lawrence School.
The old School-House having become far too small
to accommodate the pupils desirous of attending,
appropriations were made for a new school edi
fice, and on the 11th of September, 1856, the Law
rence School was removed to the magnificent build
ing at the corner of Third and B streets. This edi
fice, 60 feet by 90 feet on the ground, is built of
brick and covered with mastic; its walls are double,
with a space between the bricks to secure dryness
and facilitate ventilation. It is nearly a fire-proof
building, all the partitions being of brick and the
space between the floors being filled with hard
cement. Its interior is finished with chestnut wood
and varnished. It is four stories high, and contains
fourteen school-rooms, a large hall capable of seat
ing five hundred persons, a small room for the Li
brary of the Lawrence Association, and another for
the master, which is papered and carpeted and fur
nished with a library of reference and a cabinet of
curiosities and minerals. The building is heated
throughout by steam, has entirely separate yards for
the boys and girls, and in the basement a large shel
tered play-ground for the children, forming altoge
ther one of the finest school-houses in Boston. (An
engraved view of it is given on another page.)
The cost of the building and the land on which it
stands was between $60,000 and $70,000. Itisapleas-
ing coincidence that it bears the name of one of the
warmest friends and patrons of the youth of South
Boston, and also has a deep historical interest, inas
much as it is situated on the precise spot where
stood the fortification on Nook's Hill, the erec
tion of which, as has been fully stated in a preceding

BIGELOW SCHOOL-HOUSE— Erected in 1849. (Page 147.)

LAWRENCE SCHOOL-HOUSE— Erected in 1856. (Page 148.)

SCHOOLS. 149
chapter of this work, caused the British to evacuate
Boston. On Tuesday, March 17th, 1857, the 81st
anniversary of the evacuation, this beautiful building
was dedicated to the cause of learning by appropri
ate services. The exercises consisted of prayer,
reading the scriptures, presentation of the keys,
addresses, and the singing by the pupils of original
songs, two of which were composed by the master
and one by Mr. C. J. F. Allen, Jr., a former pupil.
The Hall was decorated with flowers, and the black
boards were covered with beautiful drawings execut
ed by the pupils. The doors of the several rooms
being thrown open, exhibited to visitors the happy
countenances of the children who occupied them.
Rev. Charles S. Porter presided, and the occasion
was honored by the presence of Alexander H. Rice,
Mayor of the City, the venerable Hon. Josiah Qura-
cy, Richard Frothingham, Jr., Esq., Samuel Greelb,
Esq., Ex-Governor Boutwell, Rev. Thomas B. Fo«,
Rev. R. W. Clark, Mr. Philbrick, Superintendent
of the Bdston Schools, and other gentlemen. The
services were of a deeply interesting character, and
were concluded by singing the original hymn, one
stanza of which we insert.
Proudly inscribed with the name we would honor,
Here, let the ofFring be worthy of him !
Watchful each vestal with white robes upon her,
See, that its glory may never grow dim !
Patron of virtue he —
Helper of poverty —
Lover of science, and friendly to all. —
Gratefully pledge the vow —
Write it in heaven now —
Worthy of Lawrence we'll render the hall !
13*

150 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
The school is organized with boys and girls in
every class, and in this respect it differs from every
other public school in Boston. It has a master, a
sub-master, 12 female assistants, a teacher of plain
sewing, a teacher of music, and a janitor to tend
fires and take care of the building. The number of
pupils belonging to the school, on the day of the
dedication, was 797. The daily attendance of the
pupils averages not far from 90 per cent.
Josiah A. Stearns, A. M., is the Principal.
Primary Schools.
The first Primary School was established in Bos
ton in 1818. The precise year when a Primary
School was opened in South Boston, is not known. It
is supposed, however, that during the year 1819 or
1820 such a school was established. The first teach
er was Mrs. Catharine Thayer. We have before us
the report of this school in 1821, and we copy it
from the original document as preserved by the Pri
mary School Board : —
" On Friday afternoon, 28th of September, in obe
dience to the direction of the Standing Committee
of the Board of Primary Schools, I visited the school
nt South Boston, kept by Mrs. Thayer. I was at
tended by William Dall, Esq.
1st, were present, and absent,

4th class, 8 boys, 3 girls, total 11.
3d " 6 " 9 » « 15.
2d ¦• 3 " 6 " " 9.
1st " 9 " 6 " « 15.
26 24 50

1 boy, 3 girls, total 4.
0 " 1 " " 1.
0 " 1 " " 1.
0 " 1 " " 1.
1 6 7

" Of seven years old there were none in the fourth
or third classes ; in the second, 2 boys and 1 girl ;
=and in the first, 2 boys and no girls ; in all, 5.

SCHOOLS. 151
" 2d. No boy or girl in this school is qualified,
or can be for six months, for the Grammar School;
but 7 have gone in the last six months.
" 3d. Watts's Shorter Catechism is used alone.
"4th. The mistress teaches with proper accent.
" 5th. The school hours are conformed to, but in
the past summer the mistress has begun an hour
earlier, to accommodate the children who come in
company with elder ones attending another school
in the forenoon.
" 6th. School is every day opened with prayer.
" 7th. The principal punishment is by detention,
which the instructor thinks has a good effect ; whip
ping is sometimes necessary.
" 8th. The new system has not been put in ope
ration. " 9th. The school was visited by Mr. Dall about
four weeks since.
" 10. The general state of the school is as bad
as any I have seen in town. More than two-thirds
of the children in the fourth class are destitute of
books, and a quarter at least of those in the third
class. Eight of the children in the fourth class are
in their alphabet ; but the three others, all boys, may
be advanced in three months to the third class.
The third class appear tolerably well, and, if not too
soon advanced, may make good scholars. The sec
ond class is the poorest I have ever seen; one half
of them would be poor scholars for the third, and
one boy was so struck with a sense of his inferiority
as to desire to be reduced one degree, in which he
was gratified. They were deficient in every parti
cular ; knew little of spelling, less of stops, nothing
of the vulgarisms or abbreviations, or words of simi
lar sound but different spelling. Of the first class

152 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
I am obliged to speak almost as ill as of the second ;
yet they read tolerably well, and five of the fifteen
could spell words of three syllables. Every one
ought to be in the second class, yet all, except one,
have been in the first from last February, when the
new system was introduced, but not followed. This
school needs the attention of the Committee ; and
the mistress, who appears to be an excellent woman,
and able to govern and teach, might soon raise its
character if they would visit and examine it once a
week. But the materials are so poor, that, unless a
firm support is given to the teacher by the Commit
tee, to enable her to resist the whims of the parents,
who wish their children to be put up before they can
advance by their own strength, the school must be
almost useless. Jas. Savage."
We have also a list of the names of the scholars,
with the number of hymns and verses of the Bible
which they had committed. This first school was
kept in a room in the house occupied by the instruc
tor, and situated near the corner of Dorchester and
Third streets.
In 1824 another Primary School was established,
having Miss Cole for teacher. This was kept on
Fourth street, between B and C streets.
For many years each school had a separate Com
mittee man. On January 8th, 1855, a new organi
zation was made, the Grammar School Board en
larged, and all the schools placed under their charge.
There are in South Boston four convenient brick
buildings owned by the city and occupied by fifteen
Primary Schools. The remainder are in the Grammar
School-Houses or private rooms.

SCHOOLS.

153

The Mount Washington Female Institute
Was founded May, 1835, by Mrs. Burrill, with the
view of providing a place where young ladies might
obtain a liberal education at a moderate rate. The
number of pupils who attended the first term was
49. Since that time many misses have been connect
ed with the institution. It is still under the charge
of Mrs. Burrill, aided by several female assistants.
The course of education pursued by the young
ladies of the Institute is extensive, comprehending
all those attainments which may be found necessary,
useful or ornamental in society. Every effort is
made to store the minds of the pupils with know
ledge, and to inculcate in their hearts the principles
of virtue and morality.

The seminary and boarding-house are situated on
Mount Washington, near the Institution for the
Blind. The site is one of the most healthy and
beautiful in New England, and commands a view of
the city, harbor, and many of the surrounding towns.
(A view of it is presented above.)

154 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.

CHAPTER XIV.
CHURCHES.
In the early history of South Boston, the inhabi
tants were obliged to attend church in Dorchester,
as there were not residents enough in Mattapannock
to support a minister. The people were in the
habit of going to Dorchester meeting-house on Sun
day morning, and remaining all day. Soon after
Dorchester Neck was annexed to Boston proper,
several of the inhabitants, members of Rev. Dr.
Harris's Society in Dorchester, desired to have a
nearer place of worship. Mr. John Hawes, a bene
volent and public-spirited citizen, appropriated a
piece of ground as early as June, 1807, on which a
house for public worship was to be erected. This
land he caused to be conveyed to the inhabitants of
South Boston.
In the year 1810, he joined with his neighbors in
erecting a building, for a temporary place of wor
ship, and Rev. Thomas Pierce, of Milton, a clergyman
of the Methodist denomination, who had occasionally
ministered to them in their private dwellings, was
employed as their minister. He preached to them
for about two years, and then returned to the Meth
odist connexion. About this time, the town of Bos
ton granted a sum of money for the support of a
public school in South Boston, and Mr. Zephaniah
Wood, of Lunenberg, as has already been mentioned,
was appointed master of the school. Mr. Wood
was an excellent man, of the Orthodox persuasion,
and being much given to study, he engaged to pursue
such studies as might render him acceptable and

CHURCHES. 155
useful to the little church which had been gathered,
while at the same time he gratuitously performed
the services of a pastor.
In the year 1818, the Society, having considerably
increased, obtained of the Legislature an act of in
corporation, with the title of The Hawes Place
Congeegational Society. They also enlarged their
temporary place of worship. The first meeting was
in a wooden one-story building, about forty feet
long, and twenty wide, situated eastward of the
Heights, near the site of the present Church, but fac
ing on the Old Road. On cither side of the door
were singers' seats, raised somewhat above the other
pews. Opposite the door was a low wooden pulpit.
The ceiling was plastered, but the sides were left
bare, the spaces between the beams being filled with
rough bricks.
The enlargement mentioned above was an addition
of some twenty feet to the length of the meeting
house, making it sixty feet long, and giving it so
much the appearance of a rope-walk, that it was call
ed by that name.
The act of incorporation was passed in February,
and approved by the Governor, John Brooks, on the
19th of that month. On the 13th day of May, 181 9,
those members of the Society, who were communi
cants, met to deliberate upon the expediency of
forming a regular Church ; and " Voted unanimously,
that the Secretary of this meeting (Mr. Wood) be
requested to take such measures as shall be deemed
requisite to effect such object."
At an adjourned meeting of these communicants,
Oct. 11th, 1819, it was " Voted unanimously, that
letters missive be addressed to the Rev. Mr. Harris
of Dorchester, the Rev. Mr. Porter of Roxbury, and

156 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
the Rev. Mr. Norton of Weymouth, requesting them
to attend on the 27th instant, at 10 o'clock, A. M.,
with one delegate each, as a council to assist in or
ganizing said members into a Church." Accordingly,
an Ecclesiastical Council assembled, Oct. 27th, 1819,
and accomplished the object for which they had been
convened. The Rev. Dr. Porter was chosen Mode
rator. He performed the devotional exercises, and
administered baptism to several new members, then
admitted, who had not been baptized. The Rev. Dr.
Harris was chosen Scribe, and preached a discourse;
and the Rev. Mr. Norton gave the right hand of
fellowship to the Church, through their minister, Mr.
Wood, who had been deputed to receive it.
This Church at first consisted of fourteen members,
six male and eight female. They held their first
meeting Nov. 15, 1819, at the house of Mr. John
Hawes, and unanimously chose Mr. Wood to be
Clerk, and Isaac Thorn and Thomas Hammond to be
Deacons. With a view to render himself more useful to this
Church and Society, Mr. Wood received ordination
as an Evangelist, by a Council convened at Wey
mouth, Nov. 13, 1821, though he never held any pas
toral relation to them.
Mr. Wood was not, however, permitted to con
tinue long in his office. In August, 1822, he was
seized with a violent fever, and after enduring much
suffering, died on the 26th of October, at the age of
31 years. His death was much lamented by the
Church and Society, and by all who had ever enjoyed
his acquaintance. As a man he was universally res
pected, and as a Christian his character was unble
mished. He left a wife and several young children to
mourn his loss.

churches. 157
During the sickness of the Rev. Mr. Wood, the
Rev. Lemuel Capen, of Dorchester, who not long
before had dissolved his ministerial connexion with
the church and society in Sterling, was requested to
preach to this society. Soon after the decease of
Mr. Wood, Mr. Capen was appointed to succeed him
as master of the public school, and continued, by
their request, to " minister to them in the word." At
a legal meeting of the society, January 28, 1823,
they invited him to become their permanent minister,
to which invitation he gave an affirmative answer.
On account of his connexion with the school, how
ever, further measures for his installation were de
ferred. In consequence of this step of the society,
at a legal meeting of the Church, March 23, 1823, he
was chosen to be the clerk of the Church. He con
tinued thus to preach and administer the ordinances
of the gospel to them till the autumn of 1827. At
a legal meeting of the society, October 8th of that
year, they unanimously renewed their invitation to
him to become their permanent minister; and he
again signified his acceptance. An Ecclesiastical
Council was accordingly convened for his installation,.
October 31, 1827; on which occasion, the following;
churches were represented: — the Rev. Dr. Porter's
and Dr. Gray's in Roxbury ; Rev. Dr. Harris's and-
Dr. Richmond's in Dorchester ; the Rev. Mr. Whit
ney's in Quincy, and the Rev. Mr. Pierpont's in
Boston. In January, 1829, John Hawes, who was one of"
the founders of the Church, and who had ever been
its friend, died, leaving a considerable amount of
property to the Church, and also to the inhabitants
of South Boston. (See Appendix G.)
The donation of Mr. Hawes enabled the Hawes-
14

158 HISTORY of south boston.
Place Society to erect a new house of worship, on
the site presented by that gentleman in 1807. This
building is a neat wooden edifice, 60 by 46 feet, and
capable of seating between four and five hundred
persons. It is surmounted by a steeple, in which a
bell is suspended. This building was dedicated Jan
uary 1, 1833, and bears on a tablet in front the fol-
fowing inscription : —
THIS HOUSE ERECTED
ET THE
HAWES PLACE SOCIETY,
For the Worship of God, A. D. 1832,
by a munificent donation from
MR. JOHN HAWES,
who died Jan.' 22, 1829,
aged 88 years.
In 1839, Rev. Lemuel Capen resigned his office as
pastor of the church, and Rev. Charles C. Shackford
was ordained as his successor, May 19, 1841, and
left May, 1843. Rev. George W. Lippitt was or
dained May 9, 1844, and remained until January 1,
1851. Rev. Thomas Dawes was his successor, May
21, 1854.
In 1855 the church was entirely re-modelled, circu
lar pews introduced, a new pulpit built, and other
improvements made. The fund left by Mr. Hawes
is sufficient to defray all expenses.
St. Matthew's Church.
The first incorporated religious society in South
Boston was the present Episcopal Church. On the
24th of March, 1816, St. Matthew's Church was or
ganized, and on the following Sunday, March '31st,

CHURCHES. 159
the first public services were performed in the
" school-house," by Mr. Cotting, a lay reader. This
gentleman continued to act in that capacity till the
21st of June, 1818, receiving occasional assistance
from some of the clergymen of the city. The con
gregations at this period are reported to have va
ried from ten to seventy persons.
In 1817 the society commenced the erection of
the first house of worship built in South Boston,
and on the 24th of June, 1818, St. .Matthew's Church
was consecrated with appropriate services by the
Right Rev. Alexander V. Griswold, D. D., Bishop of
the Eastern Diocese. The expenses of its erection
were chiefly defrayed by benevolent members of
Trinity and Christ churches, with a view to the fu
ture wants of South Boston. The land on which it
stands was bought of Mr. Abraham Gould, who was
for many years one of the wardens of the Church.
A service of plate for the use of the altar was pre
sented by the ladies of Christ Church, and the pul
pit, desk and chancel were furnished by the ladies
of Trinity Church. Mrs. Elizabeth Bowdoin Win
throp was a most liberal benefactor.
On the 5th of July, 1817, an arrangement was
made with Mr. Addison Searle, a candidate for holy
orders, to act as lay reader, and this gentleman,
with some aid from the clergymen of the city, sus
tained public worship until March 30th, 1819. Mr.
Searle was soon after ordained, and received an ap
pointment as Chaplain in the Navy. His death on
board the frigate Cumberland, on the Mediterranean
station, has lately been announced.
On Mr. Searle's resignation, Mr. R. G. Parker
was engaged to officiate as lay reader, but continued
his services only till the 19th of September. The

160 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
names of Mr. Theodore Edson, Isaac Boyle, and I.
H. Price, all of them candidates for the ministry,
and afterwards ordained, occur in the records, as
conducting the public worship from Mr. Parker's re
signation till 19th of March, 1820, at which time Mr.
Edson appears to have made a permanent arrange
ment with the Wardens and Vestry, and to have
continued his services till about March, 1824. He
was succeeded, after a short interval, by the Rev. J.
L. Blake, who was the first ordained clergyman set
tled over the Parish. He remained Rector of St.
Matthew's till the 24th of June, 1832. During the
latter part of the year 1831, the Church was closed,
in order to ^enlarge the building to its present size.
On Mr. Blake's resignation, the Church was sup
plied for about three months by the Rev. M. A.
De W. Howe, who was at that time Master of the
Hawes School. He ceased to officiate on the 14th
of October, 1832, and the Church was closed from
that date till the 2d of February, 1834, when it was
opened for public worship by the Rev. E. M. P.
Wells, who continued his services till April, 1835.
To him succeeded the Rev. H. L. Conolly, who was
Rector of St. Matthew's from April, 1835, to April,
1838. On his resignation, the services of the Rev.
W. Bull and others were secured until the 10th of
June, 1838, when the Rev. Joseph H. Clinch engaged
to supply the Church for three months, at the expi
ration of which time he was chosen Rector, and was
instituted as such on the 23d of September, 1838, by
Bishop Griswold. This gentleman still continues
his pastoral relation.
The society at the present time numbers about
one hundred families, and there are about one hun
dred communicants connected with the Church. The

CHURCHES. 161
church edifice is a neat brick building, situated on
Broadway, between D and E streets, and is 35 feet
front by 80 feet deep. Under the church are quite
a number of vaults used as tombs, owned by various
individuals, and under the supervision of the City
Authorities. In the belfry still remains the bell
which was formerly suspended in the cupola of Fan-
euil Hall, and which was granted to the Church by
the town authorities on condition that it be rung for
fire alarms, <&c. St. Augustine's Church.
In the year 1819, the members of the Franklin
street Roman Catholic Church thought it advisable
to erect a place for Roman Catholic services in
South Boston, and accordingly built the church situ
ated on Dorchester street, and known as the " Old
Catholic Church." The distinguished Right Rev
erend Bishop Cheverus had the ministerial charge of
the Franklin street Church, and by his activity and
assistance St. Augustine's Church was erected.
It was doubtless the intention of the Rev. Mr.
Thayer to have located a convent of Ursuline Nuns
near this Church, as he made provision in his will for
the establishment of such an institution, and ex
pressed his opinion that that would be the most
eligible situation. In 1820, four nuns, by invitation
of Bishop Cheverus, arrived in Boston, and devoted
themselves to the instruction of female children till
1826, when the Ursuline Community was established
at Charlestown. The fate of that institution is well
known, and the blackened ruins of the convent still
remain to point out a chapter in the history of the
Catholic institutions of America. It was probably
but a slight circumstance that prevented South Bos-
14*

162 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
ton from being the scene of occurrences similar to
those which took place some years since in Charles
town. The church is a small brick building, and was con
secrated by Bishop Fenwick in 1833, at which time
Rev. Thomas Lynch was appointed pastor. He re
tained his office till 1836, when Rev. John Mahoney
was made Priest of the Church, and continued in this
office till 1839. Rev. M. Lynch was then appointed
to take the pastoral charge, but continued in office
only a year, and was succeeded by Rev. Terrence
Fitzsimmons. In 1 844, a new Catholic Church was
formed in South Boston, and St. Augustine's Church
became a part of that.
The old church is now seldom used, and is rapidly
going to decay. Adjoining it is a large cemetery
used exclusively for the burial of Roman Catholics.
This grave-yard has been used for many years, and
a large number of bodies are interred in it.
The Church has a most picturesque situation, on
Dorchester street, near Sixth street. It is surrounded
by beautiful elm-trees, which, when clad in the foliage
of summer, completely hide the Church from view.
As the wind sighs among the trees, and chants a sol-
>emn requiem to the dead who repose below, the soli
tude of the place and the almost unbroken stillness
vrhich pervades the yard make the place one of pe
culiar interest, and we have heard it said that there
is not a more beautiful spot in Massachusetts. It
has often been noticed that there is a remarkable
regularity in the position of the trees which surround
the Church. There is a tradition handed down in a
family that has long resided in South Boston, that,
many years since, an English nobleman selected that
spot as a site upon which to erect a mansion. He

CHURCHES. 163

accordingly planted elm trees on three sides of the
lot, leaving an almost unbounded prospect towards
the west. He died, however, before he commenced
his proposed dwelling.

CHAPTER XV.
CHURCHES  CONTINUED.
Phillips Church.
As was stated in the History of the Hawes Place
Church, the first two clergymen who preached in
South Boston entertained religious views differing
from those now entertained by the members of
the parent church. All denominations were then
united, and all worshipped together in peace and
unity. Rev. Thomas Pierce was a Methodist at the
time he preached in South Boston, and Rev. Zepha-
niah Wood was a Trinitarian, till some dispute which
arose upon the doctrines of their creeds caused him
to dissent, and he then became somewhat Arminian
in his sentiments.
At Mr. Wood's death, a majority of the society
chose to have a minister of Unitarian views, and the
minority felt obliged to leave that place of worship.
The separation was effected peaceably, and with mu
tual kind feelings. Some continued to go to their
old place of worship, some attended occasionally the
Episcopal service — although that Church had then no
settled minister — and others went to Orthodox pla
ces of worship in the city.
The few dissenters felt bound, however, to con
tinue on the ground which they thought had been

164 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
committed to them. They also felt the personal
loss of religious privileges, and after some discussion
it was thought best to appoint a prayer-meeting at
a private house. In this prayer-meeting, the Ortho
dox, Methodists and Baptists were united, although
at first but few attended. The number, however,
increased, until one room was insufficient to contain
them, and 30 or 40 persons would sometimes be
present. These prayer-meetings were seasons _ of
sweet communion, and an aged lady, in describing
them, said, "We enjoyed ourselves together; we
didn't know any better then."
From this prayer-meeting sprung not only the
Orthodox, but the Methodist Church in South Bos
ton ; and in the history of the latter Church, some
other interesting particulars will be given in regard
to it, which have a more special bearing on that
Society. South Boston, at that time, presented a far dif
ferent appearance from its present aspect. It con
tained about fifteen hundred inhabitants, with no
such street as Broadway, save as it had been traced
out by the furrow of the plough. It was in a manner
destitute of religious privileges, and was the resort
of multitudes of Sabbath-breakers from the other
side, to whom the green fields and beautiful hills of
Mattapannock offered a tempting place for recrea
tion. It would seem to have been an almost hope
less task to attempt to organize a new church ; and
yet, with the aid of a few benevolent gentlemen of
the town of Boston, among whom may be mentioned
Mr. Henry Homes and Mr. George J. Homer, names
never to be forgotten, Rev. Prince Hawes was en
gaged to preach half the time on the Sabbath.
Harris Hall, now converted into a dwelling-house,

CHURCHES. 165
and situated in the next building east of the stable
of Benjamin Lucas, on Fourth street, between D and
E streets, was the building first occupied by the
little band as a place of worship. It was small, and
contained, when full, about forty or fifty persons.
This was in February, 1823, and about the same
time a Sabbath School was gathered, and a single
brother and sister were at first the only teachers.
A female prayer-meeting was also commenced, and a
Ladies' Benevolent Society was formed. Both of
these still continue.
Harris Hall became in a short time too small for
the numbers that attended, and in the summer of
1823, a benevolent gentleman, still a member of the
society, at his own expense erected what was called
Union Hall. It stands on Fourth street, between B
and C streets, opposite the residence of Capt. Jacob
Herrick, and is now used as a dwelling-house. Here
one hundred and fifty persons could be comfortably
seated, and, without any assistance from abroad, all
the furniture usually'found in a small meeting-house
was provided.
A very respectable audience was now gathered
every Sabbath, and it was thought advisable to have
a church organized, which as yet had' not been done.
Accordingly a council was called for the purpose, of
which Rev. Sereno E. Dwight, of Park Street Church,
was Moderator, and Rev B. B. Wisner, of the Old
South Church, was Scribe. Thirteen persons pre
sented themselves, and desired to become members
— viz. : Rufus Ball, Isaac Thorn, Sophia Thorn, Thos.
Hammond, Abigail Fenno, and Hannah Dewire, with
letters from the Hawes Place Church ; Joseph John
son, from the church in Woburn; Mary B. Simonds,
from the church in Fitchburg ; Anna Hewins, from

166 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
the Park Street Church; Sumner Fuller, from the
Old South Church ; and Abel Hewins, Phebe Hollis
and Charlotte Howard, on profession.
The Council voted unanimously to comply with
their request, and on the 10th day of December,
1823, "The Evangelical Congregational Church in
South Boston " was duly organized, and the public
exercises were held in the Hall.
In due time the Church increased in numbers, and
gained strength sufficient to build a brick meeting
house on the corner of A street and Broadway.
This edifice was somewhat smaller than the present
meeting-house, and had no galleries. On the base
ment was a vestry. It was dedicated, with appro
priate ceremonies, on the 19th day of March, 1825.
The sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev.
Prince Hawes.
In the month of March, 1834, the Society was
incorporated by the Legislature under the title of
the "Phillips Church Society in Boston." At
the time when the name Phillips was given to the
Society, it was proposed to designate the cross
streets in South Boston by the names of the Mayors,
and not by the letters of the alphabet. A Street
was to be called Phillips street, after John Phillips,
the first Mayor of Boston ; and hence, as the meet
ing-house was erected on that street, it received the
name by which it is now designated.
Rev. Prince Hawes was installed pastor of the
Church on the 28th of April, 1824, and was dis
missed on the 18th of April, 1827. He died a few
years since, at Long Island. On the 22d of No
vember 1827, Rev. Joy H. Fairchild was installed
as pastor, and was dismissed on the 2d of June,
1842.

CHURCHES. 167
Rev. William W. Patton was ordained as pastor
of the church and society on the 16th of January,
1843. The sermon on the occasion was preached
by his father, the Rev. Dr. Patton, of New York
city. Mr. Patton was but twenty-one years of age
when ordained, and remained pastor till the 23d of
December, 1845, when he acceded to the call of the
Fourth Congregational Church at Hartford, Conn.,
to become their pastor.
Rev. John W. Alvord, of Stamford, Conn., was
then invited to become pastor, and on the 4th of
November, 1846, he was duly installed. He resigned,
on account of ill health, in March, 1852, and Rev.
Charles S. Porter, of Plymouth, was installed his
successor in February, 1854, and still remains pastor
of the Church.
In 1835, the brick church was taken clown, and its
place supplied by the present edifice, a wooden build
ing, standing on the corner of Broadway and A
street. It is seventy-eight by sixty-five feet, front
ing on A street, and has one hundred and six pews
in the body of the house. It is capable of seating
about nine hundred persons. In the basement is a
large vestry, and three stores. Surmounting the
building is a tall steeple, in which hangs a bell weigh
ing about two thousand pounds. There is also a
clock, with four dials, placed in the steeple.
The present number of communicants is about two
hundred and fifty. South Baptist Church.
More than a third of a century has elapsed, since
the formation of a Baptist Church in South Boston
became the object of desire among the few of this
denomination of Christians who then resided here ;

168 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
but their presence and aid were much needed in the
churches with which they were connected, in other
parts of the city.
Impressed, however, with the importance of pre
paring for the spiritual wants and religious preferen
ces of an anticipated increase of population, an effort
was made to establish a Baptist Meeting. The Phil
lips Church kindly offered the use of their house of
worship, which was accepted, and Mr. Ensign Lin
coln, a good man, and well known as first in many a
good enterprise, assisted by several of the city pas
tors, sustained a weekly lecture for a short time.
But the attendance was deemed insufficient to justify
a continuance of the effort in that form.
Though this seemed a failure to some, it only
served to confirm and strengthen the hope and pur
pose of others. And though this plan was relin
quished, it was only that a more successful one might
be commenced on a firmer basis. A worthy member
of the Baldwin Place Church, whose name and noble
deeds are well known in this part of the city, even
as they form a prominent part of its history, had al
ready thrown his sympathies into the new interest.
He purchased a small building which had been occu
pied as a place of religious meeting by the Metho
dists, and gave the use of it to his brethren, for the
same object. This building, now used as a bath
house, occupies its original locality, on the corner
of Broadway and C street, directly opposite the
present South Baptist Meeting-house ; and the con
trast between the two, presents to the observer a
fair index of the progress which has been accom
plished during 23 years.
For more than three years this was their place of
meeting. The pulpit was during this time supplied

CHUECHES. 169
chiefly by Rev. Messrs. Harvey Ball, Otis Wing, and
Thomas Driver.
In 1827 the Federal street (now Rowe street)
Baptist Church was formed. But their enterprising
pastor, now the Rev. Howard Malcom, D. D., of
Philadelphia, encouraged his members residing in
South Boston to proceed in their hopeful undertak
ing. And the more efficiently to accomplish their
object, nineteen members of different churches in the
city united together, in August, 1829, and were re
cognized as a branch of the Federal street Church.
For nearly two years this relation was continued,
and the Branch Church experienced considerable
prosperity. Their house of worship became too
small, as well for their accommodation as for their
anticipated wants. The purpose was formed, and a
plan adopted, to obtain a more commodious one.
The rapid increase of the First Baptist Church and
congregation in Boston made it necessary for them,
at that time, to enlarge their place of meeting. They
had resolved to take down their house, which was
then a good one, and to replace it with a larger
brick edifice. That house was purchased by the
Baptists in South Boston, taken down, removed and
re-erected on the site which it now occupies. It was
newly covered and finished. It is 72 feet long and
57 wide, and contains 104 pews, besides the orches
tra, which contains a large organ. In its tower is a
large and fine-toned bell. This edifice was dedicat
ed to the worship of God, by appropriate religious
services, July 22, 1830. In the vestry yet remains
the same " sacred desk," from which the eloquent
and now sainted Stillman, of the First Church, was
long accustomed to pour forth, in silver tones, the
word of life to listening crowds.
15

170 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Having accomplished this enterprise, and begin
ning to experience the benefits of it, in a larger con
gregation, the Branch deemed it wise to sever their
peculiar connection with the Federal street Church.
This was done, and the members formed themselves
into a regular Baptist Church, and were publicly
recognized, by appropriate religious services, as the
South Baptist Church in Boston, March 1, 1831. The
Rev. Howard Malcom delivered the sermon on that
occasion, and Mr. R. H. Neale, now the Rev. Dr.
Neale, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, received
the token of fellowship from the Council, in behalf
of the new church. Mr. Neale became their first
pastor, and labored with them for nearly four years.
And though his time was much occupied in his theo
logical studies, his labors were greatly blessed, the
Church having increased from 52 members to 132,
which it numbered when he was dismissed March 19,
1834. His departure was deeply regretted and
proved an unfortunate event for the Church.
In the winter of 1834, the South Baptist Church
seemed to have entered upon a season of long pros
perity. Their meeting-house was new, inviting and
commodious. The congregation gradually increased.
The Church were happily united in their pastor,
whose labors seemed abundantly crowned with suc
cess. But fond hopes and fair prospects and ardent
enthusiasm were all blighted, in the spring, by the
sudden rupture of the pastoral relation ; and the in
fluence of that separation was long felt.
Within a few weeks of Mr. Neale's dismissal, the
church invited the Rev. T. R. Cressey, now of India
napolis, la., to become their pastor, which invitation
he accepted. But the deep regret and disappoint
ment, consequent upon the departure of his prcde-

CHURCHES. 171
cessor, made his ministry trying, though in some de
gree successful. He remained only one year, and
was then dismissed at his own request. For more
than two years, from this time, the Church remained
without a regular pastor. And those were years of
trial, of varying hopes and-fears, of lights and shades.
Yet even a darker and severer period followed
them. The night, though cheered by many a bright
star, was sad and long. Yet it broke not till one
more dismal hour passed over them. In the winter
of 1838, Mr. Wm. Jackson, from Halifax, N. S., was
recommended to the Society, and commenced minis
tering to them with much acceptance. The Church
invited him, though with some opposition to the
vote, to assume the pastoral charge. But before the
connection was consummated, his singular and ex
travagant course resulted in a sad division of the
Church, and his ejection from the pulpit, and finally
in his exclusion from its membership. The details
of that mournful period in this history would be nei
ther pleasant nor profitable. But the division was
soon healed, and the divided band, newly tried and
sifted, again united, and rallied to their work, and
began to hope.
On the 1st of December, 1838, Rev. Thomas Dri
ver commenced his pastoral labors with the Church,
which continued with much success for four years
and three months. Under his ministry the number
of members was greatly increased. The pecuniary
embarrassments of the Society were much relieved,
and the future presented a more hopeful aspect. Mr.
D. was dismissed March 12, 1843.
In November of the same year Rev. Duncan Dun
bar, then of New York city, was invited to the vacant
pastorate, which he accepted, and was installed Jan.

172 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
1st, 1844. His ministry covered nearly two years
of trial. He resigned his trust to the Church, Nov.
24, 1845, bearing away with him the respect and
kind regard of those who had attended on his minis
trations. On the 21st of January, 1846, the Rev. George W.
Bosworth was called to the place which had been
vacated, which call he accepted by entering upon his
public labors in February succeeding. He continued
the pastor of the Church, which prospered greatly
under his care, till March, 1855, when he received
and accepted a call to settle in Portland, Me. He
was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Goodhue, the present
pastor, October 1, 1855.
Methodist Episcopal Church.
It will be recollected that on a previous page
we mentioned a prayer meeting which was held in
South Boston about the year 1810. Among those
attending this meeting was a widow named Robin
son, who was a zealous Methodist. She felt that a
minister was greatly needed in South Boston, and
determined to procure one. Accordingly she went
to Boston, and endeavored to secure the services
of a clergyman. She did not succeed very well, and
at last went to Mr. T. C. Pierce, then a young man,
a carpenter by trade, but of a very serious turn of
mind. She told him he must come over and preach ;
and he did so, much to the satisfaction of the old
lady and her friends, although the preacher was not
a college learned man.
This same Mr. Pierce is now well known as the
good old Father Pierce, a superannuated clergyman
residing at Lynn. In August, 1810, as we learn from
a letter from old Father Pierce, which we have now

CHURCHES. 1 73
before us, the services were commenced in the house
of the widow. In the course of three months a lar
ger room was obtained in a house a short distance
from the former place, and here Mr. Pierce officiated
afternoon and evening during the winter and spring.
About this time a Mr. Deluce opened a building near
the shore, north of the widow's house in which the
meetings were first held. This place was occupied
some three or four months, but was not well liked,
and with his own hands the carpenter minister went
to work, and erected a place of worship. This house
was the building mentioned in connection with the
history of the Hawes Place Church, as the rope-walk.
It was built during the summer of 1811, and would
hold from seventy-five to one hundred hearers. The
cost was divided into shares of five dollars, a portion
being taken by the South Bostonians, and a portion
by benevolent individuals in Boston. Mr. Pierce,
however, did not receive much for his work.
From these statements it will be seen that Father
Pierce was the first clergyman who ever officiated in
South Boston ; and the Methodist denomination was
the first that established regular worship here.
The following extract from Mr. Pierce's letter,
will be interesting : —
" All the support I had for my labors was a public
contribution on the Sabbath, which usually amounted
to seventy-five cents or a dollar, with a week's board
now and then. We had pretty good singing, a good
congregation generally, and some' few conversions.
We formed no separate church, but went to the Brom-
field street Church as our home."
Among those who assisted Mr. Pierce during his
ministry, were the late Dr. Baldwin, the late Dr.
Godman of Dorchester, Rev. T. W. Tucker, and
15*

174 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
" Father Taylor," the world-renowned Seaman preach
er. In 1814, Father Pierce joined the New England
Methodist Conference, and was appointed to another
field of labor. He was succeeded by Rev. Zephaniah
Wood, of whom we have spoken at considerable
length elsewhere. About this time theological con
troversy ran high. A book called "Worcester's
Bible Views " was published, and was very exten
sively circulated. Mr. Wood embraced the views
advocated in that publication, and became a Congre-
gationalist ; and the character of the feeble church
was changed. Thus ended the first effort to estab
lish a Methodist Episcopal Church in South Boston.
In the year 1825, another attempt was made to
organize a Methodist Church. About this time a
large number of persons of the Methodist persuasion
came to work in the glass-houses (then four in num
ber), and uniting with those already residing in South
Boston, they erected a building on the corner of
Broadway and C streets, and for a time all went on
prosperously. Suddenly, however, the proprietors
of the glass-houses failed, and the men were obliged
to remove elsewhere to obtain work. Deprived of
these powerful auxiliaries, the feeble Methodist
Church became disheartened, and the building passed
into the hands of the Baptists. It is now standing,
and is occupied as a bath-house. Not long since, it
was found necessary to raise it to accord with the
new grade of Broadway, and the large timbers used
in the construction of the basement floor clearly
showed the design for which it was built.
The third and more successful effort to establish a
M. E. Church here was made in 1834, and sustained
by some who still live to bless with their piety and
wisdom the Church they contributed so largely to

CHURCHES. 175
found. A preaching place was opened, and Rev.
Abel Stevens, now of New York, preached the first
sermon, to a congregation of eight, all told. This
place becoming too strait for the increasing congre
gation, they soon moved to Harding's Hall, corner of
Fourth and Turnpike streets, and thence to Frank
lin Hall, on the opposite corner. There the Society
continued to worship until they succeeded in erect
ing their present house on D street. In this connec
tion it should be mentioned, that among the many
ministerial brethren whose labors contributed large
ly to their prosperity at that time, the Rev. Josiah
Brackett, of Charlestown, should be held in grateful
remembrance ; also, that while worshipping in the
latter Hall, the Society was greatly assisted by the
proprietors of the place, as well as many other
friends, who contributed money to the object, and
otherwise gave countenance and encouragement.
The year 1839 was distinguished by the Metho
dists throughout the world as the " Century of Metho
dism." On the 29th of October, it being- the day on
which, just one hundred years before, Mr. Wesley
formed the first Society in London, — in common
with their brethren in both Europe and America, the
little Society met in their place of worship to bring
a thank-offering to God for the religious privileges
enjoyed, and then and there was started the project,
and the first subscription made, for erecting a church
edifice. Eight hundred dollars were subscribed on the
spot. The amount was immediately after greatly
increased, so that the work was entered upon with
out delay, and the house finally dedicated to the
worship of God the 17th day of June following, by a
sermon from Father Taylor. The house has since
undergone repairs, by which it is made much more
commodious and provided with a large vestry.

176 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
It will in future be designated " Centenary Cha
pel," as the project of erecting it was started at the
centenary meeting in 1839. The name will serve
as a perpetual memorial of the historical associa
tions, and will be graven on a marble slab and placed
on the front of the Church.
The following clergymen have been successively
appointed to the pulpit since the house was built.
The late Rev. James Mudge was the pastor at the
time it was built, and rendered efficient service.
Z. B. C. Dunham, 1 year. J. A. Savage, 2 years.
J. W. Merrill, 1 year. J. Whitman, 2 years. G. F.
Pool, 2 years. H. V. Degen, 2 years. Rev. Edward
Cook, 2 years. Rev. James Porter, 2 years. Rev.
David Sherman, 1 year. Rev. J. I. P. Collyer, 2
years. Universalist Church.
In the spring of the year 1830, a Universalist
Church and Society was formed in South Boston.
Soon after the Church was gathered, the members
secured the services of Rev. Benjamin Whittemore,
who was then residing in Troy, N. Y. They occu
pied Harding's Hall, now used only as a club room,
and situated over the store of Charles Mead, drug
gist, on the corner of Turnpike and Fourth streets.
This hall was small, but accommodated the congre
gation. In the winter of 1832, the Society decided to
erect a place of worship, and selected, as a site, the
corner of B street and Broadway. On the 10th of
April, 1833, the edifice was dedicated and Mr. Whit
temore was installed. The Church gradually in
creased in numbers. In April, 1843, Mr. Whitte
more was dismissed to respond to a call from the
Church in Lancaster, Mass.

CHURCHES. 177
_ In May, 1844, Rev. Theodore D. Cook was chosen
his successor, but finally removed to Providence,
R. I. Rev. Calvin Damon was his successor, and
was followed by Rev. W. W. Dean, in 1856, and he
is the present pastor.
The Universalist Church is a neat edifice, about
seventy feet in length, on B street, with a front of
fifty feet on Broadway, surmounted by a cupola. It
is a wooden building with a brick basement, which
latter is occupied by a large vestry and two com
modious stores. The furniture and interior orna
ments are neat, and well adapted to the comfort
and convenience of the speaker and congregation,
the Church having been thoroughly repaired and re
modelled just before Mr. Dean's settlement.
Broadway Unitarian Society.
In the year 1844, quite a number of persons con
nected with the Hawes Place Church felt the neces
sity of having a Unitarian Church on " the other side
of the hill." The Hawes Church was situated so
far from the western part of South Boston, that ma
ny persons of the Unitarian persuasion found it in
convenient or impossible to go over the hill to church.
Accordingly they petitioned for an act of incorpora
tion, and the "Beoadway Unitaeian Chuech and
Society " was duly organized on the 9th of June,
1845. The services were held in Pike Hall, over
Briard & Breck's dry goods store on Broadway,
between B and C streets.
About this time, Rev. Moses G. Thomas, who had
been previously settled in Concord, N. H., began to
preach for the Broadway Church, and on the 21st of
May, 1846, he was duly installed Pastor of the
Church. The sermon on the occasion was preached

178 HISTOEY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
by Rev. E. S. Gannett, D. D. In April, 1846, the
Society secured Lyceum Hall for a place of worship,
and for some time occupied that spacious hall, which
is capable of seating some seven hundred persons.
Among the pleasant incidents which have marked
the history of this Church, may be mentioned a gift
of the vessels suited to Baptismal and Communion
services, and an elegant folio copy of the Holy Scrip
tures, from several gentlemen connected with the
Hawes Place Church. Mr. Thomas, during his resi
dence in South Boston, was very active in visiting
and assisting the poor, and was much beloved. In
August, 1848, he received a call from the Second
Unitarian Church in New Bedford, and accepted.
The Church and Society very much regretted the
loss of Mr. Thomas and his accomplished lady, and
several valuable testimonials of affection were pre
sented to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. Among other
things was a beautiful diamond bed-quilt, bearing on
each square the name of some one of his Church in
South Boston.
Rev. Edward Squire was installed in November,
1852, and left the next April.
Jan. 28, 1855, the Church suspended operations.
Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.
The corner stone of this massive Church was laid
in 1844. It was designed to accommodate the in
creasing number of Catholics in South Boston. The
Church, as originally built, was sixty-one and a half
feet in front, and one hundred and six feet deep.
It was designed by Gridley J. F. Bryant, Esq., and
was a fine specimen of architecture. The interior
was ornamented in the most beautiful manner. The
wax figure, the " Dead Christ," which excited much

CHUECHES. 179
admiration previously when on exhibition in Boston,
was purchased by the Church and placed over the
altar. A magnificent organ, valued at $3000, was
also purchased by the Society and used in the devo
tional exercises.
On the night of the 7th of September, 1848, flames
were discovered issuing from the tower of this splen
did Church. At the time, there was a large fire in
Sea street, which occupied the attention of the fire
men, and before they could return, the Church was
in a full blaze. Nothing could be done to save the
edifice, and in three hours the building was a mass
of smouldering ruins, nothing remaining but the bare
walls. Soon after the fire commenced, a portion of
the tower fell into the building, leaving the remain
der in such a position that it was thought it must
soon fall. The firemen and spectators were there
fore 'obliged to keep at some distance while the fire
lasted. When the roof fell in, a shower of sparks
rose in every direction, with burning firebrands in
great profusion. Nearly every house between A and
B streets took fire on the roof, while the steeple of
the Orthodox Church was badly burned.
The cause of this fire was never ascertained. It is
supposed, however, to have been caused by sponta
neous combustion.
Since that time the Church has been rebuilt in the
form of a T, and is capable of seating six hundred
more persons than before. Rev. P. F. Lyndon is
Priest. Payson Church.
This Church was organized in July, 1845. The
place of worship is in " Broadway Hall," at the cor
ner of Broadway and B street. The Rev. Joy H.

180 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Fairchild, formerly pastor of the Church in Exeter,
N. H, was installed pastor on the 19th of November,
1845, and still retains that office.
Free Will Baptist Church.
About the year 1838, a clergyman named Jackson,
from Nova Scotia, visited South Boston and preached
as a candidate before the South Baptist Church,
which was then destitute of a settled pastor. The
Church seemed at first much united in his favor, but
soon some dissatisfaction arose, as already mention
ed, and in three months the feeling ran so high that
when the proprietors of pews voted not to give him
a call, those in favor of his settlement decided to
withdraw from the Church and form a new one under
his charge. This was done, and an Independent Cal-
vinistic Baptist Church was founded, having for its
pastor Rev. Mr. Jackson, an Englishman by birth,
and belonging to no Association.
The meetings of the new Church were held in
Harding's Hall, on Turnpike street ; but by a united
effort, the society erected the meeting-house on the
corner of C and Fourth streets, familiarly known as
the "White Pines." This was dedicated in 1838,
on which occasion Mr. Jackson, who was a man of
singular speech and manner, preached a sermon, tak
ing for his text the Declaration of Independence, and
announcing that it might be found in Faneuil Hall.
After a few months, Mr. Jackson disavowed Cal-
vinistic Baptist principles, and became a Universal
ist. He preached in the pulpits of several of the
churches of this denomination in the vicinity, and
then becoming unpopular, he removed to Philadel
phia, where he became an Episcopal Methodist.
His "life," which was published about the time of his

CHURCHES. 181
residence in South Boston, is a unique affair, and
shows the character of the man.
After the apostacy of Mr. Jackson from the Bap
tist creed, a portion of his Church returned to the
old Society, while the remainder formed the first
Free Will Baptist Church in South Boston. Mr.
Jackson was never a Free Will Baptist, and yet the
dissension which resulted from the attempt to settle
him in South Boston caused the formation of a Soci
ety of that persuasion.
The Rev. S. Robbins, in 1839, came from Charles
town, and organized the newly-formed Church. Rev.
R. W. Reed was settled as their pastor, and remain
ed until September, 1842. This was during the
" Second Advent " excitement, — and that doctrine
gained so far on Mr. Reed and his Church, that those
who still retained their former views thought proper
to withdraw, and were organized into a Church Sep
tember 20, 1842, hiring Brooks's Hall, Broadway ,-
for a chapel, and employed a Mr. Charles Morgan
(a licentiate), as their pastor, until April, 1843.
From this time until November, of the same year,
they were supplied with preaching by transient
preachers, such as could be the most readily obtain
ed. In November, 1843, Rev. W. H. Littlefield was
called to be their pastor. He accepted the call, and.
was soon after ordained. He did not remain quite-
a year with them. At the time he was settled, the
Society hired the Chapel on C and Fourth streets —
and continued to worship in it until April, 1846.
Rev. G. D. Garland succeeded him, and continued
pastor of the Church until it had become so reduced
in numbers, by removals and otherwise, that it was-
thought expedient to suspend public worship for a
season. The Church, however, continued to hold
16

182 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
weeily evening prayer meetings at the houses of the
members until May, 1847, when they again hired
Brooks's Hall, and had preaching by such as they
could procure from Sabbath to Sabbath, until Sep
tember of the same year, when Rev. E. Tuttle was
invited to come amongst them, and accepted the in
vitation. — No public meetings, it is believed, are
now held. City Point Chapel.
It being deemed desirable to have a place of wor
ship at the Point, and where a Sabbath School could
be gathered, a movement was made to collect the
required funds for the purpose. The South Baptist
Church took the lead in the matter, and on August
6th, 1854, a very neat and commodious Chapel was
dedicated, Rev. Mr. Bosworth preaching the ser
mon. It is 50 feet long, 31 feet wide, and 30 feet
high, and cost $2,300.

CHAPTER XVI.
MATTAPAN LITERARY ASSOCIATION  BLIND ASYLUM 
SCHOOL FOR IDIOTS.
The importance of a Literary Association for the
benefit of the young men of South Boston was for
many years felt by a portion of our citizens, and
several times attempts were made to establish, per
manently, such an institution. These endeavors,
however, proved abortive, till the spring of 1848.
About this time a young man wrote several articles
for the Gazette, on the advantages to be derived

MATTAPAN LITERARY ASSOCIATION. 183
from a Literary Association, as also on the feasibility
of instituting a society for young men in South Bos
ton. These articles attracted the attention of the
community, and so aroused the young men that on
the 18th of April, 1848, a few of them met in coun
cil, and decided to call a more general meeting.
Accordingly, on the 15th of May, a preliminary
meeting of those favorable to the formation of a so
ciety for literary improvement was held at the
counting room of John P. Monks, Esq. A large
number responded, and a Committee was chosen to
draft a constitution and to call another meeting when
they should be prepared to report. On the 23d of
May, they met at the Vestry of the Phillips Church
to hear the report of the Committee. The Consti
tution proposed by them was adopted, and we give
the first two or three articles as showing the design
of the society.
" Article I. This Association shall be called 'the
Mattapan Literary Association.
" Article H. The object of this Association shall
be the mutual improvement of its members in lite
rary accomplishments, as Declamation, Composition,
and Debate.
" Article III. The government of this Association
shall be vested in a President, Vice-President, Trea
surer and five Directors, who together shall consti
tute an Executive Committee."
The names of the original members, at the founda
tion of the Association, are as follows : —
Benjamin Pope, F. H. Jenney, Judah Baker, Jr.,
Charles H. Loring, J. W. Hildreth, William S.
Thatcher, Henry A. Drake, W. H. Colburn, J. H.
Crane, E. J. Whiton, G. S. Dexter, Daniel B. Curtis,
S. W. Goodhue, J. W. Blanchard, Jr., F. A. Nicker-

184 history of south boston.
son, W. R. Barker, Benjamin Thayer, W. A. Brabi-
ner, N. P. Mann, Jr., B. E. Corlew, W. J. Monks.
The Association chose the following board of offi
cers for the first year : —
Daniel B. Curtis, President.
George S. Dexter, Vice-President.
Benjamin Pope, Secretary.
Stephen W. Goodhue, Treasurer.
For ther better accomplishment of the objects of
the society, Sub-Committees are appointed on each
of the exercises, and on them is laid the responsibi
lity of providing contributions for the occasion. The
meetings of the Association are held on every Mon
day evening.
On the evening of the 17th of January, 1849, the
Mattapans gave a public literary entertainment at
Lyceum Hall. The Hall was crowded to its utmost
capacity, and the gratification expressed by the de
lighted audience could not but prove encouraging to
the young men of the society. The exercises con
sisted of Declamation and the reading of Composi
tions. The following was the Programme on the
occasion : —
Introductory Address, by James D. Russell. Po
em, by Benjamin Pope. Declamation — Curse of the
Doge of Venice, by William A. Brabiner. Compo
sition, Charles W. Dexter. Declamation, Matthew
Sprague, Jr. Declamation, Henry A. Drake. Com
position, Samuel H. Jenks, Jr. Declamation, Benja
min E. Cole and Stephen B. Bowles. Composition,
Stephen W. Goodhue. Declamation, John W. Blan
chard, Jr. Dialogue, Court Scene, from the Mer
chant of Venice — B. E. Cole, M. Sprague, Jr., J. W.
Blanchard, Jr., Charles H. Loring, S. B. Bowles,
W. J. Monks, H. A. Drake.

MATTAPAN LITERARY ASSOCIATION. 185
The exhibitions have been continued from year to
year, and have added much to the reputation and
interest of the Association, which is now in a very
prosperous condition, and numbers about one hundred
and twenty-five young men, many of them persons of
excellent talents and sterling worth. The young men
of South Boston, those who are soon to bear the
burden and heat of the day, may here be seen eager
ly endeavoring to fit themselves for future usefulness.
The exercises are well sustained, and the good or
der preserved at the meetings is proverbial. It may
not be uninteresting to know the nature of the sub
jects the Association have discussed, and we subjoin
a few. " Ought a man to sustain the laws of his country
against his conscience ?"
" Ought capital punishment to be abolished ?"
" Which is the most influential, — the press or the
pulpit?" " Has our legislature pursued a judicious course
in chartering so many rail-roads ?"
" Would the dissolution of the Union hasten the
abolition of slavery ?"
All these subjects are matters of great impor
tance, and it cannot but be pleasing to see the young
men of South Boston thus engaged in fitting them
selves for the important duties of public life.
The Constitution provides that any young man of
good moral character, who has attained the age of
sixteen years, upon being recommended by a member
of the Association, may become a member, by sub
scribing the Constitution and paying assessments.
The Association has a fine Library of about 2000
volumes, the value of which to the young men cannot
be over-estimated. 16*

186

HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.

The following is a list of the persons who have
acted as President of the Association.

From June 1st, 1848, to June 1st, 1849,-

» 1849,
" 1850,
" 1851,
« 1852,
" 1853,
" 1854,
" 1855,
" 1856,
» 1857,

1850,- 1851,-
1852,- 1853,- 1854,-
1855,- 1856,- 1857,-

-Daniel B. Curtis.
-George S. Dexter.
-Henry A. Drake.
-H. A. Drake.
-Benjamin Pope.
-Horace Smith.
-Sewall C. Cobb.
-Ltjther L. White.
-Benjamin Pope.
-Daniel B. Curtis.

We cannot close this sketch without mentioning
that the person through whose endeavors the Asso
ciation was founded, and who still remains an active
member of the society, was Mr. Benjamin Pope.
We conclude with an extract from his Poem, on
"Self-Conceit," read at the first public Exercise of
the Mattapan Literary Association.
" Fair Mattapan, 'tis from yon glorious height
We Tiew the treasures of thy varied shore,
And gather there the gems of hidden ore
That Clio spreads before our mental sight.
Thy thirst for science, like thy zeal for right
When Freedom waver'd 'mid the battle's roar,
Has seen Association nobly soar,
To add to Learning, Friendship's sweet delight !
Be this our pride and pleasure, to behold
The grasping spirit of the youthful mind
Explore those mines of literary gold,
That ardent souls by perseverance find.
'Tis then that our time honored Heights shall be
The proudest beacons of our liberty."

INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND. 187
Perkins Institution for the Blind.
In the year 1829, an act incorporating the Trus
tees of the New England Asylum for the Blind was
passed by the Legislature of Massachusetts. Soon
after the passage of this act, Dr. Samuel G. Howe
was despatched to Europe to visit the various insti
tutions for the blind in that part of the world, and
to gather from them such information as would be
necessary to establish a similar institution in Boston.
In 1832, he returned, accompanied by a most accom
plished young blind man, who had been educated at
the Paris Institution for the Blind, and who was
well versed in the classics, in history, in mathematics,
and knew the secret of being able to impart his
knowledge to others. A blind mechanic was also
procured from Edinburgh, to teach different kinds of
work. Having thus made the most extensive preparations,
the experiment was tried in July, 1832. Six blind
persons from different parts of the State, varying in
age from six to twenty years, were taken at random,
and immediately placed under the instruction of the
blind teachers. Books with raised letters were
printed for their use, and in six months they were
able to read correctly with their fingers the volumes
that had been prepared. An exhibition of their ac
quirement was made before the Legislature of Mas
sachusetts, and the result was so satisfactory, that
an appropriation of $6000 from the funds of the
State was immediately made, on condition that twen
ty poor blind persons from Massachusetts should be
educated free of cost at the Institution.
Exhibitions were also made before the public, and
they awakened the community to the duty of pro-

188 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
viding a suitable establishment for the education of
the Blind. Considerable sums of money were col
lected, and the Institution was immediately placed
on a firm basis. Among the most liberal donors was
Thomais H. Perkins, who gave his mansion-house in
Pearl street, as a residence for the Blind. In one
month, fifty thousand dollars were raised, and placed
to the credit of the Institution. Exhibitions were
afterwards made in all the New England States, and
in several of the Middle and Western States, and
the appeal in favor of the blind was answered by an
appropriation of $1000 per annum for twelve years
by the State of Connecticut; $500 by New Hamp
shire, and $1200 for ten years by Vermont.
As music is the field which seems to offer to the
blind the fairest competition with clairvoyans, Low
ell Mason, Esq., was engaged to instruct the pupils
in the art of using the voice in singing, and also the
piano forte and organ. Arithmetic, history and
geography occupied the attention of the blind, and
they were also taught to make mats, different kinds
of basket work, and mattresses.
During the year 1834, a printing press and a com
plete set of types were procured, and during that
year the Acts of the Apostles was printed. The
next year, the foundation of a band of music was
laid, and since that time the male pupils have prac
tised upon the clarionet, flute, horn, violin, violincello
and bass viol ; and are now enabled to play in a
manner which would do credit to any orchestra.
The pupils were also instructed in writing, and sent
by mail very legible letters to their friends.
In the early part of the year 1839, the Mount
Washington House, in South Boston, built a few
years previously at a cost of $110,000 for a hotel, was

INSTITUTION FOE THE BLIND. 189
offered to the Trustees in exchange for the estate in
Pearl street. This important step was taken after
long and careful deliberation, and after obtaining a
special vote of the Corporation.
The terms of the transaction were an even ex
change of the land and buildings in Pearl street, for
the lot on which the Mount Washington House is
situated, with all its buildings, being an inclosure of
55,000 feet, and also a lot situated on the opposite
side of Broadway, containing 20,000 feet. The re
moval of the establishment presented an opportunity
of connecting the name of Mr. Perkins perpetually
with the Institution, and accordingly a vote of the
Corporation changed the name to that of the " Per
kins Institution and Massachusetts Asylum for
the Blind." In May, the inmates were removed,
and the expense incurred by the removal was paid
by several benevolent gentlemen, one of whom, Sam
uel Appleton, contributed one thousand dollars.
At the same time the Institution was presented
with an organ valued at three thousand dollars, on
condition that the name of the donor should be con
cealed. Accidental circumstances, however, disclos
ed it, and " Presented by George Lee " is engraved
on a tablet placed on the front of the organ which
stands in the Exhibition Hall.
Since that time the Institution has increased ra
pidly in numbers and usefulness. Various improve
ments have been made in the building, and every
thing which could be done to render the establish
ment useful as a place of instruction for those de
prived of the blessing of sight, has been accomplished.
In 1849, an excellent workshop for the use of the
Blind was erected directly in front of the Mount
Washington House, on the Old Road. This build-

190 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
ing, which cost more than $10,000, is three stories
high, and is arranged to accommodate all the differ
ent trades in which those deprived of sight can en
gage. Here are manufactured mattresses of every
description, filled with hair, husks, palm-leaf and
cotton. Pew cushions, sofas and couches are also
stuffed, while vast quantities of mats are made in
looms, constructed expressly for this establishment.
In the cellar is a steam engine designed to supply
steam for the cleansing of feathers. The hair for
mattresses is also here taken in its raw state, and
prepared for use. These blind workmen likewise
manufacture the celebrated fibre mats now so much
in use.
Intimately associated with the name of the Asylum
for the Blind in South Boston, is that of Laura
Bridgman, whose peculiar condition, as regards the
loss of bodily senses, has attracted the attention and
awakened the sympathy of the humane through the
whole civilized world. During the twenty years
since she entered the Asylum, most of our citizens
have become familiar with her personal appearance,
either in the streets or in the exhibition room, and
all are acquainted with the fact that she has from
earliest childhood been entirely blind, deaf, and
dumb, and almost deprived of the sense of smell.
They all know, too, the proficiency she has made,
under these deprivations, in the different branches
of study. It is considered unnecessary, therefore, to
record here a particular account of her, further than
to present to the reader a few items of her early
history, which were recorded by Dr. Howe on her
first entrance. In his sixth annual report, published
early in 1838, the year after her admission (at the
age of eight years), he writes of her as follows ; —

LAURA BRIDGMAN. 191
" Laura was born of intelligent and respectable pa
rents, in Hanover, N. H. When a mere infant, she
was subject to very painful and dangerous ' fits,' the
nature of which does not seem to have been well un
derstood. Until twenty months old, though a pretty
and interesting child, she was weak and fragile — a
breath would have blown out the flame ; but at that
age she began to rally ; her health seemed firmly
established ; her mental faculties rapidly developed
themselves, and when she attained her second year
she was more intelligent and sprightly than common
children ; she could already prattle some words, and
had mastered the difference between A and B. But
in a month after her sky was again overcast ; she sick
ened and came near unto death ; the disease, however,
seemed to be baffled within, and to have fastened
upon the external organs of sense, and in five weeks
it was perceived that her sight and hearing were
forever destroyed. During seven weeks of pain and
fever she tasted not a morsel of food ; for five months
she was obliged to be kept in a darkened room ; it was
a year before she could walk unsupported, and two
years before she could sit up all day. She was now
four years old, and as her health and strength began
to be established, she learned to go about the house
and manifested a desire to be employed ; not by her
looks, for she was blind — not by words, for she was
dumb. She could, it is true, for a time pronounce
the few words she had before learned ; but not hear
ing the sound of her own voice, she soon lost the
command of her articulation — the sound answered not
to the thought — the will lost command of the tongue
 and the last articulate word she was ever heard
to utter, was ' book ! ' But she was not only deaf,
and dumb, and blind, her isolation was still more

192 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
complete — the sense of smell was so blunted as to
be entirely useless, and only affected by pungent
odors; of course, half the pleasure of taste was
gone, and she manifested indifference about the fla
vor of food.
" It would seem that in this total darkness — this
dreary stillness — this isolation from all communica
tion with kindred spirits, the immaterial mind must
have remained in infantile imbecility, while the body
grew in stature and strength, or have attained a per
ception of its loneliness, only to pine and die at the
discovery. But not so ; every day she became more
active and more cheerful; and she is now (as far as
the closest scrutiny can ascertain the state of her
mind) not only unrepining, but contented and happy.
The sense of touch alone remains, and the sight of
this unfortunate girl fills one with admiration, not
only of the perfection of the senses, but of the won
derful power of the mind to adapt its operations to
any circumstances of its bodily tenement — to put it
self in relation with external things, and to obtain
its own stimuli and manifest its own emotions
through the most imperfect media.
" There is the strongest evidence of a thirst for
knowledge — of an internal, intellectual want which
can be gratified only by a new idea. Her greatest
pleasure is to learn a new stitch — a new way of
knitting or braiding — a new word — or to discover
the application and use of any new thing ; and her
eagerness to learn is only equalled by the quickness
of perception which she manifests.
" There is strong hope that, if her life is spared,
the patient and persevering efforts of the humane,
aided by the ingenuity and councils of the wise, will
succeed in throwing much light into her dreary pri-

SCHOOL POR IDIOTS. 193
son, and be rewarded not only by the satisfaction of
imparting happiness, but by new views of the opera
tions of mind."
It is gratifying to be able to state that the hope
here so feelingly expressed has not been disap
pointed. (See Appendix H.)
Massachusetts School for Idiots.
This institution is also located in South Boston,
and occupies a large building at City Point.
The school is under the superintendence of Dr.
S. G. Howe, and the house under the immediate su
pervision of Mrs. McDonald and her son. The house
contains a reception-room, parlor, dining-room, school
rooms, sleeping-rooms, &c. There are at present in
the school 51 scholars, boys and girls, ranging from
the ages of 7 to 15 years, all in excellent health,
and to all appearances much attached \o their teach
ers, who are very attentive to the wants of these
unfortunate children. At five o'clock, all the year
round, they rise, and retire in winter at 7 o'clock,
and in summer at 8 o'clock. The larger boys occupy
a room by themselves, and the girls and smaller
boys a separate one. Each sleeping-room has am
ante-room attached to it, in which an attendant;
sleeps, and a bathing-room, where the children are
bathed every morning. They breakfast at half past
six, dine at twelve, and sup at five o'clock. Belong
ing to the school, in another building, is a spacious
gymnasium, where the scholars are exercised every
day. The children are in the school-room six hours
a day, and are instructed, those who have the power
of speech, in reading and writing — the others im
form, color, size, &c. The girls are also instructed!
in needlework. 17

194 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON,
CHAPTER XVII.
STREETS.
The laying out of streets at Mattapannock receiv
ed little or no attention previous to its annexation
to the town of Boston. The main pathway from
Dorchester to the Point, which was originally trod
den by the Mattapan cattle in going daily to and
from their pasture, had in the course of time become
a public street ; but the proprietors or owners of the
land, who do not seem always to have fully agreed
with the town authorities in regard to keeping this
street and its fences in repair, held the " pasture "
itself in common till the year 1718. At their meet
ing, held November 26th, of that year, a vote was
passed to fence their several lots, but nothing seems
to have been done respecting any passage way or
street besides the said " Causeway over to Dorches
ter Neck," which was then represented to be " defec
tive and out of repair." The plan of Mattapannock,
drawn in 1776, by the British General Howe, and
which has been engraved for this work, shows that
little change had then been made in the public high
ways of the place. In 1804, as stated in a previous
chapter, many acres of land at Dorchester Neck had
been purchased by several distinguished and wealthy
citizens of Boston, and the project of annexing the
Neck to the latter place was started by them, and
warmly advocated or opposed by others according
as they were interested in the matter. We find
that the people of Boston proposed, as one of the
first conditions of annexation, that their Selectmen
should have liberty, without compensation to the

streets. 195
land-owners, to lay out all necessary " streets, public
squares and market places." It would seem that the
want of this foresight in their ancestors, which then
made and which still makes the streets of Boston
more crooked and irregular than those of almost any
other city, was beginning to be understood and felt.
At all events they were determined, as shown by
their proceedings in this instance, to secure for their
descendants, in the city which might grow up over
the then fair fields and verdant pastures of Matta
pannock, the blessing of regular, wide and commodi
ous streets. This condition was accordingly intro
duced into the Act of Annexation passed by the Legis
lature; and to show that it had reference to the
future, rather than to the present, it was likewise
provided that the town of Boston should not be
obliged to complete the streets thus laid out, sooner
than the Selectmen might deem expedient. A plan
of the streets was very soon after drawn by Mr.
Mather Withington, a distinguished surveyor of Dor
chester ; and after various meetings of the Selectmen
of Boston and the proprietors of South Boston lands,
it was approved by all parties, and the Selectmen
proceeded formally in February, 1805, to lay out
the streets. Those thus agreed upon and laid out
were, as far as they went, and in their general ar
rangement, nearly the same as we now find them.
First, Dorchester street was to run from the old
Causeway road, at the division line between Dor
chester and Boston, north 63 degrees east, not to
the water as at present, but to Broadway. It was
to be 80 feet wide. From the northerly end of
Dorchester street they marked out a noble avenue,
destined to be one of the finest streets in our city,
and now the pride of our peninsula. It was to run

196 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
" southerly 84£ degrees east to the sea or salt wa
ter, and northerly 24 degrees west until it meets
the line of the Turnpike," also 80 feet wide, and
was called Broadway. North of this, and parallel
thereto, were our present First, Second and Third
streets, — a large portion of the westerly end of the
first one not then reclaimed from the salt water.
These were each 50 feet wide, and varying from
310f to 220 feet distant from Broadway and from
each other. Southward of Broadway, and com
mencing at and running westerly from Dorchester
street, were four streets, parallel to Broadway,
reaching to the Turnpike, and thence bending in a
direction parallel with the line of South Boston
Bridge to the sea. These were then and are still
called Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh streets ; they
were to be 250 feet from each other, and the one
nearest to Broadway 276 feet therefrom. On the
easterly side of Dorchester street, besides the
streets mentioned, numerically named, — were Eighth
and Ninth streets, making six streets here south of
Broadway, parallel to it, each 50 feet wide, and 250
feet from each other. These streets were to extend
easterly to the water, some of them reaching it by
passing on the northerly and some on the southerly
side of the Heights, and some traversing over them
and extending to the Point.
Intersecting these, and forming cross streets, were
laid out six public ways west of Dorchester street,
beginning 500 feet from the Turnpike, and running
exactly at right angles across Broadway, all to be
500 feet apart, 50 feet wide, and reaching from the
Dorchester boundary line north to the sea. East of
Dorchester street, and also at right angles with
Broadway, were ten other streets, 50 feet wide, and

STREETS. 197
from 376 to 680 feet apart — all running from the
salt water on the south — some of them across the
Heights — to Boston harbor on the north. All these
were designated by the letters of the alphabet — A
street being the first from the Turnpike, andQ street
at the Point near the water. In addition, were two
short streets near Dorchester street, — one running
parallel with the cross streets and called Old Har
bor street, the other at right angles with them and
called Telegraph street.
Such was the original plan of the streets as agreed
upon by the Selectmen of Boston and the proprie
tors. In 1809, the latter by deed appropriated to
public use certain additional streets. A plan of
them was made by Stephen Badlam, Esq., which plan,
together with the deed, was deposited in the Suffolk
Registry of Deeds office. By this deed, Dorchester
street was continued north to the water, and some
change was made in the course of Fourth street from
Dorchester to G street. But the principal feature
of the deed was the laying out the twenty-foot
streets, as they have been called, which were marked
in the plan half way between the existing length
wise streets — viz., between First and Second, be
tween Second and Third, &c, to Seventh street.
This deed was signed by thirty-eight proprietors of
South Boston lands— Gardiner Greene's name being
at the head of the list.
Soon after the Selectmen had laid out the streets
in 1 805, the proprietors had a plan of them printed,
and made use of it in their sales of land. They con
tinued to use it for many years, and very little at
tention seems to have been paid to the matter by
the town authorities. No deviations from the origi
nal plan were authorized by the Selectmen, yet it
17*

198 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
was found that encroachments had gradually been
made upon the streets, and their original location
was in some instances changed. In consequence of
this, and many doubts existing as to the correctness
of the printed plan alluded to, a petition by Jona
than Hunnewell and others was presented in 1825
to the Mayor and Aldermen, requesting that a sur
veyor be appointed to " ascertain the true bounds
and levels of the streets, by comparing the true witfy
the printed plan." The year following, a committee
on the subject reported that the matter was deserv
ing attention, and accompanying their report was a
resolution that Mather Withington and S. P. Fuller
be employed to compare the plans and report the
variations, and to suggest measures for reconciling
the differences — also to ascertain the expense of
" affixing monuments of cedar posts at the corners of
the several streets," and of deciding upon their rela
tive elevations. The report was accepted, but no
part of the measures recommended was probably
complied with.
About this time the original plan of Mr. With
ington was lost. Fortunately, he was still living,
though quite aged, and he was employed by the
Mayor of Boston to draw another plan of the
streets as originally laid out. This was furnished
by Mr. Withington, and is in possession of the City
as an attested copy of Mr. W.'s original minutes.
In 1828; when the North Free Bridge was complet
ed, it became necessary to open a new street from
the south end of it to Dorchester Turnpike, which
was accordingly done, and the new opening called
Turnpike street. In 1831, the Board of Aldermen
ordered that Second street, parts of which bordered
on the northerly shore, " be made passable from

STREETS. 199
Turnpike to Dorchester streets," and in 1836 this
street was filled up and graded its whole length.
In 1837, an important movement was made in re
gard to the streets. In consequence of supposed
encroachments upon the public highways, arising
from the sales of landby the unauthorized plan already
referred to, and from other causes, a committee was
appointed by the City government to cause a new
survey of the streets to be executed, conforming as
nearly as practicable to the plan of Mr. Withington.
Messrs. Stephen P. Fuller and Alexander Wads-
worth, well known surveyors of Boston, were accord
ingly employed, and made an actual survey — and the
plan was drawn and completed by Mr. Wadsworth
in 1841. It appeared by this survey that encroach
ments had been made upon the public streets in al
most every part of South Boston where buildings or
fences had been put up ; and also that the location
of some of the streets had been changed materially
from the original plan, particularly in the distances
between the streets crossing Broadway, from A to F,
and in the northerly termination of First, Second,
Third and Fifth streets, and the easterly termination
of A street. Mr. Wadsworth's plan, however, did not
conform strictly to the original one, but adopted
some of these changes ; yet according to it the en
croachments were quite numerous, and in 1844 the
City Marshal was directed to notify the individuals
and corporations concerned of their existence, and
that the City claimed full right to remove them from
the premises whenever it should be deemed expedi
ent to complete the streets. The list of encroach
ments, according to Mr. Wadsworth's plan, then
made out and published, numbered no less than nine
teen east of Dorchester street, and eighty-six west

200 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
of it. Some of these have since been wholly or par
tially remedied, and others still remain in the same
state. Besides this new survey, much was needed to be
done in regard to the streets in South Boston. The
population was continually increasing, the taxes
raised in the Ward were augmenting, and complaints
were becoming frequent that the City was spending
far less upon the streets, for the comfort and con
venience of our citizens, than they were fairly enti
tled to claim. In consequence of this and other
alleged grievances, a public meeting was held in
1847, and a committee appointed to memorialize the
City Government upon the subject. This was faith
fully and ably done by the Committee, and 750
copies of the Memorial presented by them were or
dered by the City Council to be printed. (See Ap
pendix I.)
This Memorial was not without its effect upon the
City authorities. The southerly fort, on what was
called Dorchester Heights, was soon after purchased
by the City, at an expense of $112,000, and laid out
for the use of the public forever. It has since been
beautified with grass plats, gravel walks, and shade
trees, is enclosed with an iron fence, and its summit
affords one of the finest prospects in the United
States. The construction of public sewers, which had alrea
dy been commenced in the more thickly-settled places,
was afterwards prosecuted with vigor. In 1848,
$1500 were expended upon a sewer in Dorchester
and Second streets; in 1849, $1400 upon sewers in
Broadway and Fourth streets; in 1852, was laid a
sewer in the lower part of Third street, costing over
$1200; in 1853, sewer in First, Second, I, and H

STREETS. 201
streets and Broadway — $2813 48; in 1854, sewer
in Fourth street, from G to Dorchester street — over
$1200. These are only a portion of the items of
expense in the way of drainage, which has been car
ried on extensively in our streets, and has contribu
ted to the comfort and health of our citizens.
Much has also been done in the way of paving the
streets. Turnpike street was first paved, from
Fourth street to the North Free Bridge. In 1849
Fourth street was paved from B to C street ; and in
1851 and 1852, it was paved the whole of the remain
ing distance from Turnpike to Dorchester street.
Broadway was begun upon in 1850, and paved from
B to D street; in 1851, from Dorchester to E ; in
1852, from D to E, and also from Turnpike to B;
and in 1853, from Dorchester to K. In 1854 and
1855, parts of A, B, C, and First and Second streets
were paved. All the paving, except in Fourth street
west of Dorchester Avenue, has been done with the
cobble or rounded stones, with suitable crossings
of flag stones.
In 1849, Fourth street was widened between Dor
chester and G streets, at an expense for land damages
of $4089 20. In 1855 and 1856 First st. was complet
ed from A to E street. In 1852, Broadway and Fourth
street were graded, at an expense of $3000. In the
same year, the City Marshal was ordered to notify
all owners and abuttors on Broadway and Fourth
streets, from Dorchester to Turnpike street, to pave
their side-walks with brick or flat stones ; and after
wards the Superintendent of Streets was directed to
pave all which had not been done, and charge the
same to those who had neglected it. In 1852, an
order was passed that Quincy, Gold, Silver, Athens
and Bolton streets — being a part of the twenty -foot

202 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
streets laid out by the proprietors of land in 1809
— be accepted by the City. In 1856, a further or
der by the City Government so far modified this ac
ceptance, that the abuttors were first required to
relinquish all claim upon the City for damages in
regulating the grade of these streets. In 1852, on
the surrender of the Dorchester Turnpike as a toll
passage way by the Turnpike Corporation, the por
tion of it in South Boston, from Fourth street to the
Dorchester line, was accepted by the City. In 1853,
the owners and abuttors on Broadway, between
Dorchester and K streets, were directed to pave
their side-walks with brick or flat stones.
The alterations which have been made, from time
to time, in the grade and level of some of the streets,
has been a source of much inconvenience and expense.
Great changes have in this respect been made in
Broadway. It has been lowered many feet between
Dorchester Avenue and B street, elevated between
C and D streets, and again lowered from D to F
street and above Dorchester street. On the easterly
side of the hill it has also been raised at different
times. Strong efforts were made, a few years since,
to have the knoll a little westerly of A street, in
Broadway, removed by the City;. but stronger re
monstrances against it prevailed. Had it been done,
a full view from its westerly end, up this fine avenue,
for nearly three fourths of a mile, might have been
enjoyed. The " twin hills," as they are called on General
Howe's projection of the "Neck," have interfered
not a little with the rectangular course of some of
our streets, and their continuous track across the
peninsula. One of these hills, afterwards immortal
ized in American history as "Dorchester Heights,"

STREETS. 203
has since had a portion of its summit crowned by
the water reservoir, as mentioned in another place,
and new avenues around it, and new walks through its
capacious and commanding Park, have been found
necessary. The other has been obliged to yield,
with a more ignoble result to itself, to the march
of improvement, and is destined, like the less pre
tending Nook's Hill which it once overlooked on the
west, to disappear before the peaceful but effective
attack of the pickaxe and shovel. Deep excavations
through it have for several years past been connect
ing portions of streets which it had served to sepa
rate, and none of them will much longer be obliged
by it to turn aside or stop short in their regular
course. The City lands, near the Point, on which the pub
lic institutions have for many years been located,
have also interfered with the orderly and convenient
arrangement of the streets in that part of our ward.
These, too, are in a fair way to become opened to
public travel, and to afford sites for private dwell
ings, churches and school-houses. In 1854, the old
stockade fence enclosing them was removed, and
Broadway, Second and Third streets laid out through
the lands and ordered to be graded. The grade of
Broadway was changed, in order to preserve the
beautiful elevation at this place. Some of the
grounds were prepared for the market, and subse
quently sold. Among the first sites which were se
cured in the new territory, was one for the present
Baptist Chapel, which was done by a party of spirit
ed and benevolent gentlemen of South Boston; thus
placing Religion in the position which it is hoped
may ever be granted to it in similar undertakings
among us — that of a leader and pioneer.

204 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
In 1855, the Committee on Public Lands were re
quired by the City Council to consider the expedien
cy of laying out a portion of these lands for a Public
Square, and were also directed to set apart from
them a lot for a Market Place.
When the present plans in regard to all our streets
shall be fully carried out, they will not suffer by
comparison with those of our finest cities. Extensions
will be needed, as the solid land is from time to time
made to reach further into the water ; and are even
now required over the new territory which a recent
annexation has transferred from Dorchester. The
larger ones are also fast becoming beautified and
shaded by the taste and labor of individuals and the
efforts of our efficient Tree Association.

CHAPTER XVIII.

MANUFACTOEIES.

South Boston has long been famous for its exten
sive manufactories. Before 1800, Dix & Brinley had
Chemical Works on the shore near- where Boston
Wharf was afterwards built, the workmen coming
over from Boston in boats. In 1811, the proprietors
of the Essex street Glass Works erected large build
ings on the same shore, and to supply the necessary
workmen sent an agent to England. Before his re
turn, the war with that country broke out, fuel could
therefore not be obtained, and the project failed.
Among the number who came over from England
about this time, was our respected citizen, Thomas
Cains, Esq. He possessed the art of mixing the

MANUFACTORIES. 205
materials to make flint-glass, and understanding all
the other branches of the business, prevailed upon
the proprietors to put up a small six-pot flint furnace
at South Boston. This was the first successful at
tempt of the kind in this part of the country, and
Mr. C. may be considered as the father of the flint-
glass business in the Atlantic States.-
Without attempting to mention or trace down the
many business projects which have been undertaken
in South Boston, we will proceed to particularize a
few of the largest now or very recently carried on
here — several of which are unrivalled, in their pe
culiar branches, in the United States.

South Boston Iron Works. — These extensive
Works have long been the pride of our Ward, and
have added greatly to the growth and prosperity of
this section of the city. For a more full account of
them, the reader is referred to an obituary notice, in
another chapter, of Cyeus Alger, Esq., who for so
many years was at their head. The Works consist
of a large brick gun-shop, a moulding and casting
building, a pattern and cleaning shop, with other
necessary and extensive buildings — situated on Foun
dry street, near the westerly end of Broadway.

Union Works. — Next adjoining southerly to the ¦
South Boston Iron Company's Works, is a large-
manufactory which was occupied for a time success
fully by Seth Wilmarth. Mr. W. made a contract
for building thirty locomotives for the Erie Railroad..
Some difficulty occurred in regard to the payment...
which obliged him to suspend operations, and the
extensive shops are now unoccupied.
18

206 history of south boston.
Adams's Printing Press and Machine Shop. —
North of the buildings occupied by the South Boston
Iron Company, are a number of work-shops, in exter
nal appearance not very attractive ; but the produc
tions of the workmen in them have exerted a more
wide spread and beneficial influence than perhaps
those of any other works in the country. We refer
to the Adams Printing Press manufactory. For
nearly a quarter of a century power-presses of dif
ferent sizes have been sent out from this establish
ment, not merely to all parts of our own country,
but also to the old world, where their superiority to
anything of the kind there manufactured is univer
sally admitted. The Adams Press is by far the best
ever invented; indeed, it is the only one now in
general use for book printing. Truly we may feel
proud of having for one of our citizens such a public
benefactor as Mr. Isaac Adams.
These works were commenced here in 1836, by
Seth Adams, the well-known sugar refiner — a bro
ther of Isaac — for whose inventions and improve
ments the printers are also much indebted.
The works have since been much enlarged, to meet
the necessities of the Company. In addition to
Printing Presses and other book machinery, they
manufacture Sugar Mills, Steam Engines, both sta
tionary and marine — Steam Boilers, &c. The firm
give employment to from 100 to 150 men.
Mr Adams last year obtained, by a special act of
Congress, an extension of his patent on the printing
press ; and it may be here mentioned, as a most sin
gular as well as complimentary fact, that his petition
for an extension received the aid and support of all
the leading Publishers and Printers in the country.

^-2!^ &£^&

^"<

t^/^^Z^&d?

manufactories. 207
Mr. A. has recently bought out the interest of his
late partners, W. B. Dodge and G. H. Everson, and
is now sole proprietor.

The Fulton Iron Foundry. — Situated on Dor
chester Avenue, just at the main entrance to South
Boston, is the large brick building of the Fulton Iron
Foundry Company — surmounted by a cupola and
bell. George C. Thacher, who with his brother
Thomas Thacher and William G. Billings originated
these works, and who until recently had the manage
ment of the same, was formerly connected with Mr.
Cyrus Alger in the Foundry business. In 1835,
having left ilr. Alger, he, in company with Thacher
(Thomas) and Billings, commenced building a Foun
dry on the site of the present works, and in 1836
they formed themselves into a Corporation, the act
for which was passed that year by the Legislature.
A year had scarcely elapsed, before the original
building, the success of which at the time of starting
seemed to some doubtful, was found to be entirely
inadequate to meet the demands made upon the
Company for work, and a large addition, more exten
sive and commodious than the original building,
was erected. In 1842, the old building, with the
addition, being still too limited for the steadily in
creasing business, which under the successful man
agement of Mr. George C. Thacher had accumulated
to an unexpected amount, was removed, and in its
place the present pleasing and appropriate structure
was erected. In a few years the Company found it
necessary to still further increase their facilities for
supplying the demands made upon them for work,
and from time to time some three extensive addi
tions have been made, the last of which (from its •

208 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
size a Foundry almost of itself) is believed to be
the most substantial and convenient of the kind in
the country, making the establishment one of the
most perfect in the United States.
The land occupied by the Company extends over
an area of upwards of three acres, bounded on the
rear by the channel, affording admirable facilities for
reception or delivery by water, and in the Foundry
building itself may be found almost every conve
nience at present known for a successful fulfilment of
any order for all kinds of iron castings.
The enormously large and difficult castings for the
engines of the United States Steam Frigate Saranac,
which was being constructed by Jabez Coney, were
cast at this establishment, the quality and perfection
of which, excited the admiration of all experienced
in such matters, who had an opportunity of examining
the same. The Company are now successfully pro
secuting the casting of iron in all its different
branches. Mr. Thacher continued to give his undivided time
-and attention to these works, until about some two
years since, when the state of his health, which
had at times previously been feeble, admonished
him to take that rest and quietude which it was
hoped would restore him to his former strength and
activity. But in this his friends were disappointed ;
he gradually declined, although he frequently visited
the works, until, on the 21st of October, 1856, he
departed this life, universally respected and beloved.
It was truly a singular coincidence, that both Messrs.
Cyrus Alger and George C. Thacher, the oldest and
most experienced Iron Founders in this country,
former partners and early settlers of South Boston,
should both die in the same year.

MANUFACTORIES. 209
Coney's Foundry — Was built in the fall of 1837,
adjoining Mr. Adams's Works. In 1843 was com
menced, here, the building of an Iron Steamer for the
United States, called the McLean, which was launch
ed in 1845. Its length was 140 feet, breadth 22
feet, depth of hold 11 feet 6 inches. Weight of the
hull, complete, 275,000 pounds, and" the vessel of
450 tons burthen. In 1848, Mr. Coney contracted
with the United States Government to build the ma
chinery for the War Steamer Saranac, the hull being
built at the United States Navy Yard at Portsmouth,
N. H. This contract was completed on the 7th day
of February, 1850, since which time Mr. Coney has
been confined to his house by a paralytic affection,
and in consequence his business was suspended and
the work shop closed.

Globe Locomotive Works. — The business was first
carried on at these works by Lyman & Souther, who
commenced at the corner of First and A streets in
the year 1846. From this time they kept in their
employ from twenty to seventy-five men, until 1849,
when Mr. Souther bought of Mr. Lyman his interest
in the firm, property and business, and carried on
the concern alone under the style of the " Globe
Works," until May 1st, 1851. Business increased so
rapidly that he found it necessary to extend his fa
cilities to be enabled to fill his orders, which he did
by leasing the establishment occupied previously by
Jabez Coney, in Foundry street, employing at both
places some three hundred men, and manufacturing
every variety of machinery of the very best quality.
In the years 1852 and 1853, Mr. Joseph R. Ander
son was associated with Mr. Souther as superinten
dent of the work, during which time was manufactur-
18*

210 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
ed in this shop the large Borer for the tunnelling of
Hoosac Mountain. This gigantic piece of machinery
is probably the largest ever constructed in NeAV
England, its weight being upwards of one hundred
tons, and excited the wonder of all who examined it.
In 1853, Mr. Souther greatly enlarged his premises
on A street, making them extensive enough to ac
commodate the entire business of the Company,
which was organized as an incorporated body May 1,
1-854. The capital stock of the Company is
$100,000. John Souther (the original founder) was
chosen President, and D. N. Pickering Treasurer.
Mr. Souther is a native of South Boston, and served
his apprenticeship in the place. His sterling integ
rity as a man, and his practical knowledge of the de
tails of business, render him peculiarly well fitted
for the position which he occupies. Mr. Pickering,
the Treasurer, is also a practical machinist, having
been superintendent of machinery on the Boston &
Worcester Railroad, superintendent of several other
Railroads, and possessing considerable experience in
'building and repairing railroad machinery. The
^business of the Company is now in a very prosper
ous condition, they employing about 300 men, and
turning out machinery equal to $350,000 per annum,
— comprising Locomotives, Excavators, Sugar Mills,
.Stationery Engines, Boilers, and general machinery.
Loring's Works. — Harrison Loring is proprietor
. of one of our most popular establishments for the..
manufacture of large stationary and marine engines.
He commenced the manufacture of machinery in
1847, and now employs 200 men, with every mechani
cal facility for increasing to 100 more. Although
¦ devoting his chief attention to stationary and marine

MANUFACTORIES. 211
engines and boilers, he has built almost every varie
ty, from a machine for making nails to a first-class
steamship. Mr. Loring is a native of Duxbury, Mass.,
and served his apprenticeship with Mr. Jabez Coney,
of South Boston. He spent one season in Cuba, su
perintending the erection of engines and machinery,
and at the early age of 22 years commenced business
on his own account, employing from 15 to 30 men
the first year. Mr. Loring is both a practical and
theoretical mechanic, and has been successful in
every thing in this line that he has undertaken. He
built the machinery of the Steamer " City of Boston,"
which, after construction, was purchased by the
United States Government for the Pacific ; and re
modelled the machinery of the United States Steam
er John Hancock, employed on the Japan Expedi
tion. He was also the builder of the screw propel
ler "Enoch Train," rated as the fastest of her class
in the country. He has recently commenced the
building of Iron Steamships.

The Bay State Iron Company's TForArs— Situ
ated at City Point, employ some three hundred men,
in the manufacture of railroad iron — being the larg
est and most extensive works of the kind in New
England. The work made here is of the most supe
rior quality, and equals if not surpasses any other
manufactured in the country. They are under the gen
eral superintendence of Ralph Crooker, long and fa
vorably known as Superintendent of the Boston Iron
Company Works. John H. Reed is Treasurer of
the Company. The mills are kept in operation con
tinually, day and night, and the buildings connected
with the works are fire-proof and cover several acres
of land. The process of rolling the iron is one of

212 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
the most interesting to visitors presented in any of
our manufactories. The facility and speed with
which the rails are made is truly wonderful.

The Wire Works. — The bright flame throwing its
glare over the sky, night after night, issuing from the
wire works on Dorchester Avenue, attracts the at
tention of the stranger in visiting our city. Here
one of the most novel and curious spectacles is pre
sented to the visitor. The hammering of the iron
into bars and drawing it into .wire is here done, and
a large number of Operatives are employed day and
night in this work. The works were founded and
carried on for several years by Henry S. Washburn,
but have lately passed into the hands of Naylor
& Co.

Alger 6f Reed's Forge — Is located adjoining.
Here are forged the largest of anchors, and other
forgings, there being in the works one of the heavi
est hammers now in use. The work from this
establishment is of the highest order. Under the
style of the " Forge," Messrs. Alger & Reed con
ducted these works until the death of the senior
partner, Cyrus Alger, Jr., when Edward Reed under
took the management of them. The concern has
lately passed into the hands of Francis Alger.

Ship-Building. — Although we believe Lot Wheel
wright was first in the field of ship-building in South
Boston, previous to 1822, still it was not until that
year that much was done in this line. Capt. Noah
Brooks then came from the Eastward, and set up a
yard at the foot of F street. Here for years he

MANUFACTORIES. 213
kept a large number of men at work. He was also
very active in laboring for the good of the Ward,
and his memory will always be gratefully cherished
by those who knew him. He met with a sad death
in January, 1852, by being thrown from his sleigh.
The barque Edward Fletcher was built by Capt.
B., and was launched from back of the Forts, fully

rigged.

The well known
ship-builders,
E.
& H. Briggs,
were for a time in company with
Noah Brooks in
the business, but the
partnership
was dissolved in
1847, and the Messrs.
Briggs soon afterwards remov-
ed to the Point, since
which time they
have built the
following ships : —
Newton, of
450
tons burthen.
Reliance,
450
a
ti
Oxenbridge,
580
it
it
Mary Glover,
650
a
it
Berkshire,
650
it
a
Southern Cros.s,
1000
it
ti
Northern Light,
1050
if
it
Cape Cod,
850
tl
it
Winged Arrow,
1150
it
it
Meteor,
1150
ti
it
Golden Light,
1150
a
a
John Land,
1150
n
n
Bonita,
1150
ti
n
Cyclone,
1150
it
it
Boston Light,
1180
a
it
Star Light,
1180
n
tt
Grace Darling,
1240
ti
it
Saracen,
1300
tt
it
Cossack,
600
it
a
Vitula,
1185
a
it
Mameluke,
1300
it
«
214 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
Fair Wind, 1300 tons burthen.
Alarm, 1200 " "
Joseph Peabody, 1200 " "
AsaEldridge, 1300 "
Besides which, they now have two ships on the
stocks, one of 800, and the other of 1000 tons bur
then. The reputation of the Messrs. Briggs is very high,
and their clippers have made some of the quickest
passages on record.

American Flint Glass Works. — Among the many
busy scenes of manufacture located in South Boston,
there is none of more interest than the Glass Works
situated on Second street, owned by P. F. Sline.
In April, 1843, he commenced work in the old glass
house of the South Boston Glass Company, and gra
dually extending and enlarging his operations, he had
attained a high position, had won for himself and his
work an enviable reputation, and worked his busi
ness into a very prosperous and flourishing condition,
when his prospects were suddenly blasted by the
destruction of his entire works by fire in December,
1852. He rebuilt, and was soon again in active ope
ration. Fortune smiled on his efforts ; but in De
cember of the next year, 1853, at the close of the
most successful year he had ever known, fire again
laid waste the whole scene of his operations. No
thing daunted, he took a careful survey of his position,
and in a short time the thick smoke was seen again
ascending from his chimneys, and the sharp click of
busy manufacture was again heard in his rebuilt
shops. Since then he has increased his area, until
his buildings now cover 87,500 feet. The quality
of the glass here manufactured is surpassed by that

MANUFACTORIES. 215
of no works in the country, and from time to time
he has embraced all the improvements and inven
tions, many of them original, in its manufacture and
moulding, which have been suggested. The work is
all done in the establishment, from the making of
the glass to the finishing of every article, even the
construction of the moulds and other machinery
used. Mr. Slane now employs two hundred men,
and no more interesting sight offers itself in our
ward than the various operations connected with
glass-making in this establishment. — The Boston &
New York Central Railroad passes near by it.

Phoenix Glass Works. — Situated near Mr. Slane's
buildings, are the works commenced in 1811, to
which we have already referred, and for many years
successfully conducted by Mr. Thomas Cains. These,
too, have been several times destroyed by fire, and
the rapidity and completeness with which new build
ings have sprung up from the ashes of the old ones,
warrants the name which in consequence has recently
been given them. The health of Mr. Cains has pre
vented his confining himself to the business of the
concern for some years past, and his son and son-in-
law have been connected with him. The death of
the latter, Mr. William Johnston, the present year
(1857), leaves it now in the hands of the Messrs.
Cains, by whom it is extensively carried' on.

Mount Washington Glass Works. — These works
were for many years under the superintendence of
the late Luther Russell. They are now conducted
by Jarves & Cormerais. The buildings are situated
on Second street, near Dorchester street, and a large
number of hands are employed in them.

216 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
The Brewery — On Second street, is now carried
on by James L. Phipps & Co., who are doing a very
large and profitable business. Indeed, the establish
ment is the largest in its operations of any in the
New England States.

Other Manufacturing Establishments. — Many
other works are carried on in South Boston, but
we can merely mention Brainard's Wagon Factory,
famous for its Express wagons, Earl's Soap Factory,
Howard's Brass Foundry, Cuba Iron Foundry, Frye's
Carriage Shop, Downer's Soap Works, Suffolk Lead
Works, Plough Factory, Stevens, Ingolls, & Co.'s
Brass Foundry, P. A. Sylvester's Machine Shop, &c.

CHAPTER XIX.

MISCELLANEOUS.
Banks. — South Boston has had four Banks 'locat-
•ed within its limits, only two of which are now in
operation. The Franklin and Lafayette, on what was then
Turnpike street, both failed in 1837. In 1836, the
Mechanics Bank commenced business in the brick
building at the north-easterly corner of A and Fifth
streets. The Company soon after erected the build
ing they now occupy at the foot of Broadway. Sam
uel Goodridge was first President, and Alvan Si
monds Cashier. The Bank has been very successful,
paying for the ten years, ending April, 1856, 8 per
cent, per annum, which with two extra dividends
paid at times of increase of capital, make 10 1-3 per

miscellaneous . 217
cent, per annum. The original capital of the Bank
was $150,000, but it has been twice increased, and
is now $250,000. J. W. Converse is President, and
Alvan Simonds Cashier.
The Broadway Bank commenced business ope
rations in December, 1853, in the free-stone building
erected by the Company near the foot of Broadway.
Seth Adams is President, and H. H. White Cashier.

Newspapers. — Several unsuccessful attempts were
made, some years since, to sustain a newspaper in
South Boston. The Galaxy continued for a few
months, and then died. In 1847, Mr. Albert J.
Wright started the South Boston Gazette, and con
tinued it very successfully until September, 1855,
when it passed into other hands and soon ceased to
exist. Mr. Wright then started the Mercury, and
continued it for a year, when that also was discon
tinued, and South Boston has now no local papef.

Firemen. — There are in South Boston two Fire
Companies — both provided with admirable machines,.
and manned by a gallant and courageous body of
firemen, always ready for action.. .Mazeppa, No. lr
is located near the head of Broadway ; Perkins, No»-
2, on Broadway near C street.

Military. — The Pulaski Guards were chartered in
March, 1836, and their first captain was Col. J. L. C.
Amee. Subsequently they changed their name to
the "Mechanic Greys," but resumed the old name
in May, 1841. They are now in a prosperous con
dition, under Capt. Joshua Jenkins as commander.
19

218 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
Water. — South Boston enjoys the benefit of the Co-
chituate water, in common w'ithits neighbors of the city
proper. The water is brought across the Old Bridge
in an iron pipe, laid on a foundation of earth sup
ported at the sides by piles and planks, as far as the
harbor line. It is thence supported across the pub
lic waters, as far as the draw and channel, in a wood
en box, resting on piles. It was originally intended
that it should be protected from frost, by a filling of
non-conducting materials, but this was afterwards
abandoned. The pipe is carried in an inverted sy
phon 20 inches in diameter, with perpendicular ends,
under the water, and imbedded in the hard bottom
of the channel. It is enclosed in a box or frame of
timber, and completely enveloped with a covering of
hydraulic cement. It is thence conducted to the
reservoir on the hill, and then distributed to all
parts of the place.
The reservoir is placed on the east side of Tho
mas Park. The walls are formed of a puddled em
bankment, lined inside with granite rubble, and the
bottom paved with pebble stones. It resembles in
shape a segment of an ellipse, measuring across the
widest part about three hundred and seventy feet,
and about two hundred and sixty across the narrow
est part. It contains 7,508,246 gallons. The top
of the dam is 125.86 feet above tide marsh level,
and the bottom of the reservoir 105.35 feet. The
occasion of the introduction of the water, Nov. 20th,
1849, was made a gala day in South Boston. vThou-
sands gathered upon the hill, where a salute was
fired by the Mt. Washington Guards, singing by the
children, and an eloquent address by His Honor,
Mayor Bigelow. The appearance of the water, as
it first jetted up, was the signal for one general

miscellaneous. 219
shout of joy, in which the booming of cannon joined
with thunder tones.
Since then, the hill has been levelled and made
into a magnificent Park, and called Thomas Paek,
in honor of General Thomas, of Revolutionary re
membrance. A beautiful drive around the whole is
reached from G street.

Gas. — South Boston is supplied with gas by a
Company incorporated on the 13th of April, 1852.
The gas was first used on December 16th, 1852.
The works are situated on Seventh street, near the
corner of B street. Pipes are laid in all the princi
pal streets, and many of our citizens avail themselves
of the use of this brilliant light in their stores and
dwellings. The following are the present officers of the Com
pany :—
President — William T. Andrews.
Directors — William T. Andrews, Francis Alger,
John H. Blake, Thomas B. Wales, Edward J. Da
venport. Clerk — Edward J. Davenport.
Treasurer — Jeremy Drake.
Agents — John H. Blake, Franklin Darracott.
Superintendent — Edward Jones.

Hawes Free Evening School. — This Institution
has been conducted every winter, for some years
past, by a Committee, chosen by the citizens,
in connection with the Trustees of Hawes Fund.
Its expenses are paid out of money left by John
Hawes for the support of schools in South Boston,
and it has been the means of much profit to a class
which could not otherwise be reached.

220 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
Shade Tree Society. — On the evening of March
23, 1853, a meeting of citizens was held for the pur
pose of organizing a Shade Tree Society. C. J. F. Al
len was chosen Chairman of the meeting, and Lewis
Smith Secretary. Josiah Dunham, Jr., Chairman of
a Committee appointed for that purpose, reported
Rules and Regulations for the government of the
Society. The following gentlemen were chosen officers of
the Society, and as no subsequent meeting has since
been held, they have retained their situations until
the present time.
President — Samuel Leeds.
Vice Presidents — Isaac Adams and Samuel Hill.
Directors — Frederic Nickerson, Samuel R. Spin
ney, Joshua Jenkins, George P. Blake, John P.
Monks. Treasurer — Caleb Gill.
Secretary — Lewis Smith.
The receipts of the Society have been,
From individual subscriptions $288 75
From Trees sold and payment for setting
out 543 56

$832 31
The Expenditures have been,
For 550 Trees purchased 520 04
Labor and other expenses attending set
ting out trees 290 27

810 31

Leaving a balance on hand at the present
time, May 18, 1857, of 22 00
$832 31

miscellaneous. 221
The principal operations of the Society were made
during the years 1853 and 1854, under the direction
of the President, Samuel Leeds, Esq., to whom the
public are much indebted for the impulse which has
been given to this object.
The benefit to South Boston by this organization
cannot be estimated by the amount of money collect
ed and expended, or the number of trees set out by
it during its existence. Its operations have been
the means of awakening an interest in the subject,
and hundreds of trees have been set along the bor
ders of our streets by individuals, which will be of
incalculable benefit to future generations.
It is to be hoped that the day is not far distant
when every street, as soon as graded, will be graced
with flourishing and beautiful shade trees.

The South Boston Samaritan Society. — In addi
tion to the charitable associations connected with
the individual churches in South Boston, the society
with the above name is general in its character, nei
ther its members nor its beneficiaries being confined
to any religious denomination. The following brief
sketch, of its formation and operations will show
what it has accomplished, during the fourteen years
of its existence.
October 19th, 1842, some of the ladies of South
Boston met together at Brooks Hall, and formed a
charitable association under the title of The South
Boston Samaritan Society, for the relief of the suf
fering poor of this Ward. Mrs. Samuel Hill was the
first President, which Office she held for a number of
years. This society, consisting of about 40 members at
19*

222

HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.

its formation, increased in a few years to the num
ber of 230.
In 1851, Mr. Elisha Goodenow, a beneficent resi
dent of South Boston, bequeathed to the Society the
sum of $1000. Thereupon the Society petitioned
the Legislature for an act of incorporation ; and a
charter was granted, February 6, 1852.
Gentlemen are admitted as life or honorary mem
bers, and the Society, though not quite as large as it
was a few years since, is in a flourishing condition,
dispensing sympathy and comfort to the destitute and
wretched. The following table will give the read
er some idea of its proceedings.

In the year 1843 1844
1845 18461847 1848
1849
1850 185118521853
1854 1855 1856

Receipts.
$407 08
395 28
185 87
unknown 126 73
162 26
123 11
95 01
141 50
129 82
99 69
94 37
287 57
252 94

Expenditures. $303 82
273 73
182 87
unknown 122 62
160 76
113 19
101 95
144 77
120 30
96 45
98 92
289 13
241 08

Total $2,501 23 $2,249 59
From the above table it will be seen that, during
the first year of its existence, the Society received
¦and expended more money than any year since. Of
late, however, the interest seems to be revived and

miscellaneous. 223
in 1856, when the Society held its Fair in Lyceum
Hall, by the aid of a generous public the sum of $1125
was realized.

Masons and Odd Fellows. — There are two Ma
sonic Lodges in South Boston — St. Paul's, and Gate
of the Temple. They both meet in Jenkins's Build
ing. Bethesda Lodge No. 30, I. 0. of 0. F., meet at
Fraternity Hall, 120 Broadway; also Mt. Washing
ton Encampment No. 6.
Washington Chapter of the Order of United Ameri
cans meet at the same place.

Lyceum Hall — Was built in 1846, by an incor
porated company, having a capital of $20,000, with
a par value each share of 25 dollars. As but
$12,000 were subscribed, no dividends were paid for
several years, the profits being used to make up the
remaining amount of capital. The main hall will ac
commodate about 600 persons, and the stores on the
lower floor are large and well situated for business.

City Institutions. — About the year 1822 the city
purchased a large tract of land at the Point, and
erected thereon a Poor House. In due time other
Institutions followed, until there were built there
the House of Industry, a brick building ; House of
Reformation, a stone building ; a Lunatic Asylum, of
brick ; and a House of Correction, a little easterly
of the Asylum. Many of the citizens of South Bos
ton felt regret that these City Buildings were within
the limits of the Ward ; and after the purchase of
Deer Island by the city, long and frequent were the
struggles of those anxious to move the whole of

224 history op south boston.
these institutions to that place. Finally a House of
Industry for the poor was built on that Island, the
city paupers were removed into it, and the land in
South Boston which was cultivated by them was laid
out into streets. The Lunatic Hospital, which was
first opened in December, 1839, now under charge
of Dr. Walker ; and the House of Correction with
its extensive shops, under the superintendence of
Capt. Robbins, still remain in South Boston.
Omnibuses. — The first public conveyance from the
city proper to South Boston was owned by Ephraim
Dodge. As early as 1829, he commenced running a
hack, taking passengers from the city to any part of
the place in which they desired to be left. Broad
way not then being in good condition for wheels, his
route lay over the old bridge and up Fourth street.
His first attempt to use the main street was frus
trated by the sinking of his carriage to the hubs of
the wheels in the soft clay. The patronage he re
ceived soon warranted him in purchasing two omni;
buses, which run to and from the city once every
hour. The fare on this line of coaches was nine-
pence. In 1838, the Warren Association having opened
the Mount Washington Hotel, commenced running a
coach from the Old State House to the hotel, charg
ing twenty-five cents. The Company soon, however,
reduced the fare to six cents, and placed another
coach upon their line, which movement obliged the
enterprising pioneer in the business, Mr. Dodge, to
discontinue his coaches. The Association, after run
ning the line something less than two years, sold out
to Samuel D. Blood, who added two omnibuses and
carried on the concern until 1842, when he sold out

miscellaneous. 225
to the present proprietor, Jonas C. Gipson. Soon
after, Mr. G. associated with himself Horace Ham
mond, and they have since constantly added to their
stock, until now they own twenty coaches, employ
some forty men, and keep one hundred and five
horses. Trips are run every five minutes from the
office near I st. to Cornhill. This " White Line," so
called from the coaches all being painted white, fully
accommodates the public, to whom, under its judicious
management, it has become a cherished institution of
the place. The fare, which has varied at different
times, is now six cents for a single passage, the old
ticket system having been" discarded.

Dorchester Avenue Railroad Company. — As the
horse-cars upon this railway enter the city through
South Boston, it is proper to speak of it here. The
Company was incorporated in April, 1854. Its capi
tal stock is limited to $300,000, and is divided into
shares of $50 each. Its act of incorporation allows
a double or single track to be laid from the Lower
Mills in Dorchester, near Milton, to the foot of State
street in Boston. A single track is now laid from
the last named place over the Federal street Bridge
and through South Boston, extending a large part of
the way to the contemplated southern terminus, and
cars pass regularly over it. The Mayor and Alder
men of Boston have power to designate the streets
in South Boston which shall be used for the purpose,
and are also permitted to purchase the whole pro
perty in South Boston in ten years after the road is
opened, by paying at a specified rate. Not more
than 5 cents fare is allowed to be taken for a pas
sage between any two stations in Boston, without
permission of the Mayor and Aldermen.

226 history op south boston.
Broadway Railroad Company. — In April, 1854,
a Company under this name was incorporated, with
power to construct a railway, with single or double
tracks, from South Boston Point to Dorchester Av
enue, where it was to form a junction with and enter
upon the Dorchester Avenue Railroad, then incorpo
rated but not constructed. Horse-power only was
allowed to be used on the road. The capital stock
of the Company was to be $150,000, in shares of
$50 each. The City of Boston was to have the pri
vilege of purchasing of the Company all its rights,
property, &c, in the road, at the end of ten years
after its opening, on certain conditions, and the ex
istence of the corporation was limited to fifty years.
Not more than five cents for each passage was to be
taken for fare, without the consent of the Mayor and
Aldermen of the city. In June, 1856, the road not
having been commenced, the above act was revived,
to continue in force for three years more. In the
spring of 1857, it was so far changed as to give the
Company liberty to enter the city by passing over
the Dover street Bridge and Mount Washington
Avenue, by first obtaining the consent of the Mayor
and Aldermen. The prospects are now favorable
for a speedy commencement of the railway.

Washington Village. — Little Neck was the name
of a small village situated at Dorchester Neck, on
the old Causeway road, and occupying the knoll
where the first settlers had the cattle gate. When
Mattapannock became South Boston, this village re
mained on the Dorchester side of the line. It was
so near South Boston, however, that its interests
were closely identified. with it, and it seemed in fact to
be a part and parcel of the Ward. A brick school-

miscellaneous. 227
house was built here by the town of Dorchester, and
the village was becoming more and more populous.
On the 4th of March, 1850, the inhabitants of Little
Neck, in meeting assembled, voted to change the
name of the place to Washington Village. Several
attempts were made to have it annexed to Boston,
and this was finally done. On petition of Joshua
Jenkins, and others, in May, 1855, Washington Vil
lage, with its 1300 inhabitants, and the territory as
far as the line of Capt. William Clapp's orchard-wall
in Dorchester, was annexed to South Boston, thereby
greatly increasing the extent of the territory of the
Ward. (See Appendix J.)

Bay View. — This is the name given to a neat and
growing village, situated at old Powow Point, on the
southerly shore, bordering on South Boston Bay.
It has a large number of very fine dwelling-houses,
and its citizens are noted for their neighborly feel
ing and the endeavors they make for each others'
benefit. A fine wide avenue (K street), lighted with
gas, leads to it from Fourth street. The dwelling-house
of the Rev. Lemuel Capen is here beautifully situa
ted, near the water, and with its out-buildings and
surrounding grounds has the appearance of the bet
ter class of country farm-houses. Much credit is due
to Samuel R. Spinney, Esq., who has a splendid man
sion in the village, and who is foremost with money
and personal effort in sustaining its interests.
Several of the omnibuses, which pass regularly to
and from the city, go to this place, and also .to City
Point. The cut of the Lawrence School House, on
a previous page, represents one of the Bay View
coaches passing down B street.

228 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.

CHAPTER XX.
EARLY INHABITANTS  STATISTICS OF POPULATION, ETC.
 MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
Of the character of the native inhabitants of Mat
tapannock we know but little. There is no doubt,
however, that our peninsula was formerly a favorite
haunt of the Indian. Powow Point, situated near
the south end of what is now K street, and facing
Thompson's Island, is highly celebrated in the histo
ry of our Aborigines. Here the Indians, till within
a few years, were in the habit of holding an annual
feast. This gathering was in commemoration of a
celebrated Indian treaty which was of great impor
tance to the first settlers, and called together multi
tudes of red-men of the forest. It is said that dur
ing this feast nothing was to be used except what
came from the sea. Even the water was literally
taken from the ocean, and drank from clam-shells.
Near the centre of Powow Point is a spring of
fresh water, which at high tide is completely covered
by the sea. From this source the Indians procured
water for common use. This Point is now owned
by Rev. Lemuel Capen, and in its vicinity are to be
found vast quantities of clam-shells, and occasionally
Indian relics have been discovered. Doubtless if
excavations were made in the neighborhood, many
aboriginal memorials would be brought to light.
A few years previous to the settlement of Dor
chester, the Indians were visited by a dreadful pes
tilence, which swept off thousands of them. From a
tradition furnished by John Thomas, an Indian who
lived to a great age, and who died some years since

POPULATION, ETC. 229
at Framingham, we learn that at Dorchester Neck
so many Indians died that they remained unburied,
and the few surviving Indians removed to other
places. The Indians supposed that this scourge was
sent upon them because of their cruel treatment of
five Frenchmen who were wrecked on the coast and
fell into their hands.
The population of Mattapannock, from the time of
its first settlement till its annexation to Boston, was
small. At the time of its annexation, it consisted of
12 families, or about 60 persons. These were
mostly farmers, and spent their time in cultivating
the land they possessed on the peninsula.
In 1810, this number had increased to 354 — or
500 per cent, in six years — which showed pretty
clearly the impulse which annexation had given to
the growth of the place. In 1825, we find the popu
lation to have been 1,986 — being a gain of 461 per
cent, in fifteen years. In 1835, the number was
5,595 — an increase of 181 per cent, in ten years. In
1840, the number was 6,176 — a growth of only about
10 per cent, for the five years. In 1845, the gain
was greater, the number of inhabitants being 10,020,
or 62 per cent, increase. In 1850, the census show
ed the population of the ward to be 13,309 — that of
the whole city being 138,788. The increase in the
former during these five years was nearly 33 per
cent. In 1855, the population of South Boston, ex
clusive of Washington Village, which had just been
annexed, was 16,612 — making the gain for these five
years about 25 per cent. The population of the an
nexed territory being 1,319, the total number in
the ward was, in 1855, 17,931 — making it the thira
ward in the city in point of numbers. By the cen-
20

230 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
sus, that year, the total population of the city wag
162,748. In the year 1838, when South Boston becamea
ward by itself, the number of voters was 712; in
1840, 853; in 1843, 1,124; in 1844, 1,382; in 1845,
1,421; in 1855, exclusive of Washington Village,
2,116. It will be seen that the voters did not in
crease in proportion to the population. This was
mainly owing to the number of foreigners among
the new comers into the ward. The proportion of
voters was more favorable, however, in South Bos
ton, than in the city at large. The population of
the city in 1845 was 114,326; in 1855, 162,748— a
gain of 42.20 per cent. In the former year the num
ber of voters in the city was 20,351; in the latter,
23,342 — a gain of only 14.69 per cent. In South
Boston, during the same period, the increase of
population was 65.78 per cent. ; that of voters, 41.1©
per cent.
In 1840, the number of dwelling-houses in South
Boston, according to Mr. Shattuck's Census Report,
was 719; in 1845, 1,105 (82 of brick); in 1855, by
the Census Report of that year, 1,978, being a larger
number than in any other ward in the city. The
number in all the wards of the city, in 1855, was
15,880. In 1845, Mr. Shattuck states that the num
ber of houses in Ward 12 owned by the occupants
was 403 — no other ward, except 11, equalling it in
this respect. He also states that the number of
houses in South Boston having cisterns, that year,
was 692 — more than in any other ward. In the
same year, the number of families in South Boston
was 1,654 — in the whole city, 19,175; number of
families to each house, 1.56 — in the whole city, 1.87 ;
number of persons to a house, 9.47 — in the whole

ETC. 231
city, 10.57; number of persons to a family, 6.05 — in
the whole city, 5.96. In 1855, according to Mr.
George Adams's Census Report, the whole number
of families in South Boston was 3,107 — in the whole
city, 29,810; average number of families to one
house, 1.57 — in the whole city, 1.87; average num
ber of persons to one house, 8.39 — in the whole city,
10.16; average number of persons to each family,
5.34 — in the whole city, 5.41.
The rise in the value of real estate in South Bos
ton, has been, very naturally, since the erection of
the North Free Bridge in 1828, much greater than
the growth of the population, or the increase in the
number of voters or of buildings. On page 78 of
this work, will be found the valuation of real estate,
taxes, &c. in the year 1804. From that time till
the bridge was completed, but little advance seems
to have taken plaee ; but after that event, it was
soon pretty well understood that the land in South
Boston would some time really be used for house-
lots, and it began to be valued accordingly. From
1835 to 1845, the increase in the population, as
already stated,, was 4,425, or about 79 per cent. ;
while 'the increase in the value of real estate, ac
cording to the following table, was more than 450 per
eent. ! From 1845 to 1855, the gain in population
was 42.30 per cent. ; increase of voters, 14.69 per
cent. ; that of dwelling-houses, 79 per cent. — while
the rise in the value of real estate amounted to more
than 116 per cent. The growing manufacturing
establishments in the ward, and an increased pro
portion of the better class of dwelling-houses, of
course assisted in swelling the valuation of real
estate. The table here given will be found interest
ing for present comparison, and convenient for future
reference.

232

HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.

Real

Personal

Total

Tears.

Estate.

Estate.

Valuation.

Polls.

Tax.

1835

$ 506,200

$115,500

$ 621,700

734

$ 7,131 49

1840

753,400

155,500

908,900

1,027

11,583 40

1844

1,777,200

505,605

2,282,800

1,719

16,275 30

1845

2,900,000

567,800

3,467,800

1,796

22,460 46

1846

3,676,000

651,500

4,327,500

1,972

28,921 00

1847

4,229,000

718,200

4,947,200

2,123

32,867 70

1848

4,442,400

762,600

5,205,000

2,289

37,266 50

1849

4,809,000

790,400

5,599,400

2,233

39,745 60

1850

4,542,000

836,000

5,378,000

2,160

39,810 40

1851

4,423,000

866,000

5,289,000

2,293

40,462 50

1852

4,322,900

868,600

5,191,500

2,349

36,749 10

1853

4,577,300

1,031,300

5,608,600

2,465

46,322 86

1854

6,758,900

1,488,900

7,247,800

2,551

70,506 26

1855

6,280,600

1,695,000

7,975,600

2,592

65,300 12

1856

7,409,100

1,864,100

9,273,200

3,062

78,778 60

The births and deaths in South Boston, for a few
years past, have been as follows — the total number
of each in the whole city being also given.

Total
Total
Births in
Births in
Deaths in
Deaths in
Tear.
Boston.
S. Boston.
Boston.
S. Boston.
1850
5,279
487
3,667
281 except City Institutions.
1851
5,388
553
3,855
313 "
1852
5,308
544
3,736
322 " "
1853
5,596
573
4,284
371 " "
1854
5,688
621
4,441
425 "
1855
5,816
691
4,080
526 includ'g City Institutions.
1856
5,922
838
4,253
465 "
During the year 1850, the deaths in South Boston
were as 1 to 47 of its whole population — those in
the whole city that year being 1 to 38. In the year
1855, however, the proportion was not so favorable,
being about 1 to 38 in South Boston, after deducting
the 59 deaths in the city institutions. In the inter
mediate years, it varied between the two rates. In
1856, Mr. Apollonio, the City Registrar, estimated
the population of South Boston at 11.01 per cent, of
the population of the whole city, the deaths during
the year being 10.93 per cent, of the total deaths in
MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION. 233
the city. During the same year the deaths from
consumption were proportionally smaller in Ward 12
than in any other ward — being 13.54 per cent, of
the total deaths in the ward. Ward 8 had the
largest number of deaths by this disease — viz. 21.34
per cent, of all the deaths in its limits.
Scarlet fever prevailed extensively as an epidemic
throughout the city in. 1856, carrying off no less than
-362 children — being 8.51 per cent, of all the deaths.
South Boston suffered with the other wards, but not
quite its full proportion — the deaths by this disease
being 33 in Ward 12, or about 9 per cent, of the
total number in all the wards. The number in Ward
1 was no less than 68 — but in Ward 4, only 8.
Municipal Organization.
Previous to 1804, the peninsula called Dorchester
Neck, constituting a part of Dorchester, was un
der the care and government of the authorities of
that town. Those who resided on the Neck enjoyed
-all the privileges and immunities of the inhabitants
of Dorchester proper, and were taxed according to
the same rates.
In 1804, however, as before remarked, by an act
of the Legislature, Dorchester Neck was made a
part of Boston, and became subject to the rules and
regulations of that town. The town was divided
into twelve Wards, the twelfth consisting of not
only South Boston, but also " all south side of Eliot
to Orange street; east side of Orange street to
Beach street; the south side of Beach street to
Front street and the water, to the southern limits of
the town."
In 1822, the town of Boston became a city, and
the boundaries of the different Wards were then
20*

234 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
changed. Ward Twelve now consisted of " South
Boston, the southerly side of Pine, across Washing
ton street to Warren street, the westerly side of
Warren to Eliot street, the southerly side of Eliot,
across Pleasant street, to Charles River, and all
southerly of the above." On the 10th of December,
1838, the city proper had so increased in population,
and South Boston had become so thickly settled,
that it was deemed advisable to make the peninsula
a separate Ward. Accordingly, since that time our
citizens have voted as inhabitants of Ward XII.
The government of the whole city consists of a
Mayor, twelve Aldermen, and forty-eight Common
Councilmen, composing two Boards, which together
are denominated the City Council. The Legislative
power is vested in the Common Council, and the Ex
ecutive power in the Mayor and Aldermen. Four
members of the Common Council are elected by the
voters of Ward 12, and are citizens of South Boston.
In former years, when only eight Aldermen were
chosen, it was customary to have one from South
Boston, and it is now required by the Revised Char
ter of 1854, that one shall represent each ward.
The following gentlemen have represented South
Boston in the Board of Aldermen.
Cyrus Alger, 1824, 1827.
Adam Bent, 1831.
Josiah Dunham, 1834, 1835, 1836.
Thomas Richardson, 1837, 1838, 1839.
Larra Crane, 1842, 1844.
Samuel S. Perkins, 1845, 1849, 1850.
Thomas Jones, 1846, 1847.
Benjamin James, 1852, 1853, 1857.
Josiah Dunham, Jr., 1854, 1855.
Eben Jackson, 1856.

MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION. 235
In the Common Council, the following gentlemen
have been the representatives of the citizens of
Ward XII.
Cyrus Alger, 1822.
Noah Brooks, 1823.
Isaac Thorn, 1824.
Adam Bent, 1825, 1826, 1827.
William Wright, 1827.
Thomas Melville Vinson, 1830, 1831.
James Wright, 1830.
Ebenezer Hayward, 1832.
Joseph Harris, Jr., 1832, 1833, 1834.
Josiah Dunham, 1833.
Josiah Lee Currell Amee, 1834, 1839, 1840.
Dr. John Bliss Stebbins, 1835.
William B. Dorr, 1835.
Alpheus Stetson, 1836.
Solon Jenkins, 1836, 1837, 1846.
Josiah Dunham, Jr., 1837, 1849, 1850, 1851.
Jeremy Drake, 1838, 1842, 1843, 1844.
Nehemiah P. Mann, 1838.
Nicholas Noyes, 1839.
George Page, 1839, 1840.
Horatio N. Crane, 1839, 1840.
Eben Jackson, 1840, 1843.
Samuel Leeds, 1841.
William H. Howard, 1841.
Seriah Stevens, 1841.
William B. Harding, 1841.
Willis Howes, 1842.
John Tillson, 1842, 1843.
Caleb Thurston, 1842.
Romanus Emerson, 1843.
Asa Brown, 1844.
Henry W. Fletcher, 1844.

236 HISTOEY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
Isaac Jones, 1844.
Samuel C. Demerest, 1845*
Thomas Jones, 1845.
Samuel W. Sloan, 1845.
Theophilus Stover, 1845.
William Eaton, 1846, 1847.
Seth Adams, 1646.
John W. Crafts, 1846.
Jabez Coney, 1847, 1850.
Samuel S. Perkins, 1847, 1848.
Alvan Simonds, 1847, 1848.
Benjamin James, 1848, 1849.
Joseph Smith, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851.
Samuel D. Crane, 1849, 1850, 1851.
•Zibeon Southard, 1851, 1852.
John Proctor, 1852.
George N. Noyes, 1852.
Samuel R. Spinney, 1852.
C. C. Conley, 1853, 1854.
Joshua Jenkins, 1853, 1854.
William S. Thacher, 1853.
James F. Whittemore, 1853, 1854.
E. H. Brainard, 1854, 1855. .
George S. Dexter, 1855.
Daniel Hall, 1855.
Jedediah P. Bean, 1855.
Ezra Harlow, 1856.
F. M. Josselyn, Jr., 1856, 1857.
Lewis C. Whiton, 1856, 1857.
Sumner Crosby, 1856.
Henry Mason, 1857.
D. W. Bailey, 1857.
In 1828, the inhabitants of South Boston, and the
citizens of Ward 12 on the other side of the water,
disagreed as to the list of officers nominated for

POLICE — FIRE ALARM. 237
election, and accordingly those of the city proper
nominated all Boston men, while those of Dorchester
Neck nominated South Boston men. The city folks
proved the most numerous, and elected their officers
except one School Committee man. A meeting was
appointed at twelve o'clock, to fill the vacancy. The
South Bostonians thought it rather hard not to have
any voice in the government, and determined to elect
their candidate. At twelve o'clock, therefore, they
went over to the Ward Room in the city in a body,
cast their votes, and then adjourned the meeting be
fore the city voters had time to see through the
plan. Of course the South Boston man was elected.
The Police, and the Fire Alarm Telegraph.
The Police Department of South Boston forms a
section of the City Police, and has for its officers, —
Robert Taylor, Captain ; George Smith and James D.
Russell, Lieutenants. The complement of men is
usually about 25.
In 1824, the first watch, consisting of two men,
Messrs. Crowley and Bickford, were stationed at
South Boston. They were, however, on duty but
from 11 to 1 o'clock in summer, and from 10 till 2
o'clock in winter. In 1830, Jeptha R. Cowdin and
Jacob Herrick succeeded, and Mr. Herrick is still
connected with the Department.
The Police Station for South Boston is called
Station 6, and is in the same building with the
Perkins Engine, on Broadway, between B and C
Streets. There are six signal stations for fire alarms in
South Boston, which constitutes District 6 of the
city Telegraphic Alarm, and the wires are connected
with the principal bells in the ward.

238 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
CHAPTER XXI.
DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS.
John Hawes.
Most of the citizens of South Boston have heard
of John Hawes; yet few know of his history,
The following sketch of him, taken from a funeral
sermon preached on the occasion of his death, by
Rev. Lemuel Capen, will be found interesting, and
contains all of interest concerning him, probably,
that can now be gathered : —
" Mr. Hawes was born in Dorchester, December
29, 1740, of the Old Style, answering to January 9,
1741, of the New; making him 88 years old on the
9th of the month before he died. He was the third of
a numerous family, and whilst a child, his father re
moved to Sharon. At the age of seven years, he
was placed, to be brought up, with his maternal
grandfather, Benjamin Bird, Esq., of this place, then
Dorchester Neck, from whom he received the rudi
ments of a very limited education, such as was com
mon at that time. I cannot positively say, that he
never attended a public school; but probably he
never did. From what he used to relate of his
grandfather, and the high estimation in which he
ever held him, he derived from him also, I doubt not,
the principles of that strong, inflexible character
which he retained to the last. Here he spent most
of his minority, till the time, or near the time, of his
grandfather's decease. And after a few years at
Dorchester, in learning a trade, he returned, at the
death of his uncle, Mr. Jonathan Bird, to take charge

JOHN HAWES. 239
of the patrimonial estate, where he had been brought
up. When he again left this place of his early at
tachments, he returned to Dorchester, where he
lived many years in agricultural pursuits, an indus
trious citizen, and was for about forty-five years an
exemplary member of the church in that place.
At rather an advanced age he married Mrs. Sarah
Clap, widow of Mr. Elisha Clap, and daughter of Mr.
Thomas Bird, for whom he had, very early, cherished
a strong attachment — an attachment not easily to be
broken ; for he appears to have resolutely determin
ed not to marry any other. His sincere and fixed
regard for his consort was sufficiently evinced by
the provision made for her in his last will, about fif
teen years before his death. To her he devised the
improvement of all his extensive real estate ; and
the whole income of his personal estate; to be
at her entire disposal, during life. He survived her,
however, over six years. The last twenty-five years
of his life he spent in this place. Having no chil
dren, his strong attachments to these scenes of hia
childhood and youth, and the place where he had spent
so large a portion of his mature and active life, in
duced him, no doubt, to appropriate the residue of
his estate to the use of the inhabitants of South Bos
ton, after devising a competent portion of it to his
nearest relatives, and those of his consort and other
friends. The provision made by him for the pur
poses of education, and especially .for erecting a
house for religious worship, and for the support of
the gospel ministry, seems to justify the application
of what is related of the good centurion, in our con
text — ' He loveth our nation, and he hath built us a
synagogue.' At the first view, it may seem perhaps that but

240 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
little, worthy of special notice, can be gathered from
the life of a retired individual — one who through all
his days had kept so much by himself, employed in
the quiet pursuits of husbandry ; a man without edu
cation, and who had occupied so small a space in
public life. But on a closer and more accurate in
spection, we may find in him much that is worthy of
the imitation, not only of those in his own walks of
life, but of those also who have the management of
public concerns ; to whom are committed the higher
trusts in the community. I have said he was with
out education. And truly, of the knowledge derived
from books and learned instructors, he could boast
but very little. Still, in the no less important con
cern of self-education he was peculiarly distinguished.
But few men probably can be found, who have profit
ed more by observation and reflection, or have trea
sured up more maxims of practical wisdom for the
discipline of their minds and the regulation of their
conduct. In his person, manners, and general prin
ciples of action, he exhibited a fair specimen of the
days long. gone by. His tall figure, his thoughtful
and sedate visage, his dress, his equipage — every
thing about him bespoke him a representative of the
earlier days of the last century. He was indeed
among the last of those venerable men, so frequently
to be met with in the records of the past. After
that ancient model of " simplicity and godly sinceri
ty," which distinguished the first settlers of Dor
chester, of whom he was a lineal descendant, he had
formed his character ; and all the lines of it were
too deep and strong to yield, in the least, to the in
fluence of modern refinement. Possibly he would
have been considered rather an eccentric character
in any age. But I am inclined to attribute this in-

JOHN HAWES. 241
dication to an unusual degree of independence, and
fixedness of principle,. which led him to rely upon
the resources of his own mind rather than the opin
ion or example of others ; and strengthened the hold
of his early impressions and associations. As usual
with strong uncultivated minds, this trait in his
character partook, in a considerable degree, of obsti
nacy. He formed his opinions and took his mea
sures with great care and deliberation ; and it must
be confessed, for the most part, with much discretion
and good judgment. But when he had taken his
ground, neither flattery nor persuasion, neither elo
quence nor argument, could divert his mind, or turn
him from his purpose. For one who had mingled so
little with society, and whose reading was limited
almost exclusively to his Bible, his knowledge of the
principles of human conduct was remarkably accu
rate. He was possessed of a native acuteness and
discrimination, which enabled him readily to discern
the characters of those with whom he had inter
course. So limited was his personal acquaintance
with men and manners, that I hardly know how to
account for it, but his knowledge of character seem
ed almost intuitive. It did not appear to be the re
sult of suspicion or distrust ; for he was remarkably
confiding, where he felt that confidence would not
be misplaced. Open and ingenuous — entirely above
disguise and "' cunning craftiness ' himself, nothing
was more certain to meet his cordial disapprobation,
than a disposition in others to overreach and in
trigue. In addition to the natural strength of his
intellect, he had much ready wit; and his society
was often rendered peculiarly agreeable by his
quaint humor, and his pithy and forcible remarks.
Mr. Hawes possessed a mind rich in native re-
21

242 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
sources, which, if it had enjoyed the benefit of early
and extensive culture, would have been brilliant as
well as accurate and strong; — a mind that might
have enlightened, directed and controlled society.
His disposition was kind and pacific. His constant
wish and prayer was, ' to live in love, and die in
peace.' He wished to enjoy unmolested his own,
and all his own. But I do not believe he knew, by
experience, what it was to envy or repine at the
good fortune of others.
Not only the kindness of his disposition, but his
strength of religious principle, was evinced by his
humble and devout gratitude to God for the pros
perity he enjoyed; and by the pleasure he experi
enced in seeing the prosperity and happiness of
others. When sitting or walking alone, he appeared
to be much engaged in devotion ; for his grateful
ejaculations were sometimes overheard. Of his
moral integrity — that quality which is worth all
others, piety to God only excepted, and without
which even piety to God is but a name — it would
be difficult to speak in terms too strong. As well
as we all know that the love of money was his pre
vailing worldly passion, I do not believe that money
would have tempted him, in any case, to be know
ingly guilty of a dishonest or dishonorable deed.
In his temper he was rather quick and violent. But
the facility with which his mind regained its wonted
composure and serenity, was sufficient proof of the
good discipline to which he had subjected it ; for he
suffered not ' the sun to go down upon his wrath.'
He was naturally retiring and unobtrusive. He
sought neither influence, favor nor promotion, from
any quarter ; nor was he disposed to obstruct the
influence, favor or promotion of any, but kept on

JOHN HAWES. 243
the even tenor of his way, ' and turned not to the
right hand nor to the left.' He carefully and assidu
ously attended to his own concerns, without busying
himself at all with those of others. Still he was
neither morose in his temper, nor unsocial in his
manners. He was always affable, in his plain, una
dorned way ; and till reduced by his last sickness,
which was merely the gradual infirmity of age, he
retained in a high degree the use of his faculties and
enjoyed the society and conversation of his friends.
With his many excellent points, some may imagine,
perhaps, that he might have been a much more es
timable character, if he had been the generous, pub
lic-spirited benefactor of society while living. A
moment's reflection, however, will convince us, that
this was, in the nature of things, impossible. As he
commenced life in extreme poverty, if he had been,
from the beginning, of a generous turn, he must al
ways have remained poor. He never could have
accumulated enough to make himself a charitable
benefactor. We must consider, that his character was
formed, and the foundation of his fortune laid, at a
period in the history of our country, when great
fortunes were not made in a day ; and comparatively
but few could possess the means of being extensively
liberal with their property; when habits of the
strictest economy and frugality were absolutely es
sential to every one's success in business. And be
sides, his wealth was never so great as to warrant
a profuse and indiscriminate charity, in view of those
extraordinary emergencies to which all are liable.
But, though it was not to be expected, that in his
circumstances, with his fixed habits of economy and
frugality, he would come forward with liberal con
tributions to objects of general benevolence; still

244 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
he was not insensible to the claims of actual want.
He did not indeed ' sound a trumpet ' before him, or
after him, to proclaim what he gave. But there are
those, who, if it were necessary, might speak of his
living charities, and refer to the records of his gene
rous deeds. He was, moreover, truly hospitable to
all, as opportunity offered ; — to strangers as well as
to friends, with such things as himself partook. It
was a hospitality suited to the plainness and sim
plicity of former times ; but evidently prompted by
kind and generous feelings."
Joseph Woodward.
For more than thirty years the name of Joseph
Woodward was so identified with the interests of
South Boston, and his active energies so constantly
employed to forward them, that his life and charac
ter are entitled to special notice. And besides, his
character was peculiar and strongly marked. In it
opposite extremes met, and acted in turn with great
power. From his fiery and impulsive temper, when
it was up, there was no escape. No matter when or
where, his passion poured forth without measure and
without stint. It came boiling hot and boiling over,
without one cooling drop. This was a sad offset to
his great good qualities, and brought against him the
prejudice and dislike of those who did not know him
well enough to value his better nature. His anger,
if left to itself, soon cooled, and left him one of the
kindest and most obliging of men. The exercise of
his good feelings and benevolent disposition was
alike free and unstinted. Friendly, hospitable, and
public spirited, his best efforts were always ready
to be put forth; and he could not do too much, nor
hazard too much, for an object, that had enlisted the
quenchless ardor of his nature.

JOSEPH WOODWARD. 245
Mr. Woodward's life was varied and eventful.
He was born at Hingham, Mass., on the 15th day of
November, 1758. This was soon after the departure
of his father, Daniel Woodward, a sea-captain of that
place, on his last voyage — a voyage on which he
met an untimely fate, by the treachery and violence
of the savages on the North West Coast of America.
It was heart-rending news to the widowed mother,
who with an older child, a daughter, was left in pov
erty to bewail her loss. She did not lack the warm
sympathy of her neighbors and friends ; and the oc
casion was a most affecting one, when shortly after
the tidings of his father's death, the unconscious
babe, the subject of this notice, was publicly present
ed for baptism.
Most of the years of Mr. Woodward's childhood
were spent at Sherborn, with his maternal grand
father, Mr. Joy. There he was well cared for ; still
the society of indulgent grandparents, and of the
older boys, his uncles, furnished not the discipline
which his irritable and violent temper especially
needed. And great allowance should be made for
him, that he was not, at that forming period, under
the constant and careful watch of discreet parents.
When old enough to earn his living, he was put to
live with Dr. Chauncy, the eminent and venerable
minister of the First Church in Boston.
This, Mr. Woodward considered the most fortu
nate occurrence of his life. The discernment of Dr.
Chauncy soon discovered his good points — the ac
tivity and force of his mind, and the open frankness
and kindness of his disposition — and brought them into
exercise. And no doubt he did what could then be
done to check the violence of his temper. To the
last he cherished the highest esteem and reverence
21*

246 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
for Dr. Chauncy. He regarded him as a father, and
attributed all that was good in his own character to
his influence.
In due time he left Dr. Chauncy, to learn the trade
of a silversmith. He did not, however, continue
long in that business after he was free. Trade had
begun to flourish under the new form of government,
and mercantile business seemed more congenial to
the activity of his mind. For several years he was
partner in business with the venerable T. K. Jones,
late of Roxbury, but doing business in Boston, and
their friendship continued till death. At this period
of his life, Mr. Woodward visited Europe, once or
more, and used to give a very interesting account of
what he saw in the old world. His friend, Dr. Chaun
cy, gave him letters to gentlemen with whom he cor
responded in England, particularly the noted divine,
Dr. Price, with whom he became well acquainted.
But we need not follow Mr. Woodward through
the fluctuations of business. Like others he was
sometimes successful, sometimes not. In early life
he married Jane Vincent, and had a family of four
sons and three daughters, several of whom died be
fore him, and only one now survives. After residing
several years in Boston, he removed to Quincy, then
a parish of Braintree, and occupied a farm which he
bought of Dr. Chauncy. The same was since, for
many years, the residence of the late Hon. Thomas
Greenleaf. He afterwards purchased a farm in
Tewksbury, where he lived till he removed to South
Boston in June, 1804. At that time, as he used to
say, there were only seven houses and sixty-three
inhabitants, on the original peninsula called Dor
chester Neck. In the autumn of 1803, Mr. Wood
ward came to Boston, went down to Wheeler's

JOSEPH WOODWARD. 247
Point, at the foot of South street, mused on the pros
pect before him, and became convinced that Boston
must soon spread in that direction.
Shortly after this, and without disclosing his pro
ject to a single soul, he bought of the late Abraham
Gould, of this place, a tract of thirty acres of land,
extending from the water on the north, along the
west line of Dorchester street nearly to the Catholic
chapel. This was done solely with the intent of
getting Dorchester Neck annexed to Boston, and
connected by a bridge in the direction of South
street. He then made known his secret to the late
Hon. Harrison Gray Otis, to Judge Tudor, Messrs.
Jonathan Mason, and Gardiner Greene. These gen
tlemen thought so well of the project, that they lent
it the aid of their wealth and station; and a petition
to the Legislature of 1 804, for the annexation and a
bridge, was successful. The location of the bridge,
however, was a subject of strong contention, as has
been detailed in a previous chapter. A powerful
opposition was organized at the South end, who con
tended that the utter ruin of their interests would
follow, if the bridge went to Wheeler's Point. In
this exigence, the best that could be done for South
Boston was the building of the old, or South bridge,
with a toll, and Front street, now Harrison Avenue,
which was all reclaimed from the dead flats. And
both were much more beneficial to the South end
than to South Boston.
But Mr. Woodward yielded not to this defeat.
He never lost sight of his first intent. And he neg
lected no opportunity to enlist the public feeling in
its favor. Year after year, for a long course of
years, a petition went up to the Legislature for a
bridge to Wheeler's Point. And year after year

248 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
the opposition, under the lead of the late Deacon
Brown, a representative from the South end, pre
vailed. The tears of Deacon Brown, deprecating
the ruin that awaited the South-end interest, were
not to be resisted. But the determined energy and
perseverance of old Jo. Woodward, as his adversaries
contemptuously styled him, was to succeed at last.
In 1827 the Legislature granted a free bridge to Sea
street, and the present North bridge was built with
out delay, and made passable the following year,
1828. Those who were not personally witnesses to
the facts, can have no just conception of the intrepid
ardor and diligence, exhibited by Mr. Woodward,
throughout that long and hard-fought struggle, or of
the obloquy and reproach — the unsparing bitterness
— not to say wanton and systematic abuse, which he
suffered from the interested and powerful opposition
to his great enterprise.
It is proper to add the testimony of the Hon. Mr.
Otis, to the part taken by Mr. Woodward in behalf
of South Boston. In a letter to the writer of this,
dated October 12, 1836, Mr. Otis says of him, " He
was the first person, who proposed to Mr. Mason
and my other associates, to make the purchase of
what is now South Boston, with the intent to unite it
to the old town by a bridge. He was the first pro
jector of it, so far as I know. There can be no
question that his heart and faculties were constantly
devoted to the object of building up South Boston."
The last two years of his life, Mr. Woodward
spent chiefly at Leominster, with his nephew, the
late Charles W. Wilder, M.D., of that place. In a
letter from thence, he says, " You well know all my
pride has been in the prosperity of that part of the
city." And again, he spoke but the literal truth

JOSEPH WOODWARD. 249
when he said, in the same letter, " I have spent the
best of my days, and all my little property, for the
prosperity of that now flourishing part of the city."
It is a fact, that a structure built across the flats
nearly to the channel, to help on the project of a
bridge, chiefly, if not wholly, at the expense of Mr.
Woodward, and at a cost of $15,000, was all cut
away and sent down stream by a nightly gang, led
on by the most respectable South-enders.
Mr. Woodward was a competent and efficient Jus
tice of the Peace, and for twenty years the only one
at South Boston. He took a deep and lively in
terest in the politics of the country, from the com
mencement of the revolution, and was intimately ac
quainted with the eminent statesmen and legislators
of the. day. The elder President Adams was his
near neighbor, when he resided in Quincy. From
the first he was deeply imbued with the spirit of our
free institutions, and devoted to the best interests
of his country. He was ready to act his part in
scenes of broil and battle when they occurred. In
December, 1773, when the British tea was destroyed,
though only a youth of fifteen years, he was fired
with the same enthusiasm as his elders, who took
part in the measures which led to that event. And
after the close of the war, when Mr. Jay's treaty
with the British government became known, and a
disaffected party paraded the streets of Boston with
Mr. Jay hung in effigy, Mr. Woodward, at great per
sonal risk, hustled himself into their ranks, in the
dusk of the evening, seized their standard, and bore
it off in triumph.
Notwithstanding the violence of his nature, he was
a man of strong religious feelings. He well under
stood the evidences of the Christian revelation, and

250 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
had the firmest conviction of its truth. For many
years he and his wife were members in the commun
ion of the First Church in Boston ; and afterwards
removed their relation to the Hawes Place Church,
at South Boston. His residence with Dr. Chauncy
made him acquainted with the ministers with whom
that divine associated ; and he was always a friend
of the clergy, and fond of their society. He used to
express himself in strong and most confiding terms
of the parental character of God, and this confidence
never forsook him. It enabled him to look forward
with calmness to the closing scene, of which he al
ways freely but reverently spoke ; and for which he
patiently waited in the infirmity of his old age. He
died at Leominster, on the 29th of June, 1838, in
the 80th year of his age, and was buried at South
Boston, the following Sunday, July 1st.
Such was Joseph Woodward, the founder of South
Boston. His faults were too open to be concealed,
and his good qualities too many and great to be
forgotten. Abraham Gould.
Abraham Gould resided at Dorchester Neck pre
vious to its annexation to Boston. His wife, Susan
nah Foster, was the daughter of James and Mary
Foster, and a lineal descendant in the fifth genera
tion of Hopestill Foster, one of the earliest and
most prominent settlers of Dorchester, and who was
made a freeman in 1639. The ancestor, Hopestill,
shared largely in lands in what is now called South
Boston, and we find in the division of land among
the proprietors, in the year 1718, his son James
Foster's proportion was 70 acres, being about one-
eighth part of the whole " Neck."

CYRUS ALGER. 251
The title to a large portion of this land passed to
Mr. Gould by his wife, and by purchase in connexion
with his brother-in-law, Benjamin Foster. The prin
cipal part of it was bounded as follows : — Easterly
by the road leading from Dorchester to Castle Wil
liam, now called Dorchester street; southerly by an
old road near the Catholic burying-ground, running
westerly to a point near what is now called D street ;
and from thence running northward by the "Brew
ery Field " to the sea.
Mr. Gould was born in Sudbury, Mass., in the year
1755, and died in South Boston, February 3, 1840.
He had the respect of all who knew him, and will
long be remembered as an honest and useful man.
His wife died November 14, 1837, aged 70 years.
Cyrus Alger.
An obituary notice of Mr. Alger appeared in the
South Boston Mercury, in February, 1856, from the
pen of the author of this work. It contains so much
historical matter that it is deemed worthy a place
here ; and it now appears, with additions furnished
by his only surviving son, Francis Alger, to whom
we are indebted for the portrait by Grozelier (copied
from a striking likeness by Alexander) inserted as
the frontispiece to this volume.
Death of Cyrus Alger. — It is with feelings of no
common regret that we record the death of one of our
oldest, most beloved and influential citizens, Cyrus
Alger, Esq., the well-known Iron-Founder of South
Boston. Eight' weeks since we announced the death
of his son Cyrus, little thinking that so speedily the
father would be called to follow^ The decease of
his son bore heavily upon Mr. Alger, whose health
had not been very good for some time, and he suffer-

252 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
ed, on the 10th of December, a stroke of paralysis,
not very severe in its character, but, nevertheless,
coming at a time when the mind was overcome with
affliction, and the body worn down by anxiety, it ex
cited the apprehensions of his friends. He rallied
somewhat, and was able to walk about the house
until within a week of his death. He then became
Weaker, and spoke on Saturday for the last time,
after which he seemed unconscious. On Monday, -
February 4th, at 9J o'clock, A.M., he gently and
sweetly passed away, as though falling into a quiet
sleep, in the midst of those whom filial affection had
constantly drawn to his bed-side.
Thus has passed from earth a man whose name is
more intimately identified with the history of South
Boston, whose exertions have contributed more to
raise her to her present position, whose perseve
rance and enterprise have done more to enhance her
reputation and wealth, than can be said of any other.
Born in Bridgewater, Mass., Nov. 11, 1781, he
attended school for a time in Taunton, and. partially
fitted for college. He afterwards entered the iron-
foundry business with his father (Abiezer Alger) at
Easton. In his youth he was noted for his extreme
swiftness at running and his great skill in jumping
and wrestling, excelling in those sports all the young
men in that section of the country. He was also
noted as a famous horseman and gunner. Few were
the sportsmen who could employ the rifle with such
precision. In the year 1809, five years after old
Mattapannock became a part of Boston, he came to
South Boston at the solicitation of Gen. Winslow,
with whom he formed a partnership and commenced
the foundry business in a small building on Second
street, near the sight of Russell's Glass House. Gen.

CYRUS ALGER. 253
Winslow, in about five years, transferred his busi
ness to his son, when Mr. Alger left the firm and
erected on his own account a foundry on Fourth
street, nearly opposite his late residence. The large
building which stood at the corner of Foundry street
and the Old Bridge, and which has been demolished
within the past two years, was erected as a store
house for sand and iron, affording, from its position,
a fine wharf privilege. The old foundry building
still exists, being now an appendage to Alger's
Forge on Dorchester Avenue. During the war of
1812, Mr. Alger had contracts with the Government
for cannon balls, and manufactured a large number,
for .which he obtained very high prices. During the
time of this war, the late T. H. Perkins was associ
ated with him as a silent partner.
In the year 1804, soon after the annexation of
Mattapannock, the building of the Dorchester Turn
pike and the erection of the Old Bridge, the South
Boston Association reclaimed the flats lying between
what is now Fourth and Foundry streets and Dor
chester Avenue, by building a sea wall from the Old
Bridge along the line of Foundry street, around
the beach, to what is now Dorchester Avenue. They
did little towards filling up, however, and finally
sold to Mr. Alger the whole territory now lying
west of Dorchester Avenue, between Federal-street
Bridge and a line nearly as far south as Swan street,
with the exception of a narrow parcel fronting on
the Turnpike between Fourth and Swan streets. In
this purchase, Mr. Alger was careful that his deed
should take in all the flats in front of the sea wall
to the channel, or low water mark ; and thus he ob
tained many thousand feet, which he clearly foresaw
would in time prove not the least valuable portion
22

254 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON.
of his property. Jonathan Mason, the President of
the Association, did not regard these flats as of much
value, and included them in the sale without any mis
giving, believing that Mr. Alger had given so liberal
a price for the upland, that the Association could
well afford to throw in the flats.
The speculation was a bold one, and Mr. Alger
was laughed at for his presumption in buying such a
parcel of land for the purpose, as he avowed, of
making building lots. He repaired the sea wall, and
began gradually to fill up the flats, having in his mind
a plan the final success of which more than answered
his expectations.
The South Boston Iron Company, of which he was
the originator and principal proprietor, was incorpo
rated in 1827. In this were associated with him
the late George C. Thacher, William H. Howard
one of the present members of the Company, and the
late Mr. Caleb Reed as Treasurer. He then began
to improve the property, and taking the sea wall as
the easterly boundary, built out a wharf near where
.Alger's Foundry now stands, and erected a Foundry
building. Gradually these works were extended,
rand at the same time Mr. Alger filled in, and laid
out an elegant garden in the rear of his present resi
dence, and built up Fourth and Foundry streets to
their present width. Lots for the Mechanics Bank
Building and Barker's Building were sold, and affairs
began to assume a new appearance. The "Field,"
as the hollow which so long remained within the tri
angle formed by Foundry, Turnpike and Division
streets, was familiarly called, was not filled up until
Mr. Alger sold to the Old Colony Railroad Company
;a passage through his garden, and the whole of the
land they own north of Fourth street.

CYRUS ALGER. 255
In the mean time improvements had been pro
gressing on Foundry street. The Sea street Bridge
was built and presented to the city, Mr. Alger being
one of the most prominent movers in the matter.
Through his influence other shops were started, un
til finally the whole of the flats inside of the Com
missioners' line and west of Foundry street were
filled in, and covered with machine shops and foun
dries. Alger's Foundry has also been gradually en
larged, until now it is one of the most perfect iron
establishments in the United States.
Mr. Alger had contemplated returning to Easton
when the success of his business would warrant a
retirement from active life. He purchased a large
farm there, erected the most costly barn in the country,
and had laid the foundation of a dwelling-house, when
an event occurred which he afterwards looked upon
as the most fortunate one in his life, changing as it
did all his plans. The barn, when full of hay and
grain, was struck by lightning and entirely consum
ed, and was never rebuilt.
Mr. Alger was one of the best practical iron metal
lurgists in the United States. He succeeded, by a
method peculiar to himself, in purifying cast iron, so
as to give it more than triple the strength of ordi
nary cast iron ; the process consisting in removing
impurities from the metal while in a fluid state, and
causing it to be much more dense. The method gave
him a great advantage over other iron founders. It
also gave him superior skill in the manufacture of
cannon, and for many years he has been very largely
employed in making guns for the United States Gov
ernment, his cannon having sustained most extraordi
nary endurance when subjected to extreme proof.
The mortar gun " Columbiad," the largest gun of

256 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
oast iron ever cast in America, was made under his
personal supervision.* In the composition of fuses
for bomb shells he also made great improvements,
which have been adopted by the Government. He
also first introduced and patented the method of mak
ing cast iron chilled rolls, by which the part subject to
wear should be hard, while the necks remain unchang
ed as to hardness and strength — these being cast m
sand, while the body is cast in a chill, or iron cylin
der. Until his time all the reverberatory furnaces for
melting iron were made with hearths inclining from
the fire, the metal thus running from the heat to
wards the throat of the chimney. He changed the
form, so as to allow the iron to flow towards the
flame where the heat would be the most intense.
He was familiar with the methods of working the
ores of iron, and with the operations of the crucible.
Nor did he confine his attention to iron. He man
ufactured the first perfect bronze cannon for the
United States Ordnance Department, and for the
State of Massachusetts. For these he obtained the
gold medal awarded by the Massachusetts Mechanic
Association. In 1829, he visited Nova Scotia, and in connection
* During the experimental firings of this gun at South Boston
Point, an interesting incident occurred. One of the balls discharged
from it, and 'weighing nearly 200 pounds, had deviated from the
course in which Mr. Alger intended it should go, and instead of stop
ping, as usual, on the opposite shore of the Bay (distance 2J miles),
continued on, ploughing its way through an unsuspecting farmer's
potato field, throwing up dirt and stones and a cloud of dust within a
few rods of his house and not far from where he stood. A neighbor
passing by at the time, asked him, " Are you not afraid of such close
shooting as that ?" " Oh no," said he, " Mr. Alger knows what he
is about."

CYRUS ALGER. 257
with several capitalists of Halifax, built the first
Smelting Furnace in the British Provinces, locating
it on Moose River, a few miles from Annapolis. The
machinery was made at his works in Boston, and
mechanics in his own employment were sent to put
it up. Many are they in that vicinity who speak in
grateful remembrance of one who did so much to call
forth their energies and open the wealth that lay
hidden beneath their feet. The works went into
operation, but failing to command the additional
capital required in carrying out Mr. Alger's plans,
they were not extended to the manufacture of bar
iron and steel. In this enterprise the loss to Mr.
Alger was more than ten thousand dollars.
Of late years, Mr. Alger has by no means been
idle, but has been ever active in making improve
ments, spending large sums of money in enriching,
beautifying, and otherwise benefiting South Boston.
He purchased eleven acres of marsh between South
Boston and Washington Village, and was instrumen
tal in attracting thither the two extensive manufac
tories that are situated in that section of the Ward.
He also laid out a large sum in beautifying Dorches
ter Avenue, building sidewalks and at his own ex
pense setting out shade trees, the entire distance
from the Railroad crossing to the junction of Dor
chester street and Dorchester Avenue.
At the time of the attack which has terminated
fatally, he had partially perfected several plans for
improvement which, if carried into effect, would have
been of the greatest benefit to the Twelfth Ward.
His influence was very great, and to his personal
exertion and enterprise South Boston is indebted
for much of the mechanical reputation she enjoys.
He attracted business, encouraged every movement
22*

258 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
for extending the mechanical operations of the
neighborhood, and by his reputation and wealth
was enabled to ensure success in almost every pro
ject he undertook. The most extensive land-holder
in South Boston, he knew full well the importance of
giving the place a reputation, and encouraged every
effort made for improvement.
As a citizen, Mr. Alger was universally beloved,
and he enjoyed the full confidence of his fellow
citizens, who looked upon him as a person to whom
they could confidently entrust their interests. He
was a member of the Common Council the first year
of the organization of the City Government of Bos
ton, and represented South Boston as Alderman dur
ing a portion of the year 1824 and in 1827.
Mr. Alger's kindness to the men in his employ
was proverbial, and he has often kept men on half
time when their services were not needed, to pre
vent the pecuniary distress which would be caused
by a discharge. He was the first man in South Bos
ton to introduce the ten hour system. His payments
to his workmen have been always in cash, and
amounted for years to nearly two thousand dollars
per week, and he probably paid more money during
his lifetime for labor than any other man in our
city. The benefit to South Boston of such prompt
and sure employment as his works afforded, is in
calculable. In private life his character was umblemished.
He was liberal in his views and benevolent in his
feelings. His donations to the poor, and for chari
table and religious purposes, amounted in the aggre
gate to a large sum annually. He made no boast of
his liberality ; but when he gave alms he did it in
secret, and it was known only to his own family and
the recipients of his bounty.

CYRUS ALGEE. 259
In his family he was a kind husband and father ;
and the deep sorrow arising from the loss of his
youngest son, undoubtedly hastened his decease.
In Mr. Alger's death it may truly be said, South
Boston has lost one of its most influential and valua
ble citizens ; our city has lost a man whose labors
have done very much to advance its reputation, and
the United States has lost one of its most skilful
and enterprising mechanics.
The funeral obsequies of Mr. Alger took place on
Thursday afternoon at his late residence on Fourth
street. The corpse was clad in a white shroud, and
the countenance looked very natural, his illness hav«
ing made little change in his appearance. The ser
vices were commenced by reading selections from
the Scriptures by Rev. Dr. Gannett, after which the
beautiful hymn,
«' Thou art gone to the grave, but we will not deplore thee,"
was sung. Rev. Professor Huntington, of whose
late church Mr. Alger had long been a member, and
upon whose ministrations he was a very constant at
tendant, then offered a most touching and beautiful
prayer, after which the hymn,
" How blest the righteous when he dies,"
was sung, and the benediction pronounced.
A procession was then formed, and passed through
Dorchester Avenue and Broadway to the Union
Ground at City Point. Notwithstanding the severe
storm, a large number of persons preceded the hearse
on foot, the mourners following the corpse in car
riages. As a mark of respect to the memory of the de
ceased, all the stores, without a single exception, on

260 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
the route of the procession, were closed while the
body was being borne to the tomb, and the various
church bells, by order of the Mayor, tolled a solemn
requiem. Nor were these the only tokens of respect
paid to the honored dead. Nearly all the large
manufactories suspended work for the afternoon, from
the Armory floated the American flag at half-mast,
and arrangements had been made to have the pupils
of the public schools join in the procession, had not
the weather been so very inclement. We have never
seen in South Boston such general and heartfelt
sorrow at the death of a citizen as at that of Mr.
Alger, nor do we remember a more universal en
deavor to pay respect to the memory of any one.
The following, a fitting close to our notice, is
from the pen of a distinguished officer of the United
States Navy Department — Commodore J. A. Dahl-
green : —
" That we should lose the services of one so able
as Mr. Alger, is much to be deplored ; but it is to be
remembered that his term extended to three-fourths
of a century, and that his sterling integrity, rare
abilities, and unceasing industry, have built him up a
durable fame, which is at once a rich legacy to his
family, and an example most worthy of imitation.
" He possessed that rare quality, sagacity, which
constitutes, in truth, the highest attribute of the in
tellectual man — >and enabled him to arrive at results
which others sought by disciplined study laboriously
and often in vain. Minds of this cast are rarely met
with, and they are invaluable to their time and gen
eration. I shall ever retain the most profound re
gard for the many excellent virtues and great abili
ties of Gyrus Alger."

DISTINGUISHED citizens. 261

Adam Bent.
Adam Bent, a very intelligent and worthy man,
and an active and useful citizen, lived at South Bos
ton about fifty years. He was born in Milton, on
the _17th of March, 1776— the day immediately fol
lowing the memorable night, when the fortress was
thrown up here upon Dorchester Heights. He was
the son of Ebenezer Bent, who died in middle life,
leaving a numerous family, of whom Adam was
among the elder. He served his apprenticeship with
Benjamin Crehore, of Milton, who was a cabinet-ma
ker, and the maker of musical instruments.
In the summer of 1797, a Frenchman, named Mal
let, connected with the theatre in Boston, sent him a
piano-forte to be repaired, said to have been the
first instrument of the kind ever brought to this
country ; and Mr. Bent was employed to make the
repairs. In this way getting an insight into the
structure of the instrument, he soon removed to Bos
ton, and with an older brother, William Bent, com
menced the manufacture ; and if not the first, they
were among the first who engaged in the business of
making the forte piano, as it was then called, in this
country. That original instrument was plain as a
common table — a shrill and slender article, which a
man might easily handle alone, and would but ill
compare with the costly and melodious instruments
of 1857.
After living about ten years in the old part of
Boston, Mr. Bent removed to South Boston in the
year 1807. The following year he was married to
Sukey Foster Blake, of this place, and here continued
to reside for the residue of his years.
He died on the 22d of March, 1857, after an ill-

262 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
ness of a few weeks, at the age of 81 years and five
days. Mr. Bent was a man of modest deportment, not
ambitious of distinction, but always ready to serve
the public in any offiee to which he might be called.
After the city -organization, he served three years as
a member of the Common Council, and one (the year
1831) on the board of Aldermen, and was for five
years a Representative from Boston to the General
Court ; and performed the duties of these several
offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction
of his constituents. He was one of the fourteen
original members of the Hawes Place Society, named
in their act of incorporation, and was the last sur
vivor of them. On the 22d of October, 1829, he
was chosen a Deacon of the Church connected with
that society, and by virtue of that office was one of
the Trustees of the Hawes Fund.
In all the relations of life, Deacon Bent was em
phatically the upright and faithful man. In social
and domestic life he was most kind and exemplary
in all respects. He seldom spoke without a win
ning smile, and his constant flow of good humor made
him always an agreeable companion. He was cheer
ful and mild in temper, though possessed of very
delicate sensibilities. He was a man of great good
taste and judgment, and of accurate skill in music
and the mechanic arts. From his early years he had
faithfully disciplined and cultivated his mind by hab
its of accurate thinking and careful observation. He
thought for himself — thought freely, independently,
and had unusual firmness and decision of character,
and a power of will, which bound him inflexibly to
whatever he thought to be true and right. Still he
was candid and open to conviction.

SAMUEL BLAKE. 263
The strength and serenity of his mind, the warmth
of his affections, and the beauty of his guileless cha
racter, remained unimpaired to the last ; and he qui
etly passed away with almost none of the common
infirmities of old age.
Samuel Blake.
Samuel Blake lived at South Boston about eigh
teen years, and stood deservedly high in the public
esteem, as well as in the affections of a large circle
of relatives and friends. He was born in Boston,
September 13, 1788. There he was brought up, and
there he passed the most of his mature life in the
pursuit of mercantile business. In the year 1835 he
removed to South Boston, having built an elegant
and commodious mansion on the spot where his an
cestors had lived for six generations. This is the
fourth framed house that has occupied the same site.
The first having stood nearly a century, and gone
much to decay, was taken down in 1732. The
second was burned by the British soldiers in the war
of the Revolution ; and the third was moved off to
make room for the present.
This family of the Blakes, in all their generations,
have been distinguished for their piety, for their
precise and correct deportment in all the relations
of life, and for their great accuracy in matters of
fact. Many of them have held important offices of
honor and trust in the community ; and no records
of past events are more reliable than those kept by
them. Blake's Annals of Dorchester, written by the
great-grandfather of our present subject, are histori
cal documents of the first importance ; and no surveys
and plans are more complete and accurate than his.
William Blake, the first ancestor in this country,

264 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
was one of the first settlers of Dorchester, having
arrived in the ship Mary 8f John, in May, 1630.
His son James, it appears, settled here at the Point,
where he built a house about the year 1680 * It is
creditable to the family, that sixty acres or more oi
the land, owned by him, were retained as late as the
year 1803— and much of it is still retained by them.
As further proof of their skill in research, they
have traced their descent, four generations beyond
the settlement of this country, to John Blake, of
little Baddow, Essex County, England.
The subject of this notice well sustained the gen
eral characteristics of his race. He was the diligent,
punctual and successful man of business, in whom his
associates could always safely confide; a man of
sound judgment in business affairs ; of a mild and
quiet spirit — modest, and unaspiring in his manners,
amiable in disposition, of a cheerful temperament,
warm-hearted and benevolent, greatly beloved by
his family and friends, and much respected by all
who knew him.
After a lingering illness of several months, which
terminated in dropsy, he died on the 17th of January,
1853, at the age of sixty-four years and four months.
Noah Brooks.
Among the first and most prominent branches of
business which have contributed to the growth and
prosperity of South Boston, is ship-building. This
business was commenced about the close of the war
of 1812, by Messrs. Lincoln & Wheelwright, under
the superintendence of Mr. Samuel Kent, whose chil-
* Documents lately brought to light show plainly that the above
date, rather than 1660 as stated on a previous page, is the correct one.

Dwelling nouse o£ Capt, Moan BEOOSS. Broadway. Soutb Boston. Erected in 1835.

NOAH BEOOKS. 265
/dren are still residents of South Boston. Mr. Kent
was succeeded by his brother-in-law, Capt. Noah
Beooks, long and favorably known as a public spirit
ed citizen and an honest, upright and conscientious
man. Capt. Brooks was 'born at Scituate, July 7,
1782. He was a resident of South Boston for more
than thirty years, and did much, by his active and
energetic spirit, as well as by the power of his ex
ample, to advance the best interests of the place.
He was a large subscriber to the Free Bridge, and
one of the committee for building that work. He
was one of the original petitioners for the Mechanics
Bank, and a prominent Director of that Institution
until his death. He was several times elected a
member of the Legislature and of the City Council,,
and was Treasurer and one of the Trustees of the
Hawes Fund for many years. He had a rare talent
for business, and whatever he undertook was well
done. In every measure of public reform, Capt.
Brooks either took the lead or lent a ready and ac
tive co-operation, and from no good work did he
withhold his hand or his heart. Hon. Abbott
Lawrence once said of him, when upon a visit to the
City of Washington, that he took great pleasure in.
introducing Capt. Brooks to his southern friends as^
the best specimen of a true Yankee.
In the social relations of life, and in all that relat
ed to his duties as a neighbor and a friend, Capt. B.
was attentive, kind and sympathizing, and always;
ready to oblige. His charities were not few, but
they were quietly bestowed. His death took place
January 28, 1852, in the 70th year .of his age, and-
was caused by being thrown from his sleigh.
A view of his dwelling, the first built on Broadway"
between Dorchester and E streets, is here given.
23

266 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
David Williams.
David Williams was born on Governor's Island,
in Boston harbor, in the year 1759. In early life
he made several voyages to sea ; and was for awhile,
during the war of the Revolution, engaged in priva
teering. But the most of his active life was spent
in the fishing business, and as a pilot in the harbor,
and his residence was at Dorchester Neck. From
4he peculiar circumstances of his youth, and in fact
from the state of the country at the time, Mr. Wil
liams had but little opportunity for any other than
self-education. But the natural powers, both of his
mind and heart, were correct and well-balanced, and
he was remarkable for his sound judgment, discre
tion, and considerate thoughtfulness ; and all that is
kind, and generous in our nature was strongly mark
ed in his character. Through life he had his full
share of trials, but he did not murmur nor complain ;
he bore them as a christian should. The vices and
temptations of a sea-faring life seem to have had no
bad effect upon him. From early life he was seriously
inclined. But the strong impulse, which led him in
• earnest to embrace the Christian faith, came not from
the pulpit, nor from any of the ordinary means of
religious influence. It was imparted during a voy
age at sea. On a bright Sabbath morning, when the
peace of the elements accorded with that of his
own bosom, with the Bible in his hand, he viewed the
broad expanse above and beneath, and saw the
works of God and his wonders on the deep. While
he was thus musing upon the great themes present
ed to his view, the fire of sacred truth burned, and it
ceased not to burn to his last hour, though he did
not publicly profess his faith till late in life.

DAVID WILLIAMS. 267
At the organization of the Hawes Place Church,
October 27, 1819, Mr. Williams was baptized, and
became one of its original members. From Septem
ber, 1822, by request, he acted as Deacon of the
Church about seven years, and received a vote of
thanks for his services in that office. Through life
he was strictly temperate and industrious; quiet,
and gentle, and every way exemplary in manners ;
an upright, wise and good man; a devout and practi
cal christian.
One incident of his life, of peculiar interest, seems
worthy to be here noted, in the detail in which it
was received from him and his brother John, many
years ago.
David Williams, then nineteen years old, and his
brother John Williams, in his seventeenth year, were
among the crew of the privateer brig General Ar
nold, of 20 guns, and 106 men, which sailed from
Boston on Thursday, December 24, 1778. In the
afternoon of that day, there was a fall of damp snow,
which soon froze to the rigging and about the vessel,
rendering her very difficult to manage, and detained
her off the Gurnet, in Plymouth harbor. On Friday
afternoon, the 25th, the cold greatly increased. 'The
wind rose at N. N. E., and a snow storm began,
which by its violence and intense cold was unequal
led in the history of New England storms. From
the severity of the weather, probably, the precaution
was not taken to lighten the brig of her guns, and
other disposable lading, which the Messrs. Williams
believed would have enabled her to ride over the
bar, into the deep tide-soaked snow, where she would
have lain secure. Near the dawn of Saturday, the
26th, she parted her cables, struck upon the beach,
and bilged. On Saturday P. M., after the utmost

268 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
exertion at the pumps, the men were obliged to
leave the vessel and themselves to their fate. Sun
day, the 27th, was fair, but dreadfully cold. The
people of Plymouth made every effort for their re
lief, without success. When they were seen to re
turn, the crew sunk disheartened, and soon died to
the number of seventy-eight. And from the merci
less pelting of the billows, which froze hard to them,
they looked rather like solid statues of ice, than real
human bodies. On Monday, the 28th, the cold had
somewhat abated, and the men of Plymouth renewed
their efforts with success. They reached the vessel
about sunset. Twenty-eight of those frozen, famish
ed and exhausted sufferers were yet alive. Since
Friday they had tasted neither food nor drink. They
had been huddled together on the quarter deck, with
no extra clothing, and no shelter but the skies.
Thus night and day they had borne the raging of
the wind and the sea, and the dreadful cold. All
that chanced to be saved from below was a keg of
rum, of which all who drank, after a brief excite
ment, sunk into a stupor, from which they never
awoke. The rest made a wiser and salutary use of
it, by pouring it into their boots. When help arriv
ed, John Williams, who during the storm had been
without hat, cap, mittens, boots or shoes, was much
frozen, and unable to leave the vessel, and David
was attempting to carry him through the deep and
half frozen brine, when their deliverers took them
both off in safety. Among the living was the cap
tain, James Magee, afterwards the "owner of the
mansion at Roxbury brook, since the residence of
the late Governor Eustis. Captain Magee was a
man of noble bearing, and a nobler soul ; a true-
hearted Irishman, well known and much respected
in his day.

HALL J. HOW. 269
John Williams suffered much, through life, from
the effects of his shipwreck. He was always lame,
having lost the toes from both his feet, one of which
became so diseased and painful, that, several years
before his death, he submitted to the amputation of
it by the late Dr. Miller, of Franklin, which contri
buted greatly to his comfort for the residue of his
life. The attachment of these excellent men, all the
storms of life served only to confirm. After the
elder brother lost his consort, and his children sepa
rated, the younger invited him into his family, and
while they lived they showed a truly child-like affec
tion for each other. Loving brothers in life, they
were not long divided in death. The younger died
in April, 1834, aged 73 years. The elder died De
cember 4, 1836, aged 77 years. Safe beyond the
storms and the shipwrecks of life, they have met
where the waves of trouble cannot reach them, nor
the billows of temptation assail.
Hall J. How.
Hall Jackson How lived at South Boston about
eighteen years, and was always forward in every en
terprise that might contribute to the prosperity of
the place. He was born at Rochester, N. H., Feb
ruary 12th, 1791. At the age of sixteen years, by
the death of his father, Dr. James How, an eminent
physician of that town, tho care of the family and
the management of their farm devolved on him.
Thus early were his energies called into exercise,
and the manly character developed ; and he showed
an industry, a power of application, and a spirit of
enterprise, which indicated the man of business. He
had gained from his father a skill in the medical pro-
23*

270 HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON*
fession, which was useful to him through life. But
his stronger tastes and leanings were for mercantile
pursuits. On reaching manhood, therefore, with
little capital besides the resources of his own mind,
he began business in the country, on a small scale;
and enlarging it with the increase of his means, after
a few years he removed to Portsmouth, N. H., and
afterwards to Boston. By his experience and ob
servation, he had gained a quickness of perception
and of judgment, an insight almost intuitive into the
laws of trade, which soon gave him a very high
rank among the merchants of Boston ; and by his
promptness and integrity, and his frank and winning
manners, he secured their confidence and esteem.
His constant personal attention, and the force of his
active mind, were given to his employment — and we
seldom meet with more despatch, with more accu
rate and efficient business talent, than was seen in
Mr. How.
Mr. How was for several years one of tho Trustees
of the Hawes Fund. He was also the originator
and forwarder of many important enterprises' which
have contributed to the improvement of South Bos
ton, among which may be mentioned, as being most
identified with the growth of the place, the erection
of the Mt. Washington Hotel by the Warren Asso
ciation, the incorporation of the Boston Wharf Co.,
and the building of the North Free Bridge.
In the quiet walks of social life he was not less
distinguished. He was a man of kind and generous
affections and refined sensibilities — public spirited
and charitable ; secretly scattering abroad his bounty,
to make glad many desolate hearts.
Of the domestic character of Mr. How, we can
lardly speak in terms too strong. As a son, a bro-

JOSIAH DUNHAM. .271
ther, a husband, and a parent, few men could be
more justly beloved by those to whom he sustained
these relations. Exemplary and faithful before his
household, he exercised a firm, unyielding restraint ;
yet with so much wisdom and gentleness, that it was
hardly felt to be a restraint. In his general charac
ter he was firm and decided, yet with no lack of
mildness or candor.
His health had been failing for some years, but he
died of acute dysentery, after a few days' illness, on
the 17th of August, 1849, at the age of fifty-eight
years and six months. He had sustained the con
jugal relation twenty-nine years, and left a family
of six sons and five daughters. It is remarkable
that his was the first death that occurred in the
family.
Josiah Dunham.
Prominent among those who have been for a long
time identified with the interests and history of
South Boston, stands the well-known name of Josiah
Dunham. He was born in New Bedford, March 11,
1775. His father was a sea-captain. The family
were among the earlier settlers of Plymouth, the
first record of which goes back as far as the year
1635. The branch from which he descended subse
quently moved to Martha's Vineyard. When a youth
he came to Boston, and served an apprenticeship at
the rope-making business with a Mr. Richardson, the
father of the Hon. Jeffrey Richardson, of Boston,
whose rope-walks extended from Purchase street to
Milk street, near to the present location of Pearl
street. He first commenced the manufacture of cordage
on his own account in a rope-walk which stood on or

272. HISTOEY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
near Boylston street in Boston. In the year 1 807 he
became the purchaser of several acres of land at
South Boston, in the vicinity of B street, and built a
residence for himself and a rope-walk, where he con
tinued to carry on the cordage manufacture until the
close of the year 1853. During all the years of his
residence in South Boston, he was engaged in the
building of dwellings and stores, and, without erect
ing a large number in any one year, yet in the ag
gregate he was the moving spirit in the erection of
more buildings in the place than any other man.
Though he did not have the advantage of early edu
cation, yet for foresight, energy, perseverance and
power of memory, he had few superiors. He was
impulsive, easily excited, and an injury, real or
supposed, was not soon forgotten. On the other
hand, his friendships Were strong, his benefactions
generous and long, continued, and he would often do
favors to others even to his own injury. He was an
active participator in the efforts for building the
North Free Bridge, and was untiring in his zeal for
whatever promised to be of advantage to the place
of his chosen residence. He served the twelfth
ward in the Common Council in the year 1833, and
for the three succeeding years was an efficient mem
ber of the Board of Aldermen; While a member of
the latter board, he felt a deep interest in the grad
ing of the streets of South Boston, but few of which
had been, previous to that time, put into a respectable
condition. Finding his associates in the Board ra
ther slow in their movements in this work, he fol
lowed the example of one, of whom he was an ardent
supporter, and in his capacity as one of the Survey
ors of the Highways, "took the responsibility."
He set men to work in ploughing down and level-

JOHN H. BIED. 273
ling up Fourth street and Broadway. When com
pleted, he carried the bills for the same, amounting
to some $2500, before the Aldermen, who with some
shrugs of their shoulders, joined with some mild ad
monitions, and a few smiles at the boldness of the
act of their associate, approved the bills and ordered
their payment by the City.
In the year 1823, when the Congregational Church
was formed which is now known as the Phillips
Church, he generously erected a hall on Fourth
street for their place of worship, and gave them the
rent and other substantial aid, till they erected
their church building.
He had a wonderfully strong and vigorous consti
tution, and died April 28, 1857, being a little more
than 82 years of age.
John H. Bird.
John Hawes Bied was born at South Boston, in
September, 1807. His father, Jonathan Bird, Esq.,
inherited and occupied the patrimonial estate, called
the Bird farm, a large tract extending from the old
road on the north, over the heights to the tide on
the south, including most of the northerly, and part
of the southerly hill. He was a graduate of Harvard
College, in the class of 1782 — and cousin to Mr.
John Hawes, and so he gave his son that name. His
wife was Ann Vincent Woodward, eldest daughter
of Joseph Woodward, Esq. He died in the year
1809, when his son was about two years old. He
was an excellent man, and greatly beloved. His
widow broke up house-keeping soon after the death
of her husband, and with the subject of this notice, her
only child, returned to live with her father ; and there
he had his home to the day of his death. He knew

274 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
no other father than Mr. Woodward, who well dis
charged the duties of a parent towards him.
Mr. Bird inherited the quiet and amiable disposi
tion of his father, and grew up much respected and
beloved. He was fitted for College, chiefly at the
Academy in Lexington, and graduated at Providence
in the year 1829. He studied law in the office of
the Hon. Franklin Dexter, and afterwards visited
Europe. But his health was hardly firm enough,
and his habits were too active, for sedentary pur
suits, and he chose not to enter on the practice of
his profession. He took a deep interest in every
thing that concerned the prosperity of South Boston,
and gave promise of eminent usefulness as a citizen.
But the hopes of his friends, and of the public, were
soon and suddenly disappointed, by a grievous casu
alty. On the 10th of June, 1835, he was engaged in
business, as usual, in the forenoon, in perfect health,
After dinner, he visited the sick bed of the friend to
whom he was in a few days to have been married,
left for the city, and in an hour was a corpse. In
attempting to go aboard a vessel, in which he was
interested, and which was about to sail, he fell from
the connecting plank, which was laid in a winding
position, struck his head upon a spar beside the
wharf, and was instantly killed.
Seldom is death attended with so much concern
and grief, as on this occasion. The hearts of his
friends were bound up in him ; and his strict integ
rity and purity of life, had inspired universal confi
dence and esteem. He had been a member in the
communion of the Hawes Place Church about six
years, a Trustee of the Hawes Fund over two years,"
and a part of the time was Clerk of the Board. Be
ing of a thoughtful turn of mind, and deeply impress-

EOMANUS EMERSON. 275
ed with the uncertainty of life, a few months before
his death Mr. Bird made his will. It is dated Janu
ary 2, 1835 — and it seems to have been a special
object with him to begin the year with this transac
tion. «Vfter giving a generous legacy to his grand
father, Mr. Woodward, and making ample provision
for the support of his mother, he bequeathed one
half of his estate to his other nearest relatives, and
left the other half in perpetual Trust for the main
tenance of a female High School. The will speci
fies " a seminary of the first order, to be established
at South Boston." At no distant day the fund will
be ample for the support of a school, which will be
alike honorable to the founder and useful to the
place.
Romanus Emerson.
Mr. Emerson was born at Townsend, September
1, 1782. His father afterwards removed to Han
cock, N. H., where he was brought up. His early
studies were directed with a view to the Christian
ministry. But owing to an impediment in his speech,
he left his studies, and after teaching school for a
while, learned the carpenter's trade at Charlestown.
His three brothersr who survive him, are ministers :
viz. — Rev. Reuben Emerson, of South Reading ; Rev.
Brown Emerson, S. T. D., of Salem ; and Rev. Noah
Emerson, of Hollis, N. H.
Mr. Emerson lived at South Boston more than
forty years. He came here in the year 1810, and
kept a small grocery in addition to his trade. He
witnessed great changes and improvements here
in his time. He was an industrious citizen, fru
gal and temperate in his manner of life, careful,
accurate, and upright in his business transactions,

276 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
and faithful and exemplary in his domestic and
social relations. He was forward in every move
ment for social reform, and took a deep interest
in the moral progress of society. He formerly sold
spirituous drinks, but seeing the dread evils of in-
temperance, he wholly left off the sale. In the latter
years of his life his efforts were zealously engaged
in the temperance and anti-slavery movements. He
had great command of his temper, and could not
easily be provoked to violent anger or resentment.
Mr. Emerson possessed strong reasoning powers,
and was an original and independent thinker. But
there was something peculiar in the structure of his
mind — a defect, perhaps it should be called, which
sometimes led him to singular conclusions, of which
he was usually very tenacious. For he had a pride
of opinion, which he did not easily yield, when he
had once made up his mind. He was especially
singular in his views of religion. Till late in his
life, he had most rigidly adhered to the opinions
usually styled orthodox, and in the Baptist denomina
tion. From various causes, becoming dissatisfied
with these, and most unjustly attributing all the
wrongs that have arisen from the mistakes and
abuses of religion, to pure religion itself, his mind
swung to the opposite extreme. He openly re
nounced all religious opinions whatever, and died
deliberately holding to his speculative unbelief. But
Mr. Emerson's speculations did not appear to mate
rially affect his general character. His power of
virtuous habit was strong and abiding. The fruits
of his early Christian culture and training were seen
in his old age, and to the end of his days.
He died on the 10th of October, 1852., at the age
of 70 years.

APPENDIX,

A. (Page 15.)
Memorial of the Committee of the Town of Dorches
ter against Annexation.
To the Honorable Senate and House of Bepresentatives of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court
assembled: —
The Memorial of the Subscribers humbly showeth,
that the Inhabitants of Dorchester in Town Meeting,
legally assembled on the 23d Day of January, in the
year of our Lord 1804, Pursuant to an Order of Notice
to consider of the Petition of Wm. Tudor, Esq., Pray
ing the Peninsula called Dorchester Neck may be set
off and incorporated with the Town of Boston,
Voted, To remonstrate against granting the prayer of
said Petition, and chose the Subscribers a committee-
for that purpose.
They therefore beg leave to state — notwithstanding-
the representation of Said Petition respecting the Quan
tity of land in Said Peninsula, the time in which it was
incorporated with the Town, the relative situation there--
of with respect to the Town of Boston, &c, are just —
yet, severing the same from its ancient connection —
connected and strengthened by mutual and long-timed
friendship — must cause feuds and animosities naturally
tending to weaken the bands of society and to discour
age the spirit of Industry and enterprise of which the-
Inhabitants of Dorchester are not wholly destitute.
24

278 APPENDIX.
And they further state, — That since the Incorporation
of the Town of Dorchester, the Town of Milton, all that
was originally Stoughton, and parts of other Towns,
have at different Periods been set off from the first Men
tioned Town — and though the remainder is now nearly
ten miles in length, it contains little more than seven
thousand acres of Land ; the southwesterly part is well
known to be extremely rough, barren, and of little
value, — and the only improvements which can now be
made to advantage, are on that part which lies in
the north-easterly portion of the town. Should Said
Neck, which may be more properly called the head of
Dorchester, containing nearly six hundred acres of Land,
first in Quality, inviting the Citizens of all Countries to
its extensive shore, be annexed to Boston, already the
successful rival of every Town in the Commonwealth,
the remaining part of the Inhabitants of Dorchester must
lose their balance in the scale of Government — and for
want of proper objects to draw the Spirit of Enterprise
and Industry into action, and means to regain their for
mer station, must remain in the background of their
fellow citizens, with a large number of poor to support,
many Koads to maintain and new ones to make, and no
Diminution of their Town eharges.
And though the prosperity and magnificence of the
Town of Boston will ever be viewed with pleasure, and
its commerce and manufactories be aided and cherished
with avidity by the Inhabitants of Dorchester, yet they
conceive part of the advantages resulting from the con
templated Bridge justly belongs to them, and should the
same be enacted agreeably to the request of William
Tudor, Esq., and Gardiner Greene, or otherwise, all the
advantages contemplated in the Petition would rush
into existence under the patronage of the Town of Dor
chester. And as the Inhabitants of Boston are unwilling to
receive that without compensation, which the Inhabi
tants of Dorchester hold in the highest estimation, and

APPENDIX. 279
will relinquish only with the greatest reluctance and
deepest regret,
The Subscribers, therefore, in behalf of the Town of
Dorchester, humbly pray the Honorable Court to take the
Subject into their wise consideration, and not to grant
the Prayer of the Said Petition ; but if the Honorable
Court shall otherwise determine, that it may be done
under such regulations and restrictions as shall give to
the Town of Dorchester a just proportion of the advan
tages. (Signed) Ebenezer Wales, Stephen Badlam, Samuel
Withington, James Robinson, Jr., Ebenezer Tolman,
Lemuel Crane, Thomas Moseley, Edward W. Baxter.
Dated at Dorchester, Jan. 25, 1804.

B. (Page 15.)
Memorial of the Petitioners in favor of Annexation.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Boston : —
Gentlemen, — Whoever has attentively considered the
geography and territorial extent of the town of Boston,
which, within its utmost limits, embraces but eleven
hundred acres, must be convinced that the present
boundaries are too scanty to admit the erection of a large
capital, subject to the same municipal jurisdiction ; and
from its present flourishing condition, that the period
has arrived, when sound policy points to the expediency
of making provisions for surmounting this disadvantage.
The central situation of this town, now become a
county : the security, beauty and convenience of its
harbor, placed at the bottom of one of the fairest and
most important Bays within the dominions of the United
States, conspire to raise it to the head of all the com
mercial towns of Massachusetts ; and whilst it is fast
progressing to the distinction of being the Emporium of
the five Eastern States, common prudence and judicious
enterprise must forever secure to it this enviable advan
tage.

280 APPENDIX.
The rapid increase of her population, the various
avenues now opening, the shortening the distances and
improving the roads leading from the principal inland
towns and neighboring sea-ports ; her inestimable for
eign commerce, combined with an extensive coasting
trade, both annually augmenting and rousing the ener
gies of her citizens, will soon imperiously require an en
largement of the boundaries with which this metropolis
is now circumscribed.
The adjacent towns of Roxbury, Cambridge and
Charlestown cannot be supposed to consent to surren
der the most valuable portions of either of their respec
tive townships, and the seats of their busiest population,
to effect this purpose, great as it assuredly is in a na
tional view. But on the southerly quarter of the town,
and most advantageously extending upwards of two
miles along the port, lies a tract of land almost unin
habited, and comparatively useless ; comprising five
hundred and sixty acres, which, if united to Boston,
would give that town a superiority which no other capi
tal, New York excepted, can boast of. This peninsula,
bounded by the harbor, which it so much contributes to
adorn, exhibits such a variety of ground, and excel
lence of location, as to fully answer the purposes con
templated. The flats, which at present separate it from the south
erly side of the town, admit of their being easily bridg
ed, and the communication might in a few months be
completed at an expense insignificant when contrasted
with the important benefits necessarily resulting from
the project. And when to this statement it is added,
that the three avenues leading into Boston have become
such crowded streets as to be extremely inconvenient,
and oftentimes hazardous, from the numerous carriages
of every description that hourly frequent them ; it will
be admitted that the opening of a new passage through
the least busy part of the Town, and thereby creating
an easy, pleasant, and short intercourse with the coun
try, is an object worthy of the public attention, happily

APPENDIX. 281
conducing to promote the health, by the exercise and
relaxation of her numerous citizens.
The totally unincumbered part of this isolated district
of land, lying at the distance of eight hundred and eighty-
four yards, and on the side of its nearest approach only
six hundred yards, admits of executing a Plan, when
ever it shall be thought eligible, of another section of
Boston, in which regular and wide streets and symme
try in the buildings, favored with air and aspect, might
combine their effects in gradually raising a most desira
ble circle of suburbs. While the present town would
always continue the great focus of business, this quar
ter of it could provide for the surplus of population, and
furnish'the inhabitants with suitable sites for houses and
other buildings, at prices greatly beneath those in the
Town, which have at length become exorbitant, and
consequently detrimental to an increase of new citizens,
and discouraging to those arts upon which such an in
finite variety of trades are dependent.
Impressed with these motives, and with a view to
reciprocate advantages, we pray you, Gentlemen, to
take the opinion of the inhabitants at large of the town
of Boston, upon the subject of this memorial ; and upon
the merits of which we invite their candid discussion,
and to assure them that we shall and do cheerfully con
sent to the annexation of all our lands lying upon the
peninsula aforesaid, to the town of Boston, upon the
single condition that the inhabitants will procure a
Bridge to be erected between Boston and Dorchester
Neck ; and as evidence of this our consent, we here
with transmit to you a copy of our petition to the Legis
lature of the Commonwealth, to enable us to carry this
our purpose into immediate and complete effect.
We are, with sentiments of great respect, Gentlemen,
your faithful, humble servants, &c.
[Signed by William Tudor, Gardiner Greene, and
other Proprietors of Lands at Dorchester Neck.]
24*

282 APPENDIX.
C. (Page 11.)
Bill annexing Dorchester Neck to Boston.
Sect. 1. — Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Bepresentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the
authority of the same, That that part of Dorchester lying
north-east of the following lines, Beginning at a stake
and stones at Old Harbor, so called, from the south
west corner of land formerly belonging to John Champ-
ney, running north thirty-seven and one half degrees
west, to a large elm tree, marked D on the south-west
side, and B on the north-east side, standing on land
belonging to the heirs of Thomas Bird, deceased ; then
running the same course to a heap of stones, on the
south-west side of the road ; thence across the road,
the same course, to a heap of stones on the north-west
side ; thence on the same course, to a black oak tree,
standing on a small hammock, marked D on one side
and B on the other side, upon land of Ebenezer Clap,
jun. ; thence the same course till it comes to Boston
harbor, with the inhabitants thereon, be, and they hereby
are "annexed to the town of Boston, in the County of
Suffolk ; and shall hereafter be considered and deemed
to be a part of Boston : Provided, That the said tract
of land, and the inhabitants thereon, set off as afore
said, shall be holden to pay all such taxes as are already
assessed, or ordered to be assessed by said town of
Dorchester, in the same manner as they would have
been if this Act had not been passed.
Sect. 2. — And be it further enacted, That the Proprie
tors of said tract shall assign and set apart three lots of
land on the same for public use, viz., one lot for the
purpose of a public market-place, one lot for a school-
house, and one lot for a burial-ground, to the satisfac
tion and acceptance of the Selectmen of Boston ; or in
case the said Selectmen and Proprietors shall not agree
upon the said lots, it shall be lawful for the Supreme
¦Judicial Court, at any session thereof in the said county
¦of Suffolk, upon application of said Selectmen, to nomi-

APPENDIX. 283
nate three disinterested freeholders within the Common
wealth, and not inhabitants of the said town of Boston,
to assign and set off the three lots aforesaid by metes
and bounds ; and the report of the said freeholders, or
any two of them, being made and returned to, and ac
cepted by the said Court at any session thereof in said
county, shall be final and binding upon all parties j and
the lots of land by them assigned and set off as afore
said, shall thenceforth rest in the said town of Boston
forever, without any compensation to be made therefor
by the town ; but if the person or persons whose lands
shall be assigned and set apart as aforesaid, shall de
mand compensation therefor, the same shall be appraised
by three freeholders, to be appointed as aforesaid, who
shall also assess upon the other proprietors the sum or
sums which each shall be holden to pay to the person
whose lands may be thus assigned for public use : and
the report of said freeholders, or any two of them, being
made and returned to, and accepted by said Court, judg
ment thereon shall be final, and execution awarded, as
in cases of reports by referees under a rule of Court.
Sect 3. — And be it further enacted, That the Select
men of the said town shall be and hereby are authorized
to lay out such streets and lanes through the said tract,
as in their judgment may be for the common benefit of
said Proprietors, and of said town of Boston, a reasona
ble attention being paid to the wishes of the Proprietors ;
and in case of disagreement between the Selectmen and
Proprietors, or either of them, the same proceedings
shall be had as are provided by law in other cases for
laying out town ways : Provided only, That no damages
or compensation shall be allowed to any Proprietor for
such streets and lanes as may be laid out within twelve
months from the passing of this Act : And provided
also, That the town of Boston shall not be obliged to
complete the streets laid out by the Selectmen pursuant
to this Act, sooner than they may deem it expedient so
to do.

284 APPENDIX.
D. (Page 80.)
Land owned by Mr. Gould — The Foster Estate.
Besides the reference, on page 80, to the large amount
of real estate held by Abraham Gould at Dorchester
Neck, at the time of its annexation to Boston, allusion
is also made, on pages 247 and 251, to extensive tracts
of land held by him, partly inherited by his wife from
the Posters, and partly belonging to him by purchase.
A plan is now before us, of " a piece of pasture, mowing
and salt marsh," containing 24 acres, belonging to Dr.
Stephen Foster and Mr. Gould in 1788. This lot is
bounded south-easterly about 24 rods by the "road
leading to Castle William," now Dorchester street ; south
westerly 67 rods by land of Mr. Gould ; north-westerly
64 rods to the sea, by widow Foster's iand, the house
itself coming just on the widow's side ; northerly.
36 rods by the sea or Boston harbor ; and north-easterly
76 rods by land of Oliver Wiswall, a cart path running
the whole length of this last line from the sea to Dor
chester street. Another plan, still later, comprises two
lots adjoining each other, owned by Mr. Gould alone —
one of about 29 acres, and the other about 23 acres.
This plan included the first-named piece, and extended,
east and west, from Dorchester street to D street, and,
north and south, from the beach to Nook lane. He also
owned land east of Dorchester street, and near the
Hawes Place Church. Most of these extensive tracts
of land passed out of Mr. Gould's hands before his
death, some of them being sold for house-lots at greatly
advanced prices.
On pages 31, 32, 33 and 67, the Foster house, which
stood on land eventually owned by Mr. Gould, is spoken
of, and described as the most elegantly furnished one
on the Neck. By a plan drawn in 1749, it appears that
this was a two-story house. After its destruction by
the British in 1776, a one-story house was erected on
its site, as shown by plans drawn in 1788. This latter
house, with the land around it, came into Mr. Gould's

APPENDIX. 285
possession about the year 1803. It was probably occu
pied by him before this, but very soon after he built
and moved into the brick house on the west, near by,
now adjoining the Bigelow School-house and owned by
Mr. W. W. Allen. The Foster house was afterwards
kept by a Mr. Healy, as a hotel, to which a bowling
alley was attached, and this was for several years a
fashionable afternoon resort for some of the then " solid
men of Boston." One or more of our present no less
substantial citizens can remember setting up nine-pins,
when boys, in this place. The house itself, though
not very old, went to decay, and was taken down
about the year 1830. When the first part of this work
was written, the cellar was to be seen, with two
ancient elms spreading forth the same branches which
had afforded a summer shade to several generations of
the Foster family. These were on the lot near the
easterly corner of E and Fourth streets, now occupied
by the elegant residence of Francis Maguire, and the
two handsome dwelling-houses of the Messrs. Fisk.
The house was about half way between Fourth and
Silver streets, and the barn 12 rods north of it, on a spot
now near the centre of Broadway, in front of the
present Lyceum Hall. This was the barn, it will be
recollected, in which Mrs. Foster's hired man, in 1773,
concealed the tea clandestinely gathered from the sea
shore after the memorable throwing over-board of that
article in Boston harbor. Two or three rods south-east
of the house, where the Thacher house now stands, was
the unsheltered well, with its wooden curb and windlass,
and, doubtless, its " old oaken bucket " attached.
On the plan drawn by the British General at the be
ginning of the Revolutionary war, which has been
copied for this work, the Foster house is represented as
directly on Nook lane. -But several ancient plans of
land belonging to this estate, show that the gate lead
ing to the house was on the lane, but the house itself
was 24 rods from it. A pathway led from the gate,
north-easterly, the above distance, to the house. This

286 APPENDIX.
gate must have been at a spot now on the southerly side
of Fifth street, in a south-western direction from the
house. No fences are represented around the house on
'the plans drawn in 1788. The " yard-room," as it may
have been called, was therefore ample, and is now occu
pied by more houses than were contained in all Matta
pannock at the time of its annexation to Boston.
The lane alluded to, sometimes called " the way,"
and sometimes, in the plans, a " Lane Leeding to Nuke,"
branched off from the Causeway, or Dorchester street,
a little south of the present corner of Seventh street.
In 1803, it seems to have run at first nearly in a north
erly direction, till within 15 or 20 rods of the gate
to the Foster house, when it took a more westerly
course, and extended — not however in a very direct
line — to the vicinity of Nook hill, or near the present
comer of Fourth and B streets — and passing thence
south of Fourth street to A street. Nook lane 'formed
the south-western boundary of many acres of land then
belonging to Mr. Gould.
Various members of the Foster family have at differ
ent times owned land in other parts of the place, some of
which never came into the possession of Mr. Gould.
James Foster, in 1694, purchased of the other heirs of
Hopestill, their right in a twelve-acre piece of upland
on the southerly side of the " highway leading towards
Castle Island," for which he paid them "fforty pounds
currant money of New England." The deed of convey
ance in this sale is now in a good state of preservation,
and is quite a curiosity. It is written lengthwise on a
piece of parchment 29 inches long and 11 J wide, the
lines extending nearly the whole length and perfectly
straight and uniform. It is a most beautiful piece of
penmanship, and is ornamented with flourishes and the
usual display of German-text words. It contains the
signatures of Edward Brown, shopkeeper, and Elizabeth
his wife (formerly wife of Hopestill Foster, deceased) ;
Hopestill Foster, gun maker ; Samuel Foster, goldsmith ;
Timothy Nash, merchant, and Mary his wife (one of the

APPENDIX. 287
daughters of Hopestill) ; and Elizabeth Foster, spinster.
The seals affixed to the names are of red sealing-wax,
on each of which is impressed a different design. These
are secured by melted wax to separate strips of parch
ment, which are firmly looped in to the bottom of the
deed — and each name is written on the deed by the
side of its loop and seal. The witnesses' names and
the acknowledgments are on the back, where is also
written, in the same style as inside, " Ehizir Moody,
Ser:". It would seem that there were trees and bushes
then growing here, as it is stated in this deed, in the
elaborate and precise style of the time, that the grant
ors "by these presents doe ffully, freely, clearly and
absolutely give, grant, bargaine, sell, alien, enfeoffe,
release, convey and confirm, unto the said James
Foster," &c, the land alluded to, "from henceforth
and forevermore," "together with all and singular the
trees, timber, wood and underwood standing, lyeing
and growing thereon." We are also informed, on good
authority, that a lady who died in Milton about eighteen
years ago, at the age of 96, used to tell of picking
"huckleberries" at Dorchester Neck, when a child,
and of finding the largest ones there she had ever seen.*

* The same lady, who was a lineal descendant of Major- General
Humphrey Atherton, whose monument and inscription in the old
Dorchester burying-ground have been objects of interest for nearly
two hundred years, was in the habit of relatmg the following account
of an occurrence somewhat connected with our peninsula. Her
grandfather's house, in Dorchester, was probably the one in which
the General lived, and was situated near what is now the south
erly corner of Dorchester avenue and Pond street. Here she fre
quently visited. On rising, one morning, her grandfather saw a bear
under the trees near the house, eating pears. He immediately called
the nearest neighbors, who came with their guns and dogs. The
latter at once attacked the bear, who retreated across the land
connected with the Moseley homestead, to the marsh below it and to
the salt water — the men being unable to fire at him without endan
gering the dogs. He was driven into the bay, and swam towards
Little Neck, the dogs not following him further. The bear was
now fired upon and wounded, and with difficulty reached the opposite
South Boston shore. The men were soon on the spot, and found

288 APPENDIX.
It may likewise be added that Deacon John Clapp, of
Roxbury, once found a wild duck's nest among the
bushes on a little hammock a few rods south-east of the
present iron foundries on Dorchester Avenue. This
was probably about the time alluded to by the late Mr.
Samuel Adams, the wire-cage maker, when he said in
Faneuil Hall that he remembered when South Boston
was a howling wilderness !
In 1705, Standfast Foster conveyed to his brother
James his right in 8 acres of salt marsh at Dorchester
Neck, lying, as the deed expresses it, " on the west
ward side of the aforesaid Neck." It was bounded on
the "westerly side with the sea, easterly with a Creeck
that run up towards the quarry and partly with the
medow of s<i Standfast Foster called the quarry medow,
northerly with the medow or marsh of John and Preserv
ed Capen, and southerly with a Creeck."

E. (Page 84.)
Act in part Authorizing the Erection of the Boston
South Bridge.
Sect. 1. — Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Bepresentatives in General Court assembled, and by the
authority of the same, That William Tudor, Gardiner
Greene, Jonathan Mason, and Harrison Gray Otis, Es
quires, so long as they shall continue proprietors as
aforesaid, together with those who are, and shall be
come their associates, shall be a Corporation and Body
Politic, under the name of The Proprietors of the Boston
South Bridge ; and by that name may sue and prosecute,
him nearly exhausted with loss of blood ; he was easily despatched,
and the carcass carried home in triumph. Before night the bear
was cooked, and an entertainment given in the evening, to which all
the neighbors were invited. This story has been handed down in
one branch of the family with such minuteness, that it is even told
which of the ladies relished the bear's meat, and which were unable
to eat it.

APPENDIX. 289
and be sued and prosecuted to final judgment and exe
cution, and do and suffer all other acts and things, which
Bodies Politic may or ought to do and suffer ; and that
said Corporation shall have full power and authority to
make, have and use a common seal, and the same to
break, alter and renew at pleasure.
Sect. 3. — And be it further enacted, That for the purpose
of reimbursing the said Proprietors of the said Bridge,
the money to be expended in building and supporting
the same, and of indemnifying them, a toll be, and here
by is granted and established for the benefit of said Cor
poration, according to the rates following, viz. — For
each single horse cart, sled or sleigh, six cents ; one per
son and horse, four cents ; each wheelbarrow, handcart,
and every other vehicle capable of carrying like weight,
two cents ; each single horse and chaise, chair, or sulkey,
twelve cents ; coaches, chariots, phsetons and curricles,
seventeen cents each ; all other wheel carriages, or sleds,
drawn by more than one beast, eight cents each ; neat
cattle or horses passing over said Bridge, exclusive of
those rode or in carriages or teams, two cents each ;
swine and 'sheep, six cents for each dozen, and at the
same rate for a greater or less number ; and in all cases
the same toll shall be paid for all carriages passing said
Bridge, whether the same be loaded or not loaded ; and,
to each team one man and no more shall be allowed, as
a driver, to pass free from paying toll ; and at all times,
when the toll-gatherer shall not attend to his duty, the gate
or gates shall be left open ; and the said toll shall
commence at the day of the first opening of the
said Bridge for passengers, and shall continue for-
and during the term of seventy years from the said'
day, and be collected as shall be prescribed by the said.,
Corporation. Sect. 4. — And be it further enacted, That the said
Bridge shall be built df good and sufficient materials,
not less than forty feet wide, and well covered with
plank or timber, suitable for such a Bridge, with suffi
cient rails on each side for the safety of travellers and;
25

290 APPENDIX.
protection of foot passengers ; and the said Bridge shall
be kept accommodated with not less than twenty lamps,
which shall be well supplied with oil, and lighted in due
season, and kept burning until midnight ; and there
shall also be made a good and sufficient draw or passage
way, at least thirty feet wide in the channel over which
said Bridge shall be built, proper for the passing and
re-passing of vessels, through which vessels may pass
free of toll ; and shall also erect at said draw,' and main
tain in good repair, a well-constructed and substantial
pier or wharf on each side of the said Bridge and ad
joining to the draw, every way sufficient for vessels to
lie at securely ; and the said draw shall be lifted for all
vessels without delay and without toll, except for boats
passing for pleasure ; and it shall be lawful for the Pro
prietors of said Bridge to make the leaves of said draw
twenty feet long instead of the. width of said Bridge ;
and the said Bridge shall be kept in good, safe and pass
able repair for the term of seventy years, to be comput
ed as aforesaid, and at the expiration of said term, shall
be surrendered in like repair to the Commonwealth, who
shall be deemed the successor of said Corporation ; and
at the several places where the said toll shall be
received, there shall be erected by the said Cor
poration, and exposed to open view constantly, a
board or sign, with the rates of toll and all the tollable
articles fairly and legibly written thereon in large or
capital letters.
Sect. 5. — And be it further enacted, That the Proprie
tors of said Bridge shall pay to the Master of every
vessel that shall be loaded and of more than twenty tons
register measure that shall pass through said draw, for
the purpose of unloading her cargo, five cents a ton for
each and every ton said vessel shall measure, and the
like sum of five cents a ton to the Master of each and
every vessel of more than twenty tons burthen that
shall pass down and through said draw, loaded, on her
outward passage. Provided, however, that the same
vessel passing up and down, though loaded, shall not

APPENDIX. 291
be paid for more than one passage. And it shall be
lawful, at any period after three years from the passing
of this act, for the Proprietors of said Bridge or the Di
rectors of the Roxbury Canal, to make application to
the Governor, who, with the advice of Council, is here
by authorized, upon such application in writing, desiring
that a revision of such premium of five cents as aforesaid,
may be made, to appoint three impartial men to hear
the parties, examine the premises, and increase or di
minish said premium of five cents as they shall think
just ; and their award, "signed by them or the major
part of them, sealed, and certified to the Governor, and
by him published, shall be binding upon all parties, and
shall be the sum in future to be paid ; — And in like
manner and by similar application and process, the same
premium may be increased or diminished at the expira
tion of every five years, successively, during the term
aforesaid. Sect. 7 . — And be it further enacted, That if the said
Corporation shall refuse or neglect, for the space of three
years after the passing of this Act, to build and com
plete the said Bridge, then this Act shall be void and of
none effect.
Sect. 8. — Be it further enacted, That in case the Pro
prietors of said Bridge or any Toll-gatherer, or officer
by them appointed, shall neglect or refuse to open the
draw, or unnecessarily detain any vessel about to pass,
the said Corporation shall forfeit and pay for every such
refusal, neglect, or unreasonable detention, a sum not
exceeding fifty dollars, nor less than twenty dollars, to be
recovered by the owner or owners of such vessels in
any Court proper to try the same, by a special action
on the case. In the House of Bepresentatives, March 5, 1804.
This bill, having had three several readings, passed
to be enacted. H. G. OTIS, Speaker.

292 APPENDIX.
In the Senate, March 6, 1804.
This bill, having had two several readings, passed to
be enacted. DAVID COBB, President.
March 6, 1804 — By the Governor Approved.
CALEB STRONG.
A true copy — Attest, JOHN AVERY, Sec'y.
The fifth Section was intended to remunerate the citi
zens of Roxbury for the damage which it was supposed
would result to them from the building of the bridge.

F. (Page 94.)
An Act Establishing a Free Bridge in the City
of Boston.
Sect. 1. — Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Be
presentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the au
thority of the same, That the City Government of the
City of Boston are hereby authorized and empowered
to build and construct, or cause to be built and con
structed, a Free Bridge, with one or more suitable and
sufficient draws across the water and over the channel,
in or near a direction in a straight line from or near Sea
street, in Boston, to the newly made land in South
Boston, and nearly in the direction of the Dorchester
Turnpike, and to erect a Wharf, or Pier, on each
side of said Bridge near said draws, for the accommoda
tion of vessels passing through said Bridge ; said Bridge
and Wharves to be built upon such terms and condi
tions, and under such restrictions and regulations, as to
them may appear suitable and proper, and in such man
ner as to cause no material obstruction to the ebb and
flow of the water through and under the same. Provid
ed, however, That the said City of Boston shall be held
to make compensation to any person or Corporation

APPENDIX. 293
whose land shall be appropriated to the use of said
Bridge, and also to. any person or Corporation who may
sustain damage by the obstruction of navigation, caused
by the erection of said Bridge.
Sect. 2.— Be itfurther enacted, That no toll or duty shall
ever be exacted or paid for any travel over said Bridge,
or passing the draws of the same, and the said City shall
always be held liable to keep said Bridge and drawin good
repair, and to raise the draw of said Bridge, and afford all
necessary and proper accommodation to vessels that have
occasion to pass the same by night or by day, and shall
keep the said Bridge sufficiently lighted ; and if any
vessel is unreasonably delayed or hindered in passing
said draw, by the negligence of said City, or of their
agents, in discharging the duties enjoined on them by
this Act, the owners or commander of such vessel shall
recover reasonable damages therefor of said City, in an
action on the case, before any Court proper to try the
same, which action shall be commenced, heard and tried,
in either of the Counties of Middlesex or Essex ;
and if the said City shall not, within three years from
the passing of this Act, locate, construct, build and
complete said Bridge, agreeably to the provisions of
this Act, then this Act shall be void.
Sect. 3.— Be it further enacted, That any person or
Corporation sustaining any damage by the building of
said Bridge, Wharves, or Piers, or from the exercise of
any of the rights or powers hereby granted as aforesaid,
may apply (if within one year from the time any such
damage may have happened) to the Court of Common
Pleas, within either of the Counties of Middlesex or
Essex, for a Committee to be appointed to estimate
the damage ; and upon such application the Court, after
thirty days' notice, to said City to appear and show cause
why such Committee should not be appointed, shall, if no
good cause be shown to the contrary, appoint 3 or 5
disinterested freeholders, within the County in which
such application shall have been made, at the expense of
said City, which Committee, being first duly sworn be-
25*

294 APPENDIX.
fore some Justice of the Peace, to be nominated by said
Court, and giving due notice to both parties to appear,
if they see fit, for a hearing before them, shall proceed
to the duties of their appointment ; and they shall first
inquire whether any damage has been sustained from
the causes aforesaid, and if any, they shall estimate the
same, and where the damage is annual, they shall so
declare the same, in their report, and shall make return
of their doings as soon as may be into the said Court ;
and upon the acceptance of said report, judgment may
be given thereon, with reasonable costs to the party
prevailing. Provided, however, That either party, after
the return of said report, may claim a trial by jury, and
the Court shall thereupon stay judgment on said report,
and trial shall be had by jury at the bar of said Court ;
and if the party applying for a jury shall not obtain, in
case it be the original applicant, an increase of damages,
or in case it be the original respondent, a decrease of
the damages awarded by the Committee, such party
shall pay reasonable costs of such trial by jury, other
wise shall recover reasonable costs ; and upon any
judgment rendered upon the report of such Committee,
or the verdict of such jury, the Court may issue its ex
ecution accordingly, and also from year to year, where
the damages awarded are annual, on motion of the party
entitled thereto ; and an action of debt may be main
tained on such judgment ; and if upon notice to such
City as aforesaid, to show cause why such Committee
should not be appointed, said City shall appear and deny
the applicant's title to the land damaged, or claim a title
to do what is complained of without the payment of
¦damages, or for an agreed composition, the Court shall
first order a trial of the issue at the bar of said Court,
or if there be an issue in law, shall try it themselves,
and in either case, either party may appeal to the Su
preme Judicial Court as in other cases, and a certificate
of the determination of the Sup. Jud. Court, on such
¦appeal, in favor of the original applicant, shall be- filed
in said Court of Common Pleas, before such Committee

APPENDIX. 295
shall be appointed ; and where annual damages are
awarded by said Committee, or said jury, and judgment
had accordingly, each party shall be entitled, after two
years, to apply to said Court of Common Pleas, for an
increase or decrease of said damages, and thereupon the
same proceedings shall be had as upon the original ap
plication. [Approved by the Lt. Governor, February 25, 1825.]

G. (Page 157.)
Extracts from the Will of John Hawes.
"I give and bequeath unto the said James Humphries,
Henry Gardner, and Ebenezer Everett, or such of them
as may be living at my decease, a lot of land situated^ at
South Boston, containing about eight acres, inclusive
of the roads laid out through the same, on which my
dwelling-house now stands ; upon special trust and con
fidence that they cause the same to be secured and ap
plied to the following purposes, viz. : For the use of
all such persons as shall hereafter reside at said South
Boston ; that is to say, one half or moiety of the income
and proceeds of said lot of land to be appropriated and
applied forever by the said trustees, their associates and
successors, to the support and maintenance of the gos
pel ministry, of the Congregational denomination, in and
over the first Christian Church and Society of the same
denomination, which may be formed, incorporated, and
legally organized in said South Boston ; and which said
Church and Society shall congregate and worship in a
house to be erected on a lot of land which I have appro
priated to the use of the gospel ministry, and given by
deed, bearing date of June 13, 1807, to the inhabitants
of said South Boston, for said use. And the other half
and moiety of the income and proceeds of said lot of
land, as aforesaid devised, to be appropriated and ap
plied forever, by the aforesaid trustees, their associates
¦and successors, for the purpose of establishing and sup-

296 APPENDIX.
porting public schools in said South Boston, in such way
and manner as in the opinion of said trustees shall most
tend to the benefit and advantage of the inhabitants oi
the said South Boston."
Sect. 23. " I furthermore give and devise to the said
Humphries, Gardner, and Everett, or such of them as
shall be living at my decease, the land which I have
lately purchased of William Fiske, with the two dwell
ing-houses, two workshops, and other buildings on the
same standing, situated at the south part of Boston,
near the Boston line on Boston Neck, so called, toge
ther with all the rest, residue, and remainder of my real
estate, of every description, upon special trust and con
fidence that they cause the income and proceeds of the
premises to be disposed of and appropriated as follows,
viz. :
"First — To discharge such of my debts and legacies
as my personal estate may be insufficient to pay. Se
condly — To be applied in the altering, repairing and im
provement of the premises in such way and manner as
the said devisees shall think most for the advantage of
the same. Thirdly — To be appropriated to the use and
purposes enumerated in the twenty-second clause of this
Instrument, until the income of the same, and the in
come and proceeds of the estate in said twenty-second
clause devised, shall have so increased and accumulated,
as in the opinion of the said devisees, their associates
and successors aforesaid, to answer all the purposes by
me intended, as before described. And lastly — From
and after that period the net income of the premises and
improvements of the same shall be, by the said trustees,
their associates and successors aforesaid, applied to the
establishment of a second Congregational Church and
Society, in said South Boston, at such place as the
said trustees, their associates and successors, shall name
and appoint ; to the settlement and support of a pious
Christian minister or ministers, over the same ; and for
erecting and maintaining a house of public worship for
the same ; and for the support and encouragement of such

APPENDIX. 297
other seminaries of learning, and in such way and man
ner, as the said trustees, their associates and successors,
shall think for the honor of God and the good and happi
ness of the inhabitants of South Boston aforesaid, and
their posterity."
Sect. 24. "As to all the residue of my personal es
tate, of every description, I do hereby give and bequeath
the same to the said Humphries, Gardner and Everett,
or such of them as shall be living at my decease, to be,
after the payment of my just debts and legacies, applied
and appropriated by the said legatees, their associates
and successors, to the purpose of erecting and maintain
ing a meeting-house for religious worship, on the land
above referred to in this instrument, as already given by
deed to the inhabitants of South Boston. But in case a
meeting-house should be built on said land before my
decease, then the said Humphries, Gardner and Everett,
the Survivor or survivors as aforesaid, their associates
and successors, shall apply said residue of my personal
estate for the support and maintenance of such gospel
minister, or ministers, of the Congregational denomina
tion, as may be settled in and over the church and soci
ety, that shall worship in said house.

H. (Page 193.)
Instruction of Laura Bridgman.
Although an account has been given of the peculiar
condition of Laura Bridgman, and of the causes which in
her childhood led to the loss of several of her senses,
the reader may be interested in the following abridged
statement, by Dr. Howe, of the method adopted in teach
ing her to read and to communicate her own thoughts
to others:
"For a while after she came to the institution she
was much bewildered ; and after waiting about two
weeks, until she became acquainted with her new locali
ty, and somewhat familiar with the inmates, the at-

29'8 APPENDIX.
tempt was made to give her knowledge of arbitrary
signs, by which she could interchange thoughts with
others. "There was one of two ways to be adopted : either
to go on to build up a language of signs on the basis of
the natural language which she had already commenced
herself, or to teach her the purely arbitrary language in
common use : that is, to give her a sign for every indi
vidual thing, or to give her a knowledge of letters, by
combination of which, she might express her idea of the
existence, and the mode and condition of existence of
any thing. The former would have been easy, but very
ineffectual ; the latter seemed very difficult, but, if ac
complished, very effectual. I determined therefore to
try the latter.
"The first experiments were made by taking articles
in common use, such as knives, forks, spoons, keys,
&c, and pasting upon them labels with their names
printed in raised letters. These she felt very carefully,
and soon, of course, distinguished that the crooked lines
spoon, differed as much from the crooked lines key,
as the spoon differed from the key in form.
" Then small detached labels, with the same words
printed upon them, were put into her hands ; and she
soon observed that they were similar to the ones pasted
on the articles. She showed her perception of this simi
larity by laying the label key upon the key, and the
label spoon upon the spoon. She was encouraged
here by the natural sign of approbation, patting on the
head. " The same process was then repeated with all the ar
ticles which she could handle ; and she very easily learn
ed to place the proper labels upon them. It was evi
dent, however, that the only intellectual exercise, was
that of imitation and memory. She recollected that the
label book was placed upon a book, and she repeated
the process first from imitation, next from memory,
with only the motive of love of approbation, but appa
rently without the intellectual perception of any relation
between the things.

APPENDIX. 299
" After a while, instead of labels, the individual let
ters were given to her on detached bits of paper : they
were arranged side by side so as to spell book, key,
&c. ; then they were mixed up in a heap, and a sign
was made for her to arrange them herself, so as to ex
press the words book, key, &c. ; and she did so.
" Hitherto, the process had been mechanical, and the
success about as great as teaching a very knowing dog
a variety of tricks. The poor child had sat in mute
amazement, and patiently imitated every thing her
teacher did ; but now the truth began to flash upon her ;
her intellect began to work : she perceived that here
was a way by which she could herself make up a sign
of anything that was in her own mind, and show it to
another mind ; and at once her countenance lighted up
with a human expression. It was no longer a dog, or
parrot : it was an immortal spirit, eagerly seizing upon
a new link of union with other spirits 1 I could almost
fix upon the moment when this truth dawned upon her
mind, and spread its light to her countenance. I saw
that the great obstacle was overcome ; and that hence
forward nothing but patient and persevering, but plain
and straightforward, efforts were to be used.
" The result, thus far, is quickly related, and easily
conceived : but not so was the process ; for many weeks
of apparently unprofitable labor were passed before it
was effected.
" When it was said above, that a sign was made, it
was intended to say, that the action was performed by
her teacher, she feeling his hands, and then imitating
the motion.
" The next step was to procure a set of metal types,
with the different letters of the alphabet cast upon their
ends ; also a board, in which were square holes, into
which holes she could set the types ; so that the letters
on their ends could alone be felt above the surface.
" Then, on any article being handed to her — for in
stance, a pencil, or a watch — she would select the com
ponent letters, and arrange them on her board, and read
them with apparent pleasure.

300 APPENDIX.
" She was exercised for several weeks in this way,
until her vocabulary became extensive ; and then the
important step was taken of teaching her how to repre
sent the different letters by the position of her fingers,
instead of the cumbrous apparatus of the board and
types. She accomplished this speedily and easily, for
her intellect had begun to work in aid of her teacher,
and her progress was rapid."

I. (Page 200.)
South Boston Memorial, in 1847.
To his Honor the Mayor, the Aldermen, and the Common
Council of the City of Boston :
The undersigned, members of a Committee appointed
by a public meeting of the inhabitants of Ward 12, ask
leave respectfully to represent :
That the Peninsula, formerly called Dorchester Neck,
and now called South Boston, contains a population of
12,000, which is rapidly increasing in numbers and in
Wealth, and which, judging the future by the past, will
reach 30,000 in ten years, and 100,000 in twenty-five
years :
That it has eight Churches, two Grammar and seven
teen Primary Schools, besides Private Seminaries ; a
Lyceum, Bank, and Insurance Office ; also Wharves,
Ship Yards, Factories, Foundries, &c. :
That it has real and personal property valued at six
million dollars, upon which was paid the last year a tax
of thirty-one thousand dollars ; and which is estimated
at forty thousand dollars for the current year :
That it has a superficial area nearly as great as was
that of the old town of Boston :
That it has not only the capacity, but the actual
material necessary for a separate and independent muni
cipal existence :
That it has no natural connection with, much less any
necessary dependence upon, the City of Boston, being
separated from it by a deep and navigable channel :

APPENDIX. 301
That its municipal union with the city is merely
arbitrary and political, for the continuance of which
there can be no good reason except reciprocity of
advantages :
That heretofore most of the advantages of the union
have been reaped by the City proper, while the disad
vantages have fallen upon South Boston :
That it has paid a considerable portion of the City
taxes, such as those for widening, paving and lighting
the streets, without anything like an adequate return of
benefits from the City expenditures :
That it seems to have been considered, as foreign-
possessions are too frequently considered, a convenient
appendage from which the central government might
derive profit in various ways :
That it has sometimes been treated as the Botany
Bay of the City, into which could be thrust those
establishments which the City Fathers would consider
nuisances in the neighborhood of their own private
dwellings, such as Alms Houses, Prisons, and Small-pox
Hospitals :
That several measures of great public importance are
now and long have been called for, which the City gov
ernment will not allow the inhabitants of South Boston
to adopt, and which it neglects to adopt itself, such as
opening streets and establishing official "levels" for.-
buildings :
That justice to the present and to the future inhabi
tants of this beautiful peninsula, demands that there-
should be a change either in its municipal relation with :
the City of Boston proper, or in the policy which has .
hitherto characterised that relation.
In support of which representations, we would re- -
spectfully ask your attention to the facts and considera
tions set forth in the following
MEMOEIAL.
This peninsula, equal in size and beauty to its more-
fortunate rival, Trimount, was the ancient Mattapan of.'
26

302 APPENDIX.
the Indians, and was regarded with peculiar favor by
those simple children of the forest, who looked for
natural beauty, and sweet springs, and sunny slopes,
rather than facilities for fortification and advantages for
commerce. Here, tradition tells us, they loved to live ;
and here, their numerous relics show, they loved to lie
when dead. The exact site of Powow Point, so cele- ,
brated in Indian tradition, is still known. Jutting
farther out into the bay than Trimount, and more acces
sible from all points of the South shore, it was a favorite
resort of the natives for the periodical celebration of
rude religious festivals ; and it may be that their vene
ration for the place was increased by their knowledge
of that curious and bountiful spring of sweet and
sparkling water which comes gushing up from the
bottom of the sea near the shore.
But the age passed away, and with it the red race ;
and Mattapan, that had so kindly yielded to them all
her favors when alive, could only shelter in her bosom
the bones of their dead. A new race appeared, and
were equally welcome to her impartial favor. When
the first settlers of Boston and Dorchester began to
possess land beyond their immediate homestead, Matta
pan fell to the lot of Dorchester, as more naturally
belonging to it, and the people thereof used it as a
pasture for their cattle. It was an island at high water,
and they had only to build a few rods across the narrow
neck, and make it a secure enclosure at all times.
The name of Mattapan was gradually forgotten ; the
Pilgrim Fathers began to talk of Dorchester Neck as
their peculiar property, and to consider that they were
granting a favor by permitting the poor relics of a peo
ple whom they had "scattered and peeled," to come
once in the year upon their sad pilgrimage to Powow
Point. But time, that ever contrives to lift justice up, how
ever deep she may have been trodden down, rolled
quietly on, and Boston began to covet this fair pastur
age, and a contest arose, and the weaker went to the

APPENDIX. 303
wall, and Boston treated the sons of Dorchester as then-
fathers had treated the Indians ; they had to sigh for
their lost pasturage, though not as the Indians had
mourned for Powow Point ; and finally Dorchester Neck
became South Boston. May that name be lasting, and
may it never be that even-handed justice shall call upon
our children to bestow another and more appropriate
one. The history of this peninsula can hardly be mentioned
without suggesting to all the occasion when the Father
of his Country availed himself of its Heights to drive a
hostile garrison from the town of Boston, and made
South Boston the means of saving the City.
The history of South Boston, as part of Boston,
begins with its final annexation by an Act of the Gene
ral Court in 1804; and with that very act began the
partial and injudicious policy which has since character
ised the union. The condition of the annexation was,
that a bridge should be built, and it was for the manifest
interest of the newly acquired territory, and for the real
though then less apparent interest of the whole town,
that the bridge should be so placed as to give easy
access to the centre of business. Indeed a company
had been formed with the view of building a bridge
leading from Sea street to South Boston ; and had it
then been constructed, the growth of the peninsula
would have received an immediate impulse. But this
was a consideration secondary to that of the pecuniary
interests of some of the land owners of the South end
of Boston, which required that the bridge should termi
nate near the " Neck lands ; " and so, instead of being
built straight in the direction of the travel, it was placed
at right angles to that direction ; and for twenty-five
years the inhabitants of South Boston, when they
wanted to go to State street or to "town meeting,"
were obliged either to take a boat, and go northward in
the direction in which the bridge should have run, or
else to travel westward, in which direction the bridge
really was, and so to make a right-angled journey.

304 APPENDIX.
During all this time the residents of the peninsula
made many and strenuous efforts to obtain direct and easy
communication with a town to which they were wedded
for better or for worse [for better, it seemed, so far as
regarded the inhabitants of the town ; for worse, as far
as regarded themselves] , but their efforts were defeated
by those Bostonians whose interests were always pre
ferred to those of mere South Bostonians.
It was not until 1826, that leave was obtained to build
the new free bridge by which they could go more direct
ly to the centre of the town ; nor would it have been
obtained even then, if the interests of many towns lying
along the South shore had not called for it. The bridge
was built in 1828 by the owners of the land in South
Boston, and by residents there, and by them presented
to the City !
The opening of this communication showed at once
all the natural advantages and facilities of the western
part of this peninsula, for in a few years it was covered
with houses, stores and factories ; and the population
increased six fold in a short time. Equally apparent
were the good effects upon the parts of the City proper,
adjacent to the point of junction. The nuisances of Sea
street disappeared, and upon the marsh of the South
Cove sprang up, as by magic, streets and houses.
But during the twenty-five years in which the ener
gies of South Boston had been cramped, and her growth
stunted, what efforts had to be used, what obstacles to
be encountered, what defeats sustained, before a mea
sure so consistent with sound policy and plain justice
could be carried! If any one should now question
whether the best interests of the whole City, as well as
of South Boston, had been promoted by this measure, he
would be considered as insane. Nevertheless, at this
moment another Avenue to the City, farther east than
the old ones, begins to be called for by the same sound
policy and even justice which called for them ; but in
order to obtain it, the same battles are to - be fought,
the same defeats sustained, and the same delays encoun-

APPENDIX. 305
tered, before there will be, what there must finally be
—a complete union between the two peninsulas, and
a disappearance of the intervening flats.
During the period of twenty-five years which elapsed
between the opening of the old and new avenue, the
population of this peninsula went on slowly increasing
rather in spite of its municipal connection with the dis
tant town, than in consequence of it. Indeed the in
habitants had little to remind them of their dependence
upon Boston except the inconvenience arising from the
want of local authorities to regulate their local affairs,
and the annual visit of the town officers in the shape of
assessors of taxes.
While they were paying their full proportion of taxes
for widening and paving, and lighting and watching the
streets of the City proper, their own streets were not
only uncared for, but they were not even accepted by
the City. At some seasons they were almost impassa
ble on account of the mud ; and they were lighted only
by the moon and stars at night. Most of what was
done for them was by voluntary contributions among
the inhabitants, who in one season paid about fifteen
hundred dollars for this purpose, in addition to paying
their proportion for keeping the -streets of the City in
such a pleasing contrast with their own.
This neglect of the actual condition of the streets was
not, however, the worst feature of the case ; that only
made them very bad at the time, but by refusing to
establish the grades and levels, the City government
placed an immense obstacle in the way of the growth
and improvement of the place. Some were afraid to
build, lest in a few years the street should be dug away
in front of their house, and leave their door-sill ten feet
in the air ; or be filled up so as to turn their parlors into
basements, and bring their chamber windows upon a
level with the side-walk. Some who did build after ob
taining all the information they could, are at this mo
ment suffering for their confidence in public fairness.
Nor is this -a matter of past history alone ; at this
26*

306 APPENDIX.
very day, when South Boston is equal in point of popu
lation to the fifth town in Massachusetts, a citizen there
of cannot obtain a level upon which to build his house
with any legal guaranty for its continuance. It is with
in our positive knowledge, that citizens of substance
are at this moment prevented from building houses, by
the apprehension that in a few years they may be under
mined or buried up.
But it was not alone in respect to streets, that the
inequality of taxation was felt by the inhabitants of
South Boston ; they paid their share for the expense of
common sewers, for removing offal from houses, for the
police, for the night watch, &c. of the City, without
any direct benefit therefrom to themselves. It is esti
mated that about the period to which we have alluded,
viz., 1830, the City was really indebted to South Bos
ton in the sum of one hundred thousand dollars for taxes
paid by her, and for which the City has made no return.
Indeed, the City did not seem inclined to consider the
tax-payers of South Boston as having equal rights with
real Bostonians, even in matters that were necessarily
common. We may mention as one of the many proofs
¦of this, that while the masters of the grammar schools
in the City proper were receiving a salary of twelve
hundred dollars, it was supposed that the people of
¦South Boston could do with a master worth only eight
ihundred dollars, and their teacher was paid only that
;sum during many years. In the year 1828, the gentle
man who kept the Hawes school, in South Boston, ap
plied for a City school in order to receive a higher sala
ry. Our citizens did not wish to lose him, and some of
the most prominent of them sent in a petition to the
•School Committee, in which they said "we must regard
his removal from South Boston as a loss not easily to
be repaired, and we trust that the claims of this section
¦of the City will be duly regarded in the case. We are
confident that equal and even greater labor and respon-
ssibility are attached to the duties of this school, both
from its relative numbers and its peculiar organization,

APPENDIX. 307
' than^the masters of the other schools individually sus
tain. They also ventured to say that the expenditure
made by the City government "for the benefit and con
venience of the people of South Boston bears a very small
proportion to the taxes assessed upon them." They add
ed, "we can therefore conceive no sufficient reason
why the master of this school should not be placed upon an
equal footing with the other masters as to compensation."
They probably learned afterwards that it was because
the scholars were only children of South Bostonians,
while the other masters taught the children of real Bos
tonians. At any rate, they had to submit to the loss of
their master. The injustice of the case, however, was
so palpable, that the City government afterwards grudg
ingly raised the salary a little, but in order to keep up
the distinction between Boston and South Boston
schools, they fixed it at one thousand dollars. Three
masters successively served for this inferior compensa
tion. One of them, Mr. Walker, was promoted to a
bona fide City school, and received the full salary, and
still deserves and enjoys it. Mr. Harrington, the pre
decessor of the present grammar master, was the first
who received a full salary. Now this distinction was
not only unjust — it was invidious and contemptuous.
There might have been a show of reason for leaving our
streets in darkness, or filling our few lamps with oil of
second quality, but our children had as much capacity
for, and as much right to the best kind of instruction,
as the children of the inhabitants of any ward of the
City. We might cite other cases of partiality and injustice
towards us. But we are not inclined to dwell upon
this unpleasant part of the history of our union, and
pass to the period succeeding the opening of the new
bridge, during which the policy of the City has been
less illiberal, though still far from impartial towards
South Boston.
At the beginning of that period the population of
South Boston amounted to about twenty-five hundred ;

308 APPENDIX.
in a few years it doubled ; in 1840 it reached sixty-one
hundred and seventy-six ; in 1845 it was ten thousand
and twenty, having increased 62 per cent, in five years ;
and at this moment it is doubtless over twelve thousand.
Nor is this population such as is usually found at the
outskirts of large cities. It is not the scum thrown out
from the purer material. The peninsula being separated
entirely from the City proper by water, and not having
as yet any avenue for easy access from its centre to the
busy marts of commerce, was not sought by those men
alone who lived from hand to mouth, and wanted only a
temporary lodging place, but also by a class of intelli
gent and respectable persons of narrow means, but inde
pendent spirits, who wished to dwell in their own houses,
and have elbow room about them, and pure air to
breathe, and a wide prospect to enjoy. There are at
this time over thirteen hundred dwelling-houses in South
Boston, and a very large proportion of them are owned
by their occupants ; a larger proportion, probably, than
can be found in any other ward of the City. With the
exception of the part nearest the bridge, South Boston
indeed looks like a thickly settled town in the interior
of New England.
In the whole of the population there is not a single
colored family, and not so many foreigners as in several
other wards of the City. The foreigners who reside
here, are, for the most part, of that better class who will
not live in cellars, or congregate together closely in or
der to keep each other warm.
Many of our inhabitants have not only their homes,
but their business, upon the peninsula. The amount
of capital actually invested in manufacturing establish
ments alone, is estimated at nearly fifteen hundred
thousand dollars ; which produces annually the fol
lowing amount of manufactured articles :
Iron castings, .... $600,000

Machinery, Chain Cables,
Glass ware,
Chemicals and drugs,

375,000 90,000
100,000
250,000

APPENDIX. 309
These employ nearly one thousand workmen. Then
there is ship-building, and other important branches of
industry carried on here.
The official valuation of property for taxation in South
Boston was,
in 1845, on Real Estate 3,249,800
" Personal do. 557,200

1846 "Real Estate 4,127,100
" " Personal do. 629,100

Total 3,807,000

4,756,200
and the valuation for the current year is estimated by
competent persons at above $5,500,000.
However, the mere material prosperity of a place is
no test of its real worth ; and we would lay most stress
upon what we really believe to be true, that South Bos
ton has been sought as a residence by a very respectable
class of persons, rather in spite of the policy which the
City government has pursued with regard to the place,
than in consequence of it.
_ When the City found it desirable to annex to its ter
ritory a large peninsula, which had, and always will
have, the capacity for independent existence, sound
policy as well as justice should have suggested that it
be treated with the greatest liberality ; that it have at
least as many advantages as it would otherwise have
had, and that its citizens should not feel any inequality
in the distribution of favors and burdens between them
selves and the inhabitants of the City proper.
Such we believe has not been the case with regard to
the policy of the City of Boston towards South Boston,
and we think an examination of its history, whether in
former or later years, will show that our belief is well
founded. [The Memorial here proceeds to point out the great
disparity between the expenditure upon the streets in
the City proper and in South Boston ; the neglect of
the City in providing proper fire-engines and apparatus
for ward twelve ; and lastly, and very fully, treats of

310 APPENDIX.
the impolicy of " placing all the pauper and penal insti
tutions of the City upon this peninsula." As this latter
grievance is now in a great measure removed, and as it
is no object of this work to again bring up, unnecessari
ly, old matters of contention between either individuals
or different portions of the city, a dozen pages of the
Memorial are here omitted, and the concluding ones are
given.] We have dwelt upon the illiberality and unfairness of
the policy of the City of Boston towards South'Boston ;
and we have pointed out some instances of it. We have
said what we firmly believe, that if the policy of the
past is to be the policy of the future, it will be better
for the inhabitants of this peninsula to administer their
own municipal government, since they best understand
their own wishes and interests. But we have said all
these things more in sorrow than in anger. We yield
to none of our fellow citizens in civic patriotism ; we
are proud of the name of Bostonians ; we desire ever
to deserve and to bear it ; and we hope and trust that
the reasonable requests that we may make may be
granted. These are —
First. That our streets may be graded, and their
levels may be officially given at once, so that if a man
builds his house, and it be afterwards undermined, or
buried up bjf public authority, he may claim damages,
as do those whose land is taken to widen streets in the
City proper :
Second. That our principal streets be paved or mac
adamized, so that they may be in decent condition for
travel at all seasons ; and that measures be taken to
remedy the deplorable condition of the sidewalks in
front of the lands of non-residents :
Third. That there shall be expended annually in
South Boston for paving and lighting streets, for day
and night police, for schools, and other things of public
interest, a sum equal in proportion to the taxes paid by
South Boston into the City treasury for such purposes.
Fourth. That pure water be introduced into our

APPENDIX. 311
streets at the same time and in the same manner as it is
to be into the City proper.
These things we think we have a right to ask as mere
matters of common justice ; and there are others which
we would ask for considerations of public utility, con
venience, ornament and health.
We might urge even the motive of pecuniary gain,
for surely if the City means to maintain jurisdiction over
this peninsula, it should try to render it an eligible resi
dence for hundreds of the valuable citizens who are
every year removing their families to neighboring
towns. It should strive to hasten the time when it
shall be fully settled, and to have for settlers substan
tial tax-paying citizens. Among the measures' which
will promote all these objects, and which we earnestly
desire to see adopted without delay, are, —
First. That one or more public squares be laid out,
and properly ornamented.
Second. That the streets be opened through the
large tract of land now shut up by the clty.
We will not waste time in urging the utility of public
squares. The history of every 'populous City that has
provided them, or neglected to do so, shows this so
plainly that every school-boy knows it. Now is the
time to do it in South Boston, or never. The land can
be had very cheap ; perhaps it might be had for less
than its present market value, because by laying out
squares, the City would increase the value of the lots
surrounding them. We are certain that if South Boston
had an independent municipal government, one of the
first things would be to provide for Public Squares, and
to ornament them with trees.
It would be most agreeable to the inhabitants of South
Boston, and we are sure that it would eventually be a
subject of pride and pleasure to every citizen, to have
one of the hills so well known as Dorchester Heights,
made use of as one of the reservoirs for the water
which is to be brought into the City. The water would
not rise quite so high as the top of the western hill, but

312 APPENDIX.
a circular reservoir might be constructed around the
summit, which would stand in its centre — a beautiful
islet, and which might be reached by light bridges on.the
four sides. This islet would furnish a most delightful
walk, from which could be enjoyed an extensive pros
pect of almost matchless beauty — a complete panorama
embracing a great variety of natural scenery. If the
reservoir were encircled by a carriage drive, with foot
paths on the outside, and the whole hill tastefully orna
mented with trees, it would form such a combination of
natural and artificial beauty as few cities in the world
can boast.
It is highly desirable, also, that a square should be
reserved in the eastern part of the peninsula. We would
suggest that the site for a Grammar School, which will
certainly be needed in a few years, should be now se
lected and secured while land is cheap. We would
wish to see one of such dimensions as to give, what
every school-house should have, but what no one in
Boston possesses, a large play-ground surrounding the
building. This would secure for it a free circulation of
air ; would protect it from the noise and bustle of the
streets ; and would afford to the pupils a place for ex
ercise and recreation, while it would be an ornament
and an advantage to the whole neighborhood.
We shall say little about opening the streets through
the land which the City now keeps enclosed, because it
is a case which speaks for itself.
Even if the Institutions are always to remain where
they are, there is no necessity for the streets being
stopped. There is no reason for holding sixty acres of
land as a garden for paupers, when one acre of it would
sell for enough to buy a whole farm in one of the neigh
boring towns.
The City would not allow a private individual to hold
a single acre of land, and thereby interrupt even a small
street, when the public good called for its being opened ;
and surely it should not itself hold sixty acres, and block
up six large streets, without a strong and obvious ne
cessity for so doing.

APPENDIX. 313
Finally, we would respectfully and earnestly ask the
City authorities who possess the power of exercising
such an immense influence upon the future condition of
this peninsula, to consider that the time is at hand when
its now open fields will be covered with houses— that
the generation is born which will make it a populous
town — and to take such measures for promoting the
prosperity, salubrity and beauty of the place, as in their
wisdom they may find most expedient. Cranston Howe,
S. G. Howe,
Larra Crane,
D. Nickerson,
H. Montgomery,
Sam'l S. Perkins,
C. J. F. Allen,
Isaac Adams,
Seth Adams,
Joseph Smith.

J. (Page 227.)
An Act to set off a part of the Town of Dorchester
and annex the same to the City of Boston.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Bepresentatives
in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the
same, as follows: —
Sect. 1. All that territory of the town of Dorchester,
in the county of Norfolk, which lies north-easterly of a
line extending from a stake and stones on the head-land
near the line between the said town of Dorchester and
the city of Roxbury in said county of Norfolk, north
fifty-six degrees west across the easterly side of the Old
Colony Railroad, one hundred and forty feet from the
centre of a culvert next south of said line, two thousand
eight hundred and twenty three (2,823) feet to a stake
and stones on the head-land ; thence in a straight line
to the centre of the channel of Dorchester Bay, which
27

314 APPENDIX.
is the dividing- line between said Dorchester and the
town of Quincy, with all the inhabitants and estates
therein, is hereby set off from the town of Dorchester
and annexed to the city of Boston in the county of Suf
folk, and shall hereafter be considered and deemed to
be a part of the city of Boston ; provided, that the said
territory and the inhabitants thereon, set off as afore
said, shall be holden to pay all such taxes as are already
assessed or ordered to be assessed by said town of Dor
chester, not extending beyond the first day of May
eighteen hundred and fifty-six, in the same manner as if
this act had not been passed ; and provided, further,
that all paupers who have gained a settlement in said
town of Dorchester by a settlement gained or derived
within said territory, shall be relieved or supported by
said city of Boston in the same manner as if they had a
legal settlement in said city of Boston.
Sect. 2. The said inhabitants hereby set off to the
city of Boston shall continue to be a part of Dorchester
for the purpose of electing State officers, senators and
representatives to the general court, representatives to
congress, and electors of president and vice-president
of the United States, until the next decennial census
shall be taken, or until another apportionment of repre
sentatives to the general court shall be made ; and it
shall be the duty of the mayor and aldermen of said city
of Boston to make a true list of the persons residing on
the territory hereby annexed thereto, qualified to vote
at such elections, and post up the same in said territory,
and correct the same as required by law, and deliver
the same to the selectmen of said town of Dorchester
seven days, at least, before any such election ; and the
same shall be taken and used by the selectmen of Dor
chester for such election, in the same manner as if it
had been prepared by themselves.
Sect. 3. The mayor and aldermen of the city of Bos
ton shall be and hereby are authorized to lay out and
grade such streets and lanes over the said tract, within
twelve months from the passage of this act, as in their

APPENDIX. 315
judgment the interests of the proprietors of lands in
said tract and the public convenience may require : pro
vided, said proprietors shall relinquish any claim for
damages or compensation for the land over which said
streets and lanes are so laid out and graded, within the
time aforesaid.
Sect. 4. This act shall take effect from and after its
passage. [Approved by the Governor, May 21, 1855.]

NEW CENSUS OF VOTERS.
A census of the voters of Boston has been completed '
since the 20th chapter of this book was printed. It
was taken, with that of the rest of the State, to form
the basis of a new apportionment of representatives.
A table is here given of the number of voters in each
ward in the city, and also, for comparison, the number of
the same in 1850 — as prepared for the Evening Tran
script. Ward Two now consists of East Boston, and
Ward Twelve of South Boston (which embraces Wash
ington Village). It will be seen that the latter ward has
more voters than any other in the city.

1850.

185?.

Incr.

Ward 1

1511

1709

198

" 2

1380

1916

536

" 3

1487

1755

268

•• i

1552

1961

409

" 5

1502

1907

405

" 6

1506

2392

886

" 7

14.70

1573

103

" 8

1546

1828

282

" 9

1427

1445

18

« 10

1458

1766

308

" 11

1465

2020

5-55

" 12

1482

2187

705

 .





17,786

22,459

4673

Washington Vill

. 219

22,678
316

The publication of the "History" being delayed
on account of one of the Portraits being unfinished, an
opportunity is afforded of noting several recent events
of public interest.
A religious society has been organized at Washing
ton Village, South Boston, and a chapel built. The lat
ter was dedicated in June, 1857. Rev. Edward Squire,
formerly of the Broadway Unitarian Church, is the
minister. Rev. J. A. Goodhue, late pastor of South Baptist
Church (see p. 172), resigned in June, 1857.
Rev. C. S. Porter, late pastor of Phillips Church (see
p. 167), was dismissed July 8th, 1857.
Rev. J. L. Blake, D.D. (see p. 160) died at Orange, in
the State of New Jersey, early in July, 1857, aged 69.

The name of the firm E. & H. O. Briggs, ship-builders, is printed
on page 213 with the accidental omission of one of the initials.

GENERAL INDEX.

Adams, Isaac, Printing Press Manufactory .... 206
Aldermen, from South Boston ...... 234
Alger, Cyrus, Iron Works  205, 254
biographical sketch of . . . . . .251
funeral of ....,.,.. 259
Alger & Heed's Eorge .  212
Alvord, Kev. J. W., Minister of Phillips Church . . 167
Annals of Dorchester ........ 44
Annexation of Dorchester Neck to Boston . 72, 277, 279, 282
ef Washington Village to Boston .... 227, 313
Banks in South Boston . . . . . . . .216
Baptist Church (South), first place of meeting . . . 168
new meeting-house  169
Oity Point Chapel  182, 203
Barrett, Samuel, Master in the Hawes School . . .133
Battles, Jonathan, Writing Master of Mather School . . 135
Bay State Iron Company's Works  211
Bay View  22^
Bear, killed at Dorchester Neck . . - - ¦ .287
Bent, Adam, biographical sketch of . . . - 261
Bigelow School, formation of the ..,.-.. 133
building and dedication of the school-house . . . 145
view of the building  • 1*8
Bird, John H., obituary notice of - 273
Bird, Jonathan, house of  32
Births in South Boston  232
Blake, Elder James, builds a house on Dorchester Neck 31, 40, 264
his death 
27*

318 GENERAL INDEX.
Blake, Deacon James, death of  41
burning of the house of Deacon James, a descendant . - 66
Blake, James, the Annalist  42
his death  45
Blake, Rev. J. L., Kector of St. Matthew's Church . 160, 316
Blake, Samuel, biographical notice of .... 263
Blind Asylum, at South Boston  187
Boston, town meeting respecting annexation of Dorchester Neck 73
memorial to Selectmen of  279
Boston Wharf Co., Bridge built by  104
Bosworth, Rev. Geo. W., Minister of South Baptist Church 172
Branch School organized . . . < . . . . 134
Brewery, Phipps & Co.'s  216
Bridge, between Boston and South Boston, first movement for 81, 303
discussion respecting its location  83
building of South Bridge authorized, and completion 77, 84, 288
efforts for a second Bridge, from Wheeler's Point . 84, 89, 304
disorderly proceedings respecting it ... . 86, 89
Bill for a Pree Bridge passed  94, 292
North Pree Bridge completed  96
South Bridge purchased by the City .... 101
Old Colony Railroad Bridge  102
Evans's Railroad Bridge  102
Boston & New York Central Railroad Bridges . . . 103
Mount Washington Avenue  104
Bridgman, Laura, some account of  190, 297
Briggs, E. & H. O., ship building .... 213, 316
Brinley Block, erection of  78
British Army, in Boston  45
evacuates Boston  57, 149
Broadway, laying out of  • . 196
changes in its level ... .... 202
Broadway Bank  217
Broadway Railroad Company  226
Brooks, Noah, sketch of his life  264
view of his dwelling-house  265
Burrfll, Mrs., School for Young Ladies .... 153
view of the building  153

GENERAL INDEX. 319
Cams, Thomas, glass manufactory .... 204, 215
Cannon, manufacture of  255
Capen, Rev. Lemuel, appointed School Master . . .116
Minister of Hawes Place Church  157
residence of  227
resignation of offices  119, 158
Causeway in Dorchester ..... 25, 27, 194
Church and School, distant from the first settlers . . 68
Churches in South Boston  154
Broadway Unitarian ....... 177
City Point Chapel  182, 203
Free-will Baptist  180
Hawes Place Congregational  155, 158
Methodist Episcopal (Centenary Chapel) .... 172
Payson  179
Phillips  163, 316
South Baptist  167,316
St. Augustine's  161
St. Matthew's  158
St. Peter and St. Paul's  178
Universalist  176
City Council, members of, from South Boston . . . 235
City Institutions  223
City Lands in South Boston .... 203,223,312
Clinch, Rev. J. H., Rector of St. Matthew's Church . . 160
Coney's Foundry  209
Conolly, Rev. H. L., Rector of St. Matthew's Church . 160
Cook, Rev. T. D., Minister of Universalist Church . . 177
Crafts, Frederick, Teacher of Hawes and Bigelow Schools 133, 147
Cressey, Rev. T. R., Minister of South Baptist Church . . 170
Damon, Rev. Calvin, Minister of Universalist Church . 177
Dawes, Rev. Thomas, Minister of Hawes Place Church . . 158
Bean, Rev. W. W., Minister of Universalist Church . . 177
Deaths in South Boston  232
Distinguished Citizens, biographical sketches of— -Cyrus Alger 251
Adam Bent  261
John H. Bird  273

320 GENERAL INDEX.
Distinguished Citizens, biographical sketches of — Samuel Blake 263
Noah Brooks  26*
Josiah Dunham ......... 271
Romanus Emerson ........ 275
Abraham Gould  250
John Hawes  238
Hall J. How  269
David Williams ........ 266
Joseph Woodward  244
Dorchester, settlement of . . . -. . 9, 13
names of the First Settlers, and distress of 13, 14, 19, 27, 29
opposition to Annexation of Neck to Boston . . 74, 277
Dorchester Avenue Horse Railroad ..... 225
Dorchester Heights, fortification of the  49
Dorchester Neck, how regarded by the first Settlers 12, 13, 24
division of lands  18
lots to be fenced in  28
its annexation to Boston .... 72, 77, 277, 279, 282
exposed condition of inhabitants during the Siege of Boston 65
Drake, Albert, Teacher of Music in the Schools . . „ 133
Driver, Rev. Thomas, Minister of South Baptist Church . 171
Drowning of three men at Dorchester Neck . . . 71
Duck, wild, nest of at Dorchester Neck .... 288
Duel, fought at the Neck ....... 70
Dunbar, Rev. Duncan, Minister of South Baptist Church . 171
Dunham, Josiah, sketch of the Life of . . . . 271
Dwelling House, first one built on Dorchester Neck 31, 40, 264
Noah Brooks's, on Broadway  265
-other houses in 1776  32, 33
number of houses in South Boston .... 230
Elegy on the Death of John Foster , . . . 34, 38
Elm Trees, near Dorchester Meeting-house ... 37
on Fourth Street  33, 285
Emerson, Romanus, notice of ..... . 275
England, Dorchester first Settlers depart from ... 9
Execution, public, on Nook Hill ...... 109

GENERAL INDEX. 321
Fairchild, Rev. J. H., Minister of Phillips Church . . 166
Minister of Payson Church  ,179
Families in South Boston  230
Field, Barnum, appointed School Teacher . . . .119
Fire- Alarm Telegraph  237
Fire Companies in South Boston  217
Fitzsimmons, Rev. Terrence, St. Augustine's Church . 162
Foster, Capt. Hopestill, death of  39
his descendants  40, 286
Foster-house and Land  31( 284
Foster, James, burning of his house  40
ancient deed of land of  286
Foster, John, his Death and Epitaph  33
elegy on . -  34, 38
Foster, Mrs., house burned by the British Soldiers . . 67
Free-will Baptist Church  180
names of different Ministers  181
Fulton Iron Foundry  207
Gas Company, in South Boston  219
Glass Works, first erected in South Boston .... 204
Cains's  215
Mt. Washington  215
Slane's  214
Globe Locomotive Works  209
Goodhue, Rev. J. A., Minister of South Baptist Church 172, 316
Gould, Abraham, brick house built by . . .79, 285
extensive tracts of land  251, 284
real estate of  78, 80
obituary  250
Hale, Joseph, Master of Bigelow School .... 147
Harrington, Joseph, Jr., chosen Teacher of Hawes School . 124
Harris, John A., Writing Master in the Hawes School . . 133
Hawes Free Evening School  219
Hawes, John, appropriates land for a Church . . 154, 295
death of  157
biographical sketch of  238

322 GENERAL INDEX.
Hawes, John, extracts from the Will of  295
Hawes Juvenile Association, formation of . . . 125
names of original members, and exhibitions . . .130
Hawes Place Congregational Society .... 155, 158
Hawes, Rev. Prince, Minister of Phillips Church , . .166
Hawes School-house, built and opened for use . . , 119
struck by lightning . . . . . . . .131
division of school  133, 134
Heights of Dorchester, Washington's preparations for fortifying 46
forts erected in one night ...... 49
fortification of, in the War of 1812  105
one of them used as a Park and Reservoir . . 200, 203
Hotel, South Boston, built  79
Golden Ball  80
Twelfth Ward  79
Mount Washington  188
kept by Mr. Healy, on the Foster place .... 285
How, Hall J., biographical sketch of  269
Howe, Rev. M. A. DeW., Teacher of Hawes School . . 120
Idiots, School for, at South Boston , 193
Indians, at Mattapannock  228, 302
Iron Works, Alger's ....... 205, 254
Alger & Reed's  212
Bay State Company's  211
Coney's  209
Loring's  210
Lyman & Souther's  209
Thaeher's  207
Wilmarth's  .. 205
Jackson, Rev. William, preacher at South Boston . . 171, 180
Land, price of, on Dorchester Neck, and in South Boston 28, 231
extensive tracts owned by individuals . . . . 25 1, 284
Lawrence, Amos,, first interested in the South Boston Schools 127
letter to members of the Lawrence Association . . . 138
¦death and funeral of his sou . . . , .. . 139

GENERAL INDEX.

323

Lawrence, Amos, presents to the Lawrence Association . 143
death and funeral of  143
Lawrence, Amos A., prizes for essays  145
Lawrence Association formed  137
Lawrence enclosure, at Mt. Auburn, view of the . . 140
Lawrence School  136, 148
view of the School-house 
Lincoln, Jairus, appointed School Teacher
Lippitt, Rev. G. W., Minister of. Hawes Place Society
Little Neck, name changed to Washington Village .
Loring, Harrison, Engine Manufactory
Lyceum Hall 
Lyman & Souther, Globe Locomotive Works
Lynch, Rev. T. and M., Ministers of St. Augustine's Church
Lyndon, Rev. P. F., Minister of St. Peter & St. Paul's <

Mahoney, Rev. John, of St. Augustine's Church
Manufactories ......
Market Place, lot set apart for a
Masonic Lodges in South Boston
Massachusetts School for Idiots
Mather, Rev. Richard, arrival of, at Dorchester
Mather School organized, and School-house built
name changed to Lawrence School .
Mattapan, settled and called Dorchester .
Mattapan Literary Association, organization of
names of original members
list of Presidents 
Mattapannock, as a Pasture for Dorchester cattle
called Dorchester Neck ....
division of .•¦••• •
Mechanics Bank .
Memorial, from citizens of South Boston
Methodist Episcopal Church
building of Centenary Chapel
names of Ministers 
Military Company 
Mount Washington Female Institute .

12,

Church

MS119158
226210 223
209 162178

. 162
204, 308
. 204223 193 17
134, 135136
9, 12
182183 186
13, 24, 25, 26 12 18
216 300172 175
176
217153

324

GENERAL INDEX.

Municipal Organization 
Music, first taught in Hawes School .
Neale, Rev. R. H, Minister of South Baptist Church
Newspapers in South Boston  217

J

233
"132 170

Nook Lane, situation of .
Nook's Hill, fortification of
removal of .

Odd Fellows' Lodge .
Omnibuses in South Boston

of

Page, William P., chosen Teacher of Hawes School
Pasture, Dorchester Neck used for a
land for, retained by the Town of Dorchester .
Patton, Rev. W. W., Minister of Phillips Church
Payson Church, organization of .
Perkins Institution for the Blind'
Phillips Church Society, organization of and place
Pierce, Rev- T. C, first Minister in South Boston
Police Department -»...-
Population of Dorchester Neck and South Boston
Porter, Rev- Charles S., Minister of Phillips Church
Powow Point .....
Primary Schools 
Proprietors of Dorchester Neck, meeting of
Pulaski Guards, the .....

Railroad, Old Colony, station at South Boston
Boston and New York Central, bridges
Broadway, Horse 
Dorchester Avenue, Horse
Real Estate, rise in value of ... .
Reservoir, for the Cochituate- water
Roxbury Canal, digging of the-

. 286
54, 56
. 203

223
224, 227

120
13, 18-, 24, 25
68
. 167179
. 187
worship 163
154, 172
237
229, 307
167, 316
. 228150
. 29
217

r 102
103
. 226
225
> 231, 232
218, 311
. 70.

Schools, public, and School-houses
private School at South Boston

111, 306
. Ill

GENERAL INDEX. 325
Schools — petition for a public School  112
fir-t ublic one established  113
r nption of the first Schools and School-houses . 114, 118
Bigelow  133, 145, 143
Hawes  119, 131, 133, 134
Hawes Free Evening  219
Lawrence  13S, 148
Mather  134, 135, 136
Mt. Washington Female Institute  153
Primary Schools  150
Samaritan Society  221
Sewers, public, in the streets  200
Shackfbrd, Rev. C. S., Minister of Hawes Place Society . 158
Shade Tree Society  220
Shepard, Isaac F., Teacher in the Mather School . . 135
Ship, first launched in Dorchester  25
Ship-building in South Boston  212, 265
Slane, P. F., Flint Glass Works •  214
Small-pox, in Boston and vicinity  69
hospital at Dorchester Neck  69
South Boston, the name Dorchester Neck changed to . .77
Southard, D. A., death and funeral of .... 142
Spinney, Samuel R., residence of  227
Square, public, proposed laying out of . . . 204,311
Squire, Rev. Edward, Broadway Unitarian Church . 178, 316
Stearns, Josiah A., Grammar Master of Mather School . 135
Principal of Lawrence School  150
Streets of South Boston .... 194, 305, 310, 314
laid out by the Selectmen of Boston  195
new survey ordered ....... 199
paving of the principal ones, and alteration in the grades 201, 202
St. Augustine's Church, building of  161
St. Matthew's Church, incorporation of and place of worship 158
St. Peter and St. Paul, Church of . . . . . .178
Taxes in South Boston  78, 232, 306
Tea, from British ships, gathered on the shore at the Neck .66, 285
Thacher, George C. and Thomas, Iron Foundry . . . 207
28

326 GENERAL INDEX.
Thomas, Rev. Moses G., Minister Broadway Unitarian Church 177
Tillson, John, Dedicatory Hymn by  i*"
Trees, two ancient ones on Fourth Street . . .33, 285
at the Neck  68, 287
Shade Tree Society  220
Tudor, William, and others, petition for annexation . . 72
Turnpike, Dorchester and Milton  88
Union Iron Works ........ 205
Unitarian (Broadway) Society, organization of ... 177
Universalist Church, place of worship, and Minister . . 176
Valuation of Real Estate in 1804 ...... 78
forty years later  232, 309
Vital Statistics  232
Voters, number of, in South Boston, and whole city . 230, 315
Walker, Moses W., Teacher of Hawes School . . .120
his account of a disturbance in the School . . . 121
War of 1812, troops stationed in South Boston . . . 106
Ward Twelve, limits of  233
Warren Association line of Omnibuses  224
Washington, General, his military operations near Boston . 46
address to, by Selectmen of Boston, and his reply . 59, 60
vote of thanks to, by Congress, and his answer . . 61, 62
medal presented to him by Congress .... 63
Washington Village  226,316
annexed to South Boston  227, 313
Water, supply of to the citizens  218,311
Whittemore, Rev. Benj., first Minister of Universalist Church 176
Williams, David, biographical notice of  266
Wire Works, Washburn's  212
Wiswall, Oliver, house of  32
Wolcott, Governor, Poem by  10
Wood, Zephaniah, Minister and School Teacher . 116,154,174
his death  156
Woodward, Joseph, efforts in favor of annexation and a bridge 72, 89
biographical sketch of  244

INDEX TO NAMES.

Ad-ams, George 231
Adams, Isaac,206, 220, 313
Adams, John 61, 249
Adams, Samuel 288
Adams, Seth, 206, 217, 236, 313
Adams, Mrs. John 54
Alexander, Henry W. 131
Alger,Cyrus, 205, 207, 208,
234, 235, 251
Alger, Cyrus, Jr. 212
Alger, Erancis,212, 219,251
Allen, C. J. I\ 220, 313
Allen, C. J. E., Jr. 139,149
Allen, W. W. 285
Alvord, Rev. John W. 167
Amee, Col. J. L. C. 217, 235
Anderson, Joseph R. 209
Andrew, John 4
Andrews, Thomas 19
Andrews, Wm. T. 219
Apollonio, N. A. 232
Apthorp, John T. 98
Atherton, Maj. Gen. H.
19, 29, 287
Avery, John 292
Badlam, Steph. 74, 197, 279
Bailey, D. W. 236
Baker, Judah, Jr. 183
Baker, Lewis V. 130
Baker, Richard 27
Baker, widow 27
Baldwin, Loammi 97
Baldwin, Rev. Dr. 173
Ball, Rev. Harvey 169
Ball, Rums 165
Barker, W. R. 184
Barrett, Samuel 133
Batchelder, Miss Ruth 41
Bates, James 19
Batten, widow 27
Battles, Jonathan, 134,136, 136

Baxter, Edward W. 75, 279
Bean, Jedediah P. 236
Bedlington, Sam'l M. 130
Bellingham, Mr. 19
Benham, John 19
Bent, Adam, 113, 234, 235, 261
Bent, Ebenezer 261
Bent, William 261
Bickford, Mr. 237
Bigelow, John P. 145, 147, 218
Billings, William G. 207
Binney, Joseph S. 130
Bird, Abiel . 29
Bird, Benjamin, 29, 30, 238
Bird, Elijah 78
Bird, Ezekiel 78
Bird, Jacob 78
Bird, John H. 273
Bird, Jonathan 69
Bird, Jonathan, 3d 78
Bird, Samuel 78
Bird, Thomas 29
Bird, Thomas, 78, 239, 282
Bird, Mr. 32
Blackman, John 27, 29
Blake, Agnes 40
Blake, George P. 220
Blake, John 27, 264
Blake, John H. 219
Blake, Elder James, 27,31,
40, 41, 264
Blake, Dea. Jas. 29, 30, 41
Blake, James, the Anna
list, 42, 43, 44, 45
Blake, James 33, 66, 67, 78
Blake, Rev. J. L. 160, 316
Blake, Mrs. Ruth 45
Blake, Samuel 31, 263
Blake, Sukey Foster 261
Blake, William, 19, 40, 264
Blake, widow 29-
Blake, Mrs. 71

Blanchard, Albert H. 130
Blanchard, J. W., Jr. 183, 184
Blood, Samuel D. 224
Bosworth, Rev. Geo. W.
172, 182
Boutwell, Geo. S. 149
Bowles, Stephen B. 184
Boyle, Rev. Isaac 160
Boylston, Dr. Zabdiel 69
Brabiner, William A. 184
Brackett, Rev. Josish 175
Brainard, Edw. H. 216,236
Bridgman, Laura 190, 297
Briggs, E. k H. O. 213,316
Briggs, Mrs. 19
Brooks, Gov. John 155
Brooks, Lydia S. 134
Brooks, Noah 119, 212,
213, 235, 264
Brown, Asa 235-
Brown, Edward 286
Brown, Elizabeth, 136, 286-
Brown, Dea. 248
Bruce, Lyman G. 130-
Bryant, G. J. B. 178
Bull, Rev. W. 160
Bullock, Edward 19
Burrill, John 130
Burrill, Mrs. Maria 153
Butler, Nicholas 19
Cains, Thomas 204, 205, 215-
Capen, B. 130
Capen, Bernard 19
Capen, Hopestill 29
Capen, John 19, 288
Capen, John, Jr. 27
Capen, Joseph 39
Capen, Rev.Lemuel, 4,116*
119,157,158,227,228,238
Capen, Preserved 27, 29,
288
Capen, Samuel 29'

328

INDEX TO NAMES.

Capen, Samuel, Jr. 29
Capen, Dea. 27
Champney, John 78, 282
Chauncy, Rev. Dr. 245,
246, 250
Cheverus, Rt. Rev.
Bishop 161
Chittendon, Samuel 96
Christian, Abby 45
Clap, Ebenezer 29
Clap, Ebenezer, Jr. 282
Clap, Edward 19
Clap, Elisha 239
Clap, Ezra 27
Clap, Jason 78
Clap, Jonathan 29
Clap, Lemuel 78
Clap, Mary 78
Clap, Nathaniel 27
Clap, Nicholas 19, 27
Clap, Noah 43
Clap, Roger 12, 14, 15,
19,27
Clap, Samuel 27, 29, 30
Clap, Mrs. Sarah 239
Clap, William 29
Clap, widow 27
Clapp, F. H. 130
Clapp, Deacon John 288
Clapp, Capt. William 227
Clark, Rev. Rufus W. 149
Clarke, William 27
Clement, Augustin 19, 27
Clinch, Rev. Joseph H. 160
Cobb, David 292
Cobb, Samuel 78
Cobb, Sewal-1 C. 186
Codman, Rev. John 173
Colburn, Willis H. 130-, 183
Cole, Benjamin E, 184
Cole, Miss 152
Collicot, Richard 19
Collier, Rev. Mr. 109, 110
Collyer, Rev. J. I. P. 176
Coney, Jabez 208, 209, 236
Conley, C. C. 236
Conolly, Rev. H. L. 160
Converse, J. W. 217
Cook, Rev. Edward 176
Cook, Rev. Theo. D. 177
Corlew, B. E. 184
Cotting, Mr. 159
Cowdin, Jeptha R. 237
Crafts, Frederick 133, 147
Crafts, John W. 236
Crane, Horatio N. 235
Crane, J. H. 183
Crane, Larra ' 234, 313
Crane, Lemuel 75, 279
Crane, Samuel D. 236
Crehore, Benjamin 261

Cressey, Rev. T. R. 170
Crooker, Ralph 211
Crosby, Elkanah C. 130
Crosby, Sumner 236
Crowley, Mr. 237
Curtis, Daniel B. 183,184, 186
Dahlgreen, Com. J. A. 260
Ball, Mr. 151
Dalton, John 109,110
Dame, A. A. 96
Damon, Rev. Calvin 177
Darracott, Franklin 219
Dartmouth, Lord 51
Davenport, Edward J. 219
Dawes, Rev. Thomas 158
Day, M. E. 130
Dean, Rev. W. W. 177
Deeble, Robert 19
Degen, Rev. H. V. 176
Deluce, John 78, 112, 113
Deluce, Mr. 32, 173
Demerest, Samuel C. 236
Dexter,Charles W. 130, 184
Dexter, Geo. S. 183, 184,
186, 236
Dewire, Hannah: 165
Dickerman, Thomas 19
Dimmoek, Thomas 19
Dix & Brinley 204
Dodge, Ephraim 224
Dodge, William B. 207
Dorr, William B. 235
Drake, Albert 133
Drake, Henry A. 183, 184, 186
Drake, Jeremy 219, 235
Driver, Rev. Thos. 169,171
Dunbar, Rev. Duncan 171
Duncan, Nathaniel 19
Dunham, Josiah 234, 235, 271
Dunham, Josiah, Jr. 220,
234, 235
Dunham, Rev. Z. B. C. 176
Duvivier, M. 63
Dwight, Rev. S-. E. 165
Dyer, George 19, 27
Eaton, William 236
Edson, Rev. Theodore 160
Eelles, John 19
Eliot, John 29
Emerson, Rev. Brown 275
Emerson, Rev. Noah 275
Emerson, Rev.Reuben 275
Emerson, Romanus 235, 275
Eustis, Gov. 268
Evans, William 102
Everett, Ebenezer, 295,296

Everett, Moses 74, 7*
Everett, Mr. 118-
Everson, G. H. 207-
Fairchild, Rev. Joy H. 166, 179-
Fairchild, Wm. B. 130, 136-
Farnsworth, Joseph, 19,27
Farrington,- John, 2d 78-
Farrington, Mr. 32
Faxon, Richard 130
Fenn, Benjamin 19
Fenno, Abigail 165
Fenwick, Bishop 162
Field, Barnum 119
Fisk, S. C. & G. 285
Fiske, William 296
Fitzsimmons; Rev. T. 162
Fletcher, Henry W. 235
Flood, Joseph 19
Floyd, Lucy 134
Foster, Benjamin 251
Foster, Elizabeth 287
Foster, HopestiH 27, 33,
39, 250, 286
Foster, James, 39, 40, 250,
286, 287
Foster, John, 33, 34, 36, 38, 39
Eoster, Mary 250
Foster,. Samuel 286
Foster, Standfast 37, 288
Foster, Susannah. 250
Foster, Mm 19; 81, 39/,
65, 66, 67
Foster, Lieut. 29, 30-
Fox, Rev. Thos. B. 149
Frothingham, Rich'd, Jr. 149
Fuller, S. P. 198, 199
Fuller, Sumner 166
Gannett, Rev. E. S-, D.D.
178, 259
Gardner, Henry 295, 296, 297
Garland, Rev. G. D. 181
Gibson, Christopher 19
Gilbert, John 19
Gill, Caleb 220
Gipson, Jonas C. 22&
Glover, John 19, 29
Glover, Theodore R. 130
Glover, W. W. W. 130
Glover, Mr. 26
Goddard, Mr. 49
Goodenow, Elisha 222
Goodhue, Rev. J. A. 172,316
Goodhue, Stephen W. 183, 184
Goodridge, Rebecca A. 131
Goodridge, Samuel 216

INDEX TO NAMES.

329

Gordon 56
Gore, Jeremiah 78
Gorham, Hon. Mr. 91
Gould,Abraham, 78, 79, 80,
112, 159, 247, 250, 284, 286
Gray, John 78
Gray, Rev -Dr. 157
Greele, Samuel 149
Greene, Gardiner 72, 98,
197, 247, 278, 281, 288
Greenleaf, Hon. Thos. 246
Greenway, John. 19
Gridley 50
Griswold, Rt. Rev. A. V.
159, 160
Hale, Joseph. 147
Hall, Daniel 236
Hall, Samuel 58
Hammond, Horace 225
Hammond, Thos. 156,165
Hancock, John 62, 63
Harding, William B. 235
Harlow, Ezra 236
Harrington, Joseph, Jr.
124, 125, 129, 130, 132
Harrington, Leonard 121, 123
Harrington, Rufus 78
Harrington, Mr. 32, 33
Harris, John Alex. 130,133
Harris, Joseph, Jr. 235
Harris, Rev. Thad. M.
72, 154, 155, 156, 157
Hartshorn, Oliver 78
Hatch, Thomas 19
Hathorne, William 19
Hawes, John, 154, 156,157,
158, 238, 273, 295
Hawes, Obadiah 27
Hawes, Rev. Prince 164, 166
Hawes, Richard 19
Hawkins, Mr. 19
Hayden, John 19
Haynes, Edw. W. 130
Hayward, Ebenezer 235
Healy, Mr. 285
Hedge, Frank 4
Herrick, Jacob 165, 237
Hewins, Abel 113, 166
Hewins, Anna 165
Higginson, Stephen 78
Hildreth, J. W. 183
HiU, John 19
Hill, Samuel 220
Hill, Mrs. Samuel 221
Hoar, Thomas 130
Holden, Phineas 69
Hollis, Phoebe 166
Holman, John 19

Holmes, Ebenezer 29
Holmes, Mr. 79
Homans, John 48
Homer, Geo. J. 164
Homes, Henry 164
Hopkins, Stephen 61
How, Calvin F. 130
How, Hall J. 269
How, Dr. James 269
Howard, Charlotte 166
Howard, Wm. H. 235,254
Howard, Mr. 27
Howe, Cranston 313
Howe, John 75, 76
Howe, Rev. M. A. De W.
120, 160
Howe,.Samuel G, 187, 190,
193, 297, 313
Howe, Gen. 46, 50, 51, 52,
53,54,57,64,194,202
Howes, Willis 235
Hubbard, Samuel 97
Hull, John 19
Humphreys, Jonas 19
Humphries, James, 78,295,
296, 297
Hunnewell, Jonathan 198
Hunting, Mr. 80
Huntington, Rev. Prof. 259
Hutchinson, Mr. 19
Jackson, Eben 234, 235
Jackson, Rev.William,171, 180, 181
James, Benjamin 234, 236
Jarves & Cormerais 215
Jay, John 61, 249
Jenkins,.JoBhua 217, 220,
227, 236
Jenkins, Rowland E. 130
Jenkins, Solon 235
Jenkins, Wm. E. 130
Jenks, Samuel H. Jr. 184
Jenney, Francis H. 136, 183
Jenney, N. S. 139
Johnson, Joseph 165
Johnson, Joseph B. 130
Johnson, Mr. 132
Johnston, William 215
Jones, Ebenezer 31
Jones, Edward 219
Jones, Isaac 27, 236
Jones, Richard 24
Jones,Thomas, 24, 234, 236
Jones, T. K. 246
Jones, Mr. 27
Josselyn, F. M-, Jr. 236
Joy, Mr. 245

Kinnersley, Thos.
Kinsley, John
Knight, John

24
24 24

Kendall, Mr.
Kent, Samuel

91
264, 265

Lake, Thomas 27
Lambert, Thomas 24
Lane, William 24
Lawrence, Abbott 265^
Lawrence, Amos, 137, 139,
143, 145, 149
Lawrence, Amos A. 145
Lawrence, R. M. 139, 141
Lee, George 189
Leeds,Samuel, 220, 221,235
Leeds, Thomas 78
Leonard, Rev. Mr. 58
Lincoln, Ensign 168
Lincoln, Jairus 119, 120
Lincoln & Wheelwright 264
Lippitt, Rev. G. W. 158
Littlefleld, Rev. W. H. 181
Loring, Charles H. 183,184
Loring, Harrison 210, 211
Loring, Israel 78
Loring, Sarah A. 136
Lowell, John 70
Lucas, Benjamin 165
Ludlow, Mr. 13
Lyman & Souther 209
Lynch, Rev. T. & M. 162
Lyndon, Rev. P. F. 179
Madison, James 104
Magee, James 268.
Maguire, Francis 285-
Mahoney,.Rev. John 162
Makepeace, Thomas 24
Malcom, Rev. Howard 169, 170
Mann, Nehemiah P. 235
Mann, Nehemiah P. Jr.
130, 184
Mannings, widow- 27
Marshall, Moses 78
Marshall, Mr. 32
Martin, Mr. 24
Mason, Henry 236
Mason, Jonathan 72, 247,
248, 254, 288
Mason, Lowell 132, 188
Mather, Rev. Richard 17,
18, 24, 25, 135
Mather, Timothy 27
Maverick, Rev. John, 9, 13, 18
McCarthy, William 130
McDonald, Mrs. 193
McNeil, Capt. 106
Mead, Charles 176
Merrill, Rev. J. W. 176
Miller, Alexander 24

sso

INDEX TO NAMES'.

Miller, John 24
Miller, Dr. 269
Miller, Mr. 71
Millet, Thomas 24
Minot, George 24
Monks, John P. 183, 220
Monks, William J. 184
Montgomery, H. 313
Moody, Ehizir 287
Moore, James 130-
Moore, John 24
Morgan, Charles 181
Moseley, Thomas 68, 75;
279
Mosely, John 27
Mudge, Rev. James 176
Munnings, Edward 24
Munroe, Thomas 78
Murphy, Mr. 79, 80
Nash, Mary 286
Nash, Timothy 286
Naylor & Co. 212
Neale, Rev. R. H. 170
Newbury, Thomas 24
Newcombs, Messrs. 96
Newman, Henry 78
Nickerson, David 130, 313
Nickerson, Frederick 220-
Nickerson, F. A. 183
Niles, John 24
Norton, Rev. Mr. 156
Noyes, George N. 236
Noyes, Nicholas 235
Oldham, John 12
Oliver, Francis J. 91, 98
Orne, Judge 91
Osborn,T)avid W. 130
Otis, Harrison Gray 72,
76, 247, 248, 288, 291
Page, George 235
Page, William P. 120
Parker, James 24
Parker, R. G. 159
Patten, Mr. 27
Patton, Rev. Wm. W. 167
Patton, Rev. Dr. 167
Payson, Samuel 78
Pearson, Ephraim 29
Percy, Earl 51
Perkins, S. S. 234, 236, 313
Perkins, Thomas H. 188,
189, 253
Philbriok, John D. 149
Phillips, John 24, 166
Phillips, Willard 97
Phipps, James L. & Co.216
Pickering, D. N. 210
Pierce, Franklin 143
Pierce, John 24

Pierce, Robert 24
Pierce, Rev. Thomas 154,
163, 172, 173, 174
Pierpont, Rev. John 119, 167
Pike, James 71
Pitcher, Andrew 24
Pool, Rev. G. F. 176
Poole, Maxwell 130
Pope, Benjamin 183, 184, 186
Pope, John 24
Pope, John B. 130
Porter, Rev. Chas. S., 149,
167, 316
Porter, Rev. James 176
Porter, Rev. Dr. 155, 156, 157
Porter, Gen. 108
Pratt, Mr. 65
Preston, William 24
Price, Daniel 24
Price, Rev. I. H. 160
Price, Rev. Dr. 246
Proctor, George 24
Proctor, John 236
Purchase, widow 24
Quincy, Hon. Josiah 149
Rand, Mr. 71
Read, William 24
Reed, Caleb 254
Reed, Edward 212
Reed, John 47, 70
Reed, John H. 211
Reed, Rev. R. W. 181
Rice, Alexander H. 149
Richards, Thomas 24
Richardson, Jeffrey 271
Richardson, Thomas 234
Richmond, Rev. Dr. 157
Rigby, Joseph 24
Robbins, Edward 78
Robbins, Rev. S. 181
Robinson, Maj. James 75
Robinson, James, Jr. 279
Robinson, Mrs. 172
Rogers, E. H. 130
Rogers, James B. 130
Ross, Mr. 79
Rossiter, Mr. 13
Russell Benjamin 85
Russell, James D. 184, 237
Russell, Luther 215
Samford, Thomas 24
Savage, James 152
Savage, Rev. J. A. 176
Searle, Rev. Addison 159
Sears, Barnas 145
Sension, Matthew 24

Seward, Richard 139
Shackford, Rev. C. C. 158
Shattuck, Lemuel 230
Sherman, Rev.David 176
Sherman, Edwin A. 130
Shepard, Isaac F. 135>
Shores, A. 39
Simonds, Alvan, 4, 216, 236
Simonds, Joseph H. 4
Simonds, Mary B. 165
Slane, P. F. 214, 215
Sloan, Samuel W. 236
Smed, widow 24
Smith, George 237
Smith, Horace 186
Smith, John 24
Smith, Joseph 236, 313
Smith, Lewis 220
Smith,, widow 27
Southard, D. A. 139,142
Southard, Zibeon 236
Southcoat, Capt. 12, 13
Souther, John 210
Spear, Aaron 78
Spear, Lemuel 78
Spiller, Ober 130
Spinney, Samuel R. 220,
227, 236
Sprague, Matthew, Jr. 184
Squeb, Capt. 9, 13
Squire, Rev. Edw. 178, 316
Stearns, Josiah A. 135,136,
139, 150
Stebbins, John Bliss 235
Stetson, Alpheus 235
Stevens, Rev. Abel 175
Stevens, Geo. A. 130
Stevens, Ingolls & Co. 216
Stevens,. Seriah 235
Stoughton, Mr. 24
Stoughton, Mrs. 27
Stover, Theophilus 236
Strong,, Gov. 84,105,292
Sumner^ Increase 70
Sumner, Wm. 24, 27, 50
Swift, Obadiah 27, 29
Swift, Thomas 24
Sylvester, P. A. 216
Tailer, Col. 29-
Taylor, Robert 237
Taylor, Rev. E. T. 174, 175
Temple, James 78
Thacher, Benjamin 130
Thacher, Geo. C. 207, 208, 254
Thacher, Geo. T. 130
Thacher, Bene S. 131
Thacher, Thomas 207
Thacher, Wm. S. 131,183, 236
Thayer, Benjamin 184

INDEX TO NAMES.

331

Thayer, Catherine 150
Thayer, Rev. Mr. 161
Thom, Isaac, 156 165, 235
Thom, Sophia 165
Thomas, John 228
Thomas, Rev. Moses G.
177, 178
Thomas, Gen. 49, 219
Thurston, Caleb 235
Tileston, Onisepherus 78
Tileston, Thomas 37
Tillson, John 145, 236
Tolman, Ebenezer 75, 279
Topliffe, Elder 29
Townsend, A. 91
Tucker, Rev. T. W. 173
Tudor, William, 72, 75, 76,
78, 82, 247, 277, 278, 281, 288
Tully, Samuel 109, 110
Tuttle, Rev. E. , 182

TJpsall, Nicholas

24

246
235

Vincent, Jane
Vinson, Thomas M.

Wade, Richard 24
Wadsworth, Alexander 199
Wales, Eben'r 74, 76, 279
Wales, Jerijah 29
Wales, Nathaniel 24
Wales, Thomas B. 219
Walker, Moses W. 120,
121, 123, 124, 307

Walton, Nancy P. 136
Ward, Gen. 55, 57
Wareham, Rev. John 9,
10, 13, 18
Washburn, Henry S. 212
Washington, George, 46-n4
Way, George 24
Weeks, Anniel 27
Weeks, George 24
Weeks, Joseph 29
Wells, Rev. E. M. P. 160
Wells, William B. 131
Wheelwright, Lot 90, 212
Whiston, John W. 130
Whitcomb, John 24
White, Edward 24
White, H. H. 217
White, James 27
White, Luther L. 186
Whitfield, Mr. 24
Whitman, Rev. J. 176
Whitman, Mr. 24
Whitney, Moses 71
Whitney, Rev. Mr. 157
Whiton, E. J. 183
Whiton, Lewis C. 236
Whittemore, Rev. B. 176
Whittemore, James F. 236
Wilder, Dr. Chas. W. 248
Williams, David 78, 266
Williams, David, Jr. 71
Williams, Ebenezer 27
Williams, John 267, 269
Williams, Thomas 70
WilUams, Thomas, Jr. 70

Wilkins, Bray 24
Wilks, Bro. 26
Wilmarth, Seth 205
Wing, Rev. Otis 169
Winslow, Gen. 252, 253
Winthrop, Adam, 27, 29, 30
Winthrop, Elizabeth B. 159
Wisner, Rev. B. B. 165
Wiswall, Enoch 27
Wiswall, John 33
Wiswall, Oliver, Capt., 29,
30, 32, 284
Wiswall, Thomas 24
Wiswall, Deacon 27
Withington, Mather 195,
198, 199
Withington, Richard 27, 29
Withington, Samuel 75,
279
Withington, Mr. 24
Wolcott, Roger 9
Wolcott, Gov. 9
Wood, Zephaniah, 116,154,
155, 156, 157, 163, 174
Woodward, Ann V. 273
Woodward, Daniel 245
Woodward, Joseph, 72, 78,
89, 112, 117, 118,,
244, 273, 274
Wright, Albert J. 217
Wright, Henry 24
Wright, James 235
Wright, Richard 24
Wright, WiUiam 96,^35 I