¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦ I ?.^fi OLD CHARLESTOWN YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Purchased from the income of the bequest of WILLIAM ROBERTSON COE Honorary M.A. 1949, for material in the field of American Studies OLD CHARLESTOWN Historical v Biographical Reminiscent BY TIMOTHY T. SAWYER 0 BOSTON JAMES H. WEST COMPANY 1902 Copyright, 190Z, By Timothy T. Sawyer. 5Co THE MEMORY OF MY WIFE MARY STOCKMAN SAWYER MY COMPANION AND GUIDE FOR SIXTY-THREE YEARS AND WHOSE GENTLE AND TRUTHFUL SPIRIT WILL GUIDE ME TO THE END I IBrticate tljt0 iBiwft Preface -*> From time to time during the past fourteen years I have contributed to the columns of The Charlestown Enterprise articles having reference to Charlestown, its residents, and its society in the past. The articles contain much that has been taken from authentic historical records, more perhaps of personal recollection, and are full of pleasant memories of a community in which I have lived for a very long period and of which I have great occasion to think with grateful emotion and honest pride. In preparing these articles I have felt the con sciousness of a desire to give expression to my estimation of the character of the Old Town and of its good influence upon those who have been fortunate enough to make it their place of residence. I have no comparison to make between it and other places, but I look over the list of names I have given and am sure that it contains those of a 5 6 PREFACE great number of persons who are so well known for their standing and success in life that it is not need ful specially to call attention to their merits or to boast of their citizenship. I have been urged many times to have these papers reprinted in book-form. In my own judg ment it has been questionable whether they were worth such use ; but I have concluded at last to have this volume issued. It has seemed to me at times that the chapters should be re-arranged and carefully systematized ; but on the whole I deem it best to put them in the book as they appeared in the newspaper. If they shall be found worthy of perusal, and give pleasure to my friends, I shall be satisfied. The date of the original appearance of each of the papers is shown at the close of each chapter. t. t. s. July, 1902. Contents PAGE I The Dexter Estate Samuel Dexter — Giles Alexander — Nathan Bridge — Ham ilton Davidson — Rhodes Lockwood 17 II The Swift Estate James Noble — Artemas Ward — Benjamin Swift — Nathan Pratt — James Bird, and others Z4 III The Loring Home Colonel Joseph Loring and his Family z8 IV The Hyde Estate Francis Hyde — Nathan Webb — Edwin F. Adams 31 V Cordis Street Samuel Kidder — Samuel Abbott — Gilbert Tufts 35 VI On Cordis Street Charles Thompson — Samuel Thompson — The Academy — Captain David Low — Richard Baker 40 VII The Thompson Homestead Timothy Thompson and his Family 47 8 CONTENTS VIII The McNeil Estate Lynde's Point and its Improvement — The Homestead — Archibald McNeil — Samuel Jaques — Visit of Lafayette 56 IX Gallant Huntsmen Reynard's Pursuers and where they went — Mrs. Hall's Strawberries 64 X Some Noted Men James Frothingham — Josiah Barker — The Goodwins — Ship-Building 68 XI The Old Ship Union — Washington Street Captain George Barker — Reuben Hunt — Professor George F. Barker — Samuel Devens 74 XII Washington Street and Some of Its Residents James Adams — William M. Byrnes — George Hyde — William Arnold — The Flints 78 XIII Washington Street Its Pleasant Neighborhood 84 XIV Along Bow Street Residences of Richard Devens and John Harris — Henry Jaques and his Family. 88 XV Bow Street George W. Tyler's Library and its Distinguished Visitors — George Davidson and his Voyage around the World in the Ship Columbia when the river Columbia was discov ered — John J. Stowell 9Z CONTENTS 9 XVI The Devens and Harris Families Commissary Devens — Jonathan Harris — Charlotte Harris — Social Life — General Charles Devens 97 XVII The Devens House on Chelsea Street Eminent Men among its Former Occupants — Bow Street again — Deacon Isaac Warren — William W. Wheildon — The Bunker Hill Aurora 105 XVIII Prominent and Distinguished Men The Feltons — Robert Lovering and his Son, Professor Joseph Lovering — Civil Engineering — The Morocco Industry 1 1 1 XIX The Father of Civil Engineering in America The Baldwin Estate — James Harrison — Captain Thomas Beckford — Colonel Loammi Baldwin — George R. Baldwin 117 XX The Vineyard Isaac Mead — David Haggerston — The Mead Home. ... IZ3 XXI Charlestown Square — Main Street The Hurds — Skinner, Hurd & Co. — John Skinner — John Hurd 1 z8 XXII The Hurds Mansion of Joseph Hurd — Dr. Josiah Stearns Hurd — William Hurd 133 XXIII Matthew Rice A Memorial Tribute 1 39 io CONTENTS XXIV Dexter Row John F. Skinner — Henry P. Fairbanks — Shadrach Varney 1 43 XXV Dexter Row — Harvard Church Benjamin Thompson — James Walker, D.D. — ¦ George E. Ellis, D.D 147 XXVI The Forsters The Old Furniture-Store — Jacob Forster and Forster, Law rence & Co 153 XXVII The Tufts Family Tufts College — An Interesting Statement in regard to Other Colleges also founded by and named for Former Res idents of Charlestown — How did the Town of Maiden get its Name ? 1 60 XXVIII The Tufts Family (continued) Deacon Amos Tufts — Joseph F. Tufts — Eliab P. Mack- intire — Nathan Tufts — A Famous Law-suit 165 XXIX Some Fine Old Estates Retrospective Glances at the Homes of Former Citizens — Nathan Tufts — Ebenezer Breed — Nathan Adams . . 171 XXX The Once Prominent Breed Family Richard and John Breed — Commodore John Shaw — Morton's Point — Rope-making 177 XXXI The Frothinghams Names That Are Familiar to All Old Residents of Charles town — A Notable Family 184 CONTENTS n XXXII A Notable Visitor Kossuth, the Hungarian Patriot, greeted in Charlestown as a Tried and True Friend of Liberty — Reception at Mayor Frothingham's 193 XXXIII Major Timothy Walker Another Prominent Family — Walker Street — Charlotte Cushman — Thomas Ball zoo XXXIV The Walker Family Dr. William J. Walker — Distinguished Graduates of his School — Samuel T. Armstrong, an Eminent Book Publisher — Where the Universalists held their First Meetings zo6 XXXV A Chapter of History Suggested by the Death of Professor Bowen — The Alford Professorship in Harvard College ziz XXXVI The Name of Austin It Appeared Very Early and Has Held a Prominent Position in the History of Charlestown — Nathaniel Austin — William Austin z 1 6 XXXVII The Austin Family Arthur, Henry, Francis, and James Austin ZZ3 XXXVIII The Bridge Family Its High Standing — Matthew Bridge — Samuel J. Bridge — The Family Estate on Town Hill — Lafayette's Second Visit to Charlestown ZZ9 12 CONTENTS XXXIX The Statue of Harvard The Gift of Samuel J. Bridge — Address of Dr. George E. Ellis Z35 XL Edward Everett Elected Governor while a Resident of Charlestown — His Addresses — Reminisences Z41 XLI Two Celebrations Independence Day, July 4, 1828: Edward Everett, the Orator — Bunker Hill Day, June 17, 1836: Alex ander H. Everett, the Orator — Edward Everett's Famous Speech at the Dinner- Table Z49 XLII George Washington Charlestown Ever Faithful to His Memory 255 XLIII An Important List Cabinet Officers, Members of Congress, and Members of the Massachusetts Legislature, from Charlestown, cov ering One Hundred Years 262 XLIV The Knowles-Everett House The Russell House — The Mansion House — The Waverley House — Moses A. Dow Z70 XLV The Dow Banquet Expressions of Esteem and Appreciation for a Public- Spirited Man — The Famous Waverley Magazine.. Z76 XLVI William Gray and Joshua Bates Frederic Tudor and the First Shipment of Ice Z82 CONTENTS J3 XLVII Nathaniel Gorham One of the Most Eminent Citizens in the History of Charlestown — Town Hill as it was in the Early Days — The Old Town Hall 288 XLVIII A Famous Controversialist Dr. Jedidiah Morse — His Ministry in Charlestown — His Sons — The Great Invention which made S. F. B. Morse Famous , 293 XLIX - Crafts' Corner The Boylston House — The Boylstons and the Hays, Early Settlers and Large Holders of Real-Estate 305 L Memorial Tribute Sarah F. Robertson 313 LI One of the Old Families Otis Clapp — Mrs. Richard Williams, and others 315 LII Thompson Square Why it was so Named — Members of the Thompson Family 317 LIII Doctor Thompson Beloved as a Family Physician, Prominent in Public Affairs, and Full of Religious Sentiment 322 LIV " Coronation " Where it Originated and was First Heard — Oliver Holden — Thomas Hooper — The Little Puritan Church ... 332 14 CONTENTS LV Rev. Thomas F. King Father of Starr King and Pastor of the Universalist Church — His Death and Funeral — The First Sermon of Doctor Chapin in Massachusetts 345 LVI Rev. Edwin H. Chapin His Ministry and Life in Charlestown 351 LVII Thomas Starr King His Boyhood and Youth — Succeeds Doctor Chapin in His Father's Pulpit 357 LVIII Phillips Brooks His Connection with Charlestown through the Gorham Family — His Wider World-Relationship 365 LIX Two Well-Known Families The Sweetsers — David Stetson and His Family 368 LX The Turnpike — Chelsea Street Its Vicinity — Former Residents 373 LXI Public-Spirited Citizens Jacob Foss — John Tapley 378 LXII A Beautiful Tribute Mrs. Ellen A. Ranlett — David Dodge Ranlett — Isaac Brown — Captain Charles A. Ranlett 387 LXIII Notable Citizens Willard Dalrymple — Daniel Johnson — Thomas Greenleaf — Thomas M. Cutter — William E. Norton, the Dis tinguished Artist 301 CONTENTS 15 LXIV William Sawyer A Native of the Town and Prominent in Its Affairs 399 LXV Successful Men John Wade Damon — Captain Joseph B. Thomas — Patrick O'Riorden 405 LXVI Monument Square G. Washington Warren — Peter Hubbell — George D. Edmands — The Edmands Family 41 2 LXVII High Street Numbers 44 and 46 — Edward Lawrence and T. T. Sawyer 418 LXVIII Monument Square Again Lynde A. Huntington — Rev. Dr. W. I. Buddington — Rev. Oliver C. Everett — Dr. Luther V. Bell — Mrs. Henry Forster — Dr. Edward J. Forster — Rev. James B. Miles 4Z3 LXIX Monument Square (continued) A House on Rollers — Abram E. Cutter — The McKims — The Book-Store 4Z8 LXX The Hunnewell Estate James Hunnewell — James F. Hunnewell — The Old Indian Chief Tavern Removed to make a Site for the Harvard Unitarian Church 431 LXXI Monument Square (concluded) Dr. Henry Lyon — John Stowell 434 16 CONTENTS LXXII Beautiful Gardens Samuel R. Johnson — Joseph Newell — The Townspeople Enjoyed the Cultivation of Fruits and Flowers 439 LXXIII High Street Residences Benjamin Whipple — Paul Willard — Calvin C. Sampson — John Boyle O'Reilly 443 LXXIV High Street Sixty Years Ago My Boyhood Home — The Neighbors — Thomas B. Harris — The Elm Street News-Room 448 LXXV Other Residents of High Street and Monument Square Active Mayors of the City of Charlestown 454 LXXVI Charlestown Neck A Busy Part of the Old Town — Before the Days of Rail roads — Archibald Babcock — The Wymans, Hoveys, Johnsons, Phippses, and Lamsons 460 LXXVII Adams and Winthrop Streets Former Prominent Residents — The Old Training Field School 467 LXXVIII History of the Public Library 473 Old Charlestown i The Dexter Estate Samuel Dexter — Giles Alexander — Nathan Bridge — Hamilton Davidson — Rhodes Lockwood. I HAVE read with interest the account of the dedica tion of the house recently purchased by Post Abraham Lincoln of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the selection of a part of the Samuel Dexter estate as a location for its headquarters. The location seems to me to be a good one. It is not only well adapted to the purposes of the association, but it has a history pleasant to dwell upon as the members sit around their camp-fires, using the past to make the present cheerful, interesting, and instructive. I looked over the building a few days previous to the occasion referred to, and was somewhat astonished to find the comfortable and elegant old mansion transformed into a useful public building, with a modern audience-hall of fine proportions, tastefully fitted up, having an ample entrance-way, and a dining-hall equal to the comfortable seating of a hundred or more persons, or to the accom- 17 18 OLD CHARLESTOWN modation of a very large company with a free and easy lunch. I missed the beautiful stairway in the front hall, which had been the admiration of all visitors to the old mansion. It was always very ornamental in the old arrangement of the house, but I suppose it could not be worked into the plans for the new, and so, except for a short time in the memory of a few of us, that attractive design is gone forever. That very distinguished man, Samuel Dexter,* who was a member of both branches of the Congress of the United States, and Secretary of War and of the Treasury under President John Adams, and of whom, upon the occasion of his death, John Adams in writing to a friend declared, " I have lost the ablest friend I had on earth, in Mr. Dexter," lived for some years in Charlestown, in the house about which we are writing, which he had built on a tract of land purchased of J. Hay. In this house was born his son, Franklin Dexter, another dis tinguished man, of whom it has been said, "with his eminence as a lawyer he united great knowledge and skill in art, and high attainments in literature." Franklin Dexter was the father of another prominent man of the present time, F. Gordon Dexter, of Boston, to whom the public is indebted a good deal more than it knows for the erection of the fine statue of Colonel Prescott on the Monument grounds. When the package ? Samuel Dexter was in the Massachusetts Senate in 1792; in the Council in 1804-05; in the Congress of the United States, I793~'95; in the Senate of the United States, 1 799-1 800; he was Secretary of the Treasury, January I to March 3, 1801, and Secretary of War, 1800-1801. He was the first president of the first Temperance Society in Massachu setts. OLD CHARLESTOWN IQ- containing the statue was first opened after its arrival in this country, he made a visit to the wharf of the Hallowell Granite Company, where it was landed, and" afterwards called with the writer at the old mansion in Green Street to look over the former residence of his ancestors, the birthplace of his father. Samuel Dexter sold the estate to Giles Alexander in 1800, and it was his residence until 18 14, when he sold it to Matthew Bridge, who died not long after. Neither Matthew Bridge nor his wife ever occupied this house, but their son, Nathan Bridge, resided there from 1 8 14 till 1830, when he died. His daughter Susan spent her childhood and youth here, and was married to Dr. Charles T. Jackson, chemist, mineralogist, and geologist, of world-wide reputation. When the estate was offered at auction by Mr. Lockwood, a little more than a year ago, Mrs. Jackson was present, coming, as she said, to see what remained of her old home, to call up pleasant recollections of her girlhood days, when everything about her father's residence was in perfect order and delightful to look upon. And it was a beautiful place, for during the occupancy of Nathan Bridge it received its greatest care and the largest improvement was made. Mr. Bridge spared no expense to keep fully up to the times in the adornment of his grounds and the variety of his plants ; and his garden was known to all lovers of horticulture as one of the very best kept and most interesting in the State. His love for it was such as to keep his skilled employees constantly active and ambitious to excel, and their success was known and acknowledged. His green house, in the upper part of the garden, was small, but ao OLD CHARLESTOWN he had a fine show of espalier fruit-trees (apricot, nectarine, and peach) on the brick walls on High Street, and on frames, arranged in various shapes, between the greenhouse and the wall. From the side door of the house he looked out upon a circle of fir-trees, in the center of which was the tulip-tree still standing. Beyond this circle was a fruit-garden of standard trees — peach, dwarf apple, cherry, and pear. A seckel pear, one of these trees, was grafted from the original seckel, which was a native in Germantown, Philadelphia. This tree remained and bore much fine fruit in the garden of the late Edward Lawrence, after his purchase of a part of the estate on High Street for his residence. Passing through the fruit garden, the entrance to the grove or shaded walk was reached, about in a line from the ell of the Hyde or Edwin Adams house, the front of which is on Cordis Street. This walk, on both sides of which were shade-trees of the finest and rarest varieties, extended all along the southeast side to the rear end of the Universalist Church, then at a right angle to the side of the church, and by the side of the church to the rear of the Stevens estate, which fronted on Main Street, along the line of that estate to Main Street, and from there along the Main and Green Street lines to the house. The large trees now standing in the lower part of the garden of Mr. Lawrence, in the court and garden in the rear of the Winthrop Church, and the horse-chestnuts on Green Street, made a part of this beautiful walk. The stable was on the corner of Green and High Streets ; and the area between it and the house was paved with cobble-stones. Near the stable, in the upper OLD CHARLESTOWN 21 part of the garden, early vegetables and plants for the flower-garden were started under fancy-shaped glass frames. Commencing at the gateway on Green Street, and all along the Green and Main Street lines to the Stevens estate, was a buckthorn hedge. After the hedge had grown high, the lower branches were cut off, and a close board fence was built against it, so that the branching top only was seen above the fence. The hedge was clipped several times during the season, and its true lines and level top were very effective. The center of the garden was a vineyard; and all varieties of hardy and half-hardy grapes were cultivated with great care and marked success. An educated and skilled gardener always had charge of the estate, but it was the personal oversight and fine taste of the owner that kept up the character of the garden. Mr. Bridge was a man of very extended knowledge and intelligence. He had spent much time abroad, and no doubt adopted what he had seen there in cultivating his grounds and ornament ing his estate. Mr. Bridge was a merchant, having his place of business on Central Wharf, Boston. The firm was Nathan Bridge & Co., and the late John D. Bates was his partner. He and the late Adam W. Thaxter were both clerks with Mr. Bridge, and they afterwards con stituted the well-known firm of John D. Bates & Co., which was a continuation of the business of the former house. An old Boston business man has told me that in his time Nathan Bridge was acknowledged to be the best-informed merchant in Boston. His acquaintance with eminent merchants was extensive, and he knew how to entertain elegantly. He was one of the original ii OLD CHARLESTOWN proprietors of the Harvard Unitarian Church, and made the largest subscription toward its building. In the fall of 183 1 the Dexter estate was sold at auction, and was purchased by Hamilton Davidson, a resident of Charlestown, who was in the grain business, having a grist-mill at the Neck, and a store on Long Wharf, Boston. Mr. Davidson bought an estate with a beautiful garden as a part of it, and although he made no pretension to the taste and love for it which had been shown by the former owner, yet he cared for it and kept it in good condition while he lived. From time to time, parts of it were sold for the Dexter Row block, the Winthrop Church, to E. Lawrence and T. T. Sawyer on High Street, and afterwards the balance, including the mansion, to Rhodes G. Lockwood, the son-in-law of Mr. Davidson. At the death of Mr. Lockwood his son Rhodes purchased it, and while in the possession of each of these it was carefully dealt with, and was always a delightful home and a charming resort for friends and visitors. When General (President) Jackson visited Boston, Mr. Davidson gave a party in his honor. This was before the estate had been cut up. The President was pre vented by illness from attending, but Vice-President Van Buren and many distinguished men were there. The company was very large ; the whole garden was illumi nated; the best music of the time was given by the Brigade Band ; the entertainment could not be surpassed. The writer was privileged to be present, and, although young in years, was quite old enough to bear witness to the success and magnificence of the occasion. I have thus — too hastily, perhaps — put together OLD CHARLESTOWN 23 some facts in relation to the estate, a part of which is now the home of Abraham Lincoln Post. I have not failed to show, I think, that its history is an interesting one, and I hope and believe that the present occupancy of the old mansion is but the beginning of a story to be told by somebody in the future as an important part of the record of a famous place in Charlestown. Let me add, this is not the only famous place in the history of the town, and perhaps sometime in the future I may try to aid in filling out the record of other places. May iz, 1888. 24 OLD CHARLESTOWN II The Swift Estate James Noble — Artemas Ward — Benjamin Swift — Nathan Pratt — James Bird, and others. AMONG the old houses mentioned in " A Century of Town Life " is that formerly occupied by Cap tain Benjamin Swift, which stood on High Street, nearly opposite the head of Cordis Street. This house was not built by Captain Swift, but came into his possession in 1809 by purchase from Captain James Noble. In 1784 David S. Stearns, of Lunenburg, came to Charlestown. He was a merchant. In October, 1796, he was married to Catherine Cochran. In 1798 he bought a lot of land on Breed's Hill, of Nathaniel Austin, and mortgaged it to Daniel Scott, merchant, of Boston. The same year this mortgage was assigned to Mary Cochran of Watertown, and by her, in 1799, to Captain James Noble of Boston; and in 1801 the lot, with the house that had been built upon it, was conveyed to James Noble by Mary Cochran and David S. Stearns. In 1809 Captain Noble conveyed the house and lot to Benjamin Swift. In 1800 Artemas Ward, son of General Artemas Ward, of Shrewsbury, came to Charlestown and lived for some time in this house. His .wife was Katharine OLD CHARLESTOWN 25 Maria, daughter of Samuel Dexter. In Drake's " Amer ican Biography " is this notice of him : " Artemas Ward, LL.D., Member of Congress 181 3-17, Chief Justice of Court of Common Pleas i82o-'39, and an eminent lawyer. He practised law in Boston after 1809 and was frequently a member of the Legislature and of the Council." How long he occupied Captain Noble's house I cannot tell, but probably until 1809, when it was sold to Captain Benjamin Swift. Judge Ward afterwards lived on Main Street, in the house near to Doctor Thompson's, which has since been known as the Ward house. He came to Charlestown when his father-in-law was very much en gaged in national affairs ; perhaps to look after his busi ness during his absence from home, or to succeed to it. The house about which we are writing had a flat roof, and was not unlike the Dexter house and other square houses of the time, except that it had two small wings, one of which Mr. Ward is said to have used for an office. Captain Swift lived in it until 1834, when he sold it to Nathan Pratt and James Bird, both business men of long standing in the town. They divided the estate, altered the house into two tenements, put on the pitched roof and gable end, and the low piazza towards High Street. Mr. Bird lived there until 1840, when he sold to David Snow; and Mr. Pratt until 1843, when he sold to Simon G. Shipley. James Damon afterwards lived in Mr. Shipley's half; and, for a little while, Mrs. Henry Forster, when she was building her new home on Monument Square. Nathan Pratt was of the firm of Putnam & Pratt, who formerly had a large distillery in town, and at the same time a store and office on Central Wharf, Boston, 26 OLD CHARLESTOWN where they were engaged in the Smyrna trade. The late Thomas A. Goddard, who married the sister of Richard Frothingham, was a clerk with them in Boston, and took their foreign business when the firm of lasigi & Goddard was formed. Mr. Pratt was also proprietor and manager of the extensive powder mills in Acton, where he removed ; but he removed again to West Cambridge (Arlington), and died there March n, 1873. We must not fail to remember him in our town histories, for he generously remembered us. The following is copied from the tenth annual report of the Board of Managers of the Winchester Home : The undersigned, officers of the Winchester Home, desire in behalf of the institution to express their grateful thanks to Nathan Robbins, James R. Bayley, and Ben jamin S. Pray, executors of the will of the late Nathan Pratt, for their kind remembrance in presenting the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Pratt to the Winchester Home. This act, following as it does the generous gift of $4,000 to the Home during the life-time of Mr. Pratt, and the receipt of $4,000 additional, by bequest, since his death, will endear their memory to this institution and cause their portraits to be carefully kept and esteemed among its most valued possessions. Liverus Hull, President, Abram E. Cutter, Secretary. James Bird was for many years engaged in the dry- goods business on Main Street, first in the partnership known as Sawyer & Bird, then J. & W. Bird, and then James Bird & Co. When he sold the Swift house, he removed for a while to New York, following his former business there. After his return he was for several OLD CHARLESTOWN 27 years city treasurer, and died here in 186-. When he went to New York the business was continued by two of his clerks, W. H. & T. B. Preston, whose store must be remembered by a great many of the present day. The late Augustus Hemenway of Boston, who rose to such prominence as a merchant and man of wealth, and whose name is associated at the present time with various charitable institutions and elegant buildings, aided and erected from the proceeds of his estate by his public- spirited wife, was for a time in early life a clerk with Mr. Bird, at his store in Charlestown. The Swift house is gone. The garden in front of it, terraced down as it was to the stone wall on the street, and ornamented with beautiful trees, has given place to a block of well-built, comfortable brick houses. It has always been regretted that the facade of this block was left so severely plain ; that the enjoyment of the neigh borhood could not have been considered in the plan, with a more tasteful front elevation ; but the pleasant occupa tion of the block has compensated in a great measure for its objectionable architecture. May 19, 1888. 28 OLD CHARLESTOWN III The Loring Home Colonel Joseph Loring and his Family. ACROSS the street from the Swift house was the residence of Colonel Joseph Loring. The estate was entered from a gateway on High Street, the end of the house standing on that street and the front looking out upon a large garden, one line of which was on Cordis Street. In other words, the estate was on the corner of High and Cordis Streets. The garden was a very attractive one and well worthy of remembrance, especially the tulip-bed, the best, unquestionably, ever seen in Charlestown. The bulbs for this bed were orig inally presented to Colonel Loring by a friend, on his return from a visit abroad, where they had been selected from a fine collection. In our public grounds, at the present day, a great many tulips are grown of the earlier blooming sorts ; but these of which we are speaking were of the later blooming kinds, — byblomens and bizarres, — a few of which may still be seen in some of the best private gardens. Here, too, there was an uncommonly good selection of hardy roses, and flowering shrubs and trees; while fragrant honeysuckles and other climbing plants were trellised and grew thriftily over the front door. Miss Loring, the daughter of the Colonel, was skillful and tasteful in the selection and arrangement of OLD CHARLESTOWN 29 plants and flowers, which was apparent to every visitor in this garden. She lived in the house for many years after the death of her father, and will be remembered for her constant interest in our charitable institutions and in the Unitarian Church. Colonel Loring himself was a man and citizen to be remembered. He was "given to hospitality," and vis itors at his house, adults or children, could not fail to be impressed with this characteristic of the whole family. His house was open on all public days, and many of the celebrations which took place in town, in his time, were wound up with a fine show of fire-works in his garden, at his own expense ; not simply the throwing up of a rocket or two, although this was a time when fire-works were not common or inexpensive, but a show that would have been creditable to the town if it had been planned and paid for out of its treasury. Colonel Loring, in early life, was the first commander of the Washington Light Infantry, of Boston, a corps that for a very long period was distinguished for its full ranks and superior discipline ; and year after year, until his death, this company, on its anniversary day, paid its old commander a visit at his residence in Charlestown, where almost always it was entertained with an elegant collation. The Colonel was for many years a weigher and gauger in the custom house of the port of Boston and Charlestown, a position which was sought after by prominent men of. the time, as the compensation, made up of fees instead of a regular salary, was large. He was a very competent and efficient officer and was well- known and liked by the merchants of his day. He had three sons and one daughter — Henry H., who was an 30 OLD CHARLESTOWN officer in the United States Army; Nathaniel H., a lawyer who delivered the oration at the celebration of the Fourth of July, 1822, in town, which was afterwards printed ; George H., a merchant ; and Mary H., who has been referred to. Colonel Loring's wife was the daughter of Nathaniel Hall, of Boston, and to each of their chil dren the maiden name of their mother was given as a middle name. To make room for the block of brick houses built by the late Honorable Edward Lawrence a few years ago, this old house was torn down, so that the procession of the coming Seventeenth of June, as it passes through High Street, cannot pay it a salute ; but if the line should halt near this spot, and send up cheers in mem ory of Colonel Joseph Loring, it would make no mistake in so doing. May 26, 1888. OLD CHARLESTOWN 31 IV The Hyde Estate Francis Hyde — Nathan Webb — Edwin F. Adams. THE estate next below Colonel Loring's, on Cordis Street, is that now known as the residence of the late Edwin F. Adams. The house was built by Francis Hyde, in 1801 or 1802, and was occupied by him for many years, till he removed to Baltimore, Maryland. His brother Enoch afterwards lived there, I think, for seven years. The Hydes were extensively engaged in the manufacture of soap and candles, a very important indus try in old Charlestown. The brick factory-building on Winthrop Street, recently taken down to make room for the new Catholic Church, was built and occupied by Francis Hyde, and afterwards by Hyde & Winship and Thomas Hyde. Our esteemed fellow-citizen, George Hyde, a son of Enoch, spent his boyhood in the Cordis Street house, and can tell us all about it. One of the daughters was the wife of the late William Arnold, who for a very long period kept the leading dry-goods store in town. The last store occupied by him was in the Savings Bank building, on the corner of Main and Henley Streets. Mr. Arnold was for many years a director in the Bunker Hill Bank. The sunny spot directly in front of the house, where, at the present day, vegetation starts up at least a fort- 3i OLD CHARLESTOWN night in anticipation of the general awakening in the springtime, was always a charming little flower-garden, attracting the attention of passers-by. The main garden was filled with trees ; a few apple, of choice quality, but mostly cherry, yielding bushels of this fine fruit every summer. We get no good cherries in this vicinity now adays, but there was a time when they were abundant and of superior quality ; and on this particular spot they were then grown in perfection. The first Baltimore oriole (golden robin) I ever saw was on one of these trees. In May and June these beautiful birds were numerous here ; indeed, blue-birds, song-sparrows, robins, yellow-birds, thrushes, woodpeckers, cherry-birds, chick adees, were common visitors in this vicinity. Woodcocks were sometimes seen in the lower part of the gardens, and occasionally the scarlet tanager stopped awhile to exhibit his brilliant plumage on the branches of the trees. The quiet little chip, or ground-sparrow, was hop ping about everywhere, and the notes of the cuckoo and blue-jay were heard every summer and fall. But all this is gone ; and in its place we have now only the confusing noise of that bird of questionable value, the English sparrow. In 1827 the estate was purchased by Nathan Webb, of Boston, who removed into it and continued to live there until his death in 1854. Mr. Webb had been a citizen of prominence in Boston, occupying the positions of selectman and assessor for many years, and he was repeatedly a member of the State Legislature. He was also one of the prudential committee of Dr. Lyman Beecher's church, in the time of that distinguished preacher's greatest popularity. In early life he was a OLD CHARLESTOWN 33 teacher, but he afterwards kept a store, I think, on Hanover Street. When he came to Charlestown he was about sixty years old and had retired from active business. He was a man of the old school, of great excellence of character, and during all his long residence in it the town was graced by his intelligence and gentlemanly bearing. The spirit and charm of his home can be fairly inferred from its influence in our town affairs. Three of his daughters became the wives of three of our native-born citizens : Charles Forster, of the firm of Forster, Law rence & Co., whose kindness of heart, honesty, and active charity can never be forgotten in Charlestown ; Jacob Forster (his brother), a merchant of eminence and president of the Fitchburg Railroad Company ; and Edwin F. Adams (whose mother was a Forster), of the house of Henry Forster & Co., Pernambuco, South America, where he resided for some years. Another daughter of Mr. Webb was married to Hawkes Lincoln, the grandfather of Henry H. Edes. Mrs. Jacob Forster is now living with her son, Dr. E. J. Forster, in Mon ument Square. She is so well known and so highly esteemed that complimentary notice in this article seems out of place, however gratifying it might be to the writer to make it. After the death of "Father " Webb, an honorary title used by many of our people when he was referred to, the home on Cordis Street became the residence of his son- in-law, the late Edwin F. Adams, and after his decease his wife continued her residence there until she too was numbered with those who had passed away. The noble qualities and genuine excellence of the character of Edwin F. Adams are firmly fixed in the 34 OLD CHARLESTOWN memory of his friends, and the usefulness of his life in Charlestown should be stamped into the pages of its history. It was his birthplace and his pride ; and he was always forward to assist in its improvement. He was a strong man, who could say yes, or no, whenever it was necessary in the management of any trust committed to him ; and as alderman, member of the school commit tee, director in the Bunker Hill Bank, trustee of the Warren Institution for Savings, and of the Public Library, some of the positions which he held for many years, his influence was always important and his work well done. While he lived he was among the largest contributors to the funds of the library and of the Winchester Home, of which also he was a trustee, and in his will, the provisions of which were cheerfully and approvingly carried out by his wife, were bequests of a thousand dollars to the library and six thousand dollars to the Home. The Hyde, or Webb, estate has been shorn of its fair proportions by the recent erection of a block of wooden buildings on the lower part of the garden ; but the old house is still there to testify to the beauty of its loca tion and the sunshine of its history in the days that are past. June z, 1888. OLD CHARLESTOWN 35 V Cordis Street Samuel Kidder — Samuel Abbott — Gilbert Tufts. CORDIS STREET was laid out by, and named for, Captain Joseph Cordis, who lived on Main Street, directly opposite Union Street, in the building now occupied by S. P. Hill & Co. and others. The street has always been a pleasant one for residence, and oh it have been the homes of many of the former citizens of Charlestown who were active in its business and prominent in its affairs. I have now before me a fac simile of perhaps the first business-card of one of these persons. Under an appropriate heading on the card is the following : DRUGGIST AND APOTHECARY, SAMUEL KIDDER, JR., UNDER WASHINGTON HALL, MAIN STREET, CHARLESTOWN, MASS. I804. Washington Hall was not built until 18 12-13. Mr. Kidder was the first occupant of the store under it. The date, 1804, was the date of the first establishment of his business, which was commenced in the small store now numbered 1 3 Main Street and occupied as a barber- 36 OLD CHARLESTOWN shop. This was the beginning of the business still carried on in the old Washington Hall building under the name of Samuel Kidder & Co. The late Daniel White, who on his decease left a trust-fund for the poor of the town, was brought up with, and became the partner of, Doctor Kidder, and here they did business together for thirty-four years. John Stowell, who now owns the Washington Hall building and occupies a part of it, was also one of Doctor Kidder's boys and success ors in business, and his estimate of the character and ability of his old employer is, I know, a very high one. Elias Crafts, who for so many years kept the apothecary- store at Crafts' Corner, at the junction of Main and Warren streets, was also prepared for his career of use fulness in Doctor Kidder's store. The late Addison Gilmore, who became famous as a railroad manager and was at one time president of the Western (Boston & Albany) Railroad, was a pulverizer of drugs in the back store of this firm when a young man ; but his mind was even then on higher things, and he soon found out that the carbonic acid gas which escapes from the fermenta tion of molasses would convert pearl ash into saleratus. He had made the acquaintance of Jacob Foss, the fore man at Putnam & Pratt's distillery, and they at once secured permission to place boxes over the fermenting vats there, and to manufacture saleratus in this way. It proved to be a very profitable thing for them, and although he still kept the pestle and mortar busy he was laying the foundation of a fortune by his business at the distillery. Foss & Gilmore afterwards purchased the distillery, and were together in the business long enough to become rich men. Gilmore afterwards was very much OLD CHARLESTOWN 37 interested in railroads, and, as I have said, became famous in their management. Jacob Foss was the patriotic citizen who is remem bered whenever the old flag is flying in Charlestown on public days, a fund for the payment of which was pro vided for in his will. He will be the worthy subject of a special article at some future time. Samuel Kidder & Co. were interested with Benjamin Bell, a well-known chemist of the town, in the manufact ure of tartaric acid by a new formula of Bell's, which for many years was kept profoundly secret, and great gain was the result. The building in Winthrop Street which had been used by the Hydes as a soap-factory was afterwards purchased by Kidder & Co., and this Charles town specialty was produced there in large quantities and distributed all over the country. This business was con tinued until 1877. Rochelle salts, the basis of Sedlitz powders and other chemicals, were prepared by Kidder & Co. in large quantities and sold to the wholesale drug gists far and near. Dr. Samuel Kidder was a man to be remembered as a citizen of the town. The local apothecary-shop of the firm could never be too highly appreciated ; and the amount of good done in it by the careful selection of first-class medicines, and by uncom mon attention in their preparation and delivery, can hardly be estimated. Doctor Kidder's estate on Cordis Street was the next below the Hydes', on the same side of the street. He lived here for some years and then removed to Medford. He continued in business in town until 1852, coming to the store regularly every day. In front of his house on Cordis Street was another noticeable garden of the town. 38 OLD CHARLESTOWN A look through his gateway would give you a view of regularly formed flower-beds, edged with box, skillfully clipped and shaped. Great bunches of red peonies would stare you in the face, while a profusion of old-fashioned damask roses filled the air with their delightful fragrance. Persian lilacs, snowballs, and snowberries did their part in making up the arrangement, and white lilies, the brilliant red London pride, the brilliant blue larkspur, various kinds of flox, and canterbury-bells were worked into the design where they would best improve the gen eral effect. Hybrid perpetual roses were then unknown, but a few moss-roses had their prominent places in the garden, and the good old-fashioned white and cinnamon roses lifted themselves high on the corners of the house and around the fence-posts. The fruit-garden was much like others in the vicinity, with the addition of one or two Saint Michael pear-trees which always yielded a good crop. The boys in the neighborhood had to pray often not to be led into temptation, while the pears were ripening. Doctor Kidder sold the estate to Samuel Abbott, who resided here for thirty years or more, until he died in 1852. He was a partner with Ralph W. Jewett in the West India goods business, on Main and Back (now Warren) streets, the store running through from street to street. The business, commenced in this way, before 1812, when they purchased the store, was continued by Jewett & Abbott, Samuel Abbott & Co., and William Abbott, a brother, until 1875, when the store was torn down to give place to the brick building now owned and occupied by Louis Klous as a clothing-store. The Abbott house on Cordis Street was demolished to make OLD CHARLESTOWN 39 room for a block of brick houses which cover the whole estate and are now the residences of Colonel Solomon Parsons, J. T. Reed, and others. Next below this estate was that of Gilbert Tufts, the father of Honorable Arthur W. Tufts, who, a few years ago, removed from this, his native place, to Boston High lands, where he has become somewhat distinguished; Gilbert Tufts was of the firm of Nathan Tufts & Co., extensive tanners, who must be mentioned hereafter in a notice of the business of the town. Mr. Tufts sold this estate to Charles Forster, and removed into a new house on Washington Street. Mr. Forster resided here for many years and then removed to Somerville. Previous to this, a portion of the estate had been sold to Charles Thompson, who built on it the brick house so long occu pied by him, now the residence of Doctor Houghton. June 9, 1888. 40 OLD CHARLESTOWN VI On Cordis Street Charles Thompson — Samuel Thompson — The Academy — Captain David Low — Richard Baker. **> CHARLES THOMPSON'S garden remains as it was when he died in 1871. It is quite large, inclosed by an iron fence on two sides, and by a brick wall on the other. It differs from the other gardens which have been described, as it has a buckthorn hedge all along the side of the fence and a profusion of climbing plants, begonias, Chinese wistarias, and wood bines, which cover the south side of the house and all the wall on one side of the garden. Altogether, it is a very pleasant place to look upon. Mr. Thompson was a very prominent man in the town in his time. He held many of its most important offices, and the business of the old town-meetings was hardly thought to be legal without him as moderator. He was indeed a dignified and well-posted chairman of public assemblies. In the Legislature of the State as an hon orable senator, and as member of the Governor's Council, he commanded attention, and he was one year the Dem ocratic candidate for Lieutenant-Governor. He was a director in several railroad companies, and president of the Charlestown Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a successful institution under his administration for nearly OLD CHARLESTOWN 41 twenty years. His youth was spent in the office of J. W. Langdon, Boston, and he was an excellent business man. He was afterwards established with his father in the iron business, the store of the firm being in a build ing still owned, I think, by his family, on the corner of Main Street and the alley-way leading to the First Church. Luther Lapham, who died in Medford some what more than a year ago, was brought up with him and became his partner. Thompson & Lapham had stores in Charlestown and on old City Wharf, Boston, and did a large business. The Charlestown store was afterwards sold to Nathaniel Lamson. Honorable Fran cis Thompson spent his youth in the Boston store, was afterwards joined as partner, and continued the busi ness in Custom House Street, Boston, nearly up to the time of his death. The house was always success ful, and confidence in its integrity and fair dealing was perfect. Luther Lapham's residence in Charlestown covered a long term of years ; and, as he never married, he made his home much of the time with his partner on Cordis Street. He had all the qualities which are necessary to make up an agreeable and really high-minded man ; and he will be remembered as such a man by all who ever had any dealing with him or enjoyed his friendship socially. After he withdrew from the firm of Thompson & Lapham, he busied himself for some years in the man agement of several ships, of which he was the owner. Samuel Thompson's house, which was torn down after its purchase by Charles Thompson, was of wood, two stories high, with its end on the street, like the houses above it. Samuel Thompson died in 181 5. He was 42 OLD CHARLESTOWN only thirty-six years old, but he had lived long enough to make an impression of his intelligence and worth upon the community about him. He had much to do in the formation of the First Universalist Society. At his house was held the first meeting to consider the subject of building the church. He was one of the building- committee and saw the edifice completed and dedicated. He wrote the original hymn sung on the occasion, and several other hymns which were in the book of hymns used for some years in the services. He was a pure- minded man, full of religious sentiment, and his early death caused great sorrow in Charlestown. His family resided in the house here referred to for many years after his decease. Among the descendants of his family, I think now of Rev. Dr. Henry Blanchard, of Portland, whose mother was the only daughter of Samuel Thomp son ; and Eben Francis Thompson, a young lawyer, of Worcester. On the southerly corner of Cordis and Warren Streets was Mrs. Wellman's candy-store, where a fair trade of one cent for a headed stick of molasses candy could always be made ; and where, on holiday occasions, the old shopkeeper was always provided with a stock of knick-knacks ready to be distributed among the children in the neighborhood in exchange for the fourpence- ha'pennies, ninepences, half-pistareens and pistareens (coins then in common use) which they had received from their parents in amounts deemed proper for the day's expenditure ; and she was pretty sure to have the larger part of this money in her till before the sun went down. Dear old Mrs. Wellman ! She filled her place well, humble though it was, and to remember her with a OLD CHARLESTOWN 43 word of praise, after the lapse of so many years, is a pleasure to one of her customers. Next to this shop was the residence of Captain William Brown, a master mariner. He had a son, a lively boy with red hair and a temperament to match, and with as much mischief in him as was in any of the rest of us in the neighborhood. The lot of land in the rear of this house was not much cultivated, but a look over the fence from Warren Street would expose a wild growth of hemp, Jerusalem artichokes, and sunflowers. The wooden buildings referred to are gone, and the brick block on the corner of Cordis and Warren streets covers the ground they occupied. The double house with its front on the street, which still remains, was the residence of Bushrod W. Young and Captain David Low. Major Young was a military man, for some years on the staff of one of the generals of the Massachusetts militia ; and he always rode a good horse. To see him in his showy uniform, mounting his horse and riding away for the muster-fields, was one of the enjoyments of the boys of that day. Captain Low was part owner and master of the brig Arctic, the other owners being Thomas Lamb, of Boston, and William Sawyer, of Charlestown ; and his regular voyages were to Charleston, South Carolina, loading there with sea-island cotton for Havre, and returning to Boston with a cargo of French goods. The Arctic was the only regular French packet coming to this port. Captain Low removed from Cordis Street to Washington Street, where he afterwards built a fine brick house, in which he resided until his death in 1830. His sons, David and Samuel, were popular young men in Charlestown. David died young. Samuel went to 44 OLD CHARLESTOWN Paris and was a merchant there for many years. The late Lynde A. Huntington, who built the house on the corner of Monument Square and Chestnut Street, where he resided until his death, married the daughter of Captain Low. Mr. Huntington will be remembered as connected with various charitable associations in the town. He was one of the trustees of the Old Ladies' Home, and of the Daniel White fund for the poor. He was an intelligent, upright, successful business man. His heart was in the right place. He was a perfect gentleman always and to everybody, and altogether such a man as any town should be proud to refer to as one of its citizens. The painted brick building on the corner of Cordis Street Avenue was the residence of the late Abraham Andrews, a graduate of Dartmouth College, who came here in 1 8 1 3 to take charge of the grammar school on the Town Hill. He held his position for two years, and was in every respect successful. The trustees reported on his retirement, " It is due to his ability and fidelity that we declare in the most public manner that he has filled his station entirely to our satisfaction." He was afterwards principal of the Doane Street School, in Boston, for about forty years, during which time he kept up his residence in Charlestown. The building on the opposite corner of Cordis Street and Cordis Street Avenue which has recently been remodeled and enlarged was erected by Timothy Walker and was used for some time as an academy. Oliver Brown was its principal. For a while, after his resigna tion here, and before he went to Boston, Mr. Andrews used it for a private school, fitting for Harvard College OLD CHARLESTOWN 45 some of the boys of that day who as men were after wards prominent and active in the affairs of the town. Among them were the late Arthur W. Austin and William Sawyer. After the academy building had been altered into a dwelling-house, Captain Richard Baker, a shipmaster of high standing, was one of its occupants. His residence in Charlestown was a long one. He died at his home on Washington Street, December 3, 1876. His son, Richard Baker, Jr., spent his boyhood in our schools and on our play-grounds, was married here, and remained as a citizen until his removal to Dorchester. He lived there a few years, and then removed to Boston, where he died January 1, 1875. He was one of the ablest and boldest merchants ever engaged in business in Boston. The unparalleled success of the firm of William F. Weld & Co., of which he was the master spirit, will long be referred to in the business history of Boston ; and high on the list of those who have planned and energetically carried out comprehensive commercial enterprises will stand the name of Richard Baker, Jr. The firm, at one time, was among the largest ship-owners in the world, and this part of the business, especially, was kept in motion and guided by our Charlestown boy. Farther up the street lived Timothy Bryant, a very genial man, who spent the most of his life as an official of the Union Bank. The house in which he last lived, the inviting domicile two stories high, still standing, with its front on the street, nearly opposite the Abbott estate, was built by him ; but his father's house, above, with a brick end on the street, is yet a part of the estate, though known as the Caldwell house, — his relative, 46 OLD CHARLESTOWN James Caldwell, having resided there for a long time after his father's death. We have lingered about Cordis Street for a good while, and have yet something to add to what we have written. We have incidentally been reminded of many men of mark, whose residence in the old town was certainly long enough for them to be included in its history. June Z3, 1888. OLD CHARLESTOWN 47 VII The Thompson Homestead Timothy Thompson and his Family. -* ON the corner of Cordis Street and Back Lane (now Warren Street) was a lot of land on which, a little beyond the center from Cordis Street, stood an old-fashioned dwelling-house, painted yellow. It was two stories high on the front, and one in the rear, the pitch of the roof on that side running farther down than on the front. The house was surrounded with shrubbery and fruit-trees, among them an abundance of quince- bushes, the blossoms of which are so charming to the eye in spring, and the fruit, skillfully preserved, so important an item in the make-up of an old-time tea- table. Near the house was a well, for years a blessing to the neighborhood, for the water was very pure, and many were the buckets that were filled from the spout of the old pump, the handle of which was almost con stantly in motion. At an earlier date, an old oaken bucket hung in the well, which, with a sweep, did the work afterwards facilitated by the pump. And here it may not be out of place to allude to a fact of some inter est in a recollection of the old town, — namely, that Samuel Woodworth, the author of "The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket, The moss-covered bucket that hung in the well," 48 OLD CHARLESTOWN was for some time a clerk with Commodore John Downes, in the Navy Yard, and a resident of Charles town. From the windows of the old house, before the laying out of Cordis and Pleasant streets, the occupants could look out upon green fields running up from Back Lane to the battle-field, or watch the cattle as they were graz ing in the pastures of Captain Cordis, John Hay, and others. Later on, the laying out of lots, the construc tion of streets, the erection of buildings, the march of improvement, were open to their view, and the growing importance of the town must have been a pleasant theme for them to dwell upon. The house tp which we have referred was originally the carpenter-shop of Timothy Thompson, a descendant of James Thompson, " who, early in 1630, when he was thirty -seven years old, joined the large company of about fifteen hundred persons who, under the lead of Governor Winthrop, landed on the shores of New England during that eventful year." James Thompson, therefore, was one of the first settlers of Charlestown. He was admitted to membership in the First Church in August, 1633, and in the following December was made a free man of the town. He had planting-grounds in i63S-'36, and soon came into possession of considerable of an estate in lands, which he no doubt cultivated and used as a yeoman or farmer. He soon, with others, pushed his way into what was then a wilderness, and fixed his home in that part of Charlestown which in 1642 was cut off and incorporated as a distinct municipality under the name of Woburn. Timothy Thompson, whose home and shop on Back OLD CHARLESTOWN 49 Lane we have referred to, was born in Woburn, but came to Charlestown some time before 1773, as he was taxed that year. On January 3, 1775, he was married to Mary Frothingham, daughter of Joseph Frothingham, chaise-maker, whose residence then was on the Main Street about where the Clapp estate is now situated. Mr. Thompson was a sergeant in the military company of the town, commanded by Captain Josiah Harris, and was with that company at the battle of Bunker Hill. Just before his marriage he had built a house for Seth Sweetser, the old school-master, a part of which he occupied. This house was on Main Street, near Town Hill, not far from the present junction of Harvard and Main streets. The stone building occupied now as a furniture-store may cover a part of the same land on which the little house was erected. When the final settlement for building the house was made, there was an understanding in regard to its future ownership, and three years' rent in advance was paid by Mr. Thompson to Mr. Sweetser. Here then the newly married couple were established and happy in their first home. But this promising beginning was not to last long. On the 19th of April, 1775, the young wife was spend ing the day at her father's house, and news of the fight at Lexington and Concord was received while she was there. Her father came home in the afternoon to inform the family that the British soldiers were on their way back in confusion, that it was unsafe for the women and children to remain in town, and that arrangements had been made for their removal. He told his daughter that her husband was too much engaged to see her, that she could go to her own house, but must gather up speedily 50 OLD CHARLESTOWN what little she could take away ; and when she did leave she had with her only what could be taken in a small bag. Everything else was abandoned, even the pot of beans and a few loaves of bread in the oven, and a quarter of veal hanging in the cellar-way. There was great hurrying at the ferry-way at the Neck where the river was to be crossed (where Maiden Bridge now stands), and before they got started one of the party, a young man, was killed by a shot from the musket of one of the returning soldiers. The family were safely landed on the other side of the river, and were taken to a place of safety in the country. They had left their homes never to return to them again, the battle of Bunker Hill and the burning of the town taking place soon after. When the force of the shock at the destruction of their property had been spent, many of the inhabitants of the town returned to rebuild, and among them came Mr. Thompson, with his wife and his first child, Joseph, who had been born in Woburn. He purchased a lot of land on Main Street, near one belonging to his father-in- law, Joseph Frothingham, with whom he temporarily resided. This lot of land was situated where Thompson Street now meets Main Street. On it he put a building in which was one finished room for his residence, the rest being occupied as a shop. In that room his second son, Timothy, was born, February 24, 1777, the first male child born in Charlestown after the battle of Bunker Hill. Not long after, Mr. Thompson enlarged his lot by a new purchase, and, to make room for a new house which he contemplated building, the shop was removed from Main Street to Back Lane, and was placed OLD CHARLESTOWN 51 upon a lot of land there which he afterwards bought. The shop was transformed into a dwelling-house, one room at a time, and was his residence until 1794, when the new house on Main Street was completed, into which some time during that year he removed. The house on Back Lane was that described at the beginning of this article, and it was the birthplace of all his children but Joseph, the eldest, who was born in Woburn, and Ben jamin, the youngest, who first saw the light in the Main Street house in 1798. Joseph, the first-born of the fam ily, lived but seven years, from September 12, 1775, till April 5, 1782. Timothy, Samuel, Abraham Rand, Joseph 2d, Mary (Mrs. Richard Frothingham), Lydia, Susannah (Mrs. William Sawyer), and Thomas Miller were born, as we have said, in the building removed from Main Street to Back Lane. Of one of these children, Samuel, we said something in our last notice of Cordis Street. The others lived and died in Charlestown, some of them being very prominent in its affairs. We shall say more of them hereafter. Thomas Miller died in Boston. The house which took the place of the shop on Main Street was the residence of Timothy Thompson, senior, from the time it was built, in 1796, until his death, Feb ruary 4, 1834, when he was eighty-four years old. It still stands on the corner of Thompson Street, and was occupied for many years as an apothecary's shop by the late William B. Morse. It was an oblong house, with its end on the street, and with a little garden in front, part of which, some time after the death of the old gen tleman, was covered by a one-story, flat-roofed building, the same now occupied by D. J. Hart & Co.'s provision- 52 OLD CHARLESTOWN store. The garden was inclosed by a pretty wooden fence on the street, with a gateway, through which was a passage to the front door. The entry of the house was through the center, from the garden to Thompson Street ; and a delightfully cool place was this entry on a hot summer day. A cheery place, too, for here came the neighbors to reciprocate hearty greetings, to sit pleasantly together, to talk over affairs, and to discuss the questions and events of their day. One of these neighbors, old Mr. Jacob Forster, father of the Forsters mentioned before, was the very intimate friend of Mr. Thompson, and for years they hardly missed an evening without calling on each other. The lower room of the house on Main Street was for many years occupied by tenants for business purposes ; at one time by a clock- maker, again as the office of a doctor of medicine, but most of the time as a millinery-shop. Some of the high old-fashioned clocks standing now in the entries of modem houses were originally put together and set in motion in this room ; some of the earlier attempts at dentistry were made here, and nobody can tell the num ber of bonnets, large and small, which were trimmed here by women of taste and shown off in the churches and public places by the women of that generation. Among the occupants of this shop was Mrs. Sarah Colby, who came here from Waterville, Maine, bringing her children with her, three sons and one daughter. She hired this room, lived in it, and employed herself success fully as a milliner, continuing here for some years. Afterwards she purchased the wooden building on Main Street, the next below Kidder & Co.'s apothecary-shop, where she remained, I think, until her death. She was OLD CHARLESTOWN S3 very enterprising in business and a very estimable woman. Her children, whose education was commenced in our schools, were fitted, under the good influence of their mother, for what they afterwards became, prom inent and useful members of society. She made sacri fices for them in their childhood, and was repaid in after life in their high standing and excellence of character. Mrs. Colby was an active worker in the First Baptist Church. She was a woman of marked courage, taste, and ability. Her second son, Gardner, commenced his business life in the wholesale and retail grocery-store of Phelps & Thompson, whose place of business was on the spot where now is the store of A. N. Swallow & Co. He continued with them until about 1830, when he opened a retail dry-goods store with his brother, Josiah, on the corner of Washington and Bromfield streets, in Boston. He was in the dry-goods trade for many years as a retailer, jobber, and manufacturer, and was very success ful. He was also a ship-owner engaged in the China trade, and a leading man in the management of some of the western railroads. The Colby University, of Water ville, to which he made a donation of fifty thousand dollars, was named for him. Another resident in the front room of this house was Miss Alice Dowse, a relative of Rev. Chandler Robbins, D.D., and of his brother, Rev. Samuel Robbins, both distinguished Unitarian clergymen. The younger of these brothers spent a good deal of time here while studying for the ministry, and the top of the old mansion was his favorite place for meditation. The Dowses were among the earliest settlers in the town, and the mother 54 OLD CHARLESTOWN of these two clergymen was a Charlestown woman. Thomas Dowse, the bibliophilist, who gave his very valuable library to the Massachusetts Historical Society, was born in Charlestown, December 28, 1772. Mr. Thompson's estate ran through from Main to Warren Street, and the three-story wooden house now on the corner of Thompson and Warren streets was the second shop built by him which was afterwards converted into a dwelling-house. It was occupied for many years by his son-in-law, William Sawyer, all but one of whose children were born here. The youngest was born in the house on the corner of High and School streets, recently taken down to make room for a block of wooden houses erected by the late Francis B. Austin. The house just named was purchased by Mr. Sawyer in 1828, when it was built, and was occupied by his family until the death of his widow at the advanced age of ninety-five years, January 9, 1886. Mr. Sawyer kept a dry-goods store in town for many years, and was also engaged somewhat in navigation. He had for partners, at different times, Joseph Thompson and James Bird. The late Seth S. Lynde, of Maiden, who became a famous dry-goods dealer both in Boston and New York, was his apprentice, and boarded with him for several years in the Thompson Street house. Timothy Thompson, concerning whose estate we have written so much, lived in town over sixty years. He was an industrious, thrifty man from youth to old age. He was originally a carpenter, but for the greater part of his life a shipchandler. He was active in town affairs, and held many of its important offices. He was a man of decided opinions, ready always to act on his OLD CHARLESTOWN 55 judgment, and not afraid to take responsibility when it was necessary. It has been said of him, without ever being questioned, I think, that at one time when he was a selectman, having the ballot-box in charge on an election- day, he carried the box, against the fierce remonstrance of many of his fellow-citizens, to the door of the hall to receive the vote of a political opponent who had been brought from a sick bed to exercise the right of suffrage, but who found himself unable to get upstairs. As we have said before, he was with the Charlestown company at the battle of Bunker Hill ; and in the war of 1 8 1 2 he mortgaged his house to use the money for the purchase of timber to build barracks for the government. In a word, his proper place in the history of the old town is that of a good citizen, trustworthy and patriotic. July 7, 1888. $6 OLD CHARLESTOWN VIII The McNeil Estate Lynde' s Point and its Improvement — The Homestead — Archi bald McNeil — Samuel Jaques — Visit of Lafayette. THERE is a house now standing on Washington Street, between what are called Washington Place and Washington Square, about which it seems to me something of very considerable interest may be written. It is a square, double house now, but it was originally a square house without division, surrounded by a large lot of land kept in good condition — the attractive residence of prominent business men. Let us look a little at its history. Wyman's "Genealogies and Estates in Charlestown" gives us this information : " Daniel McNeil, of London derry, or Antrim, or Bush, Ireland, sold his estates and started for America the day King George II. was born." His eldest son was William, who was a ropemaker in Boston. William had several children. One of them was a captain in the United States Navy, and another, Captain Archibald McNeil, followed the business of his father. The ropewalks of the McNiels were on a field, situated where now are High and Pearl streets in Boston proper. They were destroyed by fire about 1793, and in 1794 Captain Archibald McNeil purchased, in Charles town, a tract of land of about twenty acres known at the OLD CHARLESTOWN 57 time as Lynde's Point. It was a point of land extending along and out into Charles River, having its narrowest end where the State Prison now stands. Along the bank of the river, just about where the buildings now making the lower side of Lynde Street are situated, a ropewalk was built, the head-house of which was on Ropemaker's Lane, as near as may be where Arrow Street now makes a junction with Lynde Street. To this place the business of McNeil was brought, and it was carried on here for many years. The twenty or more acres of land purchased by Cap tain McNeil included what is now Washington Street, that part of Rutherford Avenue formerly called Rich mond Street, and portions of Bow, Union, and Austin streets. When these streets were laid out, lots were sold to those who afterwards erected dwellings there. The sites of the Baptist Church, Austin Street, and of Saint Mary's Church, Richmond Street, are portions of this land, and the State Prison stands on the end of Lynde's Point. When the bargain with the Prison Committee was made for the land, it was provided, among other things, that the State should have a right of way forty-five feet wide, between the ropewalk and the mansion. This was before Washington Street was laid out. The mansion was the square house which still stands on Washington Street, to which we referred at the beginning, and the history of which we are looking into. It was the residence of Captain McNeil, and was built by him sometime previous to 1800. We will try to describe this mansion and estate as it probably looked at that time. As we have said, the house is still on the spot where it was originally erected, but it was then one large square 58 OLD CHARLESTOWN house with its front looking towards Bow Street. It was surrounded by a large area of land, green fields, and pastures, the road leading to it being the passage-way of forty-five feet between it and the ropewalk. The streets now near it were not then laid out ; they were to come in the future. Prison Point Bridge was not built, and the State had only just purchased a lot on which to erect a prison. The ropewalk was low enough down on the bank of the river to leave the view from the mansion unobstructed ; and the view was that of the river as it stretched along by Barrell's farm (the present site of the McLean Asylum), Cambridge, Brookline, Brighton, and the West End of Boston. Beyond the river were marshes, fields, hills, and trees, with here and there the houses of those who occupied and cultivated the land. To make the view picturesque and beautiful there were the elm-trees, formerly so numerous, and many of which can still be seen standing along the road in Somerville and on the grounds of the McLean Asylum. A pleasant residence indeed must have been that of Captain Archibald McNeil, for some years after he built the house and occupied it. But the time for change soon came, and about 1803, when very likely it was thought to be too valuable for a single estate, the land was laid out into streets and lots, and sold — rapidly, it would seem — to those who afterwards built homes for themselves and who were among the most thrifty and intelligent citizens of the old town for many years. Such familiar names in Charlestown as Devens, Goodwin, Tufts, Sweetser, Forster, Frothingham, Edmands, Warren, Barker, Harris, Wiley, Kendall, are on the records from 1799 to 1806 as purchasers of lots laid out by Captain OLD CHARLESTOWN 59 McNeil, and the bearers of those names are remembered as the long-time occupants of houses built by them. Washington Street very soon became one of the pleasantest for residences in the town, and its desirability for this purpose was maintained for more than half a century, at least. Captain McNeil, when cutting up his land, reserved a very large lot for his mansion, and it was not only retained by him while he lived there, but after its sale to Colonel Samuel Jaques, in 18 14, it was still a very large estate. The front on Washington Street was five hundred and forty feet, and the rear on Richmond Street nearly as much, and it ran through from Bow to Union streets. The area of the whole was about two acres. The stable and outbuildings were on Richmond Street, and the stable-yard was inclosed by a high fence. All the land outside of this, with the exception of a small lot directly in front of the house, inclosed for a garden, had around it a finished rail fence with turn-stiles for entrance on Washington and Bow Streets. In this garden, on a tree trained on the wall, originated the Jaques Admirable peach, for some years famous among the fruit-growers of Middlesex County. The stable was finished in the old style, with large doors, and round windows in the gable ends, and the carriage- house and sheds were ornamented with arched doorways and openings, such as can still be seen on very old estates in country towns. Colonel Samuel Jaques, who purchased the estate in 1 8 14, was born in Wilmington, Massachusetts, but came to Charlestown when he was a young man. He was engaged here in the West India goods business, at first being a partner with Matthew Skilton. Their place of 60 OLD CHARLESTOWN business was on Main Street, near Henley, just about where Francis Sager has now a tailor's shop. A relative of Colonel Jaques was a partner with Gilman Stanley, under the firm name of Jaques & Stanley, afterwards Stanley, Reed & Co. These had their store on the corner of Main and Henley streets, the spot now occu pied by the building of the Warren Institution for Savings. Colonel Jaques was also inspector-general of hops, and was interested largely in the exportation of this article, which was at one time an important business in Charlestown. His wharf, where the inspection and shipment of hops was carried on, was on the river, — on that part of it known as Charles River Bay, — and was about half-way between Mason and Arrow streets. In the fall of the year Jaques Wharf was always a very busy place. Colonel Jaques was an enterprising man, but not always successful in his business schemes. Great fond ness for animals was perhaps his distinguishing trait. He had some peculiar notions about breeding, the result of much study and observation, and he was successful in many experiments he made in changing the form and color of animals and increasing their value. After he purchased the McNeil place, it was stocked with horses, cattle, sheep, and birds, and it became celebrated as the place where things excellent and extraordinary in this line were collected and could be seen and obtained. He had a famous thoroughbred English stallion, beautiful in form, the richest bay in color, and at the time at the head of the list for speed. " Bell-founder," as he was called, can be read about in the books as an animal of extraordinary pedigree, and one of the best trotting OLD CHARLESTOWN 61 horses in the country. He had also a pacer, " Paugus," and a running horse, " Black Joke." Short-horned Durham cattle, and common cattle of marked good points, merino sheep, wild geese, ducks, and other birds of beautiful plumage, could be seen grazing in his pasture or swimming in the little pond in one corner of it. At one time buffaloes could be seen by passers down Wash ington and Bow streets, as the Colonel had two of them feeding in his pasture. He also had fine dogs — grey hounds, setters, and spaniels, and a full kennel of fox hounds, kept not for ornament, but for use. In the middle of October, the time of the first frosts, and early in the morning, when all Nature was smiling to usher in the queen of morn, the huntsmen, Colonel Jaques and his friends, began to wind the mellow, mellow horn. There are still many residents of Charlestown who can remember when they were awakened by this stirring music, and to have seen Colonel Jaques and his party, in hunters' garb, followed by the hounds, in pairs chained together, as they were galloping their horses up Main Street bound for a fox-hunt ; — not the pursuit of some poor little creature provided for the purpose, to be let loose at the proper time and hunted down by the dogs, but the starting up of wild animals on their own ground, where the foxes had holes and hiding-places and an even chance of escape ; and where, perhaps, they were having their own little hunt about the barn-yards and hen-coops of the dwellers in that region. All this took place in Charlestown and the adjoining towns of Medford and Woburn. It must be remembered, how ever, that it was before a part of the town had been cut off and annexed to West Cambridge (Arlington), and 62 OLD CHARLESTOWN before another part had been made the town (now city) of Somerville. I would give you an account of who composed this party of hunters, of a day's sport in chase of reynard, the jollification over the captured brush (fox-tail), the dinner at the Black Horse Tavern in Woburn, and the winding up at night ; but it will be more interesting to the reader if I print, in the next chapter, a note I have received from a Charlestown boy, George Tapley, of Revere, who sometimes, in his youth, accompanied the party and has a distinct recollection of everything that took place. Colonel Jaques lived in the house on Washington Street until 1832 or 1833, when he removed to the Ten Hills Farm, where he remained until his death, March 27, 1859, aged eighty-three years. He was widely known, and had for friends many of the most prominent men of the time. Such distinguished people as Colonel Thomas Handyside Perkins, Kirk Boott, and Daniel Webster were among his visitors at the old mansion and the Ten Hills Farm ; and he could always interest them in his horses and other stock, and in his peculiar views as to their management and the possibilities in their improvement. Moreover, he was a gentleman himself, courteous and entertaining. It has been said that he entertained General Lafayette in the old mansion, in 1825. Lafayette made two visits to Charlestown — the first on Friday, August 27, 1824, and again when the corner-stone of the Bunker Hill Monument was laid, June 17, 1825. On the first visit he was met at the center of the bridge by the chief marshal (Colonel Jaques) and his aids, and conducted to the Square, OLD CHARLESTOWN 63 where a committee of citizens of the town was in waiting to receive him. A procession was then formed and escorted by a regiment of light infantry and a battalion of artillery to Bunker Hill, where Doctor Thompson, in behalf of the town committee, addressed General Lafayette and welcomed him to the town. The General afterwards visited the Navy Yard. This was a special visit to Charlestown, and it must have been on this occasion, I think, that he was entertained by Colonel Jaques. It was while he was on Bunker Hill at this time that General Lafayette was informed by Governor Brooks that an association had been formed for the erection of a monument, whereupon he requested that he might be considered a subscriber and be present at the laying of the corner-stone. July zi, 1888. 64 OLD CHARLESTOWN IX Gallant Huntsmen Reynard's Pursuers and where they went — Mrs. Hall's Straw berries. THE Hunters' Club, about which something was said in the previous chapter, assembled once a year and chose a president, after which, with invited guests, they sat down to a venison supper, and nobody ever doubted their having a good time. Some of the members of the club were Colonel Samuel Jaques, Isaac Mead, Henry Van Voorhis, Colonel Isaac Smith, John Tapley, Robert Lovering, Isaac Larkin, Samuel Jackson, Arnold Cook, of Charlestown, and Messrs. Gibson, Thatcher, Bowditch, Washington Munroe, Peter Brigham, of Boston, and Moses Whitney, of Waltham. To confirm my own recollection of what I had seen and heard, and of what I had been told, I asked my friend and old schoolmate, George A. Tapley, of Chelsea, to tell me about the fox-hunts in times past. Mr. Tapley, whose skill as a farmer and a grower of fruit, especially fine pears, is too well known to need more than the sim ple mention of his name, has also, from boyhood, been a sportsman in the best sense of that word, " one skilled in the sports of the field." The habits of birds, and where they are to be found; of wild animals in this region, and of fishes, too, are well known to Mr. Tapley, and the manner of capturing them he has learned by OLD CHARLESTOWN 65 large experience. He is exceedingly interesting in con versation on subjects of the kind, and is at the top of the list, I think, of Charlestown boys who have developed a taste for intelligent sportsmanship. While a boy and in early manhood, living in Charlestown where he was born, he knew about the hunters and frequently accom panied them when in pursuit of a fox. I give you the substance of what he sends me by way of description of these exciting occasions : About the middle of October, when a frost is expected, the hunters and the hounds are ready and anxious for a hunt. Some one has been informed where a fox has been seen. The party is made up the night before the start, each member of it being informed what ground is to be hunted over. The start is to be at day light. The hounds are not fed in the morning, and they seem to know all about what is going on. Restless and anxious to be off, it is almost impossible to handle them. The whole kennel is taken, from ten to twenty, and at one time I knew of thirty dogs taken for one day's hunt. At somebody's home an early breakfast has been pre pared and hastily eaten, when off they start, hunters and hounds, full of glee and music. Some of the party are on horseback and some in carriages. They are soon on the line they are to take. The hounds have thus far been tied together in pairs, but they are now let loose, and they keep up a continuous yelping. Think of the noise of thirty dogs, hungry, excited, wild with a desire to commence the chase. If the ground determined upon is Medford, the course is over the turnpike and the hills of that town, and, when the fox is started up, off he goes towards Woburn. If an old fox, he gives the hounds a long run. Oftentimes the dogs would be let into the fields soon after leaving Charlestown Neck, and a fox would be started before 66 OLD CHARLESTOWN reaching the old powder-house. Then the chase would be over Walnut Hill (now College Hill), on to Medford and Woburn ; and the hunters would bring up at the old Black Horse Tavern, that being always their stopping- place on this ground. From there they went on to Horn Pond Mountain, around which the fox would take about three turns. Foxes always have runways which the hunters know, and they forelay their runways and often kill the fox, or force him to take the ground or a ledge of rocks. If in the rocks, the fox is lost for this day. If it should be a good day for the scent, — that is, a moist air, — the fox is hard pressed if he takes to the ground. If not hard pressed he will trot back near to the spot where he first started. If the fox is killed, the horn is sounded. The hunters all know the sound, and soon get together to have a jolly time over the captured brush (fox-tail). The hounds are then collected together and taken home, while the hunters repair to an appointed place to enjoy a good supper ; and, after the excitement and fatigue of the day, a sound sleep is almost sure to follow. Up to 1830 the hounds were kept by Colonel Jaques, in Charlestown, at his place on Washington and Rich mond streets. Later they were kept by him at Ten Hills Farm ; still later by John Tapley, at his residence, Spring Hill, Charlestown, now Somerville. Mr. Tapley says he once saw two foxes, one of which he shot, in the rear of the Hall House — the old wooden house near the ledge, on the road leading from Broadway, Somerville, to the Elm Street station of the Lowell rail road in West Somerville. This old house, never painted, now stands where it was built nearly a century ago, and must have attracted the attention of almost everybody who had any occasion to pass by it. The mention of it calls up pleasant recollections to OLD CHARLESTOWN 67 many Charlestown people ; for it used to be a place of resort for lovers of good strawberries. To hire a horse and carryall, or an old-fashioned two-wheeled chaise, for an afternoon drive over the turnpike to Medford, and round through West Cambridge ; or directly to Harvard College, through West Cambridge, to Charlestown, stop ping on the return at Mrs. Hall's, was one of the things to do in early summer. " Hitch your horses and come in while I am having the berries picked " was the cordial greeting ; and the delay was never long, for she was pre pared for the business. A stroll on the ledge, and a short sniff among the wild roses and juniper-trees, would take up just about the time of preparation. And when the table was set — O fragrant memory ! you can still bring before us such strawberries and cream as made it attractive ; but the actual provision for such a delicious repast can never again be made. July z8, 1888. 68 OLDCHARLESTOWN X Some Noted Men James Frothingham — Josiah Barker — The Goodwins — Ship- Building. LYNDE'S POINT was cut up into lots, and out of it were made many new estates. Its name was soon forgotten, and Prison Point, Austin Street, Wash ington Street, Richmond Street, and Union Street took its place. Later, another street in the rear of Washing ton Street was laid out, and some thoughtful citizen, remembering, perhaps, the high standing of the Lynde family, their enterprise and thrift, and former large own ership in the territory of the old town, proposed to call it Lynde Street ; or perhaps it was only remembered as a part of Lynde's Point, and so appropriately named. But whatever may have been the reason in this particular instance, the name of Lynde is worthy of remembrance in the history of Charlestown. Captain McNeil purchased Lynde's Point of the widow of Joseph Lynde, whose maiden name was Mary Lemmon. She was the daughter of Joseph Lemmon, a merchant of standing in the town and at one time its treasurer. The earliest sales from the McNeil estate seem to have been made on Bow Street, and one of these was to James Frothingham, in 1798. The same estate is now owned and occupied by J. H. Willard as a store and residence. OLD CHARLESTOWN 69 He purchased it of the estate of Abijah Monroe, who will be remembered as a gunsmith on Main Street, near Union, and as at one time somewhat prominent in polit ical and town affairs. Mr. Frothingham lived here until his death, April 16, 1848. He was the father of James Frothingham, the eminent portrait-painter, who was born in Charlestown and resided here all the early part of his life. He afterwards removed to Brooklyn, New York, and died there, January 16, 1864. Many of his portraits of old Charlestown residents can still be seen in the homes of their descendants, and they are evidences of the real merit of the artist. In the residence of the writer are now hanging portraits of his father and mother, painted by Frothingham. His portrait of Samuel Dexter hangs in Memorial Hall, Harvard College. His reputa tion was well earned. He painted a picture of Washing ton for the city of Brooklyn, and another for his native town, the former of which hangs in the City Hall, Brook lyn, and the other in our public library. He was a pupil of Gilbert Stuart and copied his pictures. Dunlap's "History of Arts of Design," Volume II., page 211, says : " Stuart pronounced Frothingham his most suc cessful imitator." He was a man full of humor, and some of his amusing jokes may be referred to in another connection. One of his sisters was the wife of our very highly respected fellow-citizen, Matthew Rice ; and another, of the late George Johnson, a business man and town officer of high standing. Near this residence of James Frothingham, senior, were the old hay-scales, and, succeeding Deacon Tufts, Mr. Frothingham held for many years the office of public weigher. This was before the inventon of "Fairbanks' platform-balance," 70 OLD CHARLESTOWN and the wagons with the hay were lifted with chains and balanced with old-fashioned weights. In November, 1800, Captain McNeil sold, to the com missioners appointed by the Legislature to select a site for a State Prison, the lot on which the prison now stands. It contained a little more than four and a half acres. " It was selected for its healthfulness and the superior facilities it afforded for the transportation of stone for convict labor. Only one bridge barred the way to the ocean, as Prison Point Bridge was not built until 1809, and all carriage communication with Cambridge was by the way of Charlestown Neck." The prison was first occupied in 1 805 . In December of that year thirty- two convicts were received from Castle Island, Fort Independence, where State prisoners had been confined after 1785. In 1804, a lot seventy-five feet on Washington Street and running down three hundred and twenty-five feet to low-water mark was sold to Josiah Barker for a ship-yard, and the same year another lot between the ship-yard and the prison was sold to J. Morrill, Samuel Jaques, Jr., and Matthew Skilton, on which was built a factory for the manufacture of spirits of turpentine and other naval stores. The Barker lot was enlarged in 18 10 by the purchase of fifty-five feet more on Washington Street, running down, as with the first lot, to low-water mark, making in all one hundred and thirty by three hundred and twenty-five in the ship-yard; and here, until 1835, when the property was sold to the Charlestown Land and Wharf Company, a large number of vessels were built by Josiah Barker and, afterwards, by Captain John M. Robertson. Henry H. Edes, in his memoir of Josiah OLD CHARLESTOWN 7i Barker, gives a list of thirty-eight vessels built by him in Charlestown. How many of these were built in this yard I do not know, but he refers to some especially, and I quote his remark : " Here he built, among others, the Pandora in 1806, the Fawn in 181 1, and the Union and the Aurora in 18 15." The business at the turpentine- factory was also continued until the time of change made by the Land and Wharf Company. Josiah Barker was the naval constructor stationed at the Navy Yard in Charlestown for thirty-four years, and his skill was shown in the models of many of the best ships ever built by the United States government. He came to Charlestown in 1 799, from Pembroke. He died here, September 23, 1847, at the age of nearly eighty- four years. His residence was in the large house on Wapping Street, near the Navy Yard gate. It is pleasant to refer to a record such as he made for himself, and to claim him as one of the respected and distinguished citizens of the good old town. Captain Robertson, who resided at 22 Washington Street, won a good reputation as a shipbuilder, and helped to make Charlestown famous for the excellence of the vessels constructed within its borders. Our Charlestown Artillery was formed as long ago as 1786. It has had its ups and downs like most of the old military organizations. Somewhere about 1832, — the exact date I cannot refer to readily, — it had run down to such a point that disbandment was imminent. Then the old soldiers of the town came forward, placed their names upon the roll, and did active duty for several years. They elected Mr. Robertson captain, and he had a command of which he had a right to be proud. The 72 OLD CHARLESTOWN two fine brass field-pieces in possession of the company were in this way retained in the town, and many patriotic salutes were given in their use. With the building up of the streets referred to, Deacon David Goodwin had more to do, perhaps, than any other person. He built and lived in the square house on the corner of Washington and Union streets — the house that stands back from the streets on a high bank, with an open fence on the line of the sidewalk at the foot of the bank. Here he died, January 25, 1825, aged eighty years. He also built and owned the large house on the opposite corner of the same streets, which is now occupied by the family of the late James Adams. This house was the residence of Thomas Jenner Good win, son of the deacon, and was purchased by him after the death of his father. On this estate there was a well-kept garden, and at one time there could be seen a bed of low phlox, arranged so as to form the name of Washington. The whole arrangement of flowers in this garden was ingenious and ornamental, and such as to attract the attention of passers-by. Deacon David Goodwin was an enterprising man, the builder of many houses in Charlestown, and the owner, at the time of his death, of several estates on Washington and Main streets. He held important town offices, was in the Massachusetts Legislature in 1804, '10, '13, and was for a long time one of the trustees of the schools. He was a dignified, precise man, who expected to be looked up to, especially by the children and youth of the town. He was the grandfather of Rev. George Goodwin, the Catholic priest, who had charge of Saint Mary's Church for several years. Thomas J. Goodwin was a dry-goods dealer in the town, OLD CHARLESTOWN 73 doing a large retail and jobbing business in the store, 1 1 Main Street. He was a leading man in town affairs, and often moderator of the town meetings. He was in the Legislature, — in the House of Representatives, 1824-25, 1827-28 ; in the Senate, 1829-30. He was a portly gentleman, particular in his dress, and quite noticeable as he passed through the streets and mingled with his fellow-citizens ; a man of ability and successful in his business. He removed from here to New York city, and was a wholesale dry-goods dealer there. He was one of the original members of the First Universalist Society and took an active part in its affairs. The clock for many years in front of the singers' seats in the gallery bore his name as donor. He was afterwards a member of the Unitarian Society. John P. Flagg was a clerk with him and afterwards a partner. For some years after Mr. Goodwin left town the business was continued by John P. Flagg & Co. August ii, 1888. 74 OLD CHARLESTOWN XI The Old Ship . Union — Washington Street Captain George Barker — Reuben Hunt — Professor George F. Barker — Samuel Devens. THE ship Union, as before mentioned, was built by Captain Josiah Barker at the ship-yard on Washington Street, in 1815. She was a vessel of six hundred and twenty tons, and was built for William Gray to be used as a privateer ; but, peace being declared about the time she was finished, she was taken to Gray's Wharf, which was below Charles River Bridge, where storehouse No. 4 of the Hoosac Dock and Elevator Co. now stands, and was altered into a merchantman. An upper deck was added to her, and she was otherwise fitted for the East India trade. She is said to have been an admirably constructed ship and proved to be a model for one of the best sloops-of-war ever in the Navy. In 1842 or 1843 each °f the naval constructors stationed at the navy-yards in the country had orders to prepare, according to his own ideas, models and drawings for a first class sloop-of-war. Acting under this authority, Captain Barker, copying the lines of the old ship Union, had an enlarged model made for the Portsmouth, which ship was afterwards laid down and built from the OLD CHARLESTOWN 75 » model, at Portsmouth. She proved to be one of the best of the new sloops. Thomas J. Goodwin, whose residence was described in the previous chapter, was one of the original board of directors of the Bunker Hill Bank. He occupied the position for nine years, from July, 1825, to October, 1834. He was also one of the first board of trustees of the Warren Institution for Savings. On the south side of Washington Street, between the continuation of Union and Bow streets, are several houses built about the same time as the Goodwin houses. They were the homesteads of Samuel Devens, a mer chant having his office, I think, on Central Wharf, Boston ; Benjamin Edmands, painter, whose shop was on the Square, in the building recently built by Mr. Swal low and occupied by Charles W. Sawyer, the telegraph- office, and the quarters of the 999th Artillery ; Francis Adams, who occupied a wharf leading from Water Street, and who was the owner of several coasting-vessels ; James Warren, boot and shoe manufacturer in a shop on the Square near Mr. Edmands ; and William Wiley, on the corner of Bow Street. All of these places except the Wiley estate were always made attractive by care fully kept gardens, in which, especially in that of Mr. Edmands, were many beautiful trees. The owners of these places were men of standing and property. Francis Adams, after a long residence here, removed to Maine ; the others remained and died here. A little later, other houses were built on that side of the street, the occupants of which were John Gregory, mason, whose faithful work can be shown in a number of build ings now standing; Joshua Burr, wharf and bridge 76 OLD CHARLESTOWN builder, whose rafts of piles, spars, and timber moored on the river made very convenient assembling places for the boys while taking their baths in the summer ; Captain David Low, who removed here from Cordis Street; Captain Pollard; Captain George Barker, the popular ship-maker of his time and father of Dr. George F. Barker, professor of physics in the University of Penn sylvania, who was born in Charlestown and spent his boyhood and youth there ; Joseph Souther, and Reuben Hunt. Reuben Hunt came to Charlestown from Concord, Massachusetts, where he was born, January n, 1783, dying here, May 1 1, 1866. He was one of a number of men who came to Charlestown and established them selves successfully in the business of morocco-dressing, which was an important industry in the old town. Mr. Hunt was a man who never took steps backward ; and he went on steadily until his accumulation was such as to make it perfectly easy for him to do much or little, as he pleased. He always, until his death, I think, kept his office in town, but went daily to Boston, and was thoroughly informed in regard to the value of securities. He left a large estate. He was one of the original members of the Harvard Unitarian Society, and constant in his attendance at church. He was the willing con tributor towards all their good work, and in his will he remembered the poor of the church with a bequest of $2000. Nor did he forget the poor of his adopted home, or of the home of his childhood. To the first he devised $3000, and to the last #1000. The bulk of his estate was given to his daughter, his only surviving child, who, in her own quiet way, has, I doubt not, been carrying OLD CHARLESTOWN 77 out plans suggested by the known views and wishes of her father and her own ideas of what was due to his memory. Mr. Hunt was a director in the Bunker Hill Bank, elected October 6, 1834, taking the place of Thomas J. Goodwin, and remaining until October 2, 1848. He was one of the original board of trustees in the Warren Institution for Savings, being elected in 1829, and holding the office until 1835, when he was elected one of the vice-presidents, holding that office until 1839. His was a real life. He was self-reliant and self-possessed ; nothing like sham ever influenced his action. He declined public office, but he lived in the town many years and the example of his life and charac ter must have been of great service in its affairs and among its people. Joseph Souther was made a director in the Bunker Hill Bank, October 2, 1848, taking the place of Reuben Hunt, who had resigned; and October 4, 1858, after ten years' service, he resigned, and his son, Joseph Souther, Jr., was elected in his place. August 18, 1888. 78 OLD CHARLESTOWN XII Washington Street and Some of Its Residents James Adams — William M. Byrnes — George Hyde — William Arnold — The Flints. -*> AT the foot of Washington Street, near the State Prison, was a soap-factory where James Gould carried on an extensive business. He was suc ceeded by Tebbetts & Hill, who continued the business for many years afterwards. Mr. Gould's residence for a portion of the time was on the east side of Washington Street, in the house with brick ends and a wood front, standing on a terrace, with an area all around it used for a garden. The house was built by David Fosdick, who occupied it for some years. He was a native of the town, and a prominent man in it. His store for retailing !and jobbing dry-goods was on Main Street, in the build ing making the north corner of Henley Street. David S. Messinger, of Worcester, who lived in Charlestown for some years and married here, was at one time his part ner, the firm being David Fosdick & Co. Mr. Fosdick was one of the original board of trustees of the Warren Institution for Savings, and one of its vice-presidents. He was a leading man in the First Baptist Church. He removed from here to Groton. That pleasant old citizen, OLD CHARLESTOWN 79 Patrick Denvir, connected with the Catholic Church here as sexton, and so forth, for so many years, whose walks up and down Main Street we have but recently missed, and whose residence in Charlestown covered a period of more than sixty years, purchased this estate of Mr. Gould in 1850 and lived there until his decease, April 28, 1887. Just below this estate is a brick house which was built by Captain John M. Robertson, who resided there for several years and then sold it to William M. Byrnes, who made it his residence. Mr. Byrnes will be remembered for his love for music, his perseverence in its study, and his great desire that everybody should enjoy it. He was for a long time connected with the Winthrop Church and was organist for its fine choir. He had a musical family ; and with more than common skill the works of the best musical composers could be rendered both by voice and instrument at their ordinary gatherings. Former residents of Charlestown were largely indebted to Mr. Byrnes for many fine musical entertainments given in the old Town Hall. Concerts by the famous "Germania Musical Association," the leading musical attraction in Boston from 1849 to about 1854, which were given here several times, and those of the "Men-; delssohn Quintette Club," for several seasons afterwards, were gotten up by the interest and energy of Mr. Byrnes, who aimed to develop a taste for classical music and to keep Charlestown up to the times in musical matters. Mr. Byrnes was for many years secretary of the Franklin Insurance Company, having its office in State Street, Boston, and he was afterwards its president. The brick house nearest to Union Street, on the same 80 OLD CHARLESTOWN side of Washington Street, was built and occupied for many years by the late S. Stoddard Blanchard, a native of the town who afterwards built the house on Monument Square in which he lived until he died, August 18, 1886. He commenced his business life as a clerk in the Hamilton Bank, Boston, and worked himself up to the presidency, an office he resigned a little while before his death. After the removal of T. J. Goodwin to New York, his estate was purchased by James Adams, who resided there until his death, November 13, 1880. His family still occupy the house. Mr. Adams, in early life, was in the hardware trade, and had a store first with his brother John in the Square, where the Enterprise office is now located, and afterwards on the corner of Main and Henley streets, opposite the building of the Warren Institution for Savings, of which institution he was in later life for twenty-five years the president. He was also engaged in the manufacture of kerosene and other oils at his factory on Mystic River, adjoining Chelsea Bridge. In 1854 he was Mayor of the city ; and he was an active member of the school committee for many years. He was deacon of the Winthrop Church, and one of its leading members from the time of its organization ; and one of the board of directors of the Bunker Hill Bank. The houses I have mentioned (with the exception of the Goodwin estate), and all of those between that and Bow Street (except the old McNeil house), are compar atively modern, although it is a good many years since they were erected. The one on the corner of Bow Street was built by Isaac Kendall, and was first occupied, OLD CHARLESTOWN 81 I think, by Rev. Dr. Fay of the First Church, whose moral strength was not sufficient for the maintenance of a high position which he at one time held. It was after wards purchased by George Hyde, who lived there many years until his removal to his present residence on High Street. The little triangular plot of land between Bow Street and the house was always, in the growing season, smiling with flowers, telling continually of the taste and interest of their cultivator, and hinting of comfort and refinement within doors. Mr. Hyde commenced his business career in the store of Samuel Abbott & Co., Main Street, Charlestown. From there he went into the employ of Dana Evans & Co., wholesale grocers, Boston, and soon became a partner. The firm of Hyde & Southworth, of which he is now the head, is the succes sion and continuation of the old concern. Mr. Hyde is one of the vice-presidents of the Warren Institution for Savings, and was a trustee of the Public Library until the annexation to Boston. He has always been devoted to the interests of the Winthrop Church. One of his daughters is the wife of Rev. Dr. Abbott E. Kittredge, a former pastor, later the pastor of a Congregational Church in Chicago, and now of the Madison Avenue Reformed Church of New York. Another daughter is the wife of James W. Shapleigh, of Boston. A little distance from Mr. Hyde's, on Arrow Street, near its junction with Bow, was the residence of Simeon Flint, and here some of the family have lived from the time of its erection, to the present. Mr. Flint was an intelligent, genial man, and a call at his merchant-tailor's shop on Main Street always gave pleasure to his numerous friends. His home was also a blessing to its 82 OLD CHARLESTOWN occupants, and a place of interest and enjoyment to friends. He had five children, George Frederic, who died early ; William, the Episcopal minister, settled for some years over Saint John's Church in Charlestown ; Eliza and May, who were successful teachers in the Abbott School, New York ; and Sarah, the authoress of several books. Mr. Flint was a deacon of the Winthrop Church. He died October 24, 1857. An obituary by his friend Doctor Thompson, in Tke Bunker Hill Aurora, October, 1857, closes with the quotation: "Let us die the death of the righteous, and let our last end be like his." Amos T. Frothingham, the cashier of the Tremont Bank, now a resident of Cambridge, was for many years the next-door neighbor of Mr. Hyde. Then followed the block of three brick houses built by John Wesson, John Gary, and Robert Todd, and used for residences by them as long as they lived. Wesson & Gary were originally stone-masons, but they were better known as grain-dealers on Warren Avenue. The wharf and store now occupied by Nathan Tufts & Sons was their place of business for several decades at least, and the Tuftses may be considered a succession of the old firm. Mr. Todd was formerly a partner in the firm of Benjamin Thompson & Co., dealers in lumber and wood and coal, first at Thompson's Wharf, opposite Wesson & Gary, and afterwards, when that wharf was sold to the Fitchburg Railroad, on a wharf which they purchased on the other avenue, the same now occupied by the Tudor Co. and A. Gage & Co. These three friends and neighbors were enterprising and successful business men, widely known and respected, and at various times valuable city officials. OLD CHARLESTOWN 83 Right along here lived William Arnold, Jr., mentioned in a former article. His father, Deacon William Arnold, the proprietor of the old shoe-store on Main Street, about where Jasper Stone's jewelry-store now is, was one of the old residents on Washington Street, as were also Joseph Tufts, an able lawyer and trusted counselor, and Otis Vinal. August Z5, 1888. 84 OLD CHARLESTOWN XIII Washington Street Its Pleasant Neighborhood. -*> PAYMASTER GEORGE F. CUTTER, of the United States Navy Department, who for a long time was at the head of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, married the daughter of Charles Forster, and at one time occupied one of the houses near those mentioned in the preceding chapter. He removed from Washington Street to Chestnut Street, where he lived some years in a house of which, I think, he was the owner. Captain J. B. Montgomery, of the Navy, was also for some time a resident on Washington Street. The Jaques place, altered into a double house, was occupied on one side by tenants, among whom I now think of Caleb Rand and Christopher C. Deane. The other half was for a long time the boarding-house of Miss Brown, and many of the young people of the town found a home there at once inviting and comfortable. Benjamin Brown, Jr., formerly occupying an important position in the Custom House, and who was afterwards a prominent stock-broker on State Street, Boston, boarded here with his sister, as did also two other brothers, Edward and Caleb Strong. The Browns were natives of Charlestown and lived with their father, Ben- OLD CHARLESTOWN 85 jamin Brown, at the Neck, before they came to Wash ington Street. The residences of Heman S. Doane and John Fosdick were in the next block of two wooden houses. Mr. Doane was a deacon of the Winthrop Church. He was a member of the firm of John Doane, Jr., & Co., brush- manufacturers, at one time connected with Joseph Thompson in a factory in the rear of the store of A. N. Swallow & Co., on the Square, and afterwards con tractors for a considerable force at the State Prison, employed by them at brush-making. Mr. Fosdick, a native of the town, was a wholesale dry-goods dealer in Boston. He was a member of the Harvard Unitarian Church and a constant attendant at its Sunday services. He was for a long time one of the vice-presidents and a member of the board of investment of the Warren Institution for Savings. His sense of the ludicrous was uncommonly keen, and some of his jokes were very telling. He can hardly be called to mind without the recollection of his jocoseness and of the merry twinkle of his eye that presaged the coming joke. On the opposite side of the street is a block formerly occupied by Amos and William Tufts. The lot of land on which they built these two houses was purchased of Benjamin Edmands, and to make room for them the fine trees in his garden were cut down. A regretful feeling, when the axe was laid at their roots, pervaded the neigh borhood, and the pleasure afforded by the anticipation of the erection of two fine houses, and the coming of con genial occupants for them, was barely sufficient to com pensate for the loss of the trees. But the Tuftses were 86 OLD CHARLESTOWN pleasant people and good neighbors, and the trees remained, in memory, to be talked about as "things of beauty, joys forever." Amos Tufts was originally a blacksmith with his father, Deacon Amos Tufts, in their shop on Main Street, where Dr. John S. Whiting now lives. Amos and Samuel F. Tufts carried on the business together after the deacon retired. Mr. Tufts was later superintendent of one of the departments of the Lowell Railroad. He was an efficient member of the City Government as councilman and alderman for several years. William Tufts was at one time, I think, in the dry-goods business in town, and afterwards, until his death, secretary of that successful old institution, the Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Company. He was always an agreeable and highly respected gentleman. The Charlestown Wharf Company was incorporated March 31, 1836. They purchased nearly all the prop erty along the shore of the river from the wharf of the State Prison to Warren Bridge. A sea-wall, built by them, extended along this whole line. Their purchase included the old ship-yard, and all the upland bordering on that side of Washington Street from Austin to Union streets. This land was laid out and sold for house-lots. The history of this company, and of the Charlestown Branch Railroad Company, must be giveii at some future time ; it is referred to now only as it was connected with the estates on Washington Street. The lot nearest Union Street was purchased by Rev. Henry Jackson, and the wooden house now standing there was erected by him for a residence. He was pastor of the First Baptist Church, but afterwards removed to Hartford, OLD CHARLESTOWN 87 Connecticut. He was a fine-looking man, a successful preacher and highly esteemed pastor, a genial man much loved by his own people and pleasant in his intercourse with all denominations. On his removal to Hartford he sold his house on Washington Street to Gilbert Tufts, who removed here from Cordis Street and died July 7, 1850. Below this estate, on other lots sold by the Wharf Company, is a block of twelve brick houses, compact, convenient, pleasant dwelling-places. The occupants of these houses were such men and families as give a good name to towns and cities, and make their histories inter esting and valuable ; for excellence of character, ability, and means are the essentials of true prosperity. Let us make a list of those who had homes here, say in 1848, and for a good while after that, and see if we are correct in our estimate of their value as citizens of the town. Here then it is : Isaac Sweetser, Jonathan V. Fletcher, George S. Adams, Dexter Bowman, Zadoc Bowman, George W. Little, Edwin F. Adams, Colonel Seth J. Thomas, Richard Baker, Jr., Samuel Atherton, Deacon James Fosdick, George H. Morse. Look back upon what I have written concerning Washington Street and other residents on it, and, taking it in connection with this list, have I not given the history of a locality and neighborhood that any old resident of Charlestown has a right to be proud of ? September i, 1888. 88 OLD CHARLESTOWN XIV Along Bow Street Residences of Richard Devens and John Harris — Henry Jaques and his Family. BOW STREET has been the residence of many persons of mark who reflected honor upon Charles town ; who were constantly pursuing a course of life that influenced favorably its institutions and its people, and who left good names when they passed away from life, to be referred to with pride and pleasant remem brance. Let us try to make special allusion to some of them now, and catch a little more of the fragrance that is always thrown off from the memory of good people. But a step from Washington Street, on the right hand side of Bow Street as you go towards the Square, was a house (still standing) like many others we have described, with its end on the street, the front looking into a garden inclosed by a fence, the gateway of which opened upon a pathway leading to the front door. Con trasted with the elegant residences of the present day, these old estates seem to be of little consequence ; but there was an air of quiet comfort about them, an evi dence of that kind of contentment which is befitting and essential to a good home, that is not so often observed in the pretentious mansions of the prosperous men of this age. OLD CHARLESTOWN 89 In the house referred to lived Henry Jaques, the brother of Colonel Samuel Jaques. He was the first cashier of the Bunker Hill Bank, holding the place for three years. He then resigned to take the presidency of the Tremont .Bank, in Boston. Here he remained for three years more, when he left to become an official of the Suffolk Bank, a larger institution occupying an important position in the system of banking then exist ing in Massachusetts. Henry Jaques was an intelligent and industrious man. A good man himself, he had great respect for moral worth and ability, and but little patience with pretension. Fair in his judgment, he was independent and fearless in the expression of his opinion. Not easily deceived, he filled his own place worthily, and required honesty and faithful attention to their work from all those who were about him. He was one of the original members of the Charlestown Wharf Company and of the Charlestown Branch Railroad Company, and his name stands first on the list of incorporators of both these companies. He was looked up to as an authority in financial matters in Charlestown, and was interested in the affairs of the town, especially that they should be honestly and worthily conducted. He was the father of Henry L. Jaques, whose early life was spent in Charlestown and who was for some time treasurer of the Warren Institution for Savings. Afterwards he removed to New York and was cashier of one of the leading banks there. Accumulat ing a fortune, he retired from business and traveled a good deal abroad. A short time ago the bank with which he was connected, in New York, was in trouble through the irregularities of its officials, and Mr. Jaques go OLD CHARLESTOWN was urged to take the head of the institution on its reorganization, but he declined the honor. Another son of Henry, Francis Jaques, who died a few years ago, was the president of the Webster National Bank, in Boston. The daughter is the wife of Charles Merriam, of Boston, now prominent as an official and manager of some of the western railroads. He was for some years a resident of Charlestown, living in Monument Square. The two brick houses on the corner of Mason and Bow streets were formerly the residences of John Harris and Richard Devens. At that time they were among the most attractive places in the town. The houses were always in order, and, looked at even from the outside, bore the appearance of what they really were, tasteful and beautiful homes. In their rear were large gardens running down to the river, with handsomely con structed arbors, covered with grapevines, sheltering the paths and ornamenting the grounds. The view of the river, and, across it, of the other shore, was a pleasant one. Flowers and fruits were successfully grown in the gardens, under the direction and personal care of the owners, who took delight in watching their development from the opening bud in spring to the ripening and fall of the leaf in autumn. How changed it all is now ! But let not this passing thought interfere with the pleas ure of the retrospect. At the lower end of the gardens were small buildings, fitted up with convenient bathing- arrangements, a luxury not common for private residences at the time of which we are writing. But these were convenient and complete dwelling-places. There are memories here, too, especially with the residence of the Devens family, of social enjoyment and generous enter- OLD CHARLESTOWN 91 tainment, which ought not to be forgotten in any history of the old town ; for it had then a goodly reputation as a place of social importance and cordial hospitality, and among those who aided largely in giving it a good name were the occupants of the pleasant abode that we have but poorly described. We shall have more to say about this, and of Richard Devens, hereafter. September 8, 1888. 92 OLD CHARLESTOWN XV Bow Street George W. Tyler's Library and its Distinguished Visitors — George Davidson and his Voyage around the World in the Ship Columbia when the river Columbia was discovered — John J. Stowell. NOT far from the Devens estate on Bow Street, in a house standing at the head of what used to be known as Tyler's Wharf, was the residence of Jonas Tyler, who for many years kept a wholesale and retail West India goods store on the Square, near the corner of Chamber Street, in one of the buildings destroyed in the great fire of 1835, and afterwards in the Cordis building on Main Street, the same now occupied by S. P. Hill & Co. Mr. Tyler was a peculiar man but an excellent citizen, methodical and successful in his business and upright in all his dealings. At one time he had a bathing-establishment on his wharf, where both ladies and gentlemen could be provided with convenient and well-protected bath-houses. This bathing-place was conducted very much upon the plan of the former well- known and popular " Braman's Baths " in Boston. At that time it was not common for residents in the city and large towns to leave their homes for the summer, and the refreshment of salt-water bathing was for the most part found in a swim and shower at establishments like this. OLD CHARLESTOWN 93 Mr. Tyler had four sons, two of whom are now living in Charlestown, Benjamin F. and Captain Jonas K. The latter was a lieutenant in the Mexican War, and got his title of captain in the War of the Rebellion. Another son, John F., was very popular as a boy, and some of us remember well the amiable and noble qualities that made him so. He was accidentally killed in his youth, by fall ing down a hatchway in a store on Long Wharf, Boston, where he was employed as a clerk. The oldest son, George W. Tyler, was brought up in a counting-room on Commercial Street, Boston, and after his majority carried on the lumber-business for a while. He was afterwards connected with newspapers, in Boston and in the West, as reporter and editor. He died some years ago. He had great fondness for books, and while he lived at his father's house he collected together a library which in extent and value was perhaps second to no private collection in town. His room was the resort of many young men who afterwards became eminent. He was a member of the Boston Mercantile Library Association in its palmy days, and delivered a lecture before it which was printed at the time and elicited very favorable comment. James T. Fields, Edwin P. Whipple, Daniel L. Haskell, and other prom inent members of the Mercantile, and William D. Kelley and George Curry of the Mechanics' Apprentice Asso ciation, were among his visitors. After the fire in 1835, his father purchased the Cordis estate, on Main Street, opposite Union Street, where the large elm-tree formerly stood, and removed his residence and store there, and the library was in that building for some years. Such men as Professor B. F. Tweed, Colonel Seth J. 94 OLD CHARLESTOWN Thomas, Rev. Edwin H. Chapin, Thomas Starr King, and others could often have been found there. Many interesting discussions, philosophical, religious, and polit ical, were carried on in these library-rooms. William D. Kelley, mentioned above, was at the time a silversmith in the shop of the father of his fellow- apprentice, George Curry, in Boston. He removed to Philadelphia, where he soon became a judge of one of the courts, and in a few years went to Congress. He still remains there, the oldest member of the National House of Representatives, known all over the land, especially in this time of tariff discussion and excitement, as " Pig-iron Kelley." While he was in Boston he was a Democrat and a public speaker. He made many speeches in Charlestown, and on one occasion from a plat form on the Training Field he replied to a speech that had just before been made to the Whigs by Honorable James Wilson (" Long Jim "), of New Hampshire. George Curry, who occasionally spoke to the Charlestown Dem ocrats, became Honorable George Curry, governor of the territory of Oregon. These were not Charlestown boys, but, at the time referred to, theirs were familiar faces and voices in Democratic caucuses and public political meetings here. About this time the Charlestown Democrats had many opportunities to hear George Bancroft, the historian, who was then collector of the port of Boston and Charlestown. His discourses to them in the old Town Hall were on Democracy, which he defined to be " Eternal justice ruling through the people." Some of our older citizens doubtless remember these discourses and the peculiar emphasis and manner of the speaker. OLD CHARLESTOWN 95 Nearly opposite the head of Tyler's Wharf, on the other side of Bow Street, was the residence of George Davidson. He was one of the crew of the ship Columbia, Captain Robert Gray, when she sailed from Boston for a voyage around the world in 1787. Mr. Davidson was a painter of considerable genius, with talent for drawing and sketching, and he was employed as the artist of the expedition. Pictures taken by him of places visited, attacks upon the ship at night by the Indians, and others, are still to be seen.* On this voyage the river Columbia was discovered and named for the ship. On his return he made arrangements to enter into the fur-trade, and, some years after, another very successful voyage to the north-west coast was made in a vessel commanded by him. A third voyage was planned and carried out so far as the safe arrival of the vessel at the coast was concerned, but on the passage home she is supposed to have foundered, as nothing was ever heard from her. Captain Davidson had two children. George was a printer and book-publisher in the office now occupied by Rand & Stinehart. The second child was a daughter, who became the wife of John J. Stowell, who kept a jewelry -store for many years, until his death in 1834, in the store now occupied by N. Leonard at 97 Main Street. This store was a place of great interest one morning while it was occupied by Mr. Stowell, it being broken into by thieves. The front door and window * Some of these pictures are in the possession of the Bancroft family, one of whom took part in the expedition. The wife of Rev. Dr. Alex ander H. Twombly, of the Winthrop Church, was a Bancroft of this family. 96 OLD CHARLESTOWN were found to be fastened with ropes and sticks to prevent the speedy entrance of the town watchman, while a large quantity of jewelry and goods was being carried off from the windows in the back yard. Crime of this kind was not so common then, and attracted more attention than it does now-a-days. Mr. Stowell was a manufacturer of clocks of all sizes, his father and grandfather having carried on the same business. " Made by Stowell " is an inscription formerly very common, and still to be seen on a good many town- clocks all about the country. John J. Stowell and Cap tain George Davidson were the father and grandfather of our esteemed citizens, John and Francis Stowell. George Davidson's wife was Mary Clark, of Boston. Her father was one of those who destroyed the tea in Boston Harbor. After the death of Captain Davidson she was married to Captain Samuel Stoddard. He was at the battle of White Plains, at the capture of the Hessians, and in the dreadful winter at Valley Forge. When peace was declared he resumed his profession as shipmaster, making many voyages to Europe and the West Indies. On one of these return voyages he was wrecked on the Grand Bahamas, living upon the rocks for fourteen days, the hardship of which occasioned his death. His son Samuel was a printer with George Davidson, Jr., and continued the business in the same place for a long time after the death of his employer. September 15, 1888. OLD CHARLESTOWN 97 XVI The Devens and Harris Families Commissary Devens — Jonathan Harris — Charlotte Harris — Social Life — General Charles Devens. ¦*> PICHARD DEVENS lived on Bow Street until 1835, when he removed to the brick house on the corner of Chelsea and Prospect streets, where he died, October 28, 1847. His wife, a remarkably energetic and intelligent woman, continued to live there until her death, February 9, 1874. His son, Thomas M„ and others of the family still retain it as their resi dence. The home on Bow Street, as we have already intimated, was ever a cheerful place ; and how to enter tain elegantly was never a secret to the family. Indeed, there was a circle of friends in town at the time who understood the meaning of social enjoyment and its importance ; and their generous provision for it was fully up to the time in which they lived. Visitors to the old town, and distinguished people who had any occasion to come to it, were received with cordiality, and went away with a good impression of its social character. The first fair in Charlestown was held in the parlor of Mrs. Devens, — gotten up for the benefit of the Sunday- school of the Unitarian Society, — and all benevolent work in town found encouragement and ready help from 98 OLD CHARLESTOWN the occupants of this house. Three of the daughters married naval officers, — Lieutenant Albert Downes, a brother of Commodore John Downes ; Lieutenant Charles W. Morris, the oldest son of Commodore Charles Morris ; and Lieutenant John H. Sherburne. The sons were Thomas Miller, of the mercantile firm of Gossler & Co., Boston ; Captain Henry, a shipmaster ; Edward F., and Richard. Mr. Devens was one of the original members of the Unitarian Society and Church, and a director for several years of the Bunker Hill Bank. He was a merchant and ship-owner. Several vessels were built for him and his brother Samuel at the ship-yard of Captain Robert son. Among them are remembered the Heraclide, Cabinet, and Commissary. Before the War of the Revolution the grandfather of Mr. Devens — bearing the same name, Richard — was a prominent citizen of the old town. In 1743 he was a cooper, gauger, and packer, a man of small means ; but he moved upward in the scale of importance until he became a widely known and highly prosperous merchant. When it was determined that the trouble between the colonies and the mother country must be settled by war, he was taken into the confidence of the patriots of the time, with whom he fully sympathized, and was selected as the proper person to hold the office of commissary- general in the army. He was a member of the Provin cial Congress and of the Committee of Public Safety ; a trusted and efficient helper in the successful struggle for a better government and independence. He was afterwards a selectman of the town, representative to the General Court, and member of the Executive OLD CHARLESTOWN 99 Council. When the Charles River Bridge was built he was one of the commissioners having the work in charge. He was a very large owner of real-estate in the town and in Boston, and he carried on an extensive business at his wharf leading out from Water Street, opposite Chamber, having very considerable dealings with the West Indies and other foreign places. His residence was opposite the head of his wharf, on the other side of Water Street, — the house standing on a lot very near where the brick building stands occupied until lately by Cook, Rymes & Co. as a machine-shop. There it stood until it was destroyed by the great fire in 1835. It was near this spot that Paul Revere was furnished with a horse by Deacon Larkin for his famous ride to Lex ington and Concord. In the history of the First Church, Mr. Devens is spoken of as the leading man of his time, and one of its chief supporters ; and his contribution for the gratuitous distribution of tracts, it was said, had not been exceeded by that of any person in America. His portrait hangs in the reading- room of our public library. He died at the age of eighty-six years, September 20, 1807. A large part of his property was given by bequest to religious institu tions and to the poor ; and he explains this in his will by reference to his own poverty in early life and his vow not to forget the needy. David, the eldest son of Commissary Devens, was a merchant. He died in February, 1792, when he was forty-five years old. He was the father of Samuel and Richard, whose estates on Washington and Bow streets we have described, and of David and Charles Devens, also prominent citizens of the town. David, to whom a ioo OLD CHARLESTOWN part of the wharf property was given by his grandfather, and who afterwards acquired all of it, continued its man agement for many years. He was town treasurer for almost a quarter of a century, and for thirty years was one of the board of directors of the Bunker Hill Bank, twenty of which years he was its president. He was also one of the original members of the Unitarian Society, one of the first vice-presidents of the Warren Institution for Savings, and a director in the Charlestown Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He died in August, 1855. In his will were the following bequests: One thousand dollars to the town for providing books for the poor; two thousand dollars to the Female Benevolent Society, since called the Devens Benevolent Society; one thousand dollars each to the Unitarian, Universalist, Baptist, First Parish, and Winthrop churches, the income to be expended for the benefit of their poor. The sons of the junior David Devens were Rev. Samuel Adams, Rev. David Stearns, George A., and my esteemed friend, William H. Devens, of Roslindale, Massachusetts. The daughters of Samuel Devens were the wives of Bradford Lincoln, Jr., William J. Powell, and Dr. John A. Briggs. Richard Miller, a son, was the compiler of the large volume, published in 1881, entitled, "Our First Century." Charles Devens was of the firm of Devens & Thomp son, hardware-dealers ; their places of business being in the brick building now numbered 3 on Main Street, near the Square, and later in South Market Street, Boston. He was at one time town clerk, as was also his brother Samuel. His eldest son is General Charles Devens, OLD CHARLESTOWN 101 formerly Attorney General of the United States, now an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, and President of the Bunker Hill Mon ument Association. General Devens was born in the house on the corner of Union and Lawrence streets, now occupied by his relatives, David and Mary Balfour, and his boyhood was spent in Charlestown. He was a grad uate of Harvard College (1838). His brother, Arthur Lithgow, also born in Charlestown, but lately of Worcester, was a graduate of the same college (1840). The wife of Rev. Walter Balfour was Mary Devens, sister of the General's father. Commissary Devens' daughter Mary was the wife of Jonathan Harris, merchant, of Boston, who was a large owner of real-estate in Charlestown. Harris Wharf, afterwards Damon's Wharf, now belonging to the Hoosac Tunnel Dock and Elevator Company, was a part of this estate. It was held by the family until it was purchased by John Wade Damon, then of Havana, but later of Charlestown, whose heirs sold it to the Hoosac Tunnel Dock and Elevator Company. The sons of Mr. Harris — Samuel D., Richard D., Henry, Charles, and George — were all prominent men in Boston. He had several daughters, the youngest of whom, Miss Charlotte, died May 31, 1877. She will be remembered for her generous gift of the complete chime of bells hanging in the tower of the First Church, and for a bequest in her will of $10,000 for the use of the Charlestown Public Library, and of the portrait of her grandfather that hangs in the reading-room of that institution. 102 OLD CHARLESTOWN Another daughter of Commissary Richard Devens married Captain Jonathan Chapman, who was also a large real-estate owner in the old town. Chapman Street was laid out by the family, through the old distillery-lot which fronted on Main Street and ran down to the river, and about which more may be said at some future time. In presenting the chime of bells to the church, Miss Harris refers to her " ancestors, Harris and Devens, who were for a great number of years inhabitants of Charles town and worshiped in the church of the First Parish." Let us keep them and her in appreciative and grateful remembrance, as we listen to the harmonious sound of the chime and enjoy its pleasant influence. The follow ing description of the chime, by Miss Mary Devens Balfour, is used here by her kind permission : Charlestown is blessed in her bell service, and we should be proud to know that this little spot glories in the possession of one of the three chimes in the city of Boston, and one of the largest in Massachusetts. We should be proud of our possession, as well as of the old church which owns them. This church is the oldest in Boston, having been organized in 1630, and it seems only right that it should have been honored with this chime. The sixteen bells were cast by Henry N. Hooper & Co., in 1 868, and were put into the belfry at a cost of $8000, which Miss Harris paid. The D bell, which is the largest, weighing 3267 pounds, was first made. The first casting resulted in a perfect bell, which is hung in the center of the belfry and is fitted for either ringing or chiming. On each bell is the inscription, " Harris Chime. OLD CHARLESTOWN 103 This chime of sixteen bells was a gift of Miss Charlotte Harris to the First Parish Church, Charlestown, of which her ancestors, Harris and Devens, were members." On the side opposite the foregoing inscription, each contains another. That on the D bell is, " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men." F sharp, " Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands." E, " Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old ; this Mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt." G, " Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill, for the Lord our God is holy." G sharp, " Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem ; praise thy God, O Zion. Praise God in His sanctuary." A, "Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary." A sharp, " Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people." B, " Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." C, "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." C sharp, " Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." D, " Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given Me." D sharp, "Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." E, "Behold, let us love one another, for love is of God." F sharp, "I am the resurrection and the life." G, " There shall be no night there. In Thy presence is fullness of joy." 104 OLD CHARLESTOWN A, " Salvation, and honor, and glory, and power unto the Lord our God." The chimes are to be rung on Sundays, national holidays, November 12 (the church anniversary), Christ mas and Thanksgiving days, and at midnight on New Year's Eve; but it is not always convenient for the ringer, Joel C. Bolan, who is organist, to attend on all these occasions, so that now, except Sundays, there is really no regular time for ringing. September zz, 1888. OLD CHARLESTOWN 105 XVII The Devens House on Chelsea Street Eminent Men among its Former Occupants — Bow Street again — Deacon Isaac Warren — William W. Wheildon — The Bunker Hill Aurora. -»> THE house on Chelsea Street occupied by Mr. Devens was built in 1804 by Elisha T. Holmes, who came to Charlestown from Kingston with his brother, Melzar H., Jr. They purchased the land of Dr. Aaron Putnam in 1 803, and erected two brick build ings — the one above referred to, and the adjoining one that was for a long time the residence of Paymaster John Bates, and of his family after his death. The houses were occupied by the Holmeses for some years. Melzar Holmes died in 18 13. Some distinguished people have been connected with the history of the Devens house. Jeremiah Evarts, the father of Honorable William M. Evarts, now one of the senators in Congress from the State of New York, lived there from 1812 to 181 7. He was a prominent man in town, and for a time one of its selectmen. He was active in the interests of the First Church, of which he was a member, and was well known as a philanthropist all over the country. This house, to some of us, is an unusually interesting 106 OLD CHARLESTOWN place to keep in mind. Allusion to it never fails to touch the stream of pleasure, which flows out as fresh and charming as if it had never been shut off by shifting scenes and advancing age. Here, for some time, Mrs. Burrill kept a select school, and a dancing-school for children at which, on Wednesday and Saturday after noons, the girls and boys would meet to receive instruc tion in good manners and easy, graceful movement, and to be waked up to activity and merriment by the violin of old Mr. Moses Mann. The writer was one of the privileged at that time, whose first four steps and a jump were taken in one of the rooms in that house, and who afterwards shared in the enjoyment which the school always afforded. What a charming company of young people were the pupils of Mrs. Burrill's school, and how pleasant the recollection of it must be to those who made a part of it and are still in the land of the living ! Among these scholars all the time the school was kept were some of the children of Commodore Charles Morris, then in command of the Navy Yard. One of them, Louise, became the wife of William W. Corcoran, the eminent banker in Washington, and in her memory the Louise Home, in Washington, was established and named. When the Holmes house was purchased by Mr. Devens, it was remodeled and thoroughly repaired and painted outside, and a basement entrance was substituted for a high flight of steps that led up to the front door. Dr. Aaron Putnam, who sold the land to the Holmeses, was early in the century a very prominent man in Charles town and its representive in the General Court in 1801- OLD CHARLESTOWN 107 '02. His residence was somewhere in this vicinity, and he had a large garden, a part of which seems to have been taken when the land for the Navy Yard was purchased. He was largely interested in real-estate and its improvement, and was the agent employed by the government for the purchase of land for a Navy Yard. A little distance from the Square, on the corner of Bow and Mason streets, stood the home of Deacon Isaac Warren, father of the late Judge G. Washington Warren. The house, which was of wood, and like many we have described, — oblong square, with one end on the street, — was one of the best of its kind, and always in excellent order. It was made attractive by a garden in front of it, and, before the time of railroad-tracks and freight-stations, it stood out as an inviting place of abode and a retreat from the cares and perplexities of busi ness. Deacon Warren was a dignified gentleman and a mer chant of ability and large means. He was one of the first vice-presidents of the Warren Institution for Sav ings. He died March 19, 1834, aged seventy-six years. An obituary published at the time of his death speaks of him as " kind and affectionate in all the social rela tions, and an active and useful citizen, a friend of the young, a liberal patron of education, and a firm supporter of religious institutions. He endowed an academy at Woburn which bears the name of Warren Academy, and, among the last items of business he was able to trans act, gave over, by a deed, a large boarding-house for the benefit of the institution. He had recently given liber ally in aid of Middlebury College. His last illness was 108 OLD CHARLESTOWN of less than a week's continuance. The church and society of which he was for so long a term a member will mourn his loss and bear in affectionate remembrance his liberal purposes and deeds." On the corner of Walford Street is a brick house which was built by Thomas F. Holden, son of Oliver Holden. When it was built it was looked upon as one of the most convenient and pleasant residences in the town. The block of brick houses opposite the Holden estate, on Bow Street, was occupied at various times by many citizens of mark who will be referred to again hereafter. We select one for special notice in this chapter. A communication from William W. Wheildon was recently printed giving an account of the erection of the brick building on Warren Street in which he lived before removing to one of these houses on Bow Street, where he remained until he took up his residence in Concord. William W. Wheildon came to Charlestown about 1826, and opened a book-store with George Raymond, near the corner of Main and Harvard streets, under the style of Wheildon & Raymond. They soon after issued a prospectus for a newspaper to be published in Charles town, and established a printing-office in the upper rooms of Austin's stone building, over their store. On the 1 2th of July, 1827, the first number of the paper was issued. It was called The Bunker Hill Aurora and Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal. The prospectus set forth the need of a newspaper in Charlestown and the County of Middlesex, and an appeal was made to the citizens of OLD CHARLESTOWN 109 the neighboring towns for assistance in its support. Following the prospectus was an introductory article on the value of an independent press, and a promise of cheerful advocacy of a free bridge and faithful support of the national government. On the second page was an address to the public, in which the proprietors say they " approach the highest tribunal of a republican govern ment with diffidence and respect." It had been their intention to start the paper on the 17th of June, 1827, but the encouragement offered was so limited that they came near abandoning the project in despair. They seemed, however, to have gained courage speedily, and on the 1 2th of July, as we have said, the first number was before the public. In February, 1833, the name of the paper was changed to The Bunker Hill Aurora and Middlesex County Advertiser, and it was issued simultaneously in Charlestown and Concord, Massachusetts ; and March 21, 1834, the subscribers to The Boston Mirror were united with those of The Aurora, and the title was again changed, to The Bunker Hill Aurora and Boston Mirror. C. W. Moore then became an associate with Mr. Wheil don in the management of the paper. In the first number of Volume III. (1831), the position of The Aurora on the Masonic question was defined as opposed to anti-Masonry, and the way was thus paved, perhaps, for the later connection of The Mirror with The Aurora. Mr. Moore, it will be recollected, was a high official in the order of Freemasons. Under the title last given, the paper was continued until 1871, when it became a thing of the past. The character of The Bunker Hill no OLD CHARLESTOWN Aurora was always creditable to the town, and reflected honor upon its editor and proprietor. A careful exam ination of the paper for the many years of its publication will prove that it was ably conducted, and that it is a worthy subject of pride in recollections of the old town. A complete file of the paper can be seen at the Charlestown Public Library. September z THE name of Hurd appears among the earliest records of the town of Charlestown, and it has been connected with much that goes to make up its history. Jacob Hurd, son of John, of Boston, was admitted to the Charlestown church April 3, 1681, and a gravestone in the old burial-ground gives the date of his death, September 7, 1694. One of his sons, a grandson, and a great-grandson, each bearing the name of Benjamin, were active business men, all owners of estates and interested in the enterprising movements of their day. The second Benjamin must have been a prominent man, as his name appears very often in the town records as an official, and his dwelling, which was destroyed by the burning of the town in 1775, was one of the best. A very full description of the estate, made by Mr. Hurd himself when presenting his estimate of loss to a committee appointed by the town, March, 1776, to receive such estimates, warrants this conclusion. The house was on Main Street, on the site now occupied by Hotel Gahm, and the lines of the estate ran through from Main Street to Town Hill, where the stable stood, the northern boundary being on Hurd's Lane, still intact. OLD CHARLESTOWN 129 Mr. Hurd was a leather-dresser by trade, and a success ful man. He died July 30, 1808, when he was ninety years old. The building here mentioned, which shared the fate of all the others in Charlestown at the time of the battle of Bunker Hill, was of brick. The next house built upon the same lot of land was of wood and brick, and will be pretty generally remembered, as it kept its place without great change until the site was wanted for the erection of Hotel Gahm only a few years ago. For many years it was known as the house with the willow- tree in front of it, and better, perhaps, as the residence of Dr. J. Stearns Hurd. It had been the homestead of his father, Benjamin, who died here, May 5, 1823. This Benjamin Hurd was a merchant doing business in Charlestown, first with John Larkin, under the name of Larkin & Hurd, and afterwards with his son-in-law, John Skinner. They were dealers in West India goods, groceries, and all kinds of country produce. Their first place of business was in the old brick store on the corner of Henley and Main streets ; from there they moved to the store on the Square now occupied by Francis Downer. The firm of Skinner & Hurd was originally composed of Benjamin Hurd, Benjamin Hurd, Jr., and John Skinner ; but at the time they purchased the store in the Square from Joseph Hurd (another son of Benjamin, the leather- dresser), John Skinner, John Hurd, and William Hurd were the partners. William Hurd withdrew soon after. Later, John. F. Skinner was admitted into the firm, and the style was changed to Skinner, Hurd & Co. This business house carried on an extensive trade for thirty or forty years, and was very widely known. 130 OLD CHARLESTOWN Charlestown was at this time an important business place. There were many wholesale dealers and jobbers in the town, and large quantities of produce from the country towns in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont found a market here, or were exchanged for the goods and wares on sale in Charlestown stores. At certain seasons of the year the Square was full of large, unwieldy baggage-wagons, in which, at that time, most of the products of farms, manufactories, and so forth, were moved to market. After a week's stay here, spent in unloading, loading up, and making exchanges and settle ments, these wagons would start on their return, laden with the essentials for comfortable country living, pur chases from the town stores. The writer is not infrequently reminded by old farmers and country storekeepers of what an active place of busi ness Charlestown was in times past, and of the extensive trade done at the store of Skinner & Hurd. They were the leading grocers and produce-dealers in town ; and it has been said that for many years they were not second in the extent of their operations to any house doing the same kind of business in Boston. Skinner & Hurd were large owners of real-estate, and active in everything tending to promote the growth and welfare of the town. John Skinner's house was on Main Street, opposite the old Washington Hall, or S. Kidder and Co.'s apoth ecary-store. The same building, wood with brick ends, is now changed into an apartment-house with two stores on the ground floor. In the days we refer to, when its painted white front was never allowed to lose its luster, it was a handsome dwelling-house, and its internal OLD CHARLESTOWN 131 arrangements were such as were appropriate and in every way creditable for a successful business man of the time. It was always a pleasant home, and the family was among those to whom we have before referred, who entertained their friends with liberality and elegance and did their part towards building up and maintaining the social character of the town. John Skinner was an active, enterprising merchant of the old school. From a business viewpoint, there was a time when he was properly looked upon as the most prominent man in the old town. He was president of the Warren Institution for Savings for five years, from 1835 to 1840; a director in one of the Boston banks (the Eagle, I think) for many years ; and one of the original and most active members of the Unitarian Society. The fine glass chandelier still hanging in the church was a gift from him. He was a kind man, and his friendly help and good advice have been gratefully acknowledged by many who, from a small beginning in times past, grew into importance in the town. His name stood at the head of the petition to the Legislature in 1823 for authority to build the Warren Bridge, and all through the controversy which resulted in free bridges from Charlestown to Boston he was a leading man. In an interesting historical sketch of the two bridges, I find this remark concerning the building of the Warren Bridge : " Mr. Skinner was the master spirit of the enterprise, and it was mainly owing to his indomitable energy and perseverance that the project was con summated." He moved from Charlestown when an old man, to Lexington, where he died, September 12, 1855. 132 OLD CHARLESTOWN The large square building now occupied by J. W. Rand and William Murray & Son was the former man sion house of John Hurd. The house and large garden in the rear, which extended to Warren Street, were always kept in the best condition. The affirmation of a happy home here, also, and of a generous social spirit freely exercised, is but a plain statement of facts. John Hurd, as a man and a citizen of Charlestown, should be remembered with great satisfaction. He was a gentleman, quiet and dignified in manner, regular and methodical in habits, sincere and thoughtful in action. As a business man he was efficient, intelligent, and honest. His integrity could never be questioned ; and his excellent qualities were so marked that no suggestion of deception in his character could ever be entertained. His family, his friends, his church, his townsmen were sure of his fidelity. He was not an ambitious man, but a true man — looked up to, esteemed, and respected by all who came in contact with him. I shall have something to say hereafter about Dr. J. Stearns Hurd. November 24, 1888. OLD CHARLESTOWN 133 XXII The Hurds Mansion of Joseph Hurd — Dr. Josiah Stearns Hurd — William Hurd. rvENJAMIN HURD, to whom, in the previous I \ article, we referred as the founder, with John Skinner, of the business house of Skinner & Hurd, was one of the earliest pew-holders in the Uni versalist Church. One of his daughters was the wife of Jechonias Thayer, a merchant in New Orleans. Of his sons, Benjamin, whom we have mentioned as one of his partners, Isaac, who was a merchant doing business for many years in New Orleans, and Dr. Josiah Steams, were men of large stature and great activity. Benjamin died September 16, 18 13, when he was thirty- six years old. Isaac, who spent a good deal of time in Charlestown in the summer months, died in Mobile, April 26, 185 1, at the age of sixty-six. Josiah Steams died March 25, 1855, when he was fifty-nine years old. Dr. Josiah Stearns Hurd was for more than a quarter of a century a leading and very highly esteemed citizen of the town. He was an uncommonly useful man, deservedly popular with all classes in the community, for he kept himself in pleasant contact with and was the true friend of all. He was the good physician whose intel ligence and skill checked and cured disease, and whose 134 OLD CHARLESTOWN cheerfulness was a continual blessing and benediction to his patients and friends. He could join heartily in the enjoyment of those who were fortunate and cheerful, and he could throw a ray of sunshine into a shadowed heart or dispel the mists gathering around a troubled mind. His faculty of preparing the indisposed for the medical treatment they required was remarkable, and by impart ing courage and hope he gave nature a chance to right herself without the aid of other specifics. All the little incidents of town life, with its jokes and mishaps, were turned to good account and ingeniously used by a fine story-teller to shorten the visage and quicken circulation when he found these tending in the other direction. Nevertheless he kept a sharp eye upon the approach of disease, and was prepared for the enemy if it made advances. He honestly earned what he possessed — the confidence of the whole community as a skillful and kind-hearted physician. Doctor Hurd was interested in the affairs of the town and held many of its offices. He was for some years on the board of selectmen, and twice, in 1829 and in 1834, a member of the House of Representatives in the Massachusetts Legislature, from Charlestown. His wife, a daughter of Dr. Abraham R. Thompson, was an ac complished woman, prominent in the pleasant neighbor hood we have been describing and in the social life of the town. On Tuesday afternoon, March 20, 1855, while on a professional visit at the residence of Mr. H. Wellington on Washington Street, Doctor Hurd was taken suddenly ill. On the following Saturday The Bunker Hill Aurora alluded to the fact as follows : OLD CHARLESTOWN *3S Doctor Hurd has not yet been removed to his own residence. His illness produced a great sensation among our citizens on Wednesday. The interest in his welfare has been unabated during the week, and all will be grat ified to learn that there is now reason to hope for his recovery. But this was only the language of hope, for he died the next day, Sunday, March 25, 1855. The next num ber of The Aurora contained the following, written by Mr. Wheildon : The life of Dr. J. Stearns Hurd is a delightful tes timony in favor of real goodness. The true charm of his life was goodness. His noble form was a fit emblem of his noble heart, which expanded to beat in kindly unison with the great heart of humanity. He was emphatically the people's man. He lived and sympathized with his fellow-men, and did them all the good he could in every relation of life. Having spent his days in their service, he died at his post of duty, and lay down in his shroud in peace with God and all mankind. Rev. Dr. George E. Ellis, in his remarks at the funeral, which took place at the Unitarian Church, said : He fell asleep gently, quietly, and in composure, as he had wished that he might, with the dearest compan ions to fill the last vision of his eye on earth, and the testimony of a useful, a genial, and an unspotted life left behind him. He loved, he honored, he devoted himself to the physician's calling, and the good physician is a minister of God. Never, never was it well performed but by one whose skill of mind and gentleness of heart were measured equally to him by the Giver of the gift of healing. His was a life of well performed work, and God had appointed its close a calm and easy close. 136 OLD CHARLESTOWN The stores on Main Street were generally closed on the aftemoon of the funeral ceremonies. The greatest interest was manifested by his numerous friends and patients during his sickness, and the highest respect was paid to his memory by the citizens, almost without exception. I take the scriptural quotation used for the heading of Mr. Wheildon's article in The Aurora to close what I have to say about Doctor Hurd : " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright : for the end of that man is peace." Joseph Hurd, to whom I have already referred as one of the sons of Benjamin, the leather-dresser, and who was an uncle of Doctor Hurd, was a man of very marked character and full of good works. He was a merchant, having a large property for his time, and was the owner of a great deal of real-estate in town. He was for some years a partner with John Larkin, under the firm name of Larkin & Hurd. He built and occupied the store in the Square before it was purchased by Skinner & Hurd, and carried on an extensive trade there. He retired from business about 1 8 1 7, and lived in Charlestown until the death of his wife, August 5, 1825. He soon after moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where two of his daughters lived, remaining there until August 14, 1842, the time of his death at the age of ninety years. He was a member of the First Church from October 18, 1772, until June 1, 18 17, when he was dismissed to the Unitarian Church, where he was a prominent and very generous member as long as he remained in town. A silver communion-service and a handsome edition of the OLD CHARLESTOWN 137 Holy Bible were among his early gifts to the church. The second gift of a Bible, the one now in use in the church, was made by his son, William Hurd, in memory of his father, in 1843. Joseph Hurd was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, from Charlestown, in 18 14. The old Joseph Hurd mansion still maintains its position on Main Street, nearly opposite the entrance to Winthrop Street. Elevated a few feet above the side walk and roadway, it stands proudly up, a fine specimen of the best class of houses irt the olden time. Every thing else in its vicinity has changed. It is no longer a neighborhood of Hurds, or of friends having the same interests and bound together by ties of consanguinity or long intimacy. The other old mansions we have referred to, the residences of these friends, have been converted into tenement-houses and stores, or torn down to make room for modern buildings used for the same purpose. The quiet comfort, the contentment and enjoyment of family life in the past, is no longer there. In its place is the restlessness and confusion of the life of to-day. But there stands the old mansion, with the same green lawn in front of it, the same terraced garden running up to the old Town Hill, the same noble horse-chestnut and maple trees stretching higher and higher up towards the sky, as inviting as ever to the birds on their return in springtime. An air of comfort and consequence is yet about the place, and the present occupants are descend ants of the old family who have uninterruptedly occupied it from the time it was built, almost a century ago. The land was formerly a part of the property of Thomas Flucker, a Tory who fled to the Provinces. The com- 138 OLD CHARLESTOWN monwealth confiscated his estate, and sold this part of it to Joseph Hurd in 1785. The house was built about ten years afterwards. William Hurd, one of the sons of Joseph, was for a little while, as we have before stated, a member of the firm of Skinner & Hurd, but he retired from business when quite a young man. He continued to live in the house formerly occupied by his father, until his death, March 21, 1872, when he was ninety-one years old. He was the last survivor of the founders of Harvard Church, a quiet gentleman of good intellectual taste and charitable impulses. Judge Francis W. Hurd is one of his sons, and the wives of Honorable James Dana, one of the mayors of Charlestown, and of Alexander Wheeler, of the distinguished law-firm of Hutchins & Wheeler, Boston, were his daughters. His other children are still the occupants of the old house, and they, with George A. Skinner and his sister, Mrs. J. Bowers Thompson, are the only remaining representatives in town of the once numerous Hurd family. December 22, 1888. OLD CHARLESTOWN l39 XXIII Matthew Rice A Memorial Tribute. BUT few persons who have lived in Charlestown have left a record so excellent in all respects as the late Matthew Rice. Looked at from any point of view it is clean and satisfactory. A kind and intel ligent man, honest in thought and deed, all the valuable qualities that go to make up a thoroughly good citizen were combined in his character and ran through his whole life. No man has ever been more generally respected in town, and assent to this high estimate of his character will be as general, I am sure. But Mr. Rice was an abler, stronger man than is generally known, and the community in which he lived did not always in times past appreciate fully the value of his services. He was a modest man, whose aim was higher than popular applause. What was before him was accuracy, com pleteness, thoroughness, in whatever he had to do, and his thought and perseverance were ever equal to success. He filled many important positions requiring superior intelligence and great industry, and his completed works always praised him. He was a constant attendant on the Sunday services at church, — for many years in the Universalist Society, with whose early history he was fully acquainted, and afterwards in the Unitarian. Both 140 OLD CHARLESTOWN these societies will cherish his memory and miss his presence, for he kept his interest in both, and no one was ever more welcome than he at any of their gatherings. Here, and in his home, — always a sacred place, — and in faithful attention to business, he found his chief enjoy ment and filled out the successful life we would have remembered. Matthew Rice was born in Boston, at the North End, January 14, 1802. He came to Charlestown in 1808 and attended public school in the old school-house on Town Hill, when Masters Gleason, Fuller, and Dodge were the teachers. He afterwards attended the academy on Cordis Street, then under the charge of Mr. Brown. He then made a foreign voyage with his father, who was a shipmaster. After returning home, he was apprenticed on the 27th of September, 18 17, to Caleb Pierce, who was master-joiner at the Navy Yard, Charlestown, and he was also employed on repairs of vessels belonging to William Gray when that eminent merchant occupied and used the Charlestown wharves for much of his extensive business. Upon attaining the age of twenty years, young Rice was acting-quartermaster in the joiners' department at the Navy Yard. Soon after becoming of age he was appointed foreman under Mr. Pierce in that department, and he had charge of framing and finishing some of the largest buildings at that station, including the ropewalk, two ship-houses, three timber-sheds, dwelling-houses, and other buildings. He was also engaged in finishing off a large number of vessels built and repaired at the yard, including the old frigate Constitution, the first vessel occupying the new dry dock. His term of service in the joiners' department was nineteen years. OLD CHARLESTOWN 141 In April, 1836, he was appointed inspector of timber, serving the government in that capacity eighteen years. Soon after leaving the yard in 1854, he was appointed master-builder of the Charles River Bridge and of the repairs on Warren Bridge, being employed there nearly four years. About that time he served in the City Council of Charlestown, and was also chosen on the board of assessors, but this office he was too much engaged to accept. For some two or three years after leaving the bridges, and at other intervals when not engaged on public works, he was employed in measuring and inspecting timber for vessels built in Medford, Chelsea, East Boston, and other places. He also inspected timber for foreign governments, and was engaged a good deal in measuring the storage capacity of various classes of vessels, making estimates, and so forth. He was one of the first members of the Mystic Water Board, elected in 1 862, and to that board, consisting of Edward Lawrence, Matthew Rice, and George H. Jacobs, the credit of the successful and economical construction of the Charlestown Water Works is fairly due. He remained on the board between two and three years. In 1870 and 1871 he was employed by the City of Charlestown in laying out the line for and superintending the laying of a thirty-inch supply-pipe from the reservoir in Medford to the junction of Main and Cambridge streets in Charlestown. On April 18, 1873, he was appointed commissioner on the part of Charlestown for the care and maintenance of the Charles River and Warren bridges, holding the office until July 13, 1874, when the care of the same passed into the hands of the 142 OLD CHARLESTOWN committee on bridges of the City of Boston. In the fall of 1874 he was appointed by the City of Boston inspector of the building of Congress Street Bridge, and later of several other bridges up to the year 1877, which closed his employment on public works. After that time he had no steady employment, and for the last six years of his life had wholly retired from business and was resting on his oars, gliding quietly down the stream. The aggregate time during which Mr. Rice was employed on public works was fifty years, and on other works fifteen years. His life of usefulness and uniform success was closed by his death on Sunday, December 2, 1888, at the age of eighty-six years. December 8, 1888. OLD CHARLESTOWN 143 XXIV Dexter Row John F. Skinner — Henry P. Fairbanks — Shadrach Varney. JOHN F. SKINNER, as we have said in a former article, was a partner with his father and uncle in the old firm of Skinner & Hurd. He was after wards one of the firm of Hurd, Hutchins & Skinner, who may be said to have continued the business of the old Charlestown house in their store on South Market Street, Boston. Mr. Skinner was one of the first res idents in Dexter Row. William H. Skinner, another son of John Skinner, was a partner in the firm of Stanley, Reed & Co., whose place of business was on the corner of Main and Henley streets, where the building of the Warren Institution for Savings is now located. They did a large jobbing business here as grocers and dealers in country produce. Their store and the buildings connected with it extended from Main Street to Park Street, and for many years it was a place of great activity. When the business which had been done in Charlestown was diverted by the con struction of railroads, the firm moved to Boston, and was as prominent there as it had been in Charlestown, for a decade or more longer. Another son of John Skinner, although dying when quite a young man, lived long enough to endear himself 144 OLD CHARLESTOWN to a large circle of friends, any of whom now living will remember with pleasure the prepossessing and genial Benjamin Hurd Skinner, their former acquaintance and associate. His business life was much on the ocean as a supercargo, his discomfort from" asthma being less at sea than on shore. Our respected townsman, George A. Skinner, is the only surviving son of the once prominent merchant I have endeavored to call back to memory. The well-known Dexter Row, a block of six brick houses, was built in 1836, on the Main Street front of the old Samuel Dexter estate, where it is still standing to testify to the thoroughness of its construction, its fine proportions, and so forth. A critical look at this block of buildings will show the rare good judgment exercised in its elevation or location upon the lot of land, and that great care was taken in the selection of materials and workmanship in its construction. Com pared with first-class buildings of the present day, it is only a very plain block of brick houses, and yet it will bear careful scrutiny and be pronounced very creditable to the architect and builder of its time. The first occupants of these houses were Shadrach Varney, John F. Skinner, Henry P. Fairbanks, Daniel White, Rev. Dr. George E. Ellis. Among later residents were Nathan A. Tufts, Benjamin Thompson, Jacob Forster, John W. Damon, Isaac Kendall, Doctor Hayes, Doctor Beckford, Samuel Knight. Its character has been kept up to the present time, while its central location has attracted to it many of our best physicians, until it may almost be looked upon as the headquarters of the profession in this district. OLD CHARLESTOWN 145 Henry P. Fairbanks, whose wife was a daughter of John Skinner, lived in Charlestown for twenty years after his marriage. He was a member of the State Legislature in 1 847, as a representative from Charlestown, and of the Governor's Council in 1853. He was also a member of the City Government from its organization in 1847 5 and for five years previous to his death, in Feb ruary, 1854, he was president of the Common Council. At the time of his death he was president of the Charles town Lyceum, an institution in which he took a deep interest. His social and domestic virtues were very marked. A generous friend and a noble -hearted man, it is doubtful if any resident of the town ever enjoyed more fully the confidence of his fellow-citizens. A Whig in politics, he was prominent in his party and an earnest, active worker for it, aiming always at success, and yet was so honorable and fair to his opponents that their respect for him and their admiration for his character were never lost. Ever ready to help, but never to injure, his hand was open and his heart in sympathy with every good movement, and he was uninfluenced by prejudice or narrowness in deciding how he should act, Mr. Fairbanks' place of business was in Boston, where he stood high as a merchant, but he had made his home in Charlestown, and he was as mindful of the reputation of the old town as if he had been to the manor born. The town never suffered detraction from him, but gained much in his citizenship and from the energy, activity, and interest which he manifested in its affairs. A keen sense of great loss to the community was felt at his sudden death from scarlet fever when he was only forty- 146 OLD CHARLESTOWN five years old. Charles F. Fairbanks, treasurer of the Bigelow Carpet Company, is his son. Shadrach Varney was for many years the manager of the smith's department in the Navy Yard, or the master- blacksmith, as he was called. After he left the Navy Yard he was interested in real-estate operations, — among others, the purchase of the land and building of the Dexter Row block, of which he had the superintend ence. He was a fine-looking man, and in his early days was one of the captains of the old Charlestown Light Infantry. He took command for the first time, June 1 7, 1825, — the day of the laying of the corner-stone of the Bunker Hill Monument, — when the company paraded in a new uniform and was presented with an artistic standard by Miss Judith Delano in behalf of many ladies, from the steps of her home, the large wooden house still standing on the corner of Austin and Lawrence streets. January 5, 1889. OLD CHARLESTOWN 147 XXV Dexter Row — Harvard Church Benjamin Thompson — James Walker, D. D. — George E. Ellis, D.D. IN the previous chapter I mentioned who were the residents of Dexter Row for some years after it was built, among them being Benjamin Thompson, who as an active business man has been alluded to in another connection. Mr. Thompson was much in public life and filled many important offices in the old town government. He was for a long time a member of the school board, and many of its reports were written by him and bear his signature as secretary. He was in the Legislature of the State as a representative from Charlestown in 1830, '3xj '33> ar*d '36, and as senator in 1841 ; and a repre sentative in the Congress of the United States two terms, 1845-47 and 1851-52. His death occurred during this last term. He was for three years president of the Warren Institution for Savings, for several years president of the Charlestown Lyceum, and for a long period an efficient member and official in the First Uni versalist Society. The correspondence of that society contains many very interesting letters written by him and copied in his own handwriting in the records, as the clerk of the society. Later in life he was a member of the Harvard Unitarian Society. On the occasion of a 148 OLD CHARLESTOWN citizens' celebration on the Fourth of July in 183 1, he was selected as the orator and delivered the oration in the Unitarian Church ; and at the request of the City Council, on the death of President Zachary Taylor, he prepared and delivered the eulogy in the Winthrop Church, July 31, 1850. He had many friends, and his characteristics were such as attracted those who came in contact with him and won their regard and confidence. He enjoyed the society of his friends and was generous in his entertainment of them. While he was in the Legislature and was living on the corner of Main and Thompson streets, in the old homestead of his father and his own birthplace, he gave his constituents frequent opportunities to meet men of mark who were his associates at the State House and who were appreciative recipients of Charlestown hos pitality. Such men as Daniel P. King, Julius Rockwell, Charles Hudson, afterwards his colleagues in Congress, and O. W. B. Peabody, are remembered as among his visitors and intimate friends, and the higher officials of the time were acquainted with his home as a place of enjoyment and refinement. He graced the office of president of the Lyceum by a happy manner of intro ducing the lecturers and by many pleasant social entertain ments at his home after the close of the lectures. He purchased the house in Dexter Row in 1843, moved into it soon after, and remained there until his death. Over his grave in the cemetery at Mount Auburn is a marble monument, and on its face the following inscription written by one who knew him perfectly. It tells the story of his life without exaggeration, in the simplest form of truth : OLD CHARLESTOWN 149 In Memory of * BENJAMIN THOMPSON Of Charlestown, Massachusetts. Born, August 5, 1798. Died, September 24, 1852. He possessed the entire confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. Was honored with many places of official trust, and at the time of his death was a Representative in the Congress of the United States. His amenity and integrity, mature judgment, and devotion to duty gave dignity to his public station. The strength of his love for home and kindred made him the idol of his family. The sincerity of his friendship, the purity of his con versation, and the charm of his companionship endeared him to all and made his private life the scene of his chief enjoyment and of the most delightful manifestation of his character. SACRED BE THE MEMORY OF HIS LIFE AND VIRTUES. Mr. Thompson's daughter and only child is the wife of John W. Frothingham, the head of the well-known firm of Frothingham, Baylis & Co., of New York, dealers in cotton duck and similar fabrics. He will be remem bered here as for some years the confidential clerk in the office of Benjamin Thompson & Co. Able, unselfish, thoughtful, truthful, his character is, in the judgment of the writer, as free from defects as that of any man he ever knew. Near to Dexter Row stands the old Second Congre gational Church, the Harvard Unitarian Church of to-day. It is a very plain brick structure, but its spire is beautiful in its proportions, and the deep, rich tones of the bell that hangs in it are worthy of special remark. 150 OLD CHARLESTOWN But everything connected with this church and the society owning and occupying it can be learned from the very excellent history by Henry H. Edes, admirably com piled, beautifully printed, and published in 1879. I mention this church in this connection because I desire to say something about two of its former pastors as residents and citizens, each of them for a long term of years — Rev. Dr. James Walker, who lived here from 1818 to 1839, and Rev. Dr. George E. Ellis, from 1840 to 1869. The latter dwelt in the Dexter Row block during all his stay here. Rev. Dr. Walker resigned the pastorate of the Har vard Church, and left Charlestown to become a professor in Harvard College, and was afterwards president of that institution. He was a profound thinker and a very dis tinguished man. His ability and wisdom were acknowl edged in early life, and the character and intelligence of the society over which he was settled can be determined by the fact that he accepted the call to be their pastor and continued with them for twenty-one years. It speaks well for the old town, too, that a man of his high standing and character was one of its citizens for so long a period, and that his presence and influence make a part of its history during that time. He was interested in its affairs, especially in its schools, on his visits to which as a member of the school committee he became interested in the pupils, some of whom through his guidance were started in a path that led to eminence. Professor Joseph Lovering was one of these pupils. His entrance to Harvard College was suggested, encour aged, and determined by Doctor Walker. Rev. Dr. Samuel Osgood was another of the old Town Hill OLD CHARLESTOWN 151 schoolboys for whom the path of learning was made attractive by the same friendly guide. In 1840 Dr. George E. Ellis accepted an invitation to settle over the society which had been for twenty-one years under the ministry of Doctor Walker. He was ordained on Wednesday, March 11, of that year, and remained with the society until February 22, 1869, a period of twenty-nine years. Taken together their con nection with the Unitarian Society covers a period of over half a century marked by uninterrupted harmony and prosperity. But all this is fully told in the history of the Harvard Church before referred to. The fame of Doctor Ellis as a distinguished scholar and eminent man rests on solid foundations, and we can not, without presumption, do more than refer to it. But a grateful remembrance of the value of the life he chose to live in Charlestown must certainly be in order, and the expression of it allowable to those of us who shared in its good influence. It is pleasant to remember his morning call at the book-store, and his more extended afternoon walk about the town, for no resident in it was ever better acquainted with every nook and corner of its territory or showed more interest in its people, from the highest to the lowest, than did Doctor Ellis. Nobody was more generally known than he, and conversation with him was always helpful and cheering. How much real Christian work was done in this way, none of us may tell ; but it requires only a slight knowledge of human nature to conclude that his ministries of this kind resulted in great benefit to the community. He was interested in the welfare of the town, and was ready to serve it on all important occasions and to be 152 OLD CHARLESTOWN present at public meetings to address his fellow-citizens and act with them on matters of moment. The number of these addresses made by him, during the long period of his residence here, must be very large. He took especial interest in the schools, and served for many years on the school committee. His visits to the school rooms were frequent, and his excellent advice was received by teachers and pupils with close attention and great confidence, as coming from one fully qualified, who could be looked up to as a man of learning and of experience as a student. The schools were improved, while he was a member of the committee, by the adop tion of recommendations made by him, many of which, with remarks on the general subject of education, appear in the printed annual reports. His addresses at the dedication of new school-houses were timely, suggestive, and interesting. His congratulations on the acquisition of new and convenient structures were full, but he did not forget to impress upon the minds of his hearers the increased obligations imposed upon those who were to use them to be faithful to their duties in advancing the cause of common school education. His influence upon the old town and city was very great, and some of her citizens, under personal obliga tions for kind attention and assistance in times past, are grateful for an opportunity to show their appreciation of it. February 9, 1889. OLD CHARLESTOWN 153 XXVI The Forsters The Old Furniture-Store — Jacob Forster and Forster, Lawrence & Co. JACOB FORSTER was another resident in the Dexter Row block. He was born in Charlestown, June 7, 1803, and dwelt here all his life, just one month over fifty-four years. He was a son of Jacob Forster, a native of Berwick, Maine, who, after serving an apprenticeship in Watertown, Massachusetts, took up his residence in Charlestown, October, 1786, and re mained here for more than half a century, until his death, September 2, 1838. Jacob Forster, the younger, was in early life a partner with George Thompson, under the style of Forster & Thompson. They were commission merchants, having their place of business on Long Wharf, Boston, where Mr. Forster continued for many years after the dissolu tion of the firm. He was much interested in railroads, and had a good deal to do with the building and direction of the Fitchburg, Cheshire, Vermont and Massachusetts, and that line of roads. He was president of the Fitch burg road for some years ; a successful as well as enter prising man of his time; of fine personal appearance, genial, fond of a joke, and pleasant to meet socially. I have referred to him in a former article as a son-in-law 154 OLD CHARLESTOWN of Nathan Webb, and to his estimable wife, now living with her son, Dr. Edward J. Forster. The doctor's own business career was commenced in Dexter Row, and his sign as a doctor of medicine first appeared on the wall of his father's old homestead. Old Jacob Forster, as the grandfather of the doctor was called, purchased of John Harris, in 1793, the lot of land on the west corner of Main and Union streets, on which he erected the large wooden building now standing there, which has been used in part as a furniture-store ever since. His own calling was that of a cabinet-maker, and he originated and established here the business after wards successfully carried on by his son, Charles Forster, and Edward Lawrence, under the style of Forster & Lawrence, and, when Abraham Crowninshield was joined, Forster, Lawrence & Co. Mr. Forster occupied the rear of the premises and a portion of the front building as a home for his family and his apprentices, and under the roof of this old mansion a good many young men were made contented and comfortable who afterwards became prominent among the furniture-dealers in Boston. The old gentleman was peculiar, and many stories have been told of his eccentricities. If he covered the roof of one of his buildings with hides having the hair on, he did it because he was sure that they would there shed the rain as effectually as on the cow's back ; but he made no calculation for the effect of sunshine upon hides so applied, and did not anticipate the annoyance it proved to be to his neighbors as well as to himself. He was fond of experiments, and tried one with pure India-rubber in the early days of its use. He was fire warden, and was sure that rubber would be much better than leather OLD CHARLESTOWN 155 for hose. He caused a length of it to be made and attached to one of the engines, for trial, but he made no allowance for the elasticity of the gum, and was amazed to see it rapidly taking the shape and showing the power of a large balloon, much to the amusement of the bystanders, and of the engine-men who were over anxious for a fair trial and correspondingly deaf to the order to hold on at the brakes. But notwithstanding these amusing oversights in some of his experiences, old Mr. Jacob Forster was an enterprising and successful business man, and a very valuable citizen in the old town.* At one time one of the rooms of the second story of the old building here referred to was occupied as a law yer's office, and another as a school-room for a private school, kept by Miss Wales. The writer remembers * Since the above was written, I have received the following interest ing note from Doctor Forster : " Many thanks for the newspapers, especially the last. I think grandpa bought the Town Hall, with a chamber over it, and added the rest of the old wooden mansion. The hall was our old parlor. There was a win dow on the side where the sofa was, and mother used to say that sitting at it she could see Major Walker's house, nothing then obstructing the view. I knew about the rubber-hose experiment, but did not know of the balloon result. I only knew it was a failure. I have heard from the late Honorable Edward Lawrence, who was an apprentice with Mr. Forster, many stories besides those related by you, one of which was that, the floor of the oven being made from an old grave-stone, some of the preparations of bread bore the reverse of the legend, ' Sacred to the Memory of .' " The letter from Doctor Fprster adds that " his ' shingle ' first appeared on one of the columns of the Waverley House entrance, and then at 12 Thompson Street, before reaching the 'wall of his father's old homestead.' " 156 OLD CHARLESTOWN that the first time he ever heard the music of a full band was while standing at one of the windows of this school room. The Harvard College military company was marching down Main Street, preceded by the Boston Brigade Band. Possibly it may have been the Green Dragon Band, an earlier musical organization, but he has good reason to believe that it was the Brigade Band and that this was its first appearance in the streets of Charlestown. This famous band had formerly a number of Charlestown men among its members. Abel and Thomas Knight, Isaac and James Delano, and Francis Raymond are remembered. The Delanoes were es pecially fine musicians, and Abel Knight was for many years leader of the band. The furniture-business in Charlestown, as carried on by Jacob Forster, Charles Forster, and Forster, Law rence & Co., was important. They had large shops further up the street, on the opposite side of Union Street, and held contracts with the State for the employ ment of many of the convicts at the prison. Their wholesale trade was extensive, their orders coming from all parts of the country, while the " best room " in almost every house in the town was made attractive by tasteful and thoroughly made chairs, sofas, and tables purchased at the old corner store. Even at the present day atten tion is sometimes called to articles of furniture made by them and still in use, which were parts of the original outfit of those who have passed the golden limits of their wedding-days. The counting-room of the firm was a place worthy of remembrance. It was the frequent calling-place of many excellent people. The discussions that took place there, OLD CHARLESTOWN 157 and the jokes that passed, would make an interesting chapter of town history. Clergymen as well as laymen contributed to make them interesting. Charles Forster was a warm-hearted, benevolent man who sympathized with the poor and unfortunate and was always ready to befriend and assist them. He was quite generally known to be such a man ; and the calls upon him for help were incessant. But he met them with patience and a ready hand, and was troubled only by his inability to do more. It has been said that he was some times imposed upon, and no doubt this is true, but the prompting of his nature was to look charitably upon his fellow-men, and he could not shut up his heart, if he would. It is easy to understand why the calls at the old counting-room, from a class of needy people who had found out the character of its occupants, were so numerous, and it is a fair supposition, perhaps, that the callers of the other class, the scholars and friends before referred to, were helped in the study of human- nature by what they must have observed of its darker side in these applicants for encouragement and assistance. Mr. Forster served the town on the board of overseers of the poor, and on the school committee, for many years, and represented it in the Legislature in 1835. He resided for some time on Winter Hill, in Somerville, and took great interest in the schools of that place. The Forster Schoolhouse, in Somerville, was named in honor of him. He returned to Charlestown, to his old home in Cordis Street, some years before his death, which took place September 1, 1866, when he was a few months over sixty-eight years old. On the opposite comer of Main and Union streets was 158 OLD CHARLESTOWN the estate of Catherine Bradish. The Bradish family was an old one in the town, and this property was in herited by Miss Bradish from her mother. The house was of wood, painted yellow. It stood back from Main Street, and was surrounded by a garden, in which were trees, — Lombardy poplar and balm-of-Gilead among others. Just beyond this house, back from the street, on an unfenced lot, was the little shop of Abijah Monroe, gun smith. His assistant was Moses Babcock, who for many years after it was given up by Monroe contmued the business in a shop in Charlestown Square, until he went into the employ of the Davidson Rubber Co., with which company he continued until his death, at his home on Cordis Street, August 27, 1886. The rubber bulb syringe, the invention of Charles H. Davidson, was per fected in Mr. Babcock's shop, and its success was the starting-point of the large manufacturing establishment which bears his name. Monroe's shop was a place where excellent work was done in the regular line of business, and it was also one of the places where political questions were freely discussed by many of the town's people who were accustomed to assemble there. Mr. Monroe held the office of selectman for some years, and he was in the Legislature in 1837. In this year, 1837, the Bradish estate, including the gunsmith's shop, was sold to Henry and Jacob Forster and Edward Lawrence, who cleared away the old build ings and erected the brick block which still stands on the corner of Main and Union streets. It was called for some years the " Union Block. " The owners of the houses moved into them in 1838, and Jacob Forster OLD CHARLESTOWN 159 remained there until he purchased the Dexter Row house ; Mr. Lawrence until he built and moved into the house on High Street in 185 1, and Henry Forster until his death, January 12, 1855. Jacob Forster's house was soon sold to Dr. Henry Lyon, the Lawrence house to Edward Riddle, and Henry Forster's to Dr. William Mason. The last two persons died there. Doctor Lyon, after the death of Dr. Luther V. Bell, purchased the house that had been built and occupied by Doctor Bell on Monument Square, where Doctor Lyon now re sides. Henry Forster was a merchant doing business with Pernambuco, South America, at which place he resided many years, and where he founded the well-known house of Henry Forster & Co. After his return he was interested in town affairs and was a represent ative in the Legislature in 1841 and a member of the City Council in 1848. His three sons were grad uates of Harvard College. George H. went to New York and became distinguished as a lawyer. He was a member of the law-firm of Weeks & Forster. He took an interest in politics and was State senator and chair man of the Board of Aldermen in the city of New York. He had just been re-elected to the latter office when he died, November 8, 1888. His brother, Frederick P., is a lawyer in the same office in New York. Horace resides in Pernambuco, a partner in the old business house there. January 23, 1889. 160 OLD CHARLESTOWN XXVII The Tufts Family Tufts College — An Interesting Statement in regard to Other Colleges also founded by and named for Former Residents of Charlestown — How did the Town of Maiden get its Name ? NATHAN A. TUFTS was an occupant for several years of one of the houses in the Dexter Row block. He afterwards removed to a house on Union Street, where he died November 20, 1873, aged seventy-four years. This was one of a block of swell- front brick houses built by his brother Samuel, his brother-in-law, Deacon Eliab P. Mackintire, and Samuel Raymond, on the site of the first Winthrop Church, which was taken down after the removal of the society to its new church in Green Street and its dedication in March, 1849. The block is still standing on the left hand side of Union Street, near Washington Street. Mr. Tufts stood high with the community in which he lived. He was an upright man, honest in thought and deed. Fair in his judgment of his fellow-men, he was judged by them in the same spirit, and was looked upon with great confidence and respect. He took much inter est in the affairs of the town, and was ready to comply with the often expressed wish of his fellow-citizens that he should serve them in public offices. Frequently a member of the school committee, he was efficient and OLD CHARLESTOWN 161 prompt in attention to its duties. As a member for some years of the Board of Aldermen, he reflected honor upon the city by his dignity of manner, liberal views, and excellent judgment. He was a leading member of the Winthrop Society and Church from the time of its organization until his death. Much of his business life was spent in the employ of the owners and managers of some of the Lowell manufacturing corporations as their confidential clerk. He accumulated a handsome competency and retired early from active business. He was president of the Warren Institution for Savings from 1850 to 1855, when he resigned on account of his poor health and spent some time with his family in the South ; but he continued as one of its vice-presidents, and on his return was elected a member of the investment committee and held this office as long as he lived. The present officers of the institution remember him with high regard, and do not forget his influence in shaping a policy which secured to the bank the confidence of its depositors and made it a successful institution. The Tufts family trace their ancestry back to Peter Tufts, who was born in England in 16 17 and came to Charlestown about 1638. He settled in that part of the town which was set off in 1648 as the town of Maiden. He emigrated to this country from Maiden in the county of Essex, England. Between this Maiden and Little Baddow there was a place, or villa, called Tuftes. It has been conjectured that the new town set off from Charlestown received its name Maiden through the influence of Peter Tufts, who was one of the largest landholders within its limits. He died May 13, 1700, 162 OLD CHARLESTOWN and was buried in the old Maiden burial-ground, as a costly grave-stone, cut in England, in good preservation in 1826 and very likely to this day, clearly showed. At the time of his death he had a large estate in lands, situated in Maiden and Medford, which were held by his descendants for a very long period after. Among these descendants and the connections of the family by marriage, many eminent and noteworthy persons can be found. Peter Tufts, one of the grandsons of the original settler, lived in Charlestown on what was formerly known as the Milk-row road. He was a carpenter by trade, but spent the greater part of his life in farming. He owned a very large tract of land, and leased farms to his sons when they were married and set up for them selves ; and it has been said that he was considered by them, and especially by their wives, to be a very hard landlord. The reason given for this by one of his great grandchildren was that he intended by this sharpness to keep them in a course of industry, sobriety, and econ omy, habits which he himself had received from his father and grandfather. One of the sons of this Peter was Nathan Tufts, by trade a cordwainer, but chiefly occupied as a farmer in Medford. He was the father of Daniel, Deacon Amos, and Nathan Tufts, who for the greater part of their lives were prominent citizens of the old town and among its leading business men. Daniel's residence was outside of the Neck. He was a brick-maker and farmer. He represented the town in the Legislature of 181 1 and 18 12, as a member of the House of Representatives. His sons were Daniel, junior, Gilbert, Charles, and Nathan. OLD CHARLESTOWN 163 Daniel, junior, and Gilbert were tanners. Their tanneries and residences were within the peninsula. Daniel was a member of the Legislature from Charles town in 1830, '32, and '33. He did considerable business for many years, but in advanced life he became very timid or over-cautious and so fell behind the times. He had a stock of sole-leather in the vats of his tannery on Main Street which remained there unsold for years. When a purchaser was ready to meet the price he had been asking, it was always time to advance, and he didn't live long enough to receive an offer he could accept. A kiln of bricks made for and belonging to him remained unsold until, in the accumulation of dust upon it, a willow- tree took root and grew up to its full size, an object for curious observation and remark. Gilbert Tufts was an able and successful business man. I have referred to him in a former article. Nathan Tufts was a brick-maker and farmer living outside the Neck, just beyond the Lowell Railroad bridge which crosses Cambridge Street in Somerville. He was at one time a tanner. He was a correct and thrifty busi ness man, a member of the Harvard Unitarian Society, and was constant in his attendance at that church. He was the father of the late Nathan Tufts, the grain-dealer whose place of business was on Warren Avenue, and who was accidentally killed by being crushed between a vessel and a belay-post on his wharf, October 20, 1887. Mr. Tufts, senior, like all his family, lived to a ripe old age, his death occurring August 1, 1872, when he was eighty-six years old. His father was eighty-five at the time of his death ; his brother Daniel, ninety-two. Gilbert died July 7, 1850, aged seventy- 1 64 OLD CHARLESTOWN two; and Charles, December 24, 1876, aged ninety- five. Charles Tufts was a farmer and brick-maker, and a large land-owner in that part of Charlestown set off as Somerville when it was made a separate town. He was a member of the First Universalist Society, and for many years his horse and carriage could be seen every Sunday in one of the sheds which formerly stood in the churchyard of that society, while, with his wife (he had no children), he was occupying his pew in the church. Both Mr. Tufts and his wife took great interest in the Universalist denomination, and he is widely known for his gift of Walnut Hill (now College Hill), and a large tract of land about it, to Tufts College. By this act he became the founder of that institution, which was named in his honor, and which was helped greatly in its progress to prominence by the generosity of another native of Charlestown, the late Dr. William J. Walker, who before his death and by bequest contributed $250,000 to its funds. Here, perhaps, is a good opportunity to refer to a fact which the good people of old Charlestown have a right to be proud of. Five of the colleges in the land have been founded by and named for citizens of Charlestown : Harvard, in Cambridge, by John Harvard ; Tufts, in Somerville and Medford, by Charles Tufts ; Doane, in Crete, Nebraska, by Thomas Doane ; Colby, in Water ville, Maine, by Gardner Colby ; Carleton, in Northfield, Minnesota, by William Carleton. It will be well to refer to this again, as it is a fact that can hardly be paralleled by any other town. March 16, 1889. OLD CHARLESTOWN 165 XXVIII The Tufts Family ('continued) Deacon Amos Tufts — Joseph F. Tufts — Eliab P. Mackintire- Nathan Tufts — A Famous Law-suit. IN the previous chapter I referred to the three brothers, Daniel, Deacon Amos, and Nathan Tufts, as impor tant persons in the old town history, and Daniel and his descendants were especially spoken of. Deacon Amos Tufts lived on the corner of Main and Bow streets, in a house built about 1800. The lot of land on which it stood was formerly a part of the estate of Isaiah Edes, who sold it to N. Trask, and he to Amos Tufts in 1796. The house was of wood, oblong-square in shape, one end on Main Street, the broadside on Bow Street, with the front door in the center looking directly up Middlegate Street and Town Hill, or Prescott and Harvard streets of the present day. It was a pleasantly situated, sunny, well-built house, an inviting -looking dwelling-place to passers-by. It was occupied by the deacon until his death, November 26, 1839, when he was seventy-seven years old. Deacon Tufts may be spoken of as, for some years, the prominent man in the First Church; and he was recognized as one of the reliable Christians of the day. He was inclined to cling closely to old opinions and to be jealous of all proposed changes, but he was a faithful 166 OLD CHARLESTOWN sentinel in the cause which he had espoused. He was an exemplary and much respected citizen. He carried on an extensive business, for his time, as a blacksmith. His shop was in the rear of his house on Main Street, and the area between the two buildings was always a scene of industry. The shop was a brick building, three stories high, erected with the view of alteration at some time into a dwelling-house, which was afterwards done. The same building, now standing on the corner of Devens and Main streets, is the present residence of Dr. J. S. Whiting. The homestead which formerly stood in front of it was taken down when Bow Street was widened. Joseph F. Tufts, the eldest son of the deacon, was the father of the present treasurer of the Warren Insti tution for Savings — a position which he himself filled for several years. Joseph was a man of much ability, a very systematic and excellent business man, and he held many important trusts. He was employed early in life by his uncle, Nathan Tufts, in his business of tanning, and he afterwards carried on an extensive business as a partner with Gilbert Tufts in a tannery on Main Street, near the Neck. He was interested in the schools of the town, and was for some years a member of the school committee. He was also an active and leading member of the Winthrop Church and Society. One of the daughters of Deacon Amos Tufts was the wife of a very prominent citizen and business man, Deacon Eliab P. Mackintire — another of the original and most efficient members of the Winthrop Church. He did an extensive jobbing and retail business in dry goods for many years, in Charlestown, and was after- OLD CHARLESTOWN 167 wards an importer of Scotch goods, in Boston, in the firm of Mackintire, Laurie & Co. Several of the printed school reports bear his name as chairman of the committee, and he was interested in all the benevolent work of his day. He will be remembered for his marked piety and great excellence of character. He was a member of the Legislature, from Charlestown, in 1835 and 1859. Nathan Tufts, the brother of Deacon Amos, was a noted man in the old town. He was very enterprising and energetic as a business man, and the evidences of his ability and usefulness can still be pointed out. He was originally a butcher, and did a large business in packing beef. He was also a tanner, widely known by the superior quality of the sole-leather manufactured by him, the popularity of which, for many years, gave a good reputation to the town as well as to himself. Mr. Tufts had also a wharf, where he dealt in wood and lumber; and a grist-mill made a part of his establish ment. His tannery and wharf were on the Mystic-river side of the town, and a good many of the town's people found steady employment there. Besides this, he built the Mill-pond at the Neck, and was connected with Abel Fitz in the grain and meal business there. He also started a new tannery there, and carried it on as long as he lived. It was afterwards sold to Chester Guild & Sons, whose extensive business at this tannery will be remembered by a great many of the present residents of the town. " Hacker " Tufts, for he had this nickname which lasted as long as he lived, was the owner of several farms outside the Neck and in Medford, and spent much time in their improvement. He made his rounds to his 168 OLD CHARLESTOWN * many business places on horse-back, and was a well- known figure, as an equestrian, in Boston and the neigh boring towns as well as in Charlestown. He was one of the first board of directors of the Bunker Hill Bank, and did as much as any other person in securing the original subscription to its capital stock. He was an early advocate of free bridges and one of the incorporators of Warren Bridge. He was one of the founders of the Harvard Unitarian Society, and his coach was seen at the door of the church every Sunday morning and after noon, as he was a regular attendant at its services. His turnout was the most stylish in town, and there are others besides myself, I doubt not, who remember the beautiful pair of cream-colored mares with milk-white manes and tails as making a part of it for several years. Mr. Tufts lived in the house on Chelsea Street, since known so long as the home of Doctor Lambert. The house was built and occupied at first by Aaron Putnam, who has been mentioned before. I must try to describe this homestead in another article. Nathan Tufts died in October, 1835, aged seventy-one years. At this time, and for many years previous, Peter Sanborn was his coachman, and in the settlement of the estate Sanborn became an unexpected claimant. Mr. Tufts had no children, and by his will, after provision for his wife, — and a few bequests, among them $1000 to the Bunker Hill Monument Association, — the bulk of his property was given to his nephews and nieces, the children of his brothers, Daniel and Deacon Amos. On the 1 8th of September, 1837, a writ to attach the goods and estate, late of Nathan Tufts, was served on Josiah P. Cook, executor, with an order to appear on the first OLD CHARLESTOWN 169 Tuesday in October in the Court of Common Pleas. The case was afterwards appealed to the Supreme Court, on ruling of law holding defendants' plea good. The declaration set forth that Nathan Tufts, on October 17, 1835, made his promissory note to plaintiff, Peter San born, for $5000, with interest till paid; also, that said Tufts, in consideration that said Sanborn would serve him faithfully during said Tufts' life, promised on January 1. 1833, to pay him $370 yearly and build him a dwelling- house convenient for Sanborn, his wife, and family, upon half an acre of land between Tufts' stable and Ebenezer Breed's garden, and would convey same to said Sanborn by warranty deed, and would pay Sanborn $50 yearly until same was completed. Samuel Hoar and Augustus Peabody appeared for defendants ; Rufus Choate for plaintiff. Mary Tufts, the widow of Nathan, testified that she believed the signatures to the note and contract to be genuine. The verdict at the November term, 1837, was as follows : First, Jury find signatures on note and contract to be genuine. Second, They allow balance of accounts for money expended on Tufts accounts, $1230.30. Third, They allow the lot of land as claimed in the writ. Fourth, They allow plaintiff $1500 for building house on said land. Fifth, They allow plaintiff the note for $5000. Sixth, They allow plaintiff the $370 per year from April 1, 1836. (Signed) Ezra Eaton, Foreman. They assess damages at $9686.22. 170 OLD CHARLESTOWN January 12, 1838, a motion was filed for a new trial, which' was granted and the verdict set aside. At the term of the Court, November, 1838, the jury disagreed. At the November term, 1839, a compromise having been agreed upon, judgment was rendered for the plaintiff for $6000, and execution January, 1840. A great deal of interest had been manifested in the trials of the case, and the court-room was filled with Charlestown people while they were going on. The claim was resisted under the belief that the note and agreement were not genuine, but the testimony of the widow was in favor of the claim, and the settlement was thought to be a wise one on the part of the defendants. Peter Sanborn lived in Charlestown until his death. He was the brother of John Sanborn, who also had been employed by Mr. Tufts, as a tanner, and who afterwards was in the coal and wood business, a part of the time as partner with Peter. Later in his life John Sanborn was wharfinger for the Tudor Company. He was much in public life, a member of the school committee for many years, and his seat at the board was never vacant. He was a member of the Legislature in 1843. As a politician he was shrewd and successful — a power to be estimated in calculating the result of elections in the town, for " Uncle John " in all his movements was pretty sure to land on his feet. May 4, 1889. OLD CHARLESTOWN 171 XXIX Some Fine Old Estates Retrospective Glances at the Homes of Former Citizens — Nathan Tufts — Ebenezer Breed — Nathan Adams. THE homestead of Nathan Tufts, as it appeared in my boyhood, was in a fine locality. Let us see if we can get any idea of how things looked here when that enterprising man was about with his gangs of workmen improving and beautifying everything which stood within the lines of an estate which he was proud to point to as his residence. Suppose, then, in imagination, we clear away from the rising land on the upper side of Chelsea and Adams streets — between Doctor Lambert's house and Chestnut Street — all the buildings save the Tufts house and stable, the Devens house on Chelsea Street, the Breed house (at present the residence of Charles F. Smith) on Mt. Vernon Street, and the Kettell house on Chestnut Street, leaving these buildings surrounded by green fields stretching away as far as the eye can see. In place of Chestnut Street is the driveway to the Adams (Kettell) house, stopping at the gateway leading to the side door. The entrance to Mt. Vemon Street marks the line of the carriage-way to the Breed house. Prospect Street was then but the roadway up to the Tufts house and 172 OLD CHARLESTOWN stable. Adams Street, running from the training-field, and the Salem Turnpike (Chelsea Street) made the same junction as now at the point of the heater-shaped piece of land lying between them and Shippey (Chestnut) Street ; but this piece of land, now covered with brick buildings, had on it then only one wooden house, known as the Townsend house, which stood on the corner of Shippey and Adams streets, surrounded with horse- chestnut trees. All the rest of the land was fenced and used as a garden, with nothing on it to obstruct the view from the estates we are trying to describe. The Tufts (Doctor Lambert's) house, with its stable in the rear and the grounds in front, still presents the same appearance as of old. It has been neglected for some years, and suffered to grow dingy for want of paint — the stable especially has become dilapidated and unsightly ; but its former occupant, if alive, could in a few weeks, with his energetic direction, brush away the effect of neglect and restore the beauty and attractive ness which properly belong to the old mansion. The interior of this old mansion is imposing, and an impression is at once left on the mind, as you pass through it, that it was planned and built for a person of consequence. The four large rooms on the lower story of the main house, and the long entry with the fine stairway branching off on two sides at the end of it ; the recessed windows in the rooms and their style of finish — some of them arched, with keystones in masonic order ; everything, indeed, in the interior as well as about the exterior, indicates thrift and breadth of mind as belonging to the owner and designer of the premises. The round OLD CHARLESTOWN 173 porch at the front door, resting on two columns, with an easy arrangement of the steps, is unique and tasteful, and the view from this door and from the chamber windows, taking in the Navy Yard, the harbor, the State House, and the elevated part of Boston, is extensive and pleasing. The terraced lawn in front of the house, always in order ; the stable behind the house, with its arched doorways and carriage-sheds ; the fruit and vegetable garden behind that, and the well-fenced fields for horses and cows, were all such as would gratify the ambition of an enterprising and successful business man and add to the attractiveness of the town of which he was a citizen. The Breed house was of brick, standing not quite so far back from the street, but with a front lawn and surroundings much the same as the other estates. Opposite the dwelling-house, on the other side of the roadway, was a greenhouse of very considerable propor tions, in which were grown grapes, peaches, apricots, and the most admired tender plants and flowers of the day. Outside the greenhouse, on the front part of the estate, hardy trees, shrubs, and flowers were tastefully arranged, and cultivated with interest and care. The rear of the estate, in addition to convenient stable arrangements, consisted of an orchard and quite extensive fields stretch ing away to Bunker Hill Street. Among the objects of interest about this place, at one time, was a pair of antelopes kept in an inclosure near the house. Alto gether, it was a homestead which its owner, Ebenezer Breed, who was a merchant having his office in Boston, must have enjoyed and looked upon with satisfaction apd pleasure. 174 OLD CHARLESTOWN The Adams (Kettell) estate was a part of a large parcel of land, for many years previous to 1789 the property of the Dizer family. About that time it came into the possession of Samuel Dowse, who sold it in 1 790 to Thomas Russell. He erected the large wooden building, which is still standing upon it, for an academy, and called it the Russell Academy. A few years later, on the death of Mr. Russell, the administrator of his estate sold the Russell Academy, which, including about four acres of land, was valued at $10,000, to his daughter Elizabeth, wife of John L. Sullivan, and in 18 16 it was conveyed by Sullivan to Nathan Adams, whose heirs have held the house and a portion of the land until the present time. Previous to its purchase by Mr. Adams the academy had been altered into a double house, which was occupied by Captain Thomas Backford, who removed from here to the Harrison house on Main Street, and by Honorable Samuel Dana, a distinguished man, a lawyer of prominence, and for some years chief justice of the old Court of Common Pleas. Judge Dana was the father of ex-Mayor James Dana, who was born in this house. Nathan Adams, who purchased the estate and made it his residence until his death, September 11, 1830, was a tanner, a merchant, and an auctioneer, doing a good deal of business in the town for many years. Mrs. Kettell was his niece and adopted daughter. Mr. George A. Kettell was a native of Charlestown and spent his youth in the counting-room of Ebenezer Breed. He was for some years engaged in mercantile pursuits as a super cargo, or at his store on Central Wharf in Boston, but later became much interested in railroads. At the time OLD CHARLESTOWN 175 of his death, and for some years before, he was treasurer of the Northern Railroad and vice-president of the Bunker Hill Bank — an intelligent and successful man always. I may not have been wholly successful in describing this locality ; but if I could present to the mind of the reader of to-day this beautiful slope of land, with these few well-cared-for estates occupying its whole area, show ing it especially as it was on a fine day in May, I should hear, I know, expressions of great pleasure concerning this portion of the territory of old Charlestown. On the lower part of this ridge, as it dropped off towards Bunker Hill Street (that part of it which for merly bore the name of Morton Street, from the turnpike to Tufts Street, where Bunker Hill Street used to begin), were several dwelling-houses, a brewery, and a ropewalk ; and, on the other side of the street, the brick-yard of Samuel Ferrin, a highly respected citizen, whose widow is still residing in the old homestead on the corner of Ferrin and Jackson streets, nearly one hundred years of age. The greater part of the remaining territory between here and Mystic River was the property of the Breed family. The Breeds were among the early settlers in Charles town, originally coming here from Lynn. There were among them several shipmasters, a distiller, a shoemaker, and a tin-plate worker. The last was the business of Ebenezer, the father of the occupant of the estate we have described, on Chelsea Street. He was at one time town treasurer. He was a very thrifty man, the owner of a great deal of real-estate on the Mystic-river side of 176 OLD CHARLESTOWN the town, portions of which were sold for the Navy Yard, the Salem Turnpike, and to the Chelsea Bridge corpora tion. He had also estates on the Square, where fie resided, and in other parts of the town. He died July 13, 1 8 1 7, aged seventy-five. His property was divided among his surviving children — Ebenezer, John, Richard F., and Mary. Mary was the wife of Commodore John Shaw, of the United States Navy, about whom some thing may be said hereafter. May 18, 1889. OLD CHARLESTOWN 177 XXX The Once Prominent Breed Family Richard and John Breed — Commodore John Shaw — Morton's Point — Rope-making. -•» EBENEZER BREED, who occupied the fine estate described in the preceding chapter, was a merchant whose bills of exchange on England were for a long period looked upon and purchased with great confidence. But there came a day when they were not honored, and the good name of the house was irretrievably lost. Its failure was occasioned by a large loss met at the time of the fire in Doctor Beecher's church on Hanover Street, December 31, 1829. In the cellar of that church was stored a large quantity of merchandise, principally French brandy, which had been consigned to Mr. Breed by his correspondents in England, and which was uninsured, — as they claimed, by his negligence. The loss fell upon him. The claim was disputed and kept off a long while, but it had to be met at last, and it was large enough, taken in connection with some other losses, to shake the foundations and cause the ruin of a concern that had been looked upon as perfectly strong and secure. The dealings of Mr. Breed in his successful days had been with England, the Mediterranean, and the East Indies, and his operations were of considerable magnitude. A place in his counting-room was thought to be very 178 OLD CHARLESTOWN desirable, and many young men, sons of prominent citizens of Charlestown, were sent there to receive a business education. Charles and Richard Devens, George A. Kettell, Isaac W. Smith, and James L. Thompson were among those who spent some years at the old store and office in Dock Square. Eben and John Breed were originally importers and dealers in hardware, and when this business was given up John had a large balance to his credit which was left in his brother's hands to be used in a new business. Richard Breed lived in Liver pool, England, and Eben made shipments of merchandise, and drew and sold bills of exchange on him. John had also a good deal of real-estate, the rents of which were collected by Eben and paid over from time to time as wanted. When the failure took place, the indebtedness of Eben to his brother John was very large, and the loss which he met was the cause of an estrangement between them which was never overcome. The relations between Richard and Eben Breed were also disturbed by an interference, real or imaginary, in an application for a discharge in bankruptcy in the English Court. Ebenezer Breed continued to occupy the estate on Adams Street, but his property was gone and the assist ance of his brothers was limited. He died in 1850, a poor man. He was another of the original proprietors of the Harvard Church, and a constant attendant at the same. He was a gentlemanly man in his appearance, but the expression of his face was marred somewhat by projecting front teeth. He was exceedingly neat in his dress, and his address was that of a man who felt that his position in the community was one of prominence and importance. OLD CHARLESTOWN 179 John Breed was a man of very different aspect. He was rough-looking and forbidding, and he moved along as if he had little sympathy with the world around him. He was connected with his brother in business, and could be seen sometimes at the counting-room in Boston, but the greater part of his time was spent on Belle or Breed's Island, sometimes called Hog Island, which he owned and made his home. His manner of living here was rude ; and there was nothing connected with it that it will be well to remember. He was never married. The island mentioned was in many respects an inter esting place. On it were many fine trees, and it was cultivated successfully as a farm. Between it and a point in Chelsea, where the Revere Rubber Company's factory is now situated, there was a bridge built by Mr. Breed, the draw of which was kept hoisted for the greater part of the time. It was lowered when the old man left the island, and also on his return, but at no other time without special permission. On the island was a cave, dug into the bank, supported by solid stone walls and closed with iron doors, and in it were deposited at times large amounts of silver money — Spanish dollars — collected and used for the purchase of East India goods, placed here for safe-keeping while the vessels on which it was to be shipped were getting ready for sea. Mr. Breed had in his employ an old Indian, called Gossum, whose special duty it was to have an eye on this cave, and whose sleeping-place was near to it. John Breed died suddenly and unexpectedly, from indigestion or its effects. Word was immediately sent to his brother in Charles town, and the next morning Mrs. Breed, accompanied by a well-known clergyman of the town, made a visit to the 180 OLD CHARLESTOWN island, where they found the body of the old man, on his untidy bed, just as he had died, untouched by any human hands. On a table by the bedside were a pair of loaded horse-pistols, which his old housekeeper informed them were always kept there for defense, if need be, against intruders on the island. After the necessary arrange ments for attention to the body had been made, a look over the premises for the proper care of the personal effects of the deceased was had, and many valuable articles found were taken away in the carriage which had conveyed the party to the island. Among these things was an iron box found in the cave referred to, which contained $5000 in silver money, which was handed over to the executor named in a will also found on the premises, in Mr. Breed's own handwriting, on half a sheet of foolscap paper. By the will the bulk of his property was given to his brother Richard, of Liverpool, England, and but little to his brother Ebenezer. Commodore John Shaw of the United States Navy, who married Mary Breed, was the son of an English officer. He was born in Queen's County, Ireland, in 1773, and emigrated to this country with an elder brother in 1790, settling in Philadelphia. He adopted a sea faring life, and in 1 797 was master of a brig sailing to the West Indies. He was appointed a lieutenant in the navy, August, 1798, on the breaking out of hostilities with France. He was advanced rapidly in the naval service and had a very distinguished career. He had charge of the Navy Yard in Charlestown for some time, and afterwards resided in the old Russell mansion-house on the Square, the same building that in later years was OLD CHARLESTOWN 181 occupied as a hotel called the Mansion House, which was very popular under the management of Gorham Bigelow and Charles Stinson. The old brick house on the corner of Chelsea and Bunker Hill streets was built by Ralph Richardson in 1803. It was occupied for many years by Russell Sanborn. During the war of 1812 it was used as barracks. An old citizen of the town, who died not long ago, told me that he remembered distinctly seeing one of the soldiers sitting at the window with a gag in his mouth so arranged as to cause much suffering. This was one of the modes of punishment at that time which would hardly be submitted to now. At the end of the last century, and for thirty years or more from the beginning of this one, the ropemaking business was a very considerable industry in this part of the town. There were two ropewalks in operation — one running in from the turnpike (Chelsea Street) to the rear of the Tufts and Breed estates, and another farther down, from Morton Street (now Moulton Street) to Mystic River. The last named was the first established. Joseph Burton and Benjamin Gray were its original proprietors, in 1794. Then Joseph N. Howe carried it on for some time. He was the father of Samuel Gridley Howe, the distinguished philanthropist, the projector and successful manager of the Perkins Institution for the Blind. Jeffrey Richardson and Thomas Larrabee were at one time interested in this cordage-factory. It was afterwards purchased by Captain Benjamin Whipple, who, with his partner, Edward Adams, carried on a successful business here for many years. The other 182 OLD CHARLESTOWN ropewalk was owned and occupied by Joseph Simonds and Joseph Babb, and by Benjamin Adams, and was also a busy place for a long period. Captain Benjamin Whipple was a prominent man in the town. His name will be frequently seen on its records, he being elected to many important offices which he filled with ability and credit. He was a useful member of the school committee and one of the earliest advocates of a High School. He represented the town in the Legis lature in 1824, '27, and '29. After giving up the cordage business he was appointed an inspector in the Custom House and filled that office for a long time. For some years his residence was in a large wooden house near his ropewalk, but he afterwards owned and occupied the estate on the corner of School and High streets — the same recently purchased by John Boyle O'Reilly from the heirs of C. C. Sampson. Edward Adams was the first occupant of the brick house on High Street, near School Street, now the residence of George W. Berry. It was built about 1830 by his nephew, who removed soon after to South Amer ica after selling the estate to his uncle. Benjamin Adams was a thrifty man, well thought of by his fellow- townsmen, who sent him to the Legislature in 1833. Both the Adamses were among the original members of the Universalist Church Society. In the preceding chapter I referred to Nathan Adams as an auctioneer, and since completing what I have said about ropewalks at the Point a friend has handed me a clipping from a Boston newspaper, issued Tuesday morn ing, May 18, 18 1 2, which may be interesting to some OLD CHARLESTOWN 183 readers inasmuch as it describes fully, in an advertise ment of an auction-sale by Mr. Adams, the cordage- factory on the other side of the town referred to in a former article : May 18, 1812. This Day at 12 o'clock. — The valuable Rope Walk, in Charlestown, situated near the State-Prison and the Land and Water Lots adjacent to the same. — The Rope Walk standing on the south side of a street 30 feet in width, is one of the best in the Commonwealth, and contains every implement for an extensive Cordage- manufactory. The Upland contains about one hundred thousand square feet. The water lots extend about 900 feet on the shore & are 1 70 feet deep from high to low water mark. They afford excellent situations for Ship building from their proximity to the Middlesex Canal, through which ample supplies of Timber, &c. can readily be obtained. The proposed Dam from Lechmores to Prison point, which is expected to be completed soon, will draw a large share of the business of Charlestown to this spot. Combining so many advantages, an excel lent opportunity is offered for speculation to the capital ist who wishes to invest property in Real estate capable of extensive improvement. Terms made known at the sale. Nath'l. Adams, auct. June 29, 1889. 1 84 OLD CHARLESTOWN XXXI The Frothinghams Names That Are Familiar to All Old Residents of Charles town — A Notable Family. rROTHINGHAM is a name familiar to all old residents of Charlestown, and it carries with it a record of eminence, friendliness, and usefulness on the part of those who have borne it which it is pleasant to dwell upon. On the list of those who made up the company of Governor Winthrop, on his arrival here in 1630 to estab lish a colony, can be found William Frothingham, from Yorkshire, England, who became an inhabitant from that date, and a freeman of the colony and church- member in 1632. His wife was connected with the church the same year. The old records refer to him frequently as a leading and useful citizen and member of the community, and his name is on the original agree ment for the government of the town by selectmen, and on other important town and church documents of his time. The Frothinghams, who have been prominent in the history of Charlestown and Boston since that time, were and are descendants of this William. Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Langdon Frothingham, and his distinguished son, Rev. Octavius Brooks Frothingham ; Samuel Froth ingham, a former cashier of the State Bank, and after- OLD CHARLESTOWN 185 wards of the Boston branch of the old United States Bank ; James Frothingham, the eminent portrait-painter, and Richard Frothingham, the historian, all go back to him as their earliest ancestor in this country. Before the Revolutionary War, when the colonists were smarting under the oppression of the British gov ernment and remonstrating against its legislation and unjust decrees, the Frothinghams are found occupying prominent positions in the town, and their names are attached to many of the patriotic documents which stirred the people to resistance and war. During the war they showed their sincerity by enlistment and service, some of them continuing all through the con test. Richard Frothingham, the grandfather of Richard, the historian, was for a long time in the army, and Major Benjamin Frothingham so distinguished himself that General Washington, on his visit to Massachusetts after the war, honored him by a call at his residence on Main Street, near the corner of Mill Street. Major Benjamin Frothingham was one of the charter members of King Solomon's Lodge of Free Masons, and its first junior warden, elected in 1783, when the lodge was originally organized. The records of the lodge, as published, refer to a visit made in December, i860, by a former master, the venerable Right Worthy Brother Thomas Hooper, and to an interesting address made by him at the time, relating chiefly to the early history of the lodge and its founders, with all of whom he was personally acquainted. I copy the following from that address : " Benjamin Frothingham was a Mason for many years previous to the formation of our lodge, but I know not 186 OLD CHARLESTOWN where or when he received the degrees. It appears, however, by record, that he was admitted a member of Saint Andrew's Lodge in 1763. He was a mechanic (cabinet-maker), but was zealously engaged in the War of the Revolution, in which his good conduct as an officer in one of the most important battles attracted the notice and won the confidence of the commander-in-chief. ' Major Ben,' as he was called, on the termination of the war returned to his old homestead on Main Street, near what is now called Mill Street, where he rebuilt his old house and shop, renewed his former occupation of cabinet-making, and there spent the evening of his days, some twenty years, enjoying the respect, confidence, and gratitude of his neighbors and fellow-citizens. He died in 1809," at the age of seventy-five years. The Frothinghams as early as 1740 began to be known as carriage and coach makers, and a large number of the family in all its branches were engaged in this business for a century afterwards, not only in Charles town, but in Boston, Cambridge, Salem, and Danvers. There was a neighborhood of Frothinghams on Main Street, near Eden Street, and all through that street to Bunker Hill. Here their ancestors first became pos sessed of real-estate in the town, some of which has been held in the family to the present day. They were all carriage-makers, or in some way connected with that business. On one side of Main Street were the shops of Richard Frothingham, to whom we have before referred as the builder and owner of the large house on the corner of Main and Eden streets, afterwards purchased and occupied by Isaac Mead, and who was succeeded in the business by his sons Richard, James K., OLD CHARLESTOWN 187 Isaac, and John. On the other side of Main Street, Joseph and Thomas, and, after the death of Thomas, his son Joshua Paine Frothingham, manufactured carriages and harnesses. Frothingham's yard, near the corner of Main and Eden streets, was a busy place ; and in it could be seen all kinds of carriages from an old-fashioned hand-cart to a stage-coach. Around the yard were the shops of the body-maker, wheelwright, black and white smith, and trimmer, and the painters' platforms bedaubed with colors, tests of their mixing for years. The sound of the smith's hammer and file, the sparks from his anvil, the blazing of his forge and the sizzling of hot tires, the moving to and fro of scores of apprentices and journey men, the hitching and unhitching of teams leaving or taking away carriages which needed or had received the attention of the workmen — all helped to make a lively scene. The ordinary work of the yard went on without excitement ; but the delivery of a new, stylish, and handsomely painted coach, omnibus, express -wagon, ladder-truck, or hose-carriage would oftentimes call out all the boys from the shops and call in all the boys from the streets to give the thing a proper start off, and some times approval and satisfaction with the finished work would be expressed by cheers and a tiger. Industry and cheerfulness marked the neighborhood, while good work and good works were always expected and could be con fidently counted upon from the Frothinghams, carriage- makers in Charlestown. The homes of the Frothinghams on Eden Street were inviting places. Their houses, with one end on the 188 OLD CHARLESTOWN street, fronting good-sized gardens, were pleasant and attractive. Around these gardens were currant, rasp berry, and quince bushes; in the center, fruit-trees — cherry, apple, and plum, and in one of them, surely, a mulberry-tree, the fruit of which the writer remembers with smacking lips and a relish that seems now, almost, to be touching and tickling the right spot. In front of the houses were flower-beds, where cinnamon, damask, and white roses grew luxuriantly, and fall phlox, chrys anthemums, and dahlias were gorgeous until the first frost. James K. Frothingham was a marked man in the community. He was a very useful man, and the record of his work should read well in the town history of his time. As an official he was capable and popular. He filled many of the most important town and city offices, and was looked up to by a large number of his fellow- citizens for advice and assistance. The trusts imposed upon him were numerous, and in the transfer of real- estate and the settlement of the estates of deceased persons he was confided in as a competent and faithful agent and counselor. He was one of the trustees of the Warren Institution for Savings, and for many years its secretary. He was a representative in the Legislature in 1823 and '25. He was one of the original members and a deacon of the First Universalist Church and Society, and a constant attendant on its services until his death. The records of the society contain many important and interesting reports and letters written by him as an official and thoroughly posted friend of the denomination to which he belonged. In his younger days he was popular as a military officer, and he was one OLD CHARLESTOWN 189 of the early commanders of the old Charlestown Light Infantry. His son, the highly respected and venerable Henry Knox Frothingham, the oldest living vice-president of the Warren Institution for Savings, and until lately cashier of the Massachusetts National Bank, was for merly warden of the Massachusetts State Prison. His services as chairman of the school committee for many years were of great value to the town and city ; and by the Harvard Unitarian Society, of which he was deacon and treasurer, he is held in the highest esteem and reverence. Richard Frothingham — father of the historian and of Mrs. Thomas A. Goddard, so widely esteemed for her generosity and benevolence — was known by almost everybody in town, and was familiarly and pleasantly referred to as " Uncle Richard." Genial, happy Uncle Richard ! He was everybody's friend, and respect for him knew no exception. Were his neighbors prosperous he could share in their enjoyment and never know the feeling of envy ; and he could sympathize with them in sorrow and touch their hearts by his sincerity. With him friendship was above riches, and the common weal above selfishness. He could enjoy life himself, and to see others happy was his delight. The tune which he hummed as he passed along the street was always a cheerful one, and its echo from his heart was unmistak able and clear. He had a theory of life which fixed his religious and political views, and his faith in the triumph of good over evil was never shaken. He was not an ambitious man, and the reward of that quality in human nature was not his to receive; but he was a good man and won fairly the marked esteem and 190 OLD CHARLESTOWN respect which his neighbors and townsmen always felt for him. Honorable Richard Frothingham, the historian of the town and the author of " The Siege of Boston," " Life of Joseph Warren," "The Rise of the Republic," " Memoirs of Thomas Starr King," and other historical books which have been the subject of highly favorable criticism by other historians of eminence, not only hon ored his birthplace by his genius and industry in the preparation of these valuable books, but was ever one of its most useful citizens, filling its most important offices with great acceptance and being constantly engaged all through his life in efforts to promote the welfare of his native town. He was for many years chairman of the school committee, and his reports, which were printed, show his deep interest in the work of common school education, while his reputation among the teachers and educators of his time was that of a faithful and conscientious friend and adviser. He was afterwards mayor of the city for three years, 185 1, '52 and '53; a representative in the State Legislature in 1840, '42, '44, '50, '51 ; and a member of the Constitu tional Convention in 1853. He was for a long period treasurer of the Massachusetts Historical Society ; for some years president of the Bunker Hill Monument Association ; and for forty years chairman of the stand ing committee of the First Universalist Church. Joshua Paine Frothingham lived on the opposite side of Main Street. Frothingham Avenue was laid out through his estate, running from Main Street to the old mill-pond wholly on land owned by him. In the rear of his house, which fronted on Main Street, was his carriage- OLD CHARLESTOWN 191 manufactory and livery-stable — both of them busy places and popular establishments of the time. Mr. Frothingham was able and thrifty in his business and an unusually kind-hearted and generous man. His house was a real home, not only to the members of his family but to all who visited it, and his friends were numerous. His apprentices and employees were among those who were cared for by his family and "who shared in their comfort and cheer. In health or in sickness they were sure of consideration and kindness, and they never lost their regard for the old homestead and its occupants. Among those who spent their early days in the employ of Paine Frothingham were the Gages — Addison, Charles P., and Alvah — all of whom were afterwards successfully engaged in the ice-business. Addison, as the head of the firms of Gage, Hittenger & Co., Gage, Sawyer & Co., and Addison Gage & Co., will be remem bered as an energetic business man, and as an active and useful worker in the political, charitable, and social affairs of the town. Charles P., after the death of Mr. Froth ingham, purchased the livery-stable and carried it on for some years. He then went to Mobile to take charge of the ice-houses established there by Gage, Hittenger & Co., and remained until his death, having become a prominent man in that city. Alvah went in the same employ to Charleston, South Carolina, and is now a leading business man and citizen of that place. Thomas Harrington Frothingham, son of Joshua Paine, was one of the original members of the firm of Gage, Hittenger & Co. He spent a good deal of time in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, managing the affairs of the firm in those cities. He died November 27, 1850, when 192 OLD CHARLESTOWN he was only thirty-one years old ; but he lived long enough to earn and enjoy the reputation of an excellent business man. His generosity and charming social qualities endeared him to a very large circle of friends, and his early death was the occasion of the most sincere sorrow and regret. He had two sisters, one of whom is the wife of Joseph F. Hovey, a native of Charlestown, who has been very prominent in the insurance-business in Boston for more than a quarter of a century. The other sister, Miss Rebecca W. Frothingham, who died suddenly, June n, 1874, in the vestry of the Universal ist Church, while attending a meeting of the Sunday- school teachers, was very generally known in town for the interest she manifested in all' the benevolent move ments of her time. She was especially useful in the Sabbath-school connected with the Universalist Church, and was a constant attendant at the services of that church, as her parents had been before her. The Frothinghams were connected by marriage with many of the leading families in the town, such as the Kettells.Tuftses, Thompsons, Sawyers, Fosdicks, Austins, Rands, Hunnewells, Edeses, Phippses, and Halls. The extent of their influence upon its affairs and character, from its first settlement to the present time, it is impos sible to estimate. But it must have been very great and of unquestioned excellence. October 5, 1889. OLD CHARLESTOWN IQ3 XXXII A Notable Visitor Kossuth, the Hungarian Patriot, greeted in Charlestown as a Tried and True Friend of Liberty — Reception at Mayor Frothingham's. IN the preceding chapter I remarked that a part of the original estate acquired by the Frothinghams in Charlestown was still held by members of the family. The brick house on Main Street — the home of Frank A. Hall, whose wife is a sister of Richard Frothingham, the historian — covers the plot of land on which her father's shop formerly stood. The history of music in the old town and city must sometime be written, when what has been going on in this house for the last quarter of a century or more will claim an extended notice. It is all alive, at the present time, with melody and harmony, with sweet sounds and song. It is the pleasant resort of musical people and a host of friends, a place where real enjoyment is always in store for them. The Winchester Home for Aged Women stands upon land which was a part of the original Frothingham estate. The house in which James K. Frothingham lived is still intact. It was used for the Home before the erection of the large brick building, and is yet held by the institution as a part of its investment for income. Richard Frothingham's house was taken down to make 194 OLD CHARLESTOWN room for the large building ; but it is remembered by some of us with pleasure as a place where kindred and friends were happy and strangers were cordially wel comed. The Halls occupied the old homestead for some years before building the brick house on Main Street to which we have referred, and Mrs. Hall, one of the most faithful among the faithful, was touched with a feeling of sadness when its day for destruction had come ; but it was giving place to so excellent an institu tion that the shadow soon passed away. She has ever manifested a deep interest in the Home, frequently enter tains its inmates with pleasant evening readings, and delights in opportunities for making others happy on the spot where she was born. Thomas B. Wyman, the author of "Genealogies and Estates in Charlestown," belonged to the Frothingham family. His mother was sister to James K. and Richard Frothingham. Mr. Wyman was a somewhat peculiar per son who gave his whole life to the research and patient labor necessary for the production of the book we have referred to. That he did his native town great service in this respect cannot be questioned. He persistently and perseveringly carried out his plan for arranging and preserving the genealogical records of the town, and he has made possible much of what has been and will be written by others concerning its history. The clue to much of the past — the important past of Charlestown — would be lost without his book ; and the City Council did a wise thing when they purchased his manuscript and caused to be completed what he had undertaken and labored to accomplish. Richard Frothingham, the historian, was for thirteen OLD CHARLESTOWN 195 years (from 1852 to 1865) one of the proprietors and editors of The Boston Morning Post. His patriotic and spirited articles in that newspaper, published, at the opening of the Civil War, under the head of " Stand by the Flag," were of great service in waking up the people of the North to the danger of the situation, and to the absolute necessity for union of sentiment and for immediate and decisive action. Mr. Frothingham was a very hospitable man and entertained his friends with much liberality. At his residence they had frequent opportunities of meeting men of eminence. His reception at the time of the visit to Bunker Hill of Louis Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot, and his eloquent address of welcome delivered under the shadow of the monument, must be remem bered by many of our citizens of the present day. It would be well, almost, to republish that address and catch again the spirit of enthusiasm which it woke up at the time, and which was so gratifying and encouraging to the noble man to whom it was specially addressed. This visit of Kossuth was made in 1852. Mr. Froth ingham was mayor, and on the 19th of April, the anniversary of the Lexington fight, he sent a com munication to the City Council recommending that measures be taken to tender to Kossuth, who was about to visit Massachusetts, the hospitality of the city. The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to give him an official invitation, but the Common Council, by a vote of nine to six, refused to concur. Then a public meeting of the citizens was called, which was held in City Hall on the evening of April 27. The mayor presided. Jacob Foss, Charles Thompson, and Moses B. Sewall were 196 OLD CHARLESTOWN vice-presidents, and Edward Thorndike and Warren Rand secretaries. A committee of thirty-eight citizens was chosen, to invite Governor Kossuth to visit the city, and to make the necessary arrangements for his reception. This committee was composed as follows : Richard Frothingham, Jr., Henry P. Fairbanks, Jacob Foss, Charles Thompson, P. B. Holmes, J. Q. A. Griffin, Edward Lawrence, Timothy T. Sawyer, George P. Sanger, Seth J. Thomas, George P. Kettell, P. J. Stone, George W. Warren, Addison Gage, Ezra Brown, Timothy Fletcher, Ichabod Lindsey, Moses B. Sewall, Jesse Gay, P. S. Briggs, Aaron Clarke 2d, Philander Ames, S. H. Allen, James G. Fuller, George B. Albee, Seth W. Lewis, Edward Thorndike, William W. Pierce, Zenas C. Howland, John Sanborn, Jesse Stevens, William Williams, Aura S. Tuttle, Andrew J. Locke, James Damon, Oliver Smith, Thomas J. Elliot. J. Q. A. Griffin offered a set of six stirring resolutions, the first, second, and last of which were as follows : Resolved, That we assemble to-night to promulgate no new doctrine, to achieve no new purpose, to stimulate to no new action ; but to re-affirm the principles which Bunker Hill for more than three-quarters of a century has so nobly claimed relationship with, and which have ever found a residence in the bosoms of her sons. Resolved, That the advent to New England of the Hungarian governor, illustrious not less by his enlarged learning and comprehensive mind than by his signal services for freedom and the republican principle, is an opportunity which a free people should seize upon with alacrity for the exercise of a magnanimous hospitality, in order that they may testify to the struggling nations of the earth, wherever they may exist, that their attach- OLD CHARLESTOWN 197 ment is to the principle and not simply to the name of freedom. Resolved, That this assembly extends its warmest welcome to the Hungarian Chief and earnestly invites him to the acceptance of the hospitalities of the people of Charlestown. It asks him to accept the heartfelt thanks of all earnest souls for his magnanimous deeds, as expressed, not through frigid committees or municipal corporations, but from the hearts of the whole people. It invites him to Middlesex County, the earliest and most illustrious battle-field of our own Revolution ; to a view of its industry, its enterprise, its intelligence — the legitimate fruits of that system of government which that illustrious man has struggled so mightily to secure in his own land. It invites him to that shaft which marks the spot where Warren fell and Prescott and Putnam fought for that freedom which protects and governs us. And, finally, it invites him to these scenes, cordially and enthusiastically, because it believes that in him the republican principle which has made our country great and glorious among the nations of the earth has a brave, determined, and able defender. In compliance with this invitation Kossuth visited Charlestown on Monday, the 3d of May. Decoration about the city was never more profuse. At the entrance to the Square the Hungarian and United States flags were flying together; the stars-and-stripes waved from the tops of all the public buildings ; many private residences were tastefully trimmed with bunting; flags and pennants were gracefully arranged and suspended across the streets, and various designs were to be seen with these inscriptions prominently displayed upon them: "Welcome to Kossuth," "Kossuth, the True Expounder of Universal Liberty," "Kossuth, the De- 198 OLD CHARLESTOWN voted Friend of Hungary," "All Nations shall be Free," and so forth. Early in the forenoon a deputation from the com mittee of arrangements proceeded in carriages to the Revere House, in Boston, and, on being introduced to Kossuth, conducted him to a barouche in waiting without, in which he was drawn by four fine bay horses to the draw of Warren Bridge. He was a man fifty years old, of medium height and fine personal appear ance. He was dressed in Hungarian costume, wearing a velvet sack trimmed with wide braid, and a low- crowned, black velvet hat with a feather in front. He was accompanied by Captains Kalapza and Grechenck, Messrs. Pulszky and Hajnik, and by the Honorable Anson Burlingame of the State Committee. At the draw he was received by Mayor Frothingham, chairman of the committee of arrangements, and a battalion of military consisting of the Charlestown City Guard and the Artillery, commanded by Captain George P. Sanger. At this point Mr. Burlingame, in behalf of the State Committee, resigned his charge to Mayor Frothingham and Henry P. Fairbanks, Esq., president of the Common Council, as the guest of the people of Charlestown. The procession then took up its line of march and pro ceeded through the principal streets of the city to Mon ument Square, Breed's Hill. Against the west side of the monument a very large platform was erected, upon which at an early hour were seated hundreds of ladies, the wives and daughters of the committee of arrange ments and of other citizens. Flags of all nations were suspended from the top of the monument to the iron fence on the north and south, forming a pyramid, and OLD CHARLESTOWN 199 from each window at the top was displayed the flag of the United States. The scene was grand and beautiful. It was estimated that not less than fifteen thousand persons were gathered around the platform. The school children were arranged on the banks of the square. When Kossuth passed the battalion and ascended the platform amidst the sound of patriotic music, the boom ing of cannon, and the cheers of the multitude, he expressed his admiration and great joy at the spectacle, and was touched to the heart. When quiet was restored, the mayor delivered his address of welcome, and it was replied to by the dis tinguished visitor. The addresses were of the highest order, eloquent and impressive. They furnish interest ing and instructive reading to the young people of the present generation, and pleasing recollection to those who were listeners at the time of their delivery. Kossuth and his companions ascended the monument and were gratified by a view of the surrounding country. They were then escorted to the residence of Mr. Froth ingham, where they were generously entertained, and where a large party of citizens were introduced to them. They returned to the Revere House toward evening, after expressing great pleasure in the attentions of the day. November 2, 1889. 200 OLD CHARLESTOWN XXXIII Major Timothy Walker Another Prominent Family — Walker Street — Charlotte Cushman — Thomas Ball. JUST above the Paine Frothingham estate on Main Street was the residence of Major Timothy Walker — an oblong-square building of good size, three stories high, fronting upon a grass plot and garden. The house was painted white with green blinds, which was in accordance with the general idea of elegance and good taste at the time. Some fine trees ornamented the grounds, which were inclosed by an open wooden fence, also painted white. The estate extended down from Main Street to the river, and on the river was a wharf, " Walker's Wharf," where for some years a large business in slaughtering, packing, and shipping beef was carried on by the Major. He was a merchant, always full of business, interested in commerce, and an operator in real-estate. He owned a great deal of land in the town, which he was constantly improving. Many of the buildings erected by him are still standing. Major Walker, as I remember him, was a ruddy-faced, strong-looking man, dignified but stern in his manner, deliberate in his movement, decided in his opinions. His conversation was usually preceded by a " hem ! " or clearing of the throat, which, taken in connection with a OLD CHARLESTOWN 201 natural gruffness of voice, made it very forcible, while his keen eyes fixed upon his listeners commanded atten tion to his remarks. Dressed in the fashion of his time, in a blue broad-cloth suit with gilt buttons on the coat and a ruffled shirt bosom, and usually carrying a hand somely-mounted cane, his importance as a prominent citizen of the town was generally acknowledged. He was quite equal to the management of his large business, giving it always his personal attention. He was rated by his townsmen as their richest man, and showed an interest in all new enterprises undertaken by them. This is evidenced by his selection as the head of institutions chartered to facilitate the business and growth of the town. When the Bunker Hill Bank was organized, June 27, 1825, Major Walker was made its first president and filled the office until October, 1835, over ten years. He was also the first president of the Warren Institution for Savings, elected in April, 1829, retiring in 1835. He was sent to the State Legislature — to the House of Representatives in 18 15 and 18 18, and to the Senate in 1822. Major Walker was for many years a member of the First Church, but when the Second Congregational (now Harvard) Church was estab lished he was dismissed to it, and as long as he lived was one of its most active members, attending regularly upon its services and aiding it by his influence and purse. He was one of the proprietors of the wooden church on High Street in which the society first held its meetings, and was a contributor towards the purchase of the lot of land on which the brick church now stands. The clock in the church was a gift from him, and the rich-toned bell, which still hangs in the tower, was pur- 101 OLD CHARLESTOWN chased by the proceeds of the old bell and $500, given by him in his will for the purpose. The inscription on the bell, " The gift of Timothy Walker," was cast on it by vote of the society. He was for some years a mem ber of the parish committee and on many important special committees of the church and society, — among them the following : To make arrangements for the ordination of its first minister, Rev. Thomas Prentiss, March 26, 18 1 7, and on the death of Mr. Prentiss, Sunday, October 5, 18 17, to arrange the funeral services ; to take charge of the services at the ordination of the second minister, Rev. James Walker (a nephew of Timothy), Wednesday, April 15, 18 1 8 ; and to build the new brick church in 1818. In the will of Major Walker was a bequest of $1000 to the Theological School of Harvard College; also a bequest to the town of Charlestown for the purchase and setting out of shade trees. Nearly all of the trees which now ornament the streets of this district were paid for out of this fund and planted in accordance with the provisions of this latter bequest. Major Walker did good service to the town as a member of its government, especially in the matter of laying out streets and keeping them in order. He was on the committee having charge of the paving of Main Street for the first time. This was looked upon then as a great undertaking, and, when it was completed, as worthy of celebration by the com mittee and their friends. A day spent in a sail down the harbor, a jolly time on the boat, — usually a coasting- schooner hired for the purpose, — and a chowder on one of the islands, was at that period thought to be very enjoyable and a proper thing to be done on an occasion OLD CHARLESTOWN 203 like this ; and such an excursion was determined upon and carried out, not, as such things are done nowadays, at the expense of the town, but by individual assessment for the payment of the bills when the fun was over. A good story about Major Walker in connection with this excursion has been many times told and may bear another repetition. Tradition has it that in the olden time prop-shaking was always in order on excursion-boats in the harbor, and that a small amount of money at stake, adding interest to the game, was deemed harmless and allowable. The custom was an old one, universally observed, and the paving committee, acquiescing in the general judgment concerning it, were prepared for this kind of amusement. On the deck of the schooner, as she was sailing away, might have been seen a circle of interested players testing their good or bad luck by the rattle and dropping of four little sea-shells weighted with sealing-wax. Among the players was Major Walker, and standing directly behind him was his hired man whose services had been tendered to the party as a helper to the steward. He was a young fellow, fresh from the wilds of Maine, who had been hired only a little while before bythe Major as a man of all work about his house and garden, and who knew nothing of town life. The relation of master and man, as held by Major Walker, can be inferred from the description we have given of him. He countenanced no familiarity with anybody, and was never inclined to lessen the distance that propriety had measured between the master and his servant. The Major, as we have said, was interested in the game of props, and was having a streak of luck in his throws, while, without his knowledge, his servant, with his eyes 204 OLD CHARLESTOWN opened wide, was directly behind him looking on. A nick, another, and still others had been thrown, the stakes had been doubled again and again until dollars instead of fourpence-ha'pennies made up the pool. The servant in the rear had become intensely interested, and, with his sense of propriety entirely lost, when his master had made another lucky throw he slapped him violently on his shoulder, exclaiming in a loud voice, " Go it, my Roman ! Gad ! how you nick 'em ! " What a rattling there must have been in the old gentleman's throat as he turned to reprove the boy and thought of the indig nity which his ignorance and forgetfulness had occasioned. The amusement it afforded the rest of the company, how ever, can be imagined, and it is not strange that, for years afterwards, " Go it, my Roman ! " was a frequent remark among the town's people, as Major Walker passed along the streets. In the building next to the corner of Main and Walker streets, the lower story of which is now occupied by Hosmer Brothers as a grocery-store, Charlotte Cush man, the celebrated actress and justly distinguished woman, lived in her girlhood for several years. She had previously lived in a house on what is now called Warren Avenue, her parents having removed here from Boston in 1828. While she was a pupil in the grammar school for girls in Charlestown the trustees of the schools made an arrangement with William Russell, a teacher of elocution, to give instruction on Wednesday and Satur day afternoons to a class made up of the oldest scholars, male and female, in all of the grammar schools. The writer remembers the first meeting of this class. Miss Cushman was a member of it ; and it was on this OLD CHARLESTOWN 205 occasion, in the old Town Hill school-house, that she undoubtedly received her first lesson in an art so thoroughly understood by her in after life and which had so much to do with her advancement and great success. Not far from the house in which Charlotte Cushman lived, in a street at the time newly laid out, — the present Walker Street, — was born another distinguished artist, Thomas Ball, singer, painter, and sculptor. The street was laid out by Major Walker and his name was given to it by the town. The statues of Washington, in the Public Garden, and of John A. Andrew, in the State House, and the ideal statue of the Shipwrecked Sailor Boy, will be remembered as among the works by Ball. November 30, 1889. 206 OLD CHARLESTOWN XXXIV The Walker Family Dr. William J. Walker — Distinguished Graduates of his School — Samuel T. Armstrong, an Eminent Book Pub lisher — Where the Universalists held their First Meetings. DR. WILLIAM J. WALKER, the very distin guished surgeon and physician, was a son of Major Timothy Walker. He was a graduate of Harvard College (1810). He studied medicine with Governor John Brooks, of Medford. After spending some time in Paris, France, he returned and commenced the practice of his profession in Charlestown, and con tinued here for over thirty years. As a skillful surgeon he had no superior in the State ; as a physician he was successful and eminent. His practice in town was very large, and he was held in the highest esteem by the families he visited. He was never communicative con cerning his patients, or very gracious in his replies to the inquiries of anxious friends as to their condition, but, in spite of this peculiarity, he had their full confi dence, they being sure of his thoughtful and careful attention to the cases he had in hand, while their faith in his ability was unbounded. Doctor Walker lived on Main Street, in a brick house built by Dr. Josiah Bartlett which is still standing. It is on the original site, but it stood back from Main OLD CHARLESTOWN 207 Street, with an open area in front of it which has since been covered by the brick building in which are now the stores of Alonzo Rand, Joshua Rea, and Horatio Wellington & Co., and the hall occupied for some years as headquarters for the Republican Party. The entrance to the Doctor Walker house is now from Harvard Street only. Formerly the estate ran through from Main to Town Hill, now Harvard Street. The way to the house was from Main Street, through the garden, in which there were several large, wide-spreading, beautiful horse- chestnut trees, while on Harvard Street was a brick stable, which is still there though now used for a shop. A part of the lower story of the house was used for an office and medical-school. Among the students and graduates from this school may be mentioned Dr. Augustus Whiting, of Haverhill; Dr. Simeon Whitney, of Framingham ; Dr. Joseph W. McKean, of Boston ; Dr. Charles Walker ; Dr. J. G. Treadwell, of Salem ; Dr. Francis A. Willard, whose office was for many years in the building in the Square where now is The Enter prise office ; Charles J. Bates, surgeon in the United States Navy and son of Dr. George Bates, former resident in town and for a long time naval-store keeper ; Dr. John O. Stone, a distinguished surgeon in New York ; Dr. Morrill Wyman, the eminent physician of Cambridge and professor in Harvard College ; Dr. Henry Lyon, our highly valued townsman ; Dr. Herman E. Davidson, a Charlestown boy, afterwards for many years the leading physician in Gloucester, Massachusetts; Dr. Howland Holmes, of Lexington; Dr. Charles Stearns, of New York; Dr. John A. Briggs, of Newburyport; Drs. Richard F. Young, Gideon F. Barstow, and Francis Hurd. 208 OLD CHARLESTOWN Doctor Walker was sagacious and far-seeing as a business man, and his interest in the paying enterprises of his time was large. His accumulations were con stant, and he died a rich man. Before his death he had given away to colleges and literary institutions nearly half a million dollars, and the bequests in his will for similar purposes amounted, perhaps, to as much more. Tufts and Amherst colleges, the Boston Natural History Society, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology were large sharers in these gifts and legacies. He died in Newport, Rhode Island, April 2, 1865, when he was seventy-five years old. An obituary at the time in The Bunker Hill Aurora reads as follows : Doctor Walker was eminent both as a physician and surgeon, and when he retired from practice in the latter profession probably his superior in adroitness, skill, and genius was not to be found in the country. He was an excellent English, French, and Latin scholar, well-read in the classics, an original and profound thinker. He was quick and zealous in everything he undertook ; a man of strong feelings and passions ; emphatic and almost unchangeable in his likes and dislikes. He was kind and generous to the poor, and many in this city will long remember him and his services with respect and gratitude. He was tolerant of all opinions in religious matters. In 1845 Doctor Walker delivered the annual address before the Massachusetts Medical Society. The address was published in a pamphlet of over one hundred pages, as " An Essay on the Treatment of Compound Fractures," and was considered at the time, with its reports of many cases in his own practice, as a very valuable addition to surgical science. Doctor Walker held a very vigorous pen, but its power was rarely exercised for the public eye. OLD CHARLESTOWN 209 Another son of Major Walker was Dr. Charles Walker. After his death his wife (a daughter of Colonel Samuel Jaques) and two of their daughters were residents in town for some years and were highly esteemed in social circles. Two of the daughters of Major Walker were married to physicians — Dr. Augustus Whiting, of Haverhill, and Dr. Simeon Whitney, of Framingham. Doctor Whiting, the father of our respected townsman, Dr. John S. Whiting, resided and practised in Charlestown for some years previous to his death. Another daughter was the wife of Honorable Samuel T. Armstrong, who early in his life carried on the print ing business in the brick building on Main Street where now William P. Henry keeps a provision-store. This building was erected by James C. Edmands about 1808, and in its upper story, which was called Edmands Hall, the meetings of the First Universalist Society were held previous to the building of their church, which was dedicated September 3, 181 1. The first numbers of The Panoplist, a monthly magazine devoted to religious subjects, especially to the promotion of missionary enter prise, were published here by Mr. Armstrong. He afterwards removed to Boston and was for many years a noted printer and book publisher on Washington Street, near where the new Ames building is now being erected. His store there was originally known as No. 50 Comhill, a portion of that street being afterwards made a part of Washington Street. It was the head quarters of religious literature for the orthodox churches. Uriel Crocker and Osmyn Brewster were at first his apprentices, then his partners, and afterwards his 210 OLD CHARLESTOWN successors in the business, which was continued in the same place under the well-known firm name of Crocker & Brewster for the long period of fifty-eight years, from 1818 to 1876. Mr. Armstrong was one of the early commanders of the Warren Phalanx, a famous military organization in Charlestown, chartered in 1 804. He was lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts for two terms, and acting governor for ten months in 1835, when Governor Davis resigned to take his seat in the Senate of the United States. In 1836 he was mayor of the city of Boston, and for several years previous to this he was president of the Mechanics' Charitable Association. One of the daughters of Major Walker was the wife of Increase Sumner Wheeler, president of the Framing ham Bank. Another daughter was the wife of Cap tain Eleazer Edes Bradshaw, so long a resident on Main Street in the brick building built by him for a residence and now used by M. J. Enright as a picture- store. Miss Lucy Walker, a younger daughter, will be remembered for her active interest in the Unitarian Church and in the benevolent work of the town and city. The youngest son of Major Walker, Rev. Henry Walker, was a graduate of Harvard College (1830). He died Feb ruary 17, 1838, when he was twenty-nine years old. We have referred to meetings held in Edmands Hall in the early days of Universalism in Charlestown. Hosea Ballou, Edward Turner, and Sebastian Streeter were heard many times in that upper chamber. Abner Kneeland was the stated preacher at the time these meetings were held. It required some courage to attend them. It was looked upon by the pious people of that day as a dangerous thing to do, and a pretty strict watch OLD CHARLESTOWN 211 was kept to see who would dare to countenance such an unholy movement. "When we passed the houses of these good people," said an old lady to the writer, " we felt that we were being marked as wicked persons, and we were often told that what we heard in that hall would work only ruin for us, here and hereafter." A prominent deacon in the town, who had married a widow, was very kind to her children, one of whom was an especial favorite with him ; but the kiss of affection was denied to the child forever after he had learned that she had attended some of these meetings. A good story is told of a visit of one of a committee appointed to ascertain, by inquiry at the residences of the people, who were being led astray by this new movement. "Are there any sinners in this house ? " he asked the good woman who occupied it. "Yes," she replied, "we all are sinners, and if you are coming in there will be one more." One of the good deacons, whose brother-in-law and partner in business attended and was interested in these meetings of the Universalists, was reproving him for his heresy, when he was interrupted by the remark, " My dear brother, I cannot look upon this movement as you do." " Don't you ' brother ' me when we are discussing religious matters ! " angrily exclaimed the deacon. "Don't call me brother!" It is well, perhaps, for us to contrast the narrowness of that time with the liberality of to-day ; at any rate, to appreciate and value highly the excellent spirit gen erally shown among the religious denominations of the present time. December 28, 1889. 212 OLD CHARLESTOWN XXXV A Chapter of History Suggested by the Death of Professor Bowen — The Alford Professorship in Harvard College. THE death of Professor Bowen, of Harvard College, suggests a chapter of historical notes of Charles town and Charlestown people which will, I think, be interesting to some readers. Professor Bowen filled for a long period the position of Alford professor of natural religion, moral philosophy, and civil polity in Harvard College. That professorship was founded by John Alford, who died in Charlestown, September 29, 1761, leaving a will in which he directed that a certain portion of his estate should be devoted to "pious and charitable purposes," the selection of those purposes to be determined by his executors. This bequest was afterwards divided by the executors equally between Harvard College, Princeton College, and the Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians. Harvard College received its proportion, .£1362.8.5, Massachusetts currency, in 1765. This gift and its accumulation was the foundation of the professorship I have referred to, which was established, and the first professor appointed, during the presidency of Dr. John T. Kirkland. OLD CHARLESTOWN 213 John Alford, while he lived in Charlestown, held a good deal of real-estate in the town, a portion of which was in the vicinity of the street which now bears his name. He was a man of prominence and had been in the Colonial Council. The amount paid by his executors to Princeton College was probably the same as that to Harvard College, while that to the Society for the Prop agation of the Gospel among the Indians, which they received in 1787, was $10,675. In a former article I have referred to Rev. Dr. James Walker, who was the distinguished pastor of the Har vard Church for twenty-one years previous to the settle ment of Rev. Dr. Ellis. Doctor Walker left Charlestown to take the Alford professorship in Harvard College above referred to, which had been founded, as I have shown, by the bequest of a citizen of the old town of Charlestown; and he held this position from 1839 till 1853, when he was elected president of the college. His successor in the professorship was Francis Bowen, who was born and spent his boyhood in Charlestown. The Boston Transcript of Wednesday, January 22, 1890, with a notice of the death of Mr. Bowen, gives a sketch of his life as follows : Professor Bowen was born at Charlestown, September 8, 181 1. One of his grandfathers was a farmer in New Hampshire, the other a farmer in Connecticut. He was of a large family, and from an early age had to depend upon himself — at least to a considerable extent — for support. He studied for a while in the Mayhew School in this city, and afterwards he was a clerk in a publishing house here. In January, 1829, he entered Phillips Exeter Academy, and in August, 1830, he was admitted to the sophomore class at Harvard College, so well 214 OLD CHARLESTOWN prepared was he already for the work of that class. He was graduated from Harvard in 1833, in the class with Professor Lovering, Professor Torrey, the late Professor Jeffries Torrey, his brother, and Dr. Morrill Wyman, of Cambridge. He then returned to Exeter as instructor in mathematics, and two years later he received the appointment of tutor in intellectual philosophy and political economy at Harvard. He left Harvard in 1839, when he visited Europe and spent a year in study and travel. In 1843 be succeeded Doctor Palfrey as editor and proprietor of The North American Review, which he conducted for eleven years. His unpopular views on the Hungarian question were challenged by the late Robert Carter of Boston, an early free-soiler and a warm admirer of Kossuth, and because of these and other unpopular opinions on political subjects the Harvard overseers failed to confirm Mr. Bowen's appointment as McLean professor of history. In 1853 he was appointed Alford professor of natural religion, moral philosophy, and civil polity, and continued in active service until about ten years ago, when he reduced the amount of his lecturing about one-half. He gave his remaining courses regularly up to the time of his resignation, early in December, 1889. He contrib uted four lives to Sparks' " Library of American Biog raphy," and in 1842 he published an edition of Virgil, and a volume of essays on philosophical subjects ; other works from his hand are " Documents of the Constitu tion of England and America from Magna Charta to the Federal Constitution of 1789," "Principles of Political Economy Applied to the Condition, Resources, and Insti tutions of the American People," "A Treatise on Logic," "American Political Economy," "Modern Philosophy from Descartes to Schopenhauer and Hartmann," and " Gleanings of a Literary Life." As an editor he issued many valuable volumes, including the essays of Sir William Hamilton, Dugald Stewart's " Philosophy of the OLD CHARLESTOWN 215 Human Mind," and De Tocqueville's " Democracy in America." In his views on political economy Professor Bowen was opposed to Adam Smith, Ricardo, and Malthus, and drew an elaborate answer to his theories of philosophy from Mill in a later edition of the " Logic." He received the degree of doctor of laws in 1879. Within the past five years he had served on a United States commission, for which he prepared a report on silver. In his college work he was indefatigable and was a prompt and constant attendant at lectures. Professor Bowen was one of the popular lecturers of the Lowell Institute. He gave a series of lectures on the " Relation of Science to Religion" in 1849— '50, and afterwards gave several series of lectures on " Political Economy," one on "American and English Constitutions," and another on the "Later English Philosophers." February i, 1890. 216 OLD CHARLESTOWN XXXVI The Name of Austin It Appeared Very Early and Has Held a Prominent Position in the History of Charlestown — Nathaniel Austin — William Austin. -#) VERY early in the history of Charlestown the name of Austin appears among its inhabitants, and all along from that time until the present it has held a prominent .position. Richard Austin, who came here some time previous to 1659, was the ancestor of the Austins in Charlestown and of those in Boston, many of whom have been distinguished for intelligence, patriot ism, and thriftiness. Richard Austin's name is on the list of those who shared in a division of land by the town in 1659, and on the list of freemen in 1677. His sons and grandsons were active and enterprising business men, some of them officials in the town, and, just before the Revolution in 1775, they were especially useful as members of patriotic committees, signers of remon strances and petitions having a bearing upon the exciting questions of the day, and in urging the authorities to active measures of resistance to the abuses of the crown. The names of Timothy, John, John Jr., Nathaniel, Samuel, and Joseph Austin, citizens of Charlestown, can be found on these papers, and Samuel and Benjamin Austin, of Boston, were among the most patriotic in that town in the early days of the Revolution. OLD CHARLESTOWN 217 Richard Austin had a son, Ebenezer, who was con nected with the Spragues by marriage, and who was a large holder of real-estate in the town. Among his es tates were a warehouse and wharf which were bequeathed to his son, the second Ebenezer, who was the father of Nathaniel, a pewterer by trade, a man of intelligence and enterprise, who accumulated and left a large prop erty, chiefly in real-estate. Nathaniel's wife was the daughter of Doctor Isaac Rand, a man of note belonging to another old Charlestown family. His sons were General Nathaniel, Isaac, William, and David ; his daughters were Margaret, the wife of Isaac Brooks, of Medford, and Mary, wife of Dr. Samuel Adams. General Nathaniel Austin was one of the best-known men in Charlestown ; and he was widely known out of the town as a public official. He represented the town in the Legislature as a member of the House of Repre sentatives in 18 1 2, 18 3 1, and 1838; the County of Middlesex as senator in 1832 and 1835, and he was a member of the Governor's Council in 1836. He was a Federalist, and the opposition candidate in 1 8 1 2 was his brother William, a Democrat. The canvass was con ducted with great energy but with perfect good nature on the part of both. Only one vote decided the election between them. Nathaniel held the office of brigadier-general of the third division, Massachusetts Militia, between 1 8 1 5 and 1820, and was high sheriff of the County of Middlesex for eighteen years, from 18 14 to 1832. Carrying out the sentence of death for Mike Martin, alias Captain Lightfoot, "the last of the highwaymen," as he is called in Drake's "New England Legends and Folk-Lore," was 218 OLD CHARLESTOWN one of his experiences while in this position. Martin had been a highwayman in Ireland, his native country, and was a fugitive in America. He was hanged for the robbery of Major John Bray on Medford Turnpike as the Major was returning home from a dinner-party at Governor Brooks' in Medford. The late Philip Hichbom, who died a few months ago, heard the story of the robbery from Major Bray's own lips the afternoon it took place. The Major, who was on his return to Boston, stopped at the carriage-factory of Nathan Lynde, on Main Street, where young Hichborn was apprenticed, and related what had happened : — the sudden appear ance of a masked man, on horseback, who presented a pistol and demanded his valuables ; the giving up of his watch and pocket-book, and the escape of the robber. General Austin lived for many years in the building at the junction of Main and Harvard streets which was built by him of stone brought from the outer Brewster Island in Boston Harbor. He also built the house on Town Hill, now occupied by the Charlestown Dispensary, of the same kind of stone. He owned this island at the time, and had constructed an artificial harbor there by cutting a canal through the rock and closing it with a gate. He commenced the quarrying of stone for build ing purposes, but this was an unsuccessful enterprise in that locality. It was " whistling against the wind." He erected a small house and barn on the island, and when the stone-business failed tried the experiment of raising sheep and cattle. Later, for many summers, a small crop of hay was cut under his personal superintendence. All the while, he was unprofitably employed, but it was only tardily and reluctantly that he reached the conclu- OLD CHARLESTOWN 219 sion that " the game was not worth the candle." When the Warren Bridge was macadamized a portion of the stone used was brought from "the home of the east wind," as the outer Brewster has sometimes been called. General Austin was a strong advocate of and worker for free bridges. He made many speeches and spent much time before legislative committees in the interest of the town and city, when the building, support, and care of the bridges was under consideration ; and he was one of the commissioners for rebuilding the Charles River and Warren bridges. Judging from the positions held by him, General Austin must have been a popular young man. He had strong natural powers, was gifted in speech, and was always looked upon as an earnest, honest man. In advanced life he was cheerful and entertaining, and was very generally liked by those who caihe in contact with him. He was never married, and for many years spent much time in the old Exchange news-room under the Bunker Hill Bank, in the Square. Here, for a quarter of a century or more, the affairs of the town and city were closely looked after ; the political, religious, busi ness, and social questions of the day were fully discussed, and, as usual with such institutions, there was no end of gossip. Men of all classes and all shades of opinion met together here, and sharp-shooting was a practice allowable and common. In the news-room the General was surely a character, and a large share of real enjoyment for his associates was properly placed to his credit. A chapter devoted exclusively to the news-room, and to several other similar associations in the town, would be inter esting. 220 OLD CHARLESTOWN William Austin graduated from Harvard College in 1 798, when he was twenty years old, in the class with William Ellery Channing and Joseph Story. In 1801 he delivered an oration before the Artillery Company, on the battle of Bunker Hill. He was abroad in 1802 and 1803, and wrote letters from London which were printed in 1804 and read with much interest. In 1805 he was wounded in a duel with James H. Elliot, the trouble growing out of a political newspaper altercation. In the religious controversy, early in the century, he was in sympathy with the Unitarians, and in 1807 there was published from his pen "An Essay on the Human Character of Jesus Christ." His famous story of " Peter Rugg, the Missing Man," appeared originally in The New England Galaxy. This story, never forgotten and still interesting, can be found in " New England Legends and Folk-Lore," published in 1884. Another paper written by Mr. Austin, entitled "The Late Joseph Natterstrone," which attracted much attention, was printed in The New England Magazine. Mr. Austin was a lawyer by profession, and was eminent at the bar of Suffolk and Middlesex. He was a prominent man in the Massachusetts Legislature, representing Charlestown in the lower branch in 181 1, '14, '16, '27, and '34, and the County of Middlesex in the Senate in 1821-23. He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1820. His residence for many years was on Main Street, in the old building next to Doctor Whiting's which was taken down in 1888. From this place Mr. Austin removed to the house on the corner of High and Wood streets, now the home of the family of his son, the late Francis B. Austin. The OLD CHARLESTOWN 221 building referred to, on Main Street, was sold by Mr. Austin to Catherine Carleton, who occupied it for a long period as a millinery and fancy dry-goods store. Her stock in trade was a marvel for excellence of selection and variety, and a real blessing to the ladies of the town for more than half a century. Connected with the busi ness of this store was a circulating library, fully stocked with light reading, the value of which may not have been so Unanimously assented to, but which was always largely patronized. William Austin was a man of determination, which was shown as occasion called for it. Along High Street, between Elm and Cordis Streets, there stood formerly several remarkably large and fine elm-trees. One of these, the grandest of all, was in the middle of the street, opposite the head of Wood Street, and nearly in front of the Austin mansion. There came a time when the selectmen of the town looked upon it as an obstruction to travel, and by vote they directed the superintendent of streets to cut it down. One pleasant morning Cap tain James Deblois, who was then at the head of the street department, appeared with his men provided with axes to carry out the order. Mr. Austin, who had been made aware of what was to be done, had risen early and taken a position by the tree as its defender. "I understand," he remarked to Captain Deblois, " that you are here intending to destroy this beautiful tree." "That is so," replied the Captain. "I have a copy of the vote of the board of selectmen authorizing and directing me to cut it down, and I shall obey orders." "But you are not authorized, sir," said Mr. Austin, 222 OLD CHARLESTOWN " to chop off my legs, which will have to be done before the blade of an axe touches this tree." " Squire Austin," said Captain Deblois, " I have great respect for you as a man and as a lawyer ; but you know you have no right to place yourself in this position, and, if you persist, you must take the consequences." " Ah, sir," said Mr. Austin, " I am prepared for that. I shall defend the tree and defend myself, and it is you who must take the consequences if you advance one step farther in this wicked business. And you have lived long enough in the town with me, Captain Deblois, to know that I am in earnest." While this incident was going on around the tree, a remonstrance which had been signed by many citizens had reached the chairman of the selectmen, who soon appeared on the spot to stay proceedings ; and on his assurance that nothing further would be done until after a hearing of the remonstrants, Squire Austin left his post at the tree and went home to a late breakfast. The old tree was not disturbed for years after, but grew on, admired and appreciated by all lovers of the grand and beautiful, a continued joy to its defender as long as he lived. William Austin died at his home on High Street, June 27, 1 841, aged sixty-three years. March 22, 1890. OLD CHARLESTOWN 223 XXXVII The Austin Family Arthur, Henry, Francis, and James Austin. THE eldest son of William Austin was called by his parents Isaac, but he afterwards had his name legally changed to Arthur Williams. He was born in Charlestown in March, 1807; was fitted for college by Abraham Andrews at the academy, or school, kept by him on Cordis Street ; entered Harvard Univer sity at the age of fourteen, and graduated in 1825. He taught a district school before he was sixteen years old, and for two winters thereafter. He studied law with his father, and with Honorable Eli K. Price, of Phila delphia, and commenced its practice in Charlestown in 1828, when he was twenty-one years old. In 1836 he was chairman of the selectmen, and distinguished him self by reforming and reorganizing the fire department. He was postmaster in the town from 1834 to 1839, when he was succeeded by William Sawyer. He was a Democrat in politics until 1840, when he switched off with the disaffected crowd and took an active part in the hard cider, "Tippecanoe and Tyler too " campaign ; but he got back again under the standard of Polk, Texas, and the Mexican War, and gave his decided support to Mr. Cass in 1848. He moved from Charlestown to West Roxbury, where he was one 224 OLD CHARLESTOWN of the leaders of the Democratic party and its candidate for Congress in the Norfolk district in 1852 and 1856. He was appointed collector of the port of Boston and Charlestown and held the position for some years during the administration of President Buchanan. He was an outspoken opponent of the Civil War, and said of it, in reply to a request to join in a college memorial, " I early laid it down as a principle that I would not in any voluntary way, shape, or manner contribute to the late infamous war, and I cannot in any way seek to com memorate it." In West Roxbury he selected and purchased land in a romantic and wild location, and by the labor of years and a large expenditure of money changed it into a highly cultivated and ornamental farm, garden, and place of residence. He took great interest in carrying on this farm, and great pleasure in showing it to his friends, and he became prominent in the agricultural affairs of Nor folk County. The farm was afterwards purchased of him by the city of Boston as a home for the poor, and is now used as a retreat for persons suffering from a mild form of insanity. Mr. Austin was rugged and strong physically, of sanguine temperament, quick in motion, very active and industrious; a bold man in the expression of his own opinions, but severe in his judgment of others, and too positive for lasting popularity or influence. He gained the full confidence of his friends as an able lawyer and an energetic business man, and was the executor and trustee of many large estates. He died August, 1884, and in his will bequeathed to the University of Virginia a large part of his property. The plan of government OLD CHARLESTOWN 225 and system of instruction in this college were due to Thomas Jefferson, and on his tombstone is the inscrip tion placed there at his request : " Author of the Decla ration of Independence and of the statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and father of the University of Virginia." Henry D. Austin, another son of William, was a graduate of Harvard College in 1839, and will be remembered for his active interest and ownership in Charlestown real-estate, which he held until his death only a few years ago. He was a lawyer by profession, a single man, and his residence the last years of his life was in a neighboring town, but he kept his office in the city and almost every day could be seen in its streets, busy with the management and improvement of property which he had the courage to purchase and hold as a safe . and profitable investment. But few men have ever been more favorably known in Charlestown than the late Francis B. Austin, another son of William Austin. A quiet gentleman, of strictest integrity, who followed the course marked out for him in life with uniform success, he was fully entitled to the highest respect and confidence of his neighbors and friends. With an uncommonly open and attractive face, and a heartiness of manner which at once assured you of sincerity, his greetings stirred up reciprocal feeling and always gave great pleasure. Generous in his judg ments of others, he was modest in the expression of his own opinions, yet decided in his views and ready to carry them out by prompt and efficient action. Mr. Austin was brought up as a merchant, commencing his business career in a wholesale dry-goods store, but was afterwards 226 OLD CHARLESTOWN engaged in the iron and steel trade, at first with his brother-in-law, George S. Whiting, a former resident of Charlestown, and later as the head of the well-known house of F. B. Austin & Co., of Boston. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Warren Institu tion for Savings, and of Harvard Unitarian Society, in which he took a very active interest. He was ever mindful of the welfare of the town and city, but could not be prevailed upon to take public office, choosing rather to serve faithfully in the ranks. He had a large and continually increasing interest in the real-estate of the district, and in the numerous buildings erected by him there is ample evidence left of his enterprise and superior judgment in its management. Honorable James Walker Austin, a lawyer of high standing in Boston, is also a son of the late William Austin. After graduating from Harvard College in 1849, be spent some years in the Hawaiian Islands and was an associate justice of the Supreme Court there.* He married a daughter of Honorable John S. Sleeper, a resident of Charlestown for some years while he was of the firm of Sleeper, Dix & Rogers, publishers of The Boston Journal. Mr. Sleeper afterwards removed to Roxbury and was one of the mayors of that city. William Austin's daughters were the wives of Rev. James Thurston, William Prescott Dexter (son of Hon orable Franklin Dexter), and George S. Whiting. Mrs. Whiting was well known for the deep interest shown by * Soon after this was written, an interesting book entitled " Literary Papers of William Austin, with a Biographical Sketch by his son, James Walker Austin," was published by Little & Brown, in 1890. OLD CHARLESTOWN 227 her in the Old Ladies' Home and as an active worker in most of the benevolent associations in the district. The Austin family, from first to last, have been the owners of a great deal of real-estate in the old town. The homes of the earlier members of the family were in Charlestown Square. The Bunker Hill National Bank building covers a lot on which one of their houses for merly stood, and Abbotsford Hall, with a part of the Waverley House, another. Tudor's Wharf was formerly Austin's Wharf, and another wharf bearing the same name and belonging to General Nathaniel Austin was on the creek which formerly ran up from the river in the rear of the State Prison nearly to Main Street. The entrance to this wharf was from Austin Street. The Austins had estates at the Neck, near the Mill Pond, and along Main Street. A large portion of the Bunker Hill Monument grounds was purchased of them by the asso ciation, and on the Mystic-river shore their land-holding was very considerable. Within the writer's recollection, a good deal of the territory between Cross, High, Elm, and Bartlett streets was Squire Austin's pasture. The boys of that day remember it as a place on which they were allowed to assemble as a playground, where foot-ball, base-ball, high and low rickets, kite-flying, bird-trapping, and so forth, each had its season. There was a pond in the lowest part of this pasture, on which in the winter large gather ings of young people enjoyed the healthful exercise of skating. Sometimes, late in the summer, marsh birds on their way south from their breeding-places in the north would drop down and make a halt here. Flocks of yellow-shanks running along the margin of 228 OLD CHARLESTOWN this little pond, within a hundred feet of Elm Street, are remembered to have been seen, and some of them were wickedly shot. These facts doubtless seem strange and incredible to the young people of to-day, but there are a few of us left who remember when, from High Street to the river, there were no buildings save a small barn half-way down Elm Street, and, well on towards the shore, in a lane which is now included in Everett Street, a little one-story house, painted yellow, occupied by John Cavill, twine- maker, and another, never painted, the home of old Mr. Rice, the glue-manufacturer. Very near these houses was the " old cellar," where clams, dug on the beach, and vegetables, taken from the almshouse garden near by, — sometimes with leave, but oftener, I fear, without, — were baked and eaten with great gusto by roguish boys on vacation-days. The laying out of Green and Bartlett streets, and the cutting up of the pastures into house-lots, will do to tell about in some other chapter. April 12, 1890. OLD CHARLESTOWN 229 XXXVIII The Bridge Family Its High Standing — Matthew Bridge — Samuel J. Bridge — The Family Estate on Town Hill — Lafayette's Second Visit to Charlestown. -•> THE first chapter in this collection contained a description of the Dexter estate, a portion of which is now the headquarters of Abraham Lin coln Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. A good deal was said in it about Nathan Bridge, one of its former occupants, who took great interest in the garden connected with it and made it famous. He was the son of Matthew Bridge, who came to Charlestown from Lexington in 1785, and who lived here from that time until his death, November 24, 18 14, when he was sixty- six years old. In September, 1882, Samuel J. Bridge, who also was for some years a resident of Charlestown, presented to the City of Cambridge the statue of his ancestor, John Bridge, the Pilgrim, which was unveiled with imposing ceremonies November 28, 1882, and now stands on Cambridge Common. Matthew Bridge was a descendant of this Pilgrim pioneer who settled in Cam bridge, then called Newtown, in 1632, and whose record as a citizen of that town for thirty years shows him to be fully worthy of the memorial statue which has been set up in his honor. 230 OLD CHARLESTOWN In 1884 a book of one hundred and twenty pages, " An Account of the Descendants of John Bridge," was published, which shows the high standing of the family in New England and in the country. A summing up of the record appears in a letter of Samuel J. Bridge to another of the descendants, which I have seen in print. In it is given a long list of public offices, national and State, which have been held by members of this family, including a president of the United States (Garfield) and other high officials, and concludes with the remark which would seem to be fully warranted, " No family in New England can show a better record." Matthew Bridge, of Charlestown, was a merchant and ship-owner. The firm of which he was the head are said to have sent out the first copper-bottomed vessels from the port of Boston and Charlestown. He was prominent in the affairs of the town, holding important public offices. He was in the Legislature as represent ative from Charlestown in 1803 and 1808, and in the Senate in 1809 and 18 12. He was a large holder of real-estate and a man of much property for his time. His residence was on Town Hill, now Harvard Street, in the large and handsome wooden house which, with its grounds, was purchased by Moses A. Dow and taken down to give place to several brick buildings erected by him on Harvard Street and Harvard Place. The grounds connected with the Bridge estate formerly extended nearly to the Square, and were used for a garden and kept in attractive order. They were higher than the street and protected by a stone wall running along it. In the garden were many fine trees — among them several English walnuts, the only trees of this kind OLD CHARLESTOWN 231 I have ever heard of in town.* The boys of the neigh borhood, it is believed, were somewhat troublesome to the family when the fruit of these trees was nearly ready for picking. Before Matthew Bridge died in 18 14, the brick house now generally known as the home of the late Francis Childs was built by him in the lower part of this garden, and was occupied by his son-in-law, Seth Knowles. Mr. Bridge left three children — Alice, the wife of Eben Baker ; Nathan, mentioned at the beginning of this article ; and Sallie — Mrs. Knowles. By his will he gave his mansion-house estate to Mrs. Baker, the new brick house on Town Hill to Mrs. Knowles, and to the children of his son Nathan the estate on Green Street occupied by their father. He had other estates, which were given to the children, but these were specially mentioned and given to them as homes. Mrs. Baker remained in her father's mansion as long as she lived — until Januarys 1858 ; and Mr. Dow got his title to the estate from her heirs. Mrs. Baker had two sons — Matthew, who was a physician in Springfield, Massachu setts, and Ebenezer, before referred to as a student in the civil-engineering office of Samuel M. Felton. The office of The Charlestown Enterprise is in a building which belonged to the estate of Mrs. Baker * After the above was first printed I received a pleasant note from my friend, I. P. T. Edmands, in which he informed me that there was a large English walnut-tree in the garden of the estate on Salem Street owned and occupied by him some years ago, which he supposed was the only one in this region. He gave it especial care on this account, and at the time of its last bearing kept some of the nuts in memory of the tree. The land on which it grew was, I think, originally a part of the Harrison or Baldwin estate. 232 OLD CHARLESTOWN and her father, Matthew Bridge, and which has a marked history if it could all be told. Nathan Bridge, the brother of Mrs. Baker, and his family are particularly mentioned in the article on the Dexter estate. Seth Knowles, the husband of Sallie Bridge, was a merchant and for many years a noted man in the town. He represented it in the Legislature in 1816, i822-*23; was in the Senate in 1824-25, and was a member of the Convention in 1820. He lived in the brick house on Town Hill (Harvard Street), to which reference has been made, from the time it was built till about 1830, when he removed to Boston. There was a fine garden belonging to this homestead. To stop to admire the good taste displayed in the arrangement of its flower-beds was common for passers-by. Referring to this garden, Dr. Abraham R. Thompson used to tell a good story about a highly respected deacon of one of the churches in the town. One day in early summer, when the sky was clear and the air balmy, the doctor was making his morning round on horse-back, and drew up by the side of the deacon who was looking through the open fence at this garden. " Good morning, neighbor ! " said the doctor. " This is very bright, sunny weather for the gardens, and we ought to thank Mr. Knowles for this fine show of beautiful plants and flowers, and for his generosity in providing for the public enjoyment." " Yes," said the deacon, " this is a very pretty show ; but is it wise to spend so much time and money on such frivolous things? It seems as if our friend's thought should be on more serious matters." OLD CHARLESTOWN 233 " I have never looked upon flowers as frivolous things," replied the doctor, " or questioned the wisdom of the Almighty in scattering them so profusely over the face of Nature. There is scarcely a spot of earth that does not send up some bright little flower to quicken love and to cheer us on the pathway of life; not a nook or cranny, even, where — " "True, true," interrupted the deacon; "that is a point I had not considered. Yes, I think Mr. Knowles is very kind to place his beautiful flower-bed where passers-by can enjoy it." The spurs pressed lightly upon the sides of his horse as the doctor rode away, and the deacon was left to enjoy the flowers and to sigh less over the errors of his friend Knowles. Mr. Knowles was one of the founders of the Harvard Unitarian Church, one of the first board of directors of the Bunker Hill Bank, and one of the original members of the Bunker Hill Monument Association and of its first board of directors. He had much to do with the negotiations for the purchase of land, and was also on the building-committee. On the morning of the day when the corner-stone of the monument was laid, June 17, 1825, — the occasion of a grand celebration made forever memorable by a visit from General Lafayette and the eloquent address of Daniel Webster, — the Knowles mansion was thrown open for the reception of the ladies ; and in a very interesting book by Josiah Quincy, pub lished in 1883, entitled "Figures of the Past," there is an account of this reception, taken from a journal kept by a sister of Mr. Quincy. She says : 234 OLD CHARLESTOWN On arriving at Charlestown we drove to the house of Mr. Knowles (one of the marshals) where it had been arranged that the ladies should assemble. All the rooms of the house were crowded with company and we were received with great kindness and civility by its mistress. The ladies vied with each other in the elegance of their dresses, and their variety afforded us ample entertain ment during the hour we passed there, before we were permitted to secure our places to hear the oration. We found foreigners and strangers from all parts ..of the Union ; among them, of course, many of our acquaint ances — Mrs. Webster, Miss Sedgwick, Mr. Daniel Wadsworth, and others. The latter is a gentleman of taste and cultivation. He spoke with great enthusiasm of the visit of Lafayette to this country. " I was in the carriage with the General," said he, "when he entered Hartford. Lafayette was describing to me the sufferings he underwent at Olmutz, when we came to a place where the crowd had collected to welcome him. His descrip tion was rendered inaudible by the cheers which rent the air. Lafayette bowed to the people, and then turning to me said with emphasis, ' These are indeed the extremes of human life ! ' To which I replied, ' They are ex tremes which no mortal but you have been permitted to behold.' " After Mr. Knowles removed to Boston the house became the residence of Edward Everett, concerning whom, and its other occupants, something may be said in subsequent pages. April 26, 1890. OLD CHARLESTOWN 235 XXXIX The Statue of Harvard The Gift of Samuel J. Bridge — Address of Dr. George E. Ellis. IN the previous chapter I alluded to the statue of John Bridge, the Pilgrim pioneer, and to Samuel J. Bridge, for some years a citizen of Charlestown, who presented it to the city of Cambridge. I desire now to say some thing concerning another statue interesting to Charles town people inasmuch as it perpetuates the memory of an early citizen of the town whose love for learning and whose generosity made him the founder of Harvard College. The statue of John Harvard, in the grounds of the college in Cambridge, was the gift of Samuel J. Bridge, and to him are we indebted for whatever of pleasure and gratification the fact of its erection affords us. It may be interesting to make some further reference to the history of this statue. At a dinner of the Alumni of Harvard University on commencement day, June 27, 1883, the presiding officer read the following letter : To the President and Fellows of Harvard College : Gentlemen — I have the pleasure of offering to you an ideal statue in bronze, representing your founder, the Rev. John Harvard, to be designed by Daniel C. French, 236 OLD CHARLESTOWN of Concord, and to be placed in the south end of the inclosure in which Memorial Hall stands. If you do me the honor to accept this offer, I propose to contract at once for the work, including an appropriate pedestal; and I am assured that the same can be in place by June 1, 1884. I am, with much respect, Samuel J. Bridge. Dr. George E. Ellis, who was present and one of the speakers at the dinner, referring to the subject, said : It is delightful for me to have heard for the first time this day that one of my boys [turning to Mr. Bridge], a member of Harvard Church Society in Charlestown, is to give to the college a statue. It must be an ideal one ; but our ideals, we are told, are always perfection ; and, if there ever ought to be a perfect exposition of a good and lovable man, it must be that of John Harvard. The ceremonies of unveiling the statue took place October 15, 1884, before a large audience in Sanders Theater and on the grounds where the statue was placed. Doctor Ellis, in behalf of Mr. Bridge and by official invitation, made the presentation speech. It will be needless for me to speak of its appropriateness, point, and eloquence, but I may with propriety, perhaps, quote a few extracts from it. Referring to Mr. Bridge, and to his acquaintance and friendship with him, which dated back more than forty years, he said : He has been a wide wanderer, a traveler in all lands, having more than once circled the globe. As a confi dential agent of our government for many years on the Pacific coast, he faithfully discharged high trusts. He has liberally endowed many aids to education, and OLD CHARLESTOWN 237 fostered many young men in their school and college course. Holding in venerating regard his descent from one of the first English settlers in this place, he has caused a representative statue of him, as a Pilgrim, to be planted near by us on the Common, a gift to the city. And now he has done a similar loving service to the college. The two statues commemorate two worthies of our earliest years, who doubtless met on this virgin soil ; and who, we can imagine, may now exchange from their metal enshroudings some grave recognitions. In a quotation which Doctor Ellis makes from the oldest extant document in type which clearly recognizes the existence of Harvard College, — a pamphlet pub lished in London in 1643, entitled, "New England's First Fruits in Respect to the Progress of Learning in the College at Cambridge, in Massachusetts Bay," and so forth, — this mention of John Harvard is made : And as we were thinking and consulting how to effect this great work, it pleased God to stir up the heart of one Mr. Harvard (a godly gentleman and a lover of learning then living amongst us) to give the one-half of his estate (it being in all about .£1700) towards the erection of a college, and all his library. Referring to Mr. Harvard, Doctor Ellis says : He was admitted as an inhabitant of Charlestown in this Colony, August 1, 1637. With Ann, his wife, he became a member of the church, which gave him the full rights of citizenship, November 1, 1637. He received grants of land from the town and was a member of a committee on "providing some laws." He had built a comfortable dwelling, the site of which is known in Charlestown. It was occupied by the minister 238 OLD CHARLESTOWN of the town after his death. Chief Justice Sewall tells us of his enjoying its hospitality on the night of January 26, 1697, and of the pious and grateful memory of John Harvard which came to him in his chamber : " Jany. 26, 1697, I lodged at Charlestown, at Mrs. Shepard's, who tells me Mr. Harvard built that house. I lay in the chamber next the street. As I lay awake past midnight in my meditation, I was affected to consider how long agoe God had made provision for my comfortable Lodg ing that night, seeing that was Mr. Harvard's house. And that led me to think of Heaven, the House not made with hands which G°d for many Thousands of years has been storing with the richest furniture (saints that are from time to time placed there) and that I had some hopes of being entertain'd in that Magnificent, Convenient Palace, every way fitted and furnished. These thoughts were very refreshing to me." In another reference to Mr. Harvard, Doctor Ellis says : The young scholar and minister — hardly could he have been thirty years of age — felt upon him the touch of mortal disease. He thought of the property, consid erable for those days, which he had left in England. By a nuncupative will preceding his death (September 24, 1638, N. S.) he bequeathed the half of his estate to the college. No probate or administration on his will appears as having been made here. The college records appear to recognize the receipt of only half the amount of his bequest. The brooding troubles of the civil war in England may have hindered or impaired its transmission. We know him to have been beloved and honored, a well trained and accomplished scholar of the type then esteemed. There is a tender reverence in every early mention of him. It may be said of him, in the words of Cotton Mather of another, that he left his old English home and took New England on his way to heaven. OLD CHARLESTOWN 239 Not far from Charlestown Square stood the house built by John Harvard, in which Chief Justice Sewall, on the night of January 26, 1697, enjoyed the hospitality of Mrs. Shepard and was refreshed by his midnight meditations. It is good for us to dwell upon the mem ory of John Harvard, and I am glad that we have a Harvard Church, Harvard School, Harvard Street, Harvard Square, and the Harvard monument in the old Phipps Street burial-ground to aid in keeping it alive and forever green. It is well frequently to refer to his noble qualities of mind and heart as an example to those who are continuing the history of the good old town, and upon whose intelligence and character its future reputa tion must depend. In closing the ceremonies of unveiling the statue, President Eliot of the college made these remarks : It is my pleasant duty to declare that the University gratefully accepts the interesting and inspiring memorial of John Harvard which generosity and genius have con spired to produce. The university counts of inestimable worth the lessons which this pure, gentle, resolute youth will teach as he sits in bronze looking wistfully into the western sky. He will teach that one disinterested deed of hope and faith may crown a brief and broken life with deathless fame. He will teach that the good which men do lives after them, fructified and multiplied beyond all power of measurement or computation. He will teach that from the seed which he planted in loneliness, weak ness, and sorrow, have sprung joy, strength, and energy ever fresh, blooming year after year in this garden of learning, and flourishing more and more, as time goes on, in all fields of human activity. Let us go and look at the silent and impressive teacher. 240 OLD CHARLESTOWN The statue was then uncovered, and the enthusiasm of the undergraduates of the college found expression in cheers nine times repeated ; then, with " 'rah ! 'rah ! 'rah ! " as many times given, first for the donor and then for the sculptor, the ceremonies of the occasion were closed. Samuel J. Bridge was one of the original subscribers to the church erected for Starr King in San Francisco, California, and is a large contributor to the statue of Mr. King soon to be set up in Golden Gate Park. The writer had the pleasure, a few weeks ago, of looking at the model of this statue in the studio of the artist, Mr. French, in New York. It presents a pleasing and sat isfactory likeness of Mr. King, and when cast in bronze it must be looked upon with favor as a fine work of art. When it is set up, it will commemorate the successful and useful life of a noble man whose genius and patriot ism earned for him a world-wide fame. And will it not be pleasing to remember that his boyhood and young man hood were spent in Charlestown ; that the development of his charming character and wonderful powers of mind was commenced here ; that his attractive personal qual ities were enjoyed here for years, and that his interest in the place, and in the friends who remained in it, was never lost ? The early days of Thomas Starr King, his life in Charlestown, and his promise of growth at that time, must be the subject of notice later on. May io, 1890. OLD CHARLESTOWN 241 XL Edward Everett Elected Governor while a Resident of Charlestown — His Addresses — Reminisences. AFTER the removal of Seth Knowles from Charles town to Boston, the house on Town Hill, or Harvard Street, a description of which I have given, became the residence of Edward Everett, who lived in it for six or seven years. He had previously occupied the John Odin estate on the summit of Winter Hill, then a part of Charlestown. The square house at the junction of Broadway and the road leading to Med ford, fronting directly down the hill and now known as the Hittenger house, was once the home of the distin guished scholar, and many of the papers and speeches which in early life made him famous and popular were doubtless written and prepared under that roof. After his removal to Harvard Street he showed much interest in the affairs of the town and was oftentimes a speaker and adviser on important questions under consideration at political and public meetings. He looked with great favor upon the Charlestown Lyceum, attended many of its lectures, gave occasional lectures himself, and hon ored by his presence the social gatherings and entertain ments sometimes given after the close of the meetings. 242 OLD CHARLESTOWN He was a pew-holder and regular attendant at the Unitarian Church and an attentive listener to the sermons of Rev. Dr. James Walker. While a resident of the town Mr. Everett represented the Middlesex district in the Congress of the United States, and he was elected Governor of the State while a citizen of Charlestown. He was born in Dorchester, April ii, 1794, was graduated from Harvard College in 181 1, and was a tutor in the college for two years previous to February, 18 14, when he was ordained and settled as the pastor of Brattle Street Church in Boston, two months before his twentieth birthday. One year later he was selected to fill the chair of Greek literature in Harvard College. He then visited Europe, studied two years in the University of Gottingen and traveled extensively, returning in the spring of 18 19 to enter upon the duties of his professorship. In 1822 he was married to Miss Brooks, a daughter of Peter Chardon Brooks, of Medford, and granddaughter of Nathaniel Gorham, who was a resident of Charlestown all his life and one of the most distinguished men of his time. In 1824 Mr. Everett delivered an oration before the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Cambridge and made his mem orable address of welcome to Lafayette, who was present. He was a Representative in the Congress of the United States from 1825 to 1835, Governor of Massachusetts from 1836 to 1840, Minister to England from 1841 to 1845, president of Harvard College from 1846 to 1849, Secretary of State, succeeding his intimate friend Daniel Webster, from November, 1852, to March, 1853, and United States Senator from that time until his retire ment to private life in 1854 on account of lack of health. OLD CHARLESTOWN 243 In i860 he consented to be the candidate of the con servative party for the vice-presidency of the United States. The foregoing sketch of the public life of Mr. Everett will not be out of place here, although a full biography of the eminent scholar and statesman is easily obtained and is perhaps familiar to almost every one. Mr. Everett delivered many addresses in Charlestown, among which may be mentioned the following : Address in commemoration of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, in the First Church, August 1, 1826. Oration on the " History of Liberty," delivered in the First Church on the occasion of a celebration by the citizens, July 4, 1828. Address on the completion and setting up of the Harvard monument in the old Phipps Street burial- ground, September 26, 1828. Address on the Settlement of Massachusetts, deliv ered before the Charlestown Lyceum at its celebration of the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Winthrop, June 28, 1830. Address on the Workingmen's Party, delivered before the Charlestown Lyceum, October 6, 1830. Address at a public dinner in Charlestown, June 17, 1836. Oration delivered in one of the large ship-houses in the Navy Yard, June 17, 1850, on the occasion of the joint celebration by the Monument Association and the City of Charlestown of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill. By request of the City Council of Charlestown his 244 OLD CHARLESTOWN address on the Character of Washington, which had been delivered before the Mercantile Library Association of Boston, February 22, 1856, was repeated in the Win throp Church, May 3, 1856. Address delivered on the Monument grounds, June 17, 1857, presenting the statue of Warren to the Bunker Hill Monument Association, on the occasion of the joint celebration of the day by the association and the city. Address in behalf of the poor, in Harvard Church, January 9, 1858. Address on Franklin, in Harvard Church, January 20, 1861. The opening lecture in the Mishawum Literary Asso ciation course was delivered by him, in the Universalist Church, November 12, 1861, his subject being "The War and Its Causes " ; and his famous lecture on Astron omy, originally given in Albany, was repeated in the Harvard Church. When Mr. Everett delivered his address on the Char acter of Washington, he was introduced by Mayor Sawyer, who in the course of his remarks said : Among the many blessings and privileges which as a people we enjoy, prominent and precious is the privilege of contemplating and studying the life and character of Washington. The wonderful prosperity of our country, with the changes that are continually going on about us, demands such constant activity, such a share of our time and thought, that proper regard for true life — upright ness, faithfulness, and friendliness — at times seems almost impossible. Absorbed in the projects and novelties about us, we grow selfish, uncharitable, pre- sumptious. We need some great example of virtue to OLD CHARLESTOWN 245 control our thought and regulate our action. And this example we have in the character of Washington. His noble generosity, devoted patriotism, earnest faith, and thorough integrity — these have been vouchsafed to us, to temper our ambition, to deepen our responsibility, and to keep us united and free. Cherishing such sentiments, and grateful to the distinguished gentleman who had prepared and delivered in several places a most accept able and perfect address upon the Fatber of his Country, and recognizing the honor to the city in such a proceed ing, the City Council by a unanimous vote asked for its repetition in Charlestown. The distinguished gentleman, of whom we are proud to speak as a former resident here, honors us with his presence, and you are anxiously waiting to hear the sound of his voice. I should only fail were I to attempt to give full expression to the gratification I feel in being able to introduce to you, as the speaker of the evening, the Honorable Edward Everett. In beginning his address Mr. Everett made the follow ing remarks in reference to Charlestown and his former residence here: I take great pleasure in appearing before you this evening. In doing so I review the agreeable recollection of my residence among you for ten or eleven years, and of our kindly relations as constituent and representative, as neighbor and friend. Nearly twenty years have elapsed, crowded with various incidents, but they have in no degree impaired my grateful remembrance of num berless manifestations of good will and attachment while I lived among you ; of many a happy day made happier by your participation in its pleasures ; of scenes of afflic tion and sorrow alleviated by your sympathy. I do, indeed, rejoice to speak once more to a Charlestown audience ; and I doubly rejoice to speak to that audience 246 OLD CHARLESTOWN of the character of Washington. Surely, if there is a place in this wide Union where his character should be held in especial veneration, it is here at the cradle of our ancient and beloved commonwealth. Surely, if there is a spot in this continent where the very soil should be vocal in his praise, it must be the precincts of Bunker Hill, the scene of the first regular conflict of arms in that great Revolution through whose perilous vicissitudes, with wisdom and courage, led by a gracious Providence, he guided the Ship of State. Washington heard of the great events of the 17th of June — events which have immortalized the hill on whose slope we are now assem bled — on his way to assume the command to which he had just been elected. Clouds and darkness hung over the country ; grave apprehensions found access to the stoutest heart. Without an army or a navy, we had gone to war with the most powerful government on earth. He inquired anxiously how the Americans had conducted themselves, and when informed of the stead iness and gallantry with which the patriotic militia of New England had confronted a superior force of British veterans, his countenance lighted up, and he declared the cause of American liberty to be safe. Standing where I do, and speaking where I do, I seem to breathe the air of the Revolution ; and if I fail this evening to do justice to my illustrious theme — and who but must fail to do full justice to such a subject — let "the voice of our father's blood," which in the language of Warren "cries to us from the ground" — let the adamantine eloquence of the noble shaft that towers above us supply any deficiency and give full but silent utterance to the emotions which swell your bosoms and mine, and which articulate words can after all but poorly express. After the delivery of this address Mr. Everett met many of his old friends and neighbors at a reception given by the Mayor at his residence on High Street, OLD CHARLESTOWN 247 and later, in a private note, expressed his thanks for the reunion, which had afforded him great pleasure and enjoyment. Mr. Everett died January 15, 1865, and "his compre hensive career, so full of distinction for himself, so full of benefit for the nation," was the theme of eulogies from the most eminent men all over the land. The remarks of E. P. Whipple, at the meeting of the Thurs day Evening Club, of which Mr. Everett was president at the time of his death, are published in Mr. Whipple's book entitled " Character and Characteristic Men." They are very appreciative, and carefully read will leave us with as correct an impression, perhaps, as we can get of the accomplished gentleman, scholar, orator, and states man who for a long period was a citizen of Charles town. On the Harvard monument in the old burial-ground is this inscription : On the twenty-sixth day of September, A. D. 1828, this stone was erected by the graduates of the university at Cambridge in honor of its founder, who died at Charlestown on the twenty-sixth of September, 1628. The first suggestion that a monument should be erected came from Mr. Everett, and, in just a year from the date of the dinner-party where it was first talked of, a sufficient number of subscriptions of one dollar each had been collected to amount to enough for the pur pose, the obelisk had been prepared, and the memorial set up in its place with appropriate ceremonies. 248 OLD CHARLESTOWN Since writing the foregoing I have seen, in The New York Ledger of May 24, 1890, the following, which may be of interest enough to copy as evidence of the intimacy between two very distinguished men : Daniel Webster was born January 18, 1782, and died October 24, 1852, aged seventy years, nine months, and six days; Edward Everett was born April n, 1794, and died January 15, 1865, aged seventy years, nine months, and four days. The difference between their ages at the time of death was therefore only two days. The almost fraternal relation of these great men for so many years, during which either might have been proud of the other's position but for his own, was of a sort not often seen in public life, uninterrupted, and never chilled by selfish jealousies. It is beautifully referred to by Mr. Webster in one of his letters to Mr. Everett : " We now and then see stretching across the heavens a clear, blue, cerulean sky, without cloud, or mist, or haze. And such appears to me our acquaintance, from the time when I heard you for a week recite your lessons in the little school-house in Short Street, to the date hereof." June 7, 1890. OLD CHARLESTOWN 249 XLI Two Celebrations Independence Day, July 4, 1828 : Edward Everett, the Orator — Bunker Hill Day, June 17, 1836: Alexander H. Everett, the Orator — Edward Everett's Famous Speech at the Dinner-Table. IN the previous chapter I referred to the residence of Edward Everett in Charlestown, and gave a list of orations and addresses prepared and delivered by him here. It may be interesting now to give an account of some of the celebrations and occasions of which they made a part. His first address, August 1, 1826, was in commemora tion of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who died on the 4th of July of that year. Independence Day, July 4, 1828, was the occasion of a grand celebration by the citizens of the town. Every body was interested in its success, and the place was alive with enthusiasm. The ringing of the church-bells and a salute by the Artillery Company made the morning lively, and a repetition of the same at noon and sundown kept up the appropriate patriotic excitement. Early in the forenoon the citizens, who had assembled at the Unitarian Church on Main Street, were formed in pro cession, and under the escort of the Warren Phalanx, Captain Benjamin Knox, and the Charlestown Light ISO OLD CHARLESTOWN Infantry, Captain Abraham P. Prichard, marched through the principal streets to the First Church on Town Hill, where the services were very interesting. The Declaration of Independence was read by Dr. Abraham R. Thompson with an emphasis and sincerity such as those of us who remember the doctor's manner can well imagine. Then followed the oration of Mr. Everett on "The History of Liberty." It was a pro duction of great merit which was received and afterwards read with satisfaction and delight, and which added much to his fame as a scholar and orator. The singing on the occasion, under the direction of John M. Robertson, assisted by Joseph Newell and William B. Oliver, leading musical men of their time, was very effective and pleasing. Mr. Newell sang the solo from Handel's Judas Maccabeus, " Sound an Alarm ; Your Silver Trumpets Sound," and Mr. Oliver, "Go Forth to the Mount " ; and the chorus-singing by a large and well-drilled choir was excellent. After the exercises in the church were finished the procession was re-formed and proceeded to the Town Hall, which had been decorated with great taste for the occasion of a grand dinner. Flags and banners, portraits and patriotic mottoes, were skillfully arranged about the walls. The columns were wound with bunting, and well-spread tables were never more inviting to guests as they entered and took their seats. Thomas I. Goodwin presided and Rev. Mr. Fay said grace. After the dinner, speeches, sentiment, and song were in order and were made very enjoyable. Letters were read from Timothy Thompson and Thomas Miller, survivors of the battle of Bunker Hill, who were prevented from attendance by OLD CHARLESTOWN 251 illness. Each sent a sentiment which was read and received with applause. Mr. Thompson's was : " The first town which fell a sacrifice on the altar of Liberty, but now, phoenix-like, rises from its ashes and becomes a nursery of freemen." Deacon Miller's : " The rising generation — may they be well educated in the principles of a true government, of morality, and of religion ; re membering that righteousness exalteth a nation." Mr. Everett made a short speech at the table, closing with a sentiment. He was followed by Commodore Charles Morris and Captain Gallagher of the navy, the captains of the military companies, and many of the citizens.. In the evening Colonel Joseph Loring's hospitable mansion was open to his friends and his garden was ablaze with fire-works. We may be sure, too, that Andrew Roulstone's two small guns — bull-dogs, as they were always called — sounded out the patriotism of their owner three times during that day. I have before written of Colonel Joseph Loring ; but who was Andrew Roulstone ? He was one of the most patriotic citizens ever living in Charlestown. He had studied and kept in mind all the important events in his country's history and the lives of its heroes, and their anniversaries were noted and impressed upon his fellow-citizens by the voice of these bull-dogs. They were short, mortar-like pieces of ordnance, but their reports were sure to be heard, for they spoke out in tones of thunder under the charges given them by their owner. The speech referred to as having been made at a dinner in Charlestown, June 17, 1836, was on the occa sion of a celebration of the day by the young men of the town without distinction of political party. At that 252 OLD CHARLESTOWN time Mr. Everett was Governor of the Commonwealth. Early in the day the Charlestown Light Infantry, Captain James Dana, and the Columbian Guards, Captain E. O. Eaton, made a parade and visited Boston, halting at Faneuil Hall. Here they received the Independent Company of Cadets — the Governor's bodyguard. Tak ing them under escort they marched to Charlestown, to the Governor's residence on Harvard Street. They were entertained by His Excellency, who had invited many of his friends and fellow-citizens to meet them. The three companies constituted the escort for the procession, which was formed under the direction of Samuel Ether- idge, chief marshal of the day, and proceeded to the Unitarian Church, where an oration was delivered by Alexander H. Everett, the distinguished brother of the Governor. An ode was written for the occasion by Thomas Power, of Boston. In the afternoon a dinner was given in the Town Hall, served by Gorham Bigelow, of the Mansion House, and presided over by Benjamin Thompson ; and it was here that Mr. Everett made the speech which, in his volume of printed speeches, is referred to as having been delivered at a public dinner in Charlestown. At this dinner Robert C. Winthrop was present as one of the Governor's aides, and made a speech ; so also was John H. Clifford, afterwards Governor, another of the aides. Two others of the Governor's staff were present, Charles F. Andrew, of Salem, and Daniel Fletcher Webster, of Boston. Pres ident Josiah Quincy, Commander John Downes, the French Consul, and other distinguished persons were present at this celebration. Nine survivors of the battle of Bunker Hill and three other soldiers of the OLD CHARLESTOWN 253 Revolution were present in the church to hear the oration, a portion of which was especially addressed to them. And just now, while we are endeavoring to show our grateful appreciation of the value of the services of the soldiers in the War of the Rebellion, may we not intensify its importance by referring to what was gained by the men of the Revolution and left to be preserved by them ? Eleven years before this celebration, when Lafayette was here to assist in the laying of the corner stone of the monument, two hundred survivors of the battle were present to take him by the hand. They were thanked for their services by Daniel Webster in his great speech, in these words : " In the name of this generation, in the name of your country, and in the name of Liberty, we thank you." Mr. Everett referred to this fact, and closed his remarks to the twelve who were listening to him as follows : You now attend in diminished numbers. He, too, that noble stranger, the last major-general of the Rev olutionary army, our illustrious friend, fellow-citizen, and guest, after passing through fresh trials, after achieving new prodigies of patriotism and valor, has closed his high career. You alone are left. Venerable friends and fathers ! We greet you with deeper interest as the scanty sole survivors of this memorable day. We rejoice that so many of you have been permitted to witness another solemn celebration of its return, to hear once more, however feeble the voice that utters them, our cordial acknowledgements of your services and worth. May your lives be preserved yet longer, for many years to come, and when in the fullness of time and honors you too shall be gathered to your fathers and your brothers in arms, may you have the satisfaction in your 254 OLD CHARLESTOWN last moments of seeing the prosperity of the country, which you did so much to establish, still unimpaired as it is now. While referring to the death of Warren the orator took from his vest pocket the identical musket-ball which caused his death, wrapped in a piece of paper stained with his blood. It was taken from the dead body the morning after the battle, by Mr. Savage, a British high officer in the Boston Custom House at that day, and was given to Rev. William Montague, of Dedham, Massachu setts, who was in London in 1790 and who brought it to America as a relic of the Revolution. Mr. Everett's oration was printed, and appended to it is the affidavit of Mr. Montague to the above effect. Governor Everett brought with him to the dinner- table in the afternoon, and read to the company assem bled, several original orders of General Ward, written about the time of the battle in 1775, which had recently been found in a neglected corner of the State House. August 16, 1890. OLD CHARLESTOWN 255 XLII George Washington Charlestown Ever Faithful to His Memory. IN Chapter XXXI. I have said that Major Benjamin Frothingham so distinguished himself in the Revolu tionary War that General Washington on his visit to Massachusetts after the war honored him with a call at his house on Main Street. This is a pleasing recollec tion ; and it is a gratifying thought that the old town was ever faithful in remembering the inestimable value of the life and character of Washington. In The Charlestown Enterprise of February 19, 1893, was an article, written by Mr. Hunnewell, entitled " Charlestown Paid Tribute to Washington While He Lived." In this article reference is made to the scarcity of a pamphlet printed by John Lamson at his office near Charles River Bridge, containing an account of a celebration in Charlestown on the 2 2d of February, 1797, the sixty-fifth anniversary of the birthday of Washington, with the prayer of Rev. Jedidiah Morse, D.D., and the oration of Dr. Josiah Bartlett, before King Solomon's Lodge of Free Masons, in Warren Hall. Fortunately one of the few copies of this pamphlet now in existence is owned by Mr. Hunnewell, and he quotes from it enough to impress us with the feeling 256 OLD CHARLESTOWN that the Charlestown of that day was full of love for Washington and of grateful and affectionate remem brance of his services to his country. He had just declined another nomination for the Presidency and was about to retire to private life, and the patriotic spirit of the old townspeople could not let the anniversary of his birthday pass without a special expression of their appre ciation of the immeasurable value of his life and char acter. Thus the day was set apart for remembrance of him whose memory we cherish as the " Father of his Country, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." I have recently been presented with another old pam phlet, which is referred to in Mr. Hunnewell's " Bibli ography of Charlestown and Bunker Hill," and which was printed in 1 800 by authority of the town of Charles town, containing an account of its action on receiving news of the death of Washington ; and it seems to me that this will be a good time to reprint a portion of that account. Washington died December 14, 1799, at Mount Vernon, his beautiful home on the banks of the Potomac, in Virginia. On the eighteenth of December, with military and Masonic honors, his body was placed in the family vault at the foot of the long lawn leading from his house to the river, and there the service of the church was read over it. "Three general discharges by the infantry, the cavalry, and eleven pieces of artillery, which lined the banks of the Potomac, back of the vault, paid the last tribute to the entombed commander- in-chief of the armies of the United States and to the venerable departed hero." OLD CHARLESTOWN 257 On Thursday, December 26, 1799, at a meeting of the selectmen and parish committee of Charlestown, the following action was taken : It having pleased the Supreme and Unerring Disposer of all events to remove from this world their late most illustrious and beloved fellow-citizen, George Washington ; and it being, in their opinion, the duty of every Amer ican, in a public and respectful manner, not only to acknowledge his various and unexampled services, but to testify to the most affectionate regard to his memory : They therefore unanimously recommend that the afternoon of Tuesday, the 31st inst, be set apart by the inhabitants of the town, for the solemn purpose ; and the following arrangements were proposed : That at one o'clock p. m. the stores and shops be shut and that there be a general suspension of business. That the bell be tolled from one o'clock till two, at which time it be rung for the attendance of the people at the meeting-house. That the following be the Public Performances : Dirge on the organ. Prayer by the Rev. Doctor Morse. A Funeral Hymn. Discourse by Doc't. Morse. Funeral Ode. The Valedictory address of George Washington as President to the citizens of the United States to be read by Doctor Morse. The bell to be tolled an hour after service. A committee was appointed to wait upon the presiding officer of the Society of Free Masons in this town, to request their attendance in a body on the occasion. Captain Timothy Walker and Lieutenant Nathaniel 258 OLD CHARLESTOWN Austin, Jr., were appointed marshals, and committees were named to make all further necessary arrange ments. At the time appointed the citizens assembled at Warren Hall, and a procession, consisting of six hundred and twenty persons, was formed in the following order : Marshal. Male children from seven to fourteen years of age. Public School Masters. Young men from fourteen to twenty-five years. The three military companies, in uniform, with side- arms. Military officers. Citizens. King Solomon's Lodge of Free Masons, in ample form. Assessors. Parish Treasurer and Clerk. Trustees of the Free Schools. Minister and Deacons. Town Treasurer and Clerk. Magistrates, Representative. Selectmen. Band of music. Marshal. " A detachment of artillery, posted by the monument, fired minute-guns until the procession entered the meeting-house, where the proposed solemnities were performed to the entire approbation of a crowded audience. "Amid the most unfeigned and deep sorrow on the occasion, the proper external tokens were not neglected. The male inhabitants of every age appeared in the usual badge of mourning ; and the females, whose sympathetic tears denoted their respect for the friend OLD CHARLESTOWN 259 and protector of innocence, were clad in the emblems of grief. "The flags at the wharves and on shore were dis played at half-mast. The desk and front of the galleries in the temple of the Most High were covered with black, an extensive festoon passed over the canopy of the pulpit, with suitable vestments on the organ and chandelier. Even the monument was veiled for the occasion, and the following were the arrangements at Warren Hall : " The walls, the pedestals, the tables, and the regalia of the Lodge were shrouded. In the east was a striking portrait of the late George Washington, surrounded by a display of bright rays in every direction. In the north stood the figure of a large Eagle, mantled in black, with its eyes directed to the picture, and from its bill was suspended a label with the following inscription : 'All Judea and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death.' In the south was a portrait in mourning of the President of the United States. The light of the room was no more than sufficient to display these affecting objects, and the hall was visited in the evening by every description of the inhabitants, whose grave deportment and propriety of behavior denoted a just estimation of the transactions of the day. " The address to the throne of grace was comprehen sive, pathetic, and devotional. The text of the sermon was from Deuteronomy xxxiv : 5, 7, 8, and while appro priate sentiments and metaphors engaged the profound est attention, a plaintive elegance of delivery contributed to the mingled emotions of grief, sensibility, and sub mission ' to Him who maketh darkness his pavilion.' 260 OLD CHARLESTOWN "The music, directed by Mr. Oliver Holden, per formed with accuracy on the organ by Messrs. Peter and Charles Dolliver, and vocally by the Society of Singers, was calculated ' with mournful melody to melt the soul into all the tenderness of woe,' and prepared for the valedictory address, which concluded the solemn scene. " The Society of Free Masons, accompanied by the officers of the town, the church, the parish, and a number of the Reverend Clergy, returned in procession to Warren Hall, where funeral ceremonies were per formed in memory of the most distinguished uninspired member of the fraternity of which sacred or profane history can boast. " On the following day, at a meeting of the selectmen, parish committee, and master of the Lodge, a vote of thanks was passed to Doctor Morse for his performances, and a copy requested for the press, which, with the val edictory address and the foregoing account, was ordered to be published in a pamphlet and a copy delivered to the respective families in the town. A frequent perusal of its contents was earnestly recommended, as containing the life, character, opinions, and advice of the greatest patriot, statesman, and hero of the age ; and a most val uable legacy to their children's children and their suc cessors to the latest period of time. "N. B. — The selectmen at this time were: David Goodwin, chairman ; Joseph Adams, Nathaniel Hawkins, Richard Frothingham, John Carter, Nathaniel Gorham, and Daniel Tufts. The parish committee were : James Frothingham, Josiah Bartlett, Thomas Harris, Timothy Thompson, and Jonathan Kettell ; and the principal OLD CHARLESTOWN 261 officers of the Lodge were Oliver Holden, Thomas Oliver Larkin, and David Goodwin, Jr. " The eagle and the beautiful appearance around the picture in Warren Hall were from the ingenuity of Brother Daniel Reynaud, a celebrated painter and artist. "Charlestown, January 2, 1800." It has been said of Washington : " He was the greatest of good men and the best of great men." Washington Irving, in closing one of the chapters in his life of the distinguished man, makes this remark : " To act justly was his instinct, to promote the public weal his constant effort, to deserve the affection of good men his ambition." Let faithfulness to the memory of Washington and reflection upon his character do its perfect work with us, and all the promise and hope of our country will be fulfilled and assured. March 2, 1895. 262 OLD CHARLESTOWN XLIII An Important List Cabinet Officers, Members of Congress, and Members of the Massachusetts Legislature, from Charlestown, covering One Hundred Years. I WAS glad to see in the last issue of The Charlestown Enterprise a list of persons who served in the Charles town City Government, made out by William H. Whitmore, chairman of the record commissioners of the city of Boston, and published now for the purpose of obtaining information needful to carry out the design of the City Government to put in print short biograph ical notices of past officials. I have in my possession an interesting paper prepared by my friend, C. B. Tilling- hast, the genial and obliging librarian at the State Library, and presented to me some time ago, which I have intended to place among the historical notices and recollections of the old town, and this perhaps is the best time to do so. It is valuable information, I am sure, and I trust it will be appreciated by those who will now have an opportunity to look it over and preserve it for future reference. OLD CHARLESTOWN 263 Members of the State Government, from Charlestown, 1780 -1890. Nathaniel Gorham, Senate, 1780, '90; House, 1781-87 (Speaker, 1781, '82, '85) ; Council, 1788, '89; Con ventions, 1779, '80, '88; Congress (Continental), 1782, '83, '85-87 (elected President of the Con- gress.ijune 6, 1786). Timothy Tufts House, 1 780 Captain Thomas Harris, House, i788-'9i, 1801-08, '12, '13; also State Treasurer, 18 10. Captain Thomas Harris, Jr., House, 1816, '19-21, '23, '24; Convention, 1820. Samuel Dexter, Jr., Senate, 1792; Council, 1804, '05; Congress, 1793-95; United States Senate, 1799, 1800; Secretary of War, i8oo-'oi ; Secretary of the Treasury, January 1 to March 3, 1801. Richard Devens House, 1 792-98 Josiah Bartlett, House, 1799, 18 15, '17; Senate, 1800; Council, 1 80 1. Aaron Putnam House, 1 800 Matthew Bridge. . .House, 1803-08 ; Senate, 1809-12 David Goodwin House, 1804-10, '13 Seth Wyman House, 1805, '06 Richard Frothingham House, 1 806, '07 Nathaniel Hawkins House, 1 807 Peter Tufts, Jr. House, 1808-12, '19, '20 Elijah Mead House, 1808 Timothy Thompson House, 1809 John Kettell House, 1809-' 12 David Devens House, 1809, '10 Joseph Miller House, 1810, 'n, '13 William Austin, House, 1811-14, '16, '27, '34; Senate, 1821-23; Convention, 1820. Daniel Tufts House, 181 1, '12 Joseph Hurd House, 1814 John Soley House, 1813, '14 264 OLD CHARLESTOWN Joseph Tufts House, 1814 Major Timothy Walker, House, 1815, '18; Senate, 1822 Philemon R. Russell House, 1816, '19-24, '26-28 Leonard Moody Parker, House, 1816, '25, '28, '29; Senate, 1818-20, '26, '27; Convention, 1820. [Afterwards in Legislature from Shirley.] Seth Knowles, House, 18 16, '22, '23 ; Senate, 1824, '25 ; Convention, 1820. Asahel Steams, Senate, 18 13 (to fill a vacancy), '30, '31 ; House, 1817; Congress, 18 16, '17. Oliver Holden House, 18 18, '25, '26, '28-33 Timothy Thompson, Jr., House, 1819, '20, '39; Con vention, 1820. Richard Devens House, 18 19, '20, '23 John Harmon Brown House, i8i9-'24 George Bartlett Convention, 1820 James Kettell Frothingham House, 1823-25 Thomas Jenner Goodwin, House, 1824, '25, '27, '28 ; Senate, 1829, '30. Benjamin Whipple House, 1824-27, '29 Samuel Jaques, Jr House, 1825 William C. Jarvis, House, 1826, '27 (Speaker both years) ; Senate, 1828. [Also member from Pittsfield and Woburn.] David Stetson House, 1826 John Harris House, 1826-33 Josiah Harris House, 1827, '28 Leavitt Corbett House, 1829 Josiah Stearns Hurd House, 1829, '34 Edward Cutler House, i83o-'33, '35, '36 Lot Pool House, i830-'33 Benjamin Thompson, House, 1830, '31, '33-36; Sen ate, 1841 ; Congress, i845-'47, '51, '52. Daniel Tufts, Jr House, 1830, '32, '33 John Sweetser House, 1832, '34-36 Nathaniel Austin, House, 1831, '38; Senate, 1832-35; Council, 1836. Benjamin Brintnall House, 1831 OLD CHARLESTOWN 265 Benjamin Adams House, 1833 David Fosdick House, 1833, '35, '36 Guy C. Hawkins House, 1833 Stephen Wiley House, 1834, '37 Timothy Fletcher House, 1834-37, '41, '52 Colonel Loammi Baldwin, Council, 1835; Presidential Elector, 1836. Charles Forster House, 1835 William Gordon House, 1835 Eliab Parker Mackintire House, 1835, '57 Larkin Turner House, 1835, '36 Elias Crafts . House, 1836, '38 Samuel Etheridge House, 1836, '38 Dexter Bowman House, 1837 Joseph F. Boyd House, 1837, '41, '42 Abijah Monroe House, 1837 Edwin Munroe House, 1837 Samuel Poor House, 1837, '39 John Runey House, 1837 John Stevens House, 1837 Charles Thompson, House, 1837; Council, 1843; Sen ate, 1850; Convention, 1853. Abijah Hovey House, 1838 James Underwood House, 1838 George Washington Warren, House, 1838 ; Senate, 1853, '54- Thomas Greenleaf House, 1839 Jonathan Locke House, 1839, '40 Phinehas Rice House, 1839, '40 Samuel C. Simonds House, 1839 William Daggett Butts House, 1 840 Richard Frothingham, Jr., House, 1840, '42, '44, '50, '51; Convention, 1853. John Cheever House, 1840 Phinehas J. Stone House, 1840, '56, '62, '63 Charles Adams House, 1840 Thomas Jefferson Eliott House, 1841 Henry Forster House, 1841 266 OLD CHARLESTOWN Ichabod Lindsey House, 1 84 1 Frederick Robinson, Senate, 1842, '43 (President in 1843). [Formerly in Legislature from Marblehead.] William Sawyer House, 1842, '43 Seth J. Thomas House, 1842, '43 Francis Turner House, 1842 Joshua Baldwin House, 1 843 John Sanborn House, 1 843 Freeman Foster Tilden House, 1844 Philip Babb Holmes House, 1844, '52 Absalom Rand House, 1 844 Christopher Columbus Dean House, 1846 Abraham Rand Thompson, Council, 1 847, '48 ; Pres idential Elector, 1844. Henry Parker Fairbanks .. House, 1847; Council, 1853 Oliver Smith House, 1850, '5 1 James Munroe Stone, House, 1850, '5 1, '64-67 (Speaker in '66, '67). Edward Thorndike House, 1850, '5 1 John L. Taggard House, 185 1 John Quincy Adams Griffin, House, 1855. [Afterwards member from Maiden.] C. H. J. Hamlen House, 1855 Francis M. Mason House, 1855 Jeremiah S. Remick House, 1855, '66 Edward R. Robinson House, 1855, '56 James Emery House, 1856 Lyman B. Goss House, 1856 Joseph Lovett House, 1856 James Lee, Jr House, 1857 Seth Lewis Loring House, 1857 Timothy Thompson Sawyer, House, 1857 ; Senate, 1858 Amos Tufts House, 1857 Joseph Caldwell House, 1858, '59 Edward Lawrence House, 1858, '59; Senate, 1873 Ebenezer Barker House, 1859 Lyman Pray House, 1858, '59 Paul Willard House, 1858 OLD CHARLESTOWN 267 Eugene L. Norton, Senate, 1859-61, '79, '80; House, 1878. James Fisher Dwinell, House, 1859, '6o- [Member from Winchester, 1883.] Charles Field, House, i860,' 61. [From Boston, 1857, '86, '87.] Edwin Woodman House, i860, '61 Marcellus Day House, i860, '61, '78 Everett Torrey House, 1861, '62 Amos Brown House, 1 862 Abel Eliab Bridge House, 1862, '63 Horatio Wellington House, 1863, '64 William Bennet Long, House, 1863, '65 ; Senate, 1871, '72. Francis Childs. . .Senate, 1864, '65 ; Council, 1877, '78 George S. Pendergast House, 1864, '65 Moses B. Sewall House, 1864 Robert B. Rogers House, 1865, '66 Charles E. Rogers , House, 1866, '67 Moses A. Dow Senate, 1 867 Winsor Wright House, 1 867 Rufus A. White House, 1867, '68 Edwin G. Walker House, 1 867 Oliver H. P. Smith Senate, 1868, '69 Thomas Cunningham House, 1868 William Sherburne House, 1 868 Caleb Rand House, 1868, '69 ; Senate, 1876, '77 George H. Long House, 1868 Samuel Stearns Willson House, 1869, '70 William Wallace Davis House, 1869 William Hichborn House, 1869 Samuel Dexter Sawin House, 1 869, '70, '76 Francis Thompson Senate, 1870 Thomas Burdett Harris House, i87o-'72 Marshall Ney Cutter House, 1870 John Adams Day House, 1870 Alfred K. Merrill House, 1871 Joseph Henry Cotton House, 1871, '72 268 OLD CHARLESTOWN Andrew Jackson Bailey, House, 1871-73 ; Senate, 1874 Israel Phillips Magoun House, 1871 Oliver Ayres House, 1872 Charles Curtis House, 1872 Robert R. Wiley House, 1873, '74; Senate, 1875 John Sampson House, 1873 Isaac Walker Derby House, 1873, '74 John Henry Studley House, 1873, '74 Aaron O. Buxton House, 1874 Joseph Warren Hill House, 1874-76 James A. McDonald House, 1875 John D. Flynn House, 1875 Samuel R. Brintnall House, 1875 Francis Elisha Downer House, 1876 Benjamin F. Stacey House, 1876 John B. Norton House, 1876, '79 J. Henry Brown House, 1877 Milton L. P. Heustis House, 1877 John Turner House, 1877, '78 Nahum Chapin House, 1877, '78 Dennis G. Quirk House, 1877, '81 Freeman L. Gilman House, 1878 Charles Ruthven Byram House, 1878 Jeremiah J. Crowley House, 1879, '80 Joseph Warren Davis House, 1879 John H. Dee House, 1879, '8o John Henry Sherburne, House, 1879, '80 ; Senate, 1882, '83. George M. Starbird House, 1880 Augustus Whittemore Stover House, 1880, '81 James White House, 1881, '82 Henry Lyon House, 1881 John Reade House, 1881-83 Samuel Chamberlain Hunt House, 1882, '83 Edwin Lake Pilsbury, House, 1882, '83 ; Senate, 1887, '89. Samuel Tibbetts Harris House, 1882 John Edward Hayes House, 1883, '87, '88 OLD CHARLESTOWN 269 John R. Murphy House, 1883-85 ; Senate, 1886 Ezra Jackson Trull Senate, 1884, '85 George A. Sanderson House, 1884-86 Patrick Thomas Barry House, 1884, '85 Oliver Prime House, 1884, '85 Philip Joseph Doherty House, 1884-86 Francis J. Murphy House, 1886, '87 John P. Reynolds House, 1886, '87 Joseph Henry Gleason House, 1887, '88 Patrick J. Calnan House, 1887, '88 Robert Alexander Southworth Senate, 1888 John William O'Neil House, 1888, '89 William Henry Preble House, 1888, '89 William H. Murphy House, 1889 Ira A. Worth House, 1889, '90 Omer Pillsbury House, 1 889 George N. Swallow House, 1889, '90 George H. Gammans Senate, 1 890 J. Homer Edgerly House, 1 890 Michael J. Mitchell House, 1 890 Winfield F. Prime House, 1 890 Edward W, Presho House, 1890 Edward Everett, Congress, 1825-35 ; Governor, 1836- '40; Minister to England, 1841-45; Secretary of State (succeeding Daniel Webster), 1852; Senate of United States, 1853, '54. <*> The names of some very distinguished men, whose services were of great value to their country, can be found in this fist ; and taken as a whole it can be referred to and looked upon with pride and satisfaction by all who are interested in the past of Charlestown. August 30, 1890. 270 OLD CHARLESTOWN XLIV The Knowles -Everett House The Russell House — The Mansion House — The Waverley House — Moses A. Dow. -•5 AFTER the removal of Governor Everett to Boston, the estate on Harvard Street was purchased by William Carleton, who has been mentioned before as the founder of Carleton College, in Northfield, Min nesota. He lived here for a quarter of a century, and then moved to the new house on Monument Square, built by him in 1863, where he died in December, 1876. The same house is now the residence of his son, William E. Carleton. Mr. Carleton was a well-known and very successful business man. He was a self-made man. In early life he learned the trade of a tinman, and after wards was extensively engaged in the manufacture of lamps and gas-fixtures. His factory on Beach Street, in Boston, was one of the largest in the country. Under his constant personal attention the business was lucrative and his accumulations were large, and during his life-time he made many generous donations besides the gift of $50,000 to the college referred to. He was a leading man in the Winthrop Church and prominent in the denomination to which it belongs. He was also one of the first vice-presidents of the Winchester Home. The next occupant of the house on Harvard Street OLD CHARLESTOWN 271 was Ezra Trull, of the old firm of Trull Brothers, dis tillers, who at one time were also largely engaged in the Smyrna trade. He was the father of Colonel Ezra J. Trull, whose merits and manly qualities are so well remembered, and whose popularity as a man and military officer was so fully attested at the time of his death, April 29, 1886, while he held the position of commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. The military turnout on the occasion of his funeral from his residence on Monument Square, and the procession that followed his body to the Second Church in Boston, and from there to Mount Auburn, was almost a pageant in its proportions and parade. Colonel Trull served four years in the War of the Rebellion. He was a member of the City Council in 1873, an(i °f tbe Massachusetts Senate in 1884-85. After the death of Mr. Trull, senior, the house on Har vard Street was purchased, in 1872, by Francis Childs, who made it his home until April 6, 1887, when he died sud denly of heart-disease. Mr. Childs was born in Charles town, near this estate, and spent his boyhood here. He was very active in the affairs of his native place. The record of his usefulness as an official of the town, and of many of its institutions and associations, is a highly creditable one. He was a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1862-63, and of the Mystic Water Board for several years, and he was the third president of the Training Field School Association. For three years he was one of the inspectors of the State Prison, was in the State Senate in i863-'64, and in the Governor's Council in 1877-78. He took a deep interest in the Old Ladies' Home, succeeding Mr. Carleton as one of the vice- 272 OLD CHARLESTOWN presidents, and at one time contributed $1000 to its funds. He was a trusted and much esteemed business man, commencing his career in Charlestown, though afterwards for many years largely engaged in the carpet- trade in Boston. He was a leading member of the Baptist Church, with which he connected himself early in life, and occupied a high position in the order of Free Masons. He had two sons, George T., now a prominent man in Vermont, and Nathaniel, well known in dramatic and musical circles. We have thus given a full history of the brick house built by Matthew Bridge for his daughter, Mrs. Knowles, and of its various occupants to the time of the death of Mr. Childs in 1887. It is still standing, but its attract iveness is gone, and now we have to draw wholly upon the memory to make it interesting. The old, wooden mansion of Mr. Bridge, described in a former article, which stood near the top of the hill and which was inherited by another daughter, Mrs. Baker, who occupied it until her death, vanished from sight more than a quarter of a century ago. Its time for change had come, and the man to affect the trans formation had appeared. Moses A. Dow purchased the estate and commenced here his enterprising and courageous project for the improvement of Charlestown property. The gradual decay of the fine old place, so unpleasant to witness, was checked by him by its entire destruction at once. The house was taken down, the garden demolished, the land laid out into lots, and the work of building up immediately thereafter commenced. In a very little time the fine, large brick building, the residence of Mr. Dow until his death, June 22, 1886, OLD CHARLESTOWN 273 was a completed structure, imposing to look upon, and important as an addition to the assessors' valuation of real property. Then followed the building of the blocks of handsome and thoroughly constructed brick dwelling-houses on Harvard Street and Harvard Place, after which, by the purchase of the Jaquith estate on the corner of Harvard and Arrow streets, and of the old Dummy Nutting estate adjoining, an opportunity to extend improvement was afforded, and equally good buildings were erected there. All these buildings are still held by the trustees of the estate of Mr. Dow. If we were to stop here, we could say with truth that it is doubtful if any other individual living in Charles town, before or since, had or has, single-handed, planned and carried out in so short a time an improvement in the town on a scale equal to that of Mr. Dow's. But this was only the beginning of his work. He had hardly completed these houses when he purchased the Eben Austin estate, on the Square. This estate, once attractive, and occupied for years by prominent citizens and prosperous business men, was at this time rapidly falling into decay. It was still owned by heirs of this branch of the Austin family, but they were non residents, out of health, and lacking in enterprise ; and the old story of neglect was being told in the gradual deterioration of their property. Mr. Dow bought the estate, saw no value in the buildings, and they were razed to the ground. The estate adjoining that of the Austin's, known as Cook's Lane, had reached a point of degradation almost insufferable. This, too, was purchased, its occupants routed, and a clean sweep made of the buildings and rubbish with which it was 274 OLD CHARLESTOWN cumbered. Meanwhile, plans had been drawn for a large and handsome hotel, to be erected on this territory, and the foundation-stones were very soon settling into the trenches prepared for them. On this foundation, with wonderful rapidity, the walls grew up, and the work went on until the building was completed. But in the eyes of Mr. Dow it was not complete. Between it and Warren Avenue was still left the Russell estate, with the old mansion of its original owner intact so far as the exterior was concerned, although its interior had for many years been changed from a distinguished family residence to a well-kept hostelry and boarding- house. This public house, known as the Mansion House, had past its best days and had dropped to a grade much inferior to its original standing. " Its day is over," thought Mr. Dow. " I have over shadowed it with a modern building. The contrast is too great. It must come down. The new hotel must take in all this part of Charlestown Square." The property was purchased by him, and the old building, the elegant home of the Russells in the days of long ago, and afterwards of Commodore John Shaw, John Soley, Joseph Thompson, and the distinguished lawyer, Andrew Dunlap ; the building in which, in its earlier days as a public house kept by Gorham Bigelow and Charles Stinson, many of the best people in the town, as boarders, were made comfortable and happy (it being a popular place then) — this old building, when its usefulness had gone, was reached in the march of improvement and yielded up its right to remain longer except in the memory of the oldest inhabitants and on a page of the town's history. OLD CHARLESTOWN 275 The Mansion House gone, the new hotel was extended to Warren Avenue, and along that avenue to Front Street. Hardly two years had elapsed after the project of building a hotel had been conceived by Mr. Dow before it had been carried out to completion, and the Waverly House as we see it to-day was the grand result. A large and elegant building, with nearly five hun dred feet front, including Abbotsford Hall, constructed in the most thorough manner, had been added by Moses A. Dow to the real-estate of Charlestown, at an expense of nearly $500,000, and stood there the evidence of his courage, great energy of character, and deep interest in the welfare and prosperity of his chosen place of residence. September 20, 1890. 276 OLD CHARLESTOWN XLV The Dow Banquet Expressions of Esteem and Appreciation for a Public-Spirited Man — The Famous Waverley Magazine. IN the last chapter we looked at the completed Waverley House, and contrasted it with the old buildings which made up that side of Charlestown Square before Mr. Dow's improving hand was laid upon it. Surely his enterprise and public spirit were worthy of the thanks and admiration of his fellow-citizens, and when the house was completed and opened they were desirous of an opportunity to give expression to their gratification and pride in what he had accomplished. To this end a complimentary dinner was proposed, and the following correspondence took place : Honorable Moses A. Dow : Dear Sir — A large number of your fellow-citizens, congratulating you upon your grand success in the com pletion of the Waverley House, which stands a lasting monument of your enterprise and an ornament and benefit to the city, are desirous of testifying in some acceptable manner their appreciation of the great public service you have rendered to Charlestown, and also their high regard for your energy, integrity, and personal worth. The undersigned, on behalf of a general com mittee appointed for that purpose, do therefore most respectfully and cordially invite you to give those whom OLD CHARLESTOWN 277 they represent the honor of your company at dinner with them at the Waverley House, on such day as you may be pleased to name, at seven o'clock p. m. (Signed) Charles Robinson, Jr., James Adams, Richard Frothingham, Liverus Hull, G. Washington Warren, H. G. Hutch ins, James Dana, Timothy T. Sawyer, P. J. Stone. To the above missive Mr. Dow replied as follows : Gentlemen — I have received your kind note inviting me to an entertainment inaugurated by the citizens of Charlestown as a compliment to me for the benefits I have conferred on the city by the erection of a first-class hotel. It affords me great pleasure to know that it is thought a benefit, and also that it is considered a suc cessful experiment. Therein lies my reward. Though my presence will not materially add to the entertainment, I shall be pleased to meet my fellow-citizens, if agreeable, on the evening of Thursday, the 21st, or any other evening that your committee may consider the most convenient. I have the honor to be most respectfully yours, Moses A. Dow. Nov. 13, 1867. On the evening named by Mr. Dow, Thursday, November 21, 1867, two hundred and fifty citizens of Charlestown were assembled in the parlors of the new hotel. The company was composed of prominent, active, and business men who had met together to show their appreciation of the character and services of their able and enterprising townsman, who had successfully com pleted a great work and who was present with them to return their greetings, receive their congratulations, and accept their thanks. From the parlors, in due time, the 278 OLD CHARLESTOWN company proceeded to the elegant dining-hall, where the complimentary dinner had been prepared by the lessee and landlord, Daniel Chamberlain, in a style which gave good promise for the future of the hotel table. The dinner was presided over by His Honor, Liverus Hull, then Mayor of the city, and all the ex-mayors were present. Captain William W. Pierce, and E. B. Haskell, of The Boston Herald, who was an esteemed resident of Charlestown for some years, were toast-masters. The opening speech of Mayor Hull was appropriate, and excellent in sentiment and delivery, and the response of Mr. Dow was thoughtful and to the point. " I did not," he said, " undertake the work solely as a money-making operation, but rather for the purpose of improving a portion of the city which had been neg lected, and in order to infuse a spirit of energy and improvement in our midst. In doing this I may not have been entirely free from selfishness, for it must be confessed I have experienced much pleasure and some pride in being able to connect my name with a prominent improvement which is somewhat of a public nature." He continued : " I cannot let the occasion pass without expressing satisfaction as to the just and liberal spirit with which my views have been seconded by the past and present mayors, Robinson and Hull, and their associates, who correctly appreciated the work I had undertaken for the public good, and in doing so secured numerous and permanent advantages to the city." The toast-masters were happy in their allusions to those present, and called up many speakers, all of whom referred to the guest of the evening with emphatic expressions of respect and admiration. Some of the OLD CHARLESTOWN 279 speeches, especially those of Honorable Richard Froth ingham and Rev. James B. Miles, were of marked excellence. It was an interesting and enjoyable occa sion. A full account of it can be found in The Bunker Hill Aurora of Saturday, November 23, 1867, preserved in the Public Library. Mr. Dow resided in Charlestown more than twenty years before the completion of the Waverley House. He was a practical printer and had met with many reverses before he established The Waverley Magazine in 1849. From that time his business career was successful, and he speedily accumulated a fortune. He was born in Littleton, New Hampshire, in 18 10, and remained there and in Franconia, New Hampshire, until he was fourteen years old. He always retained his love for these places and remembered them from time to time with liberal gifts. In Franconia he founded an academy and erected a fine building for its use. He restored and kept in order the cemetery, assisted gen erously in the erection of the churches, and gave to each a bell. Dow Academy is now in a flourishing condition. In his will Mr. Dow made provision for its support, and after his death the executors of his estate paid over $65,000 to the managers of the institution to be used for this purpose. In his will he remembered our Old Ladies' Home with a bequest of $10,000, the greatest amount re ceived into its treasury from one person. In disposing of his large estate he recognized conscientiously and considered carefully his obligations and duties to his family and kindred, and the provisions of his will, in their behalf, were liberal, just, and wise. He was broad- 280 OLD CHARLESTOWN minded and considerate in his instructions to his executors and trustees. He was always generous to his friends, and the sum of his gifts to them, before his death and by bequests in his will, if it could be stated, would be very large. The Waverley Magazine was founded by Mr. Dow and started by him upon a plan differing from that of any other periodical. On the first day of July, 1890, its eighty-first volume was commenced, and the soundness of his judgment as to what would be acceptable to a large class of readers has been proved by forty years of success. He took great pride in the paper, spared no expense in its mechanical appearance, was industrious and careful in the examination of its contents, and was rewarded by a fortune, his use of which we have in some measure described. The Waverley Magazine of to-day bears the same character it has held all through its long existence. It lays no claim to superior intellectual ability. It provides its readers in each issue with a number of completed stories, written especially for the paper by contributors from all parts of the country ; with selections from books and periodicals made by com petent editors, furnishing valuable information on all subjects to a class of readers who would hardly receive it through any other medium. It devotes a small space to amusements, puzzles, and games, and a full page to music. The horrors, the scandals, the contentions, the political jugglery of the day find no place in its columns. It goes to its subscribers weekly with nothing disturbing, but much that is restful in its influence — an unpreten tious and clean periodical, adapted to the needs and reading-opportunities of a large class of people. OLD CHARLESTOWN 281 On the comer of Warren Avenue and Front Street, under the hotel, in what was for some time known as Waverley Hall, is a compact, finely-arranged printing- establishment. There the work commenced by Mr. Dow is continued, and busy heads and hands are em ployed in preparing The Waverley Magazine for weekly distribution. It has still a large circulation and is yet a valuable property. Charlestown should think well of The Waverley Maga zine. It gave to Mr. Dow his means of usefulness, and he chose his own dwelling-place as the scene of his enterprise and labor, and made his largest expenditure of money in its improvement. For what he did, a debt of gratitude is due to him from the town, and the duty is imposed upon it of keeping his memory fresh on the pages of its history. October i i, 1890. 282 OLD CHARLESTOWN XLVI William Gray and Joshua Bates Frederic Tudor and the First Shipment of Ice. -•> THE financial embarassment of the great English firm of Baring Brothers & Co., recently announced, caused great astonishment and alarm, and had it not been for the fact that the Bank of England, the Rothschilds, and other great banking-houses came to their relief at once, its disastrous effect all over the world could hardly be estimated. For a very long period of time, "As good as Baring Brothers & Co." has been almost a proverb, and the exalted standing of the house in times past is well shown in this quotation, put into a history of the firm published in The Boston Transcript of November 15, 1890: "There are six great powers in Europe," said the Due de Richelieu — "England, France, Russia, Austria, Prussia, and Baring Brothers." But it is the closing remark in the historical sketch of The Transcript that I desire particularly to refer to in this article : " Two of the most celebrated members of this firm have been Americans by birth — Joshua Bates and Russell Sturgis." Joshua Bates in early life was for some time a resident in Charlestown. He was a clerk for William Gray. That distinguished merchant was for a long time the owner of the wharf leading from Water Street which OLD CHARLESTOWN 283 continued to bear his name (Gray's Wharf) until the transformation of all the wharf property between Charles River Bridge and the Navy Yard was made by the Hoosac Tunnel Dock and Elevator Company. "Billy" Gray, as he was called, purchased this wharf estate in 1803 of Jonathan Phillips, Jr., and Oliver Holden, and made it a scene of great activity and business enterprise for years thereafter. Many of his large fleet of vessels were fitted out and their return cargoes landed and stored here, and everything was done by him to make the place a convenient and profitable headquarters for his extensive trade and commerce. Among other things a supply of fresh water was provided by the purchase of a famous well situated in Winthrop Street, in the yard of a house still standing, where Charles W. Sawyer spent his childhood. The water was conveyed to the wharf through a wooden conduit. The logs of which it was composed have often been exposed when excavations have since been made in the streets. In a large wooden building half-way down the wharf was the office in which Mr. Bates was employed. This building was one of those taken down when the wharf was purchased by the Elevator Company. The late James Hunnewell, who was one of the board of directors of the Charlestown Land and Wharf Company in 1843, told the writer, on the spot, that he remembered Joshua Bates as he had seen him at his desk in this office, busy in his duties as a wharf clerk. But Joshua Bates soon outgrew this position. He was sent to Europe by Mr. Gray to look after his busi ness there, and went on, step by step, a successful business man, until he became a member of the historic 284 OLD CHARLESTOWN firm of Baring Brothers & Co., of London, England. Mr. Bates was a leading partner in the house during its years of greatest success, and was distinguished for his great ability as a merchant and financier. He is best remembered here, perhaps, for his generosity to the Boston Public Library. One gift of his, of fifty thousand dollars, in the early days of the institution, had much to do with its standing, growth, and prosperity. His name was given to the hall (Bates Hall) which now contains a collection of books of great value, many thousand volumes of which, besides his contributions in money, were gifts from him. At one time in the life of William Gray he is said to have had more than sixty sail of square-rigged vessels on the ocean. In a former article I referred to the ship Union, built in 1 8 1 5 by Josiah Barker for Mr. Gray, to be used as a privateer, and to her alteration into an East Indiaman at Gray's Wharf, after peace was declared. John Quincy Adams was appointed minister to Russia in 1809, by President Madison, and on the 5 th of August of that year, with his wife and his youngest child, he sailed on the merchant ship Horace, from Gray's Wharf in Charlestown, for Saint Petersburg. The vessel was fitted out by William Gray. The passage was long (seventy-five days) and stormy. From these facts we can form some idea of what was going on at Gray's Wharf from 1803 to 181 5, when its owner, one of the most eminent and courageous mer chants of his time, was making it frequent, perhaps daily, visits, planning and directing the operations and affairs of a large commercial business. In 1 806 Frederic Tudor purchased the brig Favorite OLD CHARLESTOWN 285 expressly for the purpose of shipping a cargo of ice to Martinique in the West Indies. The vessel was hauled to Gray's Wharf in Charlestown and loaded there with one hundred and thirty tons of ice which had been cut from a pond on the grounds of Mr. Tudor's father in the part of Lynn now Saugus. This was the beginning of the business — the first cargo of ice ever shipped. Mr. Tudor went with the cargo to its port of destination. The second shipment, consisting of two hundred and forty tons, was made in 1807, per brig Trident, to Havana. These early attempts were attended with heavy losses, but the business struggled against all manner of discouragement for twenty years. During that period the embargo was laid and the war with Great Britain took place. Success finally crowned the under taking by the action of the Spanish government in Cuba in granting certain privileges and a monopoly. After a time the introduction of ice to warm countries was looked upon with great favor, and shippers were offered strong inducements by the governments and leading business men to establish permanent places for its sale. Ice came to be considered absolutely essential to health and was used largely in the treatment of diseases. When Edward Everett was minister to the court of Saint James and was introduced to the Persian Ambassador at that court, the first words which the latter addressed to him were to express his obligations to Americans for the good they had done to Persia in sending her ice. The trade was carried on almost wholly by the originator until about the year 1836, when other parties engaged in it. It continued to center around Gray's 286 OLD CHARLESTOWN Wharf for fifty years, extending both ways to the other wharves along Water Street, the facilities for cheap ice and low freights keeping the trade where it began and at the same spot for shipment. It was attempted from other places, but without success. The growth of the business can be seen by the following decennial statement: 1806, one cargo, 130 tons; 18 16, six car goes, 1200 tons ; 1826, fifteen cargoes, 4000 tons ; 1836, forty-five cargoes, 1 2,000 tons ; 1 846, seventy-five car goes, 65,000 tons ; 1856, three hundred and sixty-three cargoes, 146,000 tons. The exports in the last named year, 1856, were made to the following places : Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, Alexandria, George town, Richmond, Wilmington, Washington (North Car olina), Newbern, Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, Pensa cola, Appalachicola, Key West, New Orleans, Franklin (Louisiana), Thibodeauxville (Louisiana), Galveston, In- dianola (Texas), Aspinwall, Nassau, Saint Thomas, Havana, Matanzas, Saint lago, Saint John's (Porto Rico), Barbadoes, Cardenas, Trinidad, Martinique, Guadaloupe, Kingston, Laguayra, Demerara, Bahia, Pernambuco, Buenos Ayres, Rio Janeiro, Valparaiso, Callao, Guayaquil, Ceylon, Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Batavia, Manilla, Singapore, Canton, Mauritius, Australia. Besides Mr. Tudor, during the period from 1836 to i860, the parties engaged in the shipment of ice from the Charlestown wharves leading from Water Street were Leonard Stone, Read & Stedman, Barnard, Stearns & Gage, Hill & Hittinger, Gage, Hittinger & Co., Daniel Draper, Gage, Sawyer & Co., Russell, Harring ton & Co., concerning whom and the business since OLD CHARLESTOWN 287 1 860 much more might be written. The firm of Gage, Hittinger & Co., established in 1842, was composed of Addison Gage, Jacob Hittinger, Timothy T. Sawyer, and Thomas H. Frothingham. Mr. Frothingham died in 1850, and Mr. Hittinger afterwards sold his interest to Dr. Henry Lyon, when the style of the firm was changed to Gage, Sawyer & Co. For one year this concern loaded nearly a vessel a day (large and small) for every working-day in the year. After i860 the business was carried on by Addison Gage & Co., Mr. Gage having purchased the interest of his partners. His son, Charles O. Gage, was associated with him, and since the death of his father, in October, 1 868, Charles, in connection with his brother-in-law, Reuben Hopkins, has continued the business under the same firm name. They now occupy what is known as Tudor's Wharf, adjoining Charles River Bridge. The late Arthur Harrington was brought up with A. Gage & Co., and for some time before his death was a partner in the firm. December 13, 1890. 288 OLD CHARLESTOWN XLVII Nathaniel Gorham One of the Most Eminent Citizens in the History of Charles town — Town Hill as it was in the Early Days — The Old Town Hall. -•> IN The Charlestown Enterprise of Saturday, October 1 8, 1890, were given some extracts from a speech made in Charlestown by Dr. William Everett a short time before, and among them is the following : When I think that a Charlestown ancestor of mine signed the Constitution of the United States, I am glad to come back to Charlestown to vindicate the principles of that Constitution. Doctor Everett made another speech at the anniver sary dinner of the New England Society in New York, December 20, and again referred to his ancestor in the following remarks : I suppose at this dinner on the Forefathers' Day the first thing is for every one to substantiate his pedigree from the Pilgrims of the Mayflower, and I beg to claim descent from John Howland, the young man who, during the voyage, fell over the side and with difficulty managed to swing himself up by the stern chains, but who lived to be the last survivor in the town of Plymouth of that sainted company. His daughter, Desire Howland, married Captain John Gorham of Barnstable, who died OLD CHARLESTOWN 289 of fever contracted in the Swamp Fight with King Philip ; and from him descended Nathaniel Gorham, president of the Continental Congress and signer of the Constitution of the United States, whose great-grandson I have the honor to be. Doctor Everett had a right to be proud of his great grandfather, for he was an eminent man — one of the ablest in the history of old Charlestown citizens. Nathaniel Gorham was born in Charlestown, May 27, 1738, and died here, June 1 1, 1796. His house was on the spot now occupied by the brick store of A. N. Swallow & Co. It was of wood, of moderate size, and fronted on the Square. Around it and in its rear was a garden. It adjoined the garden of the parsonage, and through these grounds Mr. Gorham was accustomed to walk to the meeting-house on Town Hill. The meeting-house, of wood, then stood on nearly the same spot now occupied by the present handsome brick meeting-house of the First Church Society. The par sonage was near it, on land covered now by the upper end of the brick block between the church and City Hall.* This whole block of nine houses is on what was * This block was erected by the Parish Land Company, composed of James Hunnewell, Josiah Barker, Ebenezer Barker, Captain William Henry, Gilman Stanley, Josiah Reed, Shadrach Vamey, and Captain Lemuel Stetson. It has been known as Harvard Row. The first occu pants were Lemuel Stetson, John Doane, Jr., Gilman Stanley, Josiah Reed, Ebenezer Barker, Elias Davison, and Otis Vinal. Some of the occupants since that time were Henry A. Pierce, Samuel N. Felton, Ezra Hutchins, and Henry C. Hutchins. On the opposite side of Har vard Street, in the brick house on the corner of Harvard and Arrow streets, James H. Beal, the successful financier and president of the Second National Bank, lived for several years. 290 OLD CHARLESTOWN then the parsonage land and garden. Very near the parsonage was a barn, and later, on the land nearly down to City Hall, was built a chapel where meetings were held on week-day evenings. On the corner of Town Hill (now Harvard Street), fronting on the Square, was a tavern, known for a long time as Robbins' Tavern. This tavern estate was purchased in 1815 by Seth Knowles and Thomas Harris and sold to the town in 1 8 16 as a site for a Town Hall. In 181 8 a Town Hall was built ; the convenient and goodly structure which many of us remember, and which answered fully the wants of the town until it became a city in 1847, and the city afterwards until 1868, when it was torn down and the present City Hall erected. There was no photographic art to picture and preserve the appearance of this hill-side in a former time, but it does not seem difficult to brush away in imagination the structures which now cover it, and to see with the mind's eye the tavern at its foot, with the usual surroundings of such a place; the open field and garden behind it running up to the parsonage ; the roadway leading to that and to the old church crowning the top of the hill, while a little way from the tavern fronting on the Square is the modest wooden mansion, the home of Nathaniel Gorham, whose birth and residence in Charlestown added greatly to its fame, and concerning whom one of the most distinguished American orators of a later time says in a published address : " He was one of the most intel ligent, respected, and influential citizens of Massachusetts, and few have ever, equaled him in foresight and breadth of conception." Before the beginning of the Revolutionary War OLD CHARLESTOWN 291 Nathaniel Gorham had been a prominent man in the town. He was its representative in 1771-7$, and a delegate to the Provincial Congress in i774-'75 ; again a member of the Legislature, and a member of the Board of War from 1778 until its dissolution ; a delegate to the State Convention in 1779 ; a delegate to the old Congress in 1782-83 and in 1785-87, being chosen its president, June 4, 1 786 ; and he was for several years judge of the Court of Common Pleas. In the conven tion which framed the Federal Constitution he took high rank, and while in committee of the whole he was called by Washington to fill the chair for three months and exerted a powerful influence in securing the adoption of the Constitution in the State Convention. Judge Gorham was one of the projectors of the Charles River Bridge. He was associated with Oliver Phelps in the purchase of an immense tract of land on the Genesee River, which now comprises several counties in the State of New York ; and his eldest son, Nathaniel, became a pioneer settler there. He died at Canandaigua, October 22, 1826. The first land-office in America was opened in Canandaigua by Oliver Phelps ; and his system of survey by townships and ranges was the model for all subsequent surveys. Benjamin Gorham, the distinguished lawyer, and member of Congress for three terms from the Boston district, was a son of Nathaniel Gorham and was born and spent his childhood and youth in Charlestown. Stephen Gorham, another son, one of the original founders of the Harvard Church, always made Charles town his home, and died here, June 22, 1 849. Nathaniel Gorham's daughters were the wives of Warham Parks, 292 OLD CHARLESTOWN Dr. George Bartlett, John Phillips, and Honorable Peter Chardon Brooks, the grandfather of William Everett. The circumstances attendant upon the death of Judge Gorham are given in the following letter, written by Commissary Devens to his minister, Doctor Morse, who was absent at the time on a journey in the State of New York : The day after you left us was held our monthly even ing lecture. The Honorable Mr. Gorham was present, and had seemed for some days past in better than usual health. Returning home through his garden (the near est way from the church) with Mrs. Gorham and his daughter, Mrs. Bartlett, he told them he found difficulty in speaking. " You are notional," replied Mrs. Gorham, with her usual pleasantness. When he got into his home his face was pale, and perceiving that they noticed it, he said, " You are frightened now." Medical aid was promptly procured ; but in vain. A paralysis took place, apoplexy followed, and on Saturday he left us. At the funeral (the largest ever known in Charles town) the flags were at half-mast. The sermon by Doctor Thatcher, and the eulogy by Thomas Welch, M.D., were printed at the expense of the town and a copy given to each family within its limits. January io, 1891. OLD CHARLESTOWN 293 XLVIII A Famous Controversialist Dr. Jedidiah Morse — His Ministry in Charlestown — His Sons — The Great Invention which made S. F. B. Morse Famous. THE old church which stood on the Town Hill, and which was referred to in the previous section, was erected in 1783. On the 27th of October, 1782, the town made a grant of the Town Hill to the First Parish for the sole purpose of erecting thereon a house for the public worship of God, provided the said house be erected within the space of five years, otherwise the grant was to be void. The church was built, as we have said, in 1783, and opened for use, but had only temporary seats and an unfinished steeple until 1787. Up to that time there had been no regularly settled minister, but in January, 1787, Rev. Joshua Paine, Jr., a son of Rev. Joshua Paine, of Sturbridge, was ordained and settled over the society. He was a graduate of Harvard College, a very promising young man ; but his health failed, and in February, 1788, in the twenty-fifth year of his age, he died, sincerely lamented by all who ever knew him. On the 20th of November, 1788, a letter signed by Richard Carey, Nathaniel Gorham, John Larkin, and Thomas Miller in behalf of the church was sent to Rev. 294 OLD CHARLESTOWN Jedidiah Morse, who had preached two Sabbaths in the same month as a candidate, giving him a call to settle in the work of the gospel ministry among them. On the 24th of November the parish held a meeting, presided over by James Russell, Esq., and voted unanimously to concur with the church in the choice of Rev. Jedidiah Morse to be pastor of this church and congregation. They fixed his salary at eleven dollars a week. He was to have firewood sufficient for his study until married, and when married was to be furnished with a dwelling- house and barn, and twenty cords of wood annually. These terms seem to have been entirely satisfactory to him, for in his reply he says : " The unanimity, the affection, and the generosity manifested in the call induce me and my friends to believe that it is the call of God, and that Providence is by this means pointing to Charles town as the scene of my future ministerial labors " ; and before his installation he relinquished, in a letter sent to the society, one dollar per week of the cash payment. His acceptance of the call was with the understanding that his duties should not commence until the close of the winter or the beginning of the next spring. Jedidiah Morse was a graduate of Yale College in 1783, and was for some time a tutor there. He was licensed to preach in September, 1785, and before coming to Charlestown had been settled in Norwich, Connecticut, for a year or two, and had occupied the pulpit of a church in Midway, Georgia, for something less than a year, and that of a Presbyterian church in New York for about the same length of time. He arrived in Charlestown, April 9, and his installation took place April 30, 1789 — the same day and at the same OLD CHARLESTOWN 295 * hour that Washington was inaugurated President of the United States. The Rev. Dr. Jeremy Belknap preached the sermon on the occasion. On the 14th of May, Rev. Mr. Morse was married, in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Breese, daughter of Samuel Breese of that place, and of Rebecca Finley, daughter of Rev. Dr. Samuel Finley, president of New Jersey College. The condition of things at the time the reverend gentleman commenced his ministry here may be judged by the following, copied from Doctor Sprague's life of Doctor Morse : Every circumstance attending Rev. Mr. Morse's set tlement in Charlestown seemed to give promise of a happy ministry. The people composing the parish of which he took charge, though generally of the middle and plainer class, were capable of appreciating the excel lent qualities of their new pastor ; while there were among them several distinguished for high intellectual culture, th» finest moral and religious qualities, and a widely extended and most benign influence. He had just formed a matrimonial connection which was full of promise, not only to himself, but to his congregation ; for the lady who had become his wife possessed those attractive, generous, noble qualities which could not but render her a favorite wherever she was known. He had his home at first with his excellent friend, Richard Carey, a man of great worth and of high consideration in the community ; and in due time a parsonage was provided for him, contiguous to the meeting-house, which com manded a fine view of Boston, Charles River, the harbor and islands, and much of the surrounding country. He was also within three miles of Harvard College, the oldest literary institution in the land, and he very early came into intimate relations with its president and several of its professors. The whole atmosphere around him 296 OLD CHARLESTOWN was eminently intellectual ; the most cultivated society in Boston was always accessible to him ; and the minis ters of the Boston Association, to which he belonged, received him with great cordiality, and he in turn grate fully reciprocated their expressions of good will. In less than a year after Rev. Mr. Morse was installed, Richard Carey, who had warmly welcomed him to his new pastorate and kindly taken him with his wife to his home, had breathed his last. He died February, 1790. Mr. Morse was absent at the time on a journey, and on his return he preached a funeral sermon in which he paid a warm and grateful tribute to the memory of his friend. The sermon was printed, and was the first printed sermon of its author. On the 27th of April, 1791, his eldest son was born, and to him was given the full name of his grandfather and the family name of his grandmother, Samuel Finley Breese Morse. On the front of the old mansion, known as the Edes House, on Main Street, a Httle way from the Harvard Church, is a marble tablet with this inscrip tion : HERE WAS BORN 27th APRIL 1 79 1 SAMUEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE INVENTOR OF THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH At the time of this birth Doctor Morse and his wife were living in this house with Thomas Edes, the ancestor of Mr. Henry H. Edes, from whose chapter entitled " Charlestown in the Last Hundred Years," published in the Memorial History of Boston, edited by Justin Winsor, we quote the following. Speaking of the old mansion, the oldest perhaps now standing in Charlestown, he says : OLD CHARLESTOWN 297 It is remarkable also as the birthplace of Samuel Finley Breese Morse (Yale College, 18 10), the inventor of the electric telegraph, who was born April 27, 1791, in the front chamber of the second story, on the right of the front-door entrance. A few months previous to that time his father, the Rev. Dr. Jedidiah Morse, had accepted the hospitality of his friend and parishioner, Mr. Thomas Edes, Sr., while the parsonage on Town Hill was building. Some delays occurring in the work the visit was prolonged until after the birth of his eldest and most distinguished child. Doctor Morse had a large family of children, all born in Charlestown. Three of his sons, Samuel F. B., Sidney Edwards, and Richard Carey, became eminent men. His other children died young ; among these were two who bore the names of his friends and parishioners, Thomas and James Russell. The engravings of Doctor Morse which I have seen represent him in advanced life, a long-visaged, white- haired man, with a very prominent nose, a large mouth, long upper lip, and penetrating, serious eyes. A full white neckcloth and closely buttoned black coat make his profession apparent, and his own high estimate of its sacredness and importance seems to stand out in the general effect of the picture. He was a resident of Charlestown and minister of the First Church for more than thirty years. His prominence among the clergy men and literary men of his day is too well known to need any special mention at this time, but it can, perhaps, be referred to with propriety and remembered and used in an historical notice of the old town. As a preacher he stood high among the ablest of the denomination to which he belonged, and as a controversialist his place 298 OLD CHARLESTOWN must have been very near, or quite, at the top of the list. Doctor Sprague, in referring to the Unitarian controversy, seems to think " his agency in conducting it was more marked as well as more continuous and protracted than that of any other minister on the orthodox side." About this time (1805) Doctor Morse started and published in Charlestown the religious periodical called The Panoplist, of which he was the proprietor and sole editor for some years. It was afterwards printed for a while in Boston, and later, as we have said in a former article, — when it was united with The Massachusetts Missionary Magazine, — by Samuel T. Armstrong at his printing-office on Main Street. Doctor Morse had much to do with the founding of the Andover Theological Seminary. Many meetings of the parties actively engaged in the enterprise were held in his study in the old parsonage-house, and some of the most important papers bearing upon its constitution and plan of work were drawn up there. The establish ment of Park Street Church, in Boston, was another enterprise in which Doctor Morse took an active and prominent part, and which, it has been said, " he regarded as marking an epoch in the religious history of Massachu setts." The old parsonage-house, which we have now several times referred to, was removed from Town Hill to Elm Street, where, on the corner of Hancock Street, it still stands. A mansard or French roof has taken the place of the former one, but otherwise it remains much as it was, and the room occupied by Doctor Morse as a study can, I think, be pointed out. If memory and speech OLD CHARLESTOWN 299 could be given it, doubtless more information as regards the discussions and plans of the orthodox side of the controversy referred to could be got from it than from any other place. Doctor Morse took too decided ground on these questions to satisfy all his parishioners and keep his society united. A large number of its most intelligent and influential members dropped their connection with the First Church, quietly withdrew, and formed the Second Congregational, now the Harvard, Unitarian Church. Doctor Morse was the first chaplain of the Massachu setts State Prison, and he did some effective work in getting the Navy Yard located in Charlestown. He took an active interest in politics, was an earnest and outspoken Federalist, and at times, by severe remarks from the pulpit, gave offense to parishioners who differed from him. Perhaps he sometimes showed more valor than discretion. He was in full sympathy with the views of the leading Federalists, and much in favor of the treaty known as Jay's Treaty, which was ratified in 1795. But there were those in town who did not agree with him on this subject, and on a certain evening the effigy of Mr. Jay was burnt by a tumultuous assem blage in Charlestown Square. The doctor happened at the time to be at Judge Gorham's, before whose door the tragic farce was enacted. Against the better judg ment of his friends, but in obedience to his own patriotic impulses, he went out to remonstrate with the mob ; but scarcely had he made his appearance there when a blow on the head from a brickbat rendered it necessary that he should be taken home. He was not, however, 300 OLD CHARLESTOWN seriously injured. One of his friends who called to ascertain the extent of his injuries inquired if his brain was hurt ; to which he rejoined : " No ; if I had had any brains I should not have been there." After leaving Charlestown he was commissioned by the United States Government to visit the Indian tribes of the Northwest, and in 1822 he made an elaborate report as to their condition and as to what was needful to promote their welfare which was printed in a volume of five hundred pages. He had before been connected, as its secretary, with the Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians, — the society to which a very large bequest had been made by John Alford, of Charles town. He was also corresponding secretary of the Massachusetts Emigrant Society, of which Honorable Thomas Russell was president; and he was actively interested in many other philanthropic and literary institutions. As is well known, he was the Father of American geography. His first work for the use of schools was prepared before he left New Haven in 1784. His larger works were reprinted in Europe. " Morse's Geography " was in use in the Town Hill School when the writer became a member in 1825. He published a history of New England in 1 804, and, the same year, " Annals of the American Revolution." His printed sermons and other works were numerous, and they make a long list in Mr. Hunnewell's " Bibliography of Charlestown and Bunker Hill." The early life of Samuel F. B. Morse was spent in his native place, and he was a Charlestown schoolboy. He was fitted for college, entered Yale, and graduated in 1 810, when he was twenty years old. The next year OLD CHARLESTOWN 301 he went to England with Washington Allston as an art student, having previously developed a taste and talent for painting. One of his early pictures, " The Landing of the Pilgrims," is now hanging in the delivery-room of our Public Library. For many years it was over the entrance-door in the old Town Hall. He studied paint ing in England with Allston and Benjamin West, the distinguished American painters. To the study of painting he added that of sculpture. His " Dying Hercules," of colossal size, was exhibited in the Royal Academy in 18 13, and he received a gold medal from the London Adelphi for a plaster model of the same subject which he made to assist him in his picture. In London he formed an intimacy with C. R. Leslie, and the first portraits by these artists, painted in London, were likenesses of each other. He returned home in 18 1 5, practised his profession for a while in Boston, then in New Hampshire, then in Charleston, South Carolina, and afterwards in New York, where he painted a full- length portrait of Lafayette, who was on a visit to this country. The portrait of Noah Webster, engraved as a frontispiece to his dictionary, is from a painting by S. F. B. Morse. In 1824, in connection with some other artists of New York, he organized a drawing association, which resulted in the establishment in 1826 of the present National Academy of Design. Mr. Morse was its first president, and was re-elected to that office for sixteen years. He went to Europe again in 1829 to prosecute more extensively his studies in art, residing in the principal cities on the continent for three or four years. While there he was elected to the professorship of the literature of the arts of design in the University of New York, and in 1835 he delivered 302 OLD CHARLESTOWN a course of lectures before that institution upon art. But he was always deeply interested in various depart ments of science, and especially in chemistry. While at Yale College he had pursued the study of chemistry and natural philosophy with enthusiasm, and his love for scientific research and experiment continued to increase after he left college, until it became his controlling pursuit. In 1826 he was a colleague lecturer with Professor Dana at the Athenaeum in New York city, lecturing upon the fine arts while Professor Dana lectured upon electro-magnetism. The first electro magnet ever exhibited in the United States belonged to Professor Morse, and the spiral coil used by Professor Dana suggested the electro-magnet, which is used in every Morse's telegraph throughout the world. Professor Morse was again in Europe in i829-'32, and in the fall of the latter year, when returning home on board the packet-ship Sully, — while engaged in a casual conversation with some of the passengers on the then recent discovery in France of the means of obtain ing the electric spark from the magnet, showing the identity of electricity and magnetism, — he conceived not merely the idea of the electric telegraph, but of an electro-magnetic and chemical recording telegraph, sub stantially and essentially as it now exists. There is no question as to this origin of the present telegraph. On his return to New York he resumed his profession, but devoted all his spare time to the perfection of his invention. After much difficulty and discouragement he demonstrated the practicability of his invention by completing and putting in operation in the New York University a model of his " Recording Electric Tel egraph," the greater part of the apparatus having been OLD CHARLESTOWN 303 made by himself. In 1837 he filed his caveat at the Patent Office in Washington, and perfected his patent in 1840; and in 1844 the first electric telegraph in the United States was completed, extending between Baltimore and Washington. I have gathered this information concerning the tele graph from various reliable sources, drawing largely but not wholly upon an article which appeared in Harper's Weekly soon after the death of Mr. Morse, April 2, 1872, from which I quote the following on the outcome of the wonderful invention of the distinguished man whose birth and early life, we are glad to remember, must ever be connected with the history of Charlestown : In the twenty-eight years since its first establishment, its lines have gone out through all the earth. They ex tend upon this continent, in various directions, more than fifty thousand miles. They climb the Rocky Mountains and stretch across the lonely plain to the Golden Gate of the Pacific. The system is adopted in every country of the Eastern continent from the extreme north of Russia, where the wires seem to be almost linked with the Arctic Circle, to those that are sweeping up the Pacific coast to Behring Strait ; down the Italian and Spanish Peninsulas they dive beneath the sea to Egypt, and find their way over deserts and under oceans to the far East. No part of the civilized world is with out the electric girdle, and even across the Atlantic three great cables have established telegraphic communi cation between the Eastern and Western worlds. Acknowledgment of the value of the discovery of Professor Morse came to him from all quarters. Kings, queens, and emperors vied with each other in honoring him with medals, badges, decorations, and titles. Col leges, national academies, and scientific associations com- 304 OLD CHARLESTOWN plimented him with honorary degrees and membership, and all the world seemed ready to gratify him with an expression of appreciation of what he had accomplished. The adoption of his system, by a convention held in 1 88 1 for the purpose of deciding upon a uniform system of telegraphing for all Germany, was a most gratifying result, but the crowning mark of honor was in the collective testimonials of France, Russia, Sweden, Bel gium, Holland, Austria, Sardinia, Tuscany, Turkey, and the Roman Pontificate, amounting to four hundred thousand francs, presented to him as a personal reward and recompense for his invention. In 1839, while in Paris, Professor Morse made the acquaintance of M. Daguerre, and from drawings fur nished by him he constructed, on his return, the first daguerreotype apparatus and took the first sun-pictures ever taken in America. This was the same year that Daguerre first gave his discovery to the world. Another son of Doctor Morse, Sidney Edwards, graduated from Yale College in 181 1. He established The Boston Recorder in 1 8 1 5, and was its sole editor and proprietor for fifteen years. .In 18 17, in connection with his brother, he invented and patented the flexible piston pump. He published geographical text-books, and with his younger brother, Richard Carey, established The New York Observer, the oldest religious newspaper in New York State. He also produced, by a new art, termed cereography, map-prints much superior to those before known. February 14, 1 891. OLD CHARLESTOWN 305 XLIX Crafts' Corner The Boylston House — The Boylstons and the Hays, Early Settlers and Large Holders of Real-Estate. AT the junction of Main and Warren streets, oppo site Austin Street, there stood previous to 1870, for many years, an old wooden building, two stories high, with a pitched roof. In one end of the lower story of this building, looking directly up Main Street, was a store, the windows of which were orna mented with bottles and jars of fanciful shapes, filled with highly colored water of various shades, attractive in the daylight, and made doubly so after dark by lights reflected upon them for the purpose. Projecting from the corner of the building, on an iron frame above the windows, was a good-sized gilded mortar and pestle. This was the apothecary-store of Dr. Elias Crafts, Jr., and his occupancy of it gave the junction of the two streets before mentioned the name of Crafts' Corner. The old building referred to had for a very long period been known as the Boylston house. In 1869 the City Council of Charlestown passed an order to cut Off this comer and enlarge the public square. To accomplish this the Boylston house was destroyed and its history concluded. What I am intend- 306 OLD CHARLESTOWN ing in this chapter is to give a sketch of the history of this old estate, adding somewhat about other old estates and residents in its vicinity. Before doing this I will say a word more in relation to the improvement in the square. It was ordered by the City Council on the promise of the owner of the adjoining estate — who would be greatly benefited by the change — that he would at once erect a handsome brick building that should be an ornament to the site and to the city. The promise was not in writing, and was not fulfilled, much to the disappointment and disgust of some of us who, on the strength of the promise referred to, had advocated and urged the taking of more land than the original plan of the Council contemplated. Nevertheless, the enlargement of the square was a needful public improvement, as was soon made evident by the erection of the elegant stone building of the Charlestown Five Cent Savings Bank, and its occu pancy by that institution and by the Monument National Bank, the Charlestown Gas Company, the Mutual Protection Insurance Company, the model apothecary-store of B. F. Stacey, and Cobb's modern grocery-store, saying nothing of the palatial quarters afforded by it to the lodges and other institutions of the order of Free Masons, always so flourishing in Charles town. The wooden building fronting upon this square at the junction of the two streets is hardly worthy of the site it occupies ; but it is as good, perhaps, as it was expedient to place on leased land. A structure such as was promised will, I hope, some day be erected there. Crafts' Corner is a thing of the past. In its place we now have Thompson Square, the name given to it, after OLD CHARLESTOWN 307 annexation, by the City Council of Boston, the title being suggested by the fact that three members of the old family of that name, each of whom had been prominent in public affairs, had long resided in this vicinity and died here respected and honored by their neighbors and fellow-citizens. The building, a part of which was formerly occupied by Doctor Crafts, was the property of Mrs. Mercy Boylston, widow of Thomas Boylston, she having inher ited it from her father, John Hay. She lived to a good old age, occupying the other part of it for more than half a century. It was erected by her father upon the site of his former homestead which was destroyed in the conflagration of June 17, 1775. There is good reason for the belief that it was the first frame house built in the town after the battle of Bunker Hill. In the centennial number of The Bunker Hill Times, June 17, 1875, Charles R. Byram, the editor of that paper, published an article written by Abram E. Cutter, under the head of " Centennial Reminiscences," which, in this connection, is very interesting and which, with the approval of Mr. Cutter, I copy entire : To the Editor of The Bunker Hill Times — As the centennial approaches, every incident, however small, relating to the early period of the Revolution possesses interest. Having heard the following incidents related by one who received the account from the lips of the actor herself, they may be worth presenting to your readers. Mrs. Mercy Boylston, one of those good old women who was an aunt to everybody, lived with her father, Mr. John Hay, in 1775, in a house at Crafts' Corner which was burned on the day of the battle. At that time she was ten years old, and during the retreat 308 OLD CHARLESTOWN of the British from Lexington she was taken by her mother and hid in the arch of the chimney in the cellar. Afterwards, when the excitement had somewhat subsided, she escaped into the garret and commenced throwing corn-cobs from the window at the soldiers' guns which they had stacked in front of the house. Several of the soldiers caught up their guns to fire at the offender, when an officer who was standing at a bake-house on the opposite side of the street, where Mr. Gage's crockery- ware store now is, called to them to desist, as it was only the freak of a little girl. Mr. Hay left his house on the morning of the 1 7th of June, having a few days previously sent his family to Wilmington. He returned the next spring immediately after the evacuation of Boston by the British, and built another house on the exact spot of the former one, and after the same plan as the one burned, with the kitchen in the middle of the house. The timber was of solid oak, and was cut in Wilmington by a Mr. Brown, at whose house Mr. Hay had been staying with his family. This house was the first framed house built in Charles town after the town was burnt. Portions of the barracks left by the British were taken by some of the inhabitants and made into temporary dwellings, but no framed house was built previously to this one. Mrs. Boylston inherited it and lived in it till within a short time of her death. She died in 1849, aSed eighty-four years. The front room of the Boylston house was first occu pied as a store by Dr. George Bartlett, apothecary, and afterwards by the firm of Masters & Simonds, who kept the ladies of the town supplied with fashionable slippers and shoes. The store was newly fitted up in 1828, by Elias Crafts, Jr., who for the twenty-three years follow ing could always be found there with a stock of med- OLD CHARLESTOWN 309 icines, nostrums, and fancy goods equal to the wants of the townspeople, whose confidence in his skill as an apothecary and his character as a man was full and com plete. He had been educated in the old store of Samuel Kidder & Co., was known and liked by all the physicians, was popular with the young people, and was successful, as he deserved to be, in the business which he had under taken. How much that is pleasant and enjoyable clusters around the memory of Doctor Crafts' store ! How many good fellows were wont to meet there, not as loungers, but on their way to and from their places of business to exchange greetings and compare notes on the news of the day, — for this was before the use of telegraph and telephone, of reporters and interviewers, and when the corner store was as needful an institution as the last edition of the newspaper is to-day. Many a good story was told in that store; many a joke played; but the drugs sold were carefully selected and pure, and the prescriptions faithfully put up, for the doctor was a thoroughly reliable apothecary as well as one of the good fellows. In 1857 Doctor Crafts sold out his store to Charles N. Chase, and for many years thereafter was engaged in the wholesale drug business on Commercial Wharf, in Boston. He retired from business some years since. He is still a resident of Charlestown, with his children, occupying his own house on Albion Place. The Boylstons and the Hays were among the early settlers in Charlestown, and they were for many years large holders of real-estate in the town. The first Boylston property was on Wind-Mill Hill (Town Hill) as 310 OLD CHARLESTOWN early as 1680. Afterwards they held estates near the Training Field and on Main Street, Back Lane (Warren Street), and High Street, wharf property on Charles River, and land on the Mystic side and outside the Neck. Members of the old family, bearing the name of Richard for three generations, were prominent in the community and well up on the list of the largest tax-payers. One of them, the youngest, who had left the First Church and become a member of the Unitarian Church, pre sented the society with a lot of land on Breed's Hill, the proceeds of the sale of which were used in defraying the expense of building their chapel, to which the name of " Boylston " was given, the same being continued to this day. Richard Boylston's residence was on the corner of Main and Winthrop streets, the estate running through from Main to Warren Street. The same house was afterwards for many years the pleasant home of Elias Crafts, the father of the apothecary, a most excellent man and highly respected citizen, who lived in town for a very long period, represented it in the Legislature, i836-'38, and died here. One of the daughters of Elias Crafts was the wife of the late John C. Robertson ; and another was the wife of Mr. Lewis Hall, of Cam bridge. The Hay family, as well as the Boylstons, were the holders of a good deal of real-estate in the town from an early date in its history. John Hay, the destruction of whose house on the day of the battle of Bunker Hill has been referred to, was a baker by trade, and it was in front of his own bake-house that the officer was standing who ordered the soldiers to desist when their muskets were aimed at his child for pelting them with corn-cobs OLD CHARLESTOWN 311 from the window of his home on the opposite side of the street. The square wooden building now standing on the upper corner of Main and Austin streets was built by John Hay, or by his son Richard. The father owned it at the time of his death, and left it by will to his grand children, and some of his descendants occupied the building, or a part of it, until a comparatively recent date. John Hay, one of the grandsons, kept a harness- maker's shop there for nearly half a century, and Benja min W. Gage (whose mother was a Hay), after a business life of many years in Boston as a crockeryware-dealer, returned to Charlestown, lived in the old house, and con tinued the same business in the corner store under his residence until his death. Mr. Gage was brought up with his uncle, Joseph Hay, long the head of the whole sale crockery-house of Hay & Atkins, in Boston, from which he retired in 1850 after a successful business career. Joseph Hay lived in a house on Eliot Street, in Boston, built for him in 1 82 1 , and rounded out there a life of over a century. He took pride in calling himself a Charlestown schoolboy, and at its meeting, January 15, 1890, — that day being his birthday, — a message from him was received by the Town Hill and Training Field School Association stating that he was then celebrating his hundredth anniversary. He was blind for many years, but retained his mental faculties. He died March 28, 1890. All the land between Main and High streets, from Green Street to a line nearly down to Cordis Street, was formerly John Hay's pasture. Samuel Dexter purchased a part of it in 1794, built the house now the head- 312 OLD CHARLESTOWN quarters of Post Abraham Lincoln, and laid out the fine estate which has been described in a former article. Elizabeth Stephens, widow of Captain William Stephens, a few years later purchased a house that had been built on a lot sold to Oliver Holden and conveyed by him to Captain Joseph Cordis, and this house remained on the lot until the building of the Dexter Row block. The Universalist Church lot was also a part of the old pasture, and so was the Timothy Thompson estate, sold by him to the Five Cent Savings Bank. I shall have more to say about Timothy Thompson and his brother, Dr. Abraham R. Thompson. March 14, 1891. OLD CHARLESTOWN 313 L Memorial Tribute Sarah F. Robertson. MRS. SARAH F. ROBERTSON, who died Sat urday, September 1 7, 1 898, at her son's residence, 29 Mount Vernon Street, Somerville, was born in Charlestown, April 23, 181 8, and her whole life was passed here with the exception of the few years she has resided with her son in Somerville. Her childhood and youth were spent in a pleasant home — that of her father, the late Mr. Elias Crafts, Sr., referred to in the preceding section, and whose long life in Charlestown was marked by qualities that make homes precious and citizenship honorable. As a child and daughter, as a schoolmate and associate, as a wife after her marriage with the late John C. Rob ertson, as a mother, as a friend, the life that has just ended was a marked one, the memory of which is, and will be, fragrant and valuable. Mrs. Robertson's experience of life was touched by both its light and shadow, buf the quality of her mind was such as enabled her to meet the one or the other with grateful appreciation or patient resignation. During the last twelve years her powers of body were weakened to such an extent that she was almost helpless ; but she 314 OLD CHARLESTOWN never murmured, and kept up her beauty of spirit to encourage her faithful children in the cheerful care which, to the last, was extended to her. Instances of the influence of a good mother upon an equally good daughter, such as we can refer to here, are rare indeed. With almost an abandonment of what is interesting and attractive to youth, the daughter of Mrs. Robertson has watched over her with the greatest tender ness, and together they have made life not only desirable, but blessed in its influence upon their friends and the community, in its lessons of affection, resignation, and courage. September 24, 1898. OLD CHARLESTOWN 315 LI One of the Old Families Otis Clapp — Mrs. Richard Williams, and others. IN The Charlestown Enterprise of September 6, 1890, reference was made to the death of a most estimable woman who died in Wakefield on the evening of September 2, and who was buried from the Universalist Church in Charlestown, Friday afternoon, September 5. A long life of eighty-four years, nearly all of it spent in Charlestown, was marked by amiability, cheerfulness, unselfish devotion to duty, constant usefulness, and great excellence of character. To say this of Mrs. Lucinda C. Williams is but the utterance of simple truth. She had a large circle of friends who appreciated these qualities of mind and heart and the success and value of her life in the community of which she was so long a member. She was the widow of Richard Williams, whose memory is fragrant with pure life, intelligence, wit, humor, cheer fulness, and service ; a fit companion for her on whose grave by the side of his own in Woodlawn Cemetery the fresh flowers placed there by loving friends have not yet faded. Mrs. Williams was a daughter of Otis Clapp, who came to Charlestown from Scituate nearly a century ago, and who was always a prosperous and prominent citizen 316 OLD CHARLESTOWN of the town. The Clapp residence was on Main Street, fronting on what is now called Dunstable Street. Con nected with the estate was a wharf bearing the owner's name. Mr. Clapp was one of the original members of the First Universalist Society, a leading man of the commit tee having the building of the church in hand, and was a constant attendant on the services until his death. His daughter never deserted her religious home, but was one of the most active in its services, charities, and social gatherings. Among those who have passed on to a better life, no one will be missed more or remembered with a truer regard and affection than she. Mrs. Williams was a sister to Otis Clapp (junior), who died here May 26, 1870, and who bequeathed to the Old Ladies' Home property valued at over six thousand dollars. She herself took deep interest in this institution, and was active in its interests ; and for any good Chris tian work in her native place she was always a ready helper and friend. Another brother of Mrs. Williams married a daughter of Colonel Isaac Smith, and she, with Mrs. Williams, was widely known for her interest and activity in the benevolent movements of their day. September 13, 1890. OLD CHARLESTOWN 317 LII Thompson Square Why it was so Named — Members of the Thompson Family. THE name given to Thompson Square, as stated in Chapter XLTX., was suggested by the fact that several of the old family of that name were for a long period residents in that vicinity. Timothy, Abraham, Joseph, and Benjamin Thompson were the persons re ferred to. The last named was specially noticed in the section concerning the former residents of Dexter Row. They all were sons of Timothy Thompson (senior), whose homestead on the comer of Back Lane (Warren Street) and Cordis Street has been described, as well as his subsequent dwelling-place on the corner of Main and Thompson streets, where the old mansion-house is still standing. The residence of Timothy Thompson, junior, was on Warren Street, opposite the Boylston house on Crafts' Corner. He had purchased a part of John Hay's pasture, and built a house there, which was his home for more than half a century, and where he died, March 31, 1856. The house was of wood, two stories high, con veniently arranged, and a good-looking building for its time. In front of it was a garden running back from Warren Street. In it were fruit-trees and vines, shrubs 318 OLD CHARLESTOWN and flowers, which for many years were cultivated with interest and success. Mr. Thompson took great pride in his garden, and was somewhat noted as a skillful grower of the Isabella grape and giant gooseberry. Mr. Wilder, in his article on " Horticulture in Boston and Vicinity," in the Memorial History of Boston, refers to him as an experienced cultivator of fruits. In early life he learned the trade of a blacksmith with his uncle, Deacon Amos Tufts, and after his freedom-day was passed he started the business on his own account in a shop on what is now the corner of Warren Street and Church Court. He carried on the business here successfully for some time, and in connection with it built a stable where he kept horses and carriages to let. The stable was afterwards altered into a dwelling-house and made a part of the block of houses, two stories high, which stood on Church Court until their destruc tion was necessary to make room for the elegant structure erected by the Five Cent Savings Bank. That building now covers the ground formerly occupied by this block and the old mansion-house and garden. When the little block of houses referred to was built, the blacksmith- shop was removed to the other corner of Church Court, where it stood for some years and then gave way to the block of two wooden houses now on the site, which were put up by Mr. Thompson. The upper part of this lot, between the blacksmith-shop and the church-yard, was formerly the vegetable-garden. After many years of success as a blacksmith and stable-keeper, Mr. Thompson opened a store on Main Street for the sale of iron and steel. His son Charles was connected with him in this business and continued OLD CHARLESTOWN 319 it for many years after his father withdrew to take a position in the employ of the Boston Iron Company. In a former article I have referred to this son, the Honorable Charles Thompson, and to Luther Lapham, afterwards his partner, and to the business carried on in this iron- store. The store was patronized largely by the ship builders and shipwrights of Charlestown and Medford, and by the numerous carriage-builders in the town and vicinity, and it had a valuable country trade. Timothy Thompson as a blacksmith and iron-dealer was brought into contact with William Gray, at the time the wharves in Charlestown were made lively by the energy and commercial enterprise of that distinguished man. This acquaintance and friendship was continued after Mr. Gray left Charlestown. The Boston Iron Company was a corporation established for the manufact ure of cut nails, iron hoops and rods, and iron shapes of all kinds. It belonged largely if not wholly to the Gray family. The factory was on the Mill-dam in Roxbury, and the store for the sale of its products was on India Street, Boston. The charge of this store was given to Mr. Thompson as selling-agent, and here he continued for a long period, almost up to the time of his death. The wholesale iron-dealers and hardware-men of Boston all knew him well and were pretty sure of a call from him when their stocks needed replenishment. He was straightforward and cheerful, a pleasant man to deal with, and successful in the position he occupied. He enjoyed a joke and was apt to enforce good advice in a humorous way, as when he suggested to his son, who had been elected and was about taking his seat as a member of the Governor's Council, that it might be well for him 320 OLD CHARLESTOWN to stop on the way at the cooper-shop of old Mr. Vinton and have a couple of good walnut hoops set snugly about him ; or as when, after attending a revival-meeting and listening to the statement of one of his neighbors, a man of good standing, that he was the vilest of sinners with no good thing about him, he called at the neighbor's store the following morning to express sorrow for the confession he had heard and which would be so hard for his fellow-townsmen to realize who had always heretofore looked upon him as a kind-hearted husband and father, a good neighbor and honest citizen. In early life he was active in the affairs of the town and served it as an official many times. He represented it in the Legislature in 1819, '20, and '39, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1820. He was a Democrat in politics. Mr. Thompson was a strong man mentally. He was a constant reader of the Bible and an independent thinker as to its contents. His belief in God was very firm, and his faith in the triumph of good as the plan and purpose of the Almighty was unwavering. He was one of the original members of the First Universalist Society and Church, and was a constant attendant at all its services. The early ministers of the denomination were welcome guests at his house, where discussions on the Bible and the religious beliefs and movements of the time were frequent and interesting. One of his daughters was the wife of Rev. Henry Knapp, father of Rev. Arthur Knapp, the Unitarian clergyman. Another daughter married Thomas Browne, Jr., father of T. Quincy Browne, of Concord and Boston ; and another, the late Alfred B. Hall. OLD CHARLESTOWN 321 Joseph Thompson, after his removal from the Russell House in the Square, lived for many years in Union Street, where he died in 1851. He was naturally, perhaps, the most enterprising one of the family ; but he was too sanguine and riskful as a business man for per manent success. Many important changes and improve ments were planned by him and carried forward with energy and ability, and there were times in the history of the town when he was prosperous and very prom inent ; but he met with reverses and disappointments too great for him to overcome, and in the last years of his life was disinclined to mingle much with his fellow- citizens and friends. Joseph Thompson's daughters were the wives of Henry A. Pierce, G. Washington Warren, Henry L. Jaques, and Rev. Charles R. Clark, of California. May 9, 1 89 1. 322 OLD CHARLESTOWN LIII Doctor Thompson Beloved as a Family Physician, Prominent in Public Affairs, and Full of Religious Sentiment. DR. ABRAHAM R. THOMPSON lived on Main Street, opposite the Boylston house on Crafts' Corner. His old mansion is still standing. The lower part of it is now occupied by M. E. Stark as a millinery-store. The block of low wooden buildings next to it cover what was formerly the garden, on which the house then fronted. The garden extended through from Main Street to Seminary Place. Some fine shade- trees (horse-chestnuts) and a thrifty Irish ivy which covered the whole of the north brick wall of the house on the adjoining lot are remembered as among its attrac tions. On a portion of the lot fronting on Seminary Place was the stable. When Doctor Thompson was born (May 20, 1781), his great uncle, Abraham Rand, asked the privilege of giving him a name, and in compliance with this request he was christened Abraham Rand. The uncle himself was a Charlestown boy, a descendant of Robert Rand who settled here as early as 1635. Abraham Rand's father, Joseph Rand, was a hatter, having his place of business and of residence on Main Street, where the Doctor Thompson house now stands. This real-estate OLD CHARLESTOWN 3*3 was inherited by the son, Abraham, who was established in business in Salem as a tinplate-worker. When his namesake, Abraham Rand Thompson, was ten years old he went to Salem to live with his uncle, who fitted him for college and sent him to Dartmouth, from which insti tution he received his degree of doctor of medicine in 18 1 5. The nephew was a lively, cheerful youth, and his uncle was very fond of him and when he died gave him by will the house and estate on Main Street, in Charlestown, which he had inherited from his father. Abraham Rand, some years before his death, became totally blind, and was in that unfortunate condition of dependence upon others which loss of sight necessitates. He died in February, 1804. On the afternoon of his funeral, in accordance with the custom of the time, his will was read to the relatives assembled, and the bequest to the nephew became known. It was a surprise, and a disappointment to other relatives, but its announcement was received in silence and the friends returned to their homes. On the evening of that day a brother-in-law made his accustomed call on the father of the young legatee at his home on the corner of Main and Thompson streets in Charlestown. The shadow of dissatisfaction was resting upon his countenance, and he was somewhat choked in his speech. After alluding to the ceremonies at the funeral, and stiffening up his courage by carelessly poking the wood-fire with the tongs, he forced out the exclamation : " That will can never stand, Brother Thompson ! Uncle Rand's blindness wore upon him to such an extent as to affect his mind, which I am sure you must have noticed, as we all have, for a long time." 324 OLD CHARLESTOWN "That is a question for the Probate Court to settle," replied Brother Thompson. "True," was the response, "but no judge of probate can ever allow that will to be set up." Nevertheless, the will was set up. The young man was given possession of the property, soon moved into the house with his bride (Miss Elizabeth Bowers, of Billerica), and enjoyed it for the remainder of a long life. Doctor Thompson commenced practice as a physician in 1 802, in which year he received a certificate from the censors of the Massachusetts Medical Society that he was qualified. He had studied during the three years previous with Dr. Josiah Bartlett. He gained a large practice in Charlestown, and in the neighboring city and towns, which he kept up to the day of his death. He was for a long period one of the trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester, and while holding the position of chairman of that board made valuable and interesting reports. For a while, after the death of Doctor Lee of the McLean Asylum, and previous to the appointment of Dr. Luther V. Bell, he had charge of that institution. Late in his life he served as president of the day at one of the annual festivals of the Massachu setts Medical Society. As a family physician he was beloved and confided in. He was attentive and patient ; cheerful and encouraging with the suffering ; ever ready to relieve parents and children and friends of care and responsibility which weighed heavily upon them, by taking it upon himself ; and he was full of faith and sym pathy to prepare them for the worst when disease was baffling the skill of physicians or when patients had passed the point of possible recovery. OLD CHARLESTOWN 325 Doctor Thompson was a high-toned, public-spirited man, and was actively interested in town affairs all through his life. At an early age he was a popular officer in the Warren Phalanx. He was a member of the school committee for a long period and the printed reports of that board from 18 13 to 18 19 were all written by him and bear his signature as secretary. His name appears on the town records as a member of many impor tant committees. His services were called into use on special public occasions up to the very last of his life, and his voice was familiar and eloquent whenever an expression of the sentiment and feeling of the town was desired for patriotic, religious, educational, or benevolent purposes. He was very often made chairman of public meetings, over which he presided with dignity and ease. His addresses were effective and sometimes of very marked merit and eloquence. When Lafayette visited Bunker Hill in 1824 he was welcomed to the sacred ground by Doctor Thompson, as chairman of the town committee of arrangements, in a speech which has been several times reprinted in our local journals and will again be interesting. A copy of the reply made by Lafayette, in his own handwriting, which was afterwards sent through Edward Everett to Doctor Thompson, is now in possession of Doctor Lyon, his son-in-law. Lavassuer, secretary of the general, who published an account of his journey through the country, says of this speech, " Lafayette was much moved by it, and his emotion was communicated to all the bystanders." Doctor Thompson read the Declaration of Independ ence when Edward Everett delivered his oration on the 326 OLD CHARLESTOWN History of Liberty, July 4, 1828, and was the eulogist in the Harvard Church at the memorial services on the occasion of the death of President William H. Harrison, in 1840. On another exciting and interesting time in the town's history his voice was heard with emphasis and eloquence, as the following paragraph, copied from a notice of him written by Richard Frothingham at the time of his death, will show : He appeared before the public on the occasion of the burning of the Ursuline Convent in 1834, of which community he had been for more than four years the physician. He took part in the great meeting that was held in the Town Hall on the morning after the fire, when the excitement was terrible, pouring forth his indignant feeling at the stain on his native town. He subsequently printed an elaborate letter and took part in the legal proceedings that followed this outrage. It did not matter as to his own course that prejudice blinded the eyes of his neighbors whom he loved ; nor did he stop to consider what would be popular ; but, moved by a sense of justice, he gave free range to that sentiment of civil and religious liberty that was ever an inspiration with him, and his record in this sense of deep and wide interest, well nigh national, is honorable to him as a man, citizen, and Christian. He looked upon the settlement and civilization of Liberia and the coast of Africa as one of the most important movements of the age. He was one of the original members of the Charlestown branch of the American Colonization Society, which was formed in the study of Rev. Dr. Walker in 1838, and was present and active in its annual meetings as long as he lived. He was a Federalist in politics as long as that organization OLD CHARLESTOWN 327 lasted, and he afterwards acted with the National Repub lican and Whig parties. He was the early friend of Edward Everett and had much to do in bringing him forward as a candidate when he was first elected to the Congress of the United States. In the language of another, " his heart was set on the nomination of Daniel Webster for the Presidency," and he was an enthusiastic supporter of all the measures taken to accomplish this object. In the Whig Convention in 1852, to present the claims of Mr. Webster and further his nomination, Doctor Thompson was the presiding officer and made an eloquent, telling speech. He was a presidential elector in 1844 and a member of the Governor's Council in 1847 and '48- Edward Everett and Daniel Webster were his personal friends. While Mr. Everett resided in Charlestown Doctor Thompson was his family physician, and the relations between them were intimate and confidential. The doctor had a position on the stand on the Common the last time Mr. Webster spoke in Boston, and as he was going up the steps he was greeted heartily by the distinguished statesman as his friend of forty years. Doctor Thompson was full of religious sentiment and feeling. He and his wife were for several years members of the First Church, under Doctor Morse, but, having changed their views, they were dismissed to become members of the Universalist Church. He was prominent in this church and society for a long period. Their records are full of able and interesting letters, addresses, and resolutions, the work of his pen. Later in life, with his family, he attended the Unitarian Church; but he was ever strong in his expression of the Universalist 328 OLD CHARLESTOWN faith. In this connection it will be interesting and instructive to reprint an extract from the address delivered by Dr. George E. Ellis at the time of his funeral : He will be remembered longest and best among the widest circle of his intercourse, on account of his cheer ful and radiant religious faith. He had a characteristic religion ; one of his own. Indeed, there have been many religious fellowships, not to say sects, in Christen dom, organized around one or more theories or opinions, interpretations or solutions of the great mystery of being, — God's ways and man's destiny, — which had not in them any more of the material for a specific creed than he had fashioned for himself. His religion, wrought out of his heart and experience, with the help of the Holy Book, lived profoundly believed in his breast and found fluent expression from his lips. His creed, in some of its tenets, and in the strength of conviction and the positiveness of statement with which he held and avowed it, had about it a personal peculiarity. It had grown in him ; it had not been fitted to him. He had been trained in the stern doctrine and dis cipline of the ancestral, traditional faith of New England. By the process recognized as conversion, he had passed, by the narrow door, to full church communion. But, growing to need more room and freedom, he went out by a wider door, and ever after he was convinced that the way by which he went out from an exclusive fellow ship was the right way for entering into a real Christian fellowship — a fellowship with the Father, with his Son, Jesus Christ, and with all who love him in sincerity. He outgrew the limitations and the partialities of a creed which trammeled the love and mercy of God. He had been an ardent believer of that creed ; as ardently did he afterwards repudiate it. Probably he may have lost friends and sympathy by his defection. Perhaps in his OLD CHARLESTOWN 329 early zeal of freedom he may have spoken without the warrant of knowledge and of charity. Of this I cannot speak, as I knew him only in his chastened and mellow old age, when his genial and exuberant faith had been assimilated into the very fiber and juices of his being and was to him full assurance, experience, even sight. His great tenet — by which he held and which held him — was that of the all-embracing, all-reconciling love of God the Father ; there was nothing so hard that it would not soften in that crucible ; nothing so worthless or unlovely that that potent solvent would not transmute ; nothing so unyielding or delaying in its obstinacy that that forbearing and pitying patience would, not at last win. As himself, a son and brother, a husband and father, his own domestic life had taught him what human frailties and trials are, and that kindness, gentleness, and submission are the best resources. He knew the smart, the burden, the anguish, which come of disappointed parental love and blighted hope. Five times have I seen him bear the dread shock and bend only to rise firmer again for his sorrow and its divine relief. And if an earthly father could give what is good and bear what is evil among his sons, allowing forgiveness and renewals of love, and gentle words, and steadfast hopes to rule his own heart, could he think less filially of the Heavenly Father? The consistency between his creed and his example has been noted by us all. There was hardly any need of a Christian minister in the chambers where he was the physician — the faith in which he lived and died is dearer to us because he held it with such a serene confidence and looked to its revealings with an eye so clear because lighted from above. It is pleasant to dwell upon the memory of Doctor Thompson — to think of him in his home, made sunny and charming by his constant generosity and cheerful- 330 OLD CHARLESTOWN ness, and made ready for the shadows and disappoint ments of life by his unwavering religious faith. He was conspicuous in the social life of the town, and enter tained friends and many persons of distinction with liberality and cordiality. His table was always prepared for guests. He was a gifted conversationalist and knew how and when to tell a good story. A regular service of song, every Sunday evening, with his children and grandchildren and friends gathered about him, was a most enjoyable and uplifting occasion. The doctor entered into it with his whole soul, and usually anticipated and made preparations for it by a collection of fresh flowers picked from his own garden or from those of his friends, who were always glad to contribute as he took his early Sunday morning walk. Early rising was his life-long habit. He delighted in a good horse. The writer remembers many of the well-bred, handsome horses, the property of Doctor Thompson in the days of long ago. He was perfectly at home in the saddle, and was perhaps the best known equestrian in all the neighboring towns, as well as in Charlestown. We can never forget his gracious smile and graceful bow as he jogged along, erect and self-possessed ; or his use of the spurs if in haste, and the ease with which he adapted himself to the motion of his beast when pushed to the fastest necessity. He was not always alone when on horseback, for his grandchildren had been taught to enjoy the healthful exercise and were provided with horses for the purpose ; and often, on a summer morning or afternoon, a small cavalcade of happy riders, under the doctor's direction, could be seen starting off for or return- OLD CHARLESTOWN 331 ing from an excursion of miles through the neighboring towns. He kept up this exercise as long as he lived, and it was only a few days previous to his death that he rode up Main street on a spirited young horse. On the 4th day of May, 1 866, early in the morning, he was stricken down with paralysis. For a full week he lay insensible, as if in sleep, and it seemed at times as if he were waking ; but his life was worn out, and on the morning of May 1 ith he died as quietly as a child falling to sleep in its mother's arms. He was born in Charlestown, May 20, 1781, and died May 11, 1866, a few days before he was eighty-five years old. We have referred in former articles to two of the daughters of Doctor Thompson as the wives of Doctor Hurd and Doctor Lyon. Another daughter was the wife of Admiral James Alden, of the United States Navy. His sons were George, of Forster & Thompson ; Thomas, a physician in Boston ; Jeremiah Bowers, of Fessenden & Thompson ; James L., and Frederic W. May 16, 1 89 1. 332 OLD CHARLESTOWN LIV " Coronation " Where it Originated and was First Heard — Oliver Holden - Thomas Hooper — The Little Puritan Church. OPPOSITE the head of Salem Street, where now stands the brick apartment-house built by Thomas Doane and known as " The Salem," was the former site of a wooden church which we have more than once referred to. It stood there for more than half a century. It was built for the Baptists on a lot of land given to them by Oliver Holden. It was dedicated in May, 1801, and the music for the anthem sung on the occasion was composed by Mr. Holden. The Baptists occupied this church for some years, until 1 810, when they provided themselves with another place of worship in Austin Street. Lack of harmony in the society and some disagreement as to the ownership of the High Street church occasioned this change. The church was sold to James Harrison, and by him, in 1 81 5, to the Unitarian Society, just then formed, and by that society, after the present Harvard Church was dedicated, February 10, 18 19, to the Methodists. It was the place of worship of the last-named for more than a quarter of a century ; then it was owned for a while by Josiah Brackett, a leading Methodist, and was used for occasional religious services. After a time the OLD CHARLESTOWN 333 steeple was weakened by decay and taken down, and the church was changed into an armory for the Prescott Light Guard, a military organization that flourished in Charlestown for some years until the State fixed a limit to the dragoon service, which necessitated the disband- ment of several companies, the Prescotts being among the number. After this the old building was used for several seasons as a hall for dancing-parties, the constantly deteriorating character of which induced Mr. Doane to purchase the property, raze the old church, and erect "The Salem." The fine old mansion standing above "The Salem," on Pearl Street, now the residence of Thomas Doane, was formerly the estate and home of Oliver Holden. The building has always been attractive in its exterior, while its interior is finely planned and arranged for com fort and convenience. The lot of land connected with it is still large, and in the garden can yet be found some of the shrubs, plants, and fruit-trees which helped to ornament and make it useful in Mr. Holden's day. The grounds were then extensive, at one time reaching nearly to Bunker Hill Street ; and after much of the land on that side of the town had been laid out into lots and covered largely with buildings, Mr. Holden would often refer to his land, not quite ready for the market, as "the elegant reserve." Oliver Holden came to Charlestown in 1788. His ancestors had been residents here a century earlier, but had removed to Pepperell, where he was born September 18, 1765. He remained in Charlestown until his death, September 4, 1844, when he was a few days short of seventy-nine years old. He was a carpenter and joiner 334 OLD CHARLESTOWN by trade. He was very enterprising, and at once after his removal here commenced the purchase of lots of land and the erection of buildings. His first purchase was a lot on Bow Street, in 1787, on which he built a house which he sold to Samuel Payson, the schoolmaster, one of the early teachers in the Town Hill School. Payson was afterwards, for many years, cashier of the Massachusetts Bank, in Boston, but resided all the while in Charlestown. Mr. Holden was early interested in the schools and was one of the committee having in charge the enlargement and rebuilding of the Town Hill school-house in 1 800. He represented the town in the State Legislature in 18 18, '25, '26, '28, and '33. His operations in real-estate were extensive, and the number of recorded conveyances to and from him can hardly be equaled by those of any other citizen in the town. Mr. Holden was connected with the First Baptist Church in its early organization, but afterwards with another religious society, known for many years as the Puritan Church. He was the head of and the preacher for this company of Christian believers all through its existence. Their meetings were first held in a little wooden building still standing on School Street, just below High Street, and afterwards in a one-story wooden church erected by Mr. Holden on High Street, opposite the head of Wood Street, its front shaded by the wide- spreading elm-tree which, in spite of the remonstrance of a large number of the residents in its vicinity, was cut down by order of the City Council of Boston a few years ago. These remonstrants, it will be remembered, showed their regret and indignation by causing the OLD CHARLESTOWN 335 church-bells to be tolled when the old tree, shorn of its branches and severed from its root, lay on the ground, a sad example of the lack of reverence and the ruthless spirit of the authorities of a great city in this age of the world. The services at this little church under the tree were interesting, and simple in form like the other Congrega tional churches, except that, for a while at least, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was observed every Sunday. The society was small, but composed of highly respected citizens. They believed in the Bible, wor shiped it, perhaps, and, like the early Puritans, referred to it as the test of all that was proper or necessary in religious or civil government. No special effort was made by these religionists to disseminate their peculiar views. Visitors to the little church were received with kindness, but the main object of the associates seemed to be to worship in a quiet way and profit by a com munion which they had established for this purpose. The writer in his boyhood many times witnessed and listened to the services in this church, and remembers the solemnity and earnestness of the regular attendants. He can call to mind, among them, David Fosdick, John Murray, Francis Hay, Captain Samuel G. Sargent, and his son-in-law, Jehiel Smith, Mrs. Jonathan Locke, and Joseph Carter. Mr. Holden's Bible is now in possession of Thomas Doane, or of some member of his family, to whom it was presented by the granddaughter of Mr. Holden. Its value is enhanced by notes of his reflections while perusing its pages, and by an affectionate tribute to his mother, — from whom it was a precious gift, — all in his own handwriting. 336 OLD CHARLESTOWN Mr. Holden was always greatly interested in music, and was widely known as a singer and composer in the latter part of the eighteenth century and the early part of the nineteenth. His standing with musical people and the critics of that period is set forth fully in Moore's Encyclopaedia of Music, published in 1854, from which we copy the following : In 1 793 Oliver Holden, a resident of Charlestown, a carpenter and joiner by trade, published his first book of sacred music, arranged in three and four parts, the music being much of it original, entitled " The American Harmony." He commenced teaching music, and opened a store for the sale of music-books. Soon after, he pub lished another book, in two volumes, called " Union Harmony ; or, a Universal Collection of Sacred Music." In 1795 he associated himself with Hans Grau and Samuel Holyoke, and they published " The Massachusetts Compiler." In 1797 Mr. Holden published "The Worcester Collection of Sacred Harmony," which he altered, revised, and corrected, adding an appendix con taining a number of psalm-tunes and some other pieces of music. This was the sixth edition of the work and consisted of one hundred and fifty-six pages. It was printed upon movable types by Isaiah Themas, of Worcester, Massachusetts, who in 1786 procured the type in Europe. Mr. Holden was a conscientiously religious and amiable man, as any one might judge from the style of his com positions. He was the author of many excellent tunes. His " Confidence," to the words, " How can my soul in God rejoice " ; " Paradise," " Now to the shining realms above" ; and his "Coronation," "All hail the power of Jesus' name," will live for generations yet to sing and admire. Holden was from his youth passionately fond of music, and though in the latter years of his life he ceased to instruct and compose, he retained his love for OLD CHARLESTOWN 337 the art till his death. Up to the time Mr. Holden ceased publishing music there had been no American author whose productions had been so well received and so generally admired. Mr. Holden belonged to the order of Free Masons and was admitted to King Solomon's Lodge in June, 1795, and was made an honorary member after July, 1808. In the record of a celebration of Washington's Birthday by the Lodge in 1787 can be found the follow ing : " Brother Oliver Holden was present on the occa sion and sang several songs. He also presented to the Lodge a beautiful ivory mallet, and Brother Benjamin Hurd an ancient chair." These gifts to the Lodge have been used, I believe, by every Master since that time. Musical entertainments at Lodge meetings, conducted by Mr. Holden, are mentioned many times in the records. In this connection I am reminded of another of the old worthies of Charlestown, Thomas Hooper, whose memory is especially precious to the Masonic Lodge referred to. Mr. Hooper was eminent in the Masonic order, and through a long life a prominent man in the town, holding many important offices under the town and city governments. He was born April 16, 1779, and died July 23, 1868, living here all his life. He was for some time the town treasurer and for many years an official in the Massachusetts Bank. Like Mr. Holden he began life as a carpenter and joiner, and like him he was also very fond of music. In early life they were very intimate friends, and Hooper was one of the favored few called in to hear Holden's musical composi tions before they were given to the public. In the last 338 OLD CHARLESTOWN days of his life it was exceedingly interesting to listen to his account of these visits and of the discussions as to the merits of the new tunes and their arrangement. Old residents of Charlestown may, I think, feel a proper pride in the fact that some of these tunes com posed by a Charlestown man and heard for the first time at his fireside have touched the religious sentiment with wonderful force and have lost none of their power even up to the present time. Who can measure the value of the tune of " Coronation " as it is everywhere sung and used to wake up religious emotion and interest by every denomination of Christians ? Go where you will, to any gathering of earnest men and women who desire to give harmonious expression in song to their religious life and Christian faith, and " Coronation " is sure to be selected, not only for its familiarity but for its peculiar adaptation, and it will be ringing in the ears of those who have taken part in its singing, or who listened to it, long after its actual sound has ceased. Its heartiness and earnestness meet ready acknowledgment and leave no room for adverse criticism. The royal diadem seems really to be brought forth and the crown put on with unanimity and rejoicing. The tune is sung everywhere. Not long ago, while engaged in looking over a route for a new railroad, Mr. Doane attended a religious meeting in an obscure town in North Carolina and found " Coronation " the inspiring tune there. After its conclusion he took occasion to say that his residence in Boston was the old homestead of the composer. Sunday before last was spent by the writer at the Poland Springs House, in Maine, and in the afternoon OLD CHARLESTOWN 339 and evening concerts were given by the fine orchestra of the hotel, which orchestra is led by our highly esteemed and talented townsman, J. Howard Richardson. The large and elegant music-hall was nearly filled with the guests. A daintily-printed programme had been pro vided, and it will be needless for me to say that every one was delighted with the classical character of the music announced, and afterwards with the excellent judgment, taste, and skill shown in its performance. After the regular concert in the evening was over, Mr. Richardson announced that the usual Sunday evening service of song would take place, and there were some fine voices in the company to join in it. Many tunes, new and old, were selected and sung, and the evening seemed to be passing away with no call for the old favorite. The writer had just made up his mind that it would be for gotten, when one of the leading singers called out : " Now let us all stand up and sing old ' Coronation ' " ; and the whole company did rise, to experience the thrill of enjoyment and uplifting which the old tune has never yet failed to give to its hearers. Not long ago I clipped from a newspaper some verses, written by Mrs. E. V. Wilson, entitled " His Mother's Song," which pleased me much in the reading, and which, it seems to me now, may be reprinted as an appropriate appendix to this chapter. his mother's song. Beneath the hot midsummer sun The men had marched all day, And now beside a rippling stream Upon the grass they lay. 340 OLD CHARLESTOWN Tiring of games and idle jests, As swept the hours along, They called to one who mused apart, " Come, give us, friend, a song." He answered, " Nay, I cannot please ; The only songs I know Are those my mother used to sing At home, long years ago." " Sing one of those," a rough voice cried ; " We all are true men here, And to each mother's son of us A mother's songs are dear." Then sweetly sang the strong, clear voice, Amid unwonted calm : " Am I a soldier of the Cross, A follower of the Lamb ? " The trees hushed all their whispering leaves, The very stream was stilled, And hearts that never throbbed with fear With tender memories thrilled. Ended the song, the singer said, As to his feet he rose, " Thanks to you all ! good night, my friends, God grant you sweet repose." Out spoke the captain : " Sing one more." The soldier bent his head, Then, smiling as he glanced around, " You'll join with me," he said, " In singing this familiar air, Sweet as a bugle-call, — OLD CHARLESTOWN 341 « All hail the power of Jesus' name, Let angels prostrate fall.' " Wondrous the spell the old tune wrought ! As on and on he sang, Man after man fell into line, And loud their voices rang. The night winds bore the grand refrain Above the tree-tops tall ; The "everlasting hills" called back In answer, "Lord of all." The songs are done, the camp is still, Naught but the stream is heard ; But, ah ! the depths of every soul By those old hymns were stirred, And up from many a bearded lip Rises in murmurs low The prayer the mother taught her boy At home, long years ago. September 26, 1891. -*> Shortly after the above chapter was first printed, I re ceived a note from a granddaughter of Oliver Holden, thanking me for the notice given of her grandfather and of his life-work. The letter contains an account of the death of Mr. Holden which I think will be very interest ing to the reader. It is as follows : With my mother I watched by his bedside the last night of his life. In the early morning hours he tried to speak, and very intently my mother listened, but she 342 OLD CHARLESTOWN could not understand. Then I bade him tell me what he would say, and very slowly he spoke : " I have some beautiful airs running in my head. If I only had strength to note them down ! " These were his last words. Six hours later, as the old clock on the stairs was striking nine, he went home, and the dear old house was never the same afterwards. By the note I am also informed that the Bible given to the oldest daughter of Mr. Doane on her wedding-day was the one used by Mr. Holden in the little chapel. The family Bible, as well as the organ, secretary, and clock, with many other precious mementoes, are still in the posession of the writer of the note, who sent me also, inclosed, the following extract from the journal of a private soldier in the 44th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia : Sunday, November 2, 1862. I was ordered off guard at 4.30 a.m., and fell into the ranks without my mug of coffee or breakfast. The brigades marched out of the town (Little Washington, North Carolina) northward, upon sandy roads, and en tered the woodland. Weary from a night's watching, with the prospect of a fatiguing march through a monotonous, desolated country, I could not forget the peaceful Sab bath of my dear New England home. Silently praying for strength, my ear caught the first notes of " Corona tion " from voices in the advance. In quick response, the whole line, catching up the strain, made the forest ring with "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," and forgetting myself in this grand adoration of the Master I felt that God had answered my prayer. In the note referred to above, allusion is made to an article published in The Boston Evening Transcript in OLD CHARLESTOWN 343 1876, entitled " Centennial Peonies," and signed "S.," and I was asked if it was written by me.* I had never seen or heard of it, but expressed a desire for a copy, which I have since received. In connection with what we have printed concerning Mr. Holden it is a very interesting paper, and to reprint it will, it seems to me, be proper and pleasing. To the Editor of The Transcript — With this note I send you a buncb of peonies, the roots of which have been in my garden many years. They are like other peonies of the kind, but there is a little history connected with these which makes them of interest in these days of centennial remembrance, for I can trace back their ancestry to the 17th of June, 1775, when the British burnt the town of Charlestown. At that time there were two estates on Bow Street, adjoining each other ; one occupied by Nathaniel Rand, and the other by Mr. Russell. Their houses were destroyed, and the families fled to the neighboring towns for safety. It was in March, 1776, when the British evacuated Charlestown, that the former inhabitants returned to rebuild their hpuses. As there had been no fences between the estates it was difficult to mark out the boundary-lines. Mr. Russell thought he knew the line and began to stake it off. Mr. Rand believed he was encroaching on his premises, and said to Mr. Russell, " Wait until my peonies come up, as they were on the boundary, and they will tell the story." When the peonies appeared the line was fixed. Mr. Rand had had three wives and fifteen children, and had he lived in our day he would be considered a premium father. His thirteenth child, Nancy, born 23d *"S." was the signature used at the end of each of this series of articles in their original newspaper form. 344 OLD CHARLESTOWN of December, 1765, was married on the 12th of May, 1791, to the late Oliver Holden, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Charlestown. Mr. Holden settled in Pearl Street, on the back part of Bunker Hill, and the old peony-roots were transferred to his garden. More than half a century ago the writer learned this little history, saw the flowers, and subsequently obtained some roots from which the flowers now sent you are the products Mr. Holden composed the good old tune of " Corona tion," which has been oftener sung by our church choirs than any other (with the exception, perhaps, of "Old Hundred"), and one which, from its enlivening and cheering melody, will continue to be a favorite long after many of the more modern and fashionable tunes of the present day are forgotten. S. This story of delay in fixing the boundary-line between the two estates in Bow Street has been known to Mr. Doane, who says that the bulbs transplanted into Mr. Holden's garden are still there, and that they pro duced fine flowers during the very last spring. When the season comes round again I hope we may have the pleasure of seeing this bunch of old-fashioned red peonies in full bloom. Meanwhile I shall be curious to know about the other " S.," whose signature I have unwit tingly adopted. October 17, 1891. OLD CHARLESTOWN 345 LV Rev. Thomas F. King Father of Starr King and Pastor of the Universalist Church — His Death and Funeral — The First Sermon of Doctor Chapin in Massachusetts. IN October, 1835, an invitation was extended by the First Universalist Society in Charlestown to Rev. Thomas Farrington King, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to become its pastor, the situation having been made vacant by the resignation of Rev. Linus S. Everett in December, 1 834. The invitation was accepted, and the installation services took place January 10, 1836. Those of us who were privileged to know Mr. King can never forget the faithful, warm-hearted Christian min ister, the father of Thomas Starr King. It has been well said of him that "he was a friend of truth and humanity," and certainly his generous nature claimed acknowledgement from all who came in contact with him. After his acceptance of this call he removed from Portsmouth to Charlestown at once, with his wife and family of young children, among them his eldest son, Thomas Starr, then ten years of age. The ministry of Thomas F. King was successful. His character was marked by openness and honesty. In his intercourse with his fellow-men he was confiding and agreeable. The grasp of his hand was so warm and 346 OLD CHARLESTOWN his greeting so cordial that he easily gained the confidence and esteem of the whole community. He was broad in his views and open to the influence of light as it should be thrown upon the world for its instruction and growth ; a good speaker and a fine reader of hymns, always in earnest with his work, — as some of us, who were inter ested parties in the marriage-ceremony as conducted by him, well remember. Yet he was full of humor, and remarkable for his imitative powers, which he was ever ready to put into exercise and make interesting when the proper time for mirthfulness came round. In a word, he was an able, cheerful, good man. But his health failed, and after great suffering from a deep-seated disease he died in September, 1839, at tbe age of forty-two years, at his home on Main Street, in the wooden building which now makes the corner of Main and Dunstable streets. His funeral, which took place from the church in September, was very largely attended ; all the business places in the town were closed in testimony of the respect and regard felt for him in the community, and a long procession followed his remains to his grave in the old burial-ground. The death of Mr. King took place at a time when there was an unusual gathering of Universalist clergy men in Boston, who were on their way to a general con vention of the denomination at Portland, Maine. Many of them attended the funeral and were present in the church, which was opened for religious services in the evening of that day. Among these clergymen was a young man who, two years before, had been ordained and settled over the Independent Christian Society in Richmond, Virginia. He had been invited by the church committee, at the suggestion of Rev. A. B. Grosh, of OLD CHARLESTOWN 347 Utica, New York, with whom he had been a student, to preach the sermon. The congregation was large, and they listened with constantly increasing attention to the preacher as he discoursed on faith, "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The preacher was Rev. Edwin H. Chapin, and this was his first introduction to a Charlestown audience, his first sermon in New England. The rapt attention of all who were present was easily held by him, as in eloquent tones he delivered a sermon which was at once a source of consolation to the recently bereaved, of profit and enjoyment to his hearers, and the promise of future eminence for himself. To hear more from this stranger, to listen again to the rich tone of his voice, to be stirred and charmed by his earnest, vigorous thought and unmis takable sincerity, was the general desire, and, by a unanimous vote at a meeting of the society soon after, its committee was instructed to extend an invitation to him to occupy the pulpit again as a candidate for the vacant pastorship. The correspondence resulted in his promise to preach three Sundays in the February follow ing. His return was looked forward to with almost impatient interest, and when it was announced February 1, 1840, that he had arrived and would occupy the pulpit on the following Sunday the expression of gratifi cation and pleasant expectancy was intense. A single sermon by a young stranger, unknown to fame, had produced this state of feeling. But his soul had been stirred to its depths with his own thought, and there was magnetism enough about him to attract and hold the attention and interest of every listener. The church was thronged when Sunday came, and as the young divine passed through the aisle to the pulpit, 348 OLD CHARLESTOWN everything but the outward expression of applause was manifest in the congregation. But what was to be the outcome of all this ? To meet this expectation was a large demand upon a young man who had just entered the ministry. Would he be equal to it ? There was no disappointment. The services were successful from the first to the last. The scripture-lesson, the reading of the hymns, the prayer, each touched the head, the heart, the soul; and the sermon was full of the earnestness and irresistible eloquence which always afterwards char acterized the preaching of Doctor Chapin. It had been arranged with Mr. Chapin that there should be a morning and an afternoon service on each of the three Sundays. When he left Richmond he had just delivered a course of six lectures to young men. They had given great satisfaction and called out much favor able newspaper criticism. A desire was expressed by . some of the Boston Universalists, especially Abel Tompkins, whose book-store in Cornhill was at that time the headquarters of the Universalist ministers, that he should repeat these lectures while here and allow them to be published in book-form. The society hesitated before meeting this desire, on the ground that it would be asking too much, imposing too great a burden upon the young man. But the request was made, and the lectures given Sunday and Thursday evenings of his stay. Twelve sermons in three weeks, and to hear each one of them a church filled to its utmost capacity with delighted listeners — listeners to a man of unmistakable genius, to the earnest expression of a noble soul, whose influence was as natural and cheering as the sunlight, as potent and refreshing as the rain. On Sunday, February 23, after the service in the OLD CHARLESTOWN 349 afternoon, a general meeting of the society was held, and this resolution was passed : " We hereby extend to Rev. Edwin H. Chapin a frank, cordial, and unanimous invitation to assume the pastoral charge of this society." This resolution was presented to him by the committee at the residence of one of its members on the evening of the same day, and it was confirmed at a legal meeting which had been notified previously but could not be held until the 8th of March. A long time elapsed before a full acceptance of the call was given, but during this time an interesting correspondence was kept up between Richard Frothing ham, Jr., chairman of the standing committee, and Rev. Mr. Chapin, which from time to time was communicated to the society. To fulfill faithfully his obligations to the society in Richmond had first to be considered and com pleted by Mr. Chapin. Then he must be sure that the Charlestown society understood fully his position as a minister of the gospel, a seeker after truth. His views of Universalism were not in full accord with some of its teachers, but his " reason and hope, bound together with golden cords of scripture teaching, held to the sublime and beautiful doctrine of universal salvation." He looked upon the society as an independent one and he would be an independent preacher. With the full understanding of his views and feelings he would gratefully accept the call. Mr. Frothingham's reply in behalf of the society was as follows : We would have our minister an Independent Preacher ; one who would not be bounded by creed or sect ; one who would yield to no dictation but that of his own conscience ; one who would make duty his principle of action, and truth his guiding star; one who would 350 OLD CHARLESTOWN stand ready to reflect whatever of new light he may receive upon the people of his charge. Robinson, two centuries ago, charged his people never to be afraid to receive new truth from God's Word. Shall we refuse to accept a liberty that is two centuries old ? In this spirit the relation of pastor and people was formed between Edwin H. Chapin and the First Univer salist Society in Charlestown. On the first Sunday in December, 1840, he greeted his people from his own pulpit, as pastor and preacher, and on the 23d of the same month his installation took place in the presence of a large and happy congregation. At this time all the religious societies in the town were in a state of prosperity, and their standing with their respective denominations was such as to make them worthy of the attention of the most prominent young clergymen looking for places of settlement. Doctor Walker had just given up the pastorate of the Harvard Unitarian Society to take a professorship in Harvard College, and a call had been accepted by Rev. George E. Ellis, August 8, 1840, to fill his place. The First Church was without a pastor, and Rev. William Ives Buddington had been called there ; and Rev. E. H. Chapin, as we have said, had become the pastor of the Universalist Society. These three young men, each then only twenty-five years old, and all born within she months of each other, were to commence their career of usefulness and eminence in Charlestown. Fortunate Charlestown ! But more of this, with further notice of Doctor Chapin's life here, in a future article. June 4, 1892. OLD CHARLESTOWN 351 LVI Rev. Edwin H. Chapin His Ministry and Life in Charlestown. AS we left the subject in the previous chapter, Mr. Chapin was the recently settled minister of the Universalist Church. By the eloquent expression of his advanced thought he had at once made a strong impression upon his own people and the community, and was attracting crowds of eager listeners to his sermons and services. He was entering upon a busy period in his life. Fortunately he was rugged and strong in health, for the public is very severe in its demands upon favorite speakers and blind to the possibility of overworking them. The service required of him by the society over which he had just been settled was the delivery of two sermons each Sunday, with an additional lecture on the evening of the second Sunday in each month, and a preparatory lecture on Thursday evening before Com munion Sunday. Then the regular work of a large parish must be attended to, and he must be ready to answer the calls made upon him, as upon every settled minister in the town, by those who render no aid in the support of religious institutions, although they need and claim their ministrations when sickness and death over take them. Moreover, as the eloquent young preacher 352 OLD CHARLESTOWN had made an impression upon the community as well as upon the society over which he had been settled, a lecture before the town lyceum was very early asked of him. As it proved to be an interesting and able one, all the lyceums in the neighboring towns must have it, and all the temperance and other reform associations must hear him, as he was known to be in sympathy with them ; while the growing order of Odd Fellows, of which he was one of the earliest members, claimed his influ ence and assistance in its behalf. At this time, too, Charlestown was influential in the councils of the State. It was represented in the Legis lature by William Sawyer, Seth J. Thomas, and Richard Frothingham. Frederic Robinson was president of the Senate and Charles Thompson a member of the Gov ernor's Council. The friendship of all these prominent men of the time had been gained by the charming per sonal qualities of Mr. Chapin, and they were proud of his growing fame as a public speaker. The suggestion that he might be elected chaplain of the Legislature was pushed by them to a successful vote, and the duties of that office were added to the almost innumerable calls upon his time and strength. But he bore up under his burden with great courage and judgment, and did his work well — so well that louder calls were made upon him. He was chosen to preach the election sermon before the Governor and Council, was made a member of the State Board of Education and invited to deliver addresses at the commencement exercises of some of the colleges. All these things were piled upon him as testimonies to his genius and ability. It would seem that with all this on his hands his work in his society must be neglected, but his pulpit labor OLD CHARLESTOWN 353 continued to be successful and each Sunday found him prepared with fresh sermons to which crowded congre gations were delighted to listen. If his brain was busy during the week it found no rest on Saturday night, and the early Sunday morning hours were often needful for the finishing touches of sermons to be delivered later in the day. But his whole soul was in his work, the strain and fatigue of which were disguised by his enthusiasm and eloquence. Nevertheless he was overworking, and the evidence of this fact must sooner or later appear. When he arrived in Charlestown to commence the work of his ministry he brought with him his wife and an infant son, who then comprised his family. He was a devoted husband and fond father. His arduous labors, which we have tried to describe, took up the greater part of his time, but his heart was all the while in his home. Little Edwin Channing, for he had given his boy, for a middle name, that of the distinguished divine whose life and writings had deeply impressed his mind and heart, . was a bright, promising child, and both his mother and father looked upon and cherished him with the intensest parental affection. He was a healthy child, too, and the influence of this young life upon his parents, who were free from great anxiety on his account, was joyous, encouraging, and healthful. But, alas ! this was of short duration, for the bloom of health suddenly passed away and the dear boy sickened and died. Up to this time the enthusiasm of the crowds who had listened to him, the consciousness of successful labor, the excitement of his busy life, had stimulated and cheered him on and kept him unconscious of the wear upon his nervous system and of its demand for rest. But now, filled with grief and disappointment, weariness 354 OLD CHARLESTOWN of mind and body became apparent; his heart almost failed, and despondency laid its hand heavily upon him. This was a time when the influence of a devoted, true- hearted, and courageous wife was needed to check the despairing tendency, to lead him to accept the lesson of sorrow and disappointment as a test of faith in the eternal goodness, and to lift him up out of the present shadow into the light of future usefulness and duty ; and here perhaps was first made apparent the energy and nobleness of the character of Mrs. Chapin, which after wards, through all his eminent career, was so helpful and important in the successful life of her husband. The time had now surely come for rest, the absolute necessity for which was urged upon him, and a period of relief from his ministerial duties was voted by the society, while the denominational newspaper gave notice that for a while it would be impossible for him to accept invita tions to address public meetings. Before starting on his vacation he had preached a sermon on the mission of little children, the subject that had occupied his mind, and his vacation days must have been occupied in reflec tion upon such subjects, for he soon prepared for the press that little volume, entitled " The Crown of Thorns," which has been a source of consolation and comfort to many wounded hearts ever since. During his settlement in Charlestown he received many calls from other societies, with offers of increased salary as an inducement for their acceptance. One of these, from the leading Universalist Society in New York, he had under consideration for some time, but it was declined at last. He was in actual need of increased compensation for his services, and after the effect of his required rest began to be felt by him he was met by a OLD CHARLESTOWN 355 proposition from the Second Universalist Society in Boston to become the colleague of the venerable Hosea Ballou, with a salary sufficient to relieve him from the necessity of much of his other labor. This he accepted, after advice with his friends. He left Charlestown in the spirit shown in the following letter to his society : Charlestown, November 1, 1845. Brethren — After, I trust, due deliberation, I have concluded to ask of you a dissolution of our present connection, in order that I may be at liberty to accept a call which I have received from the Second Universal ist Society in Boston. I therefore now respectfully tender to you my resignation of my office as pastor of your society, the connection to close at such time as you may indicate. Thus much formally. But, brethren, a connection of almost five years cannot be coldly broken. The con clusion at which I have now arrived fills me with emotion, and I should do injustice to myself and to you did I not say so. These five years exist, with all their vicissitudes and their results, and they can never be obliterated from my memory. The kindness and indulgence which I have experienced at your hands, the acquaintances I have formed, the seasons of communion we have had together, the words which I have spoken and you have heard, and all the facts and opportunities of my ministry among you, have established a relationship between us which cannot be broken by any changes. The connec tion between pastor and people is only excelled in near ness by that of the family ; and I now pen the words which, on my part, dissolve that connection with sad and prayerful emotion. But though I shall soon cease to break unto you the bread of life as your settled pastor, as the preacher and the friend I shall always enter your pulpit and your houses as coming home, and shall always feel that you are still my people. I trust, brethren, that in forming my decision I have 356 OLD CHARLESTOWN not acted with an eye merely to my own interests. I have not been, nay, I am not now, without some fears that my leaving you may be injurious to the interests of your society ; but I have reason on the whole to believe it will not prove a permanent injury. I trust you will soon find a pastor upon whom you will unite, and who will advance your temporal and spiritual interests. For your welfare in these respects I do now and shall ever earnestly pray. Commending you to God for guidance, blessing, and all needed good, I subscribe myself, yours fraternally, E. H. Chapin. To this letter the society replied that after a connec tion of five years they could not contemplate the separa tion without painful emotion. They had been years of harmony and prosperity, and of uninterrupted friendship, in which he had been near to them in their joys and sorrows and had touched their hearts by powerful Christian appeals. The past would linger in their memories ; change could not alter nor time obliterate it, and in the pulpit or in their homes he would be always welcomed as one of them. There was consolation in the thought that he would be engaged in a more extended field, and that he would still be in the neighborhood where friendly intercourse could continue although the pastoral relation would be changed. The feeling shown in the letter of resignation was real and heartfelt, and up to the time of his death, December 26, 1879, no closer relation outside of the nearest kin ship could possibly be held than that between Doctor Chapin and his Charlestown friends. August 4, 1894. OLD CHARLESTOWN 357 LVII Thomas Starr King His Boyhood and Youth — Succeeds Doctor Chapin in His Father's Pulpit. WHEN it was determined that Mr. Chapin would accept the call of the society in Boston, the question of a successor in Charlestown was very soon under discussion. Six years had elapsed since the death of Rev. Thomas F. King. His eldest son, Thomas Starr, was now twenty years old. He was a young man of great mental ability and was preparing to enter the ministry. He was at this time supplying temporarily the pulpit of a new and small society in Chardon Street Chapel, Boston, and he had made a very marked impres sion upon all who had listened to him. His character, his genius, and his promise were fully known and appre ciated by Mr. Chapin and his society. Here in Charles town his boyhood had been spent, and here was his religious home, but he was still so young that the expediency of at once calling him to the pastorate of the society was a debated question. Will it be well to put him in the place of his father's successor, who has so acceptably carried on the work of the parish and raised its standard so high ? " Yes," said Mr. Chapin, and yes was the decision of those most interested in the welfare of the society. The writer 358 OLD CHARLESTOWN remembers well the readiness with which a paper to that effect was signed when, as a member of a committee, he was charged with the duty of presenting it to the pew- holders in anticipation of the meeting to determine the question of a call. A few only, among the oldest of them, shook their heads and refused to join in the settle ment of a boy, as they looked upon him, but the assent was so general that the action of the legal meeting could be easily determined beforehand. Even among the older members a majority favored the call. It required but little effort to secure a vote of the society inviting Mr. King to the pulpit, but it was not so easy to convince him that it would be well for him to accept the invitation. He was full of doubt as to the wisdom of such a step. He was pleased with the good opinion of his friends and at the confidence shown in him, but felt that he needed experience and preparation ; that it would be presumptuous on his part to undertake the charge of an old and large society. " Let me com mence the work of the Christian ministry in some quiet place where, perhaps, I may grow up to the needs of the larger parishes," was his earnest request and wish. "No, no," he added; "it will not do. We [for he con sidered himself an interested member of the society] must look for some older, abler man to follow out the work of Mr. Chapin." This was the state of mind in which Mr. King met his friends who were desirous of his acceptance, but he did at last yield to their judgment and accept a call. And so Thomas Starr King was ordained as a Chris tian minister and settled over the society of which his father was pastor at the time of his death, and which for OLD CHARLESTOWN 359 five years thereafter had prospered under the successful and extraordinary ministry of Rev. Edwin H. Chapin. It required a man of more than ordinary ability to carry on the work of the society and keep the teaching from its pulpit up to the standard that had been set for it ; and the society found this man in its newly settled pastor. The sermons of Mr. King were full of thought, and the advanced ideas of the time were presented by him with great clearness, prudence, and judgment. His hearers were never left without food for reflection, nor could they fail to be impressed with the duty of growth in grace, of their personal obligation to lead honest lives and to make real their faith in the fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, and the everlasting power of love. The marked ability of Mr. King attracted the atten tion of men of eminence outside the denomination to which he belonged, and he easily gained the warm friend ship of some of the most distinguished clergymen, with some of whom he exchanged pulpits. Rev. William H. Channing, Rev. William R. Alger, and Dr. Cyrus A. Bartol are remembered by the writer as among those who occupied the pulpit. Rev. A. D. Mayo, who was then studying for the ministry, was often heard in the church. He had married Miss Sarah C. Edgerton, of literary fame, who, with her brother John, were among Mr. King's dearest friends. The early death of the brother was one of his great griefs. The death of the sister, not a great while after, filled him with the keenest sorrow. Mr. King remained with the society only two years. He was interested in his work, but his mind could hardly 360 OLD CHARLESTOWN be at ease, for his fame had gone abroad, and unexpected and extraordinary invitations were extended to him to take charge of some of the most prominent pulpits in the land, — among them that of the Rev. Dr. Dewey, of New York City. The Hollis Street Society, of Boston, who were anxious to recover the ground they had lost in the controversy with their former minister, the distinguished John Pierpont, had set their minds upon Mr. King with a persistence that could not be resisted, and when he needed rest and had accepted an invitation to make a sea voyage and a visit to Fayal they exacted almost a promise that on his return he would look with a favorable eye upon this field of labor and see in it his place of greatest influence and usefulness. His letter to the society was the sequel and is a key to his feelings at the time he left Charlestown. To the Committee of the Universalist Society : Brethren — It is my duty to announce to you that I have this week accepted an invitation to settle with the Hollis Street Society in Boston ; and, therefore, that at the expiration of three months, or at an earlier date if it be thought mutually desirable, my pastoral connection with the Universalist Society in this city will cease. The reasons which have induced me to take this step are of such a nature, growing out of peculiar necessities and private feelings which cannot be controlled, that they cannot properly be stated at length, and could not, I fear, be appreciated by any who do not fully know my circumstances and the inward obstacles with which, since my settlement, I have been obliged to contend. Although the conflict of feeling in arriving at this decision has been severe, I feel certain that the course which I have taken is justified by motives, the force of which my conscience could not evade, and to which I was compelled to yield. It is but just to say, what indeed is sufficiently obvious, OLD CHARLESTOWN 361 that no cause of dissatisfaction has been furnished by the society, neither has any arisen out of its circumstances and condition. Its prosperity is evident ; and I have ever been treated by its members with uniform kindness and forbearance. They have been more faithful to their duties than I to mine ; and I cannot forget that to a large number of them I owe, in behalf of our family, a debt of gratitude for generosity of earlier date than that which has been extended directly to myself. I trust, therefore, brethren, you will feel assured that, in spite of my conviction that the labors of some other pastor would be better adapted to and appreciated by a majority of the society, it is a most painful and trying thing for me to sever the tie which has bound me to such faithful and cherished friends. Excuse me, also, if I state that this step has not been suggested, even in part, by any change of religious views. If my feelings and tendencies of thought have unfitted me for strong sectarian sympathies, yet my confidence in the cardinal principles of Universalism, and in the cheering prospect of the ultimate triumph of good, remains unshaken ; and I trust it will be evident that my change of position will not weaken my attachment to the Universalist denomination, nor remove me beyond the cordial and most pleasant fellowship of my present associates in the ministry. Private considerations almost exclusively have urged and compelled me to dissolve my present ties and seek another field of labor. The course may be misinterpreted by many, but I feel confident that the motives by which it has been dictated are such as God approves. I pray you, brethren, in communicating to the society this letter, which it has cost me so much pain to write, to assure them that my most hearty prayer is for their spiritual welfare ; and to accept, on your own behalf, my gratitude for your friendship and counsel and my warm est wishes for your personal prosperity and happiness. Most truly your friend and brother, Charlestown, October 7, 1848. T. S. King. 362 OLD CHARLESTOWN Starr King in Charlestown is a pleasant chapter in its history, notwithstanding the disappointment that his resignation at the time occasioned. He came here a bright and attractive boy, was educated in our schools, and at once gave promise of the wonderful ability devel oped in his manhood. Joshua Bates, his teacher in the grammar school, was accustomed to speak of Starr King and Samuel C. Moulton as prodigies of thought and character, and to predict eminence in their future. An early and greatly lamented death closed the earthly career of Moulton, who died April 15, 1845, at the age of sixteen years, but King lived to fulfill all expectations of honor and usefulness and had reached a point of eminence at the time of his death higher, surely, than could possibly have been seen in the mind's eye of his old teacher. Samuel C. Moulton was the brother of Mrs. John Stowell and of the Misses Moulton, who were so success ful for many years as teachers in the public schools. At the time of his death he was attending a preparatory school and would have entered Harvard College in the following September. The experiences of Starr King as a youth are of interest. After leaving school to aid in the support of his mother and her family, — for his father left but small estate, — he was for a while employed in the dry-goods store of W. H. & T. B. Preston ; but he soon received an appointment as assistant in the Bunker Hill Grammar School, of which Benjamin F. Tweed was the principal teacher. Here he was happy, for between Mr. Tweed and himself there was a mutual feeling of attach ment and sympathy, both of them being full of interest OLD CHARLESTOWN 363 in education, while believing in growth and development in everything intended to promote the welfare of mankind. How much they helped each other in their reflection and study cannot be told, but it is certain that the friendship between them was very close and never lessened, and it is equally sure that the mention of the name of Starr King to Professor Tweed, who is still living, would light up his eyes and bring his heart to his mouth in an expression- of unmistakable admiration and enthusiasm. Young Mr. King left Charlestown to take a higher position in a grammar school in Medford, but he soon returned to accept an invitation from his friend, Colonel Seth J. Thomas, to become his confidential clerk in the naval store at the Charlestown Navy Yard. The desire of his heart in his aim for education had been for a college training, but this was denied him, and to educate himself was the only alternative. To this work, with enthusiasm and courage and faith, the most of his time was devoted, and he accepted this clerkship as it would interfere less with his labors in preparing himself for the professional life he had determined upon. From his childhood the vision of clerical life had been before him, and his only proper place seemed to be that of a Chris tian minister; and now the vision had become reality. His first sermon had been preached a year or so before this, and, as we have said, he was temporarily supplying the pulpit of the small society in Chardon Street, Boston. His time in the naval store was passed pleas antly, for no effort was spared to make his duties agree able, and Colonel Thomas was fully appreciative of his talents and character and treated him with a deference and respect which they naturally called forth. Very 364 OLD CHARLESTOWN soon he was called upon to succeed Rev. Edwin H. Chapin in his father's old church, to give up all secular labor and find his employment in a profession which he had chosen for the love of it and the importance of which could not be overestimated. There was always a personal charm about Starr King that drew his friends closer and closer to him, that awakened in them and kept alive an active interest in his career and made them feel that somehow they were to share in his success, and that, as the prospect bright ened before him, sent a thrill of unalloyed gratification through their hearts. Rev. Robert Townley, who suc ceeded Mr. King and occupied the pulpit in Charlestown for two years, and who was another able and interesting sermonizer, in a letter to the writer, received a short time after Mr. King's death, says : We all loved him. He was the brightest spirit I ever met. As Carlyle says of John Sterling, " The very presence of him was an illumination and inspiration wherever he went." This was Starr King. Much of the charm that was about him was personal. When interested he had the most radiant face and the finest, most spiritual eye I have ever seen ; and in the many, many pleasant hours we have had together I would sometimes try to say something for the mere pleasure of seeing his face light up. I have lots of characteristic traits of him in my memory ; indeed, it proves how he charmed me, for while I have forgotten all my talk with most people, and their very features even, I think I can remember something or other about Starr every time I saw him. August i i, 1894. OLD CHARLESTOWN 365 LVIII Phillips Brooks His Connection with Charlestown through the Gorham Family — His Wider World-Relationship. CHARLESTOWN dwells with pleasant recollection upon the fact that the grandmother of the late Bishop Brooks was the daughter of one of her most distinguished citizens, Honorable Nathaniel Gorham. Lydia Gorham married John Phillips, Jr., in Charlestown, in 1798, and they were the parents of Phillips Brooks' mother. Ann Gorham, an older sister of Lydia, was the wife of the eminent merchant, Peter C. Brooks, who, although his residence was in Medford, was a large owner of real-estate in Charlestown and whose business relations with the town in the earlier days of its history were very important. Mrs. Brooks was the grandmother of William Everett, and it was her father, Nathaniel Gorham, the great-grandfather of both Phillips Brooks and William Everett, to whom the latter so proudly referred in one of his political speeches as president of the Continental Congress and signer of the Constitu tion of the United States. Phillips Brooks' grandfather, John Phillips, Jr., at the time of his marriage in Charlestown was a law-student in the office of Samuel Dexter, having graduated from Harvard College in 1796. But he soon gave up the 366 OLD CHARLESTOWN practise of law, and was engaged in trade in Charlestown for some years. He was a good deal interested in the purchase and sale of real-estate in the town, his name appearing very often in transfers of that kind of property. He was enterprising and popular, and his early death was much lamented. But while these facts come up to our minds, and are so pleasing to recall, they are of but little moment when reflecting upon the death of Phillips Brooks and the influence of his life upon his fellow-men. That he died at the height of his fame, with no weakening of the powers of his mind, or prolonged bodily suffering, will always be a source of grateful remembrance. His was a light which continued to shine even while the great shadow was passing over us, the saddening effect of which was felt by everybody, for Phillips Brooks touched the heart and was the friend of every thinking person in the community. His days on the earth were spent in urging his fellow-men to cling to the truth and to grow up to a higher life by faithfulness to the duties of every-day life. The fatherhood and love of God and the brotherhood of man was his constant theme, and to strive after pure life that these truths might be seen and felt was the uniform teaching and practice of the great soul of the great preacher, now numbered among the departed. " Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." The life of Phillips Brooks, like the life of the Master, is the rich gift from God to man, and who can estimate its value ! Its meaning admits of no discussion. No theological doubt can reach it. It has settled down into the hearts of humanity and is working in the direct line of goodness and truth. " Charity never faileth." OLD CHARLESTOWN 367 The churches of any and all denominations would sig nify little but for the life and spirit of Christ, and it is no less true that their influence for good still rests upon those who aim to follow that life by unfaltering trust in the good Father and by faith in the progress and triumph of good for humanity. Nothing but help fulness and encouragement in the path of right living comes from the life and teachings of Phillips Brooks, and the widely extended, spontaneous, and touching grief at his death is but the evidence of faith in the purity and sincerity of his life and in the excellence and fullness of his spirit. And how proper it seemed, at the meeting of clergymen in the Old South Meeting House on Monday last, for sectarianism to stand aside and give place to the higher and truer meaning and teaching of the Christian religion. Febr'uary 4, 1893. 368 OLD CHARLESTOWN LIX Two Weil-Known Families The Sweetsers — David Stetson and His Family. AMONG the early settlers in Charlestown was Seth Sweetser, who came here from England and, according to Wyman's " Genealogies," was an inhabitant in 1637 and admitted to the church in 1638 or '39. He seems to have been a man of prominence, and one who, at his death in 1662, left an estate of value. His eldest son, Benjamin, a last-maker by trade, inherited the largest part of his father's property, and at his death appears to have given it to his oldest son, Benjamin. Frothingham, in his " History of Charlestown," speaks of Seth Sweetser and his son Benjamin as Baptists, the latter having been fined ^50 and imprisoned for his religious opinions. The second son of Benjamin, Seth, was a trader — by inference a successful one, for his son Seth was educated at Harvard College, graduating in 1722. This Seth was the schoolmaster of the town, elected in 1724 and holding the position for many years. He was after wards, from 1755 to 1778, the town clerk and one of its most highly respected citizens. Prior to the Revolution his name is often found in connection with town business and on important and patriotic petitions, appeals, and OLD CHARLESTOWN 369 other papers. The Sweetsers were numerous in Charles town in times past, and they were connected by marriage with other families of note, such as the Wigglesworths, Phillipses, Bradishes, Frothinghams, Kettells, Austins, and Rands. One of the sons of the old schoolmaster was named Henry Phillips. He was a goldsmith by occupation. Isaac and Colonel John Sweetser, so long and favorably known in the town, were his children, and so also was Seth, of Newburyport, the father of Rev. Dr. Seth Sweetser, for forty years or more the pastor of the Central Congregational Church in Worcester. Isaac was a tailor, having his place of business in a building owned by him on Main Street, near Thompson Street, the same now occupied as a shoe-store by Mrs. William Curry. He was very popular in the musical circles of his day and is remembered as a joker and wit. The annual excursions down the harbor of the singing choirs and associations were sure always to be enlivened and made merry by his sallies, and his playful genius was always a very patent fact among his friends. Colonel John Sweetser was a builder and architect who owned and occupied an estate on Union Street, near the corner of Richmond Street, or what is now called Rutherford Avenue. He represented the town in the Legislature in 1832, '34, and '36, and held other offices in the town government. His name is on the list of the original incorporators of the Warren Institution for Savings. In early life he was a military man, as his title indicates, and, after the reorganization of the old Charlestown Artillery, one of its commanders. Colonel Sweetser was the father of Isaac Sweetser, 370 OLD CHARLESTOWN whose residence for some years was on Monument Square. Isaac Sweetser was in early life a clerk with Isaac Livermore, the selling-agent of several large man ufacturing companies, and was an expert bookkeeper. In 1832, when he was twenty years old, he accepted an appointment as secretary of the Washington Insurance Company, of Boston, and continued in the management of the Boston office, as secretary and president, until his death. Among the prominent underwriters, both marine and fire, he became an authority, and the Washington office was always successful under his direction. He was an intelligent, quiet gentleman, never over anxious about the affairs of other people or communi cative as to his own, but who followed along the even tenor of his way with uniform good fortune. In the Harvard Unitarian Church, of which he was a deacon, he was always an active worker and official, and his attendance at the church services with his family was constant and reliable. He was interested in town and city affairs, but never desired office. He was a director in several large and successful corporations and well and most favorably known by the leading merchants and business men of Boston, and he honored his native town by his reputation for ability, sound judgment, and unquestioned excellence of character. Mr. Sweetser for some years during the summer months occupied a beautiful residence which he purchased on Ocean Street, in Lynn, and it was here he died, August 15, 1887. The Stetsons were also a prominent family in the old town. David Stetson, who came here from Scituate, was one of its leading citizens, and his family occupied OLD CHARLESTOWN 371 a high position here for many years. He represented the town in the Legislature in 1 826. He was one of the original incorporators of the Warren Institution for Savings, and was for some years one of the board of trustees. His residence was on Henley Street, or Turn pike Street, as it was formerly called, and he was the owner of a large amount of real-estate in its vicinity. His house stood a little back from the street, leaving a grass-plot between it and a fence on the line of the street. The front and rear were of wood, the sides of brick, and the main entrance was at one end, on what was known as Stetson's Court. Everything about the premises was attractive and always in order. Mr. Stet son was, in his early days, I think, a carpenter, and afterwards a dealer in lumber and other merchandise. He occupied a wharf leading from Water Street, nearly opposite what is now Gray Street. It was known and is put down on the old maps of the town as Stetson's Wharf. He was a man of much business, with ability and means to manage it, and was looked up to as a citizen of standing and character. He was active in the free bridge controversy and was one of the committee having in charge the building of the Warren Bridge. He was one of the original members of the Harvard Unitarian Society, and his name can be found on the list of subscribers towards the purchase of their first meet ing-house, the abandoned Baptist meeting-house that stood at the head of Salem Street, on High Street, on the lot of land now occupied by " The Salem." One of the sons of David Stetson, Charles, was a prominent business man in New Orleans. Three of his daughters 372 OLD CHARLESTOWN were the wives of John J. Fiske, for many years a prom inent citizen of Charlestown, John P. Welch, treasurer of the Fitchburg Railroad, and Samuel N. Felton, the distinguished civil-engineer and railroad official and manager. His eldest daughters, Mary and Catherine, will be remembered for their great usefulness in the Unitarian Church and in the benevolent enterprises and institutions in the town. March 23, 1895. OLD CHARLESTOWN 373 LX The Turnpike — Chelsea Street Its Vicinity — Former Residents. A LITTLE below the David Stetson estate on Turnpike Street was the residence of Dr. George Bates, for many years the naval-store keeper. The house is still standing, but changed greatly in its appearance. Formerly it had a large open area in front of it, with a driveway to the stable on the lot. Now this land is covered by a building, and the old house has been converted into a fish-market. The adjoining house, on the corner of Henley and Putnam streets, now occu pied as a bread and cake shop, was for a long period the home of Jonah Stetson, the father of Captain Lemuel Stetson, who after retiring from sea-life purchased and occupied one of the houses in the Harvard Row block. The Putnam Street house was also, for several years, the residence of Addison Gage, before his removal to Cordis Street. On the opposite corner of Putnam and Henley streets was the garden of Captain Larkin Turner. This garden-spot is now covered by the bakery of Mrs. McNamara, but the brick house, which was the Turner residence, is still standing. Captain Turner was a shipmaster of note in his day, and, after his retirement from that calling, a prominent man in the town, which 374 OLD CHARLESTOWN he represented in the Legislature of 1835 and '36. He was one of the board of directors of the Bunker Hill Bank for eleven years, from October, 1834, to October, 1845. The brick building referred to, for some years before its purchase and reconstruction by Captain Turner, was the business place of Isaac Larkin, tallow-chandler, and many were the boxes of candles tossed from the delivery- windows of this factory and loaded into wagons backed up there to receive them. Isaac Larkin was the father of John S. Larkin, cashier for a long while of the Mer chants' Bank, Boston, and of Charles Larkin, of the firm of Barnard, Adams & Co., and afterwards the head of that of Larkin & Stackpole, largely interested in the South American trade. Mr. Larkin's sister was the wife of Abel Adams of the old house of Barnard, Adams & Co. This well-known Boston merchant commenced his business career in- the store of Skinner, Hurd & Co., in Charlestown Square. Just around the corner of Turnpike Street, on Shippey Street (now Chestnut Street), were the pleasant homes of Jacob and William Caswell — the first a pump and block maker whose place of business was on Henley Place, which runs from Turnpike Street to the Navy Yard wall. Many times in his boyhood has the writer watched the boring of logs that were to be fitted with boxes, noses, and handles to lift the water from the cisterns and wells under the kitchens, washrooms, and yards of houses about the town, for this was the only water-supply at the time, and numerous sticks of lignum- vitse has he seen transformed into sheaves, grooved and fitted into blocks, while the shop was hung round with a OLD CHARLESTOWN 375 wholesale supply of dead-eyes, hooks, rings, and vessels' tackling of all kinds. William Caswell was a caulker and graver who occu pied a wharf on Water Street which is now merged in the Hoosac Dock and Elevator property but was for merly known as Caswell's Wharf. The Caswells were much respected citizens and enterprising and successful business men. They both were pew-holders in the Universalist Church and constant attendants at its services. The late John Mullett was the son-in-law of William Caswell. He was brought up with Elisha L. Phelps in the West India goods store on the corner of Turnpike and Shippey streets, the same afterwards for some years occupied by Jotham Johnson, Jr. This building was originally used as a pump and block maker's shop, and here Jacob Caswell is said to have served his apprentice ship. Mr. Mullett, with Oliver C. Cutter, under the firm name of Cutter & Mullett, commenced business in 1 842 in a wooden building which was on the same site as the brick store afterwards built by him and which is now occupied by his son as his successor. Here, from 1842 until his death in 1893, a part of the time with Oakes Bradbury (Mullett & Bradbury), he remained the suc cessful and popular proprietor of this widely known business stand and store. Near to the Caswells, on the corner of Shippey (Chestnut) and Adams streets, was the residence of Caleb Pierce, in the brick house still standing there. He was for a long period the master-carpenter in the Navy Yard, a thrifty man who made several public bequests in his last will. Among them was a sum of 376 OLD CHARLESTOWN money, "the income of which was to be expended in purchasing fuel for indigent widows whose husbands had resided in Charlestown at least one year before their decease, said widows still continuing to live in Charles town." The last report of the city auditor gives the amount of the Pierce fund as $1500, invested in city bonds. He also gave to the Universalist society, of which he was a member, a brick house on Chestnut Street, near his own, for a parsonage. John Wade, the master-boatbuilder in the Navy Yard, and Edward Hard ing, the master-sparmaker, owned and occupied the brick houses just above Mullett's store on Chelsea Street. At an earlier period in the town history George Brown kept the grocery-store in this vicinity. It was on Wapping Street, as you go to the Navy Yard gate. Samuel C. Hunt, the father of the founder of Tlie Enterprise, was his clerk and married his daughter. On the corner of Wapping and Water streets Philander S. Briggs and Briggs & Willis spent many years as the proprietors of a similar store, and near to them on Wapping Street the old wharfinger of Gray's Wharf in Boston, James Runey, was a figure for half a century. The adjoining wharf to Caswell's on Water Street was owned by Benjamin Brintnall, and here was a marine railway, of which he was the proprietor and manager. At this time the harbor was full of small schooners, brigs, brigantines, and barks, and this was one of the convenient places where they could be hauled up, re-caulked, and re-coppered, in case of need. Mr. Brintnall was a worthy citizen and represented the town in the Legislature of 1831. His brother Samuel, the OLD CHARLESTOWN 377 father of Samuel R. Brintnall, of Brintnall & Osgood, now doing business on Main Street, also lived in this vicinity. The next wharf to Brintnall's was known as Tapley's Wharf, and in another article we shall say something of its owner, John Tapley, and of Jacob Foss, who com menced his career in Charlestown in a distill-house near by. April 6, 1895. 378 OLD CHARLESTOWN LXI Public-Spirited Citizens Jacob Foss — John Tapley. -*> IT was with Samuel Townsend, son of David Town- send, both of whom were pump and block makers, that Jacob Caswell learned his trade in the shop on the corner of Henley and Shippey streets. The residence of the Townsends was on the corner of Adams and Shippey streets, or Townsend Street, the name by which it was known for some years before it was changed to Chestnut Street. The old mansion has been referred to and described in a former article. Something about John Tapley has also been said before, but not in connection with his business. He was a blacksmith by trade, and it has always been understood that the shoeing of a yoke of oxen by him was the first day's work done in the Charles town Navy Yard after its purchase by the United States Government. Later on he had much to do with the iron-work in the Navy Yard as master-workman or con tractor. One of his contracts was for repairs on the Constitution (Old Ironsides) at some period during the War of i8i2-'i5. Tapley's Wharf, which was a part of the old Mardlin shipyard, as well as several of the wharves in its vicinity, OLD CHARLESTOWN 379 was occupied for some years principally for the repair of vessels, building of boats, and so forth, and his part in it was to look after the iron-work. A portion of the wharf was used as a landing-place for small vessels bringing wood, lumber, hay, lime, and bricks from the state of Maine. Mr. Tapley's homestead was the three-storied building still standing on the corner of Putnam and Common streets, fronting the Training Field, now Winthrop Square. The house on the opposite corner was the residence of Captain Rice, an old shipmaster, the father of the late Matthew and Henry Rice. These old houses are among the few that still retain the appearance of the former time. Mr. Tapley removed from here to a small farm on the Milk Row road, outside the Neck, which had formerly been a part of the large farm of Samuel Tufts, Mrs. Tapley's father, and it was on this small farm that the pack of hounds used by the fox-hunters described in one of the earliest of these sketches were kept for some years. Mr. Tapley and some of his sons enjoyed fox-hunting, and they were also skillful sportsmen. They were especially well posted as to the habits and movements of birds, and in the gray of the early morning, when, high up above the hillsides, the whistling-plover was making his flight southward to the marshes, he was very apt to be discovered by their quick hearing and keen sight and his progress stopped by the discharge of their shot-guns. They also knew how much fire was needed to get the best flavor from these birds, and a meal from their table after a successful shooting was toothsome and relishing. George Tapley, who afterwards, for some years, was the 380 OLD CHARLESTOWN owner and proprietor of the Robinson Crusoe House, Chelsea Beach, enjoyed the reputation of being at the top of the list of accomplished gunners. But let us return to Henley and Wapping streets and bring back to our recollection that noteworthy citizen, Jacob Foss. He was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, October, 1 796, and he remained there until he was twenty-one years old, when he came to Boston. He took great pleasure, after he became a successful man with large means, in telling the story of his leaving his country home with all his earthly possessions tied up in a bandanna handkerchief; but in this respect he was only one of many young men, similarly situated, who left farms to seek their fortunes in the larger towns and cities of New England. He had made up his mind on reaching Boston to accept the first offer made him for steady work, and very soon engaged with Guy Carleton for employment in his morocco-factory in Roxbury, where he remained for six months. He then came to Charlestown, to the distillery of Putnam & Pratt, which then occupied the large lot of land now owned by Patrick O'Riorden, on a part of which is the brick building at the junction of Foss, Chelsea, and Wapping streets. Here he worked, for small wages at first ; but he was an industrious and observant man in whom his employers soon learned to confide, and they kept him in the line of promotion until he at last reached the position of foreman or super intendent. He gave himself up to his business and made economy and improvement in its management his chief study, leaving himself no time for anything outside of it. The OLD CHARLESTOWN 381 business of the distillery was large. Every day and evening he could be found at his post, watching the process of fermentation, evaporation, and condensation, the changing of molasses into spirit, or overseeing the preparation of distillery packages for shipment and a market. So closely did he confine himself that his health became impaired, and with a constant asthmatic tendency he was an invalid for years. But he kept on his course until his pecuniary growth was an assured fact and he was looked upon as a rich man. His list of acquaintances and associates was limited, but among his friends was one who afterwards became his partner and must have been of great service to him. At any rate they were of service to each other. This was the late Addison Gilmore, to whom, in connection with Mr. Foss and this distillery, we have referred before and given an account of the commencement of the manufacture in it of saleratus. When they had dis covered that carbonic acid gas, as it escapes from the fermentation of molasses, would convert pearl-ash into saleratus, and had obtained permission to place boxes over the vats in the distillery for this purpose, the foun dation of their fortunes was laid. Out of this business their gains were sufficient to make it easy for them to purchase the distillery when, a few years afterwards, Putnam & Pratt had concluded to give it up, and then Foss & Gilmore, as distillers and manufacturers of saleratus, went on successfully together for a long period and took their places among business men of high rating and large means. To those who remember the peculiarities of these two men it is interesting to think of them while their 382 OLD CHARLESTOWN experiments in the distillery were being tried. Mr. Foss used to tell of the excitement he was under while await ing results, and of his haste to report to Gilmore every new appearance of success, and it seems easy to under stand with what rapidity Gilmore would leave his place of employment — the back room in the store of Samuel Kidder & Co. — and hurry to the distillery to test the truth of these reports by the evidence of his own senses ; and when at last it was certain that saleratus of the finest quality could be produced by this process, and that large sales at high prices could be made, we can guess at least at their mutual elation and enjoyment. The investments of Mr. Foss, outside of his regular business, were largely in real-estate. He purchased a fine residence on Chelsea Street, and enlarged and im proved it. This house, which is still standing, was built by Shadrach Vamey. Then he erected the brick build ing at the junction of Henley and Chelsea streets in which is the hall named by him " Constitutional Liberty Hall," and several other buildings in its vicinity, while his purchases of real-estate in the town were numerous. Gilmore, a bolder man, became interested in railroad- building and was a large owner and manager of such property. Foss followed him only cautiously in this direction. He was too prudent and careful a man to take the risk. Mr. Foss was a Democrat in politics, but was never a zealous partisan. He believed in the American form of government, and had no misgivings as to the ability of the people to carry it on. He was a great admirer of Andrew Jackson and was enthusiastic in his estimation of the courage and honesty of the old hero as a soldier OLD CHARLESTOWN 383 and statesman. He looked upon Daniel Webster as the defender of the Constitution. Constitutional liberty was another of his settled convictions. This perhaps accounts for the name given to the hall that we have referred to. The character of Washington was, with him, the foundation on which the Republic was built ; and his joy was full when the fine pictures of these illustrious men, now in the Public Library, were first seen hanging side by side in the City Hall. He was a contributor to the funds raised by subscription for the purchase of the paintings of Webster and Washington, and that of Jackson was obtained almost wholly at his expense. Mr. Foss was a lover of his country and must have felt many times the thrill of pleasure that the sentiment or passion of true patriotism affords. But we will not speculate on this subject ; it will be better to tell of some of his thoughtful acts and let the reader draw his own conclusions. It will be recollected that, in answer to the proclamation of President Polk, May i, 1846, declaring the war with Mexico, and the call of Governor Briggs, May 16, 1846, for one regiment of seven hun dred and seventy men, not to be taken from the Massa chusetts Volunteer Militia, a company was raised in Charlestown to join this regiment and proceed to the seat of the war. While this enlistment was going on a public meet ing was held in town, December 31, 1846, at which it was resolved that strong measures should be taken to aid the volunteers under Captain Barker, who was likely to succeed in raising a full company to represent Bunker Hill in the Mexican campaign, and a subscription-paper 384 OLD CHARLESTOWN was started to raise funds to meet the expenses of fitting out the company. But this arrangement was unsatis factory to some of the friends of the volunteers, who thought that these expenses should be paid out of the town treasury. The selectmen were unanimously of the opinion that such an expenditure was not within the description of necessary town charges, and declined to call a town meeting. But without their aid a meeting was called in an unusual way at which it was voted to appropriate $1 500 for the purpose. The town treasurer refused to pay the amount, and an appeal to the courts was made to test the legality of the meeting. Meanwhile the money was needed, as the company was nearly ready to be mustered into the service. In this emergency Mr. Foss came forward and advanced the amount, so that the necessary expenditure was made. On the 7th of January, 1847, tbe officers were elected; and, two days after, the company (eighty-five men), after partaking of a collation in the Town Hall, were mustered into the service and quartered in Constitutional Liberty Hall. On the 9th of February a public meeting was held, at which Colonel Caleb Cushing and Lieutenant- Colonel Isaac H. Wright of the regiment made speeches. Clothing to the amount of $ 1000 was distributed, and $900 in money, collected by subscription, was divided among the officers and privates of the company. On the opening of the Civil War, in 1861, when the Charlestown companies — the City Guard and the Ar tillery — had been ordered to proceed to the national capitol, ready for active service, a public meeting, April 17, 1 86 1, Was held in City Hall and a committee chosen OLD CHARLESTOWN 385 to see that they were provided with all necessary sup plies and to make provision for the care and comfort of their families. Mr. Foss was chosen a member of this committee. His health was such that he could not actively engage in its work, but he acknowledged the honor of the position and his appreciation of its mean ing in a letter, a copy of which is as follows : Charlestown, April 22, 1861. Gentlemen — Having been chosen by the citizens of Charlestown, at the mass meeting held in City Hall on the 17th instant, one of the "committee to aid the Charlestown military," it is impossible for me, on account of my feeble health, to attend personally to the detail of the services required by the citizens, which is the noblest work in this crisis for all loyal citizens. I have this day deposited in the Bunker Hill Bank in this city $3000 (a certificate of which is inclosed) to be at the disposal of the committee for them to draw and disburse with out recourse to me, for the following purposes, viz. : The committee to receive all applications from the families of the soldiers who are citizens, that now are, or may be hereafter, mustered into the service of the United States from the city of Charlestown during the present war, that are needy ; and, according to their best judgment and discretion, to provide from the above amount for the necessities of such needy families from time to time until the whole amount is expended ; and in case the war should be brief, which event is my most sincere and constant hope and prayer, and the soldiers return before the whole amount is expended, the balance to be divided equally, according to your discretion, among the families that are needy or the men who in the darkest hour of the country's peril went manfully to the struggle to resist aggression, put down rebellion, and 386 OLD CHARLESTOWN defend the stars-and-stripes, which to us are the choicest of the Revolutionary legacies. Sincerely hoping that peace and prosperity will speed ily return to our now distracted country, Your obedient servant, Jacob Foss. To T. T. Sawyer, James Hunnewell, James Dana, Edward Lawrence, Committee of Citizens to Aid the Military, etc. Mr. Foss died on June 2, 1866, when he was not quite seventy years old. In his will were the following bequests : $2000, the income to be expended towards "celebrating the anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill, either by ringing the bells, firing salutes, music, or decorating the streets"; $2000, "the income to be expended in the purchase of United States flags for the use of the city of Charlestown on all proper occasions, so that not more than two years' purchases shall be on hand at any time " ; $2000 to the Poor Fund, the income to be expended for the benefit of the worthy poor of Charlestown ; $2000 to Tufts College. To his native town he gave also $1000 for the purchase of flags and $2000 for the benefit of the poor. He made other public bequests to a considerable amount. His whole estate was appraised, if our memory is correct, at about $350,000. April 27, 1895. OLD CHARLESTOWN 387 LXII A Beautiful Tribute Mrs. Ellen A. Ranlett — David Dodge Ranlett — Isaac Brown — Captain Charles A. Ranlett. THE following notice of the death of Mrs. Ranlett, of Saint Albans, Vermont, was published in The Boston Transcript, April 17, 1895. Something of the honor of the life referred to in it may be properly reflected upon the history of Charlestown. Its repub lication will interest many readers. It is a memorial worthy of preservation. Mrs. Ranlett, the daughter of the late Isaac Brown, of Mount Vernon Street, was a native of Charlestown and was educated in our schools, graduating at the High School. Her husband, David Dodge 'Ranlett, treasurer of the Central Vermont Railroad, was also born here and fitted for Harvard College at the same school. He is the son of the late Captain Charles A. Ranlett, a shipmaster of note, for many years a citizen of Charles town. His last place of residence here was in the wooden house on High Street, opposite Wood Street. The swell- front brick house now occupied by W. E. Litchfield was built by Captain Ranlett. His wife was the daughter of the old schoolmaster, David Dodge, who was also town clerk for more than a quarter of a century and city clerk for several years after the charter was accepted. 388 OLD CHARLESTOWN Isaac Brown was for some time a partner in the firm of Hurd, Hutchins & Co., wholesale grocers in South Market Street, Boston, and afterwards with the sons of John Hurd, the senior partner of the house. Within the week past there went out from mortal life one who has been for years an appreciative and firm friend of The Transcript, Mrs. Ellen Augusta Ranlett, of Saint Albans, Vermont, formerly Ellen Augusta Brown, of Charlestown, Massachusetts. When the " For To-day " column was instituted, Mrs. Ranlett took great interest in its success and development. Many have been the dates which have come to the editor's notice through her research. All books in her library which could be useful in any way to the column were freely offered. It seems, therefore, fitting that "For To-day " should in grateful remembrance bear its tes timony to that gracious womanhood which always blessed and ministered unto whomever and whatever came into the field of its potent magnetism. Mrs. Ranlett' s home — and it is with her home that one's thought of her is always associated — was such a home as but few women make. It was not the tasteful appointments, not the many books, not the works of art adorning the walls, which made that home so phenomenal a home. It was the spirit emanating from the mistress that filled its atmosphere with a subtle odor of benefi cence. All that she possessed or was privileged to enjoy she seemed to hold in stewardship for those whom she knew and loved. The motto over the fireplace in the library said a great deal — " The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it." Whether one entered that house for a social call, or to consult with Mrs. Ranlett on a matter of business, or as a member of the Browning circle which she gathered about her, one always went away with the feeling that he had received something for himself direct from a presence as fresh and inspiring as OLD CHARLESTOWN 389 God's fields and woods themselves. Largeness and noble ness of nature were so much a part of all that she said and did that the vexing question of effect and affect with regard to her never intruded upon one's thoughts. Mrs. Ranlett never put things just as any one else ; her briefest notes on the most commonplace subjects were treasured for some unforgetable phrase which they inadvertently contained. They always were a bit of real personality. Those who gathered around that hospitable library Saturday afternoons, week after week, to read Browning, saw the devoted mother interested in her daughter's slightest pleasure, felt the wife's solicitude for her hus band's comfort, and noted the woman's gracious attention to all social detail, and came fully to realize that, taking into consideration her official connection with charitable work and her private interest in the suffering and needy, this rare woman had much on her heart and mind. Still no one interest ordinarily ever seemed to defraud another, jostle against another, or be independent of all others. Service seemed the work to which her life was conse crated, yet she ever carried herself as a benignant queen among women. One hears it said that women cannot be housekeepers, home-makers, wives, mothers, move in society, be active in church and Sunday-school, take part in literary circles and clubs, act upon the boards of charitable institutions, lead King's Daughters' circles, and maintain a womanly equanimity ; but here it was done well and simply. Such a success would seem to open upon our view a type of womanhood which the "new woman" should strive to emulate. There must be homes in our land if we would prosper as a nation — homes not alone for their inmates but for those who have no homes. Only a gracious, magnanimous, true womanhood such as Mrs. Ranlett' s can make them complete. Culture, grace of manner, and charm of person, large, Christian ideas of life, self- 390 OLD CHARLESTOWN command, and self-restraint, a warm true-heartedness, a tender sympathy, far-reaching, and love for humanity, and trust in God, are the requisites for such a worker. Is it not a career grand enough in its simplicity, deep and broad enough in its scope, and large enough in its aim to command the respect and consideration of all would-be true women? It would seem so to any one favored with an acquaintance with her whom Saint Albans and many friends far and near, with a loving family, mourn. Mrs. Ranlett has left us a realized ideal of womanhood, satisfying as the gems of art and litera ture which she loved. May 4, 1895. OLD CHARLESTOWN 391 LXIII Notable Citizens Willard Dalrymple — Daniel Johnson — Thomas Greenleaf — Thomas M. Cutter — William E. Norton, the Distinguished Artist. ON Adams Street, near its junction with Chelsea Street, is a block of three brick houses, very pleasantly situated, as they overlook the Navy Yard and command an interesting view of the harbor. These houses were built for their own homes by three well-known and much-esteemed citizens, all of whom are now numbered with the dead — Daniel Johnson, Thomas Greenleaf, and Thomas M. Cutter. Daniel Johnson came to Charlestown from Dover, New Hampshire, about the year 1837. He had just taken a store on Blackstone Street, Boston, for the sale of shoe- findings and sole-leather, and he continued there in that business for many years. Afterwards he removed to High Street, Boston, and carried on an extensive and successful business in leather, a part of the time with his sons as partners, under the style of Daniel Johnson & Sons. He resided all this time, and until his death in May, 1880, in Charlestown. His worth as a neighbor and citizen was discovered very soon after he came here, and his uniform reliability, sound judgment, and kindness in all the relations of life could never be questioned. He held many positions of honor in the town and city 392 OLD CHARLESTOWN governments, and was for a long period a member of the board of directors of the Charlestown Gas Company and of the Charlestown Five Cent Savings Bank. His relig ious association was with the First Universalist Society, and he and his family were among its most active workers and constant attendants. Thomas Greenleaf was a native of Newburyport, but the greater part of his life was passed in Charlestown. He had at one time some connection with the Middlesex Canal, but was afterwards engaged in the lumber trade. He had a great deal to do with town and city affairs, was selectman, assessor, and clerk of the overseers of the poor. This last office he filled for a very long period, as he was thoroughly posted as to all its requirements. Mr. Greenleaf was a genial, upright, cheerful man, a pleasant neighbor and useful citizen, the record of whose life is worthy of preservation. Thomas M. Cutter came to Charlestown a young man and remained here until his decease in 1871. His place of business was on Charles River Avenue, at the corner of Water Street, where for many years he dealt in ship- chandlery and groceries, having more or less to do with navigation. He was a successful man. From 1853 to 1 87 1 he was a director of the Bunker Hill Bank and for nearly a decade one of the trustees of the Warren Insti tution for Savings. He was an alderman of the city for three years, 1855-57, and beld other town and city offices. He had the full confidence of his fellow-citizens, of his associates in business matters, of his family and friends, and his character was such as to make him worthy of it. He was a member of the Harvard (Unitarian) Church Society. OLD CHARLESTOWN 393 A little way from this locality, on Chestnut Street, is the residence of Nahum Chapin, the original proprietor of the provision-store that marks the junction of Chestnut and Chelsea streets. Mr. Chapin, a Vermonter by birth, came to Charlestown in 1 840, from Waltham, Massachu setts, where he had been employed as a superintendent in the machine-shop of the Boston Manufacturing Com pany. He carried on the provision-business for twenty years, from 1840 to i860, when he gave it up and entered into the distilling-business as a partner with Thaddeus Richardson and afterwards with the late Colonel Ezra J. Trull, under the style of Chapin, Trull & Co., which is still continued by him. Mr. Chapin has been a good deal in public life as an alderman and councilman of Charlestown, assessor of both Charlestown and Boston, and member of the school committee of both cities for over twenty years ; and he was one of the commissioners to carry into effect the act of the Legislature annexing Charlestown to Boston. He is prominent in Odd Fellow ship and Masonic Orders and is popular in their lodges and encampments. He is a director in the Bunker Hill National Bank, and one of the investment board of the Warren Institution for Savings, — an earnest, decided man, but a very friendly and reliable one. With his family, he is a constant attendant at the Universalist Church, and for some years a member of the standing committee of the Society. Another notable man living in this vicinity, who should not be easily forgotten, was Willard Dalrymple. He was born April 20, 1802, in the town of Groton, Massa chusetts, and lived there with his father, Major William Dalrymple, until he was twenty-one years old, when he 394 OLD CHARLESTOWN came to Charlestown and worked a year or two as a gardener on the Eben Breed estate. Then he was employed for a while on the Lowell Railroad, and after wards by the Charlestown Land and Wharf Company and the Charlestown Branch Railroad, and when their short railroad was extended to Fresh Pond he was its first conductor. In connection with Ebenezer Barker he had much to do with the changes and improvements made under the direction of these corporations. When the Fitchburg Railroad Company was chartered and bought out the Charlestown Branch Railroad, he was employed by that company. He then became a con tractor, with Mark Lenon, for filling the flats all along Front Street, between the Warren and Prison Point bridges, making the land which is now occupied by the freight department of the Fitchburg Railroad. From this time contracting for this kind of work was made a business by him, and large jobs in Cambridge and at the south end of Boston were awarded to him and carried out successfully. In December, 1854, he was elected an alderman of the city and served in that capacity for the three years following. He was chairman of the committee on repairs of streets during all the time, and no city ever had a more faithful officer. The writer, who had the honor to be at the head of the government at that time, can bear witness to his efficiency, unselfishness, and close attention to his duties. How he could best perform these duties was uppermost in his mind, and considerations of personal profit or popularity weighed not a feather against his single purpose of faithfulness to the interest of the city. Always successful with his own affairs, he proved to be OLD CHARLESTOWN 395 a successful alderman, and left a record of work well directed and well performed in the department of which he was the head. Mr. Dalrymple's residence for many years was in Bow Street, in a brick house purchased by him, and sold, on his removal to Mount Vernon Street, to Moses A. Dow. In the Mount Vernon Street house he remained until his decease, July 17, 1884. He left a large estate. By his will he remembered the Old Ladies' (Winchester) Home with a bequest of $4000, " in the application of which, members of said Home, or applicants for admission thereto, who are members of the First Parish in Charles town shall have the preference." He was a prominent member of the First Parish, and he made to that also a bequest of $4000, in trust, the income thereof to be applied to the supplying of its pulpit, provided, however, that if the society should be disbanded, or removed from its present location on Harvard Street, Town Hill, within forty years from his decease, the principal of the bequest should be forfeited. To his native town, Groton, Massachusetts, he gave $4000, to be known as the " Dalrymple Fund," of which the income of $2000 was to be applied to the purchase of books for the public library, the income of the other $2000 to be applied, under the direction of the overseers of the poor, to the treatment of worthy American citizens of the town suffering from disease or injury to the eye. Mr. Dalrymple in the later years of his life was almost totally blind, and he had at times been helped by the skill of the oculist. To the Union (Orthodox) Society of Groton he gave $4000 in trust, the income to be applied towards supplying its pulpit. He made many 396 OLD CHARLESTOWN other bequests, generously remembering his servants, attendants, friends, and relatives. When the old Hancock house on Beacon Street, Boston, was doomed to destruction in anticipation of the erection of the block of two elegant private residences for the late Gardner Brewer and James M. Beebe, it was sold at auction and purchased by Mr. Dalrymple, by whom it was taken down. While this was being done a panel from the parlor was presented by him to Abram E. Cutter, who now has it in his possession. It was valuable as a relic of the mansion of John Hancock, the patriotic merchant whose bold signature emphasized the Declaration of Independence ; but it is yet more valua ble for the painting on it of a view of the old house and its surroundings, by William E. Norton, the eminent painter, now residing in London, England, whose name can be found high up on the list of the most famous marine artists of his time. This is a good opportunity to speak of Mr. Norton as a Charlestown boy, for he was born here* and lived here the greater part of his life until he left for London, July 14, 1877. With pencil and crayon, and sometimes with water-colors and oil, he was busy in his school-days, and his early studies in crayon, as they were drawn on the blackboards at the Winthrop School, are still remem bered by many of his old school-fellows. Long after he graduated from the school some of these pictures could be seen there as he had left them, so worthy of preserva- * I have since been told that Norton was bom in the north end of Boston, but came with his parents to Charlestown when a very young child. OLD CHARLESTOWN 397 tion were they thought to be. Soon after leaving school his desire to be on the sea induced him to ship before the mast and make several voyages as a sailor. He made this an opportunity to gather information and material for his intended future career. For a while after his return from the sea, he worked at fresco-painting, showing marked ability and giving great satisfaction to the patrons of the firm by whom he was employed. His evenings at this time were spent in the study of art at the night school of the Lowell Institute, and he never forgot the thoroughness of his instruction, nor to give credit for the kindness and attention of his teachers in that school. After finishing the course of study at the institute he opened a studio on Washington Street, Boston, and passed through the com mon experience of young artists until, at last, he sold a picture to a well-known connoisseur for $100. This gave him courage and stimulation to continued effort, and after some further recognition of his talent he re moved to a more commodious studio, in West Street, but he still made his home in Pleasant Street, Charles town, and exercised his rights of citizenship in his native town. In his new quarters he worked very hard, and later on made an exhibition of his paintings at the gallery of Williams & Everett, which was ended by an auction- sale on the 29th and 30th of March, 1877, the collection of one hundred and two pictures bringing somewhat over $10,000. In July of the same year he went to Europe, where he has ever since remained, one of the busiest of artists in his travels, his studies, and at his easel. His pictures have been hung in the Royal Academy and shown at 398 OLD CHARLESTOWN most of the important exhibitions in London, Paris, New York, Boston, the world's fairs, and elsewhere, where they have found admirers and purchasers. A list of his noted paintings might be given, but it would be too long for our present purpose, and selection is too difficult for us to undertake. His reputation has been fully estab lished ; his standing is his own ; but he cannot, we think, object to our use of his success to brighten a page in sketches of history of the good old town where he first saw the light and was introduced to this beautiful world, in which he has become so distinguished and must have enjoyed so much. May i 8, 1895. OLD CHARLESTOWN 399 LXIV William Sawyer A Native of the Town and Prominent in Its Affairs. IN a notice of Jacob Foss which appeared in The Charlestown Enterprise during the summer of 1895, referring to his connection with the fitting out of a company from Charlestown enlisted for service in the War with Mexico, it was stated that the Board of Select men refused to authorize the payment of an amount that had been voted to that company at a town meeting which, the Board claimed, had been illegally or informally notified and called. The selectmen at that time were William Sawyer, chairman ; James Adams, Samuel Ferrin, Oliver Smith, James Fosdick, James G. Fuller, and Joshua Magoun. Mr. Sawyer was a Democrat in politics and not opposed to the war. On the contrary, he had been active in the effort to raise funds for the benefit of the volunteers, by private subscription, in public meetings, and otherwise, and in urging their claims upon the citizens for encouragement and pecuniary assistance. His opposition to the payment of the mentioned demand on the town treasury was wholly on the ground of its illegality. Mr. Sawyer was a native of the town and had been, and was afterwards, prominent in its affairs. We have mentioned his name before as a student in the school 400 OLD CHARLESTO WN kept by Abraham Andrews on Cordis Street, where he was fitted for college, the preliminary steps towards this end having been taken in the Lexington Academy under the direction and guidance of Rev. Caleb Stetson. He graduated from Harvard in 1828, in the class with Dr. Henry Ingersoll Bowditch, Robert C. Winthrop, George S. Hilliard, Charles Chauncey Emerson, and forty-nine others. After leaving the university he studied law with Joseph Tufts, then a prominent member of the Middlesex Bar having his office and residence in Charlestown. Mr. Saw yer was admitted to the bar in 1833 and practised his profession in Charlestown for the remainder of his life. The Bunker Hill Aurora was first published about the time he left college. He was a friend of Mr. Wheildon, its editor, was interested in its success, and was a fre quent contributor to its columns. In 1838 he prepared a series of extracts from the early town records and gave them to the public through this medium. Mr. Hunnewell, in his " Bibliography of Charlestown and Bunker Hill," makes the following reference to these papers : These numerous and ample selections are important contributions in print to the history of the town from 1646 to 1814. They are in papers from January 20 to December 15, 1838, including (August 11) the votes, May 30, 1776, for Independence; (August 18) petition to Congress for aid, July 30, 1776; (August 25) report on it, May 16, 1777 ; (November 10) obsequies of Wash ington ; and (October 27 and November 3) establishment of United States Navy Yard, 1800. Mr. Sawyer was active in the discussion of questions touching the interest of his native town and was ever anxious that its influence should be given in favor of OLD CHARLESTOWN 401 liberal sentiment and just action. He was true to his own convictions, and did not fail to give expression to his opinion even though it ran contrary to the current of popular favor. His decided stand in favor of the tem perance movement at one time brought down upon him much opposition and bitterness of feeling, and in his political career he often met with strong opposition from members of his own party. But he kept on his course and was for the most part successful in gaining and retaining the confidence, esteem, and approval of his fellow-citizens. He served the town, not only as select man, but for many terms on the school committee and on other boards, and represented it in the Legislatures of 1842 and '43. For many years, in the successful period of its existence, he was secretary of the Charles town Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and for a long time postmaster of Charlestown. He was also chairman for some time of the board of inspectors of the Massa chusetts State Prison, and he filled the office of trial- justice for both town and city. He had a large clientage as a lawyer, but he was afflicted with deafness to an extent that interfered somewhat with his practice in court. He had at one time, as an associate in this business, Honorable F. M. Stone, now the president of the Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company. At the time of his death, J. Q. A. Griffin was his law-partner. His death was occasioned by an accident at the Waverley Crossing of the Fitchburg Railroad, in Wal tham, on May 24, 1852. Less than a year before he had removed from Charlestown to Waltham. A large lot of pleasantly located land, in a wild state, had been purchased by him some years before and transformed by labor and expense under his own direction into a 402 OLD CHARLESTOWN delightful country-seat, on which a house and stable and such other buildings as were requisite for a convenient and tasteful home had been completed and brought into use for his family. And here, on a beautiful day in May, they were living in the full enjoyment of what such a place can afford to lovers of life and of Nature, confident and expectant of life's long continuance. This cheering prospect was soon to be cut off by the deepest of shadows ; was to be followed in a moment by a scene of horror and a never-changing season of gloom. The brother of Mrs. Sawyer, Mr. John Gibbs, of Charlestown, had been making them an afternoon visit, and they were taking him in their carriage to the depot on his way home, when they were run down by an express-train as they crossed the track, no warning signal having been given of its approach. Mr. Sawyer and his eldest daughter, sixteen years old, and Mr. Gibbs, were instantly killed. Mrs. Sawyer, with an infant in her arms, was caught by the cow-catcher and carried for some distance along the track, to be restored to con sciousness after many hours of watchful anxiety and doubt. Her life of disappointment was continued until the 13th of February, 1895, when she died at her residence on Bunker Hill Street. The details of this accident, or catastrophe, cannot be dwelt upon. The shock it occasioned in the city was very great, and the whole community was in attendance in and around the Universalist Church where the funeral took place, May 26, 1852. The services, conducted by Rev. Mr. Townley, pastor at the time, and by Rev. T. Starr King and Rev. Dr. E. H. Chapin, former pastors of the society, were solemn and impressive, and the tolling of the bells, as the bodies were borne to their OLD CHARLESTOWN 403 graves, emphasized, never more clearly, the uncertainty of human life. Soon after his death a long notice of his life and character, from the pen of Mr. Griffin, was printed in The Bunker Hill Aurora, and with some extracts from this notice we close the present article : The death of William Sawyer has settled deep and lasting grief in numerous hearts outside the circle of his relatives. I do not say this in a heartless formality of an obituary. I do not say it in view of the hold he enjoyed in the confidence of the public for many years and at the time of his death, as evidenced by the stations of respectability and trust he filled. Mr. Sawyer him self never based his own estimate of any human being upon his reputation and the position he held ; he criticized the character and scrutinized the man. A generous heart was always by him regarded as a better diploma of merit than a title or an office. ... A most intimate knowledge of his modes of thought and principles of action qualify me, I hope, to speak with accuracy in regard to him. It is the more easy, as he had no dis guises as respected those near him. To his friends he uniformly opened his whole heart and dealt with a bold frankness which might offend a stranger. His impul sive spirit never hesitated to give forcible expression to the thought or the feeling which struggled for utterance. This was not less a quality of the heart than of the mind. His intellect was vigorous and acted with astonishing celerity. He never debated a proposition for any great length of time. His first thoughts were those upon which he acted, and they were generally such as to lead him to no mistake. He reached in a moment that point which many would fail to attain by a day's reflection and mental travail. That time which men would lose in doubts and fears and hesitancy he filled full of the most efficient action. And yet he never acted rashly. . . . Joined to this there was an iron and courageous industry which 404 OLD CHARLESTOWN chained him constantly to the post which duty assigned him. Whatever his hands found to do he did with all the energy of his spirit. He went to his labor and sustained it with a glad heart and an unvarying buoyancy of spirit which made him a most acceptable fellow-laborer and companion. He adorned his daily life with a con stant assiduity and an unwearied cheerfulness which will linger long in the memories of those dear to him here. His talents were most readily recognized and he was most loved by those who most intimately knew him. I speak what every one of those intimate with him will say when I assert that William Sawyer never did an intentional and deliberate wrong. But he has gone — cut down in the maturity of his strength, in the happiest years of a happy life, in the midst of his usefulness, and leaving many loved ones behind him to drink together the bitterest cup of grief ever offered to their lips. J. Q. A. Griffin, who was the law-partner of William Sawyer for some time previous to his death, continued the business in Charlestown until his own death on May 23, 1866, aged thirty-nine years. Much of the time he was a resident here. He represented the city in the Legislature of 1855, and was city solicitor for some years. He very soon became prominent as a member of the bar, and as a legislator was at once marked as a man of genius and ability. He made many warm friends, and although naturally sarcastic in his manner he was successful in retaining his popularity. His health failed early in his life, and he died a young man. A career of great promise was thus cut off and a life of usefulness and eminence made all too short. September 7, 1895. OLD CHARLESTOWN 405 LXV Successful Men John Wade Damon — Captain Joseph B. Thomas — Patrick O'Riorden. WE are hearing so much about Havana and of what is going on there that it calls to mind our former townsman, the late John Wade Damon, who spent so many years of his life in Cuba. I have wondered what he would say to us as to the duty and policy of helping to free that island from the government of Spain. He could throw light upon many points that it would be well for us to see, and help us to form a proper judgment as to the size of the job we have under taken in our declaration of war. I think he would say to us that, in the progress of the world, the time has arrived for the independence of Cuba, and that, from its nearness to the scene of action, the intervention of the United States has been unavoidable. One thing is certain, he would be emphatic in his charge to us to give our flag to the breeze, and to stand firmly and faithfully by the Government until its task is accomplished. Some notice of Mr. Damon as one of the old residents of Charlestown will be of interest. Perhaps the best example of a modern-built place of residence within the limits of Charlestown is the brick building which stands fronting the Monument on the 406 OLD CHARLESTOWN comer of Monument Square and Monument Avenue, now the residence of Mr. P. O'Riorden. It was erected for Mr. John Wade Damon, its first occupant. He was a son of Massachusetts, born in Scituate, West Parish, Novem ber 1 2th, 1 792, but he had spent many years of his life in Havana, Cuba, where he accumulated a fortune, largely, but not wholly, from his connection with the ice- business, under a monopoly granted by the government at first to Frederic Tudor, with whom Mr. Damon after wards became a partner. Mr. Damon, who was an uncle of Dr. Henry Lyon, on his visits here made the doctor's house his head quarters, and in this way became acquainted with Charles town people and interested in the property and welfare of the place. This led to his purchase of the house on the corner of Green and Main streets, in which he resided for some years ; and also to the purchase of a large estate situated about half way between the old bridge and the Navy Yard, known at the time as Harris' Wharf, and later as Damon's Wharf; and also of the very eligible lot of land on Monument Square, on which was erected by him the building we have referred to which became his homestead some years before his death which occurred here. After he had secured this lot of land and decided upon the erection of a new house, he, as much of his time would be spent in Cuba, entrusted the carrying out of his plans to an old friend, a well-known mechanic of Boston, Mr. J. G. Newell, who was to pro ceed with the work as if it were his own, having instruc tions to spare no expense necessary to make everything about it of the first class, taking time to have materials and workmanship as perfect as possible. In this way, OLD CHARLESTOWN 407 with a faithfulness seemingly difficult to be understood by this generation, the building was commenced and com pleted, every detail under the personal inspection of Mr. Newell, a man of ample means and mechanical skill whose special aim was to merit the confidence of his employer and fully sustain his own good reputation. The lookers-on as the work progressed could easily dis cover that this was to be no ordinary building, and when it was completed its superiority found ready acknowledg ment. Mr. Damon commenced his business life as a mechanic, and in the capacity of a carpenter had been employed by Mr. Tudor at various places, among them Havana, Cuba, in superintending the construction of houses for the storage of ice. The privilege of erecting an ice-house in Havana on public ground, in the Plaza San Francisco, had been granted to Mr. Tudor, and in the latter part of the year 1821 Mr. Damon was selected by him to proceed again to Havana, where he was to reside and take charge of the business there for a compensation of ten per cent. on the gross sales of ice. Here then he went, and here he continued to reside until he built the house we have described and fixed his residence in Charlestown. In 1824 a new arrangement was entered into and Mr. Damon became the partner of Mr. Tudor, with a specified ownership and interest in the business. But the con struction of the partnership papers, never satisfactory to Mr. Damon, was such as to lead to misunderstanding and disagreement, and finally to litigation which lasted for a long period. Both parties were strong men and the suits between them were carried on with unyielding determination, and were only closed by a compromise 408 OLD CHARLESTOWN at last. A book of nearly three hundred pages, entitled "The Ice-House Controversy," was printed for Mr. Damon in 1846, and distributed among his friends and many of the leading business men of the times. It was, and is, entertaining reading to those who were acquainted with the peculiarities of the contestants and who were more or less cognizant of the strategic movements in the fight as it was kept up by them for more than a quarter of a century. The nine points of possession were always held by Mr. Damon, and were never yielded, although many bold attempts were made to take them from him by storm. The proposal for compromise at last came from Mr. Tudor. While it lasted it was a fight in earnest by both parties, the money cost of which, as may be guessed, was very great. When Mr. Damon purchased the Harris Wharf prop erty it was in a dilapidated condition. The estate was large, but only a small part of it was occupied, and on that Alfred Carleton carried on a wood and coal business. Nothing in the way of improvement, or repairs even, had been made upon it for years. It had been nominally for sale, but at prices far above its estimated value by any purchaser. It belonged to the heirs of Jonathan Harris, an old family, who held it undivided. It was at last sold at auction and Mr. Damon was the highest bidder. As soon as possible after the deeds were passed, contracts were made for filling and piling to the harbor-commis sioners' line, and then a block of substantial brick store houses was erected, and other structures of wood, all adapted to the needs and requirements of a first-class wharfage and storage establishment. Damon's Wharf soon became a well-known and well- OLD CHARLESTOWN 409 patronized place of business, and was increasingly prosperous up to the time when, by authority of the Legislature, it was taken by the Hoosac Tunnel Dock and Elevator Company to form a part of their great steamship and railroad landing and loading-station. The family of Mr. Damon, soon after his decease, March 29, 1863, removed to New York and the estate on Monument Square was offered for sale. About this time Captain Joseph B. Thomas, who had been a very successful business man in California, occupying as such a high position in San Francisco, had resolved to return to New England and take up his abode in Boston ; and at the suggestion of the late Thomas M. Cutter he was induced to examine this house as a place of residence. The writer had the pleasure of being present when he made his first visit to it. Captain Thomas evidently knew a good thing when he saw it. He was interested in the old battlefield, his grandfather having been among its defenders at the battle of Bunker Hill. He liked the location for this reason and for its healthfulness. In a short time he concluded a bargain for the purchase of the property, and it became his home until the day of his death, January 13, 1891. Captain Thomas was a New Englander. His boyhood days were spent in Pittston, Maine, where he was born, June 23, 181 1. His mother was a Charlestown girl, and his grandfather, as we have said, took part in the battle of Bunker Hill. We suppose him to have been one of those boys who had a hankering for a life on the sea, for he commenced such a life when he was fourteen years old, and continued it for more than a quarter of a century. All of his brothers followed the same calling. He was 410 OLD CHARLESTOWN given the command of a ship when a very young man, and was successful and popular as a navigator and shipmaster. His voyages were to almost every part of the world, but largely in the packet-lines between Philadelphia and Liverpool, England. He built several vessels on his own account, and was at one time interested in the South American trade. He was attracted to California in 1850, and took his ship, the TJiomas Watson, to San Francisco. He made two voyages, and on the last one took with him a frame house and had it put together after his arrival, it being one of the first of this kind of structure erected there. He soon after gave up going to sea, but not his interest in shipping, and established himself in San Francisco in a large shipping and com mission business. He became very prominent in every thing calculated to promote the growth and interest of California, and during the Civil War was active in the movement led off by Starr King, which it is generally admitted saved the State to the Union. In 1868 Cap tain Thomas closed his active business in California, went abroad for a year or two, and on his return took up his residence here. He was soon tempted into business again. He lent his aid in the establishment of a small sugar-refinery gotten up by Gustavus A. Jasper, — who had been the superintendent of the sugar-refinery on Front Street, Charlestown, then closing up, — and became interested enough in the sugar-business to pur chase and entirely refit the large refinery of the late Paul Adams at South Boston, giving it the name of the Standard Sugar Refinery, which was kept in full opera- ation until the Sugar Tmst or American Sugar Refining Company was formed, of which Captain Thomas became OLD CHARLESTOWN 411 the vice-president and into which the Standard was merged. The extent of the accumulations of Captain Thomas has never been made known to the public, but it is safe to assume as more than probable that he was the wealthiest man who ever lived and died in Charlestown. Mrs. Thomas, after the decease of her husband, removed to the city proper, and the estate, being again for sale, was purchased by Mr. O'Riorden, who is now its occupant. Mr. Patrick O'Riorden is another self-made man. He has long made Charlestown his home and the headquar ters of his extensive business. He came from Ireland when a boy, November 5, 1847, settled permanently in Charlestown in 1856, placed his foot upon a low round of the ladder, and has so far climbed it successfully, making for himself an enviable reputation both for his business capacity and exemplary character. Evidence of his enter- terprise, perseverance, and industry is made patent by the fact that his name would stand high on a list of the largest holders of real-estate in old Charlestown or new ; while his reputation for shrewdness and foresight is gain ing confidence and strength. May 14, 1898. 4i2 OLD CHARLESTOWN LXVI Monument Square G.Washington Warren — Peter Hubbell — George D. Edmands — The Edmands Family. THE building on the corner of Monument Square and Chestnut Street, the present residence of George D. Edmands, and the adjoining building, the home of the widow of the late George W. Little, whose quiet and useful life cannot be easily forgotten in Charlestown, were erected by Honorable G. Washington Warren and Peter Hubbell, who were the pioneers in the improvement of the lots as they had been laid out around the Monument. They planned and put up these fine architectural houses, occupied them, and enjoyed them for many years. They were attractive homes, where comfort and taste and the entertainment of friends could be, and were, enjoyed. There must be many in the land of the living who can testify to the correctness of this remark. They were among the bright spots in the social aspect of the town and con tributed their share in making a favorable impression as to its social standing on the minds of visitors and strangers. Mr. Warren was the president of the Bunker Hill Monument Association from 1847 to 1875, twenty-eight years, and many distinguished visitors to the Monument were entertained by him herewith liberality and elegance. The history of the Association, a book of over four OLD CHARLESTOWN 413 hundred octavo pages, compiled by Mr. Warren, is an interesting and valuable volume, a record of the past of the Association, and of its contribution to the literature of the country in the addresses of its presidents, copies and fac-similes of valuable letters, and the many speeches of eminent men delivered on its anniversary and other occasions — Webster, Everett, Winthrop, Andrew, and Devens being among the number. Mr. Warren was the son of Deacon Isaac Warren, about Whom we have said something in an article on the former residents of Bow Street. He was a graduate of Harvard College in 1830, was mayor of the city for the first four years of its life, 1847-50, a director in the Charlestown Gas Company, one of the trustees of the Warren Institution for Savings, and represented the town and city in both branches of the Legislature. He delivered the Fourth of July oration before the City of Boston in 188 1. He was judge of the municipal court for a quarter of a century, and a marked figure in the history of Charlestown while it was a separate city. He died Sunday, May 13, 1883. Peter Hubbell came to Charlestown from New York State very soon after the completion of the Charlestown Branch Railroad in 1843, when its termini were Fresh and Spy ponds in Cambridge and the Charlestown wharves, the road having been constructed especially for the transportation of ice. Mr. Hubbell had large experience in brick-making, and the late Nathaniel J. Wyeth, connected with Mr. Tudor in the ice-business, had, in the vicinity of Fresh Pond, valuable clay-lands that he proposed to develop as additional business for the new railroad. A contract for the excavation and delivery of the clay by Mr. Wyeth at the brick-yards, 414 OLD CHARLESTOWN and a low rate of transportation by the railroad company, were the inducements for Mr. Hubbell to close his busi ness in New York and come here. The scheme was a very successful one, the business added largely to the receipts of the railroad and was very profitable to Mr. Hubbell, who soon took up his residence here and con tinued it until his death, January 9, 1871. A little while before this occurred he had formed the Bay State Brick Company, which has kept up the business to the present time. Not long after Mr. Hubbell came here he met with a serious accident. His custom was to go to the works every day, on the train. He was a very active man, and often jumped from the platform while the cars were in motion ; but he made one jump too many and lost a leg as a consequence. But the amputation of a limb did not dampen his ardor, and it hardly lessened his activity. With an artificial limb and the use of a cane he disguised his infirmity and kept about for years as if •nothing had happened. Mr. Hubbell was a man of fine presence, a much esteemed, energetic, and busy citizen. Outside of his regular business, the Charlestown Gas Company and the Monument Bank, of both of which he was president, can be cited as evidence of his enterprise. He was practically the founder of the bank, and he was the life and soul of the gas company in its early days. Saint John's Episcopal Church and Society were marked by his friendship and energy, and by the membership of himself and wife, on whom the patriotic and benevolent move ments of the town could ever depend for assistance and hearty encouragement. The present occupant of the Warren house, Mr. Edmands, is of the firm of Preston & Merrill. He is OLD CHARLESTOWN 4i5 also the able treasurer of the Colorado Smelting Com pany. Preston & Merrill were originally apothecaries. They began the foundation of a large fortune by the manufacture of baking-powders, with which for many years they leavened the whole of California as well as many other places of rising importance. The baking- powders were exchanged for gold, and the gold for gold mines, which the Colorado Smelting Company has been working to the profit of its stockholders for many years and is not yet out of breath. Mr. Edmands belongs to a very old Charlestown family. Walter Edmands was here and admitted to the church in 1652, and his wife two years after, in 1654. Some of their descendants have made their homes here ever since. John Davis Edmands, the father of George D., and his brother, James Capen Edmands, were prom inent in their time as thrifty and enterprising mechanics. Some of the buildings erected by them can still be shown. The brick store on Main Street now occupied by W. P. Henry as a provision-store, and the brick build ing that makes the corner of Devens and Middlegate (now Prescott) streets, were erected by James C. Edmands. The upper room of the first-mentioned build ing was at one time known as Edmands Hall. The lower part was a book-publishing store, the occupants of which are referred to in another article. Thomas Edmands, a cousin of the before-mentioned brothers, was a very popular man. He was one of the early commanders of the Warren Phalanx and one of the original members of the company when it was char tered in 1804. He will be best remembered as of the old, well-known book-publishing house of Lincoln & Edmands, Boston. His son, General Benjamin F. 416 OLD CHARLESTOWN Edmands, was long known as a military man and an expert chief-marshal on many public occasions. Another son was the Honorable J. Wiley Edmands, for many years a partner in the distinguished firm of A. & A. Lawrence & Co., and a member of Congress for one or two terms. Benjamin and Barnabas Edmands, brothers, were also cousins to John D., James C, and Thomas. The former has been referred to as a resident of Washington Street. Barnabas, whose homestead was in Richmond Street (Rutherford Avenue), in his early business life was a brass-founder, but he gave this up and, assisted by his brother-in-law, William Burroughs, established a pottery on Austin Street, not far from the State Prison. It was a family joke that, inasmuch as their ancestor, Walter Edmands, the first settler, was a distiller, it was but natural for his descendants to take up jug-making. For a time in the early history of the pottery Frederic Car penter, the father of the late Marcellus Carpenter, was a partner with Mr. Edmands. After many years the pottery was removed to a wharf-estate on Mystic River which had been purchased by Mr. Edmands. In 1850 he sold the business to his sons, Edward and Thomas R. B., and Charles Collier, who had been his foreman, and they continued it under the style of Edmands & Co., adding to it the manufacture of drain-pipe; the latter part of the time by machinery, an invention of Mr. Collier's for the purpose having been patented. This part of the business has now been given up, owing to western competition which has made it unprofitable, but the original pottery-manufacture is still kept up by Edmands & Hooper, as successors to Edmands & Co., at their kilns on Medford Street. OLD CHARLESTOWN 417 Barnabas Edmands was one of the original members of the First Universalist Society and of the committee to build their meeting-house, and during the continuance of his long life he was a constant attendant on the services there, and a deacon of the church. He died January 13, 1872, aged ninety-three years, ten months. He was not only an enterprising man, but he merited and held the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens by the excellence of his character. Mr. Edmands' second wife was the sister of the Rev. Dr. Thomas Whittemore, who was a Charlestown boy, at one time an apprentice to Mr. Edmands in the brass- foundry business. In his autobiography Mr. Whittemore refers to this, and has much to say about his boyhood in Charlestown. He rose to prominence as a clergyman and as president of the Vermont & Massachusetts and the Fitchburg railroads, but he did not forget his early struggles or the freaks and follies of his youth. Many well-known and esteemed citizens were con nected with the Edmands family by marriage. The wives of the late Nathan Merrill, schoolmaster and postmaster, Colonel Solomon Parsons, and the recently much-mourned William Murray were daughters of John D. Edmands. Abram E. Cutter and the late William H. Finney married daughters of Barnabas. The Edmands family is represented in Charlestown to-day by George D. Edmands, of Monument Square, and by Thomas R. B. Edmands, who, with his daughters, occupies the homestead on Monument Avenue, except for the summer months which they spend at their beautiful residence at Sorrento, Maine. May 21, 1898. 418 OLD CHARLESTOWN LXVII High Street Numbers 44 and 46 — Edward Lawrence and T. T. Sawyer. THE Charlestown Club, one of the popular organ izations of to-day, purchased, and the members are now using, for their club-house the former residence and grounds of the late Honorable Edward Lawrence, on High Street ; and thanks to them the beautiful garden is still kept up and generously offers its attractions to passers-by, as it always did in the life-time of its former owner. There must be, among the mem bers of the club, some of those who are touched with the same spirit as he was ; who are filled with the same desire to please and benefit their fellow-men ; who plan for their own enjoyment by finding out what will make others happy. The Lawrence house and the adjoining one occupy a part of what was once known as the Samuel Dexter estate, a description of which is given in the first chapter of this volume. That chapter was written just after the purchase and dedication of the mansion-house by Abraham Lincoln Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and we were glad that in its new use its exterior could be preserved for a while longer to aid in keeping alive pleasant memories of its former occupancy. So now we rejoice that the Charlestown Club is satisfied OLD CHARLESTOWN 419 with the exterior of the residence of Mr. Lawrence as he left it, and that year after year they cheer the neigh borhood with a well-kept lawn, with the refreshing play of the fountain, and with a fine display of beautiful flowers, skillfully arranged and faithfully cared for. In 1850 what remained of the Dexter estate, at that time the property of the heirs of Hamilton Davidson, — the land on Main Street on which the Dexter Row block had been built, and that on Green Street on which stands the Winthrop Church, having been previously sold, — was laid out into lots and advertised to be sold at auction. The mansion-house, with a liberal allow ance of land, was one lot ; and there were eleven other lots, four fronting on High Street and seven on the court that runs in by the side of the Winthrop Church from Green Street. Before the day set for the auction arrived, the mansion-house and lot was purchased at private sale by Rhodes G. Lockwood; and nine of the other lots, the four on High Street and five on the court, by Edward Lawrence and T. T. Sawyer. The two remaining lots, on the lower side of the court, were bid in at auction by James Adams, and were transferred by him to Jacob Forster, as they adjoined the rear of the latter's estate fronting on Main Street. In this way the Samuel Dexter mansion with its extensive grounds, afterwards the elegant residence of Giles Alexander, Nathan Bridge, and Hamilton Davidson in succession, was lost to sight and is to memory dear only to those of us who knew it in its days of grandeur, when in its com pleteness it vied with the most beautiful of private residences and was growing more and more beautiful as a home for its owners and a paradise for the birds. 420 OLD CHARLESTOWN In the fall of 1850 the foundations of the Lawrence and Sawyer houses were laid, and in the summer of 185 1 the owners moved into their new homes. The choice of the lots was arranged pleasantly and satis factorily, the sunny side the more readily yielded to Mr. Lawrence inasmuch as the writer had taken a fancy to the large tulip-tree still growing, which would stand in a conspicuous place in his garden if he took the other side. John B. and Charles Wilson and Elisha Faunce were the contractors, and the work went on successfully and harmoniously to the finish. Mr. Lawrence and the writer, with their families, lived there as neighbors and friends from the summer of 185 1 to the time of Mr. Lawrence's death, Saturday, October 17, 1885. Edward Lawrence was born June 21, 18 10, in the pleasant town of Harvard. His childhood and boyhood were spent there, and his memory of it was ever precious and sacred. When he was fifteen years old he came to Charlestown, and for sixty years honored it by his sound character and useful life, the impression of which was so surely fixed upon the minds of all who knew him that to add a word of eulogy seems superfluous and unnecessary. A tender expression of friendship and regard comes unbidden to the heart, but the head feels no need for emphasizing the good name which he made for himself and left untarnished and secure. His arrival in Charlestown was anticipated by an offer of employment in the furniture-manufactory of Mr. Charles Forster, and in this establishment his youthful days were passed and his manhood career commenced, for he became the business partner of Mr. Forster, under the style of Forster & Lawrence, and was for OLD CHARLESTOWN 4ai more than thirty years the successful manager of a very large furniture-business, from which he retired in 1863. On October 3, 1842, he was made a director in the Bunker Hill Bank, and he became its president, October 2, 1855, which office he held continuously until his death. He was elected one of the board of trustees of the Warren Institution for Savings in 1843 and a vice- president in 1850; and he was for thirty-three years (from 1853 to 1886) one of its board of investment. He was also a director in railroad and manufacturing corporations, and, after the death of his brother-in- law, Richard Baker, Jr., he was one of the trustees of his large estate. Besides all this, he was interested and active in public affairs. Elected very early in life a member of the Board of Selectmen, he was re-elected for many years, several of which he served as chairman. After the city charter was accepted in 1847 he was urged many times to accept its higher positions, but he declined until his friend, Richard Frothingham, was elected mayor, when he consented to be an alderman, serving three years ; and again under the three years' administration of the writer he lent his valuable aid as an alderman for the whole time. When the Mystic Water Works were pro jected in 1 862 he was chosen chairman of the first board of water commissioners, and he held that position until r873, when he resigned. The record of the construction and cost of the Mystic Water Works affords mathemat ical evidence of the honesty, sagacity, and energy of the first water board. Mr. Lawrence represented the city in both branches of the State Legislature, and rendered valuable service 422 OLD CHARLESTOWN in perfecting the bill for the annexation of Charlestown to Boston, which was passed while he was in the Senate in 1872. He was a member of the Universalist Church and served on the standing committee of the society for nearly half a century, occupying that position at the time of his decease. In social life he was highly esteemed. He met his friends with cordiality, and received them with a hearty greeting at his own home, the scene of many happy and brilliant gatherings and superb entertainments. His memory for good stories and his faculty for telling them at the right time were remarkable, and his quiet way of joining in the amusement they occasioned was peculiarly his own. His generosity is told in the record of benefac tions in Charlestown during his time, for it would be hard to find one in which his name does not appear on its list of contributors. The eldest daughter of Mr. Lawrence was the wife of Mr. Daniel F. White, of Charlestown, and afterwards of John Chandler, of Boscawen, New Hampshire. Harry K. White, of Lee, Higginson & Co., Boston, is a grandson. Mrs. John Kent, of Chestnut Hill, is another daughter. Edward Lawrence, of Wellesley, and Charles R. Law rence, of Brookline, now the president of the Bunker Hill National Bank, are his sons. Of Mr. Sawyer's daughters, Mrs. Thomas O. Richard son died June 1, 1878. Two others are the wives of Mr. Calvin P. Sampson and Mr. Horace H. Stevens, 2d, of Jamaica Plain. Miss Mary C. Sawyer is still at home. Timothy T. Sawyer, Jr., of Boston, is the only son. June ii, 1898. OLD CHARLESTOWN 423 LXVIII Monument Square Again Lynde A. Huntington — Rev. Dr. W. I. Buddington — Rev. Oliver C. Everett — Dr. Luther V. Bell — Mrs. Henry Forster — Dr. Edward J. Forster — Rev. James B. Miles. IT will be interesting, I think, to read something con cerning the erection of other buildings around Mon ument Square, and about their former occupants. After the Warren and Hubbell houses were built, Mr. Lynde A. Huntington built the house on the opposite corner of Chestnut Street, and it was his happy home until his death. We have referred in another article to his superior character and are made happy by reflection upon it whenever memory is stirred by any allusion to the good man. Then, Richard Frothingham's patriotism became stronger than his love for the locality on which his ancestors first settled, and he left his residence on the corner of Main and Oak streets for a new home in the building next below the Huntington's, which he had erected for the purpose, and where he kept up the historical researches and friendly relations we have specially referred to in a chapter on the Frothingham family. About the same time Doctor Gunter, of the city of Washington, District of Columbia, built the house in the rear of the Monument, next to the corner of 424 OLD CHARLESTOWN Lexington Street, for his daughter, the wife of Rev. William I. Buddington, then the pastor of the First Church. The Buddingtons lived in it until it became needful for Mrs. Buddington to remove to a warmer climate, she being in feeble health. After that time it was occupied by Rev. Oliver C. Everett during the whole period of his service here as missionary of the Harvard Unitarian Society and pastor of the Edgeworth Street Chapel. Sometime afterwards it was purchased by John Boyle O'Reilly, but he never removed from the house 34 Winthrop Street, in which he resided for many years before his death, August io, 1890. Doctor Buddington's ministry in Charlestown was a very successful one, and during the fifteen years he was here he made many warm personal friends. He was a growing man and very soon became prominent among the Congregational ministers. He removed to Washing ton from here, but was afterwards settled over a large society in Brooklyn, New York, where he died. While in Charlestown he compiled his very interesting history of the old church. His successor in Charlestown was Rev. James B. Miles, who was ordained and installed here on January 2, 1855. The sunshine of his kind spirit was soon reflected upon all who came in contact with him. Among his own people, and with his fellow-citizens generally, he was very highly esteemed and was looked upon with great confidence and regard. He was interested in the schools and in all matters which could affect favorably the welfare of the city. He remained here seventeen years, living all the time in Adams Street, near the corner of Monument Square, and gave up his pastorate OLD CHARLESTOWN 425 to take the position of secretary of the American Peace Society. After this, in the interests of that society and of the association for the reform and codification of the law of nations, he made several successful visits to Europe and was becoming very popular as their repre sentative and prominent in the discussions and move ment for arbitration in the place of war among the nations, when he was taken down with peritonitis at Worcester, Massachusetts, while on a visit there, and died suddenly, November 13, 1875. Mr. Nathaniel F. Frothingham built the house adjoin ing that of Doctor Buddington, and occupied it until his decease. He was for many years successfully engaged in ship-brokerage on Long Wharf, in Boston, and was widely known among merchants and business men. The house on the corner of Monument Square and Monument Street was built by Mrs. Henry Forster. She had planned it for her own and her children's accommodation and the entertainment of friends, and she used it generously for this purpose until her three sons were graduated from Harvard University and her daughter married, when she sold it and removed to Jamaica Plain, where she now resides in a new house delightfully situated on the Park near Jamaica Pond. The house on the opposite corner of Monument Street was built in 1874 by F. L. Gilman, who lived in it until May, 1879, when it was purchased by Dr. Edward J. Forster, who occupied it until a few years ago, when he removed to the city proper. His successful career and recent death while he was occupying the position of Surgeon-General of the State of Massachu setts is fresh in the memory of us all. 426 OLD CHARLESTOWN On the Concord Street side of the square Dr. Luther V. Bell built the house now the residence of Dr. Henry Lyon, and occupied it six or seven years, until his death, February n, 1862, at Camp Baker, two miles from Budd's Ferry, on the Potomac, where his life was laid down for his country. He had offered his services as a surgeon in the army, and in the performance of his duties as such contracted the disease which ended his life. Doctor Bell acquired fame in his profession, especially in the treatment of insanity while he was at the head of the McLean Asylum and other similar institutions. He had reached an age when exemption from active service would have been natural and honor able, but he saw the need of skillful treatment among the country's defenders in her time of trial, and he could not withhold the aid that he felt he might render. His funeral took place at Saint John's Church, which had been his place of worship, February 17, 1862, and he was borne to his grave with all the marks of affection, respect, and honor which his life here, as well as his position, had earned and secured for him. The present club-house of the Catholic Literary Union was built by James Lee, Jr., who removed here from Boston and occupied it for many years, after which he sold it to E. G. Byam and went back to the city proper. While here, Mr. Lee was interested and active in Charlestown society and affairs, and served several years on the school committee and one term in the Legislature. The house recently sold by W. E. Carleton was built by his father, William Carleton, who occupied it until his decease, Tuesday, December 5, 1876. We have before OLD CHARLESTOWN 427 referred to him as a resident of Harvard Street and the founder of Carleton College. The house on the corner of the square and Tremont Street was erected by a native of Charlestown, Sampson Stoddard Blanchard, for many years cashier of the Hamilton Bank, Boston, and a brother of Mrs. Richard Frothingham. They were children of Deacon Isaac Blanchard, of the Unitarian Church, who was for many years town treasurer. Mr. S. S. Blanchard lived in the house until his death. July 2, 1898. 428 OLD CHARLESTOWN LXIX Monument Square (continued") A House on Rollers — Abram E. Cutter — The McKims — The Book-Store. IN the account given, in Chapter LXV., of the life of Mr. John Wade Damon, with a short description of his residence on High Street, I omitted reference to a rather remarkable removal of the house while he was living in it, to which I will now refer. The house adjoining the Damon estate was built by George A. Whiting, in the early part of the 'sixties. At that time Mr. Whiting was a partner with Francis B. Austin in the wholesale metal-business, in the city proper. Mr. Damon was displeased with the building towering above his own, and discussion with Mr. Whiting seemed only to widen the disagreement between them. Out of this feeling, without doubt, grew the determina tion of Mr. Damon to disconnect the walls of the two buildings. At any rate the decision to do this was made, and at a large expense the Damon building was removed about six inches from its original position, to where it now stands. It was a good deal of an under taking, but Mr. Damon was the man to accomplish it. We wonder of what advantage it was to him, but, remembering the peculiarities of the man, we think we can understand his own remark about it — that it OLD CHARLESTOWN 429 was pleasing to him to show his friends, who had told him it would be impossible, that it was but a small affair, after all. When passing along High Street, by the two houses, a copper strip can now be seen between them ; and behind this is the space which tells of the wisdom, or folly, of a man of strong will and determination. The fine house adjoining the Whiting house, on the other side, was the residence of the late Abram E. Cutter. It was built by him in 1869, was his home until his death on May 15, 1900, and was until recently occupied by his wife. Mr. Cutter was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, but the family had removed from there to Saco, Maine. From there he came to Charlestown to establish, with the late William W. McKim, under the firm name of McKim & Cutter, the book-store at 21 Main Street. Mr. McKim was a Charlestown boy, a brother of Judge John W. McKim, of the Suffolk Probate Court — sons of John McKim, an officer in the United States Marine Corps, residing in the Navy Yard. Governor Alexander H. Rice married their sister, Augusta, a remarkable woman who in early life is remembered by the writer as one of the brightest, most popular, and most interesting scholars in Mrs. Burrill's dancing-school, mentioned particularly in one of these articles. William W. McKim was a popular man and occupied an important position in the Civil War. The book-business has been continued ever since in the same store and is now conducted by Mr. Fred M. Reed. Mr. Cutter was a most estimable citizen, — an intel ligent man of high character and fine taste. The library which can still be seen in his house bears witness to this, 430 OLD CHARLESTO WN and should be preserved as the successful work of a lover of things of beauty, a preserver of fine thought and sound sentiment. He was also a most useful man in the community. Before the city was united to Boston he had served many years on the school committee, and after annexation he was continued on the same board for even a longer time. His connection with the Winchester Home was continuous from the time of its establishment until his death, and the annual reports for many years bear his signature as secretary. Rarely are institutions favored with such devoted, unselfish, gratuitous service and friendship as he gave it. While he was absent from the city with his wife in making several journeys to Europe, he was always greatly missed, and on his return no one could be welcomed more heartily. The shadow cast over the community by his death was deep and real, the sincere expression of grief and loss. In the Harvard Church he was always a pillar of strength and encourage ment, and in the Unitarian Association and denomination his memory is fragrant with usefulness, cheerfulness, and popularity. February 22, 1902. OLD CHARLESTOWN 43 1 LXX The Hunnewell Estate James Hunnewell — James F. Hunnewell — The Old Indian Chief Tavern Removed to make a Site for the Harvard Unitarian Church. -?> THE Hunnewells in Charlestown were descendants in a regular line from Charles Hunnewell, who was in the town as early as 1698. They were generally successful men as farmers, mechanics, and business men, occupying from time to time positions of importance in church and town government. James, the youngest but one of seven children of William Hunnewell, whose wife was Sarah Frothingham, — they being thus connected with another prominent family, — was a man of courage and enterprise, as is clearly shown by the story of his life, written by his son, James Frothingham Hunnewell, our present highly respected citizen. His voyage in early life to the Sandwich Islands in the little missionary- packet, in 1826, a journal of which is in print ; his long stay and successful business there ; and his ventures and operations after his return, about 1830, with his interest in public affairs, fully confirm the filial and grateful estimate and memorial of the son, and leave no doubt of the correctness of the statement we have made. Soon after his return he selected for a residence the house on Green Street, and purchased it in 1831 of Amos Binney, its owner at the time. The land on which it stood was for a long time a part of the estate 432 OLD CHARLESTOWN of William Wood, which extended from High Street to Main Street and was bounded by Green Lane on the south and by what is now Wood Street on the north. The old Indian Chief Tavern stood on what is now the site of the Unitarian Church. . Mr. Wood sold the whole estate to Oliver Holden, who sold that portion of it to the Second Congregational (Unitarian) Society. The Hunnewell lot passed several conveyances, and was sold in 1817 to Joseph Thompson, who built the Hunnewell house. He did not occupy it long. Among its several occupants from that time, until 1831, Com modore Perry of naval fame may be mentioned. The writer remembers it as the well-cared-for residence of John Winship, who for some years conducted on an extensive scale the manufacture of soap and candles in the old Hyde factory in Winthrop Street. The place was originally built and laid out for a handsome and attractive residence, and this character has always been kept up. Many changes and improvements were made by Mr. Hunnewell, senior, as well as by its present occupant, the most important of which is, perhaps, the addition of the fine library-room which now contains a portion of the valuable collection of rare books, the work of the life-time, almost, of Mr. James F. Hun newell, and which is fully worthy of the pride and enjoy. ment which its possession gives him. Mr. Hunnewell has spent much time in oft-repeated visits to Europe, and has written several volumes of recollection and description of what he has seen. "The Lands of Scott " and " Historical Monuments of France " are volumes of much value, occupying a worthy place in all libraries, while they testify to great interest and care ful, persistent study of the subjects of which they treat. OLD CHARLESTOWN 433 Mr. Hunnewell has been perhaps the most careful and painstaking investigator of historical matters in the early days of Charlestown, and has collected and printed many interesting facts as to town and church affairs. A list of these publications can be found in his volume entitled " The Bibliography of Charlestown." He has put on record, and in available shape, enough of the life and movement of old Charlestown, its institutions and families, to insure its prominence in town history and to warrant and gratify the pride of its residents of the present day. ' To make room for the church, the old Indian Chief Tavern building was moved to the corner of Main and Miller streets, where it still stands. It was used as a public house for many years afterwards, under the name of Eagle Hotel, and, like the hostelries or taverns of its day, was a news-room for town gossip, the scene of many political, military, and social occasions, and, it is to be feared, in some measure the resort of card-players within closed doors, while the toddy-stick in summer was seldom idle and the flip-iron in winter was always ready on the hearth. But in the locality of its old site a day for change had come. The old tavern on the side of the hill between Green and Wood lanes, with its surroundings, was gone, and the passer along Main Street looked instead upon the new brick (Unitarian) Church, completed in 1819, and upon the new, handsome brick residence fronting towards Main Street and running through from the laid- out and graded Green Street to the Wood Street of the present day. March i, 1902. 434 OLD CHARLESTOWN LXXI Monument Square (concluded) Dr. Henry Lyon — John Stowell. I HAVE before referred to the building of the house on the north side of Monument Square, by Dr. Luther V. Bell, and his residence there until the time of his death, February n, 1862; and of its purchase soon after by Dr. Henry Lyon, who made it his home until his death, May 13, 1900. Doctor Lyon was born December 16, 18 14, in Need ham (Lower Falls), where he spent his boyhood. He entered Harvard College and graduated in the class of 1835. Very soon afterwards he came to Charlestown to take up the study of medicine in the school of Dr. William J. Walker. He soon became a favorite of his instructor, and made many acquaintances which attached him to social life in Charlestown ; and this without doubt, after the completion of his studies, induced him to com mence the practice of his profession in this locality. He had made an impression upon the community favorable to success, and soon had a profitable practice as the advisor of many families and friends. He continued his practice here until 1850, when his decision to give it up was the cause of much regret and sorrow to his patients, who had learned to confide in his judgment and skill. OLD CHARLESTOWN 435 He married the youngest daughter of Dr. Abram R. Thompson, a sister to the wife of the popular Dr. J. Stearns Hurd, and his relations with the medical fraternity generally were of the pleasantest kind. Some years after the death of his first wife and of Doctor Hurd, Mrs. Hurd became his second wife. Doctor Lyon was indebted for his opportunities of education, his college course especially, to his uncle, John Wade Damon, of whom we have elsewhere spoken as a man of wealth doing business in Havana, Cuba ; and he had much to do, even while practising his profession, in looking after Mr. Damon's affairs in Boston, and in making frequent visits to Havana. This doubtless led him to the decision to give up his profession to enter into a business akin to that of his uncle, which would require his whole time. In 185 1 he formed a copartnership with Addison Gage and Timothy T. Sawyer, purchasing the interest of Jacob Hittinger in a then existing copartnership, and continued in this business until 1859, when the copartnership was dissolved. Doctor Lyon was a man of fine education ; unpreten tious, and highly esteemed as a citizen, neighbor, and friend. He was a thoughtful but not an ambitious man. His mind was not easily unbalanced by first reports or sensational statements of success or failure in any direc tion, and he chose to run along in a quiet, comfortable way rather than to trust himself to the current of popular activity and excitement. He was a cheerful and ready giver in every good cause, but he preferred to be a follower rather than a leader, to encourage rather than direct. 436 OLD CHARLESTOWN He was a constant attendant at the Harvard Unitarian Church and was always deeply interested in its welfare. He represented Charlestown in the Legislature in 1881, and was a member of the Charlestown School Board for several terms, serving as its president for one year. At the time of his death he was one of the vice-presidents of the Warren Institution for Savings, having held the office for twenty years. He was elected as one of the Board of Trustees in 1863. Doctor Lyon's home was a noted place for its hos pitality, and the friends of the family were numerous. He had entertained many distinguished guests, especially among naval officers, with whom his acquaintance was ex tensive. Three of his daughters were the wives of naval officers — Elizabeth, of Captain Thomas L. Swan ; Mar garet, of Captain Oliver A. Batcheller; and Sallie, of Paymaster Frank H. Swan. His son is Captain Henry W. Lyon, now in command of the battleship Olympia, of the North Atlantic Squadron. His other daughter was the wife of Dr. Edward J. Forster, whose sudden death was such a shock and grief to his host of friends in Charlestown, his native town. During the Civil War Doctor Lyon made a voyage to Cuba as confidential secretary to his brother-in-law, Admiral James Alden, with General W. T. Sherman on board. The latter, on his visit to Boston, testified his esteem for his shipmate and friend by a call at Doctor Lyon's house, which occasion, the writer remembers, was made an unusually enjoyable one for many friends. The doctor lived to be an aged man — eighty-six years ; but he kept up his cheerfulness to the end, which came in a manner such as, we think, he would have OLD CHARLESTOWN 437 desired — going to sleep in his bed at night after being about, as usual, during the day, never to awaken in this world. Another resident of Monument Square, of marked character, was Mr. John Stowell, who died at his beautiful summer residence at Pigeon Cove, Cape Ann, August 26, 1899. Mr. Stowell was born in Boston, February 7, 1822. He came to Charlestown when a child and remained here the rest of his life. His school-days were passed here, and his early business career was commenced with Samuel Kidder & Co., in the Washington Hall building, No. 46 Main Street, which is now held by his heirs who continue the business in which for a life-time he was engaged on that spot. Mr. Stowell was a very intelligent and ingenious man, of much inventive thought and mechanical ability, and, besides the successful man agement of his regular business, he found time in his little workshops at the store and at his residence to work out many intricate problems and produce many valuable models, some of which were the bases for what have become very useful appliances in the progressive move ment of the present age. Many things for his own amusement and use were also produced, among them a telescope of fine finish and power, made wholly by his own hands. He aimed at perfection in what he under took ; even the smallest matter in mechanical art must be complete and finished, for his use. Mr. Stowell was a good friend, but he must have confidence in one's sincerity, for he had no patience with sham in any form. He was an honest man to him self and in his dealings with his fellow-men ; a man of benevolent impulses, who did much to aid others ; — but 438 OLD CHARLESTOWN in this respect he acted upon the rule that it is best for the right hand not to know what the left is doing. Mr. Stowell's wife was Elizabeth Moulton, who for some time previous to her marriage had been the highly prized assistant teacher in the Winthrop Grammar School in Charlestown. Her sisters were very successful teachers in public schools in Boston. Reference has been made before to the early death of their only brother while a pupil of the Winthrop School, — a precocious youth, he and Starr King being often pointed out by their teacher, Joshua Bates, as boys of wonderful promise. March 8, 1902. OLD CHARLESTOWN 439 LXXII Beautiful Gardens Samuel R. Johnson — Joseph Newell — The Townspeople Enjoyed the Cultivation of Fruits and Flowers. THE estate of Samuel R. Johnson was on Main Street, at the corner of what is now Johnson Avenue. The house was an oblong square, front ing on a garden, like most of the residential houses of its day all along Main Street. The whole place is changed now, the land being covered with buildings fronting on the street with stores under them. Special attention is called to this estate on account of the garden, which was one of the best and best-cared-for in the town. Fruit and flowers, under the careful cultivation and training of Mr. Johnson and his wife, grew here luxuriantly, and outside of the town, as well as in it, the garden was referred to as a place of interest and beauty. Some of the pear-trees are still standing in the yards of several of the present tenements in the rear, and can be seen by looking over the fences on Johnson Avenue. Before the Tremont House in Boston was demolished to make room for the present Tremont Building, and just previous to its closing, a banquet was held there especially to recall what took place at the opening of the 440 OLD CHARLESTOWN hotel when it was built. The menu or bill-of-fare used on that occasion had been preserved and was shown to the company assembled. At its foot was this note: " The fruit used to-night is from the gardens of Nathan Bridge and Samuel R. Johnson, of Charlestown." This is an indication of their standing among the noted gardens of the day. They surely were up to date in the cultivation of the most beautiful flowers and desirable fruits of their time. The writer remembers another small garden in the rear of an estate on Main Street, belonging to Joseph Newell, — the brick house now standing on the southerly corner of Main Street and Union Court. In the small area at the rear of that house could be seen espalier peach and pear trees and trellised grape-vines, which were tended with the greatest care and cultivated and pruned in the most skillful manner, the result of the pleasant occupation of Mr. Newell before and after the business hours of the day. These gardens, it is true, were not common examples of the condition of the vacant land around and in the rear of Charlestown's houses, but nevertheless the cultivation of flowers and fruits, especially grapes, was very general all over the town. In that day it was not in the thought of the thrifty dwellers on the peninsula to erect some sort of cheap shanty on any surplus land about their residences for any purpose that would bring in an uncertain rent ; — the profit they looked for was pleasant occupation and interesting study in odd hours, in the care of their little gardens and in watching the growth of plants. OLD CHARLESTOWN 441 Mr. Samuel R. Johnson's business was that of stone- cutting, and it brought him into contact with the prom inent builders of his day. His wife was the daughter of one of these, Josiah Bemis, a Charlestown resident who, with Mr. Stearns, of Watertown, had built many of the public buildings of that time. Later in his life Mr. Johnson was superintendent of the works of the Granite Railway Company, in Quincy, succeeding Mr. Gridley Bryant, a man famed for his intelligence, ingenuity, and persever ance, an expert in large building operations. He was the father of Gridley Bryant, the noted architect of Boston whose youth was passed largely in the office of Alexander Parris, the United States architect in the Charlestown Navy Yard, the recollection of which fact, as he many times told the writer, was a source of real enjoyment to him. Samuel R. Johnson, the civil-engineer referred to in another article as one of the students in Samuel N. Felton's office and engineer at one time of the Old Colony Railroad, was the son of the Johnson whose residence and garden we have attempted to describe. He also lived in Charlestown for some years after his father's death, and made the changes in the estate that we have referred to, interest in the garden having died out with the heads of the family. A little way south of the Johnson estate, on Main Street, opposite to Wood Street, can still be seen the entrance to " Lynde's yard," where Nathan Lynde, like the Frothinghams farther up the street, carried on an extensive and successful business in the manufacture of carriages of every description. The premises extended 442 OLD CHARLESTO WN around from Main Street to Austin Street, and were covered with shops properly fitted up for every branch of the trade. Mr. Lynde was a self-reliant and very enterprising man, whose business here afforded employ ment for many years to a large number of mechanics, apprentices, and journeymen, who as a rule vied with each other in the quality of their work, and shared with their employer pleasure and pride in the good name and reputation of the establishment and its product. March 15, 1902. OLD CHARLESTOWN 443 LXXIII High Street Residences Benjamin Whipple — Paul Willard — Calvin C. Sampson — John Boyle O'Reilly. THE double house standing back from the street on the lot of land that makes the corner of High and School streets was built about 1808 by Samuel G. Sargent and John Hills as residences for themselves. They purchased the land of Oliver Holden, divided it, laid out little gardens around the houses, and built two small stables in the rear, doubtless to shelter a horse and a cow, which it was the pride of families of that day to number among their possessions. In the original plan of the houses they were connected by a doorway in the upper story, and as neighbors and friends they seem to have had no fear at that date of too great intimacy. The writer remembers listening to a lady friend who told him that, when a child, soon after these houses were built, she was taken with the other scholars in Miss Hill's school, kept in the little building on School Street, just off High Street, to visit, by permission of the owners, these newly erected and wonderful houses, the visit, as she said, a reward to the scholars for an afternoon's specially good behavior. We are unable to state how long the builders of the 444 OLD CHARLESTO WN houses lived in them ; but, we think, it was not many years before reverses occasioned a sale. Nor can we say who occupied them afterwards, until about 1830, when they were purchased, the side nearest to School Street by Captain Benjamin Whipple, the other by Paul Willard. Captain Whipple was a prominent man in public life, serving several terms in the Legislature, and in almost every capacity in the town government, — at one time being the head of the fire department and for some years a popular commander of the old Charlestown Light Infantry. In his earlier life he was, as we have mentioned in another place, a partner with Edward Adams (Whipple & Adams), cordage-manufacturers, at Morton's Point. For some years before he left Charles town he was an inspector in the Boston Custom House. Paul Willard, a graduate of Harvard, class of 18 17, was a lawyer who came here from Lancaster, Massachu setts. He was always much interested in politics and was at one time Clerk of the Senate of Massachusetts. He always kept up the practice of law, but, for a while after the establishment of the old Charlestown Bank, he filled the office of cashier, and he was in the Board of Aldermen in 1847. His son, Paul (junior), on the occasion of the first celebration after the town became a city, was the poet when Starr King was the orator, and he was also a member of the Legislature in 1858. The elder daughter of Mr. Willard, senior, was the wife of Arthur W. Austin ; and the younger, of the late James E. Greenleaf, whose widow still lives in the house on the corner of Green OLD CHARLESTOWN 445 and High streets, their home for many years. Miss Greenleaf, the artist, and her sister are with their mother. The son, the late Robert E. Greenleaf, was a graduate of Harvard College in 1877, and for two years was assistant professor at the Botanical Garden in Cambridge. Then he took up the study of medicine, and at the time of his early death, March 7, 1900, was fast growing into prominence in the medical profession in the city of Boston. Captain Whipple sold his estate to Calvin C. Sampson, in 1847, and some years later the Willard house was sold to Charles R. Gassett, and by him to John Boyle O'Reilly. The Sampsons resided here for forty-one years, until 1889, when they also sold their estate to John Boyle O'Reilly, whose heirs are now the owners of both houses. Mr. C. C. Sampson was extensively engaged in the furniture-business in Boston and New Orleans, and was always a successful man. He was born in Marshfield, Massachusetts, in 18 12, and died, in the same house in which he was born, while on a visit there in August, 1868. Both Mr. Sampson and his wife were descendants in a direct line from the Pilgrims. Mrs. Sampson's ancestor was John Alden, who came over in the Mayflower on. her first voyage ; and Henry Sampson, who came on her second voyage, was the ancestor in a direct line of Mr. Calvin C. Sampson. Mr. Sampson's business was such as to require his absence from Charlestown during a portion of the year, but he was always interested in the town's welfare, and, 446 OLD CHARLESTO WN with his family, as far as possible, joined heartily in its affairs. The Harvard Church was their religious home, and the family were always represented there by a well- filled pew. Mr. Sampson was especially interested in education, and was very desirious that his children should have all the advantages of proper training and instruc tion. Two of his five boys were graduates of Harvard ; another, of Amherst College ; and one, of the Institute of Technology. Mr. Sampson served on the school committee of Charlestown for several years. He favored the estab lishment of a public library and was among the earliest and most liberal of the contributors to the fund required by the city to secure an appropriation for the current expenses of such an institution. He was a friend to the Old Ladies' Home, and his name and that of his wife appear among its earliest life-members. Indeed, his response to appeals for the benefit of all good causes was uniformly ready and cheering. He was on the board of directors of the Bunker Hill Bank for several years, until the Civil War, which so jeopardized his large property in New Orleans that all his time, thought, and energy were requisite for its protection ; and although he was comparatively successful in its preservation it wore upon his health and doubtless shortened his life. John Boyle O'Reilly's life-story and fame as a poet are so well known and have been so fully made matters of record that we hardly dare to do more than simply refer to him. The beautiful monument standing in the Back Bay Fenway, with the account of its erection by his many friends and of the public estimation in which OLD CHARLESTOWN 447 he was held at the time, will immortalize his name, while his more beautiful inspiration as it was given to us by his pen will perhaps be more enduring still. O'Reilly never occupied either of these houses we have described. They were purchased by him for invest ment. But we are glad that he was a resident of Charles town for many years previous to his death, on August 10, 1890. His wife was a Charlestown girl, sister to James S. and John R. Murphy, and his residence was in Win throp Street. He will be remembered here for his remarkable personal attractiveness and bearing as well as for his genius and ability. March 22, 1902. 448 OLD CHARLESTO WN LXXIV High Street Sixty Years Ago My Boyhood Home — The Neighbors — Thomas B. Harris - The Elm Street News-Room. ON the easterly corner of School and High streets stood a rather attractive house, the side walls of brick, and the front — on High Street, looking toward the west — of wood, sheathed, and always bright with white paint. On the southern side of the estate was a garden of very considerable size, where fruit and flowers were cultivated and much enjoyed by the occu pants of the house. This was the home of the writer in his childhood and youth. It was purchased by his father, William Sawyer, of Ichiel Smith, its builder, in 1827, very soon after its completion, and here was the home of the family until the death of his mother, Susannah Sawyer, in 1885, when she was ninety-five years old. His father died May 1, 1830. After his mother's death, the estate was sold to the late Francis B. Austin, and the house was taken down, its proportions not being such as could be worked profitably into an apartment block, covering the whole land, which he contemplated erecting. And so it turned out that in its whole life-time of fifty-eight years this finely located and substantially built residence OLD CHARLESTOWN 449 was occupied by only one family, certainly an unusual occurrence. Here, during all that period of time, they lived quietly, comfortably, happily ; the good God smiling upon them, blessing them with contentment and gratitude, and fitting them for the discipline of grief and bereave ment which sooner or later comes to all. Here two of my sisters, Mrs. David S. Messinger, of Worcester, Massachusetts, and Mrs. Abram P. Prichard, of Phila delphia, Pennsylvania, were married, and here my parents and two of my sisters died. This old home ! — it is fixed .in my memory, stamped upon my heart ; and it all remains with me as it was, a constant reminder of my obligations for its good influence upon my character, a constant cause of gratitude to the Giver of all life's blessings. When the family removed from Thompson Street to this new home, the lookout from the garden fence was over what was known as the Odin pasture, which extended to Elm Street and was bounded by High Street on the west and Summer Street on the east, with not a building on its lines on either of these streets. But not long after this time the pasture was laid out into lots and sold. The brick house on High Street, now the residence of our good friend and fellow-citizen, George W. Berry, was built by a nephew of Edward Adams and very soon afterwards conveyed to his uncle for his family residence. The next house to it, of wood, was erected for Captain William Henry, whose home it was for a very long period. It was taken down to make room for the apart ment houses erected by Mr. Berry. The corner lot on High and Elm streets was purchased by James B. 450 OLD CHARLESTOWN Tamplin, and the building now there, in which for so long a time was the grocery-store of John P. Currier, was put up and occupied for a while by Tamplin. On Elm Street, corner of Summer, Edward Nichols made a home for his family, and on Summer Street two wooden buildings were erected for William Raymond and Captain Burnham. The whole area of the Odin pasture was thus in a short time covered with buildings. With a boy's eyes the writer watched the process of their construction, from the digging of the cellars to the capping out of the chimneys, from the setting of partitions to the last rub bing down of the inside finish, and in memory it all comes back to him as if it were but yesterday. Yes ; and he can just as easily brush them all away, and in memory reinstate the old pasture with the rail-fence around it, a playground for children and the scene of many foot-ball contests by boys of an older growth on Thanksgiving and Fast days and other holidays. The outlook from the garden fence could have been extended for a long distance over the other side of Elm Street, for there were no buildings there, nothing but pasture-land where the cows were feeding and the frogs singing. All this, however, has been referred to in another paper, and it will be best not to stray too far away from the subject of the present writing — the home of my boyhood and its immediate neighborhood. And what a pleasant neighborhood it was at this early date, and for years afterwards ! An old-fashioned brick house which stood on the site now occupied by the residence of the late Thaddeus Richardson was owned and occupied by John Johnson. The wooden building OLD CHARLESTOWN 451 still standing on the corner of High and School streets had a large garden extending for quite a distance along High Street and half-way down towards Main Street, and was the homestead-estate of John M. Fiske. Johnson and Fiske were prominent men of their time, and with their families were our first neighbors. Then the Adams, Henry, Whipple, Willard, and Sampson families were added. Then the Fiske garden on High Street was covered with the wooden block still standing, and Andrew K. Hunt, Benjamin Bruce, Charles B. Fessenden, and others, were the occupants. Indeed, there was a succes sion of good people and agreeable neighbors on both sides of the street during fifty years. In 1839, soon after his marriage, the writer purchased the Adams house, and lived there until 185 1, when he sold it to Francis W. Pearson and moved to his new house, No. 46 High Street, which was finished in the summer of that year. The Pearsons, before moving in, made very considerable alterations and lived here several years, and then removed for a while to Baltimore, at which time it was conveyed to Thomas B. Harris, a worthy representative of one of the oldest of Charlestown families, his ancestors running back to the very beginning of the settlement in 1630. Mr. Harris was never married. He made his home with his sister, Mrs. John P. Currier, all the members of whose family looked up to him with the greatest respect and love. He was a public-spirited citizen and held many positions of honor and trust before and after annexation, until his death, September 27, 1883, when he was one of the Sinking Fund Commis sioners of the city of Boston. He was in the Legis lature in i870-'72, and was an alderman in both cities. 452 OLD CHARLESTOWN He was a man of unquestioned uprightness of character and firmness of judgment, prominent in the affairs of the First Universalist Society as his father had been before him, and was a true son of Charlestown and its institu tions, many of which he remembered by bequests in his will. To the church, for its worthy poor, he gave $2000 ; to the Public Library, $1000; to the Winchester Home, $500; to Howard Lodge of Odd Fellows, $500; and to Henry Price Lodge of Free Masons, $500. A fine portrait of Mr. Harris hangs in Odd Fellows Hall, a memorial of trusted friendship and sound character, and certainly an excellent personal illustration of the motto of the order — Friendship, Love, and Truth. This paper ought not to be closed, perhaps, without some reference to the small building adjoining the store on Elm Street, at times in the past used for an engine- house, a primary school-room, and a news-room. The news-room, during the 'fifties, was the early evening resort of most of the gentlemen residing on the hill, and of many others who were willing to climb it for a share in the enjoyment of the place. Here the news of the day as it had been received by each individual was related for the general benefit, and modified, after dis cussion, by the general judgment. Here the latest story was listened to and its quality determined by an outburst of laughter or an expressive sneer. Here religion and politics, science and art, enterprise and business, labor and capital, abstinence and intemperance, character and reputation, were discussed with the greatest freedom, and so satisfactorily settled as in no wise to interfere with good appetite or sound slumber. Here candidates for office were suggested, their qualifications measured OLD CHARLESTOWN 453 and weighed, and their election hindered or helped to suit circumstances. Indeed, the little news-room was a kind of power-house to keep everything going properly and to regulate the preliminaries of all public action ; a place of enjoyment, as all such places of general gossip seem to be. Many, most, of the members of the association have passed away, but there are doubtless some left, who, if they happen to see what we have written, will live over hours of enjoyable companionship with old friends and call back pleasant memories of the little Elm Street news-room. March 29, 1902. 454 OLD CHARLESTOWN LXXV Other Residents of High Street and Monument Square Active Mayors of the City of Charlestown. WE have given some account of many of the former dwellers along High Street and around Monument Square, and of their residences, and there are others whose standing in the community was marked and should not be forgotten. The wooden house on the southerly corner of Elm and High streets was built by Benjamin Bell, about whom, as a partner with Samuel Kidder & Co. in the manufacture of tartaric acid, we said something in a former article. This house was his place of residence, and the ell of the building was for many years his laboratory, admission to which was not allowed, the formula used in the preparation of the acid being a secret of much value. Mr. Bell was a thrifty, honest man, and a good citizen. His wife was a member of the First Church, but he was known in the town to be a free thinker as to religious subjects and creeds, which at that time was looked upon by many of the good church- members as a very dangerous and perhaps criminal state of mind. Not much but wickedness being expected from OLD CHARLESTOWN 455 unbelievers of that kind, the sign, "No Admittance," over the doorway of the laboratory, was proof positive that something was wrong there. The writer remem bers an excellent and kind-hearted washerwoman, whose presence once a week in his mother's kitchen was always a source of pleasure to the children, who on her way thither invariably crossed to the opposite side of the street as she passed by the Bell house, justifying herself with the remark that "nobody could tell what such a person might do to you if he could once get you inside his door." The Bell house was afterwards purchased by Hawkes Lincoln, a son-in-law of Father Webb, of Cordis Street, and some of the Lincoln family have resided there ever since. Henry H. Edes, a grandson, it will be remem bered, made it his home until his marriage in 1896. Since then he has lived in Cambridge, but here he edited and put into book-shape Wyman's "Genealogies," and wrote and arranged the chapter on Charlestown, with its illustrations of fac-similie maps and pictures, for the Memorial History of Boston. To his credit, also, must be set down the excellent History of Harvard Church, and his very active interest in procuring and placing in the church the memorial tablet and bust of Rev. Dr. Walker. A little way along on High Street — in one of a block of three wooden houses built in 1837 and occupied for a time by Alfred Skilton, Heman S. Doane, and J. W. Mulliken — is now the residence of the family of the late Gustavus V. Hall, who filled so successfully for many years the position of clerk of the Common Council, and 456 OLD CHARLESTOWN who, as an expert and auctioneer, had much to do with the changes and sales of real estate in the town and city. With him we must also refer to his gifted and musical family, especially Mr. Thomas H. Hall, whose able, generous, and willing assistance in innumerable enter tainments and meetings held in response to appeals for help, encouragement, and amusement by the churches, Sunday-schools, societies, and citizens entitles him fairly and fully to pleasant and thankful remembrance. The three fine houses on the southerly, or High Street, side of Monument Square, between Soley Street and Monument Court, were built by James Dana, Francis Thompson, and IsSac P. T. Edmands, as places of res idence for themselves. They all were natives of Charlestown, the sons of prominent men in an earlier generation of Charlestown citizens — Judge Samuel Dana, Honorable Charles Thompson, and Barnabas Edmands. James Dana was born in the Kettell, or Adams, house in Chestnut Street, in 1 8 1 1 . His father lived there for some years and then removed back to Groton, whence he had come to Charlestown. The son, after graduating from Harvard, came to Charlestown to establish himself in the practice of law. Very soon afterwards he was ten dered the position of commander of the Charlestown Light Infantry, which he accepted, and thereupon entered with interest into military matters. This was the stepping- stone to his advancement to a brigadier-generalship in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, and gave him the title of General, by which he was ever after addressed and spoken of. After many years of practice as an OLD CHARLESTOWN 457 attorney and counselor at law, he gave up his profession On account of deafness and entered extensively into the business of brick-making. He was also quite an operator in real-estate. He was elected mayor of the city in 1857, and served three years. To him more than to any other man the introduction of water was due. He was at least in advance of any other in zealous efforts to per fect plans, ascertain the cost, and urge legislative action, which resulted in the Mystic system of water works. Francis Thompson was a partner with his father and Luther Lapham, under the firm title of Thompson & Lapham, in the iron and steel business, always a success ful concern. He entered ambitiously into politics and held some prominent positions in public life. He was an alderman both before and after annexation, a member of the Mystic Water Board, and one of the Water Commissioners of Boston, and he served one term as senator in the Massachusetts Legislature. By his marriage with Miss Ruth Stetson Welch he was con nected with the Welch and Stetson families. His daughters are the wives of Captain H. G. O. Colby, of the United States Navy, and Charles E. Cotting, a leading man in the movement and management of real- estate in the city proper. Mr. Thompson died suddenly at his residence on Monument Square, August 30, 1885. The estates of Mr. Warren and Mr. Frothingham, the earliest on the list of mayors of the city of Charles town, have been described heretofore. Several other mayors were residents of Monument Square. Liverus Hull and William H. Kent occupied houses in the block erected by a builder by the name of Small at the corner 458 OLD CHARLESTOWN of Concord Street. Indeed, this locality seems to have been where possible incumbents for the chief magistracy of the city were looked for and found. Phineas J. Stone's house was on Concord Street, at its junction with the square ; Horace G. Hutchins and Eugene L. Norton lived on Chestnut Street, a very little way from its entrance, opposite the steps to the Monument grounds; and Charles Robinson's residence was on Wallace Court. The writer, whose name is on the list of mayors, lived at 46 High Street, a few hundred feet north of the square ; and not much farther in the oppo site direction, on Jackson Street, Jonathan Stone, the last of the mayors, had his domicile. James Adams, whose name completes the list, lived on Washington Street, corner of Union. The adminstrations of Mr. Hutchins and Phineas J. Stone covered the period of the Civil War, when atten tion to enlistment and the care of the soldiers took up much of the time. Mr. Kent had the substitution of the new City Hall for the old Town Hall as his especial charge and improvement. Mr. Hull, besides the duties of his office as mayor, was busy with the erection of the Trinity Methodist Church, of which he was prime mover, and of the Winchester Home, of which he was president. Mr. Robinson was an efficient mayor while he was laying the foundation of his valuable and successful law-practice. Mr. Norton was mayor one term after he had made his mark as a senator in the Massachusetts Legislature and a leader in the Republican Party. To Mr. Jonathan Stone, who himself was not in favor of annexation, was left the duty of closing up the affairs of the city of OLD CHARLESTOWN 459 Charlestown and of merging them with those of greater Boston of which she had become a district.* April 12, 1902. * The Mayors of Charlestown : G. Washington Warren, 1847, '48, '49, '50. Richard Frothingham, 1851, '52, '53. James Adams, 1854. Timothy T. Sawyer, 1855, '56, '57. James Dana, 1858, '59, '60. Horace G. Hutchins, 1861. Phineas J. Stone, 1862, '63, 64. Charles Robinson, Jr., 1865, '66. Liverus Hull, 1867, '68. Eugene L. Norton, 1869. William H. Kent, 1870, '71. Jonathan Stone, 1872. 460 OLD CHARLESTOWN LXXVI Charlestown Neck A Busy Part of the Old Town — Before the Days of Rail roads — Archibald Babcock — The Wymans, Hoveys, John sons, Phippses, and Lamsons. IN the old days Charlestown Neck was something of a business place and many of the residents there were among the most thrifty and enterprising citizens of the town. Their homes would bear comparison with those of any other locality and their families vied with the most intelligent and ambitious in the social circles of the place. Among these were the Wymans, Hoveys, and Johnsons. The Wyman ancestry dates back to 1642, although they soon located in Woburn, which was originally a part of Charlestown. They were afterwards scattered around in other towns in Middlesex County and elsewhere. Some of them returned to Charlestown, and among these the family here referred to. Nehemiah Wyman, whose homestead was the house and land at the junction of Main and Bunker Hill streets, — the lot having since been covered with a brick block, — came here, I think, from Medford, Massachu setts. His father, whose Christian name, according to Wyman's " Genealogies," was also Nehemiah, lived in Waltham, but the son had resided in Bedford and OLD CHARLESTOWN 461 Medford before coming to Charlestown. His sons were men of note in the town. Colonel Nehemiah, junior, was perhaps most widely known as the popular commander of the old Warren Phalanx in its days of eminent pros perity, and William was an able and well-known figure of the past. Three of his daughters were the wives of Benjamin Adams, Honorable Charles Thompson, and Archibald Babcock. Gerald Wyman, a graduate of Harvard College in 1869, a son of William, is one of the leading expert accountants and auditors of to-day in Boston. The Hoveys — Solomon and Abijah — came to Charles town from Boxford or Lunenburg, Massachusetts. The Solomon Hovey homestead was a fine, large wooden building on the north side of Main Street, nearly up to Charles Street. Abijah Hovey's house was on the other side of the street. His eldest son, Abijah Wyman Hovey, a popular young man in the town, married the daughter of Archibald Babcock. Solomon Hovey was a tall, dignified, fine-looking man. Mrs. Hovey's maiden name was Sarah Johnson. The personal appearance of all the members of the family was noticeable and attractive. The eldest daughter be came the wife of John Doane, junior, in the days of his activity and prosperity. I have before referred to him as one of the first occupants of the Harvard Row block. The other daughters were wives of Putnam Skilton, of Union Street, and Richard Saville, of Chelsea. The eldest son, Solomon, junior, was for some years of the firm of Stover & Hovey, tanners, and afterwards, up to the time of the great Boston fire, president of the 462 OLD CHARLESTOWN Mechanics Insurance Co., of Boston. James, another son, a graduate of Amherst College, was a teacher, for many years the popular master of the Phillips School, in Boston. Joseph F. was widely known as the head of Hovey & Fenno's insurance-agency, in Boston. His wife was Elizabeth Frothingham. We have spoken of him before, in connection with the Frothingham family. Solomon Hovey, senior, was very early a believer in the value of the Mystic shore between Chelsea and Maiden bridges for business purposes, and from time to time was a purchaser of lots of land there, but he lived hardly long enough to see even the beginning of its development. The large brick building No. 465 Main Street, still standing, but put to a very different use from that of its earlier days, was built by Jotham Johnson and was his home for many years, until his death in 1845. His wife was Susan Tufts. His son, Charles Barkeley Johnson, was a partner in the old firm of E. A. & W. Winchester & Co., extensive soap and candle manufacturers and packers and dealers in provisions. George, the second son, was a grocer and West India goods dealer in the stone building on Main Street, and afterwards a lumber- merchant at the Neck. Jotham, junior, kept a store on Chelsea Street for a long period. Other sons were lumber-dealers in town. Jotham Johnson was one of the first board of directors of the Bunker Hill Bank, elected July 27, 1825, and continued to October, 1845, and he was also one of the original proprietors of the Harvard Unitarian Church, as was also Nehemiah Wyman, junior. The Hoveys OLD CHARLESTOWN 463 were active and prominent members of the First Church. The Wymans, Hoveys, and Johnsons were all dealers in cattle and provisions. They carried on an active busi ness on the margin of the Mystic and Charles rivers, in the slaughter of neat cattle and sheep for retail dealing in summer, and in beef and pork packing for shipment in the winter. The building up of the business in this locality very likely induced Oliver Brown to establish his neatsf oot-oil manufactory in the rear of his house near Frothingham Avenue, and Benjamin Brown to establish his business of cleansing and preparing tripe, and so forth, farther up on Main Street ; and perhaps the Tufts tannery, after wards Stover & Hovey's, on Main Street, was started here where green hides could be easily obtained. Morocco-dressing was an important industry at the Neck, the Meads, James Kimball, and Joseph Phipps owning land for this purpose. In the spring of the year alewife and shad fishing at the locks of the Middlesex Canal was made profitable and helped to keep the cooper- shop of Jotham Barry going. Nathan Tufts had made a mill-pond by the side of Maiden Bridge, and the mills were grinding, slowly perhaps, but surely. Here also were Magoun's ship-yard and Absalom Rand's soap- manufactory and the headquarters of Studley's hourly coaches to and from Boston. The brewery, established herein 1821, was active under the ownership and use of Elias Phinney and John Kent, although but a small affair in comparison with the wide-awake and enterprising Van Nostrand management of to-day. Archibald Bab- cock's store was a busy place, and there were other stores 464 OLD CHARLESTO WN where a good deal was going on. In Nathaniel Lamson's blacksmith-shop the sledge was incessantly swinging, and the neighborhood was enlivened by the ring and music of the hammers on the anvil. The coming and going of the boats over the Middlesex Canal, through the locks, to their landing-places near the Old Mills at the foot of Mill Street, and the activity in the mills where Hamilton Davidson was grinding up corn and Samuel Cutter was sawing up mahogany and other timber — these added to the activity of the district ; and altogether, as we said at the outset, Charlestown Neck was rather a busy place. Archibald Babcock came to Charlestown from Mans field,. Connecticut, about 18 1 5. He located at the Neck and lived there until his death, August 19, 1862. He built a fine residence and store for himself on the main road, not far from Alford Street. These buildings were purchased by the Middlesex Railroad Company and taken down to make room for stables and car-sheds. The Elevated Railway Terminal now covers the ground, and all traces of the Babcock estate are obliterated. Mr. Babcock was an enterprising business man and the store referred to was a lively place for many years. He was something of an operator in real-estate, and had, I think, more or less connection with the old tavern which was on the site of the park at Sullivan Square and which was the putting-up place of the drivers of the baggage-wagons from New Hampshire and Vermont, in which the product of the farms of those States was brought to Boston before the days of railroads. He was a public-spirited man and will be remembered by a bequest in his will of $3000, the income to be expended OLD CHARLESTOWN 465 annually for music or open-air concerts at the Neck for the benefit of all the citizens of Charlestown. The Phipps family is an old one in the town, and much of interest might be written about it. The name appears in several instances among the founders and original members of the Harvard Church, and Joseph Phipps, junior, who lived well up on the south side of Main Street, was one of its first deacons. Benjamin Phipps, whose residence was in Eden Street and his place of business near to it on Main Street, was also a constant attendant at that church. His family, after his death, April 7, 1 878, continued to live in their old home until recently, and still keep up their love and loyalty to the old church. Mr. Phipps held many offices under the old town government, and for the three years during which the writer filled the office of mayor he was an alderman of the city. It is a pleasure to bear witness to his ability and faithfulness. Prudence, good judgment, and excellence of spirit were always assured in his action, and he commanded the respectful consideration and courtesy of his associates by his own uniform remem brance of the value of these qualities. Mr. Phipps was the treasurer of the Old Ladies' Home for twelve years. His daughters have been interested in many charitable and other associations. His son, Benjamin Phipps, junior, has been for many years a member of the long-established and widely- known domestic-goods house of Parker, Wilder & Co., Boston. The Lamsons, a family of long standing in the town, were also residents at the Neck. The wife of the late 466 OLD CHARLESTOWN James Hunnewell was the daughter of Joseph and Susan (Frothingham) Lamson. The mother of the late Linus Pearson was a daughter of Caleb Lamson. Nathaniel Lamson built and lived in the brick house removed a short time ago by the Park Department. After giving up the shop at the Neck he became an iron-dealer, for a while succeeding Thompson & Lapham in their store on Main Street. April 26, 1902. OLD CHARLESTOWN 467 LXXVII Adams and Winthrop Streets Former Prominent Residents — The Old Training Field School. RICHARD FROTHINGHAM'S only son, Thomas G. Frothingham, of the mercantile firm of Laforme & Frothingham, Boston, purchased the house num bered 2 on Monument Square, built by Amos Brown, and lived there from 1 868 to 1 896, when he removed to a house on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, which he had just built for his own residence. Richard Frothing ham's eldest daughter was the wife of Admiral Charles O'Niel, of the United States Navy, who became distin guished during the Spanish War as the very efficient Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance. He is now in Berlin, sent abroad by special order of the Secretary of the Navy to attend a meeting of scientists, and he has received the marked attention of the Emperor, compli mentary to the United States. Another daughter of Richard Frothingham was the wife of the late Henry C. Adams, and afterwards of Dr. George Gill, of Saint Louis, Missouri. The third daughter married Dr. George McLean, of Springfield, Massachusetts. The youngest, who died in 1901, married Mr. Clifford Gill, then of the United States Navy. The house on Monument Square occupied by George 468 OLD CHARLESTOWN B. Neal at the time of his death, July 7, 1901, was built by him. Mr. Neal was a graduate of Harvard College in 1846, and came to Charlestown soon after. He was then much interested in the study of music and for a while gave a very large share of his time to it. After wards he commenced the study of law in the office of G. Washington Warren and was admitted to the bar. Very soon after this he accepted a position in the office of the Charlestown Gas Company, then a new corpora tion just commencing operations for the supply of light to Charlestown. This position required so large a share of his time that his law practice was very limited. He continued in the employ of the Gas Company until by promotion he became its treasurer and superintendent of its works, and he made it his chief business until his death. He was for three years a member of the board of aldermen, and for ten years of the school committee. He was a prominent member of Saint John's Episcopal Church and very active in its affairs and management. He was prominent in charitable and other associations, as is also his only child, Miss Caro Neal, who still occu pies the homestead on Monument Square. Just below here, on the corner of Winthrop Street and Wallace Court, is the brick house built by Doctor Ben jamin Tinslar, of the United States Navy, — a resident for many years. The house is now the residence of Mr. Nathan Tufts. Next to it is the former residence of William B. Stearns, president of the Fitchburg Railroad Company. Across the street, Honorable George N. Swallow, lately of the Governor's Council, and of grow ing political fame, now has his home. On the upper or Adams Street side of Winthrop OLD CHARLESTOWN 469 Square was the home of John Curtis, junior, the well- known crockeryware-dealer on Washington Street, Bos ton, whose clerk for some time was no less a personage than Nelson Miles — to-day General Nelson Miles, the head of the United States Regular Army. On Adams Street could be seen, almost every day, Commodore James Armstrong, of the United States Navy, as, in official dig nity, he went in and out of his home there ; and Admiral William Rogers Taylor, domiciled with his brother-in- law, Walter Hastings, who in his will remembered Harvard College with a large bequest that has since been invested in the Hastings Building at Cambridge. The Crowningshields lived near, on the corner of Adams and Chestnut streets, while over on the corner of Trainingfield Street the able and genial son of Commodore Charles Morris, Dr. William B. Morris, was established as a medical practitioner with a numerous clientage and a host of friends who enjoyed his life and sincerely lamented his too early death. The house now numbered 48 on Winthrop Street deserves to be remembered. It was built, I think, about 1 810, by Captain William Thompson, who lived in it for some years. After this, the writer remembers the Ruthvens and Waterstons, who were people of distinc tion, as living there. They were attendants and mem bers of the Harvard Church, and Rev. Robert C. Water- ston is known to fame as a clergyman of its faith. The Misses Waterston are remembered as pupils in Mrs. BurriH's dancing-school mentioned in Chapter XVII. Some time after the removal of the Ruthvens the house was occupied by George Pierce, a former long-time res ident of Charlestown, who removed to West Cambridge 470 OLD CHARLESTOWN (Arlington) and was known as a very successful market- gardener. Indeed, while occupying this house, with a stall under the old Town Hall, he carried on the same business here, cultivating a large lot of land which adjoined the estate, running along Winthrop Street as far as the armory, which is on a part of it ; from there to Soley Street, and then all the way up to High Street, along that street to Monument Court, and down the court to a line running in front of the Thompson estate, to Winthrop Street. This land was made profitable by cultivation for some time longer ; for, after the removal of Mr. Pierce, Jacob Hittinger occupied the house, and, for several years, with Lemuel Pitts, a son-in-law of Pierce, under the firm name, Hittinger & Pitts, made the land useful in their business as dealers in fruit and vegetables in Faneuil Hall Market. Jacob Hittinger removed from this house to the brick house in Bow Street, where he lived several years until he purchased and removed to the now famous Hittinger Farm in Belmont, which is still the residence of his widow and is carried on with all the modern improvements by his sons. The next house on Winthrop Street, as you approach Warren Street, was the residence of Jesse Brown, who, with his brother John, under the firm name of J. & J. H. Brown, carried on the business of hat-making in a build ing fronting on Soley Street. They had a store in the Square where now is No. 1 5 of the Roughan Building, and another on Ann (now North) Street, Boston, where they dealt largely in furs and hats. Elbridge Brown, eldest son of Jesse, succeeded to the business. He was a man of fine presence and character, well known as a citizen OLD CHARLESTOWN 471 of Charlestown for many years. He was interested and active in the affairs of the Universalist Church. At the time of his death, June 27, 1873, be was engaged in Norwalk, Connecticut, in the manufacture of hats by a patent process of which he was the inventor and owner. His brother, Augustus Brown, was a successful dry-goods merchant in Boston, of the well-known firm of Brown & Dix. On the opposite side of the street the brick house built by Leonard Tufts for a residence still stands. Leonard Tufts was the son of John Tufts, one of the original proprietors of Harvard Church. They were descendants of the same Peter Tufts, but belonged to another branch of the family from the one we have described heretofore. Peter Tufts, junior, who made surveys and a map of Charlestown in 18 18, was of this branch. Leonard Tufts was a blacksmith doing a good deal of business in his shop near the Square. His wife was Hepzibah Fosdick, and they too were active mem bers of the Harvard Church. Their oldest son is William Fuller Tufts, of the late firm of Arkell, Tufts & Co., New York ; and another son, whose recent death has been so widely noticed, was the late James Walker Tufts, the enterprising and successful apothecary, soda- fountain manufacturer, and proprietor and owner of Pinehurst, the healthful town and popular resort in Moore County, the long-leaved pine district of North Carolina. Both these boys kept up their interest and were loyal to their native place. The elder is now the president of the Training Field School Association. Here too is the veritable old Training Field and the site of the old school-house, from which it was removed 472 OLD CHARLESTOWN to its present location on Common Street, where it has been standing since 1847, when, by order of the then new City Government it was declared to be the needless destroyer of the symmetry of the park and that it had been placed there by questionable right. Yes ! here stands the old school-house overlooking the- Training Field, acquiescing in the propriety of its removal from it, looking on approvingly at the Soldiers' Monument placed in its center, but frowningly and indignantly at every blow of the axe that by the authority of the City Council felled the aged and beautiful shade-trees formerly so ornamental to it on its Adams Street side. Here to-day stands the old brick school-house, with the stars- and-stripes floating over it, placed there by the old schoolboys. She is very proud of these boys and of the faithful teachers who in the long ago taught them to be loyal and patriotic. And now Fuller Tufts, the present head of the Town Hill and Training Field Schoolboys' Association must, during his term of service, lead and keep alive and active the delightful and enjoyable interest and spirit that for twenty years have characterized that organization. And he will do it, you may be sure ! June 7, 1902. OLD CHARLESTOWN 473 LXXVIII History of the Public Library IN an historical sketch of the Warren Institution for Savings, given in The Charlestown Enterprise in 1894 in connection with an account of the fitting up and occupation of the new banking-room, reference was made to the fact that, after the erection of the bank- building in 1 8 59-' 60, the rooms in the upper story were occupied by tbe public library, just then established ; and the account adds : " To the Warren Institution for Savings and especially to certain trustees was due the origin of the Charlestown Public Library." It seems to me that a brief history of the library will be read with interest, while it will show, among other things, how closely connected with the erection of the new banking- house was the library's establishment at the time. One afternoon, early in the year i860, four of the trustees of the Warren Institution for Savings — Nathan A. Tufts, Edward Lawrence, Edwin F. Adams, and Timothy T. Sawyer — were in the banking-room, then under the Bunker Hill Bank, engaged in conversation as to what use could be made of the upper rooms of the new building, on the corner of Main and Henley streets. Mr. Adams had, a little while before, returned from a visit to Lenox, in Berkshire County, where he had been shown the public library in that town, and after describing it 474 OLD CHARLESTOWN he remarked that there should be an institution of this kind in Charlestown and that the upper rooms of the bank-building would be a good place to locate it. He finished what he had to say with the statement that he would subscribe five hundred dollars towards a fund to be raised for the purpose. The other gentlemen agreed with him as to the need of a library, and each agreed to give an equal amount if the City Council would pass an ordinance establishing one. Here, then, was the sum of two thousand dollars to start a movement for a public library. The next step was to see Mayor Dana and suggest to him that the time had arrived for action on the part of the city on this question of much importance to its citizens ; and any one of the four gentlemen was fully authorized to pledge the two thousand dollars as the beginning of a subscription to purchase a library to be given to the city, if its Council would take such action as would insure its care and support. Mayor Dana and the members of the City Council met the suggestion with ready interest, and an order was prepared and offered by Alderman Joseph Caldwell, at the meeting of the board, March 1 2, 1 860, that the com mittee on ordinances report an ordinance establishing a public library. This was followed by another order making an appropriation of one thousand dollars for the foundation and commencement of a public library, and of a further sum of one thousand dollars, not to be ex pended until the sum of four thousand dollars in money, books, or property should be raised by general subscrip tion for the same purpose. On June 5, i860, an ordinance establishing the library OLD CHARLESTOWN 475 was reported and passed by both branches of the City Council. This ordinance required that there should be chosen, during the month of June in the year 1 860, and annually in the month of January thereafter, by con current vote of the two branches of the City Council, one member of the Board of Aldermen, three members of the Common Council (one from each ward), and five citizens at large, to constitute a board of trustees for the public library, who should hold their offices until others were chosen in their places, any vacancy in said board to be filled by the City Council, the office of trustee to be honorary and no member of the board to receive any compensation for his services. Acting under this authority, the first board of trustees was chosen by the City Council, June 9, i860. It was composed as follows : Alderman Nathan A. Tufts, Coun cilmen George Stimpson, Jr., Charles Robinson, Jr., and Warren Rand ; at large, James Hunnewell, George Hyde, Moses A. Dow, Eugene L. Norton, and Timothy T. Sawyer. The first meeting of the board was held July 5, i860, in the room of the mayor and aldermen. It was organized by the choice of Timothy T. Sawyer as president and Moses A. Dow as secretary, and a com mittee was appointed to prepare rules and regulations for the government of the board. On July 11 the trustees met again, and, after a full discussion of the question how best to proceed with the work in hand, the president and Mr. Hyde were appointed to see what rooms in the new savings bank building could be hired, and also to call a meeting of citizens interested in the library, as a preliminary step before calling another meeting of the board. 476 OLD CHARLESTOWN A public meeting, arranged by this committee, was held in the Common Council Chamber, July 18, i860. The ordinance establishing the library was read by the chairman, and remarks were made by Alderman Nathan A. Tufts, explaining the object of the meeting and giving his judgment that the citizens would be greatly benefited by such an institution. Councilman C. Rob inson, Jr., emphasized the necessity of raising the amount needed by private subscription at once, to secure further assistance from the city. A committee of three from each ward, to solicit subscriptions, was then appointed as follows : Ward 1, William Tufts, Duncan Bradford, and T. T. Sawyer ; Ward 2, Calvin C. Sampson, Oliver C. Everett, and H. K. Frothingham ; Ward 3, William Fosdick, George Johnson, and Herbert Curtis. Edwin F. Adams suggested that a subscription-paper be circulated in the meeting, which was done, and $2450 in money and books was the result. The subscription- paper, which had been prepared beforehand, read as follows : The subscribers hereby agree to contribute in money or books, towards the establishment of a public library, the sums set against their names, the money to be expended in the purchase of books to be kept in some suitable place within the present limits of the city of Charlestown, and at the expense of said city, and to be for the use of all the citizens, under such restrictions as may be necessary for the care and preservation of said books, and subject to such regulations as may be deemed needful by a board of trustees to be annually chosen by the City Council of said Charlestown for the manage ment of said library. OLD CHARLESTOWN 477 The next meeting of the board of trustees was on November 15, i860, when the president made a report in favor of proceeding immediately to carry out the order of the City Council establishing a public library. Alder man Tufts moved that a suitable person be found to take charge of it, and it was voted to secure and furnish proper rooms for the purpose. The board then made a visit to the new savings bank building, and after careful examination chose a committee — C. Robinson, Jr., and George Stimpson — to engage the rooms in the third story of that building and procure plans for furnishing them. On January 8, 1861, George Hyde, Charles Robinson, Jr., and George Stimpson were made a com mittee to visit libraries already in operation, to obtain information as to the best plan of starting and conduct ing such an institution, and to report a list of rules and regulations suitable for a library in Charlestown. The meeting was adjourned to meet again in the rooms of the mayor and aldermen January 18, 1861, to hear the report of the committees. On that date a report that the rooms in the savings bank had been engaged was made and accepted. The committee appointed to visit other libraries reported, in writing, the result of their investigations. The president reported that the contribution from citizens then amounted to #43 17.50, and he was instructed to inform the City Council that the sum required to warrant the expenditure of the conditional appropriation of $1000 had been sub scribed, and to ask if it would be accepted upon the con ditions on which it would be given. At this meeting it was voted to fit up the front room in the bank-building with book-cases and shelves and otherwise properly 478 OLD CHARLESTOWN furnish it. It was also decided to engage a competent person or persons to furnish the trustees with a catalogue of books suitable for the library. The following is a complete list of the subscribers at this time : Edwin F. Adams #500.00 Nathan A. Tufts 500.00 Edward Lawrence 500.00 Timothy T. Sawyer 500.00 Calvin C. Sampson 250.00 George Hyde 200.00 William Hurd 200.00 William Tufts 100.00 Jacob Foss 100.00 George A. Kettell 100.00 Richard Frothingham, #50 in books and #50 in cash 100.00 Moses A. Dow, in books 1 00.00 David M. Balfour, in books 100.00 James Dana, $50 in books, #50 cash 100.00 Oliver C. Everett 50.00 Duncan Bradford, in books 50.00 Edward Thorndike 50.00 Zenas C. Howland 50.00 Mrs. Louisa Forster 50.00 James H. Rand, in his bill for plans 50.00 William W. Wheildon, in books 40.00 Abbott E. Kittredge 25.00 William M. Byrnes 25.00 Moses B. Sewall 25.00 Daniel Johnson 25.00 Nathaniel Brown 25.00 Francis W. Pearson 25.00 Willard Dalrymple 25.00 Amount carried forward #3865.00 OLD CHARLESTOWN 479 Amount brought forward $3865.00 Rhodes G. Lockwood 2 5 .00 John Fosdick 25.00 Eliab P. Macintire 25.00 Reuben Hunt 25.00 Phineas J. Stone 25.00 George H. Yetton 25.00 Henry Lyon 25.00 Nahum Chapin 25.00 William W. Pierce 20.00 James M. Francis 20.00 John B. Wilson 20.00 Francis Childs 20.00 Isaac Osgood, in books 20.00 Abram E. Cutter, in books 20.00 Mrs. Mary T. Forster 1 5.00 George Cutler 1 5.00 Ethan N. Coburn 12.50 H. G. Waldron 10.00 Nathaniel G. Hill 10.00 Timothy Bryant 10.00 George A. Guild 10.00 Jonathan Stone 10.00 Isaac Cook 10.00 Thomas M. Cutter 10.00 James Clark 10.00 J. H. Felt 10.00 Total amount contributed #4317.50 The first report of the board of trustees to the City Council was dated November 15, i860. It closed with this remark : " There is every reason to believe that we shall be in a condition to start the library and place it upon a good footing before the end of the present financial year." The second report bore date January 18, 1 86 1, when the subscriptions, as just recorded, had 480 OLD CHARLESTOWN exceeded the sum required to secure the city appropria tion. It asked the Council to formally accept the amount upon the conditions set forth in the subscription- paper, gave notice that rooms in the new building had been engaged, a competent person employed to make up a list of books, and all preliminary arrangements settled, and that, when the City Council should take the necessary action to secure the money appropriated and subscribed, its expenditure would be authorized and the library opened. The person selected to make up the list of books was William F. Poole, the librarian of the Mercantile Library Association, who had just been elected librarian of the Boston Athenaeum, and who was afterwards the librarian of the Cincinnati and Chicago public libraries, and at the time of his recently much-lamented death the librarian of the Newberry Library in Chicago. The board of trustees was changed in 1861 by changes in the City Council and by the determination of James Hunnewell and Moses A. Dow to decline a re-election. The new board was composed as follows : Timothy T. Sawyer, president ; Edwin F. Adams, alderman ; Francis W. Hurd, Charles Robinson, Jr., and Josiah F. Guild, common councilmen ; George Hyde, Eugene L. Norton, James F. Hunnewell, and Frank A. Hall, at large. F. A. Hall resigned February 28, and in his place Richard Frothingham was chosen April 16, 1861. The catalogue of books to be purchased for the library was made up and completed by Mr. Poole. After ex amination by the trustees it was submitted for inspec tion to Dr. George E. Ellis, Rev. James B. Miles, Rev. Abbot A. Kittredge, and other clergymen of the city OLD CHARLESTOWN 481 and to some of the citizens whose judgment in such matters was thought to be valuable. But few, if any, changes were made in it, and it was accepted as presented by Mr. Poole. Its merit and value were afterwards shown by repeated applications for its use in the selection of books for public libraries in other cities and towns and by highly complimentary remarks which have from time to time appeared in reference to it. The committee on catalogue, appointed February 8, 1 86 1, consisted of George Hyde, Francis W. Hurd, and James F. Hunnewell. Subsequently Richard Frothing ham, Edwin F. Adams, and the president were added. Mr. Hyde, as chairman of the committee, assisted by W. F. Poole, made the contracts for the books, and at the regular meeting September 21, 1 861, he reported all the bids received by the committee and the acceptance of those made by Crosby & Nichols and Ticknor & Fields, from whom the books were purchased. The stationery was furnished by A. E. Cutter and the printing by Caleb Rand. The authority for making these contracts was given by vote of the trustees, June 8, 1861. At the same meeting, out of seven applicants for the position of librarian, George S. Poole was selected and unanimously chosen. Mr. Poole was a brother of William F. Poole, whose large experience as a librarian could be availed of in the way of advice and assistance to the librarian- elect. The contract for fitting up the library-room with cases and shelves had been made with Amos Brown, the neces sary desks and furniture had been purchased, and many donations of books — in all about 1 200 volumes — received when the librarian entered upon his duties. 482 OLD CHARLESTOWN The requisite stamps, blank forms, printed rules and regulations, temporary catalogues, and so forth, were to be provided and preparation for covering the books to be made, so that he was kept busy until September, when Mr. Hyde reported that a portion of the books contracted for were ready for delivery. An appropriation of $100 for reviews and periodicals was then made, and a com mittee — the president and Mr. Hunnewell — appointed to select and subscribe for them. The delivery of the books and their preparation for use made it necessary that assistants to the librarian should be appointed, and Miss Jane E. Edwards and Miss Helen L. Wise were called into the service. About this time, at the suggestion of Mr. Norton, the trustees visited the rooms of the Mishawum Literary Association, whose library was offered for sale, with a view to its pur chase, but the association afterwards concluded to retain it. In October arrangements were made for fitting up the large hall for a lecture-room, which was done at an expense of $300. On the 15th of November, 1861, the annual report was made by the board to the City Council. It referred to the startling events that had taken place since the last report was made, — the attack on Fort Sumter and the opening scenes of the Civil War, — to the fact that, in common with the rest of the community, the minds of the trustees had been absorbed in these troubles, and that, for a while, their interest in the library was lost, so that they had questioned the policy of proceeding further in its establishment ; but that, after it became evident that the work of war and the labor of peace in this OLD CHARLESTOWN 483 section of the country could be carried on together, they had gone on with their plans, had hired the rooms in the bank-building, fitted them up, elected a librarian, purchased books, entered them upon an accession cata logue, and were busy in stamping, labeling, and covering them, and that they hoped to complete the work and open the library by the ist of January, 1862. To do all this work had taken up much time and was no easy task, but what had been done would be found, they hoped, well done and in a manner that would prove satisfactory to the citizens of all classes. The financial condition at this time was stated in the report as follows : Appropriation by the City towards the estab lishment of the library #2000.00 For its support in 1 86 1 1 200.00 Amount of subscriptions 4317.50 Amount received from the Treasurer of the old Charlestown Lyceum by order of its Directors, it being the balance of the funds of that institution 426.00 Total #7943-50 The expenditures and debts to date, November 15, 1861, were: Fitting up and furnishing rooms # 557-5° Books purchased 2601.46 Preparing catalogues, stationery 149-75 Printing, teaming, etc 1 50.00 Librarian and assistants, rent 375-°° Total #383371 484 OLD CHARLESTOWN Mr. Poole, the librarian, had entered upon his duties with zeal and ability and had been fortunate in the se lection of his assistants. Early and late they labored together to get things in order and readiness for the promised opening on January 1 ; but they could not quite accomplish their task, and another week was found to be necessary to prepare for the delivery of the books and for opening the doors to the public. On the 7th of January, 1862, with a catalogue of something over 6000 volumes and a reading-room in which could be found most of the valuable periodicals published in the country, with several of the most interesting and useful foreign newspapers, and with a completed code of simple rules to work by, the Charlestown Public Library was opened for the free use of all the citizens. August 25, 1894. The library was closed for the annual examination August 16, 1862. In the meantime over 50,000 vol umes had been taken out by borrowers, all of which were duly returned but four, and two of these were received afterwards. Cards had been issued to 21 14 persons who had signed an agreement during the first month promis ing to conform to rules and regulations. At the date of the second annual report, November 15, 1862, this number had increased to 3519 and the number of books delivered to 58,612. With few exceptions the books returned were in good order, and the rules requiring fines for delay and damage for injury and carelessness were cheerfully complied with. OLD CHARLESTOWN 485 Five hundred copies of a stereotyped catalogue, a book of two hundred pages printed by Caleb Rand, were ready for use on the 30th of October, 1862, and for sale at twenty-five cents per copy in paper and fifty cents in boards. A few presentation copies, handsomely bound, were also ready at the same time. This catalogue had been prepared by the librarian, George S. Poole, who was highly commended by the trustees for his judgment and industry in the performance of this duty. The commit tee of the board having direction and charge of publish ing this book, and who prepared the preface, were Richard Frothingham, James F. Hunnewell, and Francis W. Hurd. The library was kept open from 9 till 12 o'clock a. m., and from 2 till 5 p.m., and every evening except Tuesday and Friday from 7 till 9 o'clock. The reading-room did not lack for visitors, nor the periodicals for readers, and the hall, after being fitted up, was used for various purposes under the following rule : " It may be used for lectures and other purposes connected with art and literature, but shall not be used for political meetings, festivals, fairs, or objects incompatible with the institu tion." The first course of lectures was given by Rev. J. C. Fletcher, on "Brazil, Switzerland, and Northern Italy." It paid expenses and left a small amount for the benefit of the library. The use of the hall very soon after its opening was granted to the Soldiers' Relief Association, and the meetings of that body of patriotic ladies were held here during the war ; and, busy as they were in looking after the needs of the men at the front and their families at home, they still had time for an exhibition of tableaux in the hall for the benefit of the 486 OLD CHARLESTOWN library, and added #53.63 to its treasury. The use of the hall was also granted for an entertainment for the benefit of soldiers' families, for the Infant School Society, and for several musical entertainments of merit. A course of readings by Professor Briggs, of Bowdoin College, and two more lectures by Rev. J. C. Fletcher, increased the funds of the library by #83.25. The sub jects of the lectures were " Two Thousand Miles Up the Amazon " and " Brazil Revisited." The changes in the board of trustees in 1862 were as follows : Alderman Francis Childs took the place of Edwin F. Adams, and Councilmen Moses B. Sewall and John N. Devereaux succeeded C. Robinson, Jr., and Josiah F. Guild. The amount granted for the support of the library in 1862 was #2000; and in 1863, #2500, and for the latter year Anthony S. Morss and Charles F. Smith, of the Common Council, took the places of F. W. Hurd and J. N. Devereaux, and, at large, Edwin F. Adams succeeded Eugene L. Norton, resigned, in the board of trustees. In April, 1863, William Carleton made a donation of #100 in new books — 192 volumes. On September 16, 1863, the librarian, G. S. Poole, was offered an appointment as assistant in the Congressional Library in Washington, and tendered his resignation, and February 1, 1864, John H. Holmes, now the editor and one of the proprietors of The Boston Herald, was elected to take his place. The work of the library was carried on during the intervening time by the regular assistants, Miss Jane E. Edwards and Miss Helen L. Wise, aided by William H. Poole. In the trustees' report, November 15, 1863, is this paragraph : OLD CHARLESTOWN 487 Since our last report a supplement to the catalogue has been prepared and printed, and all the business of the library has been so , systematized and arranged that everything works smoothly and satisfactorily. This should, in a good measure, be credited to the genius and industry of the late librarian, George S. Poole. The interest which he always manifested in the success of the library, his excellent character and genial manners, secured for him the confidence and regard of the trustees and made him respected and esteemed by all who came in contact with him. Always at his post, always cheerful and always ready, he filled his place in a manner which it will be difficult for any successor to equal. Holding him in this estimation it was with great disappointment that we heard of his call to be an assistant in the Library of Congress at Washington ; but on his own account we could not but be pleased, as it opened for him a wider field for the exercise of his skill and ability. He was obliged to leave us at short notice, but did not do so without many regrets and an honorable determination to fulfill all the obligations we might think him under to us, before accepting his new appointment. We look forward to a life of usefulness and honor for him. Mr. Holmes, the new librarian, had filled the office of librarian for the Mercantile Library Association of Boston and entered upon his duties with experience, tact, and a taste for such employment. At the time of the annual report, November 15, 1864, the yearly circulation of books had increased to 76,95 1 volumes, and all but seven volumes had been returned when the annual examination took place. The aggregate circulation, from the time of the opening of the library, had been 210,522 volumes, and the whole number of borrowers 5414. Only twelve volumes out of this large number were missing. The number of books in the 488 OLD CHARLESTOWN library at this time was 8549. After this date the annual circulation decreased, and in 1867 it was only 56,405. This was accounted for by the ' fact that but little was done by the citizens to increase the size of the library and keep up its supply of new books. In the report of the trustees for this year they say : So far as the City Council is concerned, we have no word of complaint to make. Its promise to provide for the support of the library has been faithfully kept in generous annual appropriations, and by this means it has been enabled to hold its head up among other institutions of the kind and maintain its ground there. But it does need more encouragement on the part of the citizens, and it is somewhat surprising that, since the first general subscription, with the exception of a few small amounts, nothing has been given or provided for its growth or advancement. A foundation has been laid for a creditable and necessary institution for a city with thirty thousand inhabitants, and it can only be a question of time, we think, when the sons and daughters of this good old town, who have means, will build upon it. We commend it to their attention, examination, and friendship. It had now been determined that the library should be removed to the new City Hall building, and, in the latter part of the year 1868, rooms for the purpose were being fitted up. In the account of receipts for that year, 1868, is an item of #260.50, the result of a course of lectures in Library Hall. To Rev. Dr. George E. Ellis, Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Lambert, Rev. James B. Miles, Rev. O. F. Safford, Rev. J. E. Rankin, and William W. Wheildon the acknowledgements of the trustees were due for these interesting and instructive lectures given by them OLD CHARLESTOWN 489 without charge. Some little time ago Doctor Ellis gave the manuscript of his lecture to the writer, who prizes it highly. During this period, from 1 862 to 1 868, the changes in the board of trustees, after those already mentioned, were as follows : In 1864, Anthony S. Morss, as an alder man, took the place of Francis Childs, and Councilmen J. W. Roberts and Ezra Brown succeeded A. S. Morss and Moses B. Sewall. Edwin F. Adams was again on the board as an alderman in 1865 and 1866, and Luther F. Whitney was elected from the citizens at large in 1865, '66, and '67. Councilmen James F. Southworth and Benjamin F. Brown took the places of I. W. Roberts and Ezra Brown in 1865, and in 1866 Councilmen G. F. Hurd and Edwin F. Haskell, of The Boston Herald, succeeded B. F. Brown and Charles F. Smith. In 1 867 Alderman Thomas B. Harris and Councilmen Thomas G. Frothingham and Joseph H. Cotton were elected and took the places of Alderman Adams and Councilmen Hurd and Haskell. An appeal to the citizens was made, in the report of the trustees in 1 868, to help in an effort to collect books, pamphlets, and papers referring specially to Charlestown and its affairs. But little in this direction had been accomplished, and it was thought that an awakened public interest might be the means of getting together a valuable collection of local historical papers and docu ments. The duty of private subscriptions, contributions, and bequests was urged, as it had been many times before ; and a new start at the time of the removal was suggested as desirable and to be expected. New interest, new books, new life, were the needs of the library. 490 OLD CHARLESTOWN The number of volumes in the library November 1 5, 1868, was 10,238. Nine hundred and thirty volumes had been rebound ; 211 volumes worn out and with drawn ; nine volumes had not been returned by borrow ers and were set down as lost. The total circulation had been 455,543 ; the total number of borrowers, 9125. The cash statement was as follows : Balance November 15, 1867 #1638.48 City appropriation for the year ending March, 1869, including #500 for books 3500.00 Collections at library 77.62 Net proceeds of course of lectures 260.50 Total #5476.60 Eleven pay-rolls sent to city clerk amounting to 3925 . 1 7 Balance unexpended #1551.43 Up to the time of opening the library, January 7, 1862, the amount of subscriptions had been #4317.50; afterwards ninety-nine' persons, in subscriptions of #5 each, contributed #495. Dr. J. W. Bemis gave #30, Daniel Williams and Mary Webb #10 each, and sundry small subscriptions amounted to #20, making a total of #4882.50 at this date. In this condition the Charlestown Public Library was ready for removal from the rooms in the building of the Warren Institution for Savings to the new rooms in the City Hall building. September i, 1894. OLD CHARLESTOWN 491 The rooms in the new City Hall building were in readiness for the library early in the year 1869. The board of trustees held a meeting there on February 27, and again on the 2d of March, when a committee was appointed to determine upon a plan for furnishing and fitting them up. On the 27th of March the committee, with the librarian and the architect of the building, met together and decided upon the plan, which was submitted to John B. Wilson for examination and an estimate of cost, and he was employed to go on and complete the work. The alcoves and fittings in the Savings Bank building were taken down and removed to City Hall, April 28. This was followed by the removal of the books May 1 . The work of arranging and getting them ready for delivery was speedily accomplished, and on Wednesday, May 19, 1869, the library was opened in the rooms appropriated for it in the new City Hall building. The dedication of the building, it will be remembered, took place on the 1 5 th of June following. The address was made by Honorable Richard Frothing ham and the prayer by Rev. Dr. George E. Ellis. On the 19th of April, 1869, a donation of books — 225 volumes — was received from George D. Edmands, with a note from which the following extract is copied : I have selected these books with a good deal of care from a department of reading interesting to a certain class of our community. They are written mainly for young persons, and will be found, I trust, entertaining, instructive, and of good moral tendency. After the removal of the library to the City Hall the books were counted by a committee of the trustees, with the following result : 492 OLD CHARLESTOWN Volumes on the shelves io, 1 20 Volumes in hands of binders 276 Worn out and withdrawn 690 Total 1 1,086 The records called for 10,493, and public docu ments 500 10,993 Excess over record 93 This difference was accounted for by the supposition that some of the public documents received had not been entered on the accession catalogue. The librarian reported many inquiries at the reading- room for the New York daily newspapers, and he was authorized to purchase them for a month to test the extent of their use. It was found to be enough to warrant a subscription for the delivery, during the year, of the Evening Post, Times, Tribune, and Herald. The trustees had been desirous of obtaining the publications of the Smithsonian Institution, of Washington, which they succeeded in doing through the influence of the late General Nathaniel P. Banks. A full set of all the pub lications, with the exception of the first volume of the " Contributions to Knowledge," of which there were no copies left, was forwarded to the library by the secretary of the institution, Joseph Henry, March 23, 1870. They were received and entered upon the catalogue a month later. The income of the library was increased in 1870 by #676.26, the amount refunded to the city by the County of Middlesex on account of dog-licenses, in accordance with Chapter 250, Acts of the Legislature OLD CHARLESTOWN 493 of 1869, and which amount had been carried to the credit of the account of the library. The librarian, John H. Holmes, on the 29th of June, 1870, gave notice that he desired to withdraw from the service of the library at the end of the next month, and on the 30th of September, 1870, Dr. Cornelius S. Cartee was elected to fill the vacancy. A communication was received from his honor, William H. Kent, the mayor, September 30, 1870, stating that the late Otis Clapp had bequeathed to the city for the use of the Public Library some 800 volumes ; that they had been accepted and received by a special committee appointed for the purpose, and that they were now turned over to the trustees of the library to make such disposi tion of them as seemed to them proper. The trustees by vote directed the librarian to enter them upon the catalogue, and to have printed, and pasted in each book, a label showing that it was a gift from Mr. Clapp. At the meeting of the trustees, December 30, 1871, the following communication was read : Charlestown, December 2, 1871. T. T. Sawyer, Esq., President of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library, Charlestown : Dear Sir — In accordance with the will of Edwin F. Adams, deceased, I herewith inclose check for one thousand dollars (#1000) to be used in the purchase of books for the library. Your obedient servant, Caroline M. Adams, Executrix, by H. C. Adams. The board instructed the president to acknowledge the receipt of the legacy, and to send a communication to Mrs. Adams expressive of their appreciation of the great 494 OLD CHARLESTOWN interest always taken by her husband in the library, and of thanks for this liberal bequest. They also voted that the president and Mr. Edmands should have full authority to invest the amount received in such manner as they might judge for the interest of the library, and at a subsequent meeting Mr. Frothingham was appointed with full power to prepare a proper notice of the gift to be pasted in each volume. The #1000 was temporarily invested in a note of the city, dated January 1, 1872. In their report November 15, 1871, the trustees say : Of the original subscription referred to, two thousand dollars came from four persons in equal amounts, and by the will of one of these, the late Edwin F. Adams, who died August 16, 1871, a legacy of one thousand dollars is given to the library to be expended in the purchase of books. Mr. Adams was a member of the board of trustees for five years and was faithful in the perform ance of his duties. He was a true friend and benefactor of the library and should be held in grateful remembrance by all who have shared in its advantages. A generous, intelligent gentleman who was thoughtful of the wants of the community in which he lived, interested and active in everything which tended to promote its interests, care ful of its reputation, and ever aiming for its improve ment, the records of Charlestown should surely tell of his excellence and keep his memory green. The attention of the City Council was called to the fact that full files of The Bunker Hill Aurora from the date of its first publication, July 27, 1827, could be pur chased of William W. Wheildon, its editor, and a special appropriation was asked for the purpose, as the paper probably contained the only record of many important OLD CHARLESTOWN 495 matters the preservation of which might be valuable in the future. In 1872 one thousand copies of the supplement to the catalogue were printed by Rand & Avery at an expense of #630.70. This volume contained all the supplements and all the new books added after 1868. The report of the librarian to the trustees, October, 1872, gave the number of the books as follows : Volumes in circulating library 1 1,294 Volumes in reference library 2,450 Duplicated 720 Total 14,464 When the trustees made their annual report to the City Council November 15, 1872, the whole number had increased to 14,733, and the collection of pamphlets to 3500. The reference library had been enlarged by the use of a portion of the Edwin F. Adams fund, the trustees having decided that all books purchased with that fund and bearing the donor's name should be of unquestioned and lasting value. Special acknowledgment was made to Mrs. Peter Hubbell for the gift of a set of twenty-two volumes of "The Natural History of New York." The Legislature of the State having passed, on the 26th of February, 1872, "An act for the preservation of books and other property belonging to public libraries," the librarian was directed to have the act printed in label- form and attached to the covers of such volumes as he might deem advisable. The following note was read at the meeting of the trustees, February 28, 1873 : 496 OLD CHARLESTOWN 60 Beacon Street, Boston, February 27, 1873. Miss Charlotte Harris presents to the Charlestown Public Library one hundred dollars to be expended for the reference library. The donation was accepted, and the president was instructed to acknowledge its receipt with the grateful appreciation of the board for her kindness, and the librarian to inscribe her name in all books purchased with it. By vote of the trustees, the president was authorized to collect the note for #1000 against the city, with the interest due on the same, and to deposit the amount with the city treasurer, to the credit of the Public Library, taking a receipt therefor. It was at the same time voted, " That the amount so credited be expended for books for the Edwin F. Adams Library." The City Council, January, 1874, passed an order appropriating #250 for the purchase of the files of The Bunker Hill Aurora, provided the trustees of the library should appropriate a like amount. This was done, and Mr. Wheildon was paid #500 for the newspaper files and a large lot of pamphlets. The newspaper volumes were received at once and a portion of the pamphlets. The arrangement with Mr. Wheildon was that his whole collection of pamphlets should eventually be turned over to the library. A communication, sent to the City Council December 26, 1873, requesting the transfer of furniture then in use in the mayor and aldermen's room to the library, resulted in the passage of the following order : OLD CHARLESTOWN 497 That the book-case and books in the mayor and alder men's room be removed to the Public Library rooms and made a part of the Public Library of Charlestown, for the use of the citizens ; also the mayor's desk, ten alder men's desks, ten hair-cloth chairs, one swivel chair, two tables six feet long, one table five feet long, four umbrella- stands, one mirror. The furniture hereby transferred by this order is not to be removed until the Board of Mayor and Aldermen have ceased to use it. The City Council also passed an order "That the paintings hanging upon the walls of the rooms occupied respectively by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and Common Council be transferred to the rooms of the Public Library." In conformity to this order the por traits of Washington, by James Frothingham, after Stuart ; of Jackson, by J. C. Hoit, after Vanderlyn, 1 8 19 ; and of Webster, by John Pope, are now hanging in the reading-room of the library. From 1868 to 1873 changes in the board of trustees were made as follows: In 1868 Councilmen James Adams, Jr., and Samuel R. Brintnall took the places of Councilmen T. G. Frothingham and James F. South- worth, and Charles F. Daniels, at large, succeeded Luther F. Whitney. Councilmen Richard Nason and E. R. Sibley were elected in 1869, in place of Council- men S. R. Brintnall and Joseph H. Cotton, and their places were filled in 1870 by Councilmen Aaron O. Buxton and Enos Merrill. George P. Kettell and George D. Edmands took the places of James F. Hunnewell and Charles E. Daniels in 1869. In 1871 Alderman Caleb Rand succeeded Alderman Thomas B. Harris, and Councilmen Charles F. Johnson and James W. O'Brien 498 OLD CHARLESTOWN succeeded Councilmen James Adams, Jr., and Enos Merrill. In 1872 Alderman Joseph Souther took the place of Alderman Caleb Rand, and Councilmen F. A. Downer and John R. Cushman succeeded Aaron O. Buxton and James W. O'Brien. In 1873 Alderman Edward T. Rand succeeded Alderman Joseph Souther, and Councilmen John H. Gibbs and Charles Curtis were elected in the places of Councilmen Charles F. Johnson and John R. Cushman. In the organization of the boards, Timothy T. Sawyer held the office of president from 1 860, the date of the establishment of the library, till 1874, when it was annexed to the Boston Public Library. The office of secretary during that period was filled as follows : By Moses A. Dow, i860; Francis W. Hurd, 1861 and '62; Charles F. Smith, 1863 and '64; B. F. Brown, 1865; G. F. Hurd, 1866 ; James F. Hunnewell, 1867 and '68 ; James Adams, Jr., 1869 and '70; Caleb Rand, 1871 ; Charles F. Johnson, 1872; John H. Gibbs, 1873 to April 24, 1874. George Hyde was a member of the board all the time from the establishment of the library until annexation ; Richard Frothingham, every year but the first ; James F. Hunnewell, eight years ; Edwin F. Adams, five years. While the bill for the annexation of Charlestown to Boston was under consideration in the Legislature, an important omission was noticed in the section having special reference to the Charlestown Public Library ; and the following amendment to correct this defect was prepared by the librarian and the president : OLD CHARLESTOWN 499 The Charlestown Public Library, with all the books and documents which now or hereafter may belong thereto, shall be continued and kept within the present limits of said Charlestown ; and it shall have the benefit of all gifts and legacies made heretofore or hereafter in its behalf. The trustees of the Charlestown Public Library shall hold their offices until the first Monday of May, 1874, or until the annual organization of the board of trustees of the Boston Public Library in that year. This was submitted to the city solicitor, William S. Stearns, for his approval as to form, and was then put into the hands of Honorable Edward Lawrence, a member of the senate at that time, and by his influence and effort was carried through the Legislature and became a part of the enacted bill authorizing the annex ation of the two cities. This was fortunate, for, at a meeting with the librarian of the Boston Public Library (Mr. Winsor), held at his request shortly afterwards, he explained what he proposed to do with the Charlestown library as soon as possible after annexation should go into effect. His plan was to remove the reference library at once to Boston and leave only a branch for the circulation of books in Charles town, similar to the branches in other districts. He expressed surprise when told that this could not be done under the act of annexation as it had passed the Legis lature, and greater surprise when on reference to the act he found in it the amendment referred to. But it was there, and the reason for it was explained to him as a necessity, if the faith of the city of Charlestown was to be kept in its agreement with its citizens, who had sub- 500 OLD CHARLESTOWN scribed towards the original establishment of the library. It is enough to add in this connection that his plan was changed, and that thereafter the amendment was not lost sight of by the librarian or trustees of the Boston Public Library. Soon after the interview with Mr. Winsor he made a visit to Charlestown, accompanied by the president and another member of the board of trustees. They looked carefully over the library, and everything connected with its management was fully explained to them. A pleasant discussion then took place as to its transfer, the result of which is shown in the following correspond ence. Public Library, Charlestown, November, 15, 1873. Dear Sir — The act uniting Charlestown with Boston provides that " the Charlestown Public Library, with all the books and documents which now or hereafter may belong thereto, shall be continued and kept within the present limits of said Charlestown ; and it shall have the benefit of all gifts and legacies made heretofore or here after in its behalf," the reason for which we fully explained to you on your visit to our library some little time since. It also provides for the continuance of the board of trustees until the first Monday of May next, the time when a new board of trustees for your library will be organized. In regard to the provision first named, we are glad to find that it conflicts in no way with your policy in rela tion to all your branches ; as we understand you to be desirous that they should be made, as much as possible, matters of local pride ; and, as respects the other pro vision, we see no reason why, practically, the manage ment of our library cannot be in your hands after the first Monday in January ; and our librarian is already OLD CHARLESTOWN 501 instructed to make arrangements with your superintend ent to this effect. We send you this communication that you may fully understand that it is our desire to put the library, as far as possible, under your control at the time the act to unite the two cities takes effect. Respectfully yours, etc., Timothy T. Sawyer, For the board of Trustees. To William W. Greenough, Esq., President of the Board of Trustees of the Boston Public Library. Boston, 29 November, 1873. Dear Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge, on behalf of the trustees of the public library, receipt of your esteemed favor of the 1 5th inst., containing certain statements and proposals in relation to the administration of the Charlestown Public Library. At a meeting of the board, held this day, I was requested, on their part, to accede to your proposals, and to agree to administer the affairs of your library from the first Monday in January next, upon the system now in use in the other branches of our institution, with the exception of such matters of detail as cannot be trans ferred by you until the first Monday of May, 1874, under the provisions of the act uniting Boston and Charlestown. This we understand to be the desire of your board ; and we will endeavor in the meantime, with your assistance, to continue the work of preparation, so that, when the first Monday of January arrives, your people will have not only their accustomed access to their own library, but will, also, at the same time, find the doors of the Central Library open to them as freely as to all the present inhabitants of Boston. So far as this board of trustees was concerned, no act of the Legislature was required to provide that the Charlestown library should have " the benefit of all gifts and legacies made heretofore or hereafter in its behalf." 502 OLD CHARLESTOWN In the establishment of the branches of the library already in existence, or to be created hereafter, it is the conceded policy of the city of Boston to place in its different districts such collections of books, of a popular and useful character, as shall possess general interest, leaving the purchase of a large class of works of a per manent value, like those upon the shelves of our Bates Hall, to the public spirit of the neighborhood to whose convenience and instruction each branch ministers. As was observed in the recent conference with your board, it is our hope that every branch shall be made a subject of local pride and shall increase largely by donations and bequests. In such cases of benevolence it will be equally the duty, as well as the pleasure, of this board to endeavor to carry out faithfully the intentions of the donors. Indeed, in this manner, the large central library has been most signally benefited, to the grateful accept ance of the trustees and to the inestimable advantage of our fellow-citizens. While each branch may be thus enriched, it will not, in any manner, interfere with the progress of the great reference library conveniently and naturally placed in the heart of the city. That the excellent collection of books, heretofore pro vided and sustained by the intelligence and liberality of the citizens of Charlestown, shall continue to increase in value and usefulness is the earnest desire of its new trustees. I am, dear sir, with much respect, very truly yours, W. W. Greenough, President Trustees of Public Library. To Hon. T. T. Sawyer, President Trustees of Charles town Public Library. The annual report November 15, 1873, gave the number of volumes catalogued for home use, 12,310; reference library, 2810; duplicates not catalogued, 720. Total, 15,840 volumes. OLD CHARLESTOWN 503 The trustees say in this report : " The books and property of the library are in a condition in every way creditable to the librarian and satisfactory to us ; and we take great pleasure in commending Doctor Cartee as peculiarly well fitted for his office, and as a man whose systematic habits, constant interest in his work, and general excellence of character have won for him the full confidence of the community." The last meeting of the board of trustees of the Charlestown Public Library was held April 24, 1874. A vote complimentary to the president was passed, expressions of friendship and good wishes between the members were exchanged, and then a trust, the duties of which they had for a long period endeavored faith fully to discharge, was turned over to the care of the trustees of the Boston Public Library by an adjourn ment without day. The following bequests have been received and ac cepted by the City of Boston, for the benefit of the Charlestown Public Library, since its care devolved upon the Boston Public Library : Charlotte Harris, "#10,000, to be invested on inter est, said interest to be applied to the purchase of books published before 1850." Also her own private library and the portrait of her grandfather, Richard Devens. This bequest was accepted by the city July 31, 1877. Edward Lawrence, #500 "to hold and apply the income and as much of the principal as they may choose to the purchase of special books, to be kept and used only at the Charlestown branch of the public library." 504 OLD CHARLESTOWN Thomas B. Harris, #1000 "for the benefit of the Charlestown Public Library." The private library of Charlotte Harris, to which reference has just been made, consisted of 1082 vol umes of valuable books. The whole number of volumes in the library, Decem ber 31, 1893, was 29,961. September 15, 1894. Index Abbottsford Hall, 227, 275. Abbott, Samuel, 38. Abbott, Samuel & Co., 38, 81. Abbott, William, 38. Academy, Cordis Street, 44, 45,140. Adams, Abel, 374. Adams, Benjamin, 182, 265, 461. Adams, Caroline M., 493. Adams, Charles, 265. Adams, Edward, 181 , 444, 449. Adams, Edwin F., 20, 31, 33, 87, 476, 478, 480, 481, 486, 489, 493, 496, 498. Adams family, 451. Adams (Kettell) estate, 171-174. Adams, Francis, 75. Adams, George S., 87. Adams, Henry C, 467. Adams, James, 72, 80, 277, 399, 419, 458, 459. Adams, James, Jr., 497, 498. Adams, John, 80. Adams, John, President, 18. Adams, John Quincy, 284. Adams, Joseph, 260. Adams, Nathan, 174. Adams, Nathaniel, 183. Adams, Dr. Samuel, 217. Albee, George B., 196. Alden, John, 445. Alden, Admiral James, 331, 436. Alewife and shad fishing, 463. Alexander, Giles, 19, 419. Alford, John, 212-214, 300. S°5 Alger, Rev. William R., 359. Allen, S. H., 196. Allston, Washington, 122, 301. American Colonization Soc'y, 326. American Peace Society, 425. Ames, Philander, 196. Amherst College, 208. Ancient and Hon. Artill. Co., 271. Andover Theol. Seminary, 298. Andrew, Charles F., 252. Andrews, Abraham, 44, 223, 406. Anti-Masonry, 108. Arctic, brig, 43. Arkell, Tufts & Co., 471. Armstrong, Commodore James, 469. Armstrong, Samuel T., 209, 298. Arnold, Deacon William, 83. Arnold, William, Jr., 31, 83. Atherton, Samuel, 87. Austin, Arthur W., 45, 444. Austin, Arthur Williams, 223. Austin, Benjamin, 216. Austin, Eben, estate, 273, 274. Austin, Ebenezer, 217. Austin farm, the, 224. Austin, Francis B., 54, 220, 225, 428, 448. Austin, Henry D., 225. Austin, Isaac, 223. Austin, James Walker, 226. Austin, John, 216. Austin, Joseph, 216. Austin, name of, 216, 223. 506 INDEX Austin, Nathaniel, 24, 216, 217, 227, 258, 264. Austin, Richard, 216, 217. Austin, Samuel, 216. Austin, Timothy, 216. Austin, William, 217, 220-223, 225> 263. Ayers, Oliver, 268. Babb, Joseph, 182. Babbitt, William E., 114, 115. Babcock, Archibald, 461, 463, 464. Babcock, Moses, 158. Bailey, Kendall, 111. Baker, Mrs. Alice (Bridge), 231. Baker, Eben (senior), 231. Baker, Ebenezer, 114, 231. Baker, Matthew, 231. Baker, Richard, 45. Baker, Richard, Jr., 45, 87, 421. Baldwin, George R., 115, 120, 122. Baldwin, Joshua, 1 1 1 , 266. Baldwin, Colonel Loammi, 113, 117, 120, 121, 122, 265. Balfour, David M., 101, 478. Balfour, Mary D., 101. Balfour, Rev. Walter, 101. Ball, Thomas, sculptor, 205. Ballou, Hosea, 210, 355. Bancroft, George, 94. Banks, General Nathaniel P., 492. Baptist Church, First, 53, 57, 78, 86, 119, 272, 334. Baptist Society, Second, 119. Baring Brothers & Co., 282, 284. Barker, Captain, 383. Barker, Ebenezer, 266, 289, 394. Barker, Captain George, 76. Barker, Dr. George F., 76. Barker, Josiah, 70, 71, 74, 284, 289. Barker, Captain Seth, 127. Barnard, Adams & Co., 374. Barnard, Stearns & Gage, 286. Barrell's farm, 58. Barry, Jotham, 463. Barry, Patrick T., 269. Barstow, Dr. Gideon F., 207. Bartlett, Dr. George, 264, 292, 308. Bartlett, Dr. Josiah, 206, 255, 260, 263, 324. Bartol, Rev. Cyrus A., 359. Batcheller, Captain Oliver A., 436. Bates, Dr. Charles J., U. S. N., 207. Bates, Dr. George, 207, 373. Bates, John, 105. Bates, John D., 21. Bates, Joshua (banker), 282-283. Bates, Joshua (teacher), 362, 438. Bayley, James R., 26. Bay State Brick Co., 414. Beal, James H., 289. Beautiful gardens, 439. Beebe, James M., 396. Beckford, Capt. Thomas, 120, 174. Beecher, Rev. Dr. Lyman, 32, 177. Belknap, Rev. Dr. Jeremy, 295. Bell, Benjamin, 37, 454. Bell, Dr. Luther V., 159, 426, 434. Bemis, Dr. J. W., 490. Bemis, Josiah, 441. Berry, George W., 182, 449. Bickford, Dr. Hezekiah C, 144. Bigelow, Gorham, 181, 252, 274. Binney, Amos, 431. Bird, James, 25, 26, 54. Bird, James & Co., 26. Bird, J. & W., 26. Black Horse Tavera, 62, 66. Blanchard, Rev. Dr. Henry, 42. Blanchard, Isaac, 427. Blanchard, S. Stoddard, 80, 427. Booth, Kirk, 62. Boston & Albany Railroad, 36. Boston Herald, 486. INDEX 507 Boston Iron Company, 319. Boston fournal, 226. Boston Merc. Library Asso., 93. Boston Mirror, 108. Boston Morning Post, 195. Boston Nat. Hist. Soc'y, 208. Boston Public Library, 284, 498, 499-S°3- Boston Recorder, 304. Boston Transcript, 343, 387, 388. Bow Street, 88, 92. Bowen, Francis, 212-214. Bowers, Elizabeth, 324. Bowman, Dexter, 87, 265. Bowman, Zadoc, 87. Boyd, Joseph F., 265. Boylston house, 305, 307, 308. Boylston, Mrs. Mercy, 307. Boylston, Richard, 310, 311. Boylston, Thomas, 307, 309. Brackett, Josiah, 332. Bradbury, Oakes, 375. Bradford, Duncan, 476, 478. Bradish, Catherine, 158. Bradshaw, Eleazer Edes, 210. Braman's Baths, 92. Brattle Street Church, 242. Bray, Major John, 218. Breed, Ebenezer, garden, 169, 171, 173. I7S> J77. 178, 180,394. Breed, Ebenezer, Jr., 176. Breed family, the, 177. Breed, John, 176, 178, 179. Breed, Mary, 176, 180. Breed, Richard, 178, 180. Breed, Richard F., 176. Breed's Hill, 24, 310. Breed's Island, 179. Breese, Elizabeth Ann, 295. Brewer, Gardner, 396. Brewster Island, outer, 218, 219. Brewster, Osmyn, 209. Brick-making, 413. Bridge, Abel E., 267. Bridge, Alice (Mis. Baker), 231. Bridge family, the, 229. Bridge, John, 229, 235. Bridge, Matthew, 19, 21, 229, 230, 231, 232, 263, 272. Bridge, Nathan, 19, 229, 232, 419. Bridge, Nathan & Co., 21. Bridge, Sallie (Mrs. Knowles), 231. Bridge, Samuel J., 229, 235, 240. Bridge, Susan, 19. Brigade Band, Boston, 22, 156. Briggs, Dr. John A., 100, 207. Briggs, Philander S., 376. Briggs, Prof.,Bowdoin College, 486. Briggs & Willis, 376. Brigham, Peter, 64. Brintnall, Benjamin, 264, 376. Brintnall, Samuel, 376. Brintnall, Samuel R., 268, 377, 497. Brintnall & Osgood, 377. Brooks, Isaac, 217. Brooks, Governor John, 63, 206. Brooks, Peter C, 242, 292, 365. Brooks, Phillips, 365-367. Brown, Amos, 467, 481. Brown, Ann, 84. Brown, Augustus, 471. Brown, Benjamin, 84, 463. Brown, Benjamin, Jr., 84. Brown, Benjamin F., 489, 498. Brown, Caleb Strong, 84. Brown & Dix, 471. Brown, Edward, 84. Brown, Elbridge, 470. Brown, Ellen Augusta, 388. Brown, Ezra, 196, 489. Brown, George, 376. Brown, Isaac, 387, 388. Brown, Jesse, 470. Brown, J. Henry, 268. 508 INDEX Brown, J. & J. H., 470. Brown, John H., 264. Brown, Nathaniel, 478. Brown, Oliver, 44, 140, 463. Brown, Captain William, 43. Browne, Thomas, Jr., 320. Browne, T. Quincy, 320. Bruce, Benjamin, 451. Bryant, Gridley, 441. Bryant, Timothy, 45, 479. Buddington, Rev. William Ives, 350, 424. Bunker Hill Aurora, 108, 400, 494, 496. Bunker Hill Bank, 31, 34, 75, 77, 80, 89, 98, 100, H2, 114, 126, 168, 175, 201, 227, 233, 374, 392, 393, 421, 422, 446, 462. Bunker Hill, battle of, 4g, 50, 55, 250, 252, 253, 307, 310. Bunker Hill Monument, 62, 63, 101, 168, igo, 227, 233, 412. Burlingame, Anson, 198. Burnham, Captain, 450. Burr, Joshua, 75. Burrill, Mrs., children's dancing- school, 106, 429, 469. Burroughs, William, 416. Burton, Joseph, 181. Butts, William D., 265. Buxton, Aaron O., 497, 498. Byam, E. G., 426. Byram, Charles R., 268, 307. Byrnes, William M., 79, 478. Caldwell, James, 45, 46. Caldwell, Joseph, 266, 474. California during Civil War, 410. Calnan, Patrick J., 269. Carey, Richard, 293, 295, 296. Carleton, Alfred, 408. Carleton, Catherine, 221. Carleton, Guy, 380. Carleton, William, 164, 270, 426, 486. Carleton, William E., 270, 426. Carleton College, Minnesota, 164, 270, 427. Carpenter, Frederic, 416. Carpenter, Marcellus, 416. Cartee, Dr. Cornelius S., 493, 503. Carter, John, 260. Carter, Joseph, 335. Carter, Robert, 214. Castle Island, 70. Caswell, Jacob, 374, 375, 378. Caswell, William, 374, 375. Caswell's Wharf, 375. Catholic Literary Union, 426. Cavill, John, 228. Chamberlain, Daniel, 278. Chandler, Mrs. John, 422. Channing, William Ellery, 220. Channing, Rev. William H., 359. Chapin, Edwin Channing, 353. Chapin, Edwin H., 94, 347-356, 402. Chapin, Mrs. Edwin H., 353, 354. Chapin, Nahum, 268, 393, 479. Chapin, Trull & Co., 3g3. Chapman, Captain Jonathan, 102. Charles River Bay, 60. Charles River Bridge, 99, 113, 141, 219, 255. Charlestown Artillery, 71, 198, 249, 3^9. 384- Charlestown Bank, 444. Charlestown Branch Railroad, 86, 89> 394. 413- Charlestown City Guard, 198, 384. Charlestown Club, 418. Charlestown Dispensary, 218. Charlestown Enterprise, 80, 207, 231, 236, 255, 376, 473. INDEX 509 Charlestown Five Cent Savings Bank, 306, 312, 318, 392. Charlestown Gas Co., 306, 392, 413. 4H. 468. Charlestown Land and Wharf Co., 70, 283, 394. Charlestown Light Infantry, 146, 189, 249, 252, 456. Charlestown Lyceum, 145, 147, 241, 243, 483. Charlestown, map of, in 1818, 471. Charlestown mayors, 459. Charlestown, members of U. S. Congress from, 263. Charlestown, members of State Legislature from, 263. Charlestown Mutual Fire Insur ance Co., 40, 100, 401. Charlestown Neck, 460. Charlestown Square, 128. Charlestown Wharf Co., 86, 87, 89. Chase, Charles N., 309. Cheever, John, 265. Chelsea Bridge, 175. Cheshire Railroad, 153. Childs, Francis, 231, 267, 271, 272, 479, 489. Childs, George T., 272. Childs, Nathaniel, 272. Choate, Rufus, 169. City Hall, 289, 2go, 488, 491. Civil Engineering, father of, 117. Civil War, 1861, 384, 482. Clapp, Frederic, 117. Clapp, Otis, 315, 493. Clark, Rev. Charles R. 321. Clark, James, 47g. Clark, Mary, g6. Clarke, Aaron, 2d, 196. Clifford, Governor John H., 252. Coburn, Ethan N., 479. Cochran, Catherine, 24. Cochran, Mary, 24. Colby, Gardner, 53, 164. Colby, Captain H. G. O., 457. Colby, Josiah, 53. Colby, Mrs. Sarah, 52, 53. Colby University, 53, 164. Collier, Charles, 416. Columbia, ship, g5. Columbian Guards, 252. Colorado Smelting Co., 415. Congress Street Bridge, 142. Congress, U. S., members of, from Charlestown, 263. Constitution, frigate, 140, 378. Constitutional Liberty Hall, 382, 3«4- Cook, Arnold, 64. Cook, Enoch, in, 112. Cook, Isaac, 47g. Cook, Josiah P., 168. Cook, Rymes & Co., 99. Cook's Lane, 112, 273. Corbett, Leavitt, 264. Corcoran, William W., 106. Cordis, Captain Joseph, 35, 312. Cordis Street, 35, 40. " Coronation," hymn and tune, 332, 338, 342- Cotting, Charles E., 457. Cotton, Joseph H., 267, 48g, 4g7. Crafts' Corner, 36, 305. Crafts, Elias, Sr., 265, 310, 313. Crafts, Elias, Jr., 36, 305, 307-309. Crocker, Uriel, 209. Crosby & Nichols, 481. Crowley, Jeremiah J., 268. Crowninshield, Abraham, 154. Crowninshields, the, 469. Cunningham, Thomas, 267. Currier, John P., 450, 451. Curry, George, 93, 94. Curry, Mrs. William, 369. 5io INDEX Curtis, Charles, 2g8, 468. Curtis, Herbert, 476. Curtis, John, 46g. Cushing, Caleb, 384. Cushing, JoMn P., 125. Cushman, Charlotte, 204. Cushman, John R., 498. Cutler, Edward, 264. Cutler, George, 479. Cutter, Abram E., 307, 3g6, 417, 42g, 479. 481. Cutter, E. F., in. Cutter estate, 123. Cutter, George F., 84. Cutter, Marshall N., 267. Cutter & Mullett, 375. Cutter, Oliver C, 375. Cutter, Samuel, 464. Cutter, Thomas M., 3gi, 3g2, 4og, 479- Daguerreotype, the, 304. Dalrymple Fund, of Groton, 3g5- Dalrymple, Willard, 393-395, 478. Damon, James, 25, 196. Damon, John Wade, 101 , 144, 405- 409, 428, 435. Damon, Mary, 117. Damon's Wharf, 101, 406, 408. Dana, Professor, 302. Dana, James, 138, 174, 252, 277, 456, 474, 478. Dana, Samuel, 174, 456. Daniels, Charles F., 497. Davidson, Charles H., 158. Davidson, George, 95, 96. Davidson, George, Jr., 96. Davidson, Hamilton, 22, 419, 464. Davidson, Dr. Herman E., 207. Davidson Rubber Co., 158. Davidson, Samuel, 96. Davis, Governor, 210. Davis, Joseph W., 268. Davis, William W., 267. Davison, Elias, 289. Day, John A., 267. Day, Marcellus, 267. Deane, Christopher C, 84, 266. Deblois, James, 221, 222. Dee, John H., 268. Delano, James, 156. Delano, Judith, 146. Denvir, Patrick, 79. Derby, Isaac Walker, 268. Devereaux, John N., 486. Devens and Harris families, 97. Devens, Arthur Lithgow, 101. Devens Benevolent Society, 100, 126. Devens, Charles, 178. Devens, Gen. Charles, 9g, 100, 101. Devens, David, g9, 100, 263. Devens, Rev. David Steams, 100. Devens, Edward F., 98. Devens Funds for the Poor, 100. Devens, George A., 100. Devens, Captain Henry, 98. Devens house, Chelsea Street, 105. Devens, Mary, 101. Devens Commissary Richard, 98, 9g, 102, 263, 292. Devens, Richard, go, g7, gg, 178, 264. Devens, Richard, Jr., g8. Devens, Richard Miller, 100. Devens, Samuel, 75, g8, gg. Devens, Rev. Samuel Adams, 100. Devens, Thomas M., g7, g8. Devens, William H., 100. Dewey, Rev. Dr., 360. Dexter estate, 17, 144, 418. Dexter, Franklin, 18. Dexter, F. Gordon, 18. Dexter, Katharine Maria, 24. INDEX 5" Dexter Row, 22, 143, 146, 147, 148, 160, 312, 317, 419. Dexter, Samuel, 17, 18, 19, 120, 263, 311, 365,419. Dizer family, 174. Doane College, Nebraska, 164. Doane, Heman S., 85, 455. Doane, John, Jr., 461. Doane, John, Jr., & Co., 85. Doane Street School, 44. Doane, Thomas, 114, 115, 164,333, 338. 342. 344. Dodge, David, 387. Doherty, Philip J., 269. Dow Academy, Franconia, New Hampshire, 279. Dow banquet, 276. Dow, Moses A., 112, 230, 267, 272- z79.395.475.478,48o,498. Downer, Francis, 129. Downer, Francis E., 26g. Downer, Frank A., 4g8. Downes, Lieutenant Albert, 98. Downes, Commodore John, 48, 98, 252. Dowse, Alice, 53. Dowse, Samuel, 174. Dowse, Thomas, 54. Draper, Daniel, 286. Dunlap, Andrew, 274. Dwinell, James Fisher, 267. Dyer, Smith, m. Eagle Hotel, 433. Eaton, Captain E. O., 252. Eaton, Ezra, 169. Edes, Henry H., 33, 70, 150, 2g6, 455- Edes, Isaiah, 165. Edes, Thomas, 296. Edgerly, J. Homer, 269. Edgerton, John, 359. Edgerton, Sarah C, 359. Edgeworth Street Chapel, 424. Edmands, Barnabas, 416, 417, 456. Edmands, Benjamin, 75, 416. Edmands, Gen. Benjamin F., 416. Edmands & Co., 416. Edmands, Edward, 416. Edmands, George D., 412, 414, 417, 491, 497- Edmands Hall, 209, 210, 415. Edmands & Hooper, 416. Edmands, Isaac P. T., 231, 456. Edmands, James C, 209, 415, 416. Edmands, John D., 416, 417. Edmands, J. Wiley, 416. Edmands, Thomas, 415, 416. Edmands, Thomas R. B., 416, 417. Edmands, Walter, 415, 416. Edwards, Jane E., 482, 486. Elevated Railway Terminal, 464. Elliot, James H., 220. Elliot, Thomas J., 196, 265. Ellis, Rev. Dr. George E., 134, 144, 150, 151, 213, 236, 328, 350, 480, 488-491. Elm Street News-room, 452, 453. Emery, James, 266. Enterprise, Charlestown, 80, 207, 231, 236, 255, 376, 473. Etheridge, Samuel, 252, 265. Evans, Dana & Co., 81. Evarts, Jeremiah, 105. Evarts, William M., 105. Everett, Alexander H., 252. Everett, Edward, 234, 241-254, 26g, 270, 285, 325, 327. Everett, Rev. Linus S., 345. Everett, Rev. Oliver C, 424, 476, 478. Everett, Dr. William, 288, 28g, 292, 3°5- Exchange News-room, 219. 5I2 INDEX Fairbanks, Charles F., 146. Fairbanks, Henry P., 144, 145, ig6, igg, 266. Faunce, Elisha, 420. Fay, Rev. Dr., 81, 250. Felt, J. H, 47g. Felton, Cornelius, 113. Felton, Cornelius C, 113. Felton, Samuel M., 113, 231, 28g, 372, 44i- Female Benevolent Soc'y, 100, 126. Femald, William, 11 1. Ferrin, Samuel, 175, 399. Fessenden, Charles B., 451. Field, Charles, 267. Fields, James T, 93. Finley, Rebecca, 295. Finley, Dr. Samuel, 295. Finney, William H., 417. First Church, 81, g9, 101, 105, 136, 165, 201, 250, 289, 293, 297, 299, 310, 327, 350, 395, 454, 463- Fisk, John J., 372. Fiske, John M., 451. Fitchburg Railroad Co., 33, 82, 113. "4. 153. 417- Fitz, Abel, 167. Flagg, John P., 73. Flagg, John P., & Co., 73. Fletcher, Rev. J. C, 485, 486. Fletcher, Jonathan V., 87. Fletcher, Timothy, 196, 265. Flint, Eliza, 82. Flint, George Frederic, 82. Flint, Mary, 82. Flint, Sarah H., 82. Flint, Simeon, 81-82. Flint, William, 82. Flucker, Thomas, Tory, 137. Flynn, John D., 268. Forster, Charles, 33, 39, 84, 154, 156, 157, 265,420. Forster, Dr. Edward J., 33, 154, 155. 425, 436- Forster, Frederick P., 159. Forster, George H., I5g. Forster, Henry, 158, I5g, 265. Forster, Henry, & Co., 33, I5g. Forster, Mrs. Henry, 25, 425. Forster, Horace, I5g. Forster, Jacob, 33, 52, 144, 153,154, i56> l5s> r59. 4i9- Forster, Mrs. Jacob, 33. Forster & Lawrence, 420. Forster, Lawrence & Co., 154, 156. Forster, Mrs. Louisa, 478. Forster, Maty T., 47g. Forster School, Somerville, 157. Forster & Thompson, 153. Forsters, the, 153. Fort Independence, 70. Fosdick, David, 78, 265, 335. Fosdick, Hepzibah, 471. Fosdick, Deacon James, 87, 3gg. Fosdick, John, 85, 127, 47g. Fosdick, William, 476. Foss, Jacob, 36, 37, 195, 196, 378, 380-386, 399, 478 ; will of, 386. Foss & Gilmore, 36, 381. Fox-hunting, 61, 65, 379. Francis, James M., 47g. Franconia (N. H.) Academy, 279. Franklin Insurance Co., 79. French, Daniel C, 235, 240. Frost, Joseph, in. Frothingham, Amos T, 82. Frothingham Avenue, igo. Frothingham, Baylis & Co., I4g. Frothingham, Maj. Benjamin, 185, 255. Frothingham, Elizabeth, 462. Frothingham, Henry Knox, i8g, 476. Frothingham, Isaac, 186. INDEX S*3 Frothingham, James (senior), 68, 69, 260. Frothingham, James, artist, 68, 185, 497. Frothingham, James K., 186, 188, ig3, 264. Frothingham, John, 186. Frothingham, John W., I4g. Frothingham, Joseph, 49, 50. Frothingham, Joshua Paine, 186, 1 go, 200. Frothingham, Mary, 4g. Frothingham, Nathaniel F., 425. Frothingham, Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Langdon, 184. Frothingham, Reverend Octavius Brooks, 184. Frothmgham, Rebecca W., 192. Frothmgham, Richard (senior), 124, 185, 186, i8g, 263. Frothingham, Richard, 26, 190, I93~I95> 26o> z65> z77. 279. 326> 349. 352, 421, 423. 457. 459. 467. 478, 480, 481, 485, 4gi, 4g4. Frothingham, Samuel, 184. Frothingham, Sarah, 431. Frothingham, Thomas, 186. Frothingham, Thomas G., 467, 48g, 497- Frothingham, Thomas H., 191, 287. Frothingham, William, 124, 184. Frothinghams, the, 184. Fuller, James G., 196, 399. Gage, Addison, 19, 196, 287, 373, 435- Gage, Addison, & Co., 82, 191. Gage, Alvah, 191. Gage, Benjamin W., 308. Gage, Charles O., 287. Gage, Charles P., 191. Gage, Hittinger & Co., 191, 286, 287. Gage, Sawyer & Co., 191, 286, 287. Gallagher, Captain, U. S. N., 251. Gallant huntsmen, 64. Gammans, George H., 26g. Garfield, President James A., 230. Garrett, Charles R., 445. Gary, John, 82. Gay, P. S., 196. Germania Musical Association, 79. Gibbs, John, 402. Gibbs, John H. 498. Gill, Dr. George, 467. Gilman, F. L., 268, 425. Gilmore, Addison, 36, 381. Gleason, Joseph H., 269. Goddard, Thomas A., 26. Goddard, Mrs. Thomas A., 189. Goodwin, David, 72, 260, 263. Goodwin, David, Jr., 26r. Goodwin, Rev. George, 72. Goodwin, Thomas Jenner, 72, 75, 77, 80, 250, 264. Gordon, William, 265. Gorham, Ann, 365. Gorham, Benjamin, 291, 292, 29g. Gorham, Captain John, 288. Gorham, Lydia, 365. Gorham, Nathaniel, 242, 260, 263, 288-291, 293, 365. Gorham, Stephen, 291. Goss, Lyman B., 266. Gould, James, 78. Grand Army of Republic, Post A. Lincoln, 17, 229, 312, 418. Granite Railway Co., Quincy, 441. Gray, Benjamin, 181. Gray, Captain Robert, 95. Gray, William, 74, 120, 140, 282, 283, 319. Gray's Wharf, 74, 283-285, 376. 5M- INDEX Green Dragon Band, 156. Greenleaf, Elizabeth, 445. Greenleaf, James E., 444. Greenleaf, Mary A., 445. Greenleaf, Robert E., 445. Greenleaf, Thomas, 265, 391, 392. Gregory, John, 75. Griffin, J. Q. A., 196, 266, 401, 404. Grosh, Rev. A. B., 346. Groton,Union Church Society, 395. Guild, Chester, & Sons, 167. Guild, George A., 479. Guild, Josiah F., 480, 486. Gunter, Dr., of Wash., D.C., 423. Haggerston, David, 124, 125. Hall, Alfred B., 320. Hall, Frank A., 193, 480. Hall, George S., 112. Hall, Gustavus V., 455. Hall house, strawberries, 66, 67. Hall, Lewis, 310. Hall, Nathaniel, 30. Hall, Thomas H., 456. Hamilton Bank, Boston, 80, 427. Hamlin, C. H. J., 266. Hampton Normal and Agric. Inst., "3- Hancock, John, house, 396. Harding, Edward, 376. Harrington, Arthur, 287. Harris, Charles, 101. Harris, Charlotte, 101, 102, 496, 504. Harris chimes, 101-104. Harris, George, 101. Harris, Henry, 101. Harris, John, 90, 114, 154, 264. Harris, Jonathan, 101, 408. Harris, Josiah, 49, 264. Harris, Richard D., 101. Harris, Samuel D., 101. Harris, Samuel T., 268. Harris, Thomas, 260, 263, 290. Harris, Thomas B., 267, 451, 489, 497. 5°4- Harris Wharf, 101, 406, 408. Harrison, James, 1 17-120, 332. Harrison, John, 117. Harrison, William Henry, Pres ident, 326. Hart, D. J., & Co., 51. Harvard College, 113, ir5, 150, 164, 202, 212, 235, 469. Harvard College Military Co., 156. Harvard College, Theol. Sch., 202. Harvard, John, 164, 235-239; monument, 243, 247 ; statue of, 235- Harvard Row, 289, 461. Harvard Unitarian Church, 22, 76, 85. 147. »49> 326. 370. 372. 392. 424, 427, 430, 432, 433, 436, 446, 455, 465, 471 ; History of, 455 ; clock and bell, 201, 202. Haskell, Daniel L., 93. Haskell, Edwin B., 278. Haskell, Edwin F., 489. Hastings, Walter, 469. Hawaiian Islands, 226. Hawkins, Guy C, 265. Hawkins, Nathaniel, 260, 263. Hay & Atkins, 311. Hay, Francis, 335. Hay, John, 18, 307-311, 317. Hay, Joseph, 311. Hayes, John E., 268. Hemenway, Augustus, 27, Henry, Joseph, 492. Henry, Captain William, 289, 449. Henry, William P., 415. Henry Price Lodge of F. Masons, 452. Heustis, Milton L. P., 268. INDEX S*S Hichbom, Philip, 218. Hichborn, William, 267. High Street, 418, 454, 443, 448. Hill & Hittinger, 286. Hill, Joseph W., 268. Hill, Nathaniel G., 479. Hill, S. P., & Co., 35, 92. Hills, John, 443. Hill's School, Mrs., 443. Hittinger house, 241. Hittinger, Jacob, 287, 435, 470. Hittinger & Pitts, 470. Hoar, Samuel, 169. Hoit, J. C. (artist), 4g7. Holden, Oliver, 108, 261, 264, 283, 312, 332-337, 341-344. 432> 443- Holden, Thomas F., 108. Hollis Street Society, Boston, 360. Holmes, Elisha T., 105. Holmes, Dr. Howland, 207. Holmes, John H., 486, 487, 4g3- Holmes, Melzar H., Jr., 105. Holmes, Philip B., ig6, 266. Hooper, Thomas, 185, 337. Hoosac Dock and Elevator Co., 101, 283, 375, 4og. Hopkins, Reuben, 287. Horn Pond Mountain, 66. Hotel Gahm, I2g. Houghton, Dr. H. A., 3g. Hovey, Abijah, 265, 461. Hovey, Abijah Wyman, 461. Hovey ancestors, 460, 463. Hovey, James, 462. Hovey, Joseph F., 192, 462. Hovey, Solomon, 461, 462. Hovey, Solomon, Jr., 461. Hovey & Fenno, 462. Howard Lodge, Odd Fellows, 452. Howe, Joseph N., 181. Howe, Samuel Gridley, 181. Howland, Desire, 288. Howland, John, 288. Howland, Zenas C, 196, 478. Hubbell, Peter, 412, 413, 414, 423. Hubbell, Mrs. Peter, 495. Hudson, Charles, 148. Hull, Liverus, 277, 278, 457-459. Hunnewell, Charles, 431. Hunnewell estate, 431. Hunnewell, James, 283, 289, 431, 466, 475, 480. Hunnewell, James F., 255, 300, 43x-433. 482-485, 497, 498. Hunnewell, William, 431. Hunt, Andrew K., 451. Hunt, Reuben, 76, in, 479. Hunt, Samuel C, 268, 376, Huntington, Lynde A., 44, 423. Hurd, Benjamin, 128, 129, 133, 337. Hurd, Benjamin, Jr., 29, 133. Hurd, Dr. Francis, 207. Hurd, Judge Francis W., 138, 480, 481, 485, 486, 498. Hurd, George F., 489, 4g8. Hurd, Hutchins & Co., 387. Hurd, Isaac, 133. Hurd, Jacob, 128. Hurd, John, 128, I2g, 132, 387. Hurd, Joseph, I2g, 136-138, 263. Hurd, Dr. J. Stearns, 129, 132-134, 136, 264, 435. Hurd, William, 129, 137, 138, 478. Hutchins, Henry C, 289. Hutchins, Horace G., 277, 458, 459. Hutchins & Wheeler, 138. Hyde, Enoch, 20, 31. Hyde estate, 31, 32, 37. Hyde factory, 432. Hyde, Francis, 31. Hyde, George, 31, 81, 475, 477, 478, 480-482, 4g8. Hyde & Southworth, 81. Hyde & Winship, 31. 5i6 INDEX Iasigi & Goddard, 26. Ice business, beginning of, 285, 286. Ice-house controversy, 408. Independent Cadets, 252. Independent Christian Society, Richmond, Virginia, 346. Indian Chief Hotel, 119, 432, 433. Indians of the Northwest, 300. Indians, Society for Propagating Gospel among, 212, 213. India-rubber experiment, 154. Jackson, Andrew, President, 22 ; portrait of, 383, 4g7. Jackson, Dr. Charles T., 19. Jackson, Rev. Henry, 86. Jackson, Samuel, 64. Jacobs, George H., 141. Jaques, Francis, 90. Jaques, Henry, 89. Jaques, Henry L, 89, 321. Jaques, Colonel Samuel, 59-62, 64, 66, 70, 84, 89, 209 ; his animals, 60-62. Jaques, Samuel, Jr., 70, 264. Jaques & Stanley, 60. Jaques Wharf, 60. Jarvis, William C, 264. Jasper, Gustavus A., 410. Jewett, Ralph W., 38. Johnson ancestors, 460, 463. Johnson, Charles Barkeley, 462. Johnson, Charles F., 497, 498. Johnson, Daniel, 391, 478. Johnson, George, 69, 462, 476. Johnson, John, 450. Johnson, Jotham, 462. Johnson, Jotham, Jr., 375, 462. Johnson, Samuel R., 114, 115, 439- 441. Johnson, Sarah, 461. Kelly, William D., 93, 94. Kendall, Isaac, 80, 144. Kent, John (Charlestown Neck), 463- Kent, Mrs. John (Chestnut Hill), 422. Kent, William H., 457-459. Kettell, George A., 171-174, 178, 478. Kettell, George P., 196, 497. Kettell home, 120. Kettell, John, 263. Kettell, Jonathan, 260. Kidder, Samuel, & Co., 36, 37, 130, 3og, 382, 437, 454. Kidder, Samuel, Jr., 35-38. Kimball, James, 463. Kimball, Samuel, in. King, Daniel P., 148. King, Rev. Thomas F., 345, 357. King Solomon Lodge of Free Masons, 185, 255, 337. King, Thomas Starr, g4, 345, 357- 35g, 402, 410, 444; statue of, 240. Kirkland, Dr. John T., 212. Kittredge, Rev. Dr. Abbott E.,81, 478, 480. Klous, Louis, 38. Knapp, Rev. Arthur, 320. Knapp, Rev. Henry, 320. Kneeland, Abner, 210. Knight, Abel and Thomas, 156. Knight, Samuel, 144. Knowles-Everett house, 270. Knowles, Mrs. Sallie (Bridge), 231, 272. Knowles, Seth, 231-233, 241, 264, 290. Knox, Captain Benjamin, 249. Kossuth, Louis, and his reception, ig5, 214. INDEX 5i7 Lafayette, General, 62-63, 234, 242, 257, 325; portrait of, 301. Laforme & Frothingham, 467. Lamb, Thomas, 43. Lambert, Rev. Dr. Thomas M., 168, 171, 172, 488. Lamson, Caleb, 466. Lamson, John, 255. Lamson, Joseph, 465. Lamson, Nathaniel, 41, 464, 466. Lamson, Susan Frothingham, 466. Langdon, J. W., 41. Lapham, Luther, 41, 319, 457. Larkin, Charles, 374. Larkin, Deacon, 9g. Larkin & Hurd, 129, 136. Larkin, Isaac, 64, 374. Larkin, John, I2g, 136, 2g3. Larkin, John S., 374. Larkin, Thomas Oliver, 261. Larrabee, Thomas, 181. Lawrence, A. A., & Co., 416. Lawrence, Charles R., 422. Lawrence, Edward, 20, 22, 30, 141, 154, 158, isg, ig6, 266, 418-422, 473. 478, 499- Lee, Higginson & Co., 422. Lee, James, Jr., 266, 426. Legislature, members of, from Charlestown, 263. Lemmon, Joseph, 68. Lemmon, Mary, 68. Lenon, Mark, 394. Leonard, N., 95. Leslie, C. R., 301. Lewis, Seth W., 196. Lexington academy, 400. Lexington battle, 49. Liberia, settlement of, 326. Lincoln, Bradford, Jr., 100. Lincoln & Edmands, 415. Lincoln, Hawkes, 33, 455. Lindsey, Ichabod, 11 1, 196, 266. Linwood Place, 117. Litchfield, William E., 387. Little, George W., 87, 412. Livermore, Isaac, 370. Locke, Andrew J., 196. Locke, Jonathan, 265. Locke, Mrs. Jonathan, 335. Lockwood, Rhodes, 19, 22. Lockwood, Rhodes G., 22, 418, 479- Long, George H., 267. Long, William B., 267. Loring, George H., 30. Loring, Henry H., 29-30. Loring home, 28. Loring, Col. Joseph, 28-31, 251. Loring, Mrs. Joseph, 30. Loring, Miss Mary H., 28. Loring, Nathaniel H., 30. Loring, Seth L., 266. Louise Home, Washington, D. C, 106. Lovering, Prof. Joseph, 113, 115, 116, 150, 214. Lovering, Robert, 64, 115. Lovett, Joseph, 266. Low, Captain David, 43, 76. Low, Samuel, 43. Lynde, Joseph, 68. Lynde, Nathan, 441. Lynde, Seth S., 54. Lynde's Point, 57, 68. Lyon, Elizabeth B., 436. Lyon, Dr. Henry, 159, 207, 268, 287, 325, 331, 406, 426, 434-436> 479- Lyon, Captain Henry W., 436. Lyon, Margaret T., 436. Lyon, Sallie A., 436. 5i8 INDEX Mackintire, Eliab P., 160, 166, 265, 47g. Mackintire, Laurie & Co., 167. McDonald, James A., 268. McKean, Dr. Joseph W., 207. McKim & Cutter, 429. McKim, John, U. S. N., 42g. McKim, Judge John W., 42g. McKim, William W., 42g. McLean Asylum, 58, 324, 426. McLean, Dr. George, 467. McNamara, Mrs., 373. McNeil, Captain Archibald, 56-59, 68, 70. McNeil, Daniel, 56. McNeil estate, 56, 68. McNeil, William, 56. Madison Ave. Reformed Church, New York, 81. Maffit, John N., 120. Magoun, Israel P., 268. Magoun, Joshua, 3gg. Magoun's shipyard, 463. Maiden, England, 161. Maiden, Massachusetts, 161. Mann, Moses, 105. Mansion House, 120, 180, 274, 275. Marshall, Gen. James F. B., 113. Marshall, Thomas, 112. Martin, Mike, alias Captain Light foot, 217. Mason, Francis M., 266. Mason, Dr. William, I5g. Massachusetts Bank, 334, 337. Massachusetts Emigrant Soc, 300. Massachusetts Hist. Soc, 54, igo; Massachusetts Hortic. Soc, 125. Mass. Institute Technology, 208. Massachusetts Medical Soc, 324. Mass. Missionary Magazine, 298. Mass. Mutual Ins. Co., 86. Massachusetts National Bank, 189. Masters & Simonds, 308. Mayo, Rev. A. D., 359. Mead, Elijah, 263. Mead, Isaac, 64, in, 124-126, 186. Mead, Isaac Henry, 126, 127. Mechanics' Apprentice Assoc, 93. Mechanics' Charitable Assoc, 210. Mechanics' Insurance Co., 462. Memorial History of Boston, 455. Mendelssohn Quintette Club, 79. Merchants' Bank, Boston, 374. Merriam, Charles, 90. Merrill, Alfred K., 267. Merrill, Enos, 497, 498. Merrill, Nathan, 417. Messinger, David S., 78. Messinger, Mis. David S., 449. Methodist Society, First, 119. Methodist Society, Trinity, 119. Methodists' dress, 119. Middlebury, Vt., College, 107. Middlesex Canal, 463, 464. Middlesex Railroad Co., 464. Mexican War enlistment, 383, 384, 399- Miles, Rev. James B., 279, 424, 480, 488. Miles, General Nelson, 469. Miller, Joseph, 263. Miller, Thomas, 250, 293. Mishawum Literary Assoc, 482. Mitchell, Michael J., 269. Monroe, Abijah, 69, 158, 265. Monroe, Edwin, 265. Montague, Rev. William, 254. Montgomery, Captain J. B., 84. Monument Natl. Bank, 306, 414. Monument Square, 412, 423, 428, 434. 454- Moore, C. W., 108. Morocco-leather business, in. Morrill, J., 70. INDEX S*9 Morris, Commodore Charles, 98, 105, 251, 469. Morris, Lieutenant Charles W., 98. Morris, Louise, 106. Morris, Dr. William B., 469. Morse, George H., 87. Morse, Rev. Jedidiah, 255, 257, 292-300. Morse, Richard Carey, 297, 304. Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 2g6, 297. 3°°-3°4- Morse, Sidney Edwards, 297, 304. Morse, William B., 51. Morse's Geography, 300. Morss, Anthony S., 486, 489. Moulton, Elizabeth, 438. Moulton, the Misses, 362, 438. Moulton, Samuel C, 362. Mount Aubum, 148. Mullett, John, 375. Mulliken, J. W., 455. Munroe, Washington, 64. Murphy, Francis J., 269. Murphy, James S., 447. Murphy, John R., 268, 447. Murphy, William H., 269. Murray, John, 335. Murray, William, 417. Murray, William & Son, 132. Mutual Protection Ins. Co., 306. Mystic Water Board, 141, 271. Mystic Water Works, 115, 122, 421, 457. Nason, Richard, 497. National Academy of Design, 301. Navy Yard, 63, 107, 121, 140, 176, 180, 2gg, 376, 378, 441. Neal, Caro, 468. Neal, George B., 468. Newell, Joseph, 250, 440. Newell, J. G., 406. New York Observer, 304. Nichols, Edward, 450. gggth Artillery, 75. Noble, James, 24. Norfolk Navy Yard, 121. North American Review, 214. Northern Railroad, 175. Norton, Eugene L., 267, 458, 459, 475, 480, 482, 486. Norton, John B., 268. Norton, William E., 396, 397. Notable citizens, 391. Notable visitor, ig3. Nutting, Dummy, estate, 273. O'Brien, James W., 4g8. Odd Fellows, 352. Odin, John, 241. Odin pasture, 450. Old Colony Railroad, 115, 441. Old families, one of the, 315. Old Ladies' Home (see Winchester Home). Oliver, William B., 250. O'Neil, Admiral Charles, 467. O'Neil, John W., 26g. O'Reilly, John Boyle, 182, 424, 445, 446. O'Riorden, Patrick, 380, 406, 411. Osgood, Isaac, 47g. Osgood, Rev. Dr. Samuel, 150. Paine, Rev. Joshua, Jr., 2g3. Palfrey, Dr. John G., 214. Panoplist, 2og, 2g8. Parish Land Company, 289. Parker, George A., 114. Parker, Leonard M., 264. Parker, Wilder & Co., 465. Park Street Church, Boston, 2g8. Parks, Warham, 291. Parris, Alexander, 441. 520 INDEX Parsons, Col. Solomon, 3g, 417. Payson, Samuel, 334. , Peabody, Augustus, i6g. Peabody, O. W. B., 148. Peach, " Jaques Admirable," 5g. Pearson, Francis W., 451, 478. Pearson, Linus E., 466. Pendergast, George S., 267. Perkins, Thomas H., 62. Perkins Inst, for Blind, 181. Pennsylvania Steel Co., 114. Perry, Commodore O. H., 432. Phelps, Elisha L., 375. Phelps, Oliver, 2gi. Phelps & Thompson, 53. Phila., B., & Wilmington R.R., 1 14. Phillips Exeter Academy, 213. Phillips, John, 2g2. Phillips, John, Jr., 365. Phillips, Jonathan, Jr., 283. Phillips School, 462. Phinney, Elias, 463. Phipps, Benjamin, 465. Phipps, Benjamin, Jr., 465. Phipps, Joseph, 463, 465. Pierce, Caleb, 140, 375. Pierce, Elizabeth, 117. Pierce, George, 469. Pierce, Henry A., 289, 321. Pierce, Martha, 117. Pierce, Stephen, 117. Pierce, William W., 196, 278, 479. Pierpont, John, 360. Pilsbury, Edwin L., 268. Pillsbury, Omer, 26g. Pitts, Lemuel, 470. Poland Springs House, 338. Pollard, Captain, 76. Pool, Lot, 264. Poole, George S., 481, 484-487. Poole, William F., 480, 481. Poole, William H., 486. Poor, Samuel, 265. Pope, John (artist), 497. Powell, William J„ 100. Power, Thomas, 252. Pratt, Nathan, 25, 26. Pray, Benjamin S., 26. Pray, Lyman, 266. Preble, William H., 269. Prentiss, Rev. Thomas, 202. Prescott, Colonel, statue, 18, 19. Prescott Light Guard Armory, 333. Presho, Edward W., 269. Preston & Merrill, 415. Preston, W. H. & T. B., 27, 362. Price, Eli K., 223. Prichard, Capt. Abraham P., in, 250. Prichard, Mis. Abraham P., 449. Prime, Oliver, 269. Prime, Winfield F., 269. Princeton College, 212, 213. Prison Point Bridge, 70. Public Library, 34, 80, 101, 1 10, 301, 446, 452 ; history of, 473 ; merged with Boston Pub. Lib., 498, 499. Public-spirited citizens, 378. Puritan Church, 334. Putnam, Dr. Aaron, 105, 106, 168, 263. Putnam & Pratt distillery, 25, 36, 380. 381. Quincy, Josiah, 233, 252. Rand, Abraham, 322, 323. Rand, Absalom, 266, 463. Rand, Alonzo, 207. Rand, Caleb, 84, 481, 485, 497, 498. Rand, David, 217. Rand, Edward T., 498. Rand, Dr. Isaac, 217. Rand, James H., 478. INDEX 521 Rand, John W., 132. Rand, Joseph, 322. Rand, Nathaniel, 343. Rand, Robert, 322. Rand, Warren, 176, 475. Rand, William, 217. Rankin, Rev. J. E., 488. Ranlett, Captain Charles A., 387. Ranlett, Mrs. Ellen Augusta, 387, 388. Raymond, Francis, 156. Raymond, George, 108. Raymond, Samuel, 160. Raymond, William, 450. Rea, Joshua, 207. Read & Stedman, 286. Reade, John, 268. Reed, Fred M., 429. Reed, Josiah, 289. Reed, Josiah T., 39. Remick, Jeremiah S., 266. Revere, Paul, gg. Reynaud, Daniel, 261. Reynolds, John P., 26g. Reynolds & Waitt, in. Rice, Mr., glue-manufacturer, 228. Rice, Alexander H., 42g. Rice, Henry, 37g. Rice, Matthew, 6g, i3g, 37g, Rice, Phinehas, 265. Richardson, J. Howard, 33g. Richardson, Jeffrey, 181. Richardson, Ralph, 181. Richardson, Thaddeus, 3g3, 450. Richardson, Mrs. Thomas O., 422. Riddle, Edward, 159. Robbins, Rev. Chandler, D.D., 53. Robbins, Nathan, 26. Robbins, Rev. Samuel, 53. Robbins' Tavern, 290. Roberts, J. W., 489, 494. Robinson, Charles, Jr., 458, 459, 475-477. 480, 486. Robinson Crusoe House, Chelsea Beach, 38b. Robinson, Edward R., 266, 277, 278. Robinson, Frederic, 266, 352. Robertson, Alice I., 314. Robertson, John C, 310, 313. Robertson, Captain John M., 70, 71, 79, 98, 250. Robertson, Mrs. Sarah F., 313. Rochelle salts, 37. Rockwell, Julius, 148. Rogers, Charles E., 267. Rogers, Robert B., 267. Rope-walk, 57, 58, 181-183. Roulstone, Andrew, 251. Runey, James, 376. Runey, John, 265. Russell Academy, 174. Russell, Harrington & Co., 286. Russell, Philemon R.j 264. Russell, Thomas, 174, 300, 343. Russell, William, 204. Ruthven family, 469. Safford, Rev. O. F., 488. Saint Andrew's Lodge, 186. Saint John's Episcopal Church, 414, 426, 468. Saint Mary's Church, 57, 72. " Salem, The," 332. Salem Turnpike, 175. Salim Hill Church, 119, 371. Saleratus, 36, 381. Sampson, Calvin C, 182, 445, 476, 478. Sampson, Mrs. Calvin P., 422. Sampson, John, 268. Sampson families, 451. 522 INDEX Sanbom, D. A., 114. Sanborn, John, 170, 196, 266. Sanbom, Peter, 168-170. Sanbom, Russell, 181. Sanderson, George A., 269. Sandwich Islands, 431. Sanger, George P., 196, 198. Sargent, Samuel G., 335, 443. Savage, Mr., 254. Saville, Richard, 461. Sawin, Samuel D., 267. Sawyer & Bird, 26. Sawyer, Charles W., 75, 283. Sawyer, Mary C, 422. Sawyer, Susannah, 448. Sawyer, Timothy T., 22, 196, 244, 277, 287, 419, 420, 422, 435, 438, 458, 459, 473, 475-478, 480, 482, 493. 494. 498. Sawyer, Timothy T., Jr., 422. Sawyer, William (senior), 43, 54, 448. Sawyer, William, 45, 223, 266, 352. 399-404. Sawyer, Mrs. William, 402. Scott, Daniel, 24. Seckel pear, 20. Second Cong'l Church (see Har vard Church). 17th of June Celebration, 30. Sewall, Freeman S., in. Sewall, Moses B., in, 195, 196, 267, 478, 486, 489. Shapleigh, James H., 81. Shaw, Com. John, 176, 180, 274. Sherbume, Lieut. John H., g8, 268. Sherburne, William, 267. Sherman, Gen. William T., 436. Shipley, Simon G., 25. Sibley, Edwin R., 4g7. Simonds, Joseph, 182. Simonds, Samuel C, 265. Skilton, Alfred, 455. Skilton, Matthew, 5g, 70. Skilton, Putnam, 461. Skinner, Benjamin Hurd, 144. Skinner, George A., T38, 144. Skinner & Hurd, I2g, 130, 133, 136, 138, 143- Skinner, Hurd & Co., I2g, 374. Skinner, John, 129-131, 143, 145. Skinner, John F., I2g, 143-145. Skinner, William H., 143. Sleeper, John S., 226. Smith, Charles F., 171, 486, 489, 498. Smith, Colonel Isaac, 64, 316. Smith, Isaac W., 178. Smith, Jehiel, 335, 448. Smith, Oliver, ig6, 3gg. Smith, Oliver H. P., 267. Snow, David, 25. Snow, Ephraim, 126. Soley, John, 263, 274. Solis, Christopher, m. Souther, Joseph, 76, in, 498. Souther, Joseph, Jr., 77. Southworth, James F., 48g, 497. Southworth, Robert A., 26g. Stacey, Benjamin F., 268, 306. Standard Sugar Refinery, 410. Stanley, Gilman, 60, 289. Stanley, Reed & Co., 60, 143. Starbird, George M., 262. Stark, M. E., 322. State Board of Education, 352. State Lunatic Hospital, 324. State Prison, 57, 70, 85, 183, 189. Stearns, Asahel, 264. Steams, Dr. Charles, 207. Steams, David S., 24. Stearns, Dr. Josiah, 133. Stearns, Mr. (builder), 441. Stearns, William B., 1 14, 468. INDEX 5^3 Steams, William S., 499. Stephens, Elizabeth, 312. Stephens, Captain William, 312. Stetson, Rev. Caleb, 400. Stetson, Catherine, 372. Stetson, Charles, 371. Stetson, David, 264, 370, 371, 373. Stetson, Jonah, 373. Stetson, Captain Lemuel, 289, 373. Stetson, Mary, 372. Stetson's Wharf, 371. Stevens, Mrs. Horace H., 2d, 422. Stevens, Jesse, 196. Stevens, John, 265. Stevenson, Charles L., 1 14. Stimpson, George, Jr., 475. Stinson, Charles, 181, 274. Stoddard, Captain Samuel, 96. Stone, F. M., 401. , Stone, James M., 266. Stone, Jasper, 83. Stone, Dr. John O., 207. Stone, Jonathan, 458, 459, 479. Stone, Leonard, 286. Stone, Phineas J., 196, 265, 277, 458> 459. 479- Story, Joseph, 220. Stowell, Francis, 96. Stowell, John, 36, 96, 437. Stowell, John J., 95, 96. Stover, Augustus W., 268. Stover & Hovey, 461, 463. Streeter, Sebastian, 210. Studley, John H., 268. Studley's coaches, 463. Sturgis, Russell, 282. Successful men, 405. Suffolk Bank, 89. Sullivan, John L., 174. Swallow, A. N., & Co., 53, 85, 289. Swallow, George N., 75, 269, 468. Swan, Frank H., U. S. N., 436. Swan, Captain Thomas L., 436. Sweetser, Henry Phillips, 36g. Sweetser, Isaac, 87, 36g, 370. Sweetser, Colonel John, 264, 36g. Sweetser, Seth, 4g, 368. Sweetser, Rev. Dr. Seth, 36g. Swift, Benjamin, 24, 25, 368. Swift estate, 24. Taggard, John L., 266. Tamplin, James B., 449-450. Tapley, George A., 62, 64, 379. Tapley, John, 64, 66, 377~379- Tapley's Wharf, 377, 378. Tartaric acid, 37. Taylor, Admiral William R., 469. Taylor, President Zachary, 148. Tebbetts & Hill, 78. Telegraph, the, 302-304. Ten Hills Farm, 62, 66. Thaxter, Adam W., 21. Thayer, Jechonias, 133. Thorndike, Edward, 478. Thomas, Capt. Joseph B., 409-411. Thomas, Colonel Seth J., 87, 94, 196, 266, 352, 363. Thompson, Dr. Abraham R., 25, 51, 82, 134, 232, 250, 292, 312, 317, 322-326, 435. Thompson, Benjamin, 51, 144, 147, 252, 264, 317. Thompson, Benj., & Co., 82, 149. Thompson, Charles, 39-41. 195 ig6, 265, 318, 3ig, 352, 456, 461. Thompson, Eben Francis, 42. Thompson, Francis, 41, 267, 456, 457- Thompson, Frederic W., 33L Thompson, George, 153, 331. Thompson homestead, 47. Thompson, James, 48. Thompson, Mrs. J. Bowers, 138. 524 INDEX Thompson, James L, 178, 331. Thompson, Jeremiah B., 331. Thompson, Joseph, 50, 51, 54, 85, 274, 3*7, 321. 43z- Thompson, Joseph, 2d, 51. Thompson & Lapham, 41, 457, 466. Thompson, Susannah (Mrs. Wm. Sawyer), 51. Thompson, Mary (Mrs. Richard Frothingham), 51. Thompson, Samuel, 41, 42, 51. Thompson Square, 306, 317. Thompson, Thomas, 331. Thompson, Thomas Miller, 51. Thompson, Timothy, estate, 312. Thompson, Timothy, 48-52, 54, 250, 260, 263, 317. Thompson, Timothy, Jr., 50, 264. Thompson, Captain William, 46g. Thorndike, Edward, ig6, 266. Thurston, Rev. James, 226. Ticknor & Fields, 481. Tilden, Freeman F., 266. Tillinghast, C. B., 262. Tinslar, Dr. Benjamin, 468. Todd, Robert, 82. Tompkins, Abel, 348. Torrey, Professor, 214. Torrey, Prof. Jeffries, 214. Town Hall, 2go. Town Hill, 2g3, 3og. Town Hill School, 44, 115, 116, 140, 150, 205,311, 334. Townley, Rev. Robert, 364, 402. Townsend, David, 378. Townsend, Samuel, 378. Training Field, g4, 310, 471. Training Field School, 311, 471. Training Field School Association, 271, 471. 472. Trask, N. 165. Treadwell, Dr. J. G, 207. Tremont Bank, 8g. Tremont House banquet, 43g. Trinity Methodist Church, 458. Trull, Ezra, 271. Trull, Col. Ezra J., 26g, 271, 3g3. Tudor Co., 82, 170. Tudor, Frederic, 284, 406-408. Tudor's Wharf, 227, 287. Tufts, Deacon Amos, 69, 162, 165- 168, 318. Tufts, Amos, 85, 86. Tufts, Arthur W., 3g. Tufts, Charles, 162, 164. Tufts College, 164, 208. Tufts, Daniel, 162, 163, 165, 168, 260, 263. Tufts family, 160, 165. Tufts, George F., 166. Tufts, Gilbert, 3g, 87, 162, 163, 166. Tufts, James Walker, 471. Tufts, John, 471. Tufts, Joseph, 83, 264, 400. Tufts, Joseph F., 166. Tufts, Leonard, 471. Tufts, Mary, i6g. Tufts, Nathan, 162, 163, 165-169, 171; homestead, 171 ; millpond, 463- Tufts, Nathan, & Co., 39. Tufts, Nathan, & Sons, 82. Tufts, Nathan A., 160, 161, 473, 475-478. Tufts, Nathan F., 144, 468. Tufts, Peter, 161, 471. Tufts, Peter, Jr., 162, 263, 471. Tufts, Samuel, 160, 379. Tufts, Samuel F., 86. Tufts, Susan, 462. Tufts tannery, 463. Tufts, Timothy, 263. INDEX 5*5 Tufts, William, 85, 86, 476, 478. Tufts, William Fuller, 471, 472. Turner, Edward, 210. Turner, Francis, 266. Turner, John, 268. Turner, Capt. Larkin, 265, 373, 374. Turnpike, the, 373. Tuttle, Aura S., 196. Tweed, Prof. B. F., g3, 362. Twombly, Rev. Alexander S., gs. Tyler, Benjamin F., g3. Tyler, George W., g3- Tyler, John F., g3. Tyler, Jonas, g2, g3. Tyler, Captain Jonas K., 93. Tyler's Wharf, 92, g5. Underwood, James, 265. Union Bank, 45. Union Block, 158. Union, old ship, 74. Unitarian Association, 430. Unitarian Church, 2g, 73, g7, g8, 100, ng, 120, 131, 135, 136, 138, 139. H7. IS1, l63> l68> '78, i8g, 201, 210, 226, 233, 242, 24g, 291, 299. 3I0> 3Z7. 332. 37i> 462. Unitarian controversy, 298, 2gg. Universalist Church, First, 42, 73, 126, 133, i3g, 147, 164, 182, 188, igo, ig2, 2og, 312, 315, 320, 327, 345, 351, 36°. 375, 376- 392, 393. 402, 417, 422, 452, 471. Universalist Society of Boston, 2d, 355. University of Virginia, 224. Ursuline Convent, 326. Valley Forge, g6. Van Buren, Martin, Vice-Pres., 22. Van Nostrand brewery, 463. Van Voorhis, Henry, 64, in, 112. Varney, Shadrach, 144, 146, 28g, 382. Vermont Cent. Railroad, 114, 115. Vermont & Mass. Railr'd, 153, 417. Vinal, Otis, 83, 28g. Vineyard, the, 123. Vose, Professor, 121. Wade, John, 376. Waldron, Horatio G., 47g. Wales, Miss, private school, 155. Walker, Dr. Charles, 207, 209. Walker, Edwin G., 267. Walker family, the, 206. Walker, Rev. Henry, 210. Walker, Rev. Dr. James, 150, 202, 213, 242, 326, 350, 455. Walker, Lucy, 210. Walker, Timothy, 44, 200, 263 ; harbor excursion, 202. Walker, Captain Timothy, 257. Walker, Dr. William J., 164, 296- 208, 434 ; medical school, 207 ; bequests, 208. Ward, Artemas, 24, 25, 254. , , Ward, Judge, 25. Warren Academy, Woburn, 107. Warren Bridge, 112, 131, 141, 168, 219, 37i- Warren, G. Washington, 107, 196, 265, 277, 321, 412, 413, 423, 457, 459. 468. Warren Hall, 255, 258, 259. Warren, Deacon Isaac, 107, 413. Warren Inst, for Savings, 31, 34, do, 75, 77, 78, 80, 81, 85, 89, 100, 107, 113, 126, 131, 143, 147, 161, 166, 188, 189, 201, 226, 369, 371, 392, 413, 421, 436, 473. Warren, James, 75. 526 INDEX Warren, Joseph, 254; statue of, Everett address, 244. Warren Phalanx, 210, 24g, 325, 415, 461. Washington, George, 185, 2g5; Everett's address on, 244, 246; memorial service for, 255-261 ; portrait of, 383, 4g7. Washington Hall, 35, 36, 130, 437. Washington Insurance Co., 370. Washington Light Infantry, 2g. Washington Street, 56-5g, 68, 74, 78, 84. Waterston, Rev. Robert C, 46g. Waverley House, 112, 227, 275, 276. Waverley Magazine, 280, 281. Webb, Mary, 4go. Webb, " Father " Nathan, 32, 33, 154, 455- Webster Bank, go. Webster, Daniel, 62, 248, 253, 327 ; portrait, 383, 4g7- Webster, Daniel Fletcher, 252. Webster, Noah, portrait, 301. Weeks & Forster, I5g. Welch, John P., 372. Welch, Ruth Stetson, 457. Welch, Thomas, 2g2. Weld, William F., & Co., 45. Wellington, Horatio, 134, 267. Wellington, Horatio, & Co., 207. Wellman, Mis., candy-store, 42. Wesson & Gary, 82. Wesson, John, 82. Wheeler, Alexander, 138. Wheeler, Increase Sumner, 210. Wheildon & Raymond, 108. Wheildon, William W., 108, 136, 400, 478, 488, 494, 496. Whipple & Adams, 444. Whipple, Captain Benjamin, 181, 264, 444. Whipple, Edwin P., 93, 247. Whipple families, 451. White, Daniel, 36, 144 ; poor-fund, 36> 44- White, Mrs. Daniel F., 422. White, Harry K., 422. White, James, ^68. White, Rufus A., 267. White Plains, battle of, 96. Whiting, Dr. Augustus, 207, 20g. Whiting, George A., 428. Whiting, George S., 226. Whiting, Dr. John S., 86, 166, 2og, 220. Whitmore, William H., 262. Whitney, Joseph, 114, 115. Whitney, Luther F., 489, 497. Whitney, Moses, 64. Whitney, Dr. Simeon, 207, 2og. Whittemore, Rev. Dr. Thomas, 417. "Who struck Billy Patterson?" 127. Wilder, Marshall P., 125. Wiley, Robert R., 268. Wiley, Stephen, 265. Wiley, William, 75. Willard families, 451. Willard, Dr. Francis A., 207. Willard, J. H., 68. Willard, Paul, 266, 444. Willard, Paul, Jr., 444. Williams, Catherine, 120. Williams, Daniel, 4go. Williams, Mrs. Lucinda C, 315. Williams, Richard, 315. Williams, Samuel, 120. Williams, William, ig6. Wills, John, 126. Willson, Samuel S., 267. Wilson, Mrs. E. V., 33g. INDEX 527 Wilson, Honorable James, g4. Wilson, John B., 47g, 4gi. Wilson, John B. and Charles, 420. Winchester, E. A. and W., & Co., 462. Winchester Home for Aged Women, 26, 34,44, 123, ig3, 227, 270, 271, 27g, 315, 3g5, 430, 446, 452, 458> 465- Wind-Mill Hill, 309. Winsor, Justin, 499, 500. Winship, John, 432. Winthrop Church, 20, 22, 79-82, 85, g5, 148, 160, 161, 166, 270, 4ig. Winthrop, Governor, 124, 184. Winthrop, Robert C, 252. Winthrop School, 3g6, 438. Wise, Helen L., 482, 486. Wood, William, 432. Woodman, Edwin, 267. Worth, Ira A., 26g. Wright, Colonel Isaac H., 384. Wright, Winsor, 267. Wyeth, Nathaniel J., 413. Wyman ancestors, 460, 463. Wyman's Genealogies, 455. Wyman, Gerald, 461. Wyman, Dr. Morrill, 207, 214. Wyman, Nehemiah, 460, 461. Wyman, Nehemiah, Jr., 462. Wyman, Seth, 263. Wyman, Thomas B., ig4. Wyman, William, 461. Yeaton, George H., 479. Young, Bushrod, W., 43. Young, Dr. Richard F., 207. 3 9002 01492 9401