History of East Boston; with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix, Part 1

Author: Sumner, William H. (William Hyslop), 1780-1861. cn
Publication date: 1858
Publisher: Boston, J. E. Tilton
Number of Pages: 883


USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > East Boston > History of East Boston; with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix > Part 1
USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > East Boston > History of East Boston : with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix. > Part 1


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72



Gc 974.402 B651s 1137011


GENEALOGY COLLECTION


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01100 8965


'4. 51 .37


Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015


https://archive.org/details/historyofeastbos00sumn_0


Photo. by Masury, Silshee & Case.


Lith by J HBufford, Bastan.


your dad ! Sew . WyC. June


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HISTORY OF EAST BOSTON;


Massachusetts


WITH


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES


OF ITS


EARLY PROPRIETORS,


AND


AN APPENDIX.


BY


WILLIAM H. SUMNER, A.M.


RESIDENT MEMBER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AND OF THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC-GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, AND CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF NEW YORK AND WISCONSIN.


BOSTON: J. E. TILTON AND COMPANY, 161 WASHINGTON STREET. 1858.


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, by WILLIAM H. SUMNER, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.


CAMBRIDGE : ALLEN AND FARNHAM, PRINTERS.


PREFACE.


1137011


THE motives which influence the author to give to the pub- lic a History of East Boston are twofold : first, his desire to make a permanent record of the transactions which have made Noddle's Island a populous part of the city of Boston, and added so largely to the present and prospective wealth and capital of the metropolis of New England; and, secondly, his wish to perpetuate the names and lives of its early owners, most of whom were men eminently deserving that notice and that place in our colonial history which but few of them have hitherto received. As to the former, his personal acquaintance with the whole course of plans and results for the last half century is sufficiently described in the Introductory Letter im- mediately preceding the body of this work. For the latter, he has spared no pains to gather from printed works, colonial records, and the voluminous family papers in his possession, accounts which may be relied upon as authentic ; he especially refers to Samuel Maverick, Samuel Shrimpton, and John Yea- mans, of whom though only the first has been yet recognized even in the local names of streets, squares, churches, or schools in East Boston, yet all will be found not only deserving re- membrance for their intimate connection with the Island, but also for their services in various public capacities which they honored.


The author is especially gratified in being able to present likenesses of various persons referred to in this work, from orig- inal portraits in his own possession. One of these, the portrait of Governor Gage, was sent to him for the very purpose by


-


iv


PREFACE.


Admiral Sir William Hall Gage, the third son of the Gover- nor, now living at the age of eighty-one.


Various gentlemen have aided the author materially by furnishing facts bearing upon his subject. Most of these have been mentioned in their immediate connection. He offers to them his cordial thanks, and also to others whose assistance has been of a more general character. Among the latter he may mention T. Russell Jenks, S. S. Lewis, Wm. Fettyplace, Albert Bowker, Guy C. Haynes, H. P. Farnham, Wm. B. Trask, Major J. W. Barton, Col. Thomas Aspinwall, Capt. Wm. C. Barstow, S. G. Drake, W. W. Greenough, Charles Stoddard, Geo. Darracott, and Col. Sylvanus Thayer, all of Bos- ton or vicinity ; Rev. Messrs. Allen Gannett of Lynnfield, and James Fitton, W. H. Cudworth, S. J. Evans, Jas. N. Sykes, and Luman Boyden, of East Boston ; John Avery of Lowell ; James W. Gerard, Augustus Maverick, and N. B. Mountfort, of New York ; and Lord Gage and Admiral Sir W. H. Gage of England. The assistance of Mr. Samuel Burnham, of Jamaica Plain, has also been of material service in the author's labors.


The writer regrets that an attack of illness just previous to the final preparation of the copy for the press, entirely pre- vented that personal superintendence which would have reme- died some imperfections which may appear. No pains, how- ever, have been spared to obviate the difficulties from this source. That the defects thus arising are far less than would otherwise have existed, is owing to the accurate care of his neighbor, Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, of Jamaica Plain, for whose services in superintending the publication the author feels himself emi- nently indebted. It is believed, at least, that every statement is reliable, and that the facts worthy of being perpetuated are herein presented to the public.


WILLIAM HYSLOP SUMNER. JAMAICA PLAIN, July, 1858.


TABLE OF CONTENTS.


INTRODUCTORY LETTER


PAGES 1-36


HISTORY 37-712


CHAPTER I. THE EARLY CONDITION, NAME, AND OWNER- SHIP OF NODDLE'S ISLAND


. 39-55


CHAPTER II. SAMUEL MAVERICK, GRANTEE OF NODDLE'S ISLAND ; HIS ANCESTRY · . 56-68


CHAPTER III. SAMUEL MAVERICK ; HIS PERSONAL HISTORY 69-97


CHAPTER IV. SAMUEL MAVERICK; HIS ECCLESIASTICAL


TROUBLES . · . .


98-114


CHAPTER V. NODDLE'S ISLAND A PLACE OF REFUGE TO


THE BAPTISTS . .


. .


.


115-126


CHAPTER VI. SAMUEL MAVERICK, ROYAL COMMISSIONER . 127-160


CHAPTER VII. THE MAVERICK FAMILY


.


161-177


CHAPTER VIII. THE OWNERSHIP TRACED FROM SAMUEL


MAVERICK TO SAMUEL SHRIMPTON .


.


178-186


·


CHAPTER IX. SAMUEL SHRIMPTON; HIS PERSONAL AND


POLITICAL HISTORY .


·


187-219


CHAPTER X. THE TITLE OF THE ISLAND IN THE SHRIMP-


220-258


TON AND YEAMANS FAMILIES


.


CHAPTER XI. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 259-313


CHAPTER XII. LEASES OF THE ISLAND; TIIE WILLIAMS


. 314-339 FAMILY .


CHAPTER XIII. MILITARY OPERATIONS ON NODDLE'S ISLAND 340-420


vi


CONTENTS.


CHAPTER XIV. THE PLANS


FOR IMPROVEMENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE FORMATION OF THE EAST BOSTON COMPANY . ·


. . 421-448 .


CHAPTER XV. THE EAST BOSTON COMPANY · 449-547


CHAPTER XVI. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS


· 548-642


CHAPTER XVII. CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS . . 643-669


CHAPTER XVIII. INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS . · 670-712


APPENDIX


. 713-764


A. PROPOSAL FOR BRIDGE AND ROAD IN 1796 . 715


B. CHRONOLOGICAL MEMORANDA OF GRANTS, DISCOVERIES, PATENTS, AND SETTLEMENTS . 715-719


C. DEED.


SAMUEL MAVERICK TO ROGER GARD . 719-721


D. PAPERS RELATING TO THE SUGAR COLONIES . · 721-730


E. OPINION OF JOHN ADAMS ON THE WILL OF SHUTE SHRIMPTON YEAMANS . · 731-732


F. GOVERNOR STRONG'S COURSE IN THE WAR OF 1812 732-743


G. THE EAST BOSTON COMPANY . 743-753


H. EXTRACT FROM REPORT UPON ARTESIAN WELL · 754-756


.


I. PAPERS RELATING TO TREES .


. 756-758


J. MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS


. 758-764


INDEX


.


. 765-801


ILLUSTRATIONS.


AUTOGRAPHS :


William H. Sumner (opposite the title-page).


PAGE


Samuel Maverick 69


Ferdinando Gorges


75


Richard Bellingham


. 124


Thomas Broughton


182


Samuel Shrimpton, opposite


187


Peter Sergeant .


200


Edmund Andros


205


Edward Randolph


207


Simon Bradstreet


214


Hezekiah Usher .


220


Samuel Shute


232


John Yeamans, opposite


239


Gov. Increase Sumner, opposite


. 259


William Hyslop .


274


Increase Sumner 291 .


David Hyslop


307


Gov. Thomas Gage, opposite .


360


MAPS : -


Noddle's Island in 1801, opposite .


1


East Boston, in 1858, opposite . 712


PEDIGREES : -


Roberts 222


Stoddard, opposite 226


Yeamans


231


Shute 234


Shrimpton


254


Sumner, opposite


291


.


.


.


viii


ILLUSTRATIONS.


PORTRAITS : -


William H. Sumner (opposite the title-page).


Samuel Shrimpton . 187


Mrs. Elizabeth Shrimpton .


220


Simeon Stoddard 225


David Stoddard . 237


John Yeamans .


239


Shute S. Yeamans 249


Gov. Increase Sumner 259 .


Mrs. Elizabeth Sumner 300


Henry Howell Williams . 323


Gov. Thomas Gage 360


VIEWS :


Church of St. Edburg, Bicester 280


Monument to Gov. Sumner 298


First House built in East Boston 460


Sturtevant House, opposite 515


Church of the Holy Redeemer, opposite


657


Eastern Wood, Island a. r. p. 22-2-2 A4


Western Wood Island a. T. D. 17-1-3768


Camp Hill


P.


32-0-17


Marsh called Hog Island marsh @ r. p. 50-0-34 35


Upland Farm called Middle Farr


Camp Hill Marsh


Mill Dam


A 22-3-9 4%


Mill Pond containing 10 acres Great Greck Baors


Mansion House


Upland _ Middle Fam


QDNS T P. 275-3-24M


Great Marsh 205-2-36 76


Smith Hull


Eostern Wod und 22-2-2 %


Western Wod md. 17- 1-37 108


Camp Hill 32- 0- 17 7% 20-1-12 1%


Smiths HIL


Marsh _ Farm marsh 20-2-608


368- 1-1446 upland


Hog Island.


3-0-11%


Pasture


- 0%


- 1-168


Camp Hill


2-3-78


A PLAN OF A SURVEY OF


281-0-37 70%


Tharf 0 - 1-27 16%


Upland and Marsh


65 acres


Land


650 acres


West Head.


NODDLES ISLAN


Mill Pond 10 NB, The distonce from the Battry Whorf in Boston to NIsland is 33 chams


Great Creek 3 or 13 2 Rods


Taken for David Greenough By William Taylor. 1801.


From N Island pond aoss th Island. to West Head is 65 chams 31 links or 26/rods & 6 links. From West Head to Chea shoe 26 chams or 10+rods.


J.Il Duffords Luth


--


Beach


20-1-1218


275-3-2418


Camp Hill. a. I. P. 32-0-17 26


Marsh called Hog Island marsh a. r. p. 50-0-34 16


Upl called


27


Camp Hill Marsh. Q. r. p. 22-3-9,38


Great Creek. Baors


W


Mansion Hause


36 100


Upland


Smith Hill a. r D. 20-1-12-56


Marsh _ Farm mar Hog Island Pasture


" Camp Hill


ISLAN


Greenough


tylor.


Land 650 acres. Mill Pond 10 N.B. The distant Great Creek 3 or 132 Rods. From N.Islan or 26/rods & 6 From West He


SURVEY


Upland and


INTRODUCTORY LETTER.


1


1


-


INTRODUCTORY LETTER.


TO WILLIAM C. BARSTOW, ESQ.,


SUPERINTENDENT OF THE EAST BOSTON COMPANY : -


DEAR SIR, - You have made very frequent inquiries of me relating to the persons who associated for the object of uniting the interests of all the different proprietors of Noddle's Island into one, with the purpose of connecting the Island interests with those of the city proper. In this you are not alone. Such inquiries have been often made by different individuals, and many friends have requested me to present to the public a connected account, which should comprehend all the accessible information relative to the early and modern history of the Island, and show in what manner the solitary farm has become the site of a populous city.


Among those who have expressed a desire that I should furnish such an account, is L. F. Allen, Esq., a highly intel- ligent gentleman of Buffalo, who was connected with me in the East Boston Timber Company, of which I requested him to give me a history for publication. In a letter to me, after speaking of the disastrous results of that company, he remarks : -


" With East Boston, results have been widely different. After long and arduous struggles, you have come out triumph- antly both in honor and fortune. You have founded a city, watched over its infancy, tended its growth into wealth and greatness, and can now exult over your labors. 'Tis fitting that you give to the world its history. I wish you every possi- ble success in accomplishing the work, and trust that I may


4


INTRODUCTORY LETTER.


be so fortunate as to possess myself of a book that will be so intrinsically interesting as it must prove."


Mr. William Fettyplace, also, an early officer of the East Bos- ton Company, in speaking of a history of East Boston, says :- " No other person within my knowledge is so amply quali- fied to undertake such a labor as yourself."


This remark may have some foundation in the fact, that it was known to him that I took a leading part in the laying out and carrying into execution the plans for connecting the Island with the city, and that very many valuable family papers and portraits relative to the early proprietors of the Island were in my possession.


Individual requests and inquiries similar to these might be multiplied, but it is needless. It is sufficient to say, that a general interest seems to be manifested to learn the history of Noddle's Island. .


Gratified that it is in my power to answer your inquiries, and wishing to comply with these and with similar requests of the gentlemen just named, who are conversant with all the facts and interested in their development, and the often expressed wishes of numerous friends, I will relate in a simple manner my connection with Noddle's Island from my earliest recollection, and, after giving in a familiar way my personal reminiscences, I will enter upon a more detailed account, derived from all accessible sources.


Long before the marriage of either of my sisters, and soon after my father's death in 1799, the care of my mother's prop- erty fell upon me; although the accounts of the Island were kept by her respected cousin, D. S. Greenough, Esq., and the repairs, alterations, and improvements in the premises, were chiefly under his direction. He was a gentleman of good judg- ment and stern integrity, and, as he deserved, so he received, the united thanks of the different parties who placed their con- fidence in him. He was, in fact, the proprietor of one half of the whole Island; my mother and her brother, Mr. Hyslop, owning the other; so that the interests of the whole were identical.


Among the earliest recollections of my youthful days are the annual visits of the families of the different proprietors, and


5


FAMILY VISITS.


their intimate connections, to Mr. Henry Howell Williams, the tenant at the Island. This Mr. Williams was also the lessee, and afterward the owner, of the ancient ferry between Boston and Winnisimet, the boats of which stopped at Noddle's Island on their passage from the one place to the other. We used to put up our horses in the barn of Mr. Fenno, who kept a grocery store and a house at the foot of Hanover street, for the accommodation of passengers who crossed the ferry. The boats were old-fashioned, with sails and with drops on each side to admit the carriages, which were drawn into the boats by hand, after the horses were taken out and led on board. They were so narrow that the carriages stood across them, with their shafts projecting over the water. It was not often that carriages were taken over to the Island ; but, as my grandfather Hyslop and his wife were aged persons, they usually crossed the ferry with theirs. When, from the state of the tide, the boat could not get to the wharf, nearly opposite the house, without grounding on the flats, it was necessary to land the passen- gers at the ferry ways, which were laid for that purpose from Smith's Head, (where Weeks's wharf now is,) into deep water towards the channel, which was only eighteen rods distant from that point. In that case, the passengers walked over the hill to the house, unless a carriage was taken over, (there being none on the Island,) in which the infirm could ride. The Rev. William Greenough of Newton, who had exchanged his interests in the Island with his brother David for an equal share of the Chelsea farm of four hundred acres, the title to which came from the same ancestor, was always, with his family, a part of the company. He, in his turn, entertained the same party, once a year, at Mr. Eustis's, the tenant of that farm, of which he was the chief proprietor. My father, not having any large possession of his own, at a convenient distance, to recip- rocate the civilities of his kinsmen, invited them with their families and friends to a farm of his of about sixty acres, lying above Sumner's paper-mills in Dorchester. This farm was called Merryfield's, after the name of the person from whom he purchased it. There was a beautiful wood upon it, lying on the westerly bank of Neponset river. In this wood, the party, opening their stores of good things, enjoyed a merry repast.


1*


6


INTRODUCTORY LETTER.


If the invitation was given for any particular day, it was always intended for that or the first fair day afterward, so that the party might not be disappointed of their meeting; for the house was small, and could not accommodate a large number, nor the barn, conveniently, many horses; and besides, if the weather was foul, the children were deprived of their antici- pated enjoyment of whortleberrying in the pastures, fishing in the river, or catching the little spotted turtle in the ponds in the meadows. So that, although the party did not receive the generous supplies which Mr. Williams's table afforded of roast beef, oysters, and English porter, nor the china bowl full of punch that stood in the corner of the room,-to which the guests might help themselves before dinner, or when they pleased; nor the roast pig, fat mutton, chickens, and ducks, which Chelsea farm afforded, yet the children did not lack a sufficiency of milk and eggs, and the party enjoyed themselves in the fields as well, probably, as if the farm had been capable of furnishing a more sumptuous entertainment.


At the Island the sports were of a different character. My grandfather, Mr. Hyslop, in his chaise, with Mr. Williams by his side and the other gentlemen on horseback, drove by the sheep-cote to Camp hill to see the rich meadow fields and the beautiful prospect of the town and harbor, and thence recrossing the bridge over the creek which ran through the Island, drove over the middle farm to Eagle hill, which commanded a view of the whole Island territory, at that time consisting of about 660 acres. In full view also were Lynn, Chelsea, Mar- blehead, Nahant, Medford, situated on the beautiful Mystic river, Charlestown, at the junction of the Mystic and Charles rivers, full of historical reminiscences, and Boston, the capital of the State. Charlestown, whose deeds are now commemo- rated by the monument on Bunker hill, was then surmounted by the old fort, and Boston, which is now crowned by the State house, had then, on the apex of its highest hill, a beacon thirty feet high, with a tar barrel on the top, to be lighted in case of danger, as a signal of alarm to the surrounding country. Those who were not thus interested in surveying the farm were fur- nished with fowling-pieces to shoot the plover and other birds which then in great numbers frequented the Island, Mr. Wil-


7


ISLAND PRODUCTS.


liams not allowing them to be molested by the sporting public, who were met on their landing by a sign-board - " No shoot- ing allowed here."


It was a part of Mr. Williams's business to supply outward bound ships with live-stock of all kinds, which he put on board when their fore topsails were loosened to indicate their speedy departure. His stock for this purpose consisted of about eighty head of fat cattle, cows and calves, hundreds of sheep and pigs, flocks of geese, turkeys, ducks, and fowls. These were in addi- tion to the working cattle and horses of his own, employed for the cultivation of the farm. His hay was pressed into bundles in his own barn, where he had screws erected, which gave him almost a monopoly of the sale of hay for exportation to the South. The rent of the Island was at this time about 7001., which he paid from the revenues thus derived and from the income he received for pasturing horses and cows from the neighboring capital.


No rent was taken for the numerous beds of oysters planted on the flats for the daily supply of the city, other than that Mr. Williams and the proprietors had the right to take as many oysters as they chose. The proprietors exercised their right only at the time of their annual visit, and probably their respec- tive families had a better supply of oysters the day afterward, than they had on any other day in the year.


Sometimes, when it was reported that the banks of the Island had given way by the severe storms which broke down the head walls erected for their preservation, the gentlemen took a boat at the bridge near the wharf, and rowed through the creek which separated Camp hill from the rest of the Island and round West and East Wood islands, through Hog island and Chelsea creeks, to the wharf from which they started, in order to see the extent of the damage which the storms had created. In this excursion they were frequently much interested, by noticing the haymakers from Weymouth, Braintree, etc., poling the abundant crop of salt hay from Hog island marsh (so called from its proximity to the island of that name) to the sloops they had brought up to transport it. It was necessary that the circuit should be made at half tide, and not later, for fear the boat should ground upon the mill-dam,


8


INTRODUCTORY LETTER.


which even now shows itself at low-water crossing the pas- sage. This, probably, was the foundation of the wall for a mill-dam upon which, in the several leases to Robert Temple, was reserved the right to build mills.


The particular object of the annual visitation of the proprie- tors was to examine and settle Mr. Williams's accounts. His charges were very various and sometimes extravagant, particu- larly for the sea-walls and the wharf in front of the house, which it was always necessary to keep in a state of preserva- tion for the protection of the house and buildings, in front of which the south-east storms broke in threatening terror to the occupants, and also of the road from the house to the ferry- ways at Smith's Head where we landed. The other exposed places where walls were to be erected, were at the east end of Camp hill, West and East Wood islands, Eagle point, then called West Head, at the confluence of Chelsea creek and Mystic river, and Smith's Head. Mr. Williams's accounts for these items, and repairs to the wharf building and fences, were as easily settled before dinner as were Sheriff Allen's accounts for the support of the prisoners in jail at the opening of the Court of Sessions, the judges of which were always invited to dine with the sheriff, who on that day presented his quarterly accounts against the county for settlement. The revenues of a sheriff for the county of Suffolk made the office, at that time, of more value than any other in the commonwealth, from the extravagance of his charges for these items. The court, on the first day of its session, had such a pressure of business pre- sented to them, that it could not investigate the accounts with great particularity, and the sheriff was often obliged to remind the members of the court, that, although it would not take them long to examine his accounts, which were very clear, yet they must look them over so as to be able to sign them as approved, before dinner. It was very much so with the proprietors of the Island when they went to examine the tenant's annual accounts. They had so many objects to look at, and so far to row or to ride, that Mr. Williams often found it necessary to remind them that they would not have time to do so before dinner if they did not hurry back. Taking the hint, they hastened back to satisfy their appetites, rendered somewhat


!


9


AREA AND DESCRIPTION.


craving by their long ride, the wind blowing fresh upon them from the sea. Upon their arrival at the door they were design- edly met by the laborers, each with a bag of oysters upon his shoulders carrying them to the proprietors' boat, where they were often reminded by Mr. Williams of the generous supply which he furnished. After entering the house the accounts were opened, but hardly read over when a tempting dinner, smoking hot, was placed upon the table ; Mr. Williams remind- ing them, as the sheriff did the court, that if they did not sign the accounts before dinner, they would not have time after- ward.


It is to be observed, that, at the time of the grant in 1633, Noddle's Island was estimated at 1,000 acres, and the flats about it at 1,200 acres or more, - both extending to Bird island channel and Pulling point, in Chelsea. Although great pains were taken by the proprietors, in the erection of sea-walls, to keep the headlands from washing away, yet, upon a meas- urement, at the commencement of the present century, by that eminent surveyor, William Taylor, (whose surveys gave him a more intimate knowledge of the lands in and surrounding the metropolis than any other man acquired,) it was found to con- tain but 666 acres of upland and marsh. The ground which was thus washed away now forms a part of the extensive flats, amounting to nearly 1,500 acres, which were the subject of a second grant, in 1640, from the government of the Massachu- setts colony, to the proprietors of the Island which they sur- rounded.


Upon the Island, before the Revolution, there were two very respectable mansion-houses, with orchards and gardens; one standing near the wharf before alluded to, which was the coun- try residence of Mr. John Yeamans, the orchard of which, lying on Smith's hill, extended from the house westerly so as to include several acres ; the other, upon the easterly end of Eagle hill, near the termination of Saratoga and Princeton streets, some of the terraces in the garden of which are now to be seen, and the well of which, upon lot 312 of Eddy's plan, is now used for the supply of the neighboring dwellings. Besides these, there were several other small houses for the tenants and numerous laborers in various parts of the Island. These build-


10


INTRODUCTORY LETTER.


ings were all burned by the order of Colonel Stark of the American army, ten days before the battle of Bunker hill, lest they should be taken possession of by the British forces from the ships in the harbor, to afford them shelter and an eligible position for commanding the town.


The few trees that were left after Boston and Charlestown had exercised their rights to cut wood upon the Island, were destroyed at an early period of the revolutionary war, and the Island was so entirely denuded, that not a tree upon the hills or in the orchards was left standing. This accounts for the bare appearance of the Island at the time when the writer, with the proprietors before named, made their annual visits, though the trees in the gardens, and the willows for the shade of the cattle, which were of post-revolutionary growth, were, from the rich- ness of the soil, of very respectable size. A few of these ancient willows are now to be seen. The interesting fact of the conflagration of those houses was communicated to the writer by John Marston, Esq., who saw them burn, as he was crossing the ferry on his way to Master Moody's school at Byfield. His letter, and the estimates of the value of the build- ings burnt, will be inserted in an appropriate place.




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