USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground : with historical sketches, January 1, 1882 > Part 1
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F 73 . 61 . C7M133
Research Library
West End Branch
Accessions
Shelf No.
5161
ES 5420
27
FOUNDED 1852
$40
29
FF73
61
BOSTONIA CONDIIA,A.D.
D.1822.
MI33
1630.
31
RY
32
BOSTON PU
LIBR
'38
33
Received
July 1, 1895
OB. NORIS
1
ston Puh
OLD COPP'S HILL .
AND
BURIAL GROUND;
WITH
HISTORICAL SKETCHES,-
BY
· E. MACDONALD,
SUPERINTENDENT, COPP'S HILL.
JANUARY 1, 1882.
BOSTON: PRINTED BY BENJAMIN PARKS. 1SS2, L
62 5420
M.E.
F73
.61
. M 133
¢
161
19
111.
11.19
# 4454.64
tom Pozi North
Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground,
WITH
Historical Sketches.
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COPP'S HILL.
It is a fact not often called to mind, perhaps, that, of the three hills from which Boston took one of her popular names, and from which one of her main thoroughfares is named, no one retains its original form. Fort Hill has disappeared, and the name given to that locality serves merely to puzzle the young generation. Beacon Hill has long since lowered its summit, upon which glowed the fires from which it took its name. And not even Copp's Hill has been spared ; seven feet have been taken from its highest point, and Snowhill Street has been cut through its western border. Like Boston, Copp's Hill has been known by three popular names: the first, Milfield, or Windmill Hill, was so called because in 1653, "The windmill, which was used to grind the settlers' corn, was brought from Cambridge and placed upon the summit. This was the first windmill erected in the town." It was afterward called Snow Hill, and then Copp's Hill, which name it bears at the present time; but it is not known when the hill took its present name. It was so called from William Copp, who owned a house and lot on the south-east corner, near Prince Street. Mr. Copp's realty is thus recorded on page 14, in the " Original Book of Possessions " of the town of Boston, now kept in the archives of the city at the City Hall :
" The possessions of William Copp within the Limits of Boston : One house and Lott of half an acre in the Mill Pond, bounded with Thomas Buttolph south-east; John Button north- east, The Marsh on the south-west; and the River on the north- west."
1 The above is not dated, but there is reason to believe it was entered in 1644.
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Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground.
In the Probate Office for the County of Suffolk, there is a record of the will of William Copp, cordwainer. It was dated October 31, 1662, and proved April 27, 1670. Among the items of bequest are the following: " I give to my daughter Ruth my great kettle aud little pot and chaffen dish." "I give to Lydia my little kettle and great pot." In the inventory is a line ap- praising "1 hour-glass and frying-pan, 12 shillings." The amount of the inventory is nearly £11, which was quite a large sum more than two centuries ago. His wife's name, Judith, is spelt " Goodeth" on the grave-stone, and also in his will.
The appearance of Copp's Hill is very different to-day from what it was at the time of the Revolution. At that time the hill terminated abruptly on the north-west side in a rugged cliff, almost inaccessible from the water side. Southerly, the ground fell away in an easy descent to the foot of North Square and the shore of the Mill Pond, while to the eastward a gradual slope conducted to the North Battery. The beach at the foot of the headland, opposite Charlestown, was made iuto a street with earth taken from the summit of the hill, which was where Snow- hill crosses it. This made Lynn Street - our Commercial Street extension - and afforded a continuous route along the water. Going north, the rising ground at Richmond Street indicates the beginning of the ascent. The foot of the hill on the north- easterly side, went in old times by the name of "New Guinea," it having been exclusively inhabited by colored people.
Copp's Hill in 1630 is thus described by Dr. Snow in the "History of Boston," page 105 :
" The hill at the north, rising to the height of about fifty feet above the sea, presented then on its north-west brow an abrupt declivity, long after known as Copp's Hill steeps. Its summit, almost level, extended between Prince and Charter streets towards Christ Church; thence south a gentle slope fed to the water, which washed the south side of Prince street be- low, and the north side above Thacher street as far as Salem; eastward from the church, a gradual descent led to the North Battery, which was considered the bottom of the hill. South- easterly the slope was still more gradual, and terminated at the foot of North square, leaving a knoll on the right, where at present stands the meeting-house of the Second Church."
From Copp's Hill, Burgoyne and Clinton witnessed the battle on Bunker Hill, and directed the battery.
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Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground.
HUDSON'S POINT.
Copp's Hill rose gradually from Hudson's Point (which was at the north-east corner of the Hill), so called from Francis Hudson, the ferryman. The Ferry was between Gce's noted ship-yard and Hudson's Point. The ship-yard was owned by . Mr. Joshua Gee, who also owned the land where the Gas-House now is, and nearly all the land on Copp's Hill between Charter, Prince, and Snowhill streets. At this Point, Annie Pollard, the first white woman who landed in Boston, jumped ashore. She lived to be nearly one hundred and five years of age. It is also noted as the place where the British landed their wounded after the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was afterwards used as a fortification, and called the North Battery. The work erected by the British on Copp's Hill,-from which they opened a tre- mendous fire on the Americans, which, with the fire that came from the fleet, was enough to appall even veteran troops, and from which the shells came that set Charlestown on fire,-was on the summit of the eminence, which was some seven feet higher than at the present time, and was located near the south- west corner of the Cemetery, nearly opposite Rev. Mr. Edes' tomb. "When visited in the year 1776, it was found to consist of a few barrels of earth which formed parapets, and three Twenty-Eight Pounders mounted on carriages, were found spiked within. The Battery was covered with a small earth- work to the rear, designed for infantry." (An old engraving, which the writer has seen, represents a row of tents covering the side of the Hill between the summit and Charter Street). All traces of these works were removed in 1807, when the sum- mit was lowered.
Copp's Hill was visited by Christian people nine years be- fore the settlement of Boston. The first visit of the Plymouth Company to Copp's Hill was in 1621, and is thus referred to by Prince in his "Chronology " :
" The Governor chuses 10 men with Squanto and two other savages, to go in the shallop, Tuesday, Sept. 18; at midnight, the tide serving, we set sail; next day got into the bottom of Massachusetts Bay, about 20 leagues north from Plymouth, and anchor next morning, we land under a cliff (Copp's Hill). The sachem of this place is Abbatimwat."
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Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground.
A portion of Copp's Hill, before it was so deusely built upon, was used as a Promenade Ground and a place of recrea- tion by the North Enders. On Charter Street, opposite the gate of the Cemetery, still stands one of the old houses, belong- ing to Mr. John B. Johnson, which not only has celebrated its centennial, but still retains the marks of British bullets. Paul Revere lived and died on Charter Street, at the West side of Revere Place. On the corner of Sheafe and Salem streets still stands the house where Robert Newman lived when he hung out the signal from the steeple of the North (or Christ) Church.
On Hull Street still stands the old Hart House and also the Galloupe House. The Galloupe House was erected nearly one hundred and sixty years since-in 1724-by a Mr. Clough; it was purchased by a Mr. Benjamin Gallop (afterward called Galloupe) in 1772; he died in 1776, just after the Declaration of Independence. The estate then became the property of his youngest son, Richard, and, at his death, it descended to his youngest daughter, who married Mr. William Marble, a well- known decorator of Boston, and was sold by him in 1877, a short time after the death of his wife, to the present owner. This house was occupied by British troops in 1775, and was the head- quarters of General Gage on the day of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Its timbers were cut in the vicinity. The Snelling House, now standing on Hull Street, was occupied by British troops, who covered the cellar floor with tombstones taken from the Cemetery; the Snelling House on Salem Street was similarly used, but it has been demolished and replaced by a handsome brick building.
After the surrender of Quebec, the North Enders made an immense bonfire on Copp's Hill: "45 Tar Barrels, 2 Cords of Wood, a mast, spars, and boards, with 50 lbs of powder were set in a blaze; this, with a similar illuminatiou on Fort Hill, was paid for by the province, together with 32 Gallons of Rum and much Beer." November 5th, 1765, Pope's Day, was celebrated by a union of the rival factions, who met in amity, and refreshed themselves under Liberty Tree, before proceeding to Copp's Hill, as was customary.
On January 24th, 1793, an ox was roasted on this Hill at a feast in honor of the French Revolution, and the horns were placed on a pole sixty feet high, and raised in Liberty Square.
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Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground.
CHRIST CHURCH.
At the front of Hull Street stands the North Church (or Christ Church). It is seventy feet long, fifty feet wide, and thirty-five feet high. The walls are two and a half feet thick. The tower is twenty-four feet square, and its wall three and a half feet thick. The spire rises to the height of one hundred and seventy-five feet, and is a well-known guide for vessels en- tering the harbor. In 1804 the steeple was blown down and it was rebuilt in 1807. In 1846 it was found to be in a decaying condition and it became necessary to take it down. In August, 1847, the spire, or all above the upper windows, was raised from its fastenings and lowered from the height of one hundred and thirty feet to the pavement without damage or accident. That part which supported the spire was rebuilt, the architecture being carefully conformed to that of the original steeple. The
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Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground.
ball was opened and found to contain an account of the destruc- tion of the steeple in 1804 and its restoratiou in 1807. These were replaced, with an account of the repairs in 1847, a copy of Dr. Eaton's Centennial Sermon and other historical documents.
The church was erected in 1723, and is the oldest public building in Boston with the exception of the Province House, which, however, has been very much altered. The Bible, Prayer Books, and Communion silver were given by George II., in 1733, and are now in use. The Royal Bible was printed at Oxford, in 1717, by John Basket, and is noted for the elegance of the printing and the engravings. It is of the " Vinegar edi -. tion." The massive christening basin was the gift of Arthur Savage, Esq., in 1730. The organ was made by Thomas Johns- ton in 1759; the interior was rebuilt by Mr. Goodrich about sixty years ago. The figures of the Cherubim in front of the organ and the Chandeliers were taken from a French vessel by the pri- vateer Queen of Hungary, and presented to this church in 1746, by Captain Grushea. It also contains a bust of Washington, which was the first ever made of the "Father of his Country."
The chime of eight bells connected with the church is the oldest chime in America. They were brought from England in 1744, and were procured by subscription, Mr. John Rowe giving the freight. They cost £560; the charges for wheels and putting them in place, £93. The inscriptions on them are as follows : The tenor, first, says, This peal of eight bells is the gift of a number of generous persons to Christ Church in Boston, New England, Anno 1744, A. R. The second, This Church was founded in the year 1723, Timothy Cutler, Doctor in Divinity, the first rector, A. R., 1744. The third says, We are the first ring of bells cast for the British Empire in North America, A. R., 1744. The fourth exclaims, God preserve the Church of England, 1744. The fifth commemorates, William Shirley, Esq., Governour of the Massachusetts Bay in N. E., Anno 1744. The sixth tells us, The subscription for these bells was begun by John Hammock and Robt. Temple, Church Wardens, Anno 1743, compleated by Robt. Ienkins and Ino. Gould, Church Wardens, 1744. The seventh, Since generosity has opened our mouths, our tongues shall ring aloud its praise, 1744; and the eighth concludes, Abel Rudhall of Gloucester cast us all, Anno 1744.
When Charles River Bridge was opened on the 17th of June, 1786, they joined with the guns on Copp's Hill and on
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Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground.
Bunker Hill in celebrating the union of the two towns. They may be heard on each Sunday in the year, as in ye olden time.
"So have they rung a hundred years, And on the ears that heard them first The chiming of the starry spheres With their enrapturing tones has burst."
From the steeple of this church were shown the signal lights of Paul Revere, by Robert Newman, the sexton, to notify Col. Conant and others, who waited on the Charlestown shore, as to which way the British troops would go -by land or sea. That evening he sat quietly in his house, assuming an uncon- cerned manner to avert the suspicion of the English officers who were quartered upon him, but impatiently expecting the arrival of a friend, a sea captain, who was watching the movements of the regulars.
"If the British march
By land or sea from the town to-night Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch Of the North Church tower as a signal light: One if by land and two if by sea: And I on the opposite shore will be Ready to ride and spread the alarm Through every Middlesex village and farm For the country folk to be up and arm."
Mr. Newman succeeded in eluding the vigilance of his un- welcome guests, took down the church keys, and with two lan- terns in his hand, went out, met his friend, heard the news he brought, opened the church door, locked it after him and went
" Up the wooden stairs with stealthy tread To the belfry chamber overhead And startled the pigeons from their perch On the sombre rafters that round him made Masses and moving shapes of shade, Up the light ladder slender and tall To the highest window in the wall."
When his task was done Mr. Newman came down, passed through the church, jumped out of a back window, went round through Unity and Bennett streets to his house, and succeeded in entering it without being observed. The British found him in bed. They arrested him and threw him in jail. But he had taken such precautions that nothing could be proved and he was set at liberty.
On the 17th of October, 1878, a tablet, to commemorate the
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Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground.
incident, with the following inscription, was placed on the tower of the church, forty-two feet above the sidewalk:,
THE SIGNAL LANTERNS OF. PAUL REVERE,
DISPLAYED IN THE STEEPLE OF THIS CHURCH,
APRIL 18, 1775, WARNED THE COUNTRY OF THE MARCH OF THE BRITISH TROOPS TO LEXINGTON AND CONCORD.
The tombs under the church number thirty-three. The first was built in 1732. In one of them were interred the Rev. Timothy Cutler, D. D., the first Rector of the Church, aud his wife Eliza, both of whom died at the good old age of S1 years. In tomb No. 20, once rested the remains of Major Pitcairn, but they have long since been transferred to Westminster Abbey. Lynde M. Walter, the founder and first editor of the Boston Transcript, is buried here, in the Walter family tomb.
It is said that General Gage witnessed the burning of Charlestown and the Battle of Bunker Hill from this steeple. " Rev. William Montague, Rector of this church, was the person who received the ball taken from the body of General Warren, who was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill." The first Rector of the church, Rev. Timothy Cutler, lived on the corner of Tileston and Salem streets.
The first Sunday School in New England and the first known to exist in America was established in connection with this church in 1815, in the old Academy next north of the church, by the Rev. Asa Eaton and Shubael Bell. Six months later a similar school was commenced in the Rev. Dr. Sharp's church, on Charles Street.
An interesting incident connected with the tombs under this church was related by Rev. Dr. Eaton, in his Centennial Sermon, delivered December 28th, 1823 :
"The following fact, which in some ages would have excited the superstitious veneration of ignorance and bigotry, may be worth recording. Some years since, in 1812, while the workmen were employed in the Cemetery (under the church ) building tombs, one of them found the earth so loose that he settled his bar into it the whole length with a single effort. The Super-
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Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground.
intendent directed him to proceed till he found solid earth. About six feet below the bottom of the cellar he found a coffin covered with coarse linen cloth sized with gum, which on boiling became white, and the texture as firm as if it had been recently woven. Within this coffin was another, protected from the air in a similar manner, and the furniture was not in the least injured by time. The flesh was sound and somewhat resembling that of an Egyptian mummy. The skin when cut appeared like leather. The sprigs of evergreen, deposited in the coffin, resembled the broad-leafed myrtle; the stem was elastic, the leaves fresh, and apparently in a state of vegetation. From the inscription it was found to be the body of Mr. Thomas, a native of New England, who died in Bermuda. Some of his family were among the founders of Christ Church. His remains when discovered had been entombed about eighty years. They were placed in the north-east corner of the Cemetery."
The stone so long concealed from observation was placed over them, but has since disappeared.
In 1782, the French fleet, under the command of Marquis de Vaudreuil, arrived at Boston, from Yorktown. While being piloted up the harbor, a seventy-four gun ship called the Magnificent, was wrecked on Lovell's Island. The pilot who was in charge was afterward sexton of this church. One morn- ing, soon after his appointment, he found this couplet chalked on the church entrance:
Don't you run this ship ashore As you did the seventy-four.
ST. MARY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, for Seamen, on Par- menter Street, was built in 1845, through the efforts of the Rev. J. P. Robinson, who worked among sailors until his death, and was beloved by all who knew him. The Rev. J. M. Hillyar, who received a call several months since, is actively engaged in continuing the good work. This church is supported princi- pally by contributions from friends. All are invited.
HANOVER STREET CHAPEL (Unitarian), was established in 1854, by the Benevolent Fraternity of Churches. The Rev. Edwin J. Gerry has presided over this Chapel for the past twenty- four years, and during all this time he has done his utmost for the poor and ncedy. His sole aim seems to be the advancement of those over whom he is called to preside, and few ministers are as much loved and esteemed by the members of their con- gregation. Seats are free to all.
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Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground.
The remains of an arch were found while laying the foun- dation of a house on the east side of Henchman Street, about fifty years ago, and may still be seen in the'cellar of the house opposite Henchman's Lane. One end of this arch is on Charter Street, the other on the water side of Commercial Street. It was part of a brick arch of large dimensions that, at the time of the French wars, was built by Capt. John'Grushea, who com- manded the privateer Queen of Hungary, and used as a place of deposit for captured goods. The opening, at the water's edge, was discovered about the time Lynn Street was filled in ; at this point there was originally a high bank.
The New North Church stood on the corner of Hanover and Clark streets. The first building was erected in 1714, by the Second Congregational Society. The present edifice was built in 1804. In 1805 a bell made by Paul Revere was placed in the tower. This church is now owned and used by St. Stephen's Catholic Society, who have much enlarged it.
On Prince Street, opposite the gas-house, stands a brick mansion-house (now owned by John Gourley) which has passed its centennial. It is said in this house Major Pitcairn, who was mortally wounded at Bunker Hill, breathed his last. He was brought across the river by his son, taken to this house, and soon bled to death.
On Unity Street still stands the brick mansion-house be- queathed by Doctor Franklin to his dear sister, Jane Mecom, and by her, in trust, to Rev. John Lathrop, D. D. and Benjamin Summers, for her daughter, Jane Collis, to her grandson, Josiah Flagg, and great-grandchildren Franklin and Sarah Green.
In North Square stands the Bethel Church, where Father Edward T. Taylor so long and eloquently preached the Gospel to the seafaring class. His residence, on the corner of New Prince Street and North Square, was erected ou the Frankland estate.
On the corner of Prince and Salem streets stands what is probably the oldest apothecary shop in the city. It was erected in 1797, by Robert Fennelly, and has been occupied for nearly forty years by the well-known druggist, Henry D. Fowle.
Charter Street has been known by that name since 1708, and took its name from the Charter of King William III., under which Maine, Plymouth and Massachusetts formed but one colony.
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Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground.
NORTH END INDUSTRIAL HOME.
The Industrial Home, on the corner of Salem and North Bennett streets (where formerly stood Dr. Edward Beecher's Church and later the Seaman's Home), was commenced on a very small scale. In the Spring of 1879, Mrs. L. E. CASWELL asked the charitable public for the sum of five hundred dollars · to begin a Summer sewing-room, which was called the " Ward Six Work-Room," and from this seed has sprung up an Indus- trial Home, under the management of Mrs. L. E. CASWELL and Miss VELMA C. WRIGHT, with Departments as follows :
1. The Sewing-Room, which is supported by the parish of King's Chapel, which was the first year under the superintend- ence of Mrs. E. L. HOLMAN, and since then under the charge of Miss KATE ROBERTSON. At present there are three classes, one of fifty widows, one of forty mothers, and one of one hun- dred and ten girls, who are taught to make, cut and repair clothing, etc.
2. The Laundry, under the superintendence of Miss A. B. MULLAN, where poor women are allowed to take in washing, and for the sum cf ten cents on the dollar have the use of the Laundry, soap, starch, and other conveniences.
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3. The Library and Reading-Room, superintended by Miss V. M. Goss, which women and children use in the afternoon and men and boys in the evening. The room is free to all. It is the only place of its kind north of the Public Library. The books, papers, etc. were donated by a kind friend, who now assumes the support.
4. Boys' Carpenter's Shop, under the care of Mr. C. D. SNELL, where boys are taught to make various articles for household use, and is also supported by a kind friend.
5. Printing Office, under the direction of Mr. Louis K. HULL. In this room young men and women are taught the art of printing.
6. The Coffee Room, superintended by Mr. WILLIAM S. CHADWICK. Here men and boys, on the payment of five cents, are furnished with coffee and doughnuts, daily papers and in- structive games, with vocal and instrumental music.
7. Amusement or Reward of Merit Room, superintended by Mr. EDWARD MACDONALD, assisted by Mr. JOHN H. KREY. In this room the boys and girls recommended from the different rooms of the Home are allowed to spend each an evening of every week, and are furnished with numerous games, puzzles, and other amusements.
8. Cooking School, under the superintendence of Mrs. OLIVE E. DANIELL.
9. Kitchen Garden, superintended by Mrs. A. M. HOMANS.
10. Day Nursery, under the charge of Mrs. E. P. and Miss L. W. COLLINS.
11. Kindergarten, superintended by Miss EMERSON and Miss HUNTING.
12. Industrial Café, in charge of Miss MAGGIE MCCALL, where meals and lunches are furnished from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M.
13. Boot and Shoe Department, under the direction of Mr. GEORGE WILLIAM RUGBY.
14. Employment Bureau, in charge of Miss JENNIE CAS- WELL, who has placed a large number of people in situations where they are giving satisfaction.
15. Elocution Class, under the superintendence of Miss E. LAWRENCE, 5 Boylston Place.
16. Temperance Union, of two hundred and fifty members, superintended by Miss E. TOBEY. Weekly rehearsals under charge of Professor NEWCOMB.
17. Under the direction of the management, semi-monthly
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Old Copp's Hill and Burial Ground.
Entertainments are given, which are always well patronized. An admission fee of five cents is charged.
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