USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Boston notions; being an authentic and concise account of "that village," from 1630 to 1847 > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
Timothy Thornton, was son of Rev. Thomas Thornton of Yarmouth, Mass., one of the ejected clergy under the act of uniformity in 1662, educated a merchant and at an early date removed to Boston, where he enjoyed the public re- spect in a high degree : he was of the financial committee in 1690 : ensign of the Artillery co. in 1691 and representa- tive to the State Legislature in 1693, 4 and 5.
Peter Townsend, was a son of Wm. Townsend, born in Boston, Dec. 20, 1651 ; was Speaker of the House of Repre- sentatives in 1690 ; several times captain of the Artillery company, and one of the Council in 1721.
Wait Winthrop, was son of John Winthrop, Gov. of Con- necticut, educated a physician-chief of the Supreme court of Massachusetts-one of the Council in 1692-Captain of the Artillery Company. Themas L. Winthrop, Lt. Gov. of Massachusetts, was his great grandson.
The following extract from an address to the Worshipful ELISHA HUTCHINSON, Esq., in 1691, is of historical value,
182
BOSTON NOTIONS.
and as one of the first financial documents published in America.
" Moreover, it is to be remembered, that nothing is Levied on this People but by their own Consent in a General As- sembly. And they deserve not the name of Englishmen, that are not more ready, and count it not more easie, to part with a pound in this way, then a penny in the former Arbi- trary Mode." " All the Taxes hitherto raised, have bin most advantageously Employed. Our Present Rulers, have no personal benefit by them ; They spend their time and care, and are at cost too, for the Common Weal, and would count themselves well paid for all, in the Contentment, of the people. The great complaint is, that our ventursome Ex- pedition to Canada hath run us into Debt. It should be Considered that the voice of the people every where called for it. Our Neighbors in the West made us believe they would lay all the mischief that should be done by the French at our doors, if we did not attempt it : such Importunities with assurances of aid by Land did first engage us and oblige us. Had the West not failed us, we had certainly bin Masters of Canada ; and then our Expedition had been as much Extol'd as now it is Despis'd! It was not a thing too big for us, for notwithstanding the failure in the West, and the delays of some among ourselves, till the Season was too far spent for any Great thing to be done ; add also the scantiness of our Ammunition, with the smallness of our Army ; yet the mis- sing of Quebeck is hardly accountable to rational Satisfaction. Besides, the French had Assaulted us by Land before we visited them by Sea ; and that short visit we made them, we are assured has preserv'd our Country from further As- saults of theirs upon us. Nor is it rational to think that we can ever have a settled peace, while Canada is in Franck hands; if there should be a peace between the two crowns .. we may fear, they may. as they have boasted they will, by
1
رسات
183
BOSTON NOTIONS.
setting their Dogs (the Indians) upon us to make America tco hot for us. Hence also the reducing of it unto the English Empire, was a Design wherein was manifest as the desire of our own future Welfare, so of doing the greatest Service to the crown of England. The Design seemed to be as well laid as any that was ever undertaken in these parts of the World; and it had been dangerous to have delayed it unto another year ; for had they not gone with the fleet to Can- ada, a thousand Boss-Lopers had been upon our Country Towns and laid them waste. Prayers and Hopes for the Good Issue of that Expedition, met not with a total Disap- pointment, nor do we get see the whole Issue : the business is not over yet. If Heaven hath frowned on us, it calls us to Bewayl our sin, and not increase it by denying the payment of Debts this way contracted, or spending our fury on any that were active in this Affair. That were to carry it not like Inglishmen, much less like Christians. Let men be- ware they do not provoke God to make these Canada Ene- mies as fiery serpents, to sting Murmurers at and Despisers of Divine Providence.
Upon the Difficulties and Necessities which the Country hath been brought into, a better way could not well be thought upon, than the BILLS Of CREDIT now passing (or that should pass so) among us. Silver we have not enough in the Country, to do which must be done, more being usually Exported than is Imported. And why may we not do as well without it, as other Plantations of America ? The Coun- try in the General Court, have Recognised or Acknowledged, a Debt of so many thousand pounds unto them that have been the Servants of the Public. The Credit conveyed by these Bills now Circulates from one hand to another men's dealings are, until the Publick Taxes call for it. It is then brought into the Treasurer's hands from which it goes not out again." Statistical remarks, next page.
1
184
BOSTON NOTIONS.
STATISTICAL REMARKS ON CANADA.
Canada was discovered in 1497, by John and Sebastian Cabot. In 1525 it was visited by Verrazini, a Florentine, who took possession of the country for the crown of France. In 1535 Jaques Cartier explored the river St. Lawrence on St. Lawrence's day, and hence its name : in 1608 a settle- ment was made which was the first recorded as having been permanently made on this continent, and that is now occupied by the city of Quebec. A settlement had been attempted about 1605, near the river St. Croix and at Port Royal, but they were broken up in 1614, by Samuel Argal. Quebec surrendered to the British under Kirk in 1627, but restored to France by a treaty of peace. In 1663 that colony was constituted a Royal government of France. In 1759 it was conquered by the British forces under General Wolfe. and was by a treaty at Paris in 1763 ceded to Great Britain.
FORT HILL FORTIFICATION. JAN. 23, 1635.
"Item. It is likewise agreed that for the raysing of a new work of fortification on Fort Hill, about that which is there alreddy begunn, the whole town would bestowe fourteen days work by equall proportion, and for this end Mr. Deputie, Mr. Henry Vane, Mr. John Winthrop, Sen., Mr. Wm. Cod- dington, Mr. John Winthrop, Jun'r., Capt. John Underhill and Mr. Wm. Brenton were authorized as commissioners, that they or the greater part of them, should sett down how many days work would be equall for each man to doe, and what money such should contribute beside their work, as were of greater abilities and had fewer servants that there- with provision of tooles and other necessaries might be made and some recompense given to such of the poorer sort as should be found to be overburdened with their fourteen dayes work, and Mr. John Cogan is chosen treasurer, and Mr. Wm. Dyer, Clarke ; for the furtherence of this work,
185
BOSTON NOTIONS.
the work also is to be gone in hand with, soe soone as weather will permitt; regard that the Ingineere, Mr. Lyou Ganner whoe doth soe freely offer his help thereunto, hath but a short time to stay. Money lent to this work.
By the Deputy [Gov. ] £5. Mr. Vane £5. Mr. Winthrop £5. Mr. Coddington £5. Mr. Winthrop, Jr. £5. Mr. Keayne £5. Hutchinson £5. Mr. Cogan £5. Mr. Oliver and Thos. Leveritt £5. Mr. Coggeshall and Mr. Hardinge £5.
1642. The court of assistants condemned to death James Britten . and Mary Latham for adultery : the woman was young and handsome and not 20 years of age : they both suffered the penalty with great penitence.
. 1660. May. William Robinson and Marmaduke Steven- son were condemned to be hanged for being Quakers, and coming among puritans and calvinists, and the sentence was fulfilled. Joseph Nicholson and his wife Jane were allowed to leave the jurisdiction or suffer the same fate for being Quakers, but preferring the former, they returned to England.
ROGER WILLIAMS.
Roger Williams was born in Wales, 1599 :- educated at Oxford : came to N. England at Nantasket, Feb. 5, 1631 :- settled as a teacher in Salem, April 12, 1631 ;- went to Plymouth the same year and preached :- returned in 1633 and was pastor of the society there on the decease of their minister Mr. Skelton : was banished Nov. 1635 :- went to R. Island, 1636, and laid the foundation for that colony :- went to England in 1643 for a charter which he obtained and landed in Boston, Sept. 1644 ;- he was again in England from 1651 to 1654, and on his return was chosen president of that Colony till 1657 :- this earliest and boldest champion of the rights of all men " fully to have and enjoy their own judgements and consciences in matters of religious concern- ment," died at Providence in April, 1683, aged 84, but not a stone has been raised to mark his sepulture or to bear him
L 1
186
BOSTON NOTIONS.
in remembrance, and the spot of his burial place is not known : his descendants are numerous.
6th month Aug. 23, 1630. It is ordered that sawyers shall not take above 4.4. 6d. per hundred for boards att 6 score to the hundred if they have their wood felled and squard for them and not above 5s. 6d. if they fell and square their wood themselves.
It is ordered that John Goulworth shall be whipt and after- wards sett in stocks for felony committed by him whereof he is convicted by his own confession, also Henry Lyn shall be whipt for the like offence and John Boggust and John Pickrun to sett in the stocks 4 hours together at Salem for being accessory thereunto.
It is ordered that John Baker shall be whipt for shooting a fowl on the Sabbath day.
25th of 9th moneth. This day John Seaberry, a seaman hath with leave bought our brother Master Merryes house and half an acre under it in the mylne field and so is allowed for an Inhabitant; 30th day of 1st moneth, 1640.
1632. Aug. 14. Great store of eels and lobsters in the bay ; 2 or 3 boys have brought in a bushel of eels and CO great lobsters at a time.
10th day 9th month, 1634. Imprimis, that Hogg Island shall be lotted out unto the inhabitants and freeman of this towne, according to the number of names in every family by John Copall, Win. Brenton and John Samford, and that none shall fell any wood there untill the same be lotted out.
18th same month. Imprimis, it is agreed that Mr. Win- throp, Mr. Coddington, Mr. Bellingham, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Oliver, Mr. Colborne and Win. Balstone, shall have to divide and-dispose of all such lands belonging to the towne [as are not yet in the lawfull possession of any particular person] to the inhabitants of the towne according to the orders of the court, leaving such portions in common for the use of new
i
187
BOSTON NOTIONS.
comers, and the further benefitte of the town, as in their best discretion they shall think fitt-the islands hyred by the towne to be also included in this order.
Item. That no swine above 12 weekes ould shall be suf- fered to goe att libertie on the necke, but kept in a yarde upon penaltie for every swine otherwise suffered 9d. for every day soe taken and this order also to bee looked unto by the aforesaid brethren.
23d 11th month, Jan. 1635. Imprimis, at this meeting Thomas Marshall is by general consent chosen for the keep- ing of a ferry from mylne poynt unto Charlestown and to Wynnyseemit and to take for his ferrying unto Charlestown as the ferryman there hath and unto Wynnyseemitt for a single person Gd. for twoe Gd. and for every one above the number of twoe 2d a piece.
14th 10th month. Item. That the poorer sort of inhabi- tants, such as are members or likely to be and have no cat- tle shall have their proportion of allottments for planting ground and other assigned unto them by the allotters and laid out at Muddy river, by the afore named five persons, [viz. Wm. Colborne, Wm. Aspynwall, John Sampford, Wm. Balstone and Richard Wright] or four of them ; those that fall betweene the foot of the hill and the water to have but four acres upon a head and those that are farther off to have five acres for every head-the plott to begin next muddy river.
12th of 10th moneth. 1636. It is agreed that not above one dwelling house shall be built upon any one lott without the consent of the townes overseers.
10th of 10th moneth. 1638. It is agreed that Arthur Perrye shall have yearly allowed him for his drumming to the company upon all occasions the sume of £5 to be paid by the towne. As he grew old, they appropriated £4 for him to prepare one or two young men as drummers.
P
it 1 )
188
BOSTON NOTIONS.
BIRTHI PLACE OF, AND SOME EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF BENJ. FRANKLIN.
In the biography of Dr. Franklin, by Jared Sparks, it is stated that he was born Sunday, Jan. 6, 1706, Old Style ; the same as Jan. 17 New Style, and was baptized that day at the Old South Church : his father Josiah Franklin, lived nearly opposite the South front of that meeting house, the site of which is now covered with a handsome granite build- ing, having on its upper front, these words; "THE BIRTH PLACE OF FRANKLIN."
Soon after the above date they removed to the corner of Union and Hanover Sts. where little Benjamin at 10 years of age aided his father in his tallow chandlery business, cutting wicks for candles, &c., but this employment became irk- some and he wished to go to sea, but that was firmly opposed by his father : at 12 years of age he was bound an apprentice to his brother. James Franklin, who was a printer : James was not married, and Beuj. boarded out, but on adopting the habits of a plain vegetable diet, he offered to take care of himself for one half the amount weekly paid for his board ; by which means he gained time for study and also funds for the purchase of books : his repast generally consisted of a slice of bread or a biscuit, a handful of raisins or a tart from the pastry cooks', with a glass of water : James Franklin es- tablished the 4th newspaper in this country Aug. 21, 1721; It was entitled the "NEW ENGLAND COURRANT ; " this paper was enriched with original essays, displaying considerable ability and wit : handling with great freedom the vices and follies of the day : much of it written by Benjamin : the se- verity of some of the lampoons or canstic compositions, re- ceived the notice of the general assembly, who without any form of a trial senteneed James to one month's imprison- ment, and when he was discharged they passed an order, that " James Prandilin should no longer print the newspaper called the Move England Courant."
189
BOSTON NOTIONS.
Benjamin then assumed the publication of the sheet, on which occasion the bonds of his apprenticeship were partially cancelled : disputes often taking place between the two brothers, and Benj. being sometimes struck by James in a heat of passion, determined the former to leave Boston for N. York : he arrived there in 1723, but not meeting with any encouragement he pushed for Philadelphia, and there was employed by Andrew Bradford : soon his prospects bright- ened, and with a letter from the Governor, Sir Wmn. Keith to Benjamin's father, he visited Boston, April, 1724, to obtain aid by funds, to set up a printing office in Philadelphia for himself, but which aid was withheld on account of his youth: he returned to Phila, and the Governor said, if the father would not set him up in business, that he would : he then apparently commissioned Benj. for a voyage to England for the purchase of a press and types : he arrived there Dec. 24, 1724, but on presenting the letters which were supposed to contain appropriate means for the purchase of an office, he did not meet with any reception appertaining to the subject of his voyage, and was there obliged to work as a printer for a support, and to gain funds for a return home : he left there July 23, 1726, and on arriving in Phila. he again went to work as a journeyman printer : in the course of a few months he opened an office in connection with a man by the name of Meredith ; and then met with good success in business, which was well deserved for his probity, talents, temperance in all things, industry and punctuality : he formed literary and library clubs and associations, and interested himself in the general and local concerns of the city to advance its prosperity.
Franklin and Meredith commenced publishing the " PEN- SYLVANIA GAZETTE," Sept. 25, 1729, but in July, 1730, that partnership was dissolved, Franklin assuming it alone : he then instructed himself in the French, Spanish and Latin languages,
is 3 ; at :d 1- H 4 if 3.
- 1
.
190
BOSTON NOTIONS.
In 1732 he issued his " Poor Richard's Almanac," which passed through three editions, and for 25 years it was pub- lished by him with profit, celebrity and honor.
In 1737, at the age of 31 years, he was Postmaster for Phila., in 1753 he became Postmaster General, in conjunc- tion with Wm. Hunter, for the Colonies, in place of the pre- vious incumbent, [Col. Spotswood] deceased.
In 1752 he was voluntarily presented by Yale College with the degree of Master of Arts; and the next year he re- ceived a similar honor from Harvard University : the same year, 1763, he was unanimously elected member of the Royal Society in London, without any solicitation on his part, freed from their usual assessment of twenty five guineas for membership, and presented with the society's gold medal, accompanied with a handsome speech from its president, Lord Macclesfield ; and while a plenipotentiary in Europe from his own government, was presented to five Kings, and with the King of Denmark dined ..
We have now recorded some few of the scenes and cir- cumstances attending the life of this truly great and eminent man; eminent for his superior talents, industry, rectitude and usefulness through a long life, and equally eminent for the high honors which attended him ; and we hope it will make a deep and lasting impression on the mind of our youth, that the three greatest men our country has ever pro- duced, viz., Washington, Franklin and Bowditch, were self taught from the commencement of their career, and yet received high collegiate honors.
Benj. Franklin died April 17, 1790, aged 84 years and 3 months. Josiah Franklin, father of Benjamin, came to Boston from England in 1685. He was the father of seven- teen children, who all grew up to years of maturity and were married ; but at this day no male issue is living to perpet- uate his family lineage. The Franklin family in our carly
191
BOSTON NOTIONS.
1
record of the inhabitants of Boston, at page 50, were not of that branch of Franklin's, or had it the most remote relation to the family of the great Philosopher.
NOTE. 1763, eleventh line from top, page 190, should be 1753.
NEW ENGLAND FEMALE MORAL REFORM SOCIETY.
In the year 1839 a number of ladies formed an association for the benevolent purpose of assisting and reclaiming from the paths of folly and vice the many young and unprotected females who throng the city for employment. There is gen- erally in the youthful mind and feelings, powerful incentives to error ; to depart from the sober and steady course through life marked out by wisdom and experience, and many are allured to participate in some present beckoning pleasure, which weakens the confidence of friends and the elevating, sustaining consciousness of innate innocence : the LADIES MORAL REFORM ASSOCIATION, ou all occasions of this nature, which may come to their knowledge, exercise their benev- olent exertions for their protection at their appropriated Reform house; affording them shelter and support, with maternal so- licitude for their future rectitude of conduct and welfare ; the number yearly assisted by the society has varied from about 100 to 150; some of whom have received protection and support at various times when leaving a situation, which through their own well regulated intelligence office, at No. 13 Bedford Street, a new and suitable situation may be soon obtained.
That this society has done much good, there is abundant evidence in the change of habits and manners of many of the females ; thereby showing, that they put a higher esti- mate on life and its uses than to shorten it by intemperance and vice, and embitter its days with sad violations of the laws of God and man, of nature and of reason; when they seem also to realize, that the bodily system for a time, may
192
BOSTON NOTIONS.
seem to withstand the trials it is doomed to endure from reckless indulgences, yet, that the debtor and credit side of the account is being pretty regularly kept, and that a reck- oning may and will be called for, by sickness and perhaps by an early death.
The Ladies Moral Reform Association, is governed by a President, Mrs. John Kilton :- 25 Vice Presidents-9 Mana- gers-an Executive Committee of 9-Secretaries, &c .; all acting under the influence of one of their beautiful resolves, viz. "that would we raise the fallen, we must sympathize with them."
Their Reform house is No. 36 Charles Street. Mrs. Blaisland, Matron.
SMALL POX AND KINE POCK.
In the years 1649, 1665, 1678 and 1690, the small pox spread among the inhabitants of Boston with great destruc- tion of life : in 1702, 313 persons died under its power : in 1721, 5759 persons had it in the natural way, and that num- ber was a large half of the whole population : of whom 844 · died : at this time Dr. Zabodiel Boylston dared to inoculate three of his own household, which resulted in complete suc- cess ; this experiment was violently oppposed by the rest of the medical faculty, who carried public opinion with them : the clergy were in favor of inoculation and most fortunate and happy results have crowned his genius and his memory and their prescience.
In 1730 about 4000 cases of small pox occurred; one tenth of whom were inoculated : at this time, it carried off about 500. In 1752 it again appeared amongst the then 15,684 inhabitants : 7669 were supposed to have then re- ceived the disease : many of the citizens removed from the town, and all residents but 174, had it either by inoculation
193
BOSTON NOTIONS.
or the natural way : 2124 were treated by the first method, of whom 30 died : 5545 were seized with it, of whom 539 died : it again made ravages in the years 1764, 1776, and 1778; but with less painful circumstances : hom 1811 to 1820, but six deaths occurred by small pox : from 1821 1o 1830, eight deaths : from 1831 to 1838 thirty nine deaths, and those mostly at Rainsford Island: a law was then in force for removing all infected persons with small pox, to the hos- pital at that place : and they were treated with proper care and attention, and on that healthy spot they were generally restored ; in 1336, a resistance was made to that law as be- ing unconstitutional, which occasioned its repeal; and in 1839 sixty deaths occurred : in 1840 115 deaths, and since then, above 200 have died with it.
Vaccination with the virus from Cow pock matter, was a discovery made by Dr. Jeuner of England, and introduced here about the year 1800, by Dr. Benj. Waterhouse, which proved an effectual substitute for, and preventive against the small pox ; life is not endangered by it or the face disfigured, and the city authorities have made provision for a free vac- cination of all who apply for it by the Port physician, who safely operated on 3965 persons, during the years 1844 and 5 ; in 1846, on 5592; and in 1847 on 1263; and the cases ex- amined with a view to test a safety from previous vaccina- tion, have equalled the above in number-the cases of small pox which came under the care of the Port physician in 1846 were 142, and in 1847, 71.
ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES.
In 1779, this society was formed, and May 4th, 1780, a Charter was granted under the title of THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. The design of the iasti- tution was for the "pren cion and encouragement of the " knowledge of the antigahies pf Amsrica and of the nat-
191
BOSTON NOTIONS.
" ural history of the country and to determine the uses to " which the various productions of the country may be ap- " plied ; to promote and encourage medical discoveries, " mathematical disquisitions, philosophical inquiries and "experiments; astronomical, meteorological, and geograph- " ical observations : improvements in agriculture, arts, com- " merce, and miaufactures, and in fine, to cultivate every " art and science which may tend to advance the interest, " honor, dignity, and happiness of a free, independent "and virtuous people." This society has done much in fur- therance of the objeets for which it was formed, and have issued a number of volumes of its transactions, worthy of being perused, by all in quest of sound principles in every department of Mechanics and other sciences. Iis library comprises 6000 volumes of choice works, which is deposited in the Athenteam where the society hold its meetings.
THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Was incorporated Feb. 19, 1794. The design of this in- stitution "is to collect, preserve, and communicate materials ' for a complete history of this country, and of all the valu- ' able etforts, of the ingenuity and industry of its inhabitants .?? Its Library comprises 7000 volumes and its museum is rich and extensive, and considered an important acquisition to the publie, for increasing and extending knowledge in all the useful branches pertaining to a useful life and partaking of the sciences. Their Hall, Library and Museum, is over the Savings Bank in Tremont Street. They have published 22 octavo volumes of their transactions, which rank very high in public estimation. The number of members in their so- ciety is limited to 60, consequently the changes and im- provements are slow-the fee for membership is $8, with a yearly assessment of $3.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.