USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Boston notions; being an authentic and concise account of "that village," from 1630 to 1847 > Part 22
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On the 7th of Jan., at a regular meeting of the citizens, a city charter was voted for by a majority of 600, and on a final
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decision of the whole subject, on the 4th of March, the major vote for acceptance swelled to 916, which was established and made known by a proclamation from the governor on the 7th of that month. According to the letter of the charter the selectmen divided the town into twelve wards, with as near an equal number of inhabitants in each, as could be conveniently collected, and the various parties proceeded to organize and officer the wards: there was no very great difficulty in finding candidates for all the offices where there were duplicates; for each of the political parties were to share, and balance the scale ; but that of Mayor, was alone, solus; and could not be divided : Messrs. H. G. Otis, Josiah Quincy and Thomas L. Winthrop were candidates for the Mayoralty, and it resulted in not electing either : on the 16th of April the Hon. John Phillips was chosen Mayor by nearly a unanimous vote :
The 1st of May was named in the charter as the political birth-day of the city government, and great preparations were made in Faneuil Hall for inducting the Mayor and other officers in their new stations : two of the galleries were filled with ladies, and the hall in all its parts crammed to excess : the Rev. Dr. Baldwin addressed the throne of grace with prayer: Chief Justice Parker administered the oaths of allegiance and of office to the Mayor elect, who qualified the Aldermen and members of the Common Coun- cil :- the chairman (Mr. E. Williams) of the selectmen then addressed the new officers, and delivered to the Mayor the city charter, enclosed in a superb silver vase and the ancient act for incorporating Boston as a town, nearly two centuries previous, with the books of its records :- the Mayor replied with judicious remarks on the past government and it having safely and prosperously protected the citizens under its pan- oply : and on the subject of a change in the form of it, he observed, that if the charter as then granted by the legisla-
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ture was not perfect in all its developements for the best rules to meet the hearty co-operation and approbation of the citizens, that on a little experience of its details and provis- ions, whatever may be found wanting would be speedily supplied from the great fountain of the delegated wisdom of the people : after the address, the boards withdrew and in convention elected Samuel F. MeCleary, city clerk.
In 1823, the Hon. Josiah Quincy, Sen., was elected Mayor of the city with a plurality over Hon. Geo. Blake of 325 votes, and in 1824 he was re-elected by almost a unanimous vote of the citizens; and this became a pretty busy year for that gentleman's talents, ingenuity, foresight and perseve- verance : the bold and public vices of a certain large section of the city, he placed under the bans of law and order : many of the crooked ways and roads of the city he made straight : and all of them were cleared of rubbish, inconve- nient nuisances and dirt; and the great achievement for building a city Market House was arranged: the corner stone laid on the 27th of April, 1825, and completed in 1827, of two stories; 535 feet 9 inches front length : the ground floor under the title of City Market, and the story above as Quincy Hall : for some further remarks on this building, see page 115.
Mr. Quincy continued to be elected Mayor of the city for six successive years, and in that time placed his finger for reform on many subjects which will long continue to have an important bearing on the general features of the city : he had not long enjoyed the repose and quiet of a private citizen, when he was called to preside over the alma mater of Harvard University at Cambridge, which he governed with parental affection and dignity till 1844, and then re- signed the charge to Hon. Edward Everett, the affectionate
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and favored son of the institution and of intellectual Belles Lettres :
Mayors chosen .- John Phillips. 1822, one year. Josiah Quincy, 1823, six consecutive years. Harrison G. Otis, 1829, three do. Charles Wells, 1532, two do.
Theodore Lyman, 1834, two do.
Samuel T. Armstrong. 1836, one year.
Samuel A. Elliot, 1-37, three successive years.
Jonathan Chapman, 1$40, three do.
Martin Brimmer, 1813, two do.
Thomas A. Davis, 1515, died Nov. 25th. same year. Josiah Quincy, Jr .. 1515, present mayor.
During the elder Quincy's first mayorality year, the organization of the city government was changed from May to the first Monday of January in each year.
To the honor of S. F. MeCleary, for gentlemanly bearing and attention to the arduous duties of city clerk, he has enjoyed the approbation of his citizens for twenty five suc- cessive years, with an almost unanimous vote at every yearly balloting for that office.
SOUTH COVE CORPORATION.
The Charter of this incorporation is dated Jan. 31st., 1833; the shares were $500 each, and 829 being subscribed for, produced the sum of $414,500; the filling up of the cove commenced May 3d., 1834, and 77 acres of good land com- pleted in Nov. 1837 .- 56 of that amount wholly reclaimed from the dock tide waters; the whole of this practical part of the concern under the management of Francis Jackson, who has acquitted himself with great credit and for the stock- holders great profit.
Five artesian wells have been sunk, all of which furnish an inexhaustible supply of good, soft water, the average cost of which was about $500, and their average depth 95 feet : cast iron tubes eight inches diameter are inserted,
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through which the water rises to within eleven feet of the ground surface, and a pipe 12 inches in diameter and twen- ty-five feet in length at the upper part of the well, with dis- tributing tubes, supplies 40 houses each with the water by the use of pumps.
The Worcester and Western Rail Road corporations, occu- py 7 1-3 acres on the South Cove lands; and also the Old Colony Rail-Road Corporation, have their depot adjoining the former; and prosperity now crowns both enterprises : here too is the United States hotel, that has accommodated in a com- fortable manner with board and lodging, 600 persons at one time.
Nearly the whole extent of Lincoln street : all of Utica and Short streets, all of Albany, Hudson, Tyler and nearly the whole of Harrison Avenue have been formed out of Dock occupancies.
In conversation with a middling-interest man in 1844, he said that he had subscribed and paid for 10 shares in the Western Rail Road $5000, and that it had not then netted him one cent in return ; and he made out his story at first, with all pretended lamentation, quite grevious to a friendly ear ; but then-he added, I'll tell you how I get my interest money-my houses that used to let for $250 per year and glad to get that for them, now freely pay $300, and my but- ter is but 12 or 14 cents which before cost me 20 to 25; good milk 4, former price for bad, 6 cents-eggs at 12, former price 20-pork 6, former price 8 to 10, &c., &c .- and he added, when I go down to the depot, and see such an im- mense quantity of stock, merchandize and produce coming into the city over that road, it does my heart good, and I don't care if it never pays me one cent back : and so then said I, you would not hesitate to put down $5000 more for any great projected improvement in the city, would you ? no, said he, I would put it down with all my heart, and free as
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water ;- this man was George Hills; and now in addition to the merit of being a public spirited citizen, he reaps a fair percentage on his whole investment and which will increase with the increasing trade and travel over that ever busy road.
THE PENITENT FEMALES' REFUGE,
Is an institution for reclaiming from a vicious course. those unhappy women whose false steps have withered their bright prospects for the enjoyment of a fair reputation and standing in society, and are desirous of returning to the paths of virtue : a committee of ladies visit the institution weekly and a board of gentlemen as directors, chosen yearly from the subscribers to the funds of the establishment, manage the pecuniary concerns : the society was formed in 1819, and in- corporated Jan. 21st., 1823.
THE MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL.
In 1799 the sum of Five thousands dollars was bequeathed for building a Hospital : and from that acorn has grown a glorious oak with unbrageous branches for the protection of sick and weary travellers. In 1810, some little exertion was made to interest the millionares in the good purpose, and in 1811, Feb. 25th, fifty-six gentlemen were incorpora- ted by the name of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and to hold property to the amount of $30,000 yearly income : The Legislature also granted to the association a fee simple in the estate of the Old Province House on condition that $100,000 should be raised by subscription in ten years : In the autumn of 1816, a subscription was commenced in good earnest, and 1047 individuals in Boston, Salem, Plymouth, Charlestown and some other towns subscribed amounts either for the Hospital or the Asylum for the insane : upwards of
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100 subscribed $100, and several from $1000 to 5000, and one $20,000; donations of large amounts have since then been made which has increased the capital to a greater sum than any other institution has realized, except that of Harvard University.
In 1816, The trustees purchased the Barrell estate in Charlestown and have built two extensive brick buildings and requisite out houses, which in addition to the splendid mansion previously there, with its spacious garden grounds affords extensive conveniences and comforts for the poor un- fortunate maniac.
In 1817, they purchased four acres of land on the north- west part of Boston, and July 4th, 1818, laid a corner stone due form for the structure of the main edifice on that lot, and in 1845 and 6, two extensive wings were added, allowing an increased number of free beds for the sufferers.
EAST BOSTON.
This now integral part of Boston comprising about 700 acres, was first known as Noddle's Island : it was assumed in 1629 by an early emigrant of the name of Samuel Maverick, and was afterwards granted to him by the general Court on the payment of £10, or by a fat wether or hog, yearly, to the Governor :- in 1636 it was annexed to Boston : -in 1650 George Briggs held its title :- in 1668 it became the property of Sir Thomas Temple ; and it appears that the heirs * of Col. Samuel Shrimpton had the fee simple of it, and sold it to a company in 1831 for about $70,000 :- they laid it out with streets for a speculation ; but before any returns were realized for their great outlay, it proved ruinous to some of the projectors :- but at this day 1847, one of their best wharves could not be had for what the whole Island cost :- in 1810 but 18 persons inhabited the whole area.
* Mr. Williams.
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The rapid building up of the place may be attributed in a great measure to the Eastern Rail Road Depot being there, and the Cunard British line of Steamers arriving and depart- ing every fortnight during the summer months, and monthly during the winter months, from their fine deep-water-wharf on the south-western part of the Island, fronting old Boston : -the manufacturing interests are greatly extending there and enterprise is prominently marked on their movements : -they have been but poorly supplied with the purest quali- ty of water, and a company has been formed for excavating the earth by boring a depth of 1200 feet if necessary, to ob- tain that nursery of life in the greatest quantity and of the purest kind : they have penetrated the depth of 400 feet and cased that cavity with thick cast-iron cylinders.
In France the artesian * wells made in a similar manner, have produced an immense .volume of water, throwing up continually at a height of from 30 to 60 feet above the earth's surface ; which is said to be the nearest kin to perpetual mo- tion, of any thing known " this side of that; " and the " Bostoneers " there, are set on having such a treasure.
The population of East Boston is about 6000 : the houses are generally well built and some are neat and elegant ; and in time will cover their land with works of art, and for art, " as the waters cover the seas : " The map of the city , in this work shows its geographical situation and arrange. ments.
SUFFOLK SAVINGS BANK FOR SEAMEN AND OTHERS. -
This is a noble institution, for many of our best men com- pose the board of managers : they have associated together for protecting the hard earnings of the industrial classes without fee or reward : no safer place for depositing the ex-
. So called from the town of Artois in France, where are natural wells gushing up through holes in a stratian of lime-stone:
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tra gains from industry care or frugality can be found than here : previous to the establishment of similar institutions, the extra earnings of the hard working classes, had been placed in the hands of weak headed or crafty knaves, who generally appropriated them to other purposes ; and it were better never to have been accumulated, than the whole should be swept off at once from their hope of enjoyment : The SUFFOLK SAVINGS BANK Was chartered in 1833, and for fourteen years has given an honest test of its faithfulness and fidelity in preserving and increasing the funds of depos- itors : it now numbers 2859 on its books for the amount of $578,460,35 ; two thirds of which funds are vested in real estate by mortgage : the government of the institution is composed of twenty-four philanthropic gentlemen, whose time and services are devoted to its correct management from patriotic and generous motives ; and the officers in it, have well sustained the intentions of its founders, by a gentlemanly urbanity and attention to the best interests of this institution, of unquestioned public utility. The principles and govern- ment of it, work in the right way to produce the greatest ben- efit to the community; for the funds saved by the working classes, placed where it will be preserved safe for the own- ers' call on any important emergency, becomes a prop and support to the first lessons of economy and an important in- centive to pursue a rational course through life; while on the other hand, if there were not such institutions to rely up- on, the small amounts might be wasted and lost, and princi- ples of economy be deemed useless ; and perhaps the indi- vidual from that cause, become an object for the charities of the community at some future time, to a larger amount than that, which if preserved, would have averted the calamity of dependence, want, or relief from a charity fund.
THE SUFFOLK SAVINGS BANK is open daily from 9 A. M., to 1 P. M., for deposites of one dollar or more, and when the
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sum is five dollars it is then placed on compound interest of 4 per cent : every five years, an overplus is created over this per centum which is then divided among the depositors, ex- cept so much as is necessary to meet the bills for rent, sal- aries of the officers and incidental expenses of the establish- ment. The institution is in the elegant new Museum build- ing Tremont Street.
BOSTON FREE CITY LIBRARY.
We wish we could have the pleasure of stating that such an institution was in the most prosperous condition ; hundreds of our citizens are in quest of information on important sub- jects, explained only in tomes too costly for them to purchase, and beyond their reach at ten dollars per year : the artizan and mechanic have no avenue open to them for the satisfac- tion of their researches, and if some few may have an hon- orary membership to some collection of books, it is irksome to them to avail themselves of its priveleges accompanied with the humble claims of favor.
A public institution under the guardianship of the city au- thorities, could be freely endowed by contributions from its noble hearted citizens; and at a few hundred dollars expense to the city, would afford a valuable resource for the inquir- ing mind of the middling classes : possessing a good philo- logical collection of volumes in the arts and sciences, valu- able to the researches of those whose aim is to do some- thing meritorious for themselves and beneficial to the com- munity.
The Legislature of the state of Massachusetts are so noble minded, when embodied, that few grievances or wants among the people, but obtain from them a fair consideration and redress ; and very unlike a sister state, it grants', import- ant favors to the citizens on any rational explanation and pe-
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tition on the subject : and similar politic and liberal views and feelings are developed in the city government of Boston: so extensive are the provisions made for the years of child- hood and minority, that every stage of it seems provided for ; and the great finish to their liberal policy, would appear to be crowned with a PUBLIC CITY LIBRARY for the use of all its citizens, placed under certain checks and government to en- sure its safety and perpetuity.
The attic of the Old Town House would afford all the room and conveniences for such an institution, easy of ac- cess to those for whose benefit it may be designed ; there it would be remote from noise ;- prepared at a small cost and most centrally for the mass of the people : and this change of its present uses of dressing the outward man, for that of adorning the inward and developing the powers of mind, would be no sorry change in its feature.
THE REVERE HOUSE.
This extensive edifice comprising 226 rooms in all, was erected by the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Associa- tion, at the corner of Bulfinch street and Bowdoin square, formerly the spacious mansion and garden lot of the late Boott estate; The main building has five stories, and two wings at its south and west has four each, besides the base- ment : Entrance for Ladies are on the south and west wing, each facing Bowdoin square, where the internal arrange- ments are so ingeniously managed, that the private apart- ments are agreeably approached : the main entrance is adorned with a Portico, supported by four Corinthian col- umns : on entering the building the eye is arrested by a spacious hall with a floor of the finest marble tile and which appears of boundless extent by the reflections of an immense sized mirror at its extremity, which reflects its real capa-
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ciousness and beauty, to a double amount and extent ; and the whole scene is filled with columns and splendid furnitme and adornments and forms a very pleasing optical illusion.
There are three sky-lights stained with gorgeous coloring, one being over the central stair-way, and a window of the same style of coloring is near the Ladies' Drawing Room .- The Gentlemen's Dining hall is about 100 by 40 feet and 17 feet high and furnished with glittering chandeliers and every other article for use or ornament in great profusion .- The Ladies' drawing room is classically designed and beautifully arranged in the western wing, and affords interesting scenery views from its windows :- the Ordinary for the Ladies is sup- plied with fascinating mirrors to reflect similar faces and forms, replicate to almost infinity :- throughout this estab- lishinent are sofas, lounges and chairs of every variety and form, covered with the richest satin or velvet, and in con- nection with the draperies, curtains, cornices and embellish- ments, imparts to the whole a princely appearance.
The carpeting has been brought from a great distance ; as " dear bought and far fetched is fit for ladies," the at- tempt for such a realization has been made by their honor- able host, PARAN STEVENS : The whole establishment is ven- tilated by a new process from the basement to the attic, and as a whole it seems to be prized by the clite among counois- ures, as the Chef d' ouvre and most genteel and commodious- ly arranged and fitted public house ever opened in Boston. Mr. S. has taken a lease of the establishment for ten years, and for his urbanity and assiduous attention to the wants and comforts of his boarders, without doubt will meet with an ample remuneration for his vast expenditures for fixtures and ornaments to the building : the accompanying engraving is a good and true representation of the main building with the two wings.
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REVERE HOUSE
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REVERE HOUSE. BOWDOIN SQUARE.
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FIRST DIRECTORY FOR BOSTON FOR 17-9.
The first Directory published in Boston was in 1759 : Imprint ; " Printed 'and sold by John Norman, Oliver's Doek ;"-1431, nunes appear in the body of the work, and 43 at the end, as omissions :- the classification of names under each letter, was not in the least attended to ; the letter A has 53 names, and that list begins and ends with the name of Adams : letter B has 159 names, beginning with Bowdoin and ending with Baker.
In this reprint of that Directory, we have aimed to arrange them in a more correct alphabetical order for the convenience of the curious in such matters : -as to the omissions, the probability is there was a larger mnuber than those stated :- about that time, Benjamin Dearborn removed from Portsmouth, N. HI., and occupiel the Green Dragon Building in Union Street, as an ucad- emy, some three or four years previous to the purchase of one half of James Wakefield's garden lot, with a wooden house on it of 21 rooms ; on the spot where two of the Morton block now stand ; which lot extended on the west line of Theatre alley to Franklin Place, and cost 2350 dollars, but valued now at nearly 100.000 dollars; * on which Mr. D. built an academy, mostly with the boards and lumber of the first Theatre built in Boston in 1792, on Hawley Street : which theatre was nsed as such for one short season only.
In the next published Directory, that of 1796, Mr. D's name appears as teacher in Milk Street, and Mr. Francis. Sales as teacher of the French and Spanish Languages at that academy : the Directory of 1789 having 1474 names, and that of 1796, having 3531, gives an increase of 2057 business names, during the seven years between those two dates ; which is a large increase for that period of time : the latter Directory was published by John West and printed by Manning & Loring : names eminent for accuracy and responsibility ; the list of inhabitants in the Town's book of Possessions for 1695, which is printed in this work, has 1317 names ; being only 157 less than in the Directory of 1789 : 94 years afterwards.
The first Directory gives a list of cleven Fire Engine Companies, for as many engines :- and only one Bank, the Massachusetts: the business hours of which, were from 10 to 1 and from 3 to 5 o'clock, daily ; except " Sunlays, Independence, Christmas, Commencement, Election, public 'Thanksgivings and Fasts."
The Directory for 1796, records three banks, viz : Massachusetts, Branch of the United States, and Union Bank ; all of them located in State Street.
The Directory for 1789 has 1474 names ; for 1796, 3531 ; for 1810, 5755 ; for 1513, 6151; for 1816, 7360; for 1820, 7650; for 1821, 8205; for 1523, 8760; for 1825, 9,06 ; for 1825, 11,050; for 1527, 11.214; for 1829, 11,420 ; for 1831, 12.205; for 1832, 12,699; for 1533, 12.933 ; for 1534, 13,733; for 1835, 14.613; for 1:36, 11,870; for 1837, 15,636 ; for 1:38, 15,8/1; for 1:39: 16,737 ; for 1s10, 17.507 ; for 1511, 19,730 ; for 1542, 20.003 ; for 1-43, 20,930 ; for 1814, 22,575; for 1845. 23.932 ; for Tel6. 95,488; and for 1817, 26. 158.
"Mr. D &. real estate to the value of 90 000 dollars is all bequeuthed to the Boston Dispensary
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BOSTON DIRECTORY FOR 1799.
Abrahams Ralph, tailor, Middle.st. Abraham Nath'l. gentleman, Back st. Abrahams Wm, tailor, Hanover st. Aeres Geo. cabinet maker, Back st. Adams Samuel, Hon. Winter street. Adams & Molineux, auctioneers, No. 9 Merchants-row.
Adams Dan'l, shop-keeper, Market sq. Adams Abraham, leather dresser and breeches maker, 72 Newbury st. Adams & Nonrse, printers, Court st. Adams James, barber, Fish-street. Adams Jos. cabinet maker, Center st. Adams Seth, trader, No. 57 Cornhill. Addams Elijah, sexton, Prince-street. Adamus Samuel, truckman, Eliot st. Adamson R. mariner, Southack's ct. Addoms Jonas. & Co. bro. State st. Alexander Giles, merchant, No. 52 Long-wharf.
Alexander Jos. barber, Orange st. Allen James, gentleman, Beacon st. Allen Jere. gentleman, Beacon st. Allen Thomas, tailor, Leverett st. Allen Mrs. milliner, Court street. Allen Ed. carpenter, Marshail's 1. Alline Henry, notary public, State st. Amory Jonathan, jr. shop Cornhill. Amory John and Thomas, store keep- ers, No. 41 Marlborough street. Amory Jonathan, merchant, State st. Amory Thos. jr. mer. 36 Long wf.
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