USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Chelsea > Documentary history of Chelsea : including the Boston precincts of Winnisimmet, Rumney Marsh, and Pullen Point, 1624-1824, vol 2 > Part 52
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552
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. L
of our town Right, By abating so much of our State tax as shall make our town's taxes equail to other towns, and so to Remain untill another Valuation shall be taken.
All these things Considered, we Cannot but be fully Sattisfied that this Hon'ble Court will Immediately. Rectify Such a plain and Evedent mistake, and in your Great wisdom will Relieve our town by abating so much of our State tax as shall make our town's Cireumstunees Equail with other towns: that we may not Ruined, Sink under our present heavy burdens, which we must unless Releaved; which your humble 'petitioners, as in Duty bound, Shall ever pray.
This petition appears to have received favorable action of the General Court at the next session, in a Resolve (Chap. 118 a), approved November 2, 1782 :
On the Petitions of the towns of Dorchester, Cohasset, and Chelsea, setting forth that they are set too high on the last Valua- tion, and praying that they may be abated, -
Resolved. That twelve Shillings be abated to the Town of Dor- chester, four shillings to the Town of Cohasset, and three shillings to the Town of Chelsea, in the Thousand pounds, on the said Valuation amounting in the whole to Nineteen Shillings. These abatements, by the same Resolve, were apportioned to certain other towns in specified rates.29
While Chelsea was endeavoring to relieve herself from what she regarded as unequal taxation by the State, her records show an equitable disposition to meet cases of hardship among her own citizens from local taxation, and I cite a few among many cases, selecting two which record interesting facts which have not otherwise come within my notice:
1782, March 14. Voted to forgive Mr. Bootman's two sons in Captivity their poll tax in Mr. Shute's List.30
March 21. Voted to forgive John Butman's rates in Capt. Pratt's List.
May 21. Voted to abate William Boardman's part of the tax for schooling his children the present year.31
" Voted to abate William Boardman, Jr's, rates while in
29 Supplement to The Acts and Resolves, 1780-1784, i. 128.
.
80 Town Rec., ii. 70.
31 Ibid., 73.
553
CHAP, LI
TAXATION AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS
captivity." [ Bootman, Butman, and Boardman, may be of the same family. ] 32
Dee. 30. Voted to abate John Pratt, 2d's, poll tax in William Boardinan's List, while he was in captivity.33
1783, April 7. Voted to abate Collector Joseph Pratt so much of his collections as he looses by the New Emission Bills that he has taken for taxes as Collector, which, he says, is forty New Emission Dollars that were emitted by other States.34
l'oles al the gubernatorial election.
April 1, 1782. To choose a Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and six Senators, agreeable to the constitution of this State.
For Governor, 24 votes, for his Excellency John Hancock unan- imous. For Lientenant-Governor, 18 votes for Hon. Azor Orne, and 4 votes for Hon. Samuel Holton.
For Senators, 18 votes, for Hon. Jeremiah Powell.
18
John Pitts. 17
Benj. White.
15 66 66 Cotton Tufts.
14 66 Benj. Austin.
14 66 Samuel Niles.
4
66 Richard Cranch.
Jabez Fisher.
4 4
66 66 Increase Sumner.35
The action of the town, in regard to the Tory refugees, like that in regard to the fisheries, appears to have been on the suggestion of the Boston Committee of Correspondence.
1783, March 10. Lieut. Abijah Hastings, Samnel Floyd, and Joshna Cheever were chosen of the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety.36
12 May, 1783. Voted to transfer the letter sent to Chelsea from Boston [to the] committee of correspondence.
Voted, That in the opinion of this town it is utterly incompat- ible with the Dignity and Safety of this Commonwealth that any of those persons that shall come under the denomination of Refu- gees should ever be admitted to the privilege of citizenship among us, and our Representative is hereby Instructed to aet in con- formity to this vote in the General Conrt.
1784, March 8. Chose Joshua Cheever, Samuel Floyd, and
32 Town Ree .. ii. 73. Ibid., 72. 30 Ibid .. 79.
83 Ibid., 77, 100.
34 Ibid., S1.
554
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. L
Abijah Hastings Committee of Correspondenee, Inspection and Safety.37
May 11, 1784. Voted, Mr. Payson for the town's Representa- tive, but he refused with his reasons; then chose Mr. John Sale, Jr., but he desired to be excused. Voted no more upon the matter.38
1787, April 5. Capt. James Stower refused to take the Oath of Allegiance, as town treasurer, and Mr. Caleb Pratt was chosen instead and took the oath.39
1787, Dcc. 3. The new Constitution (of the United States) being read, voted, Rev. Phillips Payson be a delegate to the Con- vention at the State House in Boston on the second Wednesday, of January next, to confer upon it.40
August 6, 1788. That the Selectmen put in a Petition to the General Court, to see if they will abate the fine for not sending a Representative.41
The new government under the Federal Constitution was to take effect March 4, 1789, and it became necessary for the people to elect a President and Vice-President, by Electors, and Representatives by direct vote. Senators were chosen by State Legislatures. Accordingly, by order of the General Court the town voted December 18, 1788, and cast twelve votes for Samuel Adams, and seven for Oliver Wendell for representative; and for two Electors, - Benjamin Lincoln had thirteen, Cotton Tufts twelve, Thomas Dawes and Fisher Ames four each, and Oliver Wendell one.42
May 6, 1795. Town meeting, for the purpose of collecting the sentiment of the Town on the Necessity or Expediency of revis- ing the Constitution, in order for Amendment. The question being put, " Shall the Constitution of this Commonwealth be revised," voted unanimously in the Negative. Had eighteen votes.43
May 4, 1796. Samuel Cary, Abijah Hastings, and James Floyd a committee, to attend to the affairs of the town respecting the General Court of this Commonwealth.44
In 1815, the. people of Chelsea appear to have become about evenly divided between the Federal and Republican parties,
87 Town Rec., ii. 82, 89.
41 Ibid., 113.
Ibid., 91.
Ibid., 113.
89 Ibid., 106. Ibid., 143.
40 Ibid., 108. $ Ibid., 148.
555
CHAP. L] TAXATION AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS
and at the election for governor in April, Samuel Dexter, the Republican candidate, had thirty-six votes, and Caleb Strong, the Federal, thirty-seven. 45
April, 1821. Votes of the town on the constitutional amend- ments proposed by the Convention of 1820 were passed.46
$5 Town Rec., iii. 34. " Ibid., 103.
556
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. LI
CHAPTER LI
CHELSEA BRIDGE AND SALEM TURNPIKE
THIS enterprise was started in 1795 or 1796, and an Act of the General Court was obtained in 1801.1 Moses Brown, of Beverly, was chairman of the committee for the petitioners.
In a letter to Brown by William H. Sumner, June 5, 1801, he strongly urged that the Salem Turnpike should run through East Boston, and so connect with Boston by bridge. The chief argument for the adoption of this plan was that, instead of running through Charlestown, it was the saving of three quarters of a mile in distance, in time, and the toll of Charles- town Bridge. But the scheme did not find favor.
A few years earlier it was proposed to build a bridge from Noddle's Island to Chelsea, and a ferry to Boston, and this project was commended in the Massachusetts Mercury, June 7, 1796, by a " Bostonian." 2
1 Approved March 6, 1802, being Chapter 63, Acts, 1801. The name was " The Salem Turnpike & Chelsea Bridge Corporation."
2 This writer suggested that as a bridge proposed from the east point of Charlestown to accommodate the eastern travellers would soon cause that part of that town " to be filled with wharves and inhabitants "; and more especially so, if a good turnpike-road be made the shortest route from Newhall's Tavern, in Lynn; thought, perhaps, that the object would be better attained, particularly for Boston and the eastern country, by erect- ing a bridge, at small expense, from Chelsea to Noddle's Island, and open- ing a good ferry from said Island to Boston. Some parts of that Island, he said, were extremely well calculated for dry docks, at very little ex- pense, where vessels of any tonnage would be free from danger of fire or stornis. He also suggested that if stores, with proper cellars, be erected, most of the heavy goods, and naval stores, particularly, would soon be deposited there for safety; and any branch of manufactures might be established, and in a short time a very considerable settlement would take place, which of course would extend the size of Boston, the Island being a part of it. These expectations of a writer, in the year 1796, have since been more than realized in respect to East Boston, and Charlestown, itself, which he feared, by the improvements proposed in 1796, would necessarily increase Charlestown to the detriment of Boston.
557
BRIDGE AND TURNPIKE
CHAP. LI]
East Boston Company was incorporated, March 25, 1833, and the history of East Boston, as forming an important part of the city proper, began with its formation. Its object was that of improving Noddle's Island, which was its property. The permanent establishment of a ferry to the city was carly decmed a matter of vital importance to the interests of the Island, and to aid the project a single-rail railroad was started in 1834, and crossed the marsh, in which the posts, sustaining the rail, were sunk; but the enterprise, in spite of its novelty, proved a failure. Next in time came the hotel, known as the Maverick House, and the Island soon became populous. The history of this land enterprise may be read with interest to-day. Mannfacturing establishments were begun on a large scale, and numerous private dwellings were built.
General Summer," in Chapter XVI., under public improve- ments, gives a history of the ferries, beginning with the East Boston ferry. The trustees of the Winnisimmet Ferry, or Chelsea Ferry, objected to this new ferry, under the impression that it would injure the property of the Chelsea Ferry, and interfere with its ancient rights. The scheme of the East Boston Ferry was sustained, in emergencies, by the East Bos- ton Company, and later by that company and the Eastern Railroad Company, and in 1852 it became the property of a new company known by the name of the " East Boston Ferry Company," and the City of Boston was at liberty, at any time during the continuanec of its charter, to purchase it. Later. a new ferry, under the name of the " People's Ferry," was a second line of communication between the City and East Boston.
A bridge, called Chelsea Free Bridge, was built between East Boston and Chelsea over the ereck between the two places, by the East Boston Company, whose history has been briefly given. On March 28, 1834, an act of incorporation was granted. The bridge was to be well built, and with a draw for the passage of vessels. "Provided always, that if, at any time hereafter, the proprietors of said bridge shall lay out, or cause to be laid out and made, any road from the Chelsea end of said bridge to any road whatsoever within the limits of the town
3 History of East Boston.
558
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. LI
of Chelsea, the inhabitants of said town shall never be charge- able with any cost or expense whatsoever for the laying out, inaking, repairing, or maintaining such road." 4
" Early in 1834, committees met on the part of the Salem Turnpike Corporation and the Chelsea Bridge Corporation, and made arrangements for the continuation of the road from the free bridge to the turnpike, thus opening a communication with Chelsea and the country north and east of it." 5 The eon- struetion was begun in June, 1834, and it was opened to public travel in May, 1835. " The road from the bridge to the Salem Turnpike was called the 'Eastern Avenue'; it was about 15/8 miles long, and up to the time of its first publie opening, had eost over $12,000." 6 The bridge eventually was taken by the eity of Boston, and by Chelsea, one half by each, and laid out as a county, road.7
4 Sumner, 571.
Ibid., 572.
6 Ibid., 573.
" For more facts regarding this bridge see Sumner's History of East Boston, pp. 571-576.
.
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559
REV. DR. TUCKERMAN'S PASTORATE
CHAP. LII]
CHAPTER LII
REV. DR. TUCKERMAN'S PASTORATE
F ROM the Church Records kept by Dr. Tuckerman,1 the following items of ecclesiastical history are gathered :
At a regular church-meeting, held in the meeting-house, June 28, 1801, of which Rev. Peter Thacher, D.D., of Boston, was mod- erator, Mr. Joseph 'Tuckerman was unanimously chosen their pas- tor; and October 12, the town having concurred, Nov. 4 was appointed for the ordination, and the following churches were invited to assist: of Boston, Rev. Dr. Lathrop's, Rev. Dr. West's, Rev. Dr. Thacher's, and Rev. Dr. Eliot's; of Charlestown, Rev. Dr. Morse's; of Dedham, Rev. Mr. Thacher's; of Lynn, Rev. Mr. Thacher's; and of Malden, Rev. Mr. Green's. The ecclesiastical council met at the house of Mr. William Eustis, Nov. 4, 1801, chose Dr. West, moderator, and Mr. Aaron Green, seribe. Having examined the proceedings, and heard Mr. Tuckerman's confession of faith, it was voted to proceed to his ordination. The publie per- formanees were as follows: Introductory prayer, by Rev. Dr. Thacher; Sermon, by Rev. Mr. Thacher of Dedham, from Deut. 6, 6 and 7; Charge, by Rev. Dr. West; Fellowship of the Churches, by Rev. Mr. Green, and Concluding prayer, by Rev. Dr. Eliot. Chelsea, Nov. 4, 1801. Attest, AARON GREEN, Seribe.
1 The following outline of his life is found in Drake's Biographical Dietionary : JOSEPH TUCKERMAN, D.D., H.U. 1824; a Unitarian clergy- man and philanthropist, born Boston, Jan. 18, 1778; died Havana, April 20, 1840. Harvard University 1798. Ordained pastor of the church in Chelsea, Mass., Nov. 4, 1801, where he continued, till Nov. 4, 1826. He organized the Benevolent Fraternity of Churches for the support of a city mission called the " Ministry at Large," of which he became a minister. In this sphere he was distinguished for his untiring zeal, and for the snecess of his labors among the poor. In 1812 he was instrumental in organizing the first charitable society established in the United States for the religions and moral improvement of seamen. He wrote, and the society published, in furtherance of that object, eleven tracts. In 1830 he wrote an essay "On the Wages paid to Females," which gained a prize offered in Philadelphia. On his return from Enrope, where he had promoted the organization of similar institutions, he published " Principles and Results of the Ministry at Large," 12mo., 1838. In 1811 he published " Seven Discourses on Miscellaneous Subjects."
560
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. LII
Sabbath, Feb. 21, 1802. After divine service, informed the brethren that Miss Elizabeth Harris, Miss Sarah, and Miss Ann Cary, had expressed their desire to become members of our com- munion, and that if no objections should be made, they would, on the next Sabbath, be admitted.
Sabbath, 28 Feb., 1802. This day, the ordinance of the supper, which should in course have been administered, was necessarily omitted. A storm which began with the week, and which, except on Wednesday, has continued to this time (March 1), prevented the requisite preparations.
Sabbath, March 21, 1802. The women named under date of Feb. 21 were admitted to the communion of the church.2
The Chelsea Church was invited to assist in the ordination, or installation, of some of the most eminent clergymen in and about Boston, and I group the instances in the note below.3
2 As the first admissions to the Chelsea Church during Dr. Tuckerman's pastorate the fact is mentioned; but as Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Admissions to the church, and Deaths will be tabulated, special mention of either will be omitted; with the exception of that of Polly Harris, June 12, 1803, who, having expressed a desire to become a member in full com- munion, but being confined to a bed of sickness, by consent of the church, the ordinance was administered by Mr. Tuckerman; Deacon Cheever and Mr. Eustis being present as representatives of the church.
& Wednesday, June 1, 1803, William E. Channing, as pastor of the Federal Street Church, Boston. Deacons Harris and Cheever and Joshua Cheever, Jr., were delegates. Mr. Tuckerman gave the right hand of fellowship.
Sept. 26, 1804, Mr. Tuckerman, with Deacons Harris and Cheever and . Mr. Hastings, Senr, as delegates, assisted in the ordination of William Frothingham, as pastor of the church in the West Parish in Lynn.
Jan. 6, 1805, the Brattle Street Church, in Boston, requested the assist- ance of the Chelsea Church in the ordination of Joseph Stevens Buck- minster. Mr. Samuel Pratt and Deacon Harris, delegates.
June 7, 1807, Voted that Deacon Harris be the delegate to attend Mr. Tuckerman in the settlement of Mr. Henry Colman, in Hingham.
May 7, 1811, Voted to assist in the ordination of John Bartlett, in Marblehead, and that Deacons Harris and Floyd attend as delegates.
Sept. 9, 1813, Voted to accept the invitation of the first church in Lynn, on the 15th, for the ordination of Mr. Isaac Hurd. George Cary, delegate.
Nov. 21, 1813, Voted to accept the invitation of the North Church in Boston to assist in the ordination of Mr. Francis Parkman. George Cary, delegate.
Jan. 2, 1814, Voted to accept the invitation to assist in the ordination of Mr. Thomas B. Gannett over the society in Cambridge. Deacons Harris and Floyd, delegates.
Dec. 29, 1816, Voted to accept the invitation of the Second Church in
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501
CHAP. LII] REV. DR. TUCKERMAN'S PASTORATE
May 17, 1802. (Town's action.) Account ($141.71) of the committee for the ordination of Rev. Mr. Tuckerman accepted. That $500, for his salary, and $200, for his first year's settlement, be assessed on the town for 1802.4
Boston to assist in the ordination of Henry Ware. Deacons Harris and Floyd, delegates.
April 12, 1818, Accepted the invitation of the Second Church of Charles- town, to assist in the ordination of James Walker. Geo. Cary, delegate.,
June 17. The church assisted in the ordination of John Gorham Pal- frey, as minister of the Brattle Street Church, Boston.
June 21. Accepted the invitation of the First Church in Lynn, to join in the ordination of Mr. Otis Rockwood.
April 14, 1819. Assisted in the ordination of Mr. John Pierpont, in the Hollis Street Church, Boston. Deacon Floyd and Thomas G. Cary, delegates.
Oct. 31, 1819. The Church consented that Mr. Tuckerman should go to Charleston, S. C., to assist in the ordination of Mr. Gilman.
August 27, 1820. The Church voted to assist in the installation of Rev. James Flint as pastor of the East Chuch in Salem. George B. Cary, delegate.
Oct. 15, 1820. Voted to assist in the ordination of Mr. John Brazer, in the North Church in Salem. G. B. Cary, delegate.
Sept. 9, 1821. Read letter from the East Church and Society in Salem, asking us to assist in the installation of Rev. James Flint as their pastor. G. B. Cary, delegate.
Marel, 1822. Read an invitation from Mr. Samuel Joseph May, to unite with the other churches, in connexion with the ministers of the Boston Association, to ordain him, in the church in Chauncy Place, that he may take charge for six months of the Second Church in Brooklyn, and admin- ister the ordinances of the gospel there. Voted to accept it.
Dee. 14, 1823. Accepted an invitation from the Church and Society in New Bedford, to assist in the ordination of Mr. Dewey. Dea. Floyd, delegate.
June 12, 1824. Read a letter from the Federal Street Church, Boston, under the care of Dr. Channing, to assist in the ordination of Ezra S. Gannett, as colleague pastor. Charles S. Cary and David Floyd, delegates.
Oct. 12. Invitation from the Second Congregational Society in Lynn, to join in the ordination of Samuel D. Green. Seth Copeland, delegate.
Nov. 21, 1824. Ordination of Mr. Upham, as colleague pastor of Dr. Prince, Salem. David Floyd, delegate.
Jan. 9, 1825. Invitation from the Unitarian Society in Philadelphia, to assist in the ordination of Mr. Furness. Could not go. Same day, letter from the Summer Street Church, Boston, to assist in the ordination of Mr. Young. Dea. Ilarris and C. S. Cary, delegates.
Jan. 30, 1825. Letters from the Twelfth Congregational Society in Boston, to join in the ordination of Mr. Barrett. Dea. Harris, delegate.
Same day. Letter from the First Independent Congregational Society in Salem, to assist in the installation of Mr. Colman. Mr. Copeland, lelegate.
Nov. 5, 1826. A letter from the Purchase Street Congregational Society in Boston, inviting us to assist in the ordination of Mr. George Ripley. Mr. C. S. Cary, delegate.
* Town Rec., ii. 185. VOL. 11. - 36
562
HISTORY OF CHELSEA
[CHAP. LII
March 7, 1803. The town voted that Rev. Mr. Tuckerman have liberty to build a pew in the Meeting-House in the place of the body scat in front of Mr. Joseph Pratt's pew, and improve the same, while continuing our minister.5
The town owned a pew in the Meeting-House, which it let yearly to the highest bidder at auction. I have noted these bids from 1804 to 1826, and they average $5. [See Appendix at end of this chapter. ]
Dec. 11, 1803. It has hitherto been a custom of the church in this place to omit the administration of the ordinance of the sup- per during the months of December and January. This day, I ex- pressed to the church my desire for its continuance, which was readily and cordially granted.
March 3, 1806. At the request of Mr. Tuckerman the town voted unanimously that all future meetings of the town, for any other than religious purposes, shall be holden in the school-house, except when the numbers attending be so great, that they cannot be accommodated there.
June 22. Deacon Cheever sent in his resignation, and asked for a committee to settle his accounts. An honorable dismission was unanimously granted, and instructed the committee which was chosen to express to him the gratitude of the church for his long and faithful services. The committee chosen were Dea. Harris, Mr. Hastings, and Mr. Samuel Pratt. Voted to defer the choice of another deacon to the next Sabbath.
In the afternoon a contribution of $36.89 was made, for aiding the translation of the Scriptures into the languages of India.
June 29. The committee to settle the accounts of Dea. Cheever, reported that they found in his hands, $67.27. Capt. James Floyd was chosen deacon with the exception of a single vote. He re- quested time to deliberate.
In consequence of the small contribution for aiding the trans- lation of the Scriptures into the Indian languages, voted . that $13.11 of the church money be added, to make up $50.
Deacon Cheever requested the Church to accept land enough behind the meeting-house and contiguous to it for a large tomb; or in future to be appropriated to any purpose they shall think proper.
May 4, 1807. The Town's pew in the meeting-house let to Mr. John Farrington, for one year from this date, for $5.
5 Town Rec., ii. 190.
T
563
CHAP. LIII REV. DR. TUCKERMAN'S PASTORATE
May 8, 1809. Let to John S. Tewksbury for $6.75.ยบ
Nov. 1, 1809. Admitted Miss Priscilla Belcher to full com- munion. The service was performed in the school-house at Pullin Point, the deacons being appointed to represent the church. On this afternoon I closed the services at the Point for this season. They were commenced in the spring of 1804, and have been con- tinued regularly.
April 21, 1811. Belknap's Psalms and Hymns were read in public worship for the first time in this town - Watts's have hitherto been used.
June 23, 1811. This afternoon we had a contribution for the sufferers by the late fire in Newbury-Port, and collected $67.77; the greatest sum, I believe, ever obtained by a contribution in this place.
August 25, 1816. Voted, on motion of Deacon Harris, " that a committee of three be chosen to act as there may hereafter be occasion with the authority usually delegated to church commit- tees." Voted, that Deacons Harris and Floyd, and Thomas G. Cary, be of this committee.
[Mem. The Rev. Dr. Kirkland officiated as moderator on this occasion ; in the absence of the Reverend and beloved pastor of the Church, then in England for the benefit of his health.]
" Dec. 1816. From long inattention to my health, I became al- most entirely prostrated by dyspepsia. My lungs were enfeebled, and copious perspiration was day and night wasting my strength. Dr. Warren advised a voyage, and with my beloved wife I em- barked on the last day of June; arrived at Gravesend on the 28th of July; and reembarked at Liverpool on the 3d of October of the same year for my country and home, where I arrived on the 7th of November."
Nov. 24. In consequence of my indisposition not being wholly removed, and my strength not entirely restored, the Parish voted this day that there should be but one public service in the church through the months of winter.
Oct. 19, 1817. At a meeting of the church after divine service, having taken into consideration the expedieney of having a stove in the meeting-house, it was motioned by the pastor, seconded by Deacon Harris and voted unanimously, that the church committee be and hereby are empowered and requested in the name of the church in this place to offer the town from the church funds, to purchase and have erected a stove in the meeting-house suitable
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