History of East Boston; with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix, Part 30

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


USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > East Boston > History of East Boston; with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix > Part 30
USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > East Boston > History of East Boston : with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix. > Part 30


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334


HISTORY.


[1797.


Mr. and Miss Sheaf from Portsmouth, who are related and keep at Mrs. Hancocks. Mrs. H. desired her compliments, and would have come had it not looked so likely for rain. Tom went to Boston, returned at one with Sally Williams. Fenno landed at the same time with Parson Murray, who came to see papa. We spent a very merry and sociable day.


" Saturday, 13th August. - Mr. Hyslop, one of the owners of this Island, was buried this afternoon, it is said he has left eighty thousand pounds worth of property, and only two"chil- dren.


"'Tuesday, 11th April, 1797. - Mr. Sumner, a gentleman that graduated last year at Cambridge, came to see brother Jack ; the wind blew so hard in the afternoon that he could not return, and of course passed the night here."


From Noddle's Island there was a fine view of Hart's ship- yard at the north end of Boston. In this yard was built the frigate Constitution, the pride of the navy. Hundreds went over from Boston to the Island to see the launch from the opposite shore. Some interesting particulars are to be found in the Williams journal, from which the following entries are quoted : -


" Tuesday, 17th September, 1797. - ... Before sunset the ferry-boat brought Mr. Hill and two daughters, Mrs. Mears, Mrs. Blany and daughter, Mrs. Thayer, cousin Susan and Martha, Sally, and Betsey Avery, to pass the night, to see the frigate launched on the morrow, etc.


" Wednesday, 20th. - Wind N. W., pleasant but cold. The company began to assemble early. A large number of our friends came over besides strangers. Papa thinks there were about six hundred on the Island, and one hundred that par- took of a eleven o'clock and dined with us. There were Mr. Carey, wife and family ; Mr. Avery, wife and family; Mr. Hill and family ; Mr. Scott and two daughters ; our friends and relations from Boston and Roxbury, too many to enumerate. Some left us after ; had about forty to tea. These left us all but those who tarried last night, except Mrs. Blany and daugh- ters ; the Mr. Sigourneys went over this morn. Daniel (S.) came over with his mother. Andrew (S.) was to be launched in the frigate, but like ourselves and thousands of others, was


P


1799.]


THE WILLIAMS JOURNAL.


335


disappointed as the vessel did not move more than eight feet before she stopped. The colors were then dropped as a signal she would not go off to-day, etc.


" Friday, 22. - A fine day. Scott erected a tent again on the hill to accommodate those persons that come over to see the ship launched, as they intend to make another attempt to-day. A great number of people came over, but not as many we think, as on Wednesday, and again were disappointed as the vessel stuck, and could not possibly be got off. Several gentlemen called to take some refreshment."


The third attempt was successful, and the ill-fated ship, as the superstitious sailors supposed her to be, glided beautifully into the water. The journal says : -


" Saturday, 21st October. - Wind east and rather cold. Papa and the boys went to Boston. At twelve o'clock we all paraded up the hill to see the ship-launch, as she was to make tryall for the third time. A great number of people collected .on the wharf, and a few boats in the harbor ; only one boat of people landed at the Island. At half-past twelve she went, and I think that every one that saw her must be gratified, as it was impossible for anything to go better, or look prettier."


The unparalleled successful career of the " Constitution" is known to every one, and she is the pride of the navy and the nation.


" Monday, 23d December, 1799. - At one the bells all began tolling (at Boston) ; when Thomas returned to dine he informed us it was for the melancholy news - the death of Gen. George Washington, which had arrived late this morning. An event so mournful excites the keenest feeling of anguish. Business of every kind was suspended, the stores and shops throughout the town were shut, and such other testimonies of respect as the moment suggested were immediately paid; the theatre and museum were announced to be closed for a week, and the inhabitants walked about not knowing what to do. Gen. Washington was in the 68th year of his age.


" Sunday, 29th. - Mr. Eliot (preached) all day ; in the after- noon a funeral sermon on the death of the ever lamented George Washington from the 90th Psalm and 12th verse, 'So teach us to number.our days that we may apply our hearts unto


336


HISTORY.


[1800.


wisdom.' The pulpit and deacons' seat were shrouded in black, and many of the congregation were in mourning.


" Monday, 30th. - Papa to Boston at ten as there was a meet- ing of the inhabitants of the town of Boston at Faneuil Hall, to consult on measures of paying suitable Respect to the memory of the deceased Washington, when in compliance with heaven's high mandate, the hero of his age lies numbered with the dead ; the revered sage, the august statesman, the father of his coun- try has resigned his breath ; the idol of an empire, the envy and admiration of distant nations, and the brightest ornament of human nature, - Washington is no more.


" Tuesday, 31st. - Doctor Morse of Charlestown delivered an eulogy on the death of Gen. Washington, this afternoon, the first in the neighborhood of Boston. Washington's elegy was put on Gen. Warren's monument while the discourse was delivered. So ends the year of our Lord, 1799, in prayers and mourning for the loss of a Blessed Washington.


" Thursday, 2d January, 1800. - Military funeral ceremonies were performed at Fort Independence, on Castle Island, this day, to evince their respect for the memory of Gen. Washing- ton.


" Saturday, 9th. - Tributary honors were this day paid by the inhabitants of Boston to the memory of the illustrious deceased, George Washington. Every office, store and shop was closed, and business entirely suspended ; the flags of all the shipping in the harbor were hoisted half-mast high, mourn- ing crapes were worn by every individual of any respectability, and the ladies likewise manifested those attentions which sensi- bilities pay to departed heroism and virtue ; infancy caught the pious sorrow of the hour, and the rising generation dropped the manly tear. At half-past twelve the largest procession which was ever seen in the town proceeded from the new State-house, through the most public streets to the old brick meeting-house, where an excellent eulogium was pronounced by Judge Minot. At. sunrise, sixteen guns were fired, and bells began tolling, - then signal guns, till the procession moved, every half hour, - from which time minute guns were fired till the time of the delivery of the eulogium ; then the firing of guns each half-hour was resumed and continued till near sunset; the bells then


337


THE WILLIAMS JOURNAL.


1800.]


ceased tolling, and a discharge of sixteen guns closed the cere- monies. The day was remarkably clear; not a cloud passed over the horizon; the sun shone with uncommon brilliancy, but it was reflected on a wintry ground; the trees were bereft of their honors, the murmuring streams had forgotten to flow, the song of the vocal chorister was mute, - Washington slept in dust, nature breathed the requiem of peace. Papa went over at ten, in order to join the procession; he with mamma dined at Mr. Coffin's," etc.


" Saturday, 8th February. - This was the day set apart for the great and mighty man, Fisher Ames, to deliver an eulogy on the sublime virtues of the late deceased General George Washington. The procession moved from the State house at eleven o'clock, and arrived at the Old South meeting-house. The procession was very lengthy, and the people in the house were very numerous. The eulogy was elegant and spirited, considering the occasion. It was highly political, and yet the orator was not guilty of digression. This discourse is said to be far the best yet delivered on this mournful occasion.


" Tuesday, 11. - The day appointed for the masonic pro- cession in honor of the illustrious Washington. The bells rang from eleven till two; the parade moved from the new State house to the Old South mecting-house, where an excellent eulogy was delivered by Mr. Bigelow. The procession is the most splendid we have had in Boston. A white urn sup- ported by six sergeants elegantly decorated, representing the genius of masonry weeping o'er the urn with this inscription : ' Sacred to the memory of Brother George Washington, raised to the all-perfect Lodge 14th Decr. 1799, ripe in years and full of glory.' Nine boys bearing sprigs of cassia, and nine girls bearing baskets of flowers, all dressed in mourning, which had an elegant appearance.


" Tuesday, 2nd September. - [H. H. Williams at this time lived at Chelsea.] Papa and mamma came from Chelsea in the morning to meet the proprietors of the Island, as they intend visiting it to-day. At eleven the boat went over for them, and before twelve it returned with Mrs. Sumner, son and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Hyslop, and Mr. Greenough. They took dinner with us, and left soon after."


29


338


HISTORY.


[1800.


In the Introductory Letter, reference was made to the proposed establishment of a navy-yard at Noddle's Island. 'The journal mentions it in the following entry : -


" 24th March, 1800. - Very pleasant. Papa and Thomas to Boston. Papa returned to dinner as the select men of Boston were coming here in the afternoon to view the Island and determine whether it will do for a navy-yard. They came at four in Dillaway's boat which waited for them until six ; they then took leave after refreshing themselves with wine, brandy and water."


Attention was very generally turned to the Island as a suit- able place for a navy-yard, and Mr. Darracott (father of the present George Darracott, Esq.), impressed with its peculiar fit- ness for such a purpose, went to the Island with measuring apparatus, and after spending some time in making observa- tions, sketched a map, or plan, marking down the mill-pond with considerable care, as he thought it afforded good conven- iences for a dock.


Very fortunately, as the result now proves, but to the great disappointment of the proprietors of the Island at the time, Charlestown was selected as the site of the yard. A gentleman, in a note to the writer on this subject, says, that the Charlestown people sent Dr. Morse, the Orthodox Congregational clergyman of the place (father of the proprietors and editors of the New York Observer, and of the inventor of the electric telegraph), to Washington, as a delegate to favor their cause. To his efforts were added those of Dr. Putnam, and in this manner Charles- town secured the navy-yard, and that valuable location was ruined for business purposes.


" Saturday, 25th April, 1801. - Papa went to the Island to meet the owners of it and three other gentlemen who had gone over to appraise some things papa left there. He came home to dine ; Mr. Greenough, Mr. Hyslop, Mr. Sumner, Mr. Parker, and brother Thomas with him : Mr. Smith and Mr. Blany were also of the party at the Island, and went from there to Boston, as business prevented their dining here."


Extracts like these could be made sufficient to fill a volume, but want of space will not allow of further quotation, and suffi- cient has been given to show the character of the journal. The


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THE WILLIAMS JOURNAL.


1800.]


thought naturally suggests itself while reading these passages, that, if similar family records were more numerous, if indi- viduals were only careful to note the passing events of interest, the historian would find his labors lightened, and matters of value and interest to the reading and thinking public would be preserved.


CHAPTER XIII.


MILITARY OPERATIONS ON NODDLE'S ISLAND.


NODDLE'S ISLAND is not without its "purple testament of bleed- ing war." Murderous cannon have bristled from fortifications on its hill-tops ; thousands of armed men have camped upon the slopes and in the valleys; the sound of musketry and the roar of field-pieces have made the Island tremble; the quick march of eager troops and the struggle of real conflict have wasted its green fields; and, with long lines of embankments, the strong forts upon its summits have protected the channel.


Maverick probably commenced the military history of the Island with the planting of his " four murtherers " 1 in his " fort," to protect himself from the attacks of Indians, or any other enemies ; but we do not learn that he ever had occasion to use them. In years subsequent, fortifications were built at Boston and in the vicinity, and on some of the islands in the harbor, and it is not improbable that defences may have been raised upon Noddle's Island; but we have no definite account of any works at so early a period.


Whatever pertains to military affairs upon the Island, divides itself into three periods, namely : the expedition to Canada in 1711, the Revolutionary war, and the war of 1812. In these different accounts, all general description of causes and effects, of policy pursued, or circumstances not pertinent to our Island history, will be avoided, as far as is consistent with a clear nar- rative. These three divisions, although separated by intervals of many years, will be given in one chapter, for the convenience of the reader, and that the military history of the Island may be presented at one view.


1 Ante, p. 73.


1711.]


THE ENCAMPMENT IN 1711.


341


I.


The Expedition to Canada in 1711. - The greatest military display ever made upon the Island was undoubtedly at the time of the encampment there of the British forces, previous to their departure on that powerful and ill-fated expedition against Can- ada, in 1711.1


The immediate antecedents and causes of this expedition may be concisely stated as follows : -


The treaty of Ryswick, in 1697, regarded by all parties as only an armed truce, put a nominal end to the war between England and France known as King William's war, although the Indian allies of the French in this country continued their depredations for some time after the declaration of peace. Still, points of difference remained unsettled, and were the immedi- ate cause of angry feeling and dispute between the two.govern- ments. Matters of greater national importance were mingled with these, and soon led to the renewal of hostilities.


Upon the death of King William, in 1702, Anne, princess of Denmark, and eldest surviving daughter of James II., quietly succeeded to the throne. This blasted the hopes of Louis XIV., who, in violation of the treaty of Ryswick, and before the death of William, had proclaimed the Pretender to be King of Great Britain and Ireland, under the title of James III. War was now inevitable; and in May, 1702, a declaration of hostilities against France was announced on the same day at London, the Hague, and Vienna.


In America, the whole weight of the war fell upon the New England colonies, and particularly upon Massachusetts and New Hampshire, these bordering directly upon the enemy's country. The declaration of hostilities was immediately fol-


1 In this account, use has been made of Hutchinson's History of Massachu- setts Bay, Admiral Walker's Journal, Marshall's Life of Washington, Bel- knap's History of New Hampshire, History of Modern Europe, Drake's His- tory of Boston, besides original documents in the possession of the author. These authorities are here mentioned to prevent a too frequent recurrence to them in the narrative. .


29 *


342


HISTORY.


[1711.


lowed by predatory incursions from Canada of the French and Indians upon the exposed parts of New England; and this des- olating warfare was carried on for some years, Massachusetts and New Hampshire having been left to struggle with the com- bined strength of the French and their Indian allies.


This prolonged contest was destitute of any striking circum- stances, but was attended with great expense and infinite indi- vidual distress. The colonies, attributing their calamities to the French in Canada, earnestly solicited the crown for suffi- cient aid to subjugate that country, and in the autumn of 1708, an address to the queen was voted by the general court of Mas- sachusetts. This address was strongly supported by Francis Nicholson, who had been lieutenant-governor, first of New York and afterward of Virginia, and Samuel Vetch, a man well acquainted with the French settlements in that quarter.


Influenced by these representations, the British ministry de- cided to send an expedition against the French settlements in North America, and an extensive plan of operations was formed for that purpose. Five regiments of regular troops were to be sent to Boston, there to be joined by twelve hundred men, to be raised in Massachusetts and Rhode Island; and these States were also to furnish transports, pilots, flat-bottomed boats, and three months' provisions for their own men. With this force it was intended to besiege Quebec; and another army, to be raised in the colonies lying south of Rhode Island, was to at- tack Montreal at the same time. Nicholson was appointed to command the troops destined for Montreal, and marched to Wood creek, and waited there the arrival of the English troops. In the mean time, the New England troops were waiting at Boston for the arrival of the British. But neither men nor tidings came from England; and, after waiting from May till September in daily expectation of the fleet, Vetch proposed a meeting of the governors of the colonies, to see to what use they could put the troops, in order that the expense incurred might not be wholly lost. At length, on the 11th of October, two or three days before the congress of governors was to as- semble, news arrived that the forces intended for America had been sent to Portugal; and the colonists were directed to turn their attention to the reduction of Port Royal, in Nova Scotia.


343


THE ENCAMPMENT IN 1711.


1711.]


But on account of the refusal of the naval commanders to en- gage in a service which promised neither glory nor profit, and also on account of the lateness of the season, the troops were discharged and the enterprise abandoned, to the severe disap- pointment of the colonists.


But General Nicholson persisted in his efforts, and on the 18th of September sailed from Boston with an expedition for that destination. Speedily investing Port Royal, he compelled it to surrender on the 5th of October, and, in compliment to the queen, changed the name to Annapolis. Leaving a garri- son sufficient to guard it, he returned with the troops to Boston. Thence he went to England to renew the solicitations for an expedition against Canada, confident of success in the under- taking. A tory ministry was now in power, and the colonists, being all whigs, supposed the ministry to be determined on peace, and not inclined to make further acquisitions from the French possessions. There was a general surprise, therefore, when, on the 8th of June, 1711, General Nicholson arrived at Boston with orders from the queen to the governors of the col- onies as far as Pennsylvania to have their quotas of men and provisions in readiness for such an expedition upon the arrival of the fleet and army from Europe. This was a short warning, as the fleet was expected in a few days; and, what was still more extraordinary, ten weeks' provision for the army was to be in readiness at Boston at that time.


It was impossible to make a literal compliance with these orders, for the fleet entered the harbor on the 24th of June, only sixteen days after the arrival of Gen. Nicholson. But the nature of the service was so perfectly in accordance with the wishes of the people, as well as of the governors, that they used every exertion, and surmounted the greatest difficulties, for the execution of the demands of the government. The general court of Massachusetts issued bills of credit to the amount of forty thousand pounds to supply the money which the English treasury could not advance, and the whole plan met with the hearty response of the people of Boston. Says Dummer: " When the great unfortunate expedition was set on foot against Canada under the command of General Hill and Ad- miral Walker, they (the colonists) furnished more than the


344


HISTORY.


[1711.


quota assigned them, and provided all necessaries for the Brit- ish troops in so short a time, that if they had not been animated by an extraordinary zeal would not have been possible. And notwithstanding some people found it necessary to blame New England the better to excuse themselves, yet it has been acknowledged to me by English gentlemen who were then on the spot, and well experienced in these affairs, that such a fleet and army wanting the necessaries they did, could not have been despatched on so short warning from any port in England." 1


The fleet under Admiral Sir Hovenden Walker, knight, was the largest that had ever visited this country, - larger than the fleet of Nelson at the battle of the Nile, - consisting of fifteen men of war, forty transports, and accompanied by six store- ships.2 After the arrival of this armament, it received an acces- sion of two regiments of New England troops, by which the land-forces amounted to nearly seven thousand men ; an army larger than that which afterward, under Gen. Wolfe, reduced Quebec.


Never before had such an array of land and naval forces been seen on this side of the ocean as was now collected in Boston harbor, and the excitement among the people was very great.


The " Boston News Letter" thus announces its arrival : -


" On Monday, the 23d of June last, the Castle gave the usual signal of several ships seen in the bay, and about noon the alarm begun. In one hour's time the troop of guards and regi- ment of foot were under arms. In his Excellency's absence at the Congress in New London, the Gentlemen of her Majesty's Council received his Excellency Brigadier Hill, Commander in Chief of her Majesty's forces in North America, and the Hon- ourable Sir Hovenden Walker, Knt., Admiral of her Majesty's fleet in the present expedition. The Troop and Regiment being still under arms, the General and Admiral were con- ducted and attended by her Majesty's Council to the Town House, and congratulated on their safe arrival to New Eng- land."


1 Defence of New Eng. Charters, pp. 19, 20.


2 Nelson's fleet consisted of thirteen ships of the line and one fifty-gun ship ; Scott's Napoleon, Vol. I. p. 296.



345


THE TROOPS UPON CAMP HILL.


1711.]


Immediately after the arrival of the fleet, arrangements were made for landing the men on Noddle's Island; and on the 27th of June, says Admiral Walker in his journal, -


" I gave Orders that the Marines should be put ashore at Noddle's Island, according to the General's Desire, with their Tents and Baggage, that they might encamp and be exercised with the rest of the forces." Hutchinson says, " they were so exercised every day in a healthy air; and it was allowed, that men were never landed and reimbarked in better order." The sick were placed in booths " on one of the islands near Nan- tasket Road." From the fact that the encampment was on the south-easterly height of Noddle's Island, that elevation took the name of " Camp Hill," and was so called until it was built upon by the East Boston Company, when that part of the hill which was so occupied was enclosed as a square by the city, by an ornamental iron fence, and is now known by the name of Belmont Square.


It appears from the admiral's journal, that there were two public reviews of the forces; one on the 5th, and the other on the 10th, of July. The army which came in the fleet was composed of " seven veteran regiments of the Duke of Marl- borough," and a battalion of marines, under the command of Brigadier-general Hill, and " the generation then inhabiting Boston had never before seen so grand a military display as these 'veteran' troops made as they performed their evolu- tions on the fields of Noddle's Island."


The review on the 10th is thus noticed in the admiral's jour- nal : -


" The Forces on Noddle's Island being designed soon to re- embark, were this Day reviewed by the General, where was the Governour and a great Concourse of people of all sorts ; the Troops making a very fine Appearance, such as had never before been seen in these parts of the World."


The " News Letter " says that this review on the 10th " made a very fine appearance, the like whercof was never seen in these Parts."


The scene upon the days of these reviews must have been inspiriting and grand. As we look back upon it through the lapse of intervening years, it rises before us like a beautiful pic-


346


HISTORY.


[1711.


ture, with the coloring softened, but not dimmed, by the veil which the hand of time has thrown over it.


Upon the elevated ground of the Island is the encampment, laid out with military precision, with its white tents gleaming in the sunlight, while high above it proudly floats the cross of St. George. On the gentle slopes of the hill, and on the broad green fields, thousands of the best disciplined troops of which the world can boast, with gay uniforms and glistening bayonets, are performing their evolutions to the sound of martial music, which rises, swells, and dies away on the passing breeze. . The spray is tossed in the sunshine from the oars of a hundred boats conveying the admiring populace to witness the display ; and in the distance the measured stroke shows the well-trained oarsmen of the fleet bringing officers and soldiers to the Island; while far down the beautiful bay is seen the mighty fleet quietly riding at anchor among the islands in Nantasket road. Present pleasure, and joyful anticipations of the future, shine forth from every countenance ; countenances, too soon, alas! to be shadowed in disappointment. Never before had there been such a splendid display upon our shores as the Island that day exhibited ; and since that time it has seldom been exceeded, if, indeed, it has ever been equalled : and as the colonists gazed upon the brilliant pageant, it is not to be wondered at that they indulged in ardent hopes and joyful expectations of the result of the expedition. The enemy knew nothing of the vast fleet and army which was bearing down upon them ; indeed, it was. wholly unexpected to the colonists, and thus far the gales of fortune blew propitious.




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