USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston : formerly Dorchester Neck, now ward XII of the city of Boston > Part 17
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Nor did he confine his attention to iron. He man- ufactured the first perfect bronze cannon for the United States Ordnance Department, and for the State of Massachusetts. For these he obtained the gold medal awarded by the Massachusetts Mechanic Association.
In 1829, he visited Nova Scotia, and in connection
* During the experimental firings of this gun at South Boston Point, an interesting incident occurred. One of the balls discharged from it, and weighing nearly 200 pounds, had deviated from the course in which Mr. Alger intended it should go, and instead of stop- ping, as usual, on the opposite shore of the Bay (distance 2} miles), continued on, ploughing its way through an unsuspecting farmer's potato field, throwing up dirt and stones and a cloud of dust within a few rods of his house and not far from where he stood. A neighbor passing by at the time, asked him, " Are you not afraid of such close shooting as that ?" " Oh no," said he, " Mr. Alger knows what he is about."
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CYRUS ALGER.
with several capitalists of Halifax, built the first Smelting Furnace in the British Provinces, locating it on Moose River, a few miles from Annapolis. The machinery was made at his works in Boston, and mechanics in his own employment were sent to put it up. Many are they in that vicinity who speak in grateful remembrance of one who did so much to call forth their energies and open the wealth that lay hidden beneath their feet. The works went into operation, but failing to command the additional capital required in carrying out Mr. Alger's plans, they were not extended to the manufacture of bar iron and steel. In this enterprise the loss to Mr. Alger was more than ten thousand dollars.
Of late years, Mr. Alger has by no means been idle, but has been ever active in making improve- ments, spending large sums of money in enriching, beautifying, and otherwise benefiting South Boston. He purchased eleven acres of marsh between South Boston and Washington Village, and was instrumen- tal in attracting thither the two extensive manufac- tories that are situated in that section of the Ward. He also laid out a large sum in beautifying Dorches- ter Avenue, building sidewalks and at his own ex- pense setting out shade trees, the entire distance from the Railroad crossing to the junction of Dor- chester street and Dorchester Avenue.
At the time of the attack which has terminated fatally, he had partially perfected several plans for improvement which, if carried into effect, would have been of the greatest benefit to the Twelfth Ward.
His influence was very great, and to his personal exertion and enterprise South Boston is indebted for much of the mechanical reputation she enjoys. He attracted business, encouraged every movement 22*
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for extending the mechanical operations of the neighborhood, and by his reputation and wealth was enabled to ensure success in almost every pro- ject he undertook. The most extensive land-holder in South Boston, he knew full well the importance of giving the place a reputation, and encouraged every effort made for improvement.
As a citizen, Mr. Alger was universally beloved, and he enjoyed the full confidence of his fellow citizens, who looked upon him as a person to whom they could confidently entrust their interests. He was a member of the Common Council the first year of the organization of the City Government of Bos- ton, and represented South Boston as Alderman dur- ing a portion of the year 1824 and in 1827.
Mr. Alger's kindness to the men in his employ was proverbial, and he has often kept men on half time when their services were not needed, to pre- vent the pecuniary distress which would be caused by a discharge. He was the first man in South Bos- ton to introduce the ten hour system. His payments to his workmen have been always in cash, and amounted for years to nearly two thousand dollars per week, and he probably paid more money during his lifetime for labor than any other man in our city. The benefit to South Boston of such prompt and sure employment as his works afforded, is in- calculable.
In private life his character was umblemished. He was liberal in his views and benevolent in his feelings. His donations to the poor, and for chari- table and religious purposes, amounted in the aggre- gate to a large sum annually. He made no boast of his liberality ; but when he gave alms he did it in secret, and it was known only to his own family and the recipients of his bounty.
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CYRUS ALGER.
In his family he was a kind husband and father; and the deep sorrow arising from the loss of his youngest son, undoubtedly hastened his decease.
In Mr. Alger's death it may truly be said, South Boston has lost one of its most influential and valua- ble citizens; our city has lost a man whose labors have done very much to advance its reputation, and the United States has lost one of its most skilful and enterprising mechanics.
The funeral obsequies of Mr. Alger took place on Thursday afternoon at his late residence on Fourth street. The corpse was clad in a white shroud, and the countenance looked very natural, his illness hav- ing made little change in his appearance. The ser- vices were commenced by reading selections from the Scriptures by Rev. Dr. Gannett, after which the beautiful hymn,
" Thou art gone to the grave, but we will not deplore thee,"
was sung. Rev. Professor Huntington, of whose late church Mr. Alger had long been a member, and upon whose ministrations he was a very constant at- tendant, then offered a most touching and beautiful prayer, after which the hymn,
" How blest the righteous when he dies,"
was sung, and the benediction pronounced.
A procession was then formed, and passed through Dorchester Avenue and Broadway to the Union Ground at City Point. Notwithstanding the severe storm, a large number of persons preceded the hearse on foot, the mourners following the corpse in car- riages.
As a mark of respect to the memory of the de- ceased, all the stores, without a single exception, on
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the route of the procession, were closed while the body was being borne to the tomb, and the various church bells, by order of the Mayor, tolled a solemn requiem. Nor were these the only tokens of respect paid to the honored dead. Nearly all the large manufactories suspended work for the afternoon, from the Armory floated the American flag at half-mast, and arrangements had been made to have the pupils of the public schools join in the procession, had not the weather been so very inclement. We have never seen in South Boston such general and heartfelt sorrow at the death of a citizen as at that of Mr. Alger, nor do we remember a more universal en- deavor to pay respect to the memory of any one.
The following, a fitting close to our notice, is from the pen of a distinguished officer of the United States Navy Department-Commodore J. A. Dahl- green :-
" That we should lose the services of one so able as Mr. Alger, is much to be deplored; but it is to be remembered that his term extended to three-fourths of a century, and that his sterling integrity, rare abilities, and unceasing industry, have built him up a durable fame, which is at once a rich legacy to his family, and an example most worthy of imitation.
" He possessed that rare quality, sagacity, which constitutes, in truth, the highest attribute of the in- tellectual man-and enabled him to arrive at results which others sought by disciplined study laboriously and often in vain. Minds of this cast are rarely met with, and they are invaluable to their time and gen- eration. I shall ever retain the most profound re- gard for the many excellent virtues and great abili- ties of Cyrus Alger."
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DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS.
Adam Bent.
ADAM BENT, a very intelligent and worthy man, and an active and useful citizen, lived at South Bos- ton about fifty years. He was born in Milton, on the 17th of March, 1776-the day immediately fol- lowing the memorable night, when the fortress was thrown up here upon Dorchester Heights. He was the son of Ebenezer Bent, who died in middle life, leaving a numerous family, of whom Adam was among the elder. He served his apprenticeship with Benjamin Crehore, of Milton, who was a cabinet-ma- ker, and the maker of musical instruments.
In the summer of 1797, a Frenchman, named Mal- let, connected with the theatre in Boston, sent him a piano-forte to be repaired, said to have been the first instrument of the kind ever brought to this country ; and Mr. Bent was employed to make the repairs. In this way getting an insight into the structure of the instrument, he soon removed to Bos- ton, and with an older brother, William Bent, com- menced the manufacture ; and if not the first, they were among the first who engaged in the business of making the forte piano, as it was then called, in this country. That original instrument was plain as a common table-a shrill and slender article, which a man might easily handle alone, and would but ill compare with the costly and melodious instruments of 1857.
After living about ten years in the old part of Boston, Mr. Bent removed to South Boston in the year 1807. The following year he was married to Sukey Foster Blake, of this place, and here continued to reside for the residue of his years.
He died on the 22d of March, 1857, after an ill-
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ness of a few weeks, at the age of 81 years and five days.
Mr. Bent was a man of modest deportment, not ambitious of distinction, but always ready to serve the public in any office to which he might be called. After the city organization, he served three years as a member of the Common Council, and one (the year 1831) on the board of Aldermen, and was for five years a Representative from Boston to the General Court; and performed the duties of these several offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was one of the fourteen original members of the Hawes Place Society, named in their act of incorporation, and was the last sur- vivor of them. On the 22d of October, 1829, he was chosen a Deacon of the Church connected with that society, and by virtue of that office was one of the Trustees of the Hawes Fund.
In all the relations of life, Deacon Bent was em- phatically the upright and faithful man. In social and domestic life he was most kind and exemplary in all respects. He seldom spoke without a win- ning smile, and his constant flow of good humor made him always an agreeable companion. He was cheer- ful and mild in temper, though possessed of very delicate sensibilities. He was a man of great good taste and judgment, and of accurate skill in music and the mechanic arts. From his early years he had faithfully disciplined and cultivated his mind by hab- its of accurate thinking and careful observation. He thought for himself-thought freely, independently, and had unusual firmness and decision of character, and a power of will, which bound him inflexibly to whatever he thought to be true and right. Still he was candid and open to conviction.
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SAMUEL BLAKE.
The strength and serenity of his mind, the warmth of his affections, and the beauty of his guileless cha- racter, remained unimpaired to the last; and he qui- etly passed away with almost none of the common infirmities of old age.
Samuel Blake.
SAMUEL BLAKE lived at South Boston about cigh- teen years, and stood deservedly high in the public esteem, as well as in the affections of a large circle of relatives and friends. He was born in Boston, September 13, 1788. There he was brought up, and there he passed the most of his mature life in the pursuit of mercantile business. In the year 1835 he removed to South Boston, having built an elegant and commodious mansion on the spot where his an- cestors had lived for six generations. This is the fourth framed house that has occupied the same site. The first having stood nearly a century, and gone much to decay, was taken down in 1732. The second was burned by the British soldiers in the war of the Revolution ; and the third was moved off to make room for the present.
This family of the Blakes, in all their generations, have been distinguished for their piety, for their precise and correct deportment in all the relations of life, and for their great accuracy in matters of fact. Many of them have held important offices of honor and trust in the community ; and no records of past events are more reliable than those kept by them. Blake's Annals of Dorchester, written by the great-grandfather of our present subject, are histori- cal documents of the first importance ; and no surveys and plans are more complete and accurate than his.
William Blake, the first ancestor in this country,
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was one of the first settlers of Dorchester, having arrived in the ship Mary &. John, in May, 1630. His son James, it appears, settled here at the Point. where he built a house about the year 1680 .* It is creditable to the family, that sixty acres or more of the land, owned by him, were retained as late as the year 1803-and much of it is still retained by them.
As further proof of their skill in research, they have traced their descent, four generations beyond the settlement of this country, to John Blake, of little Baddow, Essex County, England.
The subject of this notice well sustained the gen- eral characteristics of his race. He was the diligent, punctual and successful man of business, in whom his associates could always safely confide; a man of sound judgment in business affairs; of a mild and quiet spirit-modest, and unaspiring in his manners, amiable in disposition, of a cheerful temperament, warm-hearted and benevolent, greatly beloved by his family and friends, and much respected by all who knew him.
After a lingering illness of several months, which terminated in dropsy, he died on the 17th of January, 1853, at the age of sixty-four years and four months.
Noah Brooks.
Among the first and most prominent branches of business which have contributed to the growth and prosperity of South Boston, is ship-building. This business was commenced about the close of the war of 1812, by Messrs. Lincoln & Wheelwright, under the superintendence of Mr. Samuel Kent, whose chil-
« Documents lately brought to light show plainly that the above date, rather than 1660 as stated on a previous page, is the correct one.
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Dwelling house of Cart, Nonh BROOKS. Prondway. South Boston. Frected in 1825.
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NOAH BROOKS.
dren are still residents of South Boston. Mr. Kent was succeeded by his brother-in-law, Capt. NOAH BROOKS, long and favorably known as a public spirit- ed citizen and an honest, upright and conscientious man. Capt. Brooks was born at Scituate, July 7, 1782. He was a resident of South Boston for more than thirty years, and did much, by his active and energetic spirit, as well as by the power of his ex- ample, to advance the best interests of the place. He was a large subscriber to the Free Bridge, and one of the committee for building that work. He was one of the original petitioners for the Mechanics Bank, and a prominent Director of that Institution until his death. He was several times elected a member of the Legislature and of the City Council, and was Treasurer and one of the Trustees of the Hawes Fund for many years. He had a rare talent for business, and whatever he undertook was well done. In every measure of public reform, Capt. Brooks either took the lead or lent a ready and ac- tive co-operation, and from no good work did he withhold his hand or his heart. Hon. Abbott Lawrence once said of him, when upon a visit to the City of Washington, that he took great pleasure in introducing Capt. Brooks to his southern friends as: the best specimen of a true Yankee.
In the social relations of life, and in all that relat -. ed to his duties as a neighbor and a friend, Capt. B. was attentive, kind and sympathizing, and always ready to oblige. His charities were not few, but they were quietly bestowed. His death took place January 28, 1852, in the 70th year of his age, and was caused by being thrown from his sleigh.
A view of his dwelling, the first built on Broadway between Dorchester and E streets, is here given.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
David Williams.
DAVID WILLIAMS was born on Governor's Island, in Boston harbor, in the year 1759. In early life he made several voyages to sea ; and was for awhile, during the war of the Revolution, engaged in priva- teering. But the most of his active life was spent in the fishing business, and as a pilot in the harbor, and his residence was at Dorchester Neck. From the peculiar circumstances of his youth, and in fact from the state of the country at the time, Mr. Wil- liams had but little opportunity for any other than self-education. But the natural powers, both of his mind and heart, were correct and well-balanced, and he was remarkable for his sound judgment, discre- tion, and considerate thoughtfulness; and all that is kind and generous in our nature was strongly mark- ed in his character. Through life he had his full share of trials, but he did not murmur nor complain ; he bore them as a christian should. The vices and temptations of a sea-faring life seem to have had no bad effect upon him. From early life he was seriously inclined. But the strong impulse, which led him in earnest to embrace the Christian faith, came not from the pulpit, nor from any of the ordinary means of religious influence. It was imparted during a voy- age at sea. On a bright Sabbath morning, when the peace of the elements accorded with that of his own bosom, with the Bible in his hand, he viewed the broad expanse above and beneath, and saw the works of God and his wonders on the deep. While he was thus musing upon the great themes present- ed to his view, the fire of sacred truth burned, and it ceased not to burn to his last hour, though he did not publicly profess his faith till late in life.
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DAVID WILLIAMS.
At the organization of the Hawes Place Church, October 27, 1819, Mr. Williams was baptized, and became one of its original members. From Septem- ber, 1822, by request, he acted as Deacon of the Church about seven years, and received a vote of thanks for his services in that office. Through life he was strictly temperate and industrious; quiet, and gentle, and every way exemplary in manners; an upright, wise and good man; a devout and practi- cal christian.
One incident of his life, of peculiar interest, seems worthy to be here noted, in the detail in which it was received from him and his brother John, many years ago.
David Williams, then nineteen years old, and his brother John Williams, in his seventeenth year, were among the crew of the privateer brig General Ar- nold, of 20 guns, and 106 men, which sailed from Boston on Thursday, December 24, 1778. In the afternoon of that day, there was a fall of damp snow, which soon froze to the rigging and about the vessel, rendering her very difficult to manage, and detained her off the Gurnet, in Plymouth harbor. On Friday afternoon, the 25th, the cold greatly increased. The wind rose at N. N. E., and a snow storm began, which by its violence and intense cold was unequal- led in the history of New England storms. From the severity of the weather, probably, the precaution was not taken to lighten the brig of her guns, and other disposable lading, which the Messrs. Williams believed would have enabled her to ride over the bar, into the deep tide-soaked snow, where she would have lain secure. Near the dawn of Saturday, the 26th, she parted her cables, struck upon the beach. and bilged. On Saturday P. M., after the utmost
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
exertion at the pumps, the men were obliged to leave the vessel and themselves to their fate. Sun- day, the 27th, was fair, but dreadfully cold. The people of Plymouth made every effort for their re- lief, without success. When they were seen to re- turn, the crew sunk disheartened, and soon died to the number of seventy-eight. And from the merci- less pelting of the billows, which froze hard to them, they looked rather like solid statues of ice, than real human bodies. On Monday, the 28th, the cold had somewhat abated, and the men of Plymouth renewed their efforts with success. They reached the vessel about sunset. Twenty-eight of those frozen, famish- ed and exhausted sufferers were yet alive. Since Friday they had tasted neither food nor drink. They had been huddled together on the quarter deck, with no extra clothing, and no shelter but the skies.
Thus night and day they had borne the raging of the wind and the sea, and the dreadful cold. All that chanced to be saved from below was a keg of rum, of which all who drank, after a brief excite- ment, sunk into a stupor, from which they never awoke. The rest made a wiser and salutary use of it, by pouring it into their boots. When help arriv- ed, John Williams, who during the storm had been without hat, cap, mittens, boots or shoes, was much frozen, and unable to leave the vessel, and David was attempting to carry him through the deep and half frozen brine, when their deliverers took them both off in safety. Among the living was the cap- tain, James Magee, afterwards the owner of the mansion at Roxbury brook, since the residence of the late Governor Eustis. Captain Magee was a man of noble bearing, and a nobler soul; a true- hearted Irishman, well known and much respected in his day.
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HALL J. HOW.
John Williams suffered much, through life, from the effects of his shipwreck. He was always lame, having lost the toes from both his feet, one of which became so diseased and painful, that, several years before his death, he submitted to the amputation of it by the late Dr. Miller, of Franklin, which contri- buted greatly to his comfort for the residue of his life.
The attachment of these excellent men, all the storms of life served only to confirm. After the elder brother lost his consort, and his children sepa- rated, the younger invited him into his family, and while they lived they showed a truly child-like affec- tion for each other. Loving brothers in life, they were not long divided in death. The younger died, in April, 1834, aged 73 years. The elder died De- cember 4, 1836, aged 77 years. Safe beyond the storms and the shipwrecks of life, they have met where the waves of trouble cannot reach them, nor the billows of temptation assail.
Hall J. How.
HALL JACKSON How lived at South Boston about eighteen years, and was always forward in every en- terprise that might contribute to the prosperity of the place. He was born at Rochester, N. H., Feb- ruary 12th, 1791. At the age of sixteen years, by the death of his father, Dr. James How, an eminent physician of that town, the care of the family and the management of their farm devolved on him. Thus early were his energies called into exercise, and the manly character developed; and he showed an industry, a power of application, and a spirit of enterprise, which indicated the man of business. He had gained from his father a skill in the medical pro- 23*
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fession, which was useful to him through life. But his stronger tastes and leanings were for mercantile pursuits. On reaching manhood, therefore, with little capital besides the resources of his own mind, he began business in the country, on a small, scale; and enlarging it with the increase of his means, after a few years he removed to Portsmouth, N. H., and afterwards to Boston. By his experience and ob- servation, he had gained a quickness of perception and of judgment, an insight almost intuitive into the laws of trade, which soon gave him a very high rank among the merchants of Boston ; and by his promptness and integrity, and his frank and winning manners, he secured their confidence and esteem. His constant personal attention, and the force of his active mind, were given to his employment-and we seldom meet with more despatch, with more accu- rate and efficient business talent, than was seen in Mr. How.
Mr. How was for several years one of the Trustees of the Hawes Fund. He was also the originator and forwarder of many important enterprises which have contributed to the improvement of South Bos- ton, among which may be mentioned, as being most identified with the growth of the place, the erection of the Mt. Washington Hotel by the Warren Asso- ciation, the incorporation of the Boston Wharf Co., and the building of the North Free Bridge.
In the quiet walks of social life he was not less distinguished. He was a man of kind and generous affections and refined sensibilities-public spirited and charitable ; secretly scattering abroad his bounty, to make glad many desolate hearts.
Of the domestic character of Mr. How, we can hardly speak in terms too strong. As a son, a bro-
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JOSIAH DUNHAM.
ther, a husband, and a parent, few men could be more justly beloved by those to whom he sustained these relations. Exemplary and faithful before his household, he exercised a firm, unyielding restraint ; yet with so much wisdom and gentleness, that it was hardly felt to be a restraint. In his general charac- ter he was firm and decided, yet with no lack of mildness or candor.
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