USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston : formerly Dorchester Neck, now ward XII of the city of Boston > Part 18
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His health had been failing for some years, but he died of acute dysentery, after a few days' illness, on the 17th of August, 1849, at the age of fifty-eight years and six months. He had sustained the con- jugal relation twenty-nine years, and left a family of six sons and five daughters. It is remarkable that his was the first death that occurred in the family.
Josiah Dunham.
Prominent among those who have been for a long time identified with the interests and history of South Boston, stands the well-known name of JOSIAH DUNHAM. He was born in New Bedford, March 11, 1775. His father was a sea-captain. The family were among the earlier settlers of Plymouth, the first record of which goes back as far as the year 1635. The branch from which he descended subse- quently moved to Martha's Vineyard. When a youth he came to Boston, and served an apprenticeship at the rope-making business with a Mr. Richardson, the father of the Hon. Jeffrey Richardson, of Boston, whose rope-walks extended from Purchase street to Milk street, near to the present location of Pearl street.
He first commenced the manufacture of cordage on his own account in a rope-walk which stood on or
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near Boylston street in Boston. In the year 1807 he became the purchaser of several acres of land at South Boston, in the vicinity of B street, and built a residence for himself and a rope-walk, where he cone tinued to carry on the cordage manufacture until the close of the year 1853. During all the years of his residence in South Boston, he was engaged in the building of dwellings and stores, and, without ercct- ing a large number in any one year, yet in the ag- gregate he was the moving spirit in the erection of more buildings in the place than any other man. Though he did not have the advantage of early edu- cation, yet for foresight, energy, perseverance and power of memory, he had few superiors. He was impulsive, easily excited, and an injury, real or supposed, was not soon forgotten. On the other hand, his friendships were strong, his benefactions generous and long continued, and he would often do favors to others even to his own injury. He was an active participator in the efforts for building the North Free Bridge, and was untiring in his zeal for whatever promised to be of advantage to the place of his chosen residence. He served the twelfth ward in the Common Council in the year 1833, and for the three succeeding years was an efficient mem- ber of the Board of Aldermen. While a member of the latter board, he felt a deep interest in the grad- ing of the streets of South Boston, but few of which had been, previous to that time, put into a respectable condition. Finding his associates in the Board ra- ther slow in their movements in this work, he fol- lowed the example of one, of whom he was an ardent supporter, and in his capacity as one of the Survey- ors of the Highways, "took the responsibility." He set men to work in ploughing down and level-
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JOHN H. BIRD.
ling up Fourth street and Broadway. When com- pleted, he carried the bills for the same, amounting to some $2500, before the Aldermen, who with some shrugs of their shoulders, joined with some mild ad- monitions, and a few smiles at the boldness of the act of their associate, approved the bills and ordered their payment by the City.
In the year 1823, when the Congregational Church was formed which is now known as the Phillips Church, he generously erected a hall on Fourth street for their place of worship, and gave them the rent and other substantial aid, till they erected their church building.
He had a wonderfully strong and vigorous consti- tution, and died April 28, 1857, being a little more than 82 years of age.
John H. Bird.
JOHN HAWES BIRD was born at South Boston, in September, 1807. His father, Jonathan Bird, Esq., inherited and occupied the patrimonial estate, called the Bird farm, a large tract extending from the old road on the north, over the heights to the tide on the south, including most of the northerly, and part of the southerly hill. He was a graduate of Harvard College, in the class of 1782-and cousin to Mr. John Hawes, and so he gave his son that name. His wife was Ann Vincent Woodward, eldest daughter of Joseph Woodward, Esq. He died in the year 1809, when his son was about two years old. He was an excellent man, and greatly beloved. His widow broke up house-keeping soon after the death of her husband, and with the subject of this notice, her only child, returned to live with her father ; and there he had his home to the day of his death. He knew
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no other father than Mr. Woodward, who well dis- charged the duties of a parent towards him.
Mr. Bird inherited the quiet and amiable disposi- tion of his father, and grew up much respected and beloved. He was fitted for College, chiefly at the Academy in Lexington, and graduated at Providence in the year 1829. He studied law in the office of the Hon. Franklin Dexter, and afterwards visited Europe. But his health. was hardly firm enough, and his habits were too active, for sedentary pur- suits, and he chose not to enter on the practice of his profession. He took a deep interest in every thing that concerned the prosperity of South Boston, and gave promise of eminent usefulness as a citizen. But the hopes of his friends, and of the public, were soon and suddenly disappointed, by a grievous casu- alty. On the 10th of June, 1835, he was engaged in business, as usual, in the forenoon, in perfect health. After dinner, he visited the sick bed of the friend to whom he was in a few days to have been married, left for the city, and in an hour was a corpse. In attempting to go aboard a vessel, in which he was interested, and which was about to sail, he fell from the connecting plank, which was laid in a winding position, struck his head upon a spar beside the wharf, and was instantly killed.
Seldom is death attended with so much concern and grief, as on this occasion. The hearts of his friends were bound up in him; and his strict integ- rity and purity of life, had inspired universal confi- dence and estecm. He had been a member in the communion of the Hawes Place Church about six years, a Trustec of the Hawes Fund over two years, and a part of the time was Clerk of the Board. Be- ing of a thoughtful turn of mind, and deeply impress-
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ed with the uncertainty of life, a few months before his death Mr. Bird made his will. It is dated Janu- ary 2, 1835-and it seems to have been a special object with him to begin the year with this transac- tion. After giving a generous legacy to his grand- father, Mr. Woodward, and making ample provision for the support of his mother, he bequeathed one half of his estate to his other nearest relatives, and left the other half in perpetual Trust for the main- tenance of a female High School. The will speci- fies " a seminary of the first order, to be established at South Boston." At no distant day the fund will be ample for the support of a school, which will be alike honorable to the founder and useful to the place.
Romanus Emerson.
Mr. EMERSON was born at Townsend, September 1, 1782. His father afterwards removed to Han- cock, N. H., where he was brought up. His early studies were directed with a view to the Christian ministry. But owing to an impediment in his speech, he left his studies, and after teaching school for a while, learned the carpenter's trade at Charlestown. His three brothers, who survive him, are ministers : viz .- Rev. Reuben Emerson, of South Reading; Rev. Brown Emerson, S. T. D., of Salem; and Rev. Noah Emerson, of Hollis, N. H.
Mr. Emerson lived at South Boston more than forty years. He came here in the year 1810, and kept a small grocery in addition to his trade. He witnessed great changes and improvements here in his time. He was an industrious citizen, fru- gal and temperate in his manner of life, careful, accurate, and upright in his business transactions,
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and faithful and exemplary in his domestic and social relations. He was forward in every move- ment for social reform, and took a deep interest in the moral progress of society. He formerly sold spirituous drinks, but seeing the dread evils of in- temperance, he wholly left off the sale. In the latter years of his life his efforts were zealously engaged in the temperance and anti-slavery movements. He had great command of his temper, and could not easily be provoked to violent anger or resentment.
Mr. Emerson possessed strong reasoning powers, and was an original and independent thinker. But there was something peculiar in the structure of his mind-a defect, perhaps it should be called, which sometimes led him to singular conclusions, of which he was usually very tenacious. For he had a pride of opinion, which he did not easily yield, when he had once made up his mind. He was especially singular in his views of religion. Till late in his life, he had most rigidly adhered to the opinions usually styled orthodox, and in the Baptist denomina- tion. From various causes, becoming dissatisfied with these, and most unjustly attributing all the wrongs that have arisen from the mistakes and abuses of religion, to pure religion itself, his mind swung to the opposite extreme. He openly re- nounced all religious opinions whatever, and died deliberately holding to his speculative unbelief. But Mr. Emerson's speculations did not appear to mate- rially affect his general character. His power of virtuous habit was strong and abiding. The fruits of his carly Christian culture and training were seen in his old age, and to the end of his days.
He died on the 10th of October, 1852, at the age of 70 years.
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APPENDIX.
A. (Page 75.)
MEMORIAL OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF DORCHES- TER AGAINST ANNEXATION.
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled : -
The Memorial of the Subscribers humbly showeth, that the Inhabitants of Dorchester in Town Meeting, legally assembled on the 23d Day of January, in the year of our Lord 1804, Pursuant to an Order of Notice to consider of the Petition of Wm. Tudor, Esq., Pray- ing the Peninsula called Dorchester Neck may be set off and incorporated with the Town of Boston,
Voted, To remonstrate against granting the prayer of said Petition, and chose the Subscribers a committee. for that purpose.
They therefore beg leave to state-notwithstanding the representation of Said Petition respecting the Quan- tity of land in Said Peninsula, the time in which it was incorporated with the Town, the relative situation there- of with respect to the Town of Boston, &c., are just- yet, severing the same from its ancient connection- connected and strengthened by mutual and long-timed friendship-must cause feuds and animosities naturally tending to weaken the bands of society and to discour- age the spirit of Industry and enterprise of which the Inhabitants of Dorchester are not wholly destitute.
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And they further state,-That since the Incorporation of the Town of Dorchester, the Town of Milton, all that was originally Stoughton, and parts of other Towns, have at different Periods been set off from the first Men- tioned Town-and though the remainder is now nearly ten miles in length, it contains little more than seven thousand acres of Land ; the southwesterly part is well known to be extremely rough, barren, and of little value,-and the only improvements which can now be made to advantage, are on that part which lies in the north-easterly portion of the town. Should Said Neck, which may be more properly called the head of - Dorchester, containing nearly six hundred acres of Land, first in Quality, inviting the Citizens of all Countries to its extensive shore, be annexed to Boston, already the successful rival of every Town in the Commonwealth, the remaining part of the Inhabitants of Dorchester must lose their balance in the scale of Government-and for want of proper objects to draw the Spirit of Enterprise and Industry into action, and means to regain their for- mer station, must remain in the background of their fellow citizens, with a large number of poor to support, many Roads to maintain and new ones to make, and no Diminution of their Town charges.
And though the prosperity and magnificence of the Town of Boston will ever be viewed with pleasure, and its commerce and manufactories be aided and cherished with avidity by the Inhabitants of Dorchester, yet they conceive part of the advantages resulting from the con- templated Bridge justly belongs to them, and should the same be enacted agreeably to the request of William Tudor, Esq., and Gardiner Greene, or otherwise, all the advantages contemplated in the Petition would rush into existence under the patronage of the Town of Dor- chester.
And as the Inhabitants of Boston are unwilling to receive that without compensation, which the Inhabi- tants of Dorchester hold in the highest estimation, and
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will relinquish only with the greatest reluctance and deepest regret,
The Subscribers, therefore, in behalf of the Town of Dorchester, humbly pray the Honorable Court to take the Subject into their wise consideration, and not to grant the Prayer of the Said Petition ; but if the Honorable Court shall otherwise determine, that it may be done under such regulations and restrictions as shall give to the Town of Dorchester a just proportion of the advan- tages.
(Signed) Ebenezer Wales, Stephen Badlam, Samuel Withington, James Robinson, Jr., Ebenezer Tolman, Lemuel Crane, Thomas Moseley, Edward W. Baxter.
Dated at Dorchester, Jan. 25, 1804.
B. (Page 75.)
MEMORIAL OF THE PETITIONERS IN FAVOR OF ANNEXATION.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Boston :-
GENTLEMEN,-Whoever has attentively considered the geography and territorial extent of the town of Boston, which, within its utmost limits, embraces but eleven hundred acres, must be convinced that the present boundaries are too scanty to admit the erection of a large capital, subject to the same municipal jurisdiction ; and from its present flourishing condition, that the period has arrived, when sound policy points to the expediency of making provisions for surmounting this disadvantage.
The central situation of this town, now become a county : the security, beauty and convenience of its harbor, placed at the bottom of one of the fairest and most important Bays within the dominions of the United States, conspire to raise it to the head of all the com- mercial towns of Massachusetts ; and whilst it is fast progressing to the distinction of being the Emporium of the five Eastern States, common prudence and judicious enterprise must forever secure to it this enviable advan- tage.
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The rapid increase of her population, the various avenues now opening, the shortening the distances and improving the roads leading from the principal inland towns and neighboring sea-ports ; her inestimable for- eign commerce, combined with an extensive coasting trade, both annually augmenting and rousing the ener- gies of her citizens, will soon imperiously require an en- largement of the boundaries with which this metropolis is now circumscribed.
The adjacent towns of Roxbury, Cambridge and Charlestown cannot be supposed to consent to surren- der the most valuable portions of either of their respec- tive townships, and the seats of their busiest population, to effect this purpose, great as it assuredly is in a na- tional view. But on the southerly quarter of the town, and most advantageously extending upwards of two miles along the port, lies a tract of land almost unin- habited, and comparatively useless ; comprising five hundred and sixty acres, which, if united to Boston, would give that town a superiority which no other capi- tal, New York excepted, can boast of. This peninsula, bounded by the harbor, which it so much contributes to adorn, exhibits such a variety of ground, and excel- lence of location, as to fully answer the purposes con- templated.
The flats, which at present separate it from the south- erly side of the town, admit of their being casily bridg- ed, and the communication might in a few months be completed at an expense insignificant when contrasted with the important benefits necessarily resulting from the project. And when to this statement it is added, that the three avenues leading into Boston have become such crowded streets as to be extremely inconvenient, and oftentimes hazardous, from the numerous carriages of every description that hourly frequent them ; it will be admitted that the opening of a new passage through the least busy part of the Town, and thereby creating an easy, pleasant, and short intercourse with the coun- try, is an object worthy of the public attention, happily
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conducing to promote the health, by the exercise and relaxation of her numerous citizens.
The totally unincumbered part of this isolated district of land, lying at the distance of eight hundred and eighty- four yards, and on the side of its nearest approach only six hundred yards, admits of executing a Plan, when- ever it shall be thought eligible, of another section of Boston, in which regular and wide streets and symme- try in the buildings, favored with air and aspect, might combine their effects in gradually raising a most desira- ble circle of suburbs. While the present town would always continue the great focus of business, this quar- ter of it could provide for the surplus of population, and furnish the inhabitants with suitable sites for houses and other buildings, at . prices greatly beneath those in the Town, which have at length become exorbitant, and consequently detrimental to an increase of new citizens, and discouraging to those arts upon which such an in- finite variety of trades are dependent.
Impressed with these motives, and with a view to . reciprocate advantages, we pray you, Gentlemen, to take the opinion of the inhabitants at large of the town of Boston, upon the subject of this memorial ; and upon the merits of which we invite their candid discussion, and to assure them that we shall and do cheerfully con- sent to the annexation of all our lands lying upon the peninsula aforesaid, to the town of Boston, upon the single condition that the inhabitants will procure a Bridge to be erected between Boston and Dorchester Neck ; and as evidence of this our consent, we here- with transmit to you a copy of our petition to the Legis- lature of the Commonwealth, to enable us to carry this our purpose into immediate and complete effect.
We are, with sentiments of great respect, Gentlemen, your faithful, humble servants, &c.
[Signed by William Tudor, Gardiner Greene, and other Proprietors of Lands at Dorchester Neck. ]
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APPENDIX.
C. (Page 77.)
BILL ANNEXING DORCHESTER NECK TO BOSTON.
SECT. 1 .- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That that part of Dorchester lying north-east of the following lines, Beginning at a stake and stones at Old Harbor, so called, from the south- west corner of land formerly belonging to John Champ- ney, running north thirty-seven and one half degrees west, to a large elm tree, marked D on the south-west side, and B on the north-east side, standing on land belonging to the heirs of Thomas Bird, deceased ; then running the same course to a heap of stones, on the south-west side of the road; thence across the road, the same course, to a heap of stones on the north-west side ; thence on the same course, to a black oak tree, standing on a small 'hammock, marked D on one side and B on the other side, upon land of Ebenezer Clap, jun. ; thence the same course till it comes to Boston harbor, with the inhabitants thereon, be, and they hereby are annexed to the town of Boston, in the County of Suffolk ; and shall hereafter be considered and deemed to be a part of Boston : Provided, That the said tract of land, and the inhabitants thercon, set off as afore- said, shall be holden to pay all such taxes as are already assessed, or ordered to be assessed by said town of Dorchester, in the same manner as they would have been if this Act had not been passed.
SECT. 2 .- And be it further enacted, That the Proprie- tors of said tract shall assign and set apart three lots of land on the same for public use, viz., one lot for the purpose of a public market-place, one lot for a school- house, and one lot for a burial-ground, to the satisfac- tion and acceptance of the Selectmen of Boston; or in case the said Selectmen and Proprietors shall not agree upon the said lots, it shall be lawful for the Supreme Judicial Court, at any session thereof in the said county of Suffolk, upon application of said Selectmen, to nomi-
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nate three disinterested freeholders within the Common- wealth, and not inhabitants of the said town of Boston, to assign and set off the three lots aforesaid by metes and bounds ; and the report of the said frecholders, or any two of them, being made and returned to, and ac- cepted by the said Court at any session thereof in said county, shall be final and binding upon all parties : and the lots of land by them assigned and set off as afore- said, shall thenceforth rest in the said town of Boston forever, without any compensation to be made therefor by the town ; but if the person or persons whose lands shall be assigned and set apart as aforesaid, shall de- mand compensation therefor, the same shall be appraised by three frecholders, to be appointed as aforesaid, who shall also assess upon the other proprietors the sum or sums which each shall be holden to pay to the person whose lands may be thus assigned for public use : and the report of said freeholders, or any two of them, being made and returned to, and accepted by said Court, judg- ment thereon shall be final, and execution awarded, as in cases of reports by referees under a rule of Court.
SECT 3 .- And be it further enacted, That the Select- men of the said town shall be and hereby are authorized to lay out such streets and lanes through the said tract, as in their judgment may be for the common benefit of said Proprietors, and of said town of Boston, a reasona- ble attention being paid to the wishes of the Proprietors ; and in case of disagreement between the Selectmen and Proprietors, or either of them, the same proceedings shall be had as are provided by law in other cases for laying out town ways : Provided only, That no damages or compensation shall be allowed to any Proprietor for such streets and lanes as may be laid out within twelve months from the passing of this Act: And provided also, That the town of Boston shall not be obliged to complete the streets laid out by the Selectmen pursuant to this Act, sooner than they may deem it expedient so to do.
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APPENDIX.
D. (Page 80.)
LAND OWNED BY MR. GOULD-THE FOSTER ESTATE.
Besides the reference, on page 80, to the large amount of real estate held by Abraham Gould at Dorchester Neck, at the time of its annexation to Boston, allusion is also made, on pages 247 and 251, to extensive tracts of land held by him, partly inherited by his wife from the Fosters, and partly belonging to him by purchase. A plan is now before us, of " a piece of pasture, mowing and salt marsh," containing 24 acres, belonging to Dr. Stephen Foster and Mr. Gould in 1788. This lot is bounded south-casterly about 24 rods by the "road leading to Castle William," now Dorchester street ; south- westerly 67 rods by land of Mr. Gould ; north-westerly 64 rods to the sea, by widow Foster's land, the house itself coming just on the widow's side ; northerly 36 rods by the sea or Boston harbor ; and north-easterly 76 rods by land of Oliver Wiswall, a cart path running the whole length of this last line from the sea to Dor- chester street. Another plan, still later, comprises two lots adjoining each other, owned by Mr. Gould alone- one of about 29 acres, and the other about 23 acres. This plan included the first-named piece, and extended, east and west, from Dorchester street to D street, and, north and south, from the beach to Nook lane. He also owned land east of Dorchester street, and near the Hawes Place Church. Most of these extensive tracts of land passed out of Mr. Gould's hands before his death, some of them being sold for house-lots at greatly advanced prices.
On pages 31, 32, 33 and 67, the Foster house, which stood on land eventually owned by Mr. Gould, is spoken of, and described as the most elegantly furnished one on the Neck. By a plan drawn in 1749, it appears that this was a two-story house. After its destruction by the British in 1776, a one-story house was erected on its site, as shown by plans drawn in 1788. This latter house, with the land around it, came into Mr. Gould's
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