USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston : formerly Dorchester Neck, now ward XII of the city of Boston > Part 2
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
fence was built near the present junction of Dor- chester Avenue and the causeway between South Boston and Dorchester. From thence ran a path- way to the Neck, commanded by a gate. Persons were appointed to collect and drive all the kine to the common pasture, and to go for them at night. We are informed by the chronicle that " The oxen and steers were in one fenced pasture by themselves, and the younglings in another."
Thus for many years was South Boston used only as a pasture for cattle. It may be a consolation, how- ever, to reflect that among those who had a right to occupy Mattapannock, there were numbered some of the most illustrious of the colonists. Several Re- presentatives, three or four Captains, two clergymen, quite a number of Good men and Misters, sent their kine daily to South Boston to cat of the fat of the land; while among the names of the one hundred and four, we find several Widows who also shared in the peninsula which was " so fit a place for cattle." Even good Richard Mather shared in this privilege, and sent his Brindle to graze on the very ground perchance where now stands the edifice called by his name and devoted to the acquisition of useful knowledge.
In 1642 was launched the first ship built in Dor -- chester. Although we find no mention made as to. the place where it was built, still there is but little doubt that it was constructed near the residences of the colonists, and therefore not far from South Bos- ton. It was probably launched into the Old Harbor.
The following are some of the regulations made at various times by the Town in regard to the cattle to be pastured in Mattapannock.
" April 3, 1638. It is ordered that for this year
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
only the oxen, mares, goats and young cattle shall be kept at the Neck, and no man shall keep any cowes there on pain of ten shillings for every cow so kept there contrary to this order.
" Feb. 13, 1639. It is ordered that no swine shall be kept at the Great Neck, on pain of five shillings to be levied by distress.
" April 1, 1640. It is ordered that no man shall put any cattle on the Great Neck till the 15th of this month, on pain of 12d. for every beast that shall be found there before that day, to be levied by dis- tress."
The last order was passed in order to prevent persons from turning their cattle out to pasture be- fore the grass was of sufficient growth to supply them with food. The same order was passed in succeeding years.
Several years passed before any definite division was made. From the following order, passed the 7th of the 4th month, 1642, we are led to suppose that those who received land on the Neck in 1637, had commenced marking out their plots.
" Agreed that in laying out the Neck of land, they are to begin at the north side of the Neck, and lay that out first, namely of the north side of the way that is laid out. And when that is laid out, then to begin at the south side of the way and go forward; that if any land be left, it may lie at the farthest part towards the castle, and Bro. Jones, Mr. Glover, and Bro. Wilks are to give such allowance for swamps as they in their wisdom shall think meet."
When the division was made, a certain portion of the Neck was reserved by the town as a common pasture. Any person had the privilege of allowing his cattle to graze on this parcel, provided he paid a small tax imposed by the town.
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
In November, 1656, the proprietors of the Neck made a long statement of grievances which they suf- fered, and requested certain changes in the position of the fence about the town pasture. The matter was duly considered, and such changes were made as to satisfy the complainants. In 1657 the fence across the passage from the main land to Mattapan- nock had become broken in some places, and the causeway needed repairs. The following order was passed Dec. 4, at a regular Town Meeting :-
" Ordered, that the proprietors of the Neck be requested to repair the fence and causeway, and in default of so doing they be prosecuted under the law in regard to roads and fences."
In 1667 the persons who owned land in Mattapan- nock were obliged to pay a tax of half a penny on rach are of plowed land only. The following is a list of those who were rated, 11th month, 3d day :-
" Capt. Clap, 7d .; Jos. Farnsworth, 1s .; Annicl Weeks, 2d .; Obadiah Swift, 2d .; Widow Smith, 3d .; Mr. Patten, 2d. ; Richard Baker, 1s. ; William Sum- ner. 7d .; John Blackman, 1d .; Nicholas Clap, 11d .; Augustin Clement, 4d .; Widow Clap, 9d .; Timothy Mather, 1s. 2d .; Capt. Foster, 1s. 6d .; Richard Withington, 1s. 1d .; William Clarke, 6d .; John Blake, 1d .; Samuel Clap, 4d .; Wid. Baker, 1s. 3d .; Obadiah Hawes, 1d .; Wid. Mannings, 3d .; Ezra Clap, 6d. ; John Capen, Junr., 2d .; Deacon Wiswall, sd .; George Dyer, 6d .; Dea. Capen, 3d. ; Mr. How- ard. 7d .; John Mosely, 2d .; Mrs. Stoughton, 2s .; Isaac Jones, Gd. ; Widow Batten, 4d. ; James White, 24. ; Mr. Jones, 10d. ; Ebenezer Williams, 3d. ; Enoch Wiswall, 6d .; Thomas Lake, 1d .; James Blake, 11d. ; Nath'l Clap, Gd. Total sum, 19s. 9d.
Charges laid out for Gate and Hinges, £1 2s."
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HISTORY OF 'SOUTH BOSTON.
Previous to 1690, the value of the Neck Lands is not known. It is probable that the transfers of ti- tles, in most instances, were merely an exchange for the greater convenience of all parties. . The fol- lowing table, however, shows the value of land at different times :-
In 1690, a lot of choice upland sold for £4 an acre.
1694, a lot of 12 acres in the vicinity of the pre- sent Lyceum building sold for £40 New England currency-about $3,33 per acre.
1720, choice upland, $7 per acre.
1740, choice meadow, $2,75 per acre.
1750, upland below M street, about $3 per acre.
1760, upland below M street, about $3 per acre.
From this time till after the Revolution, the price varied but little.
In ancient deeds we find apparently a great dif- ference in the price of land at different times, when in fact there was but little. This is caused by the variation in the value of paper money. The sub- joined table shows the number of shillings necessary to make a dollar in silver at different periods :-
From 1630 to 1652, 26s. 8d. was the value of one ounce of silver, or about $1.
From 1652 to 1700, 20s. to an ounce of silver. In 1710, 8s. to an ounce of silver.
1720, 12s.
1730, 20s. 66 1740, 28s.
1750, 60s.
Most of the land in South Boston changed hands before 1700, as by the death of the first proprietors a division was made among the heirs. In 1718, those who held land in Mattapannock held a meet- ing, and decided to fence their several lots. The
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
following is a copy of the record of this meeting. We transcribe it from the original document in the hand-writing of Adam Winthrop, the Secretary.
" Dorchester, Nov. 26, 1718.
" At a Meeting of the Proprietors of Dorchester Neck, warned by Mr. Preserved Capen, to consider of the Future Management and Improvement of Sd Neck.
" Present-Lieut. Foster, 70 acres ; Capt. Wiswall, 60: Elder Topliffe, 2; Deacon James Blake, 80; Sam'l Capen, 1 1-2; Sam'l Clap, 14; Jona. Clap and mother, 25; Eben'r Clap, 11; Benja. Bird, 30; John Eliot, 23; Sam'l Capen, Junr., 4; Richard Withing- ton and mother, 30; Humphrey Atherton, 17; Pre- served Capen, 16 1-2; Abiel Bird, 3; Thomas Bird, 512: Ephraim Pearson, 3; John Blackman, 3; Oba- diah Swift. 3; John Glover, 2; Jerijah Wales, 1 1-2; William Clap, 2; Hopestill Capen, 2 1-4; Adam Winthrop, 35; Winthrop for Col. Tailer, 19; Eben- ezer Holmes, 7; Jona. Clap for Widow Blake, 12; Jos. Weeks for his mother, 4. Total, 486 1-4 acres.
" Desired by the Proprietors that Adam Winthrop should enter the votes.
" Voted, That we allow persons absent to be re- presented by those that are present upon their Desire.
" Voted, that each Proprietor's Vote shall be ac- cording to the Number of Acres he possesses.
.. That Lieut. Foster and Deacon Blake be desired at or before the Town's Meeting, which is to be Next Monday, the first of December, to notify the Select- men of Dorchester that the Causeway over to Dor- chester Neck is defective and out of Repair, and that it is the Desire of the Proprietors that the Town 3*
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
would direct it to be mended speedily, or as soon as may be.
" That in case the Town shall not order the mend- ing of Sd Causeway at or before the Town's Meet- ing in March next, that then Capt. Oliver Wiswall and Mr. Benja. Bird do present the Said Way to the Quarter Session for the County of Suffolk in Aprillnext.
" Voted, that the Said Neck, from and after the Term of Six Months from this Time, wch will be the 26th Day of May next, be no longer he'd or deemed as a Common or Generall Field. But that the Pro- prietors of Lands there be obliged to make, main- tain and keep up Fences there, as in other places in the Province, any Useage or Custom to the Contra- ry notwithstanding.
" At the desire of Deacon Blake that he may set up a Gate across the Way by his Orchard, to pre- vent a great charge of Fencing which it will other- wise take to keep Cattle from the Water and the Meadow, consented to, provided he keep up a Good Gate convenient for Horses and Carts.
" That we are still willing the Gate at the Mouth of the Neck shall still stand, Provided it do not in- terfere with the Votes abovementioned.
" That Copies of these Votes be lodged, as soon as they are drawn fair, in the hands of Lieut. Foster, Capt. Wiswall and Deacon Blake, and secured there hereafter, that any proprietor may have a Coppy by paying for it.
" At the Desire of the Proprietors that I would attest the above Votes as passed at the Sd Meeting, I do accordingly attest the same. ADAM WINTHROP."
At the House of Mr. Sam'l Clap, Nov. 26, 1718."
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NOOK LANE.
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THE BARRACKS AFTERWARDS
OLIVER WISWELL. 'S HOUSE.
FARRINGTON'S
WILLIAM S'HOUSE.
MANN'S
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BATTERY
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DEA. BLAKE'S . HOUSE AND BARN.
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HOUSE.
THE TWIN HILLS.
HARMINCTON'S BARM.
PLAN OF DORCHESTER NECK-Drawn for the use of the British Army in 1775.
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
CHAPTER III. FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK.
IT is not known when the first dwelling-house was built in South Boston. No record is made of it in the Town Books, and the Assessors' Lists anterior to 1770 have all been destroyed by fire. It is pro- bable, however, that the first house erected in Mat- tapannock was built about the year 1660, by Dea. James Blake, an ancestor of the Blake Family now resident among us. The site of this building was on the spot where now stands the residence of Sam- uel Blake, Esq., at the Point. In a will made in 1693, we find mention of this house, and in the year 1732 it was so impaired by age that it was taken down, and a new one erected on the same spot.
Gradually the number of persons residing in South Boston increased; and in 1776 there were nine dwelling-houses and twelve families in Mattapan- nock. From a map of Boston and its vicinity, drawn by order of the British General, in 1775, we have a projection of South Boston, with every house and every tree on the peninsula. An aged member of the Blake Family, who was born in 1776, has given us such information that we are now able to state the names of the occupants of all the houses.
First, on Nook's Lane, afterwards called "The Way," was the house of Mrs. Foster, situated on the parcel of land where now stand two large trees, at the corner of Fourth and E streets, and opposite the Bigelow School-house. This was for many years the residence of Ebenezer Jones, and in 1750 it
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
passed into the hands of the Fosters. At the time of the Revolution, this dwelling was one of the most elegant in the vicinity of Boston, and it is related that in 1776 several Continental soldiers who stroll- ed over to the Neck were with difficulty restrained from destroying the house, thinking it belonged to a Tory, as several of the rooms were papered, a lux- ury almost unknown in those days. To the soldiers this was considered a sure sign that the occupant was a Tory or traitor.
The next house, owned by Mr. Bird, was situated on a lane leading from what is now the head of Fourth street.
A short distance farther east, near the present location of G street, was a lane on which was built a barrack but one story high. This barrack was afterwards altered into a dwelling-house by building a second story, and was occupied by Oliver Wiswall.
Near the present site of the Hawes Place Church once stood several houses designated as the " Vil- lage." One of these was occupied by Mr. Deluce, one by Mr. Marshall, and another by Mr. Harrington. One of them still exists. Deluce's will be remem- bered as a low building, for years unoccupied, situ- ated next to the Omnibus Office, and lately torn down. Williams's house has been kept in good re- pair, and is now inhabited. It stands a little back from the Old Road. Behind Williams's house, and near the sea-shore, stood another dwelling, occupied by Mr. Ferrington; and a little to the cast of this, on a lane leading from the Old Road, stood Mann's house. A short distance farther east, and near the present location of the Hawes Burying Ground, stood the house of Mr. Harrington, whose descen- dants are still among us. At some distance south-
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FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK.
cast of the house stood his barn. Nearly opposite, and where now stands the stockade fence, was John Wiswall's dwelling, and in his orchard, situated east of his house, was his barn. Then at the extreme Point was the house and barn of Deacon Blake, of whom we have spoken before. Connected with this house was a large orchard, consisting of one hundred trees of different kinds. Near Mr. Harrington's barn it is said there were several locust trees, bear- ing a fruit very pleasant to the taste.
The cellar of the first Foster house, built under the two elm trees at the corner of E and Fourth streets, is still to be seen. These two trees are more than two hundred years old, and during the last few years many branches have become lifeless and have blown off .* " The Foster house, as we re- marked, was nearest to Boston, and was the only house west of Dorchester street. The remainder of the land was a pasture. There were quite a number of trees situated between Dorchester and D streets. There was also by far the best orchard in the vici- nity connected with this house. Peach, apple and plum trees were found in considerable numbers.
In 1681. died Mr. John Foster, one of the family who resided in South Boston. We find the follow- ing in the " Annals," under date of this year. " Died Mr. John Foster, Son of Capt. Hopestill Foster ; School-master of Dorchester, and he that made the then Seal or Arms of ye Colony, namely, an Indian with a Bow & Arrow, &c. Upon his Tomb or Grave Stone is written as follows :-
* These trees, since the above was written, have been cut down to make room for buildings.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
' The ' Ingenious ' Mathematition & Printer ' MR. JOHN FOSTER, ' Aged Thirty three years : Died Sept. 9, ' 1681. ' Apr. 1682.'"
Mr. Foster was a graduate of Harvard College, and was a man of considerable note. His funeral was attended by a large number of mourning friends, and in accordance with the custom of the times, the afflicted family received Elegies on the death of their brother. There are now living in South Boston persons directly descended from the Fosters who first lived on Dorchester Neck. From them we have received two of the Elegies written on the death of Mr. John Foster. As they are rather curious docu- ments, we have transcribed them from the original copies.
" FUNERAL ELEGY,
Dedicated to the Memory of Ilis Worthy Friend, The Learned and Religious MR. JOHN FOSTER, who Deceased in Dorchester the 9 of Septr. 1661.
Amongst the Mourners that are met (For Payment of their last love debt Unto the dead) to Solemnize, With Sighs and Tears his Obsequies,
Love's Laws command that I appear And drop a kindly friendly Tear. I'll venture to bewail his Herse Though in a homely Country verse. To omit the same, it were A Crime at least Piacular.
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FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK.
Our woful loss for to Set forth By setting forth the matchless worth Of the Deceased is too high For my poor Rural Poetry, And greater Skill it doth require Than whereunto I may aspire.
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Records declare how he excelled In Parentage unparallell'd, Whose Grace and Virtues very great He did himself Impropriate Unto Himself; improved withall By Learning Academical.
His Curious works had you but seen You would have thought Him to have been By Some Strange Metempsychosis A new reviv'd Archimedes ; At least you would have judg'd that he A rare Apolles would soon be.
Adde to these things I have been hinting, His skill in that rare ART of PRINTING ; His accurate Geography, And Astronomick Poetry ; And you would say 'twere pitty He Should dy without an Elegie.
His piercing Astronomick Eye Could penetrate the Cloudy Sky, And Soar aloft, ith' highest sphere Descrying Stars that disappear To common eyes ; But Faith and Hope His all excelling Telescope, Did help his heaven-born Soul to pry Beyond the Starry Canopy.
His excellencies here, we find Were crowned with a humble mind ; Thus (Grace obtain'd and Art acquir'd And thirty-three years near expir'd)
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
He that here liv'd, belov'd, contented, Now dies bewail'd and much lamented.
Who knows the Skill, which to our losse This grave doth now alone ingrosse ; Ah who can tell JOHN FOSTER's worth Whose Anagram is, I SHONE FORTH. Presage was his Apoge, By a preceding Prodigie.
Heaven's blazing Sword was brandished By Heaven's enraged wrath we dread ; Which Struck us with amazing fear Some fixed Star would disappear ; Th' appearance was not long adjourn'd Before our Fear to Sorrow turn'd.
Oh Fatal Star (whose fearful flame A fiery chariot became, Whereby our Phoenix did ascend), Thou art our Foe, although his Friend.
That rare Society, which forth Hath Sent Such Gems of greatest worth, Its Oaks and pleasant Plants by death Being pluckt up, it languisheth ; Thus dye our hopes, and Harvard's glory Scarce parallel'd in any Story.
That Gon does thus our choice ones Slay And cunning Artist take away, The Sacred Oracles do show A dreadfull flood of wrath in view.
Oh then let every one of you His rare accomplishments that knew, Now weep; weep ye of Harvard Hall With bitterest Tears ; so weep we all.
Chiefly such as were alone Flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone,
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FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK.
Lament indeed, and fill the skys With th' echo's of their dolefull cryes ; Let JAMES and let ELISHA too With COMFORT, * STANDFAST weeping go, THANKFULL, PATIENCE, MARY likewise Like loveing Sisters solemnize With Sighs your greatest loss, but yet Your Thankfull, Hope do not forget With Perseverance to fulfill. Know your ELIJAH's GOD lives still.
Standfast therefore with Patience,
Comfort shall be your recompence.
And as you yet survive your Brother, So be like comforts to your mother,
Who like Naomi sad is left
Of Husband and two Sons bereft ;
So bitterly th' Almighty one
Hath to our weeping Marah done.
Grieve not too much, the time draws near
You'll re-enjoy Relations dear,
And all together will on high With everlasting Melody
And perfect peace His praises sing, Who through all troubles did you bring.
THOMAS TILESTON."
We know little of the history of the author of this piece of poetry. He was without doubt a rare genius. It is mentioned that in 1676 he planted " ye Elm Trees now about ye Meeting House," in Dorchester.
The following is a copy of another, of a still more curious character.
. It is said that Comfort was a rather mischievous chap, and when his mother read this line, she remarked that she wished he would be . a little more of a comfort to her.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
.
" FUNERAL ELEGY,
Upon the much to be Lamented Death and most Deplorable Expiration of the Pious, Learned, Ingenious, and Eminently Usefull Servant of God,
MR. JOHN FOSTER,
Who Expired and Breathed out his Soul quietly into the Arms of Ilis Blessed RE DEEMER, at Dorchester, Sept. 9th, Anno Dom : 1681. ÆEtatis Anno 33.
HERE lye the relict Fragments, which were took Out of Consumtion's teeth, by Death the Cook. Voracious Apetite dost thus devour
Scarce ought hast left for worms t' live on an Hour But Skins & Bones, (no bones thou maks't of that, It is thy common trade t' eat all the fat.)
Here lyes that earthly House, where once did dwell That Soul that Scarce hath left its Parallel
For Sollid Judgment, Piety and Parts
And peerless Skill in all the practick Arts,
Which as the glittering Spheres it passed by, Methinks I saw it glance at Mercury ;
Ascended now ; 'bove Tide and Time abides,
Which sometimes told the world of Time and Tides.
. Next to the Third Heavens the Stars were his delight, - Where his Contemplation dwelt both day and night, Soaring unceartainly but now at Shoar,
Whether Sol moves or stands He doubts no more.
He that despis'd the things the world admired, As having Skill in rarer things acquired, The heav'ns Interpreter doth disappear ; The Starre's translated to his proper sphere. What e'er the world may think did cause his Death, Consumption, 'twas not Cupid, stopt his breath. The Heavens which God's glory doe discover, Have lost their constant Friend and instant Lover ; Like Atlas, he help't bear up that rare Art Astronomy, & always took her part :
Most happy Soul who didst not there Sit down,
But didst make after an eternal Crown, Sage Archimede ! Second Begalleell !
Oh how didst thou in Curious works excell !
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FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK.
Thine Art and Skill deserve to see the Press, And be Composed in a Printer's dress. Thy Name is worthy for to be enroll'd In Printed Letters of the Choicest Gold.
Thy Death to five foretold Eclipses sad, A great one, unforetold, doth superad, Successive to that strange Ethereal Blaze, Whereon thou didst so oft astonish'd gaze : Which daily gives the world such fatal blows ; Still what's to come we dread ; God only knows. Thy body which no activeness did lack, Now's laid aside like an old Almanack ;
But for the present only's out of date- 'Twill have at length a far more active State.
Yea, though with dust thy body soiled be,
Yet at the Resurrection we shall see
A fair Edition and of matchless worth,
Free from Errata, new in Heaven set forth :
'Tis but a word from God the great Creatour,
It shall be Done when He saith Imprimatur.
Semoestus cecinit. JOSEPH CAPEN."
It is probable that this Elegy was not received for some months after Mr. Foster's death, as we find appended to it the following note :-
" Mrs. Foster,-I am very Happy to have it in my power to Send you this Coppy. I have long intend- ed it, but want of leisure is the cause. That this may meet you and Children in Health is the wish of . A. SHORES."
The father of Mr. James Foster, Capt. Hopestill Foster, died October 15th, 1676. He was of great worth, and was extensively engaged in public affairs. On the 5th of January, 1702-3, Mrs. Foster, consort of Capt. Hopestill Foster, and the lady to whom the
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
two Elegies were presented, died at Dorchester, aged 83 years. From this couple there has descend- ed a large number of families, and one branch has resided in Mattapannock ever since the old Foster house was built.
About the year 1700 there stood on the Mann es- tate, a wooden building occupied by Mr. James Fos- ter and his family, consisting of his wife and a negro girl. One Sabbath Mr. Foster repaired to Dorches- ter to attend meeting, and while he was absent, the dwelling by some means took fire. As there were few inhabitants in South Boston at that time, and as nearly all the males had gone to meeting, no efforts were made to save the house, and it was burnt down, together with all its contents. Mrs. Foster, anxious to save her husband's private papers, entered the house and succeeded in bringing out his desk, but unfortunately, in her haste, she let the treasure fall from her hands, and the papers were scattered by the wind. Mr. Foster, on his return at night, in place of his comfortable dwelling, found nothing but a heap of ruins.
CHAPTER IV.
FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK.
MR. JAMES BLAKE, who built the first house in Mat- tapannock, was born in England, in 1623. He was the son of William and Agnes, who were among the first settlers of Dorchester ; and, as we have before remarked, he built a dwelling-house in South Boston about the year 1660. However, as old age crept
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FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK.
upon him, his eldest son James took possession of the homestead, and the old gentleman lived with him. On the 28th of June, 1700, he died, aged 77 years. In the " Annals" we find the following re- cord made of this event :-
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