USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston : formerly Dorchester Neck, now ward XII of the city of Boston > Part 4
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indulged in great mischief by breaking open stores, and tossing the contents (being private property) into the dock, destroying the furniture of every house they could get into, and otherwise committing every kind of wantonness which disappointed malice could suggest."
Washington had, of course, no knowledge of the outrages which the British were committing. Hc however had no idea of allowing them to remain un- molested any longer, let the wind be as it might. He determined, therefore, to bring matters to a cri- sis, and this end he thought could be best attained by completing the fortifications commenced on Nook's Hill, whatever opposition might be made. A large detachment of soldiers was ordered on Saturday night, March 16th, to take possession of the emi- nence, and erect thercon such forts as would place the enemy in so perilous a position that they must either retreat or be entirely destroyed. Operations were accordingly commenced in the evening.
The British discovered the movement, and com- menced a severe cannonade. Nothing daunted, the Americans kept steadily at work, and erected a sub- stantial fort upon the hill. The new Lawrence School-House on B street now marks the precise spot where the embankments were thrown up, the hill then being some forty or fifty fect higher than the present level of the street.
The British found, to their dismay, when day broke, that a strong fortification had been erected so near the city that they could not remain with safety another day. . Says Gordon, in his History of the American War, published in London, " A breast- work was discovered this morning (March 17, 1776) to be thrown up by the Americans at Nook's Hill,
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on Dorchester peninsula, which, from its proximity, had entire command of Boston Neck and the south end of the town-a work which the king's troops had most fearfully dreaded. In consequence of it, they began to embark at four o'clock in the morning. and were all on board and under sail before ten. What so hastened the British upon the sight of the works on Nook's Hill, was probably an apprehen- sion that the Americans would possess themselves of Noddle's Island, and by erceting batteries at both places, enclose the harbor with the fire of their cannon."
So carly in the morning did General ITowe com- mence the embarkation of his army, that at nine o'clock a large number of troops and inhabitants left the wharves of Boston. No sooner was this observed in the American camp, than General Ward with about five hundred men marched in over the Neck, opened the gates of the town, and entered Boston just as the last remnant of that army, which had been a scourge to the metropolis of New England for eleven months, dropped down the harbor. With drums beating, and flags unfurled, the victorious troops marched triumphantly through the streets, greeted on all sides by the inhabitants of the town who so long had suffered the insults and reproaches of an insolent soldiery.
The following anecdote, connected with Dorchester Heights, is related. On the night of the proposed attack on the fortifications by the British, the senti- nels stationed at the foot of the hill, overcome by fa- tirne, and anxious to escape from the severe storm which raged at the time, took shelter under a pile of boards, and were soon sound asleep. A wargish soldier at the top, who by some means ascertaincd the
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whereabouts of the sleepers, set in motion one of the barrels filled with stones, directing it in such a way as to strike the boards. With a tremendous impetus it dashed down the steep declivity, and met in its course the pile of lumber. As may be supposed, the boards flew in all directions, and the sentinels, frightened out of their wits, and supposing that the enemy were making an attack, fired their guns and aroused the camp. After considerable alarm, the Americans discovered the cause of the firing, and re- turned to their quarters for the night.
As soon as Boston was evacuated, the greater part of the American army was ordered to New York, as it was supposed that the loyalists would attempt to gain that important post. One regiment only was left on Dorchester Heights. These soldiers resided in a building erected at the foot of the forts, ncar G street.
The inhabitants of Boston, as soon as the town was evacuated by the enemy, returned to their homes. Mechanies were again at work, the stores Were opened, and publie worship was resumed. The schools also were again opened, and the scholars, after a long vacation, returned to their accustomed studies.
On the same Sabbath that the British left Boston, Rev. Mr. Leonard preached a sermon appropriate to the occasion. The following extract, relating to this sermon, is from the " New England Chronicle and the Essex Gazette," of Wednesday, March 20, 1776; a newspaper published at that time in Cam- bridge, by Samuel Hall, but formerly issued from Boston :-
" Last Sabbath, a few hours after the enemy retreat- cd from Boston, the Rev. Mr. Leonard preached au
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excellent sermon, in the audience of His Excellency the General, and others of distinction, well adapt- ed to the interesting event of the day, from these words in Exodus 14: 25 :- ' So that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel ; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.' "
The news of the evacuation of Boston excited the greatest joy in the colonies, and it was everywhere received as a prestige of the future success of the Americans in the cause which they had so gallantly espoused. Congratulations were sent to Washing- ton from all directions.
The Selectmen of Boston waited on the General, and in behalf of their constituents, presented to him the following address :-
" May it please your Excellency-
" The Selectmen of Boston, in behalf of them- selves and fellow citizens, with all grateful respect, congratulate your Excellency on the success of your military operations, in the recovery of this town from an enemy, collected from the once respected Britons, who, in this instance, are characterized by malice and fraud, rapine and plunder, in every trace left behind them.
" Happy are we that this acquisition has been made with so little effusion of human blood, which, next to the Divine favor, permit us to ascribe to your Excel- lency's wisdom, evinced in every part of the long besiegement.
" If it be possible to enhance the noble feelings of that person, who, from the most affluent enjoyments, could throw himself into the hardships of a cam- paign to save his country, uncertain of success, 'tis then possible this victory will heighten your Excel- lency's happiness, when you consider you have not
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only saved a large, elegant and once populous city from total destruction, but relieved the few wretched inhabitants from all the horrors of a besieged town, from the insults and abuses of a disgraced and cha- grined army, and restored many inhabitants to their quiet habitations who had fled for safety to the bo- som of their country.
" May your Excellency live to see the just rights of America settled on a firm basis, which felicity we sincerely wish you; and, at a late period, may that felicity be changed into happiness eternal."
To this address Washington made the following reply :-
" To the Selectmen and Citizens of Boston.
" Gentlemen-Your congratulations on the suc- cess of the American arms gives me the greatest pleasure. I most sincerely rejoice with you on being once more in possession of your former habitations ; and, what greatly adds to my happiness, is that this desirable event has been effected with so little effu- sion of human blood.
" I am exceedingly. obliged by the good opinion you are pleased to entertain of my conduct. Your virtuous efforts in the cause of freedom, and the un- paralleled fortitude with which you have sustained the greatest of all human calamities, justly entitle you to the grateful remembrance of your American brethren; and I heartily pray that the hand of ty- ranny may never more disturb your repose, and that every blessing of a kind Providence may give happi- ness and prosperity to the town of Boston."
A joint committee from the Council and House of Representatives of Massachusetts, also presented him with an address expressive of their thanks, for the great services he had rendered the country, and
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informing him of their respect and attachment. To this the General made a reply, in which he congratu- lated them on the recent evacuation of their metro- polis, adding that he had only done his duty, and " wished for no other reward than that arising from a conscientious discharge of his important trust, and that his services might contribute to the estab- lishment of freedom and peace, upon a permanent foundation, and merit the applause of his country- men and every virtuous citizen."
As soon as Congress received the intelligence of the evacuation of Boston, on motion of John Adams a vote of thanks to Washington and his officers and soldiers was passed, and a gold medal was ordered to be struck and given to the General. John Adams, John Jay and Stephen Hopkins were also chosen to prepare a letter of thanks, of which the following is a copy :-
" Philadelphia, April 2, 1776.
"Sir,-It gives me the most sensible pleasure to convey to you, by order of Congress, the only tribute which a free people will ever consent to pay-the tribute of thanks and gratitude to their friends and benefactors.
" The disinterested and patriotic principles which led you to the field have also led you to glory ; and it affords no little consolation to your countrymen to reflect that, as a peculiar greatness of mind in- duced you to decline any compensation for serving them, except the pleasure of promoting their happi- hos4. they may without your permission bestow upon you the largest share of their affection and esteem.
" Those pages in the annals of America will re- cord your title to a conspicuous place in the temple of fame, which shall inform posterity that, under your 6
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direction, an undisciplined band of husbandmen, in the course of a few months, became soldiers, and that the desolation meditated against the country by a brave army of veterans, commanded by the most experienced generals, but employed by bad men in the worst of causes, was by the fortitude of your troops, and the address of their officers, next to the kind interposition of Providence, confined for near a year within such narrow limits as scarcely to admit more room than was necessary for the encampments and fortifications they lately abandoned.
" Accept, therefore, sir, the thanks of the United Colonies, unanimously declared by their delegates to be due to you, and the brave officers and troops under your command; and be pleased to communicate to them this distinguished mark of the approbation of their country.
" The Congress have ordered a gold medal, adapt- ed to the occasion, to be struck, and, when finished, to be presented to you.
" I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of esteem, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,
JOHN HANCOCK, President.
To His Excellency,
General Washington."
To this message General Washington returned the following answer :---
"New York, April 18, 1776.
" Sir,-Permit me, through, you, to convey to the honorable Congress the sentiments of gratitude I feel for the high honor they have done me in the public mark of approbation contained in your favor of the 2d instant, which came to hand last night. I
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beg to assure them that it will ever be my highest ambition to approve myself a faithful servant of the public ; and that, to be in any degree instrumental in procuring to my American brethren a restitution of their just rights and privileges, will constitute my chief happiness.
" Agreeably to your request, I have communicated, in general orders, to the officers and soldiers under my command, the thanks of Congress for their good behavior in the service ; and am happy in having such an opportunity of doing justice to their merit. They were indeed, at first, 'a band of undisciplined hus- bandmen;' but it is (under God) to their bravery and attention to their duty that I am indebted for that success which has procured me the only reward I wish to receive-the affection and esteem of my countrymen.
"The medal, intended to be presented to me by your honorable body, I shall carefully preserve as a memorial of their regard.
"I beg leave to return you, Sir, my warmest thanks for the polite manner in which you have been pleased to express their sentiments of my conduct ; and am, with sincere esteem and respect, Sir, yours and their most obedient and most humble servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
To John Hancock, President of Congress." $
The medal was struck in Paris, from a die cut by Duvivier. On the obverse was a head of Washing- ton in profile, and around it the following inscrip- tion :-
" GEORGIO WASHINGTON SVPREMO DVCI EXERCITVVM ADSERTORI LIBERTATIS COMITIA AMERICANA."
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On the reverse is the town of Boston in the dis- tance, with a fleet in view, under sail. Washington and his officers are on horseback in the fore-ground, and he is pointing to the ships as they depart from the harbor. The inscription is,
" HOSTIBVS PRIMO FVGATIS BOSTONIVM RECVPERATVM XVII MARTH MDCCLXXVI."
As may be supposed, the news of the evacuation of Boston excited the greatest surprise in England. The Parliament saw with the deepest mortification the dishonor of the British arms, and there were spirited debates on the subject. General Howe's conduct was severely criticised, and the periodicals of the day were filled with comments on the loss of Boston. The chief point of complaint against Gen- eral Howe was his long neglect of Dorchester Heights, which he intended to fortify some months before. Said a writer in an English paper, "Now I beg leave to ask Sir William Howe whether Bos- ton was tenable or not ? He had indeed staked his reputation as a general on the affirmative. If it was not, how could he, or his favorite engineer, overlook this (Dorchester) post ? Could they suppose that the rebels, who, before winter, had made regular approaches to the foot of this hill, would fail, as soon as the season opened, to occupy the top of it? Why was not a post established there, as at Bunker Hill ?"
The works erected on Dorchester Heights were built with much skill, and clearly showed that though the workmen were mere yeomen, still they were commanded by officers worthy of the important sta- tion they occupied. It has been truly remarked that " nothing but the enthusiasm of liberty could have
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enabled the men of America to have constructed such works. In history they are equalled only by the lines and forts raised by Julius Caesar to surround the army of Pompey." May the inhabitants of Mat- tapannock ever remember, with pride, that to the erection of the forts upon the heights which tower above us, we are in a great measure indebted for our liberty, our free institutions and our many privi- leges. May we strive to be worthy of the spot which is so celebrated in the history of our beloved Repub- lic, and so long as the Mount shall bear the name of him who was " first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen," may we stand fast by that Constitution and those privileges which were bequeathed us by our fathers.
During the siege of Boston, the inhabitants of Mattapannock, from their proximity to the enemy, were in constant dread of being attacked. On the 19th of April, the day of the battle of Lexington, the South Bostonians were so fearful lest the British should reek their vengeance on the peninsula, that they all removed to Dorchester. Soon, however, the greater part returned to their residences, and although they were often in danger of being killed by the shells thrown from the Castle, yet for several months they received no material injury. An aged lady, a descendant of Mr. Foster, from whom much valuable information in regard to the early history of South Boston has been derived, when asked if there were any Tories residing in Mattapannock, replied, with great energy, " No, every one here was ready to fight till he died." It is said, however, that a Mr. Pratt, who lived with Mrs. Foster, and aided in tilling her farm, thought it a great waste to have a whole cargo of tea lost; and accordingly, when 6*
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Boston Harbor was made a Tea Pot by the patriotic Bostonians, he actually went down to the sea-shore, recovered a quantity of tea from the water, and hid it in Mrs. Foster's barn. He never used it, however, as his mistress was too much of a Whig to drink any of the contraband beverage.
In the latter part of the year 1775, Deacon James Blake, who resided at the extreme Point, became fearful lest he should receive injury from the British soldiers stationed at the Castle, who were in the habit of visiting Mattapannock. Several times his family were grossly insulted, and at last he was forced to remove to Dorchester, leaving his house and barn to the mercy of the enemy. One day the old gentle- man saw the red-coats point their cannon towards the Neck, and thinking they were about to practise a little, he sent his eldest son to take the glass win- dows out of the homestead, as there was great dan- ger that they would be broken by the concussion. The young man immediately mounted his horse, and was soon busily engaged in obeying his father's com- mand, when a cannon-ball passed directly through the window on which he was at work, and lodged in the back-wall of the house. Fortunately he was stooping to reach something on the floor at the time, and hence escaped with his life. Soon another ball came whizzing by the house, and passed very near the horse, which stood tied to a tree about a rod from the homestead. The young man then thought that the British were becoming rather social, and leaving the windows to their fate, he sprung upon his horse, and hastened with all speed to Dorchester.
Soon after this, a party of soldiers visited the Point, and placing a tar-barrel near Mr. Blake's dwelling, set fire to it, and the house was totally
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destroyed. The barn was also consumed. The blaze was seen by Mr. Blake, at Dorchester, but he could do nothing to save his property.
In the early part of the year 1776, the weather was very cold, and the harbor was frozen over. The ice was quite thick, and improving the opportunity, on the night of the thirteenth of February, about five hundred grenadiers and light infantry crossed over to Mattapannock with the design of surprising the American guard, consisting of seventy men. They nearly succeeded in their design, but the guard man- aged to escape. Not wishing to return without some exploit, they set fire to several of the houses on the Neck, made prisoners of two persons, and then re- turned. A detachment of Americans was sent to attack them, but the red-coats escaped unharmed. Among the houses destroyed was the princely resi- dence of Mrs. Foster, situated under the two old elms. This conflagration was perhaps one of the most dastardly acts committed during the war, as the inhabitants of Mattapannock were very inoffen- sive, making no attempts even to preserve their property from the enemy.
CHAPTER VI.
FURTHER SETTLEMENT OF MATTAPANNOCK.
OF the history of Mattapannock from the year 1776 till 1804, we know but little. It is plain that during this period the number of families residing on the peninsula was not increased. There were few inducements to attract persons to select that
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part of Dorchester for a residence, as the church and town school were situated at some distance, and at high tide it was very difficult to pass the causeway. An old gentleman who resided in Mattapannock at that period, informed us, in a late conversation, that he had often heard his father say, "We must rise early Sunday morning, or the water will prevent us from crossing the causeway." Often, he added, have we started by sunrise on a winter morning, and been obliged to sit in a cold church all day. At that time, as is well known, the meeting-houses were not warmed, and our ancestors were often obliged to perform their devotions with frost-bitten feet and chattering teeth.
As we have before remarked, the Town of Dor- chester kept possession of a portion of the land at the Point. This land was called the Town Pasture, and in 1775 we find the following order passed in regard to it :-
" At a legal meeting of the freeholders of Dor- chester, held Nov. 24, 1775, it was
" Voted,-To Sell the Wood off of the Town's Pasture at Dorchester Neck." At a later period of the meeting it was
" Voted,-That the above vote be so far reconsid- ered as that one or two trees be reserved for shade."
" Voted,-That Mr. Thomas Moseley sell Sd Wood, and return the money into the Town Treasury."
From the following extract from the Town Re- cords we are led to conclude that for more than one hundred and fifty years Mattapannock was used as a pasture by the inhabitants of Dorchester. Indeed, until within the last quarter of a century many acres of the peninsula were devoted to this purpose.
" At a meeting of the freeholders of Dorchester, held June 5, 1776, it was
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" Voted,-That the Income of the Common Land at Powow Point this year be allowed towards main- taining a gate across the way leading on to Dorches- ter Neck."
The greatest scourge which in those days visited the colonies of New England was the small-pox, and Boston and the towns in its vicinity were particu- larly afflicted. In 1702, 313 persons died of this disease in Boston; and in 1721, 5,729 persons- half of the number of inhabitants-had the small- pox, and 844 died. About this time Dr. Zabdiel Boylston, a distinguished physician of Boston, dared to inoculate with the small-pox three of his house- By this means the violence of the disease was
hold. much abated. The experiment, however, excited the greatest opposition both on the part of the medi- cal faculty and the public. In due time, however, the benefits of inoculation were appreciated, and thousands voluntarily contracted the disease by this method. But it was found necessary to separate those who were inoculated from the healthy portion of the community. Accordingly, hospitals were opened in the different towns, and to these places all resorted who desired to have the small-pox. No one was allowed to approach these places, though generally those who were inoculated did not suffer much from the disease. In 1792, one of these hos- pitals was established at Dorchester Neck, and thither were sent all the small-pox patients of Dor- chester. The following vote we find in the Town Records :-
" Nov. 2d, 1792. Voted,-That Doctor Phinchas Holden have Liberty for a Hospital at Dorchester Neck.
" Voted,-That the House of Mr. Jonathan Bird
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tertius, at Dorchester Neck, be used as a Hospital for Inoculating for the Small-Pox."
Previous to the year 1796, the passage between South Boston and Boston was passable to shipping craft only at high tide. On the 26th of February, 1796, however, an act was passed by the Legislature, incorporating John Lowell, Esq., Increase Sumner, Esq., Thomas Williams, Physician, John Reed, Esq., and Mr. Thomas Williams, Jr., into a company to dig and clear a channel to Roxbury. It was called the Roxbury Canal, and was of the greatest advantage to the inhabitants of that town. In process of years, the tide has washed away the land on each side, till it is now a wide opening.
In 1801 occurred the only duel which was ever fought in Mattapannock. It was a bright Sabbath morning in June, just at break of day, that several men were seen passing through South Boston to- wards the Point. As it was common for persons who resided in Boston to visit the peninsula on Sunday for recreation, little was thought of the mat- ter. Arriving near the present position of Alger's Gun Yard, at the Point, they appeared to be for some minutes in consultation, and then two of the men were seen to measure off the ground. This at- tracted no particular attention, as it was supposed that the party were to engage in a game of quoits. Soon, however, the report of a pistol was heard, and soon after another broke upon the stillness of the morning. No alarm was excited by these reports, as it was thought the men might be firing at a target. Soon, however, a portion of the party were seen hastening away, while at the same time the remain- der slowly bore along the insensible bleeding body of one of their company. He was taken into the
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house of Mr. Blake, and every thing done to save his life, but he died in a few minutes.
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