USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston : formerly Dorchester Neck, now ward XII of the city of Boston > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
It appeared that two men, named Rand and Miller, fell into a dispute, and determined to settle the mat- ter by a duel. Accordingly, they proceeded to the Point, accompanied by their seconds and several of their friends, to seek satisfaction for their wounded honor. Rand had his first shot, and, although Miller was a very portly man, did not hit his adversary. Miller's turn then came, but feeling assured that he should kill Rand, he attempted to settle the dispute. But no, Rand must have satisfaction, and Miller fired. Rand fell, and Miller fled to New York, where he amassed an immense fortune, and died a few years since.
This occurrence, as it may be supposed, produced great excitement among the people of Dorchester Neck. To have a man killed in their midst on Sun- day morning seemed a dreadful thing, and indeed must have struck all with horror. Mrs. Blake, into whose house the deceased was taken, is still alive, and recollects distinctly the events of that morning.
As Boston and Dorchester were wholly discon- nected by land, the passage to and from the former place by our citizens was either in boats or around through Roxbury. On the evening of December 24th, 1803, a most distressing accident occurred between the two places. Three young men, James Pike, aged 28 years, David Williams, Jr., aged 20 years, and Moses Whitney, aged 17 years, while returning from Boston to their residences on Dorchester Neck, in a small boat, were upset, and all drowned. Mr. Whit- ney's father had accompanied the three young men to Boston, and intended returning with them, but ar- rived at the wharf just after they had pushed off, and
٦
72
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
was obliged to go round by land. But for this mo- ment's tardiness, he must have shared the fate of the others. The friends of the deceased waited in sus- pense till the morning, when the hat of one of the young men was found on the beach. Their bodies were shortly after recovered, and the funeral obse- quies were performed in the church, where a large concourse of people were assembled. An appropri- ate dirge was sung by the choir, and a very solemn address made by Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris, who had then been Pastor of the church in Dorchester for about ten years.
CHAPTER VII.
ANNEXATION TO BOSTON.
Iv the latter part of the year 1803, a number of distinguished citizens of Boston, among whom were William Tudor, Gardiner Green, Jonathan Mason, and Harrison Gray Otis, with an impression, which time has shown was well founded, that Boston was destined to be one of the most important commercial emporiums in America, and that it was not of suffi- cient size to accommodate the business of the place, bought a large number of acres of land on Dorchester Neck. It is said that they were advised to make this purchase by Joseph Woodward, a native of Tewksbury, who selected Mattapannock as being land most easily annexed to Boston; and in order to render it accessible, it was proposed to build a bridge. In the early part of the year 1804, a peti- tion was presented to the Town of Boston, by the
:
:
73.
ANNEXATION TO BOSTON.
proprietors of lands at said Neck, for its consent to the annexation of that tract of land to the Town. This petition was referred to a large committee chosen to consider on what conditions the annexation should be made.
The committee subsequently reported several con- ditions, and the freeholders of the Town of Boston were called together to consult on the matter. On the 17th of January, it was
"Voted,-That the Town will consent that the Lands on Dorchester Neck, agreeably to the Petition of the Owners, shall be annexed to and incorporated with the Town of Boston, provided it can be done on such conditions as the Town shall hereafter agree to."
Another meeting was called on the 30th of Janu- ary, and so great was the excitement that no busi- ness could be transacted. The greater part of the day was spent in angry debates, and at last it was deemed advisable to adjourn the meeting till the next day, when it was hoped a better state of feel- ing might exist. This was done, and at the adjourned meeting it was decided that if the Neck was an- nexed,
" The Proprietors of the land to be annexed shall consent that the Selectmen of the Town of Boston shall immediately lay out such Streets, Public Squares and Market Places as they shall judge necessary for the public accommodation, without any compensation for the land so appropriated."
On the twenty-fifth day of February, at a meeting of the Selectmen of the Town of Boston,
" The Chairman was directed to apply to the Sen- ators of the County and the Representatives of the Town, to inform them that the Board think it im- 7
-
74
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
portant that a clause should be inserted in the Bill now under the . consideration of the Legislature for annexing Dorchester Point to the Town; that the Streets, Market Places and Public Squares shall be laid out by the Selectmen, or a Committee chosen by the Town, without any compensation in money being required by the Proprietors for the land taken for such purposes."
In the mean time the petitioners were making the most strenuous efforts to effect the passage of the bill. They had bought a large number of acres at Mattapannock at a very cheap rate, and they were convinced that if the bill should pass, the property would immediately rise in value. It was also con- sidered highly important to the Town of Boston that this Neck should be annexed, as it was then supposed the peninsula itself could not contain many more in- habitants.
The inhabitants of Dorchester, however, were very much opposed to the change. They considered Mat- tapannock as belonging to them, and were deter- mined to retain their property if possible.
At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabi- tants of the Town of Dorchester, qualified by law to vote in town affairs, held January 23, 1804. of which Moses Everett, Esq., was chosen Moderator, it was
" Voted,-That the Town have no Objection to a Bridge being Erected from Dorchester to Boston.
" Voted,-To remonstrate against Dorchester Neck being set off and annexed to the Town of Boston.
" Voted,-To Choose a Committee to Remonstrate to the General Court against Dorchester Neck being set off and annexed to the Town of Boston.
" Voted,-that Sd Committee consist of Nine per- sons :- Ebenezer Wales, Esq., Stephen Badlam, Esq.,
----- -
linel
75
ANNEXATION TO BOSTON.
John Howe, Esq., Mr. Samuel Withington, Major James Robinson, with Ebenezer Tolman, Mr. Lemuel Crane, Mr. Thomas Moseley, Mr. Edward W. Baxter, the present Selectmen.
" Voted,-That the above Committee be requested to attend to all matters and things for the Interest of the Town of Dorchester, as it relates to the Peti- tion of Wm. Tudor, Esq., and others, praying that the Lands on Dorchester Neck may be annexed to and incorporated with the Town of Boston."
This committee immediately prepared to oppose the passage of the Bill, and drew up a strong remon- strance (See Appendix A), which was presented to the General Court.
A memorial was presented to the Selectmen of Bos- ton by those in favor of the movement. (See Ap- pendix B.)
At a town meeting held Feb. 16th, 1804, the com- mittee appointed to draw up the remonstrance against annexation, reported as follows :-
" Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Dorchester on the 23d of January last, Your Committee have attended to the business assigned them, and have preferred to the Honorable Legislature a Written Remonstrance to prevent that part of this Town called the Neck from being set off to the Town of Boston as prayed for in a Petition of William Tudor, Esq., and others; and notwithstanding your Commit- tee have opposed the same in every stage of the business, a Report is made in favor thereof by a Joint Committee of both Houses, without any com- pensation being allowed for it to the Town of Dor- chester ; and your Committee not feeling themselves authorized to proceed any further in a business so highly important, considered it expedient that the
?
١
76
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Town be called together, and are ready to give all the Information they have obtained on the subject. EBEN'R WALES,
In behalf of the Committee."
This Report was accepted, and a verbal report was then made by one of the Committee, in which it was stated that the sum of $6,000 might be obtained, provided the Town would oppose the Petitioners no farther.
It is probable that the Town would have accepted this sum, and made no more opposition ; indeed, they had nearly decided on this measure, when John Howe, Esq., an influential citizen of Dorchester, arose, and with great emphasis called on the town to retract, and make no agreement by which they were to lose the most valuable portion of their territory. He was certain that the Legislature would not grant leave to annex Dorchester Neck to Boston, provided the citizens of Dorchester were opposed to it.
This speech had great influence over the assembly, and as soon as he sat down, it was moved and.
" Voted,-Not to accept the 6000 Dollars on the conditions they are offered.
"Voted,-That the Selectmen be a Cominittec to attend to the Petition of William Tudor, Esq., and others, now pending before the General Court, and that they act in all Matters according to their Discretion for the Interest of the Town."
A motion was made to withdraw the Remonstrance, but it was
" Voted,-Not to withdraw said Remonstrance."
Subsequently, the petitioners, through Harrison Gray Otis, offered $20,000 to the Town of Dorches- ter provided they would not oppose the bill. This offer was rejected, and every effort was made to pre- vent its passage.
1 : $
!
77
ANNEXATION TO BOSTON.
However, after considerable debate, on the 6th of March, a bill was passed by the Legislature, annexing Dorchester Neck to Boston. (See Appendix C.)
By this means the citizens of Dorchester lost the jurisdiction over Mattapannock, and also the money offered, much to the chagrin of those who had oppos- ed the acceptance of the proffered sum. Land at South Boston-for from the passage of the bill it took this name-immediately increased in value. Lots that could be bought in 1803 for $40 an acre, now sold for $400 or $500, and a new impulse seem-
ed to be given to the Neck. Many purchased large- ly, and South Boston immediately became quite a noted place. The population also began to increase, and those who owned land on the Neck suddenly be- came rich. And vet two, out of the twelve tax-pay- ers who lived in South Boston, never would give their consent to the separation, although one of them held a farm of 52 acres, which was thereby so greatly increased in valuc.
At the same time that the Act was passed by which Dorchester Neck was annexed to the Town of Boston, other acts were passed, authorizing the building of a bridge from the Neck to the town, and also the con- struction of a street within the town, leading from the bridge to the more populous parts of it. As we intend, however, to make this bridge the subject of more extended remark in another chapter, we pass to other topics.
When annexed, South Boston contained about six hundred acres of upland, and nineteen persons who paid a poll tax resided in the place. The following is a list of the proprietors at that time, with the tax they paid.
7*
:
78
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
State, Town and County Tax, 1804.
Names.
No. Polls. Poll Tax.
Value Real Estate. Estate Tax.
Real
Total Tax.
Blake James, .
$7,000
$43 63
$43 68
Bird Jonathan, 3d,
1
1 75
15,400
96 10
97 85
Bird Samuel aud Ezekiel,
2,700
16 85
16 85
Bird Thomas, .
600
3 74
3 74
Bird Jacob,
1
1 75
1 75
Bird Elijah,
1
1 75
1 75
Clap Lemuel, .
1
1 75
3,700
23 09
24 84
Clap Jason (Brick yd),
2,000
12 48
12 48
Clap Mary (Widow),
2,700
16 85
16 85
Cobb Samuel,
3,300
20 61
20 61
Champney John,
1
1 75
800
4 99
6 74
Everett Moses, Esq.,
1
1 75
7,800
43 67
50 42
Gore Jeremiah,
500
3 12
3 12
Gray John,
1 1 75
27,000
168 48
1 170 23
Gould Abraham, Harrington Rufus,
1 1 75
800
4 99
6 74
750
4 68
4 68
Loring Israel,
1
1 75
800
4 99
6 74
Marshall Moses,
1
1 75
300
1 87
3 62
Newman Henry,
1
1 75
10,600
66 14
67 89
Robbins Etward,
1
1 75
2,500
15 60
17 35
Spear Aaron,
1
1 75
400
2 50
4 25
Temple James,
1
1 75
12,600
78 62
78 62
Tileston Onisepherus,
1
1 75
500
3 12
4 87
Woodward Joseph,
1
1 75
15,800
98 59
100 34
-
19
33 25
139,200
868 61
901 86
Higginson Stephen,
4,800
29 95
29 95
Leeds Thomas,
1 1 75
600
3 74
5 49
Munroe Thomas,
1
1 75
1 75
Payson Samuel,
1,300
8 11
8 11
3,000
18 72
18 72
Tudor William, Esq.,
1
1 75
1 75
Williams David,
800
4 99
4 99
Hartshorn Oliver, .
750
4 68
4 68
1,200
7 49
7 49
Humphries James, 66
(Guardian)
2,200
13 73
13 73
Deluce John,
6,000
37 44
37 44
Farrington John, 2d,
·
Value of Real Estate, $139,200. Personal, no-
thing. Number of Polls, 19. Poll Tax, $33 25. Real Estate Tax, $868 61. Total Tax, $901 86.
In the year 1805, Judge Tudor, desirous of increas- ing the inducements to settle in South Boston, and feeling confident that money invested in that place would pay a good interest, built the large block of brick buildings situated at the corner of Broad- way and A street, and usually known as the " BAR- RACKS," or " BRINLEY BLOCK." Three of the houses
Spear Lemuel,
1 75
-
£
79
ANNEXATION TO BOSTON.
were finished in the most magnificent style, while the fourth, the most westerly, was not completed in- side till some years afterwards.
It will be remembered that within a few years the front doors of these houses were in the second story, and were reached by a long flight of steps. When they were built, Broadway was not graded, and these doors were on a level with the ground. Subsequently the street was dug down, and stories built beneath. Still more recently, these front doors have been changed into windows of the second story, and the flight of steps removed.
At the same time, a Mr. Murphy built the house now known as the " SOUTH BOSTON HOTEL." When first constructed, it was only half as large as at the present time. As soon as it was completed, Mr. Murphy opened it as a Public House, hanging out as his sign a large golden ball. Mr. Ross, a soap man- ufacturer, also, in 1805, built the large brick build- ing at the corner of Fourth and Turnpike streets, for some years occupied by Mr. Holmes as the ". TWELFTH WARD HOTEL." Mr. Ross used it as a dwelling house for some time, and it then passed into other hands, and was used as a private dwelling.
These buildings, with Mr. Gould's, under the old elms, near the corner of Fourth and E streets, were the only brick buildings in the place. Soon after the annexation, quite a number of wooden houses were built, occupied partly by persons who formerly resided in Boston proper, and partly by the work- men engaged in Mr. Ross's Soap Factory. Unfortu- nately for those who built the "Block," and the " Hotel," South Boston did not increase in impor- tance so rapidly as was expected. For a long time, three of the four houses in the " Block " re-
plan
.
80
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
mained unoccupied, and the rent for the other only amounted to $120 per annum. After keeping the Golden Ball Hotel for four or five years, Mr. Mur- phy gave up the business, and the house was occupied by Mr. Hunting as a private residence for twenty- eight years.
Abraham Gould, Esq., mentioned above, was for many years a prominent citizen of Mattapannock. His wife was a direct descendant of the Fosters who have been alluded to in previous chapters. As seen by the list of tax payers in 1804, he then held a large amount of real estate-more than any other individual in the place. He died in the brick house just spoken of, on Fourth street, in February, 1840, in the 84th year of his age. Mr. Gould was on guard duty at Nook's Hill on the night of the erection of the forts on the Heights. (See Appendix D.)
CHAPTER VIII.
BRIDGES . AND AVENUES.
PREVIOUS to the annexation of Dorchester Neck to Boston, there was no means of direct communica- tion between the two peninsulas, as already men- tioned, except by boats. There were but ten fami- lies then residing on Mattapannock, and the travel between the town and the Neck was very small. Small row-boats plied across to accommodate those who might wish to pass, running from Wind-mill Point, now the site of the Planing Mill in Sea street, to the foot of B street, and from Rainsford's Lane across to the foot of Fourth street. When, however,
----
1
£
81
BRIDGES AND AVENUES.
in 1803, the proposition was made to annex Dorches- tor Neck to Boston, it was judged necessary to pro- vide some better mode of communication between the places. A scheme was made to build a bridge from Wind-mill Point across to the Neck. A peti- tion was sent to the town, asking for the privilege of having Dorchester Neck annexed to Boston, " upon the single condition that the inhabitants of Boston will procure a bridge to be erected between Boston and Dorchester Neck."
And now commenced a discussion, which, perhaps, excited public attention and feeling more than any that has ever been brought before the Bostonians. Several confused meetings of the citizens were held on the subject. At one time they would pass reso- lutions, which at their next assemblage they would nullify. The greatest excitement prevailed, and it was necessary sometimes to adjourn the meetings because order could not be maintained. The chief subject of dispute seemed not to be as to the feasi- bility of annexing Dorchester Neck, and of building a bridge, but as to the conditions upon which it should be annexed, and where the bridge should be located.
At last, on the 31st of January, 1804, the town agreed to the proposition of annexation, provided " that the place from which and the terms on which the bridge should be built, shall be left entirely with the Legislaturc." The Representatives from Bos- ton were authorized to favor the measure.
It was then proposed to build a bridge from South street to the Neck, nearly in the present position of the North Free Bridge. In the "New England Palladium " for February 17, 1804, we find the fol- lowing record.
:
P
82
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
" SENATE.
Tuesday, Feb. 14.
" NEW BRIDGE .- The joint Committee on the peti- tion of William Tudor and others, praying for leave to build a Bridge from Boston to Dorchester Neck. reported, That the petitioners have leave to bring in a bill, authorizing them to build a Bridge from South street in Boston, to Dorchester Neck, as set forth in the petition ; agreeably to such rules, regu- lations and conditions as shall be prescribed by the Legislature.
" We learn, that the committee report as their opinion, that the conditions on which the leave be given, shall be, that the Proprietors of the bridge shall furnish, from the 1st of April to the 1st Decem- ber, each year, a boat, with two hands, whose busi- ness it shall be, at all times, to aid all vessels in passing the draw, that they may not be necessitated to cast anchor :- That the Proprietors of the Bridge shall pay Eleven Hundred Dollars, annually, to the wharf-holders at the South end and at Roxbury ; which sum shall annually be expended to promote the navigation above the bridge :- That it shall be lawful for the proprietors, after the expiration of three years, to make application to the Governor, who shall be authorized to appoint three persons to hear the parties, and decide on any new conditions they shall deem just and equitable, provided they shall not raise the sum to be paid annually ; and that every five years after, it shall be lawful to make a similar application, that similar process may be had thercon."
On the petition for the annexation of Dorchester Neck to the town of Boston, the committee reported in favor of the petitioners, on condition that two
- .
83
BRIDGES AND AVENUES.
cross Streets be laid out by the petitioners, one run- ning E. and W., the other N. and S., and that three lots be appropriated for public purposes, viz .- one for a meeting-house, one for a school-house, and one for a burial-place.
The inhabitants at the south end of the town were very desirous that the bridge should be built from Orange street, in the present position of the South Free Bridge. The newspapers of the early part of the year 1804, were filled with communications on the subject, some merely squibs, while others occupied several columns. Different editors took different views of the subject, and the matter was most fully discussed both by the public and in the legislative halls.
At this juncture the inhabitants of the south end formed a plan to change the position of the bridge, offering, if it was built to accord to their wishes, to construct a commodious street across the flats from Rainsford's Lane to the head of the proposed bridge. They presented a petition to the General Court to be incorporated for this purpose, upon the presump- tion that no liberty would be granted for the erec- tion of any avenue to South Boston northward of this bridge, " unless at some future period the in- creased settlement of this part of the country should be such that the public exigencies should require the same."
This plan met with so favorable a reception, that the Dorchester Point proprietors were induced to make a compromise with the South-enders, and the South street bridge was abandoned.
On the 23d of February, the joint Committee made a report on the basis of the compromise, which was accepted, and
84
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
On Saturday, Feb. 25, a bill to incorporate certain persons "for the purpose of making a street from Rainsford Lane to the Bridge proposed to be built from, or near, the Town's Landing at Dorchester Neck," was read for the first time.
On Monday, Feb. 27, it had a second reading, and on Thursday, March 1, the bill was passed to be en- grossed.
On Tuesday, March 6th, three highly important bills were signed by Governor Strong; viz., one an- nexing Dorchester Neck to Boston, another incorpo- rating the Proprietors of Boston South Bridge, and a third incorporating the Front Street Corporation. (See Appendix E.)
No sooner was the act authorizing the Bridge passed, than workmen began to drive the piles ne- cessary for its erection, and in the summer of 1805 it was completed. It was one thousand five hundred and fifty-one feet in length, and cost the proprietors about $56,000. On the 1st day of October, soon after it was completed, it was the scene of a grand military display, concluded by a sham fight.
Before its completion, however, it was manifest that its location did not suit a large portion of those interested in South Boston. The compromise made with the South end people did not seem to them a sufficient reason for changing the location of the bridge, and no sooner had the General Court assem- bled in January, 1805, than petitions were pre- sented praying for a bridge from Wheeler's Point. As the South Bridge was not yet completed, it was undoubtedly the design to prevent, by the passage of the new bill, the building of the Bridge from Front street.
Public opinion on the subject was very much di-
85
BRIDGES AND AVENUES.
vided. Those who were interested at the South End were bitterly opposed to the passage of the Free Bridge Act, while those interested in South Boston and also the whole of the South Shore towns were in favor of a bridge from Wheeler's Point. The newspapers of that time were made the medium through which hundreds of communications on the subject were presented to the public. We have been much interested in looking over the files of the Co- lumbian Centinel, Independent Chronicle, and New England Palladium. Benj. Russell, the famous editor of the Centinel, after publishing a lengthy communi- cation in favor of the new bridge, in his paper of Jan. 16, 1805-says :
" In answer to a note which accompanied the pre- ceding communication, we observe, that from the ex- tensive circulation of the Centinel, we expect nume- rous communications on the subject therein broached. We therefore take this early occasion to notify the parties that the most exact impartiality will be ob- served by us; that we shall give the pieces on both sides as early publicity as may be consistent with other duties ; and that we shall demand a compensa- tion for our labor."
It is clear that he saw the interest manifested on the subject, and by thus making his paper the organ of neither party, but admitting at the same time the communications of both, he rendered it popular to the public, and undoubtedly profitable to himself.
As it was important that the sense of the people should be ascertained, a town meeting was called on Monday, February 4, 1805, at Faneuil Hall. The attendance was very large, and the Hall was so crowded that it was deemed advisable to adjourn the meeting till Thursday, when a more commodious 8
IT
£
Hday all
86
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
place could be procured. Applications were made for leave to occupy several of the large churches, but only two societies were willing to grant the re- quest ; these were the South-End Society and the Universalist Society. It was decided to occupy the latter. The meeting was very lengthy, and the time was spent in angry discussion, and at a late hour, without accomplishing any thing, the meeting was ad- journed till Friday. Again there was the most bit- ter wrangling ; but after a long debate, those in favor of the bridge gained a majority, and passed a reso- · lution instructing the Senators of Suffolk County and the Representatives for Boston in General Court assembled, to aid by every possible endeavor the passage of an act authorizing the building of a bridge from Wheeler's Point, in a line with South street, to South Boston. Notwithstanding the passage of this resolution, the opponents of the new bridge were too strong in the General Court to permit it to have much influence, and on the 20th of February, 1805, leave of withdrawal was given to those who peti- tioned for a bridge from Wheeler's Point to South Boston.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.