USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston : formerly Dorchester Neck, now ward XII of the city of Boston > Part 7
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On the 19th of April, 1832, a deed was executed for the sum of $3500, conveying to the City of Bos- ton and its successors, "all the franchise and also all the materials of the Boston South Bridge, together with the buildings, rights, wharves and real estate of the said Corporation, and every part and parcel thereof, whatsoever the same may be, and whereso- ever situated, with all the privileges, appurtenances, and immunities of every description to the granted premises and every part thereof in any wise apper- taining, subject nevertheless always to all the pro- visos, terms, duties, conditions and tenure in the aforesaid acts of the said Commonwealth set forth and expressed."
Thus the South Bridge became city property, and was made a free passage way for the public. In 1849, an order was passed for the filling up with gravel of about two hundred feet on the South Boston extremity of the Bridge. This was accomplished in 1850, and is now solid earth. It is highly probable that before many years the same process will be undergone at the other extremity, and the bridge only extend sufficiently far to have a passable channel for vessels.
In 1856, the North Bridge having become badly worn, appropriations were made by the City of Bos- ton for a thorough rebuilding. Three months were occupied in the work, which was concluded on the 12th of December. The bridge is now one of the most substantial and best constructed in the vicinity of Boston. It is hereafter to be known as the Fed- 9*
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
eral Street Bridge, and the South one is to be called the Dover Street Bridge.
Old Colony Rail-Road Bridge.
The act of incorporation of the Old Colony Rail Road, obtained in 1844, provided that the road should terminate in South Boston. This terminus, however, did not suit the Corporation, and in 1845 they peti- tioned for leave to construct a bridge across the water, and to have a passenger depot on the Boston side. This measure was strongly opposed both by the citizens of Roxbury, who were fearful that it would injure the navigation to their wharves, and by the South Boston people, who were anxious to re- tain the business which a rail-road depot would pro- bably attract.
The opposition, however, was in vain, and in 1845 the bill authorizing the building of a bridge was passed. The new avenue was built sufficiently wide for two tracks, and provided with a sliding draw. The length of the bridge is 290 feet. Since its com- pletion, the depot on Dorchester Avenue, South Bos- ton, which was before used as a passenger station, has been used only for freight. The cost of the bridge was $14,000. The width of the draw is 32 feet.
Evans's Rail-Road Bridge.
In 1848, the City Government, desirous of filling up a large number of acres of flats at the South End, made a contract with William Evans, Esq., to supply the gravel requisite. To accomplish the desired end, it was necessary to construct a bridge across from Boston, near Roxbury, to South Boston. Under the name of the Mt. Hope Rail Road, leave was obtained
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BRIDGES AND AVENUES.
to build this bridge. It is a pile bridge, running from the railroad crossing at Turnpike street (now Dorchester Avenue) in South Boston, across in a south-westerly direction. It was nearly a mile in length, not floored, and had two draws for the pas- sage of vessels. In 1856 this bridge was removed, the purpose for which it was built having been ac- complished.
Boston &. New York Central Rail-Road Bridges.
This Company, having located their Depot or Sta- tion-house at the foot of Summer street in Boston, and the track of their road lying through a portion of South Boston, it became necessary to construct a bridge for the use of the road, across the water, be- tween the two shores. This was done, not in a straight line across, but in a circular course, from the wharf of the Company in Boston to Slane's wharf in South Boston, making a distance of 4700 feet, and built for a double track. It is a pile bridge, and has a draw of improved construction where the channel passes under it. As the line of the rail-road from South Boston to Dorchester lay across the South or Roxbury Bay, another bridge was here required, passing from Dorchester Avenue to the upland in the town of Dorchester. This is 5030 feet long, and is built mostly for a single track. The total length of the two bridges is 9730 feet, or about 12 miles; the cost was $91,500-and they were opened for the use of the road in January, 1855.
This rail-road passing under the streets in South Boston, bridges were also required at the different crossings. These were for a considerable time un- finished, on account of the pecuniary embarrassments of the Company, and the necessary excavations for
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the road are in some places still (1857) remaining without the proper stone embankments.
Mount Washington Avenue.
The avenue under this name, leading from the foot of Kneeland street in Boston, over Boston Wharf to the foot of A street in South Boston, and making the third public passage way between these two parts of the city, was finished and opened to the public in 1855. It was built by the Boston Wharf Company, and is a continuation of their wharf, which extended into the sea from the South Boston shore to the Commis- sioners' line, so called. The City paid the Company $60,000 for the bridge and a street leading from it to 1st street, and opened it as a public highway. The distance over it, from Broadway to Kneeland street, is somewhat greater than over the Federal Street Bridge. It has one draw for the passage of vessels.
CHAPTER X.
WAR WITH ENGLAND-PUBLIC EXECUTION.
ON the 17th day of June, 1812, a bill declaring war between the United States and England passed the American House of Representatives by a vote of 79 to 49, and the Senate by one of 19 to 13. On the 18th, President Madison signed the bill, and war was commenced between two of the most powerful nations of the globe.
Immediately after the declaration, the President called on the various States for troops, and volun- teers began to gather under the stars and stripes,
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INCIDENTS OF THE WAR.
to fight for the honor of their country. There was, however, difficulty in obtaining the requisite number, as a portion of the people of the United States thought the war wholly unnecessary. In Massachusetts, during the latter part of the war, Governor Strong issued a proclamation for troops, and the militia gathered from the vicinity in great num- bers at Boston, as it was feared the British might attack that town. The United States troops were stationed at the forts on the islands, and were enlist- ed for the war. The State militia, however, were enlisted for only thirty days.
It was thought best to fortify Dorchester Heights, and as the embankments had been partially washed away, it was deemed expedient to repair the works. This labor was done by volunteers. Patriotic citi- zens united in the work, and in several instances the male members of a church, headed by their min- ister and accompanied with martial music, contribu- ted a day's labor to accomplish the object. A new powder-house was erected, and platforms built with- in the forts, on which were placed a number of cannon ready for action whenever they might be needed.
Several regiments of militia were stationed in South Boston, and for some time our peninsula pre- sented the appearance of a military camp. Wooden barracks were erected on a large field now lying north of Broadway, and between D and Dorchester streets. There were then no houses in that vicinity, and on the spacious field near the barracks the militia were drilled, every morning and evening, in the man- ual of arms. Guards were stationed day and night upon the beach from South Boston to Commercial Point, in Dorchester, and no one was allowed to leave the peninsula during the night. A lady, who
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at that time was but a small child, informs us that one evening a man was badly scalded, and it was necessary to visit Boston in order to procure some lint to dress his burns. She, with another girl, was sent on the errand, but was stopped by the guards, and only allowed to pass after a long examination into the facts of the case.
In the barracks. at the corner of Broadway and A street, Capt. McNeil opened a United States Re- cruiting Rendezvous. Here the troops, as soon as they were enlisted, were brought and quartered till they were ordered to other parts of the country.
The Massachusetts militia did not enter the service of the United States; that is, they did not put them- selves under the command of a United States Officer, but were commanded by militia officers appointed by the State, and were paid from its treasury. By this means they were not required to leave the State. The soldiers received their pay from the State government, and were always paid off in gold and silver, while the regular United States troops received checkered paper money, which was then at a discount of 25 per cent. As is well known, Mas- sachusetts since the war has endeavored to obtain from the general government the amount she paid for her defence, but it has never been received in full.
Each soldier daily drew a certain quantity of pro- visions sufficient for his wants. Those stationed in South Boston, however, were in the habit of stealing from the few inhabitants thenresiding here, pigs, sheep. fowls, potatoes, turnips, and, in a word, every thing they could obtain. At one time, as we are informed by a gentleman who was present and heard the con- versation, a soldier met one of his companions in
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arms, and asked him what he had for breakfast. "Nothing but corn beef and bread," replied the soldier.
" Well, I had something better than that, I reckon."
" What was it ?"
" Why, new potatoes."
As new potatoes were then very scarce, the sol- dier immediately asked where they were obtained.
" Oh, I drew them."
"Drew them ! how's that ? I did not."
" Oh, I drew them, tops and all, down there," point- ing as he spoke to a large potato field near the camp.
"You did, did you, you scoundrel !" cried the owner, who chanced to be within hearing. "You did, did you ? Well, you may have what you've got, but try that game again, and you'll get paid for it."
And thus it was. The militia seemed to have for- gotten that property should be inviolable, and thought that because they were fighting for their country they had a right to take what they pleased.
Although there was no attack made on Boston, yet the inhabitants were in constant fear of an inva- sion, and the militia were expecting every day to be called on to repel it. Several times the whole camp was thrown into the most intense excitement by receiving notice that the British fleet was coming up the harbor. A watch was constantly stationed on the Heights, to ascertain the movements of the enemy, whose ships of war were for a time in sight.
One evening, it was very cloudy, and the sentinels discovered six or cight large vessels entering the harbor. The alarm was immediately given, and af- ter due examination the commander of the forts on the islands in the harbor decided that they must be British vessels, and accordingly began to make pre-
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parations to oppose the enemy. Capt. F. was commander of one fort, but he possessed little valor, and as soon as he saw the enemy as he sup- posed, coming towards the fort, he began to trem- ble. His wife and sister, together with all his valu- ables, were moved from the fort to South Boston for safety, and he himself was so overcome with fear, that one of the officers, Colonel, afterwards General Porter, a man who feared nothing, came up to him, and said,
" Captain, carry your wife and sister out of this fort. We don't want any wincing and blubbering here. Clear every one of them out, and if you are afraid, clear out yourself, and I'll see to the fort. We don't want any scare-crows in it."
In due time the clouds dispersed, and instead of the British fleet, the soldiers discovered only a portion of the American squadron giving chase to a British frigate. Of course Capt. F. felt rather ashamed.
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At another time, the officers of the militia, it is said, desirous of trying the bravery of the soldiers quartered in South Boston, one night caused to be stationed a large number of boats in the harbor, placing on each one a blue light. At about midnight, the drum beat to arms, and the astonished militia, half dressed and but half awake, saw before them, as they supposed, the British fleet just ready to fire upon them. As soon as they could be formed into columns, the roll was called, when it was found that one third of the men had deserted, and had scamper- ed off, as fast as their legs would permit, to Dorches- ter. After waiting in suspense for some time, the officers remarked that they thought there would be no trouble before morning, and ordered the men into their quarters.
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PUBLIC EXECUTION.
After several months' service at this place, peace was declared, the troops returned to their homes, and South Boston was no longer the scene of milita- ry operations.
Execution.
The following account of an execution which took place in South Boston, will be read with interest.
In the latter part of the year 1813, two men, named Samuel Tully and John Dalton, were convict- ed of piracy and sentenced to be hung. Accordingly, on the 10th day of December, of that year, the two men were taken from the Prison at Charlestown, and a procession was formed as follows :- First, the Deputy Marshal on horseback, bearing the Marshal's mace, a silver oar. Next came carriages containing the officers of the State Prison, and the Marshal and Sheriff of Suffolk county. Then came the criminals in the Prison carriage, a wagon hung in black, at- tended by Rev. Mr. Collier, Chaplain of the Prison. They were pinioned, and wore white caps. Their coffins projected from each side of the carriage. Following behind were Deputy Marshals and an im- mense crowd of men, women and children, eager to witness the death-struggles of a human being. In this manner they passed through the town, Tully re- peatedly addressing those who crowded about the carriage. Crossing the Old bridge, they passed up Fourth street, to the gallows, which was built at the foot of Nook Hill, now the corner of C and Third streets. On arriving at the place of execution, the Marshal and his Deputies, and the Sheriff and the Chaplain, ascended the stage. Tully then read a written communication, in which he confessed that he had been guilty of piracy. He also spoke feel- ingly of the great kindness and attention he had re-
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ceived in prison. The criminals then kneeled, and amidst the tumult of the immense crowd who sur- rounded the place of execution, Rev. Mr. Collier ad- dressed the Throne of Grace. He then took the culprits by the hand, and bade them farewell. At quarter past 2, Tully mounted the drop, and letting fall a handkerchief (the signal that he was ready), the drop fell, and he was launched into eternity without a struggle, the limbs merely undergoing a slight contraction and extension.
The Marshal then made a suitable address to the immense gathering, and concluded by reading a respite for Dalton, by which the President deferred his execution till the 10th of January, 1814. He was, however, eventually sentenced to imprisonment for life. The halter was then taken from his neck, a hat placed on his head instead of the white cap, and he was transported back to the prison with the body of Tully, in the same carriage in which they had been taken to the gallows. No less than ten thousand spectators were present, and a much larger number would have attended if the weather had not been so intensely cold. So cold, indeed, was it, that several were frost-bitten. The place of execution was exposed to a sharp piercing wind from the ocean, and rendered it very uncomfortable for the specta- tors to stand any length of time. Every thing was con- ducted with propriety and decorum, and the arrange- ments of the day reflected the greatest credit on the Marshal. The following stanza was sung with a clear voice, by Tully, upon the scaffold, a few mo- ments before the drop fell :-
" All hail, my dear companions, all hail to you again ! You wish to know my station, if I am free from pain. I'm free from pain and sorrow, and every earthly wo, And happy in my Saviour whence all my blessings flow."
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SCHOOLS.
CHAPTER XI.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES.
AMONG the many advantages which South Boston has derived from its union with the City proper, there is none which has produced so great an effect as the in- crease of opportunities for acquiring education. The inhabitants of Dorchester Neck were almost forgot- ten by the Town of Dorchester in its annual appro- priations for schools, and they were obliged to sup- port a school at their own expense. We find the following on the Records of the Town of Dorches- ter : " At a meeting of the Freeholders of Dorches- ter, held the 18th day of May, 1761, It was voted, that four £ be allowed Dorchester Neck towards the support of a school." The amount was after- wards increased, as will be seen from the annexed vote. At a meeting of the Freeholders of the Town of Dorchester, held May 12th, 1794, it was voted, " That six £ be allowed the Inhabitants of Dorches- ter Neck towards the support of a school." As may be supposed, this sum was not sufficient to sustain a school for any great portion of the year. Still, the inhabitants of the Neck were obliged to get along as best they could, with this trifling assistance.
In 1804, as we have before remarked, Dorchester Neck was annexed to Boston, and the inhabitants were now dependent on that town for the support of their school. . The town of Boston, however, did not immediately make an appropriation for this pur- pose, and the young South Bostonians were still obliged to attend a private school, which was sup- ported by subscription. We can obtain no informa-
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tion in regard to this school, save that it was far from answering the wishes of those for whom it was designed. In 1807, however, the inhabitants of South Boston, thinking they were entitled to the same privileges as those in other parts of the town, re- quested the School Committee to provide a suitable school for the instruction of their children. On the 22d of May, 1807, a petition, reading as follows, was presented to the School Committee by a number of the inhabitants of South Boston.
" To the Honorable Selectmen of the town of Bos- ton and School Committee, the inhabitants of South Boston humbly show, that for three years past they have paid a tax to the amount of nearly one thousand dollars per annum to the said Town, without any allowance for schooling or any other expenses they have been at, since the annexation of this peninsula to the metropolis; therefore they pray your honora- ble board to insert an article in your warrant for the next Town meeting, requesting the town to allow and pay a sum of money to our committee for the support of a woman's school, and the rent of a room for that purpose, for six months. Also, from the next tax a sum of money sufficient to build a conve- nient School House, and the support of a Schoolmas- ter for one year. As in duty bound, we shall ever pray.
JOSEPH WOODWARD, Committee ABRAHAM GOULD, in behalf of the Inhabitants.
JOHN DELUCE, S
South Boston, April 30th, 1807."
This petition received no attention from the School Committee, excepting the passage of an order that all future consideration of the subject be indefi- nitely postponed.
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The inhabitants of the town, however, did not treat the subject so carelessly, and voted to grant $300 for the support of a school for one year. This was not sufficient to pay all expenses, but what was wanting was cheerfully paid by the citizens of South Boston. A school-house, capable of seating about 90 scholars, was built, and the school was placed under the charge of a woman. Its location was on the south side of G street, the yard making the cor- ner of G and Dorchester streets.
The School Committee did not take this school under their charge till 1811, at which time the in- habitants presented another petition, and " At a le- gal meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, held on the 27th day of May, 1811, it was voted, That the Petition of the inhabi- tants of South Boston respecting schooling their children be referred to the School Committee, who are hereby requested to pay an immediate attention to the same, and to take the school under their care and supervision." The Committee then appropriated three hundred dollars for the support of a school for one year, and also took the school under their charge.
On June 28th, 1816, a petition signed by Adam Bent, John Deluce, and Abel Hewins, a committee of the inhabitants of South Boston, was presented to the School Committee, praying for an additional grant, and the following order was passed :
" Voted, that an additional grant of $100 be made for the present year, making the whole grant $400, and also, a grant be made of five cords of wood."
Of this early school, a gentleman now resident among us, and who attended it, gives the following account.
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" I commenced going to that school some time dur- ing the war of 1812-as it is called-while the whole neighborhood of the school-house was an en- tire camp; and the whole locality and interior ar- rangement of the building are as vivid in my recol- lection now as are those of any room in my house. A long desk ran lengthwise in the building: this was the seat of the first and second classes of boys. All who occupied it were compelled to climb over the bench to take a scat, the plank which formed the seat running the whole length of the building, with the exception of some five feet at the west end of it, which was occupied by the master's desk, and this was elevated about three feet. This long desk, as I have said, ran from east to west on the south side of the house, and some shorter desks and benches ran crosswise the building, from north to south, leaving an aisle of about four feet the whole length of the building, in the centre of which stood a stove. There was a fire-place in the west end of the build- ing, which, when I first went to the school, was the only apparatus for warming it, but it was found diffi- cult to do this in extreme cold weather, and hence the getting of the stove. There was a great descent on G street then, as now, and while the east end of the house was on the ground, the west end was blocked up with stone perhaps three feet or more. There were no windows in either end of the build- ing, and the east end was used by the boys for play- ing marbles, ball, and other games. Thirty or forty feet from the east end of the school-house stood the public pound.
" These short cross-seats and desks of which I have spoken, were occupied by the girls of the school, and by the boys of the under classes. The first class of
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girls was at the extreme end of the room, farthest from the master's desk, and boys of the lower class- es in front of them.
" The desks of the higher classes of girls had con- veniences for writing, and I distinctly remember distributing the writing-books to the girls occupying those seats. The long desk had shelves under it for the storage of books, &c. Most of the pupils, living at a distance from the school, in winter carried their dinners, which were generally deposited on those shelves, and occasionally some hungry urchin would make free with his neighbor's viands, while the de- spoiled would make reprisals upon the provisions of his neighbor. The bench or plank on which the oc- cupants of this desk sat, had no paling of any kind either in front or rear, but was entirely naked, giving a fair view to those occupying the cross seats of all that was going on under and around the long desk.
" I well remember one winter, after an extremely copious fall of snow, succeeded by a slight rain and vigorous frost, which left the surface of the snow as smooth and nearly as hard as ice, the boys were en- abled to skate to school, elevated to nearly the tops of the fences, which were about the only obstructions, there being but few houses in the place. Most of the boys availed themselves of this novel method of travelling over the pastures (for there were no streets), and, as might be expected, when school was out there was great rivalry to see who could get on his skates first and be off. One day I conceived the plan of putting on my skates before the school was dismissed, expecting to pass out in the crowd unnoticed by the master. Accordingly, I got under the desk and tackled on my skates, unnoticed indeed
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