USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston (its past and present) and prospects for the future, with sketches of prominent men > Part 10
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Those pages in the annals of America will record your title to a con- spicious place in the temple of fame, which shall inform posterity that, under your directions, 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 nearly 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, unani- mously 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.
HOSTIE
GALIS
WASHINGTON MEDAL. Presented by Special Act of Congress.
The Congress have ordered a gold medal, adapted 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 humble and obedient servant,
JOHN HANCOCK, President. To HIS EXCELLENCY, GENERAL WASHINGTON.
The medal presented to Gen. Washington by this special act of Congress, was of heavy bronze and was struck off in Paris from a die cut by the famous Duvivier. On the obverse side was the head of Washington, in profile, an excellent likeness, and around it the inscription, " Georgio Washington Supremo Duci Exercituum Adsertori Libertatis Comitia Americana."
On the reverse side is a representation of General Washington and his officers on horseback on one of the hills of South Boston, with the town of Boston in the distance. The British fleet is represented as sailing out of the harbor and Gen. Washington is pointing to them as
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IHISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
they quit Boston forever. Over this illustration is inscribed " Hostibus Primo Fugatis," and beneath it " Bostonium Recuperatum, XVII, Martii, MDCCLXXVI."
This medal, after remaining in the possession of the Washington family for many years, was purchased by several well-known Boston gentlemen, for $5,000. It is now carefully preserved in the Boston Public Library. The accompanying cut is from a photograph taken at the library.
April 3, 1776, the major part of the troops having been despatched to New York, where it was thought an attack might be made by the British, Gen. Washington started for the same place. His journey was through Providence, Norwich, New London and Lyme, and he arrived at New York Saturday, April 13. Everywhere he met with splendid receptions.
CHAPTER XIII.
DORCHESTER, 1775 TO 1804.
Evacuation of Boston a severe blow to Great Britain - Population of Dorchester in 1776 -The Heights on Dorchester Neck further fortified - Shays rebellion - Resi- dents return to Dorchester Neck -Company incorporated to dig canal to Roxbury - Duel at City Point - Owners and valuations of lands at close of the 18th. century.
T HE evacuation of Boston, made imperative by the building of redoubts on Dorchester Heights, within our own South Boston, was the first terrible blow to Great Britain which encouraged the colonists to issue the immortal declaration of indepen- dence.
At the beginning of the siege of Boston the general desire of the American people was for reforms and a restoration of the privileges which had been originally granted to the American colonies.
When the siege of Boston ended a large majority of the patriots had decided that the only just and solid foundation for security and liberty was the creation of an Independent American Empire.
From 1776 to 1804, when Dorchester Neck was annexed to Boston and named South Boston, there was little of interest among the happenings of either Dorchester or the Neck.
Dorchester, including the Neck, March 13, 1776, had 291 families, comprising 1515 whites and 35 negroes and mulattoes, a total of 1550. Of these there were then but ten or twelve families in the eastern portion, Dorchester Neck.
Immediately after the evacuation of Boston by the British troops measures were taken to erect fortifications on the several hills at the Neck, and in less than two months they were ready for defence. The following items are sufficient to show the general character of these fortifications and also to indicate that but little attention was given to keeping them in repair. The reason for the neglect was two-fold - the scarcity of money, men and cannon, and the fact that the seat of war had been removed to a distance and there was less fear of an attack from the enemy. The following items are taken from the State Archives and from Force's Archives, culled by Mr. Francis E. Blake :
May 13, 1776. Col. Richard Gridley reported: "Dorchester Point Forts are now in a posture of defence with platforms laid and cannon mounted on them."
July 1776. Gen. Lincoln stated that "700 men had been assigned as absolutely necessary to complete the garrison there."
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
August 6, 1776. Col. Dike was directed to order " certain Companies to Dorchester Heights to be formed into Regiments."
September 30, 1776. Gen. Ward complained of removal of cannon from Dorchester Heights.
November 1776. Chief Engineer Gridley gives a record of lumber, spikes, etc., furnished for No. I Fort at Dorchester Point, No. 2 Fort Dor- chester Second Hill, No. 3 Fort at Dorchester Southernmost hill.
Dec. 1776. William Dawes reported that there were "only 6 or 8 men to take care of 3 forts " at Dorchester Neck, and another report states " not a man at Dorchester Heights." "Some of the neighbors had returned."
May 9, 1777. Gen. Heath in a letter to the Council refers to the necessity of strengthening the garrison "for the security of the Works or Stores on Dorchester Heights as the stores there belonging to the Conti- nent are Valuable," and a detachment of soldiers was ordered to be sent there. And in July following the General recommends that "a small cir- cular work be immediately thrown up on a Hill between the Fort on Dorchester Point and the Easternmost Hill without which the Fort at the Point will not be tenable."
Jan. 31, 1777. Committee on fortifications reported " At Dorchester Point is a well finished Fort, of the Star-kind, with 13 embrasures ; a Guard- house within, & Barracks enough near at hand, on the outside. At Dor- chester Heights are two small Forts with II Embrasures in one of 'em & 9 in the other : These want one or two Revelins. And at a Hill between the Heights and Point, there ought to be a redoubt &c. There are Barracks enough for all. A small Battery is already at Fox Hill, & another ought to be between that & the Fort at the Point."
The Committee recommend,
" For Dorchester Point, three 32, 36 and 42-pounders and ten 18- pounders, 150 men for action and 10 men at other times.
"For Heights and Hill, twenty-eight 6-pounders, six 2, 3 and 4- pounders, 300 men for action and 30 men at other times.
" For the Battery, six 24 and 28-pounders with 100 men for action and ten men at other times.
1777. (Somewhat later than the above). A committee report on state of fortifications at Dorchester Neck as follows :
"Ist. An old Breast work on a place called Fox Hill in which were two Embrasures and no cannon. The Committee were of Opinion that there ought to be three -this work much out of repair.
" 2dly. A fort called No 3 on the Heights they found 6 pieces of Cannon. One cohorn not very fit for action. No ammunition but a few Continental soldiers.
" 3dly. A Fort No. 2. 5 Cannon from 9 to 1I pr & no stores. At the East End a small Breast work which would annoy the Enemy in approaching. The Committee were of opinion that a Breast work opposite this Fort on the Main Land might be of service to prevent the enemy from Landing near the Town of Dorchester.
"4thly. The Committee viewed a place on a small Hill laid out for a Fort in a Circular Form 60 Feet Diameter which might be of some small advantage if we were able to complete & man it.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
"5thly. The Committee went to the Fort at Dorchester Point & were informed that there were in it S Cannon - but judged it improper to enter it as the Centinal informed them he had Orders to prevent any Person to enter & the Committee were not furnished with a proper Pass."
Oct. 13. 1780. Capt. Lemuel Clap was then commanding at Dor- chester Heights, and was ordered to reduce the detachment to I sergeant and 9 matrosses. Ephraim Mann, John Wiswell and Joseph Withiugton appear serving at this time. All of these men were residents there at this time or subsequently.
Thus it will be seen that some little attention was given to the fortifications at Dorchester Neck for a few years after the evacuation of Boston.
At the close of the war the United States was in a bad condition for money and could not pay its debts. An effort was made in Massa- chusetts to raise some money by direct taxation and this occasioned a conflict which was known as Shays rebellion.
Capt. Shays, who had been a captain in the Continental army, marched at the head of a thousand men and took possession of Worcester and prevented a session of the Supreme Court. He did the same in Springfield, and so serious did matters become that Gov. James Bowdoin called out several thousand of the militia under Gen. Lincoln to suppress it. This was speedily done.
Dorchester soldiers, although thinking that their duty in the ser- vice was ended, took an active part in quelling this rebellion. In the company of artillery, commanded by Capt. Thomas Williams, under the command of John J. Spooner, Esq., there were nearly fifty Dorchester soldiers and in Capt. James Robinson's company there were many others.
After the war had ceased the owners of estates at Dorchester Neck, returned and rebuilt their homes destroyed in the raid of Feb- ruary, 1776. The lands were set out the same as when the Revolution started. A portion of the land at the Point was still reserved for pas- turage.
Until 1796 the passage between Boston and South Boston, (now known as Fort Point channel and South Bay) was passable for shipping craft only at high tide. February 26, 1796, the Legislature Incorpo- rated John Lowell, Esq., Increase Sumner, Esq., Thomas Williams, John Reed, Esq. and Mr. Thomas Williams, Jr., as a company to dig and clear a canal to Roxbury. This was for many years known as the Roxbury canal and was of great advantage to the people of the town.
Gradually the tide in this channel washed away the land until there was a wide waterway.
City Point was, in 1801, the scene of a duel. Two men of the town of Boston had indulged in a dispute during which one challenged the other to fight a duel in order to settle the differences. The two men were Rand and Miller.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
One quiet Sunday morning in June, when many of the residents of Dorchester Neck had gone to church or were preparing to start, two men, with friends, walked over from Boston and through Dorchester Neck. They did not halt until they arrived at a place on the north shore, close to the batteries, at about where is now the Walworth man- ufacturing company. The men were in conversation for several minutes. Then, all arrangements completed, the ground was measured off, and the men took their places, each with a pistol in hand.
Rand fired the first shot, and although Miller was very stout the shot went wide off the mark. Then came Miller's turn to shoot. He knew that he had it his own way, and, assured of this, he did not wish to take advantage. He offered to settle the matter in some other way, with Rand, but the latter, it is said, refused. Rand was loading his pistol and as he was about to shoot again, Miller fired. Rand fell and he was taken in an insensible condition, bleeding from a wound in the breast, into the house of Mr. Blake. Although everything possible was done to save his life, he died soon after being brought into the house.
After firing the shot Miller fled to New York, where, it is. said, he amassed an immense fortune and lived there until his death in 1850.
For many weeks after this tragedy there was much excitement among the residents of the Neck, and they regretted exceedingly such an occurrence, and particularly on a Sabbath morning.
At the close of the 18th century the house owners at the Neck and the value of their property was as follows :
James Blake and Jr.t
I house
$210.
Land
$ 1922.00
Abraham Gould
I house
500.
do
2242.50
E. Mann
I house
250.
do
1075.25
Jonathan Bird, 3rd
I house
275.
do
1667.50
Jonathan Bird
I house
200.
John Wiswell
I house
550.
do
2334.50
John Williams
I house
250.
do
310.50
John Farrington
I house
Owned by John Tileston
Moses Marshall
I house
350.Owned by H. Newman
Aaron Spear
I house
120.
Francis Deluce #
I house
65. Land
86.25
John Deluce
I house
65.
do
103.50
i Thomas Leeds also lived in this house.
# Mr. Deluce bought of James Withington, Jr., in 1787.
CHAPTER XIV.
PROMINENT MEN OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
Few families at Dorchester Neck-James Foster - The Wiswells, Oliver and Enoch --- Thomas. John and James Bird - Benjamin Bird - Jonathan Bird - John Hawes Bird- Mrs. Withington - Ebenezer Jones - James White - James Blake - Samuel Blake - Patience Blake.
T THE 18th century marked but little progress in Dorchester Neck as a residential section. During these 100 years the number of families had increased only from three to ten. Dorchester, how- ever, advanced rapidly, and it was largely due to the opportunities offered at the Neck for pasturing and planting.
Dorchester had increased so rapidly in population, and as it had become more a section by itself, that it would be impossible to men- tion its citizens who achieved fame in one field or another. They continued earnestly to build up their district, they were proud of their work, and they prospered.
Some mention should be made of the Dorchester Neck residents, who were the pioneers of a community that was destined to be second to none in the vicinity, or suburbs of Boston. The men were few in numbers, yet they built for themselves homes that were models of neatness and they lived in peace and contentment with each other.
James Foster, eldest son of Capt. Hopestill and Mary (Bates) Foster, lived in the old Foster house on Nook Lane until his death in 1732. He had some of the characteristics of his father, and although not so prominent in public life, he served the town in many official capacities and was looked upon as one of the leading citizens of Dor- chester. The eldest son, James, received the homestead and the ad- joining lands, yet there is very little information concerning him in any records. He died January 8, 1763, respected by the entire com- munity.
James Foster, the third of the name, inherited the estate from his father, and lived there for many years. He died in the old house, June 4, 1771. The Foster house was burned in the raid of February 1776, but before 1788 another house was erected on the same site.
This second house is recorded as being a two and a half story affair of good dimensions, with a front door of imposing appearance. There was a lane from the road to the house and there were many large and handsome trees about the premises. A large portion of the Foster estate passed into the hands of Abraham Gould, who married
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
a daughter of the third James Foster. Mr. Gould was well known in South Boston, shortly after its annexation.
The Wiswells were prominent people. Oliver Wiswell lived in Dorchester, but owned lands at the Neck. It was he who gave to his son Oliver, in 1727, the westerly part of the dwelling house which was at the foot of the westernmost of the two hills, known as the "Twin Hills," and Enoch Wiswell came into possession of the eastern portion of the house in 1732, with a large part of the orchard thereon.
Oliver Wiswell died March 14, 1745, and ten years later, at the death of the widow, his property was distributed among the children, Thomas, Enoch, Ebenezer, Ichabod, John, Samuel, Oliver and Hannah. At the time of the annexation of South Boston to Boston, in 1804, the property was still further divided by sales to various individuals who bought for speculation.
Thomas, John and James Bird purchased land at the Neck in 1677. They had previously come into possession of other lands at the Neck so they owned all the hill and much surrounding territory, where now is the Perkins Institution for the Blind, between G and H Streets. It was called Middle Hill to distinguish it from the other more west- erly one now known as Dorchester Heights and the more easterly one where is now Independence Square.
Thomas Bird afterwards became sole possessor of the lands, and on his death, Benjamin Bird, his son, was the owner. The latter married and had fifteen children, five of whom were born in Dorchester Neck and the others in Dorchester.
Benjamin Bird died in 1757, and his son Jonathan, who was born on the Neck in 1735, inherited the estate. He married Ruth Robinson. He died at the early age of thirty-five, June 30, 1769.
Mr. Bird left no will and his estate was not divided until 1783. The widow received twenty-eight acres, and the son, Jonathan, Jr., had twenty-one acres.
The second Jonathan Bird was born March 30, 1761, and married a daughter of Joseph Woodward (the latter afterwards took a prominent part in urging the annexation of Dorchester Neck to Boston). Mr. Bird continued to reside on the old farm until his death, November 27, 1809. John Hawes Bird, son of the second Jonathan Bird, came into possession of the property, and at the time of annexation it was still further divided.
The Withington estate, as mentioned before, was situated on the southerly side of the road to the Castle, between the present I and K Streets, and extended to the Old Harbor, on the south.
Capt. Withington's widow married James White, and they lived in the Withington homestead until her death, November 19, 1722.
Richard, eldest son of Capt. Withington, already possessor of two- thirds of the house and lands adjoining, on the death of his mother, took her share and resided in the house until his death in March, 1749.
99
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
After the house was burned by the British in 1776, a lot, embrac- ing twelve acres, was sold to Rev. John Hawes, who, early in the 19th century, erected a house thereon, which is still standing at the corner of East Fifth and K Streets, later known as Capen house.
Ebenezer Jones lived in the house on his estate, East Third Street, near K Street. A portion of the estate was sold to his son, Ichabod. Both were quiet men, loved their home, and spent much of their time in improving their surroundings.
James White lived near the Point, owned some property, and was the second husband of Mrs. Withington. He died November II, 1713.
The Blakes were highly esteemed in the little community. William Blake, who shared the lands in the division of 1637, by his death in 1700, left to to his son James, all the land at Dorchester Neck adjoining the house he had dwelt in.
James Blake's attention was given principally to farming, although, occasionally, he served the town in public office. He was deacon twenty-three years, but refused further offices in the church. He died in 1732, at the age of eighty. He and Capt. Foster were warm friends, and it is noteworthy that there were only a few days between the death of each.
The third of the name, James Blake, became possessor of the new dwelling house, barn and orchard. He spent much of his life in the public service and was held in high esteem, and was for many years town clerk. He died December 4, 1750.
Samuel Blake, his son, succeeded to the estate, living, however, but a few years after the death of his father. The widow, Patience Blake, left with nine children, remained at the old homestead until driven away by the raid of the British. After the death of Samuel Blake the house passed into the hands of his brother, James, and the widow Patience was allowed to live there. This James Blake was the owner of the house when it was burned by the British in February, 1776, but he built a new house before 1784, and he occupied it until his death in 1803, after which other members of the family, including Patience Blake, the widow, lived there and carried on the farm.
CHAPTER XV.
ANNEXATION OF SOUTH BOSTON TO BOSTON.
Boston a hustling town after the Revolution-Dorchester Neck looked upon as an excellent residential section for the future - Joseph Woodward of Tewksbury largely respon- sible for the idea - Wealthy men of Boston petition for the annexation - Boston consents, conditionally - Great excitement in Dorchester and Boston - Dorchester people strongly opposed to the annexation idea - Memorial of Dorchester in oppo- sition - Memorial of petitioners in favor - Money offers made for the withdrawal of opposition, without effect - Bill "for Annexation " passes the Legislature - The. bill-Name changed to South Boston-List of land proprietors at the time of annexa- tion.
A FTER the revolution the town of Boston made rapid strides and became a busy and hustling place. The close proximity of Dor- chester Neck to Boston, the excellent opportunities for securing good residential locations, and the many other advantages the section possessed, induced many influential and wealthy residents of Boston, in 1803, to plan for the setting apart from Dorchester of that part known as Dorchester Neck, and annexing the territory to Boston. These men were William Tudor, Gardner Greene, Jonathan Mason and Harrison Gray Otis.
Joseph Woodward, a native of Tewksbury, a very shrewd man and one who had the faculty of foreseeing the future of Massachusetts, strongly urged the projectors of the idea to go ahead. He pointed out that Boston was certain to be one of the leading commercial centres of the country and that in a short time the town of Boston would not be sufficient to accomodate the people.
The first step taken was the purchase, by Messrs Tudor, Greene, Mason, Otis and others, of a large number of acres of land on the Neck. Then, in 1804, a petition was presented to the town of Boston, by these men, as well as other proprietors of land at the Neck, asking for the consent of the town for the annexation of Dorchester Neck.
At a town meeting a committee was appointed to consider the matter, and the committee finally reported, naming several conditions, and the freeholders of Boston were called together to consider the matter.
January 17, 1804, after a lengthy debate on the subject, the meeting finally 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."
In both Dorchester and Boston there was great excitement. In
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HISTORY OF SOUTHI BOSTON.
Boston but little business could be transacted, and January 30, 1804, when another meeting was held, there were many heated debates and bitter arguments which created the greatest excitement known for many years. This meeting was adjourned to the following day owing to the intense excitement prevailing.
Reconvening January 31, it was finally voted, after a prolonged debate, that, if the Neck were annexed -
" 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."
This was satisfactory to a majority of Boston's freeholders.
The residents of Dorchester were much opposed to the proposed annexation, and at a meeting, January 23, 1804, at which Moses Everett, Esq., presided, it was voted :
" That the town have no objection to a bridge being erected from Dorchester to Boston, but we object and remonstrate against Dor- chester 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 said committee consist of nine persons, Ebenezer Wales, Esq., Stephen Bedlam, Esq., John Howe, Esq., Mr. Samuel Withington, Maj. James Robinson, Ebenezer Holman, Mr. Lemuel Crane, Mr. Thomas Mosely and Edward E. Baxter.
" 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 petition of William 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 made preparations to oppose the bill, and drew up the following remonstrance, which was presented to the General Court :
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