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 13
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Starting with a population of sixty in 1804, South Boston had a population of nearly 3,000 in twenty-five years. The district, intended to be the means of forming a greater Boston, afforded excellent opportu- nities for attaining this end. The proprietors of the land found a ready market for house lots, and also sections for mercantile and manu- facturing purposes. Manufactories, some large and some small, were established at the northerly end, adjacent to the centre of the town, and around these establishments the people built their homes. In a very
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few years quite a little settlement had started, and from this seed grew our present magnificent South Boston.
The Dix and Brinley chemical works on the shore near where the Boston Wharf was afterward built, was probably the first manufactory in the district. It started before 1804, and the workmen came from Boston in boats, but afterward formed the nucleus of that little settlement.
In 18II the proprietors of the Essex Glass Works erected a build- ing near the chemical works, sent to England for workmen, but the War of 1812 spoiled thier project.
THOMAS CAINS' RESIDENCE (B AND SECOND STS.)
The following year, however, Thomas Cains came from Bristol, England, and started an establishment for the manufacture of flint glass, principally table ware, chemical apparatus, and apothecaries' supplies, at the corner of B and Second Streets. He was the pioneer flint glass maker in the United States, and the business continued until 1870. Mr. Cains' son, William, succeeded to the business.
Mr. William Cains, born in South Boston in 1814, learned his father's business with him and remained in his father's employ until 1852, when the elder Cains retired and William Johnston, a brother-in- law, and William Cains conducted the business. In 1855 Mr. Johnston
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died and the elder Cains took up the reins again, continuing until 1865, when he died.
William Cains then carried on the business until 1870 when he retired to private life and has since resided in the district. At the present time, 1901, Mr. Cains is yet a resident of the dis- trict, and it is hoped that he has many years to remain among us, con- tinuing in good health and enjoying the esteem of the entire community.
The Cains did a large business for many years, but rival establish- ments started and there was the usual competition, although the Cains' works outlived all the others.
Thomas Cains lived in one of three cottages on Second Street, directly in the rear of the glass works. He afterward built a hand- some mansion near the works, about where is now Bolton and B Streets. He was one of the wealthiest men in New England, entertained royally, and at one time had as his special guest the lamented Theobald Mat- thew, the advocate of temperance. Mr. Cains owned about all the land between B and C Streets, from the water to near Broadway.
Cyrus Alger was one of the leading citizens, if not the most promi- THOMAS CAINS. nent. He was born in Bridgewater in 1781, and came to South Boston in 1809, and with Gen. Winslow formed a partnership and conducted a foundry business on Second Street, near Dorchester Street. About 1814 Gen. Winslow retired in favor of his son, and Mr. Alger then started in on his own account on Foundry Street, near Fourth Street. He bought all the property between the Turnpike and the channel, and from the North Free Bridge to the foot of Fifth Street. This purchase was made from the association that took charge of South Boston lands after annexation.
The South Boston Iron Company, of which he was the originator, was incorporated in 1827, and with him were George C. Thacher, W. H. Howard and Caleb Reed. Gradually the works were extended, about 250 men were employed, he filled in the flats, built up Fourth Street to the bridge, also Foundry Street, and in other ways developed the territory.
Cyrus Alger and his family lived at the corner of Foundry and Fourth Streets. Large sums of money were paid out to beautify the surroundings. His influence was great, and to him, more than any other one man, is due the first impetus given to South Boston. He was
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a member of the Common Council the first year of the municipality, and alderman in 1824 and 1827. He was a friend of labor and the first employer in the district to introduce the ten hour system. He died in 1856.
Shipbuilding was one of the earliest industries. Lot Wheeler was the pioneer, starting business previous to 1822. Afterward Capt. Noah Brooks came from the east and started in at the foot of F Street. Capt. Brooks lived in a handsome house on Broadway near F Street, where a stable is now located. Other ship-yards were started in later years, mention of which will be made in succeeding chapters.
NOAH BROOKS' RESIDENCE, BROADWAY NEAR F STREET. 1825.
After the War of 1812, South Boston recovered from a temporary setback, and soon there were three or four glass works, three ship- yards, four foundries and numerous machine shops established. The foundry and machine shops in later years gave employment to from 1,000 to 1,500 men.
In the building line the first important block was that of brick buildings at the corner of Broadway and A Street, being at the foot of Nook Hill. It was known as the Brinley block.
The War of 1812 caused a cessation in the work on this block, but two of the four houses were completed, and during the war were used as a barracks, and afterwards were known as "The Barracks." These houses were finished in most magnificent style and others were completed a few years afterward but were used for other than dwelling purposes, principally as a hat factory.
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The front walls of these houses still remain and are next to the Hotel Broadway. The ground's surface being then much higher than at present, the front doors and first floor were where the second story is now, and a short flight of steps led thereto. Subsequently the street was dug down and stores built beneath. The former front doors were changed into windows and the steps removed.
Mr. Murphy, who came to South Boston shortly after annexation, built a house on Fourth Street, which in later years was known as the South Boston Hotel, and that building is also still standing. When first constructed it was only half the present size.
BRINLEY BLOCK, A STREET AND BROADWAY. USED AS A BARRACKS IN 1812. (Building is now raised one story, stores on first floor. Two windows over street doors were former entrances )
Mr. Murphy opened it as a public house and hung out, as a sign, a large golden ball.
Mr. Ross, a soap manufacturer, in 1805, built a large brick build- ing at the corner of the Turnpike and Fourth Street and later it was known as the Twelfth Ward Hotel, Davis Holmes, proprietor. At first Mr. Ross used it for a dwelling and after its use for a hotel it was used as a private dwelling again.
Abraham Gould, whose wife was a daughter of Mr Foster, owned a fine brick building near the corner of E and Fourth Streets, which remained until a few years ago, next to the Bigelow School.
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He was one of the leading citizens, and lived in the district long before the annexation. He was on guard duty at Nook Hill on the night of the erection of the forts on Dorchester Heights. The list of taxpayers of 1804 shows him to be the largest individual owner in the district. He died in the brick house near E Street in 1840, aged 84.
These were the only brick dwellings in South Boston for many years. There were many wooden dwellings in the neighbor- hood of Fourth and Turnpike Streets and Broadway, occupied by persons working in the facto- ries, who formerly lived in the city.
The War of 1812 postponed South Boston's expected growth, for a long time. Three of the four houses in the Brinley block ST. MATTHEW S EPISCOPAL CHURCH. (1819.) Broadway near E Street. remained unoccupied for many years and the fourth one brought in but little rent each month. Mr. Murphy gave up the Golden Ball Hotel at the end of five years and then Mr. Hunting occupied it as a residence for twenty-eight years.
Not alone did the early residents of South Boston have in mind the growth of their district, but they were obliged to give some thought to the sadder and more sorrowful consideration of the disposition of their dead. The old burying ground in Dorchester generally served the purpose for the few families.
A few years after annexation the town of Boston planned for a burial place in the vicinity of what is now West Seventh and Dorchester Streets. In 1810 fifteen tombs were built on the spot where now is located the Shurtleff school. But little mention is made of this burial place in the records, and it is supposed that it was used only a short time.
The building of St. Matthew's Church, organized March 24, 1816, and incorporated June 16, following, occasioned further steps to be taken for a burial place.
In 1817 the wardens and the vestry commenced erecting the new church on Broadway, about 100 feet northwest of E Street, on a lot which subsequently was conveyed to them by Abraham Gould. The church was erected June 24, 1819, and gradually the size of the lot and building was increased. Tombs were built in the cellar of the church, and June 18, 1818, the Board of Health granted permission to use them for burial purposes.
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Almost simultancous with the establishment of St. Matthew's church and cemetery was the setting apart of land for a cemetery for the Catholic people, and it is said by many that this dated long before the building of tombs in St. Matthew's church. Records state that in 1810 land was sct aside for a cemetery for the then very small Catholic popu- lation of Boston. It was a part of a fine old cstate, shaded by magnificent elms, which, today, in the present St. Augustine's cemetery, rise to a majestic height over the graves and chapel beneath. In 1819 a chapel was built in this ceme- tery which is still standing, and wherein are interred many SOUTH BAPTIST SOCIETY'S FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. Catholic bishops and clergymen. C Street and Broadway
Through the generosity of John Hawes, one of the land owners when the section was annexed, a temporary place of worship was erected for the Congregationalists, in 1820, at the corner where now is K and Fourth Streets. Rev. Thomas Pierce, a Methodist cler- gyman from Meriden, Connecti- cut, was chosen as minister.
Eight years later a regular church was organized under the title of the "Hawes Place Con- gregational Society," and the first building enlarged.
Phillips Church was gath- ered, Dec. 10, 1823, in a house on Fourth Street, near B Street. The house is still there. The first house of worship was built on the corner of A Street and Broadway, March, 1825, and eleven years later a new church was built on the same site.
The South Baptist Society SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH. C Street and Broadway. Dedicated 1830. first met in the one-and-a-half story house on the northwest corner of C Street and Broadway. C Street sloped down at this corner and in the basement was a grocery store kept by N. P. Mann.
The congregation having grown, July 22, 1830, the church on the
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opposite corner was dedicated. This building was formerly the First Church in Charlestown, then removed to Boston, and was purchased by the Baptists and removed to South Boston.
Believing that they were as much entitled to suitable school accomodations as in other sections of the town of Boston, the residents of South Boston, after becoming a part of that town, sought to secure from the school committee a suitable school for the instruction of their children.
In May, 1807, a petition was sent to this committee by the residents, praying for an appropriation for the school, but no attention was paid to the petition.
When the school committee refused to act, the town took the
PHILL PS CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY'S FIRST MEETING-HOUSE ON FOURTH STREET. (1823.)
matter in hand and authorized the appropriation of $300, which, with an additional sum subscribed by the citizens, was used in the erecting of a small building on G Street, near Dorchester Street.
In 1811 the school committee approved an appropriation of $300 for one year, and in 1816 there was an additional $100 allowed.
The schoolroom was peculiarly arranged. From wall to wall was a long desk, and at this sat the first and second classes. To reach the seats the children were obliged to climb over the desk itself. At the further end was the master's desk, elevated about three feet. From this desk, running from east to west, were several shorter desks and e nches, running north and south, leaving a narrow aisle the entire length of the building, in the centre of which was a stove.
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The short cross seats and desks were occupied by the girls of the school and the boys of the lower classes. The desks of the higher classes of girls had accommodations for writing. The first master of the school was Zephania Wood, of Lunenburg. Mr. Wood was loved and respected by all who knew him, and while he was teacher of the school he also preached to the Hawes Congre- gational Society. At his death, October 26, 1822, Rev. Lemuel Capen, of Dorchester, was ap- pointed his successor, and assumed charge, November 21, 1822.
PHILLIPS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, (1825.) A Street and Broadway.
In 1821 the residents peti- tioned for a new schoolhouse, and a sub-committee of the school committee voted it expedient to "build a new schoolhouse to con- sist of two rooms, each sufficient to accomodate 150 scholars."
The annexation act provided that the land proprietors should set apart three lots of land, for a market-place, a schoolhouse and a burial place. The lot for the market- house was deeded to the town in 1819 by Mr. John Hawes. The name, John Hawes, is one that, whenever mentioned, reminds the citizens of South Boston of the gratitude due him for his noble and generous gifts for the improvement of South Boston.
Born in Dorchester, January 9, 1741, he died in South Boston, January 22, 1829, at the age of 88. His will, dated October 2, 1813, proved and allowed by the Probate Court, March 9, 1829, was con- firmed by the Supreme Court the first Tuesday in March, 1830. The executors were James Humphries, Henry Gardner and Ebenezer Everett, but the last two declined to serve.
Previous to his death he made many public gifts, and among them was land on Broadway, between F Street and Dorchester Street, for a market house, but there being no demand for such a place at that time, he granted permission that it be used for the erection of a schoolhouse until a public market was desired.
The Hawes school was established in 1823, and a new brick building erected after considerable delay by the city government. The population of South Boston at that time was about 1,700.
In 1822, shortly after Boston became a city, a large tract of land was purchased at South Boston Point, comprising all the territory north of a line drawn from the corner of the present L and Fourth Streets to
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
O and Fourth Streets. This was called the City Lands, and soon a poorhouse was erected thereon. In years following other institutions were erected, until there were the House of Industry, a building of brick ; House of Reformation; Lunatic Asylum, of brick; and a House of Correction, a little to the east of the Lunatic Asylum. This remained the City Lands until shortly before 1855, when the stockade fence was removed, a park laid out and streets extended to the Point.
A hack owned by Ephraim Dodge was probably the first public conveyance between South Boston and the city. He commenced running this as early as 1829, although for a few years previous to that he had two boats plying from his place on First Street, foot of K Street, that ferried people across to the city. This was from the first wharf ever built in South Boston.
Broadway was not in good condition, however, and Dodge's route was over the South Bridge, rather than the North Free Bridge. He had at first attempted to use Broadway, but the wheels of his hack sank in the mud and soft clay. The patronage he received, however, soon warranted him in purchasing two omnibuses which made hourly trips to and from the city. The fare was ninepence.
The first police patrol, or, as it was called then, the " watch," was established in 1824, when Mr. Crowley and Mr. Bickford were assigned to do duty in the district. Their hours of duty, however, were only at night, from eleven to one o'clock in summer and ten to two in winter.
In 1830 Jeptha R. Cowdin and Jacob Herrick succeeded the first two, and Mr. Herrick remained in this position more than a quarter of a century.
Fires broke out occasionally in the district. Probably the first after the annexation, was that in Cains's glass works, March 13, 1813, and about a month later an old engine that had done service in the centre town, was placed at the glass house, and an engine company was formed, but did little service. April 8, 1814, there was a fire in the Furnace Building. May 26, 1817, Gregg & Este's building was burned. October 12, 1819, there was a fire in the establishment of John Moore, on the Turnpike.
March 21, 1821, South Boston petitioned for an engine for their section, but it was afterward voted " not expedient."
When Boston was made a city in 1822, there were twelve wards, and each ward had three fire wards. These fire wards were the men who had charge of the respective districts. South Boston, part of Ward 12, had John D. Williams, Noah Brooks and Samuel Wheeler. The fireman of Ward 12 engine was Asa Lewis.
April 17, 1823, the inhabitants again petitioned for an engine and one was stationed in the schoolhouse (Hawes), numbered 17, and Alpheus Stetson was first in charge.
March 28, 1824, Cains' glass works was again burned.
CHAPTER XIX.
WAR WITH ENGLAND AND OTHER EVENTS.
Trouble with Great Britain - Ready response to Gov. Strong's call for troops - Fire companies ordered to the bridges - Dorchester Heights fortified - Other important work - Training field on Broadway - Approach of vessels occasions false alarm- A man, charged with piracy, hanged in the district.
E IGHT years after the annexation of South Boston the first set back of a serious nature was encountered, and it was wholly on account of the war with England.
There had been much enthusiasm throughout the new district, buildings were going up rapidly, business was on the increase, and bright were the prospects for the future. But June 17, 1812, war was declared between the United States and Great Britain, a bill to that effect passing Congress by a vote of 79 to 49, and the Senate by a vote of 19 to 13. The day following, President Madison signed the bill.
Immediately preparations were commenced for the conflict. After the declaration, the President called on all the states to furnish troops, and volunteers joined the army in large numbers. England, as usual, was making preparations with a determination and vigor that always marked her wars. There was, however, some difficulty in the United States to obtain a number sufficient to meet the trained soldiers of England. The difficulty was, as evidenced by the votes in Congress and the Senate, that some of the people thought the war wholly un- necessary.
Gov. Strong, in Massachusetts, issued an urgent appeal for troops, and the militia from all around Boston gathered in goodly numbers.
This call for additional troops by Gov. Strong, for service in the vicinity of Boston, was owing to the fear that the British might attack the town.
The United States troops were stationed at the forts on the islands and were duly enlisted for the war. The state militia, however, was enlisted for only thirty days: The city authorities, too, prepared for any attack that might be made. Each of the fire engine companies was ordered to one or the other of the various bridges of the town and were instructed, if deemed necessary, to cut the bridges. Engines 8 and 12, with their fire wards, were located at the South bridge and were in charge of James Phillips and Nathaniel Curtis.
It was thought best to again fortify Dorchester Heights, and as- the embankment had been partially washed away, the works had neces- sarily to be strengthened. This work was performed by volunteers,,
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patriotic citizens of the town joining in the work. Parties were organized, and even whole male congregations, headed by their minister, and encouraged by martial music, contributed a day's labor to hurry on the work of rebuilding the fortifications which had once performed such excellent work.
A new powder house was quickly erected, platforms built within the forts, on which were placed several cannon, and all was ready for action whenever the enemy might appear.
Being such an advantageous position, several regiments of militia were stationed in South Boston, and for many months there were stirring military scenes within the peninsula district. Wooden barracks were erected in a large field between D and Dorchester Streets, on Broadway. Broadway had no houses then, all fields as far as the eye could reach. In fact the streets had been but recently marked out, and on the spacious grassy areas near the barracks, the militia were drilled morning and evening.
Guards were stationed day and night along the beach from South Boston to Commercial Point, and at night, guards prevented persons leaving the district.
Just previous to the breaking out of the war, work had been com- menced on four houses at the corner of A Street and Broadway, but hostilities caused a cessation in the work. Two of the houses were used as barracks, and Capt. McNeil opened a United States recruiting rendezvous. It was here that the volunteers and recruits, immediately on enlistment, were brought, and remained until such time as they were ordered to other parts of the country.
Military officers appointed by the state of Massachusetts, com- manded the state troops and were paid from the state treasury. Thus they did not enter the service of the United States and were not required to leave the state.
The soldiers were regularly paid off in gold or silver by the state government, while the United States troops were paid off in checkered paper money, which was then at a discount of twenty-five per cent.
A day's supply of provisions was daily drawn by each soldier. In addition to this, the soldiers stationed in South Boston enjoyed luxuries such as pigs, sheep, fowl, potatoes and other vegetables secured by raids on neighboring farms and gardens.
Boston was not attacked, however, yet the inhabitants continued to fear an invasion and the militia was daily in expectation of being called into service. False alarms were frequently given and there was the greatest excitement everywhere when it would be reported that the British fleet was entering the harbor, A watch was on continual duty on the Heights. Scores of eyes kept watch on the entrance to the harbor, and every one believed that an attack would be made sooner or later.
One cloudy evening these sentinels discovered eight or ten vessels
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entering the harbor. The word was quickly passed round and prepa- rations immediately made to receive the invaders.
The commander of the forts in the harbor, after a critical survey, decided they were British vessels and so passed the word along.
One commander of a fort quickly lost all his grit, if he had any, and when he heard the enemy was approaching he began to shiver. His wife and sister, with all his valuables, were quickly removed from the fort to South Boston.
His frightened condition was observed by every one, and Col. Porter, afterwards a general, said :
" Captain, carry your wife and sister out of this fort, we don't want any wincing or 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 scarecrows in it."
But soon it was discovered to be all a mistake. It was not a fleet of Britishers, but a portion of the American squadron giving chase to a British frigate.
The commander of the fort was chagrined, his friends laughed at him, and he dropped greatly in the estimation of all.
And so the watching was continued for several months. The forts had been strengthened, and, notwithstanding the weakening of a few, the majority of the soldiers were ready for battle. Soon, however, peace was declared, the troops returned to their homes, and South Boston ceased, for a time, to be the scene of extensive' military oper- ations. The war was ended in the spring of 1814.
During the latter part of the year 1813, when the excitement was most intense, a man, sentenced to death, was hanged in South Boston.
Samuel Tully and John Dalton were convicted of piracy. Decem- ber 12 of that year they were taken from prison in Charlestown and a procession was formed, consisting of the deputy marshal, carriages containing officers of the prison and the marshal and sheriff of Suffolk County. Then came the criminals in the prison carriage, a wagon hung in black, attended by Rev. Mr. Collier, chaplain of the prison. They were pinioned and wore white caps.
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