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 2
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 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
Two years later Capt. Standish stopped at Piscataqua, on the coast of New Hampshire, and visited David Thompson, who had been sent from England by Mason and Gorges to superintend the trade estab- lishments at that place. In this year, 1623, Thompson visited Boston Harbor and was the next European to set foot on that territory. He then became familiar with the islands in the harbor.
Leaving the service of the Laconia patentees in 1626, Thompson started in for himself and selected the island in Dorchester bay which now bears his name. He also selected Squantum, and thus became the first recorded white settler in Boston Harbor.
In 1629 Thompson left the island and returned to England. It had been voted in London "that the Massachusetts Company shall have the trade of beaver and all other furs solely for seven years," and thus individual enterprise was interfered with. In 1648, when David Thomp- son died, his son obtained title to the island from the General Court, in right of the former possession of his father.
Urged on by the good reports from the Pilgrims, the Puritans de- termined to settle in America and establish a colony for religious lib- erty. The nucleus of this Massachusetts colony was the Dorchester colony.
This Dorchester colony was established for hunting and fishing at Cape Ann in 1623 and was dissolved in 1626, owing to dissatisfaction with the location. Those in charge of the colony under Roger Conant removed to Naumkeag, now called Salem.
A patent for Mr. Conant and others was secured in 1628 by Rev. John White of Dorchester, England, and it conveyed to them "that part of New England lying between three miles to the north of the Merri- mack River and three miles south of the Charles River and of every part therein in Massachusetts Bay."
John Endicott, leading representative of the Massachusetts Com- pany, arrived in Naumkeag in 1628 and at the close of the year the col- ony numbered 100. A local government was established the following year with thirteen members to constitute the Board of Assistants, and John Endicott was chosen governor. The government was made sub- ordinate to England.
5
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
The name Massachusetts is supposed to be derived from two In- dian words, " massa, " meaning " great" and "Wachusett " meaning " mountain place." Rev. John Cotton defined Massachusetts as " A hill in the form of an arrow-head, " and Roger Williams said that " Mas- sachusetts was so called from the Blue Hills." Because of its broad and beautiful bay it takes the name of the "Old Bay State."
Through destiny or design, the colony was gradually directed toward that place which was soon after settled and named Boston.
Ralph, Richard and William Sprague journeyed to Mishawam, now called Charlestown, and settled a town of 100 inhabitants.
WINTHROP'S VESSELS IN SALEM HARBOR.
It was on August 28, 1629, that the government and patent of the colony were settled in New England and the Commonwealth was started. July 8, 1630, a fleet of eleven vessels with 1,000 passengers representing all occupations and a goodly number of tillers of the soil, under John Winthrop, arrived in Salem Harbor.
Salem was not satisfactory as a place of settlement and a majority of the Puritans, including those that had arrived in Winthrop's fleet, proceeded to Charlestown where they erected houses around the hill. While here they endured great hardships and before the end of Decem- ber there were 200 deaths.
Their sufferings, particularly for want of food, were such that a further change was imperative. Some went west and settled
6
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Watertown, some Newton, now Cambridge; others went to Roxbury, and a few, including Gov. Winthrop and Mr. Wilson, settled at Shaw- mut, and there laid the foundations of Boston.
The Indian name of the peninsula was Shawmut; the inhabitants of Charlestown called it Trimountaine or Tremont, and at the first ses- sion of the General Court, September 17, 1630, the name of Boston was given to it, in honor of Sir Isaac Johnson of Boston, England, who was one of the principal promoters of the colony.
In 1632 the General Court declared it to be " the fittest place for public meetings of any on the bay," and ever afterward it was the capital of Massachusetts.
While all this was taking place, a small band of Puritans arrived from England and three months before the settlement of Boston they settled the town of Dorchester.
It is also interesting to know that the best country in the world received its name from the Continental Congress, September 9, 1776, when it was resolved "that in all Continental commissions where here- tofore the words 'United Colonies' have been used, the style be altered for the future to 'United States.'"
CHAPTER II.
ARRIVAL OF THE " MARY AND JOHN" - DORCHESTER SETTLED.
Rev. John White. "Patriarch of Dorchester"-Temporary settlement at Cape Ann- Preparations in 1629 for the Dorchester Colony - Special qualifications of members of the party - Organization of the Church -" Mary and John" sails March 20, 1630, with 140 passengers - Trouble off Nantasket Head -Scouting parties seek for place to settle - Ideal place found at Mattapan - Landing made on south shore of what is now South Boston-Gov. Winthrop visits Dorchester - Settlers allotted plots within which to build their houses - Fort built on Rock Hill, now known as Savin Hill - Reason for naming the settlement Dorchester- Description of the town a few years after settlement - Indians - Grantees of lands before 1636.
T O enable one to comprehend the story of South Boston, it is necessary to show how it came about that the peninsula forming that district grew so rapidly in population, and especially of the many great changes that occurred in the territory therein contained, to refer, as briefly as possible, to the very early history of that section of which South Boston, or as it was then called, Dorchester Neck, was a part.
Dorchester was the earliest settled, and in fact was one of the first towns established in New England. Dorchester Neck was a part of that enterprising town and for almost two centuries their histories ran together.
It must not be misunderstood, however, that that portion now known as South Boston, was left unnoticed, for it was entirely owing to the excellent opportunities for pasturing their cattle that the early settlers decided to plant the town of Dorchester, and this pasturage was right where South Boston has since been built. Even within the first half century of the settlement of Dorchester, there were two com- modious residences built at Dorchester Neck.
The territory originally known as Mattapan by the Indians, was settled about June 6, 1630. The 140 passengers of the good ship " Mary and John " were the first permanent settlers.
To no man more than Rev. John White of Dorchester, England, is due the sending out of that gallant band of Puritans. He was the acknowledged father of New England colonization, and no other man and no other country were more entitled to such a memorial or recog- nition for the introduction of permanent settlers here.
He was frequently and justly termed " Patriarch of Dorchester," and he well deserved the title. Born in Stanton, St. John, Oxfordshire,
8
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
England in 1575, he was edueated in Winehester and Oxford where he became a perpetual fellow, 1595. In 1606 he was appointed reetor of the Holy Trinity Church, Dorchester, and held the position for 40 years. He was a moderate Puritan and eonformed to the Church of England, keeping the town in good order and was noted for his zeal in reforming the manners of the people.
In 1624 he projeeted the new colony of Massachusetts for those who could not eonseientiously conform to the diseipline and ceremonies of the Church of England.
His residenee in Dorehester afforded him acquaintance with persons engaged in the New England fisheries, and he was one of a party that formed an association and raised £3,000 for the purpose of making a settlement on the shores of New England. He also had the mueh higher motive in view, one that he had long eherished, of forming a community in New England where all who felt themselves aggrieved by religious or politieal persecution might find refuge.
This association directed several vessels to Massachusetts Bay in 1624 and landed many men on Cape Ann. Discouraged because of miseonduct of the people and also beeause of great peeuniary loss, Roger Conant, superintendent of the enterprise, with a few remaining settlers, two years later removed to Salem.
This alarmed Rev. Mr. White and he feared the destruction of his pet projeet. In every possible way he eheered the little band of patriots ; he wrote Conant to remain and have courage, and in 1628 another vessel was despatched to Salem. Rev. Mr. White had seeured the assistance of Sir Richard Saltonstall, Isaae Johnson, Matthew Craddoek and others.
In May 1629 the Massachusetts charter on the petition of this company, was granted. It received the great seal, and three ships sailed from the Isle of Wight with 300 passengers, ineluding two ministers, Higginson and Skilton, for Salem.
In the summer of 1629, Rev. Mr. White wrote to Gov. Endieott, who had been ehosen the first Governor of Massachusetts, to appoint a place of habitation for 60 families who were to be sent from Dorset- shire, or Dorehester, as it was also ealled, and who were to arrive the following spring.
He then made preparations to send out this band of Puritans. More than usual eare was taken in making up the company. It was determined that it should inelude sueh material as would compose a well ordered settlement and an independent community.
To spread the gospel and ineuleate true religious feeling and also to strive to bring the Indians to the faith, Rev. John Maveriek and Rev. John Warham were ehosen.
9
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Roger Ludlow and Edward Rosseter, two members of the govern- ment, chosen by the freemen and stockholders of the company in London, men of strong character and education, were joined to the band that their skill and wisdom might aid in preserving order.
A large number of middle-aged men, with adult familes and good estates, were also picked out. Of these there were Henry Wolcott, Thomas Ford, George Dyer, William Gaylord, William Rockwell and William Phelps. Then there was a large portion of active, well-trained young men, earnest and zealous, either just married or without families, among whom were Israel Stoughton, Roger Clap, George Minot, George
MARY AND JOHN."
Hall, Richard Collicott, Nathaniel Duncan and many others. Upon such men as these it was expected that the more severe toils of the new settlement would devolve.
To form a nucleus for a military body, three men of considerable military experience were chosen - Capt. John Mason, Capt. Richard Southcote and Quartermaster John Smith.
This company of emigrants, gathered largely from the western counties of Devon, Dorset and Somerset, very few of whom had met before, assembled in the New Hospital, Plymouth, England. Rev. John
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
White was present and delivered to them a strong, fervent sermon. In the afternoon of the same day a church was organized and the Rev. John Maverick and Rev. John Warham were assigned to take charge of the flock.
March 20, 1630, the company, numbering 140, set sail in the " Mary and John," a vessel of 400 tons, under command of Capt. Squeb. She was the first of Winthrop's fleet to start and it is said that the fleet numbered II vessels.
It was distinctly set forth in the ship's papers, that it was the Charles River, the spot indicated by Gov. Endicott, for which the passengers were destined, and Capt Squeb thus received his orders.
The seventy days' voyage was without important incident, although it was sometimes stormy and many were sick. The vessel arrived off Nantasket Head, Boston Harbor, May 30. Either through ignorance and absence of charts and maps at that time, or through obstinacy of Capt. Squeb, he refused positively to continue further and would not go up to the Charles River.
Appeals and threats of the passengers were useless and so the passengers and their goods were landed at Nantasket Point and they were left to shift for themselves.
It is said that Capt. Squeb was afterward mulcted in heavy damages for failing to keep his agreement. It is interesting to con- sider, however, that had he brought the passengers to the Charles River there might have been a different history of Dorchester and South Boston. It is also noteworthy that, like the Robinson who had taken such a prominent part in the sending of the early Pilgrims to Plymouth, Rev. John White, equally prominent in the settlement of Dorchester, never set foot on the soil of Massachusetts.
Rev. John White died July 21, 1648, after having succeeded in his desire to provide a haven of refuge for those seeking religious freedom.
After a night's rest at Nantasket, eight of the passengers of the " Mary and John " with Capt. Southcote and Roger Clap, took one of the small boats and started off in search of a place to settle. Having in mind the Charles River as their objective point they rowed in that direction. Soon other boats went in other directions to also explore the coast. Many of those who remained on the vessel were in feeble health, made so by the long sea voyage.
Capt. Southcote's boat at once proceeded up the harbor and reached what is now the peninsula of Charlestown. There were found several Indians and also Thomas Walfourd, a fisherman, living in a thatched hut. They did not remain long but continued up the river to Watertown and spent the night where now is the government arsenal. There they had a friendly interview with Indians, but the locality did not just suit them.
II
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
A few days later they received word to return at once to the ship as one of the other scouting parties had found an ideal place at Mat- tapan, so called by the Indians.
The scouting party that had discovered this favorable spot was in charge of Roger Ludlow and Edward Rosseter, and in addition to being an ideal location, bordering on the sea, which was the principal advantage, the splendid opportunities for pasturing the cattle was a requirement that led them to make the decision to settle here. Almost the entire eastern portion of the territory was fine pasture land and further westward the soil was just suited for cultivation.
GOVERNOR JOHN WINTHROP.
Considerable difficulty was experienced in getting the baggage and cattle ashore. It was a great distance from Nantasket to the point in Dorchester Bay where the landing was made.
In their records and letters mention is made of a little projection from the land, and it states that just beyond this projection the landing was made.
On the south shore of South Boston, between I and K Streets, there has always been a noticeable projection, and it has always been recognized as near the place, about at the foot of the present Old Harbor Street, that the passengers of the " Mary and John " landed.
12
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Once ashore they immediately looked about for suitable locations to build their homes. Close to the landing seemed to be too marshy. While there were excellent meadows and fields, a beautiful outlook, yet the land was not of the best for dwelling purposes.
So, taking up their burdens, they turned westward and finally decided upon the vicinity of what was soon afterward named Rock Hill, afterward changed to the present Savin Hill. It was the best place for building their dwelling houses and was the nearest point to Mattapan- nock where they intended to pasture their cattle.
All was excitement then for several days. The rest of their belongings were transferred from the ship to their settlement. Men were employed in cutting timber and erecting rough huts or tents and others built neat little cottages. A few spent the time in exploring the neighborhood. In fact all who were not sick were busy doing something.
Sunday, June 6, 1630, was observed as a day of rest and thanks- giving and the settlement of the town is reckoned from that day.
Two weeks after the arrival of the Dorchester colonists, Gov. Winthrop, the second governor of Massachusetts, and his companions, with the other ships of the fleet, arrived at Salem, and three days after- ward he visited the Dorchester colony.
During the months immediately following the settlement the people became more and more pleased with the location they had made and they were not at all sorry that they had given up the idea of pro- ceeding to the Charles River. Elsewhere they could get but little more than they enjoyed at Mattapan. There was excellent fertile land, good pasturage, friendly Indians, facilities for fishing, and above all, liberty and freedom.
The settlers made their habitations compact and each had a certain plot or pale marked out within which every one was to build his house. A half acre was marked out as the size of the house lot within the pale. After the recoverey of those who had suffered from the sea voyage, good health prevailed for many months. The visit of Gov. Winthrop gave them added cheer. On his way back to Salem he visited the "Mary and John" and settled the difficulty between the captain and the passengers.
For the purpose of affording protection and for the general interest of those of the party who were trading men, a fort was built on Rock Hill and several pieces of ordnance were mounted near the waters edge. Though these stout hearted pioneers were devout in their faith they were also evidently confident in the efficacy of powder and ball.
Soon, however, the channel was found inadequate for large vessels and the landing thus being difficult, the original intentions of some of
13
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
the traders to make it a commercial centre were abandoned and Boston and Charlestown became the ports of entry.
September 7, 1630, the Court of Assistants ordered that "Tri- mountaine shall be called Boston ; Mattapan, Dorchester; and the towne upon the Charles Ryver, Watertown."
Why the name of Dorchester was given to the settlement has never beeen fully explained, but it is supposed to have been as an honor to Rev. John White, of Dorchester, England. That portion called by the Indians, Mattapan, was named Dorchester, and what was known as Mattapannock was named Dorchester Neck, until the annexation to Boston.
In a description of the town a few years after the settlement, Woods writes : " Dorchester is the greatest town in New England, but I under- stand that others equal it since I came away. It is well wooded and watered and has very good arable grounds and hay grounds. It has fair corn fields and pleasant gardens and there are a great many cattle. It hath a reasonable harbor for ships. There is no alewife river, which is a great inconvenience. The inhabitants were the first that decided to stay upon New England in the bay, but received so much fruit of their labors, that they encouraged others to the same undertaking."
Josselyn describes it as follows : "Six miles from Braintree lyeth Dorchester, a frontire town, pleasantly seated and of large extent into the mainland, well watered with two small rivers, and houses to the number of about a hundred and more, beautified with fair orchards and gardens, having also plenty of cornland, and store of cattle, counted the greatest town heretofore in New England, but now gives way to Boston. It hath a harbour and place for ships.'
When the Dorchester settlers arrived the Neponset Indians occu- pied the territory thereabouts. They were considered the residuary legatees of a much larger and more important Indian nation, the Massa- chusetts Indians, who occupied, previously, the circle which now makes Boston Harbor, from Malden to Cohasset. The Massachusetts Indians numbered about 7500.
Chicatawbot was the chief of the Neponset tribe and lived near Squantum Farms. He was regarded by Winthrop and others as the most important chief about the bay. Winthrop's sincere assurance of friendship prevented the government from fortitying the peninsula of Boston.
A deed of release of the territory was secured by the Dorchester people, from Josias, son of Chicatawbot, forty years after their arrival. This was considered a wise precaution and other towns quickly followed suit.
As the Europeans continued to arrive the Indian tribes became
14
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
reduced. One hundred years later there were scarcely one-fourth of the original number.
Chicatawbot died in 1633 of smallpox, leaving a family of small children. His brother, Cutshumaquin, succeeded him, but he was more under the influence of the colonial governor.
The Indians had no use for land and willingly parted with it. They were generally depressed in spirits and willingly agreed with the settlers on material matters.
The Indians confined themselves to a section near the Dorchester Lower Mills and here John Eliot preached to them in 1646. Mr. Eliot was much interested in their welfare and became convinced that they should have a retired place from the whites. Accordingly, in 1656, there was granted 6000 acres of land for their sole use, and this was called Punkapog. To this place they removed and in time became extinct.
A list of the passengers on the first voyage of the "Mary and John " has not been preserved, but the following is an alphabetical list of all the grantees of land whose names appear on the Dorchester rec- ords before January, 1636, and comprise nearly all the first settlers :
John Allen
William Hannum
Mr. Pincheon
Thomas Andrews
Thomas Hatch
Andrew Pitcher
Thomas Bascomb
William Hathorne
Eltwood Pomeroy
John Benham
John Hayden
Goodman John Pope
John Brancker
Mr. John Hill
William Preston
John Bursley
Thos. Holcomb
David Price
Bernard Capen
Joseph Holley
George Proctor
John Capen
John Holland
Widow Purchase
Joshua Carter
John Holman
Philip Randall
Robert Clap
William Hosford
Thomas Rawlins
Bray Clarke
John Hoskins
Edward Raymond
Joseph Clarke
Simon Hoyt
Thomas Richards
Augustin Clement
William Hulbert
Richard Rocket
John Cogan
George Hull
William Rockwell
Richard Collicott
John Hull Thomas Jeffreys
Bray Rosseter Hugh Rosseter
Robert Deeble
Mr. Johnson
Thomas Sandford
Thomas Deeble
Richard Jones Thomas Jones
Henry Smith
Thomas Dewey Thomas Dimocke
Thomas Kimberly Thomas Lambert John Leavitt
Capt. Richard Southcote
Nathaniel Duncan
Ancient Stoughton
Capt. Wm. Lovell
M. Israel Stoughton
George Dyer Bigot Eggleston John Eeles
Roger Ludlow
George Strange
Thomas Makepeace
William Summer
Aaron Cook
Matthew Sension
Nicholas Denslowe
John Smith
15
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Robert Elwell
Thomas Marshall
Thomas Swift
Thomas Marshfield
Joshua Talbot
Richard Fay Henry Feakes Walter Filer
Capt. John Mason
Stephen Terry
Rev. John Maverick
Thomas Thornton
Joseph Flood
Alexander Miller
Thomas Tileston
Thomas Ford
John Miller
John Tilley Francis Tuthill
Stephen French
George Minot
Humphrey Gallop
John Moore
Joshua Tuthill
William Gaylord
Edmund Munnings
Nicholas Upsall
Giles Gibbs
Mr. Newberry
Rev. John Warham
Christopher Gibson
John Newton
Henry Way
John Gilbert
John Niles
John Whitfield Bray Wilkins
Jonathan Gillett
James Parker
Roger Williams
Ralph Glover
George Phelps
David Wilton
John Govt
John Phelps
Henry Wolcott
Edmund Grant John Grenaway
Humphrey Phinney
Nathaniel Hall
John Pierce
John Woolridge Henry Wright
John Glover
Elias Parkman
CHAPTER III.
DORCHESTER FROM 1630 TO 1650.
Settlers quite contented - Dorchester surveyed at an early date-Crops poor the first year and suffering consequent - Relief in the ship " Lion "- Dorchester boundaries extended - Privilege of freemanship to twenty-four residents of Dorchester - Change in ministers - Exodus to Connecticut - First town government - Arrival of eighty settlers in 16334- Dorchester members of the first Massachusetts Legislature - First water mill erected - First burial place - Proportion of taxes October, 1633 - Formal division of Dorchester Neck (South Boston) in 1637 - List of those having exclusive privileges by this division - Rules for pasturing cattle at the Neck - Roads and paths before 1650- The first street laid out in Dorchester led to the Neck - Topog- raphy - Counties first formed.
T EMPORARY habitations erected, the work of the settlers was to advance the interests of their little community in every way possible. From day to day they learned to be more and more content with their condition. The location just suited them, and as every one took hold and worked they were bound to succeed.
The entire territory settled by these people and named Dorchester, was surveyed at an early date, including all the salt marsh, fresh meadows and arable lands, and then there was a division into house lots and each received his share.
There is no way of finding just how the estates were allotted. It is not known just how much each family received or what rule was followed in making the allotments. The very early records have long since been destroyed.
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.