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 23
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
1876 .- Senator John F. Fitzgerald, 6th Suffolk; Representatives Lyman S. Hapgood and Alonzo Warren, ward 12; and Representatives Michael J. Croak, James F. Supple and Patrick Barry, ward 7.
1877 .- Senator Thomas F. Fitzgerald, 5th Suffolk ; Representatives James T. Mahony and James W. Fox, ward 13; Charles J. Noyes and Alonzo Bancroft, ward 14: Alonzo Warren and Martin T. Glynn, ward 15. 1878 .- Senator Thomas Gogin, 5th Suffolk; Representatives James T. Mahony and John B. Shea, ward 13 ; Charles J. Noyes and Alonzo Ban- croft, ward 14; Alonzo Warren and Stephen A. Stackpole, ward 15.
1879 .- Senator John B. Martin, 5th Suffolk ; Representatives James A. McGeough and T. F. FitzGerald, ward 13 ; Charles J. Noyes and George H. Bond, ward 14. Alonzo Warren and John F. McMahon, ward 15.
1880 .- Senator Alonzo Warren, 5th Suffolk ; Representatives James A. McGeough and James T. Mahony, ward 13; Charles J. Noyes and George H. Bond, ward 14; George W. Bail and Frank A. Clapp, ward 15.
1881 .- Senator John B. Martin, 5th Suffolk ; Cornelius F. Cronin and James A. McGeough, ward 13: Charles J. Noyes and Arthur H. Wilson, ward 14; George W. Bail and Frank A. Clapp, ward 15.
1882 .- Senator Charles T. Gallagher, 5th Suffolk ; Representatives Cornelius F. Cronin and Dennis F. Brennan, ward 13; Charles J. Noyes and Arthur H. Wilson, ward 14: Henry C. Towle and Oliver G. Fernald, ward 15.
242
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
1883 .- Senator James A. McGeough, 5th Suffolk; Representatives Cornelius F. Cronin and Francis O'Brien, ward 13 ; Horace L. Bowker and William H. Frizzell, ward 14; Oliver G. Fernald and Charles W. Donahoe, ward 15.
1884 .- Senator Cornelius F. Cronin, 5th Suffolk ; Representatives John J. Maguire and Francis O'Brien, ward 13; Edward F. Hoynes and Horace L. Bowker, ward 14; Michael J. Creed and Henry E. Hosley, ward 15.
1885 .- Senator Henry F. Naphen, 5th Suffolk ; Representatives John J. Maguire and Robert C. Murray, ward 13; Richard F. Tobin and John A. Collins, ward 14 ; Michael J. Creed and William Corbett, ward 15.
1886 .- Senator Henry F. Naphen, 5th Suffolk ; Representatives John J. Maguire and James Sullivan, ward 13; Richard F. Tobin and John A. Collins, ward 14 ; Michael J. Creed and Peter J. Reardon, ward 15.
1887 .- Senator Oliver. G. Fernald ; Representatives James E. Pray and James Sullivan, ward 13; David J. Hagerty and Charles J. Noyes (Speaker of House), ward 14; Michael Garity and Peter J. Reardon, ward 15.
1888 .- Senator John A. Collins ; Representatives Thomas F. Sullivan and Edward J. Leary, ward 13 ; David J. Hagerty and Charles J. Noyes (Speaker of House), ward 14; Michael Garity and Frank F. Woods, ward 15.
1889 .- Senator John A. Collins ; Representatives Edward J. Leary and Michael J. Moore, ward 13 ; Robert F. Means and John H. Crowley, ward 14 ; William S. McNary and Joseph Nolan, ward 15.
1890 .- Senator Michael J. Creed ; Representatives Michael J. Moore and Jeremiah J. McNamara, ward 13; Robert F. Means and George H. Bond, ward 14 ; William S. McNary and John B. Lynch, ward 15.
1891 .- Senator William S. McNary ; Representatives Daniel Mc- Carthy and Jeremiah J. McNamara, ward 13 ; Charles J. Chance and Richard F. McSolla, ward 14; John H. Coffey and John B. Lynch, ward 15.
1892 .- Senator William S. McNary; Representatives Daniel McCarthy and Thomas A. Quinn, ward 13 ; Charles J. Chance and Richard F. McSolla, ward 14 ; Joseph J. Casey and John B. Lynch, ward 15.
1893 .- Senator Edward J. Leary ; Representatives Joseph J. Kelly and Thomas A. Quinn, ward 13 : James F. Gleason and Daniel J. Kinnaly, ward 14 ; William H. McMorrow and Enoch J. Shaw, ward 15.
1894 .- Senator Edward J. Leary ; Representatives Joseph J. Kelly and Michael P. Geary, ward 13 ; James F. Gleason, and Daniel J. Kinnaly, ward 14 ; William H. McMorrow and Joseph J. Casey, ward 15.
1895 .- Senator William H. McMorrow : Representatives James A. Gallivan and Michael P. Geary, ward 13 ; Daniel J. Barry and Joseph J. Norton, ward 14 ; James F. Creed and John G. Horan, ward 15.
1896 .- Senator William H. McMorrow ; Representatives James A. Gallivan and James S. McKenna, ward 13 ; Daniel J. Barry and Joseph J. Norton, ward 14 ; James F. Creed and Michael J. Reidy, ward 15.
1897 .- Senator James A. Gallivan ; Representatives James S. Mc- Kenna and James B. Clancy, ward 13; John E. Baldwin and John J. Toomey, ward 14 ; John A. McManus and Michael J. Reidy, ward 15.
1898 .- Senator James A. Gallivan ; Representatives Hugh W. Bresna- han and James B. Clancy, ward 13; John E. Baldwin and David J. Gleason, ward 14 ; William Kells, Jr., and John A. McManus, ward 15.
1899 .- Senator John E. Baldwin ; Representatives Hugh W. Bresna-
.
243
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
han and Frederick C. Mahony, ward 13 ; Michael J. Sullivan and John J. Toomey, ward 14 : William Kells. Jr., and Daniel V. McIsaac, ward 15.
1900 .- Senator John E. Baldwin: Representatives Michael J. Lydon and Frederick C. Mahony, ward 13 ; Michael J. Sullivan and David J. Gleason. ward 14 : Daniel V. McIsaac and William S. McNary, ward 15.
1901 .- Senator James B. Clancy ; Representatives Michael J. Lydon and William J. Sullivan, ward 13 : Daniel J. Barry and Edward L. Logan, ward 14: John D. Fenton and William S. McNary, ward 15.
Represented in the Governor's Council. - 1886 and 1887, by Col. Lawrence J. Logan: 1901. by Jeremiah J. McNamara.
Represented in Congress. - 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, and 1888, by Patrick A. Collins : 1900 and 1901, by Henry F. Naphen, re-elected for 1902 and 1903.
South Boston has been represented in the Board of Alderman since Boston became a city in 1822, as follows :
1824 Cyrus Alger
1827 Cyrus Alger
1831 Adam Bent
1834 Josiah Dunham
1835 Josiah Dunham 1836 Josiah Dunham
1837 Thos. Richardson
1838 Thos. Richardson 1839 Thos. Richardson 1842 Larra Crane
1844 Larra Crane 1845 Samuel S. Perkins 1846 Thomas Jones
1847 Thomas Jones 1849 Samuel S. Perkins 1850 Samuel S. Perkins 1852 Benjamin James 1853 Benjamin James 1854 Josiah Dunham. Jr. 1855 Josiah Dunham, Jr. 1856 Eben Jackson 1857 Benjamin James 1858 Benjamin James 1859 William W. Allen 1865 Harrison O. Briggs 1861 Samuel R. Spinney 1862 Samuel R. Spinney 1863 Samuel R. Spinney 1864 Nathaniel C. Nash George W. Sprague 1865 Nathaniel C. Nash George W. Sprague 1866 Benjamin James Gilbert Wait
1867 Benjamin James Walter E. Hawes 1868 Benjamin James
1869 Benjamin James, ( chairman ) Walter E. Hawes William T. Van Nostrand IS70 Walter F. Hawes Christopher A.
Connor 1871 Not represented 1872 Stephen A. Stack- pole James Power 1873 James Power Hiram Emery Solomon B. Steb- bins 1874 James Power Solomon B. Steb- bins 1875 James Power Solomon B. Steb- bins 1876 Solomon B. Steb- bins Choate Burnham 1878 Solomon B. Steb- bins Lewis C. Whiton 1879 James J. Flynn 1880 James J. Flynn 1881 James J. Flynn (until Mar. 21 ) 1882 Charles H. Hersey 1883 Thomas H. Delvin 1884 Oliver G. Fernald 1885 Jeremiah H. Mul- lane
1885 Oliver G. Fernald 1886 William P. Carroll Charles M. Brom- wich 1887 William P. Carroll Charles M. Brom- wich 1888 William P. Carroll (died Jan. 28) James A. Murphy (from Feb. 28) Samuel Kelley 1889 James A. Murphy Samuel Kelley
1890 Edward J. Leary Thomas W. Flood 1891 Edward J. Leary Thomas W. Flood 1892 Edward J. Leary Thomas W. Flood 1893 John J. Maguire Thomas W. Flood 1894 Not represented 1895 Thomas W. Flood (at large ) 1896 Not represented 1897 Josiah S. Dean Milton C. Paige (at large ) 1898 Milton C. Paige Joseph J. Norton (at large) 1899 Not represented 1900 Michael WV. Norris Joseph J. Norton 1901 Michael W. Norris Joseph J. Norton
HISTORY OF CASTLE ISLAND.
BY EDWARD P. B. RANKIN.
Oldest fortified place in continuous use in the United States - Situation - First steps to fortify the island - Capt. Nicholas Simpkins, first commander - Discontinuance of fort and removal of armament - Efforts to have the fort reconstructed finally suc- cessful - Committees visit the fort and report to the General Court - Capt. Daven- port killed while in command - New fortification of 1701 -The Castle in 1757 - Events leading up to the Revolution - Increase in the armament, 1769- Lord Percy and Twenty-ninth Royal Regiment ordered to the Castle-Landing of Lord Percy and troops at the island, intending to make an attack on Dorchester Heights- A storm prevents - Destruction of the fort by the British, March 20, 1776-Occupation of the island by Washington's men under Col. Crafts -The island ceded to the United States - Visit of President John Adams - Proposed fort named " Fort Independence " - Duel at the island - Work on the present fort com- menced in 1833-Its part in the Civil War - Abandoned as a garrisoned fort in 1876-Castle Island becomes a part of the Boston Park System - Converted into a mine and torpedo station during the Spanish American War - Fatal explosion of mines and explosives - Again added to the park system.
B OSTON having been the hot-bed of the Revolution, it is only natural that it should contain many points of great historic in- terest, and, in fact, it does, there being in and about the Hub more places that figured conspicuously in those troublesome times than in any other city, and Castle Island, known in those days as " The Castle," is by no means the least in importance.
Castle Island is the oldest fortified place that has been in con- tinuous use in the United States. It has not seen any great active service in recent years and would be of little value in modern warfare. The government has always maintained an ordnance sergeant there, and, at the breaking out of the Spanish American war, it took full possession of the island and used it as a mine and torpedo station.
Castle Island is situated in Boston Harbor about two and one-half miles south-east of Boston and about two-thirds of a mile east of South Boston. It is a small island, containing about twenty-one acres. According to old records it was the property of Massachusetts during its Colonial and Provincial times until ceded to the United States by the Commonwealth in 1798.
Shortly after the settlement of Boston the civil authorities gave their attention to fortifying the place and the first movement toward this end is chronicled in the journal of Gov. John Winthrop under date of July 29, 1634, in which he states, that the governor and council with others met at Castle Island and there agreed upon erecting two plat- forms and a small fortification, and Roger Ludlow was selected as over- seer of the work.
245
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
It was decided to petition the General Court to provide for these, and a committee consisting of Messrs. Thomas Beecher, William Pierce, and Robert Moulton succeeded in getting the following order through the General Court the subsequent September :
" That there should be a plattforme made on the north-east syde of Castle Ileland, & an house built on the topp of the hill to defend the said plattforme."
This much being accomplished, a committee was next appointed to select the site for the fort and to arrange for the plan of work. The committee appointed comprised Capt. John Underhill, Daniel Patrick, John Mason, William Trask, Nathaniel Turner and Lieuts. Robert Feakes and Richard Morris. The committee soon had its plans arranged and the work began.
There evidently was much interest in the undertaking as is shown by a vote passed by the General Court, March 4, 1634, " That the ffort att Castle Iland nowe begun, shalbe fully pfected, the ordnance mounted & evry other thing aboute it ffinished, before any other ffortificacon be further proceeded in."
There were many orders in the early colonial records regarding the impressment of men to work on the fort, one of which, issued November 3, 1635, passed by the General Court, required the towns of Dorchester, Roxbury, Boston, Newton, Watertown and Charlestown to provide two men weekly for this purpose, to be paid out of the treasury of the colony. The records show that though remiss at times the task required was performed and the fort was finally completed and supplied with the necessary ordnance, munitions and garrison.
It is evident that a commander was appointed before the fort was finished as Capt. Nicholas Simpkins (or Simkins) was the first com- mander of the fort, being in charge up to the latter part of 1635, when, owing to a deficiency in his accounts, he was removed by the General Court and Lieut. Edward Gibbons was appointed in his stead. Lieuten- ant Gibbons, however, was removed in turn and was succeeded by Lieut. Richard Morris, January 12, 1637.
From incidents which occurred during his life he appears to have been a man of much determination. During his command it is recorded that three ships upon coming up the harbor, having sailed from Ip- swich, with three hundred and sixty passengers, on passing the island, were ordered to give an account of themselves. The last one for some reason failed to obey the summons and the gunner at the fort was ordered to put a shot across her bows. The shot, however, struck in the shrouds, killing a passenger.
The governor charged an inquest the following day, and the testi- mony offered by the defence was to the effect that the powder on the touch-hole was damp and did not burn promptly, and that, in the mean- time, the vessel, under the influence of the tide, and with a fresh wind, had gained considerable headway, which resulted in the shot taking
246
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
effect in the rigging. The decision reached was, "That he came to his death by the providence of God."
Lieutenant Morris was not long in command, his downfall being brought about through ordering the red cross in the flag to be cut out, which act was carried out publicly. For this he was relieved of his command. Later, through the support he rendered Mrs. Ann Hutch- inson in her theological disputes, he was disarmed November, 1637, and was finally banished from the colony in September, 1638, and went to Exeter, New Hampshire.
During this time the fort was evidently left to the care of the master cannoneer, as the next person appointed to command the work was Captain Robert Sedgwick, who was not commissioned until June, 1641. During the interim the fort had fallen into decay, due greatly to the poor quality of linie used in its construction, which was obtained from burnt oyster shells.
There was much dissatisfaction over the structure even when Lieut. Morris was in command, and the General Court, by a vote passed March, 1637, concluded to abandon it. This was reconsidered May 2, and it was agreed to allow individuals to garrison and maintain the fort, if they would notify the court as to their willingness within eight days.
This was apparently done as the fort was repaired and carried along. One hundred pounds and two hundred and fifty pounds were obtained from the colony at different times, the last amount being used for the construction of a house and repairing the batteries.
Besides these appropriations a grant was allowed for the removal of wood from the other islands in the harbor, but even this assistance was not sufficient to maintain the fort, and it gradually fell into decay, and finally, May 10, 1643, orders were issued for its discontinuance and for the removal of the ammunition and ordnance which were to be taken to Ipswich, Charlestown and Cambridge.
A committee was subsequently appointed to let the island, which was done, a part of the record reading, " the Court gave Castle Island & the house there to Capt. Gibons, unlesse it bee implied to publiq use for fortification at any time hereafter."
Little did they think how soon the lack of protection and the imperative necessity of a defensive work on the island would be forced upon them. It was but a month after the discontinuance of the fort, and while the Governor and his family were on their island (Governor's Island), that La Tour sailed up Boston harbor in a vessel of one hun- dred and forty tons, and carrying, including the crew, one hundred and forty persons.
Though peace existed between the French and English at the time, there was some doubt about La Tour, whose vessel was recognized as soon as she came within s.ght. On coming abreast of Castle Island several guns were discharged from the vessel.
Immediately there was much confusion on shore. Citizens in
247
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Boston and Charlestown, in response to signals, promptly armed them- selves. Three shallops, filled with armed men, went to Governor's island and brought him to his residence in Boston, and for a time there was great commotion. It was all unnecessary, however, for La Tour, in coming abreast of the island, simply discharged his guns as a salute, expecting one in reply, but there were neither guns, ammunition nor garrison with which to extend the expected courtesy.
The occurrence had a great effect upon the people, however, the Governor referring to the incident as follows: "But here the Lord gave us occasion to notice our weakness." Continuing, he said, " If La Tour had been ill-minded toward us, he had such an opportunity as we hope he nor any other shall have the like again ; for coming to our Castle and saluting it, there was none to answer him, for the last Court had given orders to have the Castle-Island deserted, a great part of the work being fallen down, so as he might have taken all the ordnance there. Then, having the Governor and his family, and Captain Gibbons' wife, etc., in his power, he might have gone and spoilt Boston, and having so many men ready, they might have taken two ships in the harbor, and gone away without danger of resistance."
Even though La Tour's visit made such an impression, it was impossible for the people of Boston to take any action regarding the restoration of the work, as it was by an order of the General Court that it was discontinued and deserted. A meeting of residents of Bos- ton and neighboring towns was held, however, and it was decided that the place must be fortified. Nothing could be done at that time as the General Court was not in session. Fortunately, five of the neighboring Indian tribes petitioned about this time to voluntarily submit them- selves to Massachusetts, and in order that this matter might be acted upon, a special session was accordingly held.
This gave the looked for opportunity and six towns, Boston, Charles- town, Roxbury, Dorchester, Newton and Watertown, appointed repre- sentatives, who, receiving the endorsement of the governor and the ministers and elders of the church, went before the General Court and petitioned that the fort at Castle Island be repaired and carried on.
Their efforts, however, were fruitless, and even when they asked for the privilege of repairing and continuing the place as a fortification, the request was received with considerable opposition, it being charged that it would be of little use against a strong enemy, and that even though it was repaired and garrisoned, that there was a course open by Bird Island by which access to the inner harbor could be obtained.
Their persistence, however, overcame the objectors, and not only did they obtain the privilege they asked but were granted permission " to take back unto the said iland such ordnance & ammunition as was lately fetched from thence, or so much thereof as they shall make use of, any former order to the contrary notwithstanding."
Furthermore, a promise was made by the Court, that when the
248
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
batteries had been repaired, the ordnance mounted and a fortification, fifty feet square, constructed of stone, timber and earth, with a wall ten feet in thickness and of proportionate height, that one hundred pounds per annum would be appropriated for its maintenance.
In addition to this the Court appropriated one hundred pounds to be used in making Bird Island passage secure, the appropriations to be paid on the completion of the work. All this was done with the pro- viso that the place should still be under the control of the General Court, the towns having the privilege of appointing a commander.
The work of repairing was begun, but, notwithstanding the strong desire for a proper fortification at this place, the towns were so delinquent in providing men, labor and supplies, that it was frequently necessary for constables to serve orders of the Court upon them. Boston, though negligent at times, agreed, January 10, 1643, to provide all the timber and place it in position on the top of the hill, providing the other towns would go on with their parts of the work, also offering inducements to secure ten families to make their residence there.
In the meantime the Court sent five barrels of powder and a quan- tity of shot to the island to be used in defence of the place and the proper salutation of vessels. Action had also been taken regarding the appointment of a commander, and from the records it appears that the name of Thomas Coytmore of Charlestown, was proposed, May, 1644. He was not accepted, however, and Lieutenant Richard Davenport was chosen, November 13, 1644, and commissioned in July, 1645.
The Court at the same time appropriated fifty pounds for a house for the commander. Shortly afterward one hundred and twenty pounds were appropriated, one hundred of which was to be expended in the reconstruction of the fort, and twenty for a boat. The five towns, Boston, Charlestown, Roxbury, Dorchester and Cambridge, were to support him, Watertown being relieved of this task for some reason.
In response to several questions put to the Court by Lieutenant Davenport, before he assumed his responsibility, he received the follow- ing answers : His garrison would consist of twenty men for eight months in the summer season, the number to be reduced to ten for the winter, commencing in November; he would be allowed to come to town every other Sunday ; he was to take care of the garrison as his own family ; one half of the garrison only could come to town on the Lord's day ; he would have one-third of the island for his own use, one-tenth for his gunner, and the remainder for his garrison ; that he should send a boat to and examine every ship that approached the town ; that he could cut wood from any of the islands not disposed of ; that all trading vessels should be allowed to pass in and out of the harbor unmolested.
From the records it appears that an appointment to the command of the Castle brought with it a promotion in rank, as Lieutenant Daven- port, after his appointment, was referred to as Captain Davenport.
249
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Under his regime the fort and its garrison progressed, the five towns evidently giving it the proper attention.
On May 7, 1651, the court issued an order, the substance of which was, " that the old English colors being a necessary badge of distinction between England and other nations (till the State of England shall alter the same, which we much desire, we being the same nation), that the captain of the Castle, should advance the colors of England upon the Castle upon all necessary occasions." It will be seen from the above quotation that the old feeling against the red cross again mani- fested itself, and from the part Captain Davenport took in the Salem affair, in 1634, which he perpetuated by naming his daughter Truecross Davenport, it must have been a disagreeable sight for him to see this flag floating over the Castle.
Committees were regularly appointed to visit the Castle, observe the work and ascertain what the armament, military property, etc., con- sisted of, and the condition of affairs in general. The committee that performed this duty in 1651, in its report, stated that there were six murtherers, two boats, a drum, two muskets and a suitable number of pikes for each soldier.
In the report of a similar committee, August 30, 1653, a report was made to the General Court that repairs on the fortification were necessary. This was subsequently followed by an order from the Court which called for the building of a small fort, the cost of which was not to exceed three hundred pounds. The records fail to show positively that this fort was erected, but from an order of the Court in November, 1659, in response to a bill presented by Captain Davenport, for repairing. the new Castle, it is presumed that this was actually for the fulfilment of the order of August, 1653.
In the meantime, October, 1654, another committee had visited the Castle and in its report stated that one of the boats had been lost and a drum destroyed, but the captain was exonerated from any blame in the loss. On January 28, 1655, the town of Boston loaned Captain Davenport a bell, the same having been the gift of Captain Cromwell.
The following May another attempt was made to finish the Castle and to improve its equipment. Thus matters progressed until July 15, 1665, when Captain Davenport, while lying upon his bed in his room, was killed by lightning during a heavy storm, while three others were injured. Captain Davenport was the only commanding officer ever killed while in command of the Castle.
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.