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 36
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Rev. James Huxtable, the present rector, was born in Bristol, England in 1849, and received his early education there. He came to the United States in 1869 and shortly after entered the Whitestown
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Seminary from which he graduated in 1873. His theological education he received privately. He was ordained as a minister of the Free Baptist faith, in the church of that denomination at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1874. Shortly before his ordination he married Miss Helen E. Young, of Columbia, N. Y. Their married life has been blessed with four children, two boys and two girls.
Rev. Mr. Huxtable's first pastorate was the Unitarian Church of Our Father, at Newburg N. Y. He was next called by the First Unitarian Society of Hyde Park, Mass., where he remained for six years, resigning in 1890 to accept the pastorate of the Hawes Unitarian Congregational Church where he has been ever since.
He is chaplain of Rabboni Lodge and an honorary member of Gate of the Temple Lodge, F. & A. M.
FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- Dorchester Street.
It was in 1870 that this church was started and since that time it has worshipped in four places. When first started meetings were held in a hall on West Broadway near D Street, and later in Wait's Hall. It was here, De- cember 30, 1870, that the church was organized with a membership of twenty-nine.
A
REV. JOHN KIRKPATRICK.
FOURTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Silver and Dorchester Sts.
During 1874, land was purchased on East Fourth Street, near H Street, and a small wooden church was erected. Here services were held until December 1885, when the Presbyterians purchased the pres- ent church from the St. John's M. E. Society, the latter having moved into the brick edifice it now occupies on Broadway.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
The first rector was Rev. Charles Naismith, September 1870 to March 1871, and he was followed by Rev. J. H. Angier, (through whose efforts Rev. Dr. George H. Gordon was educated for the ministry), 1871 to 1874 ; Rev. William M. Baker, May 1874 to September 1876 ; Rev. William H. Sybrant, June 1879 to March 1882 : Rev. Andrew Burrows, November 1884 to October 1890. It will be seen that it was during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Burrows that the present church was secured and occupied for the first time, he being the last rector in the old church and the first in the present.
Those who followed him were Rev. Frank Haven Hinman, Sep- tember 1891 to April 1894 (who died after a brief illness) ; Rev. M. S. Hartwell from December 1894 to June 30, 1896 ; Rev. Charles J. Cameron, M. A., 1896 to 1901, at which time the present rector, Rev. John Kirkpatrick, accepted the call.
Rev. John Kirkpatrick is a native of Ulster, Ire., and one of nine children of John and Margaret A. Kirkpatrick. He attended the Royal Academical Institution, Belfast, and entered Queen's College, Belfast, 1861, began his theological course at Assembly's College, Belfast, 1864, finishing his studies and being licensed to preach in 1867.
His first pastorate was the First Presbyterian Church, Newton, Hamilton Co., Armagh, Ire., followed by the United Presbyterian Church, New York City, Cookes' Church, Toronto, Ont., Westminster Church, Philadelphia. He later returned to New York city and was called to his present pastorate from there.
He is a member of the Boston Presbytery and the Boston Minis- terial Union and has been associated with various other bodies in the various places where he has resided in the past. He was also editor for a time of the Protestant Standard.
Though one of South Boston's most recent rectors Mr. Kirkpatrick has already become popular, particularly with his flock.
CEMETERIES.
With the exception of St. Augustine's Cemetery, there is not a place in South Boston, at the present time, used for burial purposes. Seventy-five years ago, though the population was extremely scanty, there were no less than five cemeteries. Time, the effective eraser of all things, has brought about the disappearance of two of these places, St. Matthew's Church Cemetery and the Boston Cemetery. Three cemeteries still remain, the Hawes Burying Ground, St. Augustine's Cemetery and the Union Cemetery.
HAWES BURYING GROUND .- It was not until some years after the annexation, that the Hawes Cemetery came into existence. In the annexation act of 1804 a proviso was made that three lots of land should be set apart for public use as follows :- one lot for a public market place, one for a schoolhouse and one for a burial ground, all of which were to be acceptable to the selectmen of the town of Boston.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Before the city called for the fulfilment of this proviso, John Hawes, whose name is familiar to all South Boston, through his many gifts, conveyed to a committee of the inhabitants of South Boston, on October 12, 1816, a lot of land on the Old Road (now Emerson Street) leading to the Point with the understanding it was to be used as a burying ground for the inhabitants.
This lot was bounded as follows : - northerly one hun- dred and nine feet on the " Old Road," easterly one hundred feet, southerly one hundred and nine feet on land of Abra- ham Gould, and westerly one HAWES AND UNION CEMETERIES, Emerson and East Fifth Sts. hundred feet on land of the heirs of Col. Ebenezer Clap. This lot included a little over one-quarter of an acre, facing on the Old Road and running about two-thirds of the way through to what is now East Fifth Street.
The lot was accepted, and though the Board of Health did not sanction its use until March 12, 1821, it was used previous to that time. Seven tombs were erected on the westerly side and all were used, although, like St. Augustine's Cemetery, the more general mode of burial was in graves.
The Hawes Burying Ground, as it is commonly called, presents an impressive appearance. The westerly side is shut off by a granite wall against which are built the tombs, and scattered throughout the yard are numerous headstones marking off the graves, and in some cases iron posts, from which are suspended chains, perform a similar service. The whole lot is shaded by magnificent trees.
ST. AUGUSTINE'S CEMETERY .- The early records of the town of Boston fail to indicate that there was ever a burial ground set aside for Catholics, and it was not until fourteen years after South Boston had been annexed to Boston, that any such record appears. This was when Bishop John Cheverus purchased, in the year 1818, the land that now constitutes St. Augustine's Cemetery. This land was purchased in lots from Zachariah G. Whitney and Jonathan Mason, the deeds being recorded December 9, 1818, March 27, 1819 and April 5, 1822, and by an order of the selectmen, and under the direction of the Board of Health, St. Augustine's Cemetery was established.
The property constituted a lot of land with a frontage of one hun- dred and fifteen feet southerly on Dorchester Street, being bounded on the east by Sixth Street and on the west by Tudor Street, running through to F Street, having the same frontage on this thoroughfare as on Dorchester Street.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Immediately after its purchase a small brick building, later used as a chapel, was erected, and it was within this structure that the remains of the Rev. Francis Anthony Matignon, for twenty-six years pastor of the Church of the Holy Cross, a French exile, and one of the earliest Catholics in Boston, were interred.
ST. AUGUSTINE'S CEMETERY, From F Street-Showing Dorchester Street Gate.
Shortly after its purchase, a high wooden fence was erected on all four sides, shutting out effectively the view from the street. As this was evidently the first Catholic cemetery it was not long before it was being used extensively. The little structure within was later used for worship by the Catholics, being consecrated by Bishop Fenwick in 1833. Since its erection the remains of many prominent members of the Catholic clergy have been interred in the little chapel.
There are very few tombs in the cemetery, as the popular method of burial was in graves, and all the available space within the enclosure was taken many years ago. Many of these graves are marked with headstones, as a rule bearing lengthy epitaphs. Besides the ordinary headstones there are many large and elaborate monuments.
One of the most prominent of these is the one that stands before the little chapel erected to the memory of the Rev. Dr. T. J. O'Flaherty, who, through his religious controversy with Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher, became prominent, through his exceptional ability.
Among the many other clergyman buried in the cemetery may be mentioned Rev. John Mahoney, a curate of the church of the Holy Cross, who for several years conducted services in St. Augustine's chapel and who died December 29, 1839. Next to this grave lie the remains of Rev. Patrick Byrne who was ordained in 1820, the first priest to be ordained in Boston. He was the first rector of old St. Mary's Church, Charlestown, which was dedicated in 1829. Father
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IHISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Byrne had the distinction of being one of two priests who were in Bos- ton when Bishop Fenwick came here in 1825, the other being Vicar General William Taylor. Father Byrne died in 1844.
Beneath a large tomb table of granite, at the left of the chapel, the remains of Rev. Thomas Lynch are interred. He was the first rector of old St. Patrick's Church on Northampton Street and for a time was associated with Rev. Fr. Mahoney in directing affairs of St. Augustine's chapel. He died March 27, 1870.
A short distance from here the remains of Rev. James Maguire, who for many years was associated with the old Cathedral and who died March 5, 1850, are interred. A short distance beyond this grave is the resting place of the remains of Rev. John D. Brady who died in October 1847.
Among those of the pioneer laity are the parents and sister of Bishop Fitzpatrick, the parents of Archbishop John J. Williams, whose remains occupy one grave marked by a single headstone, and the parents and uncle of the late Patrick Donahoe. Mr. and Mrs. Tobias Boland, parents of Rev. John B. F. Boland and Rev. Leo P. Boland, whose remains are interred in the chapel, are buried here.
John Magner, who was one of the original committee formed in 1799 to raise funds for the first church and in whose tomb in the Old Granary Burying Ground the body of Rev. Fr. Matignon was placed until St. Augustine's Chapel was ready to receive it, is another whose remains rest here. In the same lot the body of Robert Magner, his nephew, one of the principal donors to the fund for the erection of the first church, and who died in 1823, are buried.
Among the other graves are those of Patrick Mooney, exiled from Ireland in 1798 and who for 25 years was sexton of the Cathedral, and Thomas Murray the first sexton of the old chapel. The parents of Rev. Denis Mahoney of the Working Boys' Home of Chicago, the grandparents of the late Judge M. J. McCafferty, the wife and parents of Hon John B. Martin, the family of Mrs. Fallon, wife of Judge Joseph D. Fallon, Prof. M. J. Mooney who was a prominent organist, Mr. P. J. Mullin, Mr. J. M. Maguire, who for many years was sexton of St. Augustine's Church and who died at the age of 82 years in 1882, the parents of Assistant Chief John A. Mullen, B. F. D., Jackson Macdonald, the father, and Mrs. Margaret Wall, the grand- mother of A. F., Dr. Wm. G., E. A. and F. X. Macdonald, the parents and grandmother of Matthew J. Mullen, members of the family of Edward F. Meany, J. A. Mahoney, the Madigan family and Mrs. James J. Flynn, all lie buried here.
William Sommers and his wife Ann, Mr. Lavery and his wife Ann, and Francis and Elizabeth Lavery, representing three genera- tions, are buried here, the fourth and fifth generations being repre- sented in the family of Mr. John W. Lavery of Dorchester Street. Ex-Alderman James Powers, father of Miss Elizabeth Powers, president
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of the Young Ladies' Charitable Association, is buried in a tomb in a corner of the cemetery.
Another grave of note is that of Mrs. Celeste Robin Delogny, widow of John Noel Destrehan, who came from the south early in the nineteenth century and who was noted for her many charitable acts. Her grave is marked by a conspicuous stone upon which is inscribed the fact that she was attended in her last illness by Rev. Fr. Taylor, who was vicar-general and administrator of the diocese 1823-25. Others who found a last resting place in this cemetery are Lieut. Thomas Mooney quartermaster 9th Mass. Volunteers, died March 29, 1863, Lieut. Nicholas Barrett 28th Mass. Volunteers, killed in the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, Rev. John D. Brady and his brother James Brady, John and other members of the Lappen family, Nicholas Thornton, ex-Alderman Christopher Connor and his wife Ellen, Patrick McGrady and his wife Ann, James Driscoll and his wife Johanna, Michael and John Flanagan, Patrick and Ann Lappen, John Bralley, William Gleeson and J. Gleeson and members of their families, Timothy Nunan and Jeremiah Harrington, old sextons of St. Augus- tine's Chapel, Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. White and six children, and many others.
The ravages of time and weather are strongly visible in the little cemetery, where many of the stones have been injured and in many cases the inscriptions wholly or partially worn off.
As every lot was disposed of years ago, only those who have rela- tives buried in the cemetery are in possession of deeds. As far back as 1850 an oridnance was passed prohibiting further interments in the cemetery, but on the case being tested it was found that the act was illegal.
Besides the many priests mentioned who have been buried in the cemetery, the greater number of the pioneer clergy are buried beneath the sanctuary of the little chapel, reference to which is made in the history of St. Augustine's Chapel, mentioned in another section of this volume.
While services were held in the chapel considerable care and atten- tion was given the cemetery, but after the chapel fell into disuse, the cemetery and chapel gradually fell into a neglected state and for a time were in a much decayed and neglected condition.
In June, 1892, through the efforts of those who had members of their families interred there, an association was formed with one object in view, - the care and preservation of both chapel and cemetery.
This body took the name of St. Augustine's Cemetery Improve- ment Association its officers being, Rev. Dennis O'Callaghan D. D. P. R., president, Chief John A. Mullen treasurer, and Misses Della Mullen, Ellen Murtagh and Margaret Crowley secretaries. The mem- bership comprises all those who have relatives interred in the chapel or cemetery.
Immediately after its formation the work of restoring the place began and it is to this association that the present beautiful appearance
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
of the old cemetery and chapel are due. Funds were secured through monthly assessments and donations and from social events given by the association. With this money grave-stones were placed in their origi- nal positions, the grounds properly cleaned and other matters attended to. The most extensive piece of work was the erection of a neat stone wall surmounted by an iron picket fence, with entrances on Dorchester and F Streets, each of which are surmounted by a fancy iron arch bear- ing the words, "St. Augustine's Cemetery."
The most recent interment of a person of prominence was that the venerable and patriotic Irishman, Patrick Donahoe, who died March 17, 1901, at the age of 90 years and who was buried here March 20, 1901.
UNION CEMETERY. - Though this burying-ground was the latest of the several to be set apart, it is not commonly known either by loca- tion or name. It is the smallest lot that was ever set apart in this district. This lot was sold by the trustees of the Warren Association to Adam Bent of South Boston October 30, 1841. It fronts on East Fifth street one hundred and ten feet, and is bounded on the east by the land of the association fifty-five feet, on the north by the Hawes Burying ground one hundred and eleven feet, and on the west by land formerly of Jonathan Phillips forty-three feet.
Situated as it is, the Union Cemetery immediately adjoining the Hawes Burying Ground, separated only by an iron fence, the two have the appearance of one, and combined they are often referred to as the Hawes Burying Ground.
Most of the space in the yard was devoted to tombs, fifteen having been originally erected and besides these there are five burial lots.
CHAPTER X.
SOCIETIES AND CLUBS.
Numerous organizations and societies in the district - Yacht Clubs - South Boston Citizens' Association - City Point Catholic Association - South Boston Republi- can Club - Shawmut Rowing Club -St. Augustine's Lyceum -Cycle Clubs- Dahlgren Post 2, G. A. R. - Washington Post 32 G. A. R. - Other Veteran Or- ganizations - Charitable Associations - Fraternal and secret societies.
I T is a well known fact that South Boston has many and various or- ganizations and societies, from the small club of a private, social or literary nature, to the large and influential organizations such as the Masons, Knights of Columbus and Odd Fellows.
The district has some of the finest and best managed clubs in the state, including, in the number, several yacht, political, social and frater- nal organizations, many of them occupying excellent quarters.
THE BOSTON YACHT CLUB. - This organization has the distinc- tion of being the second yacht club organized in Boston or vicinity and is, today, the oldest club of its kind. In 1834 the first yacht club was organized, but ended its existence in 1837. From that time until the organization of Boston Yacht Club in 1866, there was no such club in or about Boston. In the latter year a party of gentlmen banded them- selves together for the purpose of starting a yacht club, and incidentally to promote a social feeling among yachtsmen, and two years later, the body thus organized, secured a charter, the Boston Yacht Club being thus the first organization of its kind to be chartered in this state.
Its growth was remarkable, for, within ten years, the membership grew to 250 and there were eighty yachts enrolled under the club pen- nant. Considerable property was acquired during this time and an excellent club-house was constructed on a pier that extended into Dor- chester Bay, between O and P Streets. This house was occupied until the advent of the Strandway, when the Park Commissioners provided locations for all the yacht clubs and the present handsome and com- modious house was erected.
SOUTH BOSTON YACHT CLUB. - February 5, 1868, the year that the Boston Yacht Club was chartered, the South Boston Yacht Club was organized, with John Greer as commodore, and, starting with but a few members, it had a rapid and strong growth, and, nine years after its birth it was incorporated. It then had forty-four yachts enrolled and a membership of 139.
A clubhouse had, in the meantime, been erected on land pur- chased at the foot of K Street, the structure costing $500. February 7, 1872 the building was moved to East Sixth Street, near Q Street, where better facilities were offered for yachting. The first open
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regatta of the club was held on Memorial Day, 1877, and since then has been an annual event.
1 GROUP OF CLUBHOUSES ON THE STRANDWAY.
Columiba Yacht Club. Puritan Canoe Club, Boston Yacht Club,
Owing to the rapid growth experienced by this club, it was again found necessary, in 1886, to improve their accommodations and the club- house was enlarged extensively and completely remodelled at a cost of $2500, and dedicated April 7, 1886.
Matters then progressed successfully, and with but few changes until 1899, when, through the advanced work on the Strandway, a change in location was necessary and the clubhouse had to be demol- ished, its site being within the lines of this magnificent boulevard. In return for the land the city granted a new location fur- ther south and weat, with a water front of 200 feet, the lot 100 feet deep, but insisted on the construction of a building to cost not less than $15,000. The money was raised on bonds and work on what is now
SOUTH BOSTON YACHT CLUB.
COMMODORE SIMON GOLDSMITH. South Boston Yacht Club.
the magnificent headquarters of the club was commenced, and has cost $19,000.
Through its ever increasing membership, this year (1901) it has
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
been found necessary to add a large wing, which, besides providing additional locker room, allows for a billiard room and bowling alleys, and the two large rooms in the main building are used for a lounging room and library. Besides these there are the reading room, ladies' reception room, spacious corridors, and a system of 103 lockers, while the roof garden, from which a delightful view of the bay and vicinity may be had, is a feature which cannot be equalled by any other club.
The membership of the South Boston Yacht Club is something over 350 and there are 150 yachts enrolled.
Commodore Simon Goldsmith, at present at the head of this well known organization, is a thorough yachtsman, and not only a great lover of the sport but an adept in the building and management of all pleasure craft. His flagship, the Pleasure, one of the best equipped steam yachts in the bay, was built by himself and is ably managed by him, on long or short trips. He has been elected commodore three successive years and during that time the club has made rapid strides, increasing greatly in membership so that the house had to be enlarged. Commodore Goldsmith is a resident of Roxbury, where he is quite prominent and owner of a large amount of property.
MOSQUITO FLEET YACHT CLUB. - With the object in view of racing and sailing small boats, there came into existence, August S, ISSS, another yacht club, that today, like those previously mentioned, is quite prominent on the Atlantic sea board. This is the Mosquito Fleet Yacht Club. It has ever had the reputation of being one of the most energetic racing organizations in this vicinity. Like its predeces-
MOSQUITO FLEET YACHT CLUB Foot of K Street
COMMODORE CHARLES P. MOONEY.
sors it started with but a few members, but its growth was rapid, and the year following its organization, with a membership of less than fifty, the first clubhouse was built, and occupied in April of that year. It
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occupied a site on the beach west of K Street not a great distance from the location of the present building.
Under the successive managements of Commodores Wells, Cher- rington, Bertram, Powers and Mooney it has made remarkable strides and in 1893 the clubhouse was enlarged. In February 1897 the pres- ent board of officers assumed control, with Commodore Charles P. Mooney at the head, and they were immediately compelled to face the problem of erecting a new building for their own convenience and also in compliance with the wish of the Park Commissioners. The latter body granted a site, after some delay, the old clubhouse was moved to the present location, thoroughly overhauled, enlarged and remodelled, until the present spacious and comfortable structure had assumed form. It is three stories high, with commodious verandas on all sides, with billiard and pool, lounging and reception rooms, besides a large dance hall, bowling alleys and magnificent locker facilities. The membership at the present time is close on to 300 and there are many yachts, large and small, owned by the members.
Commodore Charles P. Mooney, real estate and insurance business, is a City Point boy, born in 1870 of Patrick and Margaret Mooney. His early education was in the Tuckerman and the Lincoln Schools and after the three years' course at the English High School he graduated with high honors. For eight years he was with one of the largest in- surance offices in the city, serving as cashier and fire clerk for two years and afterward special agent for New England, settling fire losses and inspecting business. In October 1892 he formed a partnership with Thomas W. Flood, under the firm name of Flood and Mooney, and for eight years conducted a large business on West Broadway near Dor- chester St. This partnership was dissolved January 1, 1901, and then Mr. Mooney leased, for a long term of years, his present quarters in the remodelled building, 445 West Broadway. Mr. Mooney is unmarried and lives at 713 East 5th St. Ever interested in young men's organizations, he was one of the organizers of the City Point Catholic Association, being clerk of the corporation that effected the organization, and served as its first secretary for two years. He has ever been an
enthuasiast in co-operative savings and was a charter member of the Mt. Washington Co-operative Bank and has served as its secretary and treasurer since it started in 1893. Mr. Mooney has also been commo- dore of the Mosquito Fleet Yacht Club for the last five years, during which time that organization has made rapid strides. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and Royal Arcanum.
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