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 5
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The town records of a meeting held February 9, 1673, prove conclusively that the first house erected for dwelling purposes on Dor- chester Neck, was that of James Foster. The record says :
" The same day (February 9, 1673) it was granted to James Foster, liberty to take about fifteen or sixteen loads of timber out of the 500 acres toward the building an house."
James Foster was married six months later. The records also show that he lived at the Neck previous to 1675.
In a book compiled by Mr. Francis E. Blake, " Dorchester Neck," much information is given concerning this Foster house and also other early dwellings at the Neck.
The Foster estate comprised all the territory now lying between Dorchester and D Streets, with Sixth Street on the south and the
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
harbor on the north. The house was situated on the spot where now is the Dahlgren Memorial Hall, formerly the E Street Congregational Church, corner of E and Silver Streets.
Mr. Foster's house was in a very desirable locality, commanding a fine view of Boston, Charlestown and the surrounding country, as well as of the harbor. It was upon quite a rise of ground, the land sloping westerly, northerly and southerly. Until after 1800 it was the only house west of Dorchester Street.
The estate included meadows, salt marsh, pasture lands, an orchard and also a slate quarry. The ledge of slate extended over quite an area, and as late as 1850 indications of this quarry could be seen at the corner of F Street and Broadway. Another portion appeared above the surface on the lot near the corner of E and Bowen Streets. In 1676 Capt. Foster gave this lot to his son, Hopestill, which was called the " quarry meadow," with the profits thereof, indi- cating that the stone was valuable at that time. Many of the old stones in the Dorchester cemetery were cut here, but in later years the quality of the slate was not sufficiently good to warrant further operations.
It is not known at what time the original Foster house was destroyed, but it is presumed that it had been replaced previous to 1763 by a more imposing structure.
Then there was the Blake house, the second dwelling at Dor- chester Neck. In the division of lands at the Neck, the Blake estate was laid out at the extreme end of the Point, comprising all the land east of O Street.
James Blake, who erected the first Blake house about 1680 or 1681, was the son of William Blake who came to New England before 1636.
The elder Blake built a house in Dorchester, which is still stand- ing, although in a different location, now near the Five Corners, Boston and Cottage Streets.
The town records of November 14, 1681, show that Deacon James Blake was given liberty to take 120 hundred of clapboards for his new house.
It was near the present southeast corner of P Street and East Broadway that the James Blake house was built, and was about a mile distant from the Foster house.
Although isolated from the settlement in Dorchester it was a delightful location for a house, with nothing to obstruct the beautiful view of the harbor and settlement in various directions. The road, or cart path, called the " Way to the Castle " was the only public road from Dorchester and was used to transport supplies to the soldiers at Castle William.
Over this same road Deacon James Blake and family rode to the meeting-house in Dorchester, not infrequently hindered from passing
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON,
over the " causeway " (now Boston Street) by the high tides flooding the roadway to the depth of several feet.
The Bird estate, at the close of the 17th century, included about all between G and I Streets, from the "Way to the Castle" to the south shore. During this time, however, there was no house on the estate.
Capt. John Withington lived at the Neck, but just when is not known. His house was on Sixth Street, between I and K Streets, and was occupied by him about 1690. The estate included all that is now between I and K Streets, and Emerson Street to the south shore.
The records show that Capt. John Withington was a selectman in 1686 and 1688, and it is believed he was chosen from Dorchester Neck. He participated in the Canada invasion, at the head of a company of soldiers from Dorchester, most of whom never returned. In March 1694, the captain's death being no longer in doubt, administration was granted upon his estate.
Along the eastern boundary of the Withington estate, about 125 feet west of the present K Street, was the road to Powow Point, run- ning to the water's edge, and this afforded a fine entrance to the With- ington estate. Powow Point was so called because of the resort of the Indians there in the early days.
This road was very early laid out by the town through Mr. With- ington's estate. At this " Point " was a remarkably fine well of spring water, seen at half tide, and the citizens used the water extensively.
In 1686 Richard Mather owned a farm of thirty-two acres on the Neck. In March of this year he mortgaged the farm and buildings for £35 and soon afterwards removed to Lyme, in the Connecticut Valley. This mortgage was never cancelled, but January 9, 1687, he sold to Isaac Jones the entire estate, with the dwelling thereon, for £250.
In 1694 Isaac Jones conveyed the property to his son Ebenezer, who had occupied the premises after Mr. Mather's removal to Lyme. The Jones family was identified with the estate for fifty years after- ward.
The estate first owned by Mather and later by Jones embraced all the land between I and K Streets, from Emerson Street to the water's edge beyond First Street.
Shortly after his second marriage, about 1696, to the widow of Capt. John Withington, James White lived near the corner of N and Third Streets. The house was built about 1694.
Thus were located the three houses and several estates previous to the close of the 17th century.
The town of Dorchester chose no representative to the General Court in 1687 owing to the fact that Sir Edmond Andros was in power and the townspeople, being much discontented with his new govern- ment, paid but scant attention to the orders of governor and council.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Some idea of the compensation representatives to the General Court received may be had from the town record of March 11, 1690, wherein it is stated "it is proposed to the town what they would allow their representatives or deputies, Timothy Tileston and Samuel Clap for their attendance at the General Court this year, and it was voted to allow them six shillings a week."
The value of land in Dorchester Neck varied according to the location. In 1690 a choice piece of upland sold at £4 per acre, and in 1694 a lot of twelve acres in the vicinity of E Street and Broadway, sold for £40 in English currency.
An association of young men was formed on Christmas day, 1698, the first in the town, and it remained in existence 150 years, or until 1848.
After 1700 much of the land at Dorchester Neck changed hands owing to the death of the first proprietors and the division among the various heirs.
CHAPTER VII.
WARS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
Trouble with Indians in other sections of New England-Dorchester settlers volunteer in these disputes-Pequot war and what caused it-Massachusetts companies partici- pate-King Phillip's war-Canada Invasion-List of soldiers from Dorchester participating in the Invasion of Canada.
A ROUND their own homes there was but little trouble for the Dorchester settlers, from the Indians. The Massachusetts tribes were comparatively peaceful and those that belonged to the Neponset tribe, about Dorchester, cared nothing for possessions or con- quest, but lived at peace with the world.
But in other sections of New England there was trouble, and even in other sections of Massachusetts there were numerous instances of cruel butchery by the Indians, and perhaps cruel treatment of the Indians by the white men, all of which tended to widen the breach.
Whenever there was serious trouble in any of the colonies, and assistance was needed, the Dorchester settlers were always among the first to volunteer for the assistance of their less fortunate neighbors.
In Rhode Island and Connecticut the Pequots were always at war with the English settlers, and the discovery of the murder of Capt. John Oldham caused the Pequot war, which finally resulted in the ex- termination of that tribe.
Capt. John Shallop, a mariner from Boston, while on a trading expedition, put into Block Island to trade with the Indians. As he neared the island he saw a vessel which indicated that those on board knew but little about the management of the vessel. Approaching nearer he saw that it was in the possession of Indians. Though his men numbered but four he determined to capture the piratical vessel, which he soon made her out to be.
After the first fire Capt. Shallop stood off some little distance and then approached, the prow of his craft aimed directly against the quarter of the enemy.
After a short and decisive battle he boarded the strange craft and there found the body of Capt. Oldham near an old seine. The head had been severed. Shallop exclaimed, " Ah, brother Oldham ! is it thee ? I am resolved to avenge thy death." And he did avenge him.
Capt. Oldham, loved and respected by all who knew him, was mourned by many. His untimely death and the continuance of such atrocities nerved the settlers and they determined to punish the aggres- sive Pequots.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
In Massachusetts five companies of militia were formed, com- manded by Capt. John Underhill, Capt. Nathaniel Turner, Ensign William Jennison and Ensign Richard Davenport, and they, with a company from Dorchester under Israel Stoughton, joined the expedition which was in command of Gov. Endicott. The forces were sent out in August and September, 1636.
The finishing blow in the war with the Pequots was struck in 1637, when additional men were called for, of which Dorchester furnished seventeen. The Pequots numbered 700 and occupied eastern Con- necticut, and ruled part of Long Island.
It was in July, 1637, that the war was ended, and it was largely through the efforts of the Dorchester military company under Israel Stoughton.
After suffering heavy losses the Pequots attempted to escape into the wilderness, westward. Capt. Stoughton, with a Massachusetts company, pursued them along Long Island sound.
With Saccasus, their sachem, the Pequots took shelter in a swamp near Fairfield, and after another severe fight, surrendered, but their sachem and a very few followers escaped. These latter fled to join the Mohawks, who treacherously murdered them. The prisoners were sold into slavery or incorporated with other tribes. Not a warrior, not a squaw, not a child survived.
King Phillip's war created much excitement in Connecticut, and in 1676 the following soldiers from the town of Dorchester were in Capt. Johnson's company, fighting the Indians : Henry Ware, Hope- still Humphrey, John Spurr, Ebenezer Hill, Nicholas Weymouth, John Plummer, Charles Capin, Thomas Grant, Thomas Davenport and Robert Stanton.
Phillip of Mounthope was the youngest son of Massasoit, the old sachem of the Wampanoags, who died in 1602.
There had been a treaty with old Massasoit and the Plymouth settlers, but after his death his descendants yearned for the freedom their fathers enjoyed before the English arrived. This, and personal grievances, led to the war.
The Wampanoags had nothing left but two narrow peninsulas of Bristol and Tiverton, on the eastern coast of Narragansett Bay.
The Indians attacked the villages and killed the white people. The militia of Plymouth, augmented by the soldiers from Boston and vicinity, entered the enemy's country and the war was on.
The scene of conflict was transferred from Narragansett Bay to the Connecticut valley and then to central Massachusetts, Phillip fleeing to these places, each time pursued.
The war, which was a long and bitter one, extended into Lan caster, Groton and Marlboro, all of which were laid in ashes, and Wey mouth, twenty miles from Dorchester, met a similar fate.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
The death of King Philip was due to treachery, he being slain by an arrow from an Indian who had once been his friend. The entire tribe had been nearly wiped out and Philip had retired to an obscure spot at his old haunts in Mount Hope. A company of soldiers, guided by this faithless Indian, was sent in search of him and the Indian fired first, killing the old chieftain.
The expense of this war was about $500,000; thirteen villages and 600 dwellings were burned, and 600 white men had fallen in battle.
From the ending of that war there was comparative peace with the Indians in New England, for the few that remained were submissive and the colonists returned to their farms to rebuild their homes and begin life anew. But aid and comfort, in the shape of money and pro- visions, arrived from England in 1677.
In 1690 a large company of soldiers was raised in Dorchester to embark on the expedition to Canada. Forty-six of the company never returned, most of them supposed to have been lost at sea.
The following is a list of the company, as found among the papers of Ebenezer Clap, son of Nathaniel Clap, who was one of the leading citizens of the town when the company was raised :
"CANADY SOLDIERS."
A LIST OF THE NAMES OF THE SOLDIERS UNDER THE COMMAND OF CAPT. JOHN WITHINGTON, OCTOBER 3, 1690.
Capt. John Withington Sergt. Ammiel Weeks Corp. John Poope
Lieut. George Minot Sergt. Richard Butt Corp. Joseph Curtis
Corp. George Holmes
Ensign Samuel Summer Sergt. Samuel Sumner Joseph Weeks, Clerk. Joseph Trescott, Drummer.
Ebenezer Sumner Adam Barr
Those on board Capt. Bay
Henry Lyon
James Robinson
Corp. Daniel Hensha
Eliab Lyon
Cornelius Tileston William Blake
Unight Modsley
Richard Ewins
John Gulliver
William Cheney
Samuel Hicks
William George
Peter Calley
John Tolman
Joseph Atherton
Ebenezer Poope
John Jones
Samuel Triscott
William Sumner
Ebenezer Crane
Thomas Keltom
Eleazer Walles
Samuel Chandler
John Morrill
William Cooke
William Fowst
James Morey
Joseph Long
William Belsher
Edward Clap
Thomas Weeks
David Stevenson
Jehosephat Crabtree
Thomas Andrews
Henry Jackson Thomas Bird Augustin Clements
Robert Husay Charles Readman
Edward Wiatte
William Swift
William Baker
Benjamin Hewins
Moses Chaplin
Matthew Mapley
Hopestill Sandras
John Anderson
Elias Moonke
Solomon Clarke
John Leeds
John Lord
Isaac Caps Jezeniah Sumner
Consider Atherton
John Crowhore
John Briant
William Sumner
Samuel Sandras
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Many years afterward, about 1735, the General Court of Massa- chueetts granted to the survivors of that expedition, and to the heirs of those who were lost, a township in the northern part of Worcester county, which was called Dorchester Canada. This was incorporated into a town in 1765 and called Ashburnham. The rights of the land were sold from time to time and Hezekiah Barbour and Thomas Tile- ston purchased a large number of them.
CHAPTER VIII.
PROMINENT MEN OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
Rev. John Warham-Rev. John Maverick-Rev. Richard Mather-Israel Stoughton- William Stoughton-Henry Wolcott-Roger Ludlow-Roger Clap-Bernard Capen -John Capen-Roger Collicott-Capt. John Mason-Maj .- Gen. Humprey Atherton- Roger Williams-Hopestill Foster-James Foster-Thomas Wiswell-Enoch Wis- well-Oliver Wiswell-Bird family-Capt. John Withington-Isaac Jones-Ebenezer Jones-James White-William Blake-Deacon James Blake.
W HEREVER men dwell each is expected to do his share for the advancement of the interests of the community, and each, doing his humble part, endeavoring in every honest way to benefit his neighbor and himself, and make brighter the lives of those around him, not only is considered a respectable citizen of that com- munity, but by his manifestations of public spirit, he is a valuable member of society-in this country a loyal American.
Every generation has had such men, and the history of our country abounds in the lives of such in every generation. Although, perhaps, they may not achieve national distinction, yet they have performed their duty as it seemed to them and they manifested a desire to do more if need be.
To our forefathers, of the seventeenth century, the first settlers in Dorchester, is due undying glory for laying so well the foundations that time has made one of the best sections in the country, and a part of that marvellous Commonwealth which has borne so noble a part in the building of America.
Originally the entire section was known as Dorchester, the most eastern portion was afterward annexed to Boston and named South Boston, and later, Dorchester itself became a part of the metropolis of New England.
Although Rev. John White of Dorchester, England, never set foot on Dorchester soil, his name must be mentioned first in a list of some of the leading men of that century. Of all the expeditions sent out by him, the 140 passengers on the " Mary and John" were his especial pride.
As ministers of the Gospel Rev. John Warham and Rev. John Maverick performed well the duties incumbent upon them in attending to the spiritual welfare of the Dorchester settlers. After six years of faithful service in Dorchester, Rev. Mr. Warham went to Connecticut.
Rev. Mr. Maverick, assistant to Rev. Mr. Warham, was spoken of by Gov. Winthrop as a man of humble spirit, faithful in furthering the work of the Lord in the church and state. He devoted his entire time to administering to his flock. He was a friend to all and loved by them.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Rev. Richard Mather arrived in Boston in 1636. He accepted the call to Dorchester after careful deliberation and assumed the position made vacant by the departure of Rev. Mr. Warham. He died in April, 1 669.
Henry Wolcott, on his departure from England in the " Mary and John," was chosen one of the guardians and sponsors for the party, be- cause of his middle age and having an adult family. He was remark- able for intelligence and ability.
REV. RICHARD MATHER.
Roger Ludlow was one of the early arrivals. He was brother-in- law to Gov. Endicott, and his position as member of the Colonial govern- ment gave him influence in Dorchester. He built a house in the vicinity of Rock Hill. Two years after the settlement he secured a grant of 100 acres from the Colonial government. In 1634 he was chosen deputy governor and at the same time was employed to oversee the work on the Castle.
Israel Stoughton was the originator of many projects and he carried them through successfully. Shortly after his arrival in 1630 he became ensign of the Dorchester band, commanded by Capt. Mason. He was
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
a man of extraordinary forethought and intelligence. He built the first mill at Neponset bridge, was deputy to the General Court in 1634, and here, as elsewhere, his thought was largely to benefit his people and the town.
William Stoughton, son of Israel, possessed many of the excellent qualities of his father. He was educated in Harvard College, and then went to New College, Oxford. He was prominent in politics and was chief justice of the court, before which were held the trials of witches.
Roger Clap was one of the youngest passengers on the " Mary and John." In 1665 he was appointed commander of the Castle and upon the dissolution of the first charter, in 1686, he resigned that position, unwilling to lend his co-operation to the tyrannical schemes of Gov. Andros. He then removed to Boston where he died in 1691, at the age of 82.
Bernard Capen was an old man when he arrived in 1638, yet he took a promi- nent part in the affairs of the town. His gravestone is probably the oldest in New England.
John Capen, son of Bernard, was born in 1612. He was held in high esteem in Dorchester and was deacon of the church in 1658, selectman for many years, and repeatedly elected deputy, and for thirteen years was town recorder and wrote more in the records than any other man.
Roger Collicott is first mentioned in the records as a collector of furs in 1633. In 1636 he was trustee of the town and MR WILLIAM STOUGHTON was elected a deputy in 1637, was a charter member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, of which he was the first sergeant. He was engaged in commerce during his life, mostly with Maine. He later moved to Boston where he died in 1686.
There were several well trained military men among the settlers. Shortly after the settlement of Dorchester a military company was formed. Capt. John Mason, who arrived in 1630, on the " Mary and John," took command in 1633. He was employed in laying out the works at the Castle and also in fortifying Rock Hill in 1634. In 1635 he was a deputy to the General Court.
The chief military officer for New England was Maj-Gen. Hum- phrey Atherton, who commanded the Suffolk regiment. He arrived in Dorchester in 1636 and early showed a love of military affairs and joined the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of which he was
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
captain from 1650 to 1658. He was a friend to the Indians, mani- festing much sympathy for them in their degraded and ignorant con- dition.
Roger Williams was one of the earliest settlers in Dorchester, but afterwards removed to Boston.
Richard Hawes arrived in the " Freelove " in 1635 and was one of the most public spirited citizens.
Edward Rosseter joined the " Mary and John " passengers, him- self a seeker for religious freedom, and was an honored citizen. He, with Stoughton, were the largest grantees of land in Dorchester.
Nathaniel Duncan was a selectman from 1635 to 1645, was a charter member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, and was a most successful merchant.
Of the early settlers in Dorchester those who took particular interest in the portion known as Dorchester Neck, now South Boston, were the Fosters, Wiswells, Blakes, Withingtons, Mathers, Jones, and White families.
Of these early families at Dorchester Neck the best information is secured from the work of Mr. Francis E. Blake, a descendant of the well known Blake family. He sets forth therein that the first house on the Neck was erected on the Foster estate, preceding the Blake house by but a few years.
In the year 1635, Hopestill Foster, then a boy of fourteen, with his mother, came from England and settled in Dorchester. He, in time, became closely identified with the interests of the town and was one of its most influential inhabitants.
For many years he was one of the selectmen, in 1652 was a deputy to the General Court and in many other positions he served the town faithfully and well, He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1642 and of the Dorchester Training Band in 1644, whence he obtained his military title of ensign and captain.
The frequent recurrence of his name in connection with public affairs, as well as the more personal relations with his neighbors, attest the excellence of his character, and the esteem in which he was held. The brief record of his death, is very comprehensive : " This year (1676) Died Capt. Hopestill Foster, Ocbr. 15, So often Improved in ye Town & Countrys Service."
James Foster, the eldest son of Capt. Hopestill and Mary (Bates) Foster, was born April 13, 1651. He was twice married, the first time, September 22, 1674, to Mary Capen, and the second time to Mary Lane. It is reasonable to conclude that about the time of his first marriage he lived at the Neck, for mention is made in his father's will of the son's house " where he was living in 1676."
Thomas Wiswell and his son Enoch Wiswell were early settlers in Dorchester and owned lands at the Neck.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Oliver Wiswell, son of Enoch, was born January 25, 1665, in Dorchester ; June 1, 1690, married Sarah Baker. He was a cordwainer by trade. It is believed that he went to the Neck about the time of the division of his father's estate in 1710, at which time he doubtless secured possession of the lands.
The first mention of the Bird family in connection with the Neck lands is in 1677, when Thomas, John and James Bird, brothers, bought of Samuel Farnsworth, eighteen acres of land for " fifty pounds in good and lawfull money of this Country. "
Thomas Bird, the eldest, probably purchased his brothers' rights in this estate. for a few years later the title appears in his own name. He was son of Thomas and Ann Bird.
Benjamin Bird, the son, was born in Dorchester, 1686, and married Johanna Harris and by her had fifteen children. He resided in Boston for a time, but later returned to the Neck.
Capt. John Withington was an early resident at the Neck. His grandfather, Elder Henry Withington, who died in 1666, was the owner of twenty-four acres of plowed land which he gave to his son Richard, father of Captain John. The latter, doubtless, received this by gift from his father, as it does not appear in the father's estate in 1701.
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