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 6
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
It is not known at what time John Withington built a house upon his lands at the Neck, but it is a fact that as early as 1690 he was living there. But little is known of him, except that in 1690 he commanded a company of soldiers from Dorchester and vicinity in the Canada In- vasion and never returned.
In 1686 Richard Mather owned a farm of thirty-two acres on the Veck. He was a son of Timothy Mather and was born in Dorchester, in 1653. The father, in 1667, was taxed for twenty-eight acres of plowed land.
Mr. Mather, July 1, 1680, married Catherine Wise, and perhaps in anticipation of this marriage began his preparations for building a house.
Isaac Jones, who lived at " Jones Hill " (near the present Stoughton Street, Dorchester), conveyed the property in 1694 to his son Ebenezer, who, we are inclined to believe, had occupied the premises after Mr. Mather's removal. The family of Jones was identified with the estate more than fifty years.
Ebenezer Jones, who was born in Dorchester December 20, 1661, was a " yeoman " and doubtless led a quite life at the Neck, his name not being mentioned in any connection with public service.
James White, son of Ebenezer and Patience White, was the owner of land at the Neck as early as 1667. It is supposed that he built a house on the Neck before 1696. James married Sarah Baker, who died in 1688, and in 1696 he married the widow of his former neighbor, Capt. John Withington.
52
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Of Mr. White's character, his public or private life, we have no record. Neither is it clear that he lived, after his second marriage, at the Withington homestead. He died November 11, 1713.
William Blake was born in Pitminister, Somerset County, Eng- land, in 1594. He married there in 1617 and with five children came to New England sometime between 1630 and 1636. He settled in Dorchester and in 1637 shared in the division of the lands at the Neck. His son, James, was an active man, "much in public service," being ruling elder, deacon, recorder, etc. Previous to 1650 he built, in the northerly part of the town, a house which is still standing, although removed from its former location. Mr. Blake died in 1710, leaving by will, to his son James, " all my Land at Dorchester Neck, adjoyning to his house that he dwells in ; all my Lands on both sides of the way to. the Castle, being about six and thirty acres."
Deacon James Blake built the second house erected on the Neck, as is shown in the town records.
Mr. James Blake's attention was given to farming, although he was occasionally elected for town service. He was deacon of the. church twenty-three years, refusing, however, to serve as elder, although chosen to that office. His last years were years of suffering, and he died, October 22, 1732, at the age of eighty. His grave is in the old cemetery in Dorchester.
CHAPTER IN.
DORCHESTER, 1700 TO 1750.
Few houses at Dorchester Neck at the opening of the eighteenth century -The will of Capt. Foster - The Wiswell family - The Bird family - Withington heirs allowed his property - Ebenezer Jones' quiet life - White and Blake families - Public spirit everywhere apparent - Change of Ministers - Frosts result in much suffering - Dorchester settlers participate in the war between France and England.
A LTHOUGH there was some change in the proprietors of land at the Neck, after 1700, yet there was but little difference in the num- ber of polls, houses, and acres of fertile land between that year and 1750.
At the opening of the 18th century there were but few houses on the peninsula and these were on the Foster estate, the Blake house, the Ebenezer Jones homestall, Capt. Withington's former home, but which, after his death in the Canada invasion, came into the possession of his widow, who married James White ; and also the house of James White, near the corner of N and Third Streets, which was afterward sold to Oliver Wiswell, Jr.
In 1725 there were but seven dwellings, as can be seen by the accompanying map, the Foster house on E Street near Fourth Street, the Wiswell house on Fourth Street just above the old road, the Bird house on Fifth Street near H Street, the Withington house on Sixth Street, between I and K Streets, the Jones house on Third Street near K Street, the White house, corner of Third and N Streets, and the Blake house, corner of Broadway and P Street.
On the death of Capt. Hopestill Foster, October 15, 1676, a large estate, valued at £1402 6s. 8d., was left, suitable provision being made for his wife, after whose death the property was to be divided among the children. A valuable portion of the lands was located at the Neck. To his sons, Comfort and Standfast, he gave " land at Leeke Hill reserv- ing a convenient piece on ye south side next ye high way for a meeting- house if such an occasion bee." Leek Hill was an eminence near the present corner of Second and Dorchester Streets. At the time of the bequest there was no occasion for a meeting-house in this locality, but it is probable that Capt. Foster anticipated that a greater number of settlers would take up their homes on the peninsula, earlier than was really the case.
The lot was sold a few years later with the meeting-house reserva- tion, but it was entirely ignored in subsequent transfers. Without question this may be regarded as the first reference on record to the possible religious wants of the residents of the Neck. No house for
54
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Seventh
Sixth
Fifth
Fourth
Broadway
Third
--
4
B
C
Foster
D
Wiswell
E
G
S
N
Bird
H
I
Withington
Mather-Jones
K
L
M
White Wiswell
N
0
P
Blake
Q
SOUTH BOSTON, 1725-1875. (DRAWN BY MR. FRANCIS E. BLAKE.)
55
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
religious worship, however, was erected anywhere on the peninsula until shortly before 1820.
The elder James Foster inherited some of the characteristics of his father, Hopestill, and, although not so prominent as he in public life, yet he served the town in many official capacities and was held in high esteem. He was also inclined to military service and for many years bore the title of Captain. He died October 4, 1732, aged eighty-one years and six months, and was buried in the old burying ground at Dor- chester.
He devised by will his large estate to his wife and nine children, six daughters and three sons, James, John and Hopestill.
Among other bequests of Capt. Foster to his son, James, was one before mentioned, of certain lands at the Neck with "the house and barn where he now lives." James Foster was the one who built the first house on the Neck. West of the Foster house was an orchard of several acres, which, in 1720, with a cider mill house, he gave to his son, James, as a start in the battle of life.
The eldest son, Capt. James Foster, Jr., received the homestead and adjoining lands. Little is known of him or his family, and it is supposed that he led a quiet, domestic life, never having held public office.
The old records show that about 1710 Oliver Wisell, son of Enoch, removed to the Neck. This was about the time of the division of his father's estate, and it is supposed that he then came into possession of the lands.
The location of his house, at the foot of Strawberry Hill, the most westerly of the Twin Hills, was very near where the Bird schoolhouse now stands, on Fourth Street, foot of Pacific Street. A lane to the house left the main road " Way to the Castle" probably about where Silver Street now passes east from Dorchester Street.
Mr. Wiswell, in 1727, gave to his son, Oliver, in consideration of his living with his parents while the other sons had been learning trades, the westerly part of his dwelling house and cellar, and two acres of land about the house, the use of the well of water and the westerly half of the garden. The house faced to the north and the two acres extended along the road to the Castle, now Dorchester Street, to Third Street.
In 1732, Mr. Wiswell gave to his son, Enoch, the easterly portion of his dwelling, with a large part of the orchard. The fruit of the cherry trees on this estate, even to within the past twenty-five years, had a particularly fine flavor for the boys, and they were allowed to pick them without molestation. There were several transfers of real estate by this Wiswell family, but all trace of the old transfers has been lost. Mr. Wiswell died March 14, 1746, aged eighty-three.
The houses of Oliver Wiswell, Jr., and Enoch Wiswell, joined each other, and in fact were one building, each having his separate portion. The house was about fifty-six feet long and twenty feet wide.
56
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
It was Benjamin Bird, son of Thomas Bird, who built a house and dwelt upon the Neck, shortly after 1721. There is no evidence that any of the Bird family, before Benjamin, resided on the Neck. By the division of the property, Benjamin received a goodly portion, and after removing from Boston, where he had lived for a time, and afterwards in Dorchester, he resided at the Neck. He was quite an important man in the town and his name often appeared upon the records in official positions. He was also interested in other lands at the Neck.
The Bird house was situated to the south of the easterly hill, on which is now the Perkins Institution, upon or very near the spot that later was so well known as the Dr. Samuel G. Howe homestead. Al- though shut out from much of the view of the harbor, and of Boston and Charlestown, which many of the other settlers of the Neck enjoyed, yet the main settlement in Dorchester was plainly in sight.
Whether or not in early years Mr. Bird had the right of way through his neighbor Wiswell's lands, corresponding to what a century later was known as Bird lane, does not appear in any of the records or sources of information. It appears likely, as in after years, there was a private road from the house, running northerly, parallel with G Street. There are also indications on old maps and plans that there was a way that left the main road at the " Mouth of the Neck " at about Dor- chester and Ninth Streets, and extended around on the southerly side of the hills. Mr. Bird died suddenly, March 29, 1757.
On the death of Capt. John Withington, his wife and five children, who are named in the division of the property, lived in the house close to the " Way to Powow Point." The house was a low structure, com- mon in those days, having but one story with a garret above. The five children were Richard, Samuel, Elizabeth, Hannah and Susannah. The eldest son, Richard, received two-thirds of the house and the lands immediately adjoining. At the death of his mother, November 19, 1722, he became possessor of her share, and it is supposed that he resided on this estate until his own death, March 18, 1749.
From the will of Richard Withington it is supposed that he had added another story to the house, as it is described as " two stories and a garret," and measured forty feet by twenty feet. It was appraised at £200, a barn at £50, corn barn at £20 and there are mentioned thirty-eight acres of land. It is interesting to note the articles of house- hold furniture and utensils described in the inventory. There was an old cupboard and an old chest of drawers, one oval table, two other tables, ten chairs and a looking-glass, spinning wheels, pillion and a great variety of miscellaneous articles.
Ebenezer Jones was the son of Isaac Jones of Dorchester. Isaac bought the Mather estate in 1687 for £250, current money of New England.
There are many indications that Ebenezer Jones lived a quiet life with his family on their farm at the Neck. This farm embraced much
57
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
of the territory between I and K Streets and from Emerson to First Streets. There was a good sized house and a barn and about thirty- two acres of land. The house was two stories with a garret, and men- tion is made in the papers of the Jones family of a lower room, a bedroom, a chamber and a garret. A well was situated near the house, and near the barn was a pond reserved for the cattle.
About forty years before his death, in 1735, Mr. Jones sold eleven acres from the eastern side of his farm to his son, Ichabod, giving him liberty to use a well of water " where he now dwells." There is no record of a house on this eleven acre lot of Ichabod's, for more than fifty years subsequent to the conveyance, but a barn is mentioned in several papers.
On the death of the elder Jones, in 1735, six children survived, five of whom subsequently had families and homes of their own. The value of Mr. Jones' estate in 1735 was £1488 os. 6d., the house being rated at £160, and seventeen acres of the homestead lands at £510, the latter being at the rate of about one-third of a cent per square foot.
From the tract of land owned by Ichabod Jones, in the neighbor- hood of what is now K Street, or a little to the west of that street, a wharf was built, extending into the harbor. This is the first mention of a wharf at the Neck. It was afterward used as the landing place for the ferry between Boston and South Boston.
Of James White but little is known. In 1713 he owned a lot of thirty acres upon which stood a dwelling-house. It is not known where he lived after his second marriage, in 1696, with the widow of Capt. John Withington. He died, November 1I, 1713, leaving but little property and little money to his wife. A few weeks before his death he sold to James Blake the house and barn with seventeen acres of land which were on the northerly side of the Neck, between our present M and N Streets, embracing a large part of the tract for many years, in the 19th century, known as the City Lands. With a lot of seven acres adjoining, this was sold, March 10, 1738, and three days after- ward was again transferred to Oliver Wiswell, Jr. It is not known whether or not Mr. Wiswell occupied the house; it is supposed, though, that he did live there.
William Blake, a settler between 1630 and 1636, and who died about 1700, by his will, left to his son, James Blake, all the land at Dorchester Neck adjoining the house that James was then dwelling in, and all lands on both sides of the "Way to the Castle," being about thirty-six acres.
James Blake died October 22, 1732, at the age of eighty, and he bequeathed to his son, James, who was born in the old house, April 29, 1688, the new dwelling-house and barn and orchard, and all the land lying on both sides of the house, on the "Way to the Castle," forty- four acres in all. By the will, dated August 8, 1721, it appears that the first Blake house had been replaced by a new one, previous to 1721.
58
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
The greater part of the life of Mr. Blake was devoted to public service and he was held in high esteem by every one. For twenty-four years he was town clerk and at various times filled other important offices. His records alone cover more than a thousand pages. He was a skilful surveyor and his plans are models of neatness and accuracy. His death occurred December 4, 1750, and his son, Samuel, succeeded to the estate,
During this time the town meetings were quite interesting. The male residents seemed to vie with each other, eager to propose some- thing for the good of the community. Throughout the colony it was the same ; there seemed to be a desire on the part of all to advance, not only self interests, but the prosperity of all.
In 1729, Rev. John Danforth, who had been sole minister for forty-seven years, having become aged, was replaced by Rev. Jonathan Bowman, who was called by the church to act as colleague pastor. He was ordained November 5, 1729. Rev. Mr. Danforth died, May 26, 1730.
A terrible frost affected the corn crops in 1740, and even after it was gathered, a long series of rains and more frost damaged it still greater. There was, consequently, but little seed to be had for the following spring. So cold was the winter that the harbor was frozen and many parties crossed from the point at Dorchester Neck to Castle Island.
The following spring there was a great scarcity of grain. Wheat sold at thirty shillings a bushel, rye twenty-two shillings and Indian corn for twenty shillings, paper currency.
A new meeting-house was built in 1744.
There was another scarcity of corn in 1748, and much suffering. It was not owing to any failure of the crops, but because the greater part of the crop had been sent to the French plantations upon the cessation of hostilities.
During the summer of 1749 there was a terrible drought through- out the country. It was the worst ever known and there were grave fears for the future. It was a very dry spring and by the latter part of May the ground was bare and the grass burned. The earth itself was dry like powder, and all the wells, springs, brooks and small rivers were dried up, streams that were never before known to fail. Even the fish in the rivers died and the pastures were so scorched that there was nothing green to be seen and the cattle were poor. Hay was scarce, there having been but very little cut in the first crop. Barley and oats were so scarce that many had nothing but the seed and many cut down the grain before it was ripe to use it for fodder. Flax almost wholly failed as did also herbs of all kinds, and the Indian corn rolled up and withered. The people were desperate and death stared them in the face.
59
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
The government proclaimed a day of fasting and prayer during the latter part of June, and on July 6, there was a great downfall of rain and the face of the earth was completely altered. The grass, that was thought to be dead, revived ; Indian corn recovered and there was a very good harvest. God was also good in giving them a moderate winter and thus many of the cattle, that otherwise might have died, were saved.
So grateful were the people for the rain that had fallen that all united in a day of Thanksgiving.
In March, 1744, war between England and France being declared, the English colonies in America took part, and Massachusetts furnished a large number of troops.
In 1746 the people of Dorchester, like those of the neighboring towns, were troubled at the approach of a strong fleet from France consisting of thirty men of war, sixty-seven transports, besides land forces of 40,000 arms, twenty-five mortars and fifty brass field pieces. The ships of war had on board 8,000 disciplined troops, and this body, with those gathered at Menis and many of the French of Nova Scotia, who would have joined, would surely have made much trouble for the colonists.
Castle William was garrisoned and much repairing done there and among other batteries around Boston. Hulks were prepared to stop the channel by sinking them, and about half the regiments of the country were assembled in Boston and the lower towns.
The one great hope was the expected arrival of Admiral Lesstock with a large fleet from England, who, it was supposed, would follow the enemy and relieve the people of anxiety.
But contrary winds prevented, and the danger grew more terrible. Yet God, in his Providence, was pleased to take an important part and He sent sickness among the French soldiers, the chief commander and the second in command being among the many that died.
There were also terrible storms that cast away several of the French ships and disabled others. So discouraged did all this make the French that they sailed away to France without striking a blow.
CHAPTER X.
DORCHESTER, 1750 TO 1775.
But seven dwellings on the Neck - Little progress made during this period - Happiness and prosperity continue - Repeal of the Stamp act - Town votes to encourage use of home products - Arrival of ships of war with British troops - Dorchester com- pliments the merchants of Boston - Nine resolutions passed by the town of Dor- chester which occasioned admiration of the entire colony - Taking of the Castle by the British, source of much regret - Committee of correspondence chosen by the town - Dorchester first to pay its Province tax to the Sons of Liberty - Military trainings in 1774 - Dorchester Neck in 1775 - House in "The Village" - Other houses - Rev. Mr. Bowman chosen minister.
N 1750 there were seven dwelling-houses on the Neck, one on the estate of James Blake, another on that of Benjamin Bird, one on the
Foster estate and another owned by the same James Foster but located on the Jones estate ; one house owned by Oliver Wiswell, Jr., another owned by heirs of Oliver Wiswell and the seventh owned by the heirs of Richard Withington.
The journey to the meeting-house in Dorchester, from Dorchester Neck, was usually pleasant, yet great precaution had to be taken lest the " Mouth of the Neck " should be flooded and thus obstruct the road homeward.
Throughout the entire Dorchester colony there was continued happiness and prosperity, yet there seemed to be, growing stronger and stronger each day, like in the other colonies of the new world, a more determined opposition to the contemptible methods of the English government, occasioned by the continued taxation on commodities sent from England, and innumerable other incidents that tended more and more to estrange the colonists from the mother country.
The new world was a heaven to them. There was no ruler, no monarch, no dictation as to what they must believe, or what they should do in a religious way. The gospel of Christ was preached to them by their ministers and they enjoyed a freedom which they loved and cared not to part with.
On all occasions wherein the colonists participated in matters of public importance, opposition to the rule of England, and afterwards the opposition by force of arms, the Dorchester colonists took a promi- nent and creditable part.
In 1761 there was argued before the Court in Boston the great cause in the matter of Writs of Assistance. This may be called the opening act of the Revolution. James Otis made the famous argument against it, and his effort was a masterly one.
61
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
When the repeal of the Stamp act was made known May 19, 1766, having passed the House of Commons and the House of Lords March 18, there was great rejoicing throughout the colony. Many demon- strations were held in Boston and there was a big celebration in Dor- chester.
The most intense excitement in the history of the Dorchester colony, as perhaps in all the colonies, was that after the repeal of the Stamp act, which excitement continued until long after the close of the Revolution.
Everywhere there was a determination to use only the products of the country and its manufactures. Dorchester was one of the first to take the step, and in 1767 the town voted to encourage the produce and manufactures of the country and lessen the use of foreign super- fluities. So it was that the colonists abstained from many luxuries and even many ordinary articles of food, and denied themselves, rather than submit to the taxation of England.
September 30, 1768, the long expected ships of war, with British troops aboard, arrived in the harbor. There were armed schooners, transports, etc., and they came up the harbor and anchored round the town. Their cannon were loaded and all made ready as if for a regular siege. These vessels were the Beaver, Senegal, Martin, Glasgow, Marmaid, Romney, Lancaster and Bonetta, which, with the vessels already in the harbor, made twelve.
At noon, Saturday, October 4, the 14th and 29th regiments and a detachment from the 59th regiment and train of artillery, with two pieces of cannon, landed on Long wharf.
After forming line on the wharf, they marched with insolent par- ade, drums beating and fifes playing and colors flying, up King Street, each soldier having received sixteen rounds of powder and ball.
The arrival of this fleet was another step of the English govern- ment that further angered the colonists and helped to keep alive the spirit of rebellion and irritation.
The town of Dorchester, in 1770, complimented in handsomely prepared resolutions, the merchants of Boston, who had agreed not to import certain articles while the duty remained on them, such as glass, paper, etc., and voted not to purchase goods of those importers who would not also make similar agreements, and they also voted not to drink tea, except in cases of sickness, until the duty was removed.
January 4, 1773, the town of Dorchester unanimously passed nine resolutions in relation to Colonial affairs, taking a stand which made them admired by the entire colony. They set forth that the efforts of the British Parliament to impose upon the colonists laws, without their consent, was a usurpation ; that the wresting from the control of the Province its principal fortress (The Castle) was a great grievance; that an act of Parliament to hurry persons from their country for trial " ap- pears to come little short of any court of inquisition." There were
62
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
NDBRITTISH SHIPS
OF THE TOWN OFL
NOJ.508
IN NEW
A VIEW OF PART
ENGLAND
we
--
EL
LANDING OF BRITISH TROOPS IN 1768.
63
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
other resolves of a similar character. They also extended hearty thanks to the people of Boston for their constant watch of the enemies of the country.
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.