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 7
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The taking away of the Castle, a fortress in which the town of Dorchester had always a special interest, as it was nearer that shore than any other, was a source of much regret to them. Dorchester had taken most active part in its erection, and provided for it, and for many years it was in charge of one of Dorchester's favorite sons.
At the meeting where these resolutions were passed, the town also chose a committee of correspondence, consisting of Capt. Lemuel Robinson, Capt. John Homans and Samuel How. This committee was to represent the town in all conferences with similar committees from other towns in the management of affairs concerning the opposition to Great Britain's impositions.
Dorchester was one of the first towns to take the step of paying its Province tax to Henry Gardner of Stow, rather than to Harrison Gray Otis. Gardner was treasurer of the Sons of Liberty which was organized about 1768, and Otis was treasurer for the Crown. At the same meeting it was also voted to post in a public place the names of all those persons who made use of or sold East India tea.
It having become evident that there would be a conflict between the colonists and the British soldiers, the year 1774 was remarkable for the " trainings " and large numbers of the male inhabitants participated.
Dorchester Neck, in 1775, had nine dwelling houses, in which were twelve families.
On Nook Lane, or "The Way to the Nook," was the Foster house, which, as stated before, was the only house west of "The Way to the Castle." The next house was that owned by Mr. Bird, situated on a lane leading from what is the head of Fourth Street, and a short distance from what is now G Street was a lane in which was built a barracks about one story high. This barracks was afterward altered into a dwell- ing house by adding a second story, and it was occupied by Oliver Wiswell.
Near the present old Hawes' church, opposite police station 12, were several houses known as " The Village." One of these was occu- pied by Mr. Deluce, one by Mr. Marshall and another by Mr. Harring- ton. One of these remained standing until a few years ago, when it was destroyed to make way for a more modern dwelling house. Deluce's house was a low building, and for many years before its destruction in 1856, was unoccupied.
Then there was the Williams house, not far from station 12, and behind it, nearer to the seashore, was the house of Mr. Farrington, and a little to the east of this on a lane leading from the Old Road stood the Mann house.
Still further east and near the present location of the old Hawes' burying grounds stood the house of Mr. Harrington, some of whose
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HISTORY OF SOUTHI BOSTON.
descendants still reside in South Boston. A short distance southeast of the house stood the barn.
Nearly opposite the Harrington house, and close to what is now East Fourth Street, was John Wiswell's house, and in his orchard, east of the house, was his barn.
At the extreme Point was the house and barn of Deacon Blake. On this estate was a large orchard consisting of 100 trees of various kinds.
Between Dorchester Street and D Street were numerous trees, almost a small forest. There was also a fine orchard on the Foster estate and the remainder of the property was largely given up to pasturage.
The nine houses at Dorchester Neck, therefore, were occupied by Mrs. Foster, Mr. Bird, Mr. Deluce, Mr. Williams, Mr. Farrington, Mr. Harrington, John Wiswell, Deacon Blake and Oliver Wiswell. Other residents were Mr. Marshall and Mr. Mann.
In 1744, after a pastorate of forty-four years, Rev. Mr. Bowman severed his connection with the church and his place was filled by Rev. Moses Everett. May 27, 1774, he was unanimously chosen pastor.
CHAPTER XI.
EVENTS PRIOR TO THE SIEGE AND EVACUATION OF BOSTON.
British soldiers become numerous in Boston - Boston massacre, the tea party, the Boston port bill and other events - Resistence to acts continued - Boston Neck fortified - American fortifications in Somerville. Cambridge and Roxbury - Seige of Boston commenced - Gen. Washington takes command of the army - Cannon, mortars, etc., brought from Ticonderoga- Calm before the storm - Many residents at the Neck removed to Dorchester for safety - British raid on Dorchester Neck - A thousand British soldiers cross from the Castle and destroy six dwellings, barns, etc., and take prisoners - Description of houses destroyed - Consternation among Dor- chester residents, owing to the raid - Damage to the property.
T HE complete story of the War of the Revolution and what led to it, is of no particular interest in the history of any one locality. Although Dorchester and its people took a prominent part in that memorable contest, the result of which was the formation of a new Republic, the events of the entire war have filled several volumes, and need no repitition here. Students of history, even in our public schools, know of the noble and successful struggle made by the colonists.
As stated by a well known historian the people of New England brought with them the principles that the people are the fountain of political power and that there can be no just taxation without repre- sentation, and they contended for the right of applying these principles according to their demands.
As the most important event of the War of the Revolution occurred within the confines of what is now South Boston, as it was here in our own district and on our shores that batteries and fortifica- tions were erected, and upon our own Dorchester Heights that Gen. Washington struck the first and most telling blow that warned the British tyrants that the Americans were a strategic people, a deter- mined people, and a people ready to lay down their lives, if necessary, for their laudable purpose, this History of South Boston would not be complete unless mention was made of those important chapters of American history.
The Stamp act was the first step that incited and angered the people, and it was in August, 1765, that the riots occurred in opposi- tion to this iniquitous tax. Within a few years the English soldiers became more numerous in Boston, and March 5, 1770, the terrible Boston massacre occurred. December 16, 1773, the "Tea Party" was held, and citizens, disguised as Indians, threw the cargoes of tea overboard, which, as Hutchinson wrote, was the boldest stroke that had been struck in America.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
The Boston port bill was signed March 31, 1774, and went into effect on the first day of June. The execution of this measure devolved upon Gen. Thomas Gage, who arrived in Boston, May 13, 1774.
This bill aroused the indignation of the people to a still greater pitch, and the loyalists, who favored the bill, were alarmed. Hence a large force was soon concentrated in Boston.
June 14, the 4th. or king's own regiment, and on the 15th. the 43rd. regiment landed at Long wharf and encamped on the Common. Addi- tional troops arrived, and on the 4th. and 5th. of July, the 5th. and 38th. regiments landed at the same place. On the 6th. of August, the 59th. regiment arrived from Halifax, and during the following week landed at Salem and there encamped. Additional troops were ordered from New York, the Jerseys and Quebec.
The effort to put into effect this and similar laws was the turn- ing point of the Revolution. In July, 1774, circulars were sent from Boston by those opposed to the taxation, to all the towns, and after that every effort was made to thwart the attempts to carry out the law.
" To obey would be to annihilate the last vestiges of liberty in this province," said one patriot, " and therefore we must be justified by God and the world in never submitting to them."
Another said " No danger shall affright, no difficulties shall intimi- date us, and if, in support of our rights, we are called to encounter even death, we are yet undaunted, sensible that he can never die too soon who lays down his life to support the laws and liberties of his country."
Resistence to the acts continued to be manifested in every form. Gen. Gage saw no hope of securing obedience, but by the power of arms, and the patriot party saw no safety in anything short of military preparation.
Gen. Gage fortified Boston Neck (about where now is Washington and Dover Streets) and this added to the excitement of the times. He mounted on the works two 24-pounders and eight 9-pounders. Every possible effort was made to prevent this, but without success.
The first six months of 1775 were eventful ones in Boston. Insults continued to be heaped upon the people by the British soldiers. In every possible way Gen. Gage endeavored to annoy the inhabitants.
The Battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill took place during this time, and they emphasized to England that the colonists would willingly give up their lives, if necessary, to protect their liberties. Although no victory was gained at either place, for either side, yet it showed to the world of what the Americans were made.
Immediately after the Battle of Bunker Hill fortifications were built on Prospect Hill and Winter Hill in Somerville, and at Cambridge there were extensive works stretching from near the colleges to the Charles River.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
On the Roxbury end the work of fortifying was carried on vigorously under the direction of Gen. John Thomas. There was a fort upon the hill near the meeting-housc, an intrenchment at Dudley Housc, includ- ing the garden and extending to the hill east of the meeting-house. There was a small breastwork across the main strect, and another on the Dorchester road near the burying ground. Still another was on the road through the lands and meadows, a little south of the George Tavern.
Thesc were the fortifications of the colonists, and June 24 heavy cannon were planted at the works on the hill above the Roxbury work- house, and July I shot were thrown from them into Boston.
July 2, 1775, was a memorable one in the history of Boston. On this day the Siege of Boston commenced, and Gen. Washington, who had been chosen by Congress, June 15, to be general in command of the Continental army, took command in Cambridge. There were about 6,753 inhabitants in Boston at the beginning of the siege.
On receipt of the news of the Battle of Bunker Hill, a despatch was sent from England, dated August 2, withdrawing General Gage from command and announcing Gen. Howe as his successor.
January 1, 1776, the opening of the new year, the Union flag of the thirteen stripes was hoisted in compliment to the thirteen united colonies, and the new Continental army was given renewed life.
Discouraging indeed was the state of affairs witnessed by Gen. Washington when he assumed command. His army consisted of raw recruits, with scant arms, but a small supply of powder, and but few of the necessaries of life, yet the entire country was looking and waiting with breathless anxiety for him to expel the British forces from Boston.
Having received a communication from Congress (December 22) to make an assault upon the troops in any manner he might think ex- pedient, notwithstanding the town and property in it might be destroyed, Gen. Washington submitted the question of attack to a council of war, January 16. He stated that in his judgment, it was "indispensably necessary to make a bold attempt to conquer the ministerial troops in Boston before they could be reinforced in the spring, if the means could be provided, and a favorable opportunity should offer."
It was unanimously agreed that a vigorous attempt ought to be made on Boston as soon as practicable. The present force, however, was inadequate to such an enterprise, and the requisition of Gen. Washington on Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, for thirteen regiments of militia to be at Cambridge by the first of Feb- ruary and to remain until the last of March, was approved by Congress.
Having obeyed instructions given the November previous to pro- ceed to New York, Ticonderoga, Crown Point or St. John's, and there sccure all the cannon, mortars, shells, lead and ammunition possible, Col. Henry Knox returned to Cambridge, January 18, 1776, with a fine
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON,
train of artillery. He had 55 pieces of iron and brass ordnance, one barrel of flints and 23 boxes of lead, equal to 2,300 pounds.
Francis S. Drake says " This achievement stamped the character of Knox for boldness, enterprise, fertility of resource and genius, sup- plied the means for fortifying Dorchester Heights, and vindicated the judgment of Washington in selecting him for the important and respon- sible duties of the artillery and ordnance departments."
Gen. Washington had completed the reorganization of his army and had about 100 barrels of powder in reserve.
During the month of February there was but little of importance undertaken by Washington. Three British sentinels were captured at Boston Neck without a gun being fired, the works at Lechmere's Point were strengthened and heavy cannon and mortar were planted. An- other mortar was planted on Lamb's Dam. Discipline was rigidly enforced.
During this month, however, an attack was made on Dorchester Neck and considerable damage done. A party of Britishers from the Castle and another party from Boston, several hundred grenadiers and light infantry, crossed to Dorchester Neck (South Boston) February 14, and surprised the American guard there. The guard consisted of seventy men.
The residents of the Neck, unable to make much resistance to possible transgressors, had removed to Dorchester, where they might feel reasonably sure of security from danger. They took with them the greater part of their household goods and other personal property, leaving in some instances small quantities of hay and grain and articles of but little value.
Early in the morning of Wednesday, February 14, the British troops landed on the Neck, in accordance with orders received from General Howe. The detachment from Castle William was in command of Lieut. Leslie, and the grenadiers and light infantry were commanded by Maj. Musgrave. They destroyed every house that they saw and every kind of cover on the peninsula and six of the patriot guards were taken prisoners.
Almon's Remembrancer, under date of February 22, 1776, gives an excellent and clear account of what occurred during this raid. It states: " We hear from Dorchester that about four o'clock Wednesday morning, a large party of ministerial troops were discovered crossing the ice on Boston Neck to Dorchester Neck, supposed to be about a thousand. The sentry immediately discharged his piece at them, and ran to the guard-house to inform Capt. Barnes (who commanded the guard ) who had already taken alarm by the sentries firing their pieces ; and from information he could get of the course they were steering, judged their design was to cut off the retreat of the guard, which con- sisted only of sixty men.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
" Capt. Barnes immediately marched his guard off the Neck to the edge of the marsh, and just escaped them, and lest the guns that had been fired should not alarm the camp, he had sent off several mes- sengers ; the enemy marched along with two field pieces, and posted themselves in so advantageous a manner, that Capt. Barnes could not attack them with the least hope of success, but waited for the reinforce- ments.
" In the meantime the regulars improved every minute of their time, in setting fire to the buildings on Dorchester Neck, while they still moved towards the Castle, where boats were ready to receive them, but our troops were so close upon them, that they put out the fire of six or seven of the buildings, and reached the point next the Castle, before the regulars who had made prisoners of six of the guard, and an old man, an inhabitant, had reached the same place.
" P.S .- It is about two miles from the encampment at Dorchester over the causeway, etc., to the said guardhouse, and one mile to the point next the Castle."
It may have been that Gen. Howe wished merely to destroy the houses on the Neck, but it was the opinion of many of the American officers, that he hoped, through the alarm caused by this movement of his troops, to draw from the main army at Roxbury to such an extent that he could, without fear, attack the remainder and force them to abandon their position.
Gen. Washington, in a letter to Congress, describing the event, said : " The regulars burned some of the houses there which were of no value to us, nor would they have been, unless we take post there. They then might have been of some service. "
There were no grounds for any suspicion of cowardice toward the guards, for, in a letter from Col. Huntington to Gov. Trumbull, the writer says, "Much blame has been thrown on our guard, at Dorchester, on occasion of the late excursion of the enemy there, and burning a few desolate houses there, but I hear Gen. Ward approved their conduct."
Efforts to learn the name of the "old inhabitant " have been without avail.
From a statement of Mr. Noah Clap, the town clerk of Dorchester, there were at the time of this raid, eleven dwelling houses at the Neck, of which six were burned, together with ten or twelve barns, shops, etc.
Fortunately the houses destroyed can be described with some degree of accuracy. The following is taken from Mr. Francis E. Blake's articles on the raid :
"The Foster House was the only one on the Neck west of the " Road to the Castle " (Dorchester Street) and was occupied by the widow of Capt. James Foster with her children. It stood upon the lot now covered by Dahlgren hall, on E Street (formerly the E Street Congregational church building) and before the erection of this building, the old cellar was plainly visible.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
"The situation of this house was very delightful, commanding a full view of the towns of Boston, Roxbury and Charlestown. The ground, sloping to the north, west and south, made it especially attractive and there was nothing to interfere with the view in these directions except the small hill, called Nook Hill, which was subsequently occupied and fortified by the American forces.
"The Foster house was surrounded by stately elms and has been described as an elegant residence, far exceeding in finish and appoint- ments the majority of dwellings in this vicinity. It was " papered and painted throughout " so unusual a thing as to be mentioned in a claim presented for damages, and it is said that its elegance led the British soldiers to think it was the property of a tory.
" The main house was forty feet by twenty feet, two stories high, and a gambrel roof, with an ell, thirty feet by twenty feet, of one story.
"In close proximity to the house were two barns "completely fin- ished," besides wood-houses, a shop, a corn barn "partly a store," a cider mill, etc. All of these buildings were destroyed, but fortunately Mrs. Foster had removed all personal property of value. The fences on the estate also suffered at the hands of the troops, some being burned and others doubtless being thrown down in their hurried march across the fields. The administrator of Mr. Foster's estate claimed £21 for "part of Inventory sold to repair fences laid waste by Enemy." The whole amount of loss here was estimated, in 1782, at £745.
"The next house easterly was that of Mr. Oliver Wiswell, situated on a lane, which corresponded nearly with the present Fourth Street, east of Dorchester Street - approximate to what was long known (in after years) as the Bird schoolhouse. This building, two stories high, fifty-six feet by twenty feet, was destroyed and also a very large barn with other buildings, hay, implements, etc.
"From Mr. Wiswell's house it was but a short distance to the farm of Mrs. Ruth Bird, the widow of Jonathan Bird. The house was on the easterly side of G Street, on the spot where Dr. Samuel G. Howe long resided. It was thirty-six feet by thirty feet, of " two stories and a garret " with an ell, and a barn, which were consumed, the total value being estimated at £325.
"Down the hill near the present corner of Fifth and K Streets was the old Withington homestead where Hopestill Withington and family long resided. It was a small building, and an old one, "two stories and a garret " twenty feet by forty feet, erected before 1757, to replace the first house built there by Capt. John Withington, who led the com- pany of Dorchester soldiers in the Canada expedition of 1690.
" Unfortunately, some of the feather beds, bedding, etc., were left in the house, which, with the barn, was entirely consumed. Later his son claimed the value of the property burned at £87.
"Entering upon the road to the Castle, perhaps through the road to
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Powow Point, the British troops moved easterly to a barn belonging to Enoch Wiswell, a brother of Oliver above-named. This we locate on the northerly side of Fourth Street, between M and N Streets. Here a house was standing as early as 1713. Mr. Wiswell was taxed in 1771 for a house, the annual worth of which was rated at £4 IOs., but the building, if standing in 1776, appears to have escaped destruction by the enemy. In addition to the barn a few tons of hay and some agri- cultural implements, with a " large brass kettle," were also lost by Mr. Wiswell. The total loss here was estimated at £106 12S.
"John Wiswell, a son of Enoch, was at that time, or subsequently, a soldier in the Continental service.
"At the extreme point, near P Street and East Broadway, was the Blake estate, upon which were two houses, one belonging to the estate of Samuel Blake, deceased, and the other to James Blake. The latter, erected previous to 1732, was two stories and a half with an ell, of good dimensions and in good condition, and the other was probably of more recent building, but of equal value. The two houses with the barn near by were both destroyed. It is stated that Mr. James Blake, from his house in Dorchester, powerless to prevent the destruction, could see the flames from his burning buildings. He had been so much annoyed by the British, months before, that he removed nearly everything of value from the house, as did also the occupants of the neighboring dwelling, and the reported loss of £480 covered the value of the two houses and barn."
Four years after this event Mr. Blake asked leave of the Council to remove one of the barracks erected for the use of the army on land near by, and place it over " the Cellar of the House of your Petitioner which was Burnt by the Enemy," and that he might "have the benefit of improving the said Barracks a short time as a dwelling-house."
He desired an immediate answer to his request, that he might " take advantage of the present snow to remove it on." It is believed that the request was granted, and that Mr. Blake occupied the building until he could erect a suitable dwelling for himself. A portion of the house then erected was removed in 1835, and is now occupied by Mr. Francis E. Park, on the corner of Broadway and P Street.
For many years there was a house on what was known as the Mann estate on Second Street, between I and K Streets. It was standing in 1771, but appears to have escaped the torch of the soldiers in 1776. It, or at least a house, was on the spot in 1785. Several other houses, perhaps five in all, were left unharmed. One was prob- ably owned in part by Matthew Bird, and with others was located near the present I and K Streets.
If any reason can be assigned for these houses having been passed without being destroyed it is probably because the march of the soldiers was on the southerly side of the hills and they were in so great a hurry to get away that they paid no attention to those buildings which were
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
not conspicuous. The troops had to hurriedly embark in their boats and make for the Castle.
An account of the raid from a British point of view was given by Col. Stephen Kemble, while Deputy Adjutant General of the British Army in North America. He wrote at that time :
"Tuesday. Feb. 13th. This day Musgraves Light Infantry being ordered by the General to be struck out of the Detail gave me reason to apprehend something was going forward ; the Major of Brigade of the day calling on me in the Afternoon with the General's directons for Mus- grave's Corps being intended in the detail did not shake my opinion, in which I was confirmed by the General's acquainting me in the Evening that Maj. Musgrave, with Corps and 7 companies of Grenadiers, were to cross the River to Dorchester at 3 in the Morning ; the two corps composed about 330 Men. and that Col. Leslie, with six companies of the 64th. were to land from the Castle on the Neck, directly opposite to it, the Intention of both to burn the houses on the Neck from Fosters Hill to the Castle, which was executed between 4 and 5 o'clock in the Morning very effectu- ally, without the loss of one Man either Killed or Wounded. Five Deserters were taken, all country born and belonging to Col. Ward's Regiment, who say they were Sentries, and part of a Guard of 70 or 80 men placed there at a House near Fosters Hill, but the Guard got entirely off, thro' the dark- ness of the Night, during which some snow fell, so as to make it impossible for our People to see them hid in the Wood. These Prisoners give little intelligence, nor were there found any Fascines or Gabions as a preparation for building a Battery on Fosters Hill as we had been given to understand was intended.
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