USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > History of old Braintree and Quincy : with a sketch of Randolph and Holbrook > Part 16
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > History of old Braintree and Quincy : with a sketch of Randolph and Holbrook > Part 16
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which ever occurred in Quincy as regards the number of build- ings destroyed, but the loss was not near as much in the amount of value as that by many other fires, especially by the destruc- tive fires of 1875, which, for their number and the loss of prop- erty, were the greatest the town has ever experienced.
Mr. Mills was captain of the military company, and also deputy to the General Court, and his tavern was the noted public house of that day. It was in this locality that the three public institutions of the town were situated, the church, school house and tavern, all within a stone's throw of each other.
Mr. Whitney, in his History of Quincy, relates that the second public honse was kept on Penn's Hill by a Mr. Penniman. We are of an opinion that it may have been the third, although we have not found any record that a public inn was kept here ; still very probably one might have been located on this side of the hill, not far from where the residence of Mr. Henry Hard- wick now stands. The relics of an old cellar are still pointed out as the location of this public house. The Pennimans resided in this neighborhood, as Joseph bought an estate in this vicinity, as early as 1675, of Mr. William Penn, after whom the hill was named. Mr. Penn 1 was one of the first benefactors to the town, having made by his will bequests to the church, schools, the first school teacher, and the poor of the town.
The next house that we have been able to find was established
1. Mr. William Penn was a resident of Boston at the time he made his will, and in this instrument his desire was that his remains should be buried in Braintree, in the burying-place.
"Item,-I give unto the church of Brantry two pounds, the one half in money and the other half in country pay. (This country pay was probably in produce, as was the custom of the times. ) I give unto the use of the schools of the town of Brantry ten pounds, one half in money and the other half in country pay. I give to Deacon Tompson, of Brantry, two pounds in silver; and to his son Edward I give two pounds in money. Igive to Mr. Benjamin Tompson, (who was the first school master, ) fourty shillings in money, and to every one of his children now living fourty shillings apiece in silver. I give to Stephen Pain of Brantry, whome I made overseer of my revoked will, two pounds in silver; and his son Stephen two pounds thereof, half in silver, the other half in country pay. I give to the poor people in Brantry three cows. And I order that all legacies shall be paid within eighteen monthis.
"Sworn, Feb. 14, 1688-9."
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by Mr. Thomas Crosby about 1739. In this house Daniel Al- len, the Indian, died.1 Its location seems to have been uncer- tain. Mr. John Adams, in his diary, says it was situated " exactly ten miles from town," (meaning Boston,) which location has for years been designated by a stone post placed in the wall in front of the late Lemuel Brackett's estate, on Hancock street. Mr. Whitney relates, in his History of Quincy, that it stood near the house formerly owned by Mr. Peter Boylston Adams, on Adams street, now in possession of Mr. Rice. We shall, in a note, give the bounds of this estate, as it was at the time Mr. Crosby's executors sold the property to Mr. Samuel Bass, and let the readers locate it for themselves.2 Wc
1. It has been claimed that the Colonial and Provincial Government dis- played a spirit of great inhumanity towards the Indians, but in this instance they seem to have exhibited a very liberal and humane act toward a suffering Indian.
" To his Excellency William Shirley, Governor and Capt. General-in-Chiefe in and over his Majestie's Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, and to his Majestie's Councill in Councill Assembled : Feb. 8, 1743.
" William Hunt, John Adams, and Ebenezer Copeland, Selectmen of Brain- tree, Humbly Sheweth,-That Daniel Allen, an Indian man who hath no set- tled inhabitant in any town in this Province, and who had been some consider- able time in the government's service in the quality of a soldier at Fort George Eastward, under the command of Benjamin Larrabee, was, during his being in said service, rendered so infirm that said Larrabee discharged him his said service on Sept. 4, 1741, upon which he, having some friends at the Cape, directed his course that way; but so it happened he had travelled so far and his infirmities increased so fast, that he was unable to travell farther, and on De- cember 2, 1741, he then being at the house of Thomas Crosby in Braintree, said Crosby, by direction of the Selectmen of said Town, took care of him, and he continued there in a very languishing condition for ten weeks, wanting three days, and dyed; during which time the necessary expences in waiting and other attendance, with his funeral charges, amounted to four pounds, eleven shillings, and seven pence half penny. Now, inasmuch as the charge aforesaid, that has arisen to the town aforesaid, on account of said Daniel Allen, is a charge that properly belongs to the Province to pay, your petitioners therefore humbly pray your Excellency and Honor to give full directions in the premises, as to law and justice appertaining. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. COL. JOSEPH GOOCH, for petitioners;
And also deputy for the town."
Allowed, £1, 11s., 7d .- Mass. Arch.
2. Mary Crosby, widow of Thomas Crosby, and Jonathan his son, of Boston, a mariner, executors of the estate of the late Thomas Crosby, bargained and sold to Samuel Bass, Jr., for 78 pounds, several parcels of land. One piece of
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are very confident that Mr. Whitney's statement is correct, and that the Crosby house stood in the neighborhood of the late Peter B. Adams'. Mr. Brackett's estate could not at that time have been in the possession of the Crosbys, as this estate was then the southerly boundary of the Hancock lot, and in the possession of a Mr. Beals.
Mr. Crosby seems to have been a timid person, and afraid to visit Boston for the purpose of renewing his license, on account of the small pox being there ; which neglect put him to consid- crable trouble to procure one.1
In 1759 Mr. Crosby died, and his wife Mary, and Jonathan his son, of Boston, a mariner, were appointed his executors. They disposed of the old tavern to Samuel Bass, Jr. Mr. Bass con- tinned to carry on this place as a house of entertainment.2
Previous to Mr. Bass commencing business, Mr. James Brack-
four acres, bounded as follows, viz :- Southerly on land of Joseph Crosby ; east- erly on laud of Edmund Quincy; westerly on land set off to the widow Crosby; northerly on land of grantee. The other pieces of land appear not to have been connected with the tavern lot.
1. " To his Honor Spencer Phips, Lieut. Governor and Commander-in- Chief : Dec. 21, 1752.
"The memorialist, Thomas Crosby of Braintry, in the County of Suffolk, humbly sheweth,-
" That he hath kept a publie Tavern in said Brantry, on the Road leading from Boston to Plymouth, for many years last past, as he apprehends to the General acceptance of Travellers. But it so happened that the Small Pox in Boston, in July last past, which was License Court time in said County, and for some other reasons, ye memorialist did not Renew his license again; but so it is, may it Please your Honor, that there is no Tavern near, and many of his old Customers who Travell said Road complain that they can't be Intertained, and have Repeatedly solicited your memorialist again to keep a Tavern in his now Dwelling-house in said Brantry. Therefore your memorialist prayes your Honor or Honors, That the JJustice of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace for the County, at their next term may be impowered to grant the memo- rialist a License to keep a Tavern in said Brantry, the time by law being elapsed Notwithstanding."-Mass. Arch.
2. " To his Excellency Thomas Powell, Esq., Governor and Commander-in- Chief :
"Your memorialist Humbly Sheweth, -
Apr. 11, 1759.
" That Mr. Thomas Crosby was Licensed by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace for the County of Suffolk, to be an Innholder in the town of Brain - tree, for abont twenty years past, and was so for the current year; but said Crosby dying a few months since, your Petitioner has bought the House and
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ett had constructed a large and commodious house on the corner of Elm and Hancock streets, for a public hotel. In looking over the old almanacs, before, during and after the Revolutionary War, we find in the tables giving the list of the stage lines " to the principal Towns on the Continent,1 from Boston, with the Names of those who keep Houses of Entertainment," that Mr. Brackett's hotel is the only house mentioned in Braintree. From this we infer that the other taverns were not of much impor- tance, and that Mr. Brackett's house was the fashionable resort of that day. The first house was taken down, and in 1794-5 the present one erected on the site of the noted old Brackett tavern. There is no doubt that on this site a hotel was kept for a longer time than at any other locality in town, it having been occupied as a tavern upwards of a century.
This house was discontinued about 1835. The last landlords were Mr. Downs and Mr. Leonard, who kept it but a short time. Mr. Downs attempted to carry it on as a temperance house, but it proved a complete failure, notwithstanding his noted sign hung out, representing by inverted rum bottles that a little wine for the stomach's sake could not be had at his inn. This estate was sold to Mr. Francis Williams in 1836, who had the old hotel remodeled and extensively repaired. The property is now in possession of his son, Mr. John S. Williams.
Mr. John Adams began the practice of law in Braintree in 1758. In 1761 he found that the small lawyers and public honses had increased to such an extent that the inhabitants of the town were kept in a constant broil. To bring about a reform in this matter he declared open warfare upon them, as will be seen by the following extracts from his diary :
" The dirty and ridiculous litigations have been multiplied in this town, till the very earth groans and the stones cry out. The town is become infamous for them throughout the county. I have absolutely heard it used as a proverb in several parts of the
Land thereto belonging, which said Crosby improved for a Tavern. Therefore he prayes the Court for a license to continue the business."-Mass. Arch.
1. The continent, according to the almanac of that day, was bounded on the south by South Carolina, on the west by the Mississippi, on the north by Cana- da, on the east by the Atlantic ocean and the Eastern Provinces of Great Britain.
23
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Province, 'As litigious as Braintree.' This multiplicity is . owing to the multiplicity of pettifoggers, among whom Capt. H- is one, who has given out that he is a sworn attorney till nine-tenths of the town really believe it. But I take this opportunity publicly to confront him and undeceive the town. He knows, in his conscience, that he never took the oath of an attorney, and that he dare not assume the impudence to ask to be admitted. He knows that the notion of his being a sworn attorney is an imposture -is an imposition upon this town. And I take this opportunity publicly to declare that I will take all legal advantages against every action brought by him, or by Capt. T-, or by any other pettifogger in this town. For I am determined, if I live in this town, to break up this scene of strife, vexation and immorality.
" Discharged my venom to Billy Veasey against the multi- tude, poverty, ill-government and ill-effects of licensed houses, and the timorous temper, as well as the criminal designs of the Selectmen who grant them approbation. Here the time, the money, the health and modesty of most that are young, and many old, are wasted ; here disease, vicious habits, bastards and legislators are frequently begotten. N- would vote for any man for a little flip, or a dram. The number of these houses have been lately so much augmented, and the fortunes of the owners so much increased, that an artful man has little else to do but secure the favor of taverners, in order to secure the suffrages of the rabble that attend these houses, which in many towns within my observation makes a very large, perhaps the largest number of voters."
This evil continued to increase until it culminated in active aggression by Mr. Adams in 1761, he having an article inserted in the warrant1 for a town meeting to decrease the number of licensed houses in town, and through personal exertion at this meeting he was successful in accomplishing this much needed reform.
1. "Secondly :- 'To consider and determine upon some effectnal method whereby to reduce the number of licensed houses in the town, as it is thought the present number are unnecessary.'
" After a full debate upon the second article it was, by a great majority of
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A public house was kept on Hancock street, near the residence of Col. A. B. Packard ; first by Mr. Cleverly, who was succeeded by Mr. Marsh in 1794. Afterwards Mr. Arnold kept the house until 1802.
The next was in a house that stood on the site where Col. Packard's house now stands. Mr. John Newcomb, as landlord and proprietor, opened this house to the public in 1803, and con- tinued as its landlord until about 1820. At one time Mr. Hayden conducted the house for Mr. Newcomb. It was at this public house that Josiah Bemis, George Stearns and Michael Wild, the three worthy Knights of the Iron Wedges, resorted in 1803, to enjoy their convivial repast on that memorable Sabbath, after having achieved the remarkable success of splitting, for the first time, a large stone with iron wedges. At that time this was con- sidered a great and important event, in establishing a system that would enable them more readily and expeditiously to work stone for building and other purposes.
At the beginning of the present century a public house was opened on the westerly side of what is now Washington street, on Souther's Hill, where now stands Mr. John R. Graham's house. Mr. Joseph Baxter was its host, and it was called the Hen Tavern. It is related that it derived its name from the following incident :-
Mr. Baxter was one of the old patriots of the early part of this century, and a great admirer of the noble American bird, the eagle. After having selected an artist to execute a sign- board for his house, he gave him particular instructions that the American eagle should be represented on it. In due time the ar-
the members present, voted : That, although licensed houses, so far as they are conveniently situated, well accommodated, and under due regulation, for the relief and entertainment of travellers and strangers, may be useful institutions, yet there is reason to apprehend that the present prevailing depravity of man- ners through the land in general, and in this town in particular, and the shame- ful neglect of religious and civil duties, so highly offensive in the sight of God, and injurious to the peace and welfare of society, are in a great measure owing to the unnecessary increase of licensed houses.
" Then voted: That for the future, there be no person in this town licensed for retailing of spirituous liquors; and that there be three persons only a' probated by the Selectmen as Innholders, suitably situated in each precin-
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tist returned with the token of the landlord's occupation. For this occasion Mr. Baxter invited many of his old patrons and friends to be present, and partake of a social glass in honor of this event. What was the surprise and chagrin of the company when, on viewing the sign, they discovered, instead of the proud American eagle, an ordinary hen ?
This house was a great resort for the gunning fraternity. Here it was that they met on all their festive occasions,-the social balls and their convivial parties. Some fifty years ago this house was discontinued.
A few years after the opening of the Neponset turnpike, the famous Neponset Hotel was erected by Mr. James Brackett. The lumber for its construction was brought from the State of Maine. The master-builder was Mr. Apollos Clapp of Dorches- ter. This hotel was opened to receive guests by its landlord, Mr. Abraham Pierce of Roxbury, in 1812,1 by a public dinner. Among the distinguished invited guests who were present on
1. There having been so much controversy about the time of the opening of the Neponset Hotel in Quincy, we will let the first landlord settle this question by the following public announcement, made by him of its first opening, which appears to have been in April, 1812, at the White Oak Grove:
" NEPONSET HOTEL, at White Oak Grove.
" Abram Pierce tenders his thanks to the numerous and respectable visitants who have favored him with their custom at the Hotel lately kept by him at Roxbury. At the same time he begs leave to inform the Ladies and Gentlemen of Boston and its vicinity, that he has just opened that new, spacious and com- modious Hotel at White Oak Grove, being six miles from the Capital, and has laid in a large stock of ice for the ensuing summer, with every convenience to entertain Ladies and Gentlemen in style. He flatters himself that, from the local sitnation of the place, its proximity to the Capital, the beauty of the road leading thereto, together with the convenience in warm weather of riding from the sun after meridian, will induce many to visit this beautiful place, which nature has so decorated as to leave nothing for Art to attempt. It is on the road to Squantum, at the distance of a mile and a half. Those who resort to this ancient seat of amusement, either by land or by water, will find it to their advantage to contract with Mr. Pierce for everything necessary, to be delivered on the spot, conveniently and judiciously arranged. A few Gentlemen Board- ers also may be accommodated.
"N. B. Shell Fish of all kinds, as well as every other kind of fish known in our waters, will be received at the shortest notice, as also Turtles, whenever they can be bought in the market, and dressed in the best manner."-Colum- bian Centinal, April 29, 1812.
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this occasion was President John Adams. The noted Jockey Club, of Boston, held their social meetings here from 1812 to 1815. By them was established the one-mile race course 1 on Billings Plain, which at this time would be bounded about as fol- lows, viz :- On the north by Atlantic street ; on the east by the tide waters and the Squantum marshes; on the west by Hancock street, and partly on the South by Squantum street. The turf sports were witnessed by a large concourse of people from Quincy, Boston and the neighboring towns. Here were trotted the most celebrated blood horses of that day. This course, how- ever, was of short duration, as the public interest in horse-racing at this time was not sufficient to make it a financial success, and it was discontinued in about three years. Some two years after, another course was opened in the same locality, but was soon discontinued. Besides the race course the annual Pilgrims' feast at Squantum, in commemoration of the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, brought a large concourse of people to this hotel on their way to their yearly festival.2 In 1828, the officers and crew of the noted United States Frigate, Constitution, engaged the entire control of the Neponset House of its landlord for three
1. We have examined the files of most of the principal newspapers of Bos- ton, during the period of years from 1812 to 1815, to see if we could find out if any other race course was in use at that time in Massachusetts, and have not been able to discover that there was. We have also made extensive inquiries of many persons whom we supposed would be able to give the desired information but have received the same negative response. Therefore we are quite confi- dent that this was the first race course ever established in Massachusetts.
Billings Plain was also quite noted for brigade and regimental musters; as it was on this plain that a large number were held during the first half of the present century, commencing as early as 1804.
2. "The Feast of Squantum was celebrated on Monday last with its accus- tomed hilarity. It is supposed there were from 500 to 600 citizens, from town and country present. Among the invited guests were Gov. Strong, Lt. Gov. Phillips, Mr. Secretary Bradford, Commodore Bainbridge, Rev. Dr. Morse, Hon. Messrs. Fiske, Rice and Bartlett, and many gentlemen from the Southern States. On His Excellency's retiring, an escort was formed, under Maj. Quincy and Capt. Phelps, and marshalled by Mr. William Tileston, and the guests conducted to town, followed by a long train of carriages and chaises. The beautiful cutter Washington, John Andrews, Commander, anchored off the Point, and by her repeated and well adapted firings added much to the pleasure of the day."-Weekly Messenger, Aug. 28, 1812.
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days, and held a highly enjoyable, convivial and social, although not a very reputable pastime.
Mr. Andrew Seaton, in 1817, succeeded Mr. Pierce as land- lord. Mr. Tilly Witcomb followed in 1818, a noted host of the old Concert Hall of Boston. After Mr. Witcomb, from 1820 to 1822, Mr. Joseph Tuttle was its landlord, and was very popular with the guests of this wayside inn, from whence he went to Dorehester, and became the proprietor and host of the old Savin Hill House. In 1825 Mr. Lambart Maynard took possession of this house, where he remained but a short time. The last land- lord of this celebrated house was Mr. Labian Adams, the father of Oliver Optic, and at one time landlord and proprietor of the old Lamb tavern in Boston. In 1830 Mr. Noah Davis Allen secured the premises as a candle factory. This business lasted but a few years, and, in 1836, Mr. Joshua Cushing, of Seituate, purchased the building for a shoe manufactory and dwelling- house. The old dance hall was used at this time by the First Baptist Society of Dorchester on each Sabbath, for some time previous to the construction of their meeting-house. The Ne- ponset Hotel was located on the easterly side of Hancock street, about two hundred and fifty or three hundred feet north of where Atlantic street makes its junction with this street. It continued to be occupied by various persons as tenants until August 27th, 1858, when it fell a prey to the incendiary's torch.
The first hotel constructed opposite the Stone Temple was kept by Col. Thayer, followed by Capt. Young, Deacon Savil, and afterwards by Mr. Daniel French. The old house was re- moved, and a new one built in its place in 1837, at the cost of $5,000 and called the Hancock House, and has since been en- larged. It continued to be kept a number of years by Mr. Daniel French, until he was succeeded by his son, George H. French. Under the management of the Frenches this house was noted as a first-class hotel, as well as being for years the princi- pal tavern in town. After Mr. French, it was kept by several other popular landlords 1 until it was bought by Mr. Henry H.
1. Landlords of the Hancock House, both old and, new: Col. James Thayer, from 1806 to 1815; Capt. Young, Dea. Samuel Savil, Daniel French, from 1824 to 1837; Daniel French & Son, from September, 1837, to July, 1841; George H.
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AW
BRICK BLOCK ON HANCOCK STREET, QUINCY, ERECTED IN 1876, BY JOSEPHI W. ROBERTSON, ESQ.
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Faxon, and is now occupied as a boarding-house for the students of the Adams Academy.
For several years the town was without a tavern in the centre of the village. In 1874 a dwelling-house, near the corner of Granite and Hancock streets, was converted into a public-house, and called the Central House. This building was destroyed by fire August 26th, 1875. On the same site, in 1876, was con- structed a large and commodious briek block. The upper stories were converted into a spacious first-class modern hotel, while the first flat was arranged for stores. This house was opened by Mr. William P. F. Meserve, one of the former land- lords of the old Hancock House, and is called the Robertson House, in honor of its public-spirited proprietor. This was the first brick block of stores ever erected in this town. The first block of briek houses was constructed on Sea, now Chestnut street, in 1874.
There are several other public houses in various parts of the town. At Wollaston Heights, the Wollaston Hotel; shore houses at Squantum ; at Houghs Neck Mr. Mears', for transient private parties, but not for permanent boarders. West Quincy also had a hotel, the Willard House, which was burnt August 12th, 1876, since which time it has been without a hotel.
French, from July, 1841, to March, 1850; Daniel French, from March, 1850, to April, 1851; George H. French, from April, 1851, to April, 1855; George H. Bundy, from April, 1855, to November, 1856; Albert Webb, from November, 1856, to February, 1861; William P. F. Meserve, from February, 1861, to No- vember, 1865; J. T. Willey, from November, 1865, to October, 1870; Samuel T. Allen, from October, 1870, to July, 1873.
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