USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Dorchester > History of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts > Part 25
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
Commercial Point was formerly called Tenean,
376
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
which was probably the Indian name for the place. It is a beautiful spot in the easterly part of the town, at the mouth of Neponset River, with sufficient depth of water for ships to pass up to its wharves. It is favorably located for a large business, but it will undoubtedly be long before the vision of the poet, as embodied in the following lines, is ful- filled. They were written shortly after the comple- tion of the first bridge, and are copied from the manuscript of the author, Samuel Davis, Esq., of Plymouth, Mass., brother of the late Judge John Davis.
DORCHESTER BRIDGE.
Where DORCHESTER her lucid bosom swells,
Courts her young navies, and the storm repels ; High on the Mount, amid the fragrant air, Hope stood sublime, and waved her auburn hair ; Calmed with her rosy smile the tossing deep, And with sweet accents charmed the winds to sleep. To southern plains she stretched her snowy hand, High-waving woods and sea-encircled strand- " Hear me (she cried) ye rising realms record Time's opening scenes, and TRUTH's unerring word. There shall broad streets their stately walls extend, The CIRCUS widen and the CRESCENT bend ; There, from famed cities, o'er the cultured land Shall bright canals and solid roads expand- There the proud arch, colossus-like, bestride Yon circling bay, and bound the chasing tide ; Embellished villas crown the landscape scene, Farms wave with gold, and orchards blush between.
There shall tall spires and dome-capped towers ascend, And piers and quays their massive structures blend- While with each breeze approaching vessels glide, And eastern treasures waft on every tide." Then ceased the nymph-tumultuous echoes roar, And Joy's loud voice was heard from shore to shore. Her graceful steps, descending, pressed the plain, And Peace, and Art, and Labor joined her train.
377
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
In the course of years, the inhabitants of the town had so increased as to require another place of wor- ship. The difficulties with the Indians, the wars, and inducements for emigration, had kept the num- ber so small as to make one meeting-house suffice for the whole town. Now, fifty years later, there are eighteen churches in the same territory, including ten in that part known as South Boston. The peo- ple were well united in their minister, the Rev. Mr. Harris, and want of room for public worship on the Sabbath was the only cause which led to the forma- tion of another church-about sixty families, remote from the meeting-house, being in the habit of wor- shipping in neighboring towns. Accordingly, in 1805, a project was formed for erecting another house, one hundred and thirteen shares were sub- scribed for that purpose, and about an acre of land was purchased for a site on the upper road, at the corner of Washington and Centre Streets. The building was soon commenced, the raising of it was begun Aug. 7, 1805, and it was dedicated Oct. 30, 1806. Dr. Harris preached the sermon on the occa-
sion, from Acts ii. 42, which was printed.
The
building is 68 feet by 74, the posts 33 feet high, with a tower and steeple. The church was gather- ed January 1, 1808, on which occasion a sermon was preached by Rev. John Pierce, of Brookline, and the fellowship of the churches expressed by the Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D.D., of Roxbury. The council were as follows : From the Second Church in Bos- ton, Rev. John Lathrop, D.D .; Hon. Samuel Park-
378
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
man, delegate. First Church in Roxbury, Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D.D. ; Mr. John Clap, delegate. The Third Church in Roxbury, Rev. Thomas Gray ; Dea. Nathaniel Weld, delegate. The Church in Brookline, Rev. John Pierce ; Dea. John Robinson, delegate. The Church in Dorchester, Rev. T. M. Harris ; Dea. Edward Pierce and Dea. James Hum- phreys, delegates. The sermon, fellowship of the Churches, and the proceedings of the Council, were printed at the unanimous request and vote of the new church.
The church met Sept. 9, 1808, for the purpose of electing a pastor, and chose Rev. Mr. Harris for Moderator and Clerk. He opened the meeting with prayer, and the church, having voted that they were ready to proceed to a choice by written votes, it appeared that every vote was for Mr. John Codman, of Boston, a graduate of Harvard College; and on September 20th following, the Parish confirmed the doings with but four dissenting votes. After taking a short time for consideration, he accepted the call, and was ordained Dec. 7th, 1808. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. Wil- liam E. Channing, of Boston.
Mr. Codman was a son of John Codman, Esq., of Boston, of a wealthy and influential family, and the Society started under circumstances unusually favor- able. For about one year they moved on harmoni- ously, with only occasional misgivings as to the final result, among some of those most interested. This was about the time that party lines were begin-
379
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
ning to be drawn between the liberal and rigid por- tions of the New England churches, which had for- merly been on friendly terms, the ministers connect- ed with each having thus far freely exchanged pul- pits with those of the other party. Mr. Codman was of the rigid, while most of the leading men of his parish were of the liberal school, and his exchanges were principally with those of the clergy who agreed with him ; consequently his hearers were debarred from hearing their favorite ministers, to whom they had been in the habit of listening. On November 10th, 1809, an address, signed by Edmund Baker, Benjamin Fuller, Thomas Crehore, and thirty-seven others, was sent to Mr. C. in relation to his ex- changes, expressing their uneasiness and disappoint- ment in his not exchanging with the ministers who composed the Boston Association. The address and letter accompanying it were ably and politely drawn up. The answer to the same, although polite and very friendly, had a few sharp corners, and from this time it may be fairly said that the war broke out.
It has been asserted, and no doubt with truth, that Mr. Codman was sustained and urged on in this matter by some of his brother clergymen, who wished the party lines defined, and who knew that his stand- ing, temperament and family wealth constituted him the man for the occasion. The leading persons of his parish were able men, and well known in the town and vicinity, and were determined, on the or- ganization of the new church, to obtain the best man to be found. Their disappointment, therefore,
380
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
was great, at the occurrence of these difficulties, and at finding the breach so fast widening. In August, 1810, an advertisement appeared in the Boston Cen- tinel, offering thirty-eight pews in the meeting-house for sale; and on December 1, following, another one in the Centinel and Chronicle, offering sixty-nine pews, and containing a slur upon Mr. Codman. Octo- ber 22d, of the same year, the parish chose a com- mittee, consisting of Thomas Tileston, Thomas Cre- hore and Benjamin Pierce, to write to the ministers in the neighboring towns, who were in the habit of ... exchanging with Mr. Codman, and request them " not to preach in his pulpit any more," until the difficulties were removed. This brought letters of a not very mild or peaceful character from some of the clergy thus addressed. The controversy grew warmer and more personal, a long correspondence took place, two councils were called, and the parish twice voted that the connection between them and Mr. Codman was dissolved. On the Sunday subse- quent to November 24th, 1812, another minister was procured by the parish to officiate, and a guard placed on the pulpit stairs to prevent Mr. Codman's entrance. After an ineffectual attempt to ascend the stairs, he commenced the morning services, standing below, before the other minister arrived, and finish- ed them without interruption. He then retired with his friends, when Mr. Warren Pierce, Preceptor of Milton Academy, whom the parish had engaged, preached from the pulpit, retaining possession thereof during a short intermission, and after a second
1
381
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
service he and his audience retired. Mr. Codman occupied the pulpit in the latter part of the after- noon-so that there was no lack of preaching on that day.
To show in what respect the parties differed in re- gard to men and measures, the following letters are published. They were written a short time before the controversy was ended, and are indicative of the proclivities of a large portion of the clergy then in this vicinity. The first is from Thomas Tileston, Esq., chairman of the Committee of the Parish, to the Rev. Mr. Codman.
DORCHESTER, DEC. 30, 1811.
REV'D SIR,-The Parish Committee met agreeably to your appointment, on Friday last, and were met by part of the Church Committee. Not hearing of your indisposition until that time, and the gentlemen who met us not being authorized to enter fully into the business of choosing a Council, no business of course could be transacted.
It was, however, suggested by the chairman of the Church Committee, that you was willing to agree upon any number of ministers to compose the Council that might be agreeable to them. The Committee are not particular as to the exact number that may compose the Council, but are of opinion that five or seven clergymen, &c., will form a Council sufficiently large.
The gentlemen also mentioned to the Committee the pro- priety of sending you a number of names, previous to the adjournment on Thursday next, that you might have an op- portunity of choosing from the list a gentleman as umpire of the Council.
The Committee therefore agree, Sir, to send you the sub- joined (large and respectable) list of ministers, for you to make your selection for the above purpose.
If either of the gentlemen proposed should meet your ap- probation, you are requested to give the Committee informa- tion as early as possible, in order that they may be prepared to complete the whole business at the adjournment. Should
41
382
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
you wholly reject the list, the Committee are desirous that you would assign your reasons therefor.
Rev. Dr. Barnard, Salem.
Dr. Prince,
6 Dr. Lathrop, Boston. Prof. Mckean,
Dr. Reed, Bridgewater.
66 Mr. Whiting, Northboro'.
Dr. Elliot, Boston.
66 Dr. Porter, Roxbury.
Mr. Bradford, "
66 Mr. Gray,
Mr. Whitney, Quincy.
Mr. Allyn, Duxbury.
Mr. Thayer, Lancaster.
Mr. Popkins, Newbury.
Dr. Kendall, Weston.
Rev. Dr. Kirkland, Cambridge.
Dr. Ware,
Mr. Foster, Brighton.
Mr. Riply, Concord.
Mr. Abbot, Beverly.
66 Mr. Coleman, Hingham.
66 Mr. Whitney,
66 Mr. Pierce, Brookline.
66 Mr. Eliot, Watertown.
Mr. Thatcher, Dedham.
Dr. Bancroft, Worcester.
N. B. Should your health prevent your meeting the Com- mittee on Thursday next, you are requested to give the Committee notice seasonably, to prevent their attendance. Yours, &c. T. T.
REV. MR. CODMAN'S REPLY.
DEAR SIR,-Your note of the 30th inst. was duly received. The state of the weather and of my health is such that it will not be prudent for me to meet the Committee to-morrow.
As to the number of which the proposed Council is to con- sist, it appears to me proper, upon farther consideration, that, as the question to be submitted to another Council is the same which was submitted to the last, it should be decid- ed by, at least, an equal number.
As it is desirable that that member of the Council to be mutually agreed upon should be so impartial, that both par- ties can unite in the choice, I cannot conceive upon what principle you have arranged, in your " large and respectable " list of ministers, those who have already, in the most public manner, expressed their opinions upon the question to be sub- mitted to another Council, and those with whom I have not exchanged ministerial labors in the Boston Association, which constitutes the ostensible ground of your complaint.
Justice requires that the terms of submission of your com- plaints and grievances against me should be equal. I shall not, therefore, deny you the privilege of choosing either of the six respectable ministers who have already decided the same question in my favor ; and, as I have not selected any from your list, I beg leave to propose one for your consideration,
383
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
formed on similar principles, equally " large and respectable." " Should you wholly reject this list," I will not insist upon your " assigning your reasons," as I conceive delicacy equally forbids it on your part and on mine, but will thank you to send me a list of impartial men, and if I cannot select one, I will send you a list of equal number. In this way we may possibly find one in whom we can unite.
With the usual compliments of the season, I am, Sir, and Gentlemen of the Committee, With due respect, your friend and Pastor, JOHN CODMAN.
DORCHESTER, JAN. 1, 1812.
Thomas Tileston, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of the Second Parish in Dorchester.
N. B. If you should show this list, I trust you will have the candor to show the one you sent me, and my reasons assigned herein for sending you a list of men, some of whom have already expressed their opinions-which I should not have thought of doing, except in answer to your list.
Rev. Dr. Prentiss, Medfield. Rev. Prof. Stuart, Andover. Mr. Niles, Abington.
Dr. Lyman, Hatfield.
Mr. Greenough, Newton.
Mr. Litchfield, Carlisle.
Dr. Austin, Worcester. Mr. Tompkins, Haverhill.
Dr. Morse, Charlestown.
66 Dr. Worcester, Salem.
66 Dr. Hopkins,
66 Mr. Emerson,
Dr. Griffin, Boston.
66 Dr. Emmons, Franklin.
66 Dr. Spring, Newburyport.
66 Mr. Emerson, Beverly.
66 Dr. Crane, Northbridge.
Mr. Walker, Danvers.
66 Dr. Woods, Andover.
66 Mr. Payson, Portland.
The six first named clergymen belonged to the old Council.
Mr. Dickinson, Holliston. Mr. Storrs, Longmeadow. 66 Mr. Packard, Shelburne.
66 Mr. Strong, Randolph.
Mr. Sanburn, Reading.
Mr. Emerson,
Those acquainted with the names given in these two lists, will see the nature of the differences which divided the parish from its minister. The members opposed to Mr. Codman insisted, that in forming a new Society it was from urgent necessity, and not from a desire of change; that they expected and
384
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
desired to hear the same preachers as before, and that Mr. Codman having joined the Boston Associa- tion, it was presumed he would exchange with all its members. Mr. Codman and his friends under- stood the case differently, and referred their oppo- nents to his confession of faith, read before the or- daining council, as evidence that he was of the Cal- vinistic school-that he believed in the Trinity, the Assembly's Catechism, and in general to the Confes- sion of Faith drawn up in 1680 and recommended to the Congregational Churches of Massachusetts.
Not long after the proceedings which prevented Mr. Codman from entering the pulpit, the party op- posed to the minister agreed to sell their pews and leave the parish. Thus ended an ecclesiastical quar- rel, which was carried on with great violence and acrimony, especially towards its close. It was full twenty years after the last-named public act, before the bitter effects of the controversy were effaced ; but now every thing is forgotten, respect and good will exist between all the different parishes in town, and peace is within their own borders. Eve- ry prominent mover in the affair is dead, and the matter is recorded only as a part of the history of the town that could not properly be omitted.
385
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
CHAPTER XX.
Political Parties-New Meeting-house of the First Parish-Situation of Dorchester-Houses-Population-Dress and Customs of our Ances- tors.
IN political matters Dorchester has generally been conservative. In the days of the Revolution it was firm and reliable, with but few tories within its bor- ders. Lieut. Gov. Thomas Oliver was one of these, and a son of Gen. Estes Hatch was another. These were the most prominent, and left the place. Lieut. Gov. Oliver lived in the house now occupied by Messrs. George and John Richardson, at the Five Corners. From 1806 to 1813 a majority of the voters were of the Republican party ; but from that time, so long as John Brooks was Governor, were on the Federal side. There were many very bitter opponents to the war of 1812 in the town, and party spirit was carried to great extremes. A regiment from the western part of the State was stationed awhile during the war at Commercial Point. After the administration of Gov. Brooks ceased, a majority of the town voted for William Eustis. Both of these persons had been actors in the American Revolution, and for that class of persons the town felt a peculiar regard, and in their administrations had the fullest confidence.
The great gale of September, 1815, so shattered the old meeting-house, that it became necessary to erect a new edifice, and the present church of the
386
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
First Parish was built in 1816, and dedicated in De- cember of that year. It was a work of great import- ance to the parish at that time, it being the year suc- ceeding the close of the war; but the members were united, and the work was successful. The plans were by Oliver Warren, one of the best architects of these days. The building cost upwards of $21,000, and is remarkable for its great strength. Its size is as follows : 72 feet 9 inches long and 62 feet wide ; the height of the steeple 128 feet 10 inches, and is one of the most beautiful in the State. Its elevat- ed position makes it a mark for the lightning, from which it has slightly suffered two or three times.
The location of Dorchester is picturesque, and even elegant. It lies at the head of Dorchester bay, which is southerly of and adjoining Boston harbor. As you approach it from the sea, its houses may be seen on its airy hills, or nestled in its fertile vales, pre- senting a landscape of great beauty. The surface of the ground is uneven enough to give that agreeable variety of hill and dale so charming to a poet's eye. Several of the hills afford most magnificent pros- pects, so that the most romantic and critical might be entirely satisfied. Jones's hill,* on the north ; Pope's hill, on the south-east ; Bird's hill, or Mt. Ida; Mt. Bowdoin, near the centre ; Duncan's, or Codman's, on the south; and several other emi- nences, afford extensive views of cities, country
* It is believed that portions of twenty-one cities and towns can be seen from this eminence.
387
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
towns, villages, highlands, ocean, rivers, islands, and vessels. Well might one exclaim of such a prospect, " If this country be not rich, then is the whole world poor."
Strangers from all parts of the country, especially descendants from its early settlers, visit this ancient town, to see its old burying-ground, to ascend its hills and admire its landscapes, and are invariably delighted with its appearance. Most of the dwell- ings being surrounded with trees, both for foliage and for fruit, it has a rural appearance, although near the metropolis of New England and the most cultivated society in the land.
It is interesting to glance at the progress of our townsmen in regard to their dwelling-houses; and what would apply here, would also apply to most of the towns in the vicinity. A great portion of their time for the first two years, except that ab- solutely required for collecting food and the other necessaries of life, was occupied in arranging the set- tlement, and granting and laying out lands. It ap- pears that each one had liberty to choose his own homestead, but the other lands were distributed by grants. A large portion of the houses were built of logs, and covered with thatch which grew upon the salt marshes. In their great care and conside- ration for the wants of the community and of new comers (for which our fathers were very remarka- ble), they reserved a piece of marsh land for the free use of the inhabitants ; but the greediness of their descendants seems to have swallowed it up, for it
388
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
does not now appear in the list of town property, nor is there any account of its sale.
As by industry and indefatigable labor the inha- bitants increased their material possessions, a better class of buildings took the place of their first rude huts, and, like their clothing, maintained a similar- ity of style and finish ; but as the timber used in their construction was principally of oak, they were remarkably well calculated to stand the test of time and the fierceness of the tempests.
.HEDGE. SO.L
THE BLAKE HOUSE.
The picture here presented was drawn for Samuel Blake, Esq., and used by him in his genealogical history of the Blakes of Dorchester. This house was undoubtedly built by Elder James Blake, previ- ous to 1650, and was one of the best and most comely of that time. The hands of the carpenter and painter have altered its outward appearance, and the one- story addition on the right was placed there within the last quarter of a century. This house stands in Cottage Street, near the Five Corners, about
389
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
twenty rods north from the street. It is now owned and occupied by Mrs. Jane Williams, but was in the Blake family from the time of its erection until 1825.
In the manner of conducting funerals, since the settlement of the town, there has been a great change-in many respects certainly for the better. In their desire to avoid the formality of the Episco- pal Church, our ancestors appear to have entirely omitted prayers on these occasions ; but it is pro- bable they often had sermons and addresses, and perhaps singing. It has been said that the first prayer offered at a funeral in Boston, was at the burial of Rev. Dr. Mayhew, in 1766, although prayers had been quite frequent in the neighboring towns, even previous to the year 1700. But in regard to some of their observances on these occasions, great extravagance was indulged in. It is singular that a people so plain and precise should have gone to such extremes at these solemn seasons. This was more particularly the case at the funerals of those of rank, influence or wealth. In looking over old papers relating to the estates of deceased persons, many bills are found which strangely contrast with bills for funeral expenses in these days. West In- dia rum, Lisbon wine, lemons, sugar, pipes, tobacco, gloves, scarfs, hat-bands, and sometimes gold rings, were provided, and especially at the funerals of min- isters, which were paid at the public charge. Some- times these amounts were large enough to impove- rish a small estate, not unfrequently being £100 or even £200. At the funeral of Rev. J. Danforth, 42
390
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
of this town, in 1730, the expenses were £59 4s. 4d., exclusive of mourning clothes. It was usual for a whole neighborhood to attend funerals, and all busi- ness and pleasure gave way to them ; and sorry are we to add, that it was not an uncommon thing for persons to attend for the sake of the entertainment, and sometimes they indulged too freely. The corpse was placed upon a bier, and carried to the grave on the shoulders of friends and neighbors ; and when the distance was great, two or three sets of bearers officiated by turns. Many of the present generation .. remember this mode of burial. The Continental Congress, by a vote passed in 1774, took the first great initiative in discouraging the gifts and other costly expenses at funerals.
In the selection of a burial place, the great object of our ancestors appears to have been to secure a place of easy digging, provided the land was of no great use for other purposes. For this reason we see so many otherwise inappropriate places set apart for this purpose. In grave-stones, too, what an ad- vance has been made in point of taste! First we had, on the ancient stones, the horrible skull and cross-bones ; then a dismal-looking face, with cross- bones omitted ; afterwards a face more genial to look upon ; then the weeping willow over an urn ; the wil- low without the urn soon followed; then the broken shaft ; and, later, a butterfly soaring upwards from the chrysalis. Surely, taking a wise view of life and immortality, here has been one of the greatest of im- provements. Instead of the sombre and the terrific, now appear the genial and the angelic ; instead of the
391
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
place of skulls and carrion, evergreens and flowers perennial-making our cemeteries the christian por- tal (when the curtain of mortality shall be withdrawn) to a celestial day.
Our ancestors having been elbowed about so much in England, had no idea of being cramped for want of room after their arrival here; they therefore, in their new settlements, took special care to secure land enough around their dwellings. As early as 1635, when the scheme of removing to the banks of Connecticut river was contemplated, the want of room was a reason given for the expedition. The same want was probably felt by the neighboring towns, and was one of the considerations which led the General Court to extend the borders of the plan- tations, as an inducement for the settlers to remain ; although enlarging the boundary line added no ad- ditional acres to the colony. Dorchester was at this time enlarged, so that it reached from Boston on the north, to within 160 rods of Rhode Island on the south ; yet now, in 1857, after having been largely shorn of its dimensions to build up new towns and portions of towns, it has plenty of room remaining. It was customary for many persons, on their arrival in the colony, to take up their abode with their friends until they had decided where to locate ; and many so remained in Dorchester, so that its perma- nent inhabitants increased but very slowly for the first hundred years after its settlement. The births in the town, from 1657 to the end of 1734, a period of 78 years, were 2,416 ; while the deaths in the town for the same period were only 921-which
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.