USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Dorchester > History of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts > Part 41
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
which he had formerly worked, of the agent of the trustees of Trecothic, who had just died in London, and commenced manufacturing for himself, taking Nathaniel Blake as a boy to learn the business. Hannan married Elizabeth Gore, of Boston, in 1773, and removed to Dorchester when he commenced manufacturing for himself. His marriage proved so unfortunate that he determined to leave his wife. He therefore closed up his business in 1779, as well as the times and circumstances would permit, and gave out word that he was going to the West Indies for a supply of cocoa; but, unknown to his wife, started for his native country, never to return. No- thing was ever heard from him again, and it was supposed that he was lost overboard or died on his passage out under an assumed name. The widow undertook to continue the business. She hired the mill, and engaged Blake to make the chocolate. But the disposition that drove the husband from his home, found a victim in the boy, and he dissolved the con- nection and let himself to Mr. Daniel Vose, who hired the mill of Trecothic's heirs, and started the business in 1780.
Dr. James Baker, not satisfied with the business he was then pursuing, determined to go into the chocolate business, and arranged with Mr. Edward Preston to fit up a chocolate-mill in the fulling-mill built where the former one was burned, and manu- facture chocolate for him. Here Dr. Baker com- menced the manufacture of this article in 1780. Pres- ton's business was that of a clothier, never making chocolate on his own account. The division of Han-
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
nan's business left so small a share to Mr. Vose, that it became no object for him to pursue it, and he carried it on but a short time.
The business increased to such an extent, that Preston had not sufficient power to carry on his own business and manufacture as much chocolate as was wanted by Baker, who therefore arranged with Sum- ner and Connor to put up a mill at their dam (bought of George Clark), which mill Baker took in 1789, and hired Nathaniel Blake (who learned to make cho- colate of Hannan) to work in the mill. This mill being so far from Baker's residence, it proved very inconvenient to him, so much so that he soon left it, and in 1791 fitted up a chocolate-mill in a part of Mr. Daniel Vose's paper-mill, to which he removed and took in his son Edmund Baker, who had long done much of the out-door business, as a copartner.
In 1804, the elder Baker retired on a competency, and Edmund took the whole business. He hired the mill just above the bridge, which Mr. Vose had purchased of Mr. Trecothic's representatives, and fitted it up to do an increased amount of work. Here Mr. Baker continued about two years, when he removed to the new chocolate-mill he had erected on the site he bought of Samuel Leeds, in Dorches- ter, in 1805, and erected a new mill in 1806. In 1813, Baker removed the old mill building, and erected a large granite one to accommodate the grist and chocolate-mill, in addition to a mill for the man- ufacture of woolen cloths. In 1818, he took his son Walter into copartnership, and in 1824 relin-
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
quished all interest in the business, retiring upon the competency he had acquired.
The business increased, and from time to time en- croachments were made upon the power and room devoted to the manufacture of woolen cloth, until that branch of business was wholly dropped to make room for the manufacture of chocolate.
May 25, 1848, the mill took fire, and its contents and machinery were entirely consumed, the granite walls being so much injured that they were taken down, and a new and larger building of granite soon took the place of the old one. Mr. Walter Baker died in May, 1852, and by his will the business passed into the hands of Mr. Sidney B. Williams, a brother- in-law of Mr. Baker's, and who had for some time had an interest in the business. Mr. Williams died in July, 1854, and Mr. Henry L. Pierce, who had been a clerk both to Mr. Baker and Mr. Williams, succeeded to the business, hiring the mill of and ar- ranging with the trustees under Mr. Baker's will for the use of the name; and he now carries on the business under the style of Walter Baker & Co. Under the skilful management of Mr. Pierce, the business increased to such an extent, that in 1857 he found it necessary to hire the corn-mill and fit it up as a chocolate-mill, in order to accomplish the work required. .
Upon the disappearance of John Hannan, in 1779, Mr. James Boies erected a chocolate-mill near his paper-mill at the Upper Mills, in Milton, and there did a small business in the chocolate line, un- til his mill was consumed, April 9, 1782. Soon
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
after that, Mr. Boies erected another mill on the Dorchester side of the same privilege, for his son Jeremiah Smith Boies, who there carried on the business until the mill passed into the hands of Hugh McLean,* in the division of mill-property be- tween Boies and McLean, in 1790. The younger Boies hired the mill of McLean for some time, and then erected a chocolate and paper-mill a short dis- tance below the McLean mill, and where the starch manufactory now stands, and there carried on the chocolate business until the mill was consumed, De- cember 24, 1805, when he gave up the business.
In 1812, Mr. John Preston, Sen., erected a corn and chocolate-mill adjoining his fulling-mill, at the Lower Mills, in Dorchester, and there commenced the manufacture of chocolate, and carried on the business in a humble way until his death in 1819. His son John Preston, Jr., succeeded to the busi- ness, and purchased his brothers' and sisters' rights in the mill and privilege. He continued until 1854, when he relinquished it to his two sons John A. and Walter Preston. Mr. Preston died in 1856, and his two sons now carry on the business.
In 1843, Josiah Webb and Josiah F. Twom- bly commenced the manufacture of chocolate in the mill at the lower falls, erected by Dr. Jonathan Ware, and continued in that mill about seven years, when they removed to the mill just above, which was erected in 1850 by the Dorchester Cotton and Iron Company for them. When that company sold
* Hugh McLean was the father of John McLean, the patron of Har- vard College and the Massachusetts General Hospital.
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
out their property in 1855, these gentlemen pur- chased the mill, and are now prosecuting a success- ful business.
THE CORPORATION OF PROPRIETORS OF MILLS.
In 1798, Joseph Whiting, Moses Whiting, Joseph Lewis, Jonathan Avery, Joseph Whiting, Jr., Hugh McLean, J. Smith Boies, Michael McCarney, Sam- uel Leeds, Daniel Vose, William Sumner, John Preston, Benjamin Pierce, and Jonathan Wether- bee, together with such other proprietors of one or more mills on either the Neponset River or Mother Brooks, were incorporated as " The proprietors of mills on Mill Creek and Neponset River," for the purpose of protecting, defending and recovering their common rights, and were invested with power to assess upon the several mills such sums as might be necessary to defray their expenses. This corporation was organized September 1, 1809, and Edmund Baker chosen clerk and treasurer. Samuel Louder, Daniel T. Vose and Edmund Tileston were chosen assessors ; J. Smith Boies, Samuel Louder and Daniel Vose a standing committee ; and Amasa Fuller, collector.
The principal business of this corporation was to settle, with the proprietors of mills on Charles River, their respective rights to the water of the river. This vexed controversy was settled, after many years altercation, by placing permanent mudsills and abut- ments in Charles River, so as to send one third of its water down the Mother Brook into the Neponset.
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
641
At the first meeting of the corporation, it was voted to raise $120 by a tax on the mill property, for which purpose the privileges were taxed as fol- lows :----
Norfolk Cotton Manufactory,
Privilege, $4000
Improvement, 6000
Hezekiah Whiting,
Privilege, 4500
Improvement, 900
Moses Whiting,
half of water-privilege, half of work erected, 300
2000
Heirs of Aaron Whiting, half of water-privilege, 2000
half of work erected, 300
Boston Iron and Nail Factory, half of water-priv.
2000
half of work erected, 3250
William Sumner,
Privilege, 4500
Improvement, 3500
Amasa Fuller,
Privilege, 3000
Improvement, 3500
Tileston & Hollingsworth,
Privilege on trench, 3000
Improvement,
3500
Gillispie Dam, 1000
Improvement, 500
Privilege, 3000
Improvement,
600
John Capen,
Privilege,
4500
Rachel Vose,
Water-privilege,
3000
Improvement, 700
Edmund Baker,
Water-privilege, 3000
Improvement,
4700
Isaac Sanderson,
Water-privilege,
2500
Improvement, 3500
John Preston,
Water-privilege,
2500
Improvement, 1500
J. Smith Boies,
In 1835, a new system of valuation was adopted by the corporation, and the value of the privilege was to be estimated by the head and fall of each mill, as ascertained by Jabez Coney's survey, when it was found that each had as follows :-
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
Ft. In. 10ths.
Benjamin Bussey,
15
6
0
Lemuel Whiting,
8 11 9
Norfolk Manufacturing Company,
10 4 0
Dedham
7
9
8
William Sumner's Estate,
7
11 3
Tileston & Hollingsworth,
6 10 9
Dorchester Cotton and Iron Co.
9
8 3
Edmund Baker,
6 11 9
Isaac Sanderson and John Preston,
1 0 0
Total fall, 78 21
The agreement was made with the proprietors of mills on Charles River, and carried into effect . in 1841, since which time but little business has been done by the corporation, and its present efforts are to keep itself alive until some new cir- cumstance shall need its action.
CHAPTER XXVII.
Societies, Banks, Churches, Ministerial and Church Lands, Burial- Grounds, &c.
IMPRESSED with the value of the various materi- als for history, which, scattered among the older families of Dorchester and its vicinity, have long been exposed to the ravages of time and the de- structiveness of ignorance if not of vandalism, a few of the sons of Dorchester, with other friends, assembled on the 27th of January, 1843, at the house of Ebenezer Clapp, Jr., in Dorchester, to de- vise measures for methodical and effective co-opera- tion in the work of rescuing and preserving these
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
flitting memorials of our history. As the result of the consultation then held, an association was insti- tuted, having for its object the collection and pre- servation of books, pamphlets, manuscripts and curi- osities, bearing on the biography and history of men and things in the United States, from the earliest period. A constitution was immediately adopted, and a Society was organized by the name of the
DORCHESTER ANTIQUARIAN AND HISTORICAL
SOCIETY.
Hon. Edmund P. Tileston was elected President ; Edmund J. Baker, William D. Swan, and Henry M. Leeds, Curators ; Ebenezer Clapp, Jr., Correspond- ing Secretary ; and Edward Holden, Librarian.
Pursuant to the original design of the association, a large library of books, pamphlets and manuscripts has already been collected, special efforts being made in regard to mementos of Dorchester, of which the Society already has a well-filled casket ; and yet there is room for large additions, which they hope to re- ceive from their fellow citizens-so that not nothing which may form a record or an illustration of our history, may fail of permanent preservation.
The Society early appointed a special committee, consisting of James M. Robbins, Edmund J. Baker, Ebenezer Clapp, Jr., William D. Swan, Edward Holden, Edmund P. Tileston, and William B. Trask, to collect and publish a general history of Dorches- ter. How well the commission has been executed, it ill becomes the Society to declare. Judgment upon that matter is reserved for the candid reader,
644
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
To facilitate the progress of the Society, a petition was presented, in 1855, to the "General Court of Massachusetts," praying for a charter of incorpora- tion. The bill submitted by the Society was " passed to be enacted," and on the third day of May, 1855, was signed by the governor. Since this legal recognition, the Society has largely increased in his- toric wealth.
So perfectly consonant with the end and aim of this institution was the celebration of our municipal and national anniversary in 1855, that this sketch would hardly seem complete without some notice of the correspondence held on that occasion between this Society and His Worship the Mayor of Dorches- ter in old England, as the representative of the people of that ancient borough. We give the letters in full.
TO THE CITIZENS OF DORCHESTER, ENGLAND. Dorchester, Mass., U. S. A., May 8, 1855.
The Undersigned, Members of the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society, To the Citizens of the City of Dorchester, Dorset, Eng.
FRIENDS : - Your place being the residence of many of our progenitors, and from which this town derived its name, we address you with an affectionate interest. It is comparative- ly but a few years since our ancestors left their quiet homes and launched forth upon the ocean, to make a new home for themselves and posterity, and take up their abode in this then inhospitable wilderness of savages and wild beasts. As we look back upon the history of this period, it appears as if events had been transpiring for two centuries to bring forth and educate for the work, this inestimable race of men. They came to worship God according to the dictates of their own `consciences ; and although their treatment of those who dif- fered from them in religious sentiment was often harsh, cruel, and almost inexcusable, yet we must remember that they were the most tolerant of their age, and that toleration
645
HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
was a doctrine not then dreamed of by the great mass of mankind ; even now, many are they who fall far short of its christian requirements. We must also admit that it is not just to judge that generation by the standard of the present. We believe that this is almost the only country ever settled that had not the lower motive of gold, plunder or conquest, for its paramount object. But time will not permit us to go into a lengthened history of those men ; suffice it to say, they loved their native land, sung of its sacred memories, and prayed for its true glory ; they had " great contempt of ter- restrial distinctions," and felt assured, that "if their names were not found in the register of heralds, they were recorded in the book of life." This state of things continued until they thought that encroachments were made on their char- tered rights, which they endeavored to remedy with all the skill of practised diplomatists ; but nothing could prevent a final separation ; in the fulness of time the breach was made, which might indeed be called " manifest destiny." About thirty-six years after, another little misunderstanding occur- red ; but the lapse of time has healed all breaches and all misunderstandings, and we claim you as brethren beloved, and recal the time when our fathers sat side by side, gloried in the same country, and looked forward to the same destiny. It was meet that the separation should come, and the great doctrine of " Westward the star of Empire takes its way," be fulfilled. That star has reached its culminating point, and planted its banner by the setting sun ; henceforth civilization must travel east, and Asia and Africa be its field of operation.
It is supposed that this town was called Dorchester on ac- count of the great respect of its early settlers for Rev. John White, a clergyman of your place at that time, and an active instrument in promoting the settlement and procuring its charter. They sailed from Plymouth, England, March 20, and arrived May 30, 1630 ; they came in the ship Mary and John, Capt. Squeb, and were finally settled down here as a body politic about June 17, 1630. They were reinforced from time to time, and many remained here only for a short period and then went to other places and made new homes. It is estimated that there are now living, in this country, two hundred thousand persons who are descendants of the early settlers of this town.
A little previous to the year 1700 (Oct. 22, 1695), a church was organized in this town, which went to South Carolina and planted another Dorchester ; so that in civil affairs you have children and grandchildren in this western world. A large number of persons of the following names, descendants of the early settlers of this town, are now living here or in
74
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER,
this vicinity, viz. : Baker, Bird, Blackman, Blake, Bradlee, Billings, Capen, Clapp, Davenport, Foster, Glover, Holmes, Hall, Hawes, Howe, Hewins, Humphreys, Jones, Leeds, Lyon, Moseley, Minot, Pierce, Payson, Preston, Pope, Rob- inson, Spur, Sumner, Tileston, Tolman, Vose, White, With- ington, Wales and Wiswell. Any information concerning these names would be very interesting to us, appreciated, and treasured up for posterity.
The inhabitants of this town propose to celebrate the 79th anniversary of our birth-day as a nation, on the coming July 4th. Hon. Edward Everett, a native of this place, and late Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain, will address the assembly. The sons and daughters of the town, wherever scattered, are invited to come to their ancestral home and unite with us on this occasion. It is too much for us to ask that a delegation be sent from your borough to add to the interest of this festival ; but should one or more of your citi- zens whom you would approve be in this country, it would give us great pleasure to have them attend as our guests. Dorchester adjoins Boston on the south, contains about 8000 inhabitants, and for its size is one of the wealthiest towns in the country ; its valuation last year was $10,182,400. Its location is one of great interest, and its founder's had an eye for the beautiful when they pitched their tents upon this land of promise ; their hands cultivated these spreading fields, and " helped to subdue a wilderness which now blossoms like the rose."
Within the last generation science has subdued the ele- ments, and made them applicable to the purposes of man ; distance is computed by time and not space, so that you seem neighbors as well as friends ; and by this epistle we reach forth across the ocean, offer you the right hand of fellowship, and in imagination look forward to that future when the only question asked by all nations will be -How does it stand related to eternal truth?
With great respect, your friends,
EDMUND P. TILESTON, EDMUND J. BAKER, EBENEZER CLAPP, JR.
WM. D. SWAN, WM. B. TRASK,
WM. H. RICHARDSON, JAMES SWAN, SAMUEL BLAKE, C. M. S. CHURCHILL, EDWARD HOLDEN.
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
FROM THE MAYOR OF DORCHESTER, ENG.
To the Members of the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society, Dorchester, Massachusetts, U. S.
South Street, Dorchester, Dorset. 16th June, 1855.
GENTLEMEN AND FRIENDS : - Your letter, which as Mayor it fell to my lot to receive, has created a feeling of interest amongst us, and we welcome with great cordiality the com- munication from those whom we may style kinsfolk. I have caused your letter to be printed, and have circulated it amongst such persons especially as are likely to assist us in our inqui- ries on the subject of it.
I myself, and I believe many others, would gladly pay you a visit, but that we cannot spare the time required to do so.
We feel that we cannot furnish you with an account of our town and neighborhood in such a manner as we would wish, in time for your anniversary, but we hope by the 80th anniversary to be enabled to collect a portfolio for you, which, if you wish, we shall gladly forward to you. I have already a nucleus of the collection.
Mr. White's name is still known in the Borough, and there are still names amongst us which are enumerated by you. The Town itself does not probably exceed, by much, the limits it had when our common ancestors left it.
Being surrounded by the lands of the Duchy of Cornwall, which are held in common, there has been a constant check upon increasing our bounds. We are, however, we trust, increasing our station amongst other towns, and we hope ere Jong that the obstacle to our extension may be removed.
1. : County Goal and other public buildings being situated here, and the Assizes and Quarter Sessions being held here, add to' our importance. The suburb of Fordington now forms part of our Borough. We have five Churches, and several Chapels for those whose doctrines differ from the Church of England. Of these churches, two are in Fording- ton and three in Dorchester. The Holy Trinity Church was rebuilt in 1824-5 ; the Church of All Saints about five or six years ago. The Church of St. Peters is the oldest church in the town. There is now a scheme on foot for restoring and repairing this church, and for giving greater accommodation to our poorer brethren. When completed, we shall give them upwards of 200 free sittings, and the building will then be a handsomer specimen of architecture. At present the com- mitten are stayed by want of sufficient funds. Two import- ant Railways, the London and South Western and the Great Western, approach us, whilst at eight miles distant we have the Port of Weymouth, and the Island of Portland, with the
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
Quarries, whereon the Government have established Convict Prisons, and by convict labor in great part they are forming a breakwater.
Our design is to furnish you, if acceptable, with a full de- scription of the town and neighborhood, accompanied by such views as we may be able to procure or furnish to illustrate our account. We do not think we can do this with justice to the subject before next summer, but if you will then ac- cept it as a pledge of good feeling and good fellowship, it is humbly at your service.
You will perhaps let me know how these matters should be sent to you ; and with every good wish for your welfare,
I remain yours very faithfully,
THOMAS COOMBS, Mayor.
LADIES' DORCHESTER AND MILTON CIRCULATING LIBRARY.
One of the first fairs in an open grove in this vicinity was held at Vose's Grove, a beautiful spot at the head of tide-water on Neponset River, July 4, 1838, for the purpose of raising funds wherewith to establish a library. The project was originated the year previous by Miss Lydia B. Baker. The ladies who assumed the responsibility on this occa- sion, were Mrs. Mary Morton, Miss Clarissa Sum- ner, Miss Penelope Rowe, Miss Lydia B. Baker, Miss Lucia P. Brown, Miss Susan M. Kendall, Miss Mary Codman, Miss Ida, Miss Geraldine T. and Miss Rosalin G. Russell, Mrs. Mary B. Churchill, Miss Eliza R. Glover, Miss Lucinda and Miss Harriet Baldwin. The proceeds of the fair were $965 10. A second fair for the purpose was held in 1852, which yielded $612. These amounts, with a liberal contribution of books and money, have made this a permanent institution. It now contains about 2500 volumes, exclusive of reviews and pamphlets.
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
THE MATTAPAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
This Association, located at Harrison Square, was formed December 18, 1848. Its first officers were- Increase S. Smith, Librarian ; Charles Carruth, Treasurer ; Frederic W. Macondray, Ebenezer Tol- man, and Thomas C. Wales, Committee. The pre- sent number of volumes is 1179, many of which are very valuable works.
THE GARDNER LIBRARY ASSOCIATION,
Incorporated in 1856. Charles C. Temple, Pres't ; C. C. Hall, Secretary ; George Haynes, Treasurer.
DORCHESTER ATHENAEUM.
In March, 1856, several gentlemen in the north part of the town suggested the idea of a society for the promotion of social intercourse and mutual im- provement. Among the most active were John J. May, Ambrose H. White, and Amasa Pray. A pub- lic meeting was called, and such progress was made that the old Everett school-house was soon purchased . and removed from Sumner Street to the Junction of Pleasant, Cottage and Pond Streets, and remodelled to suit the purpose of an Athenæum and a library. Its first officers were John G. Nazro, President ; John J. May, Secretary ; Ambrose H. White, Trea- surer ; Amasa Pray, Jacob Davis, Ebenezer Clapp, Jr., and Michael O. Barry, Trustees. March 14th, 1857, it was incorporated, for " the purpose of estab- lishing a library and a reading room, and for ad- vancing. useful arts, science, &c."
These, with other small libraries and those con-
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HISTORY OF DORCHESTER.
nected with the Sunday Schools and Parishes, to- gether with the public libraries and other sources in the neighboring city of Boston, to which so many of our citizens have easy access, furnish reading matter attainable by all.
BANKS.
The first bank established in Dorchester, was call- ed the Dorchester and Milton Bank. It was incor- porated in 1832, and was situated at the Lower Mills. It first President was Moses Whitney ; its .. first Cashier, H. Temple. In 1850 this bank was robbed of about $32,000, on which account the name was changed to the Blue Hill Bank, which name is still retained. Some of the money was recovered.
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