USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > Illustrated history of South Boston > Part 3
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scholars marched in procession, and the people witnessed a sight which was the interest of the entire community. As they neared the school building, they were cheered. An address was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Pierpont. Before Mr. Capen resigned in 1826, a singing school was established and many other improve- ments were noticed. Mr. Barnum Field took charge the same year, and in 1829 he was succeeded by Jairus Lincoln, who received a salary of one thousand dollars a year. Mr. Lincoln found his task of managing the boys a difficult one, and, at times, they seemed to be incorrigible; whipping was resorted to. but it did not have the desired effect. The boys took certain advantages, and nothing in the way of discipline came, until his resigna-
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
FIRST REVIEW OF THE SOUTH BOSTON YACHT CLUB, FOOT OF K STREET, IN 1868.
tion, and the appointment of Mark Anthony DeWolfe Howe. This person after- wards became rector of St. Matthews church and later on, Bishop of Central Penn- sylvania. His term of ser- vice lasted till February 8, 1831. His successor, Mr. William P. Page had a series of trying experiences with the boys, who did everything to annoy him, and at last, dis- couraged at his own failure to quell the continued dis- turbance at the school, re- signed August 14, 1833.
Mr. Moses W. Walker, who then took up the gauntlet of maintaining the discipline in the school, pursued the method of constant whip- ping. He did not spare the rod, and he made the bad boys sting with his punish- ments. One boy was wounded by his blows. The matter came before the school com- inittee and it was the com- mon talk of the place. Mr. Walker gained his point, but his severity was displeasing to the parents and he con- cluded to resign, which he did January 14, 1834.
The new master, Mr. Joseph Harrington, Jr. be- lieved, you could catch more flies with a spoonful of honey than with a barrel of vinegar, and appealed to the scholars' sense of right and wrong. He was mainly successful and a new era opened for the school. Being a man of practical insight into the rela- tive conditions of things, he soon made an influence for himself and was able to over- come many of the past acts of insubordination. This gen- tleman was the founder of the Hawes Juvenile Associa- tion, a society which exerted a
NE
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
helpful influence over the young, and was mainly instrumental in suggesting reforms in educational work. Hawes school be- came well and favorably known under his administration. It is interesting to note that the experiment of teaching music in grammar schools, was first made in this school, and was under the charge of Mr. Lowell Mason, a name which will be al- ways honored in Boston in this particular.
Mr. Samuel Barrett succeeded Mr. Harris at the Hawes school.
As soon as South Boston showed evi- dence of growth, and prosperity, renewed interest in the better provision for the education of the children was evident. The Hawes school could only accommo- date 468 pupils, and nearly one hundred more were forced to attend there. Immediate steps were taken to relieve
INDEPENDENCE SQUARE.
When Mr. Harrington resigned in July, 1839 Mr. Frederick Crafts took his posi- tion and was afterwards transferred to the Bigelow school. Mr. John A. Harris, his successor, remained till August 1852. In the meantime, the Hawes school was divided into two sections. One section for boys, and another for girls. This division lasted till the completion of the Bigelow school on Fourth street, when the girls were placed there.
this congestion. Franklin Hall, at the corner of Dorchester avenue and Fourth street, was hired, and $2,000 were allowed for this undertaking. Mr. Jonathan Battles, and Misses Lucy Floyd, and Lydia T. Brooks were the teachers. It was known as the " Branch school."
This effort was destined after a while to result in something more than a tentative matter for the relief of the Hawes school. A new school building on Broadway
BROADWAY FROM G STREET, LOOKING TOWARD H STREET.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
between B and C streets was authorized to be erected. There were attempts to have it called the Everett school, or the Lowell school, but the name Mather school was popular and was accepted. In January, 1856 it was changed from Mather to Lawrence in honor of Amos Lawrence. The Lawrence Association of the Mather school was instituted in January, 1844. Mr. Lawrence was generous and considerate of the wants of the school, and donated a library to it. School accommodations became a seri-
presented a clock, which was much ad- mired in those times, and became a recognized authority to the citizens of Ward 12.
The school was composed entirely of girls. The first master was Mr. Fred- erick Crafts, who was succeeded in 1852, by Joseph Hale, whose widow for a long time resided in this locality and died a few years ago (1898).
Branch schools were started at the Point, and at Washington Village.
The Lawrence school was removed
K STREET FROM FOURTH STREET, LOOKING TOWARD SEVENTH STREET.
ous matter in 1849. Something must be done to obviate the condition of two crowded grammar schools, and it was a year before anything tangible was accomplished. On May 2, 1850, the Bigelow school house was dedicated. It was located on the corner of E and Fourth streets, the present site of the new building bearing that name. Mayor Bigelow made the address upon the open- ing, and a song sung by seventeen young ladies, added much to the significance of the occasion. The cost of the building was $31,000 and the land was valued at $8,500. Mayor Bigelow kept up an in- terest in the building and its work, and
from Broadway to the new building erected on the corner of Third and B streets, September 11, 1856. The cost was about $65,000. The building was dedicated March 17, 1857. The Rev. Charles S. Porter offered prayer, and addresses were made by the Hon. Alex- ander HI. Rice, Mayor of Boston, the Hon. Josiah Quincy, Ex-Governor Bout- well and others. Josiah H. Stearns was the master, and the scholars numbered nearly eight hundred.
Nothing has been said about primary schools, but the records are not clear about the exact establishment of them. Probably, they were placed in South
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
-
NEW SUMMER STREET EXTENSION.
Boston in 1819. Mrs. Catharine Thayer taught such a school in 1821. Strange things were in practice in these schools. Books were scarce and the principles of elementary education were neglected. Watt's Shorter Catechism was the dose of religious instruction. This by itself would create a smile among modern edu- cators. Somewhere near the corner of Dorchester and Third streets, a room was hired for this school, but it was never a strong center of education. Miss Cole taught the primary school on Fourth street, between B and C streets in 1824.
Private schools were popular. Mrs. Burrill founded one in 1835 for young ladies, which had a long and honored history. It was situated on Mt. Wash- ington, in the vicinity of the present Unitarian church. The Rev. Dr. E. M. P. Wells, had a school on Fourth street, at the Point, in a building which was removed stone by stone from Joy street in the city, and the Rev. Dr. J. H. Clinch also conducted a fairly successful school on Broadway, near G street.
NEWSPAPER VENTURES.
Newspaper men have their trials like every one else. The attempts to get a local paper in South Boston were few and far between. The " Galaxy " was a good undertaking for the day, but it was not popular. As soon as it was born, it began to fade, and died after two months. This did not discourage Mr. Albert J. Wright from making an attempt in 1847. The size of the new paper, called " The Gazette," was ten inches by twelve, and the subscription price was fifty cents a year. It was afterwards enlarged to four times its size, and under the name of the " South Boston Gazette," and "Dorchester Chron- icle," it lived, comparatively speaking, a long life until 1856. Mr. Wright had before this, relinquished the charge of the " Gazette " and commenced the pub- lication of the " Mercury." But this new paper, which was born September 8, 1855, went out of life August 16, 1856. In 1859 Mr. E. F. Barrett became in- terested in the " Mattapan Register," and
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
he afterwards called it " The South Boston Register." The Hon. Samuel H. Jenks was the editor of this paper and continued his services till 1863. It is doubtful, whether a copy of this paper is in existence.
Nothing definite was done in this line until 1871, and in the summer of that year, Mr. W. H. Fay started the " In- quirer." This paper passed through several hands, and was purchased from Mr. Fay by Charles L. Storrs in Septem- ber of the above year. In 1895 it was sold to Mr. Edward P. Barry, then assis- tant city editor of the Boston Herald, who made a pro- nouneed success of it and has now turned it over to a stock company of which he is presi- dent. It is now the only recog- nized regularly published newspaper in South Boston.
Other papers at different periods were put forth, but with no success. There were the " South Boston Gazette " under the charge of Charles D. Page; the " South Boston Press " under Benjamin John- son ; " The Heights " under the Rev. J. II. Wiggin, and " The Saturday Evening Star" edited by S. S. Miles and N. HI. Harding. The "South Boston Bulletin," at one time an excellent compendium of news; suspended publication in 1899, after a service of ten years, its former quarters now being occupied by the Inquirer Publishing Company. The " South Boston News" has existed fifteen years.
EARLY INCIDENTS.
As one looks back over the early records of Mattapanock, there are sev- eral scattered. incidents here and there, which although not of great importance, bear in an interesting manner upon its growth and development. The Indians must have enjoyed this spot. Powwow Point looms up before the seeker after
hidden treasures, as a locality full of Indian reminiscences. It was located somewhere near the foot of K street, fronting Thompson's Island. Here the Indian roamed, danced and enjoyed him- self with his traditions, and annually held a feast, full of merriment, and enthu- siasm. Every Indian knew that spring of water, which at high tide was covered by the sea, yet yielded to him so many cooling draughts. Upon a solemn feast- day he made a vow not to touch any- thing but what came from the sea, and even the sea water was taken up in clam
DISTRICT COURTHOUSE, DORCHESTER STREET.
shells, and drunken in the midst of festiv- ities and ceremonies. All these cus- toms lingered for many years in this locality, and many a white person visited the place and conferred with the red men about not a few of these peculiar observances, so dear to their memories. Not many years after these orgies took place, a scourge came upon the Indians, which made them superstitious, and drove them to other parts. But they long cherished the scenes of this neighbor- hood and held them in reverence.
The time that South Boston was an-
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
nexed to Boston by the legislative act of 1804, was the time that the present name was assumed. There are good reasons for changing the name of a place, doubt- less, but for many the name of Matta- panock has more value in a historical way than the name South Boston. It would have been better to retain the Indian name here, as it has been re- tained in the name of the state. Of course, many in those early times were rasping under the treatment that their forefathers had received from the Indians,
market place, but the immediate use of this spot was for a school building, until the public market should be more in de- mand. A burial place was then set out, on Dorchester street three hundred feet south ; west, on Dorchester boundary line, two hundred and sixty feet; north on F street, and including a part of it, two hundred and sixty feet; and east on Seventh street. This was the act of the selectmen of Boston.
Mr. John Hawes, always interested in the locality, conveyed a lot of land on the
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1
BIRDSEYE VIEW OF SOUTH BOSTON OF TO-DAY.
and cruel as well as deceptive they were in many of their transactions, but to our thinking, there was too ready a willingness to adopt old English names in this new land, which, while redolent of the scenes that they had long ago left behind them beyond the sea, was not always a valid reason to adopt them in this country.
At an early period three lots of land . were set apart for the purpose of a public market, for a school house, and for a burial ground.
Mr. John Hawes deeded the lot for a
old road leading to the Point for the use of a burying ground for the inhabitants. This or part of it, is still seen between Emerson and Fifth streets and L and M streets. It was called Hawes burying ground. The Union cemetery adjoined it, upon land sold to Adam Bent the trustee of the Warren Association. St. Augustine cemetery on Dorchester street dates from 1818.
Mr. John Hawes was eighty-eight years old, when he died. His maternal grand- father was Benjamin Bird, and John knew
1
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
the Neck from his seventh year, when he was brought here.
He was a strong man in this com- munity and always aimed to advance the interests of the Neck. Everybody knew him, and prized his friendship. Late in life, he married Mrs. Sarah Clap, widow of Mr. Elisha Clap, and daughter of Mr. Thomas Bird. - His love for her was evinced in many ways. He made ample provisions for her in his estate, though he survived her death by six years.
He was not educated in the modern sense, but he read, and improved himself in ways that were opened to him in his day, and made himself a name and an influence in the community. He made provision for the education of the youth, erected a house for Divine worship, and its support, and proved himself a zealous adherent to the principles which go to make men, useful and industrious in their methods. As a farmer, he knew how to raise the crops and could tell the boys some good stories to make them happy and contented in tilling the fields. Such men may have their days of peculiarity, but he could overcome them all, with his sound wisdom, and his industrious ways.
Joseph Woodward, was another well- known character. He was a man of extremes. He could wax eloquent when he was provoked, and he could defy his enemies in a way to make them long remember his antagonism. But he was good, unselfish, kind and tenderhearted ; traits which he exercised upon different occasions and helped to make him popu- lar in certain directions. He was born in Hingham, November 15, 1758. Dr. Chauncy, minister of the First church of Boston had the moulding of his early years. In 1804, after a varied experi- ence with the ups and downs in life, he came to South Boston, and bought a tract of land of thirty acres from Abraham Gould, which was located on the west of Dorchester street near the Roman Cath- olic cemetery. He worked hard for the bridge in the direction of South street, and openly worked for this project.
"Old Joe Woodward," as he was called never was distressed at a failure. If he
thought a matter was right, he would sit up all night, planning to carry it through. He argued for the annexation to Boston, and he advocated the bridge, the hobby of his life, with a rare determination to make it a success.
Fearless to the extreme, he did many things in his impulsiveness, which made him enemies, yet he was a man of prog- ress. He did not sit still, and go to seed. He was always thinking of bene- fiting his community, and did it at the expense of severe criticism and many disadvantages. He fell asleep after an eventful life, June 29, 1838, and was buried in South Boston, July 1.
Mr. Abraham Gould was a representa- tive person in the early development of the interests of the peninsula. His large property was acquired through his mar- riage with Susanna Foster, a descendant of Hopestill Foster. His good judg- ment, and careful habits of adminis- tration led him to obtain other property, which he developed, and added materi- ally to his income. St. Matthew's Episcopal church, was begun under his advice, and he served as its senior war- den for many years. In the community many projects which would ultimately advance its prosperity, came, under his guidance, and his usefulness as a citizen was verified in many ways. His death occurred February 3, 1840.
Mr. Cyrus Alger was for many years an influential citizen. His business inter- ests in the iron foundry made his name well-known in the city of Boston. After South Boston had been an- nexed to Boston for five years Mr. Alger came to this locality and commenced the foundry business on Second street, near the Russell glass house, which was then in active operation. He left this position later on, which he had held in conjune- tion with Governor Winslow, who had an interest in the business and finally transferred it to his son. This led Mr. Alger to erect for himself a foundry on Fourth street. The plant grew in size, and occupied a large space near the corner of Foundry street and the old bridge, besides having buildings on Dorchester avenue. His shrewdness
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
in business was displayed in his purchase of lands and flats adjoining the foundry which were eventually filled in, and made available in many ways. The sea wall was repaired, and other improvements undertaken in this district, which showed that Mr. Alger was wiser in his plans than many of his friends could at first anticipate.
The South Boston Iron Company was
foundry and was constantly benefiting in every way, the community where he lived. His death was universally la- mented, and the day of his funeral threw a sadness over South Boston, where he was respected and honored by all classes.
The name of Adam Bent was a famil- iar one to all the residents in the first part of the nineteenth century. His business was the manufacturing of
EAST FOURTH STREET, LOOKING TOWARD M STREET.
started by him, and incorporated in 1827. The business increased, and the works were extended. Around his residence, marked signs of improvement were visible, and Alger's foundry became after a time one of the most complete establishments in the country.
His familiarity with the details of his business, as well as his knowledge of purifying cast iron, made him a recog- nized authority. The mortar gun " Co- lumbiad " was cast under his care. Other schemes requiring capital as well as skill were promoted, and advanced to a suc- cessful result by his untiring energy and cooperation. He did much to improve the streets and the land around his
pianos, and in this he was one of the early pioneers. In 1808, he married Sukey Foster Blake. He was one of the fourteen original members of the Hawes Place Society and in 1829 was one of the deacons of that church. His death occurred March 22, 1857.
Samuel Blake, enjoyed the esteem and confidence of this community for many years. He was born in Boston, Sep- tember 13, 1788, and in 1835 he came to South Boston and built a large man- sion on the ancestral spot, where for six generations the name of Blake was hon- ored. His ancestor William Blake was one of the passengers in the ship " Mary and John " which landed here in May,
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
1630. Mr. Samuel Blake was a success- ful man of business, kind and affable in manner, and benevolent in his dealings with his fellowmen. His death was a great blow to the community, which he had served with such interest and devo- tion to its progress and development. It occurred January 17, 1853.
SHIP BUILDING.
Ship building was one of the early in- dustries in South Boston. It began as early as 1812. The firm of Lincoln & Wheelwright carried it on, and employed for their manager Mr. Samuel Kent. This gentleman, after serving acceptably for many years, was succeeded by Cap- tain Noah Brooks. No person took a more active interest in the commercial advancement of the community than he. It was the pride of the Hon. Abbott Lawrence of Boston, once to introduce the captain to a number of friends from the Southern States, upon a public occa- sion, as a real live Yankee. In 1822, he began his important enterprise upon a large scale, and his yard was famous all over the United States. In all his trans- actions, he proved himself a wise, and capable manager. Nothing escaped his diligent eye for business, and he never spared himself in promoting the best schemes for public reform and, working zealously in this direction, he lived to see how perseverance and skill, when proper- ly applied, will eventually merit success. The captain went among men, as one to whom they could always look up, and several times, he enjoyed the distinction of serving the legislature of Massachu- setts. The common council honored his membership, and benefited by his advice. He was born July 7, 1782 in Scituate, and died January 28, 1852, spending more than thirty years in this locality. His dwelling house was on Broadway, between Dorchester and E streets. Ship building was afterwards undertaken by Brigg Brothers, and Har- rison Loring followed with his many achievements in this same line. Beside building many ships for commerce, Mr. Loring constructed "The Northern
Light " which made the fastest passage from Boston to San Francisco, covering the distance in seventy-six days. This ship was built in South Boston in 1851, and was commanded by Captain Hatch.
The name of David Williams the pilot, bears a place of honor in the list of South Boston worthies. He was a self-educated man, and in every way, in his business, social, and church relations, distinguished himself, and left a reputation behind which others could emulate.
The painful experience he went through
1952020
LYCEUM HALL 184 5.
ILDEN,
BR
OLD LYCEUM HALL.
ONCE LOCATED CORNER E ST. AND BROADWAY.
in 1778, when a member of the crew of the privateer brig "General Arnold," of twenty guns and one hundred and six men, which was foundered in Plymouth harbor, is full of thrilling adventures, pa- thetic and sad in the extreme. This ship left Boston, December 24, 1778, and en- countered a terrible storm of wind and snow near Plymouth. Many of the men were frozen and seventy-eight perished. Without food or drink the survivors did all they could to reach land, and to some extent were aided by the men of Plymouth. But exposure to the severe cold, with no ex- tra covering, made them afterwards seek the quarter deck of the stranded vessel,
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
where they were huddled together await- ing the fate which seemed to be immi- nent. " Everything appeared to be against them. Securing a keg of rum from below they eagerly drank its contents, which put not a few of them into a stupor. The wiser ones poured the rum into their boots, and battling for a long time against odds, the rescuers finally succeeded in reaching them, and carried them in a half frozen condition to a place of safety. John Williams, the brother of David, suffered much, and for a long time, his life was despaired of. He finally recov- ered. Captain Magee was rescued, and a jolly, good-natured Irishman was he. By his jokes and cheerfulness, he drove many dull hours away at the time of ap- parent despair. David Williams never forgot him, and always mentioned his name with reverence. Mr. Williams enjoyed the respect of all, and was a man who by his kind and humble ways endeared himself to the community. While not prominent in business he was that type of man, who worked not for reward, but to make the world better after he had left it. He died December 4, 1836.
A. E. G.
1861-1901.
The beginning of the civil war found South Boston a flourishing district, con- taining about twenty-two thousand in- habitants, who were largely engaged in manufacturing and other industrial pur- suits.
The progress of the war marked an immense increase in the business and population of South Boston. The de- mand for materials incident to the prose- cution of the war for the Union, gave an impetus to every industrial pursuit and the foundries and machine shops were kept in operation day and night. A large number of artisans were thus at- tracted to South Boston. and before the war ended, the population had increased to thirty thousand.
South Boston contributed liberally in both men and money for the maintenance of the Union, and one full company of infantry was early recruited and sent to the seat of war, while subsequently, hundreds of South Bostonians enlisted in various organizations, and rendered effici- ent service in suppressing the Rebellion.
At the extensive City Point works of
SCENE AT L STREET BATH HOUSE FOR MEN AND BOYS.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Harrison Loring, one of the numerous monitors was constructed and equipped in a manner that elicited the commenda- tion of naval experts and the authorities at Washington. During the construction of this war vessel, and later, while build- ing marine engines, Mr. Loring employed over five hundred mechanics. This num- ber was still increased when in 1890, Mr. Loring built the powerful modern
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