Massachusetts directory; being the first part of the New-England directory 1835, Part 12

Author: Hayward, John
Publication date: 1835
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 208


USA > Massachusetts > Massachusetts directory; being the first part of the New-England directory 1835 > Part 12


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).


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Commercial Accommodations.


There is probably no place in the world better accommoda-


ted for commercial operations than Boston. The whole length


of the harbor on the east and north is lined with about 200


docks and wharves. A few of them only can be noticed.


India Wharf, at the foot of Fort Hill, was constructed in


1805. It extends into the barbor 980 feet, and is 246 to 280


Commerce.


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SUFFOLK COUNTY-BOSTON.


feet in width. In the centre is a range of 39 stores, 22 by 80, and 4 stories in height.


Central Wharf, between India and Long Wharves, was built in 1816. In the centre are 54 warehouses, 23 by 50, 4 stories high. It is 1379 feet in length, and 150 in width. Over a spacious hall in the centre of this range of stores, is one of the best Observatories in the U. States. J. R. Parker is the conductor and proprietor.


North of this is Long Wharf, at the foot of State-street, commenced in 1710. This wharf extends into the harbor 1800 feet, is 200 feet in width, and has 76 spacious ware- houses. About the centre of this wharf is a well of fresh water, 90 feet in depth.


Passing the City Wharf on the north, we come to Commer- cial Wharf, 1100 feet in length, and 160 feet in width. On the centre of this wharf is a range of 34 granite ware-houses, 25 by 60 feet, and are unequalled by any thing of the kind in the U. States for convenience or grandeur. Cost, $500,000.


On the west, and in front of this tier of wharves which run into the harbor, nearly parallel to each other, are India and Com- mercial streets, having the east end of Fanueil Hall Market nearly in the centre. These streets are wide; they serve as wharves, and their west sides are covered with large and convenient stores. It is contemplated to extend India-street, on the South, to the Free Bridge on Sea-street; and Com- mercial street on the north, to Winnesimet Ferry. (See Hale's Map of Boston.)


The Marine Railways, established in 1826, at the north part of the city, afford great accommodations to those engaged in navigation. An appropriation has been made by the general government for the erection of a new Custom House in Bos- ton. The site is not yet selected. An Exchange, for the accommodation of merchants is contemplated, on the site of the State Bank. An Exchange is much needed.


Finances.


The public debt of the city of Boston on the Ist of May, 1835, was $1,147,399. The receipts during the financial year, (from 30th April, 1834, to 30th April, 1835) were ,$1,316,624. The expenditures, $1,316,290, leaving a balance in the Treasu- ry of 8334 00. The amount due to the city on bonds and notes. was $105,420. The income for rents of city property in 1835, is estimated at $44,000. Besides the public property in public buildings, City and other wharves, &c. &c. both improved for city purposes, and rented, the city has about 7,000,000 square feet of land on the Neck, exclusive of streets, public squares, and malls, and a very large property in other lands in various parts of the city, which are rapidly increasing


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MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.


in value. The amount of this property cannot be stated, but it is known greatly to exceed the city debt.


Banking and Insurance Companies.


There are twenty-eight Banks in Boston with a capital of $18,150,000, besides the Bank of the United States. The charters of these Banks as well as of all Banking Companies in the Commonwealth, expire by limitation in 1851. The oldest Bank in the Commonwealth is the Massachusetts Bank in Boston. It was incorporated in 1785. The Union Bank was incorporated in 1792. The Boston Bank in 1803. Most of the other Banks in Boston are of a much more recent date. (The oldest Bank in the United States is the Bank of North America in Philadelphia. It was incorporated in 1778.


It is a singular fact, and worthy of notice, that through all the various changes to which monied institutions are constant- ly liable, no banking company in Boston was ever known to refuse specie for their bills, on demand.


There are 27 Insurance Companies in Boston, with a capital of $7,600,000, besides the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company, with a capital of $500,000-and the Massachusetts Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The charters of these Companies are subject to the control of the Legislature.


Middlesex Canal.


This canal passes in a northerly direction from Boston harbor at Charlestown, through Medford, 5 miles from Boston ; Woburn, 10 ;- Wilmington, 14 ;- to Lowell, at the locks and canals at that place, 27 miles. It was incorporated in 1789, and completed in 1808. Cost, $828,000. Its breadth at the surface is 30 feet ;- at bottom, 20; depth, 4 feet. Summit level, 104 feet above tide-water, and 32 feet above the Mer- rimack at Lowell. This and other short canals on the Merri- mack, open a navigable communication between Boston and Concord, N. H. (See Lowell.) This was the first enterprise of the kind attempted in the United States.


Railroads.


The Boston and Providence Railroad was incorporated June 22, 1831, and the company was immediately organized. The road commences on the southwest side of the common in Boston, crosses the Boston and Worcester railroad, passes through Roxbury, the eastern part of Dedham, and western part


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SUFFOLK COUNTY-BOSTON.


of Canton, Sharon, Foxborough, Attleborough, and Pawtuck- et, to Seekonk, and terminates at India bridge, which crosses the Pawtucket river to Providence. Its length is 41 miles, and is now open for travel. It has a branch of two miles in length, leading to the town of Dedham. It is built of the iron edge rail, of the form called the T rail, supported on cross sleepers of wood. Depot at or near the corner of Pleas- ant and Charles streets. Single track. Cost, $1,150,000, in- cluding cost of depot, engines, cars, &c.


The Lowell Railroad was incorporated in June, 1831, and the company was organized soon after. The road commences near Leverett-street, in the northwestern part of the city ; passes through the eastern part of East Cambridge, the west- ern part of Charlestown and Medford, the eastern part of Wo- burn and Wilmington, and the north part of Billerica, and terminates near the Merrimack House, in Lowell. It is 26 miles in length, and is now nearly completed. It is built of the iron edge rail, supported by cast iron chairs, on stone blocks and cross sleepers, resting on stone foundations. De- pot at Barton's Point, in Boston, on Charles river. Single track. Cost, $1,200,000, including cost of depot, engines, cars, &c.


The Boston and Worcester Railroad was incorporated June 23, 1831. The company was organized in the following year, and the work was begun in September, 1832. The road begins at the South Cove, on deep water, near the Free bridge, in the southeastern part of Boston, and terminates on Main-st. near the centre of the town of Worcester. It passes under Washing- ton-st. in Boston, passes through Brighton, Newton, Needham, Natick, the S. part of Framingham and Southborough, the N. part of Hopkinton, the centre of Westborough, and the north part of Grafton; in each of which places the cars will stop for passengers, and there will be in each a depot for merchandize. The road is built of the iron edge rail, supported by cast iron chairs, on cross sleepers of wood, resting on a foundation of stone rubble, laid below the reach of frost, in a continuous trench, under each rail. The length of the road is 44 miles, and the cost, when finished, including a branch of three miles in length, from Grafton to Millbury, with the depots in Boston and Worcester, and at the intervening places, and with the en- gines and cars of every description, will be about $1,200,000. It was opened from Boston to Newton in April, 1834, and to Westborough, a distance of 32 miles, in November following. It will be completed to Worcester in the course of the ensuing summer.


16


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MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.


Post Office.


The Post Office in Boston occupies the first floor of the west end of the City Hall, and fronts on Washington-street. Letters, newspapers and pamphlets are deposited from the- entrance on Washington-street, and from the public hall in the centre of the building. Boxes, with locks and keys, for the accommodation of insurance companies and printers of newspapers, are placed in the northwest part of the lobby on Washington-street ; the Postmaster's private room is on the opposite side of the same lobby ; in the centre is the window for the " general delivery" of letters, &c. The eastern front of the office is on the public hall, which is entered from State- street on the north and south sides ; this front is occupied by the private boxes of merchants and others who keep accounts at the office. On this front is also the entrance to the Cashier's office, where all business relating to this delivery is attended to. The centre and most of the north and south sides of the office are devoted to the business of the " forwarding depart- ment," where letters, pamphlets, &c. are rated, stamped, mailed, and despatched for their various destinations. The " city delivery" is under the superintendence of Mr. Leonard Holmes, who is also the cashier, and who is assisted by four clerks. The " forwarding department" is under the superin- tendence of Mr. Calvin Young, who is assisted by three clerks. There are also two clerks who attend to the distribution of papers and pamphlets. and deliver the mail bags during the night ; these are on duty until relieved by the day clerks in the morning. Mails are received from and despatched for 2800 offices weekly. Thirty-three mail stages arrive and de- part daily. From the first of April to the first of October, the office is open from 7, A.M. to 8, P.M .- from October to April, from 8, A.M. to 8, P.M. On Sundays, from 5 to 6, P.M. Letters are delivered by penny post to all persons in the city who desire so to receive them. In 1834, the net proceeds of this office, paid over to the department, were $78,174. Na- thaniel Greene, Postmaster.


Public Houses.


Boston is celebrated for its good taverns or public houses. A few of them, with the names of their keepers and location, will be noticed.


Bromfield House, Shepherd, Bromfield-street.


City Tavern. Stone, Brattle-street.


Commercial Coffee-House, Longley, Broad-street. Earl's Coffee-House, Hobart, Hanover-street. Eastern Stage-House, Stickney, Ann-street.


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SUFFOLK COUNTY-BOSTON.


Elm-street Hotel, Wildes, Elm-street.


Exchange Coffee-House. Davenport, Congress-square.


Franklin Hotel, Mixer, North Market-street.


Howard-street Coffee-House, Kilburn, Howard-street.


Mansion House, Thompson, Milk-street.


Marlborough Hotel, Wyatt. Washington-street.


New-England Coffee-House, Long & Colman, Clinton-st. Tremont House, Boyden, Tremont-street.


17 The American House, in Hanover-street, will be open for the public in July. It is taken by Mr. Brigham. It is 60 feet front, 135 feet in length, 4 stories high, (besides the base- ment) and contains 125 rooms.


Stages,


AND THE HOURS AT WHICH THEY START FROM AND ARRIVE AT BOSTON.


-


Albany Accom. leaves 34 and 42 Hanover-st. Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 2 a m, and arrives in Boston the following days at 6 p m.


Albany, via Brattleborough, Vt. leaves Brigham's, 42 Han- over-st. Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 2 a m, and arrives at 8 p m, following evenings.


Albany Accom. via Northampton, leaves 36 Hanover-st. Tues. Th. and Sat. at 2 a m, arrives Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 8 p m.


Albany Daily stage leaves 34 and 42 Hanover-st. at 2 a m, arrives 7 p m.


Albany Mail, via Northampton, leaves 34 Hanover-st. Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 2 a m, and arrives next days at 7 p m.


Albany Mail, via Springfield, leaves 34 Hanover-st. Tues. Th. and Sat. at 2 am, and arrives Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 7 pm.


Albany and Troy leaves 7 Brattle-st. Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 2 pm.


Amherst, Windsor, and Burlington Mail, leaves City Tav- ern every morning at 7, and arrives at 3 p m.


Andover, leaves City Tavern every day, Sundays ex. at 3 p m, and arrives at 10.


Athol Accom. leaves 42 Hanover-st. Tues. Th. and Sat. at 7 a m, arrives the following days at 6 p m.


Attleborough, East. City Tavern, Tues. Thurs. and Sat. at 12 m.


Barre, leaves Wesson's, Hanover-st. Tues. Th. and Sat. at 7 a m, arrives the following evenings at 5 p m.


Bridgewater, Randolph and Boston Mail stage leaves Wash. Coffee-House and City Tavern every day, except Sunday, at 1 p m. It passes through Milton, Stoughton, N. and W.


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MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.


Bridgewater, and arrives at Bridgewater same afternoons, and leaves at 7 p m.


Barre, Greenfield, and Albany Mail, leaves Wilde's, 11 Elm-st. Tues. Th. and Sat. at 2 a m, and arrives Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 7 p m.


Bristol, R. I. Mail, via Taunton, leaves Marlborough Hotel every day, except Sunday, at half past 7 a m.


Brookline, leaves Norfolk avenue every day except Sunday, at 8 and 10 1-2 a m, and 1-2 past 2, 4, and 6 p m.


Beverly, leaves City Tavern every day except Sunday, at 4 pm, and arrives at 10 a m.


Brattleborough, Vt. and Albany Mail, leaves 9 Elm-st. Tu. Th. and Sat. at 7 a m.


Brattleborough Mail leaves 11 Elm-st. every day except Saturday, at 5 a m.


Concord, N.H. and Burlington, Vt. leaves 9 Elm-st. every day


Concord, N. H. via Lowell, leaves Marlborough Hotel Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 7 a m, and arrives next day at 5 p m.


Concord, via Andover, leaves 9 Elm-st. Tues. Th. and Sat. Concord, N. H. Mail, leaves 11 Elm-st. every morning ex- cept Mon. at 7.


Concord, Hanover, Burlington, and Montreal and Quebec Mail, leaves 11 Elm-st. every morning except Sunday, at 7.


Concord, N. H. and Merrimack leaves Il Elm-st. Monday, Wed. and Fri. at half past 6 a m, and arrives Tues. Tli. and Sat. at 5 p m.


Concord Accom. leaves Brigham's 42 Hanover-st. Mon. Wed. and Sat. at 3 p m, and arrives at 9 a m.


Charlestown Hourly, leaves 51 Brattle-st.


Cambridge Hourly, leaves 51 Brattle-st.


Cambridgeport Hourly, leaves 51 Brattle-st.


Canton, leaves Jenning's, 9 Elm-st. Mon. Tues. Thurs. and Sat. at 4 pm.


Dover, N. H. leaves 85 Ann-st. every morning except Sun- day, at 8, and arrives at 4 p m.


Dorchester and South Boston, leaves 158 Washington-st. at 9 a m, and 2 and 6 p m.


Dorchester and Milton, leaves 11 Elm-st. every day, Sun. ex. at half past 12, and 5 p m.


Dedham, leaves Jennings's, 9 Elm-st. daily, at 4 p in, and arrives at 9 a m.


Duxbury Mail, leaves City Tavern every day except Sun- day, at 9 a m.


Dudley, leaves 34 Hanover-st. Tues. Thi. and Sat. at 7 a m.


Fitchburgh, Fitzwilliam, and Brattleborough Mail, leaves Wilde's, 11 Elm-st. Tues. Th. and Sat. at 5 a m, and arrives Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 6 p m.


Fitchburgh, Keene, N. HI. and Rutland, Vt. leaves 11 Elm- st. every day except Saturday, at 4 a m.


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SUFFOLK COUNTY-BOSTON.


Groton Accom. leaves Brigham's, Hanover-st. Tues. Thi and Sat. at 9 a m, and Mon. Wed. and Sat. at 10 a m, and arrives Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 4 p'm.


Haverhill, Ms. Dover, N. H. and Portland, Maine, leaves 11 Elm-st. every day except Sunday, at half past 7, and ar- rives at 6 pm.


Hyannis Mail, leaves City Tavern Mon. Wed. and Fridays, at 3 a m.


Hopkinton, N. H. leaves 11 Elm-st. Tues. Th. and Sat. at 7 a m, and arrives Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 6 p m.


Hartford, leaves Wilde's, 11 Elm-st. every day except Sun- day, at 4 a m, and arrives every evening ex. Sunday.


Hartford Daily Mail, every day except Sunday, from 34 Hanover-st.


Hartford, leaves 34 Hanover-st. Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 9 a m, and arrives next days at 2 p m.


Hartford, leaves City Tavern daily except Sun. at 10 a m. Haverhill and Andover Accom. leaves Wilde's, Elm-st. Mon. Wed. and Fri. at half past 2 p m, and arrives at & past 12.


Hingham, leaves 9 Elm-st. every day except Sunday, at 4 p m, and arrives at 9 a m.


Jamaica Plains leaves Norfolk avenue at 10 a m, and at 4 p m daily.


Keene, N. H. Mail, leaves Brigham's, 42 Hanover-st. every morning at 5, and arrives same evening.


Keene, N. H., via Lowell, leaves 9 Elm-st. Tues. Th. and Sat. at 5 a m, arrives following afternoon.


Lowell, Nashua, Amherst, N. H. and Francestown, leaves Suffolk and Marlborough Hotels Tues. Th. and Sat. mornings at 7, and arrives Mon. Wed. and Fri.


Lowell, leaves 9 Elm-st. every day except Sunday, at 7 and 8 a m, and 2 and 3 p m.


Lancaster and . Fitchburgh Accom. leaves City Tavern Tu. Th. and Sat. mornings at 8, and arrives Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 2 pm.


Lynn and Saugus, leaves 9 Elm-st. daily at 4 p m.


Medfield, Medway, and Mendon, leaves 158 Washington- st. and 11 Elm-st. Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 6 a m, and arrives next days at 5 p m.


Methuen, leaves City Tavern daily at 3 p m.


Medford, leaves 9 Elm-st. 9} a m, 12 m, and 63 p m, and on Sundays at 9 a m.


Medford, leaves Wilde's, 11 Elm-st. every day except Sun. at half past 12 and 6 p m.


Montreal, leaves Boston Mon. Wed. and Fri. mornings.


Marshfield, leaves City Tavern Tu. Th. and Sat. at 9 a m.


Marblehead, leaves City Tavern every day except Sun. at half past 4 p m, and arrives at 10 a m.


16*


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MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.


Nashua and Concord, N. H. Mail, leaves 11 Elm-st. Tues. Th. and Sat. at 7 a m, and arrives Mon. Wed. and Fridays, at 6 pm.


New-Bedford Accom. leaves City Tavern Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 8 and half past 11 a m, and arrives next days.


New-Bedford Mail, via Taunton, leaves Marlboro' Hotel Tues. Th. and Sat. mornings at half past 7 and half past 8, and arrives Mon. Wed. and Fri. evenings.


Newport Mail, leaves Marlborough Hotel every day, Sun- day excepted, at 7 a m, and arrives p m.


Newburyport, Exeter and Dover, N. H. Accom. leaves 85 Ann-st. every morning except Sunday, at half past 7, and ar- rives at 6 p m.


Newburyport and Amesbury, leaves 85 Ann-st. every day except Sunday, at 1 pm, and arrives at 1 p m.


Newton, Needham, Natick, Sherburne, Holliston, Milford, Mendon, and Uxbridge Daily line, leaves Wilde's, 11 Elm-st. Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 7 a m, and Tues. Th. and Sat. at half past 11 a m.


New-York Mail, leaves 34 Hanover-st. every day at 10 p m, arrives every day at 12 m.


Norwich Steamboat Line, leaves 11 Elm-st. Mon. and Th. mornings at half past 3.


Plymouth Accom. leaves City Tavern Tu. Th. and Sat. at 10 a m, and half past 12 p in.


Plymouth, Sandwich, and Barnstable Mail, leaves City Tavern every morning except Sunday, at half past 6, arrives p m.


Portland, Me. Mail, leaves Eastern Stage-House every day at half past 4 p m, and arrives at 6 a m.


Portland, via Portsmouth, leaves 84 Ann-st. every morning except Sun. at 8, and arrives at 5 p m.


Peterborough, N. HI. leaves Elm-st. Tues. Th. and Sat. mornings at 7, and arrives Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 4 p m.


Providence Citizen's Stage, leaves Marlborough Hotel eve- ry morning at 5 and half past 6. Accom. Stage leaves every week day at 12, and Sunday at half past 7 a m.


Providence Union line, leaves Brigham's, 42 Hanover-st. every week day at 5, and on Sunday at 9 a m. An Accom. leaves same place every week day at 12 m.


Providence Tremont Coaches, leave City Tavern and Wash. Coffee-House every day at 5 a m, Sundays at 9.


Portsmouth Accom. leaves 84 Ann-st. every morning except Sunday, at half past 7, and arrives at 5 p m.


Quincy, leaves Jenning's, Elm-st. every day except Sun. at 4 pm, and arrives at half past 8 a m.


Roxbury Hourly, from Norfolk avenue.


Salem Stage, leaves 11 Elm-st. daily, except Sundays, at half past 8 a m and 4 p m.


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SUFFOLK COUNTY-BOSTON.


Salem, leaves 42 Hanover-st. daily, except Sunday, at half past 9 a m and 4 p m, on Sunday at half past 8.


Salem, leaves City Tavern and Marlborough Hotel daily, except Sunday, at 9 and 11 a m, and 3, 4, 5 and 6 p m.


Salem, leaves 9 and 11 Elm-st. every day, except Sunday, at 3 and half past 4 p m.


Stow, Bolton, and Lancaster Accom. leaves 11 Elm-st. ev- ery day, except Sat. at 4 p m.


South-Boston, leaves Mansion House, Milk-st. at 9 and 11 a m, and 1, 3 and 6 p m.


South-Reading, leaves 11 Elm-st. daily, except Sunday, at 4 p m, arrives at 9 a m.


Taunton, leaves Marlborough Hotel every day except Sun. at 12 m, and 2 p m. Mail leaves at 5 a m.


Wayland and Rutland Mail, leaves 34 Hanover-street, Tues. Th. and Sat. mornings at 8, and arrives Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 4 p m.


Westborough, Centre, and Worcester Accom. leaves 34 Hanover-st. Tues. Th. and Sat. at 9 a m, arrives Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 1 pm.


Weymouth, Randolph and Braintree, leave Weymouth and Randolph every day, Sundays excepted, at half past 6 a m- unite at Quincy, and arrive at Boston same mornings : leave Wildes's, Elm-st. same afternoons, at 4, for Braintree, Wey- mouth and Randolph, through Dorchester and Quincy.


Woburn, leaves Jennings's, 9 Elm-st. Mon. Wed. and Sat. at 4 pm, arrives same days at 9 a m.


Worcester Accom. leaves 34 Hanover-st. Mon. Wed. and Fri. at 10 a m, and arrives Tues. Th. and Sat. at 1 p m.


Woonsocket Falls, R. I. leaves Washington Coffee-House Tues. Th. and Sat. at 12 m, arrives next days at 1 p m.


Canal and Steam Boats.


Middlesex Canal Packet Boat, leaves the landing, Charles- town, Tues. Th. and Sat. at 8 a m. A stage leaves 9 Elm-st. at half past 7 a m, to convey passengers to the boat.


Steamboat for Portsmouth, leaves Mon. Wed. and Fridays, at 7 a m.


Hingham Steamboat, leaves Foster's wharf daily, except Sunday, at 9 a m, and 5 p m.


Steamboat Bangor leaves Lewis's wharf Sat. at 5 p m, for Portland and Bangor, and for Portland every Thursday at 5 p m.


Steamboat Macdonough leaves Foster's wharf for Portland, Mondays and Fridays at 5 pm, and Portland, Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p m.


A steamboat leaves Boston for Nahant daily.


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MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.


Baggage Wagons.


Fall River and Newport, arrives every Wed. and Sat. in the morning, and leaves in the afternoon of the same days. Order box at City Tavern.


Greenfield order box at City Tavern.


Hubbardstown order box at 52 N. Market.


Haverhill, Andover, and Boston Baggage Wagon, arrives Tues. and Fri. and leaves the same days. Order box at Leavitt's 84 Ann-street.


Lynn arrives and leaves every day. Order box 52 North Market-street.


New-Bedford, arrives every Wed. and Fri. and leaves eve- ry Th. and Sat. Order box at City Tavern.


Northampton, leaves every Monday. Order box at Brig- ham's, Union-street, and 74 State-street.


Providence, arrives and leaves every week day. Order box at City Tavern.


Salem, arrives and leaves every day, Sundays excepted. Order box at Leavitt's and City Tavern.


Salem and Marblehead, arrives and leaves every day ; also leaves for Newburyport, through Ipswich and Rowley, Wed. and Sat. Order box 84 Ann-street.


South-Reading order box at 52 N. Market.


Taunton and Bristol, arrives and leaves every week day. Order box at City Tavern


Wareham, arrives Wednesdays and leaves Thursdays. Order box at City Tavern.


Fires.


Boston, in common with all large towns which are chiefly built of wood, has suffered very much by fire. Fifty years ago the buildings in the town were principally of that material ; but by efficient measures adopted by the citizens, particularly the law of 1803, prohibiting the construction of wooden buildings of a greater height than 10 feet, a large portion of the old build- ings have been taken down, and their places, with thousands of others on new sites. now present to that destructive ele- ment solid walls of brick and stone. A few of the most ment- orable fires are here given. In October 1711, a fire broke out in Williams' Court and destroyed most of the buildings on both sides of Cornhill, from School-street to Market square. On the 20th of March 1760, 174. dwelling-houses, 175 ware- houses, shops, &c. were burnt. This fire was in the centre of the town, (Cornhill, State and Congress-streets to Fort Hill,) and the amount of property consumed, was estimated at £100,000 sterling. April 24, 1787, a fire commenced in Beach street, and extending south, destroyed about 60 dwelling.


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SUFFOLK COUNTY-BOSTON.


houses, 40 other buildings, and the church in Hollis-street. July 30, 1794. Seven rope-walks between Pearl and Atkin- son-streets, and about 90 other buildings in that neighborhood were destroyed. Loss estimated at more than $200,000.


On the 3d of November, 1818, the Boston Exchange Coffee- House, in Congress-square, was destroyed by fire. This building covered 12,753 feet of land. It was 7 stories high, and from the floor to the top of the dome was 83 feet. It con- tained 210 apartments, and cost about half a million dollars. The conflagration occurred in the evening, and the sight was awfully sublime.


On the 7th of July, 1824, at noon, (the wind blowing almost a gale) 15 costly dwelling-houses were burnt, on Beacon, Charles and Chesnut-streets.


A very destructive fire commenced on Doane-street, April 7th, 1824, when 53 large ware-houses, in that part of the city, with a great amount of merchandize, were destroyed.


A number of buildings, containing about 35 lawyers' offices, and 20 stores and shops, on Court-st. were burnt, Nov. 10, 1825.


During the last five years, there were 226 fires-the amount of property destroyed was §274,278 :- of which $140,943 was insured. The most destructive fires were in 1833. In that year 71 fires occurred, $89,970 value of property was destroyed, of which $57,040 was insured.




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