USA > Massachusetts > Massachusetts directory; being the first part of the New-England directory 1835 > Part 13
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The present Fire Department was organized in 1826. It is always in the most perfect state of preparation for service. Attached to this department are 20 engines, 16,000 feet of hose, 21 ladders, 18 hooks, 27 carriages, 800 buckets, 13 En- gineers, and 1343 firemen. By the most powerful of these engines, with 250 feet of hose, water can be thrown over the grasshopper, on the cupola of Faneuil Hall, 84 feet above the pavement.
Health.
To judge of the health of a city we must compare its bills of mortality, for a series of years, with those of some other city. We have ever believed that the climate of Boston, and of New-England generally, was as conducive to health as any portion of our country ; but having heard it often asserted that the climate of Boston was more favorable to some dis- eases, particularly those of a pulmonary character, or what is commonly called consumption, than that of our sister city New-York. we herewith give the authenticated bills of mor- tality of each city for five successive years, with the number of deaths by some of the most prevalent diseases in each, whereby, those who desire it, may judge of the comparative health of both. The population of Boston, in 1830, was 61,391-of New-York, 202,589-a fraction less than 3 1-3 in New-York to 1 in Boston. From 1820 to 1830, the average
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146
increase of the population of Boston was a fraction less than 4 per cent. per annum -- that of New-York a fraction less than 6 1-3 per cent. per annum. The aggregate number of deaths in Boston during those five years, was 7,340-New-York, 35,087 : -a fraction more than 4. 2-3 in New-York to I in Boston. In that period, the aggre- gate number of deaths in Boston, by consumption, was 1,128-in New-York 6,124 : -more than 5 1-3 in New-York to I in Boston.
Mortality in Boston and New-York compared, from 1830 to 1834, inclusive.
1830
1831
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1832
1833
1834
Diseases.
Bost.I NY. Bost.I NY. |Bost.| NY. Bost.i NY. Bost.INY.
Total No. of deaths, 1, 12515,537! 1,424|4,363|1,761 ; 10,359|1,47615,746 1,554!9,082
Apoplexy,
12
90
11
121
15
81
19
100
135
Cholera, Malignant,
971
Consumption,
193
974.
203
1,013
246
1,415
240
1,251
246 1,4.71
Convulsions,
27
434.
29
422
35
501
36
510
4.7
770
Dropsy,
15
111
28
132
38
130
24.
121
27
181
Dysentery,
20
128
28
133
21
130
38
87
40
67
Fever, Scarlet,
246
58
258
149
221
61
179
28
418
Fever, Typhus,
23
53
21
54
45
84
55
106
Inflam. of the bowels,
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192
18
195
31
196
204
-
188
Old Age,
47
106
67
135
62
154
57
107
54
136
Small Pox,
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176
4
224
1
89
25
4
233
Water.
The subject of pure water for all the various uses of life
has ever been one of the first and most important considera-
those places most suitable for commerce are the least favora- tions with settlers in all countries. It frequently happens that
ble to the ready acquirement of that indispensable element ;
consequently the ingenuity and skill of man have devised and
executed those stupendous aqueducts, and tanks or reservoirs,
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78
3,513
10
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MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY,
SUFFOLK COUNTY-BOSTON. 147
both in ancient and modern times, which have made some of the most desolate parts of the globe the greatest marts of trade and the most splendid cities. Governor Winthrop and his associates located themselves at Charlestown, and would have continued there had not the waters of Shawmut been more agreeable to their tastes. Their change of situation, on that account, is no compliment to their chemical knowledge, for the waters of Charlestown are decidedly the best. Possi- bly " the magic of a name" miglit have influenced them ; for Shawmut, in the Indian language, is said to mean " springs of living waters."'
An analysis of some of the waters of Boston has recently been made by Dr. Charles T. Jackson, and in a letter, dated August 28, 1834, to Mr. Baldwin, he says-
" I hope to be able to furnish you with analyses of the dif- ferent well waters of the city, by which it will appear that we are in the habit of drinking several salts in considerable quan- tities, which must have deleterious effects on the human con- stitution. I will now only observe that one of the best speci- mens of clear well water from Bowdoin-street, yields 3.6 grs. of the salts of Sulphate of Lime, Muriate of Soda, and Muriate of Lime, to the pound of water. The well is 30 feet deep and is situate high up on the side of the hill. I have also examined the water of the well at my residence No. 11. Hanover-street. The well is 40 feet deep and the water stands about 10 feet from the surface. This water gives 7.5 grains of the above salts to the pound of water; although the taste of the water is not unpleasant to those who have been accustomed to it. It must however be prejudicial to the health, when we consider that several pounds of it are drank by each person in the course of a day.
" I have made examinations of the water of several other wells of the city, but liave not kept notes of the quantities of matter they contain. I am satisfied, however, that there are wells, whose waters are infinitely worse than those I have men- tioned, which have the reputation of being good water, al- though they contain noxious matter."
The City Council, with a laudable zeal for the welfare of the citizens, passed a vote, April 14, 1834, which provides that a committee be appointed " with authority to cause a sur- vey to be made by competent persons for the purpose of as- certaining whether a steady and copious supply of pure and soft water can be obtained, and also what will be the best mode and the cost of introducing such supply of water into the city, and that the said committee report to the City Coun- cil the result of the survey as soon as completed."
Loammi Baldwin, Esq. of Boston, an eminent engineer, was appointed to make a survey and report upon the subject.
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MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.
Mr. Baldwin. in his report. dated October 1. 1934, s'ates that there are 2.737 wel's in the city :- of which number 2.085 are drinkable, and 602 bad - and i'm: only 7 of the whole sumber are occasionally used for washing. Of the wells in Boston Mr. Baldwin says-
·· All the dig or Artesian wells of Boston, are in strata of different materials in very irregular position, so that whatever may be the success in making one well. no certain result can be predicated upon another trial at a short distance from the Erst. The wells in town are poluted by the dirty water at the surface being absorbed. settling and mingling with the veins below ; or are adulterated by mixture with little streams of sea-water. That the latter case frequently occurs is very natural, as can be illustrated by the following facts.
" In excavating in hard compact gravel mixed with some clay. for the foundation of the Dry Dock in Charlestown Navy Yard, at the depth of about 40 feet. they came to a small spring of fresh water on the & W. side next the ship-house. a few feet outside the exterior line of masonry. This became valuable and convenient to use in the mortar. But it was necessary also to separate it from another spring of salt water which arose within a few feet of it. This was done by sink- ing a hogshead and peddling it all round with clav to preserve it pure. In this way fresh water was furnished from this little spring for making mortar throughout the whole work. and no other fresh water was used. Had any one attempted to dig a well from the surface on this spot be might have bit the salt instead of the fresh source. or both. and his well be good for nothing. So on the opposite side of excavation, near the head of the dock, where the hard gravel stood perpendicular fo: 30 feet. two similar springs issued from the side 30 fee: from the surface. within a few feet of each other, one of which was of beautiful pure water. frequently drank by workmen. and the other was salt as sea-water. The same geological phenomena doubtless exist in most parts of Boston, where the same kinds of strata are found in well-digging."
The Boston Aqueduct Corporation commenced operations for conveying water into the city from Jamaica Pond, in Rox- barry, in 1725. The distance from Boston to the Pond is four miles, and the number of feet of logs laid in the city is 72,000. or about 18 miles. The greatest quantity of water that can be supplied from this source is 50.000 gallons daily, and the greatest height it can be raised in the city is 49 feet above tide-water. (The quantity of water used in Philadelphia, with a population of about 200,000, is between two and three million gallons daily.)
After procuring a survey of all the waters in the vicinity of Boston. adapted to the purpose, Mr. Baldwin is of opinion
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SUFFOLK COUNTY-BOSTON.
that Farm and Shakum Ponds, in Framingham, together with incidental ones dependent on them, and Long Pond in Natick, are best suited to the object. The above ponds cover 825 acres. Mr. B. proposes to bring the water in a close sione aqueduct to a reservoir in Roxbury, 2 3-1 miles distant from Boston, and 110 feet above marsh level. This source would supply 5,000.000 gallons daily. if required, at an estimated expense of 3750,000. The distance from the nearest waters of these ponds to the proposed reservoir. is 22 miles.
The citizens of New-York, with a landable regard to their health and lives, are about supplying themselves with pure water from the Crotan river, in Westchester county, a distance of 41 miles north of the city. Their plan is to carry the waters of that river. in a covered aqueduct, to Murray's Hill. 3 miles from the City Hall, and from thence to distribute it throughout the city in iron pipes. The total expense for bringing the water to Murray's Hill and laving Io7 miles of pipes in the city, is estimated at about five millions and a half of dollars. It is estimated that the Crotan can supply thiny million gallons daily. The price to each family, of common size, will be SE per ann. The annual revenue to the city. when the works are completed, is computed at $310,516. The declination from Crotan river to Murray's Hill, is 15 inches a mile. Murray's Hill is about 7 feet higher than the roof of the highest building in the city.
Present Improvements.
Perhaps at no period since the settlement of Boston has its prosperity been so flattering as at the present time. It is irce that Boston increased in population and wealth with great ra- pidity during the wars in Europe. from 1794 to 1807. Bet that growth was unnatural and contingent :- it depended sole- ly on the caprice of the belligerent powers. who viewed cs rather as servants to their necessities. than with respect.
'The present state of things is altogether different. The world is at peace. We look fur no besieged city to supply with bread, neither do we seek to run the gaunilet of a block- ading squadron to furnish a starving country with the growth and produce of its own colonies. We now rely on our own resources-agriculture and manufactures. and commerce with all nations with whom we can exchange our commodities at fair prices. So long as we are blessed with union. good institutions and good laws. our city, under Providence, will continue on in the forward path to prosperity and happiness.
The location of Boston always gave it the command of a greater roasting trade than any other port on the American continent : but the great arteries to an immense. wide-spread and rapidly increasing interior commerce were never opened until the railroads to the north, the west, and the south were 17
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MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.
constructed and in operation. By these devices of human wis- dom, and by the continuance of the two former-crossing the waters of our own Connecticut to the noble Hudson, and piercing the centre of a large and fertile country, to the outlet of the great western Oceans on the banks of the St. Lawrence, Boston, with its enterprise and capital cannot fail of sustain- ing a fair and successful competition for this trade, with any city on the American continent.
With these prospects of permanent and increasing prosper- ity, the Bostonians are fearlessly investing their capital in building up and embellishing their city. There is scarcely a street in the city where the hand of improvement is not seen. Among the various improvements now in progress, we shall mention only one. The splendid estate of the late Gardner Green, Esq. extending from Tremont to Somerset-streets, with the adjoining estates of the late Dr. Lloyd and William H. Bordman, Esq., have recently been purchased by three enter- prizing individuals. These estates comprize 133,797 square feet of land, and embrace the summit of the ancient Trimoun- tain. The hill is now being taken down, and the site grad- uated on each side for the construction of superb blocks of buildings. This will form a continuation of State and Court- streets. The summit of this hill is 70 feet above 'Tremont- street. It comprises 7,155,000 cubic feet, or more than 400,- 000 tons of earth, which will probably be removed by midsum- mer. This hill is supposed to have been an Indian cemetery.
Antiquities.
The following is an account of the first visit of the English at Plymouth, to Boston harbor, in the words of one of the party.
" It seemed good to the company in general, that though the Massachusetts, (a tribe of Indians,) had often threatened us, (as we were informed) yet we should go amongst them, partly to see the country, partly to make peace with them, and partly to procure their truck. For these ends the governours chose ten men, fit for the purpose, and sent Tisquantum, and two other savages, to bring us to speech with the people, and in- terpret for us.
" [On the 18th of September, 1621, being Tuesday] we set out about midnight, the tide then serving for us ; we, supposing it to be nearer than it is, thought to be there the next morning betimes : but it proved well near twenty leagues from New- Plymonth. We came into the bottom of the bay, but being late we anchored and lay in the shallop, not having seen any of the people. The next morning we put in for the shore. There we found many lobsters, that had been gathered to- gether by the savages, which we made ready under a cliff. (Copp's hill in Boston.) The captain sent two sentinels behind
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SUFFOLK COUNTY-BOSTON.
the cliff, to the landward, to secure the shallop, and taking a guide with him, and four of our company went to seek the in- habitants, where they met a woman coming for her lobsters ; they told her of them and contented hier for them. She told them where the people were : Tisquantum went to them : the rest returned, having direction which way to bring the shallop to them.
" The sachem, or governour of this place, is called Obba- tinewat, and though he live in the bottom of the Massachuset Bay, yet he is under Massasoyt. He used us very kindly ; he told us he durst not remain in any settled place, for fear of the Tarentines." Also the squaw sachem or Massachusets queen was an enemy to him. We told him of divers sachems that had acknowledged themselves to be king James his men, and if he also would submit himself, we would be his safe- guard from his enemies ; which he did, and went along with us to bring us to the squaw sachem.
" Again we crossed the bay, which is very large and hath at least fifty islands in it, but the certain number is not known to the inhabitants. Night it was before we came to that side of the bay where this people were, -- that night also we rid at anchor aboard the shallop. On the morrow we went ashore all but two men, and marched in arms up the country. Hav- ing gone three miles, we came to a place where corn had been newly gathered, a house pulled down, and the people gone. A mile from hence, Nanepashemet their king in his life time had lived. His house was not like others, but a scaffold was largely built, with poles and planks, some six foot from ground, and the house upon that, being situated on the top of a hill.
" Not far from hence, in a bottom, we came to a fort built by their deceased king, the manner thus : there were poles some thirty or forty feet long, stuck in the ground as thick as they could be set one by another, and with these they enclo- sed a ring some forty or fifty feet over. A trench breast high was digged on each side : one way there was to go into it with a bridge. In the midst of this palisado stood the frame of an house, wherein being dead he lay buried.
" About a mile from hence we came to such another, but seated on the top of an hill; here Nanepashemet was killed, none dwelling in it since the time of his death. At this place we staid, and sent two savages to look the inhabitants, and to inform them of our ends in coming, that they might not be fearful of us. Within a mile of this place they found the women of the place together, with their corn on heaps, whith- er we supposed them to be fled for fear of us, and the more, because in divers places they had newly pulled down their
*The Eastern Indians.
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MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.
houses, and for haste in one place had left some of their corn, covered with a mat, and nobody with it.
" With much fear they entertained us at first, but seeing our gentle carriage towards them, they took heart and entertained us in the best manner they could, boiling cod and such other things as they had for us. At length, with much sending for, came one of their men, shaking and trembling for fear. But when he saw that we intended them no hurt, but came to truck, he promised us with his skins also. Of him we inquired for their queen ; but it seemed she was far from thence, at least we could not see her. Here Tisquantum would have had us rifled the savage women, and taken their skins, and al! such things as might be serviceable for us : for, (said he) they are a bad people, and have oft threatened you: but our answer was, were they never so bad. we would not wrong them, or give them any just occasion against us; for their words, we little weighed them, but if they once attempted any thing against us, then we would deal far worse than he desired. Having well spent the day, we returned to the shallop, almost all the women accompanying us to the shore. We promised them to come again to them, and they us to keep their skins.
" Within this bay the savages say there are two rivers; the one whereof we saw, having a fair entrance, but we had no time to discover it. Better harbours for shipping cannot be than here are. At the entrance of the bay are many rocks ; and in all likelihood good fishing ground. Many, yea, most of the islands have been inhabited, some being cleared from end to end, but the people are all dead or removed. Our victual growing scarce, the wind coming fair, and having a light moon, we set out at evening, and through the good- ness of God, came safely home before noon the day follow- ing, with a considerable quantity of beaver and a good re- port of the place, wishing we had been seuted there."
Boston and its neighborhood were thus described by Wil- liam Wood, 202 years ago :
" First I will begin with the outmost plantation in the patent, to the southward, which is called Wichaguscusset [Weymouth.] This is but a small village, yet it is well tim- bered and hath good store of hay ground .- Three miles to the north of this is Mount Wolaston, a very fertile soil, and a place very convenient for farmers' houses, there being great store of plain ground, without trees .- Six miles farther to the north lieth Dorchester, which is the greatest town in New- England, well wooded aud watered, very good arable and hay grounds. The inhabitants of this town were the first that set upon the trade of fishing in the bay -A mile from this lieth Roxbury which is a fair and handsome country town ; the inhabitants of it being all very rich : a clear fresh brook
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SUFFOLK COUNTY-BOSTON .. 153
runs through the town, and a quarter of a mile to the north is a small river called Stony River, upon which is built a water mill. Up westward it is something rocky, whence it hath the name of Roxbury. Here is no harbour for ships, because the town is seated in the bottom of a shallow bay ; which is made by the neck of land on which Boston is built, so that they can transport all their goods from the ships in boats from Boston, which is the nearest harbour.
" 'This harbor is made by a great company of islands, whose high cliffs shoulder out the boisterous seas; yet may easily deceive any unskilful pilot ; presenting many fair openings and broad sounds ; which afford too shallow water for ships, though navigable for boats and pinnaces. It is a safe and pleasant harbour within, having but one common and safe entrance, and that not very broad ; there scarce being room for three ships to come in board and board at a time ; but being once in, there is room for the anchorage of 500 ships. The seamen having spent their old store of wood and water, may here have fresh supplies from the adjacent Islands, with good timber to repair their weather beaten ships.
"Boston is two miles N.E. of Roxbury. Its situation is very pleasant, being a peninsula hemmed in on the south side by the bay of Roxbury, and on the north side, with Charles river, the marshes on the back-side, being not half a quarter of a mile over ; so that a little fencing will secure their cattle from the wolves. Those that live here upon their cattle, must be constrained to take farms in the country, or else they can- not subsist ; the place being too small to contain many, and fittest for such as can trade into England, for such commodi- ties as the country wants, being the chief place for shipping and merchandize.
" This neck of land is not above four miles in compass, in form almost square, having on the south side at one corner, a great broad hill, whereon is planted a fort, which can com- mand any ship, as she sails into the harbour within the still bay. On the north side is another hill, equal in bigness, whereon stands a windmill. To the northwest is a high moun‹ tain, with three little rising hills on the top of it, wherefore it it is called the Tramount.
" From the top of this mountain, a man may overlook :Il the islands which lie within the bay, and desery such ships as are on the sea coast.
' 'This town although it be neither the greatest nor the rich- est, yet is the most noted and frequented, being the centre of the plantations, where the monthly courts are kept. Here likewise dwells the Governour. This place haih very good land affording rich cornfields and fruitful gardens, having likewise sweet and pleasant springs. The inhabitants of this 17*
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MASSACHUSETTS DIRECTORY.
place, for their enlargement, have taken to themselves farm- houses in a place called Muddy River, [Brookline] two miles from the town, where there is goud ground, large timber, and store of marsh land and meadow. In this place they keep their swine and other cattle in the summer, whilst the corn is in the ground at Boston and bring them to town in the winter.
" Newtown (Cambridge) is one of the neatest and best compacted towns in New England, having many fair struc- tures, with many handsome contrived streets : the inhabitants most of them are very rich .- Half a mile westward of this is Watertown, a place nothing inferior for land, wood, meadows and water to Newtown Within half a mile of this town is a great pond which is divided between the two towns, and divides their bounds to the northward. Both towns are on the north side of the river Charles.
" Ou the same side of that river is Charlestown, which is another neck of land, on whose north side runs Mystick river. At this town there is kept a ferry boat to convey passengers over Charles river, which between the banks is a quarter of a mile over, being a very deep channel. Up higher is a broad bay, being above two miles between the shores, into which run Stony river and Muddy river. Towards the southwest in the midst of this bay is a great oyster bank : towards the northeast is a great creek, upon whose shore is situated a small village [included within the bounds of Charlestown.] At the bottom of this bay, the river begins to be narrower, being but half a quarter of a mile broad.
" The next town is Mystick [Medford] which is three miles from Charlestown by land, and a league and a half by water. It is seated by the water side very pleasantly ; there are not many houses as yet. On the west side of this river the Gov- ernour hath a farm, where he keeps most of his cattle. On the east side is Mr. Craddocks plantation, where he hath a park impaled and keeps his cattle, till he can store it with deer. Here likewise he is at charges of building ships. The last year one was upon the stocks of an hundred tons; that being finished they are to build one of twice her buithen.
"The last town in the still bay is Winnesimet [Chelsea,] a very sweet place for situation ; it is within a mile of Charles- town, the river only parting them.
" The next plantation is Saugus [including Lynn] six miles northeast from Winnesimet. This town is pleasant for situation, seated at the bottom of a bay, which is made on one side with the surrounding shore, and on the other side with a long sandy beach, which is two miles long to the end, whereon is a neck of land called NAHANT. Upon the south side of the sandy beach the sea beateth, which is a true prognostication, to pre- sage storms and foul weather, and the breaking up of the
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