USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Sketches of Boston, past and present, and of some places in its vicinity > Part 11
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This building is not at present used as a regular place of worship, but is occasionally used as a cemetery Chapel. A large cemetery is attached to the Church lot, on Dorchester street, South Boston.
The house is surrounded and nearly hidden by large Elm trees; and the traveller as he passes it is surprised with its rural beauty in the summer, no less than by its mournful and desolate aspect in the winter.
PASTORS.
Rev. THOMAS LYNCH, from the year 1833 to 1836. Rev. JOHN MAHONY, from the year 1836 to 1839. Rev. M. LYNCH, from the year 1339 to 1810. Rev. F. FITZSIMMONS, December 21, 1840.
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SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH.
SOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH, SOUTH BOSTON.
On the 23th of August, 1823, 19 individuals were constituted a branch of the Federal Street Baptist Church. This branch was publicly recog. nized as an independent Church, March 27, 1831, then numbering 52 members.
The branch originally met for public worship in a small house formerly occupied by the Methodists. They were aided for several years by the " Baptist Evangelical Society." Their present house was dedicated to the worship of God, July 22, 1830. It is on the corner of C street and Broad- way. The building has nothing remarkable in its appearance, though to the antiquarian there are interesting associations connected with its his- tory.
PASTORS.
R. H. NEALE, who had supplied the pulpit nearly three years, from 1833 to 1834. T. R. CRESSEY, from 1831 to 1835. THOMAS DRIER, from 1838 to 1813. DUNCAN DUNBAR, from 1814 to 1845. GEORGE W. BOSWORTH assumed the charge February 22, 1846, present Pastor.
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CHURCH STREET CHURCH.
THIRD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This Church was gathered and the first sermon delivered on the 4th of July, 1531. The Church at that time consisted of between 20 and 30 in. dividuals, and was soon increased to 60, from other Methodist Churches in the city. From the time of its commencement, it has steadily in- creased, and at the present time its numbers are 320. The building was erected in 1827, for a Presbyterian Church, under the pastoral care of Rev. Jas. Sabine. In 1829, Mr. Sabine and a part of his Society withdrew from the Presbyterian connection, and embraced the sentiments of the Episcopalians; in consequence of which the Meeting-House became va- cant until occupied by the above Society.
PASTORS.
Rev. ABEL STEVENS, Rev. M. L. SCUDDER,
Rev. EDWARD OTHEMAN, Rev. JAMES PORTER, Rev. T. C. PIERCE,
Rev. WILLIAM SMITH,
Rev. DANIEL WISE,
Rev. GEORGE PICKERING,
Rev. MINOR RAYMOND,
Rev. A. D. MERRILL,
Rev. T. C. PIERCE,
Rev. J. D. BRIDGE,
Rev. LORANUS CROWELL, Pastor, 1851.
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ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH, ENDICOTT STREET.
This Church was consecrated by Bishop Fenwick, of the Roman Cath- olic Church, on the 22d of May, 1836.
This Church is situated on Endicott street, at the corner of Cooper street. It is built of rough stone, and is a beautiful and durable edifice. It has a spacious and convenient basement.
PASTORS.
Rev. WILLIAM WILEY, from May, 1836, to April, 1837.
Rev. P. O'BEIRNE, from 1837 to 1833.
Rev. MICHAEL HEALY, from 1833 to 1841.
Rev. THOMAS O'FLAHERTY, from January, 1811, to March, 1812.
Rev. JOHN FITZPATRICK, from March 4, 18.12, to 1817.
Rev. JOHN P. FLOOD, from 1817 to 1819.
Rev. JOHN MCELROY, present Minister, 1851.
Rev. F. B. KROES, and Rev. FRANCIS LACHAT, assistant Ministers.
The first movements of the Roman Catholics to form a Society in Bos- ton were in the year 1731. These were prompted by the Irish and French emigrants, under the pastoral charge of the Abbe La Poitrie, a chaplain in the French navy.
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ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH.
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, NORTHAMPTON STREET.
This Church was consecrated on the 11th of December, 1836, by Bishop Fenwick, for the use of the Catholics at the South end.
First and present Pastor, Rev. Thomas Lynch.
This Church is located at a section of Boston, where the population, particularly the foreigners, is rapidly increasing. It is uniformly thronged with devoted worshippers.
HOLY TRINITY CHUCRII, SUFFOLK STREET.
The corner stone of this Church was laid on the 26th of June, 1812, by Bishop Fenwick. It is situated in Suffolk street, and when completed will be appropriated to the use of the German Catholics of this city. Its Pastor is the Rev. P. Roloff.
The Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church who have resided at Boston, have been as follows. Rt. Rev. J. De Cheverus, afterwards Archbishop of Bordeaux till 1816. Arrived in 1796. departed in 1823. 'Rt. Rev. B. J. Fenwick. Arrived 1825, died 1816. Rt. Rev. I. B. Fitzpatrick. Arrived in 1810. Now at the Church of the Holy Cross, Franklin street.
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CHARDON STREET CHAPEL ..
CHARDON STREET CHAPEL OF THE ADVENTISTS.
Chardon Strict, Erected 1838.
This Church was gathered February 11, 1836. At its formation it con- sisted of 16 members. They commenced public worship at Lyceum Hall, in Hanover street, and removed from that place to Chardon Street Chapel, which was built by said Church and Society, and dedicated Nov. 6, 1838.
This Church was gathered by the labors of Rev. Joshua V. Himes (for- merly Pastor of the First Christian Church, corner of Summer and Sea streets). In the spring of 1843, the Church divided on the question of the Second Advent. A portion of thein removed to the Melodeon, and soon ceased to be. The remaining portion, with Mr. Himes, removed to the Advent Tabernacle, in Howard street, and from thence to Central Hall, in Milk street. In July, 1843, the Church of Mr. Himes returned to the Chardon Street Chapel, where they have since remained. He be- ing their pastor at this period, the Church is known as the Chardon Street Church of Second Adventists.
The building is of wood, and plain in its exterior appearance, but neat and convenient in the interior. It will seat comfortably 500 persons.
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FOURTH MI TIODIST CHIICH.
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FOURTH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NORTH RUSSELL STREET.
This Church was constituted A. D. 1837, with 60 members, under the pastoral care of Rev. M. L. Scudder. Their first meetings were held ir the Wells School-House, in Blossom street. The Chapel was dedicated A. D. 1838. It is erected on a plan designed for further improvement, as we learn the edifice will be elevated, and that the buildings in front will be removed, to make a more spacious court.
The ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church are stationed an- nually, and according to the present usage are not appointed to the same station more than two years successively.
The whole number of members in June, 1842, was 430, of whom 127 were males, and 303 females.
MINISTERS.
MOSES L. SCUDDER, from 1837 to 1839. JEFFERSON HASCALL, from 1839 to 1811. CHARLES K. TRUE, from IS11 to 1843. GEORGE LANDEN, from 1813 to 1815. WILLIAM H. HATCH, from 1845 to 1817. WILLIAM RICE, from 1817 to 1819. MARK TRAFTON, from 1819 to 1351. E. COL. BEIGHI, present Minister, stationed 1551.
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120
THIRTEENTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
THIRTEENTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
This Society was formed in the year 1825. The place of worship was lo- cated at the corner of Purchase and Pearl streets. The Rev. George Ripley was ordained as Pastor in 1826, and after the lapse of almost fifteen years, his connection was dissolved, for reasons which affected, not the least, the relations of friendship and mutual respect between the parties. The Rev.
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121
ROWE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
James I. T. Coolidge, the present incumbent, was ordained in 1842. So great had been the changes in that section of the city, by the influx of business and foreigners, that the society was forced to remove to another section of the city ; and on the 3d of May, 1817, the corner-stone of their present beautiful building was laid at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Beach Street. On the 3d of May, ISIS, the new Church was completed and dedicated. The Society was incorporated under the title of the Pur- chase Street Congregational Society, but by reason of removal, it was obliged to change its name, and it is now known as the Thirteenth Congre. gational Church and Society.
The size of the body of this house of worship is 62 by 92 feet, exclusive of the buttresses, tower, and chancel. The chancel projects 6 feet and the tower 7 feet ; making the entire length 107 feet. The side buttresses pro- ject 1 foot 8 inches, making the entire width 633 feet. The height of the front gable is 66 feet from the sidewalk, and the height of the side walls 32 feet, above which rises the clear story wall to the height of 47 feet from the sidewalk on Beach street. The tower, which is at the corner of the build- ing, rises to the height of 93 feet to the base of the spire, and is supported by massive buttresses at the angles, which terminate with minarets and finials at the height of 85} feet, and 7} feet below the base of the spire, where the tower finishes with gables on four sides.
ROWE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
This Society formerly worshipped in the Federal Street Baptist Church, the corner-stone of which was laid September 25, 1826, and the building dedicated July 18, 1827. At that period the Society consisted of sixty-five members.
In consequence of the many changes in Federal Street, and its gradual transformation into a mere business street, the Society determined in the year 1S14, to dispose of the property and remove to a more central posi- tion. The building was occupied for the last time on the 23d of February, 1815, soon after which it was demolished.
The corner-stone of the present edifice, in Rowe street, was laid the 27th of April, 1816, and the building was dedicated on the 7th of April follow- ing. In the incan while, the Society held their public mectings in Amory Hall and the Melodeon. The present Church is in the pointed Gothic style of architecture; built of dark red sandstone, having a tower at the corner, surmounted by a spire rising to the height of 175 feet above the sidewalk. The interior of the building is finished with black walnut, and contains 158 pews. The organ was made by Mr. Appleton, of Boston, and is placed in the front angle corresponding with the towers.
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ROWE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
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ROWE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
By an act of the Legislature, the name of this Society was subsequently changed to the "Rowe Street Baptist Society." The present number of members is about 450.
PASTORS.
Rev. HOWARD MALCOM, from Nov. 13, 1827, to Sept., 1835. Rev. GEORGE R. IDE, from Dec. 30, 1835, to Dec., 1837. Rev. HANDEL G. NOTT, from May 23, 1839, to May, 1510. Rev. WILLIAM HAGUE, from Sept., 1810, till 1943. Rev. BARON STOW, D. D., the present Pastor, installed ISIS.
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BOWDOIN SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH.
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BOWDOIN SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCHI.
Opposite the Revere House.
This edifice stands on the north side of Bowdoin square, beautifully opening to the view from all the streets which radiate from the square. The corner-stone was laid April 1, 1810, and the building dedicated No- vember 5, 1810. It is one of the most agreeable locations in Boston. It is 93 feet in length, inclusive of the tower, by 73} feet wide. Its front, with its tower and its six turrets, is of granite .. The tower projects 10 feet from the main building; is 23 feet square, and 110 feet high. The cost of the building, including furniture and organ, was upwards of seven- ty-thousand dollars.
The Church was constituted Sept. 17, 1810, with 137 members. Pres- ent number, 337.
PASTORS.
Rev. R. W. CUSHMAN, installed July 3, 1841, left July, 1817. Rev. PHARCELLUS CHURCH, D. D., installed Sept., 1813, present pastor.
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WARREN STREET CHAPEL.
WARREN STREET CHAPEL.
This Institution, established A. D. 1835-36, through the liberality of several private individuals, belonging to the Congregational Unitarian de. nomination, and placed under the charge of Rev. C. F. BARNARD, is de. voted to the general objects of the Ministry at Large, particularly in their relation to the young. It contains various free schools for instruction in Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and Sewing, intended for those who cannot obtain such advantages elsewhere, and open at such hours as their conve- nience requires. There are two valuable libraries for readers of different ages. Two or more large classes are taught the elements and practice of vocal music. A Sunday School occupies the morning and afternoon of the Lord's Day, followed by religious exercises generally adapted to the wants and capacity of the young. Occasional meetings of a social or in- structive character are added, with an annual visit to the country, and other means of rational enjoyment. There are connected with the building a garden and a cabinet of Natural History. The current expenses of the institution are defrayed in part by annual subscriptions or donations, and in part through the proceeds of a course of Lyceum Lectures. by occasional concerts, and by sales of flowers upon the Common on the Fourth of July.
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TUCKERMAN CHAPEL.
TUCKERMAN CHAPEL, PITTS STREET.
The corner-stone of this building was laid July 7, 1836. It was dedicat- ed by the Congregational Unitarian denomination the following Novem- ber. It is a neat brick building, 76 fect by 41, two stories in height.
Dr. Tuckerman entered upon his duties as Minister at Large, Nov. 5, 1826. His purpose was to visit among the poor, and to be to such as were not visited by any other clergymen, a Christian Pastor and Friend. In Feb., 1827, he had 50 families under his charge ; in six months, 90 fam- ilies, at the close of the year, 170 families, and in six months more, 250 families.
Rev. F. T. Gray became a colleague with Dr. Tuckerman in 1831, and continued in this ministry until 1839, when the Rev. R. C. Waterston was ordained to take charge of the labor.
PASTORS.
Rev. DR. TUCKERMAN, installed 1826, died April 20, 1810. Rev. FREDERICK T. GRAY, ordained Nov. 1831, left IS39. Rev. R. C. WATERSTON, ordained Nov., 1839, left in the spring of 1815. Rev. ANDREW BIGELOW, installed May, 1815, left Sept., 1846.
Rev. SAMUEL H. WINKLEY, inst. Sept., 1816, present pastor, July, 1851.
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SUFFOLK STREET CHAPEL.
SUFFOLK STREET CHAPEL.
This Chapel constitutes one of the branches of the Ministry at, Large, and was built by the "Fraternity of Churches " in 1839. On the 23d of May, in that year, the corner-stone was laid with appropriate services, and the dedication took place on the 5th of February, 1810.
This edifice is situated at the extreme south part of the city, opposite the Southern Cemetery, and is the largest of the Chapels connected with the Ministry at Large. The cost of the building was about $ 15,000, ex- clusive of the land, which was given by the city according to a grant in 180G, to the first religious association that should promise to build a Church thereon. The congregation gathered here met originally in a small school- room in Northampton street. from which they were transferred to Suffolk street. The architectural style of this Chapel is somewhat imposing and peculiar. It is built of rough stone with rustic finishings of granite, and has a massive granite porch in front, supported by five piers of the same material.
PASTORS.
Rev. JOHN T. SARGENT, ordained Oct. 29, 1837, left Dec., 1814. Rev. SAMUEL B. CRUFT, ordained Jan., 1816, present pastor, 1851.
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LYNDE STREET CHURCHI.
WEST CHURCHI, LYNDE STREET.
The West Church was gathered January 3, 1737, in Lynde street, then termed New Boston, and then the only Church in that division of the town. The first was a well-proportioned wooden building, begun Septem- ber 26, 1736, and finished in April, 1737, when it was furnished with a hand- some steeple. It was situated commodiously to give signals to the Conti- nental troops at Cambridge, on the opposite shore. The British officers suspected it had been used for this purpose, and the steeple was taken down by them in 1775.
The corner-stone of the present edifice was laid April 4, 1806, and the Church was dedicated November 27 of the same year. It is 75 by 74 feet, and contains 114 pews on the lower floor, and 50 in the gallery. It is situ- ated in Lynde street, corner of Cambridge street. The number of fami- lies in the parish is about 320. The Church is Congregational.
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128 FIRST METHODIST CHURCH, HANOVER STREET.
Dr. Mayhew, the second minister of the West Church, one of the ablest inen our country has produced, was ordained June 17, 1747, and died July 9, 1766, aged 46 years. Just before his death, on his departure to attend an ecclesiastical council at Rutland, he wrote a letter to James Otis, Exq., suggesting the plan of a correspondence or " communion " among the col- onies, which was afterwards adopted, and conduced much to the happy result of their struggle for freedom.
In 1505, there were nine Congregational Churches in Boston, the West Church being ranked the ninth, though it was in fact the eighth, as. the church in Federal street did not join the Congregational communion till 1787. These churches were in fellowship, and their ministers exchanged with one another, and assisted each other in ministerial labors as occasion required. This fellowship was maintained between this Church and the eight other Churches till 1821.
The square in front of the Church, on Cambridge street, has been this year ornamented with a substantial iron railing, 3694 feet in length. The cost of this railing and the fountain was about $5,000. Dr. Lowell, the present minister, is the oldest minister in Boston.
PASTORS.
WILLIAM HOOPER, from Scotland, ordained May, 1737, resigned 1746. JONATHAN MAYHEW, D. D., from Martha's Vineyard, ordained June 17, 1747, died July 9, 1766, aged 46.
SIMEON HOWARD, D. D., from Bridgewater, (West Parish,) ordained May 6, 1767, died August 13, 1S01, aged 71.
CHARLES LOWELL, D. D., Boston, ordained January 1, 1806 .-
CYRUS AUGUSTUS BARTOL, of Freeport, Me., ordained March 1, 1837.
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH, HANOVER STREET.
That branch of the Methodist Episcopal Church worshipping in this edifice was originally gathered in 1792, under the labors of the Rev. Jo- seph Lee, whose first sermons in the city were preached on the Common. Their first house of worship was erected in Hanover street, in 1796, when about 60 members belonged to it. They removed to a new edifice in North Bennet street, (see page 84,) in the year 1823, which house was sold to the Freewill Baptist Society in the year 1850.
In the year 1850, this Society purchased the elegant building erected for the Second Unitarian Society, (under Rev. Chandler Robbins,) of which the following is a correct representation.
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FIRST METHODIST CHURCH.
PASTORS.
EPHRAIM WILEY, 1828-29. J. BONNEY, 1830. A. D. MERRILL, 1831. J. LINDSAY, 1832-33. D. FILLMORE, 1831-35. ABEL STEVENS, 1836. A. D. SARGENT, 1837. J. C. PIERCE, 1833-39. J. PORTER, IS40 -41. MARK TRAFTON, 1812-43. J. D. BRIDGE, IS15. MINER RAYMOND, ISIG. WILLIAM H. HATCH, 1847 -43. S. HALE HIGGINS, and MOSELY DWIGHT, 1619. JOSEPH CUMMINGS, 1850 -51.
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BOSTON BRIDGES AND FERRIES.
BOSTON BRIDGES AND FERRIES.
I. WEST BOSTON BRIDGE.
THIS was the second bridge built over Charles River. It is a convey. ance from the west end of Cambridge street to the opposite shore in Cumn. bridge-Port. A number of gentlemen were incorporated for the purpose of erecting this bridge, March 9, 1792. The causeway was begun July 15, 1792, and suspended after the 26th of December, till the 20th of March, 1793, when the work was resumed. The wood work of the bridge was be- gun the 8th of April, 1793, and the bridge and causeway opened for pas- sengers the 23d of November following, being seven months and a half from laying the first pier. The sides of the causeway are stoned and railed ; on each side of which was formerly a canal about 30 feet wide.
The bridge stand, on 180 piers, is 2,483 feet long.
Bridge over the gore, 14
275
Abutment, Boston side,
874
Causeway, 3,311 =
Distance from end of the causeway to Cambridge Meet-
ing-house,
· 7,810
Width of the bridge,
40
Railed on each side for foot passengers.
To the Proprietors a toll was granted for 70 years from the opening of the bridge, which together with the causeway, was estimated to have cost £ 23,000 lawful money. The principal undertaker for building the bridge was Mr. Whiting.
Il. BOSTON SOUTH BRIDGE.
The building of this bridge grew out of the project for annexing Dor- chester Neck, so called, to Boston, as a part of the city. In the latter end of 1803, there were but 10 families on that peninsula, which comprised an extent of 569 acres of land. These families united with several citizens of Boston in a petition to the town for the privilege of being annexed thereto, "' upon the single condition that the inhabitants [of B.] will procure a bridge to be erected between Boston and Dorchester Neck." On the 31st of January, 1801, after several confused meetings on the subject, the town agreed to the proposition, on condition "that the place from which and the terms on which the bridge should be built, shall be left entirely to the Legislature. Application was made to the General Court, and measures were in train for authorizing a bridge from South street to the point. The inhabitants of the south end of the town, having opposed this measure in vain thus far in its progress, formed a plan at this juncture, in which they proposed to erect a bridge where the present bridge stands, and to obviate the objection that such a bridge would not lessen the distance from the
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BOSTON BRIDGES AND FERRIES.
point so much as the South Street Bridge would, they offered to construct a commodious street across the flats from Rainsford's Lane to the head of the proposed bridge. They presented a petition to the Court to be incor- porated for these purposes, upon the presumption that no liberty would be granted for the erection of any other bridge, to the northward of their bridge, unless at some future period the increased settlement of this part of the country should be such, that the public exigencies should require the same. This plan and petition met with so favorable a reception, that the Dorchester Point proprietors were induced to make a compromise with the South end petitioners, in which it was agreed, that the South Street Bridge should be abandoned, and that the South end Bridge should be transferred to the Dorchester company, and the proposed street be carried forward by the petitioners. A joint committee made a report on the basis of this com- promise, which was accepted in concurrence Feburary 23d ; and on the 6th of March, bills were passed for the three objects, the annexation of Dor- chester Neck to Boston, the incorporation of the Proprietors of Boston South Bridge, and also of the Front Street Corporation in the town of Boston.
Messrs. William Tudor, Gardiner Green, Jonathan Mason, and Harrison Gray Otis, were the proprietors named in Boston South Bridge Act. Sev- enty years' improvement was allowed from the date of the first opening of said bridge for passengers, which took place in the summer of 1805. On the first of October, it was the scene of a military display and sham fight. This bridge is 1,551 feet in length, and cost the proprietors about 8 56,000. In 1832, the proprietors sold the bridge to the city for $ 3,500; since which it has been put in thorough repair by the city, at an expense of $ 3,500, in addition to the amount paid by the Corporation, and has been made a free highway.
III. CANAL (OR CRAIGIE'S) BRIDGE.
This bridge runs from Barton's Point in Boston to Lechmere's Point in Cambridge, Its length is 2,796 feet ; its width 40 feet. The persons named in the Act incorporating this bridge, were John C. Jones, Loammi Baldwin, Aaron Dexter, Benjamin Weld, Joseph Coolidge, Jr., Benjamin Joy, Gorham Parsons, Jonathan Ingersoll, John Beach, Abijah Cheever, William B. Hutchins, Stephen Howard, and Andrew Craigie. This bridge differs from those previously built, in being covered with a layer of gravel on the floor of the bridge. It was first opened for passengers on Com- mencement day, August 30, 1809. The bridge on the Cambridge, side is united to Charlestown by Prison Point Bridge, which is 1,821 feet long, and 35 feet broad, having but one side railed for foot passengers. The Bos- ton and Lowell Railroad runs parallel with, and about 100 feet north of Craigie's Bridge.
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BOSTON BRIDGES AND FERRIES.
IV. WESTERN AVENUE.
This splendid work was projected by Mr. Uriah Cotting, who with oth- ers associated, received an act of incorporation, June 14, 1814, under the title of " The Boston and Roxbury Mill Corporation "; the stock of which is divided into 3,500 shares of $ 100 each. It was commenced in 1818, under Mr. Cotting's direction, but he did not live to witness its comple- tion. His place was supplied by Col. Loammi Baldwin, and the road was opened for passengers, July 2, 1821. There was a splendid ceremony on the occasion ; a cavalcade of citizens at an early hour entered the city over the dam, and was welcomed on this side by the inhabitants, who waited to receive them. This Avenue, or Mill-Darn, leads from Beacon street in Boston, to Sewall's Point in Brookline, and is composed of solid materials water-tight, with a gravelled surface, raised three or four feet above high-water-mark. It is one mile and a half in length, and a part of the way 100 feet in width. This dam cuts off and incloses about 601 acres of the southerly part of the Back or Charles River Bay, over which the tide before regularly flowed. The water that is now admitted is rendered subservient and manageable. Very extensive mill-privileges are gained hy the aid of a cross dam, running from the principal one to a point of land in Roxbury, which divides the Reservoir or full basin on the west from the empty or running basin on the east. There are five pair of flood- gates in the long dam, grooved in massy piers of hewn stone ; each pair moves from their opposite pivots towards the centre of the aperture on a horizontal platform of stone, until they close in an obtuse angle on a projected line cut on the platform, from the pivots in the piers to the centre of the space, with their angular points towards the open or unin- closed part of the bay, to shut against the flow of tide and prevent the passage of water into the empty basin. In this manner all the water is kept out from this basin, except what is necessary to pass from the full basin, through the cross dam, to keep the mill-works in operation. The reservoir is kept full by means of similar flood-gates, opening into the full basin (when the rising of the tide gets ascendancy over the water in the reservoir), and fills at every flow, and closes again on the receding of the tide. In this way, at every high tide, the reservoir is filled, and a contin- ual supply of water, to pass through sluice-ways in the cross dam suffi- cient to keep in motion, at all times, at least 100 mills and factories. At low water the flood-gates of the receiving basin open and discharge the water received from the reservoir.
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