The Boston news-letter, and city record, Part 40

Author: Bowen, Abel, 1790-1850
Publication date: 1825
Publisher: [Boston] : Abel Bowen
Number of Pages: 850

USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The Boston news-letter, and city record > Part 40

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).

Within the original limits of this town lived a considerable number of Indians. The Pawtucketts at Wame- sit and its vicinity, contained in 1675, about 250 souls. They had formerly been estimated at 3000. The right of the Indians to the township of Billeri- ca, seems to have been partially ac- knowledged by the English, as we find the inhabitants obtained a pur- chase from them in 1684. The In- dians, however, appear to have retain- ed a part of Wamesit, which bordered on Mrs Winthrop's farm of 3000 acres. At this place they had a praying town, which, in 1674, according to Gookin's Collections, contained 15 families, and 75 souls. They inhabited a small tract of land on the east side of Con- cord river, and bordering on Merri- mack river. The divisional line be- between them and the English, it is said, extended from Merrimack river, about half a mile below the mouth of Concord river, on a direct line to Concord river, two miles from its mouth. Their plantation was separa- ted from the English by a ditch, which may be seen at this day. With- in these limits, is a hill, called Fort Hill, lying nearly parallel with Con- cord river, on which are the remains

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AND CITY RECORD, MAY 6, 1826.

of their fortification. It seems that the Indians at this place, were in some de- gree civilized. They here attended to the cultivation of their land ; plant- ed apple trees in the manner of the English, some of which remain, but have become incorporated with the trees of the forest. The names of sev- eral Indians are preserved in the rec- ords of Billerica. Capt. Danforth had one in his family of the name of War- rick, in the capacity of a servant, who died, about 1686.

The inhabitants of Billerica, though for a long time exposed to the incur- sions of the Indians, do not appear to have received any material injury from them till 1692. On the first day of August, this year, they killed Ann Shed, wife of Zachary Shed, with two of her children, Hannah, aged 13, and Agnes, aged 2 years ; Joanna Dut- ton, aged 36, wife of Benjamin Dutton, and two of her children by a former husband, Mary Dunkin, aged 16, and Benoni Dunkin, aged 24 years. Tra- dition has preserved few, or no partic- ulars of the manner in which these families were assaulted.

On the 5th August, 1695, the In- dians made a second irruption on the inhabitants of this place. In the northerly part of the town, on the east side of Concord river, lived a num- ber of families, who, though without garrisons, and in a time of war, seem- ed to be under no apprehension of danger. Their remoteness from the scenes of Indian depredations might have contributed to their fancied secu- rity. The Indians came suddenly upon them in the day-time. Dr. Math- er, the only early writer who has men- tioned the event, says it was reported they were on horseback, and from that circumstance, were not suspected for Indians, till they surprised the house they came to."* They entered the house of John Rogers, son of one of the early settlers, about noon, and while from the fatigues of the day, he was enjoying repose on his bed, they discharged one of their arrows, which

entered his neck and pierced the jugu- lar vein. Awakened with this sudden and unexpected attack, he started up, seized the arrow, which he forcibly withdrew, and expired with the instru- ment of death in his hand. A woman being in the chamber, threw herself out of the window, and though severe- ly wounded, effected her escape by concealing herself among some flags. A young woman was scalped and left for dead, but survived the painful op- eration and lived for many years after- wards. A son and daughter of Mr. Rogers were taken prisoners. The family of John Levistone suffered most severely. His mother-in-law and five young children were killed, and his oldest daughter captured. Thomas Rogers and his oldest son were killed. Mary, the wife of Dr. Roger Tootha- ker, was killed, and Margaret, his youngest daughter, taken prisoner. Fifteen persons were killed or taken at this surprisal. The records of the town give the names of fourteen who were killed and taken into captivity. Ten were killed, of whom five were adults. Though the Indians were im- mediately pursued by the inhabitants of the centre of the town, yet so effec- tually had they taken precautions in their flight, that all efforts to find them were unavailing. It is said they had even tied up the mouths of their dogs with wampum, from an apprehension that their barking would discover the direction they had taken. The shock given to the inhabitants by this melan- choly event, was long had in painful remembrance.

BOSTON : s SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1826.

MAY-DAY.

New York, the first day of May, presents one of the most amusing spec- tacles, to a stranger, imaginable. Onc simultaneous movement seems to per- vade all classes of Society, from high degree to low. Change of residence is the order of the day, and the streets resemble one vast cavalcade of drays

* See Mather's Decennium Luctuosum published in 1698.

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THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER,

heavily laden with furniture of all di- mensions ; beds, pots, kettles, fire sets, and columns of pembroke tables, whose legs, pointing in every direction, like serpents on the head . of Medusa, threaten each passer-by with destruc- tion. In Boston, we are unaccustom- ed to any tumult,-any general com- motion, save that of light foot-steps at the dawn of day, directed towards the several avenues of the City. Beauty and youth adorn every bridge, at early light, and ere the hour of eight comes round, these happy troops of nymphs return, to cheer with smiles and flowers, those aged remnants of human nature, who have anxiously waited the return of such charmers of the soul. This is May-Day in Boston ; peace and quietness is felt and seen in every face, and thus the moments roll.

Years will roll on-and time will bring, Its various changes, but in vain ; There is in life, but one short spring, Yet it can ne'er return again.

In adverting to the subject of stages which arrive and leave Boston, daily, noticed in our last paper, we ought, in justice to our friends of the Traveller Office, to have referred all travellers, (as well as those who have a curiosity to become better acquainted with the manner of supporting our intercourse with the various parts of the interior,) to the Stage Register, by Messrs Badger & Porter. The Register is a popular convenience, and we are hap- py to ascertain, meets with increasing patronage.

Thomas Jefferson .-- Pursuant to public notice given by Philip Hone, Mayor of New-York, a large and res- pectable meeting was held in that city on Monday last, at the City Hotel for the purpose of expressing opinions 'on the public services of Thomas Jefferson ; and to adopt measures in relation to his affairs.' A committee, consisting of twenty-four citizens was appointed to receive contributions from the inhabitants of that city, with powers to enlarge their number and appoint sub-committees to correspond

throughout the state, and adopt such other measures as may be deemed necessary.

Evans' Views of Greece .- Estwick Evans, of New Hampshire, who lately returned from Greece, whither he had been led by hopes of achieving her emancipation, has commenced a series of letters to the public, in which, it is said, he intends to show the real con- dition of that country, and to expose the deception, which has been practis- ed 'upon the world, by individuals, great and small, from Stanhope, who wrote in Greece, that he might figure at home, down to Miller, who by cer- tain letters figured at home, that he might live in Greece.' In the letters which have appeared, he pronounces most of the accounts which had been given of that country, gross fabrica- tions, or egregious misstatements. He charges some of the Americans who have enlisted in her service, with mis- appropriating the Greek funds, and fraudulent speculations, to the amount of six or seven thousand dollars, all which he intends to prove.

Fire in New York .- On Friday morning, 28th April, a fire broke out in Garden Street, which communicated to the upper apartments of the Ex- change Buildings, situated on the cor- ner of William and Garden streets. This fine block of buildings recently built on the site of the old post office, by Rufus L. Lord and Edward C. Delavan, were entirely destroyed. The loss is estimated at between two and three hundred thousand dollars. $131,000 was insured on the prop- erty.

Mr Mallet's Oratorio, or Sacred Concert, is to take place at the first Church in Chauncey place, tomorrow evening.

There was an extensive sale of Sax- ony Sheep on Thursday last, at Brigh- ton, by Messrs Coolidge, Poor & Head. These sheep have been re-

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AND CITY RECORD, MAY 6, 1826.

cently imported by Messrs G. & T. Searle. They also imported the first flock brought to this country.

Steam Bout .-- The Kennebeck Steam Navigation Company have pur- chased a steam boat in New York, which is to ply between this port and Portland ; and it is expected will commence running in about a month.

A new work, entitled The Life, Writings and Speeches of that cele- brated Orator and Statesman, the late William Pinkney, by Henry Wheaton, is about to be issued from the New York press, in an octavo volume.

During the recent fire at New York a quantity of arsenic was thrown into the street, and became mixed with coffee, which was gathered up by sev- cral poor persons. Several persons carried away lumps of arsenic, not knowing what it was. One child came near losing its life, by getting hold of this poison, which its father had carried home from the fire .-- Cour.

The Courier of this week contains the speech of our representative in Congress, on the subject of the Pana- ma mission, and makes the very just remark that ' Mr Webster's spceches, whatever may be the subject, will nev- er be read by his constituents without a deep feeling of pride and exultation -- a conviction that when such a man takes upon himself the responsibilities and duties of a representave, the con- stituents and the representative are re- ciprocally honoured in the eyes of the nation and the world.

CHAPTER OF NEWS.

The New-York Mirror says the automaton chess-player is a great cu- riosity, and guesses the Yankees will find out before long, what puzzled the Europeans for sixty years .== An Engi- neer, by the name of Jerome, has pe- titioned the legislature, for permission to erect a stone bridge, over the river Mississippi, opposite the city of New Orleans .== Mr J. Farman, of New

York, whose wife and child were des- troyed by the explosion of the steam boat ÆEtna, two years ago, and whose affairs since have not been prosperous, has drawn two prizes in the Washing- ton Lottery, one of $1000, the other of $25,000 =Mr. Catlin, a young art- ist of New-York, has taken the like- ness of M. M. Noah, in his character of 'Governor and Judge of Israel, standing, like Napoleon at his corona- tion, in his robes of office.' == The ' Daily Chronicle,' was commenced in Albany, on Saturday 22d April, by C. Galpin and M. M. Cole .== ' The Times,' a new daily paper, was issued in New York, on Thursday morning 27th April, by Gold S. Silliman, esq. formerly of Newport, R. I .== The Pen- sacola Gazette states that green peas appeared in that market on the 18th March .= The gallant Com. Porter sailed from New York for Vera Cruz, Mexico, last week .= Young Tayloe, recently tried and found guilty at Hudson, N. Y. of manslaughter, has been pardoned by the Governor .== A marine Railway is now building at the north part of Boston .== At New York, a Church is advertised to sell or let .== Our Market Street is undergo- ing great improvements by painting the buildings, and removing the stone posts which had been placed in the side-walks .=== A fire happened in Lon- don on the morning of March 23; it broke out in an oilman's shop in Dru- ry lane. The destruction of property was great. No lives lost .== The Post- Master at Newport, R. I. has given notice that a mail will run daily be- tween that place and Boston in future. =On Wednesday last the General Assembly of Rhode Island, convened at Newport, and organized for the en- suing political year. It is expected the session will be short, as it is said there is but little to do .== The first volume of the History of Napoleon by Sir Walter Scott was published in London in February last .== The Ma- rine Telegraphic Shipping List, pub- lished in this city, was enlarged from a half, to a whole sheet, on Wednesday last .== A number of Seminole andCreek

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236

THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER,

chiefs are on a visit to New York, and were to attend the Park theatre on Monday evening == A writer in the Daily Advertiser is calling the attention of the city government to the widening of Merchants Row .== The ' Kennebec Bank,' at Hallowell, has suspended payment .== Mr Cooper and Miss Kelly commenced a short engagement on Monday evening, in Shakspeare's ex- cellent comedy of ' Much ado about Nothing.' == The sentiments of the President of the U. S. relative to Cuba, in his message on the Panama subject, were received there with the greatest pleasure. They were considered a guaranty of the present peaceful con- dition of the Island == A Miss An- drews, of Chilicothe, Ohio, is the for- tunate holder of the $15,000 prize in the last Literature Lottery.

Boston Athencum .-- We are happy to hear that the erection of a new edi- fice has been commenced on the Ath- enæum Ground, for an Academy of Fine Arts and a Lecture Room. A new and most generous subscription has been volunteered for the expense of raising and endowing the building, and for giving still more enlarged use- fulness to the original and extensive establishment. The Perkins family were already donors to a large amount, and to the new subscription we under- stand Hon. T. H. Perkins and James Perkins, esq gave $8000 each. Sev- eral respectable Libraries have been lately united to the general institu- tion .-- Palladium.

WILLIAM SMITH SHAW.

Wm. S. Shaw, whose death was re- corded last week, was well known to the citizens of Boston, as a man de- voted to American literature, and one of the principal founders of the Boston Athenæum. It gives us pleasure to learn that the Directors of this Institu- tion, have authorized his portrait by Stuart to be placed in their principal saloon The following well written Obituary notice is copied from the Boston Gazette of Monday last.

" He was son of a clergyman who was settled in Haverhill, in the county of Essex, a gentleman highly respect- ed for bis liberality and piety. The mother of William Smith Shaw was a sister to the late Mrs Adams, wife of the Ex-President, a woman whose tal- ents and virtues were of the first order. Shaw graduated at Harvard Universi- ty in the year 1798, at a memorable period of our political history, and was immediately employed as Private Secretary to President ' Adams, in which situation be continued until Mr Adams's term of office expired. In this office he cultivated a taste for the political history of our country, which gave a cast to his future character. It was an admirable school for obtaining this kind of information. Mr Adams had read and heard more of American history and traditions, and had witnes- sed more events, than any other man in the country ; and in the private room of a statesman such subjects must of course be constantly brought up and discussed.

On leaving Mr Adams, Shaw came to Boston, and entered the office of Wm. Sullivan, esq. and was invited to make one of his family. Mr Sullivan was in full practice, and then earning the legal reputation which he has since enjoyed, and his office was con- sidered an excellent place for a stu- dent ; but it is very certain Shaw did not make much of a lawyer : the time he spent in the political bustle at Washington had destroyed his taste for law, if he ever had any. The kindness and friendship of Mr Sullivan, however, were remembered by Shaw with gratitude until the last hour of life. Soon after he was admitted to the bar of Suffolk, he was appointed, by Judge Davis, Clerk of the District Court for the District of Massachu- setts, in which office he remained un- til some time after the late treaty of peace at Ghent ; and during the war he had an opportunity of collecting a handsome property ; when he retired from the duties and cares of his office. In the year 1805, or 1806, Mr Shaw prevailed on many of his literary

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AND CITY RECORD, MAY 6, 1826.

friends to join him in forming a read- ing room, in which might be found the most valuable periodicals of this and other countries. The plan so far suc- ceeded that in 1807 an act of inicorpo- ration was obtained for the Boston Athenaum, a literary and scientific in- stitution, which has gone on increasing in prospects, and in securing the pat- ronage of the liberal and worthy, until it has surpassed any thing of the kind in our country ; and from the recent munificent donations to it and the quickening spirit which now seems to be found among its friends, there can be no doubt that it will, before many years have clapsed, vie, in the monu- ments of art, in the apparatus of phi- losophy, and in the intellectual stores of varied learning, with the princely establishments in Europe of a similar nature.

In this day of the greatest prosperi- ty of this literary institution, it is but just to look back upon the day of small things, and render honour to whom honour is due ; and when this is done, Shaw will be hailed the founder of the Athenæum. Others have endowed it with Medicean liberality, but Shaw laid the corner stone. Godfredo nev- er plead more fervently to the mon- archs of Europe to rescue the Holy Land from infidel profanations, than Shaw did to the wealthy, and to all classes in the community to establish this literary institution. He was the first to begin the crusade for rare books and pamphlets scattered through the country, and most of his acquaint- ance can bear witness with what won- derful sagacity he scented out an old book, and with what a tact of espion- age he discovered and seized a new one :- And after the first campaign or two were over, the spirit of literary chivalry did not desert him ; the Ath- enæum was still his Dulcinea, and he attacked every one he met, and fought most manfully until they acknowledg- ed the force and transcendency of the charms of his mistress, and confessed fealty, and did homage at her shrine, by depositing some garland of litera- ture or trophy of art. It has been

said that Shaw was a mere book gath- erer, a catalogue and title page reader, and had but little learning --- This was not true. A man acquainted with the names and the general character of the works of many authors, may often be betrayed into a seeming affectation of imposing himself on others as a per- son of great learning, when he intends no such thing, nor does he suspect that he has so deceived. This gene- ral knowledge of where information on all subjects may be found, is of great use to the scholar and profes- sional man, and should be valued more than it often is, without subjecting its possessor to the imputation of pretend- ing to know more than he does, Shaw had a good share of this knowledge, but he was also better read in many books than many were aware of. Yet it must be said that he was rather a lover of learning than a learned man, more of a propagandist in literature than a classical scholar. He criticised upon all things as they passed, and there was an apparent abruptness in his judgment often inconsistent with the soundness of his opinion. This was a harmless touch of literary vani- ty ; for before this seemingly sudden discussion on the merits of a work was made, he had procured the impressions of those to whom he looked with res- pect and veneration. Notwithstand- ing his reliance on the strength of a few minds, he addressed the mass of mankind. and even the wiser part, as Job did his friends : But I have under- standing as well as you ; I am not inferior to you ; yeu, the things you know I know also.

He rejoiced in the progress of light and knowledge by whatever means they came. If he was yoked to walk in the furrow in some early imbib- ed principles, his general reasonings sprang from the broad seed. There was one singularity about him worth suggesting, as it is rare, perhaps, in a literary man His early life was pas- sed in straightened circumstances, which had an effect upon his feelings in pecuniary matters, and the same feelings and habits existed through

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238

THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER,

life ; and when his means were suffi- cient for all the comforts of a bachel- or, he was desirous of being thought poor, when he must have known that at all times, and in all places, wealth has its honors.

If a man can in any manner be judged by his associates, Shaw must have possessed no ordinary share of good properties, for during his whole whole life he had access to the best men around him. Many who some- times found it difficult to tolerate his eccentricities never questioned his vir- tues, for they were such as deserve some commemoration, and we in the silence of others, venture to trace to his memory a few lines, as it were, in the sand on the shore he has left, and ask the waves to spare them until the next young flood, and this will be Jonger than most men are remember- ed after death. Most memorials are perishable. Over the ashes of those truly great, meanness is often employ- ed to erect the monument, and igno- rance to write the epitaph. The pres- ent generation may possibly cast their eyes upon the marble, to calculate what it costs, and posterity may smile, when they read the scanty and taste- less legend, as the tablet is crumbling to dust."

CITY SECORD.

IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

Thursday, April 27 .-- Met accord. ing to adjournment. Present, the whole board, except Alderman Carney.

It was resolved that the safety and convenience of the inhabitants require that Hanover street should be widen- ed and the same was laid out and wid- ened accordingly.

Petition to widen May street, and Union street near the Green Dragon, were committed.

The Committee to whom was refer- red the subject relating to the location of the Washington Statue, reported as on file.

It was ordered that David Wood- man be allowed $1,25 per square foot

for land taken from him to widen Hanover street.

It was ordered that the Mayor be requested to write to the selectmen of Roxbury, and to invite them to meet the board of Aldermen on Wednesday the 17th day of May, at 9 o'clock A. M. on the line of Washington st. where it joins Roxbury, for the pur- pose of running the lines of Roxbury and Boston.

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The Boston news-letter, and city record, Part 40

Author: Bowen, Abel, 1790-1850 Publication date: 1825 Publisher: [Boston] : Abel Bowen Number of Pages: 850

Author: Bowen, Abel, 1790-1850
Publication date: 1825
Publisher: [Boston] : Abel Bowen
Number of Pages: 850