USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The aristocracy of Boston; who they are and what they were: being a history of the business and business men of Boston, for the last forty years > Part 2
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BRIMMER, MARTIN. (Late Mayor.) Nephew of the late good old Andrew, who lived hospitably at Atkinson-street, entertaining many of his old English connexions. He left an ample fortune to Martin.
BROOKS, PETER C. The richest man in New England A native of North Yarmouth, Me. Related to the late Gov. Brooks -- the Colonel Brooks of the Revolution.
Mr. B. married a daughter of Nathaniel Gerham, of Charlestown, brother of Stephen Gorkam, associated with Phelps in Genesee and Holland Land pur. chases in the State of New York.
He kept a private insurance office in the same building with the " Bunch of Grapes," at the corner of State and Kilby-streets, where the New England Bank is. Crowell Hatch, of Jamaica Plains-of imputed " Black-Bird" mnemo- ry, (the slang term of the day for slave-trading --- Barnabas Hedge, of Plymouth --- Benjamin P. Homer and Adam Babcock, who lived near or on part of the site of the present Trement House.
Mr. Brooks was watchful of the value of outstanding risks, claims, and accounts. Heavy balances were often left in his hands. He purchased accounts-that is, all the outstanding interests of parties who might wish to close up-or where deaths would make it important to settle estates. Tuthill Hubbard's books were said to have given him a large sum.
His savings were always very carefully invested. Security before large profit. He would take mortgages when few capitalists would touch them, on account of the long term of the equity of redemption-then three years.
He was afterwards President of the New England Insurance Office, at the corner of Exchange and State-streets-the New England Bank then below. This was always a quiet, business office-very unlike the gossiping Fire and Marine. Ozias Goodwin and John Holland-two old, worthy, retired ship- masters and intimate friends-leading Directors.
His town house is at the corner of Atkinson and Purchase-streets, near Russia Wharf: his country seat, in Medford, where, in summer, he was a regular attendant and admirer of the late Dr. Osgood.
Mr. Brooks has four sons and three daughters. One of his daughters mar- ried Edward Everett : another, Chas. F. Adams, son of John Quincy Adams ; and the third, Rev. Dr. Frothingham. One of his sons is a merchant in New York, and is very wealthy.
BRYANT. JOHN-Of Bryant & Sturges-who began business neatly forty years ago. after they had been to China and the North-West Coast, as supercargoes for Theodore Lyman and J. & T. H. Perkins. Mr. Bryant has always been the desk man. They opened their first Canton goods in Codman's store, Lindell's lane.
BUMSTEAD, JOHN-Of Trott & Bumstead-formerly importers of Brit- ish dry goods, in Cornhill ; near Dr. Bartlett, then in State-street, near Boot & Pratt. Since in manufactures. Mr. Bumstead inherited a good property from
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THE ARISTOCRACY OF BOSTON,
his father, Deacon Josiah Bumstead. His mother was sister of the late Gover- nor Gore.
BURROUGHS, GEORGE. Many years Cashier of the Union Bank -- when Oliver Wendell, Samuel Brown, and Thomas L. Winthrop were Presidente thereof.
BRAY, Mas .- Widow of Mr. Bray, an Englishman, formerly of the firm of Bray & Boit, India Wharf. She is a daughter of the late Samuel Eliot, and inherited her property from him!,
CABOT, HENRY. Only son of the late George Cabot. President of the Branch of the first G. S. Renk in Boston, until its charter expired; of the Boston Insurance Office ; and of the Hartford Convention. Once U. S. Sena- tor from Massachusetts. Aaron Burr then said of him, that " he never spoke, but light followed him."
Such a man could not be withent great influence in trade and politics. His opinions were often required and deferred to on marine insurance and mercan- tile questions of importance. The State Courts were tied up by miles of law. and arbitrations were much resorted to for want of equity jurisdiction. His unquestioned integrity and independence gave confidence in the decisions of his clear and sound mind. He began life as a sailor, (like a true descendant of the Cabots, the first discoverers of the continent of North America,) froma Beverly.
A beautiful and discriminating sketch of his character was given in a sermon preached on his death by President Kirkland, at the church in Summer-street, where he had worshipped. A few copies only were printed, and given among his friends.
President Kirkland married a daughter, who accompanied him in his voyage up the Mediterranean and in his travels in Egypt, &c.
Henry studied law, and opened an office in Pemberton Hill, near Charles Jackson's and Eben. Gay's, with great advantage and influence-he, among others, as attorney to the Branch Bank. He had the reputation of great natural talent. Bat, lighter pursuits were more to his taste. He became & walking broker in State-street, in large operations. His principal resort, the Suffolk Office.
Ile inherited his father's wealth -- not large -- and he added to it by invest- ments in manufactures.
The sight of one eye was injured. some years ago, by the bursting of a gun, while shooting woodcock-to which sport he and John W. Boott were devoted.
CABOT, SAMUEL. Son of the late Audrew, brother of George above. Married a daughter of Thomas H. Perkins, and was admitted a partner of thet firm. Mrs. Follen, the authoress, (widow of the late celebrated Dr. Follen,) is a sister of Samme !.
CAINS, THOMAS. Began the glass-maling business, in a small way, as South Boston. He was indefatigable in introducing his goods, by carrying round samples himself among the dealers.
CARTWRIGHT, CHARLES H. President of the Marine Insurance Co. Formerly of Cartwright & Mitchell, commission business, principally from Nantucket.
CARY, GEORGE B. - Of Josiah Bradlee & Co., after having been a clerk with Mr. Bradlee. Son of Mr. Cary, Chelsea, a retired merchant of former eminence. He lived in a brick house about two miles from Chelsea bridge-a solitery house, without tree of neighbor-on the north side of Salem turnpike.
CARY, THOMAS G. The brother of George: Studied law with Deacon (efterwards Judge) Peter Oxenbridge Thacher, son of Dr. Thacher, of Brattle- street Church. While at the bar, the Deacon was a frequent -- not popular -.
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THE ARISTOCRACY OF BOSTON.
spouter at Faneuil Hall, about on the same level with Alexander Townsend and other Federal aspirants.
Mr. Cary married a daughter of Thomas H. Perkins, and " got out stone" at a quarry in Quincy -- influenced, probably, by the money of Col. Perkins. The quarry was bought, and a rail-road from it to the landing built. The stone for Bunker-Hill Monument was given by Col. Perkins from this quarry.
Mr. Cary was long a long cadet, and a great marcher -- as proved by his daily walks from and to Chelsea.
CHADWICK, EBENEZER-From Portland. First of the firm of Ro- bert Elwell & Co., who did a large eastern business, when the McLellass, of Portland, and Abiel Wood, of Wiscasset, flourished. Elwell & Co. suffered hoavily by returned bills in embargo times. Was then of Mclellan & Chas- wick. Isaac MeLollan, from Bath -- late Blake & MeLellan-[See BLAKE, SARAH,] married a daughter of John Coffin Jones, by whom he had property. Became agent for the Merrimack Co., for the purchase and transmission of cotton. Has invested in manufacturing stock.
CHAPMAN, HENRY, A retired ship-chandler. Late Chapman & Wain- wright.
Chapman married a Green, and is father-in-law of Maria Chapman, the abolitionist.
Mr. Wainwright is a son of Henry Wainwright, (of Wainwright & Jackson, crockery-ware merchants, in Exchange-street :) an excellent Englishman. ; many years Treasurer of the British Charitable Society ; and unfortunately drowned while bathing in Charles River, Cambridge.
Samuel Stillman Gat (many years an intelligent supercargo out of Boston --- Late the managing partner of the house of Baring, Brothers & Co., of Liver- pool,) married a daughter of this Henry.
Rev. Dr. Wainwright, of New York, is a nephew.
The family is of Lancashire origin, and related to that of the celebrate !! organist and musician, Dr. Wainwright, whose contest on the organ at Hal ;- fax. with the great astronomer Herschell, when a youth, is well known.
CLARK, BENJAMIN C. Commission merebant. Commercial What A worthy son of a most industrious father-John Clark-long a tinman is Marshall's-Jane.
CODMAN, JOHN, REV., D. D. Son of John -- formerly of John & Stephen Codman, once extensive merchants in Codman's Wharf (since swallowed e! filled up by the new market,) and Market-street.
Dr. Codinan inherited his property from his father, who lived in Paris at the period of some of the great changes in France. Wm. Vans, then in Paris also. had large dealings with him, and tried afterwards, without effect. to establish . claims against his catate in Boston. They were barred by the statute
The doctor has been zealously Calvinistic; and his settlement in Dorche -- ter-making division in the old parish of Dr. Harris-caused fierce and Jis. graceful disputes.
The doctor's house and grounds are fine, and his living generous and hospi- table. Sir Walter Scott would have taken him for an abbot, rather than a. descendant of one of Cromwell's puritans.
The estate in Hanover-street, once Earl's Coffee-House, was John Cod- man's dwelling-house.
Dr. Codman has recently deceased.
CODMAN, CHARLES RUSSELL, Brother of John Has done Biti business. Formerly, now and then an underwriter. Inherited a good tout estate from his father, much of it in Kilby-street and Lindell's-lane, and affecte the "haut ton."
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THE ARISTOCRACY OF BOSTON.
Another brother, who had a surpassing bass voice, and sang in the Handel and Haydn Society, died many years ago.
CODMAN, HENRY. Son of Stephen, above named. Studied law. His steady, cool, faithful, and judicious qualities, brought upon him many offices of trust. He is, and has long been, the patron friend of Lucius Manlius Sar- gent : they "chym" together.
He married the only daughter of the late John Amory -- whose commodions. old-fashioned town house, was on Washington-street, the garden running to the rear of St. Paul's Church. Que of the last remnants of the sickle pear was in it. His country house, as old-fashioned and comfortable, was in Roxbury.
" Amory Hall" was named after Mr. John Amory.
Stephen Codman was, for many years, conspicuous as a politician. To preside at the meetings in Faneuil Hall, "Stephen Codman !" was always Ben. Russell's first shout --- and it never failed. If Mr. Codinan were not there. ." Col. Messenger ?" was Ben's second call. Then for the tug of eloquence --. Thacker-Savage -- Townsend-Harry Otis, and " the music of the axe and the hammer," the loss of which was sadly deplored during the embargo- William Sullivan, with his pleasing and persuasive tones-Christopher Gore, too pompous and formal for effect-and Samuel Dexter and John Lowell, rarely, but with wondrous and convincing power.
When Dexter opposed and declared off from some proposed measure of the Federal Party, during the war of 1812, the whole crammed Hall were aghast ! When Otis replied, the charm of his eloquence was broken; he had little power, and his audience no sympathy.
Samuel Dexter ceased to be a party man. He became not only "almost," but " altogether" an American ; he had no bonds to "except.".
Josiah Quincy spoke often, when at home, but without effect. He foamed and frothed. 1
Ben. Russell was of that class. Like old Gov. Y. Wright, (of Maryland,) in Congress, who said he was made up of " gin cocktail, whiskey, and Demo- cracy," Ben's face got as red as a turkey-cock's throttles; he got too full for utterance.
Benj. Pollard, (afterwards street inspector,) was a favorite.
Judge Dawes was always heard with welcome. "Little Tommy's lisp," dry humor, jokes, and /Esop-like tales, always put to the purpose, produced many a roar and loud hurrah. Moffet spoiled him.
But, after all, Otis was the master popular speaker, and could not fail to charm the most fastidious.
At times there were speakers on the " Republican" side, but not at strictly party caucuses. It is a New York (not a Boston) fashion, for one party to break up the party-meeting of another.
After Charles Jervis' death, the Republican Party had little speaking talent. Old Benj. Austin, George Blake, James F. Austin, Eben. Clough, and " Old Adams," the wire-sieve mender, were nearly all.
If ever an object of contempt doserved pity, James T. Austin did, in Web- ster's first reply to him, in old Faneuil. He was torn limb from limb, and hung ap piecemeal -- dangling --- the scorn of all.
On one occasion, 1510 or JSI1-the era of good feelinga --- the two parties dined together on the 4th of July. Twelve hundred in that noble ball !
Benj. Austin was the principal writer in the " Independent Chronicle," and lived in an old fashioned frame house at the corner of Hancock and Cambridge- streets:
When Cook first played lago at the Federal-street Theatre, he denounced the play-Othedo's black love being likely to corrupt American daughters !
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THE ARISTOCRACY OF BOSTON.
COOKE, JOSIAH P. A lawyer, from Keene, N. H., who has been, for a long time, faithful and diligent; and, what rarely happens in his profession, as the world says, " of few words, and modest."
COOLIDGE, JOSEPH. In the China trade. Grandson of Joseph Cool- idge, first a goldsmith, then in partnership with Samuel Parkman. Lived in the house west corner of Bowdoin and Cambridge-streets. Joseph, his son. lived on the entrance from Court-street to that oddly named West Boston Square, next to Fulham's stable and dwelling-house. The house was ouce kept as a boarding-house by Mr. Bond, once a broker in Flag-alley, just ou: of State-street, --- George Bond's father, (late of Whitwell, Bond & Co., the old Carnes' house.)
CORDIS, THOMAS. Formerly of Bellows, Cordis & Jones, importers of British dry goods. When Thomas Cushing failed in the hardware business with Charles Scudder, Cordis slid into it, by providing capital for Scudder.
John Bellows, (of Bellows, Cordis & Jones,) was afterwards President of the Manufacturers' and Mechanics' Bank.
The Rev. H. W. Bellows-a Unitarian minister in New York-is his son,
John Bellows had a brother; of the firm of Bellows & Gates, in Montreal ; afterwards Horatio Gates & Co., (or nephew,) who did a heavy American busi- ness in ashes, exchange, and specie.
CROCKETT, GEORGE W. Formerly of the firm of Crockett, Seaver & Co .- established by Whitney, Cutler & Hammond, in the West India goods business.
Seaver is a brother of Benj. Scaver, of the then firm of Whitwell, Bond & Co., (now Whitwell & Seaver.)
CROWNINSHIELD, BENJAMIN H. Was wealthy in Salem before the war of 1812. Was successful in privateering-a leading Democrat-and once Secretary of the Navy.
CRAFT, EDWARD. Long in the Russia and Swedish trade, on Han- cock's Wharf -- near Wm. Parsons, a very different kind of man.
He bought the house in Pearl-street, formerly owned and occupied by Chief- Justice Parsons, and afterwards by Mrs. Brown, as a boarding-house -- the celebrated Mrs. Brown, who had kept the house over the Fire and Marine Insurance Office. This house was resorted to by Barnabas Hedge, of Plymouth. an extensive merchant, ship-owner, and underwriter, of Plymouth; Dr. Na- thaniel Haven, of Portsmouth, and John his brother, (father of the Havens in New York :) Reuel Williams, Jate U. S. Senator from Maine; Isaac Adams of Portland; besides resident city boarders-among others, Win. B. Smith and Oliver Putnam, who left nearly one hundred thousand dollars for the public schools in Newburyport. Good whist was played there.
CUNNINGHAM, ANDREW AND CHARLES. Brothers -- partners. Sons of the late Andrew Cunningham, long Secretary of the Mass. Mutual Insurance Office-then the only office of the kind. A most worthy Bostonian.
CURTIS. CHARLES P. A kind and good lawyer. Studied with William Pullmian. Son of Thomas Curtis, formerly Loring & Curtis, merchants and underwriters.
CURTIS, THOMAS B. Brother of Charles. Of Curtis & Greenough. in the Russia trade. When in the U. S. Navy-a midshipman-he was in the action of the Chesapeake and Shannon.
CUSHING, JOUN P. Made his fortune in Canton, in connexion with. James and Thomas II. Perkins. On his return, he married the ouly and worthy daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Gardiner, of Trinity Church.
His house at Watertown is built to combine comfort with elegance-being
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THE ARISTOCRACY OF BOSTON.
double ; a house within a house-to be warm and cool. The best houses in New York were examined, for any thing that might improve, in ornament or use, on what was known in Boston. His spacious and elegant grounds are open to the public. He is liberal to those he employs.
When the assessors of Watertown called upon him to know on what sui he should be taxed, he asked what was the whole amount of the tax to be raised. The answer being given, he told them to charge the whole amount to him.
CUSHING, THOMAS P. Son of the Rev. John Cushing, of Ashburn- ham, (formerly of the firm of Tuckerman, Rogers & Cushing, large importers of British dry goods, and lately of the firm of Cushing & Wilkinson.) He is a man of influence in bank, insurance, and railroad operations, being cautious and sagacious.
CUTLER, PLINY. From Brookfield. (Formerly of the firm of Whitney, Cutler & Hammond, the most extensive wholesale grocers in the city, at the corner of Broad and Central-streets.) They were of the " Algerines."
Mr. Cutler is a zealous orthodox Congregationalist, and commendable for many good and charitable deeds and judicious management.
DANA, SAMUEL. (Late Dana & Fenno, stock and exchange brokers.) Married the only daughter of the late Edmund Winchester. [See WINCHESTER.]
DALTON, PETER ROE. Son of the Cashier of the old U. S. Branch Bank, in the building afterwards bought by the State Bank. Mr. Dalton was of the finn of Richard D. Tucker & Co., a respectable commission house on India-street, for many years.
Mr. Tucker was formerly partner of Rufus Davenport-Davenport & Tucker. James Dalton, Cashier of the Man. and Mech. Bank, (formerly Atherton & Dalton, importers of British dry goods, is another brother.)
Henry Dalton, Secretary of the Providence Rail- Road, another.
DAVIS, JAMES. Anindustrious and worthy coppersmith in Union-street, who deserves and has earned every dollar he is worth. Go from his old stand a few steps to Hanover-street, yon come to the house where FRANKLIN was bred, not born. The tallow-chandler's shop is turned into a bonnet store.
DAVIS, JOHN. Late and long Judge of the U. S. District Court. He died lately in a good old age, respected for his character and literature. He was from Plymouth, and editor of " Morton's Memorial."
Mrs .. Wm. Minot is one of his daughters.
DAVIS, SAMUEL. From Newburyport. Long an importer and retailer of jewelry, military goods, and combe, until they were made in this country. He collected large quantities of born tips for shipment to England.
DERBY, RICHARD C. From Salem. An amateur, known as " Dickcy Derby," in the Fine Arts, and very fond of music. Charles Matthews was " at home" at his house.
Mrs. Derby has long been celebrated for her beauty.
DEXTER, FRANKLIN. A lawyer. U. S. District Attorney. Only son of the late Samuel Dexter, whom Franklin resembles. He is highly respected as a lawyer, a man, and man of taste. Ile married a daughter of the late Judge Prescott, the father of the historian, and son of Col. Prescott, who com- manded the troops at the battle of Bunker Hill.
DIXON. THOMAS. Bom in London. Son of a Scotchman. Came first to Boston as partner of the house of Van Baggen. Parker & Dixon, of Amster- dam, to get commission business to that bouse. He is & Dutch Consul. Has skill in music, and con play many droll tricks. He married the celebrated daughter of the late Benjamin P. Homer.
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THE ARISTOCRACY OF BOSTON.
DORR, JOHN. A retired merchant. Formerly in the India and North- West Coast Trade. His brother Joseph - a partner with whom he was con- cerned-a bachelor, lived abroad, fond of Paris and London.
DRAPER, DANIEL. Formerly a victualler ; then of Draper & Hudson, in the " Bite," fruit and provision dealers, chiefly pork, and large lemon dealers.
DWIGHT, EDMUND. From Springfield. Married a daughter of the late Samuel Eliot ; and has made large donations to carry out Horace Mann's plan of normal schools.
Thirty-five years ago, James and Heury Dwight, of Springfield, were pro- bably the most extensive country traders that came to Boston. They had stores in Northampton and other country towns. Their heavy goods went in sloops up the Connecticut River. As the younger branches of the family came for- ward, they spread. An importing house was established in Boston.
The beloved and lamented William H. Dwight was lost when the Albion was wrecked on the coast of Ireland.
The Bank at Geneva, N. Y., was established by them. One of the family : was President.
Edmund has not toiled in the drudgery of active business. He is clear- headed, and sagacious in counsel. He always liked the Suffolk corner, to the annoyance, it has been said, of his father-in-law, who had given close, active attention to business.
ELIOT, SAMUEL A. Son of the late Samuel Eliot. Studied divinity at Cambridge, but has not been ordained. Ex-mayor, and promoted useful reforms in the Fire Department. Like his late lamented brother, William H., be is fond of music, and is President of the Boston Academy. He married a daughter of the late Theodore Lyman.
William H. was the prime mover in building the Tremont House. He gave a great impulse to musical taste. He had heard Italian music in Italy, and bad loved it, especially Rossini's, in its native language. The adaptations of Thompson, with their delightful poetry, had lost the charm of Rossini and blozart.
Samuel Eliot was a true Sir Oliver Oldschool -- with cocked hat, breeches, open bosom, and large ruffle ; no cloak or over-coat in the coldest weather ; and of stately politeness. Sir Samuel !-- could it have been ! The value of wealth is little here. We cannot found a family. We have no law of entail. He little knew how many of his family were Nature's noblemen -- and would. receive more precious honors from their fellow citizens, than his wealth could confer upon them. Like other sensible men, he loved old wine, old books, and imported dry goods in the old store at the west corner of little old Wil- son's banc, at the entrance to old Cornhill from Old Dock Square ; and died, the only American we have ever known who doplored the want of an aristo- cracy. He lived in Tremont-street, opposite the stone chapel, or King's Cha- pel. and had a good library.
FAIRBANKS, STEPHEN. From Dedham. (Fairbanks, Loring & Co., old hardware dealers, long in Union-street.)
FALES, SAMUEL. Began a retailer of dry goods in Washington-street ; then wholesale-man in dry goods ; and in the African trade with Samuel San- ford, (not slave trade ;) now President of the Union Bank.
FAY, RICHARD S. Son of the Hon. S. P. P. Fay. Judge of Probate for Middlesex County, in which office he succeeded that corrupt Judge, Jaines Prescott, of Groton, who was tried before the Legislatura in 1816-and broken, though defended by Daniel Webster.
Richard S. has the confidence of several large corporations, and is their treasurer.
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THE ARISTOCRACY OF BOSTON.
More than twenty years ago, Judge Fay co-operated with the late Abraham Bigelow-excellent gentleman !-- long Clerk of the Courts in Middl-sex Coun- ty -- to renovate that beautiful Episcopal Church on Cambridge Common, (op- posite the Colleges,) after it had long been without worship, and in a state of utter delapidation. To their honor be it remembered, all the officers of the College, though Unitarian, contributed.
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FROTHINGHAM, SAMUEL. An experienced bank officer, formerly of the State Bank ; transferred to the late U. S. Branch; now again in the State, as President. A great and deserved favorite with the late William Gray.
FOSTER, JAMES HI. Has dealt long, steadily, and quietly, in paper- hangings. A most worthy man. Connected by marriage with the family of John Quincy Adams.
FRANCIS, EBENEZER. A shrewd and close financier. Long Presi- dent of the Suffolk Bank, and author of the deposit system that has conduced so much to preserve a sound currency to the New-England States. Aided greatly in the projects of the late Uriah Cutting. Married a daughter of the late Israel Thorndike.
" GARDINER, WM. H. Son of the late Rev. Dr. Gardiner, of Trinity Church. He is a lawyer-of good talents, and amiable, gentlemanly mannere. Married a daughter of Thomas H. Poikins.
Dr. Gardiner was a man of talent-a good classical scholar-and a fine reader. when good readers were scarce. He was attached to the Episcopal Church; far from bigoted, and also free from cant and fanaticism. He had studied under that rare old Grecian and walking library -- Dr. Parr.
Dr. Doane -- now Bishop of New Jersey-was assistant minister of Trinity until Dr. Gardiner's death, in England.
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