USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Walks & talks about historic Boston > Part 8
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One of the foremost families of these early settlers from France was that of Faneuil-name indissolubly associated with Boston. In a list of the French nationality admitted into the Bay Colony by the Governor and Council, on Febru- ary I, 1691, are the names of Benjamin, John and Andrew Faneuil. Benjamin chose New York as his residence, estab- lishing a home there, and marrying a French lady of that place. His remains are buried in Trinity churchyard. An- drew, brother of Benjamin, was one of the most prominent members of the Huguenot colony in Boston, and a leader in the organization of the French Protestant Church. He escaped from France and lived for a time in Holland.
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Andrew's name appears on the tax list of Boston, in 1691, and it is plain that he was a man of affairs in the town at that time. It is evident that he was possessed of quite an es- tate in France, and was fortunate enough to be able to take a goodly portion with him when he left his native land, and that he did not come empty handed to Boston. He was soon well established in a lucrative business and the owner of large real estate interests. His warehouse was on Butler Square, out of State Street, and his mansion, one of the fin- est in the town, surrounded by seven acres of admirably kept grounds, was on Tremont Street, opposite King's Chapel Burying Ground.
Andrew Faneuil was a positive, peculiar and interesting character. He had no children, but undertook the care of three of his brother Benjamin's children, two sons, Benjamin and Peter, and Mary Anne, their sister. He chose Benjamin, his nephew, for his heir, on the one condition that the young man should never marry. For a while all went well, but at last the young man surrendered to the charms of Miss Mary Cutler, and sacrificed his brilliant prospects on the altar of matrimony.
Andrew then turned to Benjamin's brother Peter, and he became the heir presumptive and business partner of his uncle. Benjamin prospered in business on his own account, three of his sisters married Boston citizens, a clergyman, a lawyer, and a prosperous merchant, so that the Faneuil fam- ily was well established in the business and social life in Boston.
Andrew Faneuil died in February, 1738, and had a very large and imposing funeral. The newspaper of that day said of it, "Last Monday, the corpse of Andrew Faneuil, Esq .. whose death we mentioned in our last issue was honorably interred here, above 1100 persons of all ranks, beside the mourners. following the corpse, also a vast number of spec- tators were gathered on the occasion, at which time the half minute guns from on board several vessels were discharged. And 'tis supposed that as the gentleman's fortune was the greatest of any among us, so his funeral was the most gen- erous and expensive of any that has been known here. By his will he left the warehouse in trust for the support of the ministers and elders of the French church, in Boston, which he staunchly supported." It was never known how much property he left, but he was considered the richest merchant
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in the province, and Peter succeeded to the business and estate. He was at this time 38 years old, a large and corpu- lent man, of a genial disposition, fond of display and of good living and dispensed an open handed hospitality. As the French church waned. Peter Faneuil became worshipper at Trinity Church, where his brother-in-law, the Rev. Adding- ton Davenport, was rector. In his circle of intimates he be- came known as the "Jolly Bachelor," which name he gave to one of his ships. His sister. Mary Anne, presided with grace over his fine establishment. While doing a very extensive business which demanded most of his time, still he took a great interest in the welfare of his neighbors, and in the future good of Boston. He saw that one of the great needs of the town was a local market, and to test the public senti- ment in this respect he sent to the Board of Selectmen a pe- tition signed by three hundred and forty prominent citizens. The petition stated that "Peter Faneuil, Esq. hath been gen- erously pleased to offer at his own cost and charge to erect and build a noble and complete structure or edifice to be im- proved for a market for the sole use, benefit and advantage of the town provided that the town of Boston would pass a vote for that purpose and lay the same under such regula- tions as shall be thought necessary, and constantly support it for the said use." So the warrant for the town meeting was posted and the matter was discussed, pro and con, for there was great division of opinion. There were 727 ballots cast, and the veas won by only seven votes. Thus near did Boston come to losing Faneuil Hall. But Peter Faneuil's plan included a public meeting hall, in addition to a market, and it was due to him that the people had a forum. In August, 1742, after two years spent upon the work, the Se- lectmen were informed that the market was finshed, and on Sept. Ioth, the keys were delivered to the town authorities. There had been a great change in public opinion, and the cit- izens unanimously voted to "accept this most noble and gen- erous benefaction for the use and intention they are designed for." It was given upon the motion of Thomas Hutchinson, later royal governor, "that in testimony of the town's grati- tude to the said Peter Faneuil, Esq., and to perpetuate his memory, the hall over the market place be named Faneuil Hall." In response Mr. Faneuil said: "I hope what I have done will be for the service of the whole country." He little thought that those simple words were truly prophetic. By
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vote, a full length portrait was painted of him, at the expense of the town, and placed in the hall, and the Faneuil coat of arms, so much prized by the merchant, was carved and gilded by Moses Deshon, bought by the town and likewise set up in the hall. The selectmen immediately began to meet in the new and more comfortable quarters provided for them, and selected one of their number "to purchase two pairs of brass candlesticks, with steel snuffers, and a poker for the town's use." The building given by Peter Faneuil was regarded as the greatest munificence the town of Boston had received. It was built of brick, two stories high, and in comparison with other buildings in the vicinity of Dock Square, presented a commanding appearance.
With the exception of the Old State House, all the build- ings that surrounded Faneuil Hall have been replaced. But Faneuil Hall stands and will remain, as long as the power of patriotic citizens can retain it. The force of sentiment is seen in its preservation; and many generations yet unborn will early learn to cherish this New England forum. The ori- ginal building was burned in the destructive fire of January 12th, 1761, and was rebuilt by money secured by a lottery, the tickets being signed by John Hancock. It was enlarged and much altered in appearance in 1805-6 under direction of Charles Bulfinch, who designed the State House on Beacon Hill, and in 1898 was practically rebuilt with steel walls, though the Bulfinch appearance was retained outside and within.
While only a small portion of the original hall given by Peter Faneuil remains, it is still Faneuil Hall with all its sacred associations. Peter Faneuil died the next year after his market and hall had been given to Boston, March 3. 1743. The market bell was tolled from one o'clock until the funeral was over, by town order, and every honor was paid to his memory. His obituary on the News Letter said: "He was a most generous spirit, whose hospitality to all and se- cret unbounded charity to the poor, made his life a public blessing, and his death a general loss to, and universally re- gretted by the inhabitants. The most public spirited man in all regards that ever yet appeared on the Northern conti- nent of America." There was a public Memorial Service, John Lovell, master of the Boston Latin School, delivered the funeral oration in Faneuil Hall, and this was the begin- niig of such services there. From this common testimony to
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his charity, he must have been entitled to large praise as a benefactor to the needy. He failed to make a will, and the estate which his uncle expressly withheld from his brother Benjamin now came into the custody of that individual, and a good share of it into his possession. The estate was soon scattered. The Faneuils during the Revolutionary days were among the Tories and fled either to England or Nova Scotia. The Faneuil family tomb is in the westerly corner of the Granary Burying Ground. Andrew and Peter Faneuil will
Pancuil Hall in 1791
ever be among the noted names of the Huguenot settlers in the new world. They represented in many respects the best traits of the Huguenots' character, and show what splendid material France lost through her misguided policy.
Whenever any great political or moral question has agi- tated the minds and hearts of the people. there has been a gathering at Faneuil Hall for a full and free discussion. In those stormy years preceding the Revolution, the patriots assembled within its walls and denounced British tyranny or promulgated resolutions and petitions to King George and his ministers. In 1776, during their occupation of Bos- ton. the British held theatrical performances there. In Jan- uary, 1776, a large audience had gathered to witness a farce
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enacted by British soldiers and officers. It was entitled "The Blockade of Boston," probably written by some talented Brit- ish officer and full of sarcasm on Washington and his Conti- nentals, who had kept them closely penned up in the little town for several months. This evening, General Burgoyne, the loyalists' beau ideal of a soldier, had a leading part. The audience were greatly enjoying the play, when, right in the midst of their hilarity a British soldier rushed into the room and shouted "The Yankees are attacking our works on Bun- ker Hill." General Howe and his subordinates rushed from the hall and sped to Charlestown. The Continentals had burned several houses and captured five redcoats.
In the years preceding the Revolution, when it could not contain the crowds who sought admittance, the meeting fre- quently adjourned to the Old South Meeting House. It has been impartial in its hospitality. Anti-Slavery agitators and pro-slavery defenders have presented their arguments and aired their eloquence to the people assembled them. Here Robert Toombs, of Georgia, an Extremist on the slavery ques- tion, spoke a few years before the civil war, and was listened to with respect if not with approbation. He is said to have made the statement, that he "would call the roll of his slaves under the shadow of Bunker Hill." We do not believe he said that in Faneuil Hall. Previous to that visit a little inci- dent occurred there which is worthy of record. In the early days of the Anti-Slavery excitement, a meeting of the citizens was called for the purpose of passing a series of resolutions on that subject. The object was to say something which would appease the South. Of the audience about two-thirds appeared to be on the side of the South, while the other third were in perfect earnest on the other side. Mr. Phillips took the stand and for some time kept his opponents at bay. In the course of his speech he made the declaration "that we now had more cause for alarm than our forefathers had at the time of the Revolution." This roused the majority, and they cried "No! No! No!" with all the lungs which they pos- sessed and with a long continued shout. During this out- burst Mr. Phillips stood as motionless as a statue, with no trace of excitement. When the fury of the majority had spent itself, or their strength was exhausted, Mr. Phillips treated them to these remarkable words: "James Otis thun- dered in this hall, when the King dared touch the pockets of the people. How much more terrible would have been that
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thunder if he had dared to put a padlock on their lips!" The storm was now transferred to the other branch of the audi- ence, which was in no wise slow to enjoy the privilege. The speaker triumphied and finished his address undisturbed. Nearly every prominent man in the Nation has spoken from its platform and felt the inspiration of the place. The "Great expounder of the Constitution, Daniel Webster, the polished orator, Edward Everett, and the silver tongued statesman. James G. Blaine, have held great crowds spell bound by their eloquence. Its doors have always swung open to lovers of freedom, who have been exiled from their native lands. Here Louis Kossuth lectured and sold Hungarian bonds. The unfortunate have found a refuge within its walls, the crew and passengers of a vessel wrecked in Boston harbor, were quartered in Faneuil Hall until other provision could be made for them. The courtesies and welcome of Boston to distinguished foreigners, have been extended in this old Hall. Here the Marquis de Lafayette, loved and revered by all patriotic Americans, was received on the occasion of his visit in 1824, also the polished Count D'Estang. Daniel Webster had two great receptions in Faneuil Hall-one in 1838, a few years after his celebrated reply to Haynes-and again in 1852, a few months before his death at Marshfield.
In 1858. Jefferson Davis was the guest of the City of Bos- ton and stood in the old hall. Three years later, he was the President of the Southern Confederacy. It has been the scene of banquets of fraternal and patriotic societies, where wit and music had full sway. But not all occasions have been festive and joyous. When the great men of the State or Na- tion have passed away, the citizens have assembled at Fan- euil Hall, to do honor to their memory and to eulogize their worth. In the white heat of political campaigns, it has been the great rallying point for all parties, and its walls have resounded with cheers and applause. Its broad, free atmo- sphere takes no cognizance of the differences of religious or political creeds. It is the great Forum of Boston and Mass- achusetts, always open to the people, where they may meet and discuss any topics of vital interest. During the civil war many Union regiments were quartered here, and they started for the scene of conflict from under the shadow. To many of those noble fellows it was their last view of this Temple of Freedom.
In July, 1863, when the Draft Riot broke out in Boston,
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the Forty-Fifth Massachusetts Regiment, which had recently returned from its service in the field, were quartered in the Hall, and did Provost Duty in its immediate vicinity and in other parts of the city.
The Annual Banquets of the City of Boston to its Medal
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Faneuil Hall, 1916
Scholars were given in Faneuil Hall. The writer recalls the one given in July, 1855. In the North gallery were the girls dressed in white wearing their medals, and opposite in the South gallery were the boys wearing their Franklin Medals. On the platform were the Mayor and members of the city government, and the school committee and the orator of the
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day. That year, the orator was the Honorable Edward Ev- erett; the Mayor was Hon. Jerome V. C. Smith. The or- chestra was in the gallery in rear of the clock. The exercises consisted of singing by the boys and girls, selections by the orchestra, an opening address by the mayor and an oration by the Hon. Edward Everett. Afterwards we filed past the mayor on the platform, who took us by the hand, gave us a pleasant greeting, and presented each with a small bunch of flowers, and we then took our seats at the banquet table, and with keen appetites we did full justice to the repast. In this pleasant and agreeable way, did the good old city ex- press its approval of our conduct, and the whole scene was indelibly impressed upon our memories.
Faneuil Hall is 74 feet 3 inches long by 75 ft. 3 in. wide. It has no seats on the main floor and only a few in the gal- lery. Back of the platform is a large painting 16 by 30 feet. by Healy, "Webster replying to Haynes in the United States Senate, January 26th and 29th. 1830.
The speech delivered in 1830 was Webster's greatest. Be- low the painting there stands out bold and clear in gilt let- ters-his great peroration. "Liberty and Union, now and for- ever." In the half century following the hanging of the painting, these words have been the text of many eloquent speeches delivered in the hall. The painter was P. S. A. Healy, who took seven years to finish the task to his satis- faction. The painting is 16 by 30 feet. It contains the por- traits of 130 senators and men of distinction. The scene is the old Senate Chamber, now used by the United States Su- preme Court. In the Universal Exhibition, in 1855. the painting was awarded a Gold Medal. He offered the painting to the Federal Government for $50,000, and it was to be hung in the Old Senate Chamber. The Government being unwilling to pay him that sum, Boston secured it for $40,- 000.00.
There are numerous portraits of many noted Americans, painted by many artists. The hall is granted for such meet- ings as the city approves, and, although no rent is charged. the expenses amounting to $20 a day and $25 a night, are paid by those using the hall. Above the main hall is the Ar- mory of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company.
Opposite the platform is a Clock which has marked the minutes of many an able speech by noted orators. It was presented to the city December 14th. 1856. The exercises in-
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cident to the presentation took place in the hall at 7.30 in the evening. A large audience, of which the major portion was composed of the young contributors, was present, and Mayor John P. Bigelow presided over the ceremonies. The formal speech which conveyed the timepiece to the city was made by Josiah Quincy, the second of the name in local history, and Mayor Bigelow accepted the gift in behalf of the city.
Current account states that the names of each one of the contributors, together with the names of their respective pa- rents, were all inclosed in a tin box which was deposited within the clock. This box, it was further stated, was to be opened 100 years from the date of the gift. Alderman Grant read the following verses by George W. Bungay. Mr. Grant said he did not write poetry, as he knew he could have fur- nished a better production.
TICKINGS FROM THE CLOCK.
"Although my hands are on my face, And all the time I go on tick, There's nothing wicked in my case, I never did a shabby trick.
A man wound up is sure to stop, But wind me up and I will go, But if you let me take a drop, My honest face will fib I know.
When Spouters on the platform stand, And kill too many of my hours, I'll gently move my warning hands And strike from them their borrowed flowers.
The eagle which is seen over the clock once adorned the walls of the local United States Bank, which was located at No. 32 State Street. When the bank was abolished in the time of Andrew Jackson this particular "national bird" also found its way to the historic interior of Faneuil Hall. The old Grasshopper Weather Vane, which swirls above the cupola of Faneuil Hall, has had quite a varied history. It was made and put in place November 1, 1742 by Shem Brown, a well-known brass worker in those days. It was.
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thrown off by an earthquake which took place November 19th, 1755. It was again thrown down at a fire January 13th, 1761, and replaced June 28th, 1763, having been re- paired by a lottery fund. After having swung there until 1862, nearly 100 years, it was taken down, repaired and re- placed. It has been a weather index to many generations of
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The Faneuil Home, Tremont Street, Opposite King's Chapel Burying Ground
Bostonians. May it long swing there in sunshine and in storm-a memento of the "good old Colony days."
We cannot close this article more appropriately than in the words of Lafayette, which were uttered on his visit in 1825 to Boston and to Faneuil Hall.
"The City of Boston, the Cradle of Liberty; may Faneuil Hall ever stand a monument to teach the world that resist- ance to oppression is a duty, and will, under true republican institutions become a blessing.
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THE SHIRLEY EUSTIS HOUSE
This famous Colonial Mansion is now No. 31 Shirley Street and not far from the Hugh O'Brien Schoolhouse, Dudley Street. It is the only Colonial Executive Mansion now in existence. In its day it was the most palatial house in Rox- bury. It was built by Governor Shirley and here he, and Governor Eustis, who occupied it later, ever dispensed a most generous hospitality. William Shirley was the son of a London merchant and a graduate of Cambridge University, England. His superior talents and address, attracted great notice in England, and through the influece of Sir Robert
The Shirley Eustis House, Roxbury
Walpole, and of the Duke of Newcastle, he secured the posi- tion of Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, and served in that capacity from 1741 to 1758. In 1754, when Frank- lin was in Boston, he had several interviews with Gov- ernor Shirley, who communicated to him the "profound secret," the "grand design" of taxing the Colonies by act of Parliament. Shirley was a staunch Loyalist, and in 1756 advised the Ministry to impose a "Stamp Act in America." After the defeat of General Braddock by the French and Indians in 1756, at the battle of Monongahela, Washington, then 24 years of age. was a guest at this mansion. He came
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as the bearer of sad news, to inform the Governor of the death of his son, who was slain in the battle. Washington was much noticed and kindly received by the Governor, with whom he remained ten days, mixing constantly in society, visiting Castle William and other objects worthy of notice in the vicinity, little dreaming that it would some day become the theatre of his first great military achievement. In writing to his friend, Fairfax, Washington says: "I have had the honor of being introduced to several Governors, especially Mr. Shirley, whose character and appearance have perfectly charmed me. His every word and action discover in him the gentleman and the politician." In 1756, grave charges were preferred against the Governor, while holding command as a Major General. He was triumphantly vindicated and in 1758 was appointed Governor of the Bahama Islands. In 1769 he returned to Boston from the Bahama Islands, and for the remainder of his life resided in his former mansion in Roxbury. He died in 1771, a poor man, and was interred in the King's Chapel Burying Ground, of which edifice he had laid the foundation stone.
Francis Drake, the historian, thus describes this fine old mansion: "On Shirley Street. some 25 rods north of Eustis Street, is the house built by Governor Shirley, about 1750. Its oaken frame, and other materials, even the brick, which were of three different sizes, were said to have been brought from England at great expense. The Governor called it 'Shirley Place.' It was a large, square, two-story, hip-roof structure, with a stone basement, having a piazza at each end, and was surmounted by an obsrvatory inclosed with a railing. It had a double front, each front being approached by a flight of stone steps, having an iron railing of an antique pattern. As you enter the north front, you find yourself in a spacious hall of grand proportion. To the right a broad staircase leads to a balcony extending around to the left. where two doors open into a guest chamber, in which Wash- ington, Franklin. Lafayette, Daniel Webster and many other celebrated men have, from time to time, been accommodated. From this balcony the musicians entertained the company seated at the table in the hall. To the right and left of the hall are doors leading into the reception room, parlor, etc. The small west room, which was Madame Eustis' room, when Governor Eustis took possession of the house, contained a secretary which was the gift of Dr. Joseph
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Warren, when her husband studied medicine with him. On the Dudley Street front is a small hall paved with marble. Upon great occasions, the two halls were thrown into one, by opening folding doors between." The fireplaces were ornamented with Dutch tiles, but when the house was sold in 1867, it was completely denuded of these, by those modern Goths and Vandals, curiosity and relic hunters. Speaking of this fine mansion, Lafayette wrote to a friend: "One
Old State House, 1830
could drive a coach and six up its hospitable stairs." The house was made a barrack for our soldiers in 1775 and greatly injured thereby. Colonel Asa Whitcomb's regiment marched from there to Dorchester Heights, March 4, 1776. The house passed through various hands before it became the property of another chief executive of the Commonwealth, Governor William Eustis, who lived in it during his term of office. Governor Eustis was a graduate of Harvard College and studied medicine under Dr. Joseph Warren. He was professionally engaged with the patriots at the battle of Lexington, and served as surgeon throughout the Revolu- tionary War. In 1798 he was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature, and thenceforth devoted himself to politics. He became a member of Congress, Secretary of War, Minister
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