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_Curiosities of History:_

BOSTON SEPTEMBER SEVENTEENTH, 1630-1880.

BY WILLIAM W. WHEILDON.

_SECOND EDITION._

"Ringing clearly with a will What she was is Boston still." --WHITTIER.

BOSTON: LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS. NEW YORK: CHARLES T. DILLINGHAM. 1880.

COPYRIGHT, 1880, BY WILLIAM W. WHEILDON.

_Author's Address:_ BOX 229, CONCORD, MASS.

_Franklin Press: Rand, Avery, & Company, 117 Franklin Street, Boston._

AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED _TO MY WIFE_, JULIET REBECCA WHEILDON, IN COMMEMORATION OF THE Fifty-first Year of our Married Life, _MAY 28, 1880_.

WILLIAM W. WHEILDON.

INTRODUCTION.

It seems proper to say in offering this little volume to the public, that no attempt has been made to exhaust the subjects of which the papers respectively treat; but rather to enlarge upon matters of historical interest to Boston, which have been referred to only in a general way by historians and previous writers.--This idea rather than any determination to select merely curious topics, has in a large measure influenced the writer; and the endeavor has been to treat them freely and fairly, and present what may be new, or comparatively new, concerning them, from such sources as are now accessible and have been open to the writer. It is not, however, intended to say that an impulse towards some curious matters of history has not been indulged, and, indeed, considering the subjects and materials which presented themselves, could scarcely have been avoided, which was by no means desirable. Although it has been impertinently said, that "the most curious thing to be found is a woman not curious," we submit that curiosity is a quality not to be disparaged by wit or sarcasm, but is rather the germ and quality of progress in art and science and history.

It has been impossible to correct or qualify, or perhaps we might say avoid, all the errors, mistakes, or contradictions, which have been encountered in preparing these pages; and very possibly we may have inadvertently added to the number. At all events, with our best endeavors against being drawn into or multiplying errors, we lay no claim to invulnerability in the matter of accuracy, or immaculacy in the way of opinions; and we very sincerely add, if errors or mistakes have been made and are found, we shall be glad to be apprised of them. There are errors in our history which it is scarcely worth the while to attempt to correct, although they are not to be countenanced and should not be repeated.

A period of two hundred and fifty years since the settlement of the town includes and covers a history of no ordinary character, involving progress and development, not merely of customs, manners and opinions, but of principles, passions and government. The city is a creation, as it were, by the art and industry of man; and, with the reverence of Cotton Mather himself, we add, "With the help of God!" and we venture the comparison that no change or growth, improvement or embellishment, is to be found in the settlement or the city, that may not be paralleled in the growth, advancement and elevation of its people: indeed, we go even farther than this, the material progress to be seen around us, in all its multifarious forms and combinations, item by item, small or great, is indicative only of the advancement of the people, and marks the progress of moral, mental and intellectual power--of art, science and knowledge.

We take this opportunity to acknowledge our indebtedness to several friends for the loan and use of many rare and valuable works in the preparation of this history, and in particular to Messrs. John A. Lewis and John L. DeWolf, of Boston, and Mr. J. Ward Dean, of the N. E. His. Gen. Society.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

I. Topography of Boston. 13 The Peninsula. Two Islands. Anne Pollard. Curious Descriptions. The Mill Creek. Great South Cove. The North Cove. Boston Common.

II. The Public Ferries. 27 The Great Ferry. Order of Court, Nov. 1630. Lease to Edward Converse. Ferry to Winnisimmet; Grant to Harvard College. Bad "peag," money. Wampompeague. Judge Sewall over the Ice. Charlestown mother of Boston. Andros Revolution and Fires. Portsmouth Stage. Paul Revere crossing.

III. The Boston Cornfields. 37 Spragues at Charlestown; Dividing the Land; Corn from the Indians; Fencing the Fields, &c. The Cornfields and Pastures; The Granary.

IV. Puritan Government. 45 Authority of the Company. Ex post facto Laws. Punished for a pun. Fines and Ear-cropping. Whipping through three towns. Set in his own Stocks. Regulating the Dress of Women. The "Body of Liberties." Ward on Kissing Women. John Dunton on the Laws.

V. Narragansett Indians. 57 Murder of Mr. Oldham. Visit of Miantonomo to Gov. Vane, Treaty, &c. Narragansett Art. Coining money. Marriage of Children. Egyptian Custom. Marriage of Cleopatra.

VI. Names of Places, Streets, &c. 62 Curious Indian Names; Names of Streets, Taverns, &c.; Paddy Alley and William Paddy; Dates of the Streets and Lanes; Royal Names, Names of Patriots, Puritans and Union Names; Names of Taverns and Shops; Number of Streets and Wharves.

VII. Persecution of the Quakers. 74 Church Government and Civil Government. Interference of the King. Arrival of Quakers, 1656. Execution of Quakers. Order from the King, 1661. Hutchinson's Opinion. Triumph of the Quakers. Their Meeting House. Meetings discontinued.

VIII. First Newspaper in America. 87 First ever issued--in writing. Gazette in Venice, 1583. English Mercury, 1588. "Publick Occurrences" 1690. Legislative Interference. To cure the 'Spirit of Lying.' The Christian Indians. Massacre of French Indians. General character of the paper and its reading matter.

IX. Curious Boston Lectures. 98 History of Boston; "Boston's Ebenezer;" A Stone of Help; Widows and Orphans; Hope in God; Appeal to the Public Officers; Household Religion; Fanaticism and Declamation.

X. Remarkable Proclamations. 1774-5. 104 _March 29_, War against France; _October 18_, On account of a Riot; _October 19_, War against Indians; _October 20_, Thanksgiving Day; _Nov. 2_, Rewards for Indian scalps; 1745, _March 25_, For a Fast Day; " _July 8_, Thanksgiving Day; " _Sept. 6_, For a Fast Day; " _November 22_, Sailor's Riot; " _November 25_, Thanksgiving.

XI. Popular Puritan Literature. 115 An Earthquake in Boston; Deborah; a Bee; Popish Invasion of England; The Scotch Rebellion.

XII. Revolutionary Proclamations. 126 Gen. Gage's Administration; Shutting up of Boston Harbor; Election of delegates to Congress; General Gage's Proclamation; Against non-importation league. Remarkable Proclamation for the promotion of Piety and Virtue. Its Character and Observance.

XIII. Curiosities of the Market. 131 Supplies of Gov. Winthrop; Bartering for Furs; Scarcity of Provisions; Hunting, Game, Fish, &c.; Living in the Olden Time; Supplies for a British fleet.

CONCLUSION.

I.

TOPOGRAPHY OF BOSTON.

THE ORIGINAL PENINSULA.

There is a line of Cowper to the effect that "God made the country, and man made the town;" and there is probably no more striking evidence of the truthfulness of the axiom than is to be found in the history and growth of Boston, between the years 1630 and 1880, confirming in a remarkable manner Capt. Wood's prophecy concerning the town, in 1650: viz., "whose continuall inlargement presages some sumptuous city." The original territory which has formed the basis, so to speak, of Boston proper, was a peninsula, and appeared like two islands, or, by the continued operation of the sea, was likely to become so. Its distinguishing feature was to be found in its three prominent hills, or, perhaps, its two hills and its three-peaked mountain. These were her jewels: they have since represented her fame, her history, her sentiments; for these were all wrapped around them. The peninsula was a point of land projected into the harbor, with a narrow neck connecting it with the mainland, and another narrow place in the vicinity of what is now Dock Square, which was once quite open to the harbor. In length from the south line at Roxbury, it was something less than three miles (two and three-fourths and two hundred and thirty-eight yards). Its width at the widest point, between Wheelwright's wharf (afterwards Rowe's, and now Foster's) to Barton's Point, Leverett Street, was something over one mile, and its circumference about four miles.

CURIOUS EARLY DESCRIPTIONS.

The first impression of the "island" which has been recorded is that of Anne Pollard, who died in Boston, Dec. 6, 1725, at the age of 105 years, and left over one hundred descendants. She always said that she came over from Charlestown, in 1630, in the first boat that crossed with Gov. Winthrop's party, and, being what might now be called a romping girl for those times, ten years of age, was "the first to jump ashore;" and she afterwards described the place "as being at that time very uneven, abounding in small hollows and swamp, and covered with blueberry and other bushes." We do not think there is any one inclined to dispute this statement, or question its truthfulness.

There are several descriptions of early Boston, topographical and otherwise, which have been quoted by subsequent writers upon the subject, rather as curious and original than as having any particular merit in themselves. First among these is that of Capt. Edward Johnson, in his "Wonder-Working Providence of Sion's Saviour in New England," written about 1640. He describes it as surrounded by the brinish flood, "saving one small Istmos which gives free access to the neighbor townes," and says, "At their first landing the hideous thickets in this place were such that wolfes and beares nurst up their young from the eyes of all beholders.... The forme of this Towne is like a hearte, naturally situated for fortifications, having two hills on the frontice part thereof next the sea." These were Fort and Mill (Copps') Hills. "Betwixt these two strong armes lies a large cove or bay, on which the chiefest part of the town is built, overtopped with a third hill" (Sentry or Beacon Hill). There were two smaller hills on the Common, on one of which Gen. Gage afterwards built a battery, when the town was in his military possession, and on the other a powder-house.

Another curious description of Boston is given in Wood's "New England's Prospect:"--

"Boston is two miles North-east from Roxberry. His situation is very pleasant, being a Peninsula hemm'd in on the south side with the Bay of Roxberry, and on the north side with Charles River, the marshes on the back side being not half a quarter of a mile over; so that a little fencing will secure their cattle from the woolves. It being a Necke and bare of wood, they are not troubled with those great annoyances, wolves, rattlesnakes and musquetoes.... This Necke of Land is not above four miles in compasse, in forme almost square, having on the south side at one corner a great broad hill, whereon is planted a Fort, which can command any ship as shee sayles into any Harbour within the still Bay. On the north side is another Hill equall in bignesse, whereon stands a winde mill. To the north-west is a high Mountaine, with three little rising Hills on the top of it, wherfore it is called Tramount.... This town although it be neither the greatest, nor the richest, yet is the most noted and frequented, being the Center of the Plantations, where the monthly Courts are kept. Here likewise dwells the Governor. This place hath very good land, affording rich Corne-fields, and fruitful gardens, having likewise sweete and pleasant springs."

There were two large coves projecting into the peninsula,--one from the harbor and one from Charles River, nearly opposite to each other, and producing the narrow portion of the land already spoken of, so that if the peninsula was not formed of two islands originally, as has been supposed, the cutting of a creek across this narrow portion, nearly on the line of Blackstone Street, and uniting the waters of the two coves, had the effect practically to make it so, at least at such times as the waters of Charles River and the harbor met across the neck, near Roxbury; so that the peninsula can hardly be said to have been heart-shaped, much less square.

But the most curious description of Boston, though it may hardly be called such, is that given by Edward Ward--a low, but ingenious and scandalous author, whose book cannot enter a decent presence--in his "Trip to New England."[1] He says of "Boston and the Inhabitants,"--

"On the south-west side of Massachusetts Bay is Boston, whose name is taken from the Town in Lincolnshire, and is the Metropolis of all New England. The houses, in some parts, join as in London. The buildings, like their women, being neat and handsome. And their streets, like the hearts of the male inhabitants, are paved with pebble.

"In the chief or High Street there are stately edifices, some of which have cost the owners two or three thousand pounds the raising, which I think plainly proves two old adages true, viz., That a fool and his money is soon parted; and, Set a beggar on horseback he'll ride to the devil; for the fathers of these men were tinkers and pedlars.

"To the glory of religion, and the credit of the town, there are four churches, built with clapboards and shingles, after the fashion of our meeting houses; which are supply'd by four ministers, to whom some, very justly, have applied these epithets, one a scholar, the second a gentleman, the third a dunce, and the fourth a clown."

These extracts afford no idea of the scandalous character of the book, nor do even sentences like these: "The women, like the men, are excessive smokers." "They smoke in bed, smoke as they knead their bread, smoke whilst they are cooking their victuals, smoke at prayers," &c. "Eating, drinking, smoking, and sleeping take up four parts in five of their time," &c. "Rum, alias kill-devil, is as much ador'd by the American English, as a dram of brandy is by an old billingsgate," &c. We can give our readers no further idea of the gross and indecent character of the whole volume, without offending in the way the author has done.

THE SOUTH COVE.

The South Cove extended from what is now Batterymarch Street to near the North Battery, at the foot of Fleet Street, curving inward as far as Kilby Street and near the old State House, with creeks extending towards Spring Lane, Milk and Federal Streets. Dearborn says, "Winthrop's Marsh, afterwards called Oliver's Dock, was near Kilby Street, and between the corner and Milk Street, a creek ran up to Spring Lane." An aged citizen once said he remembered hearing Dr. Chauncy say that he had taken smelts in Milk Street; and a Mr. Marshall remembered that when a boy they were caught in Federal Street, near the meeting-house, (Dr. Channing's). Another aged inhabitant is reported to have said, that, in the great storm of 1723, "we could sail in boats from the South Battery to the rise of ground in King Street," near the old State House. Dock Square was at the head of a small cove, the tide rising nearly to the pump, which was formerly there, at the foot of Cornhill. The statue of Sam Adams, recently erected, is directly over the well in which the pump stood.

A narrow point or tongue of land projected into the cove between the Town Dock (then near Faneuil Hall) and Mill Creek, and upon this land stood the celebrated triangular warehouse,--a remarkable building for the time. It stood opposite the Swing Bridge, and a little north of the dock, measuring forty-one feet on Roebuck Passage (named after the tavern near it), and fifty feet on the back side. Near this place, in the small square formed by the junction of Ann, Union, and Elm Streets, was the Flat Conduit, so called. Ann Street was originally Conduit Street as far as Cross Street; and Union Street, in 1732, lead from the conduit to the Mill Pond.

Around the South Cove, as has been said, in the early time the chiefest part of the town was built; and from thence it gradually expanded along the shore to the south and to the west. John Josselyn, in 1638, visited Boston, and wrote a volume entitled "New England Rarities," in which he says, "It was then rather a village than a town, there being not above twenty or thirty houses."

THE NORTH COVE.

The Cove on the north side of the peninsula, Charles River, commenced near the Charlestown Ferry, curving inwardly nearly to Prince Street, Baldwin Place, Haymarket Square, nearly on the line of Leverett Street, to Barton's Point, where the almshouse formerly stood. "The Mill Pond," as it was afterwards called, says Shurtleff, "was bounded by portions of Prince and Endicott Streets on the east, and Leverett Street, Tucker's pasture, and Bowling Green on the west; and on the south it covered the whole space of Haymarket Square. Most of the estates on what is now Salem Street, ... and on the west on Hawkins Street and Green Street, extended to the Mill Pond Cove." The margin of the cove, it is said by another, "passed across Union, Friend, and Portland Streets, to the bottom of Hawkins Street; thence westerly, across Pitts and Gouch Streets, to Leverett Street, which at one time was called Mill Alley. The descent of the land here was very steep. A street was laid out on the line of Temple Street [Staniford] from Leverett Street to Beacon Hill, where steps led to the top of the hill, a hundred and thirty-eight feet above the sea."

THE MILL CREEK.

The Creek, or the Mill Creek, as it was afterwards called, was undoubtedly prior to the formation of the Mill Pond; and it is doubtful if it was ever included in it, although Shaw conveys the idea that the North Cove was simply a piece of salt marsh, and that the creek was used for the purpose of covering it with water at flood-tide, and thus forming a mill-pond. As early as the 5th of July, 1631, an order was passed by the Court of Assistants, "that £30 be levied on the several plantations for clearing a creek, and opening a passage to the new town,"--the town at this time being the settlement around the South Cove; so that the "clearing of a creek" was "a work of industry" on a small scale for such an enterprise. It was made across the narrow neck of land between the two great coves, and while it united the waters of Charles River with the harbor, divided the peninsula into two islands or sections. The creek, whatever its relations may have been to the Mill Pond in the later years of its existence, was used by the boats coming from the Middlesex Canal, which terminated at Charlestown Neck, and furnished to them a shorter way to the harbor with their freights of wood, lumber, &c. A few extracts from the town records will afford some further insight into the character and uses of the creek.

In 1648, in describing the property of Thomas Marshall, who owned some land near the Water Mill, Mill Creek, it is stated, "with liberty of egress and regress in said creek with boats, lighters, and other vessels;" and it is added, "Thomas Marshall shall not build any nearer the creek than the now dwelling-house of said Milom, and that he shall not hinder the mills going by any vessel in the creek."

1656, Aug. 25.--Butchers may throw their "garbidge" into the Mill Creek over the drawbridge, and in no other place. [The drawbridge was in Ann Street.]

1659, Oct. 20.--As the people were returning from the execution of Robinson and Stevenson [Quakers], the draw of the drawbridge fell upon a crowd of them, mortally wounding a woman, and severely hurting several others.

1691, August.--A fire broke out on Saturday evening, "consuming about fourteen houses, besides warehouses and brue houses from the Mill Bridgh down half way to the Draw Bridgh."

1698, Nov. 6.--Mr. James Russell of Charlestown and Mr. John Ballentine of Boston, or "whoever else may be concerned, or owners of the bridge over the Mill Creek, are ordered forthwith to repair the pavement on each side of the bridge, and to move the gutters beside it, that it might be passable for horse and cart, according to the grant of the Town, or pay 20_s._ a week till it should be done."

1712, March 10.--Ordered to make the draw-bridge (so called) in Ann Street a fast, firm bridge the width of the street. A committee was appointed to inquire if any damage be sustained by anybody in making the bridge in question a "fast bridge."

THE MILL POND.

The Mill Pond was formed by the building of a causeway across the head of the cove, as the street now runs, where there was, it would seem, a sort of Indian causeway, or pathway, at some prior time. It is represented by writers on the subject to have been built from Leverett Street to the Charlestown Ferry; but as this would include the creek, built some ten or twelve years before, this seems to be impossible; for if the creek was connected with the pond, without a gate to shut it off, there could be no mill-power. The creek, therefore, must have been separated from the pond by a gate, while there was a gate from the pond into Charles River.