Chapter 7

There are two well-managed banks in the city, two ably-conducted newspapers, one large and several small hotels, and an Academy of Music, which is one of the finest provincial theatres in New England, boasting of a fine auditorium and a well-appointed stage.

The Naval Hospital, which generally accommodates about a dozen patients, occupies eighty acres of the most desirable part of the city, the hill upon which it is built overlooking Mystic River.

The Marine Hospital, in the same neighborhood, which has usually from seventy-five to eighty patients from the ranks of our mercantile marine, occupies a lot of about ten acres.

Powderhorn Hill the summit of which is about two hundred feet above the level of the sea, commands a fine view of Boston Harbor, the ocean, and many miles of inland territory. Chelsea is spread out like a map at its base. It has been the dream of enthusiastic admirers of the varied scenery afforded from the top, to include it within the limits of a public park, forever set apart for the benefit of the present and coming generations. Half-way up the side of the hill stands the Soldiers' Home, where many scarred veterans of the Union army find a safe haven, cared for by those who appreciate their struggles in their country's cause. The city, although occupying narrow limits, has become a very attractive place for residence. The streets are broad, straight, and shaded by very many thrifty trees. The water-works, organized in 1867, supply good water; gas is furnished at reasonable rates, and the city has nearly completed a system of sewerage, which adds to the comfort and health of the people. The public buildings are commodious and ornamental. Churches of pleasing architecture, of many religious denominations, appropriate school buildings and good schools, spacious and elegant private mansions, a well-organized fire and police department, a public library, low death-rate, and good morals, serve to make the city of Chelsea a very desirable place for those seeking a quiet home in a law-abiding municipality.

All through the colonial period the civil affairs of the community were intimately connected with the interests of the church; and ecclesiastical history, when church and State were united, and the minister was the greatest man of the parish, becomes of importance.

As early as 1640, in the church of Boston, "a motion was made by such as have farms at Rumney Marsh, that our Brother Oliver may be sent to instruct our servants, and to be a help to them, because they cannot many times come hither, nor sometimes to Lynn, and sometimes no where at all." The piously disposed people of Boston evidently commiserated the destitute condition of their poor dependents, and were desirous of ministering to their spiritual wants.

For many years the inhabitants of this section received the benefit of irregular preaching from Brother Oliver and other kindly disposed ministers from neighboring parishes. The wishes of Governor Bellingham to provide for their wants had been frustrated, as before narrated. Prior to 1706, the people were nominally connected with some church in Charlestown or Boston. In that year, at the March meeting of the town of Boston, a committee was appointed to consider what they should think proper to lay before the town relating to petitions of sundry of the inhabitants of Rumney Marsh about the building of a meeting-house. Action was postponed, from year to year, until August 29, 1709, when it was voted to raise one hundred pounds, to be laid out "in building a meeting-house at Rumney Marsh." The raising of the frame was in July of the following year.

The Reverend Thomas Cheever, son of the famous schoolmaster, was chosen pastor October 17, 1715, and was dismissed December 21, 1748. At the formation of the church, the Reverend Cotton Mather, D.D., was moderator, and there were eight male members, including the pastor.

The Reverend Thomas Cheever was born in 1658; was graduated at Harvard College in 1677; was ordained and settled in Maiden, July 27, 1681; was dismissed in 1686, "on the advice of an ecclesiastical council"; removed to Rumney Marsh and lived in the Newgate House; taught school many years, and preached occasionally; died December 27, 1749, aged about ninety-two years.

Toward the close of his ministry, the Reverend William McClenachan was installed as Mr. Cheever's colleague, although considerable opposition was manifested, and several prominent members withdrew to other churches. The connection of the pastor with the church continued until December 25, 1754, when Mr. McClenachan left them and joined the Established Church of England. He was a man of remarkable eloquence, and soon after his resignation of the pastorate of the Chelsea parish, he went to England.

The Reverend Phillips Payson was settled as pastor, October 26, 1757. He was a noted scholar and teacher, and was a man of much influence in his day. He was an active patriot during the Revolution, led his parishioners in person, and held a commission from the Massachusetts authorities. He preached the Election Sermon in 1778, and died in office, January 11, 1801. He was born in Walpole, January 18, 1730, and was graduated at Harvard College in 1754.

The Reverend Joseph Tuckerman, D.D., was ordained and settled over the parish November 4, 1801, and maintained this relation for just one quarter of a century, preaching his farewell sermon November 4, 1826. He was born in Boston, January 18, 1778; was graduated at Harvard College in 1798; died in Havana, April 20, 1840.

The First Baptist Church, the first religious society at Ferry Village, was organized in 1836.

The Unitarian Church was organized in 1838.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1839. The meeting-house they first occupied was on Park Street; it has been recently sold to the Grand Army of the Republic. The edifice they now occupy is on Walnut Street.

The St. Luke's Episcopal Church and the First Congregational Church were organized in 1841.

The First Universalist Church was organized in 1842.

The Central Congregational Church was organized in 1843, under the name of Winnisimmet.

The St. Rose Catholic Church was organized in 1849.

The Mount Bellingham Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1853.

The Cary-avenue Baptist Church was organized in 1859.

The Third Congregational Church was organized in 1877.

The importance of education for the children was recognized at an early date by the settlers of Winnisimmet and Rumney Marsh. Brother Oliver may have given instruction; Thomas Cheever certainly did, and for his services received twenty pounds per annum from the town of Boston, as shown by the vote of January 24, 1709.

In 1833, the town of Chelsea was divided into three districts, known as the Ferry, Centre, and Point. In 1834, Point Shirley district was set off from the Point; and in 1838 the northern district was set off from the Centre. The school committee, first elected in 1797, made their first written report in 1839; their first printed report in 1841.

The first schoolhouse in Ferry district was built in 1833, near the corner of Chestnut Street and Washington Avenue.

In 1837, the Park-street schoolhouse was built, and the following year a grammar school was kept.

In 1839, a primary school was started at Prattville. From the committee's report one is led to infer "that a stump with a piece of board on top for a seat, having no back attached, affords no enviable resting-place."

In 1840, there were two primary schools in Ferry village, one occupying the site of the Pioneer newspaper office, the other near the corner of Shawmut Street and Central Avenue.

The question of starting a high school was agitated in 1840, but no action was taken until 1845. In 1850, a high school building was erected on Second and Walnut Streets.

In January, 1873, the present high school building, on Bellingham Street, was dedicated with appropriate exercises, Tracy P. Cheever delivering the address.

The tithingmen were the ancient conservators of the peace, and were chosen annually as late as 1834; after that date their duties devolved upon the constables. In 1847, a night-watch was first deemed necessary.

In 1854, the first steps were taken toward organizing a police force. During the year occurred the memorable Know-Nothing riot, which resulted in the pulling down of a cross.

The first city government established a police department, and appointed a city marshal and six assistants. As at present organized, there is a chief-of-police, two deputies, and fifteen patrol-men, whose duties are to keep watch over the city day and night, keep the peace, and protect property, and observe and report any defects in the public way which could by any chance result in injury to either man or beast.

In 1842, at the annual town-meeting the selectmen were authorized to erect twelve street-lamps. Their number has been increased from time to time until there are now over five hundred and fifty lamps, besides two large lanterns: one on the Square, the other in front of the Academy of Music.

A board of health was first elected in 1846. From 1850, to the organization of the city government, the selectmen acted as the board. From 1857 to 1878 the duties of the board were in the hands of the mayor and board of aldermen. Since 1878, a board has been annually elected. Their supervision and oversight have been of great advantage to the city.

In 1863, the Chelsea Library Association presented the city with about one thousand volumes, which became the nucleus of the Public Library. Eight thousand books have already been collected; they are soon to be gathered within an appropriate and spacious building generously donated to the city.

There is much of romance in the history of such an ancient settlement as Winnisimmet and Rumney Marsh, although most of the incidents worthy of note have long since passed into oblivion.

The Indian wars never affected directly the early settlers, for before hostilities commenced the frontier had been advanced some miles into the interior; but the brave sons of the pioneers were called upon for the defence of more exposed localities, and promptly responded.

"In military affairs Rumney Marsh, for many years, was associated with the neighboring towns in Essex and Middlesex, in an organization called the 'Three County Troop.'" The company appears to have been formed as early as May, 1659. Edward Hutchinson was confirmed as the first captain. Captain John Tuttle was in command of the company in 1673.

In the war of 1676, the Three County Troop sent ten men, "well fitted with long arms," to the rendezvous at Concord.

"In the year 1677, about April the 7th, six or seven men were slain by the Indians, near York, while they were at work two miles from the town, whereof one was the son of Lieutenant Smith of Winnisimmet, a hopeful young man.... Five Indians paddled their canoes down towards York, where they killed six of the English, and took one captive, May 19 following; and, May 23, four days after, one was killed at Wells, and one taken by them betwixt York and Wells; amongst whom was the eldest son of Lieutenant Smith, forementioned; his younger brother was slain in the same town not long before."

The company was disbanded in 1690. A company of sixty soldiers under command of Captain John Floyd, a citizen of Rumney Marsh, was sent as a garrison to protect the frontier at Portsmouth, about this date.

"While the regulars were on their retreat from Lexington, on the 19th of April, 1775, protected by reinforcements under command of Lord Percy, a detached party who were carrying stores and provisions were attacked at Metonomy by Rev. Phillips Payson, leading a party of his parishioners, whom he had hastily gathered on the alarm. One of the regulars was killed and some were taken prisoners, together with arms and stores, without loss to the attacking party."

Captain Samuel Sprague had command of a Chelsea company of twenty-eight men, which was mustered into the service April 19, 1775. At a later date Chelsea furnished the patriot army with a company of fifty-two men, under the same commander.

"On the 27th of May, 1775, as a party of the Massachusetts forces, together with a party of New Hampshire forces, In all about six hundred men, were attempting to bring off the stock upon Hog Island, and about thirty men upon Noddle's Island were doing the same, when above a hundred regulars landed upon the last-mentioned island and pursued our men till they got safely back to Hog Island."

A spirited engagement ensued, attended, however, with no serious loss to the American forces. The regulars were supported by an armed schooner which the enemy were obliged to abandon, having first set the vessel on fire.

General Putnam, Colonel Stark, and Dr. Joseph Warren, are said to have been present during the contest, either as actors or witnesses.

"During the siege of Boston, Chelsea formed the extreme left of the line of circumvallation; and on the south-eastern slope of Mount Washington stands the house of Robert Pratt, which occupies the site of an earlier house at which Washington lunched when inspecting the lines."

In closing this sketch, the writer wishes to give credit to the Honorable Mellen Chamberlain, an honored resident of Chelsea, for information relating to the early history of the town, which he has kindly furnished, and to the researches embodied in his valuable article, "Winnisimmet, Rumney Marsh, Pullen Point, and Chelsea, in the Provincial Period," printed in the second volume of the Memorial History of Boston, published by James R. Osgood and Company, in 1881.

It is not difficult to predict the future of Chelsea. Situated as it is on navigable waters, with an extensive waterfront, near to the metropolis of New England, and already the site of many important industries, prosperity awaits it. Time alone can tell whether, like its namesake in the Mother-Country, it becomes absorbed in the neighboring and growing city, or develops into a great manufacturing suburb, like Newark and Patterson.

[Footnote 3: Date of Act, January 10, 1739.

Chelsea, as every Englishman is aware, is the name of a suburb of London, where are situated the great national hospitals of Great Briton. It was in existence as a village as early as A.D. 785, but was long since absorbed by the expanding city.]

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JOHN WISWALL, THE OBJURGATORY BOSTON BOY.

John Wiswall, a "young man with somewhat original objurgatory tendencies," was not of the meaner sort of families. His grandfather, John Wiswall, then some eighty-three years old, ever took an active interest in the church and social affairs, first in Dorchester, and afterward in Boston. Mr. Savage says that he was a brother of Thomas Wiswall, a public-spirited man of Cambridge, Dorchester, and Newton; but John Wiswall was ruling elder of the First Church, Boston, made so the third month, fourth day, 1669, the day John Oxenbridge was ordained pastor. He also was one of the town's committee to act with the selectmen, to receive the legacy of Captain Robert Keayne, in 1668. "Elder Wiswall died, August 15, 1687, aged eighty-six years."

Elder John Wiswall left one son--John, Jr. This John, Jr., was a man of life and zeal in the community. He is mentioned as "a well-known and wealthy citizen." Among his children, by his wife Hannah, was one John, born March 21, 1667, who became the "young man with somewhat original objurgatory tendencies," and in the autumn of 1684 was rising seventeen years of age. John Wiswall was a Boston boy, full of the animation which has ever characterized the youth of that town. If he had been entirely of the plastic sort, and represented not one of the leading families, he never would have been made an example of to the youth of the community. An example was needed. The new government felt that stringency was demanded. If data serve us well, would say that John Wiswall, "a mariner," died about 1700, leaving a widow, Mary, who afterward married a White. None of the Wiswall name of to-day are from this line, but the Wiswall blood is infused in the Emmons, the Fisher, the Cutler, and the Johnson families.