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Rural Dorchester in the 1840’s
Rural Dorchester in the 1840’s, 200 years after the first colonists divided the land for farms, fields and orchards
Settled by English colonists who crossed the ocean on the John and Mary in June 1630, the new arrivals established a community near what is now Edward Everett Square. Colonists took ownership of land, clear-cut forests, built fences to protect their livestock and cultivate successful farms.
Image courtesy First Church Parish Dorchester
Settled by English colonists who crossed the ocean on the John and Mary in June 1630, the new arrivals established a community near what is now Edward Everett Square. Colonists took ownership of land, clear-cut forests, built fences to protect their livestock and cultivate successful farms.
Image courtesy First Church Parish Dorchester
Clapp's Favorite Pear
By the 1800’s, Dorchester had become home to large estates where orchards and gardens produced the finest fruits and vegetables. Many of these were new varieties, cultivated through experimentation and grown for the first time by gentleman farmers such as Dorchester’s William Clapp. The Clapp’s Favorite pear, a hybridization of the stout and sturdy Bartlett pear with the sweet and fleshy Flemish beauty pear, was first grown on the 300 acre Clapp estate and orchards not far from Edward Everett Square. Other examples of fruits grown in Dorchester include the Downer cherry, the Dorchester blackberry, and the President Wilder strawberry.
Image courtesy of the Dorchester Historical Society
Image courtesy of the Dorchester Historical Society
A 1916 photograph of the 1760 renovated Lemuel Clap House along Willow Court, now Enterprise Street, just off Boston Street
A 1916 photograph of the 1760 renovated Lemuel Clap House along Willow Court, now Enterprise Street, just off Boston Street
This image provides stark evidence of Dorchester’s agricultural past where fields, pastures and orchards surrounded what is now Edward Everett Square. William Clapp, son of Lemuel, devoted much of his later life to his nearby farm where he cultivated many varieties of pears, most notably the Clapp Pear, in 1820. These crops, as well as others grown in the fertile soils of Dorchester, were soon commercially marketed. The William Clapp House, built by William in 1806, now serves as the current site of the Dorchester Historical Society at 195 Boston Street.
The exact date of the construction of the Lemuel Clap house, shown above, is uncertain. The house was owned by members of the Clap family in 1712, and refashioned in the 1760’s by Lemuel Clap, a farmer and tanner. Shortly thereafter, Lemuel Clapp became a Captain in the Revolutionary War and his home was used as a barracks for troops who helped fortify Dorchester Heights, forcing British evacuation of Boston in 1776. The house was moved in the 1950’s to sit beside the William Clapp House.
England
This image provides stark evidence of Dorchester’s agricultural past where fields, pastures and orchards surrounded what is now Edward Everett Square. William Clapp, son of Lemuel, devoted much of his later life to his nearby farm where he cultivated many varieties of pears, most notably the Clapp Pear, in 1820. These crops, as well as others grown in the fertile soils of Dorchester, were soon commercially marketed. The William Clapp House, built by William in 1806, now serves as the current site of the Dorchester Historical Society at 195 Boston Street.
The exact date of the construction of the Lemuel Clap house, shown above, is uncertain. The house was owned by members of the Clap family in 1712, and refashioned in the 1760’s by Lemuel Clap, a farmer and tanner. Shortly thereafter, Lemuel Clapp became a Captain in the Revolutionary War and his home was used as a barracks for troops who helped fortify Dorchester Heights, forcing British evacuation of Boston in 1776. The house was moved in the 1950’s to sit beside the William Clapp House.
England
Edward Everett Square in the 1840’s
Edward Everett Square in the 1840’s, when it was known as “Five Corners”
After the American Revolution, Dorchester landowners and manufacturers prospered. Local businesses thrived, and many individuals became well educated, influencing politics, education, science and industry. Edward Everett, statesmen and orator, was born in the house featured above. A bronze marker at Edward Everett Square now marks the location of this house.
Image courtesy of the Dorchester Historical Society
After the American Revolution, Dorchester landowners and manufacturers prospered. Local businesses thrived, and many individuals became well educated, influencing politics, education, science and industry. Edward Everett, statesmen and orator, was born in the house featured above. A bronze marker at Edward Everett Square now marks the location of this house.
Image courtesy of the Dorchester Historical Society
Edward Everett (1794-1865)
Edward Everett Square is named after the outstanding statesman and orator Edward Everett (1794-1865) who was born on his father’s estate in this square
Edward Everett devoted his life to the emerging new nation, stressing the importance of democracy and universal public education. An extraordinary student, Everett graduated from Harvard when he was 17. In his long, diverse career, he served as Congressman, Governor, U.S. Senator, Ambassador to England, President of Harvard and U.S. Secretary of State. Edward Everett advocated for a national public school system, teacher training institutes, and prison reform. As civil war loomed, he traveled the country, using his magnificent oratory to support preservation of the Union.
Image courtesy of Massachusetts Historical Society and Dorchester Historical Society
Edward Everett devoted his life to the emerging new nation, stressing the importance of democracy and universal public education. An extraordinary student, Everett graduated from Harvard when he was 17. In his long, diverse career, he served as Congressman, Governor, U.S. Senator, Ambassador to England, President of Harvard and U.S. Secretary of State. Edward Everett advocated for a national public school system, teacher training institutes, and prison reform. As civil war loomed, he traveled the country, using his magnificent oratory to support preservation of the Union.
Image courtesy of Massachusetts Historical Society and Dorchester Historical Society
A late 1800’s image of Edward Everett Square
A late 1800’s image of Edward Everett Square
Dorchester remained an autonomous town of the Commonwealth until its annexation to Boston in 1870. In the 1800’s Edward Everett Square was still known as “Five Corners”, a major community crossroads. Notice the horse drawn carriage and trolley in the right of the image.
Image courtesy of the Dorchester Historical Society
Dorchester remained an autonomous town of the Commonwealth until its annexation to Boston in 1870. In the 1800’s Edward Everett Square was still known as “Five Corners”, a major community crossroads. Notice the horse drawn carriage and trolley in the right of the image.
Image courtesy of the Dorchester Historical Society
Postcard of Edward Everett Square
Postcard of Edward Everett Square
Early 1900’s post card shows a developed Square as a major gateway connecting Boston and Dorchester. The statue of Edward Everett at the center of the square was later moved to Richardson Park and the bronze Clapp’s Favorite Pear now sits in its place.
Image courtesy of The American Antiquarian Society
Early 1900’s post card shows a developed Square as a major gateway connecting Boston and Dorchester. The statue of Edward Everett at the center of the square was later moved to Richardson Park and the bronze Clapp’s Favorite Pear now sits in its place.
Image courtesy of The American Antiquarian Society
Postcard showing view of Dorchester Ave with Trolley car, 1913
Postcard showing view of Dorchester Ave with Trolley car, 1913
In the late 1800’s, public transportation made Dorchester accessible to Boston’s growing working population. With the annexation of Dorchester to Boston in 1869, explosive real estate development divided Dorchester’s large estates. By the 1900’s singles, two families and “three-deckers” covered Dorchester.
Image courtesy of the Dorchester Historical Society
In the late 1800’s, public transportation made Dorchester accessible to Boston’s growing working population. With the annexation of Dorchester to Boston in 1869, explosive real estate development divided Dorchester’s large estates. By the 1900’s singles, two families and “three-deckers” covered Dorchester.
Image courtesy of the Dorchester Historical Society
Diorama showing Native American life during the Middle Woodland Period, 2,500 BCE
Diorama showing Native American life during the Middle Woodland Period, 2,500 BCE
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