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 L30 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."