stood on Brattle street, upon the site which was afterwards Doolittle's
City Tavern. It was first kept by Robert Turner, and was noted for its
_punch_, and was a favorite resort of public men.
The Blue Bell Tavern was built in 1673, and stood on the north-west
corner of Batterymarch street and Liberty square; a portion of the Mason
building now occupies its site. It was kept by Nathaniel Bishop, and
afterwards by Alleric & Drury. In 1692 it was called the Castle Tavern,
and ceased to be an inn after 1707.
The Castle Tavern (the second of that name) stood on the south-west
corner of Dock square and Elm street. It was erected by William Hudson
in 1674, and kept by John Wing in 1687, who gave his name to the street.
In 1694 it was called the George Tavern.
The King's Head Tavern was built in 1680, and stood at the northeast
corner of North and Fleet streets. It was burnt in 1691, and afterwards
rebuilt. It was kept by James Davenport in 1755.
The Seven Star Inn stood, in 1684, on the south-west corner of Summer
and Hawley streets. It gave its name to the lane which was afterwards
called Bishop's alley. Here, in 1736, was erected of wood the first
edifice of Trinity Church. The land, which originally contained 15,000
square feet, was bought of John Gibbins and William Speakman for £450.
This edifice was demolished in 1828 and a stone structure erected in
1830, which was burnt in the great fire, November 8, 1872. The site,
after having its proportions curtailed, in order to widen Summer and
Hawley streets, containing 7,126 square feet, was sold to William D.
Peckman, in 1874, for $194,402.
The Sun Tavern stood on the southwest corner of Dock and Faneuil Hall
squares. It was built in 1690, and was kept by Samuel Mears in 1724, and
by Day in 1753. It was conveyed by Thomas Valentine in 1741 for £2,475
($8,250); and by Joseph Jackson in 1794 for £1,333-6-8 ($4,444); and by
E.P. Arnold in 1865 for $20,000. The Scots' Charitable Society
frequently held its meetings there. It was the head-quarters of the
British officers during the siege. It is the oldest building in Boston.
The Queen's Head Tavern stood at the north-west corner of North and
Clark streets. It was built in 1691.
The Green Dragon Inn was built in 1692. It was first kept by Alexander
Smith, who died in 1696, and was succeeded by Hannah Bishop, who was
next succeeded by John Cary. In 1734 Joseph Kidder was its landlord. In
1764 it was conveyed by Catharine Kerr, sister to Dr. William Douglas,
to St. Andrew's Lodge of Freemasons. It was a hospital during the
Revolution. It was the head-quarters of Joseph Warren, John Hancock,
Samuel Adams, James Otis, Paul Revere, and other patriots, during the
Revolution. It was called the Green Dragon Tavern after the Revolution,
and at one time the Freemasons' Arms. Daniel Simpson, the veteran
drummer, was at one time its landlord. The Scots' Charitable Society
frequently held its meetings there. The Green Dragon building, extending
through from Union to (new) Washington street, now denotes its site.
The Salutation Inn stood on the north-west corner of Hanover and
Salutation streets. It was built by John Brooking in 1692, and sold to
Sir William Phips. John Scollay kept it in 1697, who was succeeded by
Samuel Green in 1731. It became famous, later, when William Campbell
kept it in 1773, when it was a rallying-place for the patriots who gave
rise to the word "_Caucus_." The resolutions for the destruction of the
tea in Boston Harbor were drawn up there. It was also called the "_Two
Palaverers_," from the representation upon the sign of two old gentlemen
in wigs, cocked hats, and knee-breeches, saluting each other with much
ceremony.
The Golden Bull Tavern was built in 1693, and stood on the south-east
corner of Merchants row and Chatham street. It was kept in 1752 by
Marston.
The Black Horse Tavern was built in 1700, and stood on the west side of
Prince street, which in former days was called Black Horse lane, and
Salem street. It was noted as a hiding-place for deserters from
Burgoyne's army when stationed at Cambridge.
The Half Moon Inn was built in 1705, and stood on the north-west corner
of Fleet and Sun court streets. It was kept in 1752 by Deborah Chick.
The Swan Tavern was built in 1707, and stood at the north-east corner of
Fleet and North streets.
The Orange Tree Inn was built in 1708, and stood on the north-east
corner of Court and Hanover streets during the Provincial period. White
it was kept by Jonathan Wardwell, in 1712, he set up the first
hackney-coach stand. His widow kept it in 1724. It was demolished in
1785. It was noted for having a well of water which never froze or dried
up.
The Bull Tavern was built in 1713, and stood on the south-west corner of
Summer and Federal streets. It was there that sundry inhabitants at the
South End met and formed the project to erect a church on Church green,
which was called the "New South," and presided over for a long series of
years by Rev. Alexander Young, D.D.
The Light House Tavern was built in 1717, and stood on the south side of
King (State) street, on the north-west corner of Devonshire street,
opposite the Town House (Old State House). It is not impossible that it
may have been standing there in 1742. There was also another tavern of
the same name at the North End in 1763, from which the "Portsmouth
Flying Stage" started every Saturday morning. It carried six passengers
inside; fare 13s. 6d. sterling ($3.25); to Newburyport, 9s. ($2.17).
Returning, left Portsmouth on Tuesday.
The Marlboro' Hotel was built in 1708, and took its name from the street
In front, and was the first public house in Boston dignified with the
name of "Hotel." John C. Calhoun lodged there, while Secretary of War,
upon his only visit to Boston, in 1818. McNiel Seymour was its landlord
in 1820. He afterwards became landlord of the Atlantic Hotel, opposite
the Bowling Green in New York. It had a stable in the rear which
accommodated the Providence line of stages. The site of the stable was
afterwards occupied by the Lowell Institute building. Agassiz, Lyell,
Tyndall, Price, and other scientists, delivered lectures there. Its
walls have also resounded with the eloquence of John Quincy Adams,
Daniel Webster, Edward Everett, Rufus Choate, Charles Sumner, Bayard
Taylor, William Lloyd Garrison, James T. Fields, and other famous men.
Lafayette was given a banquet at the Marlboro' upon his visit to Boston,
in 1824. The Scots' Charitable Society frequently held its meetings
there. About a generation ago it changed its name to the Marlboro'
House, and it was conducted on temperance principles. Hon. Henry Wilson,
Vice-President of the United States, made it his stopping-place while in
the city. The elegant Hemenway building now occupies its site.
The Cross Tavern was erected in 1709, and stood on the north-west corner
of North and Cross streets.
The Crown Coffee House stood on the south-west corner of State street
and Chatham row, and was built in 1710 by Gov. Belcher; and Mrs. Anna
Swords was its first landlord, and she was succeeded in 1751 by Robert
Shelcock. The Scots' Charitable Society frequently held its meetings
there.
The Bunch of Grapes Tavern was built in 1713, and stood on the
north-west corner of State and Kilby streets. Its first landlord was
Francis Holmes, who was succeeded in 1731 by William Coffin, by Joshua
Barker in 1749, and by Col. Joseph Ingersoll in 1764. It was noted as
being the best "_punch-house_" in Boston. Lafayette was a guest there in
1774. In front of it, on the 4th of August, 1806, Charles Austin was
killed by Thomas O. Selfridge in self-defence. The Scots' Charitable
Society frequently held its meetings there.
The George Tavern was built in 1720, and stood on the north-west corner
of Washington and Northampton streets. It afforded shelter for the
patriots in annoying the British during the siege. Its extensive orchard
and gardens comprised seventeen acres, and extended south to Roxbury
street, and west to Charles river, which, until the modern Back Bay
improvement, extended to the west side of Tremont street. The General
Court, as well as some of the law courts, sat there prior to 1730. The
American post was located there in 1775, which was burnt by the British
at night in July of that year. It was near that spot, in 1824, when
Lafayette visited Boston, a triumphal arch was thrown across Washington
street, bearing the couplet, written by Charles Sprague,--
We bow not the neck, we bend not the knee.
But our hearts, LAFAYETTE! we surrender to thee.
The Royal Exchange Tavern was built in 1726, and stood on the south-west
corner of State and Exchange streets, the site of the Merchants' Bank
building. It gave its name to the street on its easterly side. Luke
Vardy was its first landlord, who was succeeded in 1747 by Robert Stone.
It was in this building, in 1728, that the altercation began which ended
in the first duel fought in Boston, when Benjamin Woodbridge was killed
by Henry Phillips. The Scots' Charitable Society frequently held its
meetings there.
The Old Mansion House was built in 1732, and stood on the south side of
Milk street, between Hawley and Arch streets, on the site of the Bowdoin
building. It stood a little back from the street, with large American
elms in front, and was a stopping place for old stage lines. Hon. Robert
C. Winthrop was born there, and Hon. Henry Dearborn occupied it at the
time of his decease.
The Blue Anchor Tavern (the third of that name) was built in 1735, and
stood on the north-east corner of Water and Batterymarch streets. It was
kept by Joseph Wilson.
The British Coffee House was built in 1741, and stood on the site of No.
66 State street, afterwards occupied by the Massachusetts Bank. It was
kept, in 1762, by Ballard, and was largely patronized by British
officers. The repeal of the Stamp Act was celebrated there in 1767. The
eloquent James Otis was assaulted in it by a British gang, and an injury
was inflicted upon his head, which rendered him insane for a long time.
The Scots' Charitable Society frequently held its meetings there. Its
name was changed to American Coffee House in 1776.
The Cromwell's Head Tavern was built it 1751, and is still standing on
the north side of School street, upon the site of No. 13, where Mrs.
Harrington deals out coffee and mince pie to her customers. Lieut.-Col.
GEORGE WASHINGTON lodged there in 1756, while upon a visit to Gov.
Shirley, to consult with him upon business connected with the French
war. It was first kept by Anthony Brackett.
The Admiral Vernon Tavern was built in 1743, and stood on the south-east
corner of State street and Merchants row, and was first kept by Richard
Smith. The Scots' Charitable Society frequently held its meetings there.
The Sun Tavern (the second of that name) was built in 1757, and stood on
the east side of Washington street, nearly opposite Cornhill, and was
first kept by James Day, and was a popular resort of the Sons of
Liberty.
The Julien House was built in 1759, and stood on the north-west corner
of Milk and Congress streets, formerly the site of an old tannery. It
was first kept by Jean Baptiste Julien, a French refugee. It was the
resort of the _bon vivants_ of the town in former days. It is narrated
of him that, upon the occasion of a _recherche_ dinner, one of the
guests complained that the viands were not sufficiently high-seasoned.
"_Eh bien_" said Julien, "_put a leetle more de peppaire_." He died in
1805, and he was succeeded by his widow, and afterwards by Rouillard,
until 1823, when it was demolished, and supplanted by Julien, afterwards
Congress Hall. Miss Frances Ann Wright delivered lectures there in 1829.
The White Horse Tavern stood on the north-west corner of Washington and
Boylston streets. It was first kept by Joseph Morton.
The Bull's Head Tavern was built in 1774, and stood on the north-east
corner of Congress and Water streets, the site, for several years prior
to 1830, of the post-office, Merchants' Hall, and Topliff's
Reading-room, and now occupied by the Massachusetts and Shawmut banks,
and called the Howe building.
Concert Hall stood at the south-east corner of Hanover and Court
streets. It was built in 1750, and was at one time occupied by the
Deblois family. It was first occupied as a public house in 1791. It was
famous for political meetings, fashionable dancing parties, and public
exhibitions. Madrel exhibited his chess-player, conflagration of Moscow,
and other wonderful pieces of mechanism there. The famous Belgian giant,
Bihin, exhibited himself there. He was a well-proportioned man, and such
was his height that the historian Motley stood under his armpits.
Amherst Eaton was its landlord in the early days of the century. It was
kept of late years by Peter B. Brigham, and was demolished in 1868, in
order to widen Hanover street. The Scots' Charitable Society frequently
held its meetings there.
The Lamb Tavern was built in 1745, and stood on the west side of
Washington street, just beyond the corner of West street. Colonel Doty
kept it in 1760, who was succeeded by Edward Kingman in 1826, and by
Laban Adams, in whose honor the Adams House was named and opened in
1846. It was a popular resort of the country members of the Legislature.
The Lion Tavern was built in 1793, and stood just north of the Lamb
Tavern, and occupied the site of the building for several years known as
the Melodeon. In 1835 the tavern was converted into the Lion Theatre,
which had a short-lived existence. It was then purchased by the Handel
and Haydn Society, and occupied for musical purposes, lectures, and
other entertainments. Rev. Theodore Parker began lecturing there soon
after the famous South Boston sermon upon the transient and permanent in
Christianity.
The North End Coffee House was built in 1782, and stood on the
north-west corner of North and Fleet streets. It was kept by the
grandfather of the Illustrious David D. Porter.
The Bite Tavern was built in 1795, and stood in Faneuil Hall square, a
little west of Change avenue. James M. Stevens was its last landlord. It
was a favorite resort of market-men, and ceased to be a public house
about a quarter of a century ago.
Holland's Coffee House was built in 1800, in Howard street, near Court
street. It was afterwards called the Howard Street House, and kept by
William Gallagher, whose tomb "erected by those connected with him by no
tie of kindred, who knew, loved, and honored him," stands on Primrose
Path in Mt. Auburn. It was afterwards called the Pemberton House. It was
a favorite resort of literary, dramatic, and musical people. The Scots'
Charitable Society frequently held its meetings there. It was destroyed
by fire in 1854, and the site was occupied for a short time by a wooden
circular structure called Father Miller's Tabernacle, which, in turn,
was burnt, when the Howard Athenæum rose upon its site.
The Eastern Stage House was built in 1806, and upon the site of No. 90
North street. It was from that spot that the first stage-coach in
America started, in 1660, for Portsmouth (N.H.). It was first kept by
Col. Ephraim Wildes, and afterwards by his son, Moses. It was built of
brick, three stories high, and entered by a flight of steps, and
contained sixty rooms. It was the most extensive stage rendezvous in
Boston, accommodating the stages to Portsmouth, Portland, Bangor, and
Maine, generally. The stages entered its spacious court-yard under an
arch leading from North street. After an existence of forty years, it
was demolished to make room for commercial improvements.
Earl's Coffee House was built in 1807, and was located at No. 24 Hanover
street, upon the site, in part, of the present American House. It was
kept by Hezekiah Earl, and was the head-quarters of the New York,
Albany, and other stage lines.
Wilde's Tavern was built in the same year, and was located on the
north-east corner of (new) Washington and Elm streets. It was demolished
in 1874 to make room for the Washington-street extension.
Doolittle's City Tavern was also built in 1807, and stood on the
north-west corner of (new) Washington and Brattle streets. It was the
head-quarters of the Providence line of stages. It was demolished in
1874 to make room for the improvement before alluded to.
The Exchange Coffee House was built in 1808, and stood on Congress
street, upon the site of the present Howard Bank building, and at the
time of its erection was the largest house of public entertainment in
the United States. It extended through to Devonshire street, with an
entrance on State street. It bounded 132 feet on Congress street, with a
depth of 94 feet and upwards. It covered an area of 12,753 square feet,
was seven stories in height, surmounted with a dome 101 feet in
diameter. It had 210 apartments. Its erection was begun in 1805, and
occupied two and a half years in construction. Commodore Hull, after
capturing the _Guerrière_ in 1812, had a public dinner given him there.
The Grand Lodge of Freemasons, and some subordinate lodges, had their
head-quarters there. The Scots' Charitable Society frequently held its
meetings there. It was destroyed by fire in 1818, rebuilt in 1822, with
contracted dimensions, and in 1853 was demolished to give place to the
City Exchange on Congress square and Devonshire street. James Wilson,
the last of the town-criers, had his office in the Bell-in-Hand Tavern
in the basement. At the time of the fire Hon. Henry Clay was a guest in
the house, and worked bravely at the engine brakes. Hon. David Crockett,
a famous member of Congress from Tennessee, lodged there during his
visit to Boston in 1834. He addressed an audience from the eastern
portico of the Old State House, and in expatiating upon the prospects of
the country, predicted that it would extend within a score of years from
the _At_lantic to the "_Spe_cific." Among his witty sayings will be
remembered,--"Be sure you're right then go ahead." He died in 1841,
fighting for Texan independence. It was kept in former days by Col.
James Hamilton, afterwards by William Gallagher, Hart Davenport, and
lastly by McGill & Fearing.
Washington Hotel was built in 1809, and stood in Bromfield street. It
subsequently took the name of Indian Queen, and latterly Bromfield
House. Selden Crockett was its last landlord. It ceased to be a public
house about a dozen years since.
The Elm Street Hotel was built in 1812, and stood on the north-west
corner of (new) Washington and (No. 9) Elm streets. It was kept by Hart
Davenport. Its yard was obliterated in 1874 to make room for the
Washington-street extension, and the building in 1882 for a site for
commercial purposes.
The Massachusetts House was built in 1816, and still stands on the
south-west corner of Endicott and Cross streets. It is a favorite resort
of horse-jockeys and horse-fanciers.
Forster's Coffee House was built in 1817, and stood on the corner of
Court and Howard streets. The Scots' Charitable Society frequently held
its meetings there.
The Commercial Coffee House stood on the north-east corner of Milk and
Batterymarch streets. It was built in 1817, and stood on the site of
Hallowell's shipyard. It was kept by William Merriam in 1829, John Low
in 1837, Col. Whitney in 1844, and lastly, in 1848, by James Longley,
when it ceased to be a public house, and gave place to the Thorndike
building. The preliminary meeting of the Mercantile Library Association
was held there in 1820. It was a favorite resort of Eastern people.
Washington Hotel (the second of that name) was erected in 1819, and
stood on the north-west corner of Washington street and Worcester place.
It was kept in 1836, and for a few years succeeding, by Amherst Eaton.
The Washington House was built in 1820, and stood on the site of the
present Washington market, on the south-west corner of Washington and
Lenox streets. The Messrs. Cooley kept it, and it was a favorite resort
for sleighing parties.
In 1821 William Fenno opened a tavern in Cornhill square, and afterwards
on the east side of Theatre alley (Devonshire street), near the corner
of Franklin, adjoining what was the site of the (old) Boston Theatre,
and latterly in Province street, near the south-easterly corner of
Bromfield street.
The Stackpole House was built in 1732, and was the mansion of William
Stackpole, a noted Boston merchant. It stood on the north-east corner of
Milk and Devonshire streets, and was first kept as a public house in
1823 by Rouillard, formerly of the Julien House, and was a favorite
resort of the choice spirits of former days. It was afterwards kept by
James W. Ryan. Among its last landlords was Alexander McGregor, a
stalwart Scotchman, and descendant of Rev James McGregor who led the
colony which made the first settlement in Deny (N.H.) in 1824. The
Scots' Charitable Society, of which the landlord was a member,
frequently held its meetings there. It was demolished in 1868, to make
room for the post-office edifice.
The Sun Tavern (the third of that name) was built in 1801, and stood on
the north-west corner of Battery march and Hamilton streets, and was the
mansion of Benjamin Hallowell, who owned a shipyard opposite to his
residence. It was first kept as a public house in 1824 by Goodwich, and
in 1841 by Capewell, when it ceased to be a public house, and was
demolished when Fort Hill was leveled in 1865. It was a popular resort
of Eastern people.
The Lafayette Hotel was built in 1825, and stood on the east side of
Washington street, opposite Boylston market. It was largely patronized
by people from the country. Haskell was its landlord in 1836. The Scots'
Charitable Society frequently held its meetings there.
The Tremont House was built in 1828, and opened October 1, 1829. It was
owned by William H. Eliot, brother of the mayor of Boston 1837-1840. It
was the prototype of the large caravanseries which dot the continent
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Its first landlord was Dwight Boyden,
who retired from its management in 1836 to assume that of the Astor
House, which was opened May 1 in that year. It was the stopping-place of
Webster on his way from Marshfield to Washington. It sheltered President
Jackson upon his visit to Boston in 1833, a decade later President
Tyler, and President Johnson in 1867. It was the temporary abode of
Charles Dickens upon his first visit to America in 1842. Under its roof
the Ashburton treaty, defining the north-eastern boundary between the
United States and Great Britain, was negotiated by Lord Ashburton on
behalf of the mother country, Abbott Lawrence on the part of
Massachusetts, and Edward Kent on the part of Maine. Some of the most
renowned men in the world have fed at its tables and slept under its
roof. It still lives in its pristine vigor, and will not yield the palm
to any hostelry in the world.
The Franklin House was built in 1830, and stood on the west side of
Merchants row, between North Market and North streets, opposite the head
of Clinton street. It was a favorite resort of Eastern people. Joshua
Sears, an eminent merchant on Long wharf, made it his home for several
years.
The Shawmut House was built in 1831, and stood on the north side of
Hanover street, and its site is now absorbed in the American House. The
Scots' Charitable Society frequently held its meetings there.
Liberty Tree Tavern was built in 1833, and stood on the south-east
corner of Washington and Essex streets, upon the identical spot where
formerly stood the famous Liberty Tree, which was planted in 1646, and
become famous in Stamp Act times, and was cut down by the British in
1775.
The Mount Washington House was built in 1834 by a company of which Hon.
John K. Simpson was president, who occupied the "Old Feather Store" on
the corner of Faneuil Hall square and North street, built in 1680. The
company became bankrupt, and it was sold in 1839 to the Perkins
Institute and New England Asylum for the Blind. Its location on
Washington Heights admirably adapts it for the benevolent purpose for
which it is now used.