of Hanover and Union streets, "near the Baker's Arms." This was possibly
then the name of the Star Tavern or the Green Dragon.
=Baulston.= William Baulston had a grant of land in 1636-37 on the west
side of Washington Street, between Dock Square and Court Street. In June,
1637, he was licensed to keep a house of entertainment. In 1638 he sold to
Thomas Cornewell, who was licensed to keep an inn in room of William
Baulston. In 1639-40 the property was bought by Edward Tyng.
=Bite=, see _Three Mariners_.
=Black Horse=, Prince Street. It is commonly asserted that the early name
of Prince Street came from a tavern of that name, but thus far no such
tavern has been found on the records. Black Horse Lane was first mentioned
in 1684.
=Black and White Horse=, locality not stated. In 1767 Robert Sylvester was
licensed.
=Blue Anchor=, Washington Street, see _Anchor_.
=Blue Anchor=, in 1760, "land where the Blue Anchor was before the fire
near Oliver's Dock."
=Blue Anchor=, locality not stated. In 1767 a man lodged at the Blue
Anchor.
=Blue Bell=, west side of Union Street, between Hanover and North streets.
In 1663 John Button conveys to Edmund Jacklin his house, known as the Blue
Bell.
=Blue Bell=, southwest corner of Battery March and Water streets. The land
on which this tavern stood was originally a marsh which the town let to
Capt. James Johnson in 1656, he to pay an annual amount to the school of
Boston. Part of this land was conveyed by Johnson to Thomas Hull. This
deed is not recorded, but in 1674 in the deed of Richard Woodde to John
Dafforne the west bounds were in part on land now of Deacon Allen and Hugh
Drury, formerly of Thomas Hull, the house called the Blew Bell. In 1673
the house was let to Nathaniel Bishop. In the inventory of the estate of
Hugh Drury in 1689 his part is described as one half of that house Mr.
Wheeler lives in and cooper's shop. In the partition of his estate in 1692
there was set off to his grandson Thomas Drury one half of house and land
commonly called the Castle Tavern, the said house and land being in
partnership with Henry Allen. In the division of Allen's estate in 1703,
the house and land is set off to his widow Judith. In 1707 Judith Allen
and Thomas Drury make a division, the west half being assigned to Judith
Allen and the east half to Drury. Judith Allen died in 1722, and in 1723
her son Henry conveyed to Robert Williams the westerly part of the estate,
consisting of dwelling house, land, and cooper's shop. Williams deeds to
his son Robert Williams, and the estate was in the family many years.
=Brazen Head=, east side of Washington Street, between State and Water
streets. Jan. 2, 1757, a soldier was taken with the smallpox at widow
Jackson's at the Brazen Head. March 20, 1760, the great fire broke out
here. Mrs. Jackson was not a property owner, but leased the premises.
=Brewers' Arms=, east side of Washington Street, between Bedford and Essex
streets. In 1696 Sarah, widow of Samuel Walker, mortgages the house called
the Brewers' Arms in tenure of Daniel Elton (innholder).
=British Coffee-House=, north side of State Street, between Change Avenue
and Merchants' Row. In the _Book of Possessions_ James Oliver was the
owner of this estate. Elisha Cooke recovers judgment against Oliver, and
sells to Nicholas Moorcock in 1699. Moorcock conveys to Charles Burnham in
1717, whose heirs convey to Jonathan Badger in 1773. Badger deeds to
Hannah Cordis in 1775 "The British Coffee-House." In 1780 the heirs of
Badger confirm to Joseph Cordis "The American Coffee-House," and Cordis
sells to the Massachusetts Bank in 1792. Cord Cordis was the innkeeper in
1771 and John Bryant was licensed in 1790. In 1798 this was a brick
building, three stories, twenty-six windows, value $12,000.
=Bromfield House=, Bromfield Street, see _Indian Queen_.
[Illustration: BROMFIELD HOUSE ON THE SITE OF THE "INDIAN QUEEN"
36-38 Bromfield Street]
=Bull=, foot of Summer Street. In the _Book of Possessions_ Nicholas
Baxter had house and garden here. In 1668 he conveyed this to John Bull
and wife Mary, the daughter of his wife Margaret. Baxter died in 1692,
and in his will recites this deed and divides his personal property
between his daughter Mary, wife of John Swett, and John and Mary Bull. In
1694 and 1704 Mary Swett attempted to regain the estate, but Bull gained
his case each time. John Bull died in 1723, and in 1724 his son Jonathan
buys the shares of other heirs. Jonathan died while on a visit to England
in 1727 or 1728, and his will, probated in 1728-29, gives one third of his
estate to his wife, and two thirds to his children, Elizabeth, John, and
Samuel. Both sons died before coming of age, and Elizabeth inherited their
shares. She married Rev. Roger Price, and they went to England. She died
in 1780, and in 1783 her eldest son and daughter returned to Boston to
recover the property which Barret Dyer, who had married Elizabeth, widow
of John Bull, had attempted to regain. John Bull was licensed as innkeeper
from 1689 to 1713, when his widow Mary succeeded. In 1757 Mr. Bean was the
landlord, and in 1766 the house was let to Benjamin Bigelow. In 1798
William Price was the owner and Bethia Page the occupier. A wooden house
of two stories, thirty-one windows, value $2000. The site is now covered
by the South Station.
=Bunch of Grapes=, southeast corner of State and Kilby streets. The early
possession of William Davis, who sold to William Ingram in 1658. Ingram
conveyed "The Bunch of Grapes" to John Holbrook in 1680; Adm. of Holbrook
to Thomas Waite in 1731; Waite to Simon Eliot in 1760; Eliot to Leonard
Jarvis in 1769; Jarvis to Joseph Rotch, Jr., in 1772; Francis Rotch to
Elisha Doane, 1773; his heirs to Isaiah Doane, 1786. In 1798 it was a
brick store. June 7, 1709, Francis Holmes was the keeper and was to billet
five soldiers at his house of public entertainment. In 1750 kept by
Weatherhead, being noted, said Goelet, as the best punch house in Boston.
In 1757 one captain and one private soldier to be billeted at
Weatherhead's. 1764 to 1772 Joseph Ingersol licensed. In 1790 Dudley
Colman licensed. In 1790 James Bowdoin bequeathes house called "The Bunch
of Grapes" to his wife. This was on the west corner of Kilby and State
streets.
=Castle=, west corner of Dock Square and Elm Street. In the _Book of
Possessions_ William Hudson, Jr., had house and garden here. May 20, 1654,
a street leading from the Castle Tavern is mentioned (Elm Street). Hudson
sold off parts of his estate and in 1674 he conveyed to John Wing house,
buildings, etc., commonly called Castle Tavern. In 1677 Wing mortgages to
William Brown of Salem "all his new built dwelling house, being part of
that building formerly known as the Castle Tavern." The estate was
forfeited, and in 1694 Brown conveys to Benjamin Pemberton mansion
heretofore called the Castle Tavern, since the George Tavern, subject to
Wing's right of redemption. In his will of 1701-02 John Wing devises to
his son John Wing the housing and land lying near the head of the town
dock which he purchased of Capt. William Hudson, together with the brick
messuage, formerly known by the name of the George Tavern, which has an
encumbrance of 1000 pounds, due William Browne, now in possession of
Benjamin Pemberton. In 1708 Wing releases the estate to Pemberton. In 1710
the heirs of Pemberton convey to Jonathan Waldo, and the succeeding owners
were: Thomas Flucker, 1760; in the same year it passes to Isaac Winslow
and Moses Gill; Gill to Caleb Loring, 1768; Nathaniel Frazier, 1771; David
Sears, 1787; William Burgess, 1790; Nathaniel Frazier, 1792; John and
Jonathan Amory, 1793. In 1798 Colonel Brewer was the occupier. A brick
house, two stories, twelve windows, value $4000.
=Castle=, Battery March and Water streets, see _Blue Bell_.
[Illustration: FIREMAN'S TICKET NOTIFYING OF MEETING AT COLEMAN'S (Bunch
of Grapes)]
=Castle=, northeast corner of North and Fleet streets. The early
possession of Thomas Savage, John Crabtree acquires, and in 1654 conveys
to Bartholomew Barnard. Barnard sells to Edward Cock in 1672-73; Cock to
Margaret Thatcher, who conveys to William Colman in 1679. Colman to
William Everden in 1694-95, who mortgages to Francis Holmes. Holmes
conveys to John Wentworth in 1708. In 1717 John Wentworth conveys to
Thomas Lee house known as the "Castle Tavern, occupied by Sarah Hunt." In
1768 Thomas Love and wife Deborah (Lee) deed to Andrew Newell, the "Castle
Tavern," and the same year Newell to Joseph Lee. In 1785 Joseph Lee
conveys to Joseph Austin the "King's Head Tavern." In 1798 owned and
occupied by Austin. House of three and two stories, twenty-five windows,
value $3000.
=Castle=, locality not stated. In 1721 Adrian, widow of John Cunningham,
was licensed at the Castle, and in 1722 Mary English.
=Cole=, Samuel Cole's inn, west side of Washington Street, corner of
Williams Court, site of Thompson's Spa. In 1633-34 Samuel Cole set up the
first house of common entertainment. In 1635 he was licensed to keep an
ordinary, and in 1637-38 had leave to sell his house for an inn to Robert
Sedgwick. In 1646 James Penn was licensed here. Lt. William Phillips
acquired the property, and in 1656-57 mortgages "The Ship Tavern." He
conveys it to Capt. Thomas Savage in 1660. The later owners were Ephraim
Savage, 1677-78; Zachariah Trescott, 1712; Nicholas Bouve, 1715; John
Comrin, 1742; Jonathan Mason, 1742; James Lloyd, 1763, in whose family it
remained many years.
=Concert Hall=, south corner of Hanover and Court streets. In the _Book of
Possessions_ Jeremiah Houchin had house and garden here. His widow sold to
Thomas Snawsell in 1670, and Snawsell to John Russell in 1671; Eleazar
Russell to John Gardner and Priscilla Hunt in 1689-90; the heirs of
Gardner to Gilbert and Lewis Deblois in 1749; Deblois to Stephen Deblois
in 1754, and he to William Turner in 1769; Turner conveyed to John and
Jonathan Amory in 1789. In 1798 John Amory was the owner and James Villa
the occupier. A brick house, three stories, thirty windows, value $3000.
Villa had been a tenant, and was licensed as an innkeeper for some years.
Before it became a tavern the hall was used for various purposes--for
meetings, musical concerts, and by the Grand Masons.
=Cromwell's Head= or =Sign of Oliver Cromwell=, north side of School
Street. In the _Book of Possessions_ Richard Hutchinson was the owner of
land here. Abraham Brown acquired before 1658; Sarah (Brown) Rogers
inherits in 1689-90, and in 1692 Gamaliel Rogers conveyed to Duncan
McFarland; Mary (McFarland) Perkins inherits, and John Perkins deeds to
Joseph Maylem in 1714; John Maylem inherits in 1733, and the next owner is
Elizabeth (Maylem) Bracket, wife of Anthony Bracket. In 1764 Elizabeth
Bracket was licensed at her house in School Street, and Joshua Bracket was
licensed in 1768. In 1796 Abigail Bracket conveyed to John Warren, who was
the owner in 1798, and Henry Vose the occupier. A wooden house, three
stories, thirty windows, value $6000.
=Crown Coffee-House=, north side of State Street, the first house on Long
wharf (site of the Fidelity Trust Co. building). Jonathan Belcher was a
proprietor of Long Wharf, which was extended from State Street in 1710. In
1749 his son Andrew Belcher conveyed to Richard Smith "The Crown
Coffee-House," Smith to Robert Shellcock in 1751, and the administrator of
Shellcock to Benjamin Brown in 1788. In 1798 stores covered the site. In
1714 Thomas Selby was licensed as an innholder at the Crown
Coffee-House, and he died here in 1727. In 1729 William Burgess was
licensed, and in 1730 and 1733 Edward Lutwych; 1762 Rebecca Coffin; 1766
Richard Bradford; and in 1772 Rebecca Coffin.
[Illustration]
=Dolphin=, east side of North Street, at the foot of Richmond Street.
Nicholas Upshall was the owner of the land in 1644. He deeds to his
son-in-law William Greenough in 1660. Henry Gibbs and wife Mercy
(Greenough) inherit in 1694-95. In 1726-27 Henry Gibbs conveys to Noah
Champney "The Dolphin Tavern." John Lowell and wife Sarah (Champney)
inherit, and deed to Neil McIntire in 1753, McIntire to Neil McIntire of
Portsmouth in 1784, and he to William Welsh in 1785, Welsh to Prince Snow
in 1798. In 1798 it was a wooden house of two stories and eleven windows,
value $600. The Dolphin Tavern is mentioned by Sewall in 1718. In 1726-27
Mercy Gibbs was licensed; in 1736 Alice Norwood, and 1740 James Stevens.
=Dove, Sign of the=, northeast corner of Boylston and Tremont streets. In
the _Book of Possessions_ Thomas Snow was the owner, and in 1667 he
mortgages his old house to which the Sign of the Dove is fastened. William
Wright and wife Milcha (Snow) inherit and in 1683 convey to Samuel
Shrimpton, the heirs of Shrimpton to Adam Colson in 1781, Colson to
William Cunningham in 1787, Cunningham to Francis Amory in 1793, Amory to
Joseph Head in 1795.
=Drum, Sign of the=, locality not stated. In 1761 and 1776 mentioned in
the _Town Records_.
=Exchange=, northwest corner of State and Exchange streets. In 1646
Anthony Stoddard and John Leverett deed to Henry Shrimpton house and land.
His son Samuel inherits in 1666, and in 1697-98 Samuel Shrimpton, Jr.,
inherits "the Exchange Tavern." He mortgages to Nicholas Roberts in 1703,
and the administrators of Roberts convey to Robert Stone in 1754 "the
Royal Exchange Tavern." In 1784 Daniel Parker and wife Sally (Stone)
convey to Benjamin Hitchbone. In 1798 Israel Hatch was the occupier. A
brick house, four stories, thirty windows, value $12,000. In 1690-91 the
Exchange Tavern is mentioned by Judge Sewall. In 1714 Rowland Dike
petitioned for a license. In 1764 Seth Blodgett was licensed, 1770 Mr.
Stone, 1772 Daniel Jones, 1776 Benjamin Loring, 1788 John Bowers, 1798
Israel Hatch.
=Exchange Coffee-House=, southeast corner of State and Devonshire streets.
In the _Book of Possessions_ the land was owned by Robert Scott. The house
was built in 1804 and burnt in 1818; rebuilt in 1822 and closed as a
tavern in 1854.
=Flower de Luce=, west side of North Street, between Union and Cross
streets. In 1675 Elizabeth, widow of Edmund Jackson, mortgages her house,
known by the name of Flower de Luce, in tenure of Christopher Crow.
=George=, west side of Washington Street, near the Roxbury line. The land
was a grant of the town to James Penn in 1644. In 1652 he deeds, as a
gift, five acres to Margery, widow of Jacob Eliot, for the use of her
children. In 1701 Eliezer Holyoke and wife Mary (Eliot) convey to Stephen
Minot. In 1701-02 Minot petitions for a license to keep an inn or tavern
at his house, nigh Roxbury gate. This is disapproved. In 1707 the George
Tavern is mentioned. In 1708-09 Samuel Meeres petitions to sell strong
drink as an innholder at the house of Stephen Minot, in the room of John
Gibbs, who is about to quit his license, and in 1722-23 he was still an
innholder there. In 1726 Simon Rogers was licensed. In 1733 Stephen Minot,
Jr., inherits the George Tavern, now in occupation of Simon Rogers. In
1734-35 occupied by Andrew Haliburton. In 1768 Gideon Gardner was
licensed. Stephen Minot, Jr., conveys to Samuel and William Brown in
1738; William Brown to Aaron Willard in 1792. In 1770 Thomas Bracket was
approved as a taverner in the house on the Neck called the King's Arms,
formerly the George Tavern, lately kept by Mrs. Bowdine. Aug. 1, 1775, the
George Tavern was burnt by the Regulars, writes Timothy Newell in his
diary.
[Illustration: THE EXCHANGE COFFEE HOUSE, 1803-1818 (Congress Square)]
=George=, corner Dock Square and Elm Street, see _Castle_.
=Globe=, northeast corner of Commercial and Hanover streets. In the _Book
of Possessions_ the estate of William Douglass. Eliphalet Hett and wife
Ann (Douglass) inherit; Nathaniel Parkman and wife Hannah (Hett) inherit.
In 1702 Hannah Parkman conveys to Edward Budd; Budd to James Barnard in
1708. Barnard to John Greenough in 1711. In the division of the Greenough
estate this was set off to William and Newman Greenough. Greenough to
Joseph Oliver in 1779. Oliver to Henry H. Williams in 1788. In 1741 and
1787 the Globe Tavern is mentioned in the _Town Records_.
=Goat=, locality not stated; in 1737 mentioned in the inventory of Elisha
Cooke.
=Golden Ball=, northwest corner of Merchants' Row and Corn Court. Edward
Tyng was the first owner of the land, Theodore Atkinson acquired before
1662, and conveys to Henry Deering in 1690. In 1731 part of Deering's
estate was the house known as the "Golden Ball," now occupied by Samuel
Tyley. Mary (Deering) Wilson inherits and bequeathes to her niece Mary
(Deering), wife of John Gooch. In 1795 Benjamin Gerrish Gray and wife Mary
(Gooch) convey to James Tisdale house known by the name of the Golden Ball
Tavern. In 1798 stores covered the site. In 1711 Samuel Tyley petitions
for renewal of his license upon his removal from the Salutation to Mr.
Deering's house in Merchants' Row. In 1757 it was kept by John Marston.
=Grand Turk, Sign of=, Washington Street, between Winter and Boylston. In
1789 Israel Hatch (innholder).
=Green Dragon=, west side of Union Street, north of Hanover. In the _Book
of Possessions_ James Johnson owned three fourths of an acre on the mill
pond. The next estate that separated him from Hanover Street was owned by
John Davis. In 1646 Johnson deeds to Thomas Marshall, and Marshall to
Thomas Hawkins. In 1645 John Davis deeds to John Trotman, whose wife
Katherine on the same day conveys to Thomas Hawkins. In 1671 Hawkins
mortgages to Samson Sheafe, and January, 1671-02, the property is
delivered to Sheafe. In 1672-03 Sheafe deeds part to John Howlett (see
_Star Tavern_), bounded northwest by William Stoughton. No deed is
recorded to Stoughton. Stoughton died in 1701, and this estate fell to his
granddaughter Mehitable, wife of Capt. Thomas Cooper. She later married
Peter Sargent and Simeon Stoddard. In 1743 her son Rev. William Cooper
conveys the brick dwelling called the Green Dragon Tavern to Dr. William
Douglass. On the division of the estate of Douglass this fell to his
sister Catherine Kerr, who in 1765 deeds to St. Andrews Lodge of Free
Masons. In 1798 it is described as a brick dwelling, three stories,
thirty-nine windows, with stable, value $3000. In 1714 William Patten,
late of Charlestown, petitions to sell strong drink as an innholder at the
Green Dragon in the room of Richard Pullen, who hath quitted his license
there.
=Gutteridge Coffee-House=, north side of State Street, between Washington
and Exchange streets. Robert Gutteridge was a tenant of Hezekiah Usher in
1688, and was licensed in 1691. In 1718 Mary Gutteridge petitions for the
renewal of her late husband's license to keep a public coffee-house.
[Illustration: EXCHANGE COFFEE-HOUSE, 1848
From State Street, looking south down Congress Square]
=Half Moon=, southwest side of Portland Street. Henry Pease was the owner
of the land in the _Book of Possessions_. He conveys to Thomas Matson in
1648, and Joshua Matson to Edward Cricke in 1685. In 1705 his widow
Deborah Cricke conveys to Thomas Gwin house commonly called "The Half
Moon." In 1713 Gwin sells to William Clarke. The children of Sarah
(Clarke) Kilby inherit and deed to John Bradford in 1760. His heirs were
owners in 1798. A brick house, two stories, thirty-nine windows, value
$4000.
=Hancock=, Corn Court. This property was acquired by John Kendric, who
sells to Robert Breck in 1652-53. Later owners, Thomas Watkins 1653, James
Green 1659, Samuel Green 1712, Thomas Bromfield 1760, Joseph Jackson 1763.
Jackson deeds to Morris Keefe in 1779, whose daughter Mary, wife of John
Duggan, inherits in 1795. In 1798 it was a wooden house, two stories,
twelve windows, value $1200.
=Hatch=, east side Tremont Street, between West and Boylston streets. The
land was a grant of the town to Richard Bellingham in 1665. Martin Sanders
acquires and deeds to Æneas Salter, and Salter to Sampson Sheaf in 1677.
Jacob Sheaf to Abiah Holbrook in 1753. Adm. of Rebecca Holbrook to Israel
Hatch in 1794. 1796 Israel Hatch (innkeeper).
=Hawk=, Summer Street. In 1740 mentioned in the _Town Records_.
=Horse Shoe=, east side of Tremont Street, between School and Bromfield
streets. In the _Book of Possessions_ this was part of the land of
Zaccheus Bosworth. His daughter Elizabeth and her husband John Morse
convey to John Evered, _alias_ Webb, in 1660; Webb to William Pollard in
1663. John Pollard deeds to Jonathan Pollard in 1722 the "Horse Shoe
Tavern." In 1782 the heirs of Pollard convey to George Hamblin, who
occupied it in 1798. A wooden house, two stories, eleven windows, value
$1500. In 1738 Alex Cochran was licensed here.
=Indian Queen=, later =Bromfield House=, south side of Bromfield Street.
The possession of William Aspinwall, who deeds the land to John Angier in
1652, and in the same year it passes to Sampson Shore and Theodore
Atkinson; Atkinson to Edward Rawson in 1653-54; Rawson to Robert Noaxe,
1672; Noaxe to Joseph Whitney, 1675; Whitney to Edward Bromfield, 1684;
Edward Bromfield, Jr., to Benjamin Kent, 1748; Ex. of Kent to Henry
Newman, 1760; Newman to John Ballard, 1782. In 1798 it was occupied by
Abel Wheelock, Trask, and Brown. A brick and wooden house, two stories,
thirty-four windows, value $4500, with a stable.
=Julien Restorator=, northwest corner of Milk and Congress streets. In the
_Book of Possessions_ John Spoor had a house and one acre here, which he
mortgaged to Nicholas Willis in 1648. In 1648-49 Henry Bridgham sold a
house on Washington Street to John Spoore, so it may be possible that they
exchanged lots. In 1655 Bridgham was the owner. He died in 1681, and his
widow in 1672. In 1680 his estate was divided among his three sons. John,
the eldest, settled in Ipswich, inherited the new house, and that included
the west portion. In 1719 he deeds his share to his nephew Joseph
Bridgham, who in 1734-35 conveys to Francis Borland, then measuring 106
ft. on Milk Street. Borland also bought a strip of James Dalton in 1763,
which addition reached the whole length of the lot, which has been
abridged by the laying out of Dalton's Lane (Congress Street). Francis
Borland died in 1763, and left the Milk Street estate to his son Francis
Lindall Borland, who was absent and feared to be dead. Jane Borland
married John Still Winthrop, and in 1765 the estate was divided among
the Winthrop children. These heirs conveyed the Congress Street corner
to Thomas Clement in 1787, and in 1794 he sold it to Jean Baptiste Gilbert
Payplat dis Julien (restorator). Julien died in 1806, and his heirs
conveyed it in 1823 to the Commercial Co. The house was taken down in
1824. In 1798 it was a wooden dwelling, three stories, eighteen windows,
value $6000.
[Illustration: VIEW OF TREMONT STREET, SHOWING THE "HATCH TAVERN" IN FRONT
OF THE "HAYMARKET THEATRE"
From an original painting by Robertson, now in the Boston Public Library]