Adams Papers Digital Edition

Adams Family Correspondence, volume 15

Louisa Catherine Adams to John Quincy Adams

Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson
453 Thomas Boylston Adams to James Sullivan, 23 October 1804 Adams, Thomas Boylston Sullivan, James
Thomas Boylston Adams to James Sullivan
Gentlemen Quincy 23d: October 1804.

Having waited some time in expectation of an answer to the last proposal, which I had the honor to submit to your consideration relative to the settlement of the dispute between the proprietors of the Middlesex Canal Company & the owners of the Teel farm at Medford, I am induced once more to call the attention of the Gentlemen of the Committee to this subject.1 The Season is already so far advanced that the removal of the house will not easily be effected this Autumn, unless the Committee should be persuaded to give orders for an immediate commencement of the work, & my instructions are such as will preclude me from giving any attention to the subject of compensation for damages, until the house is placed as remote from injury or inconvenience as it was before the Canal was cut before it.

The proposition of the Committee made some time since, to give the owners of the Teel farm an equal quantity of land in exchange for that which was taken by the Corporation—has not grown into much favor by being maturely considered. It is hoped the Committee will think of some indemnity more likely to meet acceptance.

It would be esteemed a favor, if the Committee would give a prompt attention to this business, and for my own convenience I will beg leave to suggest that a speedy answer would be very acceptable, as I have now an opportunity of conferring with all the proprietors; as the agent of whom / I have the honor to be, very respectfully / Gentlemen, / Your very hb̃le Servt

T. B. Adams.

RC (MHi:Richard Frothingham Papers); addressed: “Honble: James Sullivan Esqr / President of the Middlesex Canal Compy / Boston”; internal address: “Honble: James Sullivan Esqr: / Chairman of a Committee of the / Middlesex Canal Compy &ca”; endorsed: “Thos Adams Esqr’s / letter respecting / Teel farm. / Oct 23rd 1804.—”

 1.

An extension of the Middlesex Canal from Medford to Boston along the banks of the Mystic River cut through the Medford farm inherited by AA and her sisters from their father, for which see Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to AA, 9 March 1803, Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody from their father, for which see Peabody to AA, 9 March 1803, and note 1, above. The property was called Teel farm after its tenant, Benjamin Teel. The company did not negotiate compensation prior to cutting the canal through the property. Sullivan, as the company’s president, wrote to TBA on 6 Aug. 1804, proposing that the company trade six acres of contiguous land “in exchange for what we take from you; and a reasonable Sum be paid for removing the house over the canal on higher ground Where it may stand near the new road proposed by you.” TBA responded on 8 Aug. that he would visit Medford to view the tendered property (both MHi:Richard Frothingham Papers). As this letter indicates, TBA accepted the offer to move the house but rejected the property exchange. After he prepared documents to file suit seeking damages in 1805, the dispute 454 was settled on 14 May 1806 when the canal company paid JA, AA, and the Peabodys $800 for a strip of land comprising 4 ½ acres (vol. 5:472; TBA to William Smith Shaw, 24 April 1805, 5 Sept., both MHi:Misc. Bound Coll.; JA, “A plan of President Adams land taken for Middlesex Canal … to draw the deed by,” 21 April 1806, MH-BA:Baldwin Papers; Middlesex South Registry of Deeds, Cambridge:Middlesex County Deeds, 180:24–25).