Adams Papers Digital Edition

Legal Papers of John Adams, volume 3

Verdicts

Chronology
315 List of Streets, Buildings, and Other Landmarks Mentioned in the Boston Massacre Trials List of Streets, Buildings, and Other Landmarks Mentioned in the Boston Massacre Trials
List of Streets, Buildings, and Other Landmarks Mentioned in the Boston Massacre Trials

This is a brief, incomplete locator supplementing the John Bonner Map of 1769 and the Revere Plan, both of which appear as illustrations in the present volume. Streets and surviving buildings which today retain the names John Adams knew generally are not noted here, and all references are to 20th-century streets unless the prefix “old” appears; King Street is the sole exception.

Ann Street. North Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 14. Apthorp's. Not identified. Bagnall's. Not identified, but probably property of Benjamin Bagnall, merchant and watchmaker, west side of old Cornhill between Dock Square and old Queen Street. Thwing Catalogue, MHi. Blind Lane. Bedford Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 57. Boston Neck. See Neck. Bowes' Corner. The southeast corner of King and old Main streets. See Revere Plan. Boylston's Alley. “A passageway from the end of that part of Cornhill now a part of Washington street to Brattle street . . . included in the extension of Washington street to Haymarket square, 1872.” Boston Streets, &c., 1910 66. Brattle Square Church. Samuel Cooper (1725–1783) was pastor. See Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 99. Brick Meeting House. See First Church. Bull's Wharf. At the foot of Summer Street, Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 805, and probably now a part thereof. Bunch of Grapes. Tavern at the southeast corner of Kilby and King streets. Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 137. Byles' Meeting House. See Hollis Street Church. Calef's (or Calf's) Corner. At the intersection of old Newbury and old Pond streets. See Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 180. But possibly the northwest corner of Milk and Congress streets. See J. H. Stark, Antique Views of ye Towne of Boston, 75–76 (Boston 1901). Chapple, The. Presumably King's Chapel. Chauncey's, Dr. See First Church. Coffee House, The. Presumably the British Coffee House, on the north side of King Street between old Pierce's Alley and Merchants Row. See Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 138. Common Street. Tremont Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 125. Concert Hall. Owned by Gilbert and Lewis Deblois. On the northeast side of Hanover Street, at what used to be Scollay Square. See Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 85–86. 316 Conduit. “Near Dock square in the open space formed by the junction of Union street, Wings lane (now Elm street) and Ann (later Conduit, now North) street . . . 'The Conduit was a large reservoir about 12 feet square made for holding water conveyed to it by pipes leading from neighboring wells and springs for the purpose of extinguishing fires and supplying the inhabitants dwelling near it with water for domestic purposes.'” Boston Streets, &c., 1910 127. Cooper's, Dr. See Brattle Square Church. Cooper's Lane, Dr. Apparently connecting Dock Square and Brattle Square. It may be identified with Cooper's Alley, “the easterly end of Brattle street so called.” Boston Streets, &c., 1910 130. Corn Court. An irregular alley leading from Faneuil Hall Square to Merchants Row. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 133. Cornhill. That part of Washington Street from School Street to Dock Square. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 134. Court Square. See Revere Plan. This should be Half Court Square, also known as Half Square Court, “the way leading from King street to Pudding lane,” Boston Streets, &c., 1910 224. A sign on the spot today reads “Quaker Lane,” but this is apparently incorrect. Cow Lane. High Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 137. Crooked Lane. Devonshire Street from King Street to Dock Square. Sometimes called Wilson's Lane. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 140, 506. Custom House. Northeast corner of King Street and old Exchange Lane. Dalton's. James Dalton had owned the land on the west side of present Congress Street between Milk and Water streets, now occupied by the United States Post Office and Court House. See Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 145. Davis' Shop. Across King Street from the Custom House. See Revere Plan. Deblois' Shop. Lewis Deblois (brother of Gilbert Deblois, one of Preston's jurors) was a merchant. See Jones, Loyalists of Mass. 117–118. The location of his shop seems to have been at the sign of the Golden Eagle, “Kept by Lewis Deblois in 1769.” Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 810. Dehone's. Theodore Dehon, perukemaker, owned the house which Benjamin Kent occupied, north side of King Street across from the Town House. See Thwing Catalogue, MHi, and Revere Plan. Presumably it was his shop that was involved in Gray v. Pitts, No. 6. Dock. See Town Dock. Elliot's. Probably at the corner of Dock Square and old Wilson's Lane. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 172. Exchange Corner. Probably the northwest corner of King Street and old Exchange Lane. See Revere Plan. Exchange Lane. See Royal Exchange Lane. First Church. On the west side of old Cornhill near Queen Street, it was also known as the Old Brick. Whitehill, Boston, A Topographical History 27. Charles Chauncy (1705–1787) was pastor. See Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 132–133. 317 Fitch's Alley. See Pierce's Alley. Fore Street. A part of North Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 190, 192; Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 809. Fortification. On Boston Neck, at the intersection of Dover and Washington streets. See Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets , map opposite 228. Gerrish's Vendue. See Hunter's Vendue. Golden Ball. A tavern at the northwest corner of Merchants Row and Corn Court, kept by John Marston. Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 130–131. Gore's Shop. Not identified, but almost certainly house and land purchased by Jeremiah Gore, a carter, 30 December 1769, located on old Orange Street, south of Boylston Street. Thwing Catalogue, MHi. Green Dragon. A tavern on the west side of Union Street north of Hanover Street. Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 88. Green's Barracks. Part of the 29th Regiment was barracked in a large store in old Green's Lane, “belonging to Major Green, distiller.” Everard, History of the 29th Regiment 58; Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 752. Green's Lane. Congress Street south of Milk Street. Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 803, 810; Boston Streets, &c., 1910 218. Greenleaf's. Not identified, but in or near old Exchange Lane; not to be confused with the residence of Sheriff Stephen Greenleaf, which “was in what is now Tremont street, near the site of the Masonic Temple.” Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 654. Griffin's Wharf. Site of the Tea Party in 1773, at the foot of old Hutchinson Street. Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 195; Boston Streets, &c., 1910 361. Guard House. See Main Guard. Hancock's Warehouse. Not identified. Hancock's Wharf. Now the north side of Lewis Wharf. Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 40. Hogg Lane. Hogg Alley ran from old Newbury Street to old Common Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 245. Hollis Street Church. At Boston Neck on Hollis Street near old Orange Street. Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets, map opposite 228. Its pastor from 1732 to 1777 was witty Mather Byles (1706–1788). See id. at 239. On Byles as a punster, see 3 JA, Diary and Autobiography   289. Hubbard's Comer. See Post Office. Hubbard's Warehouse. This building has not been precisely identified. But Tuthill and Thomas Hubbard had been connected with the tavern known variously as The Vernon Head, or The Admiral Vernon, at the northeast corner of Merchants Row and King Street. Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 136. Hunter's Vendue. Formerly Gerrish's, apparently in old Royal Exchange Lane near Dock Square. Thwing Catalogue, MHi, is inconclusive. 318 Hutchinson Street. Pearl Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 254. Hyrons', Dr. Apparently on Brattle Street opposite Murray's Barracks. Jackson's, Col. Not identified, but apparently near Dock Square. Jackson's Corner. “In Dock square at the head of Town Dock, 1732. There was at the same time a corner at the Mill creek in Ann street of the same name.” Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 811. But the tory William Jackson, who testified at Preston's trial, bore the nickname “Brasenhead,” an apparent reference to the tavern at the northeast corner of King Street and old Cornhill which in 1760 had been kept by the widow Mary Jackson. See 1 Adams Family Correspondence   380; Rex v. Preston (No. 63) at note 53; Revere Plan; Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 18. In the present context, Jackson's Corner was most probably the Brazen Head. Jackson's Shop. See Jackson's Corner. Jenkins Alley or Lane. Not identified. Jones' Shop. Probably on old Cornhill opposite the head of the south branch of King Street. See Revere Plan. Kent's. See Dehone's. King Street. State Street. King's Chapel. Still standing, on the corner of Tremont and School streets. Liberty Tree. At the southeast corner of Essex and old Orange streets. Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 235. Long Lane. Federal Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 286. Long Wharf. Extending from foot of King Street. Loring's, Dr. Not identified, but probably in old Cornhill. Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 779. Main Guard. On the south side of King Street, opposite the Town House. Main Street. The street which was called Cornhill in the vicinity of King Street; Marlborough Street and Newbury Street in the South End; and Orange Street at the Neck. Now Washington Street. Revere Plan; Boston Streets, &c., 1910 484. Market Square. Faneuil Hall Square. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 300. Marlborough Street. Washington Street from School Street to Summer Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 484. Marston's. See Golden Ball. Another tavern, at the head of Griffin's Wharf, kept by a Mrs. Marston, has not been identified. Middle Street. Hanover Street from the Mill Creek to North Bennet Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 310. Middle Town. Probably the Dock Square-King Street area. See Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 78. Mill Bridge. The Middle Street bridge over the Mill Creek; more recently the intersection of Hanover and Blackstone streets. See Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 28; Boston Streets, &c., 1910 55, 312. Mill Creek. “An outlet from the Mill pond to the town dock; . . . Black-stone street was laid out over a large extent of the creek in October, 1833.” Boston Streets, &c., 1910 312. 319 Mill Pond. A dammed-in, later filled-in, cove of the Charles River near the present site of North Station. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 313, 468. Murray's Barracks. The 14th Regiment was barracked in the sugar house owned by James Murray and James Smith. Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 777. This was located on Brattle Street, but the exact site is uncertain. Compare Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 102 with Kidder, History of the Boston Massacre , frontispiece map. Neck, The. A causeway at the south end of Boston, forty yards broad and so low that tides sometimes covered it; it was, until 1785, “the only thoroughfare leading to the neighboring towns.” Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 229. Newbury Street. Washington Street between Summer and Essex streets. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 484. North End. That section of Boston north of Dock Square. Old Brick. See First Church. Old South Meeting House. Still standing, on the corner of Milk and Washington streets. Joseph Sewall (1689–1769) had been the pastor from 1713 to 1769. Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 759. Oliver's Dock. Between the Town Dock and Long Wharf. Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 814. Orange Street. Washington Street between Essex and Dover streets. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 484. Payne's, Mr. Edward Payne (also spelled Pain and Paine) owned the building across King Street from the Custom House. See Revere Plan. Peck's Corner. The southeast corner of old Court Square and King Street. See Revere Plan. Phillips' Corner. The southwest corner of old Pudding Lane and King Street. See Revere Plan. Pierce's Alley. Change Avenue. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 367. Pond Street. Bedford Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 371. Post Office. At the corner (probably northwest) of old Cornhill and old Queen Street. See Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 20. Preston's Lodgings. Not identified. Price's Office. Ezekiel Price, Register of the Court of Vice-Admiralty, was also an insurance broker with an office on the south side of King Street, immediately east of the Main Guard, opposite the Town House. See Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 104; Revere Plan. Prison Lane. West end of old Queen Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 377. Pudding Lane. Devonshire Street between King and Water streets. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 379. Pump. See Town Pump. Quaker Lane. Congress Street between King and Water streets. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 385. Queen Street. Court Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 385. Quincy's, Justice. Not identified, but apparently in the Dock Square area. 320 Quincy's Office, Mr. Not identified, but apparently on the south side of King Street, opposite the Town House. Ropewalks. On old Hutchinson Street south of Milk Street. Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 188. Rowe's Barracks. Not identified. Rowe, Letters and Diary , sheds no light on this point. Rowe's Wharf. Opposite High and Broad streets. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 403. Royal Exchange Lane. Exchange Street. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 404. Royal Exchange Tavern. At the northwest corner of old Royal Exchange Lane and King Street. Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 136. School House Lane. Not identified. Sewall's Meeting, Dr. See Old South Meeting House. Sherwin's. Not identified. Silsby's Alley. Not identified. Simpson's Store. Not identified, but apparently in Dock Square and called the Stone Store. Smith's Barracks. See Murray's Barracks. South Church. Old South Meeting House. South End. That section of Boston south of Milk Street. South Meeting House. See Old South Meeting House. Stocks. See Town Stocks. Stone Store. See Simpson's Store. Stone's Door. See Stone's House. Stone's House. Probably the Royal Exchange Tavern. See Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 136. Sugar House Barracks. See Murray's Barracks. Swing Bridge. Connected old Ann Street to the Town Dock; now a part of Merchants Row. Boston Streets, &c., 1910 451; Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 130. Sylvester's. Not identified. Three Kings. “Thomas Knight's sign in Cornhill, 1762–1770; English and West India goods.” Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 818. Torrey's. Not identified. Town Dock. “Originally an arm of the town cove, sweeping inward from near the corner of the present Merchants row and South Market street, on the south, and from Ann (now North) street on the opposite side, extending northwardly, almost to the foot of Brattle street.” Boston Streets, &c., 1910 460. Town House. At the head of King Street. Still standing, but now called the Old State House. Town Pump. At the intersection of old Queen Street and old Cornhill. Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 818. Town Stocks. Near the lower (east) end of the Town House. Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 717. 321 Vernon the Barber's Shop. On the southwest corner of old Quaker Lane and King Street. See Revere Plan. Waldo's Shop. On the southeast corner of old Pudding Lane and King Street. See Revere Plan. Walker's Corner. Not identified. Walley's. Not identified. Warden's Shop. See Vernon the Barber's Shop. Watch House. Not identified, but apparently near the Town House in the north branch of King Street. Wentworth's Wharf. “Next north of Mill Creek.” Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 819. Wheelwright's Wharf. “By the South Battery” near Broad Street and Atlantic Avenue. Drake, History and Antiquities of Boston 819. Next south from Rowe's Wharf. Id. at 809. Whipping Post. In King Street southeast of the Town House. Thwing, Crooked and Narrow Streets 135; see Revere Plan. Wilson's Lane. See Crooked Lane.