Dorchester Illustration 2344 Nahum Capen

2344 Nahum Capen 1859

Dorchester Illustration no. 2344    Nahum Capen    

Nahum Capen was a publisher and writer, tireless student of natural science and of politics, counsellor of statesmen and authors, Postmaster of Boston, 1857-61, and the originator of important improvements in the postal service.  Capen lived at the top of Mt. Ida (Ronan Park).

Today’s illustration is an engraving published in Ballou’s Pictorial in 1859 along with an article about Capen.

Capen intended to go into medicine and began to study with Dr. Robert Capen, his brother, but ill health prevented him from continuing.  At the age of nineteen he re-wrote Plutarch’s Lives, and his interest in literature led to joining the publishing and book-selling firm of Marsh, Capen & Lyon.  Capen saw the genius of Hawthorne and published the author’s first work.  The works of many well-known authors were published under his tenure.

In 1837 Mr. Capen wrote letters favoring an international copyright law (his own firm being the first, it is said, to pay a premium to foreign authors); and in 1844 he sent Congress an eloquent memorial advocating the passage of such a law.

After a trip to Europe, Capen, out of a wish to elevate the standard of education in this country, prepared plans for a preliminary school to be succeeded by a university.  The interest which he manifested in the cause of education induced the Board of Education of Massachusetts to select Capen’s firm to publish the School Library, becoming ultimately 37 volumes approved for the use of schools.

President Buchanan appointed Capen Postmaster at Boston in 1857 in recognition of his eminent services to his party.  Many improvements in the postal service date their origin from his official term, and were adopted at his suggestion.  He is given credit for more improvements than had been adopted during the century up to that time, among them being the street letter boxes, stations of delivery in large cities, and free delivery.

Capen wrote three out of four projected volumes of The History of Democracy; or Political Progress historically illustrated from the Earliest to the Latest Period.   The first volume of 700 pages was published in 1874, and volumes two and three were in manuscript form at his death in 1886.

He was also a believer in phrenology, a pseudo-science that has now been totally debunked as bonehead science.  Phrenology is based on the belief that the shape of one’s skull indicates one’s character and mental ability.

 

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Dorchester Illustration 2343 Fire at Frost Coal

2343 Frost Coal & Oil Co fire 04-23-1944 Dorchester

Dorchester Illustration no. 2343    Fire at Frost Coal    

On April 23, 1944, a fire broke out at the Frost Coal Company, located in Neponset on the Neponset River edge, between the traffic bridge and the railroad bridge.  The location is down behind the Sozio appliance store and Planet Fitness.  The company was established at this location in 1869 by George E. Frost, who died in 1920.  He had a house built at 2 Frost Avenue, the corner of Frost Avenue and Boutwell Street, that later became a club house for the Redberry Council and Knights of Columbus.

The Dorchester Historical Society has a series nine photographs of the fire, but the illustration shown today comes from the Boston Fire Historical Society’s website.  It has the most encompassing view of the area.

The 1933 atlas shows that the structures were wood-frame.  The Boston Globe reported that a five-alarm fire caused damage estimated at $300,000 to the coal company and an adjacent shipyard.  More than 20 families were force out of their nearby homes.  Thomas H. Kelley of Florida Street, one of the crew of 300 men fighting the fire, was injured, suffering lacerations to his right arm.  Several wooden storage buildings containing 2000 tons of anthracite coal billowed up in 1000-foot high clouds of smoke.  The fire spread to the Lockery and Butts boathouse (Thomas Lockerly and Edward Butts), destroying about 225 pleasure cruisers, yachts and sailboats.

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Dorchester Illustration 2343 Doherty Brothers

2342 Gerald Michael Doherty and John Andrew Doherty

Dorchester Illustration no. 2342    Doherty Brothers    

 

At the Dorchester Historical Society, we are in the process of a year-long project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I. Using a collection of photographs we have of WWI Dorchester residents, we will be featuring servicemen in a number of short biographies throughout the year. At the culmination of the project, we hope to produce an online exhibit which highlights these men and their service to our country.

Our next biography features: 3 Doherty Brothers: John A., Gerald M., and Francis R. Doherty

Gerald is on the left in the illustration and John is on the right.

These brothers are cousins to Tristram Campbell whose biography was previously written and the family asked if we might do a biography on the Doherty brothers. They kindly shared some family information.

The Doherty brothers were born to parents Daniel Francis Doherty and Augusta Bridget Williams, both born in Boston. John Andrew was born September 4, 1894, Gerald Michael was born February 25, 1896 and Francis Raphael was born June 25, 1898 all on Forest Street, Boston. The father was listed as a merchant, a foreman and then a coal and wood dealer.

In the 1900 census, there is an elder brother, Daniel F. Jr., a younger sister, Mary and a servant Maggie Connolly from Ireland. They were still living at 58 Forest Street. The father was a coal dealer and he owned the home.

By the 1910 census, 4 more siblings had been born; James, Augusta, Theodore and Joseph, the youngest, who died at age 2. The family was living at 16 Mather Street and the father is listed as a foreman in the coal business.

John Andrew graduated from Boston Latin School and then Harvard College in 1916. There he was a quarterback (Jack) on the football team and member of the Hasty Pudding Club. On June 5, 1917, at age 22, he registered for the draft. He was living on Mather Street. His occupation was listed as a Draughtsman for Stone & Webster Engineering Corp. on Milk Street, Boston.  As an exemption he claimed a probable appointment as engineer with the Sanitary Department, Mass Health Department (a position he actually did hold for 3 weeks).  He was listed as single and he was tall and slender with blue eyes and reddish hair. He entered Officer’s Training Camp in Plattsburg, New York in August 1917; was commissioned 1st Lieutenant, U.S. Army, November 27; sailed to France January 12, 1918 as casual; assigned to Company L, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, March 25 and was sadly killed in action on July 18 1918 near Soissons, France during the Second Battle of the Marne. He had also been engaged in defensive sectors at Cantigny, Noyon-Montdidier, Ansauville and Chateau-Thierry. He is buried in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, Seringes-et-Nesles, France. The playground on Dorchester Avenue at Fields Corner (Town Field) was named for John A. Doherty in September1920 and is now called the “Doherty-Gibson Playground” although there is no plaque or signage at this this time. (Gibson is the name of the street that runs from the field to Adams Street.)

Gerald Michael, having graduated from Dorchester High School about 1912 or 1914, joined the Navy at 21 years old on May 28, 1917 at the Navy Yard, U.S.N.R.F. (United States Naval Reserve Forces). He served as a bugler (Jerry the Bugler) at the District Enrolling Office, Boston and the Cadet School, Boston, from June 4, 1917 to November 27, 1917, then with the Naval Aviation Detachment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, through December 24, 1918. He was the Admiral’s bugler and he played in the Navy band. He was honorably discharged on May 27, 1921 on the expiration of his enrollment.

On September 12, 1918, Francis Raphael, 20 years old, living at 16 Mather Street, registered for the draft at the local exemption board, Division 20, 164 Ashmont Street, Dorchester. He is described as medium height and build with brown eyes and hair. He is listed as a shipfitter’s helper at Bethlehem Shipbuilding Victory Plant, Squantum. (Bethlehem Steel operated an emergency facility at Squantum Point to build destroyers during WW1.) His nearest relative is listed as his father, Daniel F., 200 Freeport Street, The Doherty Coal Company, Dorchester, Mass.  There is no record of him actually called to active service.

On December 24, 1919, their mother, Augusta, having been ill, died at age 52, and was buried in Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline. And in 1920, the father was still living at 16 Mather Street with his 7 children and their servant. He was a dealer in the retail coal business, Daniel Jr., a collector in the coal business and Gerald, a clerk in the coal business.

By 1926, Gerald was married to Doris R. Taylor and they are living at 13 Victory Avenue, E. Milton and he is in the insurance business. In 1930, Gerald and Doris have 4 sons and a maid. The eldest son is named John Andrew after his uncle who died in WW1. Gerald M. Jr. (Freddy), Paul and Eugene followed. They are still living on Victory Avenue, Quincy/E. Milton and Gerald M. is an insurance broker.

In 1930, Francis R. is still living at 16 Mather Street with his father and 3 younger siblings. The father is still a coal merchant and Francis R. is a municipal teacher. The father owned the home and a radio set. Later that year, on October 22, 1930, the father, Daniel F., age 69, diedand was buried with his wife in Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline, where he was a member of the board.

In 1940, Gerald and his family are living on Laudholm Road, Newton, and there are now 5 children and a servant. The youngest son, Bernard, was born in 1931. Gerald’s brother, Francis, is living on Park Street, Dorchester, with his 2 younger sisters, a lodger and the family’s long-time servant, Margaret Connolly. Francis was a gardener for the Cemetery Association.

Francis is found in WWII Army enlistment records, October 12, 1942. His education level is listed as four years of college (Boston College) and his occupation as gardener and grounds keeper for parks, cemeteries etc. He was single with dependents.

Gerald registered for the draft in 1942 at age 46. His employer was Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Co., 89 Broad Street, Boston and his next of kin was Mrs. Doris R. Doherty, 22 Laudholm Road, Newton. By the time Gerald had retired at age 60, he had been in the insurance business for more than 50 years and had been manager of the Continental American Life Insurance Co. and later Equitable Life Assurance Co., both of Boston. Before his retirement in 1969, he was a broker specializing in group insurance. He was a member of the Million Dollar Round Table of Group Insurance and belonged to the Clover Club of Boston and the Cross Cup Pishon American Legion Post.

Gerald died after a long illness, at age 78, on July 26, 1974 in a Framingham Nursing Home, with his last residence listed as Woodridge Road in Wayland, MA. He was survived by his wife, 4 sons, 3 brothers, 2 sisters, 19 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. A mass was celebrated at St. Anne’s Church in Wayland and he was buried at Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline. Sadly, his son, Gerald M. Jr. died suddenly earlier in the month, July 5, 1974, in Falmouth while swimming. He is also buried at Holyhood Cemetery.

Francis (Frank) died, at age 78, on November 18, 1976. His occupation was listed as custodian of St. Mark’s Church.  He was a Charter Member of St. Marks’s Holy Name Society. His funeral was from St. Mark’s Church, Dorchester (John Mulry Funeral Home, 2 King St. at Dorchester Ave.) and he was buried at Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline. He was survived by 4 of his siblings (2 sisters and 2 brothers).

Do you know more about the Doherty Brothers? We would love to hear from you! All material has been researched by volunteers  at the Dorchester Historical Society, so please let us know if we got something wrong or you think a piece of the story is missing!

REFERENCES:

American Battle Monuments Commission, www.abmc.gov

Army Enlistment Records, WWII; FamilySearch.org

Birth Records, Massachusetts; FamilySearch.org

Death Records, Massachusetts; FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com and Registry, Mt. Vernon St.

Draft Registration Card, WW1; FamilySearch.org

Draft Registration Card, WWII; Ancestry.com

Find A Grave Index; Ancestry.com

Harvard Alumni Association; Harvard’s Military Records in the World War, edited by Frederick Sumner Mead, 1921, 142 pgs.

Mark Antony DeWolfe Howe; Memoirs of the Harvard Dead in the War Against Germany, Vol 3

Obituary/Death Notices; Boston Globe, July 27, 1974 and November 19, 1976

Park Naming Request/Declaration; City Archives, West Roxbury, MA

Service Records; The Adjutant General ‘s Office, Archives-Museum Branch, Concord, MA

U.S. Census Records, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940; FamilySearch.org

U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995; Ancestry.com

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; Ancestry.com

U.S. Public Records, 1970-2009; FamilySearch.org

U.S. Social Security Death Index; FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com

 

 

 

 

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2018 March 15 7:30 pm Dorchester Trivia Night at the Boston Brewing Company

Come test your knowledge of all things Dorchester!

The Dorchester Historical Society presents Episode II of the very popular trivia night.

Hosted at the Dorchester Brewing Company, 1250 Massachusetts Avenue, Dorchester

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Dorchester Illustration 2341 Albert Little

2341 Albert Little

Dorchester Illustration no. 2341    Albert Little    

 At the Dorchester Historical Society, we are in the process of a year-long project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I. Using a collection of photographs we have of WWI Dorchester residents, we will be featuring servicemen in a number of short biographies throughout the year. At the culmination of the project, we hope to produce an online exhibit which highlights these men and their service to our country.

Our next biography features:  Albert W. Little1924.0001.073

Albert W. Little was born on August 19, 1898 on Lonsdale Street, Dorchester, to Melvin Clarence Little, a broker, and Maud Emmeline Smith. Both parents were born in Massachusetts, Maud in Boston. (Albert was listed as Alfred by Dr. Perkins.)

In 1910, the family lived on Fuller Street. Albert had an older sister, Mildred, and 3 younger brothers, Charles W., Richard M. and Frank B.  Albert’s father was listed as a vinegar dealer and Albert worked with him. By 1917, Albert is listed as a salesman in a city directory.

Albert enlisted in the National Guard at Boston on April 4, 1917. He reported for duty on July 25, 1917 and was mustered August 5, 1917 as Private (Private First Class on September 19, 1917). He was with 3 Co. CAC (18 Co. Boston CAC) until August 27, 1917 and then Battery F, 55th Artillery, CAC until discharge. {The U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps (CAC) was an administrative corps responsible for coastal, harbor, and anti-aircraft defense of the United States between 1901 and 1950. The CAC also operated heavy and railway artillery during World War I.} Albert had served overseas from May 25, 1918 to January 22, 1919 and was honorably discharged on February 8, 1919.

In 1920, the family was still living in the rented home on Fuller Street, but now Albert has 3 more siblings; a sister Grace, a brother Melvin T. and another sister, Dorothy Maud. The father is listed as a salesman, Produce Company. Albert is also listed as a salesman and City Directories (1920-1922) indicate he was working on Essex Street.

By 1930, the family owned a home on North Street, Weymouth. Albert is listed as a traveling salesman, Importers.

In 1940, Albert’s father died in Barnstable, Massachusetts and Albert is found living with his wife, Ruth P.(Leighton), and their 3 children, Donna, Cynthia and Gerald  onEast St., Weymouth. Albert was a cloth salesman. By 1941/42, he was living on Essex Street, E. Weymouth, and was a salesman for Harry Small.

By 1957, the family had moved one last time to Standish Street, N. Weymouth and Albert was working for Harry Small Associates in textiles. From 1961-66,he worked with a partner as the company is now called Tarko& Little.

According to his death record, Albert died (CA pancreas) at age 73 on December 22, 1971 while at the N.E. Rehabilitation Center in Woburn, MA. His home residence was given as Standish Street, North Weymouth. His wife was the informant. He was listed as a textile salesman and was buried in the North Weymouth Cemetery on December 24, 1971. He was survived by his wife and mother. His mother died a year later at 97.

Do you know more about Albert W. Little? We would love to hear from you! All material has been researched by volunteers  at the Dorchester Historical Society, so please let us know if we got something wrong or you think a piece of the story is missing!

REFERENCES:

Birth Record; FamilySearch.org

Census Records; Federal, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940; FamilySearch.org

Death Record; Vital Statistics, Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester

Directories: 1917, 1920-22, 1941-42, 1957, 1961-66; Ancestry.com

Dr. Perkins photo album

Service Record; TheAdjutant General Office, Archives-Museum Branch, Concord, MA

Wikipedia.org: U.S. Coast Artillery Corps

 

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Dorchester Illustration 2340 Dorchester House Doll Parade

2340 Dorchester House Doll Parade

Dorchester Illustration no. 2340     Dorchester House Doll Parade

 This 1945 photo shows from left to right three cousins representing Liberty, Victory and the Red Cross.  Martha McKinnon was 6 years old, Judy Dean 5 years old and Marylin [sic] McLeod 5 years old.

A viewer in 1945 may have wondered how life would turn out for the three cousins.  Would they remain friends?  Would they live near each other or far apart.

Does anyone know  these three and their stories?

 

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Dorchester Illustration 2339 Patrick Joseph McLoughlin

2339 Patrick McLoughlin 1918

 

Dorchester Illustration no. 2339     Patrick Joseph McLoughlin

 

Mary McLoughlin Boucher has been following our World War I servicemen blog posts and contacted us about her grandfather, who was a lifelong Dorchester resident and veteran of World War I. We are honored to have another serviceman to feature in our exhibit.

PATRICK JOSEPH MCLOUGHLIN

Patrick Joseph McLoughlin was born in Ardnisbrack, Ballygawley, Sligo, Ireland on September 14, 1892. He was one of nine children of James and Catherine McLoughlin. Patrick immigrated to the United States in 1915. Three years later, Patrick joined the United States Army.

Patrick enlisted in the United States Army in Dorchester on June 25, 1918. He served as a private Company B of the 70th Engineers. He never left the United States during his service; he was stationed in Salt Lake City, Utah where one of his assignments was to guard German prisoners of war who were being held there at Fort Douglas. Patrick was honorably discharged at Camp Devens on December 30, 1918. During his time in the Army, Patrick became a United States citizen; he was naturalized on July 12, 1918.

After his discharge, Patrick stayed in Boston and, in 1920, is living with his sister, Catherine, and her family on Greenwich Street in Dorchester. In 1922, Patrick applied for a United States passport in order to return to Ireland with his sister’s son, his nephew John. However, Patrick returned to the United States and his sister’s home. While on the voyage back to the United States, Patrick met his future wife, another Irish immigrant who had been in the United States since 1915, a young woman named Bridget Gunning. Patrick and Bridget married in Boston in 1926.

The young couple settled in Dorchester where they would remain together until Patrick’s death in 1972. In 1930, Patrick and Bridget are living in Dorchester, renting an apartment at 69 Adams Street with their two year old son, James. Patrick is listed as a railroad inspector and a veteran of World War I. By the 1940 census, the family has grown to a family of 5, with the addition of two sons: John and Thomas. The family is now living at 34 Olney Street and Patrick is listed as the homeowner. Patrick is still working as a railroad inspector and we see from the city directory that he is employed by the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company.

Patrick remained in Dorchester until his death on December 9, 1972. At the time of his death, he was a grandfather to nine grandchildren (later to become twelve!). He was a member of the Brotherhood Railroad Carmen of America Local No. 232 and St. Peter’s Holy Name Society.

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Dorchester Illustration 2338 Marion E. Voye

2338 Marion E Voye

 

Dorchester Illustration no. 2338     Marion E. Voye

At the Dorchester Historical Society, we are in the process of a year-long project to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of World War I. Using a collection of photographs we have of World War I Dorchester residents, we will be featuring soldiers in a number of short biographies throughout the year. At the culmination of the project, we hope to produce an online exhibit which highlights these men and their service to our country.

Our next biography features a woman: Marion E. Voye

Marion was born in Boston on December 20, 1894, to parents Albert and Alice (Douglas) Voye. Her parents were both Canadian immigrants, her father from Nova Scotia and her mother from New Brunswick. At the time of her birth, Marion’s father was listed as a grocer but by the 1900 census, he is listed as a life insurance agent. Her mother, Alice, stayed at home and raised Marion and her three sisters – Helen, Alice, and her younger sister, Edith (Marion was the third child). The family lived at 56 Sanford Street, in the Lower Mills neighborhood of Dorchester.

In 1910, the family is still living in Lower Mills but on nearby Temple Street and they are now a family of eight. Marion gained two more younger siblings: Doris and Albert, Jr. It also appears that Marion’s father changed jobs and is working at the nearby Walter Baker Chocolate Factory as a chocolate maker, as most of the men in the neighborhood did. Marion’s maternal grandmother was also living with the family. Tragically, in 1917 when Marion was 22, her younger brother, Albert, drowned in the Neponset River when he was only 12 years old. The Boston Globe reported that the boy drowned when he fell off the bridge near the Walter Baker Chocolate Factory when he was “dared” by his friends to walk across the trestles of the bridge.

A little over a year later, on August 25, 1918, when Marion was 23 years old, she left New York City for France as a member of the United States Army Nurse Corps (ANC). Once in France, she worked at the ANC Base Hospital No. 51 which was based in Toul. She left France from Brest on February 26, 1919 aboard the Leviathan and arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey on March 6, 1919.

A little over three months after returning home from Europe, Marion married a railroad engineer from Pennsylvania named Howard Mitchell on July 16, 1919 in Boston. By the 1920 census, Marion and Howard are living with Howard’s family in Factoryville, Pennsylvania. Howard was also a veteran of World War I, having served on the battlefields of Verdun, France. Their only child, Howard Chester, was born on July 12, 1921 in Scranton. However, by 1930, Marion and her young family of three have moved back to her hometown and she is again living on Sanford Street; this time at number 14. Howard is listed as a machinist at a factory and Marion staying at home. Interestingly, on the census, only Howard is listed as a veteran of World War I.

At some point before 1940, Howard and Marion divorced. In the 1940 census, Marion and their son, Howard, are living in a home that she owns at 179 Thacher Street in Milton. She also appears to be renting a room to a public school teacher. Marion has also resumed working as a nurse and listed as working in “private duty.” According to the City Directory for Milton, Marion is still living in Milton until at least 1945 and Howard, her son, is now in the United States Air Force.

Unfortunately, not much is known about Marion and her life after 1945. She appears to have moved to California at some point and remarried someone with the last name of “Breen” as this was the last name listed on her death certificate; she died on December 7, 1981 in San Bernardino County. She is buried at the Riverside National Cemetery where she is listed as a lieutenant, nurse in the United States Army.

Sources:

Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.

Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2012.

Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.

Ancestry.com. California, Death Index, 1940-1997 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA:

Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000.

Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.

Ancestry.com. U.S., Army Transport Service, Passenger Lists, 1910-1939 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2016.

Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.

“Dorchester Man is Victim of Drowning,” Boston Globe, 20 Apr 1917.

Military, Compiled Service Records. World War I. Carded Records. Records of the Military Division of the Adjutant General’s Office, Massachusetts National Guard.

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Dorchester Illustration 2337 Sewell Rich

2337 Sewell Rich

 

Dorchester Illustration no. 2337     Sewell Wilcutt Rich

At the Dorchester Historical Society, we are in the process of a year-long project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I. Using a collection of photographs we have of WWI Dorchester residents, we will be featuring servicemen in a number of short biographies throughout the year. At the culmination of the project, we hope to produce an online exhibit which highlights these men and their service to our country.

Our next biography features: SEWELL WILCUTT RICH

Sewell was born 26 December 1894 in Cohasset, Massachusetts to Thomas A. Rich, a hair salesman born in Mass. and Mary A. Wellman, born in Waldoboro, Maine.

In 1900, Sewell was the youngest of 3 children. His brother Thomas W. was 15 years old and his sister Anna L. was 9 years old. By 1910, the family was living on Frost Avenue, Dorchester and the elder brother was no longer at home. Sewell graduated from the Osgood Primary School, Cohasset in 1900, Mary Hemingway School, Dorchester in 1907 and Mechanics Art High, Boston in 1908/09.

In 1917, Sewell registered for the draft. His occupation was listed as an automobile mechanic at Franklin Motor Car Co., Commonwealth Avenue, Boston and his residence as Radford Lane. He was tall with medium build, gray eyes and dark brown hair.

He enlisted in the Massachusetts Calvary Headquarters Department May 1916 and was on the Mexican border by June 1916. At age 22, he enlisted in the National Guard at Allston, Mass. on June 7, 1916 with D Troop, Separate Squadron, Cavalry, Massachusetts National Guard through August 5, 1917. He had been stationed at Fort Bliss (headquartered in El Paso, Texas) for five months.  On return from the border, he was called for service again in June 1917, transferred to Co. B, 102nd Machine Gun Battalion through April 20, 1918. He had been promoted from Private to Corporal, July 23, 1917, mustered August 1, 1917 and sent to France on September 1917. He was in front line trenches by February 1918 and promoted to Sergeant. He was engaged in the Defensive sectors of Chemin-des-Dames and Toul-Boucq. Unfortunately, he was severely wounded and taken prisoner at the Battle of Seicheprey, one of the earliest battles, on April 20, 1918. He was held in prison camps in Limburg, Damstard/ Darmstadt, Luchail and Rastartt/Rastatt from April 20 to December 8, 1918. In January 1919, his father had received a telegram that he was in Vichy France in an American Hospital. He was honorably discharged on April 4, 1919 after serving overseas from September 25, 1917 to March 6, 1919. (Photo 80A was taken behind the lines in France.)

In 1920, Sewell was living with his parents on Radford Lane. He was listed as a wholesale candy dealer. By 1930, he was married to Ruth Bennett, lived with her family (mother and sister) on Lombard Street and worked as a furniture salesman. In May, 1933, they had one son, Robert, who was raised in Hanson, Massachusetts and who served in the Army during the Korean War.

Sewell died on December 23, 1937 at age 42, of Tuberculosis at the V.A. facility in Rutland Heights, Massachusetts. He was survived by his wife and son. He is buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester and is memorialized on a plaque of the Third Religious Society (Unitarian) that is located at the Dorchester Historical Society.

Do you know more about Sewell Wilcutt Rich? We would love to hear from you! All material has been researched by volunteers  at the Dorchester Historical Society, so please let us know if we got something wrong or you think a piece of the story is missing!

REFERENCES:

Census Records, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, FamilySearch.org

Death Record, Vital Statistics, Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester

Dr. Perkins’ Notes

Obituary, Patriot Ledger, Robert Bennett Rich, August 7, 2013

Service Record,The Adjutant General Office, Archives – Museum Branch, Concord, MA

WW1 Draft Registration, FamilySearch.org

 

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Dorchester Illustration 2336 Tenean Creek

2336 Tenean Creek

Dorchester Illustration no. 2336        Tenean Creek

Tenean Creek was one of Dorchester’s distinctive early geographic features, now filled in and covered over.  The serpentine route of Tenean Creek can be best seen on the 1850 map of Dorchester.

The mouth of the creek was located at approximately where the Stop & Shop is now on Morrissey Boulevard.  The Murphy School sits on part of the filled-in creek.  The creek stretched from there northward past Park Street.

The Philip McMorrow Playground, between the Murphy School and Victory Road, is part of the creek land that was filled, as was the land where the Armory is located on the North side of Victory Road, formerly Mill Street.  In the illustration, there is a circle with a cross in it that indicates a mill at the Armory location.  That was the Breck mill built in the 17th century to make use of the rising tides to fill the mill pond.  By the time the map was drawn n 1850, the mill belonged to the Blake and Tileston families.

North of Mill Street, Tenean Creek meandered northward to Park Street and a little beyond.  Since the creek was navigable by small boats, it was useful for low-level shipping.  When the Old Colony Railroad was constructed to the east of the creek, it seemed logical to create a street next the railroad, whose property owners would have access to the creek.  Field and Drake had their business here on Exchange Street, a precursor to the Field’s Store in Field’s Corner.  The Mattapan Bank was located here.  Exchange Street is now gone along with the creek, replaced by Mapes Street lined with industrial and commercial properties.

The flat nature of the land where the creek was filled in is now the only reminder of the former presence of Tenean Creek.

 

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