The Olden Time Series - Volume II Part 8
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Volume II Part 8

Account of the burial of Major-General Whitmore, from the "Boston Gazette":--

BOSTON, _December 21, 1761_.

Wednesday afternoon the Corps of Major General WHITMORE was interred in the King's Chapple with all the Honours that this Town could give. The Procession went from the Town-House to the King's Chapple in the following Manner; A Party of the Troop of Horse Guards, the Company of Cadets, the Officers of the Regiment of Militia, the officiating Ministers, the Corps, the Pall supported by six regular Officers, the chief Mourners, the Governor and Lieut.

Governor, the Council, the Judges, Justices, Ministers, and princ.i.p.al Gentlemen of the Town, a great Number of Coaches and Chariots following. During the whole Procession Minute-Guns were fired. The Corps was placed in the Middle of the King's Chapple whilst Part of the Funeral Service was performed, and was from thence carried into the Vaults below, and there interred. Whilst the last Service was performing the Cadets fired three Vollies.

Notice of Hon. John Erving, from the "Ma.s.sachusetts Gazette," Aug. 22, 1786:--

Died, last Sunday morning, in the 94th year of his age, the Hon. JOHN ERVING, Esq. who, for twenty years, was a member of the Council under the old const.i.tution, and one of the most eminent merchants in America.

As a man of probity, and strict honesty, he was universally esteemed. Those who were acquainted with his character must regret the loss of so worthy a member of the community. In his domestick life he was a tender parent and kind master.----His funeral will be this afternoon, precisely at five o'clock, from his house in Tremont-street, where his friends and acquaintance are desired to attend.

Notice of the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Salisbury, from the "Ma.s.sachusetts Centinel," March 28, 1789:--

_Last Wednesday night departed this life, very suddenly, Mrs._ ELIZABETH SALISBURY, _the amiable and virtuous Consort of Mr. Samuel Salisbury of this town, merchant. Her funeral will be from his house in Marlborough-street, this afternoon--which her friends are desired to attend._

From the "Boston Chronicle," March 8, 1770:--

BOSTON.

For some days bye-past, there have been several affrays between the inhabitants and the soldiers quartered in this town.

Last Monday about 9 o'clock at night a most unfortunate affair happened in King-street: The centinel posted at the Custom-house, being surrounded by a number of people, called to the main-guard, upon which Capt. Preston, who was Captain of the day, with a party, went to his a.s.sistance: soon after which some of the party fired, by which the following persons were killed and wounded,

Mr. Samuel Gray, ropemaker, killed.--A Mollatto man, named Johnson, killed.--Mr. James Caldwell, mate of Capt. Morton's vessel, killed.--Mr. Samuel Maverick, wounded, and since dead.--A Lad named Christopher Monk, wounded.--A lad named John Clark, wounded.--Mr. Edward Payne, Merchant, standing at his entry-door, wounded in the arm.--Mr. John Greene, taylor, wounded.--Mr. Patrick Cole, wounded.--David Parker, wounded.

Early next morning Captain Preston was committed to gaol, and same day 8 soldiers.

A meeting of the inhabitants was called at Fanueil-hall that forenoon: and the Lieutenant-Governor and Council met at the Council-chamber, where the Colonels Dalrymple and Carr were desired to attend, when it was concluded upon, that both regiments should go down to the barracks at Castle-William, as soon as they were ready to receive them.

_We decline at present, giving a more particular account of this unhappy affair, as we hear the trial of the unfortunate prisoners is to come on next week._

This is all the "Boston Chronicle" has to say about that great historical event of the fifth of March, an event which stirred the whole country and filled the minds of the Colonists with a perfect hatred of the British power in America,--"The Boston Ma.s.sacre." The editor of the paper was probably a Tory.

The "Ma.s.sachusetts Gazette," Feb. 3, 1774, says:--

We hear that the Hon. JOHN HANc.o.c.k, Esq; is appointed to deliver the ORATION in Commemoration of the b.l.o.o.d.y Tragedy on the 5th of March.

The "Salem Gazette" has this item, March 7, 1782:--

Last Tuesday Mr. George R. Minot delivered an elegant and spirited Oration, at the old brick meeting-house, in commemoration of the horrid ma.s.sacre perpetrated on the 5th of March, 1770, by a banditti of the British tyrant's 29th regiment.

It may not be of any consequence to the public to know what kind of coat Jonathan Williams wore in 1767, but it may be a matter of curiosity to his descendants now living. We take the following advertis.e.m.e.nt from the "Boston Gazette," Dec. 28, 1767:--

Whereas there has been taken out of the House of _Jonathan Williams_ in Cornhill, two Great Coats, on the 23d Instant, one of his own Wearing a cloth-coloured Drab; the other his Servants, a blue Cloth ditto. Whoever has taken them, and will return the former to said _Williams_, shall have the latter _gratis_, and no Questions ask'd.

Notice.

Frequent applications being made to the Town-Cryer, to proceed through the streets in search of Children that have strayed from their home, which practice often excites unnecessary alarm to the inhabitants.

The public are respectfully desired, in case of any discovery of a child, or children so lost or strayed, to bring them immediately to the subscriber at No. 71, Newbury street.--By an attention to this regulation, Parents and friends may have their anxiety relieved by applying as above.

SAMUEL ADAMS, _Town-Cryer_.

_Const.i.tutional Telegraph_, Aug. 8, 1800.

Masonic notice from Paul Revere and others, from the "Boston Post-Boy."

NOTICE is hereby given to the Brethren of the Antient and Honorable Society of FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, That the Feast of St. JOHN the BAPTIST will be Celebrated by the Brethren of St. ANDREW'S Lodge, (duly authoriz'd, const.i.tuted and appointed to be held at _Boston_, by the Right Honorable, JOHN LORD ABERDOUR, Grand Master of _Scotland_) on Thursday the 24th Instant, at the Royal-Exchange Tavern in King-Street, Tickets to be had of

JOSEPH WEBB, jun.

_Boston, June 14, 1762._ PHILLIP LEWIS, PAUL REVERE.

The house of Copley, the celebrated painter, is thus advertised:--

_To be LET, and entered on immediately,_

THAT elegant, convenient, and most pleasantly situated DWELLING-HOUSE, with a large Garden, and other Land about it, (near his Excellency the Governour's) belonging to Mr.

COPLEY; well known to be completely accommodated for a genteel family. Inquire of CHARLES PELHAM, (at the late Dwelling-House of Mrs. PELHAM, at New-Boston) he being impowered to let it.

_May 16, 1789._

_Ma.s.sachusetts Centinel._

Antique luxuries.

WANTED, the following, viz. Fifteen Pair of WOOD DUCKS, Four Pair of WILD GEESE, Three Pair of FLYING SQUIRRELS, Three Dozen of the smallest Size Terrapeins or fresh Water TURTLES, for which a good PRICE will be given, or for any Part of them.----Enquire of the Printer.

_Ess.e.x Gazette_, Feb. 21, 1771.