Child Killed By Train - And A Memory

Here's a terribly sad story, and one that relates to the previous entry. Wherever there are train tracks, eventually there are train deaths. At the time, there were four tracks to the New York, New Haven and Hartford line - the two express lines in the middle, and the two local lines on the outside. At each station, fences were put up between the local and express linesto prevent riders from crossing the tracks and coming to grief with the passing express trains. Outside of the stations, there was no such fence, and the embankment would have been a magnet for boys.

So it was when I lived on Spalding street. There, on the north side of Forest Hills, was a widening of the embankment, and spur lines forked off to take parked boxcars. I was 5-6 years old when I wandered the embankment, walking the spur rails and climbing the boxcars. The trains would rush by with a roar and a palpable sense of danger, but I don't recall any deaths during my time in Jamaica Plain, but I did have to be rushed to the hospital. One day, while a group of us climbed the ladder on the end of a boxcar, the lovely little girl in front of me looked back down at me and quite deliberately stepped on my hand. Off I went, falling backwards to the ground. Apparently, my head landed inches from a rail. My father heard my bawling across the Hood's milk lot, and came and got me. Being covered in the black coal dust of the embankment, I was put in the bathtub, cleaned up, and then, presentable to the doctors and nurses, brought to the hospital. With a spleen not quite ruptured, and none the worse for wear and tear, I was sent home to deal with the DO NOT PLAY ON THE TRAINS! speech that would finally sink in. In later years, this became a family joke, along the lines of "Always wear clean underwear in case you have to go to the hospital."

Thus do I relate to the boy killed by the speeding train. A parent's warning never sinks in until after the advice is needed.

The connection to the previous entry? The little swimming hole would have been very close to the storm drain inlet shown in the second pair of pictures. No map of the time shows the pond, but neither do they show Bussey brook. Perhaps they filled it in to prevent boys from crossing the railroad tracks to reach it.



Boston Daily Globe July 23, 1910






Express Hurls Boy To Death

Thomas J. Kevill Hit at Forest Hills.

On Way to Swimming Pool He Tried to Cross Tracks.

Third Fatal Accident in Last Two Days.


The third death by accident in the West Roxbury district in the last two days, was that of Thomas John Kevill, the 9-year-old son of Mr and Mrs Patrick J. Kevill of 3512 Washington st, Jamaica Plain, who was killed by a locomotive on the NY, NH & H RR, near the Forest Hills station.

The little fellow, with three companions, Thomas Shea, 9 years old, of 412 Amory st, Andrew Fraser, 11 years old of Lotus pl, and William Bentley of Rosmore road, Jamaica Plain, started yesterday afternoon to go to the meadow land on the west side of the Dedham branch tracks of the railroad, near Forest Hills, known as "Muddy pond," to have a swim.

The four youths were walking on the railroad tracks just south of Forest Hills station, where the Dedham branch tracks form a junction with the main line tracks of the railroad. The New York express was approaching the junction and Kevill's companions ran across the tracks.

One of them shouted to Kevill, "Look out for the train!" He answered: "I'll get across all right." He evidently misjudged the distance and speed of the express train and was struck by the locomotive and thrown 40 feet.

The train was stopped and employes(sic) of the railroad who were near ran to the child to find him dead. His head was terribly crushed.

Mrs Kevill, when seen by a reporter of the Globe, after the accident said that she had cautioned her son not to go to the pond. He was a pupil in the third grade of the Margaret Fuller school on Glen road.

Bussey Brook - Before And After

Bussey brook, Hemlock hill. August, 2007


Bussey brook, February, 2008




Bussey brook storm drain inlet, August, 2007



Storm drain inlet, February, 2008



I've posted several entries on the history of Stony Brook, that mysterious waterway that once ran through the length of Jamaica Plain. When I took pictures of what is left of the brook and its tributaries, it was dry season, and some of those pictures showed dry water beds. Since we had about 2.5 inches of rain yesterday, on top of a light snow cover, I figured that those dry beds should be worth another look today.


Bussey brook passes through the Arnold Arboretum, from Walter street, across the front of Hemlock hill, under South street, where it empties into a wetland in the South street extension of the Arboretum. These before-and-after pictures show the effects of a light snow cover, a day of rain, and temperatures in the low 40s. The brook bed went from dry in August to several inches deep and 4-5 feet across in February.

Where the water finally drains underground, near the West Roxbury/Needham line railroad tracks just south of Forest Hills, the formerly dry drain area was flooded back a few hundred feet, with perhaps a foot of standing water in many places.

This small stream was just one of several contributors to Stony brook as it ran through Jamaica Plain, and should give us some idea of what the people of the past experienced. The watershed was too small to keep a constant flow throughout the year, but would have risen quickly after each heavy rain or thaw. Before the district had been built up, none of this would have mattered, but when buildings and roads went in, the brook would no longer be free to flood its banks, and trouble was inevitable. Unlike the smaller Muddy River, which became protected by a park, Stony brook was too big to ignore, but not large enough to be untouchable. Stony brook was just the right size to suffer the indignity of being buried 30 feet underground and forgotten.

Son Of Mann

Boston Daily Globe May 4, 1896


Horace Mann's Son.

George C. Mann Has for Nearly 20 Years Been a School Principal.


It is fitting that the West Roxbury high school, Jamaica Plain, should especially observe the birthday of Horace Mann.

For nearly 20 years its principal has been Mr George C. Mann, son of him whom all the schools honor today.

Following in the path of his illustrious father, his mind turned to the educational field, and it is but the truth to say that few surpass him as an educator. His extreme modesty alone has kept him from attaining a fame as great as his father's.

The school over which he has presided for so many years is proud, not alone of their principal for the honored name he bears, but for the high worth of the man himself.

To have had the chance to study under him is a privilege which all the graduates of the school are proud to acknowledge.

At present Mr Mann is in Europe, where he had been spending his year's leave of absence. His assistant, Mr Geo. F. Partridge, has had charge of the school this year.

Mr Mann was born in Boston in 1845. His mind leaned toward the practice of law. He graduated from Harvard in the class of 67. After studying law four years he was admitted to the bar in 1871.

Owing to his poor health he was obliged to give up the practice of his profession, and as a relaxation from his work Mr Mann made a voyage to Sicily.

The interest that the father had shown in educational matters began to be manifested in the son, and returning to Cambridge in 1873 he began teaching, which has been his profession ever since.

In 1878 he was appointed principal of the West Roxbury high school, and has remained with the school up to the present time.

He has been an enthusiastic member of the Appalachian mountain club for several years, and was president in 1890. He is also trustee of Milton academy and trustee of public reservations.

In 1891 he edited a new edition of the "Life and Works of Horace Mann," in five volumes.

A brother, Mr B.P. Mann, is in one of the departments in Washington.

A bust of Horace Mann was given to the school by one of the graduating classes a few years ago.

The exercises today will commence about noon. Mrs Julia Ward Howe will make an address and one or two speakers of national fame are expected to speak.

Obituary #9

Boston Daily Globe March 11, 1912

Bailey L. Page Dead. Lifelong Resident of Jamaica Plain and Real Estate Agent Was Friend of Gov Foss.




Bailey L. Page, a lifelong resident of Jamaica Plain, died at his residence, 2 Alveston st, at 1 yesterday morning of a complication of diseases.

Mr Page was born on Green st, Jamaica Plain, in 1850, and received his education in the public schools of this city. For 15 years he was connected with the old hardware firm of Cyrus White. He has conducted a real estate and insurance agency in Woolsey sq. Jamaica Plain, for the past 25 years.

He was a pioneer member of Daniel Hersey Lodge, I.O.O.F., and an organizer of the Central Club of Jamaica Plain. He had been for many years a member of the Jamaica Club, a director of the West Robury Cooperative Bank, and a trustee of the Faulkner Hospital. He was also a member of the Economic Club and the Boston Real Estate Exchange. Mr Page was a near neighbor and a personal friend of Gov Foss.

Mr Bailey never married, but lived with his sister, Miss Mary Page, and a brother, Joseph E. Page, who is connected with the Jamaica Plain branch of the Boston Postoffice, both of whom survive him. He is also survived by two other brothers, Rev Hartland Page of Harkwick, Mass, and John A Page of Evanston, Ill.



April 9, 1912


Fiala Funeral Today. Services for Well-Known Boston Musician to be Held at Forest Hills Cemetery Chapel.




The funeral services of Frank J. Fiala of 84 Paul Gore st, Jamaica Plain, one of the most prominent musicians of Greater Boston, will be held at the Forest Hills Cemetery Chapel this afternoon at 2. Delegates from the Theatrical Mechanics Association, the Bohemian C.S.P.C. Society and the National Slavonic Society will attend and conduct the services. Mr Fiala died Saturday of pneumonia. He was born in Bohemia in 1847. During his entire term of service in the Austrian Army he played in the regimental band. He came to this country 34 years ago. For the past 20 years he had lived in Jamaica Plain.

Mr Fiala had played in almost every theatrical orchestra in the city. He was a member of the Boston Festival Orchestra, the Handel and Hayden Society and other organizations.

Mr Fiala was employed by many of the publishing houses and musical directors as an arranger and copyist of music. He was the official copyist for the Conservatory of Music, and was one of the most competent arranger of music in the country. He is survived by a wife and one daughter, Mrs H.L. Morand.


September 15, 1913

George W. Maloy Dead. Jamaica Plain Resident and Widely Known as an Expert in Shoe Machinery.




George W. Maloy, for more than 20 years a resident of Jamaica Plain, died yesterday morning at his home, 54 Carolina av, Jamaica Plain, after an illness of seven weeks from heart trouble. His early years were spent in East Boston and he was a member of the Catholic Lyceum and the Columbia Rowing Association.

He was a graduate of the English High School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, class of '73. After leaving Tech eh was in the shoe machinery business for many years. At the time of his death he as assistant treasurer and European manager of the Boylston Manufacturing company. Mr Maloy was one of the best informed men in the world on shoe machine matters, and had travelled very extensively in this country and Europe.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs Gertrude B. Maloy, one brother, James D. Maloy, and two sisters, Miss Mary E. Maloy and Mrs A.S. Murphy.

Mr Sweetzer and Mr Bancroft

Sidney & Smith, 1852 (copyright © 2000 by Cartography Associates.)
David Rumsey Collection

[H. Sweetzer appears on the map above in the lower left quadrant, just above the bold letter B. The house seems to have been across from today's Faulker Hospital on Centre street.]


The few times I've found mentions of African-Americans in Jamaica Plain in these pre-1924 newspaper archives, it has generally been when they were accused of a crime. Although I think that it is of historical interest that African-Americans lived in the community during these years, I haven't posted any of the articles because of the obviously unbalanced picture they portray. In this case, I think the date of the event makes the articles worth reproducing. This is the first dated reference I've found to a named African-American in Jamaica Plain that post-dates the presence of slaves in the community. The fact that black people could only make the newspaper when they were accused of crimes says more about the newspapers and their readers than about the people themselves. If John Bancroft had gone about his business and never met Henry Sweetzer, we would never have known his name. As it is, we know that he and his wife lived somewhere in Jamaica Plain, and that he did odd jobs for the local gentry. Maybe someone somewhere knows more about him; where he came from, and how he came to be in rural West Roxbury, when African-Americans in Boston were limited to living in a segregated community on the back side of Beacon Hill.



New York Daily Times September 2, 1856


News from Boston.

Ferocious And Probably Fatal Assault


On Saturday, Mr. Henry Sweetzer, a wealthy gentleman, residing at Jamaica Plain, called at the house of John Bancroft, a colored man, to engage him to do some work, and finding Bancroft intoxicated and abusing his wife, he remonstrated, where upon Bancroft strick him with a piece of iron with so much violence that no hopes are entertained of Mr Sweetzer's recovery. Bancroft fled and has not been arrested.


September 4, 1856


The Murderous Assault At Jamaica Plain.

Mr. Henry Sweetzer, whose skull was fractured by being struck with an iron crane by John Bancroft, a negro, on Saturday afternoon, lingered till this morning, when he expired. Mr. Sweetzer was a gentleman of about 64 years of age, and had held several town offices. He had acquired a fine property by active business in this city, but retired to spend the closing years of his life on his own estate. The negro who committed the assault came home on Sunday evening and delivered himself up to the authorities, by whom he was immediately carried to Dedham Jail. He said that he did not know what he was about at the time he did the deed. He was maddened by liquor and did not even know who the person was whom he struck. However true this statement may be, he is evidently a very dangerous character.-- Boston Traveller, 2d.

No Fire, No Food

Those of us born after the New Deal need to be reminded occasionally how devastating the loss of a breadwinner could be. Turn of the century Jamaica Plain was a place of dances and amateur theatricals, but it was a place of poverty as well.



Boston Daily Globe December 13, 1902

No Fire, No Food. Mother and Family of Seven in Want. Deserving Woman in Jamaica Plain Pleaded for a Hod of Coal. Happiness Brought to a Home Filled With Dispair.


A citizen occupying a responsible postition under the government visited the Globe office yesterday and told a story of destitution and suffering that came under his notice. The relation of the hardships undured, he hoped, might come to the nobice of some one who would be able to render assistance to a deserving family.

About 9 on one of the recent bitterly cold nights, he said, his doorbell rang. The ring was answered by a member of the family, who, after an absence of a couple of minutes returned, and asked him if he could not spare a hod of coal for a family that was without fire. Seeking the reason for such a request from a stranger, he brought the latter into the sitting room.

She was a woman, poorly clad, and shivering with cold. She told her tale, and again begged for a little coal to make a fire for her seven children, and offered to work to pay for it. The story of the condition of the family was more than the listener could stand without being moved, and taking a bag he filled it from his coal bin and shouldered it himself.

The woman, who was Mrs Gately, led him to the rear of 6 School st, Jamaica Plain, where on the second floor she lived with her family. There he found only cold and want. The seven children, four boys - the oldest 14 years, and the youngest 2 years - and three girls, one a baby and the others 5 and 10 years, were waiting for the mother's return. The condition of the house confirmed the mother's story of the family destitution.

There was a stove, but no fire; dishes, but no food to put on them. The fire was soon lighted, and the children crowded around the stove to get warm. The benefactor slipped out, and again returned with food, and there was a new happiness for the little ones, which they did not fail to express loudly. Leaving the family in the midst of their rejoicing, the good samaritan returned to his own cheerful home.

Since then he has interested several persons in the family. Their condition he has learned is not due to any neglect on the part of the mother. Some months ago the father became insane, and was removed to an asylum. The mother has since kept her family together by going out washing, and bringing in home work such as she could secure. The family got along fairly well until the cold came. Then the children whose clothes had been warn since the head of the family had been lost to them, began to suffer from want of the warm garments he had used to provide, but which the mother could not now procure from her small earnings.

Even food became scarse, and the little ones had not even the warmth that a full meal gives. They did not complain, however, until the intense cold drove the mother to ask coal from the house where she had seen a load delivered. To the sympathetic the citizen says that clothing for the children and work for the mother are what is most needed. With work she can provide for her children and keep them together until, as she and they hope, one day the father will return sound in mind to again keep his family beyond the reach of want.

Obituary #8

Boston Daily Globe May 3, 1911


Dies Calling Doctor.

Mrs Grace A. Bradshaw, a Clerk in the Service of the U.S. District Court, Falls at Telephone.


While telephoning for a doctor, Mrs Grace A. Bradshaw, one of the trusted clerks in the service of the U.S. district court, dropped dead yesterday at her home, 17 Seaverns av, Jamaica Plain.

Mrs Bradshaw was born in Nashua, N.H. about 48 years ago. She was the widow of Edward H. Bradshaw. Upon the passage of the bankruptcy act in 1898 she was appointed a clerk in the U.S. district court, where she has since served. She is survived by her father and mother, Mr and Mrs John F. Benson, with whom she made her home.



June 23, 1911


Dr E. Peabody Gerry Dead.

Expires Suddenly at His Farm in Phillipston -- Long Prominent In Civic Affairs.


Dr E. Peabody Gerry of Jamaica Plain, alderman in 1900 and 1901, and republican candidate for the mayoralty nomination in 1903, died suddenly yesterday on his farm in Phillipston, where he had gone a few days ago in excellent health.

He was born in Standish Me, in 1846, son of a Unitarian minister, spent his early boyhood in New York city and his youth and later life in this city. He went to the Eliot and Mayhew schools, won a Franklin medal, went to Boston Latin and graduated at Dartmouth in 1869.

He taught school and was master of the high school at Hudson for a year,then entered Harvard medical school, graduating in 1874. Not long afterward he settled in Jamaica Plain. He was a Mason and for years took an active part in all movements for the civic improvement of the district in which he lived. During Mayor Hibbard's administration Dr Gerry investigated the milk situation.

The funeral will be held Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the home, 2 Everett st, Jamaica Plain, where the body was brought late yesterday.



July 21, 1911


Funeral Of T.C. McCarthy


Lodge Delegations Attend Services for Jamaica Plain Man in Church of Our Lady of Lourdes.


A large company of friends and relatives from near and far, including representatives of several fraternal organizations, attended the funeral of Timothy c. McCarthy of Jamaica Plain yesterday at the church of Our Lady of Lourdes.


Rev Fr O'Riordan officiated, assisted by Rev frs Golden and Curry. The bearers were Eugene O'Neil, John O'Neil, Cornelius Clifford,and Michael Sullivan. Burial was at St Joseph's cemetery.

Mr McCarthy, who died Tuesday aged 38, was a native of Ireland and had lived in Jamaica Plain about 25 years. He leaves two sisters, three brothers and a mother, who still lives in Ireland. He was a member of the Foresters, aerie 45, Fraternal Order of Eagles, local 77, A.F. of L., and Boston nest of Owls.

Forest Hills Hospital

Taken from a post card, thanks to Ebay.



There are a few topics that I've been holding on to, hoping to develop enough information to write a worthwhile article. One of them has been the Forest Hills Hospital. I've seen the facility on maps, and I've found a few passing mentions online, but it was only recently that I happened upon the article posted below. The location seems like a great place for a hospital, sitting as it does at a transportation hub. The access is certainly better than for the Faulkner hospital, with its one bus line and no on-street parking. I still don't have the story of the hospital, but this post will serve as a start, and maybe someone will leave a comment to fill in the greater story that I still don't know.

This map shows the property in 1874, undeveloped and owned by Jacob Seaver. Look along Morton street, very near to Washington street and the Forest Hills train station.

In 1905, the lot had been divided up, with homes owned by Jacob Seaver, Thomas Minton, and Seaver & Weld Trustees.

By 1914, the hospital shows up, in the former Seaver house.

Finally, in 1924, the hospital has a new brick building on adjacent land, directly behind the new West Roxbury courthouse.

So I don't know when the hospital opened, or when it closed, but I've got some of the middle bits. Better than nothing.


Edit: I've decided to put some new information in this entry, rather than create a new one. I had seen a reference to an Emerson Hospital and suspected that it was the same as the Forest Hills facility. Here is an early reference to the same institution under the Emerson name. Dr Shadman shows up online as a homeopathic doctor. Mass. Memorial Hospital also shows up as a homeopathic facility in its early incarnation, and apparently became part of the Boston University medical school. I can't sort out the relationship yet, so I'll leave the B.U. connection for now.

6/08: I just found the above picture on Ebay.


Boston Daily Globe December 9, 1913


Restrained From Taking New Patients

Emerson Hospital Order Issued by Court.

On Petition of Dr Shadman, Who Has Leased the Property.


Judge Jenney in Superior Court yesterday restrained the Emerson Hospital on Morton st, Forest Hills, from taking any more patients while at its present house, on a bill filed by Dr Alonzo J. Shadman, who had leased the property.

Dr Shadman was a director in the corporation, but sold his interests. He was denied the privilege later of bringing in or treating patients there. He then arranged to least the property, and when he did, he notified the corportation to vacate the premises, but it has continued to stay there. Dr Shadman said he could not evict them because it would be dangerous to the patients. He intends to conduct a hospital on the premises.



The Citizen December 19, 1946


Mass. Memorial Hospitals Buy Forest Hills General


Massachusetts Memorial Hospitals announced this week purchase of the property of the Forest Hills General Hospital for use as a pavilion for private patients.

Staff physicians of Massachusetts Memorial Hospitals, it was explained, have experienced increasing difficulty in finding room for private patients, so purchase of this property was made to meet more immediately the need than would be possible through the prolonged process of erecting a new building.

Comtemplated plans include changes in partitioning and installation of adequate plumbing facilities to provide accommodations for 116 additional private and semi-private patients.

Massachusetts Memorial Hospitals now consist of Talbot Memorial, used as an outpatient department; Robinson Memorial, erected in 1916; Coliamore Memorial, erected in 1936; Evans Memorial, new building erected in 1942, all of which are contiguous and house inpatients. The other division is the Hayes Memorial, contagious disease unit, Brighton, which has (?50) bed capacity.

With the new private pavilion, the patient capacity of the entire institution will number 566 beds, including 45 bassinets.

Obituary #7

Boston Daily Globe


November 2, 1910


Mrs M.E. Gallivan Dead.

Married Less Than a Year Ago She Passes Away of Typhoid Fever at Home in Jamaica Plain.


Mary E. Gallivan, wife of Timothy A. Gallivan, President of Adams, Taylor & Co., 191 State st, died at her home, 290 South st, Jamaica Plain, last evening after a short illness of typhoid fever.

Mrs Gallivan, who was married to Mr Gallivan, brother of Street Commissioner James A. Gallivan, a little less than one year ago, was born in Marlboro, and after attending the public schools of that city removed with her parents, Mr and Mrs David Nugent, to Dorchester, where she became engaged in social and church work. She was a graduate of the Marlboro high schol and the Framingham normal school.

The funeral will be held tomorrow morning with a requium high mass at St Thomas' church, Jamaica Plain, at 9. The burial, which will be in Marlboro, will be private.



January 16, 1911


F.L. Hitchcock Dead.

Letter carrier at Jamaica Plain Post-Office for More That a Score of Years.


Frank L. Hitchcock, for more than a score of years a carrier at the Jamaica Plain postoffice, died this morning at his home, 12 Thomas st. Although Mr Hitchcock had been in poor health for the past two years, the immediate cause of his death was pneumonia. The funeral services will be held Wednesday.

Mr Hancock was born April 19, 1858, in the old Gov Eustis mansion in Robury. He received his education in the public schools, and shortly after his graduation entered a Boston business house. When a young man he went to the Pacific coast, and there was married to Miss Cora Hale of Port Madison, Wash.

A year or two later he returned to Boston and entered the postal service. For a while he was at the central office, and then was shifted to station A. He remained there only a short time, however, being sent to the Jamaica Plain station, where he has been ever since. That was just 21 years ago this month

Mr Hitchcock was a member of Daniel Hersey lodge, I.O.O.F., and was actively connected with the letter carriers' association.

He leaves his wife and seven children, Frederick, William, Susan, Henry, Francis, Wesley and Alice, the latter just 4 years old. He has two sisters, Mrs Carrie Benson of Bernard, Me, and Mrs Susan Benson of West Somerville. His brother is Fred Hitchcock of Newton.


April 16, 1911


John L. McKenzie Dead.

Was Employe(sic) of the Globe for 30 Years and Held Many Positions of Trust.


John Liberty McKenzie, one of the oldest employes of the Globe composing room died at 3:30 yesterday afternoon at his home, 155 Amory st, Jamaica Plain, after an illness of about one year.

Mr McKenzie was born in Chicago 54 years ago, and came to Boston about 1881, going to work for the Globe, where he has remained ever since. He was a skillful and conscientious workman, and not only was he true to every trust that was reposed in him, but his judgement was so superior, and his charity was so genuine and well placed, that his fellow-workmen looked to him for frequent counsel and reposed in him many of the greater responsibilities.

Mr McKenzie was a member of Boston typographical union 18, Franklin typographical society, Boston Globe relief society, Hobab lodge, I.O.O.F., of Dorchester; Mendell brotherhood of Boylston Congregational church of Jamaica Plain, and the Globe savings fund and loan association, of which he was for many years treasurer. He took especial delight in his connection with the Boston singing club and with the church choir.

He leaves a wife and daughter, to both of whom he was greatly devoted. His mother, MRs Marie Soboda, and a younger brother of Cedar Rapids, Ia, also survive him.

Funeral from residence, 155 Amory st, Jamaica Plain, at 2 p.m. Monday. Services at Boylston Congregational church, corner Boylston and Amory sts at 2:30.

Table Gossip

The following are entries taken from the Boston Globe society column over a ten year period. Table Gossip consisted of the comings and goings of the smart set - weddings, trips to coastal vacation homes, ladies' visits, and little advertisements sneaked in. I chose these entries as having some kind of interest, and as somewhat representative. Scanning the weekly articles for occurrences of "Jamaica Plain" was tedious, and no doubt I missed some items of interest.




Table Gossip


July 1, 1883

Mr Horace P. Chandler of Jamaica Plain will sail for the Azores in July.


Mr William H. Goodwin's new cottage at Gerrish island (Kittery Me.) is all ready for occupancy, and his family will remove thither from Jamaica Plain at once.

[The Goodwins lived at the corner of Centre and May streets, opposite today's St Clare's monastery. I assume that it was the same William Goodwin who had previously owned a house on Carolina avenue where the Agassiz school now sits. Previous entries on the Carolina/Murphy playground show the location of the house, which became the Susan Weld House, later the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Association. ]


August 5, 1883


Two woman physicians in Jamaica Plain ride tricycles.

[Some entries are cryptic, no?]


October 21, 1883


Mr and Mrs John W. White were in Philadelphia last week, at the Bingham.

The Eliot Club of Jamaica Plain held a meeting on Monday evening. An essay on the political duties of young men was read by Mr Charles Follen Atkinson and a little supper followed.

The archery prize at the fall meeting of the Hittormiss Club at Jamaica Plain was won by Miss Charlotte Bowditch, with a score of seventy-two at fifty yards. Miss Goodwin, of the same club, recently won the first prize for ladies' singles at a meeting of the famous Staten Island club.


July 27, 1884


Mr Paul F.Folsom of Jamaica Plain has rented Miss Sara Jewett's picturesque cottage at Pigeon Cove, which he will occupy until late autumn. Miss Jewett's professional engagements will keep her on the road during the rest of the season.

Mr Charles F. Farrington of Jamaica Plain went last Saturday to New York to see his friends Mr Arthur and Mr Richard H. Gorham off for Europe. Mr Farrington himself will sail the early part of August.

Mrs Edwin Reed of Lakeville place, Jamaica Plain, is at Lake George.

[A commenter has informed me thatSara Orne Jewett was a popular author of the day.]


July 5, 1885


Dr. E.P. Gerry of Jamaica Plain and Mrs. Gerry have gone to Mount Desert for a couple of weeks.


August 23, 1885


Mrs Ella M. Jones of Jamaica Plain and Miss Marguerita Hones are at Cedar cottage, Bethlehem, N.H.


September 6, 1885


Robert C. Winthrop, Jr., with his family is occupying Dr. George Faulkner's house at Jamaica Plain, where he will remain until Dr. Faulkner returns from his summer home at Falmouth the last of October.

[That is the Dr Faulkner, later memorialized by the hospital.]


October 25, 1885


The wedding of Miss Ada Dickson and Mr. George Edward Brigham will take place at Mrs. Dickson's house, in Warren square, Jamaica Plain, Wednesday night at 8 o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. Brigham will be at home Wednesdays in December at 13 Warren square.

[The Dickson house still stands at Warren square on Green street. Memories of the house are detailed in the reminiscences of Ada's daughter Margherita.]


October 14, 1888


Mr. and Mrs. A. Davis Weld, Jr., and Miss Helen C. Weld of Forest Hills street, Jamaica Plain, sailed from Liverpool for New York yesterday on the Etruria, having been abroad in Europe since May. They are accompanied by Miss Helen Prescott of New Bedford.



October 28, 1888


Miss Gertrude B. Davis of Robeson street, Jamaica Plain, has returned from Brunswick, Me., where she has been visiting Miss Grace Chandler.


July 28, 1889


The family of Dr. Joseph Steadman of Jamaica Plain are at their cottage at Falmouth.

Mr. C. Tennant Lee of Jamaica Plain was at Williamstown, Mass., last week.


October 20, 1889


The renovated Eliot Hall at Jamaica Plain has been purchased by an association of gentlemen and ladies, and is to be managed by Messers. R.M. Morse, Jr., A. David Weld and T.B. Ticknor as trustees. It will be let out for private parties, and the Footlight Club will lease it for their performances.


December 8, 1889


Mr. Francis Parkman and Miss Parkman closed their country home at Jamaica Plain yesterday and are at home at 60 Chestnut street for the winter.


September 28, 1890


Mr. Quincy A. Shaw, Jr., returned last Sunday on the Umbria from his very successful tennis season in England. He is at his father's home on the borders of Jamaica Pond.


Mr. J. Alba Davis and family of Robeson st., Jamaica Plain, have left Nonquit, and are now at Princeton, Mass.


October 19, 1890


A very pretty german was given by Miss Grace Chandler of Jamaica Plain last evening at the handsome home of the family at Brunswick Me. The guests were received by Mrs. Dr. Alfred Mitchell and Mrs. Prof. S.J. Young. One of the prettiest of the german figures has the flower figure, which is greatly indebted to Galvin's Russian violets, carnations, and chrysanthemums for its really charming effect. The german was led by Miss Chandler's brother, with Mrs. James Baxter.


[So what was "a german"? I find similar references to turn of the century social events, but none define the term.]


One of the largest and handsomest receptions of the spring season was that held by Mrs. Horace P. Chandler and her daughter, Miss Grace Chandler, at their new house on Forest Hills st, Jamaica Plain, Friday afternoon, from 4 to 7. The beauty of the day made the drive into the suburbs especially pleasant, and a good proportion of the 800 guests availed themselves of the opportunity thus agreeably offered. The whole house, which has only been occupied since Christmas, was thrown open and each room came in for its share of admiration. It is one of the most artistic, completely appointed and attractive of the suburban residences. Mrs. Chandler, assisted by her daughter, received in the drawing room, while Mr. Chandler stood in the library opposite. Miss Chandler looked very charming in pale blue crepe, embroidered in colors, and held a bunch of forget-me-nots. Miss E.M. Chandler of Beacon st. and Mrs. C.W. Copeland presided at the tea table, the decorations of which were yellow.


[The Chandler home was at the northwest corner of Forest Hills street and Glen road.]


Miss Jennie Brown gave a musicale at her mother's house, on Morton st., Jamaica Plain, Friday afternoon, at which a number of her pupils played, and Mr. Wulf Fries and Master Storer of the church of the Advent choir assisted. Mrs. Bowditch, Miss Gould, Miss Davis, Miss Barker and Miss Carrie Jameson's contributions were most acceptably rendered. A large company of Miss Brown's and her pupil's friends were present.



June 7, 1891


The marriage of Miss Dolly Frothingham of Jamaica Plain and Mr. Arthur Johnson of Commonwealth av., whose engagement was announced last week, will take place early in September, the young couple sailing for Europe immediately after.