Revere, another time, Beachmont -- a historical overview The land mass we now call Revere (approx. 3,750 acres) was first known as Rumney Marsh, on Sept 25, 1634 it was annexed to Boston. Our next identity would be Chelsea when it too was set-off from Boston. From there we became North Chelsea, after-which we became Revere. Today we speak of Revere in terms of neighborhoods, for example: Beachmont, Kellys Meadows, Malden Street, Oak Island, Revere Street, etc. During its Rumney Marsh days there were no neighborhoods as such. Instead there were 5 distinctive comprising the landscape and they served as neighborhood designations. These hills were: Vane hill, whose altitude was 192 feet ( this locality went on to become Fenno Hill and after that Mount Revere --- the high point of this area would be Prospect Ave., where the Revere Reservoir is); Newgate Hill, which is now Mountain Ave., at an elevation of 173 feet; Payson Hill which later became Shurtleff Hill, 100 feet above sea level, which is todays High St.; Beach View Hill coming in at 134 feet (later called Youngs Hill -- although Shurtleffs history doesnt provide further commentary with respect to a latter day identity, I am assuming this would be in the Shirley Ave area, the highest point being Francis Street, off of Franklin Ave.); and finally Beachmont Hill at 119 feet high. Regarding Beachmont, Shurtleff has provided us with the ensuing historical info. A good portion of what now constitutes Beachmont was at one time the Penn Farm. Our early history makes reference to the 7 farms of Revere, Penns was one of them. James Penn is presumed to of purchased his land from its first original owner, William Aspinwall. This transaction was accomplished via an unrecorded deed in 1643. Mr. Penn was an elder of First Church in Boston and a member of the General Court (state legislature). When Penn passed on his will, dated Sept. 29, 1671, stipulated his farm was to be inherited by his nephew Penn Townsend, son of James sister Hannah Townsend. Penn Townsend was born in Boston on Dec. 20, 1651 and died on Aug. 21, 1727. His first wife, Sarah Addington passed-away on March 11, 1692. His second wife was Mary Dudley, a widow, whose father in-law had been Gov. Thomas Dudley. Mary herself was the daughter of Gov. John Leverett from his second marriage to Sarah Sedgewick. To borrow from todays vernacular I think its safe to say Penn had some political influence. He was also one who encouraged educational attainment and did so by donating money for scholarships to help the less financially fortunate. It is interesting to note that neither Aspinwall, James Penn, nor Penn Townsend permanently lived on their Beachmont property, instead they leased same to tenant farmers. When Penn Townsend died, the Beachmont portion of the estate, with what I am assuming was a summer house built there in 1671, was estimated to be worth 3,000 pounds sterling. He was survived by his 2 daughters, Sarah Thayer and Anne Sale. Sarah it was said died without issue, which I interpret to mean her share of the estate went to Anne. Anne was married to John Sale with whom she had 7 children. They lived in the aforementioned summer house. Sometime later this house became known as the Sale House. As of 1938 it was still standing on the north side of Winthrop Ave. The Sales moved to their house around 1739. Sadly, Anne didnt live in her new house too long. She passed on early in 1742, roughly 3 years after moving in. John remarried on April 16, 1742 -- thats not too long after Anne passed away. Was it a whirl-wind romance or the fashion of the day? I assume the latter. Johns second wife was Huldah Belknap of Boston. Its not totally clear, but I am of the opinion John died on Aug. 25, 1763. It is clear that Huldah was buried on May 3, 1780, at age 92. Johns will bequeathed portions of his assets to his various surviving children. To Huldah he gave the plate she brought with her at her marriage, one half of his pew in the Chelsea Meeting House and also his negro man Caesar for life. Wow, its very difficult to comprehend slavery having occurred in Revere/Beachmont. With respect to the word plate as used in context I have no explanation as to an exact definition. I consulted a legal dictionary and found no legally oriented meaning. One online dictionary stated Household articles, such as hollowware, covered with a precious metal, such as silver or gold. I dont feel this has any relative bearing on the issue at hand. Could it be a literal meaning, such as a dish you eat out of? I doubt it. For now it remains a perplexity. Johns will did indicate, the remainder of his estate [which included Beachmont] was to be divided between his wife Huldah and his three children John Sale, Sarah Hickling and Rebecca Oliver. So at this point in time Beachmont is now owned by 3 people. Fast forward to the 19 century. We now find James Cushing Sale owning a large track of land containing 2 farm houses and barns. The Boston Land Co. (BLC), in 1872 purchases 70 acres of this property and 89 acres of connecting marshland that is attached to Breeds Island. The cost for this acreage is believed to be $23,600.. In some respects 19th century marketing is no different than 21st century marketing. Transportation networks bring people, commerce, and prosperity to localities, in short economic development is the result. Back in the day the only way to Beachmont was by carriage from the towns main road, Broadway. Hence, some of those who were stockholders in the BLC also partnered in the formation of the Boston, Revere Beach, & Lynn Railroad --- more commonly it came to be known as the Narrow Gauge. Its rail bed continues to serve Beachmont to this day, only now its called the T. By July of 1875 the railroad began transporting people to Beachmont. This, more than anything, was responsible for the foundational growth of early Beachmont. That summer saw a number of auction sales result in the first wave of home construction on the Beachmont hill. During the next 2 years a village, although small, had taken root. The village consisted of year round homes, summer cottages, and summer-time camping tents. Two years after the first train a photo showed 16 houses and 40 tents -- no mention is made of summer cottages, or how many lots had been sold and not yet built upon. Shurtleff cites, without attribution, some 2,000 people making use of Beachmont during each of the the first 3 summers of land sales. Thus, you have the beginning of a settlement pattern that charts population and economic development for Beachmont. Similar patterns were either in effect or would evolve for other neighborhoods of Revere. Beachmont continued to grow at such a pace that its own school was needed. At the Town meeting of March, 1877 the town voted to appropriate $2,500 for a schoolhouse. The BLC donated the land. The school served a dual purpose, the upper floor was a Christian House of Worship, Beachmont had grown so much it needed a place for the congregation to hold services. Imagine trying to use a public school for religious purposes today! By 1882 the continuity of growth required the upper floor be sorely dedicated to school use. This resulted in construction of the Union Church. By 1883 some 173 dwelling units dotted the Beachmont hill, this was 3 more than were in the entire Town when it changed its name to Revere, in 1871.The growth factor was significant enough to warrant fire-fighting services. The first mention of a Revere Fire Dept. comes from the town report of 1874. The initial organization was, to say the least, very elementary. So called fire boxes were placed around the town within them were ladders, axes, buckets, etc. These basic implements, including water were picked-up and carried to a fire. In Beachmont the box was located in the school house yard. Back then everyone was a fireman, able bodied neighbors were expected to pitch-in and help out. Revere had 5 so called fire wards. These individuals acted as mini fire chiefs. I assume term must of eventually been extended to Fire Wardens. The fire wards were paid an annual wage of $10. They were the fire expert and under their direction fires would be fought. In 1885 this effort evolved into the first organized fire dept. for the town. The fire dept. was organized into 3 companies, maintained at Beachmont, Broadway, and Crescent Beach. Hose carriages were purchased by the town and stored in various buildings. The one for Beachmont was in an vacant building on Winthrop Ave. Beachmont got its own hose house in 1886. This facility was on Bradstreet Ave. This obvious need arose from the rapid growth taking place. Three years later Beachmont had 2 hand drawn hose wagons. In 1905 a new hose house was erected on Winthrop Ave. By now the dept. had entered the horse drawn age. The first horse at Beachmont had an inclination to kick anything in reach. Consequently, he was sold and replaced with a more accommodating equine. The Beachmont station over time progressed with the rest of the town/city and became mechanized. Any discussion of early Beachmont has to include The Great Ocean Pier. Approximately from where Elliot Circle is it jutted out into ocean some 1,700 feet (revere.org has it at 1,450), it was 22 feet wide, part of the pier was under roof. It was built upon 2,000 piles, I thought this figure exorbitant and consulted a 2nd source which confirmed 2,000 piles were used -- boy, thats a lot of trees! Shurtleff states, and I quote, [it] was admitted to be the largest pier in the country, a pier extending for a distance of a third of a mile to deep water. That would, at the time, make it the biggest in the country! It truly was an opulent expression of grandiosity. Majestic in appearance, it impressively darted from shore seaward, while at the same time making a statement that here was the classiest of piers, dance halls, and cafes anywhere. People wanted to be seen here! The owner/developer was the Boston Pier & Steamboat Co. Centered on the pier was large hall there was another near the outer extremity. Both halls enabled dancing by moonlight. One of the halls contained a cafe capable of accommodating 400 diners. Invitations were issued for the grand opening. Close to 1,000 gentlemen and a few ladies were invited. They sailed from Fosters wharf in Boston on the steamboats Eliza Hancox & John Sylvester. These steamers made 8 daily trips between Beachmont and Boston. When the first boats arrived the invitees were greeted by the co. president, Mr. C. C. Barton and served a collation.. The Great Ocean Pier operated into the 20s or 30s. Over the intervening years economic downturns and fires brought about its demise. A small piece of this erstwhile beauty remained as Holts Pier from roughly the 40s to the 60s where you could rent row/power boats by the hour or day. Today a few stubs, of the original 2,000 piers, protrude form the ocean floor at low tide --- that is all that remains from this once iconic pier. As noted this is just a basic historical overview covering to the early part of the 20th century. There certainly is more history to Beachmont. I hope this narrative will encourage you, the reader, to contribute hereto your thoughts and knowledge on the subject. No longer the preserve of the Aspinwalls, Penns, Townsends, and the Sales, Beachmont is for the Beachmonter! Indeed Revere remembers Beachmont!
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 01:39:59 +0000
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