NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER.
BOSTON.
County of Suffolk. The ancient city of Boston, the capital of Mas- sachusetts, and of New England, and the birth place of American Free- dom, is naturally divided.into three sections—Old Boston, South Boston, and East Boston, situated at the western extremity of Massachusetts Bay. The peninsula on which Old Boston is built, extends from Roxbu- ry, on the south, to Winnesimet Ferry, on the north, and is nearly sur- rounded by the waters of Boston harbor on the east, and Charles river on the north and west. Its length is nearly three miles, and its average breadth about one mile. It originally contained about 700 acres, but its territory has been greatly extended, by filling up around its borders. ^ts surface is quite uneven. It has numerous eminenTces, rising from 50 to 110 feet above the sea, affording admirable sites for building, and giving to it a peculiarly romantic appearance. It is in north Lat. 42° 21' 23" and west Lon. 71° 4' 9". It lies 163 miles S. S. W. from Augusta, Me.; 63 S. S. E. from Concord, N. H.; 160 S. E. by S. from Montpelier, Vt.; 158 E. (19' S.) from Albany, N. Y.; 40 N. N. E. from Providence, R. I.; 97 E. N. E. from Hartford, Ct.; 207 N. E. by E. from New York, and 432 miles N. E. by E. from Washington. Its Indian name was Sham- mut. It was called by the first settlers Tramaunt, Tremont, or Tri- mountain, from three hills nearly in its centre. It took its present name on the 7th of Sept., 1630, in honor of the Rev. John Cotton, second min- ister of the first church, who came from Boston, in England. The orig- inal proprietor of this territory was John Blackstone, who, soon after its settlement by Winthrop and others, removed to Rhode Island. Boston was incorporated as a city, February 23, 1822.
South Boston*
This part of Boston was set off from Dorchester, by legislative enact- ment, March the 6th, 1804. It is hounded south by Dorchester Bay, and spreads about two miles on the south side of the harbor, above the forts. It contains about 600 acres, and is laid out into regular streets and squares. The surface of this part of Boston is exceedingly picturesque. In about the centre of this traet, and about two miles from the City Hall, the memorable “Dorchester Heights” rear their heads 130 feet above the sea, from which is presented a splendid view of Boston, its harbor, and the surrounding country. It is connected with Old Boston by two bridges. This part of Boston is rapidly increasing in population and wealth. The Washington House, near the “ Heights,” is a noble building, and a delightful residence
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