The City Record and Boston News-Letter

News for 23-24 July 1837

I apologize for posting so much from the Boston Alamanacs recently, but it seems that all kinds of interesting things have historically happened in July.

23 July 1837

An abolition disturbance at Brighton.  While a Mr. Codding was lecturing in on of the meeting houses, two men, named Hiram Hill and John Hammond, marched in, and up the broad aisle, into the pulpit, when each taking an arm of the lecturer they began to walk off with him.  The audience recovering from their surprise, rose and rescued the lecturer, confined the two men in a pew, and compelled them to hear the lecture out.  They were afterwards rescued by their associates outside.

24 July 1837

Mr. Lienow, who lately died in this city, bequeathed to the Divinity School of Harvard University $30,000, and to the Howard Benevolent Society $10,000, and a like sum to some other institution.

Mr. George B. Davis thrown from his chaise, with such violence that he died in a few hours.  He left a wife and large family.

Walking Tours of Boston's History and Architecture

The Editor of the City Record and Boston News-Letter on a West End Tenement Fire Escape, c. 1990

Now that the weather is apparently improving (as if it could get worse) the time is right to announce that I will begin leading Boston history and architecture walking tours soon.  I've given hundreds of walking tours of Boston, and the walking tours will include Beacon Hill, the Back Bay, South End, North End, Dorchester--almost any neighborhood in Boston.  I also do a walking tour for children through Beacon Hill based on the classic children's book Make Way for Ducklings--I have led hundreds of school children on this tour during the spring.  Tours are generally 1.5 hours long, and the cost is $10 in advance for adults, $12 day of the tour.  Children aged 6 and up are $5, under 6 are free.  I am still working out a schedule, but in general tours will be an evening or two during the week, and on Saturdays.  With sufficient notice and numbers other times can be worked out and custom tours are also possible.  If you are interested, please email me.  More information and a walking tour website will be coming soon.  We won't be going up on any fire escapes (the building I'm in front of has since been torn down) but you will get my knowledge of Boston's architecture and history for the price of movie and some good exercise to boot.  I hope you will join me.