Category: 18th Century
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The People in the Pews: The Bay Pew
Near the very front of the Old North Church is a plush, velvet-lined pew dedicated to the “Gentlemen of the Bay of Honduras.” It is a curious feature for a church built in Boston, and the faded brass marker on “The Bay Pew” reveals a dramatic chapter in the rich history of New England, the…
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The People in the Pews: Mary Gibbs
“With an extension of her allusion religious activities can be seen as a means used by New England women to define self and find community, two functions that worldly occupations more likely performed for men.” – Nancy F. Cott, The Bonds of Womanhood Forever stamped on the brass plate of Pew No.8, the name Mary…
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The People in the Pews: Capt. William Maxwell
In the center aisle of Christ Church (Old North) hang two ornate brass chandeliers, gifts to the church by one of its members, Capt. William Maxwell. Maxwell owned pew #29. They were first lit on Christmas Day in 1724. For many of us living here in New England today, December is a month filled with…
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The People in the Pews: Dr. Thomas Kast
Thomas Kast, a renowned doctor with an interesting story, attended Old North Church in the 18th century and owned Pews #6 and #27 while he lived on Hanover Street. Dr. Kast was born in Boston on August 12, 1750. He graduated from Harvard College in 1769 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Shortly after college,…
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The People in the Pews: Upper Level Gallery
“And who sat up there?” This is a question often received in reference to Old North’s upper gallery. From the lower level, the pews above seem miles away; a looming set of white rows disconnected from the world below. This observation, perhaps, points directly to the answer of who occupied those pews. The gallery was…
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The People in the Pews: John Hooton, Jr.
John Hooton, Jr., owner of pew #17, was born September 4, 1754 in Boston. He served as Junior Warden of Christ Church (Old North) in 1770-71 and as Senior Warden in 1772, following in the footsteps of his father, John Hooton, Sr., who served as Junior Warden in 1732-34 and Senior Warden in 1735. John…
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99% Sure | Ep 7: The Atlantic Logwood Trade (Season Finale)
Welcome to our Season 1 finale of “99% Sure”, a video series where we take a deeper dive into the legends, people, and events of Old North that sum up the significance of history as it ties to our present moment. Over the last 7 episodes, Old North’s Education Manager and intrepid public historian T.J.…
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Bittersweet Associations: Old North, Cacao Smuggling, and Slave Trading in 18th C. America
On the night of May 31, 1743, terror struck the Rising Sun. As the ship tracked eastward off the coast of Suriname, three sailors snuck into the ship’s cabin and attacked the people sleeping inside. Blood curdling screams echoed out of the cabin, across the ship, and onto the deck above. Two of the victims, captain Newark…
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99% Sure | Ep 6: The History of Old North’s Crypt
Welcome to Episode 6 of “99% Sure”, a video series where we take a deeper dive into the history, people, and events that made Old North the legendary historic site you know and love. Tune in every other week as Old North’s Education Manager and intrepid public historian T.J. Todd explores some of our most…
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Old North’s Mini Courses: #4 – Maritime Mania
Has it been a while since your high school history classes? Have you been watching too many historically inaccurate movies or TV shows? Or maybe you’re just looking for some old-fashioned intellectual stimulation? Then look no further than Old North’s Mini-Courses! Each month we will offer a new mini-course on a variety of topics for all…