The Loyalists of Massachusetts and the Other Side of the American RevolutionStark, James Henry
History
The Loyalists of Massachusetts and the Other Side of the American Revolution
Stark, James Henry
American loyalists -- Massachusetts; Massachusetts -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783
The Governor's resignation soon followed. His life was filled with much
anxiety for the financial welfare of his family as during his eleven
years of residence in America, his private fortune had not been
increased. He received a pension, but many troubles arose which greatly
taxed his physical and mental strength. Mrs. Bernard and the remaining
members of her family, moved from their country home at Jamaica Pond,
which was afterwards occupied by Sir William Pepperell, to a new
residence called the Cherry House, which the Governor caused to be built
on a lot of land containing about 30 acres on the "Road leading to
Castle William" at Dorchester Neck, now South Boston. The Governor
probably selected this location on which to build his house on account
of its nearness to Castle Island, to which he and his family could take
refuge in case of mob violence.[166] John Bernard's name continued for
some time to head the list of proscribed traders and his position,
entailing loss, insult, and even danger, must have been a constant
source of apprehension to his relatives. After learning that her husband
had definitely resigned, Lady Bernard prepared to join him in England.
Many of their household possessions were sold at the Province house on
September 11. Just before the vessel sailed, young Francis Bernard died
November 20, 1770, at the age of twenty-seven, and is probably buried
beside his brother Shute in the burial ground of the King's Chapel at
Boston. Mrs. Bernard was accompanied by four of her children, Amelia,
William, Scrope and Julia.
[166] One lot of 26½ acres was purchased of John Baker et al. in
1762. Lib. 98, Fol. 113. Another lot adjoining same, of 3 acres of James
Baker in 1764. Lib. 102, Fol. 39. During a raid made by the "Ministerial
Troops" from the Castle on Feb. 13th, 1776, nearly all the houses on the
Neck were burnt; among them was "An House and Stable and Barn belonging
to Francis Bernard burnt; valued at £100.00," also damage done "by our
Soldiers," £40.00. (See New Eng. Gen. Reg. Jan. 1897.) This tract of
land extended from Fourth street (Way leading to Castle William) to
Dorchester Bay, M street running through the center of it. The writer's
father in 1858 purchased a portion of this land, and it was here he
spent his boyhood days. After the war another house was erected on the
site of the one burnt; its location was on Fourth street between M and N
streets. The writer remembers that a boyhood companion that lived there
picked up in the garden an English guinea.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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