The history of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts, By a committee of the Dorchester antiquarian and historical society ...

HISTORY OF DORCHESTER, 647
FROM THE MAY OR OF DORCHESTER, ENG.
To the Members of the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society,
Dorchester, Massachusetts, U. S.
South Street, Dorchester, Dorset. 16th June, 1855.
GENTLEMEN AND FRIENDS: -Your letter, which as Mayor it
fell to my lot to receive, has created a feeling of interest
amongst us, and we welcome with great cordiality the communication from those whom we may style kinsfolk. I have
caused your letter to be printed, and have circulated it amongst
such persons especially as are likely to assist us in our inquiries on the subject of it.
I myself, and I believe many others, would gladly pay you
a visit, but that we cannot spare the time required to do so.
We feel that we cannot furnish you with an account of
our town and neighborhood in such a manner as we would
wish, in time for your anniversary, but we hope by the 80th
anniversary to be enabled to collect a portfolio for you,
which, if you wish, we shall gladly forward to you. I have
already a nucleus of the collection.
Mr. White's name is still known in the Borough, and there
are still names amongst us which are enumerated by you.
The Town itself does not probably exceed, by much, the
limits it had when our common ancestors left it.
Being surrounded by the lands of the Duchy of Cornwall,
which are held in common, there has been a constant check
upon increasing our bounds. We are, however, we trust,
increasing our station amongst other towns, and we hope
ere long that the obstacle to our extension may be removed.
The County Goal and other public buildings being situated
here, and the Assizes and Quarter Sessions being held here,
add to our importance. The suburb of Fordington now
forms part of our Borough. We have five Churches, and
several Chapels for those whose doctrines differ from the
Church of England. Of these churches, two are in Fordington and three in Dorchester. The Holy Trinity Church was
rebuilt in 1824-5; the Church of All Saints about five or six
years ago. The Church of St. Peters is the oldest church in
the town. There is now a scheme on foot for restoring and
repairing this church, and for giving greater accommodation
to our poorer brethren. When completed, we shall give them
upwards of 200 free sittings, and the building will then be a
handsomer specimen of architecture. At present the committee are stayed by want of sufficient funds. Two important Railways, the London and South Western and the Great
Western, approach us, whilst at eight miles distant we have
the Port of Weymouth, and the Island of Portland, with the