F 73 .25 .093 Copy 1 ft-r uii f ms! CALENDAR OF CONTAINING A LIST OF THOSE PERSONS TAXED IN THE CITY OF BOSTON, CREDIBLY REPORTED TO BE WORTH ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS; IWT^m mm^sss^mmM, mmmm OF THE PRINCIPAL PERSONS. BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS 1846. ? r ii OUE FIRST MEN:" CALENDAR OF WEALTH, FASHION AND GENTILITY ; CONTAINING A LIST OF THOSE PERSONS TAXED IN THE CITY OF BOSTON, CREDIBLY REPORTED TO BE WORTH ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, WITH BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF THE PRINCIPAL PERSONS, Not to know at large of things remote From use, obscure and subtle, — but to know That which before us lies in daily life, Is the prime wisdom. — Milton. REVISED EDITION. BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS. 1846, ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION. The proprietors of this work tender their thanks to their friends and a generous public for their patronage of the former edition, and especially to those who, feeling aggrieved by some inaccuracies and unpalatable re- marks which escaped notice in its revision, took the gentlemanly mode of asking for explanations, and furnishing the proper corrections. Many friends have disinterestedly rendered valuable assistance in en- larging and correcting the work, whose kind attentions the most grateful acknowledgements are not sufficient to repay. The work has undergone another most thorough revision, and will, without doubt, be acceptable to the community. There have been large additions made to the list of capital, and good judges have pronounced the average estimate low ; and though there have been more than one hun- dred added to the list of names, the next edition will probably show that there are " a few more left." Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1846, by 1). H. ELA & CO., in the Clerk'; office of the District Coiixt of Massachusetts. INTRODUCTION. A GREAT deal is said, first and last, about the " Boston aristocracy," sometimes more familiarly designated as " our first men." We hear this phrase constantly repeated in newspapers and political speeches, as well as in conversation. Yet how many of those who repeat it, have any thing but the most vague and incoherent ideas about that aristocracy of which they talk ! The present is the first attempt ever made to produce this much talked of aristocracy, — the "solid men of Boston" — our first men — visibly and palpably, — by name and enumeration,— rank and file, — head and tail, — in their own proper persons, before the eyes of the people ; and so to give this hitherto invisible power and presence — " A local habitation and a name." Likely enough there will be a great outcry against it ; at least in some quarters. We shall have plenty of solemn cant about the " invasions of the sanctities of private life ;" as though it were one of the privileges of wealth not to be talked about, as it is of some bar- barous monarchs, not to be seen ; but we hold it to be the inalienable right of all Yankees to inquire into, and to thoroughly sift and examine, their neighbor's affairs ; and those who have wealth must recollect that it is one of the penalties of good fortune, or distinction of any sort, to be an especial object of curiosity and public notice. If any in this list find that curiosity and notice obtrusive and troublesome, let them, in imitation of some rich men recorded in holy writ, dis- incumber themselves of their property ; let them distribute their goods among the poor ; — and we will warrant they shall forthwith sink into obscurity, and appear no more in this list. So far from any apology being needed for this work, there are 4 INTRODUCTION. abundance of reasons why it ought to be published, and should have been Ion"- ago ; some few of which we shall mention. In the first place, that to which allusion has been already made : the gratification of the curiosity of vast numbers ; not a mere idle curiosity, by any means ; but a liberal and reasonable curiosity. We are told and taught that all men are horn equal ; yet they do not long stay so. When we look around us, we see a very great inequality existino- : this man in a hovel — that man in a palace ; this man sur- rounded with every luxury that wealth can afford — that man subjected to all the sufferings and mortifications of poverty. Whence this difference } Who are these rich men, in whose hands such a large proportion of the wealth of the community is concentrated ? and how did it get there .'' Are they gods, — favorites of Heaven .' or are they mere puppets of fortune ; mortal men and women, like the rest of us .'' Has their own energy and efforts made them what they are, or do they only seem tall by standing on the money-bags of their fathers ? Those who have hitherto been obliged to admire these rich men from a distance — those who have been perpetually called upon to bow down and worship at their feet, will find comfort, consolation and assurance in perceiving that the great idol, Mammon, like the image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, though it may have a head of gold, and arms of silver, has also a heart of brass and hands of iron ; while the feet on which it stands, are but a compound of miry clay. It will also be an excellent thing for our rich men themselves to be put in mind of some points of their history, which they are very apt to forget. It will be well to remind them, that they were once poor themselves, or their fathers were ; and that this money which so puffs them up, and makes them feel so big, came to them through toil and labor, and close shaving, and tight economy ; and now and then, perhaps, a little cheating ; sometimes by business not very cred- itable ; and that, in the same way, it may come, and is every day coming to others, who are willing to use similar means to obtain it. But there will also be advantages in this book for those who, while they can hardly pretend to be rich, are yet very unwilling to con- fess themselves poor. Next to being rich themselves, it is for such persons a very de- lightful thing to have the reputation of being a friend and associate. INTRODUCTION. 5 or at least an acquaintance of those who are rich. How mortifying to a muhitude of young Bostonians in the country, or in distant places, to be inquired of about this or that rich man of Boston, and to be obliged to confess that they know nothing about them ! Where- as, by the diligent study and judicious use of this little book, they may appear very knowing, and may even be able to pass themselves off as a part of the aristocracy ! Many other things might be mentioned, if time permitted ; but the uses of this book to those not enumerated in it, are too obvious to need notice. It is in fact just as essential among us, as are the numerous publications in England on the pedigree of noble and gentle families ; for the rich are our aristocracy. Some persons, indeed, copying from English models, turn up their noses at the mention of a monied aristocracy ; as though money was not the natural, and sooner or later, the fundamental basis of all aristocracy, all the world over. Why, even in England, it is so. There are scarcely a dozen members of the English House of Peers, who can trace back their lineage two hundred years, without coming to some money-making merchant, or lawyer, or speculator of some kind, as the head and founder of their family. And the power of wealth, which is substantial, gains every day upon that of birth, which is merely fanciful. Sir Robert Peel, ihe son of a cotton spinner, whose sole patent of nobility was his money, rules the whole aristocracy of England, whh an absolute power which no sovereign has exercised since the time of old Queen Bess. The present lord chancellor, by virtue of his station, the head of nobility, is the son of a Boston portrait painter. England is ruled by the combined force of money and talent ; and there, as elsewhere, talent is generally in the market, a thing sold and bought. It is nt) derogation, then, to the Boston aristocracy, that it rests upon money. Money is something substantial. Every body knows that and feels it. Birth is a mere idea, which gi'ows eveiy day more and more intangible. It should be understood, however, that in Boston, as elsewhere, this monied aristocracy is divided into two sections, the old and the new, or with more precision, and in country terms, the two-year-old, and the yearling aristocracy. The two-year old aristocracy, is composed of those, who either g INTRODUCTION. inherited money, or, if they have made it themselves, had the ben- efit of a certain standing in society to start with ; or who, gifted by nature with a certain refinement, tact, and sense of propriety, have no difficuhy in acting the part of gentlemen, though they were not horn to it. It is of such that the best society of Boston is composed. There are admitted into this circle of society, many families, who in point of wealth do not come up to the limit which is the stopping place in this calendar; and on the other hand, no small number of those mentioned in it, notwithstanding large sums set against their names, are still excluded from the best society, and are wiggling, working, and tormenting themselves to death, or are tormented by their wives and daughters, at an exclusion, which, now that they are rich, distresses them quite as much as they were once distressed at, the idea of being poor. To those within this charmed circle, it appears for the most part, very delightful ; and it no doubt contains many well informed, well bred, agreeable people. But to those without it looks forbidding, arrogant, cold, comfortless. It must be confessed that, Boston manners are exceedingly wanting in cordiality. Beyond mere family circles, there is very little of social heartiness. As to the yearling aristocracy, that branch includes a number of individuals who have neither manners nor character to boast of; nothing, in fact, but their money. Vulgar, violent, robust, and hard hearted, they put one in mind of that saying of Fontenelle, " that all that is necessary for success in this world, is a good constitution and a bad heart." Many of these persons, notwithstanding the worship paid to the great god Mammon, and the glory reflected upon all those who seem to be his favorite, have yet so begrimmed themselves in their struggle after wealth, and are naturally so imamiablc, and their manners so gross, that though each one has his circle, larger or smaller, of dependants and " toadies," they find no admission for themselves into the two-year-old circle above al- luded to. There are others, lucky fellows, and honest enough, as the world goes, but too rough and rude for fashionable drawing- rooms ; and others yet, persevering old fellows, who have grown rich by long, assiduous industry, who retain all the simple and economical habits of their childhood, snap their fingers at show and display, and who look upon fashion and its attendant extravagance INTRODUCTION. 7 with indifference, disgust, or contempt. But the children of all these, if they have any wish for it, as with few exceptions they do, if they are not engulphed in the whirlpools of dissipation, pass as a matter of course, into the two-year-old aristocracy, which indeed IS principally maintained by such accessions. For, as a general rule, though some few instances to the contrary may be found in this list, wealth does not long remain in the same families, but fre- juently in the second, very frequently in the third, and almost al- ways by the fourth generation, vanishes and disappears — a process which the equal distribution of the property among all the children greatly facilitates. Boston, for its population, is one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Indeed, without reference to its population, there are very few cities in the world which can command so large an amount of capital. The foundation of this capital was the money brought out from England by the original settlers in 1630, of whom several were wealthy men. Boston became at once the chief port and place of irade for New England, and within eight or ten years from its set- tlement, it probably had four or five thousand inhabitants ; after- wards its progress was slow, hardly keeping pace with that of the country. At the end of fifty years, however, its population was doubled, and it had perhaps fifteen or twenty merchants, worth from thirty to forty thousand dollars each. By 1720 it had per- haps fifteen thousand inhabitants, with a corresponding increase in the number and wealth of its merchants. From, that time iown to the adoption of the Federal Constitution, Boston re- mained almost stationary. Its population, by the census of 1790, was only 18,000, and probably at that time not one of its inhab- itants was worth a hundred thousand dollars. Hamilton's fund- ing system at once raised to opulence a considerable number of persons who had speculated largely in continental securities, which they had bought up for a song, and which soon rose to par. This created a capital for trade. For about twenty years, down to the em- bargo in 1808, the navigating interest and carrying trade were very prosperous. The wealth of Boston increased rapidly, and some es- lates were acquired of not less than a million of dollars. The embar- go and the war put a stop to this progress, but at the same time they ^alled into existence that system of domestic manufactures which is 8 INTRODUCTION. at present the great source of its wealth. For several years after the war, foreign commerce was rather a losing business than other- wise ; at the same time the manufacturers complained. Boston was strongly agitated and greatly divided by the question of tariff and free trade ; yet at that time it was only a few men, and those mostly of very moderate means, who favored the protection of do- mestic industry. The merchants and the capitalists opposed it ; they had made their money by trade, and they supposed there was no other way. The tariff, however, was adopted ; the Boston cap- italists went into manufactures ; not only the cotton, woollen and iron works, which require a heavy outlay, were established, but the shoe business, and a great variety of manufacture which can be carried on with a very moderate capital. In the twenty years from that time, the population of Boston has doubled, while its wealth has quadrupled, and it is increasing at this moment with greater rapidity than ever. It was thought, indeed, at one time, that th^ want of in- ternal communications would condemn it to a stationary, or declining condition. But the magnificent system of railroads, completed and in progress, have relieved that fear. But it was men of very mod- erate rpeans who were most active and efficient in urging the adop- tion of that system. The wealthy capitalists came into it very slowly and reluctantly. They, however, as always happens, have reaped the chief benefit. / "OUR FIRST MEN:" A CALENDAR OF WEALTH, FASHION AND GENTILITY. Adams, John Q. 400,000 The career of this veteran politician, and Ex-President of the United States, is well known. He first went abroad with his father, John Ad- ams, when a mere child. He afterwards graduated at Cambridge, and studied law; received a diplomatic appointment from Washington; was turned out by Jefferson ; was appointed professor of rhetoric in Hai-vard College ; was chosen senator from Massachusetts ; aban- doned the Federal party on the embargo question ; resigned liis seat at the request of the Legislature ; was appointed minister to Russia by Jefferson ; and a commissioner at Ghent by Madison. He became Monroe's secretary of state, much to the disappointment of Henry Clay, who expected the office. Afterwards he was president for four years. Then an unsuccessful candidate of the Anti-Masons for governor of Massachusetts, and finally and now a representative in Congress. Like his father, he has always been a prudent man, without taste for show or expense ; and from his savings out of the large sums received from the United States, has accumulated a handsome fortune. He resides at Quincy, on a seat inherited fi-om his father. His only son, Charles Francis Adams, is married to a daughter of Peter C. Brooks, and will inherit on both sides a great fortune. Adams, Benjamin 200,000 Adams, Charles Frederick 100,000 The above are brothers. The last is a member of the firm of Adams, Homer & Co., importers of dry goods — of which firm the elder brother was formerly a member. Adams, Abel 150,000 From New Hampshire. A retii-ed merchant. Late of the firm of Barnard, Adams & Co. Adan, John R. 100,000 A lawyer, who as conveyancer, executor and trustee, for ma4iy years, has acquired wealth and established a reputation for integrity and fidelity in managing important business entrusted to him. Albree, John 100,000 Merchant. Alger, Cyrus 400,000 Iron founder ; a native of Bridgewater. Of great skill in his busi- 10 "OUR FIRST MEN. ness, by which and by the rise in value of South Boston lands, he has grown rich. He employs a vast number of mechanics and laborers, whose atfection and esteem he possesses to an unusual degree. He is enipliatically the poor man's friend, and a public benefactor. Allen, Andrew J. 100,000 Stationer. One of the first persons in Boston who made a stir in favor of railroads. Has grown rich by many yeai-s' close attention to his business. Allen, Saml. P. 100,000 Iron dealer in Broad St.; resides out of town. Has made money fast ; is a business man with increasing prospects. Amory, Charles 200,000 The Amorys are a numerous and respectable family in Boston and the vicinity, and many of them are wealthy. The above is a son of the late Thomiis C. Amory. He greatly increased his inheritance by mar- riage wqth a daughter of the late Gardiner Greene. Amory, WJlliam 100,000 Brother of the foregoing. Married a daughter of David Sears. The president of the Firemen's Insurance Company is another brother. Amory, James 200,000 Cousin of the foregoing ; son of Jonathan Amory. The above mar- ried another daughter of the late Gardiner Greene, and hence the principal part of his wealth. Andrews, Eben T. 500,000 An old retired merchant ; formei-ly of the old and well Icnown firm of Thomas & Andrews, Publishers and Booksellei's. A young looking man for one of his years. Apple ton, Samuel 1,000,000 The Ajjpletons are a numerous family in New England, descended from Samuel Appleton, one of the first settlers of Ipswich, Mass., in 1635. A hundred years after, some of the name moved to New Ips- wich, in New Hampshire, and their descendants still abound in that vicinity. There have been judges, ministers, and other people of note of the name, but the above was descended from a humbler branch of the family — his whole capital, at starting in life, being afourpencc hap- penny ])aid liim by a drover, who passed his father's house with a herd of cattle, for his assistance in driving. He after\A'ards went to Maine, where he did as good a day's work as any other laboring man. Finally he came to Boston ; got into business in the dry goods line ; made mon- ey ; became an importer, and, like many others in that line of business, went into manufactures. He has no children, but gives away more money annually than any other man in Boston, amounting to a large sum. Appleton, Nathan 1,000,000 Brother of the foregoing, and introduced by him into business. He has written some tracts on banking and the tariff, and Avas chosen rep- resentative to Congress fi-om Boston, some fifteen years since, in oppo- sition to Henry Lee, at a time when the Free T rae party in the city was still strong. One of his daughters is married to a son of the late Sir James Mackintosh, and another to Longfellow, the poet. His son has a taste for the fine arts, and is an amateur painter. A nephew of these Appletons, son of a deceased brother, is married to the only daughter of Daniel Webster. " OUR FIRST MEN." 11 Appleton, William 1,000,000 Cousin of the foregoing. He is a zealous churchman, and has lately given $10,000 to builtl an Episcopal church, and $25,000 to found an Episcojial College, in Massachusetts, on condition that an equal sum be obtained from other sources. Apthorp, John T. 100,000 Former president of the Boston Bank. Married a daughter of the late William Foster. H. G. Otis married another. Ex-Colonel of the Cadets. Armstrong, Samuel T. 200,000 Formerlj' a bookseller. Made a fortune out of Scott's Bible ; of which great numbers have been sold throughout the United States. Mr. A. has been mayor and lieutenant governor. Atkins, Benjamin 150,000 A retired crockery ware dealer. Atkins, Thomas G. 100,000 Dry goods retailer. Austin, Samuel, Jr. 250,000 Austin, Edward 100,000 These two brothers, sons of an ancient clerk in the State House, have been successful merchants. Austin, James T. 150,000 Nephew of the famous Benjamin Austin, formerly the great gun of the Democratic party in Boston, and son-in-law of Elbridge Gerry, a revo- lutionary character, chosen by the Democratic party governor of Mas- sachusetts, and who died vice-president of the United States. Mr. A. was for many years prosecuting officer for the city of Boston, and after- wards attorney general of Massachusetts until the office was abolished. He has lately returned from a visit to Euro|)e. He has published the life of Gerry, his father-in-law. Baker, Eliphalet 150,000 Of the firm of E. Baker & Co., importers of dry goods. He began a retailer in Washington street, not many years since, and has been very successful. Baker, Walter 100,000 Of Dorchester. Chocolate manufacturer, and son of Edmund Baker, of D., who possesses great wealth and is noted for his liberality to the poor, and especially to indigent widows and orphans. Baldwin, Aaron 100,000 President of the Washington Bank. A native of Milton ; bred a mer- chant in early life ; spent some time at Tobago; came back to Roston, and was a commission merchant till 1825, when he was called to take charge of the Washington Bank and Boylston Insurance Company. For about twenty years he had almost the entire management of both these two institutions, in which he has shown great ability and correct- ness. He is a good specimen of a gentleman of the old school. Ball, Stephen 100,000 Practising Physician ; formerly from Northboro'; son of a physician of that town. 12 "OUR FIRST MEN. Ball, Abel 150,000 Dentist ; brothei' of the above. Both brothers are said to have ac- quired the amount within fifteen years. Ballard, John 200,000 Retired carpet dealer. Ballard, Joseph 150,000 Brotiier of the foregoing. Of the firm of Ballard & Prince, carpet dealers. Bancroft, Aaron 100,000 Truckman. Bancroft, George 100,000 One of fortune's favorites ; son of the late Rev. Dr. Bancroft of Worcester ; a brilliant boy at school and college ; sent to Germany ; studied divinity; preached; wrote poetry; was Greek tutor at Cam- bridge, where he attempted some innovations, classifying his schol- ars according to their merits. The infant democracy rebelled against this proceeding ; hissed him, scraped him, and broke his windows. His since political friend, Robert Rantoul, Jr. Esq., then one of his pupils, has the reputation of having taught his then tutor some les- sons about " equal rights," through the medium of brickbats and broken glass. Mr. B. then set up the Round Hill school at Northampton ; mar- ried a Miss Dwight of Springfield, by whom he received a fortune ; pub- lished some translations from the German ; turned politician ; acted with the whigs, but soon went over to the democrats. He lost his wife ; married a second fortune, the widow Bliss ; published at intervals three volumes of his " History of the United States." Was made collector of the port of Boston by Van Buren, and secretary of the navy by Polk. Bangs, Benjamin 400,000 Merchant. Began as a retailer, but soon found that sphere too lim- ited for his business powers. He has ever taken council of liis own judgment in his operations, which has admirably sustained him. Barnard, John M. 100,000 Distiller. Barnard, Charles 100,000 Late of the firm of Barnard, Adams & Co., an old and highly re- spectable commission house. Has now reiired from business. Barnes, D. W. 100,000 Barnes, S. H. 100,000 Ship Chandlers. Two brothers; engaged in a lucrative business some 18 or 20 years, and investing their surplus in bottomry mort- gages, &c. Bartlett, James 100 000 The " Rich Truckman." ' Bartlett, Sidney 100,000 Lawyer, from the Old Colony; former partner of Chief Justice Shaw. A leading j)ractitioner in the courts. Bartlett, Thomas 100 000 A retired diiiggist. A very old man. "OUR FIRST MEN." 13 Bassett, Francis 100,000 A native of Cape Cod. For several years a successful and highly reP'' ctable practitioner of law in this city ; was often of the city gov- e ment ; several times a member of the Massachusetts Legislature ; '•jbsequently appointed Clerk of the U. S. District and Circuit Courts for Massacliusetts, where he performed the duties, which are probably more arduous and responsible than in any other District in the U. S., for about fifteen years, with great ability and fidelity. He has recently resigned, and is about to embark for Europe, to be absent for several years. He is a bachelor. Bates, John D. 150,000 Son of a respectable shipmaster and merchant, late of Concord, and near relative of the distinguished mercliant of London of that name, of the firm of Baring & Bates. Several years of his minority were spent in an extensive mercantile house in Europe. Baxter, Elizabeth 100,000 Widow of John Baxter. Baxter, Sarah W. 100,000 Of a South-end family. Enriched by rise in the value of real estate. Bayley, Richard W. 150,000 Beals, WilUam 100,000 Formerly of the Boston Gazette and now of the firm of Beals &. Greene. Few publishers have so productive a source of wealth as the Boston Post. Beebe, James M. ' 150,000 Of the firm of J. M. Beebe & Co., the largest jobbing house in the city, selling annually a million of dollars. He commenced business under the patronage of John Hathaway, Esq., in Hanover St., where he still continues. He is a native of Pittsfield, Mass., is about 40 years of age, and one of the most promising and remarkable men in the city. Belknap, John 200,000 A successful merchant. Son of the late Dr. Belknap, tlie elegant historian of New Hampshire. He has acquired his property by his own skill and good fortune. Bell, Joseph 100,000 A lawyer from Haverhill, N. H., where he acquired a handsome for- tune. Married an Olcott of Hanover, a noted family of that place. Ru- fijs Choate, Esq. married another sister. Mr. Bell has removed to Bos- ton within a few years past. His practice at the bar is limited, but he is an active member of the State Legislature. Bigelow, Jacob 100,000 A native of Sudbury, and son of a clergyman late of that town. Is an eminent physician and botanist. Formerly Rumford Professor at Cambridjre, and still Professor of Materia Medica in the Medical Col- lege. While in College he was distinguished for his poetical effiisions, which, notwithstanding the gravity of his deportment, were not, it must be confessed, of the most grave cast. He is the author of" Tlie Ama- teurs," a parody upon the "Ode to the Passions," and unsurpassed as a humorous production. 14 "OUR FIRST MEN." Biirelow, Alpiieus 100,0*"""'' Lives ill Weston. Binricy, Amos 300,0 Amos Binnoy, fatlier of the above, and his brother John Binnej', \\( born ill Hull, and were originally in the grocery trade. They \m also warm democrats, and, as navy agents and contractors for si< plies, during the war of 1812, made large fortunes. Amos Binney m ried his cousin, the daughter of John, and thus kept the money in ! family. He has a taste for natural history, and plenty of leisure to c tivate it. His lather was a zealous and influential member of theMoi odist church. Blake, Sarah 300,00 Widow of Edward Blake, and daughter of the late Samuel Parkmai See Francis Parkman. Blake Mrs. Joshua 100,001 The husband of this lady was a brother of the late George Blake, wel known in the jiolitical world. He began life a sea captain, and, like many others in that line, acquired a fortune — such as ship inasters now a-days do not easily make. The family is from Worcester. Blake, Charles 100,000 Blanchard, Edward 200,000 Received his property by inheritance. Blanchard, Noah 100,000 Of the firm of N. Faxon & Co., shoe and leather dealers. This is a branch of business which, on any large scale, has sprung into existence within the last twenty years. At present, many heavy houses and wealthy men are engaged in it. Boies, Jeremiah Smith 100,000 Was a paper manufacturer many years ; was one of the first to en- gage in the cotton manufactnie, and carried it on very successfully. Those Dorchester mills have been very profitable. Mr. Boies is about 85 years of age — a remarkably young looking man for that age. Boott, Mary 100,000 Widow of the late Ku-k Boott. The Bootts were an English family, who came to Boston soon after the Revolutionaiy war, and were lam-elv engaged in the importing business. Boott & Pratt [see Pratt] were partners. Kirk Boott, the son, went into the manufacturing business. and was largely concerned in the Lowell factories— the erection of the first d1 which he superintended. Bordman, Wm. H. 150 OOO Merchant ; son of William Bordman, who began his career inBos- ton, m humble life, but by energy and luck acquired a fortune. Bordman, Lydia 300,000 Widow of William Bordman. An only daughter is married to Wm. Lawrence. Borland, John 200,000 Nephew of James Lloyd, a distinguished merchant of Boston' and TJ!!tiVu- ^''''Sress from Massachusetts, who died without children. and left his property to his nephew. " OUR FIRST MEN." 15 L'urne, Ezra A. 150,000 Came from Sandwich, on Cape Cod. Was a crockery ware dealer, creased his property by intermarriage with the widow of Charles lorndike. [See Thorndike, Augustus.] owditch, Nathaniel I. 100,000 Son of the celebrated mathematician. Is a conveyancer of high rep- tation. Very learned in Boston land titles. Married a daughter ot benezer Francis. owman, Abner H. 150,000 Distiller. radford, Charles F. 100,000 Resides in Roxbury. Of the firm of Charles Homer & Co., hard- are mercliants — formerly Homes and Homer. radford, Saml. D. 400,000 A graduate of Harvard: a retired merchant; son of the late Rev. John radford, Unitarian clergyman, of Roxbury. Of late years, has been )nnected with one of the heaviest importing houses in New York, id as such has spent several years in Europe. Very active, industrious, id fond of reading, and of late has published several able letters, in iply to those of Hon. Abbott Lawrence on the Tariff. radlee, Josiah 500,000 Of the firm of Josiah Bradlee & Co., one of the wealthiest commis- on houses in the city. Son of a Boston tinman. radlee, James Bowdoin 200,000 Son of the foregoing. Married a daughter of Perrin May, a great iiress. radlee, John W. 400,000 A retired wine dealer, >radlee, Mary 150,000 Widow of Thomas D. Bradlee, former partner of the foregoing. radlee, Sapiuel 150,000 A retii-ed hardware dealer. rawer, Thomas 100,000 For many years in the dry goods business in this city, by which he Jcumulated a property of about $200,000, and retiring, invested it in al estate and factory stocks. He became embarrassed during the dis- »trous period of '36 and '37, in consequence of heavy losses by en- orsements and the failure of a manufacturing company, for the debts f which he was responsible. By the assistance of his son, his debts ere finally paid, and his real estate saved from being sacrificed, hich, having since increased very much in value, he is now supposed ) be worth $100,000. Jrewer, Gardner 300,000 Son of the foregoing, and brother of Dr. Thomas M. Brewer, junior ditor and one of the proprietors of the Boston Atlas. Mr. Brewer ]ias formerly a distiller, but left that lucrative business, and is now of le firm of Sayles, Merriam & Brewer, wholesale domestic goods deal- rs. He commenced originally with a small capital, and by close nd persevering attention to business, some fortunate speculations, 16 "OUR FIRST MEN." and the rise of real estate, is in possession of a large fortune. He is still a young man. Brimmer, Martin 250,000 Late mayor. Inherited his property from his uncle, a distinguished and successful merchant. Brooks, Peter C. 6,000,000 The wealthiest man in New England. lie is now very old, as very rich men arc apt to be — a long time being necessary for the accumula- tion of a large estate, and a strong constitution being one of the requi- sites to a money-making character. He is a distant relative of the late Gov. Brooks ; is a native of North Yarmouth, Me., and has lately given $500 to the Academy there. He married a daughter of Nathl. Gorham, of Charlestown, one of the most distinguished men in the State in the revolution. He is a very large owner of real estate ; and it should be mentioned to his credit, that he will not allow any of hiS premises to be occupied for grog-selling purposes ; which is more than can be said of some other rich men, who make more pretensions to public spirit and philanthropy. He lives at Medford in the summer months, but without display, and, to his credit be it said, pays his taxes in Boston. His three daughters are married — one to Dr. Frothingham, of the Chauncey Place chm-ch; another to Edward Everett; and third to Charles F. Adams, only son of John Quincy Adams. He also has four sons ; one of whom, a mei'chant in New York, is very wealthy. Brooks, Edward 200,000 Son of the foregoing; bred a lawyer; agent for his father's real estate in Boston. He has been, sometimes, a member of the State Legisla- ture, but is too honest and plain spoken to have much success as a poli- tician. Brooks, Peter C, Jr. 200,000 Brother of the foregoing. Merchant. Brown, James 100,000 Of the firm of Little & Brown. The most extensive publishers and importers of law and other rare and valuable books in New England. Bryant, John 1,. 500,000 Of the firm of Bryant &. Sturgis, who, from small beginnings, have acquu-ed great fortunes in the trade to the Northwest Coast and to China. Bryant, John, Jr. 150,000 Son of the foregoing. Bumstead, John 250,000 Of the firm of Trott & Bumstead. Inherited a large property from his father. His mother was a sister of the late Gov. Gore. Burgess, Abigail B. 300,000 Wife of the Rev. Dr. Burgess of Dedharn, an Orthodox clergyman, and daughter of the late Wm. Phillips. See Phillips, Jonathan. Burgess, Benjamin 150,000 Of the firm of Benjamin Burgess & Sons, India wharf. Burnham, Thomas O. H. P. 100,000 Antique and secondhand books. One of the few booksellers in Bos- ton who is a man of substance. For though Boston be called the Ath- "OUR FIRST MEN." 17 /^Ko® m^i>m No. 20 State Street BOSTON. 3 {Cr' AH new Works received as soon as published. .J^Q AMERICAN AGENTS FOR WILMfc:R& SiMITH'S EUROPEAN TIMES, London Illustrated News, Pictorial Times, Punch, London Despatch, Bell's Life in London, Dublin Nation, Fre(;man's Journal, and for all the princi- pal American Magazines, Periodicals and News- papers. Strangers and citizens are invited freely to call and examine the great variety of Literary Novelties at No. 20 State Street, (Daily Atlas Building.) JORDAN & WILEY. 05^ Newsmen and the trade can get all their orders supphed here.