Chronology of the Deer Island Quarantine Station and Almshouse 1847 to 1870
The creation of Deer Island as the city’s third quarantine station was a response to a massive influx of Irish the likes of which Bostonian had never seen and probably never will. Deer Island replaced the smaller quarantine facility located on Rainsford Island about 2 miles to the south.This chronology identifies the key events of this formative period in Boston history.
January 1, 1847
Deer Island Becomes de-facto Quarantine Station
In a quixotic act of public health preparedness, the External Health Department hires a boy to help the boatmen with the sick that are carried to the quarantine islands. His stint runs through September 1847 (ARRE, 1847).
May 21, 1847
Temporary Island Hospital Buildings ErectedA total of five vessels arrive in the port of Boston. The Board of Aldermen orders the erection of suitable buildings on Deer Island for the accommodation of “sick alien paupers” (BET p. 2).
May 25, 1847
Floating Lazarettos Raise Public IndignationBoston Evening Transcript calls the immigrant ships “floating lazarettos with inmates arriving daily at our wharves and scattering amongst our population. The “Shepherd” vessel lost 50 passengers during its passage and 9 of her crew to fever. The Editor of the paper notes that the city authorities have taken Deer Island where all sick pauper emigrants now at south Boston are to be removed as soon as “shanties” can be erected for their accommodation. The editor urges all emigrant ships to go into quarantine and that none land in the city except by permit from the Port Physician (BET, p. 2).
May 28, 1847
Irish Overwhelm Boston Almshouse
Directors of the House of Industry, the city’s poor house, report that the Irish are overwhelming their resources in South Boston. The Directors believe that fever ridden immigrants will recover sooner on Deer Island than in the crowded wards of the South Boston Almshouse. Today 812 people take shelter in the almshouse but the city takes no solace in their efforts, anticipating more Irish to arrive in the month ahead further stretching city resources (BDA, p. 2).
May 29, 1847
Steward of Deer Island Appointed
The city appoints Samuel Turner the temporary steward at Deer Island. The Boston Evening Transcript reports that one Deer Island building will be ready today to receive sick and pauper immigrants at the that place (BET p.2).
June 5, 1847
Burdens of Sailing to Harbor IslandsJohn Carty, sick with ship fever, is sent to Long Wharf for removal to Deer Island. He died while being put on Board the vessel. His case underscores the challenges of caring for the sick on remote islands (BET p. 2).
June 8, 1847
City Council Ratifies Deer Island Quarantine StationThe City Council calls a Special meeting this evening for the purpose of changing the quarantine regulations which now apply exclusively to Rainsford Island. The Port Physician begins detaining vessels carrying immigrants at Deer Island where the hospital for their reception has been erected. Shifting the quarantine station, anticipates the arrival of large number of Irish immigrants coming from Liverpool and Irish ports (BET, p. 2).
June 9, 1847
Quincy Authorizes Quarantine Station
Mayor Josiah Quincy establishes Deer Island as the official quarantine grounds of the city of Boston (BET p.2).
June 28, 1847
Port Physician Expands Medical InspectionsDr. Smith, the city’s Port Physician, reports about 2,000 immigrants on board 24 vessels in quarantine with many more on their way. This is an unprecedented level of immigration and quarantine controls in Boston. In anticipation of a growing burden of disease, the Board orders the use of standard language on the form of certificate signed by the port physician (minutes of the Board of Aldermen, p. 299 and BET, p. 2).
June 28, 1847
Interest in Public Hospital Intensifies
The Common Council instructs the committee on public land to look into expediency of appropriating a lot of land in the southerly part of the city for the erection of a public hospital (minutes of the Board of Aldermen, p. 296).
June 30, 1847
Boston Press Criticizes Island QuarantineThe editor of the Boston Daily Atlas criticizes the quarantine program on Deer Island and suggests it is exacerbating the spread of disease. Many poor were removed from South Boston and friends of the sickened paupers deserted them in droves out of fear of catching the contagion. He acknowledges that Deer Island is better than the South Boston Almshouse as a place to treat the sick but urges the use of other islands to house those immigrants who are well to avoid spreading the disease (BET p.2).
Note The editor indicates that the quarantine building is 255 feet long and two stories tall. There are now about 300 patients on the island and 25 people have died since the hospital opened.
July 7, 1847
Mainland Hospital Crushed
A committee of the Board of Aldermen reports that it is inexpedient to make such land appropriation for a hospital in the southerly part of the city (Minutes of the Board of Aldermen, p. 303).
July 8, 1847
In Two Months Deer Island Becomes a Small Town
As a result of increasing immigration, the population of Deer Island reaches 700 souls. The arrival of two more vessels this week adds 318 more passengers to the list of Deer Island detainees (BET p. 2).
July 8, 1847
Unprecedented Workload for Port PhysicianPort Physician Dr. Smith reports that he examined 136 vessels during the last quarter (April, May, June), principally due to the sickness of passengers. This is the largest number of vessels inspected in his 21 years as the city’s Port Physician (Boston Daily Atlas, p. 2).
June 9, 1847
Fear Festers in Irish FamiliesFear of island confinement was a pervasive amongst Irish immigrants. Timothy Ryan, an Irishman dies while attempting to swim from the quarantine sloop used to carry invalids to Deer Island (BET, p. 2).
July 10, 1847
Tent City Grows on Deer IslandNearly 700 people are living on Deer Island due to the arrival of the ship Manteo. Due to the overwhelming number of people requiring shelter, the Board o Health authorizes the immigrants to stay in tents (Massachusetts Ploughman and the New England Journal of Agriculture, July 10, 1847, p 2).
July 13, 1847
Wrenching Moments of Family Confinement on Deer IslandThere are 362 patients in the Deer Island hospitals. During the past week 93 people are sent down from the city including a man, his wife and seven children.(BET, p.2).
July 20, 1847
Temporary Hospital Serves City’s Unmet NeedsSince the establishment of the hospital on Deer Island on May 29th, the city admitted a total of 799 patients of which 71 have died, 426 discharged and 367 remain in the hospital (BET p. 2).
August 3, 1847
Increased Quarantine EnforcementThe Port Physician sends a total of 5 of 24 vessels arriving in Boston into quarantine, a level of enforcement twenty times greater than any previous quarantine practice in the 19th century (Boston Daily Atlas, p.2).
August 11, 1847
Alien Passenger Fees ImposedThe city of Boston is authorized to impose fees on alien passengers under an “Act relating to Alien Passengers” passed August 10, 1847. A fee of $2 for each passenger landing is imposed on the master or ship owner. In addition, a $1,000 fee is imposed on ship owners for bringing paupers into any port in the state. The Law was passed on April 20, 1847 but the city of Boston notified the press on August 11, 1847 of this requirement and the need to dock at Deer Island (BET, p. 4).
August 20, 1847
Nearly 10% of Deer Island Detainees DieOf the 1,373 persons admitted to Deer Island Hospital since May 29th 135 have died including 122 who died on the island and 13 who died on arrival (BET p. 2).
August 31, 1847
City Plans Permanent Island Poor HouseThe City Council instructs the city’s committee on Public Buildings to obtain plans and estimates for a House of Industry on Deer Island and to report back to the Council. BET p. 2. Within three weeks the Common Council takes ownership of the issue and appoints Messrs Parker, Boynton, Coolidge, Gold, Simonds, Wales and Carter of the Common Council as the Committee to consider the expediency of removing one of more of the institutions now at South Boston to Deer Island (Boston Daily Atlas p.2).
October 29, 1847
House of Industry Confirms Need for New Building
The Committee on the Removal of the House of Industry from South Boston to Deer Island submits its report and recommends a new building on Deer Island. A total of 375 persons remain on Deer Island and 1,815 were admitted since its opening. A total of 313 persons were in the hospital the previous week.
November 4, 1847
Press Criticizes Mixing Native and Foreign PoorThe editors of the Boston Evening Transcript criticize the city for proposing to locate the House of Industry on Deer Island where native poor and the “degenerate poor of Great Britain” are mixed together at the peril of the health of the former. BET, p. 2. The following week (i.e. on November 11th), the editors of the BET continue their criticism of Deer Island as the location for the House of Industry and urge separate quarters on the 184 acre island for the native poor and the pauper from Great Britain (BET, p. 2).
November 12, 1847
Citizens Oppose Influx of Foreign Paupers
A public meeting is held at Fanueil Hall on the subject of the foreign paupers. It is well attended and raises public anger about the impact they are having on native poor and introducing fatal diseases into Boston (BET, p. 2).
December 6, 1847
Island Physician Succumbs to Ship FeverDr. Joseph Moriarty, the Deer Island physician dies on Saturday evening from ship fever.
December 14, 1847
Island Physician’s Brother Assumes Island DutiesDr. John P. Moriarty, Joseph Moriarty’s brother, agrees to take over the role of physician at the Hospital on Deer Island. On this same day the ship “Washington” arrives with quite a few fever patients that are sent to Deer Island Hospital (BET, p.2).
January 28, 1848
347 Die on Deer Island in less than Seven MonthsA total of 290 patients remain in the Deer Island Hospital with 2, 230 admitted since its opening. In addition, Dr. Moriarty reports that 347 person were buried on Deer Island since May 29th (BET, p. 2).
March 20, 1848
City Rigidly Enforces Alien Passenger LawThe city declares that the alien passenger law is to be rigidly enforced starting on April 1st (BET, p. 2).
March 21, 1848
Food Riot on Deer IslandA pauper riot occurs on Deer Island due to poor quality of the food. The paupers take broom sticks to seek justice about the poor food (BET, p. 2).
April 17, 1848
Death Crosses the AtlanticMany immigrants succumbed to disease before they ever reached America. On April 16th, the ships George Evans, Couillard and the Java Perry, the latter from Liverpool, arrive in quarantine. The former brought 249 steerage passengers, two of whom died in passage and twenty that were put into the Deer Island Hospital. The Java had 2,000 steerage passengers, five of whom died in passage and two that were placed into the hospital.
June 8, 1848
Medical Staff Disabled by DiseaseThe hospital’s assistant physician at Deer Island, Dr. Walker and Captain Ellis of the Sloop Betsey Ransom, who carries immigrants from the city to the island, are both quite ill. A total of 169 patients remain in the Deer Island Hospital with 2,610 admitted since its opening(BET, p. 2).
July 14, 1848
Fear Drives Bizarre Flight from Island PrisonLast evening an Irishman, sick with ship fever and insane was sent to the office of J.B. Monroe, superintendent of alien passengers, Long Wharf for the purpose of being removed to Deer Island. Mr. Monroe, put him into a side room to await the sailing of the boat, but soon after he made his escape. This morning he was found in a cavity under an adjoining store, divested of his clothing. How he got there was a mystery, as the only opening to it as through a hole 8 by 12 inches. The brick at the foundation of the store had to be removed before he could be gotten out, which was done and the unfortunate man relieved and taken care of (BET, p. 2).
August 10, 1848
Irish Priest Serve the Island FlockThe editor of the Christian Reflector and Christian Watchman reports that a catholic priest visits Deer Island twice a week for catholic services for the Irish (Christian Reflector and Christian Watchman, August 10, 1848, p 29).
October 20, 1848
Vessels Quarantined Based on Port of Origin
The city issues a notice in the Boston Evening Transcript indicating pilots and masters of vessels arriving with alien passengers on board coming from Liverpool England or any part of Ireland are required to anchor at the usual place near Deer Island. Vessels are to wait for their inspection and vessels with aliens are to anchor in the inner harbor and await instructions of the Harbor Master. The new regulations take effect November 1st (BET, p. 3).
October 24, 1848
Portrait of an Epidemic
There are no patients left in the Deer Island Hospital. Since its opening on May 29, 1847, Dr. Moriarty, the Deer Island physician admitted a total of 2,815 persons. Today he issues his last report noting that 456 died in the hospital, 27 died on board ships, 4 died coming from ships and 2 died coming from the city. The city quarantined 1,698 Bostonians and 1,112 passengers during this period – a level of mass quarantine never previously seen. As an island enclave removed from city life, those that died on Deer Island also witnessed birth as well. During this period, 5 persons were born into quarantine. In less than 18 months, the city quarantined 2,815 persons who arrived from the city, from ships or by virtue of birth on the island (BET, p. 2).
November 24, 1848
Deer Island Devoted to Relief of City Poor
The Common Council authorizes the Directors of the house of Industry to occupy as much of Deer Island and the buildings thereon as may be necessary to relieve the crowded state of the buildings in South Boston (BET, p. 2).
December 7, 1848
City Shifts Foreign Paupers to Deer IslandThe City removes about 150 paupers principally foreigners from the Almshouse to Deer Island on account of the insufficient accommodations at South Boston (BET, p. 2)
January 3, 1849
Physicians Urge Personal Hygiene to Fight Cholera
The Consulting Physicians release their opinion on personal hygiene techniques to avoid cholera and expound on the ineffectiveness of quarantine as a disease control tool (Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, January 3, 1849).
January 5, 1849
Mayor Plays Direct Role in Island ManagementThe city creates new committee to manage Deer Island with direct involvement of the Mayor and two Aldermen. Eleven days later on January 16th, the City Council appoints the Mayor and Aldermen Rogers and Grant to the Board’s standing committee on the institutions at South Boston and Deer Island (BET, January 16 p. 2 and BET January 5, p. 2.).
January 24, 1849
Supreme Court Throws Out Alien Fee LawsThe U.S. Supreme Court rules that the alien passenger fee laws imposed by Massachusetts and New York are not constitutional (BET, p. 4).
February 23, 1849
Many Irish Arrive Malnourished and Near StarvationThe city investigates starvation on board vessels entering Boston harbor. Masters and Commanders of vessels are not required to adhere to any sanitary standards or provide board for passengers. These deplorable shipboard conditions eventually trigger vessel hygiene legislation in Congress (BET, p. 2).
March 23, 1849
Ocean Weather Nearly Kills Deer Island Detainees
Tumultuous weather nearly kills six females that left for shore from the ship “Faneuil Hall” (BET, p. 2).
April 4, 1849
City Declares That Poor Must Go to Deer IslandThe City Council passes a resolve that when any further accommodations are required for the poor of the city that it is provided at Deer Island (Boston Daily Atlas, p. 1). This action turns Deer Island into the most populated island along the eastern seaboard and the de-facto home of some of the poorest Irish to ever migrate to America. Boston’s Politicians are pleased with the condition of things on the island after an April 5th visit made by both branches of the legislature. A total of 400 persons are now living on the island, most of whom are foreign Irish (BET, p. 2).
May 1, 1849
Role of Port Physician Expanded to Include Island DutyThe city proposes to place the port physician on Deer Island and create the position of City Physician (BET, p. 2 and Daily Atlas, p. 2).
May 24, 1849
Immigrants Employed in Island Road Building ProjectThe city employs immigrants in building a road around Deer Island and other improvements. The island has a school with about 40 children. The question of the rapidly increasing pauper population makes the question of their future one of immense magnitude for the city (Christian Register, May 24, 1849, p. 28).
May 29, 1849
The Press Points to Causes of Depressed WagesThe editors of the Boston Daily Atlas speak out about the depressed wages of native workers caused by the foreign paupers arriving in droves (Boston Daily Atlas p. 2).
July 4, 1849
Former Port Physician Blasts CitySoon after resigning his post as Port Physician, Dr. Smith condemns the city’s proposed plan for a hospital and Almshouse on Deer Island in the Boston Medical Surgical Journal (BMSJ, July 4, 1849, 444). One week later Dr. Smith continues his condemnation of the city’s proposed plan for a hospital and Almshouse on Deer Island in the Boston Medical Surgical Journal. According to Smith there is not enough room to accommodate all the paupers coming into Boston and that it will be abandoned out of necessity due to being too small (BET, July 11th p. 2).
July 13, 1849
Public Wharf Approved to Regularize Immigrant ArrivalsThe Common Council agrees to expend $5,000 for building a wharf on Deer Island based on a May 15th request made by the committee on Public Buildings. They authorize the committee on Institutions at South Boston and Deer Island to erect a suitable edifice for the accommodation of the poor on Deer Island (BET, p. 2).
July 17, 1849
Design for a New Almshouse SelectedThe Board of Aldermen concurs on the building of a suitable edifice for the accommodation of the poor on Deer Island. BET, p. 2. The following week, the Board selects a design for an almshouse building on Deer Island (BET, July 24th, p. 2).
August 11, 1849
Hundreds of Paupers Remain on the Island
The Boston Evening Transcript editors report that there are 380 paupers living on Deer Island.. BET, p. 2.
August 11, 1849
Christian Inquirer Reveals Deplorable Conditions of Immigrants
The Christian Inquirer reports on the condition of the City Institutions on Deer Island. The reporter made the trip on the quarantine boat in about three quarters of an hour covering the six miles separating the island from downtown Boston. The reporter learns that Deer Island was chosen some two years ago to handle immigrants who had succumbed to ship fever and other diseases. The accommodations were most imperfect, made in great haste. He noted that the current physician’s brother died from exposure to the ship’s fever. The growing pauperism, he believes, was a factor in transferring paupers from South Boston to Deer Island. At the time of his visit there are a hospital and an almshouse, the latter being a branch and under the directors of the House of Industry and used mainly for diseased and foreign paupers including children suffering with the opthalmia who are getting better, if not entirely well by simply by a change of air. The reporter notes that the descriptions that Dr. Moriarty gave of the horrible condition of some of the immigrants on their arrival were such as to make the listener shudder and shrink with feeling of loathing and disgust. It was enough to cause him to look with admiration upon the kindness and professional faithfulness of a physician willing to go near such cases at all. Ireland, must, indeed, be a land afflicted with a terrible curse as the consequence of awful wickedness or awful blunders where such “human vermin. The phrase is not exaggerated in this application of it – are found in almost every ship load of emigrants arriving in this port.
Those emigrants who are according to law, to be “bonded” by the owners of the vessels bring them over to prevent them from becoming a charge to the Commonwealth, are generally taken on shore and subjected instantly to a cleansing operation of the most searching and through kind. Their rags are stripped off and burned, their bodies abluted with hot water and cold and a solution of corrosive sublimate, to kill effectually the vermin with which they are often covered
“It is not for us, perhaps, with slender information, to speak of the policy of the city government, and we suppose that the municipal affairs are intricate machine, having wheels within wheels not always moving, without friction, difficult sometimes to manage and turning out, occasionally, some very remarkable products. But we will just hazard the opinion that the sooner all the institutions to take care of the destitute and the vicious are classified, separated and placed each on an island by itself, the better. The building together of almshouses, lunatic asylums, house of correction and reformation on the main land, in our humble and possibly very crude judgment, is not the wisest, the most humane or in the long run the most economical course for a city which can command a while harbor full of islands, every way suitable for such establishments.
(Christian Inquirer, August 11, 1849, p 1).
August 18, 1849
Consulting Physicians Offer Dietary Strategies to Thwart Cholera
The Boston Cultivator publishes guidance on avoiding cholera as recommended by the Board of Consulting Physicians. The Consulting Physicians recommend abstaining from cabbages, green corn, all kinds of unripe and decayed fruit and uncooked vegetables. They also recommend abstaining from eating in excess of any kind of food and from taking food late in the evening. Finally, they recommend avoid taking cold drinks freely, especially when heated and wholly abstain from spirits. The safest drinks are tea and water if used moderately. They recommend washing the body all over with soap and water as often as possible and everything unclean and offensive removed from inhabited apartments (Boston Cultivator, August 18, 1849, p. 264).
September 14, 1849
Cholera Strikes the CityCholera strikes the city of Boston (BET, p. 2).
October 6, 1849
Dr. Moriarty Praised for His Island WorkThe Christian Register praises Dr. Moriarty for his ability to manage a wide range of sick and criminal class immigrants on Deer Island under the most challenging circumstances. The reporter indicates that the new Brick Almshouse is already under construction but not yet complete (Christian Register, October 8, 1849, p. 158).
December 19, 1849
Boston Called Botany BayThe Boston Evening Transcript editors report on the rise of foreign pauperism and its impact on Boston. The editor calls Boston Harbor the equivalent of Botany Bay, referring to the vast outpouring of the Irish poor, sick and convict class that has overwhelmed the city’s almshouse during the last year (BET, p. 4).
January 8, 1850
Mayor Blasts European Leaders for Dumping Lunatics into BostonMayor Bigelow makes his inaugural address in which he blames European leaders for unloading their lunatics on American soil. He also mentions that the new city jail is the most costly in the city’s history (Boston Daily Atlas, p. 2)
February 14, 1850
Lack of a Smallpox Pest House Becomes a Public Issue
The reporter for the Boston Daily Atlas reviews the problems with the lack of smallpox hospitals in the city (Boston Daily Atlas).
May 1850
Deer Island Continues to Serve Emergency Medical NeedsThe city has two wooden hospitals on Deer Island, the Resident Physician’s house, and barns now used as an appendage of the House of Industry and the House of Reformation (ARRE 1850).
August 27, 1850
Death Toll Mounts and City Builds Island Tombs to Handle CrisisThe Directors of the House of Industry notify the City Council of their plans for tombs on Deer Island. They estimate it will cost $1,767.50 to construct these tombs (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
January 7, 1851
Mayor Declares New Poor House Nearly CompleteMayor Bigelow proclaims that the new Almshouse on Deer Island is nearly complete and that it will serve the needs of the poor now served by the buildings located in South Boston. It is one of the largest buildings ever built in New England, accommodating over 1,500 persons (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
February 7, 1851
City Authorizes Furniture for New Almshouse
The Common Council authorizes the borrowing of $12,000 for new furniture at Deer Island. Daily Atlas, p. 2. Some in the press question the over-investment in expensive furnishings for the foreign paupers, arguing that it only encourages European paupers to come to Boston.
May 1851
New Brick Almshouse is One of the Largest in America
Deer Island has a new Brick Almshouse and two wooden hospitals. It also has a wharf, a pier, a physician’s residence, a receiving house and a boat house (ARRE, 1851).
October 9, 1851
Island Pauper Building Built for Outpouring of European Poor
The new almshouse on Deer Island is nearly complete and partly occupied. It has cost $150,000 and will house 1,500 paupers (Boston Daily Courier, p. 4).
November 18, 1851
Island Physician Conducts Unprecedented Number of Medical InspectionsDr. Moriarty declares that he has inspected 3,920 immigrant passengers at the Deer Island Quarantine station during the previous quarter, an unprecedented workload for a single physician tackling the city’s greatest public health challenges of the previous 100 years (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
1852
Ship Fever Cases Plague the Port of Boston
The Port Physician receives 107 cases of ship fever at the Deer Island hospital and 12 prove fatal (Annual Report o the House of Industry, 1853, p. 10)
January 4, 1853
Almshouse Not Fully Used Due to Jurisdictional IssuesMayor Seaver indicates in his inaugural address that the city’s poor are not fully occupying Deer Island due to efforts by the City to have the state legislature shift this responsibility over to the Commonwealth (Boston Daily Atlas, p. 1).
October 20, 1853
A Citizen Questions Need for a New Hospital for LunaticsIn a letter to the editor, a citizen questions the need for a new hospital for Boston’s lunatics. He suggests that the added costs be reconsidered in light of past errors made by the city in placing the almshouse on Deer Island only to find that the state had its own plans for supporting the poor, which if they had been known in advance, might have altered the city’s plans (Boston Evening Transcript, p. 1).
October 24 and 28, 1853
Citizens Question Exiling Lunatics to Harbor IslandsA subsequent letter to the editor in the Boston Evening Transcript declares the Boston Lunatic Hospital overwhelmingly overcrowded and leading to prison like conditions for these suffering souls. In the subsequent letter to the editor, the author questions the feasibility of placing the lunatics on Deer Island due to the limited farm land and the dangers of storm surges on this island (Boston Evening Transcript, p. 1).
January 4, 1854
Dr. Smith Frowns on Deer Island as Fiscal DebacleIn his inaugural address, Mayor Smith questions the expense of operating Deer Island almshouse and whether it might be encouraging pauperism by its relatively commodious living conditions (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
March 10, 1854
Island Construction Funds are FrozenThe Common Council orders no additional funds be authorized for South Boston and Deer Island institutions. Presumably, the city was attempting to determine the appropriate course of action for these institutions before spending additional funds (Daily Atlas, p 2).
June 27, 1854
City Relocates Prisoners to Deer IslandCity Council approves relocation of prisoners from South Boston to Deer Island (Daily Atlas, p. 2). This ordinance orders the use of a portion of the Large Brick Building as a House of Corrections. Its effect is to force the use of the old wooden buildings for correctional facilities on Deer Island (Report of the Committee on Institutions of the Present Condition of the House of Industry, 1857, Boston City Document #27 p. 6)
October 10, 1854
Overcrowding in the City Reform School
The Board of Directors of the House of Reformation raises concerns about the overcrowded conditions in the House of Reformation in South Boston (Boston Evening Transcript, p. 1).
November 8, 1854
City Committee Recommends Moving Prisoners to Deer Island
The City Council's committee on Deer Island recommends removal of House of Correction to save taxpayer money, use South Boston for tax generating development and remove obnoxious land uses from South Boston. The Long Wing of the Deer Island building is to be used for the House of Corrections (Annual Report of the House of Industry, 1854).
January 2, 1855
Mayor Proposes Shifting Lunatic Hospital to Deer Island
Mayor Smith, the city’s former Port Physician, declares that Deer Island is the place to build a lunatic hospital since the city owns it. He mentions that the state is partnering with the city on the use of a steamboat to serve the island. The vessel will serve not only Deer Island but Rainsford Island as well. The Mayor indicates that the House of Corrections is moving there soon and justifies his position by declaring that the City of New York serves as the model for the city’s actions. His position, while diametrically opposite to his views of six years earlier, reflects the sober reality of a city that spending far beyond its fiscal means (Daily Atlas, p. 1).
January 16, 1855
Irish Continue to Dominate Poor HouseBoston Evening Transcript reveals that over 50% of the poor (i.e., 146 out of 277 paupers) admitted to the House of Industry are Irish (BET p.1).
February 13, 1855
City Urges Deer Island Almshouse for Convict UseBoard of Aldermen passes an order to petition the legislature to use the Brick building on Deer Island as a House of Corrections. Daily Atlas, p.2. Soon thereafter, the House of Corrections prisoners are moved to Deer Island (see 1854 House of Corrections' committee recommendations).
March 20, 1855
Island Steamboat Service Viewed as Efficiency MeasureBoard of Aldermen passed an order to purchase a steamboat to carry paupers to Deer and Rainsford Islands (Boston Evening Transcript, p 4).
April 27, 1855
City Treasurer Given Funds to Make Deer Island Fit for CriminalsCity Treasurer authorized to spend $30,000 on Deer Island Building to make it fit for convicts (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
May 8, 1855
City authorizes relocation of Reform School Boys to Almshouse
The Board of Directors for the House of Reformation is authorized by the Board of Aldermen to relocate the reform school boys from the building on Broadway to a new reformatory recently occupied as an Almshouse ((Daily Atlas, p2).
July 31, 1855
Prisoners Moved To Deer Island
The Board of Aldermen authorizes the House of Corrections to remove prisoners from South Boston to Deer Island on a schedule they see fit (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
August 8, 1855
City’s Press Plays up Removal of South Boston Prisoners to the IslandThe Boston Evening Transcript publishes an article on the anticipated removal of prisoners from Ward 12 of Boston, the home of the city’s most unsavory institutional land uses such as the smallpox hospital, the Lunatic hospital and the city’s greatest concentration of Irish (BET, p. 2).
August 28, 1855
Request for New Building for TruantsA Committee of the House of Industry recommends that the Board of Aldermen approve new buildings on Deer Island for truant and vagrant boys. Daily Atlas, p. 2. About one month later, (i.e. December 13, 1855), the Board of Aldermen authorizes the Overseers of the House of Corrections to prepare plans and specifications for improvements on Deer Island (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
November 16, 1855
Sea Wall Approved to Stop Island ErosionBoard of Aldermen authorizes $2,000 for a seawall on Deer Island. Seasonal storm surges remain a constant threat to the integrity of Boston Harbor islands (Boston Daily Atlas, p. 2).
May 1856
City Builds Cholera Hospital on Boston NeckThe city builds a new cholera hospital. It is a wooden building located on the Neck lands with 20 bedsteads. It cost $2,565.18 to construct and remains in existence through at least 1862 (Annual Report of Receipts and Expenditures, 1856).
January 6, 1857
Mayor urges Consolidation of Services on Deer IslandMayor Alexander Rice declares that Deer Island be used as the consolidated location for the Houses of Industry, Correction and Reformation. He emphasizes the cost advantages of this approach and the inefficiencies associated with the current divided management of these people in South Boston and Deer Island. He indicates that the current Almshouse is not being used and will soon decay if plans are not put in place for its maintenance (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
Based on the Mayor’s recommendations, the 3 boards of the House of Correction, House of Industry and House of Lunatics are merged into one (see Annual Report of Public Institutions, 1859 p. 15). The increasing use of the island leads to other problems: During 1857, the tombs of the dead are relocated from the Northeast Area of Deer Island due to Sea erosion (Annual Report of the Board of Public Institutions).
March 10, 1857
Poor House Reconstituted in Deer Island BuildingThe Board of Aldermen authorizes taking ownership of the that wing of the building no longer used by the House of Correction on Deer Island and using it for the House of Industry (Daily Atlas p. 2).
March 28, 1857
Board of Directors of Public Institutions EstablishedThe City Council creates a super bureaucracy responsible for all of the institutions managing lunatics, paupers, convicts and truants. The new agency is called the Board of Public Institutions and is managed by a 12 member board (see city document #55, Mayor Joseph Wightman’s Objection to an Ordinance Concerning Public Institutions, July 14, 1862, p. 5).
1858
Lying In Hospital Becomes City Property
The city purchases the Lying In hospital on Worcester and Springfield Streets for $45,000 and resells it to the New England Female Medical Society in 1859 for $50,000. It reverts to the city in October 1861. The lot contains 40,000 square feet (Annual Report of Receipts and Expenditures, ARRE, 1862).
July 1, 1858
Truants & Other Youthful Offenders Moved to Deer IslandThe House of Reformation moves to Deer Island (Annual Report of Board of Public Institutions, 1859).
May 19, 1959
Girl’s Reformatory Established on Deer IslandThe Board of Aldermen authorizes a girl’s reformatory school on Deer Island (Annual Report of Public Institutions, 1860, p. 5).
August 21, 1859
Fire Destroys Buildings on Deer IslandOn August 21, 1859 a fire burns a number of buildings on Deer Island including those used for reform school. Half of the 800 volumes in their library burned (Annual Report of Public Institutions, 1859).
1859
Smallpox Hospital Opened in Boston ProperThe city establishes a smallpox hospital within the city under the direction of the Internal Health Department. The Board of Public Institutions erects a new House of Reformation as well as a barn on Deer Island. This project was triggered by the destruction of the previous buildings by a fire (ARRE, 1860).
May 1860
Smallpox Hospital Erected on Deer IslandThe City builds a smallpox hospital on Deer Island as part of the quarantine station. The hospital costs $2,060.62 (ARRE, 1860).
1861
City Leases Gallop's Island to Military
The city leases Gallop’s Island for $100 per year (ARRE, 1862). During the period 1861 to 1865 Gallop's island was used for military purposes and was not available as a potential quarantine station.
1863
City’s Cholera Hospital Converted to a Smallpox HospitalThe city converts the former cholera hospital located on the Neck lands into a smallpox hospital. The hospital has 20 beds available at a moments notice. It is located on New Albany Street north of Brookline Street and occupied by a care taker family (ARRE, 1863).
May 24, 1864
Boston City Hospital OpensThe city’s New Hospital is open to the public. Hospital is bounded by Harrison Avenue, Concord, Springfield and Albany Streets and contains 6.7 acres. Construction began in 1861 but the hospital did not accept patients until May 24, 1864. It is the first Hospital in Boston to accept all classes of Bostonians without regard to income (ARRE 1864).
1865
Federal Goverment continues lease of Gallop's Island
City leases Gallop’s Island to the federal government for $809.04 per year (ARRE, 1865).
April 30, 1865
Smallpox Hospital Managed by the Trustees of Boston City HospitalThe City Council places the mainland smallpox hospital under the direction of the trustees of the city hospital. This is the first instance in the city’s history where a pest house is managed without any direct involvement from the Boston City Council (ARRE, 1865).
April 1, 1867
Gallops Island Becomes Quarantine Station for BostonAs a result of a smallpox epidemic on Deer Island, the quarantine building is abandoned and patients transferred to Deer Island, Dr, E. H. Stevens, Assistant Port Physician, manages Gallop's Island (Boston City Document #97, Eleventh Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1867-68, p. 44). For details on the history of Gallop's Island quarantine station click this link: http://gallopsisland.blogspot.com/
August 26, 1867
The City Council’s Committee on External Health Relinquishes QuarantineThe City transfers responsibility for quarantine from its external committee on External Health to the Board of Public Institutions (Boston City Document #97, Eleventh Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1867-68, p. 23).
1868
Deer Island Continues to serve as a Quarantine StationThe smallpox hospital on Deer Island is still listed as being in existence on the island and the island still remains a functional quarantine station (ARRE, 1868).
1869
Prisoners Used on Gallop’s IslandThe Board of Public Institutions admits it uses thee prisoners and one overseer to manage Gallop’s Island and to keep it ready for any epidemic that might emerge (Boston City Document #53, Twelfth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1868-69, p. 34).
Old Quarantine Station Converted to House for FarmerThe House of Industry reports that the former quarantine hospital has been turned into a temporary residence for the Island farmer (Boston City Document #53, Twelfth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1868-69, p. 41).
April 1, 1870
Pauper School Established on Deer IslandThe House of Industry reports that the pauper boys occupied their new school on April 1, 1870 thereby relieving then from sharing space with criminals on the island. On this same day, the girls took the former pauper boy’s school constructed two years earlier. The city also plans a separate building on Deer Island for an Almshouse since there is not enough space in the large brick building for the House of Industry and House of Reformation. The administrators of the House of Industry say that conditions are so overcrowded in the dormitories there is no room to pass between beds (Boston City Document #47, Thirteenth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1869-70, p. 27).
May 1, 1870
Gallop’s Island Hospital is a Disaster Waiting to HappenDr. Durgin reports that of the 54+ barracks built in 1861 by the military only 27 were standing as of 1867. Since that time nine have been blown down by the winds, five have been removed and thirteen still remain some of which are half way down. For the last 18 months, one building used as a smallpox hospital remains leaning with large braces in place to protect it from being blown over by the winter winds. He implores the city to take action to avert a public health crisis that seems all but imminent (City Document #47, Thirteenth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1869-70, p. 57).
July 1870
Gallop’s Island Quarantine Hospital RenovatedDuring the summer of 1870, the city renovated the quarantine hospital on Gallop’s Island. The adjoining building was also repaired and designed for the hospital cooking department . (City Document #32, Fourteenth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1870-71, p. 35).
The creation of Deer Island as the city’s third quarantine station was a response to a massive influx of Irish the likes of which Bostonian had never seen and probably never will. Deer Island replaced the smaller quarantine facility located on Rainsford Island about 2 miles to the south.This chronology identifies the key events of this formative period in Boston history.
January 1, 1847
Deer Island Becomes de-facto Quarantine Station
In a quixotic act of public health preparedness, the External Health Department hires a boy to help the boatmen with the sick that are carried to the quarantine islands. His stint runs through September 1847 (ARRE, 1847).
May 21, 1847
Temporary Island Hospital Buildings ErectedA total of five vessels arrive in the port of Boston. The Board of Aldermen orders the erection of suitable buildings on Deer Island for the accommodation of “sick alien paupers” (BET p. 2).
May 25, 1847
Floating Lazarettos Raise Public IndignationBoston Evening Transcript calls the immigrant ships “floating lazarettos with inmates arriving daily at our wharves and scattering amongst our population. The “Shepherd” vessel lost 50 passengers during its passage and 9 of her crew to fever. The Editor of the paper notes that the city authorities have taken Deer Island where all sick pauper emigrants now at south Boston are to be removed as soon as “shanties” can be erected for their accommodation. The editor urges all emigrant ships to go into quarantine and that none land in the city except by permit from the Port Physician (BET, p. 2).
May 28, 1847
Irish Overwhelm Boston Almshouse
Directors of the House of Industry, the city’s poor house, report that the Irish are overwhelming their resources in South Boston. The Directors believe that fever ridden immigrants will recover sooner on Deer Island than in the crowded wards of the South Boston Almshouse. Today 812 people take shelter in the almshouse but the city takes no solace in their efforts, anticipating more Irish to arrive in the month ahead further stretching city resources (BDA, p. 2).
May 29, 1847
Steward of Deer Island Appointed
The city appoints Samuel Turner the temporary steward at Deer Island. The Boston Evening Transcript reports that one Deer Island building will be ready today to receive sick and pauper immigrants at the that place (BET p.2).
June 5, 1847
Burdens of Sailing to Harbor IslandsJohn Carty, sick with ship fever, is sent to Long Wharf for removal to Deer Island. He died while being put on Board the vessel. His case underscores the challenges of caring for the sick on remote islands (BET p. 2).
June 8, 1847
City Council Ratifies Deer Island Quarantine StationThe City Council calls a Special meeting this evening for the purpose of changing the quarantine regulations which now apply exclusively to Rainsford Island. The Port Physician begins detaining vessels carrying immigrants at Deer Island where the hospital for their reception has been erected. Shifting the quarantine station, anticipates the arrival of large number of Irish immigrants coming from Liverpool and Irish ports (BET, p. 2).
June 9, 1847
Quincy Authorizes Quarantine Station
Mayor Josiah Quincy establishes Deer Island as the official quarantine grounds of the city of Boston (BET p.2).
June 28, 1847
Port Physician Expands Medical InspectionsDr. Smith, the city’s Port Physician, reports about 2,000 immigrants on board 24 vessels in quarantine with many more on their way. This is an unprecedented level of immigration and quarantine controls in Boston. In anticipation of a growing burden of disease, the Board orders the use of standard language on the form of certificate signed by the port physician (minutes of the Board of Aldermen, p. 299 and BET, p. 2).
June 28, 1847
Interest in Public Hospital Intensifies
The Common Council instructs the committee on public land to look into expediency of appropriating a lot of land in the southerly part of the city for the erection of a public hospital (minutes of the Board of Aldermen, p. 296).
June 30, 1847
Boston Press Criticizes Island QuarantineThe editor of the Boston Daily Atlas criticizes the quarantine program on Deer Island and suggests it is exacerbating the spread of disease. Many poor were removed from South Boston and friends of the sickened paupers deserted them in droves out of fear of catching the contagion. He acknowledges that Deer Island is better than the South Boston Almshouse as a place to treat the sick but urges the use of other islands to house those immigrants who are well to avoid spreading the disease (BET p.2).
Note The editor indicates that the quarantine building is 255 feet long and two stories tall. There are now about 300 patients on the island and 25 people have died since the hospital opened.
July 7, 1847
Mainland Hospital Crushed
A committee of the Board of Aldermen reports that it is inexpedient to make such land appropriation for a hospital in the southerly part of the city (Minutes of the Board of Aldermen, p. 303).
July 8, 1847
In Two Months Deer Island Becomes a Small Town
As a result of increasing immigration, the population of Deer Island reaches 700 souls. The arrival of two more vessels this week adds 318 more passengers to the list of Deer Island detainees (BET p. 2).
July 8, 1847
Unprecedented Workload for Port PhysicianPort Physician Dr. Smith reports that he examined 136 vessels during the last quarter (April, May, June), principally due to the sickness of passengers. This is the largest number of vessels inspected in his 21 years as the city’s Port Physician (Boston Daily Atlas, p. 2).
June 9, 1847
Fear Festers in Irish FamiliesFear of island confinement was a pervasive amongst Irish immigrants. Timothy Ryan, an Irishman dies while attempting to swim from the quarantine sloop used to carry invalids to Deer Island (BET, p. 2).
July 10, 1847
Tent City Grows on Deer IslandNearly 700 people are living on Deer Island due to the arrival of the ship Manteo. Due to the overwhelming number of people requiring shelter, the Board o Health authorizes the immigrants to stay in tents (Massachusetts Ploughman and the New England Journal of Agriculture, July 10, 1847, p 2).
July 13, 1847
Wrenching Moments of Family Confinement on Deer IslandThere are 362 patients in the Deer Island hospitals. During the past week 93 people are sent down from the city including a man, his wife and seven children.(BET, p.2).
July 20, 1847
Temporary Hospital Serves City’s Unmet NeedsSince the establishment of the hospital on Deer Island on May 29th, the city admitted a total of 799 patients of which 71 have died, 426 discharged and 367 remain in the hospital (BET p. 2).
August 3, 1847
Increased Quarantine EnforcementThe Port Physician sends a total of 5 of 24 vessels arriving in Boston into quarantine, a level of enforcement twenty times greater than any previous quarantine practice in the 19th century (Boston Daily Atlas, p.2).
August 11, 1847
Alien Passenger Fees ImposedThe city of Boston is authorized to impose fees on alien passengers under an “Act relating to Alien Passengers” passed August 10, 1847. A fee of $2 for each passenger landing is imposed on the master or ship owner. In addition, a $1,000 fee is imposed on ship owners for bringing paupers into any port in the state. The Law was passed on April 20, 1847 but the city of Boston notified the press on August 11, 1847 of this requirement and the need to dock at Deer Island (BET, p. 4).
August 20, 1847
Nearly 10% of Deer Island Detainees DieOf the 1,373 persons admitted to Deer Island Hospital since May 29th 135 have died including 122 who died on the island and 13 who died on arrival (BET p. 2).
August 31, 1847
City Plans Permanent Island Poor HouseThe City Council instructs the city’s committee on Public Buildings to obtain plans and estimates for a House of Industry on Deer Island and to report back to the Council. BET p. 2. Within three weeks the Common Council takes ownership of the issue and appoints Messrs Parker, Boynton, Coolidge, Gold, Simonds, Wales and Carter of the Common Council as the Committee to consider the expediency of removing one of more of the institutions now at South Boston to Deer Island (Boston Daily Atlas p.2).
October 29, 1847
House of Industry Confirms Need for New Building
The Committee on the Removal of the House of Industry from South Boston to Deer Island submits its report and recommends a new building on Deer Island. A total of 375 persons remain on Deer Island and 1,815 were admitted since its opening. A total of 313 persons were in the hospital the previous week.
November 4, 1847
Press Criticizes Mixing Native and Foreign PoorThe editors of the Boston Evening Transcript criticize the city for proposing to locate the House of Industry on Deer Island where native poor and the “degenerate poor of Great Britain” are mixed together at the peril of the health of the former. BET, p. 2. The following week (i.e. on November 11th), the editors of the BET continue their criticism of Deer Island as the location for the House of Industry and urge separate quarters on the 184 acre island for the native poor and the pauper from Great Britain (BET, p. 2).
November 12, 1847
Citizens Oppose Influx of Foreign Paupers
A public meeting is held at Fanueil Hall on the subject of the foreign paupers. It is well attended and raises public anger about the impact they are having on native poor and introducing fatal diseases into Boston (BET, p. 2).
December 6, 1847
Island Physician Succumbs to Ship FeverDr. Joseph Moriarty, the Deer Island physician dies on Saturday evening from ship fever.
December 14, 1847
Island Physician’s Brother Assumes Island DutiesDr. John P. Moriarty, Joseph Moriarty’s brother, agrees to take over the role of physician at the Hospital on Deer Island. On this same day the ship “Washington” arrives with quite a few fever patients that are sent to Deer Island Hospital (BET, p.2).
January 28, 1848
347 Die on Deer Island in less than Seven MonthsA total of 290 patients remain in the Deer Island Hospital with 2, 230 admitted since its opening. In addition, Dr. Moriarty reports that 347 person were buried on Deer Island since May 29th (BET, p. 2).
March 20, 1848
City Rigidly Enforces Alien Passenger LawThe city declares that the alien passenger law is to be rigidly enforced starting on April 1st (BET, p. 2).
March 21, 1848
Food Riot on Deer IslandA pauper riot occurs on Deer Island due to poor quality of the food. The paupers take broom sticks to seek justice about the poor food (BET, p. 2).
April 17, 1848
Death Crosses the AtlanticMany immigrants succumbed to disease before they ever reached America. On April 16th, the ships George Evans, Couillard and the Java Perry, the latter from Liverpool, arrive in quarantine. The former brought 249 steerage passengers, two of whom died in passage and twenty that were put into the Deer Island Hospital. The Java had 2,000 steerage passengers, five of whom died in passage and two that were placed into the hospital.
June 8, 1848
Medical Staff Disabled by DiseaseThe hospital’s assistant physician at Deer Island, Dr. Walker and Captain Ellis of the Sloop Betsey Ransom, who carries immigrants from the city to the island, are both quite ill. A total of 169 patients remain in the Deer Island Hospital with 2,610 admitted since its opening(BET, p. 2).
July 14, 1848
Fear Drives Bizarre Flight from Island PrisonLast evening an Irishman, sick with ship fever and insane was sent to the office of J.B. Monroe, superintendent of alien passengers, Long Wharf for the purpose of being removed to Deer Island. Mr. Monroe, put him into a side room to await the sailing of the boat, but soon after he made his escape. This morning he was found in a cavity under an adjoining store, divested of his clothing. How he got there was a mystery, as the only opening to it as through a hole 8 by 12 inches. The brick at the foundation of the store had to be removed before he could be gotten out, which was done and the unfortunate man relieved and taken care of (BET, p. 2).
August 10, 1848
Irish Priest Serve the Island FlockThe editor of the Christian Reflector and Christian Watchman reports that a catholic priest visits Deer Island twice a week for catholic services for the Irish (Christian Reflector and Christian Watchman, August 10, 1848, p 29).
October 20, 1848
Vessels Quarantined Based on Port of Origin
The city issues a notice in the Boston Evening Transcript indicating pilots and masters of vessels arriving with alien passengers on board coming from Liverpool England or any part of Ireland are required to anchor at the usual place near Deer Island. Vessels are to wait for their inspection and vessels with aliens are to anchor in the inner harbor and await instructions of the Harbor Master. The new regulations take effect November 1st (BET, p. 3).
October 24, 1848
Portrait of an Epidemic
There are no patients left in the Deer Island Hospital. Since its opening on May 29, 1847, Dr. Moriarty, the Deer Island physician admitted a total of 2,815 persons. Today he issues his last report noting that 456 died in the hospital, 27 died on board ships, 4 died coming from ships and 2 died coming from the city. The city quarantined 1,698 Bostonians and 1,112 passengers during this period – a level of mass quarantine never previously seen. As an island enclave removed from city life, those that died on Deer Island also witnessed birth as well. During this period, 5 persons were born into quarantine. In less than 18 months, the city quarantined 2,815 persons who arrived from the city, from ships or by virtue of birth on the island (BET, p. 2).
November 24, 1848
Deer Island Devoted to Relief of City Poor
The Common Council authorizes the Directors of the house of Industry to occupy as much of Deer Island and the buildings thereon as may be necessary to relieve the crowded state of the buildings in South Boston (BET, p. 2).
December 7, 1848
City Shifts Foreign Paupers to Deer IslandThe City removes about 150 paupers principally foreigners from the Almshouse to Deer Island on account of the insufficient accommodations at South Boston (BET, p. 2)
January 3, 1849
Physicians Urge Personal Hygiene to Fight Cholera
The Consulting Physicians release their opinion on personal hygiene techniques to avoid cholera and expound on the ineffectiveness of quarantine as a disease control tool (Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, January 3, 1849).
January 5, 1849
Mayor Plays Direct Role in Island ManagementThe city creates new committee to manage Deer Island with direct involvement of the Mayor and two Aldermen. Eleven days later on January 16th, the City Council appoints the Mayor and Aldermen Rogers and Grant to the Board’s standing committee on the institutions at South Boston and Deer Island (BET, January 16 p. 2 and BET January 5, p. 2.).
January 24, 1849
Supreme Court Throws Out Alien Fee LawsThe U.S. Supreme Court rules that the alien passenger fee laws imposed by Massachusetts and New York are not constitutional (BET, p. 4).
February 23, 1849
Many Irish Arrive Malnourished and Near StarvationThe city investigates starvation on board vessels entering Boston harbor. Masters and Commanders of vessels are not required to adhere to any sanitary standards or provide board for passengers. These deplorable shipboard conditions eventually trigger vessel hygiene legislation in Congress (BET, p. 2).
March 23, 1849
Ocean Weather Nearly Kills Deer Island Detainees
Tumultuous weather nearly kills six females that left for shore from the ship “Faneuil Hall” (BET, p. 2).
April 4, 1849
City Declares That Poor Must Go to Deer IslandThe City Council passes a resolve that when any further accommodations are required for the poor of the city that it is provided at Deer Island (Boston Daily Atlas, p. 1). This action turns Deer Island into the most populated island along the eastern seaboard and the de-facto home of some of the poorest Irish to ever migrate to America. Boston’s Politicians are pleased with the condition of things on the island after an April 5th visit made by both branches of the legislature. A total of 400 persons are now living on the island, most of whom are foreign Irish (BET, p. 2).
May 1, 1849
Role of Port Physician Expanded to Include Island DutyThe city proposes to place the port physician on Deer Island and create the position of City Physician (BET, p. 2 and Daily Atlas, p. 2).
May 24, 1849
Immigrants Employed in Island Road Building ProjectThe city employs immigrants in building a road around Deer Island and other improvements. The island has a school with about 40 children. The question of the rapidly increasing pauper population makes the question of their future one of immense magnitude for the city (Christian Register, May 24, 1849, p. 28).
May 29, 1849
The Press Points to Causes of Depressed WagesThe editors of the Boston Daily Atlas speak out about the depressed wages of native workers caused by the foreign paupers arriving in droves (Boston Daily Atlas p. 2).
July 4, 1849
Former Port Physician Blasts CitySoon after resigning his post as Port Physician, Dr. Smith condemns the city’s proposed plan for a hospital and Almshouse on Deer Island in the Boston Medical Surgical Journal (BMSJ, July 4, 1849, 444). One week later Dr. Smith continues his condemnation of the city’s proposed plan for a hospital and Almshouse on Deer Island in the Boston Medical Surgical Journal. According to Smith there is not enough room to accommodate all the paupers coming into Boston and that it will be abandoned out of necessity due to being too small (BET, July 11th p. 2).
July 13, 1849
Public Wharf Approved to Regularize Immigrant ArrivalsThe Common Council agrees to expend $5,000 for building a wharf on Deer Island based on a May 15th request made by the committee on Public Buildings. They authorize the committee on Institutions at South Boston and Deer Island to erect a suitable edifice for the accommodation of the poor on Deer Island (BET, p. 2).
July 17, 1849
Design for a New Almshouse SelectedThe Board of Aldermen concurs on the building of a suitable edifice for the accommodation of the poor on Deer Island. BET, p. 2. The following week, the Board selects a design for an almshouse building on Deer Island (BET, July 24th, p. 2).
August 11, 1849
Hundreds of Paupers Remain on the Island
The Boston Evening Transcript editors report that there are 380 paupers living on Deer Island.. BET, p. 2.
August 11, 1849
Christian Inquirer Reveals Deplorable Conditions of Immigrants
The Christian Inquirer reports on the condition of the City Institutions on Deer Island. The reporter made the trip on the quarantine boat in about three quarters of an hour covering the six miles separating the island from downtown Boston. The reporter learns that Deer Island was chosen some two years ago to handle immigrants who had succumbed to ship fever and other diseases. The accommodations were most imperfect, made in great haste. He noted that the current physician’s brother died from exposure to the ship’s fever. The growing pauperism, he believes, was a factor in transferring paupers from South Boston to Deer Island. At the time of his visit there are a hospital and an almshouse, the latter being a branch and under the directors of the House of Industry and used mainly for diseased and foreign paupers including children suffering with the opthalmia who are getting better, if not entirely well by simply by a change of air. The reporter notes that the descriptions that Dr. Moriarty gave of the horrible condition of some of the immigrants on their arrival were such as to make the listener shudder and shrink with feeling of loathing and disgust. It was enough to cause him to look with admiration upon the kindness and professional faithfulness of a physician willing to go near such cases at all. Ireland, must, indeed, be a land afflicted with a terrible curse as the consequence of awful wickedness or awful blunders where such “human vermin. The phrase is not exaggerated in this application of it – are found in almost every ship load of emigrants arriving in this port.
Those emigrants who are according to law, to be “bonded” by the owners of the vessels bring them over to prevent them from becoming a charge to the Commonwealth, are generally taken on shore and subjected instantly to a cleansing operation of the most searching and through kind. Their rags are stripped off and burned, their bodies abluted with hot water and cold and a solution of corrosive sublimate, to kill effectually the vermin with which they are often covered
“It is not for us, perhaps, with slender information, to speak of the policy of the city government, and we suppose that the municipal affairs are intricate machine, having wheels within wheels not always moving, without friction, difficult sometimes to manage and turning out, occasionally, some very remarkable products. But we will just hazard the opinion that the sooner all the institutions to take care of the destitute and the vicious are classified, separated and placed each on an island by itself, the better. The building together of almshouses, lunatic asylums, house of correction and reformation on the main land, in our humble and possibly very crude judgment, is not the wisest, the most humane or in the long run the most economical course for a city which can command a while harbor full of islands, every way suitable for such establishments.
(Christian Inquirer, August 11, 1849, p 1).
August 18, 1849
Consulting Physicians Offer Dietary Strategies to Thwart Cholera
The Boston Cultivator publishes guidance on avoiding cholera as recommended by the Board of Consulting Physicians. The Consulting Physicians recommend abstaining from cabbages, green corn, all kinds of unripe and decayed fruit and uncooked vegetables. They also recommend abstaining from eating in excess of any kind of food and from taking food late in the evening. Finally, they recommend avoid taking cold drinks freely, especially when heated and wholly abstain from spirits. The safest drinks are tea and water if used moderately. They recommend washing the body all over with soap and water as often as possible and everything unclean and offensive removed from inhabited apartments (Boston Cultivator, August 18, 1849, p. 264).
September 14, 1849
Cholera Strikes the CityCholera strikes the city of Boston (BET, p. 2).
October 6, 1849
Dr. Moriarty Praised for His Island WorkThe Christian Register praises Dr. Moriarty for his ability to manage a wide range of sick and criminal class immigrants on Deer Island under the most challenging circumstances. The reporter indicates that the new Brick Almshouse is already under construction but not yet complete (Christian Register, October 8, 1849, p. 158).
December 19, 1849
Boston Called Botany BayThe Boston Evening Transcript editors report on the rise of foreign pauperism and its impact on Boston. The editor calls Boston Harbor the equivalent of Botany Bay, referring to the vast outpouring of the Irish poor, sick and convict class that has overwhelmed the city’s almshouse during the last year (BET, p. 4).
January 8, 1850
Mayor Blasts European Leaders for Dumping Lunatics into BostonMayor Bigelow makes his inaugural address in which he blames European leaders for unloading their lunatics on American soil. He also mentions that the new city jail is the most costly in the city’s history (Boston Daily Atlas, p. 2)
February 14, 1850
Lack of a Smallpox Pest House Becomes a Public Issue
The reporter for the Boston Daily Atlas reviews the problems with the lack of smallpox hospitals in the city (Boston Daily Atlas).
May 1850
Deer Island Continues to Serve Emergency Medical NeedsThe city has two wooden hospitals on Deer Island, the Resident Physician’s house, and barns now used as an appendage of the House of Industry and the House of Reformation (ARRE 1850).
August 27, 1850
Death Toll Mounts and City Builds Island Tombs to Handle CrisisThe Directors of the House of Industry notify the City Council of their plans for tombs on Deer Island. They estimate it will cost $1,767.50 to construct these tombs (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
January 7, 1851
Mayor Declares New Poor House Nearly CompleteMayor Bigelow proclaims that the new Almshouse on Deer Island is nearly complete and that it will serve the needs of the poor now served by the buildings located in South Boston. It is one of the largest buildings ever built in New England, accommodating over 1,500 persons (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
February 7, 1851
City Authorizes Furniture for New Almshouse
The Common Council authorizes the borrowing of $12,000 for new furniture at Deer Island. Daily Atlas, p. 2. Some in the press question the over-investment in expensive furnishings for the foreign paupers, arguing that it only encourages European paupers to come to Boston.
May 1851
New Brick Almshouse is One of the Largest in America
Deer Island has a new Brick Almshouse and two wooden hospitals. It also has a wharf, a pier, a physician’s residence, a receiving house and a boat house (ARRE, 1851).
October 9, 1851
Island Pauper Building Built for Outpouring of European Poor
The new almshouse on Deer Island is nearly complete and partly occupied. It has cost $150,000 and will house 1,500 paupers (Boston Daily Courier, p. 4).
November 18, 1851
Island Physician Conducts Unprecedented Number of Medical InspectionsDr. Moriarty declares that he has inspected 3,920 immigrant passengers at the Deer Island Quarantine station during the previous quarter, an unprecedented workload for a single physician tackling the city’s greatest public health challenges of the previous 100 years (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
1852
Ship Fever Cases Plague the Port of Boston
The Port Physician receives 107 cases of ship fever at the Deer Island hospital and 12 prove fatal (Annual Report o the House of Industry, 1853, p. 10)
January 4, 1853
Almshouse Not Fully Used Due to Jurisdictional IssuesMayor Seaver indicates in his inaugural address that the city’s poor are not fully occupying Deer Island due to efforts by the City to have the state legislature shift this responsibility over to the Commonwealth (Boston Daily Atlas, p. 1).
October 20, 1853
A Citizen Questions Need for a New Hospital for LunaticsIn a letter to the editor, a citizen questions the need for a new hospital for Boston’s lunatics. He suggests that the added costs be reconsidered in light of past errors made by the city in placing the almshouse on Deer Island only to find that the state had its own plans for supporting the poor, which if they had been known in advance, might have altered the city’s plans (Boston Evening Transcript, p. 1).
October 24 and 28, 1853
Citizens Question Exiling Lunatics to Harbor IslandsA subsequent letter to the editor in the Boston Evening Transcript declares the Boston Lunatic Hospital overwhelmingly overcrowded and leading to prison like conditions for these suffering souls. In the subsequent letter to the editor, the author questions the feasibility of placing the lunatics on Deer Island due to the limited farm land and the dangers of storm surges on this island (Boston Evening Transcript, p. 1).
January 4, 1854
Dr. Smith Frowns on Deer Island as Fiscal DebacleIn his inaugural address, Mayor Smith questions the expense of operating Deer Island almshouse and whether it might be encouraging pauperism by its relatively commodious living conditions (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
March 10, 1854
Island Construction Funds are FrozenThe Common Council orders no additional funds be authorized for South Boston and Deer Island institutions. Presumably, the city was attempting to determine the appropriate course of action for these institutions before spending additional funds (Daily Atlas, p 2).
June 27, 1854
City Relocates Prisoners to Deer IslandCity Council approves relocation of prisoners from South Boston to Deer Island (Daily Atlas, p. 2). This ordinance orders the use of a portion of the Large Brick Building as a House of Corrections. Its effect is to force the use of the old wooden buildings for correctional facilities on Deer Island (Report of the Committee on Institutions of the Present Condition of the House of Industry, 1857, Boston City Document #27 p. 6)
October 10, 1854
Overcrowding in the City Reform School
The Board of Directors of the House of Reformation raises concerns about the overcrowded conditions in the House of Reformation in South Boston (Boston Evening Transcript, p. 1).
November 8, 1854
City Committee Recommends Moving Prisoners to Deer Island
The City Council's committee on Deer Island recommends removal of House of Correction to save taxpayer money, use South Boston for tax generating development and remove obnoxious land uses from South Boston. The Long Wing of the Deer Island building is to be used for the House of Corrections (Annual Report of the House of Industry, 1854).
January 2, 1855
Mayor Proposes Shifting Lunatic Hospital to Deer Island
Mayor Smith, the city’s former Port Physician, declares that Deer Island is the place to build a lunatic hospital since the city owns it. He mentions that the state is partnering with the city on the use of a steamboat to serve the island. The vessel will serve not only Deer Island but Rainsford Island as well. The Mayor indicates that the House of Corrections is moving there soon and justifies his position by declaring that the City of New York serves as the model for the city’s actions. His position, while diametrically opposite to his views of six years earlier, reflects the sober reality of a city that spending far beyond its fiscal means (Daily Atlas, p. 1).
January 16, 1855
Irish Continue to Dominate Poor HouseBoston Evening Transcript reveals that over 50% of the poor (i.e., 146 out of 277 paupers) admitted to the House of Industry are Irish (BET p.1).
February 13, 1855
City Urges Deer Island Almshouse for Convict UseBoard of Aldermen passes an order to petition the legislature to use the Brick building on Deer Island as a House of Corrections. Daily Atlas, p.2. Soon thereafter, the House of Corrections prisoners are moved to Deer Island (see 1854 House of Corrections' committee recommendations).
March 20, 1855
Island Steamboat Service Viewed as Efficiency MeasureBoard of Aldermen passed an order to purchase a steamboat to carry paupers to Deer and Rainsford Islands (Boston Evening Transcript, p 4).
April 27, 1855
City Treasurer Given Funds to Make Deer Island Fit for CriminalsCity Treasurer authorized to spend $30,000 on Deer Island Building to make it fit for convicts (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
May 8, 1855
City authorizes relocation of Reform School Boys to Almshouse
The Board of Directors for the House of Reformation is authorized by the Board of Aldermen to relocate the reform school boys from the building on Broadway to a new reformatory recently occupied as an Almshouse ((Daily Atlas, p2).
July 31, 1855
Prisoners Moved To Deer Island
The Board of Aldermen authorizes the House of Corrections to remove prisoners from South Boston to Deer Island on a schedule they see fit (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
August 8, 1855
City’s Press Plays up Removal of South Boston Prisoners to the IslandThe Boston Evening Transcript publishes an article on the anticipated removal of prisoners from Ward 12 of Boston, the home of the city’s most unsavory institutional land uses such as the smallpox hospital, the Lunatic hospital and the city’s greatest concentration of Irish (BET, p. 2).
August 28, 1855
Request for New Building for TruantsA Committee of the House of Industry recommends that the Board of Aldermen approve new buildings on Deer Island for truant and vagrant boys. Daily Atlas, p. 2. About one month later, (i.e. December 13, 1855), the Board of Aldermen authorizes the Overseers of the House of Corrections to prepare plans and specifications for improvements on Deer Island (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
November 16, 1855
Sea Wall Approved to Stop Island ErosionBoard of Aldermen authorizes $2,000 for a seawall on Deer Island. Seasonal storm surges remain a constant threat to the integrity of Boston Harbor islands (Boston Daily Atlas, p. 2).
May 1856
City Builds Cholera Hospital on Boston NeckThe city builds a new cholera hospital. It is a wooden building located on the Neck lands with 20 bedsteads. It cost $2,565.18 to construct and remains in existence through at least 1862 (Annual Report of Receipts and Expenditures, 1856).
January 6, 1857
Mayor urges Consolidation of Services on Deer IslandMayor Alexander Rice declares that Deer Island be used as the consolidated location for the Houses of Industry, Correction and Reformation. He emphasizes the cost advantages of this approach and the inefficiencies associated with the current divided management of these people in South Boston and Deer Island. He indicates that the current Almshouse is not being used and will soon decay if plans are not put in place for its maintenance (Daily Atlas, p. 2).
Based on the Mayor’s recommendations, the 3 boards of the House of Correction, House of Industry and House of Lunatics are merged into one (see Annual Report of Public Institutions, 1859 p. 15). The increasing use of the island leads to other problems: During 1857, the tombs of the dead are relocated from the Northeast Area of Deer Island due to Sea erosion (Annual Report of the Board of Public Institutions).
March 10, 1857
Poor House Reconstituted in Deer Island BuildingThe Board of Aldermen authorizes taking ownership of the that wing of the building no longer used by the House of Correction on Deer Island and using it for the House of Industry (Daily Atlas p. 2).
March 28, 1857
Board of Directors of Public Institutions EstablishedThe City Council creates a super bureaucracy responsible for all of the institutions managing lunatics, paupers, convicts and truants. The new agency is called the Board of Public Institutions and is managed by a 12 member board (see city document #55, Mayor Joseph Wightman’s Objection to an Ordinance Concerning Public Institutions, July 14, 1862, p. 5).
1858
Lying In Hospital Becomes City Property
The city purchases the Lying In hospital on Worcester and Springfield Streets for $45,000 and resells it to the New England Female Medical Society in 1859 for $50,000. It reverts to the city in October 1861. The lot contains 40,000 square feet (Annual Report of Receipts and Expenditures, ARRE, 1862).
July 1, 1858
Truants & Other Youthful Offenders Moved to Deer IslandThe House of Reformation moves to Deer Island (Annual Report of Board of Public Institutions, 1859).
May 19, 1959
Girl’s Reformatory Established on Deer IslandThe Board of Aldermen authorizes a girl’s reformatory school on Deer Island (Annual Report of Public Institutions, 1860, p. 5).
August 21, 1859
Fire Destroys Buildings on Deer IslandOn August 21, 1859 a fire burns a number of buildings on Deer Island including those used for reform school. Half of the 800 volumes in their library burned (Annual Report of Public Institutions, 1859).
1859
Smallpox Hospital Opened in Boston ProperThe city establishes a smallpox hospital within the city under the direction of the Internal Health Department. The Board of Public Institutions erects a new House of Reformation as well as a barn on Deer Island. This project was triggered by the destruction of the previous buildings by a fire (ARRE, 1860).
May 1860
Smallpox Hospital Erected on Deer IslandThe City builds a smallpox hospital on Deer Island as part of the quarantine station. The hospital costs $2,060.62 (ARRE, 1860).
1861
City Leases Gallop's Island to Military
The city leases Gallop’s Island for $100 per year (ARRE, 1862). During the period 1861 to 1865 Gallop's island was used for military purposes and was not available as a potential quarantine station.
1863
City’s Cholera Hospital Converted to a Smallpox HospitalThe city converts the former cholera hospital located on the Neck lands into a smallpox hospital. The hospital has 20 beds available at a moments notice. It is located on New Albany Street north of Brookline Street and occupied by a care taker family (ARRE, 1863).
May 24, 1864
Boston City Hospital OpensThe city’s New Hospital is open to the public. Hospital is bounded by Harrison Avenue, Concord, Springfield and Albany Streets and contains 6.7 acres. Construction began in 1861 but the hospital did not accept patients until May 24, 1864. It is the first Hospital in Boston to accept all classes of Bostonians without regard to income (ARRE 1864).
1865
Federal Goverment continues lease of Gallop's Island
City leases Gallop’s Island to the federal government for $809.04 per year (ARRE, 1865).
April 30, 1865
Smallpox Hospital Managed by the Trustees of Boston City HospitalThe City Council places the mainland smallpox hospital under the direction of the trustees of the city hospital. This is the first instance in the city’s history where a pest house is managed without any direct involvement from the Boston City Council (ARRE, 1865).
April 1, 1867
Gallops Island Becomes Quarantine Station for BostonAs a result of a smallpox epidemic on Deer Island, the quarantine building is abandoned and patients transferred to Deer Island, Dr, E. H. Stevens, Assistant Port Physician, manages Gallop's Island (Boston City Document #97, Eleventh Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1867-68, p. 44). For details on the history of Gallop's Island quarantine station click this link: http://gallopsisland.blogspot.com/
August 26, 1867
The City Council’s Committee on External Health Relinquishes QuarantineThe City transfers responsibility for quarantine from its external committee on External Health to the Board of Public Institutions (Boston City Document #97, Eleventh Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1867-68, p. 23).
1868
Deer Island Continues to serve as a Quarantine StationThe smallpox hospital on Deer Island is still listed as being in existence on the island and the island still remains a functional quarantine station (ARRE, 1868).
1869
Prisoners Used on Gallop’s IslandThe Board of Public Institutions admits it uses thee prisoners and one overseer to manage Gallop’s Island and to keep it ready for any epidemic that might emerge (Boston City Document #53, Twelfth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1868-69, p. 34).
Old Quarantine Station Converted to House for FarmerThe House of Industry reports that the former quarantine hospital has been turned into a temporary residence for the Island farmer (Boston City Document #53, Twelfth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1868-69, p. 41).
April 1, 1870
Pauper School Established on Deer IslandThe House of Industry reports that the pauper boys occupied their new school on April 1, 1870 thereby relieving then from sharing space with criminals on the island. On this same day, the girls took the former pauper boy’s school constructed two years earlier. The city also plans a separate building on Deer Island for an Almshouse since there is not enough space in the large brick building for the House of Industry and House of Reformation. The administrators of the House of Industry say that conditions are so overcrowded in the dormitories there is no room to pass between beds (Boston City Document #47, Thirteenth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1869-70, p. 27).
May 1, 1870
Gallop’s Island Hospital is a Disaster Waiting to HappenDr. Durgin reports that of the 54+ barracks built in 1861 by the military only 27 were standing as of 1867. Since that time nine have been blown down by the winds, five have been removed and thirteen still remain some of which are half way down. For the last 18 months, one building used as a smallpox hospital remains leaning with large braces in place to protect it from being blown over by the winter winds. He implores the city to take action to avert a public health crisis that seems all but imminent (City Document #47, Thirteenth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1869-70, p. 57).
July 1870
Gallop’s Island Quarantine Hospital RenovatedDuring the summer of 1870, the city renovated the quarantine hospital on Gallop’s Island. The adjoining building was also repaired and designed for the hospital cooking department . (City Document #32, Fourteenth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of Public Institutions, 1870-71, p. 35).
