Look and learn.

This edited article about the British town of Boston originally appeared in Look and Learn issue number 920 published on 8 September 1979. 

One of the biggest cities on the East Coast of the United States is the port of Boston. But, like so many place names in the United States, Boston takes its name from a town in England.

England’s Boston is a small town situated a short distance away from the sea in the county of Lincolnshire. From here came some of the Pilgrim Fathers who sailed in the Mayflower. Today their American descendants still return to gaze in awe at this ancient town, where the only “skyscraper” to be seen is the Boston “Stump”.

This rather inappropriate name is the local term for one of the most famous landmarks in the whole county – the soaring, lantern tower of Boston’s medieval cathedral. From the top, you can see as far as Lincoln, fifty kilometres away. The summit is visible from more than a third of the county and is a useful landmark for ships at sea as well.

The money to pay for this magnificent cathedral came from the wool trade with the Continent, particularly with Belgium and Holland. During the 13th and 14th centuries, Boston was second only to London in the volume of trade it handled each year.

Over the following centuries, however, the importance of the wool trade declined, and with it went Boston’s prosperity.

Today, Boston is still an important town – several agricultural markets and fairs are held here each year – but it has been sadly left behind by its bigger, brasher offspring in the United States.

Familiar Boston Transport

Some once familiar vehicles in Boston.

Skinners Ice cream van.

Lincolnshire Road Car bus.

I was informed by an anonymous reader that two of the Lincs Road Car Bristol double deckers that were once based at the Boston depot finished up owned by a tour company at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains NSW, this info was given to them by Steve Shaw who as a school kid lived in the prefabs in Carlton Road and has lived in Australia for many years.

Tower Hill Transport.

Sharp's Buses.

W.W.Johnson Seed Merchants.

The Guildhall

The guildhall of St Mary's Guild in Boston (The Guildhall) was built in the 1390's and is one of the earliest brick buildings in Lincolnshire.

For years it was thought to have been built in 1450, but during restoration work experts dated the building much earlier.

At different times it has been the Town Hall, Council Chamber, a Court, a British restaurant during World War II and is currently a Museum. It was also used for banquets or any celebrations for the town.

It is also believed to have been the place where William Brewster, William Bradford and their followers (later to be known as the Pilgrim Fathers) were imprisoned following their arrest after trying to flee England.
 

In 1515, St Mary's Guild spent £20 on a single feast that they celebrated in the banqueting hall, £9,500 in today’s money. In contrast it cost 1 shilling to have a meal at the British Restaurant in 1943 - the modern equivalent of only £1.30!

Quick work !

A wedding announcement from The Scots magazine 1772.

July 13^th . At Boston in Lincolnshire, Mr.

William Staines. He was so extremely ill,

that he was obliged to be carried to the

church in a sedan chair. He died on the

16^th, was buried on the 17^th, and his wi-

dow was married again on the 30^th.

Musket found

In 1894 an old schooner was being broken up near Sheerness and beneath the inner skin of the hull quite a few weapons were found and amongst these were a splendidly made bell-mouthed flint-lock musket, the stock being marked with a representation of arm and leg fetters, and the name “Philip Steyne, Boston, Lincolnshire.”

The Workhouse

In February 1911, a writer on “Tramp life” stayed in the Workhouse at Boston for a night and described his experience. He said the institution was known to the ordinary tramp as a Spike, a Grubber or a Derrick. The bed is a Lay down, and the food supplied termed Scran, Tommy, Rooty or Grub.
“Now, Boston Spike,” an old man said to him as they trudged along the Spalding Road, “is a good un. It’s a fine lay down, an’ you could stand yer spoon up in the skilly (referring to the thickness of the porridge). On entry into Boston Workhouse (pictured below) he found himself in the company of nearly a dozen vagrants. Some were very old, one claiming to have been 40 years on the road. Others were younger, one a stripling of eighteen, having been released the day before from Lincoln Prison.

When the reporters turn came, he gave the porter his name, age, occupation, place journeyed from and destination, also he handed over his pipe, tobacco and matches etc. for smoking was strictly prohibited in the workhouse.
Next he had to take a bath, which he didn’t mind but as one tramp expressed it “When you get a bath every night for a fortnight, you’re likely to be washed away,” while another said, “it let the cowd awful in his bones”.
Then he went to his bed in a small, cell like room with three rugs as a covering. His supper consisted of 8 ounces of bread and a drink of hot water, and he said that he slept well.
About 6. 30 a.m. the next morning he was woken and ordered to dress and by 7. 00 a.m. had received his breakfast, a pint of the famous Boston “skilly” with 6 ounces of bread, and an hour later he was paraded for work.
At about 11’o’ clock, after 3 hours of either breaking stones, picking oakum, sawing wood or gardening they were all released. Once outside the gates, pipes were produced, and a smoke indulged in, then the motley crowd set out on their ways.
In concluding his article he stated that Boston Tramp Ward amply fulfilled all the requirements set forth by the Local Government Board, he praised all the officials and said the rooms were very clean.

Hussey Tower

Hussey Tower in 1815.

Hussey Tower, a once impressive manorial home including a great hall, servants quarters, kitchens, stables and a large gatehouse dates from around 1450/60 and is one of the oldest brick buildings in Lincolnshire.
It was originally built for Richard Benyington, collector of customs and excise in Boston which was a very important port at that time.
The tower was constructed entirely of hand made red brick produced using local clay.
Lord Hussey gave the tower its current name as he was resident in the manor house in the 16th century. He was executed by Henry VIII for treason in 1536, and the tower later passed into the ownership of Boston Corporation.

Hussey Hall with Hussey Tower and the Stump to the right.