History of Oysters in Boston Harbor

History of Oysters in the Estuaries of Boston Harbor Historic Overview February 2011 The Massachusetts Oyster Project For Clean Water

Overview
The Massachusetts Oyster Project for Clean Water is seeking to restore oysters to Boston Harbor.
The historical record demonstrates that oysters were ubiquitous and possibly a significant economic force earlier in Boston’s history.

The 1881 Ingersoll Report on the Oyster Industry
Provides an excellent overview on the industry including Massachusetts.
Provides strong references for oysters being present in both the Charles and Mystic Rivers.

The Ingersoll Report quotes William Wood’s New England Prospect of 1634. Oysters a foot long Reefs that could block ships Present in Both the Charles and Mystic Rivers 1634

The Boston Massacre Trial transcripts also contain evidence of a strong oyster business. “ This witness swears he saw snow-balls thrown close before the party, and he took them to be thrown on purpose, he saw oyster-shells likewise thrown.” Summation by John Adams representing British Soldiers. ‘ he met an oyster man , who said to the deponent, " Damn it, this is what I got by going up," and showed the deponent a large cut he had received from one of the soldiers with a cutlass, over his right shoulder “ Testimony of Henry Bass “ I immediately came down again, and went on board an oyster boat; staid there about a quarter of an hour, and heard the guns off.” “ Did you see any collection of people there?” “ Yes, I asked what was the matter; I was told a soldier had hurt an oyster man ” Testimony of John Short The presence of oystermen and oyster boats in a day of limited transport indicates oysters were close by.

Charles River Oysters- Cambridge
Anthropologists* review of colonial documents revealed
Large oyster reef and clam flats extending from Massachusetts Avenue through Cambridgeport down to the Miller’s River near Charlestown.
Area has been subject of extensive fill.
Original rivers edge on Mass Ave is at the present fire station
MIT built on fill
Shellfish middens were found on the site of the Third Street courthouse and Cambridge Cemetery.
They were associated with Native Americans.
*Dena Dincause – Writings of English Settlers in Harvard University Library

Charles River Oysters- Cambridge
In 1816 the cellar of the Cambridge Townhouse was rented to Zenas C. Atwood for storing oysters.
In the 1853 edition of the Massachusetts Register there are 8 Cambridge based purveyors of oysters and 5 in neighboring Charlestown.
*Dena Dincause – Writings of English Settlers in Harvard University Library

Probable Charles Oyster Locations

Charles River Oysters- Boston
There must have been numerous shell heaps in early colonial times in the vicinity of old Boston, for there were extensive oyster-beds in the Back Bay and the lower Charles River. The only ones that I find recorded were in Back Bay, Cambridge and Cambridgeport. Most, if not all of them have been obliterated.
Charles Willoughby. Antiquities of the New England Indians 1935
The piles of shells left by Native American feasts have been removed.

Oyster Demise
Loss of habitat- through fill
Misuse- oyster shells and sometimes whole oysters were spread on fields to reduce soil acidity
River subjugation-protective dams convert significant areas of Back Bay and Mystic Rivers to fresh water.
Pollution- sewage flows, river silt, chemicals
Over-harvesting- feeding humans

Oyster Demise 1901 State Publication associated with construction of first Charles River Dam Probably became extinct within twenty five years

Oyster Demise 1901 State Publication associated with construction of first Charles River Dam

Other Observations
We have heard other references to oysters throughout Boston Harbor.
One older woman (when she was young) heard from an older woman that the Cambridge Oyster Bank made sure that nobody ever starved in the olden days.
We have heard of people harvesting barrels of oysters in Chelsea Creek.
The exhibit on Spectacle Island references oysters on the island.
We have limited this presentation to written traceable evidence.
If you have additional information, please email [email_address] . We would welcome the opportunity to improve and update this presentation.

Thank you
As the Massachusetts Oyster Project seeks to restore oysters to the Boston Harbor estuary, it is grateful to the interns who conducted the research for this document.
Shira Bleicher
Laura Olivier
By understanding the past, we can build a better future.

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History of Oysters in Boston Harbor

by Massachusetts Oyster Project for Clean Water on Feb 18, 2011

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History of Oysters in Boston Harbor — Presentation Transcript