History of Oysters in Boston Harbor

History of Oysters in the Estuaries of Boston Harbor Historic Overview and Data February 2013 The Massachusetts Oyster Project For Clean Watermassoyster.org

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.massoyster.org

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.massoyster.org

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

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.massoyster.org

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 Librarymassoyster.org

Map MentioningOyster Bank in Cambridge  The map at right is posted on an educational plaque in Wintrhop Square outside the Peet’s Coffee. This is the site of the initial settlement of Cambridge – Newtowne.massoyster.org

Map Mentioning Oyster Bank in Cambridge Another map on the marker mentions the “highway tomassoyster.org the oyster bank.” It clearly was an important route.

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 Librarymassoyster.org

Probable Charles Oyster Locationsmassoyster.org

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.massoyster.org

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 humansmassoyster.org

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

Oyster Demise 1901 State Publication associated with construction of first Charles River Dammassoyster.org

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 area in the Spectacle Island visitor center includes oystes in the display and references oysters on the island.  We have limited this presentation to written traceable evidence.  If you have additional information, please email massoyster@gmail.com. We would welcome the opportunity to improve and update this presentation.massoyster.org

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.massoyster.org

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History of Oysters in Boston Harbor

by Massachusetts Oyster Project for Clean Water

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