The Presentation presents sourced information regarding the presence of oysters in Boston Harbor and its estuaries as well as infomration on their demise.

1. massoyster.org
History of Oysters in theHistory of Oysters in the
Estuaries of Boston HarborEstuaries of Boston Harbor
Historic Overview and DataHistoric Overview and Data
October 2013October 2013
The Massachusetts OysterThe Massachusetts Oyster
ProjectProject

2. massoyster.org
OverviewOverview
The Massachusetts Oyster Project isThe Massachusetts Oyster Project is
seeking to restore oysters to Bostonseeking to restore oysters to Boston
Harbor.Harbor.
The historical record demonstrates thatThe historical record demonstrates that
oysters were ubiquitous in Colonial timesoysters were ubiquitous in Colonial times
and possibly a significant economic forceand possibly a significant economic force
earlier in Boston’s history.earlier in Boston’s history.

3. massoyster.org
The 1881 Ingersoll Report on theThe 1881 Ingersoll Report on the
Oyster IndustryOyster Industry
 Provides an excellentProvides an excellent
overview on theoverview on the
industry includingindustry including
Massachusetts.Massachusetts.
 Provides strongProvides strong
references for oystersreferences for oysters
being present in bothbeing present in both
the Charles andthe Charles and
Mystic Rivers.Mystic Rivers.

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

5. massoyster.org
Streets of Early Boston WereStreets of Early Boston Were
Paved with Oyster ShellsPaved with Oyster Shells
 Historian RichardHistorian Richard
ArcherArcher
 Confirms that oysterConfirms that oyster
shells were thrown atshells were thrown at
Boston MassacreBoston Massacre
 Mentions that streetsMentions that streets
of Colonial Bostonof Colonial Boston
were paved withwere paved with
oyster shells. Pageoyster shells. Page
185.185.

6. massoyster.org
Oyster Shells on the StreetsOyster Shells on the Streets
 This photo was takenThis photo was taken
during theduring the
replacement of thereplacement of the
sidewalk aroundsidewalk around
Bunker Hill MonumentBunker Hill Monument
in 2013.in 2013.
 The underlayer ofThe underlayer of
oyster shell is stilloyster shell is still
present. We do notpresent. We do not
know how old thisknow how old this
shell is.shell is.

7. massoyster.org
The Boston Massacre Trial transcriptsThe Boston Massacre Trial transcripts
also contain evidence of a strong oysteralso contain evidence of a strong oyster
business.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.

8. massoyster.org
Oysters in Mortar in the OldOysters in Mortar in the Old
StatehouseStatehouse
 Oyster shell mixed inOyster shell mixed in
the mortar of the oldthe mortar of the old
statehouse is stillstatehouse is still
visible in a few placesvisible in a few places
where the olderwhere the older
mortar remains.mortar remains.

9. massoyster.org
We do know that the large volume of oysterWe do know that the large volume of oyster
shell was becoming an issue by 1818 as itsshell was becoming an issue by 1818 as its
disposal became the subject of regulation.disposal became the subject of regulation.

10. massoyster.org
Oysters for the Union (Atwood ) Oyster HouseOysters for the Union (Atwood ) Oyster House
came from the Atwood Oyster Farm in Everettcame from the Atwood Oyster Farm in Everett
on the Mystic River.on the Mystic River.

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

12. massoyster.org
Map MentioningOyster BankMap MentioningOyster Bank
in Cambridgein Cambridge
 The map at right isThe map at right is
posted on anposted on an
educational plaque ineducational plaque in
Wintrhop SquareWintrhop Square
outside the Peet’soutside the Peet’s
Coffee. This is theCoffee. This is the
site of the initialsite of the initial
settlement ofsettlement of
Cambridge –Cambridge –
Newtowne.Newtowne.

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

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

15. massoyster.org
Probable Charles OysterProbable Charles Oyster
LocationsLocations

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

17. massoyster.org
Oyster DemiseOyster Demise
 Loss of habitat- through fillLoss of habitat- through fill
 Misuse- oyster shells andMisuse- oyster shells and
sometimes whole oysterssometimes whole oysters
were spread on fields towere spread on fields to
reduce soil acidityreduce soil acidity
 River subjugation-River subjugation-
protective dams convertprotective dams convert
significant areas of Backsignificant areas of Back
Bay and Mystic Rivers toBay and Mystic Rivers to
fresh water.fresh water.
 Pollution- sewage flows,Pollution- sewage flows,
river silt, chemicalsriver silt, chemicals
 Over-harvesting- feedingOver-harvesting- feeding
humanshumans

18. massoyster.org
Oyster DemiseOyster Demise
1901 State Publication associated with1901 State Publication associated with
construction of first Charles River Damconstruction of first Charles River Dam
Probably became extinct within twenty five years

19. massoyster.org
Oyster DemiseOyster Demise
1901 State Publication associated with1901 State Publication associated with
construction of first Charles River Damconstruction of first Charles River Dam

20. massoyster.org
Other ObservationsOther Observations
 We have heard other references to oysters throughoutWe have heard other references to oysters throughout
Boston Harbor.Boston Harbor.
 One older woman (when she was young) heard from anOne older woman (when she was young) heard from an
older woman that the Cambridge Oyster Bank madeolder woman that the Cambridge Oyster Bank made
sure that nobody ever starved in the olden days.sure that nobody ever starved in the olden days.
 We have heard of people harvesting barrels of oysters inWe have heard of people harvesting barrels of oysters in
Chelsea Creek.Chelsea Creek.
 The exhibit area in the Spectacle Island visitor centerThe exhibit area in the Spectacle Island visitor center
includes oystes in the display and references oysters onincludes oystes in the display and references oysters on
the island.the island.
 We have limited this presentation to written traceableWe have limited this presentation to written traceable
evidence.evidence.
 If you have additional information, please emailIf you have additional information, please email
massoyster@gmail.commassoyster@gmail.com. We would welcome the. We would welcome the
opportunity to improve and update this presentation.opportunity to improve and update this presentation.

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