June 21 1738
Rainsford Island Chosen as the Massachusetts Bay Colony Quarantine Station: The General Court chose Rainsford Island as a more appropriate place to establish a quarantine station after many years of poor neighborly relations with the family of Samuel Bill part owner of Spectacle Island, the former quarantine station (Massachusetts, 1869, p. 491).
June 23, 1738
Island Keeper Position Established: The Selectmen review the order of the General Court to establish an island keeper for Rainsford Island.
August 30, 1738
Committee Organized to Support Island Keeper: A committee is established to work with Mr. William Waters to take care of Rainsford Island on the most advantageous terms possible (pp. 137-138).
November 25, 1738
Boston Smallpox Pest House Established: Selectmen establish a smallpox hospital in town at Benjamin Clough’s house. This is a major shift in smallpox policy. (p. 145).
January 29, 1739
Boston Pest House is Closed: The smallpox hospital is closed and account taken of costs and supplies used during the outbreak. John Kneeland receives 100 pounds for nurses, attendants and supplies.
February 26, 1739
Smallpox Expenses: The town pays 25 pounds for medical costs to reimburse Doctor Rand and 32 pounds and 8 shillings to Doctor Douglass and 40 pounds to Mr. Savell for his services.
February 28, 1739
The town pays an additional 37 pounds, 12 shillings and six pence for other expenses of Dr. Rand.
April 11, 1739
Town Requests Aid for Pest House Costs: The town requests the General Court reimburse Boston for the rental of Mr. Clough’s house while it was used for a smallpox pest house. (BSM, p. 173).
August 11, 1739
Pest House Re-Opens: Another smallpox outbreak calls for the need of Mr. Clough’s house and he agrees again to the deal.
August 20, 1739
Island Keeper Threatens to Resign: William Waters will not continue as island keeper unless he continues to receive 50 pounds a year and the island is improved (BSM, p. 258).
November 7, 1740
Smoking of the Mail: The selectmen order letters smoked at the hospital in the westerly part of town (BSM, p. 260).
November 10, 1740
Adverse Impacts to Maritime Commerce: Lack of a wharf and lack of a shed on Rainsford island leads to inadequate airing of cargo and Captain Osborne complains it is impractical for Captain Hall to put his hemp on shore on the Island (BSM, p. 262).
November 22, 1740
Town Requests Quarantine Station Improvements: The wharf problem prompts the selectmen to request funds for repairs to build such wharf and shed as is required to meet the needs of maritime commerce (BSM, p. 264).
July 8, 1741
Island Keeper Waters Threatens to Resign Again: William Waters threatens to quit as island keeper if his annual salary is not raised to 100 pounds per year (BSM, p. 297)
July 15, 1741
Selectmen Call Waters' Bluff: The Selectmen decline to raise his wages and advertise for another island keeper (BSM, p. 299).
September 2, 1741
Yellow Fever Panic Strikes Boston: Yellow fever is declared to be in Philadelphia and this raises fears in Boston. The Selectmen ask for the opinion of the town’s physicians on whether vessels should be stopped from entering Boston (BSM, p 302).
September 9, 1741
Waters Agrees to Continue as Island Keeper: William Waters volunteers to keep his old post at his old salary, apparently mindful of the yellow fever crisis at hand. The selectmen request the Governor to order the commanding officer at Castle William to carefully examine all vessels coming from Philadelphia (BSM, p. 328).
September 16, 1741
Island Keeper Signs Employment Agreement: William Waters and the Selectmen sign a new agreement at 50 pounds per year plus Waters’ right to charge for nursing expenses at 25 shillings per week.
October 3, 1741
Cannibals thrown into Quarantine: Cannibals arrive in Boston harbor and those on board the vessel are suffering from a variety of communicable diseases. The Selectmen quarantine the passengers and cannibals on Rainsford Island.
July 28, 1742
Waters Agrees to Continue as Island Keeper: New agreement with William Waters calls for his salary to be 12 pounds, 10 shillings per year and he can charge 6 shilling and 3 pence per week per person (BSM, p. 353).
November 19, 1743
Maritime Watch Deployed for Plague: The town directs 2 watchmen from each watch house to stand two at Clark’s wharf and two at the lower end of Long Wharf to stop any boats coming or going from the Ship Tyger, Patrick White Master. The watches are to last 2 hours at a stretch and rotated until further notice. The Ship Tyger came from Cagliari where the plague is prevalent (BSM, p. 38-39).
July 11, 1744
Selectmen Foot the Bill: Town Selectmen pay an extraordinary invoice in the amount of 953 pounds, ten shillings and seven pence for charges of caring for Captain Rouse’s people on Rainsford Island who suffered from smallpox. This is an unprecedented cost for quarantine support (BSM, p. 73).
January 17, 1745
Town Recognizes Separation of the Exposed and Sick is Critical: The town urges the Governor to build a second building on Rainsford Island since currently the sick and the well are forced to share the same building leading to many getting sick that would not otherwise have been so affected (BSM, p. 87)
February 1745
Selectmen Isolate the Exposed on Rainsford Island: The town begins to isolate those exposed to smallpox on Rainsford Island reflecting an increased awareness of he communicability of this disease (BSM, p. 97).
March 1, 1745
Nursing Staff Added to Rainsford Hospital: Widow Gauge agrees to serve as a nurse on Rainsford Island for 30 shillings per week. Three days later several cases of smallpox are sent to the Island (BSM, p. 100).
August 21, 1745
Petition for a Epidemical Pest House in Boston: Dr. Silvester Gardner petitions the selectmen to build a hospital on southland of town. On September 4th the town agrees to hold a public hearing on September 10th (BSM, p. 115).
September 10, 1745
Hospitals Must Have License: At a town meeting it is urged that a law be passed to prohibit hospitals without a license from the selectmen. This ensued from Dr. Gardiner’s attempt to build a hospital in South Boston (BSM, p. 76).
October 16, 1745
Island Keeper Waters Threatens to Resign Again: Waters threatens to quit again but, after negotiations with the Selectmen, agrees to continue as island keeper (BSM, p. 121).
October 8, 1746
Island Keeper Waters Resigns: Waters tenders his resignation and Thomas Murfey offers to take over the Island Keeper post. The selectmen agree to his proposal at 100 pounds per year.
February 22, 1748
Selectmen Hire Hamilton as Island Keeper: The Selectmen agree to hire James Hamilton at 100 pounds per year to serve as the town’s island keeper.
March 17, 1748
Town Hires its Second Island Keeper: The Selectmen sign an agreement with James Hamilton to become the town’s second island keeper at the terms discussed the previous month (BSM, p. 214).
April 22, 1749
Rainsford Island’s Wharf Expanded to Better Serve Commercial Interests: The House of Representatives agrees to build another wharf about 20 feet distant from the present one. It also orders repairs to the house and barn on the island (BSM, p. 217).
June 16, 1749
Financial Restitution for Pest House Owner’s Widow: The Selectmen return the Clough house to widow Clough on this day after Benjamin Clough, a blacksmith, died. They also agree to pay Widow Clough for the rent due to her for the use of the house up until that day (BSM, p. 232).
August 13, 1751
Selectmen Deliver Quarantine Boat to Island Keeper: The Selectmen deliver the boat called the Rainsford to James Hamilton. Hamilton is ordered to only use the boat for hospital business to bring the sick to the island (BSM, p. 267).
1752
Physician Invests in Boston Neck Lands: The town authorizes Silvester Gardiner to buy marsh lands, presumably for some hospital purpose (BSM, p. 229).
April 12, 1752
Panic Controls Instituted by Selectmen: Selectmen order only one bell during funerals due to the smallpox epidemic in town (BSM, p. 277).
April 22, 1752
No Funerals for those Dying of Smallpox: Selectmen order those who died of the pox to be put in a tarred sheet and buried in the evening after their death without the usual solemnities of a funeral (BSM, p. 278)
May 27, 1752
Smallpox Epidemic has Devastating Economic Consequences: The Selectmen estimate that the smallpox epidemic cost the town 100,000 pounds as a result of lost business, costs for health care, etc. (BTM, p. 220).
July 27, 1752
Smallpox Epidemic Dwarfs Island Resources: Smallpox epidemic has devastating impact on the town of Boston. A total of 545 persons died including 31 from inoculation. Epidemic is so large that island isolation was simply not feasible (BSM, p. 283).
June 15, 1756
Quarantine for 50 Soldiers: Selectmen confine fifty sick soldiers on Rainsford Island under Mr. Hamilton’s care (BSM, p. 40).
August 30, 1756
Military Quarantine Expands: Another 200 soldiers are thrown into quarantine. These soldiers were under the command of General Winslow and came on the schooner Leopard.
January 4, 1757
New Quarantine Sedan Ordered: The Selectmen order a new sedan for carrying the infected to Rainsford Island since the current one is “broke to pieces.” The town agrees to buy a new sedan for carrying the infected within the town. (BSM, p. 52)
July 6, 1757
Hamilton Dies Leaving Hospital in Disarray: Mr. Hamilton’s widow delivers the articles belonging to the Province that were at the hospital including 9 old beds, 6 old pillow, 9 blankets, one bed pan and 6 pair of sheets (BSM, p. 60).
October 7, 1762
Yellow Fever Threatens Boston: Selectmen learn that yellow fever is rife in Philadelphia (BSM, p. 220).
March 7, 1763
Quarantine Imposed Against Charleston: On this date the Selectmen order the stopping of all vessels coming from Charleston, South Carolina (BSM, p. 250).
March 12, 1764
Inoculation Campaign Authorized: The town meeting authorizes the inoculation of all people until April 20, 1764. After this date the selectmen can then cleanup the town as was done during the epidemic of 1732 (BSM, p. 105-120).
September 6, 1766
“Quarantine of Consent” for Merchant Goods: The Selectmen instruct the Island Keeper never to remove goods to shore without the consent of the owner (BSM p. 226).
September 20, 1766
Quarantine Scofflaws Punished; Selectmen reprimand a captain for allowing three passengers to enter Boston without their approval (BSM, p. 230).
June 19, 1767
Selectmen Empowered to Operate two Hospitals: The Resolve of the General Court provides for the town selectmen to have as much power over the island hospital on the West part of Boston as it has over the Rainsford Island hospital (BSM, p. 260).
December 13, 1773
Boston Tea Party Revisited: Conventional wisdom holds that the Boston tea party was an act of defiance against the British taxation on imported tea. Recently uncovered evidence suggests there was more to this event than political defiance of the dictates of the British Parliament. The December 13, 1773 issue of the Boston Gazette made the point that tea exposed to smallpox would not have a purchaser in Boston. The Selectmen held some of the infamous tea in quarantine on Rainsford Island due to the presence of smallpox on one of the vessels (Boston Gazette Supplement, December 13, 1773, p. 5).
June 1, 1774
Port Bill Imposes trade embargo upon Boston: The Port Bill took effect on June 1, 1774 and resulted in a complete embargo of maritime Commerce with the town of Boston. Captains could not bring their vessels into Boston harbor. Its economic impacts were devastating and one of its unintended consequences was closing the Rainsford Island quarantine station (Boston Gazette, August 1, 1774, p. 2).
April 26, 1776
Town Conducts Smallpox Survey: The town conducts its first survey of smallpox in the town after the siege (BSM, p. 129).
September 10, 1776
Inoculation Limits Smallpox Death Toll: The town selectmen report 304 persons out of 1,566 families contracted smallpox the natural way of which 29 died. A total of 2, 873 were inoculated and 1,329 country people and 786 soldiers were inoculated too, resulting in 4,988 persons being inoculated during the summer of 1776, one of the largest inoculations of the 17th century (BSM, p. 246).
September 19, 1776
Rainsford Island Restored to Operational Use after Siege: Mr. Samuel Hartley, resumes work on Rainsford Island with the quarantine of a sloop with two pox infected persons on board. This is the first reference to the use of Rainsford Island after the British invasion of Boston and reveals that the island continued to function as a quarantine station soon after their departure (BSM p. 11).
April 2, 1777
Selectmen Order Rainsford Hospital Repairs: Selectmen order hospital repairs to the hospital house in New Boston. Dr. Kast is a consulting physician at that time, one of the earliest post revolutionary war references to the use of private physicians to provide public health services for the town (BSM, p. 54).
April 21, 1777
Purification of Merchandize Ordered: Rainsford Island warehouse is operational for infected goods. The Selectmen required smoking of goods, bedding and clothing liable to infection (BSM, p. 35).
May 14, 1777
Rainsford Island Used for Pox Outbreak: Town Selectmen respond to a pox outbreak by suggesting use of Rainsford Island hospital or state hospital in the western part of town (BSM, p. 41).
June 5, 1777
The Enemy is Quarantined at Rainsford: The enemy arrives under a flag of truce from Halifax with pox and is quarantined at Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 43).
August 18, 1777
Welch Chosen as New Boston Hospital Physician: Dr. John Welch is chosen as the physician of the hospital at New Boston. It is not clear if this is an error and the true reference is to Dr. Thomas Welch (BSM, p. 47).
August 26, 1777
Separation of the Infected and Exposed: Selectmen continue to require those exposed to disease to be isolated in the “well house” on Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 48).
November 22, 1777
Prisoner Quarantines Continue: Prisoners of war are brought to Rainsford Island on a schooner with Captain Godfrey and ordered to remain there until free of infection (BSM, p. 52).
March 14, 1778
Inoculation Program Established for Military: The General Court authorized Colonel Crafts to have his regiment inoculated in town. Dr. Joseph Gardiner is also authorized to improve the hospital in west Boston for the solve purpose of inoculating soldiers. At this meeting inoculation is also authorized for all townspeople as long as it happens after March 24th. Rainsford was inaccessible and therefore not suitable for mass inoculations (BSM, p. 15).
May 4, 1778
General Heath Orders Disinfection of Boston: General Heath urges town to undertake cleansing from smallpox and as a result the inhabitants are required to cleanse their homes (BSM, p. 16).
May 30, 1778
Illegal Inoculation Discovered: Citizens begin inoculation without authority and the town decides to prosecute those concealing the disease or conducting unathorized inoculation (BSM, p. 67).
June 1, 1778
Violators Apprehended: Mr. Knight and Mr. Ramsdel are ordered to be prosecuted for bringing smallpox into town or concealing it (BSM, p. 68).
February 3, 1779
Quarantine Physician Appointed: Dr. Whipple is appointed to the care of Rainsford Island Hospital. This is the first official assignment for a physician to support the island quarantine hospital. A similar assignment is made for the New Boston hospital which is filled by Nathaniel Walker (BSM, p. 84).
July 25, 1779
New York Prisoners Quarantined: Captain Godfrey brings a cartel brig from New York with “our prisoners” and is ordered down to Rainsford Island with an additional order that Hartley follow the usual cleaning procedures (BSM, p. 97).
September 29, 1779
Island Keeper Reprimanded for Improper behavior: Hartley and his wife are reprimanded for bad behavior and threatened with dismissal but the selectmen vote to keep him anyway (BSM, p. 101).
November 17, 1779
Captain Laha applies for care of the Rainsford Hospital (BSM, p. 103).
December 1, 1779
Laha Appointed New Island Keeper: Captain Laha is appointed to work at the Rainsford Island Hospital (BSM, p. 105).
April 12, 1780
Ward Assignments Established for Selectmen: The town is divided into ward assignments to ensure proper coverage by each selectmen of issues pertinent to each district. Coverage for Rainsford Island is assigned to Mr. Scollay (BSM, p. 117).
May 1, 1780
Smallpox Outbreak in Boston: Smallpox case appears in Boston and 10 days later selectmen order newspaper notice to be published announcing its presence (BSM, p. 118).
May 17, 1780
Selectmen Over-anxious in Declaring Outbreak Over: Pox outbreak is declared over – or so the town’s selectmen believe. In reality the disease lingers in town for some time (BSM, p. 119).
June 1, 1780
Enormous Number of Prisoners sent to Quarantine: A cartel with 272 prisoners is sent to Rainsford Island for quarantine. The prisoners came from New York (BSM, p. 120).
June 6, 1780
Physicians Retained to inspect Prisoners: Prisoners are released under a process of inspection conducted by Doctors Foster and Warren with smoking and cleansing required. On this same day the Selectmen order repairs made to Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 120).
August 26, 1780
Hospital Repairs Ordered: The Selectmen visit Rainsford Island and take this occasion to inspect the facilities and approve the necessary repairs required for the quarantine station (BSM p. 128).
August 3, 1781
More Prisoner Quarantined: Another Cartel of prisoners arrives at Rainsford Island from Halifax with the smallpox on board. The usual quarantine procedures including smoking and cleansing are ordered by the selectmen (BSM p. 156).
September 12, 1781
Quarantine Sailboat Improvements: Mr. Laha is authorized to buy a foresail for the town’s quarantine boat (BSM, p. 156).
November 16, 1781
French Given Separate Hospital: The French military is authorized to build a special hospital for their sick in new Boston next to the current Hospital located in that part of town (BSM, p. 162).
January 2, 1782
Yet Another Cartel Arrives in Boston Harbor: Another cartel arrives from Halifax with prisoners infected with smallpox.
August 4, 1783
First London Infected Vessel Arrives after the Revolutionary War: A London vessel arrives after the war with Britain is over. The vessel contains pox cases and is sent to Rainsford Island for quarantine (BSM, p. 219).
August 11, 1783
Dr. Whipple supports Rainsford Island Hospital: Selectmen begin relying on medical opinions of Dr. Whipple concerning when it is safe to release patients from Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 220).
August 11, 1783
Apple Island Inoculation Hospital approved: Drs. Warren, Welch, Dexter and Bartlett, petition the General Court to have an inoculation hospital on Apple Island and their request is approved. Apple Island no longer exists (BSM, p. 324).
January 11, 1785
Dr. Appleton given Quarantine Inspection Responsibilities: Dr. Appleton is charged with inspecting an infected brig from Philadelphia where the pox broke out.
April 11, 1785
Major Hospital Repairs Authorized: The Selectmen spend 155 pounds, 14 shilling and 5 pence for work done on Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 283).
1789
Rainsford Island Becomes an Inoculation Hospital: Dr. Whipple and Captain Laha are authorized to continue inoculation on Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 188).
1790
The Inoculation Hospital Continues: Dr. Whipple is re-approved to run an inoculation hospital on Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 203).
March 12, 1792
Selectmen Authorize Inoculation on Rainsford: Doctor Whipple is authorized to inoculate on Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 282-4).
August 29, 1792
Town-wide Inoculation Approved: At a town meeting a great majority of the townspeople order a town-wide inoculation, the seventh major inoculation in the last 80 years, Inoculation is allowed until September 15th (BSM, p. 303).
September 28, 1792
Smallpox Census Ordered: The town orders a census to determine the state of pox infection in the town (BSM, p. 304-5).
October 8, 1792
Nearly 10,000 Get Inoculated: The town declares that 8,804 whites and 348 blacks got inoculated. A total of 214 whites and 18 blacks got the disease the natural way of which 27 whites and 6 blacks died. The town orders cleansing and removal of “out towners” that are still in town or they must be placed in the pest house.
October 22, 1792
Two Smoke Houses Erected at Boston Neck: The town orders erection of smoke houses at the entrance to town at Boston Neck. It also orders all those arriving by water to go directly to Rainsford Island. Anyone inoculating after this date is declared an “enemy of the welfare and security of the town” (BSM, p. 309).
March 21, 1798
Town Appoints Its First Health Officer: The town agrees to appoint a town health officer, the first such position created within the Province of Massachusetts Bay (BSM, p. 378).
December 5, 1798
Selectmen Request Legislation Supporting a Board of Health: The town requests a law to establish a Board of Health. This action emerges after several years of yellow fever outbreaks along the eastern seaboard and significant newspaper publicity (BSM, p. 56).
March 9, 1799
Boston’s First Board of Health Elected: The citizens of Boston’s 12 wards elect 12 gentlemen to the Board of Health. Those elected are Josiah Snelling, William Thompson, John West Folsom, Paul Revere, Mitchell Lincoln, Samuel Bradford, James Prince, Captain Christopher Marshall, Nathaniel Balch, Colonel John Winslow, Joseph Head and Josiah Knapp (CC, March 12, 1799, p. 2). Four days later the Columbia Centinel announced Paul Revere is elected President of the Board of Health (CC, March 13, p. 2).
April 11, 1799
Board of Health Imposes Rules on Island Keeper: The Board suggests that Selectmen direct the keeper of Rainsford Island to receive all persons clothes and bedding sent by us or any merchandise that we thought necessary to be smoked or cleansed in that island. They also ordered the boatman to call on us whenever and as often as they came to town to receive our direction and that the officers of the island are to follow our orders on all matter we wished (BOH Minutes, p.19).
April 11. 1799
Dr. Welch Chosen as the First Port Physician to the Board of Health: The Board voted: “That Dr. Welsh be appointed a physician to act under the direction of the board and that the president be empowered to confer with him and make the necessary arrangements for his entering on the duties of his office.” (BOH Minutes, p.22).
May 2, 1799
Paul Revere Orders Port Physician to Manage Maritime Quarantine: In a major change of policy the town’s port physician is told to manage the maritime quarantine program. Paul Revere, President of the Board of Health ordered Dr. Welch as follows: “Sir you being appointed by the Board of Health at their meeting on the 17th of April last to act under the direction of the Board are hereby authorized and requested to examine all such vessels for this purpose and having examined their cargoes and every person on board as well as passengers as seamen with their cloaths and bedding.”: If finding them “in your opinion free from infection of every contagious and malignant distemper and that the said passengers and seamen may with safety to the inhabitants be permitted to come up to the town, you are requested to give to the captain of such vessel a certificate to this effect.” Revere also requested Welch to “certify to the commanding officer of the garrison in like manner” so that everyone would aware of the state of quarantine activities. Revere also ordered that “the captain or owner of such vessel having discharged your fees for examination and it is also agreed that you are to receive the same fee for every vessel examined whether she is permitted to come up to the town or not.” Finally, Welch was told that “in case you are not satisfied that a vessel so examined is free from infection you are immediately to inform the board thereof. The fee established for your compensation by the said Board is four dollars in full of all expenses. In cases when you find persons on board any vessel such with a contagious disorder, you will order the vessel to Rainsford island there to land the sick persons and to leave the vessel sufficiently cleansed before she comes up to town” (BOH Minutes, p. 33).
October 7, 1799
Quarantine Scofflaw Convicted: Rawson Carroll, a passenger on board the sloop Victory from New York, was convicted for leaving that vessel while performing quarantine at Rainsford Island. He was sentenced to imprisonment and fines. This is one of the earliest convictions for violation of quarantine laws in America (Russell’s Gazette, October 7, 1799, p. 3).
May 3, 1800
Revere Imposes Seasonal Quarantine Orders: Paul Revere orders all vessels coming from the West Indies, South America, through the straits of Gibraltar or the continent of America to undergo quarantine at Rainsford Island under the direction of the Visiting Physician. This is a major shift in public health policy and established the foundation for all 19th century quarantines of yellow fever. Revere set the foundation for these policies on this date (CC, May 3, 1800, p. 1).
May 16, 1801
Infected Vessels Must Perform Quarantine at Rainsford Island: Attempts by masters and commanders to evade quarantine resulted in an edict from the Board of Health that all vessels coming from infected ports must undergo quarantine at Rainsford Island and can’t evade such a requirement by stopping first at a nearby port along the Massachusetts coastline (CC, May 16, 1801, p. 2).
July 14, 1802
Nation’s First Government Sponsored Vaccination Experiment: The town authorizes a smallpox vaccination experiment on 20 persons quarantined on Noddles Island (now known as East Boston). This experiment legitimized the use of vaccination in America.
April 13, 1803
Board Imposes Penalties Against Island Keeper: “The Board determined that when the quarantine takes place the same regulations be adopted as last year. The only exception is that it shall be a standing regulation that Spear sees to cleaning every vessel in person and to cleaning all the bedding and clothing which may arrive in any vessel on board of which there has been any sickness during the voyage. The Board declared that “for each neglect of duty Spear shall be liable to a fine of five dollars.” On this same day Dr. Welsh was unanimously chosen visiting physician of this board for the ensuring year. His salary was set at $650 per annum (BOH Minutes, see p. 234).
May 13, 1803
The Board Divides Rainsford Island into Quarantine Zones: The Board orders a division of the island as follows:
For Sick: The southerly part of the island beyond the flags called the sick head, the ground between the flags to be the line of division between the sick and the well – any person found within those bounds and above high water mark are to be considered as infected and confined to the sick head.
For the Smallpox: The whole district of the easterly or southeasterly part of the island within the flags – no person to come within these bounds without license of the visiting physician.
Gentlemen with their Wives, children: The visiting physician may permit persons of this description and such whose peculiar valuation requires it to take lodgings at Spears House (i.e. The Island Keeper) – but no other persons are to go there on any account.
Convalescent and Well: May use the residence of the house and the convalescent house subject to the usual instructions of the board and the discretion of the visiting physician (BOH Minutes, p. 235-241).
May 23, 1804
Board Declares Rainsford Island is only for Contagious Disease Cases:
The Board “voted that no sick person be admitted to the Hospital at Rainsford Island on any pretence whatsoever unless sick with a contagious sickness save only for such time as the vessel in which such person arrives shall be at quarantine. The Marine hospital being intended for this purpose and that the Board of Health will not pay or suffer any such persons themselves to pay any expense changed them contrary to the spirit of this order” (BOH Minutes, See p. 256).
January 30, 1808
Yellow Fever Incubation Period Drives Length of Quarantine: The Board of Health declare that the incubation period of yellow fever can be as long as 25 days within the human constitution and this fact underlies their decision to impose quarantines that deduct the length of the passage from the departure port in determining the time spent at Rainsford Island. Vessels in passage for more than 25 days are given a precautionary 72 hours in quarantine (CC January 30, 1808, p. 1).
May 27, 1811
Board Completes its First Inventory of Rainsford Island Hospital: Island keeper Spears declared the following goods at the island belong to the Commonwealth. He identified 536 hospital supplies including: two beds and bedsteads; twenty one blankets; two bed pans three chair pans; two bed chairs; three mattresses; thirteen bunks; six tables; three raised dogs; two tea kettles, two coffee pots; two pair of shovels and tongs, two iron kettles. In addition, he listed four iron pots; two cake pans; two skillets; nine tin saw pans; one copper kettle; seventy four sheets, thirteen pillow boxes; seventeen bed sacks, fifteen towel; two shirts; five pillow sacks, two table cloths, twelve chairs, thirteen benches and sundry items belonging to the Board of Health. Six terens ladles; three pitchers; three dozen tumblers; five dozen Stevens wine glasses; fifteen dishes; five pudding dishes; nine dozen plates; four dozen spoons; seven dozen and five knifes and forks, salts; nine flour; twenty one towels and cotton table cloths.
May 24, 1813
President of the Board of Health Gives Visiting Physician Police Powers:
The Board recognizes the need for extraordinary powers to control human behavior during an epidemic. While at Rainsford Island the Board met and made the following resolution: “to promote order and decorum on Rainsford Island during the time a quarantine is required thereat, ordered that the police of Rainsford Island during the time of quarantine be hereby is invested in the Visiting Physician, Island Keeper and such other officers as this board may appoint. And they are hereby authorized and directed in case of violation of the police of the island or any indecorous conduct or abusive language against this board or its officers, committed or uttered by any person visiting or permitted to visit said island to order the person so offending if a master, officer, seaman or passenger, to repair immediately on board the vessel to which he belongs, there to remain until discharged; and if a visitor or person permitted to visit the island, then to depart from said island or otherwise as the case may require and that the Visiting Physician, and Island Keeper be directed to make immediate report of any person offending as above to the committee for the week. Also ordered that a pilot, after having anchored a vessel on her proper quarantine station, shall not be permitted to go on board such vessel during her term of quarantine but shall be allowed to visit the island to obtain information of the discharge (Benjamin Whitman, President, BOH Minutes).
January 4, 1814
Rainsford Island faces Imminent Danger of Destruction by Sea: At a meeting of the Board of Health, President Whitman indicates that the island has suffered extensive damage from the sea on its east side. Without some action to stop the erosion, the island will be destroyed. As a result the board recommends a memorial to the legislature requesting funds to fix the island (BOH Minutes).
October 10, 1814
Sea Wall Work is Completed on Rainsford Island: The board complimented itself on the success and workmanlike manner of the sea wall built on Rainsford Island (BOH Minutes).
September 1815
September Gale Damages Hospital: Town makes major repairs to buildings on Rainsford Island after a major gale September damages the buildings. (BOH annual report).
March 11, 1816
Town Confirms the Value of a Lay Person Board of Health: The town’s inhabitants petition to reduce the size of the Board of Health to three members as an economy measure. At this meeting the Board of Health declares it to be better to have volunteer Board members working “pro bono” than to have three paid staff members. The Selectmen realize the need to overhaul the Commonwealth’s quarantine statutes, especially with respect to the Board’s quarantine authority (BSM, p. 54).
June 20, 1816
Rainsford Island Declared Quarantine Station for Boston: The General Court passes “An Act to empower the town of Boston to choose a Board of Health and to prescribe their power and duty.” This law authorized the Board to give orders to remove those with contagious diseases to the hospital on Rainsford Island or to any other place within the limits of town of Boston. Failure to comply with such an order carried a penalty of not less than $5 and not more than $500. This law authorized the establishment of rules and regulations concerning clothing or other articles capable of carrying infectious disease and established that quarantine be performed on vessels arriving within Boston harbor. This law also created the position of a Principal Physician to assist the Board as well as an Assistant Physician who shall reside on Rainsford island. The positions of Island Keeper and Boatmen were also created to deal with island activities. This law explicitly passes the Selectmen's authority granted on June 22, 1797 to the Board of Health as set forth in the law titled “An Act to prevent the spreading of infectious disease.” The law also authorized the Board of Health to remove infected prisoners to Rainsford Island (Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1816, p. 258).
1819
New Hospital Constructed: Boston spends $2,208 for a new smallpox hospital on Rainsford Island (BOH, Annual Report).
1820
New Quarantine Boat – the Massachusetts: The Selectmen buy a new quarantine boats called the “Massachusetts” at a cost of $1,753.15 (BOH, Annual Report).
May 18, 1824
Ban on Quarantine Imposed: The Common Council orders that there be no quarantine of vessels without further order of the City Council except in extraordinary cases and that the City Clerk be directed to give this directive to the Health Commissioner (BCC p. 177).
May 5, 1825
Health Commissioners Recommend Smallpox Hospital: Board of Health Commissioners recommend smallpox hospital be built on Rainsford Island (BCC p. 146).
July 11, 1825
New Island Keeper Selected: The Board confirms the nomination of Thomas Hobart as the Island Keeper on this date (p. 227).
June 27, 1826
The City appoints its first Resident Physician: The City Council selects Dr. J.V. Smith as the resident physician for Rainsford Island. After 1841, the term Resident Physician is changed to Port Physician with essentially similar maritime duties but additional public health responsibilities within Boston proper. Dr. Smith would become one of the longest serving Port Physicians of the 19th century holding this post until 1849 (CC, June 17, 1826, p. 1).
December 25, 1826
Quarantine Administration Transferred from Health Commissioners to Mayor: The duties of quarantine are taken from the hands of the Health Commissioners and transferred to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen who directly supervise the Resident Physician (BCC, p. 445).
March 12, 1828
Physicians are Mandated to Report Cases of Smallpox: The General Court mandates that all physicians report cases of smallpox. This is the first known mandatory disease reporting law for physicians in America. The implication of this law is that those identified as smallpox infected could be sent to Rainsford Island (ARGC, “An Act for providing for Hospitals for Inoculation and preventing Infection from the Smallpox, and for repealing several Act heretofore made for that purpose.” p. 235)
June 24, 1829
Cottage for Resident Physician Authorized: The Quarantine committee authorized construction of a cottage on the quarantine island for the use of the Resident Physician (BCC, p. 226).
1830
City Builds a Cottage for the Resident Physician: The city authorizes $100 to be spent for a cottage on Rainsford Island to house the Resident Physician (BOH, Annual Report).
June 4, 1831
General Court Authorizes Funds for Island Smallpox Hospital: The Board notes that the legislature has appropriated $7,000 for the hospital on Rainsford Island and orders the committee to develop plans and estimates. Note: the construction work that is undertaken is the first such work since 1819 and greatly improves the smallpox hospital on the island (p. 143).
1832
New Smallpox Hospital Constructed: The city expends $11,461.10 for a new “Greek Revival” style smallpox hospital on Rainsford Island (BOH annual report). The city spends an additional $1,380.25 the following year to complete the hospital construction (BCC Minutes and ARRE, 1833).
January 16, 1832
Standing Committee on Quarantine Established: The Board of Aldermen establish a standing committee on quarantine. On this same day the Board imposes quarantine on vessels from the Port of Smyrna in the Mediterranean Sea and Sunderland and New Castle on the Tyne in Great Britain. Note: This quarantine coincided with the great Cholera pandemic of 1832 (BCC, p. 15).
July 21, 1832
City Orders Resident Physician to Defer to the Board of Health: The Board notifies the Resident Physician that no communication on quarantine is to be made without the authority of this Board (BCC, July 21, 1832).
March 18, 1833
John Minot is selected as the next Island keeper. The City Council selects Mr. Minot as the City’s next Island Keeper.
August 10, 1833
Boston City Council places quarantine under the Mayor and Board of Aldermen: This act gives them sole control of Rainsford Island. This was done through “An Ordinance establishing and regulating the quarantine of vessels.
November 10, 1834
Quarantine Committee Recommends Replacing the “Massachusetts:” The quarantine committee recommends purchase of a new boat because the Massachusetts is not worth repairing. A total of $2,100 is allocated and authorized to sell the Massachusetts.
1836
Mayor and Board of Aldermen Given Control of Rainsford Island: The Massachusetts legislature repeals the Act of 1816 and empowers the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to have sole control over Rainsford island. Their powers include quarantine performed on vessels arriving in Boston Harbor and the appointment of all officers. Presumably this legislation was intended to legitimate the decision of the Boston City Council taken 3 years earlier (BCD#3).
January 6, 1837
Preservation of Rainsford Island: The Massachusetts Legislature first began to preserve the island in 1835 by granting $4,500 for that purpose. Congress appropriated $15,000 additional funds in its last session for the same project. The result of this investment is that workers installed 485 cubic yards of masonry, 128 running feet of coping and about 350 cubic yards of embankment as of September 30, 1836. When completed, the wall was 1,200 feet long, averaging between 7 and 12 feet tall (New Bedford Mercury, January 6, 1837, p. 2).
1840
New Quarantine Dock in Boston: The City rents a special landing place for the Rainsford Island quarantine boat (ARRE, 1841).
1840
Dawn of Trans-Atlantic Passenger Travel: The Honorable Samuel Cunard initiates steam navigation between Liverpool and Boston. This opens a long period of immigration to Boston from England, Scotland and Ireland (Boston Mayor's address, January 4, 1841).
June 17, 1841
Boston Enacts an Ordinance to Establish the office of Port Physician: This ordinance creates position of Port Physician to inspect goods and passengers entering by vessel and to attend upon all cases of disease in the jail of Suffolk county (BCD#24, Port Physician).
June 28, 1841
Mr. Tewksbury Serves as Island Keeper: Tewksbury is appointed Island Keeper for Rainsford Island and Keeper of the quarantine boat (BCC, p. 176).
June 8, 1842
External Health Committee is Tasked with Feasibility of Removing Quarantine Station from Rainsford Island: The Board ordered the Committee on External Health to report on the
expediency of removing the quarantine establishment from Rainsford Island (BCC, p. 204).
July 18, 1842
Removal of Quarantine Station to Deer Island is Recommended: Committee on External Health recommends removal of quarantine establishment from Rainsford Island to Deer Island. It is recommended that the Committee on Public Lands address the issue since Deer Island is in their jurisdiction (BCC, p. 218).
1843
High Costs for Quarantine Station Maintenance: Costs for maintaining the hospital remain high with nearly $30,000 expended in 30 years time. High costs attributable to remote location, high labor cost for island labor, ongoing wind and water damage, and continuing demands of an ever growing immigrant population.
April 21, 1845
The City Council Considers Removal of Quarantine Vessel: Board ordered committee to consider getting rid of the quarantine boat and dispose of the cottage on Rainsford Island that is not leased or occupied (BCC, p. 117).
1846
Child Labor Used for Quarantine Boat Work: The External Health Department hired a boy to help the quarantine boatmen with the collection and transport of the sick from Boston to Rainsford Island. The boy started work on January 1, 1847 just prior to the typhus epidemic of that year (ARRE, 1847).
1847
Continued Use of Child Labor within Quarantine Program: The City continued to employ child labor in support of the quarantine program until September 1847. During this year the city also buys its first boarding boat to handle the extraordinary increase in immigrant vessels arriving in Boston harbor.
May 25, 1847
The City Relocates the City’s Quarantine Station from Rainsford to Deer Island: In response to the unprecedented number of Irish immigrants arriving with typhus, the Mayor relocates the Quarantine Hospital to Deer Island. A hastily made hospital is constructed to meet the needs of those suffering from contagious disease (ARRE, 1847). See Deer Island Chronology by clicking on the following link: http://deerislandchronology.blogspot.com/
Rainsford Island Chosen as the Massachusetts Bay Colony Quarantine Station: The General Court chose Rainsford Island as a more appropriate place to establish a quarantine station after many years of poor neighborly relations with the family of Samuel Bill part owner of Spectacle Island, the former quarantine station (Massachusetts, 1869, p. 491).
June 23, 1738
Island Keeper Position Established: The Selectmen review the order of the General Court to establish an island keeper for Rainsford Island.
August 30, 1738
Committee Organized to Support Island Keeper: A committee is established to work with Mr. William Waters to take care of Rainsford Island on the most advantageous terms possible (pp. 137-138).
November 25, 1738
Boston Smallpox Pest House Established: Selectmen establish a smallpox hospital in town at Benjamin Clough’s house. This is a major shift in smallpox policy. (p. 145).
January 29, 1739
Boston Pest House is Closed: The smallpox hospital is closed and account taken of costs and supplies used during the outbreak. John Kneeland receives 100 pounds for nurses, attendants and supplies.
February 26, 1739
Smallpox Expenses: The town pays 25 pounds for medical costs to reimburse Doctor Rand and 32 pounds and 8 shillings to Doctor Douglass and 40 pounds to Mr. Savell for his services.
February 28, 1739
The town pays an additional 37 pounds, 12 shillings and six pence for other expenses of Dr. Rand.
April 11, 1739
Town Requests Aid for Pest House Costs: The town requests the General Court reimburse Boston for the rental of Mr. Clough’s house while it was used for a smallpox pest house. (BSM, p. 173).
August 11, 1739
Pest House Re-Opens: Another smallpox outbreak calls for the need of Mr. Clough’s house and he agrees again to the deal.
August 20, 1739
Island Keeper Threatens to Resign: William Waters will not continue as island keeper unless he continues to receive 50 pounds a year and the island is improved (BSM, p. 258).
November 7, 1740
Smoking of the Mail: The selectmen order letters smoked at the hospital in the westerly part of town (BSM, p. 260).
November 10, 1740
Adverse Impacts to Maritime Commerce: Lack of a wharf and lack of a shed on Rainsford island leads to inadequate airing of cargo and Captain Osborne complains it is impractical for Captain Hall to put his hemp on shore on the Island (BSM, p. 262).
November 22, 1740
Town Requests Quarantine Station Improvements: The wharf problem prompts the selectmen to request funds for repairs to build such wharf and shed as is required to meet the needs of maritime commerce (BSM, p. 264).
July 8, 1741
Island Keeper Waters Threatens to Resign Again: William Waters threatens to quit as island keeper if his annual salary is not raised to 100 pounds per year (BSM, p. 297)
July 15, 1741
Selectmen Call Waters' Bluff: The Selectmen decline to raise his wages and advertise for another island keeper (BSM, p. 299).
September 2, 1741
Yellow Fever Panic Strikes Boston: Yellow fever is declared to be in Philadelphia and this raises fears in Boston. The Selectmen ask for the opinion of the town’s physicians on whether vessels should be stopped from entering Boston (BSM, p 302).
September 9, 1741
Waters Agrees to Continue as Island Keeper: William Waters volunteers to keep his old post at his old salary, apparently mindful of the yellow fever crisis at hand. The selectmen request the Governor to order the commanding officer at Castle William to carefully examine all vessels coming from Philadelphia (BSM, p. 328).
September 16, 1741
Island Keeper Signs Employment Agreement: William Waters and the Selectmen sign a new agreement at 50 pounds per year plus Waters’ right to charge for nursing expenses at 25 shillings per week.
October 3, 1741
Cannibals thrown into Quarantine: Cannibals arrive in Boston harbor and those on board the vessel are suffering from a variety of communicable diseases. The Selectmen quarantine the passengers and cannibals on Rainsford Island.
July 28, 1742
Waters Agrees to Continue as Island Keeper: New agreement with William Waters calls for his salary to be 12 pounds, 10 shillings per year and he can charge 6 shilling and 3 pence per week per person (BSM, p. 353).
November 19, 1743
Maritime Watch Deployed for Plague: The town directs 2 watchmen from each watch house to stand two at Clark’s wharf and two at the lower end of Long Wharf to stop any boats coming or going from the Ship Tyger, Patrick White Master. The watches are to last 2 hours at a stretch and rotated until further notice. The Ship Tyger came from Cagliari where the plague is prevalent (BSM, p. 38-39).
July 11, 1744
Selectmen Foot the Bill: Town Selectmen pay an extraordinary invoice in the amount of 953 pounds, ten shillings and seven pence for charges of caring for Captain Rouse’s people on Rainsford Island who suffered from smallpox. This is an unprecedented cost for quarantine support (BSM, p. 73).
January 17, 1745
Town Recognizes Separation of the Exposed and Sick is Critical: The town urges the Governor to build a second building on Rainsford Island since currently the sick and the well are forced to share the same building leading to many getting sick that would not otherwise have been so affected (BSM, p. 87)
February 1745
Selectmen Isolate the Exposed on Rainsford Island: The town begins to isolate those exposed to smallpox on Rainsford Island reflecting an increased awareness of he communicability of this disease (BSM, p. 97).
March 1, 1745
Nursing Staff Added to Rainsford Hospital: Widow Gauge agrees to serve as a nurse on Rainsford Island for 30 shillings per week. Three days later several cases of smallpox are sent to the Island (BSM, p. 100).
August 21, 1745
Petition for a Epidemical Pest House in Boston: Dr. Silvester Gardner petitions the selectmen to build a hospital on southland of town. On September 4th the town agrees to hold a public hearing on September 10th (BSM, p. 115).
September 10, 1745
Hospitals Must Have License: At a town meeting it is urged that a law be passed to prohibit hospitals without a license from the selectmen. This ensued from Dr. Gardiner’s attempt to build a hospital in South Boston (BSM, p. 76).
October 16, 1745
Island Keeper Waters Threatens to Resign Again: Waters threatens to quit again but, after negotiations with the Selectmen, agrees to continue as island keeper (BSM, p. 121).
October 8, 1746
Island Keeper Waters Resigns: Waters tenders his resignation and Thomas Murfey offers to take over the Island Keeper post. The selectmen agree to his proposal at 100 pounds per year.
February 22, 1748
Selectmen Hire Hamilton as Island Keeper: The Selectmen agree to hire James Hamilton at 100 pounds per year to serve as the town’s island keeper.
March 17, 1748
Town Hires its Second Island Keeper: The Selectmen sign an agreement with James Hamilton to become the town’s second island keeper at the terms discussed the previous month (BSM, p. 214).
April 22, 1749
Rainsford Island’s Wharf Expanded to Better Serve Commercial Interests: The House of Representatives agrees to build another wharf about 20 feet distant from the present one. It also orders repairs to the house and barn on the island (BSM, p. 217).
June 16, 1749
Financial Restitution for Pest House Owner’s Widow: The Selectmen return the Clough house to widow Clough on this day after Benjamin Clough, a blacksmith, died. They also agree to pay Widow Clough for the rent due to her for the use of the house up until that day (BSM, p. 232).
August 13, 1751
Selectmen Deliver Quarantine Boat to Island Keeper: The Selectmen deliver the boat called the Rainsford to James Hamilton. Hamilton is ordered to only use the boat for hospital business to bring the sick to the island (BSM, p. 267).
1752
Physician Invests in Boston Neck Lands: The town authorizes Silvester Gardiner to buy marsh lands, presumably for some hospital purpose (BSM, p. 229).
April 12, 1752
Panic Controls Instituted by Selectmen: Selectmen order only one bell during funerals due to the smallpox epidemic in town (BSM, p. 277).
April 22, 1752
No Funerals for those Dying of Smallpox: Selectmen order those who died of the pox to be put in a tarred sheet and buried in the evening after their death without the usual solemnities of a funeral (BSM, p. 278)
May 27, 1752
Smallpox Epidemic has Devastating Economic Consequences: The Selectmen estimate that the smallpox epidemic cost the town 100,000 pounds as a result of lost business, costs for health care, etc. (BTM, p. 220).
July 27, 1752
Smallpox Epidemic Dwarfs Island Resources: Smallpox epidemic has devastating impact on the town of Boston. A total of 545 persons died including 31 from inoculation. Epidemic is so large that island isolation was simply not feasible (BSM, p. 283).
June 15, 1756
Quarantine for 50 Soldiers: Selectmen confine fifty sick soldiers on Rainsford Island under Mr. Hamilton’s care (BSM, p. 40).
August 30, 1756
Military Quarantine Expands: Another 200 soldiers are thrown into quarantine. These soldiers were under the command of General Winslow and came on the schooner Leopard.
January 4, 1757
New Quarantine Sedan Ordered: The Selectmen order a new sedan for carrying the infected to Rainsford Island since the current one is “broke to pieces.” The town agrees to buy a new sedan for carrying the infected within the town. (BSM, p. 52)
July 6, 1757
Hamilton Dies Leaving Hospital in Disarray: Mr. Hamilton’s widow delivers the articles belonging to the Province that were at the hospital including 9 old beds, 6 old pillow, 9 blankets, one bed pan and 6 pair of sheets (BSM, p. 60).
October 7, 1762
Yellow Fever Threatens Boston: Selectmen learn that yellow fever is rife in Philadelphia (BSM, p. 220).
March 7, 1763
Quarantine Imposed Against Charleston: On this date the Selectmen order the stopping of all vessels coming from Charleston, South Carolina (BSM, p. 250).
March 12, 1764
Inoculation Campaign Authorized: The town meeting authorizes the inoculation of all people until April 20, 1764. After this date the selectmen can then cleanup the town as was done during the epidemic of 1732 (BSM, p. 105-120).
September 6, 1766
“Quarantine of Consent” for Merchant Goods: The Selectmen instruct the Island Keeper never to remove goods to shore without the consent of the owner (BSM p. 226).
September 20, 1766
Quarantine Scofflaws Punished; Selectmen reprimand a captain for allowing three passengers to enter Boston without their approval (BSM, p. 230).
June 19, 1767
Selectmen Empowered to Operate two Hospitals: The Resolve of the General Court provides for the town selectmen to have as much power over the island hospital on the West part of Boston as it has over the Rainsford Island hospital (BSM, p. 260).
December 13, 1773
Boston Tea Party Revisited: Conventional wisdom holds that the Boston tea party was an act of defiance against the British taxation on imported tea. Recently uncovered evidence suggests there was more to this event than political defiance of the dictates of the British Parliament. The December 13, 1773 issue of the Boston Gazette made the point that tea exposed to smallpox would not have a purchaser in Boston. The Selectmen held some of the infamous tea in quarantine on Rainsford Island due to the presence of smallpox on one of the vessels (Boston Gazette Supplement, December 13, 1773, p. 5).
June 1, 1774
Port Bill Imposes trade embargo upon Boston: The Port Bill took effect on June 1, 1774 and resulted in a complete embargo of maritime Commerce with the town of Boston. Captains could not bring their vessels into Boston harbor. Its economic impacts were devastating and one of its unintended consequences was closing the Rainsford Island quarantine station (Boston Gazette, August 1, 1774, p. 2).
April 26, 1776
Town Conducts Smallpox Survey: The town conducts its first survey of smallpox in the town after the siege (BSM, p. 129).
September 10, 1776
Inoculation Limits Smallpox Death Toll: The town selectmen report 304 persons out of 1,566 families contracted smallpox the natural way of which 29 died. A total of 2, 873 were inoculated and 1,329 country people and 786 soldiers were inoculated too, resulting in 4,988 persons being inoculated during the summer of 1776, one of the largest inoculations of the 17th century (BSM, p. 246).
September 19, 1776
Rainsford Island Restored to Operational Use after Siege: Mr. Samuel Hartley, resumes work on Rainsford Island with the quarantine of a sloop with two pox infected persons on board. This is the first reference to the use of Rainsford Island after the British invasion of Boston and reveals that the island continued to function as a quarantine station soon after their departure (BSM p. 11).
April 2, 1777
Selectmen Order Rainsford Hospital Repairs: Selectmen order hospital repairs to the hospital house in New Boston. Dr. Kast is a consulting physician at that time, one of the earliest post revolutionary war references to the use of private physicians to provide public health services for the town (BSM, p. 54).
April 21, 1777
Purification of Merchandize Ordered: Rainsford Island warehouse is operational for infected goods. The Selectmen required smoking of goods, bedding and clothing liable to infection (BSM, p. 35).
May 14, 1777
Rainsford Island Used for Pox Outbreak: Town Selectmen respond to a pox outbreak by suggesting use of Rainsford Island hospital or state hospital in the western part of town (BSM, p. 41).
June 5, 1777
The Enemy is Quarantined at Rainsford: The enemy arrives under a flag of truce from Halifax with pox and is quarantined at Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 43).
August 18, 1777
Welch Chosen as New Boston Hospital Physician: Dr. John Welch is chosen as the physician of the hospital at New Boston. It is not clear if this is an error and the true reference is to Dr. Thomas Welch (BSM, p. 47).
August 26, 1777
Separation of the Infected and Exposed: Selectmen continue to require those exposed to disease to be isolated in the “well house” on Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 48).
November 22, 1777
Prisoner Quarantines Continue: Prisoners of war are brought to Rainsford Island on a schooner with Captain Godfrey and ordered to remain there until free of infection (BSM, p. 52).
March 14, 1778
Inoculation Program Established for Military: The General Court authorized Colonel Crafts to have his regiment inoculated in town. Dr. Joseph Gardiner is also authorized to improve the hospital in west Boston for the solve purpose of inoculating soldiers. At this meeting inoculation is also authorized for all townspeople as long as it happens after March 24th. Rainsford was inaccessible and therefore not suitable for mass inoculations (BSM, p. 15).
May 4, 1778
General Heath Orders Disinfection of Boston: General Heath urges town to undertake cleansing from smallpox and as a result the inhabitants are required to cleanse their homes (BSM, p. 16).
May 30, 1778
Illegal Inoculation Discovered: Citizens begin inoculation without authority and the town decides to prosecute those concealing the disease or conducting unathorized inoculation (BSM, p. 67).
June 1, 1778
Violators Apprehended: Mr. Knight and Mr. Ramsdel are ordered to be prosecuted for bringing smallpox into town or concealing it (BSM, p. 68).
February 3, 1779
Quarantine Physician Appointed: Dr. Whipple is appointed to the care of Rainsford Island Hospital. This is the first official assignment for a physician to support the island quarantine hospital. A similar assignment is made for the New Boston hospital which is filled by Nathaniel Walker (BSM, p. 84).
July 25, 1779
New York Prisoners Quarantined: Captain Godfrey brings a cartel brig from New York with “our prisoners” and is ordered down to Rainsford Island with an additional order that Hartley follow the usual cleaning procedures (BSM, p. 97).
September 29, 1779
Island Keeper Reprimanded for Improper behavior: Hartley and his wife are reprimanded for bad behavior and threatened with dismissal but the selectmen vote to keep him anyway (BSM, p. 101).
November 17, 1779
Captain Laha applies for care of the Rainsford Hospital (BSM, p. 103).
December 1, 1779
Laha Appointed New Island Keeper: Captain Laha is appointed to work at the Rainsford Island Hospital (BSM, p. 105).
April 12, 1780
Ward Assignments Established for Selectmen: The town is divided into ward assignments to ensure proper coverage by each selectmen of issues pertinent to each district. Coverage for Rainsford Island is assigned to Mr. Scollay (BSM, p. 117).
May 1, 1780
Smallpox Outbreak in Boston: Smallpox case appears in Boston and 10 days later selectmen order newspaper notice to be published announcing its presence (BSM, p. 118).
May 17, 1780
Selectmen Over-anxious in Declaring Outbreak Over: Pox outbreak is declared over – or so the town’s selectmen believe. In reality the disease lingers in town for some time (BSM, p. 119).
June 1, 1780
Enormous Number of Prisoners sent to Quarantine: A cartel with 272 prisoners is sent to Rainsford Island for quarantine. The prisoners came from New York (BSM, p. 120).
June 6, 1780
Physicians Retained to inspect Prisoners: Prisoners are released under a process of inspection conducted by Doctors Foster and Warren with smoking and cleansing required. On this same day the Selectmen order repairs made to Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 120).
August 26, 1780
Hospital Repairs Ordered: The Selectmen visit Rainsford Island and take this occasion to inspect the facilities and approve the necessary repairs required for the quarantine station (BSM p. 128).
August 3, 1781
More Prisoner Quarantined: Another Cartel of prisoners arrives at Rainsford Island from Halifax with the smallpox on board. The usual quarantine procedures including smoking and cleansing are ordered by the selectmen (BSM p. 156).
September 12, 1781
Quarantine Sailboat Improvements: Mr. Laha is authorized to buy a foresail for the town’s quarantine boat (BSM, p. 156).
November 16, 1781
French Given Separate Hospital: The French military is authorized to build a special hospital for their sick in new Boston next to the current Hospital located in that part of town (BSM, p. 162).
January 2, 1782
Yet Another Cartel Arrives in Boston Harbor: Another cartel arrives from Halifax with prisoners infected with smallpox.
August 4, 1783
First London Infected Vessel Arrives after the Revolutionary War: A London vessel arrives after the war with Britain is over. The vessel contains pox cases and is sent to Rainsford Island for quarantine (BSM, p. 219).
August 11, 1783
Dr. Whipple supports Rainsford Island Hospital: Selectmen begin relying on medical opinions of Dr. Whipple concerning when it is safe to release patients from Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 220).
August 11, 1783
Apple Island Inoculation Hospital approved: Drs. Warren, Welch, Dexter and Bartlett, petition the General Court to have an inoculation hospital on Apple Island and their request is approved. Apple Island no longer exists (BSM, p. 324).
January 11, 1785
Dr. Appleton given Quarantine Inspection Responsibilities: Dr. Appleton is charged with inspecting an infected brig from Philadelphia where the pox broke out.
April 11, 1785
Major Hospital Repairs Authorized: The Selectmen spend 155 pounds, 14 shilling and 5 pence for work done on Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 283).
1789
Rainsford Island Becomes an Inoculation Hospital: Dr. Whipple and Captain Laha are authorized to continue inoculation on Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 188).
1790
The Inoculation Hospital Continues: Dr. Whipple is re-approved to run an inoculation hospital on Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 203).
March 12, 1792
Selectmen Authorize Inoculation on Rainsford: Doctor Whipple is authorized to inoculate on Rainsford Island (BSM, p. 282-4).
August 29, 1792
Town-wide Inoculation Approved: At a town meeting a great majority of the townspeople order a town-wide inoculation, the seventh major inoculation in the last 80 years, Inoculation is allowed until September 15th (BSM, p. 303).
September 28, 1792
Smallpox Census Ordered: The town orders a census to determine the state of pox infection in the town (BSM, p. 304-5).
October 8, 1792
Nearly 10,000 Get Inoculated: The town declares that 8,804 whites and 348 blacks got inoculated. A total of 214 whites and 18 blacks got the disease the natural way of which 27 whites and 6 blacks died. The town orders cleansing and removal of “out towners” that are still in town or they must be placed in the pest house.
October 22, 1792
Two Smoke Houses Erected at Boston Neck: The town orders erection of smoke houses at the entrance to town at Boston Neck. It also orders all those arriving by water to go directly to Rainsford Island. Anyone inoculating after this date is declared an “enemy of the welfare and security of the town” (BSM, p. 309).
March 21, 1798
Town Appoints Its First Health Officer: The town agrees to appoint a town health officer, the first such position created within the Province of Massachusetts Bay (BSM, p. 378).
December 5, 1798
Selectmen Request Legislation Supporting a Board of Health: The town requests a law to establish a Board of Health. This action emerges after several years of yellow fever outbreaks along the eastern seaboard and significant newspaper publicity (BSM, p. 56).
March 9, 1799
Boston’s First Board of Health Elected: The citizens of Boston’s 12 wards elect 12 gentlemen to the Board of Health. Those elected are Josiah Snelling, William Thompson, John West Folsom, Paul Revere, Mitchell Lincoln, Samuel Bradford, James Prince, Captain Christopher Marshall, Nathaniel Balch, Colonel John Winslow, Joseph Head and Josiah Knapp (CC, March 12, 1799, p. 2). Four days later the Columbia Centinel announced Paul Revere is elected President of the Board of Health (CC, March 13, p. 2).
April 11, 1799
Board of Health Imposes Rules on Island Keeper: The Board suggests that Selectmen direct the keeper of Rainsford Island to receive all persons clothes and bedding sent by us or any merchandise that we thought necessary to be smoked or cleansed in that island. They also ordered the boatman to call on us whenever and as often as they came to town to receive our direction and that the officers of the island are to follow our orders on all matter we wished (BOH Minutes, p.19).
April 11. 1799
Dr. Welch Chosen as the First Port Physician to the Board of Health: The Board voted: “That Dr. Welsh be appointed a physician to act under the direction of the board and that the president be empowered to confer with him and make the necessary arrangements for his entering on the duties of his office.” (BOH Minutes, p.22).
May 2, 1799
Paul Revere Orders Port Physician to Manage Maritime Quarantine: In a major change of policy the town’s port physician is told to manage the maritime quarantine program. Paul Revere, President of the Board of Health ordered Dr. Welch as follows: “Sir you being appointed by the Board of Health at their meeting on the 17th of April last to act under the direction of the Board are hereby authorized and requested to examine all such vessels for this purpose and having examined their cargoes and every person on board as well as passengers as seamen with their cloaths and bedding.”: If finding them “in your opinion free from infection of every contagious and malignant distemper and that the said passengers and seamen may with safety to the inhabitants be permitted to come up to the town, you are requested to give to the captain of such vessel a certificate to this effect.” Revere also requested Welch to “certify to the commanding officer of the garrison in like manner” so that everyone would aware of the state of quarantine activities. Revere also ordered that “the captain or owner of such vessel having discharged your fees for examination and it is also agreed that you are to receive the same fee for every vessel examined whether she is permitted to come up to the town or not.” Finally, Welch was told that “in case you are not satisfied that a vessel so examined is free from infection you are immediately to inform the board thereof. The fee established for your compensation by the said Board is four dollars in full of all expenses. In cases when you find persons on board any vessel such with a contagious disorder, you will order the vessel to Rainsford island there to land the sick persons and to leave the vessel sufficiently cleansed before she comes up to town” (BOH Minutes, p. 33).
October 7, 1799
Quarantine Scofflaw Convicted: Rawson Carroll, a passenger on board the sloop Victory from New York, was convicted for leaving that vessel while performing quarantine at Rainsford Island. He was sentenced to imprisonment and fines. This is one of the earliest convictions for violation of quarantine laws in America (Russell’s Gazette, October 7, 1799, p. 3).
May 3, 1800
Revere Imposes Seasonal Quarantine Orders: Paul Revere orders all vessels coming from the West Indies, South America, through the straits of Gibraltar or the continent of America to undergo quarantine at Rainsford Island under the direction of the Visiting Physician. This is a major shift in public health policy and established the foundation for all 19th century quarantines of yellow fever. Revere set the foundation for these policies on this date (CC, May 3, 1800, p. 1).
May 16, 1801
Infected Vessels Must Perform Quarantine at Rainsford Island: Attempts by masters and commanders to evade quarantine resulted in an edict from the Board of Health that all vessels coming from infected ports must undergo quarantine at Rainsford Island and can’t evade such a requirement by stopping first at a nearby port along the Massachusetts coastline (CC, May 16, 1801, p. 2).
July 14, 1802
Nation’s First Government Sponsored Vaccination Experiment: The town authorizes a smallpox vaccination experiment on 20 persons quarantined on Noddles Island (now known as East Boston). This experiment legitimized the use of vaccination in America.
April 13, 1803
Board Imposes Penalties Against Island Keeper: “The Board determined that when the quarantine takes place the same regulations be adopted as last year. The only exception is that it shall be a standing regulation that Spear sees to cleaning every vessel in person and to cleaning all the bedding and clothing which may arrive in any vessel on board of which there has been any sickness during the voyage. The Board declared that “for each neglect of duty Spear shall be liable to a fine of five dollars.” On this same day Dr. Welsh was unanimously chosen visiting physician of this board for the ensuring year. His salary was set at $650 per annum (BOH Minutes, see p. 234).
May 13, 1803
The Board Divides Rainsford Island into Quarantine Zones: The Board orders a division of the island as follows:
For Sick: The southerly part of the island beyond the flags called the sick head, the ground between the flags to be the line of division between the sick and the well – any person found within those bounds and above high water mark are to be considered as infected and confined to the sick head.
For the Smallpox: The whole district of the easterly or southeasterly part of the island within the flags – no person to come within these bounds without license of the visiting physician.
Gentlemen with their Wives, children: The visiting physician may permit persons of this description and such whose peculiar valuation requires it to take lodgings at Spears House (i.e. The Island Keeper) – but no other persons are to go there on any account.
Convalescent and Well: May use the residence of the house and the convalescent house subject to the usual instructions of the board and the discretion of the visiting physician (BOH Minutes, p. 235-241).
May 23, 1804
Board Declares Rainsford Island is only for Contagious Disease Cases:
The Board “voted that no sick person be admitted to the Hospital at Rainsford Island on any pretence whatsoever unless sick with a contagious sickness save only for such time as the vessel in which such person arrives shall be at quarantine. The Marine hospital being intended for this purpose and that the Board of Health will not pay or suffer any such persons themselves to pay any expense changed them contrary to the spirit of this order” (BOH Minutes, See p. 256).
January 30, 1808
Yellow Fever Incubation Period Drives Length of Quarantine: The Board of Health declare that the incubation period of yellow fever can be as long as 25 days within the human constitution and this fact underlies their decision to impose quarantines that deduct the length of the passage from the departure port in determining the time spent at Rainsford Island. Vessels in passage for more than 25 days are given a precautionary 72 hours in quarantine (CC January 30, 1808, p. 1).
May 27, 1811
Board Completes its First Inventory of Rainsford Island Hospital: Island keeper Spears declared the following goods at the island belong to the Commonwealth. He identified 536 hospital supplies including: two beds and bedsteads; twenty one blankets; two bed pans three chair pans; two bed chairs; three mattresses; thirteen bunks; six tables; three raised dogs; two tea kettles, two coffee pots; two pair of shovels and tongs, two iron kettles. In addition, he listed four iron pots; two cake pans; two skillets; nine tin saw pans; one copper kettle; seventy four sheets, thirteen pillow boxes; seventeen bed sacks, fifteen towel; two shirts; five pillow sacks, two table cloths, twelve chairs, thirteen benches and sundry items belonging to the Board of Health. Six terens ladles; three pitchers; three dozen tumblers; five dozen Stevens wine glasses; fifteen dishes; five pudding dishes; nine dozen plates; four dozen spoons; seven dozen and five knifes and forks, salts; nine flour; twenty one towels and cotton table cloths.
May 24, 1813
President of the Board of Health Gives Visiting Physician Police Powers:
The Board recognizes the need for extraordinary powers to control human behavior during an epidemic. While at Rainsford Island the Board met and made the following resolution: “to promote order and decorum on Rainsford Island during the time a quarantine is required thereat, ordered that the police of Rainsford Island during the time of quarantine be hereby is invested in the Visiting Physician, Island Keeper and such other officers as this board may appoint. And they are hereby authorized and directed in case of violation of the police of the island or any indecorous conduct or abusive language against this board or its officers, committed or uttered by any person visiting or permitted to visit said island to order the person so offending if a master, officer, seaman or passenger, to repair immediately on board the vessel to which he belongs, there to remain until discharged; and if a visitor or person permitted to visit the island, then to depart from said island or otherwise as the case may require and that the Visiting Physician, and Island Keeper be directed to make immediate report of any person offending as above to the committee for the week. Also ordered that a pilot, after having anchored a vessel on her proper quarantine station, shall not be permitted to go on board such vessel during her term of quarantine but shall be allowed to visit the island to obtain information of the discharge (Benjamin Whitman, President, BOH Minutes).
January 4, 1814
Rainsford Island faces Imminent Danger of Destruction by Sea: At a meeting of the Board of Health, President Whitman indicates that the island has suffered extensive damage from the sea on its east side. Without some action to stop the erosion, the island will be destroyed. As a result the board recommends a memorial to the legislature requesting funds to fix the island (BOH Minutes).
October 10, 1814
Sea Wall Work is Completed on Rainsford Island: The board complimented itself on the success and workmanlike manner of the sea wall built on Rainsford Island (BOH Minutes).
September 1815
September Gale Damages Hospital: Town makes major repairs to buildings on Rainsford Island after a major gale September damages the buildings. (BOH annual report).
March 11, 1816
Town Confirms the Value of a Lay Person Board of Health: The town’s inhabitants petition to reduce the size of the Board of Health to three members as an economy measure. At this meeting the Board of Health declares it to be better to have volunteer Board members working “pro bono” than to have three paid staff members. The Selectmen realize the need to overhaul the Commonwealth’s quarantine statutes, especially with respect to the Board’s quarantine authority (BSM, p. 54).
June 20, 1816
Rainsford Island Declared Quarantine Station for Boston: The General Court passes “An Act to empower the town of Boston to choose a Board of Health and to prescribe their power and duty.” This law authorized the Board to give orders to remove those with contagious diseases to the hospital on Rainsford Island or to any other place within the limits of town of Boston. Failure to comply with such an order carried a penalty of not less than $5 and not more than $500. This law authorized the establishment of rules and regulations concerning clothing or other articles capable of carrying infectious disease and established that quarantine be performed on vessels arriving within Boston harbor. This law also created the position of a Principal Physician to assist the Board as well as an Assistant Physician who shall reside on Rainsford island. The positions of Island Keeper and Boatmen were also created to deal with island activities. This law explicitly passes the Selectmen's authority granted on June 22, 1797 to the Board of Health as set forth in the law titled “An Act to prevent the spreading of infectious disease.” The law also authorized the Board of Health to remove infected prisoners to Rainsford Island (Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1816, p. 258).
1819
New Hospital Constructed: Boston spends $2,208 for a new smallpox hospital on Rainsford Island (BOH, Annual Report).
1820
New Quarantine Boat – the Massachusetts: The Selectmen buy a new quarantine boats called the “Massachusetts” at a cost of $1,753.15 (BOH, Annual Report).
May 18, 1824
Ban on Quarantine Imposed: The Common Council orders that there be no quarantine of vessels without further order of the City Council except in extraordinary cases and that the City Clerk be directed to give this directive to the Health Commissioner (BCC p. 177).
May 5, 1825
Health Commissioners Recommend Smallpox Hospital: Board of Health Commissioners recommend smallpox hospital be built on Rainsford Island (BCC p. 146).
July 11, 1825
New Island Keeper Selected: The Board confirms the nomination of Thomas Hobart as the Island Keeper on this date (p. 227).
June 27, 1826
The City appoints its first Resident Physician: The City Council selects Dr. J.V. Smith as the resident physician for Rainsford Island. After 1841, the term Resident Physician is changed to Port Physician with essentially similar maritime duties but additional public health responsibilities within Boston proper. Dr. Smith would become one of the longest serving Port Physicians of the 19th century holding this post until 1849 (CC, June 17, 1826, p. 1).
December 25, 1826
Quarantine Administration Transferred from Health Commissioners to Mayor: The duties of quarantine are taken from the hands of the Health Commissioners and transferred to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen who directly supervise the Resident Physician (BCC, p. 445).
March 12, 1828
Physicians are Mandated to Report Cases of Smallpox: The General Court mandates that all physicians report cases of smallpox. This is the first known mandatory disease reporting law for physicians in America. The implication of this law is that those identified as smallpox infected could be sent to Rainsford Island (ARGC, “An Act for providing for Hospitals for Inoculation and preventing Infection from the Smallpox, and for repealing several Act heretofore made for that purpose.” p. 235)
June 24, 1829
Cottage for Resident Physician Authorized: The Quarantine committee authorized construction of a cottage on the quarantine island for the use of the Resident Physician (BCC, p. 226).
1830
City Builds a Cottage for the Resident Physician: The city authorizes $100 to be spent for a cottage on Rainsford Island to house the Resident Physician (BOH, Annual Report).
June 4, 1831
General Court Authorizes Funds for Island Smallpox Hospital: The Board notes that the legislature has appropriated $7,000 for the hospital on Rainsford Island and orders the committee to develop plans and estimates. Note: the construction work that is undertaken is the first such work since 1819 and greatly improves the smallpox hospital on the island (p. 143).
1832
New Smallpox Hospital Constructed: The city expends $11,461.10 for a new “Greek Revival” style smallpox hospital on Rainsford Island (BOH annual report). The city spends an additional $1,380.25 the following year to complete the hospital construction (BCC Minutes and ARRE, 1833).
January 16, 1832
Standing Committee on Quarantine Established: The Board of Aldermen establish a standing committee on quarantine. On this same day the Board imposes quarantine on vessels from the Port of Smyrna in the Mediterranean Sea and Sunderland and New Castle on the Tyne in Great Britain. Note: This quarantine coincided with the great Cholera pandemic of 1832 (BCC, p. 15).
July 21, 1832
City Orders Resident Physician to Defer to the Board of Health: The Board notifies the Resident Physician that no communication on quarantine is to be made without the authority of this Board (BCC, July 21, 1832).
March 18, 1833
John Minot is selected as the next Island keeper. The City Council selects Mr. Minot as the City’s next Island Keeper.
August 10, 1833
Boston City Council places quarantine under the Mayor and Board of Aldermen: This act gives them sole control of Rainsford Island. This was done through “An Ordinance establishing and regulating the quarantine of vessels.
November 10, 1834
Quarantine Committee Recommends Replacing the “Massachusetts:” The quarantine committee recommends purchase of a new boat because the Massachusetts is not worth repairing. A total of $2,100 is allocated and authorized to sell the Massachusetts.
1836
Mayor and Board of Aldermen Given Control of Rainsford Island: The Massachusetts legislature repeals the Act of 1816 and empowers the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to have sole control over Rainsford island. Their powers include quarantine performed on vessels arriving in Boston Harbor and the appointment of all officers. Presumably this legislation was intended to legitimate the decision of the Boston City Council taken 3 years earlier (BCD#3).
January 6, 1837
Preservation of Rainsford Island: The Massachusetts Legislature first began to preserve the island in 1835 by granting $4,500 for that purpose. Congress appropriated $15,000 additional funds in its last session for the same project. The result of this investment is that workers installed 485 cubic yards of masonry, 128 running feet of coping and about 350 cubic yards of embankment as of September 30, 1836. When completed, the wall was 1,200 feet long, averaging between 7 and 12 feet tall (New Bedford Mercury, January 6, 1837, p. 2).
1840
New Quarantine Dock in Boston: The City rents a special landing place for the Rainsford Island quarantine boat (ARRE, 1841).
1840
Dawn of Trans-Atlantic Passenger Travel: The Honorable Samuel Cunard initiates steam navigation between Liverpool and Boston. This opens a long period of immigration to Boston from England, Scotland and Ireland (Boston Mayor's address, January 4, 1841).
June 17, 1841
Boston Enacts an Ordinance to Establish the office of Port Physician: This ordinance creates position of Port Physician to inspect goods and passengers entering by vessel and to attend upon all cases of disease in the jail of Suffolk county (BCD#24, Port Physician).
June 28, 1841
Mr. Tewksbury Serves as Island Keeper: Tewksbury is appointed Island Keeper for Rainsford Island and Keeper of the quarantine boat (BCC, p. 176).
June 8, 1842
External Health Committee is Tasked with Feasibility of Removing Quarantine Station from Rainsford Island: The Board ordered the Committee on External Health to report on the
expediency of removing the quarantine establishment from Rainsford Island (BCC, p. 204).
July 18, 1842
Removal of Quarantine Station to Deer Island is Recommended: Committee on External Health recommends removal of quarantine establishment from Rainsford Island to Deer Island. It is recommended that the Committee on Public Lands address the issue since Deer Island is in their jurisdiction (BCC, p. 218).
1843
High Costs for Quarantine Station Maintenance: Costs for maintaining the hospital remain high with nearly $30,000 expended in 30 years time. High costs attributable to remote location, high labor cost for island labor, ongoing wind and water damage, and continuing demands of an ever growing immigrant population.
April 21, 1845
The City Council Considers Removal of Quarantine Vessel: Board ordered committee to consider getting rid of the quarantine boat and dispose of the cottage on Rainsford Island that is not leased or occupied (BCC, p. 117).
1846
Child Labor Used for Quarantine Boat Work: The External Health Department hired a boy to help the quarantine boatmen with the collection and transport of the sick from Boston to Rainsford Island. The boy started work on January 1, 1847 just prior to the typhus epidemic of that year (ARRE, 1847).
1847
Continued Use of Child Labor within Quarantine Program: The City continued to employ child labor in support of the quarantine program until September 1847. During this year the city also buys its first boarding boat to handle the extraordinary increase in immigrant vessels arriving in Boston harbor.
May 25, 1847
The City Relocates the City’s Quarantine Station from Rainsford to Deer Island: In response to the unprecedented number of Irish immigrants arriving with typhus, the Mayor relocates the Quarantine Hospital to Deer Island. A hastily made hospital is constructed to meet the needs of those suffering from contagious disease (ARRE, 1847). See Deer Island Chronology by clicking on the following link: http://deerislandchronology.blogspot.com/
June 26, 1849
Gun House Turned into Cholera Hospital: The Gun House on Fort Hill was ordered fitted as a cholera hospital under the direction of the committee on public buildings (BCC p. 309).
Gun House Turned into Cholera Hospital: The Gun House on Fort Hill was ordered fitted as a cholera hospital under the direction of the committee on public buildings (BCC p. 309).
XX
1850 to the Present
Life After Quarantine on Rainsford Island
A chronology of the island activities that occurred after the demise of Rainsford Island as the city's quarantine station can be found at "Life after Quarantine on Rainsford Island."
Source Codes:
ARGC = Acts & Resolves of the Massachusetts General Court
ARRE = Boston Annual Report of Receipts & Expenditures
BSM = Boston Selectmen Minutes
BCC = Boston City Council Minutes
BCD = Boston City Document
CC = Columbia Centinel
