“The Memorial History of Boston,” edited by the distinguished 19th-century historian Justin Winsor, is a comprehensive four-volume exploration of Boston and Suffolk County, Massachusetts from its founding in 1630 up to 1880. This expansive work not only covers the city of Boston but also encompasses the histories of Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, Roxbury, and West Roxbury. Richly detailed with illustrations and facsimiles of autographs, it serves as an invaluable resource for genealogists and historians alike. Each volume is meticulously indexed, providing an essential tool for researchers interested in tracing ancestors or delving deep into the historical narrative of the area. Originating from a collaborative effort guided by Winsor and supported by a committee of local scholars, this history offers diverse perspectives on Boston’s past, reflecting its complex and multifaceted heritage.
The scheme of this History originated with Mr. Clarence F. Jewett, who, towards the end of December, 1879, entrusted the further development of the plan to the Editor. On the third of January following, about thirty gentlemen met, upon invitation, to give countenance to the undertaking, and at this meeting a Committee was appointed to advise with the Editor during the progress of the work. This Committee consisted of the Rev. Edward E. Hale, D.D., Samuel A. Green, M.D., and Charles Deane, LL.D. The Editor desires to return thanks to them for their counsel in assigning the chapters to writers, and for other assistance; and to Dr. Deane particularly for his suggestions during the printing. Since Messrs. James R. Osgood & Co. succeeded to the rights of Mr. Jewett as publisher, the latter gentleman has continued to exercise a supervision over the business management.
The History is cast on a novel plan, — not so much in being a work of co-operation, but because, so far as could be, the several themes, as sections of one homogeneous whole, have been treated by those who have some particular association and, it may be, long acquaintance with the subject. In the diversity of authors there will of course be variety of opinions, and it has not been thought ill-judged, considering the different points of view assumed by the various writers, that the same events should be interpreted sometimes in varying, and perhaps opposite, ways. The chapters may thus make good the poet’s description, —
“Distinct as the billows, yet one as the sea,” —
and may not be the worse for each offering a reflection, according to its turn to the light, without marring the unity of the general expanse. The Editor has endeavored to prevent any unnecessary repetitions, and to provide against serious omissions of what might naturally be expected in a history of its kind. He has allowed sometimes various spellings of proper names to stand, rather than abridge the writers’ preferences, in cases where the practice is not uniform. Such annotations as he has furnished upon the texts of others have, perhaps, served to give coherency to the plan, and they have in all cases been made distinctly apparent. For the selection of the illustrations, which, with a very few exceptions, are from new blocks and plates, Mr. Jewett and the Editor are mainly responsible. Special acknowledgments for assistance in this and in other ways are made in footnotes throughout the work.
Source
Winsor, Justin, The memorial history of Boston, including Suffolk County, Massachusetts, 1630-1880, Boston : J. R. Osgood and company, 1880.