FARMS. 77 



ncigl\bor, Mr. Eaton, present an attractive appearance in regard 

 to the character and good condition of the buildings, fences, 

 and the general neatness observed in all parts. 



Before dismissing the town of Quincy, it is proper that 

 we should notice another product for which it is somewhat 

 famous. When a gentleman belonging lo one of the Southern 

 States inquired what were tiie export articles of Massachu- 

 setts, he was answered by a distinguished member of this 

 society, " Granite and Ice." It is not our purpose to enter 

 at large on the value of either of these products, but the 

 prominence which this town has always maintained in the 

 granite business, justify a few remarks in regard to its im- 

 portance. 



By the kindness of Messrs. Thomas Ilollis and George Pen- 

 niman, we are enabled to give some interesting facts in regard 

 to the origin and importance of the quarrying of granite in 

 this neighborhood. The first building of note for \Yhich the 

 Quincy granite was used, was King's Chapel, in Boston, erected 

 in 1749, the stone of which it was built having been " picked 

 up" in the woods. It was not quarried, — the splitting of 

 stone by wedges being then unknown or not practiced here. 

 Boulders were broken by hammers to such an extent as was 

 practicable for obtaining pieces of the desired size. The first 

 quarrying was in procuring the stone of which the State Prison 

 at Charlcstown was built, in 1815 (?). About this time the 

 light-colored granite from Chelmsford, Concord, N. II., <tc., 

 began to be used for building in Boston to considerable extent. 

 In 1817 the old Dedham jail was built of Quincy granite, and 

 this may be taken as the date of the commencement of the 

 quarrying business. Fashion turned from the light-colored in 

 favor of what is called the blue granite. The Leverett Street 

 Jail, Boston, was built of it in 1820, and a large demand for 

 the article soon sprung up. In 1825 the Granite Railway 

 Company, Col. Thomas H. Perkins, president, was incorpo- 

 rated. This association built, in 1826, the railroad leading 

 from the quarry to tide water, for the purpose of taking stone 

 to boats and larger craft. This was the first railroad in New 

 England, and probably the first on which iron rails were laid 

 in the United States. The Bunker Hill Monument Association 

 owned what was called the Bunker Hill Quarry, to which the 



