68 HISTORY OF THE 



effect a settlement lor my valuable estates taken from 

 me against my will for park purposes, including Monte- 

 glade, Ravenswood Park, Glenroad and Newstead. 

 These are the gems of the park area, Glenroad Ravine 

 being the natural gateway. They are all absolutely 

 indispensable to the perfection of the great Franklin 

 Park. 



Boston, April 23, 1886. 



(xentlefneii: — A brief outline of the history and the 

 motives that have actuated the holder of these valuable 

 properties may not be uninteresting to your Board, giv- 

 ing you possession of im])oi'tant facts, that will aid you 

 in estimating the true value of these estates to the city 

 of Boston, as the chief features of interest in the great 

 Franklin Park. 



These valualjle lands came into my j^ossession moi'e 

 than thirty years ago, and have been held subject to the 

 loss of interest and the payment of taxes all these years, 

 amid the depressions and changes in business, knowing 

 that their beauty would sometime be appreciated, and 

 that a colou}'^ of elegant residences would cover the 

 slopes and the plains of these lovely estates, thereby 

 reimbursing me for patiently waiting. 



The outlooks from the elevations and terraces are ex- 

 tremely charming, and the drainage perfect, so that 

 health would be likely to reign in eveiy home. The 

 undulating surface of these lands, embracing wooded 

 hills, grassy slopes and charming fields, together with 

 their natural rural beauty, renders this property most 

 attractive. 



Monteglade and Ravenswood Park, together with the 



