William Ingersoll Bowditch

  • American


William Ingersoll Bowditch was a title conveyancer who had an office at 8 Railroad Exchange Building in Boston. He was extremely active in local Brookline politics, becoming a selectman and serving as moderator of Town Meeting for a number of years. Before the Civil War, he was a firm believer in abolition, becoming active in both Brookline and Boston efforts. He belonged to the Boston Vigilance Committee. Bowditch, along with Edward Atkinson and Edward Philbrick, participated actively in the fight against slavery. Besides trying to sway public opinion through meetings and lectures, Bowditch used his house for sheltering fugitive slaves. - NRHP

Notable Position Organization From To
Partner Aspinwall and Lincoln
Lineage

Timeline

Y/M/D Description Association Composition Place Locale Food Event
Y/M/D Description Association Composition Place Locale Food Event
1845/08/00 William Bowditch buys lot 15, most of lot 14 and part of 13 in A W Wadsworth's plan from Thomas Davis. His purchase includes the cottage and a grove. Home William Ingersoll Bowditch House Brookline, MA
1849/01/00 In early January, William and Ellen Craft arrive in Boston, and after speaking at the Brookline Town Hall, they stay at the Bowditch House and other Brookline Underground Railroad stops. Abolitionist William Ingersoll Bowditch House Brookline, MA Ellen and William Craft Run for Freedom
1849/01/00 In early January, William and Ellen Craft arrive in Boston, and after speaking at the Brookline Town Hall, they stay at the Bowditch House and other Brookline Underground Railroad stops. Abolitionist First Parish Unitarian Church Brookline, MA Ellen and William Craft Run for Freedom
1853/07/15 Abolitionist, including William Ingersoll Bowditch, sail on Captain Austin Bearse's sloop "Moby Dick" to rescue a runaway Africa-American stowaway on the brig "Florence" off Fort Independence. Abolitionist Fort Independence Boston
1857/00/00 William Bowditch sells land to Father Joesph Finotti, pastor of Brookline's Parish. Father Finotti builds a parish house on nearby Harrison St (now Kent St) and develops Holyhood Cemetery. Seller Holyhood Cemetery Brookline, MA
1859/12/15 William Bowditch hides a son of abolitionist John Brown after Brown's execution for his involvement in the Harper's Ferry raid. Abolitionist William Ingersoll Bowditch House Brookline, MA John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
1867/00/00 Gustavus M Finotti, the vice-consul of Italy and a merchant with an office in downtown Boston, buys the house, stable and 2.5 acres in 1867 from William Bowditch. Mr Bowditch moves to Tappan Street in Brookline. Seller William Ingersoll Bowditch House Brookline, MA
Shop Amazon

Shopping on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Google Ad

Google Ad
?