New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-29
AN HISTORIC ROAD.

THE OLD BOSTON POST ROAD. BY
Stcphen jenkins. member of the Vest
chester County Historical Society.
with 200 illustrations and maps. Svo'
DID. xiv. 453. ". p. Putnam's Sons
Folks whose business takes them
skipping along Park Row very prob
ably are not generally aware that they
are on the road to Boston. Even the
sight Of our venerable postofiice infre-
quently reminds them no doubt, that
the first mail upon the continent of
America was dispatched post haste.
, over this bit Of ground in its journey
from New York to Boston by way of
number Of small groups Of houses, hud-
died together for mutual protection,
called New Haven. Hartford, Spring
field: Brookfield, Worcester and Cam
bridge. This more or less notable event
occurred in the year lG1'. The postman
had several easy and pleasant stretches
of wagon road over which to gallop.
In 1907 a highway was laid out The
complete story Of this historic road, the
Oldest OF those developed from the In
dian trails leading from Boston, has
been told with much fulness OF detail by
AIr. Jenkins in this volume, which must
constitute the completion Of the series
Of interesting studies representing the
result OF Investigations made by the
fate author in that field in which he
has made himself widely known.
This road over which the first post
rider went echoed 10 the war whoop OF
the savage; IL saw the passage Of the
soldiers to and from the seat Of ac-
tlvitles during the French wars; II be-
held the focking of the Mnutemen
upon the Lexington alarm, and the
rallving Of the militia TO the standard
Of Gates. II served several times for
the Journeys Of Washington. and later
became the pathway Of countless thou
sands OF emigrants on their way 10
the rich valleys OF the Mohawk and the
Genesee. or TO the fertile prairies Of the
Middle West A tale Of a post road, the
story has a good deal in II about tav-
ems and about means Of transporta-
ton. II contains much lore Of old New
York. The old road followed practi-
cally the line from Broadway and Ann
street, via Park Row, the Bowery.
Fourth avenue TO Union Square, thence
by way OF Broadway (Bloomingdale
Road To Madison Square. at 23d street,
where IL swung off TO the northeast
ward. and followed a rather Irregular
course up the eastern side OF the Island.
The Post Road was a favorite drive for
gentlemen and others in the early days
Of the nineteenth century, the objective
point being Cato's Tavern, for nearly
half a century the favorite roadhouse
Of the city, and renowned above all
others for the dinners and suppers
served there. The tavern was few
rods east Of the road in the vicinity Of
54th street.
A onetime very famous character,
now passed from the scene. who dwelt
along the line of this road before 1870,
or before the immigration had affected
the population OF the East Side, which
was practically American or OF Dutch
descent. was the Bowery Boy. The
reader OF The Old Boston Post Road"
finds many good portraits Of distinctive
and eccentric figures Of other days; he
logs along in various antique convey
ances. observes many buildings long
gone by the board. has adventures with
mud holes, examines milestones and
old tavern signs. visits literary and
historic shrlnes. and picks up many en-