Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

[219] under the supervision of the selectmen. At length it was determined, March 15, 1779, to purchase a house in which they might be gathered together, and their wants be more systematically supplied. Accordingly, “the committee who were chosen at the last Town Meeting, March 1, 1779, to purchase a workhouse for the poor of the town, reported that they could purchase of Deac. Samuel Whittemore a suitable house for that purpose. Voted, That said Committee purchase the house and land belonging to said Whittemore, take a deed for the same for the town, and that the Treasurer be directed to give security for the same, or hire the money to pay for it. Voted, that the Selectmen take care of the said house, and appoint some discreet person as Overseer.” The estate consisted of a dwelling house and twenty-five square rods of land on the northeasterly corner of Brighton and South streets, and was conveyed to the town by deed dated March 29, 1779. For some reason this estate proved unsatisfactory; and the town voted, March 1, 1785, “that Mr. Caleb Gannett, Stephen Dana, Esq., Capt. John Walton, Deac. Aaron Hill, and William Winthrop, Esq., be a committee to inquire whether there is any person who is desirous to purchase the house and land belonging to the town, situate near the causeway, which was bought for a workhouse and almshouse, and what price it will fetch; and they are also to inquire whether another place can be purchased in the town that will answer for said purposes, and upon what terms it can be had.” The committee having been authorized so to do, reported, March 6, 1786, that “they sold the house at public auction for £ 19, 10s.; they afterwards sold the land for £ 37, 10s., both amounting to £ 57.” They had also received an offer from the heirs of Abraham Watson of a house and about five acres of land for the sum of £ 60. This estate¹ was on the southwesterly corner of North Avenue and Cedar Street, and was conveyed to the town by deed dated March 9, 1786. The committee reported, June 12, 1786, “that an house is nearly finished and will be ready within a few days for the reception of the poor,” and recommended that it “be called the Poor's House;” also that there “be chosen and appointed, as soon as may be, five persons, distinct from the Selectmen, to be Overseers of the Poor,” who should have the general charge of the house, and provide all necessary “food, fuel, clothing, and medicine, proper for” the occupants, and tools and materials necessary to their proper employment;