Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 March 1920 — HISTORIC RELICS IN BOSTON [ARTICLE]

HISTORIC RELICS IN BOSTON

Painters’ Arms and the Boston Stone Have Been Preserved In Building . Erected in 1652. Two mementoes of the colonial period, the Painters' arms and the Boston stone, are set in the wall of an old building In the north end of Boston, a historic quarter which has changed little with passing time. This building, erected in 1652 by Thomas Marshall, became, in 1692, the property of Thomas Child, the painter, who erected his arms over the doorway nine years later, testifying to a partnership in business between the painter and his wife, for the initials which embellish the carved board, “C. T. K., are Interpreted as standing for “Child, Thomas and Katherine.” The date, 1701, appears finely graven in wood, and showing the striking design which was conceived to advertise the talents of the “painter stainer,” as Child was referred to. The Painters' arms has an artistic as well as a historic value. Thomas Child and his wife were also responsible for the Boston ston& The round grinding stone was found In 1737 by Joseph Howe, who bought the site of the colonial paint shop, while he was cleaning up the yard. The stone was covered with painty and a little inquiry proved conclusively that It was the means Thomas Child has used to grind his colors. James Davis, who bpught the property in 1835, set both the Boston stone and the Painters’ arms into the wall tit his new building. His heirs have the same regard for these relics that he had, and have seen to It that both stone and sign are protected as symbols of the Industry which flourished on the site 200 years ago.