This Georgian-era Colonial home in Marblehead, Massachusetts was built around 1768 by Woodward Abrahams, who was appointed deputy postmaster in Marblehead ten years prior by Benjamin Franklin. Abrahams was one of the seven listed “Tories” mentioned in a town meeting of 1777, which were more loyal to the British crown than the colonies. After the war, he attempted to restore his political favor, which he did over decades, later being renamed a postmaster in 1797. The old Abrahams house was later owned by Thomas Tucker, who ran a dry goods business. In 1881, he converted the first floor to commercial space, giving the house its appearance we see today.
In 1764, Joseph Homan, a wealthy merchant, built this house on a lot that was formerly a “mowing field” in Marblehead, Massachusetts. The Georgian style home is of a more elaborate design, showcasing Mr. Homan’s wealth at the time. His wealth was not all acquired ethically, however. Joseph Homan was engaged in international trade, and enslaved Africans at his Marblehead home. In the Boston Daily Newsletters in September 1770, Homan posted a notice that Jack, one of his enslaved humans escaped. It read: “At Night, a Negro Man, named Jack, about 6 feet high, near 50 years of age, speaks bad English, and Born in Martinico [Martinique]; had on when he went away, a blue Coat with Mohair Buttons, a blue Jacket with black Glass Buttons, blue Breeches with white metal Buttons, and a red worsted Cap, but may have changed his Cloaths [sic], as he had more at Beverly.-Whoever shall take up said Negro, and deliver him to Mr. Brown, Deputy-Sheriff, in Salem, shall have Two Dollars Reward, and all necessary Charges paid them. All Masters of Vessels, and others, are cautioned against carrying said Negro off, as they would avoid the Penalty of the Law.” Homan would later sell the property to Elbridge Gerry, who served as the fifth vice president of the United States under President James Madison, and who Gerrymandering is named after. Gerry gifted the house to his sister Elizabeth, who married Burrell Devereaux a year later. Burrell was a sea captain that later was a privateer.
Commercial districts and Main Streets in historic New England towns are full of amazing architecture that is meant for pedestrians. Strolling through these areas, the varied styles, materials, storefronts, and signage provides a sense of artistry and community that is impossible to achieve in suburban strip-malls and shopping centers. Historic buildings serve not only as visible anchors to communities, but are more often occupied by local, women, and/or minority-owned businesses compared to modern buildings and districts. Marblehead has many historic (sometimes Revolutionary-era) buildings that are commercial and contribute so much to the town’s vibrancy. This building was constructed in 1885 as a high-style Italian Renaissance Revival style commercial block, replacing a late 18th or early 19th century building. The Grader Block features a rounded corner, scored siding to resemble ashlar masonry construction, and Classically inspired design features like pilasters and pediments. Today, the storefronts are occupied by local small businesses.
When your town grows organically without zoning, fire prevention becomes even more important to the preservation and protection of the town. Before paid firemen worked for the town, volunteers would either be stationed or rush to the aid of those in trouble via these neighborhood stations. The Franklin Street Firehouse in Marblehead, Massachusetts, was constructed in 1886 by local contractors Ramsdell Brothers replacing the former on the same site with plans drawn by Nathan P. Sanborn. The station was built to house a horse-drawn handtub and the horses were stabled nearby. The wood-frame structure blends Second Empire and Stick style detailing elegantly and is one of my favorite old buildings in Marblehead.
Another of the stunning gambrel-roofed Georgian homes in Marblehead is this beauty located on High Street in the village. This house was built around 1756 but is best known for its resident from 1766-1779, as the home of the Reverend William Whitwell (1737-1781), who was the fourth minister of the Old North Church, located just a stone’s throw away. Although this Georgian dwelling looks like a single-family house from the outside, it is actually divided into two houses with separate owners, likely since its construction. Later dormers crowd the roof, but its still a pretty amazing Pre-Revolution home in one of the most charming towns in New England!
This tiny building next to the John Palmer House featured previously was built in 1854 by Thomas Snow as an income-producing property. According to the sign, Snow was a grocer in town and must have rented the small building, which was developed on a small sliver of land, formerly a side garden. I’d guess that the building was originally 1 1/2-stories with the brick first floor added underneath sometime later. The house is vernacular Greek Revival in style and the scale is exactly what makes Marblehead so charming to get lost walking in!
In 1682, John Palmer acquired a small piece of land in Marblehead, soon after building this First Period home. The house is said to have framing timbers made of English walnut, salvaged from a sailing vessel off shore, with one timber formerly a mast and still displaying rope marks. The house was willed to his son after his death, who built a larger home soon after nearby. This house was “modernized” with double-hung windows which likely replaced the smaller, diamond pane casement windows typical in homes of this period.
In 1758, John Prince married Anna Bowen in Marblehead. Within a year, they started their family, and needed a new residence to serve as their family home. This house was constructed by 1761 and is oriented to the south, taking advantage of the narrow lot. The house has a large central chimney which would have warmed the interiors throughout the cold, New England winters.
In 1748, Alexander Watts, a merchant and sea captain purchased land in Marblehead, building a dwelling house, shop, and barn. This home was likely built in the 1750s, not long after he purchased the lot from David LeGallais, a merchant and prominent landowner in town. The gambrel-roofed Georgian house with its elaborate entry stands out on the street for its large frontage, with many other period homes sited on narrow lots, with the side of the house facing the street. He likely lived in the shop nextdoor until he had enough money to build this separate, more elaborate dwelling. Captain Watts died in 1772, and the property was willed to his “wife Rachel for her widowhood, and at her decease, one-half was to descend to her heirs, and the other half to his kinsman, Alexander Watts of London, England”. By the 1780s, the property was noted as “much decayed” with his widow likely struggling to maintain the property, renting the shop to others for income. On April 13, 1795, the estate was divided, meaning Rachel, Alexander’s widow, likely died at the home.
Located next to the John Wright House (last post), this gorgeous 19th century home blends the Federal and Greek Revival styles elegantly under one roof. The house was likely built in the 1830s when the Federal style was waning in popularity and the Greek Revival style was THE style for houses and churches in New England. By 1850, the property was owned by William T. Haskell.
Buildings of New England 