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15 River St inventory formTuesday, March 15, 2016 at 9:44: AM   Inventory No:SAL.1620    Historic Name:Beckford, John House Common Name:Cook, Elizabeth - Saul, Joshua House Address:15 River St City/Town:Salem Village/Neighborhood:Central Salem Local No:26 -606 Year Constructed:c 1757 Architect(s): Architectural Style(s):Colonial Use(s):Multiple Family Dwelling House; Single Family Dwelling House Significance:Architecture Area(s): SAL.HD: Federal Street SAL.HL: Chestnut Street Historic District Enlarged SAL.HU: McIntire Historic District Designation(s):Local Historic District (3/3/1981); Nat'l Register District (10/4/1978) Building Materials(s): Roof: Asphalt Shingle Wall: Wood Clapboard; Wood Foundation: Brick   The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has converted this paper record to digital format as part of ongoing projects to scan records of the Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth and National Register of Historic Places nominations for Massachusetts. Efforts are ongoing and not all inventory or National Register records related to this resource may be available in digital format at this time. The MACRIS database and scanned files are highly dynamic; new information is added daily and both database records and related scanned files may be updated as new information is incorporated into MHC files. Users should note that there may be a considerable lag time between the receipt of new or updated records by MHC and the appearance of related information in MACRIS. Users should also note that not all source materials for the MACRIS database are made available as scanned images. Users may consult the records, files and maps available in MHC's public research area at its offices at the State Archives Building, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, open M-F, 9-5. Users of this digital material acknowledge that they have read and understood the MACRIS Information and Disclaimer (http://mhc-macris.net/macrisdisclaimer.htm) Data available via the MACRIS web interface, and associated scanned files are for information purposes only. THE ACT OF CHECKING THIS DATABASE AND ASSOCIATED SCANNED FILES DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. IF YOU ARE REPRESENTING A DEVELOPER AND/OR A PROPOSED PROJECT THAT WILL REQUIRE A PERMIT, LICENSE OR FUNDING FROM ANY STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY YOU MUST SUBMIT A PROJECT NOTIFICATION FORM TO MHC FOR MHC'S REVIEW AND COMMENT. You can obtain a copy of a PNF through the MHC web site (www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc) under the subject heading "MHC Forms." Commonwealth of Massachusetts Massachusetts Historical Commission 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc This file was accessed on: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 9:44: AM   Inventory No:SAL.1620    Historic Name:Beckford, John House Common Name:Cook, Elizabeth - Saul, Joshua House Address:15 River St City/Town:Salem Village/Neighborhood:Central Salem Local No:26 -606 Year Constructed:c 1757 Architect(s):Architectural Style(s):Colonial Use(s):Multiple Family Dwelling House; Single Family Dwelling House Significance:Architecture Area(s):SAL.HD: Federal StreetSAL.HL: Chestnut Street Historic District EnlargedSAL.HU: McIntire Historic DistrictDesignation(s):Local Historic District (3/3/1981); Nat'l Register District (10/4/1978) Building Materials(s): Roof: Asphalt ShingleWall: Wood Clapboard; WoodFoundation: Brick   The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has converted this paper record to digital format as part of ongoing projects to scan records of the Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth and National Register of Historic Places nominations for Massachusetts. Efforts are ongoing and not all inventory or National Register records related to this resource may be available in digital format at this time. The MACRIS database and scanned files are highly dynamic; new information is added daily and both database records and related scanned files may be updated as new information is incorporated into MHC files. Users should note that there may be a considerable lag time between the receipt of new or updated records by MHC and the appearance of related information in MACRIS. Users should also note that not all source materials for the MACRIS database are made available as scanned images. Users may consult the records, files and maps available in MHC's public research area at its offices at the State Archives Building, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, open M-F, 9-5. Users of this digital material acknowledge that they have read and understood the MACRIS Information and Disclaimer (http://mhc-macris.net/macrisdisclaimer.htm) Data available via the MACRIS web interface, and associated scanned files are for information purposes only. THE ACT OF CHECKING THIS DATABASE AND ASSOCIATED SCANNED FILES DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. IF YOU ARE REPRESENTING A DEVELOPER AND/OR A PROPOSED PROJECT THAT WILL REQUIRE A PERMIT, LICENSE OR FUNDING FROM ANY STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY YOU MUST SUBMIT A PROJECT NOTIFICATION FORM TO MHC FOR MHC'S REVIEW AND COMMENT. You can obtain a copy of a PNF through the MHC web site (www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc) under the subject heading "MHC Forms." Commonwealth of MassachusettsMassachusetts Historical Commission220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc This file was accessed on: FORM B - BUILDING NRDIS 1973; LHD 3/3/81 Assessor's number 26-606 USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number Salem HD,HU,HR,HL 1620 Lisa Mausolf Salem Planning Department uary 1997 Town Salem Place (neighborhood or village) Central Salem Address 15 River Street Historic Name John and Rebeckah Beckford House Uses: Present Residential Original Residential Date of Construction by 1757 Source HSI Report Style/Form Architect/Builder unknown Exterior Material: Foundation Brick Wall/Trim Wood Clapboard Roof Asphalt Shingle Outbuildings/Secondary Structures none Major Alterations (with dates) Condition good Moved _] no • yes Date Acreage less than one acre Setting set on sidewalk on narrow street of late 18th and early 19th century dwellings near water Recorded by Organization Date (month /\|!(_ A c\ 1CQ7 Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form MASS. HIST. COMM. BUILDING FORM ( ( S A"U • \ \J 2_D ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of the building in terms of other buildings within the community. 15 River Street is a 2 1/2-story, gambrel-roofed building which is set with its narrow end on the sidewalk line. The walls are clapboarded, the foundation is brick and the roof is asphalt. A tall stuccoed chimney punctuates the rear roof slope. Centered on the west elevation is a six-panel door with a plain surround. It is fronted by concrete steps with a wrought iron railing. Windows on the five-bay facade include both 6/6 vinyl replacement windows and some 6/6 wooden windows. They are not equally spaced. Those on the first floor have molded surrounds and those on the second floor are slightly smaller, with plain surrounds. Two gable dormers punctuate the western roof slope. On the north street elevation there are two windows on the first floor and a single central window on the two levels above. Punctuating the brick foundation are a series of three-light windows. Projecting from the east elevation is a two-story, shed-roofed addition on a brick foundation. Fenestration on this section includes 6/6 windows and a modern six-panel door with upper glass panes. A gravel driveway is located to the east of the house; the area to the west of the house is paved. A gated stockade fence adjacent to the fourth bay on the west elevation separates this property from 15 1/2 River Street at the rear. According to research by Historic Salem, Inc., part of this house (the southwest, second floor) could be 17th century. The walls contain large brick nogging and there are gunstock corner posts. The fireplaces and original chimney have been removed (King 1988). HISTORICAL NARRATIVE Describe the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the building and the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community. It appears that 15 River Street dates to the early 18th century although its exact date of construction cannot be easily determined. Previous research by Historic Salem, Inc. suggests that part of the house (the southwest, second floor) could Jate to the 17th century. It is known that the land on which this house stands was owned by Thomas Trusler as early as the 1630s. Three acres of land with a dwelling house, barn and outbuilding was sold by Joseph Boobier and Rebeckah Pinsent Roobier to John and Rebecca Beckford in 1698-9, shortly after their marriage. Rebecca Beckford was the only child of the late William Pinsent. Over the years, John and Rebecca sold portions of the homestead to their sons until by 1757 the entire three acres had been divided. The land where 15 River Street now stands was sold to their eldest son, George (1700-1761), in 1757. In George's 1761 will the property is described as "dwelling house and land and garden spot lying between dwelling houses of John and Benjamin Beckford with piece of bank land fenced on ye north side opposite the dwelling house". It is not known how long the house was standing before it was sold in 1757. Documentation clearly states that in 1757 the house was the former mansion of John and Rebeckah Beckford. The couple settled in Salem in 1717, but there is no indication of when the house was constructed. What is now River Street was laid out as a private right of way as early as 1739 (King 1988). According to the HSI Report, in 1778 Elizabeth Cook, the former widow of Joshua Beckford, sold to Joshua Saul, seaman, half of the mansion house and land. In 1812 Saul sold the same north half of the dwelling house to Mary Williams. The house remained divided for the first half of the 19th century, until full ownership was assumed by John Morgan in 1854. Morgan's heirs sold the property to David Frye in 1910; it was sold by the Frye family in 1917. The property passed through a long succession of owners in the 20th century (King 1988). Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form. INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Massachusetts Historical Commission Massachusetts Archives Building 220 Morrissey Boulevard Boston, Massachusetts 02125 Town Property Address Salem 15 River Street Area(s) Form No. HD,HU 1620 HR.HL HISTORICAL NARRATIVE (continued) There are several inconsistencies between the Historic Salem, Inc. research and the data included on historic maps. Both the 1874 and 1897 maps show this property as being owned by S.W. Arrington, who lived at 6 Andover Street. Bernard McGuire is shown as the owner on the 1911 map. None of these persons are mentioned in the HSI research and further deed research is needed. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Hopkins, G.M. Atlas of Salem. Massachusetts. Philadelphia: 1874. King, Joyce. "15 River Street, House Report". Prepared for Historic Salem, Inc., 1988. Mclntyre, Henry C.E. Map of the Citv of Salem. Philadelphia: 1851. Richards, L.J. Atlas of the City of Salem. Massachusetts. 1897. Salem City Directories, 1836-1970. Sanborn Insurance Maps, 1890, 1906, 1950, 1957, 1965, 1970. [Massachusetts State Library]. Tolles, Bryant F., Jr. Architecture in Salem: an Illustrated Guide. Salem: Essex Institute, 1983. Walker Lithograph and Publishing Company. Atlas of the City of Salem. Massachusetts. Boston: 1911. FORM B BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE USGS Quadrant MHC Photo no. (over) In Area no. Form no. 1 Town <Sd\^\T\ Address \S ^UQ\ ''bWeV Present usejSg^P_5QO_ Present owner 3. Description: Date eQ\\Vrt Source Style ^e^_k>tt\\ Architect Exterior wall fabric ic t>\&\V>y Outbuildings (describe) Other features Altered_ Moved Date_ Date 5. Lot size: Less than one acre Over one acre Approximate frontage £Q' Approximate distance of building from street 0' 6. Recorded by^SJ^PTV^^ Organization ^>. ^ >Q • Date Vl_ P€T 7 1975 V v \ MAoo. nioL. UUiV'ilVi, 7. Original owner (if known) Original use Subsequent uses (if any) and dates 8. Themes (check as many as applicable) Aboriginal Conservation Recreation Agricultural Education _____ Religion Architectural ^ Exploration/ Science/ The Arts settlement invention Commerce Industry Social/ Communication ______ Military _____ Humanitarian Community development Political Transportation 9. Historical Significance (include explanation of themes checked above)