40 Summer St inventory formMonday, February 22, 2016 at 2:23: PM
Inventory No:SAL.1136
Historic Name:Eden, Capt. Thomas House
Common Name:Garden of Eden
Address:40 Summer St
City/Town:Salem
Village/Neighborhood:Central Salem
Local No:25 -557
Year Constructed:c 1762
Architect(s):McIntire, Samuel
Architectural Style(s):Georgian
Use(s):Single Family Dwelling House
Significance:Architecture
Area(s):SAL.HJ: Chestnut Street Historic District
SAL.HU: McIntire Historic District
Designation(s):Local Historic District (3/3/1981); Nat'l Register District
(8/28/1973)
Building Materials(s):
Roof: Slate
Wall: Wood Clapboard; Wood; Wood Flushboard
Foundation: Granite; Stone, Cut; Brick
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database are made available as scanned images. Users may consult the records, files and maps available in MHC's
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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:
Monday, February 22, 2016 at 2:23: PM
Inventory No:SAL.1136 Historic Name:Eden, Capt. Thomas House Common Name:Garden of Eden Address:40 Summer St City/Town:Salem Village/Neighborhood:Central Salem Local No:25 -557 Year Constructed:c 1762 Architect(s):McIntire, Samuel Architectural Style(s):Georgian Use(s):Single Family Dwelling House Significance:Architecture Area(s):SAL.HJ: Chestnut Street Historic DistrictSAL.HU: McIntire Historic DistrictDesignation(s):Local Historic District (3/3/1981); Nat'l Register District (8/28/1973) Building Materials(s): Roof: SlateWall: Wood Clapboard; Wood; Wood FlushboardFoundation: Granite; Stone, Cut; 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:
NRDIS 8/28/1973; LHD 3/3/1981; MA/HL 4/30/1971
FORM B - BUILDING
Assessor's
Number
USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
Massachusetts Historical Commission
Massachusetts Archives Building
220 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, Massachusetts 02125
25-557 Salem HU 1136
Town Salem
Place (neighborhood or village)
Central Salem
c Name
resent
riginal
40 Summer Street
Captain Thomas Eden House
Residential
Construction c. 1762
See Bibliography*
orm Federal/Greek Revival
set/Builder
sr Material:
ion Granite and Brick
Wall/Trim Clapboard/Wood
Roof Slate
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures
Major Alterations (with dates) Addition to „ S
end (date unknown)
Condition
Moved X no
Acreage
Good
yes Date
6,400 SF
Recorded by: Susan Ceccacci and
Dianne L. Siergiej
Organization: Commonweal Collaborative
Setting Set directly on the sidewalk on a
major street in a densely-settled, mixed-
use neighborhood of 18th through
20th-century buildings.
Date: July 1995 EIVED
SEP 2 9 m
i^yLs.. HIST CQMfti
f Sftu-U%>
BUILDING FORM 40 Summer Street
/ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION X See continuation sheet.
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings
within the community.
This two-and-a-half-story, seven-bay, gambrel-roofed house has a
two-and-a-half-story rear ell. The main section of the house is the northern
five bays with the main entrance in the center bay, and a pair of interior
chimneys. This section, then, extends southward by an additional two bays,
two-and-a-half stories in height. The three-bay, side-entry, gambrel-end,
southern elevation of the house is a secondary facade accented by a prominent,
enclosed entrance porch. Pedimented dormer windows light the gambrel roof.
Window frames are molded and window sash are 6/6. "A two-story rectangular bay
window on the north side appears to date from the mid 19th century.
There is strong evidence to suggest that this house was built about 1762.
An 1806 plan of the property shows that, at that date, the house had its
present external plan, with a rear ell and with an extension on the south end.
A quick comparison of the 1806 plan with an 1768 description of the division
of the house among heirs suggests that the present structure may well be
the same. However, it seems that there was originally a single chimney.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE X See continuation sheet.
Discuss 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.
The lot upon which this house stands was once part of the 17th century
holdings of the Neal family. In 1761, Jonathan Neal (1726-1790) sold a parcel
of land to Captain Thomas Eden. Neal described it in the deed as being
located at the south easterly corner or rather easterly end of my
homestead land." Neal's 1767 house still stands at 12 Broad Street and the
present dwelling at 10 Broad Street (Form No. 1132) was built in 1800 by a
Neal family member on the site of another early Neal family house.
Captain Thomas Eden (1723-1768) is believed to have built this house
about 1762. Eden, was born in England, settled in Salem by 1751 when he
married Mary West (d. 1789), widow of John Beadle. They had four children.
•\ Before building this house, he is said to have lived farther up Summer Street,
opposite the Broad Street Cemetery. About the time he built the new house, he
began a career as shipowner and merchant. By 1768, the year of Eden's early
death at the age of 44, the homestead consisted of a dwelling house,
warehouse, garden and land. The warehouse and' store (apparently in a single
building), mentioned in probate records, had obviously been built in relation
to his business as a merchant. An 1806 plan of the house and grounds shows
that the warehouse fronted on Broad Street, west of the house. The garden was
at the rear. Eden's estate at the time of this death included his homestead,
two schooners, the "Three Sisters" and the "Nancy", and other belongings.
The total value of the estate was over 1140 pounds.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES X See continuation sheet.
Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places;
If checked, see attached National Register Criteria Statement form.
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Salem
40 Summer Street
Area HU Form No. 1136
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION (continued)
Although its structure may be the same, exterior changes have clearly been
made. If the house was built in 1762, it clearly underwent a remodelling
during the Federal period. Although the two-bay section on the south end may
be original to the house, serving as a shop in the 18th century, its southern
elevation was modified probably in the late 1830's, when the Greek Revival
style was just becoming popular. More documentary study and physical
investigation are necessary before drawing firm conclusions about dates of
construction and alteration.
Features on the northern section that are consonant with the Federal style
include close eaves and gable returns on the north gambrel end, and delicate
modillions in the eaves. Of particular note is an extremely fine Federal
style pilaster/architrave/cornice door frame at the entrance, with a
semi-elliptical fanlight and traceried sidelights around the recessed door.
Attributed by architectural historian Fiske Kimball to Samuel Mclntire or his
son, Samuel Field Mclntire, it has reeded pilasters, low-relief swags, and
oval, floweret medallions in the architrave, and is capped with a
slim cornice.
Details seen on the southern section added in the late Federal/early Greek
Revival period are projecting eaves and gable returns, matchboard siding on
the south facade, and an enclosed entry porch with a
pilaster/architrave/cornice door frame. The weightiness and heftiness of
proportions of the door frame suggest a transitional Federal/Greek
Revival date.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE (continued)
Through either inheritance and purchase, the property remained in the hands of
either family members or family relations for several generations. The house
was often divided in ownership among several family members. The last owner
bearing the name Eden was Captain George Eden (1777-1803), grandson of Captain
Thomas Eden. George Eden also died at a young age while on a voyage to the
West Indies. The Federal style remodelling of the house may date from
George Eden's ownership.
The next principal owner was Captain Edward Smith, Jr. (d. 1833), the husband
of Captain Thomas Eden's daughter, Sally (Sarah). In 1833, the property
passed to Benjamin Cox, Jr. (d. 1863), a Salem merchant (see Form No. 1124),
who had married Smith's daughter, Sarah, in 1803. Unlike other family-member
owners, Cox did not live in the house. It is likely that the remodelling of
the south facade was accomplished during Cox's ownership. The last identified
family owner was Mrs. Charlotte C. Browne, who sold the property in 1923 to
Thomas Sanders of Salem.
More extensive information about the house and its owners can be found in a
Historic Salem, Inc. research report by Robert Booth.
c
SfU W7?\e
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Salem
40 Summer Street
Area HU Form No. 1136
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
*Booth, Robert, Research Report 40 Summer Street, August 27, 1977,
Historic Salem Inc., Salem, Massachusetts.
Beers, D. G. & Company, Atlas of Essex County, Massachusetts,
1872.
Hopkins, G. M. & Co., Atlas of Salem, Massachusetts, 1874.
Mclntyre, Henry C. E., Map of the Citv of Salem, Mass, 1851.
Richards, L. J., Atlas of the Citv of" Salem, Massachusetts....,
1897.
Walker Lithograph and Publishing Company, Atlas of the City of
Salem, Massachusetts, 1911.
BSION
oston
5wh
Street_
Name
ith the
side)
'$1
d/J^Origirial Use pfrT^K^
:
Present Use
Present Owner
m/City
Date_
Source of Date
Architect
Style_
eteriorated Moved Altered
IMPORTANCE of site to area: Great Little None SITE endangered by_
4. DESCRIPTION
Material:
Brick Stone Other
ATTACHMENTS: Wings Ell Shed Dependency
PORCHES: 1 2 3 4 Portico Balcony
Simple/Complex
Recessed
ROOF: Ridge Gambrel Flat Hip Mansard
Tower Cupola Dormer windows Balustrade Grillwork
FACADE: Gable End: Front/Side Symmetrical/Asymmetrical Simple/Complex Ornament
Entrance: Front/Side Centered Double Features:
Windows: Spacing: Regular/irregular Identical/Varied /
Corners: Plain Pilasters Quoins Obscured
OUTBUILDINGS LANDSCAPING
5. indicate location of structure on map below 6. Footage of structure from street
Property has
Recorder^
For
feet frontage on street
)
FOUNDATION/BASEMENT: High Regular Low
WALL COVER: /WOQJL^ Q JL
STORIES: 1 2 3 4 CHIMNEYS: 1 2 3 4 Center End Cluster Elaborate Irregular {
NOV 1967
NOTE: Recorder should obtain written permission from Commission or sponsoring organi-
zation before using this form. (See Reverse Side)
FORM - MHCB - 1 0M-6-66-94301 7 C
FOR USE WITH IMPORTANT STRUCTURES (Indicate any interior features of note)
Fireplace
Stairway
Other
GIVE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC IMPORTANCE OF SITE (Refer and elaborate
on theme circled on front of form)
#4) 3uaaer Strewt. RATISQt OSK. PEfUOBi PRE-FEDERAL.
This large tfX>.1on, g water* I roof h>u«« i« typical *£ the mitWighte^nth
aentury, when it v«s built by Thota*.* t4*« • rtl'lfWii i flak* Kiaball
•a-jg*«t» in hi« book CM Mclntire that th# front «ntr»ncc with its sv.-,^
^•diellion* r««d«d pilestarti v*» s<5Ae4 l«t«r by either Beatt*l
Mclntire or hl» »on„ Chamberlain tell* the story of the tradition th»t
vhen th* house lialshed th« s«*t»ily vent to the root and christened it
*Ths a^rden of Eden" with * bottle of ch*»oa*jn*.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Original Owner:
Deed Information: Book Number Page J Registry of Deeds