At 80 Federal Street, Salem, stands this fine old residence, frequently referred to as the best specimen of its kind now existing. It is the work of Samuel McIntire, the master-craftsman of Salem, and represents possibly the first of his efforts, as it is surely one of his best, although he was at the time only twenty-five years of age.
The house is square in shape, close to the sidewalk, with an L and stable in the rear. The front porch is of simple classic design, the architect having freely combined the Tuscan and the Doric, with unique effect. The door itself possesses the rare number of eight panels, with a graceful fanlight above. The approach to the steps is flanked by handsome gate-posts of the Tuscan order, surmounted by ornamental urns carved from a single block of wood.
At the side of the house, and serving as a carriage entrance, is an enclosed porch, similar in type to that at the front, and admirable in its effect upon the eye. This enclosed porch as a side-entrance is indeed characteristic of Old Salem houses—the particular one in question being of exceptional attractiveness. Oval side-windows afford light, and the door itself is of the correct ancient pattern.
Although dating from 1782, this old mansion is of no particular historical interest. It possesses, however, human interest of a genuine sort, drawn from the vicissitudes and disappointments, as well as the joys, of its successive tenants.
Jerathmiel Pierce, the original owner, was a wealthy merchant, successful in his ventures in foreign trade. To the wharf at the rear of his house came his returning ships, to discharge their cargoes at his warehouse, reached by a path through the garden. Financial reverses, however, came upon him; and in 1827 the property was acquired by George Johonnot. From the handsome doorway of his beloved home, where he had spent forty years of a happy life, went forth the broken old man to find shelter with George Nichols, his son-in-law, who had also suffered business reverses; and after a brief time he died.
THE FRONT DOOR OF THE PIERCE-JOHONNOT-NICHOLS HOUSE FROM THE INSIDE
At the death of the Johonnots, twelve years after, George Nichols and his wife inherited, under a deed of trust, the famous old mansion. At the age of seventy, Nichols retired from business and spent his declining years in tending the famous old garden which he loved. In 1917 the property was bought by the Essex Institute, as a memorial of the old days when Salem was known for her prosperity due to foreign trade.
The Hosmer-Townsend-Waters House
Chimneys on Salem houses were customarily built to rise from the center of the roof—huge structures of brick, containing many flues from the fireplaces opening from the rooms arranged about them on all sides. In later periods they were placed wherever convenience dictated. A fine example of the former style is seen on the Hosmer-Townsend-Waters house at 80 Washington Square, Salem. This building dates from 1795, designed by McIntire, for Captain Joseph Hosmer. Near it, at 82 Washington Square, East, is the Boardman house, where Washington was entertained when in Salem in 1789, and which elicited from him an exclamation of wonder that the people of Salem could build such handsome residences.