The Richard Derby House
THE RICHARD DERBY HOUSE
This is the oldest brick residence in Salem, being built in 1761 by Richard Derby, whose son, Elias Hasket Derby, became the greatest merchant of the time, owning the Grand Turk of 300 tons, originally built for a privateer, but turned to commercial uses, and one of the fastest sailing craft afloat. His ship Atlantic was the first of the famous Indiamen, trading with Calcutta and Bombay before the eighteenth century had come to a close. The house in question is said to have been built for him. It was Elias Hasket Derby who headed the popular subscription for redeeming Salem Common from its unkempt condition and converting it into Washington Square.
Richard Derby had formerly occupied a gambrel-roofed wooden house which, erected in 1738, still stands at the corner of Herbert and Derby Streets. The brick house we may imagine represented a great advance in building. There had been one attempt, as early as 1700, at a brick house, but the owner’s wife considered it unsanitary, and prevailed upon him to demolish it.
An interesting feature of the Derby house is the location of the four chimneys in pairs at either end. This was no doubt an improvement over the old style of a huge central stack, with fireplaces opening into it from all sides. The entrance is most attractive, though unpretentious. One notices the fluted pilasters with Doric capitals, the severe square-paned top-light, the elaborate paneling of the door, and the very unusual effect of the rusticated jambs.
The Hodges-Peele-West House
Beautifully shaded by huge elms, the Hodges-Peele-West house at 12 Chestnut Street affords a typical illustration of the square brick house of the early years of the nineteenth century. This was erected in 1804 for Captain Jonathan Hodges, and was remodeled in 1845 by its then owner, Willard Peele. The warm red-brick, so effective as a background for the pure white of the Colonial porch, has here been hidden by a coat of gray paint. A light and artistic iron fence encloses the yard, stables of a design harmonious with the house itself are located at the rear, and a most attractive and handsome porch invites entrance.
The Silsbee-Mott House
