The flat roof with its elaborate cornice and heavy balustrade is supported by pilasters, six in number, having carved capitals; and these in turn at the second floor level rest upon plain pilasters. A huge cupola surmounts the roof, with bell-shaped top, carved garlands, and arched windows. The lintels of the first two tiers of the house windows are heavy with ornament, while the third tier illustrates the familiar plan of foreshortening. A great deal of iron fencing with ornamental posts surrounds the spacious yard.
With all the prodigality of architectural detail embodied in this great mansion, it must still be admitted that it was not overdone, as the large proportions and wide spaces pleasantly distributed the ornamentation over a broad field.
The Derby mansion doubtless represented the climax of effort in the line of house-building in Salem—the sudden death of its owner, followed by its own demolition, being a melancholy comment upon the uncertainty of human plans.
The Neal-Kittridge-Rogers House
THE NEAL-KITTRIDGE-ROGERS HOUSE
This fine residence, at 13 Chestnut Street, is closely associated with the subject of Salem’s unprecedented commercial activity and success from the earliest date, to which some reference has already been made.
The adjacent waters swarmed with fish, cod, sturgeon, and salmon; and for a hundred years this was the chief article of export. So plentiful was North River salmon that the articles of indentured apprentices contained a proviso that they should not be obliged to partake of it more than three times a week.
Other items of export were ‘lumber, horses, whale- and fish-oil, whalebone, furs, elk- and bear-skins.’
The Revolution halted Salem’s commerce, and with patriotic devotion and Yankee ingenuity, the ketches and ships of trade were quickly converted into privateers. All told, these numbered upwards of 158; and during the war they took 445 prizes—an average of three apiece.