Standing near "The Lindens" in those days was a large oak tree, to which culprits were tied and flogged. This was known as the whipping-post. Singularly enough a part of it was used for the sternpost of the frigate Essex.
Plate XVIII.—Dining Room, "The Lindens"; Chamber, "The Lindens."
In late September the British soldiers were withdrawn, and Hooper was given back his summer home. Still visible on the door is a large hole made by a musket ball which is said to have been fired to warn the Tory owner. A more probable legend, however, is that the gate-posts were ornamented with large balls showing lead ornaments attached, and that one day a party of patriots who were going by to join the army spied the precious metal and helped themselves to it to melt for bullets. This aroused the wrath of the owner, who came to the door and remonstrated in such a violent way that one of the men lifted his rifle and fired close by his head, the bullet entering the door.
The estate on which this house stands was originally a part of the Governor Endicott grant. It must be remembered that this grant covered one thousand acres.
At the death of the governor in 1665, this land which was owned by him came into controversy, and the courts were called upon to settle definitely the boundary line. A part of this grant fell into the hands of one Doctor Amos Putnam, familiarly known the country around as the good old Doctor Amos on account of his gentle manner and his extreme kindness to the poor. When he came into possession and how long he held it can never be definitely known, as there is no record of any deed passing until 1753, when we learn that the doctor and his good wife Hannah transferred the property to Doctor Robert Hooper of Marblehead, or as much of it as that on which the house stands, the exact number of feet not being recorded. This was in consideration of £186 13s. 4d. It is definitely known that the Marblehead merchant added to his original purchase from the fact that in 1755, two years later, more land was bought.
Robert Hooper, who erected this colonial mansion, though a man of lowly birth, was a wealthy merchant who lived in Marblehead. He possessed great prudence and sagacity, so that he rose to be a man of power and for a period of years practically monopolized the fishing industry of Marblehead. During his life there, he entertained in a most lavish way, rivalling Colonel Jeremiah Lee, not only in grandeur of equipage but in liberality as well. His name of "King" was given to him by the fishermen on account of his integrity and his personal honesty in dealing with them. His ships sailed to almost every part of the civilized world, and his name became well known in every country.
King Hooper erected a beautiful residence in Marblehead, one of the few elaborate mansions that still remain. It was a common sight in those days to see his magnificent equipages, drawn often by four prancing steeds, come dashing through Salem on his way to Danvers.
The first record of the Danvers house we find is in 1774. Who the builders were will always remain a mystery, but one fact can never be challenged: that the work was done honestly and well, and that McIntire must have been connected with its wood-carving as is shown from the fine examples which are to be found in the interior.