User:Jmaroneysr/Marblehead Summer House

The Marblehead Summer House The Marblehead Summer House likely the oldest 3 story structure in Marblehead is currently an Inn located in the historic district of Marblehead Massachusetts by the old water front area. According to historical research done by John Booth, the original structure, a one story dweling, was built by George Slocumb sometime prior to 1717.1 No record of the construction itself has been found, however the building and land was mortgaged Oct 30, 1717 to John Bowdoin a merchant in Boston. This is the earliest documentation of the structure. Slocumb was a “Shoreman”, (One involved in the curing, salting, drying and storage of fish), and a “Joiner”, (carpenter), by trade. This is relevant because being a skilled “Joiner” or “carpenter”, allowed him to build a house with some uncommon amenities such as private rooms and interior doors. This was probably quite fancy for that area of town at the time. Since this area was engaged primarily in fishing most structures would likely have been fishing shanties. The more habitable structures would have been built further away from the harbor and on higher ground to escape some of the smell. George being a”shoreman” would have likely been contributing to the stench by drying cod in back of his house. On June 24, 1728 Slocomb sold the house to Bowdoin for 400 li and settlement of his debt.

On Sept. 8, 1756 Bowdoin’s heirs sold the premises to Capt. Samuel Glover, the brother of John Glover, who later became the famous General John Glover that ferried George Washington across the Delaware River to attack the Hessians during the revolutionary war. Samuel was not a captain at the time but a “cordwainer” (shoemaker), at the time. He later served as a captain in the French and Indian War but was referred to as captain locally due to his position on ship. He was also licensed to sell liquor which was reserved for only those of good standing and reputation.