So I’ve decided that this Spring is either very late or a complete dud at this point as there has been very little in the way of flowering trees to capture as of May 2nd. As a very gloomy Monday came to a close, I looked into my archive and found this image captured on May 1, 2011 at a house across the street from Abbot Hall. I was first drawn to this spot by the cherry blossom lit in morning light but then decided to compose the image to include the house sign with its golden cod.
The sign reads: Site of house Nickolas Tucker Jr 1717 built for George Washington Shepard 1850. I searched both names but found only single lines about the birth of each and nothing else. The dates have me confused as well as it seems the house being built for someone should predate the site. Or does it mean there was a house there previously and the current one was built in 1850?
I have this information on Nicholas and his house, but not the location of the house. He lived from 1670-3 Feb 1716) ” Nicholas Tucker House. The trustees for the commoners of Marblehead conveyed this lot to Nicholas Tucker Marblehead, fisherman, Jan. 23, 1695-6.‡ Upon the land he built a house in which he lived. He died Feb. 3, 1716-7, having devised his house and land under and around it to his wife for her life, and, after her decease, his sons George and Nicholas. The widow probably died before 1753, when the house and lot were divided. The house was then called the “old mansion house,” and it had a stack of chimneys. How much longer it stood is not known. ”
‡Marblehead town records There evidently was a picture to accompany the citation, but I don’t have it. He married Priscilla Bickford on Oct. 30, 1689 and they are my 7G grandparents. His son also named Nicholas had 5 children. This Nicholas is my 6G grandfather. His sons George and Nicholas are my 5G grandfathers. (Not that many families in 18th century Marblehead!) They also loved re-using names.
Great info Andrea. Thanks!
One of the Tuckers was a sea captain and his house was down on the little cow path, Rockaway St. He was quite a character, I’m told.