Mount Vernon Proprietors
Encyclopedia
Mount Vernon Proprietors is a real estate firm located in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded at the end of the 18th century, it developed land on the south slope of Beacon Hill
into a desirable residential neighborhood.
sought to speculate on land development around the newly formed government buildings on Boston's Beacon Hill. The Mount Vernon Proprietors, as the group was named, included founders Otis, Jonathan Mason
, Joseph Woodward and Charles Ward Apthorp. Membership in the Proprietors changed frequently but partners included Charles Bulfinch
, Hepzibah Swan
, Henry Jackson
, Dr. Benjamin Joy, William Scollay
.
As probably the first organized real estate
syndicate in Colonial America, the Proprietors' contribution to real estate development formulated the model by which much of America was built.
The Proprietors purchased an 18.5 acres (74,866.9 m²) cow pasture for the total sum of $18,450 from the esteemed painter John Singleton Copley
who was living in England at the time. The Copley tract comprised an area of Beacon Hill now bound by Beacon Street
, Walnut Street and Mount Vernon Street and the area called Louisburg Square
. After agreeing to the sale, Copley reconsidered the offer and tried unsuccessfully for ten years to break the sale contract.
Once the sale was upheld, architect Charles Bulfinch
set out to pattern streets, design mansions, and create an elegant urban setting.
Houses associated with the Proprietors that survive to the present day include:
Addition:
The houses from 70 through 75 Beacon Street, Boston, opposite the Boston Public Garden, were built by the Mount Vernon Proprietors in 1828, on a speculative basis. They have a continuous granite facade. The architect was Asher Benjamin (1773 - 1845).
According to a Harvard text on Beacon Hill architecture, #72's facade is unchanged and #73 retains its original brass-work on the front door.
These houses are in addition to those listed in the article above.
Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts
Beacon Hill is a historic neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, that along with the neighboring Back Bay is home to about 26,000 people. It is a neighborhood of Federal-style rowhouses and is known for its narrow, gas-lit streets and brick sidewalks...
into a desirable residential neighborhood.
History
In 1795 a syndicate formed by Harrison Gray OtisHarrison Gray Otis (lawyer)
Harrison Gray Otis , was a businessman, lawyer, and politician, becoming one of the most important leaders of the United States' first political party, the Federalists...
sought to speculate on land development around the newly formed government buildings on Boston's Beacon Hill. The Mount Vernon Proprietors, as the group was named, included founders Otis, Jonathan Mason
Jonathan Mason (politician)
Jonathan Mason was a Federalist United States Senator and Representative from Massachusetts during the early years of the United States....
, Joseph Woodward and Charles Ward Apthorp. Membership in the Proprietors changed frequently but partners included Charles Bulfinch
Charles Bulfinch
Charles Bulfinch was an early American architect, and has been regarded by many as the first native-born American to practice architecture as a profession....
, Hepzibah Swan
Hepzibah Swan
Hepzibah Swan lived in Boston, Massachusetts in the late 18th century/early 19th century. She was prominent in the social life of Federal-era Boston. Lifelong friends included revolutionary war heroes Henry Knox and Henry Jackson....
, Henry Jackson
Henry Jackson
Henry Jackson may refer to:* Henry Jackson , English classicist at Cambridge University* Henry Jackson , Massachusetts soldier in the American Revolutionary War* Henry Jackson Henry Jackson may refer to:* Henry Jackson (classicist) (1839–1921), English classicist at Cambridge University* Henry...
, Dr. Benjamin Joy, William Scollay
William Scollay
Colonel William Scollay was a Boston developer and militia officer who gave his name to the infamous Scollay Square. He was the only surviving son of John Scollay, a strong supporter of colonial rights and a member of Boston's Board of Selectmen in 1764. William was extremely active in the...
.
As probably the first organized real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
syndicate in Colonial America, the Proprietors' contribution to real estate development formulated the model by which much of America was built.
The Proprietors purchased an 18.5 acres (74,866.9 m²) cow pasture for the total sum of $18,450 from the esteemed painter John Singleton Copley
John Singleton Copley
John Singleton Copley was an American painter, born presumably in Boston, Massachusetts, and a son of Richard and Mary Singleton Copley, both Irish. He is famous for his portrait paintings of important figures in colonial New England, depicting in particular middle-class subjects...
who was living in England at the time. The Copley tract comprised an area of Beacon Hill now bound by Beacon Street
Beacon Street
Beacon Street is a major thoroughfare in Boston, Massachusetts and several of its western suburbs. Beacon Street in Boston, Brookline, Brighton, and Newton is not to be confused with the Beacon Street in nearby Somerville, or others elsewhere.-Description:...
, Walnut Street and Mount Vernon Street and the area called Louisburg Square
Louisburg Square
Louisburg Square is a private square located in the Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts neighborhood of Boston. It was named for the 1745 Battle of Louisbourg, in which Massachusetts militiamen led by William Pepperrell, who was made the first American baronet for his role, sacked the French...
. After agreeing to the sale, Copley reconsidered the offer and tried unsuccessfully for ten years to break the sale contract.
Once the sale was upheld, architect Charles Bulfinch
Charles Bulfinch
Charles Bulfinch was an early American architect, and has been regarded by many as the first native-born American to practice architecture as a profession....
set out to pattern streets, design mansions, and create an elegant urban setting.
Houses associated with the Proprietors that survive to the present day include:
- 29A Chestnut Street. Built "on spec" by the Proprietors in 1799.
- 13, 15, 17 Chestnut Street. Built by Hepzibah SwanHepzibah SwanHepzibah Swan lived in Boston, Massachusetts in the late 18th century/early 19th century. She was prominent in the social life of Federal-era Boston. Lifelong friends included revolutionary war heroes Henry Knox and Henry Jackson....
, 1804-1805.
Addition:
The houses from 70 through 75 Beacon Street, Boston, opposite the Boston Public Garden, were built by the Mount Vernon Proprietors in 1828, on a speculative basis. They have a continuous granite facade. The architect was Asher Benjamin (1773 - 1845).
According to a Harvard text on Beacon Hill architecture, #72's facade is unchanged and #73 retains its original brass-work on the front door.
These houses are in addition to those listed in the article above.