Davenport Tileston House Dorchester, MA

Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1929 Tileston House by Earl Taylor



The Tileston House at 13 River Street was built ca. 1770 and ranks among the oldest houses in the Lower Mills West area. Although altered by vinyl siding, this house's distinctive 5-bay, 2-pile, gambrel roof form provides clues to its early origins. During the 19th century, this building was owned and occupied by Charles Tileston whose stove, heating, and plumbing store was next door on the very busy corner of River and Washington Streets.

Reader's comment:

When we look at architectural features evident in the photo, the gambrel roof, single room depth, and 5 bay facade especially the early gambrel roof) all suggest ca. 1740-1780 18th century English Georgian Style features, compatible with the proposed circa 1770 first build date. The gambrel roof first made its appearance in Massachusetts in the early 18th century Georgian Style buildings [such as the Derby and Cabot houses here in Salem]--and then was later re-introduced most strongly in the Colonial Revival (also called Georgian Revival) period after the 1876 U.S. Centennial.

The 6/6 windows, and nice Federal Style fence were evidently installed later, in the ca. 1780-1830 period after America won the Revolutionary War, to give the Tileston House the more up-to-date Federal Style associations, which became the most preferred fashion once the United States achieved Independence. Charles Bulfinch in Boston and Samuel McIntire here in Salem were two of the most influential architects and designers who helped introduce and popularize the Federal Style after the Revolutionary War, although of course others like Asher Benjamin, Jabez Smith, Samuel Melcher III and Alexander Parris (who typically worked as housewrights and builders as well as architects and designers) were also influential. Jabez Smith is known mostly here in Salem, just as fellow Federal Style housewright and designer Samuel Melcher III who also helped spread the new fashion north of Boston is known now mostly in Mid-Coast Maine. Several of Asher Benjamin's pattern books have been reprinted and are easily consulted. For a nice web site devoted to interpreting Parris's work, see
--John Goff, September 2005

Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 Marriage of James Davenport and Grace Tileston

John Jay Phelps & William Walter Phelps

Teaneck Public Library has more photos on the Phelps Estate
John Jay Phelps (October 25, 1810 at Simsbury, Connecticut - May 12, 1869 Simsbury, Connecticut) was an early railroad baron and financier. He was the son of Alexander Phelps and Elizabeth Eno Phelps. Alexander Phelps was son of David Phelps, JR and Abigail Griswold. David Phelps, Jr was son of David Phelps, Sr. and Abigail Pettibone. David, Sr was son of John Phelps, Sr and Mary Case (2nd Sarah Case, 3rd Mary Collier). John Phelps, Sr was son of William Phelps Born: c. 1629 in Tewkesbury, England Occupation: Importing merchant; bank president Read Phelps family in American
John Jay Phelps married Rachel Badgeley Phinney
Children: Ellen Ada  m. Rev David Stuart Dodge son of William Earl Dodge, Sr. and Melissa Phelps, William Walter m. Ellen Maria Sheffield "Loodleloo" d. of  Joseph Earl Sheffield and Maria St.John Francis Alexander, born April 01, 1841died April 05, 1848

William Walter Phelps: Congressman, Ambassador, Judge By Robert D. Griffin, Township Historian William Walter Phelps, congressman, and judge - no single person influenced the development of Teaneck as much as W. W. Phelps.  In 1865, he purchased the Garrit Brinkerhoff Homestead, a Jersey Dutch Farmhouse that stood at the intersection of Teaneck Road and Cedar Lane.  From then on, he added to his holdings until they encompassed more than 2,000 acres from the Hackensack River to the Hudson River, and virtually all of central Teaneck.  As a result, Teaneck's growth was concentrated along the perimeter of Phelps' estate.  It wasn't until Ellen Marie (Sheffield) Phelps, Judge Phelps' widow, died that the vast Teaneck property was opened to development.

Nos. 13 and 15 (street numbers on the columns) as they appeared in 1866, four decades before Amos Eno would make his "extensive alterations" -- NYPL Collection. On April 3, 1903 Amos F. Eno purchased the four-story brick and stone building at No. 13 South William Street which extended through the block to Stone Street.  Eno was a major player in New York City real estate – it was his land at 23^rd Street and Broadway that would become the site of the Flatiron Building before long – and an amateur Manhattan historian.  Eno intended to establish his offices on the ground floor of No. 13 “after extensive alterations have been made.” From Daytonian in Manhattan

William Walter Phelps was already a wealthy man when he arrived in Teaneck.  His father John Jay Phelps was a founder and president of the Delaware & Lackawanna Railroad and, among many other ventures, he also owned a huge department store called Eno-Phelps, in Manhattan.  Young Phelps was an attorney and after moving to Teaneck he became interested in politics.  Elected to Congress three times, he was later appointed ambassador to Germany.  In 1888 he was presented as a vice presidential candidate at the Republican Convention, and late in his life he was appointed special judge of the Court of Errors and Appeals of the State of New Jersey.

But his Teaneck home remained his favorite occupation, and he devoted much money planting trees and paving roads.

More articles on site William W. Phelps: Man of Distinction

William Walter Phelps: A Lasting Imprint
A Washington Dinner: An Appreciation of William Walter Phelps
John Jay Phelps son of William was known as "Captain Jack"

JOHN JAY PHELPS, FINANCIER, DIES, 86
Noted as Yachtsman - Was a Grandson of the Sheffield Scientific School Founder
John Jay Phelps of Red Towers, Hackensack, N.J., financier and yachtsman, who in1945 completed his fiftieth year as a trustee of United States Trust Company of New York, died Saturday in his summer home on Yoncomis Island, Stony Creek, Conn., after a brief illness. His age was 86. He also been a director of the Hackensack Trust Company. During the Spanish-American War he served as a lieutenant in the Navy, and in the first World War he commanded the squadron of submarine chasers. In 1885 he built and sailed the schooner yacht Brunnhilde around a world. The Brunnhilde was said to be the first American yacht to make such a trip. Born in Paris, France, Sept. 27, 1861, he was the son of William Walter and Ellen Sheffield Phelps. His father, a lawyer and a benefactor of Yale, had served as a Representative in Congress, Minister to Austria and to Berlin in the days when there were no United States Ambassadors and later a judged in the court of Errors and Appeals of New Jersey. His mother was a daughter of Joseph E. Sheffield, founder of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale.
Started with Bank Here He was graduated from Yale in 1883, and spent the next two years in the employ of the Farmers Loan and Trust Company of New York. Since 1885 he had devoted himself to various financial enterprises. He was vice president of the Hackensack National Bank and a director of the Cayuga & Susquehanna Railroad.
For many years he was president of Strong & Trowbridge Company of New York and for two terms served as a member of the board of chosen freeholders of Bergen County, N. J.
During the Spanish-American War he was acting lieutenant and signal officer on the U. S. S. Celtic. During the first World War he commanded the U.S.S. Calumet with a rank of Captain.
In Many Organizations Mr. Phelps was a member of the American Museum of Natural History, New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, American Geographical Society, New England Society, Founders and Patriots of America, American Forestry Association, United States Reserve Officers Association, Waterway League of America, Roosevelt Memorial Association, Naval Order of United States, Naval Relief Society, National Security League, National Marine League, National Child Welfare Association and National Association of Audubon Societies. He also belonged to the Big Brother Movement, the New York Zoological Society, New Jersey and Bergen County historical societies, American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution, Military Order of Foreign Wars, Navy League of United States, United Spanish War Veterans, Psi Upsilon Fraternity and Scroll and Keys Society of Yale. His clubs included the Union League, University, Yale, Circum-navigators, Submarine Chasers of America and Motor Boat of America in New York, the Graduate, Connecticut Auto and Motor of New Haven, the Lantern League of Boston, and Oritani Cruising Club of America. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Davenport West and Miss Rose Phelps. The New York Times, New York, NY, July, 1948, page 15

John Quincy Adams & Davenport's Newbury MA

In the John Quincy Adam Papers there are a few journal entries mentioning Newbury and the Davenport's.

On March 12 1788 I Dined with Townsend at Mrs. Hooper's. Amory went to Portsmouth on Monday, with several of his friends. They return'd this day to dinner at Davenport's. We called to see them; and sat with them drinking and singing till five o'clock, when they went for Ipswich. I pass'd the evening with Pickman, at Doctor Smith's. Townsend, went there with us, but found himself so unwell, that he went home very early. His cough has return'd, with several disagreeable symptoms. I fear exceedingly, that he is not long for this world.

We play'd whist an hour or two at Dr. Smith's and between 10 and 11. retired.

John Quincy Adams was born in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts in 1767. His early education,which he received from his Father was mainly in the subject of mathematics, languages, and the classics. He graduated from Harvard College in 1787 and studied law in Newburyport, Massachusetts under the guidance of Theophilus Parsons. In 1790 he began the practice of law in Boston. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1802. He left his pipe in Newburyport by Jack Garvey

March 19 1788

The weather was dull, gloomy, and part of the day rainy. Amory invited me to dine with him and Stacey and Azor Orne at Davenport's, but I did not feel inclined that way. I call'd at Mrs. Hooper's in the evening and spent a couple of hours with Townsend. The lads who dined at Davenport's warm'd themselves so well with Madeira, that at about seven o'clock this evening, they all set out upon an expedition to Cape-Ann, to attend a ball there this night. Twenty seven miles in such weather and such roads after seven o'clock at night, to attend a ball, would look extravagant in a common person; but it is quite characteristic of Amory.

November 5 1787 

I attended at the Office. Amory was there. Return'd yesterday from Salem. Townsend went to Boston last week, and has not yet return'd. In the afternoon, we attended the funeral of Mrs. Davenport a sister of Mr. Parsons. She died of a consumption a few days since. Little, and Thomson pass'd an hour with me in the evening, after which, I went with the latter to Mr. Atkins's. Thomson was much affected, on hearing of the death of one of his school-boys; who died of the Scarlet fever, after a very short illness. I cannot write yet in the evening, for want of fire.

Judith Parsons (Theophilus Parsons' sister) was married to Anthony Davenport, son of William Davenport and Sarah Gerrish Davenport.

Check out New England Historical Society 

                                           

John Quincy Adams From the original painting by John Singleton Copley, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Autograph from
the Chamberlain collection, Boston Public Library.

The Clark-Kingsbury Home Medfield MA

Kingsbury Homestead Medfield, Massachusetts

My Grandmother, Mildred Mabel Phelps daughter of Melissa Cross Davenport and Frederick Winsor Phelps (1877-1947) grew up in this Medfield home known as the Clark-Kingsbury Farm Historic District.  
Her mother died of typhoid when Mildred was 9 months old. 
Mildred's family was living in Peterborough, New Hampshire.  Her father was working for the railroad company that the Phelps family owned. 
Mildred went to live in Medfield with her aunt Lillian Phelps Kinsbury (1869-1951) married to Allen Alanzo Kingsbury (1865-1952)

Lillian Phelps Kingsbury (1869-1951) daughter of Francis Henry Phelps (1840-1877) and Esther Antoinette Hall (1846- 1938) and husband Allan Alonzo Kingsbury (1865-1952) son of George Williamson Kingsbury (1838-1912) and Olive Atarah Smith (1839-1925)

Mildred Mabel Phelps born June 8 1909 Peterborough, NH died June 8 1995 Lynn, MA

The photo from This Old Town: The long history of Girl Scouts in Medfield shows Medfield Troop I “Red Rose” in 1920. In the top row are: Florence Johnson, Mary Kennedy, Muriel Holmes, Ruth Hunt, and Grace Wilbur. In the second row are Grace Kelly, Captain Evelyn Byng, Lucy Newell, Laura Mills, Marjorie Doane, Lieutenant Gwendolyn Morse, and Dorothy Allen.
In the third row are Ester Peterson, Frances Tubridy, Marjorie Platt, Dorothy Gardiner, Edith Mills, Marion Kelly, Threta Platt, Doris Cobb, and Mildred Weiker. Seated are Winifred Griffin, Lois Heard, Betty Crooker, Gertrude Leroux, Ruth Sauer, Mildred Phelps, and Carolyn Hamant
                                            

  Kingsbury Homestead 1931

 

Courtesy Theresa Knapp.

Priscilla Kingsbury with Robert Levi Berry, JR at Kingsbury Pond

Robert Levi Berry

Robert Levi Berry, Jr with his dad Robert Levi Berry, SR in Medfield at the house

Mildred Phelps, Robert Berry and Francis

              Read More about the Mystery Lady (believed to be Lillian Phelps Kingsbury)
 
     

Grave A A Kingsbury
 

  

 

Kinsgbury-Lord House Ipswich MA  

See Kingsbury genealogy: the genealogy of the descendants of Joseph Kingsbury of Dedham, Massachusetts, together with the descendants in several lines of Henry Kingsbury of Ipswich, Massachusetts, and our Canadian cousins

JOSEPH KINGSBURY Needham MA
 

On Saturday, January 5, 1924, a fire almost completely destroyed the original church building. The Kingsbury, Greene, and Crossman memorial windows, along with the Communion silver, the old bell, some flags, the pulpit, and a few other furnishings were the only items to survive. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Joseph Kingsbury was one of the three Kingsbury brothers who sailed to America on the ship known as the Talbot which was part of a fleet of four ships under the command of Gov. John Winthrop. they set sail March 27, 1630 from Southampton, England, and arrived in Salem, Massachusetts, about July of 1630. Gov. Winthrop was not satisfied with Salem and the fleet moved down the coast eventually settling in Shawmut (now Boston). About 1635 they sent an exploring party up the Charles River and they established a settlement at Watertown. John and Joseph Kingsbury were part of this party. The community flourished and they quickly organized in what was referred to as a "Contentment" recording all events. The Kingsbury brothers were apparently of strong pioneer stock and considered Watertown too crowded. A small band of like minded individuals again used the Charles River which turned South just beyond Watertown and settled in what is now Dedham. They petitioned the General Court on 9-5-1636 for a large tract of land to form their community. The petition was granted on 9-10-1636 and the name Dedham was assigned by the court.

(NOTE: Current county boundaries have Dedham and Needham in Norfolk County, but prior to 1800 Norfolk County did not exist and all of this area was included in Suffolk County. Apparently, on 8-18-1636, before the group left Watertown, theymet at the home of John Dwight and drew up a Covenant for their political organization. John Kingsbury signed the Covenant that day, but Joseph did not sign until1637, after he arrived in Dedham. The Dedham town records for 11-1-1637 indicate that Joseph Kingsbury deeded part of his land to the town for the purpose of building a town meeting hall. In 1638 the records show that Joseph Kingsbury deeded one acre of his land abutting on High Street to the town of Dedham for a church site. A second structure for Old First Parish Church was erected on the same site at the corner of Court and high Streets in 1763. In 1819 ownership of the church passed to the Unitarians.The records go on to note that Joseph was in turn given an acre of land to replace that which he had given for the church. However, this land was rocky swamp land and the land he gave the church was prime land. Joseph held against the town fathers for some time and apparently this was the basis for a long feud between Joseph and the Church fathers. In several official writings of the church Joseph Kingsbury is noted as having a bad temperament and was not allowed into the church fellowship. For his part, Joseph appaently did not want to be part of this church body. Later Joseph was again called upon for land and he granted another acre of his land to the town for a burying place. With this in mind, there is some question as to why Joseph was buried in Norfolk. Among the records of Dedham it is noted that the first child born in the Community was Ruth Morse, born 7-3-1637 and Mary Kingsbury, born 9-1-1637 was the second. The Church of Dedham was "gathered' on 9-8-1638, but Joseph was not one of its originators. In fact, he was apparently rejected at the time because he was considered too worldly and "the Lord left him into a such a distempered passionate flying out on one of the Company that we thought him unfit for the church". This could refer back to the problems over the tract of land for the church. Millicent Kingsbury was accepted into the church on 4-24-1639 and Joseph finally admitted on 6-26-1641. In the writings of Arthur F. Kingsbury in 1912, it is interesting to note that the majority of the descendants of Joseph
Kingsbury for a period of over 275 years lived their lives within a 15 mile radius of Dedham. Joseph was apparently a skilled metal worker and mechanic, in addition to his farming endeavors. A young man who trained under him, Robert Crossman, married his daughter Sarah. In 1638 he as not admitted to the Dedham Church because he was "too much addicted to the world", but on the 9th of the 2nd month 1641 the church wa persuaded of repentance and faith and he was received. Perhaps in keeping with his long feud with the church, Joseph was buried in Norfolk Cemetery.

Will dated 22 March 1675, proved 1 June 1676, bequeaths to sons Joseph, John, Eleazer and Nathaniel, wife Millicent; daughter Sarah Crossman; son-in-law Thomas Cooper of Rehoboth; to grandchildren Elizabeth Brewer; sons-in-law Robert Crossman and Nathaniel Brewer. Refers to deceased brother John Kingsbury.

Dedham Births & Burialls recorded in Boston 1635 - 1643
Transcribed by Coralynn Brown
The Register of the Births and Burialls in DEDHAM from the Yeare 1635 unto the Yeare 1643.

KINGSBURY
Mary the daughter of Joseph Kingsbury & Millecent his wife borne 1 (7) 1637.
Elisabeth the daughter of Joseph Kingsbury & Millecent his wife was borne 14 (7) 1638.
Joseph the son of Joseph Kingsbury & Millecent his wife was borne 17 (12) 1640.

From the "Great Migration Newsletter":
Joseph Kingsberry (De): Joseph Kingsbury of whom mention was made before that he was left out of the foundation of the church for some cause there mentioned? was admitted to Dedham church on 9 April 1641 [DeChR 24-25]. On 18 July 1637, the town of Dedham authorized Ezechiell Holliman of our society to turn over his lot, as also that which he purchased of Raffe Shepheard, unto John Kingsbery & Joseph his brother? [DeTR 1:32]. On 1 September 1637, ?Mary, the daughter of Joseph & Millicent Kingsbury? was born at Dedham [De VR 1]

Built in 1755 by John Bird. It was built on 216 acres which is now known as Bird Hill. John lived in the house with his wife Mary Lyon. The land and house have both changed over the years. Some of the low areas have been filled in and high ground has been leveled. Some of the original farmland was used for a glue factory and then the land was subdivided into many different building lots in 1810 when the property was sold to John and Joseph Kingsbury.

Needham Fire Company, Hose 1, 1898. The members of Fire Company, Hose 1 sit for a portrait at the Abell Photo Studio. They are: G. Horace Pierce, Alger E. Eaton, Fred N. Mills, Edgar Pierce, Henry A. Kingsbury (Chief), Alston R. Bowers, Charles C. Barnes and H. Howard Upham.

More Family Photos of Phelps Kingsbury, Berry & Davenport

In Medfield Robert Levi Berry SR & Mildred Phelps

 

Mildred Phelps University of Michigan1926 Sorority

Melissa Cross Davenport Phelps

Francis Whiting Kingsbury wife of Lewis Hall Kingsbury son of Samuel and Hannah (Hall) Kingsbury of Walpole, Mass., and was born on September 28, 1814, the youngest of nine children; married Eunice A. daughter of John Aldis and Judith (Richards) Haven, of Dedham, who died in June 1882. In November, 1887, he married Frances M. Whitney. He died in Boston on December 9, 1892, as the result of an accident which occurred on the 8th, while he was there on business for the Dedham National Bank.

He received a common school education in his native town, and after following various pursuits while living in Allegheny County, New York, he came to his uncle, Mr. Hall of Framingham, and with him visited his oldest sister, Mrs. J. N. E. Mann, of Dedham, on Christmas Day, 1838. From this time he has been actively identified with Dedham history. In the spring of 1842, he became a clerk in the Registry of Deeds and continued in that capacity until September, 1844, when he was appointed as clerk in the Dedham Bank. In December, 1846, Ebenezer Fisher Jr., cashier of the bank resigned, and Mr. Kingsbury was chosen to fill his place, entering upon his duties on January 1, 1847. Upon the reorganization as a National Bank in January 1865, he was elected President to follow Dr Jeremy Stimson. In 1873 at the request of Mr. John H. B. Thayer, the retiring cashier he assumed the duties of that position, with Ezra W. Taft as president. In January, 1885, he was again elected President and continued in that ofiice until his death. For thirty years Mr. Kingsbury has served the town as Treasurer, and in all the offices which he has held, has shown marked character and ability. He was a member of the Dedham Historical Society from September 5, 1865, to the time of his death. From Dedham Historical Society Register

 

Charles Herbert Kingsbury son of William Prescott Kingsbury and Madeline Florence Brown

Lillian Phelps Kingsbury and Allen Alazona Kingbury Children:
 

 
Francis Henry Kingsbury (1889 - 1969)

Carlton Winsor Kingsbury (1893 - 1963)

Amos Clark Kingsbury (1897 - 1955) 

 

 

Medfield book by Richard DeSorgher now on sale Richard is Medfield's new Selectmen and local Historian

Article on Willis Phelps Railroad