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s~toric
'l!~m-orporated
POST OFFICE BOX 865
OFFICE AT OLD TOWN HALL
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 / PHONE (617) 745-0799
145 Federal Street
Built for
JOHN CULLITON, tanner and currier
in the year 1859
Research by,
Joyce King
May 1981
"to preserve Historic Sites, Buildings and objects,
and to work for the education of the community
in the true value of the same."
�145 Federal Street
This large two-story plus hip roof house has many of the features
which were popular when it was built (1859) such as pedimented
windows, paired brackets and a square columned portico and balustrade
above.
The house has a handsome iron fence in front of it. (Salem
Historic Commission District Study, 1956)
The land on which this house stands was once part of the Stearns
estate (384 Essex St.) which extended from Essex to Federal Streets.
The Stearns family used this land as their garden for many years.
w.
In May of 1859, to settle the estate of Sarah
Stearns, the heirs
sold a portion of their land to John Culliton tanner and currier,
;-·---·--..~~.ej~~~~,.
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for the sum of $2,500
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(bobk 589 pages 6-8)
�John Culliton was born in Ireland in 1817.
He landed in Halifax,
Nova Scotia, in 1834, where he worked at printing for a short time.
(It was common for Irish immigrants, who were unable to pay the
fare for regular passage to the United States, to book passage on
Canadian lumber ships which would otherwise return home empty.
Once in Canada the Irish would save their money and work their way
down the coast into the United States.
taken by Mr. Culliton.)
This could be the route
Ivir. Culliton arrived in Salem in
1835 and
began as a journeyman to invest in small purchases of hides which
he tanned and curried himself in his off hours and sold on his own
account.
It was in this way that Mr. Culliton said he laid the
foundation of his subsequent fortune.
His speciality was light
African matemoras and Central American kip. (Salem News Oct. 14, 1887
and July 8, 1923)
John Culliton, described as a quiet reserved man, was married in
Salem to Lucy D. Johnson on Dec. 31, 1848.
The couple made their
home at 9 Friend st. until the completion of their beautiful new
mansion house at 145 Federal St.
The Culliton family was settled into
their new residence by June 1860 when the federal census was taken:
John Culliton
Lucy
Catherine
John
James
Willie
Carrie Grant
age 42
II
II
II
II
II
II
36
11
7
6
2
17
currier
born in Mass
"
"
"
"
II
"
"
"
"
servant
II
II
"
(?)
�The tax records for 1860 list John Culliton as the owner of 147
(now 145) Federal st. valued at $6,500; currier shop and tannery at
R91 Mason st. valued at $3,400; one horse (no value given).
In 1862 the tax was - 5,300 ft. of land $2,000 Total
$4,400-
barn $100 - house
1~6 ,500
On March 21, 1866 John Culliton purchased,for $452, a small parcel
of land adjoining his from the heirs of Lydia P. Stearns.
the same land conveyed to Lydia by the heirs of Sarah
r-ele "-"' l
w.
This was
Stearns:
s-r.
I ----
I
I
I
"I
II)
(book 701 page 88)
�In 1868 John Culliton 1 s worth was given as:
$20,000
stock
machinery
1,000
3 horses
500
carriages, carts, etc.
300
l,ooo
furniture
house 145 Federal
6,500
tan yard and 3 buildings
1,500
vats
700
house 87t Mason St.
400
500
land #3 and 4t Friend st.
land $2,000
land 1,200
land
200
The 1870 census shows one addition and one correction*:
John Culliton
Lucy D.
Katie E.
John F.
James E.
William H.
Edward J.
Carrie L. Grant
age 53
II
46
II
21
17
" 15
II
10
" 8
" 26
tanner & currier
keeping house
no occupation
at school
*
born Ire•
II
Mass.
II
II
II
II
II
11
II
11
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
servant
The tax value had risen in 1870 to - $8,000 for the house and $1,300
for the land.
at $1,800.
By 1876 the house was valued at $9,000 with the land
The value dropped in 1880 to $7,800 for the house and
$1,600 for land.
In 1880 another census was taken:
age
John Culliton
II
Lucy D.
II
James E.
II
William
II
Edward J.
Caroline L. Grant 11
II
Bridget Carey
62
56
26
21
19
37
19
leather manf.
wife - keeps house
son - student
II
- brokers clerk
II
- currier
niece
servant
born Ire.
It
Mass.
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
ti
It
Ire.
In the 1881 directory John Culliton was a currier at Rl09 Mason st.
and at 91 High St., Boston. His house was 145 Federal St.
�Mr. Culliton died at his residence on Oct. 13, 1887 at the age of
70.
This obituary appeared in the local paper:
.
.
!l
; Mr. JonN Cu1.uro~, also ii. 11;omhcf. ot /
:the Houth Society, died
011
'l'ltu1'111l11y, ngcd 11
j70. He Wll!I born In ll'cl:111tt 1 :1nde1l l11 Hall- I
:rax in 1834, 011m6 to ~ll.~8110i1udet.ts and
1wol'ked at his tmtle ns 11 p1foter In the office
'ot the Boston Post. lill me to S.1lem In
;l83i'i, nnd worli,cd lu UH! ottloe of th~ 811lem
:J,1rndmark. He le111'11ed the trnde ot a cur·rler with the 111t11 Uavl•l' lloberts .of Pea-I
:~odr, us ~n npprentlce, laylug the touuda~,
_t1vn of 111~ fu.ture co111pe~e11t•y \l.r. working;
,·""t-l'Htti.: nt 111ght UlJOll lnllCS \>Ul'Ch:tsetl i'i:Y
,hhmwlr a 1111 aoltl by 11111 ns hi. ow 11 venture!
·to hb employrr. lfo 1101.;umulatcd wealth!
! 'rapidly during the war, and.torse\'l'l'al years:
1 was at thi; head ot thl' flt•m of Vullit.on, I
;.'1'rl'udwell & Co., 88 High stl'eet, .Boston. i
:':He e111ur11c<>tl th1! Protc~t11nt religion nnd
·:was n member of th() 801,1th C:hu1,~b P11.rlsh
'iCummittee. He wu~ 1o Dfrectrll' .hi the Naulnr.keag Bauk aud 811lem & ,;outh Danvers Oil
i' Cou1p1111y. · A 1111111 of ~e1wrous impulses, he
.i w11s one of the bt·st friends the workingmen
ievet·.had. He le11ves I\ widow aQd tour :$OU•
jan<!~ughter.
·
1
ca
In his will (probate #65503) Mr. Culliton left his widow, Lucy D.,
"a share as she is entitled to at law 11 , to his son William H. the
sum of $100, 1/4 of the remainder to Charles Tuttle to hold in
trust for John F. Culliton of Peabody, and the rest to children
James, Edward and Kate.
(see also appendix A)
On Sept. 21, 1888 Charles H. Tuttle, trustee under the will of
John Culliton transferred the 1/4 share of the dwelling house
at 145 Federal St. to Lucy D. Culliton (book 1233 page 505).
Lucy D. Culliton died on June 25, 1893.
The Salem News carried
this obituary:
"Lucy D., widow of the late John Culliton, died at her residence
on Federal St. yesterday noon, after an illness of some duration.
The deceased was born and always resided in Salem.
She was an
�attendant at the South church, and although never conspicuous in
charitable work, gave a large amount of money to the poor and
deserving.
The deceased was in her 70th year.
wife of
c.
She leaves a daughter Catherine,
H. Tuttle, and three sons James, William and Edward. 11
On July 29, 1893 the heirs of Lucy D. Culliton conveyed their
shares of the dwelling house 145 Federal st. and the land on the
corner of Federal and Flint, "the same conveyed to John Culliton
as by deeds of Stearns 101 to William H. Culliton.
"The same inherited
by us from our late mother Lucy D." (book 1395 page 145).
The 1895 tax shows that the valuation had dropped to $7,300 for the
house and $2,100 for the land.
1913 shows
a further drop to $6,700
for the house and $2,100 for the land.
William H. Culliton died on July 3, 1914.
His obitutary as it was
printed in the Salem News:
11
William H. Culltion died at his home, 145 Federal St., Saturday,
after a long illness.
Oct. 24, 1857•
manufacturer.
His father was John Culliton, a large leather
He leaves a brother Edward J. and a sister Mrs.
Charles H. Tuttle.
home.
He was a note broker, and was born in Salem,
His funeral was held this forenoon at his late
Rev. Thomas G. Langdale of the South church officiating.
burial was in Harmony Grove."
The
�In his will (probate #118985) William bequeathed
1~500
to h·is cousin
Caroline L. Grant and several pieces of jewelry to the T~ttle
frunily.
The rest and remainder to Charles
c.
Tuttle to pay brother
Edward J. Culliton all the income (see also appendix B).
The directory for 1915 states that the house was vacant at the time
those listings were made.
On Sept. 21, 1915 Charles
c.
Tuttl~
trustee under the last will of
William H. Culliton,sold for $6,600 to Catherine Ronan "the same
conveyed to John Culliton by deeds of Stearns (book 2311 pages 450-1).
Catherine Ronan was the wife of a prominent leather manufacturer 5
James Ronan.
The property was apparently put in Catherine's name
for legal purposes.
The 1915 tax valuation shows Catherine Ronan as
the owner of 145 Federal st.
house valued at $5,60D; land $2,400.
The Ronans moved, from 44 Holten st., Peabody with their impressive
family, to the Federal St. house immediately after the purchase
as indicated in the 1916 directory:
Bartholomew J. Ronan,
II
Catherine F.
11
Francis J.
11
James J.
11
John J.
James (wf~ Catherine)
William J.
works at
clerk (Peabody)
dentist - 114 Washington st.
student
lawyer - 252 Essex St.
lawyer - 118 Washington st.
morocco dresser
II
II
lives at
145 Federal st.
II
II
II
II
II
11
(daughter Helen Ronan, dentist was listed along with the others in
1918)
�The yea:r 1925 brought sadness to the 145 Federal St. household, for
on May 8th Dr. Helen E. Ronan died:
Salem News - May 10, 1925
"Dr. Helen E. Ronan, one of the best known of the younger dentist
of this city, passed away Saturday after an illness of only a few
days duration.
She was a native of this city.
After completing her
High School course in three yea:rs, she entered Tufts Dental School,
from which she graduated with honor and distinction in 1919.
Her great zeal and enthusiasm for her work, and her ma:rked ability
and skill in executing the same, soon attracted the attention of the
college authorities who upon her graduation, made her a member of
the faculty.
She hel• this position for a few yea:rs and until the·
practice established by her sister, Dr. Catherine F., became so
large as to require her attention.
Thereupon, she associated with
her sister and the two have since been actively engaged in the practice
of their profession.
Endowed with a bright and happy disposition, Dr. Helen Ronan always
had a kind and pleasant word for everyone with whom she came in
contact.
She was a great favorite with the children, especially
those who were numbered among her patients.
25 years of age.
Dr. Ronan was only
She was in her usual good health and spirits and
about her duties as late as last Thursday.
Her demise was entirely
unexpected and was a distinct shock to the community.
Besides her grief stricken pa:rents and sister, Dr. Ronan leaves
six brothers."
�Just two years later another death stunned
the family.
Salem News - Nov. 7, 1927
"The many friends of John J. Ronan a well known attorney were
shocked to learn that he passed away at his home 145 Federal St.,
yesterday afternoon after an illness lasting but a few days.
He
was about his duties until Thursday when he complained of a slight
indisposition.
He was apparently recovering when a heart condition
developed which culminated in his death.
Mr. Ronan was born in Salem, but moved as a child with his parents
to Peabody.
He was educated in the public schools of that city,
graduated from Peabody High in 1912.
He continued his studies
at the Boston University law school, received his degree from that
institution in 1915.
He began the practice of his profession in
Salem, but his duties were interrupted by his enlistment in the
navy in 1918.
After serving most creditably under Lt. Comm. David Little,
until the armistice was signed, then returned to his office and
resumed his law practice.
He had a particular aptitude for probate and real estate law and
devested himself almost exclusively to the practice of those two
branches.
At the time of his death he was conveyancer for the
Roger Conant Co-op Bank.
Attorney Ronan was a man of reticence and unassuming disposition
but his earnestness and integrity and sympathetic understanding
endeared him to all who knew him.
He was a member of the Essex
Bar Assc. and the American Legion.
Besides his mother and father he is survived by five brothers and
one sister
Katherine~'
�The 1935 valuation for Catherine F. Ronan was listed as:
House 145 Federal st.
Garage
Factory (3 Waters st.)
$6,000
500
9,000
On Oct. 16, 1937 James Ronan succumbed to a long illness:
Salem News
Oct. 16
"James Ronan died this morning at his home 145 Federal St.,
following a long illness.
A native of Salem he spent many of his
early years in Peabody where, for a long time he conducted a large
tannery, retiring
from business 15 years ago.
Mr. Ronan devoted his life chiefly, in the interest of his family
and home, yet was kindly and helpful to all whom he met bearing his
lingering illness with patience.
He married Catherine Doody of Salem more than 50 years ago in the
old St. James church, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Fr. Gray,
Besides his widow he is survived by one daughter Dr. Catherine F. of
Salem and five sons.
Funeral from his late home."
On July 12, 1950, after the death of their mother in 1949, James,
William, Bartholomew, Arthur and Frank sold their shares in the
land and building on the corner of Eederal and Flint Streets to
Catherine F. Ronan.
Ronan.
"All we inherited from our mother Catherine F.
For title see Charles Tuttle to Catherine F. Ronan 1915"•
(book 3762 page 297)
Catherine and Frank remained in the house until for some unknown
reason they moved to 366 Essex St. in 1954•
vacant during 1954 and 1955.
The house remained
�It may be of interest to make note of some members of the Ronan
family after their departure from 145 Federal St.:
Bartholomew practiced law for 45 years and was the vice president
and director of the Merchants Warren National Bank of Salem.
James Ronan became Justice of the State Supreme Court
William and Frank were the proprietors of "Ronan's" restaurant
at 40 Boston St. for many years.
Catherine continued to practice dentistry in Boston, Wakefield
and Salem. She died on March 22, 1976 at the age of 82.
On Jan. 19, 1955 Catherine Ronan, unmarried, sold to Arthur Thomas
Cyr the land and buildings at 145 Federal St. "For title see deed
of James Ronan et al to me July 12, 1950, also probate of Catherine
Ronan #228016 11
(book 4135 page 293).
On Oct. 9, 1956 Arthur T. Cyr secured
Conant Bank for $2,200.
a mortgage from the Roger
The property was also subject to a prior
mortgae for $16,300 (book 4314 page 132).
The bank took possession
of the property on Feb. 11, 1958 (book 4442 page 154).
On Feb. 26, 1958 the Roger Conant Co-op Bank sold the property to
Elmer H. Warner (book 4442 page 155-7).
The title was changed on
April 29, 1958 ro read Elmer and Eleanor Warner (book 4456 page 292).
Dec. 10, 1959 Elmer H. and Eleanor
to Israel Frisch, of Beverly.
Bank
(book 4628 page 382).
c.
Warner,husband
and wife, sold
"The same conveyed by the Roger Conant
�On Dec. 31, 1966 Israel and Minnie Frisch, husband and wife, of
Beverly changed the title of this property as well as three other
parcels to "Israel Frisch as he is trustee of the Federal St. Realty
(book 5417 page 512).
Trust of Salem"
Oct. 29, 1980 Minnie Frisch surviving spouse of Israel Frisch and
the successor trustee of the Federal St. Realty Trust of Salem
sold for $100,000 to Harkness and Wick Development Corp., business
at 7 East st., Ipswich the land and building on the corner of
Federal and Flint Sts.
For title see book 5417 page 512
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Federal Street
Historic Salem, Inc. House History
A resource made available by Historic Salem, Inc. detailing the history of Salem's houses.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
145 Federal Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970
Subject
The topic of the resource
House history
Description
An account of the resource
Built for John Culliton, tanner & currier 1859
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Historic Salem, Inc.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Historic Salem, Inc. house histories
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Historic Salem, Inc., Salem Historical Society
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1859, 1981
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Joyce King
Language
A language of the resource
English
145
145 Federal
1859
Culliton
currier
Federal
John
John Culliton
Tanner