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14 Thorndike Street
Built by and for
James J. Welch
Contractor
and his wife, Catherine
c. 1869
Researched and written by Dan Graham
July 2021
�14 Thorndike St, c. 1978
Source: MACRIS SAL.3188
14 Thorndike St, c. 1985
Source: MACRIS SAL. 3188
�Source: Google Maps, accessed July 26, 2021
�As noted in the MACRIS report for this property (SAL.3188), the structure at 14
Thorndike (referred to as the “James J. Welch House”) is a modest example of the Second
Empire (1850s-1870s) style. Although sided with more modern asphalt, this 1 ½ story residence
still retains some original material and detailing. Characteristic features include the mansard
roof, bracketed door hood, flat-roofed dormers, and small brackets at the dormer roofs.
Vernacular houses of this type are common to the Bridge St. area. I want to thank local
architectural historian Vijay Joyce for assistance in characterizing and corroborating details of
the home’s features.
Prior to discussing the history of the home and its original owners, it is first worth
covering some details of the land on which it is settled. The deed history shows that the land
was owned by the Salem Mill Dam Corporation in the 1820s. This group—which included John
Pickering, Benjamin W. Crowninshield, Joseph Ropes, and John W. Treadwell—was
incorporated in approximately 1826, specifically to seek and establish authority to build dams in
the vicinity of Bridge Street, North River, and Winter Island.1 While Thorndike Street did not
exist at the time, the property in question at 14 Thorndike can be traced through deeds granted
from the Salem Mill Dam Corporation to David Buffum, Elisha Odlin, Jacob Berry, and finally
Rufus Wyman who sold his land to James and Catherine Welch in late 1871.2 A likely
antecedent to Thorndike Street was the so-called “Mill Dam Street,” which is frequently
mentioned in the deeds in question from 1830 to 1871.
1
See “An Act to Incorporate the Salem Mill Dam Corporation, 1825, Chap. 0148.” Boston: Secretary of the
Commonwealth. https://archives.lib.state.ma.us/bitstream/handle/2452/111009/1825acts0148.txt?
sequence=1&isAllowed=y
2
See Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds Book 260 Page 153; Book 314 Page 137; Book 352 Page 219; Book
433 Page 56; Book 501 Page 209; and Book 843 Page 137. These deeds are included under “Deeds” later in this
packet.
�As can be seen by comparing the 1851 and 1874 atlases below, an enormous amount of
development occurred in the vicinity of Thorndike Street during that timespan. The MACRIS
report for this property identifies the builder as James Welch, and estimates the date of the
building between 1869 and 1871. The deed history and directory research corroborates such an
estimation: the 1869 and 1872 directories place James at 4 Thorndike Street, which the MACRIS
author ventured was presumably the same house as 14 Thorndike. From the research
conducted, I agree that this assessment makes sense given that the area was much less
developed at the time; there were simply not many houses on Thorndike in the early 1870s. In
1869, Charles Grimes and John Whalan (perhaps fellow laborers to James) were also living at 4
Thorndike, giving attestation to the notion that the property did exist in that year. By 1874,
Welch owned three of the four structures on the north side of Thorndike Street, and the
directory for that year shows him living at 16 Thorndike (see image of property below).
�
16 Thorndike St. Source: MACRIS SAL.3187.
Earlier on, according to the 1870 U.S. Census, James was living at 11 Thorndike with
Catherine Welch (nee McCarthy/McCarty and Hurley; variously spelled as Catharine, Katherine,
and Katharine in vital records and family histories). Catherine was previously married to William
Hurley (estimated to have lived from 1828 to 1864) and had two children—John (b. 1852) and
Katherine (b. 1861)—from that marriage. The 1866 directory lists Catherine (i.e. “Mrs. William
Hurley”) living at 1 Thorndike with John Hurley and Nicholas Grogan.3 After remarrying to James
Welch, the couple had two children—James J. (b. 1869) and Margaret T. (b. 1872). Needless to
say, the Welches owned and occupied several properties on Thorndike throughout the 1870s
which served as the hub for James’s construction company (discussed in more detail below).
3
See Salem City Directory for 1866, p. 92.
�While historical records show some inconsistencies in James and Catherine’s birth and
death dates, Catherine is most convincingly estimated to have lived from 1834 to 1890, and
James from sometime in the 1840s (1844, 1848, or 1849, more specifically) to 1903. Some vital
records suggest that James was born in April of 1849 (corroborated by his age in his 1892
marriage record in the “Sources” below, for instance) to Geoffrey Welch and Mary Cahill (listed
as Jeffrey and Mary Morrison in his death record). After Catherine’s death (from pneumonia),
James remarried Mary Alice Lynch (of Beverly, MA; 1861-1944) and had five more children—
Marion Florentina (1892-1980), Arthur W. (1894-1946), Louise L. (b. 1895-1976), Francis Curran
(1898-1977), and William Bernard (1902-1975) before his death on February 10, 1903 (of heart
disease).
James J. Welch is laid to rest in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Salem, MA; St. Joseph’s Avenue West, plots
1596-1601. Memorial ID: 114905135. Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114905135/jamesj.-welch.
�Both James and Catherine were Irish immigrants. The precise dates of their immigration
are somewhat unclear, but it is likely that Catherine arrived in the United States by the early
1850s (her son John Hurley was born in the U.S. in 1852) and James in July 1865 (see below for
an associated passenger manifest record; his name appears last and he was recorded to be 17
years old at the time). James is commonly thought to have hailed from Waterford, Ireland.
Source: Ancestry.com. Salem and Beverly, Massachusetts, U.S., Crew Lists and Shipping Articles, 17971934 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2019.
Original data: Massachusetts, Salem and Beverly Crew Lists and Shipping Articles, 1797-1934. Salt Lake
City, UT, USA: FamilySearch, 2016. Selected Passenger and Crew Lists and Manifests. National Archives at
Boston.
While Salem's Irish roots run deep and back to the early days of the colony, the city’s
Irish population grew steadily throughout the early half of the nineteenth century. Pull factors
drawing immigrants to the U.S. during this period included growing development of railroads
and industrialization. Push factors of Irish immigration in particular have been well-
�documented, namely the 1845 famine which devastated Ireland and led to an unprecedented
exodus of nearly two million people in the 1840s. The sizeable influx of poor, unskilled labor
contributed to prejudice and ill will from the native population, resulting in the development of
the “Know Nothing” political party. This party was very pronounced and successful in
Massachusetts, including Salem where its members swept elections in 1858. In order to be a
member, one had to be a so-termed “native born” U.S. citizen and a Protestant. The party
quickly fractured over the issue of slavery and had little impact on the laws, but it nonetheless
highlights prejudices of "native" Americans toward the Irish. During the period from 1820 to
1880, some three and half million Irish immigrated to the United States in one of the largest
movements of people in history.
Given the date of his arrival, James would have skirted the kind of pronounced anti-Irish
animosity covered above. Indeed by all accounts, he was a very accomplished builder and
clearly a large property owner in the Bridge St. area throughout the end of the nineteenth
century. For that matter, his construction business has remained extant well over a century
past his death—he has direct lineage to JJWelch Construction. That being said, the stated
incorporation date of 1852 on JJWelch’s website is admittedly confusing given that the earliest
Welch I have found (i.e. the James J. Welch in question) did not immigrate until 1865 (and
would have only been approximately four years old in 1852!). It is worth mentioning that a
William Welch (identified as a “morocco dresser”) was living with James at 4 Thorndike in 1872,
but any potential familial relation between the two would be speculative at best: this person
does not otherwise appear in any family lineage or tree that I have seen. I have reached out to
�the family directly for any extant records, though to no avail as of the time of this house history
report.
James Welch and his descendants’ imprints on the area are vast and as yet likely untold
in their entirety. In addition to 14 Thorndike, the following properties also bear his namesake:
14 Bridge St.; 15 Thorndike; and 18 Thorndike (a barn which has unfortunately been
demolished).
14 Bridge St. “James J. Welch House.” Constructed in 1896. Source: MACRIS SAL.3197.
�
15 Thorndike St. “James J. Welch House.” Constructed in 1892. Source: MACRIS SAL.3182.
18 Thorndike St. “James Welch Barn.” Constructed c. 1880. Source: MACRIS SAL.3186.
�The barn pictured above (no longer extant) was judged to have been built around 1880
by James at the end of Thorndike St., likely for storage (see MACRIS SAL.3186). Welch is
reputed to have built cellars, roads, sea walls, and curbs, and also carried out blasting and road
grading. He owned quarries on Essex and School Streets in Beverly, and the location of this barn
was conveniently situated on three routes to Beverly: by Bridge Street, by water, and by the
Eastern Division of the Boston and Maine Railroad. Welch drew considerable business
enterprises in the construction of roads, as well as of industrial and residential buildings at the
end of the nineteenth century. Evidence suggests that his business interests and associates
likely overlapped with properties on Thorndike, too. For instance, Salem lumber dealer and
architect John P. Langmaid purchased the property at 14 Thorndike from Welch in 1872
(though he does not appear to have ever resided in the property, according to city directories).
�
Old Welch & Co. Contractors office on Thorndike St., likely in the vicinity of the area behind 14 Thorndike
St. See the 1897 and 1906 atlases below, marked out in the latter as “CONTRACTORS YARD”; or
potentially at the end of Thorndike St. Date of photograph unknown. Accessed 21 July 2021. JJWelch,
https://www.instagram.com/p/BS4HdQhAVCt/
�
“Estate of James Welch, Salem. J. F. Bly, Engineer” recorded with Essex South District Registry of Deeds,
th
Book 1857, Page 1. See deed from Alden P. White, Commissioner to James J. Welch, dated January 29 ,
1907, recorded in said Registry, Book 1858, Page 238.
The screenshot above captures the vastness of Welch’s properties on Thorndike St. and the immediate
surrounding area in the early 1900s. The full plan of the estate is included in the source materials below.
I want to acknowledge Nancy Doherty of the Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds for assistance in
locating this artifact.
�
1911 advertisement for James J. Welch & Co. Notice mention of 14 Bridge St. and stable on Thorndike St.
Thank you to local historian and archivist Jen Ratliff for directing me to this source.
1913 James J. Welch & Co. telephone ad in Naumkeag Directory.
�Beyond construction, the Welch family has a long history of sprawling real estate
dealings and property acquisitions. See, for instance (on the following page), a 1913 newspaper
clipping in which James J. Welch (Jr.) successfully bid $5,025 on the former Salem police station
located at 15 Front St. Five-time Salem mayor John Francis Hurley presided over the auction,
which was very vividly recounted in the newspaper clipping below.
�
�As the tables of owners and occupants below attest, 14 Thorndike appears to have been
primarily used as a rental property until the Ryan family came to own it in the mid 1940s: prior
to that time, few if any of the property owners resided in the home for any substantial period
of time. Like the Welch family, the Ryans were descendants of Irish immigrant lineage. After
renting the property since 1931, William J. Ryan (1879-??) and Mary E. Ryan (nee Manning,
1878-??) were willed the property from James J. Welch Jr.’s estate in 1946, overseen by J.
Norman Welch (1930-1988) and William D. Chapple.4 Three years later in 1849, the property
was then granted to their son, William E. Ryan (1912-1988), and his wife Dorothy M. Ryan (nee
Greenwood, 1907-1999), who owned and resided in the property until the late 1990s. Scant
details are available about the couple and their family. They were married on April 22, 1933 in
Windham New Hampshire and lived in Beverly, MA in the 1930s and 1940s.
14 Thorndike’s rather unassuming connection to the JJWelch enterprise is impressive,
but in my estimation the most fascinating element of the research conducted is what can be
learned about the original James J. Welch by way of both his prowess and commitment to the
Thorndike/Bridge St. area. As a first-generation immigrant, he was of course remarkably
resourceful and successful, developing and capitalizing on business relationships with the
proximity to industry ventures that Thorndike St. afforded. Given the amount of properties he
likely built, owned, and lived in in the immediate vicinity of 14 Thorndike, one is left with the
sense that he was an incredibly enterprising yet also whimsical person as he moved from one
property to the other on an almost yearly basis.
4
See Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds, Book 3451 Page 168.
�Owner
Document
Referenced
(Book-Page)
Until 1871, the deeds consulted and featured below from the Salem Mill Dam Corporation through to
Rufus Wyman only mention land on so-called “Mill Dam Street” which, as of the early 1830s, was
referred to as a “street lately laid out… extending from Bridge Street to the North River.” Mill Dam
Street does not appear on any Salem atlases I have seen, and is likely an early antecedent of
Thorndike St.
Salem Mill Dam Corporation
1830-1871
41
---
David Buffum
$40
260-153
Elisha Odlin
$34
314-137
Jacob Berry
$175
352-219 / 433-56
Rufus Wyman
$1500
501-209
James Welch
1871-1872
1
$1
843-137
Catharine Welch
MACRIS SAL.3188
John P. Langmaid
1872-1886
14
$1,000
860-5
872-44
946-266
Bridget Tobin (ux William)
1885-1888
2
$500
1165-239
Caroline Strombeck et al
1888-1889
1
$1,300
1232-128
Brer Carlman
1889-1891
2
$1,450
1240-348
James Welch
1891-1894
3
$1,600
1327-181
Catharine Lahey
1894-1897
3
$1
1420-188
Catharine E. Tierney
1897-1897
1
$2,000
1522-53
James Fanning
1897-1907
10
1532-408
James J. Welch
1907-1946
39
$1,045
1858-238
William J. Ryan
1946-1949
3
$2,200
3451-168
Mary E. Ryan
William E. Ryan
1949-1998
49
“consideration
3660-5
Dorothy M. Ryan
paid”
Edward D. O’Brien
1998-2004
6
$84,000
15132-492
Debra O’Brien
Scott L. Cochran
2004-2006
2
$217,000
22941-241
Jose A. Tavares
2006-2008
2
$247,500
25255-79
Tania Tavares
26024-34
Thomas Greene
2008-present
13
$190,000
27609-210
Tracey M. Majka
Years of
Ownership
Number
of Years
Purchase Price
�Residents
Directory Year
Directory Notes
14 Thorndike does not appear in city directories until 1874. Any potential occupants to the
property prior to that time are unknown, with the exception of what has been put forth
above concerning the property’s likely earlier designation as 4 Thorndike.
Mary Flynn
1874
Widow, boards
Maurice Flynn
Laborer
Charles Grimes
Laborer
Charles Silver
1876
Laborer
Maurice Flynn
1878
Laborer
George W Thomas
Morocco dresser
Maurice Flynn
1879-1883
Laborer
William Martin
1884
Gas works
The property was vacant in 1886.
Edward Welch
1890-1891
Occupations unlisted
Jeremiah J Kelleher
Jeremiah J Kelleher
1893-1894
Occupation unlisted
Thomas Connelly
1895-1896
“removed to Beverly”
Jeremiah J Kelleher
Blacksmith’s helper
John H Condon
1897-1898
Occupation unlisted
Burrill M Yarigle
1901-1902
Occupation unlisted
John J Coughlin
1904-1917
Laborer
14 ½ Thorndike begins to appear during John J Coughlin’s residence at 14, with P. Coughlin
and Daniel Coughlin (teamster) variously listed as residents. In 1914, Julia Steele (widow of
John A) appears at 14 Thorndike. Additional occupants of 14 ½ in the 1920s, 1930s, and
1940s are G. P. Smith, Chester G. Thomas, George E. Rollins, Leo H. White, Thomas White,
Grace Goldthwaite, Harry F. Goldthwaite, and Mabel R. Goldthwaite.
The property was vacant in 1921.
William J. Ryan
1931-1998
Mary E. Ryan
William E. Ryan
Dorothy M. Ryan
Edward D. O’Brien
1998-2004
Debra O’Brien
Scott L. Cochran
2004-2006
Jose A. Tavares
2006-2008
Tania Tavares
Thomas M. Greene
2008-present
Tracey M. Majka
Note: Available Salem City Directories span 1837-1964. All currently accessible City Directories were consulted.
Some years were not available at the time of research.
��5/19/2021
Unofficial Property Record Card
Unofficial Property Record Card - Salem, MA
General Property Data
Parcel ID 37-0029-0
Prior Parcel ID 21 -Property Owner GREENE THOMAS M
MAJKA TRACEY M
Mailing Address 14 THORNDIKE STREET
Account Number 0
Property Location 14 THORNDIKE STREET
Property Use One Family
Most Recent Sale Date 3/14/2008
Legal Reference 27609-210
Grantor U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
City SALEM
Mailing State MA
Zip 01970
Sale Price 190,000
ParcelZoning R2
Land Area 0.069 acres
Current Property Assessment
Card 1 Value
Building Value 185,900
Xtra Features 0
Value
Land Value 134,000
Total Value 319,900
Building Description
Building Style Old Style
# of Living Units 1
Year Built 1870
Building Grade Average
Building Condition Average
Finished Area (SF) 1187.20001
Number Rooms 6
# of 3/4 Baths 0
Foundation Type Brick/Stone
Frame Type Wood
Roof Structure Mansard
Roof Cover Asphalt Shgl
Siding Asbestos
Interior Walls Plaster
# of Bedrooms 3
# of 1/2 Baths 0
Flooring Type Softwood
Basement Floor Concrete
Heating Type Forced H/Air
Heating Fuel Gas
Air Conditioning 0%
# of Bsmt Garages 0
# of Full Baths 1
# of Other Fixtures 0
Legal Description
Narrative Description of Property
This property contains 0.069 acres of land mainly classified as One Family with a(n) Old Style style building, built about 1870 , having Asbestos exterior
and Asphalt Shgl roof cover, with 1 unit(s), 6 room(s), 3 bedroom(s), 1 bath(s), 0 half bath(s).
Property Images
Disclaimer: This information is believed to be correct but is subject to change and is not warranteed.
salem.patriotproperties.com/RecordCard.asp
1/1
�ImmigraXon passenger record for James Welch dated July 26, 1865.
�1870 Census featuring the Welch family living on Thorndike.
�1880 Census featuring the Welch family residing on Thorndike.
�Marriage record for James Welch (contractor) to Mary Lynch, Jan 31 1892.
�Deaths registered in Salem in 1903, showing James J. Welch died of “heart disease” (three rows from the bo@om).
�Inventory No:
SAL.3188
Historic Name:
Welch, James House
Common Name:
Address:
14 Thorndike St
City/Town:
Salem
Village/Neighborhood:
Bridge Street
Local No:
37-29
Year Constructed:
c 1869
Architect(s):
Architectural Style(s):
Second Empire
Use(s):
Single Family Dwelling House
Significance:
Architecture
Area(s):
SAL.DG: Thorndike Street Area
Designation(s):
Building Materials(s):
Roof: Asphalt Shingle
Wall: Asbestos Shingle; Wood
The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has converted this paper record to digital format as part of ongoing
projects to scan records of the Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth and National Register of Historic
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this resource may be available in digital format at this time.
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Users of this digital material acknowledge that they have read and understood the MACRIS Information and Disclaimer
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Massachusetts Historical Commission
220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125
www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc
This file was accessed on: Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 7:56: AM
�AREA
FORM B
-
BUILDING
FORM NO.
Drr
Town
3 [33
Salem
Address
lk
Historic
Use:
Thorndike
St.
Name
Present
residential
Original
DESCRIPTION':
Date
by 1869
Source
Naumkeag
Sty 1e
Directories
Second Empire
Architect
Exterior wall fabric
asbestos
shingles
Outbuildings
Major a l t e r a t i o n s
(with
Date
Moved
Approx.
Recorded by
M
-
M a 3 a g u t l / k . Murphy
Organization
Salem P l a n n i n g Dept.
Date
October,
acreage
Setting
1985
(Staple a d d i t i o n a l sheets
dates)
here)
about 3,000
residential
s.f.
�A P ^ I T E C T U R A L SIGNIFICANCE ( D e s c r i b e i m p o r t a n t a r c h i t e c t u r a l f e a t u r e s
e v a l u a t e i n terms o f o t h e r b u i l d i n g s w i t h i n the community.)
and
A m o d e s t e x a m p l e o f t h e S e c o n d E m p i r e s t y l e , t h i s l-§- s t o r y r e s i d e n c e , a l t h o u g h s i d e d ,
s t i l l r e t a i n s some o r i g i n a l m a t e r i a l a n d d e t a i l i n g .
Characteristic features include
t h e mansard r o o f , b r a c k e t e d door hood, and f l a t - r o o f e d dormers.
V e r n a c u l a r houses
o f t h i s t y p e a r e common t o t h e B r i d g e S t . a r e a .
•
"
srponr j*0oo e* f
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE ( E x p l a i n t h e r o l e owners p l a y e d i n l o c a l o r s t a t e
h i s t o r y a n d how t h e b u i l d i n g r e l a t e s t o t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e c o m m u n i t y . )
I n 1874 James W e l c h , l a b o r e r , owned t h r e e o f t h e f o u r s t r u c t u r e s e x i s t i n g on t h e n o r t h
side of.Thorndike Street.
He i s l i s t e d a s l i v i n g i n 1 6 T h o r n d i k e S t r e e t i n t h a t s a m e y e a r .
1872 a n d 1869 d i r e c t o r i e s show h i s a d d r e s s
as 4 Thorndike Street, which i s presumably the
same h o u s e .
James Welch i s l i s t e d as l i v i n g a t the c o r n e r of Grove and Tremont S t r e e t s i n
1866.
W e l c h was a l a r g e p r o p e r t y owner i n t h e B r i d g e S t r e e t a r e a d u r i n g t h i s t i m e .
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•-
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BIBLIOGRAPHY a n d / o r PJEFERENCES (name o f p u b l i c a t i o n , a u t h o r , d a t e a n d p u b l i s h e r )
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MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Office of the S e c r e t a r y , State H o u s e , B o s t o n
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in r e l a t i o n to nearest c r o s s
other buildings.
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Date
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street
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. O r i g i n a l o w n e r (if known)
O r i g i n a l use
rOo-,
uJj^tOL
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...
S u b s e q u e n t u s e s (if any) a n d dates_
8. T h e m e s (check as many as
Aboriginal
Agricultural
Architectural
The A r t s
Commerce
Communication
C o m m u n i t y development
applicable)
Conservation
Education
Exploration/
settlement
Industry
Military
Political
Recreation
Religion
Science/
invention
Social/
humanitarian
Transportation
9 . H i s t o r i c a l s i g n i f i c a n c e ( i n c l u d e e x p l a n a t i o n of t h e m e s c h e c k e d a b o v e )
6
• I
10. B i b l i o g r a p h y and/or r e f e r e n c e s (such as l o c a l h i s t o r i e s , deeds ,
e a r l y maps, etc.)
assessor's
/I
3
records,
�Inventory No:
SAL.3182
Historic Name:
Welch, James House
Common Name:
Address:
15 Thorndike St
City/Town:
Salem
Village/Neighborhood:
Bridge Street
Local No:
37-24
Year Constructed:
1892
Architect(s):
Architectural Style(s):
Queen Anne
Use(s):
Single Family Dwelling House
Significance:
Architecture
Area(s):
SAL.DG: Thorndike Street Area
Designation(s):
Building Materials(s):
Roof: Asphalt Shingle
Wall: Asbestos Shingle; Wood
The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has converted this paper record to digital format as part of ongoing
projects to scan records of the Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth and National Register of Historic
Places nominations for Massachusetts. Efforts are ongoing and not all inventory or National Register records related to
this resource may be available in digital format at this time.
The MACRIS database and scanned files are highly dynamic; new information is added daily and both database
records and related scanned files may be updated as new information is incorporated into MHC files. Users should
note that there may be a considerable lag time between the receipt of new or updated records by MHC and the
appearance of related information in MACRIS. Users should also note that not all source materials for the MACRIS
database are made available as scanned images. Users may consult the records, files and maps available in MHC's
public research area at its offices at the State Archives Building, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, open M-F, 9-5.
Users of this digital material acknowledge that they have read and understood the MACRIS Information and Disclaimer
(http://mhc-macris.net/macrisdisclaimer.htm)
Data available via the MACRIS web interface, and associated scanned files are for information purposes only. THE ACT OF CHECKING THIS
DATABASE AND ASSOCIATED SCANNED FILES DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE OR
FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. IF YOU ARE REPRESENTING A DEVELOPER AND/OR A PROPOSED PROJECT THAT WILL
REQUIRE A PERMIT, LICENSE OR FUNDING FROM ANY STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY YOU MUST SUBMIT A PROJECT NOTIFICATION
FORM TO MHC FOR MHC'S REVIEW AND COMMENT. You can obtain a copy of a PNF through the MHC web site (www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc)
under the subject heading "MHC Forms."
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts Historical Commission
220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125
www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc
This file was accessed on: Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 8:09: AM
�AREA
FORM B - BUILDING •
FORM
D-H
NO.
318^
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
80 BOYLSTON STREET'.
BOSTON, MA 02116
Salem
15 T h o m d i k e
St.
residential
^kinal
"
Salem
SKETCH MAP
Show property's l o c a t i o n i n r e l a t i o n
to nearest cross streets and/or
geographical features.
Indicate
a l l buildings between inventoried
property and nearest i n t e r s e c t i o n .
Indicate north.
.
Directories
Q u e e n Anne V e r n a c u l a r
Style
Architect
Exterior wall fabric
asbestos
siding
Outbuildings
;
Major alterations ( v i t h dates)_
Date
Moved
Approx.
Recorded by
M
»
M a l a g u t i / K . Murphy
Organization
Salem P l a n n i n g Dept.
Date
October,
acreage
Setting
1985
(Staple additional sheets here)
about 6,300
residential
s.f.
�5/U. 3*
(
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ( D e s c r i b e i m p o r t a n t a r c h i t e c t u r a l f e a t u r e s
e v a l u a t e i n terms o f o t h e r b u i l d i n g s w i t h i n the community.)
%2-
and
15 T h o r n d i k e S t . i s a n i n t e r e s t i n g v e r n a c u l a r e x p r e s s i o n o f t h e Queen Anne s t y l e .
B u i l t on a c r o s s - g a b l e p l a n , t h e e n t r a n c e i s l o c a t e d under a p o r c h a t t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n of. t h e t w o w i n g s .
B r a c k e t e d porch p o s t s , deep eaves and eave r e t u r n s , and
a t w o - s t o r y bay a r e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c d e t a i l s ,
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
( E x p l a i n t h e r o l e owner s p l a y e d i n l o c a l o r s t a t e _
h i s t o r y a n d how t h e b u i l d i n g r e l a t e s t o t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e c o m m u n i t y . )
T h i s h o u s e w a s c o n s t r u c t e d i n 1 8 9 2 b y J a m e s W e l c h , a s t o n e c o n t r a c t o r who b u i l t
c e l l a r s and f o u n d a t i o n s , r o a d s and u n d e r p i n n i n g s .
H i s s t o n e q u a r r i e s were l o c a t e d on E s s e x and
Wellman S t r e e t s i n B e v e r l y .
A l t h o u g h t h i s h o u s e was r e n t e d o u t , W e l c h h i m s e l f l i v e d a c r o s s
the
s t r e e t a t 16 T h o r n d i k e S t r e e t .
I n b u i l d i n g 15 T h o r n d i k e S t r e e t W e l c h c a p i t a l i z e d u p o n t h e
need f o r moderately p r i c e d h o u s i n g r e s u l t i n g from i n d u s t r i a l growth i n the B r i d g e S t r e e t
area
a t t h e end n i n e t e e n t h
century.
BIBLIOGRAPHY a n d / o r REFERENCES (name o f p u b l i c a t i o n , a u t h o r , d a t e a n d p u b l i s h e r )
S a l e m Maps &
Directories
•—»
10M -
7/82
�Inventory No:
SAL.3186
Historic Name:
Welch, James Barn
Common Name:
Address:
18 Thorndike St
City/Town:
Salem
Village/Neighborhood:
Bridge Street
Local No:
37-38
Year Constructed:
c 1880
DEMOLISHED
Architect(s):
Architectural Style(s):
No style
Use(s):
Abandoned or Vacant; Out Building; Warehouse
Significance:
Agriculture; Architecture; Commerce
Area(s):
SAL.DG: Thorndike Street Area
Designation(s):
Building Materials(s):
Wall: Wood; Wood Clapboard
The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) has converted this paper record to digital format as part of ongoing
projects to scan records of the Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth and National Register of Historic
Places nominations for Massachusetts. Efforts are ongoing and not all inventory or National Register records related to
this resource may be available in digital format at this time.
The MACRIS database and scanned files are highly dynamic; new information is added daily and both database
records and related scanned files may be updated as new information is incorporated into MHC files. Users should
note that there may be a considerable lag time between the receipt of new or updated records by MHC and the
appearance of related information in MACRIS. Users should also note that not all source materials for the MACRIS
database are made available as scanned images. Users may consult the records, files and maps available in MHC's
public research area at its offices at the State Archives Building, 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, open M-F, 9-5.
Users of this digital material acknowledge that they have read and understood the MACRIS Information and Disclaimer
(http://mhc-macris.net/macrisdisclaimer.htm)
Data available via the MACRIS web interface, and associated scanned files are for information purposes only. THE ACT OF CHECKING THIS
DATABASE AND ASSOCIATED SCANNED FILES DOES NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE OR
FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. IF YOU ARE REPRESENTING A DEVELOPER AND/OR A PROPOSED PROJECT THAT WILL
REQUIRE A PERMIT, LICENSE OR FUNDING FROM ANY STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY YOU MUST SUBMIT A PROJECT NOTIFICATION
FORM TO MHC FOR MHC'S REVIEW AND COMMENT. You can obtain a copy of a PNF through the MHC web site (www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc)
under the subject heading "MHC Forms."
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts Historical Commission
220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125
www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc
This file was accessed on: Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 8:10: AM
�FORM B -
.—
BUILDING
FORM NO.
AREA
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
80 BOYLSTON STREET
BOSTON, MA 02116
Salem
18 T h o r n f l i k p .
Street
i c Name
Present v
Original
a r a
ni-
Barn
nr
warphniigp
PTION
ia«n
c
Birprt-nnpg,
mapg
Vernacular
tect
Sketch Map:
Draw nap showing p r o p e r t y ' s l o c a t i o n
in r e l a t i o n to n e a r e st c r o s s s t r e e t s and/or
geographical features.
Indicate a l l buildings
between i n v e n t o r i e d p r o p e r t y and n e a r e s t
intersection(s).
I n d i c a t e north
E x t e r i o r Wall
Outbuildings
Fabric
Clapboard
44/A-
Major A l t e r a t i o n s
(with dates) None
Condition
Moved No
UTM
REFERENCE
USGS QUADRANGLE_
SCALE
Date
Acreage
30,000
Setting
Densely s e t t l e d
Recorded by
sq.ft.
M. M a l a g u t i / K .
Murphy
Organization Salem P l a n n i n g D e p t .
D
a
t
e
10/85
�(
NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT ( i f
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Describe
applicable)
important a r c h i t e c t u r a l f e a t u r e s
and e v a l u a t e
i n terms
of
o t h e r b u i l d i n g s w i t h i n t h e community.
This
simple
i s the only
one w i t h
large
a gable
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
building
relates
roof
barn
existing
and a long
i n the Bridge
t r a n s om window
Street
across
E x p l a i n t h e r o l e owners p l a y e d
t o t h e development o f
area.
The s t r u c t u r e
i s a
the gable end.
in local
or
state
h i s t o r y and how t h e
th e community.
T h i s b a r n was b u i l t a r o u n d 1880 by James W e l c h , a s t o n e c o n t r a c t o r , p r o b a b l y f o r
storage.
Welch b u i l t c e l l a r s , roads, s e a w a l l s , and curbs and d i d b l a s t i n g and road
grading.
He o w n e d
q u a r r i e s on Essex and School Streets i n B e v e r l y .
H i s barn was c o n v e n i e n t l y
located to three routes to Beverly:
by B r i d g e S t r e e t , by w a t e r a n d by t h e E a s t e r n D i v i s i o n o f
the B and M R a i l r o a d .
Construction of roads, as w e l l as of i n d u s t r i a l and r e s i d e n t i a l
b u i l d i n g s , a t t h e end o f t h e n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r y , p r o v i d e d ample b u s i n e s s f o r Welch.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
S a l e m maps
and
directories
8/85
�1930 census—see William J. Ryan family residing on Thorndike
�Boston College yearbook clipping for William Edward Ryan, who came to own 14 Thorndike in 1946. Yearbook image dated 1929.
�Marriage record for William E. Ryan and Dorothy M. Greenwood, dated 1933.
�WELCH
Boston Globe (1960-1989); Apr 17, 1965; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Boston Globe
pg. 19
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
�J. Norman Welch Of construction firm
Boston Globe (1960-1989); Nov 28, 1971; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Boston Globe
pg. 72
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
�City record of added egress on 1st floor, 9/17/1987
��1874 atlas, Ward 2
�1874 atlas,
enlarged
to show
Thorndike
�1890 Sanborn fire insurance map
�1897
atlas
�1906 atlas, see CONTRACTORS
YARD behind 14 Thorndike
�"Estate of James Welch, Salem, J. F. Bly, Engineer"
recorded with Essex South District Registry of Deeds, Book 1857, Page 1.
See deed from Alden P White, Commissioner to
James J. Welch, dated January 29th, 1907,
recorded in said Registry, Book 1858, Page 238.
�1911 atlas
�����������������������������������������������������
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
14 Thorndike Street, Salem, MA, 01970
Subject
The topic of the resource
House History
Description
An account of the resource
Built by and for
James J. Welch
Contractor
and his wife, Catherine
c. 1869
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.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Built circa 1869
House history completed 2021
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Dan Graham
Language
A language of the resource
English
14 Thorndike Street
1869
2021
contractor
Massachusetts
Salem
Welch