FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.

l\1ASSACHUSETTS HISTORICALCOMMISSION
Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston

Name ,)avi::1. Temple I-louse

Present use f~esidence

2.

Present owner Hrs. Harriet 0' Brien

3. Description: 2-t Story Center ~~all

Date 1790

Source rub. Local His t.o r i.e s

style Colonial

<1.Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect Unknown

in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric \:ood. '::;lapboara.

Outbuildings (describe) L"one

----------
Other features Chimneys are. on out-
sid.e waLLs but do not sho\! beloH
the eaves be.cause of the c Lapbo ar-d.s
IHp roof ,vi th be.autl.fuI portl.CO
over front entrance, could pre-
M date revolution.
VA.LLEY ST A Altered Date
r Moved Date
o
I_J C. L 5. Lot size:

One acre or les s x Over one acre

Approximate frontage 75 Feet

----------
Approximate distance of building from street

30 Feet

6. Recorded by Ernest Ginnetti

Organization Marlborough Historical

ComrnJ...s sa.on
Date 7/7/78

3OM·S~77
••.•.
P:, 'I.;,..•.\...)~1ttr~'~""
,
 .. ,
Original use . ~e.s :ll·~ieD.C 12.

Subseque nt uses (if any) and dates e._n_c_e.

{t:>_~_s_i_c._: _

8. Themes (check as many as applicable)

Aboriginal Conservation Recreation

Agricultural Education Religion
Architectural Exploration/ Science/
The Arts settlement invention
Commerce Industry Social!
Com munication Military humanitarian
Community development Political Transportation ___ if
l
\
9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above) I

Ella Bigelow calle.d this house the Esquire Sherman, or Adolphus "
Parmenter House. I call the David Temple House because he is living
here in 1803, and I could find no other family living here earlier.
Since I could not find. any information on David 'I'ernp l,e I will give
information on the other tl'!Ofamilies according to their appearance
in JI1arlborough.
Capt. John Sherman Has born in Dedham, E:ssex County England in
1613, and. came to .Ame.ricain 163L~ and. settled in t.-lat er-tiown , He was
made Freeman in 1637, and Selectman many times from 1637-1680, to,vn
clerk 1648 and. Representative 1651-1653, he married Hartha Porter
and died January 25, 1691. His great, great grandson Hica Sherman
could. have built this house about 1786, he was born Sept. 19, 1766
and married 1st Susanna Frost and 2nd Lydia Cog swe L'l, he died Dec. 8,
1816, and "vas Justice of the peace.
The l:-'armenters were a numerous family in ~udbury but they seemed
to live in liarlborough only temporarily. Adolphus Parmenter wa s born
in 181L~ and. ~':asstill living at the time Hud.son published his history
of Harlborough in 1862. Ella B'i.ge l.ow says only that he was postmaster
for years, and a long- time sheriff of the County.

10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough, Ella Bigelow, Marl. 1910.

History of Harlborough Mass., Charles Hudson, Boston, 1862.

1803 Map of Marlborough, Silas Holman Surveyor •

•
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Marlborough David Temple House

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street Area Form No.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 T 2

Additional information by Anne Forbes, consultant to Marlborough Historical Commission,

7/10/95:

ASSESSOR'S #82-168 less than one acre PHOTO #95-3: 9, 10

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION.
This house, though altered, is significant as one of the largest of Marlborough's hip-roofed houses
of the Federal period. It is a large two-story, 5- by 5-bay building with a pair of tall, massive
chimneys near the sidewalls. The house has a long J-story rear wing, and two formal Greek Revival
entry porticoes, one at the main center facade entry, and one on the south side. The porticoes,
which would probably have been added in the 1830's, are supported on fluted Doric columns, and
have classical cornices with a dentil course below the upper molding. The south portico acquired
a turned balustrade, probably some time in the second half of the nineteenth century. The dentil
course is repeated at the main roof cornice, which has a wide, molded frieze. The house also has
cornerboards with molded caps.

The house stands on a granite foundation, and is presently clad in asbestos siding. Modern
alterations include new doors, a glassed vestibule inserted within each portico, and l-over-Lsash
replacement windows. Behind the house is a highly altered carriage shed/garage.

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.

The Federal style of this house would place its construction date squarely within the time of David
Temple's ownership, as he died in 1821 at the age of 82. He married his first wife, Rebecca, in
1782, and his second, Elizabeth Adams, in 1786. In spite of the economic recession of the early
1780's, either of those years would be consistent with the building of a house of this type, especially
by a man, presumably of means, in his forties. Since Ella Bigelow calls this the "Esquire Sherman"
House, however, it is likely that she may be referring to the John Sherman, who represented
Marlborough in the General Court in 1731 and 1732, and was a Selectman in 1745. As he was
assigned to Joseph Morse's Farm Road garrison in 1711, he must have lived in the vicinity. If John
Sherman did live here, then it would have been in a house of a very different type, possibly
contained within this later structure. (Although the 1978 inventory form speculates that the house
could also have been built by John Sherman's grandson, Micah Sherman, that is doubtful, as Micah
Sherman's house stood further south on Maple Street, opposite the intersection of Framingham
Road.)

111isproperty was located adjacent to the "Farm" section of Marlborough, at the northwest edge
of the territory occupied in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries by Morses, Arnolds,
Shermans, and Temples, an of whom intermarried with each other, and it is likely that the land on
which it stands was once part of a large property that fronted on Farm Road. This and the Micah
Shennan house were the only ones on Maple Street south of the town center until the middle of
the nineteenth century. (Cont.)
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Marlborough David Temple House

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street Area Form No.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 T 2

HISTORICAL NARRATIVEt cont.

David Temple's widow Elizabeth Temple inherited the property after his death in 1821. She died
in 1836 at the age of 86, and the farm was subsequently acquired by Adolphus Parmenter. How
long he owned it is not known. By 1875 it had been purchased by shoe-manufacturer Samuel Boyd,
and probably provided a considerable portion of the land that he subsequently developed for the
Chestnut Hill Association. (See Area Form T.) In a fashion still used today by the developers of
Marlborough's former farmland, he created a focal point for the new neighborhood by making the
old mansion "one of Marlborough's handsome landmarks." (Bigelow 117).

ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Maps and atlases: 1803 1830, 1835, 1853, 1856-7, 1875, 1889.
t

Marlboro vital records.

Marlboro directories and tax valuations.

[ ] Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form is attached.
 FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.

MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston

~ame JOLln 0 t connell ~:our;e

Present use Office i<ental

2

Present owner _

3. Description: 3-} Story \·lood. Frame

Date 1835

Source :;':'ub. Local Eic3tQries

Style E'edei-al

4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect Unkno'\'m

in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric .1000. Clapbo3Td.

Outbuildings (describe) 2 Barns

Other features 4 Cllimne.ys, spiral

staircase, 3 jail cells in the

cellar

Altered Yes Date lS'74

Moved Date

5. Lot size:

One acre or less Over one acre X

Approximate frontage 200 Feet

Approximate distance of building from street

200 Feet

6. Recorded by Ernest Ginnetti

Organization Marlborough Historical

Commlsslon
Date 7/21/78

(over) ,

•
':(
~. - . .. .

30M-S-77
7. Original owner (if known)·~:Lc::"aTd .:?ar-;·iell, :':;s,';ui ·~e

Original use _~csi.:.C·L1.CC

Subsequentuses (if any) and dates Office -:ental, sinc~ 1~7L~.

8. Themes (checkas many as applicable)

Aboriginal Conservation Recreation

Agricultural Education Religion
Architectural x Exploration! Science!
The Arts settlement invention
Commerce Industry Social!
Communication Military humanitarian
Communitydevelopment Political x Transportation t
\.
I
9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above) (
~
Richard Fan-Jell built this house, about 1835, he was a graduate
of Harvard College, and. he married Caroline Brigham.
This hou se had. an air of aristocracy before it rza s sold and denatured.
in 1974. It was bought in 1860 by Hr. John 0' connel, who H8.S born
in Hiddleton Ireland in 1826, and at the age of 19 cane to cunerica
Hhen he learned of the gold discovery in California. He \las uell
educated, attending private schools in his home t own and in Cloyne.
He married Bridget Kelleher and they wor-ke.d together all through
their lives for their nine children. He \'las the first to locate
his shoe factory on the spur of a railroad and became very prosperous,
and became mayor. He died in 1909 at the age of 83. During his term
of l-iayo r , because there were no pl.ace s., to hold people who broke the
law for trial three cells Here built in his cellar, and they remain
there today.

10. Bibliographyand/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,

ear ly maps. etc.)
Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough, Ella Bigelow, Marl., 1910.

History of Marlborough 11a8s., Charles Hudson, Boston 1862.

 FORM B - BUILDING Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number

Massachusetts Historical Commission I 70-251-A I I Marlborough I 1 9_2 _

80 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Town Ma rl boroll~h

Place (neighborhood or village) _

ess 63 Maple Street

ric Name FalWell/O'Connell HOllse

IDllIti-farnily dwelling

dwelling

ca ]825

Maps, style: Bigelow

Federal! Greek Revjval with ;

Queen Anne updating

\
ect/Builder llnknown

Sketch Map Foundation __ r•....

--=-g•.•... a1LLJ]u,·t
•...
e _
Draw a map of the area indicating properties within
it. Number each property for which individual Wall/Trim bJick wood clapboard, shin~le
inventory forms have been completed. Label streets,
including route numbers, if any. Attach a separate Roof slate
sheet if space is not sufficient here. Indicate north.
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures _

laro-e
o
gable-end barn with lono-
b
2-story wing

Major Alterations (with dates) 20th Co hOl!se

windows replaced with 111 's: porch reIlO\! S'

3 columns replaced w sq posts: "X" halm-

trade added or replaced. (See also P. 2.)
Condi tion fLLaLLi
r'-- _
N
Moved [X] no ] yes Date NfA

Acreage les, than one acre

Recorded by Anne Forbes Setting At rear of lar~e open property.

Organization far Marlboro Hiq Corom facin~ \1aple St Modern concrete lllmber

Date yard bld~ to NF Backs lip to R R Cottjn~ Av

BUILDING FORM

ARCHITECfURAL DESCRIPTION [X] see continuation sheet

Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings
within the community.

This house, though disguised by late-Victorian additions and somewhat diminished by lack of
maintenance, is extremely significant as one of only two examples in Marlborough of the large early-
nineteenth-century 5-bay, 2 1/2-st01)' pedimented-gable-end building with four tall corner chimneys.
The only other survivor here of the type is tbe Thayer Tavern on Main Street (see Form #112.)

Like the Thayer Tavern, the Farwell/O'Connell House is common-bond brick construction to the
\
cornice line, and wood-frame above. The front gable is clad in wood clapboards, the rear in wood j

shingle. Remaining from what is probably the original transitional Greek Revival detailing is an
echinus-molded cornice. Both here and at the tavern, the brick window openings are unadorned; in
the clapboarded gables, the windows have flat surrounds.

Much of the house's character today comes from major changes made in 1889. A large brick 2-story,
hip-roofed polygonal bay projects from the south side, and a cylindrical brick and shingle tower with
conical roof abuts the rear of the house. The slate roof, complete with copper cresting and finials,
probably dates to the construction of these additions. The main entry door, a double-leaf, glass-and-
panel type, is also a later-nineteenth-century alteration. Its long sidelights, however, may be original
to the house. The wide facade veranda, which may have been added closer to the turn of the
twentieth century, has lost its second-story balcony balustrade, but retains three of its slender Tuscan
columns. (Cont.)
)

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE [X] see continuation sheet

Explain history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the
building, and the rolets) the owners/occupants played within the community.

The Farwell/O'Connell House is significant both as the home of a prominent early lawyer in
Marlborough, and for its association with one of the town's most important industrialists, political
figures, and "self-made men" of the second half of the nineteenth century. TIle house was built for
Richard Farwell, a lawyer and 1817 graduate of Harvard, probably on the occasion of his 1825
marriage to Caroline Brigham, the daughter of the first settled lawyer in town, Joseph Brigham, Esq.
It is said that while the Farwells lived here, court sessions were held in the house, and four cell-like
cubicles that were constructed for prisoners are still in place in the basement. Richard Farwell was
active in the affairs of the Marlborough and the surrounding region, and, along with Mark Fay and
Lambert Bigelow, was one of the three incorporators of the Marlborough Branch Railroad in 1852.
(Cont.)

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES [ ] see continuation sheet

Bigelow, Ella. Historical Reminiscences of the Early Times in Marlborough. 1910.
Centennial. '90: MarlborouQ:h the City. 1990.
Conklin. Middlesex County and its People. 1927.
Hurd, D. Hamilton. Historv of Middlesex Count'.r. 1890.
Maps and Atlases: Wood: 1835; Walling: 1853: Beers: 1875: Bailey & Hazen: 1878; Walker: 1889;
Sanborns.
Marlborough Directories and Vital Records.
Marlborough Enterprise. 12/16/1889.
Marlborough Historical Society: People file.

[ X] Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, a completed
National Register Criteria Statement [orm is attached.
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Marlborough Farwell/O'Connell House

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street Area(s) Form No.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 92

ARCHITECfURAL DESCRIPTION, cont.

Just south of the house is a large gable-end, cupolaed bam that pre-dates 1871. It has a long 2-story
north ell with a large wagon door. The main, vertical-board door of the barn is of the suspended
rolling type.

In the early years of this house a small pond was situated in front, fed by the narrow brook that came
down from Spring Hill, through the town center, and flowed across the spacious front yard between
the house and Maple Street.

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.

Richard Farwell died in 1853, and in 1857 the house was acquired, probably from the Farwell heirs,
by Mark Fay, who, in his role as financier, often bought and sold local properties. In about 1860,
John O'Connell (1826-1909) purchased the property. The first Irish immigrant to reach prominence
in Marlborough, Mr. O'Connell, who was born in Middleton, Ireland, came to this country to seek
his fortune in 1847. He quickly altered dreams of joining the California gold rush when he met his
future wife, Bridget Kelleher, also a recent immigrant. They were married in 1851, and settled in
Marlborough. Mr. O'Connell set about learning the shoe trade, which was then undergoing its rapid
evolution into a major local industry, at William Dadmun's factory on Pleasant Street. After a
subsequent period with Boyd & Corey, in 1854 he went into businesss with Richard Mansfield at a
shop on the west side of Howe Street. After a short time Mr. O'Connell bought another building
on Howe Street and went into the business for himself.

It expanded rapidly, and in 1869, just across the railroad tracks from what was by then his house, he
built a new four-story, mansard-roofed factory, the first in Marlborough to be located on a railroad
spur. That year the business produced 150,000 pairs of women's and children's shores, and employed
75 hands.

As time went on, John O'Connell took his sons William, John A., Daniel, and David into the
business, which became "John O'Connell & Sons." William and Daniel left the firm, but David and
John A. remained, with David eventually becoming Superintendent, and John A. president of the
company. After a devastating fire in 1890 or 1891, the 1869 building was replaced with a larger one.
The business continued to expand, eventually turning out 2,500 pairs of shoes a day, and employing
350 people.

Typical of a true entrepreneur, John O'Connell was involved in many other ventures, as well. For
many years John O'Connell & Sons utilized their position adjacent to the railroad to run a prosperous
coal business, which was carried on by John A. O'Connell after his father's death. Mr. O'Connell also
owned considerable real estate in town, including thirty-one rental houses near his factory. (See Area
Form G: "Howe Street Area", and Streetscape Forms a and P for Irving/Cottage and Spruce/John
Streets.) He owned several houses in the Church Street area, and several commercial buildings on
Main Street, of which the best-known is the Middleton Block (see Form #99), named after the town
in Ireland where he was born. (Cont.)
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Marlborough Farwell/O'Connell House

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street Area(s) Form No.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 92

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.

Mr. O'Connell was an incorporator of the Peoples' National Bank" serving as both its vice-president
and a director. He was an original director of the Marlborough Board of Trade, and an early trustee
of the library. He was a primary force behind the building of the Marlborough water works, and a
member of the committee that oversaw its construction. The first Irish-American to be elected
Selectman, he served in that capacity for 25 years, and after Marlborough became a city, he served
a term as Marlborough's third Mayor, in 1893.

Sometime before John O'Connell died, John O'Connell & Sons was discontinued, and the factory was
leased to Rice and Hutchins. After his death, this house was apparently inherited by his children,
three of whom, David, Ellen and Delia O'Connell, continued to live here. David, former
superintendent of the O'Connell shoe factory, managed much of the O'Connell real estate, and at
the tum of the century purchased the Wood-Willard building on Lincoln Street (see Form #119) with
the intention of re-engaging in shoe-manufacturing. III health prevented him from doing so, however.

Both Ellen and Delia O'Connell were active in the women's suffrage movement. Ellen was a teacher,
and later a principal in the Marlborough schools, and the first woman elected to the School Board.
Delia O'Connell, who lived to be nearly 100, was a doctor; she practiced first in Roxbury, and in
Marlborough for 25 years. Instrumental in the founding of the Marlborough Hospital, she was a
prominent member of its medical staff.

The property descended to Julia Fitzgerald, granddaughter of John O'Connell.

Massachusetts Historical Commission Community Property Address
80 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 Marlborough 63 Maple Street

Area(s) Form No(s).

92

National Register of Historic Places Criteria Statement Form

Check all that apply:

[x] Individually eligible [ ] Eligible only in a historic district

[ ] Contributing to a potential historic district [] Potential historic district

Criteria: [x] A [] B [x] C [] D

Criteria Considerations: [] A [] B [] C ll D [] E ll F [] G

Statement of Significance by Forbes / Schuler

The criteria that are checked in the above sections must be justified here.

The Farwell/O'Connell House meets Criteria A and C of the National Register. The property
is illustrative of the life styles of two of Marlborough's leading figures, Richard Farwell, a lawyer
of the 1820s to 1850s and John O'Connell, of the second half of the nineteenth century,
Marlborough's first Irish immigrant to reach prominence as a shoe company owner and
entrepreneur. The property is distinguished as one of only two buildings of its character - a
five-bay, two and one-half story, front-facing gable-roof building with four tall corner chimneys.
The building also is of brick construction to the cornice above which is wood. The ca. 1825
dwelling was substantially changed with Queen Anne updating in 1889. The property retains
integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.