No. 5173 131 Ashmont Street when newly built in 1883.
Date of construction: 1883
Appears in 1884 atlas.
The following is from Ashmont by Doughlass Shand-Tucci.
p.73-76
Beginning on the left side of Ocean (we must omit some houses here because of space constraints), notice 6 Ocean, the Mullaly House, by Edwin J. Lewis, of interest for its boldly curving bay, part of a nice adjustment to an awkward lot. The house built ca. 1890, takes is name from John Mullaly, who lived here from 1894 to 1911 and who was the orchestra leader at the new Hollis Street Theatre on downtown Tremont Street, opposite the Shubert of today. (Mullaly was one of several musicians drawn to the area; another was Herman Wolff of the Castle Square Theatre at 131 Ashmont.)
Note:
The earliest three houses on Ashmont Street between Dorchester Avenue and Ocean Street appear together on the 1884 map for the first time (123, 139 and 145 Ashmont Street)
Built in 1882 or 1883, the house at 131 Ashmont Street was inhabited in the early years of the 20th century by Herman Wolff of the Castle Square Theatre. [some correspondence found in the house; also see Shant-Tucci Ashmont]
Owners from atlases:
1882 no house – land is part of a tract owned by B. Newhall stretching from Dorchester Avenue to Washington Street from the south side of Fuller Street to the north side of Bailey Street, which is the south side of Ashmont as well from the point where Burt Street joins Ashmont.
1884 J. Severns
tax assessment for 1884 reported owner Jennie M. Severns, value $3800, 7615 sq. ft.; land value $800 and building value $3000
with pencilled note: Catharine H. Chace wife of Thomas E. of Providence, RI, owns in 1885
1889 Cath H. Chase
1894 Thos. E. Chase Jr.
1898 William Wolff
1910 William Wolff
1918 William Wolff
1933 C.B. Stewart et als.
Boston Directory
1890 Francis H. Willcutt, 22 Milk, h. 131 Ashmont – in 1891, he was living at 32 Ocean Street.
1897 William Wolff (Wolff, Fording, & Co.), 219A Tremont, h. at Philadelphia, Pa.
1898, 1899 William Wolff (Wolff, Fording & Co>), 219A Tremont, h. 131 Ashmont
1897 Herman Wolff (Wolff, Fording & Co.), 219A Tremont, bds. Castle Sq. Hotel
1898,1899 Herman Wolff (Wolff, Fording & Co.), 219A Tremont, bds 131 Ashmont
Wolff, Fording & Co. were apparently costume manufacturers as well
The following is from Richmond Times-Dispatch, Aug. 14, 2014 from article “Ex-Wolff Fording owners sue over rent.” by Jacob Geiger
Wolff Fording was founded in Boston in 1893. Bill and Honey Feldstein bought the company in 1959 and moved it to Richmond in 1979. Stuart and leffrey Feldstein took over the company from their parents in 1984.
The following is from Who’s Who in New England. (Chicago, 1916), 1173.
William Wolff, operatic basso, b. Budzin, Germany, May 16, 1858; s. Kopple and Laura (Emanuel) Wolff; ed. pub schools. Ogdensburg, and Medina, NY; m. Anne Freitag, of Fort Wayne, Ind., June 15, 1897. Began in amateur theatricals, Syracuse, 1879; appeared as Gaspard in “The Chimes o Normand,” 1879; with Holman Sisters Opera Co. 1879-81; layed comedy parts in Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas; with Chicago Church Choir Co., managed by Will J. Davis, 1881-2; with Hess Grand Opera Co., and leading comedian Fay Templeton Opera Co., 1881-2; in stock opera, Chicago, 1884-5; with Col. William Thompson’s opera co., 1885-6; played in George S. night’s production of Baron Rudolph, on Pacific Coast, 1886-7; leading comedian George A. Baker Opera Co., 1887-94; organized opera co. which played in Schiller Theatre, Chicago, 1894 organized opera co. for Henry W. Savage and played in Boston, 1895 and other cities; gen dir. basso and comedian, Southwell Opera Co., San Francisco, 1889; toured Australia, Hawaii, Arabia, Italy and England, 1901; played in Shubert productions, 1902-7; sang in Brazil and Buenos Aires9, 190; basso in “The Firefly,” 1913-14; sr. mem. Wolff, Fording & Co., theatrical costumers, Boston. Jewish religion. Mason. Clubs: City (Boston). The Lambs (New York) Recreations: motoring, fishing. Home 833 Beacon St., Boston, also Scituate, Mass. Address: 20 Eliot St., Boston
Dorchester Blue Books
1894 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. C. N. Chevalier
1896 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. C. N. Chevalier
1898 Mr. & Mrs. William Wolff. At home Thursdays
1900 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. John P. Carroll
1902 no entry
1904 no entry
1906 Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Temple, Jr.
1908 no entry
1910 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. William Wolff
1913 Mr. & Mrs. William Wolff
1915 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Peter Gaudet
Census 1910
William Wolff, 50, Actor, singer in vaudeville
Anne Wolff, 37
Mary Leahy, 21, servant
Deed
August 11, 1876 from Franklin King to Jennie M. Seaverns, a single woman, Book 1338 Leaf 270 Bailey & Ashmont Sts pt lot 79 pl 1008.213
consideration $1294.55 7,615 sq. ft.
mortgage to Franklin King
mortgage from Thomas E. Chace et ux Feb 5, 1886 Book 1710 p. 604
Jan. 17, 1893 from Matthew Dalton to George Lemist Clark Book 2107 Page 446
being the premises this day conveyed to me by George H. Poor, Trustee, as mortgagee
subject to mortgage $3000 to Poor and $1,400 to Clarke
Jan. 17, 1893 mortgage from Matthew Dalton to George H. Poor, Executor Book 2107 page 441
consideration $3,000 parcel of land with the buildings thereon
Jan. 17, 1893 mortgage from Matthew Dalton to Prescott O. Clarke January Book 2107 Page 443
consideration $1,400
Feb. 3, 1893 from George Lemist Clark to Thomas Chase Jr. Tr. Book 2110 Page 417 subject to mortgages
consideration $1.00 in trust for Catherine H. Chase for her life
Sept. 22, 1897 from Thomas E. Chace, Jr. Trustee to Joseph P. Whalen Book 2471 Page 10
consideration $1.00 subject to mortgage to Dalton $3,000
Sept. 22, 1897 from Joseph P. Whalen to William Wolf Book 2471 Page 11
consideration $1.00 subject to mortgage to Dalton $3000