No. 20279 25 Carruth Street, photograph from Andrew Saxe
No. 11382 25 Carruth Street, photograph about 1970 from Boston Public Library
Date of construction: possibly 1887 – George C. Quincy appears in the 1887 Boston Directory on Carruth Street.
mentioned in published material, but no cited reference other than MACRIS, which may be citing Ashmont mentioned below
Architect: Allen and Kenway – per Shand-Tucci
Style: Queen Anne
MACRIS (Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System) mhc-macris.net accessed [date]
BOS.5712 George G. Quincy House
The following is from: Paul Douglass Shand-Tucci. Ashmont: An Historical Guide to Peabody Square, Carruth’s Hill, and Ashmont Hill and the Architecture f EdwinJ. Lewis, Jr. and John A. Fox. Dorchester: Dorchester Historical Society, 1991. p. 55-56
George Quincy, A Boston store owner, in 1888 commissioned Allen and Kenway to design 25 Carruth, the Quincy-Wardner House. Something of a companion to 27 Carruth, 25 is less dramatic but much grander, its pomps upheld by a princely ground story of stone, which extends up into an imposing stair tower on the house’s north front. The later owner, G. Phillip Wardner, who was the highest lay officer of All Saints’, was a Harvard College graduate and State Street lawyer who taught at Boston University Law School. Admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, he earned entry into Who’s Who in New England. Wardner was also president of the ever-active Ashmont Improvement Association and entertained grandly in this house’s splendid interiors, which were probably done by A. H. Davenport, noted for their work at the White House. Happily, this house is now being restored to its original stateliness.
The following is from the Area Form for Carruth Street/Peabody Square prepared as part of 1994 Survey of Dorchester, Boston Landmarks Commission.
Number 25 Carruth Street was built in 1888 for George G. Quincy, of Willard and Quincy, a Boston “fancy goods” store. Designed by Allen and Kenway, this firm’s work was called by Bainbridge Bunting in the Houses of Boston’s Back Bay, “the most consistent exponent of the Romanesque tradition in the Back Bay.” Allen and Kenway’s penchant for Syrian arches, a hallmark of The Richardsonian Romanesque style is apparent at 25 Carruth Street. During the early 20th century, this house was owned by G. Phillip Wardner who was a Harvard College graduate, State Street lawyer and teacher at the Boston University Law School. He was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. Additionally, Wardner was president of the Ashmont Improvement Association and was the highest lay officer of All Saints’. The Wardners are said to have decorated 25 Carruth Street in a splendid manner with furnishings by A.H. Davenport. By 1933, Harold R. Donaghue lived here.
The following is from the Dorchester Historical Society’s Dorchester House Tour Ashmont/Carruth Street Neighborhood, June 11, 2017
Year built: 1887
Architect: Allen and Kenway
Style: Queen Anne
Carruth was built for George G. Quince; the prosperous co-owner of a fancy goods store in downtown Boston; architects Allen and Kenway were known for their stone Romanesque Back Bay town-houses but also produced fine, free-standing houses for Herbert Carruth’s new upscale neighborhood.
The main elevation is formal and subdued, with a tightly-laid stone first floor of tan limestone with red sandstone and a straightforward, wood-shingled second story and gable. The north elevation is much more dynamic: the stone is carried up through the second story of the stair tower and topped by wood paneling, a band of diamond pane windows, and a faceted slate roof; while a covered porch is supported by elegant shingled arches. The south elevation is almost as dramatic; a brick chimney continues through the upper floors and emerges from the roof, and a single-story semi-circular stone bay with a conical roof fills the corner with the main elevation. The exterior recently underwent a thorough campaign of repair work, and its condition is pristine.
While the exterior impresses with its stone, slate, and copper, the interior celebrates the art of the cabinet-maker and wood carver. In the foyer, the oak staircase spills down out of its tower and wrestles for prominence with the paneled fireplace surround. The fireplace in the parlor boasts another elaborate mantel, with a dramatic scene on its sculpted metal firebox. A wide archway with a Moorish screen, slender turned columns, and other finely-carved details opens to a round bay with a tiny, half-round window seat and windows featuring stained glass transoms. The dining room features another fire¬place and an elaborately carved sideboard. The kitchen now incorporates an enclosed former porch, creating a spacious cooking, dining, and entertaining area.
The grand stairway features stained glass panels and a built-in bench. A large upstairs sitting room contains the most elaborately carved of the all the exquisite mantels and is decorated with realistic lions’ heads, cattails, ferns, and other details. (Note that all the mantels have exotic stone firebox surrounds and not the more typical decorative tile.) The master bedroom has a fireplace with a mirrored overmantel and access to a small balcony. The imposing bed in the rear bedroom came with the house! On the third floor, a massive billiard room, two bedrooms, laundry room, and a full bath complete the array of spaces in this imposing yet very livable house.
entry for Carruth Street in
A Record of the Streets, Alleys, Places, Etc., in the City of Boston. (Boston, 1910).
Carruth Street, Dor., 1869; from 239 Ashmont Street to 412 Codman Street [now Gallivan Boulevard]; laid out, Aug. 12, 1869. Plan in Boston Engineering Department L976.
Notes/Summary
No supporting documentation seems to be available to verify that the architects were Allen and Kenway – could the records for the firm be extant?; also the house may be earlier than Shand-Tucci mentions below, since the Boston Directory from 1887 shows George G. Quincy living on Carruth Street. The deed to Quincy is dated Sept. 1886, so it is quite possible that the house could have been built in 1887. The Wardners lived at 34 Beaumont Street (1896, 1898, 1900, 1902 Blue Books), 116 Beaumont Street (could this be meant to be 11? 1904, 1906 Blue Books). The definitely lived at what is now 11 Beaumont Street before acquiringo 25 Carruth in April, 1906.
Owners’ names from atlases
1884 map shows no building on the site by that time
1889 owner is Geo. G. Quincy
1894 owner is Geo. G. Quincy
1898 owner is Geo. G. Quincy
1904 owner is Geo. G. Quincy
1910 owner Mary R. Wardner.
1918 owner Mary R. Wardner.
1933 owner Teresa M. Donaghue.
Dorchester Blue Books
1894 Mr. & Mrs. George G. Quincy
1896 Mr. & Mrs. George G. Quincy
1900 Mr. & Mrs. George G. Quincy
1902 Mr. & Mrs. George G. Quincy, Miss Julia Quincy, and Wilbur G. Quincy
1904 Mr. & Mrs. George G. Quincy, Miss Julia Quincy, and Wilbur G. Quincy
1906 no entry for 25 Carruth
1908 Mr. and Mrs. G. Philip Wardner
1910 Mr. and Mrs. G. Philip Wardner
1913 Mr. and Mrs. G. Philip Wardner
1915 Mr. and Mrs. G. Philip Wardner
It appears that the property changed ownership between 1904 and 1908
Boston Directories
1886 George G. Quincy (Willard & Qincy, 383 Washington, h. at Longwood
1887 George G. Quincy (Willard & Quincy), 40 Summer, h. Carruth
1888 George G. Quincy (Willard & Quincy), 40 Summer, h. Carruth
1889 George G. Quincy (Willard & Quincy), 40 Summer, h. Carruth
1890 George G. Quincy (Willard & Quincy), 40 Summer, h. Carruth
1891 George G. Quincy (Willard & Quincy), 85 Essex, h. Carruth
1892 George G. Quincy (Willard & Quincy), fancy goods, 85 Essex, h. Carruth
1893 George G. Quincy (Willard & Quincy), fancy goods, 85 Essex, h. Carruth
1894 George G. Quincy (Willard & Quincy), fancy goods, 85 Essex, h. Carruth
1895 George G. Quincy (Willard & Quincy), fancy goods, 85 Essex, h. Carruth
1896 George G. Quincy (Willard & Quincy), fancy goods, 85 Essex, h. Carruth
1897 George G. Quincy & Co., fancy goods, 85 Essex, h. 25 Carruth
1898 George G. Quincy & Co., fancy goods, 85 Essex, h. 25 Carruth
1899 George G. Quincy & Co., fancy goods, 85 Essex, h. 25 Carruth
1900 George G. Quincy & Co., fancy goods, 85 Essex, h. 25 Carruth
1916 George G. Quincy & Co., celluloid goods, 1 Otis, bds 214 Commonwealth av – see page 2813
advert on p. 2813
1916 G. Philip Wardner (Warner & Cavanaugh) lawyer, 70 State 10th floor, h 25 Carruth Dor
deeds
Sept. 17, 1886 Herbert S. Carruth to George G. Quincy, 1740.575 , Dorch Fuller & Carruth Sts,
April 10, 1906 from George G. Quincy to Mary R. Wardner, wife of Philip Wardner 3117.287 Rowena (forty Fuller) & Carruth Sts
also
Apr. 18, 1900 deed from Elsie A. Washburn to Mary R. Wardner & al, Dorch Beaumont St Lot 17, pl 1573.539, Book 2677, p. 295 so the Wardner’s lived at what is now 11 Beaumont Street before buying 25 Carruth
Sept. 1, 1903 Deed from William H. Weeks Jr. to Mary R. Wardner Dorch Beaumont St, lot 16 & pt. lot 15 pl. 1608.234 Book 2919 p. 86
Boston Lists of Residents
1909 George P. Wardner, 25, lawyer
1922 Sabina W. Finnegan, domestic, 34, formerly lived at 13 Fairfax
Mary Killy, domestic, 24
George P. Wardner, lawyer, 54
Mary Wardner, 51
1923 Edward Ames, butler, 24, formerly lived in New Jersey
Susan Ames, houseworker, 23
George P. Wardner, lawyer, 55
Joseph W. Wardner, clerk, 65, formerly lived in Somerville
Mary R. Wardner, housewife, 52
Phillip Wardner, student, 20
1924 Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 30, formerly lived at 86 Bloomfield
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 33, formerly lived at 86 Bloomfield
1925 Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 31
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 35
1926 Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 32
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 36
Mary Stanton, maid, 60, formerly lived at 37 Sycamore
1927 Ward 16 not available on line
1928 Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 34
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 38
Mary Stanton, maid, 56
1929 nothing for 1929 on line
1930 Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 36
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 40
1931 Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 35
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 35
1932 Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 38
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 41
1933 Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 39
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 43
1934 Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 40
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 54
1935 Elizabeth Campbell, maid, 20, formerlived in Cambridge
Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 45
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 45
1936 Elizabeth Campbell, maid, 21
Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 41
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 45
1937 Lena E. Campbell, maid, 22
Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 42
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 42
1938 Hannah R. Donaghue, housekeeper, 70
Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 43
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 43
1939 Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 44
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 44
1940 Doris D. Donaghue, student, 20
Hannah R. Donaghue, at home, 75
Harold R. Donaghue, lawyer, 46
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 46
1941 Doris D. Donaghue, student, 21
Hannah R. Donaghue, at home, 75
Harold R. Donaghue, attorney, 47
Teresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 47
1942 Doris D. Donahue [!], clerk, 22
Hannah R. Donahue, at home, 75
Harold R. Donahue, attorney, 47
Martha P. Donahue, secretary, 20
Teresa W. Donahue, housewife, 47
1943 Hannah R. Donaghue, at home, 76
Harold Donaghue, attorney, 48
Martha Donaghue, stenographer, 22
Theresa Donaghue, housewife, 48
1944 Claire Donaghue, student, 20
Harold R. Donaghue, attorney, 49
Martha P. Donaghue, secretary, 22
Theresa W. Donaghue, housewife, 50
1945 no entries for 25 Carruth Street
1946 Nicoletta Albiani, housewife, 36, formerly lived at 285 Ashmont
Alba DeAngelo, clerk, 31, formerly lived at 285 Ashmont
Dominic DeSteffano, manager, 74, formerly lived at 285 Ashmont
Henry F. DeSteffano, U S A, 39, formerly lived at 285 Ashmont
Maria DeSteffano, housewife, 58, formerly lived at 285 Ashmont
Norma DeSteffano, clerk, 22, formerly lived at 285 Ashmont
Robert J. DeSteffano, clerk, 35, formerly lived at 285 Ashmont
1947 Nicoletta Albiani, at home, 37
Alba D’Angelo, at home, 31
Dominic DeSteffano, manager, 74
Henry F. DeSteffano, clerk, 42
Maria DeSteffano, housewife, 59
Norma DeSteffano, secretary, 23
Robert J. DeSteffano, clerk, 36
1948 Nicoletta Albiani, at home, 37
Alba M. D’Angelo, at home, 31
Dominick DeSteffano, merchant, 75
Henry S. DeSteffano, merchant, 42
Maria DeSteffano, housewife, 60
Norma DeSteffano, secretary, 23
Robert J. DeSteffano, merchant, 36
1949 Nicoletta Albiani, housewife, 38
Alba D’Angelo, salewoman, 31
Dominic DeStefano, merchant, 76
Henry DeStefano, salesman, 42
Maria DeStefano, housewife, 62
Norma DeStefano, secretary, 25
Robert DeStefano, merchant, 37
1950 Nicoletta Albiani, housewife, 40
Alba D’Angelo, housewife, 35
Domenic DeStefano, clerk, 76
Henry DeStefano, salesman, 43
Maria DeStefano, housewife, 63
Norma DeStefano, clerk, 26
Robert DeStefano, salesman, 39
1951 Nicoletta Albiani, at home, 40
Alba D’Angelo, at home, 35
Domenic DeStefano, merchant, 76
Henry DeStefano, salesman, 43
Maria DeStefano, housewife, 63
Norma DeStefano, secretary, 27
1952 Nicoletta Albiani, housewife, 41
Alba D’Angelo, housewife, 36
Domenic DeStefano, merchant, 78
Henry DeStefano, salesman, 44
Maria DeStefano, housewife, 64
1953 Nicoletta Albiani, at home, 43
Alba D’Angelo, at home, 35
Domenic DeStefano, retired, 80
Henry DeStefano, retired, 46
Maria DeStefano, housewife, 64
1954 Nicoletta Albiani, at home, 43
Alba D’Angelo, at home, 37
Henry DeStefano, retired, 47
Maria DeStefano, at home, 65
1955 Marie L. Albiani, teacher, 21
Nicoletta L. Albiani, housewife, 43
Alba M. D’Angelo, housewife, 39
1956 Marie Albiani, teacher, 22
Nicolette Albiani, housewife, 47
Alba M. D’Angelo, housewife, 39
Norma P. Glynn, housewife, 48
1957 Marie Albiani, teacher, b. 1933
Nicolette Albiani, housewife, b. 1910
Alba D’Angelo, housewife, b. 1915
and possibly Ruth Mukeen, clerk, b. 1920
1958 Marie Louise Albiani, teacher, b. 1933
Nicoletta L. Albiani, housewife, b. 1910
Norma G. Glynn, at home, b. 1923
1959 Letitia Albiani, teacher, b. 1937
Nicoletta L. Albiani, housewife, b. 1910
Norma G. Glynn, at home, b. 1923
1960 Jeanne R. Mullin, secretary, b. 1927
Richard P. Mullin, attorney, b. 1930
Richard J. Rothwell, retired, b. 1889
1961 Jeanne R. Mullin, secretary, b. 1927
Richard P. Mullin, attorney, b. 1930
Richard J. Rothwell, retired, b. 1889
1962 Jeanne R. Mullin, secretary, b. 1927
Richard P. Mullin, attorney, b. 1930
Richard J. Rothwell, retired, b. 1889
1963 Jeanne R. Mullin, secretary, b. 1927
Richard J. Rothwell, retired, b. 1889
Richard P. Mullin, attorney, b. 1930
1964 Beatrice Mullin, inspector, b. 1908, formerly living at 5 Emrose Ter
Jeanne R. Mullin, secretary, b. 1927
Peter Mullin, pharmicist, b. 1901, formerly living at 5 Emrose Ter
Richard P. Mullin, attorney, b. 1930
Richard J. Rothwell, retired, b. 1889
1965 Beatrice Mullin, inspector, b. 1908
Jeanne R. Mullin, secretary, b. 1927
Peter Mullin, pharmicist, b. 1901
Richard P. Mullin, attorney, b. 1930
Richard J. Rothwell, retired, b. 1889
1966 Beatrice Mullin, inspector, b. 1908
Jeanne R. Mullin, secretary, b. 1927
Peter Mullin, pharmicist, b. 1901
Richard P. Mullin, attorney, b. 1930
Richard J. Rothwell, retired, b. 1889
Public records from FamilySearch.org
Birth
George G. Quincy, Jan. 28, 1854
Census 1880
no address given
Geo H. Quincy, 49, b. Maine,
Mary C L Quincy, 47
Geo G Quincy, 26, b. 1854, dealer in celluoid
plus others
Census 1900, Carruth Street
George Quincy, 46, b. in Mass., occupation appears to be commission merchant
Elizabeth Quincy, 44, b. in RI
Wilbur Quincy, 21, at Harvard College
Julia Quincy, 19
Caroline Quincy, 15
Robinson [first name unreadable], servant, 26, b. in Ireland
[last name unreadable] Nellie, servant, 28, b. in Ireland
Marriage
Wilbur G. Quincy, 23, to Marguerite Dietrich, 19 Nov 1902
Wilbur was living at 25 Carruth, occupation manufacturer
Marguerite was living at 68 Marlboro St
Census 1910, 25 Carruth Street
George P Wardner, 42, b. New Jersey, Lawyer, General Practice
Mary R. Wardner, 39, b. Vermont
Isabel Wardner, 14, b. Mass
Elizabeth Wardner, 12, b. Mass.
Philip Wardner, 8, b. Mass
Lois Wardner, 2, b. Mass.
Mary T. Martin, servant, 24, b. Ireland
Annie E. Healey, 25, b. Ireland
Marriage
George P. Wardner, b. 1868, m. Mary P. Rankin, b. 1871 11 Oct. 1894
George’s parents were George E. and Mary E. Wardner
Mary’s parents were Andrew E. and Isabelle P. Rankin — not related to Rankin of 34 Carruth – apparently a coincidence and not related
Census 1930, 25 Carruth Street
Harold R. Donoghue, 36, b. Mass., Lawyer
Teresa W. Donoghue, 40, b. Mass.
Doris Donoghue, 10, b. Mass.
Martha P. Donoghue, 8, b. Mass.
Clare M. Donoghue, 6, b. Mass
David J. Donoghue, 2, b. Mass.
Frances Morasky, servant, 19, b. Mass.
Census 1940, 25 Carruth Street
Harold R. Donaghue, 46, b. Mass., Lawyer
Teresa Donaghue, 46, b. Mass.
Doris D. Donaghue, daughter, 20, b. Mass
Marthur [!] P. Donaghue, daughter, 18, b. Mass.
Claire N. Donaghue, daughter, 16, b. Mass
David J. Donaghue, son, 12, b. Mass
Pauline J. Donaghue, 8, b. Mass
Hanna Donaghue, 71, b. NH