Date of construction: 1896
Architect: Joseph Greene
In the Second Settlement appendix, Tucci cites a building permit from 1895 – Joseph Greene architect, N. Hatch builder, N. J. Connor owner [appears to be a typo – should be A. J. Conner]. Deed to Connor is from Nov. 1895, so construction must have been completed in 1896.
The following is from Ashmont by Douglass Shand-Tucci
These Georgian houses, 30 and 26, both of which rejoice in their original window shutters, frame Beaumont Street with great distinction. The house on the right-hand corner, 30 Carruth, the Conner-Jacques House (after Arthur J. Conner of Conner and Company, Medicines, 234 India Wharf, and Fred P. Jacques, the owner in the 1900s of the Ashmont Market), was built in 1896. Yet another of Joseph Greene’s singularly gracious mansions, it is in many ways the most imposing house on Carruth Street. Particularly fine is the way the commodious, swelling bays on each side of the principal facade are reflected in the curvature of the front porch, which is at one and the same time both imposing and gracious, an unusual accomplishment. It is all the more impressive when one recalls that such a porch is a striking departure from the eighteenth-century model–which illustrates (because one cannot conceive of 30 Carruth without its porch) how much more original Colonial Revival designers were than was once thought.
The following is from the inventory form for Carruth Street – Peabody Square, Boston Landmarks Commission
Carruth’s Hill was home to a uniformly affluent yet diverse community of businessmen and artists, including 30 Carruth Street’s Arthur J. Conner of Conner & Co., Medicines and 3 Fairfax Street’s William Grueby, the important Arts and Crafts movement architectural tile artisan.
One of the great glories of CarruthStreet in terms of sophisticated Colonial Revival design is 30 Carruth Street. In 1884, this house’s land was owned by the heirs of Nathan Carruth. By 1894 its lot was owned by Frank D. Fairbanks. Built in 18% by W.J. Hatch from designs provided by Joseph Greene, its first owner was Arthur J. Conner of Conner and Company , Medicines, 24 India Wharf. It was completed at a cost of $10,000.00. During the early 20th century it was owned by Fred P. Jacques, owner of the Ashmont Market. By 1933, it was the residence of Robert H. Swan, accountant.
Source: Codman Square House Tour Booklet 2001
Year Built: 1896
Architect: Joseph T Greene
Style: Colonial Revival
If 13 Carruth Street is representative of the “cottagey” strain of much turn-of-the-century domestic architecture, its near neighbor at 30 Carruth exemplifies the period’s rival interest in symmetry and stateliness. The double-bayed bowfront exterior with its modillion cornice, corner pilasters, and Ionic porch columns displays a cool classical composure. It even wears its ornamental roof railing lightly, like a diadem on the brow of a dowager.
The interior is grander still. A vestibule with leaded glass doors and mosaic floor opens to a central hall defined by pairs of Ionic columns literally left, right and center, and dominated by a majestic, double-return stair that is a study in symmetry. To the right of the hall is a charmingly feminine parlor in shades of white; Ionic pilasters support the high mantel shelf of the round-arched fireplace, whose hearth and facing tiles are a rich cream. To the left of the hall is a more masculine music room, with corner fireplace. Beyond lies the dining room papered in a Morris-inspired pattern; here a vertically paneled dado of golden oak rises high to meet the built-in sideboard whose curved-glass doors flank an arched recess enclosing a mirror. Retaining its battery of cupboards, the large original pantry connects to the new kitchen with cherry cabinets and granite counters, to the right and rear.
Returning to the front hall, one at last ascends the magnificent stair, pausing to admire the window seat at the landing. At the head of the stair is as a small sitting room with bay window whose transom muntins repeat the design of the roof balustrade. Another window seat is found in the master bedroom to the right, where the woodwork is birdseye maple, an unusual choice for the period; an oval window in the master bath frames the view in a cameo setting.
Source: Codman Square House Tour Booklet 2006
Year Built: 1896
Architect: Joseph Greene
Style: Colonial Revival
At 30 Carruth Street one sees the more formal, Neo-Georgian side of the Colonial Revival in full flower. The entrance porch is flanked by curved window bays; a latticework railing encloses the widow’s walk atop the hipped roof; and pilasters stand guard at the corners. Leaded glass adorns both the inner and outer doorways of the entrance vestibule with its mosaic floor. Ionic columns frame the doors to both parlor and living room. More columns mark the start of the broad, so-called “imperial” Staircase, which splits at the half-landing to form two symmetrical upper flights.
In the white-painted parlor, the bay window, with its window seat and stained glass transoms, is outshone by the stunning fireplace. The arched fireplace opening is framed by molded tiles; brick-like tiles with a mottled ivory glaze form the surround. The delicate Neo-Federal mantelpiece features Classical columns—Ionic below, to support the mantel shelf, and Corinthian above, to frame the oval mirror. In the living room with deep-toned cherry woodwork, the mantel steals the show: Spiral-turned columns carry a full Classical entablature, while tiny Doric columns support demi-lune shelves.
Lest anyone be bored by repetition, the dining room woodwork is pale, quarter-saw oak. The built-in side-board is a work of architecture in its own right; the lower section bows forward in the center. The upper section is divided into three parts by Doric pilasters. The “Bird and Anemone” wallpaper, a William Morris design, is an effective complement to the woodwork. The large original pantry leads to the new kitchen with cherry cabinets and granite counters.
The second floor is centered on a spacious hall. At one end a “flying” stairway ascends to the third floor; at the other end an oval arch leads into a small sitting room. Here the tirm including a window seat in the bay, is gumwood. In the master bedroom, bird’s-eye maple trim is set off beautifully by blue-and-white wallpaper and curtains. Although the third floor does not have elaborate woodwork, it does feature an unaltered playroom, perfect for a Ping-Pong table. The dormer windows retain their original built-in seats for spectators. Here and on the floors below, this extraordinary house demonstrates clearly that architectural splendor can coexist with comfortable living for a present-day family.
Owners from Atlases:
1894 vacant lot owned by Frank B. Fairbanks
1898 Arthur J. Connor
1904 Arthur J. Connor
1910 Abbie O. Jaques
1918 Abbie O. Jaques
1933 Abbie O. Jaques et als
deed Nov. 6 1895 from Margaret E. McCanna to Arthur Jewett Connor Bok 2318 p 342 lot 10 pl 1608.234 parcel of land
being the same premises conveyed to McCanna by Frank D. Fairbanks May 17, 1895 Book 2278 p 435
deed
Oct. 23, 1905 from Arthur Jewett Conner of Rockingham, NH to Abbie O. Jaques, wife of Fred P. Jaques 3079.609
Boston Directory
1895 Arthur J. Conner, Arthur J. Conner & Co. medicines, 24 India Sq. h. Beale, cor. Bushnell
1896 Arthur J. Conner & C. medicines, 24 India sq. hair work, 485 Wash. and 52 Winder, h. Beale, cor. Bushnell
1897 Arthur J. Conner & Co. medicines, 24 India sq. hair work, 485 Washington and 52 Winter, h. 30 Carruth
birth record on Ancestry.com
Arthur Jewett Conner, b. March 26, 1868, Boston, father William M. Conner and mother Emma W
Census 1910
Frederick P. Jaques, 62, retail, groceries & provisions
Abbie O. Jaques, 59
Robert H. Sweni, 39, son-in-law, bookkeeper in chocolate co
Jaqus Sweni, 39, daughter
Frederick Sweni, 9, grandson
Katie Costello, 23, servant