Date of construction: 1887 mentioned in published material, but no cited reference other than plaque on house. The Boston Directory for 1888 is the first year the Stedmans are shown at this location.
Architect: George Young mentioned in published material, but no cited reference
Style: Queen Anne
Building permit: none found
MACRIS (Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System) mhc-macris.net accessed [date]
BOS.6668 G. L. T. Stedman House [should be C. L. T. Stedman]
Charles L. T. Stedman was of a firm of bankers and brokers.
The following is from Ashmont: An Historical Guide to Peabody Square, Caruth’s Hill, and Ashmont Hill and the Architecture of Edwin J. Lewis, Jr. and John A. Fox. By Paul Douglass Shand-Tucci. Dorchester, Dorchester Historical Society, 1991. p. 30-31
As we proceed on to Carruth, 33 Carruth, the Stedman House, right on the corner of Radford Land, decisively marks the change. This mansion, the design (in 1887 as the marvelous terra-cotta plaque on the facade informs us) of George Young, has a brick ground story, a half-timbered gable, and much distinctive detail, and the client, as one would expect, was a prosperous Boston businessman, G.L.T. Stedman of Stedman and Kelley on Congress Street. A glance back down the newer side of Radford makes the point: the class character of the Victorian commuter suburb. On streets such as Carruth (according to Dorchester-wide figures arrived at by San Bass Warner’s study of census records in Streetcar Suburbs) one found the richest one percent of the population — upper middleclass manufacturers, large storeowners, brokers, the top lawyers, doctors, clergy, educators, and company presidents and treasurers. On streets such as Bushnell and Rowena, intended by what we should call today senior management for junior management , or even on such streets as Radford, intended originally (to change the metaphor) for “officers” but as they built up increasingly the locale of “N.C.O.”s, professional people (clergy, lawyers, doctors, teachers) not quite at the top of their fields, contractors, small business owners, and successful salesman. (Similarly, at a much greater remove, in “streetcar” Ashmont off Dorchester Avenue, lived the lower middle class — 20 to 30 percent of the population — local shopkeepers, clerks, artisans, and tradesmen, from whose families came many a Carruth Street parlormaid.) Thus, the central middle-class streets off and around Carruth, such as Bushnell, were seen as complementary to the grand streets — in fact, somewhat as “waiting clubs” or “feeder streets: for “junior management,” who, of course aspired to addresses on Carruth Street. Indeed, the Stedmans appear to have been a good example of the social mobility of the time. The Stedmans began on Van Winkle and Bushnell streets, and then achieved the big Carruth Street house — perhaps “pushing the boat out a little much” in the old saying — and then, after Mr. Stedman’s death, his widow sold the mansion and retreated to a cottage on Bushnell street.
The following is from the area form for Carruth Street/Peabody Square prepared as part of 1994 Survey of Dorchester, Boston Landmarks Commission.
Number 33 Carruth Street was built in 1887 from designs provided by George Young. It was built for prosperous Boston businessman G.L.T. Stedman of Stedman and Kellog on Congress Street. During the Depression-era it was owned by Susan R. Hess, widow of Frederick Hess.
The following is from the Dorchester Historical Society’s Dorchester House Tour Ashmont/Carruth Street Neighborhood, June 11, 2017
Year built: 1887
Architect: George Young
Style: Queen Anne
As the terra cotta panel set into the chimney announces, this house was built in 1887. (Don’t be scared off by the unwelcoming-looking winged beast!) Designed by architect George Young, it is another Queen Anne design, here using brick and stone for the ground floor with wood shingles above. The massing is rather quiet on the main elevations, except for two prominent round bays—one on the corner and another above the entry porch. The beautiful gardens create a serene setting, even on this prominent corner lot.
A tiled vestibule leads to yet another impressive living hall. Beautifully carved and turned wood is everywhere. Straight ahead is a double-arched opening supported by an elaborately-turned column with a carved capital—essentially an extended newel post; the left side is filled by the final flight of the main staircase and its distinctive balustrade. Beside the front door is a small alcove with a built-in bench, lit by a window edged with amber glass. Pocket doors connect a double parlor. The front parlor incorporates the round corner bay, ringed by a built-in window seat. Note the original Queen Anne window sashes in the bay here and throughout the house; they contribute enormously to its historic and architectural character. The fireplace in the rear parlor uses ruggedly moulded bricks, as do others in the house.
The dining room features a small but arresting stained glass window with a fruit tree set against a deep blue background. This room also has the tallest mantelpiece of the house, and its patterned floor incorporates cherry-wood accents. Through former pantries and past a new bath is the kitchen, which has been dramatically enlarged to form an expansive cooking, eating, and entertaining area. The bank of new windows on the south wall incorporates upper sash that complement the historic windows, as do the windows of the enclosed porch off the north wall. There is even a spacious rear deck! Instead of overwhelming the original house, these new spaces and features were thoughtfully designed and fit in perfectly in both their scale and quality of finishes. The back stair hall, which has a separate service entry, is unusually bright and airy. Upstairs, the master suite includes a round sitting room inside the bay over the front porch.
Two generations of the current owner’s family have lived in, worked on, and loved this remarkable house, which has clearly blossomed under such devoted stewardship.
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.
deed
January 1, 1885 from Quincy Savings Bank to Clara I Stedman Book 1663 page 281 Dorch. Carruth & Beale Streets pt lot 87 pl 1097.266 index page 413
deed book 1663 screen #492 a lot of land 7475 sq ft for $1,000
next page in deed book is mortgage for $800 from Stedmans to Quincy Savings Bank
May 17, 1901 from Clara Stedman to George F. Daniell Book 2755 page 114 Dorch Carruth & Beale Sts. pl. 1832, 179
May 17, 1901 rom George F. Daniell Book April 2755 page 117 May 17, 1901 mortgage to Boston Penny Savings Bank
May 17, 1901 deed from George F. Daniell to George I. Robinson, Jr. Book 2755 page 120 grantee index screen 528
Dec. 30, 1901 from George I Robinson, Jr. to C. V. Peterson, Book 2797 p. 124 grantee index screen 367
from C V. Peterson to Arthur C. Quimby Dec. 30, 1901 book 2797, p. 125 grantee index screen 363
June 11, 1902 from Arthur C. Quimby to Maria O. Hill book 2831 p. 509 mortgage
July 1, 1904 from Maria O. Hill to Joseph B. Phipps book 2977, page 284 grantee index screen 438
July 1, 1904 from Joseph B. Phipps to Donald McDonald book 2977, page 285 Dorch Beale & Carruth Sts pt lots 86 & 87 pl. 1097.265
Owners from Bromley atlases
1884 plate K no house on lot
1889 plate 28 Clara Stedman, lot size 14,925 sq ft
1894 plate 28 Clara J. Stedman, lot size 14,925 sq ft
1898 plate 28 Clara J. Stedman, lot size 14,925 sq ft
1904 plate 28 Lillian V. MacDonald, lot size 14,925 sq ft
1910 plate 28 Lillian V. MacDonald, lot size 14,925 sq ft
1918 plate 28 Lillian V. MacDonald, lot size 14,925 sq ft
1933 plate 28 Mathilda Hess, lot size is now 8,905 sq ft, and another lot is seen to the south numbered 35-37 Carruth Street with 5415 sq ft
Blue Books
1894 Charles L. T. Stedman
1896 Mr. & Mrs. Henry C. Everett
1898 Mr. & Mrs. Henry C. Everett
1900 Mr. & Mrs. Henry C. Everett
1902 no entry
1904 no entry
1906 Mr. & Mrs. Donald C. MacDonald
1908 Mr. & Mrs. Donald C. MacDonald
1910 Mr. & Mrs. Donald C. MacDonald
1913 Mr. & Mrs. Donald C. Macdonald
The Misses Macdonald
Mrs. A. F. Gairbanks
1915 Mr. & Mrs. Donald C. MacDonald
Boston Directories
1886 Charles L. T. Stedman (Stedman & Kellogg), 8 Congress, h. Van Winkle
1887 Charles L. T. Stedman (Stedman & Kellogg), 8 Congress, h. Van Winkle
1888 Charles L. T. (Stedman & Kellogg), 8 Congress, h. Carruth, cor. Beale [now Radford Lane]
The entry for Stedman & Kellogg says they are bankers and brokers at 8 Congress, rm 17
1889 Charles L. T. Stedman (Stedman & Kellogg), 8 Congress, h. 33 Carruth
1890 Charles L. T. Stedman (Stedman & Kellogg), 8 Congress, h. 33 Carruth
1891 Charles L. T. Stedman (Stedman & Kellogg), 8 Congress, h. 33 Carruth
1892 Charles L. T. Stedman (Stedman & Kellogg), 8 Congress, h. 33 Carruth
1893 Charles L. T. Stedman (Stedman & Kellogg), 8 Congress, h. 33 Carruth
1894 Charles L. T. Stedman (Stedman & Kellogg), 8 Congress, h. 33 Carruth
1895 Charles L. T. Stedman, h. 33 Carruth
1896 Charles . T. Stedman, (Stedman & Kellogg), 8 Congress, h. 3 Randolph Terrace
listing for the business shows Kellogg is George G. Kellogg
1916 Boston Directory has an entry for Donald Macdonald as treasurer at 109 state h 33 Carruth Dor
Census
1900 Donald C. Macdonald, living at 118 Bruce Street
Donald C. Macdonald, 33, b. Canada, trav agt in a book store
Lillian V. Macdonald, 28, b. HN
John S. Macdonald, 7, b. Mass
Grace T. Macdonald, 6, b. Mass
Jessie L. Macdonald, 3, b. Mass.
Adalaide Fairbanks, mother-in-law of Donald, 57, b. NH
Sarah L. Macdonald, mother, 57, b. NH
Lillian Macdonald, sister, 18, b. Mass.
1910 Donald C. MacDonald, 42, b. Canada of Scotch descent, editor of a newspaper
Lillian V. Macdonald 37, b. NH Lillian Fairbanks
John S. Macdonald, son, 16
Grace T. Macdonald, daughter, 15
Jessie L. Macdonaald, daughter, 13
Adelaide F. Fairbanks, mother-in-law of Donald, 67 b NH
Margaret A. Sullivan, servant, 24 b. Ireland
1920 Donald C. Macdonald, 52, b. Canada, broker reclaiming company
Lillian Macdonald, 47 b. NH
Grace Macdonald, 25, b. Mass
Jessie Macdonald, 22, b. Mass
John S. Macdonald, 26, b. Mass
1930 Susan Hess, head of household, 75, b. Germany
Leopold Hess, son, 40, b. Germany, fireman Hood Rubber Co
Susan Hess, daughter, 34, b. Germany, dressmaking
1940 Susan Hess, head of household, 84, b. Germany
Leopold Hess, son, 50, b. Germany, supervisor, fire Factory? Society?
Stephanie Hess, daughter, 46 b. Germany
Suzanna Hess, daughter, 44, b. Germany
John Edwards, nephew, 17, b. Florida
Boston lists of residents
1909 Ward 24 pct 5
Donald C. Macdonald, editor, 41
1922 Donald C. Macdonald, publisher, 54
Lillian V. Macdonald, housewife, 49
Grace T. MacLeod, housewife, 27
Ralph E. MacLeod, clerk, 33
1923 Donald C. Macdonald, broker, 54
Lillian V. Macdonald, housewife, 50
Grace T. MacLeod, housewife, 28
Ralph E. MacLeod, registrar, 34
1924 Donald C. Macdonald, broker, 53
Lillian V. Macdonald, housewife, 51
1925 no entry
1926 Emma E. Hess, dressmaker, 31, formerly lived at 30 Romsey
Leonard Hess, draftsman, 36, formerly lived at 30 Romsey
Matilda Hess, nurse, 39, formerly lived at 30 Romsey
Sophie Hess, teacher, 26, formerly lived at 30 Romsey
Stephanie Hess, housekeeper, 32, formerly lived at 30 Romsey
Susanna Hess, dressmaker, 30, formerly lived at 30 Romsey
1927 ward 16 not online
1928 Emma Hess, dressmaker, 33
Leopold Hess, engineer, 38
Sophie M. Hess, teacher, 28
Stephanie Hess, housewife, 34
Susanna Hess, dressmaker, 32
1929 not available online
1930 Leopold Hess, engineer, 40
Mathilada Hess, governess, 43
Stephanie Hess, housewife, 36
Susan Hess, dressmaker, 34
1931 Leo Hess, foreman, 40
Susan Hess, dressmaker, 30
Mathilda Hess, nurse, 22
1932 Leopold G. Hess, engineer, 40
Stephanie, housekeeper, 36
Susan Hess, housewife, 76
Susan R. Hess, dressmaker, 35
Tilda M. Hell, nurse, 42
1933 Leopold Hess, laborer, 43
Matilda Hess, matron, 45
Stephanie, clerk, 39
Susan Hess, housewife, 57
Susannah Hess, clerk, 37
1934 Leopold G. Hess, foreman, 44
Matilda Hess, nurse, 47
Stephanie Hess, housekeeper, 40
Susanna Hess, dressmaker, 38
1935 Leopold Hess, supervisor, 45
Matilda Hess, nurse, 47
Stefanie Hess, housekeeper, 41
Susan Hess, dressmaker, 39
1936 Leopold Hess, supervisor, 45
Mathilda Hess, housewife, 48
Stephanie, housewife, 42
Susan Hess, housewife, 80
Susannah Hess, seamstress, 40
1937 Leopold G. Hess, engineer, 46
Mathilda Hess, nurse, 48
Stephanie, housekeeper, 41
Susan Hess, housekeeper, 81
Susannah Hess, dressmaker, 39
1938 Leopold Hess, supervisor, 47
Matilda Hess, nurse, 51
Stephanie, housekeeper, 43
Susana Hess, housekeeper, 42
1939 Leopold Hess, supervisor, 49
Matilda Hess, nurse, 47
Stephany, housekeeper, 45
Susan Hess, housewife, 83
Susanna Hess, housekeeper, 43
1940 Leopold Hess, supervisor, 49
Mathilda Hess, nurse, 52
Stephanie, housewife, 46
Susanna Hess, clerk, 44
1941 Leopold Hess, supervisor, 50
Mathilda Hess, nurse, 53
Stephanie, housewife, 47
Susanna Hess, housewife, 45
1942 Leopold Hess, supervisor, 52
Mathilda Hess, nurse, 54
Stephanie, at home, 48
Susanna Hess, housewife, 46
1943 Leopold Hess, supervisor, 52
Mathilda Hess, nurse, 54
Stephanie, at home, 49
Susanna Hess, dressmaker, 47
1944 Leopold Hess, millwright, 54
Mathilda Hess, nurse, 56
Stephanie, housekeeper, 50
Susanna Hess, seamstress, 48
1945 Leopold Hess, supervisor, 54
Mathilda Hess, housewife, 56
Stephanie, housewife, 51
Susanna Hess, dressmaker, 49
1946 Leopold Hess, millwright, 56
Mathilda Hess, housekeeper, 57
Stephanie, housewife, 54
Susanna Hess, dressmaker, 50
1947 Leopold Hess, supervisor, 56
Matilda Hess, domestic, 58
Stephanie, at home, 51
Susanna Hess, dressmaker, 51
Sophie M. Seils, at home, 46
1948 Leopold Hess, machinist, 57
Mathilda Hess, housekeeper, 60
Stephanie, housekeeper, 54
Susanna Hess, dressmaker, 53
Sophie M. Seils, secretary, 48
1949 Leopold Hess, supervisor, 58
Mathilda Hess, domestic, 60
Stephanie, housewife, 55
Susanna Hess, dressmaker, 53
Sophie M. Seils, secretary, 49
1950 Leopold Hess, manager, 60
Mathilda Hess, clerk, 63
Stephanie, housekeeper, 57
Susanna Hess, clerk, 54
Sophie M. Seils, clerk, 50
1951 Leopold Hess, supervisor, 61
Mathilde Hess, nurse, 63
Stephanie, housekeeper, 56
Susanna Hess, dressmaker, 54
Sophie Seils, secretary, 50
1952 Mathilde Hess, cook, 64
Stephanie Hess, housewife, 58
Susanna Hess, dressmkr, 55
Leopold Hess, supervisor 51
Sophie Seils, housewife, 52
1953 Leopold Hess, retired, 62
Mathilde Hess, at home, 65
Stephanie, at home, 60
Susan Hess, dressmaker, 55
Sophie Seils, secretary, 52
1954 Leopold Hess, retired, 64
Mathilde Hess, at home, 67
Stephanie, housewife, 60
Susan Hess, dressmaker, 57
Carl Seils, student, 21
Sophie Seils, teacher, 53
1955 Leopold Hess, retired, 64
Matilda Hess, housewife, 67
Stephanie, housekeeper, 56
Susan Hess, dressmaker, 52
Carl Seils, student, 21
Sophie Seils, teacher, 54
1956 Erhardt Hess, retired, 72, formerly lived at 38 Romsey
Leopold Hess, retired, 66
Mathilde Hess, housewife, 69
Stephanie, housewife 62
Susannah Hess, dressmkr, 60
Carl F. Seils, U S N, 22
Sophie Seils, teacher, 55
1957 Erhardt Hess, retired, b. 1883
Leopold Hess, retired, b. 1890
Mathilde Hess, housewife, b. 1887
Stephanie, housewife, b. 1893
Susannah Hess, dressmkr, b. 1896
Carl F. Seils, U S N, b. 1934
Sophie Seils, teacher, b. 1900
1958 Leopold Hess, retired, b. 1890
Mathilde Hess, housewife, b. 1887
Stephanie, housewife, b. 1893
Susannah Hess, dressmkr, b. 1896
Carl Frederick Seils, U S N, b. 1934
SophieN. Seils, teacher, b. 1900
1959 Carl Freerick, U S N. b. 1934
Sophie N. Seils, teacher, b. 1900
Virginia Seils, houwewife, b. 1933
1960 Kathleen M. Cosgrove, teacher, b. 1933, formerly lived in Hingham
Martin S. Cosgrove, student, b. 1937, formerly lived in Hingham
Rose K. Cosgrove, housewife, b. 1909, formerly lived in Hingham
Vincent J. Cosgrove, attorney, b. 1909, formerly lived in Hingham
Walter J. Cosgrove, USMC, b. 1938, formerly lived in Hingham
1961 Kathleen M. Cosgrove, teacher, b. 1933
Martin S. Cosgrove, student, b. 1937
Rose K. Cosgrove, housewife, b. 1909
Vincent J. Cosgrove, attorney, b. 1909
Walter J. Cosgrove, salesman, b. 1938
1962 Kathleen M. Cosgrove, teacher, b. 1933
Martin S. Cosgrove, student, b. 1937
Mary F. Cosgrove, student, b. 1940
Rose K. Cosgrove, housewife, b. 1908
Vincent J. Cosgrove, attorney, b. 1909
Walter J. Cosgrove, salesman, b. 1938
1963 Kathleen M. Cosgrove, teacher, b. 1933
Martin S. Cosgrove, student, b. 1937
Mary F. Cosgrove, student, b. 1940
Rose K. Cosgrove, housewife, b. 1908
Vincent J. Cosgrove, attorney, b. 1909
Vincent J. Cosgrove, Jr., laborer, b. 1941
Walter J. Cosgrove, salesman, b. 1938
1964 Francis Cosgrove, student, b. 1942
Kathleen M. Cosgrove, teacher, b. 1933
Martin S. Cosgrove, student, b. 1937
Mary F. Cosgrove, student, b. 1940
Rose K. Cosgrove, housewife, b. 1908
Vincent J. Cosgrove, attorney, b. 1909
Vincent J. Cosgrove, Jr., laborer, b. 1941
Walter J. Cosgrove, salesman, b. 1938
1965 Dennis W. Cosgrove, USMC, b. 1943
Eileen A. Cosgrove, student, b. 1944
Francis Cosgrove, clerk, b. 1942
Martin S. Cosgrove, student, b. 1937
Rose K. Cosgrove, housewife, b. 1908
Vincent J. Cosgrove, Jr., laborer, b. 1941
1966 Dennis W. Cosgrove, USMC, b. 1943
Eileen A. Cosgrove, student, b. 1944
Francis Cosgrove, clerk, b. 1942
Rose K. Cosgrove, housewife, b. 1908
Vincent J. Cosgrove, Jr., laborer, b. 1941