No. 3740 82 Alban Street, photograph circa 1888. Given in 1923 to the Dorchester Historical Society by Edwin J. Lewis, Jr., architect.
Date of construction: 1887-1888
Based on deed to Elms in July, 1887, and Boston Directory for 1888 shows Elms living on Alban Street
Architect: Edwin J. Lewis, Jr.
In the appendix to The Second Settlement, Shand-Tucci cites a building permit from 1893 – Willard M. Bacon architect, S. Ramsdell builder, G. T. Cushman owner, est. cost $1,200 and a mention in AA June 20, 1894, same details – this was for the outbuilding.
The Dorchester Historical Society has a photograph donated by architect Edwin J. Lewis, Jr., of this house, and it seems likely that the house was designed by Lewis.
The following is from: Ashmont by Douglass Shand-Tucci, p. 93
… 82 Alban, the Danforth-Cushman House, built in 1885-1888, is, though now in need of help, a Shingle Style gem; on [the north] side there is a second-story angular two-window bay that is beautifully contrived with a third-floor dormer, and on the massive tower on the southeast there occur within the shingling of the tower quite large roundels, also of shingling, but differently patterned, giving a most suave and subtle effect. this house too could be by Lewis or by any one of a number of excellent designers of the era, and may be by Willard Bacon, whose Colonial Revival work on Carruth Street is so fine, because it is know that Bacon designed for Dr. G. T. Cushman in 1893 a large and decidedly expensive stable at 82 Alban, which at that time cost $1,200 — a third of what a quite nice if small house cost. Alas, it was torn down some years ago.
Dorchester Atlases show owners:
1889 Grace W. Elms—the house first appears on the 1889 atlas
1894 Sylva F. Cushman
1898 Carrie M. Danforth
1904 Carrie M. Danforth
1910 Carrie M. Danforth
1918 Carrie M. Danforth
1933 Cecelia A. Wells
Deed
July 6, 1887 from George Derby Welles to Grace W. Elms, wife of James C. Elms 1780.323 lot 209, 210 and pt 211
Parcel of land
April 26, 1893 from Grace W. Elms, wife of James C. Ems, Jr. to Sylvia F. Cushman, wife of George T. Cushman 2125.49
March 21, 1895 from George T. Cushman and Sylvia F. Cushman to Carrie M. Danforth, wife of Charles O. Danforth of Cambridge 2263.324
Boston Directory
1888 James C. Elms, Jr., salesman, 72 Franklin, h. Alban, Dor.
1894 George T. Cushman, physician,1507 Washongton, h. 82 Alban
1896 Charles O. Danforth, salesman, 39 Oliver, h. 82 Alban, Ashmont
Dorchester Blue Books
1894 Residents were Dr. & Mrs. George T. Cushman
1896 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Danforth; Mr. & Mrs. G. H. Coolidge
1900 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Danforth; Mr. & Mrs. George H. Coolidge
1902 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Danforth; Mr. & Mrs. George H. Coolidge
1904 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Danforth; Mr. & Mrs. George H. Coolidge
1906 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Danforth; Mr. & Mrs. George H. Coolidge
1908 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Danforth; Mrs George H. Coolidge
1910 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Danforth; Mrs. George H. Coolidge
1913 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Danforth
1915 Residents were Mr. & Mrs. Charles O. Danforth
Census 1900
Charles Danforth, 37, Calendar manufacturing
Carrie M. Danforth, 32
Langdon B. Danforth, 10
Gertrude H. Danforth, 3
George H. Coolidge, 68, father-in-law
Matilda M. Coolide, 58, mother-in-law
Nora Mellen, 20servant
Census 1910
Charles O. Danforth, 46, printer
Carrie M. Danforth, 42
Langdon B. Danforth, 19, printer
Gertrude D.Danforth, 13
Matilda M. Coolidge, 72, mother-in-law
Margaret McManus, 18, servant