Derby Mansion

In the Derby Square area of downtown, near Old Town Hall, there once stood a fine estate built by Elias Haskett Derby. The mansion's plans were prepared by Charles Bullfinch (1763-1844) and modified by Samuel McIntire (1757-1811).

It was laid out with fine walks and gardens and extended from Essex Street to a terrace which overhung the river. The mansion was completed and occupied but a few months before his death. It was built in 1799, was of wood, three stories in height and cost $80,000. It was enriched by a conservatory and large and valuable library.

After Derby's death in 1799, due to the expense of maintenance, his son Elias Hasket Derby, Jr. had the mansion demolished (1815) and then transferred the land to his brother John Derby III, and his brother-in-law Benjamin Pickman Jr. "In 1816, they donated the tract to the Town of Salem with the condition that a new brick Town Hall and Market House be built there" according to Tolles in his book Architecture in Salem.

See Also

• Old Naumkeag by C. H. Webber, p. 114
• Architecture in Salem by Tolles, p. 85-6