East façade of the original Glover House and ell as it most likely would have appeared during Glover's residence (circa 1910, Swampscott Public Library)
House & Site History
The General Glover Farmhouse is over 250 years old, located on what was formerly known as the Glover Farm, a shared historic site between Swampscott, Marblehead and Salem.
The Glover farmhouse is thought to have been built in the 1750s in what was then Salem, although new evidence suggests it may have been built as early as 1732, the year Glover was born. The house was built in the traditional colonial style of the period, and the back ell is thought to be similar in age to the main house.
The site that the house sits on is in an area that has been occupied for centuries. Located near multiple fresh water sources, and near both Native American settlements and the fort of the great Nanepashment on Legg's Hill, it has most likely been a crossroads for generations of inhabitants. Native burial sites have been discovered on a portion of the former Glover farm that extended all the way toward the Clifton area of Marblehead.
During the 1600s, directly across the road, was the Darling family house and orchards. The land and house were owned by George Darling who operated a tavern that sat near Coy Pond and Deep Pond(Tedesco Pond) on the Salem-Marblehead line in the later 1600s, prior to the the construction of the Glover farmhouse. He would later leave his house to his son James Darling, who became known for giving testimony against Mary Towne Eastey during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. It is believed that house was gone by the time what would become Glover's farmhouse, but elements of the old orchards remain.
The Glover farmhouse would eventually be built on land previously owned by John Blaney. It would be located on the old Lynn Highway, which is now present-day Tedesco Street where it becomes Vinnin Street. This was one of the older colonial roads in Salem and Marblehead, and the location the Marblehead Gate, one of the entry points into town.
Recreated map shows the site as it would have appeared in 1700
(Sydney Perley, Essex Antiquarian)
William Browne's Farmhouse
The house and farm were first owned by William Browne of Salem, a prominent citizen and descendant of four colonial governors, including John Winthrop. Browne was a graduate of Harvard College in 1755, and was friend and classmate of John Adams. William Browne was a colonel of the Essex County militia in Salem, and was appointed as collector of the port of Salem. With his connections to both the port and militia, Browne and Glover most likely would have crossed paths.
Just prior to the American Revolution, William Browne accepted an appointment by General Gage as judge of the superior colonial court. Browne was therefore a British official, which made him a Loyalist. He eventually flee with his family to Boston, and then to England in 1776. The Massachusetts government confiscated all his property in 1780, including the house and farmland. William Browne never returned to his farm or Salem, and would go on to eventually become the Royal Governor of Bermuda.
Although they had different political views, John Adams remembered his friend and former classmate as "a solid, judicious character ... they made him a judge of the superior court and that society made him a refugee. A Tory, I verily believe, he never was."
General John Glover's Farm & Final Home
Original front façade view of the Glover House facing present day Vinnin Street
(circa 1910, Swampscott Public Library)
In February 1781, during his final year of military service, General John Glover purchased the house from the Massachusetts state government. He paid 1369 pounds for the house and 180 acres of land that spanned Salem and Marblehead (and later Swampscott). Glover used to say that he wasn’t quite sure what town he lived in, as the boundaries at the time weren’t well established, and one could literally step out his front door into another town.
John Glover would move with his second wife Frances, and remaining family to the farmhouse in 1782 after retiring from the army. He wanted to escape the noisy, congested Marblehead waterfront where his prior house sits, and would also move his business operations to the farm as well.
Reverend William Bentley would give a unique first hand account of visiting Glover's farmhouse while conducting survey work in this area of Salem. He noted the General "lives upon the Salem Gore," the narrow strip of land between Marblehead and Lynn. Reverend Bentley would also note the General's hospitality, and Glover's proposed canal via Forest River that would link his farm to the sea. This would have allowed his vessels to unload goods in Salem and bring them up in smaller boats to his store at the farm, but this never materialized.
While living at the farm, John Glover would stay active in local and national politics. He was elected as a delegate to the Massachusetts ratifying convention for the U.S. Constitution, served as town selectman, and was in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
During his time living here, Glover would would welcome the Marquis de Lafayette who came to Marblehead in 1784, and later lead the official welcome of President George Washington in 1789, who each came to Marblehead to see their old army friend and thank those who served during the war.
John Glover would live on the farm for the remainder of his life, until his death in January 1797. Glover's legacy and name have connected to the site for more than 200 years.
1795 map of Marblehead drawn during the time Glover was living at his farm. The house is located at #12 on the map within the borders of Salem (Alfred Ingalls, dated October 1795)
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Preliminary Sketch floor plan of original house as it would have appeared during Glover's era.
Plans subject to refinement pending further survey of house.
Completed by architect Frederic C. Detwiller, New England Landmarks
Glover Farm
The property would continue to be used as a farm by Glover's descendants, including his daughter Mary Glover, who married into the Hooper family of Marblehead. In 1867, the land on which the house was situated known as the "Salem Finger”, would become part of Swampscott.
Map when Glover house was part of Salem (location indicated at boundary stone)
(Plan of Marblehead made by John G. Hales, dated 1830)
1852 map after the incorporation of Swampscott. Glover House would remain in Salem as part of the "Salem Finger" (pink area) until 1867
Views of the house and farm from Salem Street
(circa 1910, Swampscott Public Library)
Glover House when still in use as a farm, as viewed from Salem Street, with the light colored boundary marker stone for the three towns visible on left (circa 1910, Swampscott Public Library)
The Glover Inn on the left and the former barn transformed into the A.E. Little residence on the right (circa 1920s, Swampscott Public Library)
General Glover Inn
In the early 20th century, the house would be purchased by Alexander and Lillian Little. Mr. Little was known for having been the founder of the famed New England shoe manufacturer: A. E. Little & Co., makers of Sorosis Shoes, located in Lynn, MA.
The couple made the effort to restore many of the 1700s colonial elements in the Glover House that had been covered up in the past. They turned the house into the General Glover Inn and Tea Room, which became part of the Sunbeam Farm. Many additions and outbuildings were added or renovated on the site during this period, including the large barn that the Littles transformed into their home. The house of this renowned shoe manufacturer still stands on the site today, behind the Glover House. In the 1950s, after their deaths, the property would be sold to Anthony Athanas.
Glover Inn exterior views and interior view showing one of the original 1700s fireplace still intact today (Swampscott Public Library & Glover Inn Brochure, circa 1930s)
Interior view showing another original 1700s fireplace still intact today
(Glover Inn Brochure, circa 1930s)
Winter view of Glover Inn from intersection of Vinnin and Salem Streets
(circa 1920s, Swampscott Public Library)
Glover Inn (circa 1930s, Swampscott Public Library)
View from Salem Street with a 20th century rear addition
(circa mid 20th century, Swampscott Public Library)
The barn and greenhouse
(circa mid 20th century, Swampscott Public Library)
The building used for the Glover Inn gift shop being moved to the Marblehead side of the site by the Woodfin Brothers
(circa mid 20th century, Swampscott Public Library)
View looking towards Salem Street from the Sunbeam Farm towards the Glover Farm
(circa mid 20th century, Swampscott Historical Society)
The General Glover House
In 1957 the house became the famous restaurant the General Glover House. It was owned by the Anthony Athanas, founder of many restaurants around the Northshore and Pier 4 in Boston. The house and restaurant would become a focal point for generations of special events and community gatherings. Known for their popovers and fine dining, the historic house would be incorporated as part of the colonial themed hospitality and dining spaces. While many additions would be added on around the historic house, many original interior features including 18th century doors, molding, fireplaces, and framing remained. The General Glover House closed in the mid-1990s, and the building has been vacant ever since.
Postcards & Menus from the General Glover House restaurant
The General Glover House was a notable and beloved community gathering place through the years
Former General Glover House restaurant main entrance, with a gable and a chimney of the original house visible beyond
Glover House & Site Today
Present day facade of original 1700s house
Ell kitchen first floor fireplace (circa 1920s)
Ell kitchen first floor fireplace present day
Main House first floor fire place north room (circa 1920s)
Main House first floor fire place north room
Original 1700s door and hardware
Main House original Kitchen Fireplace with twin ovens
Main House second floor north chamber with original fireplace
Main House second floor south chamber
Original Glover Inn sign
(currently in lobby of Hawthorne by the Sea Restaurant)
Main house First floor original north and west fireplaces
(Interior photos by architect Frederic C. Detwiller, New England Landmarks)
OTHER HISTORIC BUILDINGS CURRENTLY ON
GLOVER FARM SITE
Along with the Glover Farmhouse, the current site is comprised of a collection of other historic buildings from different eras of the farm's history. These buildings include the A.E. Little House, barns, bungalow, and former gift shop, all contributing and connected to both local and New England history.
*ALL BUILDINGS ARE PROPOSED TO BE DEMOLISHED IN 2024