Double Homes on Union Date to the 1700s

19 & 21 Union Street

Built at the turn of the nineteenth century, the sage and daffodil double frame house at 19 and 21 Union Street at one time faced the Charlestown Female Seminary. While the seminary is long gone, the house is probably now at its most glorious.

#19 recently had major renovations and while #21 loses some of its sunlight to the brick house on its south side, its arched doorway opens to a brick walkway which leads to an enclosed yard behind a tilted gate.

Although the two houses share a common brick dividing wall, they differ in a way that sets them apart from any other attached house in Charlestown: there are two different roofs. While the roof over 19 Union is a straight gable, #21 has a gambrel roof, a style resembling a crooked finger.

There’s no apparent reason for the differing styles but they evidently ‘represent the original roof configuration.’

The historic marker assigns ownership to Jacob Forster and dates the house at 1798, when Charlestown was in its rebuilding stage, following the devastation of the Battle of Bunker Hill. One by one private homes were being built.

Jacob Forster moved to Charlestown in 1786, from Berwick, Maine. A maker of fine furniture, Forster opened a small cabinetmaking shop in Charlestown and then built a large furniture making structure at the corner of Main and Union. The Forster & Lawrence furniture business, ultimately run by the Forster family, became a vital part of Charlestown business life. In the 1820s Jacob Forster and son Charles even set up a cabinet shop inside the state prison.

According to Sawyer’s history of Charlestown, Forster furniture makers had orders coming in from all parts of the existing United States. ‘Almost every house in the town was made attractive by tasteful and thoroughly made chairs, sofas and tables purchased at the old corner store.’
(see https://m.skinnerinc.com/aucti... for a few examples of Foster-made furniture. On a biographical note, Jacob’s grandson Charles spent many years in Brazil and became well known as a toothpick manufacturer.)

Over the years, the house at 19 & 21 Union Street has changed owners many times. Mary Lawrence sold #21 to Charles Perry, undertaker, for $3,500. Sergio Smith bought the house then sold it in 1870 for $3,650. Owners of #19 have included Rebecca Damon, James Harris and Daniel T. Mahoney.

Where is it? 19 & 21 Union Street

When was it built? 1798-1810

What was it built for and who was the first occupant? Jacob Forster is indicated as the first owner.

Why was it built? as a family home

How was it built? It is a wood frame double house, separated by a common brick wall.

What are the future plans for the structure? Number 19 had considerable renovation in 2006 and in 2010. The houses are occupied and privately owned.

Information for this article was compiled from various research materials, including Old Charlestown by Timothy T. Sawyer and Boston Landmarks Commission vis a vis Massachusetts Historical Commission Inventory.