SWAMPSCOTT — The Gen. Glover Farmhouse isn’t just a relic; it’s as much of a lively reminder of the country’s rich history as it is a beacon of inspiration for future generations.
The historic house, which teeters on the edges of Salem, Swampscott and Marblehead, has an extensive history rooted within the three communities.
To push forward communal discourse and awareness of the historic site, a delegation from the Gen. John Glover Preservation Effort traveled to Bermuda to connect over the history of the Revolutionary War. The event featured a lecture titled “Preserving our Shared Heritage,” which focused on William Browne, a British Loyalist whose property was seized during the American Revolution and who was later banished from the country. Gen. Glover later bought the 180-acre land and farmhouse in 1781.
“What I came to realize during that trip to Bermuda was that I can’t think of another site in the country, or New England, that so fully encapsulates the history and politics of the American Revolution itself,” Schultz said.
She elaborated on that point, diving into the background of the farmhouse. “It was owned by a loyalist and confiscated by the Massachusetts government and was basically sold to Glover as a reward for his services during the war,” she said.
According to the American Battlefield Trust, Glover led the 21st Massachusetts Regiment in 1775, with the regiment subsequently being dubbed “Marblehead Mariners.” Glover played a crucial role throughout the war, with several notable feats that have cemented his significance in the revolution.
One of the main accomplishments was when Glover saved George Washington and his men at the Battle of Long Island in 1776, where Glover and his regiment ferried soldiers across the East River after being surrounded by British forces. He was also involved in The Crossing of the Delaware, as well as delaying the British advancing at Pell’s Point.
“He basically saved Washington at least three times during the revolution,” Schultz said. “We probably wouldn’t even be a country today if it weren’t for his help. It’s only a 1,100-square-foot plot with a little land, but the entirety of American politics during the revolution played out right here in Swampscott.”
Marblehead Historic Commission member Ed Nilsson commented on the role Glover played. “He’s not just an American hero; we’d probably all be speaking with British accents if Glover had never helped save Washington all those times,” Nilsson said.
He continued, “When you learn about Glover, it’s not just an important story locally; he was important nationally,” Nilsson said. “It’s really an amazing story.”
Nilsson expressed that he feels Glover is unappreciated compared to his lasting impact on the American Revolution and his subsequent presence throughout the three communities. “Especially in a time when we’re looking for real ways of celebrating the anniversary of the revolution.”
He said it was an opportunity for Marblehead, Swampscott and Salem to build on the important value that the Glover house has for the communities.
“When we first discovered how valuable the house was, we put proposals out to keep the house on the site,” Nilsson said, citing how the goal was to preserve the house while keeping an open mind on use for the land. “It’s a beautiful 18th century house that’s apart of both Marblehead and Swampscott’s history, as well as Salem,” he explained.
Nilsson touched on how after the war, Glover continued to be a presence in Marblehead. “And when the war was over, Gen. Glover came back to Marblehead, and he was still very politically active,” Nilsson said. “He was very active on a state level, and also on a national level, where he was involved with the constitution. It’s an amazing story about the different chapters of his life, and how he continued his political activism in the town.”
He added that currently, the Marblehead Historic Commission is working to flesh-out Glover’s story to spread awareness of his efforts during and after the Revolutionary War. “We’ve continued to do research and the farther we go, the more we learn about his impact,” Nilsson said.
Despite the Glover Farmhouse being at the core of the American Revolution, the site’s actual history runs back at least 10,000 years. “It really goes all the way back to the Naumkeag Tribe and Native population,” Schultz said.
Naumkeag translates to “fishing place,” which originally migrated to what they called “Land of the red rock” (Swampscott).
The first owner of the house was William Browne, who served as a judge for the superior colonial court, which rendered him a Loyalist. Several years after he fled to England, Massachusetts confiscated the house and farmland, and Browne eventually went on to become the Royal Governor of Bermuda, according to Save The Glover’s website.
Glover purchased the house and property in 1781 for 1,369 pounds (which would be approximately $250,000 today). He lived on the farm for the rest of his life, until his death in 1797.
Later on, in 1919, the property was purchased by Alexander and Lillian Little, who turned the house into the Gen. Glover Inn and Tea Room while they worked to restore the colonial elements of the house. After their deaths in the 1950s, the property was sold to the Athanas family. Athanas later made the site into the restaurant Gen. Glover House, which closed in the 1990s.
Current efforts to preserve the site remain a tedious, ongoing process to keep the farmhouse intact and free from demolition or renovation. In December 2024, the town allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help improve the infrastructure of the house. The allocations included $33,000 toward structural engineering services, while $10,000 was used to tarp the building to prevent further damage from the weather.
“Marblehead Planning Board had approved plans for the demolition of the property to include 140 units of affordable housing in December 2022,” Schultz said. “But due to our bylaws, the Historical Commission had to review the plans before it could be approved.”
Schultz said the developers raised concerns about the house falling into disrepair over time. “We wanted to get a second opinion, not just take their word for it,” she said.
In response, the town got a grant for over $6,000 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which the town used to hire structural engineers to analyze the house. Schultz added that the engineers found that more than 70% of the original framing of the house was intact.
After that, the Historical Commission put a nine-month demolition delay on the project to try and save the site. “We tried to work with the developer, and what we realized was that the original plans cut into the house by 70 feet,” she said. “We tried to move the house, but they weren’t interested.”
With all the complexities of the project, Schultz said the developer ended up walking away from the project. “We understand there are developers that are interested in the project, but we have not been told that it’s been sold yet.”
Schultz commented on the balance of preserving historic sites while also trying to navigate the challenges of bringing more affordable housing to town. “Historically, there’s been this tension between preserving history with bringing affordable housing,” Schultz said. “I want to be really clear that we’re all for affordable housing, and open to any ideas for the property.”
She continued, “What better legacy is there to leave future generations than to restore the home of Gen. John Glover, who was one of the most important heroes in the American Revolution?” She said. “For us to have that treasure in our midst, I think it will have incredible meaning for generations to come.”
