Nathaniel Hooper Mansion (1754)

In 1801, Nathaniel Hooper, son of Robert Hooper and brother of Capt. John Hooper, purchased a parcel of land at the foot of Washington Street in Marblehead. A c. 1754 house was already on the property, which Hooper expanded into a Federal-style mansion. According to the Hooper Genealogy (1908), Nathaniel Hooper (1770-1825), “made public profession of his faith in Christ, his Saviour, in 1811, uniting with the Congregational church of Marblehead [the Hoopers had traditionally been Episcopalians]; became a deacon of the church, a man of large generosity and of much public spirit. He was known among the fishermen as ‘The Oracle,’ being very helpful in settling controversies. He represented the town at the General Court 1813-15 and 1822; was a member of the [Massachusetts Constitutional] Convention of 1820.” The Nathaniel Hooper Mansion, at 147 Washington Street, was later owned by the members of Fabens family of Salem. It was acquired by its current owners in 1983 and has been restored.