Jonathan Tuttle transferred property to Jedediah Tuttle of Charlestown on 27 Dec 1788. Sometime within the next 2 years a building was put up and transferred to John Porter on 17 Dec 1790. Who said real estate was slow in the winter months??
On the 1830 map this property is noted as the site of Reuben Houghton’s store. This is an interesting story. Houghton’s business was failing. Reuben Hoar, as his largest creditor, became assignee. Hoar analyzed the debts and realized the assets of the business could cover all Houghton’s debts and so Hoar assisted in managing the concern for the next two years. When all the obligations were settled, Reuben Hoar refused compensation as assignee, leaving a balance to recapitalize the enterprise.
The Houghton family was able to amass, in two generations, the means to help found a library in the name of their benefactor. William Stevens Houghton, son of Reuben, donated $10,000, half of which was to purchase books, half to be an endowment for future acquisitions. These donations were matched by $2,500, raised by subscription, and $10,000 to be appropriated by the Town for construction of a town house to accommodate town offices and the library.
The Town Hall was built in 1887 (burned in 1943) at 19 Foster Street.
In 1895, William S. Houghton’s children funded construction of a separate library building in honor of their father. Built at 4 Rogers Street, the Houghton Memorial Building housed the Reuben Hoar Library until 1988. It is now the home of the Littleton Historical Society.
Great Story. Thanks!
Love the history. Were any of the town records saved when the town hall burned? I would love to find the house plans for the house where I grew up. It was built in 1880 (I think) and I was told that it was made into a 2 family in the early 50’s.
Littleton Historical Society Inc Massachusetts
Helen Lavertue Powers Littleton was lucky that many of the records were saved. Unfortunately, none of the building department records were. So many times we’ve needed them! There might be something from the 50’s though. The fire was in 1943. Not sure how the present building department has things organized.