Susannah Ingersoll: Salem’s Dutchess
by Anna Ruane
Susannah Ingersoll (1784-1858) was the fourth-born child of Captain Samuel Ingersoll (1744-1804) and Susannah Hathorne Ingersoll (1746-1811). By the time of her birth, Susannah’s parents were already living in the Turner Mansion with their sons, Samuel Jr. (1775-1797) and Ebenezer (b. 1781- d. 1804). Captain Samuel Ingersoll’s sons would follow in their father’s footsteps – both becoming sea captains and assisting him in his maritime business.
Unfortunately, all three died from illness by 1804. In 1797, Samuel Ingersoll Jr. passed from consumption. In 1804, Captain Samuel Ingersoll contracted yellow fever alongside his son Ebenezer. Samuel passed away at sea and was buried upon return to Salem. Ebenezer was kept on board the ship in quarantine but died two days after his return to Salem. He was buried alongside his father in the Bradstreet Tomb at Charter Cemetery in Salem, Massachusetts. Susannah’s mother became the executrix of her late husband’s estate, both managing the Turner mansion and other real estate investments. In 1811, she contracted smallpox and died suddenly, leaving Susanah, the only surviving immediate family member, to inherit the property and fortune. Susannah did not idly sit by with her inheritance. While the War of 1812 drove many Salemites to flee, Susannah seized the opportunity to purchase real estate at low prices. She would go on to become one of wealthiest business women of her time, owning over 60 properties throughout the Salem region. While the Turner-Ingersoll mansion has passed through many owners, we are lucky that there are original furnishings from Susannah’s days still in The Gables’ collection.
Brass Door Knocker, Side View and Front View
Circa 1700s, Origin: English, Material: Brass
In 1782, Captain Samuel Ingersoll purchased the Turner Mansion at auction for £500. Similar to homebuyers today, the Ingersoll family renovated the mansion. Some work was out of necessity due to disrepair while other work was done to add their own touch to the home. One piece that was added to the mansion was a door knocker from Philip English’s (1651-1736) home. Phillip English, a merchant, immigrated from the isle of Jersey to Salem in 1670. During the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, both he and his wife were accused of witchcraft and fled to New York to avoid arrest and persecution. After the trials, they returned to their Salem home, which was located on English Street until its 1833 demolition.
Philip English’s daughter, Susannah, married Jonathan Hathorne, son of the Witch Trials magistrate and main persecutor of the English’s, John Hathorne. The couple would go on to have several children including Susannah Hathorne, the mother of Susannah Ingersoll. After her husband purchased the Turner Mansion, Susannah attached the English family door knocker to the front door of her new home. The large, s-shaped, brass knocker hung on the front door of the Turner mansion for some time and dates to the early 1700s.
Side Chairs, Set of Six
Circa 1760, Origin: American (New England), Material: birch stained to look like mahogany, rush.
A set of six New England Transitional style birch side chairs. The Transitional style is a blend of Queen Anne and Chippendale furniture. These birch chairs are stained to look like mahogany and once belonged to Susannah Ingersoll.
While Susannah Ingersoll may have remained a single woman, she did not isolate herself. In her book, The Chronicles of Three Old Houses, museum founder Caroline Emmerton describes Susannah as “a tall, stately young woman, fond of society, so it is said.” Susannah was known to host social gatherings at her home, inviting her young cousin Nathaniel Hawthorne and his family to her grand mansion. In his letters, Hawthorne mentions gathering at Susannah’s house along with his sister and others for games of whist. The group had regular card games, as Hawthorne supplied each player with their own nickname, with Susannah being “the Dutchess.” It was during a gathering at Susannah’s home that she led Hawthorne throughout her home, recounting family tales and the architectural changes that her father made to the Turner mansion. Upon hearing that the house at one point had seven gables, he examined the attic space looking for evidence of the missing gables. Susannah’s stories had an obvious effect on Hawthorne, as he was inspired to use the house as the setting of his novel, The House of the Seven Gables.
Bergere Armchair
Circa 1830, Origin: American (Boston or Salem Massachusetts), Material: mahogany, ash secondary, leather upholstery, brass nails.
An early nineteenth-century American Sheraton Bergere armchair from Boston or Salem. The chair has black leather upholstery and once belonged to Susannah Ingersoll. It is said that this was Nathaniel Hawthorne’s favorite chair to sit in while he was visiting his cousin.
While today we cannot speak on just how close Hawthorne and Susannah were, it is apparent that she served as an influence in his life. Prior to publishing The House of the Seven Gables, Hawthorne published A Grandfather’s Chair, a children’s story that used an antique oak chair to tell the history of New England. During a visit to Susannah, Hawthorne had lamented to her that had nothing to write about. Likely knowing of Hawthorne’s literary talent, Susannah suggested he could write about anything, including an old chair in the corner of her home. From this conversation, Hawthorne would write and publish A Grandfather’s Chair in 1840. While it is uncertain whether Susannah had received or read a copy of The House of the Seven Gables, letters to Hawthorne’s publisher hint that she certainly received a copy of the Grandfather’s Chair.
The Village School Collection; Vol II
Published 1790. Publisher: John Marshall & Co.
Much like her younger cousin, Susannah too was a lover of literature. This book, The Village School Collection, is reported to be a childhood book of Susannah’s. The museum collection also houses another childhood book of hers, The Histories of More Children than One.
In a letter to her adopted son, Horace Connolley, Susannah tells how a storm caused rain water to enter the “book-room,” forcing her to move some of her books to the Great Chamber (bedroom). She informs him that the books have not been damaged but moving them gave her an opportunity to look through Montheon’s Ecclesiastical History. Susannah remarks that “the invention of printing secures for future generations all the knowledge that we possess.” An intelligent woman, Susannah goes on to compliment the preservation work done by early clergymen who reprinted texts by hand for preservation and wider usage.
Butler’s Tray
Circa 1800, Origin: English, Material: Walnut (tray), Oak, Fabric (tray stand).
Susannah may have been the last surviving member of her immediate family when she inherited the mansion, but she certainly did not live alone. By the 1820s Susannah had adopted a son, Horace Connolly, whose education she financed. After Susannah’ s death, Horace inherited the mansion and changed his last name to Ingersoll.
Susannah also lived with a cousin around her age, Mary Clough. While the exact nature of their relationship is unknown, it appears that Mary was a companion to Susannah. Lady’s companions were often women employed to provide support and conversation. They did not, however, work as maids or servants. There are several mentions of Mary in Susannah’s letters that hint at her role in the home. By the 1830s, Susannah was sharing her time between her Salem mansion and a farm she purchased in Danvers. Mentions of Mary on the farm tell of her helping Susannah care for the animals and occasionally baking desserts. Other letters and Susannah’s will demonstrate that although she was a hired companion, Susannah did care for her well being. She writes to Horace how she was concerned with Mary’s health after a bout of illness. In her will, Susannah states that Horace is to inherit her properties and wealth, so long as he cares for Mary. She instructs Horace as to what needs Mary may have and that she is to regularly see a doctor. Mary passed away in 1852, six years before Susannah Ingersoll, and is buried alongside Susannah in the Bradstreet Tomb in Charter Street Cemetery.
Chest of Drawers
Circa 1750, Origin: American (Massachusetts), Material: Walnut, maple, brass.
A mid-eighteenth century Queen Anne chest of drawers, once owned by Susanna Ingersoll. The Queen Anne style became popular in American colonies during the 1720s, coinciding with increased prosperity and the arrival of skilled British craftsmen. The furnishings have elements of simplified Baroque and classical styles. Many Queen Anne pieces feature curves, especially for the chair backs which were intended to be comfortable for sitting. Oftentimes, Queen Anne pieces use maple and walnut wood. The chest of drawers featured above consists of maple, walnut, and pine.
Being the daughter of a wealthy merchant, Susannah Ingersoll certainly had a taste for fashion. She reportedly had a large collection of elegant dresses and was known as a fashionable woman. After her death in 1858, her adopted son Horace Connolly inherited her wealth and properties. Unbeknownst to Susannah, Horace had accumulated quite a debt. In an attempt to earn money, he opened a shop in Salem and sold many of the Ingersoll family goods there, including much of Susannah’s clothing.
Bristol Glass Vases
Circa 1820, Origin: English, Material: Glass, Gilt.
A pair of nineteenth century English Bristol Glass vases with gilt banding and decorations. The set was said to have been owned by Susannah Ingersoll.
Tilt-top Tea Table
Circa 1770, Origin: American (Rhode Island), Material: mahogany top and base, iron, brass.
An eighteenth-century Chippendale tilt-top mahogany tea table, once owned by Susannah Ingersoll. Tilt-top table production originated in England and was introduced to the American colonies in the early 1720s.The earliest American production of tilt-top tables traces back to Philadelphia, but the style quickly became popular throughout the American colonies. These tables are often associated with socialization and hospitality, as they were frequently used for hosting tea parties. The furniture existing in Susannah’s home is yet another sign of her social nature.
Fireback
Circa 1662, Origin: American (Saugus, Massachusetts), Material: Bog Iron.
A 17th Century bog-iron fireback. The fireback has a raised crest with “1662” in numerals. This is one of five known extant firebacks made at the Saugus Ironworks (1646-1670). The fireback was acquired by Susannah Ingersoll’s adopted son, Horace Connolly, and was installed in the home. In her book The Chronicles of Three Old Houses, Caroline Emmerton recounted entering the empty mansion around 1880 with a group of young people to see the interior of the mansion. Emmerton states, “I remember the circular cupboard in the parlor with its shell-like top and in the kitchen the fireback, with its date of 1662, was lying on shelf or table.” During her 1908-1910 renovation, Emmerton had the fireback installed in the dining room.
Susannah Portrait
Circa 1840, Origin: Likely American, Material: Oil on canvas, Artist: No longer known.
Susannah Ingersoll died July 13, 1858 at the age of 74. As a single woman in the nineteenth century, she transcended societal expectations by becoming one of the wealthiest business women of her time. Her letters and belongings demonstrate her social nature and intelligence. Today, her burial place can be visited at Charter Street Cemetery. Guests to The House of the Seven Gables have the opportunity to see more of Susannah’s belongings and learn about her life through guided Mansion Tours.