Index to Deeds: 34 Commonwealth

The following is an index to property transfer deeds and original building construction contracts recorded at the Suffolk County Deed Registry from the original land purchase until conversion of the building into condominiums.  Mortgages, trust agreements, and other similar recorded documents are not included.  This index is intended as a guide only; actual deeds should be reviewed for details.

Transfers of Land and Buildings
Date of Deed Grantor Grantee Book Page
05Jun1984 Edward W. Sexton, Jr. 34 Commonwealth Avenue Condominium 10973 303
30May1984 Pamela W. Larsen and Edward W. Sexton, Jr., trustees, Larsen-Sexton Trust Edward W. Sexton, Jr. 10973 302
21Dec1979 L. Clarke Hill, trustee,34 Commonwealth Realty Trust Pamela W. Larsen and Edward W. Sexton, Jr., trustees, Larsen-Sexton Trust 9342 131
19Dec1978 Lawrence C. Hill, Jr. L. Clarke Hill, trustee,34 Commonwealth Realty Trust 9137 416
13Mar1969 Rocco E. Paoletta Lawrence C. Hill, Jr. 8270 129
28Jun1966 Delwin B. Schneider and Katherine L. Schneider Rocco E. Paoletta 8036 448
11May1965 Bartlett Tyler Delwin B. Schneider and Katherine L. Schneider, husband and wife 7951 810
01Nov1920 Mabel F. Stainer (one-half interest) Carrie A. Tyler, wife of William B. Tyler 4267 359
15Jun1914 Mark Temple Dowling Helen A. Bates, wife of Jacob P. Bates 3813 498
01Oct1912 Henry H. Haskell and Marian L. Haskell, his wife, in her own right Mark Temple Dowling 3674 213
06Nov1900 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Marian L. Haskell, wife of Henry H. Haskell 2718 491
28Apr1893 Rev. Edmund F. Slafter, trustee under the will of  Martha Ann Edwards Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2128 207
15Jun1882 Charles Hazen Dorr, surviving trustee under trust established for the benefit of Martha Ann Edwards Rev. Edmund F. Slafter, trustee under the will of  Martha Ann Edwards 1564 154
Transfers of Unimproved Land
Date of Deed Grantor Grantee Book Page
02Jul1860 Samuel Hooper Francis F. Dorr and Charles H. Dorr, trustees under a trust for the benefit of Martha Ann Edwards, wife of Henry Edwards 791 56
22Jun1860 Nathan B. Gibbs Samuel Hooper 780 279
02May1860 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Nathan B. Gibbs 777 172
02May1860 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Samuel Hooper 777 154
Building Construction Agreements
Date Party One Party Two Book Page
07Jul1860 Lemuel Miles Standish and Charles Woodbury, masons, and Jonas Fitch, carpenter F. F. Dorr and C. H. Dorr, trustees under a trust for the benefit of Martha Ann Edwards 798 1
The building construction contract specifies that Gridley J. F. Bryant and Arthur Gilman are the architects, and designates Gridley Bryant as superintendent for the work.  It refers to plans and specifications agreed upon by both parties, establishes the price for the work at $13,400, sets a completion date of not later than August 1, 1861, and specifies other terms and conditions.  The agreement includes the following addenda to clarify or modify specifications contained in the original plans.
“Addenda: Put on grounds to four floors, between the under and upper floor boards ¾ of an inch thick, and plaster between the same with a good solid coat of cement and mortar, mixed in equal proportions of lime and cement, the party walls are to be 12 in. thick ip to the level of the first chamber floor, thence 8 in. to top, the dimensions of the house on the ground, are to be widened one foot so as to measure nineteen feet from centre to centre of party walls, instead of 18 ft. as hereinbefore described, the bay window shewn [sic] on the plans, elevations &c. is to be put up according to the plans of freestone, complete, and finished and glazed with French plate glass, as shewn [sic].  Seal up the walls of kitchen with best hard pine, 1 inch stock, 2 ft. 8” high.  In addition to the wash bowls mentioned in the printed specifications hereto annexed, there is to be a wash-bowl in back chamber, on first chamber floor, and a bath room, bath tub and water closet on second chamber floor, the whole of which, together with their appurtenances to be fully equal to those indicated in the printed specifications aforesaid, the front yard fence stones are to be supported on granite foundations & piles, corresponding in heights and levels to the walls and piles of the walls of the house, in Consideration of which the said parties of the second part are to pay to the said parties of the first part the sum of Four hundred dollars in addition to the sum of Thirteen thousand four hundred dollars hereinbefore set forth as the contract price to be paid for erecting said house, the outside courses of the rear wall of the house, above the yard level, are to be of pressed brick laid with neat bond up to the copper gutter thereof including pressed brick cornice beneath said gutter, in consideration of which the said parties of the second of the second part to said parties of the first part the sum of One hundred dollars in addition to the two sums of Thirteen thousand four hundred dollars, and the sum of Four hundred dollars, hereinbefore stipulated.”