Georgian: 1720 to 1780

The Georgian style is the first architectural style to appear in the American colonies. In Belmont, somewhat simplified versions of the style were used for the homes of a few prosperous residents, mostly farmers. The houses in this style typically display a five-bay façade with center entrance, a massive center chimney, windows with many small panes, wide side elevations and classically-inspired trim including entablatures and door surrounds. The houses can be capped by gable or hipped roofs; elsewhere gambrel roofs were also used.

Examples Found in Belmont

Josiah Shattuck House, 1744 | 981 Conocord Avenue

Representative Architectural Styles Georgian 981 Concord Avenue
Representative Architectural Styles Georgian 981 Concord Avenue Historic

Josiah Shattuck was a grandson of Doctor Philip Shattuck, prominent colonial physician and leader of early Watertown affairs. When Josiah was married, in 1744, he was given a section of the doctor's land, inherited by his father, Benjamin. Because of the Early Georgian architecture, it seems logical to assume that the house was built just prior to his marriage.

Josiah was a man of means, prospering as a farmer and a butcher. He was the husband of two wives arid father of four children. 

- Unknown newspaper

Captain Eaton House, 1750 | 154 Mill Street

Representative Architectural Styles Georgian 154 Mill Street
Representative Architectural Styles Georgian 154 Mill Street Historic

Little is known of Captain Eaton. He built this house around 1750, on Mill Street, Belmont, then part of Waltham. (In 1908, the house was said to be over one hundred and sixty years old). It is rumored that Mr. Eaton was an English sea captain who had two families, one in England and one on Mill Street!

When the Revolution began, Captain Eaton must have returned to England. The Waltham town records say that, 'In the troublesome, times of the Revolution, neighbor seemed to eye neighbor somewhat eskant, and every suspicion was intensified by the fever of the times.' It is doubtful that Captain Eaton was friendly with his neighbors or to America's cause.

- Unknown newspaper

Colonel Grant House, 1760 | 325 Common Street

Representative Architectural Styles Georgian 325 Common Street
Representative Architectural Styles Georgian 325 Common Street Historic

In the Town Meeting of January 2, 1775, Christopher Grant was. 'Voted and Chosen.' a sergeant in Captain Samuel Barnard's Watertown Company of Minutemen. Also, 'It was Put to Vote whether the town will grant any money to encourage the learning the military art and it passed in the affirmative.'

On the 19th of April. 1775, Sergeant Christopher Grant, left this house on Common Street, shouldered his musket and joined the others in captain Barnard's Company. They marched i n response to the Lexington alarm, meeting the British as they returned from Concord. They skirmished on Massachusetts avenue, 4 in Menotomy, at a place called, 'Foot of the Rocks.'

Sergeant Grant must have fought bravely and well, for he was termed Lieutenant Christopher Grant in the Battle of Bunker Hill, and with General Washington at Dorchester Heights. At the end of the Revolution, he was a full Colonel.

- Belmont Citizen, 1973