Edwards Family Home Site

In One April in Boston, you will meet 10-year-old Ben Edwards and his family, and read about their home on Back Street in Boston's North End. The Edwards home was located near Beer Lane, which connected Back and Middle streets. It was two blocks from the home of Robert Newman and three blocks from Christ Church (Old North). Looking directly down Beer Lane, the family could see the New Brick Church, where the Edwards and Revere families worshipped. The exact location is shown below. For a wider view, click on the "Boston Map 1775 (PDF)" link.

Before purchasing the Back Street property, Ben's grandfather, Captain Benjamin Edwards (1685-1751), lived in the North End in two other locations. These included Hull Street in 1713, and the corner of Prince and Salem streets in 1717. In 1719, Captain Edwards purchased property from Abigail Blaque. It bounded southeasterly on Back Street (95 1/2 ft.) and on the northwest by the Mill Pond. The property included houses, outhouses, buildings, barns, stables and gardens. A passageway on the property connected Back Street to the Mill Pond. Captain Edwards lived here in a brick home that stood on the right side of the passageway. His seven children, including Ben's Uncle Alex, and his father Dolling, were born here.

In 1738, Captain Edwards purchased a second piece of property on Back Street, next to his home, from blacksmith Solomon Townsend. The property measured 31 1/2 ft. at the front and 200 ft. from front to rear. It contained land and buildings. After Captain Edwards' death in 1751, this property was passed on to his son Benjamin. The Captain's remaining real estate was divided among his five other living children. His sons John and Robert received the front part of his home, while Captain Edwards' daughter Bathsheba was given the back part.

Captain Edwards' son Alexander (young Ben's Uncle Alex) was given a brick home, buildings and land next to his siblings. This property had 50 ft. of frontage on Back Street and was to the left of the passageway that led to the Mill Pond. The brick home on this property is where the Edwards family lives in One April in Boston. The Captain also owned two small dwellings: one on Ship Street and one in White Bread Alley. These were given to his youngest son, Dolling.