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| FRONT VIEW - RESIDENCE OF PHILIP SEARS, ESQ., BROOKLINE, MASS. Bigelow & Wadsworih, Architects. |
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| FIRST FLOOR PLANS - RESIDENCE OF PHILIP SEARS, ESQ., BROOKLINE, MASS. Bigelow & Wadsworih, Architects. |
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| SECOND FLOOR PLANS - RESIDENCE OF PHILIP SEARS, ESQ., BROOKLINE, MASS. Bigelow & Wadsworih, Architects. |
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| DETAIL OF ENTRANCE - RESIDENCE OF PHILIP SEARS, ESQ., BROOKLINE, MASS. Bigelow & Wadsworih, Architects. |
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| HALL TOWARDS STAIRS - RESIDENCE OF PHILIP SEARS, ESQ., BROOKLINE, MASS. Bigelow & Wadsworih, Architects. |
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| HALL TOWARDS DINING ROOM - RESIDENCE OF PHILIP SEARS, ESQ., BROOKLINE, MASS. Bigelow & Wadsworih, Architects. |
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| DINING ROOM - RESIDENCE OF PHILIP SEARS, ESQ., BROOKLINE, MASS. Bigelow & Wadsworih, Architects. |
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| DEN - RESIDENCE OF PHILIP SEARS, ESQ., BROOKLINE, MASS. Bigelow & Wadsworih, Architects. |
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| LIBRARY - RESIDENCE OF PHILIP SEARS, ESQ., BROOKLINE, MASS. Bigelow & Wadsworih, Architects. |
HPHS, while the Sears name is obviously a more common one I wonder if Mr. Sears wasn't somehow connected to horsewoman, Eleonora R. Sears (1881-1968) - see link below.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/searseleanora.shtml
She came from the elite ranks of Boston and moved for a time to Middleburg, Virginia where she owned the lovely Hickory Tree Farm (today) which had been known as Burrland. She owned it from 1949 to 1966. In the early 1920's the beautiful Georgian stable complex was designed by William Lawrence Bottomley.
Ms. Sears in a spat with local officials over taxes had the manor house razed in 1961. The next owner of the property was Mr & Mrs. James P. Mills (nee DuPont), Sr. until 2006.
I believe that this Philip Sears is Philip S. Sears,an uncle of famed sportswoman Eleonora "Eleo" Sears of Boston and Prides Crossing. He had a twin brother, Herbert. Both were intercollegiate tennis champions. More on Eleo Sears in my book, "Prides Crossing: The Unbridled Life and Impatient Times of Eleonora Sears", also see the Huffington Post and Daily Beast.
DeletePeggy, thanks for the correction. I haven't read your book although I've read some old news articles on Ms. Sears in addition to several citations with her other books and on-line references. While in Middleburg, VA she was among a clutch of exceedingly wealthy equestriennes equally strong willed, accomplished, and well bred. From Isabel Dodge Sloan (Brookmeade) and Liz Whitney Tippet (Llangollen) to Mary Harriman Rumsey (Grasslands) it was an era and location where an astride riding Eleo could be more herself.
DeletePeggy do you know anything about the house? It stood at 260 Heath Street(demolished) with possible outbuilding at 242-244 Heath Street still standing. From his obit it list his parents as Frederick R. and Albertina(Sheldon) Sears. If those names match what you have then... Harvard tennis star wining the singles intercollegiate in 1887 and 1888 and doubles in 1988 with QA Shaw. He became a lawyer, then at age 52 changed gears and became a noted sculptor. No mention of a twin - wife Mary Higginson, son Mason, son David who died in 1929.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pridescrossingbook.com/
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteI believe the house you are looking for is in Beverly Ma on the corner of Branch and Common Lane where it still stands
That house was the family summer home - http://halfpuddinghalfsauce.blogspot.com/2012/06/pines.html
DeletePhilip Shelton Sears is my great great grandfather. I am Thayer David Sears Jr, I grew up in Philip “Mason” Sears’ house in Dedham, MA 140 acres along the Charles river. Unfortunately, my father had to sell the property because a distant cousin and the only other heir contested my fathers inheritance and took half of everything and then disappeared. Philip Shelton was an accomplished sculpture in later life contributing a few works to Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, MA which was a philanthropic project of his cousin Clara Endicott Sears, another amazing Sears woman like Eleo. There is a great biography titled “History’s Daughter - life of Clara Endicott Sears.”
ReplyDeletePhillip Shelton’s son Mason Sears served on the “UN trusteeship council to new nations” Helping Kenya throw off the grips of colonialism. Go to Fruitlands museum to see PS Sears’s work, “he who shoots the stars,” a Native American warrior. Hope this helps
So one of Fredrick Richard Sears’ houses is in Longwood, Brookline and is now owned by Boston University... oh and yes, Philip Shelton has a twin Herbert and together they won the first 3 doubles tennis national championship in a row. This while their older brother Richard Dudley Sears won the first 6 national titles in a row, the first three without the loss of a set. This was told to me by one of his grandsons, John Winthrop Sears, my honorary uncle (technically a cousin), before passing in 2014. I tried to absorb as much family history as I could from him...one day I’d like to become as wealthy as my fourth great grandfather David Sears II (1787-1871) and buy back all the property the family lost, set things right, and then give it all away again...
ReplyDeleteMr. Sears, I purchased one of your great great grandfather's sculptures at auction in the Spring. He was such a talented artist. I think perhaps we are cousins as well through Winthrops and Dudleys. cheers
DeleteWe have some of Phillip’s old letters and the address is simply “Warren Farm, Brookline”
ReplyDeleteNot sure exactly where the house was though
Hey Thayer David Sears, i'd love to connect with you about the frederick sears house in Brookline. I found this post after random searches. If you see this, reach out.
ReplyDelete