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71-449: Shortly after the house was built, its owner Thomas Amory met financial trouble and subsequently sold the property. The building was then "enlarged, and divided into 4 dwellings, whereof 2 had entrances on Beacon Street. The other 2 fronted on Park Street. When Lafayette visited Boston in 1824, he stayed at the Amory house. "Soon after his arrival General Lafayette appeared upon the balcony above

142-493: A WFXT TV studio. 2014 renovations of the building yielded original eastern white pine interior sheathing boards, which were re-milled by a nearby reclaimed lumber company. 42°21′28″N 71°03′46″W  /  42.3577°N 71.0629°W  / 42.3577; -71.0629 William Eustis William Eustis (June 10, 1753 – February 6, 1825) was an early American physician , politician, and statesman from Massachusetts . Trained in medicine, he served as

213-557: A Republican sweep of the legislature the following year) marked the effective end of the Federalist Party in Massachusetts. Eustis was a popular governor, continuing Brooks' moderate policies. He nominated his lieutenant governor, Levi Lincoln Jr. , to the state's high court , and won reelection in 1824 with former Representative Marcus Morton as his lieutenant. While governor he received his old friend Lafayette when he toured

284-502: A certain disheveled charm when they were filled with odd antiques, curiosity shops, and tearooms." Businesses that occupied the building's storefronts over the years have included Trefry & Partridge Jewelers, Ann's Breakfast & Sandwiches restaurant, Fill-A-Buster restaurant (now located at 142 Bowdoin St. on Beacon Hill), Au Bon Pain , a Cheers merchandise store, Curious Liquids coffeehouse, and currently No. 9 Park Street restaurant and

355-721: A complete listing. The front doors of the State House are only opened when a governor leaves office, a head of state or the president of the United States comes to visit the State House, or for the return of flags from Massachusetts regiments at the end of wars. The tradition of the ceremonial door originated when departing governor Benjamin Butler kicked open the front door and walked out by himself in 1884. Incoming governors usually choose at least one past governor's portrait to hang in their office. Immediately before being sworn into office,

426-437: A confirmed bachelor, described as urbane and charming. He married Caroline Langdon in 1801; they had no children. She was the sister of Henry Sherburne Langdon, who had married Eustis' sister Ann, and the daughter of Woodbury Langdon , a prominent Portsmouth, New Hampshire , merchant and judge. His wife survived him by forty years, after which his Boston property was divided among relatives. The mansion fell into decay, but

497-435: A lieutenant colonel's commission offered by artillery chief Henry Knox . During his Continental Army service, Eustis met and established an enduring friendship with New Jersey native Aaron Burr . In 1777 Eustis was placed in command of a military hospital established at the former residence of Loyalist Beverley Robinson north of New York City , where he remained for the duration of the war. In September 1780 he played

568-582: A military surgeon during the American Revolutionary War , notably at the Battle of Bunker Hill . He resumed medical practice after the war, but soon entered politics. After several terms in the state legislature, Eustis won election to the United States Congress in 1800, serving as a moderate Democratic-Republican . He briefly returned to state politics after losing reelection in 1804, and

639-469: A minor role in events surrounding the flight of traitor Benedict Arnold : he treated Arnold's wife Peggy , who was seemingly hysterical over the sudden departure of her husband and the discovery of his plot. After the war Eustis returned to medical practice in Boston. He was once again called on to serve in military matters when Shays' Rebellion broke out in western Massachusetts in 1786, becoming surgeon to

710-450: A private citizen. Benjamin Butler started the tradition in 1884. Some walks have been modified with some past governors having their wives, friends, or staff accompany them. A 19-gun salute is offered during the walk, and frequently the steps are lined by the outgoing governor's friends and supporters. In January 1991, outgoing lieutenant governor Evelyn Murphy , the first woman elected to statewide office in Massachusetts, walked down

781-661: A proposal to establish the Shirley–Eustis House in Roxbury , built by royal Governor William Shirley , as the official residence. At one time, Governor John A. Volpe accepted the donation of the Endicott Estate in Dedham from the heirs of Henry Bradford Endicott . He intended to renovate the 19th-century mansion into a splendid governor's residence. After Volpe resigned to become United States Secretary of Transportation in

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852-670: A royally appointed governor who resided in Boston and served at the King's pleasure. Though there existed a council which served as a quasi-legislature, however the logistics of calling the council to meet were so arduous that the Dominion was essentially governed by the Crown through the royal governor. The reason for the creation of such a post was there existed tremendous hostility between the Kingdom of England and

923-548: A single unit in 1686, but collapsed in 1689. In 1692 the Province of Massachusetts Bay was established, merging Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay, which then included the territory of present-day Maine . Colonial governors of Plymouth and the Massachusetts Bay Colony were elected annually by a limited subset of the male population (known as freemen ), while Dominion officials and those of the 1692 province were appointed by

994-666: A stint as acting governor, but was elected governor several years later. Prior to 1918 constitutional reforms, both the governor's office and that of lieutenant governor were vacant on one occasion, when the state was governed by the Governor's Council . The colonial history of Massachusetts begins with the founding first of the Plymouth Colony in 1620, and then the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1628. The Dominion of New England combined these and other New England colonies into

1065-539: A threatened uprising in the Continental Army. Eustis publicly denied being the author of the letters, but was silent on his role in the affair. ( John Armstrong later admitted to writing the letters, and Eustis acknowledged some years later that he was privy to the plot.) Eustis was a moderate Democratic-Republican who did not seek the significant reforms more radical Republicans wanted. He demonstrated this by voting against President Thomas Jefferson 's repeal of

1136-409: A young woman whose mother had been involved in an adulterous relationship with Alexander Hamilton ; she was placed in a Boston-area boarding school. Eustis may have also been the subject of a teenage crush by Burr's daughter Theodosia , who shared intimate details of her life with him (including medical conditions emanating from a difficult pregnancy) well into adulthood. Eustis was for many years

1207-567: Is a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council , a popularly elected council with eight members who provide advice and consent on certain legal matters and appointments. Beginning with the Massachusetts Bay Company in 1629, the role of the governor has changed throughout its history in terms of powers and selection. The modern form of the position was created in the 1780 Constitution of Massachusetts , which called for

1278-458: Is an elected position. The term of office is four years, with no term limit . Elections for governor are held on a four-year basis concurrently with elections for the offices of lieutenant governor , attorney general , secretary of the commonwealth , state treasurer , and state auditor . The role of governor has existed in Massachusetts since the Royal Charter of 1628. The original role

1349-400: Is referred to as "the lieutenant-governor, acting governor" in official documents. Despite this terminology, the Massachusetts courts have found that the full authority of the office of the governor devolves to the lieutenant governor upon vacancy in the office of governor, and that there is no circumstance short of death, resignation, or impeachment that would relieve the acting governor from

1420-448: Is the chief executive of the commonwealth, and is supported by a number of subordinate officers. He, like most other state officers, senators, and representatives, was originally elected annually. In 1918 this was changed to a two-year term, and since 1966 the office of governor has carried a four-year term. The governor of Massachusetts does not receive a mansion or other official residence and resides in their own private residence. However,

1491-616: The American Revolutionary War in April 1775, Warren and Eustis both worked in the field, tending the injured revolutionaries. Warren secured for Eustis a commission as regimental surgeon to the rebel artillery. Eustis helped care for the wounded at the June 1775 Battle of Bunker Hill , in which Warren was killed. He served with the Continental Army in the New York and New Jersey campaign , refusing

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1562-680: The Glorious Revolution and the Boston Revolt the Dominion was abolished in 1689. With the creation of the Massachusetts Charter in 1691, the role of civilian governor was restored in Massachusetts Bay. Now the Province of Massachusetts Bay , the colony then encompassed the territory of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Plymouth Colony , and areas of what is now the state of Maine . The governor however would not be chosen by

1633-707: The Judiciary Act of 1801 , a Federalist bill passed in the late days of the John Adams administration that had greatly expanded the number of seats on the federal bench. He was also one of six Democratic-Republicans in the House to oppose the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution . In 1802 Eustis was reelected, defeating John Quincy Adams , and in a rematch of the 1800 election with Quincy, Eustis

1704-559: The Nixon administration , the plan was aborted by his successor in consideration of budgetary constraints and because the location was considered too far from the seat of power, the State House in Boston. Prior to their respective demolitions in 1922 and 1863, the Province House and the Hancock Manor were also proposed as official residences. Since the governor has no official residence,

1775-638: The President of the Senate before a joint session of the House and Senate. Upon completion of their term, the departing governor takes a "lone walk" down the Grand Staircase, through the House of Flags, into Doric Hall, out the central doors, and down the steps of the Massachusetts State House . The governor then crosses the street into Boston Common , thereby symbolically rejoining the commonwealth as

1846-631: The US Ambassador to France , negotiated a new commerce treaty with the Dutch government in 1817; it was ratified in 1818. Eustis was at a disadvantage due to his lack of French language skill, and was recalled in 1818 after the Dutch government reduced its American delegation head to a chargé d'affaires . While in Europe Eustis renewed an acquaintance with the Marquis de Lafayette , with whom he had served in

1917-613: The British crown. In 1774 General Thomas Gage became the last royally appointed governor of Massachusetts. He was recalled to England after the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775, by which time the Massachusetts Provincial Congress exercised de facto control of Massachusetts territory outside British-occupied Boston . Between 1775 and the establishment of the Massachusetts State Constitution in 1780

1988-513: The Dutch declined after the defeat of Napoleon , and the post was not particularly active. Eustis unsuccessfully pursued claims against the Dutch for seizures of American goods and ships that had taken place during the reign of Louis Bonaparte over the Kingdom of Holland (the claims were eventually acknowledged by France). Eustis was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1815. Eustis and Albert Gallatin, then

2059-557: The Revolutionary War. Upon his return from Europe, Eustis purchased the mansion in Roxbury built by royal governor William Shirley in the 1750s (which is now known as the Shirley-Eustis House ). Eustis was again elected to Congress in a special election called after the resignation of Representative Edward Dowse . He served from 1820 to 1823, presiding as chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Military Affairs . In

2130-490: The United States. In March–April 1824, perhaps due to his popularity, William Eustis was honored with a single vote at the Democratic-Republican Party Caucus to be the party's candidate for U.S. Vice President at the election later that year . Eustis died in Boston of pneumonia while governor on February 6, 1825. His funeral and temporary interment took place Boston's Granary Burying Ground , and he

2201-636: The colonists of Massachusetts Bay. In an effort to bring the colonies under tighter control the Crown dismantled the old assembly system and created the Viceroy system based on the Spanish model in New Spain . This model of government was greatly disliked by the colonists all throughout British North America but especially in New England where colonists at one time did have some semblance of democratic and local control. With

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2272-418: The commonwealth's military forces . Massachusetts has a republican system of government that is akin to a presidential system . The governor acts as the head of government while having a distinct role from that of the legislative branch . The governor has far-reaching political obligations, including ceremonial and political duties. The governor also signs bills into law and has veto power . The governor

2343-535: The debate on the admission of Missouri as a state (leading to the Missouri Compromise ), Eustis made an impassioned speech in opposition to proposed language in the Missouri Constitution forbidding the entry of free blacks into the state. He ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Massachusetts three times (1820–22), losing each time to the popular moderate Federalist John Brooks . In 1823 Eustis won

2414-441: The election. There are no term limits restricting how long a governor may serve. The longest-serving Massachusetts governor is Michael Dukakis , who served 12 years; Dukakis was in office from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1991. The current governor is Maura Healey , a Democrat who won the 2022 gubernatorial election . Any person seeking to become governor of Massachusetts must meet the following requirements: The governor

2485-536: The electorate, instead the position would remain a royal appointment. In order to ease tensions with royal authorities and the colonists the General Court was reestablished and given significant powers. This created acrimony between the governors and the assembly of the General Court. The governor could veto any decision made by the assembly and had control over the militia , however the General Court had authority of

2556-416: The entrance of the Amory mansion, to receive the greetings of the populace. He was escorted on either side by Governor William Eustis and by the former Governor John Brooks , each wearing Continental uniforms. ... On the evening of August 30, 1824, Lafayette held a reception in his apartments at the Amory house; and this function was attended by many prominent ladies of Boston. "In 1885 the entire structure

2627-458: The executive for ten days; the council's chair, Thomas Dawes was at no point named governor or acting governor. Article LV of the Constitution, enacted in 1918, created a new line of succession: The governor has a 10-person cabinet, each of whom oversees a portion of the government under direct administration (as opposed to independent executive agencies). See Government of Massachusetts for

2698-530: The expression "corner office", rather than "governor's mansion", is commonly used in the press as a metonym for the office of governor. This refers instead to the governor's office on the third floor of the State House. Since 1780, 65 people have been elected governor, six to non-consecutive terms ( John Hancock , Caleb Strong , Marcus Morton , John Davis , John Volpe , and Michael Dukakis ), and seven lieutenant governors have acted as governor without subsequently being elected governor. Thomas Talbot served

2769-466: The falling sidewalk..." By 2008, "the once great mansion stands barely recognizable, although the basic brick volume and Adam entrance portico with fanlight and curving granite steps (one half is missing) are more or less intact. Many ground-floor shop extensions have been added, along with Queen Anne-style oriel windows and dormers on the upper floors. Though out of character, the Victorian predations had

2840-417: The framers of the state constitution revived it because they found it fitting to dignify the governor with this title. The governor also serves as commander-in-chief of the commonwealth's armed forces. According to the Massachusetts State Constitution : Whenever the chair of the governor shall be vacant, by reason of his death, or absence from the commonwealth, or otherwise, the lieutenant governor, for

2911-421: The full gubernatorial responsibilities. The first use of the succession provision occurred in 1785, five years after the constitution's adoption, when Governor John Hancock resigned the post, leaving Lieutenant Governor Thomas Cushing as acting governor. Most recently, Jane Swift became acting governor upon the resignation of Paul Cellucci . When the constitution was first adopted, the Governor's Council

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2982-455: The governor does receive a housing allowance/stipend for $ 65,000. The title "His Excellency" is a holdover from the royally appointed governors of the Province of Massachusetts Bay . The first governor to use the title was Richard Coote, 1st Earl of Bellomont , in 1699; since he was an Earl , it was thought proper to call him "Your Excellency." The title was retained until 1742, when an order from King George II forbade its further use. However,

3053-599: The governor-elect receives four symbols from the departing governor: the ceremonial pewter "Key" for the governor's office door, the Butler Bible, the "Gavel", and a two-volume set of the Massachusetts General Statutes with a personal note from the departing governor to their successor added to the back of the text. The governor-elect is then escorted by the sergeant-at-arms to the House Chamber and sworn in by

3124-565: The governor. The early governors of Massachusetts Bay were staunchly Puritan colonists who wished to form a state that coincided with religious law. With the founding of the Dominion of New England by James II of England , the New England colonies were combined with the Province of New York , Province of West Jersey , and the Province of East Jersey . During this period (1686–1689) Massachusetts had no governor of its own. Instead there existed

3195-518: The inverted acanthus leaf type at either extremity of the cap, but with a beautiful thin cornice which, when repeated in a series of 5 windows ... forms a very beautiful feature." The original structure has been altered over time. Around 1885 it was "remodeled ... with 2-story Queen Anne -inspired oriel windows of black-painted pressed metal and fanciful dormers on the Park Street roofline" and "a set of black metal shop fronts that reach out and down to

3266-456: The military's field manuals , which had not changed since the Revolutionary War. After acquiring copies of manuals published in 1791 for use by the armies of the French Republic , Eustis commissioned a translation and lobbied for adoption of new manuals based on French tactics. Although a new manual was ready for use in 1812, it was not well received by the officer corps, and was not used in

3337-777: The militia force raised by General Benjamin Lincoln that quashed the rebellion in the early months of 1787. Eustis was admitted as an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati in the state of Massachusetts when it was established in 1783. He later served as Vice President of the Massachusetts Society from 1786 to 1810, and again from 1820 to 1821. Eustis was elected to the Massachusetts General Court (the state legislature) from 1788 to 1794, which he left because he

3408-509: The office on February 13, 1813. Eustis was next appointed minister of the United States to the Netherlands by President Madison, serving from 1814 to 1818. Madison believed the post to be important for sounding out conditions in Europe due to The Hague 's historical use as a neutral ground for negotiations, and he instructed Eustis to track European diplomatic sentiment. However, the status of

3479-644: The passage of the Stamp Act Governor Thomas Hutchinson had his home broken into and ransacked. The early stages of the American Revolution saw political turmoil in Massachusetts Bay. With the passage of the Intolerable Acts the then Royal Governor Thomas Gage dissolved the General Court and began to govern the province by decree. In 1774 the Massachusetts Provincial Congress was formed as an alternative revolutionary government to

3550-529: The position of a "supreme executive magistrate". Governors of Massachusetts are elected every four years during state elections that are held on the first Tuesday of November after November 1. As of November 2022, the most recent Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held in 2022 . Following each gubernatorial election, the elected governor is inaugurated on the Thursday after the first Wednesday in January following

3621-654: The royal government in Boston. With Massachusetts Bay declaring its independence in May 1776 the role of governor was vacant for four years. The executive role during this time was filled by the Governor's Council, the Committee of Safety, and the president of the Congress when in session. With the adoption of the Constitution of Massachusetts in 1780 the role of an elected civilian governor

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3692-518: The seat in a highly contentious contest with the unpopular arch-Federalist Harrison Gray Otis . Republicans presented Eustis as a moderate successor to Brooks who would be less partisan than Otis, and also highlighted his Revolutionary War experience. He carried Federalist strongholds in Hampshire and Essex Counties, and very nearly defeated in Otis in Boston. Eustis' victory in the election (combined with

3763-507: The stairs before Governor Michael Dukakis . In a break from tradition, the January 2007 inauguration of Governor Deval Patrick took place the day after outgoing governor Mitt Romney took the lone walk down the front steps. Despite several proposals for establishing an official residence for the governor of Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not have a governor's mansion. In 1955, Governor Foster Furcolo turned down

3834-411: The state was governed by the provincial congress and an executive council. The constitution of Massachusetts created the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, to be elected annually. Terms were lengthened to two years in 1918, to last until their successor was inaugurated, which would be at least the first Wednesday in the January after their election. This was changed to the Thursday following

3905-541: The status of the Democratic-Republicans in Federalist-dominated New England. To that end he chose Eustis to be his Secretary of War . Eustis was not a good choice for the post, lacking the necessary administrative skills and detailed military background. He also had difficult relations with James Wilkinson and Wade Hampton , two senior army commanders. Eustis made a major push to update

3976-517: The time being, shall, during such vacancy, perform all the duties incumbent upon the governor, and shall have and exercise all the powers and authorities, which by this constitution the governor is vested with, when personally present. The Constitution does not use the term "acting governor", but the practice in Massachusetts has been that the lieutenant governor retains the position and title as "lieutenant governor" and becomes acting governor, not governor. The lieutenant governor, when acting as governor,

4047-475: The treasury and provincial finances. This meant that in the event the governor did not agree with or consent with the rulings and laws of the General Court then the assembly would threaten to withhold any pay for the governor and other Royal Officers. From 1765 on the unraveling of the Province into a full political crisis only increased the tensions between the governor and the people of Massachusetts Bay. Following

4118-416: The war began poorly with the surrender of General William Hull at Detroit , Eustis was severely criticized. Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin wrote that there was "a total want of confidence" in Eustis that was felt "through every ramification of the public service." Eustis tendered his resignation in December 1812, and Secretary of State James Monroe took over his duties until John Armstrong assumed

4189-423: The war that broke out that year. As tensions grew between the United States and Great Britain , Eustis made modest moves to improve military readiness, but did not otherwise distinguish himself or introduce other initiatives or proposals. When the War of 1812 began, the army's logistics were in shambles, and it had no overall commander, forcing Eustis to make detailed decisions for nine military districts. When

4260-410: Was "sick of" the political gamesmanship in the body. He was thereafter chosen to serve on the Governor's Council for two years. In 1800 he ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives . During his successful campaign against Josiah Quincy , Eustis was charged with either authoring, or being complicit in the production of, letters that formed a part of the 1783 Newburgh Conspiracy ,

4331-419: Was acquired by preservationists in 1913 and restored to its 19th-century grandeur in the late 20th century. It is now a house museum and a National Historic Landmark . Governor of Massachusetts The governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the chief executive officer of the government of Massachusetts . The governor is the head of the state cabinet and the commander-in-chief of

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4402-455: Was charged with acting as governor in the event that both the governorship and lieutenant governorship were vacant. This occurred in 1799 when Governor Increase Sumner died in office on June 7, 1799, leaving Lieutenant Governor Moses Gill as acting governor. Acting Governor Gill never received a lieutenant and died on May 20, 1800, between that year's election and the inauguration of Governor-elect Caleb Strong . The Governor's Council served as

4473-412: Was chosen to be Secretary of War in 1809 by President James Madison . Due in part to his inexperience at managing the army and a lack of preparedness, the military failures in the early months of the War of 1812 were laid on his shoulders, leading to his resignation. Madison then appointed Eustis Minister to the Netherlands , a post he held from 1814 until 1818. After another period in Congress, he

4544-471: Was defeated by fewer than 100 votes. While in the House, he was one of the impeachment managers appointed by the House of Representatives in 1804 to conduct the impeachment proceedings (the first such action to succeed) against John Pickering , judge of the United States District Court for New Hampshire . In 1804 he argued in favor of arming merchant vessels headed for the West Indies . When James Madison became president in 1809, he sought to enhance

4615-429: Was elected Governor of Massachusetts in 1822. A popular successor to long-serving John Brooks , Eustis died in office in 1825. His Boston mansion, built in the 1750s by royal governor William Shirley , is known as the Shirley-Eustis House and is a National Historic Landmark . William Eustis was born on June 10, 1753, in Cambridge , to Benjamin Eustis, a prominent Boston doctor, and Elizabeth (Hill) Eustis. He

4686-401: Was given over to trade, and to-day it is the abode of many firms in various lines of business." Around 1804, architect Charles Bulfinch designed the entirety of Park Street , including the Amory mansion. The building represents an example of Federal architecture . Its "enriched window caps" typify the style, with "a carved eagle in the center panel and a not-convincingly-well-done bracket of

4757-465: Was memorialized by his friend Edward Everett . He was later reinterred at Lexington's Old Cemetery. During the Revolutionary War Eustis became close friends with Aaron Burr , a friendship that deepened in the 1790s. Burr and Eustis exchanged letters on the most intimate subjects, recommending potential romantic partners to each other and sharing a taste for well-educated women. Eustis aided Burr on one occasion by helping him find accommodations for

4828-435: Was one of a president of the board of a joint-stock company , namely the Massachusetts Bay Company . The governor would be elected by freemen , who were shareholders of the company. These shareholders were mostly colonists themselves who fit certain religious requirements. The governor acted in a vice-regal manner, overseeing the governance and functioning of the colony. Originally they were supposed to reside in London , as

4899-411: Was restored. John Hancock was elected as the first governor of the independent commonwealth on October 25, 1780. Part the Second, Chapter II, Section I, Article I of the Massachusetts Constitution reads, There shall be a supreme executive magistrate, who shall be styled, The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and whose title shall be – His Excellency. The governor of Massachusetts

4970-413: Was the case with other colonial company governors, although this protocol was broken when John Winthrop was appointed governor. The governor served as the executive of the colony, originally elected annually, they were joined by a Council of Assistants. This council was a group of magistrates who performed judicial functions, acted as an upper house of the General Court, and provided advice and consent to

5041-421: Was the second surviving son of twelve children. He was educated at the Boston Latin School before he entered Harvard College , from which he graduated in 1772. While at Harvard he belonged to an undergraduate militia unit called the Martimercurian Band. After graduation he studied medicine under Dr. Joseph Warren , a well-known Patriot political leader. When the Battles of Lexington and Concord sparked

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