Opulent History: sketch of Spring Pond and the country home of Fay

A sketch from 1864 of the country residence of Richard S. Fay around Spring Pond in Lynn, Peabody and Salem, shows people retreating under a tree off the beaten path by Spring Pond Road, viewing the residence across the pond and the boats in the water.   The mansion was set back, uphill from the shore and behind the road.  It appears the mansion is drawn out of scale and the water level in this sketch is higher than it actually was (or was it?... since there was fewer development around the pond back then, where natural water flowed down the hill sides, filling the pond instead of going down a street drain).   Regardless which may be the case, an old photograph shows the old mansion set back on the hill side.  

At about the point where the people are resting, behind here in the water is the land marker where the townships of Lynn, Peabody and Salem were divided to 'slake the thirst of the people' by the spring, causing the country estate to be divided in 3 different cities.   The mansion and the service buildings were located on the Lynn side, while the rest of the arable land was in Peabody and Salem.

Further history on the Fay Estate around Spring Pond in Lynn, Peabody and Salem may be found here.