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Marblehead was founded in 1629 by fishermen recruited from Southeast England and the Channel Islands. They were soon joined by dissidents from the Pilgrims, Anglicans and Puritans, some university graduates and entrepreneurs. Determined to stay independent, they created a town government that still runs Marblehead today. Marblehead's fame and fortune grew, so that in 1660 a Royal Agent declared in London that Marblehead was the "the greatest town for fishing in New England". Marblehead's "Golden Age of Trade" carried its captains and crews to many parts of the world. During the 19th century, however, Marblehead lost out to larger ports, the War of 1812 and, finally, to the devastating 1846 hurricanes that caught the fleet on the Grand Banks.

The bottom picture on glass no.2381 [left] shows the Old Town House, built in 1727. It is often referred to as "Marblehead's Cradle of Liberty" for the many pre-revolutionary war meetings held there. It is one of the oldest town halls in America that has been in continuous use.
[text adapted from http://www.marblehead.org/index.asp?NID=594]

Lee mansion [near left] was built in 1768 on one of Marblehead's principal streets by the wealthy shipowner and distinguished patriot Jeremiah Lee. A personal friend of George Washington, Lee helped to finance the American revolt against England until his untimely death in 1776. The house is is considered to be one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in America. It is listed on the National Register of Historic monuments and is preserved by the Marblehead Historical Society.