Moses Hobson
Moses Hobson our 25th Master
Moses Hobson (December 25, 1824 – September 4, 1882) [1]was a prominent master builder and real estate entrepreneur in Concord, Massachusetts. He is known for his influence on the town’s architectural landscape and his work on several significant buildings, including the First Parish Church in the mid-1800s. He was actively involved in real estate, often purchasing properties, constructing or rehabilitating homes, and selling them for profit. Hobson lived in many of the homes he constructed, albeit briefly, before moving on to new projects.
Early Life and Family
Moses Hobson was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 25, 1824. On May 21, 1846, he married Lucy Janet Winn in Concord, and together they had six children by 1860. Hobson and his family primarily resided at 102 Sudbury Road, where he ultimately passed away in 1882 due to tuberculosis. His wife, Lucy, and their daughter Annie remained in the residence until their respective deaths. Hobson is buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord.
Career as a Builder and Real Estate Investor
As a builder, Hobson made a lasting impact on Concord’s town center, especially on Middle Street, where he is credited with constructing at least three of the six homes that existed there by 1875. Among these were his own residence at 102 Sudbury Road, as well as 43 and 44 Middle Street. In addition to his construction work, Hobson was engaged in real estate transactions throughout Concord, buying, building, and selling properties, often while holding mortgages on them. [2]
Legacy and Descendants
Hobson's home at 102 Sudbury Road became a long-standing family residence. After his passing, his wife Lucy and daughter Annie continued to live there. Annie Hobson (1863-1936) later married John G. Watson, a clerk who eventually owned Richardson’s Drug Store on Main Street. The couple’s daughter, Antoinette G. Watson (1901-1971), a music teacher, inherited the property and continued living there, making it a family home for nearly a century.
Masonic Involvement
Moses Hobson served as the Master of Corinthian Lodge from 1868 to 1869. Meeting minutes from his term provide insight into his role and contributions to the Lodge during this period. Despite his extensive commitments as a builder and entrepreneur, Hobson was deeply engaged in his Masonic duties, embodying the values of integrity and dedication that were hallmarks of his life and work.[3]