Samuel Parkman

Samuel Parkman, Esquire, was a prominent businessman in Boston. Samuel commissioned a notable portrait of George Washington, the bell of Old South Church, and a Bulfinch mansion. 

Parkman was born in 1751 in Westborough, MA. He is the founder of Parkman, Ohio and Parkman, Maine and commissioner of Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington currently held by the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. He also commissioned a Bell to be cast by Paul Revere for his father, the Reverend Ebenezar Parkman of Westborough, but the bell was later relocated to Old South Church.

Parkman owned a store on Merchant’s Row from which he amassed a large fortune as a merchant and real estate owner. He acquired a large portion of the West End, including the Mill Pond (now filled) andl lived on the corner of Chardon and Green Streets (now New Chardon/incorporated into Cardinal O’Connell Way). His home was demolished when Boston’s Electric Railway was constructed in the early 20th century, but an additional Bulfinch building, built for Parkman’s daughters, survived until urban renewal.

Parkman died in 1824 at age 72. He is the namesake for Parkman Street, along with his son, George.