44 Commonwealth Avenue

44 Commonwealth Avenue

44 Commonwealth Avenue was built ca. 1864, one of two contiguous houses (42-44 Commonwealth). It was built as the home of Royal Elisha Robbins and his wife Mary Elizabeth (Horton) Robbins.  He is shown as the owner on the 1874 Hopkins map and the 1883 and 1888 Bromley maps

Royal Robbins was an importer of watches and a principal organizer of the Boston Watch Company, which began manufacturing watches in Roxbury in 1853 and later moved to Waltham.  In 1857, he retired from his importing firm and moved to Waltham to oversee and expand the watch manufacturing business.  After the Civil War, the business was reorganized as the American Waltham Watch Company.

Mary Elizabeth Robbins died in March of 1896. Royal Robbins continued to live at 44 Commonwealth until his death in July of 1902.

After his death, the house remained the home of the Robbins's unmarried children, Reginald and Phyllis Robbins, and their aunt, Miss Frances E. Horton.  Reginald Robbins, et al, are shown as the owners on the 1908 Bromley map.

Reginald Robbins continued to live with his sister and aunt until his marriage in April of 1907 to Jane Hall. 

Phyllis Robbins and Frances Horton continued to live at 44 Commonwealth until about 1927.

In about that year, 44 Commonwealth was acquired by the College Club.  The Club already was owner of 38-40-42 Commonwealth (it had acquired 40 Commonwealth in 1905, 38 Commonwealth in 1910, and 42 Commonwealth in 1919).  In late 1928, the Club cut through openings in the party wall with 42 Commonwealth.

The College Club is shown as the owner of all four properties on the 1928 and 1938 Bromley maps.