New Bedford house with connection to 'Witch of Wall Street' Hetty Green getting new owner

Seth Chitwood, Standard-Times
·2 min read

NEW BEDFORD — A house with connections to the "Witch of Wall Street," which is the current location for New Bedford Child & Family Services, may be getting a new tenant.

According to Kinnane Group, Inc, the property is under contract and anticipates a closing, since it was first listed on Oct. 28.

According to PocketSights.com, this mansion house was built in 1830 for Charles Russell, a descendant of the founder of the original Bedford Village. The structure at 1061 Pleasant St. is an example of architecture in transition from Federal style to Greek Revival. The tall, three-storied granite structure with flanking wings is consistent with conservative federal style.

Hetty Green known as "The Witch of Wall Street."
Hetty Green known as "The Witch of Wall Street."

The Doric columns of the porches and Doric frieze above them are good Greek Revival forms. The mixture of elements was very common in the 1820s. Inside are black marble fireplaces, winding staircases, chandeliers, glass filled arched door frames and crown molding.

In 1836, the house was rented to Edward Mott Robinson, the father of Hetty Green.

Reviving Hetty Green:Local transforms herself into New Bedford's 'Witch of Wall Street'

She would later be known as either the richest woman in America, for turning $100,000 into $200,000,000 during the Gilded Age, or the “Witch of Wall Street,” for her eccentric and anti-social behaviors.

The title "witch" came from Green's peculiar fondness for wearing unkempt, often unwashed black Quaker robes. She was also extremely frugal, lived in a cheap apartment and posed as a pauper to get free medical care for her and her children.

Future plans for Child & Family Services

The Russell Mansion was later sold to Henry H. Forbes, who was famous for building regular and racing carriages. In mid-winter, his sleighs would be raced down County Street between Union Street and Washington Square and on Rodney French Boulevard at the Cove.

Charles Russel House at 1061 Pleasant Street.
Charles Russel House at 1061 Pleasant Street.

The building has been home to New Bedford Child & Family Services for over a decade. On March 10, 2021, it was announced during a press conference that the nonprofit purchased the former Regal House Furniture site at 965 Church St. and began preparations to relocate.

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Irene Duprey-Gutierrez, 80, who portrays Green for the New Bedford Whaling National Park, said she knew that the property was being considered for new ownership.

"There's still so much we don't understand about Hetty. And there's no real connection to her really left," she said, adding that she would love to tour the residency someday.

"I hope whoever buys the house continues preserves it. And maybe we can find out more secrets about her."

Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter: @ChitwoodReports.Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford Charles Russell House with Hetty Green connection for sale