OUR HISTORY

Farquhar & Black: A Legacy of Insurance Excellence

Since 1854, Farquhar & Black has helped Massachusetts families and businesses protect what matters most.

Through fires, storms, and decades of change, each generation of local leadership, including three generations of the Breed family at the helm, has carried forward the same commitment to honest advice and personal service.

Today, under the guidance of President Ned Breed, CIC, we combine more than 160 years of experience with modern tools to give you coverage that keeps up with your life and your business.

How Our History Shapes the Way We Serve You Today

Over the decades, Farquhar & Black has grown through new partnerships, agency acquisitions, and early adoption of technology, while never losing sight of honest, personalized guidance. The timeline below highlights key moments in that journey and how our enduring expertise continues to benefit the families and businesses we protect today.

Founding & Early Growth (1854–1867)

January 1, 1854 – John P. Woodbury opens a real estate and insurance office in Lynn, Massachusetts, representing Holyoke Mutual and Aetna Insurance Company. He becomes the 31st Independent Agent Aetna appointed.
1857 – Woodbury reorganizes as Woodbury & Co., partnering with N. Everett Silsbee and Charles J. Pickford.
December 31, 1867 – Woodbury retires; the firm becomes Silsbee & Pickford, the second largest business of its type in Massachusetts.

Partnerships & New Leadership (1869–1884)

December 19, 1869 – John M. Farquhar is born in Greenock, Scotland.
April 1, 1882 – Charles N. Stevens joins as Pickford retires; firm renamed Silsbee and Stevens.
August 6, 1884 – Charles W. Geer becomes partner; firm renamed Silsbee & Geer. “Good business with Mr. Geer did not necessarily mean volume but quality, and everything that he said and everything he dealt in was, in his belief, exactly as he represented it to be.”

Mergers & Technological Advancements (1893–1906)

December 1, 1893 – Baker, Marshman & Baker merges into Silsbee & Geer; becomes Silsbee, Baker & Geer.
1895 – John M. Farquhar arrives in Lynn, MA.
July 1898 – Phone number 283 listed in New England Telephone directory—cutting-edge technology for the era!
1900–1906 – Farquhar becomes a U.S. citizen (1900); firm merges with Jerome Ingalls & Co. in 1903 (Silsbee, Baker, Geer & Ingalls). N. Everett Silsbee retires in 1906; firm renamed Baker, Geer & Ingalls.

The Era of Farquhar, Norris & Black (1909–1925)

January 25, 1909 – Fred E. Baker purchases Howard Mudge Newhall’s insurance business.
August 1, 1911 – John M. Farquhar, Fred L. Norris, and A. Shirley Black join; firm becomes Geer, Farquhar, Norris & Black.
October 7, 1912 – Mr. Geer retires due to ill health; firm becomes Farquhar, Norris & Black.
1913–1918 – Acquisitions of Frank H. Frizzell and Burrill & Viall insurance agencies expand the business.
July 27, 1925 – Fred L. Norris retires; firm officially becomes Farquhar & Black.

Continued Expansion & Partnership Changes (1927–1947)

1927 – Francis N. Haley and Richard P. Breed join as partners.
1936 – Haley retires; Farquhar, Black, and Breed continue leadership.
1939–1945 – New partners join (Ernest P. Lane Jr., Henry A. Pevear) and multiple businesses are acquired: Walter R. Stahler, Ernest M. Folger, Melvin N. King, and Fred M. Farrell.
1947 – Richard P. Breed becomes majority partner.

Transitions & Acquisitions (1948–1968)

1948 – John M. Farquhar passes away; 17.5% interest purchased from his estate. Fred Miller’s business acquired.
1951–1960 – Richard P. Breed Jr. & Douglas F. Allen acquire Ervin F. Hill, Thomas J. Bresnahan, and John C. Fox businesses.
1963–1968 – Allen & Breed Jr. become majority and eventually sole partners. Additional acquisitions: Harold L. Vose, Vernon A. Martin. Retirements of Pevear and Lane consolidate leadership.

Corporate Growth & Next Generation (1970–1984)

1970 – John F. McCarthy Insurance Agency formed; multiple agencies acquired including Shafner-Malcolm and Weber & Quinn.
1976–1979 – Edward M. Breed joins as summer employee, passes Massachusetts insurance exam, and begins full-time work.
1980–1984 – Swampscott Insurance Agency created with Laurence D. Cobbett; first office outside Lynn. John E. Moulton and Sons acquired in 1984.
1987–2009 – Consolidation & Modernization
1987–1992 – Laurence D. Cobbett passes; Swampscott office consolidates back into Lynn (1990); Gilberg Insurance Agency purchased (1992).
1994–2002 – Ownership transitions: Douglas F. Allen retires; Edward M. Breed becomes sole shareholder. Moran & Cassidy acquired (2002).
2009 – Elizabeth S. Puleo’s insurance business purchased.

Digital Innovation & Ongoing Legacy (2015- Present Day)

November 11, 2015 – Farquhar & Black launches its first mobile app, bringing 160+ years of insurance expertise into the digital age.
Present Day – Today, we honor our legacy of trust and reliability while using evolving technology and innovative solutions to protect what matters most. We provide the same old-fashioned service our clients have come to expect for generations, but now enhanced with modern tools for a more seamless experience. As a Trusted Choice Agency, we are dedicated to you and are committed to treating you as a person, not a policy. We work with carriers like Merrimack Mutual, Quincy Mutual, Travelers, and Zurich to find the right coverage for you.

Trusted for Generations

What Our Clients Have to Say

"Maritza was incredibly responsive and thorough. This was the most effortless process ever. I thought it would take weeks on end and endless hairpulling but she made a miracle happen and the change was settled within a couple of weeks with no stress!"

"Every question I have is answered with alacrity and patiently and it is rare to find such personal service . I very much appreciate the high level of knowledge and clear communication which each employee provides to me and my family year round."

"You were very responsive to my questions and lack of understanding regarding the process. I also felt confident that you understood what I needed since I did not. I will definitely give you a call on my next move. Thank you."

"Service is top notch-when I have questions regarding insurance, what something may mean, or even general questions the response is always quick and in layman’s terms."

"We are very happy to have our insurance with you. We have been with your insurance about twenty years, and we are very lucky!"

"I have been using Farquhar and Black for many years for all my insurance needs and I have referred many clients to them as well. They are kind, professional and extremely good at covering risk properly for their customers. People have thanked me for sending them to F&B."

Why Choose
Farquhar & Black?

Independent & Local

We shop the top carriers, not just one company, to find the right coverage for you.

Over a Century and a Half of Experience

Proudly serving families and businesses across Massachusetts since 1854.

Personalized Guidance

Our agents are real, honest people who offer clear advice and coverage tailored to your needs.

Hassle-Free Process

We respect your time and make getting insured simple and straightforward– every time!