Nomination for Sabbath Day House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SNOI Form 10-300 (Rev.

6-72) PH0016357 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM H/3 nl9 313860 47/4390 STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: Middlesex FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY DATE (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) AUG 14 1973 NAME COMMON: Sabbath Day House AND/ OR HISTORIC: Same LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: 20 Andover Road CITY OR TOWN: Billerica 01821 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Fifth STATE Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY (Check One) District X Building Site Structure CODE 025 COUNTY: Middlesex CODE 017 OWNERSHIP STATUS Object Public Private Both Public Acquisition: X In Process Eil Being Considered Occupied Unoccupied - Preservation work in progres- ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: Restricted Unrestricted No PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Agricultural Government Commercial Industrial Educational Military Entertainment Museum Park Private Residence Religious Scientific OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: - Transparhation 110, fgmments DorhofyspecIRECEIVED JUL 104973 NATIONAL REGISTER MI.

Sydney G. Abbot and Mrs. Carolyn T. Abbot STREET AND NUMBER: 20 Andover Road CITY OR TOWN: STATE: Billerica. LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Middlesex Registry of Deeds, North District STREET AND NUMBER: Massachusetts CODE 025 CITY OR TOWN: Lowel1 STATE Massachusetts CODE 025 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Inventory of Historic Building Assets of the Commonwealth Local DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: Boston STATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 STATE Massachusetts COUNTY: Middlesex ENTRY NUMBER ANG 1 4 1973 FOR NPS USE ONLY DESCRIPTION (Check One) Deteriorated CONDITION Excellent Good : -Fair (Check One) Ruins - Unexposed (Check One) X Altered - Unalteredr DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

- Moved Original Site The Sabbath Day House property comprises about an acre of land at the top of Billerica Hill near the center of town. The house is a small, oné and one half story, pitched roof building in the style commonly called "Cape Cod". Additions to the original structure include east and west wings as well as a long, two story ell projecting from the rear or north wall of the original house. All exterior walls are sheathed in clapboards. The original structure, i.e. the present central section, rests on a rough quarried granite foundation and is five bays wide with a central entrance, dormers, and a prominent center chimney. It was built circa 1765 and survived without noticeable alterations until the late nineteenth century. At that time a door was added to the east side of the house, thus balanc- ing the original main doorway on the west side.

Both of these were superceded by the present center entrance, added in the early twentieth century. Other alterations in the early 1900's included the addition of two dormer windows to the south slope of the center section roof, the removal of the small-paned eighteenth century windows and their replace- ment with the present single pane sashes, and the taking down of the original center chimney (it has. since been reconstructed). In 1924 another extensive remodelling created the west wing, which terminates in a large, exterior, field-stone chimney; the east wing, containing the garage; and a large two story ell, providing fouradditional rooms. The interior is low-studded and was originally very simple; with two rooms on each floor. The simplicity of the original layout is still evident despite the many alterations that have taken place in two hundred years of continuous use.

Some of the original, exposed support posts survive on the first floor in the present day living room, and original plasterwork occurs in the second floor rooms just above this. The eighteenth century roof framing is still intact,( and the large, hewn beams, some still bark-covered, can be seen in the attic story. S9/I10 RECEIVED JUL 1 0 1973 NATIONAL REGISTER 91 sn: O.L. arls 3o 332 tue Di100 INSTRUCTIONS U

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) Pre-Columbian| 15th Century 16th Century 17th Century 18th Century 19th Century L 20th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1765, 1818, 1924 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Abor iginal Education L Prehistoric Engineering Historic Industry Agriculture Invention Architecture Landscape Art Architecture LI Commerce Literature Communications Military Conservation Music Political Religion/Phi- losophy Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation Urban Planning Other (Specify) Colonial American culture and customs STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

The Sabbath Day House is an unusual and rare survival from pre-Revolution- ary days and is an important document of the customs and life-style of New England townspeople at that time. "a 910 C': In the colonial New England town, the church exercised great influence over the people. In one way or another it touched almost all aspects of daily living, and many town governments had strong theocratic inclinations. In most communities, unless one attended church regularly, he was denied many civil rights including the right to vote in town meetings. It was therefore very important that all townspeople attend Sunday worship. The Sabbath Day services could last all day with meetings being held in the morning and the afternoon.

Since many houses and farms were far from the town center where the meetinghouse was located, travel to and from services twice in a day was often times impossible; yet attendence was mandatory for a parishoner in good standing. It was with a view of eliminating this difficulty that Billerica church members, John Patten, John Baldwin, Reuben Kende11, Jesse Manning, Lt. William Manning, and Thomas Danforth leased for fifty years the lot of land on Andover St. belonging to David Osgood, and there built the Sabbath Day House "for the purpose of convening their families on Sunday noon." to 1818 it served as a place for parishoners to come and warm themselves and enjoy food and company after sitting in the unheated meeting house for a typical three to five hour sermon. Townspeople also enjoyed this once-a week opportunity to meet with one another and exchange news.

Following the afternoon meeting, those who lived nearby would return home, and if it was a late sermon or an especially cold night, distant visitors might stay until morning. At the termination of the lease, in 1818, one of the original proprietors, Theophilus Manning, bought the house and converted it to private use. It is still owned by a collateral descendant. The house was once again im- portant in the religious life of the community in the first half of the twentieth century, when it was the home of the Rev. J. Harold Dale, wel1 known local figure, and minister of the First Congregational Church, next door to the house, from 1903-1953.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Billerica Historical Society Presents Open House, Town of Billerica, 1955.1955. Hagen, Rev. Henry A., History of Billerica, Massachusetts, Boston, A. Williams and Co., 1883. "Historical Sites of Billerica", in the Annual Report of the Town of Billerica, 1969. "Sabba Day House", A Brief Sketch Prepared for the 250th Anniversary of the Town of Billerica.

GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THEPROPERTY CORNER LATITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds NW Degrees 42 LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PHOPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ÁCRES LATITUDE LONGITUDE Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds 33 39 71 ° 16 3.5" NE SE SW : APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: Less than one acre ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES 9L STATE: CODE COUNTY STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: TIO cobE RECENEI CODE JUL 1 0 1973 NATIONAODE REGIST STATE: CODE COUNTY: FORM PREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: Alexander Cassie for Elizabeth R.

Amadon, State Survey Director ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission DATE June 15, 1973 STREET AND NUMBER: 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: (617) 727-8470 STATE Boston, 02108 STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION Massachusetts NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION CODE 025 As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na- tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the c-iteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. The recommended level of significance of this nomination is: ona1 State Local Name JOHN ba T.X. Darrven DAVOREN, Secretary the Commonwealth and Title Chairman of the Mass. Historical Commission I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa 1 Register.

Poterter Vele Director, Oftice of Archeology and Hhstoric Preservation Date 8/14/73 ATTEST: Date July 5, 1973 Date inhune Keeper of T 30 23 M GPO 931.894 PROPERTY Sabhatk Day Honce WORKING NUMBER 7.10-73-3276 TECH REVIEW Photos Maps STATE MASS. Midalesex CONTROL REVIEW 7-17- 73 HISTORIAN am not cominced that this hashat keen so altened as tolose hist. intengrit isnot nom. for archidecture.Zjhowever serhaps ask ton ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN Akkongh altered the blde itsalf is still Here. | Hunk this is neat. OK Keturn 1mL ccep 1/20/73 ARCHEOLOGIST REVIEW UNIT CHIEF BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER Ascrcistiue value sal, uot nival sralues 2303 »/3. National Register write-up Federal Register entry 10-2-73 Send-back Re-submit Entered AUG 14_1923 Sabbath Day House 20 Andover RQ Bitlerica, MASS- 4/30/73 NPS Number 8/14/73 Title:Sebbath Day House. Loc. misolisex, Mass.

south es main faczos PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER SABRATH DAT HOUSE- 20 ANDOLER RD. BILLFRICA, MASSACHUSETTS FORM 10-301 A (6/72) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or en close with photograph) AND/OR HISTORIC Same 1. NAME COMMON Sabbath Day House 2. LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) AUG 14 T0 COUNTY Miadlesex?! RECÉVÉD 20 Andover Road 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Mr. Sydney G. Abbot DATE 19739 JUL 1 O 1973 NATIONAL REGISTER TOWN Billerica NNEGATIVE FILED AT Mr. S. Abbot 20 Andover Road 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. View of the south or Main facade and the east side of the house with the east wing containing the garage showing at the right side of the picture.

GPO 932-009 Form 10-301 (July 1968) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map) AND/OR HISTORIC Same 1. NAME COMMON Sabbath Day House 2. LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER 20 Andover Road COUNTY Middlesex 3. MAP REFERENCE SOURCE U.S.G.S. 7%" DATE Quadrangle Map, Billerica, 1965 Mass.

REQUIREMENTS: PROPERTY BOUNDARIES, WHERE REQUIRED, AND NORTH ARROW, NUMERIC CODE (Asaigned by NPS) ANG 1 4 1973 TOWN Billerica SCALE 1:24,000 9T 9||10 RECEIVED JUL 10 1973 NATIONAL REGISTER TE N GPO 932:010 ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE ASSACHUSEYTS Date Entered AUG 1 4 1973 Name Location Bouth Mountnda Concert Ie11, Sebbath Day Bouse Naval Hospitel Boaten Back Bey Eistorie Distrlet Pittatleld Berkshire County B11terien Miadlesez County Chelsen Butfolk: County Zoston Sustolk Couty Also Notified Fon, Edvard M. Kennedy Hon, Edvard We Frooke Hotle Stlvio 0, Conte Iotte Peul We Cronir PorbertFe MacDonald Fone mhomas 2s 0Nelll, Jee Bonle John Je Moalley 2%, Allen 5e Kerze DOD Director, Northeast Reglon Steto Iiatorie Preserration Oflicex Eone John F.

Ie Davoren Secretery of the Comnoneslth Chalzoen, Massechmetts Ilstorlest Cormiseion L0 Bescon Street Bonton, Maesachusetta 02108 PHR MMott: jal 8/16/73 Brue U.S.Dept. of the Interior National PK... Service vash gregi Diviscon D.C. 20240 Dear Sirs, Sabbath Day House 20 Andover Ka- Billerica, Mass. 01821 September 21, 1982 Re: Easement for the preservation and conservation of Sabbath Day House I am very much interested in obtaining an easement for the purpose of the preservation and conservation of this historical site which is already listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located near the village green which also is listed on the National Register with all buildings and lands around it. As costs have gone up, the investments left to us intended Jargelyfortheateof thdtolthand terytbnee deoleated.

Ro land would be worthwhile as the structure recalls important history, and it is the only Sabbath Day House standing, to the best of my knowledge. The town has some interesting early history related with the expansion of the "assachusetts Bay Colohy. There are several histori houses nearby lived in by retired citizens . In recent years there has been a local element seeking to destroy all historic interests in the locality. While standing at the front door recently, I was almost by a beer can someone threw from a car. We need help in keeping up the good condition of the house and to continue developing the natural scenic beauty of the back yard. Located on a hilltop, we have a fine view of New Hampshire. The Indlans could have signalled Fort Hill in Lowell from this locality. Indians are known to have lived in this area.

The ground here might turn over objects of interest to archéolo- gists. Having been here off and on since 1914, I know the Ffauro has not been disturbed as to digging or changing the soil. The Guage Railroad was located along the east boundary of the grounds. Frequently, newcomers to town are interested to see the house, and we are pleased to take them through the rooms. Girl Scouts have also been taken through as part of their training on historic sites. We have a Iibrary of over 2,000 books in the house. Wost of them were my step-father's, a Congregational minister who lived here with us while we were young and for the larger part of his fifty years as pastor of the Congregational Church next door. Some of these books on religion are unique and date from the nineteenth century. They are of great value as commentaries on the Scripture.

My husband has a collection of old recordings and some songbooks used at the World Peace Jubilee in 1872. This house and yard (the garden soil is very rich) might be useful to the Congregational Church next door, but, at present, the church's membership in the United Church of Christ which we deplore makes it hard for us to make any kind of permanent arrangement with the church. We are hopeful that before long the members will change their minds and once more take up standards of the true Congregational Churches. Since Mr. Abbot and I are advancing in years, we are more than hopeful that the house may not fall into the wrong ownership. We await the word as to how we might take initial steps toward obtaining an easement. Sincerely, (Io.) CaralopiT. Abbat (Sydney G.) (Mrs). Carolyn T. Abbot P.S.

Our property is approximately 1-1/2 acres and a significant part of central open space belonging in toto to several adjoining property owners, and a cross the street is a small recreation park. c.t.a. P. S. Thank you for your kindd aid in the post an sending infarmatinn and adnce eta DVE YCLIOW JVKEA (VLIVCHED) IMLOBINVLIAE WWLESIVT 2 enel. Copy to : President and IMDIAIDAVE BE26O! DWLE BEC.O 2Eb S V 1285 naney Keogan OE THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES DATE REC'D SEP 24 1982 INDIVIDUAL RESPONSE (ATTACHED) INFORMATIVE MATERIAL SENT TELEPHONE CALL (ATTACHED) DATE ACTION TAKEN INITIALS 0-*y* 0sOb6SCA ONU 8500g 0ONCST 30033.23 C2CD 0..033 GG CUe POTODIUD I-1S ÇORO E GFGa aJJg (DE*- CEDOTAU E' D.POP POD0LaT OeNCe DO OM MG N0.026 PpOe 80G 8b C P.OT TU A6St3* OI.TOL8 LOWELL COURIER-CITIZEN.

MONDAY.DECEMBER 9. 190 f Northern Middlesex THE "SABBA DAY HOUSE" IN BILLERICA ONE OF THE OLDEST IN NORTHERN MIDDLESE The earliest picture taken of Sabbath Day the original Cape Cod structure. In the background, visible,may be BILLERICA MINUTE seen a well house, wood shed, barn, and even a stray chicken. The first entrance was on the west side. Later, when the building was used as a two family house, a door was added on the east, and The Sabbath Day Houst still later, the front door. In front. even in the oldest picture, are two Persian lilacs and cedar trees which are still there today. Convening On Sundays a funçtional history The "Sabbath Day House", or "Sabba Day House" as it was often On August 14 of this year the Sabbath Da called, was built between the years House, an historical residence at 20 Andove Mr. and Mrs.

Sydney Abbot, the resid the Sabbath Day House, spent many ho: 1757 and 1768. The will of David Road, was entered as a National Historic tailing the historical significance Osgood, dated June 15, 1757, gave Place in the Department of the Interior's Na- pearance of the edifice. the land to his wife, Sarah, "to put tional Park Service Register (of Historic Following is the report submitted a house on for her occupance". The Places) in Washington, D.C. Sabbath Day House with supplem, executor's deed conveying the land The preparation work required for the en- to the widow, Sarah, April 26, 1768, tering of a site in the National Register is research and writing done by Mrs. Car included the following: "Reserving Abbot. Her undaunted persistence a: monumental. the liberty for John Baldwin, John parent love for this town makes this a Patten and others their Sabbath unusual, functional history.

Day House as it now stands under the same restrictions which they were under by their lease of said house" *. The lease was for fifty years to March 10, 1818 for the pur- pose of convening families driving from a distance on Sundays. After David Osgood died, Sarah lived on in the house as housekeeper. Cold Sundays and Foot stoves There seemed to be no alter- native in the early days but to at- tend church on Sundays or else be ostracised as being sacriligious. A man, upless he attended church regularly, could not have the rights of a voter and was detained from the sacraments. Churches in those dayswere without heat, doubtless because of the danger from fire, and, as a means of overcoming the difficul- ty, small foot-stoves were brought into us.

The latter articles were open to improvement but served in measure to lessen the trials of a two or three hours' stay in church )with themercury hovering around zero. Wood-coals were placed in I these foot-stoves and the person using same placed his foot thereon Used Sunday Noons It was customary to hold ser- vices in the morning and afternoon. Some parishioners had to travel nearly ten miles to attend services, and it was with a view of avoiding the trip home for lunch that sug- gested the building of a house in which to spend the intervening time between the services. Accordingly, the Sabbath Day House was built by John Patten, John Baldwin, Reubin Kendall, Jesse Manning, Lt. William Man- ning, and Thomas Danforth. These family names were found also listed on the "Sitting List" of the Meeting House as of 1736. The date generally accepted for the con- struction of the building is 1765.

half ofthe north east room in the Sabbath day house which stands by Sheldon Lane, so called, room the said Manning which and bought of John Baldwin..of Billerica affore said jointly to hold the same in manner and form and for the same purposes as is men- tioned in our-(arrangement) with said Baldwin". . The paper was dated "July 17, 1772 in the twelfth year of his majesty's reign" Sabbath Lease Expires When the fifty years' lease was up, and there was no longer a need for the Sabbath Day House, one of the proprietors, Theophilus Man- ning, became the first private owner.

The quit claim on this.oc- casion of April 10, 1818 stated: "Know all men by these presents, Sabbath Day Houses cellar, and "Flip" was made by that, whereas a certain house v There is a record of two con- putting a red hot iron in a mug of built by John Baldwin and othe temporai y Sunday noon houses in cider, - a favorite drink. near the Billerica meeting hou the History Mason, New The Social Event for the purpose of convening th Hampshire.

That town voted in Gathered here, the women, al- families on Sundays, it being se 1773 "that Stevens Lawrence or ways mindful that it was the Sab- land leased for the term of f any other man may have the liber- bath, chatted together about years, and the lease now being ty of building houses and horse receipts and quilt patterns while we, the subseribers, proprietor stables in the school lot for their the men talked of the momentous said house, in consideration of - own use on Sabbath Days." Two events of those pre-revolutionary just proportion according such buildings, called "Sabbath times and of trade, hunting, or heirship of fifty-five dollars pai Noon Houses" , in this case owned fishing.

No doubt another frequent by Theophilus Manning, a by the town of Mason, were built on subject of discussion was prietor in the same house, the west side of the Meeting House rather grim Calvinistic doctrine,- reminded all our right. In witn Hill Road. Neither building is an interpretation which was caus- whereof, we, the proprietors presently standing ing growing concern. Afterthe said house, have hereunto set From the Mason records and noon hour was over, all would hands." signed Joel Baldw from what may be gleaned from an return to the Meeting House for Joseph Kidder, Jesse Manr old article published in the Lowell another service Adm. William Manning, S Courier Citizen, December 9, 1907, There is an old paper among the .

Danforth, Hannah Robinson, one may sense theglowing warmth records of the Manning family cy Danforth, Josiah Crosby, of the Sabbath Day House fires and written by John Carleton of and Henry Bridge. - the relief of those parishioners "Billerica in the Province of Mass- Succession To Present who, after the morning service, achusetts Bay." Carleton had been Theophilus married in succes repaired to the Sabbath Day House paid six shillings by William Man- three of the daughters of Asa to warm their chilled bodies with ning.."the receipt whereof I do ten. His daughter, Sarah, bec heat and the food brought from acknowledge hath remised, relax- the wife of Ambrose Page of tome. There was cider in the ed, and forever quit claim....unto aid willi Manning. Billerica, and they lived in house with their daughter, An teacher at the Old Howe Sc Anne married Lemuel Hall they moved to Lowell.

Sabbatt House was then used as a family dwelling until Mrs. I neice, Katharine Tyler, a w came there to live with two: daughters, one of whom Carolyn Abbot who lives in house today with her husband nein 1924, Mrs. Tyler marrie Rev. Dr. John Harold Dale iong pastorate in the First gregational Church next doo for fifty years from 1903 - 19 was not only the beloved pas the Church, but, also; the fri all the townspeople. At that two wings were added to the the architect was Mr. Cla Chelmsford, an expert in n additions to old places withor cealing the original. Sabbat House was a wedding gift Dales from Mrs. Dale's aunt Gpbot 10/5 Mrs. Carolyn T. Abbot Sabbath Day House 20 AndoverRoad OCT 5 1982 Billerica, Massachusetts 01821 Dear Mrs.

Abbot: Thank you for your letter of September 21, 1982, expressing interest in a preservation easement for thepermanentprotection ofyour Sabbath Day Home, 20 Andover Road, Billerica, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, which was listed in the National Register of Historie Places on Mareh 17, 1973. The procedures for protecting this historie house through an easement are explained in the enclosed article, "How to Qualify Historle Properties Under the New Federal Law Affecting Easements." You will note that the property owner donates or contributes the essement to a local government unit or to a non-profit historic preservation or conservation group. Such an easement spells out the eonditions under whieh the property must be used and gives the essement holder authority to enforee the easement terms.

The preservation organizations in Massachusetts that aecept easements are listed on page 16 of the enelosed booklet, "Directory of Historic Preservation Easement Organizations." Thank you for your interest inthe historie preservation programs of the National Park Service. Please let us know if you need further information. Sineerely, Sarol D. Shull (Sgd.) Carol D. Shull Chief of Registration National Register of Historie Places Enelosures bec: Mrs. Patricia Welowski, SHPO, Massachusetts CC: Mid-Atlantic Regional Office FNP:J Vosburgh:Iw:272-3504:10-4-82 BASIC FILE RETIANED IN NR Sys.8(nom)#3095