Nomination for Spofford-Barnes House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form 10-300 (Rev.

6-72) /H0015610 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ReF.# 74 000366 Massachusetts COUNTY: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Essex INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY DATE (Type all entries complete applicable sections) SEP 6 1979 NAME C OMMON: Spofford-Barnes House AND/OR HISTORIC: same LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: Kelsey Road CITY OR TOWN: Boxford STATE Massachusetts CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: 6th CODE COUNTY: 025 Essex CODE 009 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY (Check One) OWNERSHIP STATUS District Site Building Structure Object Public Private Both Public Acquisition: - In Process Being Considered Occupied Unoccupied - Preservation work in progress ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: L Restricted Unrestricted No PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Agricultural Government Commercial Industrial Educational Military Entertainment Museum Park Private Residence Religious Scientific Transporation Gomments Connpoc/PECEINED HAT 3 OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: Loren Wood NATIONAL REGISTER STREET AND NUMBER: Kelsey Road IILOMTE CITY CR TOWN: STATE: Boxford Massachusetts CODE 025 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Essex County Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: Essex County Courthouse CITY OR TOWN: Salem STATE Massachusetts CODE 025 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE OF SURVEY: 1966 Federal X State DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: - County - Local Boston STATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 STATE- COUNTY: ENTRY NUMBER FOR NPS USE ONLY DESCRIPTION diste pair Excellent - xGood - Fair CONDITION (Check One) - Deteriorated Ruins *Altered (Check One) - Unaltered Moved - Unexposed (Check One) * Original Site DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Spofford-Barnes House, built in 1749, is located on a narrow rural road in East Boxford, midway between the Howe Village and Boxford Village Historic Districts.It faces south towards mixed field, wood, and lowlands. The gener- al area is suburban-residential. Although the area is fully developed, the nearby houses are widely spaced in response to the prevailing two-acre zoning minimums. The old barn, 100 feet west of the house, was the home of the Kelsey Nursery from 1928-1952 and is surrounded by an arboretum of mature trees and plantings, mostly hybrid rhododendron and azalea, many of which are rare. The Spofford-Barnes House, owned by the Kelsey family from 1926-1961, is also wel1 planted. On the north is an open field backed by woodland. The symmetrical 23-story Colonial house is of center entrance,center chimney design, and is covered with white painted clapboard.

It is five bays wide and two deep. The wood shingled ridge roof is interrupted by a massive center chimney forward of the peak. The 2½-story ell, three bays long and two wide, extends from the northeast end and has a small chimney in the gable end at the ridge peak. The low foundation of the house is of field stone. The front - ho lon toumdacson (south) center entrance has a modest hip roof "sentry box" vestibule which was added shortly after the Civil War. The door is of appropriate double- crossed construction, and flanked by narrow vertical lights. The east and west facades have entrances off-center to the north of the peak, with single- crossed modern doors containing lights in the upper half. The ell has two similar modern doors. The windows are regularly spaced, double-hung, with a mix of sash (6/6, 6/9, and 8/12) and have simple wooden lintels and sills.

On the facade, there are a pair of windows on each side of the front, door; four windows are set evenly above on the second floor and a fifth is set over:the door. on the, west elevation the windows on the first and second floors are set two above two, with a single window under the peak on the thirdfloor. -The east elevation is like the west except for two additional windows, a small one to the north on the third floor and one to the north on the first floor adjoining the ell. Windows in the ell are 6/6, with the first and second floor windows on the east elevation set two above two. On the north elevations there are two bays on the second floor and a small one on the third floor under the peak, and on the west elevation there are two on the first floor and one on the second. The north elevation of the main house has two windows on the first floor and two offset on the second.

The house was originally built in the classic salt box configuration. The known changes are chronologically listed hereafter. In 1792 the west parlor paneling was brought from the old Aaron Wood House, and the clock recess made in the east room ceiling. In 1852 the back of the house was raised to teo full stories (this accounts for the chimney being forward of the boof peak, having been at the peak of the original salt box roof). In 1860 Indian shutters were removed from the west parlor and all new windows installed in the house. Shortly thereafter, the "sentry box" entrance was added to the front. In 1877 the ell (old summer kitchen) was raised to two full stories and the west end door cut in with an open porch that was later removed. About 1928 the house (in grave dispair) was restored with new clapboards and windows, although some windows in the ell appear to date back to 1877.

West side flooring is cont'd Form 10-300a (July 1969) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Continuation Sheet) Spofford-Barnes House,Boxford STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Essex FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER SEP 6 1974 DATE (Number all entries) 7.DESCRIPTION old wide pine; the ell second floor is wide pine; but the east side flooring was replaced with oak in 1928. In the late 1950's the ell kitchen was modern- ized and a screen porch added. The cellar stairway at the front made of old hand-hewn boards and timbers (possibly original). 141 L5) RECEIVED 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER OIT6I18 GP O 921.724 -

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 SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1749,1789. AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Abor iginal Education - Prehistoric Engineering Historic Agriculture 1X Architecture Art Commerce Communications Conservation Invention Landscape Architecture Literature Military Music 18th Century 19th Century - 20th Century Political Religion/Phi. losophy Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation Urban Planning Other (Specify) STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

The Spofford-Barnes House is significant for two reasons. First, it was the home of Iydia Warfen (Spofford),1745-1839, who, in 1775, had single-handedly taken the first prisoner in the Revólutionary war. She resided in the house for the last 47 years of her life.' Lydia's husband,Benjamin Spofford, was significant to town history as the key figure in the traumatic formation of the Third Congregational Church in Boxford. Although the :house was built in 1749 by Paul Pritchard, a house-wright, it is more properly named for the family which lived in it for 124 years, from 1789 to 1911. (Benjamin Spoff- ord's daughter,Sally, married Phineas Barnes in 1807). LYDIA WARREN SPOFFORD (1745-1839) Benjamin Spofford was the third owner of the Spofford-Barnes House. In 1792 he married e, Lydia Wood, a neighbor.

Lydia was the widow of Aaron Wood, who was a representative from Boxford before and during the Revolutionary War, a justice of the "Peace and Quorum" under King George, and later a senator and member of the Governor's Council. Lydia's first husband was David Barnard of Watertown, a Minute Man in the Revolution. It was at that time that Lydia was confronted with events that led to her capture of a"Red Coat" on April 19,1775. Thus she is known for taking the first prisoner of the Revolutionary War. She died in Boxford in 1839 and was buried a short distance from the house in Harmony Cemetery beside her second husband, Aaron Wood.

BENJAMIN SPOFFORD (1752-1836) Benjamin Spofford bought the house from Amos Perley about a year or two after Spofford's first marriage in 1786, and he lived there until shortly before his death, when, due to infirmities of age, he went to Georgetown to be cared for by his daughter. It was in 1808 that Boxford's famous "sheep case" started, with Benjamin Spofford being the key person involved. While strictly a local matter, this minor incident escalated in importance, until,in 1825, it split the local church, caused the formation of the Third Congregational Church of Boxford, and was probably the single most disruptive factor in the town's history from the time of the War of 1812 to the Civil war. The house also contains many notable architectural features. It is a well- preserved center entrance, center-chimney Colonial, a fine example of its period.

Despite the inevitable modifications and enlargements that have taken place on the original salt box configuration, much of the original fabric remains. However, it is the interior, the original four front rooms, which qualify as especially significant. cont'd

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES 1.Perley,Sidney,Dwellings. of Boxford Salem 2.Parkhürst, Winnifred, History of the First 1893. Congregational Church,Boxford. 0. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES LATITUDE AND LONGIT'JDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY DEFINING THE CENTER POINI OF A PKOPERTY R OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES CORNER LATITUDE LONGITUDE LATITUDE LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minute's Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds NW 42 41 012 70 ° 59 ' 06%" NE..

SE " SW APPROXIMA TE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: c.5½ acres ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES/ STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: RECEIVED MAY 3 1974 NATIONAL RECISTER CODE CODE CODE FORMPREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: -i FNElizabeth Amadon,State Survey Director, By Mindy Arbo Massachusetts Historical Commission 3/12/74 STREET AND NUMBER: 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: STATE Boston 617-727-8470 Massachusetts STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION 02108 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 Nationa1 Park Service.

The recommended level of significance of this nomination is: Honorable John F.X.Davoren Secretaryof the Commonwealth Title Chairman,Massachusetts Historical Commission Date 4|24/74 I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa1 Register. akmortenzu Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Date 9/6/74 ATTEST: has, cetiin ~ Keeper of The National Register Date 2-624 * U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1973-729-147/1442 3-l UTM 19/337360 4727380 M - Z u C Form 10-300a (July 1969) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Continuation Sheet) Spofford-Barnes House,Boxford STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Essex FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER SEP 6 1974 DATE (Number all entries) 8. SIGNIFICANCE Most notable is the fireplace wall paneling in three of the four front rooms.

Upstairs, the west bedroom has raised rail and stile paneling, and the east bedroom has vertical full length wainscot. Downstairs, the west room (parlor) has raised rail and stile paneling with vertical fluted pilasters. The east room has a false fireplace and papered walls. There is evidence of a large old lintel, but it has not been determined whether the old paneling underneath. It is the vest parlor that is of greatest interest. This paneling was sought by the Metropolitan Museum in New York, in the 1930's, as an "outstanding New England example". (Harlan P.Kelsey, the owner at that time, declined the sale). Lydia Spofford brought the paneling to the house from her previous home, in 1791. The interior reflects the hand of Lydia Spofford more than any other single in- fluence.

Because of a broken hip, she used to sit in a rocking chair at the front window in the east room during the last years of her life. In a corner of the room was a tall clock which was so tall that a recess had to be made in the ceiling. Lydia purchased the clock when she came to the house as a bride in 1791. It continued to remain there long as the old home was occupies by the family. The ceiling recess remains today. Also significant to the Spofford-Barnes House is its landscaping. From 1926- 1961, the Kelsey Nurseries, located on the property, supplied the estates of the North Shore with the finest trees and plantings. The nurseries' show grounds, now mature, contaîn a unique and valuable collection of trees and shrubs, and give considerable character to the Spofford-Barnes property. RECEIVED MAY 3 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER T6 GPO 921.724 PROPERTY, Spafferd-Barres Hense sran mase 5.3.

74.697 WORKING NUMBER TECH REVIEW PHOTOS MAPS Essex CONIROL REVIEWould use a frant wew 5.8. HISTOR IAN What io BoxGids famons "sheep case"" fee Sect. 8)?? ARCHTIBCTURAT, HISTORIAN IS the woodwwork in the west partor stil in The honse a1not? UCT 715/24 ARCHEOLOGIST REVIEW UNIT CHIEF BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER Hungt Io Minta 9.6.74 National Register Write-up Oct23,1974 Federal Register entry 11/5/74 Send-back Re-submit Entered SEP 6 1974 INT: 1538-73 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 NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) SEP 6 1978 1. NAME COMMON Spofford-Barnes House 2. LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER Kelsey Road 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Loren Wood 4.

IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. Northeast corner of the facade COUNTY Essex DATE 11/73 1of/ NEGATIVE FILED AT photographer ZLLL 12113) AT RECÊIVED MAY 3 1974 aill NATIONAL REGISTE GP Spofford Barnes Hss Boxford PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Form No. 10-301 Rev. 7-72 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORICPLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map) STATE COUNTY Massachusetts Essex FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER SEP 6 DATE 1974 NAME COMMON: Spofford-Barnes House AND/OR HISTORIC: same LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: Kelsey Road CITY OR TOWN: Boxford STATE: CODE 025 Massachusetts MAP REFERENCE SOURCE: U.S.G.S. GEORGETOWN, MASS. 1966 SCALE: 1: 24,000 DATE: 1966 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3.

Latitude and longitude reference. COUNTY: Essex CODE 009 15 RECEIVED 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER TITIOITE INT: 155-72 ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS SEP 6 1974 Date Entered Name Location Adans Academy Abbot Hall Parson-Barnard House Wayland Center Historic District The Gov. Bellingham-Cary House Spofford-Jarnes House Quincy Norfolk County Marblehead Essex County North Andover Essex Couaty Wayland Niddlesex County Chelsea Suffolk County Bozford Essex County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Edward W. Brooke Hon. James &. Surke Hon. Michael J. larrington Fon. Robert F. Drinan Hon. Torbert H. MacDonald State Historic Preservation Officer Hon. Jobn F. X. Davoren Secretary of the Conmonwealth Chairman, Massachusetts Ilistorical Comnission 40 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 Regional Director, North Atlantic Region PR MMott 9/10/74