Nomination for Pierce House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SNOI1: Form 10-300 (Rev.

6-72) PH0006432 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: Suffolk FORNPS USE ONLY ENTRY DATE (Type all entries complete applicable sections) APR-2 6 1974 NAME COMMON: Pierce House AND/ OR HISTORIC: Same LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: 24 Oakton Avenue CITY OR TOWN: Boston (Dorchester) STATE Massachusetts 1I8119 RECEIVED APR 3 1974 15 NATIONAL CONGRESSIONAL bistrIc REGISTER Number 11 CODE COUNTY: 025 Suffolk CODE 025 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY (Check One) District Site OWNERSHIP STATUS Building Structure Object Public Private Both Public Acquisition: In Process Being Considered X Occupied Unoccupied * Preservation work U in progresr 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 Transportation - Other (Specify) sompi OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities STREET AND NÚMBER: 141 Cambridge Street CITY OR TOWN: STATE: Boston Massachusetts LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Suffolk Registry of Deeds, Suffolk County STREET AND NUMBER: Pemberton Square CITY OR TOWN: STATE Boston Massachusetts - Comments CODE 025 Massachusetts Suffolk STATE COUNTY: CODE 025 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: (1) Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts DATE OF SURVEY: - Federal State County X Local DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Massachusetts Historical Commission (617) STREET AND NUMBER: ENTRY NUMBER 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: Boston ISTATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 1974 DATE FOR NPS USE ONLY DESCRIPTION Excellent Good: Fair (Check One) - Deteriorated Ruins CONDITION (Check One) X Altered - Unaltered Moved - Unexposed (Check One) * Original Site DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Pierce House is a two and one-half story frame salt-box with a Tean-to and extended pitched roof. itched roandste baf Six bays wide by two bays deep, the house's greatest visual impact results from its sweeping roof line. The facade has as its sole decorative element two simple pedimented doorways built in the third quarter of the eighteenth century. The doorway to the west has two sidelights. In the 1930's the nineteenth century clapboards were covered with light grey asphalt shingles. The original central chimney has been replaced by a smaller one built in the nineteenth century. A subsidiary chimney on the eastern side of the house was constructed as part of an eighteenth century full extension on the eastern side of the original nucleus. It was this extension, with its additional doorway, that resulted in the house's "duplex" appearance.

The 6-over-6 window sash are largely replacements. The second story facade windows are directly under the eave. All windows have plain moldings. The westernmost doorway opens onto asmall entrance hall and stairs, remodelled in the 1840's, and exhibiting plain cylindrical balusters. To the west is a room exhibiting a finely chamfered summer beam. A nineteenth century mantle and panelled cupboards are principle decorative elements. Behind this room is the kitchen, and a half bath. The central roomhas an eighteenth century mantle with nineteenth century additions. Wide pine floor boards and a nineteenth century cupboard are of particular interest. A doorway on the eastern wall leads to an additional room. The nineteenth century mantle, and the presence of six doors leading variously to closets, a back stairs, and lean-to are of particular interest in this easternmost room.

The second floor consists of three chambers directly above each of those on the first floor. As on the first floor, the posts are exposed. The central and eastern chambers have non-functional fireplaces. A full bath has been added in the lean-to. All the rooms described thus far are plastered. The attic is divided into a large central room with a small one at either end. Evidence of an early gable, removed in the nineteenth century, is apparent. A small skylight has been let into the roof on the northern side. 19/ 10 RECEIVED APR 3 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER SIGNIFICANGE PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) Pre-Columbian! - 16th Century 15th Century X 17th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1652 AREAS OF

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Abor iginal Education Prehistoric Engineering Historic Industry Agriculture Invention Architecture Landscape Art Architecture Commerce Literature Communications Military Conservation Music L 18th Century 19th Century C 20th Century Political Religion/Phi- losophy Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation Urban Planning Other (Specify) STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

The Pierce House is a primary example of a first period dwelling exhibiting changes and additions made over the ensuing three-hundred and twenty odd years of its history. It is among the dozen earliest houses surviving in New England that can be firmly dated, thus, constituting documentary evidence as a structure built by immigrant English carpenters. An unrecorded deed, dated 1652, provides an ante guem date for its erection. Architecturally, the house exhibits in its principle elements a pattern of development extending from the mid-seventeenth century through the mid-nineteenth century. Of particular importance is the original seventeenth century frame, expanded in the third quarter of the eighteenth century by the lateral extension of the central nucleus and the addition of a lean-to. The resulting roof line, composed of three distinct degrees of pitch, is unusually dramatic.

disdssrl In addition to its architectural importance, Pierce House represents great sociological and demographic significance. The house has been continuously occupied by the Pierce Family, beginning with Robert Pierce and extending over ten generations of his direct descendents until acquiredby the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities in 1968. A great body of family documents exists, which illuminates the lives of every generation in their occupational, religious, political, economic and cultural contexts. The house is situated on a portion of the original six acre land grant given to Robert Pierce. The economic history ofthe plot, and several others acquired bythe family, with gradual, and then finally precipitous sale in the 1870's, documents the evolutionary creation of a neighborhood, and, in fact, a sizable portion of contemporary Dorchester.

Thus, eleven generations of a single family, the house they lived in, and the land they owned form a uniquely complete fabric of the past. Many members of the Pierce Family are of extraordinary interest. Col. Samuel Pierce described in his diary his first-hand account of the numerous events leading to the Revolution, including the Boston Massacre. Prior to the outbreak, he resigned from a commission under the crown to accept a commission of Lt. Col. in the Colonial Militia. As head of the

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Clapp, Ebenezer, History of the Town of Dorchester, Massachusetts, Boston, Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society, 1859. Orcutt, William Dana, Good Old Dorchester, A Narrative History of the Town 1630-1893, Cambridge, John Wilson and Son, University Press, 1893. 10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES CORNER 0 R DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PHOPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES LATITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LATITUDE LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds NW 42° 17 NE 12.456 71° 03' 13.925 SE SW APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: 10,000 sq. ft.

ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: BOUN ARIES TECENED APR 3 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER CODE CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CODE FORM PREPARED TiTLE:ETizabeth Amadon, Survey Director by Socfcty for thé Presewation England Antiquities and Boston Landmarks Commission ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Histonical Commission (617)727-8470 DATE February 1974 STREET AND NUMBER: 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: Boston STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION STATE 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: Local Le.Fx. Danen Hong rable John F.X.Davoren Secreaary of the Commonwealth TitiChairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa1 Register. ARmarleuse Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Date 4/760/74 ATTEST: Date 3|22/74 Date Lamthuw Keeper gf The National Registe 1.24-25 19/ 330680 4683460 - C of New GPO 931-894 OTmReF 4-15 Form 10-300a (July 1969) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Continuation Sheet) (Number all entries) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Suffolk FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER DATE APR 2 B 1974 Pierce House, Boston (Dorchester) 6.

EXISTING SURVEY cont'd (2) Title: Historica American Building Survey (Mass.-562) Date: nid, 1934-35 Federal Depository: Division of Prints and Photographs, Library of Congress Address: Washington, D. C. 20540 Code: 011 8. SIGNIFICANCE cont'd Dorchester Militia for the duration of the War, he corresponded with Paul Revere, John Avery, and other prominent figures; he later commanded the forces on Castle Island. His highly descriptive muster lists and his letter to his wife provide unusual insights into this pivotal period. 18 9 RECÊIVEU APR 3 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER GP O 921.724 PROPERTY WORKING NUMBER TECH REVIEW CONTROL REVIEW Piere Nause 4,3. 74,526 PHOTOS_/ MAPS #Aertaga sioia STATE mars. Suffolk 14000917 4. 4. 74 HISTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN YES! W.R.

Cuce 4/4/74 Accept Hesandl A/5/74 ARCHEOLOGIST REVIEW UNIT CHIEF BRANCH CHIEF "Tuservetá Woik i peopess" Merto irmunaten on it oun but looks libe pert 2- distrit to-me - KEEPER Accerr Cole 4-12-74 Aeuut Hengt 4-24-74 Nn 12474 National Register Write-up _ 5-30-74 Federal Register entry June 4, 1974 Send-back - Re-submit_ Entered APR 2 6 19M INT: 1538-73 NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 74000917 National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Pierce House Boston [Dorchester] (Suffolk), MA Section number2009 supplemental information Page 1 Re-evaluation of construction date due to dendrochronology As a result of the dendrochronology testing of Phase I of Pierce House in Dorchester in November of 2001, the construction date of the building has now been identified as 1683 and of Phase II as 1712.

The research team consisted of Daniel Miles and Michael Worthington of the Uxtord Dendrochronology Laboratory, England, with Anne Grady of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA) acting as liaison. Their report, cited below, presented the following results and conclusions. Ten samples were taken in the Phase I middle portion of the building from summer beams, tie beams, girts, wall braces, and joists. Matches between the samples suggested that the timber all originated from a single woodland situation. Six of the samples produced precise felling dates. Five were cut in the winter of 1682/83 and the sixth was felled one year earlier during the winter 1681/82.

The report stated, "Given the high number of precise felling dates to the same season, the trees were clearly felled for the construction of this building, and construction would have commenced during the early part of 1683." The Phase II western extension yielded four good samples, one of which gave a precise felling date of 1711/12. The existence of only one felling date means that it must be interpreted with caution, but construction is likely to have begun in 1712 or shortly after. The full results of the analysis are presented in: D. W. H. Miles, M. J.

Worthington, and Anne Andrus Grady, Development of Standard Tree-Ring Chronologies for Dating Historic Structure in Eastern Massachusetts, Phase II, Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey and Planning Grant Completion Report, Interim Report 2002/6, Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities and Oxford Dendrochronology Laboratory, May 31, 2002. An abridged version of the report can be found on the website www.dendrochronology.com. The full report can be found at SPNEA, now known as Historic New England, and at the Massachusetts Historical Commission. A note on dendrochronology dating In recent years tree-ring chronologies have been developed for eastern Massachusetts and adjacent regions, and a number of buildings or parts of buildings have been evaluated and given new construction dates due to tree-ring dating, or dendrochronology.

The principle behind tree- ring dating is a simple one: the seasonal variations in climate produce variations in growth which are reflected in the varying width of the annual rings of the tree. The rings in timbers from historical houses are compared with previously dated ring sequences from old-growth trees and from timber from structures with well-established dates to allow precise dates to be ascribed to each ring. Computer comparisons quantify how good the match is between the two. A dendrochronologist then analyzes the results and establishes the date the tree was felled. Some caution must be used in interpreting these dates to determine the construction date of a building. Sometimes timbers from the same construction phase of the same building have been felled one, two or more years apart.

However, it was common practice to build timber-framed structures with green or unseasoned timber, and it is likely that construction was completed within twelve or eighteen months from the felling date.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION PROPERTY Pierce House NAME: MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Suffolk DATE RECEIVED: 4/28/11 DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: REFERENCE NUMBER: 74000917 DATE OF PENDING LIST: DATE OF 45TH DAY: 6/13/11 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: OTHER: N PDIL: PERIOD: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: COMMENT WAIVER: N ACCEPT RETURN REJECT _DATE ABSTRACT/ SUMMARY COMMENTS: Additional Documentation Approved REVIEWER eB Cgggt DISCIPLINE Pat.

TELEPHONE DATE 6131 DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N If a nomination is returned to the nominating authority, the nomination is no longer under consideration by the NPS. 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) 1. NAME COMMON AND/OR HISTORIC Pierce House same 2. L.OCATION STATE COUNTY Suffolk Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER 24 Oakton Avenue 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT DATE Boston Redevelopment Authority 1968 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. 819 RECÊNED APR 3.

1974 NATIONAL REGISTE NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) APR 2 6 1974 TOWN Boston (Dorchester) NEGATIVE FILED AT Boston Redevelopment Authority City Hall, Boston, MA View of Pierce House from south-east corner of lot looking at Oakton Street facade GPO 932-009 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONA! PAAATT Form No. 10-301 Rev. 7-72 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) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Suffolk FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER APR 2 6 1974 DATE F - NAME COMMON: Pierce House AND/OR HISTORIC: Same LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: 24 Oakton Avenue CITY OR TOWN: Boston (Dorchester) STATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 COUNTY: Suffolk MAP REFERENCE SOURCE: U.S.G.S. 7.5' Series, Boston South Quadrangel SCALE: 1"=24,000' DATE: 19.70 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1.

Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference. CODE 025 19 RECEIVFII APR 3 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER 112 * U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 173-729-148/1441 3-1 Form 10-301 (July 1969) 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) STATE COUNTY Suffolk Massachusetts FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER APR 4 6 1974 F U NAME COMMON: Pierce House AND/OR HISTORIC: Same LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: 24 Oakton Avenue CITY OR TOWN: Boston (Dorchester) STATE: Massachusetts MAP REFERENCE SOURCE: Boston Redevelopment Authority SCALE: 1"=100* DATE: 1965 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1. Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference.

CODE 025 COUNTY: Suffolk ARECENED 19 +ATIOHAL REGISTER DATE CODE 025 2044 63/3 336 2469 $38 640 3999 5960 5657 648 347 649 3754 652 3482 923 651 653 AD 659 3565 66 STREET 00 353/663 3200 3373667 (3140 671 3A 3 5 ROAD 3642 3040 28344 6200 3614 2578 3120 RD. 4998 3395 45 8 S69 DEZIS 40%2 8190 13,086 4973 3522 cT. 3377 10 4080 10,165 3554 3556 3357 3160 2963 16 1711 PARKING 13,326 4216 2314 11,180 4125 4382 46 RD- 50 42 36 3/63 24 5207 5980 NAHANT 4978 5942 1862 21 3568 5765 2160 22 470 5424 24 28 46/2 5060 5/75 44 42 38 10,005 10 PIERCE 3400 10,005 18 23400 32 30 3333 34 3518 3333 3333 4937 36 3380 38 547% 6880 668 3490 3754 4574 9L9 OAKTON 23,833 BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY ADAMS STREET BRANCH 3400 4738 519- 3400 5422 14 27 10,000 10,000 * 5052 42 24 35 THOMAS J.

KENNY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 12,417 71,517 185 WALL WAK 069 DELMONT 09847 . 4337 23780 L 4176 14,410 18/ STREELEIVED 4839 Z BEGISTER 4500874634 43 6137 6105 4 CHARLEMONT 23 4331 433l 380 4331 433/ 3861 3900 3900 3900 3900 3900 35 39 4090 3724 4853 PIERCE HOUSE 24 Oakton Avenue Boston (Dorchester), Massachusetts Scale: ]"=100' 60 ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE NASSACHUSZTTS Date Entered APR 2 6 1974 Name Location The Amce Bullding Pherce Koone Boston Sufolk County Boston (Dorchester) Suffolk County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon, EdwardW.Brooke Hon, John J. Moaklay Hon. James A. Burke Regionel Director, North Atlantic Region PR MMott 4/26/74 State Illetoric Praservation Officer Hon. John F. X.

Davoren Socretary of the Comnonwenlth Chafnaan, Massachusetts Bistorical Cormission 40 Feacon Street Boston, Maseschusatte 02108 TOFIIE INND The Commonwealth of Massachusetts April 19,2011 William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Massachusetts Historical Commission Mr. J. Paul Loether National Park Service National Register of Historic Places 1201 Eye Street NW, 8*h floor Washington, DC 20005 Dear Mr. Loether: Enclosed please find supplementary information for 34 properties previously listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting recent scholarship regarding their dates of construction, based upon dendrochronological techniques.

These properties include: Boston (Suffolk County): James Blake House (NRIND, 5/1/74) Pierce House (NRIND, 4/26/74) Cambridge (Middlesex County): Cooper-Frost-Austin House (NRIND 9/22/72) Dedham (Norfolk County): Fairbanks House (NRIND, NHL, 10/15/66) Deerfield (Franklin County): All properties are located within the Old Deerfield Village HD (NRDIS, NHL 10/15/66) Allen House (MHC #20) John Ashley House (MHC #31) Eldad Bardwell House (MHC #23) Bull-Williams House (MHC #47) Childs House (MHC #53) Frary House (MHC #13) Eliezer Hawks House (MHC #58) Hinsdell-Williams House (MHC # 24) Jonathan Hoit House (MHC #9) RECEIVED 2280 APR 2 8 2011 NAT.

REGISTER CF HISTORIC PLACES NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 (617) 727-8470 - Fax: (617) 727-5128 www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc Little Brown House (MHC #79) Moors House (MHC #39) Nims House (MHC #12) Russell House (MHC #49) Saxton House (MHC #48) Severance House (MHC #19) John Sheldon - Hawks House (MHC #32) Stebbins House (MHC # 36) John Williams House (MHC #50) Essex (Essex County): Cogswell's Grant (NRIND 4/19/90) Gloucester (Essex County): White-Ellery House (NRIND, NRTRA 3/9/90) [First Period Buildings of Eastern MA, TRA] Ipswich (Essex County): Paine-Dodge House (NRIND, NRTRA, 3/9/90 First Period Buildings of Eastern MA, TRA Merchant-Choate House (NRDIS, NRMRA, 9/17/80) [High Street HD] Lexington (Middlesex County): Hancock - Clarke House (NRIND.

NHL, 7/17/71) Millville (Worcester County): Chestnut Hill Meeting House (NRIND 11/13/84) Newbury (Essex County): Tristram Coffin House (NRIND, NRDIS, 5/24/76) [Newbury HD] Salem (Essex County): Eleazer Gedney House (NRDIS, 10/1/74) [Gedney and Cox Houses HD] Pickering House (NRDIS 8/28/73) [Chestnut Street HD] Sandwich (Barnstable County): Wing Fort House (NRIND 6/3/76) Winthrop (Suffolk County): Deane Winthrop House (NRIND, NRTRA 3/9/90) [First Period Buildings of Eastern MA, TRA] Please add the enclosed continuation sheets to the existing National Register nomination files. Sincerely, Betry tredhery Betsy Friedberg National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission Enclosures