Nomination for Harlow Old Fort House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form 10-300 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (Rev.

6-72) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PH0062782 STATE: COUNTY: Massachusetts NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM Plymouth FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY DATE (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) DEC 27 19/4 NAME COMMON: Harlow Old Fort House AND/ OR HISTORIC: same LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: 119 Sandwich Street CITY OR TOWN: Plymouth STATE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: 12th Massachusetts CODE COUNTY: 025 Plymouth CODE 023 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY (Check One) District Site OWNERSHIP STATUS Building Structure Object Public Private Both Public Acquisition: In Process Being Considered Occupied Unoccupied - Preservation work in progress ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: Restricted L Unrestricted No PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Agricultural Government Commercial Industrial Educational Military Entertainment Museum OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: Plymouth Antiquarian Society, Inc.

STREET AND NUMBER: 27 North Street CITY OR TOWN: Plymouth LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: Russell Street CITY OR TOWN: Plymouth Park Private Residence Religious Scientific Transportation - Other (Specify) 9 Comments RECEIVED UCT7 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER STATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 Massachusetts STATE Massachusetts CODE 025 Plymouth REPRESENTATION IN EXIST ING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE OF SURVEY: 1967 Federal State DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: STATE: County Local CODE DEC 2 7 1974 Boston Massachusetts 025.

STATE- COUNTY: ENTRY, NUMBER DATE FOR NPS USE ONLY DESCRIPTION CONDITION Excellent * Good (Check One) - Fair (Check One) Deteriorated X Altered - Unaltered DESCRIBE THEPRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE Moved Ruins - Unexposed (Check One) Xx Original Site The 1677 Harlow Old Fort House is situated on a commercial-residential main street a half mile south of the center of Plymouth. It sits on a small knoll with NE gable end to Sandwich Street, the old highway from Plymouth to the Cape. The house is a shingled 2-story gambrel cottage, 4 bays wide and 3 deep. The entrance is located off-center on the SE facade. It opens onto a stairway which separates the Great Hall on the right from the Scullery on the left. Behind these two rooms is a long kitchen, now used as a loom room, buttery, and small bedroom.

A chimney, with fireplace openings in both the Great Hall and Loom Room, is located directly behind the stairway. The upper floor consists of two small bedrooms. Most notable in the interior is the Great Hai1 with its exposed gunstock en' posts and framing and its enormous brick fireplace. The chimney of this fireplace was restored in 1920 but the huge oak lintel is original. Interior room partitions were also restored in 1920, but the rest of the house is original. Also of interest is a shallow round sandstone sink in the front corner of the Scullery. It has a spout that drains through a shuttered outlet to the left of the entrance door.It is of Dutch type, tooled from a large sandstone not found in Plymouth. Two small 20th c. shingled outbuildings are located to the south of the house and contain a classroom, gift shop and modern kitchen. 9 110 RECEIED Di: aumd ae bine raon.

Cird ss: - ed: hirt 30 OCT 7: C: NATIONAL. REGISTER ahiraett eodels 033 32 000 1 931 0013 0210 aencies M INS RU IL S9 Z - un SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) - Pre-Columbian ! - 16th Century - 15th Century - 17th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1677 AREAS OF 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 18th Century 19th Century 20th Century X Political ] Religion/Phi." : losophy - Science - Sculpture ] Social/Human- itarian - Theater - Transportation Urban Planning - .Other (Specify) STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

T 1677 The 1677 Harlow Old Fort House is not only one of the oldest houses in Plymouth but was also in continual ownership by the Harlow family and itsconnections for 224 years. It is also significant as the home of William Harlow. According to the Records of the Town of Plymouth at a town meeting held July 29,1669, there was granted to Sergeant William Harlow, a man of prominence in the Colony, " a little knowl or parcel of land on the westerly side of the roadway to sett a new house on". This site was a part of the pastures allotted to the freemen of Plymouth for grazing lands for their cattle, and on its southerly boundary was a large watering hole. Here William Harlow built his house in 1677.

The Harlow Old Fort House, sometimes called the "Water Hole House", is one of the few buildings now remaining in Plymouth which was built within the life- time of any of thosewho came in the MAYFLOWER. Of particular interest is the fact that it was framed with oak timbers from the old fort which, as Davis celates, " was built in 1622 on the top of the hill under which the town was located." The first fort was dismantled at the close of King Philip's. War, when danger from Indian depredation had passed. Sgt.Harlow obtained the timbers for his house. The heavy beams are still to be seen in the walls and ceilings of the first floor rooms. On some of them are the mortices made in fitting the frame of the old fort. On one of the beams, a long strap hinge was found, on which the gate of the old fort hung; the hinge is now in Pilgrim Hall.

William Harlow was born c.1624 and came to Plymouth from Lynn as a youth of about thirteen, but no record of his birth in Lynn has been found. As he grew older, he became a prominent townsman and filled many public offices. His name is often found in the records of the town meetings and from them , the events of his life have been compiled in a short biography by Theodore P.Adams. Io quote Mr.Adams, "He was admitted as a freeman in good and regular standing, owning property, and with the right to vote, in 1654. He was a surveyor of highways in 1656, and officer of excise in 1662 and 1665. From 1666 until his death in 1691, he was one of three selectmen of Plymouth". He was a deputy to the General Court in 1673-1675.

He was for many years a rater, or in modern terms an assessor, called upon to collect the minister's modest salary of 60 pounds, partly in money, partly in wheat, butter, tar, shingles, Indian corn, and other commodities, as was the custom of his time. On the records, he is usually called Sergeant William Harlow. cont d

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES 1. Thacher, James, History of the Town of Plymouth, Boston, 1835. 2. Davis, William T., Ancient Landmarks of Plymouth, Boston, 1883. 3. Wagner, Ruth, "The Harlow Old Fort House" pamphlet, Plymouth Antiquarian Society. 4. Adams, Theodore, "William Harlow", unpublished biography, Plymouth Anti- uarian Society, 1921. 10.

GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY CORNER LATITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LATITUDE ANE LONGIT-IDE COORDINA TES DEFINING THE LENTER POINI OF A PROPERTY OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES LATITUDE LONGITUDE Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds - NW NE SE Degrees UTM Z 19, E 03,62,650 46,45,540 SW APPROXIMA TE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: than an acre ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE STATE: CODE COUNTY: CC STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: RECÊVED OCT 7 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER CODE CODE CODE FORM PREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: 40 Beacon Street Mindy Arbo, National Register Editor, for Elizabeth Amadon, Actigg Exec.Dir.

DATE 8/13/74 CITY OR TOWN: Boston STATE CODE 025 12. 617-727-8470 STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION Massachusetts 02108 NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION 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: National State Local I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa1 Register. aRuorteus Director, Otfice of Archeology and Historic Preservation Date Name Title Date John F.X. Davoren Secretary of the Commonwealth Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Commission 9/4/74 ATTEST: Date 13/27/74 Keeper of The National Register 4 mute, 2 DEC 2 6 1974 * U.S.

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1973-729-147/1442 3-l UTM 19/362640 4645550 CD Form 10-300a (July 1969) (Number all entries) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Continuation Sheet) Harlow Old Fort House STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Plymouth FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER DEC 2 7 DATE 1974 8. SIGNIFICANCE Ini 1671 William Harlow was appointed with others"to inspect the inns and ordi- naries, and prevent the abuse of liquors. He was especially enjoined to see that men dåd not drink too much and did not become riotous when denied". In 1682 Sgt.

Harlow was appointed by the town to "grant tickets according to the Law in which cases provided such as are necessitated to travel on the Lord's Day, in case of danger of death or such like necessitous occasions." William Harlow married three times and fathered 14 children. He died in 1691. 1819 1 RECÊIVED 10 1974 OGA HONAL REGISTER GP O 921-724 PROPERTY Haslow Old tout Wouse STATE Mass. WORKING NUMBER 10.7.24.1642 TECH REVIEW PHOTOS MAPS Plymouth CONTROL REVIEW /1.6 7 4 ACCEPT HISTORIAN ootiled ncipti n cono, achoale wirkont goung into a this could be voof co oniginal-tel 1hy "/22/74 ARCHITECTURAI, HISTORIAN Sections #7 and #8 are incomplete onel macamale.

Return vindows and I doubt that auy 17thC bruldu aclitectural signifuans no descunsion ef political sianifiane, inodequate discussion g ARCHEOLOGIST 1 disagree REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Accrò ColE 11/26174 BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER DEC 26 1974 National Register Write-up J- 10-75 Federal Register entry =-4.25 Send-back Re-submit_ Entered DEC 2 7 1974 HaTlow Old FuTt House "9 Sandwich St, Plymiuta, Ma, 0x360 Phots credit to Plymunth Antiquatian Society Inc Negative filed at studio OnE, 30, Court st., NiPlymonta, Ma. 02360 East Gable FORM 10-301 A (6/72) 1. NAME COMMON 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 COUNTY TOWN Plymouth NUMERIC CODE (Asslened by NPS) Harlow Old Fort House 2.

LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER 119 Sandwich Street 3. PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Studio One 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. Northeast gable Plymouth DATE 6/20/1974 72 9! NEGATIVE FILED AT 301 Court St.,N.Plymouth,Ma. RECEIVED 7 1974 NATIONAL REGISTER IN GPO 932.009 PROPERTY OF THE MATONAL PERISTER Harlow Old Fort Aruse "a9 Sand wich st, Plymonth, Maso 0x350 Phito Gredit to Plymouth Antifuaqien Socrety, Inc Negative filedah studio Gue, 301 Court stiNpymouth 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 Harlow Old Fort House AND/OR HISTORIC same 2. L.OCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER COUNTY Plymouth TOWN Plymouth 119 Sandwich Street 3.

PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT DATE Studio One 6/20/1974 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. Southeast facade NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) DEC 2 7 1974 2072 NEGATIVE FILED AT 301 Court St.,N.Plymouth,Mass. 10, Ho RECEIVED OCT 7 1974 IN NATIONAL REGISTEF GPO 932.009 #252 PROTEY05- 1E-MATIONAE nroOTEn - m - ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE Date Entered MASSACHUSETTS DEC 2 7 1974 Name Harlow Old Fort House Location The Plymouth Antiquarian House Plymouth Plymouth County Plymouth Plymouth County Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Bdward W. Brooke Hon. Gerry E. Studds Regional Director, North Atlantic Region PR MMott/sow 12/28/74 Also Notified State Historie Preservation Officer Hon. John F. X. Davoren Secretary of the Cormonvealth Chairnan, Massachusetts Historical Counission 40 Beacon St. Boston, Massachusetts 02108