Nomination for Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) PH0355062 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DATA SHEET FOR NPS USE ONLY NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED NOV 1 1976 DATE ENTERED APR 1 4 1977 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 NAME 2 3 6 HISTORIC ** BACON-GLEASON-BLODGETT HOMESTEAD AND/OR COMMON Old Mill House LOCATION STREET & NUMBER. 118 Wilson Road EofRolfand CITY.

TOWN Bedford Boston VICINITY OF CODE NOT FOR PUBLICATION CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 5th STATE Massachusetts 01730 COUNTY Middlesex CODE017 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY DISTRICT X BUILDING(S) STRUCTURE .SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP .PUBLIC XPRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION _IN PROCESS _BEING CONSIDERED STATUS X OCCUPIED _UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE X YES: RESTRICTED -YES: UNRESTRICTED _NO PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE MUSEUM COMMERCIAL _PARK _EDUCATIONAL XPRIVATE RESIDENCE -ENTERTAINMENT _RELIGIOUS .GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC -INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION MILITARY _OTHER: OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME John Tucker Abbott and Anne Elizabeth Abbott STREET & NUMBER e=918 Wilson Road CITY.TOWN Bedford Massachusetts 01730 VICINITY OF LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE.

REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC Middlesex County Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER 40 Thorndike Street CITY, TOWN Cambridge STATE Massachusetts 02141 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE May 1966 _FEDERAL XSTATE COUNTY _LOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS Massachusetts Historic Commission CITY. TOWN Boston STATE Massachusetts 02108 71DESCRIPTION CONDITION XEXCELLENT _GOOD _FAIR _DETERIORATED RUINS UNEXPOSED CHECK ONE _UNALTERED X. ALTERED CHECK ONE XORIGINAL SITE -MOVED DATE DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead, or Old Mill House, lies in the eastern portion of the town of Bedford, near the Burlington town line and Route 62. It is a pre-Revolutionary brick-end transitional Georgian dwelling situated on a one acre corner lot upon a hill with open lawns, shrubbery, and evergreen plantings. From the northeast corner of the property, a dead-end stretch of Old Burlington Road leads approximately 200 feet to the historic site of the 1680 John Wilson corn mill. To the west of the house the land slopes downward past an old stone wall into a small pasture with boundary plantings of lilac trees, white pine, apple, and evergreen trees. The immediate vicinity is residential; it is primarily contemporazy Cape Cod & ranch houses on 1 acre lots. The Homestead is approxim mately 1½ miles from the center of town.

Architecturally, the house is an early New England transitional Georgian style. It has brick-ends, is two storey, and contains eight rooms. It has a low lip roof with four tall inside end chimneys, two on each brick end. The massive foundation is of field stone with rough granite facing blocks. The facade is five bays wide: The front entrance, facing south, has a centrälly located six-panel crusader door with a simple fanlight and framed by simple pilasters. Above the door is a cornice with dentil molding, ånd fanlight with arch & keystone molding. Iwo of the front steps have recently been replaced with granite. The bottan step is an old millstone from the nearby John Wilson corn mill. The east and west elevations are brick; the north and south are clapboarded. The original boards have lapped joints, and butt to the brick ends.

Projecting from the first floor center of the north elevation is a small enclosed, hip-roofed porch. The original 16 over 8 fenestration- has. been replaced with 12 over 12. The two brick ends are in excellent condition. are construated of small 6 3/4 inches long by 3 inches deep by 1 7/8 inches high brieks laid in common bond. - The 1½ storey clapboarded wing extending from the westerly brick end has been converted into a "cobnial" style kitchen and laundry, while retaining the ariginal exterior features. The interior floor plan is a simple two room deep rectangle with a central corridor. The interior consists of a moderate sized hall leading to a spiral staircase and two sitting rooms, each with a brick fireplace, wide ceiling cornices, flat pine wainscotting, and random width hard pine flooring.

In the rear there are two kitchens of similar layout, each cantaining large brick fireplaces, and the same style wainscotting as appears in the sitting rooms. A small rear hallway contains a staircase leading to the second floor composed of four identical bedrooms, each with a small fireplace and side closet. From the enclosed porch on the northern elevation, an inside door enters into a hall containing three inside doors opening into the northeast and northwest rooms and down to the cellar. The cellar retains its original packed earth floor.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD -PREHISTORIC -1400-1499 -1500-1599 -1600-1699 X_1700-1799 -1800-1899 -1900- ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC X AGRICULTURE X ARCHITECTURE ART _COMMERCE _COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW -COMMUNITY PLANNING -LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE _CONSERVATION -LAW -ECONOMICS -LITERATURE _EDUCATION X MILITARY -ENGINEERING -MUSIC EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY XINDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT. -INVENTION -RELIGION SCIENCE _SCULPTURE -SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES Circa 1740 BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT Unknown STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead, or Old Mill House, is significant as an unaltered example of the early to mid-18th century brick-end transitional Georgian. It is the only house of this period and type in the town of Bedford. Its historic name is derived from the first owners who were Nathaniel Bacon, Indian fighter; Thomas Bacon, Militiaman; Jonas Gleason, Minuteman and miller; It. Simeon Blodgett, miller. All of these men contributed significantly to the early development of the town of Bedford. In 1680, John Wilson established a corn mill at Vine Brook, near the site of this house. Because of Wilson's mill, a small wilderness community sprang up around the mill pond area which flourished until the middle of the 19th century.

The Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead and one other house are the only remaining structures of the early community. Nathaniel Bacon, son of Michael Bacon of Billerica, acquired 100 acres from his father, and by approximately 1740 built the brick end Georgian house. Thomas Bacon, Nathaniel's youngest son, purchased the property in 1744, and continued to improve it while managing the estate as a farm. After the death of Thomas Bacon in 1792, Jonas Gleason, who operated the Wilson corn mill, purchased the house and resided there until his death in 1815. Lt. Simeon Blodgett, an enterprising miller, farmed the property and operated the grist mill after Gleason's death. Between 1859 and 1865 James Smith Monroe, former Iexington (Mass.) Town Treasurer, owned the Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead property.

He was the son of Jonas Monroe and grand- son of William Monroe, both of whom were proprietors of the historic Monroe Tavern of Iexington. In 1840 James Monroe managed a small paper mill located on Vine Brook at Bedford by the site of the earlier Wilson-Gleason-Blodgett mills. From this experience he started a larger plant at South Lawrence which developed into the Monroe Felt and Paper Company and of which he was president for many years. A later occupant of this house was Hugh I. Hunt, U.S. Army, Infantry, who died from wounds received in France in 1918. He was the youngest soldier and the first to die in Worla War I from the town of Bedford.

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Abbott, John I. SAnne E. The Finding of the Bacon- Gleason- Blodgett Homestead. 11pp MS typed article. Bedford: 1963. Brown, Abram English History of the Town of Bedford. Bedford: 1891. Brown, Louise K. Wilderness Town. Bedford: 1968. Brown, Louise K. A Revolutionary Town. Bedford: Phoenix Publishing 1975. Hazen, Henry A. History of Billerica. Boston: A. Williams and Co. 1883. (CONTD) 0 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY Less than one acre. UTM REFERENCES AL1,9 L3| 1,5/312101 EASTING 560 L4,710,714 6r0l NORTHING ZONE DLL NORTHING JuLu VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE FORM PREPARED BY John T.

Abbot, Bedford Historical Commission NAME / TITLE Blaine Mallory and Joseph Orfant, National Register Editor ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission DATE October 14, 1976 STREET & NUMBER294 Washington Street TELEPHONE 617-727-8470 CITY OR TOWN Boston STATE - Mass. 01730 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL - STATE - LOCAL As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National 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 criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE Eliahich Rud Amadon TITLEExecutive Director, Massac setts Historical Commission DATE 10/26 76 FOR NPS USE ONLY 1 HEREBY CERTIFY T VCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER DATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ATTEST: DATE 4/4/89 3.18.12 KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER GPO 892-453 Property State TECHNICAL Photos - Maps Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead Mass.

Working Number 11.1.76.4415 ARCHITECTURAL Middlesex CONTROL KP 111.7 ISTORTAT accypt B.Grosuena 11/15/76 HISTORIAN Accept mgheerz 12.476 ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory - Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF auoT Cok 2/21.77 ABRANCH CHIEF National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 5-3-27 Send-back Re-submit Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 KEEPER 3.18.77 APR 1 4 1977 INT:2106- 74 Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead Bedford, Massachusetts PHOTO CREDIT: John T. Abbott DATE OF PHOTO: 1968 NEGATIVE FILED AT: Property owner: 118 Wilson Road, Beaiord, Mass. PHOTO NO.:7 / o16 DESCRIPTION: Interior view looking down front hall spiral staircase from landing; showing hand made braided treads/ 1 1976 APR 1 4 1977 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Phiato #7 Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead Bedford, Massachusetts. PHOTO CREDIT: John I.

Abbott DATE OF PHOTO: 1968 NEGATIVE FILED AT: Property owner: 118 Wilson Road, Bedford, Mass. PHOTO NO.: 2 DESCRIPTION: Front facade, South view, looking north. E APR 1 A 1977 NOV 1 1976 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL RECIGTER Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead Bedford, Massachusetts. PHOTO CREDIT: John I. Abbott DATE OF PHOTO: 1976 NEGATIVE FILED AT: Property owner: 118 Wilson Road, Bedford, Mass. PHOTO NO.: 3 6 DESCRIPTION: Front entrance doorway, millstone step, brick walk. NOV 1 1976 South view, looking north. 00E APR 14 1977 PROPERTY OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER Photo #3 62 Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead Bedford, Massachusetts. PHOTO CREDIT:John I. Abbott DATE OF PHOTO: 1976 NEGATIVE FILED AT: Property owner: 118 Wilson Road, Bedford, Mass.

PHOIO NO.: 4 M DESCRIPTION: South facade and east elevation, looking northwest from Wilson Road showing front entrance gatelOV 1 1976 OTE APR 1 A 1977 PROPENTY CF THE NATIONAL 2200TO Photo #4 Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead Bedford, Massachusetts PHOTO CREDIT: John I. Abbott DATE OF PHOTO: 1965 NECATIVE FILED AT: Property owner NOV 1 1976 118 Wilson Road, Bedford, Mass. PHOTO NO.: 5 /6 DESCRIPTION: Northeast view, looking south- west from corner of Wilson Rd. and Old Burlington Rd.; showing wing on right. 00 E APR 14 1977 PROPERTY OF THE NATON! REGIOTER Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead Bedford, Massachusetts PHOTO CREDIT: John T, Abbott DATE OF PHOTO: 1968 NEGATIVE FILLED AT: Property owner: 118 Wilson Ra., Bedford, Mass.

PHOTO NO.: 6 DESCRIPTION: Rear elevation, looking south- east from Old Burlington Rd.; showing wing from west brick elevation.NOV 1 1976 0 E APR 14 1977 PROPERTY OF THE CATONAL REGISTER ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE Date Entered MASSACHUSETTS APR 1 4 1977 Name Location Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Henestead Bedford Middlesex County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Bdward W. Brooke Hon. Paul Tsongas Regional Director, North Atlantie Region 880 MMOTT/djb 4/18/77 State Historic Preservation Officer Mes. Elizabeth R. Amadon Ixecutive Director, Hassschusetts Ilistorical Conmission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusette 02108 NR Data Sheet DATE: 11/15/76 Reviewer INITIALS: B4. . NR DOE APR I 4. 1977 NAME AS IT APPEARS IN FEDERAL REGISTER: Bacon-Gleason-Blodgett Homestead OTHER NANES: Old Mill House LOCATION: STREET & NUMBER 118 Wilson Rd., E of Bedford CITY.

TOWN CONGRESSIUNAL DISTRICT 5th VICINITY OF Bedford STATE Massachusetts 025 -COUNTY code Middlesex - 017 OWNER OF PROPERTY: (Circle) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV'T MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER FEDERAL (AGENCY NAME) : ADMINISTRATOR(underline) NPS REGION: (CIRCLE) N.ATLANTIC MID ATLANTICSOUTHEASTMIDWEST SOUTHWEST ROCKY MOUNTAIN WEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST FEATURES: INTERIOR - Substantially intact-1 unknown - 4 - not applicable - 7 CONDITION - LEXCELLENT _GOOD -FAIR EXTERIOR ENVIRONS Lsubstantially intact-2 Substantially intact-3 _ unknown.-5 _. unknown -6 - not applicable - 8 -Not applicable-9 _Interioz, exterior, environs not intact-0 _DETERIORATED LUNALTERED _RUINS AALTERED _UNEXPOSED -Reconstructed LORIGINAL SITE _MOVED _Unkncwn _Unexcavated _Excavated ACCESS - Yes-restricted Yes-unrestricted No access Unknown historic district? YES NO WITHIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT?

IF YES, NAME: YES NO WITHIN NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? IF YES, NAME: YES NO ADAPTIVE USE: YES NO Saved ? YES NO FUNCTION (S): (use vocabulary words) then- house now-house SIGNIFICANCE: _ARCHEULUGY-PREHISTORIC -ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTUR ARCHITECTUR ART _COMMERCE -COMMUNICATIONS Claims "first" YES _CONSERVATION _ECONOMICS _EDUCATION ENGINEERING -EXPLORATION INDUSTRY _INVENTION NO _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE -RELIGION _LAW/Gov't/politics _SCIENCE -LITERATURE -MILITARY _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN MUSIC _PHILOSOPHY -POLITICS/GOVERNMENT -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) "'oldest'?

YES NO - -entertainment -health Zsetreemiot _socio/cultural _urban & commun planning only , houre "only" (YES NO y.ts pesisd" tyse in Pidfod ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Jransitemas genjeau Mlementãs architect/m.builder: unknown engineer: landscape/garden designer: artist/artisan: interior decorator: builder/contractor: ETHNIC GROUP: NAMES: (label role appropriate date) persona events Iohn wiloo- gpurated mill sue, 1680, around wh town grew. /athaniel Jacox- niqenal ouser, 1740-1744 - Andian Thomes Bacon-ourcer, 1744-1792 - smaf above; Militiamen Oonas Glicom- 3= ousu, 1799-1815 - operated mtl (uiloons) Seron Slodgett - oasei? - apuated farm v mill institutional DATES: DATE OF CONSTRUCTION (Specific date or 1/4 of century): c. /140 DATE (S) OF "MAJOR" ALTERATIONS: HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DATE (S) : /680 - c./859 SOURCE.

(OF NOMINATION) PRIVATE STATE LOCAL GOV"T MUNICIPAL COUNTY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY: ACREAGE: (to nearest tenth of an acre) .1-,9 COMMENTS: (include architectural information here) Frame, clapboasdung, bruck ends ; 2.struis, rectangular, hipped roof, paired interin end chimneys, front center ennance with fanligie. flank luy prlasters suppnting a crnice, s mall vear ennance vestisule Iranutmal genssan duments. Ila-story w wung, excellent intein speral stancase, Anly treckend med-18thc. dwelling af ies type and pereod in Bedfnd. SIGNIFICANCE" (maximum two sentences) oue tf mly a remaiing trus frem eely ammmunig ff Bafad; oit If mill around whick toam graw - micl apocated poom late 19' C. to mid 19t c.