Nomination for Pratt, Capt. Josiah, House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

10-900 (7-81) OMB NO.1024-0018 EXP. 10/31/84 United tates Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inv ntory - Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries - complete applicable sections 1. Name For NPS use only received MAR 221983 date entered historic /Captain Josiah, Pratt, House and/or common Captain Josiah Pratt House 2. Location street & number 141 East Street N/ Aot for publication city, town Foxboro N/A vicinity of caagraccianal diaiiet state Massachusetts 3. Classification code 025 county Norfolk code 021 Category district X building(s) . structure site .

object Ownership - public - private both Public Acquisition N/A in process _ being considered Status - occupied unoccupied work in progress Agcessible - yes: restricted yes: unrestricted - no Present Use agriculture commercial educational entertainment government industrial military - museum - park X private residence _ religious _scientific - transportation - other: 4. Owner of Property name Richard and Karen A. Mordount street & number 141 East Street city, town Foxboro N/A vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Registry of Deeds street & number High Street city, town Dedham state MA 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic title Assets of the Conmonwealth, #l6 has this property beenn determined eligible?

- yes X no date 1981 federal x state - county - local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston state MA 7. Description Captain Josiah Pratt House, Foxboro, MA Condition excellent - good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one unaltered .altered Check one X original site - moved date N/A Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Captain Josiáh Pratt House stands on approximately one-third acre of land in rural East Foxboro. The handsome 18th century structure faces southeast, behind a cut granite retaining wall and old linden and white ash trees. Across the street is the original barn, now substantially altered to house a commercial pool store; the two structures are now under separate ownership. Rising from a cut granite foundation, the two story house is of wood frame construction, sheathed in clapboard and crowned by a hip roof with center chimney- A small, one-story addition on the northeast corner is thought to be 19th century in origin, while another one-story room was built on the northwest corner in 1970; both of these have shed roofs. On the southwest, a gable-roofed, two-car garage and connecting breezeway were also added in 1970.

Plain sill boards, corner boards, and cornice molding frame the elevations of the Pratt House; window architraves 2/2 sash (originally 12/8). Thetive bay acad se sntenlsing elevation) features a wide, gabled entry pavilion; its door and half-height sidelights are enclosed by a channeled double architrave with bulls-eye corner blocks. The northeast side of the house contains four symmetrically placed windows; on its northern corner the addition extends outward about 15 feet and is lighted by two asymmetrically placed windows. The southwest side has three regularly arranged windows and a side entry pavilion which echoes the facade entrance, though it lacks the ornamental trim. The back (northwest side) of the house features asymmetrically placed windows and the two ground floor additions; the northeast addition has a simple doorway.

In plan, three main rooms on each floor cluster around the central chimney and stairway. A secondary, straight run of stairs vertically connects the northwest corner of the house. Most of the interior finishing--woodwork and hardware--dates from the Federal period, as seen in th front sitting room (on the southeast corner, now the dining room) and in the new kitchen (at the rear of the first floor). The old kitchen (on the southwest corner, now the livingroom) retains its original beehivie oven, placed to the side of the fireplace. The hall contained by the front entry porch features a vaulted plaster ceiling. On the second floor, the master bedroom has interior folding shutters in each of its three windows. The rear additions contain a family room, utility/laundry room,; and small office.

While a traditional date of 1760 is ascribed to the house, several features suggest that it may date from as late as 1780. These include its deep plan, low pitched roof, simble window surrounds, and interior Federal period detail. Alterations to the exterior of the house are minimal. The entry pavilions, if Georgian in date, appear not to be original; they may possibly date to the Federal period. Other additions include the Greek Revival facade doorway, 2/2 sash, the one-story additions, and the garage and breezeway. Three 19th century maps show a structure--called the "new part"--which was as large as the main house attached to the rear of the building. Available 8.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Captain Josiah Pratt House, Foxboro, MA Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 .1600-1699 X 1700-1799 x 1800-1899 .1900 Areas of SignificanceCheck and justify below archeology-prehistoric community planning _ archeology-historic conservation agriculture economics X architecture education art engineering commerce exploration/settlement communications industry invention landscape architecture .law literature X military - music - philosophy X politics/government _ religion science - sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation - other (specify) Specific dates 1760 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect N/A Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Captain Josiah Pratt House is significant for its association with an active town leader in the 18th century, Captain Pratt, and as an important example of 18th century architecture in Foxboro. The property,wwhich retains integrity of design, location, setting, materials, and workmanship, thus meets Criteria B and C of the National Register. The Pratts were a prominent family in this area during the 18th century, including mill owners, farmers, and tavern keepers in many of the towns surrounding Foxboro; Captain Pratt's father owned a store, tavern, and grist mill in nearby Mansfielå. Josian Pratt (1720-1800), who is thought to have built this house c.1760, was primarily a farmer but also owned a quarry and a bed of iron ore.

Foxboro was incorporated as a town in 1778, combining parts of Stoughton, Stoughtonham, Walpole, and Wrentham. However, in 1753 church separatists led by Pratt flled a petition with the town authorities in Stoughton and with the state legislature to permit their withdrawal from the town of Stoughton and annexation to Norton North Precinct (now Mansfield). The request was denied, but it established Pratt as a resident. of East Foxboro and as a leader in local affairs. Pratt later presided as. Moderator over the first town meeting and was elected to the Board of Selectmen at the first election; he served there for three terms. Pratt was also deeply involved in the events of the Revolutionary War. He served on the town of Stoughton's Committee of Correspondance and acted as their delegate to the meeting in Milton on September 9, 1774, which passed the celebrated Suffolk Resolves.

During the War, Pratt commanded a company of men who marched from Foxboro to Lexington on April 19, 1775. Three of his sons--Issac, Levi, and Joseph--also marched with this company to Lexington, and again to Roxbury on March 4, 1776. A younger son, Abija, enlisted in 1780 and served in Rhode Island. Ownership of the Pratt House remained in the family until 1927. Following Josiah's death, occupants of the house included his son, Abija, who served as a selectman for four terms; Abija's son Shubel, who was the Town Clerk in 1820; and Markus Pratt Forrist, who in the mid-19th century acted as Depot Master at the East Foxboro Railroad Station. The Captain Josiah Pratt House is an excellent indication of the Pratt family's position in the community.

Although typically I8th century in design, its substantial size and elegance--as well as its very existence--are distinctive for the period in Foxboro, which was a small 9. Major B bliographical References Lane, Clifford and Edith P., This Was Foxboro, Rea-Craft Press, Inc., Foxboro, MA., 1966, pp. 17, 22, 23, 28 and 31. Carpenter, Robert W., History and Directory of Foxboro MA. for 1890. History of the Town from the First Settlement to the Present Time. A.E. Foss and Co. Needham,MA 1890 10.

The rest of the file

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

Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property 16,541 square feet Quadrangle name Mansfield, MA Quadrangle scale1:25000 UMT References A10l |7|10d Zone Easting L 41 6/ 51 8691 510 Northing BLd Zone D [ilü Lilil Easting Northing LLILL E F GL HLyLHbdLiLud Verbal boundary description and justification A certain parcel of land with buildings there- on on the Northerly side of East Street in Foxboro, Norfolk County, shown on a "Plan of land of Foxboro, MA.., Scale: 1" - 20', dated October 31, 1980, RIM England Co., Inc., Mansfield, MA" to be described herewith and more rastalfstares and couRdes ror Bropehfes dVerdpriRg Sate opdoumty boundariews. state code county code N/A state code county code 11.

Form Prepared By name/title Wendy Frontiero, Preservation Planner with Mary Elizabeth Pyne, Consult- ant organization Massachusetts Historical Commissiofate 12-31-82 street & number 294 Washington Street :telephone (617) 727-8470 city or town Boston state MA 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.

LWeslonke State Historic Preservation Officer signature dune State Historic Preservation Officer title Massachusetts Historical Commission For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Nelores Intered In the firKeeper of the National Register Natienal Register Attest: Chief of Registration date 3/16/83 date 4/21/83 date NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No.1024-0018 (3-82) Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service For NPS use only National Register of Historic Places received Inventory-Nomination Form dale entered Captain Josiah Pratt Continuation sheet Housei Foxboro, MA Item number 7 & 8 Page 1 9 & 10 documentation suggests that this addition was built before 1837 and des- troyed sometime after 1888; unfortunately, no further desciption is know is known of it.

Possible archaeological features associated with the property include a trash pit in the back yard, which has yielded several old bottles and a butter churn with its lid intact. The one-time existence of the large "new part" of the house also suggests potential for finding additional household remains from the 19th century. Continuation Part 8 struggling town through the early 19th century. In comparison to other local houses of the period, the Pratt House remains the largest and best preserved. Its later alterations reflect changing architectural taste over the 18th and early 19th centuries, while not detracting from the original design. Continuation Part 9 Copeland, Jennie, Mansfield News, "Mansfield in Other Days", Mansfield, MA., Article #16, 1929, Article #192, 1933. Authelet, Jack, The Foxboro Reporter, "Revolutionary War Soldier Builds a Home", Foxboro, MA., 1/17/80.

Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War, Wright and Potter Printing Co., Boston, 1904. Book of Records in the Second Precinct in the Town of Stoughton, 1740 to 1765, p. 33. The Sharon Historical Commission. Registry of Deeds of Norfolk County, Dedham, MA. Continuation Part 10 Southerly N38-50-40W N12-16-52W S43-47-31E S36-52-45E by the curve East Street 175.46 feet; thence, a distance of 44.68 feet; thence, a distance of 44.68 feet; thence, a distance of 57.94 feet; thence, a distance of 94.05 feet to East Street and point of beginning. Said parcel contains 16,541 square feet according to said plan. "Also see attached Sketch Map". MBTA 77869 16,A 15. < 79.2 STREET 6g EAST FOXBORO, MASS. Capt.

Josiah Pratt House Assessor's Map, 1981 Scale: 80' = 1" NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES United States Der of she latartar National Park Servic EVALUATION7 RETURN SHEE Pratt, Capt. Josiah, House Norfolk-County MASSACHUSETTS Working No Fed. Reg. Date:, Date Due: resubmission Tntered Acton: K ACCEPT nomination by person or local government Nations) ster - RETURN. - REJECT. owner objection Federal Agoncy:. appeal Substantive Roview: - sample _ request i_ appeal - NR decision MAR 2 2 7-84 5/6/33 4/21/83 Roviower's comments: Recom. /Criteria - Reviower _ Disciplino- Date - se- continuation sheet _technical corrections cited below .substantive reasons discussad bolow -Nomination returned for: 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification dumaratia Aate heepelattton 4. Owner of Property Prasont Ueo 5. Location of Legal Description 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys Mas tle property beon eocomaned ciigiata? -100 - 7. Description noelte g00c tain Mertorete ruine -hoch en unettered shorod Chock ene _ moved th presss ad and artolnad (il tasoonal ptrpatans crpssranso summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection 8. Significance erte summary paragraph completeness Clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data property VIIT Paotoranan arbel borndary tsnaotl 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The eveturatad exgrtttcanoe of thia presperty aeoun tne _ Rettonel - state -- loca: Mletertc Preservetlen Omoan eigneture 13.

Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to - Signed . - Date - Phone: 202 272 -3504 Comments for any Item may be continued on an attached sheet Jesiah Pratt House 141 EAST St Foxboro June 1982 Foxboro View. South FOXBORO, MASS. Capt. Josiah Pratt House View of the southeast elevation Photograph by Mary Elizabeth Pyne, 1982 Negative at Memorial Hall, Foxboro Photo 1 of 1 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION March 16, 1983 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State Ms. Carol Shull, Chief National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20243 Dear Ms. Shull, Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: Hampden: Thornton W.

Burgess House (national) Foxboro: Memorial Hall (local) Grange Hall (local) Josiah Pratt House (local) Also enclosed is the Garbose Building in Gardner, which was returned to us for a property map. All have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. Owners were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 30-75 days before the meeting , and were afforded the opportunity to comment. Comments received to date are attached to the nomination forms. Sincerely, Candace Jenkins Candace Jenkins Registration Director Massachusetts Historical Commission CJ:mmd Enclosures RECEIVED MAR 22 1003 NATIONAL REGISTER