Nomination for Southwick House

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (3-82) OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries-complete applicable sections 1. Name For NPS use only received 0CT 27 1983 date entered NOV 2 9 1983 historic Southwick House (preferred) and/or common 2. Location John Southwick House street & number 151 Lowell Street N/A not for publication city, town Peabody N/A vicinity of state Massachusetts 3.

Classification code 025 county Essex code009 Category - district Xbuilding(s) structure site object Ownership - public X private both Public Acquisition in process N/A being considered Status X occupied unoccupied work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted - yes: unrestricted - no Present Use agriculture commercial educational entertainment - government industrial .military X museum park private residence religious scientific transportation other: 4. Owner of Property name Judith R. Damon street & number 151 Lowell Street city, town Peabody N/A vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. South Essex Registry of Deeds street & number 42 Federal Street Salem city, town state Massachusetts 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic Assets of title the Commonwealth # 192 has this property been determined eligible? _ - yes X date 1978 _ federalX state _ county _ local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission & Peabody Historical Commission city, town Boston and Peabody state Massachusetts 7. Description Southwick House, 151 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA Condition X excellent - good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one X 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 Southwick House, constructed c. 1750, faces southwest onto Lowell Street at the outskirts (northwest) of central Peabody. The surrounding neighborhood is fairly densely developed with a mix of residential and commercial buildings dating from the 19th through mid-20th centuries. The house is set back a few feet from the sidewalk at the front of a narrow rectangular lot (105' X 3500'). Associated with the house and located to the rear is a small wood-frame art studio constructed in 1976; it is a non contributing element in this nomination. Two outbuildings, of unknown date shown| on the Town Assessor's Map of 1932 , have since been demolished. Although traditionally dated c. 1660, the Southwick House appears to date stylistically from the mid-18th century and probably replaced an earlier house.

It is a 2½ story center chimney, wood-frame, clapboard (new) structure set on a low fieldstone foundation with basement and capped with a ganbrel roof with asphalt shingles. The center entry of the symmetrical five-bay facade is simply framed with channelled moulding with rosette motifs at the corner blocks; this treatment appears to reflect an early 19th century modification. Fenestration throughout the house consists of 6/6 doublehung sash set in wide, moulded, projecting surrounds. Narrow corner" boards and fascia complete the buildings' crim.: In plan, the original portion of the house (18 X 36 feet) is one room deep with two rooms on each story arranged on either side of the central chimney. Typical of this early design, the chimney containes two flues set side by side resulting in a rectangular stack above the roof.

The west and east gable ends are pierced on each floor and the attic by one window. Running along the rear of the house and extending one-bay beyond at both ends to produce a "Beverly Jog" is a two-story ell (12 X 47 feet) apparently constructed soon after the original portion. The secondary pitch of the ganbrel has been altered to forn a smooth transition to the shed roof of the ell. Fenestration of the rear elevation is assymmetrical. A small one-story shed is attached to the northwest corner. The interior of 'the house retains the majority of original features including floor plan, floorboards, panelling and trim. The house was carefully restored in the 1970s at which time modern conveniences were installed and the present exterior sheathing applied.

In addition to the ancillary buildings which once stood on the property as noted above, it is likely that subsurface remains of earlier structures also remain. Of particular importance is thepotential presence of ceramic manufacturing related structures and artifact deposits dating from the early to mid 18th century. The Southwick's involvement in the ceramic industry is historically documented, and ceramic sherds are reported to have been found here into the 20th century (see Section 8).

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Southwick House, 151 Lowel1 Street, Peabody, MA Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 1800-1899 1900- Areas of Significance-Check and justify below archeology-prehistoric - community planning * archeology-historic conservation agriculture economics X architecture - education art - engineering commerce X exploration/settlement communications Xindustry _ invention landscape architecture law literature military music philosophy politics/government - religion science - sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) Specific dates c. 1750 Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

(in one paragraph) Builder/Architect Unknown The Southwick House retains integrity of location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, and association. It is architecturally significant as an excellent and well preserved example of vernacular Georgian period architecture in Peabody. Historical importance is derived from its association with the early settlement of Peabody and with the Southwick family, whose members were prominent in local industry, agriculture, and commerce during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Southwick House thus meets criteria A, B, and C of the National Register of Historic Places. Among the first English colonists to settle in Peabody was John Southwick (1620-1672) a husbandman and Quaker. He was born in England in 1620, son of Lawrence and Casandra Southwick, who migrated to the Colonies about 1630.

After being banished from Danvers for their religious beliefs, the family settled in Peabody where Lawrence Southwick became a partner in the first glass manufacturing industry in America (1638) near present day Aborn Street. By or about the mid-17th century, John Southwick had acquired land and erected a house in the vicinity of the Southwick House. According to local tradition, the house standing at 151 Lowell Street today was erected by him in c. 1660,, however, visible architectural fea- tures do not substantiate a date that early. During the Quaker persecution of the mid-17th ( century Lawrence and Cassandra were both banished from Massachusetts. John's commitment to the Quaker faith, is a little less clear, however, he did harbor members of the sect in his house and was fined 20 shillings a week while they remained there.

He was also fined for being a Quaker in 1658 and his wife was repeatedly fined for not attending church up to 1663. Nevertheless, John appears to have been considered an important member of this pioneer community despite his religious dissent, as he was appointed to various town duties. In 1655 he constructed the first bridge over Goldthwaite s Brook near the South Church meeting house which he later repaired in 1662. He was appointed as Surveyor of Fences for the Northfield in 1663, in 1664 was ordered with Thomas Goldthwaite to set up two gates near Goldthwaite's property and Michael Shaflin's both on Lowell Street, and was appointed a Surveyor of Highways for the town in 1671. Upon his death in 1672, John left 36 acres of land, house, and barns to his sons Samuel, John, and Isaac which they released to their mother and was later (1680) purchased by Samuel Southwick (1658-1709).

Both John and Samuel were predominately farmers. Ebenezer Southwick (1690-1771) a yeoman and son of Samuel, acquired the property under the Stylistically, the house appears to date from his period of ownership. By his will in 1771 he gave his wife Mary and his Negro man, Primas, the northeast end of His son Ebenezer had the southwest end of the house and land. Ebenezer (1735-1820) became the owner of the whole property upon the death of his mother. He also built the well known Southwick Tavern nearby at the corner of Lowell and Endicott Streets (moved and substantially altered in the 20th century.) 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References South Essex Registry of Probate - Oct. 25, 1672 Will of John Southwick. South Essex Registry of Deeds - Bood 5, Leaf 73, March 15, 1679-80. (Samuel Southwick acquired property) History of Salem, Perley Vol. 12, Southwick Gen. The John Southwick House 1660 William Bushby, Essex Institute 1960. 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property 31.760 Square Feet Quadrangle name Salem, MA Quadrangle scale 1:24000 UT M References A19| 34019601 Zone Easting 14710300 Northing Zone Easting LIliL Northing E GLULL HLLLLLILLLL Shown on plan for assessors by Osborn Palmer under George Abbot lot. Bounded N.E. by Right of Way from Lowel1 Street to property of Raymond and Margaret and adjoining land of Strauss Leather Co. Westerly by Crean formally McCarthy 85 Ft. Crean fo mecarthy 85 ft.

Southerly by land of William & Madeline aswetly350 Eovet9 5qwel105,a List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries feet to point of beginning. state code N/A county code state code county code 11. Form Prepared By Virginia A. Fitch, Preservation Planner with name/title John A. Wells, Consultant and Former Chairman, Peabody Historical Commission organization Massachusetts Historical Commission date August, 1983 street & number 294 Washington Street telephone 617-727-8470 city or town Boston state Massachusetts 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 PatuuhWestouske 10/19/83 State Historic Preservation Officer title Massachusetts Historical Commission date For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Entered in the National Regieten Attest: Chief of Registration date 11/24/83 date NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Southwick House, Peabody, MA ltem number 8 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received. dale entered 1 Page two stories, joining house lot, south and north on County Road, barn 45 X 28, corn barn 14 X 10, slaughter 1o, on cof ty do 4o barn 45 X 28, house 14 X 12, 25 acres of land, value $800.

By the mid 18th century the Southwick family owned a considerable amount of land in the area and was one of the largest and most enterprizing in Peabody. In addition to agricul- tural activities various branches of the family were involved in the formation of two of Peabody's most important industries: ceramics and leather. A. William and Joseph Southwick operated pottery kilns and shops behind ed aimarily foe thetreeductisnectblack from the early to mid 18th century. They were noted primarily for glazed redwares. Members of the family continued in the business into the early 19th century; some twelve Southwicks are listed in town records as potters. All told there were some 94 potters engaged in that industry in Peabody, the largest number recorded for any New England city or town, from the early 18th through mid-19th centuries.

Other family members participated in the tanning industry beginning in the early 18th century. In the late 19th century L.B. and H.A. Southwick owned and operated the Strauss Tanning Company, located next door to the Southwick House at 145 Lowell Street. In 1816 the property passed out of the Southwick family. Half of the house was sold to Eben Nichols, and the other half to Sarah Stacy who sold her part to Elijah Upton. He subsequently sold it to Francis Johnson in 1842, who sold his part of thehouse to Phebe King in 1857. Upon the death of Susan Nichols, the other part of the house became the property of William Berry, who sold it to Lucy Iwiss in 1863. After years of dual ownership, and reduction of associated land the property at 151 Lowell Street was brought under one ownership when George Abbott acquired the remaining half of the house from Lyman Holman in 1904.

He had previously acquired the Iwiss part of the old Southwick house. The property remained in the Abbot family until December 2, 1958 when Dorothy Q. Abbott, widow, sold it to Gardner M. Damon, vice-president of the Salem Evening News. The land on which the Southwick House stands should be considered to retain the subsurface remains of structures and artifact deposits associated with over 250 years of human occupation. Research guided identification, evaluation, and excavation of these resources may provide important information pertinent to several areas including: a firmer construction date for the house; configuration of the farm; past lifeways; and the ceramic industry.

NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Southwick House, Peabody Itém number 9 The Peabody Story-John A. Wells, Page 109 Essex Institue 1973. Maps 1710-1970 and Peabody Assessor's Records. South Essex Registry of Deeds-Book 6654 Pages 741-742. June 2, 1977. OMB No.1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received dale entered 1 Page WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Southwick House Essex County MASSA CHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: -sample Reviewer's comments: request Working No.. OCT 27 1983 Fed. Reg. Date: .

3-5-83 Date Due: _ 7/24/83 - 12/11/83 Action: LACCEPT 11/29/83 Entered in the Nationa1 Register - RETURN_ _REJECT. Federal Agency: _ Lappeal LNR decision Recom./Criteria Reviewer Discipline Date _ see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: _ technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Category Ownership Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? yes no 7. Description Condition - excellent good fair deteriorated Jruins unexposed Check one J unaltered Jaltered Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Status Accessible Present Use Check one -original site - moved date 8.

Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) Builder/Architect summary paragraph - completeness clarity Japplicable criteria Jjustification of areas checked J relating significance to the resource - context ] relationship of integrity to significance J justification of exception other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name UTM References Verbal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national state _local State Historic Preservation Officer signature title date 13.

Other - Maps Photographs -Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed Date - Phone: Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet Southwick House 151 Lowell Street Peabody Essex County, Massachusetts Photo and negative: G. M. Damon 1980 Peabody Historical Comm. Looking north at front facade on Lowell St. Photo 1 of 1 G. M. DAMON 151 LOWELL ST. PEABODY, MASS. 01960 ALLAN A. DAVIDSON, A.W.S. STUDIO - EIGHT DEAN ROAD - BOX 7 - ROCKPORT, MASSACHUSETTS 01966 June 1982 Hon. Byron Matthews Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Commonwealth of Massachusetts State House, Boston Dear Byron: The enclosed material clearly establishes the historic facts related to the John Southwick House at 151 Lowell Street, Peabody, Mass. The Southwick House is owned and lived in by my dear friend Mrs. Judith R. Damon, widow of the late Gardner Damon of the Salem News.

It would be extremely helpful to her if you or whomever is in charge of registering Historic Houses could facilitate proper recognition of the property as an historic site. Constructed in 1660, the Southwick House is well known in the area as one of the finest examples of early architecture. For esthetic, historic and economic reasons it would be most benficial to Mrs. Damon and the community to recognize the value of the property as an important building in the Peabody area located a short distance from Route 128, Peabody Square and the North Shopping area. Whatever you can do to facilitate the registering of Southwick House as an historic building and site would be gratefully appreciated. Mrs. Judith R. Damon may be reached at 151 Lowell Street, Peabody, Mass. 01960, and by phone at 531-1635.

With many personal thanks, Sincerely, PAINTINGS SCULPTURE GRAPHICS EXECUTIVE OFFICE of COMMUNITIES & DEVELOPMENT MOMRESPONDENCE #. RFCEIVED Edward J. King. Governor Byron J. Matthews, Secretary Ginny requestect mor into-4/29 CJ. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Communities and Development =. - OUL0d Canu tul Division of Community Services pleass diait 100 Cambridge Street 9th Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02202 (617) 727-70010/ repy June 16, 1982 RECEIVED JUN i) 1982 IMASS. HIST. COMM. Ms. Pat Weslowski Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, MA 02108 Dear Pat: I recently received a request to support the nomination of the John Southwick House of Peabody, Massachusetts, into the National Register of Historical Places. A copy of the completed nomination forms and information describing the House are enclosed for reference.

When contacting your office regarding the status of the Southwick application, my staff was informed that the nomination is pending review for certification by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. I realize the large workload which your office is faced with. However, any efforts to expedite review of this nomination would be very much appreciated. I hope you are feeling well. I will be in touch. Sincerely, yauk F. Bradshaw Assistant Secretary Executive Office of Communities and Development JFB/cr Enclosure An Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State October 19, 1983 Ms.

Carol Shull, Chief National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Department of the Interior 18th & C Streets, NW Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed you will find the following nomination forms: Edgartown - Edgartown Village Historic District (state) Framingham - Moses Ellis House (local) Great Barrington - Monument Mills (local) Peabody - John Southwick House (local) Scituate - Captain Benjamin James House (local) Stockbridge - Villa Virginia (local) Westfield - United States Whip Company Complex (national) 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.

Also included are the forms for Border City Mills (Fall River Multiple Resource Area) which had been returned to us for boundary justification and for Woodbridge Street Historic District, South Hadley, returned for technical corrections. Sincerely, Candace lentins Candace Jenkins Preservation Planning Director Massachusetts Historical Commission UUI 27 1983 CJ/hi Enclosures