Pratt, Capt. Josiah, House

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.

/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.