Warren, Dr. Samuel, House

The Dr. Samuel Warren House, a Georgian-style residence built ca. 1716, originally stood on Washington Street in the center of West Newton. It was moved to its present location on Cherry Street, adjacent to the town center and business district of West Newton, in Flanked by closely trimmed hedges, the building now sits close to the street on a slightly sloping lot at the corner of Washington and Cherry Streets. There is a grass and stone driveway along the building's north side, and a small lawn and parking area on the east side. The present location is at the fringe of a residential area, and the building now houses an antiques business.

Built in three stages spanning a seventy-five-year period in the 18th century, the Warren House is now unusually long, extending nine bays along its main facade. The three bays at the right (a door and two windows) are the earliest portion of the building. Iwo bays at the center form the middle addition, while the four bays at left (at one time, five bays) are the final, and most extensive, addition. The building was somewhat modified in 1868, when it was converted to a multifamily residence, and again ca. 1960, when its 18th century appearance was restored and its interior was slightly altered for business pur poses. Decorative detailing is Georgian in character. The building presents a gambr el roof construction on its front elevation, but drops to a deep shed roof in the rear.

The Warren House rises 2 1/2 stories from a fieldstone foundation. The exterior is sheathed with narrow clapboards, and quoins define the building's corners. An off-center pedimented doorway-- a 20th century replacement--is flanked by Doric pilasters and a wooden architrave scored to imitate ashlar blocks. A modillion cornice tops the nine-bay facade.

(in one paragraph) Builder Architect William Williams BEETL The Dr. Samuel Warren House possesses integrity of design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. It is significant for its part in West Newton's community development, for its Georgian architecture, and for its three-part construction over a seventy-five-year period during the 18th century. It is the oldest of three colonial-period buildings surviving in West Newton and is associated with several individuals closely involved in the town's early development. Additionally, it is one of approximately a dozen extant colonial-period buildings in Newton. It has served several purposes since it was built in 1716-- single family dwelling, multifamily dwelling, commercial space and, possibly, tavern.

Its original owner/builder, William Williams, a local housewright, also built the Dr. Samuel Wheat House nearby on waltham Street, which has an identical roofline. The building thus meets criteria A, B, and C of the National Register for Historic Places at a local level. The town of West Newton in the 18th century consisted of a few buildings clustered around a town center and several outlying farms. The community was located along one of the ma jor roads to Boston, Old Natick Road (now Washington Street). William Williams built the oldest portion of the nominated property on Washington Street at the village center in about 1716.

Williams, a yeoman and well-known housewright in the village, purchased the Washington Street lot from his father, Isaac, one of the first settlers of West Newton. There he built a three-bay, side-entry home. He sold the building in 1732. Although many of West Newton's early homes were passed down from father to son, Williams' house changed family ownership numerous times, belonging to eight different families during the 18th century. In 1750, Dr.