John Howland Swain House, 21 India Street, Nantucket

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A typical Nantucket house with off-center door and chimney; part of the India Street Neighborhood Study (MASS-1013). PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History': 1. Original and subsequent owners: John Howland Swain, block-maker, bought land from George Lawrence and probably built his home at that time. John Swain, merchant, bought from widow and child of John Rowland Swain. Ambrose Whiteus, ship-master, bought from John Swain who was administrator of Estate of John Howland Swain. John Swain bought back from Ambrose Whiteus. Captain Obed Alley bought from John Swain. Susan Alley, widow of Captain Alley, and her children inherited the property. Sara M. Swain bought from heirs of Captain Alley and Susan Alley. Sarah M. Swain died in Helen Glenn bought from Estate of Sarah M.

Swain for John Robertson Ward inherited from Helen Glenn. to date Albert Lee and Abigail R. Hawes. (Abstract: Records Registry Deeds, Nantucket, Mass.) 2. Date of erection: c. 3. Architect: Unknown 4. Original plans, construction, etc.: The plans and con- struction are typically Nantucket. Worth in "Early Houses" states that "near the opening of the INDIA STREET NEIGHBORHOOD STUDY JOHN HOWLAND SWAIN HOUSE HABS No. MASS-1052 (Page 2) century a modification of the lean-to style came into general use on the Island and contained all the advan- tages of the ancient type and was more convenient. Among these are several on India Street. This style consists of a 2-story house with center or end chimney and a 2-story ell in the rear. From to most of the large houses were of this pattern." 5.

Notes on alterations and additions: Well restored with little important change. Hand carved pineapples on the front step posts add an attractive air of hospitality to the house. B. Historical Events Connected with the Structure: This house is located in that area originally described as the Third Squadron of Wesco Acre Lots at a place commonly known by the name of Micah's Pond. India Street in the early was largely occupied by the wealthier families, many of whom derived much profit from the East India trade as well as from whaling. It was first called India Row, later renamed Pearl Street, and still later changed back to India Street, which name it now retains.

John Kowland Swain, a block-maker with a prosperous business on one of the wharves, was 26 years of age and the husband of Prudence Simmons Swain, when he built this house. His business was connected with rigging whaleships. He died at the early age of 32. The property is perhaps best known as the homestead of Captain Obed Alley who occupied it from until his death in when his widow and heirs continued to live there until Captain Alley was Master of the Whaleship Frances of New Bedford, a ship owned by William R. Rotch & Co. Between and he made three voyages on the Frances, but died of dysentery at Paita on the northern coast of Peru in C. Sources of Information: 1. Old Views: Photograph of "Pearl Street" in Nantucket Illustrated, by A.

Wittemann, New York: Albertype Co., Prepared by Marie M. Coffin Nantucket, Massachusetts June PART II. PROJECT INFOI&iATION These records were prepared as part of the India Street Neighborhood Study (MASS-1013) made in the summer of by the Historic American Buildings Survey on Nantucket, Massachusetts. This is the fifth summer project of a continuing HABS comprehensive survey of the early INDIA STREET NEIGHBORHOOD STUDY JOHN ROWLAND SWAIN HOUSE HABS No, MASS-1052 (Page 3) architecture and urban design of Nantucket financed by a grant from the Nantucket Historical Trust. The project was under the general supervision of James C. Massey, Chief of the Historic American Buildings Survey. Project Director was Professor F. Blair Reeves, A.I.A., of the University of Florida.

Historical information was provided by Marie M. Coffin of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Photographs are by Jack E. Boucher of Lin- wood, New Jersey, The material was edited for deposit in the Library of Congress by Constance Werner Ramirez, August