1 Market Street

History

This building is vernacular in style. Several features indicate it was built in the mid-19th century. The two-story brick form with a hipped roof is reminiscent of the earlier Federal style. The windows are larger than those of the Federal period, however.

The segmental arches over the windows and the large front entrance indicate that the building's design was influenced by the Italianate and Greek Revival styles. The front entrance features the sidelights and the ample, oblong light above, typical of the Greek Revival style. Victorian console brackets support a small projection over the doorway.

It is quite possible that this building was built around the turn of the 18th century and was subsequently altered.

The original owner of this house has not been documented. In 1851, Lesley’s Machine Shop was located on this site as well as the adjacent parcel fronting on Merrimack Street. (MACRIS incorrectly lists this as “Perley’s Machine Shop,” which was the name of the shop in the 1880s.) Edward Swain Lesley owned the house nearby, which is no longer standing.

In the 1871 City Directory, John B. Pritchard is listed as residing at 1 Market Street. Pritchard was in business with Charles M. Pritchard under the firm name of John B. Pritchard and Company. They were riggers located on Brown’s Wharf at the foot of Green Street.

This building was in the Pritchard family until 1904, when Lydia Pritchard sold it to Catherine Burroughs.