14-16 Beck Street

History

This house is of particular interest because of its early form. The roof pitch is very steep, indicating an early eighteenth-century or possibly late seventeenth-century construction date. The two-story, five-bay facade with nine-over-six lights is also characteristic of that period. It is quite possible that the house originally had lead casement windows and that the house was updated during the early Georgian period.

Before 1851, this house was acquired by the Todd family. At that time, Elias Todd owned and occupied the home. Todd was a pump and block maker on Johnson’s Wharf. In 1872, the house, then 12 Beck Street, was owned by William Todd. He was in partnership with George Brown in the firm of Todd and Brown, also pump and block makers, located at 87 Water Street. William Todd did not live in this house but boarded at 41 Fair Street. He is listed as the owner of the house on the 1872 Map of Newburyport; however, it may have been occupied by another family member.