- Built
- c. 1725
- Style
- Georgian Georgian
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.90 ↗
- Formerly
- 12 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.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984), contributing in the 1984 nomination · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 19-44 · Zone R2
Zoning Board of Appeals decides
Listed as contributing in 1984, so removing more than 25% of its exterior walls, counted cumulatively since 2014 and including walls enclosed by an addition or openings filled in, needs a DCOD special permit; the Board may grant one only if the building retains no substantial remaining market value or reasonable use. The Historical Commission sends an advisory report. Replacing siding, or windows and doors in their openings, does not count.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1725, so 75 or more years old: removing more than 25% of its exterior walls, changing the roofline (pitch, towers, cupolas, anything projecting above the roof), moving it, or adding a dormer that misses the setback and pitch rules is "demolition" under the demolition delay ordinance. The Commission holds a hearing within 30 days and may impose a delay of up to 18 months. In the DCOD the wall test goes to the Zoning Board instead; the Commission keeps roofline, roof pitch and dormer work. Parts of the building documented as younger than 75 years are excluded on a written determination by the Zoning Administrator.
Code of Ordinances ch. 5 art. X, §§5-307–5-308 (June 2026) ↗
Zoning Administrator first stop
Every project starts with a zoning determination from the Zoning Administrator, which says which of these reviews apply and whether the work also needs zoning relief (a special permit for a non-conformity, or a variance). Fees, forms and filing deadlines are on the City’s site.
Not legal advice, not an official City publication, and not the position of the Historical Commission or any board. Says what the ordinances say as of September 30, 2026; the Zoning Administrator decides what applies. Boundaries: Merrimack Valley Planning Commission / City of Newburyport GIS (MIMAP); 1984 status from the National Register nomination's district data sheets. City's quick guide to the DCOD and demolition delay ↗ · Do I need approval? Project by project →
More photos
4 views · Biff Bouse
From the archive
6 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.90
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 21 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)