- Built
- c. 1844
- Style
- Greek Revival Greek Revival
- Neighborhood
- Washington Street Residential District
- MACRIS
- NWB.218 ↗
- Formerly
- 14 Olive Street
History
This two-and-a-half-story house with a pitched roof is typical of the Greek Revival homes built in Newburyport during the mid-nineteenth century. The gable of the pitched roof faces the street, creating the image of a Greek temple front.
The architectural detail is limited to the front doorway and the building’s cornerboards. The entrance is typical of the Greek Revival style. The door is flanked by sidelights and pilasters. The pilasters support a heavy entablature above.
This house was probably built in 1844, when Frederick J. Coffin, architect and builder, sold it to Edward Burrill. Coffin probably built this house on speculation. In 1851, Burrill was a clerk at the Bartlet Steam Mills. In 1872, Burrill, still in residence here, was listed in the city directory as having a fishery on Brown’s Wharf. This would be the son of the original owner.
The house remained in the Burrill family until 1913, when it was sold to Margaret T. Sheehan by the executors of Edward Burrill’s estate.
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 52-40 · 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. 1844, 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 built 1830–1860
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.218
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 11 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)