- Built
- c. 1797
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- Merrimack Shipbuilding District
- MACRIS
- NWB.287 ↗
History
This house is typical of the two-family residences built in Newburyport at the turn of the nineteenth century. The house has the form and detail of the Federal style. These features include the hipped roof, doorway with fanlight, and diminishing window size in the upper stories.
The house is square and is divided in half, with entrances on either side. This is a common form for a two-family home in Newburyport at the turn of the nineteenth century.
The house was built by a Mariner Kent and was sold shortly thereafter to David Coffin. Coffin held an interest in many vessels built in Newburyport during the early nineteenth century.
By 1851, the house was owned by Alfred Pillsbury, a clerk living on Merrimac Street. By 1872, he had moved into the house. At that time, the house also had several boarders, including Enoch and Ephraim Flanders. They were caulkers in the shipbuilding industry.
Enock Flanders, or “Squarry” as he was called, suffered a stroke at a young age and was permanently paralyzed. Unable to carry on the caulker’s trade and refusing to be a burden to family and friends, Flanders sold himself to Newburyport merchants. “Squarry” stood on various street corners and, after ringing his bell, would extol the virtues of the merchants’ wares. He became well known and admired for his independence. He was appointed town crier in June 1872 and continued in that position for over thirty years.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 57-35-A/E · Zone R2
Zoning Board of Appeals may decide
In the DCOD. Whether removing more than 25% of the exterior walls needs a DCOD special permit depends on the building’s status in the 1984 National Register nomination, which this site has not matched for this lot yet; the Office of Planning and Development keeps the list.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1797, 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. 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 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.287