- Built
- c. 1700–1750
- Style
- Colonial Colonial
- Neighborhood
- Washington Street Residential District
- MACRIS
- NWB.214 ↗
History
This two-story Georgian dwelling with a pitched roof and a symmetrical five-bay facade is vernacular in style, with minor exterior architectural detail. Deed research indicates that this house was moved onto this site in 1777. Initially, the house was located on the corner of Merrill and Merrimac Streets. Noteworthy features of this house include chamfered beams, gunstock posts, and an unusual cove cornice.
Deed research indicates that this house was moved to this lot in 1777 by John Butler. Butler was a soldier who fought in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. He also signed the petition to separate Newburyport from Newbury in 1763. Supposedly, the house was cut down by 4 feet on each side so it would fit the new lot.
Later owners of the house included Benjamin Rogers, the founder of the Newburyport Marine Society, and Gilman Frothingham, one of the founders of the Mechanics National Bank in 18112. In 1823, Zebulon Titcomb, a shipbuilder, was the owner of this house.
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 52-51 · 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. 1700–1750, 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 Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.214