18 Washington Street

History

This house is quite unusual in form. It is built along Washington and Market Streets, which do not form a 90-degree angle. Although this house dates from the late eighteenth century, it was remodeled during the mid-nineteenth century. The two-and-a-half-story form with a pitched roof is typical of the Georgian period.

The present window lintels were” inspired by the Greek Revival style. The front entrance has also been altered and has little architectural detail, except for the ornamental scrolled pediment, which tradition says was originally part of the Timothy Dexter house on High Street.

This parcel of land was purchased in 1769 by Paul Noyes, and the house was built shortly thereafter.

Paul Noyes was prominent in the community, a signer of the petition to separate part of Newbury as the town of Newburyport. In 1775, Noyes marched with Captain Moses Norwell from Newburyport to fight the British. The British captured Noyes in the brig “Dalton”. Noyes and the others on the vessel were later released from Mill prison. In March 1779, Noyes shipped on board the frigate “Alliance,” built by William and John Hackett at Salisbury Point. The vessel was one of six commissioned by Congress.

Dr. Francis Vergines de Bonischere came to Newburyport in 1796. He treated many of Newburyport’s citizens when an epidemic felled them. The doctor lived in this house for many years, until he died in 1830.

Before 1830, this house was conveyed to George Fitz. Fitz was a cooper with a business on Brown’s Wharf. He was also one of the owners of the vessel “Essex,” which carried passengers to Plum Island and Haverhill during the summer months.