History
This house is vernacular-Georgian in style. The two-story form with a pitched roof and a symmetrical three-bay facade is representative of many of the homes built in Newburyport during the 18th century.
The early owners were sea captains (Captain Moses Brown, Captain Samuel Chase, and Captain Daniel Knight), merchants (Benjamin Whitmore), and distillers (Robert Williams).
In 1798, during the war with France, the merchants of Newburyport built a 467-ton, 28-gun sloop of war named “Merrimack” and loaned it to the government. “Merrimack” had a crew of 350 men. Captain Moses Brown was given command, and among his officers were Samuel Chase, second lieutenant, and Benjamin Whitmore, third midshipman.
All three of these men would own the property at 19 Summer Street in succession. It is a known fact that Captain Brown lived on Summer Street. His home was destroyed. He owned the land on which the current house at 19 Summer Street is located. He sold the land to his second lieutenant on the “Merrimack”, Samuel Chase.
Stone and brick, arched wine cellar. The back wall of the tunnel leads to the Newburyport Tunnels. The home did not have indoor plumbing until the 1980s. It was made in 1721, but has components in it from the 1600s
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 47-67 · Zone B3
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. 1721, 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 →
From the archive
2 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) - NWB.479
- McIntyre, H. (Henry). “Plan of Newburyport, Mass. from an actual survey.” Map. 1851.
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 12 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)