- Built
- c. 1790
- Style
- Central-chimney half house Colonial
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.1006 ↗
History
In 1806, Thomas Johnson gave Johanna Johnson the land from the corner of Federal Street to 8 Atwood Street. In 1846, Johanna sold the land at 2 Atwood Street to Patrick Doherty for $125 (Patrick’s name is often misspelled as “Dorothy” on censuses, City Directories, and the 1851 map). At that time, Atwood Street was called Ann Street. The name was changed to Atwood Street in 1856 after Margaret Atwood.
Patrick Doherty came from Ireland. He was listed as a “laborer” on most censuses. Patrick had the money to buy the land on Ann Street and built a tiny house (25 x 21 feet) on an existing old foundation. Patrick was married to Bridget, and together they had four children.
The house was where new immigrants from Ireland came to stay. In 1860, 13 people lived in this tiny house. The City needed to widen Atwood Street, as it was a dirt road wide enough for one horse, so they took the land in front of Patrick's home.
When Patrick died in 1870, his land was worth $1,125, and he owed the bank $400. In 1873, the property was auctioned to pay the remaining mortgage. There is no indication of what happened to Patrick’s wife Bridget and their children or all the people Patrick Doherty took in who emigrated from Ireland.
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 19-19 · 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. 1790, 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
3 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- History compiled by Mary Baker Eaton for the Newburyport Interactive History Map - Keeping the Story Alive. historynewburyport.com
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.1006