- Built
- 1805 (documented)
- Style
- Georgian Georgian
- Neighborhood
- Washington Street Residential District
- MACRIS
- NWB.215 ↗
- Formerly
- 16 Merrill Street
History
This two story house with gambrel roof and symmetrical five bay facade is a fine example of Georgian domestic architecture. The house has several exception features including a projecting pedimented central bay that contains the front entrance.
The door is flanked by Doric pilasters supporting a classical entablature above. The gambrel roof was very popular in Newburyport during the eighteenth century and remains one of the more common building forms in the city. The dormer windows were a recent addition.
The land upon which this house stands was purchased by Thomas Witham, mariner, from William Cross, shipbuilder, in 1802. Witham completed his new house in 1805. Witham became a sailor at a young age and he sailed out on several privateers. In 1798 Witham became chief gunner on the ship "Merrimack." Witham became a master-mariner. He owned the house until he was seventy-six years of age. In 1838 he sold the property to Henry Merrill, Newburyport merchant.
Henry Merrill never lived in the home but rented it out. In 1859, he died leaving the property to one of his sons, William. In 1867 William H. Huse acquired the house. Huse was the publisher of the Newburyport Herald, held various city offices and was elected mayor shortly before his death. In 1876, Huse sold this house to Timothy Haley, who later sold it to Margaret Lyons.
Transcribed from:
http://www.newburyporthistoricdistrict.org/20-22%20Merrill%20Street%20-%20Captain%20Thomas%20Witham%20House.pdf
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 52-19 · 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 1805, 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 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.215
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2020-01-30
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 9 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)