- Built
- 1800 (documented)
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- Merrimack Shipbuilding District
- MACRIS
- NWB.254 ↗
- Formerly
- 175–177 Merrimac Street
History
Architecturally, this three story house with hipped roof and symmetrical five bay facade, is an excellent example of the Federal "square house" built extensively in Newburyport around the turn of the nineteenth century. Noteworthy features of this house include a simple cornice moulding and fine Federal entrances. The doorways are flanked by pilasters supporting a pediment above. There is also a fanlight within the pediment.
This house was built by Benjamin Choate (December 30, 1770 - September 15, 1856) in 1800. The Choate family was very prominent in the shipbuilding in the North End during the nineteenth century.
In 1851, this house belonged to Choate's estate and was apparently inhabited by Ezekiel Choate, a ship carpenter. This house remained in the Choate family until the end of the nineteenth century.
On the afternoon of February 17, 1853 Leonard Choate (1835-1914), set fire to the store room owned by his grandparents Benjamin Choate and Jane True located on 233-235 Merrimac Street. The work shed was filled with seasoned lumber and the flames devoured the entire structure. The sparks ignited the Choate's home and spread to their neighbors, Benjamin Pickett. The damage was accessed at 5,000 and although Leonard was due to inherit these properties, his need to see them burn overtook him.
From 1861 to 1867, Choate was charged with setting over 40 fires in the Newburyport area. He was sentenced to life in prison in 1869n. Although not officially implicated, it was most often assumed that Leonard was also responsible for the burning of the North Church on Titcomb Street (now the Central Congregational Church). Sources:
http://www.newburyporthistoricdistrict.org/233-235%20Merrimac%20Street.pdf
https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:x059c9462 (accessed February 14, 2020).
https://www.newburyportnews.com/opinion/the-burning-of-the-north-church-years-ago/article_dadd3c77-bf05-5b30-b395-6ed554d006f8.html
http://www.ancestoryarchives.com/2019/03/hot-tidbit-sting-operation-of-pierce.html
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 57-14 · 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 1800, 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
8 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.254
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2020-02-14
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 7 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)