32 Green Street

History

The Babson-Bartlett House is one of several homes in Newburyport of similar form. It has features of both the Georgian and Federal styles and might be considered transitional. The building’s Doric doorway can be seen on a Georgian gambrel-roofed house like the Bradbury-Spaulding House at 28 Green Street.

Noteworthy elements of the building’s design are the dentilled cornice, projecting brick belt courses between stories, and the double-hipped roof. While not uncommon in Newburyport, this variation on the standard hip roof is relatively rare in other New England communities.

Jonathan Milliken, who purchased the land from Nathaniel Tracy, began building this house. He died shortly thereafter, and in April 1782, John Babson purchased it unfinished and completed it. Babson was a merchant with shipping interests. He was registered as part owner of the Brig “Ruby,” commissioned in 1781 as a privateer in the Revolutionary War.

On March 9, 1786, Joseph Cutler purchased the house on the corner of Green Street and Union Street near Washington Street from John Babson. Joseph Cutler married Alice, daughter of Robert “King” Hooper, the wealthiest merchant in Marblehead. Joseph Cutler was chosen as tithingman in 1787. In 1796, he served as treasurer for the Proprietors of Locks and Canals on the Merrimack River. He also served as clerk of the Merrimack Bank in 1800. Joseph Cutler died in 1804. His wife lived in this house until 1826.

In 1810, the house was divided in two, and the property was split between the owners until early in the twentieth century. Josiah Bartlett’s wife and heirs lived in one half of the house for most of the nineteenth century, lending their name to the building. During the early years of this century, Wallace Nutting, a noted author and photographer, acquired and restored the house. The Immaculate Conception Educational Association later owned it for several years.