- Built
- c. 1785
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- Merrimack Shipbuilding District
- MACRIS
- NWB.271 ↗
- Formerly
- 268 Merrimac Street
History
This two-story house with a pitched roof and symmetrical, five-bay facade is a fine example of vernacular architecture built during the late eighteenth century. Noteworthy features of the home include a central chimney and an elegant front entrance.
The door is flanked by sidelights, a chimney, and an elegant front entrance. The door is flanked by sidelights and pilasters, which support a classically-inspired entablature above. Directly above the door, there is also a louvred semi-elliptical fanlight.
This parcel of land was sold by George Burroughs in 1782. It was purchased by Captain John Pearson, mariner. Pearson probably built this house shortly thereafter. In 1817, Pearson’s son sold the house to Caleb Brown, a blacksmith. Brown owned several properties in this neighborhood at the time. He probably worked in the prospering shipbuilding industry on the banks of the Merrimack.
Between 1825 and 1829, this house was owned by John Longfellow, who sold the property to Philip Bagley, a gentleman. In 1830, the house was sold to John Merrill, a shipwright. Merrill and his heirs owned the house for over fifty years.
In 1918, Isabel P. Kelly sold the house to Sadie B. Rand.
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 65-13 · Zone WMD
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. 1785, 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
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.271
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 3b (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)