- Built
- c. 1815
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.1844 ↗
History
What was likely built as a single home has undergone several functional changes, such as being transformed into a multi-family house. The fenestration isn’t perfectly symmetrical, which leads me to think there may have been a separate entrance or the interior layout was changed.
The brick is laid in a Flemish-type bond. Bricks are used in a dentil pattern along the eve and, with their headers exposed, are used as stylized lintels over the windows. I’m unsure when the white paint was added to make the lintels appear more like traditional granite ones.
The 1851 map shows W. Gilman, who, by deed research, seems to be Whittingham Gilman. That is the earliest known owner of this building I could find. Abigail Gilman sold the home to William P. Johnson in 1864. The house was then sold to Thomas May in 1888. By the 1924 map, the property was divided into two parcels, which still exist today.
Partial Reverse-Deed Search Results:
03/30/2012 - Book 31213, Page 258 - Tassie J. Plankey & Sharon Pickett Trust to Lee B Bryars
04/28/1888 - Book 1223, Page 404 - William R. Johnson & Caroline E Johnson to Thomas May
05/28/1864 - Book 668, Page 157 - Abigail P Gilman by right of the will of John Gilman, initially purchased by Whittingham Gilman, to William P. Johnson
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984), contributing in the 1984 nomination · Downtown Overlay District (DOD) · Parcel 7-29 · Zone B2
Planning Board decides
Downtown, new construction, alteration or demolition of a historic building (individually listed or contributing in 1984) needs a DOD special permit, judged against the Secretary of the Interior's Standards; the Historical Commission sends an advisory report. Replacing windows, doors, signs, awnings or fences is reviewed by the Planning Office at staff level, with a window inventory; a new opening in a wall needs the Board. The demolition delay ordinance does not apply downtown except to work the Zoning Administrator excludes from DOD review.
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
5 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.1844
- “Plan of Newburyport Mass. from an actual survey.” Map. Philadelphia: H. McIntyre, 1851.
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Newburyport, Map. Essex County, Massachusetts. 1888, 1900, 1914.
- “Assessors’ Plans, City of Newburyport, Mass” Desmond and McCarthy, Map. 1924.
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2025-04-06