- Built
- c. 1770
- Style
- Late Georgian Georgian
- Neighborhood
- High Street District
- MACRIS
- NWB.62 ↗
History
This house is an excellent example of the fine Georgian mansions built in Newburyport during the second half of the eighteenth century. The most obvious Georgian features are the two-story, gambrel-roofed form and the house’s overall symmetry.
The pedimented roof dormers, the simple, yet classically inspired cornice moulding, and the window surrounds are all Georgian in character. The front entrance is flanked by Doric pilasters and surmounted by a pediment. This treatment was very popular during the mid-eighteenth century.
This house was built by Josiah Little. Little was a prominent citizen of Newbury. This house was in Newbury until the portion of the town was annexed to Newburyport in 1851.
Colonel Josiah Little was distinguished in both his military and civilian service. He was a member of the Minute company that marched to Cambridge under the command of Moses Little on April 19, 1775. Little was later elected as a deputy to the General Court of the State of Massachusetts for many, though not always continuous, terms between 1793 and 1822.
Most of the subsequent owners of the house have yet to be documented. Howells notes that the house was left to Benjamin Hale by Mrs. Josiah Little. In 1872, Cyrus K. Hale owned this house.
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 68-125 · 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 c. 1770, 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) ↗
Holder of the preservation restriction consents
The state inventory records a preservation restriction on this building. Whatever the recorded restriction covers, exterior and sometimes interior and site, needs the holder’s consent, separately from every other review. The City lists the restrictions it holds and links each document.
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 photos
2 views · Biff Bouse
Details
1 close-up
From the archive
2 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built Before 1775
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.62