38 Munroe Street

History

This house is an excellent example of the type of single family residence built in Newburyport's North End during the middle of the 19th century. It is Greek Revival in style, although the elements indicating this are simple.

The doorway is flanked by sidelights and is typically Greek Revival, post and lintel, with wide fascia in the entablature and simple Doric pilasters to each side. The Greek influence is also evident in the cornerboards and heavy cornice. The gable facing the street and cornice return, suggest a pediment, one of the hallmarks of the Greek Revival style. The door itself has a moulding set off by cornerblocks, another feature characteristic of the Greek Revival period.

This type of hose was built extensively in the North end between 1840 and 1870. These houses provided simple, yet substantial homes for laborers and craftsmen.

A piece of property adjacent to Tyng Street was sold to Robert M. Merrill by Dudley Tyng in 1841. It is quite possible that the parcel of land conveyed was to be the site of a new home. Merrill owned this property with the house on it in 1851. It might safely be assumed that Merrill built this house between 1841 and 1851.

Merrill was a ship carpenter who probably worked in the shipyards along the Merrimack River. Many of the homes along the street extending from High to Merrimac Street were built by those in the shipbuilding business or allied trades.

In 1872, Mrs. Robert M. Merrill owned the house. Shortly thereafter, the house passed into the hands of Oliver B. Merrill. Oliver Merrill was a teacher and wrote several historical articles on Newburyport that were published in the Newburyport newspaper. Merrill was elected as a representative to the General Court from the Eighth Essex District in 1893 and 1894.

Transcribed from:

http://www.newburyporthistoricdistrict.org/38%20Munroe%20Street%20-%20Robert%20Merrill%20House.pdf