39 Green Street

History

This house is an excellent example of the fine Federal domestic architecture built in Newburyport in the early nineteenth century. The three story form with decreasing window size in the upper floors is typically Federal, as are the splayed window lintels and minimized hip roof.

The use of brownstone for the window lintels is unusual but not rare in Newburyport. The arched doorways, with elegant elliptical fanlights are exceptional and, of course, original features of the house.

The Dodge-Kiley House was built by Allen Dodge in 1811. He had acquired the property in 1807. Dodge was probably a merchant in Newburyport as he is registered as owner of the schooner “Citizen” built in 1802 and part owner of a ship, also named “Citizen,” built in 1809. Allen Dodge was elected selectman in the town of Newburyport in 1814.

Later, in the nineteenth century, Richard W. Drown and family lived in this house. Drown was a clock and watchmaker and had a shop on Merrimack Street opposite the foot of Green Street. Drown moved from the house circa 1840 to a home on the corner of High Street and Court Street, 146 High Street (See March 5th, 2020 post). At his death in 1888, he left the bulk of his estate to benefit the poor and indigent older men born in this country and residents of Newburyport.

Between 1840 and 1906, Thomas Davis and his heirs occupied the house. Davis was the treasurer of the Newburyport Railroad Company. He served as a Sergeant in the War of 1812 and was placed in charge of the batteries on Plum Island. He was later elected selectman in the town of Newburyport between 1848 and 1850.

James Kiley purchased the property in 1906 and bequeathed it to the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Shortly thereafter the building was divided into apartments. Today, the building is privately owned and is occupied by apartments and professional offices.