- Built
- c. 1793
- Style
- Georgian Georgian
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.108 ↗
History
This two-story brick house with a hipped roof is a fine example of Georgian domestic architecture. The house was extensively altered when it was divided into apartments. Exceptional features that remain include the fine modillioned cornice, splayed and arched brick window lintels, and an impressive entrance porch.
The porch is pedimented with a Doric entablature supported by fluted Doric columns. The original three Georgian-window dormers have been replaced with shed dormers on both the front and the side of the building. The entrance had once been enclosed.
This house was built by Nicholas Johnson shortly after he purchased the lot from John Newman in 1793. Johnson was a prominent citizen of Newburyport. He was the owner of numerous vessels built on the banks of the Merrimack, including the Brigantine “William” built in 1783 and the “Success” built the following year.
Nicholas Johnson was one of the Proprietors of the Locks and Canals of the Merrimack River. He also served as a selectman and as a representative to the General Court. He was also a founder or incorporator of the following organizations: the Merrimack Humane Society (1802), the Newburyport Wollen Manufacturing Company (1794), and the Newburyport Marine Insurance Company (1799). He was also a member of the Marine Fire Society and the Marine Society of Newburyport.
The house remained in the Johnson family until the third quarter of the nineteenth century. In 1851, Henry Johnson owned the property. Henry Johnson was the president of the Merchants Bank.
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 18-65 · 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. 1793, 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
1 item · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.108