History
This three-story, clapboarded, Federal home is typical of the domestic architecture built by Newburyport’s upper class during the early years of the 19th century. In form, the building is typically Federal, with symmetrical five bay facade and decreasing window size in the upper stories.
The dentil moulding in the cornice and the window lintels are also characteristic of the style, as is the hipped roof. The doorway has been altered, probably circa 1850. It is likely that the addition of the projecting bay above was made at the same time.
In 1803, Thomas March Clark purchased of Josiah Titcomb, Enoch Titcomb, Samuel Huse and others, land on the southeasterly side of Green Street. On this parcel, he built the dwelling house, no 43 Green Street. Clark was engaged in commercial pursuits during the war between France & England, and several small vessels, in which he had an interest, were captured. In 1798, Clark was associated with William Cross in building the ship Merrimack, which was presented by the merchants of Newburyport, to the United States Government. He was elected to serve as member of the General Court in the years, 1803, 1804, 1808, 1831, 1832, 1839. Clark was a prominent merchant for many years and served on the committee to make the arrangements for the reception of President Munroe in 1817 and for the reception of General Lafayette in 1824.
A son, Thomas March Clark, was born in the house in 1812. He graduated from Yale in 1831 and subsequently studied at Princeton. He preached in the First Presbyterian meetinghouse in Newburyport and the Old South Meeting House in Boston. In 1836, he was ordained a priest in the Episcopal church and was assistant minister in the First Church of Boston. In 1854, he was elected Bishop of Rhode Island and in 1899, by official seniority, became the presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America.
In 1851, the house was owned by Nathaniel Noyes and in 1872, by John N. Pike, lawyer. It was subsequently inhabited by the Currier Family.
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 13-15 · Zone R3
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. This lot is in an underlying R3 district, where alterations (not demolition) of a one- or two-family house are excluded from DOD review. 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 →
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- MACRIS NWB.332
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2020-04-27
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 14 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)