History
This house is near High Street and features some of the finer architectural features found in the famous houses of that architecturally and historically significant street.
The house is a Federal-style structure that was altered during the Greek Revival period. The house has a rectangular shape, a hipped roof, and decreasing window size in the upper stories, all characteristic of the Federal style. The substantial columns and wide fascia of the portico entablature are characteristic of the Greek Revival style.
This portico and the roof balustrade, as well as the broad piazzas on the rear and sides of the house, were added by John Spring about 1860. Also indicative of the Greek Revival style is the trabeated doorway with the oblong light over the door.
At one time, a heavy fence similar to the roof balustrade stood in front of the house.
This house was built about 1800 by Thomas Coker. Coker’s widow sold the house in 1805. By 1851, the house was owned by Joseph Ackerman, a provisions dealer with a business at 5 Liberty Street. John Rand Spring purchased the house in 1859 and lived there until 1862. Born in Newburyport in 1824, Mr. Spring spent most of his life elsewhere. He made a fortune in San Francisco real estate. His will left $20,000 to the Newburyport Public Library.
After the death of Mr. Spring, William H. Swasey took over the house. Mr. Swasey was a shipping merchant in the firm of Sumner, Swasey, and Currier at 45 Water Street. In 1874, he was a partner in the Elishia P. Dodge Shoe Company. After 1900, Swasey was the Treasurer for the Towle Silver Company. His charitable contributions included the statue of William Lloyd Garrison in Brown Square, and he was the most significant contributor to the Atkinson Common Civil War Monument. In 1883, the will of Anna Jaques left him and Francis A. Howe as guardians of the bonds for the establishment of a hospital.
The First Religious Society owned the house in 1924, and Captain Claudius Pendill owned it for much of the 20th century.
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 56-1 · 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. 1800, 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 →
More photos
3 views · Biff Bouse
From the archive
2 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.418