History
This house is an excellent example of the three-story Federal domestic architecture built by Newburyport’s upper class during the early nineteenth century. The cornice, made up of mutules, is elegant, as is the delicate entablature that graces the building’s window caps. The house retains its overall symmetrical form.
The house doorway was altered and now has the proportions and character of the late Greek Revival style. The Greek elements are the austere Doric order, the large window lights to the side and above the door, and the wide fascia in the entablature above.
The original house owner, James Potter, sold it to John Pettingill in 1809. Pettingill was chosen as one of the directors of the Newburyport Marine Insurance Company. In 1795 and 1797, he was elected selectman of Newburyport. Pettingill was one of the incorporators of the Merrimack River Association, authorized to build locks and canals at the falls of the Merrimack. In 1803, he was an incorporator of the Newburyport Turnpike Corporation, “to lay and build a turnpike road four rods wide, from the head of State Street in Newburyport, in as nearly a straight line as possible to Chelsea Bridge with liberty to erect turnpike gates and establish tolls for the use of the same.” Pettingill was part owner of the Brig “Hazard,” commissioned a “letter of marque” in 1781, and part owner of the Brig “George,” captured by French privateers during the war between France and England.
Later, in the nineteenth century, the house was owned by Joseph S. Pike. In 1872, Frederick J. Coffin was the proprietor. Coffin was an architect in Newburyport and the designer of the First Baptist Church at 26 Green Street and several of the schools in Newburyport. He was also on the building committee to construct the new Town Hall in 1851. This building became the City Hall in 1851 when Newburyport was granted a city charter. Coffin served as postmaster from 1850-1853 as a representative to the General Court in 1841 and 1845 and on the Board of Aldermen in 1865 and 1867.
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 13-16 · 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 photos
1 view · Biff Bouse
From the archive
2 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.333
- Biff Bouse, Instagram post (@newburyportarchitecture), 2025-01-17
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 14 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)