- Built
- c. 1845
- Style
- Greek Revival Greek Revival
- Neighborhood
- Merrimack Shipbuilding District
- MACRIS
- NWB.280 ↗
History
This house was built in the Greek Revival style, as evidenced by its distinctive form. The building has been Victorianized, and its interesting architectural features date back to this period. Notable elements are the turned brackets at the doorways and cornice line.
This detail is also carried through in the window lintels. The original Greek Revival character of the building is evident in the wide fascia in the cornice and in the building’s cornerboards.
Josiah Sawyer was the owner of this house in 1831. It is quite possible that he was the original owner and builder. Like so many residents of Oakland Street in the mid-nineteenth century, Sawyer worked in the shipyards along the banks of the Merrimack River. He was a ship’s carpenter.
By 1872, the house had been sold to Samuel W. French. French was a caulker in the shipyards. In 1874, he is listed as having done the caulking on the ship “Exporter,” the first vessel built by George W. Jackman in 1867. Jackman’s yard was at the foot of Forrester Street.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 57-43 · Zone R2
Zoning Board of Appeals may decide
In the DCOD. Whether removing more than 25% of the exterior walls needs a DCOD special permit depends on the building’s status in the 1984 National Register nomination, which this site has not matched for this lot yet; the Office of Planning and Development keeps the list.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1845, 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. 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
3 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1830–1860
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.280