- Built
- c. 1798
- Style
- Georgian Georgian
- Neighborhood
- South End District
- MACRIS
- NWB.114 ↗
History
This two-and-a-half-story, gambrel-roofed dwelling is an excellent example of the Georgian homes built in Newburyport during the eighteenth century. The gambrel roof, with its unusual pitch, provides a lot of extra space on two floors. The house has several Georgian features.
The symmetrical five-bay façade and the simple architectural details are characteristic of the style. The front entrance is also typically Georgian. It is flanked by Doric pilasters supporting a simple entablature above. The shed dormers are a later addition to the structure.
John Lander acquired this parcel of land from Miss Sarah Roberts in October 1797. In May 1799, Lander, a tallow chandler, sold the property with buildings thereon to George Nowell. Lowell was a mariner. He owned the property until 1803, when it was sold to Mrs. Abigail Hodger, wife of John Sewall Hodge, Mariner. John Sewall Hodge died at sea a year later. His widow married Captain Paul Simpson in 1806. Simpson was a prominent merchant and served as vice-president of the Newburyport Marine Society.
After the marriage, the house at 76 Lime Street was conveyed to Captain Simpson. The Simpson family owned the house for the next 120 years. In 1854, Paul Simpson died, leaving the property to his wife. At the time of her death in 1861, the house was passed on to their son Thomas Charles Simpson. The younger Simpson was a merchant and shipowner. He lived in this house until 1874, when the family moved to High Street. The house was rented for a time, although ownership stayed in the Simpson family. This was true until 1923, when the property was sold to Moses Stevens, ending the Simpson family's long period of ownership.
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 18-29 · 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. 1798, 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
2 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, NWB.114