- Built
- c. 1806
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- High Street District
- MACRIS
- NWB.14 ↗
History
This house is an exceptional example of the Federal style built along High Street during the early 19th century. Its three-story form, with a hipped roof and small square windows on the third story, is typically Federal.
The splayed lintels and Palladian window over the entrance are exceptional, as is the portico with balustrade. The doorway itself is original and is surmounted by an elliptical fanlight. The cupola on the hipped roof with cornice matches the building’s style and is noteworthy.
The imposing nature of this house screams history and grandness – yet the present Brigham Manor Nursing Home is but a shell of its former glory. Its front had magnificent landscaping and an imposing fence facing the sidewalk, and its back was a garden that stretched almost to the Chestnut Hill Cemetery.
Wheelwright was a Revolutionary War veteran of many famous battles and was a fanatical privateer. He would have a successful run for a while, then get captured and escape, only to join another privateer ship. Wheelwright was also a merchant and a prominent member of the community. He was part-owner of the Ship “Pilgrim” and the Brig Sally, both built in 1804. He served as a selectman in Newburyport in 1797 and 1798. He was one of the organizers of the First Social Library Society and the Newburyport Library. Wheelwright was one of those who paid for the Ship “Merrimack,” which was fitted out in Newburyport and given to the United States government.
The Great Newburyport fire of 1811 destroyed most of the Wheelwright holdings, and the War of 1812 was an economic disaster for Captain Wheelwright. In 1813, he sold the High Street mansion and moved to 9 Fruit Street.
In 1851, Capt. John Wills, a merchant, owned the house. His wife lived in it until the 1870s. He was elected president of the American Seamen’s Friend Society. He was a director of the Merchant’s Insurance Company and the Merchant’s National Bank, both incorporated in 1831. Alice M. A. Richardson owned the house between 1908 and 1958. In 1960, the building was converted into a nursing home.
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 33-33 · Zone HSRA
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. 1806, 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
2 views · Biff Bouse
From the archive
5 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.14
- Historic American Buildings Survey, C. (1933) Abraham Wheelwright House & Garden, 77 High Street, Newburyport, Essex County, MA. Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts, 1933.
- Find a Grave, database and images, memorial page for Capt Abraham Wheelwright (July 26, 1757–October 14, 1850), Find a Grave Memorial ID 16059530