HomeMy Public PortalAboutLowerRd_325, BRE.92Follow Massachusetts Historical Commission Survey Manual instructions for completing this form.12/12
FORM B BUILDING
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD
BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Photograph
Locus Map
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Recorded by: Eric Dray, Preservation Consultant, for
Organization: Brewster Historical Commission
Date (month / year): June 2017
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
49-2-0 Dennis C,G BRE.92
Town/City: BREWSTER
Place:(neighborhood or village): North Brewster
Address: 325 Lower Road
Historic Name: Foster, Sarah and Capt. Isaac House
Uses:Present: Residential
Original: Residential
Date of Construction: ca. 1800
Source:Deed research, vital records, building style
Style/Form: Federal
Architect/Builder: Unknown
Exterior Material:
Foundation: Brick
Wall/Trim: Wood shingles/ Wood
Roof: Asphalt shingles
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
None
Major Alterations (with dates):
Front entrance remodeled, new siding (dates unknown)
Condition: Good
Moved: no yes Date:
Acreage: 5.51 acres
Setting: This property is located on the north side of Lower
Road near the intersection with Brier Lane. This stretch of
Lower Road is sparsely developed, but there is a large 20th
century subdivision to the north. This house is set back on
its large parcel on a slight rise. The property is informally
landscaped with lawn and foundation plantings.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET BREWSTER 325 LOWER ROAD
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD,BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
C, G BRE.92
Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
If checked, you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.
Use as much space as necessary to complete the following entries, allowing text to flow onto additional continuation sheets.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION:
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community.
This Federal-style house consists of a two-story, five-bay by two-bay block with a hipped roof. The building rests on a brick
foundation. The house is clad in wood shingle siding and has plain cornerboards. The hipped roof is a character-defining feature
of the Federal style, as is the symmetry of the front and side elevations. The house was likely originally clad in wood clapboard.
The roof is clad in asphalt shingles (likely wood cedar shingle originally) and has a projecting molded box cornice. Tall brick
chimneys rise from each side roof slope (another example of symmetry). Both chimneys have deteriorated parging.
The front entrance has been remodeled – the original entrance likely included a six-panel wood door, pilasters and some form of
decorative lintel. Fenestration consists of evenly-ranked 6/6 wood double-hung sash set in molded surrounds. The windows on
the upper story abut the roof entablature.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the building, and the role(s) the
owners/occupants played within the community.
Lower Road was the site of residential development starting in the 18th century. Interestingly, through the 19th century, residential
development occurred exclusively on the north side of the road. Many of the original parcels were quite large, some extending to
the bay, and both sides of the road were used for agriculture and cranberry bogs. It was not until the early-20th century that infill
residential development began, including both small and large subdivisions, but the road retains its rural character.
This property was part of a much larger tract of land that was assembled by Isaac Freeman in ca. 1800. According to the 1979
version of this Form B, Capt. Isaac Freeman (1739-1824) was among the first American captains to sail for Archangel to trade
with Russia. He retired at an early age and served from 1803 to 1812 as representative to the General Court. He married Susan
Thacher in 1797 and they had their first of eight children the following year. Susan was born in Harwich but married Isaac in
Brewster. It seems likely that this house was built following their marriage, and the Federal style was popular in the early 19th
century. Deed research has not yet revealed when Isaac assembled this land. This may be due to the fire in 1827 which burned
almost all the records in the original Registry of Deeds. While some deeds were re-recorded, many were lost. A house marker
gives a construction date of 1799.
Following Isaac’s death in 1824, his holdings were divided among his children. This house is shown on the 1858 Map of Cape
Cod under the name T. Foster, referring to his son Thacher Foster. Thacher (1819-1901) worked as a farmer, likely referring to
this property. His sister Lucy (1811-1893) was the owner of record in 1892 when she conveyed the property to Hannah L. and
Allen M. Nickerson of Orleans (Book 204/Page 329). The property then comprised of 33 acres and included the dwelling house,
a barn and other outbuildings.
This property is located within the Old King’s Highway Regional Historic District (adopted 1973) and the house is a contributing
resource in the Old King’s Highway National Register District (listed 1996).
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
1858 Map, Map of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, & Nantucket, Walling, Henry.
Barnstable County Registry of Deeds
www.ancestry.com - Vital records, US Census (1880)
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET BREWSTER 325 LOWER ROAD
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD,BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 2
C, G BRE.92
Brewster Assessor sketch.
Photo 2. View looking northwest.