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FORM B - BUILDING

MASSACHUSETTSHISTORICALCOMMISSIONOffiC'Qnf thA ~A~1"p.bl.T'V_ ~tatp. House. Roston

2.

4. Map. Draw sketch of building locationin relation to nearest cross streets andother buildings. Indicate north.

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neD.--E. k-·M-····· STR -ElZ.T

o 0 0L .....

(over)

In Area no. Form no.

1. Town Marlborough

Address 340 Bigelow Street

Name Abraham Howe Homestead

Present use Residence

Present owner f.~r. Charles F. Lefebvr

3. Description: 2t Story Center Chimney

Date 1720

Source Pub. Local Histories

Style Colonial

Architect None---------------Exterior wall fabric ;.lood Clapboard

Outbuildings (describe) None---------Other features House faces south with

typical nine ",itidm'l facade, i t:..is

well maintained.

Altered Date

Moved Date--------- -----5. Lot size:

One acre or less Over one acre X--- ---Approximate frontage 200 Feet

Approximate distance of building from street

30 Feet

6. Recorded by Ernes t Ginne tti

Organization Harlborough HistoricalCommission

Date 9/18/78

oNt-

INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Marlborough Abraham HoweHouse

Massachusetts Historical Commission80 Boylston StreetBoston, Massachusetts 02116

Area(s)AM

Form No.38

Additional infonnation by Anne Forbes, consultant to Marlborough Historical Commission,5/11/95:

ASSESSOR'S #53-29 1.35 acres. PHOTO #95-11: 15

ARCHITECfURAL DESCRIPTIONThe Abraham Howe house, although it may have been enlarged during the eighteenth century, isone of the most well-preserved examples of a large, 2 1I2-story, two-room-deep farmhouse of theColonial period in Marlborough. It has the typical five-bay, center-entry facade and massive centerchimney that were the predominant arrangement of the period. Still standing on its fieldstonefoundation, it retains clapboard siding and much of its eighteenth-century detail. The windows onthe main house are 6-over-9-sash, with flat surrounds. (Those on the large two-story west wing are6-over-6-sash). Other detailing includes a wide bed molding under the front cornice, a sill board,and cornerboards. The main entry has an eight-panel door with a later surround that probablydates to the early nineteenth century-with 2/3-length sidelights, narrow pilasters, and a high, flat,shallow-pitched pediment. A second entry in the two-bay east gable end has similar sidelights, anda wide, flat surround with corner blocks, indicating an update during the early Greek Revivalperiod, possibly ca. 1835. The door here in this side is covered with a vertical-board storm door.A photo of ca. 1910 (Bigelow) shows that the east gable-end once had a full-length porch.

mSTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.According to local tradition, this house, or at least the first part of it, was built in 1720 forAbraham Howe, grandson of original Marlborough settler Abraham Howe. Like the other headsof households in the Robin Hill district, he was a farmer. He also served as a Selectman in 1745,1753, 1757, and may have been the Abraham Howe who was Selectman in 1761. Since a laterAbraham Howe is shown as the owner on the map of 1803, it is likely that the house descendedthrough the family via Abraham and Rachel's son, Asa (b. 1733), who married Rachel Goddard in1762, and thence to their son, Abraham, who was born in 1770. That Abraham married ElizabethWetherbee in 1793. If this was the line of descent, then future deed research may prove that allthe land from at least this house north to the corner of Robin Hill and Berlin Roads was originallypart of this farm. The map of 1803, for instance, shows the second Abraham here, his sister, Lucy(wife of Archelaus Howe), on the site of 468 Bigelow Street, and probably another sister, Abigail,(wife of Benjamin Howe), at 551 Bigelow Street. (See Form #39). The land associated with thishouse also included considerable acreage on the east side of Bigelow Street, where the little"Howe's Pond", named for members of this family, is located.

In the early nineteenth century, the later Abraham Howe, known as "Captain" Howe, was the leaderof the West Company, one of three infantry companies organized in Marlborough around the timeof the War of 1812. Like many of his Robin Hill neighbors, he was also an original member of theWest Church. Among Abraham and Elizabeth's many children was Samuel Howe, father of shoe-manufacturer S.H. Howe. (Cont.)

INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Abraham HoweHouse

Marlborough

Massachusetts Historical Commission80 Boylston StreetBoston, Massachusetts 02116

Area(s)AM

Form No.39

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.The next owner of this house was Abraham and Elizabeth's son, Charles Howe, who apparentlyinherited the property after his father's death in 1848. He was born in 1810, and married LucyRice in 1835. He may have been the Charles Howe who was the town postmaster for a while inthe 1850's, and/or served a term as Selectman in 1855, and as state Senator in 1867.

By 1875, the house was owned by L.A. Howe. This was apparently Lewis Alvin Howe, son of Silas,who grew up in the Robin Hill district on the Eber Howe farm at 615 Berlin Road. (See Form#4). He is also shown as the owner of the farm just north of this one at that time. By 1900, theowner was S.W. Lincoln.

ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY.Maps and atlases: 1803, 1830, 1835, 1856/7, 1875, 1889, 1900.Marlboro vital recordsMarlboro directories and tax valuations.Bigelow, James. "Photographs and Descriptions of Some Old Houses in Marlborough." 1927.

[X] Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, a completedNational Register Criteria Statement form is attached.

•• •••

~,"1,I

!

7. Original owner (if known) Abraham Howe (Original use_F_a_m -.J{ _

Subsequent uses (if any) and dates Residence---------------------------8. Themes (check as many as applicable)

AboriginalAgriculturalArchitecturalThe ArtsCommerceCommunicationCommunitydevelopment

RecreationReligionScience!

inventionSocial!

humanitarianTransportation

_x_

ConservationEducationExploration!

settlementIndustryMilitaryPoliticalx

9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above) (

\·Je must keep in mind. that there ,,,ere tHO Howe families in Harlbol'ougtprior to 1660, this Abraham HOYlewas the descendant of the Abraham Hmveoriginally from Roxbury and had large land holdings in Lancaster, Harl-borough and Koxbury.

This Abraham Howe was born l1arch 21, 1698 and married. Rachael RiceNay 24, 1724 and they had 8 children. There is no record. of his death,or very little information regarding his life.

This house is a fine example of this type inside and out.

10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,early maps, etc.)

Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough, Ella Bigelow, Marl., 1910.History of Harlborough Hass., Charles Hudson, Boston 1862.

........• .-;,:, ",. ., .

r

"FORM B - BUILDING

~.lASSACHUSETTSHISTORICALCOMMISSIONOffice of the Secretary, State House, Boston

---"""-:r;-'- ~~'J.•.,,:.

2. Photo (3x311 or 3x5")Staple to left side of form

-: Ph~to number _

4. Map. Draw sketch of building locationin relation to nearest cross streets andother buildings. Indicate north./' ~JesrItTZ-

~q~ N

9'_'.

In Area no. Form no.

$1. Town Marlborough

Address 551 Bigelow Street

Name Beny Howe

Present use Residence

Present owner. Mr. Samuel Field

3. Description: 13/4 story 3/4 Cape

Date 4th Otr. 18th Century 1.775

Source Pub. Local Histories

Style Colonial

Architect

Exterior wall fabric Wood Clapboard

outbuildings (describe) None Left

Other features 1t story ell. North1t story ell East

Altered Date

Moved Date _

5. Lot size:

One acre or less , Over one acre_X__

Approximate frontage 150 ft.----------Approximate distance of building from street

20 ft.

O"NOTWRITE IN THISSPACE 6. Recorded by Ernest Ginnetti'

BSGSQuadrant Rt CEI\JED Organization -Marl. Hist. Gomm.MHCPhoto no.------- AR 7 1975 D~e Feb. 20, 1974

X'I-

J q/./ .

xx

ConservationEducationExploration/

settlementIndustryMilitary

.Political

../0< , .;.....

7. Originalowner (ifknown) Wi~~iam C A~lenOriginaluse FarmSubsequentuses (ifany)and dates

8. Themes (checkas many as applicable)AboriginalAgriculturalArchitecturalThe ArtsCommerceCommunicationCommunity development

Recreation'Relig'ion''.Science/ .,'

invention,.S00lal/ .".: ~-,'~

humamtartanTransportation

9. Historicalsignificance(includeexplanationofthemes checked above)-".:,'""Did you never hear of a pebble-stone house?U asked-can o1.d gentleman.

"Then go up to the Robin Hil~ district and see the p;ctl,lresque littleold home of the Aliens, long ago." Wi~liam C. Allen was a farmer andafter the death of his wife, Elizabeth Loring, from the old loring home-stead near Williams lake, he married Mrs. Emiline Jenks of Cumberland,R. I. By Elizabeth he had Sophia, (m. A. K. Graves, ch. Harry,) John(m. Amy Walcott, nine children. 1, Fred W.~ m. Amelia Sumpter; he wasMaster WorlQnan and Chaplain, A. O. U. W, and a member'of the MasonicLodge, three children, Abbie, Marjory, and Amy.) Edward E. chairmanLicense Commissioners since 1901, P. M. Masonic Lodge, a member of hHoughton,R. A. Chapter, Trinity Com. K. T. and a Zealous worker in theSecond parish church. William A. Allen, a prosperous merchant of thefirm of'Boynton & Allen director of the First National Bank, trustee ofthe Marlborough Savings Bank, a member of the Masonic:Lodge, HoughtonR. A. Chapter and a popular club member; m. Emma Corey, 'gr~nddaughterof Thomas Corey, one child, John G. 4, Walter,L., Registrar of Voters1895 to 1904, Free Mason, Odd Fellow, Secretary .~ion~Cltib. 5, Mary L.(m, William H. Osgood of Peabody, Mass. ·Tax,9o~lecto~::and·.Clerk of .Comittees, President Common Council in 190iand~90217'~~e Mason andmember of Houghton Chapter, R. A. M.) Elizabe:th~ rii.~f£dWin Warren, twochildren, Arthur and Lottie.). Charlotte, -(m -,,Hor~1iio::COok~ two childrenCharles Allen, ex-Councilman, Alderman, Water/Commi~_sion:e_r, one of theorganizers of the Co-operative Bank "in._18~O~ .and dl.re'Oc$torsince, memberof Masonic Lodge. and Oommand ez-y , ' ., ... ' .. -- '. ."~"O;::,.:': , .

..~.: .... _." •..:.-.~.. ".. " .."

10. Bibliographyand/or references(suchas localhistories,deeds, assessor'srecords,earlymaps, etc.j .

Homestead names taken from Oct. 24, 1803 map of Marlborough bySilas Holm&n Surveyor. Which includes the town of Hudson.

Histories taken from Historical Reminisces of Mqrlborough byElla Bigelow,1910.

CommunityINVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET

Massachusetts Historical Commission80 Boylston StreetBoston, Massachusetts 02116

Property

Marlborough Benjamin HoweHouse

Area(s)AM

Form No.39

INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community

Marlborough

Property

Benjamin HoweHouse

Massachusetts Historical Commission80 Boylston StreetBoston, Massachusetts 02116

Area(s)AM

Form No.39

Additional information by Anne Forbes, consultant to Marlborough Historical Commission,5/11/95:

ASSESSOR'S # 26-17; 1.15 acres. PHOTO #95-11: 13

ARCHITECfURAL DESCRIPTIONAn architectural inspection should confirm that 551 Bigelow Street, locally known as the "eat's pawhouse", is still a "pebble-stone" house. Today it is clapboarded, and a well-preserved example ofwhat is probably an early Federal period, late-eighteenth-century 1 1I2-story cottage. Its facade isan assymetrical four bays, with an entry typical of the Greek Revival period from ca. 1825 to 1850;it has full-length sidelights and a flat surround. (The door is covered by a vertical-board stormdoor.) The 6-over-9-sash windows are more consistent with a date near the turn of the nineteenthcentury. A historic photograph, in fact (see Bigelow 267), shows that until the early part of thiscentury there were small "half-" or "eyebrow" windows" on the facade, just under the eaves. Onechimney remains behind the roof ridge. A long garage ell extends to the south from the mainhouse.

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.It is commonly understood, and the architectural evidence indicates, that this little house was builtin the latter part of the eighteenth century. If this is the case, before it appears on maps asbelonging to W.e. Allen, it is shown under two other names, Benjamin How(e) in 1803, and E.Brigham in 1830 and 1835. (In the latter case, the name is on a house on the opposite side ofBerlin Road.)

The Benjamin Howe who would have been alive during the period of this house's construction,Benjamin Howe II (1751-1814), was a descendant, not of Abraham Howe, like most of his Howefamily neighbors in Robin Hill, but of the John Howe family. However, he married a member ofthe Abraham Howe line, Abigail Howe, daughter of Asa Howe. (The land on which this house wasbuilt may have come from her family. Abigail's sister, Lucy, married Archelaus Howe, and theysettled on the next farm south on Bigelow Street, in a house located at 428 Bigelow, and theiryounger brother, Abraham, evidently inherited the family homestead at 340 Bigelow Street [seeForm #38]).) Like many Robin Hill residents, Benjamin Howe was an original member of theWest Church.

Further research will be necessary to determine the identity of "E. Brigham". By 1856, however,the house and farm were the property of William C. Allen. (See 1974 inventory form). By 1875they belonged to Richard Whitaker, who had come to Marlborough from England in 1845 to workon the Eber Howe farm. (See Form #4). He died in 1895, and his heirs owned it for several yearsafterward.

BIBLIOGRAPHY, cont.Maps and atlases: 1803, 1830, 1835, 185617,1875, 1889, 1900.Marlboro vital recordsMarlboro directories and tax valuations.Marlborough Historical Society: House Files.

[X] Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, a completedNational Register Criteria Statement form is attached.