Archive Record
Metadata
Object # |
2004.170.001 |
Description |
hand written by Gladys Gifford Kirby on houses of Richard Gifford, Prudence Simmons, and Abner Kirby. 18th century houses WHS 2004.170.001 Some Old Houses in Westport Richard Gifford House This gambrel roof house is located on the west side of the Horseneck Road about a mile south of South Westport. The farm connected with this house is a part of the famous homestead of William Ricketson and the same has descended mostly by wills and inheritance. Connected with this ancient gambrel roof structure is an interesting tradition to this effect - Edward Wing, who was born about 1751 and married about the time he was twenty-one years of age, built the house at the time of his marriage. Because of the fact that this property has descended by inheritance it is impossible to prove or disaprove this interesting little story which would place the date of construction at 1772. Traditions of this sort about houses usually make the houses older and not younger than they really are. However, features of the construction of the framework would indicate that this house was built about 1730. There is too a possibility that the house was moved to its present location from some other locality, but if the old story of the date of its construction is true then this is the latest gambrel roof dwelling of this section. Prudence Simmons House An ancient dwelling, located on the west side of the Old County Road southwest of Brownell's Corner, known as the Prudence Simmons house, was built somewhat prior to 1753 although the exact date of erection can not be placed. The dwelling is a small story and a half structure with a central chimney and sloping roof. The land on which the dwelling stands was originally owned by George Cadman, who built the Dr. Handy house and by will and inheritance this property descended to his grandsons Christopher and Roger White, who conveyed the same before 1753 to Joseph Brownell, who that year deeded the same to Ichabod Tripp. The house remained in the Tripp family for a long period of years, then was sold to George C. Brownell who shortly after sold it to Ephraim Tripp. Previous to 1857 Tripp's heirs released their right to the widow Prudence, who later married George Simmons. Thus the old dwelling came to be named for a woman who became its owner more than one hundred years after it was built. More accurately could the date the house was built be placed if the deed, which Roger and Christopher White gave Joseph Brownell, had been recorded. Abner Kirby House About a mile and a quarter south of Head of Westport on the west side of Drift Road, some distance back from the road, although clearly visible from the road, stands an ancient dwelling. The land on which the house stands in 1712 belonged to James Tripp, one of the "mill men," and in 1746 belonged to Enos Gifford. The early title to this property like that of many other pieces of property in the early days of the eighteenth century is very obscure so difficult to identify. The house is of that well known gambrel roof type built in Old Dartmouth between 1735-1745. The construction would indicate that it was built between 1730-1735. For many years the house was in the possession of the Kirby family and is called after Abner Kirby, who a century ago held a prominent place in town affairs. It is now the property of Joseph Medeiros. |
Search Terms |
Horseneck Road Old County Road Drift Road Handy House |
People |
Gifford, Richard Simmons, Prudence Kirby, Abner |
Subjects |
Houses |
Title |
old houses in westport |
Object Name |
Manuscript |
Category |
8: Communication Artifact |
Sub-category |
Documentary Artifact |
Accession# |
2004.170 |