Related Records

1. 2002.014.017 - Head of Westport photograph of "Drift Road" (written on back).

   Head of Westport Drift Road

   Record Type: Photo

   
2. 2002.014.018 - Head of Westport photograph of "Drift Road" (written on back).

   Head of Westport Drift Road

   Record Type: Photo

   
3. 2004.170.001 - 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.

   Horseneck Road Old County Road Drift Road Handy House

   Record Type: Archive

   
4. 2004.178.025 - Mabel Crosby with Mary Giles along Drift Road

   Drift Road

   Record Type: Archive

   
5. 2005.081.077 - The houses next to the Bell School on the west side of Drift Road at the Head. Mailed to: Mr. Allen Edminister, 174 Emerson Place, Brooklyn N. Y , from E. A. on Nov. 7, 1911. Postcard B/W # 334, mailed. One-cent stamp attached.

   Head of Westport Drift Road

   Record Type: Photo

   
6. 2005.081.540 - Postcard of water wheel small shingled mill - in pencil on back is written Drift Road, South of Tripps Store.

   Drift Road Mills

   Record Type: Photo

   
7. 2005.101.009 - Ancient Landmarks of Dartmouth by Henry B. Worth, published in the Morning Mercury Saturday July 1st, 1905. Abner Kirby House built about 1730 in Westport. Westside of Drift Road, south of Head of Westport.

   Abner Kirby House Drift Road

   Record Type: Archive

   
8. 2005.101.016 - Ancient Landmarks of Dartmouth by Henry B. Worth, published in the Morning Mercury Saturday July 1st, 1905. Abner Kirby House on west side of Drift Road south of the Head of Westport. Built circa 1730.

   Drift Road

   Record Type: Archive

   
9. 2006.055.002.001 - Newspaper clipping of Westport resident, John S. Babcock, builder and the art of woodworking. He made doll house furniture.

   Drift Road

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. 2006.055.002.009 - Azevedos Family helped b y Westport Fund to fly to Florida to treat Ill members of the family. Senior Class completing plans for events to be held before graduation.

    Drift Road

    Record Type: Archive

    
11. 2006.055.002.014 - Mrs. James L. Raposa of Drift Road finds relics of the stone age in her yard at Drift Road. Captain Chase, formerly of Westport and one of the last of New Bedford's former whaling masters dies.

    Drift Road Whaling captain

    Record Type: Archive

    
12. 2006.055.002.017 - Westport Infirmary to Close after Century of Service

    Westport Infirmary Drift Road Poor Farm

    Record Type: Archive

    
13. 2006.055.006.014 - Head of Westport - a view of residences along Drift Road. Shows canons at the Head.

    Head of Westport Drift Road

    Record Type: Archive

    
14. 2006.084.005 - Photo of the Wilfred Kirby estate (Stone House) Head of Westport, showing the unusual wall made of slabs of stone alternately short and long, set upright in the ground.

    Head of Westport Stone House Drift Road

    Record Type: Archive

    
15. 2007.007.012 - Dr. Handy's House, Drift Road By: Emily Grace Brightman From: Mrs. Joseph Midel

    Handy House Drift Road

    Record Type: Photo

    
16. 2007.007.013 - Dr. Handy's House, corner of Drift Road and Hix Bridge Road. Originally a stage coach inn and tavern. By: Emily Grace Brightman From: Mrs. Joseph Midel

    Handy House Drift Road

    Record Type: Photo

    
17. 2007.008.003 - I was riding around and saw these goats on Drift Road. I thought they were cute.

    Drift Road

    Record Type: Photo

    
18. 2007.008.013 - This fishing boat washed up on our marsh during the 1938 hurricane. The stern was badly damaged and Marc's grandfather, Clifford W. Ashley was thus able to buy it from the owner for $1.00. Clifford Ashley cut off the stern and set it up as a playhouse for his children. So far it has been a tremendous source of entertainment and pleasure for his children, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren and many, many guests and friends.

    Drift Road

    Record Type: Photo

    
19. 2007.008.021 - Colorful Tree, Autumn on Drift Road, 2001.

    Drift Road

    Record Type: Photo

    
20. 2007.008.031 - Smiling Goats - I saw these goats as I was driving along Drift Road one recent weekend in July (2006). I pulled off to the side of the road and got out of my car so I could take photos of them. They were just as interested in me as I was in them, and to show their appreciation, they all looked directly at the camera and gave me a group smile.

    Drift Road

    Record Type: Photo