Handy House - 70 | Westport Historical Society

2003.029.004.025 - Handy House Sold at Auction, farm purchased by Westby & Baker, Abbott P. Smith and H. S. Pierce

Handy House

Record Type: Archive

Handy House

Record Type: Archive

2003.2.004 - typed history of Hix Bridge and Handy House. five pages

Hix Bridge Handy House

Record Type: Archive

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

2004.170.019 - 1714 also Ricketson-Sherman house, 1684; Waite -Potter house,1661 WHS 2004.170.019 Dr. Handy House The land on which the house stands was originally set off to George Cadman. The farm upon which the house was built extended from the river west to where the Quaker meeting house, cemetery, and town hall now stand at Central Village. In 1714 Cadman's daughter Elizabeth married William White of Rochester and this property became theirs. In 1794 Jonathan White deeded the property to Humphrey White and he in turn deeded it to Eli Handy, physician. The house remained in the Handy family until 1911 when Abbot P. Smith of New Bedford purchased it. Mr. Smith has done much to restore the house to its original condition. This house stands a short distance west of Hix Bridge at the corner of Drift Road. On driving past the house, one would immediately think he was viewing an old tavern but by carefully studying the interior he would discover that the period of construction lasted over one hundred and twenty years. The two front doors divide the three sections with six rooms on the lower floor and six on the upper floor. At the east end there is a heavy summer parallel to the end of the house extending through both rooms, and in the second story the corner posts are heavily bracketed. In the central section of the house there is no summer and only a small part of the corner posts project into the room and in the third or west section the summer and corner posts are not seen at all. From these evidences the east end of the house was built between 1714 and 1716 and this had a west chimney which provided a fireplace for all rooms and about 1730 the owner desiring to build an addition (what is now the middle section) tore away the first chimney and built in its place what is now the east chimney. In 1821 Dr. Handy built the west addition. Concerning this last addition the following story is told: Dr. James H. Handy borrowed the money from a sister of George Kirby and failing to pay the amount, had his farm attached and sold to George Kirby. It was later purchased by a friend of the Handy family, who in 1876 conveyed it to Miss Hannah Handy a sister of the doctor, who had paid the debt on the house with money earned working as a seamstress. She later devised the property to a son of the doctor. During the past summer the house has been used as a tavern and because of its interesting history has proved a most popular place. Ricketson-Sherman House This house formerly stood on the road leading from South Westport to Horseneck. It was built in 1684 by William Ricketson who had formerly lived in Portsmouth R. I. In the year 1682 he petitioned the town of Portsmouth for leave to build a water mill and the next year petitioned to be admitted as a freeman. He next appears in Dartmouth where he has a farm of five hundred acres on which he builds a house. This farm remained in the Ricketson family till 1796. When the part of the farm containing the house was sold to Thomas Sherman of Rhode Island, whose descendants owned the property until a short time ago. The chimney is built of stone and furnished four rooms with fireplaces. This is the only part of the house now standing. In its original state it ran nearly the entire length of the house. The house throughout had heavy summers and bracketed corner posts. All the timbers were of sawed pine handsomely but plainly finished. In the east chamber was a mantelpiece showing the finest sort of handwork. PAGES MISSING NOT COMPLETE Next page starts: the plaintiff. After finishing a hearty dinner at the close of the second case, the lawyer laughing remarked that in the future he would be very careful upon which side he argued in cases of this sort when they were to be tried before Mr. Gifford. Beside being the scene of many legal trials, the old sitting room has been the scene of many weddings. During the years that Mr. Gifford was justice of the peace he united in marriage many scores of couples. The Waite-Potter House On the road leading from George H. Gifford's corner to Central Village on the east side of the road extending easterly to the Drift Road about one mile north of Central Village is a farm, which in 1661 was conveyed by William Earle to Thomas Waite. This farm then contained two hundred acres and remained in the Waite family until 1728 when a part of it which contained buildings was sold to Robert Kirby. This estate remained in the Kirby family until 1837 when one Ichabod Kirby sold fifty acres to Restcome Potter. These fifty acres and buildings are now owned by Frank A. Potter a descendant of Restcome Potter. The old house standing on this farm is the oldest in what comprised Old Dartmouth, if not the oldest in southern Massachusetts. The chimney of the house is constructed in two sections. The explanation for this which has been handed down among the owners, is that when the addition was built just previous to the Revolution, it (3) was found that the old stone chimney would not furnish another fireplace without an additional flue so the west section of brick was built against the old stone chimney. The original house was built according to the methods in vogue in Rhode Island in 1650. It is a one story dwelling, eighteen feet square with a fireplace and low attic under the roof. The west end of the house was a stonewall tapering with the roof and ending in the chimneystack. The fireplace is low and a century after the house was built was lined with brick. The chimney jamb is a beam eighteen inches square. The summer was placed parallel to the chimney and was supported by posts set into the walls of the house. The corner posts are braced and mortared. The mortar in the chimney is of a composition made of seashells. The construction in all ways indicate that the building was erected before 1700. Messers Isham and Brown of Providence, R.I. experts on colonial houses have visited the house and suggest it was built in 1660. Tradition says it was built in 1677, which was the year after King Philip's War. This is probably correct as all buildings in this section were supposed to have been burned by the Indians during the war. Its last occupant was a Kirby who left the older portion to move into the west addition in late times the old part has been used as a pigsty, a hen roost, and for general farm purposes. Ann West House Well back from the Old County Road just east of the George H. Gifford place stands another interesting house, the west end of which has a gambrel roof. It was built in 1740 by Anna West whose occupation in life was that of seamstress. She must have been a woman of considerable ability along her line of work for she spent many weeks in the homes of the well-to-do families acting as dressmaker and tailor, and was thus able to build her house, worth at that time two hundred pounds. Its architecture was the most fashionable of that period.

Handy House Waite-Potter House Ricketson Sherman House

Record Type: Archive

2004.178.014 - SEE CUSTOM FIELD Mary Giles talks with Durant and Mary Hicks Brown. Interviewed by Mary Giles August 18th, 1975 Subjects: Families including Davis, Sowle, Allen, Russell, Earle, Waite, Hix, Hicks Notes: Also discusses rum distilleries and trade, slave cemeteries, whaleboat building, details of land divisions and early houses, mechanics of ferry operation

Rum Runners Whaling Slavery Hix Bridge Handy House

Record Type: Archive

2005.081.015 - Westport Factory Village. Written in pen on front it reads, "From Hannah", and is addressed to Mr. Eli Handy, Westport, Mass and mailed February 19, 1907.

Westport Factory Handy House

Record Type: Photo

2005.081.323 - Duplicate of #2006.036.208. Group of homes across the river. A small home with man and woman stanidng in what looks like the back yard, with river in front of the house. Addressed to Mr. Eli Handy, So. Westport, Mass, but not mailed. Initialed AEB.

Hix Bridge Handy House

Record Type: Photo

2005.081.374 - Handy House, Hix Bridge, So. Westport, Mass.

Handy House

Record Type: Photo

2005.081.375 - Dr. Handy - House Westport, Mass.

Handy House

Record Type: Photo

2005.081.486 - Back of the Handy House with children sitting and standing on back porch.

Handy House

Record Type: Photo

2005.101.011 - Ancient Landmarks of Dartmouth by Henry B. Worth, published in the Morning Mercury Saturday July 1st, 1905. Doctor Handy House in Westport.

Handy House Hix Bridge

Record Type: Archive

2005.122.037 - receipt signed by Dr. James H. Handy for payment of $2.00 for medical attendance to Drusilla Crandell. paid by the executor of her estate, Allen Gifford.

Handy House

Record Type: Archive

2005.23.005 - Account book measuring 8 1/2'' by 13''. Has a heavy brown paper cover. Back covear is entirely loose. For years 1818 to 1822. Mentions Cuffe. "J. H. Handy's Book" Contains two transcriptions/catalogs of several pages done by Eleanor Tripp: J.H. Handys Book 1818-1822 Wing Howland 1818 Cut nails diging stoning celler setting up Dutch Cap Raising barn shingling barn putting pp well sweep drawing plank from J. Brownells making doors 1/2 day butchering and drawing beef from C. whites his boy to drive oxen his boy to ride horse to barrow, etc. To my oxen to L. Simmonds 1819 To keeping his calf from June 5th by driving farrow cow to bull -- David Kirbys by driving old yellow cow to L. Whites farrow cow to A. Cornells by fetching cyder from N.C. Brownells by butcher calf by drawing heiger to Justus Kirbys by his boy David 7 Stephen To 2 lb. 3 oz. soal leather - 1pr soles by putting in one lead runner by putting in lead tongue Papers Prince Wing to J.H. Handy 1814-1815-1817-1818-1820-1821-1822 for sundry visits and medicines $18.30 Hen John Books Gov. Wm. Phillips Lt. Gov. John M Williams - Sen. Oliver Starkweather - Sen. The first stage of pregnancy ---- written case 1821 Sept Isaac Tripples note 6.21 Int. 3.40 1821 July 1 Stephen Giffords 2.83 note Int. 1.75 Dee Dec 13 1815 Prince Howlands Note In need of money --- Town of West. May 5th 1828 to May 4 1829 with list of patients Green Allen 1818 to drawing seawater and wood by his boy to drive oxen 2 '' toride horse to plough '' ''' to stacking hay Wanton Earle 1821 to 1/2 bus. potatoes by casting out dung by diging dung plowghing barley by planting Wm. Earle 1821 by hoeing and raking by drawing sods into barn yard 1820 Jrih Brownell 1820 Ploughing Jacob Tripp 1819 To potatoes by half days getting off march hay planting corn Phillip Tripp 1821 by mowing James Tallman 1820 Potatoes to meal at 4 times 22 pounds Caleb Tripp 1819 to potatoes meal to goods did by F. Brownell to one pr shoes did by A.B. Gifford to order on P.W. Pckham order on milk and Brownell potatoes did Prince Brownell veal at $.07 by cutting wood at the door spliting one load of logs 2 loads of wood drawn by W. Howland scraping apple trees by one day work on the highway $.50 June 26th planting turnips, beans, making fence to 11 lbs Indian meal 2 lbs.10oz cheese at 9 $.54 by one day stacking hay (his son in law ) $.50 by himself and Wm. harvesting picking apples Oct. by fish $.08 $.33 1820 by helping pitch out one scow load of seaweed $.17 by oysters /9 $.12 Oct. 21 pulling turnips by one day on the highway $.45 by picking over apples Nov 1821 plowing in the orchard by planting potatoes May 24 1822 by his bill of 65 days work at 2/ 21.67 by L. Sanford's work 8.6 16 1/2 days 1818 Peleg Fish to 1 bu corn del by F. Brownell to Jonath Tripp for fish 6/ to buy breadstuff 6/ salt 1/ to 1 bu potatoes at 2/ for his father $.33 1 bus corn 1/2 bu potatoes at 2/ 1.25 by 11 days work 21.00 planting for John Macomber and 1/2 day for me 1/2 planting for Job Allen 1/2 day shearing sheep for me 1/2 at home went to the mill oo by mowing in dutch cap meadow planting turnips July by thrishing for Wonton Case Jr went too Tuckers to carry cloth oo by whiping bushes went to the mill oo 1818 Sept. went to the head to the mill oo by carrying hide to D. sissons went to his father's for after corn and pumpkins At David Kirbys too Sept 16 digging holes to set apple trees 2/6 '' digging Turnips setting peach trees - Second document: J.H. Handys 1818 Wing Howland pg 3-4 and 13-14 some of list about raising barn hueing timbers framing boards off barn digging and soneing seller 38 ft. oak joints and 6 feet maple setting up Dutch Cap boarding barn shingling putting up well sweep to the mill to draw plank making gaits etc. making doors Killing lamb butchering hogs building a plough 1818 Green Allen 1822 John W. Howland Jr. Making Dutch Cap one dung fork handle building gate dig seller framing barn 1821 Wonton Earle 1820 Jirah Brownell 1819 Caleb Tripp 11-12 17-18 and most of the rest of the book 1819 Jacob Tripp 1821 William Earle On Back several pages 1818 Peleg Fish Work on the highway hueing timber whiping bushes Papers in book Prince Wing to J.H. Handy 1814. 1815. 1817. 1818. 1820. 1821. 1822 for sumary visits and medicine 18.30 Gen John Brooks Gov. William Phillips Lt. Gov. John M. Williams, Oliver Starkweather Sen. The first stage of pregnancy ---- Town of Westport to J. H. Handy for sundry visits and medicines from May 5th 1828 to May 4th 1829 1821 Sept. Isaac Tripp's Note 6.21 Interest 3.40 1821 July 1 Stephen Giffords Note 2.83 Aug. 1 Interest 1.75 Note for money dared 25 Sept. 1815 Writings in Book Front Page - Second Reg. Sec. Brigade Fifth Div. New Bedford, Fairhaven, Dartmouth, Westport 1818 P. 109 Sir, I have a small Note against you which I wish you to call and settle as soon as you can conviniently, as I am in want of the money at this time, therefore I hope you will not neglect me - Accept the adourance of my esteem Yours or James H. Handy Westport January 13th 1815 Thomas Gidley - Thomas Gidley Westpor Dartmouth, Westport, Westport Reuben Tripp to J. H. Handy Dr 1817 April 19th for sundry visits and medicines 2.65 May 7 to 38 lb Hay 1.47 Oct. 2 to cash 24/ 4.00 1818 Jan. 31 to Oxen and Cart .41 March 6 to discount with Thankfull Case .33 = 7.86 March to cash balance in full for me James H. Handy 6.74 = 14.60 Alice Tripp to James H. Handy Dr 1817 June 28 or for sundry visits and medicine 24.02 1818 May 14 by Ebenezer Tripps Note 13.63 interest 13.73 Due = 10.29 John Davis to James H. Handy Dr 1820 September 18th for sundry visits and medicines 5.03 John Milk to J.H. Handy Dr 1821 July to cash 20.00 Interest 11.24 1822 February to Phebe Milks account 21.75 Interest 11.16 1922 may 24 to cash 13.00 Interest 6.32 Leumel Brownell to J.H. Handy Dr 1826 February 3 or for sundry visits and medicines 4.84 +.60 1828 February 26th Received pay in full 5.44 James H. Handy Bathsheba Macomber to J.H. Handy Dr 1822 April 15th or for sundry visits and medicines 1.75 +.50 = 2.25 1829 April 18th 2.26 - Also contains a small note on pregnancy (see image 2): "The first stage of pregnancy is usually accompanied with a suppression of the mences. Together with frequent nausea and vomitting, heartburn, indigestion, peculiar longing, headache. (giddiness?), tooth ache, and sometimes a slight cough; the breasts become enlarged, shooting pains extend through them, and the circle around the nipple after to a dark brown colour. There often occur likewise a feverish disposition with debility, (emauation?), irritability, and perrvishness of temper, and a total alteration of the countenance, every feature becomes much sharpened, many instances occur of young married women who cease to menstruate for several months independently of any disease when they were not with child."

Handy House

Record Type: Archive

2005.23.006 - an account book, measuring 5 1/2'' by 8''. brown heavy paper cover with picture of soldier riding horse and firing gun and the words Light Horseman, published Janauary 14, 1801 by G. Thompson,No. 43 Long Lane, West Smithfiield. numerous papers by Mrs. Kennison included in packaging with the book. References to Paul Cuffe.

Handy House

Record Type: Archive

2005.23.007 - set of account books by Dr. James Handy dating from 1824-1832 with many loose sheets. slips of paper inserted indicating references to Paul Cuffe and others. no brown covers as in above.

Handy House

Record Type: Archive

2005.43.001 - deed four members of Handy family convey land to the South Westport Parsonage Association. Deed recorded in book 255 pages 40-41.

South Westport Handy House

Record Type: Archive

2005.69.001 - Eli Handy's Book : account or day book begins November 1790. Measures 16'' by 6'' by 2''. Leather cover. The following lists photocopies and misc. documents removed from the account books: 2005.069.001 Refers to Dr. Handy's Book One. Ely Handys book - names and dates 1790-1807. James letter to the Senate and House of Representatives concerning the death penalty and life imprisonment. Records of 1700's to 1807. 2005.069.001 + .002 Refers to Book One & Two (?) Drs. Ely and James Handy Abstract of accounts from Dr. Ely Handy. 1795-1814 with names, dates, and amounts. (2 pages) Records 1795-1812 of Ely and James Handy. Miscellaneous receipts. 2005.069.003 Refers to Book Three Dr. Handy 1815-1817 Paul Cuffee record of account. Accounts ranging from 50 cents to 75 cents for visits and medicine such as digitalis and bitters. April 15, 1822 Dr. Handy bill for $2.26 to Bathsheba Macomber for visits and medicine. List of some of Dr. Handy's patients - America Bonny, Charlotte White, Paul Cuffee, Lydia Cuffee, Alice Cuffee. 2005.069.004 Refers to Book Four Drs. James and Ely Handy Receipt from Dr. James Handy to George White of $10.33 for visits and medicine dated August 28, 1834. Scarlatina - five pages describing the disease, such as increased temperature, sore throat, and scarlet rash. Miscellaneous receipts dated 1799, 1805, 1807 from Dr. Handy to Holder White, Winston Allen, Isaac Snell, Weston Potter, etc. Copy of ledger book starting with May 7, 1792. July 1811 I paid Doctor Ely Handy eight dollars for Philip Davis and have his receipt for the same. I am Barney Wicks. January 21, 1813. Copies of ledger from April 4, 1803-1804 with listing of patients' names, dates and amounts. (2 pages) Photocopies of Loose Papers from Ledger Book 5? (Does not seem to be Dr. Handy's Ledger Book - is it Book 5? Perhaps by the dates, perhaps Andrew Hicks.) [Folder 7] 1808-1841 copy of ledger for Andrew Hicks. 1852 Merchants Bank receipts. (Why Watershed Alliance) [Folder 6] Ledger of Nicholas Kirby 1830-1835 Book 4 1833-1834 Miscellaneous information from Eleanor Tripp. Miscellaneous receipts. 2005.70.001 [Folder 5] Why refer to Book Day Book (checks from Andrew Hicks) Andrew Hicks 1838-1840 Ledger of goods. Ledger with names - January 1859.

Handy House

Record Type: Archive

2005.69.002 - account book begins September 30, 1806. Has alphabetical tabs on individual pages with people listed and then continues as an account book.

Handy House

Record Type: Archive

2005.69.003 - Brown cover. titled Ledger on spine. Measures 8'' by 12 1/2'' by 1 1/2''. book 3. Poor condition. Entries seem to begin in 1817. Dr. Handy, but no name

Handy House

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