This is one of the oldest houses on Mount Pleasant Avenue, but its early history is uncertain. The 1872 Ipswich map shows no house at this location but the 1884 map shows a house owned by Mary Nugent, who had purchased the lot from descendants of an undetermined owner. The present structure of the house would suggest the Greek Revival period circa 1820-1870.
The 1893 Ipswich Birdseye Map shows this house on Mount Pleasant Avenue, with the rest of the hillside as undeveloped farmland. The house may have been moved to this location, but further research is needed. Dendrochronology tests on 24″ boards in the subfloor indicated that they were cut in the 1690s.
Deed search and sources:
- Israel K. Jewett, William Brown, and John Cogswell, representing family members, transferred to Mary Nugent, a widow in consideration of $350.00, “a certain piece of land…assigning all rights of dower and homestead”, April 16, 1874 (book 910, page 300)
- Mary Nugent, widow or wife of Sylvester Nugent, transferred the lot and the buildings thereon back to Daniel P. Nourse on May 5, 1883 (book 1109, page 077).
- (Daniel P. Nourse died July 31, 1884, aged 76) Born in 1808, he was the son of Daniel Nourse Jr. and Hannah Jewett of Rowley.
Historic Ipswich 