'if

FORM B - STRUCTURE SURVEY 2. Town Marlborough, Mass.

MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston Street Concord Rd.

1. Is this structure historically significant to: Name JoaB Stow Home

~~~ Commonwealth Nation
Original Use Home
Structure has historical connection with the ---------------
following themes: (See also reverse side) Present Use Country Clu-~

Agriculture Commerce/Industry Present Owner CorY)oratio:1

Architecture Science/Invention 1700 • s -------------
Art/Sculpture Travel/Communication Date La te ' Style Federal
Education Military Affairs
Government Religion/Philosophy sourci of ~ate Ella 3igelow:s Listory
Literature Indians
Music Development of Town/City Architect _

:3. -CONDITION: - ix~elle~t <s -F~i; Dete;i;r;ted -M~~~r~_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

IMPORTANCE of site to area: Great Little None SITE endangered by

---------
4. DESCRIPTION
FOUNDATION/BASEMENT:~egular Low Material: Stone and Brick
~ ---------------
WALL COVER: Wood Brick Stone Other Brick
--~------
STORIES: 1 2~ CHIMNEYS: 1 2 ®4 Center .g:Cluster Elaborate Irregular

ATTACHMENTS: Wings, Ell, Shed Dependency Simple/Complex

PORCHES: 1 2 3 4 Portico Balcony Rece ased

---------- --------
ROOF: Ridge Gambrel Flat(Jii) Mansard
Tower Cupola Dormer windows Balustrade Grillwork

FACADE: Gable End:6i9."~ide ~ASymmetrical Simple/Complex Ornament

,Entrance:~Side ~Double Features: _

Windows: SPacin~,()rrregular Identical/Varied _

Corners: Plai6Rast~ Quoins Obscured

OUTBUILDINGS LANDSCAPINGPlanti~gs, la~ms, etc.

5. indicate location of structure on map below 6. Footage of structure fromstreet_2_0_0 _

Property has 1000 feet frontage on street
R .
Recorder John A. Bigelow

.~ , For 1'18r1borough Hiat. Society. In c •

//J t
i ~;, f Photo__ I a/ -/[70 -J - 0 ~~t;~1
(""!,;:. /]/ " <'~ MAR 4 1967 rrJ A f1~~
LO~cI 1\ c/. UJfC- W.J
NOTE: Recorder should obtain written permission from Commission or sponsoring organi-
zation before using this form. (See Reverse Sid~

FORM - MHCB - I OM-6-66-9430 17

t FORM B - BUILDING Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street
I ~'3:.
9-
] I Marlborough I ___ 8_~

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Marlborongh

ce (neighborhood or village) _

200 Concord Rd.

istoric Name loab Stow House; Marlborough

Country Club
Present cOJ!JJtl)! dub and golf canrse.,

Original dwelling and farm

ate of Construction ca 1795-98

Bigelow, visual assessment

vle/Form Federal

" chitect/Builder unknown

Exterior Material:

Sketch Map Foundation (not visible)

Draw a map of the area indicating properties within
it. Number each property for which individual Wall/Trim synthetic siding and brick
inventory [orms have been completed. Label streets,
including route numbers, if any. Attach a separate Roof asphalt shingle
sheet if space is not sufficient here. Indicate north.
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures _

smaIl utility building to rear

Major Alterations (with dates) mid-20th C'

reconstmction after fire, w...addition of later.,....
_

l.-stOI), wings nearly Sllrrnunding main structure.

Condition fajr

l-
'" Moved [X] no [ ] yes Date N/A
t

f 0 Acreage 126 acres

~ecorded by Anne Forbes Setting On rise, back from road near SW P.n.d..
of golf course thats spans Concord Rd. opp.
Organization for Marlboro Hist Corom building City recreational faciUty with modern.
utility buildings and Greek Revival house diag-
Date 6/23/95 analJ¥-npposite to SF Parking lot in front
BUILDING FORM

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION [X] see continuation sheet

Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings
within the community.

This highly altered building, nearly obscured by a multitude of modem additions, is the only example
in Marlborough of a distinct building type of the Federal Period--the brick-ended three-story, hip-
roofed house. The formerly clapboarded back and front of the house are now covered with synthetic
siding. In spite of damage from a 1933 fire, which apparently destroyed the adjacent first )
Marlborough Country Club clubhouse, it appears that the building's basic stucture, proportions, and
chimney position and some window openings remain intact. The shallow-hipped roof with boxed, )
overhanging cornice appears as it does in historic photos, and three of the four corner chimneys,
though greatly reduced in height, are still there. Wide, flat wooden pilasters adorn the building
corners. The third story of this type of house was not as high as the lower two, and consequently
its windows were shorter. The four that are visible in the south wall today appear to occupy the
original openings. Many other windows, however, have been removed, leaving large blank wall
spaces that make the building appear more massive than it would have when built. (Cont.)

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE [X] see continuation sheet

Explain history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the (
building, and the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community. !
i
l

Although one account erroneously states that this house was built about 1770, both its style and the
birthdate of its generally-acknowledged builder, Joab Stow(e) (b. 1760), point to a construction date
between 1795 and 1798, the first year he is listed as a property tax-payer. According to a well-known
local story, Joab Stow, fourth son of farmer and large land-owner Simon Stow, '''with some money and
a high ambition, conceived the idea of a splendid mansion for a house. What he did, he did well, but
ere it was finished, his money gave out and he was in debt: according to the law of the times, the jail
was staring him in the face.'" (Timothy Patch in Bigelow.) Joab Stow quickly left Marlborough for New
York, where he died soon afterward. The land on which this house was built was part of the large
farm of his father, Simon Stow (1722-1795), a prominent citizen, (Deacon, ten-term Selectman, five-
time Representative to the General Court), who had accumulated large landholdings in this part of
Marlborough. He died in 1795, and a study of his will may show that each of his children received a
sizeable portion of his property. For instance, the map of 1803 shows that Joab's other surviving
brother in Marlborough, lived on a large acreage nearly opposite this house. (Cf. Form #634.) That
map also shows two houses standing close together here on the west side of the road. It is intriguing
to surmise that the larger one shown represents this new house, and the other might be the older
house of Simon Stow himself. (cont.)

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES [] see continuation sheet

Maps and atlases: 1803, 1830, 1835, 1856/57, 1875, 1889, 1990.
Bigelow, Ella. Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough, Mass. 1910.
Marlborough Vital Records.
Marlborough Directories and Real Estate valuations.
Marlborough Historical Society: house files: several information sheets on the Marlborough Country
Club.
Centennial '90: Marlborough the City. 1990.
Hurd. H.D. History of Middlesex County 1890.
Pictorial Marlborough. 1879.

[ ] Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form is attached.
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Marlborough Joab Stow House

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street Area(s) Form No.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 8

ARCHITECfURAL DESCRIPTION, cont.

Nineteenth-century engravings and tum-of-the-century photographs show that this grand house was
always oriented with its side to the road, and faced east over a long driveway that led to an attached
complex of barns and sheds. By 1910 the original windows of the house had been replaced by 2-over-
2-sash on the first two stories, (3-over-3's remain at the third), and all had louvered shutters.
Prominent band coursing, which is still present on the brick ends, circled the building between the
stories, and an open porch or promenade with a turned balustrade spanned at least the east and south
facades.

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.

This house and farm underwent several changes of ownership in the ensuing decades. In about 1810
or 1820 the property was occupied, and possibly owned, by Isaiah Bruce. It was subsequently
purchased by Levi F. Whitmore, a progressive farmer who is credited with establishing an orchard here,
where he developed new varieties of fruit. He was also a teacher at the District #1 school at the foot
of Bolton Street. Although Ella Bigelow says he sold the farm in 1831 and moved to 91 Boston Post
Road at that time (see Form #93), maps indicate that he still owned this property in 1835.

The next owner, probably by 1840, was Benjamin Clark. Little is known of Mr. Clark, who lived here
with his second wife, Lucy Howe. He evidently sold the farm to Asa Lewis, whose heirs sold it to shoe-
manufacturer Thomas Corey, who soon afterward sold it to his colleague, Samuel Boyd. (Both Mr.
Corey and Mr. Boyd were two of the largest real-estate investors in Marlborough in the third quarter
of the nineteenth century, and undoubtedly purchased the farm for resale.) The property was
purchased from Samuel Boyd by Stephen Smith, who sold it to David W. Hitchcock.

Mr. Hitchcock (born in Vermont, 1831), was a retired Boston merchant. He had been head of the Otis
Norcross crockery and glass company, then formed a wholesale boot- and shoe business with his
brother, John. In 1873, shortly after the great Boston fire of 1872 led to the dissolution of the
Hitchcock business, he came to Marlborough and retired to this farm. It is likely that he had known
many of Marlborough's shoe manufacturers through his wholesale business, and he soon became active
and highly influential in town affairs. In 1878 he was the principal founder, and was later president,
of the very successful Peoples National Bank. He was also a trustee of the Marlborough Savings Bank.
He served five terms as Selectman, three of them as Chairman, sat on the board that built the town
water system in 1883,' and was the first Commissioner of the Marlborough Waterworks. Outside the
town, he served on the boards of several large corporations in Chicago, Pennsylvania, and Boston. He
lived here until his death, when the property apparently passed to his daughter and her husband,
Marcus M. Browne.

Information as to the progression of the property's ownership in the early part of this century is
somewhat conflicting. Apparently, by the 1920's the farm was held by pairs or groups of owners for
use by a succession of private clubs. In 1921, the Black and White Club was formed, and occupied the
old mansion as a clubhouse. According to the most recent source (1994), in 1922 a nine-hole golf
course, designed by Daniel Ross, was laid out on the property. The "Black and White Club" name
appears to have continued until 1944, although the Marlborough Country Club was organized, (cont).
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Marlborough Joab Stow House

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street Area(s) Form No.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 B

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.

largely by Richard Verzone, who had been associated with the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston, in the
1920's. The Sanborn map of 1929 shows both clubs located here on the property, with the Black and
White Club in the Stow/Hitchcock mansion, and the Marlborough Country Club in a two-story
clubhouse just to its north. It was apparently the latter building that was completely destroyed in the
fire of 1933.

Mr. Verzone died in 1933 shortly after the fire. One source says that "Chubby" Goldberg and Nan
Sparanio owned the real estate jointly until 1942, when Henry Clough became the official owner, and
that a re-organization of the property ownership took place in 1946, when the Marlborough Realty
Corp. purchased the property. Structured as a non-profit organization, the Marlborough Realty Corp.
consisted of 47 shareholders who had paid $100 per share.

Another account (1991) says the following: the real estate was purchased by the Marlborough Realty
Corp. in 1935, the same year that Harry Bowler became the manager of the club, and, in another
version of the above two names, states that Stephen Goldbert and Mario Sperandio, the club's golf
professional and greenskeeper, bought the real estate in 1940, selling it to Harvey and Eleanor Clough
in 1942. Then, in 1952, the Marlborough Realty Company was organized, and purchased the real
estate. Another reorganization took place in 1969.

In 1970, the golf course was expanded to eighteen holes, with the new nine-hole "front" section
designed by Geoffrey Cornish. Most of the redesign and additions to the clubhouse were done in 1973.
 tJ~-r)
2. Town Harlborou;;h, {vIas::::.
FORM B - STRUCTURE SURVEY
:MASSACHUSE TTS HISTORICALCOMMISSION
Office of the Secretary. State House. Boston S~eet CODcord Road

, Is this structure historically significant to: Name

00WnI Commonwealth·
-------- Nation
Original Use
structure has historical connection with the --------------
following themes: (See also reverse side) Present Use

Agriculture Commerce/Industry Present Owner 3arl Bi 11

Architecture Science/Invention
Art/Sculpture Travel/Communication Date 18th Ce:1t'Style CoLot La L
Education Military Affairs ---------
Government Religion/Philosophy Source of Date
Literature Indians
Music Development of Town/City Architect
---------------
3. CONDITION:- E-x~eiie~t-G~od -F~i; ~ior;te~-M~v~d- Alt~r~d- _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

IMPORTANCE of site to area: Great Little None SITE endangered bY:JCT\T

4. DESCRIPTION
FOUNDATION/BASEMENT: High g[eguf~Low Material: S_'r_.,o_. Yl_-e _

WALL COVER:~ ...•

-(-------_---_ Brick Stone Other

STORIES:(1) 2 3 4 CHIMNEYS:@2 3 4 Center End Cluster Elaborate Irregular

ATTACHMENTS: Wings Ell Shed Dependency Simple/Complex

PORCHES: 1 2 3 4 Portico Balcony Recessed

ROOF: Ridge Gambrel Flat Hip Mansard 1idPj8 :~oof overhanp; hs.8 S ll.1TJ or t. inp; ore (~~~r>t

Tower Cupola Dormer windows Balustrade Grillwork

FACADE: Gable End: Front/Side Symmetrical/Asymmetrical Simple/Complex Ornament

, Entrance:~ide ~Double Features: I~ntr."mce dOOri'f8y recessed

Windows: Spacing:d§gil~Irregular Identical/Varied _

Corners: ~Pilasters Quoins Obscured

OUTBUILDINGS LANDSCAPING

5. Indicate location of structure on map be ow 6. Footage of structure from street ,"-:--;.J

Property has./ feet frontage on street
,>xlJ-
Recorder John A. Bigelow
.p~
For Marlborough Hist. Soc., Inc.

Photo__ I o,f'-/fo -/ - ~d ,J ;;.

-MAR 4 1967
~Q/

NOTE: Recorder should obtain written per mi ion from Commission or sponsoring or~3
zation before using this form. (See Reverse Sid~

FORM - MHCB - 1OM-6-66-9430 17

 ." ,

FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.'

MASSACHUSETTSHISTORICAL COMMISSION 55
Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston

1. Town Marlborough

J Address 1126 Concord Roa.d

Name John Weeks

Present use Residence

2.
. .".....
'~.'.- ...•. , '.
Present owner Paul H. Reaves-,..- .:--.,
i(c, '., .;,.c·' .

Story Off Centerec:i

. 3. Desor iptton. 2t
Chimney ,- f. .

Date 1705 . .'" .•.. ~.

-- - ._--~
4. Map. Draw sketch of building location
Style Colonial

Architect Thomas Keyes (builder)

in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric Clapboard.
H'
e Outbuildings (describe)-'N=o""n=-'l<e'-- _
Me:
Other features
N -------------
W
A.
Y
Altered Date__ ' _'_"__

Moved Date'
, ,

. ...
, "

'
5. Lot size:

'.
..
. ."'.",
.. • ~. r One acre or less Over one acre
). :.
X

Approximate f~pntage 100 Feet - I

.' , . ~. .
"
/
. 'c')'- !t.,.-., . :.' J.
. ~ ;;. -,:"':. , . Approximate distance of building from street
. ,," "; .
'
~.; ,
.~:'',' .
'

-., .' _
30 Feet ,.
, -",'

O'NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by Ernest Ginnetti '

SGS Quadrant M~r1borough Historical
Organization Commission
oto no. \ "

Date 12/29/76
 In Area no.
~,
Form no.

1. Town Marlborough
- ..•..' 1126 .
Address Concord Road :',& Hemenway" .•.
....
J~'.'

'

Name John Weaks

-; Present use Residence
2. Photo (3x3" or 3x5f') . , : ',: : ,;.' _~" , ".
Staple to left side of.form ""':"'> ") -~:.' .",", "".

Photo number ~. -~,:~.'.' - " " '

J_''''~. ".
r., .~~'"J',-~-:,:._ >.~'-.
.:~~:~:!f';~·'<":
:. .-' ,r s..>

..•. •..: ,~'.);~;., -, . . ..

,

.
~.
'
:
"\ ..•..

--:\ ....
~.";'~
.•

Source
_\~;~.; ':lll;;
," ~-i
Style Col.ohial (Early) .~ l"_

4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect

in relation to-nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. I
./.1_.
Exterior wall fabric Wood Clap board :~'~1C
-: - Outbuildings (describe) ' .....
·'.>~~(t
~._~' :;~:~.'~/ ~~'t'f";~,
.:"',;'.' Other. features Floor Plan
.- 'f'~".
t that· of:.-. a
-; ";.~ . ~
;: ._ :>~!".-Ful.·ly developed Centf1al

~:)6~~~};~~~:~OOd
. .:.,.',' ....:.-:.Altered ..
Shing1es
Date
..
..•...
. .~:\-~~J~~:
.:~~~~ '~':-'~~~~~f;~~/~
1 ------
Moved, : Date
",

• .: -c e-, .: .'
-' '.•' .~' t ,
~
.••
--",
" - - ••••
'.,:".
---------- ------

...·5. Lotaize:

Rd-

. ,

v,
 ThomasKeyes

Residence

8-.'.T,~mes (check as many as applicable)

':.·'·.A~rlgtnai Conservation Recreation
, Agricultural x Education Religion .
"

.,~
'.~ Architectural X Exploration/ Science/
, ''':'

'.: 'The Arts settlement invention

. . Commerce Industry Social!
. Communication Military humanitarian (
·'Community development x Political Transportation ---

9~·.·Hi~torical·significance (include explanation of themes checked above) -- (

. " ·1 have no facts to reinforce the 1705 date which is painted on the
chimney of this house. However, the Morse house on farm road is iden-
tical and was built before 1700, and these are the only two examples
of this type of house left in the city, and this house 'should be included
in this survey if only for its rarity.
· ."On. the 1803.:mapof Marlborough there is a John l-leeks living here.
He was born O~ober 1, 1768 and married Betty Felton June 7~ 1787 and
'·.~e.~~OY~ber .~.!\18~6.at 58 years of age, and the greti\t grandson of
: upp :'Y.:~""eks who was ~n Marlborough before 1700.
My.c'ase for the 1705 date' is this;' Ella Bigelow states that the fam-
'iliesof .Tho~s Keyes and Supply We'ekslived together at the latter's
~omestead for a time. ThomasKeyes was engaged to Elizabeth Howebe-
:·:foreher .captrure by the Indians in 1692, and married her after her re-
·.:,le'ase,by'ransom in 1696, thus beginning the dual habitation of Supply's
··Weeksf~rm· •. HQweverSupply's house could not have been the formal
~central, hall type of structure which dominates the photo at this early
",'·.date,.hut rather one of the ells t the one to the east is the best het9
·~:thus·.creating very cramped iiving conditions,': at the tui:'n of 17th cerr-
.tury~ :.and this. house was built by ThomasKeyes out of necessity for
•,better .living conditions. Twoother fa.cts reinforce this, Supply's
-son J:ohn:married ThomasKeyes daughter Dinah in 1731, and after Thomas
· keyes':death John Weeks inheri ted the farm, also the proximity of these
,,':'..~o'''houses and the fSmily cemetary in the middle ~re less than t mile.

3~~~,:~,:~
~...
."'.
10-.,~.~.~!iographyand/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
.e,ady maps, etc.)·
...: '1:. '. ". .
.
" .-'
j~i~tory of M~rlborough M~ss. Charles Hudson, Boston, 1862.
~~:1~~!:;':'-'·
:~..- . . .
. ,~Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough, Ella Bigelow, Marl. 1910.
·::~~i::~,,:
·~ .: . .
·~@rlborough Engineering Dept.
•• .. I
~.,. ~.; v.
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Marlborough Thomas Keyes? /

John Weeks House

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street Area(s) Form No.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 55

Additional information by Anne Forbes, consultant to Marlborough Historical Commission,

7/5/95:

ASSESSOR'S #11-1 1.4 acres PHOTO #95-16: 32

ARCHITECfURAL DESCRIPTION.
As the 1976 inventory form states, the form and style of this house suggest a construction date well
within the First Period (pre-1725), and it is indeed very similar to #218 Farm Road. (See Form
13.) It is a long, 2-story, side-gabled, 3-bay "half-house", with the chimney situated, not in line with
the corner door, which was the most common placement in this part of Massachusetts, but rather
over the main room to the west of the door. The building has an asphalt shingle roof, fieldstone
foundation (partially parged), and is sheathed with clapboards. A wooden band across the facade
just above the first story windows suggests the possibility that the house may have originally had
a second-story overhang, or "jetty", on the facade, and that a new lower wall in line with t.he upper
one may have been built later.

The windows here are 6-over-9-sash on the second story, where they extend up to the roof line, 6-
over-S-sash under each gable, and twentieth-century casements on the first story. The main entry,
which probably dates to the late Federal period, has four-light, 2/3-length sidelights, flat pilasters
with molded crowns and capitals extending into the frieze, and a molded, projecting lintel. Other
detail includes cornerboards, a wide frieze, and a bed molding, without returns, under the narrow
front cornice.

A one-story ell that bisects the rear northwest corner of t.he main house is apparently a later
addition. A shingled sunporch extends to t.he rear.

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.

The 1976 inventory form emphasizes the close connection between the Keyes and Weeks families,
and speculates that this house was built by Thomas Keyes in the early years of the eighteenth
century on property adjacent to the Weeks farm. The source for Ella Bigelow's claim that the
families of Thomas Keyes and Supply Weeks lived together at 768 Hemenway Street, however, is
unknown. (See Form 51.) It may simply be based on Charles Hudson's statement that Thomas
Keyes' daughter Dinah and her husband John Weeks, (son of Supply Weeks of 768 Hemenway),
lived on her family's farm. (Hudson 409). Exterior architectural evidence does support a date of
ca. 1705, or even slightly earlier, which would coincide with the early years of Thomas and
Elizabeth's 1699 marriage. It is to be hoped that deed research on this house, 768 Hemenway, and
the property of Dinah and John's grandson, William Weeks, at 540 Concord Road (see Form #56,)
will reveal the early ownership of all three houses. (cont.)
iNVENTORY FORl\tl CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Marlborough Thomas Keyes?/

John Weeks House

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street Area(s) Form No.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 55

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.

For the present, if, as the 1976 form states, John Weeks (b. 1707), inherited the property, then he
probably owned it until his death in 1787. (Dinah died a few years earlier, in 1784.) John Weeks,
a highly-respected member of the community, was a Justice of the Peace and a twelve-term
selectman. As a Captain, he commanded a company of Marlborough men during the French and
Indian War, and was later promoted to Colonel. When Dinah and Col. John's seven children grew
up, their fourth son Jonathan lived on the old Weeks homestead at 768 Hemenway Street, and
second son Francis may have lived at (and possibly built) 540 Concord Road.

It is not known which child of that generation might have lived here, however. The next known
owner, and the first shown on maps, was Dinah and John's grandson, Jonathan's son John Weeks
(1768-1826.) (He married Betsy Felton in 1787, the year of his grandfather's death, and may
actually have succeeded to the farm at that point.) This John Weeks was also a Selectman, serving
three terms from 1808 through 1810. His widow survived him by many years, and is shown as the
owner of the property in 1830 and 1835.

By 1856 the house was owned by a member of another neighboring family, w. Hayden. This was
apparently one of the William Haydens of the Hayden family farm directly across Concord Road
on what was then the end of Hemenway Street (now abandoned.) The line of ownership becomes
more uncertain after that. In 1875 it was owned by Alvin H. Moore, (1809-1881), and after his
death by P. Cutter. In 1900 the owner was farmer I.M. Forbes. .
-, -. ';1"
-, ~')~ l
/ ,/.{
/ .

ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY. .~, ~.L. ... .

Maps and atlases: 1803, 1830, 1835, 1856 7, 1875, 1889, 1900.
Marlboro vital records.
Marlboro directories and tax valuations.

[X] Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form is attached.
Massachusetts Historical Commission Community Property Address
80 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 Marlborough 1126 Concord Road

Area(s) Form No(s).

55

National Register of Historic Places Criteria Statement Form

Check all that apply:

[x] Individually eligible [ ] Eligible only in a historic district

[ ] Contributing to a potential historic district [] Potential historic district

Criteria: [xJ A [] B [x] C [] D

Criteria Considerations: [] A [] B [] C [J D [] E [] F [J G

Statement of Significance by _An_n_e_F_o_rb_e_s _

The criteria that are checked in the above sections must be justified here.

Even if further research shows that this house was not the home of Thomas and Elizabeth Keyes in
the early years of the eighteenth century, it would still meet Criterion A of the National Register for
its association with influential Marlborough resident Col. John Weeks, who commanded a company
of men from Marlborough in the French and Indian War, was a Justice of the Peace, and served
twelve terms as selectman. Architecturally, in spite of some window changes, it is still one of the best
representatives of Marlborough's small group of 2 liZ-story "half-houses" of the eighteenth century,
and thus meets Criterion C.

The property retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and
association.
 FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. Form no."

MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 56

Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston
, ;..~,'
1. Town Marlborough, • '-" 1:

'Address 540 Conc~rd 'Rt~:~r:';·

"
-"------
. (~.:
..... ~" •..,~ ... ,. -.
:Name William Weeks or', 'Jobn ~oWe
, Homestead ' ,>' .' ••..~ .. ,

,present use- Residence: ·i~.i;~':'.'~:;~~"~

• ,'. ;,:~'
2.

, I , " ,:", \=:~'f'~,'~.~"~'.-:

"#'"'-~~';.'f~;~~fr'
j • Presentowner' Mrs~ Benry"i;Lavei:'dure
:tJ.;j :;< . ,,',~, .: ' ' :, ' ,'~ :':'{:t~~,}~t§lk;~~;~';';;~;t
·:,t'i'g3~.Descrtptton: 2t Story BHck~;iED:a:'::~;i,c'
1 .: D'~te 1780 Chimney, "; ,~.:;::~:~K~~~t~{i1r~
• ,'. ;. . ." . I., • "'-i",/ :':'~:~::'~'1:';j~~~'
.
~Source ,Pub.' Local' Histories ?(

4. Map. Draw sketch of building location' Architect

in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north: Exterior ~ll fabric Clapboard ,"

Outbuildings (describe) 2 ~s

Other features Brick end chimney' ~

@,,, covered with clapboard,- two ch1m-

'ney',s east side, one west side~

",;
Altered
..' Moved '
-------- Date
-----
D~::;' o,:i::J£ ~;,.~r.::
--------- ;
------ • t .-

5. Lot size: :; .. t .

.
., ~ ': , .

One acre or less ___ Over one acre_"X_'_

"
Approximate frontage 100 Yards
'/
.I ,

Approximate distance of butlding from street

50 Yards
NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE , 6. Recorded by Ernest Ginnetti
SGS Quadrant MarlbOrough Histor1cal
------- Organlzatton Cormnission

Date 12/29/76
''\
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(over)

_ . "". ..• A,-"" , ----,

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,I
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Marlborough Weeks/Howe House

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street Area(s) Form No.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 56

Additional information by Anne Forbes, consultant to Marlborough Historical Commission,

6/28/95:

ASSESSOR'S #34-6 ca. 1.5 acres PHOTO #95-16: 34

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION.
As with many of Marlborough's oldest farmhouses, tracing the evolution of this building will
probably require both a deed search and a structural inspection. As stated below, although the
brick-ended, two-story form is characteristic of the Federal period, especially ca. 1810-1820, it is
likely that the main house replaced or incorporated an earlier structure. Today this is a large 4-
by 2-bay, side-gabled house, its east brick end now clapboarded like the rest of the building. A
two-story wing bisects the rear northwest corner, and a one-story, shed-roofed bay abuts the west
end of the main house. The house has four chimneys, one behind the end of the wing's roof ridge,
a wide one at the west end of the main ridge, and two rising from the east gable-end wall. As
Ernest Ginnetti points out, although they are not identical, the similarity between this house and
the three-chimney "brick-ender" at 200 East Main Street is striking. (See Form #41). That house
was built by another member of the Howe family, reinforcing the assumption that John Howe III
was probably the one to build the main house here. The windows of the building are 6-over-6-sash,
with flat surrounds. The main entry, though altered by a modern 10-light door, retains the full-
length sidelights, plain pilasters, high frieze, and heavy molded, projecting lintel that may represent
a combination of late Federal and Greek Revival detailing. In other details, the house has a
molded, boxed cornice, with a modest roof overhang at the gable ends, and narrow cornerboards.

In recent years most of a twentieth-century facade porch that stretched from the main entry to the
west wing has been removed, and a large barn behind the house was demolished ..

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.

Assuming that the 1799 deed from William Weeks to John Howe III refers to a house on the
property, it is likely that this building is an update and enlargement of an earlier house. How old
the original building is, however, and who built it, is uncertain. It might have been Revolutionary
soldier William Weeks, or, according to one theory, it might even date all the way back to his great-
grandfather, Thomas Keyes, who in 1699 married the unfortunate Elizabeth Howe, who had been
captured in Lancaster and held for four years by Indians at the time of their engagement. If that
is the case, the earliest part of the house would probably date to the early years of the eighteenth
century. It is more likely, however, that Thomas and Elizabeth Keyes built the house at 1126
Concord Road, and that this house was built by William Weeks or perhaps one of Thomas and
Elizabeth's children or grandchildren. (See Form 55). Thomas and Elizabeth's daughter, Dinah,
(1710-1784), in 1731 married John Weeks, (1707-1787), William's grandfather, and, since Hudson
says they lived on her family's farm, they would have been the next owners of 1126 Concord Road.
Of their seven children, son Jonathan Weeks lived on the old Weeks homestead at 768 Hemenway
Street (see Form.) and it is likely that their son Francis (b. 1734), William Weeks' father, (Cont.)
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Marlborough WeeksIHowe House

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street Area(s) Form No.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 56

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.

lived here. Francis, who married Thankful Stevens in 1757, was a Corporal in his father's company
in the French and Indian War. Thus four successive generations, from Elizabeth Howe Keyes in
the Indian conflicts through William Weeks in the Revolution, suffered in the early wars of the
colonies.

John Howe III, the purchaser of the property in 1799, was also a military man, with the rank of
Captain, probably attained in either the war of 1812 or oue of the early-nineteenth-century
Marlborough artillery companies. Since he married Lydia Williams in 1800, it is likely that the
house attained its brick-end configuration under his ownership. He died in 1822, and his wife, who
is shown as the owner of the house in 1830 and 1835, died in 1838. After her death, their son,
Samuel S. Howe (b. 1809) was the owner until he died, after which his widow, Martha Ann (Fay)
Howe inherited the property.

Later in the nineteenth century, the farm became well-known for its success under their son,
market-gardener Warren H. Howe, who built, not only the "mammoth" greenhouses for which he
was renowned (demolished), but probably the huge New England bam that stood until recently
behind the house. In 1879 he was reputed to be the largest grower of cucumbers in Middlesex
County, shipping "enormous quantities" to New York City. He died shortly before 1900, and his
sister, Anne M. Howe, owned the farm for a few years before she died, sometime before 1910.
\

··r\

ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Maps and atlases: 1803, 1830, 1835, 1856/57, 1875, 1889, 1900.
Marlboro vital records.
Marlboro directories and tax valuations.
Pictorial Marlborough. 1879.

[Xl Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form is attached.
Massachusetts Historical Commission Community Property Address
80 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 Marlborough 540 Concord Road

Area(s) Form No(s).

56

National Register of Historic Places Criteria Statement Form

Check all that apply:

[x] Individually eligible [ ] Eligible only in a historic district

[ ] Contributing to a potential historic district [] Potential historic district

Criteria: [x] A [] B [] C [] D

Criteria Considerations: [] A [] B [] C [] D [] E [] F [] G

Statement of Significance by _Ann __ e_F_o_r_b_es _

The criteria that are checked in the above sections must be justified here.

For its long connection with several generations of the Weeks and Howe families of the east part of
Marlborough from the eighteenth through the early twentieth century, as well as for its association
with progressive farmer Warren Howe, under whom this farm is believed to have produced the
greatest quantity of cucumbers in Middlesex County in the late 1870's, this house meets Criterion A
of the National Register.

Except for the replacement of its main door, the property retains integrity of location, design, setting,
materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.
( FORM B - BUILDING Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number

Massachusetts Historical Commission I 46.46~ I Marlborough J 1_- T 6_3_4 ~

80 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Town Ma rlborollgh

Place (neighborhood or village) _

Address 239 Concord Road

Historic Name Heman Stow?/Nathan Goodale

House
Uses: Present dwelling

Original dwelling

Date of Construction ca 1830's (part may..he-

ca. 1795)
-,.I Source Bigelow, visual assessment
•• Style/Form Greek Revival

Architect/Builder unknown
-. /
r..~
~ "(, . ,3;;"": ,~.•

Exterior Material:

Sketch Map Foundation granite

Draw a map of the area indicating properties within
it. Number each property for which individual WallfTrim synthetIC sldmg
inventory forms have been completed. Label streets,
including route numbers, if any. Attach a separate Roof asphalt shingle
sheet if space is not sufficient here. Indicate north.
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures _

small early-20th-century barn

Major Alterations (with dates). late 20th C .

o an new wjI1dOWS, doors, and shlltters; columns

replaced
N
Condition fair

Moved pq no [ J yes Date NlA

Acreage ca one acre

Recorded by Anne Forbes Setting Side to street, overlooking golf course

Organization for Marlboro His! Carom to west and north I arge modem utility

Date 603195 buildings of town re,creation dept to sOHth

BUILDING FORM

ARCHITECfURAL DESCRIPTION [] see continuation sheet

Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings
within the community.

Although part of this house may remain from a building of the late 1790's, its appearance today is
significant as one of Marlborough's impressive group of high-style, temple-front Greek Revival
houses of the second decade of the nineteenth century. The form of the building combines a three-
bay, tetrastyle, 2112-story main section, its side-hall entry facade facing west with its side to the road,
with a two-story, three-bay side-gabled south wing. Although the windows, doors, and even the )
columns of the colonnade are modern replacements, some detailing, including the molded, boxed
cornice of the main house, remains. The wing has a facade-width porch on square posts, and a )
second entrance is located in a vestibule at the north end of the wing facade.

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE [X] see continuation sheet

Explain history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the
building, and the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community. ;

It is not known whether this house is a ca. 1830's replacement for an earlier one that stood on the site,
)
or whether it contains a smaller house of ca. 1795-98 that may have been built by Heman Stow, eldest
son remaining in Marlborough of Dea. Simon Stow, the farmer and owner of a large amount of land
in this part of town. The property the house stands on had undoubtedly belonged to Simon Stow, who
died in 1795. A study of his will is likely to show that each of his children received a sizeable portion
of his property, and that Heman and his brother, Joab, each built a house on their share in the late
1790's. (Joab's house still stands in altered form across the street-see Form 8.)

Heman Stow died in 1829 at the age of 79. In his life, with his wife, Abigail Brown of Sudbury, he
raised several children, two of whom, William Brown and Martin Luther Stow, were among
Marlborough's rare college graduates of their day. William graduated from Williams College in 1811
and became a minister, and Martin, who graduated from Williams in 1813, became a lawyer in
Marlborough, then in Northborough. Heman Stow himself was a respected citizen of the town, and
served on the first official town School Committee in 1803, representing the school in his district, the
Warren School. (Cont.)

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES [] see continuation sheet

Maps and atlases: 1803?, 1830, 1835, 1856/57, 1875, 1889, 1900.
Bigelow, Ella. Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough, Mass. 1910.
Marlborough Vital Records.
Marlborough Directories and Real Estate valuations.

[] Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form is attached.
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property

Marlborough Stow?/Goodale House

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street Area(s) Form No.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 634

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.

The property did not remain in the Stow family after Heman's death. His heirs sold it to Nathan
Goodale, (1780-1843), who had grown up on the Goodale farm on the boundary of Marlborough and
Hudson (NR). He had operated that farm jointly with his brother, David, for many years before he
and his family moved here. He was thus already an accomplished fanner when he arrived here, and,
with most of his children grown by tbat time, he was able to run it, in tandem with his son, John, as
a highly successful operation. Father and son apparently owned the property jointly, in fact, as the
maps of 1830 and 1835 show it under botb their names. According to Ella Bigelow, Nathan and Jobn
"so improved" the farm" that the Middlesex Agricultural Society granted it a "premium", and it used
as a county agricultural fairgrounds for many years. John Goodale, who was born in 1806, lived into
his late 80's, and farmed here for at least sixty years. He served as a Selectman in 1858.

By 1900 the property belonged to "L. Brooks". Today the bouse, which occupies its own small parcel,
is owned by the City of Marlborough, which operates part of its recreation department on 59 acres of
the former farm.
I FORM B ~ BUILDING Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number

Massachusetts Historical Commission I 21~14 J [Marlborough I 635

80 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Town Marlborough

Place (neighborhood or village) _

Address 787 Concord Road

Historic Name Samuel Witt House

Uses: Present dwelling

Original dw.elling

Date of Construction-.late-18th C (?), with

mid-19th C. update
Source maps; visual assessment

Style/Form Greco- Italian ate

Architect/Builder unknown

Exterior Material:

Sketch Map Foundation granite block

Draw a map of the area indicating properties within
it. Number each property for which individual Wall/Trim synthetic (asbestos) siding
inventory [orms have been completed. Label streets,
including route numbers, if any. Attach a separate Roof asbestos shingle
sheet if space is not sufficient here. Indicate north.
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures 20tb-C

gamhrelernofed, clapboard ham.garage

Major Alterat.ions (with dates) window

sash replaced

N Condition fair

Moved [X] no [] yes Date N/A~ .__

Acreage 5 acres

- -corded by Anne Forbes Setting .Dn ClIIVe in road, opp~ modem

Organization for Marlboro Hist Comm hOllses, Curved drize.in.fmat, with tall dedd-

Date _ 6/28/95 ...uous.trees and stone walls aloog roadside

BUILDING FORM

ARCHITECfURAL DESCRIPTION [] see continuation sheet

Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings
within the community. .

Although this house is one of Marlborough's better examples of a large mid-nineteenth-century side-
gabled housetype, (2 112-stories, two rooms deep, 5 by 2 bays, with a pair of ridge chimneys), maps
indicate that it may be an update of a house that predates 1803. The fact that one chimney sits at J
the end of the roof may indicate that the house was lengthened at some point.
l
Whatever the case, over the years it acquired elements of at least three architectural styles. The
main center entry, with a 4-paneled door, full-length sidelights, and plain surround with molded
lintel, dates to the Greek Revival period. Other trim is purely Italianate, and was probably added
in the late 1860's or 1870's: the windows have high, molded crowns supported on small brackets,
and brackets line the overhanging roof cornice, as well. A porch across the facade, supported on
turned posts that have lost their upper brackets, would probably have been added in the 1890's.

A one-story rear ell on a concrete foundation appears to date to the twentieth century. A
photograph of ca. 1927 shows the house with 6-over-6-sash windows with louvered shutters.

(
(
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE [] see continuation sheet
Explain history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the
building, and the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community.

This house is significant for its connection with the long-lived Witt family, at least two members of
whom came to Marlborough from Lynn in about 1707 to settle on the former Indian plantation which
in the late seventeenth century had covered most of the northeast section of town. It is not known
which part of the building may date back to 1803, or if it does, how much older than that it might be.
The first owner of the property shown, on the map of 1803, is Samuel Witt (1763-1847). Although he
was the son of Josiah Witt, he was raised by his uncle, Capt. Samuel Witt, who was a bachelor until
the age of 63. (Both Josiah and Capt. Samuel were the sons of "Deputy" Samuel Witt, so-called
because he served as Marlborough's Representative to the General Court longer, apparently, than
anyone in the town's history--twenty-three terms.) The youngest Samuel married Lucy Adams of Acton
in 1787, and it is possible that he might have built a house soon after that.

By 1830 Samuel owned the house jointly with his son, Dwight Witt (b. 1797). He married Abigail
Estabrook of Paxton in 1826, and they may have expanded the building for their large family of ten
children. By the 1830's a long lane stretched between Concord and Stow Roads, starting at a point
directly opposite this house. Of Dwight and Abigail's ten children, it was Charles A. Witt (b. 1835),
who inherited or acquired the property, and lived here until he died. After that, the owner for many
years was farmer Otis Cotting. By 1927 the farm was the property of Gardner Carpenter.

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES [] see continuation sheet

Maps and atlases: 1803, 1830, 1835, 1856/57, 1875, 1889, 1900.
Bigelow, Ella. Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough, Mass. 1910.
Marlborough Vital Records.
Marlborough Directories and Real Estate valuations.
Hudson.

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