Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey

34 Butler Road (Quincy Homestead)

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Homestead derives equal significance from its association with the Quincy family, from whom the City of Quincy takes its name. Edmund Quincy, who immigrated to the Bay Colony in 1628, became the progenitor of one of Massachusetts’ leading families. In partnership with William Coddington, Quincy was granted the Homestead land by the Massachusetts General Court in 1636. Edmund Quincy III, grandson of the family founder, served as Judge of the Superior Court from 1718 and was the agent for the Province before the English Government in the 1737 boundary dispute between Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
The Homestead was enlarged and remodeled for the Judge in 1706. The diary of a workman employed on the house, John Marshall, indicates that a 17th century house on the same site was incorporated in the remodeled structure. The present kitchen and the room above it, both older than the rest of the house, are believed to be the remains of this 17th century structure. Judge Quincy built another addition to the house, consisting of a study and sleeping quarters, which became the summer home of his brother-in-law, Henry Flynt. This bachelor scholar refused appointment as the Rector of the newly-founded Yale University. Instead, he remained at Harvard College where he served a record fifty-five years as tutor and Fellow. His tolerance and good humor won him the title of “Father Flynt” from his students. Dorothy Quincy, wife of the Judge, was made famous by her great-grandson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, in his poem “Dorothy Q.” Her niece, the second Dorothy Quincy, who visited the Homestead frequently, married John Hancock, later the first Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Governor Hancock’s coach is now in the coach house adjoining the Homestead. Other political activists besides Hancock visited the Homestead in the years before the Revolution, among them Josiah Quincy and John Adams, whose wife was a Quincy cousin.

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
The Quincy Homestead, on the corner of Butler and Hancock Streets, is situated behind a wide expanse of lawn and amid large shade and young fruit trees. In its present form the house illustrates three construction stages of the Colonial period. Included within it is a section built during the 17th century, presumable that referred to by Judge Sewell; there is also another part built by Edmund Quincy in 1706. From structural evidence, it appears that these two portions were tied together during the mid-l8th century.

An 1822 watercolor of the house verifies that its present exterior appearance, except for minor later additions, had been reached by that time. This painting depicts a two and a half story, clapboard structure whose low pitched, L-shaped gambrel roof meets at the southwest corner of the house to form a hipped roof. On both the south and west facades the roof is pierced by three pedimented dormers and, at the break in pitch, is decorated by a delicately scaled balustrade with fouls. A doric pedimented entrance porch accents the main (west) facade and contains the original mid-l8th century door with Quincy bull’s eye glass in the transom lights. The windows on this facade have 6/6 lights while those on the South facade have 12/12; those on the first floor are topped by cornices. Beaded clapboards cover both these sides, while plain and random width ones cover the gab ends. A simple pedimented door on the south side forms the entrance to the earliest part of the house.

By the mid-18yh century the present plan had evolved. This consists of four rooms separated by two interior chimneys and a center hall which terminates at the main interior entrance to the “Coddington Kitchen.” Edmund Quincy incorporated this 17th century kitchen and chamber over it into his remodeling of the Homestead in 1706. Structurally the parlor and chamber above in the northwest corner of the house date from this time. Off the parlor, to the north, is a one room deep, two story ell which Quincy is said to have built for “Tutor” Flynt. This consists of a first floor study with stairs leading to the second story bedroom.

Late in the century the rooms in the southwest corner (the dining room and “Dorothy Quincy Chamber”) and the northeast rooms were added. The chamber in this latter location contains a window. In this window is a light in which are the initials "JH", purported to have been scratched in the glass by John Hancock.

Generally speaking the Homestead is structurally sound. Sagging and shaking floors in the 17th century section, however, present a hazard to large groups of visitors and may indicate a need of structural restoration. It is also necessary to replace existing electrical wiring. Portions of the roof are covered with tar paper. For consistency with the rest of the house, and for long term protection, these should be wood shingled. Many of the windows and the roof balustrade need immediate attention. The wood gutters and downspout have deteriorated beyond repair and need replacement. The entire structure needs a well done paint job.

Neighbors of the house include the High School and an armory. For protection, both a fire and burglar alarm should be installed.
There are records of 1822 indicating the landscaping of the period. An attempt, which should be encouraged, is being made to restore the landscape to the 1822 date. Many of the shade trees are elms, some of which are diseased and must be removed Others need treatment in order to preserve them. The northern boundary of the property is a brook. The area bordering it, as well as the brook itself, needs to be cleaned up.

The Quincy Homestead is one of the few houses in Massachusetts in which the elements of a 17th century building incorporated In a later structure are clearly visible. Because the house illustrates the progression of architectural styles in the Colonial period, it has been declared a Massachusetts Historic Landmark.

This Colonial Revival house built in 1907 is a fine example of the style. Set on a typical Quincy granite foundation, its squarish massing is capped by a steep pitch double hip roof pierced by dormers. The facade is symmetrical, and is dominated by an attractive columnar balustraded portico and granite steps. The balcony over this portico has an interesting and decorative cut-out rail which is repeated over the one-story angular bay window on the side elevation. The door has full length side lights with leaded glass, similar to other Colonial Revival homes in the area. The three bay facade, the overhanging roof, the large windows are all elements typical of the early Colonial Revival Style. It will be recommended that this property be included in the National Register Hospital Hil1/President's Hill/Cranch Hill Historic District.

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