Quincy, Mass. Historical and Architectural Survey

80 Bicknell Street (Samuel Higgins House)

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Germantown, on the eastern shore of the Town River, was originally called Shed's Neck. It was one of the first planned industrial developments in the country and its present name dates from around 1750 when German craftsmen were brought here to manufacture glass and other commodities. Eight industries were planned and operated by Joseph Palmer and Richard Cranch and the town laid out on paper in named squares like a European community. The early industrial development faltered after a few years and it wasn't until the 1830's that a prosperous fishing community developed when a group of fishermen migrated from the outer Cape Cod. Some whaling voyages departed from Germantown shores in the 1840's and in 1856 the maritime character of the village was further enhanced by the establishment of the Sailors Snug Harbor, a retirement home for active seamen. Meanwhile, Michael Hodgkinson, one of those who had come from the Cape, started buying up land and developed a sizeable well-known dairy farm which passed through the Hodgkinson family until operations ceased in 1948.

In 1832 the land at 80 Bicknell Street was jointly owned by Captain Charles A. Brown of 42 Bicknell Street and his next door neighbor at 52 Bicknell Street, Captain Elisha Holmes. Both men were principals in the development of the fishing community in the 1830's. By 1836 there was a house at 80 Bicknell Street which was rented to Samuel Higgins, a shipmaster, who later purchased the property. In 1873 the ownership had passed to Vesta J. Rich, a member of the well- known Rich family of farmers, fishermen and mariners who were to inhabit Germantown for many years to come.

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Assessors Records.
Bartlett, Martha Maude. "Ancient and Modern Germantown". Quincy Patriot Ledger, January 7, 1937, p. B-8.
"Germantown Heritage Days" Program. September 24, 25, 26, 1976.
H. Hobart Holly, Quincy Historical Society.
H. Hobart Holly, ed. Quincy: 350 Years, 1974, p. 51-52.
Photograph of 80 Bicknell Street, c. 1915. (Property of present owner).

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
The Samuel Higgins House is a survivor of the fishing industry in Germantown. In the 1830s Cape Cod fishermen brought with them their skill in the fishing commmerce as well as their typical regional house, now known as the Cape Cod cottage. The house can still be recognized as a three fourths Cape Cod cottage, but it has lost its architectural integrity when it was sided with vinyl. During that process all window and door enframements were removed as well as the original walling material. It is set on a granite foundation; it has a ridge roof pierced by one small tall chimney and fenestration consisting of two over two windows. It is located on historic Bicknell Street.

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