Property Description

Welcome to the Peaslee Garrison circa 1710, an extraordinary example of a Post-Medieval, early Georgian brick house, of which there are few surviving examples in all of the United States. The ceilings are lofty and beamed, the rooms are large and there are six fireplaces, of which three are walk-in style. Historic detail includes transverse summer beams, wide plank flooring, original moldings and several diamond paned windows and much natural woodwork- all which exudes the essence of early first period living. A kitchen was crafted outside of the original block in a side ell extension and a new 21th century addition adds an additional bath and first level suite, with access to the rear facing wood deck. Set on .84 acres on a scenic rural street overlooking the historic Kimball Farm. Haverhill offers highway access and MBTA commuter rail and has a plethora of restaurants and retail shopping. Historic New England Preservation Covenants apply.

Property History

This fine example of a rare First Period home (defined as being erected between 1660 and 1725) has been carefully researched and is likely to have been built in 1710. The first Peaslee settler, Joseph Peaslee was born in England between 1600 and 1605 and settled in Newbury around 1638. In 1645, along with 30 other men, they removed to Haverhill in order to make a permanent settlement there. He died in 1660, and in his will Peaslee left his son Joseph Peaslee Jr, all of his remaining land in Haverhill which would be in Trust through his mother until he turned 20 years of age.

Both the archival record and physical evidence in the house points to a date of 1710 for the principal dwelling and Robert Peaselee as the original owner/builder. Although often repeated that the Garrison House was built between 1669 and 1679, the physical evidence indicates that although there may have been a small structure on the site around which the current structure now stands.

The house today has an ell shaped floor-plan. It is believed that the house was first erected as a two over two dwelling and that the rear ell, the great kitchen and hired man’s room were added within a year of the primary construction. One myth that historian John Cole dispels is that the brick came from England - there is historical evidence in Haverhill Town records that the right to enter clay pits and dig for clay was a public right. The beautifully constructed brickwork uses the English Bond pattern. The cement parging on the South front face of the house was likely installed by a later owner creating the look of a more sophisticated style to resemble cut stone. More recent owners included Reginald Bacon who acquired the property in 1954, an avid antique dealer and preservationist, who completed some early restoration, followed by John and Hope Cole who bought the property in 1963. Cole was widely renowned for his expertise in historic buildings, both working as a consultant and as an instructor in Historic Preservation at Harvard. It is through the efforts of these owners that the house has continued to be preserved.

Remarkably preserved with an extraordinary volume of original building details, the property is to be protected with a permanent preservation covenant to be overseen by Historic New England, the oldest and largest preservation organization in New England.