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BUILDING FORM
<br /> ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION ❑see continuation sheet
<br /> Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community.
<br /> The Hancock-Clarke House, set on an angle to Hancock Street facing south,includes two historic sections built just a year apart.
<br /> The south part of the Hancock-Clarke House,built in 1736, is two-and-one-half stories in height with a central chimney, a
<br /> gabled roof and a slightly asymmetrical plan. The north part,built in 1737,is an ell two stories in height with a chimney at the
<br /> north end,a gambrel roof and a second floor that is thirteen-and-one-half inches lower than that of the south part. An addition,
<br /> built to the north of the ell in 1975 after the house was moved back to its original site, includes a reception area and exhibit space
<br /> and in the cellar a library and archival and curatorial storage. The new construction reproduced two earlier sheds shown in a
<br /> mid-nineteenth century painting.
<br /> The south part of the house,reflecting its early Georgian origins,has a classical frontispiece with a flat entablature decorated
<br /> with a dentil course and side pilasters; vertically aligned windows with molded caps; a modest classical cornice at the eaves and
<br /> plain corner boards. The ell lacks exterior decorative features. There are four dormer windows in the ell's roof and irregularly
<br /> spaced windows in the walls below. The exterior walls of the house retain early clapboards,distinguished by their skived ends
<br /> and narrow weathers, in a number of places. When the house was moved the first time in 1896, among the repairs undertaken by
<br /> the Lexington Historical Society was the installation of the current windows with 9/12 lights in the south part of the building and
<br /> windows with similar panes of glass in windows of irregular size.
<br /> HISTORICAL NARRATIVE ❑see continuation sheet
<br /> Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local(or state)history. Include uses of the building, and the role(s)the
<br /> owners/occupants played within the community.
<br /> The Hancock-Clarke House was built by Rev. John Hancock,the Town's minister,just 23 years after Lexington separated from
<br /> Cambridge. Rev. Hancock,whose pastorate spanned 53 years,was a well-respected and influential member of the clergy in the
<br /> region. He was the father of two ministers,two minister's wives, and the wealthy Boston merchant,Thomas Hancock. Rev.
<br /> Hancock was succeeded as minister in Lexington and owner of the house by Rev. Jonas Clarke,who served in Lexington for 50
<br /> years.
<br /> Rev. Clarke was a leading patriot minister well known and respected by the leaders of the Revolutionary cause. With an interest
<br /> the process of human government, grounded in his religion, and with his strong support of justice for the colonies,Rev. Clarke
<br /> shaped Lexington's response to the unjust measures meted out by the Crown. The resolutions he wrote for Lexington and his
<br /> published writings on behalf of Liberty were described by Edward Everett as having"few equals and no superiors."
<br /> Because of Rev. Clarke's leadership,the Hancock-Clarke House was often the site of consultations among patriots. The house
<br /> was a short distance for the Lexington Green,where the British troops and the Lexington Minute-men confronted each other on
<br /> April 19, 1775. Patriot leaders, Samuel Adams and John Hancock(Rev. Hancock's grandson)had been staying with
<br /> BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES ❑see continuation sheet
<br /> Chandler, Sarah. "Remembrances of the Hancock-Clarke House," 1897. Lexington Historical Society (LHS)Archives
<br /> Clarke, The Rev. Jonas. "Almanac Diaries"Vol. II(1766-1778),Vol. IV(1788-1796),Vol.V(1797-1805). LHS
<br /> Archives.
<br /> Grady,Anne A. and Deane Rykerson, "Preservation Report: The Hancock-Clarke House,Lexington,Massachusetts."Rykerson
<br /> Architecture,June 2007.
<br /> Mascarene,John. "A Dissertation on the Rev. Jonas Clarke's Seat at Lexington."C. 1794-1805. LHS Archives.
<br /> Whipple,H. Lawrence. . The Hancock-Clarke House, Parsonage and Home. Lexington,Massachusetts: Lexington Historical
<br /> Society, 1984.
<br /> Worthen,Edwin B.,Jr. "A Study of the Hancock-Clarke House Site." 1966. LHS Archives.
<br /> ❑ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked,you must attach a completed National
<br /> Register Criteria Statement form. The Hancock-Clarke House became a National Historic Landmark in July 1971.
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