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INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Town Property Address LEXINGTON 11 HANCOCK AVENUE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No. MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING 220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD © 112 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125 HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This was one of a number of houses local builder and contractor John L.Norris constructed on Hancock Avenue in the late 19th century. A brief mention appeared in the Lexington Minute-man on September 14, 1872 and read: Mr. J.L.Norris has sold to Mr. J.N. Morse,the cottage lately built by him on Hancock avenue,with 12,215 feet of land, for$3500. Mr.Norris has a nice residence for himself opposite, and we understand it is his intention to build two cottages more,beyond Mr. Morse's. This will fill up one side of the avenue as far as the railroad with houses of a uniform finish. John Noyes Morse(b.1844)was a Civil War veteran who was severely wounded at Poplar Grove Church resulting in his discharge in January 1865. He was captain in the State Militia in 1866 and became a resident of Lexington in 1869. On May 16, 1874 the newspaper included a brief description of a surprise party Mrs. Morse gave her husband for his birthday. "About fifty friends gathered at his residence on Hancock Avenue. A nice supper was prepared and enjoyed. The Arlon Quartette was present, and contributed much to the pleasure of the evening"(Lexington Minute-man,May 16, 1874). J.N. Morse worked as a cashier in Boston for many years. He was still living here in 1932. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Lexington. Cambridge: The Riverside Press Co., 1913,vol. 2,p. 441. Lexington directories,various dates. Lexington Minute-man, Sept. 14, 1872; May 16, 1874. Supplement prepared by: Lisa Mausolf July 2009