HomeMy WebLinkAboutharrington-road_0001 -t- J/fJ/7IC-%I
FORM B - BUILDING In Area no. Form no.
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION B 54
Office of the Secretary, State House. Boston
,- vn Lexington
ress 1 Harringtin Rd.
r r. tea=
E Jonathan Harrington House
s' sent use Parsonage
_ `Vc6rt Zoerheide , Minister
sent owner First Parish Church Lex.
cription:
-
Pre Revolution
= iource
9
NVF = 18 c.
4. Map. Draw sketch of building location Architect
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric Clapboard
� P
Outbuildings (describe) Garage-2 Car
F !E Fy Other features High up roof, two central .
re
Chimneys, btick foundation, Pilasters &
�. modillionecl =pediment h nor.
�. Gr <,N � Altered Yes Date 1910
Moved Date
M_ .���� � 5. Lot size:
Less than one acre_ Over one acre
Approximate frontage 55 '
Approximate distance of building from street
16'
DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE 6. Recorded by E.W. Reinhardt
USGS Quadrant
Organization Lex. Hist. Comm.
MHC Photo no.
Date January , 1976
(over)
7. Original owner (if known) Jonathan Harrington
Original use
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates in 1830's - home of Augustus Johns who introduced idea
of parole as prison reform.
8. Themes (check as many as applicable)
Aboriginal Conservation Recreation
Agricultural Education Religion
Architectural Exploration/ Science/
The Arts settlement invention
Commerce Industry Social/
Communication Military X Humanitarian _
Community development x Political Transportation -�
9. Historical Significance (include explanation of themes checked above)
From this house Harrington's wife watched the Battle of Lexington, April 19th, 1775, As
her husband faced British fire. Mortally wounded he crawled to the steps of his house
to die in his wife's arms.
In 1820's John Augustus shoemaker, lived here. Augustus took into his home wayward boys
who had been given prison sentences & taught them his trade, thus creating the idea of
a probation system as an alternative to incarceration.
In 1910 the house was'restored' by architect Leroy Brown. The nineteenth century door
apparent in early photographs was changed to preaent overly elaborate modillioned
crossetted & pedimented state.
House altered considerably by owner Leroy Brown and architect Willard D.
Brown in 1910. Central chimney removed; front stairway replaced; two rooms to
the left of the front door converted into one room (also true in bedchambers
above) ; and new, reproduction front doorway installed; porch added to the west.
S. Lawrence Whipple, 1984
10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.)
Chas. Hudson. - History of Lexington
Ed Worthen - Calendar History p. 108
SPNGA - Photographic files
Lex.Hist. Soc. - Proceedings