HomeMy WebLinkAbout88 Old Main Street Title SearchTOWN OF YARMOUTH
1146 ROUTE 28, SOUTH YARMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS 02664-4492
Telephone (508) 398-2231, Ext. 1277, Fax (508) 398-2365
MEMORANDUM
TO: Beverley Bachand
Yarmouth Historical Commission rep to the CPC
FROM: Jennifer Copeland
CPA Administrative Assista
SUBJECT: 88 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth, MA
DATE: July 27, 2016
Department of
Community
Development
O��AAT22PD
Thank you for the letter from the Yarmouth Historical Commission to the Community Preservation Committee
(CPC) in which the Commission expresses concern about the deteriorating condition of the historic building
located at 88 Old Main Street.
On June 8, 2016, the CPC reviewed the request and voted to recommend a title search of the property.
Enclosed please find Town Counsel's title search concluding that the most likely owner of the building is the
American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts.
Thank you for your interest in preserving this historic resource for our community and please let me know if
you are successful in contacting the property owner.
cc: Peter Johnson -Staub, Interim Town Administrator
Karen M. Greene, Director of Community Development
Beth Vozella, Historic Administrator
Community Preservation Committee
aFY TOWN OF YARMOUTH
1146 ROUTE 28, SOUTH YARMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS 0266 �
Telephone (508) 398-2231 Ext.1292 Fax (508) 398-0836 I �,
i1
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
TO: Gary Ellis, Chairman
Community Preservation Committee
FROM: .Julie Mockabee, Chairperson
Yarmouth Historical Commission
DATE: May 17, 2016
RE: 88 Old Main St. South Yarmouth. MA
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
The Yarmouth Historical Commission is concerned about the condition of the building located at 88 Old
Main St, in South Yarmouth. This structure, which was built c1826, is listed in the South Yarmouth/Bass
River National Register Historic District.
The purpose of this is to address our concern and the need to preserve this property. It appears to be
abandoned and is deteriorating quickly. The YHC has been unsuccessful in determining who is responsible
for this building. Therefore, we are appealing to the Community Preservation Committee to conduct an
examination of the property for any information relative to the locus, title. encumbrances, rights, restrictions,
easements, etc.... that will allow us to move forward (including taking legal action if necessary).
Please direct any questions you may have to Beverley Bachand, YHC representative on the CPC, as she is up
to date and spearheading our crusade to save this building.
Anything the CPC can do to assist us will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Copeland, Jennifer
From: L.J.Murphy taw <ckurra@cape.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2016 9:28 AM
To: Copeland, Jennifer
Subject: Fw: 88 Old Main Street, Yarmouth )�
Attachments: 88 Old Main Street Yarmouth.pdf
Jennifer,
I have attached with this email the results of the research performed by my Title Abstractor in
connection with the property at 88 Old Main Street in South Yarmouth. As you will note, it appears
that based upon the research there is a deed going back to May 30, 1890, whereby the building and
the land that the building was located on was conveyed to the Massachusetts Baptist
Convention. That entity merged with the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts in 1969. It
would appear that that entity is the most likely owner of record of the building.
Please let me know if there is anything further that you need.
Cordially,
Lester J. Murphy Jr.
Attorney At Law
1380 Route 134
PO BOX 1388
East Dennis, MA. 02641
TEL: (508) 385-8313
FAX: (508) 385-7033
Email limurchylaw@verizon.net
From: Michelle Fogarty
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2016 6:33 AM
To: L.J.Murph ry Law
Subject: Re: 88 Old Main Street, Yarmouth
Hello Jay:
Attached please find correspondence and materials regarding 88 Old Main Street. Also attached is an updated
invoice.
Chris will be stopping by your office this afternoon, and will have the hard -copies for you then.
Thank you,
Michelle
On Tue, Jun 28, 2016 at 3:12 PM, L.J.Murphy Law <ckurra@cape.com> wrote:
Thanks a bunch, Michelle!
From: 'Fleet Messenger
✓FIGS TITU SWIM
P.O. Box 9090
S. WELLFLEET, MA 02663
IR 508.246.0733 Fax: 508-664-0269
Lester J. Murphy, Jr., Esq,
1380 Route 134
East Dennis, MA 02641
Re: 88 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth
Bass River Cortununity Baptist Church
Dear Attorney Murphy:
c� L �ap
p
J
July 9, 2016
Per your request, I have conducted research relative to the Bass River Community
Baptist Church, located at 88 Old Main Street, in an effort to determine ownership of the
building.
A review of historical records online indicates that the Baptist church (aWa First
Baptist Church) was built between 1824 — 1826. An excerpt from Ca e Cod Library o
Local History and Genealo T� Volume 1 provides very helpful information about the
origins of the building;
"The Baptist church in South Yarmouth was organized in 1824. The structure itself dates
back to the year 1826, when it was built at a cost of $600.00, the whole amount being
paid by Rev. Simeon Crowell and Capt. Freeman Baker, the former being the first pastor
there."
1 was able to locate a deed from Freeman Baker, et ux, to the Massachusetts
Baptist Convention, dated 1890, conveying "a certain parcel of land in the southerly part
of Yarmouth together with the meeting house standing thereon... being the same premises
used and occupied by the First Baptist Church of said Yarmouth as a place of public
worship and formerly conveyed to Baker and Crowell, the grantees being their only
lawful heirs." Said deed is recorded with the Barnstable Registry in Book 188, Page 276.
I ran the Massachusetts Baptist Convention, but was unable to locate any
conveyance out from 1890 forward. A Ooogle search of the Massachusetts Baptist
Convention shows that they merged with The American Baptist Churches of
Massachusetts in 1969.1 did not locate any conveyances by the latter.
Unfortunately, it is at this point that 1 hit a dead end_ My assumption, based on the
information 1 was able to locate, is that the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts,
as successor to the Massachusetts Baptist Convention, may be the owner of the church
building.
. I reviewed the deeds and materials the Town of Yarmouth provided, and found
that none of there apply to locus. I did not locate any items of record that would indicate
any ownership of the building by River of Life Ministries, Bass River Community Baptist
Church, or Marluce Lourenco, The items provided by the town are actually for the parcel
which abuts locus on the north, known as 18-20 Wood Road, shown on Plan 147/143,
and have no connection to 88 Old Main Street.
Enclosed herewith are copies of the historical notes and deed 188/276.
The Town of Yarmouth owns the land located at 88 Old Main Street, as conveyed
in 1949 by the Baptist Cemetery Association of South Yarmouth, recorded with the
Barnstable Registry of Deeds in Book 739, Page 322. A better description of locus is
provided in the deed conveyed in 1916 by the heirs of Simeon Crowell and Freeman
Baker, being the "land under and surrounding the Baptist Church in South Yarmouth" by
deed from the Baptist Cemetery Association of South Yarmouth, Mass., recorded with
the Barnstable Registry in Book 354, Page 122. (Per the description contained in said
deed, the church building was not conveyed.)
Once you have had the opportunity to review the enclosed materials, please let me
know if you have any questions.
Very truly yours,
t/Jrvi_
Michelle Fogarty
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Yarmouth. 1890. History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Chapter XVIL
Page 58 of 79
Rev. Simeon
Crowell, born in
May,1778, the son
of Abner and Ruth
fi
(Nickerson)
Crowell, departed
-- this life in August,
1848. Abner
1 Crowell, the father,
died on board a
prison ship in
Newport harbor
three months before
the birth of Simeon,
leaving his family
destitute. The
pressing needs of
the family and his
tender regard for
his mother induced
r the subject of this
sketch to early
brave the hardships of a sailor's life. He rose rapidly to the
position of master and by the
application of his characteristic energy, made success his
reward. At the age of thirty-six he Ieft the sea to engage in
the manufacture of salt, which he continued until his
death.
After leaving the sea he was impressed with a sense of
duty in the direction of special Christian work, and
yielding to this impression, he entered the ministry, being
ordained at his own house. The Baptist church received his
life-long labors. He married Charlotte Clark of Harwich
(now Brewster), an estimable lady, whose efficient
assistance, especially in his pastoral work, can never be
measured. They reared four children: Charlotte, born June,
1803, died March,1877; Mary, born February,1806, died
December,1886; Simeon, born January,1808, died
493
http:/icapecodhistory.us/Deyo/Yarmouth.html 7/10/2016
Yarmouth. 1590. History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Chapter XVII. Page 59 of 79
September,1849, and Ruth H., who was born January,
1810, died October,1851. Of these children, Charlotte and
Mary lived and died urunarried. Simeon, in May,1841,
married Desire Crosby of Brewster, and died without
issue. Ruth H. married Bamabas Sears, jr., and of their four
children three died in infancy; Simeon, the youngest, died
at sixteen in the manner mentioned in the biography of his
father.
Rev. Simeon Crowell has left the record of a faithful
citizen in all public and private acts. He won the
confidence and respect of the entire community, and was
many times called to serve his town in responsible
positions. As a minister and teacher he was untiring in Ius
devotion to his Master, declaring the counsels of truth
whenever occasion presented, and sowing that gospel seed
which has brought forth an hundred fold.
turgis Crowell, son of Elkanah, was born in 18 and
fall ed sea from 1832 to 1874, being master een
years. a was married in 1858 to Emily, daKdagain
er of Elisha
and Poll Baker. She died in 1859. He ma in
1974, to Su n J., daughter of Freeman d Patience Baker.
They have tw daughters: Alice Mau e, and Annie S. By
his first wife he d one son, Elish . S., who died
February,1872, ag thirteen ye
William P. Davis, son f J es Davis, was born in 1816,
in New Bedford, and cam o Yarmouth at the age of four
years. He was engaged' saI along until 1$58, when he
entered the Yarmout ational ,an
as as
cashier.
He became cashie n 1875, at the Yath of Amos Otis. He
has filled the of ' e of town clerk sin February,l8 4. He
married H� Crowell. They have fo r children:
William j., o has been in the bank with 's father since
1866; Ab e A., Hannah H. and Lucy W.
/ant
nd S. Ellis, son of George W. E. and Sar 'P (Story)
as barn in 1$56, at Boumedale. He has bee station [�j wfuh`�1f D
r the Old ColonyRailroad Company since
wo years at Boumedale, and since then at
Yarmouth. He spent five years in California prior
http://capecodhistory.us/Deyo/YarTnouth.htmi 7/10/2016
Yarmouth. 1890. History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Chapter XVII. Page 31 of 79
teele, 1877, George E. F 8�AMcCord,
1880; Edward i eorge W. Wright,l$83; S.
H. Day and Jos lei. George,Arbuckle, IM6:
W. E. r,1887, George E. Dunbar, since 1 �-
The South Yarmouth Baptist Church was organized
November 20,1824, as the First Baptist Church of
Yarmouth. The first church edifice was built in 1825, and
the present one rebuilt in 1860. Simeon Crowell was first
pastor until his death in 1848. The society united with the
Congregationalists a few years in service, when in 1859
they
475
settled Stephen Coombs as pastor; in 1860, A. W. Ashley;
1862, William Leach; 1860, A. E. Battelle;1867, J. C.
Boomer;1870, John A. Baskwell;1872, William Hurst; 1876,
J. H. Seaver;1877, F. B. Joy;1883, Orange J. Scott, who was
dismissed in 1885; and 1888, O. F. Waltze, until the spring
of 1889, when he was dismissed. There is now no settled
minister.
A chapel was built about 1860 at South Yarmouth by
David Kelley. This he has since furnished and maintained
as an undenominational place of worship, free to all, and it
has proved a Bethel to many. I.,
ols. —Yarmouth has never been behind t ther
towns Mn county in appreciating the a males of
education for eople. The comet school system was
not an imported idea, ' e� vu the wants and
necessities of the inhabitan a earliest official
recognition of this fact b e to s found in the record
of 1693, when a c ee was "appottteq to agree with
some fit person t each school," which was done "9n
squadrons Bring all parts of the town. Mr. Jo Miller,
son of th econd minister, had previously taught a pry to
schoo m a house near the spot where the North side
oI house now stands. Dea. Joseph Hawes, soon after
he revolution, was a famous teacher. The history of the
public schools in this town is a history of all the schools in
ga N
http://r,apecGdhistory.us/Deyo/YarTnouth.htmi 7/10/2016
United states Department of the Interior
Nati0na' ParK SB-vice
National Register of Histori: Places
Continuation Sheet
South Yarmouth/Bass River Historic district,
5a�tion number 7 Pope 7 Yarmouth, Massachusetts
the automobile's rise during that period. Additionally, other dwellings were
updated with Craftsman elements. The David Sears House, 214 Main Street (ca.
1870; N45-A-9) is a vernacular three -bay cottage built on traditional lines;
of special interest are its early 20th century features including pergola
porch and window sash with narrow vertical panes over single panes. Another
interesting remodeling is 87 Main Street, (ca. 1860; 036-J-4), which appears to
have originated as s Greek Revival sidehall. It now sports a towered queen
Anne bay and a Craftsman wing with overshot verandah and fieldstone chimney,
In addition to its fine collection of residences, the district also includes
small number of institutional and commercial structures. The most prominent
are its three churches. The Friend's Meetin House, 58 North Main Street
(1809; #53-L-8; photo �1), is an austere 1 1 2-story, clapboard -clad building
closely associated with the earliest history of the district. Separate male
and female entrances th t onto the adjoining cemetery are accentuated by
a flushboarded portico. The Bass River CommunityBaptist Church, 88 Main
Street (1826; #44-T-12; p oto R12), stands at the opposite (west) end of the
district, and is also accompanied by a cemetery; the entire property is
encircled by a granite post and iron rail fence. The building itself is a
simple 1 1/2-story structure wi_ entrance and steeple situated on the gable
end; much of its original character has unfortunately been hidden under
recently applied artificial siding. The South Yarmouth Methodist. Church, 322
Main Street (1852; 653-U-4), is located near the intersection of Bridge and
Main Streets. It is a 2 1/2-story clapboard structure with entrance and
steeple centered on the gable end. It features Greek Revival details,
includin four paneled pilasters supporting the pediment/gable and three-part
windows
Like most 19th century communities, the village of South Yarmouth originally
had many more commercial activities than at present. Despite their small
numbers, the remaining buildings are varied in original date and use. One of
the most prominent is the 2 1/2-story Standish _Opera House, 250 Main Street
(ca. 1875; #45-9-3), which has been vacant and boarded up for many years. It
faces gable end to the street and features a Greek Revival porch with fluted
Doric columns, an Italianate bracketed cornice, and a band of queen Anne
decorative shingles. The former Bass River Savings Bank, 1368 Brid a Street
(ca. 1870; d`53-Z-14), is an important anchor in this part of the district. It
is a two-story structure enclosed by a hip roof with Italianata brackets and Lr�j lvAVllf��
fronted by a porch with elaborate carved posts, brackets, and valance.
Substantially simpler, and more typical, are the former Coo er Shop, 27 ltnian
Street (ca. 1840; 053-Z-8), and Blind Reuben's Store, 146 Main Stxaet ca.
1860; #44-W-1; photo #18). Both are one-sr_ory shingled structures, and
Reuben's Store, which remains in commercial use as a carpenter shop, retains
its gable -end entrance flanked by display windows that may date to the early
20th century.
(continued)
reven_rate theology :uid our asso ciRti.n:l1 PcncipJcs not onk bet us aP:e I hot pxmulartr 3trengrhen and equip uv for mwusLry in
fhese thrice. g Peter 2:91
History
.American Baptist Churches, t'SA is one ofihe historic mainline denomination with its national office in Valley Forge,
Pennsylvania- American Baptist Churches, USA is successor to the American Baptist Convention which was the successor 10
the Northern Baptist Convention which originated as a loose federation of Baptist churches in the continental United States
that became a national entity of cooperating Baptis€ churches in 1814 with the establishment of that was known as the
Triennial Conventional of Baptist Churches. The Southern Baptist Convention broke away from the Convention in 1845 over
the issue of slavery .kith the Baptist churches in the North favoring abolition. These Baptist churches of the north continued
in some form of ilie Triennial Convention throughout the remainder of the 19"' century becoming incorporated as the
Northern Baptist Convention in 1910.
.American Baptist Churches, USA is composed of thifty-four 04) regions across the country. The American Baptist
Churches of Massachusetts is one of these regions, and the reeiun has 8 associations. The .American Baptist Churches of
Massachusetts is The successor to the Massachusetts Baptist Convention organized Nlay 26. 1902. The region is compuscd of
two hundred fifty-six (256) local congregations.
The American Baptist Churches Of Massachusetts
Continuing the Massachusetts Baptist Convention
and
The Boston Baptist Bethel Gity Mission Society
Baptist Missionary Society
in Massachusetts
Organized May 26. 18C2
-W
Massachusetts Baptist Convention
Organized November 10, 1824
in 1835
Baptist Missionary Society
in Massachusetts
and
Massachusetts Baptist Convention
merged under the name of
Massachusetts Baptist Convention
Bethel union
Organized in 1843
Boston Baptist Bethel Society
Organized in 1845 (incorporated 1952)
w
City Mission Society
Organized in 1898 (incorporated 1898)
In 1921
Boston Baptist Bethel Society
and
City Mission Society
merged to form
Boston Baptist Bethel
City Mission Society
On July 19, 1969
Massachusetts Baptist Convention and Boston Baptist Bethel City Mission Society
merged to farm
The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts
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