HomeMy WebLinkAbout29 Scallop Road Form BFORM B - BUILDING
117ASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Office of the Secretary, State House, Boston
4. Map. Draw sketch of building location
in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north.
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In Area no. Form no.
COPY - 254
Town West Yarmouth
Address 29 Scallop Drive
Name Clifford House
Present use Summer residence
Present owner Shirley Florian
Description;
Date c. 1724
Source Penny
Style Dutch Colonial
Architect
Exterior wail fabric Wood shingle
Outbuildings (describe)
Gambrel roof. Mortise and tenon
Other features construction. La_rKe_ central
chimney which is a proper restoration replace—
ment. Extensions from one side. one modern,
1935, as are the dormers on the main structure.
9/6�1218 and 616 windows. The house sits*
Altered X Date 1535 plus
Moved X Date 1935
5. Lot size..
One acre or less X Over one acre
Approximate frontage 551
Approximate distance of building from street
2001
6. Recorded by Don Elrick
Organization Yarmouth Historical Survey
Date October 1979
on Great Island with its back to Lewis
Bay. There is lentil work of an original
type around the cornice.
7. Original owner (if known) The First Church of Chatham
Original use Parsonage ?
Subsequent uses (if any) and dates Residence in Chatham of Mrs. W.P. Neal
8. Themes (check as many as applicable)
Aboriginal
Conservation
Recreation
Agricultural
Education
Religion
Architectural
X Exploration/
Science/
The Arts
settlement
invention
Commerce
Industry
Social/
Communication
Military
humanitarian
Community development �_
Political _
Transportation
9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above)
or to 1935
Oral tradition, yet to be substantiated, indicates that for many years this house could
have been the oldest structure in Chatham. When it was moved from that town's highlands
an 1935 to its present location on Great Island, many claimed that it was originally a
parsonage built by the first church of Chatham, (or perhaps second church; facts on this
point did not exist for Freeman), for their new minister, the Reverend Joseph Lord.
Records show that 170 British pounds were raised by Chatham in 1720 — 1721 to build a
house for Joseph Lord. A description of the proposed building was also given and is as
follows: 21 ft. by 27 ft. and 15 ft. in the wails, with a leanture 12 ft. by 6 or 8 ft.
wall; cedar or oak sills; 2 chimneys and 1 chamber chimney; and cellar.
When the house was moved a penny dating from 1724 was found under one of those sills,
pointing out what seems to be clear proof of the age of the building. Since the time of
the construction would probably coincide with the Denny's date and since this house repre—
sented wealth befitting the new minister and his wife, who was the daughter of the
colony's C-0vernor Hinckley, it would almost seem positive that this house was the
parsonage. The only real proof is the penny, however, and the rest is strictly
circumstantial.
At present Mrs. Shirley Florian, the owner, is searching out this needed proof. She is
hot on the trail of some other piece of evidence which, along with the penny would
offer an absolute statement. Since they bought the house a year ago Mrs. Florian and
her husband have renovated the interior and landscaped the grounds. They have done a
wonderful job and this researcher offers that researcher much needed luck and success.
10. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
early maps, etc.),
A. Shirley Florian, 29 Scallop Drive, West Yarmouth
B. Volume 2, History of Cape Cod, Fredrick Freeman, Boston, 1862
C. Articles in the New Bedford Times, 11/9/35
D. The History of Barnstable County, Simeon Deyo, New York, 1890