Ensign Jonathan Danforth Jr. House (original house)

This is the house of Ensign Jonathan Danforth Jr. on the east side of Boston Road north of the Common, as it stood before it was enlarged into the tavern of David Osgood and Solomon Pollard. Danforth, son of the surveyor Jonathan Danforth, married Rebecca Parker of Chelmsford in 1682 and built on his father's land; in 1708/9 his father gave him the twenty acres "that joynes to his Dwelling house." The Historical Commission found bricks set in clay within the walls, confirming a 17th century date, and attic framing that showed a smaller house, a single room deep, enlarged more than once.

When Danforth's estate was divided in 1711 his widow Rebecca received "The Westerly end of the house," and in 1755 the probate court still described her third as "the west end of an old House." The enlargements are not dated in the records. In 1760 Thomas Danforth sold the house to David Osgood, innholder, who moved his tavern into it, and by 1813 it had a bar room, several bedrooms and a kitchen at the east end. The later history of the house is told under Ensign Jonathan Danforth Jr. House.

References

1. MACRIS BIL.44