SAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL HISTORICAL HOUSE IN DIGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS
***THIS BEAUTIFUL HISTORICAL HOUSE IN DIGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS IS AVAILABLE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.
SIDE VIEW
REAR VIEW
THIS EARLY HOUSE was built in 1790 and is in good structural condition, but needs to be moved or dismantled from its present location at 949 Somerset Avenue, Dighton, Massachusetts. The house abuts the Dighton Town Hall.
The single-family house is very historic and is definitely worth saving. It was built by sea Captain James Briggs whose eldest son, “Stout George Briggs,” was a folk hero. The style is Cape. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a living space of 1,709 square feet. Some of the wonderful treasures of the house include strong wide-board wooden floors, beautiful interior doors, vintage hardware, and a charming handmade balustrade – the sort that one rarely finds in today’s houses – and of course, the “life” that centuries of human occupation gives to the place. The house was featured in the 1992 edition of Early American Life Magazine when a previous owner decorated every room with early American Christmas motif.
The Dighton Historical Commission has voted that the the James Briggs House be “preferably preserved” and it is aggressively searching for anyone (individual or group) to move the house to a different location. The demolition is delayed, via bylaw, for six months (starting February 11, 2020) and we have until August to find a prospective taker. Please note, the property is not for sale. If there is interest in moving the house, the Town will then take steps to advertise the disposition of property. In that case, the highest bidder for the house itself would be awarded the home, and afforded the opportunity to remove it. Serious inquiries only.
The single-family house is very historic and is definitely worth saving. It was built by sea Captain James Briggs whose eldest son, “Stout George Briggs,” was a folk hero. The style is Cape. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a living space of 1,709 square feet. Some of the wonderful treasures of the house include strong wide-board wooden floors, beautiful interior doors, vintage hardware, and a charming handmade balustrade – the sort that one rarely finds in today’s houses – and of course, the “life” that centuries of human occupation gives to the place. The house was featured in the 1992 edition of Early American Life Magazine when a previous owner decorated every room with early American Christmas motif.
The Dighton Historical Commission has voted that the the James Briggs House be “preferably preserved” and it is aggressively searching for anyone (individual or group) to move the house to a different location. The demolition is delayed, via bylaw, for six months (starting February 11, 2020) and we have until August to find a prospective taker. Please note, the property is not for sale. If there is interest in moving the house, the Town will then take steps to advertise the disposition of property. In that case, the highest bidder for the house itself would be awarded the home, and afforded the opportunity to remove it. Serious inquiries only.
The
possibilities of repurposing the James Briggs House are endless. It can be turned
into a bed and breakfast inn, a children’s library, a cozy café, a private
club, a house museum or a place of worship. The house can be split into two or
three portions and be converted into tiny houses or cottages that may be rented
out, or turned into sheds for storage or for personal sanctuary.
INTERESTED IN SEEING THE HOUSE?
Please spread the word about this house and if you know of anyone or any group who would be interested in moving and preserving the house, please send an e-mail to Kenneth Pacheco, Dighton
Selectman and member of the Dighton Historical Commission at bwright1776@aol.com or call him at his
office at 508 669-5043 to set up an appointment to
visit the house.
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ENTRANCE
SPECIFICATIONS
Historic Name: Capt. James Briggs House
Address: 949 Somerset Avenue
City/Town: Dighton
Village/Neighborhood: Segreganset
Year Constructed:
Architect(s): Unknown
Architectural Style: Cape
Use(s): Single Dwelling House, Agriculture
Significance: Architecture
Area(s): North of Center Street/Segreganset
Building Materials:
Roof: Original unknown
Wall: Wood, Wood Clapboard
Foundation: Stone
Exterior Wall Fabric: Wood
Other Features: Fireplace, chimney, double Christian doors, Norfolk latches, two sheds, a doghouse
Living space: 2,112 square feet
Acreage: .9 acres
Approximate distance of building from street: 40 feet
Original owner: James Briggs (he built three houses right that small area, and this particular one was his own)
Original Use: Single Family Dwelling
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Capt. James Briggs is the father of ten children. The eldest, George Washington Briggs, is a Dighton folk hero known as "Stout George Briggs" who was born on June 27, 1776. George grew to 6 feet 10 inches tall with broad shoulders and a massive chest. In his youth, George was a seaman, hero of many adventures. While walking around Havana, Cuba, he and his mates were stopped by a British press gang who tore up their "writs of protection". George Briggs, a man of heroic proportions, presented a stout stick (a sturdy cudgel of oak) as his "protection" and proceeded to use it with deadly effect, killing five members of the press gang and rendering the rest helpless. He afterward regretted having to be so "rough."
When a storm washed off the deck load of lumber and tipped the vessel on its side, Stout George climbed out to cut the halliards of each top mast shroud causing the vessel to right itself. He even succeeded in rescuing the mast and sails after the storm. so that the ship could make its way to part. On a voyage to England he became well known for his feat of strength. He settled down to farming, became known for his feats of wall and bridge building, often lifting huge cap stones alone. Stout George lay the stone for the abutments of Stone Bridge in Tiverton, Rhode Island. Now replaced by the Sakonnet River Bridge.
Source: Hurd's History of Bristol Country, Dighton Bi Centennial Book. Article in the Taunton Gazette by Charles Warren Chace about 1908.
The house was featured in Early American Life Magazine in 1992:
Comments or questions about the house? Please e-mail Rafa Delfin of the Dighton Historical Commission at rafadello@gmail.com
COPYRIGHT (2019). CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO SAVE THE JAMES BRIGGS HOUSE.
Address: 949 Somerset Avenue
City/Town: Dighton
Village/Neighborhood: Segreganset
Year Constructed:
Architect(s): Unknown
Architectural Style: Cape
Use(s): Single Dwelling House, Agriculture
Significance: Architecture
Area(s): North of Center Street/Segreganset
Building Materials:
Roof: Original unknown
Wall: Wood, Wood Clapboard
Foundation: Stone
Exterior Wall Fabric: Wood
Other Features: Fireplace, chimney, double Christian doors, Norfolk latches, two sheds, a doghouse
Living space: 2,112 square feet
Acreage: .9 acres
Approximate distance of building from street: 40 feet
Original owner: James Briggs (he built three houses right that small area, and this particular one was his own)
Original Use: Single Family Dwelling
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Capt. James Briggs is the father of ten children. The eldest, George Washington Briggs, is a Dighton folk hero known as "Stout George Briggs" who was born on June 27, 1776. George grew to 6 feet 10 inches tall with broad shoulders and a massive chest. In his youth, George was a seaman, hero of many adventures. While walking around Havana, Cuba, he and his mates were stopped by a British press gang who tore up their "writs of protection". George Briggs, a man of heroic proportions, presented a stout stick (a sturdy cudgel of oak) as his "protection" and proceeded to use it with deadly effect, killing five members of the press gang and rendering the rest helpless. He afterward regretted having to be so "rough."
When a storm washed off the deck load of lumber and tipped the vessel on its side, Stout George climbed out to cut the halliards of each top mast shroud causing the vessel to right itself. He even succeeded in rescuing the mast and sails after the storm. so that the ship could make its way to part. On a voyage to England he became well known for his feat of strength. He settled down to farming, became known for his feats of wall and bridge building, often lifting huge cap stones alone. Stout George lay the stone for the abutments of Stone Bridge in Tiverton, Rhode Island. Now replaced by the Sakonnet River Bridge.
Source: Hurd's History of Bristol Country, Dighton Bi Centennial Book. Article in the Taunton Gazette by Charles Warren Chace about 1908.
The house was featured in Early American Life Magazine in 1992:
Comments or questions about the house? Please e-mail Rafa Delfin of the Dighton Historical Commission at rafadello@gmail.com
COPYRIGHT (2019). CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO SAVE THE JAMES BRIGGS HOUSE.
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