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The Col. Peter H. Peirce House is historically significant. Constructed in1814, the house is a highly intact three-story Federal-style mansion. It was constructed for Col. Peirce (1788-1861) and his wife Abbigail "Nabby" Sproat (1789-1860). When completed, the structure was the grandest residence in Middleborough Four Corners, which ultimately became the center of town largely through the efforts of Peter Peirce and his brother Levi.

 

Among the many enterprises engaged in by the Peirce brothers was the Peirce Store, a Greek Revival structure Peter built in 1834 across the street from Peirce House. Col. Peirce, who was an officer in the War of 1812, is considered one of the most important figures in the development of Middleborough in the early 19th century,

 

Besides the sprawling Peirce Store, he also constructed a cotton mill and then a shovel factory nearby on the Nemasket River. He was also the founder and director of the earliest railroad in the area and was one of the largest landowners in town. Peirce was active in Democratic political circles and served as a state senator for two terms.

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In 1827/28, the Col. Peter H. Peirce House was raised up one story and a wider structure was constructed below, with higher ceilings and elaborate late Federal and early Greek Revival moldings. This included an open porch with Tuscan columns and interior features like rosettes over the doors. Numerous interior features appear to be derived from Asher Benjamin's pattern books, including the American Builders Companion (1816).

 

The property left the Peirce family's ownership in 1904, and, by 1956, it was nearly lost to a gas station proposal until local citizens rallied to save the building and formed a non-profit corporation to purchase the property. George Decas, a prominent local historian and preservationist who published a history of the house and Col. Peirce in 2001 and his brother of William C. Decas, purchased the property from the local group in 1968. The property was classified as mixed use with the main house being the location of the Decas, Murray, and Decas Law Office. The second floor consisting of an apartment and office area and the third-floor housing two apartment units.

 

In 2023, William C. Decas bequeathed the Col. Peter H. Peirce House and surrounding property to the Friends of the Middleboro Public Library. The property is now being identified as The Peter H. Peirce Homestead.

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Architectural Features

The Peirce House stands as a significant example of architecture, important in design and setting and possessing integrity of materials and workmanship.

 

The House is comprised of a:

  • three-story, five-bay, east-facing main block (the "Main Block");

  • two-story rear ell (the "Ell") attached to the west elevation of the Main Block;

  • one story carriage barn (the "Carriage Barn") attached to the west elevation of the Ell; and

  • one-story addition (the "Northwest Addition") attached to the northern end Main Block's west elevation.

 

A historic granite wall lines the east boundary of the Premises adjacent to the sidewalk at North Main Street.

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The open space of the Premises consists primarily of lightly wooded acreage and lawn, which provide a natural setting that complements the Peirce House and other such historic structures on the Premises, thereby endowing the Peirce House with scenic, natural and aesthetic value and historic significance.

 

In recognition of these qualities, and because of its architectural and historical significance, the Peirce House is a contributing property to the Middleborough Center Historic District listed in the National Register of Historic Places on June 15, 2000, and is listed in the State Register of Historic Places.

 

Since acquiring the Peter H. Peirce Homestead, the Friends of the Middleboro Public Library, Inc., (501 c3 nonprofit) has begun the process of restoring the Main Block of the first floor and the Rear Ell (kitchen) to reflect period specific furnishings and to highlight the historic aspects of the house, the Peirce family, and the local community. Additionally, work is underway to clear the landscape at the rear of the property to create an accessible site for functions.

Peter H. Peirce

Peter H. Peirce (1788–1861), a prominent 19th-century businessman in Middleborough, Massachusetts, owned and invested in several industries, including a retail store, manufacturing mills, real estate, and financial lending.

 

His business holdings included:

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  • Retail general store: Peirce operated a highly successful and prominent general goods and grocery store, which he and his partners established around 1808. The store was housed in a Greek Revival building he constructed on North Main Street.

  • Cotton mill: He was a part-owner of a large cotton mill located on the Nemasket River, which utilized the river's water power.

  • Shovel works: Peirce co-owned a shovel factory with his partner, Horatio Wood, also powered by the Nemasket River.

  • Financial lending: In addition to his business ventures, Peirce worked as a money lender.

  • Other investments: Peirce used the steady income from his retail store to fund investments in other areas, including manufacturing, farming, and the railroad.

 

After Peirce's death in 1861, his sons continued to operate his businesses. The family's wealth and investments still benefit the town of Middleborough through the Peirce Trust.

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