George Fisher Buys Property on Grafton Common

The George Fisher House, 2 South Street, Grafton, MA
photo by Marian Pierre-Louis, 2012

On August 29, 1884 successful cotton manufacturer George Fisher bought the site of the former J. Wheeler store. He paid $3,150 for the property now known as 2 South Street. He would turn this property into the only High Victorian style residence facing Grafton Common.

Fisher was 40 years old at the time of the purchase. He and his 29 year old wife, the former Ella Farnum, had been living in the Farnumsville section of Grafton.

George, born November 18, 1843, was the son Erastus and Mary Fisher. Erastus had moved with his brother from Connecticut to a establish textile mill in Grafton on the Blackstone River. In 1868 Erastus transferred 1/4 of his business to each of his sons George and Albert and then renamed his business E. Fisher and sons. George was a young 25 years old when he joined the family business. After the death of Erastus, George took over the business.

Soon George Fisher was a prominent man in Grafton. In 1875 he was selected as a town Assessor. In 1877 and 1878 he served as a Selectman.

1884 Deed for 2 South Street, Grafton when purchased by George Fisher

His life was not without tragedy. George and Ella would remain childless after their 1876 marriage. George would not live long to benefit from the rewards of his success. He died at age 56 on February 7, 1900 leaving his wife a 45 year old widow.

Ella Farnum Fisher remained single for the rest of her long life until her death at age 94 in May 26, 1949.  She remained in the beautiful house on Grafton Common at least until 1930. The house at 2 South Street would be sold out of the family for the first time in 1950. It had been in the Fisher family for its first 66 years.

Copyright 2013 Marian Pierre-Louis

The House of Seven Fireplaces

The classical Greek Revival at 44 North Street in Grafton, Massachusetts is unique not just because its first owner was the builder but also for the special features of the home such as its seven distinctive fireplaces. Most houses today have one or perhaps two fireplaces at most.

We need to remember that in the 1830s when the house was built that fireplaces served the very practical use of heating the home. Practicality aside, the fireplaces in this home take on a more decorative tone than normal. Each fireplace is unique, some with painted tiles others with delicate wood panel decorations.

The fireplaces are found in both parlors, the family room off of the kitchen, the dining room, the library and in two bedrooms. (Click the images to enlarge)

The property at 44 North Street, Grafton, Massachusetts is currently for sale and listed by realtors, Rhonda Heyman and Linda Mossman. More information about the house can be found on Rhonda's website.

Historic North Street, Grafton

Historic North Street in Grafton, Massachusetts is lined with antique homes giving it the feel of yesteryear. North Street is located in the Grafton Center historic district.  The houses range in age from 1734 to early twentieth century.

The Kimball - Warren house, circa 1830

The Joel Drake House, circa 1815

The Heywood House, circa 1790

The Jonas H. Chickering House, circa 1874

The Capt. Jonathan Warren House, circa 1827

The Hannah Aldrich House, circa 1835

The George Clapp House, circa 1832

The Holbrook House, circa 1810

The Swinn House, circa 1929

Grafton Builder: George Clapp

The house at 44 North Street in Grafton, Massachusetts is a stunning example of classic Greek Revival architecture. With many homes such as this the builder remains an unknown mystery. In this case we are fortunate to know that the home was built and lived in by the builder himself, George Clapp.

George Clapp was born July 2, 1799 in Petersham, Massachusetts to Oliver and Lucinda (Lincoln) Clapp.  The Clapp and Lincoln families had both moved from the town of Norton in Bristol County to Petersham around the time of the American Revolution. George was the second born of seven children.

He grew up in Petersham and married Melinda Wood, the daughter of Elkanah and Laurinda Wood, of Norton on October 25, 1829.  George was likely already a resident of Grafton by the time of his marriage. George built the home at 38 South Street and set up a carpentry shop in the barn at that address. The 1830 census shows a 15 to 20 year old boy living in the household. This was likely an apprentice helping George in his carpentry business.

George Clapp is known to have built a number of beautiful Greek Revival homes in Grafton.  Some of these include numbers 10, 26 and 38 South Street and numbers 37 and 39 North Street.  He also likely built numbers 7, 18 and 19 South Street.

He built 44 North Street for himself circa 1832. He lived there until the end of the decade with his growing family.  He and his wife had five children: Angeline Melinda (1831), George Dennis (1833), John Wood (1834), William Archibald (1836) and Sarah Elizabeth (1839). George would lose his wife Melinda on September 29, 1840. She was 36 years old at the time of her death.

George left Grafton after his wife's death. Soon after in 1842 he suffered another great loss when his youngest daughter, Sarah, died on February 8th in Scituate. George did not last much longer himself. He died January 26, 1845 of dropsy of the heart (defined in modern times as edema due to cognitive heart failure) in Freetown, Massachusetts.

George Clapp, his wife and daughter, Sarah, are buried in Norton Center Cemetery in the same lot as George's mother and father.  A large joint stone commemorates all five of them.

The property at 44 North Street, Grafton, Massachusetts is currently for sale and listed by realtors, Rhonda Heyman and Linda Mossman. More information about the house can be found on Rhonda's website.


The above profile is based on original historical research by Marian Pierre-Louis. Please contact Marian directly if you would like specific source citations for any of the information above.

Historic Grafton Common

The town of Grafton, Massachusetts was settled in 1718. It was officially incorporated as a town in 1735. When the English colonists first settled and purchased the land, Grafton was known as the Plantation of Hassanamisco with both English and Native American proprietors. The Grafton Town Common was laid out in 1728, along with plans for the meeting-house (1730) and a school (1731).

The present Grafton Common is anchored by three churches: the Congregational Church of Grafton, the Baptist Church of Grafton and the Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton and Upton.  The three traditional white buildings give the Common a decidedly traditional and picturesque New England feel.

The Grafton Inn, a functioning inn and tavern has been presiding over the eastern side of the Common since 1805. The Grafton Public Library is also located on the eastern side of the Common. In the commercial buildings on the northern side of the Common you will find the Grafton Historical Society.

The current bandstand on the Common was built in 1935 for the production of the film "Ah Wilderness", adapted from Eugene O'Neill's play of the same name which was filmed in town. The film starred Lionel Barrymore and a young Mickey Rooney.

The Grafton Common became a Local Historic District in 1981 and a National Register District in 1988.

Featured Historic Home: 44 North Street, Grafton, MA

44 North Street, Grafton, Massachusetts

This grand historic home with Doric columns is a high style Greek Revival. The George Clapp House, circa 1835 is magnificent!! Updated mechanical systems and well integrated modern conveniences offer a blend of old world qualities and elegant living spaces. The layout includes a complete kitchen remodel with granite counter-tops, stainless steel appliances, cabinets galore, center island and a walk-in pantry. Amenities include twin parlors, 2 master suites, heated in-ground pool and attached two-story barn. 

 

44 North Street
Grafton, Massachusetts 01519
Year Built: 1831
List Price: $649,000
Click Here for more information about this property or contact the listing agent.

Listing Agents:
Rhonda Heyman and Linda Mossman
Prudential Page Realty
82 Holliston Street Medway, MA 02053

(508) 533-5122 Office
(508) 413-5567 Mobile
(508) 533-2781 Fax

Historic Houses in Grafton - By the Numbers

Ever wonder just how many antique homes there are in Grafton, Massachusetts?

Here's a look by the numbers:

Single Family Homes
1900 - 1930: 405
1850-1899: 69
1800 - 1849: 93
1750 - 1799: 20
1700 - 1749: 9
Before 1700: 0

There are two homes in Grafton that tie for the oldest single family home according to public record.  They were both built in 1720.  The first is 122 Brigham Hill Road and the other is 39 Worcester Street.  Three other homes were also built in the 1720s.  They include 18 Leland Street, 70 North Street and 1 George Hill Road.

Multi-Family Homes
1900 - 1930: 194
1850-1899: 28
1800 - 1849: 16
1750 - 1799: 1
1700 - 1749: 0
Before 1700: 0

Please note: This information is taken from public record. Public record dates are often at variance with year built dates on record with local or state historical commissions.

Historic South Street, Grafton, MA

Driving through Grafton, Massachusetts you get the sense that they have the best of both worlds. The community has many lovely new developments yet there is an extraordinarily well preserved historic area. They seemed to have discovered that the two communities are not exclusive of each other and can live in harmony side by side. For this (and many other reasons) Grafton makes a great place to live.

Wandering the streets around the Grafton Common, you will revel in the abundance of beautiful, cared-for historic homes. South Street in Grafton, just off of the common, is one of the most scenic and pleasant streets in town. Here's a virtual tour for you to enjoy!

(Click photos to make them larger)

Photo Credit: Marian Pierre-Louis, April 2012