The Town Historian's Old House Blog
In 1658, Corporal John Andrews was complained of in court by the most prominent men in town for keeping the doors of his inn open past nine o’clock, entertaining young men in devious ways, and selling wine upon pretense of selling by the gallon and yet drawing it by the pint. Their petition against the… Continue reading The White Horse Inn, 34 High St. (1659 / 1763)
Abner Day bought the house from the heirs of John Patch in 1814, added the large ell in the rear for an inn and tavern, which under the ownership of Capt. Samuel Day was known later as the Franklin House.
The actual date of construction is 1678-80, based on examination of the oldest beams by the Oxford Tree Ring Laboratory. The house was probably constructed by Thomas Hart's son Samuel.
Captain Nathaniel Treadwell (1700 – 1777) and his wife Hannah opened the inn in 1737. John Adams stayed here frequently before the Revolution, where he wrote several letters to his wife Abigail.
John Sparks was granted a license to open an inn and sell beer "at a penny a quart." The tavern became a popular stopping place on the Bay Road, where men of business would meet for food and drink. The Court met at this location, where it heard and dismissed charges of witchcraft.
The lot at the corner of Green & County Streets came into the possession of Andrew Burley before 1688. His son Andrew became a wealthy merchant and representative to the General Court, and updated the house with fine Georgian features. It has been in the possession of the present owner since 1984.
In 1719, Perkins established an inn in his home "at the sign of the blue anchor," The house is the birthplace of famous Ipswich artist Arthur Wesley Dow. This house has a preservation agreement with Historic New England.
Historic Ipswich 