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Kingman, Hosea House

76 South St

1870

Architectural Style

Italianate

Significance

Architecture

Use Type

Single Family Dwelling House

Neighborhood

Bridgewater Town Center

Massachusetts Historical Commission Report

Architectural Significance

Prominently situated at the corner of South and Grove Streets, this substantial Italianate house provides a glimpse of the home of a well-to-do Bridgewater lawyer. Constructed of wood, it rises two stories to a hip roof whose square center was originally enclosed by a low railing. The 3-bay windows probably originally featured narrow double windows with 1/1 sash rather than the present wide 1/1 panes. In general, windows are fully enframed and cornice headed with small brackets. The central window of the second floor is surmounted by a pedimented hood. The Grove St. wall exhibit a polygonal bay with a central window containing wide 1/1 panes. Particularly noteworthy are the sawtooth cornice treatments and low central gable (main facade). To the rear is a c. late 1890's carriage house.

Historical Significance

This house has historical associations with Bridgewater's late 19th and early 20th c. legal and medical professions. Built c. 1870, it was for many, years the home of Hosea Kingman, a Central Square attorney and Dr. L.A. Merritt (by the late 1890's). Hosea Kingman's family was originally from Middleborough, MA. His father, a deputy sheriff and employee of the Hingham Insurance Co. settled in Bridgewater in 1836.

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