The house at 7 County Street dates to two periods. Shoreborne Wilson, a cooper, built a house and a cooper’s shop on this site about 1660 (3:133). Thomas Dennis bought the property in 1663 (8:69) and added an adjoining parcel in 1671 (3:201). The rear ell of the present house dates from that period, with wide chamfers on the summer beam and unusual unpainted horizontal feather-edged sheathing. The early house appears to have been a typical one-over-one room floor plan 17th century half-house, facing due south with an end chimney
The 5-bay front section of the house dates to the 1750s and has a balanced Georgian floor plan typical of the Georgian era.
Thomas and Grace Dennis House Preservation Agreement
This House is protected by a Preservation Agreement between the owners, the town of Ipswich and the Historical Commission. Protected elements include:
- Front and side facades of the four room building facing County St.
- Central Frame including primary and secondary members
- Feather-edged paneling in the rear first-floor room
Thomas Dennis (1638–1706), came from Devonshire, England, where he learned from a tradition of flourished carving. Dennis himself was a master carver, and his work is shown in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Concord Antiquarian Society and the Robert Hull Fleming Museum at the University of Vermont.
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I lived in the Dennis house in the mid-late 60’s – it was a duplex at the time with an apartment on either side. At that time there was a small portico (without pillars) over the front door. I remember climbing out on to it from the 2nd floor window and sitting on it to watch a parade pass by.
Is his house/shop a private residence? Thomas is my 8th great grandfather… And thought it would be interesting to look at a place that holds our family history
Yes, all the 17th Century historic houses in Ipswich are privately owned and occupied, except for the Whipple House, which is owned by the Ipswich Museum.
Thanks for the information