Godfrey, Gen. George, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1780 at 125 County Street in Taunton, this Federal-style house was probably constructed for George Godfrey, a Brigadier General in the Revolutionary War. Godfrey is known to have lived earlier on Tremont Street. Later generations of his family, also active in local political and military affairs, continued to live here in the 19th century. The house is one of three documented Georgian and Federal period houses in Taunton with a true double-pile plan and early stylistic details. Asbestos shingles cover the walls and ells were added to the rear in the 20th century, yet two pedimented entrance surrounds, the original roof shape and chimneys, and 12/12 sash windows survive. It was listed for its association with a locally prominent family and as one of Taunton's most finely detailed and well-preserved late 18th-century houses. It remains a residence today.
Significance in brief: It is one of three documented Georgian and Federal period houses in Taunton with a true double-pile plan and early stylistic details. It retains two pedimented entrance surrounds, its original roof configuration and chimneys, and 12/12 sash windows. It is also linked to Godfrey, a Revolutionary War Brigadier General, and to later generations of a locally prominent family.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84002119, listed July 5, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 125 County St., Taunton |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | July 5, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84002119 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residence; asbestos shingles overlay the exterior and ells were added in the 20th century. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.89614, -71.07817 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84002119.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5530796
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.