Johnson, Nathan and Mary (Polly), Properties
Why it's listed
Two adjoining buildings on Seventh Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts, are tied to the antebellum struggle against slavery. Number 17-19 is a Federal-style frame building, constructed in 1785 as a Friends meetinghouse and moved to its present corner in the early 1820s. By 1832 Nathan Johnson had it converted into a dwelling. Number 21 was the home of Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson, African-American abolitionists who also ran a candy and catering business. It combines a c. 1800 rear ell with a front section added in 1857. The house gave Frederick Douglass his first refuge after he escaped slavery in 1838, and it is the only one of his three New Bedford residences that survives. Documentation shows it sheltered at least one other fugitive, and 17-19 may have done so as well. A crawl space in the attic of 17-19 is legendarily associated with hiding fugitives. Both buildings now hold apartments.
Significance in brief: The properties are nationally significant for their link to Frederick Douglass, who found his first home at 21 Seventh Street after escaping slavery in 1838. Nathan Johnson, a Black abolitionist, influenced Douglass and aided fugitive slaves. 21 Seventh Street is the only one of Douglass's three New Bedford residences still standing.
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 00000260, listed February 16, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 17-19, and 21 Seventh Street, New Bedford |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | February 16, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00000260 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1824-63 |
| Architectural style | 17-19: Federal; 21: Federal adjoining Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Black, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated February 16, 2000 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Both buildings are currently used as multiple dwellings; 17-19 is in excellent condition and 21 is in fair to good condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | County Street Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.63309, -70.92863 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 00000260.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14715749
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.