Lawrence, William, House
Why it's listed
Built around 1860 at 101 Somerset Avenue in Taunton, this square, two-story clapboard house combines Italianate features with a Second Empire roof. Its Mansard roof has ogee-curved sides cast in a strongly pronounced bell-cast curve, and it is crowned by a central cupola and lit by ogee-roofed dormers. Other details include bracketed eaves, paneled pilasters at the corners and around the central bay, a round-arched entrance with a matching transom, and a porch on paired chamfered posts. Sources disagree on original ownership. Local historical society records say it was built for a salesman, William Lawrence, by the prolific local carpenter Abel Burt, while 1880s maps name G.H. Babbitt. The house was listed because it retains its location, design, setting, materials, workmanship and association, making it an intact and outstanding example of mid-19th century residential architecture in a neighborhood of large late 19th century homes. It is also a reminder of the tastes of Taunton's elite.
Significance in brief: The house is argued to be one of Taunton's most high-style expressions, standing in a neighborhood of large late 19th century residences. It is somewhat unique for combining Italianate details with a Mansard roof in a pronounced bell-cast curve. It is judged an intact and outstanding example of mid-19th century residential architecture reflecting the tastes of the city's elite.
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 85001531, listed July 10, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 101 Somerset Ave., Taunton |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | July 10, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85001531 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Abel Burt (Carpenter) |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as a residence; the form records no alterations and no move. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.89349, -71.09285 (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 85001531.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8014360
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.