Pierce, Capt, Mial, Farm
Why it's listed
Set about 300 feet back from Hornbine Road in rural Rehoboth, this farmstead dates to about 1800 and has kept its original arrangement of house, barn and sheds. The house is a one-story, center-chimney cottage with a gable roof, a south-facing entrance with sidelights, its original floor plan and cased corner posts. Service ells were added to the north and east between about 1850 and 1900. Outbuildings include a timber-frame barn contemporary with the house, plus a carriage house, sheds and a henhouse from the mid to late 19th century. Stone fence lines, remains of an orchard and a lone mulberry tree survive, and a family graveyard lies east of the complex. The house was probably built by Captain Mial Pierce, a Rehoboth militia captain, on land given by his father, Deacon Mial Pierce, first Elder of the Hornbine Baptist Church. It was listed as the most intact early 19th century farm complex in the town and for its link to a prominent early family.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that this is the most intact early 19th century farm complex in Rehoboth, keeping its original layout and sense of place. It is also associated with the prominent early Pierce family of the Hornbine section. It is cited under criteria B and C.
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 83000703, listed June 6, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 177 Hornbine Rd., Rehoboth |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | June 6, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000703 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; probably built by Captain Mial Pierce |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residence; the farmstead is described as remarkably intact, with its orchard remains and stone fence lines in excellent condition. |
| Acreage | 30 |
| Coordinates | 41.79619, -71.19862 (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 83000703.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5036457
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.