Cogswell's Grant
Also known as: Boyd--Little Farm
Why it's listed
Cogswell's Grant is a 165-acre farm in Essex, Massachusetts, lying between Spring Street and the Essex River. It makes up about half of a 300-acre grant made by the Town of Ipswich to John Cogswell in 1636. The farmhouse is a 2 1/2-story, central-hall building with two great end chimneys. Its west end dates to about 1730 and reuses a 16-foot-wide chimney and some cellar timbering from an earlier 17th-century house. The east end was added about 1750-1751. A large barn of 1874, an 18th-century cowbarn ell and a salt hay barn of about 1730 stand nearby. Only four owners held the property from 1636 to 1984: the Cogswell family, shipbuilder Adam Boyd, Arthur Dana Story, and Bertram and Nina Little. The Littles carried out a scholarly restoration in 1937-1938. The land still keeps its early configuration, stone walls and farming use, and it has high potential for prehistoric and historic archaeological remains.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that it is a rare surviving 17th-century town grant that keeps its original configuration and its function as an active farm. The farmhouse is little altered and incorporates remnants of the earlier 17th-century house. It is also noted for its 1937-1938 restoration and its archaeological potential.
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 90000666, listed April 19, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 60 Spring St., Essex |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | April 19, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000666 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1636-1940 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Colonial / New England Colonial, Georgian |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Conservation, Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still a single dwelling and active farm; the land was deeded to the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities in 1984. |
| Acreage | 165 |
| Coordinates | 42.63861, -70.77118 (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 90000666.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5141286
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.