Pillsbury-French House
Why it's listed
Built around 1780-90 for William Clark, this 2½-story clapboard house at 103 Dascomb Road in Andover began as a Georgian dwelling with a gable roof, center chimney and five-bay facade. Clark left for Tewksbury after misfortune, and the house was sold at auction. Jacob French was living there in 1791, and the French family bought it about 1795. In 1843 it passed to Capt. Paul Pearson Pillsbury, whose descendants lived there until 1926. Between about 1830 and 1860 the house received a Greek Revival renovation that added corner blocks, a classical doorway with sidelights, pedimented gable ends and a heavy columned porch. These changes significantly altered the original effect. Two nearby houses, at 4 Lovejoy Road and 125 Dascomb Road, were built and renovated in the same way, and together they show architectural change on Andover's rural outskirts. The house was listed for its links to the growth of southern Andover and for its design.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its association with the growth of southern Andover and for its attractive Georgian design enhanced by a Greek Revival renovation. It forms part of a well-preserved series with two neighboring houses, 4 Lovejoy Road and 125 Dascomb Road, that were built and renovated in the same period. The property is said to retain integrity of design, materials, workmanship and setting.
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 82004800, listed June 10, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 103 Dascomb Rd., Andover |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | June 10, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004800 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Georgian - Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is residential; the form describes the property as well preserved. |
| Acreage | 1.1 |
| Coordinates | 42.63005, -71.17353 (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 82004800.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7194220
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.