Greenwood Farm (Ipswich, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Paine-Dodge House
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Ipswich, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1694 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| MPS | First Period Buildings of Eastern Massachusetts TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000231 |
| Added to NRHP | March 9, 1990 |
Greenwood Farm is a special historic place and nature reserve in Ipswich, Massachusetts. It's owned by The Trustees of Reservations, a group that protects important lands. The farm is home to the Paine-Dodge House, a very old farmhouse built in 1694. This house is from a time called the "First Period" of American architecture.
Contents
The Story of Greenwood Farm
Early Days and the Paine Family
In 1640, a man named Robert Paine came to America. He received a grant of land near the salt marshes in Ipswich, Massachusetts. A couple of years later, in 1642, Richard Smith arrived and got farmland right next to Robert Paine's land.
In 1694, Robert Paine built a house on his property. It was a "salt-box style" house, which means it had a long, sloping roof at the back. It was built not far from the Ipswich River.
The Smith Family Takes Over
Years later, in 1702, Daniel Smith married Elizabeth Paine. Daniel was Richard Smith's grandson, and Elizabeth was Robert Paine's granddaughter.
In 1703, Robert Paine gave his salt-box house and much of his farmland to Daniel Smith. This was partly a wedding gift. It was also because Daniel promised to take care of Robert Paine's son, John, who was sick. So, the Paine house became part of the Smith family's property. The Smith family and their descendants owned the land and house for five generations!
Thomas Smith Greenwood's Time
Greenwood Farm is named after Thomas Smith Greenwood. He was born in 1807. His mother, Ruth Smith, passed away when he was young. So, Thomas was raised by his Smith relatives.
As a young man, Thomas Smith Greenwood worked at sea. But he later returned to live at the farm, which was then called Hickory Farm. He married Paulina Adams Thurlow, and they raised their seven children there. They lived in a larger house built around 1828, close to the old 1694 Paine house.
Thomas bought even more land, making the farm very big. It grew to be over 300 acres (1.2 km2) (about 1.2 square kilometers). He officially owned the main farm lands and buildings in 1870, after his uncle Daniel Smith died.
A Local Hero
Thomas Smith Greenwood also became the first keeper of the lighthouses near Greenwood Farm. These lighthouses were built at Lakeman Beach, which is now known as Crane Beach.
In 1839, a ship called the Deposit got stuck on some rocks. Thomas Smith Greenwood and Joseph Marshall bravely rescued several passengers from the ship. For their heroic actions, they each received a gold medal from the Humane Society of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Passing to New Owners
In 1901, Thomas S. Greenwood's daughter, Pauline T. Farley, became the owner of the land. She was the last owner from the Smith family. Pauline sold the land in 1911 to Guy Murchie, who had been renting it for several years.
In 1916, Robert Dodge bought the land. His daughters later gave the property to The Trustees of Reservations in 1975. The Paine-Dodge House was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This means it's recognized as an important historic site.
Other Interesting People
Some other notable people have lived at Grove Farm, also known as Greenwood Farm:
- Charles Johnson Maynard: He was a naturalist, which means he studied nature. He also published and illustrated many books about natural history. He was the first husband of Pauline T. Greenwood.
- Helen Stevens Greenwood: She was a professional artist and ran an art school in Boston. She was known as Helen S. Farley and later Helen Farley Blaney.
- Henry Robertson Blaney: He was Helen Greenwood's second husband. He was also a professional artist and wrote books like "Old Boston" and "The Golden Caribbean."
Images for kids
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An aerial photo believed to have been taken in 1920 of Greenwood Farm.
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A room inside the Paine House at Greenwood Farm.
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The Paine House.
