Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson properties facts for kids
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Johnson Properties
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | New Bedford, MA |
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| Area | 2.4 acres (0.97 ha) |
| Built | 1829 |
| Architectural style | Federal, Greek Revival |
| Part of | County Street Historic District (ID76000229) |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000260 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 16, 2000 |
| Designated NHL | February 16, 2000 |
| Designated CP | August 11, 1976 |
The Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson properties are very important historical buildings in New Bedford, Massachusetts. These buildings are recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means they are officially important to the history of the United States.
The properties started as two separate buildings. One was built in the 1820s, and another house was built in 1857. The newer house was later connected to the older one. Today, these restored buildings are home to the New Bedford Historical Society.
These properties are special because they belonged to Nathan and Polly Johnson. They were important leaders in the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts. This movement worked to end slavery. The Johnson home is the only one still standing in New Bedford where Frederick Douglass lived. Douglass was a famous escaped slave and abolitionist.
Nathan and Polly Johnson were free African-Americans. They were known for helping escaped slaves find safety. They used a secret network called the Underground Railroad starting in 1822. The Johnsons were also successful business owners. Nathan worked as a caterer, and Polly made and sold candy.
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What the Johnson Properties Look Like
The Johnson properties include two main buildings. One was built as a home, and the other was a meeting place for Quakers.
The Quaker Meetinghouse
The meetinghouse is at 17–19 Seventh Street. It is a two-and-a-half-story wooden building with a pointed roof. It sits on a brick foundation. This building was first built in 1785. It was moved to its current spot around 1823.
Nathan Johnson bought this building in 1832. He changed it into a home. The main entrance has two doors inside a porch. A two-story section extends from the back of the building. Inside, you can see old wooden details from the early 1800s. There is also a special staircase.
One interesting part of the meetinghouse is a hidden trapdoor in the attic. This door leads to a large space between the attic and the first floor's high ceilings. People have long thought this secret space might have hidden escaped slaves. However, there is no clear proof of this.
The Johnson House
The Johnson House is at 21 Seventh Street. It looks like two buildings that were joined together. The front part is a two-and-a-half-story wooden house. It has a pointed roof at the front and sits on a tall brick foundation.
This part of the house has some Greek Revival style. This means it has features like columns on the corners. The front porch was added later in a Victorian style. The front door has eight panels with windows on the sides and above it. There is also an entrance to the basement below the main door.
The windows are rectangular on the first two floors and in the basement. The attic has two round-arch windows. This front part of the house seems to have been built in 1857. At that time, Polly Johnson got permission to move the original older house to the back of the property. The back part of the house is a two-story building with a steep roof. It was likely built around 1800. A newer addition was added to the back around the 1970s.
History of the Johnson Family and Their Homes
Nathan Johnson was born a free person of color in Philadelphia. He married Mary ("Polly") Durfee in New Bedford in 1819. In the 1820s, the couple worked for Charles Waln Morgan, a well-known whaling captain. Soon, they became very involved in the abolitionist movement.
By 1845, the Johnsons were successful in their businesses. They owned the land with these two buildings and another nearby building. They used that third building as a shop. In the 1850s, Nathan Johnson was one of the richest African Americans in New Bedford. He was active in groups for African Americans and those working to end slavery.
New Bedford was a busy port city that traded with southern states. Because of this, many enslaved people tried to escape there. Nathan Johnson is known to have given shelter to these people in his homes. He famously helped Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave. Douglass later said that Nathan Johnson gave him the last name "Douglass," which he became famous for. Frederick Douglass only lived at Johnson's home for a short time. However, it is the only one of his three homes in New Bedford that is still standing today.
Today, the house at 21 Seventh Street is the home of the New Bedford Historical Society. You can visit it by making an appointment. Both properties were named a National Historic Landmark in 2000. They were also added to the National Register of Historic Places in the same year. These properties are also important parts of the local County Street Historic District.
Images for kids
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The Johnson Properties in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
