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Mitchell - Breck House

455 South St

1765

Architectural Style

Georgian

Significance

Architecture

Use Type

Single Family Dwelling House

Neighborhood

Massachusetts Historical Commission Report

Architectural Significance

Built c. 1750- 1780, this is a good example of a mid 18th century Bridgewater farmhouse. It possesses a center hall plan, broad end wall gable profiles, 5 bay x 2 bay main block with c. mid 19th century rear wing. The center, projecting and enclosed entrance features Doric pilasters and a pedimented roof. A massive brick chimney appears at the roof ridge's center.

Historical Significance

This house was built c. 1750- 1780. Captain Nathan Mitchell lived here during the late 18th century. Just to the north of this house is South Brook, a stream which flows westward from Carver Pond. South St., below Crescent St. was laid out as early as 1717 and was part of a north-south road which included what is now Center and Crescent Sts. Members of the Mitchell family lived here until Edward Mitchell sold it to Samuel Breck, Esquire, in 1850. Three generations of the illustrious Breck family lived here (until at least the early 1900s). Samuel Breck, Esquire was a prominent southeastern Massachusetts lawyer. Born in Boston in 1797, Mr. Breck was educated at Bridgewater Academy and Harvard College. He studied law with Zachariah Eddy of Middleborough. He practiced law at Braintree and Taunton before settling in Bridgewater in 1850. He is remembered as "a man of superior intellectual powers and an able Writer and Speaker." He was among the early organizers of the Liberal Party in Massachusetts and was active in the Republican Party for many years. He died in Sept. 1876. His son, General Samuel Breck was born in 1834, entered the Military Academy at West Point July 1, 1851 and fought in Florida against the Indians in 1855-56. During the Civil War he was engaged in the occupation of Fredericksburg, Virginia, June 1862. He was appointed a Colonel and later Adjutant General. The General's son, Richard A. Breck, was a graduate of the Naval Academy, Class of 1869 and was master of the U.S. Steamer "Yantic". He accidentally drowned at Amon China 9/22/1874.

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