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Leonard - Stetson House

157 Lakeside Dr

1800

Architectural Style

Federal

Significance

Agriculture, Architecture

Use Type

Agricultural, Single Family Dwelling House

Neighborhood

Massachusetts Historical Commission Report

Architectural Significance

Built c. 1806, this house exhibits the clean lines, generous proportions and restrained surface treatments of southeastern Massachusetts Federal farm houses. Possessing an L-plan, its rectangular, center hall main block rises 2 1/2 stories to a broad gable roof with a brick center chimney. The 5-bay, south facing main facade is covered with clapboards. It features a projecting and enclosed entrance with a molded cornice. The front door is flanked by narrow sidelights and is enframed by well crafted moldings. Wood shingles cover the side walls. Windows exhibit 1/1 sash.

Historical Significance

This house has locally significant historical associations with Caleb F. Leonard and John M. Stetson. Built c. I 800 , this house may incorporate an earlier structure—Leonard's ownership of this property probably stretches back to the early 18th c. and may have been part of John Washburn's 17th c. grant. Caleb
F. Leonard was this property's owner in 1830 and apparently inherited this land from his father David Leonard who fought in Nova Scotia (1755) during the French and Indian wars. J.E. Crane described Caleb F. Leonard as an "agriculturist" and "plain farmer" who led a "quiet uneventful life" but nevertheless represented "a life that is the foundation and superstructure of society." Born in 1778, Caleb F. Leonard was also a Justice of the Peace and served on the building committee ofthe Scotland Church (1822). He died July 3, 1840. The house passed to James M. Leonard who lived here until at least the late 1870s. By the early 1900s this property was owned by John M. Stetson's estate and was called Elm Stock Farm. John M. Stetson was the fourth generation of his family to work for the Bridgewater Iron Co. (originally Lazell Perkins). For many years he served as the general manager of this company.

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