. Historic fields and mansions of Middlesex. theson of the old Bishop Hancock, as he was called, who was or-dained in 1698 over a society which then inhabited this partof Cambridge, called the farms. The merchant, as soon ashis position enabled him to do it, doubtless looked to the moreconvenient housing of his honored parent, who received hisname of bishop on account of his great influence among theministers. Lexington was incorporated in 1712. The best room -communicates with the ancient or originalhouse, which is seen fronting the street with its single storyand picturesque dormer windows a
. Historic fields and mansions of Middlesex. theson of the old Bishop Hancock, as he was called, who was or-dained in 1698 over a society which then inhabited this partof Cambridge, called the farms. The merchant, as soon ashis position enabled him to do it, doubtless looked to the moreconvenient housing of his honored parent, who received hisname of bishop on account of his great influence among theministers. Lexington was incorporated in 1712. The best room -communicates with the ancient or originalhouse, which is seen fronting the street with its single storyand picturesque dormer windows and roof. This part wasdoubtless built by the bishops parishioners soon after his settle-ment. It formerly stood nearer the high-road until the newbuilding was completed, when it was moved back and joinedupon it. The house is a veritable curiosity, and would notmake a bad depository for the household furniture and utensilsof the period to which it belongs, being of itself so unique aspecimen of early New England architecture. The floors and. LECHMERES point to LEXINGTON. 369 wainscot are of hard wood, upon which time has left not theleast evidence of decay. The farmers clearly meant their min-ister to inliabit a house of a better sort than their own, as isapparent in the curious panelling of the outer door, which stillretains its original fastenings, and in the folding shutters of thelittle study at the back. A cramped and narrow staircase con-ducts to the chambers above, from the room in which Ave arestanding. The same, old dresser is attached to the wall, gar-nished of yore by the wooden trenchers and scanty blue chinaof the good bishops housekeeping. Some old three-leggedtables are the only other relics of the former inhabitants. Thisone room, according to the custom of the times, served askitchen, dining-room, and for the usual avocations of the little study has the narrow windows which first admittedlight upon the ponderous folios of the minister or the half-writ
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookidhistoricfiel, bookyear1874
