The Captain Gershom Bradfrod House is a modest two-story house, one room deep, with an ell situated in the historic seaside town of Duxbury, MA. There are several Federal embellishments, including the tall doorway with high entablature and fluting. The fan lights are in the Adam style, with bow knots at the apex of the lights. The end chimneys are made of brick from Dorchester, MA. The brick ends were later covered by painted clapboards. Clamshells from the South Seas were seen on many doorsteps in Duxbury. These were probably brought back by Gershom, grandson of Captain Gershom. In the front walk, there are blocks of lava brought back from Mt. Etna and used as ballast on one of Gershom's ships.
The Bradford family lived in this home for 160 years. The house was given to the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society in 1968 by brothers Gershom and Edward Bradford, with 10 acres and an endowment.
Captain Gershom Bradford (1774-1844), drew the plans for the house while at sea aboard the brig Mercury, bound for Spain in 1807. When he returned, he gave the plans to his friend Benjamin Bird of Dorchester, a master builder. Construction cost $2,200. One of the donors, a very modest New Englander, wrote, " This is not the stately home of notable people, but a modest dwelling of a substantial, respectable, simple-living family who acquired a degree of culture. Its members were geniuses in the art of spreading a small income successfully. There was always money for a good book, a worthy cause and a welcome visitor."
Captain Gershom was a descendent of Governor William Bradford and John Alden both Mayflower Pilgrims. Gershom moved into the house in 1808/1809 with his wife Sarah Hickling (l772-186l) and their daughters Maria (1804-1863), age four, and Lucia (1807-1893), one year old. Sarah had two daughters born in the house: Elizabeth (1809-1890) and Charlotte (18l3-1893).
Gershom's family had a tradition of service to the community, state and country. His father, Colonel Gamaliel (l73l-1805), was commander of Mass. l4th Regiment, serving with Washington at Valley Forge. His older brother, Gamaliel (l763-1824), served in the Revolution, enlisting at age l3. Upon returning home, he became a sea captain. He built the yellow house across the street.
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