This property at 12 North Central Street was likely part of the land granted as part of Section 18 of the Hatfield Equivalent in 1765. Over the centuries, these lands have been divided and added to, eventually leading to the establishment of the current property of approximately twenty-five acres.
The Burroughs Family
Simon Burroughs(1719-1799), was one of the first settlers in Plainfield, and evidence suggests he had a small homestead on this property. Burroughs bought the land from a John Dickinson in 1776 and probably settled there the following year.
The first town meeting in Plainfield was held at Simon Burrough’s dwelling house on July 25, 1785, where Burroughs was chosen as constable. This original house was about 60-70 yards north of the current house. According to Dyer’s history at some point it “was torn down one night by some citizens to prevent its occupancy by a negro family who were about to move into it.” All that remains is a faint indication of where the cellar hole was located.
Simon Burroughs II (1751-1833), a blacksmith and veteran of the Revolution, inherited the homestead in 1799 after his father’s passing. However, in 1812, he decided to move to Geauga County, Ohio, and as a result, sold the property to Jacob Porter. At that time, it was common for people to venture “out West” in search of better opportunities and prospects, given the challenging conditions and limited opportunities in places like Plainfield with its rugged hills and rocky soil.
The Porter Family
Dr. Jacob Porter (1783-1846) was an accomplished individual with a diverse range of interests and accomplishments. As a botanist, mineralogist, geologist, and medical doctor, he made significant contributions to the scientific knowledge of the Plainfield and Cummington areas.
What little information is available about Dr. Jacob Porter suggests that he was born in Abington, Massachusetts, a common birthplace for many Plainfield residents. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1803 and a Master of Arts degree in 1806, both from Yale University, where many of his writings and letters remain today.
Dr. Porter’s personal life included two marriages. His first marriage was to Betsey Mayhew on January 10, 1813, but sadly, she passed away shortly after on July 3 of the same year. Betsey was laid to rest in Hilltop Cemetery. After this loss, Jacob Porter married Sarah “Sally” Reed in 1819, and together they had three daughters: Juliet, Clarissa, and Sarah Elizabeth. Out of the three daughters, only Sarah Elizabeth survived him.
After purchasing the property in 1812, Dr. Porter played a major role in constructing much of the house that stands today. There is evidence that part of a house that was on South Central Street was moved to this site. In addition to his medical practice, he dedicated himself to studying the local flora, rocks, and minerals, amassing an extensive collection that included the first cabinet collection in the vicinity.
One of Dr. Porter’s significant contributions to the field of mineralogy was the discovery of a new mineral, which he named “Cummingtonite,” after the nearby town of Cummington. This mineral discovery likely added to his reputation within the scientific community.
In 1834 Dr. Porter published the “History of Plainfield“, the first written history of the town, complete with an extensive description of the natural history of the region, as well as research on the first settlers in Plainfield. Coincidentally, a future resident of this house, Charles N. Dyer, wrote another history of the town.
Dr. Jacob Porter and Dr. Samuel Shaw were both physicians in Plainfield, with their practices located at a busy intersection in the center of the town. However, their careers and interests diverged significantly. Dr. Samuel Shaw (1790-1870) seems to have been the more prominent and well-known doctor in Plainfield, especially after the year 1824. He likely gained a reputation for his medical practice and became the go-to physician in the area.
On the other hand, Dr. Jacob Porter (1783-1846) appeared to have a less successful medical practice, as described by C.N. Dyer in the History of Plainfield (1891). He may not have been as focused on his medical career and instead had a greater interest in plants and botanical studies.
Beyond his scientific pursuits, Dr. Porter was also an avid reader with an impressive library consisting of over 400 volumes and 1200 pamphlets. His interest in geology led him to write a geological description of the region, and his work gained recognition not only locally but also internationally.
Jacob Porter died in Plainfield in 1846. He was, according to C.N. Dyer (75), buried in the Hilltop cemetery in the shade of six tamaracks (larch trees) which he had planted. Sally Reed Porter moved to Wisconsin to live with her daughter Sarah Elizabeth Porter Mitchell.
Dr. Jacob Porter’s legacy as a scientist, physician, and mineralogist lives on through his contributions to the understanding of the natural world and his influence in the field of geology. His work and dedication to science have left a lasting impact on Plainfield and continue to be remembered to this day.
The Dyer Family
The next owner of record was Newell Dyer (1818-1872) who bought the house and twenty-five acres of the surrounding property in 1856 for $900. Newell was the eighth and youngest child of Jesse (1769-1854) and Sarah “Sally” (Pool) Dyer (1779-1852). Newell married Mary Ann Whitmarsh ( 1819-1866) on May 24, 1842. Newell & Mary Ann were the parents of one child, a son named Charles Newell Dyer (1850-1918), who was born in this very house. Mary Ann died in early 1866, and on October 17,1866, Newell married Lydia L. (Cummings) Sears(1831 – 1911), widow of William Hale Sears (1826 – 1862). Newell had no children with Lydia. During this time Newell and family ran a general store and post office out of the house. He died in 1872 and is buried at the Hilltop Cemetery in Plainfield.
In 1873 the house was inherited by Newell’s only son, Charles Newell Dyer (1850-1918). Charles N. Dyer was actively involved in various public roles in the Plainfield community. He served on the school committee for many years, starting in 1872. Additionally, he was chosen as the town clerk and treasurer in 1876. Later, in 1884, he became a Justice of the Peace, and on June 18, 1889, Charles took on the role of postmaster, with the post office in their home, a common practice of the time.
On October 6, 1872, Charles N. Dyer married M. Antoinette Ford (1852-1931) of Peru, Massachusetts. They had two children, Lora Genevieve (1880 -1969), and Charles Frederick (1882-1977).
In 1891 Dyer published The History of the Town of Plainfield, Hampshire County, Mass., from its settlement to 1891, including a genealogical history of twenty-three of the original settlers and their descendants, with anecdotes and sketches. Anyone doing research on Plainfield would be wise to start with this thorough history.
In 1887 Dyer built the house next to the Plainfield Town Hall and continued his store and post office until his death.
Dr. Lora Genevieve Dyer, the daughter of Charles N. Dyer, had an intriguing life. After attending Smith College for her pre-medical studies, graduating in 1908, and then the Woman’s Medical College, Philadelphia, she had an internship at New England Hospital in Boston from1899-1915. She worked as a medical missionary in both China and the Belgian Congo and dedicated her service throughout World War II until 1948. After that, she served as a missionary in the Philippines from 1950 to 1954.
The Sears Family
In 1887, Joseph Warren Sears (1851-1942), nephew of William Hale Sears, acquired the house. His wife Julia Frances Gurney Sears (1857-1902) had a passion for books and literature. She solicited books from acquaintances, likely building a collection for personal use and sharing with others in the community. In 1892, Julia generously offered the use of a room in their house to serve as the first library in Plainfield. This gesture allowed the local residents to access books and resources they might not have had otherwise.
The library remained open and accessible to the public until Julia Frances Gurney Sears’s death in 1902, leaving behind a legacy of literacy and knowledge within the town. Public libraries have long been instrumental in promoting education, cultural exchange, and community development. The early establishment of a library in Plainfield reflects the town’s progressive and forward-thinking approach to education and learning. Today the library is housed in the Shaw Memorial Library at 304 Main Street.
1915 to 1989
In 1915 the house was owned by Charles F. Boudreau (1873-1938), veteran of the Spanish American War, and his wife, Daisy Sabourin Boudreau (1875-1950), both buried at the Hilltop Cemetery.
In 1947 the homestead was in the hands of Gaetan Beaudoin (1915-1957) who was a member of Plainfield Grange and Plainfield Social School and served as selectman, and his wife, Marguerite Yvette (1917- 1992). They ran a dairy farm on the property, which was known by locals as “Maggie’s Farm.” Gaetan died of a heart attack in 1957 and in 1959 Maggie remarried a widower, Umberto Balduzzo. Apparently Maggie had had enough farming and the Balduzzo’s sold the farm and moved up to the “Brick Store” where Maggie would later run an antique store.
The house changed hands many times over the next few decades. with much of the original land being sold off, leaving an estimated twenty-five acres with the homestead, which included the house, barns and a silo. It appears that over the years the house fell into disarray, and in 1989 the house was purchased by Bob and June Pershing.
The Persings Family
Robert and June Persings had quite an interesting journey that lead to this house. They originally bought the house in 1989 but only moved in permanently in 1996, initially using it as a weekend getaway. Despite their contemporaries considering properties in Cape Cod or the coast of Maine, they preferred a quieter location. They spent weekends enjoying outdoor activities like canoeing in New Hampshire or attending events like Tanglewood concerts.
Their discovery of the house was somewhat accidental. While driving home from one such weekend trip, they took a detour along country roads and ended up at a library sale at the Shaw Memorial Library. It was during this time that they found the house, which was in poor condition with a hole in the roof allowing water to pour in. Initially, they thought it required too much work and decided to pass on it.
However, fate had other plans for them. On a bright sunny day, while again traveling through western Massachusetts, they decided to give the house another chance. This time, they saw the potential, charm, and historical significance of the property. Bob, despite not being initially slated for retirement, received a golden handshake offer, providing him with newfound time. Seizing the opportunity, they decided to buy the house in 1989.
Over the next five years, Bob invested significant effort, working with local contractors and using his own skills to restore the house to its former glory. Eventually, they named the place “Mariah” after the song “They Call the Wind Mariah,” inspired by the winds that swept past their farm. It’s a heartwarming story of perseverance, discovery, and making a home out of a place with potential and history.
Bob and June soon became invaluable residents of the town of Plainfield, with Bob serving over a decade on the Planning Board and the Finance Committee, the Hilltown Community Development Commission, where he served as chairman of the board, as well as eight years on the Whiting Street Fund committee. June lent her musical talents as pianist/organist at the Plainfield congregational Church, along with teaching piano to local students. She also was a long standing member of the Ladies Benevolent Society.
In 2023, Bob Persing passed and June moved to eastern Massachusetts to be near family. A new family, the Hustons, have moved in and will begin to write their own history of this homestead.
Architectual Description
This lovingly restored home is a two-and-a-half story, side-gable house with a center chimney. This style was likely popular during the time the house was built. The house is five bays wide and two bays deep, indicating its overall size and layout. The center entry of the house has a large trabeated surround. A “trabeated surround” means that the entryway has horizontal lintels and vertical supports, creating a sturdy frame around the door. The center entry also features a high, six-light transom. A transom is a window-like opening above a door that allows additional light to enter the space. In the 1920s, sleeping porches were popular, and a two-story porch was added to the south facade of this house. It was extended as a one-story front porch across the west facade. The sleeping porch is located at the second-story level on the south side. During the time the two-story porch was added, the entire house was possibly shingled. Shingles would have been used to cover the exterior walls, providing both protection and a distinctive appearance. There are ell additions to the house, indicating additional wings or extensions. The house has a two-story ell on the east and a one-and-a-half story ell following it. The house has both 2/2 and 1/1 window sashes. “Sash” refers to the window frame and the arrangement of panes within it. A 2/2 sash would mean two panes in the upper sash and two panes in the lower sash, while a 1/1 sash means one pane in each sash.
East of the house, there is a large New England style dairy barn with a wooden stave silo attached. This silo is the last one of its kind still standing in Plainfield. The barn complements the historical character of the property and served many agricultural purposes.
Overall, this house appears to have a rich history and reflects various architectural influences from its construction to later additions in the 1920s. It’s a fascinating example of residential architecture with barns on the property, showcasing the rural lifestyle and construction practices of the time.
The home is on the National Register of Historic Homes as part of the Plainfield Historic District.
This project was funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Plainfield Historical Society
