Then & Now: The Hutchinson House

On 181 Centre Street, there is a home with quite a bit of historical significance. This house was built in 1720 and was home to Elisha Hutchinson. Elisha Hutchinson was born in Danvers in 1700 and married Ginger Porter, daughter of Israel Porter and Sarah Putnam, in 1726. This house was also the birthplace of Israel Hutchinson. Israel Hutchinson had quite an impact on the town of Danvers and has been considered a local hero due to his military efforts.

Israel Hutchinson was in the French and Indian War, but became famous around Danvers for his heroics in the Revolutionary War. During the Lexington Alarm in 1775, Col. Hutchinson led his Danvers troops into battle. During this battle, seven Danvers men lost their lives while two were wounded. Hutchinson fought in the Siege of Boston, and also gained recognition a year later, when he rescued Washington’s troops from the British. Israel and his men saved Washington’s troops in Long Island, NY by getting the army across the waters by ferry.

Though Israel Hutchinson eventually moved from his house on Centre Street to his home on Water Street, his birthplace holds special meaning to Danvers. The historical home has gone through many renovations over the years, starting in 1780 when additions were put in place and the original chimney removed. The house similar to houses built a generation earlier, in that it was smaller, only having two rooms on the left side of it.

The house still stands in Danvers today, as a private residence.