HomeMy WebLinkAboutDeMello Letter of OppositionBarnstable Historical Commission
367 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
As president of the Historical Society of Santuit and Cotuit, I want to express our strong
opposition to moving or altering the Ebenezer Crocker house at 49 Putnam Avenue in any way.
Ebenezer Crocker’s father, also named Ebenezer, started the first settlement in Cotuit. The
Crockers (father, sons and grandsons) built many homes that served the people of Cotuit. One
home became a stop on the stagecoach route between Sandwich and Hyannis. Another
Crocker ran a grocery store from his home and used a back room for Cotuit’s first library, later
turning it into the villages first post office. The influence and weight of the Crocker family,
especially their building and development in the 1700s, cannot be overstated in Cotuit’s history.
The younger Ebenezer chose to build his home on the northwest corner of Cotuit Bay.
Previously there were a few small fisherman’s dwellings in this area. This property overlooking
the bay and its sweeping water view have attracted an impressive line of notable owners.
Samuel Hooper was especially important in establishing Cotuit as arguably, the first summer
community on Cape Cod. As a Boston merchant in 1849, he desperately needed a skipper for a
voyage to China - at a time when many sea captains were headed to the California Gold Rush.
Upon hearing Cotuit captain Alexander Scudder might be available, he hurried to the Cape to
make him an offer.
Scudder lived in the Ebenezer Crocker House serving as the first postmaster in Cotuit Port from
1846 - 1848, using the little room at the end of the old ell as the post office. He welcomed
Hooper’s invitation to return to sea but hesitated out of concern for care of his property. Likely
impressed by the house and the location, Hooper quickly relieved Scudder’s concerns by
purchasing the property on the spot.
Hooper served in the U.S. House of Representatives. Given his wide range of contacts in
Washington and Boston, many influential people of the day often joined him at his summer
house. With each visit, Cotuit’s reputation as a summer getaway grew.
While we appreciate the homeowner ’s suggestion to move the home for better visibility, we
believe altering its location does an injustice to its history. This location undoubtedly played a
huge part in attracting the homes owners and their visitors to Cotuit.
Another alarming outcome of this move/demolition would be the loss of the National Register
listing for 49 Putnam Avenue. We disagree with the statement, “the move of the house will have
no effect on the historical significance of the property.” Moving the house will downgrade the
historical status of the house. The three buildings on the property are the only National Register
structures in the Cotuit Port area. According to the Massachusetts Historical Commission,
Cotuit would lose an individually listed property on the National Register.
For these reasons and many other historical facts and stories, the Historical Society of Santuit
and Cotuit stands firmly against any demolition, altering or moving of 49 Putnam Avenue.
Respectfully submitted,
Molly DeMello
president
Historical Society of Santuit and Cotuit
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