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"Captain Gershom Bradford designed his house while at sea, starting its construction in 1808. He was much concerned with the details, and wrote home from his voyages concerning his wishes. He insisted on a central hall, leading from the front entrance straight through to the back door, a design that placed the stairway off center, but keeps the house cool, even in winter, his descendant remarked. The house sheltered four generation of Bradfords, and no other family, over a period of 160 years, and was deeded to the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society in 1968 by the Greshom Bradford of this generation, and his brother Edward, to keep the house intact "as a sign of respect to their forbears." It is maintained as a family house rather than as a museum of a single period, for this is the way the Bradfords lived in it and left it. This spacious and comfortable ship master's house is notable for its fine woodwork, its many pictures dating through the various Bradford generation, and careful reproduction of the original paint colors and wallpaper patterns. Many of the books in the Bradford library have also been preserved. It is interesting to note that Captain Gershom's brothers Daniel and Gamaliel (also sea captains) and his sister Jerusha who married Ezra Weston II (King Caesar) all built substantial houses in Duxbury within a span of three years, each house reflecting the character and social position of the town of its owner." ...Duxbury Rural and Historical publication 1983 |