A slice of American history nestled in Pepperell, Massachusetts is on the open market, steeped in a storied past that includes nods to the American Revolution, the Underground Railroad, and local commerce. The property at 4 Townsend St., also known as the Harvey Tileston House, has hit the market with a price tag of $499,900, according to a listing by Boston.com. Constructed in 1770, this Federal-style home stands as a testimony to a pre-Revolutionary War era, where its walls could very well have concealed runaway slaves seeking freedom via the Underground Railroad, as suggested by a plaque on a historic schoolhouse included on the property.
With its rumored storied past as a haven for fugitives, as some suggest helped by the nearby Congregationalist church, would-be homeowners could own a potential piece of the path to liberty. The home also moonlighted as a general store and post office in its early days. A testament to this era is the property's cellar, accessible through a trap door that may have offered refuge to those fleeing servitude during a time when secret safe havens were critical to escape, as per the same Boston.com report. Adding to its versatile history, the property also served as a storehouse for barrels of rum, offering clergy a respite in between sermons.
The residence, currently configured with three bedrooms and a bath, also offers modern amenities such as stainless steel appliances and a stacked washer and dryer—assets for convenient living. The dining room, complete with the original fireplace, invites residents and visitors to imagine the property's layered history. The second floor, accessible via a curved stairwell, features wide-plank hardwood floors and houses a cozy TV room, office space, and the sleeping quarters. Faun MacDonald of Keller Williams Realty Merrimack Valley, who is handling the sale, highlighted to Merrimack Valley Realty that the third floor spans the width of the house, housing rooms "just a little bit bigger than closets."
Interestingly, a Spanish-style wrought-iron balcony adorns the front of the historic residence, originally installed in the mid-1800s to console the owner's wife, who longed for her native Spain. However, potential buyers be warned, the balcony requires repairs and is presently not safe for use. That said, the property has received numerous recent updates including a new roof, up-to-code electrical wiring, insulation, windows, and a heating system. In addition to the house itself, the 0.23-acre site features two sheds and the small but significant former schoolhouse building, alluding to a bygone educational past, as reported by Boston.com.
For those interested in owning a home that whispers tales of yesteryear, the Harvey Tileston House offers a unique opportunity—a blend of rich history and modern living nestled in a quaint Massachusetts town.
