Brocklebank-Nelson-Beecher House // c.1661
The Brocklebank-Nelson-Beecher House is a First Period structure in Georgetown, Massachusetts, believed to have been built in the 1660s.The land on which the house standswas granted in 1661 toSamuel Brocklebank (1628-1676), a surveyor who, with his widowed mother and brother, left England and were among the first settlers of Rowley in 1639. It was built by Lieut. Samuel Brocklebank who also owned a farm of 72 acres on the site. Lieut. Brocklebank was appointed captain in a militia and was killed with his entire company in Sudbury in 1676 during a raid by Native people during the period of theKing Philips War. Samuels wife remarried and moved to Newbury, and his son,Samuel Jr., resided in the family home which remained in the Brocklebank family until 1754. The house became a tavern by ownerSolomon Nelson, who purchased the property in 1765 and made substantial additions and renovations to the house in its current Georgian style.In 1858 the house was bought by RevCharles Beecher, brother ofHarriet Beecher StoweandHenry Ward Beecher.An ardent abolitionist, he was the pastor of the towns Old South Congregational Church. Today, the Brocklebank-Nelson-Beecher House is owned by theGeorgetown Historical Society, who maintain and showcase the towns rich history from this important early residence.