Take a Look Inside a $3.3M Revolutionary War-Era Home in Newburyport

Few streets in New England pack as much history as Federal Street in Newburyport, MA. And one of its finest brick houses just so happens to be back on the market.

The William Pierce Johnson House, a Georgian built around 1777, was recently relisted for $3,295,000, after first coming on the market in April for $3,750,000.

The house dates to the height of the city’s maritime days.

“Capt. William Pierce Johnson was one of Newburyport’s most successful merchants, involved in West India trade after the Revolutionary War,” says listing agent Kevin Fruh of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty.

“He was even rumored to have supplied munitions in support of American independence during the Revolutionary War.”

A thorough restoration in 2003 rejuvenated the home, with the current owner continuing the work after purchasing it in 2023 for $2.1 million.

These latest renovations earned several preservation awards for returning the home to near its original state, while also adding all-new systems.

“It’s been meticulously restored and is fully modernized for today’s generation of discerning luxury buyers,” says Fruh.

The 5,876-square-foot interior has 11 rooms, including six bedrooms, three full bathrooms, and a half-bath. Its showpiece is a rare double staircase that mirrors itself front to back, divided at the landing by classical columns and an arch.

Double parlors run the length of the house beneath tall ceilings, lit by oversized windows and framed by original paneling, moldings, and hardware. A floor-to-ceiling built-in cupboard survives intact, which Fruh calls “a rare find in such beautiful condition.”

All eight fireplaces work, thanks to a fully updated chimney system. The renovated kitchen pairs custom cabinetry and slate floors with original brick accents, natural stone surfaces, a Viking range and hood, and a Sub-Zero refrigerator.

Recent upgrades include central air conditioning, a repointed foundation, newly finished basement rooms, a renovated primary bathroom, and an updated first-floor full bath. The home also has a walk-up attic and off-street parking on its 0.17-acre lot.

The setting is part of the appeal. Fruh describes Federal Street as “one of Newburyport’s most stunning and intimate streets.” Downtown shops and restaurants, the rail trail, the boardwalk, and the Merrimack River waterfront are all a few blocks away.

“This home is one of the premier examples of a Georgian brick Colonial in New England,” Fruh says. “It’s truly one of one.”

Larissa Runkle is a seasoned real estate writer, lifestyle journalist, and marketing strategist with over a decade of experience and 2,000+ published articles. Her work covering housing, personal finance, and lifestyle has appeared in major publications like Bankrate, MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance, and New York Post. In 2023, she launched a boutique copywriting studio to partner with land developers and top brokerages, creating strategic content that builds lasting brand authority. When she isn’t writing, Larissa enjoys the outdoors from her home in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, where she lives with her husband, son, and German shepherd, Yoko.