Woodland & Lime
A Collection of Newburyport’s History
Coming Soon!
This collection of my sculptures comes from two homes in Newburyport, MA. One on Woodland St, and the other on Lime St.
Woodland St:
The town records report that this home was built in 1850. Unfortunately that is the default date that was entered into the system when they had no idea when it was actually built. These boards have been painted white for generations! That chippy paint patina gives them this amazing vibe. 14 numbered pieces were sculpted from this cache in whales, mermaids, sharks, tuna.
Lime St:
The Chain of Deed research proves the house dates back to at least 1795; unfortunately the records stop there. We think it is safe to say Benjamin Leigh built the house in the late 1700s. Meaning these boards were living trees in the 1600’s possibly even older!
In the 1700s, Benjamin Leigh (born around 1754) was a notable resident, family patriarch, and merchant. Background and Marriage: He was the son of Benjamin Leigh (an English immigrant who initially arrived in New York in 1752 and married Maersje Bant). The younger Benjamin settled in Newburyport and married Abigail Pierce on May 22, 1775. Abigail was the daughter of Moses Pierce, a prominent Newburyport businessman who established a local cordage (rope-making) manufactory. Benjamin Leigh worked within the maritime merchant sphere of Newburyport. His son, Benjamin Leigh III (born 1790), initially trained at his grandfather's cordage factory before becoming a partner in Leigh & Cross, a prominent local firm dealing in grain and ship supplies.
The ancient dark brown boards have been transformed, into a collection of fantastic collection of 22 whale, mermaid, shark, tuna sculptures.
There are only 3 Federal Collection whales left!
