Historic Homes of New England

Historic Homes of New England is a book by Mary Harrod Northend. The preface says the study of old houses grows in interest with each additional discovery of good material, such as can be found in the old New England towns and cities, more especially those along the seacoast. The preface says most of the houses shown in the book are private homes which have been opened by the owners to allow pictured representations of correct ancestral furnishing.

The book names William Grey, Joseph Peabody, and Elias Hasket Derby as three of the most prominent merchants of that day, who owned the greater number of the ships that sailed to foreign ports. The book says the tide still ebbs and flows at Derby Street, lapping the piers much as it did a century ago, when ships four tiers deep lay tied up at the now deserted wharves. A description of an old house says that in one corner still stands a rack, with sixteen flint-locks, some of which have bayonets attached, and that this stand of arms was discovered by the present owner hidden away under plaster.