Introduction
Woman often had a nerve-rending worry if their husbands when returning would symbolize the comfort of the family knowing the captain and his crew were returned safe. Or, as the case was often; the woman would learn if she was a widow or not.
Definition of a Widow’s Walk
WIDOW’S WALK—a small, railed observation platform built out from the roof. Once used to scout for returning ships, such walks are usually square, done in elaborately-worked wrought iron or wood.
Definition of a Widow’s Roost
SEA-WIDOWS ROOST, or WIDOW’S ROOST, an enclosed building that women would use to seek out their husbands across the grand sea in Newburyport.
Many styles of Newburyport homes involve a gradual turning away from the high drama of lost souls on the high seas to cupola’s and towers just for the sake of simulation of the old or as part of an architectural theme. Many later in the 19th century no longer needed to have peered from the ramparts and the towers called cupolas were installed.
Definition of a Cupola
\Cu”po*la\ (k?”p?-l?), n.; pl. Cupolas (-l?z). [It.
cupola, LL. cupula, cuppula (cf. L. cupula little tub). fr.
cupa, cuppa, cup; cf. L. cupa tub. So called on account of
its resemblance to a cup turned over. See Cup, and cf.
Cupule.]
1. (Arch.) A roof having a rounded form, hemispherical or
nearly so; also, a ceiling having the same form. When on a
large scale it is usually called dome.
2. A small structure standing on the top of a dome; a
lantern.
3. A furnace for melting iron or other metals in large
quantity, — used chiefly in foundries and steel works.
4. A revolving shot-proof turret for heavy ordnance.
5. (Anat.) The top of the spire of the cochlea of the ear.
Source: Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
| A Listing of Newburyport Homes that possess Widow’s Roosts | |||
| Address | Condition | WR or WW | Description |
| 42 High Street | Interior | WR | |
| 73 High Street | Interior | WR | |
| 77 High Street | Interior | WR | Bradford Nursing Home |
| 80 High Street | Interior | WR | |
| 96 High Street | Exterior | WW | |
| 98 High Street | Interior | WR | Cushing House Museum |
| 114 High Street | Interior | WR | |
| 124 High Street | Interior | WR | Business |
| 201 High Street | Exterior/Interior | WR | Lord Timothy Dexter House |
| 212 High Street | Interior | WR | |
| 207 High Street | Interior | WR | Gothic |
| 209 High Street | Exterior | WW | Morrill Place |
| 357 High Street | Interior | WR | |
| 6 Washington Street | Interior | WR | Italienate |
| 54 Lunt Street | Exterior/Interior | WR | Near Purchase Street, looks new. |
| 8 Dexter Lane | Interior | WR | Looks New, Music Hall. |
| 8 Market Street | Exterior/Interior | WW/WR | |
| 25 Market Street | Interior | WR | |
| 193 High Street | Interior | WR | Twomey Funeral Home |
| 420 Merrimac Street | Interior | WR | |
| 51 Woodland Street | Interior | WR | |
| 1 High Road | Interior | WR | Newbury at top of Marlboro Street |
| 56 Lime Street | Exterior | WW | |
| 69 Bromfield Street | Interior | WR |