Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson properties

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Johnson Properties
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Location:	New Bedford, MA
Coordinates:	41°37′59″N 70°55′44″W / 41.63306°N 70.92889°W / 41.63306; -70.92889
Built/Founded:	1829
Architect:	Unknown
Architectural style(s):	Federal, Greek Revival
Governing body:	New Bedford Historical Society
Added to NRHP:	February 16, 2000
NRHP Reference#:	00000260 [1]

The Nathan and Mary (Polly) Johnson properties are a National Historic Landmark (NHL) at 17-19 and 21 Seventh Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Originally two structures, one dating to the 1820s and an 1857 house joined with the older one shortly after construction. They have since been restored and now house the New Bedford Historical Society.^[2]

The Johnsons were free African-Americans and Quakers who ran a meetinghouse and are known to have sheltered escaped slaves using the Underground Railroad from 1822 on. Both were also successful in local business; Nathan as a pharmacist and Polly as a confectioner.^[2]

One escaped slave who passed through the Johnsons' house was Frederick Douglass, who settled in New Bedford in 1838. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, when it was designated an NHL.^[3][1]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• New Bedford Historical Society

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