The Benaiah Titcomb House is a distinguished 1690 antique home overlooking the scenic marshlands of Essex. With 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 half baths on 2.35 picturesque acres, this National Historic Place is believed to feature the oldest surviving First Period Colonial staircase in the U.S. The first floor includes two walk-in hearths in the period living and dining rooms, a spacious foyer, and a central library/office. A sunny breezeway leads to a cathedral ceiling addition with a large eat-in kitchen, a family room with exterior access and a walk-out basement. An elevated deck and stone patio offer sweeping views over the marsh toward the Crane Estate. The second floor has three bedrooms & three 3/4 bathrooms. The primary's ensuite bath is being remodeled. Third floor provides two more skylight bedrooms under eaves with built-in storage. A large drive-through barn/garage with loft and two outbuildings complete this rare property.
Sold for $1,165,000
$1,165,000
189 John Wise Ave, Essex, MA 01929
5beds
4,672sqft
Single Family Residence
Built in 1690
2.35 Acres Lot
$1,907,400 Zestimate®
$249/sqft
$6,940 Estimated rent
Home value
$1,907,400
$1.64M - $2.25M
$6,940/mo
Zestimate® history
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List your homeWhat's special
Stone patioElevated deckScenic marshlandsPicturesque acresSpacious foyerWalk-in hearthsBuilt-in storage
Zillow last checked:
Listing updated:
Listed by:
Fabyan and Filias Team 978-479-0157,
J. Barrett & Company 978-526-8555
Bought with:
Henry Gourdeau
Gibson Sotheby's International Realty
Source: MLS PIN,MLS#: 73391042
Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 5
- Bathrooms: 5
- Full bathrooms: 3
- 1/2 bathrooms: 2
Primary bedroom
- Features: Bathroom - 3/4, Closet, Flooring - Wood
- Level: Second
- Area: 314.67
- Dimensions: 19.67 x 16
Bedroom 2
- Features: Closet, Flooring - Wood
- Level: Second
- Area: 314.67
- Dimensions: 19.67 x 16
Bedroom 3
- Features: Closet, Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wood
- Level: Second
- Area: 156.22
- Dimensions: 12.67 x 12.33
Bedroom 4
- Features: Skylight, Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wall to Wall Carpet
- Level: Third
- Area: 246.17
- Dimensions: 17.58 x 14
Bedroom 5
- Features: Skylight, Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Flooring - Wall to Wall Carpet
- Level: Third
- Area: 216.86
- Dimensions: 17.58 x 12.33
Primary bathroom
- Features: Yes
Bathroom 1
- Features: Bathroom - Half
- Level: First
Bathroom 2
- Features: Bathroom - 3/4
- Level: Second
Bathroom 3
- Features: Bathroom - 3/4
- Level: Second
Dining room
- Features: Flooring - Wood
- Level: Main,First
- Area: 394.88
- Dimensions: 20.25 x 19.5
Family room
- Features: Cathedral Ceiling(s), French Doors, Deck - Exterior
- Level: First
- Area: 612.63
- Dimensions: 31.42 x 19.5
Kitchen
- Features: Vaulted Ceiling(s), Flooring - Wood, Window(s) - Picture, Kitchen Island, Country Kitchen, Exterior Access
- Level: Main,First
- Area: 388.44
- Dimensions: 25.33 x 15.33
Living room
- Features: Flooring - Wood
- Level: Main,First
- Area: 394.88
- Dimensions: 20.25 x 19.5
Heating
- Baseboard, Electric Baseboard, Natural Gas
Cooling
- Window Unit(s)
Appliances
- Included: Gas Water Heater, Water Heater, Oven, Dishwasher, Range, Refrigerator
Features
- Closet/Cabinets - Custom Built, Closet - Double, Bathroom - Half, Bathroom - 3/4, Library, Foyer, Bathroom, 3/4 Bath, Walk-up Attic
- Flooring: Wood, Carpet, Pine, Flooring - Wood
- Basement: Full,Walk-Out Access,Interior Entry,Sump Pump,Radon Remediation System
- Number of fireplaces: 5
- Fireplace features: Dining Room, Kitchen, Living Room, Master Bedroom, Bedroom
Interior area
- Total structure area: 4,672
- Total interior livable area: 4,672 sqft
- Finished area above ground: 4,672
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 6
- Parking features: Detached, Garage Door Opener, Storage, Off Street, Unpaved
- Garage spaces: 3
- Uncovered spaces: 3
Accessibility
- Accessibility features: No
Features
- Patio & porch: Deck - Wood, Patio
- Exterior features: Deck - Wood, Patio, Storage, Stone Wall
- Has view: Yes
- View description: Scenic View(s), Water, Marsh
- Has water view: Yes
- Water view: Marsh,Water
- Waterfront features: Creek, Ocean, River, 1 to 2 Mile To Beach, Beach Ownership(Public)
Lot
- Size: 2.35 Acres
- Features: Wooded, Gentle Sloping
Details
- Parcel number: M:105 L:27,1886885
- Zoning: A00
- Special conditions: Short Sale
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Antique
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Frame, Post & Beam
- Foundation: Concrete Perimeter, Stone
- Roof: Shingle
Condition
- Year built: 1690
Utilities & green energy
- Electric: Circuit Breakers
- Sewer: Private Sewer
- Water: Private
- Utilities for property: for Gas Range, for Gas Oven
Community & HOA
Community
- Features: Public School
HOA
- Has HOA: No
Location
- Region: Essex
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $249/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $1,543,300
- Annual tax amount: $20,047
- Date on market: 8/31/2025
- Exclusions: Garden Fountain, Dr Chandelier, Most Wall Sconces, Window Drapes & Curtain Rods. See List For Others
- Road surface type: Paved
Price history
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 12/17/2025 | Sold | $1,165,000-2.5%$249/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73391042 Report a problem | ||
| 11/14/2025 | Contingent | $1,195,000$256/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73391042 Report a problem | ||
| 10/24/2025 | Listed for sale | $1,195,000$256/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73391042 Report a problem | ||
| 9/30/2025 | Contingent | $1,195,000$256/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73391042 Report a problem | ||
| 9/26/2025 | Price change | $1,195,000-11.5%$256/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73391042 Report a problem | ||
| 6/14/2025 | Listed for sale | $1,350,000-9.7%$289/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73391042 Report a problem | ||
| 10/27/2024 | Listing removed | $1,495,000$320/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73266032 Report a problem | ||
| 8/2/2024 | Price change | $1,495,000-16.7%$320/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73266032 Report a problem | ||
| 7/17/2024 | Listed for sale | $1,795,000+109.9%$384/sqft |
Source: MLS PIN #73266032 Report a problem | ||
| 12/29/2004 | Sold | $855,000-7.6%$183/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
| 11/30/2000 | Sold | $925,000+60.9%$198/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
| 5/1/1995 | Sold | $575,000+283.3%$123/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
| 9/2/1993 | Sold | $150,000$32/sqft |
Source: Public Record Report a problem | ||
Public tax history
| Year | Property taxes | Tax assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $20,047 +0.3% | $1,543,300 +2.9% |
| 2024 | $19,984 +8.3% | $1,500,300 +12.9% |
| 2023 | $18,447 | $1,329,000 |
| 2022 | $18,447 +4.4% | $1,329,000 +18.8% |
| 2021 | $17,669 +2.3% | $1,118,300 +5.4% |
| 2020 | $17,280 +0.7% | $1,060,800 -4.9% |
| 2019 | $17,153 +3% | $1,116,000 +5.1% |
| 2018 | $16,652 +2.3% | $1,062,000 |
| 2017 | $16,270 -6.3% | $1,062,000 -3.6% |
| 2016 | $17,372 | $1,101,600 |
Find assessor info on the county website
Neighborhood: 01929
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Nearby schools
GreatSchools rating
- 6/10Essex Elementary SchoolGrades: K-5Distance: 1.4 mi
- 8/10Manchester Essex Regional Middle SchoolGrades: 6-8Distance: 5.1 mi
- 9/10Manchester Essex Regional High SchoolGrades: 9-12Distance: 5.1 mi
Schools provided by the listing agent
- Elementary: Essex
- Middle: Mersd
- High: Mersd
Source: MLS PIN. This data may not be complete. We recommend contacting the local school district to confirm school assignments for this home.
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Estimated market value
$1,907,400
Get a cash offer in 3 minutes
Find out how much your home could sell for in as little as 3 minutes with a no-obligation cash offer.
Estimated market value
$1,907,400
- Massachusetts
- Essex County
- Essex
- 01929
- 189 John Wise Ave
