Upstate

A Newburgh Italianate With Curb Appeal and Studio Space, Yours for $800K

In the architecturally rich city of Newburgh, this circa 1860s brick dwelling certainly has curb appeal, a spacious interior and comes with the bonus of a separate studio space.

by Susan De Vries

07/15/2022 5 minute 0

In the architecturally rich city of Newburgh, this circa 1860s brick dwelling certainly has curb appeal, a spacious interior and comes with the bonus of a separate studio space.

The house on the market is located at 225 Montgomery Street and the scenic street is home to many a picturesque 19th century home. The Captain David Crawford House, headquarters of the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands, is nearby, and striking buildings inspired by or designed by 19th century architectural influencers like Andrew Jackson Downing, Alexander Jackson Davis, Calvert Vaux and Frederick Clarke Withers dot the surrounding blocks.

exterior of the house in 1970 — The house in 1970 when it was surveyed for inclusion in the East End National Register Historic District. Image via NY State Historic Preservation Office

The architect behind this home is unknown, but the design includes a mix of Italianate and subdued Second Empire details, with arched lintels, a mansard roof pierced with multiple dormers, a bracketed cornice, bay windows and a modest entry.

An 1870 map via the Newburgh History Blog and an architectural survey for the East End Historic District identify it as the home of one Thomas Jessup. By the time the house was built circa 1865, Thomas was in his 50s and married to Sarah Crane Jessup, his third wife. Thomas’ previous wives and their children died tragically young as did the two children he had with Sarah.

photo of thomas jessup — Thomas Jessup in a photo dated circa 1860 when he was around 50 years old. Photo via Haviland-Heidgerd Historical Collection

The 1870s census records the couple living in the house, valued at $15,000, with one live-in servant. Jessup was a merchant and by the time of the census operating a tea business not far away on Second Street. Even closer to the house was the Jessup house of worship, the grandly scaled Dutch Reformed Church of Newburgh designed by Alexander Jackson Davis. Jessup served on the consistory and left multiple bequests for mission work, educational programs and other projects of the church.

Sarah died in 1887, but Thomas remained in the house until his death in 1891. The house was put on the market that year with ads in local papers proclaiming it “one of the most desirable residence properties in Newburgh.”

ads — Left: An 1876 ad for Jessup’s tea store on Second Street. Image from the Goshen Democrat via Fulton History Right: An ad for the sale of the property in 1891. Image from the Daily Register via Fulton History

It is still a fine looking residence with an interior that includes some typical Italianate details like marble mantels, a stair with newel post and curving rail, a coffin corner, moldings and wide planked floorboards.

The first floor of the roughly 3,500 square foot house includes front and rear parlors, a dining room with built-ins, a kitchen, large pantry and a bath. A faux stone finish ornaments the hallway.

The bedrooms, five or six depending on the chosen arrangement, are spread out over the top two floors with a full bath per floor. A large laundry room is located on the second floor while the third floor has a den.

The modern detached studio, which includes a bath, offers even more space and brings a bit of the outside in with a tree tucked into a light well.

Listed by William D. Spinelli, Jr. of Berkshire Hathaway Hudson Valley Properties, the property is priced at $800,000. Tax is estimated to be $1,604 a month.