An 1873 view of the house, before the dormers were added.
Samuel Gott, a weaver, was the first resident of the area of Pigeon Cove known today as Halibut Point. The postcard identifies his house as having been built in 1701, but most sources put it at a year later, 1702. A Massachusetts Historical Commission report says it could have been anytime between 1702 and 1730.
Whatever the exact date, there is no dispute that it was one of the earliest houses in Pigeon Cove and Sandy Bay. It still stands today and, although it directly borders Halibut Point State Park, it remains privately owned.
The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has both its own Wikipedia listing and a dedicated (albeit inactive) Facebook page.
This 1985 photo shows the west wall of the original house.
The Wikipedia entry says that its gambrel roof was not a typical feature of first-period houses. It says that the first part of the house was the right side and the central chimney and that the rooms to the left of the chimney were added later. A 1985 Massachusetts Historical Commission survey says they were added in the mid 18th Century. Wikipedia says the house has never been sold and has been handed down through the generations to its current owners.
The MHC survey says that many of the house’s original features can still be seen, including exposed framing, beams and braces throughout the original part of the structure.
Before it was settled, Halibut Point was used seasonally by Pawtucket Indians who came to harvest its wild fruits, fish and game.
One source I found said that Halibut Point got its name because sailing ships would tack or “haul about” off the point to round Cape Ann.
I am uncertain of the exact date of this postcard. However, I found the exact same image on a postcard from 1905. Thus, the image is from then or earlier.
Vintage Rockport 
Bob, Good one.
Paul
Paul St.Germain,President
Thacher Island Association
Box 73
Rockport, MA 01966
phone 978-546-7214-cell 978-660-1618
e-mail- info@thacherisland.org
web site- http://www.thacherisland.org
The postcard of “The Old House'” is not of the Gott House, but of the Garrison House, or also known as the Witch House at 189 Granite Street. My family owned that house for many years (my grandparents Oliver E Wiiliams and Esther Balwin Williams bought it Lin 1026) and my father, architect Thomas Williams did extensive tea search on it. The date of the house is controversial. But my father found a reference to a garrison built near Pigeon Cove Harbour on 1689, which seems to have referred to this house, which was only one room at the time and later extended when owned by a family that were farmers. It was called the Witch House because Elizabeth Proctor of Salem, accused of being a witch, but pregnant, was said to been sent here to have her baby.
Julia – Thank you for this information. If you look around this site, you’ll see that I have posted several images of the Witch House.
No the garrison witch house is down the stree
I found this drawing among other items while on a cleaning job. I’m wishing to find the person who drew it. There is a signature but I can’t read it clearly. Would like some info if possible.