Professor James Barr Ames

New Ipswich Historical Society

This large residence was built by Samuel Tarbell Ames (1810-1897),probably around 1890, as he is listed as owner on the 1892 Map. He was a Boston businessman who summered in New Ipswich, presumably before he built this house, as his wife was Mary Hartwell Barr, a daughter of Dr. James Barr, who lived at #33 across Appleton Common, and a sister of George Lyman Barr and Caroline Frances Barr, and whose cousin Elizabeth Keyser, lived at #30. The house then passed to Samuel's son, James Barr Ames (1846-1910), who was an Assistant Professor and Dean of the Harvard Law School. He was esteemed for his teaching and writing on legal matters. He took a great interest in Appleton Academy, serving as Trustee, and his widow donated this house to the Academy in 1912. Its erved as a boarding house for teachers and students until it reverted to private ownership. For a short time from 1969-74 it again served as a dormitory, when the Academy served as a private boarding school again, before passing into public ownership.

Professor James Barr Ames - 1909

Prof. James Barr Ames, dean of Harvard law school, who died at a sanatorium in Wilton, N. H., Jan. 8, and whose funeral was held in Appleton chapel, Cambridge, Mass., last Monday, was a frequent visitor in this town. His maternal great-grandfather, James Barr, emigrated from Scotland and resided in this town many years on Page Hill; his grandfather, Dr. James Barr, was a prominent physician here for years. His mother was a native of New Ipswich and his father had summer residence academy. near a Appleton

Prof. Ames has taken great personal interest in N. I. Appleton academy; he was a member of the board of trustees. He also aided the N. I. public library in many ways.

The citizens of the town have especial reason to cherish his memory on account of his many philanthropic deeds for the benefit of this community, as well as the emolument of many of its citizens, An aunt of his, Miss C. F. Barr, president of the trustees of N. I. town library, occupies the ancestral homestead.

James Roger diary entries

9th November 1912 (Friday)

Frosty and cool then cloudy threatening snow. Slight drizzle in afternoon, wind west to northwest. David went with apples from Barrett to depot in afternoon. Brought grain and oatmeal a barrel of apples fell on his toe. Lonie and him took the blinds off Gordon’s house. I wheeled in the wood into church and swept church, also sorted some cabbages. Got letter from Alice and Chambers Journal from Roslin.

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