713 Park Street

713 Park Street, c 2020

Judge Watson House

Newfoundland dog. Engraved from JG Wood’s Illustrated Natural History (c 1850)

713 Park Street, also referred to as the Judge Watson House, is a historic structure situated on Park Street in the North Downtown neighborhood. Built by Judge Egbert R. Watson about 1856, and the family's home until his death in 1887.

Significance

In 1861, Judge Egbert R. Watson, who read law under James Monroe's son-in-law Judge George Hay and was a personal friend of the former president, purchased 2 3/10 acres from Richard K. Mead. The lot was off the southern side of his Meadlands estate. 1862 tax records show an assessment of $500.00 for improvements on Watson's property. In that same year an addition was constructed on the west side of the house.

Civil War

During the occupancy of the town by Union troops a northern colonel and his orderly were quartered here. Both conducted themselves with much consideration, and the officer, at Judge Watson's request, stationed guards at a number of houses occupied by unprotected women. A handsome Newfoundland dog, which had been the Colonel's companion throughout the war, strayed back to this home about a week after the troops had left. Judge Watson sent a letter through the lines to the Colonel telling of its whereabouts, and immediately after the surrender at Appomattox the orderly came for it.

Transfer of ownership

Judge Watson's heirs conveyed the property to George Rives in 1887. Upon George Rives' death in 1903, the house passed to his widow Sallie. It became the Christ Episcopal Church (599 Park Street) rectory in 1919. In 1971, the Trustees of Christ Episcopal Church sold the house to Mr. and Mrs. William Isaccs for $38,000. The Romberger Corporation purchased the house for $876,500.00 in 2006. 2018 City tax records show an assessment value of the improvements at $741,900, with a total value of $1,025,700.00 for the land and improvements.