Melitiah Bourne House, 138 Main St.

This home was built circa 1699-1710 for Melitiah Bourne, the wealthiest man in town at the time. He was a lawyer, judge and member of the Massachusetts General Court. This was the childhood home of Bathsheba Newcomb/Ruggles. Documents show that Mr. Bourne was the owner of 2 domestic slaves, an unusual but not rare situation for the wealthiest people in New England in the 18th century. This was the home of 4 generations of Bournes and the last died here in 1862. It was also the site for the Liberty Tree in town during the Revolutionary War period. It was torn down by local Tories who were subsequently found and forced to restore it and sign a document pledging their loyalty to the cause for independence. The neighboring town of Bourne and the Bourne Bridge are named for this family.