A $1 million connection: Peter Peirce, George Decas

Jan 29, 2023

MIDDLEBORO — They lived more than 100 years apart, but Peter Peirce and George Decas both made visible historic contributions to Middleboro center that stand to this day.

William Decas, a surviving brother of George Decas, has offered a $1 million donation to help preserve a building that was special to both men and would keep the two men’s legacies connected permanently.

Peirce built a Greek Revival structure in 1808 at 99 North Main St. that served as the family store until 1901 and stands to this day. 

The structure, still known as the Peirce Building, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and has been described as “the most significant and lasting symbol of Peter H. Peirce and the Middleboro of his time.’’

That description was written by George Decas, who wrote the book, literally, on Peirce. 

Decas, a prominent attorney and history enthusiast, developed a lasting connection with the Peirce legacy in the mid-1960s.

He heard that the Peirce homestead, located across the street from the former store at 132 North Main St., might be razed and replaced with a gas station.

“He abhorred that’’ idea, William Decas said. “He was historically minded.’’

So George Decas purchased the building and spent a considerable amount of money to restore the building, which houses the family law firm  Decas, Murray and Decas to this day. William Decas, 77, remains affiliated with the practice. 

George Decas’ fascination with the Peirce legacy inspired him to write, “Col Peter H. Peirce (1788-1861): A Plymouth County Life,’’ which details the experiences and contributions he made to the area. Peirce is known as Col. Peirce because he served as a colonel in the Middleboro militia in the early 1800.

The $1 million donation will honor his brother’s love for history, William Decas said. 

George Decas, whose family owned the cranberry company that still bears their name, Decas Cranberry Products in Carver, served as Middleboro Town Counsel for 36 years. He also helped restore the Captain John Kendrick Museum in Wareham and, with his sister, Katharina, preserve the Alden Besse House overlooking Wareham Harbor. 

“He was brilliant,’’ his brother said with pride.George Decas died in 2019 at 81.

The terms of the Middleboro donation call for a plaque at the building to permanently honor his late brother. 

William Decas stressed that the donation also comes with a crucial condition: Middleboro must successfully impose an historic restriction at the site.

The financial gift requires the town to preserve and maintain the “architectural, historic and cultural features’’ of the structure that reflects its “period of significance,’’ from about 1820-1850, as modified around 1936, according to the wording of the contract. 

William Decas insisted on that stipulation so he could be “ensured that the building’s going to be maintained in a good quality condition.’’

If accepted, the $1 million donation would help defray the costs of renovating and maintaining the building. 

The future of the building has been a subject of discussion for several years and often elicited strong emotions. 

Supporters say the building would fill an important need in the town for community space while others question the cost, which had previously been estimated at $5 million, prior to the donation, and where this money would come from.

The select board in December approved a multi-stage process that includes a call for proposals for a private/public partnership for the building’s use and hiring a real estate agent to assist with outreach to the private sector. 

Ideas on the building’s future may differ, but Town Manager James McGrail said everyone seems to be in agreement that the structure should be maintained in some fashion.

William Decas said his brother would be pleased with people’s concern for the building.

“He’d love it,’’ he said. “He’d love to know what’s going on’’