THE HOMES OF OUR FOREFATHERS. HEING A SELECTION OF THE Oldest and Most Interesting Buildings, Historical Houses, and Noted Places in Rhode Island and Connecticut. From Original Drawings made on the Spot EDWIN WHITEFIELD. BOSTON ; WHITEFIELD AND CROCKER, 25 Bromfield .Street. 1882. Copyright hy E. Whitefield. 1882. C 9 TO THE READER. The object of this book is to preserve and hand down to all future generations repre sentations of the Homes of their Forefathers. From a variety of causes they are rapidly disappearing; and before long the places that now know them will know them no more. It has been a labor of love to the undersigned to collect these mementoes of the past, and his efforts have been ably seconded by many gentlemen to whom his thanks are hereby returned. He has labored under many disadvantages which cannot be here enu merated ; but he has tried to do his work faithfully, and no liberties have been taken with the old buildings represented, or with their surroundings, merely for pictorial effect. It is true that a few houses have been slightly altered from what they are to what they were originally ; and sometimes an indifferent object, such as an old barn, or it may be a tree, has been left out or pushed aside to show the building to better advantage. Thus, if not photographically correct, they are sufficiently so for all practical purposes. With these preliminary remarks he respectfully offers his book to all who are in terested in the early history of those who-ttid the foundations of New England, trusting it will meet with their approval. E. WHITEFIELD. Reading, Mass., March, 1882. \ V/ --- ¦¦-¦¦ / dates of important events EARLY HISTORY OF NEW ENGLAND. Cape Cod, so named by Capt. Gosnold and his company, . ... 1602 Settlement by Popham and Gilbert on the Kennebec River, but soon afterwards aban doned, 1607 The Pilgrims landed at Cape Cod, November 11, and then and there entered into a solemn covenant, and chose John Carver as their governor, . . 1620 The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, and decided to make a settlement there, Decem ber 22, , . . . . . 1620 Weston's Colony settled at Weymouth, ... . . 1622 Rev. Mr. White, a minister of Dorchester, England, induced a number of persons, under a Mr. Winslow, to commence a settlement at Cape Ann, . 1624 Endicott's Colony landed at Salem, .... . . 1628 Boston settled ; although Blackstone built a house here three or four years previously, 1630 Roger Williams ordered to leave Salem, .... . . 1634 Connecticut settled at Windsor, by men from Dorchester, Massachusetts, . . 1635 Mr. Hooker, with one hundred persons, left Cambridge, and settled Hartford, Con necticut, . . .... 1636 Rhode Island settled by Roger Williams, . . . 1636 Pequot War in Connecticut broke out, ...... . 1637 Massachusetts, Connecticut, Plymouth, and New Haven formed a confederacy for mutual protection, . . 1643 The first witch trial in New England (Margaret Jones, of Charlestown), . . 1648 Silver money first coined by Massachusetts, . . 1652 Plymouth and Massachusetts united, . . . 1652 Persecutions of the Quakers commenced, . . ... 1656 The King Philip War broke out, . . 1675 The French and Indian War commenced, and lasted seven years, . 1690 Witchcraft troubles at Salem, . . ... . 1692 The Bull House., Newport., R. 'I, This is -probably the oldest house now standing in Rhode Island, having been-. built in lojg. The above view represents it as it was bfore the recent cnanges had been made in it; although it is probable the roof is more modern than the rest of the house. The greater portion is built of stone., and it has been par tially plastered over. It stands on Spring Street, The Atkinson House., Newport, R. I. This is a very old and interesting house -with an immense stone chimney., prob ably built by one of the Easton family about 164J, but this fact cannot be estab lished. By some it has been said to have been built by a Robinson, but it hai has been traced back to f;4Si <**"^ H ""^"s an old house then. It stands in the rear of Thames St. , near Mary St. The stones of which the chimney is built are simi- lar to those used in the Old Mill. Tile Bishop Berkley House, Seiiport. R.J. This well-known mansion, 7vhich was occupied by the celebf-ated Bishop Berkley during his residence in this part of America, is about 3 miles CHit of Newport, and has been 7s. "«-^ Mf^^^¥^^'^ I r-^e Phillips Mansion, Wickford, R. 1. ¦\\ JS.M. This stands near the Belleville Station, and was built about 1698 by a wealthy man named Phillips, who came here from Newport. The large stone chimney is a very remarkable one. The present windows are much largtr than the original ones. .^^^m^-^''^^'^'^- ,< * Updike House, Wickford, R. I. yM ThU is a famous old house. It was originally a block-house, built by Capt. SmUh about 1660, and after his death, came into the possession of his son-in-law, Updike. It has sxnce been en larged and considerably altered. The Eddy House, Warren, R. I. This is probably the oldest brick house now standing in Warren. It is situ ated on Washington St. It has until recently belonged to the Eddy family, and is probably about JJO years old. The chimney is quite peculiar, being butlt on the outside of the house. The Hazard House, St, Kingston, R. I. This was built by Geo. Hazard, great-grandfather of the present owner, TTios. y. Hazard, about 1730. It is Very pleasantly situated on what is catted Boston Neck, and is a large and handsome mansion. The Paine House, Conanicut, R.L This is a picturesque old building on Conanicut Park Farm, said to have been built by Capt. Thos. Paine, who married one of Gov. Carr's daughters. It must he about i8o years old. Many sills' stories have been told about this place in connection with Capt. Kidd. The Carr House, Conafiicut, R.I. This is a singular old place, consisting of two buildings, one frame, and the other stone ; the latter having an immense stone chimney, and doubtless the older portion. It was probably built by Gov. Carr for his son, nearly 200 years ago. G(Bsar House. Providence, B. /. This was probably built by Widow Penelope Qreen, &e- £« ie arm tMS^f -i'i-'j^K.-Oiftt'f S" VT^I^'J c^tf" ffnsyyo^^?u^e, ^u^/e^r-^^. J^Az£ wa^ .^lu^ Ay ^^^^^?z/ i^u^ojr^ .Se£i4^e£n7 /^SSa^z^ /^^O S?ie rA/f^^^j- cj- ^fa^zc. ^ sra^ The Saltonstall House, Branford, Conn. This was built by Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall, in 1708, soon after his appointment as Governor. It passed out of the hands of his descendants in 1775, and has gone through many changes since that time. The Roger Sherman House, New Haven. This was built by Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ ence. It remains still in possession of his descendants, and has not been materially changed from its original condition. It stands on Chapel street, nearly opposite Yale College. The Huntington House, Norwich Town. This is said to have been built by Christopher Huntington nearly 20O years ago. Five generations of the Huntingtons were born in this house, but it has passed out of their possession. The Dr. Turner Place, Norwich Town. This was the residence of Dr. Philip Turner, Surgeon- General of the Eastern Department in the War of the Revolution. It was a very old building when he purchased it, 1765, and is probably at least 150 years old. It is now the property of two of his descendents, John Turner Wait and yonathan Turner Bull. •4«M!^- ^ JiS#-*%, fe 7"/%^ Denison House, Stonington. Three brothers of this family came over from England, of whom one named George settled in Conn., and his son John probably built this house about 200 years ago. It is fast going to ruin. This is in the town of Stonington, near Mystic Bridge. The Mortimer Mansion, Middle town, Conn. This in its best days, was a verylii^^^la^ on high ground, overlooking n^cut Rivlr, with in avenue of splendid trees, but is now going fast to was built by Philip Mortimer, about 1750. the Con- ruin. It The Boardman House, Rocky Hill, Conn. This is a very peculiar old house, and was probably built at least i^o years ago by one of the Boardmans, who were early settlers in the town of Wethersfield, of which Rocky Hill was formerly a part. The Rollins House, Rocky Hill. This is claimed to be the first brick house built in Conn, of bricks made in the state. It was erected by Jno. Robbins in 1767, ivho at the time was one of the richest men in the state. Two of his sons fought in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was descended fjTom Jno. Robbins, who came from England to Wethersfield in 1638. ,^Vi^tf^''^^'^ i/Ae CiozTK cn^Jirter c/^hmc- <^i'rfrunfton . S^'s Aouse was Jb^vini/y Ata'/i ly c^/^rv'^/ari leAra JT(?t? arutl' ^/ re^^/kcd m de Gar A family a/iti/ /7g4; hrAenz i/' was se/i/ h /tt>marUa,.^0rttm^n,/,o fn. y7S3 sofc^ it- to Siulael Ar/er. ^ was JiuJ^ed r&wn /8S0. jf sieffcd x/n fAe east side a/' jyi'^i^tr. hrespn^ Jl-ff WAtf/nan'j jreai area.6 ^ann^xM^r in /732.^ nru^ vtoas seyeral years ^/d tnen.. .'n tiiai it u prttiaify it least /TO years olX, 7^s is tie 'nty Acniia nuir /e/^t- in. Grnn.. /lav/n^ RndtTtis ,iieaiAeti k tiie irirtU /ra/eUian.. Scovill or Johnson House, Waterbury. This was built as early as 1720, // not before, by John Scovill one of the first settlers, for his son William. In i-jn i' P'^"''^ ^"'^ "'^ possession of Dr. Abner Johnson and is now owned by .wme of his great-grandchildren Dr. Johnson was the first apothecary in this part of the country, and he and his wife made man\i of thetr drugs. Arnold House, New Haven. This was built by Benedict A mold, the Traitor, /« 1 77 ' , and he left it in 1 776. In after years it was owned by Noah Webster, who lived here from 1802 to i?,i2, when he sold it to Fred. Hunt for $ 5 ,450, and it is still in possession of his heirs. It stands on Water Street, ami has seen its best days. Arnold bought the land of Sheriff Mansfield, whose daughter Winthrop Mansion and Mill, Nnv London. The mill was erected in 1650 by John Winthrop, but the house was built by a descend ant of his, John Still Winthrop, in 1750, and is a spacious mansion, standing on elevated ground and surrounded by fine trees. Hempstead House, New London. This is one of the few houses which escaped the burning of New London by Arnold in 1780. // was built about 1643 by Joshua Hempstead, and his descendants of the eighth generation still live in it. It is a Very interesting old building, and is still in good repair. '^u oTaftersoTV ^^ci-t-Cd^ , a/derlln/. jfkjis }va.j- iufu: fry fyaa-c al'Ci>y/-^ aforcd /6ff yAUM a^o, ari^ os now oyvn^et Jy J/ih 4^ly fa^erson. ^i ^s a6ozx.ir ct. rnjc/e /r'U4l6^ ef iistfit/'/ta iee/?zyi ^/e/^ie aUan^ ^A^s A^Atvay. (Jir is .*«'» « /arm tm/.'se me/'ety celany- /n^ fa di/iri/zj Career, am^ is a^fuA Mt> yeitf-s aZ-ef-.--^ stands It y^e fivTrt. .Soiltm Station . i I *.*-^w..n'4^ ^^^L.L Z%e (?oi>. Walcott House, Litchfield. This was the residence ofthefirsl Gov. Walcott, who built it about 1753. It stands near the center of the village, and is a fine old house in a good state of preservation. "Vi(ij«?f*Mrwv;i».iH*iJn. 7he Gould House, Litchfield. This was truiU by Bon. Elisha Sheldon, 1760. He moved from Lyme to Litchfield in 1753, and was a prominent man in both town and State. His son Elisha was a Colonel in the Continental army, and Washington staid atthis house when in Litchfield. In 1780 Qen. Uriah Tracy bought this house and put on its present high roof; and afterwards his snn-in-liiw. Judge Joseph Gould, became the owner and established the celebrated Litch field Lnw-Schoul. A few years since it again changed hands, and Prof, James M, Hop- pin of Yale College purchased and sttll owns it. It commands a charming «(««) of the l<^e and western hills. ^¦fc*mrtrSrtjl»*E>»^ i*<>flff.N*^ The Kingsbury House, Waterbury. This house stands on North Main street, and belongs to W. C. D- Kingsbury, and must he upivards of lOO years old; but, like its possessor, it has been 'uaell preserved. The Adams, or (..hapmari. House, Waterbury. This house, built by Luke Adams, is said to have been the first frame house built in Waterbury. It is about a mile from the city, and on the turnpike leading to Watertown. It was originally of one story, but was raised about go years since by John Adams to its present dimensions, on the occasion of his marriage to a second wife. It now belongs to theChip- man family. The Hurlbut House, Winchester . This is a stone-house situated in the woods not far from the Reservoir, and about one and a half miles out of Winsted. The date is uncertain, but it is said to be upward of one hundred years old. .>l.V$.(^4M>W^i,«:.«^a4lt»AHS#£^.A«^-t:n«M0M..»-avnunMW«6cu«»<« in Derby, and was built by Jackson one of the original settlers, or by his immediate descendants, about the year 1730 or 1740 The vie J, from this house are very fine. ' Old Academy, Derby, Conn. This was for many years a famous Academy, and pupils came here from the West Indies and other foreign countries. But its glory has departed, and it is now used as a tenement house. The situation is very fine, commanding as it does lovely views of the Housatonie and Naugatuck valleys. It was built about 1770. 2^ Itifwley or Lacey House, Bridgeport, Conn. This represents the house as it was originally. It was built by Deacon Henry Rowley eonsid^ erably upvMrds of one hundred years ago. It aftertewrds passed into the possession of the Lacey family, and is now otoned by Henry Blakeman. Nichols House, Bridgeport, Conn. This is believed to have been built by Philip Nichols before the Revolution, when he and his father were the only traders in this part of the country. This was then a part of Stratford, and ve^ sels caine up to a wharf and store-houses (now gone) at the water seen in the view. The house is now owned by Noah Plum. si*®, Sis&' c^Ae 'Ic'ls.r^o^a^e-^Qi/^nili/ffrc^. ci^ %yzti2^&/vJz^ts&,^^ra^V/'<^. t/An'j /J c/a/me^ ^0 At^ve Jep^i^ Aut^ Ay li^/^lJuiA^ori^, wAc ^e^/k^A y/uS^-a^Tit- y638.-fi // ^u, ma/ it Aa.^ ?zc/ Ae&n. ^rea^^ TnoaerfukacA . -.hxA-y TCozU^.icJ^n-Cfy,,^^^^;^ cAruy TCaiU^jid^X) "^rBimi/. !^i^rti/yLaj(uy.7f:'76aHfcrrt!0. ^Cirr U^-u/rri'hdli. L/ta-idi/rtaj^ Xzinncn. ^trir''Jn(.ntJzc/6s Ta^ &f/uc^. XdcL-. ¦n.v. The Lynes House, Norwalk. This is a wellpreserved house on the Main Streets built by Benj. Isaacs, 1746, and now owned by the ' Lynes family. The Old Stone Fort, Windsor. This was built of stone and logs about 1666, and was pulled down in 1800. The above is believed to be a pretty correct representation of it. Silliman House, Bridgeport. This stands on North Avenue, and belongs to Cyrus Silliman. It was probably built by a man named Picks- ley about 135 years ago. Said to have been a tavern originally, and that Washington once stopped here. The fence and most of the trees are omitted. Old House, A/orwalk. This is no doubt the eldest house now standing in Norwalk, and cannot be less than 150 years old, but no reliable information could be gathered respecting it. Old School-House. This is a sample of the school-houses in which our grandfathers received their education; and some of them made much better use of their limited privileges than many of their descendants who have studied in the palaces the pr/tevt dyr. Hobart House, Fairfield. This is a very interesting old house, now owned by Miss Annie Hobart, and erected by Justin Hobart in 1765. Judge Swift House, Windham. This represents the house as it was originally when occupied by Judge Swift. It has since been raised an other story, and otherwise modernized. It was probably built about inba. The Allyn House, Windsor. This represents one of the early houses of the town of Windsor, having been built by the first Squire Allyn. It stood on Broad Street Green, nearly opposite the Moore House, but, like it, has been destroyed. The Stowe House, Mtlford, This is believed to have been built about 1689. Dur ing the Revolution it was the abode of Stephen Stowe, a devoted patriot. The piazza has been omitted in the view, as that is a modern addition. The Johnson House, Putnam. This is a very old and dilapidated building about two miles from the village of Putnam. It was probably erected by a Squire Howe about 1 700, and was, during the Revolutionary war occupied by Dep. Gov. Sessions of R.I. ^h.^W The Moore House, Windsor. This was built before 1690 by Deacon John Moore, and presented to his son on his wedding-day. It stood on Broad Street Green, and has been torn down. Old-Fashioned Country Store, Norwich Town. This is a good specimen of the style of country stores one hundred years ago. It was built by !^os. Carpenter in 1772, and has never been modernized. ¦ 4fit^ i r Olmstead House, East Hartford. This was built by Samuel Olms^ad in 1770, on the site of an older ho.use which loas burnt down on a .'Sunday, and the frame, of the present one was up by the III \t '\Ttui da\ The Seymour House, Hartford. This was owned by Ex- Governor Seymour, and is probably about 130 years old. The L\nde House, Hartford This is on Gold Street, near Main, and was built by Dr. fos. LynJe about loO yean ago. ^^iin-JC^ ..^..^ Cluster of Old Houses, Hartford. These form a queer group at the corner of Ann and Main Streets. The central house is said to be about 170 years old. vx ——Erf r ¦Mrj3 . t ( I- .^^^ •*V;.«2r_ Griswold House, Wethersfield. This was buit by ~ Denning about 200 years ago. It afterguards came into the possession of the Griswold family, and Miss Griswold now owns it. The Butler House, Wethersfield. This was built by Dr. Porter on the site of an old post about 1750, and was the birth-place of Chief Justice Butler. It is still owned by his descendants. 2 1 '^MS^ The Seelye House, Bethel, Conn. This house was probably built about 1740 by President Seelye's {of Amherst College) great grandfather. Samuel Taylor, a graduate of Nassau Hall, and has never passed out of the possession of his descendants until recently, and u>as taken down 1881. The Washington House, Stamford, Conn. This was a famous house during the Revolutionary War, having been the headquarters of General Lee, and Washing ton was frequently here. R was kept as a tavern by Copt. David Webb, and was probably 160 years old when pulled down 10 or 12 years ago. ^ P, 2 ^ I'ni^ -s% f Iff Ikfi i1 Ml i " J ^^*aotH^ The Lord House, Old Lyme. This was probably built in 1730 by Qen. or Col. Sheldon. It is now owned by Miss Lord, her great-grandfather, Jos. Marvin, having bought it of a man named Sheldcin. This represents the house as it was originally. The Hotchkiss House, Derby, Conn. This is believed to have been built by Elijah Hotchkiss at least as early as 1735, if not before. It is on the main street. EaWs Birthplace, Coventry. The Trumbull House, Watertown, Conn. ^aikm ».. . -I i-^i.«7/„.« nf thf inell-known vatriot Mat- This was the birthplace of Rev. John Trumbull, author \ TAu was the 6'^f^«",5ftt „o«n/"^rW sakeTf of the poem ^^McFingal.- He was born in 1750 and the thw Sale, who freely gave up his young lijejor me ^^^^^ y^^^ probably built 20 or 30 years before. It is not his eountiv. „j,„ standing. Gov. Jonatlian Ttumbull's Residence, Lebanon, This was the residence of Gov. Trumbull, who was the only one of all the Royal Governon that embraced Ih, cause of the Colonies, and to tiis energy and efficiency is very much of tlie success of tlie war to be accredited. Under its roof/iave lodged Washington, Lafayette, Dr. FranliHn, Gen. Putnam, John Adams, Jefferson, etc., etc. This house iS supposed to liave been built by the first Gov. Trumbull's fattier, about 1730. It is now owned by the heirs of Dan t Mason, Gov. Trumhuirs War Office, Lebanon. Ttiis building (originally a store), was used by Gov. Trumbull as his war office. It has been moved a sliortdis. tance from its former location, and slii;htly altered. It may not be known to all tliai Trumbull was the original " Brother Jonathan ; " this beingthe term frequently used by Gen, Washington when speaking of him. The Barnard House, Hartford. John Barnard, Grandfather of the present oioner, bought this of a man named Slzinner, -whose ancestor is be lieved to have built it at least 200 years ago. It is probably the oldest house now remaining in Hartford. It stands on the west side of Retreat avenue. Koah Webster's Bitth-place, W. Hartford. Noah Webster, the Lexicographer, was born in this tiouse in 1^58. Whether his father built it is uncertain. but he sold it with 8f acres of land in r/g2 for $j,ooo to Sam' I Hurlburt, and it still remains in pi'ssession of' his descendants. * A'.'cry House (A'o. /.), Groton. This is about 2' ~. miles from Groton Ferry on the road to Mystic, is said to have been biiill in r66o, by Jas. Avery, and has never passed out of the family, being now owned and occupied by Jas. D, Avery, who represents the (fth feneration. It is a very interesting old house. Avery House (A'o. ^.), Groton. This is another Avery House in Groton, not nearly so old as the other, having been built about lyjo, by Elder I'arke Avery, for his son Ebenezer. It was used as a hospital for the wounded at the battle of Groton Heights Sept. 6, rySf. The Webb Mansion, Wethersfield, This house is noted for the conference which look place here May 22, ijSl, between Washington, Rochambeau, and other generals. At tliis conference were laid the plans, which finally resulted in the surrender of Cornwallii at Yorktown. Jos. W'ebb built this house about 17^2, and it is now owned by U'. F. Wells. The Hollister House, Wethersfield. This IS believed to have been built by a man named Robbins, about 150 years since. It stands about a mile from the village on tlie road leading to Berlin, and is owned by Parismus Hollister. It is tn a very dilapidated condi tion.