OLD HOMES

Amherst, NH Common

In the previous post I wrote about the upcoming ANTIQUES ON THE GREEN, sponsored by the Amherst, NH Historical Society. That event occurred on 13 September and was highly successful with 35 dealers attending and a gate of nearly 700 enthusiastic antique collectors. To visit the post that I wrote concerning the event, please click HERE.

The Understated Graciousness of an Old Home 

One of my favorite topics is New England architecture and the reason that I enjoy attending antique auctions and shows is that it affords me the opportunity to drive throughout New England and experience that architecture. Let me share with you my recent drive through Francistown, NH on my Withington trip.

Located in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire, Francistown was founded in 1772 and today supports a year round population of 1,562 residents. It's Main St, originally known as the Second New Hampshire Turnpike, that wandered from Amherst to Claremont and connected Boston to Montreal via stagecoach, is a splendid example of early New England architecture. Don't blink as you drive through town or you'll miss the General Store with its gas pump and Library. 

This beautiful brick cape with granite eyebrows over the windows, gable-end fireplaces and a magnificent sugar maple in its front yard is quintessential New England. In a few weeks orange, gold and red leaves will be on the ground and the aroma of woodsmoke will fill the air. I suspect that this building was built in the early 1800's, but as families grew or it exchanged hands, more space was needed bringing about the ell built off the back. Like most of us with old homes, we have a tendency to live in the ell, which is roomier, more efficient and quieter away from the street.

A little further north on Main Street I encountered a couple sitting out on their front porch enjoying the late afternoon light and shadows on their historic property. They'd recently retired, left Indiana and purchased this five over four, clapboard, twin chimney, colonial in Francistown. They'd just scrapped and painted it as well; no easy choir on a building this large. I love the color and trim against a blue sky and dark green grass. This is the Dr. Farley House built in 1833. It's 180 years old, built during Andrew Jacksons administration, only 50 years after our constitution was ratified by the state of New Hampshire.

Just south of the Farley House is this five over four, clapboard, brick-end colonial with gable end chimneys. Again, the ell off the back I'm sure came at a much later date as necessity required. What's most pleasing about these homes are their functional, simple lines and lack of ostentation.

The Jonah Davis House, built in 1829 during the waning days of the John Quincy Adams Presidency has been beautifully restored and is an excellent example of a five over four, twin chimney structure with a recessed door, side-lights and exquisite dental molding. Do you see the white painted chimneys with black rings? I've read, but have never really seen it verified though, that this was a secret sign identifying the home owner was a loyalist or supported the King during the Revolutionary War. This would have made him a Tory rather than a Whig who supported independence. 

The Davis House was built in 1829, 46 years after the end of the Revolution (1775-1783) so I suspect it was painted thusly for aesthetics. Besides, why would one want to identify himself as a "traitor" amongst his neighbors? 

When these homes were built, in-door plumbing didn't exist so an outhouse or a privy would have been constructed out back. Most would have been two holers, but larger homes like the Means Mansion in Amherst, NH where Franklin Pierce was married, had a three-holer. Their fireplaces were the only source of heat and as we know today are terribly inefficient. Far more heat goes up the chimney rather than into its room. Many NE homes of this era had no insulation in the walls but if they did, they were crammed full of crumpled newspapers, corn cobs or any available material that would help create a dead air space.

The Jesse Smith House, 1840, Mont Vernon, NH

This solid, 1840 colonial in Mont Vernon, NH is an excellent example of Yankee ingenuity. It sports twin, gable end chimneys with fireplaces on both floors, but still must have been very cold before central heating was added. The builder elected to face the front of the building to the west, allowing the morning sun to heat the house from the back and continue to heat it from above and the front as the day progressed. Solar planning at its best as used by builders in the mid 19th century.

But, what do you do in the summer when the sun beats down on this building all day long and temperatures soar into the 80's or 90's after the noon hour?  To combat this problem a large deciduous tree, a sugar maple in this case, was planted in front of the house to block the days strongest sun exposure and reduce the buildings interior temperature considerably. As summer turned into autumn and the days grew shorter and cooler, the leaves would fall off, once again allowing full sunlight to warm the house for the winter months.

If your home is situated like this just watch your cat. In the morning he'll snooze by the windows that face east, but move to the westerly windows by the afternoon. Who needs a compass?

But the ravages of time take their toll and this is what happens to old trees after nearly 100 years of faithful service. Mont Vernon is 800 feet above sea level and after windy nights the home owners would awaken to find large parts of their beloved maple on the lawn. Fearful of injuring someone walking or driving past, the decision to take it down was sadly reached.

But the frugal (former) owner, fully comprehending the roll of that formerly magnificent maple, planted another in its spot. After only five years this "October Glory" maple is significantly larger and already supplying welcomed shade to the Jesse Smith House.

Most old homes, when land allowed, were built facing west or southwest for exactly this reason, but once central heating was perfected, neighborhoods could be built without regard to the sun and neighborhoods grew without solar influence. 

All right, back to Francestown, which incidentally is 10 miles north of Mont Vernon on the Francestown Turnpike. I've been unable to find much information about this building, located directly across the street from the Meeting House. It did serve at one time as the Francistown Academy. Note the horse stalls to the right.

As you enter Francestown from the south, this spectacular, beautifully restored building greets you. It's the Old Meeting House, constructed from 1801 through 1803. It's seen many restorations, has been jacked up and turned to face southwest and is now owned by the Old Meeting House of Francestown Inc which is a 501(3)(c) non profit organization. The interior is as inspiring as the exterior and if you need a picturesque location for a wedding or some other event, give them a call.

A little closer examination of its steeple shows damage received on 10 July from a lightening strike. The name Francestown comes from Governor John Wentworth's second wife, Frances Deering. A tract of land was designated in 1772 as the "New Boston Addition." Governor Wentworth decided to name the new town Frances Town after his new wife and used her surname, Deering, to name another town nearby. There was some scandal though. It seems that Frances' first husband died only ten days before she became Mrs. John Wentworth. A rather quick mourning period! 

I'm sure that you'll enjoy this poem by Fredrick Branch, written I think in the 1920's. I've used it many times but it seems particularly appropriate here.

New England history sidetracked me just a bit near the end, but I hope that you enjoyed our visit down main street in Francestown and our detour through Mont Vernon as well.

Thanks for reading.

Rand