Jeremiah Hill built the home in 1789. It is named for Jacob Wendell, a wealthy Portsmouth merchant, who purchased the house in 1816. Wendell elegantly furnished his new home with Chippendale furniture and Flemish glassware.
The house is an excellent example of American colonial architecture after the end of the Revolutionary War.
The black-and-white illustration above appeared in E. D. Litchfield's 1921 book, An Architectural Monograph on Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Ninety years later, I snapped a nearly identical picture! I will return this fall when the leaves of the large maple tree obscuring the house have fallen and the sawhorse to the left is gone (the city closed Edward Street during 4th of July fireworks).
A wooden carving of a whale oil lamp perched on a base is built into the pediment over the front door. The same whale oil lamp is repeated in the pediments of the second floor dormer windows.
A wooden carving of a whale oil lamp perched on a base is built into the pediment over the front door. The same whale oil lamp is repeated in the pediments of the second floor dormer windows.
I loved helping my grandmother clean this house, the back yard reminded me of the yellow brick road. very fond memories of this beautiful house.I so wish i could go inside again.
ReplyDeleteJacob Wendell was my great-great-great-great-great grandfather and I would like to find out more about the family and see the house.
ReplyDeleteHara Harding
Kennebunkport, ME 04046