The Stanton-Davis Museum, Inc.

An association for the preservation of the Stanton-Davis farm on Pawcatuck River.



Stanton Davis Homestead in Pawcatuck Connecticut

Photo courtesy of Rich Stanton of Brunswick, Maine

 

 

Stanton-Davis Homestead

Thomas Stanton started the first business on the Pawcatuck River in 1661. Soon after a grist mill and later a sawmill were erected on the west bank of the river. In 1681 the Stantons built what is now known as the Stanton-Davis Homestead in Lower Pawcatuck (part of the town of Stonington, Connecticut). It is the oldest standing house in town and has remained in the family since that time.

In an August 31, 1904 article in the New London Day newspaper, the house is described:

"FAMOUS OSBROOK FARM"

"Old Colonial Mansion Filled With a Collection of Rare Antiques."

"To the Editor of The Day:

"At the present time there is a hungering and thirst for  those things that existed in our grandfathers' days. Records are being searched with untiring energy to trace lineage to the days of '76 that one may become a son or daughter of the American Revolution. Anything that is antique has a charm for all lovers of ancient history. Last Sunday afternoon I met my old friend, John J. Davis, of Stonington, on the wharf at Watch Hill and accepted an invitation of long standing to visit his home in the town of Stonington located on the banks of the Pawcatuck river. This to my great surprise is one of the most historic spots in Connecticut. Mr. Davis resides in a house that was an elegant mansion in the early days. One glance at the interior of this house will convince any reader of The Day that my statement is even more than true. The house is said to be between two and three hundred years old and built and owned by an Englishman named Robert Stanton who was an Indian post trader and interpreted the Indian language for the benefit of his countrymen and to promote this commercial interest and possesses of 6,000 acres of land. This man Stanton was a famous breeder of cattle and it is aid that many a barbecue feast has taken plan on the Davis farm during its early history and the English army-officers would ride into the midst of the herd, single out a fat steer and bring him down with a bullet. The interior of the Davis home shows great skill in workmanship. The  east front room has an old-time buffet in the corner, the interior being  finished in carved mahogany, the top representing a huge scallop shell. Worthy of special mention is the mahogany stair railing and posts which were made in England and are most beautifully carved. The dining room is alone worth a visit from the lover of the antique. The old time mansion contains much more than pen can describe and is a veritable museum in itself. Mr. Davis and his brother, who resides with him, are prosperous farmers. Any reader of The Day who is hungering for a reminder of the time when tomahawks and scalping knives were much in evidence should visit the famous Osbrook farm.  -J.R. Warren, Lyme, Conn., Aug. 31, 1904."

Another, undated article is:

"THE VENTURE STONE"

"Weighs 442 pounds and Is Still Located on the Davis Farm at Osbrook"

"In relating some of his feats of strength Miss Wheeler makes mention of a large stone called 'The Venture Stone,' located on the Davis farm in Lower Pawcatuck, and some additional facts regarding it are worthy of mention. Venture, with two other men, was engaged in building a wall for Thomas Stanton, 2d, by whom he was owned at one time, when they came to a stone which Venture's companions found it impossible to list with their united strength, and they called upon him for assistance. The good natured giant bade them stand aside and see what he could do. Then raising the stone to his shoulder he carried it a distance of three of four rods, and deposited it on a high rock, where it has been visited and viewed with interest by many. It has always remained where Venture placed it upward of 150 years ago until the recent construction of the road to Osbrook necessitated its removal, as it was in the middle of the proposed highway."

"This stone, when moved by the Davis brothers, was found to weight 442 pounds, and was taken by them to a new resting place near their home, where it will be kept as a relic."

"Venture purchased s small tract of land of Thomas Stanton about three-quarters of a mile west of the Davis homestead, and built a house on a high hill overlooking Little Narragansett bay. The place with the cellar excavation still in evidence is known to this day as Venture's Hill. After becoming a freedman Venture resided on Long Island for several years, where, as a further test of his wonderful  strength and endurance he was known to cut and pack seven cords of pine wood in one day. In his old age he became nearly blind, and much enfeebled by hard work, but rejoiced in the possession of freedom by himself and family, having purchased his wife, and those of his own children born in bondage, by his own perseverance and industry."

Association Organized

The Committee to Preserve the Stanton Davis Home and Artifacts met 16th November, 2002 to review and refine the final draft of the Certificate of Incorporation. The formal name will be The Stanton-Davis Museum, Inc. Membership will be open to all. The Committee's attorney, Mr. Frank Eppinger will handle all special permit requirements in the areas of zoning, compliance, change of use, and parking. He will also direct the application for zoning approval.

Whit Stanton is leading the effort to inventory, classify, and store the artifacts. He is aided in this effort by his grand-daughter Rae-Jean Davis and his wife Velora. Whit and Larry Davis donated the house, artifacts, and acreage in the form of a trust. Their efforts have insured the legacy of the Stanton-Davis homestead for future generations to enjoy.

The establishing Committee members are: John "Whit" Davis, Chairperson; Lawrence M. Davis; Faith Damon Davison; Hon, Joseph J. Purtill; Richard W. Stanton; Mary M. Thacher; Susan Hart, Fred Burdick, and Philo F. Willetts, Jr.

Stanton-Davis Video Tape

Want to tour the Stanton home? A video tape has been produced that highlights the architectural wonders of the house and one of a kind artifacts. The video tape is narrrated by John "Whit" Davis. The video tape is $21.95 (contact the association directly). The proceeds are being used to finance the many repairs the house needs and to provide for ongoing maintenance. As a Stanton descendant you will definitely want this tape!

The [substitute your name] Room

Interested in helping finance the rebuilding of an entire room, fireplace, roof, etc? The Association is interested in locating people or groups who are willing to finance the rebuilding of an entire room, fireplace, roof etc. These persons or groups will receive a plaque in their honor to be placed upon the wall, etc. that they financed. This is a wonderful way to honor your Stanton ancestor and advance the historical, educational, and cultural aims of the Association.

 

Stanton-Davis Home in the news 7 August 2004

Featured in Region


Generations Gather To Help Preserve A Family Treasure
Stanton-Davis home would be restored, turned into museum

Buy this Photo Jashong King
John “Whit” Davis, right, owner of the Stanton-Davis Homestead in Pawcatuck, hugs Rebecca Levy at the Stanton-Davis family reunion on Friday. Looking on is her husband, Jay, with their 6-month-old son, Kisuq.
Joshong King
Two Dogs, one of the official pipe carriers for the Mohegan Tribe, blesses the Stanton-Davis Homestead while its owner, John “Whit” Davis, and state Sen. Cathy Cook watch during the Stanton-Davis reunion in Pawcatuck on Friday.

By DAN PEARSON
Day Arts Writer, Westerly, North Stonington
Published on 8/7/2004

Stonington

They returned on Friday, as they have for generations, to the bend in the road, the fertile fields, the 24-pane windows and the weathered shingles of the Stanton-Davis Homestead.

But this year, when they traveled from as far away as Montana and Miami, they came to Pawcatuck not only with a sense of their shared past, but a collective hope for the future.

Nearly 100 descendants of Stonington co-founder Thomas Stanton gathered Friday for the triennial meeting of the Thomas Stanton Society and the 350th anniversary of their ancestral farm on Greenhaven Road.

This year, they were joined by state and local officials and tribal members to break ground to preserve the 17th-century farmhouse as a museum of state and local history.

Friday's ceremony was presided over by 80-year-old John “Whit” Davis. His family plans to turn the building over to a nonprofit organization, The Stanton-Davis Homestead Museum Inc., which includes an 11-member board of directors assembled by Davis. The group will work to restore the home and preserve the treasure of artifacts the family has protected for generations, which range from muskets carried at Valley Forge to primitive animal traps and antique chairs.

Stanton, who originally spelled his name Staunton, was one of the town's original four founders, coming from Nottingham, England, to New England in the 1630s. He was one of the first Englishmen to learn the language spoken by the Mohegan and Pequot tribes, befriended Uncas and became the “great interpreter” between settlers and Connecticut's American Indian population.

Stanton first established a trading post on the Pawcatuck River and his farm in 1654.

Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum and Shane “White Raven” Long of the Mohegan Tribal Nation performed an opening invocation at Friday's ceremony by burning sage and asking participants to help them bless the future of the museum by spreading tobacco around the rounded stone that serves as the home's front step. Bozsum is the tribe's pipe carrier and director of cultural resources.

The Davis family has preserved 250 acres of its farm and surrounding salt marsh by selling development rights to the state. The farm has produced a crop for 350 consecutive years. Hay from the fields was used as provision for the Continental Army by George Washington. Other farm products, such as cider, traveled the world on whaling ships out of Stonington.

Larry Davis, Whit Davis' son, who grew up in the farmhouse, said preliminary estimates indicate it could cost $1.5 million to $2 million to complete the restoration, which could take five to six years. The foundation will seek to perform the work through private fundraising only.

Davis said the first phase will focus on the structural integrity of the building and could include work on the foundation. Lumber for the restoration will be taken from the property, except for chestnut, which is no longer available and could be replaced by red or white oak.

Having grown up on the farm, Davis said it is still difficult for him to fully grasp its historical significance; he used 200-year-old vases for piggy banks. But society members such as Donna Ament, of Cary, N.C., said the home remains a “mystery” that compels them to return.

During Friday's groundbreaking, Bruck Gresczyk, commissioner of the state Department of Agriculture, read a proclamation from Gov. M. Jodi Rell declaring Friday as Stanton Davis Homestead Day. State Sen. Cathy Cook, R-Mystic, state Rep. Diana Urban, R-North Stonington, and First Selectman William Brown also read proclamations honoring the homestead.

“It's going to take a lot of effort to see this through,” said Donald Stanton of Southold, N.Y., vice president of the Stanton Society. “But it will be great to see it preserved for future generations.”

[email protected] 
 

© The Day Publishing Co., 2004
For home delivery, please call 1-800-542-3354 Ext. 4700

This Day news article is for the personal use of Brian Bonner only. The Day retains copyrights to all photos, and all unauthorized uses are prohibited as violations of federal copyright law.

 

For additional information, to purchase a video tape, or to make a donation, contact the association by email

or contact the association by mail

Rae-Jean Davis; 206 Greenhaven Rd; Pawcatuck, CT 06379

Most recent update: 31 August 2004. Webmaster brian at brianbonner dot net.

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