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THE JAMES HOUSE c 1720
Picture taken in the early spring of 1892 and appears in Joseph Dow's original edition of the Town history- History of the Town of Hampton, New Hampshire, 1638-1892, published in the autumn of 1892.
The discovery of the James house in Hampton presents the most important and exciting opportunity to preserve the architectural and historic value of a rare first period house in New Hampshire. Dr. James L. Garvin, state architectural historian, continues by stating," The James House is the most intact structure remaining in New Hampshire and Maine."
First period houses identify dwellings built between 1625 and 1725 using the English style of post and beam construction. Robert Pothier Jr of First Period Colonial Restoration, Kingston NH, a specialist in the preservation of these early structures, confirms by his preservation work on the James House that the nearly complete survival of its early framing will greatly contribute to our knowledge of carpentry during the early development of local architecture. Mr. Pothier states, The James house provides an extremely rare opportunity to view and learn about many architectural features unique to the New Hampshire region. Dr Richard Candee, architectural historian and nationally recognized authority on First Period architecture, is sure that much can be learned from the on-site study of not only the early structure but also the later changes made.
Located on Towle farm road a little over a mile from Hampton center, the site was purchased by Benjamin James in 1705 after he had early married Susanna Smith, the daughter of the local tailor. Benjamin came to Hampton in 1690 to apprentice as a weaver and then to practice his weaving craft on this site in a early structure prior to the building of his larger dwelling c. 1720. Later descendents of Benjamin lived and earned there lively hood on this property, the first few generations as weavers and then in later years as farmers. In 1931 the Campell family bought the house and the remaining farm land. They farmed on a smaller scale and finally not at all. By 1972 the house became unoccupied as it has remained ever since.
Photo Gallery of Preservation work done to the back ell, roof and trim in 1999
