Old Houses - Poquonnock

OLD HOUSES - Poquonnock Bridge

By the mid-1700's a village had been developed. Although all original seventeenth century homes have disappeared, a number of eighteenth century dwellings remain along Route One and vicinity. In 1935 there were still nineteen Poquonnock houses built before 1800. A number are gone, like the John Winthrop farmhouse destroyed by fire in 1962. Of those remaining (1984) the oldest is the gambrel-roofed house built by Parke Avery circa 1747 where Cassie Crane Pine was born. This stands on Lorraine Drive now surrounded by small ranch houses.

Off the beaten path at the end of a lane near the foot of Fort Hill is a large two-story house built by Daniel Avery about 1771. The second son of Benjamin and Thankful Avery, ensign Daniel was killed at Fort Griswold September 6, 1781, leaving a widow Deborah and eight children under fourteen years of age. He is buried in the Avery-Morgan cemetery.

The large two-story home built by Benjamin Avery circa 1784, known as "The Beehive" because of the large families who lived there, has disappeared. It stood south of the highway by the river east of the bridge on a lot that is presently vacant.

The original James Morgan homestead, long since gone, stood at the entrance to the Avery-Morgan Cemetery. A second Morgan house was built circa 1729 east of the cemetery on land which became water company property.

On Poquonnock Road is a house now the headquarters of Sewtique, (1984) which probably dates before 1800, built into the hillside by William Avery.

Most of Poquonnock's old houses are only memories, like the "Hive of the Avery's" and the Chapman farm removed for airport expansion. However, it is noteworthy that prime examples remain and are cherished by their present owners.