CHAPTER XII
THE WENTWORTH HOUSE
One of the most historic houses in New Hampshire is situated at Little Harbor, about two miles from the city of Portsmouth. It was built in the latter sixteenth century, or early seventeenth, the exact date not being known, for the records of the early days were carelessly kept, so that there is nothing legible to determine the time of its erection. The houses that were built during this period are generally of such a distinct type that there is little or no difficulty in placing them and ascertaining their age.
Plate L.—The Wentworth House, Little Harbor, N. H.
This is not true of the Wentworth Mansion, for its design does not definitely indicate the architecture of any special period. One does not wonder, when history tells us that it was bought by Governor Bennington Wentworth in 1750, that it was at that time simply a farmhouse of moderate size which had been occupied by one of the earliest settlers in this section, whose name has never been handed down.
After its purchase, great pains were taken to make it an attractive and habitable house. Rooms were added, and ells were built, until it assumed its present size. It is a stately pile, with wings joined to either side of the long main building, occupying three sides of a hollow square, and showing open ends facing the water.
Its original appearance has been carefully maintained by the present owner, who occupies the estate as a summer residence. With great care the garden has been restored to the distinctly old-fashioned type, while all the memorable traditions of the building have been preserved. There is about it an atmosphere differing from most houses of that time, partly due to its retired situation.
From the high road one enters the curving avenue to seek the house, hidden from the entrance behind hills and trees. The main entrance is the same as in the governor's day. There is a second entrance, however, nearer the house, through which we get glimpses of the mansion beyond. This is flanked by two marble statues, one of which represents an angler dressed in colonial costume, while the second is a hunter, armed with a Rip Van Winkle fowling-piece.