Historic Homes of New England

by Mary Harrod Northend

They seem to extend, with outstretched arms, a mute welcome to the guest, for hospitality has ever been a characteristic of the Wentworth mansion.

The grounds are extensive and are laid out in lawns and grass lands. The house is surrounded by shade trees, some of which were there when the governor occupied the mansion.

Its exterior shows a gray finish, the same coloring that was originally in use. The porch through which the house is entered is the same one through which Washington passed when, during his visit to Portsmouth, he came to this mansion on his return from a fishing trip, and was royally entertained by the widow of Governor Wentworth.

The rear of the house faces the harbor, at the spot where the governor's wharf used to be, for in the early days ships were anchored near by, and their officers were frequently entertained at the mansion.

It is said that in the early days of its occupancy by the governor, a secret passage connected the house with the wharf, and boats were kept always in waiting, ready to be off at a moment's notice. This was done so that the unpopular head of the government might escape at any time if an attempt was made to take his life.

On a neighboring island which is in plain sight, there were several small houses, moved there on a scow.

Governor Wentworth, who was the first owner of this house, was the governor of New Hampshire during the most troublesome times of our country's history. He was elected in 1741 and served for twenty-five years, during which period he conducted the affairs of government through stormy times and two bloody wars, and there is little doubt that he administered the affairs as well as most men could have done under such trying circumstances. It is well known, however, that he pleased neither people nor king. At the end of his term of office he was courteously superseded by his nephew, John Wentworth, whose popularity had won him favor.

It was then, in 1767, that Governor Wentworth retired to the colonial home at Portsmouth. During his administration, his wife and his children had died. Lonely and discouraged, he offered himself in marriage to one Molly Pitman, who chose instead Richard Shortridge, a mechanic by trade. Doubtless through his instigation, because piqued at the indignity of her refusal, a press gang seized Shortridge and carried him away. He was sent from ship to ship, until a friendly officer listened to his sad tale and allowed him to escape and return home, to find his wife still true, although tempted by the allurements of wealth.

Not cast down, however, by his ill luck, the governor soon after made the house at Little Harbor his all-the-year-round home. The house became the rendezvous for prominent personages—not only in New Hampshire, but through the land. During one dinner party given to distinguished guests an important event occurred. In the governor's employ was a girl of most attractive personality, who had entered the house as a domestic, and bore the name of Martha Hilton. Her beauty attracted the attention of the governor, so that he desired to marry her. Among the guests was one Reverend Arthur Brown, of the Episcopal church. The dinner was served in the style becoming to the governor's table. Just as it was over, the governor whispered, so low that no one else could hear, to a messenger who stood near by. Then Martha Hilton came in through the hall door, on the west side of the parlor, and looking down, a blush upon her cheek, took her stand in front of the open fireplace.

She did not bring anything with her, nor did she seem to expect to take anything out. The governor, his hair bleached with the frost of sixty winters, arose, and turning to the rector, he asked: "Mr. Brown, will you marry me?"