Plate LXII.—The Stark Mansion, Dunbarton, N. H.
One of these old houses stands not many miles from Concord, New Hampshire. This is the Stark mansion at Dunbarton, a colonial house which is of especial interest for the reason that under its roof are gathered the relics of five famous families: the Starks, McNeils, Wentworths, Morrises, and Pierces. This house is one of the few old landmarks which still remain in the possession of the descendants original patentees. More than almost any other house which has historic connections, this one has been made famous in American history through two of its owners,—General John Stark and his son, Major Caleb Stark.
One leaves the little railroad station at East Weir, New Hampshire and drives along country roads to visit the historic place, which is situated about a mile from the heart of the country village. The grant itself comprises over one hundred acres, in the midst of a fertile country, and includes woodland and meadow, orchards and gardens, the latter in the immediate vicinity of the house. The home lot is in the very center of the estate, and here the old-time details have been most carefully preserved.
The grounds are entered through a wide road, lined on either side by stately trees, whose branches, meeting overhead, form a shaded driveway. Just before the boundary line is reached, one sees at the right-hand side of the road a small wooden structure. This is the little old schoolhouse, where in the days long gone by the neighbors received their early education. As a memento of those early days, it is still kept carefully preserved, but unoccupied.
Plate LXIII.—Old Mill, Stark Homestead.
The fine country drive stretches on ahead, winding in and out under the leafy archway. At a sharp turn of the road, is seen at the left, ensconced among the trees, a picturesque old mill. This was erected in 1760 for the grinding of grain, being the fulfillment of one condition of the grant. Here the farmers from far and near brought their loads of corn to be ground, and it ran uninterruptedly until 1889, when its voice was stilled. The stream which once ran merrily over the rocks, turning the great wheel, is now silent, while the mill is fast falling into decay. Nature has done much to make this one of the most picturesque parts of the estate.