Jackson House

the Oldest house in New Hampshire. built by Richard Jackson on his family's 25 acre plot on the Piscataqua River. Richard outlived his two sons, dying in 1718. In 1727 the house &land were divided between his daughter-in-law &her children. additions at each gable end of the original home were added around 1764. After 5 generations of Nathanial Jackson ownership, the dwelling was inherited by Mary E Jackson Brown. Mary rented the house to Clarence & Belle Tilley, African Americans who escaped from the south through the Underground Railroad. Belle retained life residency rights to the property until 1947, though Historic New England technically acquired the property from Mary in 1924. members of Historic New England then removed 19th century modifications, bringing it back to its 17th century post-medieval colonial. thoughtful restoration of the Jackson House became the basis for Historic New England’s preservation philosophy of keeping generations of changes intact. the house is also listed as a National Historic Landmark.