John Sullivan House facts for kids
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Gen. John Sullivan House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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General John Sullivan House in 1937
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 21 Newmarket Road, Durham, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1764 |
| Part of | Durham Historic District (ID80000308) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000089 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | November 28, 1972 |
| Designated CP | May 31, 1980 |
The John Sullivan House is a special old house located at 21 Newmarket Road in Durham, New Hampshire. It's known as a National Historic Landmark because it was once the home of American Revolutionary War General John Sullivan. He lived there from 1763 until he passed away in 1795. John Sullivan was a very important person in early American history. He later became the President of New Hampshire, which is like being the Governor today.
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About the House
The John Sullivan House is a two-story building made of wood. It has an "L" shape and a central chimney. The house was built a long time ago, between 1729 and 1741, by Dr. Samuel Adams. It stands in the oldest part of Durham, which is now a special historic area.
Inside the House
The main part of the house is about 38 feet (11.6 meters) wide and 28 feet (8.5 meters) deep. A smaller section, called an "ell," extends from the back. The front door is in the middle and has a small porch, which was added later.
Inside the main part, there are three rooms. A short hallway separates them. The room on the left was General Sullivan's library, where he kept his books. On the right, you'd find the parlor, which was a formal living room, and the dining room behind it. The ell section of the house contains the kitchen and a separate staircase for household workers. Upstairs, on the second floor, there are three bedrooms. There's also one bedroom in the attic. Many parts of the house, like the wooden walls and details, are still original from the 1700s.
Who Was John Sullivan?
John Sullivan was born nearby in Somersworth. He studied law and became a lawyer. In 1763, he moved to Durham to start his law practice and bought this house. It was his home for the rest of his life. He is buried in his family's cemetery close by.
Sullivan's Role in the Revolution
John Sullivan strongly disagreed with British rule over the American colonies. In 1774, he was chosen to be part of the First Continental Congress. This was a meeting of leaders from the colonies who were trying to decide what to do about British laws.
In December 1774, Sullivan led a daring raid on Fort William and Mary. During this raid, colonial soldiers took weapons and supplies that were stored there. This was an early act of defiance against the British.
In 1775, John Sullivan was made a brigadier general in the Continental Army. This was the army that fought for American independence. He served throughout the entire American Revolutionary War.
Key Battles and Campaigns
General Sullivan was involved in many important events during the war:
- He helped with the Siege of Boston, where American forces surrounded British troops.
- In 1776, he was captured by the British during the Battle of Long Island.
- After being exchanged for a British officer, he fought in the famous Battle of Trenton.
- He also took part in the Philadelphia campaign in 1777.
- He led an attempt to take back Newport, Rhode Island, which was not successful.
- In 1779, he led the Sullivan Expedition. This was a military campaign that drove the Iroquois people, who mostly supported the British, out of upstate New York.
General Sullivan was a strong leader, but he sometimes had disagreements with others in Congress. He decided to leave the army in late 1779.
After the War
After the war, John Sullivan returned to New Hampshire. He continued to serve his state in important ways:
- He was the Attorney General (the state's chief lawyer) from 1782 to 1786.
- He then served as the President of New Hampshire from 1787 to 1789. As mentioned, this job is now called Governor.
- He also led the state meeting that approved the United States Constitution.
National Historic Landmark
The John Sullivan House was officially named a National Historic Landmark in 1972. This means it's recognized as one of the most important historic places in the United States. The house is a private home, so it's not usually open for people to visit.
