Perkins-Bill House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Perkins-Bill House
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1040 Long Cove Rd., Gales Ferry, Connecticut |
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| Area | 3.6 acres (1.5 ha) |
| Built | 1775 |
| Built by | Solomon Perkins, Sr. |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000817 |
| Added to NRHP | July 20, 2000 |
The Perkins-Bill House is a very old home located at 1040 Long Cove Road in Gales Ferry, a part of Ledyard, Connecticut. It was built around 1775 by Solomon Perkins, Sr. This house is special because it's a great example of a "gambrel-roofed Cape" style home from that time. It's also important because of the people who lived there. Solomon Perkins, Sr., his son Solomon, Jr., and Benjamin Bill, Jr. all played a part in the American Revolutionary War. They helped defend a fort in Groton during a big battle in 1781. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, which means it's recognized as an important historical site.
What Makes the Perkins-Bill House Special?
The Perkins-Bill House sits on the north side of Long Cove Road. It's a 1-1/2 story house, meaning it has one main floor and a half-story upstairs. Its roof is called a "gambrel roof," which has two different slopes on each side, like a barn roof. The front of the house has five windows and a door, with a large chimney in the middle. There are also three small dormer windows sticking out from the roof. A smaller section of the house extends from one side.
A Look Inside and Out
The house faces southeast, away from the street. You can still see the old foundation of a barn between the house and the road. Inside, the house has a classic layout for its time. When you enter, there's a small hallway. On either side of the central chimney, there are rooms that would have been used as living areas. The kitchen is located at the back of the house. Many parts of the inside still look like they did when the house was built. Some parts were updated slightly in the early 1800s.
Its Story and Revolutionary War Heroes
The Perkins-Bill House was built between 1773 and 1777. John Jones built it using wood from a nearby sawmill that had just opened in 1773. In 1777, John Jones sold the house to Solomon Perkins Sr. and his son. The Perkins family also ran the sawmill.
Solomon Perkins Sr. was injured during the Battle of Groton Heights in 1781. This injury made it difficult for him to continue running the sawmill. Because of this, the property was sold in 1783. Benjamin Bill, who was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War like the Perkinses, bought the house. Later, the Stoddard family owned the property for many years.
