Stephen Northup House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Stephen Northup House
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Northup House in 2008
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | North Kingstown, Rhode Island |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1660 |
| Architect | Stephen Northup |
| MPS | North Kingstown MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001653 |
| Added to NRHP | July 19, 1985 |
The Stephen Northup House (also known as the "Stephen Northrup House") is a very old and important house located at 99 Featherbed Lane in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. This historic home has been around for a long time and tells a story about early American life.
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A Look Back at the Stephen Northup House
The first part of this house might have been built way back in 1660. Another section was likely added around 1712, possibly by Stephen Northup Jr. It's thought that the original building might have been destroyed during King Philip's War. This was a big conflict in the 1670s that damaged many homes in the area.
Over the years, different owners have added more parts to the house. In 1985, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. The Bogue family owns the house now. They have added two large sections and have carefully fixed up the inside of the home.
The Northup Family Story
The Northup family's journey in America began around 1645. That's when Stephen Northup traveled from Great Britain to New England. He became the Town Sergeant of Providence in 1660. A Town Sergeant was an important local official who helped keep order. Stephen Northup also took an Oath of Allegiance in Kingstowne on May 19, 1671. This was a promise of loyalty to the community.
Stephen Northup Jr. was born in 1660. He was the first son of Stephen Northup Sr. There are some old records that seem to show Stephen Northup Sr. living in both North Kingstown and Providence at the same time.
How the Northups Got Their Land
On October 2, 1655, Stephen Northup Sr. was given a plot of land, about 25 acres, by the "Towne Meeting of Providence, R.I." A "Towne Meeting" was like a community gathering where important decisions were made. Later, on August 27, 1656, at another Towne Meeting, he was given more rights. These included "commonage," which meant he could use shared land. He also got the right to vote and be a "freeman" and "proprietor." Being a freeman meant he had full rights as a citizen, and a proprietor meant he could own property in the town of Providence.
On February 8, 1662, Northup Sr. sold some land in the Providence area. He then moved to Kingstowne.
When Was the House Built?
We know that Stephen Northup Sr. married Sarah Elizabeth Harrington around 1654. Their first child, Stephen Jr., was born in 1660. Records show Stephen Jr.'s birth in both Kingstowne (now North Kingstown) and Providence. Stephen Sr. officially moved to Kingstowne in 1662. However, he must have already had a home there. His second son, Benjamin, was born in North Kingstown that same year, according to town records.
It's likely that Stephen Sr. got the North Kingstown property around 1660. He probably planned to move his new family there. Even though his official record of living in North Kingstown isn't until 1662, he was probably getting his property ready for building during those two years. This means the Stephen Northup House was most likely started in 1660 or 1661 and finished by early 1662.
