William Pepperrell House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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William Pepperrell House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 94 Pepperrell Road, Kittery Point, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1683 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000159 |
| Added to NRHP | August 14, 1973 |
The William Pepperrell House is a very old and important house in Kittery Point, Maine. It was built around 1682. When it was first built, it was the biggest and fanciest house in what we now call Maine.
This house is famous because it was the home of Sir William Pepperrell (1696-1759). He was a very successful businessman. He is best known for leading a big battle called the Siege of Louisbourg in 1745. This happened during a war known as King George's War. The William Pepperrell House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it's a special historical building.
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What Does the Pepperrell House Look Like?
The Pepperrell House is located on Pepperrell Road. It faces south, looking out towards Pepperrell Cove and the Piscataqua River. It is a two-and-a-half-story house made of wood. It has a special type of roof called a gambrel roof. The outside walls are covered with clapboard siding.
House Design and Entrances
Both the front (facing the water) and the back (facing the street) of the house have four window sections. There is an entrance door on both sides, too. The corners of the house have decorative flat columns called pilasters. The doorways also have pilasters on the sides and a pointed roof-like shape above them. Above the street-facing entrance, there is a round window with an arch.
Who Lived in the Pepperrell House?
The house was built around 1682 for a man named William Pepperrell (who died in 1733). He was a fisherman who moved to the area in 1680. He married the daughter of John Bray, who was a local merchant and ship builder.
The Pepperrell Family Business
William Pepperrell joined his father-in-law's business. By 1695, he owned most of the land in Kittery Point. By the early 1700s, he was one of the richest people in all of New England.
His son, also named William, continued the family business. He also joined the local army, called the militia. He became the leader of the entire militia in the Massachusetts District of Maine.
Sir William Pepperrell's Role in History
When King George's War started in 1744, William Pepperrell was chosen to lead a group of colonial soldiers. Their mission was to capture the French Fortress of Louisbourg on what is now Cape Breton Island. This fort was very important for controlling the area.
Because he successfully led the capture of this important fort, King George II gave Pepperrell a special honor. He made him a "baronet," which meant he became "Sir William Pepperrell."
What Happened to the Estate?
Sir William Pepperrell owned a lot of land. However, his grandson lost all of it. During the American Revolutionary War, his grandson remained loyal to the British king. He then moved to England. Because he supported the British, the state took away the Pepperrell family's large estate.
