Nowhere does it seem more evident the human being’s desire to put a mark on the world than within the boundaries of a piece of real estate. Homes are often tailored, custom fit, designed and even named to suit those who currently occupy their rooms. But what happens when the need to move outweighs the desire to stay — be it for love, money, or even for death? Someone new takes over. The house is refurbished, renovated, reconstructed, even renamed. They make it their own. They take over stewardship. How very many have taken ownership of a Forever Home, only to later pass it on to still others. In a home that’s more than two centuries old, we can easily see the story of stories. Might this be why some are so intrigued with antique homes?

The stories they afford are plentiful, and the Monadnock Region is plentiful with historic homes.

The long-standing brick colonial you’ll discover at the bottom of Peterborough’s Cheney Avenue is one of the oldest homes in the town and certainly one of the most distinguished. From the varied and gorgeous wood paneling throughout to the private sunset view of Grand Monadnock, this home has more than its fair share of extraordinary features.

The façade of the original brick portion is crowned with matching chimneys and its locally distinguishing widow’s walk. Next we notice the columned portico, its top rail guarding a beautifully arched triple window.

Leading us into the long foyer is the heavy eight-paneled door, surrounded by fanlight and sunlight windows indicative of America’s Federal period.

A long foyer leads into the grand stairwell, copiously adorned with dark wood paneling and matching lathe-turned balusters and newel.

Off the foyer are the living and dining rooms, the latter of which is separated from the kitchen by a full butler’s pantry filled with leaded glass cabinets.

The living room contains one of eight fireplaces found throughout the home. Nearly all the rooms are styled with period paneling, moldings, and wainscoting.

There’s more to tell, but we’re here for the pretty pictures as well as the story. The twelve-room, six-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom home sits comfortably on five acres within walking distance to downtown Peterborough. The attached three-car garage is heated with a workshop below, the spacious kitchen is complete with a large breakfast nook facing Cheney Ave., and what was once considered service quarters above the kitchen within the ell is to be converted to a large master suite complete with its own view of Grand Monadnock, walk-in closets and large private bath. The kids enjoy the privilege of the two front upstairs bedrooms of the original brick portion of the home – not without their own spin on things.

Whatever color you want:

They’re happy.

But what about the story?

Let’s learn a little about the beginnings of this landmark home, and about some of the stewards of the past.

59 Pine was built c. 1815 for Jonas Loring, then the hatter of the town. Loring happened into a business deal only a few years prior to the home’s construction:

According to Jonathan Smith in his riveting classic The Home of the Smith Family in Peterborough, NH 1749-1842, in 1810, “Samuel Morison, Nathaniel Morison, Jonas Loring, Nathaniel Holmes, William Smith, Jacob Putnam and Jonathan Smith formed a corporation known as the Peterborough Second Factory Corporation, and built a mill at the South Factory on a site about thirty rods north of the present mill of Joseph Noone’s sons.”

Thirty rods would put Peterborough Second Factory Corporation, a factory producing yarn, approximately 500 feet north of the beautiful mill at the modern day Noone Falls. The gentlemen made their investment in 1810, but it was just the next year that Jacob Putnam sold his shares to the other partners, followed by everyone else (except for Nathaniel Morison) in 1814.

The Peterborough Second Factory Corporation then passed afterwards through several hands.

While Noone Falls remains to be seen and adored, the fate of our subject’s mill is less fortunate: On November 29, 1849, the building of the Peterborough Second Factory Corporation burned down and was never rebuilt.

But our historical friends had all made their money by then and were surely onto bigger and better things. Jonas Loring came into ownership of land where we now know 59 Pine Street to be, according to the handwritten deed of record. Recorded July 5th, 1814, Jonas paid $600.00 for “twenty six acres and one hundred and eleven square rods by measure.”

How much is $600.00 from 1814 worth today, you ask?

I’ll tell you if you tell me how long a rod is!

No—Sam Abbott Sells Homes is glad you asked! Approximately $8,860.84 in today’s dollars. Not too shabby, Jonas!

Loring purchased this land from Mr. John White of what would later be known as Bleakhouse – one of the other oldest residences in Peterborough. You can find it now where Pine Street meets Route 101.

But what’s the twist, you must be asking?

There is, of course, a twist… Isn’t there?

Jonas Loring…

was the husband…

of the granddaughter…

OF MR. JOHN WHITE!

I know… It’s not that terribly exciting… But hey, small world after all, eh?

There’s a tidbit about Jonas Loring and the advent of that brick beauty you all now know and love, and by which you’ve no doubt driven past with mouth gaping in awe.

There’s still more…but you’ll have to wait until next week to uncover the treasures to come.

Homes of Monadnock: 59 Pine Street (Part I)

On Nostalgia

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