Severance-Hawks House (1712)

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Built on Old Deerfield Lot 36, the Severance-Hawks House was probably built in 1712 by Joseph Severance, a tailor who fought in the Deerfield Raid of 1704. Severance was later seriously wounded by Indians in 1713. In 1762, the house was bought by Zadock Hawks, who died in 1821. In 1824, Zadock’s son, Zur Hawks, bought out his brothers’ shares in the property. As sole owner, he updated the house in the Federal style. Both father and son were tanners and shoemakers. In 1920, the house was purchased by Grace A. Bement, who founded the Bement School in 1925. Now called Bement House, it one of four buildings used as boarding houses by the school.