Sheldon-Hawks House (1754)
The John Sheldon House, also known as the Sheldon-Hawks House, on the Street in Deerfield, was built perhaps as early as 1743, but more likely in the period from 1754-1757. Built by John Sheldon, the grandson of Ensign John Sheldon. it was occupied by three generations of the Sheldons, a farming family. In 1802, a single-story ell was added to the rear. The house was the birthplace of George Sheldon, an early preservationist, who wrote A History of Deerfield and founded the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Society. George Sheldon inherited the house in 1860 and in 1871, his daughter, Susan Arabella, moved in with her husband, Edward A. Hawks. After Edward’s death in 1925, it was inherited by their daughter, Susan Belle Hawks, who ran The Old Homestead Antiques Shop from her home. It was acquired in 1946 by Henry and Helen Flynt, the founders Historic Deerfield, and is open for self-guided tours.
Could you please contact me with information about the back plate depicting General James Wolf in the living room of the Sheldon Hawks House. Thank you. Sincerely David Solomons
What’s a back plate?
I have pictures of this house. My Dad, Grant Marschman, lived there after his mother died. I don’t know the exact year, but he was born in 1916. I think he was fairly young when she died. I have a post card sent to my Dad when he was in the Navy during the war, and I can’t read the whole card but it was signed by “Aunt Sue”. Do you have any more information from that time frame, probably late teens, early 20s, I have a picture taken of it probably the time he lived there. Not sure. I can send to you.
What I remember from family legend is that, after his mom’s death Dad (Everett R. Marschman) spent some time living in the Sheldon Dearfield, Mass house (attached picture above), but for how long and at what age I can’t say. Did not hear that his brother, Grant Marschman also lived there. Some time early 1990’s Karin and I drove Dad, then age early 80’s, to visit the village (a historical tourist attraction) and went into The house. Only a few downstairs rooms were shown and my dad particularly remembered a small hidden “hideout” room part way up the stairs to second floor. He said it was build originally for use in case of Indian attack (???) and he use it playing hide go seek.
Another of his recollections was riding into nearby town in horse drawn wagon to deliver milk. While there we also visited the house directly across the street that was in middle of restoration.
My aunt and uncle, Margaret and Bill Palmer lived in this house in the 50’s and ran the Deerfield Academy student store and post office. They had to move to the Dwight Barnard house for a year while the house was converted to a museum, an apartment was added to the rear and they became the first docents. Spent many days in that house, playing in the secret places and stairways. Always slept on an army cot on the landing of the staircase. One memory, not so pleasant, was grabbing that front door latch with a hornet on it. Ouch!