THE DEWEY HOUSE

87 South Maple Street
Westfield, Massachusetts

The Dewey story began in 1667, two years before Westfield was incorporated. Four rothers (Josiah, Thomas, Israel and Jedediah Dewey) moved north from Windsor, Connecticut, to establish a new life. With a start like that, it's not a wonder that by 1775, the Assessor's List of December 30th, listed more taxpayers by the name of Dewey than any other name.

All but Israel joined up with Joseph Whiting to establish the first successful mill for both sawing and grinding. It was located on Two Mile Brook in what is known as Little River District. With the beginnings of that mill operation, the town had given the Dewey brothers grants of land.

In 1715, Jedediah conveyed to his son Joseph, a tract of about 30 acres "near unto a field commonly called the 'Squawfield'" and bounded on the north "by the foot of the pine hill". This parcel included the property owned by the Historical Society and extended to the east beyond the present Dewey Avenue.

In 1756, Joseph sold to his son, Joseph Dewey Jr., the same tract of land now expanded to 50 acres with a dwellinghouse and barn standing on it. It is believed that this dwelling is the front part at least of the Historical Society house. No exact construction date can be determined, but it seems clear that it was built by Joseph Dewey between the dates of 1717 and 1756. So it has been labelled as "circa 1735". Evidence supports that Dewey may have lived in a "cellar house" dug into the bank at the foot of the pine hill while he was constructing the house from timber cut in the nearby woodlands.

It remained for the most part in the Dewey family for about a century, until 1856. The record is complicated, but the real estate continued to pass through the hands of:

• Joseph's sons Eliab and Benjamin.

• Then to Benjamin's son, Charles, who conveyed a part of it in 1843 to Edward Dewey (not the home lot).
  

• When Charles died in 1847 without any children, the Dewey dwelling on 22 acres went to James Holland in 1848.

• He in turn sold the property to Gardner Burbank in 1852.

• Shortly thereafter, back into Dewey hands: Burbank sold the property to Franklin S. Dewey.

• Dewey sold the house and about 3 acres to Laura McNeil in 1858.

• During the 1860s, the property passed from McNeil to Nacajah Taylor.

• Taylor sold it to Russell Harris.

• Harris sold it to Froissard Whipple.

• In 1871, the place was bought by Emma J. Turner.

• Turner willed the propert to her son, Frederick Turner.

• Finally it was owned by Mrs. Frederick Turner, Effie.
  

Inevitably there have been many structural changes made to the old house. Probably the most notable change occurred in the early 1800s when the colonial design was converted to a Federal style of architecture.

1735 Dewey House, Westfield, Mass.
Scroll down 2/3 of the page. Pictures were taken at a Noble Family Reunion.

Matthew Noble-Hannah Dewey House.