The main block of the house has a roughly square footprint and has the classic New England saltbox shape. It is five bays wide and two deep, with a steeply-sloping leanto section to the north (rear). In the 19th century Greek Revival trim details were added, including wide pilasters at the corners, and a portico sheltering the front entry. The first-floor windows are topped by decorative cornices. A single-story ell projects from one side of the rear, giving the house an L shape; this wing was built to house more modern kitchen facilities and servants' facilities. The interior plan of the main house is a typical center-hall plan, with four rooms on each floor. The house's chimneys were replaced in the 19th century with smaller ones. The house was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2][3]
Matthew Thornton was born in Ireland, probably in 1714, and came to North America with his parents in 1718. He trained as a doctor, opening his practice in Derry in 1740. He entered New Hampshire provincial politics in 1758, serving in the assembly until 1775, when a provisional assembly took over governance. Thornton helped draft a new state constitution, and was elected to the Second Continental Congress in 1776. He served there for one year, signing the Declaration of Independence even though he did not take office until November 1776. In 1780 he moved to Merrimack, where he remained active in state politics. He died in 1803, and is buried in the Signer's Cemetery, near his Merrimack home;[3] the cemetery and Merrimack house are also listed on the National Register.[1]
^ ab. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
^ abCharles W. Snell (June 21, 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Matthew Thornton House" (pdf). National Park Service. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help) and Accompanying 2 photos, exterior, from 1968 and 1971. (665 KB)
April 12, 2024
matthew, thornton, house, historic, house, national, historic, landmark, derry, hampshire, from, 1740, 1779, home, matthew, thornton, founding, father, signer, declaration, independence, national, register, historic, placesu, national, historic, landmarkthe, s. The Matthew Thornton House is a historic house and National Historic Landmark in Derry New Hampshire It was from 1740 to 1779 the home of Matthew Thornton a Founding Father and signer of the U S Declaration of Independence Matthew Thornton HouseU S National Register of Historic PlacesU S National Historic LandmarkThe Matthew Thornton HouseShow map of New HampshireShow map of the United StatesLocation2 Thornton Street Derry Village New HampshireCoordinates42 53 38 N 71 18 46 W 42 89389 N 71 31278 W 42 89389 71 31278Area2 5 acres 1 0 ha Architectural styleGreek Revival ColonialNRHP reference No 71000053Significant datesAdded to NRHPNovember 11 1971 1 Designated NHLNovember 11 1971 2 The main block of the house has a roughly square footprint and has the classic New England saltbox shape It is five bays wide and two deep with a steeply sloping leanto section to the north rear In the 19th century Greek Revival trim details were added including wide pilasters at the corners and a portico sheltering the front entry The first floor windows are topped by decorative cornices A single story ell projects from one side of the rear giving the house an L shape this wing was built to house more modern kitchen facilities and servants facilities The interior plan of the main house is a typical center hall plan with four rooms on each floor The house s chimneys were replaced in the 19th century with smaller ones The house was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places 2 3 Matthew Thornton was born in Ireland probably in 1714 and came to North America with his parents in 1718 He trained as a doctor opening his practice in Derry in 1740 He entered New Hampshire provincial politics in 1758 serving in the assembly until 1775 when a provisional assembly took over governance Thornton helped draft a new state constitution and was elected to the Second Continental Congress in 1776 He served there for one year signing the Declaration of Independence even though he did not take office until November 1776 In 1780 he moved to Merrimack where he remained active in state politics He died in 1803 and is buried in the Signer s Cemetery near his Merrimack home 3 the cemetery and Merrimack house are also listed on the National Register 1 See also edit nbsp New Hampshire portalList of National Historic Landmarks in New Hampshire National Register of Historic Places listings in Rockingham County New HampshireReferences edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service January 23 2007 a b Matthew Thornton House National Historic Landmark summary listing National Park Service Archived from the original on June 6 2011 Retrieved October 21 2007 a b Charles W Snell June 21 1971 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Matthew Thornton House pdf National Park Service a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help and Accompanying 2 photos exterior from 1968 and 1971 665 KB Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Matthew Thornton House amp oldid 1169251020, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
