Raynham, a mansion on Townsend Avenue in New Haven, was built in 1804, but was completely transformed in 1856. With decorative elements derived from the writings of A.J. Downing, the house was transformed, and is maintained today, as an excellent example of the Gothic Revival villa. The house was built on a hill overlooking New Haven Harbor by the Townsend family of merchants. Originally called Bayridge, the house was later renamed Raynham, after Raynham Hall, the seat of the Townsend family in Norfolk, England. The house is still owned by members of the Townsend family.
Raynham (1804/1856)
Raynham Estate East Haven CT, built by my 5th cousin 5x removed, Eliza Ann Mulford (Townsend) 1798-1881 and her husband Hon, William Kneeland Townsend. This fine property is beautifully located on the east side of New Haven harbor and is part of the origional grant of the New Haven Colony of William Tuttle.
Named “Raynham” after the family seat of the English Townshend’s, ancestors of this East Haven family.
Raynham is in New Haven, CT – not in East Haven.
As a child would visit the acres of property with playmates. The Airport beacon was nearby. During WW II, a Japanese gardener was suspected of observing oil tanker movements, and transmitting same by Morse code, in the NH Harbor, from his vantage point in one of the cupolas. In the 50’s , I remember a horse escaping the estate and running down Ft Hale Rd to eventually being corralled in Ft. Hale park. Henry Townsend arrived with a saddle and rode him home.