The north section of the Wyllys-Orton House, which was most likely separated from the rest of the 1659 home in the 1790s, is adjacent to the south section, on Main Street in Farmington. It was later enlarged. Another Connecticut house that was divided into two (south and north sections) is the John Chester Tavern in Wethersfield.
The Wyllys-Orton House (North Half) (1659)
Why did they divide the Wyllys-Orton House?
During WWII my family rented this house and I fell in love with it and its age. My bed room was in the middle front room which had been the home ‘safe room’ when Indians came around. Dad was in the Army and one day the owner who liked to drink, came to the back door and asked my Mom if she would consider buying the home for $5,000. We had so little money that she had to say no. I wonder what the cost would be today.
I believe my ancestor, Thomas Orton, built this. My heritage is through his son, John. Neat to see the house in living color… even if it is in halves… I’d love to afford to buy it.