Daniel Deshon was a New London-based whaling captain and merchant who built a house for himself and his wife Fanny on Williams Street in New London in 1829. Mrs. Deshon died in 1833 and the house was put up for sale, being purchased in 1851 by Lyman Allyn, who was also a successful whaler. The house remained in the Allyn family until 1926, when Harriet Upson Allyn, Lyman’s last surviving child, died. Harriet Allyn had provided for the construction of the adjacent Lyman Allyn Art Museum, which was built in 1932. The Deshon-Allyn House was also opened to the public as part of the museum campus. The house was refurbished in 1956, a major restoration was undertaken in 1996, and another renovation in 2008.
Deshon-Allyn House (1829)
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Very interesting article. My nephew and wife were visiting yesterday 04/03/22. We were discussing the DeShon house and discovered that I may be the oldest living of the group. I have letters and information back to that time which I received from my Father and Grandfather. Our lineage is from Battle Creek, Michigan and tracks back the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. My nephew’s visited there a couple of years ago and we are going to attempt to visit this summer. Would it be possible to visit the house and grounds. Would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know. With thanks.