Built on Main Street in 1788-1789 for East Windsor Hill’s leading merchant, John Watson. This Adam style house, with a Palladian window and classical proportions, was designed by the architect and builder Thomas Hayden of Windsor. It is the oldest three-story mansion surviving in the Connecticut River valley and resembles the great Federal period mansions built for the wealthy merchants in New England’s coastal cities. It has recently been opened as a bed-and-breakfast.
Built in 1834-1835 for Dr. Jonathan Cogswell on Main Street in East Windsor Hill (now part of South Windsor). Cogswell became a professor at the Theological Institute of Connecticut in 1834. This school first opened its doors in that year and was located just across the street from the Cogswell’s Greek Revival house. In 1844, he sold the house to the Institute and it was used as a residence for its president and first professor of theology, Bennett Tyler. The Institute moved to Hartford in 1865 and is now known as the Hartford Theological Seminary. Cogswell’s daughter Elizabeth married James Dixon of Enfield, who later served as a notable anti-slavery senator. In Washington, the Dixons were personal friends of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth spent the night of the President’s assassination with the first lady to comfort her. The house is currently for sale.
Built in 1813 for Aaron Bissell (1758-1831) is the Federal (or Adam) style house at 1891 Main Street in East Windsor Hill (now in South Windsor). A three-story ell was added to the house in 1904. Aaron Bissell owned Bissell ‘s Tavern, as well as a store and post office, and was involved in farming and merchant ventures. Next door, to the north, stands a similar house, built in 1812 for Bissell’s partner and son-in-law, Eli Haskell.
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Built in 1757 for Ebenezer Grant, successful merchant and leading citizen of East Windsor. It stands on Main Street in East Windsor Hill (now part of South Windsor) and is known for its Connecticut River Valley doorway and rich high style detailing, much favored by the wealthy river valley elite in the mid eighteenth century. Ebenezer’s brother Noah was the great-great-grandfather of Ulysses S. Grant.