At 291 North Burnham Highway (Route 169) in Lisbon is a colonial “Cape Cod”-type house built in 1790. It was the home of John Palmer, who was a revivalist preacher during the period of the Great Awakening. A Separatist, or “Strict Congregationalist,” leader from 1746 until his death in 1807, Palmer was a dissident from the established Congregational church. In 1749, he became the pastor of the Separatist Brunswick Church, which was located in what is now the town of Scotland. While most Separatist churches of the time lasted only a few years, the Brunswick Church was not formally disbanded until 1813. The exterior of the Palmer House was significantly remodeled (removing some later alterations) during a restoration that followed a fire in 1968. Today the house is part of Heritage Trail Vineyards.
This John Palmer is a direct descendant of mine. He preached in Scotland, CT until he died in 1807. All the records I have show he lived his entire life in Scotland, Windham County. Lisbon seems pretty far away for a dwelling house, so I’m wondering if the house belonged to a different John Palmer? It doesn’t make sense to me. Are there any sources for the original owner?