The house originally erected by Thomas Sheldon around 1775, on North Street in Litchfield, is more commonly associated with Benjamin Tallmadge, who purchased it when he arrived in Litchfield in 1782. Tallmadge was an aide to George Washington during the Revolutionary War and served as the general’s intelligence deputy, as well as founding a notable spy ring in New York. Tallmadge married Mary Floyd, daughter of William Floyd, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. In Litchfield, he became a merchant (in partnership with Oliver Wolcott, Jr. and Julius Deming) and was president of Phoenix Bank (later the First National Bank of Litchfield). Tallmadge altered his Georgian house with the addition of two columned porches on the north and south ends. He later completed a memoir of his life and may also have been the model for Col. Davenport in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s autobiographical novel Poganuc People.
I lived in the Tallmadge House as a child back in the late 1960’s. My mother and father ran a catering business from the house. My mother restored the house so beautifully after they had purchased it. Back then there were shutters on all the windows and a covering over the front door entry way. I believe the front door was different as well. My parents put in the elevator at the back of the house since my mom was confined to a wheelchair due to polio. I love the house deeply and wish that I could purchase it and restore it once again to it’s beautiful state.
It’s too bad that such an important and beautiful house is not better maintained!
I would like to inform everyone that this house is for sale. It looks like it needs a lot of work, but it is ver beautiful and I hope someone is able to restore it. I wish I could buy it!
http://www.historicproperties.com/detail.asp?detail_key=Nelit025
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of 2008. My comfort was in case I could not survive it was that when I pass I am going to be a friendly ghost of the house, that is depending on who lives there and and how well they take care of the house!
I am kin to Major Benjamin Tallmadge and expect to visit the Tallmadge house in October.
Dear Family of the Tallmadge house,
I have shown the house to several potential buyers. We all love the grand rooms, fireplaces, wood floors & more. Does anyone have pictures of the original interior & exterior pictures? It would be nice to see what the original floor plan & use. The elevator is intriguing. Why does it sink 3 ft below the garage floor? What was the attic with the loft space used for?
Dear Family residents of the Tallmadge house, I’m intersted in the house’s history, floor plans and its pass uses.. How many people at one time lived in the house, was it used for entertaining?
I can be reached at bee@brealestate.net
Thank you,
Bonnie B
Dear Tallmadge House Friends,
Recently I walked by the house (we have just moved to CT)and the house called to me. It was sooooo cool, it sent shivers down my spine. If it is meant to be & we can afford to, we will restore, refurbish and work to bring Tallmadge House back to its 1775 beauty & the finest house on North St.
JR
I visited the Benjamin Tallmadge house last autumn and found the structure in disrepair and abandoned. I almost rounded up my three brothers to plan a painting party for the place. As kinfolk, it’s sad to see a meaningful historic structure looking so tattered on a street full of well kept historic homes.
Is benjamin tallmadge anything to do with the city of tallmadge ohio. and if so what is it. also i found a photo. does anyone know who this is.http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/image.php?rec=2145&img=47
Yes, it is my understanding that Tallmadge, Ohio is named after Benjamin Tallmadge.
http://www.answers.com/topic/tallmadge-benjamin
I lived next door to the Tallmadge house in the late 60’s as a child and still remember how beautiful the interior was…wide halls with the elevator.
Hello everyone – good news the Tallmadge House will be going on the market for sale. The property has been acquired by the bank and I have been selected to market the home.
Right now we are working on a marketing plan and it will be coming on the local MLS.
If you have interest in restoring this house please feel free to email me.
When I was in the house this past week I found it so sad that such a beautiful historical structure could have been so abused. It still has great bones and is looking for that special someone to restore her to her beauty. Contact me
The house is now on the market – all agents are welcome to show the home. We are looking for a buyer that will restore the home to is original state.
To Toby Hampton…are you availabld to email or talk about the house? your memories and recollections of it? I would love to be able to contact you. Thanks
Jane
To Jane Gladitsch, yes I would love to discuss the house with you.
Jane my e-mail address is toby.hampton@gmail.com, thank you.
To anyone on this forum, I live in litchfield and everytime i pass by the house i get upset due to its condition, when i was in 7th grade we went there with the historical society and im in high school now and have a voice in town and i want to fix up the house with voulenters and maybe a grant from the state. If you would like to be involved, please email me at blondie0097@gmail.com or minervinovlhs@gmail.com. Thank you!
My parents purchased the tallmadge house in 1969 from the hamptons. While living there,mthe house was maintained in excellent condition. They sold it in the 1990’s as my parents aged. The purchaser unfortunately ravaged the house. I believe it has been purchased by new owners wishing to restore the house. It was a wonderful house with secret passages, and great history.
I recently purchased the Tallmadge House. It has been restored by the previous owners. They did a wonderful job. I would like to learn more about the house.
I am writing an article “America’s most historic mile (from the Lyman Beecher house site to Ethan Allen house) Would enjoy talking with new owners,,,,with the production of AMC’s “Turn” Tallmadge gets the recognition he deserves. Also had great aunt who lived in the house in the days when it was the summer home of the Vanderpoels of NYC.
Never saw your request until now. If you are still interested in talking, let me know.
Mr.Tallmadge, do you know Cynthia Tallmadge from Rhode Island? She is a college classmate.