The Fairbanks house is still standing in Dedham, Mass. even though Indians burned the
house next door.

The name is sometimes spelled Fayerbanke.

The house is open and maintained by the Dedham Historical Society.

Hundreds of visitors go every summer to see the old house, but there are many more, living, too, within easy distance from it, who know nothing at all of its history, or think that it has any more claim for consideration than any house not half its age. It stands, nestling cozily in a grassy dell, just at the corner of East Street and the short road across the meadows that lie between East Street and Dedham, known as the "Willow Road," because for more than half its way it is fringed on both sides by luxuriant willow growths. This road is a "modern convenience," and its construction was frowned upon by the three old ladies who, twenty years ago, lived together in the family homestead.  It made the road to the village shorter by half than the old way, but that had no weight with the inflexible women, who had inherited all the decision and firmness of a long line of Puritan ancestors. They protested against the building of the road, but when it was built, in spite of their protests, it is said that they declared they never would use it, and they kept their word. Constant attendants of the old Congregational Church in Dedham, they went persistently the longest way round, rather than, even for their own convenience, show any toleration for what they so honestly opposed. "Set in their ways," the neighbors called them and so they were, "for conscience sake." There will be more to tell about them later on.

The house is surrounded by old Elm trees that have for years guarded it and shielded it from the too scorching sun of summer and the too searching winds of winter; the branches of these venerable trees interlace over the mossy roof and make a most perfect shade. It is a sunny corner, and in the winter, when the leaves are off the trees and shrubs, every corner is filled with brightness.

The builder of this house, Jonathan Fairbanks, came from Sowerby, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, in 1633. The family was an old one even then, and among the treasures still preserved in the old house are pieces of china and furniture that were old when they crossed the sea with Jonathan Fairbanks, thirteen years after the Mayflower found its way to the New England shores. This founder of the Fairbanks family in America settled first in Boston. He lived in that town for three years, and at the end of that time he went to Dedham and built him a house, the one that, standing still after a lapse of two hundred  and fifty years, (at the time of this writing) is the subject of this sketch. The town which the Puritan Fairbanks had chosen for a home was settled in the year 1635, and was called Contentment. The grant of land which it then comprised embraced the present towns of Medfield, Wrentham, Needham, Bellingham, Walpole, Norfolk, Franklin, Dover, Natick, Norwood and parts of Sherborn and Hyde Park. It was incorporated on the 8th of Sep.,  1636, and named from Dedham in Essex County, England, the name Contentment not suiting the residents. It was in this year, the year that saw the incorporation of the Norfolk County town, that Jonathan Fairbanks built his house. The windows and furnishings came from England, the frame was of solid oak, and the house was built in the thorough fashion that is now almost unknown. The windows had the same lozenge-shaped glass set in lead frames that we see in old English houses to-day. These windows were long ago replaced by wooden ones, but the original windows are still preserved, although some of them are quite badly broken; still enough remains to give an idea of the quaint look which they gave to the house. Jonathan Fairbanks lived to a ripe old age and died in 1668, leaving six children, of whom the eldest, John, was in possession of the old homestead.

John Fairbanks is mentioned in the early history of Dedham as being sent by the selectman in 1663, in company with another Dedham pioneer , whose descendants still live in the town, Daniel Fisher, to examine the land at Deerfield, the called Petumtuck. From him the homestead descended to his son Joseph. The family has always been well-known and highly respected in the town, and the name often occurs in the town annals. There has been little modernizing of the interior of the house; it remains in the form and finish very much as it was when it was when it was first built. It has an ancient gambrel roof, and the sides and roof are both moss grown, showing extreme old age. There is the old "lean-to," as it was called, the roof of which, extending from the roof of the house, reaches nearly to the ground. In the "lean-to" was the dairy. It looks toward the west, has low, latticed windows, and across one side are the heavy oaken shelves which used to hold the pans of milk. Here is the old cheese press, which did yeoman service for many years, standing in the same corner in which it has always stood, although it is many a long year since it has been used. The house is filled with old furniture and crockery that would tempt the purse of any lover of the antique. Even the Fairbanks' cats drink their milk out of ancient blue saucers that would drive a collector wild with envy and desire. Oh! the cupboards and chests and boxes in that house! They are a very El Dorado of delight to the fortunate one who is privileged to look through them, under Miss Rebecca's careful and loving guidance.

Every piece has its history, every article its story of association. The old kitchen, facing to the south, and looking out over the meadows that, in the summer, are one streak of green,  is the room in which most of the interest seems to centre. The ceilings are low -- so low that a tall person can hardly stand upright in it. The beams of solid oak, blackened by the smoke of years, give a somber look to the room. The old fireplace has been closed up, and a modern cook-stove has been introduced, but on hooks across the beams still rests the old flintlock, which was brought from England by Jonathan Fairbanks. Generation after generation, as they passed away, instructed their successors to keep the old family gun in the iron rests put into the beam for it by its original owner. The fact that the gun hung in its place until recently, shows how carefully the injunction has been obeyed. It is a contrast to the rifles used to-day, but it has, no doubt, served its purpose well, and been used as a defense against savages and wild beasts. It is six feet and four inches long, and is too heavy to be lifted easily, or carried comfortably. (*) The old iron

lamp still hangs here. It is a sort of boat, which, when it was used, was filled with lard oil. The wick was coiled about in the oil, the end projecting slightly above a small spout at one side. The light that it emits is about equal to the glimmer of a glow-worm, but it was accounted sufficient in those days, when, in addition to its light, there was the glow from the roaring wood fire in the wide old fireplace, the light from which illuminated every corner of the room, and made dancing shadows on the low walls. People in those days did not use light in the lavish fashion which we do; they kept early hours. For all the needs of that time, the lone dip was quite sufficient. This lamp hangs on a support, which admits of its being raised or lowered at will, and it could be adjusted to any height or position desired. In the daytime, it was raised so as to hang against the beam. There are the hooks where the crooked-necked squashes and the bunches of herbs used to hang. One can fancy the old kitchen festooned with these, and with links of sausage and horns and strings of dried apples. The heavy old oaken chairs still stand in this room, and the oaken tables and settle.

IN THE "KEEPING-ROOM” or parlor is the closet where the old china is kept. Here is one piece of '¹old Dutch delft,'¹ that is literally worth more than its weight in gold. It has been broken, but was carefully mended, so that not a piece is lost, and it still retains its quaint shape, unmarred by nick. It is in the shape of a nautilus shell, is pure white, with a raised shell-like design about the edge, and it is very delicate in texture. These dishes are very rare. It is believed there are but three in this country. One is in possession of John Quincy Adams; another, it is supposed, has become the property of a collector, and this one at the Fairbanks house, which will probably go, when Miss Rebecca is ready, to the Art Museum in Boston. In this closet are the pewter platters and salvers which were once the delight of the housekeeper's heart. One of them is very old, and bears upon it the crest of King Richard III. There is a set of blue and white plate, queer blue figures on a white ground, supposed to be floral, but looking very fat and funny, quite unlike anything that is found in any botany. There are other pieces of old blue ware, that show less white, and the ground is a deep bright blue with a high glaze. There is a set of hand-painted china that is said to be very old, and some green ware that is older still. Decanters of various sizes are reminders of the time when "spirits" were as commonly seen as tea and coffee are now; and there are quaint little wine glasses with rather abortive attempts at engraving on them, which were accounted "marvelous fine and pretty" in their day, and which are among the earliest specimens of engraved glass in this country. The tall japanned coffeepot, with the initials of Jonathan Fairbanks oh the side, keeps watch over all this closet full of quaint old china, and, by its side, fat and comfortable, nestles the old pewter tea-pot. In vain have collectors tried to purchase even one piece of this precious china; money was no temptation; it could not be bought, but, if the house is sold, the china must go, too, and it will not be long, probably, before it is sold. A great deal of it will go to the Vermont branch of the Fairbanks family, and so will much of the furniture, but there will be then TREASURE TROVE FOR COLLECTORS.

Next to this closet, the most fascinating places in the house are two chambers upstairs, where a great many queer old things are preserved. In one room, the room in which all the Fairbanks children, for generations, were born, is the little wooden cradle in which they were all rocked. It is by no means the luxurious affair of to-day, but it is strong, and, like everything else, is made of white oak. In this room is the old mahogany writing-desk, and in one of the pigeon-holes is a veritable ink-horn, with the old quill pen and the receptacle for ink underneath, which could be closely covered and carried in the pocket. This is a veritable curiosity to most persons, for they are not often seen nowadays. In the old chest are old laces and embroideries, old dresses made in the queer fashions of one hundred and one hundred and fifty years ago. Here, too, are the samplers wrought in cross-stitch, with all the letters of the alphabet, queer figures of impossible flower pots, with most improbable plants and blossoms growing out of them, and a highly moral verse of four lines in one corner. Rolls of old rewards of merit, printed in quaint letters, with an eagle at the top, announce that Nancy and Sally Fairbanks are commended for "good and amiable scholarship." These bear the dates of eighty years ago, and they were treasured most carefully by the little girls who won them, who afterwards grew up to be the inflexible women who would not go to meeting over the new Willow Road. But, in spite of this, they kept their reputation for amiability, and were great favorites with the young people, who used to visit them, to hear the stories of the olden time. And they had a fund of them at their command, which they never wearied of telling to their young visitors and friends. There is in this same chest

A WONDERFUL ROLL, which Nancy exhibited on one of the school public days, as a proof of her penmanship. It has the alphabet in various kinds of letters, in van-colored inks; there is ornamental work of all kinds, that was taught as a part of penmanship in those days; there are old maxims and chronicled historical events--all these form an elaborate border for the centre, which was a copy of the then celebrated poem of "Edwin and Angelina," written in script that, although quaint and old fashioned in style, is none the less as clear as print. Miss Rebecca is going to have it framed by and by, as the most treasured relic of the past which she possesses. Nancy Fairbanks was accounted a fine scholar, and very accomplished for the time in which she lived, and, since her death, it has transpired that she would have had "literary aspirations," had such things been the fashion in her day. She did write verses, but the only relative to whom she confided the fact begged her to keep them to herself, else "folks would think she was weakening." The relative told Miss Rebecca of this after her aunt's death, and she looked in vain for the poetry. The dear old lady must have destroyed it after her rebuff by the unappreciative relative. The old bandboxes, which would appall the belle of today, if she was obliged to carry them about with her, are filled with old fashioned bonnets, queer enough, but of such straw as no one sees the like of nowadays, and thick ribbons that are beautiful even in their age, heavier and richer than any that could be bought nowadays at any price. The other room is a veritable museum. Here is an old covered oaken chest of the time of Elizabeth, that came over with Jonathan Fairbanks, filled with English goods; here are the old four-post mahogany bedsteads with canopied tops, the ox saddle, the funny old fire-irons, the grain shovels, cut by hand out of one solid piece of oak, the brass warming-pans with elaborate engraving on the covers, the foot-stoves, which used to be filled with hot coals and carried to meeting to keep the feet warm during the two hours' service in the barren meeting-house, guiltless of fire. It is a queer mixture, old England and New England together, and it is a real matter of regret that they are all to be separated from the old house and from each other, after so many years of association. It is a genuine museum of curiosities, and every object has an association with a past that is full of interest.

A LAST APPEAL FOR THE FAIRBANKS HOUSE.

To the Editor of the Transcript:

That famous old landmark of the Colonial and Revolutionary days, the old Fairbanks House in Dedham, is doomed to destruction. It is of historic interest as being one of the oldest houses in America. Built in 1636 by Jonathan Fairbanks, the founder of the Fairbanks family in America, ninety-six years before Washington was born and but sixteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, its quaint gables and picturesque architecture, as well as the magnificent elms surrounding it, mark it as one of the most delightful of the old landmarks of New England. Thus it stands today in a state of good preservation, with its ancient furniture intact, having withstood the vicissitudes of war and the ravages of time for more than two hundred and sixty-one years. During this whole period it has always been owned and occupied by the same family. It has a most interesting history. The frame was brought from Yorkshire, England, in 1633, at which time Jonathan Fairbanks, with his wife and six children, came to America. There being no roads at that time, there is little doubt that they sailed up the beautiful Charles River, and, attracted by the resemblance of the country to the English parks, chose the site of the house on which to build their home in the New World. The homestead has always been the property of their descendants, one of whom, Ebenezer, Jr., was a member of the Minute Men of 1776, and a man of considerable note. The house was left to his children, and descended finally to Miss Rebecca Fairbanks, who was obliged to sell it two years ago to John Crowley, a real estate dealer in Dedham.

The picturesque old house is too well known to need further description here. Its sloping roof reaching nearly to the ground, the low doorways, and the whole effect of the house set among the trees, is exceedingly picturesque. During the summer throngs of visitors from Maine to California visit this famous dwelling. The adjoining property has been laid out into "Fairbanks Park," and this old house will soon be doomed to destruction, as it stands on a valuable corner lot containing 38,000 square feet of land. Mr. Crowley offers to sell the property for just what he paid for it, $4,500, if an effort can be made to save it from destruction.

The purpose of this appeal is to try to arouse in the members of the patriotic societies here in Massachusetts a sense of the duty which they owe to themselves and to their country to try to preserve for Massachusetts this interesting relic of the Colonial days. There are 5,000 members of the patriotic societies alone in Massachusetts. If each would contribute a little, the preservation of this famous old landmark would be assured. Miss Rebecca Fairbanks leaves the house on May 1. If the house can be preserved she will leave in it the ancient furniture and relics identified with its history. Will the "Sons" and "Daughters" of Massachusetts allow this famous old house to be destroyed?

If the preservation of the house can be assured, a chapter of the Society of the Daughters of the Revolution, which is incorporated under the laws of the [Image for Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family ] Commonwealth of Massachusetts, will be responsible for the care of the house, or a board of trustees may be chosen from members of the different patriotic societies. It is hoped that this appeal will find an echo in the hearts of those to whom the history of their country is dear, and that a generous response will be made to help save to Massachusetts this famous relic of the Colonial days.

All patriotic citizens of Massachusetts are asked to contribute, and the names of the donors will be preserved for future reference in the old house.

Any questions will be cheerfully answered and subscriptions, however small, will be received and acknowledged in the Transcript by -

Mrs. NELSON V. TITUS, Treasurer Fund for Preservation Fairbanks House.

Boston, April 3, 1897.

THE FAIRBANKS HOUSE SAVED.

To the Editor of the Transcript:

It is with much satisfaction that I write to say that the preservation of the "old Fairbanks House" in Dedham is assured, thanks to the patriotism and generosity of two ladies, members of the Society of the Daughters of the Revolution. In response to my appeal in the Transcript of Saturday, the mail of Monday morning brought me not only the offer from Mrs. J. Amory Codman and her daughter, Miss Martha C. Codman, of the entire amount of the purchase money, $4,500, but also checks to the amount of nearly $1,000 more.

The latter will be returned to the donors with many thanks. The preservation of the "old Fairbanks House" is now assured, and Miss Fairbanks may be permitted to occupy it if she so desires.

Thanking the ladies and gentlemen who so nobly responded to my appeal to save this famous old landmark, and the Transcript for its cordial endorsement of this patriotic work.

Mrs. NELSON V. TITUS.

BOSTON, April 8, 1897.

FAIRBANKS CHAPTER,

"DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION," ORGANIZES; SECOND MEETING HELD UNDER "OLD GLORY'S" FOLDS.

On April 12, 1897, the Fairbanks Chapter of Dedham, of the Society of the Daughters of the Revolution was organized in the Old Fairbanks House, by Miss Sarah E. Hunt, Regent of the State Society of Massachusetts, assisted by Mrs. W. H. Emery, Vice-Regent. Mrs. Charles H. Fisher of Hyde Park, Mass., was appointed Regent of the new Chapter. Mrs. J. Amory Codman and her daughter Miss Martha C. Codman, whose patriotism and generosity saved the old house were present, besides other Regents of the different Chapters of the society, throughout the State, and many Dedham ladies with invited guests. The Fairbanks Chapter expects to hold monthly meetings in the old house.

(*)This gun is now in the possession of Rev. Henry Fairbanks, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., who secured it that it might be more carefully preserved than it could be in the old house.