Name/Title
Captain Isaac Snow HouseEntry/Object ID
1986.28.2.72Description
A B/W photographic view of the Captain Isaac Snow House. Sebascodegan Island, built in 1812.
Capt. Jordan Snow, master mariner, son of Capt. Samuel Snow. House built in 1812, poorly remodeled in 1960.
The Snows came to Harpswell from the Cape Cod area. Samuel, John and Isaac owned all the land on the east side of Great Sebascodegan Island. They had a shipyard before the American Revolution (north of Mark Small farm. "In 1776 Isaac Snow, gentleman of Harpswell, built the schooner AMERICA, guns 10, Men 80, registered Sept 16, 1776, a commissioned privater (sic). (The house) Modeled on a sailing vessel, it contained beautiful woodwork as befitted a mansion. Kitchen 30 ft by 18 resembled a ship's galley. The wooden door outside the brick oven a dark stained red to match the other woodwork was tall enough for a medium sized person to pass through. Space which the original chimney occupied is as large as many good-sized bedrooms. Entire fireplace side paneled in red stained wood floor to celling. Paneling in parlor on east side of house paneled same except in white. Original H and L hinges.. Winding stairway hand cared. Unfortunately corner cupboard removed in 1937. Upstairs two huge bedrooms on either side of stairway with large chamber 25 ft by 20 ft at rear. Grain chest built when house was built stood under one window. Off open chamber two small bedrooms probably for servants but paneled pumpkin pine, winding stair down backway. Front doors double opening with beautiful carving in tiny grooves - llike ship's hatch in construction. In back of house facing ocean were granite slabs bordering an old flower garden. Original windows had 12 panes of thin clouded glass. House stands on 120 foot elevation. Superb view. Many out-buildings torn down in 1937. After the house passed from Snow family, it had three owners from Phippsburg all who have lived to over 90 years of age. One, Mr. Hooke lived to be 99 years of age. Sumner Lowell attained nearly that age.
Reference: Harpswell houses built by sea captains. LJN 8/17/46 K.S.T.
Next door to 1812 Snow mansion, when it was not quite finished. William Snow born here. Owned later by Talbot Smith.
Source: Sumner Lowell 1939 (lived in Jordan Snow house next door)
Reference: Harpswell houses built by sea captains M.S.T. 8/17/46Collection
Miriam Stover ThomasLexicon
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Harpswell, Captain Isaac Snow House