The Thomas Newell House

The Thomas Newell House was probably built in two different time periods.
Records show that Newell built his home before 1776 because in that year
"the Farmington Highway Committee deeded him land 'the width of sd lott
on which he now dwells' " *. This section is probably the one story section
on the left side of the picture. It consists of two rooms with 2 fireplaces
and a "bee-hive" bake oven. The unusual siding is made of 18 inch wide
boards. The two story section, of Greek Revival style, was added in the early
19th century. Of particular note are the large brownstone foundation stones
noted in a c. 1970 Connecticut Historical Commision report.

Newell was a farmer, whose land was bounded on the east by what is now
Huckleberry Hill Road, on the south by his friend, Roger Woodford,
on the north by what is now Edwards Road, a total of 39 acres.
In 1802 he sold some of it to his son, Timothy Newell. In 1805 Timothy sold
some acres to Roger Woodford. Thomas also sold some land to his other son, Jessie.

Newell died in 1810, in debt. His estate was handled by his friend and next
door neighbor, Roger Woodford. Woodford sold the estate to Elija and
Jonathon Cowles. Jonathon died in 1823.

Two large barns were included with the property until the mid 1900's.
One barn to the south of the present house burned down in the lifetime
of some current Avon volunteer firefighters. Another large barn stood
on the lower property to the north of the current apple tree.
The foundation was destroyed when the home just north of the
property was built in 1992. Evidence exists that a structure,
probably an office, stood next to the current house on the north side.

* Mary-Frances L. MacKie, Avon, Connecticut: An Historical Story p. 104