Churchill House History
Churchill House was built circa 1835 as the home of Rev. Silas Churchill (1769-1854). Upon his death, the home passed to his 2nd son, Silas Churchill Jr. (1800 - 1878). Silas Jr. was a farmer. The home passed to his widow, Cornelia Churchill (1806 - 1896) in 1878.
This image is from an early 1880's photo of Churchill House
When Cornelia passed away at the advanced age of 90 years old, Churchill House passed to her daughter, Martha Churchill McWilliams( 1838 - 1912), wife of John McWilliams, a dentist. Several old dental tools of Mr. McWilliams have been found in the house with his name stamped on them.
Martha left Churchill House to her husband John McWilliams (1836 - 1925)at the time of her death in 1912. John passed away in 1925 and Churchill House went to his daughter Rose McWilliams Fraser (1870 - 1944), wife of Dr. Homer Fraser (1861 - 1949). Homer and Rose had lived in Brookyln, but moved to New Lebanon where Dr. Fraser added a small wing to the house to use as an office and waiting room for his medical practice.
Another image from the 1880's, this one showing the house and barn
Rose passed away in 1944 and Homer in 1949. Homer left Churchill house to his daughter, Margaret Fraser Daly (1909 - 1967), wife of John Chesseman Daly, an importer from New York City. They lived in Churchill House until 1965, when Margaret became ill. They had no children so the home was sold and left the Churchill family.
When the Churchill Home was finally sold in 1965, it was purchased by Rev. Andrew & Jean Jones who lived in the home for 25 years until 1990. Mrs. Jones then sold the home to Michael & Michele Arthur, who opened Churchill House to the public as a B &B on New Years Day 1991. The Arthurs sold Churchill House to the current owners in August 2004.
Three generations of the Churchill family - Photo circa 1882
From left to right
Cornelia L. Churchill (1806 - 1896)
John McWilliams (1836 - 1925)
Martha Churchill McWilliams (1836 - 1912)
Alfred McWilliams (1872 - ? )
Rose McWilliams Fraser 1870 - 1944)
Cornelia McWilliams (1868 - 1939)
Martha Churchill McWilliams (1838 -1912) (right)
On the front porch at Churchill House - Photo circa 1919
Rose McWilliams Fraser (1870 - 1944)
with her two children
Donald Fraser (1905 -1978)
and Margaret Fraser Daly (1909 - 1967)
(below)
A jigsaw puzzle of the Churchill House, original painting by Bonnie White, is now for sale
