Portsmouth Public Library: The Lieutenant Governor John Wentworth House And Five Women Named Sarah

Portsmouth NH

26 February, 2022

4:12 AM

Description

Press release from the Portsmouth Public Library: February 26, 2022 FEB222022TUE Online Tuesday, February 22, 20227:00pm - 8:30pm Program Type: Presentation, HistoryAge Group: Adult Program DescriptionDetails While its beginnings have been the subject of many historical architects' debates, we know the South End mansion once owned by Lieutenant Governor John Wentworth (1671-1730) and his wife Sarah Hunking Wentworth (ca. 1673–1741) survived until taken down in 1926. This process was well documented because the best parts of the finish treatments went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The most likely beginning is that it was built by John Wentworth himself between 1695 and 1705. The elaborate interior paneling and stairway were probably added within a decade of its construction. The occupants have been less well known. Join us as historian Sandra Rux explores the lives of those who lived in the house during the time of Wentworth family ownership from the perspective of five women named Sarah: Sarah Hunking Wentworth, wife of Lieutenant Governor John; Sarah Wentworth Macpheadris (1702-1778), daughter of Sarah and John and wife of Archibald Macpheadris; Sarah Hall Wentworth (1713-1790), wife of John Wentworth, a son of Lieutenant Governor John and Sarah Hunking; Sarah Wentworth Purcell, (1741-1789) daughter of Judge John and Sarah Hall; and Sarah Purcell Gardner (1770-1841), daughter of Sarah and Gregory Purcell and 3rd wife of William Gardner. Widows, children, men perishing at sea, and the American Revolution all play a part in this story. Registration is required. This event is free and open to all. Please register to receive the Zoom link. This press release was produced by the Portsmouth Public Library. The views expressed here are the author's own.