Simond, Col. Benjamin, House

The Colonel Benjamin Simond House is a substantial, yet simple, Georgian period farmhouse located 1½ miles north of Williamstown Center. The property contains slightly over 1½ acres of land and consists of the 18th century dwelling, and a late 19th century barn and milk house. Adjacent to the farm's southern boundary is the Boston and Maine Railroad, which dates from 1859, and the Hoosic River. The 2½ story, five bay, central chimney, clapboard structure is of timber frame construction with a single story shed attached to the rear. It stands on a foundation of dry laid limestone, marble and fieldstone. Although the dwelling essentially retains its original 18th century form, alterations can be seen in the main entry and in the use of slate as a roof covering. Eoveriag.

Be been snn ena mat cale The principal, five-bay facade, which faces east, contains windows of 6/6 sash set in molded Irames. This elevation, spare in ornamentation, is highlighted by a center entry which was enhanced early in the 19th century with flanking Tuscan pilasters. Both the north and south elevations are identical in design and contain simple gable returns. Each is two bays deep with 6/6 windows placed symmetrically on the first and second floors. In addition, there is a single 4/4 window located at the attic level. Attached to the noithern portion of the rear facade is a simple two-bay, one-story gable roofed elì measuring approximately 20' by 40'. A simple recessed porch entry is located on the southern side of this extension.

The interior of the Colonel Simond House retains a considerable degree of original detailing. This is seen primarily in the front rooms which contain early built-in cupboards, wainscoting and chair rails.

/Architect Unknown Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Colonel Benjamin Simond House is significant as a fine example of rural New England Georgian architecture and as a symbol of the early development of Williamstown. It is one of three intact mid l8th century farmhouses still standing in town and is additionally important for its association with the original owner, who played a pivotal role in the community's early settlement and participated as a commanding officer in the Revolution at the Battle of Bennington and White Plains.

Retaining integrity of design, materials, workmanship, location and setting, the property meets criteria A, B, and C oI the National Register of Historic Born on February 13, 1726 in Ware, Massachusetts, Benjamin Simond enlisted as a sentry in the French and Indian War at Fort Shirley, and was transferred to Fort Massachusetts at East Hoosic. On August 26, 1746, 28 other soldiers, was taken captive and sent to Quebec. the spring of 1748, he returned to West Hoosic, now Williamstown, and In 1752 he constructed a house and tavern on the property, but by 1769 moved to the north side of the Hoosic River where he built the farmhouse and tavern now known as River Bend Farm.

One of the community's most prominent early citizens, Benjamin Simono was instrumental in developing the young town of Williamstown in the years preceding the Revolution and assisted in its incorporation in the develupion the Among his contributions to the community are the building of the block house in 1754, planning the town's first church in 1766, and helping to lay out a new burial ground adjacent to the church in 1766.