Photo Gallery: The Jabez Smith House

Curated by Michael Fitzgerald, the Jabez Smith House has a long historiy in the Smith family dating back from 1663-1980.  The original farmer, Nehemiah Smith raised sheep and horse and grew flax and tobacco.  He started the farm with 7 acres in 1652 and by the time of his death, had accumulated around 300 acres.  He had a son also named Nehemiah who took over the farm as the elder Nehemiah moved in 1669, and became an original founder of Norwich. 

Nehemiah the third was followed by son Nathan and in 1775 under the ownership of Nathan, the house burned down. 

The house was rebuilt in 1783 and was passed to Nathan's son Jabez Smith.  Jabez farmed and had one child, a daughter named Waity and they moved to Poquonnock Bridge.  Jabez farmed flax which was used for spinning into a silky fiber and started an export business until his death in 1823. 

The home was filled with two more generations of Smiths and after,  the use of the house was unknown until New York resident and Saks Fifth Avenue buyer, Ann Graham Clarke adn husband decided to use this house as a weekend retreat.

After Ann's death in 1980, the town of Groton aquired the house which is now operated as a museum in pursuit of education.  The house is packed with interesting artifacts and is open to the public on weekends.