Edward Frisbie House (Branford, Connecticut)

For the house on Stony Creek Road in Branford, see Edward Frisbie Homestead.

Edward Frisbie House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	699 E. Main St., Branford, Connecticut
Coordinates	41°18′15″N 72°45′22″W
Area	5 acres (2.0 ha)
Built	1750 (1750)
Built by	Frisbie, Edward
Architectural style	Colonial, New England Colonial
MPS	Colonial Houses of Branford TR
NRHP reference No.	88002638
Added to NRHP	December 1, 1988

The Edward Frisbie House is a historic house at 699 East Main Street in Branford, Connecticut. Probably built about 1750, it is a fine local example of Georgian residential architecture, historically attributed to one of the area's early settlers. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Description and history

The Edward Frisbie House is located in eastern Branford, on the south side of East Main Street (United States Route 1) near its junction with Baldwin Drive. It is a 2+1⁄2-story wood-frame structure, with a gabled roof, central chimney, and clapboarded exterior. A single-story shed-roof porch extends across the right side, with chamfered square posts and arched valances between them. The main facade faces north, and is five bays wide, with sash windows arranged symmetrically around the center entrance. The entrance is framed by a moulded surround with flared corners, and has a four-light transom window. The property includes a barn that also exhibits early construction techniques.

The house has historically been said to be the home of Edward Frisbie, one of the original grantees of land that is now Branford, and was assigned a construction date of about 1685, based on his will. However, architectural evidence of the construction techniques used suggest a Second Period construction date, probably c. 1750. The house is a particularly well-preserved example of 18th-century architecture, one of a modest number of such surviving houses in the town.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in New Haven County, Connecticut

The original assignation of 1685 is far more accurate given details of construction such as the existence within the house, around the fireplace(s), of the "Indian Stairwell" which was built to provide hiding space in the event of attack by native Indians. Additionally, given the property's use as a farm has led to the discovery of many arrowheads. The front door is also manufactured in what is referred to as a "Hatchet" style, which essentially was considered a gesture of openness to friendly Dutch traders. Last, an examination of the timbers and construction technique in the attic lend verification to an earlier date, given the exposed roman numerals on the hand adzed rafters present.