Notice the multicolored star on this house. Although it
is documented that George Raynolds lived here in 1830, there is evidence
that the house is in fact much older. It is theorized that the front
portion of the house is newer than the ell. This is supported by the fact
that the windows in the rear are lower than those in front, indicating
that the house was added on to. George Raynolds was a joiner and operated
a shop from the house. Like many houses in this "town of walking houses"
this house was moved from just south of its present location in 1832.
Records show that Mr. Raynolds stipulated that "the shutters on my shop
will be allowed to overlap the property line", one of the first instances
of property air rights to be documented! In 1857 the house was purchased
by Nelson and Samuel Newell, who owned the successful button factory.
(#35) Subsequently it was used as a parsonage and then by Sarah Storrs, a
deaf mute, who used it as a school. In the area between this house and the
house to the south (#30) there remains one of the "Twin Lofts" which
housed the renowned racing pigeons owned by Thomas Cordis. These pigeons
were used in World War I by the U.S. government for communication
purposes.
