Ephraim William’s House

Every once in a while something different is uncovered in the Museum & Archives. This drawing is an example of that. It is a 1907 sketch of what the house of Ephraim Williams on Prospect Hill might have looked like. Williams was the father-in-law to Reverend John Sergeant.

With the sketch comes an interesting description: Built 1750 – the clapboards were 3 1/2′ long and 5″ wide lasting 100 years. It was subsequently occupied by Rev. Stephen West, who married Elizabeth, sister of Abigail Sergeant Dwight. The old “fort” well is still under the present house “Windermere” owned by Dr. Henry Field. The Williams house, an almost impregnable fortress, was planked by black oak and surrounded by a moat.

Stockbridge Library Photography Collection