The Sedgwick House
This is a truly historic residence. The original structure (back end) dates from about 1760 and once served as the office of Dr. Lemuel Barnard one of the early physicians of Sheffield. Theodore Sedgwick bought it in 1768. It was here that an Ashley family slave, Mum Bett, sought the help of Sedgwick to argue her case for freedom. The court decision was in her favor and she later removed to Stockbridge with the Sedgwick family, serving them as a paid employee until her death. Sedgwick was for several years in the Massachusetts legislature, a member of the Continental Congress, Speaker of the House of Representatives (1799 – 1801) Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court and United States Senator.
The original structure was greatly expanded and extensively modified in the 19th century to a then fashionable Temple-style Greek Revival architecture with eleven columns.
The original structure was greatly expanded and extensively modified in the 19th century to a then fashionable Temple-style Greek Revival architecture with eleven columns.