OLDEST Brick Saltbox In the US! The Josiah Day House of West Springfield, Massachusetts

While in Massachusetts, visited the Josiah Day House of West Springfield. The House, built in 1754, is notable for being the oldest known brick saltbox home in the United States. Inhabited by Mr. Josiah Day and his family, the home is barely a quarter mile from the Connecticut River, which divides Springfield and West Springfield geographically.

Originally settled in 1635, West Springfield did not become its a separate town from Springfield until 1774, due to the fact that there was no bridge over the Connecticut River, making crossing for church services troublesome. After a hurricane in 1635, many left their immediate settlement, and it was not until the 1650s that some returned to live full time on the Western Side of the River.

For 3 decades the people of West Springfield, or "The West Side" as it was known, lobbied the town for a ferry service, of which they were denied every time. In 1683, the 4 members of the Bedortha Family Drowned while attempting to cross the river by boat for church services.

Other than the beaver skin trade, colonial Springfields economy consisted largely of animal husbandry and subsistence farming with barter being the medium of exchange. There were also gristmills and sawmills in the area.

My 6th Great Grandfather, Benjamin Green, grew up in the town of West Springfield. Born in 1752, during his time the town was not even a separate entity from main Springfield.

He, along with his Brother Thomas, fought in the American Revolution- his brother Thomas died during the war in 1775. Benjamin, having served a year with the 18th Continental Regiment of Washingtons Army, wintered at Valley Forge, and fought at Monmouth in Freehold, New Jersey as well as Saratoga in Upstate New York. He survived the war and lived to the age of 73, dying in 1825.

Patriot Paths, exploring Americas remarkable history, forgotten and unforgotten.

The Patriot Paths Channel was started in June 2020, to enhance one mans passion for History, to promote patriotic sentiment, to educate the American Public on the incredible history of their country, and to remember the contributions of those people, ordinary and unordinary, who forged it.

This channel will cover primarily history in the State of New Jersey, heavily in Monmouth County, but may feature occasional historical sights from out of state.

Primary locations will include battlefields, cemeteries, historic towns, buildings, and other locations.