One of the reasons this structure on East Street in nearby Dedham is so well-preserved is because of a lurid court case which drained the family coffers and made it impossible for them to add plumbing, electricity, or heat. That means original walls stood. Original doors, closets, and stairs too.
What happened? Jason Fairbanks was accused of murder. A lover’s tiff gone wrong (he claimed his girlfriend had killed herself), followed by a jail break and run across the state up to Lake Champlain where the young Jason hoped to make it to Canada.
He didn’t. He was tried, found guilty, and executed.
Read The Bizarre Jason Fairbanks Murder Case of 1801 for more details.
I’ll start more at the beginning tomorrow.
But one more colorful detail: the last Fairbanks to occupy the residence, Rebecca, finally moved out when a lightning strike traveled down the chimney and killed her dog Jake.
Research for next book? Salem witch trials? Found this excerpt, on the death of Elizabeth, from the link posted, absolutely chilling…”Elizabeth Fales’ bears a haunting inscription which reads in part:
“Since God Decreed You should be Slain,
We’ll Cease to Mourn, Nor Dare Complain.”
Who knows? Certainly piqued my interest. I had mentioned Salem research to the docent (it was how I came across the Fairbanks house) and she said, “You don’t need to go to Salem! Check out the Dedham Historical Society!”
I saw that grave inscription and it makes no sense to me. Does it to you?
I know I’d get kicked out of here. Needing to put my hands on everything. Touch the walls, floors. Hold that teapot to my forehead. Places like this are alive with the energy of those who lived and died there. Great love and tragedy side by side. Great grist, Dee.
Yeah you can’t touch stuff! In that place, they don’t allow visitors upstairs either, not only because the stairs are treacherous but because they’re not sure about weight bearing.
What a fascinating house and story and such striking photos. A story told from Rebecca’s perspective as the last of her family would have endless possibilities.
I like the mother of the murderer as an idea too.