Betty Allen House DAR House history,t9, le, W
Betty Allen House
House was built about 1760 by Preserved Clapp,and.lived in by
Clapps for several generations.
A typical New England farm house it probably was originally a
salt box style. It has a huge central chimney with a fireplace
in almost every room.
Front enterance:
The stairway is a replica of the pulpit staircase in Kings �. ,;•
Chapel in Boston. The Grandfathers clock was made in England
about 1732.
Betty Allen Rooms
The original wide boards here and in the dinning room.
Chippendale mirrgr,victorian sofa, flax wheel on which flax was
spun into linen thread,yarn winder, and empire secretary. The
George Washington painting over the fireplace was given to the
Chapter by Mrs.Arthur S. Warner in memory of her Mother Mrs.Esther
C.(Hayward) Warner. It was brought.from Boston to Hadley on horse-
back by Elijah Hayward who owned a store in Hadley.
Boston Museum of Fine Arts, opinion of this painting is that
it was probably paintedin China and brought back by ships .Cap-
tain, which was a common occurence at that time.
McConnell -or eeting room:
Originally)) this . was the kitchen and most all the activities of
the household were centered here. The large fireplace and big 'oven
cooked and baked all the food used by the family.The firs was never
allowed to go out winter or summer.Note the cranes for hanging the.
kettles over the.fire,waffle iron,foot warmer(which was filled with
hot coals and carried to the unheated meetinghouse) bed warmer also
filled with hot coals and passed between the sheets to warm the b
and the candle molds.
The slant top desk belonged to Betty Alleys grandson Elijah.
There were four-generations of Elijah Allens.'The first was Betty.
Allen_'.s son and a Revolutionary War soldier,tYis desk belonged to
his son.Elijah(born 1786 died 1826 age 4o) and was brought by him
from the Gillen homestead on King St to to his�home in Roberts meadow.
The desk remained in the family through Elijah 3rd & 4th and to
Miriam L. Allen the last of her family,from whom it was purchased in
1913
The dining room:
Pewter ware- orignal paneling over the fireplace -- corner cup-
board with china etc.
Upstairs bedroom"
Sliegh bed -- cradle -- Empire bureau - -wash stand bowl & pitcher
Blanket chest.