Federal period houses like the Stanwood-Upham House at 199 Middle Street in Portsmouth, do not need the frills and detailing of later Victorian styles, in this case, less can definitely be more! This residence was built around 1790 for William Stanwood (1746-1827), a wig-maker, merchant and Revolutionary War veteran. After his death, the property was acquired by Timothy Upham (1783–1855), who himself was a veteran in the War of 1812, who at the Siege of Fort Erie, led the regiment to rescue General James Miller. After the war, he was appointed as Collector of Customs at Portsmouth, and engaged in politics before moving to Charlestown, living there until his death in 1855. The residence was later-owned by sisters, Mary Elizabeth and Josephine Fitts Prescott, who purchased the property from inheritance of their late-brother, merchant, Charles William Prescott. The residence has a five-bay symmetrical facade with center entrance with pediment and fanlight transom, slate roof, and twin chimneys.
Buildings of New England 