The Nicoll-Benjamin House
By David Wright
Town Historian
Much has been written, of late, about the “White House” at 1880 Elm Street. Through much of the time the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre was operating the Shakespeare Theatre, the “White House” served as the Administrative Offices for the theatre.
While most houses of times long past provide opportunity for much speculation and stretch of the imagination, this one especially offers intricate grounds for fertile imaginings. Some sources date this house from 1785. Others believe it was either built in 1830-1840, or greatly modified at that time into the Greek revival period of architecture with only part of the original construction remaining.
It is said to have been originally built by General Matthias Nicoll (who died in 1830) and, then, inherited by his son, Captain Samuel C. Nicoll, who, in turn, left the house to his wife’s nephew, Samuel Nicoll Benjamin. Others feel just as certain that it was built by Captain Samuel in 1830 just after Matthias died and his children split up the property. Nevertheless, it eventually became the home of Samuel Nicoll Benjamin.
Captain Samuel Nicoll made his fortune as captain of the privateer “Scourge” in the War of 1812. Much has been written about Captain Nicoll’s privateering along Norway’s coast. He was generous with his captured booty sharing with the Norwegians who lived along Norway’s coastline. This made Captain Nicoll something of a Norwegian hero at the time.
Below the ground floor is a four-foot-high sub-basement which may have been used by escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad or, with the captain’s reputation, to hold smuggled rum. There is a walled in section in the basement’s foundation which is made of red bricks, very different from the rocks of the original foundation. Many believe this is the sealed-up entrance to what would have been a passage into the Underground Railroad tunnel to the Housatonic River.
Samuel Nicoll Benjamin married the daughter of Hamilton Fish, who was Secretary of State during President Grant’s administration. He served in the regular army and attained the rank of Colonel. Unable to remain in Stratford, he sold the homestead to his cousin, John Benjamin.
John Benjamin used the house as his summer home. He was a banker in New York City and, at one time, President of the New York Stock Exchange. He became the first president of The Housatonic Boat Club in 1887. His widow, Mrs. Hannah Lawrence Benjamin (who died in 1906) was the last of the Benjamin name to own the house.
John Benjamin, first President of Housatonic Boat Club. Founder of the New York Stock Exchange, and President.
At one time, an old detached building in the rear, which was once used as a kitchen, was said by some to be older than the main part of the house and, further, that it was used to accommodate soldiers during the Revolution.
A séance was held at the White House in May 2019. At that séance, eight female “ghosts” appeared to the attendees, claiming to be descendants of Captain Nicoll. Among other things, the “ghost women” expressed their dismay with the Town for allowing, in their opinion, the Shakespeare Theatre to burn.
The house has undergone many changes and additions down through the years, with wings added to it on each side, the most recent of which was about 1890; but the essence of its early history permeates throughout.
