Joshua and Sarah Wentworth Slept Here

SeacoastNH.com Presents  
Historic Portsmouth #376

We really need to brush up on this Revolutionary War hero from Portsmouth. As you may recall from last week’s special report, Joshua Wentworth (1742-1809) was the grandson, nephew, and cousin of the last three New Hampshire colonial governors. But he broke with British Loyalists and became a renowned NH patriot. So why is he not well known, even in his home town? (Continued below)

 

For one, we have no portrait of Joshua. I’m told one exists, but it disappeared in the 19^th century. Secondly, Joshua lacks a local biography. His circa-1770 Georgian home in the historic North End (seen here) was saved from destruction during urban renewal. Businessman Harry Winebaum saw that it was preserved, moving it by barge to the South End of town in 1973 where it is now privately owned. Seen here in its former location on Hanover Street, the house made headlines last week when it was revealed that archaeologists had discovered the Wentworth privy on the site of the new Residences at Portwalk. The privy contained hundreds of artifacts including an extremely rare bottle bearing Wentworth’s name and the date 1773. Joshua married 17-year old Sarah Pierce (only four of their 14 children survived to adulthood) in 1774. The following year his cousin Gov. John Wentworth, was driven from the city in the American Revolution, never to return under penalty of death. (Photo courtesy of the Portsmouth Athenaeum.)

READ: J Wentworth privy discovered below Portwalk Residences site

Photos (c) Portsmouth Athenaeum
as seen on SEACOASTNH.com