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The Eells-Stow House is believed to be the oldest house in Milford and takes part of its name from the Eells family, who arrived in Milford in the later 17th century from the Boston area.
Samuel Eells, born c. 1640, came to Milford with his bride in 1668. After his wife's death, he moved to Hingham, Mass.Upon his death, the Wharf Lane property was inherited by his son, Col. Samuel Eells.
Col. Samuel Eells was very prominent in the affairs of both Milford and New Haven Colony.He married Martha Whiting Bryan (his second wife) who bore him a son, Nathaniel.Nathaniel married Martha Stow who unfortunately only lived for seven months after the wedding.The widowed Nathaniel then moved to Middletown.He eventually inherited the Wharf Lane property from his step-mother (the Col.s third wife) which he then sold to Stephen Stow, his deceased wife's brother.
Stephen Stow was born in Middletown on ww May 1726 and married c. 1752 Freelove Baldwin of Milford. They had seven children, six boys and one girl.Stephen was the captain of a coastal schooner and carried on a trading business up and down Long Island Sound.His day book is in the possession of the Historical Society, and tells an interesting story of his trading business.
Four of their sons, Stephen, Samuel, John and Jebediah served their country in the Revolutionary War, but their father, Capt. Stephen Stow gave his life while nursing 200 smallpox-stricken American soldiers.They had been brought from a British prison ship and cast ashore at Milford Harbor. The full extent of Capt. Stow's heroism can be appreciated only when it is understood that in 1777 very little was known about fighting this disease and its death toll was appalling. Forty-six soldiers died in one month and are buried in a common grave along with Capt. Stow.
Capt. Stow's historic home was saved from destruction in 1930 by the efforts of the Freelove Baldwin Stow Chapter of the D.A.R.The Milford Historical Society was organized shortly thereafter for the specific purpose of saving this, and many other, Milford antiquities.
In 1981, because of serious settling on the north facade, outside sheathing was removed to determine the cause. Complete destruction of corner posts, sills, and other bracing members were found and immediate reconstruction was begun.
During 1981-1982 the Eell-Stow House underwent extensive remodeling, which shed much light on the original plan and structure of this old house. All clapboards, sheathing, window frames and sashes were removed revealing the basic structure of the framing.Tradition had the date of the house late in the 17th century coinciding with the arrival of the Eells family in Milford.Investigation of the revealed framing put the date a little later, possibly as late as c. 1720.
The oldest part of the house has now been restored by replacing clapboards, sheathing, diamond-pane casement windows and interior refurbishing.
This restoration has repaired the Eells-Stow House so that it is now structurally sound and presents an historic building to the people of Milford which, along with the Bryan-Downs House and the Stockade House, represents Milford's proud past.
The Eells-Stow House is listed on the National Register of Historic Houses.
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page written 11/7/07