Built around 1792, this is one of the oldest standing houses in Beverly. It was altered to its present form circa 1835 and purchased by Adam Crawford in 1846. Union officers occupied the house after the Battle of Rich Mountain. According to tradition, the telegraph wires brought by General McClellan's advancing army were strung to the tree on the left side of the house, and the telegraph office was established in the upper left hand bedroom. It is possible that General McClellan's famous victory telegram was sent from this location.
The Crawford family was forced to live in one room during much of the Union occupation, to the chagrin of the staunch southerners. One of the daughters, Harriet, later married a Union telegrapher she met here, but only after inducing him to desert and join the Confederate Army instead.
A typical "I-house" with 2 rooms upstairs, 2 rooms downstairs and a central entry and hall, this home features some Federal style detailing. This circa 1880s photograph gives a clear view of the house, including the unusual 9/6 windows which were found in many Beverly buildings. A later photo from around 1900 shows the windows had been changed by that time.
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