6 Downe Ln

Wilton, CT 06897

6 DOWNE LANE
WILTON, CONNECTICUT

Distinctive character and charm abound in this unusual colonial home, in which parts of
the framing and beams may be traced back to the first parsonage built for The Rev. Robert
Sturgeon in 1726. It was later occupied by another minister, The Rev. William Gaylord and
his wife, Elizabeth Davenport, daughter of the Rev. John Davenport of Stamford. They had
seven children before Elizabeth died in 1747. Mr. Gaylord then married another Elizabeth,
the daughter of a Mr. Bishop of Norwalk. Together they had six children.

“Of his thirteen children, seven survived him. One of these, Deodate, “Divine Gift”,
occupied this old home during his entire life of eighty years, here dying in the winter of
1840…….”Past this old home swept the division of the English forces that assailed and
burned Danbury, in 1777, to the alarm no doubt of its occupants, who were known to be
sturdy adherents of the colonial cause. And here, as the old people used to relate, was
heard the canon fired in 1779, when Norwalk was destroyed by the soldiers of King
George…..To this neighborhood, and no doubt to this home, fled many for refuge, when the
town five miles below was laid to ashes.”

“Three generations of Deodate Gaylord’s descendants were here born…..and (then)
the home itself was suddenly fallen to decay. ……As we think of the events that have
occurred within these now crumbling walls, …….the victories over doubt and fear that have
here been won, the hundreds of sermons that have here been meditated and penned, the
thousands of prayers that have here ascended to the Majesty on high, the triumphs over
“the last enemy” that have here been secured, the place assumes a sacredness whose
power we can but feel.”

Excerpts taken from:
HOME – IN MEMORY OF ITS BEAUTIES
ITS WEALTH OF SACRED ASSOCIATIONS – ITS GLADNESS AND ITS PATHOS – GAYLOR
HOMESTEAD ON POST ROAD BETWEEN NORWALK AND DANBURY – MEMORIAM BY JOHN
GAYLORD DAVENPORT, D.D PASTOR SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT
WATERBURY

In 1978 this house was marketed as a restored antique, originally built in 1726. After
further research, it was determined that the original house became dilapidated and in
1931, Charles Meyer rebuilt the house about 30 feet from the original house on the east
side of Route 7; approximately one mile north of Route 33 (the present Galor Drive). The
following description is found in: “The Federal Writers’ Project Works Progress
Administration, No. 19, Census of Old Buildings In Connecticut.”

EXTERIOR:
Shingled walls, with flush boarding in the gable peak. 18” overhang at the rake and
eaves.
Doorway – Ornamental arched portico, peak roof supported by two small columns.
Semi-elliptical fanlight with lead work. Sidelights flank the door.

INTERIOR:
The exposed framework of an early house within the walls of the modern house is all
that remains of original work. The summer beams all are 18” wide. The joists unusually
large and spaced only 15” apart.

HISTORY:
The first Personage – Rev. Robert Sturgeon. (See writings of Rev. William Gaylor
Davenport). Hubbard says that the house was moved complete about 30’, entire old frame
preserved, and light 2”x 4” frame put on the outside so that the old frame shows on the
inside. The previous owner to the Meyers was Sara Davenport.
When the new Route 7 was proposed threatening the existing site on Gaylor Drive,
this home was moved to the present location on Downe Lane.