Dr. Orrin White’s house – Horton House #8 Marjorie Circle
C. L. Pendleton 1893
When this house was built in 1856 it was one of the most stylish houses in Hebron with its wide eaves and flat tin roof that undoubtedly came from Mitchell’s tinsmith shop located by Fuller’s tavern across the way. Dr. White treated many African American families in Hebron. In the 1850’s, he had a 13-year-old African American woman named Almira Russell in his household. Dr. White died in 1867 during an outbreak of smallpox amongst Hebron’s African-Americans.
To assist with the housekeeping Dr. White’s family employed a young Irish woman named Mary Fitzgerald who lived with the family. In the 1850’s Rosa Cavrod and Ellen Fitzmore were two of the five young Irish women who sought employment as housekeepers in Hebron Center. By the 1860’s there were many Irish girls working in the Silk Mill in Amston, then called Turnerville. When the Railroad was put in during the 1870’s, many Irish workmen were employed. After the Civil War many of these young Irish workers moved on to other jobs, but a few purchased farms and settled in town.
In the 20th century the Horton family lived here. Helen Horton was the Librarian for the Douglas Library for many years.
Think about it
Rosa Cavrod, Ellen Fitzmore and Mary Fitzgerald probably did not attend either the Congregational or Episcopal churches in Hebron Center and there was no Roman Catholic Church nearby. Sunday would be their day off. How do you suppose they spent their day off?
Where to go next
From here continue to walk down Marjorie Circle
Meet Your Neighbors QR Tours funded by the Hebron Greater Together Community Fund in conjunction with the Hebron Historical Society