John James House, Ringwood

New Hampshire native John James settled here in 1842 where, with an original land grant, he purchased 120 acres of fertile land. Although possessing some Greek Revival and Federal features, the layout and symmetry suggest this house to be of the Georgian architectural style, an uncommon style for the area in this time period. The 1850 building was constructed of fieldstone with massive walls 12 inches thick. Several of the original beveled windows are still in place. Recent remodeling discovered evidence of a trap door in the kitchen and openings in the fieldstone lead to a short five-step staircase under it. This hidden area, perhaps a root cellar, hints at possible Underground Railroad activity. The 1860’s saw James very active in local politics. As a founding member of the Baptist Church of Greenwood, he was known as the “overseer of the poor”.