This historic Homestead served as a safe and secure home for six generations of Denisons (two prior generations lived on the property in earlier homes). Ann Borodell Denison Gates, the last Denison to actually reside in the Homestead, created the Denison Society in 1930 for the purpose of perpetuating the family’s heritage.  When she passed away in 1940 leaving no children, she bequeathed the Homestead and its contents to the Society.  As a result of delays caused by World War II, the Homestead was not opened to the public as a museum until 1948.  

George Denison came to America in 1632 on the Lion at an early age (while in his teens).  Young George was tutored by the Rev. John Eliot, who would later be known as the Apostle to the Indians.  George Denison’s life-long friendship and fairness in dealing with the Indians is credited to Rev. Eliot.

Upon the death of his wife, Bridget Thompson Denison, George immediately left for England and enlisted in Cromwell’s Ironsides to fight the Royalist forces.  He was commissioned a captain in the cavalry.  George was wounded at Marston Moor and sent to Ireland to recover.  There he met and married Ann Borodell.  George and Lady Ann, as she came to be known, returned to Massachusetts where they were warmly welcomed and officially accepted into the little Puritan community.  

George moved his family to the new settlement of Pequot, Connecticut, now present day New London.  There he played a prominent role in the affairs of the New London community.  Records show us that Captain George was elected Captain of the Train Band (the local militia), was the census taker, tax assessor, served on the building committee for the Church, a partner in a business to drain some of the marshlands, inspector of the port and deputy to the General Court at Hartford (corresponding to our present-day state representatives). 

In 1654 two very significant entries were made in the accounts of the day regarding Captain George Denison.  The first being the land grant mentioned above and the second was for selling rum to one of his Indian friends. For this he was fined 24 shillings. 

The Captain’s land was about a dozen miles east of New London in the heart of the old Pequot Indian country.  Thus Captain George along with Thomas Stanton, William Chesebrough, Walter Palmer, Thomas Miner, and John Gallup Sr. and Jr. were the first settlers of Stonington.

The first house on the property was a lean-to surrounded by a palisade and when the fear of Indian attack was lessened, George built what he referred to as his "grat hous."

In the early 1700’s the “grat haus” which Captain George had built on his “palisades” burned to the ground.  In 1717, his grandson, known to the family as George the Builder, built the house we see today just west of the original site.  It is known as Pequotsepos Manor; however, we assume that it acquired this name much later, possibly from Annie Gates or when it became a museum.  That house stands today as a tribute to one of Connecticut’s first families. 

On August 16, 1930, nearly 700 Denison descendants gathered at the invitation of Ann Borodell Denison Gates at the Homestead for the first Annual Denison Day, thus realizing the cherished dream of Aunt Annie to forever protect and preserve the Denison Homestead and the Denison family history. 

The Homestead stands in a class unto itself: a vivid, authentic picture of American home life during the first three centuries of this country. Denisons are known for “never throwing away anything but burned matchsticks”.  Thus everything from the 1700’s colonial kitchen to the 1930’s parlor belonged to the Denison families who once lived on this land and now is treasured and protected by their descendents.

While you are with us, we invite you to visit our Gift Shop (in the meantime, check out  our online Gift Shop Catalog).  We also would like to invite you to participate in the special programs that the Society sponsors throughout the year (see Programs for more information).

Domus Grata.

Footnote:  I would like to acknowledge the writings of William Haynes, his research into and his love of the Denison family history.  Much of this information for the History of the Denison Family came from his preface to the Denison Genealogy.  I would also like to thank Jane Preston, the Society’s Archivist, for editing this brief family history for accuracy of facts.