The Russell-Colbath House National Register Of Historic Places Part 2

While driving east on the Kancamagus Highway, we saw a sign for the Russell- Colbath House, located on the highway. 

This home was built by Thomas Russell and his son Amzi in 1831. The house was renovated in 1935 and 1948, but mainly left inside as it was originally built. There use to be about 20 other farms, two schools, and a small hotel around this home in the town called Albany. The town's population grew with the logging business increasing.

The door looked original!

Thomas Russell's granddaughter, Ruth Priscilla, grew up in this home. When she married, her husband, Thomas Colbath, they lived in this home.

The wood floors are original.

One day Ruth Priscilla's husband left and said he would return soon. Ruth put a candle in the window every night for 39 years hoping he would return.

Out front of the home I found a beautiful flower.

Ruth Priscilla, lived and ran the farm by herself, in the Passaconaway Valley.

She died in her home at age 80, believing her husband would return.

 Next to Ruth's home is the town's cemetery.

Ruth's husband returned 3 years after she died to the then abandoned house. He heard story's of a concerned wife who left a candle in her window for 39 years, waiting for her husband's return. The home and land had been sold and the profit were divided among four of Ruth's cousins. No one knows why Ruth's husband left or returned.

At the back of the town cemetery, was a walled cemetery.

This was Ruth's family's cemetery.

But Ruth's headstone was outside the family cemetery facing her home. Her home is the only building left from the town of Albany.

The original barn had been torn down, but a new one was replaced.

There is a 1/2 mile trail to the river and back that supported Ruth and the town of Albany.

In 1961, the property was purchased by the USDA Forest Service to preserve and make known the heritage and environment of the Passaconaway Valley. The house has been restored to much of its original setting and is open to the public as a historical site.

There is no charge for your visit. Donations are always greatly appreciated and are used to help with on-going interpretive activities