Welcome to the Russell Colbath House. We hope the following brief history of the house and its former occupants will help you better understand and appreciate some of the history of the area.

In 1831, Thomas Russell of Burton (later to become the town of Albany) acquired five 100 acre lots for the grand amount of $5.25. One of these lots was number 13 in the Fourth Range, North Division of the town. On this lot, Thomas with the assistance of his second son, Amzi, built this frame house.

In 1832, Thomas and his wife Ruth, sold lot #113 and this house to son Amzi.

lt was on December 3, 1834 that Amzi Russell married a young mistress by the name of Eliza Morse George and brought her here to live Amzi and Eliza raised their family of five daughters here; one of whom was Ruth Priscilla. The family subsisted on what garden crops they could grow, supplemented by wild game and other fruits of the field, forest and stream. They received some income from a sawmill and from a store which they ran in their home at one time.

During the years from 1834-1877, Amzi acquired many hundreds of acres of virgin forested timberland. He was certain the railroads would eventually come into the valley to transport his prized timber to the mills in Conway or Bartlett.

The logging railroads did eventually come, but about ten years too Iate, for in 1877, Amzi Russell die leaving a mortgage and unpaid taxes on approximately 8,700 acres of timberland. All but the home lot (# 1 3-R4-ND) of 100 acres plus 192 acres in three other lots were sold to meet his financial obligations.

In 1887, Eliza Russell deeded the property to her daughter, Ruth Priscilla, and Ruth's husband, Thomas Alden Colbath, who continued to farm the land and care for aging Eliza.

By this time the population of the valley had grown as there were 20 or more farms, two schools and a small hotel to be found here. During the summer many visitors from far and wide came to enjoy the clean air and the relaxing surroundings. In 1890, the first Passaconaway Post Office was set up in the House with Ruth Priscilla Colbath as the first postmistress. She held this position until 1906/1907.

One day in 1891, Thomas Colbath left the house, saying 'he would be back in a little while.' His wife never saw him again. Ruth Priscilla Colbath remained in the house where she had been born, making a living as best she could. She is said to have placed a light in her window each night, expecting Thomas to return

On February 21. 1905, Eliza Russell died, leaving her daughter, Ruth Priscilla, living alone in the family home

In 1930 on November 15, Mrs. Colbath died at the age of 80, still believing her husband would come home. Three years later Thomas Alden Colbath did return to the deserted house and heard a story that concerned a wife, now dead, and a light that shone each night for 39 years in the darkness of the Passaconaway Valley.

Thomas indicated he had had no quarrel with his wife. He had remained in the area for at least a year. Then he began to wander farther and farther away. After a time, he was too ashamed to return to his wife and home in the valley What finally brought him home? lt is anyone´s guess.

There was no home to return to as the estate of his wife had been settled the year before. The proceeds from t ' he sale of the land and home had been divided among Mrs. Colbath's closest known living relatives, four cousins. Thomas stayed for only a short period before he once again wandered away.

In the village cemetery, just east of the house, are buried Thomas and Ruth Russell, Amzi and Eliza Russell, and Ruth Priscilla Colbath, along with other family members. The only grave marked is that of Ruth Priscilla. It is located where, in death, she can eternally view her home and the mountains she loved so much in life.

The house was renovated in 1935 by new owners and used es a summer home. The barns and shed were torn down. Again, in 1948, extensive repairs were made to preserve the aging structure. lt is fortunate the owners did little, to destroy the original character of the house.

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 es a historical site.

In February. 1986, the Russell-Colbath House was placed in nomination for the National Register of Historic Places. It was accepted April 23, 1987, "as it embodies both local and regional significance not found in other places of structures on the Forest."

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