History Tuesday at Old Houses Under $50K – The Lowney/Downs House
History Tuesday at Old Houses Under $50K is for informational purposes only – usually NOT for sale. We feature properties that cost less than $50K sometime in their history. Today, we feature the Lowney/Downs House.
History
This property is a remarkable time capsule of who has come before us. It has survived war, famine, weather, and 210 years later it still watches over the Piscataquis River valley. The current owners have enjoyed their role as caretakers of this historic property for many years. They are hoping to pass on this role to a new steward who can appreciate what being a part of living history is all about.
William R. Lowney
If the walls of this elegant but simple 5 bay Federal style country manor could tell their story, this is what you might hear.
William R Lowney (1786-1850), a successful, young farmer in the frontier town of Sebec, Maine, built this home in 1812 to showcase his up-and-coming status. Mr. Lowney was active in the statehood movement and was sent as a delegate to the Constitutional convention in Portland, where he proudly affixed his signature to the new states founding document. He was then sent as the first representative to the new legislature, served several terms and then returned to his farm. He continued to serve his neighbors as the Town Clerk for many years using his front parlor as the town office. Weddings, court cases, neighborly disputes, town business and many a political discussion occurred within those walls!
He lived here with his wife, Charity Ellis Lowney (1787-1827) and their children, Almira, Abra, Mary Ann, Emily, William and Augusta.
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William Downs
A subsequent owner was William Downs (1824-1899) who was a native of Orono. Mr. Downs was not only successful, but he managed to hold on to his fortune and return to Maine, buying a small farm in Sebec and then later the Lowney farm when it became available. He was a very successful farmer, expanding the farm to 400 acres, growing a variety of crops, an experimental orchard, experimented with different cattle breeds and a national reputation for raising racehorses. He was influential in studying agriculture, publishing several treatises on agricultural practices and farming techniques.
The Downs family included William’s wife Elzoda Ball Downs (1842-1918) whom he married in 1860, and children Charles, Nora, Ruth, William and Edward.
- 4bed
- 2bath
- Circa 1812
- Google Maps
- Property Listing
- Realtor: Laflin & Wolfington Realty
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