Zaccheus Dunn House
- Also Known As: Pissant,John,House
- Address: East Lake Rd
- Vicinity: S of Woodstown
The Dunn House has significance in several categories: ARCHITECTURE
The Dunn House is one of the more significant extant examples of mid-eighteenth century architecture in Salem County. Built in 1743, the Dunn House, with its glazed headers and pattern work to memorialize the original owners, typifies the style of construction that became prevalent in this area during the eighteenth century. The interior floor plan, especially the positioning of the stairway immediately to one side of the fireplace, was also characteristic of early architecture in South Jersey. Furthermore, the house escaped the "modernization" of the Victorian period which destroyed the integrity of so many colonial homes. Although not unique in appearance and design, the brickwork, interior floor plan, .mantles, and paneling are characteristic of South Jersey architecture. The Dunn House vividly illustrates the type of home occupied by the average colonial farmer of moderate means.
MILITARY:
The house has military significance in that between 1803 and 1810 it served as the residence of Stephan Decatur. One of America's first naval heroes, Decatur captured three French privateers off Cape May during the Quasi War of 1798. Decatur's son of the same name became equally famous during the War of 1812. In 1810, Decatur sold the house to John Pissant, who served as a major in the Gloucester County militia during the War of 1812.
RELIGION
The original owner, Zaccheus Dunn, was a French Huguenot who fled France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. After a respite in England, the Dunns set out for America. They are the only known Huguenots to have fled France and settled in Salem County to seek religious freedom. - NPS