Zaccheus Dunn House

  • Also Known As: Pissant,John,House

  • Address: East Lake Rd
  • Vicinity: S of Woodstown
  • Travel Genus: Sight
  • Sight Category: Building

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


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Timeline

Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
1743/00/00 Dunn House is built as a farmhouse for French Huguenot, Zaccheus Dunn. French Huguenots Settle in America
1803/00/00 Stephen Decatur Sr Home Stephan Decatur moves into the Dunn House.
1810/00/00 Stephen Decatur Sr Seller Decatur sells his home to John Pissant, who will serve as a major in the Gloucester County militia during the War of 1812.

Data »

Particulars for Zaccheus Dunn House:
Area of Significance Architecture
Criteria Architecture-Engineering
Sight Category Building
Criteria Historic Event
Cultural Affiliation Huguenot
Area of Significance Military
Criteria Person
Owner Private
Area of Significance Religion
Historic Use Single dwelling



US National Registry of Historic Places Data »

Accurate at time of registration: 10th August 1977

PLACE DETAILS
Registry Name: Dunn, Zaccheus, House
Registry Address: S of Woodstown on East Lake Rd.
Registry Number: 77000905
Resource Type: Building
Owner: Private
Architect: unknown
Architectural Style: No style listed
Contributing Buildings: 1
Certification: Listed in the National Register
CULTURAL DETAILS
Level of Significance: Local
Area of Significance: Military, Architecture, Religion
Applicable Criteria: Event, Architecture-Engineering, Person
Period of Significance: 1700-1749, 1800-1824
Significant Year: 1743, 1803, 1810
Associated People: Decatur,Stephen
Historic Function: Domestic
Historic Sub-Function: Single dwelling
Current Function: Domestic
Current Sub-Function: Single dwelling

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