Dearfields: MOVING HISTORIC MEAD HOMSTEAD [HOMESTEAD] (1929)

Source: Greenwich News Graphic. Tuesday, October 1, 1929. Page 1.

From 'Other Days in Greenwich,' by Judge Frederick Hubbard. 

Will be Home of Ralph Brush, Descendant of Mead Family

The old Colonel Thomas A. Mead homestead on West Putnam Avenue, one of the old landmarks of the town, is being moved from its present original location facing on the Boston Post Road, to Grove Lane. The house and property were purchased from Mrs. Norman T. Reynolds, the former owner, by the Turnpike Corporation, of which Ralph E. Brush, senior member of the law firm of Brush & Hanan and a life long resident of the town is president.

Mr. Brush had more than a passing interest in the old Mead homestead and by a special arrangement with the Turnpike Corporation, he took possession of the old homestead and is now having it moved on about an acre of ground at grove Lane, and with his family will occupy the premises as their future home. 

Mr. Brush’s grandfather, Amos M. Brush, was born in the old Mead homestead, and Mr. Brush’s great grandmother, the former Miss Elizabeth Mead was the wife of the late Joseph Brush, she being a sister of the late Colonel Thomas A. Mead. Mr. Brush’s great-great-grandfather, Richard Mead, built the Mead homestead in 1797 and it was visited by General Lafayette of Revolutionary fame in 1824. Joseph Brush, married Sarah A. Mead, daughter of Richard Mead, who was Mr. Brush’s great grandfather.

With these associations, Mr. Bush was anxious to preserve the old homestead and so decided to take it over, move it to his own property and make it his future home. Some time ago, Mr. Brush acquired the late Judge R. Walsh property on Dearfield Drive, through which estate Grove Lane is a part.

Dearfields, 8 Grove Lane in Greenwich. Date: December 6, 2015

The house is being moved back by the way of Dearfield Drive to the site on Grove Lane and it will face toward the Post Road. Five generations have lived in the old homestead. The late Colonel Thomas A. Mead fought in the Revolutionary War and upon his death, his son Zophar Mead became the owner. When he died his daughter, the former Miss Bertha Mead, now Mrs. Norman T. Reynolds, inherited the old homestead, which she later sold to the Turnpike Corporation. The former site of the Mead homestead with land adjoining is retained by the Turnpike Corporation and it s planned to erect one or more buildings on the property containing stores and apartments, in the near future.