About The Samuel Fitch House
The Samuel Fitch House is an 18th century Saltbox Colonial and was the childhood home of the Innkeeper and her five brothers. Filled with centuries of history as well as decades of wonderful family memories, it offers quiet colonial comfort and a warm welcome.
A local minister, Walter Powers, built the house in 1711. The original house has five fireplaces around a central chimney, which includes a smoke room where meat was cured. In the dining room is the Parson's Cupboard, where legend has it that babies were placed out of harm's way during Indian attacks. The house was subsequently used as a tavern, where local committeemen held meetings during the Revolutionary War. A stop on the Underground Railroad, the cellar houses a tunnel used for escape by slaves. Stories from the five previous owners have been passed down through the generations. Sunday teas and tours include such stories and folklore as well as historic information about the Westford area.
Guest accommodations in the main house includes two beautifully appointed suites. The Fitch Suite includes a queen-sized canopy bed with a separate fireplaced sitting room, screened porch and private bath, painted with a mural of town buildings of Westford the year the town was incorporated. The Garden Suite has two bedrooms with a private bath, perfect for a family. Breakfast is served on the screened porch during warmer months and in the original dining room at other times.
Attached to the main house is a separate two-story Carriage House. This suite includes a fireplaced sitting area, breakfast nook with microwave, toaster, coffee pot, refrigerator, and queen-sized sleep sofa. The upstairs has a queen-sized bed in a room with a cathedral ceiling and large window seats as well as a private bath. A private outdoor deck with patio furniture and gas grill complete this private suite. Organic fruits and vegetables grown on the property are served with the guests' breakfasts.
The property has several private outdoor sitting areas, many flowering trees, wild berries and gardens. The two acre lawn backs up against a wooded lot with stone walls meandering through the land toward the neighboring ski area.
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"Follow the Drinking Gourd"
This is a spiritual song closely associated with the underground railway - a map and escape instructions are embedded as a code that enabled enslaved persons to make their way North to freedom:
When the Sun comes back
And the first quail calls
Follow the Drinking Gourd
For the old man is a-waitng for to carry
you to freedom
If you follow the Drinking Gourd
The riverbank makes a very good road.
The dead trees will show you the way.
Left foot, peg foot, traveling on,
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
The river ends between two hills,
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
There is another river on the other side
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
When the great big river meets the
little river
Follow the Drinking Gourd.
For the old man is a-waiting for to carry
you to freedom
If you follow the Drinking Gourd.
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