Historic Connecticut home built by a Revolutionary War soldier with original details intact lists for $5.49M

A historic Federal-style home, built by an American Revolutionary War soldier, is on the market for $5.49 million.

It’s at 142 Main St. in a part of Fairfield, Conn. called Southport. The tony area has been a low-key favorite for privacy-loving public figures including Marlo Thomas and her late husband Phil Donahue; the late executive Jack Welch; and Daytime Emmy Award-winning soap star Jensen Ackles, brokers said.

More recently, celebrity chef Ina Garten sold her home nearby, at 219 Main St., for $1.36 million, according to reports.  

The sellers of this seven-figure residence are orthopedic surgeon Dr. Bob Stanton, who worked with the US Ski Team for 30 years, and his wife Mandy.

The Stantons bought the residence for $1 million in 2016. Extensive renovations by builder Paul Tallman, architect Jack Franzen and interiors firm Parker & Company Designs followed.

The residence is named the Eleazar Bulkley House after the first owner, who also built it.

An American Revolutionary War soldier, Bulkley bought a fleet of vessels after the conflict and, as captain of his fleet, docked them in Southport Harbor.

Along with his five sons, Bulkley started E. Bulkley & Sons, which was known for shipping Southport onions.

Built in 1811, the four-bedroom, 4½-bathroom home is 3,603 square feet and sits on 0.67 acres.

Original features include re-milled, 200-year-old pine floors and chestnut beams, while the home also incorporates modern elements such as a floating staircase made, in part, with structural steel.

Additional details include a chef’s kitchen and six fireplaces: four gas and two woodburning.

Outside, there’s a classic front porch, a generator and mature perennial gardens that have won landscape architecture awards. The sellers also discovered a handwritten date, July 4, 1811, on the roof rafters. 

The listing broker is Libby McKinney Tritschler of William Raveis Real Estate.