"Col. William Pepperell, the father of the baronet, came to this country in 1676, and resided for several years at the Shoals, where his son was born. He afterwards removed to Kittery Point, where he became an eminent merchant and shipbuilder, dying in 1733. This old mansion was built by him and his son, some time previous to his death.

"Sire William was born in 1696, and resided here until his death in 1759. His possessions were very extensive, reaching as far as the Saco river, where he owned 5000 acres, the site of the present town of Saco.

"This his family mansion, was much more imposing then than it is at present, ebing ten feet longer at each end; and it was surrounded with a beautiful park, well stocked with deer, and extending to the river. A fine avenue of trees led from it to the residence of Col. Sparhawk. Sir William’s only son Andrew having died in 1751, the baronet adopted his grandson, William Sparhawk, as the heir to his title and estate, on his taking the name of Pepperell. At the time of the Revolution, young Sir William, being a tory, took refuse in England, taking his grandfather’s rich plate with him; and in 1779 the estate here was confiscated, except a widow’s dower reserved to Lady Pepperell, and $30,000 given to Mrs. Sparhawk for her interest in her father’s property."

Excerpted from The Portsmouth Guide Book, 1896, by Sarah Haven Foster.

Inscription reads, "Pepperell house, about 1700. Kittery."