Strong House

The story of the Strong family can be traced back to when “Elder John Strong” moved to the area in 1659.  As a wealthy man, he established himself as one of the main leaders of the Northampton village, as well as the church.  The Strong House in Amherst was built on the land which was purchased by Samuel Strong.  Among his kin, the oldest son Nehemiah went on to graduate from Yale, which many believe was because of the helping hand of his distant cousin, Rev. David Parsons.   

        In 1744 the house was completed upon the lot at 67 Amity Street, on the lot of land he had purchased to raise his family in, fourteen years prior.  The house is considered one of the oldest in Amherst, and was added to the National Historic Register in 1984.  Since it was bought in 1916, the Strong House has been the Amherst Historical Society.

        As Nehemiah Strong lived his life out as a fellow reverend, he signed his house over to his youngest son when his wife passed away. Simeon Strong also attended Yale, graduating with a degree in law.  His father signed over the deed to the house to the young lawyer upon his engagement.  Adding on an office to the west wing, and altering the shape of the roof are just a few of the changes Simeon made to the house.  During times of war, he is known for having transformed his house into the headquarters  for loyalists to the crown.

        Besides being politically active, Simeon was a prominent figure of the district of Amherst for his work as a lawyer.  Eventually becoming a justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Simeon is best known for being the lawyer of Joseph Billing, the slave owner of Amos Newport, who sued twice for his freedom.  By having the proper documentation of ‘ownership’ , Strong helped Billing win the case and strip away any potential victory of freedom from Amos. Young Amos, arriving to Springfield around 1715, was sold to Joseph Billing, from Hatfield, in 1729. 

        There are no recorded complaints of Billing being abusive or of Amos expressing dissatisfaction, with very little information about his life in the Newport House, and Hatfield area to explain both of his lawsuits.  All we are left in with in record is that lawyer Simeon Strong successfully defended his client Billings in the lawsuit filed by his slave Amos, for freedom.

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