Reverend Bidwell, a
patriot, was an active supporter of the
United States Army.
Henry Knox, famous for his leadership of the expedition that carried strategically crucial cannons from
Fort Ticonderoga to
Dorchester Heights, passed through Monterey on that famous mission, most likely on the post road. Historical evidence suggests that Knox may have passed through the Bidwell property on his famous journey, now the basis for books, films, and the historic
Henry Knox Trail. He may have even stopped at the house in the middle of winter, possibly to stay a night or obtain supplies. The Reverend died in 1784 and left the house to his son, Adonijah the Younger. Adonijah the Younger utilized the house and grounds (approximately at the time) as a family farm, before selling the house in his old age to his son,
John Devotion Bidwell, for "love and affection and one dollar." In 1853, John Devotion Bidwell sold the house to the Carrington family after 103 years of Bidwell ownership. At the time, John Bidwell was a selectman, justice of the peace, and prominent personality in the newly incorporated town of
Monterey, Massachusetts (1847). The house remained with the Carrington family for three generations and 61 years until they sold it to a lumber company in 1914. After using the house as a base for local operations, the company sold it to an Art School. It was used as a faculty house by the school until 1935. By this time it had acquired the name "Deepwood Manse." By the 1950s, the house was in an increasing state of disrepair. In 1960, it was purchased by Jack Hargis and David Brush, two fashion designers from
New York City. They bought it and surrounding for the sum of $30,000 and proceeded to spend the next 25 years restoring the house. They were fortunate enough to come across the inventory of the Rev. Bidwell's estate, which listed all his worldly possessions at the time of his death. Hargis and Brush proceeded to fill the restored house with dated pieces of furniture, artwork, and other objects, many of them originally owned by the Reverend. == Today ==