Tobias Lear House
Portsmouth, NH


Photo courtesy of Frank Clarkson.

Tobias Lear of Portsmouth, NH was secretary to America's first President George Washington and was in his service 16 years. Lear, a relative of john Langdon, began his service as Washington's bookkeeper, secretary and tutor to Martha Washington's children at Mount Vernon. Later Lear became an early (failed) investor in Washingon, DC, am ambassador to Algeria in the age of the Barbary Pirates, and assistant Secretary of War as the British marched on Washington. He died of a self-inflicted wound in 1816. The Lear House today is being lovingly restored in association with the palatial Wentworth-Gardner Home next door. George Washington visited the house and Lear's mother Mary Storer as he toured the nation as president in 1789. Located on a narrow road in Portsmouth's South End, the Lear House is a trip back to a gentler time along the Piscataqua. Lear's father was in charge of building John Paul Jones ship Ranger across the river on Rising Castle Island, today Badger's Island, Kittery, ME.

HOURS: Wednesdays in summer 1-4 and by appointment
WEBSITE: http://seacoastnh.com/lear/index.html
ADMISSION: $4-adults, $2 children 6-14 years
PHONE: (603) 436-4406
ADDRESS: Hunking Street, PO Box 563 Portsmouth, NH 03802
DIRECTIONS: From Market Square in Portsmouth go down Pleasanst Street to the end and turn left up Marcy at the Fish Market. Look for right turn near the church that houses the Children's Museum. Park in front of the Wentworth-Coolidge House and enter from there.
LINKS: Tobias Lear Web Site,