39. Levi Blaisdell House
83 Main Street

39. Levi Blaisdell House
83 Main Street
ca.1785
A two and one-half story, five-by-two bay, timber frame, center hall, Federal era dwelling with a three-by-two bay side wing. Both sections of the building rest on stone and brick foundations built into a hillside and exposed on the east elevation. Both sections are covered by moderately pitched gable roofs. Windows throughout the building have been replaced with non-historic sash. Some early six-light sash survive at the basement level. The central entry on the east elevation is composed of a non-historic door flanked by full length sidelights and pilasters supporting a simple
entablature.
 

The earliest surviving frame house in the hamlet is the Levi Blaisdell House. Erected around 1785 by Levi Blaisdell, a builder of river sloops and active participant in Hudson River trade, the dwelling's south portion represents its original core.

Levi Blaisdell (1757-1833)

The eldest son of Oliver and Miriam (Bagley) Blaisdell, was born September 20, 1757, in Amesbury, Massachusetts, and died in Coeymans, New York, in 1833.

Coeymans pioneer, Revolutionary War veteran, merchant, and land speculator. Born in Amesbury and raised by his father Oliver Blaisdell, a carpenter and shipwright. Enlisted in the colonial army at age 18 during the American Revolutionary War. Levi age 18 served alongside his father Oliver age 40 and grandfather Samuel age 58  in the Revolutionary War.  Served with Horatio Gates at the Battles of Saratoga and ended the war as an Ensign and Orderly Sergeant. Returned to Coeymans after the war and became an early land merchant during the post-Revolution settlement boom.

Operated a store and post office at Main and Westerlo Streets in Coeymans. In Coeymans, on the corner of Main and Westerlo streets, he built a large house which under the name of "Music Hall" still stands, being the oldest frame building in the village. Here he and his wife lived, entertaining freely, especially the traveling clergy. Both he and his wife were active in good works, helping to organize churches and schools, besides adding materially to the social life of the community. Levi Blaisdell lived the life of a country gentleman, wore his hair in a queue, dressed in knee breeches, and ruffled shirts.

Children of Levi and Mary Blaisdell included:

Wesley Blaisdell (1815-1864)

Fletcher Blaisdell (1817-1865)

Ariantje Verplank Gardinier Blaisdell Willis (1821)

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