Sheldon Farmhouse
Why it's listed
Built around 1795, this two-story, five-bay frame farmhouse sits on a limestone foundation on the north side of Route 7 in southwest Duanesburg, near the Schoharie County line. It is a vernacular Federal style dwelling with a gable roof, brick interior end chimneys with exposed firebacks, a narrow frieze, slender corner boards and 12/12 double-hung windows. The central entrance has simple wooden trim, a narrow cornice and a multi-paned transom. The 41.6-acre farm includes two nineteenth-century frame barn complexes that remain largely intact, preserving the agricultural setting. The house is valued as a typical rural Federal farmhouse of its area and for its link to the Benjamin Wing family, among Duanesburg's earliest and most prominent Quaker families. Martin Hoag bought the farm from the Wings in 1839 and sold it to Benjamin Sheldon in 1866; the Hoag and Sheldon families were also prominent in the Quaker Street Society of Friends. The house remains a residence.
Significance in brief: It is a representative rural vernacular Federal style farmhouse for Duanesburg, with a rectangular plan, regular fenestration and simple detailing. The farm retains two intact nineteenth-century barn complexes and its historic farm setting. It is also tied to the Benjamin Wing family, early and prominent Quaker settlers, and later to the Quaker Hoag and Sheldon families.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84003273, listed October 11, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NY 7, Duanesburg |
|---|---|
| County | Schenectady County |
| Listed | October 11, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003273 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a residence; condition listed as good, with a new roof and windows as major alterations. |
| Acreage | 41.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.72425, -74.25520 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84003273.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7493487
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.