I am desperate to know the real history of my house. I have maps as far back as 1860 that show a house that may be on my property - The man that supposedly built my house was named "Stephen Brown", I was hoping this was his mark, but thinking it is a makers mark instead. I live about 9 blocks from the "Studebaker Brothers" house and manufacturing plant, and Stephen Brown was a "machinist" there, but don't know.
I'm actually more interested in knowing more about the construction of my house, I have several questions about it (I'm a budding architectural historian), and want to knowmore about what kinds of info I can get from the basement. I think this house may be a 1832 house rebuilt.
I have seven VOLUMES of info on my house to reference - I'd love a call back from an expert if anyone's as interested in this stuff as I am. I know we can tell a lot about a house by nail shapes, stud sizes, layout, etc. But basements still throw me for a loop.