Baynton, John, House
821 Main St., Natchez, MSThe John Baynton House is an excellent example of the Federal Style cottage of the Natchez region. The house possesses an unusual number of regional characteristics as well as some especially fine architectural details. Among the regional characteristics are the exterior paneled dado, the fireplace cabinets, the vaulted ceilings, and the plan of the open back porch recessed between two small rooms. These elements combine with the fine details of the dormers and the mantelpieces and other refined embellishments to give an air of elegance to the otherwise plain and neat, well-proportioned, small house. The house was probably built shortly after 1830. Sale prices indicate that it was not standing in 1830 when John Baynton bought the house lot and adjoining lots. However, when Baynton mortgaged the property in 1840, the lots are mentioned as "in the occupation of M. Lindo," and are referred to in 1844 as "with the appurtenances as the lands and tenements of the above named defendant, Virginia C. Lindo."
While in Natchez, John Baynton engaged in land speculation as a member of the firm, Griffith and Baynton, and sold stock in the Planter's Bank as one of seven superintendents appointed to do so. After suffering financial losses in the panic of 1837, he and his wife, Cornelia, daughter of the wealthy and influential Joseph Sessions of Adams County, moved to Philadelphia, the native home of most of Baynton's Natchez associates.
Later in the nineteenth century, the house assumed a significant place in local history as the first home of a member of the Junkin family, James Junkin, a native of Ireland who bought the house in 1859 and, as he acquired wealth, brought other members of the family to Natchez. The family has been influential in the economic and political life of the area and includes among its members, John R. Junkin, presently Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.