144 Washington Street

About this home

For over two centuries, the Leonard Cotton House, a Portsmouth landmark, has stood as a centerpiece of Portsmouth’s historic Puddle Dock area. This Federal-style residence offers sweeping views across Strawberry Banke Historic Museum, Prescott Park, and the Piscataqua River. As one of the largest privately owned parcels in Portsmouth’s popular South End, it features off-street parking with room to construct a garage or carriage house. Situated on the corner of Hancock and Washington Streets, this property is a five-minute walk from Portsmouth’s cultural epicenter, Market Square. Genuine moldings, original eight panel doors, and distinctive dental moldings throughout, reflect the architectural grace of the mid-18th century. The finished attic, with its exposed beams and wide pine floors, provides a most inviting retreat. Originally home to the famous Capt. John Blunt, it became home to Leonard Cotton, a well known West Indies trade merchant. This historic property has served as law offices for forty years. It is anticipated that because of its flexible layout and phenomenal location it will be restored to its original prominence, as one of the city’s more distinguished residences. The Leonard Cotton House is not merely a piece of real estate; it is part of Portsmouth's legacy, awaiting its next steward.