Sise Inn – The Portsmouth New Hampshire Home of Citizen John E. Sise


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John E. Sise: An Exemplary Portsmouth Citizen
Local historians describe John E. Sise as a dedicated citizen of Portsmouth. His concern for local affairs led to a life of active involvement with the Public Library, the Federal Fire Society and the Portsmouth Athenaeum. He was a member of neighboring South Church (just a few steps from his home) and is reputed to have never missed a service.

In 1879, Sise purchased the Marsh Estate, a federal-style mansion built in 1798 for Charles Treadwell and last occupied by the relatives of Lucy Marsh, John’s wife. He built a new Queen Anne-style home on the site and lived there for many years with Lucy and their daughter Mabel, who eventually assumed ownership of the property with her husband Rev. Alfred Gooding, the antiquarian minister of the South Church. Today the fully-restored mansion is known as The Sise Inn, and has built a reputation as one of the finest hotels in Portsmouth, NH.

Sise Inn Sise was involved in many business ventures including a crockery business shared with his father and brother, and later in life, a thriving insurance business. He also spent time as a director of the Eastern Railroad, a trustee of the Portsmouth Savings Bank and a director of the Portsmouth Gas, Electric Light and Power Company. Additionally, he served as a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public.

One can only imagine the variety of people who passed through the front door of the Sise residence seeking counsel and opinion from the knowledgeable and prosperous resident.

John Sise portrait compliments of the Portsmouth Athenaeum