One
of the finest pre- Revolutionary War homes on Long Island, Rock Hall was built
in 1767. It was once the home of Josiah Martin, an English sugar
plantation owner who was born and raised on the West Indian island of
Antigua. At age 68, instead of retiring to the English countryside,
Josiah chose this site with its proximity to the ocean and New York Harbor as
his final home.
At
the beginning of the American Revolution, the house was occupied by rebel
forces in 1776. Josiah Martin's eldest son, Dr. Samuel Martin, was
imprisoned briefly during this time in Philadelphia for his association with
other loyalists, but was allowed to post bond and was set free. After
Josiah's death in 1778, Rock Hall was inherited by Samuel.
Thomas
Hewlett acquired Rock Hall and 125 acres from Samuel's heirs in 1824. Hewlett
responded to the rising popularity of summer tourism in the Rockaway area
during the 19th century, and remodeled Rock Hall and opened its doors to summer
guests as early as 1830. Thomas Hewlett's son, James Augustus made his summer
home at Rock Hall after 1868. James enlarged the house with a service
wing in 1881.
By
the 1930s the revered ancestral home was no longer occupied. In 1948,
the Hewlett family deeded Rock Hall to the Town of Hempstead. After an
extensive restoration, it opened as a museum in 1953 and is owned and operated
by the Town of Hempstead.
Source:
“Rock Hall.” Rock Hall
Museum - Town of Hempstead, www.friendsofrockhall.org/rock-hall
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