Deacon Samuel Hill House
Deacon Samuel Hill House
| Also Known As | Galehurst Guest House |
| Address | 239 Concord Rd |
| MACRIS ID | BIL.173 |
| Built | 1656 |
| Moved | 1973 |
| New Address | 33 Riverhurst Rd |
The original location of the house was occupied by Ralph Hill Jr., when he bought a "new house" from William Baker in 1656 and was designated as a garrison house for the town.
The house is certainly 17th century, with champfered horizontal wide board exterior sheathing preserved on two walls of one bedroom; shiplapped exterior sheathing and brick lining.
Ralph Hill Jr. died in 1695 and the farm was settled by Deacon Samuel. He died 1755 and the farm was settled on his son, Ralph. Ralph (also a deacon) died 1789 and the "old house" went to son William. William sold to Seth Crosby in 1818. It's unclear whether William or Seth remodeled, but substantial changes were made: the central chimney was removed, replaced with two new chimneys and fireplaces in the bedrooms and kitchen, compatible with 1810s dating. Crosby had just built his own great house, and may have been "flipping" this one.
In 1942, the house was acquired by John and Ozeline Wise. They converted it into an inn called the Galehurst Guest House, which was the only tourist lodging recommended for African American travelers in the Negro Motorist Green Book.
In the early 1970s, the house, along with the Solomon Hill House next door were acquired by Graham Developers. This house was saved by the Stearns family and moved from Old Concord Rd to Riverhurst Rd. Its sister house was supposed to make the move with it, but that did not come to fruition.