Community Corner

Rocky Point Hallock Home Steeped in American History

Local history reflects the history of our nation.

Eight generations and almost 300 years of American history converge on the Hallock Homestead in Rocky Point, which was recently granted historical status by Brookhaven Town.

The recognition came after the house was purchased by the Rocky Point Historical Society this past spring. The purchase price was $200,000. But back in 1741, Brookhaven Town assessed the property at two shillings and three and a half pence. That equates to just over $21 in today's currency, according to a MeasuringWorth.com, an online money conversion calculator.

Besides being a pretty good long term investment, a lot of surprising tidbits of information comes out of combing through records compiled by the historical society on the home and the eight generations of Hallock family members who occupied the home.

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For example, in 1790 the Federal census states in that year the home was occupied by two free while males, two free white females and seven slaves. Twenty years later, in the 1800 census two slaves are listed at the property, the last time slaves were counted by the census at the home.

Meanwhile, the value of the home steadily increased. By 1850 the property value is listed at $8,000 in records and that almost doubles over the next 20 year to $15,000. All along the main occupation of the Hallock's living the the home remains steady: farmer. That lasts right up through the early 20th century.

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The history of that house stretches back to November of 1721 when Noah Hallock married Bethia Youngs and the couple moved from Aquebogue to settle in Rocky Point spawning sons and grandsons who fought as Patriots in the Revolutionary War.

This long line of through the years spanning to before there even was an American nation is the reason why the Rocky Point Historical Society decided to purchase the home and is now attempting to turn it into a museum. After getting approval from Brookhaven, the society is now applying for a New York State grant and historical designation for the house on the federal Registry of Historic Places. The historical society is holding an ongoing fundraiser to make sure it is able to pay the mortgage on the home, as well as eventually create the museum at the house. 


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