As we celebrate 4th of July this year, a unique 22.95 acre waterfront estate continues to be a tangible reminder of American History and local Patriots’ dream of self-reliance as an independent country. Penelope Moore has the listing located at 81-82 South Midway Road on Shelter Island.
The pre-Revolutionary War, wood shingled colonial which was built circa 1750 is named “Kemah”, a Shinnecock word meaning “in the face of the wind” because of its prevailing southwest breezes. With two separate waterfront lots, there are 17.35 elevated acres with 385 +/- feet on Great Fresh Pond to the north side, and over 5.6 acres of meadow with 596 +/- feet on Peconic Bay facing south.
The history of the property is incredible.
“In 1698, George Havens came to Shelter Island and bought one thousand acres from Nathanial Sylvester II whose father claimed ownership of Shelter Island. This property was part of those thousand acres,” Penelope explains. “Over the last 271 years there have only been two other families there, the Tuthills and the Robbs who are its current owners.”
The vast acreage of the property gives you a sense of awe as you tour through.
The Shelter Island Declaration of Independence and Obadiah Haven’s signature
Obadiah Havens, who signed the Shelter Island Declaration of Independence and was a member of the Provincial Government and 1st Lieutenant of the Militia during the Revolutionary War, lived at Kemah. During the British occupation of Shelter Island and the East End, Obadiah fled to Connecticut to continue his work as a Patriot from there.
“Kemah offers a glimpse to the distant past, with its rolling fields meeting eelgrass at the edge of saltwater, which then ripples to what was then described as ‘the hills of Bridgehampton’. Stone accents throughout the property blend in with work that was done in the 19th and 20th centuries, including a grand two story barn, a cobblestone outbuilding and a music studio,” Penelope said. “In reading the detailed descriptions of life during the Revolutionary War on the East End, and in particular on Shelter Island in historic books, when I am at Kemah, it is easy to see the very things that the Patriots held dear. There are few properties in our area that have witnessed countless historic events and entertained great people over its nearly 300 years.”
On July 4th, The Daughters of the American Revolution are conducting a self-guided tour in the grounds to the rear of the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church and will be discussing the contribution toward America’s Independence by Obadiah Havens and other Shelter Island Patriots.
Whether you are a history buff, vintage home lover, investor or preservation seeker, www.81-82SouthMidwayRoad.com is unique to the real estate market and an estate for the ages.
The remarkable property is listed exclusively for $14.995M
![Sculpture @ Sylvester Manor: [R]evolution](https://hamptons.com/wp-content/uploads/event-manager-uploads/event_banner/2021/07/manor_house-350x350.jpg)
