Ebenezer Downs was granted settler rights in Steuben for 100 acres on lot 23 on the Lothrop Lewis town plan by the proprietor representative, Samuel Freeman, on June 4, 1794. Lot 23 covered most of what is now the central part of Steuben village to the west of Tunk Stream, extending Northwest over the current US Route 1. (1:389). In 1813, he sold most of his land to Robert Gould Shaw (1776-1853), a Boston merchant and financier. Robert’s father, Francis Longfellow Shaw Jr. (1748-1785) was one of the three original proprietors of neighboring Gouldsboro.

Born in Gouldsboro, Robert Gould Shaw left for Boston probably before 1800. It appears Robert held the deed to the properties where several Shaw family members resided (see also 93 and 103 Village Road).

His brother William Nichols Shaw (1783-1845) married Nancy D. Stevens (1794-1880) in 1812. Nancy was a daughter of Deacon Jonathan Stevens (1741-1822) and Mary Tracy Stevens (1752-1833), early settlers of Steuben. They had 13 children.

The estimated build year of the house is 1814. The property transfer from Ebenezer Downs to Robert (8:52, April 19, 1813) included “my dwelling house and barn…also the frame of a new house with all the work that is done to and for.” I believe the new house frame became the “Shaw Place” at 102 Village Road where William and Nancy lived with their children.

After Nancy was widowed in 1845, she continued to live in the house through the 1870 census with her daughters Hannah Townsley (b.1814,d.1900) and Sarah R. (b.1839,d.1906). The sisters lived in the house as of 1880, taking on a boarder, Lorenzo Whitten, 35, a “huckster” (he later married and moved down the road). As of 1900, the sisters are still in the house with a servant, Blanch M. Over, age 15. Hannah died that year at age 86. Apparently, neither sister married. The house has continued to pass through the hands of family members.