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). This home is likely Ebenezer’s and is estimated to have been built around 1790.

Joseph Hutchings purchased this small lot of 2 acres on the north side of the country road and one-half acre on the south side from Ebenezer Downs, who had land grant rights to lot #23 in 1808. There are no references to buildings on the property.

Hutchings sold to Philo Lewis in 1818 (10:94), together with “my house and barn.” Lewis sold to James F. Hill et al. in 1827 (24:59), and Hill sold to James Godfrey in 1847 (64:12).