This house was built in 1760 and the west end and kitchen are thought to be the oldest parts of the house, with several additions occurring over the centuries. The grindstone at the front gate is from the wind-powered grist mill that Ebenezer erected on his property to grind wheat and corn used for bread in the community. He was a 4th generation Miller and was a member of the NYS assembly representing Long Island. There is some evidence that he was the captain of a naval vessel called “The Trumbull” during the Revolution and he married Sarah Strong. Moreover, during the Revolution, Ebenezer, a patriot, was one of many people subjected to raids by marauders of both sides in the conflict. On August 14, 1781, one of the most fateful incidents occurred in this residence when colonial sympathizers crossed the LI sound from CT in 2 whaleboats and landed in Miller’s Place about midnight and demanded entrance to both Ebenezer Miller and Andrew Miller’s homes. Ebenezer allowed the raiders in and surrendered his arms to them. His 16-year-old son William was asleep upstairs when he awoke with the commotion. He went to the window and opened it to see what was happening and one of the men, without a word, shot him dead where he was in the house. Andrew Miller also let them into his home – whereupon opening his door was struck in the face with the breech of a gun breaking his forehead, cheekbones, orbital socket, and he lost an eye. Andrew collapsed into a rocking chair and was left for dead – but he survived to tell the tale for another 24 years.
In 1906 the house was sold out of the family. It was used as a boarding house for young women who could not be accommodated in the Holiday House. In 1926 Jean (Fantoni) Soma purchased the property as a summer re¬treat for her family. Enrica Soma, daughter of Jean and Anthony Soma, married John Houston. Their daughter is Angelica Houston, the well-known film actress. The house was one of the many houses to be used as a post office (1861-1865). The house was sold out of the family in the 1980s and was restored. It was known as the Miller Place Ark Bed and Breakfast to reflect the history of the house when it was a boarding house called “The Ark.” It is now a private home.
