MOTT HOUSE
The Isaac Smith - Mott House, South side of Middle Country Road, currently situated opposite the Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct. Left to right, James Smith, Ruth Smith, Lavina Mott Smith, and Dr. Isaac Smith. Photo circa 1900, Davis Erhardt Collection
The Mott house is located on the south side of Middle Country Road, just east of Homestead drive, which was known as Earth Road in the 1800's.
Earth Road connected Coram and Yaphank. The house is directly across from the former Coram police station. The home was built in 1824 on land originally owned by William C. Howell. The home was built on stones laid on the ground.
The original parcel consisted of 30 acres. The 1870 census lists Albert Mott and his wife Joanna living in the house with their seven children. Mr. Mott and his son William had their occupations listed as seaman.
Albert Harley Mott was the son of Revolutionary War Veteran, Jacob Mott. Jacob served in a Dutchess County militia unit commanded by his father. The unit was sent to West Point, where they built fortifications and spent the rest of the war responding to numerous British incursions. At the wars end, Jacob settled in Coram.
His son Albert, was born in Coram on March 31, 1819, and spent his career at sea, rising from a seaman to becoming the Captain of his own vessel.
Albert spent 54 years on the seas. It was noted In 1888 that "the schooner Falchion was in Port Jefferson Harbor, and onboard was Capt. Albert Mott and his son Jacob. Capt. Mott has been shipwrecked three times… and is over 70 years old."
Albert died in 1894, funeral services was held at the Coram Methodist Church and he was buried at the Trinity Methodist Cemetery in Coram.
Albert Mott grave at the Trinity Methodist Cemetery.
The Mott's turned the home and farm over to their daughter Lavina and her husband Dr. Isaac Smith.
The home still retains many of its original features. Some of the windows in the front of the house still have original glass panes. The original plank floors are on the second floor, and the original cherrywood stair railing is still there.
Over the years the house has become the victim of neglect. Members of local civic organizations would like to see the house restored before another part of our rich history is destroyed.
On an early fall day, back in September, 2009 the home -known now as the Mott House- collapsed, as workers hired to clean up the property, apparently dismantled key portions of the structure, rendering it unstable. The Mott Home was to have been renovated and become headquarters to the newly-formed Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce. As a result of the weakened structure, the home literally collapsed to the ground, and was subsequently razed by the Town of Brookhaven.
The Mott house, long neglected, had fallen into disrepair
A somewhat bitter battle ensued over whether or not the town should pay for the renovation and almost five years later, it’s become a fait accompli.
On Friday morning, members of the Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce, local residents, politicians and dignitaries gathered as almost five years later, the ribbon-cutting ceremony was finally held at the Mott House.
Completely reconstructed as an almost exact replica, the Mott House will once again be a home for the Coram community to enjoy. In addition to the Chamber, the Longwood Public Library will hold classes in the Mott House.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony kicked off with Nicole J. Christian introducing Rev. Thomas B. Gortman, pastor of the St. Mary A. M. E. Zion Church on Granny Road in Medford who gave the invocation. Ms. Christian then introduced Shirley Singletary, President of the Chamber.
Prior to the ceremony, Ms. Singletary gave a tour of the newly-renovated Mott Home describing the long road leading up to this day and also how it will serve the community going forward. “We’re happy to be here”, she said. “I’m looking forward to our serving the community in our new home and watching relationships grow.”
The pristine, newly renovated Mott House sits on the south side of Middle Country Road. Stop in and say hello.
Information compiled by,
Kevin Newsom
Maureen Aspell
Michele Pulice