The Rich History of  The Morgan Samuels Inn 

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The first recorded sale of this property was October 6, 1794, when Nathaniel Gorham, Jr. sold the property to the Barlow Brothers for 30 pounds. The property was used as farmland. In the early 1800's Robert Davison purchased the property for $685 and it is believed he built the first house around 1810 using the fieldstone from the property.  The property would be owned by two other Davison's till the property sold in 1852 to Jefferson J Whitney for $7500.   Whitney sold the property exactly one year later to Reuben J Sutherland.  Reuben owned the property for 30 years and raised his family there. He deeded it to his daughter Alice A Palmer.  Verna Sutherland Hollis (1872-1952) was a granddaughter of Reuben. Mrs. Hollis was the wife of Fred Hollis, who was for many years the Ontario County Commissioner of Public Welfare.  In connection with her application for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution she wrote a history of her family, including her recollections of the stone house. **See Attached  Essay Written in 1931 by Verna Sutherland Hollis.  Alice A. Palmer died March 18th, 1933, her two sons Leon H and Earl D inherited the property. They sold the property to James Judson Morgan April 11th, 1940.

 

 James Judson Morgan, a local stage actor, born in Montreal and related to the famous " Canadian Morgan's"  purchased the residence for his New York Getaway. He transformed the home in the early 1940's to a significant "Colonial Revival" style home detailing the spirit of Williamsburg.  The very large and extensive renovation for this period in time at the close of the depression and the start of WWII could have only been done by someone of great wealth.

 

The house was later purchased by industrialist, civil rights activist and philanthropist Howard Samuels, who with his brother Richard established Kordite Corp in 1946 and invented plastic wrap, wax paper, disposable kitchenware and a sturdy trash bag that became the Hefty brand. Howard later was undersecretary of Commerce and Chief of the Small Business Administration under President Lyndon B Johnson, special advisor to the campaign for president John F. Kennedy and the administration of President Carter.  He ran two unsuccessful bids for Governor of New York State.  The Samuels' raised their eight children at their home in Hopewell till they sold the house to Gary Haynes in December of 1975.  The local newspaper, The Daily Messenger did a story on November 21, 1975, about a different kind of "yard sale".  The Samuels had a household yard sale and sold everything that remained.  Many showed up just to see the house.

 

In 1988 Julie Sullivan bought the place and turned it into a Bed & Breakfast.  John would prepare mouth watering gourmet meals for their guests   Julie and John owned the Bed & Breakfast for almost 30 years and had quite a following.

 

The year 2020 brought our new ownership and a new plan for this beautiful property.  The property can now be enjoyed as an event venue for wedding ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners, celebration of life, bachelorette party, reunions or business meetings, retreats or a holiday party. The whole mansion can be yours for your wedding party or for a family gatherings.

 

We hope you will choose The Morgan Samuels Inn for your Special Event and Gathering...

 

Cheers!

Liza Barnum

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