n the late 1600s, Amityville
was part of Huntington Township.
According to deeds and information
compiled by the Amityville Historical Society, the Ocean
Avenue property had once been farmland belonging to the
Irelands, one of Amityville's most prominent and influential
families. On January 14, 1924, Annie Ireland sold the property
to John and Catherine Moynahan. The following year, Amityville builder Jesse Perdy constructed the large Dutch Colonial that still stands there today. While their new home was being built, the
Moynahans relocated to the old house down the street. When the
house was finished, the family of six moved back in and once
again enjoyed life by the Amityville Creek.
When John and Catherine Moynahan died, their daughter,
Eileen Fitzgerald, moved in with her own family. She lived
there until October 17, 1960, when John and Mary Riley
bought the house. Because of marital problems, the
Rileys divorced and sold thehouse to the
DeFeos on June 28, 1965.
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