Historic Dimon Estate Goes on the Market

I recently discovered this hidden architectural treasure on the upper end of Flying Point Road, north of County Road 39, while taking a short-cut and my interest was piqued immediately.

It is easily recognizable as an old farmhouse that has had some modifications since its original construction in the mid-1800s. A ground floor porch has been enclosed, and maybe a sleeping porch upstairs also, but it seems to still have a lot of its original integrity. The property is listed for sale. I hope the new owners will keep the old windows and just complement them with new storm windows to make them energy efficient. Its roof looks nice and new, but I’m sure – like many historic structures – the overall house is in need of some “TLC” and updating.

This house was likely to have been built for Isaac L. Dimon (1781-1863). "The first of this name in Southampton was Thomas Diamond, as the name was then spelled," reads Early History of Southampton, a 1887 book by George Rogers Howell. Thomas was from England, then went to Connecticut, then arrived in Southampton from Lynn, Massachusetts, before moving shortly thereafter to East Hampton. Later, Isaac moved to Southampton sometime before 1830 with his wife, Elizabeth Miller of Bridgehampton, whom he married in 1804. According to William S. Pelletreau, Isaac Dimon was a well-known citizen in Southampton. The fourth book of the town records list Isaac as a town trustee for a number of years.

Isaac and wife had son Isaac Conklin Dimon, who was a wealthy farmer. He married Clarissa Hedges, of the Sagaponack Hedges, who must have come with a handsome dowry. I did not go to the county clerk’s office to research this property, but as far as I can tell, the last Dimon to have owned the house was Isaac Conklin Dimon’s grandson, Charles Edwin Dimon (1891-1982). Around the turn of the century, another Dimon relative, perhaps Sylvester, built a home just north of #6, and north of him Daniel Halsey owned property.

Late one October evening in 1899, the Suffolk County News reported that William Strong, a 30-year-old young man, died after being fatally stabbed. William was employed on Charles Dimon’s farm, but he was at odds with a peer, Sylvester Conklin, a 42-year-old carpenter who was a rival “for the affections of Mary Mulligan, a servant in the employ of Daniel Halsey.” That night, William walked Mary home after a Salvation Army meeting, and was never to be seen again. While he was investigated, it is unknown if Sylvester was ever convicted of murdering William or if he ever successfully betrothed Mary.

The street to the south is named Diamon Court. Not by coincidence I am sure.

There is a ‘For Sale’ sign out front, but I couldn’t find the listing. I wonder if they are aware of the house’s age and history. Boy would that be a catch!