The Ryves Holt House

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In which I attempt to keep track of my current beliefs and theories about the history of the Ryves Holt House. This will be updated as time goes along, as I find more data and facts, and as I adjust and reevaluate current theories about the RHH's past. The photo is my own, taken in February 2021.

Last updated: August 2021

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The Ryves Holt House was, according to dendrochronological testing, built in 1665, although some sources claim it was built between 1685 and 1710. The results of the dendrochronological testing confirm that the oldest found timbers in the Ryves Holt House completed the growth season in 1665 and had little evidence of decay after cutting. This means it is likely that the timbers were used soon after being cut down, but not necessarily that the house was built in 1665. It must have then been built after the failed 1630s colony of Swanendael and the 1663 Plockhoy settlement, but most likely before the Lord Baltimore Raids. It is important, too, to note the locations of both Swanendael and the Plockhoy settlement are disputed. Some readings suggest remnants of a fort found in archaeological work in the 1950s and 60s is from a fort built by the Dutch in 1659. This fort is near the Ryves Holt House and could be evidence for a settlement in the 1660s, perhaps including the RHH. If the early date of 1665 is true, the house would have probably originally been built by Dutch settlers, but perhaps lived in by English colonists after the Raids; it is unlikely to be Swedish in origin as their colony was isolated further up the bay at modern day Wilmington. There was a census taken in 1671 of the Whorekill showing that about 50 people lived in the area. It is unclear if this would be enough people to have some sort of village center, although clearly there was something near modern day Lewes. The Lord Baltimore Raids occurred between 1671 and 1673. Depositions at the time claim the town was burned to the ground, only a barn was left standing. If this is true, then the RHH must date to after the Raids, perhaps as part of the rebuilding efforts after the destruction of the budding town. During this time, during the Anglo-Dutch Wars, the area of Lewes/Whorekill was passed back and forth between the Dutch and English. Ultimately, the area fell under the control of the Duke of York in 1674. Although in 1681 William Penn took control. The RHH was operated as an inn by Phillip Russell, a cup-bearer of William Penn, who was licensed for the tavern on September 28, 1685, but if the house was built in 1665, nothing so far can account for the intervening twenty years. Russell at some point sold the house to William Godwin who in turn sold it to Ryves Holt. Ryves Holt lived in the house until his death in the 1760s. His wife and daughter continued to live in the house, eventually handed down to his step-great-grandson, Jacob Jones. Jones served in the War of 1812 and lived in the RHH at least until he left for war. Sometime before 1800, the original front door was moved from the right side of the front façade to the center to balance the addition to the left; at this time, the fireplace was also moved from the current front door area several feet back to center it along the wall of the new addition. Ultimately, after the 1980s, the house passed to the local Episcopal Church where it is now part of the First State National Historical Park and operated by the Lewes Historical Society.