In 1751, 24 years before the Revolutionary War began, a group of nine men founded what would become the North East Baptist Church. With its origins in Phillips’ Patent, a 20-square-mile track of land in what is now Westchester County, these disciples adopted the faith and became the “Baptist Church of Phillips’ Patent, Government of York.” At this time, there were fewer than 4,000 Baptist members in North America, and many people were uncertain about the movement’s longevity, as it was often believed to be too fanatical to persevere. But by 1773, the church was slowly growing, and headed by Rev. Simon Dakin—one of the original nine members—the church moved north to Spencer’s Corners (a two-minute car drive from the church’s current site). Initially, services were held in Rev. Dakin’s home. In 1777, he donated land where a small church was built, on what is now the Spencer’s Corners burial ground. The following year, the church—over 80 years before the Civil War—recorded its protest against slavery, insisting that the institution was contrary to the teachings of the Bible and that no member would uphold it. In 1829, as membership grew, a new, brick church was constructed nearby. About thirty years later, the church members voted to sell the brick meetinghouse and erect a new house of worship in the growing village of Millerton. Records described how the congregants were sad to leave their beloved church, so the cornerstone of that 1829 meetinghouse was used in the new construction. In 1867, 116 years after its organization, a new Baptist Church was erected at the head of Main Street: a beautiful Gothic-Revival edifice, boasting a graceful spire on its bell tower, nestled among green fields and maple trees.

Currently: North East Baptist Church

This house was built in 1854 for Edward W. Simmons upon his engagement to Harriet N. Winchell. Simmons, a prominent figure in Millerton, built its first commercial business. At the young age of 16, he began his career as a schoolteacher. He taught English, Latin, and Greek. He was passionate about education, and in 1843, at the age of 27, he founded a private school with Alexander Winchell, a professor from the University of Michigan. Simmons was twice married. After the death of his first wife, he married Sarah Mead Trowbridge. (It was Sarah’s daughter, from a previous marriage, who gave birth—at the residence—to Edward “Eddie” T. Collins: renowned Hall of Fame baseball star and namesake of Millerton’s Community Park.) Simmons ran his eponymous general store, became a prominent member of the bar, was the postmaster, and tirelessly advocated for local improvements. In 1887, he sold his house to Edward H. Thompson, president of the Millerton National Bank and a Millerton village trustee. Thompson enlarged the house, redesigning it in the Queen Anne style by adding scalloped shingles, decorative reliefs, and a porte cochère. For most of the 20th century, it served as a doctor’s office and residence. First to Dr. Arthur F. Hoag, and then to Dr. Michael Badeen. In 1983, the proprietors of The Moviehouse, Robert and Carol Sadlon, also purchased this building. They revitalized the property and converted it into Simmons Way Village Inn. They later sold it to other innkeepers.

Currently: the Millerton Inn