History

This two-story, antebellum-style house, was built in 1808 by Joseph G. Rea. The original structure did not include the wrap around porch or back wing. These were added some time after the Civil War.

A Boston merchant and brother to William Rea built and operated the Rea Store, 1790. The brothers imported goods from Boston to sell in Murfreesboro, which included seine twine and cork.

With the river trade as their mainstay, the brothers owned and operated a twenty-four ton schooner christened the 'Kitty and Sally'. Earlier William launched a 96-ton single-deck, two-masted schooner, which was probably the first ship built in Murfreesboro. The 'Belinda' sailed on her maiden voyage to Philadelphia and back.

Later the War of 1812 created a trade embargo making it difficult for trade ships to deliver their cargo. During this time, captured British ships were auctioned in nearby Edenton and Elizabeth City, NC.

The Rea brothers purchased a seventy-two ton sloop, 'American Coaster', and mounted her with two four-pound cannons and a crew of fifteen men. Departing in April 1813, bound for Teneriffe, in the Canary Islands, she was unable to complete her mission due to British blockades.

Heavily affected financially by Thomas Jefferson's Foreign Policy, the Rea brothers began looking for other ways to make a fortune. By 1823 commerce in Murfreesboro was again free flowing with active trade, but William Rea had passed away in 1821.

Joseph made a large investment in the fishing industry but never was able to attain the financial success once realized as a trade merchant.

Being in debt, childless and despondent, Joseph G. Rea hanged himself in the backyard in 1851.

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