It was documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) in 1938, noted as being near Metuchen.

[3] The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 4, 1987, for its significance in architecture and exploration/settlement.

[6] Benjamin Shotwell bought 27.5 acres (11.1 ha) from Jonathan Dunham and Joseph FitzRandolph in 1775.

The property was inherited by his daughter, Nancy Shotwell, who had married Lewis Thornall.

They sold it in 1801 to John Runyon, a farmer and carpenter.