According to turn-of-the-twentieth-century research by Norman Isham, the back part of the stone house was built around 1639 by Henry Bull, a Quaker leader and one of the original settlers of Portsmouth and Newport.
Bull served as a colonial militia officer and jail keeper.
Henry Bull died at the house in 1694 and was the last survivor of the original founders of Rhode Island.
Henry's son, Jireh Bull, constructed a large fortified house in South Kingstown, Rhode Island which was demolished during King Philip's War.
[1] A fire burned and destroyed the Henry Bull House on December 29, 1912.