Neat find from the original Americans...

[irwin]

Irwin, the 1850 house is likely the second house on the property, and may be the third. The first house would have been a log cabin that the settlers put up for shelter. I would have lasted no more than 30 years before the logs rotted away, but 20 years is more likely. In your area, call it 1720-1740 or 1750. It was likely near the older well. A second house might have been built of milled lumber and perhaps lasted 100 years. If you are in an area that was not settled until 1800 or 1810, the log cabin may have been the only other house.

I've looked for signs of an earlier dwelling but haven't found any.. not that I'm an expert so I might be overlooking clues.. I was hoping there'd be something near or around the older well site, but the ground looks the same in all the little patches I've dug into with the backhoe.. (spent a day poking around the spot hoping to see blackened areas of earth). My fingers are crossed for the next time I get a chance to attempt a search.