Besides the DeFeos and the Lutzes, who has owned that Amityville house?
The property was once part of a larger parcel of land owned by the Ireland family, apparently used for farming. In 1924, the land was divided-up, with this one narrow lot being sold by the Irelands to John and Catherine Moynahan. The original house on that land (built in 1890) was moved up the block, providing the Moynahan family with a place to live while their new Dutch Colonial home was being constructed by local builder Jesse Purdy. Due to the land’s narrow boundaries, the house was built “sideways,” with its front door not facing the street (as it does with the similar house next door). Instead, the side facing the street contained the house’s infamous quarter-moon windows (which would later become the bedroom of convicted murderer Ronnie DeFeo). John Moynahan died in the home in 1939, following a long illness. He was 61 years old. After his wife’s death (in January, 1960), the house was inherited by their daughter Eileen, who sold it to the Riley family 9 months later. The Riley’
