Early Tefft home destroyed by fire A fire, apparently caused by an unattended candle in an upstairs window, swept through the Samuel Tefft house on Dec. 21, 2000. The family occupying the house and guests invited to their home that night to celebrate the winter solstice escaped unharmed. Samuel Tefft, born 1644, was the son of Tefft family founder, John Tefft. The house was one of the earliest in South Kingstown, R.I., and the earliest of the surviving Tefft homes. The structure, located at the entrance of the Tefft Hill development, had been restored some years ago by the present owners, Denis Durand and Cynthia Burke-Durand.
Initial reports say the upstairs area of the house was gutted by fire.
It is not presently known whether damage can be repaired of if the structure will be demolished. Our hearts go out to them. Our sadness at losing a home built by our ancestors is outweighed by the relief we feel that no serious injuries occurred and no lives were lost. Other officers to serve on the board are being sought. Notable among them have been Lori Horton, Mary Tifft Jennings, Paul Tift, Jamie Cochran, and Howard Tefft.