The next owner, Johannes D. Storke (d. 1845) purchased the property in 1839, which at that time included , and four years later purchased another  of the same tract. In 1854 the property was purchased by Rhoderick Watson (d. 1862), who operated a key Confederate signal post to Confederates on the Virginia shores from the estate during the early part of the Civil War.
The subsequent proprietor, Johannes D. Storke (d. 1845) acquired the estate in 1839, which included , and four years later purchased another portion of the same territory. Rhoderick Watson (d. 1862), who succeeded him in 1854, utilized his property as a key communication hub for Confederates on the Virginia coast during the early part of the Civil War.