Formerly located adjacent to “The Lodge” (last post) on Newport’s iconic Bellevue Avenue, this mansion once stood and today, would be one of the finest in town, but it suffered a similar fate as its neighbor. The home was built for Rebecca Mason Jones (1803-1879), a widow (who married her first cousin) and daughter of wealthy New York banker and developer, John Mason. Rebecca made money from her late father’s estate, developing some parts of Manhattan. For her summer residence, she hired local society architect, George Champlin Mason to design the cottage. The cottage (originally thought to have been razed) was moved to 28 Narragansett Avenue to make room for Rose Villa, which also necessitated the demolition of the two neighboring mansions (more on that tomorrow).
Buildings of New England 
Hi. The Mason attribution on this cottage (Rhua House) is incorrect. Happy to clarify with some of my research
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Please share with me your research. My understanding is that there were two Rebecca/Colford Jones Cottages, one was a
Chalet style attributed to Richard Morris Hunt, and this cottage by George Champlin Mason. Feel free to send me an email (address is linked in the “about me” section) with other information!
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The cottage of Mrs. Colford (Rebecca) Jones did indeed make way for Villa Rosa around 1900, but it was not demolished. It was moved to 28 Narragansett Avenue where it remains today. Much of the original embellishment of the exterior is lost and the house no longer commands the large property that gave it such gravitas on Bellevue Avenue. Still, it does survive.
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Wow! My mind is blown, you are right! I will update the post accordingly. Thank you!
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