A home built over 200 years ago by a Revolutionary War soldier was torn down Monday in Babylon.

The homestead was built in 1790 by David Smith

The Babylon Village Heritage Conservancy fought hard to save it but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Developer Chase Ognibene and his family bought the property at 527 Deer Park Ave. five years ago for $450,000. They claim they were willing to sell the home to the Heritage group but that the group never came up with money.

Ed May, who lives on the same block, says it's the right move.

“I think all of the neighbors in this vicinity are very happy. It was time. It was an eyesore for quite a number of years,” he says.

But preservationists call the bulldozing of the patriot’s home a tragedy.

“It is bitterly ironic that they have chosen Fourth of July weekend to tear down the house of an American Revolutionary War soldier,” says Patricia Baker, of the Babylon Village Heritage Conservancy.

Three homes are set to be built on the site. The developer says they did save architectural elements of the home that will be used in the new homes being built.