One of the oldest homes on Martha’s Vineyard, built at the turn of the 18th century, was sold this summer and is undergoing an extensive renovation.

The former Achelis home, a  at 37 Cooke street in Edgartown is sometimes known as the Joseph Norton house. The one-and-a-half story full Cape will retain its historic appearance, according to building plans.

David and Katrin Achelis sold the property to 37 Cooke Street LLC for $1.25 million on June 30, land records show. Island developer Peter Rosbeck 2nd and Edward Rosbeck are listed as managers of the corporation which purchased and currently owns the property.

Historical accounts about the age of the home are conflicting. Town records list the house as built in 1680. Other accounts indicate the house, or additions to it, were built as late as 1730.

The house was built for Joseph Norton, who held several town offices, served as a judge and was a representative to the General Court of Massachusetts in colonial times

The interior of the home includes hand-hewn beams and rafters, wide pine floors and original hardware, according to the real estate listing. The style of four fireplaces is consistent with construction of those in other Edgartown homes built in the early 1700s.

In recent weeks, the property at the corner of Cooke and School streets has been a construction site as work crews jacked the original main house onto wooden supports to pour a new concrete foundation. A modern addition to the home was demolished as part of the renovation project, and will be rebuilt with a historically accurate exterior.

A pool and a garage will be added to the property, according to building plans, and a small 19th century two-story barn will be preserved.

The Edgartown historic district commission unanimously approved the building and renovation plans in May. The renovated home and the outbuilding will retain the existing footprint.

The house was originally located at Farm Neck. In the mid-1800s it was moved to Cooke street, a distance of more than four miles, by “stalwart men with the help of strong oxen and good Jamaica rum,” according one historic account. One account dates the move to 1822, another to 1831.

An account in the Gazette said the building originally stood on the shore of Sengekontacket Pond. It was moved by oxen and capstan to the present site, more than a century after it was built.

There was still a large Wampanoag settlement at Sengekontacket Pond at the time and the house reportedly was within sight of more than 40 Wampanoag wigwams.

Read more about the house in Back Stories.