s«r CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Cornell University Library F 127S9 H67 ..H story of Suffolk county. New York, 3 1924 028 834 848 olin Overs The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028834848 less. SUFFOLK COUNTY, ^ ^W^O^^' WITH ustrations, portraits, & Sketches OF PROMINENT FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. NEW YORK: W. W. MUNSELL & CO., 36 Vesey Street. 1SS2. fib PRESS OF GEORGE MACNAMARA, 36 VESEY STREET, NEW VORK. .TABLE OF CONTENTS. OUTLINE HISTORY OF NEW YORK. CHAPTER I. FAGG. Discovery of New York— The Indians of the Five Nations 7,8 CHAPTER II. New York under the Dutch— English Gov- ernors to 1675 8-10 CHAPTER III. War with France and the Commencement of the Revolution 10, 11 CHAPTER IV. Revolutionary Events in New York— The State Government Established 11, 12 CHAPTER V. The War of 1812 between the United States and Great Rritain 12,13 CHAPTER YI. Internal Improvements — Constitutional Amendments— Schools— Statistics 13-15 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND." CHAPTER I. A Sketch of the Topography, Geology and NaJural History of Long Island 16-18 CHAPTER II. The Indians of Long Island— Territory, Characteristics, and Relations with the Whites 18-22 CHAPTER III. Discovery and Settlement of Long Island —History of Colonial Times 22-26 CHAPTER IV. Customs,! Characteristics and Institutions of the Early Lons: Islanders 27-30 CHAPTER V. The participation of Long Island in the War with France 30,31 - CHAPTER VL Beginning of the Revolution— Prevalence of Toryism— Independent Spirit in Suf- folk .*: 31-34 CHAPTER VII. The British In vasion- Battle of Brooklyn- Washington's Retreat 34-36 CHAPTER VIII. Long Island in British Hands— Raids from the Mainland— Smuggling —The Prison Ships— Nathaniel Woodhull 37-41 CHAPTER IX. The War of 1812— Privateering— The For- tification of Long Island 41-43 CHAPTER X. The Construction of Wagon Roads and Railroadson Long Island 43,44 CHAPTER XI. TheAgriculturalCapabilitiesand Develop- ment of Long Island 44-46 CHAPTER XII. Formation and Growth of the Long Island Historical Society 46-48 HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. CHAPTER I. Indian Tribes of Suffolk County— The Ad- ventof the White Man 49-52 CHAPTER IL A Sketch of Pioneer Experience — , 52-66 CHAPTER III. The Colonial perio^- Growth of Civil and Religious institutions 56-62' CHAPTER IV. Suffolk County in the Revolution— Wash- ington's Tour— The War of 1812 62-65 CHAPTER V. Civil History of the County— Statistics of Population 65-67 CHAPTER VI. Religious, Temperance and Educational E fforts— A Group of ounty Societies... . 87-70 CHAPTER VII. The Record of Suffolk County's Volunteers in theCivil War 70-'i'9 CHAPTER VIII. Physical Features— Climate— Industries- Means of Communication 79-82 TOWN AND VILLAGE HISTORIES, following page 82 and arranged in alphabetical order, as follows: BABYLON, BROOKHAVEN, EAST HAMPTON, HUNTINGTON, ISLIP, RIVERHEAD, SHELTER ISLAND, SMITHTOWN, SOUTHAMPTON, SOUTHOLD. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Arthur, F. 0., S.mithtown 21 Bailey, Edwin Brookhaven 100 Baj'les, James M Brookhaven 61 Beecher, Lyman, Bast Hampton 16 Beers, Daniel, Southampton Beers, Daniel, Southold Belmont, Perry, B ibylon Budd, John, Southold Buel. Samuel, East Hampton Burnet, MatthiaSi East Hampton Burr, Carll S., Huntington Carll, Gilbert, Huntington Carll, Jesse, Huntington Carman, George F., Brookhaven Carpenter, E. A., East Hampton Cartwright, B. C, Shelter Island Case Family, Southold Case, H. H Southold Case, J. Wickham, Southold Chatfleld, Thomas East Hampton Cleaves, George H Southold Cochran, Walter Babylon Conklin, Jacob, Huntington Conklin, Jacob, Babylon Conklin, Douglass Huntington Conklin, John, Southold Conklin, Richard B Southold Cook, Nehemiah B Southold Cook, Joel, Babylon Cooper, James B Babylon Corwin, Matthias Southold Daggett, Herman, Southampton Davenport, James,.., Southold Dayton Family East Hampton Dering Family Shelter Island Deverell, Thomas H., Babylon Dickerson, Philemon, Southold Dingee, Arthur Babylon Dingee, Selah, Babylon Dodd, Edward, Babylon Douglas, Josiah, Sou thampton Dowden Brothers, Babylon Edwards, Lewis A., Southold Fleet, H.L Southold Fleet, Thomas Huntington Floyd, Benjamin, Brookhaven Floyd, John G.,. Brookhaven Floyd, Richard Brookhaven Floyd, Gen. William, Brookhaven Floyd, William, Brookhaven Fordham, Robert, Southampton Foster, N. W., Riverhead Foster, P. H., Babylon French, Stephen B Southampton Gardiner, A. S Huntington Gardiner, Abraham Bast Hampton Gardiner, David, East Hampton Gardiner Family East Hampton Gardiner, Lion, East Hampton Gardiner, Nathaniel, East Hampton Gardiner, Samuel Buel, East Hampton Gelston, Samuel, Southampton Gleason, Luther, Babylon Goldsmith, John, Southold Goldsmith, B. T., Southold Hallook, B. G., Southold HaJsey, Hugh, Southampton Hand, Nehemiah, Brookhaven Hartt, Joshua, Huntington 15 36 20 4 15 33 57 88 84 66 34 10 rf 53 36 33 60 7 36 17 76 ■ 4 41 4 15 22 37 12 7 4 5 40 34 45 42 4 71 71 71 71 72 14 20 18 30 25 25 30 29 15 11 4 49 55 43 84 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Havens, AsherC, Shelter Island Havens, C. S., Brookhaven Havens Family, : Shelter Island Havens, J. S., Brookhaven Hawkins, Edward, Kiverhead Hawkins, Simeon S., Kiverhead Hazzard, Joseph Southold Hedges Family Southampton Hedges, Henry P., Southampton Hobart, Joshua Southold Homan, Mordecai, Brookhaven Horton, Barnabas Southold Howell, Stephen, Southampton Huntington, Abel, East Hampton Hunttlng, David H., East Hampton Huntting Family, Southampton Hnntting, J. B., Southampton Huntting, Jonathan, Southold Hu ntting, Nathaniel, East Hampton Huntting, Samuel, East Hampton Hurlburt, John, .Sou thampton Hutchinson, B. T., Brookhaven Ingrabam. William, Babylon Ireland, John L., Brookhaven James, Thomas, F.ast Hampton Jayne, Scudder Brookhaven Jones, Eliphalet,.. Huntington Jones, W. L Brookhaven Kissam, Baniel W., Huntington Latham Family Southampton Latting, Bichard, Huntington Lawrence, W. C. Smithtown Leverlob, William ; Huntington L'Hommedieu, Samuel, Southampton Louden, John Babylon Ludlow, Isaac Southampton Marvin, Joseph Brookhaven Mather, John B Brookhaven Miller, Burnett East Hampton Miller, Eleazer, East Hampton Miller, George .Kiverhead Miller, Nathaniel, Brookhaven Mills, George P Brookhaven Moore, Thomas Southold Mount Family Brookhaven Moubray , Jarvis K., Islip Multord Family, East Hampton Murray, Lindley, Islip NiooU Family, Islip " Shelter Island NicoU, Hon. Samuel B., Shelter Island NicoU, S. B., M. D Shelter Island Norton, Humphrey Southold Oakes, George Huntington Osbom, Edward, Brookh aven Osborn Family, East Hampton Overton, F. H., Southold Paynes John Howard, Bast Hampton Pelletreau Family, Southampton Phillips, George S., Smithtown Plerson, Abraham, Southampton Placide, Henry Babylon Post, W. B Southampton Prime, Bbenezer, Huntington Prime, Ezra C Huntington Provost, William Y., Babylon Hackett, S. P., Southold Hay, Joseph H Huntington Beid, J. B Babylon Bemsen, Phoenix . .'. Babylon Rice, James, Brookhaven Bice Family Brookhaven Rogers, Stephen C Huntington Eolph, Jarvis E Huntington Rose, A. T Southampton Rose Family Southampton Rose, John, Brookhaven Sage, Ebenezer Southampton Sammis, D. S. S Babylon Sehleier, C. S Babylon Scudder Family Huntington Scudder, Henry G.,. Huntington Scudder, Henry J Huntington Scudder, Tred well, Islip Shaw, Peter H Southampton Skinner, Abraham, Babylon 33 40 39 43 24 15 16 40 75 7 91 13 91 52 44 59 39 5 42 5,50 40 19 -41 32 63 71 40 34 70 40 23 24 6,77 79 83 15 15 5 Sleight, Brinley D., East Hampton Sleight, Cornelius, East Hampton Smith, Charles Jeffrey, Brookhaven Smith, David, Babylon Smith, Edward Henry Smithtown Smith, Egbert T., Brookhaven Smith, Elizabeth, Smithtown Smith, Col. Henry Brookhaven Smith, J. Lawrence Smithtown Smith, Gen. John, Brookhaven Smith, Josiah Brookhaven Smith, Joshua B, Smithtown Smith, Lyman B., Smithtown Smith, Oakley, Babylon Smith, Ralph Southold Smith, Richard, Smithtown Smith, Richard W Brookhaven Smith, Seba, Brookhaven Smith, William, Brooktiaven Smith, Colonel William, Brookhaven Smith, William Henry, Brookhaven Smith, William Sidney, Brookhaven Smythe, Richard, Smi thtown Storrs, John Southold Street, Charles B Huntington Strong, Benajah, Islip Strong, Samuel,. Islip Strong, Selah, Brookhaven Strong, Judge Selah Brewster, Brookhaven Strong, Selah B., jr Brookhaven Strong, Thomas S Brookhaven Strong, Thomas Brookhaven Sylvester Family Shelter Island Taylor, Joseph, Southampton Terry, Richard, Southold Thompson, Benjamin F Brookhaven Thompson, Isaac Islip Thompson, Jonathan, Islip Throop, William Southold Titus, H. W., Brookhaven Udall, Bichard Islip Vail, J. H., Islip Von der Luehe, Huntington Whitaker, Epher, Southold Wells, William Southold White, SylvanuB, Southampton Whiting, Joseph,, Southampton Williamson, John M., Brookhaven Wilson, A. D Brookhaven Wilson, Hugh N Southampton Winthrop Family, Southold Wiswell, U. F Southold Wood, John Islip Wood, SUas Huntington Wood, W. W., Huntington Woodend, W. D., Huntington WoodhuU, Abraham Brookhaven WodhuU, General Nathaniel, Brookhaven Woodh uU, Richard, Brookhaven Woolsey, Benjamin Southold Worth, Theron B., Southold Young, Thomas, Huntington Youngs, Rev. John Southold Youngs; Colonel John Southold POI^TR/ITS. Bayles, James M., Brookhaven Belmont, Perry Babylon Burr, Carll S., Huntington Carll, Gilbert, Huntington Carll, Jesse, Huntington Carman, George F., Brookhaven Carpenter, E. A East Hampton Cartwright, B. C Shelter Island Case, H. H Southold Cleaves, George H., Southold Conklin, Douglass, Huntington De Laraater, C. H . , Huntington Edwards, Lewis A., Southold Floyd, William, Brookhaven Foster, Nathaniel W., Rl verhead Foster, P. H., Babylon French, S. B., Southampton 39 65 5 37 69,94 9 63 21,32 2,5,8 23 62 15 15 75,76 76 81 81 75 11 14 7 62 15 16 23 81 15 13 84 24 4 15 14 74 74 15 19 24 16 90 67 89 74 74 11,74 22 54 72 3,21 5,7 Gardiner, A. S Huntington Gardiner, S.B East Hampton Goldsmith, B. T Southold Hallook,. G Southold Hand, N Brookhaven Havemeyor, Henry Babylon Havens, C. S Brookhaven Havens, J. S Brookhaven Hawkins, Edward Rivorhead Hawkins, S S Rirerhead Hedges, H. P Southampton Huntting, D. H., East Hampton Huntting, J. B. Southampton Ireland, John L Brookhaven Lawrence, W. C, Smithtown Louden, John, Babylon Mairin, Joseph, Brookhaven Mather, J. R., Brookhaven Miller, George, Kiverhead Moubray, J. R Islip Muhlenberg, W. A., Smithtown Nicoll, Hon. S. B Shelter Island Nicoll, S. B., M. D ' Shelter Island Osborn, Edward Brookhaven Overton, F. H., Southold Phillips, George S., Smithtown Post, W. K., Southampton Prime, Ezra C Huntington Provost, William Y., Babylon Reid, J. R., Babylon Bemsen, Phenix, Babylon Bice, James, Brookhaven Rogers, Stephen C, Huntington Kolph, J. R., Huntington Sammis, D. S. S., Babylon Sehleier, Charles S., Babylon Scudder, Henry G Huntington Scudder, Henry J Huntington Sleight. B. D., East Hampton Smith, Egbert T Brookhaven Smith, E.H., Smithtown Smith, J. Lawrence Smithtown Smith, Joshua B Smithtown Smith, Lyman B., Smithtown Smith, William Sidney, Brookhaven Street, Charles E., Huntington Strong, Selah B., Brookhaven Titus, Henry W., Brookhaven Vail, J. H Islip Woodend, W. D., Huntington Wood, .Tohn, Islip Wood, W. W Huntington Worth, T. B Southold Young, Thomas Huntington ILLDSTI^ATIOHS. Bailey, E. & Son, Planing-Mill, Brookhaven Carll, Jesse, Residence Huntington Conklin, R. B , Residence Southold Conklin. R. B., Stables, Southold Davis, C. E., Residence Brookhaven Davis, C. H., Residence, Huntington DeLamater, C. H., Residence, Huntington De Lamater, C. H., Beacon Farm, Hunting- ton Dowden Brothers, Store Babylon Esterbrook, R. jr., Residence, Southampton Fleet, Henry L , Residence Southold Frontispiece, General History Havens, A. C, Residence Shelter Island Jayne, Scudder, Residence, .... Brookhaven Mulford, John (Letter), East Hampton Parsons, M. B., Hotel, Southold Rackett, S. P., Residence, Southold Rico Family Monument, Brookhaven Rolph, J. R., Residence, Huntington Sammis, D. S. S., Hotel, Babylon Scudder, H. J., Residence, H untington Smith, J. Lawrence, Residence, Smithtown Smythe, Richard— Arms Smithtown Sutton, E. B., Residence Babylon Map of Long Island, General History.... Map of East Hampton East Hampton 61 2i « SS M 9 93 97 21 21 a 40 42 SO 42 19 92 83 19 14 24 13 15 63 46 41 100 » 43 1 100 71 3( i 35 5 C P^REFACE To one whose own neighborhood has been the theater of events that have entered into the nation's annals, the history of those events is the most interesting of all his- tory. To the intrinsic fascination of stirring incidents is added the charm of their having occurred on familiar ground. The bay is more than harbor or fishing ground to one who knows how it has affected the course of events for centuries — determining the location first of the Indian camp and then of the white man's village; welcoming the Puritan immigrant to a home of freedom, and anon floating the hostile man-of-war or plowed by the whaleboats of the Revolutionary marauders. The road that has been traveled unthinkingly for years is in- vested with a new interest if found to have followed an Indian trail. The people will look with heightened and more intelligent interest upon ancient buildings in their midst — already venerated by them, they hardly know why — when they read the authentic record of events with which these monuments of the past are associated. The annals of a region so noted as that of which the follow- ing pages treat give it a new and powerful element of interest for its inhabitants, and strengthen that miniature but admirable patriotism which consists in the love of one's own locality. It has heretofore been possible for the scholar, with leisure and a comprehensive library, to trace out the written history of his county by patient research among voluminous documents and many volumes, sometimes old and scarce; but these sources of information and the time to study them are not. at the command of most of those who are intelligently interested in local history, and there are many unpublished facts to be rescued from the failing memories of the oldest residents, who would soon have carried their information with them to the grave; and others to be obtained from the citizens best informed in regard to the various interests and institu- tions of the county which should be treated of in giving its history. This service of reseach and compilation, which very few could have undertaken for themselves, the publishers of this work have caused to be performed; enlisting in the effort gentlemen whose standing in the community, whose familiarity with local events, and whose personal interest in having their several localities fitly represented, afford the best guaranty for the trustworthiness of their work. The names of these gentlemen appear in connec- tion with the sections of the history contributed by them (except that the n-ame of Richard M. Bayles was inad- vertently omitted from page 49). They have therein acknowledged the aid derived from the authorities most serviceable to them. In addition to such acknowledg- ments the author of the history of Huntington furnishes the following: " In the preparation of the statements concerning Huntington's first settlers I have freely consulted the works of Savage on New England Genealogies, Hotten's lists of emigrants from England, Charles B. Moore's Southold Indexes and numerous other publications. I am also indebted to Henry Lloyd and Horace Rusco for special aid in exploring this branch of the subject, and. in some instances to the descendants of the settlers named in the list. No attempt is made at tracing down the relationship between these early settlers and those- now living in Huntington of the same name, as space would not permit. In most instances however the- genealogy and relationship can be traced. Acknowledg- ments are due to Hon. George H. Fletcher for aid in procuring documents from the office of the secretary of state at Albany." So much time is necessarily consumed in preparing and printing a work of the magnitude of this that the parts first done may not in all cases embody the latest facts, as, for example, in giving a list of the pastors of a church or the incumbents of office. The list of county officers and representatives on pages 66 and 67 was printed before the present county treasurer, J. Henry Perkins, and the present member of Assembly, George M. Fletcher, entered upon their duties; and the list of school commissioners on page 69 for the same reason lacks the names of the present incumbents^George H; Cleaves in the first district and Douglass Conklin in the second; and some matter was received too late for publication in its proper place, for example the follow- ing names of citizens of the town of Babylon who have held county offices: James B. Cooper, county clerk; Stephen J. Wilson, sheriff; John R. Reid, county judge; Elbert Carll, county treasurer. Such an omission might unavoidably occur at whatever time the volume was issued. While some unimportant errors may perhaps be found amrd the multitude of details entering into the compo- sition of a work of this character, the publishers con- fidently present this result of many months' labor as a true and orderly narrative of all the events in the his- tory of the county which were of sufficient interest to merit such record. OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. CHAPTER I. DISCOVERY OF NEW YORK THE INDIANS OF THE FIVE NATIONS. *N 1524 John de Verazzano, a Florentine navi- gator in the service of Francis the First of France, made a voyage to the North American coast, and, as is believed from the account which he gave, entered the harbor of New York. No colonies were planted, and no results followed; and the voyage was almost forgotten. Though discoveries were made by the French north from this point, and colonies planted by the English farther to the south, it is not known that New York was again visited by Europeans till i6og, when the Dutch East India Company sent Ilendrick Hudson, an English- man by birth, on a voyage of discovery in a vessel called the "Half Moon." He reached the coast of Maine, sailed thence to Cape Cod, then southwesterly to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, then, coasting northward, he entered Delaware Bay on the 28th of August. From thence he proceeded northward, and op the 3d of September, 1609, anchored in New York Bay. On the 12th he entered the river that bears his name, and proceeded slowly up to a point just above the present site of the city of Hud- son; thence he sent a boat's crew to explore farther up, and they passed above Albany. September 23d he set sail down the river, and immediately returned to Europe. In 1607 Samuel Champlain, a French navigator, sailed up the St. Lawrence, explored its tributaries, and on the 4th of July in that year discovered the lake which bears his name. At the time of the discovery of New York by the whites the southern and eastern portions were inhabited by the Mahican or Mohep:an Indians; while that portion west from the Hudson River was occupied by five con- federate 'tribes, afterwards named by the English the Five Nations, and by the French the Iroquois, and by themselves called Hodenosaunee — people of the long house. The long house formed by this confederacy ex- tended east and west through the State, having at its eastern portal the Mohawks, and at its western the Sen- e'cas; while between them dwelt the Oneidas, Ononda- gas, and Cayugas; and after 1714 a sixth nation, the Tuscaroras, southeast from Oneida Lake. Of these Indians Parkman says that at the commencement of the seventeenth century "in the region now forming the State of New York, a power was rising to a ferocious vitality, which, but for the presence of Europeans, would probably have subjected, absorbed or exterminated every other Indian community east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio." " The Iroquois was the Indian of Indians. A thorough savage, yet a finished and developed savage^ he is, per- haps, an example of the highest elevation which man can reach without emerging from his primitive condition of the hunter. A geographical position commanding on the one hand the portal of the ^reat lakes, and on the other the sources of the streams flowing both to the Atlantic and the Mississippi, ira.ve the ambitious and ag- gressive confederates advantages which they perfectly understood, and by which they profited to the utmost. Patient and politic as they were ferocious, they were not only the conquerors of their own race, but the powerful allies and the dreaded foes of the French and English colonies, flattered and caressed by both, yet too sagacious to give themselves without reserve to either. Their or- ganization and their history evince their intrinsic superi- ority. Even their traditionary lore, amid its wild pueril- ities, shows at times the stamp of an energy and force in striking contrast with the flimsy creations of Algonquin fancy. That the Iroquois, left under their own institu- tions, would ever have developed a civilization of their own, I do not believe." These institutions were not only characteristic and curious, but almost unique. Without sharing the almost fanatical admiration for them of Morgan, or echoing OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. the praises which Parkman lavisnes on tnem, it may be truly said that their wonderful and cohesive confederation furnished a model worthy to be copied by many civilized nations, while, so long as they were uncontaminated by the vices of civilization, they possessed, with all their savagery, many noble traits of character, which would adorn any people in their public, social, or domestic relations. They made themselves the dreaded masters of all their neighbors east of the Mississippi, and carried their • victorious arms far to the north, the south, and the east. Their dominance is thus eloquently pictured in Street's "Frontenac": i '* The fierce Adirondacs had fled from their wrath. The Hurons been swept from their merciless path; Around, the Ottawas, like leaves, had been strewn. And the lake of the Eries struck silent and lone. The Lenape, lords once of valley and bill,- Made women, bent low at their conquerors' will. By the far Mississippi the Illini shrank When the trail of the Tortoise was seen on the bank; On the hills of New England the Fequod turned pale When the howl of the Wolf swelled at night on the gale; And the Cherokee shook in his green, smiling Ixjwers When the foot of the Bear stamped his carpet of flowers." It will hereafter be seen that the Iroquois acted an im- portant part in the early history of the State. Space will not permit a description of their league, or confederation, a sketch of their tribal relations, and their religious, social and domestic customs, or a history of their warlike achievements. Only an allusion may here be made to the many dim and shadowy records of a pre-existing people of whom not even a faint tradition remains. These records con- sist of stone, terra cotta, or bone weapons, implements or ornaments, that are occasionally discovered, and of the remains of defensive works found here and there through the State. Many similar works have been leveled by the plough, and those that remain are slowly crumbling and passing to oblivion. Some of them, though they would not be regarded as models of military engineering at the present day, give evidence of an adaptation to the circumstances that probably existed when they were built, and of skill in construction, which are not discreditable to their builders. CHAPTER IT. NEW YORK UNDER THE DUTCH ENGLISH GOVERNORS TO 1765. ^N 1610 another vessel was sent from Holland to trade with the natives and in 161 2 two more, soon after followed by others; and a small fort and a few rude buildings were erected at the southern extremity of Man- hattan Island, and the place was named New Amsterdam. In 1614 the States General of Hol- land granted a charter to the merchants engaged in these expeditions, giving exclusive privileges of trade for four years. The Hudson River had been ascended by Hen- drick Christiansen, and a fort and trading house erected near the present site of Albany, which was named Fort Orange. In 162 1 the Dutch West India Company was chartered, and in 1623 settlers were sent thither. In 1626 Peter Minuit. as director-general or governor of the province, arrived with other settlers, and purchased the island of Manhattan from the Indians for trinkets of the value of about ^24. In 1629 the company offered grants to patroons who should found settlements in the province (which had been named New Netherlands) of fifty or more adults, and several availed themselves of this offer. In 1633 Minuit was recalled and Wouter Van Twiller ap- pointed in his place. During his administration the con- troversy concerning jurisdiction was commenced between the Dutch and the English, who claimed the country on the ground of prior discovery by Cabot and the grant of James I. covering the territory. In 1638 Van Twiller was succeeded in the government of the colony by William Kieft. By reason of hostilities which occurred with the Indians on Long Island in 1643-44, for which Kieft was censured, he was recalled, and succeeded by Peter Stuyvesant in 1647. The con- troversy concerning jurisdiction continued during his administration, till, in 1664, Charles II. of England, re- gardless of the claims of the Dutch to New Netherlands, granted to his brother, the Duke of York and Albany, afterwards James II., the whole country from the Con- necticut to the Delaware, including the entire Dutch pos- sessions. A fleet was sent under Colonel Richard NicoUs by the duke to enforce his claim, and on the 3d of Sep- tember, 1664, the province was surrendered without bloodshed, and the government of the colony passed into the hands of the English. Colonel Nicolls at once assumed the functions of gov- ernor; the name New Amsterdam was changed to New York, and Fort Orange to Albany, laws for the govern- ment of the province were prescribed, and courts for the administration of these laws established. In 1668 Gov- ernor Nicolls resigned, and was succeeded by Colonel Francis Lovelace. England at about this time became involved in a war with Holland, and this government sent a squadron to repossess its province in America This squadron arrived July 30th, 1673, aid the fort at New York was surrendered without resistance by Captain John Manning, who was in command. Captain Anthony Colve became governor; but his reign was short, for on the conclusion of peace between the two powers, Febru- ary 9th, 1674, the province reverted to the English. A new patent was issued, confirming the first, and Sir Ed- mund Andros was commissioned governor. The despotic agent of a despotic ruler he was unpopular with the peo- ple, and became involved in difficulties with the neigh- boring colonies. He was recalled and his successor. Thomas Dongan, arrived on the 22nd of August i68?' In the autumn of the same year the first colonial assem- bly was convened, many needed reforms were instituted. NEW YORK UNDER ENGLISH GOVERNORS. and better times than the colonists had ever known ap- peared to have dawned. The most important act of this Assembly was the adoption of a charter of liberties and privileges, or bill of rights. The hopes thus raised were soon disappointed. On the accession of James II. to the English throne he refused his confirmation of the priv- ileges which had been granted while he was Duke of York, prohibited the Assembly, forbade the establishment of a printing press in the colony, and filled the principal offices in the province with Roman Catholics. In 1687 a war broke out between the Iroquois and the French. The country of the former was invaded by the French, under De la Barre and M. de Nonville success- ively, and in retaliation the Iroquois, twelve hundred strong, fell upon the French on the south side of the island of Montreal, " burnt their houses, sacked their plantations, and put to the sword all the men, women and children without the skirts of the town. A thousand French were slain in this invasion, and twenty-six wfere carried'into captivity and burnt alive." Shortly after- ward, in another attack, the lower part of the town was destroyed, and in all this the assailants lost only three. In 1688 New York and the Jerseys were annexed to the jurisdiction of New England, and Sir Edmund An- dres was made governor of all. Governor Dongan was removed, and Francis Nicolson succeeded him. The government was vested in a governor and council, who were appointed by the king without the consent of the people. In 1689 William and Mary ascended the English throne. Sir Edmund Andres was seized at Boston, and Jacob Leisler seized the fort at New York, under the pretence of holding it for the new sovereigns. During the two years of Leisler's usurpation the French and In- dians made a descent on Schenectady, February 8th, 1690, and massacred about sixty of the inhabitants. The danger by which they were threatened induced. the people, — who, though favorably disposed toward William and Mary, were opposed to Leisler — to submit to his authority .for the time. On the arrival, in March, 1691, of Colonel . Sloughter, who had been commissioned governor in 1869, Leisler at first refused to surrender the government to him. For this he was tried by a special commission, and sentenced to death.. The governor, who refused to sign his death warrant, was persuaded, while intoxicated, to do so, and he was executed before the governor had re- covered from his intoxication Governor Sloughter died in July, 1691, after a weak administration of only a few months. The colonial Assembly was again established during this year, and the oppressive laws which had been im- posed on the colony repealed. In the interim between the death of Sloughter and the arrival of his successor the chief command was committed to Richard Ingoldsby. In August, 1692, Benjamin Fletcher arrived with a com- mission as governor. He was narrow, violent, avaricious and bigoted, and his administration was a continual ex- hibition of these qualities. In 1693 the French and Indians under Count Frontenac invaded the country of the Iroquois, killed some, and took three hundred prisoners. In 1696 he made another incursion, and ravaged a portion of the coun ry. The Indians retaliated by hostile incursions among their enemies, but the peace of Ryswick, betv/een France and England, terminated these hostilities. Governor Fletcher was succeeded in 1698 by Richard, Earl of Bellomont, who died in 1701, and John Nanfan, the lieutenant-governor, succeeded him till the arrival of the next governor, Lord Cornbury, in 1702. The admin- istration of this governor was chiefly distinguished for religious intolerance; and he received the unenviable distinction of being the worst governor under the English regime. He was succeeded, December i8th, 1708, by Lord Lovelace, who died on the sth of the following May. Under Lieutenant-Governor Ingoldsby, who ad- ministered the government after his death, an unsuccess- ful expedition against Canada was undertaken. Gerardus Beekman succeeded him as governor pro tern., till June 14th, 1710, when the next governor, Robert Hunter, arrived. In 171 1 another disastrous expedition against Canada v/as made, but in 17 13 the treaty of Utrecht ter- minated the war between England and France, and put an end to Indian hostilities. In 17 19 Hunter returned to England, and Peter Schuyler was governor, ad interim, till the arrival of William Burnet in 1720. On the acces- sion to the throne of George II. Burnet was transferred to the government of Massachusetts, and succeeded, April isth, 1728, by John Montgomery, who died July ist, 1731. Rip Van Dam, by virtue of seniority in the council, was his successor till the arrival of William Cosby, the next governor, finished his administration and began one rendered memorable for its arbitrary proceed- ings and tumult, rather than for striking or important events. Cosby died March loth, 1736, and was succeeded by George Clark, senior counselor after Van Dam, whom Cosby had caused to be suspended. Clark was com- missioned lieutenant-governor in the following October. An antagonism had been growing during some time be- tween the democratic and the aristocratic parties in the colonies. Clark at first sought to conciliate both, but in the end had the confidence of neither, and his retirement, on the arrival of his successor, Admiral George Clinton, September 23d, 1743, was but little regretted. The ad- ministration of Governor Clinton was characterized by a continual conflict* with the people, represented in the provincial Assembly. Unable by repeated prorogations and dissolutions to coerce them into submission, he re- signed after an administration of ten years, and was suc- ceeded, October loth, 1763, by Sir Danvers Osborne. He was charged with still more stringent instructions than his predecessors, and met with still firmer resistance from the people. After an administration of a few days he committed suicide by hanging, probably because of the embarrassment by which he was surrounded, and grief for the death of his wife. He was succeeded by Lieutenant-Governor James De Lancey till the arrival, in September, 1755, of Sir Charles Hardy, who, though nom- inally governor, surrendered the duties of the office into OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. the hands of De Lancey. Governor Hardy resigned in 1757 and De Lancey became governor. He died on the 30th of July, 1760, and Cadwalader Golden, president of the council, took charge of the government. He was commissioned lieutenant-governor in August, 1761, and in October of the same year General Robert Moulton, who had been appointed governor, assumed the guber- natorial functions; but on the 13th of the following mondi he left the administration of affairs in the hands of Golden, and went on an expedition against Martinique. Colden's administration continued till 1765. CHAPTER III. WAR V/ITH FRANCE AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUriON. S early as 1722 a trading post was established at Oswego by Governor Burnet, with the view of establishing others farther west on the lakes, and securing the trade of the western Indians. To intercept this, and secure this trade for themselves, the French established a post and erected a fort at Niagara, with the design of extending a chain of military posts to the Ohio River, and thus limiting the English trade. In March, 1744, war was declared between France and England, in which the colonies of New York and New England participated. During its continuance the coun- try north from Albany was frequently ravaged by parties of French and Indians. Saratoga was burned, and nearly all the inhabitants either killed or made prisoners, and the village of Hoosic taken. In 1746 an unsuccessful expedition against Canada was undertaken, for which the colony of New York furnished sixteen hundred men. Peace was concluded at Aix La Chapelle in 1748, and a period of nominal tranquillity followed, though the frontier was desolated by parties, encouraged by the French. In 1755; with the view of checking their encroach- ments, four expeditions were sent against them, two of which were in the colony of New York. One of them that against Niagara, was unsuccessful, but the other, against Crown Point, achieved a success, which was not however followed up. It was not till 1756 that the English ministry aroused from its imbecility and formally declared war. In the campaign of 1756 the English and colonial forces met with no success, but the two forts at Oswego were lost with 1,600 prisoners and much war material. The cam- paign of 1757 was equally unsuccessful and disastrous. Fort William Henry, on Lake George, with 3,000 men, fell into the hands of the French under Montcalm. On the accession of William Pitt to the head of the British ministry in 1758 new energy was infused into savage their measures, and a fresh impulse given to the colonies. Success soon turned in favor of the English, and, with few exceptions, continued till Canada was subdued. Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Niagara and Quebec fell in 1758, and Montreal, Detroit, Michilimackinac and all other Canadian posts in 1760. A great obstacle to the prosperity of New York was removed by the conquesi, of Canada, which prevented further hostile incursions of French and Indians into its territory. In 1763 a controversy arose between the colonies of New York and New Hampshire concerning the jurisdic- tion over the territory between Lake Champlain and the Connecticut river, now comprising the State of Vermont. Proclamations and counter proclamations were issued, but the matter was finally referred to and settled for the time by the crown. During many years the government of Great Britain had attempted to make encroachments on what the col- onists regarded as their rights, but without success. The taxation of the people without their consent was sought to be accomplished in some insidious manner, and was steadfastly and watchfully guarded against by the col- onists, through their representatives in the colonial As- sembly. In 1764 the notorious stg.mp act was passed and its enforcement in the city of New York attempted. It was resisted by the populace, the effigy of Governor Golden, who was charged with its execution, was hanged and burned in the streets, and finally a quantity of the stamped paper was seized and consumed in a bonfire. Through the influence of London merchants, whose colonial trade suffered by reason of the act, the odious law was repealed in 1766, but its repeal was followed by a declaration by Parliament of the right " to tax the col- onies in all cases whatsoever." Troops were quartered in New York city, really for the purpose of enforcing the laws that Parliament might enact. Collisions occurred between these troops and the people, and the Assembly refused appropriations for their support. Parliament declared the legislative powers of the Assembly annulled till compliance was had with the demands of the govern- ment. In June, 1767, a bill was enacted by Parliament imposing duties on certain articles imported into the col- onies. This was followed by a revival of the non- importation agreement that had previously been entered into by the colonists, and again the influence of the English merchants procured the repeal of all these duties, except that on tea, which was retained by reason of a de- termination, to assert and maintain the right of taxation. Sir Henry Moore succeeded Governor Golden in 1765, and his administration continued till his death, in 1769, when the government again devolved on Cadwallader Golden. Between the soldiers and those colonists who were known as the Sons of Liberty animosities continued to exist, and finally, on the i8th of January, 1770 five years previous to the battle of Lexington, a collision oc- curred at Golden Hill, in New York city, in which several of the citizens were wounded. In October, 1770, Lord Dunmore superseded Golden in the government of New York, and in 177 1 hg ^g^ REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS IN NEW YORK. II transferred to the government of Virginia and succeeded in New York by William Tryon, who was rendered in- dependent of the people by a royal decree that his salary should be paid from the revenue. The non-importation agreement was continued so far as related to tea, and the East India Company suf- fered severely in consequence. Doggedly determined to maintain the assumed right of taxation, the British gov- ernment abolished the export duty on such tea as was shipped to the colonies, thus enabling the company to sell it there cheaper than in England, and appointed consignees in the colonial ports for its sale. Regardless of this appeal to their cupidity, the people made such demonstrations of resistance that the consignees in New York resigned, and when an attempt was made to land a quantityof teaclandestinelyit was thrown overboard by the vigilance committee, and the vessel sent out of the harbor. It is hardly necessary to say that in the other colonies the oppressive acts of the King and Parliament met with as firm resistance as in New York. The battle of Lex- ington was the signal for a general rush to arms through- out the colonies. In New York city the arms in the arsenals were seized and distributed among the people, and a provisional gov- ernment for the city was organized. Ticonderoga was seized on the loth of May, 1775, by Connecticut patriots under Colonel Ethan Allen, and two days later Crown Point, both without resistance, and thus the command of Lake Champlain was secured. The Continental Congress assembled on the loth of May, and on the 22nd of the same month a Provincial Congress assembled in New York. In August an attack was made by the British ship of war " Asia " on a party who were engaged in removing some cannon from, the battery in New York, and considerable damage was done to the buildings in the vicinity but the guns were removed. In the autumn an armament was collected by General Schuyler at Ticonderoga and an ex- pedition went against Canada. The forts at Chambly, St. Johns and Montreal were taken, and Quebec was as- saulted, but the colonial force was here repulsed and driven out of Canada. CHAPTER IV. REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS IN NEW YORK THE STATE GOV- ERNMENT ESTABLISHED. ARLY In 1776 General Lee, with a force of twelve hundred men, occupied the city of New York. General Schuyler with a small force had disarmed the tories of the Mohawk valley and a like service had been rendered on Long Island by the New Jersey militia. About the first of July General Howe who had previously evacuated Boston and sailed for Halifax, appeared off Sandy Hook with his army, where he was soon afterward joined by his brother, Admiral Howe, with a force of British regulars and Hessians, and Clinton and Parker, on their return from an unsuccessful attack on Charles- ton, making an aggregate force of about 30,000 men. The Provincial Congress of New York adjourned to White Plains, where it convened on the 9th of July, and ratified the Declaration of Independence by the Conti- nental Congress. On the 22nd of August a British force landed on Long Island, and on the 27th a battle was fought, resulting in the defeat of the Americans, who on the night of the 29th, favored by a thick fog, retreated to New York. The plan had been formed to capture New York, ascend the Hudson, effect a junction with a force from Canada under General Carlton, and thus cut off communication between the patriots of New England and those of the middle and southern colonies; but the movements of Washington and the failure of Carlton frustrated the plan. On the isth of September General Howe took posses- sion of New York, and the Americans retreated to Har- lem Heights. General Howe sought to gain their rear, but Washington's movements frustrated his designs. ' Opposed to General Carlton at the north was General Gates, who abandoned Crown Point and concentrated his forces at Ticonderoga. A small squadron was formed and placed on Lake Champlain under command of Arnold in August. An action took place in October between this squadron and the fleet which Carlton had prepared at St. Johns, in which the Americans were de- feated and fell back on Ticonderoga. Not deeming it prudent to attack them there General Carlton withdrew to Canada. On the 2ist of April 1777 a State constitution was adopted, and under it George Clinton was elected gov- ernor, and he assumed the duties of the office on the 31st of the following July. The principal object of the British in the campaign of 1777 was to carry out the cherished design of separating the eastern from the southern colonies by controlling the Hudson River and Lake Champlaip. Lieutenant-General Burgoyne, who had superseded General Carlton, was to force his way from Canada, and meet Sir Henry Clinton at Albany, while Colonel St. Leger was to ascend the St. Lawrence, and, with a force of loyalists and Indians, sweep through the Mohawk valley from Oswego and Rome, and join them at Albany. In June Burgoyne moved on Ticonderoga, which the American commander. General St. Clair, evacuated. As the American army retreated some fighting took place, without decisive results, till at Bennington the Amer- icans, under General Stark, achieved a victory over' a detachment of the enemy under Colonel Baum, who was slain. Colonel St. Leger advanced and invested Fort Schuy- ler, otherwise called Fort Stanwix, now Rome. The battle of Oriskany was fought, soon after which St. Leger abandoned his undertaking and returned to Canada. 12 OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. General Burgoyne advanced to Saratoga, where he was surrounded, and on the 1 7th of October was compelled to surrender. While operations were in progress in the vicinity of Saratoga Sir Henry Clinton sought to make a diversion in favor of Burgoyne. He proceeded up the Hudson, captured Forts Montgomery and Clinton, devastated the settlements along the banks of the river, burnt Kingston, and, on learning of the surrender of Burgoyne, returned to New York. In the campaigns of 1778 and 1779 no very important operations were carried on in New York. The Indians of the Six Nations (except the Oneidas and a few others) were induced to carry on against the Americans their savage and cruel warfare, and devastation, slaughter and massacres were the result. To arrest these depredations General Sullivan, in the summer of 1779, with an army of 3,000 men, ascended the Susquehanna to Tioga Point, where he was joined by General Clinton with a thousand men. With these forces they penetrated the country of the savages, destroyed their towns, and laid waste their cornfields and orchards. Though not subdued by this punishment, they were so crippled that their inroads were less frequent and destructive afterward. During the years 1780 and 1781 the Mohawk valley was the scene of devastation by the savages of the Six Nations, particularly the Mohawks, under their celebrated chief Brant; but aside from these New York was not the scene of important hostile operations. The year 1780 was made memorable by the treason of Arnold. This gallant officer had, for some irregularities in Philadelphia in 1778, been court-martialed and sentenced to be repri- manded by the commander-in-chief. He apparently ac- quiesced in the sentence, but his pride was deeply wounded, and he thirsted after revenge. He solicited and obtained command of West Point, and entered into negotiations with Sir Henry Clinton for the delivery of that fortress into the hands of the British. In the course of these negotiations Major Andre, of the British army, met General Arnold on the banks of the Hudson. In attempting to return he was captured, about thirty miles from New York, by three militiamen named Paulding, Williams and Van Wert, who refused his offered bribes and delivered him to their commander. He was tried, condemned and executed as a spy. The Revolutionary war virtually closed with the sur- render of Cornwallis and his^army at Yorktown on the 19th of October, 1781. A treaty of peace was entered into on the 3d of September, 1783, and on the zsth of November in the same year the Btitish troops evacuated on New York. After the United States had achieved their independ- ence it was early perceived that the confederation, which had been established for a particular purpose, lacked that cohesive force which was requisite for an effectual national government. Measures were accordmgly insti- tuted, first for a revision of the Articles of Confederation, but finally the formation of a national constitution was determined on; and such constitution was formed by the convention in Philadelphia in 1787. After its adoption by the requisite number of States it was ratified in con- vention by the State of New York, by a close vote, on the 26th of July, 1788, but with the recommendation of several amendments, which, however, were not adopted. The difficulties arising out of the conflicting claims of New York and New Hampshire to the territory now com- prising Vermont, which had been held in partial abey- ance during the Revolutionary struggle, were finally set- tled by the admission of the disputed territory into the Union as a State, in 1790, under the name of Vermont. By reason of indefiniteness and confusion in the original grants Massachusetts claimed a portion of the territory of New York. This claim was settled by the cession .to Massachusetts of all rights, except that of political sov- ereignty, over about one-fourth of the State. The largest tract of these lands, embracing what has been known as the Genesee country, was sold by Massachusetts for the sum of one million dollars. CHAPTER V. THE WAR OF 1812 BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN. T the commencement of the present century difficulties arose between this country and Great Britain concerning the rights of neutrals on the seas, and the aggressions of the British became a subject of bitter animosity. In ad- dition to other encroachments, the English gov- ernment claimed the right to search American ves- sels and impress into their service such of their crews as they chose to regard as British subjects. Outrages were committed in the enforcement of this pretended right, and for the suppression of the practice, and the vindication of the national honor, war became necessary; and it was declared on the 19th of June, 181 2. To this measure there was a strong opposition, both in New England and New York, and this opposition embarrassed the govern- ment to some extent in the prosecution of the war. An invasion of Canada was determined on, and for that pur- pose forces were collected in the vicinity of Plattsburg, on Lake Champlain, under General Dearborn, and at Lewiston, on the Niagara River, under General Van Rensselaer. A naval force . was fitted up on the lakes, and Commodore Chauncey was placed in command of it. Unsuccessful attacks were made by the British fleet on Sackett's Harbor and Ogdensburg, while, on the other hand, the British vessel " Caledonia " was captured at the foot of Lake Erie An attack was made on the heights at Queenston, on the Canadian bank of the Niagara, and though at first the Americans were success- ful they were finally compelled to surrender. Nothing beyond slight skirmishing occurred in this quarter during the remainder of the year. THE WAR OF 1812— THE REBELLION. 13 Early in the spring of 1813 a successful expedition to Canada was made from Ogdensburg, and in retaliation an attack was made on that place, some stores taken, sev- eral vessels destroyed and the property of citizens injured. In April a successful expedition was sent by General Dearborn against York, now Toronto. In May the Brit- ish were driven from Fort George, on the Niagara River, near Lake Ontario, and the enemy's post on that frontier evacuated. Sackett's Harbor was attacked by the British, who were repulsed, and an unsuccessful attack was also made by them on the village of Black Rock. The brilliant victory of Commodore Perry, on Lake Erie, was achieved on the loth of September in this year, but the operations on Lake Ontario were less decisive. Late in the autumn an unsuccessful attempt was made to invade Canada under General Wilkinson. The Ameri- can generals Izard and Hampton were repulsed near the border of Franklin county. In December the British took Fort Niagara, and massacred a large part of the gar- rison and even hospital patients. Lewiston was burned, and the villages of Youngstov/n, Manchester, Schlosser and the Indian village of Tuscarora were devastated by the enemy. The village of Black Rock and Buffalo were also burned, and thus the desolation of the Niagara fron- tier was completed. Early in 1814 an attempt was made by the British to capture some military stores at Oswego Falls, but without success. On the 3d of July, 1814, Fort Erie was taken by the Americans, and on the 25th a battle was fought at Lundy's Lane. In August Fort Erie was besieged by the British, who were comoelled to retire about the mid- dle of September. The plan of a dismemberment of the Union, by pos- sessing Lake Champlain and the Hudson River from the north, and capturing New York, was again formed, and it was hoped that discontent and opposition to the war in New England, and possibly in New York, might lead to the conclusion of a separate peace with these States. The people, however, were fully aroused, and the de-- fenses of New York were strengthened and strongly gar- risoned. An invasion was undertaken from Canada, and a descent was made on Plattsburg by an army of 14,000 men under Sir George Prevost, but after a severe engage- ment on the nth of September this army was compelled to retire with great loss. The British fleet, under Com- modore Downie, was on the same day captured on Lake Champlain by Commodore Macdonough. No further invasion of this frontier took place. On the 24th of De- cember a treaty of peace was concluded at Ghent. No other interruption of the peaceful relations between this country and England has occurred. Some infrac- tions of the neutrality laws have been attempted by peo- ple on the Canadian frontier, the chief of which took place during the Canadian rebellion, commonly known as the "Patriot war," in 1837-38. What were known as the anti-rent disturbances com- menced as fearly as 1839, and were not terminated till 1846. Laws were enacted to modify the process of col- lecting rents and to extend the time for " re-entry " on lands where rents were in arrears. Participators in out- rages were pardoned, and quiet was finally restored. The annexation of Texas to the United States led to hostilities between Mexico and this nation, and on the nth of May, 1846, Congress declared that, by the acts of the Mexicans, war existed between the two nations. The Americans were victorious in all important engage- ments with the Mexican army, and the part taken by the troops from the State of New York was conspicuous and highly creditable to their valor. From time to time the Legislature enacted laws con- cerning slavery, down to the year i8ig. A law passed in 1799 provided for the gradual extinction of slavery in the State. "In 1817 a further act was passed, decreeing that there should be no slavery in the State after the 4th of July, 1827. Ten thousand slaves were set free by this act.' The recognition of slavery in the territories of the United States was earnestly resisted during many years, and the controversy finally resulted in a gigantic civil war. On the election of Abraham Lincoln to the pres- idency, in i860, on the platform of avowed hostility to the extension of slavery, and the failure to effect a com- promise by which the institution should be recognized or tolerated in any of the territories, the southern States de- termined to secede from the Union and establish a sep- arate government. The attack by the Confederates, as these States styled themselves, on Fort Sumter was the first overt act of the Rebellion, and on its occurrence, in April, 1861, was the commencement of active hostilities. Before the close of that year the State of New York had placed in the field one hundred and fifteen regiments. In July, 1863, during the execution of a draft ordered by Congress, an alarming riot occurred in the city of New York. The police were unable to check its progress, and during several days the city was convulsed with law- lessness, rapine and murder. The outbreak was finally quelled by military force, but not until a large amount of ■property had been destroyed and many lives sacrificed. The war was prolonged till the spring of 1865, when it terminated with the complete success of the Union arms, and peace has since prevailed. CHAPTER VL INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND- MENTS SCHOOLS STATISTICS. N 1 791 the Legislature ordered an exploration and survey to ascertain the most eligible method of removing obstructions from the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, with a view to improve their navigation by the construction of canals. The following year two companies were incorporated, styled the Northern and West- ern Inland Lock Navigation Companies, for the purpose H OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. of facilitating navigation by connecting Lake Ontario with the Mohawk and Lake Champlain with the Hudson by canals. In 1810 a provision was made by the Legislature " for exploring the route of an inland navigation from Hudson's River to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie." It was at first proposed to solicit aid from the general government to carry out this work, but in 181 2 a commission reported to the Legislature that sound policy demanded that this should be done by the State. War with Great Britain interrupted the project. On the termination of the war the policy was revived; and notwithstanding the formidable character of the un- dertaking, and the difficulties in its way, through the untiring energy and perseverance of De Witt Clinton an act prepared by him was passed in April, 181 7, author- izing the construction of the work. It was commenced on the 4th of July in that year, and on the 26th of Oc- tober, 1825, the first flotilla of boats left Buffalo for New York. The departure of this flotilla was communicated to New York in one hour and twenty minutes, by the dis- charge of cannon stationed within hearing of each other. This was then regarded as a rapid transmission of intelli- gence. The first railroad in the State, that between Albany and Schenectady, was chartered in 1826 and completed in 1 83 1. Other roads through the central portion of the State were soon constructed, and railroad connection be- tween the great lakes and Hudson River established. In 1851 these different roads were consolidated into the present immense New York Central Railroad, and subse- quently connection was established, through the Hudson River Railroad, with the city of New York. In 1833 the New York and Erie Railway was commenced, but it was not completed till 1852. The enlargement of the Erie Canal to its present capacity was commenced in 1835 ^"d completed in 1862. These constitute the main avenues of travel and transportation through the State between the eastern and western extremities, but connecting routes in every direction have come into existence, and the fa- cilities for transportation and travel in this State are not excelled by those of any other. It is hardly necessary to call attention to the telegraph lines that ramify through all parts of the State. It has already been stated that a State constitution was adopted in 1777. Several amendments to this constitu- sion were adopted in a convention held for that purpose in 1801. In 1821 it was revised by a convention chosen for that purpose, and the new constitution was adopted early in 1822, at a popular election held for that purpose, by a majority jof more than 33,000 in a total vote of 116,919. On the ist of June, 1846, another constitutional con- vention met at Albany, and it continued in session mort than four months. The amendments to the constitution adopted by that body were ratified by the people in the following November by a majority of more than 20,000 votes. In 1867 another constitutional convention assembled. on the 4th of June, and continued its session, except during an adjournment of two months, several weeks into 1868. The amended constitution framed by this con- vention was submitted to the people in November, 1869, and resulted in its rejection, except the article making changes in the judiciary, by a majority of more than 66,000. The judiciary article was accepted by a small majority. In 1872 a commission of thirty-two persons was ap- pointed to propose to the Legislature amendments to the constitution. In 1873 several important amendments were recommended, and ratified at the election in 1874. It is a notable fact that, as changes have been made in the constitution of the State, the right of the elective franchise has been extended; till now complete manhood suffrage is established. In 1787 a law was enacted incorporating the Regents of the University of New York, and in their report for 1793 they called attention to the importance of instituting a common school system. At different times from 1787 to 1795 Governor Clinton called the attention of the Legislature to the same subject, and in that year an act was passed appropriating $50,000 annually for five years for the encouragement of schools. In 1805, after atten- tion had repeatedly been called to the subject by the dif- ferent governors, the Legislature passed an act laying the foundation of the present common school fund. In 181 2 the first common school system was adopted, comprising substantially the features of the system as it existed up to 1840. Changes in this system have from time to time been made, till now the free school system of this State is believed to be, with scarcely an exception, the most nearly perfect of all in existence. The State Agricultural Society, which has been pro- ductive of such great benefit, was organized at a conven- tion in Albany in 1832. It was reorganized in 1841, and measures were adopted for raising funds and holding annual fairs. In 1836 the Legislature ordered a scientific survey of the State for the purpose of devjloping a knowledge of its geology, mineralogy and natural history. The pub- lished reports of this survey are of very great value. The following list of the governors, lieutenant-govern- ors and presidents of the council who have administered the government of the colony and State of New York from 1629 to the present time will be found convenient for reference. Under the Dutch regime: Wouter Van Twiller, 1629; William Kieft, 1638; Peter Stuyvesant, 1647. English governors, etc.: Richard Nicolls, 1664; Francis Lovelace, 1667; Anthony Colve, on the recapture of the province by the Dutch, 1673. After the surrender to the English: Sir Edmund Andros, 1674; Anthony Brockholls, 1681; Thomas Dongan, 1683; Francis Nicholson, 1688; Jacob Leisler, 16S9; Henry Sloughter, 1691; Richard Ingoldiby, 1691; Benjamin Fletcher, 1692; Richard, Earl of Bellomont, 1698; John Nanfan, 1699; Lord Cornbury,i7o2; Lord Lovelace, 1708; Richard Ingoldsby, 1709; Gerardus Beekraan, 1710; Robert Hunter, 1710: GOVERNORS OF NEW YORK— POPULATION. 15 Peter Schuyler, 1719; William Burnet, 1720; John Montgomery, 1728; Rip Van Dam, 1731; William Cosby, 1732; George Clark, 1736; George Clinton. 1743; Da"" vers Osborne, 1753; James De I.ancey, .1753; Sir Charles Hardy, 1755; James De Lancey, 1757; Cadwallader Colden, 1760; Robert Monkton, 1762; Cadwallader Golden, 1763; Henry Moore, 1765; John, Earl of Dun- more, 1770; William Tryon, 1771. Governors of the State: George Clinton, 1777; John Jay, 1795; - George Clinton, i8oi-; Morgan Lewis, 1804; Daniel D. Tompkins, 1807; De Witt Clinton, 1817; Joseph C. Yates, 1822; De Witt Clinton, 1824; Martin Van Buren, 1828; Enos T. Throop, 1830; William L. Marcy, 1832; William H. Seward, 1838; William C. Bouck, 1842; Silas Wright, 1844; John Young, 1846; Hamilton Fish, 1848; Washington Hunt, 1850; Horatio Seymour, 1852; Myron H.Clark, 1854; John A.King,i856; Edwin D. Morgan, 1858; Horatio Seymour, 1862; Reuben E. Fenton, 1864; John T. Hoffman, 1868; John A. Dix, 1872; Samuel J.Tilden,i874; Lucius Robinson, 1876; A. B. Cornell, 1880. The population of the colony and State of New York was in 1698,18,067; 1703,20,665; 1723,40,564; 1731, 50,824; 1737,60,437; 1746,61,589; 1749,73-348; 1756, 96,790; 1771, 163,337; 1790, 340,120; 1800, 586,756; i8io, 959,049; 1820, 1,372,812; 1830, 1,918,608; 1840, 2,428,921; 1850, 3,097,394; i860, 3,880,735; 1870, 4-382,759; 1880, 5,083,173. Of the total population there were in 1790, 21,324 slaves; in 1800, 33,343; i8ro, 15,017; 1820, 10,088; 1830, 75; 1840,-4. GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. CHAPTER I. A SKETCH OF THE TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. J HE time has long since gone by when a belief in the sudden creation of the earth in its present form was generally prevalent. Once it was considered not only heterodox but almost blasphemous for a man to avow his conviction that he saw on the surface of the earth indications of changes that occurred at a period previous to about six thousand years since. That con- tinents, or even islands, should rise from the sea, become submerged, and emersje again in the lapse o£ immense time, was not deemed possible. Within the limits of historic time no record was given of more than slight changes, and men had not learned to read the record which is written in the strata beneath the surface, and which science has made legible on the edges of those strata where they are visible. The man w.ho ventured to assert that Long Island was once submerged, and that its emergence was of comparatively recent date, would have been regarded by some as impious and by others as mad. That' period of ignorance has passed, and people have come to recognivse the fact that, as far as the records of the past can be deciphered, the earth has been steadily changing, in the midst of its changing environ- ments, and that, as far as science is able to peer into the future, changes will continue to succeed each other. An inspection of the map of Long Island shows that it, as well as the coast south from it, had its birth from the sea, in what, geologically speaking, may be termed modern times; and there are evidences of vertical oscilla- tions of the surface here which may have caused a suc- cession of partial or complete submergences and emerg- ences. The island extends from east to west about one hun- dred and twenty miles, and has an average width of about fifteen miles. Along the northern coast an averaee elevation of about one hundred feet is found, though there are places where the hills are much higher. On this coast numerous " necks " of land and inlets or es- tuaries of the sound are seen; and the water along this shore is deeper than on the southern coast. Between the heights along the sound shore and the irregular range of hills which extend lengthwise through the island near the middle, for most of its length, and which are termed the backbone, the surface is in many places much broken. Harbor Hill, in North Hempstead, one of the highest points on the island, was found by actual measurement to be three hundred and eighty-four feet in height. The northern coast of the island is indented by eight principal bays, or fiords, which extend inland from three to six miles and have a width of from half a mile to a mile and a half. In some places in these the water has a depth of from thirty to fifty feet, and the average depth is about twenty feet. South from this central range the surface slopes to the coast gradually, and so evenly as to have the appearance of a level plain. Along the south shore are numerous shallow bays and inlets, especially toward the western extremity of the island. Along this shore also is a narrow sand beach, which incloses a bay, or rather a succession of narrow bays, for most of the length of the coast. This beach is crossed at different points by inlets, formerly called "guts'" (Dutch " gat," or gate), which connect these bays with the ocean, and divide the beach into a succession of long narrow beaches; as narrow necks of land connect these beaches with the mainland and divide the long narrow bay into a succession of bays, some of which do not communicate with the ocean, Outside these long narrow beaches is a shifting sand bar, and inside th»; bays are extensive salt marshes, or meadows. About forty miles .of the eastern end of the island is divided by a succession of bays into two peninsulas, each having an average GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF LONG ISLAND. 17 width of about five miles and the southern extending some twenty miles further east than the northern, though the last seems to be continued to about the same distance by a succession of islands. When the geological survey of the State was made — nearly forty years since — it was believed that the forma- tion of the island was due to the action of opposite and resultant currents, and probably its foundation on the primary rock which underlies it was thus laid, in a pre- glacial period. The Gulf Stream from the south, as it is believed to have flowed; the Arctic current from the north, and the actio. 1 of the tides in the Atlantic, all combined to bring hither and deposit the materials of which this foundation consists. It is believed by geologists that the strata of rocks here were formerly from three hundred to one thousand feet lower than they now are. Then the southeastern shore of the United States was farther inland, and the Gulf Stream swept from the south parallel with and nearer to the base of the primary Atlantic chain of moun- tains than at present. Along the course of this stream, from Georgia to Maryland, extended a. broad belt of primary rocks. These rocks, which were various in their character, were remarkably prone to disintegration, and the results of their wearing down were extremely various. These debrita were borne northward beneath the sur- face by the equatorial current, and deposited, as in its course northward this current became less rapid; hence the deposits of various kinds that are found in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. At this period the basin of the St. Lawrence and Hudson valleys was occupied by an inland sea, through which came the Arctic current, bringing its freight of debrita to be deposited when circumstances favored its subsidence. The effect of the oblique meeting of those currents in the region of Long Island, when the force of both was partially spent, was to arrest their northward and southward flow, and to produce a gentle resultant current toward the east, with eddies that were influenced by the form of the sea bot- tom where the currents met, by storms that swept over the surface here, and by other storms at the north or south, which temporarily deflected, retarded or ac- celerated these currents. Thus, it was believed, were the materials of the strata which underlie Long Island brought hither; and thus in the resultant comparatively still water and eddies were they deposited; hence the lignite and the bones of marine and terrestrial animals that are found at great depths when wells are sunk and excavations inade. After the process of piling the foundation of the island on the sea bottom had gone on, in the way indicated, during indefinite time, the upheaval took place. Previous to the adoption of the glacial theory it was believed that icebergs floated hither, bringing the boulders, etc., that they had torn from their beds in the north, and dropping them, one by one, as they slowly melted while circulat- ing in the eddies here; and that at a later period they became stranded or ran aground in shallow water, and there melted, leaving their entire cargoes to constitute the hills on the island as the surface was further up- heaved. The researches of modern geologists seem to show that subsequent to the period spoken of, but in pre-glacial times, an upheaval occurred which carried the surface here from three hundred to four hundred feet higher than it now is, and that it remained thus elevated during the glacial period. It is believed that during this time of elevation the Hudson River had its mouth eighty miles farther to the southeast than at present, and that its course and the former littoral plain through which it ran, as well as the old coast lines, are traceable by soundings. During the time of elevation the ice period occurred, and it is thought that the terminal moraine of the glacier extended length- wise through the island and far to the east along the New England coast, as well as west across New Jersey; and that the drift material of the island was brought by this agency from the regions to the north and west, where it existed in place. Thus were brought the deposits of clay, sand and gravel which are found especially on the north half of the island, and which often vary so greatly in their character, though separated only by short distances. Thus, too, were brought hither the boulders, some of which are of immense size. One at Manhasset contains upward of 20,000 cubic feet, and one on Strong's Neck, in Suffolk county, 14,000 cubic feet. The primary rock which underlies the island comes to the surface at Hell Gate and Hallett's Cove, on its north- western extremity, and here the drift deposit lies di- rectly on this rock. Elsewhere it is superposed on older deposits. It is certain that since the glacial period a subsidence of the surface has taken place, and it is not considered impossible that several vertical oscillations have occurred. Mr. Lewis says: "If a depression of two hundred feet should take place all of Long Island that would remain above the water \vould be a broken range of hills. With an elevation of two hundred feet Long Island Sound would be converted to dry land. The Connecticut and Hudson Rivers would roll along deeper channels, and discharge their waters many miles seaward; while Brook- lyn and New York would be "inland cities." It is believ- ed, as before stated, that the vertical oscillations in past time have carried the surface of the land here more than two hundred feet higher as well as lower than its present elevation. At present the surface is subsiding, though at the rate of only a few inches in a century. Evidences of this subsidence are found in abundance where excava- tions or borings are made, and in some instances where the bottom of the sea at some distance from the coast is explored. The stumps of submerged or buried forests are thus found, as well as other products of the former surface. Evidences of a former subsidence, much greater than at present, are found in the occurrence of marine deposits at points in the higher parts of the island. It is believed that every rood of the space from the central range of hills " has been the shore line of first an invad- ing, afterward of a receding ocean, and the scene of those great coast changes which waves produce." These GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. changes, which occur from time to time now as the re- sults of storm and ocean currents, it is hardly necessary to detail. As the swell rolls obliquely from the eastward along the coast the beach is modified by the deposit or the washing away of the sand; inlets to the bays are choked up and obliterated, and others break out at other points; sand spits and beaches form, and southerly winds drift the sands on the island, to be again washed away by the waves. Along the northern coast changes have taken place, and they are still going on, by shore erosion and the transportation of the detritus by storms and tidal currents. Portions of the main island have been thus cut off and have become islands, and the material washed away has been deposited, sometimes at considerable distance, to form shoals, beaches, or necks connecting what had thus been made islands with the shore again. Beaches have thus been formed and obliterated, inlets and channels have been excavated and again filled up, islands have been cut off and joined again to- the island, or washed away, and changes, many of which are now difficult to trace and doubtless others that cannot now be traced, have in the lapse of time occurred. Some of the more re- cent of these may, however, be easily discerned, and peo- ple whose lives have been spent here have been able to note many that have gradually occurred, or to remember others that were effected by violent storms. The species of animals which were found on Long Isl- and when it was first discovered did not differ from those on the main land. Of course its insular condition prevented the annual or occasional migrations which oc- curred elsewhere by reason of climatic changes or other causes, and the complete extinction here of many of those species -took place earlier by reason of that condi- tion. With the long stretch of sea coast which the island has, of course it was the habitat of all those species of aquatic birds which are found in this latitude. The isl- and was annually visited too by those migratory land birds that frequent regions in this latitude, and at the present time it is the annual resort of many species that attract hither sportsmen during each season. The mu- seum of the Long Island Historical Society has specimens of many of these species of animals and birds, and in this department it is proposed to make it quite complete. By reason of the prevailing character of the soil, the botany of the island does not embrace as wide a range of species as are sometimes found on equal areas in the same latitude. Of the trees formerly covering large portions of the island the oak, pine and chesnut were the most abund- ant and valuable ; and it is said that the quality of this timber was far superior to that of the same species found elsewhere. Among the most valuable species of timber growing on the island at present the locust occupies a prominent position. It is thought that Captain John Sands, who came to Sands Point about 1695, introduced this tree, from Virginia, about the year 1700. Since that time it has spread extensively here. The quality of this timber grown here is greatly superior to that of the same species in the region whence it was brought. A few gi- gantic specimens of this tree are standing on the lawn at the residences of Mr. Bogart, of Roslyn, and of the late Elwood Valentine, at Glen Cove. Says Lewis : "It is believed that those on Mr. Bogart's ground, several now or recently at Sands Point, and two in the dooryard of the old Thome mansion at Little Neck, now occupied by Eugene Thorpe, Esq., are of the first imported and plant- ed on Long Island". About eighty species of forest trees — indigenous and those that have become acclimat- ed — are growing without cultivation on the island. Speci- mens of many species of these are now in the Historical Society's museum, in which a competent and energetic member of the society proposes to place a complete set of specimens of the flora and fauna of the island. CHAPTER IL THE INDIANS OF LONG ISLAND — TERRITORY, CHARACTER- ISTICS AND RELATIONS WITH THE WHITES. EFORE the settlement by the Dutch were the dark ages of island history. The wampum or wampum belts give no record of the red men's origin, migrations, wars or loves. Im- mense heaps of the broken shells of the quahog or periwinkle are their only monuments. Every locality where one or more families were located had a name which gave designation to a tribe. The authorities on this subject have recognized thirteen tribes, as follows: The Canarsie tribe claimed the whole of Kings county and a part of the town of Jamaica. They includ- ed the Marechawicks at Brooklyn, the Nyacks at New Utrecht, and the Jamecos at Jamaica. Their principal settlement was at the place called Canarsie, which is still a famous place for fishing and fowling, and was doubt- less the residence of the sachem and a great portion of the tribe. In 1643 the name of the sachem was Penha- witz. In 1670 the deed of that part of the city of Brook- lyn constituting Bedford was signed by Peter, Elmohar, Job, Makagiquas, and Shamese, sachems. In 1656 the deed of Newtown was signed lay Rowcroesteo and Pom- waukon, sachems supposed to have been of Canarsie. The confirmatory deed of Gravesend in 1650 was signed by Johosutum, Airemakamus, Aeramarka and Assanched, sachems who called the Indian name of the place Massa- barkem. The RocKAWAY tribe was scattered over the southern part of the town of Hempstead, which with a part of Jamaica and the whole of Newtown constituted their claim. The greater part of the tribe was at Near Rock- away. Part lived at the head of Maspeth Creek, in Newtown, arid deeds for land there were executed by the Rockaway sachem. This tribe had also a settlement of several hundred acres on Hog Island, in Rockaway Bay. THE LONG ISLAND INDIANS— THEIR LANGUAGE. 19 The first Rockaway sachem known to the Dutch was Chegonoe. Nowedinah was sachem in 1648, Eskmoppas in 1670, Paman in 1685, and Quaquasho or the Hunter in 1 69 1. The MoNTAUK tribe had jurisdiction over all the re- maining lands to Montauk, probably including Gardiner's Island; and there seems to be evidence that the sachem of this tribe was conceded the title and functions of grand sachem of Paumanake, or Long Island; The Merrick, Meroke, or Merikoke tribe claimed all the territory south of the middle of the island from Near Rockaway to the west line of Oyster Bay, and was in all probability at some former period a part of the Marsa- pequa or Marsapeague tribe. A part of the land in the town of Hempstead was bought from this tribe. They had a large settlement on Hicks's Neck, and occupied the other necks between that and their principal site, where the village of Merrick now stands. Their sachem in 1647 was Wantagh. The Marsapequa or Marsapeague tribe had its prin- cipal settlement at Fort Neck, in South Oyster Bay, and thence extended eastward to the bounds of Islip and north to the middle of the island. Here were two Indian forts, the larger of which was stormed by Captain John Underbill, in the service of the Dutch, in 1653, with great slaughter of the Indians. The remains of the fort have been encroached upon and covered by the waters of the Great South Bay. Tackapousha was sachem of this tribe in 1656; also chief sachem of the western chief- taincies of the island, after the division between the Dutch and the English. The Matinecock tribe claimed jurisdiction of the lands east of Newtown, as far as the west line of Smith- town and probably to the Nissaquag River. This was a numerous tribe, and had large settlements at Flushing, Glen Cove, Cold Spring, Huntington and Cow Harbor A portion of the tribe took part in the war of 1643, under Gunwarrowe; but their sachem at that time remained friendly to the Dutch, and through his diplomacy suc- ceeded in establishing peace. Whiteneymen (one-eyed) was sachem in 1643, and Assiapam in 1653. The Nesaquake or Missaquogue. tribe possessed the country from the river named after them to Stony Brook and from the sound to the middle of the island. The extensive shell banks near the village of Nissaquag show that it was the site of a considerable settlement, and it was probably the residence of the sachem. Coginiquant was sachem in 1656. The Setalcat or Setauket tribe claimed from Stony Brook to the Wading River and was one of the most powerful. Its members inhabited Strong's Neck and the banks of the different creeks, coves and harbors. Warra- waken was sachem in 1655, and Gil in 1675. The Corchaug tribe owned the territory from the Wading River to Oyster Ponds, and was spread along the north shore of Peconic Bay and over the necks ad- joining the sound. It probably claimed Robin's Island also. There is reason to believe that it was a numer- ous and powerful tribe. Momometon was sachem in 1648. The Manhasset tribe peopled Shelter Island and probably Hog Island. This tribe, although confined to about 10,000 acres, could, if tradition is reliable, bring into the field at one time more than 500 warriors, Pog- gattatuck, brother of Wyandanch, was sachem in 1648, and Yokee or Youghco in 1651. His residence was on Sachem's Neck. The Secatogue tribe adjoined the Marsapequas on the west and claimed the country as far east as Patch- ogue. The farm of the Willets at Islip is called Seca- togue Neck, and here is supposed to have been the prin- cipal settlement and probably the residence of the sachem, who in 1683 was Winnequaheagh. The Patchogue tribe extended its jurisdiction east from Patchogue to Westhampton, and as some think to Canoe Place. The main settlements were at Patchogue, Fire Place, Mastic, Moriches and Westhampton. Tobac- us was sachem in 1666. The Shinnecock tribe claimed the territory from Canoe Place to Easthampton, including Sag Harbor and the whole south shore of Peconic Bay. The Indians of Long Island vi^ere designated on the Dutch maps Mohegans, and have been so called by his- torians. This is but a sub-title under the general term Algonquins, covering a great race of savages scattered over Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware and other States. The Indians of the island were tall and straight, mus- cular and agile, with straight hair and reddish-brown complexion. Their language was the Algonquin, the highly descriptive tongue in which the apostle Eliot wrote the Indian Bible, and which was used by other missionaries. It was the language that greeted the col- onists at Roanoke, and the Pilgrims at Plymouth. It was spoken through twenty degrees of latitude and sixty degrees of longitude. Strange that a language which a century ago was spoken so widely and freely between the aborigines and the settlers should have so perished that it is doubted whether a man is living who can speak it or read the Indian Bible, so laboriously prepared by the apostolic John Eliot. The Indian names of Long Island are said to be Se- wanhacky, Wamponomon and Paumanake. These names, or at least the first two, seem to have arisen from the abundance of the quahog or hard clam, the shell of which furnished the wampun or sewant, which in the earlier times was the money of the country, as well as the material for the embroidery and the record symbols of the Indian belts. Matouwacs is the name given the island on the earliest Dutch maps. The. deed to the settlers at Easthampton styles it Paumanake. Rev. William Hubbard, of Ipswich, in his history of New England, called it Mattamwake. In books and deeds it bears other names, as Meitowax, Metoac, etc. Sewan- hacky and Wamponomon both signify the island, or place, of shells. Of Mattanwake Judge Furman says: "In the Narragansett language mattan was a term used to signify anything fine or good, and duke or ake meant land or earth; thus the whole word meant the good or pleasant id GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. land, which was certainly highly characteristic of Long Island, even at that period of its early settlement." The religious notions of the Long Island Indians are described in a communication from the Rev. Samson Occum, published in the collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society. His words are: " They believe in a plurality of gods, and in one great and good being, who controls all the rest. They likewise believe in an evil spirit, and have their conjurors or paw-waws." The ceremony performed by these characters was so odious in the opinion of the whole people that the duke's laws of 1665 enacted that ''no Indian shall be permitted to paw-waw or perform worship to the devil in any town within this government." It is evident, however, that they still kept up their devil worship at the visit of the Labadists in 1679-80. They also had divinities in the winds and waters. It is surprising how few tokens are found, in the shape of idols, or carvings of any kind, to signify a reverence for their gods. The only thing which has attracted particular attention is " the foot-print of the evil spirit "^the impression of a foot on a boulder, now iu the possession of the Long Island Historical Society, which had lain upon Montauk Point from the earliest English knowledge, and probably for centuries before, and which was always an object of Indian veneration. The lodges or wigwams of the Long Island Indians were fifteen or twenty feet wide, having a frame of two rows of poles bent together and covered with rushes, except along the ridge, where an opening was left for smoke to escape. This frame of poles was interlaced with the bark of trees, and continued to a length of 180 feet or more, as the families conjointly occupying the wigwam might require. Fires were built along the floor, each family having its own for cooking and for comfort in cold weather. The principal household utensils were earthen pots and gourds for holding water. The original fur and feather clothing of these savages gave place to cloth after the advent of Europeans. At first a blanket about the shoulders and a cloth hanging from a belt about the waist composed their costume, but they afterward imitated the dress of the whites. All were fond of decoration. In early deeds from them there is a peculiar reservation of " the trees in what eagles do build their nests," doubtless in order to secure to them the feathers of the royal bird, which were among their valued adornments. Their canoes were of different sizes, from the light shallop to those of sixty feet in length. They were wrought out of logs with stone axes, with the help of fire. Their pottery, of which specimens are found in the shell heaps, is of clay, mixed with water, hollowed out by the hand and baked. Most of the specimens are very inferior. Private collections abound in arrow-heads, stone axes, and the pestles and mortars which served them for mills. The Long Island Historical Society has a collection of Indian relics, in which the only metallic instrument is an ax of native copper unearthed a few years ago at Rockaway, together with a few stone axes and a quantity of spear heads, apparently buried for preservation. Long Island was the great source of the supply of wampun or sewant — the Indian shell money, as well as the beads which they wore as ornaments or fastened to their clothing. Along the shores of the island immense deposits of shells once existed (some of which yet remain), from which the blue portion forming the eye was care- fully removed for making blue beads; these were worth three times as much as the white, which were made from the inner pillars of the conch shell or periwinkle. Long Island will always be a monumental point in history as the place to which Hudson and his mariners first came as the key to open a world in commerce and civilization, to which the discoveries of Columbus were but the vestibule. The earliest account of the Indians of the island is that given by Hudson in the narrative of his voyage of 1609. On the 4th of September of that year he came to anchor in Gravesend Bay. He says the Canarsie Indians came on board his vessel without any apprehension and seemed very glad of his coming. They brought with them green tobacco and exchanged it for knives and beads. They were clad in deer skins, well dressed, and were "very civil." On a subsequent visit some of them were dressed in "mantles of feathers " and some in " skins of diver sorts of good furs." Hudson states that " they had yellow copper, and red copper tobacco pipes, and ornaments of copper about their necks;" also that they had currants and "great store of maize or Indian corn, whereof they made good bread." They also brought him hemp. Some of his men landed where is now the town of Gravesend and met many men, women and children, who gave them tobacco. They described the country to Hudson as " full of great tall oaks, and the lands as pleasant with grass and flowers and goodly trees as they had ever seen." Doubtless the natives presented their very best festal appearance to the great captain of the "big canoe;" though when, seventy years after (in 1679-80). when they were visited by the Labadist agents, Dankers and Sluyter, after contact with the early settlers, they had sadly de- generated, and the best collection that has been made of their utensils and adornments fails to show any of the yellow copper ornaments. The Dutch and English found the river Indians and the Long Island tribes greatly reduced by their conflicts with the more warlike Iroquois or Five Nations, who had laid them under tribute. The powerful Pequots of Con- necticut did the same before their own extermination. After the coming of the Dutch, under a promise of pro- tection by them, the Canarsies neglected to pay their tribute to the Mohawks, representing the Five Nations and in 1655 the latter made a descent on Staten Island,' where they killed 67 of the natives, and going thence to Gravesend, Canarsie and other places made a thorough butchery. A bare remnant of the Canarsies escaped to Beeren Island, and Mrs. Abraham Remsen left the state- ment that she made a shroud for the last individual of them. The consistory of the Dutch church at Albany thereafter for many years acted as agent for the Indians WARS OF THE ISLAND INDIANS— THEIR SACHEMS. 21 down the Hudson in the payment of their tribute to their conquerors. The settlers at the east end of the island found Wy- andanch, the grand sachem, at war with Ninigret, the sachem of the Narragancetts of Rhode Island. There had been retaliatory massacres on both sides. Ninigret struck the finishing blow on the occasion of the marriage of a daughter of Wyandanch to a young chieftain of his tribe, at Fort Pond, on Montauk. Knowing that all pre- caution would be overlooked in the revelry of the festive occasion Ninigret came down in force upon his unpre- pared enemy; slaughtered half the tribe, including the bridegroom, and bore away the bride as his captive to the mainland. This blow broke the power and the spirit of Wyandanch, who then by a cession of Montauk came under the government and protection of Easthampton. Hereby hangs a romance which can not be done away with by any captious objectors, like those who have sought to resolve the story of Pocahontas into a myth. It is secured by deed. On a square bit of paper, written plainly in the old English character, framed and placed in the noble building of the Long Island Historical Society, is a conveyance to Lion Gardiner, then lord of the Isle of Wight or Gardiner's Island, of the great part of Smithtown, as a consideration for his services in re- gaining from Ninigret the captive daughter of Wyan- danch; the last named signed the deed, as also did his son Wyancombone, and the latter's wife. Thompson ascribes the war between the Montauks and the Narragansetts to the refusal of the Montauk monarch to join in the plot for exterminating the Europeans. Roger Williams traced the war to the pride of the con- tending sachems. The Long Island chief he said was "proud and foolish;" Ninigret, "proud and fierce." Lion Gardiner, in his notes on Easthampton, says that the Block Island Indians, acting as allies of the Narra- gansetts, attacked the Montauks during King Philip's war and punished them severely. The engagement took place on Block Island, whither the Montauks went in their canoes, and the latter on landing fell into an am- buscade. He says: "The Montauk Indians were nearly all killed; a few were protected, by the English and brought away; the sachem was taken and carried to Nar- ragansett. He was made to walk on a large flat rock that was heated by building fires on it, and walked several times over it, singing his death song; but his feet being burned to the bones he fell, and they finished the tragical scene as usual for savages." The Long Island Indians joined the neighboring main- land tribes in the hostilities between them and the Dutch, which grew out of the murder of an Indian at New York in 1641. In 1643 some Dutch farmers on the island ventured to seize and carry off two wagon loads of corn belonging to the Indians; the owners attempting to de- fend their property two of them were killed. The Long Island and Hudson River Indians burning to avenge such outrages, more than two thousand of them rose in open war and made the greatest possible de- struction of the property and lives of the settlers. A transient peace was patched up, the Canarsie chief Pen- hawitz being one of an embassy to New Amsterdam for that purpose. In a few months war broke out again, this time, it is said, on account of Governor Kieft's em- bezzling the presents for the natives by which the treaty should have been ratified. The savages, crossing to the island from Westchester county, destroyed the settlement of Mespat, now Newtown; also the first house built in Brooklyn, that of William Adriance Bennett, near Gow- anus. They then fell upon the settlement of Lady Moody at Gravesend, but were beaten off by a company of forty men, who had been recruited and disciplined by Nicholas Stilwell, and who were concealed in Lady Moody's log house. From the neighboring villages more than a hundred families flocked to New Amsterdam for protection. From these was raised a company of fifty men, who under the famous John Underhill participated in the massacre of over five hundred of the Indians in March 1644, at Strickland's Plain, on Horse Neck, near Greenwich, Conn. As one of the results of this decisive blow several of the Long Island chiefs went to New Am- sterdam and made a treaty of peace. In 1655 Hendrick Van Dyke, the late " schout fiscal " of New Amsterdam, shot and killed a squaw who was stealing peaches from his garden. He was soon killed by the Indians in revenge. At the same time they perper- trated terrible massacres on Staten Island and in New Jersey, and spread terror on Long Island, though doing no damage there. Governor Stuyvesant ordered all persons living in secluded places to gather and "form villages after the fashion of our neighbors of New Eng- land," but little attention was paid to his command. On the division of the island in 1650 between the English and the Dutch, the English taking the eastern and the Dutch the western part, the jurisdiction of Grand Sachem Wyandanch was nominally divided, Tackapousha being elected sachem of the chieftaincies in possession of the Dutch, namely, those of the Marsape- quas, Merricks, Canarsies, Secatogues, Rockaways and Matinecocks. In the winter of 1658 the smallpox de- stroyed more than half the Montauks, while Wyandanch lost his life by poison. The remainder of the tribe, to escape the fatal malady and the danger of invasion in their weakened state, fled in a body to their white neigh- bors, who entertained them for a considerable period. Wyancombone succeeded his father in the sachemship, and, being a minor, divided the government with his mother, who was styled the squaw sachem. Lion Gard- iner and his son David acted as guardians to the young chief by request of his father. At Fort Pond — called by the Indians Konkhongank — are the remains of the burial ground of the chieftaincy, and here once stood the citadel of the monarch Wyandanch. From the numerous array of tribes mentioned on a preceding page it is evident that the island was in the earlier periods of its history thickly settled by the Indians, who found support and delight in its ample resources of hunting, fishing and fowling; but their position exposed them to invasion, and their stores of wampum tempted 22 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. the fierce tribes of the mainland. They were evidently in constant fear of aggression, and at two points — Fort Neck, at Oyster Bay, and Fort Pond, Montauk — forts were built, capable of sheltering five hundred men. Gov- ernor Winthrop in 1633, referring to Long Island, which had just been reconnoitred by his bark, the "Blessing," says, doubtless upon mere report: " The Indians there are very treacherous, and have many canoes so great as will carry eighty men." But the natives soon dwindled in numbers and power upon contact with the whites. The Dutch at the west- ern end of the island, coveting their corn lands, soon found means to purchase and appropriate them, while at the east end the Narragansetts drove^ the tribes into the arras of the English. All over the island their lands were bought at a nominal price from the too easy owners. Their inordinate fondness for " fire-water" had a large share in their ruin. Rev. Azariah Horton was a mis- sionary to the Long Island Indians in 1741-44. He states that in 1741 there were at the east end two small towns of them, and lesser companies settled at a few miles distance from each other through the island. Up to the close of 1743 he had baptized 35 adults and 44 children. He took pains to teach them to read, and some of them made considerable progress; but, notwithstand- ing all this, Mr. Horton in 1744 complained of a great defection by a relapse into their darling vice of drunken- ness, to which Indians are everywhere so greatly addicted that no human power can prtvent it. In 1761 the Indians had so diminished on Long Island as in some places to havo entirely disappeared; and the once powerful Montauks could muster but 192 souls. This number was reduced by the withdrawal of many who went to Brotherton with Rev. Samsom Occum. This celebrated Indian preacher went about 1755 to Montauk, where he preached and taught about ten years. He went to England and raised ;^r,ooo for establishing schools among the Indians. Rev. Paul Cuffee was another Indian preacher on the island. He was buried about a mile west of Canoe Place, where the Indian meeting-house then stood, and a neat marble slab has been erected to his memory by the Mis- sionary Society of New York, which employed him. The writer has conversed with persons who gave testimony to his piety and the fervor of his eloquence. The Indian kings at Montauk have for a century and more borne the name or Pharoah or Pharo. This was doubtless conferred upon them by the first misssionaries, who are also responsible for Solomons, Tituses and other Christian and classic names. A squaw who died recently at Easthampton at a very advanced age was named Han- nah Hannibal. One of the Montauk Pharoahs died about three years ago and his brother succeeded him. He bore the traits of pure blood in the sallow complexion and long straight hair of his race. With the advance of settlements on the island the Montauks have faded away, till but a remnant of scarcely a dozen pure bloods remains on the reserved "Indian fields" on the promontory of Montauk. Subject to their reservations the whole promontory was recently sold in partition sale of the property to Arthur VV. Benson, of Brooklyn, for $151,000. The influence of their friends at Easthampton kept these Indians from taking part in King Philip's and other wars, and from being violently blotted out like most of their brethren. Elsewhere many of them have succeeded in whaling enterprises, and they have been ingenious in basket making. Some of those remaining around Mon- tauk are useful sailors or domestics. The Shinnecock tribe, much modified by negro inter- marriages, still cluster about Southampton to the number of about 200. They are in general a worthy and indus- trious people, with a good school and much pride of character. Many will recollect the mourning which went abroad on the loss, in the wreck of the "Circassia," of that fine corps of sailors of the Shinnecock tribe, whose courage and manliness were of a high heroic type. CHAPTER III. DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT OF LONG ISLAND HISTORY OF COLONIAL TIMES. HE names by which Long Island was called by the Indians were various. Among them were Mattanwake, Meitowax, Sewanhacky (Island of Shells), Paumanake, etc. By rea- son of its form the early settlers applied to the island its present name. The colonial Legis- lature in 1693 changed it to Nassau, in honor of William of Nassau, Prince of Orange, and required that all legal instruments should recognize that name. It never acquired more than a partial use, and though the act is unrepealed the name is obsolete. There have been traditions that this island was visited by Europeans prior to its discovery by Hudson; but these are probably no more reliable than similar traditions concerning other regions. An account of a voyage by John de Verazzano, in 1524, was published, and from his description it is believed by some that he entered the harbor of New York. Others insist that his journal gives no foundation for such a belief. The first discovery of Long Island by Europeans was made early in September 1609, by Henry Hudson, an Englishman in the employ of the Dutch East India Company. He had sailed in the " Half Moon " from Amsterdam on the 2Sth of the preceding March in search of a northwest passage to India. After touching at var- ious points on the coast north he sailed south to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay; then, passing north, entered Delaware Bay, from which he again sailed northward and entered New York Bay on the 3d of September. During the week that he remained there a boat's crew, engaged in making explorations, landed at Coney Island— the first portion of Long Island pressed by the foot of a white DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT. 23 man. On the 6th, John Colman, of a party that was sent up the river to sound and explore, was killed and two others were wounded by a party of twenty-six savages in two canoes. The next day Colman's body was buried on the shore, and the place of his interment was named Col- man's Point. Bysomethisis believed to have been Sandy Hook; by others. Coney Island. After the discovery of the island by Hudson the region was visited by private adven- turers to trade, but in 1614 a decree of the States General forbade this and gave to the East India Company monopoly of this trade. In that year Adrian Block and Hendrick Christiance visited this region under the East India Com- pany and built a fort and some dwellings on the island of Manhattan or Manhattoes, as it was called by the Indians. Captain Block passed with his vessel through. Hell Gate and sailed throu^^h the sound, and first discovered the insular condition of Long Island. Block Island, which was called by the Indians Manissees, was named in honor of him. It is said that his vessel was accidentally burned, and that he built another on or near Manhattan in the summer of 16 14. If so, it was the first vessel built in the United States. When English settlements were made in New England a rivalry at once sprang up between the English and the Dutch, each power striving to strengthen its authority by extending its settlements. Under these circumstances the settlement of the western end of the island by the Dutch commenced. It is not known who was the first actual settler on Long Island. Settlements were made in Flat- lands, Kings county, as early as 1636, possibly earlier. It is not probable that any settlement was made at the Wallabout prior to 1636. The name of this bay is cor- rupted from " Wahle Bocht " or " Waale Boght," which according to the late Hon. Teunis G. Bergen means " the Beach or Shore of the Cove;" Samuel Ogden renders it " the Bend of the Inner Harbor." Settlers came and located as caprice or circumstance seemed to dictate, without any provision for local government. At nearly the same time permanent settlements were made on the west end of the island by the Dutch and on the east by the English. Both purchased theii lands from the Indians; the English directly, and the Dutch through their governor.", who first extinguished the Indian title, then parceled out the land to individuals in various ways, or gave permits to purchase from the Indians. On the west end of the island the Dutch in 1636 set- tled Brooklyn, first named Breuckelen after a town of that name in the province of Utrecht, in Holland; Flatlands, first New Amersfort, after a place of the same name in Holland, also in 1636; Flushing, or in Dutch Vlissingen, also after a place of the same name in Holland, 1645; Flatbusb, originally Midwout, after Midiyout in Holland, 1 651; New Utrecht in 1657, and Bushwick orWoodtown in 1660. English immigrants were permitted to settle- on territory claimed by the Dutch on taking the oath of allegiance to the Dutch government. Of the English towns under the jurisdiction of the Dutch Hempstead was settled in 1643; Gravesend in 1645; Jamaica, originally Rusdorp, in 1655, and Newtown, first called Middlebury, in 1656- The jurisdiction of Oyster Bay, which was settled in 1653, was not during many years determined, but it finally came under Connecticut. The Dutch towns appear to have been wholly under the control of the governor, whose will in all matters — general and individual, civil and ecclesiastical — was ab- solute. The English towns under Dutch jurisdiction were allowed to choose their own officers, subject to the approval of the governor, to hold their town meetings, and manage their own matters as nearly like the eastern towns as circumstances would permit. It was hardly to be expected that in the exercise of power so nearly absolute the representatives of their High Mightinesses, as the States General was termed, should not at times yield to their caprices, their sympathies or an- tipathies, and do arbitrary and oppressive acts. In the case of Governor Stuy vesant his tyrannical disregard of the people's rights led to the assembling, in 1653, of delegates from New York, Brooklyn, Flatbush, Flatlands, Graves- end, Newtown, Flushing and Hempstead, and the adoption of an address to the governor and council and States General, setting forth their grievances, and asking that they be redressed. To this no reply was given, though a pfbtest was entered on their minutes against the meeting. When, in the same year, a second meeting assembled, the governor ordered them " to disperse and not to as- semble again on such business." A line had, in 1650, been established between the Dutch towns on the west and the English on the eastern end of the island by four commissioners — two from the Dutch government and two from the united colonies of New England, •although the New England colonists had at that time no jurisdiction on the island. This line ran southward across the island from the " westernmost part of Oyster Bay." Notwithstanding this arrangement the Dutch governor continued to claim jurisdiction over Oyster Bay. The people at about this time were sorely troubled by what were known as "land pirates" or outlaws, who had been banished from New England, and against these the Dutch governor failed to afford them protection. It may here be remarked that the administration of Governor Stuyvesant, from about 1656 to the conquest in 1664, was disgraced by a degree of religious intolerance, and especially by persecution of the Quakers, which rivaled but which did not equal that of the Puritans of New England, of whom it may truly be said that the principle of religious liberty never dawned on their minds. For this persecution he was rebuked by the authorities in Holland. These persecutions were renewed about the commencement of the eighteenth century under .the ad- ministration of Lord Cornbury, who in religious intoler- ance was fully equal to Peter Stuyvesant. In 1662 a new charter was granted to Connecticut, and this charter was interpreted to include the whole of Long Island. The eastern towns gladly availed themselves of this interpretation, and in 1663 the English towns under Dutch jurisdiction resolved to withdraw from that juris- 24 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. diction and place themselves also under Connecticut. Soon afterward two commissioners were appointed by Connecticut to organize the government of that colony in these towns; but it does not appear from history that they fulfilled their mission, and the unsatisfactory con- dition of things continued till the conquest in 1664. As has been stated, the settlements of the Dutch were limited to the western end of the island, and their juris- diction to a comparatively small portion of that end. The eastern end was settled by English immigrants, un- der different auspices, and its settlement commenced a ■few years later. In 1620 King James L of England granted to the Plymouth Company a charter for all the land between the 40th and 48th degrees of north latitude, extending from "sea to sea", which territory was termed New England. In 1636, at the request of King Charles I., the Plymouth Company conveyed by patent to William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, the whole of Long Island and the adjacent islands. Earl Stirling appointed James Farret his attorney for the sale of his real estate, and authorized him to select for -himself twelve thousand acres of the territory. Farret selected Shelter Island and Robin's Island in Peconic Bay, and in 1641 sold these to Stephen Goodyear, of New Haven. Soon after the death of Earl Stirling and his son in 1640, the heir of the latter, grandson of the earl, for a consideration of three hundred pourids, surrendered to the crown the grant from the Plymouth Company, and it was embodied in the grant to the Duke of York, April 2nd 1664, which thus described it: "And also all that island or islands commonly called by the several name or names of Meito- wacks, or Long Island, situate, lying and being toward the west of Cape Cod and the narrow Higansetts, abut- ting upon the mainland between the two rivers there called or known by the several names of Connecticut and Hudson's River.'' In 1662 the Connecticut colony claimed Long Island under that clause in their charter of that year which in- cluded the "islands adjacent," and in 1664 sent a com- mission to the island to assert jurisdiction. The conquest in that year put an end to their proceedings. With this ex ception no claim was made by any power to the eastern portion of the island between the years 1640 and 1664. The eastern towns were settled by the English as fol- lows: Gardiner's Island (annexed in 1680 to Easthamp- ton) in 1639. It was purchased in that year by Lion Gardiner from the attorney of Lord Stirling. Mr. Gar- diner had previously purchased it from the Indians. This was the first English settlement, and Mr. Gardiner was one of the first English settlers in the State of New York. Southampton and Southold were settled in 1640, East- hampton in 1648, Shelter Island in 1652, Huntington and Oyster Bay in 1653 though the latter was claimed by the Dutch, Brookhaven in 1655, and Smithtown in 1663. Most of the settlers in these towns were previous im- migrants in New England, who crossed the sound iu larger or smaller companies and established independent settlements, which as their numbers increased came to be little republics, completely independent of all other powers. Although there were differences in the details of the government of the different towns, there was a general similarity among them. Each had its legislative, executive, and judicial department. The people assem- bled in town meeting constituted the legislative depart- ment, and in important cases the judicial also. In that case the assembly was sometimes termed the general court of the town. Two or three magistrates, a clerk, and a constable usually constituted the ordinary judicial and executive functionaries of the town. Of course the people required no bill of rights or constitution to pro- tect them from oppression by their rulers, for they were their own rulers. They organized companies of citizen soldiers, erected and garrisoned forts when necessary, enacted and enforced laws to regulate not only civil but also social and religous matters, and to guard against threatened vices as well as to restrain existing evils churches were erected, schools were established, and ministers and teachers were supported by taxes on the property of the citizens, imposed by the people them- selves in their legislative character. It is hardly necessary to say that these original settlers were Puritans, and that, although they were not guilty of such manifestations of bigotry and intolerance as disgraced the Puritans of New England, they jealously guarded against the introduction among them of innovations which would exert what they deemed a deleterious influence. They required of those who p'roposed to settle among them a probation of from three to six months, and if at the end of that time they were not satisfactory to the people they were notified to leave within a specified time. They were thus able to prevent undesirable people from coming among them, and to maintain their religious faith free from contamination by those holding heterodox opinions. To guard against the evils of intemperance the sale of intoxicating drinks was restricted under heavy penalties. The profanation of the Sabbath, lying, profane cursing and slander were penal offences in most of the towns, and the whipping post, the stocks, pillory, etc. were in common use. Thus, each town managed its own affairs, without any combination with neighboring towns, till the island came to be a part of New York in 1664. In view of their exposed situation and the difficulty of defending themselves against hostile attacks by the Indians or invasions by the Dutch, these towns one by one placed themselves under the protection of the New England colonies; without, however, subjecting themselves to tax- ation by those colonies, or relinquishing to the sHghest extent their self-government. Southampton did this in 1644, Easthampton in 1657, Brookhaven in 1659, and Huntington in 1660. These came under the protection of Connecticut. Southold and Shelter Island assumed the same relation to New Haven in 1648. Connecticut and' New Haven became united under a new charter in 1662, and these towns became a part of the new colony of Connecticut, sent representatives to the colonial As- sembly, and contributed toward the expense of the gov- UNDER THE DUKE OF YORK. ^5 ernment. In the same year Oyster Bay also assumed this relation. The oppression to which the people in the towns under the jurisdiction of the Dutch were subjected has been spoken of. The inhabitants of both the Dutch and English towns had submitted to the tyranny of their rulers be- cause they saw no way of escape. In November of 1663 the people of the English towns held a mass meeting at Jamaica to consider their condition and devise means for their relief; but, alt)iough no attempt to disperse them was made, no results were accomplished. They weTe therefore ready to welcome anything which promised relief. Early in 1664 Charles the Second of England granted to his brother James, Duke of York, territory which in- cluded New Amsterdam and all of Long Island. An ex- pedition wns at once fitted out and sent under Colonel Richard Nicolls, who was commissioned deputy governor, to take possession of the colony. On his arrival at New York in August of that year he demanded of Governor Stuyvesant the surrender of his possessions, which was refused. Colonel Nicolls and the commissioners, Robert Carr, George Cartwright and Samuel Maverick, who had been sent with him to assist in the government of the colony, landed at Gravesend, and, at a meeting held for that purpose, consulted with the people, and with Gov- ernor Winthrop of Connecticut, and exhibited to them the royal grant to the Duke of York. He also issued a proclamation promising protection and all the privileges of English subjects, and sent officers for volunteers in the western towns of the island. After consultation with his burgomasters and the people Governor Stuyvesant, find- ing that the current of popular opinion set strongly in that direction, reluctantly consented to a surrender, and thus, without bloodshed, the government passed to the English. The people of the towns on the west end of the island acquiesced in the change, relying on the promise of Gov- ernor Nicolls and the commissioners that they should enjoy all the privileges of English subjects — a promise which was not fulfilled. The eastern towns, however, which had been independent, and which were then a part of Connecticut, were not willing to sever their political relations with that colony and become subject to the Duke of York, and Connecticut at first maintained her claim to them. Governor Winthrop, who had been one of the commissioners to arrange the terms of surrender, "informed the English on Long Island that Connecticut had no longer any claim to the island; that what they had done for them was for the welfare, peace and quiet set- tlement of his Majesty's subjects, they being the nearest organized government to them under his Majesty. But now that his Majesty's pleasure was fully signified by his letters patent their jurisdiction had ceased and become null." In March 1665 a convention of delegates from the towns assembled at Hempstead, in accordance with a proclamation of Governor Nicolls, " to settle good and known laws within this government for the future, and receive yor best advice and information at a genall meet- ing." At this convention the boundaries and relations of the towns were settled and determined, and some other matters adjusted. New patents were required to be taken by those who had received their patents from the Dutch authorities, and it was required that patents should be taken by those who had never received any, as was the case with the eastern towns. These required a quit-rent — a relic of feudal customs — which was the source of much trouble, and the subject of abuse afterward. A code of laws for the government of the province was also promulgated. These, which had been compiled at the dictation of the governor, were termed the duke's laws. They contained many of the provisions which had been adopted by the eastern towns, and many of the enact- ments would be looked on at the present day as curios- ities. With some modifications they were continued in force till 1683, when the first provincial Assembly held its session. Thompson says: "In addition to other mat- ters which occupied the convention at Hempstead in 1665, Long Island and Staten Island (and probably Westchester) were erected into a shire, called after that in England Yorkshire, which was in like manner divided into sep- arate districts denominated ridings; the towns now in- cluded in Suffolk county constituted the East ' Riding;' Kings county, Staten Island, and 'the town of Newtown the 'West Riding,' and the remainder of Queens county the 'North Riding' of Yorkshire upon I^ong Island." The word " riding" thus used is a corruption of trithing — a third. The original names of some of the towns were changed to the present ones at this meeting, it is sup- posed. So highly pleased were the delegates at this con- vention with the prospect before them, under the assur- ances of the governor, that they adopted and signed an address to the king, pledging loyalty and submission in terras that were not pleasing to the people and that were criticised with such severity that the court of assize is- sued an edict forbidding further censure of these dep- uties, under penalty of being brought before the court " to answer for the slander." Under the duke's laws the justices — one in each town — were appointed by the governor, as was also the high sheriff of the shire, and a deputy sheriff for each riding- Each town elected at first eight and afterward four over- seers and a constable, who constituted a town court, with jurisdiction limited to cases of _;^^ or less. They also assessed taxes and regulated minor matters. Each riding had a court of sessions consisting of the justices, with whom the high sheriff, members of the council, and sec- retary of the colony were entitled to sit. It had criminal jurisdiction, and in civil cases its judgments were final in cases less than ^£20. The court of assize, which con- sisted of the governor, council and an indefinite number of magistrates, had appellate jurisdiction in cases from inferior courts, and original jurisdiction in suits for de- mands above ;^2o. No provision was made for a legislature; and, while this court of assize was nominally the head of the gov- ernment, the governor, who appointed the members of it, and who could remove roost of them at his pleasure, 4 26 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND really possessed unlimited legislative, executive and ju- dicial authority. Thompson says : "In this court the governor united the character of both j udge and legislator. He interpreted his own acts, and not only pronounced what the law was but what it should be." Although the people on the western end of the island became aware that the government under the Duke of York was framed on no better model then that under the Dutch governor, and those in the English towns that they were shorn of all their former privileges. Governor Nicolls exercised his powers so carefully and judiciously as to allay their discontent. He relinquished the reins of government in 1668 and was succeeded by Francis Lovelace, who during his administration acquired the almost unanimous ill- will of the people. When, in 1670, a levy was made on the towns to raise money for repairing the fort at New York, nearly all the English towns, by vote, refused to obey the order for the contribution or levy unless " they might have the privileges that other of his Majesty's sub- jects have and do enjoy." Thompson says: " The English colonists on Long Island brought with them the doctrine that taxes could only be imposed with the con- sent of the people by their representatives in a general assembly." It is not known that this tax was ever col- lected in those towns. This was the first open manifes- tation in this country of a spirit of resistance to the in vasion of this right — a resistance which led, a century later, to the American Revolution. The resolutions of refusal were laid before the governor and council, and were by them ordered to be publicly burned before the town house of the city. It is said of Governor Lovelace that in 1668 he wrote to Sir Robert Carr in New Jersey, that to keep people submissive the best method was "to lay such taxes upon them as may not give them liberty to entertain any other thoughts but how they shall discharge them." Had not the administration of Governor Lovelace come to an end by a sudden and unexpected event, he would probably have suffered the full consequences of the pop- ular indignation which his disregard of the people's rights aroused. " The country, which had now been nine years governed by the Duke of York's deputies, and experienced in very full measure the ill effects of ignorance and indis- cretion in the conduct of its rulers, came once more under the government of their ancient masters, the Dutch." Between 1672 and 1674 the English and Dutch were at war, and in the latter part of July 1673 a small Dutch squadron entered New York harbor,- and Captain Manning, the commandant of the fort, surrendered it without re- sistance. For this act he was afterward sentenced to have his sword broken over his head. Captain Anthony Colve was by the commanders of the squadron appointed governor of the colony, and he at once set about the re-establishment of the authority of the Dutch government. In the towns that had before been under the Dutch regime submission was readily made, but in the towns of the East riding his task was more difficult. Huntington and Brookhaven yielded after a time on certain conditions, but Southold, Southampton and Easthampton rejected all overtures, and petitioned for admission to the colony of Connecticut. They were accepted, and when Governor Colve attempted to reduce these towns to submission by force Connecticut sent troops to their assistance, and the Dutch were repulsed. In November 1673 the New England colonies declared war against the Dutch, and made preparations for active hostilities. The conclusion of peace, early in 1674, be- tween the English and Dutch of .course arrested their proceedings. On the restoration of the duke's govern- ment these towns were unwilling to become subject again to a rule under which they had been oppressed. Resist- ance was unavailing, however, and they were compelled to submit to a repetition cf the former despotic sway of the duke's governors. Sir Edmund Andros became governor on the restor- ation of the duke's authority, and his administration, which continued till 1681, was even more despotic than that of Governor Lovelace. Colonel Thomas Dongan succeeded Governor Andros. On his arrival, in 1683, he at once issued orders for summoning a general assembly. This was the result of a petition to the duke by the grand jury of the court of assize in 1681. At the first session of this colonial Assembly, in 1683, they "adopted a bill of rights, established courts of justice, repealed some of the most obnoxious of the duke's laws, altered and amended others, and passed such new laws as they judged tliat the circumstances of the colony re- quired." At this session the "ridings" were abolished, and the counties of Kings, Queens, and* Suffolk or- ganized. Another session was held in 1684, at which, among other acts, the court of assize was abolished, and another Assembly was summoned to convene in the fol- lowing year. "Charles II. died February 6th 1685, and the Duke of York succeeded him by the title of James II.; as he de- termined to have as little to do with parliaments as pos- sible so it is probable that he revoked the power which he had given to his governors to call assemblies, and de- termined that they should rule the colony by his instruc- tions alone, without admitting the people to any partici- pation in the public councils." Under the government of James no other session of the Legislature was ever held. On the occurrence of the revolution in England which placed William and Mary on the throne a party of sympathi- zers with that revolution, led by Jacob Leisler, seized the government of the colony, and during two years matters here were in an unsettled condition. Long Island gave only a partial support to Leisler; and when, in i6go, he summoned a general assembly, no members from Suffolk attended and one from Queens refused to serve. It ap- pears that Leisler attempted to use force against some portions of Long Island which he declared to be in a state of rebellion, but that his efforts proved entirely unsuc- cessful. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DUTCH SETTLERS. 27 CHAPTER IV. CUSTOMS, CHARACTERISTICS AND INSTITUTIONS OF THE EARLY LONG ISLANDERS. , HE customs of the early Dutch settlers on the west end of the island were in many respects quite different from those of the people who settled other parts of it. An account of some of them is given by Mr. Furman in his "Antiquities of Long Island," from which most of the following brief sketches are condensed. At first most of those on the north side or middle of the island buried their dead in private or family burial grounds, without monuments. On the south or level portion interments were made in the churchyards, and even in the churches in some instances. The governors and colonial Assembly in 1664 and 1684 enacted laws against this practice. Their funerals were quite different from those ot the present time; wines and liquors and cold collations were provided for the guests, and often linen scarfs, gloves, funeral cakes etc. were distributed among them. Funerals were thus made very expensive, and often bore a strong resemblance to joyous feasts. It was also customary for young men, on arriving at their majority, to convert the first money they earned into gold and lay it aside to defray the expense of a respect- able funeral should they die early. Another practice was to lay aside for each member of the family a linen shirt, handkerchief, etc., and never suffer them to be worn, but keep them clean to bury them in. In case a woman died in childbed a white sheet, instead of a black pall, was spread over her cofifin as she was carried to the grave. They took especial care to provide for the education of their children. The teachers were appointed only on the recommendation of the governor, and their duties were very accurately prescribed. In modern times a teacher would smile to find that his contract required him to. instruct the children in the common prayer and catechism; to be chorister of the church; to ring the bell three times before service, and read a chapter of the Bible between the ringings of the bell; to read the Ten Commandments, the articles of faith, and set the psalm after the last ringing", to read a psalm of David as the congregation were assembling in the afternoon; to read a sermon, in the absence of the clergyman; to furnish a basin of water for the baptisms, report to the minister the names and ages, and names of the parents and sponsors of the children to be baptized; to give funeral invitations, toll the bells, serve as messenger for the consistories, etc., etc., and to receive his salary in wampum, wheat, dwell- ing, pasturage and meadow. Such were the provisions of a contract with a Dutch teacher in 1682. The practice of nicknaming prevailed among them and even in the public records are found such names as Friend John, Hans the Boore, Long Mary, Old Bush, and Top Knot Betty. The same practice prevailed among them that is found among the Swedes now, of taking the par- ent's Christian name with "sen" or "son" added to it, and for this reason it is often difficult to trace genealogies. Both negro and Indian slavery prevailed on Long Isl- and. Not many records are left of cruelty on the* part of masters toward their slaves, and it is believed that the "peculiar institution" here did not possess some of the opprobrious features which characterized it in the south- ern States. A species of white slavery also existed here as elsewhere. Indigent immigrants sold their services for definite periods, during which they were as much the sub- jects of purchase and sale as veritable slaves. Frequently advertisements appeared in the papers offering rewards for fugitive negro or Indian slaves. At the time of the negro plot to burn New York some of the slaves on Long Island were suspected of complic- ity; and it is recorded that one was sentenced "to be burnt to death on the i8th of July 1741." What was termed samp porridge (from the Indian seaump — pounded corn) was made by long boiling corn that had been pounded in a wooden mortar — a process that was learned from the Indians, What was known as "suppaan" was made in the same way from more finely ground meal. The same dish was called suppaan by the Palatines who afterward settled in the Mohawk valley. These mortars or pioneer mills, as they were sometimes called, were at first the only means the settlers pos- sessed of converting their corn into coarse meal, and the process was called niggering corn, because the work was usually done by negro slaves. In the absence of shops or manufactories, which have so universally come into existence, every farmer was his own mechanic. He was, by turns, mason, carpenter, tanner, shoemaker, wheelwright and blacksmith; and the women manufactured their cloth from flax and wool, fre- quently, it is said, taking their spinning-wheels with them on afternoon visits to each other. Houses and their fur- niture among these people in early times were quite dif- ferent from those of the present day; white floors sprinkled with sand, high-backed chairs, ornamented with brass nails along the edge of the cushioned seat and leathern back; pewter and wooden plates and dishes — which were preferred by the conservative old Knicker- bockers long after the introduction of crockery, because they did not dull the knives — and silver plate among the wealthy were the common articles of furniture. This silver plate was in the form ot massive waiters, bowls, tankards, etc., and had usually descended in the family from former generations as an heirloom. Sometimes china plates were seen hanging around as ornaments — holes having been drilled through their edges and ribbons passed through by which to suspend them. Punch, which was a common beverage, was drunk from a common bowl of china or silver, and beer or cider from a tankard. The wealthy Dutch citizens had highly ornamented brass hooped casks in which to keep their liquors, which they never bottled. Holland gin, Jamaica rum, sherry and Bordeaux wines, English beer or porter, beer from their own breweries and cider were common drinks in early 28 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. times. When a wealthy young man among these settlers was about to be married he usually sent to Maderia for a pipe of the best wine, a portion of which was drunk at his marriage, another portion on the birth of his first son, and the remainder was preserved to be used at his funeral. Tea drinking was a custom of later date. The custom of visiting each other on Sunday afternoons long prevailed; but the clergy and the strictest of the laity, influenced perhaps by the views of their New England neighbors, came to regard it as an evil, and it was grad- ually discontinued. Furman says: " It seems more like Puritanic rigor than as an exhibition of Christian feeling to break up such kindly and social meetings as these, after the religious services of the day had been performed." Previous to 1793 no post-office was established on the island and no mail was carried on it. A Scotchman named Dunbar rode a voluntary post as early as about 1775. This was in violation of the law, but the necessity of the case caused the offense to be winked at. The people on the west end of the island were supposed to receive their letters from the post-office in New York, and those on the east end from New London. Even as late as 1835, Fur- man says, the mail stage left Brooklyn for Easthampton no oftener than once a week, and mail packages were of- ten left and taken at designated places, such as a particu- lar rock or a box nailed to a tree. Hotels were few then, and the hospitalities of the people living along ihc route through the island were always readily extended to the few travelers who passed over it. Under the colonial government nearly all marriages on the island were under a license from the governor — a prac- tice which increased his income and added to the expense of entering the matrimonial state. Marriage by publica- tion of the banns seems to have been held in disrepute. In 1673 there was an officer at New York whose duty, which extended to Long Island, was to hear and deter- mine matrimonial disputes. He was styled " the firsi commissary of marriage affairs." Such an officer at the present day would lead a busy life. Many of the amusements, sports, and fireside enjoy- ments of the people here, as well as their religious customs and superstitions, were transplanted from the native countries of the original settlers. The origin of many of these m the remote past is lost; but customs often out- live the ideas which gave birth to them. On the annual return of Christmas the yule log. and Christmas candles were burned among the English settlers as in ancient times in "raerrie England" and the Dutch celebrated the holi- days with still greater zest alter the manner of their fore- fathers in the Netherlands. St. Nicholas, or "Santa Klaas," was regarded among the Dutch children as a veri- table personage, and they had a hymn in the Dutch lan- guage which they sang on the occasion of their Christmas festivities, the first line of which was, "Sanctus Klaas goedt heyligh man" (St. Nicholas good holy man). The prac- tice which was introduced by these Dutch settlers of hav- ing their children's stockings hung up to be filled by Santa Klaas is far from being extinct. New Year's eve and the first of January were formerly celebrated in a noisy way by firing guns at the doors in a neighborhood, when the neighUors thus saluted were expected to invite their friends in to partake of refreshments and then join them to thus salute others till all the men were collected together, when they repaired to a rendezvous and passed the day in athletic sports and target firing. It was finally deemed necessary to arrest, by legal enactments, this practice of firing guns on these occasions. When the style was changed the Dutch here at first refused to recognize the change in their celebration of these festivals: New Year was never celebrated with greater cordiality and hospitality than by these people, and their old customs are plainly traceable in the manner of keeping the day still in vogue here. St. Valentine's day, called among the early Dutch here " Vrouwen dagh " or women's day, was a time of great hilarity among the young people. One peculiarity in their manner o( celebrating it is thus described by Fur- man: '' Every girl provided herself with a cord without a knot in the end, and on the morning of this day they would sally forth, and every lad whom they met was sure to have three or four smart strokes from the cord be- stowed on his shoulders. These we presume were in those days considered as 'love taps ' and in that light answered all the purposes of the " valentines ' of more modern times." Easter day, or " Pausch " (pronounced Paus), was ob- served by religious services as well as merrymakings, and these continued through Easter week. Among their customs was that of making presents to each other of colored eggs, called Easter eggs, and this still prevails among some of their descendants. " Pinckster dagh," or Pentecost, was once celebrated by the Dutch here on the first Monday in June by good cheer among neighbors, among which soft wafflis were peculiar to this festival. Among the Dutch people in the days of slavery the custom prevailed of presenting the children of their fe- male slaves, at the age of three years, to some young member of the family of the same sex, and the one to whom the child was presented at once gave it a piece of money and a pair of shoes, and this event was often fol- lowed by strong and lasting attachments between these domestics and their destined owners. Of the domestic, social and religious customs of the English or New England settlers on Long Island it is unnecessary to speak. Some of these customs, modified by changes in the surroundings of these people during more than two centuries, and by the increasing cosmopol- itanism of the American people, are still in vogue among their descendants — faint traces of a bygone age, but sufficiently distinct to indicate their Yankee origin. These characteristic Yankee customs are generally known. The peculiar circumstances by which these settlers were surrounded led to the adoption of some customs which have quite passed away as these surroundinfs have given place to others. Since very early times the species of gambling that is designated " turf sports " has been very prevalent on THE WHALE FISHERY— PRICES OF STANDARD COMMODITIES. 29 Long Island, and the files of old newspapers abound with notices of races that were to take place, or accounts of those that had occurred. Lotteries too were not only tolerated but were often instituted to raise money for erecting churches, or founding religious or benevolent associations. The latter form of gambling is now pro- hibited by law, but whether or not the moral sense of the people will ever frown down the former is an unsolved question. During many years whaling was an important industry on the southeastern coast of the island, and at intervals along the shore whaleboats were kept for launching whenever whales were sighted. Mr. Furman, in describ- ing a tour around Long Island in old times, says that there might be seen "occasionally, at long intervals, small thatched huts or wigwams on the highest elevations, with a staff projecting from the top. These huts were occupied, at certain seasons, by men on the watch for whales, and when they saw them blowing a signal was hoisted on this staff. Immediately the people would be seen coming from all directions with their whaling boats upon wagon wheels, drawn by horses or oxen, launch them from the beach, and be off in pursuit of the great fish. You would see all through this region these whaling boats turned upside down, lying upon a frame under the shade of some trees by the roadside, this being the only way in which they could keep them, having no harbors; four or five families would club together in owning one of these boats and in manning them." So much a standard industry was this that shares in the results of the fisheries were sometimes made portions of the salaries or perquisites of clergymen. In July 1699 it was said: " Twelve or thir- teen whales have been taken on the east end of the island." In 1711 it was reported that four whales were taken at Montauk, eight at Southampton, two at Moriches, two and a calf at Brookhaven, two at Islip, and one drift whale that yielded twenty barrels of oil. In 172 1 it was said that forty whales had been taken on Long Island, but in 1722 only four were reported. In 1741 they were reported as being more abufidant. The whales that formerly frequented this coast have long since been exterminated or driven away, though occasionally strag- glers have been seen in comparatively recent times. The New York Times of February 27th 1858 published the following from a correspondent in Southampton: "At noon to-day the horn sounded through the streets, which is the signal to look out for a whale. In a few minutes tough old whalemen enough had mustered on the beach to man several boats and push out into the surf in chase of three whales which were leisurely spouting in the ofifing. After an exciting but brief chase the lance touched the life of one of the three, who spouted claret and turned up dead. He was towed to the shore and will make — the judges say — forty barrels of oil." The taking of shellfish in the bays and on the coast has been an important and increasing industry, and the capture of fish for the expression of oil and the manufac- ture of fertilizers has come to be a business of some im- portance. It was the custom of the Indians on this island before its settlement by the whites to annually burn the herbage on large portions of it, which were thus kept free from trees and underbrush. This enabled the early settlers to enter at once on the cultivation of the land, and to convert large tracts into common pastures. The arrest of the annual fires permitted underbrush to spring up in such profusion that the male inhabitants of the towns between the ages of sixteen and sixty were called out by the court of assize during four days of each year to cut away this growth. On the wooded portions of the island the timber was cut and converted into staves so rapidly by the early settlers that within the first twenty years the towns insti- tuted rules regulating or prohibiting the cutting of trees. At first the scarcity of a circulating medium compelled people to make exchanges in various kinds of produce, and this method necesitated the fixing of the value of produce, either by custom or law. The Indian sewant or wampum was very much used in the place of money, and both it and produce were used not only in business transactions but in the payment of taxes, fines etc. By reason of the facility with which the material could be procured the manufacture of wampum was sometimes engaged in by the whiles within the memory of some now living. John Jacob Astor employed men to manufacture it here, that he might send it to the northwest and ex- change it with the Indians there for furs. The following schedule of the value of produce in the middle and latter part of the seventeenth century, when this custom pre- vailed, is taken from Wood: " Pork per lb., 3 pence; beef, 2; tallow, 6; butter, 6; dry hides, 4; green hides, 2; lard, 6; winter wheat 4s. to 5s. per bush.; summer wheat, 3s. 6d. per bush.; rye, 2S. 6d. to 3s. 6d. per bush.; Indian corn, 2S. 3d. to 2S. 6d. per bush.; oats, 2s. per bush." Stock in 1665 was legally valued as follows: " Colts, one to two years, ;^3 each; two to three, ^/^ each; three to four, _^8; horses four years or more of age, ;^i2; bullocks, bulls or cows, four years or upward, ^£6 each; steers and heifers, one to two years, each £^1 los; two to three, jQi los.; three to four, ^4; goats, one year, 8s.; sheep, one year, 6s. 8d.; hogs, one year, £^x. These were the prices fixed for the guidance of the town authorities in receiving produce, etc., in payment of taxes. Produce in place of a circulating medium continued in use till about 1700, when money had become sufficiently abundant for the re- quirements of trade. Board was 5s. per week; meals 6d. each; lodgings, 2d. per night; beer, 2d. per mug; pasture per day and night, is.; labor per day, 2s. 6d. About the commencement of the present century President Dwight traversed the island, and said of it that by reason of its insular situation the people must always be contracted and limited in their views, affections and pursuits, that they were destitute of advantages that were calculated to awaken and diffuse information and energy, and if such were to spring up here they would emigrate, and that it must continue for an indefinite period to be a place where advantages that were enjoyed elsewhere would be imperfectly realized. Eighty years have passed, and one has only to glance 3° GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAJND. over the island to see that his predictions have been very "imperfectly realized." Instead of becoming an intellectual waste by reason of its insularity, it has come to be the abode of wealth, refinement and intelligence, in a degree quite equal to that of any region in the country. The salubrity of its climate, its proximity to the great commercial metropolis of the country, the excellent fa- cilities for travel and communication which its railroad system affords, and its unsurpassed pleasure resorts and watering places, combine to make it one of the most de- sirable places of residence in the country; and year by year people tivail themselves more and more of these ad- vantages. CHAPTER V. THE PARTICIPATION OF LONG ISLAND IN THE WAR WITH FRANCE. fONG ISLAND was not the theater of hostil- ities during the French and Indian wars. Military operations were carried on along what was then the northern frontier of the colony, and each of the belligerents sent hos- tile expeditions into the territory of the other, but no force of the enemy ever penetrated to this vicinity. Only very imperfect records retnain of the names and deeds of those from Long Island who had part in this war. It appears by an extract from the Assembly journal, made by H. Onderdonk jr., that in the war against France which had been proclaimed in 1744 an act was passed in 1746 to raise _;^i3,ooo "for further fortifying the colony of New York, and for canceling the bills of credit. The quota of Queens was ^^487 9s. sd.; that of Kings ^^245 i8s.; that of Suffolk ;£'433 6s. 8d. yearly for three years." In June of the same year Jonathan Lawrence, of Queens, and James Fanning, of Suffolk, were authorized to raise recruits. " In July Fanning had one hundred men mus- tered, of whom Hempstead sent seventy-eight and Jamaica twenty-two, under Captain Wraxhall." In August of the same year it was stated: " Five com- plete companies of the force raised in New York and Long Island for the expedition against the Canada border are now embarked for Albany, on their way to the place of rendezvous." In November 1747 an account was rendered by Lieu- tenant James Thorn of Colonel Hicks's regiment for Queens county "for forty-four days of service of himself and men in the fort at Schenectady," ;^ii3 9s. 6d. In June 1749 a public thanksgiving was appointed in the colony " for the late glorious peace;" which, however, does not appear to have proved glorious or permanent. After the declaration of war in 1755 a regiment was enlisted in New York city and its vicinity, which, under the command of Colonel William Cockroft, joined Gen- eral Johnson at the southern extremity of Lake George. In this regiment it is believed were many from Long Island. On the reception of the news of the battle of Lake George the inhabitants of Queens county sent a thousand sheep and seventy cheeses to the army, as a token of their approbation; and the county of Kings raised _;^57 6s. 4d. for the transportation of these sheep to Albany. In 1756 Captains Thomas Williams and Potter raised companies in Suffolk and Queens counties, and joined the British forces near Lake George. In March 1757 it was stated that " to the French and Indian war Queens county sends thirty-eight men; Suffolk thirty-eight; Kings eight. It must be remembered that at that time the population of this island was a large proportion of that of the whole colony; and when, in the years 1758-60, provincial troops were called for to assist the regular forces in their oper- ations against the French, the quota of New York was 1680, of which the allotment of Long Island was about one fourth, or 657. Of these 300 were assigned to Queens, 289 to Suffolk, and 68 to Kings. In the attempt to reduce Fort Ticonderoga, in 1758, nnd in :he expedition of Col- onel Bradstreet immediately afterward against Fort Frontenac, there were from Long Island, Lieutenant Col- onel Isaac Corsa, Major Nathaniel Woodhull, Captains Elias Hand, Richard Hewlett, and Daniel Wright, and Lieutenants Ephraim Morse and Dow Ditmars, with many soldiers. In the attack on Fort Frontenac Colonel Corsa with his Long Island men did efficient service. He volunteered to erect a battery, which he did, under the fire of the enemy, during the night of August 26th; and on the morning of the 27th the cannonade from this battery compelled an immediate surrender. At the reduction of Fort Niagara' in 1759 there were several hundred soldiers from Long Island, a portion of whom were commanded by Captain Ephraim Morse, who had been promoted; George Dunbar and Roeloff Duryea were his lieutenants. Honorable mention is made of the services of Captain Morse and his command in this cam- paign. On the 6tH of November in that year a public celebration of the victories of the British and colonial arms was held at Jamaica. Captain Morse was engaged in the campaign of 1760, with Roeloff Duryea and Abraham Remsen as his lieutenants. They were at the surrender of Montreal, in the autumn of that year, which completed the conquest of Canada. In addition to the officers already mentioned the names of the following are preserved: Captains PetrusStuyvesantand Daniel Wright; Lieutenants Daniel Wright, William Alges, David Jones, Morris Smith, James Cassidy, Isaac Seaman, Joseph Bedell, Michael Weeks, Edward Burk and John Dean; Sergeanis John Allison, Joseph Cassidy, James Palmer, Samuel Brown, Nicholas Wilson, Timothy Hill, Simeon Smith, George Dunbar, James Marr and Cornelius Turner; Corporals Daniel Southard, Cooper Brooks, John Halton, John Larabee, Isaac Totten, James Brown, Jere- miah Finch, John Walters and Matthew Robins, and drummer Benjamin Agens. During the war privateers occasionally made their apr THE FRENCH WAR PERIOD— BRITISH OPPRESSION. 31 pearance on the coast, to prey upon the commerce of New York and New England. Mr. Onderdonk records among his gleanings from the Postboy the following: "October 2Sth 1755.— Captain Wentworth, of Flushing, being at St. Thomas, mustered as many New Yorkers as he could find (twenty-four hands in all) and in his new ves- sel, indifferently mounted with great guns, put to sea in pursuit of a French privateer cruising off the harbor and chasing New York vessels, but the privateer thought fit to disappear." From time to time during the war troops were billeted on the inhabitants of the island or quartered among them; and their presence was not agreeable to the people, who feared the influence on their youth of soldiers who were uncontrolled by the restraints of public opinion. From the Assembly journal it appears that the sheriff from time to time presented bills for " lodging and victualling " these troops. These bills appear to have been paid to the sheriff, and the money to have been distributed among the people on whom the troops were billeted. In some cases the people petitioned the Assembly for relief from the burdens which the billeting of soldiers imposed on them. French prisoners also were brought hither and billeted on the inhabitants in different parts of the island, and many bills were rendered for the entertainment of these. It is said that the officers and men thus billeted passed their time and relieved the tedium of their imprisonment by hunting the game with which the island abounded, and engaging in other sports. When the treatment of these prisoners is contrasted with that of the prisoners in New York, or in the prison ships at the Wallabout during the Revolution, or with that of the Union prisoners at the south during the late civil war, the descendants of those early settlers of the island have no reason to blush because of the inhumanity of their ances- tors. Prisoners — if they may be so termed — of another class were sent here during this war. When, in 1713, the prov- ince of Nova Scotia was acquired by Great Britain the French inhabitants, who were simple, quiet people, strongly attached to their ancient customs and religion, were permitted to retain their possessions on taking the oath of allegiance to the English government. This oath was not well kept, and on the breaking out of war it was deemed expedient to expatriate these people, who under the guise of neutrality gave aid to the enemy. Accord- ingly they were dispossessed of their houses, separated, and sent to widely distant regions. They were known here as the " neutral French," and were distributed among the people in different parts of the island. From the Assembly journal of July ist 1756 it appears that " the justices of Kings, Queens and Suffolk counties are empowered to bind out the neutral French from Nova Scotia who are distributed in said counties." It also appears that in November of the same year " bills were paid by order of the general Assembly for supporting the neutral French, brought here in May last and sent to the tnagistrates." CHAPTER VI. BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTION — PREVALENCE OF TORY- ISM — INDEPENDENT SPIRIT IN SUFFOLK.' E hive mentioned the fact that on Long Island the first protest against taxation without representation was made. It was in 1691 that the first permanent assembly of representatives of the people was estab- d, and this was the first step in the direction of a free government in the colony of New York. The colonial governors had possessed very large — almost absolute — power, and that power had sometimes been arbitrarily exercised. The people's money had been used at the discretion of the governors, and, it was believed, had often been misapplied and embezzled. On application, in 1706, to Queen Anne the Assembly was authorized to appoint a treasurer to receive and disburse all money which was raised under its authority, and it accordingly "assumed general control of all the finances by making specific appropriations." In 1711 the Assem- 'bly denied the right of the council (which was claimed) to alter revenue bills, asserting that the power of the council flowed from the pleasure of the prince, personified by the commission of the governor, but that the power of the Assembly, in relation to taxes, flowed from the choice of the people, who could not be divested of their money without their consent. From this time forward an almost constant struggle was going on between the crown, through its representa- tives — the governors — on one side.and the people,through their representatives — the Assembly — on the other. The governors sought to vex and coerce the Assembly into compliance with their demands, or to punish what they considered contumacy and contempt by frequent proro- gations and dissolutions. Under the absurd pretext that the colony had been planted and sustained in its infancy by the mother country, the right of almost ab- solute control over it afterward was claimed. The con- flict continued, with the result of constantly calling the attention of the people to the subject and leading them to investigate the principles which lie at the foundation of just government and the sources whence the powers of so-called rulers are derived. They thus came to know and appreciate the value of their rights, and thus was nurtured and developed the spirit of resistance to the ex- ercise of a power which they had come to believe had no just foundation. This conflict between the spirit of liberty and the encroachments of arbitrary power cul- ■ minated in the resistance, on the part of the colonies, to the oppressive acts of the crown and Parliament of Great Britain that inaugurated the Revolution. It must be remembered that during all this conflict the inhabitants of Long Island constituted a large proportion of the colony, and even in 1787 more than one-fifth of the tax of the State was assessed to the counties of Kings, 32 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. Queens and Suffolk. Their resistance to the encroach- ments of regal power was as uncompromising as that of the people of other regions; though, by the force of cir- cumstances, many were loyalists during the Revolutionary struggle. Because of their well known conservative character the Dutch on the western end of the island were averse to engaging in a rebellion in which it required no extraordinary prescience to enable them to predict immediate serious consequences, and probable ultimate failure. They desired, as they had always, to pursue the even tenor of their way and make the best of the circun:i- stances by which they were surrounded, rather than to seek a change the result of which appeared to them doubtful. A different people inhabited Suffolk county. They were the descendants of the original Puritans, in whom resistance to oppression was almost an instinct; and, had circumstances permitted, they would have been rebels with as great unanimity as were the New Eng- landers. In Queens county the loyal sentiment was always largely in the ascendant, though, had circumstances favored, the rebel feeling would have become dominant here. It must be remembered that Long Island had about 300 miles of vulnerable coast, which could not have been successfully defended against a marine force. Thompson says: " Motives of personal safety and the preservation of their property would necessarily induce many either to remain inactive or join with the ranks of the opposition. Others, and those not inconsiderable in number, were de- sirous for the opportunity of rioting upon the property of their neighbors, thereby benefitting themselves without the liability of punishment; and it so happened that more frequent and daring outrages upon persons and property were practiced by our own citizens than by many who had come 3,000 miles to force our submission to the tyranny of a foreign master. The engagement of the 27th of August 1776 was followed by an abandonment of Long Island to the enemy; and the town and county committees in many instances, either through fear or necessity, were induced to repudiate all legislative authority exercised by the provincial and legislative Congresses. The inhabi- tants who continued on the island were compelled to subscribe to the oath of fidelity to the king. General Howe had, immediately on landing at Gravesend, issued a proclamation promising security of person and property to those who should remain peaceably upon their farms. The island became therefore at once a conquered territory, forts being erected and garrisons established in different places. Martial law prevailed, the army became a sanc- tuary for criminals of every grade, and means the most despicable were resorted to for increasing the numerical force of the enemy. Those inhabitants who had thereto- fore taken an active part as officers of militia and com- mitteemen deemed it most imprudent to remain, and con- sequently took refuge within the American lines, leaving the greater part of their property exposed to the ravages of an unprincipled foe. The British commanders were exorbitant and exaclious, requiring the more peaceable and unoffending inhabitants to perform every species of personal service; to labor on the forts, to go with their teams on foraging parties, and transporting cannon, am- munition, provisions and baggage from one place to another at the option of every petty officer. The enemy took possession of the best rooms in their houses, and obliged the owners to provide them accommodations and support for men and horses. The property of those who had fled from their homes, and especially those engaged in the American service, was particularly the object of rapine, and in many instances the damages were immense. Woods and fences were lavishly used for fuel, and in any other way which served the purposes of those stationed in the neighbprhood, as well as for the garrisons of Brook- lyn and New York. Churches and places for religious worship were desecrated for any objects which suited the convenience of the army, except those of the Episcopal- ians, which were, it seems, scrupulously regarded, doubt- less in pursuance of governmental instructions, their members (upon Long Island) being in general in the interest of England. " When the British army invaded Long Island, in 1776, many persons who belonged to the island and had joined the British forces on Staten Island landed with the in- vading army. Those royalists were ordered to wear red rags in their hats, as badges of friendship, to distinguish them from the rebels. The red rag men proceeded with the army in every direction, giving information against every person whom they disliked, and causing them to be plundered, imprisoned and tormented at their pleasure. " Shortly after the army landed General Howe ordered that every inhabitant who desired favor should attend at headquarters and receive a certificate of protection. Many obeyed as friends, and many from fear, but the greatest number remained at home. Every one who at- tended at headquarters was ordered to mount a red rag in his hat. When those persons who remained at home found out that there was magic in a red rag they all mounted the badge; negroes, boys, old and young wore rid rags. These badges of submission soon produced a scarcity of the needful article, and then, forsooth, red petticoats suffered. Many were torn into shreds for hat bands, and those who wore them were held in derision by the British and called the petticoat gentry." It has always been said of the loyalists or tories on this island that they were guilty of greater atrocities toward the rebels or Whigs than were the British soldiers who were sent to reduce the rebellious colonies to sub- jection; and this was doubtless in many instances true, for these soldiers were under military discipline, and, to some extent at least, were held to an observance of the rules of civilized warfare. The tories carried on hostil- ities without any such restraint, and the worst among them formed marauding bands who, under the pretense of loyalty, plundered and often murdered their rebellious neighbors. On the other hand it is a matter of history that the Whigs were not behindhand in carrying on this predatory kind of warfare. Parties from the New Eng- land States crossed the sound and united with some of the worst characters among the Whigs on the island to plunder the tories, or to kill or make prisoners of them. Similar expeditions were made from New Jersey. A century has passed since the Revolutionary struggle, and scarcely a word has been uttered in condemnation or even mild censure of the lawless acts and crimes of the patriots, while, on the other hand, not even an apology is offered for any of the deeds of the tories. In this case, as in many others, success or failure is the criterion by which they are judged, and the measure of praise be- stowed or of reproach heaped on them. In the American colonies the spirit of liberty had been developed more than a century, and when the mother country sought by her unjust, arbitrary and oppressive acts to crush out WHIGS AND TORIES. 33 this spirit open resistance followed, and a nation was es- tablished which has astonished the world by its rapid growth and prosperity, and has solved the previously doubtful problem of man's capacity for self-government. Unmeasured praise is lavished on those who achieved the success which has led to this stupendous result, the mo- tives by which some of them may have been actuated are never questioned, and no word of censure is ever applied to any of their acts. Had the rebellion failed, had the authority of the parent country been re-established, and had the American colonies grown great under English rule, there is no reason to doubt that the loyalists would have been recorded in history as the conservators of the blessings by which they were surrounded, the friends of good order, and the foes of that anarchy which the rebels sought to establish; and that the Whigs would, even now, be stigmatized as traitors who sought to subvert the au- thority of a beneficent government and inaugurate a reign of lawlessness, and that their acts would by many be con- sidered execrable crimes against humanity. As before stated, many of the inhabitants of the island were tories because of the force of circumstances. Policy or fear prompted them to give their adhesion to a cause which they would not otherwise have embraced; and by association they ultimately came to be earnest supporters of that with which they had at first no sympathy. In this case, as in every similar one, a large class were noisy adher- ents of the crown because the popular current bore them unresistingly in that direction; while their honest convic- tions of right prompted a portion to remain loyal to the government of Great Britain. In other regions the rebels or Whigs were influenced by similar motives, though a much larger proportion of them than of the tories here were controlled by principle. When people learn to look with more charity on those who differ with them in opinion, and to recognize in others the same freedom of thought which they claim for themselves, this will be a better world than it now is. Lawless bands, both of tories and Whigs, who were not controlled by military discipline, committed robberies and even murders with impunity. There is hardly a town on the island the history of which in that period does not contain accounts of raids by these marauders. Thompson says: "Most parts of the island, and particularly along the sound, suffered greatly from depredations of little bands of piratical plunderers designated ' whaleboat men,' from the fact of their craft resembling those used in whaling along shore. With these they would make frequent de- scents under cover of night, attack detached houses, rifle the inhabitants of their money, plate, and other valuables, and, availing themselves of the speed of their vessels, reach their lurking places among the islands of the sound, or upon the main shore, before any effectual means could be taken to intercept them. Indeed, so great was the apprehension of these sudden attacks that many of the inhabitants had their doors and windows protected by iron bars; and it became usual for people to pass the nights in the woods and other secret places, to avoid violence." In many cases these whaleboat men were downright robbers and pirates, who plundered Whigs and tories without discrimination, and were often guilty of murder, either wantonly or under some flimsy pretext. Besides these whaleboat marauders, who infested the shores for purposes of robbery, there were those who were known as whaleboat privateers, who prowled around the western end of the island and greatly annoyed British troops there and at New York, as well as the shipping in the harbor and vicinity. Many vessels were captured or de- stroyed by them, and many officers and prominent loyal- ists made prisoners. At times they rendered the waters in this region unsafe except for large vessels, and unavail- ing efforts were made to destroy them. It must be ad- mitted that they were not always over scrupulous in their transactions. Space will not permit a recital of their many adventures here. At the outbreak of the Revolution the strong tory pro- clivities of a majority of the people in Kings and Queens counties became known to the Revolutionary leaders and the Provincial Congress. Active and in some cases rather unscrupulous efforts were made to crush out this feeling, but without success. English ships of war were cruising off the southern coast, and with these the tories maintained communication in spite of the vigilance of the rebels who then had possession of the island. Attempts to disarm these tories were only partially successful, and the arms taken from them were speedily replaced from the British ships cruising off the coast. The enforcement of a draft was also a failure, though the recusant tories, who were termed deserters, were hunted in their hiding places in the swamps and elsewhere like wild beasts. Doubtless this active persecution by the Whigs was not forgotten by the tories when their time of triumph came. Although in Kings and Queens counties the loyal sen- timent was from the first largely in the ascendant, Suffolk early gave evidence of her adhesion to the republican cause. Says Field: "Out of its whole population of freeholders and adult male inhabitants, numbering 2,834 between the ages of six- teen and sixty, only 236 were reckoned as being of loyalist proclivities. The enrolled militia of the county exceeded 2,000, of whom 393 officers and privates were in the ranks of Colonel Smith's regiment, the best disci- plined and armed on the island. It was the only one which could be considered in any form to have survived the shock of the 27th of August, and only a small part even of this body ever did service after that fatal day. " In Queens county the whole force of the Whigs which could be mustered under arms was insufficient to overawe their loyalist neighbors. Seventeen hundred and seventy ablebodied men among her citizens were enrolled on the roster of her militia, while only 379 were by the most stringent measures induced to appear in arms." The comparative numerical strength of the Whigs and tories in Kings county is not known. It is certain, how- ever, that the tory element was largely in the ascendant. Early in 1776 a conspiracy was discovered, in which the leading loyalists on Long Island bore a conspicuous part. Governor Tryon, who had been for some time on board the English man-of-war "Asia," cruising off the coast, and whose gubernatorial functions were exercised in the cabin of that vessel, was probably among the chief of those who concocted the plot. Though the conspiracy 34 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND had extensive ramifications, Long Island was to be the principal theater of the events which were to be accom- plished, and a majority of the leading conspirators were residents of Kings and Queens counties. The timely discovery of the conspiracy and the frustration of the conspirators' designs prolonged the rule of the rebels on the island for a brief time, but the plans of the conspira- tors were in part followed when the island was invaded by Lord Howe in the succeeding August. CHAPTER VII. THE BRITISH INVASION — BATTLE OF BROOKLYN- INGTOn's RETREAT. -WASH- N June nth 1776 the British army, which had a short time previously evacuated Boston^ where it had been closely besieged by the Americans, sailed from Halifax for New York harbor. The strategic importance of this point had long been apparent to the British commander, and it had been foreseen by Wash- ington that this would be the next point attacked. The plan of the British campaign was to possess New York and Long Island with an army of about 35,000 men; then to ascend the Hudson river and effect a junction with an army of some 13,000 that was to pass the lakes, penetrate to the Hudson and descend that river. The eastern provinces were thus to be divided from the middle and southern, and active operations were at the same time to be carried on at the south, and thus the rebellion was to be crushed in a single campaign. The failure of the southern campaign before the arrival of Howe at New York and the interruption of the Canadian army at the lakes frustrated the British commander's plan for the speedy subjugation of the rebellious colonies. As early as the preceding March Washington had or- dered the commencement of fortifications at Brooklyn, and when, after the sailing of the British fleet from Halifax, it became certain that this was to be the next point of attack, the work was pushed with the utmost vigor. To prevent the sailing of the fleet at once into the East River, and the immediate possession by the enemy of Brooklyn Heights, obstructions were placed in the river, of such a character as to be thought by both parties impassable, though at the present day they would not be looked on as formidable. On the 29th of June the fleet from Halifax entered the lower bay of New York. It was at first the intention of General Howe to land at once on Long Island at Grave- send Bay; but he was deterred from doing so by intelli- gence that was communicated to him, from spies, of the character of the defenses. On the ninth of July the Brit- ish troops were landed on Staten Island, where they re- raained during a month and a half, receiving reinforce- ments almost daily. The naval forces were under the command of Admiral Sir Richard Howe; and his brother, General William Howe, was in command of the land for- ces. Both were brave, skillful, and experienced oflficers, and the plan and conduct of the battle which followed fully sustained their good reputation. Space will not permit a detailed account of the defensive works which had been constructed on the heights of Brook- lyn and in its vicinity. In the construction of these works and in the disposition of the forces that were to man there the American officers found it necessary to provide a- gainst different possible plans of attack, and in doing so the effective American force of 20,000 men (the nominal force was 27,000) was extended from Kings Bridge, on Manhattan Island, and from the Wallabout Bay to Gow- anus Meadow, a line many miles in length. It is proper to say that the plan of these fortifications has since been made the subject of criticism. The transfer of the British from Staten Island to Long Island is thus described by Field: "The morning of the 22nd of August dawned, with tropical brilliancy, on a scene of unequaled interest to the spectators of both armies. T.onp; before the sun had risen the British army had been under arms, and from the vari- ous camps the entire force was marching, with the loud strains of martial music, to the place of embarkation. The men of war had quit their anchorage and were stand- ing up the bay under easy sail, with open ports and guns ready for action. At the landing on Staten Island seventy- five fleet boats, attended by three bateaux and two gal- leys, received four thousand of the Hessian troops on board, and at the firing of a signal gun their thousand oars dipped almost simultaneously into the waters of the bay. Another corps, of five thousand men, was embarked upon the transports which now took up their position under the guns of the men of war, attended by ten bat- eaux to aid in their landing. In another instant the sur- face of the bay between the two islands was covered with the flotilla rowing swiftly towards the Long Island shore. In advance sailed the galleys and bateaux over the shoal water where the great ships could not float, firing from their bow guns as they approached the land. The scene was not less magnificent than appalling. The greatest naval and military force which had ever left the shores of England was now assembled in the harbor of New York; for the mightiest power upon the globe had put forth its greatest strength to crush its rebellious colonies. Thirty-seven men of war guarded a transport fleet of four hundred vessels, freighted with enormous trains of artil- lery and every conceivable munition of war, with troops of artillery and cavalry horses, and provisions for the sustenance of the thirty-five thousand soldiers and sailors who had been borne across the ocean in their hulls. Amid all the stirring scenes which ninety years past have wit- nessed in the great metropolis of the western world, noth- ing which will compare in magnitude and grandeur with that upon which dawned the morning of the 22nd of Aug- ust 1776 has human eye since beheld in America." By noon 15,000 men and forty pieces of artillery had been landed at Denyse's dock, now Fort Hamilton, which was the landing of a ferry from Staten Island, and at what is now Bath. Hitherto the point of attack had been uncertain, but this landing of the enemy dispelled the uncertainty, and troops were hurried across from New York to reinforce those holding the defenses. The THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN. 35 following account of the battle which followed is taken from Thompson's history of Long Island: "The English, having effected their landing, marched rapidly forward. The two armies were separated by a oJiain of hills, covered with woods, called the heights, and which, running from west to east, divide the island into two parts. They are only practicable upon tliree points, one of which is by the road leading from the Narrows to Brooklyn. The road leading to that of the center passes the village of Flatbush, and the third is approached, far to the right, by the route of a road from the village of Flatlands to East New York and Bedford. Upon the summit of the hills is found a road, which follows the length of the range, and leads from Bedford to Jamaica, which is intersected by the road last described; these ways are all interrupted by hills, and by excessively diffi- cult and narrow defiles. The American general, wishing to arrest the enemy upon these heights, had carefully furnished them with troops; so that, if all had done their duty, the English would not have been able to force the passage without extreme difficulty and danger. The posts were so frequent upon the road from Bedford to Jamaica that it was easy to transmit from one of these posts to the other the most prompt intelligence of what passed upon the three routes. Colonel Miles, with his battalion, was to guard the road of Flatlands, as well as that of Jamaica, and to reconnoitre the movements of the enemy. " Meanwhile the British army pressed forward, its left, wing being to the north and its right to the south; the village of Flatbush was found in its center. The Hessians, commanded by General De Heister, formed the main body; the English, under Major-General Grant, the left; and the other corps, conducted by General Clinton and the two Lords Percy and Cornwallis, composed the right. In this wing the British generals had placed their prin- cipal hope of success; they directed it upon Flatlands. Their plan was that, while the corps of General Grant and the Hessians of General De Heister should disquiet the enemy upon the two first defiles, the right wing, taking a circuit, should march through Flatlands and endeavor to seize the point of intersection of this road with that of Jamaica, and then, rapidly descending into the plain which extends at the foot of the heights on the other side, should fall upon the Americans in flank and rear. The English hoped that, as this -post was most distant from the center of the army, the advanced guard would be found more feeble there, and perhaps more, negligent. Finally, they calculated that the Americans would not be able to defend it against a force so superior. This right wing of the English was the most numerous, and entirely composed of fresh troops. " On the evening of the 26th of August General Clinton commanded the vanguard, which consisted of light infantry; Lord Percy the center, where were found the grenadiers, the artillery and the cavalry; and Cornwallis the rearguard, followed by the baggage, some regiments of infantry and of heavy artillery. All this part of the English army put itself in motion with admirable order and silence, and leaving Flatlands traversed the country called New Lots. Colonel Miles, who this night per- formed his service with little exactness, did not perceive the approach of the enemy; so that two hours before day the English were already within half a mile of the road to Jamaica, upon the heights. Then General Clinton halted and prepared himself for the attack. He had met one of the enemy's patrols, and made him prisoner. General Sullivan, who commanded all the troops in ad- vance of the camp of Brooklyn, had no advice of what passed in this quarter. He neglected to send out fresh scouts; perhaps he supposed the English would direct their principal efforts against his right wing as being the nearest to them. " General Clinton, learning from his prisoners that the road to Jamaica was not guarded, hastened to avail him- self of the circumstance, and occupied it by a rapid move- ment: Without loss of time he immediately bore his left toward Bedford, and seized an important defile which the Americans had left unguarded. From this moment the success of the day was decided in favor of the English. Lord Percy came up with his corps, and the entire col- umn descended by the village of Bedford from the heights into the plain which lay between the hills and the camp of the Americans. During this time General Grant, in order to amuse the enemy and divert his attention from the events which took place upon the route of Flatlands, endeavored to quiet him on his right. Accordinly, as if he intended to force the defile which led to it, he had put himself in motion about midnight and had attacked the militia of New York and Pennsylvania who guarded it. They at first gave ground; but. General Parsons bemg arrived and having occupied an eminence, he renewed the combat and maintained his position until Brigadier- General Stirling came to his assistance with 1,500 men. The action became extremely animated, and fortune favored neither the one side nor the other. The Hes- sians, on their part, had attacked the center at break of day; and tlie Americans, commanded by General Sullivan in person, valiantly withstood their efforts. At the same time the British ships, after having made several move- ments, opened a very brisk cannonade against a battery established in the little island of Red Hook, upon the right flank of the Americans who combated against Gen- eral Grant. This was also a diversion, the object of which was to prevent them ffom attending to what passed in the center and on the left. The Americans defended themselves however with extreme gallantry, ignorant that so much valor was exerted in vain since victory was al- ready in the hands of the enemy. General Clinton, being descended into the plain, fell upon the left flank of the center, which was engaged with the Hessians. He had previously detached a small "corps in order to intercept the Americans. "As soon as the appearance of the light infantry ap- prized them of their danger they sounded the retreat and retired in good order toward their camp, bringing off their artillery. But they soon fell in with theparty of the royal troops which had occupied the ground in their rear, and who now charged them with fury. They were com- pelled to throw themselves into the neighboring woods, where they met again with the Hessians, who repulsed them upon the English; and thus the Americans were driven several times by the one against the other with great loss. They continued for some time in this desper- ate situation, till at length several companies, animated by a heroic valor, opened their way through the midst of the enemy and gained the camp of General Putnam, while others escaped through the woods. The inequality of the ground, the great number of positions which it of- fered, and the disorder that prevailed throughout the line were the causes that for several hours divers partial com- bats were maintained, in which many of the Americans fell. "Their left wing and center being discomfited, the English, desirous of a complete victory, made a rapid movement against the rear of the right wing, which, in ig- norance of the misfortune which had befallen the other corps, was engaged with General Grant. Finally, having received the intelligence, they retired. But, encountering the English, who cut off their retreat, a part of the sol- diers took shelter in the woods; others endeavored to make their way through the marshes of Gowanus cove, but here some were drowned in the waters or perislied in the mud. 36 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. A very small number only escaped the hot pursuit of the victors and reached the camp in safety. The total loss of the Americans in this battle was estimated at more than three thousand men, in killed, wounded, and pris- oners. Among the last were found General Sullivan and Brigadier General Lord Stirling. Almost the entire regi- ment of Maryland, consisting of young men of the best families of that province, was cut to pieces. Six pieces of cannon fell into the power of the victors. The loss of the English was very inconsiderable. In killed, wounded and prisoners it did not amount to four hundred men. "The enemy encamped in front of the American lines, and on the succeeding night broke ground within six hundred yards of a redoubt on the left, and threw up a breastwork on the Wallabout heights upon the Debevoise farm, commenced firing on Fort Putnam, and reconnoi- tered the American forces. The Americans were here prepared to receive them, and orders were issued to the men to reserve their fire till they could see the eyes of the enemy. A few of the British officers reconnoitered the position; and one on coming near was shot by Willam Van Cott, of Bushwick. The same afternoon Captain Rutgers, brother of Colonel Rutgers, also fell. Several other British troops were killed, and the column which bad incautiously advanced fell back beyond the the range of the American fire." It has been truly said that previous to the battle on Long Island there existed an uncertainty which of two move- ments that seemed equally to promise good results would be chosen by the British commander, and that it was Washington's misfortune to be compelled to act as though certain that both would be adopted. On the 29th of August that uncertainty had been removed. The battle had been fought, and what remained of the American army, dejected and dispirited, was confronted by the vic- torious and exultant hosts of the enemy. With these in their front, and the river, which might at any time be en- tered by the war vessels lying below should wind and tide favor, in their rear, it has been a matter of much wonder to many that a sagacious leader like Washington should hesitate a moment in his determination. On the afternoon of that day a council of war was convened in the Pierrepont mansion, near where the foot bridge crosses Montague street. This council unanimously de- tided to abandon the lines at Brooklyn and retreat across the river, and made a memorandum of the reason for so deciding. Field gives the following excellent descrip- tion of the arrangements for this retreat: "The preparations for this important movement, scarcely less fraught with danger than its alternative, were entered upon with the profoundest caution and secrecy. Everything which could convey the slightest intimation of the design to the enemy was carefully avoided; and never, perhaps, for a movement so important, were the plans more skillfully devised, or the performance of them more exact, where a thousand untoward events might have destroyed them. It was little that the boats for transporting the army were abundant in New York. They must be gathered with expedition and secrecy, and the troops transferred to the opposite shore during the short night of midsummer. Even the management of the boats by skilled oarsmen was important, for that service could not be left to the clumsiness of common soldiers. Fortunately the necessities of the occasion were not greater than the means at hand for meeting them. Col- onel Glover's Marblehead regiment provided seven hun- dred of the ablest men for this service, whose stout arms could safely and swiftly pass the men through the dense fog; and they were accordingly v/ith drawn from the ex- treme left of the line for that purpose. "At the same time that all the troops were warned to prepare for an attack upon the enemy, orders were quietly communicated to the alternate regiments along the front to fall in line; and long before those on the right and left were aware of any movement' their comrades had silently moved away into the darkness, and the void was only felt, without being known. Often the first intimation that adjoining regiments received of the departure of those on their right and left was the whispered order to extend their own lines, and cover the space so mys- teriously vacated. Again and again was this maneuver performed on the constantly thinning line; and one reg- iment after another flitted away into the gloom, until nothing but a long line of sentinels occupied the breast- works, and preserved the empty show of a defense." So well was this retreat planned and so skillfully was the plan executed, that not only had the enemy no inti- mation of what was transpiring, but the men in the American army believed that these maneuvers portended a general assault on the lines of the enemy on the morrow. There were instances of mistakes and of a want of caution, but fortunately none-of them seriously embarrassed the movement. A heavy fog, which hung over the island toward morning, concealed the movements of the retreat- ing troops from their enemies, who were so near that the sounds of their pickaxes and shovels could be distinctly heard. Not only were all the details of this retreat planned by the commander-in-chief, but the movement was executed under his immediate superintendence. After this evacuation of the island by the American forces it remained in the possession of the British and tories. Such of the patriots as had been active became exiles from their homes, which were plundered, and if they returned they were imprisoned; but, as before stated, those wearing red badges enjoyed immunity. Had the advantage gained by the English in this battle been followed up at once by the passage of the slender barrier, and the entrance of the ships of war into the East River, the American army must inevitably have been captured or annihilated; a result which the delay of a few hours in the retreat would have insured, for the British fleet below was preparing to weigh anchor for that purpose. Thompson says: " The unfortunate issue of the battle of Long Island is doubtless due to the illness of General Greene. He had superintended the erection of the works and become thoroughly acquainted with the ground. In the hope of his recovery Washington had deferred sending over a successor till the urgency of affairs made it absolutely necessary, and then General Putnam took command without any previous knowledge of the posts which had been fortified beyond the lines, or of the places by which the enemy could make their approach, nor had he time to acquire the knowledge before the action." The defeat of the American forces in this battle re- moved the restraint which had kept in check the strong feeling of loyalty in Queens county, and in the following autumn about fourteen hundred signed a declaration of loyalty and petition for protection. REVOLUTIONARY EXPLOITS. 57 CHAPTER Vin. XONG ISLAND IN BRITISH HANDS — RAIDS FROM THE MAINLAND — SMUGGLING. ^T has already been stated that in the eastern half of the island, previous to the battle of August 27th, the feeling of loyalty to the crown of Great Britain was very weak. Meet- ings were held in the different towns and districts in the county of Suffolk, at which res- olutions were adopted expressive of sympathy with the cause. of the rebels; and committees of correspondence, as they were termed, were appointed to represent them in county conventions and to devise such measures as the welfare of the country seemed to demand. In a county convention of these committees as early as 1774 resolu- tions were adopted recommending aid to the poor of Boston, and approving the doings of the Continental Congress. In the provincial convention for the appoint- ment of delegates to the Continental Congress Suffolk county was represented by Colonel William Floyd, Col- onel Nathaniel Woodhull, Colonel Phineas Fanning* Thomas Tredwell and John Sloss Hobart. During the summer of 1775 British vessels prowled about the east end of the island, and occasionally raided on and carried away the stock. To guard against these, troops that had been raised were retained and others were sent, but considerable depredations were committed on Fisher's and Gardiner's Islands, and still more efficient measures were adopted for protection. After the decla- ration of independence by the Continental Congress and the approval of this action by the Provincial Congress the enthusiasm of the Whigs in this part of the island rose to a high pitch. Public demonstrations were made, and in one instance at least the effigy of George III. was publicly hanged and burned. The evacuation of Xong Island by the continental forces and its possession by the British after the battle of Brooklyn quenched this enthusiasm in a great measure. The regular continental troops withdrew from the island, and the militia disbanded. The peaple submitted to the inevitable condition, the actions of the committees were revoked, and no further public demonstration of sympathy with the rebels took place. Those who had been active, open rebels fled, and their property was unceremoniously taken. In the autumn of 1776 upward of six hundred in Snffolk county signed a testimonial of submission and allegiance to the British crown, and so far as open rebel- lion was concerned the subjugation of this part of the island was complete. This submission, however, was made by many under the force of circumstances and with large mental reservations. During the remainder of the Revolution the condition of the people in this part of the island was insecure. To insure the doubtful loyalty of a portion of the inhabitants British troops, the ranks of which were increased by en- listments from among the tories, were stationed at differ- ent points, and against the lawlessness of these there was no protection. Robbery was carried on by marauding gangs under the guise of Whig or tory partisanship, and frequent raids were made by parties of continental troops from the Connecticut shore of the sound, although noth- ing occurred which can justly be dignified by the name .of a battle. A few of these may be mentioned here. In November 1776 three or four hundred troops crossed from New Haven to Setauket, where a sharp skirmish was had with a detachment of General Howe's troops. Eight or ten of the British troops were killed, and 23 prisoners and 75 muskets taken. In April 1777 an expedition was planned by General Parsons, the object of which was to destroy a quantity of forage and provisions that had been collected at Sag Harbor. For that purpose a party of two hundred men, under Colonel Meigs, crossed the sound from New Haven on the 23d of May in whaleboats. They secreted their boats about three miles from Sag Harbor; marched to the village, arriving at 2 a.m.; impressed guides, by whom they were conducted to the quarters of the com- manding officer, whom they captured; forced the outpost by a bayonet charge and proceeded to the wharf, where in three-fourths of an hour, although under the fire of an armed schooner one hundred and fifty yards away, they burned twelve brigs and sloops, one hundred and twenty tons of hay and a quantity of grain, and destroyed ten hogsheads of rum and a quantity of merchandise. They also killed six of the enemy, took ninety prisoners, and returned after an absence of a little more than twenty- four hours without the loss of a man. For this service Congress presented a sword to Colonel Meigs, and Gen- eral Washington, in a letter, complimented General Parsons. In August 1777 General Parsons organized an expe- dition of about one hundred and fifty men to break up a British outpost at Setauket, where a Presbyterian church had been fortified by surrrounding it with an embank- ment six feet in height and placing swivels in four of the gallery windows. After an engagement of two or three hours with the loss of only four men General Parsons withdrew, fearing his retreat might be cut off by the cap- ture of his sloop and boats. It is a notable fact that one of the volunteers in this expedition, Zachariah Green was twenty years afterward installed a minister of this same church. In the autumn of 1780 Major Benjamin Tallraadge planned and successfully executed one of the most audacious exploits accomplished on the island during the war. At Smith's Point, Mastic, on the south side of the island, an enclosure of several acres had been made, tri- angular in form, with strongly barricaded houses at two of the angles, and a fort, ninety feet square, protected by an abattis, at the other. The fort was completed and garrisoned by about fifty men, and in it two guns were mounted. On the 21st of November Major Tallmadge embarked at Fairfield, Conn., with eighty dismounted dragoons, and landed at 9 in the evening at Mount Sinai, 38 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. where the boats were secured. They attempted to cross the island, but a rain storm drove them back to their boats and kept them there till 7 the next evening, when they again set out. At 3 the next morning they arrived within two miles of the fort (which was called Fort George), and arranged to attack it simultaneously at three points, which was done. A breach was made, the enclosure entered, and the main fort carried at the point of the bayonet without the firing of a gun, the two other attacking parties mounting the ramparts at the same time with shouts. They were fired on from one of the houses, but they forcibly entered it and threw some of their as- sailants from the chamber windows. With none killed and only a few slightly wounded they destroyed the fort, burned a vessel and took fifty-four prisoners and a quantity of merchandise, with which they returned. A party of ten or twelve, with Major Tallmadge, visited Coram and burned some four hundred tons of hay. For this exploit Major Tallmadge was commended in a letter by General Washington. A year later Major Tallmadge sent a party of 150 under Major Trescott to destroy Fort Slongo, in the northwestern part of Smithtown. The force crossed from Saugatuck River in the night, attacked and destroyed the fort, which was garrisoned by 140 men, burned the block- house, destroyed two iron guns, killed four and wounded two of the enemy, took twenty-one prisoners, one brass field piece and seventy muskets; and. returned with none killed and but one seriously wounded. In 1778 a fort was erected on Lloyd's Neck by the British for the protection of wood cutters and djfense against raiders from the mainland. An unsuccessful attack was made on this fort on the 12th of July 1781, by a force of French under Count de Barras, assisted by American volunteers. In this affair a few of the assail- ants were wounded and one or two killed. Allusion has been made to the fact that the restraints of military discipline prevented the British troops on the island, during its long occupation by them, from the per- petration of such atrocities as the lawless marauding bands of tories or piratical whaleboat crews were guilty of. The following, from the pen of the excellent historian Henry Onderdonk jr., of Jamaica, is quoted as an illus- tration of this: "Billeting Soldiers. — During the summer British troops were off the island on active service, or if a few remained here they abode under tents; but in winter they were hutted on the sunny side of a hill, or else distributed in farmers' houses. A British officer, accompanied by a jus- tice of the peace or some prominent loyalist as a guide, rode around the country, and from actual inspection de- cided how many soldiers each house could receive, and this number was chalked on the door. The only notifi- cation was: 'Madam, we have come to take a billet on your house.' If a house had but one fireplace it was passed by, as the soldiers were not intended to form part of the family. A double house for the officers or single house with a kitchen for privates was just the thing. The soldiers were quartered in the kitchen, and the inner door nailed up so that the soldiers could not intrude on the household. They, however, often became intimate with the family and sometimes intermarried. The Hes- sians were more sociable than the English soldiers, and often made little baskets and other toys for the children, taught them German and amused them in various ways, sometimes corrupting them by their vile language and manners. Any misconduct of the soldiers might be re- ported to their commanding officers, who usually did justice; but some offenses could not be p'roven, such as night stealing or damage done the house or to other prop- erty. As the soldiers received their pay in coin they were flush and paid liberally for what they bought, such as vegetables, milk, or what they could not draw with their rations. These soldiers were a safeguard against robbers and whaleboat men. Some had their wives with them, who acted as washerwomen, and sometimes in meaner capacities. " From a perusal of the orderly book of General De- lancey, it appears that he used every means to protect the persons and property of the inhabitants of Long Island from the outrages of British soldiers. They were not allowed to go more than half a mile from camp at daytime (and for this purpose the roll was called several times during the day), nor leave it under any pretext after sundown without a pass; but now and then they would slip out and rob. On the nth of June 1778 Mr. John Willett, of Flushing, was assaulted at his own house, at 1 1 o'clock at night by persons unknown but supposed to be soldiers from having bayonets and red clothes, who threatened his life and to burn his house. The general offered a reward of $10 to the person who should first make the discovery to Major Waller, and a like reward for the discovery of the person who robbed Mr. Willett on the 9th of June of two sheep, a calf and some poultry, as he was determined to inflict exemplary punishment and put a stop to practices so dishonorable to the King's service. Again, March 9th 1778, Mrs. Hazard, of New- town, having complained that the soldiers of the guard pulled down and burnt up her fence, that was near the guardhouse, the general at once issued an order to the officer that he should hold him answerable thereafter for any damage done the fences. So too if a soldier milked the farmers' cows, he should be punished without mercy; nor should he go in the h-ayfield and gather up new mown grass to make his bed of. Generally the farmers were honestly paid for whatever they sold. For instance, April 23d 1778, they were notified to call on Mr. Ochiltree, deputy commissary of forage at Flushing, with proper certificates and get payment for their hay." In January 1777 the American prisoners in New York were paroled and billeted on the people in Kings county. Of their situation there Colonel Graydon wrote: " The indulgence of arranging ourselves according to our respective circles of acquaintances was granted us, and Lieutenant Forrest and myself were billeted on Mr. Jacob Suydam, whose house was pretty large, consisting of buildings which appeared to have been erected at dif- ferent times. The front and better part was occupied by Mr. Theophilus Bache and family from New York. Though we were generally civilly enough received, it cannot be supposed we were very welcome to our Low Dutch host, whose habits were very parsimonious, and whose winter provision was barely sufficient for them- selves. They were, however, a people who seemed thoroughly disposed to submit to any power that might be imposed on them; and whatever might have been their propensities at an earlier stage of the contest, they were now the dutiful and loyal subjects of King George the III. Their houses and beds we found clean, but their living extremely poor. A sorry wash made up of a sprinkling of bohea and the darkest sugar, on the verge of fluidity, with half baked bread (fuel being very scarce) SMUGGLING— THE PRISON SHIPS. 39 and a little stale butter, constituted our breakfast. At our first coming a small piece of pickled beef was occa- sionally boiled for dinner, but to the beef, which was soon consumed, there succeeded cleppers or clams; and our unvaried supper was suppaan or mush, sometimes with skimmed milk, but more generally with buttermilk blended with molasses.'which was kept for weeks in a churn, as swill is saved for hogs. I found it, however, after a little use, very eatable, and supper soon became my best meal. The religion of the Dutch, like their other habits, was unostentatious and plain; and a simple, silent grace be- fore meat prevailed at the table of Jacob Suydam. When we were all seated he suddenly clapped his hands together, threw his head on one side, closed his eyes, and remained mute and motionless for about a minute. His niece and nephew followed his example, but with such an eager solicitude that the copied attitude should be prompt and simultaneous as to give an air of absurdity to what might otherwise have been very decent." During the British occupation of Long Island illicit trade- was carried on between the people here and in Connecticut by means of many ingeniously devised plans- Previous to the separation of the colonies non-impor- tation associations had existed, and the patriotic colonists had accustomed themselves to drinking sage and sassafras tea and wearing homespun. After the separation no motive of patriotism stood in the way of indulgence in the use of British goods, and with the facilities which the long stretch of the north coast, with its numerous estuariesj inlets and harbors, and the narrow sound beyond, af- forded for smuggling, it is not surprising that Yankee shrewdness should elude the sleepy vigilance of govern- ernment officials, and the people of Connecticut come to be well supplied with goods that had been brought from New York ostensibly to supply the wants of loyal Long Islanders. All the ordinary devices of smuggling were resorted to, and even collusions were entered into with the so-called piratical- whaleboat men, and stores were robbed and the goods taken across the sound, the owners, of course, sharing the profits of the adventure. In many cases government officials winked at this trade, because it supplied necessaries that were difficult to procure otherwise. In some instances it was believed they were secretly interested in the transactions. By reason of the long sound coasf of Suffolk county and the secret rebel sympathies of many of its inhabitants a large share of this trade was done throught it. No chapter in the history of the American Revolution is more appalling or revolting to every human feeling than that which records the sufferings of the prisoners who fell into the hands of the British. In all cases of this kind the account which prisoners themselves give of their treatment should be taken with many grains of allowance, for they were very prone to exaggerate; but if the half of that which was related by American prisoners is true the inhumanity of their keepers was truly shock- ing. The capture of New York in September 1776 and of Fort Washington in November of the same year threw into the hands of the British a. large number of prisoners, which, added to those already in their hands, swelled the aggregate to about 5,000 in the city of New York. To the confusion and embarrassment which this sudden accumulation of prisoners necessitated were added the negligence of the British commander and the brutal- ity of Provost Marshal Cunningham and his subordi- nates. But if the condition ot the prisoners in New York was pitiable that of the seamen confined in the prison ships at the Wallabout was horrible. The crowding together of many human beings in the hold of a ship, even with the best means of ventilation and the utmost care for their cleanliness and comfort, is disastrous to the health of those so situated. If then, as was the case with these prisoners, they are compelled to breath over and over again the pestilential emanations from their own bodies and from the filth by which they are surrounded, and to subsist on food .insufficient ifi quantity and almost poison- ous in quality, it is not a matter of wonder that, as was the case with those confined in these ships, few survive their imprisonment. From the autumn of 1776, when the British came in possession of New York, during six years one or more condemned hulks were stationed at the Wallabout, in which were confined such American seamen as were taken prisoners by the British. The first of these was the "Whitby," which was moored in the Wallabout in October 1776. In May 1777 two other large ships were also anchored there, one of which was burned in October of the same year, and the other in February 1778. In April 1778 the old "Jersey " was moored there, and the "Hope" and the " Falmouth "—two so-called hospital ships — were stationed near. Up to the time when these hospital ships were stationed there no phy- sicians had been in attendance on the sick in the prison ships. Rev. Thomas Andros, of Berkley, Mass., was a prisoner on the old "Jersey," and relates his experience and observation as follows: " This was an old sixty-four gun ship, which through age had become unfit for further actual service. She was stripped of every spar and all her rigging. After a battle with a French fleet her lion figurehead was taken away to repair another ship; no appearance of ornament was left, and nothing remained but an old, unsightly, rotten hulk. Her dark and filthy external appearance perfectly corresponded with the death and despair that reigned within, and nothing could be more foreign from truth than to paint her with colors flying, or any circumstance or appendage to please the eye. She was moored at the Wallabout Bay, about three-quarters of a mile to the east- ward of Brooklyn ferry, near a tide mill on the Long Isl- and shore. The nearest place to land was about twenty rods; and doubtless no other ship in the British navy ever proved the means of the destruction of so many human beings. It is computed that not less than eleven thousand American seamen perished in her. After it was next to certain death to confine a prisoner here the inhu- manity and wickedness of doing it was about the same as if he had been taken into the city and deliberately shot insome public square; but, as if mercy had fled from the earth, here we were doomed to dwell. And never while I was on board did any Howard or angel of pity appear, to inquire into or alleviate our woes. Once or twice, by the order of a stranger on the quarter deck, a bag of apples was hurled promiscuously into the midst of hun- dreds of prisoners, crowded together as thick as they could stand, and life and limbs were endangered by the scramble. This, instead of compassion, was a cruel sport. 40 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. When I saw it about to commence I fled to the most dis- tant part of the ship. " On the commencement of the first evening we were driven down to darkness, between decks secured by iron gratings and an armed soldiery, and a scene of horror which baffles all description presented itself. On every side wretched desponding shapes of men could.be seen. Around the well room an armed guard were forcing up the prisoners to the winches to clear the ship of water and prevent her sinking, and little else could be heard but a roar of mutual execrations, reproaches, and insults. During this operation there was a small, dim light ad- mitted below, but it served to make darkness more vis- ible, and horror more terrific. In my reflections I said this must be a complete image and anticipation of hell. Milton's description of the dark world rushed upon my mind: — " sights of woe, regions of horror doleful, Shades where peace and rest can never dwell." " If there was any principle among the prisoners that could not be shaken it was their love of country. I knew no one to be seduced into the British service. They attempted to force one of our prize brig's crew into the navy, but he chose rather to die than to perform any duty, and was again restored to the prison ship. ' When I first became an inmate of this abode of suffering, despair and death there were about four hun- dred prisoners on board; but in a sKort time they amounted to twelve hundred, and in proportion to our numbers the mortality increased. All the most deadly diseases were pressed into the service of the king of ter- rors, but his prime ministers were dysentery, small-pox, and yellow fever. There were two hospital ships near to the old ' Jersey,' but these were soon so crowded with the sick that they could receive no more. The conse- quence was that the diseased and the healthy were mingled together in the main ship. In a short time we had two hundred or more sick and dying lodged in the fore part of the' lower gun deck, where all the prisotiers were confined at night. Utter derangement was a com- mon symptom of yellow fever, and, to increase the hor- ror of the darkness that shrouded us (for we were allowed no light between decks), the voice of warning would be heard, ' Take heed to yourselves! There is a madman stalking through the ship with a knife in his hand!' I sometimes found the man a corpse in the morning by whose side I laid myself down at night. At another time he would become deranged and attempt in the darkness to rise, and stumble over the bodies that else- where covered the deck. In this case I had to hold him to his place by main strength. In spite of my efforts he would sometimes rise, and then 1 had to close in with him, trip up his heels, and lay him again upon the deck. While so many wers sick with raging fever there was a loud cry for water, but none could be had except on the upper deck, and but one allowed to ascend at a time. The suffering then from the rage of thirst during the night was very great. Nor was it at all times safe to at- tempt to go up. Provoked by the continual cry for leave to ascend, when there was one already on deck, the sen- try would push them back with his bayonet. By one of these thrusts, which was more spiteful and violent than common, I had a narrow escape of my life. In the morning the hatchways were thrown open and we were allowed to ascend, all at once, and remain on the upper deck during the day. But the first object that met our view was an appallingspectacle — a boat loaded with dead bodies, conveying them to the Long Island shore, where they were slightly covered with sand. I sometimes used to stand and count the number of times the shovel was filled with sand to cover a dead body; and certain I am tbat a few high tides or torrents of rain must have disin- terred them, and had they not been removed I should suppose the shore even now would be covered with huge piles of the bones of American seamen. There were probably four hundred on board who had never had the small-pox. Some perhaps might have been saved by in- oculation, but humanity was wanting to try even this ex- periment. Let our disease be what it would, we were abandoned to our fate. Now and then an American physician was brought in as a captive, but if he could ob- tain his parole he left the ship; nor could we blame him for this, for his own death was next to certain and his success in saving others by medicine in our situation was small. I remember only two American physicians who tarried on board a few days. No English physician or any one from the city ever, to my knowledge, came near us. There were thirteen of the crew to which I be- longed, but in a short time all died but three or four. The most healthy and vigorous were first seized with the fever and died in a few hours. For them there seemed to be no mercy. My constitution was less muscular and plethoric, and I escaped the fever longer than any of the thirteen except one, and the first onset was less violent." Alexander Cofifin jr., who was twice a prisoner on the old "Jersey," has related some of his experiences there. Of the firmness and patriotism of the American prisoners, even under these circumstances, he said: " Although there were seldom less than i,ooo prisoners constantly on board the ' Jersey ' — new ones coming about as fast as others died, or were exchanged (which, by the bye, was seldom) — I never, in the two different times that I was on board, knew of but one prisoner entering on board a British ship of war, though the boats from the fleet were frequently there and the English offi- cers were endeavoring to persuade them to enter; but their persuasions and offers were invariably treated with contempt, and even by men who pretty well knew they should die where they were. These were the men whose bones have been so long bleaching on the shores of the Wallabout; these were the patriots who preferred death in its most horrible shape to the disgrace and infamy of fighting the battles of a base and barbarous enemy against the liberties of their country; these were the patriots whose names suffer no diminution by a comparison with the heroes and patriots of antiquity." The bodies of those who died on these ships were buried in the sand along the shore, on the slope of a hill, in a ravine, and in several other localities. The bones of many were washed out of the sand and were seen lying along the shore. In 1803 some societies began to agitate the subject of awarding funeral honors to the remains of these martyrs, but nothing was accomplished till 1808. The Tammany Society, which then embraced many Rev- olutionary patriots, took the lead in the work, and the corner stone of a monument to these heroes was laid April 13th of that year, on land donated by John Jack- son, Esq., near the Brooklyn navy yard. Their bones, to the amount of about twenty hogsheads, were collected, placed in thirteen capacious coffins, and on the 26th of May 1808 each coffin, in charge of one of the Tammanial tribes and escorted by eight Revolutionary soldiers as pall bearers, was borne to the place of sepulture, and all were, with solemn and imposing ceremonies, deposited in a common tomb. After the interment of these remains steps were taken toward providing funds to erect a suitable monument to GEN. NATHANIEL WOODHULL— THE WAR OF 1812. 41 the memory of these martyrs, but the interest which was at first felt in the matter subsided, and at length the iot on which the vault was constructed was sold for taxes. It was purchased by Benjamin Romaine, who, to prevent its further desecration, fitted it up as a burial place for himself and family, and there, at his death, in 1844, he was entombed. After his death another movement was made looking toward the erection of a monument, and an association for that purpose was formed; but "yet there is no monument — no stone bearing the record of their patriotic devotion to principle, and their more than he- roic death." The self-sacrificing patriotism, the meritorious services, the pure, unselfish life, and the tragic death of General Nathaniel Woodhull render a brief sketch of him appro- priate here. He was born in 1722 at Mastic, in Brook- haven, received a sound education, and early displayed those mental traits that qualified him for public useful- ness. In 1758 he entered the army in the French and Indian war of 1754-60, and held the position of major. He was at Ticonderoga under General Abercrombie, and was with General Bradstreet in the expedition against Fort Frontenac and the reduction of that fortress. He did important service in the expedition from Schenectady to the Oneida carrying place in the same summer, and in 1760, having been promoted to the rank of colonel, he went in command of the 3d regiment of New York troops in the expedition against Canada. On the termination of hostilities he was discharged with the troops of the prov- ince and returned to private life. In 1769 he was .made a member of the colonial Assembly from Suffolk county, and he continued a member of that body till the dissolu- tion of the colonial government in 1775. He was chosen a delegate to the Provincial Congress in May 1775, and in August of the same year was made president of that Congress, and acted in that capacity till August loth 1776. He was also, in August 1775, appointed brigadier-general of the militia of Suffolk and Queens counties. On the loth of August 1776 he obtained leave of absence from the Provincial Congress. On the 24th, two days previous to the battle of Long Island, he was ordered by the con- vention to take command of a force of militia and " use all possible diligence to prevent the stock and other pro- visions from falling into the hands of the enemy." He discharged this duty to the best of his ability with his meager force, driving beyond the reach of the enemy all the cattle that could be collected, at the same time making known to the convention his inability to maintain himself with the force at his command. The unfortunate issue of the battle of Long Island and the impracticability of sending the desired reinforcements will be remembered. In the hope of receiving these, however, and in accord- ance with his sense of honor and duty, he did not make a final retreat, but on the 28th ordered his troops to a point four miles east of Jamaica, where, in the afternoon, he attempted to join them. A thunder storm arrested him some two miles from this town, at the tavern of Increase Carpenter, and he was overtaken by a party of dragoons and infantry, guided by some tories. Wood says: " The general immediately gave up his sword, in token of sur- render. The ruffian who first approached him [said to be a Lieutenant Huzzy], as is reported, ordered him to say ' God save the King.' The general replied ' God save us all;' on which he most cowardly and cruelly assailed the defenseless general with his broadsword, and would have killed him on the spot if he had not been prevented by the interference of an officer of more honor and humanity (said to be Major De Lancey of the dragoons), who ar- rested his savage violence." He was removed to Jamaica, his wounds were dressed, and with other prisoners he was confined till the next day in a stone church. He was then sent to Gravesend and confined with eighty others in a vessel that had been used for the transportation of live stock, with no provision for comfort or health. Thence he was removed to a house in New Utrecht. Here it was found his injuries necessitated the amputa- tion of his arm. Previous to the operation he sent for his wife, and made arrangements for the alleviation of the suffering of the American prisoners at his own ex- pense. Mortification soon succeeded the operation, and on the 20th of September he died. Wood says of him: "With personal courage he possessed judgment, decision and firmness of character, tempered with conciliating manners, which commanded the respect and obedience of his troops and at the same time secured their confi- dence and esteem." CHAPTER IX. THE WAR OF l8l2 — PRIVATEERING — THE FORTIFICATION OF LONG ISLAND. N the i8th of June 1812 a formal declaration of war against Great Britain was made by the United States. Allusion has elsewhere been made to the causes which led to this war, in which, as in the case of the French wars. Long Island was not the theater of active hostilities. In the latter part of 1812 and early in 1813 British cruisers were stationed on the American coast. From the files of a paper called War, which was published in New York at the time, it appears that on the igth of January 1813 a British 74, two frigates and a gun brig were stationed off the entrance to New York harbor, and on the 26th it was stated that this fleet had been aug- mented, and several prizes taken. Commodore Lewis, in command of the flotilla in New York harbor, attempted to go down, but was prevented by the ice. It was not till the 20th of March 1813 that the entire coast of the United States, with the exception of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, was declared in a state of blockade. In April of that year, it was stated that a British 74 and several privateers were cruising in Long Island 6 42 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. Sound, that they had captured a number of coasting ves- sels, and that " the naval force now in this harbor is sufficient either to capture or drive them off, but for some unaccountable reason the ' United States ' and 'Macedonian' have been suffered to lie upward of three months at the navy yard entirely dismantled; our enemy when occasion requires can fit out a ship of war in three weeks, or even less time." In June 1813 the daring privateer "Governor Tomp- kins," of New York, came through the sound. • Off Fisher's Island she was chased by the enemy's tquadion cruising there, but escaped. Prime relates that "in June 1813, while a British squadron under Commodore Hardy lay in Gardiner's Bay, a launch and two barges with 100 men attempted to surprise Sag Harbor in the night. They landed on the wharf, but, an alarm being quickly given, the guns of a small fort were opened upon them with such effect that they had only time to set fire to a single sloop, and retreated with so much precipitation as to leave a large quantity of guns, swords, and other arms behind them. The flames were speedily extinguished, and no other in- jury sustained." In September of the same year a flotilla of thirty gun- boats, under Commodore Lewis, passed through Hell Gate to Sands Point in quest of some armed vessels of the enemy that were cruising in the sound. The weather was not favorable for close action, and after a few shots at long range the flotilla anchored; a frigate which had drawn away from its consorts returned, and the enemy's ships retired eastward. November i6th 1813 Admiral Warren, commanding the blockading squadron, issued a proclamation in which he declared a blockade of " all that part of Long Island Sound being the sea coast lying within Montaug Point, or the eastern point of Long Island, and the point of land opposite thereto, commonly called Plack Point, sit- uate on the sea coast of the main land; together with all the ports, harbors, creeks, and entrances of the East and North rivers of New York, as well as all the other ports, creeks, and bays along the coast of Long Island and the State of New York,'' etc. In 1813 the "Amazon," Captain Conklin, of Hunting- ton, the " Sally," Captain Akerly, of Cow Harbor, and the " Arago " and " Juno," Captain Jones, of Brookhaven, were captured in the sound by the British vessels "Acas- ta" and "Atalanta." During the same year a British fleet entered and remained some time in Gardiner's Bay. In May 18 14 the sloop " Amelia," bound for Rhode Island, laden with rye, pork, and flour, was made a prize by a barge from the British ship of war " Bulwark." One of the owners of this sloop was, with two or three other men, suspected of treason. They were tried and acquit- ted. In August of the same year a small schooner was chased on shore at Rockaway by the boats of the blockading squadron, and set on fire. The fire was extinguished, though those engaged in extinguishing it were several times fired upon. In 1814 the British vessels "Pomona" and "Dispatch," arriving off Setauket harbor, sent seven barges into Drown Meadow Bay, where they captured the vessels " Two Friends," " Hope," Herald," and " Mercantile," and burned the " Oneida," which were all anchored in the bay. It was believed that New York, which was then as now the commercial metropolis of the nation, would become a point of attack, and that the western end of Long Isl- and might become, as it had been in the Revolution, the theater of active hostilities. In view of this danger the citizen soldiery organized and prepared for possible emer- gencies; but beyond this the island did not become the scene of active warlike preparations till the summer of 1814. A large British fleet was then concentrating near the Bermuda Islands, and in view of the possibility that this might be the objective point it was deemed exped- ient to take such measures as would prevent a repetition of the disaster of August 1776. By a letter received from John Lyon Gardiner, of Gardiner's Island, by Jonathan Thompson, collector of internal revenue of New York, the fact became known and was communi- cated to Governor Tompkins that such an attack was in- tended. The people aroused from the lethargy into which they had been lulled by their hope of a favorable termination of the pending negotiations for peace. A committee of defense which had been constituted recom- mended measures for the protection of Brooklyn against attack by land, and issued an address calling on the citi- zens to organize and enroll for resistance to hostile attacks, and to aid, by voluntary contributions of labor and material, in the construction of defensive works at Brooklyn and elsewhere. The response to this appeal was made with alacrity. Citizens and associations, with- out distinction of party and social condition, at once offered their services. Stiles says: " The rich and the poor proffered their services, and mingled their labors on the same works in the purest spirit of patriotic emulation. Those who from any cause were unable to give their personal labor to the common cause voluntarily and liberally contributed of their means for the employment of substitutes, while many both gave and worked. Even the women and schoolboys caught the inspiration of the hour and contributed their quota of labor upon the works, and the people of the interior towns in the neigh- boring states of Connecticut and New Jersey hastened to proffer their assistance in averting what was felt to be a common national danger." In addition to the labor of the different military or- ganizations the members of different societies and trades in various localities came in bodies and labored on these works. The tanners and curriers, the plumbers, the students of medicine, wire factory operators, founders, journeymen cabinet makers, fire companies, exempts' members of churches, under the lead of their pastors, carpenters, parties of citizens in bodies from various lo- calities, large parties of Irishmen, colored people both from New York and Long Ijjjand, freemasons in a body, and even at one timea party of some two hundred ladies FORTIFICATIONS OF 1814— EARLY HIGHWAYS. 43 came in a procession and performed a few hours' labor. At one time the committee of defense announced their want of several thousand fascines, and stated that patterns were left at Creed's tavern in Jamaica, and at Bloom's in Newtown. The answer to this appeal was the bringing to Fort Greene of a hundred and twenty loads of fascines, averaging twenty-five bundles to a load, by the citizens of Jamaica, headed by the Rev. Mr. Schoonmaker. " Mr. Eigenbrodt, the principal of the academy at Ja- maica, with his pupils, aided in cutting these fascines." The works were commenced on the 9th of August 1814 and completed early in September. They were at once occupied by a large force from different localities, in- cluding a brigade of Long Island militia, 1,750 strong, under command of General Jeremiah Johnson, of Brook- lyn, subsequently well known as an antiquarian-and his- torian. In addition to these, fortifications were erected along the coast below Brooklyn. A block-house was located one-half or three-fourths of a mile north from Fort Ham- ilton, near the shore of the bay, on land then owned by Mr. Barkuloo. On the site of Fort Hamilton was an earthwork, and on that of Fort Lafayette was a log fort. A block-house was located on the shore of New Utrecht Bay, about midway between Fort Hamilton and Bath, near the residence of the late Barney Williams. From the fact of this block-house having been located there the place was long known as the "gun field." This block-house stood several years after the termination of the war. About one-fourth of a mile southeast from Bath, also on the shore of New Utrecht Bay, stood another block-house, on land owned by the late Egbert Benson and now the property of his heirs. In August 1776 the forces of General Howe were landed in the vicinity of where these last two block-houses stood, and they were probably erected in view of a possible attempt to land troops here during this war. Each was armed with a large barbette gun. They were built in the fashion of block-houses of those times, with a projection of some feet, twelve or fifteen feet above the ground, from which assailants could be fired on through loopholes from directly overhead. At Rockaway inlet another block- house was erected during the war. Boat's crews from the blockading squadron had entered through this inlet and committed depredations on the inhab- itants near the shore of Jamaica Bay, and to prevent a repetition of such attacks this block-house was built. Several regiments of militia were encamped in and about the works in the vicinity of Bath and Fort Hamilton during the continuance of hostil- ities. It is not known that any hostile vessels came within Sandy Hook. The storm of war was averted, and Long Island was not made the scene of such strife as desolated it in 1776. Peace was concluded early in 1815, and the joy of the people here was testified by ilUuminations, bonfires, etc. CHAPTER X. THE CONSTRUCTION OF WAGON ROADS AND RAILROADS ON LONG ISLAND, T first highways were established in the differ- ent towns according to the apparent necessi- ties of the people in those towns, without reference to the convenience of the people elsewhere. No thoroughfares were projected till a long time afterward, and the irregularity of the roads was such that guides were necessary in some cases to conduct strangers from place to place. These roads were often facetiously termed cow paths because of their irregularity, which is still a notable fea- ture of the ordinary highways. In view of the urgent necessity which had come to be felt for better facilities for travel the Legislature in 1704 enacted a law by which three commissioners in each of the counties on the island were appointed to lay out a road four rods in width from Brooklyn ferry to East- harapton. Twenty years later by another act of the Legislature commissioners were appointed "for better clearing and further laying out the roads on the island." By the action of these commissioners the direct road from Brooklyn to Easthampton was established. This road ran through the center portion of the island, and during many years it was the main thoroughfare between New York and the " east end." As time went on parallel- roads were opened both north and south from this, and turnpikes were established between different localities. As late as 1764 the first post route was established through the island, and it was called the circuit. The mail was carried (on horseback) once in two weeks east- ward through the north part of the island, returning along the south shore. About the year 1847 what has been termed the Plank Roadia began to prevail through the country and it reached its height about 1850 or 1851. The level sur- face of Long Island afforded better facilities for the con- struction of these roads than existed in many regions, and within three or four years after the first was built they had greatly multiplied in all parts of the island and a new era of travel was thought by some to have dawned. The impracticability of these roads, however, soon be- came apparent, and here as elsewhere the mania sub- sided almost as rapidly as it had arisen. The projection of new roads ceased and those which had been con- structed were abandoned or converted into turnpikes and then into common highways. Of the many that came into existence none remain as plank roads. Long Island has a railroad system which fully meets the wants of its inhabitants and 'affords ample facilities for pleasure seekers from abroad to visit the seaside resorts along its southern shore. The sole reliance of the roads on the island for support is"on_local patron- 44 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. age; none of them are parts of thoroughfares that open into regions beyond. The first railroad constructed on Long Island was that from South ferry in Brooklyn to Jamaica. This was opened for travel April i8th 1836. In the same year the Long Island company commenced the extension east- ward of this road, and in August 1837 it was in opera- tion to Hicksville. In 1841 it reached Suffolk Station, and on the 25th of July 1844 the first train of cars passed over it to Greenport, a total length of ninety-five miles. From Hicksville a branch was opened to Syosset in 1854, and an extension completed to Northport in 1868, and thence a road was completed to Port JeffersOn in 1872. Branches were also constructed from Mineola to Hempstead and to Locust Point and from Jamaica to Far Rockaway. In 1869 the Sag Harbor branch was built, diverging from the main line at Manor Station, passing through the Hamptons and terminating at Sag Harbor. The road from Hunter's Point to Flushing was opened in 1854 and it was subsequently extended to Manhasset. A road was also constructed from Hunter's Point to Whitestone. On the south side a road was opened from Jamaica to Babylon in the autumn of 1867 and extended to Patchogue in 1868. Branches of this road were also built. A. T. Stewart constructed a road to Garden City and this was extended to Babylon. Other roads and branches sprang into existence and a competition arose that was not con- ducive to the prosperity of the roads. A consolidation of these roads under the control of the Messrs. Poppenhusen by leases and otherwise was effected. Lavish expenditures were made and much business was done, but the management was not success- ful, and in 1877 Thomas R. Sharp was appointed receiver of the consolidated corporation. In the latter part of 1880 a controlling interest in the Long Island Railroad passed into the hands of a syndi- cate of Boston capitalists, at the head of which is Austin Corbin, under whose management the road has come. Within a comparatively recent time several roads for the conveyance of passengers to and from the summer resorts on the south coast of Long Island have come into existence. CHAPTER XL THE AGRICULTURAL CAPABILITIES AND DEVELOPMENT OF LONG ISLAND. jHATEVER may be the general impression of the value and fertility of the lands of Long Island, they do and will command a price far in excess of soils equally fertile but which are not situated near a great market. Easy, cheap and uninterrupted water communication with a center of trade aggregating a population of nearly two millions will always make Long Island a place of peculiar interest to tillers of the soil. The vast and increasing demand of the city of New York" for vegetables and fruits of a perishable na- ture, as well as the peculiar adaptation of the soil for their culture, has already made Kings and a large portion of Queens county one immense garden. Previous his- tories of the island are nearly silent upon this the chief business of its inhabitants. The early settlers of Long Island, coming as they did chiefly from the New England colonies, naturally followed the same system of tillage and rotation of crops to which they had been accustomed. Probably the first settlers found sufficient cleared land for their purpose; as, ac- cording to early traditions, there was much cleared land, or land not covered with timber, besides the great plains. They very soon discovered that success depended upon the application of manures. As early as 1653 the first settlers, by the terms of the patent from the Dutch governor for the lands they occupied, were required to pay to the government one-tenth of the revenue arising from the ground manured. This tai for the town of Hempstead amounted in 1657 to one hundred" schepels of wheat (the Dutch bushel of three pecks). In 165 1 Hempstead produced from the proceeds of the servants labor corn, beef, pork, butter, tobacco and staves, which were exchanged for liquor and merchandise. Cattle were imported for breeding as early as 1625, and a cow in New York was worth _;^3o. The abundant grass on the plains, doubtless, turned the attention of the early settlers to the raising of stock. But as yet there were few or no fences; so herdsmen were hired by the town to take care of the cattle from the nth of May till the 23d of October, when the Indian harvest would be wholly taken in and housed. In 1667 the town of Hemp- stead hired Abraham Smith to keep the cattle from destroying the corn planted in the plain called " the field," and he was to have one and a half bushels per acre paid him for this service. So important was this office deemed that the conditions of agreement were entered at large on the town book. A half hour after sunrise, at the blowing of a horn, the owners of cattle drove them from their several pens into one common herd, when they were taken under the care of the cow- keeper and his dog, and driven on the plains. He was to keep them from going astray, or wandering in the woods, or getting on tilled land; to water them at some pond at reasonable hours; to drive them weekly to the. south meadows, and then bring them home half an hour before sunset that they might be milked. For this ser- vice (in 1658) the hire was twelve shillings sterling per week in butter, corn and oats. The calves were cared for by another keeper, who was required to water them twice a day, drive them to the salt meadows once in two weeks, and put them in an inclosure at night to protect them from the wolves. After a while cowherds were dispensed with, and it was found necessary to fence the pasture lands. Thus Cow Neck in 1669 was fenced from Hempstead Harbor to Great Neck, as the turnpike now runs. Rockaway had in 1690 a fence running from AGRICULTURE ON THE ISLAND. 45 the landing across to Jamaica Bay. Each proprietor had the right to put cattle in the pasture ground in propor- tion to the- length of fence he had made. At that time cattle were sold to butchers in New York, and exported alive to the West Indies. In 1658 cattle were bought on thfi^reat plains to be shipped to the colony of Delaware. In 1678 the city of New York consumed only four hun- dred beeves. Sheep were not introduced until a later date; in 1643 there were not over sixteen in the whole colony of New York. In 1670 sheep were pastured on the plains, under the care of a shepherd, who'had directions not to let them go over half a mile in the woods, for fear of their being lost or destroyed by wolves. Each proprietor had an ear mark for his own sheep, which was recorded in the town book. In 1737 the New York Gazette says: " Vast losses have been sustained in this colony and those adjacent by the death of cattle for the want of fodder, and many persons have been almost ruined thereby. We hear from Long Island that five thousand head of cattle have been lost this winter, besides sheep and lambs innumerable." Corn, wheat, rye, oats, flax, wood for fuel, fat cattle and sheep were for nearly two hundred years, or until the beginning of the nineteenth century, the staple' products of the island, and the chief source of income. During the Revolutionary war a tory advised a British minister to land the forces destined for the subjugation of the colonies on Long Island; " for," said he, " it is one hundred and thirty miles long, and is very fertile, abounding in wheat and every other kind of grain, and has innumerable black cattle, sheep, hogs etc.; so that in this fertile island the army can subsist without any succor from England. It has a fertile plain twenty-four miles long, with a fertile country about it, and is twenty miles from New York; and from an encampment on this plain the British army can in five or six days invade any of the colonies at pleasure. The spot I advise you to land is at Cow Bay." The suggestion was acted upon. The English army occupied Long Island, with New York city as its headquarters, for nearly seven years; and drew its supplies of fresh and salt hay, oats, straw, wheat, rye, corn, buckwheat and firewood from our island. For an encouragement to farmers to raise plenti- ful supplies of fresh provisions, vegetables and forage for the army, the British commandant forbade all per- sons from tresspassing, or breaking down or destroying fences, or carrying away produce from the owners. In 1780 the requisition on Queens county was for four thousand five hundred cords of wood. Since the advent of the present century, and within the memory of many now living, radical changes have been made in the system of agriculture, in the crops produced, fertilizers applied, machinery employed, do- mestic manufactures and manner of living. There are many localities in Suffolk and a few in Queens county in which, from their peculiarity of position, primitive farming is still followed— that is, corn upon old sod, followed by oats the second year, which is succeeded in the fall by either wheat or rye with which clover and timothy seed are sown. Then good crops of hay are cut for from three to five years; it is then pastured one or two years, and the same routine repeated With the growth of New York and Brooklyn grew the demand for vegetables, milk, hay, straw and such articles of a perishable and bulky nature as cannot be profitably transported long distances. Hence we see that the area necessary for their production has extended, not only eastward over nearly two counties, but the country for miles around every harbor which indents the shores of Long Island, as well as near every depot of its railroads, has been put under contribution to supply the demand. Consequent upon this change the product of cereals is greatly reduced, and stock-raising is entirely abandoned as a source of profit. Nearly all the produce raised within twenty-five miles of New York is carted in with teams by the proprietors in the night. The largest part is sold at wholesale to dealers or middle-men, between midnight and daylight, chiefly in the vicinity of Washington market, which until recently was the center of the retail as well as the whole- sale trade. Three years ago, in consequence of the great throng of market wagons, which for years had greatly im- peded business in the lower part of the city, a market was established in the vicinity of West Twelfth street and Tenth avenue. Those who do not sell at wholesale re- main until daylight, when the retail trade begins. The grocer^ then come for their daily supply. Produce sent by water or rail is consigned to commission dealers. Twenty-five years ago all the milk supplied by Long Island was produced within so small a distance from the city that it was taken in in wagons. Market garden- ing becoming more profitable, the area of milk produc- tion was gradually extended eastward along the lines of railroad, until at the present time it has assumed im- mense proportions. Swill milk is still produced largely in the suburbs of Brooklyn; but that industry is by com- mon consent ruled out as an agricultural pursuit. The selling of hay was the first innovation upon the old system of stock raising as a source of income. The old theory that unless the hay and corn were fed upon the land its fertility would be reduced was soon exploded; and the wisdom of the new enterprise was demonstrated by the fact that the returns from the sale of hay were So much greater than from the sale of stock that the farmer could afford to buy stable manure, street sweepings, lime and ashes from the city to apply to his land. The benefits of liberal expenditures for these fertilizers in market gardening are still more apparent. Guano and artificial or manufactured fertilizers have been largely used with good results; but 'after being applied for a series of years their efficacy is so diminished that they are generally abandoned, and the more bulky articles named are resumed. On the margins of creeks along the south side of the island are immense shell banks left by the Indians; these clam or quahaug shells have been burnt and the lime used profitably. The fish called menhaden, however, has been 46 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. most largely employed. Thompson, in his history of Long Island, published in 1839, estimated that a hundred million were annually taken for that purpose. He says: "The profusion of this species of fish and the consequent cheapness of the article will probably always insure its use in those parts of the island where they abound," But the establishment of factories for extracting oil from them has long since precluded their use, although the refuse is dried and sold under the name of fish guano. Whelher the great plains have deteriorated in fertility, or whether by an improved system of husbandry it is more profitable to pasture cattle only on the farm, it is difficult to determine; but the fact is that, in place of hundreds of cattle and thousands of sheep which once subsisted upon its abundant grasses from May until October, it is now a rare occurrence to see even a drove of a dozen or two cows attended by a boy, and there are no sheep. Montauk Point is about forty miles long and contains nine thousand acres. It has been owned in common by about forty individuals in shares. It has never been tilled or used for any purpose other than pasturage, each owner being entitled to place upon it seven cattle or forty- nine sheep per share. There are more than one hundred square miles or seventy thousand acres of salt meadows bordering the bays and harbors of Long Island. From these marshes immense quantities of hay are taken, which with corn stalks is largely used for wintering young stock and dry cattle. There are three kinds of grasses growing upon them, distinguished by the names of sedge, salt and black grass. The scarcity and advance in the price of farm labor, as well as the advantages attending their use, have caused the' introduction of the best farm implements and agricul- tural machinery. Stones are used to some extent as fenc- ing material where they are available, but by far the largest part of the island is entirely destitute of stones large enough for the purpose. Chestnut timber is abund- ant on all the rolling woodlands, and furnishes the ma- terial for about all the farm fences. Why the attention of cranberry culturists has not been attracted to Long Island ere this it is hard to tell. The southern portion is watered for miles by numerous streams bordered by bogs now almost worthless, which could easily be converted into cranberry swamps. It is a well known fact that many a piece of marsh capable of being made to produce an annual profit of hundreds of dollars produces nothing now but coarse grass and bushes and a fine specimen of Long Island mosquito. The soil of the southern half of the island, beginning at the foot of the line of hills which divide it through its entire length, is alluvial, and of comparatively recent for- mation. Vegetable matter and loam are deficient, sand preponderating. The action of the water appears to have taken away a portion of its soluble minerals. The soil, being of light, friable character, is adapted to garden farming, whereas a clay soil by constant tillage becomes still more tenacious. .The Hempstead plains, which, through a mistaken pol- icy, have until recently been held as public domain, are susceptible of remunerative cultivation. The soil, which is composed of black sand and vegetable mould, is a foot or more in depth. The hollows which cross the tract at regular intervals appear to have been ancient water courses, with but little and in some places no soil to cover the substratum of coarse gravel which appears to underlie the whole formation. There is another and still more ex- tensive tract extending eastward from the plains, reaching to the head of Peconic Bay, composed so nearly of pure sand as to be incapable of profitable cultivation by any process now known. Scrub oak and pines, with a little wiry grass, which usually dries up in the hot summer sun, are the only products. The northern and hilly or undulating half of the island has a soil rich in the mineral elements and phosphates essential to plant growth. Hence wheat, potatoes, cabbage and other strong growing crops are more successfully grown than on the alluvial portions of the island. CHAPTER XIL FORMATION AND GROWTH OF THE TORICAL SOCIETY. LONG ISLAND HIS- HE first steps toward the formation of the Long Island Historical Society were natur- ally taken by a native Long Islander, who had affinities by birth, marriage and resi- dence with each of the three counties. He pre- pared and caused to be widely distributed the following circular: Brooklyn, February 14th, 1863. Dear Sir: The time has arrived when the city of Brooklyn should found and foster institutions — religious, historical, literary, scientific, educational and humani- tarian — beyond the scope of former undertakings. As one of these a historical society associated with our peculiar geographical position naturally suggests itself. We propose to establish THE LONG island HISTORICAL SOCIETY. The threefold Indian, Dutch and English history of the island is full of interest, and there are doubtless con- cealed treasures in each department, which will be de- veloped by research and inquiry. By calling out the recollections of the living who will soon pass away, drawing public records and private writings from their concealment, having a fit place for the collection and de- posit of trophies, memorials and historic materials, and also for conventions and lectures upon historic topics, it cannot be doubted that much valuable knowledge will be saved and communicated which would otherwise be irre- trievably lost. It is proposed to establish, first, a library and repository of books, documents and manuscripts, memorials, trophies and pictures. For this purpose all persons are requested to favor us with any appropriate material in their posses- sion, either by gift or on deposit. THE LONG ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 47 It is also proposed to encourage lectures upon historic and kindred topics. Without further developing our plans and objects in this circular, we invite your attendance at the rooms of the Hamilton Literary Association, Hamilton Building, corner of Court and Joralemon streets, Brooklyn (the door nearest the corner), on the evening of Tuesday March 3d 1863, at 8 o'clock, to take measures to organize the society. Henry C. Murphy, Alden J. Spooner, John Greenwood, [►Kings County. John Winslow, Joshua M. Van Cott, , R. C. McCORMICK JR., ) ^ /-. ^ TT /-\ r Oueens County. Henry Onderdonkjr, ( ^ ' Henry P. Hedges, Suffolk County. At the time and place mentioned there was an unusual attendance of the educated and progressive citizens. Other meetings were held in the same place, which devel- oped a warm interest. The subject was debated in a be- coming spirit, the society was resolved upon, and appro- priate committees were appointed to prepare an aTct of incorporation under the general law and a constitution and by-laws, and provide the requisite rooms. The or- ganization was ultimately effected, and rooms were se- cured under the Hamilton rooms, on the corner of Court and Joralemon streets. The first election of officers took place in these rooms in May 1863, the following full board being elected: President, James C. Brevoort; first vice-president, John Greenwood; second, Charles E. West; foreign correspond- ing secretary, Henry C. Murphy; ' home corresponding secretary, John Winslow; recording secretary, A. Cooke Hull, M. D.; treasurer, Charles Congdon; librarian, Henry R. Stiles. Directors. — Charles Congdon, Roswell Graves, Thomas W. Field, A. C. Hull, M. D., J. M. Van Cott, Ethelbert S. Mills, R. S. Storrs jr., D. D., Henry R. Stiles, M. D., A. N. Littlejohn, D. D., Charles E. West, LL. D., A. A. Low, George W. Parsons, Alden J. Spooner, John Wins- low, S. B. Chittenden, Hon. John Greenwood, George A. Stephenson, Hon. Henry C. Murphy, William Poole, Henry Sheldon, J. Carson Brevoort, W. I. Budington, D. D., Elias Lewis jr., Theodore L. Mason, M. D., Henry E. Pierpont. Counsellors. — Kings County: Hon. John A. Lott, Francis Vinton, D. D., T, G. Bergen, F. A. Farley, D. D., Ben- jamin D. Silliman. Hon. James Humphrey. Queens County: William Cullen Bryant, Hon. John A. King, Richard C. McCormick, John Harold, L. B. Prince, Sol- omon D. Townsend. Suffolk County: Hon. Selah B. Strong, Hon. J. L. Smith, William S. Pelletreau, James H. Tuthill, Rev. E. Whitaker, Henry P. Hedges. Executive committee. — R. S. Storrs jr., D. D. (chair- man), J. M. Van Cott, Alden J. Spooner, E. S. Mills, George W. Parsons, Henry Sheldon, Simeon B. Chitten- den, Henry R. Stiles (secretary). The first annual meeting (second year) was held May 5th 1864, at which all the above officers were re-elected and the first annual report was presented, which exhibits a beginning of great vigor and hopefulness. In this re- port Dr. Henry R. Stiles, the librarian, says: " The nucleus of a library, with which we commenced our operations on the 4th of June last, comprised about 800 bound volumes and 1,000 unbound volumes and pamphlets. This collection, consisting chiefly of works relating to Long Island and American local history, family genealogies and newspapers, was contributed mainly by Messrs. J. C. Brevoort, A. J. Spooner, E. B. Spooner, Henry Onderdonk jr. and Henry R. Stiles. We then occupied two apartments, one used as a lecture- room; the other and smaller of the two was shelved as a library room, having, as we then modestly thought, ample accommodations for the next two years. We soon found, however, that we had quite underestimated the liberality of our friends; for so large was their sympathy, so active their co-operation, and so steady the influx of their gifts — never intermitting for a single day, it might almost be said for a single moment — that it soon became evident we should need more book room. At this point in our history (in September 1863) the receipt of nearly 1,100 valuable volumes from the trustees of the former City library fairly overwhelmed our slender accommodations, and obliged us to extend our borders by securing three large and commodious apartments adjoining the library." These claims for additional space, made by the natural history and museum department as well as the library, soon compelled the occupation of the entire third stories of the two large buildings which front on Court and corner on Joralemon street, comprising eight ample and convenient rooms, there being one reading room espec- ially for ladies, with cosey alcoves for books and appro- priate spaces for a large collection of valuable pictures. In these rooms the collections remained until removed to the society's own building. Even to this space had to be added, for the annual courses of lectures, the large lec- ture room of the Packer Institute, near at hand on Joral- emon street; and at times the Athenaeum, Atlantic av- enue and Clinton street. For additional space for the lectures the society for several years latterly has occupied the Second Presbyterian Church, Clinton and Fulton streets; and for some of the lectures of 1880-81 the beau- tiful auditorium of the First Baptist Church, Pierrepont and Clinton streets. The society having been greatly favored in the accum- ulation of the materials of history, a spirit sprung up among the members of individual and mutual labor on works of local history. The principal of these were: A History of Brooklyn, in three volumes, by Henry R. Stiles. The Wallabout Series of Memoirs of the Prison Ships, with annotations by Henry R. Stiles. Journal by two Labadists, Dankers and Sluyter, of a voyage to New Netherland from Holland in 1679-80. History of the Battle of Long Island, by Thomas W. Field. The Campaign of 1776 around New York and Brook- lyn, including particulars of the Battle of Long Island, by H. P. Johnson. Sketch of the first settlement of Long Island, by Silas Wood; reprinted with biography and address by A. J. Spooner. History of Brooklyn, by Gabriel Furman; reprinted with biography by A. J. Spooner, and notes by H. R. Stiles. Revolutionary Incidents in Kings, Queens and Suffolk, by Henry Onderdonk jr., of Jamaica. 48 GENERAL HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. Dr. Stiles resigned his office of librarian, and was suc- ceeded by George Hannah, who has served since July ist 1865. The collections in books and objects of art and curios- ity increased so largely as to make an irresistible appeal for the always contemplated building; and about three years ago the board resolved upon a determined effort. An active committee was appointed, which prosecuted the work with zeal and success. In November 1877 it was reported that $roo,ooo had been subscribed. Plans were solicited, and those of George B. Post, a New York architect, were preferred. Under his care the building has proceeded, and it was formally taken possession of, with appropriate ceremonies and speeches, Wednesday January 12th 1881, in the lecture room of the new build- ing. Samuel McLean was chairman of the building com- mittee. The number of subscribers to the building fund was exactly 300. The amount subscribed was $137,684. The cost of the building was $121,250. The three lots on which it stands cost in 1867 $32,500, on which $20,- 000 was then paid by subscribers, leaving a mortgage of $14,500; this was paid off on the delivery of the building, and a balance of $2,000 paid to the society. The society, like the Academy of Music and the Mercantile Library, has demonstrated the high-toned intelligence and liberality of the "City of Churches " in whatever concerns its re- ligious, moralor social welfare. Among the benefactors of the society (much too numerous to mention all, or even the leading contributors) should be named the two sisters Thurston, who gave $2,000 for a department of the his- tory of Egypt and the Holy I-and,' and Miss Maria Gary, who subscribed $2,500 to found a department of American biography. An unknown giver donated $2,000 as the nucleus of a permanent fund for increasing the library. The principal addition to this fund has been Mr. Seney's gift of $50,000, while he also gave $12,000 for immediate expenditure in books, and $25,000 for binding books. There are other invested funds for special departments. The society is now established and fully equipped in its new and superb building, Clinton and Pierrepont streets^ Brooklyn. The number of books in the library is about 30,000, with about an equal number of pamphlets. To these there has been a large addition of rare and valuable books in every department from the splendid donations made for such purpose. The museum and natural history department is ar- ranged in the spacious upper hall of the building, and is under the competent and energetic care of Elias Lewis jr., whose reputation as a naturalist and scientist is well known on the island. The collections have since the removal been furnished with appropriate cases for their full display. For all the privileges of the library, museum and lec- tures the fees are $5 for initiation and the same amount annually; life membership $100. There are over 1,300 annual and life members. At the last election for officers of the society the fol- lowing officers were chosen: President, Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., LL. D.; first vice-president, Hon. Henry C. Murphy, LL. D.; second vice-president, Hon. Joshua M. Van Cott; foreign corre- sponding secretary, Hon. Benjamin D. Silliman; home corresponding secretary. Rev. Charles H. Hall, D. D.; recording secretary, Chauncey L. Mitchell, M. D.; treas- urer, A. W. Humphreys; librarian, George Hannah; curator, Elias Lewis jr. Directors. — Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., LL. D.; Hon. Henry C. Murphy, LL. D., Samuel McLean, Alfred S. Barnes, Rev. Charles H. Hall, D. D., James R. Taylor, Henr y E. Pierrepont, A. Abbott Low, Henry Sheldon, Walter T. Hatch, Alexander M. White, Bryan H. Smith, Hon. Simeon B. Chittenden, Hon. Benjamin D. Silliman, J. Carson Brevoort, LL. D., Hon. Joshua M. Van Cott, Edwards S. Sanford, Rev. Alfred P. Putnam, D. D., Elias Lewis jr., Chauncey L: Mitchell, M. D., John S. Ward, George I. Seney, Joseph C. Hutchinson, M. D., A. W. Humphreys, Henry D. Polhemus. Councillors. — Kings county: Alden J. Spooner, Rt. Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D. D., Hon. J. S. T. Stranahan, Abraham B. Baylis, Peter C. Cornell, David M. Stone, Hon. John Greenwood, Rev. Frederick A. Farley, D. D., Prof. Darwin G.- Eaton, George L. Nichols, Rev. N. H. Schenck, D. D., Hon. Joseph Neilson. Queens county: Henry Onder- donk jr., William Floyd Jones, John A. King, Benjamin D. Hicks, Henry W. Eastman. Suffolk county: James H. Tuthill, Hon. J. Lawrence Smith, Hon. John R. Reed, Rev. Epher Whitaker, William Nicol, Samuel B. Gardiner. HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. CHAPTER I, THE INDIAN TRIBES OF SUFFOLK COUNTY- OF THE WHITE MAN. -THE ADVENT UFFOLK COUNTY covers about two-thirds of Long Island. In the opening of historic times the red man was lord of the domain. The Indians occupying it were divided into several tribes. The jurisdiction of the Ma- tinecocks extended a few miles into the north- western part. The Nissaquags joined them, oc- cupying the section about what is now Stnithtown. The Setakats or Setaukets held the land now forming the northern half of Brookhaven township, and were joined on the east by the Corchaugs, whose domain ran to the eastern extremity of the land on the northern branch. Shelter Island was owned by the Manhassetts. On the south side the Marsapeagues ran into the southwest corner and met the Secatogues, who occupied some part of what is now Islip township. The Patchogues held what is now the south half of Brookhaven, and were joined on the east by the Shinnecocks, lyhose land ran away eastward until it met the holdings of the superior tribe of the island, the Montauks. Above the mass of all these Indians there loomed three characters of such commanding power and superior qualities that they were accorded a higher position in the popular estimation than that of ordinary chiefs, a sort of royal triumvirate, in the persons of three brothers— Pogattacut, chief of the Man- hassetts, Wyandanch, chief of the Montauks, and Nowe- dinah, chief of the Shinnecocks. Of these the first held the title — though it would seem in a sense scarcely more than honorary — grand sachem of the island Indians ; while upon the second rested the more practical burden of duties and authority belonging to that title. The third might be called a sort of prince, a reserve, and per- haps an adviser, To realize the primitive condition of things, let us in- dulge imagination for a moment by looking in upon a scene of that period. We have wandered along the ocean shore, and listened to the hoarse song of the sea; our faces have felt the burning of the glancing sunlight, and we have breathed the strong salt air. There were no mammoth hotels, no villages of bathing-houses, no light-houses, no life-saving stations nor fragments of stranded wrecks. From the seashore coming through the interior we see no roads, no houses, no farms, but life is represented by the animals and birds that dart away from our approach, and by the fruit and flower-laden vines and shrubs that obstruct our movements. From an interior hill we can see now and then a little band of Indians following some obscure trail through the valley below, as they move from tribe to tribe upon some unknown embassy of friendship or of hatred. As we stand there and look across the val- ley we see where an Indian huntsman has secreted him- self hard by a little sheet of clear, fresh water, to watch for the deer that may come thither to drink. While we look, the sharp twang of the bow, the whirr of the death- dealing arrow and the commotion of the bushes where the game has fallen in its dying struggle tell us that he has not watched in vain. On the shores of the different bays we find the Indians congregating in villages. These locations are the most favorable to their convenience and habits of life. From the adjacent waters the fish and bivalves which consti- tute an important part of their bill of fare may be ob- tained, as well as the shells from which they manufacture wampum. The numerous springs of fresh water, burst- ing from the pebbled shores, afford them a bountiful sup- ply of that pure element. Approaching one of these rude settlements unobserved, we may take refuge for the pur- pose behind one of these old oaks which, unmolested by the destructive hand of what we call improvement, has braved the storms of heaven and the decay of time for 5° HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. more than a century; or, if we choose, hide ourselves within the hollow trunk of its neighboring ancestor, and from this covert watch the movements of the savages before us. They know nothing of the existence of any race of beings in the shape of men besides themselves. Their lives, habits, religion and language are unmixed — and shall we say uncorrupted ? — by contact with the white man. From the elevated position which we have taken we look down upon a quiet Indian village in the immediate foreground, located upon a low bluff, rising from the shore of a bay, which with its partially encircling belt of white sand and the verdure-clothed hills rising from it in beautiful undulations presents a landscape scene of sur- passing loveliness. Beyond the glimmer and sheen of the nearer waters the view takes in a glimpse of the wider expanse which loses itself in the hazy vail that obscures the distant horizon. On the placid water be- fore us half a dozen canoes are paddling lazily about, some containing a single Indian each, others with several, returning perhaps from some neighborly errand to another tribe, or different village of the same tribe, or it may be from some hunting or fishing expedition. There comes one canoe containing three half-grown boys and a quan- tity of long coarse grass or rushes which they have gath- ered from the bog just across the cove. They are bring- ing them to be made into mats by that group of women seated on the slope just in front of us. That rude man- ufacture in which they are engaged is to them one of the fine arts. But a much finer art is being practiced by that little company which you see to the right of them, hover- ing about that heap of shells. They are working out from the shells they have gathered, by a slow and tedious pro- cess, the details of which we are not near enough to see, those curious little beads which when strung are called wampum and are used for ornaments as well as for money. The facilities of the island Indians for obtaining desirable materials are superior to those of many living on the mainland; hence this is an article of export, as far as their relations with those tribes allow commercial transactions. Then there are others about that shell- heap busy opening clams which they have taken from the flats not far away, and which when opened they ex- pose in the sun until they are thoroughly dried. These dried clams are an important commodity with them, being in demand for home consumption and exportation as well. The great quantities of them found beneath waters here afford an exhaustless supply to the moderate wants and industry of the Indian. Back on the rolling elevation to the right of us and in the rear of the little cluster of wigwams lies their corn- field. In it six or eight women are at work pulling weeds and stirring the soil with some kind of rude implements. Just here on our left two men are digging clay from the side of the very hill upon which we stand. This clay they are forming roughly into some sort of primitive dishes, which they will presently harden by baking in a hot fire when all is ready. A little way from them three old mer> sit ghatting rather sociably for Indians, and pecking away at stone arrowheads which they are form- ing for the use of the younger and more active men, two of whom may be seen just now returning from the woods bringing with them the carcass of a fine fat buck which their skilled aim and the magic qualities of the old men's arrows have brought to the ground. Between the primitive pottery works and yonder clump of cedars which crowns the projecting bluff some men have rolled the trunk of a huge tree down from the higher hill where it grew, and are working perseveringly ■with fire and water and their stone axes digging it out and shaping it for a canoe. This is primitive ship-build- ing. As we gaze upon the scene before us, ruminating on the contrast two hundred and fifty years will bring, two Indian girls emerge from the cedar thicket and come running down the slope where these men are at work. With excited gestures they tell the men of something they have seen from the hill behind the cedars. We can- not hear their story, but from the manner of its recital and the absorbing attention the men are ready to give to it we are led to wonder what startling news the little girls have brought. Presently the men throw down their im- plements and start with quick and stealthy tread, follow- ing the lead of the girls as they retrace their steps until the whole party disappears among the cedars. Some women who were at work about the shell-heap and wigwams, having seen the movements we have just noticed, come over to where the old men are shaping ar- row points and inquire what strange story the little girls brought to the other men. The old arrow-makers are evidently the sages of the village, whose superior wisdom is recognized and sought whenever any mystery is to be solved. These old men are doubtless believed to possess some peculiar spirit charm, by which they can divine things not made known to ordinary minds. This peculiar charm invests their arrows with additional value. To them the women come for the solution of a mystery which troubles them, in regard to the movements of those men who have gone into the cedar-crowned mount. But the old men give them no relief. Then the returned hunters come over to the spot, and the small boys come running up from the shore with the same in- quiry upon their lips. The collecting group attracts the attention of the women out in the cornfield, and they leave their work to come and learn the cause of its gathering together Now nearly all the Indians of the village who happen to be anywhere within sight have joined the mystified company. As they stand there considering the proposition to send two swift-footed young men to find out what they are all anxious to know, the absent men and girls are seen emerging from the thicket and running down the hill and across the valley to where the wondering group is wait- ing. They are almost too much out of breath and over- come with excitement to say more than that they have seen a strange sight that they fear is an omen of danger. As they recover sufficient calmness and possession of their faculties they explain that away out on the great water THE ADVENT OF WHITE MEN. 51 something was moving, something like a great canoe, so large that a big tree was growing out of it, and a very great blanket was hung upon the tree. The wind blow- ing against it pushed the thing along. What it was they could not tell. Whether it was a great canoe with men in it, or some terrible monster of the sea, with wings, or a veritable delegation from the spirit world, good or bad, is a matter of speculation with them. They could not even tell which way the thing was trying to go, for it would move first m one direction, then in another, chang- ing its course so often that it was impossible to calculate 01) its intentions. While the men hold their listeners en- tranced with a" description of what they have seen, the thing itself shoots out from behind the cedar-crowned point into full view less than half a mile away. Its sudden appearance is greeted by an exclamatory chorus which we may interpret as'fbeing equivalent to " There it is!" and this is followed by a silent contemplation of the won- derful spectacle. The children cling tremblingly to their mothers, while the squaws crouch nearer to their hus- bands and the warriors, and all draw instinctively together as they press around the old men, who have thrown down their work and sit gazing in speechless wonder at the ap- proaching nondescript. Fear seizes every heart, and the breast of even the bravest warrior is troubled with deep misgivings as to what the end of this may be. There they stand, like so many statues, fixed and silent. Pres- ently the spell is broken, and one of the wisest of them explains this singular phenomenon to this effect: "The Great Spirit is angry, and is coming in his big flying canoe to look for some warrior who has done some wicked thing, or for some other man who has displeased him; but maybe he will not find the bad one here. If he wants any of us we must go. It is no use to try to run away from him, so we might just as well stay where we are." Another explains: "I don't think it is the Great Spirit. He don't travel that way. I think it is a great big canoe loaded with men. Maybe they are Pequots, may be Narragansetts, maybe Mohawks, maybe some other tribe from away off somewhere." " No," answers a third, whose clearer vision has allow- ed him to see the faces of those on board, " these are not men like us. They are pale-faced, — more than our dead fathers and brothers are. They must be spirit men. That is a more beautiful canoe than any man could make in this world. It comes from the spijit land where our fathers and our chiefs have gone. Its wings are white and beautiful. They are made of the skins of the ani- mals that are hunted in that world where everything is so white and good. Maybe the spirit men in the canoe are our friends who are looking for us, to take us in the beautiful canoe to the happy hunting grounds which they have found." But still the young warriors and hunters think, whatever may be the errand upon which the approaching party comes, it would be well to be ready for the worst, at least as far as the power to prepare for it is theirs. So their bows and their arrows are made ready and brought out with them to be at hand in case of need. But some of the squaws, though they have never heard the proverb " Distance lends enchantment," still have an instinctive conviction of its truth, and act on that conviction by re- treating beydnd the cornfield, as the approaching vessel anchors in the harbor and a small boat with a few men starts for the shore. Some of the Indians at the same time move cautiously down the slope. As the representatives- of two different races of men approach each other the new comers are able to convey to the Indians — by what sort of language who shall ever know ? — the impression that their mission is a friendly one; that they intend no harm to them, but that they have brought some very useful and curious things which they will show them, by way of friendly entertainment. And then they show them some of these wonderful con- trivances: knives of metal, so sharp that they will cut a sapling clean off at one thrust; awls, which the Indians at once see will be very useful for boring out the holes through their wampum beads; axes, bright and sharp and smooth^dged, with which they can cut a tree down more than ten times as easily as they can with their own clumsy tools; and other things which we cannot afford time or space to enumerate. The Indians are allowed to go aboard and examine the big canoe and all the appurte- fiance's'of civilization which the pale-faces have brought with them, until they are fairly intoxicated with curiosity and wonder. The setting sun that evening closed a day never to be forgotten by those who participated in the events which we have portrayed — the day which saw the meeting of two races of men upon the soil which had been, no one knows how long, the home of one, and was to be, no one knows how long, the home of the other. While the one should decrease the other should increase. The Indians had never learned to place any particular value upon land. They knew of no use for it but that to which they appropriated it. They saw no danger of exhausting its limits; so when the new comers told them that they wanted to come and live on their lands and be friends with them, and would- actually make them the owners of a certain number of these axes, awls, knives, blankets, coats and such things, which the Indians saw would be of great use to them, in exchange for some of their land, they were ready to comply with the terms and close the bargain. But when the new comers explained to them the mysteries of their fire-arms, and demonstrated their great utility, their wonder was excited to the high- est pitch, and when they were allowed to taste and ex- perience the mystical effects of that liquid substance which they afterward named " fire-water '' they doubtless felt that two things were needed to complete their happi- ness, and those two things were guns and rum. To obtain these they were willing to sell their birthright, if neces- sary. The great men of the tribe agreed with the new comers that they could have to cultivate and use as they saw fit all the land included within certain boundaries, indefinitely expressed and still more indefinitely compre- hended; and to make the ceremony more impressive, as HISTORY OF^SUFFOLK COUNTY. well as to establish some sign by which they would after- ward be reminded of the circumstance, they consented to make a mark upon the piece of dressed skin which the pale-faces had nearly covered with strangely confused and tangled lines and scratches. The territory upon which the new comers were allowed to set themselves down was inland from their own village and was of little value to them except for hunting grounds, and they had no idea that their occupancy of it would interfere much with the freedom of range over it for that purpose. So the Indians were rich and happy in the possession of those wonderful inventions which the strange people in the great canoe had brought them. CHAPTER II. A SKETCH OF PIONEER EXPERIENCE IN SUFFOLK COUNTY. , HE Strangers whose arrival we have noticed had come from a land of political, social and religious oppression far away beyond the sea — from the old England of Europe to the New England of America — to find a home for themselves and their posterity. Having visited some part of the mainland and thinking they might do better here, they had voyaged on until their eyes rested on the green hills of this beautiful island, where the " cloud " and " pillar " which seemed to guide them rested, and they felt that this was their promised land, their Canaan, their home. Having gained, as we have already noticed, the favor of the Indians and excited their curiosity by the exhibi- tion of various articles of convenience, the founders of the little colony sought and found a desirable spot for their occupancy, and negotiated with the Indians for its purchase. The plot thus selected was at some distafice from the Indian village. This selection was the mo§t desirable to both parties. It was the part of discretiofi for the whites not to mix too intimately with the natives. Their safety was probably better secured by being at a distance from the latter, and the natives were doubtless more ready to sell the land that lay remote from their own settlement and was consequently of little value to them. The way thus prepared, the hardy sons of toil, for such we must suppose the most of them were, set to work pre- paring, as best they could, the wilderness for their occu- pancy. The settlers must accommodate themselves to the circumstances by which they are surrounded, and at first a rude hovel made of sticks braced against a ridge- pole and covered with boughs, grass and dirt served the purpose of a house until some of the land could be broken up and planted with corn. Some spots were found sufficiently clear of timber growth to allow the work of planting to go on without serious hindrance. Then the seeds of other grains and vegetables appropri- ate to the climate were planted and cultivated. In the mean time, as their crops grew, they set about making themselves more secure against the possible depredations of their savage neighbors, and betteir protecting them- selves against the inclemency of the long, cold wintet which would soon be upon theni. Trees were felled and the logs brought together and laid up in a more perma- THE PIONEER'S HOME nent form of house. Grass from the neighboring mead- ows was placed upon the roof, and a chimney of sticks, " cob-housed " up and plastered on the inside with mud, answered to carry off the smoke, or a simple hole in the roof allowed its escape. Other houses were provided for the security and protection of the animals which had been brought from the English home or from their neigh- bors on the mainland. We may suppose that the settler, here during the long winter, when nothing could be done in the way of culti- vation, devoted his spare time to the felling of trees and preparing from them, besides firewood, material for fences to be made on the return of spring. As he is thus busied, plying his axe through the cold winter day, we wonder what musings fill the settler's mind. Perchance the soli- tude and dreariness and coldness of his surroundings press his very soul with overwhelming regrets that he has chosen this course for himself. Does he in his mind look back to the associations of the home that he left across the sea, with a yearning heart, and wish that it, with all its oppression and unhappy features were his again ? Does he reflect that the scenes of his early life, and the civilization of his fathers, which Were his own inherit- ance are as dead to him here as all nature seems to be ? If such reflections cross his mind they are followed, no doubt, by the thought that brighter days are in the future, and as time will shortly remove this cold mantle from nature, and bring new life to all things around him, so it will remove the social dreariness which surrounds him and bring new life, improvement and culture in its stead And the thought that he is helping to bring about sttch a change in this naturally fair island of his adoption. nerves him to fresh exertions, and the echoes come quicker and stronger and the crash of falling trees more frequent, as his strong arm prepares the way for the com- ing era of civilization. Within his humble dwelling the domestic fuTniture and implements are scanty and simple. A few conveniences brought from the "mother country," anil a few more simple and rude contrivances which the materials at hand enabled the settler to construct for himself, rhake up thei equipments with which the operations of household econ- omy are carried on. The plain and homely fare which comes upon the settler's board is in keeping with the plainness and rudeness of the' table upon which it is served and the appliances with which it is prepared. But he is a freeman, and he rejoices in that liberty. The thought nerves him to toil, and toil brings its own sweet reward, the keen enjoyment of rest and the comforts which his labor has earned. We venture to say no gaunt spectre of dyspepsia haunts him to bring to mind the sins that luxurious, living has prompted him to commit. With appetite sharpened by free "exercise, and the thought that his own exertions, aided by the genial in- fluences of nature, had_Qbtained the food before him, he could partake of that coarse fare with a relish that a king might envy. For the clothing worn by himself and his family he had at first to depend upon the supply brought from afar, but soon he manufactured from the products of his animals and his fields most of the garments worn by himself and the members of his family. Those garments, rude though they may have been, were sub- stantial and answered as well the original and necessary^ 54 HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. purposes of clothing as the most expensive fabrics of modem manufacture could have done. The rigor of the circumstances by which the settlers were surrounded was modified somewhat by the fact that the individual members of a company who came together were not far separated from each other in the location of their homes. This gave each the benefit of a small circle of associates of the same nationality and about the same social grade as himself. Of the tract of land which they had purchased of the Indians, a part was divided into home lots, to each settler a share, and other parts were enclosed in large common fields for cultivation or for pasturage of such stock as they might want to hold more more closely for immediate use. The greater part of their cattle were turned loose upon the open plains and hills to roam at large and find pasturage, while a man was employed to keep watch of them. As one season follows another the hand of improvement widens the area of culture and adds new features of at- traction, of beauty, and of convenience to the settlers' surroundings. His stock is multiplied by the annual in- crease. The cottage and the adjoining garden have been enclosed by a substantial fence. The cottage itself has been improved by a solid roof of slabs in place of the one of "thatch," glass in the window in place of parchment stretched across a frame which had previously done duty there; while beside the door a cluster of some climbing plants, trained no doubt by the careful hand of the set- tler's bosom partner, has reached the eaves and fills the ^ air with the fragrance of a thousand blossoms. Some medicinal herbs have been planted beside the house, and a few choice plants, brought from the home of her child- hood, are watched over by the young housewife and mother, to whom they are dear as mementos of those as- sociations between which and herself roll the ocean and a widening expanse of passing years. The settlers lived in harmony among themselves. Being mostly of a common nationality and having com- mon interests their sympathies were with each other, and they stood united. They worked much together, with and for each other, gathering the timber and enclosing their common fields for common cultivation or pasture, and standing firmly together in the employment of means for their protection and the general good. In this way there grew a uniformity of sentiment and habits, so strong that in some of the settlements the changes of more than two hundred years have not entirely effaced It. Standing thus unitedly, and having a well matured policy of kindliness toward the Indians, they experienced but little actual opposition ox trouble from them. As the years passed on the settlers found the country about them being taken up and occupied by other little colonies like their own, and a friendly intercourse soon sprung up between them. Roads were established for the accommodation of this intercourse, and frequent com- munication was also kept up with the settlements which had been made'upon the mainland. The vicissitudes of political fortune harassed them for many years with fre- quent changes in the government with which they were at different times either permitted or commanded to as- IMPROVEMENTS ON THE HOMESTEAD 55 sociate themselves. The institutions of religion and edu- cation were among the first to receive attention. In some cases the settlers were organized into religious bod- ies before they came hither, and brought with them their minister, while in all the settlements the minister of the gospel and the school teacher were the first professional men to find employment. As the organization of the little colony became more perfect, regulations which seemed necessary were from time to time adopted for the preservation of the public welfare. Fortifications were thrown up and organization effected, a series of well understood signals adopted for alarm, and every precaution taken against a possible sur- prise from the Indians. They also passed strict regula- tions concerning the dispensing of "fire water " to the Indians. A vigilant eye was kept upon the internal af- fairs of the body politic, which had now assumed the name of a town, and held as a sacred principle its own independence. The character of those who desired to join it was closely scrutinized, and if not approved they were not allowed to become residents. Taverns were es- tablished for the accommodation of temporary sojourners, but the selling of spirituous liquors was carefully restricted to certain limits. Mills were built on some of the streams. Stores, in which a few of the common necessities of life were kept, were by degrees established, and in their trans- actions a system of barter was adopted, very little money being circulated among the Settlers in that early period. Gradually the different trades and business occupations demanded by the times were introduced, the danger from Indian aggression became less, and the little colony set- tled down to the quiet enjoyment of a moderate degree of prosperity as a factor in the colony of New York. A hundred years have flown. The ideal gettlers, whose surroundings we have pictured, have been gathered to their fathers. Succeeding generations have added their measure of improvement to the accumulating aggregatei and the humble home of the pilgrim cottager has become the almost pretentious homestead of his descendant of the fourth generation. The rude environments of the wilderness have dissolved, and their places are occupied by the conveniences and adornments of progressive culture, aided by definite calculation and well directed skill. A new era of prosperity has dawned, and the outlook is encouraging; for the seven years of war which followed a long period of growing discontent on account of the op- pressive and unsatisfactory character of the colonial gov- ernment have passed, and the sunlight of peace is srriil- ing upon the land more brightly than ever before. After the release of the old homestead from the grasp of a foreign invader, which had been upon it during those dark and anxious years, its owner returned from his exile and speedily rebuilt the waste places. The fields and grounds which had been stripped to feed the fires of the enemy were refenced and a new barn was built in place of the old one, which had been nearly demolished by the same destroyer. An orchard has been planted, a more generous garden than ever before is being cultivated, and some attention is even paid to laying out grass-plats, beds S6 HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. and paths, and planting a few ornamental shrubs and flowers about the door. A saw-mill has been erected upon the brook, a substantial bridge spans the stream where the highway crosses, and in the opposite direction, exposed to view by the recent removal of the timber, may be seen in the distance the open door of the school- house. The earth is yielding her bounteous stores to the farmer's tillage. As he labors to harvest the generous burden from a new-mown hayfield he looks out upon the waving corn and his well-fed cattle quietly resting through the noon-day heat in the shade of the wood, and he feels that the smile of Providence is resting upon him. The era of prosperity made rapid strides. Under the benign influence of that government which Americans have come to regard almost as an inspiration, commerce, agriculture and arts of civilization flourished vigorously. The war of i8r2 cast but a passing shadow over the brilliant career of that government. The occasional out- breaks which occurred here and there within its borders and the few hostile engagements with other powers did not seriously hinder its grand onward progress. From the terrific civil struggle of four years into which it was plunged by the rebellion of 1861 it came forth " fair as the sun, clear as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners." We turn to notice the changes that have taken place about the " old homestead " since we took the last view of it. The house which then occupied the site has been torn down, and its place is supplied by a larger one, of more recent design and construction. Lattice-work, cornice and mouldmg, in their appropriate places add beauty to the symmetrical appearance of the whole. A nice picket fence marks the highway line. A modern- ized barn has been erected, and carriage houses, sheds and granaries surround it. A bright winter morning looks down upon the scene, and the farmer and his boys are busy taking care of the stock. A grocery peddlar from the village store — an adjunct of modern enterprise — is driving up to the kitchen door to Supply the family with whatever is needed in his line. A new bridge, an arch of stone this time, has been built over the brook, and just above it stands a mill which has been recently equipped with improved machinery. A cutter dashing down the road and a loaded sleigh from the mill give life to the foreground, while a railroad train, as it runs across the fields toward the station, half a mile away, animates the background. The forest which once ob- structed our vision has been cleared away, opening to view the scattered farm-houses, the little village and the old church in the distance. Through all these genera- tions the inhabitants of the country about here have regularly attended that church, and near it rest the re- mains of those who have passed away. The background stretching away to the distant hills is filled with cleared farms, whose thorough cultivation is increasing from year to year the wealth of their owners, and thus adding to the aggregate of the country's wealth and prosperity. CHAPTER IIL THE COLONIAL PERIOD — GROWTH OF CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS. HE towns of Suffolk county were all settled by English immigrants. It is the oldest county of purely English settlement within the limits of the State of New York. The first settler was Lion Gardiner, who purchased and begun to make improvements upon Gardiner's Island in 1639. During the following year settlements were made at Southampton and Southold. Easthampton was settled in 1648, Shelter Island in 1652, Huntington in 1653, Brookhaven in 1655 and Smithtown about 1663. The latter, however, was not recognized as a dis- tinct town until several years latter. Neither did Shelter Island exercise the functions of an independent town for several years after its settlement. Southampton, Southold, Easthampton, Huntington and Brookhaven were independent colonies until the new charter of Connecticut was granted (1662), by the provisions of which they became a part of that colony. They had it is true formed alliances with the New Eng- land colonies, but those alliances were for the protection and assistance of these towns and did not interfere with their independence. They were formed as follows: — Southampton with Connecticut in 1644, Southold with New Haven in 1648, Easthampton with Connecticut in 1657, Brookhaven with the same in 1659 and Huntington with the same in 1660. Title to the soil was acquired by the satisfaction of two claims — that of the Indians and that of the crown of Great Britain. Land was purchased of the Indians by com- panies and by individuals, in tracts varying in size, loca- tion and valuation as circumstances or opportunity hap- pened to suggest. Boundaries were indefinite, and it often happened that a tract of land was claimed by dif- ferent tribes or chiefs, so that double Indian claims had sometimes to be satisfied. The patent of James I. to the Plymouth Company in 1620 and that of the latter to Earl Stirling in 1635 comprehended this territory. After the death of Earl Stirling, in 1640, and that of his son a few months later, his heir surrendered the grant to the crown. The earliest settlers were required to recognize the rights of Earl Stirling, but after those rights were thus surrendered they had only the Indian claims to satisfy until the conquest of 1664, which threw the forts and government at New York into the hands of the English. In 1662-63 some plan seems to have been under con- sideration for a union of the eastern towns. Committees were appointed by Southold, Southampton and East- hampton to confer together and with the general court at Hartford in reference to the establishment of govern- ment here. Just what kind of a settlement of govern- SUFFOLK COUNTY AND THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. 57 ment was contemplated does not appear, but from the fact that a patent was spoken of we may presume that the organization of a colony here distinct from that of Connecticut, with a patent from the king, may have been designed. It is inferred that the price which these towns were to pay for this patent was about five hundred pounds sterling. But whatever may have been their plans, the discussion of which appears to have been continued with much earnestness into the early part of 1664, their fulfillment was doubtless defeated by the events of that year, when these towns were required to become a part of the colony of New York. Some of the easternmost ones strongly objected, and, though they were compelled to submit, afterward retained and asserted a decided affinity for the former allegiance. Upon the organization of the government under Rich- ard NicoUs, the first English governor, the boundaries of townships and individual holdings of real estate were more definitely settled, and to perfect their title they were required to obtain patents from the governor, for the granting of which he demanded such perquisites as he thought proper. As not all of the land had at this time been bought of the Indians, the governor himself in some instances satisfied their claim in the name of his Royal Highness, and then granted patent deeds for the same to the planters who might desire to purchase. Governor Nicolls's price to his subjects varied from one penny per acre for land where the Indian claim had been satisfied down to a rate of two shillings and sixpence for a hun- dred acres where the responsibility of satisfying the In- dian claims was assumed by the purchaser. A uniform code of laws was also given to each towni similar in general to those of other English colonies of that tim^. They contained many of those regulations for the suppression of Sabbath-breaking, drunkenness, profanity and slander so common among the enactments of the English towns before the conquest. The towns of Huntington, Brookhaven, Southold, Southampton and Easthampton were by the Hempstead convention of 1665 organized as the " east riding " of Yorkshire. The further judicial arrangements made at the same time are described on page 25. The popular impression that the practice of witchcraft should be suppressed by the strong arm of the law found but few opportunities here to develop itself. Two cases are on record, that of " Goody Garlicke," of Easthamp- ton, in 1657, and that of Ralph Hall and his wife, of Setauket, in 1665. The charges were gravely considered in high courts, the former at Hartford and the latter at New York, but nothing appears to have been developed worthy of punishment. At this time the principal products of the land were corn and cattle. These articles were no doubt exported to some extent. Tfie expenses of government were met by direct taxes upon the people. Each individual planter had his own portion of corn ground to cultivate, also his own allotment of meadows adjoining the bays, from which to cut grass, but the wide ranges of pasture land were used in common by the inhabitants of a town. When the Dutch recovered New York in 1673 the eastern towns of Long Island took the opportunity to seek again an alliance with the colony of Connecticut. The governor was able to induce Huntington and Brookhaven to continue their connection with the government at New York, but Southold, Southampton and Easthampton were uncompromising in their determination to return to their former associations. They implored the protection of Connecticut through a delegation of deputies, who were successful in their efforts, and accordingly these three towns were organized into a county under that jurisdic- tion. October 30th 1673 the Dutch governor, Anthony Colve, sent a commission to induce these towns to submit to his government. Visiting Shelter Island and Southold this commission found the people in no mood for sub- mission, but in arms ready for resistance. The Dutch authorities were so much incensed by this attitude that they threatened to reduce the obstinate towns by fire and sword. In execution of this purpose an armed force was sent down the sound to the east end. Connecticut in the meantime having sent troops to the assistance of the English towns, the Dutch forces were repulsed at every effort, and finally driven from the island. The colony reverting to the English in 1674, a new patent was issued by the king to the Duke of York, and he appointed Sir Edmund Andros to re- establish his gov- ernment. The three eastern towns of Suffolk, anticipating the demand which would be made upon them to resume allegiance to the duke's government, sent a committee to Connecticut to obtain a firmer establishment of their al- liance. In compliance with this request the general court of that colony, May 14th 1674, appointed commis- sioners to go over and settle the government of the county on a more permanent basis. Soon afterward the towns appointed a committee to petition the king to grant them authority to remain with Connecticut. The petition, if ever presented to the king, was not granted. Andros immediately set about organizing the govern- ment. The three eastern towns' in a memorial to him declared themselves to belong to the government of Con- necticut, with a determination " so to continue." Novem- ber 1 6th a requirement was sent to these towns to rein- state the former constables and overseers, under penalty of being declared rebels. The deputies who had signed the rebellious memorial — John Mulford, of Easthampton, John Howell, of Southampton, and John Youngs, of Southold — were also called to New York to answer for their action. These towns, being unable to retain their connection with Connecticut, were obliged to submit, with the other towns of the island, to the duke's govern- ment. The government reestablished under Andros was the same as before the Dutch interregnum. The towns were taxed to support the government at New York, and in making assessments a uniform scale of valuations was prescribed, for the principal items of personal property as well as real estate. Upon the basis of such valuations applied to the real and personal property of each town. 8 S8 HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. as enumerated by its officers, a tax of one penny on a pound was exacted. This arbitrary scale of valuations ran as follows : Improved land or meadow belonging to an individual owner, ^^i to an acre; oxen j£6 each ; cows four years old and over, ^5; three years old, ^£4 ; two years old, j£2 ics.; one year old, ;£i los.; horses four years old and over, ^^12; three years old, ;£8; two years old, ;^s; one year old, j^^'t goats, 8s.; sheep, 6s. 8d.; hogs, ;£i each. An assessment of ;^i8 on each head (probably each adult male citizen) was also added as the basis of a poll tax. These arbitrary valuations were probably much higher than the average of prices which the same property would at that time bring in the market. The representatives of Southampton in 1675 claimed as an notorious fact that the assessment of horses was unreasonably high. They hinted that those estimates of value belonged to former years, when the price of horses ruled higher than at that time; and petitioned that their assessment might be amended so as to value horses at _;£4, three-year-old colts at ^3, two-year-olds at ^2, and yearlings at ^1, which prices they declared to be still above the market. The governor appears to have conceded their petition. In 1675 the assessment of these towns was as follows: — Huntington, ^6,339; Brook- haven, ;^3,o65 i6s. 8d.; Southold, ;^io,93S los ; South- ampton, ^13,667; Easthampton, ^6,842 i6s. 8d. The figures show the comparative wealth and importance of these towns at that time. Applying the rate of one penny to the pound we find that these five towns paid into the New York treasury an annual tax of ^^170 4s. 2ji^d. The stock owned by the inhabitants of these towns numbered 4,297 cattle, 896 horses, 2,030 hogs, 1,262 sheep, and an inconsiderable number of goats. Individ- ual owners held 5,687 acres of improved and meadow land, besides that which was used in common for pastur- age. The planters of that period no doubt found cattle to be the most profitable kind of stock to raise. Proba- bly owing to the danger from dogs and other animals, sheep were not generally raised. Among the wild animals which the settlers found here were wolves, and the Indians it is said had a habit of catching the young ones and training them for dogs. The natural propensities of these animals made them still a terror to sheep. Efforts were made to exterminate them, and the early settlers adopted the practice of setting guns in the woods for them. This practice was countenanced by the town authorities but some of the towns passed requirements that such guns should be taken up by sunrise in the morning, so as not to endanger the life of any person who might be going into the woods about his legitimate business. Owing to these causes only now and then a man ventured to keep a flock of sheep, while nearly every man owned from ten to twenty-five cattle. Horses were also raised in consider- able numbers. It is probable that the average farmer of two hundred years ago on the soil of Suffolk kept a great- er number of horses, cattle and hogs than the average farmer on the same soil does at the present time. Some- thing had been done toward improvement in a few locali- ties outside the jurisdiction of either of the towns above named, but the figures of their taxable wealth probably would not materially swell those we have given. Such localities were Gardiner's Island, Shelter Island, Fisher's Island, the Smithtown patent and a few points scattered along the south side from Southampton to the boundaries of Huntington. An illustration of the high-toned moral sense of the people of that day is furnished by the following instance: One Saturday in the spring of 1682 Nathaniel Baker, of Easthampton, went to look for a stray ox. Not finding him readily he continued his search until the following morning, when he found the ox and drove him home. For this offense he was arraigned before the court of ses- sions and compelled to pay a fine of ^^9 3s. 3d., which included court charges, and wns further required to give bonds in the sum of ;^2o for his good behavior. When we consider the mint-tithing exactness with which the people of that day demanded obedience to the Sinaitic decalogue we are almost surprised at the language of the following postscript to a communication from the magistrates of Southampton to the authorities at New York in 1675: "Wee are greived to heare of ye loss of English blood by ye cruell damned pagans and very many are Sorry the Indians here have theire guns returned to them." The governors seemed to consider it their province to look after the spiritual as well as the temporal interests of their subjects. Hence we find them frequently advis- ing, instructing, admonishing or directing the people or their ministers in regard to their religious duties. In 167 1 Governor Lovelace, in a letter to Rev. John Youngs, of Southold, intimates that the privilege of exercising his religion after his own manner is an " extraordinary indulgence " afforded by the governor, and he exhorts him to administer the sacraments of the Lord's Supper and baptism of infants to those who desire it though they are not of his own church, and to otherwise exercise a liberal spirit toward those of other denominations or be- liefs; hinting that if he by refusing to do so should incur the displeasure of the governor he might be " Inter- rupted in ye Exercise of that Church ffunction, which he now so peaceably enjoys." In 1682 Governor Brock- hoist received a complaint from some of the inhabitants of Huntington that Rev. Eliphalet Jones refused to bap- tize their children; but on inquiry he found that Mr. Jones was willing to baptize the children of Christian parents, but that_ many of the inhabitants who solicited the ceremony were so loose in their conduct as scarcely to deserve the name of Christian. Mr. Jones promised the governor that in deciding who should be accepted as Christian parents he would " use his Endcauour to be as Moderate therein as possible." The governor instructed Justice Wood to allow the minister's salary account, which was considerably in arrears^ to be collected in the usual way, and concluded his letter with the follow- ing benediction to the people: "I wish you all to be & Continue in one faith and one minde and that you may bee Soe Bound & United togather in the Bond of Peace that all Jealosies and Dissentions may be TAXATION UNDER GOVERNOR DONGAN. 59 Removed which will be to yor Owne Comforts & Re- joyceing off Your affectionate ffriend." By action of an Assembly called by Governor Don- gan in 1683, the county of Suffolk was formed in place of the east riding of Yorkshire. The court of sessions was now organized, to meet twice a year, and to consist of the justices of the peace of the county. Three com- missioners were appointed in each town to constitute a local court, with power to decide cases not exceeding ^S value. This Assembly also provided for a revenue to the government from duties on imports as follows: Rum* brandy and distilled liquors, 4 pence a gallon; Ma- deira, Malaga, sherry and all sweet wines, 40 shillings per pipe; powder, 12 shillings a barrel; lead, 6 shillings per hundred weight; every gun or gun-barrel with lock, 6 shillings; general merchandise not otherwise specified, an ad valorem duty of 2 per cent.; all merchandise in- tended for the Indian trade, 10 per cent. The follow- ing merchandise was exempt: salt, brick, pan-tiles, coal, fish, sugar, molasses, cotton wool, ginger, logwood, " brasalette,'' fustic. West India hides, tobacco, bullion and plate. An excise was also placed upon all liquors sold in less quantities than five gallons, of 12 pence a gallon, except beer and cider, which were rated at 6 shillings .a barrel. An export duty was also laid upon all skins of animals sent away. In computing the value of skins and the duty thereon a whole beaver skin was taken as the standard or unit of value, and other skins were reckoned by it. The duty on a whole beaver was nine pence, and the same on its equivalent in any other skins, as follows: two half-beavers, four " lapps," three " drillings," ten " ratoons," four foxes, four " fishers," five cats, twenty-four " mees-catts," ten " mailers," twenty-four pounds of deer skin and the same weight of moose skin. The growth of Suffolk county, as well as the compara- tive importance of the different towns, may be inferred from the following figures, which show the ratable prop- erty of each town according to the returns of 1683: Huntington, ;^6,7i3; Smith's Towne, ^1,340; Brook- haven, ;^S,o29 ; Southold, _;^io,8i9 ; Southampton, ;^i6,328; Easthampton, ;^9,o75; total, ^49,304. There were also a few localities not comprehended in these valuations. Under Governor Dongan the towns were required, in order that they might be compelled to pay an increased quit rent, to take out new patents wherever the governor could find some patch of land that had not been bought of the Indians previous to the issue of a former patent. This appears to have been the case with Huntington, Brookhaven, Southampton and Easthampton. " The methods that I took," says the governor, "for the obliging them to this, was finding several tracts of land in their townships not purchased of the Indians, and so at his Ma'ty's disposal. They were willing rather to submit to a greater quit rent than have that unpurchased land disposed of to others than themselves." The Assembly met again in October 1684. At this session the court of assize, which had been held at New York annually, was abolished, and in its stead a court of oyer and terminer was created, to be held in each county once a year. The members of this court were one of two judges appointed for the province, and three justices of the peace belonging to the county. This court had power to hear appeals from inferior courts. The court of chancery was composed of the governor and his coun- cil, of which there were ten, and it was the supreme court of the colony. To it appeals might be taken from any inferior court. It is probable that the arbitrary character of the gov- ernment under James II. alienated the people of Suffolk county in a greater measure, if possible, than those in other parts of the province. As a consequence the people were not over scrupulous about paying the full amount of revenue to which the law entitled the government. The collection of the excise on liquors, etc., seems to have been "farmed out" to contractors in different sections. Governor Dongan about this time declared that in Long Island there is " great consumption of Rumm," and there- fore he refuses to accept the offer of ^52 a year for the excise thereof. He also found here considerable difficulty in collecting other items of revenue, such as the duty on imported goods. In the governor's opinion the people of the island, "especially toward the east end, are of the same stamp with those of New-England, refractory @ very loath to have any commerce with this place [New York] to the great detr'm't of his Ma'ty's revenue® ruin of our merchants.!' It was convenient for the inhabitants to have commerce 'with their New England neighbors, and they found a market in Boston for their whale oil and other products, and could there buy the goods from other countries which they desired. In order to accom- modate the people who desired to have commerce with Boston, so that they need not be obliged to come to New York to enter or clear, the governor allowed them a port and appointed Isaac Arnold collector. The people still persisted in smuggling goods from the eastern colonies, so that the governor and council abandoned the east end port and ordered that all trade should enter and clear at New York. To enforce that order, and to intercept any illicit passage of goods, he sent a bark with ten men on board to cruise about the east end. Even with this array of naval dignity it is to be doubted whether he was able to command a very full obedience to his order. The rigorous administration of the government at this time may have been the cause of an apparent suspension of immigration into the province. The governor in deplor- ing this circumstance declared that there had not twenty families from Great Britain come to this province in seven years, but on the contrary the inhabitants of Long Island — which by the way he declared to be the " best peopled place in this government " — were moving into the neigh- boring province. Events of importance now rapidly succeeded each other. The incursions of the French upon the Iroquois Indians. west of Albany excited the attention and alarm of the colony, and the government made preparations to sustain the Indians. August 20th 1687 the council 6o HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. ordered a special tax for this purpose, to be paid in before the ist of May following. The amount of this tax required of Suffolk county could not have have been less than ;^255. It was a tax of one and a half pence to the pound sterling. A few weeks later, September nth, the council ordered that every tenth man of all the militia of the province, except those who were out whaling, should be drawn to go to defend Albany against an attack from the French. On May 3d 1688 the council ordered another special tax for the use of the government in sustaining its alliance with the Iroquois and resisting the French. Suffolk was drawn upon by this call to the amount of ^£^434 los., which sum was just equal to that required of the city and county of New York. How fully these calls were met by the people of Suffolk we are not informed; but from the remoteness of the contested territory and the weakness and unpopular- ity of the government at that time it may be supposed that a full compliance was not yielded. Governor Dongan was succeeded in 1688 by Lieu- tenant Governor Nicholson, who had been appointed over the colony of New York by Edmond Andros, who had been commissioned as governor of all the American colonies. The following April brought the news of the succession of William and Mary to the throne from which James II. had been driven by the English revolu- tion. Encouraged by the demonstrations that followed the receipt of this news at Boston, where Andros had been seized and imprisoned by the people, the inhabit- ants of Suffolk county held popular meetings and sent a delegation to New York urging the people there to rise and take possession of the fort. This was done about the last of May, 1689, and the commission was so suc- cessful that the people almost unanimously rose, and, receiving no opposition from Nicholson, took possession of the fort and assumed the government, while the lieu- tenant governor, being no longer needed, left the prov- ince. The sequel of these movements was the assump- tion of the government by Jacob Leisler. Leisler com- missioned the following officers for Suffolk county : Justices — John Howell, Richard Smith, Samuel Mulford, Thomas Mapes, and Ebenezer Piatt; Matthew Howell, high sheriff. At a council meeting on the 17th of De- cember Captain Ebenezer Piatt, of Huntington, was com- missioned to administer the oaths of office to the other justices. On the i8th John Howell was appointed clerk of Suffolk county, and on the day following was commis- sioned as collector. On the 19th Leisler sent orders to Suffolk county coinmanding the people to proclaim Wil- liam and Mary their king and queen, with appropriate ceremonies at the chief town of the county, and " with all convenient speed." The following commissions wei-e issued to Suffolk county early in 1690: Richard Osborn, of Madnan's Neck, captain; John Hubbs, of Madnan's Neck, lieutenant; Joseph Sutton jr., of Mad- nan's Neck, ensign; John Willet, Easthampton, captain ; Thomas Wicks, Huntington, captain; John Wood, Hunt- ington, lieutenant; Thomas Hickly, Huntington, ensign. March loth 1690 Easthampton, represented by Samuel Mulford, Samuel Pierson and Thomas Chatfield, politely protested to Leisler that the people could not comply with the demands made upon them to accept his author- ity, because of their desire to rejoin Connecticut and the fact of their isolation; but they assured him that they in- tended keeping a walch on Montauk to give notice of the apprehended approach of their common enemy, the French, by way of the sea. On the 8th of April 1690 Leisler made a call for an assembly of representatives, two from each county. It appears that Suffolk refused to be represented in this. May 19th Leisler sent Samuel Edsall, one of his council, to secure the allegiance of Suffolk county to his govern- ment. It is probable that but a small measure of success attended this commission. In July 1690 an alarm reached Leisler that the French were cruising and com- mitting depredations about the east end of Long Island. He accordingly ordered Major Thomas Lawrence to conscript seventy men and go thither for the assistance and defense of Southold. This was followed by an ex- pedition of four vessels which he fitted out on the 23d and sent to cruise down the sound and about the east end as far as Block Island, with instructions to capture any French vessels they might find committing outrages there. What success attended this expedition we are not informed. Suffolk county did little or nothing to avert the overthrow of Leisler, who was arrested, tried and convicted of treason, and was executed on the i6th of May 1691. The government thereupon established by Governor Sloughter remained substantially the same for a period of more than four score years, which may be called the colonial period proper, and which closed with the advent of the American Revolution. The disturbed condition of affairs which had for so long a time prevailed was super- seded by comparative quietude and harmony. All grants, charters and patents previously issued were now confirmed. The Assembly was established again and was never afterward abolished. Courts were established, including in Suffolk the county court or court of common pleas, composed of a judge and the justices of the county, having cognizance of civil actions except where the title (O land was concerned, and final power in cases of value less than ;^2o; the court of sessions, composed of the justices of the county; and the justices' courts, wherein a single justice had power to decide a controversy to the amount of forty shillings. The justices were ap- pointed by the governor. Surveyors of highways, col- lectors, assessors and constables were elected by the people. Suffolk county had in ,1693 the following justices: John Howell, Samuel Mulford, Richard Smith, William Barker, Matthew Howell, Ebenetus (probably Ebenezer or Epenetus).I*latt and Thomas Mapes. Josiah Hobart was sheriff at the same time, and Isaac Arnold judge of the cominon pleas. These names are often met with in the history of those years, and they were doubtless among the leading men of their day, and the most of them probably held office for many years. At this time MILITIA— CHURCHES— HOME MANUFACTURES. 61 the militia of Suffolk consisted of nine companies of foot, numbering 533, commanded by Col. John Youngs. The following statistics of population of the different counties of the province of New York in 1698 will show by comparison the importance of Suffolk county at that time: Albany, 1,476; Ulster and Dutchess, 1,384; Orange, 219; Westchester, 1,063; Richmond, 727; New York, 4,937; Kings, 2,017; Queens, 3,565; Suffolk, 2,679. In the year 1700 the militia of the province numbered 3,182 men. At the same time the militia of Suffolk numbered 614 men. These composed a regiment and its field officers were: Isaac Arnold, colonel; Henry Pierson, lieutenant colonel; Matthew Howell, major. The ofificers of its town companies were as follows: The Brookhaven company — Samuel Smith, captain; Richard Floyd, lieutenant; Joseph Tucker, ensign. The Huntington company — Thomas Wicks, captain; John Wood, lieutenant; Epenetus Piatt, lieutenant. The Southampton company — Abraham Howell, cap- tain; Joseph Fordham, lieutenant; Isaac Halsey, ensign; John Lupton, lieutenant; Joseph Moore, ensign; Thomas Stephens, captain; Joseph Pierson, lieutenant; Jeremiah Scott, ensign. The Southold companies — Thomas Young, captain; Samuel Glover, lieutenant; Richard Brown, ensign; Jon- athan Harlow, captain; Mr. Griffin, lieutenant; Mr. Emmons, ensign; Thomas Mapes, captain; Joshua Har- low, lieutenant; John Booth, ensign. A company in Easthampton — John Wheeler, captain; Enoch Fithian, lieutenant; Cornelius Conkling, ensign. The names of the ofificers of one or two other com- panies in this town are not given in the list from which we copy, though it is intimated that such companies ex- isted. The first churches here were independent and after- ward became Presbyterian. The ministers were supported by the towns in which they officiated, and their salaries as early as 1678 were from ;^4o to ;^70 a year, with the use of a house and land. The Church of England did not find as auspicious a field here during the colonial period as it did in some other parts. One of its adherents in 1704 declares: " In Suffolk county, in the east end of Long Island, there is neither a Church of England minis- ter nor any provision made for one by law, the people generally being Independents, and upheld in their sep- aration by New England emissaries." The first churches of that denomination were established near the middle of that century. In 1677 the people of Huntington complained that the Quakers came into their meetings and by making boister- ous noises greatly disturbed them. The sect never gained any strength in this county. In 1756 there were only nine persons who registered according to law as Quakers, of whom six were at Islip, two at Huntington, and one at Brookhaven. Negro slaves had been introduced previous to 1678, and at that time they were valued at ^^30 to. ^35. The . institution of slavery grew moderately, and was maintained until after the Revolution. In the early part of the eighteenth century the dispo- sition to move westward, even from this newly settled section, began to show itself. Colonies from these com- paratively old towns then branched off from the parent stem and planted themselves in other parts of the prov- ince and in the neighboring provinces; as Governor Hun- ter in 1716 remarks: "Great numbers of the younger sort leave Long Island yearly to plant in the Jerseys and Pennsylvania." Among the products and exports of the country here as early as 1678 were corn, wheat, beef, pork, fish, timber, staves, horses, and whale oil. Considerable trade with the West Indies was carried on during the latter part of the seventeenth century. This consisted of wheat or its products, and staves, in exchange for rum, sugar, mo- lasses, and logwood. Whale oil and bon"e were the chief exports to Europe. The king and his representatives here used their pov.-er to prevent any trade with other countries than those belonging to the crown. The agents of royalty looked with a jealous eye upon any effort in the direction of manufacturing which the colonists here made. The governors frequently recom- mended the home government to encourage the produc- tion of naval stores as a means of diverting the attention of the people from manufacturing. In their view the chief object of the colonies was to serve the interests of England, and to this end it was necessary to secure their dependence upon the mother country by every possible means. The people, however, had other objects and am- bitions, and they steadily pursued them. Woolen manufacture was commenced here about the year 1700. A woolen cloth called serge was produced. This manufacture, commencing not only in Suffolk but in Connecticut, alarmed the agents of royalty, for they saw in it a strong factor of self-dependence for the colon- ies of America. Some idea of the way in which this matter was regarded by different governors at different points of the colonial period may be gained from the following ex- tracts. Governor Cornbury writes to England in 1705: "I am well informed that upon Long Island and Con- necticut they are setting up a woolen manufacture, and I myself have seen serge made upon Long Island that any man may wear. Now if they begin to make serge, they will in time make coarse cloth and then fine. * * * I hope I may be pardoned if I declare my opinion to be that all these colonies, which are but twigs belonging to the main tree [England], ought to be kept entirely dependent upon and subservient to England; and that can never be if they are suffered to go on in the notions they have, that as they are Englishmen so they may set up the same manufactures here as people may do in England; for the consequence will be that if once they can se3 they can clothe themselves, not only comfortably but hand- somely too, without the help of England, they, who are not very fond of submitting to government, would soon think of putting in execution designs they had long harbored in their breasts. This will not seem strange when you consider what sort of people this country is inhabited by." Caleb Heathcote, member of the council, writes to England in 1708; HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. " They are already so far advanced in their Manu- factoryes that J^^ of ye linen and WoUen they use is made amongst 'em, espetially the Courser sort; & if some speedy and effectual ways are not found to putt a stop to it they will carry it on a great deal further, & perhaps in time very much to the prejudice of our manufactorys at home." These were no doubt the views of extremists, who pictured the case in stronger lights than the facts would warrant. The alarm raised in them is hardly supported by the following statement of Governor Cosby to the Board of Trade in 1732: " The inhabitants here are more lazy and inactive than the world generally supposes, and their manu- facture extends no farther than what is consumed in their own families — a few coarse linsey woolseys for clothing, and linen for their own wear." Governor Moore in 1767 writes: "It does not appear that there is any established fabric of broadcloth here; and some poor weavers from Yorkshire, who came over lately in expectation of being engaged to make broadcloths, could find no employ- ment. But there is a general manufactory of woolen car- ried on here, and consists of two sorts, the first a coarse cloth entirely woolen, ^ of a yard wide; and another stuff, which they call linsey woolsey. The warp of this is linen and the woof woolen, and a very small quantity of it is ever sent to market. * * * "phe custom of making these coarse cloths in private families prevails throughout the whole province, and almost in every house a sufficient quantity is manufactured for the use of the family, without the least design of sending any of it to market. This I had an opportunity of seeing in the late tour I made, and had the same accounts given me by all those persons of whom I made any inquiry; for every house swarms with children, who are set to work as soon as they are able to spin and card, and as every family is furnished with a loom the itinerant weavers who travel about the country put the finishing hand to the work." The business of tanning and preparing leather for manufacture was begun as early as the latter part of the seventeenth century. From the first settlement the skins of animals were prepared for various uses, but the product could hardly be called leather. The manufacture of hats from beaver fur was begun about 1715. In 1732 this branch had received so much attention, and had grown to such threatening proportions, that it was considered necessary by Parliament to pass an act prohibiting the exportation of hats made here. The trade of hat-making grew to be an important one, and was carried on in shops in the different villages about the county. As then con- ducted the business has long since become obsolete. The farmers began to make cider from the fruit of their or- chards as soon as those orchards began to bear fruit enough for the purpose. Linseed oil began to be made from the product of the flax-fields about the year 1715. The first paper-mills were established here but a short time before the Revolution. The limitations of space compel us to draw this sketch of pre-Revolutionary Suffolk to a close. In doing so we may present the following table of population, which will show the growth of the county and its relative import- ance in comparison with the colony of New York at dif- ferent periods. The table includes whites and negroes, but not Indians. Dates, County of Suffolk. Province of New York. Dates. Coanty of Suffolk. Province of New York. 1650, * 500 * 2,500 1731, t 7,675 50,289 1673-* 1,600 * 7>S°o 1737, 7,923 60,437 1698, 2,679 18,067 1749, 9.384 73,448 i7o3> 3.346 20,749 1756, 10,290 96,765 1723, 6,241 40,564 1771, 13.128 168,007 * These figures are the result of careful estimates based upon imper- fect data. + In 1731 there were 715 Indians reported in the county. CHAPTER IV. SUFFOLK COUNTY IN THE REVOLUTION VS'ASHINGTOn's TOUR — THE WAR OF l8l2. T would be difificiilt to name any date as the point in the history of this county when the revolutionary spirit began to rise. It was like the priesthood of Melchisedec, without beginning of days or end of life. The people of Suffolk never rested easy under the yoke of royalty. The heavier that yoke pressed the more recalcitrant they grew. A general convention of com- missioners from the colonies of New York, New Hamp- shire, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland and Pennsylvania was called to meet at Albany in June 1754 to make presents to and confirm peace and friendship with the Indians of the Six Nations. During the deliberations it was agreed that a union of all the colonies was necessary for their security and defense. A committee of one from each colony represented was ap- pointed to draft a plan for such a union. In this com- mittee William Smith, of Suffolk county, represented New York. The plan decided upon by that convention may be considered the germ out of which developed in time the union of the States. In the movements inaugurating the Revolution the people of Suffolk were not behind their neighbors in man- ifestations of patriotism and interest in the cause of American liberty. The different towns and districts of the county held special meetings and passed resolutions expressing their readiness to take part in resisting op- pression, and their sympathy with their friends of Boston. Committees were appointed to represent them in conven- tions of the county, to devise measures for the public welfare and to arrange for united action in executing those measures. " Committees of correspondence " for Suffolk met at Riverhead November 15th 1774, and passed the following expression: "Voted, That we recommend it to the several towns in this county to set forward a subscription for the employ- ment and relief of the distressed poor in the town of Boston, to be collected in such manner as the committees REVOLUTIONARY REPRESENTATIVES FROM SUFFOLK. 63 in each town shall judge proper, to be in readiness to be forwarded early next spring. ''Voted, That John Foster have the care of procuring a vessel to call at the several harbors in this county, to re- ceive and carry the above donations to Boston. "Voted, That we fully approve of the proceedings of the late Continental Congress, and recommend it to the committees of the different towns to see that the associa- tion by them entered into on behalf of themselves and their constituents be strictly observed. " Ezra L'Hommedieu, Clerk." February 23d 1775 the committees of observation ;:=::::Sn.-i-''nting the people of Huntington, Smithtown, Islip ^na^SDuthampton, with some of the principal inhabitants of Brookhaven, met at Smithtown and passed resolutions approving the course of the late Continental Congress, and advising the representatives of the county in the Assembly to join in the appointment of delegates to the Continental Congress which was to be held in Philadel- phia in May following. The Assembly did not make the appointment of such delegates, and a provincial conven- tion was called for the purpose. A meeting of the com- mittees of the several towns was held at Riverhead April 6th 1775, and appointed Col. William Floyd, Col. Nathaniel Woodhull,_,Col. Phineas Fanning, Thomas Tredwell and John Sloss Hobartto represent the county in this convention. The colonial Assembly having adjourned for the last time on the 4th of April, a Provincial Congress of New York was convened on the 22nd of May. In this con- gress Suffolk was represented by Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra L'Hommedieu, Thomas Wickham, James Havens and Selah Strong. The people were recommended to ap- point county and town committees, for the management of the government, which was done, and thus the govern- ment was wrested from the hands of English royalty. These representatives of the people administered affairs until the organization of the State government in 1777. During the summer of 1775 several British vessels were prowling about the east end of the island. These occasionally carried off stock from the pasture fields of Montauk. In reply to a petition from the people of Southampton and Easthampton Congress gave direction for troops to be sent to guard the stock. Two com- panies raised in the neighborhood for service in the common cause were allowed to remain for that purpose. On the 7th of August thirteen sail of British shipping were seen off Orient Point. To be prepared against a raid upon the stock about the east end, which seemed imminent, four companies from Gen. Wooster's com- mand at Harlem were ordered thither under Col. Phineas Fanning, and Congress voted two hundred pounds of powder to the order of Ezra L'Hommedieu and John Foster. Notwithstanding these precautions it is said that about one hundred cattle and nearly three thousand sheep were taken from Fisher's and Gardiner's Islands. The second Provincial Congress met December 6th 1775, and the third in May 1776, and in both bodies Suf- folk was represented by John Sloss Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, Selah Strong, Nathaniel Woodhull, Ezra L'Hommedieu, David Gelston, Thomas Wickham and Daniel Brown. The militia of Suffolk numbered at this time a little more than two thousand men. Companies of minute- men were organized, and preparations were made for the best possible defense of the county. January 5th 1776 Congress sent 1,000 pounds of powder to the Huntington Committee. In April the force of continental troops on guard at the east end was increased to three com- panies. Prominent among the illustrious signatures attached to the immortal Declaration of Independence is that of William Floyd, a native and resident of Suffolk, and one of the four delegates from the colony of New York to that Congress which adopted the Declaration. The fourth Provincial Congress of New York met on the 9lh of July 1776. Suffolk was represented in it by Nathaniel Woodhull, Ezra L'Hommedieu, John Sloss Hobart, Burnet Miller, Thomas Dering, David Gelston, William Smith and Thomas Tredwell. They were author- ized by their constituents to " establish a new form of government," which that Congress immediately set about doing, and completed the following year in the or- ganization of the State government. Toward the latter part of July the independence of the American colonies was proclaimed in the different towns and villages of Suffolk, and resolutions of the Provincial Congress approving the action of the Continental Con- gress were read amid enthusiastic demonstrations of the people. At Huntington an effigy of George III., wear- ing a wooden crown stuck full of feathers, was hung upon a gallows, and having been partly filled with powder was blown to pieces and burned. The " union " and the words " George III." were cut from the flag which had been waving from the liberty-pole, and burned with the effigy in presence of a parade of the people. It was well perhaps that the people of Suffolk did not know the fate that awaited them; for such a knowledge might have influenced them to be less decided in their expression of patriotism, and had Suffolk faltered in that critical moment who can tell how disastrous the result might have been to the destinies of the country ? It is not all vanity that prompts Suffolk county to claim a leading influence and position in the movements of that eventful period. Besides the influence which Mr. Floyd wielded among his fifty-five associates in the famous old hall at Philadelphia, the representatives of Suffolk stood in the front ranks of the Provincial Congress of New York, while one of their number. General Nathaniel Woodhull, was president of that body all through the most trying days of its existence. The tidal wave of enthusiasm which swept over the country after the declaration of independence was quickly followed by the disastrous battle of Long Island, on the 27th of August, by which the British troops gained full possession of the island. Suffolk in company with her sister counties now lay at the mercy of the enemy. On 64 HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. receiving news of the engagement at Brooklyn and its unhappy result the few companies of regular troops within the county withdrew to Connecticut and the militia disbanded and went to their homes. August 29th the English general, William Erskine, to whose care the east- ern part of Long Island had been committed, issued a proclamation to the people of Suffolk, enjoining them to use their utmost efforts to preserve the peace of the county, directing all men acting under authority of the rebels '' to cease at once, requiring all men in arms to surrender, exhorting all persons to assist his Majesty's forces by furnishing cattle, wagons, horses, and whatever else lay in their power to furnish; and intimating that if such requirements were not immediately complied with he should march into the county and "lay waste ihe property of the disobedient." Civil government in this county was now suspended. The various town and county committees were dissolved and the members of them compelled to revoke their former actions and disclaim all allegiance to Congress and the cause of American independence. Many of those who had been most active in the recent demonstrations left their homes and fled beyond the lines of British oc. cupancy, some to Connecticut and some to other parts of the country, while some were seized and thrown into prison. Their property was appropriated without re- serve to the use of the conquerors, or wantonly destroyed by the lawless soldiery. Presbyterian churches were used for barracks or stables, and the resting places of the dead were shamefully desecrated, graves being leveled and tombstones removed or broken to pieces. Levies were made upon the inhabitants for grain and other forage which generally required all that the farmers had to spare, frequently much more, and sometimes their whole supply. The people were compelled to take the oath of allegiance to the king. In October a testimonial of that nature petitioning for the restoration of the county to "his Majesty's protection and peace," addressed to the king's commissioners, was circulated through the county and, probably through some delusive representation, six hundred and fourteen persons were induced to sign it. During the war British troops were stationed in dif- ferent parts of the county wherever the best fields for plunder invited, committing such acts of violence upon the property or persons of the people as their unre- strained propensities suggested. Their numbers were in- creased by enlistments of tories. But not alone from the British troops did the inhabitants suffer. They were fre- quently plundered by mercenary Whigs and tories as well, who sometimes made raids upon the island from the Con- necticut shore. From these predatory attacks neither Whig nor tory was exempt, nor was there any redress for the sufferers. Mr. Onderdonk in his " Revolutionary Incidents " says: — " In Suffolk county the ilicit trade forms a striking feature. This consisted in buying imported goods in New York (with the professed design of retailing them to faithful subjects in the county), and then carrying them down the island to secret landing places, whence they were sent across the sound in whaleboats, under cover of night, and exchanged with the people of Connecticut for provisions and farmers' produce, of which the British army stood in great need. Though this trade was pro- hibited bybothAmerican and British authority, yet the cun- ning of the smugglers (who often acted as spies) generally eluded the sleepy vigilance of government ofificials. This trade was protected by the sparse population of Suffolk county, the extensive sea border, the absence of a British armed force, and the proverbial insincerity of the people in their professed allegiance." In the foregoing we have given a general idea of the condition of the county during those seven years of mili- tary rule. Details of particular engagements and affrays will be found in other parts of the work. On the organi- zation of the State government in 1777 provision was made for the representation of those parts of the State situated similarly to Suffolk by men who had moved from their homes and were temporarily staying outside the territory occupied by the British. This county was represented in that way in the State Legislature un- til the withdrawal of the British troops in the early part of 1783 closed the long reign of confusion and insecurity and allowed the people to reorganize the machinery of civil government. The Whigs who had left their homes and property at the beginning of the war now returned and began the: work of rebuilding the places that had been laid waste. The condition in which they found their property need not be described. It was what may readily be imagined as the result of seven years' occupancy by a lawless mili- tary force and frequent raids of plunderers from abroad. In view of the fact that Suffolk had been unable to join actively in carrying on the war, an act of the State Legis- lature passed May 6th 1784 imposed upon this county a tax of ;^io,ooo to reimburse other parts of the State in the extra expense incurred by them for that purpose. The property of a few of the most prominent opposers of the American cause was confiscated and sold. Among the representatives of New York in the Continental Con- gress during its existence were the following from Suffolk county: William Floyd, 1774 to 1782; Ezra L'Homme- dieu, 1779 to 1783; Zephaniah Piatt, 1785. June 17th 1788 a convention met at Poughkeepsie to adopt the constitution of the United States. In that convention Suffolk was represented by Henry Scudder, John Smith, David Hedges, Jonathan N. Havens and Thomas Tred- well. The war ended and the State government in suc- cessful operation the people breathed the air of freedom, their industries revived, and an era of prosperous growth began. During the presidency of General Washington he made a tour into Suffolk county, and his impressions were noted down in his diary, from which the following extract is taken: "April 2 1 St 1790. — We dined at Captain Zebulon Ketcham's, Huntington South, which had been a public house, but now a private one; that is, received pay for what is furnished. This house was about 14 miles from South Hempstead, and a very neat and decent one. THE WAR OF 1812— COURTS AND EXECUTIONS. 6S After dinner we proceeded to a 'Squire Thompson's, such a house as the last; that is, one that is not public, but will receive pay for everything it furnishes in the same manner as it it was. The road on which I passed to-day and the country here is more mixed with sand than yesterday, and the soil is of inferior quality; yet with manure, which all the corn ground receives, the land yields on an average 30 bushels to the acre, often more. Of wheat they do not grow much on account of the fly, but the crops of rye are good. "April 22nd. — About 8 o'clock we left Mr. Thomp- son's, halted awhile at one Green's, distance 11 miles, and 'dined at Hart's tavern, in Brookhaven township, five miles farther. To this place we traveled on what is called the South road, but the country through which it passed grew more and more sandy and barren as we trav- eled eastward, so as to become very poor indeed; but a few miles further eastward the land took a different com- plexion, as we were informed. From Hart's we struck across the island for the north side, passing the east end of bushy plains and Coram, 8 miles; thence to Setauket, seven miles more, to the house of Captain Roe, which is tslerably decent, with obliging people in it. The first five miles of the road is too poor to admit inhabitants or cultivation, being a low, scrubby oak, not more than two feet high, intermixed with small and ill-thriving pines. Within two miles of Coram there are farms, but the land is of indifferent quality, much mixed with sand. Coram contains but few houses. From thence to Setauket the soil improves, especially as you approach the sound, laut it is far from being of the first quality, still a good deal being mixed with sand. The road across from the south to the north side is level, except a small part south of Coram, but the hills are trifling." The war of 181 2 gave Suffolk comparatively little trouble beyond some anxious apprehensions of danger that threatened. In 1813 a British fleet occupied Gar- d'iher's Bay, and from their headquarters there made at- tacks upon the shipping at different points. The partic- ulars of these attacks will be found elsewhere. A draft wa's made upon the militia for a three months' service at Sag Harbor, where the danger of an attack seemed great- est. Several frigates cruised the sound and harassed the trading sloops plying between the ports along the north shore of the county and New York. This interfered seriously with the shipping of cordwood from the forests of the county to the New York market, which was in those days a business of considerable importance. The searcity of wood in the market stimulated prices, and those who were daring enough to undertake the risk and fortunate enough to reach the city with a load of wood received a price two or three times as great as they or- dinarily expected for it. The cruising frigates were on the alert, and their diligence was every now and then re- warded by a prize. Some of the vessels thus captured werfe held for a ransom, on receipt of which they were returned to their owners, and others were burned. iiiovtgh by this means some property was destroyed there were during the whole war but few if any lives lost. With the events of these years closed the war history in which this county was directly concerned until the outbreak of the rebellion of 1861. Nearly fifty years of liiiinterrupted peace gave Suffolk an era of tranquil prosperity, during which her resources were developed. her industries promoted and her culture encouragingly ad- vanced. During those years many thousand acres of valu- able land were improved, the great interests of ship-build- ing and the whale-fishery rose and flourished, the rail- road and telegraph were introduced, villages were built up and the population increased more than a hundred per cent. These matters will receive particular atten- tion on other pages. CHAPTER V. CIVIL HISTORY OF THE COUNTY — STATISTICS OF POPU- LATION. HE courts of this county were held at Southold and occasionally at Southampton until the year 1729, when, a court-house having been erected at Riverhead, they were removed to that place, where they have been held ever since. The old building, which was abandoned on the building of a new church at Southold, was bought by the county, and used as a prison until the court-house was built at Riverhead. This building answered both as court-house and jail, and the first session of court was held in it March 27th 1729. About a century afterward it was repaired and a new jail building erected. A new court-house and jail were built in 1854. The county offices are also located at Riverhead. The record of capital punishment in this county is as follows: John Slocum was executed September 4th 1786, for horse-stealing. The readiness with which the death sentence was passed scarcely a hundred years ago is vividly shown in this case, wherein a man gave his life in expiation of a crime for which in these days he would hardly be arrested. It is said that he only took the horse from its owner's stable and after riding it ten or twelve miles let it go. William Erskine (colored) was executed October 5th 1791, for rape; William Enoch January 12th 1835, for the murder of his wife; John Hallock July 2nd 1836, for the murder of a colored woman; Samuel Johnson July 6th 1841, for the murder of his wife; Nicholas Behan December 15th 1854, for the mur- der of James Wickham at Cutchogue June 2nd of the same year. From the earliest period each town took care of its own poor. The former method with some towns was to " farm out " the keeping of those dependent upon public charity to those who would take care of them at the least expense to the town. This system was often attended with inhuman abuses, and the system of providing a house for the care of the poor under the supervision of the town authorities was adopted. In 1870 the towns agreed to try the experiment of keeping their poor in a county- institution. -Accordingly a farm was purchased at Yap- hank and buildings were erected upon it in 1871, at a total expense (including the site) of about $70,000, 9 66 HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. Additions have since been made to both grounds and buildings. The office of coivnty superintendent of poor, though not a new one, having been brought into a position of increased importance by the inauguration of the county almshouse and its accompanying system of keeping the poor, we give below the list of those who have filled that office since that time. The board of superintendents, to whose charge the general oversight of the institution falls, consists of three men, holding triennial terms, one being elected every year. The dates given show the beginning of the term for which each was elected : William J. Weeks, 1869; Edward Dayton, 1870; Stephen R. Williams, 1871, 1874, 1877, 1880; Edward L. Guard 1872; E, Hampton Mulford, 1873; Thaddeus H. Corwin, 1875; William T. Hulse, 1876, 1879; J. Madison Wells 1878, 1881. In the following lists are contained the names of those who have held important offices in the county at differ- ent periods from its organization down to the present time: Judges under the Colonial Government. — 1723, Henry Smith, Richard Floyd, Benjamin Youngs; 1729, Henry Smith, Beniamin Youngs, Samuel Hutchinson; 1738, Henry Smith, Joshua Youngs, Thomas Chatfield; 1752, Richard Floyd, Elijah Hutchinson, Hugh Gelston; 1764, Richard Floyd, Samuel Landon, Hugh Gelston; 1771,1775, William Smith, Samuel Landon, Isaac Post. County Judges since the Revolution. — Selah Strongi 1783-93; Ebenezer Piatt, 1793-99; Abraham Woodhull. 1799-1810; Thomas S. Strong, 1810-23; Joshua Smithi 1823-28; Jonathan S. Conklin, 1828-33; Hugh Halsey. 1833-47; Abraham T.Rose, 1847-52; William P. Buffett, 1852-56; Abraham T. Rose, 1856, 1857; George Miller. 1857; J. Liwrence Smith, 1858-66; Henry P. Hedges. 1866-70; John R. Reid, 1870-74; Henry P. Hedges, 1874- 80; Thomas Young, 1880 to the present time. District Attorneys {vir\Atx 'Cat constitution of 1846). — William Wickham, 184857, 1876-79; J. Lawrence Smith, 1857-59; George Miller, 1859-62; Henry P. Hedges, 1862-66; Samuel A. Smith, 1866, 1867; James H. Tuthill, 1867-76; Nathan D. Petty, 1879 to the present time. County Clerks. — Henry Pierson, 1669-81; John Howell jr., 1681-92; Thomas Helme, 1692-1709; Henry Smith, 1709-16; C. Congreve, 1716-22; Samuel Hudson, 1722- 30; William Smith, 1730-50; William NicoU, 1750-75; William B. Bevans, 1783, 1784; Ezra L'Hommedieu, 1784-1810; Hull Osborn, 1810-12; Charles H. Havens, 1812-20, 1822-29; Charles A. Floyd, 1820-22; Joseph R. Huntting, 182938; George S. Phillips, 1838-40; Samuel A. Smith, 1840-44; J. Wickham Case, 1844-50; Benjamin T. Hutchinson, 1850-53; James B. Cooper, 1853-56; Wilmot Scudder, 1856-59; Charles R. Dayton, 1859-62; John Wood, 1862-68; Stephen C. Rogers, 1868-71; George C. Campbell, 1871-77; Orville B. Ackerly, 1877 to the present time. County Treasurers. — Nathaniel Smith, 1749-64; Josiah Smith, 1764-86; Selah Strong, 1786-1802; William Smith, 1802, 1803; Nicoll Floyd, 1803-34; William Sidney Smith, 1834-48; Harvey VV. Vail, 1848-52; J. Wickham Case, 1852-55; Lester H. Davis, 1855-58; Elbert Carll, 1858-61; Francis M. A. Wicks, 1861-64; Jarvis R. Mow- bray. 1864-67; Joseph H. Goldsmith, 1867-69; Stephen B. French, 1869-76; Joseph H. Newins, 1876 to the present time. Sheriffs have taken office as follows: Hugh Gray, 1702; John Brush, 1710; Daniel Youngs, 1718; Samuel Dayton, 1723; William Sell, 1728; Joseph Smith, 1730; Jacob Conklin, 1734; Thomas Higbe, 1740; George Munson, 1748; Thomas Wicks, 1785, 1791; Silas Halsey, 1787; Phineas Carll, 1793, 1799; John Brush, 1797; Josiah Reeve, 1803, 1808, 1811, 1813; Phineas Smith, 1807; Benjamin Brewster, 1810, 1812; Nathaniel Conklin, 1814; Samuel Carll, 1819; Abraham H. Gardiner, 1821, 1829; Samuel Smith, 1826; Richard W. Smith, 1832; Silas Horton, 1835; Samuel Miller, 1838; David C. Brush, 1841; Henry T. Penny, 1844; David R. Rose, 1847; John Clark (3d), 1850; Samuel Phillips, 1853; George F. Carman, 1856; Stephen J. Wilson, 1859; Daniel H. Osborn, 1862; John Shirley, 1865; George W. Smith, 1868; J. Henry Perkins, 1871; Egbert G. Lewis, 1874; George VV. Cooper, 1877; Robert L. Petty, 1880. Representatives in the Colonial Assembly. — Henry Pierson, 16911701; Matthew Howell, 1691-1705; John Tuthill, 1693-98; William Nicoll, 1702 23; Samuel Mulford, 1705-26; Epenetus Piatt, 1723-39; Samuel Hutchinson, 1726-48; Daniel Pierson, 1737-48; Eleazer Miller, 1748- 69; William Nicoll (2nd); 1739-69; William Nicoll (3d), 1768-75; Nathaniel Woodhull, 1769-75. Representatives in the State Assembly. — 1777 to 1783 — Burnett Miller, David Gelgton, Ezra L'Hommedieu, Thomas Tredwell, Thomas Wicks. 1784 to 1785 — Da- vid Gelston, Thomas Young", Ebenezer Piatt, John Smith, Jeffrey Smith. 1786 — Jonathan N. Havens, Da- vid Hedges, Thomas Youngs, Jeffrey Smith, Nathaniel Gardiner. 1787 — Jonathan N. Havens, David Hedges, Daniel Osborn, John Smith, Caleb Smith. 1788 — Jona- than N. Havens, John Smith, Daniel Hedges, Daniel' Osborn. 1789— Jonathan N. Havens, David Hedges, Nathaniel Gardiner, John Smith, Henry Scudder. 1790 — Nathaniel Gardiner, Henry Scudder, John Smith, Jona- than N. Havens, Jared Landon. 1791 — Jonathan N. Havens, John Gelston, John Smith, Philetus Smith, Thomas Wickham. 1792 — Jonathan N. Havens, John Smith, John Gelston, Henry Scudder. 1793 — Jonathan N. Havens, John Smith, Ebenezer Piatt, John Gelston. 1794 — Jonathan N. Havens, John Smith, John Gelston, Joshua Smith jr. 1795 — Jonathan N. Havens, John Gelston, Isaac Thompson, Joshua Smith jr. 1796 — Abraham Miller, Silas Wood, Jared Landon, Joshua Smith jr. 1797— The same. 1798— Abraham Miller, Silas Wood, Josiah Reeve, John Howard. 1799 — John Smith, Jared Landon, Nicoll Floyd, Joshua Smith jr. i8oo— Silas Wood, John Smith, Jared Landon, Nicoll Floyd. 1801— Nicoll Floyd, Mills Phillips, Abraham xMiller, Jared Landon. 1802— Israel Carll, Jared Landon, Abraham Miller, Tredwell Scudder. 1803— Israel Carll, Josiah Reeve, Jonathan Dayton. 1804 — David Hedges,' Israel Carll, Sylvester Deering. 1805— Jared Landon', Israel Carll, Jonathan Dayton. 1806— jared Landon, Israel Carll, David Hedges. 1807— Israel Carll, David Hedges, David Warner. 1808— Israel Carll, Jonathan Dayton, Thomas S. Lester. 1809— Mills Phillips, Abra- ham Rose, Daniel T. Terry. 1810— Abraham Rose, John Rose, Tredwell Scudder. i8ii-— Tredwell Scudder, Thomas S. Lester, Jonathan S. Conklin. 1812 — Abra- ham Rose, Usher H. Moore, Nathaniel Potter. 1813 — Benjamin F. Thompson, Henry Rhodes, Caleb Smith. 1814— Thomas S. Lester, Nathaniel Potter, Jonathan S. Conklin. 1815— Tredwell Scudder' John ■ P. Osborn, John Wells. 1816— Abraham Rose, Benjamin F. Thompson, Phineas Carll 1817— Israel Carll, Thomas S. Lester, Abraham Parsons. 18 18— Charles H. Havtns, John P. Osborn Nathaniel Miller. 1819— John P. Osborn, Isaac Conk- lin, Daniel Youngs. 1820— Charles H. Havens, Abra- ham Parsons, Ebenezer W. Case. 182 1 — John M. Wil- ASSEMBLYMEN— POPULATION— FIRST CHURCHES. 67 liamson, Isaac Conklin, John P. Osborn. 1822— Tred- well Scudder, Hugh Halsey, John M. Williamson. 1823— Samuel Strong, Joshua Fleet. 1824— Hugh Halsey, Josiah Smith. 1825 — Joshua Smith, David Hedges jr. 1826 — John M. Williamson, Usher H. Moore. 1827 — Samuel Strong, George L. Conklin. 1828— Tredwell Scudder, Abraham H. Gardiner. 1829 — John M. Wil- liamson, David Hedges jr. 1830- Samuel Strong, Noah Youngs. 1831— George S. Phillips, George L. Conklin. 1832— John M. Williamson, Saniuel L'Hommedieu jr. 1833 — David Hedges jr., William Wickes. 1834— Wil- liam Sidney Smith, John Terry. 1835 — George S. Phil- lips, George L. Conklin. 1836— Charles A. Floyd, Nathaniel Topping. 1837 — John M. Williamson, Josiah Dayton. 1838— Charles A. Floyd, Sidney L. Griffin. 1839 — Joshua B. Smith, J. Wickham Case. 1840 — John M. Williamson, David Halsey. 1841 — Alanson Seaman, Josiah C. Dayton. 1842 — Richard A. Udall, Benjamin F. Wells. 1843— Samuel B. Nicoll, Joshua B. Smith. 1844 — Richard W. Smith, Silas Horton. 1845 — John H. Dayton, Darling B. Whitney. 1846 — Richard A. Udall, Samuel B. Gardiner. 1847 — Henry Landon, J. Lawrence Smith. 1848 — Edwin Rose, William Sidney Smith. 1849 — Edwin Rose, Nathaniel Miller. 1850 — David Pierson, Walter Scudder. 1851 — Franklin Tut- hill, Egbert T. Smith. 1852— Henry P. Hedges, Zophar B. Oakley. 1853 — Abraham H. Gardiner, William H. Ludlow. 1854 — George Miller, William S. Preston. 1855 — John E. Chester, David Piatt. 1856— David G. Floyd, William Sidney Smith. 1857 — Edwin Rose, Abraham G. Thompson. 1858 — George Howell, George P. Mills. 1859 — Benjamin F. Wiggins, Richard J. Cor- nelius. i860 — Philander R. Jennings, Richard J. Cor- nelius. 1861 — James H. Tuthill, Alexander J. Bergen. 1862 — John C. Davis, John S. Havens. 1863 — Benjamin F. Wiggins, John S. Havens. 1864 — William H. Gleason, Henry C. Piatt, 1865 — William H. Gleason, Henry C. Piatt. 1866— James H. Tuthill, Richard A. Udall. 1867 — Alfred Wagstaff jr. 1868— James M. Halsey. 1869— William A. Conant. 1870— Brinley D. Sleight. 1871, 1879 — George F. Carman. 1872, 1873 — John S. Marcy. 1874, 1875 — Nathan D. Petty. 1876 — Samuel B. Gardiner. 1877 — Francis Brill. 1878 — Charles S. Havens. 1880, 1881 — E. A. Carpenter. The canvassers' return in 1879 showed 4,572 votes for Charles T. Duryea and 4,571 for George F. Carman. The certificate of election was given to Mr. Duryea, but after he had taken his seat, an error being shown in the count, the Assembly unseated him and recognized Mr. Carman as the representative of Suffolk. The nationality of the inhabitants of this county is largely English. But little more than eleven per cent, of its population is of foreign birth, while fully seventy- one per cent, were born within the county. In this percentage of home-born inhabitants Suffolk is exceeded by only one county in the State. Classified Table op Population as eetubned by Census op 1875. II > « 00 P F 21 yrs. old and over, unable to read and write. 1,2.54 3,206 619 2,185 1,611 1,044 179 620 1,661 1,881 643 1,611 338 1,018 764 569 79 380 830 915 594 1,514 297 1,024 815 552 85 353 794 941 6,969 948 789 106 933 1,210 321 66 340 430 727 5,870 382 1,945 308 .563 783 635 87 316 1,174 1,173 23 115 11 58 207 11 17 46 " 45 52 4,533 11,537 2,299 7,739 Jglip ■ 5,802 3,976 644 2,379 6,124 6,840 Suffolk County U,260 7,147 7,371 .585 51,873 Population op the Towns at Dipperent Periods. Brookhaven... Easthampton.. Huntington — Islip Kiverhead Shelter Island.. Smithtown Southampton . . Southold Suffolk County. Babylon* BrooUhaven Easthampton .. Huntington.... Islip Eiverhead Shelter Island. . Smithtown Southampton . . Southold 1790 3,224 1,497 201 1,022 3,408 3.219 16,440 1840 7,050 2,076 6,662 ],9Q9 2,449 379 1,932 6,205 3,907 1800 4,022 3,154 8 949 958 1,498 260 1,413 3,670 2,200 19,464 1845 7,461 2,155 6,746 2,09? 2,373 446 1,897 7,212 4,191 1810 4,176 1,484 4,424 885 17,11 329 1.592 3,899 2,61;) 31,113 1850 8,595 2,123 7,481 2,602 2,540 386 1,972 6,501 4,733 1814 4,790 1,449 3,946 1,074 1,753 379 1,771 3.537 2,679 21,368 1855 2.145 8,142 3,282 2,734 483 2,087 6,821 5,676 1820 5,218 1,646 4,! " 1,166 1,8.57 ,189 1.874 4,239 2,! 24,372 1860 2,267 8,924 3,845 3,044 506 2,130 6,803 5,833 1825 5,393 1,.556 4,540 ],344 1,816 349 1,677 4,561 2,459 23,695 1865 10,159 3,311 7,809 4,243 3,226 570 2,085 6,194 6,273 1830 6,095 1,668 5,582 1,653 2,016 1,1 4,860 2,900 26,780 1870 10,159 2,372 10,704 4,.597 3,461 645 2,136 6,135 6,715 1835 1,819 5,498 1,528 2,138 334 1,680 5,275 28,724 1875 4,533 11,537 2,399 7,739 5,802 3,976 644 2,379 6,124 6,840 Suffolk County 33,469 34.579 36,932 41,066 43,275 43,869 46.924 51,873 * Formed from Huntington March 3d 1872. CHAPTER VL RELIGIOUS, TEMPERANCE AND EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS- A GROUP OF COUNTY SOCIETIES. HE first churches were independent. They had in their practice some form of Congre- gationalism, but there was no organized union between them, and they seem to have had no denominational connection. All the churches that were organized here within at least half a century of the first settlement afterward be- came Presbyterian. The Presbytery of Long Island was organized at a meeting held at Southampton April 17th 171 7. It belonged to the Synod of Philadelphia. The growth of the denomination called for the organization of the Presbytery of Suffolk, which took place April gth 1747. This was reorganized in October 1790, under the title of Presbytery of Long Island, which has ever since been preserved, though its territorial limits have at differ- ent times been curtailed as the number of churches in- creased, until it now comprehends only that part of Suf- folk county lying east of the west line of the town of Brookhaven. The churches west of that line belong to the Presbytery of Nassau, which also comprehends Queens county. Strict Congregational churches were organized here as early as the middle of the last century, but no union existed between them until the organization of the " Strict Congregational Convention of Long Island " at Riverhead, August 26th 1791. This organization embraced a few churches, principally in the county, and retained its ex- istence till April 1845, when it was dissolved. Other associations of this denomination have at different times 68 HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. The Methodist Episcopal denomination began work in this county about one hundred years ago. Its growth has been steady and rapid, and it now has a larger mem- bership and a greater number of churches than any other denomination in the county. The churches are under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the New York East Con- ference. Other sects of Methodists are also represented. The Protestant Episcopal church gained an introduction here a hundred and fifty years ago, and the Baptist church followed it but a few years later. Neither of these made much progress until within a few years past. The Roman Catholic Church has been established in different parts of the county within the last forty-five years. It had in 1875 eleven organizations and ten church edifices in the county, every other denomination having an edifice for each or- ganization. Other denominations are represented in the county, as will be seen by the accompanying table of church statistics, taken from the State census of 1875: Deztominaiioits. African Methodist Episcopal. ■ ■ . Baptist ChristiaD Connection Congregational Metbodist Kpiscopal Methodist Protestant New Jerusalem Presbyterian Protestant Episcopal Beformed (Dutch) Church Komau Catholic Union United Metbodist Eree Church. Universalist Totals 1.54 14,145 974,970 81,465 43 633 1,371 4,307 3,869 936 111 2,690 30 13 ^ I 1,150 45.100 1,500 98,000 273,300 2,095 11,800 314,075 101,600 10.700 101,850 1,800 1,000 11,000 ^3 d ^Q 300 6,900 9,4a5 25,855 400 600 22,400 8,625 350 5.450 100 350 800 The Suffolk County Sabbath-school Association was organized about twenty-three years ago, and has been in active operation most of the time since. For several years it held four sessions a year, then three, and finally two sessions a year. The zeal with which its work was pushed has been fluctuating, but doubtless in the main it has exerted a considerable influence ih exciting the in- terest of Sunday-school workers. For several years a paper called the Suffolk County Sabbath-School Journal was issued quarterly under the direction of its secretar)', and contained reports of its meetings. The Long Island Bible Society has for many years done a good work in this county in the distribution of the Scriptures. Local societies, auxiliary to this, are sus- tained in many of the villages, and through them and the churches collections are made annually for the work of the society. Through the same channel the object of supplying the Scriptures to all who desire them is also carried on. The Suffolk County Temperance Society was organized in 1850, and has been in operation ever since, most of the time holding meetings monthly in the different vil- lages. Its sessions usually last two days. In 1873 no less than twenty-nine divisions of Sons of Temperance were in operation in as many villages of the county. The order soon began to decline, and there are now but few representatives of it left. Pursuant to an act passed May 14th 1845, and another^ amending the same, passed February i6th 1846, a special election was held May 19th 1846, for the purpose of de- ciding by vote of the people whether licenses for the sale of spirituous liquors should be granted in this county or not. The vote in the several towns stood as follows : "For License." Huntingix)n 505 laUp 141 Smithtown 73 Brookhaven 150 Eiverhead 82 Southold 6 Shelter Island 2 Southampton 186 Easthampton 48 ' No License." 483 147 103 467 221 289 37 405 83 Total 1,193 2,235 "No License" majority, 1,042. Such a radical change as the entire withholding of licenses was at that time a severe rhock to public senti- ment, and a " re-trial " of the question was demanded. A special election for that purpose was held in most of ihe towns April 27th 1847, with the following result: " For License." Huntington .598 Islip 186 Brookhaven 458 Southampton 188 Easthampton 101 " No Licence." 476 160 384 315 1,511 1,422 Majority for license, in the five towns making returns, 89. The first n( wspaper published in the county was the Long Island Herald, started at Sag Harbor, May loth 1791, by David Frothingham. Since that time no less than twenty-six others have been started, of which ios^- teen are still issued. The Suffolk County Medical Society was organized July 22nd 1806. Its early records have been lost. The names of Drs. A. G. Thompson, W. S. Preston and B. D. Carpenter are prominent in its history during the gener- ation now declining. The society holds a regular meet- ing at Riverhead in April of each year, and a semi-annual meeting in some other village in the county in October, It has at the present time thirty-six members, and its officers are: E. F. Preston, president; W. W. Hewlett, vice-president; J. H. Benjamin, secretary; H. P. Terry, treasurer, and R. H. Benjamin, librarian. In the early part of the presentcentury the towns were divided into school districts, and the division and nutn- bering, with occasional changes to meet the growth of certain localities, remain the same to the present time. The school system was at first under the care of three commissioners in each town. The office of county superintendent was created in 1842, and continued about six years, after which the duties of that office were dis- tributed among town superintendents. This arrange- ment continued until the office of Assembly district com- missioner was constituted. That office has been held by the following gentlemen: In the first district, comprising the five eastern towns — Jonathan W. Huntting, 1858-61;, E. Jones Lu,dlqw, 186.1-64; CordeUo D. Elijn^i:, 1864-70, COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS. 60 1879-82; Horace H. Benjamin, 1870-79; In the second district, comprising what is now the five western towns — William Nicoll, 1858-64; Thomas S. Mount, 1864-73, 1876 79; S. Orlando Lee, 1873-76; Justus Roe, 1879-82. The first association of school-teachers of which we can learn was organized at Islip in 1830. It was called the "Teachers' Association of the Town of .Islip." Among its prominent organizers and early members were Amos Doxsee, Henry Brewster, William Brewster, Henry Doxsee and Jonas Jarvis. The association met semi- monthly, and continued in successful operation several years. Another association was organized at Hunting- ton about 1842, and was made up of the teachers of that town, Islip and Smithtown. Hon. Samuel A. Smith, then county superintendent of schools, has the honor of suggesting it. It held monthly meetings in different places, and had a profitable existence of ten or twelve years. Besides the regular meetings of these associations the growing demand for some means or medium for the interchange of ideas and progressive enlightenment on the great subject of popular instruction gave rise to the as- sembling of an occasional convention. One of these, called by Hon. Selah B. Strong as early as 1837, met at South Haven, and another was held at Riverhead in 1844, which was addressed by distinguished speakers from abroad. The Suffolk County Teachers' Association was organ- ized at Riverhead, in June 1852. Its original members were James H. Tuthill, H. H. Skinner, L. H. De Loss Crane, B. H. Saxton, J. Andrew Hallock, M. D. Loper, A. M. Young, S. Orlando Lee, G. O. Wells and W. C. Booth. This association met at first quarterly, in the different villages as invited by the people. As the work of the teachers' institute, commenced about twenty-five years ago, covered much of the same ground, the asso- ciation meetings became less frequent than before. Since 1863 it has met simultaneously with the institute, occu- pying the evenings while the sessions of the latter occu- pied the daytime. Its successive presidents from the first to the present time have been James H. Tuthill, Rev. Robert Cruikshank, J. R. Howell, S. Orlando Lee, H. H. Skinner, H. T. Funnell, A. G. Merwin, A. V. Davis, William Nicoll, A. S. Higgins, E. F. Preston, S. T. Badgley, William H. Clark jr., Horace H. Benjamin, L. Homer Hart, David B. Beale, W. S. Webb, H. F. Candee, Jehial S. Rayncr, E. H. Hulse, G. W. Rorer, John J. Wells, A. Curtis Almy, Cyrus F. Smith, E. S. Hall, Levi Seeley jr., E. R. Shaw, and William E. Gor- don. The association now meets once or twice a year and remains in session five days. Occasionally a session is held independent of the institute. Auxiliary associa. tions have been organized within a few years past, one on the north side, another on the south side, and another at the east end. The following statistics from the commissioners' re- ports for the school year ending September 30th 1880 will give some idea of the attention given to public education in this county. Number of school-houses in the county, 147; total value of school-houses and sites, $262,843; teachers em- ployed 28 weeks or more, 222; number of children on school registers, 11,412; average daily attendance at the schools, 6,248; total expense for teachers' wages, $76,- 977.31; total expense for other school purposes, $30,- 285.48. Of the 316 persons who v/ere engaged in teaching in the schools of the county, during any portion of the year, 216 were females and 100 were males. At the annual school election in October 1880 three women were elected to the office of trustee in as many districts in different parts of the country. The Suffolk County Agricultural Society, or the so- ciety from which it grew, was formed in 1841. Its first record is lost. In 1843 it was reorganized, and from then till 1853 it held a fair each year in the town of Huntington, Islip or Smithtown, except the one for 1849, which was held at Greenport. From 1853 to 1865 no fairs were held. February ist of the latter year a meet- ing was held at Thompson station, near Brentwood, and thes ociety was again reorganized. A fair was held that year at Riverhead, and another in 1866 at the same place. In 1867 the fair was held at Greenport. The fair for 1868 was held at Riverhead, upon a plot of twenty acres, which had been purchased by the citizens of that village and donated to the society for a per- manent ground. Fences and buildings were placed up- on it, and the fair has been annually held there ever since. The debt of the society, incurred in erecting buildings and improving the grounds, has been reduced to about $2,500. At the last fair the amount paid for premiums was about $950. The society has at present 314 life members, and its officers for 1881 were: Alvah M. Sal- mon, president; George W. Cooper, vice-president; Samuel Griffin, treasurer; Nathaniel W. Foster, secre- tary. The Hampton Agricultural Society, designed to pro- mote interest in agriculture in the southern peninsula of the east end, was organized in August 1875, with the following officers: Orlando Hand, president; Jonathan F. Gould, vice-president; Addison M. Cook, secretary ; Edward A. Hildreth, treasurer. The first fair was held on the premises of Orlando Hand, at Bridgeharapton, in the autumn of that year. In 1876 the society leased 25 acres of land of Henry Howell, in Bridgehampton, which it has occupied as a fair ground ever since. The buildings, fences and other improvements are estimated to be worth at least $3,000. A fair has been held every fall, and since the first year an exhibition every June, called a " market and general sales day." These fairs and exhibitions have excited much interest among the people of the Hampton towns, and the number in attend- ance has sometimes reached 5,000 persons. The present officers (1881) are: Addison M. Cook, president; T. Oscar Worth, secretary; E. A. Hildreth, treasurer. The Suffolk County Poultry and Pet Stock Association was organized at Riverhead in the autumn of 1869, with officers as follows: Henry A. Reeves, of Greenport, pres- ident; Irad W. Gildersleeve, of Mattituck, secretary ; 70 HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. Edwards. Brown, of Greenport, treasurer; William H. Pullis, of Bay Shore, superintendent. The first exhibi- tion was held at Terry's Hall, Riverhead, February 3d- 7th 1880. A second annual exhibition was held at the same place January 26th-29th 1881, at which about $250 was distributed in premiums. The prir.cipal officers of the society remain as named above. The Mutual Benefit Association of Suffolk County, or- ganized July 6th 1876, has for its object the legitimate purposes of life insurance, so simplified as to secure the maximum benefit to the friends of deceased members with the minimum expense. It is rapidly increasing in strength and has several hundred members. CHAPTER VII. THE RECORD OF SUFFOLK COUNTY S VOLUNTEERS IN THE CIVIL WAR. HE Story that might be written of the partici- pation of Suffolk in the great struggle which disturbed the nation during those four sad years, 1861 to 1865, cannot be admitted within the limits of this article. The towns of Suffolk nerved themselves for the terrible work before them, and responded promptly to the calls of the country's need. Sympathy with the Union cause was most emphatically the popular sentiment. Intense interest was felt in the events which followed each other during the spring of 1861 and inaugurated the war. . The general enthusiasm was manifested by raising the " stars and stripes " in nearly every village and hamlet in the county. As the war bfecame an established fact the different towns held special town meetings to raise money and devise means for filling their quotas of volunteers. Bounties were offered for enlistments, and when the drafts were ordered some of the towns assisted their citizens in securing substitutes or paid them large bounties to go. Of those who went from Suffolk a greater number en- listed in the 127th N. Y. infantry than in any other regi- ment. Several companies of this were almost entirely made up from the county, mainly from about Southold, the Hamptons, and Huntington. The Hamptons also gave a considerable number to the 81st N. Y., of which Col. Edwin Rose, of Bridgeharapton, went out in com- mand. Company C of the i6sth N. Y. was recruited mainly from the vicinity of Orient. A company in the 12th N. Y. was largely made up from the neighborhood of Patchogue, and a number from Huntington and differ- ent parts of the county joined the 102nd N. Y. The 2nd, 6th and nth N. Y. cavalry regiments each received a number of recruits from this county. As will be seen from the subjoined list, many others were scattered among a number of regiments from this and other States, while the maritime inclinations of the people gave to the navy a fair percentage. In the following list we aim to give the name of every man who went from the county to engage in the war, with the locality from which he went, the regiment in which he served, and his fate. We have taken great pains to make the list as nearly complete and accurate as possible, seeking information in every promising chan- nel, and studiously endeavoring to avoid all possible mistakes. While the list may not be without an error, we believe it to be a very near approach to completeness and accuracy. We have used in the list a few abbreviations, which will be readily understood. These are: r, returned; w, wounded; k b, killed in battle; d s, died in service; d p, died a prisoner; d w, died of wounds; m, missing; d c s, died of disease contracted in the service. Some regiments were known by names other than their number. Of these synonymous titles it may be in place here to mention the following: The 5th N. Y., called " Duryea's Zouaves;" the i6sth N. Y., called " Second Duryea's Zouaves;" the i27fh N.Y., called the "Monitor regiment;" the 2nd N. Y. cavalry, called " Harris Light cavalry;" the 6th N. Y. cavalry, called " Ira Harris Guards," and the nth N. Y. cavalry, called Scott's Nine Hundred." In the list the numbers represent New York regiments where not otherwise indicated. John D. Acker, Babylon, sharpshooters; r. Ira W. Ackerly, Huntington, 127th; r. Nathan S. Ackerly, Northport, 48th; lost a leg; r. Samuel Ackerly, North- port, 40th; d s. Key West. Edwin Ackerly, Northport, navy. William N. Ackerly, town of Brookhaven. Henry E. Ackerly, Patchogue, 12th; d w. Francis Adriance, Hauppauge, 139th; r. William G. Alberson, Riverhead, 127th; d s. Folly Island. Ebenezer Albin, Brookhaven, 2nd cav. ; r. John W. Albin, East Moriches, 102nd; r, James M. Albin, Patchogue, i4Sth; r. Jeremiah Albin. Babylon, 127th; d s, Upton Hill, Va. John E. Albin, Babylon, 127th; r. Daniel E. Albin, Riverhead, S2nd; d s. George, Thomas B., William H. and Samuel Albin, town of Brookhaven; m. John E. Albin jr., town of Brookhaven, 12th; w; r. Daniel W. Aldrich, Sayville, 2nd Metropolitan; d c s. James B. Aldrich, 127th; r. William Alexander, Huntington, 127th; r. Jonathan Allen, Springs, 48th; k b, Fort Wagner. Jeremiah Allen, Amangansett, 48th; r. John Allen, Amityville, 127th; r. George H. AUyn, i6sth; r. Benjamin Anderson, town of Brookhaven, 99th. John J. Anderson, town of Brook- haven, 2nd cav. Ephraim Arch (colored), Quogue, navy; r. Robert Armstrong, Sag Harbor, 127th; d s, Upton Hill, Va. John E. Arnold, Babylon, 127th; r. William E. Austin, town of Huntington, navy. Sineus R. Austin, town of Huntington, navy; d c s, June 9 1863. Thomas Thomas D. Avery, Greenport, i6sth; w; r. Lodowick Babcock, Sag Harbor. Gilbert A. Babcock, Sag Harbor, 8 1 St; d w. Joseph S. Bachelor. James Bacon, Bridge- hampton, 8ist; d s. William B. Bailey, Springs, 127th; r. John Bailey, Babylon, sharpshooters; r. Jacob Bainer, captain, town of Huntington, S4th; r. James Baker, Say- ville, 2nd cav.; r Henry L. Baker, Easthampton, 127th and 54th; r. David J. Baker, Easthampton, ist Me. art. William H. Baker. Jacob Baldwin. David Baldwin, Cold Spring, 102nd; r. Abram Bancker, Patchogue, 5th. George L. Barber, Centerville, 127th; r. James Barclay, Southampton, 6th cav.; r. George W. Barrett, Hunting- SUFFOLK'S UNION SOLDIERS. 71 ton, navy. Edward A. Barto, Babylon, sharpshooters; r. John Batcher, East Setauket, 5 7th; r. Theodore Batcher, East Setauket, 5 7th; w; r. William J. Batcher, Matti- tuck, 5th Conn. Thomas Baxter, Southold, 6th cav.; r. Albert E. Bayles, Middle Island, 139th; k b. Cold Har- bor, Va. Edward F. Bayles, Middle Island, 139th; k b, Cold Harbor, Va. John S. Baylis, Huntington, 127th; r. David B. Beale, Patchogue, 139th; r. John H. Beale, Patchogue, navy. David F. Beale, lieutenant, 139th. The- odore F. Beale, Patchogue, 1 2th. Lewis Becker, Hunting- ton, 127th; r. Andrew J. Becktill, Watermill, 127th; r. Thomas Beckwith, Sag Harbor, 8ist. Smith Bedell, Amity- ville, 127th; d p, Belle Island. William Bedell, Amityville, 127th; r. Terry Bedell, Sayville, 9Sth and navy. Daniel F. Beebe, Southampton, 127th; d s, April 17 1864. James Beekman, Bridgehampton, 81st. William H. Beers, Elwood, 127th; r. George A. Bell, Bridgehampton, nth cav.; r. Robert F. Benedict, Watermill, 127th; w; r. John P.Benjamin, East Moriches, 17th; d w. Selah Benjamin, Bay Shore, 9th N. J.; r. John F. Benjamin, Riverhead, 9th N. J.; r. James S. Benjamin, River- head, navy; r. Hiram E. Benjamin, Riverhead, 127th; d s, Cole's Island, S. C. John H. Benjamin, Mat- tituck, 127th; d s, August 27 1863. Andrew J. Ben- nett, Cutchogue, 127th; r. Lyman M. Bennntt, Springs, 127th; r. Gilbert Bennett, Springs, 127th; w; r. Milton Bennett, Springs, 6th cav.; k b. George Bennett, Springs, iith cav.; r. Myron T. Bennett, Amagansett, 127th; d s. Augustus B. Bennett, Amagansett, i27tl\; w; r. Nathan M. Bennett, Amagansett, 127th; r. William J. Bennett, Amagansett, 127th; d s, Folly Island, S. C. George E. Bennett, Amagansett, 9th cav.; r. Sylvester H. Bennett, Amagansett, 6th cav.; r. Charles G. Bennett, Amagansett, 48th; d s, September 20 '63. Albert L. Ben- nett, Oregon, 127th; r. Theodore Bennett, Easthamp- ton, 127th; r. Jonathan A. Bennett, Easthampton, 127th; d s, September 11 '63. Selden S.Bennett, Peconic, 127th; r. William E. Bennett. Robert Bennett, Huntington, 127th; r. Hammond Berls, town of Huntington, 5th Kansas; r. John Berry, Greenport, 165th; w; r. George Betts, Huntington, 127th; r. John Betts, Huntington, loth; d s. Charles F. Biggs, Flanders, 10th cav. Alden Biggs, Riverhead, loth cav. Edward Bill, Sag Harbor, 127th; r. Robert Bill, Sag Harbor, nth cav. Barnabas T. Billard, Cutchogue, T27th; r. William E. Birch, town of Huntington, 44th; w; r. William H. and Harry S. Bishop, Bayport, 2nd cav.; r. Charles H. Bishop. Frank E. Blacker, musician, Brentwood, 5th N. J.; r. Hanni- bal Black, Amityville, navy; d s. Jonathan Black, Amityville; r. Henry and James Blake, Lakeland, 2nd cav. George W. and Stephen Bloxsom, Huntington, 127th; r. Ichabod Blydenburgh, Selden, 133d; r. E. S. L. Bond. Andrew B. Bogne, 8ist. Daniel E. Bone, Easthampton, 2nd West Virginia. Joseph S. and John J. Bone, Easthampton, 8ist. Horatio N. Booth, Southold, 127th; r. George L. Booth, Cutchogue, 127th; r. James Bostwick jr., Babylon, 127th; r. David Bouton. Wil- liam H. Bowers, Port Jefferson, navy. James L. Bowles, town of Brookhaven, loist; lost a leg. George Box, Babylon, 127th; r. John W. Boyenton, Sag Harbor, 8ist. George Boyle, Islip, nth Ct. Giles Bradley, Moriches ; k. Philip Brady, Speonk, 12th; w; r. George Brewin, Bridgehampton, 81st; r. Charles D. Brewster, Amity- ville, 20th; r. Zachariah Brewster, Amityville; r. Governeur Brewster (colored), 26th; r. James Brigs, Mattituck, 2nd Excelsior; w. Thomas Brittain, lieu- tenant, Riverhead, S7th; r. John R. Brooker, town of Southampton, iS9th; d s. New York city. George B. Brown, Islip, 139th. Isaac Brown, Islip, 2nd cav. George D.Brown, Islip, 159th; d s. Charles H.Brown, Bridge- hampton, nth cav.; d s. New Orleans. William H. Brown, Bridgehampton, 127th; r. John J. Brown, Red Creek, nth Ct.; r. George W. Brown, Elwood, 31st; r. Silas E. Brown, Springs, 127th; r. George W. Brown, Huntington, 127th; r. John J. Brown, Huntington, 127th; r. John A. Brown, Riverhead, 14th; k b. Bull Run. Buel A. Brown, Riverhead, 176th. James Ira Brown, Centerville, 5th heavy art.; r. Zebulon H. Brown, Southold, 127th; r. John and George G. Brown, Baby- lon, 127th; r. David E. Brown, Sag Harbor; navy. Charles L. Brown, Southampton, 127th; k b. Honey Hill. S. C. Gilbert A. Brown, Southold, 127th; m January 3 '63. Frederick Brudgeworth, Bridgehampton, navy ; r. Henry Brudgeworth, Bridgehampton, nth cav.; r. Theodore S. Brush, Elwood, 127th; r. Van Rensselaer Brush, Cold Spring, 102nd; d w received at Gettysburg. George Brush, Huntington, 48th; r. George R. Brush, Sayville; navy. George H. Bryant, Northport, 127th; r. George A. Buckingham, lieutenant, Riverhead, 12th ; r. William J. Buckly, Greenport, 127th; r. Edward H. Bumpstead, Patchogue, 2nd cav.; w. Jacob Bumstead, Patchogue, 12th; r. Israel Bunce, Northport, navy; d s, Cuba. Edgar P. Bunce, Huntington, 127th; r. Albert J. Bunce, town of Brookhaven, 124th; w. John W. Burke, lieutenant. Sag Harbor, 81st; k. June 2 '64. Whitford Burnett, Smitht-own, 102nd; r. George T. Burns, Riverhead, 176th. Robert Burns, Riverhead, 12th; dc s. Andrew J. Burr, Bayshore, U. S. sharpshooters; w; r. William E. Burr, Cold Spring, 102nd; r. David Bush, Patchogue; r. Charles Bushnell, Sag Harbor. John Busannah, Riverhead, 127th; r. Leonard T.Butler, Southold, 127th; r. Samuel C. Butler, Easthampton, 29th U. S. colored. John Byron, Bridgehampton, 6th cav.; r. James Campbell, Babylon, sharpshooters ; r. George Campbell, Babylon, sharpshooters; r. James Carll, Babylon, 127th. William Carll (colored), Brook- haven, navy; r. Edward J. Carmick, captain, Sayville, r24th;kb, Petersburg. Stephen J. Carmick, Sayville, 2nd cav.; r. George W. Carpenter, Babylon, 4th art. William Carpenter, Babylon, 31st colored; r. Walter Carpenter, Southold, 127th; r. Charles T. Carpenter, Moriches, 89th. John S. and Hosea V. Carr, Hunting- ton, 127th; r. Severn Carr, Amityville, 8th R. I. art.; d s, Galveston. Bernard Carrington, Easthampton. John Carroll, Cold Spring, 102nd; r. Thomas J. Carroll, Easthampton; navy. James and Martin Carroll, Hunting- ton, 127th; r. Michael Carroll. John Carroll, East- hampton; marine art. David Carter, Moriches, 2nd cav.; r. Ichabod G. Carter, Manor, 133d; r. Gil- bert H. Carter, Patchogue, 12th; r. Nicholas O. Cartwright, Amityville, 90th; r. Edmund A. Cartwright, Shelter Island, 14th N. J.; r. Albert W. and Jesse G. Case, Peconic, 127th; r. George C. Case, lieutenant. Shelter Island, 57th; w; r. George Case, Greenport, 57th; r. Michael Cash, Cold Spring. Albert Cass, Sag Harbor, 4th New Hampshire. James Cayton, Shelter Island. Edward Cessman, Mastic; w; r. George H. Champlin, Orient, 165th; r. Emile Cheron, Bayshore, 139th; r. William H. Chester, Sag Harbor, navy; k on board the " Picket." Charles H. Chichester, Amity- ville, 127th; r. Andrew Chichester, Amityville, 127th; lost a foot; r. Israel Chichester, Amityville, navy. George Chichester, town of Huntington, 173d. Charles W. Chichester, town of Brookhaven, 57th; d p, Ander- sonville. Henry Chissell, Patchogue, 90th; r. Avlyn S. Clark, Springs, 127th; d s, December 3 '63. Robert Clark, Smithtown; r. Ezra Clark, Greenport, 165th; m. Ezra B. Clemence, Patchogue; quartermaster. John D. Cleveland, Southold, 127th; r. Lawson Clock, Islip, 9th N. J.; m. Charles Coats, Central Islip, 12th; r. Charles R. Coats, Central Islip, 73d. Charles Codman, Islip, 102nd; r. Michael Coffee, town of Islip, 14th 72 HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. cav. William Colbert, Elwood, 87th. Jeremiah Coles, Easthampton, navy. William H. Collet, Southampton, 8ist; r. John Collins, Mattituck, 127th; r. William W. Collum, Easthampton, 127th; d s, July 9 '64. Samuel P. Colvin, Sag Harbor, 127th; r. William L. Conant, Huntington, 127th; r. Robert C. Congdon, Shelter Is- land, 139th. Gilbert Conklin, Calverton. James D. Conklin, Shelter Island, navy. David T. Conklin, Southold, 127th; r. George W. Conklin, Babylon, 127th; r. John A. Conklin, Sag Harbor, 127th. John H. Conklin, Greenport, 32nd; k b. Francis Conklin, Northport, 48th; k, Morris Island. Henry C, Conklin, Huntington, 127th; r. William H. Conklin, Hunting- ton, 48th; r. Benjamin K. Conklin, Huntington, 127th; r. James B. Conklin, Easthampton, 102nd. Lewis O. Conklin, Port Jefferson, 102nd; r. Edward S. and Samuel S. Conklin, town of Brookhaven, 12th; r. George Conklin, Riverhead; r. William C. Conklin, Good Ground, 99th; r. David S. Conklin, Greenport, 4th; d s Henry T. Conklin, Easthampton, 8ist; d s, October 3 1864. Howard Conklin, Greenport, California regi- ment; d s. Melville R. Conklin, Northport, 48th; r. Hickford Conner, Sag Harbor, navy. William Connell, Huntington, 127th; d s. Charles P. Cook, lieutenant. Sag Harbor. Edward D. Cook, Sag Harbor, 8ist. William Cook, Greenport, S7th. Michael Copney. Ed- ward T. Cooper, Bellport, 92nd; k b. Cold Harbor. Edward M. Cooper, Sag Harbor, navy. James H, Cooper, Sag Harbor, 8ist. Michael Cooper, town of Huntington, navy. Cooper (colored). Springs; d s. William Corey, Bridgehampton, nth cav.; r. Henry J. Corey, Bridgehampton, 127th; d s. Beaufort, S. C. Daniel B. Corey, Patchogue, navy; r. Jacob Cornelius, Huntington, 127th; r. George E. Corwin, Bellport, 131st; r. George W. Corwin, Riverhead, 127th; w; r. Egbert C. Corwin, Riverhead, 127th; r. Theodore Corwin, Riverhead, rath. Hannibal Corwin, Riverhead, navy; r. J. Addison Corwin, lieutenant, Greenport, 127th. Chatham Corwin, Greenport, 127th; d c s. John L. Corwin, Easthampton, nth cav.; d s. William Cowan, Huntington, 127th; r. Daniel R. Cox, Mattituck, 57th; w. Elbert Crawford, Centreport, 127th; r. Jacob Crees, Blue Point, 4th. Gilbert Crom- well, Half Hollow Hills. Stephen H. Crowell, Sag Har- bor, 127th; r. George P. Crowell, Islip; r. Benjamin E. Crowell, Sag Harbor, nth cav. John A. Crum, Say- ville, ist; r. Joshua Cuffee (colored), Bayshore, 26th U. S. colored; d s, Beaufort. Warren N. Cuffee (colored), Easthampton, 20th. Stephen N. Cuffee (colored), East- hampton, 14th R. I. Richard Cullum. George C. Cul- ver, Peconic, 127th; r. George Culver, Southampton, 127th; r. Josiah H. Culver, Easthampton, assistant surgeon. John Curtiss, 165th; r. Leonard M. Cutting, Babylon, 54th; r. Manuel Cyphers, Huntington, 127th; r. Henry Dahlems, Brentwood, 39th; w; r. Augustus E. Danes, Blue Point. Jeremiah Daily, Northport, 127th; r. Samuel Dare, Selden, 165th; r. John Dar- rough, Riverhead, 127th; d c s, November 8 1863. Albert L. Davis, Yaphank, 133d; r. Thomas J. Davis, Springs, navy. Charles H. Davis, Riverhead, nth cav.; r. Charles W. Davis, Rocky Point; r. Edward Davis, Babylon, 127th; d s. John B. Davis, Babylon, 127th; r. Jeremiah Davis, Ronkonkoma, Brooklyn Phalanx; r. Edwin Davis, Greenport, colored regiment; r. Smith R. Davis, town of Brookhaven. Samuel Davis, Coram, navy; d s. Sylvester Day, Amity ville, 127th; r. Silas C. Day, town of Huntington, navy; r. Daniel E. Day- ton, Centreville, 5th heavy art.; k b. William H. Day- ton, Centreville, 5th heavy art.; r. John H. Dayton, Charles B. Dayton, Easthampton, 127th; r. Andrew Dayton, Atlanticville, nth cav.; r. George W. Day- ton, Patchogue; d c s. Charles Dayton, Patchogue, 12th; r. Smith A. Dayton, town of Brookhaven, navy. George Dayton, town of Brookhaven, 7th. Abraham De Bevoise, captain. Sag Harbor, i27lh; r. Pattern Delone (colored), Islip, 26th U. S. colored. Daniel Denning, Amityville, 127th; d p. Charles J. Dennis, Bay Shore, 9th N. J.; k b, Petersburg. Daniel Dennis, Bay Shore, 9th N. J.; r. George W. and Na- thaniel Dennis, Bay Shore, 158th. William Dickerson, Wading River; k b. Benjamin Dickerson, Wading River; r. Samuel G. Dickerson. Charles L. Dickerson, Greenport, 176th; d c s. Daniel Dickinson, Orient, i6sth; k, Port Hudson. Tobias Dillon, Centreport, 48th; r. Nathan H. Dimon sen. and jr., Bridgehamp- ton, 81st; r. John Divine, Springville, 6th cav.; r. John Dix, Bridgehampton, 6th cav.; r. Michael Dolan, Blue Point, 2nd cav. Patrick Dolan, town of Brookhaven, regujar; r. Harvey Doolittle, Babylon, 127th; r. Frank Dombey, town of Brookhaven. William Dorman, Huntington, 127th; r. Edward Dow, Brentwood, 9th N. J. Michael Dowd, Greenport, 165th; w; r. John Downing, Huntington, 14th art.; r. James A. Downs, Riverhead, 127th. Isaac S. Downs, town of Brookhaven. George W. Downs, Good Ground, 9th Ct. John Downs, town of Southampton. William L. Downs, Huntington, 2nd cav.; r. James B. Downs, Middle Island, 5th. Francis W. Doxsee, Islip, navy. John Doyle, town of Brookhaven. Richard Drake, Calverton. Daniel Drin- ning, Huntington, 127th; d s. Michael Drislane, Hol- brook, 5th; w; r. James B. Duff jr., Patchogue, 131st- John Dunn, Greenport, 127th; r. Dwight F. Durham, Sag Harbor, 127th. Samuel B. Dutcher, 81st; r. Elias E. Earl, surgeon. Lakeland. Joseph Earl. Jacob Eath, Rocky Point. Garrett F. Eaton, lieutenant, Islip; 127th; r. William B. Eaton, Islip, 127th; r. Robert Ebbitts, Orient, 127th; r. Jonathan Edgar, Babylon, 20th U. S. colored. Henry A. Edgar, Brent- wood, 102nd; r. A. and G. F. Edon, Huntington, 127th. Joseph S. Edwards, Amityville, 127th; w. Orlando B. Edwards, Bridgehampton, 127th; r. Lewis J. Edwards, Bridgehampton, 48th; r. Charles M. Edwards, Bridge- hampton, 6th cav.; r. Edmund B. Edwards, Bridge- hampton, 127th; r. Elbert P. Edwards, Bridgehampton, 6th cav.; r. Charles N. and Silas C. Edwards, Bridge- hampton, 127th; r. Charles B. Edwards, Amagansett, navy. Edwin H. Edwards, Amangansett,8ist; r. Roger Edwards, Sag Harbor, 48th. Henry L. Edwards, Sag Har- bor, 2nd cav.; k. Benjamin W. Edwards, Sag Harbor, 8;st. Henry G. Edwards, Sag Harbor, 127th. Eli Edwards, navy. William W. Edwards, Easthampton, 15th Conn. Edward C. Edwards, colored, Moriches, Jefferson Edwards, town of Brookhaven, navy. Auguste C. Eichel, Southampton, 44th; r. George A. Eldridge. J. W. Eldridge, Huntington, 127th; r. Joshua Ellison, Southampton, 81st; r. Joseph Ellison, Southampton, 81st; k b. Cold Harbor. John Ellison, Bridgehampton, nth cav.; r. John Elsebough, Smithtown, 139th; r. Robert M. Ellsworth, Southampton, 8ist; r. Jesse Ells- worth, 81st; r. Samuel Ellsworth, Stony Brook, navy. Antoine Engler, Orient, 7th; r. Abraham Enos, colored, Quogue, navy; r. Peter Eshoe. Orient, 4Sth; r. Smith Evarts, Peconic, 127th; r. Charles W. Evarts, Bayport, loth; r. Frederick Ewald, Southold, 127th; r. William Fagan, Northport, 90th; r. Isaac Fallman, Selden, 13th cav. Wesley Fanning, Atlanticville, 8th; r. James Farley, Sag Harbor, 127th; r. Thomas Farley. Samuel Field, Springs; r. James Fields, Sag Harbor, navy. Ben- jamin H. Fielder, town of Islip, 14th N. J.; r. George E. Filer, Easthampton, 81st. Charles W. Filer, East- hampton, 4th Conn. Henry Finlayson. Henry Fish, Brentwood, 84th; m. Andrew Fisher, Huntington, 127th; SUFFOLK'S UNION SOLDIERS. 73 r. Smith Flandun, Cold Springs, 8th heavy art.; k. Augustus Fleet, Northport; k b. George W. Fleet, Huntington; r. William Fleet, town of Huntington, t02nd; d s. James A. Fletcher, Riverhead, navy; r. Edward Flynn, Southold, 2nd; d s. John G. Floyd jr., captain, Mastic. Philip Floyd, colored, Mastic; d s, New Orleans. Charles T. Fodell, Sweet Hollow, 127th; r. William Fogerty, Islip, 70th; w; r. Francis Foley, Quogiie, 47th; r. William Ford, Ronkonkoma, 5th Pa. cav. Edward L. Ford, Ronkonkoma, 99th Pa. cav. Isaac Fordham, Selden, 139th. Charles H. Fordham, Sag Harbor,8ist; r. Elbert Fordham, Sag Harbor, 3d Mass. cav. William Fordham, Northport, 40th; r. William Fordred, Sag Harbor, 8ist. Drayson Fordred, Sag Harbor, 8ist; k. Albert Fosbert, Sag Harbor. Avlyn Foster, Springs, navy; w; r. James R. Foster, Watermill, 2nd cav.; d p, Andersonville. Austin A. Foster, Pon- quogue, 6th cav.; w; r. William B. Foster, Sag Harbor, 8ist. Edward I^. Fountain, Holtsville, 12th; r. Charles C. Fox, Northport, 127th; r. Charles Fox, Huntington, 48th; d w. Roger A. Francis, Bridghampton, 8ist; w; r. John Frazier, Islip, r. Charles A. Frederick, Speonk, 127th; r. Peter French, maj., Sag Harbor, 8ist; r. Decatur H. Frisbee, lieutenant, Lakeland, 133d. Lewis and Emery Frost, Babylon, 127th; d s. John Furguson, Patchogue, 12th; r. Lewis Furman, Babylon, 127th; d s. Henry Gaffga, Southold, 127th; w; r. Peter Gaffga, Sag Harbor, i6sth; w; r. Henry M. Galveston, South- old, 127th; r. Michael Galvin, Centerport, 127; r. John H. Gammage; r. Theodore K. GammagS, Holtsville, 79th; w. Smith P. Gammage, chaplain, .Patchogue, 7Sth La. colored. Henry T. Garaghan, captain. Sag Harbor, 48th. Henry W. Gardiner, Orient, 20th Ct.; r. Henry Gardiner, town of Islip, 8th N. J.; r. Harvey Gardiner, Cold Spring, 102nd; r. Smith F. Gardiner, Cold Spring, 127th; r. Barnard C. Gardiner, Babylon, ist; r. James Gardiner, Jamesport, i6sth; r. William Gates, Stony Brook, 4th; r. George A. Gatz, East Marion, i6sth; k b. Port Hudson. John Geehring, Greenport, 16.5th; r. Thomas C. George, Brentwood, 84th; w; r. Martin Gerard, Baiting Hollow, 5th heavy art.; r. Edward- Gerard, Hauppauge, 139th; d s. Ed- mund S. Gerard, Sayville, 2nd cav. John W. Gerard. East Setauket, 57th; k b, Antietam. John Germain, Sag Harbor, 127th. George Gettze, Orient, 165th; k. Port Hudson. William H. Gilchrist, Islip, 8th U. S. colored. Piatt Gildersleeve, Port Jefferson, 127th; r. L.Welling- ton Gillette, Orient, 127th; r. Reuben Gillian, Sayville, 5th. Michael Gilraartin, Huntington, 127th; r. Robert Gilmore, Sag Harbor, 127th. Edward Ging, Patchogue, 12th; r. WilUam Glines, town of Huntington, sth art. James R. Glover, Orient, 165th; r. Zebulon B. Glover, Shelter Island, isgth; d' s. Franklin B. Goldsmith, Southold, 127th; r. Austin B. Goldsmith, Peconic, i6sth; r. James E. Good, Huntington, 127th; r. W. H. Good, Huntington, navy. Charles E. Goodall, South- ampton, 12th; d s, David's Island. James M. Goodall, Southampton, sth Ct.; d s, Atlanta, Ga. James D. Good- man, Westhampton, 127th; w; r. George Gordon, East- port, nth cav.; r. Isaac L. Gordon, Sayville, 9th N. J.; w; r. William H. Gordon, Riverhead, Sth heavy art.: r. Milton Gordon, Manor; k b. Samuel H. Gordon, River- head, 6th cav.; r. John D. Gough, Bridgehampton, 8ist; r. Theodore P. Gould, Easthampton, 127th; d s, Wash- in. Lawrence^ Amagansett, navy; r. William H. Lawrence jr., Sag Harbor, 127th; r. Amos H. Laws, Rocky Point, iS9th and navy; r. John G. Laws, Rocky Point, 159th; k b. George J. and John Lawton, Central Islip, 9th N. J,; r. John J. Learie, Speonk, 50th Pa,; r. Peter Leary, town of Brookhaven. George B. Ledyard, Southold, 127th; r. George D. Lee, Port Jefferson, 102nd; r. Edward Lee, Huntington, 127th; r. David R. Lee, town of Brookhaven. John D. Leek, Babylon, loth cav.; r. David H. Leek, East- hampton, 8th art.; d s. JaraesH. Leek, Babylon, 127th; r. Rufus Lent, Moriches. David Leodham, Manor, 5th heavy art.; r, Charles Leodham, Riverhead, loth, Robert Leslie, (^utchogue, 6th cav.; r. AVilliam Lester, Springs, 5 th heavy art.; d p, February 24 1864. George F. Lester, Springs, nth cav.; d s. James W. Lester, Springs, 127th; r. Charles Lester, Springs, nth cav. Gil- bert Lester, Springs, nth cav.; r. George O. Lester, Se- tauket; r. Isaac B. Lewis, Selden, nth cav. George W. Lewis, Huntington, 127th; r. Thomas Lewis, North- port; w, J. Longette L'Hommedieu, Centreville, 127th; r. Lyman B, L'Hommedieu, Riverhead, 127th; r. Lewis L'Hommedieu, Bay Shore, navy. Charles L'Hom- medieu, Islip, navy. Richard W. L'Hommedieu, Stony Brook, 139th. James L'Hommedieu, Middle Island, 127th; r. Joseph Liscomb, Bridgehampton, ist mounted rifles; r. William Lobert, town of Islip, John E. Lock- wood, Bay Shore, 139th; r, George Lonckcr, Northport, 15th Ct.; r, Hewlett J, Long, captain, Huntington, 127th; r. John Longworth, Sayville, 12th; d s, Win- chester. Benjamin Loper, Bridgehampton, 127th; d s, Morris Island. Henry J. Loper, Bridgehampton, 8ist; k b, Cold Harbor. Daniel B. Loper, Easthampton, 127th and navy. Abraham B. Loper, Southampton, 127th; d s. Cole's Island, S. C. Oliver L. Loper, Ama- gansett, 9th; r. Charles G. Loper. Charles L. Lo- per; d s. Thomas Loper, 8ist, John F. Love- joy, 8ist. AVilliam Lowen, jr., Easthampton, 15th. Cornelius Lucy, Orient, 165th; r. William H. Ludlow, Sayville, colored, on General Dix's staff; r, William Ludlow, Sayville, brevet major en- gineer corps; regular. Nicoll Ludlow, Sayville, navy ; regular. Matthias Lynch, Huntington, 127th; r. Michael Lynch, Easthampton, nth cav., d s. Dennis Lynch, Riverhead, 127th. Samuel Lyons, Amityville, navy ; r. Daniel E, Lyons ^colored), Amityville, navy; r. James Lyons. David H. Lyons ("colored), Amityville, navy; r. James E. McCabe, navy. Frank McCloskey, Islip, 3d; r. Michael McDonnell, Bridgehampton, 6th cav. ; r. Daniel McGinley, Smithtown, navy. Michael McGinn, Mattituck, 47th; kb. John McGregor, Northport, 127th; r. Andrew J. and James N. McGregor, Huntington, 127th; r. Frank McGurk, Bridgehampton, 165th ; k. Port Hudson, John McGurk, Bridgehampton, navy; r. Gustavus McKeruan, Easthampton, navy. William McKinney, Riverhead, 8th heavy art. John McMahon, Sag Harbor, 127th; k b. William P. McManes, Shelter Island, 127th; d w, Pocataligo, S. C. William McMinn, Southampton, 46th. Joseph McNamee, Greenport, 127th; r. David 'McNeil, Bay Shore, 127th; r. John McNeil, town of Brookhaven. Joseph McWilliams, Easthamp- ton, 8th Pa. Furman S. .Mahan, Cold Spring, 102nd; w. Dennis Maloney, Huntington, T27th; r. James Maloney, Huntington, 127th. Walter F. Mapes, Smithtown, 3d mounted battery. Allen March, Elwood, 87th; d s. Thomas Marion, Bridgehampton, 127th; r. Matthew Martin, Stony Brook, 38th; w, Jeremiah Matthias, Northport, 49th; r. Oliver A, Mayo, Mattituck, 127th; r. John Mead, Islip. Edgar C. Meigs, Sag Harbor, Sist. Joseph Mencee, Mattituck, 127th; d s. Charles Mer- chant, Sag Harbor. Jonathan C. Merrill, Southold, 127th; r. John W. Meyer, Sag Harbor, nth cav.; r. Thomas Middleton, Huntington, 127th; r. James Miller, Sag Harbor, regular army; r. Henry Miller, Babylon, 48th; r. Frederick E. Miller, captain. Miller's Place, 1st mounted rifles; r. John Miller (colored), Amityville, navy; r. Robert Miller (colored), Amityville, 20th ; r. Nathaniel J. and Elias H. Miller, Amagansett, 127th; r. Nathaniel Miller, Amagansett, nth cav.; r. William B. Miller, Amagansett, 127th; r. Jonathan A. Miller, Springs, navy; lost a hand; r. Josiah P. Miller, Springs, 127th ; r. David K. Miller, Greenport, 165th; r. Charles G. Miller, Brentwood, 8th N. J.; d c s. Gilbert Miller, Southaven; ra. Abram H. Miller, Easthampton, 127th ; w. r. Thomas W. Miller, Easthampton, 127th. Lewis B. Miller, Easthampton, nth cav. ; d s. Samuel A. Miller, Babylon, 127th ; r. Philander B, Miller, town of Brookhaven, 12th; r. James J, Miller, town of Brookhaven, 5 7th; d s, Frederick F. Miller, town of Brookhaven, Henry R, Mills, Smith- town, 29th Ct, Byron Mills, town of Brookhaven; r, Horace J. Mingo jr. (colored), 'Bay Shore; d s. James B. Mist, Moriches, 4th cav. Frederick W. Moddle, Hun- tington, 127th; r. Wilson Moger, Sayville, 173d; r. Lor- enzo D, Moger, Patchogue, 8th cav, Benjamin Moger, Patchogue, 12th. John A. Montcalm, Sag Harbor,i27th; r, Augustus Moon, Islip, navy. Dingenus Mooney, Amityville, 127th; d s. Francis J. Mooney, Sag Harbor, 127th; r. John F. Mooney, Sag Harbor, 127th, Charles B, Moore, Orient, 127th; r, Thomas Moore, Quogue, 127th; r. Silas H, Moore, Southaven, 170th; r, Isaac T, and Benjamin F, Moore, Cutchogue, 127th; r, Orrin G. Moore, Cutchogue, 44th; r, Christopher B, Moore, Greenport, 165th; r, Cornelius L, Moore, Greenport, 76 HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. 57th; r. John Moore, Huntington, 127th; r. Andrew B. Moore. Henry Moore, Bridgehampton, 14th U. S. Thomas Moore, Huntington, 127th; r. Henry Morgan, Springs, 127th; r. George C. Morris, Sag Harbor, i6th Gt.; r. Thomas Morris, Huntington, 127th; r. Francis D. Hosier, Centreville, 5th heavy art.; d w rec'd at Winches- ter. James .0. Mott, Selden, 133d; r. George Mott, Babylon, 127th; r. Edgar S. Mt)tt, Patchogue, 2nd cav.; w; r. Horatio Mott, Patchogue, 2nd cav.; d s. David Mott. Charles W. Mott, Patchogue, iSgth; r. John A. Mott, Northport, 127th. Alonzo A. Mott, Selden, i6th Kansas; r. E. Hampton Mulford, lieutenant, Orient, 165th; w;r. W. E. Mulford, Northport,57th; lost a hand; r. Charles J. Mulford, Easthampton, 8ist. John Mullen, Cold Spring, 102nd; m. John Mulrooney, Cold Spring, 102nd; k b, Cedar Mountain. Jesse Muncey, Babylon, 127th; r. Jesse Munsell, Bellport, 92nd; d s, Richmond. Nathaniel N. Munsell, Middle Island, loth Conn.; r. Alexander Munsell, Middle Island, ist U. S. cav.; d s, Alexandria. Daniel H. Murdock, Moriches, 90th; r. Peter Murphy, Melville, 127th; d s. Morgan Murphy, Cold Spring, 102nd; r. Edward Murphy, Greenport. 127th; r. William H. and John J. Murray, Islip, 26th U. S. colored; r. John Murthur, Middle Island, 32nd battery; r. Thomas S. Nash, Islip, 17th Pa. Henry T. Nash, Islip; r. Abram H. Nash, Islip, 2nd Ohio. Horatio S. Nelson, Cutchogue, 132nd; killed by accident. Michael Neville, Deer Park, 99th; r. John Newart, East Marion, 165th; r. Joseph Newton, Greenport, 127th; r. William H. Nichols, Northport, 127th, r. Charles Henry Nichols, Greenport, 31st; r. Stephen Nichols-, Islip, 9th N. J.; r. James Nichols, Smithtown, 102nd; r. James R. Nichols, Middle Island, 165th; d s, Baton Rouge. Floyd C. Nichols, Middle Island, 159th; d w. Joel Nichols, Centreport, 91st; k b. George W. Nichols, Mattituck, 165th. Sylvester Nicoll, captain. Shelter Island; killed by accident on gunboat " Picket." Edward T. Nicoll, Sag Harbor, 127th; r. Smith J. Noe, Say- ville, iS9th; r. Lewis H. Noe, Sayville, navy; r. B B. Norton, Selden, S7th; r. Elbert N. Norton, Selden, 3d heavy art.; r. Harrison Norton, Riverhead, 127th; k b. John R. Norton, Mattituck, 127th. Charles N. Nye, navy; w. John Oakley, Babylon, 127th; d s. Oscar J. Oakley, Coram, 139th; r. James M. Oakley, lieutenant. Coram, 12th; r. John O'Brien, Babylon, 127th. John O'Keefe jr., Islip, 5th U. S. dragoons; r. Absalom E. Oldershaw, Sag Harbor, navy; w; r. Thomas H. Oldershaw, Sag Harbor, i6th Conn. Edward Oldrin, Cutchogue, 127th; r. Adolph Oliver, Hauppauge; r. William H. Oliver, Riverhead, 12th; r. William Osborn, Bellport, 11th cav.; drowned. Henry N. Osborn, Bellport, g2nd; r. Lewis W. Osborn, Moriches, 139th; d s, Point of Rocks. William Osborne, Peconic, 127th; r. Richard H. Overton, Bridge- hampton, 176th; r. Josiah W. Overton, Moriches, 145th; w; r. Charles E. Overton, Southold, 127th; r. Elisha W. Overton, Coram, 1st cav.; r. J. Theodore and Warren R. Overton, Peconic, 127th; r. Joel G. Overton, Middle Island, 32nd battery; r. Moses W. Overton, Riverhead, i2th; d c s. Joseph A. Overton, Riverhead, navy; d c s. George H. Painter, Huntington, 127th; r. Frederick Palow, town of Brookhaven, 178th. Joseph Parish, Shelter Island. Henry Parker, Easthampton. Silas M. Parker, Sag Harbor, nth cav. Richard H. Parks, Patch- ogue, 127th. T. Augustus Parsons, Orient, 165th; d p, in rebel hospital, Richmond. Theodore Parsons, Springs, N. J. regiment; r. Elias H. Payne, Shelter Island, 81st. Edwin E. Payne, Amityville, 20th; d s, Riker's Island. Valentine Payne, Amityville, 8th Rhode Island art.; d s, Fort Jackson. Albert M.Payne, Springs, 48th; w; r. Charles Payne, Springs, navy; r. Elias R. Payne, Ama- ganSett, 127th; w; r. Wesley Payne, Hauppauge, 139th; k b. Fort Harris. James S. Payne, lieutenant, 139th; w; r. Jeremiah Payne, Bridgehampton, 127th; d s, Alex- andria. Thomas B. Payne, Bridgehampton, 127th; r. Baldwin T. Payne, Southold, 127th; r. Benjamin S. Payne, Sag Harbor, 81st; r. Charles Payne, Sag Harbor, 8ist. Robert H. Payne, Sag Harbor, navy. Huntting Payne, nth cav. Ezra Pearsall, Amityville, 127th; w; r. Silas C. and John Pearsall,Amityville, 127th; r. Grove Pease,Mattituck, 127th; r. Charles H. Peck, Port Jefferson, 139th; r. Piatt Pedrick, Cold Spring, 127th; d s, Hilton Head. Joseph H. Pedro, Sag Harbor, 48th. B. Riley Penney, Peconic, 127th; d s. Oliver F. Penney, Flanders, 111. regiment; d s, Chattanooga. Jonathan R. Penney, Bay Shore, 9th N. J.; r. Alexander H. Penney, Good Ground, 6th cav.; r. Benjamin L. Penney, Peconic, 127th; d s, Cloud's Mills. Charles Perdue, Moriches, 1st colored cav.; r. George Perkins, 127th. Sidney B. Petty, Orient, 127th; d s, Morris Island. William E. Petty, Springs, navy; w; r. Stephen Pharaoh, Montauk Indian; r. W. H. H. Phillips, Southampton; r. Stephen Phillips, Northport, 48th; r. Clinton R. Phillips, Westhampton, 12th. Wil- liam E. Phillips, town of Southampton, navy. Andrew Pickett, Orient, 6th cav.; d s, Norfolk, Va. Stephen Pidgeon, Sag Harbor, 127th; r. George Pidgeon, Sag Harbor, navy. John Pidgeon, Northport, navy; r. Ed- ward C. Pierce, Brentwood, 14th; w; r. David Pierson, Bridgehampton, 127th; r. Alanson Pierson, Sag Har- bor, 14th. Nathan H. Pierson, Sag Harbor, 8ist; d s. Enoch Pierson, Sag Harbor, 127th. Osias Pike, lieuten- ant. Central Islip, 2nd cav.; w; r. Horace J. Pike, lieu- tenant. Central Islip, 2nd cav.; r. Calvin Pike, lieuten- ant, Ronkonkoma, 7th Ct. Christopher Pike, major, Ronkonkoma, 5th. John Pilkington, town of Hunting- ton, 35th; d s, Nashville. George E. Pinckney, town of Brookhaven, 131st. Charles E. Pitts, Babylon, 127th; r. Henry R. Pitts, Riverhead, 127th; r. Richard L. Place, Amityville, 127th; r. Jesse Piatt, Huntington, 127th; k b. Eben G. Piatt, Huntington, 1st cav.; r. Ezra W. Piatt, Bellport. D. Piatt, Huntington, 1st cav. Gus- tavus H. Pokoming, town of Islip, 4th cav.; w; r. Tred- well Poley, Cold Spring, 102nd; r. George H. Pollard, Sag Harbor, 81st. William L. Polly, Bridgehampton, 6th cav.; r. Samuel M. Polly, Easthampton, 4th light art.; r. Edward Pounder, Bridgehampton, nth cav.; r. James H. Post, Southampton, 44th; d s. John Potter, Sag Harbor; r. Delone Potter, Islip, 26th N. Y. Henry H. Preston, Shelter Island, 6th cav.; w. Solomon Price, Hauppauge, 139th; d s. George Price, Babylon, 127th; r. William E. Price, Greenport, 127th; r. James H. Price jr., Easthampton, 53d and 8ist. Henry W. Prince, Southold, 127th; r. George S. Prince, Southold, 6th cav. Isaac Quinn, Springs, Connecticut regiment; r. John Quinn, Atlanticville, nth cav.; r. George C. Racket, Cutchogue, 126th; w; r. Joseph Raf- ferty. Mattituck, 127th; r. Samuel M. Ranger, Easthampton, 127th. Warren Raynor, Wading River. Nathan Raynor, Calverton, 165th; d p. Camp Ford, Texas. Leander Raynor, East Mor- iches, 102nd; d s. J. Ivison Raynor, Eastport, 133d; r. Preston Raynor, Manor, 133d; r. Laban Raynor jr., Moriches, 102nd; r. John W. Raynor, lieutenant, River- head, 127th; r. Henry S. Raynor, Atlanticville, nth cav.; d s.. Hart's Island. Jesse Raynor, Huntington, 127th; r. William C. Raynor, Westhampton, 47th; r. Jonah Raynor jr.. Manor, 2nd cav. William S. Raynor, Riverhead, 5th heavy art.; r, John R. Reade, East- hampton, nth Ct.; d s. James Ready, Quogue, 127th; r. Michael J. Reardon, Patchogue, 12th; k b, Bull Run. Thomas Reason, Sag Harbor, 81st. Charles A. Redfield, Bridgehampton, 8ist; k b. Henry J. Redfield, Sag Har- bor, 127th. Jehial B. and Edmund P. Reeve, Moriches, SUFFOLK'S UNION SOLDIERS. 77 133d; r. Oliver F. and John W. Reeve, Centreville, 5th heavy art.; r. Thomas H. Reeve, Moriches, 145th. Thomas E. Reeve, Mattitituck, 127th; r. Miner B. Reeve, Riverhead, S7th; d c s. George B. Reeve, Mat- tituck, 127th; r. Egbert Reeves, Cold Spring, 102nd; r. William H. Reeves. Jacob Reise, Orient, 127th; k b. Nine Mile Ordinary, Va. John Reney jr., Sag Harbor, 8ist; r. William Rhodes, Sayville. Alfred Rhodes, Bay Shore, is8th; r. Hugh Rhody, Sag Harbor, 8ist. Hen- ry W. Rice, Orient, ist R. I. light art.; r. Albert Rich- miller, Huntington, 127th; r. John Rick, Manor, 119th; r. John J. Riddell, lieutenant, Greenport, 127th; r. John Riggs, Huntington, 176th; r. William Riker, Holtsville, sth heavy art.; r. Frederick Ricker, Sag Har- bor, 176th. Sidney H. Ritch, Middle Island, 127th; r. Henry T. Ritchie, Huntington, 127th; d s, Morris Isl- and, Smith W. Robbins, Amityville, 127; w; r. Charles Robbins, Cold Spring, 102nd. Edward S. Roberts, Sag Harbor, 81st; r. George and Jarvis Robinson, Islip, 158th; r. Carman Robinson, Bellport, nth cav.; lost an arm; r. Robert C. Robinson, Springs, 158th; w; r. Eckford J. Robinson, Eastport, 102nd; r. John G. Robinson, Westhampton, 127th; w; r. James T. Robin- son, Westhampton; 12th; w; r. Edward V. Robinson, Moriches; r. George G. Robinson, town of Southampton, 145th; d s, Washington. Timothy W. Robinson, West- hampton; d s. Floyd Robinson, town of Southampton, 13th cav. Jeremiah J. Robinson, Patchogue, navy. Wil- let H. Robinson, Patchogue, navy. Richard E. Robin- son, Riverhead, Sth; k b. Henry Rockwell, Patchogue, 95th; w. Frank Rockwell, Patchogue, 12th; d s, Bedloe's Island. William P. Roe, 139th: r. Thomas Roe, Sag Harbor, 127th; r. Smith Roe, town of Brookhaven. Benjamin F. Rogers, Bridgehampton, 8ist; r. George Rogers, town of Brookhaven. James H. Rogers, surgeon, Easthampton, i6th Wis. William W. Rogers, Islip, 12th; r. ■ Charles A. Rogers, Port Jefferson, navy; r. Israel Rogers, Moriches, 65th; r. Patrick Rork, Cold Spring, 102nd; r. Edwin Rose, colonel, Bridgehampton, 8ist ; resigned. Edward Rose, Southampton, 8ist; w; r. Frederick H. Rose, Watermill, 127th; r. George T. Rose, town of Brookhaven, 92nd. Elbert B. Rose, Brook- haven, •145th. David J. Rose, Moriches, 54th. Edward Rowland, Southaven; k. Sylvester Rowland, town of Brookhaven, navy;r. Gilson Rowland, Patchogue, 13th cav. William Rowley, Selden. John Rudd, Good Ground, 25th battery. George B. Rugg, Bridgehampton, navy; r. J. Edwin Ruland, Moriches, 57th; k b, Antietam. Nel- son S. Ruland, Selden; d s. New Orleans. William Ru- land, Islip, 8th N. J.; k b, Williamsburgh, Va. Manly F. Ruland, town of Brookhaven. George W. Rumbles, 165th; r. Miner B. Russell, Lakeland, 2nd cav.; r. Jan^es B. Russell, Sayville, 2nd cav. Bartlett Russell, Bayport, 2nd cav.; r. James S. Russell, Setauket, 159th; r. Thomas Ryan, Islip, 139th. William Ryder, Bridge- hampton, i68th; r. Smith Ryder, Moriches, i4Sth; r. William H. Ryder, Sag Harbor, 133d. George Ryerson, Huntington, 127th; r. William Rylands, Bridgehamp- ton, 81st; r. George Saddington, Central Islip, 20th; r. Cornelius Sammis, Huntington, 127th; r. Theodore Sammis, Babylon, looth. John A. Sammis, Babylon, 127th; r. Gilbert Sammis, Northport, 48th; d w. Franklin Sammis, Northport, 48th; d s, Hilton Head. Cornelius M. Sammis, Centreport, 48th; r. Charles Sammis, Northport, 127th; d p, Andersonville. Charles A. Sammis, Huntington, 127th; d w. George S. and N'elson Sammis, Huntington, 127th; r. Theodore Sands, Babylon, sharpshooters; r. Henry H. Sanford, Bridge- hampton, 8ist; r. Selah K. Satterley, Cutchogue, 6th cav.; r. William R. Satterley, Bay Shore, 158th; w; r. Charles Satterley, Bay Shore, 6th cav. William H. Satterley, Bay Shore, 66th; r. William Satterley, East Marion, cav.; r. Henry C. Saunders, Islip, Spinola's brigade; d s. Benjamin F. Saxton, Bay Shore, 2nd cav.; r. George S. Saxton, Port Jefferson, loth Ct.; w; r. William Wallace Saxton, Port Jefferson, 5th; w; r. James S. and Matthew H. Sayre, Watermill, 127th; d s, Upton Hill, Va. Christy Schafer, Sag Harbor, 27th; George R. Schellenger, "Sag Harbor, 81st; r. Henry Schoonmaker, Brookhaven, 2nd cav. Ferdinand and Nicholas Schorr, town of Huntington, 127th. Matthias Schorr, town of Huntington, i5lh heavy art.; w. John Schumacker, Huntington, 127th; r. Titus Scofield, Cold Spring, 127th; r. James G. Scott, Miller's Place, art.; r. Stephen B. Scudder, Northport, 48th; d s, Belle Isle. William S. Scudder, Northport, 48th; d p, Richmond. Silas C. Seaman jr., Sayville, 12th; r. Jacob and Wil- liam Seaman, Babylon, 127th; r. Uriah Seaman, East- port, ist mounted rifles; r. William Searles, Patchogue, 12th; r. George H. Sears, Sag Harbor, 127th. John W. Secor, Northport, 127th; r. Charles Seymour, Cutchogue, 47th. C. B. Seymour, Huntington, navy. John B. Sharp, Setauket, ist Wis. heavy art.; r. Francis J. Shattuck, town of Brookhaven, 12th. John Shaw, Upper Aqaebogue, 12th; r. William Sheffield, town of Islip, 14th U. S. regulars. Samuel Shep- ard. Central Islip, 31st. Thomas Shepard, Islip, navy; r. John Sheridan, town of Brookhaven. George R. Sherman, Sag Harbor, 7th Ct. David S. Sherry, Sag Harbor; r. William H. Sherwood, Sag Har- bor, navy; d s. Joseph Sherwood, Sag Harbor. James F. Shipman, Sweet Hollow, iS5th; w. William E. Ship- man, Greenport, 127th; r. Nicholas and Ferdinand Shore, Huntington, 127th; r. David Shotwell, Hunting- ton, 127th; r. John Simons, Sag Harbor, 8th Ct.; k b. John P. Simons. Smith Silsby, Patchogue. W. W. Sil- veira, Sag Harbor, navy; r. James Simpson, Elwood, 87th. Theodore Skidmore, Riverhead, 127th; r. Henry A. Skidmore, Good Ground, 127th; k b. Honey Hill, S. C. Albert F. Skidmore, chaplain. East Setauket, 139th; r. Barton D. Skinner, Greenport, 127th; r. Joshua Small- ing, Babylon, 127th; r. Jonathan Smith, Hauppauge, 139th; k b. Cold Harbor, Va. Jarvis W.Smith, Islip, 2nd cav.; r. Daniel Smith, Peconic, 127th; r. Herman Smith, lieutenant, Sayville, 159th; d w, rec'd at Winches- ter. Egbert T. Smith, Mastic, Delaware regiment; r. I. Wallace Smith, Patchogue. r. Lorenzo H. Smith, Amityville, 90th; d s at Key West. John H. Smith, Baiting Hollow, '2nd cav.; k by accident. David Smith, Sweet Hollow, 127th; r. John H. Smith, Stony Brook, 5th; r. Loi-enzo D. Smith, Sayville, 12th; r. Samuel D. Smith, Sayville, navy; r. Joel B. Smith, Babylon, 127th; w; r. Henry Smith, Babylon, sharpshooters; r. William H. and Medad Smith, Babylon, 127th; r. Ellis Smith, lieutenant, Patchogue, 12th; r. Charles Smith, Blue Point. A. Judson Smith, Greenport. 127th ; r. John C. Smith, Sag Harbor, 8ist. George W. Smith, Sag Harbor, navy; r. Ferdinand Smith, Northport, 90th; d s, Key West. Thomas Smith, lieutenant, Northport, navy; r. Jacob C. Smith, North- port, 127th; r. Charles L. Smith, Huntington, 38th; r. Nelson P., John H. and Mordant L. Smith, Hunting- ton, 127th ; r. Walter Smith, Huntington, 48th ; r. Jesse Smith, Huntington, 48th; kb. James R. Smith, town of Brookhaven. Charles A. Smith, Moriches, 139th. Robert A. Smith, Port Jefferson, 159th and navy. George R. Smith, Brookhaven, 2nd cav.; d p, Andersonville. William H. Smith, Easthampton, navy. Thomas M. Smith, Westhampton; d s. Montville Smith, Northport, navy. Jacob Smith, town of Huntington, 5th art.; k b. Snicker's Gap. Theodore Smith, town of Huntington, 145th. Amos Smith, Islip, navy. William H. Smith, 78 HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. Port Jefferson, 12th. Philip Smith (colored), Moriches; d s. Nehemiah O. Smith, Patchogue, sgth. Orin Smith, town of Brookhaven, sharpshooters. William M. Smith, Patchogue, 4th art.; r. George H. Smith, town of Brookhaven, 12th; k. by accident, Gaines Mills. Robert Smith, Greenport, 6th cav.; r. George Smith, Southold, 127th; r. John H. Snedicor, Bay Shore, 131st; k b, Winchester. Charles Snedicor,town of Babylon, 127th. John O. Snooks, Sag Harbor, 8ist. Charles E. Snow, Southaven, navy. Elisha Snow, Sag Harbor, 8ist. Theo- dore Soper, Elwood, 127th; r. Charles D. Soper, El- wood, 9th N. J.; d s, Newbern. Strong Soper, Smith- town, 102nd; d p, Andersonville. Ebenezer Soper, Smithtown, 102nd; r. Ezra Soper, Babylon, sharpshooters; r. Ira T. Soper, Huntington, 127th; r. Matthew Southard, Islip, sth;dp. Walter Southard, Islip, T39th ; d s, Yorktown. Nelson Southard, Babylon, 6th cav.; d s. William Southard, Babylon, 127th; r. Daniel Spencer, Sag Harbor, 81st. Hamilton R. Sprague, 127th; r. Edward Sprague, 127th; d s. Folly Island. . Frederick W. Sprague, Bay Shore, 139th; r. Charles Sprague, town of Huntington, 54th; r. George P. Squires, Red Creek, 127th; r. Edward Squires, Amityville, 20th; r. Leander Squires, Amityville; nth art.; r. J. Hampton Squires, Watermill, 95th Ohio; r. Henry Squires, lieutenant, Southampton, 8ist; r. Edward L. Squires, Good Ground, 127th. Stephen L. Squires, Sag Harbor, 127th; d s, Morris Island. Charles Squires, Sag Harbor. Isaac Stanbrough, Sag Harbor; d s. James Stanbrough, Sag Harbor, nth New Hampshire; d s. Joseph B. Stanton, Sag Harbor, 8isl. Oscar F. Stanton, Sag Harbor, navy. William C. Stanton, Sag Harbor. William H. Stanley, Southampton, 4th Rhode Island; r. Thomas Stearns, Centreport, ist mounted rifles; r. John Steele, Amityville, 20th; d s. David H. Steele, colored, town of Huntington, 20th. David Stephens, Port Jefferson, navy; r. William W. Sterling, Cutchogue, 127th; r. Edward Stevens, Quogue, 127th; d s. Henry Still, town of Brookhaven. George Stilwell, Huntington, 102nd; r. Andrew Stillwell, Huntington, 127th; r. William H: Stilwell, Huntington, 102nd; r. Isaac D. Stillwell, town of Brookhaven. James Stilwell, Babylon, 2nd cav.; w; r. John R. Strickland, Bayport, 2nd cav.; w; r. Arthur J. Strong, Islip, 8th U. S. colored; r. Silas P. Strong, Bay Shore, 9th N. J.; k b, Drury's Bluff. James M. Strong, Bridgehampton, 127th; r. Charles H. and Thomas H. Strong, Sag Harbor, navy; r. Jeremiah Sullivan, Shelter Island, 127th; r. Patrick Sullivan, Babylon, 117th. Lyman W. Sutton, Greenport, 127th; r. Jacob Sutton, town of Brookhaven. Henry H. Suydara, Babylon, 127th; r. Nathaniel Suydam, town of Huntington, navy; r. Warren W. Swezey, Islip, 9th N. J. Richard M. Swezey, Sag Harbor, 81st; r. Moses Swezey, town of Brookhaven, 2nd cav.; d s. Stephen J. Swezey, Huntington. Evi Swezey, Patchogue. Joseph Sylve, Sag Harbor, navy; r. William Sythes, Sag Harbor, 13th New Hampshire. Elbert W. Tabor, Orient, 6th cav.; r. William T. Tabor, Orient, 6th cav.; d s. Belle Island. Richard Tainey, Northport, 127th; r. Nathaniel M. Talmage, lieutenant. Springs, 5th cav.; r. William H. Talmage, Sag Harbor, 127th; r. Edward C. Taylor, 8ist. George F. Teal, town of Brookhaven, 2nd art. Thomas S. Terrell, Islip, 99th.. Charles S. Terrell, Patchogue, 145th and 107th; r. La Fayette Terrell, Atlanticville, 127th; r. Walter Terrell, Patchogue, 12th; r. George H. Terry, East Moriches, 102nd; r. Brewster Terry, Holtsville, iSgth; r. George W. Terry, Moriches, 102nd. Leander Terry, Jamesport, 165th; r. Scudder H. Terry, Holtsville, 13th; d p, Danville, Va. Columbus F. Terry, Centreville, 5th heavy art.; r. James B. Terry, Bridgehampton, 127th; r. Charles E. and Benjamin H. Terry, Southold, 127th; r. Albert' H. Terry, Riverhead, 127th; r. Parmenas Terry, Riverhead, 127th; d w, Beaufort, S. C. James M. Terry, town of Brookhaven. George A. Terry, Easthampton, 112th. Jesse A. Terry, town of Southampton, navy. Gideon H. Terry, Moriches, 102nd; k b, Point of Rocks. Bryant B. Terry, Patchogue, 48th; r. Sidney Terry, Holtsville, 133d. Henry C. Thatford, Sag Harbor, 6th Ct.; r. Robert H. Thompson, Orient, 165th; r. Alonzo F. Thompson, Brentwood, 84th; d c s. George F. Thompson, Islip, 158th; r. Walter Thome, Central Islip, 1 16th United States colored. Jacob B. Thur- ber, Patchogue, 2nd cav.; r. John R. Thurber, Bay Shore, 8th N. J.; k b, Williamsburgh, Va. Daniel J. Thurber, Patchogue, 2nd cav.; r. Stephen W., John W. and Smith R. Thurber, Islip, navy. Elias H. and Benjamin E. Tichenor, Amityville, 127th; r. John B. Tichenor, town of Huntington, 61st; w; r. Charles S. Tillinghast, Southold, 127th; r. Charles E. TilHng- hast, Easthampton, 8ist; d s. Alfred C. Tillotson, Babylon, 127th; r. Jacob P. Tillotson, Huntington, 127th; r. Abraham Tobias (colored), Setauketj 26th. Erastus Tooker, Babylon, sharpshooters; r. Floyd Tooker, Babylon, 127th; r. M. Howell Topping, Bridge- hampton, '100th; r. William O. Topping, Bridgehamp- ton, 7th Wis.; killed. Edward Topping, Easthampton, 8ist; d s. Albert E. Topping, Bridgehampton, navy; r. James R. Topping, Bridgehampton, navy. Joshua Town- send, Cold Spring, 20th U. S. colored; r. William H. Tredwell (colored), Islip, 14th R. I. heavy art. Theo- dore Tredwell, Rocky Point. Oliver R. Trembly, Amity- ville, 127th; r. Walter Tully, Bridgehampton, nth cav.; r. Arthur W. Turbush, Peconic, i27tli; r. Hal- sey C. Tuthill, Jamesport, 8th heavy art.; r. George W. Tuthill, Jamesport, 127th; r. Luther M. and Daniel Y. Tuthill, Orient, i6sth; r. Thomas P. Tuthill, Hunt- ington, 127th; r. Erastus W. Tuthill, Cutchogue, 127th; d p, Richmond. Orin O. Tuthill, New Suffolk, 170th; d p. Belle Isle. Cyrus D. Tuthill, Westhampton; d p, Andersonville. Preston Tuttle, Westhampton, nth cav.; r. William J. Tuttle, Speonk, 127th; r. George H. Tyler, New Suffolk, is8th; r. Oliver E. Vail, captain, Peconic, 127th; r. Henry F. Vail, Riverhead, 127th; r. Thomas H. Vail, Sag Harbor, 81st; r. William H. Vail, town of Brookhaven. Edward Valentine, Cold Spring, 127th; r. William H. Valentine, Huntfngton, 127th and S4th. Oliver Valentine, Huntington, 127th; d s. Samuel A. Van Cott, Bay Shore, 2nd cav.; d p, Belle Isle. Henry Van Cott, Babylon, 127th; r. Peter Van Cowin, Middle Island; r. James A. Van Houton, Sag Harbor, 8th Pa.; r. S. Van Nostrand, captain. Blue Point, 27th N. J. George Van Stephenburgh, town of Brookhaven, 12th; d s. Andrew J. Velsor, Centreport, 127th; d w. Daniel S. Velsor, Huntington, 127th; d s. Jonas A. Velsor, Huntington, 127th; r. James E. Verity, Islip, 2nd cav. Anthony Verway, Lakeland; 2nd cav. John Vincent, Riverhead, 131st; w; r. Jared and Charles B. Wade, Sag Harbor, 81st; r. Frederick J. Wadley, Southampton, 6th cav.; r. Alfred Wagstaff jr., lieutenant, West Islip, 91st; r. John H. Walker, Southampton, 20th U. S. colored; d s, at sea. John A. Walker, Babylon, surgeon in navy. John Walsh, Cold Spring, 1st; r. William Walsh, River- head, 158th; r. Max Walters, Shelter Island, 132nd; r. Andrew C. Walters, Amityville, 90th; d s. Key West. George S. Walters, lieutenant, Cold Spring, 102nd ; r. J. Conklin Walters, Cold Spring, 102nd; k b. Cedar Mountain. C. C. Walters, Huntington, 6th Ct. Ephraim and Charles M. Walters, Smithtown, 139th. Thomas Ward, Riverhead, 39th. George W. Ware, Southampton, 6th cav.; d s, near Washington. Timothy Warren, Watermill, 127th; r. Washington Warren, Northport, SUFFOLK'S UNION SOLDIERS 79 i2oth; w. Alfred Warner, Sag Harbor, 8ist. John T. Warner, Southold, 165th; r. John Wasson, Moriches, 90th Pa.; r. Edwin A. Waterbury, Huntington, 127th; r. Alexander Watts, Bay Shore, 158th; r. Job Webb, Sag Harbor, 127th. William Webster, Elwood, 6th cav.; r. George A. Weed, Bridgehampton, 127th; r. W. H. Weed, town of Huntington, navy; w. George Weeks, Islip, navy. George S. Weeks, Sayville, 127th; r. Jesse Weeks, Huntington. James Weeks, town of Huntington, 102nd; d w. John Weidner.'Bellport, 107th; r. Edward Weidner, town of Brookhaven. Thomas Welch, Riverhead; w. John Weller, Northport, 3d U. S. art. George B. Wells, Peconic, 127th; w; r. William H. Wells, Stony Brook ; r. Elisha Wells, Upper Aquebogue, 2nd Ct.; r. George C. Wells, Southold, 127th; r. Morgan L. Wells, South- ampton, 127th; m. Calvin H. Wells, Greenport, 127th ; r. William T. Wells, Port Jefferson, 159th and navy. Ellsworth E. Wells, Riverhead, 127th; w. Henry Wells, Greenport, 127th. Edward T.Wendling.Yaphank, 2nd cav. Michael Wench. Charles Wescott, town of Brookhaven. Jacob Wetzel, Orient, 165th; d w. New Orleans. James Wheeler, Cold Spring, 102nd; w. E. F. Wheeler, Sag Harbor, 8ist; r. Franklin A. Whitbedk, Yaphank, 158th. Robert White, Brentwood, 9th N. J.; r. George H. White, Sagg, navy; r. Hubert White, Southampton, 2nd cav. ; r. Charles H. White, Rocky Point; r. William White, Manor, 165th; k b. John White, Wading River, k b. ^'Jjdrew White, Cold Spring, 8th heavy art.; k. Lewis ^L. White, Stony Brook, 26th U. S. colored. Edward L. White jr., Riverhead, 127th; w. George Whittemore, town of Huntington, navy. Peter Whittle, Southampton, 127th; r. George Whitney, Babylon, sharpshooters; r. George and Charles Whitney, town of Southampton, nth cav. William H. Wick, South- ampton, 89th; k b, Antietam. Sidney S. Wicks, Patchogue, Spinola's brigade. L. B. Wicks, town ot Brookhaven. John E. and Samuel C. Wicks, town of Brookhaven. George Wicks, town of Huntington, 127th; r. Joseph Keenan Wier, Middle Island; r. George W. Wiggins, Babylon, sharpshooters; r. John Wiggins, Centreport, 48th; r. Thomas A.Wiggins, Peconic,i27th; w; r. William S, Wiggins, Greenport, 12th; r. Joseph C. Wiggins, Mattituck, 127th. A. H. Wilbur, Hunting- ton, ist engineer corps. Nathan T. Wilcox, Shelter Island, ist R. I. cav. Theodore Wilkins, town, of Brook- haven. Albert Wilkinson, Southaven, 145th; r. Marion Willett, Huntington; w. Samuel V. Willetts, town of Brookhaven, 12th. Henry J. Willey. William F". Williams, colored, Southampton, 20th; d s. William E. Williams, Greenport,i65th; m. John and Henry Williams, town of Brookhaven. Evi Williams, Northport, 26th Ct. ; r. Julius W. Williams, Northport, 26th Ct.; w; r. Richard Williams, town of Huntington, cav.; r. Charles E. Wil- liams town of Brookhaven, 1st mounted rifles. Horace Williams, Patchogue, navy ; r. Jeremiah Williams, Greenport, navy. William N. Williamson, Sag Harbor, 12th Ct.; d s. Edward J. Williamson, Sag Harbor; d s. Frederick B. Williamson, Sag Harbor, 16th Ct.; r. D. Halsey Williamson, i6sth; r. George O. Williamson, Riverhead, 12th. Charles M. Willis, Sag Harbor, Harri- son's light art.; d s. Daniel S. Wilmarth, Amityville, 127th; r. Alfred D. Wilson, assistant surgeon. Port Jefferson, 3d; r. Albert Wilson, Coram, 145th, w; r. Hiram H. Wines, Westhampton, 127th; k b, Devoe's Landing. George W. Winters, town of Brookhaven, navy. George Wood, Babylon, 20th U. S. colored. Ira Wood, Cold Spring, iz7th; w; r. Henry H. and Henry K. Wood, Peconic, 127th; r. George S. Wood, Cutch- ogue, 163d; r. Arnold Wood, Huntington; k b. John F. Wood, Huntington, navy. Daniel Wood, Northport, r27th. William H. Wood, town of Huntington, 26th U. S. colored. Havens W. Wood, Patchogue, 12th; r. John M. Wood, Patchogue, 12th; d s, Annapolis. Levi N. Woodbury, Holtsville, 35th N.J. Francis Woodbury, Holtsville, 47th Mass.; d s. Joseph H. Woodhull, James- port, 8th heavy art.; r. Alfred Woodward, captain. Sag Harbor, 66th. Eph/aim Woodworth, East Moriches, 130th Ind. William H. Worth, Sayville, navy. Sylvester Worth, Sayville, navy; r. Sylvester H. Worth, Port Jef- ferson, 56th; d s, Hilton Head. Edwin F. Worthington, Bridgehampton, navy; d s. Henry M. Worthington, Riverhead, 169th. John F. Worthington, Riverhead, 164th. George W. Worthington, Riverhead, navy. Nathan H. Wright, Bridgehampton, loth Ct. ; r. Frederick Wright sen. and jr., Islip, 2nd cav.; r. Lee Wright, Islip, 2nd cav. Joseph C. Wright, Babylon, 127th; r. Isaac Wright, Easthampton, navy. Jeremiah S. Wright, Easthampton, navy. Julius B. and George W. Young, Orient, 6th cav.; r. James H. Young, lieu- tenant, Orient, 127th; r. John H.Young, Orient, 127th; w; r. John S. Young, Orient, 127th; d c s, at home. Joseph C. Young, Cutchogue, 165th. Johnson H. Young. Thomas Young, Cutchogue, major, 8th U. S. colored. James F. Youngs, Baiting Hollow, 2nd cav.; r. Charles and Harrison Youngs, Hauppauge, 139th; r. George Youngs, Speonk, isth art.; r. John Elliot Youngs, Middle Road, 8th heavy art.; w. John F. Youngs, Bridgehampton, 8ist; r. John Yack, Orient, i6sth; w; r. Under the internal revenue act, which was called into existence by the necessities of the war, the assistant assessors appointed for the different localities of Suffolk county were: Edmund A. Bunce, Huntington; Edwin A. Smith, Smithtown; Philander T. Hawkins, Islip; George C. Campbell and John Roe sen., Brookhaven; David F. Vail, Riverhead; Jonathan W. Huntting, Southold; Hiram L. Sherry, Easthampton; Daniel Y. Bellows, Southampton. The income tax in Suffolk amounted to more than all the other taxes combined. The largest ever paid by a single individual was that of Thomas Garner sen., of Islip, on an annual income of $150,000. The greater part of the taxes imposed by the act have for many years been abolished, and with them the offices of assessor and assistant assessor. The whole work of the internal revenue business in Suffolk has been given to one office, that of a deputy collector, which l^from its creation to the present time has been filled by Philander J. Hawkins, of Islip. The principal revenue is now derived from the tax on licenses for selling liquors and tobacco, and the manufacture and sale of segars. There were in 1880 thirty-seven segar manufactories in opera- tion in the county, and the revenue collected on segars sold- during the year amounted to $19,542.60. CHAPTER VUI. PHYSICAL FEATURES — CLIMATE — INDUSTRIES — MEANS OF COMMUNICATION. UFFOLK COUNTY is bounded on the west by Queens county, and is surrounded on all other sides by Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Its area, including all meadows, marshes, bays and harbors, is 1,200 square miles, though only about three- fourths of that amount is solid land. The coun- 8o HISTORY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY. ty is 90 miles in length, and at the west end the greatest width is 20 miles. The surface is elevated and broken along the north side, and low and flat along the south side. Through the middle from west to east runs a chain of hills, in which is found the highest land of the county. One of these hills, near the west end of the county, is called " Jayne's," or " Oakley's " hill, and has the reputation of being the highest point; it rises 354 feet above tide water. Numerous springs of fresh water burst from the hill- sides about the shores of the north side, and from the low marshes of the south side, where they supply fre- quent streams. The largest of these streams furnish power for grist-mills, and the smaller ones afford excel- lent facilities for the cultivation of trout, to which pur- pose a great many of them have been devoted. Some parts of the interior abound in fresh water ponds, many of which have neither outlet nor inlet. The soil of the northern part is a heavy, rich loam. That in the southern part is lighter, but affords many fertile spots. The Hampton peninsula — by which we mean all that part of the island east of Canoe Place — though on the south side contains some of the richest farming land in the county. The central belt, which is traversed by the range of hills spoken of, presents a great variety. In it hills of sand and gravel alternate with marshes, from which a number of streams course away to fall into the neighboring harbors or bays, while patches of fertile bottom and beds of clay and peat are frequently to be found. Fully two thirds of the land area of the county is still unimproved. Only a part of this large extent is occu- pied by thrifty forest growth, and that portion, owing to the frequency of devastating fires, is rapidly becoming less. But little of the forest land is profitable to its owners, while a large part of what was once occupied by healthy timber growth is now practically a waste, covered by a sea of worthless scrub-growth from which here and there a single tree rears its ragged crown. The business of cutting and marketing cordwood, which once employ- ed many men, has been almost abandoned on account of the degeneration of the forests and the universal intro- duction of coal. The bays which break in upon the shore on all sides afford rich stores of fish, eels, oysters, clams, crabs, scallops "and other species of animal life, besides the vegetable matter of different kinds which is gathered from the waters for use as fertilizing material upon the adjoining farms. Besides the employment which these bay fisheries give to thousands, and the mines of wealth which the farmers draw from the water, these bays and creeks offer a great attraction to sportsmen in the num- bers of water-fowl which frequent them. We estimate that Suffolk county has a shore line, bordering on salt water, counting that on the bays, sound and ocean, of not less than six hundred mile's. In salubrity of climate the reputation of Suffolk is good. The longevity of the people is a subject of fre- quent remark. The fact is developed by statistics that only 2.3 per cent, of the native white population of New York State reach the age of 70 years, but 3.8 per cent, of the same class in Suffolk county reach that age. The variations of temperature range during the year from go° down to zero. These extremes are rarely passed, and they are reached on but a few days in any year. Within the last decade malarial diseases have become more common than they ever were before, though even now they can hardly be called prevalent. Ten years ago the memory of the often quoted " oldest inhabitant " could scarcely recall a case of chills and fever. We may almost say that the disease was absolutely unknown here, except in isolated cases that had been brought from some other part. During latter years it has become common in some localities. As has been already intimated, the fisheries in the bays and adjacent waters furnish employment to a large class of people. Modern enterprise has carried these fisheries beyond the bays into the sound and ocean. Bass, cod and blue-fish are caught in their season. The most com- mon fish is the menhaden. Fish of this kind were for- merly used mainly as a fertilizer, but within thirty years the business of extracting oil from them has sprung up. Factories have been established upon the shores for this purpose, and fleets of vessels during the season are con- stantly cruising the waters, especially about the east end, in search of " schools " of these fish. In recent years steam vessels have been introduced into this business, and the manufacture of oil by improved apparatus on an enlarged scale engrosses an immense amount of capital. The refuse after the oil has been extracted from the fish is a valuable fertilizer, and finds a ready market among the farmers. Of the bivalve fisheries the oyster furnishes the most important. In addition to the natural beds, which abound in many of the bays, the producing area has been largely increased by cultivation. Within a few years the de- mand for exportation to Europe has enhanced the prices and given an increased impetus to the business. Clams and scallops are taken in most of the bays, and from some points they are shipped in considerable quanti- ties to New York, New England and other parts of the country. The whale fishery as an important interest began almost with the settlement of the first towns. Boats were kept in readiness, and whenever a whale was discovered off the shore a company of the inhabitants would man them and pull off to capture it. This practice was pursued with profitable results for a long time. Even to the present day the apparatus is kept in readiness upon the Hampton shore, but occasions for its use do not occur so often as they once did. A few vessels had been fitted out to cruise for whales before the Revolutionary war, and soon after that time the enterprise developed with greater rapidity. The height of its prosperity was reached about forty years ago, and was soon followed by a rapid decline. During its palmy days nearly every maritime village of the county was more or less inter- ested in it, but there are now but few persons here en- AGRICULTURE IN SUFFOLK COUNTY— ROADS. 8i gaged in the business and but very little capital in- vested. Ship-building has engaged the attention of most of the seaport villages. It has been carried on most exten- sively in the villages lying near the sound, some of which have been built up and sustained by it more than by any other agency. Like the whale fishery it has seen its palmy days and seems now on the decline. Foreign and coastwise commerce has from an early period en- gaged a large part of the inhabitants of this county, as sea captains and sailors, and occupied a large share of their surplus capital. Suffolk is not a manufacturing county, Agriculture ■and commerce give the people their chief employments. A few distilleries were in operation something like a cen- tury ago, and woolen factories were more common till a later date; but these, with the exception of a single ■woolen mill, together with all the accessories of the home manufacture of cloth, the village hatters and the itinerant shoemakers, are numbered with the things of the past. Grist-mills, — some run by water, some by -wind, and some by steam, — turning, planing and mould- ing-mills, and straw-board paper-mills, are the most fre- •quent manufacturing establishments at present to be m^et with. Manufactories of cotton, rubber, segars, carriages, leather, pottery, fertilizers, buttons and vulcanized goods have been established. Brick-making has also been quite extensively carried on in some parts. Extensive beds of •clay are found in the interior and on the north side, -where every facility for working, such as sand, water and fuel, is at hand. The extent of farm land under cultivation in the ■county is 156,760 acres, and this is divided into about four thousand farms. The amount of capital invested in agriculture, including farms, implements, stock and buildings, exclusive of dwellings, is more than $25,000,- •000, and the gross annual sales of produce not consumed upon the farm are about four per cent, on that amount. Suffolk invests more in fertilizers than any other county in the State except Queens. In proportion to the extent of improved land this county produces nearly three times as much Indian corn as the average product of the State, and is only exceeded in this comparison by two counties, Wayne and Kings; the rural section of the latter being so small it can hardly be considered as a fair rival in this respect. While the average yield per acre through the State is 32.33 bushels the yield in Suffolk county is 35.74 bushels. In the amount of winter wheat in proportion to the extent of improved land this county produces more than double the average of the State, and more than three times that of any other county east of Onondaga. It ranks as twelfth among the great wheat producing counties of New York, and is the third county in the State in the average yield per acre. While the average yield in the State is only 16.16 bushels, Suffolk produces 19.48 bushels to the acre. In the amount of poultry sold it is the fourth county in the State, and in the value of eggs sold it stands at the head, its annual sales exceeding those of any other county by more than $20,000. The cultivation of potatoes, cauliflower and strawberries is a specialty on the northern peninsula of the east end, wheat on the southern peninsula and in the northwest part, cucumbers in the interior at the west end, turnips in the northern part, and cranberries, melons and garden vegetables through the central portions. The following table shows some of the principal facts in relation to the agriculture of the county and its products, as given by the State census of- 1875: Babylon Brookhaven... Basthampton . . Huntington Islip Blverhead Shelter Island . Smithtown Southampton . Southold Suffolk County.. ■d •a •a E3 0) > ES§ S <^ t-H 5,264 5,770 3,572 26,383 41,051 50,316 13,156 7,922 9,306 28,309 7,.599 5,354 7,119 8,379 5,896 15.158 8,491 9,994 3,039 2,.521 1,553 11>606 4,748. 12,659 27,790 12,970 22,027 18,836 3,099 8,458 156,760 102,550 129,135 to « y and the beach called by' them Sucrunkas and "bounded on the east by a certain crick which runs through the said island which we have sold to the said Samuel Ketcham, Nesauaske, * Spelled at Vofi present time " Sumpawams," the neck of land being the site o( the part of Babylon village situated south of Prospect street. The "Indian path" crossed the neck of Sampawams about where Prospect street is now located. THE TOWN OF BABYLON. which creek is called by us Pascurucks — all the meadows lying westward of Pascurucks of the said Island Scre- kunkas.'' " And that there may be no mistake of this saile it is to be remembered and noted that the west bounds of the said island is to be reconed where the fishing houses formerly stood." A deed dated March 7th 1691, from " Ould Cheepie, Will Cheepy, Massapague Indians," conveyed to Robert Kellum, of the town of Huntington, "one island or islands of meadow, lying and being on the south side of the island, between the south beach and the south mead- ows of the town of Huntington, against a parcel of mead- ow commonly called or known by the name of Half Neck." Through the island of meadow "aforsaid there runs a small creek, as two islands, but we accompt it as one island." September 21st 1691 Wamcos, sagamore of the Se- catogue Indians, with otheft of the Secatogues, sold to Epenetus Piatt, Richard Brush, Jonas Wood and Thomas Brush, with their associates, all of Huntington, "the upland of a neck of land lying on the south side of this island, called Naqueetatogue. Tlie meadow land of that neck belonging to Justice Piatt, Richard Brush, Jonas Wood, Thomas Brush and their associates; but all the upland from the fresh meadow to the Indian patli that now is from Sautepague River on the east side to Little Neck River west, with liberty to cut wood or timber for gards or sellars on the north side of the Indian path, the aforsaid Indians, being the true proprie- tors, do alienate and confirm all of the said land above mentioned on the south side of the Indian path, and what benefit on the north side of the path as is recited." By a deed dated November 28th 1693, "in the fifth year of our Sovereign Lord and Lady, William and Mary," Sowames, an Indian of Marsapeague, conveyed to John Wood, of Huntington, "a parcel of land lying in the town of Huntington, Copiag Neck, and bounded eastward on the land of Samuel Wood, of the aforesaid town of Huntington, westward upon Tacaraackacackee Crick, southward upon the meadows already purchased, northward upon the commons, that is to say, forty rods above the nowe Indian path." The deed was acknowl- edged before John Wicks, one of their Majesties' justices of the peace, July 9th 1696. A deed by certain Secatogue sachems to Samuel Wood, dated July 2nd 1696, recites that the sachems of Mon- tauk and Secatogue in 1657 and 1659 conveyed to " Jonas Wood of Halifax, of the town of Huntington, a half neck of land and meadow lying at the south side, called Copiag Neck, which was bounded northward by the head of Copiag River, east by the creek, and west- ward by the Marsapeague Sachem's land;" and proceeds to confirm the former conveyance. Mamome, Sucuctom and WillChopy, Marsapeague In- dians, on the 5th of May 1697 sold to John Ketcham and Jonas Piatt of. Huntington " a certain neck of land lying on the south side of this island, within the bounds of Huntington, called by the Indians Scuraway and by the English Josiah's Neck, * * * from the south meadows, and so running north by the swamp called by the English the West Neck Swamp, to the line of the said swamp upon the brushy plains; then on a straight line upon the brushy plains till it comes against the head of a short swamp joining to the south meadows lying between his^neck said and a half neck; then to run from the head of this half neck swamp on a northeast line northeast upon the bushy plains." May nth 1697 William Chopie, Cungome, and Mam- ome, Marsapeague Indians, deeded to John Ketcham, James Chichester and Timothy Conklin, sen., of Hunt- ington, for ;^i6 7s. " a certain neck of land lying on the south side of this island called West Neck, being the westermost neck of Huntington bounds, bounded on the east by a river and swamp which parts this said neck and a neck called by the Indians Scuraway, by the Eng- lish Josiah's Neck, and running northward by the said swamp upon the brushy plains to a cart path which leadeth from Thomas Powell's house to the Great Neck; bounded on the west by a river and a short swamp join- ing to this neck, and a neck called by the English Lat- ten's Neck, called by the Indians Taukoms, running northward to the head of this short swamp on the west side upon a straight line north to the aforesaid Thomas Powell's cart path, that leadeth from his house to the Great Swamp; and bounded by the said path on the north from the east side to the west." December 2nd 1697 several Secatogue Indians sold to Joseph Wood, Thomas Fleet and Nathaniel Foster, of Huntington, " a certain neck of land lying on the south side of this island within Huntington ' patten,' joining to a river that parteth said neck and a neck called Sum- paumes; this river is called by the Indians Warask- cumuncake [now Carl I's River, upon which the paper- mill is situated]. The said neck is called by the Eng- lish Eastermost East Neck, or commonly known by the name of Captain Fleet's Neck, and by the Indians Arasc- cascagge, and is bounded on the west by a swamp that parteth the other east neck and this said neck; all this said neck from the edge of the meadow to the head of the swamp that parteth these two east necks, and to run on a straight line east across this said neck to the great river that 'parteth this neck and a neck called Sam- paumes." Certain Marsapeague Indians on the 4th of May 1698 sold to the town of Huntington: " All that parcel or tract of land and beach, the beach bounded by the west side of Marsapeague Gut and run- ning westward to the patent line, the upland being bounded as followeth: On the north by our south bounds that were formerly marked out by Suammee, bounded on the west by Thomas Powell's line to the head of Mar- sapeague east branch, so running eastward to the head of Rugua Swamp, and so running eastward to the land on the west neck bought of John Ketcham and James Chichester of the aforesaid Sewamas, and so running eastward by the said John Ketcham's and Jonas Piatt's lands, running by their east line till coming within 40 rods of the Indian path, ori the west side of the Great Neck, and running eastward by the land already pur- chased on the aforesaid neck, and so stretching eastward THE TOWN OF BABYLON. to the meadow of Copiague; bounded on the south by John Wood's land; so stretching northward to the south path by the single pine, and so bounds on the east side by the south path till it comes to our south bounds laid out by Suammee." By a deed dated May 13th 1698 the Indians Pameanes and Charles Pamequa sold to Epenetus Piatt, Jonas Wood and John Brush, in behalf of them and their associates of the town of Huntington, "all that neck or part of up- land situate and lying on the south side of this island commonly called by the English East Neck, by the In- dians Causcuncruarau, being bounded as follows: On the west with the middle of Sautapogue Swamp, so running northward to the head of s„iJ swamp; so running east to the north corner of Thomas Fleet's and Joseph Wood's lyne; so running southward to their west lyne to the meadows already purchased." December i6th 1699 the Secatogue Indians within the bounds of Huntington sold to that town land " bounded by marked- trees between the Indians and the inhabitants of Huntington, east according to the bounds set forth on the patent of the said town, south by the purchased necks and west by the south path that leads to Copiague." July 2nd 1700 the town trustees bought of the Seca- togues " all that certain tract of land situated on a cer- tain neck * * * called Sautapauge, * * * bounded north by a straight line running from the head of Sautapague Swamp to a great pond at the head of the East Neck Swamp; east and west by the main rivers called Sautepague and Neguntatague rivers, and south by the former purchase." April 14th 1702 the town trustees bought "all that cer- tain tract of land situated, lying and being on a certain neck on the south side of the island of Nassau commonly called Sampaumes* * * * bounded on the west side by the middle of a river or creek, on the east side by our patent line, on the south by our former purchase, on the north by the heads of the said swamps."* A deed dated May 20th 1702 conveyed from Wam- caus, Will Harnot, Chopous, Pompat, Charles Pamescau, Mumsuaram, Wanascut, Beames, Joseph Chopous, Wa Wharam and Aromskis, Indians of Secatogue, to the town of Huntingdon " all that certain tract of land lying and bounded northward of a former purchase by the cart path that goes down to Sumpaumes, southward by a red oak tree, so running westerly to a white oak tree by 'a pond, so running southwest to a single white oak tree upon the plains, to the south path." November 17th 1703 Wheamcaues, sachem of Seca- togue, Chepous and Nepaunneck deeded to Joseph Wood, "living on the East Neck at South, his heirs and assigns, a certain piece or tract of land situate, lying and being upon the south side of this island Nassau, upon a neck called East Neck, bounded on the south by the said Joseph Wood's former purchase, on the east by the great river, on the north by the head of the branch of * This deed conveyed all the land on Sumpawams Creek north of Prospect street in the village of Babylon and south of the Long Island Bailroad. It is difttcult at the present day to fix the exact northern boundary of the tract degcribed. said river on the plains near the highway or cart path, on the west by said highway or cart path." Several Secatogue Indians on the 24th of October 1705 sold to the town of Huntington all their "right of unpurchased land " within the patent bounds of the town " except a certain piece of land from the head of the Lattens Neck Swamp to the Indian path that goes across said neck. All our right of unpurchased land within the foresaid patent bounds followeth: On the south with this aforementioned piece of land and joining to Joseph Wood's line upon the East Neck, and by the land already purchased by the trustees of said town of Huntington on the north, and by the patent line on the east; on the west by a cart path leading from Copiague to town." October 29th 1705 the Indian proprietors sold to the town of Huntington a certain beach lying on the south side of the island, boundea on the east by the patent line; on the west "by our former purchase .on the west side of Massapague Gut "; on the south by the sea, and on the north by the Great South Bay. By deed dated November 20th 1705 the native pro- prietors conveyed to the town of Huntington a tract on the south side of the island upon a neck called Nagunta- togue; " bounded on the south side by land lying above the meadows purchased by the town of Huntington aforesaid; bounded on the north by the heads of the two swamps and the last land purchased by the town of Huntington; bounded on the east by the river that parteth this said neck and the little neck; to them as tenants in common, without any pretense of joint ten- ancy or survivorship; always providing * * * that it shall be lawful for the said Indians to hunt on ye said land." A portion of the Bethpage purchase is situated in the town of Babylon, but the larger part is in the town of Oyster Bay in Queens county. The original deed is in the possession of John C. Merrit of Farmingdale, L. I., and is dated i8th day of 8th month 1695. It was given by Maumo (alias Sowoncams) and William Choppy, Soar-ranking and Wamussau, Indian proprietors, to Thomas Powell sen. The easterly line of this purchase runs very near the house now owned and occupied by Phineas Seaman. On the east of the Bethpage purchase is the territory included in the Baiting Place purchase the eastern boundary of which is the Neguntatogue road; and on the east of the Baiting Place purchase is situated the Squaw Pit purchase, extending eastward to Sumpawams River. Revolutionary Characters. At the time of the American Revolution but few persons had settled in the limits of the present town. Colonel Piatt Conklin at that time owned a large and valuable farm at Half Way Hollow Hills, and also a tract of considerable size at West Neck, now Amityville. Thomas Fleet was also considered a large farmer and landed proprietor. His farm was upon the south main road. During the occupation of the island by the British THE TOWN OK BABYLON. troops Mr. F. was. forced to furnish large quantities of hay and grain for the soldiers and horses belonging to Colonel Thompson's dragoons (the Queen's Rangers) and other corps. Foraging parties frequently came from the British quarters at Huntington to procure supplies from the farms on the south side. Flouring mills and mills for fulling cloth had been erected on some of the streams in this town several years before this period. While it is probable that several residents of what is now the town of Babylon served in the American army during the war of independence, it is impossible at this late day to obtain their names. The town however has been honored by having been the home of two w^ll known individuals who participated in that eventful con- flict. Colonel Abraham Skinnej^ a distinguished lawyer and Revolutionary patriot, resided in Babylon from about 1808 to his death, which occurred here in 1825. He was born in New York, June 6th 1753. His family oc- cupied a high social position and were related to the Van Cortlandts, De Peysters and De Lanceys. At the early a^e of 20 he married Miss Catherine Foster of Ja- maica. When the Revolutionary struggle began Skinner was a young lawyer, engaged in the practice of his pro- fession in New York city. Although only about 23 years of age he appears to have been on terms of intimacy with and to have won the confidence of General Na- thaniel Greene when the latter was in command of the continental forces at Brooklyn, just previous to the battle there. Thompson in his history of Long Island says that Skinner was a zealous and active Whig in the Revolution, and was honored with the confidence of Washington, by whom he was appointed a deputy com- missary of prisoners; and that as a lawyer he was dis- tinguished for his talents and eloquence. In the winter of 1781 he carried on a correspondence with Mr. Sproat, the British commissar^'- of prisoners at New York, re- lating to the sad condition of American prisoners con- fined in the various ships in New York harbor. In Washington's campaign in the Jerseys Skinner held the rank of captain, and acted in some capacity requiring him to be near the commander in chief. At the close of the war he was promoted to the rank of colonel. At the bar of Suffolk county he had no superior as an orator. In politics he was a staunch Federalist. He was twice married, but left no children. His remains are laid in the Episcopal church yard at Jamaica. Captain Joel Cook, a native of Wallingford, Conn., was born October 12th 1760, and died at Babylon, De- cember 8th 1851. When the war of independence be- gan he was about 16 years of age. He applied for ad- mission into one of the companies then being raised in Connecticut, but being small of stature, even for his age, he was considered unfit for duty. An officer however offered to take him as a waiter, and he accepted. A year later he enlisted as a private soldier, and continued to bear arms until the close of the war, participating in most of the important battles of that memorable struggle for freedom. On the breaking out of hostilities between this country and Great Britain in 1812 Captain Cook was residing at New Haven, Conn. He raised a com- pany at that place and fought in several severe battles with the English and Indians, He was engaged in the battle of Tippecanoe, in which the great Indian chief Tecumseh was killed; and was present at the inglorious surrender of General Hull at Detroit, where he became a prisoner of war. After being taken into Canada and detained some time he was exchanged and returned to the service. In 1814 he was appointed an inspector of customs at New Haven. After the war he removed to Ohio, and for a time resided at Chilicothe, and in 1818 was entered on the pension list of the Ohio agency, as a private late of the army of the Revolution. In 1824 his name was transferred to the roll of the New York agency. Captain Cook in 1840 resided at Yonkers, Westchester county, N. Y., and at the Fourth of July celebration held at that place that year he was enter- tained at a public dfnner and presented with a gold medal. The presentation speech was made by W. W. Schrughan, afterward a judge of the supreme court. The following are the inscriptions on the medal: " Presented to Capt. Joel Cook by the citizens of Yonkers, in honor of his patriotic services in defense of liberty, July 4 1840." " At the battles of Danbury, White Plains, Trenton, Stony Point, Springfield atid Tippecanoe." Another Revolutionary soldier who lived and died in this town was David Smith. He was a native of the old town of Huntington (or of^ Southampton), L. I., and served nearly the whole period of the war. A part of this time, in consequence of ill health, he was engaged in making and repairing the clothing of the soldiers. While nearly the entire population of this section was favorable to the cause of independence there were a few who refused to aid in what they termed a rebellion against the constituted governtrient. Among this small minority was one Arthur Dingee. He owned a large tract of land, a part of which is situated in the present village of Babylon. The tract lay on both sides of the Sumpawams road, and extended from the present Rail- road avenue as far north as the nursery of Prince H. Foster. Mr. Dingee appears to have been a decided tory. He fled to St. Johns, Nova Scotia, in August 1783. His name however does not appear in Sabine's " Sketches of American Loyalists,'' About four months previous to his departure he executed to his son.Selah a warranty deed for all his real estate before mentioned, and also a bill of sale of all his personal property. The deed is dated March 31st 1783, and is witnessed by Amos Baldwin and Ruth Van Cott. It was proved De- cember 5th 1791 before Caleb Smith, judge, and is re- corded in the Suffolk county clerk's office, liber C, page 219. In August 1787 Mr. Dingee's wife and daughter left Long Island to join him in Nova Scotia. Those were the times which tried the souls of royalists, as the years immediately preceding had tried the souls of patriots. Doubtless Mr. Dingee, in opposing tht cause of Ameri- THE TOWN OF BABYLON. can independence, acted from a sense of duty, iind had the attempted Revolution failed probably he would have been rewarded and honored. There were others in the town who held the same opinions as Mr. Dingee, but he was the only one who suffered banishment. Selah Dingee, the son of Arthur, died February 26th 1791, and the father returned in the following year to his home. About eight years had been spent in exile, and probably the feeling' of hostility to the loyalists in that time had softened lo such a degree that Mr. Dingee could dwell at his old home on terms of friendship with his neighbors. The deed above men- tioned was doubtless given to prevent a confiscation of the property described therein, which afterward became the property of Isaac Seaman, who married the daughter of Selah Dingee. The War of 1812. Among the citizens of this town who rendered military service to their country during the war of 1812 may be mentioned the following: Richard Dingee, captain, at Sag Harbor; Silas Tooker, at Sag Harbor and Brooklyn; John Tooker, Daniel Sammis, Israel Sammis, Jesse Samrais and Jesse Abbott, at Sag Harbor; Jesse Whit- man, on the frontier, in the United States army; Silas Cooper, in the privateer and naval service. The following entered the service as inhabitants of other localities, but afterward became residents of this town: Alanson Seaman, ensign, served at Brooklyn; Lawrence Seaman jr., Thomas Rhodes, Piatt Frost, Thomas Hendrickson, John Brower and Peter Brower, at Brooklyn; Henry Sands, at Brooklyn and Sag Harbor; Henry Ferris, of Greenwich, Conn., drummer boy U. S. army; was at the battle of Little York, Canada. Edward Dodd was lieutenant of the privateer "Gover- nor Tompkins." He was a native of Hartford, Conn., but resided in Babylon many years previous to his death there, July 17th, 1843. He rendered important service and is honorably mentioned in Cooper's Naval History. The " Governor Tompkins " was one of the best sailers in the privateer service, and did great damage to the commerce of (he enemy. She took a valuable prize, and Lieutenant Dodd, being placed on board the same as prize master, brought the prize into New York, but the "Governor Tompkins" was never heard of more. It is supposed that in a gale which prevailed soon after the capture of the prize vessel the guns of the privateer shifted and she went under. During this war the south coast of the island was in a very exposed condition. British men-of-war daily cruised from Sandy Hook to Montauk in sight of the shore, cap- turing small coasting vessels and occasionally landing and carrying away supplies. The inhabitants upon this as well as other parts of the coast were frequently alarm- ed by the reports which prevailed of the landing of troops from the British ships. On one occasion of this kind the militia of this town were called out, but the alarm, like many others, proved groundless. ^ nfew schooner, owned by Benjamin Rush more and Simon W. Cooper and called the " Fair Trader," in charge of Capt. Richard Jackson and loaded with a valuable cargo, was captured near New Inlet, by a party sent in a barge from one of Admiral Cockburn's ships. Some years later the " Fair Trader " was seen in the harbor of Hali- fax, N. S., where she was owned. A horse express at this time was run on the south side of the island from New York to Sag Harbor. The sol- diers who performed this duty were called videttes. Each vidette was directed to ride from one station to another, a distance of ten miles, in an hour, and deliver his mail to another vidette mounted and waiting. The relay house for this service was at Zebulon Ketcham's, about half a mile east of Araityville. In the month of July 1814 the village of Babylon and vicinity were one day thrown into a state of high excite- ment by the appearance in Sumpawams Creek of a whale- boat loaded with armed men in uniform. It proved to be Captain David Porter and ten of his sailors, who had survived the hard-fought and sanguinary battle of Valpar- aiso. The singular circumstance of their sudden advent is worthy of mention. In the latter part of March 1814 two American naval vessels, the " Essex " and the " Essex jr.," under the command of Captain Porter, lay in a disabled condition in the neutral port of Valparaiso. According to the laws of nations they were safe from attack. But in the afternoon of March 28th 1814 the American ships were suddenly and unexpectedly fired upon by two large and well armed British ships. After making a brave resistance for several hours Captain Porter was obliged to surrender. Of 225 brave men who went into the fight 55 were killed, 66 were wounded and 31 missing. Only 75 effective men remained. By an arrangement with the British Captain Hillyard the " Es- sex jr." was made a " cartel," and in this vessel Captain Porter and his surviving companions sailed for New York. After a voyage of about 73 days they arrived on the south coast of Long Island, and on the morning of July 5th 1814 fell in with H. B. M. ship " Saturn," Cap- tain Nash, who examined the papers of the " Essex jr.," treated Captain Porter with great civility, furnished him with late newspapers, sent him a basket of fruit and made him an offer of kindly services. The boarding officer endorsed the papers and permitted the ship to proceed. But in a couple of hours afterward the "Essex jr." was again brought to, the papers re-examined and the ship searched. It was then stated that Captain Hillyard had no authority to make the arrangement. Captain Porter, regarding this treatment as a violation of all honorable rules of warfare, and finding that he was about to be made a prisoner, determined to escape from his base captor. The next morning about 7 a boat was low- ered, manned, armed and provisioned. In this boat Captain Porter, with about 10 men, pulled off, but he was soon discovered and pursued by the "Saturn," which was favored by a fresh breeze that sprung up about the same time. Fortunately however for the Americans a fog then set in, concealing them, and changing the course of their little craft they were soon out of danger THE TOWN OF BABYLON. from their pursuers. After rowing and sailing about 60 miles, Captain Porter with much difficulty succeeded in entering Fire Island Inlet. Here he was found by James Montfort, who piloted him up Sumpawams Creek. When he stepped from the boat Stephen B. Nich- ols told him that he doubted his being an American naval officer, and intimated that he might be from the other side. "Then, my good friend," said the captain jo- cosely, " I will surrender to you; " at the same time hand- ing Nichols an iron cutlass. When they reached the center of the village, in front of Rushmore's store, which then stood where Guilick's drug store is now situated, a large and excited crowd gathered. The story of Captain Por- ter appeared so extraordinary that few were inclined to believe it. Of course nothing had been published re- specting a naval battle at Valparaiso, no vessel having reached the United States with an account of the same. Mr. Rushmore informed Captain Porter that his neigh- bors still believed him to be a British officer in disguise. Upon this he pulled out his commission, which he fortunately had with him. Then all doubts were dis- pelled and he was treated by the villagers with the great- est hospitality. The best carriage and horses that could be had were soon ready and at his disposal. The whale- boat was lashed upon a farm wagon and into the boat sprang the brave tars. In this manner the party was conveyed to the Brooklyn navy yard. Singular as it may seem in these days, when news is flashed in a few seconds all over the globe, Captain Porter brought the first infor- mation of his fight at Valparaiso. Captain Nash, finding that the commander of the " Essex jr." had escaped, permitted the latter vessel to continue her voyage to New York. Desertions from British war vessels then cruising along this coast were not infrequent. Several of the deserters became residents of this locality. One of them, Thomas H. Deverell, taught the public school in this village in 1816, 1817 or 1818. He had been a lieutenant in the British navy and had done duty on board the " Endy- mion." From this ship he deserted and landed on Mon- tauk Point. The story he told was this: One evening, in the commandei's cabin, the officers were playing cards and drinking wine. A dispute, such as frequently arises on such occasions, occurred, and Deverell, losing control of his temper, struck his commander. The latter was notorious for his vindictiveness and severity. To avoid serious punishment, perhaps death, by the advice of his fellow officers Deverell determined to escape. By the aid of friends he managed to leave the ship in a small boat, and landed on Long Island. He married, and spent the greater part of his life at Patchogue, and died at Port Jefferson about i860. He was a man of educa- tion, and his manners and conversation were those of a gentleman. Respecting his personal history he was usually remarkably reticent. It is said, however, that to a very intimate friend not long before his death he stated that he was a natural son of a certain duke. His story was generally believed, for he was a man not given to romancing. Another of these runaways, calling himself William Ingraham, lived many years in this town. His account of his escape was that he was a common sailor on board the "Saturn." A number of the sailors, including him- self, had often been most cruelly flogged, and had sworn to desert at the first favorable opportunity. A safe time soon came. A boat was made ready and the men were selected for the crew, for the purpose of capturing an American vessel loaded with provisions. When the vessel appeared a barge was sent in charge of a lieuten- ant to take her. It happened that nearly every sailor in the barge had been flogged, and naturally meditated re- venge. At a convenient distance from the ship, on a given signal, the lieutenant was seized and bound. He threatened, protested, and begged, but to no purpose. The mutineers rowed the boat to Staten Island or the New Jersey shore, where there was an encampment of United States troops. The sea at the time was quite rough, and in coming through the breakers the boat was upset and the officer, being bound, was drowned. Ingraham always said that none of the party intended to cause the officer's death, but that it was impossible to save him. The deserters were kindly received by the Americans, and Ingraham soon after came to Babylon. He was often heard to say that he could never set foot on English soil, and for that deprivation he cared little pro- vided he could see his old mother before he died; but in that particular he was never to be gratified. Walter Cochran, an Irishman, also took leg bail from the English naval service. He came on shore as waiter to an officer, and stood not on the order of his going but went at once. A native of the town, Oakley Smith, had the mis- fortune to be taken prisoner by the British and to be confined in the famous prison at • Dartmoor, England. He shipped as a sailor on board an American schooner, which proved to be engaged in furnishing the enemy with provisions. While lying alongside of an English ship he was arrested and sent to Dartmoor prison, where he was confined about a year. It is supposed that he was seized at the request of the master of the American craft, who, being engaged in a contraband trade, was afraid Smith would give information against him. Shipwrecks. Although shipwrecks on the south coast of Long Island have for centuries been of frequent occurrence, they are fewer now than formerly, particularly in this locality. The erection of light-houses, and the careful surveys made and excellent charts published by the national government, have proved of great service to mariners in enabling them to avoid the dangers of this shore. One of the most destructive wrecks occurred within the limits of this town in the night of Sunday October 27th 1822. We copy some newspaper reports. An item from the Long Island Star of November 7th 1822 reads as follows: "In the gale of Sunday night, the 27th ult., a large THE TOWN OF Bf^BYLON. ship came on shore near Babylon, L. I., and went entire- ly to pieces, and every soul on board is supposed to have perished. Eleven bodies have come on shore. The ship is ascertained to have been the " Savannah," Captain Coles, from Liverpool to New York. The^cargo of coals and crates of goods is mostly lost. Captain Coles we are informed left a family residing on Long Island." From the Long Island Star (Brooklyn) November 14th 1822: " The body of Captain Joseph Coles of the ship " Savannah," of this port, which was cast away on the south side of Long Island on or about the 27th of Octo- ber, has been recognized by his family from among the eleven bodies that were driven ashore. The remains have been carried to Mosquetah Cove [Glen Cove], L. I., the captain's late residence." Neiv York Daily Advertiser: " The ship had on board a large sum of gold and silver money, which was in the captain's trunk. This came ashore on a part of the wreck, but the action of the waves broke open the trunk and the coin was scattered on the beach. In this con- dition it was found by a man named Smith Muncy, who was first and alone at the wreck at daylight on Monday morning. It was a sad sight. The ship had gone to pieces, and the dead bodies, together with the debris, lay strewn along the strand. Had Mr. Muncy been so disposed he could have secreted the treasure and appro- priated the whole of it to his own use, for no human eye was upon him. But he was an honest man and delivered every dollar of the money to the wreck master." Tlie " Savannah " was the first ship propelled across the Atlantic Ocean by means of steam power. The ex- pected event was announced in the London Times of May nth 1819 as follows: "Great Expf.ri.ment. — A -new steam vessel of 300 tons has been built at New York for the express purpose of carrying passengers across the Atlantic. She is to come to Liverpool direct." This steamer was built at New York city, by F"rancis Fickett, for Daniel Dodd. Her engines were made by Stephen Vail at Morw'stown, N. J. She was launched on the 22nd of August 1818. She could carry only 75 tons of coal and 25 cords of wood; was commanded by Captain Moses Rogers and navigated by Stephen Rogers, both of New London, Conn. She sailed from Savannah, Georgia, May 25th 1819, bound for St. Petersburg via Liverpool, and reached the latter port on the 20th of June. The voyage to Liverpool was made in 26 days, steam being used 18 days. For further particulars of tliis remarkable voyage the reader is referred to Harper's Monthly Maga- zine of February 1877. The "Savannah " was afterward commanded by Captain N. Holdredge, when her steam machinery was taken out, and she was converted into an ordinary sailing vessel; In this condition, while in charge of Captain Coles, she was wrecked. The brig " Voltaire " and the ship " Sullivan " were also wrecked upon this shore. The brig " Brilliant," Captain Webber, met the same fate. This vessel struck on Cedar Island Beach, in this town, and the officers and crew, being in imminent dan- ger, were landed in a small boat from the wreck by a fisherman named Ezra Sammis. A rather romantic in-- cident in connection with this wreck deserves mention: Some years after the occurrence above mentioned John Webber, a son of the captain, married a daughter of Mr. Sammis at his home in Babylon. At the wedding Cap- tain Webber, on being introduced to the bride's father, remarked that they had met before; but Mr. Sammis had no recollection of ever having seen the veteran mariner. Captain Webber reminded him of the circum- stance of the wreck, and remarked that on that occasion he was in such peril and so glad to see his rescuer that it was not easy to forget his countenance. The next day the captain was shown a small building used as a school- house, which he recognized as the former cabin of the brig " Brilliant." Steam Navigation. The Great South Bay is admirably adapted for vessels )f light draught. This sheet of water is land-locked and, although quite shoal in the greater part of it, has a num- ber of channels of sufficient depth to permit the use of small sailing craft and steamboats. About the year 1830 a gentleman from New York brought into the bay a tiny steamer, shaped something like a Brooklyn ferry- boat, and attempted to use it for pleasure purposes; but owing to the weakness of the machinery the boat proved a failure. About 20 years later John D. Johnson, of Islip, used a steam yacht named the " Bonita." Although not of large dimensions she was well built and properly equipped. About 1856 D. S. S. Sammis, proprietor of the Surf Hotel, Fire Island, chartered this boat and began making regular trips between that place and Babylon. This was the first successful attempt to es- tablish a ferry across the bay. Some years later Charles A. Chesebrough, of New York city, furnished a handsome steamer belonging to him, which for some time carried passengers between Islip and Fire Island. About 1859 D. S. S. Sammis and Henry Southard purchased a steamer called the " Wave," which for one season plied between Babylon and the Surf Hotel dock. Mr. Southard having disposed of his interest in the " Wave," Mr. Sammis obtained from the Legislature an act authorizing him to establish and maintain a steam ferry between his hotel and Babylon, and in accordance with the provisions of that act regular communication has since been maintained during the summer months. In the Civil War. When the war of the late Rebellion began a number of the young men of this town were early in the field. The first who entered the service enlisted in the corps known as " Berdan's shatpshooters," a regiment of rifle- men. Erastus Tooker of this regiment lost a finger and received a ball in the leg. Henry Smith, John Bailey, John Courtney, George Whitney, John Suydara, Ezra Soper and Edward Barto, were members of this regi- ment, which took part in several of the principal battles in Virginia. THE TOWN OF BABYLON. In the Harris light cavalry were Nelson H. Southard and Augustus Ketcham. The former was taken prisoner and died at Andersonville, Georgia. Micah Cooper, Henry and Miles Oakley, John Sam- mis, William Brewer, Oliver Carpenter (colored), and Jacob Jarvis (colored) entered the naval service from Babylon. In the 56th regiment N. Y. volunteers were Henry Mil- ler and George Smalling, the latter of whom was shot and taken prisoner, and died. In the 127th regiment New York volunteers Com- pany I contained the following sergeants from Babylon: Harvey Doolittle, ist; Samuel A. Miller, 2nd; Medad Smith, 3d; William Southard, 4th; George E. Jayne, Sth. Also the following corporals: ist, James Bostwick; 2nd, Alfred C. Tillottson; 3d, Charles E. Pitts; 6th, William H. Smith; 7th, John E. Albin; Sth, Thomas B. Ketcham. Wagoner Henry H. Suydara was from Baby- lon, as were privates Jeremiah Albin, John E. Arnold, George Box, George G. Brown, John Brown, George W. Conklin, John Davis, Edward Davis, Emery Frost, Lewis Furman, John E. Jarvis, James H. Leek, George F. Mott, Jesse Muncy, John Oakley, George Price, William Seaman, Jacob Seaman, Joshua Smalling, Joel B. Smith, John A. Sammis, Floyd Tooker, Henry Van Cott, George S. Weeks and Joseph C. Wright. The 127th regiment was commanded by Colonel Wil liam Guerney. Only those who were residents of this town are given in the above list. Emery Frost, named above, had but one arm when he enlisted. He was a brave fellow and died in the service. Life-Saving Service. Upon that part of the south coast of Long Island em- braced within the boundaries of this town are located two life-saving stations. No 27 is situated nearly south of Amityville, and is under the charge of Francis E. Weeks; and No. 26, south of Babylon, is in charge of keeper Henry Oakley. The men go on duty at the station house on the first of September and remain until May ist. They are thoroughly drilled in the duties of their calling. Town Officers. The officers of the town have been as follows: Supervisors. — Elbert Carll, John E. Ireland, Charles T. Duryea, Stephen A. Titus. Town Clerks. — J. James Robbins, WoodhuU Skidmore, Daniel J. Runyon, Frederick N. Conklin. Justices of the Peace. — John D. Capen, William Gauk- ler, David Lamed, William Walker, Ferdinand Beschott, James B. Cooper, Warren D. Lewis, George W. Conklin. The Dominican Convent. This building, situated about two miles north of Amity- ville, is an imposing structure, costing $256,000. It is built of brick and stone, and forms a parallelogram 176 feet in front and 183 feet deep. The north portion is the church and pastor's apartments. The tract of land upon which this edifice stands contains about sixty acres, and was in 1876 deeded by Adam Schlegel to the orphanage and hospital of Trinity Church (R. C), Montrose avenue, Brooklyn, E. D., both of those institutions being in charge of the Sisters of St. Dominick. The corner stone was laid May Sth 1878, and the dedication took place March 3d 1879, with appropri- ate ceremonies by Rev. M. May, V. G., of Brooklyn. In the Court surrounded by the four sections of this struc- ture is a beautiful garden with a fountain. The land adjacent to the convent is devoted to the growing of produce used by the inmates. On the prem- ises are a large barn, a wind-mill for raising water, and other buildings. Four horses and a number of cows are kept on the farm. The Sisters of St. Dominick are a community number- ing about two hundred. Many of them become disabled or need rest from their labors in the city, and are sent to this convent to receive the benefit of the invigorating air of the vicinity. A bath house on the shore of the South Bay adds to the comfort and health of the occupants of the building. The entire number of inmates, including priests, sisters, orphans and old people, is about two hundred. The house is divided as follows: ist. Church of the Rosary; 2nd, parsonage and hall; 3d, convent; 4th, novitiate; 5th, orphanage; 6th, apartments for the aged. The institution is under the charge of Rev. Father P. Schwarz. BABYLON VILLAGE. There are now three villages of considerable popula- tion in the township — Babylon, Breslau and Amityville, neither of which is incorporated. The first named is the oldest and largest, and is situated in the southeast portion of the town on Sumpawams Neck. The name Babylon is said to have first been given to this locality by Mrs. Conklin, the mother of Nathaniel Conklin, on the occasion of the erection of a dwelling house formerly situated on the site of Guilick's drug store, at the corner of Main street and Deer Park avenue. A tablet was placed in the chimney front of this house inscribed as follows: " New Babylon. — This house built by Nat. Conklin, 1803." As early as 1770 a few houses had been erected and several farms were under cultivation in this locality; but the number was not sufficient to entitle the place to be regarded as a hamlet or village, or even to be designated by a name. Probably the first house erected on the site of the village was the Heartte house, built about 1760, It stood upon the premises now owned and occupied by Mr. Post, on Main street. The Heartte family owned large possessions of Sumpawams Neck. At the period of the Revolution Nehemiah Heartte was the owner of lo THE TOWN OF BABYLON. the premises. One of his sons, Philip Heartte, removed to Troy, N. Y., and a son of the latter, Jonas C. Heartte, was mayor of that city. About the beginning of the present century Abraham G. Thompson, afterward a distmguished merchant of New York city, kept a store upon the site where the brick store of Dowden Brothers is now situated. There were then a flouring-mill and a saw-mill upon Sumpawams Brook, and similar establishments upon the stream where the paper-mill now stands. Jesse Smith, the grandfather of S. C. Smith, the pres- ent proprietor of the Watson House, was the owner and keeper of a tavern now known as the American House, situated at the corner of Main street and Deer Park avenue. Mr. Smith also owned a considerable tract of land in this vicinity. He afterward conveyed the prop- erty to Nathaniel Conklin, who some years later sold the same with other lands to Benjamm Rushmore and Simon W. Cooper, and they made a division of the same by quit-claim deeds to each other. As the deed from Conklin to Rushmore and Cooper affects the title to many lots in Babylon village an abstract of it is here inserted. Warranty Dee-d. Dated Nathaniel Conklin, to Simon W. Cooper and Ben- jamin Rushmore. May 9 1815. Recorded in the county clerk's office of > Suffolk county in Liber D of deeds, page 423, on the 28th day of February 1816, Charles H. Havens clerk. ■All those several parcels or tracts of cleared and tim- ber land in Huntington aforesaid, on a neck at the south side called Sumpawams. The first piece situated on the north side of the high- way or country road, and the west side of the highway leading up said neck, and bounded southerly and east- erly by said highways, northerly by land of Edward Dodd in part and partly by land of Timothy Carll, and westerly by land of said Timothy Carll. The second piece, being a triangular one, situated on the south side of said highway or country road and the west side of the highway leading down said neck, and bounded northerly and easterly by said highways and westerly by land of Timothy Carll aforesaid. The third piece situated on the south side of said high- way or country road and the east side of the highway which leads down said neck, and bounded northerly and westerly by said highways and southerly and easterly by land sold by Nathaniel Conklin aforesaid to Thomas Gould. The fourth piece situated on the north side of said country road or highway and the east side of the high- way leading up said neck, bounded westerly by the high- way last mentioned in part, partly by land of Jordan Taylor and partly by land of the heirs of David Smith; easterly by land of Nathaniel Conklin in part and partly by land sold by said Conklin to Thomas Gould; and southerly by land of said Nathaniel Conklin in part, partly by land sold by said Conklin to Thomas Gould, partly by land reserved for the school-house, the church and the burying-ground, and partly by said country road or highway. Containing in the first piece by estimation 2 acres, three-quarters and 22 rods; in the second, i acre, three- quarters and 24 rods; in the third, 2 acres; in the fourth, 69 acres, three-quarters and 37 rods. And in the whole. 76 acres, one-quarter and 3 square rods, be the same TOore or less. Acknowledged before Abraham Skinner, master in chancery, February 7th 1816. There are no educational institutions in the town other than the public schools, seven in number, and two private day and boarding schools, conducted respectively by Miss Gannon and Mrs. James B. Cooper, both of which are located in the village of Babylon. -Churches of Babylon Village. First Presbyterian. — The history of this church ex- tends over a period of 150 years. It was first organized as " The First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Hunt- ington South." In 1859 the title was changed to "The Presbyterian Church of Huntington South," in conse- quence of the withdrawal of a large number of members who resided at Islip and the erection at that place of a new edifice. In 1870 the name was changed to the "First Presbyterian Church of Babylon, Long Island." The first building erected for this church was com- pleted about 1730. Its site, as near as can be ascer- tained, was in the western part of the town of Islip, on the premises of C. Du Bois Wagstaff, about three rods east of the walnut tree which marks the southeast corner of the land of E. B. Sutton. It was a small and plain frame structure, and was only occasionally occu- pied, as the neighborhood at that period was not popu- lous. In 1778 it was demolished by the British military authorities and the greater part of its material taken to Hempstead for the purpose of constructing barracks for the soldiers then stationed at that place. At the close of the war, November 4th 1783, the site near which the present church structure stands was obtained, and soon afterward a new edifice was com- pleted. This building was of wood, two stories high, the frame being of the very best large oak timber, most of which was hewed. The interior, excepting the pulpit, was devoid of paint or ornament. The pulpit was nar- row, very high, and painted blue or lead color. A wide gallery extended around on every side except the north, where was placed the pulpit. When the minister was seated he could not be seen by any portion of the con- gregation, not even by persons seated in the gallery. Only when standing at the sacred desk was he ^visible. Those who attended service in those days kept tl^eirfeet warm by footstoves. About 1831 a large stove for burn- ing wood was first introduced. This solid building stood adjoining the highway until it was removed, in 1839, lo make way for a new church. It is still in good condition, and is owned and occupied by D. S. S. Sam- mis for his residence. It appears that 84 persons sub- scribed for its erection the sum of ;^32 4s. Those who contributed ;^ I or more to the building fund were Isaac Thompson, Aaron Higbie, Nathaniel Conklin, Phebe Conklin, Garrett Montfort, John Moubray, Arthur Dingee, Jesse Conklin, Timothy Scudder, Silas Muncy and Jesse Weeks. The congregation was received into the Presbytery of THE TOWN OF BABYLON. Long Island April nth 1797, and on January ist 1798 those who wished to be united as a church under the care of the presbytery signed a covenant which had been drawn up for that purpose. The following names appear signed thereto: Isaac Thompson, Jesse Ketcham, Tred- well Scudder, Sarah Thompson, Gunning Moubray, Thomas Ketcham, Temperance Ketcham, Keziah Scud- der, Mary Moubray, Rebecca Sammis, Phebe Ketcham, and Jeremiah Sprague. January 20th 1798 Isaac Ketcham and Tredwell Scudder were elected elders and Jesse Ketcham was elected deacon. The trustees were Jesse Ketcham, Tredwell Scudder and Nathaniel Conk- lin. On the first Sunday in April of the same year the Lord's Supper was for the first time administered in the new church. Previous to this time — say in the summer of 1796 — an effort was made to procure the services of the Rev. Luther Gleason as permanent pastor. The sum of ;^79 js. was contributed by 75 persons for the pastor's sup- port. An agreement was entered into with the Presby- terian church at Smithtown to call Mr. Gleason totake charge of the two congregations, he to preach one half of the Sundays in the " meeting-house " at Smithtown and the other half in the " meeting-house " at Hunting- ton South. In case of public fasts or Thanksgiving days the Smithtown congregation was to have the minister's services. The salary was fixed at ;i£^i6o per year, and Mr. Gleason was to have the use of the parsonage house, barn, and lands belonging to the same, situated at Smithtown. He entered upon his pastoral duties July 9th 1797, and continued to discharge the same — traveling between the two places — for nine years. He is said to have been a man of rather limited education, but a very companionable man and a pleasing preacher; and he made many warm friends. The fact of his having been a chaplain in the Continental army during the Revolu- tion doubtless tended to make him popular. He won the hearts of his parishioners to such an extent that he retained their confidence even after he had been deposed from the ministry. On the 20th of March 1804 he was convicted by the Presbytery of Long Island on charges of " making too free use of intoxicating liquors " and " a lightness of deportment unbecoming the sacred profes- sion." He confessed his guilt, and was restored to his former standing. On June 17th 1806 he was arraigned on charges of a more serious nature. A trial was held, lasting five days, which created great excitement, and he was found guilty and suspended. Still further charges being preferred, he refused a trial and left the presby- tery. He was finally deposed, October i6th 1807. The action of the presbytery was, however, not approved by a large portion of the congregation, who petitioned to have Mr. Gleason restored to them, and, on being re- fused, asked for letters of dismissal. Much dissension prevailed until 1812, when Ihe disaf- fected were excluded from the communion. That act so weakened the church that it was found impossible to support a pastor. In April 1818 the unfortunate differ- ences were partially reconciled, and on a Sunday of the same month the Lord's Supper was administered for the first time since July 21st 181 t, but entire harmony was not restored until several months later. Rev. Samuel Weed began his labors as a missionary in 1817, and was ordained May 21st 1819, but not installed. While attending a meeting of the General Assembly at Philadelphia, June 25th 1820, he died. The church at this time had only 29 members. For further and full particulars relating to the history of this organization the reader is referred to an interesting account of the same by the Rev. James C. Nightingale, in the South Side Signal, July 22nd 1876. The following named ministers have since Mr. Weed's death filled the position of pastor of the church or min- ister in charge: Alexander Cummings, 1820-24; Nehemiah Baldwin Cook, 1824-32; Jonathan Cable, four months in 1833; Ebenzer Piatt, 1833-37; HoUis Reed, 1838; Alfred Ketcham, 1839-48; Edward Vail, 1848-51; Gay- lord L. Moore, 1852-56; Charles W. Cooper, 1857-69; James McDougall jr., 1871-73; James C. Nightingale, 1873-79; Walter B. Floyd, 1881 to the present time. The third house of worship was erected in 1838 and 1839, and the present handsome church edifice and a parsonage situated on Deer Park avenue were completed in 1873. Babylon M. E. Church. — Previous to 1840 the Method- ists in this vicinity worshiped in private houses and school rooms. In that year a lot of land was pur- chased of S. W. Cooper, situated on the east side' of Sumpawams road (Deer Park avenue), adjoining the premises of S. G. Wilson, and a church building 30 by 40 feet was erected. This building having become insuf- ficient to accommodate the increasing congregation, an- other lot, a few rods further north, was purchased and presented by William R. Foster. In 1859 and i860 a much larger and more ornament- al edifice was erected on the newly acquired premises. The pastors of this charge since 1840 have been Na- than Rice, William E. Bates, Timothy C. Young, Henry Hatfield, James D. Bouton, G. A. Graves, Charles Stearns, Gershom Pierce; Robert Codling, 1857, 1858; H. Asten, 1858-60; S. D. Nickerson, i86r, 1862; L. P. Perry, 1862-64; William Gothard, 1864, 1865; 1866, supply; A. O. Hammond, 1867-69; J. V. Saunders, 1769-71; Lavall, 1871, 1872; J. W. Horn, 18.72, 1873; George Dunbar, 1873-76; E. A. Blake, 1876-79; W. H. Russell, 1879, 1880; William P. Estes, 1880-82. Trinity Episcopal Church. — In 1862 a Protestant Epis- copal church was organized, with the title of. "Trinity Church Babylon," but in consequence of the organiza- tion, some years later, of Christ Church West Islip, and the building by the latter of a beautiful edifice east of the village, in the town of Islip, Trinity church has practically been merged in the other organization. Babylon Baptist Church. — In 1872 the Baptists effected a church organization, and in the following year the handsome house of worship now standing at the corner of Main street and Carll avenue was completed. The ti THfe TOWK Ot" BABVLON. erection of this building was principally due to the lib- erality of E. B. Litchfield and Mrs. Sarah Bertine. The pastors have been George LaValley, James S. Ladd and John B. L'Hommedieu. Si. Joseph's Raman Catholic Church, situated on the north side of Grove place, is a handsome and appropriate structure of the gothic style of architecture. It was erected in 1878. From 1878 to 1880 Rev. Joseph Coughlin was the parish priest. He was succeeded by Rev. James Blake, the present incumbent. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Sampawams Lodge, No. 104, was instituted July 27th 1849. The charter members were Jesse Conklin, Stephen Leek, Stephen J. Wilson, Henry Southard, Val- entine Sprague, Henry Bedell, E. V. Brown, Ebenezer Kellum, Charles Pascoe and John Snodgrass, The first officers were: Jesse Conklin, N. G.; Stephen Leek, V. G.; John Snodgrass,- secretary; Ebenezer Kel- lum, treasurer. The present officers (1882) are: Henry Baylis, N. G. ; Frank S. Weeks, V. G.; Jonathan Sammis, secretary; Joel S. Davis, treasurer. Hotels. The American House, before mentioned, is probably the oldest hotel on this island, having been in continuous use as a place of entertainment for nearly a century. The east wing is the part longest erected, and bids fair to stand for many years longer. Under the roof of this venerable hostelry numbers of eminent personages have been sheltered and fed. Among the number may be mentioned Joseph Bonaparte, ex-king of Spain and the eldest brother of the great Napoleon. The ex-king made a tour through Long Island in 1816, stopped at this hotel, and in consequence of sickness was detained thereat for several days. Although free from haughtiness, he traveled in good style and with a dife regard for comfort. An Italian gentleman was his traveling companion, and in his train he had several carriages. The vehicle in which he rode was drawn by four splendid horses; another carriage car- ried his cooks and other servants, and the third was loaded with silverware, wines and cooking utensils. It is said that this distinguished tourist at one time contem- plated purchasing a farm located about three and a half miles east of this village. He subsequently purchased a large estate near Bordentown, N. J. Commodore David Porter was also a guest. In 1840 Daniel Webster, on his way to attend a great political mass meeting of the Whigs at Patchogue, stopped here over night, occupying the apartment now used as the trav- elers' room. Cephas Halsey and Major Philip Thomas boarded in this house a number of years previous to 1848. They were both gentlemen of the old school, the former having been a successful trader in the West Indies, and the latter having served his country in im- portant military and civil positions. Major Thomas was a native of Maryland, and distinguished himself as an officer at the battle of North Point (Baltimore) during the war of 1812. During the fifty years preceding 1841, in which the U. S. mails were carried in stages over the south post road, this building was one of the important resting places. Here horses were changed, and passengers who were going to the city breakfasted and those returning took dinner. The owners of this site have been Jesse Smith, Nathaniel Conklin, Benjamin Rushmore and Simon W. Cooper, Jordan Seaman, E. W. Underbill, Selah C. Smith, Clarendon, Schmull and David S. S. Sammis; and the place has been kept by Jesse Smith, Philo Snedecor, John Bedell, Jordan Seaman, Edwin Dodd, J. E. Dodd, Jetse Conklin, C. E. Snedecor, William Watson, S. C. Smith, Martin Willetts, William Pitman Kellinger, D. S. S. Sammis, and Mrs. P. A. Seaman. Other fiotels have been in operation in the village and are now discontinued. About 1814 Thomas Gould had a public house near where is now the residence of Colonel Post on Main street. Another was kept by Pat- rick Gould about 1829 on the site of S. L. Seaman's store, at the corner of Main street and Placide avenue. This place was afterward under the management of Jesse Conklin, Elkanah Jarvis, Ira Kellum, and U. H. Bassett. The Sumpawatns Hotel was opened about 1850, by Thomas J. Seaman, and conducted by him until his death, in 1856. The house was then kept by his widow until 1872. The property, situated on the south side of Main street, is now owned by L. H. Fishell, and used for various business purposes, containing the post-office, the store of the owner, Trave's meat market and Johnson's confectionery establishment. The Watson House, one of the finest watering place hotels in the country, is situated on the east side of Pla- cide avenue. It was built in 1870, by S. C. Smith, is now under his management, and is frequented by persons from every section of the country. The Argyle Hotel was erected on the property owned and occupied as a country seat at one time by E. B. Litchfield of New York and named by him " Blythe- bourne." It was purchased by the Long Island Improve- ment Company, an association of English and American capitalists, in 1881, from L. H. Thayer of New York. In February 1882 work was begun toward the erection of a mammoth summer hotel. This structure was completed in June of the same year, and is a very handsome edifice, beautifully located. It has a frontage of 300 feet and a depth of 155 on the ends and 60 feet in the center. It is built in the Queen Anne style. It has room for 700 guests and is luxuriously furnished throughout. It was opened June 20th 1882. James P. Colt is the manager. Trade and Manufactures. Of persons who have been engaged in merchandising may be named Abraham G. Thompson, Foster Nostrand Benjamin Rushmore, Benjamin K. Hobart, Thomas H. Smith, Timothy P. Carll, Lawrence Seaman jr., Smith tME toWM OF teABVLOM. tj Woodhull, Ezra C. Stadge, Silas Tooker, Wm. A. Took- er, Samuel C. Wicks, S. S. Bourdette, Alanson Seaman, James H. Carll, B. T. Hunt, Thomas J. Seaman, Walter W. Robbins, John M. Oakley, Sidney Bruce, Aaron Smith, Charles Jayne, Timothy S. Carll, John Robbins, Theodore N. Hawkins, Mark Ketcham, Washington T. Norton, Sidney L. Seaman, S. J. Wilson, E. J. Moore, Leopold H. Fishell, J. James Robbins, Elbert Dean and Dowden Brothers. Although the place has never been remarkable for its manufacturing industries it has not been entirely devoid of enterprise in that line. As early as 1801 Nathaniel Conklin, at that time the most wealthy, enterprising and extensive land owner in the vicinity, established a tan- nery; and for several years, with Simon W. Cooper as foreman, he conducted a large business. In conse- quence of failing health Mr. Conklin sold out to his foreman, under whose ownership the tannery remained untilhis death, in January 1852. His son George D. Cooper then carried on the concern until he died, in October i860, when the business was discontinued. About 1 810 Major Timothy Carll commenced on the stream of water called Blythebourne the manufacture of a good quality of woolen goods; and after his death, February i8th 1826, his son Selah Smith Carll was pro- prietor until his death, in 1829, with Samuel Har- graves, an Englishman, well skilled in the business, as superintendent. The factory was afterward run by several persons in succession, the last being one Park- hurst, under whose management the buildings were de- stroyed by fire. About 1849 Isaac Willetts purchased the property and water power and erected new buildings, and for a num- ber of years he manufactured straw paper on a large scale. The paper business was afterward conducted successively by Martin Willetts, Sherman Tweedy, George W. Ingalls, S. Harned and Elbert H. Walters. The property is now owned and used by the Argyle Hotel Company. Post-Office. The first post-ofifice within the limits of the town was established here in the first years of this century. For about 20 years it was known as " Huntington South P. O." The name was subsequently changed to Babylon. The first postmaster was Major Timothy Carll fmajor to distinguish him from others of the same name). His successors have been: Simon W. Cooper, 1815-36; Tim- othy Piatt Carll, 1836-49; Walter W. Robbins, 1849-53; Lawrence Seaman jr., 1853-61; Walter W. Robbins, i86t- 63 (died in office); John Robbins, 1864-66; Sidney L. Seaman, 1866-69; Theodore N. Hawkins, 1869-71; John Robbins, 1871-82. Journalism. The first newspaper published in this town was the Suffolk Democrat. For about 15 years previous to 1859 it had been published at Huntington. In that year Hon. John R. Reid became its owner and assumed its edito- rial and business management, which he retained about six years. The first number of the paper printed here was issued April 8th 1859. During the editorship of Judge Reid the paper attained a large circulation as well as influence, and was regarded as the leading Democratic journal of the county. For about a year it was published by Charles Jayne, when it was removed to Hunt- ington and its name changed to Suffolk Bulletin. On the 9th of July 1869 Henry Livingston, as editor and proprietor, issued the first number of the South Side Signal. From that time to the present it has had an eminently successful career, and it now has an extensive circulation. Its especial attention to local news through the. medium of a numerous corps of sub-editors has greatly contributed to enlarge its list of subscribers. In the spring of 1876 the press, stock and fixtures of a newspaper which had been published at Islip were purchased by an association, and the first number of the Babylon Budget was issued. March 25th 1876. The paper has since been under the management of John R. Reid, W. S. Overton, Jesse S. Pettit, John Louden, Charles T. Duryea, and J. R. Reid the second time. It is now con- ducted by S. A. Titus, and is in a prosperous condition. While directed by Judge Reid the Budget obtained a wide reputation for the terse, vigorous style of its edito- rials, as well as for its originality and its able and inde- pendent treatment of public questions. AMITYVILLE. This village is situated in the southwestern portion of the town, near the easterly line of Queens county, and is next in size and population to Babylon. Previous to 1840 it was known as West Neck South. At that date the locality could properly be classed as a hamlet, there being only a few houses scattered along the old post road from Hempstead to Babylon. Colonel Piatt Conklin, son of Captain Jacob Conklin, was about the middle of the last century the owner of a large tract of land in this vicinity, which he probably sold about 1770. At an early period a grist-mill and saw-mill was erected on the stream known as Ireland's Brook. This mill property has been owned by three successive generations gf the Ireland family. One of the first houses built on the south road in this immediate locality was erected by Abraham Wanzer. It afterward became the property of Thomas Wiggins, who conveyed it to Joshua Hart sen., March 21st 1794. The premises are now owned and occupied by Joshua Hart son of the last named. The earliest house of entertainment was that of Zebulon Ketcham, which was situated half a mile east of the present village. Washington on his tour through Long Island while president dined here. An account of this journey in "Onderdonk's Annals," states that "Presi- dent Washington passed up the south side as far as Patchogue; thence crossing over to Smithtown via Coram he returned through Oyster Bay, Hempstead Harbor, M THE tOWN OF BABYLON. and Flushing. He was attended by his suite of officers and rode in a coach drawn by four gray horses, with out- riders. He dined at Zebulon Ketcham's, Huntington South, and begged the landlord to take no trouble about the fare, and on leaving gave a half ' Joe ' and a kiss to his daughter." At a later period, about 1810, Thomas Ireland, be- sides his mill business, kept a public house. During the Revolution Joshua Ketcham had a good farm down on the neck. He was a thrifty farmer and suffered considerably from the depredations of "British foraging parties. One of the first merchants here was Ebenezer Chiches- ter, who had a store in 18 16. He afterward formed a partnership with John O. Ireland. The latter in 1824 was in business on his own account in a store situated on the corner of the turnpike and the Farmingdale road. Mr. Ireland is now living at Greenport, In 1836 Na- thaniel Williams commenced business on the site last mentioned, and he continued the same until 1859. The present store-keepers in the village are Messrs. Wood- hull Skidmore and Purdy. The place has two churches, both Methodist Epis- copal. The first church edifice was erected on the north side of the country road. About 1845 a new building was erected on the same site, which remained there un- til 1874, when it was removed to the east side of Farm- ingdale road and remodeled into a handsome church. About the year 1870 a considerable number of this congregation, and about 30 members of the church, de- siring to have a place of worship nearer their homes, erected a building for religious meetings half a mile north of the railroad. Services are now held on alternate Sundays, the same minister officiating in both churches. The population of the territory, properly included in the village is about 1,500. The village is situated in the midst of a fine section of farming land, and the residences in this locality indicate a thrifty population. The three hotels of this place, the Douglass House, King's Hotel (formerly the Revere House), and the Bay View Hotel, are well filled during the summer months. In 1867 Charles Wood established a large lumber yard near the railroad depot, and he has since continued to transact a large business. He is said to be one of the most enterprising business men on Long Island. He has recently commenced operating a large sawing and plan- ing mill. 'J'he most noted establishment of Amityville is the new institution for the treatment of the insane, known as the " Long Island Home Hotel." It is owned by an incorporated company, organized in 1881. It is a hand- some edifice, 250 feet in length, containing a central building four stories high, surmounted with a cupola, and has wings on each side 75 feet long. Its internal arrangements are very complete. The insane are treated with kindness, instead of harshness; and in pleasant weather are allowed 'to busy themselves about the grounds in such out door employment as their taste dic- tates. The success of this treatment has been very great; the larger number of the patients have been en- tirely restored. John Louden is the superintendent. The trustees are William Blake, Townsend Cox. A. D. Bailey, P. H. Foster, J. Lpuden, D. J. Runyon, D. S. S. Sammis, and S. R. Williams. The president is Town- send Cox; vice-president, William Blake; treasurer, S. R. Williams. About four years ago a company was organized here for the purpose of planting and growing oysters in the waters of the South Bay. The company purchased and laid down in waters near the villag'e several hundred bushels of seed -oysters, and it is said that the venture has proved decidedly profitable. The business bids fair to increase to a great extent at no distant day. BRESLAU. This village'is situated about midway between Babylon and Amityville. Its history does not extend back more than 13 years. In 1869 the land upon which the village now stands was covered with pine trees and an under growth of bushes. About that time Charles S. Schleier, a German by birth but a resident of this country since 1849, conceived the idea that Long Island presented ex- cellent facilities for the building up of a manufacturing and industrial community on the co-operative plan. In company with a number of intelligent gentlemen he ex- amined the site and became satisfied that it was a suita- ble place in which to test the feasibility of his scheme. Some of the land was purchased by Mr. Schleier, and some by Thomas Wellwood. It was divided -into lots and sold to settlers, who were mostly Germans. The place grew rapidly and a manufacturing establish- ment was put up about 1872. It was a brick building three stories high, 120 feet by 40, and was intended for a shoe factory. A Massachusetts firm, however, com- menced the manufacture of papier mache goods there, and probably would have been successful had not the long period of business depression prevailed soon after the beginning of the enterprise. As it was, the firm failed. The building is now occupied as a button manu- factory: bone, celluloid, rubber and other materials be- ing worked up into buttons. A larj^e number of hands are now employed in the work, and the business gives indications of success. On the north side of the railway, nearly opposite the button manufactory, is a large frame building furnished with steam power. In this building trimmings of various kinds for ornamenting ladies' dresses are made, of worsted, silk, cotton, and linen materials. It is not unlikely that ere long other industries will be undertaken, the location being so well adapted for manu- facturing purposes. The present inhabitants are nearly all of German birth, and are industrious. Their houses give evidence of thrift and comfort. Many of the dwelling houses have been enlarged and improved since they were first erected, in the early days of the settlement. Every year shows de- cided gains in the development and prosperity of the village. 7-7^ THE TOWN OF BABYLON. 17 The school district which embraces Breslau is number 4 in the township. The public school is well attended and the children are taught the different branches; prin- cipally in English, but are also taught to speak the Ger- man language grammatically. There are three churches, Lutheran, Methodist and Roman Catholic. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.* John R. Reid was born in the town of Brookhaven, Suffolk county, N. Y., February 8th 1836. After obtaining a common school education, by which he profited to the utmost, he commenced teaching in his fifteenth year. Alternately teaching and attending school — he having no income save that which he earned — he became thoroughly versed in Latin and French, familiar with the higher mathematics, and well grounded in rhetoric, logic and metaphysics, with an earnest love for polite literature. As a student he was energetic and ambitious, always standing well in all his classes and leading in most. In his twentieth year he began the study of law. He graduated at the State and National Law School, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and was admitted to the bar on attaining his majority. He immediately entered upon the active practice of his profession, having an office in New York city as well as at Babylon, where he resides. He has also taken an artive part in political matters, editing with marked ability two Democratic newspapers for several years and being foremost with voice and pen in efforts to promote the mental, moral and social well- being of the community. As a speaker on literary and educational topics, temperance, odd-fellowship and masonry he has been earnest, entertaining and instruc- tive. He has an excellent command of language, and his wit and humor are keen, delicate and scholarly. Being both rhetorical and logical he is very effective in his appeals as an advocate. As a stump speaker he is ready and versatile. In Suffolk county he is regarded as the ablest criminal lawyer and advocate at that bar, and in the profession generally he holds a prominent po- sition. As a jury lawyer he has a recognized eminence. As an editor he was noted for his sparkling, incisive style; while as a paragraphist he elicited praise from all who could appreciate keen wit, delicate humor, and polished gatire, united to inexorable logic. During his editorship the Babylon Bu.li^et gained an extended repu- tation for its originality, its fearlessness, its fairness and its scholarship, and his exit from the editorial chair was sincerely regretted. He is a man of convictions, never concealing his sentiments oti any 'of the great questions of the day; and in party matters he is recognized even by his foes as one of .the few politicians who stand by their party for principle rather than for pay. • Oaly ttiose of Captain Jaool) Conlclin and Heury Ptaeide were writ- ten by Mr. Cooper. He is a persistent and discriminating reader, and has one of the largest and best selected private libraries in the State, gathered with the enthusiasm of a book-lover and the refined taste of a cultured student — a collection of more than 15,000 volumes, in which there are not half a dozen books which a scholar would not deem a prize. He is fond of music; is an excellent violinist, and possesses instruments of rare value. He holds a conspicuous place in the masonic fraternity; is an active Odd Fellow; is a counsellor- of the Long Island Historical Society, and a member of New York's famous Lotos Club. In 1869 he was elected county judge and surrogate of his native county, and conducted the office with accept- ance to the bar, while winning respect from all who transacted business in the courts over which he pre- sided, by his dignity, courtesy, judicial fairness and official independence and discrimination. At the end of his term he declined a renomination on account of the inadequacy of the salary, and returned with renewed vigor and increased knowledge to his professional work, in which he is now actively engaged. Jacob Conklin. The oldest house in the town, perhaps in the county, is situated near the Huntington line. It was built by Captain Jacob Conklin, who was impressed on board of Captain -Kidd's ship and served under him on one of his voyages. On Kidd's return from his last voyage, and while his vessel, the "San Antonio," lay in Cold Spring Harbor, Conklin and others, having been sent on shore for water, hid themselves and did not return to the ship. Doubtless they feared Kidd's arrest and trial, and dread- ed lest they might be punished with him. They were for some time secreted among the Indians. Conklin pur- chased a large tract of land from the natives, of which the farm late the property of Colonel James F. Casey is part, and upon which the venerable mansion above allud- ed to is situated. The house was probably erected about 17 10, and every part of it bears evidence of its antiquity. The high hill behind the dwelling commands a splendid though distant view of the ocean and bay. Near by are several fine springs of water, one of which is said to be of medicinal character. Captain Jacob Conklin was born in Wiltshire, Eng- land, probably in 1675, ^"d died at his residence in this town in 1754. His wife was Hannah Piatt of Hunting- ton, by whom he had several children, among them Col- onel Piatt Conklin, who was an ardent patriot during the Revolution. The latter had only one child, Nathaniel, who was sheriff of the county. He was the third owner of the premises above described. This property de- scended to the grandchildren of Sheriff Conklin, thus having been owned by four successive generations of the family. It has since been owned by Dr. Bartlett, for- merly editor of the Albion, Colonel James Y. Casey, and Ulysses S. Grant jr., the present owner. i8 From Photograph by lIo^Ardua .J^<^^^^^^ Prince H. Foster. Prince Hiller Foster, of Babylon, was born August loth 1812, in the town of Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, N. Y. His father, John I. Foster, was born in what is now Babylon, when it was a part of Huntington. His grandfather was a Hempstead man, living but a short time in Huntington, when he returned to Far Rockaway, where he died. His grandfather on his mo- ther's side was Prince Hiller, of Rhode Island. The Hillers were Quakers. His father went to Dutchess county when about 21 years old, and settled in that part of Pleasant Valley called the "Nine Partners." He was a weaver by trade, and left Queens county because he heard that the land up the Hudson was so rich it needed no manure. This he found to be a mistake. The subject of this sketch when a boy spent very lit- tle time in school, not more than two years in all. At the age of 16 he was bound as an apprentice to learn the shoemaker's trade, which poor health obliged him to quit after two years. Then he shouldered his axe and went out to chop cordwood at from 25 to 31 cents per cord. After a rough and tumble experience of a few weeks of this work he hired to a farmer December ist 1831 to work a year for $85, which contract he faithfully performed. In 1833 he went to Brooklyn to visit his uncle William Foster, and thinking he would try city life engaged as clerk in a grocery on the corner of Bridge and High streets. He staid there one month and then engaged with Thomas McCormick in the same business on the corner of Prospect and Gold streets, at $6 per month and board. Here he worked eleven months, suffering all the time from poor health. He then worked a while in a crockery store in New -York at $10 per month and board. This was in the cholera season of 1834. About this time, although his father had brought him up a Democrat, he concluded after much examination and thought to quit the party and vote with the Whigs, which he did, and afterward with the Native Americans. The next spring he leased a store on High street, Brooklyn, near Gold, and commenced in a moderate way the grocery business for himself. Feeling the need of a partner for life he soon after married Adeline, daughter of John Prince of Southold, who was a de- scendant of old Captain John Prince — one of the settlers who came to the town soon after 1640. The year 1836, just before the financial reverses that spread over the country, was a good time for the retail busines's in Mr. Foster's line. The next year his-first child was born, and he bought a house and lot, and was fairly prosperous in everything except his health, which continued poor. He was energetic, and withal a little odd in some of his methods of bringing his business to the attention of the public. In 1844 he sold out, and on settling up found his ■ ready money was $600. He took a trip to the west, to see how that famed country looked, visiting Cleveland, THE TOWN OF BABYLON. 19 Cincinnati, and other places. When he came Ifack the Long Island Railroad was built as far as Suffolk Station, now called Central Islip. In the fall of 1844 he located as a dealer in pork and poultry on James street, Brook- lyn, on a site now covered by the suspension bridge. Mr. Foster says he was the first man who made a special- ty of connecting the poultry and pork trades. His health failing he sold his business in 1847, and went to Oyster Bay to a water cure, which did him little or no good. Then he bought stall 3 in Brooklyn market and operated for a short time in pork. In 185 1 he bought opposite the City Hall, and fitted up a place for the pro- vision trade, which he conducted till burned out in May 1853, losing a part of his insurance. Then he went into the old Military Garden on Fulton street and fitted p place for business at a cost of $7,500. In 1856 he bought the place in Babylon on which he now lives, doing busi ness in the city winters and living on his farm sum- mers. After selling his business and having to take it back once or twice, he finally in 1864 made a final sale for $15,000 and turned his attention to his farm and his health. During the next few years he made several ex- periments in gardening and tree-raising, but with no def^ inite purpose of starting a nursery. These small begin- nings proving profitable and interesting he decided about 1869 to add to his stock and see what could be done. That year he sold $256 worth; in 1881 $4,500, and over $5,000 in the first half of 1882. People are fast learning that plants and trees grown near home are more apt to live and flourish than those brought from a distance. Mr. Foster's reputation for square dealing and exact rep- resentation stands enviably high. His health has gadually improved since he left the city. He has studied deeply, for a man absorbed in other business, into the conditions of health and the causes of sickness. Believing that contagious diseases are con- tracted in many cases by inhalation of germs frpm the air, he invented and has had patented a wire gauze mask to wear over the mouth and nose in localities where danger exists. His invention has been pronounced valuable by investigating men competent to judge. It is in the line of the discoveries of Professor Pasteaure, the eminent French chemist and savant, whose recent dem- onstrations in regard to disease germs have been pro- nounced the most wonderful since the times of Jenner, and have caused the British Medical Association to pro- nounce him the greatest living scientist. In politics Mr. Foster is a genuine Republican, active and foremost when hard work is to be done. In religious matters he is a free thinker, believing that religion is a matter of growth, the faith of a people al- ways changing and rising with its intellectual develop- ment. He thinks the religious dogmas of our forefathers no better adapted to our use than their plows, their sickles, or their stage coaches. He believes our concep- tions of the Almighty will always enlarge with our com- prehension, and that the best way to serve Him is to help His children. Fnmi P1iotogrft|]Ii by ByBardHB. ,;< ^V John Scott, who appears to have obtained judgment and in execution seized his bellows and tools. June 9th 1664 the judgment of the inferior court appears to have been reversed by the com- mittee of the General Assembly of Connecticut, who then THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. ordered that the constable deliver to Bloomer the bellows and other tools, and that one of Mr. Scott's cows be given to Bloomer in place of one of his that had died after be- ing seized by Scott. Bloomer was sued again by S.imuel Edsall for ^^4. in 1666, and his rights in the town were sold by the high sheriff to John Tooker in November of the last named year. John Budd appears as an owner in the first " loot mente." He probably was not settled here many years together. Having lived at Southold just before, he bought all the accommodation of William Cramer here October 28th 1666, and afterward — about 1673 — sold the same to Andrew Miller. In June 1668 he exchanged some prop- erty which he owned at Huntington with Captain John Piatt for his home lot and one-fourth of commonage, which he afterward sold to John Thomas. He is supposed to have returned to Southold after disposing of his prop- erty here. Henry Brooks was granted an accommodation by town meeting in August 1671, with the home lot "that was Barker's." From his having possession of the " smith's accommodation " we infer that he was a blacksmith. A part of this he sold to the town July 15th 1672. Roger Barton appears as an inhabitant of this town in 1664. His signature as "recorder " is attached to several copies of documents from the court of Connecticut. His term of residence here was probably short. William Brunkly was accepted as a blacksmith by the town and given a home lot and privilege of a " new pur- chaser's accommodation," July loth 1669. It was under- stood that he was to do the town's blacksmith work at fair rates, and to occupy his lot three years to perfect his title. Nothing more is heard of him. John Bayles, from Jamaica, traded accommodations with Thomas Biggs, and removed hither in March 1669. He was chosen an overseer in 167 1 and was placed on the committee to purchase meadows at South, August 22nd of the same year. He was a magistrate of the town in 1673. April 22nd 1674 he traded his accommodations back again with Thomas Biggs and returned to Jamaica. Elias Bayles: But little is known of him, except that the town meeting November 17th 1671 granted him an allotment in the new village at Wading River. Roger Cheston was one of the first six purchasers of 1655. He received lots in the divisions of Old Field, and October 2nd r66i sold his accommodations and home to Daniel Lane. James Cock was among the earliest settlers, and re- ceived lots in Old Field which he sold to Henry Perring. He probably left the colony within a few years. In 1668 some of his land was owned by Zachariah Hawkins. William Crumwell (or Cromwell or Cramer) was one of the early settlers and a man in whom the townsmen doubtless placed some confidence. He was appointed an appraiser of John Scott's property June 9th 1664. He evidently left the town at an early period. October 28th 1666 he sold all his accommodations to John Budd for ;^3o. John Coombs (Comes or Cooms) appears to have been one of the early inhabitants, though his name is but lit- tle mentioned in'the records except as the index to an allotment in several later divisions of land. He was evi- dently in the town as late as 1674. James Cumfield was a la.idholder in the town in 1660; beyond which fact nothing is known. John Dier was one of the early freeholders. His name soon passed into obscurity, except so far as it may be preserved as the ancient name of the neck of land which lies between the harbors of Port Jefferson and Setaiiket, which was known as Dier's Neck. His name appears as an inhabitant in 1664. Samuel Dayton was a son of Ralph Dayton, one of the early settlers of East Hampton. He lived a while at Flushing, then settled in Southampton in 1648, and about 1658 came to Brookhaven, as is supposed. He bought a home lot of Richard Smith, May 8th 1668, besides having a lot in the first "loot mente." He was appointed on the commission to the Unkechauge Indians August 22nd 1671. He was probably the progenitor of a numerous posterity reaching to the present generation. Abraham Dayton was probably a son of the last named; his name does not appear until several years after the first settlement. On a rate list of 1675 he is assessed for three acres of meadow, five horses and several cattle, in all valued at .^^104. Joseph Davis, formerly of Southampton, a weaver of cloth, was granted the weaver's lot by town meeting De- cember 23d 1668. He was also granted an accommoda- tion on "paying as others do," and agreed to weave the town's yarn into cloth on as reasonable terras "as they do generally upon the island." John Davis does not appear at the first, but February i6th 1675 receives a half accommodation from the over- seers and constable F'oulk Davis, of Jamaica, appears as the owner of a house and accommodation, bought of Daniel Lane — the former property of Samuel Akerly — and he sells the same to William Salyer October 2Sth 1671. That prob- ably closes his residence here. It is probable that from one or more of the last three mentioned descended the numerous families of the name of Davis at present found in this town. Matthias Dingle had a lot in the town plat previous to 1667. Samuel Edsell appears as a witness to the Indian deed of the beach to the town November loth 1685. He also appears in a suit against Bloomer. He was but little known to the records. William Fancy was one of the early settlers. He had a share in the successive allotments of land from the earliest ; was an inhabitant in 1664 and a subscriber to the minister's salary in 1697. He probably died soon after that date, ;ind left a widow. William Frost received from the town a " new pur- chaser's accommodation " September 26th 1672, and had other allotments of land. Richard Floyd, a native of Wales, came to Setauket in 1656 and took an active part in the public affairs of the THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 7 little colony. Being a man of some education, refine- ment and wealth, he quickly advanced to a position of prominence and received the confidence of his neighbors. By the investment of his means he became possessed •of several shares in the proprietorship of the town. He probably introduced the first negro slave in this town. This he did in 1672, and sold the same to John Kurd of Stratford March 9th 1674. He held several offices in the town: was collector in 1690; commissioned "to supervise the taxes " in 1692, 1695, 1697 and 1704; president of trustees 1696, 1699, 1700 and 1704. He is supposed to have died soon after the latter date. His ■descendants through successive generations have held positions of honor and prominence not only in the town, but in the county and State. His family name, however, is almost extinct in the town. His ashes repose in the ■old burying ground at Setauket, laid out from his own home lot, but the march of the centuries has almost ob- literated all trace of his grave. Joshua Garlick wa6 an inhabitant of the town for a short period. He bought a home lot of Richard War- ing, lying between the latter and Thomas Biggs, Novem- ber i6th 1666. June ist 1668 he sold the same again to Waring. Robert Goulsbery : AH that we know of him is that he bought an accommodation of Richard Floyd August 29th 1679. Thomas Harlow drew a share in the division of land about 1661. He probably remained here but a short time. Zachariah Hawkins was one of the early settlers, and the holder of several shares in the proprietorship. The records show his transactions in real estate to have been comparatively frequent. He appears on a jury in 1663 ; and in 1666 brings a suit against Robert Akerly for damage done by the latter's hogs, claiming eight bushels of peas. The court returns judgment for four bushels and costs. He held the office of trustee in 1696 and 1697. He appears to have been a man of honest prin- ciple and sober, plodding habits, and was somewhat addicted to the acquirement of property. These quali- ties, associated with a tenacious vitality, appear to have been transmitted through the generations to a numerous posterity, as the fact that on the town assessment books at the present time this family name appears more fre- quently than any other may suggest. William Herrick appears only as the owner of lot No. 23 of the fifty-acre lots. He was probably a resident of Southampton, the son of James Herrick, one of the early settlers of that town, who was employed to beat the drum on Sabbath days to call the people to worship. Thomas Helme was an active member of the early community, and a shareholder in the proprietorship. He occupied a number of positions of confidence and honor ; was one of the second patentees ; was commis- sioned with Richard Woodhull to lay out Little Neck in 1687 ; was town clerk the same year, as well as a " com- missioner ; " held the latter office in 1690 ; was a justice in 1691, president of trustees in 1694, 1695 and 1698, a justice in 1701, justice and trustee in 1702, one of the commissioners for Suffolk county to lay out highways in 1704, and a justice in 1706. His descendants have been honored and respected, and a remnant still lingers in the town. Joseph Hand in 1663 sold his home lot and accommo- dation to John Scott. John Hurd, of Stratford, Conn., bought of Richard Floyd one and a half accommodations November 12th 1669.' Thomas Higam was taken as a townsman in 1676, and ten acres of land were granted to him. No more is known of him. John Jenners (Jenner or Gennors) was one of the early settlers. His name appears as that of a juror in 1663, and as one of the patentees of 1666. September 25th 1662, probably as an initiatory step toward the organiza- tion of the new Connecticut government, he was elected one of the four men to act as magistrates until the end of the year. He was a delegate to the convention to elect burgesses in 1691. Thomas Jenners was a younger man, and probably the son of the former. November 17th 16*71 he received an allotment at Wading River. He was commissioned by the town to join Mr. Gibb in goin^ to New York to apply for a patent' December loth 1686, and became one of the trustees incorporated by that patent; was constable in 1690, and trustee in 1701, 1703, 1709 and 1711. He was employed by the town to join Benjamin Smith in sur- veying meadows at Old Man's, June 25th 1701, and was one of the four men appointed by the town to oversee the clearing of highways in May 1704. His name ap- pears on the records as late as 1723. William Jayne, sometimes erroneously spelled Jean, first appears on a committee appointed by the town to secure a parsonage site. May 7th 1689. He was a trustee in 1 701. His numerous descendants cling to the old stamping-ground at Setauket. The legend on his tomb- stone in the ancient burial plot — now defaced almost be- yond recognition — tells us that he was a native of Bris- tol, England, and that he died March 24th 17 14, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. Robert Kellam was a former resident of Southampton. His name appears as a shareholder in the " fifty-acre lots" of this town. Gabriel Linch, a weaver by trade, received from the town the weaver's accommodation March 30th 1667, he agreeing to weave the town's cloth " as cheaply as it is commonly woven." Jacob Longbotham, or Longbottom, was one of the primitive inhabitants, and son-in-law of Henry Perring. He sold part of his accommodation to John Beeswick June ist 1672. He appears in possession of the mill as part owner with his mother-in-law, the widow Perring, February 4th 1674, at which time the overseers agree to make up the dam to the height of ten feet from the bot- tom of the pond, and then the town is to have no more expense with it. Joseph Longbotham was a brother of the last named, - -A 8 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. and also a son-in-law of Henry Perring. November 17th 1671 he received an allotment in the new settlement at Wading River. The descendants of these brothers still hold some of the land occupied by them. The family is noted for the longevity of its members. But few gene- rations bridge between the earliest and the latest. Daniel Lane appears to have been a man of large busi- ness capacity, which quality gave him a favorable intro- duction to the townspeople. He was one of the early settlers, and was frequently intrusted with important com- missions in behalf of the town. He owned a large share in the proprietary interests, and his traffic in real estate waa constant. Having bought of the Indians a tract of land'in Little Neck he assigned it to the inhabitants April 6th 1663, they reimbursing him in the expense; March 31st 1665 he was the bearer of money, ^6 ids., to the Indian Tobacus on behalf of the town in payment for land and meadows purchased June loth 1664. In 1666 he was one of the first patentees. In 1664 he agreed with a number of the inhabitants to build a mill. June 17th 1667 he was commissioned by the town to petition the governor for the right to w^hales coming upon the seashore to be given the town. Daniel Lane jr. was granted an allotment at Wading River, to be " convenient to the wJter for his calling," November 17th 1671. Thomas Mapes, or, as it is more commonly spelled in the old records, Mabbs, was one of the six first purchasers of J 655. He received shares in the various divisions of land, and May nth 1670 sold anew purchaser's accomo- dation to Richard Briant. He brought an action (date not given) against Henry Rogers for defamation, claiming damage to the amount of ;£^ioo, to which the court re- sponded with a verdict for ^^ and a public acknowledg- ment, or ;^io and costs. The records do not tell us which of the alternatives the defendant chose. He was a justice of the peace in 1693, but probably removed from this town to Southold soon after that date. His name ap- pears as that of a militia captain in the latter town in 1700. Andrew Miller, a son of John Miller of East Hampton, bought an accommodation of William Poole, his home lot and one-fourth commonage, March 30th, and the re- remainder of his rights October i6th following. About 1673 he purchased an accomodation of John Budd. He was the founder of the beautiful hamlet Miller's Place, and there his posterity still lives. Francis Moncey was one of the early proprietors. He received an allotment of meadow at South Fireplace in 1664 or thereabout, and another in the new settlement at Wading River November 17th 1671. He died shortly before 1675, and left a widow, who afterward held his estate. Nathaniel Norton, from Southampton, bought an ac- commodation of Captain John Piatt March 27th 1668, for ;^4o, payable in cattle. He was a carpenter by trade, and the following year engaged to frame the new meeting-house and put it up ready for the covering, the town people hauling the timber and helping to raise it, for which service he was to be free from all rates for six: years. September 17th 1674 the town voted to give him apiece of meadow near " Mt. Misery House," with "j pole of land ", for clapboarding and shingling the meet- ing-house, he finding materials. He was chosen an over- seer in 1676. He is still represented in his posterity^ among whom have appeared some well known names. Matthias NicoUs was a nephew of Governor Richard Nicolls and secretary of the colony. He received fronr the town meeting January 25th 1674 a new purchaser's ac- commodation with a home lot in the town plat, in con- sideration of his assistance in the purchase of meadows^ at South. This he gave to his son William, March 9th 1674. William Nicolls, son of Matthias and patentee of the large part of Islip known as NicoUs's patent, was a pro- prietor in this town but never a resident for any length of time. His history belongs to that of Islip. Thomas Pierce was one of the early freeholders of whom but little is known. He was a magistrate, appointed by the court at Hartford in 1661. Matthew Priar, one of the pioneers, held proprietary rights at an early period. Having been unfairly distressed by Mr. Scott, the committee of the General Assembly of Connecticut, June 9th 1664, ordered that some of Mr. Scott's goods should be sold and three cows be bought with the proceeds for the present benefit of Priar's fam- ily. He sold his house and. lot to the constable and over- seers of the town for the use of the minister October 24th 1665, for ^12, to be paid in corn, wheat and peas. His house was probably something more than ordinary for those days, since the fact that it had glass windows, doors and partitions seemed worthy ot remark in the deed. After this he removed to Matinecock, and still later sold his accommodation here to Captain John Piatt, July i8th 1666. Henry Perring, one of the town fathers, dabbled con- siderably in real estate and was a man of some business qualities. He was one of the patentees of 1666, had allotments in several divisions of land and owned a mill in'the. town. This he gave in 167 1 to his two sons-in-law Jacob and Joseph Longbotham, reserving a life lease upon it, and inserting a direction that their three sisters were to go " tole free" but that his daughter Hannah was- to be " tole free forever, and her heirs." He was chosen overseer, and surveyor of highways in 1671, and the fol- lowing year was authorized (March i6th 1672) to con- struct and maintain a "pound," and to be " pounder."" For his services in this direction he was to collect fees for pounding,—! penny for a hog, 2 pence for a beast^ 3 pence for a horse, }4 penny for a sheep or goat, and to have the old pound for his own use. He had been on the committee to purchase meadows at South in 167 1 and July 20th 1674 the town granted him three little islands in Unkachaug Bite. He is supposed to have died that year. Captain John Piatt bought an accommodation of Mat- thew Priar July i8th 1666, and sold the same to Na- thaniel Norton March 27th 1668. In June of the same THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. year he sold the home lot and one-fourth commonage (which probably had been reserved from the former sale) to John Budd for his rights in Huntington. William Poole was a citizen of the early days; his name appears as an inhabitant in 1664, but he was prob- ably settled here much earlier than that. By two sales, bearing date March 30th and October 16th 167 1, he transferred all his rights in this town to Andrew Miller. Stephen Person: Town meeting voted him a new pur- chaser's right on his paying the necessary proportion of charges, December 17th 1669. " Henry Rogers was an early citizen of this land of free- dom, whose ideas of free speech were too liberal for the times. Consequently he was fined by a court of four magistrates and six jurors, December 8th 1663, for lying, ten shillings; and on another occasion was sentenced by the court to pay ^^ and make a public confession, or ;£io and costs without such confession, for traducing the character of his neighbor Thomas Mapes. Edward Rouse was a transient resident, who bought accommcdations of John Scudder and sold the same to John Tooker June 8th 1662, for accommodations in Ja- maica, whither he probably removed. Simeon Rouse's name appears as that of an inhabitant in 1664. John Roe was a shoemaker, and an inhabitant of Southampton in 1666. He came to this town the fol- lowing year, and December 6th the town gave him the home lot that was laid out for a minister, and a new pur- chaser's right when he should pay for it as others had done. He at the same time agreed to work at his trade for the town's people. He was elected constable, collect- or and trustee January loth 1688, to fill out the unex- pired term of .William Satterly, deceased. Among the generations of his descendants have been many honored and respected citizens. William Rogers received from the overseers a home lot and accommodation February 16th 1675. Samuel Shermon is a name that stands among the early settlers of whom little is known. William Satterly was a member of the proprietary brotherhood. He was an overseer in 167 1, and was made constable in 1676, an office then of considerable note. In 167 1 he was also chosen to act "in the place of a church warden." He died early in January 1688 or late in the previous year, holding the offices of constable, collector and trustee. Richard Smith probably joined this settlement as early as 1656; a man of more than ordinary powers and ac- quirements, he was a leading spirit, and figured con- spicuously in the affairs of the town. He held a propri- etary interest here for many years, was a justice of the peace, and on the disruption of the government in June 1689 was elected by the town as alternate or second to Richard Woodhull, to represent the town in the council at New York "for the good of the country." He is best known as the progenitor of the " Bull " Smiths and founder of the town which bears his name. Arthur Smith was one of the first settlers of the town; his name appears as an inhabitant in 1664. He probably died about 1665, leaving a widow and two sons, Benjamin and John. Benjamin Smith, one of the young men, succeeded to the rights of his father, and by his own exertions ad- vanced to a position of considerable prominence and in- creased possessions. He was ordered by the town to join Thomas Jenner in surveying meadows at Old Man's June 25th 1701; was trustee that year and the year fol- lowing; and was appointed one of the superintendents of the work of clearing the highways in May 1704. John Smith, a weaver, probably a brother of the last named, bought with Thomas a share in the nevy pur- chase at South in 1674. In 1670 he bought a horse of Richard Woodhull, to be paid for in weaving at regular rates. Thomas Smith, probably a wheelwright by trade, was an early settler to whom the town granted a new purcha-. ser's right March i6th 1672. In 1673 he exchanged his home lot with Samuel Akerlyfor the one that was Joshua Garlick's, and agreed to give in the bargain a "sufifiisent pair of Cart Wheels." In 1674 he received from the town one-sixth of the west meadows at Old Man's, and bought half a share in the new purchase at South. He held the office of overseer in 1676. Robert Smith, an early freeholder, sold his right in the new purchase at South to John Thompson, April 7th 1674. Daniel Smith was a citizen of whom but little is said. Richard Woodhull loaned him a horse, which died in his possession, whereupon the owner brought suit and re- covered;^i8 and costs, December 28th 1664. He was town clerk in 1669. William Salyer was a son-in-law to Foulk Davis, from whom he received a home lot and accommodation, Octo- ber 25th 167 1. He probably came here from Southampton, where he was a resident in 1668. His name is perpetuated on the records as the index to a proprietary right. Obadiah Seward was one of the early proprietors; his name is frequently met on the records, but generally in personal transactions. Though he does not appear to have held any important public trusts he still had occasions of difference with his neighbors, as most men do. On one of these Thomas Thorp became so demonstrative as to fall upon him with blows and set his dogs upon him, the latter biting his legs severely. The case was brought into court, but was settled privately. A tradition lingers that he was the ancestor of the late statesman William H. Seward, but no evidence is at hand either to confirm or disprove its truth. His name has for some time been ex- tinct in this town. William Simson was one of the early settlers. July nth 1660 he agreed to keep a boat in the town, and in con- sideration of that convenience the townspeople granted him a ten-acre lot lying next to James Cumfield's. His name appears as an inhabitant in 1664, but before 1671 he had sold his home lot to Richard Briant. It is prob- able that he sailed his boat as a packet, making trips to points on the Connecticut shore, and after selling his in- terest here made his home elsewhere. THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. John Scudder was one of the first six purchasers of 1655. He had a share in the proprietorship, which he sold to Edward Rouse previous to 1662. John Scott was a former resident of Hartford and later of Southampton, where he appears as an attorney, prac- ticing law in the primitive courts as early as 1660. He was a resident of this town in 1663, having bought a home lot and accommodation of Joseph Hand that year. He was a magistrate at the same time, and wore the titulary honors of captain and esquire. He brings suit in 1664 against Robert Bloomer, for ^£30, but failing to appear in court is " non-shewted;" also claims damages against Arthur Smith for " outrayege an victious Acktio-ns " to the amount of ;^i,ooo, to which the jury return a verdict for j^^o and costs. March 26th 1664 he sold his home lot and accommodation to Zachariah Hawkins. After this he appears to have been absent from the town, hav- ing left a quantity of glass and iron, and a dependent family. The committee of the General Assembly of Con- necticut, being here June gth 1664, appointed three men to take an inventory of his goods — glass and iron — and ordered them stored in John Ketcham's house for safe keeping. The committee at the same time ordered that a quantity of the goods be sold to procure funds with which to buy three cows for the present use of Matthew Priar, whom Scott had unjustly oppressed; and also that goods to the amount of thirty or forty shilling worth be sold to supply the present need of Scott's family for "bred and corn." February ist 1666 he sold all his lands to Zachariah Hawkins. Eben Salsberry appears as one of the early residents; he sold his accommodation to Daniel Lane March 2nd 1666, delivering the same — according to an old custom — "by twig and turf." He appears as high sheriff in 1670. John Sweasey, or Swesie, of Southold, was one of the original six who secured the first Indian deed of 1655. If he shared any material interest in the original pur- chase he probably transferred it, and afterward bought, January 13th 1672, of John Thomas one-half his accom- modation. Thomas Thorp is but seldom mentioned, except in a numberof court records, where he appears as the defendant under various charges, among which are running a book account with Richard Mills, of Southampton, in 1651; trespass and damage done Richard Woodhull in 1666, and assaulting and setting the dogs on " Obed " Seward at another time. He however held a proprietary right in Brookhaven, and his name is perpetuated as its signa- ture. John Tooker was one of the most active members of the primitive democracy. He was concerned in several real estate transactions at an early period. He was a man of considerable business tact, and was frequently chosen by his fellow townsmen to missions of importance. With Daniel Lane he bought part of Unkechage Neck of the Indian Wapheege in 1670, and August i6th 167 1 he was appointed on a committee to purchase meadows at South. An evidence of the trust reposed in him by the inhabitants is seen in the fact that he was appointed to many-offices. He was town clerk many years; just how long is uncertain, but it is known that he commenced to serve as early as 1668 and probably earlier, and contin- ued until 1677 or later. He was empowered as a magis- trate September 25th 1662; was one of the patentees of 1666; chosen constable in 1671, and a trustee in 1702. June 17th 1667 the town authorized him to keep an " ordnery," and appropriated upland and meadow about " Mt. Misery House " for that use. July 12th 1670 High Sheriff Captain Salisberry and Richard Woodhull, magis- trate, licensed him to retail strong drink so long as he should keep a house of entertainment. September 6th 1677 the town granted him fifty acres of land wherever he might choose it, in recognition of his services in " writing the records to date." His name is perpetuated by numerous descendants. John Thomas, from Rye, was taken as an inhabitant August 22nd 1671, and instructed in regard to soiling land to any one not approved by the town that such vio- lation of laws would work forfeiture of all his rights. He was a constable in 1686. John Thomas sen,, son of the last named, appears as the owner of a share in the " old purchase " of meadows at South Fireplace. John Thompson, a blacksmith, is supposed to have come to Setauket in 1656. July 15th 1672 he received from the town the " smith's accommodation " on condi- tion that he should do the town's work. His descend- ants still hover about Setauket, though the name is ob- solete there. Anthony Thompson received from the overseers and constable a home lot and accommodation February i6th 1675- Captain John Undrell, or Underbill, was the owner of a proprietary right here at an early period, though as early as 1668 his name appears as a resident of Oyster Bay. He probably never resided in Brookhaven for any length of time. Christopher Tooly received from the overseers and constable a home lot and accommQdation February i6th 1675- George Wood, having obtained an unsavory name in Southampton, joined this settlement and secured small lots of land. He remained however but a short time. Peter Whitehaire was one of the early freeholders of the town and founders of the settlement. He was elect- ed to the office of commissioner in 1687 and again in 1690. He died, holding the office of trustee, about the year 1698. His name has long since become extinct. Richard Waring, an early settler, sold his accommoda- tion to Joshua Garlick November i6th 1666, and bought the same back again June ist 1668. He was employed in 1672, by the people of the "hie strete," as a " cow- ceeper" or herdsman, whose duty it was to drive the cattle from their yards to the plains to pasture every morning, and bring them back again at night. For this service he was paid 2s. 6d. a day, in butter, corn, wheat and peas. THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. Thomas Ward, one of the early land holders, was grant- ed by the town (August 22nd 167 1) two necks of meadow next beyond the "ould man's medow " for his share. William Williams was accepted as a townsman in 1676 or 1677, and granted a half allotment, in accordance with the town's order in relation to young men. Richard Woodhull: In verification of the Scriptural statement "The first shall be last," etc., this name appro- priately falls at the close of this list. Were we called upon to write a eulogy on the foremost man among the settlers of Brookhaven, we could not select a more worthy subject. But he needs no such effort at our hands. The records of Brookhaven and the facts of history concerning him are the modest but unfaltering witnesses to a character which for principles of honor and justice, unselfish motives, far-seeing discretion, kind- liness of manners, and constant zeal in public service has few superiors among the honored names that grace the first pages of American history. He is said to have descended through an ancient lineage from a subject of William the Conqueror who came with him from Nor- mandy into England in 1066. He was born in North- amptonshire, England, September 13th 1620, and is sup- posed to have come to' this country when a young man. His first appearance here of which we find any definite evidence is at Southampton in 1644. He was probably there before that date, and may have come from Lynn with the original company of settlers of Southampton. He appears to have manifested there the same untiring energy and active interest in the affairs of the town that made him afterward so conspicuous in Brookhaven. He was frequently placed on juries, on committees and on many important missions. The records of that town give frequent testimony of the esteem in which he was held as a training officer and a surveyor, as well as. a man of general intelligence and sound judgment in all public affairs. He appears to have left Southampton about the year 1655; and after a year or two, spent perhaps in looking for a desirable place to locate, he appears among the early settlers of Brookhaven. His name appears here as early as 1657, when, July 20th, he pur- chased of Wyandanch two necks of meadow at Mastic for the town. He was appointed a magistrate for the town by the court at Hartford, May i6th 1661, which position he continued to hold for many years. He was one of the patentees of 1666, and again of 1686, and was a surveyor and conveyancer of superior abilities. He was appointed to many offices and acted on many important commissions, one of the most conspicuous of which was that masterly stroke of diplomacy by which the title of the town to the whole northern territory was forever freed from the com- plication of Indian claims under which it was liable to fall. The name of his father was probably the same as his own; that of his wife was Deborah, and his children were Richard, Nathaniel and Deborah. He died in Octo- ber 1690. The name as it appears in the early records is variously rendered, as Odell, Oodell, Wodhull, and Woodhull. The Division of Lands. Table showing the number of each proprietor's lot or lots in each of the divisions of common land in this town as shown by the records. The number at the head of each column refers to the explanation following the table. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 -. on 5 P Sod': 1(5 i 5C CO 1 . 6 •a '?. B . ^ Names of Drawers or Owners of Lots. 1 S e •c a 0-^ n h pi •0 s S u 00 i a ■o ?i If |E 2 a "p. a-l ^a 8S •9fe ma u ill iff 1 ^1 il as- R a So. 1^ ft •a 1 7 .J3 U CO "a 3 1 1 1 > I 1 1 a ■s V- (3 > .- m ■sua ■& 1 u Li > c b a a <0 'a a 33 a 1 n 5 a a a :g '? fi 1 3 1 a I be 1 ■s a 3 q s m c c s <1» c n a 1 K 1= 48 6. B t 1 1 1-4 a a S 1 a g Hi Robert Akerly Z-3a 24 33 1 44 23 28 9 46 20 42 4 43 58 31 44 54 31 45 Samuel Akerly 6 32 34 1 32 L L 16 6 22 48 52 30 1 48 23 47 12 53 35 40 3 28 53 Edward Avery 8* 12 Alexander Briant — 14 9 Nathaniel Brewster. . 9-4a 47 17 S 45 43 16 Thomas Biggs sen.... 37 2* 11 11 Zl 27 36 33 27 41 32 13 44 55 35 49 26 45 41 35 Thomas Biggs jun. . . . 17 28 26 10 21 4 4 36 24 49 33 37 36 11 40 39 46 48 6 10 John Bosweek +1 47 John Budd 15 48 33 38 38 46 25 3 5 19 48 10 13 9 33 6 55 8 25 43 42 11 51 12 17 20 4 33 14 30 Henry Brooks 20 Timothy Brewster. . . . 20 6 15 51 9 20 5 11 26 25 10 1 2S 21 7 42 Daniel Brewster W 46 9 31 3 3U *ofl« 18 l-3a iofl2 JofSl iof26 4of9 lof4 iot7 ^0f48 lot 30 iot25 iof4 iof 49 Koger Cheston James Cocl£ •0) 10 12 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. ■William CrumweU . John Cetchuta Jolin Coombs Samuel Dayton Half Dayton John Dier Joseph Davis John Davis 24 Samuel Edsell... Samuel Eburne ■ David Eddows-.. Widow Fancy... William Fancy . - William Frost... Bichard Floyd.. Joshua Garlick — William Herricks. • Thomas Helme Thomas Hulse Thomas Harlow. ■ . Zachariah Hawkins . . John Jenners Thomas Jenners.. . Widow John Jenners William Jayne.. Bohert Kellam. Jacob Longbottom.. Joseph Longrbottom. Daniel Lane — Thomas Mapes . Andrew Miller.. Francis Money .... Joseph Mapes Hugh Mosier John Money John Mosier Widow Money Cap Matthias Nickels Nathaniel Norton.. Jonathan Owen .... Henry Perring... Thomas Price Capt. John Piatt. . William Poole — Widow Perring:- . George Phillips... Henry Hogers.. Edward Rouse.. John Roe.. Bichard Smith Samuel Shermon. Arthur Smith .... William Satteriy . Benjamin Smith.. Robert Smith William Salyer... Thomas Smith.... Obadiah Seward.. . John Smith Selah Strong Col. Henry Smith . Thomas Thorp JohnTooker John Thomas sen .. John Oniomasjun.. John Thompson William Tayler Capt. John Underbill. Richard WoodhuU . Richard Waring.. George Wood John Wood Thomas Wood Peter Whltehaire... Thomas Ward John Ward Robert Woolley William 'Williams.. John Wade 15 7-4a 16 9-3a 14-3a 8-4a 4-4a 4-3a 9-3a l-4a 2-4a 6-4a 3-4a 13 48 43 30 16 31 21 4of35 22 28 12 »-3a 13 5-4a 14 18 42 29 30 25 24 li so 46 49 iof34 25 10 13 Jof34 15 25 34 2L 13 35 25 12 19 29 37 34 32 3o iof47 16 10 11 19 31 20 40 39 11 41 44 18 26 51 32 26 13 8 4 iofl9 2 49 2 27 28 iof32 29 21 16 13 31 45 17 55 12 18 2 {of 36 22 iof26 13 12 31 iof25 2 Jof8 iof42 4of 12 4of 16 liofl9 3' 20 as ioflO 24 Jof47 39 10 iota 30 iof50 14 18 46 ioflO 25 2; 44 iof32 iofl6 i' 30 4E 44 4C 39 29 24 34 7 14 13 48 42 42 35 17 14 50 45 iofSO 38 32 iof 15 7 iof36 iof 25 15 r.s iof 10 17 *of 51 41 32 52 36 19 53 53 30 47 26 21 44 54 14 44 .52 iof 19 7 iof 47 15 12 26 iof 47 32 iof 24 16 12 iof6 20 29 Jof 26 iof 5(1 52 27 iof 21 22 iof 24 18 49 16 19 23 iof 28 42 iof.S2 17 iof 10 31 44 iof 16 8 iof 19 iof 47 33 iof 51 iof 8 4 SoflS 28 iot3| .54 31 53 35 Iof 34 46 48 }0f7 50 iof 28 17 32 30 iof 40 43 iof 17 18 15 iof 26 32 iof 16 19 2 22 iof 19 24 iof 9 iof 51 23 iof 21 12 iof 24 45 35 iof3 34 38 14 11 39 3 Jof2o 38 42 lof 10 iof 16 45 35 54 14 24 iof9 18 37 lof 34 jot 7 21 iof 44 24 13 iof 40 49 50 21 iof 33 jof 27 39 SO iof 46 lof 26 13 20 52 SI 20 11 36 iof 15 49 iof 34 21 34 iof 43 31 Jof IS 35 iof4 20 42 iof 38 iof 44 87 39' 53 52 46 40 iof 7 55 iof 27 Jof 46 30 44 32 16 iof 4 iof 19 12 40 13 30 1' 41 Jof 48 2,5 13 38 jof 21 24 Jof 43 23 iof4 53 iof 43 27 4 iof 15 37 50 42 18 49 iofS 31 iof 43 iof 38 14 48 44 iof 17 34 iof 12 23 26 25 iof 18 jof 54 19 27 11 29 4!! iof 40 S3 iof 26 22 11 iofS 33 30 8 9 10 51 19 12 ,52 27 9 21 14 34 Jot 30 lof 25 6 6 of 21 lof 38 7 13 lof 43 lof 26 2 29 4of5 1 47 iof 17 49 2 29 24 32 3 iofe 36 45 iof4 iof 40 iof 5 43 20 12 4 21 iofS 33 iof 18 51 23 44 13 42 31 15 50 34 16 41 1 14 lof 49 47 lof6 2 iofS 55 40 36 48 46 37 52 .38 24 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 13 Errors may exist in the opposite table, or wrong- impiessioua arise from it ia consequence of the following oauses:-The same names were so often preserved in families that what appears in the list as one man drawing lots in different divisions made many years apart may have been two or more men, belonging to as many successive generations. On the other hand the reckless orthography practiced in olden times upon proper names has doubtless caused In some instances the same individual to be represented on different lists by different names. Then again it appears that the names of some men were preserved as representing their estates or rights in common long after the men themselves were dead. The records also may have led us into error by the occasional omission of the distinguishing affixes junior and senior to names that are otherwise duplicated. The lists furnish evidences which support suspicion of these inaccuracies, but we are hardly war- ranted in attempting to correct them. The following explanations refer by the numbers to the different di- visions in the table: 1. The division of Old Field of 1661 was made in six-acre lots. 2. The second division of Old Field was made later, in lots of three and four acres, the numbers in each class commencing at 1, &c. The figure and letter a attached to each number denote which class is meant. 3. The tract of meadows at Fireplace belonging to the tract of upland and meadows bought of Tobacus June 10th 1664. It was probably divid- ed in 1670, agreeable to a resolution of the trustees on the 16th of Janu- ary of that year. 4. The lots in Newtown, memoranduni of which is dated 1667, contain- ed two classes, a division to the original settlers and another to the new purchasers. 5. A memorandum of this "first lootmente" is dated 1668, and ap- pears to have reference to no particular division of lots, but was simply designed to show who were shareholders in the town, and the number of shares held by each man. The names of Henry Brooks, Thomas Smith and William Frost, however, show evidence of having been placed on the list at a later date. The records otherwise show these men to have been admitted to proprietary rights respectively August MW, March 16th 1672, and September 26th 1672. The name of " Mr. Bayly '. was on the list, but was crossed, and this agrees with the fact that John Bayles was a resident here from March Uth 1669 to April 23nd 1674. 6. The meadows lying between Connecticut and Mastic rivers, called the " New Purchase," the final deed for which was obtained, after re- peated attempts, September 19th 1674. The division is dated 1675. 1. The date of this division is uncertain. It was laid out about the year 1680 and was located near the Old Man's. 8, 9, 10 and 11 were divisions of meadow in different part of the town. The last one was largely made up of patches here and there, some of the individual shares being described as follows: " Thomas Ward, at Stony Brook ;" " Zachariah Hawkins, at W. Meadow ;" " Henry Brooks, on Ward's Island;" "Mr. Lane, on the olde field Beach;" "Eobart Wolle, wethin ye olde field Gate;" "Samuel Dayton, by the Mill Creek;" " William Frost, by John Hallat in ye meadow mill creek;" " Samuel Akerly, by Kichard Woodhull close;" "John Wade, between Richard Woodhull & Nathl. Brewster;" "Wm. William, by John Wood's house;" and " Joseph Mapes, by William Satterly barn, on the east side of the Mill creek." 13. This was land upon which most of the village of Yaphank lies. 13. Extending from the east line of the town west to Miller's Place, it was bounded on the south by the Country road and reached north to the sound except where land already appropriated intervened along the north side. This division was completed May 4th 1729, by Hiehard Woodhull and Nathaniel Brewster, surveyors. 14. These lots covered a tract from the Smithtown line to the Con- necticut Elver, and from the Country road south to Winthrop's patent, on the Middle Island line. (This line runs from a point nearSwezey's mills at Taphank westward to a point about four and a half miles south of the Country road at the Smithtown line.) The survey of this division was completed May 4th 1731, by the same surveyors as the above. 15. The east division on the south side, commonly called " Great Divi- sion," was made December 10th 1733, the survey being made by Nathan- iel Biggs and Samuel Smith. This comprehended a tract bounded north by the Middle Island line, south by an irregular line along the northern bounds of lands already taken up, east by the west line of Smith's pat- entship and west by the " Little Division." The irregular line spoken of - the south bound of both " Great Division " and " Little Division " — ran from a" White Oak tree nereyamphank" [creel:], ass the path Euns [south Country road from Southaven] to bever Dam Swamp, and then Euning due Sothwest untill it comes to a Due North Line from a pine tree in the heed of Dayton's swamp [Osborn's Brook], said to bee Eobert Hose's bound tree:" thence running due west to the line of Winthrop's patent. The stump of " Robert Rose's bound tree " was re- placed by a permanent stone fixed there by a committee of town trustees January 26th 1872. This division extended nearly three miles. 16. This, called " Little Division," lay between the one last mentioned and Winthrop's patent, being bounded north and south by the exten- sion of the same lines as the north and south bounds of the other. It was laid out at the same time and by the same man. Its extent east and west was about four-fifths of a mile. 17. The West Division of Long Lots extended from the west line of the town to a point about Selden, where it joined the East Division of Long Lots, and from the Country road north to the irregular line of the vai'ious parcels of land along the north side that were otherwise dis- posed of. It was laid out March 10th 1734 by Samuel Thompson, John Wood, Thomas Strong and Samuel Smith. 18. This was bounded north and south by the continuation eastward of the same bounds as the last named, and extended eastward from that division to the Wading River Great Lots, joining that division between Middle Island and Coram, about seven and seven-eighths miles east of the Smithtown line. It was laid out at the same time and by the same men as the last. 19. This division of "skirts" was the clearing up of the "odds and ends" after the two divisions north of the Country road had been made. It was made about the year 1735. 20. A small division lying at Middle Island, between a former one (12j and the Country road, and reaching from the head of Connecticut River to the line of Smith's patent. It was laid out April 20th 1739. 21. A division near Nassekeag, extending in a northeasterly and southwesterly direction about one and one-eighth miles and being about two-thirds of a mile in width. This was laid out Aprir24th 1739, by Robert Robinson and John Smith. 22. Another small division near Nassekeag, being a triangular piece, laid out May 2nd 1743. 23. Lots on the South Beach from Whalehouse Point to Long Cove, a distance of three miles 54 chains, surveyed and divided in June 1774. Besides the above divisions there were others of smaller size in dif- ferent parts, mostly about the north side, in the neighborhood of the original settlement. Among these were the home lots in the original town plat; the 20-acre lots laid out April Sd 1716, lying west of the town; the " Equalizing Division," ordered June 5th 1721 ; the Sheep Pasture Division at Old Man's, laid out February 14th 1737 ; the Sheep Pasture Division southeast of the town, laid out April 6th 1738; the West Meadow Neck Division, and the 30-acre lots. The Town Government. At the early town meetings punctual attendance of all the members of the colony was desired. When the work of the town meeting was impeded by the tardiness or non-attendance of some it was deemed necessary to establish some punishment to remedy or prevent difficulty on this score. Accordingly on the first of December 1659 the town meeting ordered a forfeit of two shillings six pence for such delinquency where a sufficient ex- cuse could not be given. The same desire to stimulate promptness in attendance seems to have taken hold upon the trustees, for they about 1695 ordered a fine of a pint of rum to be paid by any one of their members who did not appear at the time and place appointed for an offi- cial meeting. In the compilation of the town records that have been printed the compiler remarks in a foot note that the records do not show that the fine had ever been collected. To this may be suggested the proba- bility that such fine may have been many times collected but disposed of in some other way than being " spread upon the minutes." An amendment seems to have been made to this in 1702, when the fine for delinquency was fixed at three shillings for being even an hour late. This was reduced in 1702 to two shillings, and in 1704 one "bitt" for being an hour late, or two " bitts " for not attending at all. In 17 10 the fine for not attending was raised to three shillings. The regulation no doubt soon became a dead letter. The character of men was closely watched by the set- ters. Moral irregularities were often severely dealt with. At a court held December 8th 1663 William Poole was fined ten shillings for cursing, and William Fancy and Henry Rogers were each found guilty of lying and fined ten shillings. Actions for defamation were frequent in 14 THE TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. the courts, and the plaintiff generally laid his claim for heavy damages; but a small part ever being allowed, however. These defamation cases were not confined to the male members of the community, but we have start- ling reminders that the bane of a slanderous tongue fre- quently fastened itself upon the fair sex as well. Corporal punishment in some form — though not to the rigid extent that it was practiced in some towns — was in vogue here. May nth 1696 Jonathan Owen was em- ployed to make a pair of stocks for the town, in connec- tion with certain work of repairing the meeting-house. May 2nd 1716 the town meeting voted a pair of stocks for the use of Justice Brewster at Fireplace. Wolves were more or less common when the European settlers commenced their work here. The town meeting March loih 1667 voted a premium of sixpence a head for every wolf killed ; the head to be brought to the con- stable, who was to pay the premium. As late as 1806 the town meeting voted a bounty of fifty cents a head for every fox caught within the town limits. Again in 1833 the town voted to raise a bounty for the destruc- tion of foxes. Among the most curious of the early town regulations we quote the following: " Orders and constatutions maed by the Athoaty of this towne 8th July 1674, to be duly cept and obsarved. " I. Whereas there have beane much abuese a pro- phaneing of the lord's day by the younger sort of people in discourssing of vaine things and Runing of Raesses. Therefore we make an order that whoesoever shall doe the lieke againe notis shall be taken of them, and be pre- sented to the nex court, there to answer for ther falts and to Reseve such punishment as thay desarve. " 2. Whereas It have bene two coman in this towne for young men and raaieds to be out of ther father's and mother's house at unsesonable tieras of niete, It is there fore ordered .that whoesoever of the younger sort shall be out of there father's or mother's house past nien of the clock at niet shall be sumonsed in to the next court, and ther to pay cort charges with what punishment the cort shall se cause to lay upon them, ecksept thay can give suffissient Reson of there being out late. "3. Whereas god have bene much dishonered, much pressious tyme misspent and men Impovershed by drink- ing and tipling, ether in ordnery or other privet houses, therefor, we maek this order that whoe soe ever shall thus transgres or sett drinking above two houres shall pay 5s. and the man of the house for letting of them have it after the tyme perfixed shall pay los., exsept strangers onely. "4. that whosoever shall run any Rases or Run other- wise a hors back in the streets or within the towne platt shall forfet los. to thee use of the towne. "These above sayed orders is sett up and mad knowne the day and daete above written." That the town fathers were considerably disposed to make use of strong drinks, and from that down to the use of cider, may be seen from the above regulation^ which seemed necessary at that early period, as well as by the item that an " ordnary " was licensed July 12th 1670 to sell strong drinks at retail. The instructions of the town to its committee August 22nd 1671 to take " likers " with them when they went to purchase the south meadows of the Indians show to some extent the value they pfaced upon strong drinks. Then we have reason to believe that the settlers were strongly attached to cider, and began making preparations for its produc- tion very soon after their arrival. In 1667 — only ten or twelve years after their coming — the regular fee for the services of arbitrators in settling disputes between neigh- bors was a "gallant of sider." In line with the matter just referred to the following extract from the records is more worthy of preservation as a curiosity than for any practical value. " Memorandum upon the 4th day of January 1699. " it was agreed by the majority of all those that weare present at the Raising of the frame of the towne's well that on Condition that Moses Owen would treate all those that weare present at the saide raising aforesaide, then he the saide Moses Owen shall have privilidge of drawing water att the aforesaide well, provided that hee the said Moses doe beare an Equall proportion of the charge of providing and mainetaining buckitts & well ropes for the drawing of water thereat, which hee the aforesaide Moses accordingly performed." " Entered per Timothy Brewster, Clerk." Now that the subject of wells is suggested it may be remarked that the construction of a well was. in those days an undertaking of considerable magnitude, and the town occasionally interested itself in the matter, as in the case above. May 4th 1701 the. trustees allowed David Ed- wards liberty to dig a well in the highway against his house, and to have the use of it himself for seven years, but he was required to give security for any damage that might be done by cattle falling into it. January 14th 1722 the trustees ordered the payment of fifteen pounds to Nathaniel Brewster for "Repairing the Well and the Towne house." The fact that the well is the first men- tioned admits the inference that it was the principal item in the combination. The fact that a frame and ropes and buckets (plural) are spoken of may suggest that the method of drawing water from these primitive wells was by the pulley. If so the old " crotch and pole " system may have been a later invention, though that is supposed to be an ancient one. It may still have been in use at the same time. It has already been hinted that the trades of shoe- maker, weaver and blacksmith were especially encouraged by the primitive townspeople. This was more emphati- cally true with regard to the blacksmith. That trades- man was probably a much more important factor in the town at that time than either of the others. The settlers had to depend upon him for a large part of their farming implements, their nails for building, and a hundred other articles of every day use or convenience which in these days are furnished by the foundries and machine shops, then unknovyn, and by processes of manufacture then un- discovered./ Accordingly, December loth 1686, the people in town meeting voted " that Christofer Swaine be ad- mitted and incouraged as a smith for this town, and that a shop shall be built for ye sd Christofer about May next, he paying the workmen by work at his trade." In January 1699 the town gave an old shop — perhaps this one — to David Edwards, to be his as long as he should do the town's work. THE TOWN Of BROOiCHAVEN. '5 Dogs began to be a nuisance at an early period. De- cember i8th 1728 the trustees recite that no care is taken to prevent dogs running about without their masters, and that great damage has been done by them to flocks of sheep; therefore the trustees enact that any person shall be at liberty to kill any dog found more than a quarter of a mile away from home without being with his master, and in case of suit this act to be shown in defense. The Products of the Forests. At the time of its first occupation by white people the greater part of the lands of this town were probably covered with a growth of heavy timber. It is probable that pine was then, as now, the predominating wood. The •cutting of cordwood was begun at an early period. The wood growing upon common land was freely appropria- ted by the individual owners and perhaps sometimes by others. There was danger of abuse, and to prevent this the trustees JVlarch 9th 1813 forbade any person cutting cordwood or exposing the same for sale in the common land without first obtaining license from the trustees or a majority of the proprietors. May sth i6go the town meeting had voted to- enforce the act of assembly pre- viously passed forbidding the turning of swine loose in the woods. The claims on trees in the common land were regulated by an act of the trustees December 18th 1728, to the effect that any person cutting down a tree and neglecting to trim it for twelve days should forfeit the same, and any tenant in common was then free to trim out and take possession of such tree. Some timber was used at an early date in the manufacture of pipe staves. The manufacture of tar was carried on to some extent, though but little account of this industry remains. Inci- dental reference to it is made as early as 1678, which suggests that previous to that date a house occupied by men engaged in the business stood upon a certain piece of land on Dayton's Neck, at what is now Brookhaven. From this circumstance the locality gained some reputa- tion as Tarmen's Neck. The industry must have made some progress, for in 1716 it was looked upon as of im- portance sufficient to excite the trustees to levy a tax upon it. June 4th of that year they enacted that every barrel of tar made in the town should pay a tax of nine pence, and every man having no rights in the town patent or commons should pay one shilling six pence a barrel for all that he made. Officers were appointed to collect this tax — Colonel Floyd on the south side and Selah Strong on the north side, and Mr. WoodhuU and Lieu- tenant Owen to assist both as needed. The greatest use, however, to which the wood of these timber lands has ever been put has been for cordwood. This industry grew up in the early days, and facilities for transporting to market being much better than in many parts of the country where timber grew as lustily, the business flourished until the discovery and general intro- duction of coal supplied the market with a more con- venient article of fuel. Long before the railroad pene- trated the interior there were frequent landings on the shores of the town from which wood was shipped to mar- ket. To facilitate the loading of seagoing vessels in the South Bay, where the water is shallow near the shore, piers were built far out in the bay, and small boats were used to carry wood from shore to them, and from them vessels of greater draft were loaded. A grant for such a pier or frame was given by the trustees to Smith Mott, May sth 1812. This pier was to stand a little west of the riiouth of Connecticut River, twenty-five rods from the shore of his land, and in size to be 16 by 45 feet. A grant for a similar one was made to Zophar Tooker, February 2nd 1819; this to be located a little west of Long Point. They were not continued long. Now that the subject of docks is suggested it may not be out of place to remark that the trustees, beginning about one hundred years ago, have granted privileges of extending docks or wharves into the water from the shores of the town in cases too frequent to admit of specific mention. These grants were at first given for an indefinite term — usually as long as a wharf should be maintained in good repair — as a public convenience. The rates of wharfage were established and regulated from time to time by the trustees, and they reserved to the town the right of free passage over wharves for all articles belong- ing to the corporation. Later the custom of limiting the grant to a term of years, at a small annual rental, came into use. First Mills. Previous to the erection of any mills in the town it is said the settlers sent their grain to Connecticut to be ground. The need of more convenient facilities for con- verting their grain into flour being strongly felt, Daniel Lane, with the assistance and encouragement of the towns- people, was the first to undertake the enterprise of es- tablishing a mill here. On the twelfth day of the tenth month in the year 1664 eighteen of the princi- pal inhabitants placed their hands to an agreement that if Mr. Lane would build a substantial mill, and keep it in re- pair for the grinding of the town's corn, they would erect a strong dam, and pay him besides twenty shillings a lot for the proprietary rights they represented. He was further to have absolute possession of the mill and dam, and to have for grinding two quarts of every bushel of English grain, and two quarts and a pint of every bushel of Indian corn. Subsequently mills were established in different parts of the town under grants from the trustees, who generally stipulated that the grantee should keep in repair a " good and sufficient " mill, and grind the town's grain at toll rates which were established by the grant. In case of his failure to comply with the conditions at any time the right of the stream was to revert to the town. May 28th 1701 the trustees appointed a committee to notify Arthur Futhy that if he failed to put his mill in " good and sufficient repair " within six months the privilege of the stream would be sold at public sale. Whale Fishing. Brookhaven was interested at an early period in the whale fishery, though not to the extent that the towns on i6 THE tOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. the ocean eastward were. The custom of running out with small boats and striking whales as they came along the shore was practiced, and its results appear to have been very profitable. June ryth 1667 the town instruct- ed Daniel Lane to " speke to his honer the governer con- cerning the whales at the south that comes within our bounds to be at our dispossing." The Indians had been in the habit of appropriating the whales that drifted upon the beach, and the while settlers, seeing the gain that might be derived from them, were anxious to buy off the Indian claim and secure to themselves the man- aging interest in an enterprise which they believed they could operate to great advantage. Whatever was the result of Mr. Lane's interview with the gov- ernor we find that on the 23d of the following March the inhabitants of Brookhaven bought of the Unkachaug sachem Tobacus the right to all the whales that should come within the bounds of their patent upon the beach. For this right the inhabitants agreed to pay a royalty of five pounds in wampum or some other commodity for each whale they received. Some convenient point seems to have been designated as a place for trying out the oil, and the inhabitants further agreed with the Indians to give three fathoms of wampum to the party that should inform them of the coming of a whale upon the beach, and ten fathoms for bringing a whale round to the place designated for their reception. January 6th 1687 the trustees directed the assessors to raise a tax, a part of which was to be paid in whale oil (thirty-nine barrels) at twenty shillings a barrel. Some idea of the magnitude of this source of profit may be gained from the report of Earl Bellomont to the Lords of Trade July 22nd 1699, in which he declares that Colonel Smith admitted to him that he had in a single year cleared ^^500 by the whales taken along the beach then claimed by him. A company of men under the direction of Stephen Bayley at some time previous to 1693 were engaged in whale-fishing from the shore, and were stationed upon the beach opposite Moriches, where they had a lookout from which they could discern a whale some distance at sea. This stage or scaffold upon which the watchman stood gave the locality its name Bayley's Stage, which was in use many years afterward. Control of Settlement and Land Sales. It has been already intimated that the primitive town exercised vigilance in guarding against the admission of undesirable persons to the rights of proprietors and the privileges of its citizenship. In 1662 it appears that a man by the name of Richard Bulleck strayed into the town and bought some timber and plank of John Ketch- am for the purpose of building a boat. The townsmen, learning of this circumstance, agreed to give him four months' time in which to complete his boat, and then instructed him to leave the town, and in the meantime not to make any disturbance or buy any land in the town. To this the said Bulleck was required to consent, and further that the penalty for violation of these terms should be confiscation of all his property. March 8th 1664 the town meeting ordered that, to the end that the town be not " spoyled or impoverished," no accommoda- sions should be divided and sold in small parts, but that they should be sold entire, unless consent of the over- seers and constable were obtained. At the same time it was ordered that consent from the same authority must be obtained by any one desiring to be admitted as an inhabitant. The overseers and constable June 29th 1666 established a fine of twenty pounds sterling for vio- lation of this principle. Instances of such violation oc- curred in i67r. February i2th -charges had been made against John Roe, Joseph Daves, and Samuel Akerly for selling land without the necessary permission, and the court fined the first three pounds, or to get his land back again, which the others having already done, they were only required to pay a fine of two shillings six pence each. The court, however, supplements its leniency with the declaration, "forever hereafter noe man to plede Ignorance, but to pay the full fine." Land was taken up during the first years with great ir- regularity — small patches being laid out to individual owners wherever they chose, and as they might select. May 2nd 1704 it was ordered that no land shall be taken up within a mile and a half of the meeting-house. Some who were more greedy than others took advantage of their opportunity for doing so and obtained more land than belonged to them. This being discovered a com- mittee was appointed June sth 1721 to survey and lay out lands so that all might have alike. The following interpretation of the bounds of lots ly- ing adjacent to the shores was given by the trustees Feb- ruary 6th r753: " Lotts that were laid out on ye Sound and harbors ware Designated to extend to ye Bottom of ye Clefts against ye said lotts, that is, including all of ye said Clefts to ye Bottom; and that Each and every person owning Such Lotts shall be Entitled to ye Same to the Extent by force of this vote." As the initiatory restrictions faded into disuse the num- ber of inhabitants in the town increased more rapidly. Occasional tracts of common land were sold and the money appropriated to such uses as the trustees approved. Those uses however were not always such as were ap- proved by all the proprietors. Individual owners — es- pecially those holding large shares— did not care to have their property disposed of in that way. Accordingly we find in May 1725 Colonel Floyd and Daniel Brewster protesting against the town selling any more common land. January r4th 1733 there had been a lawsuit car- ried on between the trustees and Major William Smith with regard to the ownership of certain meadows. Some undivided land of the town had been sold to pay the ex- pense incurred by the trustees. As some of the propri- etors had no interest in the meadows a committee com- posed of Samuel Thompson, Samuel Smith and Richard Woodhull was appointed to equalize the proprietors' rights. The Common Pastures. The following notes of orders in regard to the com- THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 11 mon pastures will show something of the way in which they were managed. August 22nd 167 1 a town meeting voted that the " old feld and litle neck shall be fred of cattle and hogs six weeks after niiklmes next and all fenses cept up as it is in somer, and so to continue from yere to yere untell the towne se cause to breke this order." June loth 1672 the inhabitants of the high street em- ployed Richard Waring and Samuel Akerly to take their cows from home every morning, drive them to the com- mon pasture, look after them through the day and re- turn them at night; their patroos being the people who lived between Goodman Jenner's corner and Robert Ak- erly's hollow. The arrangement was to continue through the season, and the " cow ceepers " were to be paid two shillings six pence a day and a pound of butter for every cow, payment to be made in corn, wheat and peas. The common land about the Old Man's was set apart as a pasture, and the decree of August 6th 1689 pro- nounced it a pasture in common forever. May 5th 1690 a town meeting voted to enforce the act of assembly passed October 31st 1683 forbidding the range of the woods to swine. This regulation must have been wantonly disregarded; we see frequent mention of orders to the same effect, and prescribing fines for viola- tion of them, but still the violation s-eems to have con- tinued. As late as 1800 and several years afterward the practice of letting hogs run at large seems to have pre- vailed to such an extent as to be a nuisance, requiring frequent legislation of the trustees. The town meeting of the last named year forbade hogs running at large without yokes and rings and ear-marks. The trustees confirmed the action and added a fine of twenty-five cents. The town meeting in 1802 ordered that hogs should not run in the highways without yokes, rings in their noses, and their owner's ear-marks. In 1803 this was strengthened by- a fine of seventy-five cents for every violation. The same restriction was repeated in the following years until 1826, when the trustees. May 2nd, altogether prohibited hogs running in the streets. The following abstract from the records is a curiosity worth preserving. It is added to the confirmation of former laws concerning cattle, cornfields and fences, in this language: "Whereas swine are unruly creatures & not, easily turned by fenceing It is further ordered that all Swine from halfe a yeare old & upward shall not run in the comons near any inclosiers without yoakes of a foot or nine inches above the neck and a cross barr of two foot under the throate & all swine under halfe a yeare old shall bee kept within their owners inclosiers and not to runn at randum in the commons: And by Reason much damage is done yearely by unRuly horses being Turned loos in the Comons: without being sidlined with a paire of fetters noe horses or maires shall runn within a mile of the Towne without being lyable of Poundige ordered likwise that all fences shall bee of four foot & a halfe high good & strong and soe closse that sheep cannot goe through." May nth 1696 the trustees, expressing their fears that the commons will be overstocked with cattle, order that no man shall turn upon the commons more than fifteen cattle, five horses and twenty sheep on one right of com- monage. Any one violating this order subjected his stock in excess of the lawful number to be impounded, and in case of refusal to pay the pound fee the animals should be sold publicly and the trustees should give a warranty. On the same day it was ordered that any man was justified in destroying any swine turned loose within a mile of the town plat without being yoked. May 4th 1697 the town meeting directed that all the common lands westward of the two swamps on the south side of the Old Man's path above the head of Drown' Meadow, extending southward to the edge of the Great Plains, northward to the Old Man's path, and west a mile beyond the south path, lie common for feed for cattle and sheep. The clearing of underbrush upon the commons so as to favor the growth of grass for pasture received in early years general attention and united effort. In 1696 every man having a right of commonage was required to fur- nish two days' work a year toward clearing the under- brush. The town surveyors were charged with the duty of appointing the days for this worlc, and were required to give a week's notice. Three sheep pastures were laid out in 1714; one, con- taining 150 acres, near the Old Man's, another near Nas- sekeag and another west of the town. About 1715 a custom prevailed of selling the grass of the common meadows at South annually at auction to the highest bidder. April 13th 1730 a large tract of land lying between the "Old Man's cart path " and the "path that leads to Nassakeag " was set apart for a sheep pasture, "to lie and remain unappropriated forever.'' November 19th 1733 the trustees ordered that no sheep should run at large in the common from November 25th to March 31st, under penalty of having them impounded. During that part of the year no one was required to fence against sheep. Any freeholder driving stray sheep to the pound was entitled to receive from the owner one penny per head, but the fee was in no case to amount to more than a shilling. The little bayberries which may even now be seen growing upon wild lands were in early times highly valued for their product of tallow. They then probably grew more abundantly than now, and the greedy disposition of some prompted them to begin gathering them before their maturity had perfected the greatest possible amount of tallow. To prevent this abuse of a public interest the trustees, August 6th 1787, enacted that no bayberries should be gathered upon the commons or beaches of the town until the isth of September, under penalty of a fine of sixteen shillings, one-half of which was to be paid to the person giving information and the other half to the town. As the animals running in herds upon the common pastures became more numerous the system of ear-marks i8 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. was devised to enable the different owners to identify their property. Both ear-marks and brands were in use as early as the year 1700. The latter probably soon af- ter fell into disuse. A description of the peculiar mark of each individual was registered upon the books of the town, and the entry generally accompanied a rude illus tration to correspond. We copy from the town records a few of the earliest and most curious of these entries for example. The number of earmarks registered be- tween April 6th 1758 and February 9th 1792 was five hundred and sixtv-six. "May ye 18th 1758." "Thomas Helme his Ear mark is a Crop on ye Right Ear and a Slope ye under Side ye Same Ear and a half penny ye uper Side ye Left Ear and a Crop on ye Left Ear." " September ye sth 1758." " William Brewster his Ear marke is a Swallow fork in Each Ear." " October ye igth 1758." " Humphrey Avery Jr — his Ea'r mark is an Ell ye uper sid of ye Right Ear." " The said Avery hath given up this mark." " October ye 26th 1758 " " Humphrey Avery Jr — his Ear mark is Squar Crop on ye Left Ear and a Slop Crop on ye uper Sid ye Right Ear." " May ye i8th 1759 " Isaac Biggs his Ear mark is a Crop on ye Left Ear and-a half flower of Deluce ye under Side ye S.ime Ear." "July ye 17th 1759 " "Frank Burtos Ear mark is a crop on ye Left Ear and a half penny ye uper Side of ye Right Ear and a nick ye under Side of ye Right Ear." "February ye 25th 1760: Selah Strongs Ear mark is a half penny the under side of ye Right Ear and a hole in ye Same Ear." " May ye 19th 1763 " " Able Swezey his Ear mark is a Crop on ye Right Ear and a half penny ye under side of ye same ear and a half penny ye uper Side the Left Ear and a Slit in ye crop." "April the 22nd 1788 Zebulum WoodhuU's Earmark is a hollow Crop in the right Ear." " May the i2th 1788. John Biggs his Ear Mark is a Slop under the left ear and a latch under the Right and a half penny under each." A pound for the confinement of animals found at large in violation of law was at an early day found to be necessary. The first mention of one is in 1672, when (March 16th) Henry Perring is authorized to construct one and to act as pound master. But there had been one in use before that time, probably from the very first year of settlement, since we find the old one is given to Perring for his own use. At that time the " pounder's " fees were established as follows: three pence for a horse, two pence for a beast, one penny for a hog and a half- penny for a sheep or goat. Other pounds were subse- quently established — one in 1701 " against Jacob Long- bothan's near the Brook," in 1716 another to be built at Fireplace, another at a place not named in 1727, and another at Old Man's in 1740. In 1722 Nathaniel Crewster was chosen to keep the pound key for a year. Town Finances. In relation to the matter of raising taxes the town meeting voted May 2Slh 1668 that rates should be levied by lands only, and that every accommodation should pay alike. To make the justice of this order more apparent it was at the same time ordered that every inhabitant should have his lands made up equal in acres. At the town meeting in July 1672 it was voted that no more land should be laid out to strangers. This may have been the time when the number of proprietary rights was fixed at its maximum limit. A town meeting held May 9th 1676 was made notable by the presence of the governor of the colony. It is presumed that he took some part in the deliberations and probably gave some wise advice to their action. It was at that time agreed that every man's allotment of forty acres should be made up as near as convenient, and after that land might be given to any approved young man who should apply to the constable, justice and overseer. Ten acres seems to have been the quantity generally given to young men according to this order. When the question of obtaining a patent under Gover- nor Dongan was agitated a special town meeting for the consideration of the subject was held at the meeting- house on Monday the 29th of November 1686. Some steps had already been taken and Samuel Eburne had gone to New York on the business. At that meeting the town voted to pay the expenses already incurred by Mr. Eburne, and delegated Andrew Gibb to join him in repre- senting the town, with instructions to proceed according to former agreements. There appears to have been a difference of opinion between Mr. Eburne and the town in regard to the matter — perhaps touching the form and terms of the patent; for a few days later, the town being apprised of Mr. Eburne's refusal to act according to their instructions, another meeting was held (December Toth) and Thomas Jenner was chosen to join Mr. Gibb in prosecuting the application for a patent. The busi- ness was then successfully accomplished and the patent issued on the 27th of the same month. January 6th of the following year the trustees ordered that releases be given to the inhabitants for all houses and lands possess- ed then or taken up before the town's patent. A warrant was given to the assessors at the same time for raising ;^ri2 to meet the expense of the patent. Of this sum ^20 was to be paid in twenty barrels of whale oil de- livered at New York, jQig in nineteen barrels of whale oil delivered on the south coast, and the balance in cows and calves or current money, before the 15th of the en- suing April. In order to make the assessment equitably the town meeting ordered later that all the inhabitants be required to bring accounts, " fairly written," of their respective properties, to the assessor's, " at or before the 29th day of September being Michaelmas day." Each man neglecting to do so should pay the assessor six pence for the trouble of calling upon him, and any man with- holding a full account of his land should forfeit five shillings an acre for all that his account was short. THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 19 The different rates to be made up in 1688 were county rate, judge's rate, minister's rate, quit-rent rate, governor's rate and the town rate. The most of these rates were payable in produce or cattle, but the quit-rent probably had to be paid in money. In respect to the payment of quit-rents we are led to suppose that great irregularity existed. The forty shil- lings named in the patent was paid for the following two years, but the change of government which followed gave occasion for change in this matter. Under some pretext or another the demand of Governor Fletcher, whose ad- ministration commenced in 1692, must have been for a greater sum than the patent named, since we find a rate of £^\2 los. 3d. being ordered June 9th of that year for the payment of quit-rent. In 1695 the trustees ordered a quit-rate to be levied on improved land and stock. This was collected, — what sum we are not told, — but it does not appear to have been paid over; for August 30th of that year the trustees ordered that the money which had been left " in bank " with Timothy Brewster " with an in- tent for the quit-rent " should be otherwise appropria- ted — at least a part of it. This leads us to conjecture that after raising the money the authorities determined not to pay more than the amount originally named. How long the payment of even that sum was continued we are not informed. March i6th 1702 a town meeting was called for the purpose of considering the subject, the town being then several years delinquent in its payments. The justice failing to appear at this meeting nothing was done. It is probable that the payment of quit-rents from that time, or soon after, ceased. Brookhaven in Leisler's Time. The following items indicate something of the position of Brookhaven during the period of anarchy which fol- lowed the accession of William and Mary to the throne of England, February i6th 1689, and at the restoration of order in 1691. At a town meeting held April 29th 1689 it was voted that Joseph Tooker should continue constable until an- other should be chosen in his stead, and that the inhabitants would be obedient to the officers of militia formerly established, and that they would regard and obey Richard Woodhull jr. as justice of the peace until further order. The town also voted the same day to render the same respect and obedience to Richard Smith jr. Fearing that the popular excitement and unsettled con- dition of the government might suggest to the Indians an opportunity of committing acts of hostility, or that they might sympathize with the belligerent tribes of the north- ern-frontier, the town meeting on the 7th of the following month decided to disarm the Indians and to leave the guns of those on the south side with Captain Woodhull there. It is probable that no trouble of a serious nature was experienced in carrying out this order. Owing to the uniformly friendly relations existing between the townspeople and the Indians, and the confidence which the latter reposed in Captain Woodhull, they were ready to submit to almost any demand that with a little argu- ment could be made to appear at all reasonable. On the 8th of June the town meeting delegated Cap- tain Woodhull to represent the town in the convention at New York in the interest of the " good and security of the country," and the trustees were instructed to give him the proper credentials. Justice Richard Smith was also authorized to go as second or alternate, and the town agreed to bear the expense of the delegation. May 19th 1690, in accordance with a plan that had been adopted by the neighboring towns, this town elected officers to carry on a temporary government. These were: Thomas Jenner, constable; Peter White- haire, Arthur Futhy and Thomas Helme, commissioners; Timothy Brewster, clerk; John Jenners and Timothy Brewster, assessors; and Richard Floyd, collector. The operation of the town government by virtue of the patent was suspended, and the ruling power reverted to its origi- nal seat, the democratic people. As a consequence the election of trustees in 1690 was passed over. November 24th a town meeting warned by the constable was held; the question of a tax levy of three pence to the pound was discussed, and a committee was appointed to gather from the inhabitants the valuations of their estates and report them to the assessors. Governor Sloughter having taken the head of the gov- ernment at New York in March 169 1, on the 28th of that month a town meeting was held here, under his warrant, for the election of burgesses for Suffolk. The town chose John Jenner and Timothy Brewster to go to South- ampton to represent Brookhaven in convention there. The general commission of peace, the great seal of the province, and the governor's commission to the military officers of the town were published and proclaimed at a town meeting on the 6th of April following, and on the 2 1 St of July the several acts of the last Assembly " weare publiquely read." Thus after a suspension of govern- ment for about two years the town resumed its place in th? colonial government, under which it continued until the outbreak of the Revolution. " The Time of the Smallpox." It may be noted here in passing that in the year 1732 the smallpox was prevalent in this town. It must have made-^as those epidemics generally do — sad havoc among the Indian and negro population. Precautions were taken by the trustees to prevent as far as possible the spread of its ravages. They forbade the inhabitants furnishing in any way any strong drink to those classes; required masters of families to prevent their servants from going out after dark; and offered a premium of three shillings for the arrest of any Indian servant or negro slave who should in violation of this order be ab- sent from home after dark. The decree ordered that the persons so convicted should be publicly whipped, unless their masters paid for them a fine of six shillings. The same premium was offered and the same fine or punishment was prescribed for any Indian found drunk either by day or by night. Fences were erected — probe- 20 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. bly temporary ones surrounding, infected houses — to pre- vend the spread of the disease, and the trustees solemnly warned the people against pulling down those fences. These regulations were made on the loth of April, and were declared to be in force for three months. The records show that October 31st 1740 the trustees ordered that Henry Smith be reimbursed to the amount of twenty shillings for his gun, which was lost by fire while in the service of the town "at the time of the smallpox." Old Roads. The early trustees and people were zealous in protect- ing the rights of the public in the highways. To prevent encroachments the trustees, May 28th 1701, called upon the people to notify the town clerk of any encroachments. As a stimulus to the surveyors of highways to be vigi- lant in the discharge of their duties the town meeting, May ist 1705, voted that they should be allowed three shillmgs an acre for all the land they could find en- croached upon by the inhabitants adjoining the high- ways. At a meeting of the trustees April 20th 1704 it was decided that the inhabitants should engage in the work of clearing the highways, according to the directions that should be given by Thomas Helme, one of the commis- sioners of the county for laying out highways. The work was to be performed or begun on May 2nd follow- ing, and Thomas Jenner, Timothy Brewster, Daniel Brewster and Benjamin Smith were to oversee the work. The inhabitants were to work according to their several assessments in the county rate, a day's work for every fifty pounds or fraction thereof in the county rate. The following year the town ordered that men should be sent four days in the year to clear the commons and repair the highways. In August of that year (1705) men went out to clear the middle Country road, one squadron going east to " Horn Tavern " and the other going west to the Smithtown line. Orders were given again in 1707 tbat every freeholder should work two days in clearing the commons and highways of undergrowth. It was the duty of the surveyors to designate the days when this service should be performed. The following early record of roads will be of interest here: " March 27th 1712: Att a meeting of ye Trustees, Pres- ent Coll Smith, William Satterly, Thomas Jenners, Samuel Tomsun, Selah Strong, ordered yt ye Hyways Layd oute by the servaires & aproued at ye Courte of sesshons bee Entered by ye Clarke. " Laide oute at ye olde mans Betwen Mr. Helmes Land & Richard miller a hiwaye four Rod wide to ye plaines. "Betwen John Robersun land & Samuel Daytons Lande to ye olde mans Beach a hiwaye layde oute tu Rod wide a swinging gate alowed : " From ye East side of Mr. Helmes fifty akerlot a hyway from ye head of pipestaue Brooke fower Rod wide to ye plaines. '* A hiwaye Laide oute betwen Ben Davish & Rob- crd Robersuns Land to ye heade of ye spring fower Rod wide a swinging gate allowed from ye springs to ye landing place at ye harbor. "A hiwaye Layd from a marked pine tree below Ricard Grenes & so rounde by ye pint to Jonathan Nortons Brook tu Rod wide & : 4 : Rod wide : by : moses Burnets & by Cristel Brooke fower Rod wide to ye plaines : : A hiway betwen William Jean and William Healmes Lande to ye Drowne medow Beach fower Rod wide. "Layd out a hiwaye betwene Jonathan Roses : 20 : Aker Lot & moses owens: 20a Lot fower Rod wide to ye plaines. Layd out a hiwaye from ye south End of ye Towne by Sam'l Muncys a long Joseph Akerlys path fower Rod wide to ye plaines. Layde out a hiwaye by bengeraans Smiths fielde to ye mouth of Stony Brook fower rods wide from ye Towne. A hiwaye layd a Long by ye Claye pit & so by John hallats jr. & so to stony Brook fower Rod wide. Layd out a hiwaye by John Fa — Land upon Jacsbs Longbothom Lande so greed to ye fresh pon in ye olde fielde." " Suffolk Att a Court of Sessions held at Southampton in ye County aforesaid on Last tuesdaye in March 17 13 the wethin written is Allowed & approved in open Court. " Pr. Gradus. a. Gibb, Clarke." The oldest road of any considerable length opened in this town is that running from Setauket in a southeasterly direction through Coram (old Town, road) to Fireplace. It was opened soon after the settlement, and was the main thoroughfare of travel between the " Town " and the settlement and meadows on the south side. For many years it was used more than any long road in the town, but at the present time its dust is seldom stirred by a passing vehicle. Roads from the town to the Wad- ing River east and to Smithtown west were also opened at an early day. The old Country road through the mid- dle of the town east and west was probably broken through before the beginning of the last century, and the parallel roads on either side were established soon after. A road from Old Man's to South was laid out in 1728, and another from Old Man's to Wading River at the same date. A road from Wading River to South was estab- lished in 1738, though having been previously used. The following are the principal roads not already mentioned that had been laid out before the latter part of the last century: The Horseblock, running from Southaven to Stony Brook on a generally northwest course; the "Sills road," from Bellport to Swezey's mills, Yaphank, in a north-northeasterly direction; a road southerly from Co- ram to Patchogue; another through Halsey's manor and Brookfield southwest to FirepLice mills; the " Wading River Hollow road", from Woodville to Middle Island, in a southwesterly direction; a road from Yaphank to Moriches, running southeasterly; another running on a southeasterly course from Miller's Place to Middle Isl- and, then following the left bank of Connecticut River to Mastic; the "Granny road," running from a point just below Middle Island westward to a junction with the Horseblock; a short distance beyond which another road diverges from the latter on the left, continuing a westerly course to Ronkonkoma Pond; a road from Stony Brook southerly to the same pond; one from Miller's Place to Coram, southwesterly; another from Old Man's to Middle Island, southeasterly; and the " Crystal Brook trtfi TOWN Of* BROOKrtAVEN. 51 Hollow" road, from Strong's Neck — west part of Old Man's — to Coram, in a southerly direction. The road from Coram to Drown Meadow was laid out August i8th 1790. The commissioners of highways in the year 1830 di- vided the town into forty road districts, which number has been iij'ci«ased by the subdivision of original dis- tricts as convenience or equity from time to time sug- gested. Church and Town. From the first years of settlement the observance of public worship and the support of gospel principles and ordinances was considered one of the most im- portant concerns of the town association. True to the idea that their duties toward God and toward their fellow men went hand in hand, and that it was the legitimate province of government to secure the fulfillment of both, we find the little colony at a town meeting on the 12th of May 1662 voting to give Mr. William Fletcher forty pounds a year for dispensing the word of God among them. This salary was raised by a rate upon the individual inhabitants, and so continued, as may be seen from an incidental mention of the fact in g record of the following year. Rev. Nathaniel Brewster became the minister of the town in 1665, and to provide a home for him and his family the constable and overseer purchased, October 24th of that year, the house of Mat- thew Priar, which, as the record states, had doors and partitions and glass windows. How long Mr. Fletcher continued in the ministry here we are not informed, but the spirit that prompted the vote calling him lived and gathered strength with the growth of the settlement. When the building of a house for the purpose of all public meetings was discussed, Na- thaniel Norton, a carpenter, submitted a proposal to build one which should be 26 by 30 feet and 10 feet high. The matter appeared to stand for a time without motion, but in 1671, February 2nd, it was decided that a meeting- house 28 feet square should be built. At this time the minister's salary was being raised as usual, and that year William Satterly in the place of a church warden looked after the collection of the minister's rates. "At a training day it was ordered by ye major part of ye Towne that Mr. Jonah Fordham, of South Hampton, be sent unto desiring him to officiate in ye worke of ye ministry in this place. Sept. ye 26th 1687." The subject of a permanent parsonage seems to have been under discussion in 1689, and at a town meeting May 7th a committee was appointed to select a suitable location. This committee did its work promptly and re- ported in favor of the land that had been Goodman Moshier's. On the i8th of the same month the town meeting accepted the site and resolved to build upon it a house the same size as Jonathan Smith's, and it was voted to pay ^65 for the land, and the trustees were instructed to have the house built at the town's expense. April isth 1690 a liberal minded merchant named Robert Simpson visited the town and made a donation of forty shillings to the minister, which fact is duly pre- served on the town records. On the same day a call was given by the town to Mr. Dugal Simpson to be its min- ister. In this the people of Smithtown joined those of this town. May 29th 1694 the trustees sent a committee to Fair- field to solicit Mr. Webb to be their minister. But a few months later, January ist 1695, the trustees instructed Timothy Brewster to invite Nathaniel Stone, of Norwalk, to visit the town with a view to settlement as their min- ister. On the 4th the same month, Colonel Smith, of the newly established manor of St. George, and the people of Smithtown having joined the townspeople of Brook- haven, a yearly salary of ;^40 in money and the use of the parsonage were offered by the town meeting to Mr Stone. The cost of sending a letter to Mr. Stone was twelve shillings, which the trustees afterward paid. This, it will be remembered, was before the organization of any regular mail service. The parsonage land, not being used, was let to Mr. Wakeham for a year for forty shillings, and the house was let to Moses Owen, who agreed to make some re- pairs in payment of rent. April 26th 1696 the trustees sent a man to invite Mr. Boetell to visit them, and May nth ordered Mr. Owen to repair the meeting-house by shingling and clap-board- ing and putting in a new sill on the south side. The town on the 25th of May sanctioned the action of the trustees in inviting Mr. Boetell, and offered the ;^4o in money per annum; also at this time hired the house, barn and home lot of David Eddows for the use of the parish for three years. Mr. Boetell accepted the propo- sal made him and was removed hither, the town paying the charge by an order of the trustees July 31st 1696. But his ministry seems to have been short, for April 6th 1697 the trustees were again looking for a minister. An invitation was sent to Mr. Phillips of Jamaica to visit the town with a view to settlement. Timothy Brewster was engaged to entertain him when he should come, and Lieutenant Floyd to take care of his horse, and the rea- sonable charge of all was to be paid by the town. The result of this visit was a formal call made April 30th fol- lowing, in which the townspeople, with Smithtown and the manor of St. George, agreed that, if after one year of trial all parties were satisfied with each other, Mr. Phil- lips was to receive ^^40 annually in current money; "and also for the consideration of his remaining their minister during the term of his natural life he is to have the house and home lot that was Thomas Jenners's, and one hun- dred acres of land near Nassakeag Swamp;" the public to be at the expense of moving him hither and putting the house in habitable repair. To this agreement the names of thirty parishioners are signed. The one hun- dred acres of land referred to were laid out by Richard Woodhull November 12th 1697, and their boundaries were: on the north a line beginning at a " whiteoake Tree marked four sides," and running westerly to the middle of Nassakeag Swamp, " Joyning to the Land of John Bigs; & from thence Running a little Southerly to 22 THE TOWN OF BROOJCHaVEN. another white oake tree marked four sides; & from thence Southerly to a Red oake under a hill marked 4 sides; soe running Easterly by the sd hill to a chesnutt Tree marked 4 sides, to ye Eastward of a Round Swamp; soe returning northerly to'the first whiteoake Tree wheare first began." About this time there appears to have arisen some contention between different individuals in regard to which should occupy the " chief places " in the church. It is possible that this contention may have been carried to the extent of a hand-to-hand scuffle for the occupa- tion of certain seats of honor. To whatever extent the " rude actions " were carried, however, it was ordered that every one should be seated in the church according to a prescribed plan, which designated that the president of the trustees and the clerk should sit under the pulpit — which in those days was very much elevated — the trus- tees in the front seat; the justices and all who paid forty shillings toward the minister's salary at the table — at which also Colonel Smith's lady, but no other " woman- kind," should be admitted; and the pews to be occupied by different classes, graded according to the amount sub- scribed to the minister's salary. The scheme was so ar- ranged that men, women, girls and boys should not be mixed in the same pews. Captain Clarke and Joseph Tucker were to act as ushers and see that the arrange- ment was carried out. The records show that the church and its organization and methods were continually undergoing change. It is probable that in its forms of worship the primitive church observed some of the ceremonies of the Episcopal church. Several years earlier than the time of which we are speaking Rev. Samuel Eburne, who is supposed to have been elected the minister of the town about 1685, at the earnest request of some to whom the service from the book of common prayer was offensive, consented to omit those ceremonies in public worship and in the adminis- tration of sacraments to those who desired it. It is fur- ther evident that the payment of minister's salaries by an arbitrary tax was by this time (1700) discon- continued. On the i2th of June 1701 the town meeting voted to give Mr. Phillips one hundred acres of land near the west line of the town, in addition to the one hundred acres already given him. Mr. Phillips having selected the location of the land it was granted to him by the town February 19th 1702. The location was a place called by the Indians Cutsqunsuck. On the 6th of August 1702 the trustees gave a warrant for the survey. Mr. Phillips desiring to be ordained in due form the trustees, October 13th 1702, appointed a committee to represent the town in the services of ordination. The house in which Mr. Phillips lived being somewhat out of repair, the trustees, in accordance with their prom- ise, ordered (April 12th 1706) Justice Helme and Daniel Brewster to compute the cost and have the old end of the house recovered with good oak shingles, and the well belonging to it stoned up before winter. At this time the two hundred acres of land which had been condition- ally granted to him were confirmed to his possession. At his own proposition he afterward accepted eight pounds from the town in consideration of repairs on tlfe house, and agreed to keep the house in repair himself during the time he should occupy it. In 1 7 10 there seems to have arisen a desire pn the part of some for a new meeting-house. The questton was dis- cussed in private and in public, and on the 28th of Aug- ust, at a town meeting, it was voted upon and agreed that a new house should be built, and men were appointed to solicit subscriptions for that purpose. There were some, however, who opposed the measure and advocated the repairing and enlargement of the old one. The sympa- thies of a New York merchant, Captain Thomas Clarke, were enlisted in the latter plan, and at his own expense he built a new end to the building during the year last mentioned, and gave it to the town. This gave room for several more pews. Still the old house must have been in bad condition, and so it continued until. May 6th 1712, the town meeting again took up the discussion of the question and voted that the old house should be given up and a new one built. On the 27th of the same month, however, the trustees decided to repair the old house enough for temporary use, and also to build a new one as soon as practicable. They at the same time ordered a ;^35 rate to be made for the purpose of carrying forward these combined plans. The work now went forward, and the location after considerable strife was fixed by lot near the old church or town hall. The building was erected, and on the gth of August 17 14 was solemnly dedicated to the " Honour of Almity God in ye purity of holy Rele- gion & in quallyte of a Presbeterian Meeteing House for- ever, and no other use or uses whatsoever." The major part of the expense of this building was probably met by voluntary subscriptions; but the trustees had charge of the matter. Some of the subscribers were slow in making their payments, and in 1715 the trustees decided to pros- ecute those who refused thus to meet their obligations. March 5 th 1716 the trustees decided that the meeting- houses hould be ceiled within with boards " with all con- venient speed." At the time of the dedication of the meeting-house Richard Floyd gave to the town half an acre of land, to be laid out of his home lot adjoining the burying ground already established, for the purpose of a burying ground forever. December 22nd 1718, the town and Mr, Phillips en- tered into an agreement by which the former was to make good any valuation of permanent improvements made upon the house occupied by the latter whenever he should be called to leave his charge. Some arrangement had been adopted for seating the congregation in church; whether the particular one of which we have spoken or some other form of grading the seating according to the money paid does not appear plain; but, whatever it was, dissatisfaction had grown out of it, to quiet which those holding seats under the ar- rangement relinquished all such claims, only holding to ME TOW^ 6P BfeoOlii-lAVfiM. ^i the position that the house should remain to the " pres- teran ministry." This release was made December 4th 1719 and signed by thirty-one holders of seats. In those early days church bells were and from the be- ginning had been unknown here, their purpose being answered by the drum, which was beaten in the church door on Sabbath morning to call the worshipers together. But little is said of this custom in the early records of this town, but on the 7th of May 1723 the trustees agreed with Nathaniel Tooker to perform the office of " Beate- ing the Drum on ye Lorde's Daye and for sweeping ye meteing house for ye yeare above written," for which he was to have thirty shillings. Mr. Phillips, who had now served the church for many years, in April 1725 had laid out to him by Selah Strong and Samuel Thompson, surveyors for the town, another hundred acres of land, six acres of which lay between John Bayles's and Cardell's line, and the remainder at the north end of the long lots, in a body 128 rods eastward by 125 rods southward. In consideration of this he re- leased to the trustees all claim upon the house in which he lived, that it might be for the use of a " Presbyteran Ministry " according to the original intent. As the infirmities of age crept upon this faithful expo- nent of the gospel, and the individuals by whom he had been called to this field of labor one by one were laid to rest, Mr. Phillips found that his material support was also falling short. About this time (1738) he left the town- house and occupied a house of his own, and in May he petitioned the trustees for an addition of about one and a half acres to his lot, which was granted. The Episcopal denomination had for several years been gaining ground in the tbwn, and the adhe- rents of the Church of England were now demand- ing at least a share in the patronage of the town. To quiet all disturbances that had arisen in respect to this matter an arbitration was appointed, the set- tlement of the differences being referred to a com- mittee composed of Isaac Brown, William Smith, James Tuthill and Richard Woodhull, who decided Oc- tober sth 1 741 that the various parcels of land and prop- erty that had from time to time been set apart by the town for gospel or church purposes should be divided between the two sects, and thus the matter be forever put at rest. In this division^ the church party were to have one-half the parsonage lot, forty acres of woodland in the Equalizing Division, one half a piece of thatch bed lying between Little Neck and Old Field Beach, and half a right in all common land that should afterward be allotted to a parsonage accommodation. To the Presby- terian or dissenting party was given half the .parsonage lot, half the thatch bed lying between Little Neck and Old Field Beach, a twenty-acre lot on the west side of the town, twenty acres in West Meadows, half of lot No. 17 in the west division of Long Lots, half of lot No. 9 in the Skirt Division, half of lot No. 14 in the Sheep Pasture Division southeast of the town, half of lot No. 35 in the West Meadow Neck Sheep Pasture Division, share No. 45 in the creek thatch in the mill creek, lot No. 5 in the meadow and creek thatch of Old Man's Hollow, half of lot No. 15 in the Old Man's Sheep Pas- ture, half of lot No. 47 lying on the south side of the Country road, the lot numbered 24 in Great Division and the lot numbered 32 in Little Division, lot No. i in the division on the east side of the Connecticut River, a five- acre lot at Newtown called the parsonage lot, share No. 22 of meadow at Fireplace Neck, half of lot No. 34 on the east side of the head of Connecticut River, half of lot No. 43 at Long Swamp, and half of all common land afterward divided to the right of a parsonage. In order to consolidate the scattered possessions of the Presbyte- rian church a town meeting May 3d 1743 voted to sell the different parcels above named, and buy with the money arising from such sale a tract of land with the buildings upon it then belonging to Selah Strong, Jonathan Thomp- son and Richard Woodhull, lying between the home lots of Richard Floyd and Joseph Brewster, and also such other tract as the overplus of money would buy; the premises thus purchased to be devoted to the same use as those which should be sold. This plan seems to have proved abortive, and on the 20th of May 1756, at a town meeting of which all the Presbyterian party had been duly warned, it was voted that the different parcels of land should be sold and the money invested where its interest could be turned to account for the benefit of the party to whom the lands belonged. At this meeting three trustees, John Roe, Benajah Strong and Benjamin Brew- ster, were elected to have the care of the matter, to act in behalf of the Presbyterian party. With this appears to close the history of the intimate association of town and church. The payment of min- isters' salaries had for more than half a century been made by voluntary contributions; the erection and keeping in repair of church buildings had been mostly provided for in the same way; the lands of the town originally de- signed for religious purposes had been divided between the two sects occupying the field, and the town as a polit- ical body ceased to exercise the functions of a religious body. Let it not be supposed, however, that the townspeople or the trustees ceased to respect or to exercise interest in the observances and welfare of the Christian church. As late as February 6th 1792 the trustees, having met at the house of Joshua Smith at Coram, directed one of their number, Isaac Overton, to invite the Rev. David Rose to preach an election sermon in the Baptist meet- ing-house at Coram, on the occasion of the coming an- nual town meeting on the first Tuesday in April, the ser- mon to begin at 11 o'clock in the forenoon. WiNTHROp's Patent. We have noticed thus far only so much of the ter- ritory of Brookhaven as was purchased and divided by the original town proprietors or their legal representa- tives. There were other large tracts of land upon the south side of the island, which near the time of the Rev- olution became connected with the town and have since been under its jurisdiction, but were never owned by the H HUE TOWN OP" BROOlCttAA'ER common proprietors. Of the purchase and settlement of these we propose now to speak. Winthrop's Patent was a tract lying between the creek called by the Indians Namke, or Namcuke, on the west, and an imaginary line drawn through a certain fresh water pond in Starr's Neck, called Occombamack, to the middle of the island. This tract was purchased of the Indians by Governor John Winthrop of Connecticut in 1666, and a patent for the same was issued by Governor Andros of New York, dated the 29th of March 1680. The several necks along its southern border have been known as Blue Point, Tucker's Neck, Smith's Neck, Short Neck, Pochoug Neck, Swan Creek Neck, Pine Neck, Moger's Neck, and Francis Neck. The land thus held was for many years but little improved. The uncertainty of the position of the boundary line was at one time a cause of considerable annoyance to the town. September 3d 1688 the trustees appointed a committee to go over and establish the line, with Mr. Winthrop's bounds beginning at the Fresh Pond at the west side of Starr's Neck, " which we hold to be the bounds by our deed from the Indians, and by our Pos- session delivered by the Sachem." This, however, did not settle the matter; for March 24th 1697 Andrew Gibb complained to the trustees that he was disturbed in the possession of his land at Occombamack, and the trustees agreed to defend him, and accordingly appointed Mr. Floyd and Daniel Brewster a committee to attend to the matter, with power to use an appropriation of five pounds in feeing lawyers. The result of that action seems to have been a temporary quietus; but again in 1739 the claims of Winthrop's patent and Brookhaven seem to have come into conflict. February 12th the trustees ap- pointed John Smith to employ Mr. Clowes, a prominent lawyer of Jamaica, to go to New York to search into Mr. Winthrop's patent and title to the land. It is probable that at this time the trustees were looking toward the possibilities of holding that tract of land for the proprie- tors of the town, under the terms of the town patent, if Winthrop's title was at all defective. On the 25th of the last named month the trustees appropriated five pounds to the feeing of counsel, and on the 15th they sent the town patent by John Smith to Mr. Clowes for him to ex- amine. The proprietors of the Winthrop patent had probably neglected to do anythmg with their property here until it had become a question whether they had not forfeited their claims by that negligence. This action of Brookhaven seems to have aroused them to a more definite appreciation of their estate here, and the result confirmed their title. The eastern part (two necks called Francis and Mo- ger's necks) was sold by John Still Winthrop to Thomas Strong and John Brewster October 14th 1749. The re- maining portion was sold to Humphrey Avery, of Boston, March 27th 1752, for ^^2,599. Avery, becoming consid- erably involved in 1756, obtained license by an act of the colonial Legislature to make a sale of this property by means of a lottery for the payment of his debts. Richard Floyd, Nathaniel Smith and William Nicoll were ap- pointed to manage the business. They appraised the whole at ^^6,900, and divided it into 36 parts, varying in value from _;£2o to ;^i,ooo. The drawing was done in June 1758, by two sworn clerks, in presence of two jus- tices of the peace. Eight thousand tickets had been sold at 30s. each, and the overplus, after paying for the land and ;^36o for expenses, was distributed in 1,580 cash prizes of ^^ each. This tract being within the limits of the Brookhaven town patent, as it began to be inhabited the people settling upon it took part in the political de- liberations and movements of this town. Colonel William Smith's Purchase — The Manor of St. George. The neck of land lying between the waters of Con- science Bay and Cromwell Bay, now Setauket Harbor, was a favorite residence of the Indians. For many years after the settlement by Europeans the former occupants lived upon it. A part had in 1663 been bought of them, and in 1687 the Indian title to the remainder was extin- guished. At a town meeting on the 2nd of April of that year it was resolved that Richard Woodhull sen. and Thomas Helme should lay out and divide the common land and measure the line for the fence. The division of this land seemed not an easy task. It was a small and choice parcel of soil, and it was difficult to arrange its di- vision so as to satisfy all parties concerned. It may have been a fortunate circumstance for the peace of the little colony that at this time a particular friend of the gov- ernor of New York, in the person of Colonel William Smith, came upon the scene with a proposal to purchase the whole undivided land in a body. This proposal was presented by Colonel Smith at a town meeting October i8th 1687, he being favorably introduced by a letterfrom Governor Dongan and willing to pay each person inter- ested as much as any of them had sold their shares for_ The Indian field was about one hundred acres in extent, and was bounded east, west and north by water, and south by a lot of land lately purchased of Richard Smith sen., another of Mr. Brewster, and "so over the highway by Samuel Muncy his lot to a place Commonly Called the Indian Well, to ye waterside." After the short reign of disorder and uncertainty which accompanied the administration of Leisler at New York, Colonel Smith obtained license from Governor Sloughter on the 14th of May 1691 to buy land of the Indians, and accordingly proceeded to the southeast of the territory that had already been bought by the Brookhaven pro- prietors, where a large tract of wild land stretched away to the eastern settlements, thirty miles distant. In the exercise of his license he purchased on the 2Sth of the same month a large tract of land from the Indian John Mahew, whose good fortune or shrewdness enabled him to lay claim to a large tract of land along the south side. For the sum of ^^35 Colonel Smith purchased the land lying east of Mastic River to the Southold and South- ampton bounds, and back to the middle of the island, as well as south to the " main sea;" except the two necks " being Meritces and Mamanok Necks, lying together " THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. by which he evidently meant to except the land after- ward covered by the Moriches patentship, which he had already sold to other parties, as will appear elsewhere. September nth 1691 the town meeting voted to ratify and confirm the sale to Colonel William Smith of all the land in the Little Neck called the Indian land, also all other common and undivided land in said neck, and all the meadows around it. "At a town meeting upon the 28th of March 1693 Coll. William Smith of Brookhaven did then and there acquaint the Towne, as he did before, that with the Gov- ernor's Lycence he had and intended to purchase divers Tracts of land unpurchased of the Indian natives by the Towne, and within ye limits of theire patent and reserved to theire majtis by theire said patent; — and did require to know whither the towne layd any claime to the same or not, and whither they were content that hee the said Smith should purchase and peassablie enjoy the same. Voated and agreed that the above saide Coll. Smith may purchase and peacably injoy as aforesaide." The northern boundary of the larger tract purchased on the south side of the island being sometimes loosely defined as the " middle of the island," the trustees exer- cised the precautionary wisdom of securing a more defi- nite interpretation of that line, by making it '' within tw;o poles of the now country or common road to the towns eastward." This interpretation was established by an in- denture made on the 2tst of September 1693, signed by William Smith and the trustees, and witnessed by the surveyor-general and others. Finally the lands thus obtained were confirmed to Col- onel Smith by a patent from Governor Benjamin Fletcher, dated October 9th 1693. The territory laid out by the surveyor-general, Augustine Graham, and described in this patent was bounded by a line from the ocean to the west bank of Connecticut River, up that, along the west bank of Yaphank River, from the head of that in a direct north line to the Connecticut River again, thence following the west bank of that river to its head at the Country road near the middle of the island; north by the Country road; east by a line running directly south from the Country road to the head of Senekes River, and down that river to the ocean; and "south by the sea;" also the " beach meadow and bay," with " all the islands in the s'd bay" from " Huntington East Gutt " to a stake at " Coptwauge," the westernmost bounds of Southampton on the beach, said beach and bay running a distance east and west of twenty-four miles and seven chains; also the Little Neck at Setauket, " being bounded southward by a lyne running along ye east syde of the sd isthraues and by ye gate of ye now highway, so running west along ye fence between ye said Smithe's land and Justice Richard WhodhuU's house lott to a creek lying on the west syde of ye said isthmus, and so bounded by ye bay, harbour and salt water round the neck aforesd, to ye marked tree by ye gate and highway aforesd;'' also an island of thatch-bed lying between Little Neck and Old Field; also " a certaine part of a great thatch bedd lying alongst the easternmost part of ye said neck, called the Indian I, and, as also all such thatch beds or creek thatches as lyes with in the harbour in a direct lyne from ye marked tree by ye gate to ye southermost poynt of ye said Little Neck called ffloyd's Poynt." These parcels of land and water were by the patent constituted a lordship or manor, under the name of the Manor of St. George, and the proprietor and his heirs and assigns forever were invested with power to hold " court leet and court baron " at such times as he or they should consider proper, "to award and issue out the accustomary writts to be issued," to distrain for rents, services, etc., and with their tenants to " meet together and choose assessors within the man- nour aforesaid according to the true rules, wayes and methods as are prescribed for cittyes, townes and .coun- tyes" of the province; and to continue forever "free and exempt from the jurisdiction of any towne, towneship or raannor whatsoever; to be holden of us, our heirs and successors in free and common soccage, according to the tennour of our mannor of East Greenwich in the county of Kent in our Kingdom of England," reserving a quit-rent of twenty shillings a year. Colonel Smith, having received this patent, lost no time in publishing it, and accordingly caused it to be read before a meeting of the trustees November 27th following its issue. The trustees consented to its limits and powers, and in consideration of forty-two shillings to be paid to them by Colonel Smith did forever acquit him " from any or all Quitt-rent due from the little Neck and his home Lots." Again, in public town meeting on the first of May 1694 the patent was read, and it was voted and agreed that the inhabitants consent to the bounds and privileges expressed therein, except that the indi- vidual rights of those who had taken up meadow at the south side within the limits of the patent should be re- spected. Though the majority vote thus disposed of the matter, there was still a minority, composed of those who looked upon Smith's patent as an infringement upon the rights of the proprietors in the matter of boundaries, and this view gained strength, until after many years their claims were listened to and an adjustment of them was effected. By an exchange of quit-claims between Colonel Smith and the trustees of the town of Southampton, made on the 14th day of June 1694, the line of division of meadows and beach was established at a place on the beach called Cupsawege, on the east side of a certain house once occupied by a whaling company, which was also the western boundary of the Southampton patent. By a second patent, which bears date June 17th 1697, an additional tract of land was annexed to the manor of St. George. This addition was embraced by a line start- ing at a certain pepperidge tree near Wading River, standing at a distance of 432.35 chains north from Pe- conic River and about a mile from the sound, and run- ning in a southeasterly direction, crossing Peconic River at the site of the present village of Riverhead, and con- tinuing to Red Creek in the town of Southampton, a dis- tance of fifteen miles from Wading River; and from Red Creek (called by the Indians Toyonnges) returning in a southwesterly direction to the head of Seatuck River; 26 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. down that river in a straight line to the ocean; and on the west adjoining the town of Brookhaven and the for- mer patentship of St. George's manor. From its juris- diction, however, were excepted the necks of land which had been purchased by Thomas Willet, Henry Taylor and Thomas Townsend, and were afterward included in the patentship of Moriches. This remarkable grant, let it be remembered, was issued by Governor Benjamin Fletcher, who became notorious for his extravagant and unreasonable grants of land to his friends, and whose removal from office is supposed to have been partly owing to this cause. Un-reasonable and extravagant as this grant certainly was, the following extract from a letter written by Earl Bellomont to the Lords of Trade July 22nd 1699 will show what extravagant ideas of it were entertained at that time. In this letter it is represented that for the sum of not more than ^5° Colonel Smith had obtained a valuable grant of land upon Long Island, reputed to be worth more than ^^25,000 and said to be in extent " 50 miles long and whole breadth of the island." The letter then adds: " Besides, Colonel Smith has got the beach on the sea- shore for forty miles together, after an odd manner as I have been told by some of the inhabitants, having arbi- trarily and by strong hand (being favor'd and supported by Colonel Fletcher and being chief justice of the prov- ince — a place of great awe as well as authority) got or rather forced the town of Southampton to take a poore _;£io for the greatest part of said beach, which is not a valuable consideration in law; for Colonel Smith himself own'd to me that that beach was very profitable to him for whale fishing, and that one year he cleared ;^5oo by whales taken there. I confess I can not have a good opinion of Colonel Smith; he knows what pressing or- ders I have from England to suppresse piracy, and if he were honest and did his duty there would not a pirate dare to show his head in the east end of Nassau Island. He is so seated towards that end of the island that he could disturb and seize them as he pleas.'d, and yet that end of the island is at present their rendezvous and sanc- tuary. Colonel Smith is under a double obligation to suppresse piracy, being both chief justice of the province and judge of the admiralty court." It will be remembered that at that time piracies along this coast were alarmingly frequent, and that Governor Fletcher himself had been suspected of being secretly interested in them. The extract is of interest in show- ing the incorrect impressions which must have existed at New York in regard to the extent of Long Island and the relative position of different localities. When we remem- ber that impressions almost as wide of the truth exist in the minds of some even in these days of railroads, news- papers, maps and gazetteers, it is not so much a matter of wonder that in those days of geographical darkness it should be thought possible to locate a grant of so liberal dimensions upon the island without interfering with half a dozen patents already held; or from the retirement of St. George's to guard and protect the eastern waters, sixty to a hundred miles away, from the invasion of pi- rJites. With the explanation that Earl Bellomont was identi- fied with a political faction whose sympathies and opinions were opposed to those of Governor Fletcher, of which Colonel Smith was an adherent, the reader may estimate how much of the aspersions contained in the above letter may have been prompted by the prejudice of the writer. To provide for the necessities of the remnant of Un- cachaug Indians upon his domain at Mastic, Colonel Smith, on the second day of July 1700, gave a lease to eleven Indians by name, and their posterity forever, to plant and sow 175 acres and burn the '' under wood." The herbage growing after their crops were off was re- served, and the Indians were not to sell or relet any part of this land to any one else. The consideration named in the instrument was an annual acknowledgment forever of "Two yellow Eares of Indian come." The claim of the inhabitants to the meadows which they had bought of the Indians at Mastic, now included in Colonel Smith's patent, had not been surrendered by them, and some disturbance appears to have arisen be- tween the representative of Colonel Smith and the pro- prietors. It has been intimated that at the reading of his patent before the town meeting in 1694 so much of it as might be construed to cover the ownership of the meadows in question was then objected to. The asser- tion of this claim after several years resulted in litigation, which was finally brought to a conclusion by a release given by William Smith (son of the patentee) June ist 1734, in consideration of the payment to him by the in- habitants of ^7 5s., and the award of an arbitration on the 27th of July following, which release and award con- firmed to the inhabitants the meadows on the west side of Mastic called Noccomack, lying between the upland and the river or bay, with the privilege of making stack- yards on the upland at the head of the meadows for stacking hay, foddering cattle, and placing houses for their convenience while haying; and a free pass-way to and from their meadows. The board of arbitration con- sisted of Isaac Hicks, David Jones and Epenetus Piatt. The committee which had been appointed to designate the bounds was composed of Mordecai Homan, James Tuthill and Josiah Robbins. Other disputed or indefinite matters concerning the boundaries between Smith's patent and the town were, after some litigation in respect to part of them, submitted to an arbitration, the award of which was rendered No- vember ist 1753, to the following effect : First, that the gore piece of land bounded east by a north line from Yaphank River to the Country road, west by Colonel Smith's west patent line, north by the Country road, and south by the right bank of the Connecticut River, should belong to the proprietors of the town, the west line of Smith's patent being the north line from the head of Yap- hank River to the Country road; second, the north line of Smith's patent should be the Country road as far as the east line of the town; third, the meadow belonging to the proprietors at Noccomack should be bounded by Colonel Floyd's share of meadow (No. 50) on the south, the Connecticut River on the west, the upland on the THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 27 east, and a line from a certain marked tree near the meadow, westward to the river, on the north; fourth, one- fourth part of the beach lying from the head of Long Cove on the west to the Southampton bounds on the east should belong to the said Smith, and three-fourths of it to the proprietors, the beach to be divided with respect to value and the east end to be Smith's and the west the town's; and fifth, the court charges in a certain case of trespass by ejectment then pending in the supreme court of the province should be paid by the said Smith. The men composing this board of arbitration were Eleazer Miller and Isaac Barns of East Hampton, Job Pierson and Abram Halsey of Southampton, Daniel Brown of Shelter Island, and Joshua Wells, John Salmon and Thomas Goldsmith of Southold. Under the same date as the award William Smith quit- claimed to the trustees, in accordance with its terms, his title under the patent to the three-fourths of beach and the Noccoraack meadows; also to the proprietors, in con- sideration of ;^5 to him paid, to the " gore piece " lying between Connecticut River and the north line from Yap- bank River to the Country road. The account of the expense for entertainment at Lieu- tenant Robinson's while the arbitration was in progress is a curiosity, but space forbids inserting it at length. The aggregation of each different item in it is as follows, and the prices mentioned are what appear as the common prices on the bill, though there are instances of deviation: 14 bottles of wine, at is. 3d. to is. 6d.; 31 bowls of punch, at gd.; 7 pots of "syder,"' at 2d.; 36 suppers, at is.; 22 lodgings, at 4d.; 34 breakfasts, at is.; 47 dinners, at is.; 81 drams, at 4d.; 10 pecks of oats, at is.; pasturing a horse, 6d.; keeping 11 horses 4 days and nights, 153.; 4 qts. '■ syder," at 4d. On the third of March 1767 William Smith gave a deed to the trustees of the town for '" all that part of South Bay or lands covered with water, and the island in the said bay situate, lying and being between a north line from Huntington East Gut and a south line from Richard Woodhull's point of meadow on the west side of the mouth of East Connecticut or Sebonnack River." On the day following the trustees gave to William Smith, for the same consideration — the nominal one of _;^5 — one equal half of the same premises described in his deed to them. This maneuver was for the purpose of strengthening the title. Under date of March 3d 1767 the trustees and Wil- liam Smith above referred to made an agreement by which the ownership of that part of the bay described in these deeds should be forever held in partnership be- tween them and their heirs and successors, and that the profits and losses should be equally divided between them, and they are bound under the penal sum of ^1,- 000 to the fulfillment of this agreement. The division of the beach according to the award of 1753 was not accomplished until twenty years later. On the 7th of June 1773 the trustees appointed a committee to fix the dividing line with William Smith. The com- mittee did its work, made its report, and the agreement was entered into on the 3d of July, that the dividing line should be "at a Place ye west End of a Slip of meadow between Quanch and Whale house poynt." The beach lying west of that belonged to the proprietors and that east of it to the Smith patentship. The west- ern boundary of the beach belonging to the proprietors, as has been stated, was Long Cove. The beach and ad- joining meadow lying west of the latter point as far as the jurisdiction of the Smith patent extended, viz. Hunt- ington East Gut (now Fire Island Inlet), was sold by Henry Smith of Boston, a grandson of the patentee and cousin of the occupant of the manor, to a company of inhabitants, September 15th 1789, the price named be- ing ^200. By instruments bearing date the 12th, 13th and 14th of May 1790 William Smith conveyed to the trustees of the town the East Bay, from the eastern part of Patterquash Island to Southampton's west bounds; also the beach and meadow from "Bayley's Stage," opposite a point of land at Moriches then owned by Oliver Smith, east to the Southampton line; also a tract of land bounded north by the Country road, south by Dongan's line, east by a north line from Senekes River, and west by a north line from the head of Mastic River. At the same time the trustees conveyed back to William Smith one equal half of the same premises. An agreement was then en- tered into between the parties, by which the management of all the bay, beach and land described was given to the trustees, who were from time to time on reasonable de- mand to render account and divide equally any net profits arising therefrom. Neither Smith nor the trustees could sell any of the premises without consent of the other party. By the agreement they were bound in the penal sura of _;^2,ooo for the faithful observance of its conditions. The jurisdiction over the East Bay is still held by the trustees according to the terms of that agree- ment, the partnership interest having descended to Hon. Egbert T. Smith, of Mastic, great-grandson of Judge William Smith, the author of the above agreement. The tract of land included in the agreement and con- veyances above referred to, lying between the north lines from Mastic and Senekes Rivers and the Country road and Dongan's line, covers a part of the present township of Brookhaven of which the records and historical au- thorities tell us but little. Dongan's line, spoken of, is a line running west from the head of Seatuck River, strik- ing the line north from the head of Mastic Kiver about five and a quarter miles distant, its course being from two to five miles distant from the shore of the bay. It is probable that at some time during the administration of Governor Dongan a patent was issued for the Moriches tract lying south of it, and thus it was originated and named. Senekes or Senex River or Creek is that water which comes nearly to the business part of Center Mor- iches, on the west of the main avenue leading to the bay. So much of the tract of land in question as lay from the Country road south to the Peconic River was in- cluded in a large triangular piece of land, which had no doubt been purchased of the patentee of St. George's 28 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. long before, and certainly was owned in common by twenty-five residents of Southold, and divided to the several individuals holding title to it on the loth of March 1742. Brookfield. That part of the before described tract that lay south- ward from Peconic River afterward appears as the prin- cipal part of Brookfield. The boundaries were the same, except that the eastern line of Brookfield was a due north line from Terrell's River, which gave the latter tract a greater width by more than a mile. By what steps title was transferred we are not informed, but the territory was probably occupied at an early period by a hardy class of pioneers, mostly from the eastern towns, who seem to have been determined on beating a livelihood out of the virgin soil, with perhaps no great respect for the claims of either civilian or savage upon it. On the 26th of March 1793 petition was made to the court of common pleas for a partition of Brook- field among the several owners. This was granted, and the court appointed Captain William Phillips and John Bailey, of Brookhaven, and Captain James Reeves, of Southold, commissioners for the purpose. These com- missioners met, and with the assistance of Isaac Hulse, surveyor, laid out the tract to the several owners, whose names appear as follows: John Turner, Matthew Raynor, Tuthill Dayton, Joseph Raynor, Isaac Raynor, Nathaniel Lane, Henry Turner, Joseph Raynor jr., Jonathan Robinson, Benjamin Ray- nor, David Carter, Benjamin Conkling, John Conkling, John Robinson, Nathaniel Terry, Justus Raynor, Free- man Lane, David Robinson, Jonathan Halliock, Jona- than King, William Petty, Ishraael Reeve, Daniel Lane, George Cobit, Samuel Wines, Susanah Overton, Patience Howell, Samuel Robinson, David Fanning, Henry Raynor, John Wells, Joshua Terry, William Ayres, Joshua Wells, Solomon Wells. Elijah Terry, Enos Swezey, Higby Raynor, James Smith and Daniel Robin- son jr. The survey and partition was begun on the i6th of April, and the commission reported the result to the court October 2nd 1793. Brookfield contained about 6,600 acres, and about this time it appears to have been joined to the town of Brookhaven. Halsey's Manor was a section of territory adjoining Brookfield on the east, with a more definite history but with a less definite boundary. The latter indefiniteness however holds only in relation to the eastern boundary. The tract was bounded on the north by Peconic River, on the west by Brookfield, on the south by the Moriches patentship, and on the east by the town of Southampton. This land was included in the Smith patent of 1697. It was sold by Major William Henry Smith to Isaac Halsey, of South- ampton, March 30th 1716, for ^^65. Captain Abraham Howell and Theophilus Howell were partners with Hal- sey in the purchase. The tract was estimated to con- tain 14,000 acres. If that estimate was correct it must have extended some distance beyond the present eastjine of the town of Brookhaven. Still, if it had extended as far east as the boundary of the patent of 1697 it would have been greater. There was probably a compromise somewhere. It is said the share of Theophilus Howell was one-seventh of the whole, or 2,000 acres. In 1776 9,779 acres were owned by Matthew Smith, David How- ell and Josiah Smith. In 1786 the tract was divided among its individual owners in twenty-five lots, of vari- ous size and irregular shape. The owners at that time were David Howell, Matthew Smith, Josiah Smith, David Wells, James Petit sen., widow Ann Smith, Phebe How- ell, Joseph I^ane, Christopher , William Halsey, Timothy Halsey, and Hugh Smith. As then surveyed the east line of the " manor " was the present east line of the town, but in that division the tract contains only about 10,700 acres. The record has been discovered that Isaac Halsey sold 2,500 acres to Timothy Hudson, and this land must have been beyond the present east line. It is probable that the balance was sold in the same way to some individual to whom it was set off be- fore the division of the main body among the different owners. Halsey's manor, as well as Brookfield, was un- der the political jurisdiction of the manor of St. George until about the time of the Revolution, when the whole was annexed to the town of Brookhaven. The Moriches Patentship. South of Halsey's manor, and surrounded by the jurisdiction of St. George's except on the east, where it joined the Southampton line, lay the independent patent- ship of Moriches. The earliest purchase from the In- dians in this section ot which we find any record was made by Dr. Henry Taylor and Major Thomas Willets, of Flushing, and Captain Thomas Townsend, of Oyster Bay. Dr. Taylor, having received liberty from Governor Andross October 31st 1677 to purchase land on the south side of Long Island, and associating with himself the other two, purchased of the Indian John Mahew the neck called Watshauge February 12th 1679. This neck at present contains the eastern section of the village of East Moriches, locally known as "the Neck." The name is frequently called Watchogue. The neck is bounded on the east by a small brook called Mattuck, running down between the residences of Jehial S. Ray- nor and J. C. Havens, and on the west by a creek called Pomiches, the head of which, once a marsh, is now the valley which crosses the main village street near the boarding house of Joshua Terry in the village. The language of Mahew's deed covers " all the meadow &c. from river to river, being 2 miles in breadth, and from the meadow northward one mile into the woods, and what wants of the two miles in breadth to be made up in length." January 7th 1681 Richard Woodhull received a deed from John Mahew, the Indian who laid claim to all this territory, for a neck of land with a small island lying just south of it, bounded on the east by Watchogue and on the west by a small creek " pung-plues," and extending a THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 29 mile back into the woods. This small neck was only a part of the neck called Moriches or Maritches. Whether the title thus gained was transferred or abandoned is un- known. Probably the latter was the case. Colonel Smith's Second patent admits the claims of Colonel Thomas Willets, Dr. Henry Taylor and Thomas Townsend, whose purchase had no doubt been confirmed by a patent, and the neck called Maritches and other necks which lie within the limits of Smith's patent are excepted from its jurisdiction. These three men sold their rights to Richard Smith in 1697, and he the same year obtained a patent from Governor Fletcher for the same. The boundaries given in this patent are as fol- lows: — "On the west by a river on the west side of Mar- itches Neck, called Paquatuck; on the north by a line from the head of said river to a white oak tree marked, on the west side of the neck called Watshage, by apond, and from thence to a line [east] to Seatuck River; on the east by Seatuck River aforesaid, and on the south by the sea." By "the sea" is meant the bay, and the river Paquatuck is now known as Terrell's River. The patent is dated November 12th 1697. The title to this tract, con- taining as it did about 3,000 acres, was further confirmed by a quit-claim from Cononel William Smith to Richard Smith and Matthew Howell, dated March 15th 1703, in which substantially the same boundaries are recited as in the patent. Whatever interest Matthew Howell thus held in the matter was sold by his heirs to Richard Smith. This tract was by instruments bearing date 1719 and 1734 transferred to Nathaniel Smith, the ancestor of the Smith family of Moriches, through the line of whose succession much of the property has been held down to the present time. The land lying between Terrell's River and Mastic River was taken up by settlers at an early period. As early as March 15th 1703 Samuel Terrell was in posses- sion of a neck called Warratta, lying on the west side of the river named in his honor. His possession of that land was acknowledged by Colonel Smith, and probably was obtained from him. This Samuel Terrell appears to have been an active pioneer in the purchase and improve- ment of land. On the nth of April 1738 he was admit- ted by the trustees of the town as a proprietor and tenant in common, and at the same time was acknowledged to be the owner of Yaphank Neck. Town Boundaries. The manor of St. George, Brookfield, Halsey's manor and the Moriches patentship having, about the time of the Revolution, been annexed to the town of Brookhaven, the trustees on October 2nd 1797 ordered that a survey of the town and a map of the same should be made by Isaac Hulse, who was then the clerk of the town. With the assistance of Captain William Phillips, supervisor at the time, and others, he began the survey on the loth of the same month. The sum of ^^50 was appropriated to the expense of this enterprise, which was completed dur- ing the months of October and November, and the map was filed in the office of the secretary of state at Albany. Boundaries of the town have been surveyed or adjusted at different times as follows: In 1696 Brookhaven by its clerk requested Southold to appoint a day when its committee would meet a commit- tee from this town to establish and run out the line be' tween the two towns. On the 22nd of May the trustees, having heard from Southold, appointed Richard Wood- hull, John Hallock, Thomas Helme and Peter White- haire to. represent Brookhaven in the joint commission. The line does not appear to have been definitely settled, for on the 3d of June 1709 the trustees agreed for a con- sideration to resign to Southold all their right to land and meadow on the east side of the Wading River. In 1742 the line was run out between this town and Southold from Wading River to the Peconic, on a south, line. Again, in 1748, a committee appointed for that purpose reported May 2nd that they had run the east line of the town across the island, and found the distance to be, from the sound to the bay, fourteen and a half miles, lacking thirteen rods. November 2nd 1840 a committee appointed by the towns fixed a stone monument on the line between Brookhaven and Riverhead, in place of the old pepperidge tree at the head of Wading River, which had stood as a land-mark for many generations. The line between this town and Southampton was es- tablished by a commission April 30th 1782; December i6th 1817 the land-marks were renewed. With the pass- ing years some points of the line had become indistinct, and it was again established May 21st 1873. A survey was made and stone monuments were set up at con- venient points. This line runs from a red stone stand- ing at some distance above the head of Clam Creek on the beach, northward to the center of the mouth of Sea- tuck River, and so on, crossing the center of the mill- dam, to a stone at the Country road on the west side of Seatuck River, which stands in place of the "Bound Tree at Seatuck," so frequently mentioned in ancient records. From that point the line runs on a course north 20° 40' east to Peconic River. Several differences having arisen with the people of Smithtown regarding the line between the towns, men were called in from other towns to decide upon the line. As fixed by that commission on the 27th of March 1725 the line runs from the head of the middle branch of Stony Brook, down the brook northerly to the harbor and through the channel to the sound; and southerly to a certain tree by the side of Ronkonkonia Pond. A dis- pute which afterward arose in regard to the location of the dividing line running through the harbor was referred to Hon. Charles H. Ruggles, of Poughkeepsie, who de- cided that the line should be the center of the middle branch of the brook from the mill-dam, and the center of the main channel through the harbor. The western boundary of the jurisdiction of Brookhaven over the South Bay was settled December 15th 1834, by a commission composed of Nathaniel Potter, Joel Jarvis and Selah Carl, of Huntington; Eliphalet Smith, Tredwell Scudder and Richard A. Udall, of Islip, and Mordecai Homan, Davis Norton and James M. Fanning, of Brook- 3° THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. haven. They decided that the line in question should run from "the northermost range pole on the South Beach" a due north course, "polar direction," across the South Bay to a point on the main island, which should be marked by a stone monument. Stone monuments were set up at either end of the line September 15th 1835. The outer end of this line is about four miles east of Fire Island light-house, and the inner end is at the east side of the mouth of Great River in Islip. The line between Brookhaven and Islip had for many years been in controversy. In i860 a joint commission was appointed to settle the boundary. In this commission William Sidney Smith, John S. Havens, Manly Ruland and Thomas S Strong represented Brookhaven, and WaltM' Scudder, Abraham G. Thompson and William Nicoll represented Islip. They decided upon the follow- ing line: Beginning at a point on the north side of Ron- konkoma Pond, where the line between Brookhaven and Smithtown stops; running southerly along the eastern margin of the pond for the time being, to a fixed monu- ment near the south end; thence southerly by and with the center of the old highway or Pond road to the Long Island Railroad; thence easterly by and with the north bank of the railroad to another fixed monument; fromi which the line runs south, by the magnet, along the cen- ter of the highway leading to Patchogue, a distance of 72 chains and 65 links, where it meets a line running north 60° 47' east from the head of Namkee Creek, which line and creek it follows to the bay. The work of the commission was consummated on the 8th of Sep- tember i860. During the Revolution. On the eve of the Revolution the freeholders and in- habitants of this town met, and June 8th 1775 elected a " committee of observation " to act for the town in the emergencies which threatened. That com- mittee, consisting of sixteen persons, met on the 27th of June, at which meeting there were present John Wood- hull, Thomas Helme, John Robinson, Thomas Fanning, Lieutenant William Brewster, Noah Hallock, Joseph Brown, John WoodhuU jr., Nathaniel Roe jr.. Captain Jonathan Baker, Daniel Roe, Samuel Thompson, of Brookhaven; William Smith and Jonah Hulse, of the manor of St. George, and Josiah Smith, of the Moriches patentship. The meeting was held at Coram, and after John Woodhull had been appointed chairman and Sam- uel Thompson clerk the following resolutions, expressive of the bold patriotism which ruled the men of that per- iod, were passed: " That we express our loyalty to His Majesty King George III., and acknowledge hira as our rightful lord and sovereign." " That it is the opinion of this committee that the sev- eral acts passed in the British Parliament for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, also the acts for stopping the port of Boston, for altering their charter and govern- ment, for establishing the Roman Catholic religion, and abolishing the equitable system of English laws and erecting in their stead French despotic government in Canada, as also the act for restraining the New England fishery, and further declaring they have power to make laws binding on us in all cases whatsoever, are contrary to the constitution and subversive of our legal rights as English freemen and British subjects." "That we will use our utmost endeavor strictly to ad- here to the resolutions of the honorable Continental Con- gress, and to comply with the injunctions of our Provin- cial Convention, which funder God) we hope is the most effectual means to obtain redress of our present griev- ances and save us from impending ruin. " We do unanimously make this our apology to the re- spectable public and to our several Congresses that we have come so late into the Congressional measures, and hope a veil may be cast over our past conduct; for our remissness was not for want of patriotic spirit, but be- cause opposition ran so high in some parts of this town, which arose, we verily believe, from want of better in- formation. " It is unanimously resolved that we will keep a strict watch that no provisions be transported from the bounds of our constituents so as to fall into the hands of our enemies." As the contest deepened no town in the county was more intimately associated with the national movement than Brookhaven. The representatives of the leading families of the town were among the leaders of the prov- ince and confederation. General Woodhull, a veteran military officer, at the outset placed in command of the militia of Suffolk and Queens, president of the Provin- cial Congress of New York, and one of the first heroes to sacrifice his life upon the altar of American liberty, was bound by the blood of generations to Brookhaven, and his ashes repose here still. William Floyd, one of the patriot band who set their signatures to the immortal scroll which will be read with pride as long as America has a name, was a son of Brookhaven. Colonel Josiah Smith, who accompanied his regiment of Suffolk militia into the battle of Long Island, Selah Strong and Wil- liam Smith, who represented the county in the Provincial Congress during several years of its existence, and others who were active in the cause and whose wisdom assisted in the councils of the State or nation rose to the emer- gencies of the hour from the home-like retirement of Brookhaven or its associated precincts. During the war this town was the scene of many petty depredations as well as some engagements and exploits worthy of special mention, accounts of which will be found in other parts of this work. On page 37 is given an account of the capture of Fort St. George, at Mastic, by Colonel Tallmadge. Henry Onderdonk jr. gives some additional particulars, and furnishes the accompanying cut to illustrate the narrative. THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 31 Mr. Onderdonk says: "Tallmadge took William Booth for a guide, and as he neared the sentry of the fort he crept along the ground, and watched till the latter's back was turned, when he rushed on and the sentinel was dead before he knew whence the bayonet thrust came. The watch-word, ' Washington and glory,' was shouted forth simultaneously on the three sides, as the victors cut down the pickets and rushed into the center of the parade. Thus was the fort taken by surprise and almost without a blow. As the victors stood elated with joy a volley of musketry was discharged on them from the second story of Mr. Smith's house, which formed a corner of the stockade. In an instant the doors were broken in by the enraged Americans, who darted up stairs and pitched all the men they could lay hands on out of the windows — they having forfeited their lives by the rules of war. All would have been massacred on the spot had not Colonel Tallmadge humanely interfered and stopped the carnage. In ten minutes all was quiet again. " The vestiges of the old fort are still to be seen at Smith's Point, Mastic, where the writer hereof was shown and told many things that have never yet found their way into history. The colonel committed the preceding plan _ and sketch to paper for the benefit of his children, who now possess the manuscript. Fort St. George was 96 feet square, and, as will be seen by the above cut, was connected by a strong stockade with General Smith's mansion and a smaller house. These were both bai»- ricaded, and from the larger house it was that the tories fired on Colonel Tallmadge after the capture of the fort. The dotted line denotes the passage of Colonel Tall- madge through the pickets and gate into the main fort." Game Laws — Local Currency — Votes against Di- vision. The trustees of the town have from time to time en- acted regulations for the preservation of deer and other game with which the woods in early days abounded. One of the first acts of this kind was passed December 4th 1786, and it prohibited the destruction of deer and grouse. The town meeting took the matter in hand on the third of April 1798, and voted that no non-residents should be allowed to hunt deer or other game in the town. In the following year the people gave their votes to the same order. The generation has not yet passed away that can remember when deer hunts upon the plains of this town were common, and among the grey- haired inhabitants may be found a few men who have en- gaged in that exciting sport. But the race of that game is almost extinct, and the sound of the huntsman's horn and the baying of the eager hounds no longer start the echoes upon a clear November morn as whilom they were wont to do. In 1815 there was a scarcity of fractional coins in cir- culation. A number of business men who felt the in- convenience of this state of monetary matters petitioned the trustees to do something to remedy the matter. They accordingly made arrangements for issuing a frac- tional currency. They ordered of Alden Spooner, printer, a quantity of blank bills, and directed the town clerk to sign and put them in circulation. This was done during the long service of that faithful and honored clerk Mordecai Horn an. The great territorial extent of Brookhaven has often been remarked. At times the eager desire for something new has prompted a few to clamor for the division of the town. The proposal, however, has been treated by the popular vote with uniform disfavor. At the annual town meeting of 1830 a vote was taken, which resulted in an opposition of about five to one against division. Again in 1831 the question was brought up, only to be repulsed by unanimous opposition. Ten years later it was again agitated. April 6th 1841 a vote by ballot was taken, and of the 260 votes then cast every one was against dividing the town. Slavery. It may be said that practically the settlers brought the institution and custom of slavery with them. The first record of its existence in this town appears December 9th 1672, when Richard Floyd of this town bought of Robert Hudson, of Rye, a negro man named Antony, warranted to be sound in wind and limb, for ;!^48 sterling in wheat, pork or beef at market rates. The said negro was sold by Richard Floyd to^John Hurd, of Stratford, March 9th 1674. December 13th 1677 John Thomas bought of Isaac Raynor, of Southampton, a negro man " Samboe," for ;^38 in whale oil at £,2 to the barrel, or in other goods. March i8th 1678 Richard Starr, of Brookhaven, sold a negro man named Martin to John Mann, of Ja- maica. May sth 1683 Ralf Dayton sold his negro Jack for a three-acre lot in Newtown, eight pounds of beef and -Q/i^. October 7th 1684 Captain John Tooker bought of Isaac Arnold, of Southold, a negro man named Dick. The gradual abolishment of slavery began soon after the Revolution. Under the act of February 27th 1788 persons wishing to set free any slaves were required to obtain licenses from the trustees and justices, which were granted on evidence of the negroes being under fifty years of age and capable of providing for themselves. The town records show the certificates of 66 slaves set free under that act during the years between 1795 and 1831. The following are the names of their former owners, with the number set free by each: Mariam Brown, Mills Brewster, Joseph Davis, Daniel Davis, Mary Davis, Thomas Helme, and Elisha Ham- mond, I each; Noah Hallock, 3; John Homan, i; John Howard, i; William Helme, 2; Joseph Homan, Jeremiah Havens, Jonas Hawkins, Thomas S. Mount, Robert Haw- kins, Sarah Helme, Zophar Hallock, William Howell, John Havens, Joseph Jayne, Daniel Jones, and Benjamin Jones, reach; Timothy Miller, 2; Richard Oakley, i; Henry P. Osborn, 3; Phillips Roe, i; Richard Robinson, 2; Thomas S. Strong, 7 ; Selah Strong, 1 ;Wessell Smith, 2 ; Theophilus Smith, i; John Smith, 2; Henry Smith, 2; WoodhuU Smith, Thomas R. Smith, Oliver Smith, Josiah Smith, and Ebenezer Smith, i each; Dr. Samuel Thompson, 4; William Tooker, 2; Abraham Woodhull, 2; Mrs. Ruth WoodhuU, Dr. David Woodhull, Hannah Woodhull, and John Woodhull, i each. Under the act of March 29th 1799, requiring the regis- tration of all slave children, in order that their owners might hold them until they reached a certain age, the following persons registered slave children born to their possession at different times between 1798 and 1834: 32 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. Samuel Carman i, Joseph Davis i, Goldsmith Davis i, General William Floyd 2, Colonel NicoU Floyd 17, Sarah Hallock 2, Robert Hawkins i. Joseph Hedges 3, Robert Hawkins jr. i, Ehenezer Jones i, Joseph Jayne i, Tim- othy Miller 2, Sarah Miller 3, Daniel Petty i, John Payne i, Daniel Robert i, Richard Robinson 4, Mrs. Mary Robert 7, Samuel Smith i, Oliver Smith 4, Joanna Smith i, William Smith 8, Josiah Smith 4, Woodhull Smith 7, General John Smith 7, Theophilus Smith 4, Amos Smith i, Stephen Swezey i, Selah Strong 4, William Tooker i, Nathaniel Tuthill i, Ruth Thomp- son 2, Samuel Turner i, Jehial Woodruff i, Ruth Wood- hull 2, Meritt S. Woodhull 2, James Woodhull i, John Woodhull 2, Mary Woodhull i, Benjamin Woodhull 1, Abraham Woodhull i. Total number registered, 108. Provision for the Poor. Public charity engaged the attention of the town au- thorities at an early period. December 26th 1701 the trustees recorded their conviction of duty " not to suffer any of God's creatures to want," and accordingly ordered that a certain child which had been left with Hugh Mo- sier should be taken care of until the next quartc r ses- sions, and that Hugh Mosier should -be paid 2s, 3d. a week for such service. But little record of any action of the town in the matter of charity for many years after that period remains. March 26th 1739 Obadiah Seward seems to have fallen in distressing need of a coat, and the trustees appropriated 4s. 6d. for making him one. The cost of keeping those dependent upon the town for the year for which accounts were made up April 30th 1739 was as follows: £ P. To widow Moger for keeping widow Hirst 9 IS Nathaniel Farret, for keeping his father 1 13 William Gerrard, for keeping his father 1 8 Eleazer Hawkins, for providing for John Gooding 3 4 Daniel Smith, what he paid to Obadiah Seward 1 Daniel Smith, treasurer for money advanced to the poor 6 15 Widow Moger for attending widow Hirst when she was sick. . . 3 Afterward the poor of the town were "farmed" out; that is, put in charge of whoever would keep them at the lowest price. Under this system the dependents of the town were disposed of on June 13th 1787 in the follow- ing manner: £ s. Mary Seward to William Sexton for 14 Elizabeth Francis and her child to IsaacSmith jr. for 1 19 Jerusba Loomis to Gilbert Hulse, for 13 15 Anna Hulse to Gilbert Hulse, for 5 C Nancy Overton to Judge Strong, for 3 19 This practice continued many years, but a more culti- vated humanity at last sought some more satisfactory method of taking care of the public wards. April ist 1817 it was voted that the trustees should provide a house for the town poor, in conjunction with Islip and Smith- town. NicoU Floyd, Thomas S. Strong and William Tooker were appointed a. committee to confer with those towns on the subject. This movement resulted in the purchase during the year 1817 of a farm at Coram for $900, and the establishment of the town poor-house. An addition to the house was made by order of the trustees September gth 1851, which order required the additional part to be strongly built for the security of lunatics. During the years 1850 and 185 1 Dr. Brown was employed by the trustees as almshouse physician. The question of establishing a county poor-house was agitated as early as 1831, but the popular sentiment was not favorable to it. The vote taken at town meeting that year was unanimously opposed to it. The same re- sult attended a vote taken on the question in 1839, and when it was again submitted to the people in i86g a ma- jority voted against it. But this repeated expression of the popular wish was disregarded, and the county-house was built. Before its completion the Brookhaven trust- ees recommended (July ist 187 1) that each town should be at the expense of supporting its own poor at the house, which plan has been adopted. The inmates of the town poor-house were transferred to the county-house December 8th 1871, and the furni- ture of the vacated house was sold at auction on the 13th of the following January. The house and farm — reserv- ing the burying ground, six by eleven rods, in the north- east corner — were sold by the trustees May 7th 1872 for $600 to Lester Davis. From the confusion of the town records we are able to glean the items of appropriations for various expenses of the town as follows: 1794, .3^300; 1796, .;^3oo; 1802, $1,000; 1803, $600; 1806, $r,ooo; 1807, ,$1,000; 1808, $800; 1823, $1,200; 1824, $r,ooo; 1825, $850; 1826, $1,000; 1827, $800; 1830, $750; 1831, $1,000; 1834, $800. Appropriations were made specifically for the support of the poor as follows: 1848, $1,400; 1849, $1,600; 1850, $1, 600; 1851, $1,200; 1852, $1,600; 1853, $1,600; 1854, $1,800; 1856, $1,700; 1857, $1,800; 1858, $2,000; 1859, $2,500; i860, $2,500; 1861, $2,600; 1862, $2, 800; 1863, $3,000; 1864, $4,000; 1870, $7,000; 1871, $7,000; 1877, $5,500; 1878, $6,665.35; T879, $5,319.59; 1880, $4,385-62. Educational Administration. What efforts may have been made in a private way to educate the children of the first settlers we do not know, but as early as the year 1687 the town employed Francis Williamson as a schoolmaster. This action was taken at the town meeting July 13th, and the trustees were instructed to employ Mr. Williamson at a salary of ^^30 a year, and to raise one-third of this amount by a tax on the people and the other two-thirds by a rate upon the children at- tending the school. How long this man was employed does not appear, but in 1704 John Gray appears as a teacher. He taught school in the meeting-house. May 2nd of that year the town meeting gave him liberty to use the meeting-house for that purpose on condition that he would have it cleaned every Saturday and make good any damage done by the scholars. This arrangement doubt- less gave some dissatisfaction, and the growing wants of the community demanded a house for this exclusive use- The trustees accordingly ordered, October 6th 17 18, that a rate of ^^38 be raised and ;i school-house be built by the end of the year. As settlement extended to other parts of the town other school-houses were built and schools established, but this THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 33 was generally done by private contributions and enter- prise more than by public action and tax. The town generally granted land for school-house sites wherever common land was owned in the localities. Beyond that the town paid but little attention to public education dur- ing the colonial period. The first commissioners of schools were elected in 1796. They were Jonas Hawkins, Meritt S. WoodhuU, William Phillips, Caleb- M. Hulse, and Daniel Roe. The board elected in 1797 was composed of Abraham Wood- hull, Goldsmith Davis, John Bayles, Meritt S. Woodhull, and General John Smith. The commissioners for 1798 were Joseph Brewster, Caleb M. Hulse, John Bayles, Meritt S. Woodhull, and Austin Roe. This office ap- pears to have been considered of so small account that at the regular town meeting of 1799 it was omitted, and a special meeting was necessary to secure the election of men to fill it, which was held on June 3d, resulting in the election of three commissioners, Joseph Brewster, Meritt S. Woodhull, and John Bayles. In 1800 four were elected — Richard Floyd, Isaac Hulse, John Havens, and Daniel Comstock. The office was then abandoned for several years. In 1813 there were elected three commissioner! and six inspectors of schools. This arrangement, with slight modifications, continued for several years, the officers being elected annually. The commissioners elected each year were; 1813, 1814, Benjamin F. Thompson, John Rose and Mordecai Homan; 1815-18, William Beale, Mordecai Homan and John R. Satterly; 1819-23, Mordecai Homan, Archibald Jayne and Nathaniel Miller; 1824, Mordecai Homan, John R. Satterly and Sineus C. Miller; 1825, Sineus C. Miller, Selah B. Strong and Mordecai Homan; 1826, Selah B. Strong, Mordecai Homan and William Beale; 1827, 1828, Mordecai Homan, Selah B. Strong and James M. Fanning; 1829, Mordecai Homan, Sereno Burnell and William S. Smith; 1830-34, Mordecai Homan, Selah B. Strong and Samuel F. Norton; 1835-37, Selah B. Strong, William Sidney Smith and Samuel F. ^fo^ton; 1838, Selah B. Strong, Nathaniel Conklin and Simeon H. Ritch; 1839-41, Selah B. Strong, Simeon H. Ritch and Brewster Woodhull; 1842, Selah B. Strong, Simeon H. Ritch and Albert A. Overton; 1843, Selah B. Strong, Benjamin T. Hutchinson and William Wickham jr. The inspectors of common schools during this period were as follows: 1813-18, Rev. Zachariah Green, Rev. Noah Hallock, Nicoll Floyd, William Beale, Rev. Ezra King and Joseph B. Roe; 1819, 1820, John R. Satterly, Russell Green, Rev. Ezra King, Nicoll Floyd, William Beale and Joseph B. Roe; 1820-23 (the number being reduced to three). Russell Green, Rev. Ezra King and William Beale; 1824, Sereno Burnell, Rev. Ezra King and William Beale; 1825, John R. Satterly, Rev. Ezra King and Jonathan Burnell; 1826, John R. Satterly, Josiah Smith and Nathaniel Smith; 1827, 1828, John R. Satterly, William Sidney Smith and Nathaniel Smith; 1829, John R. Satterly, James M. Fanning and Nathaniel Smith; 1830, none re- corded; 1831, 1832, John R. Satterly, William Beale and Joel Robinson; 1833, John R. Satterly, Daniel G. Gillette and Lester H. Davis; 1834, John R. Satterly, James M. Fanning and Daniel G. Gillette; 1835-37, Benjamin T. Hutchinson, John R. Satterly and James M. Fanning; 1838, John R. Satterly, Benjamin T. Hutchinson and William S. Preston; 1839, 1840, John R. Swezey, James Rice and Orlando Burnell; i84i,Elias H. Luce, John R. Satterly and Orlando Burnell; 1842, John R. Swezey and Joel Robinson; 1843, John R. Swezey and Simeon H. Ritch. Following the last date the duties of commissioners and inspectors were combined in a single office under the title of town superintendent of schools. This office continued until that of Assembly district commissioner was consti- tuted, and was held by the following persons: 1844, William Sidney Smith; 1845, William Wickham; 1846, William S. Preston; 1847, 1848, William J. Weeks; 1849 -55, Lewis R. Overton. The pay of these early school officers was not unreason- ably liberal. A vote of town meeting in 1839 fixed the pay of inspectors at fifty cents a day. The town meeting of 1841, however, increased this to one dollar a day. The town -was first divided into school districts by action of the commissioners of schools, November 3d 1813. Twenty-three districts were then formed, and their locations were as follows: No. i, at Stony Brook; No. 2, the western part of Setauket, including " Lubber Street and Dickerson's Settlement;" No. 3, the eastern part of Setauket; No. 4, Drown Meadow; No. 5, Old -Man's; No. 6, Miller's Place and " Hopkins Settlement;" No. 7, Rocky Point; No. 8, the western part of the interior, about Ronkonkoma Pond, to the Smithtown line; No. 9, New Village, as far west as Jarvis Hawkins's, and east to Richard Norton's and Joseph Roe's; No. 10, Coram, as far west as James Norton's; No. 11, Swezey Town and the northern part of Middletown; No. 12, the lower part of Middle Island (or Middletown) as far west as Isaac Howell's, and north to James Dayton's and James Barnaby's; No. 13, " Manner as far west as George Cotits and Mosier King's, and east to Southampton line, including Halsey's Manner;" No. 14, the remainder of the manor; No. 15, the eastern part of Moriches west to Havens's Mills; No. 16, Moriches to the paper-mill; No. 17, " Mastic as far west as Fireplace;" No. 18, west of Fireplace Mills as far as Jeffrey Brewster's; No. 19, from the latter point west to Austin Roe's; No. 20, west of Austin Roe's, to Patchogue Stream; No. 21, west of Patchogue, to the Islip line; No 22, east of Thomas Aldrich's in Middletown to the Wading River line; No. 23, Coram Hills, as far east as the widow Howell's. Other districts were afterward formed as follows: No 24 on the north road at Manor, taking all east of the house of Caleb Smith (then deceased), formed De- cember 8th 1814; No. 25, May 9th 1815, at Westfield, from the house then occupied by Lemuel Smith eastward to include the houses of George Smith and David Ford- ham; No. 26, at Southaven, from the eastern part of 18, May t2th 1815; No. 27, May ist 1817, at Bald Hills; No. 28, February 4th 1818, that part of No. 2 which lay south of Benjamin F. Thompson's and a road called Bailey's Hollow, at Setauket; No. 29, June 8th 1822, that part of 16 lying from the east line of John Penney west- ward to a house formerly occupied by '' Ben, a colored man, not including the houses down the neck on the west 34 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. side of the river;" No. 30, October 28th 1823, including the northeastern part of Stony Brook; No. 31, June 6th 1827, from the western part of 21 at Blue Point; No. 32, January loth 1833, from parts of 18 and 19; No. 33, March 6th 1835, from the eastern part of 11 and north- ern part of 12, at Middle Island; No. 34, March 30th 1835, from the northeastern part of 3, at Setauket; No. 35, at Wading River, February 24th 1838. The districts of the town were renumbered October 24th 1842, the changes being as follows: Old Number. Location. 30 2 28 3 34 4 S 6 7 35 9 25 27- 10 23 II 33 12 22 24 14 13 31 21 20 36 19 32 18 26 17 29 16 East Stony Brook. . West Setauket Nassakeag East Setauket. . Northeast Setauket Port Jefferson Mt. Sinai Miller's Place Rocky Point Woodville New Village Westfields Bald Hills Coram Coram Hills Middle Island ch. . . Middle .Island Millville Ridgeville North Manor West Manor East Manor Blue Point West Patchogue. . . . East Patchogue. . . . Patchogue Lane. . . Union Street Bellport Fireplace Neck. . . . Southaven Mastic West Moriches. ... Centre Moriches. . . East Moriches New Number. I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 TI 12 13 14 IS 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2.S 26 27 28 29 3° 31 32 33 34 The parts of joint districts were numbered as follows: South Stony Brook i, Ronkonkoma 2, Wading River 3 Conungum Mills 4, Seatuck 5. The following changes were afterward made : No. 35 was formed from the southern part of 26, at Patchogue. No. 36 was formed at Canaan, from the northern part of 26. No 37 was formed at Seatuck, from the part district No. S, May ist 1852. No. 38 was formed May ist 1855, from the western part of 29. No. 39 was formed May nth 1857, from parts of 25 and 27, at East Patchogue. No. 40 was formed from the western part of 13, May j8th 1857. It was afterward numbered as 15 of Islip. No. 36 was annulled May ist i860 and its territory divided between 24 and 25. No. 41 was formed of part No. i at Stony Brook August 7th 1865. No. 42 was formed of part No. 2 at Lakeville August 7th 1865. Setauket union school was formed by the union of Nos. 4 and 5, February 6th 1866, and the number 36 given it August 22nd 1866. Union free school district, No. 24 was formed of 24, 25, 26 and 35, at Patchostue, March 4th 1869. No 41 was changed to 4, and 42 to 5, August 22nd 1866. No. 38 was changed to 25, 39 to 26, and 40 to 35, March 4th 1869. The numbers 31 and 37 were interchanged November 12th 1875. By these changes the numbers that have been made vacant by the consoli- dation and annulling of former districts were taken by the higher numbered districts, and thus, the consecutive numbers being filled, 37 became the highest. No. 38 was formed at Comsewaug, from No. 6, June 2nd 1874. No. 25 was annulled September 28th 1874, and its terri- tory divided between Nos. 28 (at Bellport) and 29 (at Brookhaven). Elections and Officers. Elections of town ofificers were probably at first held whenever occasion required, without any definite regu- larity. The following is a transcript of one of the earliest records of a town election that can now be discovered. Two or three words are defaced beyond recognition. " Brookhauen the 3 day of Aprill 1676 at Towns meet- ing was chosen William Saterley Constable for this pres- ent yeare at the same tyme was chosen for Ourseers Na- thanell Norton and Thomas Smith also John Tucker was chosen Recorder for the Town — at the same tyme for this present yeare." By the patent of 1686 the "' first Tuesday of May for- ever " was fixed as the time for holding elections of town ofificers. This rule continued in operation a full century, being superseded by the State law of 1787 fixing the an- nual election on the first Tuesday in April. Beginning with the year last mentioned that arrangement has con- tinued till the present time. It is probable that as the study of political maneuver- ing advanced some abuses were permitted by the fact that no definite hour had been fixed for the election of officers on town meeting day. To correct this the town meeting in 1701 voted that "forever hereafter the hour of meeting for choosing of officers shall be at one of the clock in the afternoon." The general elections under State laws were held at first with some irregularity, most of the time in April or May, but sometimes at other seasons of the year. This general election, afterward called the " anniversary elec- tion," was during the first years of the present century fixed on the three days beginning with the last Tuesday in April. It was presided over by a board of four inspect- ors, who moved with the ballot box from point to point, holding sessions in various places in the town during the three election days. At a special election to vote on the amended State constitution, held in January 1822, Brookhaven gave 116 votes for and 95 against the amendments. After that the general elections were held in November. The number of electors in this town in 1801 (when a property qualification was necessary) was 554. Of this number 462 possessed " freeholds " valued at j^ioo or more, 31 at _^2o or more, and 61 at less than ;^20. THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 35 After the election arrangements had undergone some further modifications the present system of holding elec- tions in election districts was introduced in 1842. In accordance with the State law passed April 5th of that year the town was divided into five election districts on the 6th of the following September. The officers to whom fell the duty of making this division were Nathan- iel Conklin, supervisor, John R. Satterly, Davis Norton, John Davis and James Ketcham, assessors, and Mordecai Homan, town clerk. District No. i comprised the north- west part of the town as far east as Crystal Brook Hol- low. No. 2 comprised the north part of the town east of the former. No. 3 comprised that part of the town ly- ing south of No. 2 and east of the Yaphank line and Creek and Carman's River. No. 4 included all the ter- ritory lying west of No. 3 and south of the Long Island Railroad. No. 5 comprised the middle part of the town west of the Yaphank line. The southern bound of No. 2, which had been the Country road east of Corwin's road, was moved north to the " Butt line," October 6th 1845. By this change the " Butt line " (an imaginary line running east and west through the middle of the wooded plain) became the southern bound of both the north side dis- tricts and the northern bound of No. 5, which, being erj- larged by the territory vacated by No. 2, now extended the entire length of the town, on the north side of the Country road. By another change, made several years later, the territory of No. 5 on the south of the Country road was extended several miles further east. A new district was formed from that part of No. 4 lying west of Overton's Brook in Union Street, and the new district was numbered 5, while old No. 5 was numbered 6. No. I was divided October 4th 1869, and a new district formed comprising Port Jefferson and the eastern part of Setauket. This was made No. 2, and the numbers of 3, 4, 5 and 6 were changed respectively to 4, 5, 6 and 7. The earliest officers of the town were the members of a committee of three or more men to whom the people gave power to act for them in all affairs, with full power to settle differences between men except in the disposi- tion of lands. After the union with Connecticut in 1662 the town government was vested in three overseers and a constable. Soon . afterward surveyors of highways were chosen, though this office may not have been continuously maintained. The overseers were af- terward called commissioners, and the constable was also made the collector and treasurer. The patent of 1686 directed that seven trustees, a clerk, a constable and two assessors should be elected annually. The office- of clerk, or '" recorder," had at that time been in operation many years. In 1687 the town meeting elected t'hree commissioners in addition to the officers named in the patent. Fence-viewers were elected as early as 1697. At that time the town had but two, which number was afterward greatly increased. In 1740 the number of constables was increased to three: one "in town," one at "Old Man's," and one at "South." The different offi- cers were increased in numbers from time to time, until in 1 781 there were 5 constables, 10 commissioners and 18 fence-viewers. In 1790 there were 5 assessors, 3 com- missioners of highways, 6 constables, 12 overseers of highways and 21 fence-viewers. In 1796 the town meet- ing voted that fence-viewers should have 6s. a day for their services. In 1795 there were 22 fence-viewers, in 1798 only 14, while in 1815 there were 36, and in 1829 the office was abolished, its duties being given to the commissioners of highways and assessors. By the year 1798 the number of assessors was increased to 7, and the number of constables was the same. There were then 18 overseers of highways, which number had increased in 1815 to 31. At the latter date there were 9 constables. The whole number of assessors and commissioners was elected annually until 1846, when the present system of electing one-third of the number every year and mak- ing the official term three years was introduced. The number of constables was increased to 8 in 1857. The early justices of the peace were appointed by the governor. The office was regarded as one of considera- ble honor. This was so much the case that men who reached it almost dropped their first name, being ad- dressed and named by the title instead. Even after the or- ganization of the State government they were appointed, until 1827, when the office became elective, and four justices were assigned to Brookhaven. They were at first chosen at the November elections, but in 1830 they began to be elected as they now are, at the town election in the spring. In 1854 the number was increased to 8. Since the office became elective the following men have filled it during the terms indicated: John S. Mount, 1828-35; William Beale, 1828-34; Samuel Davis, 1828-38; William Helme, 1828; Barnabas Wines, 1829-36, 1841-44; Brewster Woodhull, 1835-54; Charles Phillips, J836-55; David Worth, 1837-40; David Overton, 1838-45; Richard Robinson, 1845-51; Brewster Terry, 1846-49; Franklin Overton, 1850-53, 1858-61; Jesse W. Pelletreau, 1851-71; Samuel F. Norton, 1854- 57; Samuel C. Hawkins, 1855-58; Joel Robinson, 1855; Z. Franklin Hawkins, 1855-64; Silas Homan, 1855-57; Richard O. Howell, 1855-58; Richard W. Smith, 1856- 59; Samuel R. Davis, 1856-59; Warren Conklin, 1859-62; David T. Hawkins, 1858-74; Walter Dickerson, 1860-67; Orin W. Rogers, 1859 81; Jeremiah G. Wilbur, 1862-68; Charles Price, 1863-70; Lester Davis, 1863-78; John S. Lee, 1865-77; Richard T. Osborn, 1869-81; Charles A. Davis, 1869-75; Charles R. Smith, 1871 to present time; William H. Clark, 1872-79; Charles E. Goldthwaite, 1875-81; Sylvester D. Tuthill, 1876; William H. Osborn, 1879; Thomas H. Saxton, 1878 to present time; George W. Hopkins, 1880 to present time; George E. Hallock, 1880 to present time; Jacob De Baum, 1880 to present time. The office of president of trustees, constituted by the patent of 1686, has been held by the following persons: Thomas Biggs jr., 1687-91; Richard Woodhull, 1692, 1693; Thomas Helme, 1694, 1695, 1698; Richard Floyd, 1696, 1699, 170O1 part of 1704; Joseph Tooker, 1697; Captain Thomas Clark, 170104; William Nicoll, 1705-08; Colonel Henry Smith, 1709-13, 1715, 1716, 1718-20; Timothy Brewster, 1714, 1731; Colonel Rich- ard Floyd, 1717, 1747-62; Selah Strong, 1721; Samuel Thompson, 1722; Richard Woodhull, 1723-25, 1727, 1729, 173°. 1732-36, 1740, 1 741; Samuel Davis (of Stony Brook), 1726; Jonathan Owen, 1728; Captain Robert 36 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. Robinson, 1737-39, 1742-46; William Nicoll, 1763; Na- thaniel' Brewster, 1764-66; Nathaniel Woodhull, 1767, 1768; Jonathan Thompson, 1769-76; Joseph Brewster, 1777, 1778; Gilbert Smith, 1779; Selah Strong, 1780-97, 1803-07, 1810; Daniel Roe, 1798, 1799; Meritt S. Wood- hull, 1800, 1801; Nicoll Floyd, 1802, 1810, 1817; Wil- liam Jayne, 1808; Caleb M. Hulse, 1809; Abraham Woodhull, 1811; William H. Helme, 1812; Josiah Smith, 1813, 1818, 1823; John Rose, 1814, 1821; Isaac Satterly, 1815 ; Thomas S. Strong, 1816, 1819, 1820, 1822, 1824-26 ; Isaac Brewster, 1827-29; Daniel Overton, 1830, 1831, 1834, 1836-40; Davis Nor- ton, 1832, 1833, 1835, 1842, 1843, 1853-56; Silas Homan, 1841; William S. Williamson, 1844, 1848; Nathaniel Tattle, 1845-47 ; Samuel Carman, 1849; William C. Booth, 1850, 1851 ; William Phillips, 1852 ; Charles Woodhull, 1857; Lester Davis, 1858, 1859; John Symms Havens, 1860-63 ; Nathaniel Tuthill, 1864, 1869, 1870; William H. Clark, 1865-68, 1871-79; Henry W. Carman, 1880, i88r. The supervisors of this town, from the earliest period of which we find any record of that office or its functions, have been as follows: Richard Floyd (ensign), 1692; Thomas Helme, 1694; Richard Floyd, 1695, 1697, part of 1704; Daniel Brewster, 1696, 1698; Thomas Clark, 170004; William Nicoll, 1705-11; Colonel Henry Smith, 1712-15; Colonel Richard Floyd, 1716-18, 1720-29; Jonathan Owen, 1719; Richard Woodhull, 1730-41; Richard Floyd, 1742-62; Richard Miller, 1763-73; Major Benjamin Floyd, 1774, 1775, ^^777. 1778; Nathan Woodhull, 1776; Robert Jayne, 1779; Frederick Hudson, 1780, 1781; Selah Strong, 1782, 1784-94; Nathaniel Woodhull, 1783; William Phillips, 1795-97; General John Smith, 1798; Meritt S. Woodhull, 1799-1801, 1803, 1804; Isaac Hulse, 1802; John Rose, 1805-09, 1811-20, 1822-24; Jonas Hawkins, 1810; Nicoll Floyd, 1821; Thomas S. Strong, 1825-28; William Sidney Smith, 1829-33; John M. Williamson, 1834-40, 1852, 1853; Nathaniel Conklin, 1841-43; Thomas J. Ritch, 1844-46; George P. Mills, 1847-51; John S. Havens, 1854-56, 1859-61; William H. Smith, 1857, 1858; Nathaniel Miller, 1862-65; Charles S. Havens, 1866-68, 1874-77; Effingham Tuthill, 1869-73; John S. Havens, 1878-81. The following persons have held the office of town clerk : John Tooker, 1668 (and probably earlier") to 1677 and later; Andrew Gibb, 1686; Thomas Helme, 1687; John Jenner, 1688; Timothy Brewster, 1689-1711; Daniel Brewster 1712-37; Daniel Smith, 1738-75; Amos Smith, 1776-81; Elijah Smith, 1782-88; Isaac Hulse, 1789-1800, 1802-06; Apollos Wetmore, 1801; Mordecai Homan, 1807-47; Benjamin T. Hutchinson, 1848,1849, 1860-77; SamuelA. Hawkins, 1850-56; Lewis R. Overton, 1857-59; Henry P. Hutchinson, 1877-81. The Bay Fisheries. Previous to the Revolution the trustees of the town appear to have given but little attention to their claims upon the waters and shores over which their patent gave them jurisdiction. At the same time the successive occu- pants of the South Bay proprietorship experienced much difficulty in enforcing their claims to that water and its bot- tom. Under the partnership arrangement effected by the agreements of 1767 and 1790 the managing control of the south side bays fell to the charge of the trustees. and they have ever since continued to exercise that power. By that arrangement the limits of their jurisdic- tion were enlarged so as to cover all the salt waters em- braced within the patent lines of the town. The business of taking oysters from the South Bay had gained considerable magnitude, as may be inferred from the fact that as early as July 4th 1785 the trustees considered it necessary to pass an order that not more than two hundred cargoes should be carried out of the bay between that time and the next town election day. The vessels carrying oysters out of the town were by the same order required to obtain permits, the price of which was fixed at 24s. In November of the .same year for this charge was substituted a royalty fee of twopence for every tub of oysters taken. Under the first date the trustees also enacted that twopence a bushel should be paid for a permit to take clams from the same waters. Fishing with net or seine without a permit was at the same time also forbidden. A fine of 40s. was prescribed for the violation of either of these provisions. April 7th 1788 the trustees passed a regulation requir- ing every vessel engaged in taking oysters from the South Bay to be measured, and a fee of is. 6d. for each ton of the vessel's capacity to be paid in advance. At this time it was also ordered that no fishing with net or seine should be allowed, and that no one except resideijts of the town should be allowed to catch oysters or clams. About this time the trustees adopted the practice of leasing or selling the privilege of fishing in the partner- ship bays from year to year. June nth 1789 this right, covering all the bay west of Smith's Point, was sold to Elijah Chichester and James Berry for ^^24. The term for which it was sold closed with the first of the follow- ing December, and the rights of inhabitants to catch fish for their own use were reserved. The penalty for violation of the enactments in regard to fish, at first fixed at 40S., was increased May 2nd 1791 to ^4. The fine for taking oysters from the town without permit, fixed at first at 40s., was in i 792 raised to ^5, and a fine of £3 was to be collected of any one who should assist in loading an unlicensed vessel. The fee was also raised to 3s. a ton for the capacity of all vessels carrying oysters out of the town. In 1794 the question of oystering and other bay privi- leges was considerably agitated. The trustees appear to have submitted it to the vote of the people in town meeting, and they were unanimously opposed to hiring out the fishing, or allowing oysters to be carried out of the town "by any person or persons whatsoever." The trustees passed enactments in accordance with that ex- pression, and fixed a penalty of ;^io for their violation. On the 22nd of the fojlowing October, however, this ar- rangement had proved so unsatisfactory that a special town meeting was called, and the matter was again placed in the hands of the trustees " to do with it according to their Descrecian." The trustees have ever since continued to exercise the sublime prerogative of their " Descrecian," which has given the history of the management of the bays a char- / THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 37 4icter too fluctuating and confusing to be followed with any respect to details within the limits of this article. Regulations similar to those already mentioned were fre- quently enacted, amended, confirmed or repealed. Dur- ing that portion of the year from May to September the taking of oysters or clams was forbidden altogether, or taxed at so high a rate as to make a practical restriction; but during the remaining portion of the year inhabitants of the town had free access to the bay, to supply their own individual needs with its products. The business of taking those products for export or profit was gene- rally heavily taxed, and severe fines were prescribed for the violation of the rules. Piracies were frequent, prob- ably induced in a large measure by the confusing insta- bility and frequently exorbitant demands of those regu- lations, together with the imperfect arrangements for en- forcing them. May 4th 1795 the trustees decided that their jurisdic- tion extended to the drawing of seines upon the ocean shore of the beach, and accordingly they placed restric- tions upon that privilege the same as upon the bay fish- ery. At that time they also prohibited the taking of shells from the bay. The privilege of fowling on the bogs and in the marshes of the bay was also within th^ trustees' authority, and that privilege was generally sold to some individual for the year. Among the first in- stances of this kind the trustees, May 6th 1799, sold the right of fowling in the South Bay for one year to Wil- liam Albeen, for $42.50. The privilege thus granted did not debar inhabitants from shooting for their own sport or use, but secured the monopoly of the business of taking birds away from the town for market. The same privilege was sold at public auction May 5th 1800 to Willet Raynor & Co. for $50, and in the following year to the same parties for $40. In 1802 the fowling privi- lege was given to William Albeen, who was to allow the town one-tenth of the proceeds. In 1807 the right was sold to Hampton Howell for $50. These claims of the trustees upon the fowling privilege were exercised for many years. As late as 1852 the gunning privilege of the West Bay was leased for three years to John Homan for $7.50 a year. The trustees enacted that fish should not be taken from the bay to be carried out of the town. The monopoly of fishing for market, however, was sold from year to year to individuals: for example, in 1801 to Elijah Chichester for $too, and for the year 1803 to George Brown and John Turner for $100. About this time "horse-fish" seem to have been taken considerably for manure, and it was forbidden by the trustees under a fine of f iC The fishing privilege for 1807 was granted to Captain Josiah Smith and Hampton Howell for one-tenth of the pro- ceeds. As late as 1852 the privilege of fishing in the West Bay was sold for $50 for a terra of three years. This custom had for many years been practically obso- lete, and the attempt then made to revive it proved un- successful. In 1806 the trustees ordered a fee of two cents a bushel for all clams taken out of the town, and three cents a bushel for " horse-fish." Similar regulations were passed at different times during the years preceding and following the one mentioned. Fines ranging from $12.50 to $25 were fixed at different times for a violation of these orders. In 1833 an act was passed that no shell- fish should be taken from the waters of the north side except on Tuesdays and Fridays of each week. This was repealed during the same year. In 1844 a toleration fee of three cents a bushel was required for all hard clams carried out of the town from these waters. In 1812 the trustees forbade taking sand from the har- bors and shores of the town. It was again forbidden in the following year, under a penalty of $20. In 1818 they allowed sand to be taken by those having permits, which were to be obtained only on payment of one cent a bushel for the sand. In 1823 they forbade taking stones from the shores witjiout permit. Fines of $12.50 were prescribed for the violation of the enactments in regard to sand and stones. Among the earliest records of leasing ground for laying down oysters appears a grant dated January 3d 1800, in which the trustees gave to Daniel Smith, of Setauket, the right to lay down oysters on a tract of bottom in Drown Meadow Bay, on the west side of the bay, from the " west end of the third salt pond " to the north end of the " fourth salt pond," and thirty rods out into the bay from low water mark. Leasing ground for planting oysters in the south bays commenced about 1829. March 3d of that year a tract of about ten acres was leased to William Tooker for a term of fourteen years. This practice has increased from that time, until a large extent of those portions of the bays available for the propagation of oysters, on both north and south sides of the town, is occupied for this use by individuals under leases from the trustees. A toleration fee of two cents a bushel was established in 1841, to be paid on all oysters taken from the South Bay to be carried out of the town. This was changed several years' later to a fee to be paid by each man en- gaged in the business. This fee in 1851 was 75 cents for a part of the year, or $1 for the full year if paid in ad- vance, or $1.25 if delayed until June. This in substance has been the plan since followed, though details have been modified. Dredging in the South Bay was forbidden by an act of the trustees May 4th 1841. A fine of $12.50 was the penalty established for its violation. The law was re- pealed in 1848, and re-enacted in 185 1, with the penalty increased to $50. The ownership of the bay against a part of the town of Islip being held by Brookhaven, and the people of that section being as a natural consequence debarred from the privileges of the waters adjoining their land, there arose, as might be expected from such a collision of moral and legal rights, frequent encroachments and contentions. After the subject had been agitated for several years an agreement was effected July 13th 1880, and confirmed by an act of the Legislature in May 1881, by which the people of Islip residing east of Conetquot 38 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. v: River were to enjoy equal rights with the citizens of Brookhaven in the fisheries of the bay. For this privi- lege they were to pay $1,500 to the Brookhaven trustees, who in turn agreed to use $1,200 of that money in the improvement of the fisheries for the common benefit of all interested. The trustees reserved the right to punish any violation of their common rules governing the bay by withholding the privilege from the offending in- dividuals. Brookhaven in the Civil War. When the "irrepressible conflict" ripened into the civil war of 1861 it found the people of Brookhaven ready to take up their share of the necessary burdens. On the i8th of August 1862 the board of supervisors at River- head passed a resolution that each town should fill its own quota of men in the service, or raise its own funds independently of any associated action of the county. August 2ist 1862 it was voted at a meeting at Coram that the supervisor should raise money by a loan and pay a bounty of $150 to each volunteer who would enlist to the credit of the town. About this time the government was making loud calls for men to carry on the war, and it was thought that a draft might be necessary to fill the quotas. On the 26th the Supervisor and assessors met at Coram and began making an enrollment of men liable to military service, which work occupied several days. On the first of November following a commission with a surgeon sat at Coram to examine men claiming exemption from military duly on account of any physical disability. Enlistments, however, were numerous enough to prevent a draft, and, the quotas of many other towns being filled, the surplus of recruits was obtainable at a lower bounty than had been voted by the town. The supervisor at the time — who, by the way, was Nathaniel Miller, to whose kindness we are indebted for many items relating to this subject — went to New York on the 5th of November, and was there able to make up the deficiency in the town's quota by securing 107 three-years men in Corcoran's Irish brigade at $80 each, thereby making a considerable saving to the town. After the meeting of August 21st the work of raising a loan began. It will be remembered that at that time the town had no authority to ask a loan for this purpose or to raise money by tax to pay it. At that time the political prospect was enshrouded in darkness, party spirit was rampant, and the very foundations of the govern- ment were trembling. The man who loaned a dollar to the cause took every risk himself without a scrap to vouch for its return. His only security was his faith in the final triumph of the cause and the integrity of the people and their government. The men who made that loan staked their money on this, and we think the inser- tion of their names here is no more than a just tribute to the practical patriotism by which they were actuated. The following list contains the loans rhade before any authority existed for their being returned at any future time. The Legislature of 1863 did sanction such loans, and granted the power to secure them, after which loans this list does not include in larger sums were made, but any of them: George C. Campbell $50, Holmes W. Sweezey $50,. William A. Walker $100, F. F. Darling $50, C. L. &' W. T. Hulse $100, James R. Taylor $100, Thomas J. Ritcb $100, Reuben H. Wilson $50, Apollos Dayton $50, Joseph J. Harris $50, Hamilton Tooker foo, Jas. L. Bayles & Sons $100, George W. Brewster $50, Thomas B. Haw- kins Iso, Van Buren Norton $50, Micah Jayne $100, Daniel Hawkins $100, Walter Jones $100, William R. Satterly $100, Thomas S. Strong $150, Selah B. Strong: $500, S. Sylvester Hawkins $50, Algernon S. Mills $100, Nicholas Smith $100, James Hulse $100, Sylvester Hulse $50, Samuel Smith $160, Charles Dickerson, $50, Ruth Van Brunt $300, Bryant C. Hawkins $100, Alfred Darl- ing $200, Oliver Smith $200, Daniel R. Miller $100, Wil- liam M. Brown $100, George P. Helme $100, Samuel Hopkins $500, Eiisha Norton I200, John Hutchinson I50, Davis Norton $100, J. T. French, J. E. Longbotham and A. R. Norton $100, William J. Gould $50, Henry Murray $100, Davis Hammond $100, Samuel A. Haw- kins ifoo, Eiisha N. Hawkins $70, Samuel Dare $100, Harriet T. Norton $25, Lester H. Davis fioo, F. T. Drake $50, Moses Ackeriy $25, Christopher Robinson I30, Seth Raynor~$25, Clfnton Raynor $50, Nehemiah- Hand $500, Samuel S. Thompson $100, Edward A. King $100, Ebenezer Hawkins $50, William J. Weeks $150, James H. Weeks $150, Samuel W. Ran- dall |iSo, Sereno B. Overton $25, Philetus Phillips $150, Nathaniel Tuthill $r50, D. D. Swezey $100^ Wm. S. Robert $250, Richard W. Smith fioo, Mrs> Richard W. Smith $200, George P. Helme $1,800, Charles J. Smith $500, Henry Nicoll (a gift) $ioc^ John Sims Havens $1,200, John G. Floyd $700, Samuel Carman $100, N. Miller $100, William Phillips $200, Edward Oakes $100, Joseph Hawkins jr. $100, Charles- E. Hawkins $50, Benjamin F. Wells $50, Isaac Bellows $80, Daniel W. Sperry $50, David T. Bayles $50, George W. Davis $100, Lewis Hallock $400, William Lester Hawkins $100, Alonzo Hawkins $50, Henry E. Smith. $100, Benjamin Brewster $300, Nancy J. Brewster $100, Richard Davis $25, Samuel Hopkins $3,100, Jacob Elli- son $100, George P. Helme $100, Lewis Hallock $300^ Samuel A. Hawkins $100, Joseph S. Hawkins $100, David T. Bayles $25, Samuel Hopkins $r,ooo, John Roe Smith $roo, C. J. Randall $ioo, John F. Hallock $100, John Rowland $50, Abijah T. Moger $50, Lester H. Davis- $300, Austin Culver $100, E. D. Topping $30, Charles S. Piatt $100, Samuel F. Norton $150, J. Robert Laws $50^ Edward Homan $25, J. W. Petty $10, Henry Mills $300, Edward A, King $100, Jonas Smith $1,000, William Roe $100, Sally Raynor $50, James F. Goodale $100, Fisher & Bro's $50, J. B. Duff $500, Charles Price $100, Alfred Price $100, E. T. Moore $150, Henry Blydenburg $25,. David F. Conklin $50, Stephen S. Roe $100, Oliver Wicks $100, Alfred Mott $25, Eiisha Saxton $200, Joseph- Petty $25, John S. Havens $150, S. S. Hammond $200,, Austin Roe $150, A. Lambert $100, Edward Hammond $200, N. O. Smith $100, William Avery $100, William B. Arthur $200, J. R. Smith $50, George P. Mills $100,. Richard W. Smith $400, George F. Carman $300, David Hedges $100, Daniel Robinson $100, John R. Smith $100, Phineas T. Robinson $100, Daniel Wicks $100^ Mulford Hedges $100, Nathaniel T. Swezey $100, Smith Rider $100, Azariah F. Hawkins $150, Alfred Price $100, J. B. Duff, $100, Edward Hammond $200, Daniel Robin- son $100, Oliver Wicks $50, Charles Price $100, Isaac Overton, Joseph O. Robinson $50, Norton Robinson $50, Theodore Darenert $50, John R. Smith $100, J. C. C. Hurten $100, Daniel Overton $100, John Deery $50, Alvina Hawkins $50, Henry F. Osborn $100, George- THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 39 Robinson $50, John Roe $250, J. B. Terry $20, William E. Gould $150, Walter Jones jr. $50, Maria W. Hutchin- son fioo, James M. Bayles $300, Walter Leek $100, F. F. Darling $50, Bryant D. Norton $125, Charles Schryver $50, Apollos Dayton $100, Ezra Hart $25, Smith Dayton $50, Elbert Raynor $50, Noah H. Jones $50, Van Buren Norton $50. Under the draft which took place in 1863 the town made no "effort to provide for its citizens who were drafted, as the act of that year released any drafted man who paid $300. At a special town meeting held January 4th 1864 it was resolved to raise a fund by the contribution of $25 from each man subject to a draft, the fund so raised to be divided among those who were drafted. A special town meeting, having been legally called, was held on the 18th of February, at which it was voted that $60,000 should be raised to secure the town's quota of men for the call lately made. A town committee was appointed to collect and expend the money in employing men and finding substitutes in case of a draft. These committeemen with the supervisor spent much time in New York on this business, but- as many other towns were offering larger bounties the work progressed slowly. On May nth the draft occurred, taking from Brookhaven 201 men. Through the efforts of the men engaged in that work, substitutes were obtained for those who de- sired and, with the assistance furnished by the town, could pay for them. Another call having been made for men, a special town meeting was held June 28th 1864 to provide for it. It was then decided to raise as much money on the credit of the town as would be necessary to pay not more than $300 each for the quota of the town, either as bounty for volunteers or to assist drafted men in finding substitutes. John P. Mills, Henry Mills and George C. Campbell were appointed a town committee to carry out the work. 'The vote of the meeting stipulated that the loan should be returned in seven equal annual install- ments, beginning with March ist 1866. Another meet- ing was called together on the 19th of August to decide what proportion of the $300 should be given for one- year men. The vote decided that they should receive the same as the three-years men. Another call for 300,000 men having been made, a special town meeting to act upon it was held on the 12th of January 1865, at which it was decided to raise a loan and pay $500 to three-years men, $400 to two-years men and $300 to one-year men. George C. Campbell and George T. Osborn were chosen a town committee to raise the money and obtain substitutes. It was also voted that with the authority of the Legislature the amount should be raised by tax within the same year. This was done. The amount of money raised by loans for which the bonds of the town were issued during the war was $131,- 115. On the equalization of the years of service fur- nished by the different towns it was found that Brook- haven had furnished about two hundred years' service more than its necessary proportion, and on this account there stood to its credit about $46,000, which it received in seven per cent. State bonds. The war debt, except about as much as was provided for by these State bonds, was paid by tax raised during the war and in the year 1865, and the last of the State bonds were sold and the last of the town bonds paid up in 1872, according to the original plan adopted by the meeting of June 28th 1864. VILLAGES AND NEIGHBORHOODS. Setauket. Setauket, the original settlement in Brookhaven, lies in the northwestern corner of the town. It comprises two village centers, one Setauket proper, and the other East Setauket, each having a post-ofifice and a few stores and shops. The " Green," an open field beside which stand the ancient landmarks, the churches and burial grounds, lies between the two centers spoken of. The population of the entire neighborhood, esti- mated in 1843 at seven hundred, is now probably more than double that number. The people are farmers, sea- faring men and mechanics. The soil is heavy, and its cultivation has been successfully carried on for two and a quarter centuries. SHIP-BUILDING AT SETAUKET. Conscience Bay and Setauket Harbor, opening west- ward from Port Jefferson Bay, approach this village, at different points. Upon- these waters ship-building has for a long time been carried on. It is impossible to say just when the business was begun here. As early as 1662 the records tell us one Richard Bullock purchased tim- ber and plank of John Ketcham and built a boat here. The size of the vessel is unknown, but from the fact that he was allowed four months time in which to complete it, and that he was then to leave the town with it, we may infer that it was designed for the navigation of the sea. From that time forward the trade of ship-building has no doubt been carried on here. In the period not many years remote from Revolutionary times the business was carried on by Benjamin Floyd, a representative of the prominent family of that name. The scale upon which it was conducted, however, was at a later period en- larged. In the early part of the present century the building of sloops was extensively carried on. David Cleaves was engaged in it in 1820, and continued until about 1835. From 1832 down to the present time the brothers Silas and Nehemiah Hand and George, son of the tatter, have conducted this enterprise here to a greater extent than any one else, the first taking the lead until 1838, the second till 1875 and the third since that time. N. Hand, during the active years of his business career, built 44 vessels, many of them of considerable size. The largest vessel ever built here was the ship "Adorna,"of 1,700 tons measurement, which was constructed under the superintendence of David Bayles, in 1870. Another mammoth vessel, of more than double that size, was be- gun a few years later by the same parties, but owing to 4° THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. the remarkable financial depression of that decade the original design was never carried out, but that which was intended to become one of the proudest specimens of marine architecture was afterward finished as an ungrace- ful barge. SCHOOLS OF SETAUKET. The village contains two school-houses, one located on the "Green,'' a very neat building of modest dimensions, placed there about ten years ago, and a larger, one in the eastern^ part of the village. The latter was built in 1866, is two stories high and a respectable specimen of archi- tecture, and the school within it is conducted by three teachers. MANUFACTURING AT SETAUKET, The first settlers of the town found some difficulty in getting their grain made into flour. There being no mills here they were obliged to endure the inconvenience, the risk and the delay of sending their grain to Connect- icut to be ground. To hasten their relief from this un- desirable state of things they were ready to offer every encouragement for the erection of mills at home. The townspeople accordingly granted to Daniel Lane in 1664 the right to establish a mill on the stream which then ran down. into the head of Setauket Harbor. The townspeople built the dam, and the mill was established previous to 1667. It was probably the same mill that in 1671 was owned by Henry Perring, who in a will dated December 17th of that year gave it to his sons-in-law Joseph and Jacob Longboltom. In 1674 the mill was in the possession of his widow and Jacob Longbottom. For more than a hundred years the site has been aban- doned, and where once the mill pond was there are now the highway and the stores which constitute the village center of East Setauket, while the discharge of those springs which fed the pond now quietly finds its way to tide-water through the channel of a very little brooklet. Another mill was built by John Wade, on a stream in the western part of the village, under a grant of the town dated March 31st 1680. About one hundred years later this is supposed to have been in the possession of Rich- ard Woodhull, to whom the town in 1784 granted the privilege of moving the dam down stream on certain con- ditions. In 1824 the mill was owned by Isaac Satterly, who then released the town from its obligation to keep the dam in repair, according to the grant made to John Wade in 1680. Since its first occupation by Isaac Sat- terly it has been retained in the family. The manufacture of pianos was begun in this village about 25 years ago. A large building was erected and filled with machinery and material for carrying on the work. This enterprise was conducted by Robert Nunns, and for a while it promised a degree of success; but the confusion which accompanied the late war brought dis- aster, and the business was closed. For several years the mammoth building, occupying a conspicuous posi- tion upon a prominent hill, stood unoccupied. In 1876 a Stock company was formed and the building was pur- chased and made a manufactory of india rubber goods, such as boots, shoes, hose, belting and packing. This enterprise was founded by Robert S. Manning, Joseph W. Elberson and Edwin Elberson. It has enjoyed a somewhat fluctuating measure of success. Its title, at first the "Long Island Rubber Company," has been changed to the " L. B. Smith Rubber Company." The business was opened in November 1876. 'The main building is 180 by 50 feet in size and four stories high, and there is an addition 75 by 33 feet. Some 200 hands are employed, and the value of the daily product is about $1,500. About 2,500 pairs of shoes and 150 pairs of boots are daily manufactured, besides other articles. Market for these goods is found in all parts of the United States and Canada. The establishment is still under the personal direction of J. W. and Edwin Elberson. SETAUKET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. On the east side of the " Green " stands the Presbyte- rian church. This is supposed to occupy nearly the same site and to be the lineal successor of the original church, which, as we have already seen, was built about 167 1. The original church was built by the town and it also served the purpose of a town hall. In 1714-15 a new meeting-house was built by the town, and it was agreed in the town meeting by a majority vote of the contributors, August 9th 17 14, that it should be for a " Presbyterian meeting-house forever, and no other use or uses whatsoever." This church, according to Thomp- son, was replaced by a new and larger one in 1766, which stood through the turbulent years of the Revolution, and was desecrated by the barbarities of war. Around this church the British soldiers cast up an intrenchment, not forbearing to unearth the bones of the honored dead which were buried near. The interior of the church was destroyed and the building used for the accommodation of the garrison. The present church was built during the year 1811. A handsome lecture room adjoining the north side of the building was added about five years since. The parsonage, established in accordance with a vote in town meeting May i8th 1689, "upon the land that was Goodman Moshier's, the same demensions of John- athun Smith's, to remaine a personedge house to perpet- uity," having been worn by the march of time, was aban- doned, and a new one built in 1872. The following is the earliest item to be found in rela- tion to the employment of a minister: "The 12 of May, 1662. " At a town meeting Legally called it was voted and agreed upon by the Towne that the towne would give Mr. William Flecher Fortie Pounds a year, towards his niaintaneance for the Dispencing the word of god amongst them as long as he resides amongst them per- forraeing his function." We do not know what may have been the result of this action. The first minister of whom any definite record has been preserved was Rev. Nathaniel Brewster, who entered upon the discharge of the ministerial func- tion here in 1665. He was a near relative of Elder TUfe tOWN Of BROOKItAVte^f. 41 William Brewster, one of the " pilgrims " of the " May- flower." Graduating at Harvard in 1642, he is supposed to have been the first native graduate of the New World. He continued to occupy the position of minister of the town till his death, in 1690, though in his old age he was assisted in the discharge of his duties by Samuel Eburne and Dugald Simson, Mr. Jonah Fordham, of Southamp- ton, filled the ministerial office as a supply for a few years during the interim between the death of Mr. Brewster and the settlement of Rev. George Phillips, in 1697. During the pastorate of Mr. Phillips, which continued about forty years, the church assumed a character inde- pendent of the town. In the early years of the seventeenth century there were a few inhabitants who favored the Church of Eng- land, while the great majority of the townspeople were dissenters. Each of these parties claiming the civil patron- age, disputes arose which were only quieted by a division of the lands which had been set apart by the town for the benefit of a ministry. This was done by an arbitra- tion in 1741. With the pastorate of Rev. George Phillips, which closed with his death in 1739, the intimate connection of town and church faded out, and the church, receiving its share of the corporation lands, assumed its, distinct character. Rev. David Youngs was pastor from 1745 to 1751; Rev. Benjamin Talmadge, installed October 23d 1754, re- mained till his death, in 1786; Rev. Noah Wetmore served from April 17th 1786 till his death, March 9th 1796. Rev. Zechariah Greene, installed September 27th 1797, continued in active service until 1849, and as senior pastor till his death in 1858, at the age of 99 years. He was a native of Connecticut; had been a volunteer in the Rev- olutionary service, and was with Colonel Parsons when he led the unsuccessful assault upon the British fortifi- cations here in August 1777. During his army service he received a wound in the shoulder which disabled him for the time, and he turned his attention to study, and was ordained in the ministry at Cutchogue in 1787. When the infirmities of age began to depress him he was assisted in his work by other clergymen. For a while Rev. Ezra King devoted half his time to that work. Rev. John Gile became associate pastor in February 1843, and continued in the service of the church until his untimely death by drowning, September 28th 1849. Rev. James S. Evans was installed here March 19th 1850, and continued in the pastorate till December 17th 1867. Rev. William H. Littell, the present pastor, was installed October 28th 1868. The church in 1845 had 81 members. It nowhas 140, which number has never been exceeded. Preaching stations in connection with this church are maintained at Stony Brook and South Setauket, and a Sunday-school has been established at the latter point. The Sunday- school at the church numbers about 100 scholars and 12 teachers. It has a good library of 500 volumes. The superintendents have been Floyd Smith, David B. Bayles, W. F. Smith, Thomas S. Strong, William H. Littell and Selah B. Strong. Adjoining the meeting-house lies the old burying ground, the nucleus of which was the first established in the town. Since Colonel Richard Floyd in 17 14 " did freely and voluntarily give for the use and benefit of a public burying place half an acre of land, to be laid out of his home lot adjoining the old burial place," it has been gradually creeping out over the adjoining fields to make room for the successive generations who have sought its restfulness. The graves of more than two centuries are there, and countless historic associations hover round the sacred spot. Hard by, the venerable structure of CAROLINE EPISCOPAL CHURCH lifts heavenward its grand old tower, while the quaint windows, " blank and bare," look silently out upon the graves of the generations of former worshipers who have come to rest within its shadow. From some notes fur- nished by the present rector we glean the following facts in regard to its history. The church was organized during the first quarter of the last century. The earliest notice on the books of the " Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts " is of the appointment of the Rev. Mr. Wetmore as missionary in the town of Brookhaven in 1723. That the services of the Church of England were known here, and worship in accordance with that form conducted many years before that date, there is scarcely room to doubt. It is not known however that the church had an edifice of its own until the present one was erected in 1730. For this building, which appears to be enjoying a robust old age, is claimed the double honor of having been the first church edifice ever erected at the expense of the Episcopal denomination on Long Island, and at present being the oldest church edifice standing on the island. The original name of the church was Christ Church, but the name was changed-to its present one in compliment to Queen Caroline of England, who had pre- sented to the parish a silver communion service and em- broidered altar cloths. This royal gift was sacrilegiously abstracted during the Revolutionary period. Through a long term of years the society in London helped to sus- tain the missionary stationed here by a contribution of from ;£s° to ;^6o a year. The church was stronger and its services were more largely attended during the colo- nial period than for many years afterward. Within a few years past the parish has recovered some- what. Since 1878 a new fence has been set up around the churchyard, a rectory of handsome appearance and comfortable dimensions has been erected, and the church repaired and thoroughly painted. Within the same pe- riod 24 adults and the same number of infants have been baptized, 38 have been confirmed, 33 communicants added anew and 22 received from other parishes. There are now 70 communicants. The Sunday-school, under the superintendence of the rector, consists of 50 children and six teachers. The following is a list of the rectors, which also shows the term each served the church, as nearly as can be ascertained: 42 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. Rev. Mr. Wetmore, 1723-25; Rev. Mr. Standard, 1725- 28; Rev. Alexander Campbell, 1728-30; Rev. Isaac Brown, 1733-43; Rev. James Lyons, 1746; Rev. T. Lambert Moore, 1781-83; Rev. Andrew Fowler, 1788- 90; Rev. Mr. Sands, 1800; Rev. N. B. Burgess, 1811-14; Rev. Charles Seabury, 1814-44; Rev. William Adams, 1843, 1844; Rev. Frederic M. Noll, 1844-77; Rev. Robert T. Pearson, since 1878. The Rev. Charles Seabury was the son of the first American bishop, and was introduced at the recommend- ation of Bishop Hobart, in 1814. After 30 years of faithful service he was buried in the churchyard, and a marble pillar there marks his tomb. Rev. F: M. Noll, who served the church 33 years, was unmarried, and for many years occupied rooms at the rear of the church, where the graves in the surrounding churchyard lay so near that one could step upon them from his threshold or reach the marble slabs from his bedroom windows. Amid such gloomy surroundings he enjoyed undisturbed seclusion. THE M. E. CHURCH OF SETAUKET. A Methodist Episcopal class was formed here in 1843, and a small chapel was built during the same year. This was one of the results of a very important revival which took place at Port Jefferson and spread to the neighboring villages that year. The chapel here became a preaching station on the Smithtown circuit, which at that time covered a large area. In 1848 it was set off with Port Jefferson from the former connection. At that time it had a Sunday-school numbering 21 members. The present somewhat commodious church edifice was erected in 1870. It occupies the site of the former chapel, about half way between the two village centers. A churchyard, occupied as a burial ground, surrounds it. The church continued in its connection with Port Jefferson until 1873, when it was transferred to a con- nection with Stony Brook, which is still existing. THINGS THAT WERE. Setauket Division, No. 414, Sons of Temperance was instituted here in September 1868. In 1871 it had a membership of 83. It was disbanded in June 1875. The Long Island Star, a weekly newspaper, was estab- lished in this village in 1866, by a joint stock company with a capital of $1,500. Its editor and business mana- ger was James S. Evans jr. It enjoyed for a while an encouraging degree of prosperity. In 1869 it was moved to Port Jefferson and in the following year to Patchogue, where after a few issues its publication was suspended. Stony. Brook. At the head of Stony Brook Harbor and upon the east side lies the village of Stony Brook, in the northwest part of the town. A very small part of the village is in Smithtown. The site is hilly and a brook runs down into the harbor, forming the boundary of the town and suggesting the name of the village. MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE. Upon this stream a mill was established, by a grant from the town, voted May i8th 1699. The right of the stream and two acres of land were given at that time to Adam Smith on condition that he should construct a dam and maintain a "good and sufificient " m-ill, and the rates of toll which he was allowed to exact were one- tenth for wheat and one-eighth for corn or rye. The water in the harbor is shoal, large " flats" extending over a considerable portion of its area. -A channel permits navigation to the docks, of which there are two. The first of these was established under a grant from the town trustees to George Hallock, given November 5th 1809 and confirmed March 7th 1826; and the other by a grant to Jonas Smith May 3d 1831. The Indian name of the locality was Wopowog. Rassapeague and Sherwoguewere names given by the natives to localities in the immediate vicinity. Settlement was commenced here in the early part of the last century, but it made slow progress during the first hundred years. The population is at present about eight hundred. Farming, ship-building and commerce have been the principal occupations of the people. The names of Captain George Hallock and Jonas Smith are prominent in connection with the commercial and ship- building enterprises of the place. The commerce of the village in 1843 employed one brig, eight schooners and fifteen sloops. At that time there were annually sent from the harbor about four thousand cords of wood, and received about twenty thousand bushels of ashes and more than three hundred tons of other fertilizers. The manufacture of pianos was carried on by C. S. Seabury at one time. An establishment for desiccating soft clams was commenced a few years since, but was soon discon- tinued. SCHOOLS OF STONY BROOK. The village contains two flourishing district schools, one near either end of the long avenue upon which most of the dwellings and business places are built. An un- successful attempt was made a few years since to unite the districts. The citizens of former generations were forward in matters pertaining to education and culture. The records tell us that on their application the town trustees granted a site for a school-room April 6th i8or. This was to be selected from the public land lying north- west of Isaac Davis's blacksmith shop, but not to inter- fere with the highway. STONY BROOK M. E. CHURCH. A church for the use of different denominations was erected in the village in 1817. As the years advanced the Methodist Episcopal denomination gained ground, and the building fell into its possession. Until 1848 this was a preaching station on the Smithtown circuit. In connection with Port Jefferson, Seatuket and Mount Sinai it was in that year set off from the former circuit. It then had a Sunday-school numbering 30 scholars. The THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 4i society remained in the latter connection until 1859, when it was separately established, with a mem- bership of 75, and a flourishing Sunday-school of 202 scholars. The present church edifice was erected in i860. It is of handsome proportions, and is well furnished. A par- sonage, which its occupants credit with being a superior one, was built by the congregation in 1873, costing, with the plot of ground upon which it stands, about $2,400. Since it became a separate charge this church has numbered in its membership as follows; in 1860,75; 1865, 77; 1870, 88; 1875, 134; 1880, 158. The Sunday- school connected with it numbered in 1862, 116; 1870, 145; 1880, 224. The society has been served by the following ministers: 1859, Otis Saxton; i860, 1871-74, Daniel Jones; 1861, Christopher S. Williams; 1862, William R. Webster; 1863-65, J. V. Saunders; 1866-68, E. K. Fanning; 1869, 1870, D. F. Hallock; 1875, R. S. Putney; 1876, G. H. Anderson; 1877-79, D. McMullen; 1880, Nathan Hubbell; 1881, S. F. Johnson. BETHEL CHURCH. Between the villages of Stony Brook and Setauket stands a small church maintained by the neighboring colored population, which has been established several years. It is called Bethel Church. A lot of one acre at Laurel Hill was set apart as a negro burying ground by the trustees of the town in 1815. In 1871 (January 3d) this was confirmed to the trustees of Bethel church. MISCELLANEOUS. A division of the Sons of Temperance was organized here about the year 1870, which in 1873 had iii mem- bers, and was sustained with more or less interest till 1876, when it ceased operation. Oak Hill Cemetery, beautifully situated in the eastern suburb of the village, contains five or six acres, and was opened as a cemetery in 1864. Its site was formerly owned by the late John Oakes, who designated it as his own burial place, and was in accordance with his request buried there in 1863. Edward Oakes, his son, owned the ground, and has heretofore managed it as a private cem- etery, but it is designed to place it in the hands of an association as soon as practicable. Forty-two lots have been sold from it. The plot is well wooded, and it is the design of its founder that all revenue derived from the sale of timber or lots shall be devoted to the improve- ment of the grounds. A newspaper called the Independent Press was started in this village in 1865, by Harvey Markham. Its initial number was a four-page paper, 12 by 18 inches in size, and was printed on the 17th of August. It was soon after enlarged to 18 by 24 inches, and at the end of a year its size was again increased, to 20 by 28 inches. In the spring of 1868 it was moved to Port Jefferson, in connection with which village it will be further noticed. South Setauket. On the southwest border of Setauket lies the locality called by the Indian name of Nassakeag, or by the mod- ern name of South Setauket. A church under the title of "Free Christian Church" was established here and a house of worship erected in 1869. The leader in this enterprise was Ephraim HallocTk, who for' several years supplied the pulpit. On Old Field Point, which lies on the sound shore, northward of this village, a light-house was built in 1832. It has a white tower, 34 feet high, and stands on a- bluff over 30 feet above the shore. Its lantern, elevated 67 feet above the sea level, gives a fixed light from a lens of the fourth order. The house, built at an original cost of $3,500, was refitted in 1855. Strong's Neck. Little Neck, now Strong's Neck, the initial part of " St. George's manor," lies near Setauket. It was called by the Indians Minasseroke. It is nearly surrounded by Conscience Bay and Setauket Harbor, and is joined to the mainland by an isthmus which has been sometimes flooded by the tide. There has also recently been constructed a bridge and dock across the harbor, by which the neck is connected with the mainland at a convenient point. This bridge, established under a grant from the town, is 800 feet long, and is raised about three feet above ordinary high water. It was completed in September 1879, and cost about $4,000. Here was once the royal seat and a favorite res- idence of the Indians. The principal part of the neck was bought of the Indians by Daniel Lane, whose title was transferred to the town proprietors in 1663. Ac- cording to Thompson a certain part, called the " Indian Ground," about 70 acres, not included in this purchase, was bought of the Indians by Andrew Gibb November 28th 1685, and a patent was issued for the same by Gov- ernor Dongan December 20th 1686. Colonel William Smith bought the interest of the town proprietors in this neck September nth 1691, and it was included in his patent of 1693. His grandson, William Smith, in 1768 sold it to Andrew Seaton, reserving a mortgage upon it. This being soon after foreclosed the property was bought by Selah Strong, and by him and his descendants it has ever since been held. Port Jekferson. Port Jefferson lies at the head of a beautiful harbor, two miles east of Setauket. The site and surroundings of the village present a very picturesque appearance. The Indian name of the locality was Sonasset. The neck of land on the west side of the harbor, lying be- tween this and Setauket Harbor, was called by the Indians Poquot, and has since been known as Dyer's Neck. The site of the village was not naturally favora- ble for building upon. It consisted of a valley, sur- 44 THE TOWN Of BROOK:HaVEN. rounded by steep, high hills. The harbor is one of the finest on the Long Island cost. Itg entrance, however, is through a narrow channel, which the current along shore continually filled with drifting sand. Ap- propriations have at different times been made by the State and federal governments for the improve- ment of this channel by the extension of a break- water far into the sound to hold back this drifting sand. The site of this village, formerly called Drown Meadow, remained almost unnoticed for a century after the es- tablishment of a settlement at Setauket. Since the first years of the present century it has grown from a hamlet of half a dozen houses to a village of about two thousand inhabitants. It is now the principal village and trade center on the north side of the town. Packet lines have been in operation between here and New York city, and efforts have repeated- ly been made to establish regular communication by steamboat, but they have not been sufficiently suc- cessful to insure permanency. A steam ferry between this place and Bridgeport, Conn., has been in operation since 1872. The boat used on this ferry is a 50-ton pro- peller, called the "Brookhaven," 61 feet long, 15 feet beam and 4 feet deep. The railroad to this place was put in operation in January 1873. Telegraphic connec- tion with the world, however, was not established until December 1880. The village school has ranked among the first in the county. It has an attendance of about three hundred, and employs five teachers. SHIP-BUILDING AT PORT JEFFERSON. Ship-building is the principal industry to which this village owes its prosperity. The pioneer in this and kin- dred enterprises was Captain John Wilsie, who began to build vessels here as early as 1797. He purchased of Judge Strong a tract of land in the northeast part of the present village, extending from a point at the foot of East Broadway up the hill eastward along the north side of that street and northerly down to the water's edge. In the house now owned and occupied by James M. Bayles he established a tavern, and upon the site of the ship-yards of James M. Bayles & Son he began to build vessels. August ist 1809, after a committee appointed July 7th 1807 to represent the town in negotiations to that end had reported, the trustees granted to John Wil- sie the privilege of extending a wharf into the bay from his land. After his death this right was confirmed to his son John, in 1819, for a term of 21 years. At the ex- piration of that time the grant was renewed to James R. Davis (1840). In 1825 the same dock had been in pos- session of Israel Davis. In the early part of the present century Richard Mather, who married a daughter of the senior Wilsie, engaged with him in the business, and afterward continued it. John R. Mather, son of the latter, whose life has been spent in this enterprise, is still engaged in it. CAPTAIN W. L. JONESS ENTERPRISES. About the year 1836 a new era seemed to open to the progress of this industry and the improvement of the village generally. This was in a considerable measure owing to the enterprise of Captain William L. Jones, who probably ventured more capital and energy in developing the village than any other man has ever done. Captain Jones was a member of a native family, and was born about the year 1792. In early life he naturally took to the water. His parents were Daniel and Bethia Jones. He inherited considerable landed property about Comse- wogue, which furnished him with the means for carrying out the designs of an inventive and enterprising genius. The estate of the Roe family comprised the greater part of the present village site, and from this Captain Jones purchased a large tract, reaching from about the site of the Presbyterian church, along the west and north sides of Main street to the neighborhood of the Baptist church, and so northerly to the shore of the bay; including also a tract on the east side of Main street, up Prospect street as far as the residence of John R. Mather. No- vember loth 1837 he received a grant from the town for a dock into the bay from the shore of his property, and at the same time entered into an agreement to construct a causeway over the salt meadows to the dock through his land, so as to make a public highway 18 feet wide, to be stoned up on either side and of sufficient height to be above ordinary high tides. This two-fold enterprise was completed in a few years, at a cost of several thousand dollars. The dock is maintained in part, and the high- way thus opened over the flooded meadows is now the busy street that runs from Hotel square to the shore. Nearly half the business of the present village is carried on upon the land that forty years ago was owned by Cap- tain Jones, the greater part of which was made available for business by the improvements just noticed. Captain Jones was married November 30th 1814, to Hetta Hal- lock. After her death he married the widow of Richard Mather, and his third wife was Hannah Hallock, who survived him. He died in i860. GROWTH OF PORT JEFFERSON — THE MILLING INTEREST. At the commencement of the present century there were only five houses in the village. During the first twelve or fifteen years the average growth was one house a year. During that period and for many years after- ward the place was important mainly as a point for the shipment of cordwood. During the war of 1812 the shipping of this little port was considerably annoyed by the British cruisers which sailed up and down the sound. For the protection of the harbor a small fortification was erected at the ex- tremity of Dyer's Neck, on the west side of the harbor, and this was mounted with a single thirty-two pound gun. On one occasion two English frigates, the " In- demnity " and the " Parmoon," made a descent upon the harbor at night and captured seven sloops. One of them grounded in the harbor's mouth, and was set on fire and THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 45 burned to the water's edge. The others were afterward ransomed by their respective owners. The name Port Jefferson was given to the village in 1836. The ship-building interest which was then aroused grew until it reached a higher rank here than it has attained in any other village in the county. The shore of the harbor is lined with docks, railways and ship-yards. A steam flour-mill was established here by Mr. Manny in 1858. This was bought by R. W. Wheeler & Co. in 1864, and in the following year was enlarged and a saw- ing department added. In 1867 it was altered somewhat and its capacity for the manufacture of flour consider- ably enlarged. It was destroyed by fire in October 1877. Phoenix-like, from the ashes of the old mill there arose a new one of far superior magnitude, equipments and ca- pacity. The Port Jefferson Milling Company was incor- porated in 1878, and the building erected during that year and 1879. The main building first erected was forty feet square and four stories high, to which an engine room 28 by 30 feet, for the accommodation of a sixty- horse-power engine, was added. In 1880 an addition was built upon the east side of the building 20 by 40 feet, three stories high. Other buildings have been added for storage. The mill contains four runs of stone and two sets of rolls; working on the new process system, it has a capacity of one hundred barrels per day of twenty four hours, and at present is being run to the full extent of its capacity. Twelve hands are employed, and the daily consumption of grain is 450 bushels of wheat and 50 bushels of corn and oats. Long Island and Connecticut furnish a market for most of the product. COMMERCE OF PORT JEFFERSON. Port Jefferson, included in the district of New York, was made a port of entry by act of Congress approved August 31st 1852. The custom-house was established in 1855. Sidney S. Ngrton was the first surveyor of the port. He held the office until May 8th 1874, when it was transferred to his son Frank P. Norton. During most of those years the duties of the office were per- formed by Holmes W. Swezey under the title of a deputy. In June 1878 G. Frank Bayles received the office of sur- veyor of the port, and he was succeeded by Samuel R. Davis, whose appointment was confirmed January 31st 1879. In the summer of 1881 he resigned, and Sidney H. Ritch was appointed to the position. The following figures give the gross tonnage of the district for the quarter ending June 30th of each year, as fully as the records of the office can show, omitting the fractional parts of a ton: 1858,14,225; 1859,14,910; 1860,16,715; 1861, 19,795; 1862, 22,091; 1863, 25,146; 1864, 29,476; enrolled by new measurement up to June 30th 1865, 7,073; 1866, 12,806; 1867, 14,660; 1868, 30,492; 1872, 14,850; 1873, 15,273; 1874, 17,527; 1875- 21,72°; 1876, 17,847; 1877, 15,486; 1878, I2,g86; 1879, ir,435; 1880, 12,503; 1881, 10,825. The number of vessels enrolled here during the years since 1874 has been: 1874, 203; 1875, 239; 1876, 176; 1877, 153; 1878, 128; 1879, 113; 1880, no; 1881, 96. The total tonnage documented in this district June 30th 1881, including three steam vessels and sailing craft of all sizes, was 15,145, and the number of vessels it8. PORT JEFFERSON M. E. CHURCH. The first religious denomination to gain an establish- ment here was the Methodist Episcopal. This being a preaching station of the old Smithtown circuit, the rapidly increasing demands of the village were answered by the erection of a commodious house of worship in 1836 on Thompson street. The building stood until 1873, when it was removed to a new site in the southern part of the village. This church was set off from the Smith- town circuit in June 1848. The charge then consisted of Port Jefferson, Setauket, Stony Brook and Mount Sinai. Stony Brook was withdrawn from the connection in 1859, and Setauket in 1873. The following ministers have occupied the pulpit: Samuel W. King, 1848, 1849; Henry Hatfield, 1850-52; Daniel Jones, 1853, 1854, 1864-66; William Wake, 1855, 1S56; John F. Booth, 1857, 1858; Otis-Saxton, 1859; Nicholas Orchard, i860, t86i; Robert Codling, 1862, 1863; John S. Haugh, 1867-69; William Lawrence, 1870, 1871; A. B. Smart, 1872; Henry Aston, 1873, 1874; John Pilkington, 1875; William Ross, 1876; Samuel H. Smith, 1877, 1878; Lemuel Richardson, 1879, 1880; L. W. Holmes, i88r. The present membership is 231. The value of the church property, including parsonage, is $3,500. The Sunday-school connected with the church numbers 245. PORT JEFFERSON BAPTIST CHURCH. The present Baptist church was erected by a Con- gregational society in 1855. In 1861 the building was purchased by the Baptists, and their church was organized October 6ih of that year. The pastors of this church have been as follows: Lanson Stewart, 1861-67; J- B. Barry, 1867-7 c; P. Franklin Jones, 1871-76; J. B. Barry, 1876, 1877; M. R. Fory, D. D., 1877, 1878; S. L. Cox, June 1st 1879 to the present time. PORT JEFFERSON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. A Presbyterian church was erected in 1854, as a branch of the old church at Setauket. It continued in that con- nection until a church was organized here, November 9th 1870. This was denominated the First Presbyterian Church of Port Jefferson, and it originally consisted of 47 members. Its pastors have been as follows: Edward Stratton, February 1871 to June 1872; John V. Gris- wold, October 1872 to October 1876; W. S. C. Webster, May 1877 to the present time. SECRET SOCIETIES AT PORT JEFFERSON. Suffolk Lodge, No. 60, F d^ A. M. was first organized in 1797, and ceased to meet in 1827, at the time of the anti-masonic excitement. The lodge was reorganized in 1856 as No. 401, with the following charter members,: Hon. Charles A. Floyd, General John R. Satterly, Hon, 46 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. John M. Williamson, Captain Caleb Kinner, Captain Tuttle Dayton, Charles W. Darling, Jeremiah Darling, Tuttle O. Dayton and Lewis Wheeler. The first six were members of the old lodge when it was broken up. Since its reorganization the following persons have served as masters of the lodge in the order in which they are named: Tuttle Dayton, William T. Hulse, Effingham Tuthill, A. G. Mervin, E. A. Raynor, James E. Bayles, George Hart, G. F. Bayles, Thomas H. Saxton, Allen F. Davis and Charles E. Dayton. The present officers are: Charles E. Dayton, master; W. H. Bayles, S. W. ; E. T. Newton, J. W. The lodge meets on the first Thursday evening of eacli month from May to October, inclusive, and on Thursday even- ing of each week during the rest of the year. It has about 130 members. In 1876, through the well directed efforts of the W. M., Thomas H. Saxton, the grand lodge granted a peti- tion to restore the number under which the old lodge was organized, and the lodge has since been known as No. 60. It has in its possession the records and jewels of the old lodge, which are justly prized as relics of great value. Port Jefferson Division, No. 169, Sons of Temperance was instituted in this village April nth 1867, with 26 charter members. It flourished for a few years, and in 1872 had 228 members. It was disbanded in the early part of 1877. Another division of this order, composed of colored members, was organized on the west side October 7th 1868 and disbanded in the latter part of 1870. It was named West Side Division, No. 406. JOURNALISM AT PORT JEFFERSON. Several newspapers have been published in the village. The first of these was the Independent Press, which was moved here from Stony Brook in July 1868. After several enlargements it gained the size of seven columns, and was continued by its founder, Harvey Markham, until August 1874, when its publication was suspended. Mr. Markham soon after started the Courant, which was printed at Northport, and after a few months was sus- pended. The Long Island Star was moved here from Setauket in July 1869, and hence to Patchogue in Au- gust 1870. A monthly sheet called Our Own, devoted to the Sons of Temperance,.was issued from the office of the latter a few months in 1870. The Long Island Leader, a nine-column weekly, was started by William A. and Winfield S. Overton April 12th 1873. It enjoyed a liberal circulation. Its very elaborate office equipments, con- sisting of type, power pr.ess and steam engine, were sold and removed to Panama, U. S. C, in September 1874, and the paper suspended. During the following -year a paper by the same name was printed at Babylon and hailed from this village. For a while in 1876 the paper was partly printed here. It is still in circulation, being issued from Babylon. The initial number of the Port Jefferson Times was issued here December 14th 1878, by Walter R. Burling. In October 1879 it was purchased by T. B. Hawkins and L. B. Homan, the latter having been its editor from the start. In June 1881 L. B. Ho- man became sole proprietor, and he still continues its publication. CEDAR HILL CEMETERY occupies a commanding site on one of the highest hills a little south of Port Jefferson. The association was formed March 30th 1859. In April following thirteen acres were purchased of Hubbard Gildersleeve, and a part was laid out for use as a cemetery. The first officers were: R. H. Wilson, president; J. B. Randall, secretary; Abram Brown, treasurer. The first trustees were the officers named and Hamilton Tooker, Daniel Hulse and Cyrus E. Griffing. Two hundred and eighty lots have been sold, and about $27,000 spent in the general im- provements which have been made upon the grounds. SUBURBS OF PORT JEFFERSON. Brick Kiln is a section of but little improved ground adjoining the village on the west. In 1875 a large tract of land in that section was bought by the representatives of P. T. Barnum, and some improvements were made upon it. Avenues were laid out and a considerable amount of grading was done. A few nice residences have been erected. Comsewogue is an open plain of good farming land lying on the elevated level inland from the village. The cemetery and railroad station are here. Mount Sinai, a scattered settlement of some three hundred inhabitants, lies at the head of a harbor about two miles east of Port Jefferson. It is one of the oldest settlements of the town, though the settlement never grew with much vigor. Soon after the plantation of Setauket was established the abun- dant meadows which skirt this harbor made the spot at- tractive, and the "Old Man's," as it was then called, was a desirable locality in the eyes of the early inhabitants. As early as the year 1808 ship-building was carried on upon the shore of the harbor by a Mr. Prior. In 1819 the business was carried on by Jonah Smith. The ves- sels built here were mainly sloops. The entrance to this harbor has been subject to change. A mouth near the east side was dug out in 1820. As this became ob- structed a new mouth and channel through the flats were (lug, and opened to the action of the tide June 13th 1850. This water abounds with shell-fish of various kinds. Thousands of tons of clams have been taken from here to markets on the island or along the Connecticut shore. In past years considerable quantities of cordwood were shipped from here, and fertilizers and other merchandise were returned, but the small vessels which did that work have almost gone out of use, and the commerce of this port is very greatly diminished, Into the west side of the harbor a small stream once found its way from the plains of the interior. This was THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 47 called the "Crystal Brook," and the valley left by it is still known by that narae. A mill was once located upon it. The grant for this mill was given by public town meeting to Moses Burnet December 9th 1718. It stipulated that the privilege should be given him as long as he should maintain a good and sufficient grist-mill, and no longer. The mill was long since demolished, but some part of the dam still remains. The Indian name of Mt. Sinai was Nonowantuck. MT. SINAI CHURCHES. In the eastern part of the settlement, on a pleasant elevation, stands the Congregational church. Its pre- decessor on the same site was the first church of this neighborhood. This early church was erected about the year 1720, and at first seems to have been a preaching station of the church of Setauket. A church organization was formed here September 3d 1760, under the care of the Suffolk Presbytery,, with Rev. Ezra Reeve as pastor, he having been ordained in that capacity over this con- gregation October loth 1759. He remained until October 2Sth 1763, after- which the organization lost its original character. The First Congregational Church of Brookhaven was. organized on the field of the disorganized church Decern ber 23d 1789. This church consisted of nine members, their names being as follows: Jeffrey Amherst Woodhull, Jacob Eaton sen., Joseph Brown, Jeremiah Kinner, Josiah Hallock jr., Philip Hallock, • Bethiah Davis, Elizabeth Baley and Sarah Kinner. This Congregational church has had the following pas- tors: Noah Hallock, from its organization till his death, De- cember 25th iSiS; Noah H. Gillette, December 1820- ;i2; John Stoker (6 months), Parshall Terry, Smith P. Gammage (6 months), Ebenezer Piatt (4 years), till about 1841; Prince Hawes, 1841-46; Thomas Harris, 1846-61; Aaron Snow, till 1875; Morse Rowell, 1875-80; A. A. Zabriskie, 1880 to the .present time. The present membership is a little over 100. The old church edifice was removed and a new one built in 1805, which is still standing. An ancient, well-filled burial ground lies near it. A Methodist Episcopal class was organized here in February 1843, and during the same year a small church was built in the central part of the village, on the road leading to the harbor. The class had about twelve mem- bers to begin with. It has always been connected in its ministerial supply with the church at Port Jefferson. Miller's Place and Eastward. Miller's Place, a pretty little village, lies on the el- evated plain near the sound. The settlement is said to have been founded by Andrew Miller in 167 1. He was a son of John Miller, of East Hampton. His will, re- corded in the town books and bearing date June 13th 1715, is as follows: " The last Will and desire of Andrew Miller, deceased, is that there shall be a decent Burial Place reserved in the Orchard where his Mother was buried, for him and all the posterity of the house of the Millers forever." An academy was established in this hamlet in 1834. For several years it was well patronized, and a good school maintained, but the star of prosperity moved to other fields, and for years this institution enjoyed but an intermittent life. It has been silent now for more than a decade. United Division, No. 281, Sons of Temperance was instituted here January 8th 1868, with 140 charter mem- bers. It was composed of people from the two neigh- boring villages, Mount Sinai and Middle Village. It prospered for a while, but the interest flagged, and in April 1873 it was disbanded. Eastward from the last named place lies a thinly set- tled farming district which extends to the east line of the town at Wading River. This section comprehends the localities of Rocky Point and Woodville, extending about seven miles. At Rocky Point a Congregational lecture room was built in 1849. The society is a branch of the church at Mount Sinai. The land on which the building stands was given for the purpose by Amos Hallock. The principal part of the present village of Wading River lies within the town of Riverhead. The initial step toward establishing a settlement here was taken by Brookhaven in a public town meeting November 17th 1671. It was at that time voted that a village of eight families or men should be located there "or thereabouts," and it is probable that most of them were established "thereabouts," i. e. in the section now called Woodville. The men to whom accommodations in this part of the town were at that time granted were Daniel Lane jr., John Tooker, Thomas Jenners, Elias Bayles, Joseph Longbottom, Thomas Smith and Francis Money. A grant for a grist-mill on the Red Brook here was given by the town to John Roe jr. and others May 4th 1.708. The grant required that the mill should be established within two years and that it should be continually main- tained. The site is still occupied. New Village. New Village is a scatte'red settlement lying along the old Country road from near the west line of the town eastward a distance of about four miles. The people are mostly farmers. A Congregational church stands in this locality.. It was erected in 1812 as a union meeting-house, but a church of the Congregational order being organized March 27th 1815 the building soon after passed into the hands of that denomination. The land on which the building stands, about half an acre, was given for the purpose by Deacon Jeremiah Wheeler. The original number of members was ten. The church now has a membership of 55. The adjoining burial ground was opened for that use April 4th 1819. 48 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. Lake Grove. Extending southward from the locality just mentioned to the borders of Lake Ronkonkoma lies a continuous settlement comprising about three hundred inhabitants, called Lake Grove. Lakeland, Lakeville and Ronkon- koma have been names applied to nearly the same local- ity. Several men from New York have made this locality their country residence. The beauty of the lake pre- sents an attraction such as but few of the island villages can claim. Ronkonkoma Division, No. 306, Sons of Temperance was organized here February 19th 1868, with 13 charter members. Its membership at one time numbered more than one hundred. The charter was surrendered April 6th 1876. CHURCHES OF LAKE GROVE. The Methodist Episcopal church here was a part of the old Suffolk circuit as early as 1820. Later it was a preaching station in the Smithtown circuit, in which con- nection it continued until 1879, when it, with Hauppauge and St. James, was set off from that circuit. The class- book of 1825 shows 31 names, with Caleb Newton as leader. Meetings were then held in the old " Pond school-house." The church was built in 1852, on land bought of A. W. Rosenian in the previous year. It was considerably enlarged, by the addition of 18 feet to its length, in 1868. The society has at present 60 mem- bers. The following ministers have supplied the pulpit. Though not complete in the early years the list is as nearly so as a reasonable amount of research could make it: R. Travis, 1822; Henry Hatfield, 1824; J. Bowen, 1829, 1830; Edward Oldrin, 1831; A. S. Francis, 1S32; J. B. Merwin, 1834, 1835; W. C. Hoyt, 1838; S. W. King, 1840,1841; G. Hollis, 1845; Zechariah Davenport, 1846; F. C. Hill, 1847; Eben S. Hebberd, "1849, 1850, 1859, 1860; William Gothard, 1851, 1852; Joseph Wildey, 1853, 1854; Robert Codling, 1855, 1856; Daniel Jones, 1857, 1858, 1869, 1870; William Wake, 1861, 1862; Ed- ward K. Fanning, 1863-65; J. H. Stansbury, 1866-68; Charles Stearns, 1871-73; T. Morris Terry, 1874; Ben- jamin Redford, 1875, 1876; S. Kristeller, 1877, 1878; S. A. Sands, 1879, 1880; J. T. Langlois, 1881. Lakeville rural cemetery, near this church, occupies land bought of A. W. Roseman in 1861. It is not in the hands of an association. It was founded by R. W. New- ton, and the sale of lots opened in 1862. It contains about eighty burial plats, most of which have been sold. The enterprise is now in the hands of C. W. Hawkins. St. Mary's Episcopal church, a handsome gothic struc- ture, of modest dimensions but neat design, was built in 1867. It stands near the northeast shore of the lake. Near the site of the M. E. church a house of worship was erected by the Baptists in 1869. They have not yet become strong enough to sustain regular and frequent ministerial service. Selden. Selden, formerly called Westfields, received its present name in honor of the celebrated Judge Selden. It lies along the old Country road, east of New Village. The cultivation of garden vegetables, melons and small fruits has during late years engaged the chief attention of the people. An undenominational chapel was built here in 1857. It was occupied for several years as a branch of the Presbyterian church at Middle Island, but since 1863 has had connection with Holbrook most of the time. A Presbyterian church was organized here August nth 1868, which by paying a debt that was upon the house gained possession of it. HOLTSVILLE, or Waverly Station, is a small hamlet on the Long Island Railroad about four miles south of Selden. When the old Long Island Railroad monopolized the travel over the island this was an important point on account of the stage connections with Port Jefferson, Patchogue and other villages. The Waverly Baptist church was organized July 2nd 1876, with 19 members. Rev. George R. Harding was its pastor three years and a half, since which term the church has had no regular minister. Coram and Middle Island. Coram is an ancient settlement, lying on the old Coun- try road, near the geographical center of the town. The name is supposed to have been derived from that of an Indian chief, Coraway, who once lived in the neighbor- hood. When the settlements on the south side, which were made first at Fireplace and Mastic, became of suf- ficient importance to balance in a degree those of the north side it was found desirable to fix upon a place of meeting for the transaction of town affairs about half way between those two sections. Coram was the point chosen, and it has ever since occupied that position. A Baptist church was established here at a very early period. A church edifice was erected in 1747. This church was the first, and for many years the only one, of that denomination in the county. In 1847 the build- ing was torn down, and the materials were used in the erection of a dwelling house at Port Jefferson, which is still standing. It was in this old church that the town trustees in 1792 invited Rev. David Rose to preach an "election sermon," at i r o'clock in the forenoon of the annual town election day. The site of the old church is now occupied by the Methodist Episcopal church moved here from Middle Island in 1858. Middle Island is a scattered settlement of farmers about two miles east of Coram, in the interior of the town. A public burying ground was opened on the opposite THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 49 side of the street from the Presbyterian church about the time the first church was built. Union Cemetery, ad- joining this on the south and west, was opened for burial in 1867. It contains five acres, the greater part of which is still covered with timber. Brookhaven Division, No. 191, of the Sons of Tem- perance was instituted at Coram, January isth 1847. This was during the time when the agitation of the tem- perance question was exciting much attention throughout the country. But little is known of the history of this division. After a short life it ceased working. Another division of the same order, Brookhaven Cen- tral, No. 364, was instituted July 7th 1868. Its meetings were held, during most of the time of its existence, at Middle Island. In 1870 its membership reached 107. Its charter was surrendered in July 1872. MIDDLE ISLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. In the early part of the year 1766 steps were taken toward establishing a church here. A piece of ground four by five rods was given by Selah Brown as a site for a meeting-house. This was on the corner of the Country road and the road leading -to the Half-mile Pond, where the church now stands. The instrument by which this land was given was executed February 19th 1766, and the work of building a house of worship was carried forward and 00 doubt completed during the same year. A Presbyterian church was organized here in November 1767, and the parish name which it has held from that time to the present is Middletown. In 1837 the present church was built on the same site. The tower was added in 1863, and the bell in 1870. A chapel at Yaphank, then em- braced in this parish, was built in 1851. October 17th 187 1 a church was organized there by the withdrawal of 60 members from the old church. A preaching station has for many years been occupied by this church at the Ridge school-house, about four miles east of the meeting- house, and since 1872 another has been maintained at the Middle District school-house, only one mile east. In 1800 this church had 19 members, the number being considerably les.s than it had been. During that year, however, a revival added more than 40 to the number. The present number of resident members is about 100. A parsonage and several acres of land were purchased in 1849. This church was connected with that of South Haven in ministerial supply from the time of its organi- zation till April i6fh 1839. The following pastors have served it: David Rose, from 1766 till his death, January ist 1799; H. Chapman, 1800, 1801; Herman Daggett, 1801-07; Ezra King, 1810-44; James S. Evans, 1844-50; Winthrop Bailey, 1850-52; Francis T. Drake, 1854-62; Charles Sturges, 1863-72; John Woodruff, 1872-77; Frederick E. Allen, July 1878 to the present time. M. E. CHURCH OF CORAM. When the' Methodist Episcopal denomination began its work in this community its meetings were held in the school-house standing under the shadow of the Presby- terian church. As might have been expected there was a strong popular prejudice against the sect, and this at length became so strong that upon 6ne occasion when the minister, Mr. Martindale, came to fill his appointment he found the door of the house locked against him. Not to be defeated thus he invited the assembled audience to a convenient spot in the public highway, and there, be- neath the stars and in the mild air of a pleasant evening, he conducted the appointed service. A house of wor- ship was soon after built not far from the same spot. This was completed in 1841. The society organized about that time numbered 16 members. . In 1858 the church was taken down and moved to Coram, where it was rebuilt, a little smaller in size, on the site formerly occupied by the Baptist church. Previous to about the year 1850 the church was connected with the Smithtown circuit, and during that time was served more or less regularly by Rev. Messrs. Martindale, J. D. Bouton, Elbert Osborn, Timothy C. Youngs, Hammond, Worth, Nathan Rice, J. N. Robinson, D. Osborn, T. G. Osborn, F. W. Sizer and others. Since 185 1 the following minis- ters have been in charge: Latting Carpenter, 1851, 1852; T. Morris Terry, 1853, 1854; S. F. Johnson, 1855; Dan- iel Jones, 1856, 1868; William Trumbull, 1857, 1858; A. C. Eggleston, 1859, i860; Richard Wake, 1862; Latting Carpenter, 1863, 1864; J. O. Worth, 1865-67; Henry Still, 1869; Stephen Baker, 1870; J. T. Langlois, 1871; A. M. Burns, 1872; F. M. Hallock, 1873, 1874; I. C. Barnhart, 1875; F. C. Overbaugh, 1876; John W. La Cour, 1877; Samuel Thompson, 1878; C. W. Dickenson, 1879-81. A small church of this denomination was built in the southeast part of Middle Island in i860. This has generally been supplied by the same minister as the other. " The Ridge " and Longwood. Eastward from Middle Island a thinly settled region is locally known as " the Ridge. This for the last one hundred and fifty years has been mostly owned and oc- cupied by the members of the Randall family. South- ward from it lies the large tract of land, once a part of St. George's manor, now called Longwood. Yaphank. The southeastern part of what was once the parish of Middletown, locally known as Millville, is now comprised in the village of Yaphank, the name of which is bor- rowed from a little stream that joins the Connecticut River some four miles below. Yaphank is a village of about three hundred inhabitants, and has recently be- come conspicuous on account of the county alms-house located here. The Yaphank Cemetery Association was organized April ist 1870. Four acres of land were bought near the village, of John P. Mills, and soon opened as a cem- etery. Forty-three lots have been sold. The first trus- tees were John Hammond, Alfred Ackerly, John P. THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. Mills, Samuel Smith, Sylvester Homan and James I. Baker. MILLS. Two valuable mill sites are furnished by the river, which runs through the village. Two other sites, one above and another below the present ones, have been occupied, but they were long since abandoned. Of these four sites the one occupied by Swezey's Mill, now some- times called the " upper mills," was the first to be utilized. This mill was established under a grant from the trustees to Captain Robert Robinson, February 12th 1739. By this grant the town's right to the full benefit of the river for that use was given for the consideration of six shillings. The site has ever since been occupied- The site and water privilege for the lower mill were granted by the trustees February 4th 1771 to Daniel Homan, who at that time owned a saw-mill that had been set up at the same place. An abandoned site about half a mile north of the upper mills is known as the " old fulling- mill." At what time this was established is not known, but as early as February 20th 1792 the trustees granted to Ebenezer Homan for ;^3 the '' town right and no more " to the stream north of his fulling-mill, or so much of it as should be necessary for the working of the mill. February 15th 1799 a road was laid out from the east end of the "Granny road" to the Yaphank road, across the " old fulling-mill dam;" from which we may suppose that at that early day the dam had been abandoned as a mill site. The road spoken of was closed again in 1823. The fourth site was about half a mile below the lower mill. A saw-mill was established on it, and a grant for the site was given May 4th 1820 by the trustees to Daniel Homan. The site was soon abandoned. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EDIFICE was built for a branch of the church at Middle Island, in 1851, on land obtained from James H. Weeks. In 1871 a tower was added. October nth of the same year a church was organized here, composed of members who had withdrawn from the old church. The following m,in- isters have served the church: Clark Lockwood, 1873- 75; Charles J. Youngs, 1875-78; William B. Lee, August 1879 to the present time. The church now has 71 members. ST. Andrew's protestant episcopal church, a neat building of modest dimensions standing in the eastern part, was built in 1853. Services have generally been conducted in it, though for much of the time it has had no resident clergyman. THE baptist church OF BROOKHAVEN was organized here by Henry Bromly, acting as a mis- sionary, September 29th 1853. It had at first nineteen members, and since then has had some of the time as many as one hundred and twenty-four. Forty-three were dismissed at one time to join in forming the church at Port Jefferson. A church edifice was dedicated July 4th 1854. It oc- cupied a site on the main street just below the residence of Dr. J. I. Baker. It was sold in 1873, and is now do- ing service as a school-house at Comsewogue, near Port Jefferson. The money received for the building was ap- propriated to the erection of a house of worship at North- port. The church, which has never been formally dis- banded, still owns a small burial ground with land enough fronting on the street to furnish a site for another build- ing should it ever be needed. It has had the following pastors: Henry Bromly, 1853, 1854; William A. Bron- son, 1854-57; Albert F. Skidmore, 1858, 1861, 1862; Thomas M. Grinnell, 1858-60; Benjamin Wheeler, 1866. THE SUFFOLK COUNTY ALMS-HOUSE, looated near the railroad station at this place, was built in 187 1. It is located on a farm of 170 acres, the greater part of which is cleared and under cultivation. The farm was purchased in 1870, at a cost of $12,700. Only the smaller part of it was at that time cleared. The work of subduing the wooded portion has been carried forward by the inmates of the institution. Another farm, lying on the east and separated from this by the avenue, was purchased of John Louden in 1879 for $5,000. It contains about 80 acres. The alms-house is three stories high, with wings two stories high, and a basement under the whole. The original building is 35 by 90 feet, with wings 40 by 80 feet on either side. To this was added in 1877 another wing, adjoining the northeastern part, for the accommodation of female lunatics. The house is heated by steam. The boiler and engine were at first placed in the basement, but in order to lessen the danger from an explosion they were in 1879 removed to a sepa- rate building which had been erected for the purpose at the west end of the house. The establishment is sup- plied throughout with all the improved appliances called for in a first-class institution of the kind, and in its equipments and management it ranks among the fore- most of the State. The keepers of the house have been William J. Weeks, from its opening till April 1873; Jo'^n Louden, 1873-79; Holmes W. Swezey, from April 1879 to the present time. During the five years ending with September 30th 1880 the average number of inmates was 182. During that period there were 98 deaths in the house. The average cost for food and clothing for the town and county paupers during the same period was a trifle less than twelve cents a day. The institution was for several years patronized by the State, but that patron- age was withdrawn by the removal of all the State paupers June 30th 1879. The product of the farm for 1880, the labor being done by the paupers, was 2,000 bushels of ears of corn, 2,100 bushels of potatoes, 1,000 bushels of turnips, 800 bushels of wheat, 420 bushels of oats, 130 tons of hay and several other crops of less im- portance. The Children's Home, an auxiliary of the alms-house though distinct from it, occupies the house which stood on the farm purchased of Mr. Louden, near the railroad. THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 51 It was established August 3d 1879, and was then placed in charge of Mrs. Mary Wheeler, who still holds the care of it. The object of this is to provide a cheerful home for children without exposing them to the demoralizing and gloomy associations of pauper society. The enter- prise has met with encouraging success. From fifteen to twenty children are cared for by it, and the average cost for food and clothing for each one is about fifteen cents a day. Manorville. Manorville is a farming district of large extent, com- prising about 500 inhabitants, and is situated mainly on the tracts formerly known as Brookfield and Halsey's manor. Though the surface of the country is elevated nearly fifty feet above the sea level it abounds in swamps, and these have been considerably utilized in the cultiva- tion of cranberries. The head waters of Peconic River are in the neighborhood. BROOKFIELD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. In the latter part of the last century the few hard working pioneers who occupied this section, being several miles distant from any established church, engaged in worship under the leadership of Jonathan Robinson, one of their number. Services were at first held in his own house, then in other dwellings, and afterward in the school-houses. These movements, commencing soon after the Revolution, resulted in the organizatiorr of a Presbyterian church April 19th 1796. To the church was given the early name of the locality, Brookfield, which it still holds. The house of worship was erected in 1839. This was enlarged in the summer of 1874, and a belfry and bell were at the same time added. The membership in 1845 was 25. At the present time it is about 40. The church has supported a pastor independ- ently but a small part of the time. After the services of Mr. Robinson, which continued many years, the church was supplied for terms of greater or less duration by the following ministers: Alfred Ketcham, Thomas Owen, Youngs, Moase, Hodge, Lord, Thompson, Agustus Dob- son, Phineas Robinson, William H. Seeley (1873-77), C. J. Youngs, of Yaphank, and William B. Lee, of Yap- hank, who now preachSs once in two weeks. A Sunday- school has been maintained about forty years. It now numbers about 40. A burial ground was established on the opposite side of the highway from the church soon after the erection of the building. METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH, MANORVILLE. Worship was conducted by the Methodist Protestant denomination in connection with the church of that order at Eastport for many years. A society held meet- ings in the east school-house until 1869, when, a church edifice being given to the society here by the church at Moriches, the building was moved to a new site near the railroad station. Services were first held in it here" dur- ing the pastorate of Mr. Dibble, who was pastor also of the church at Eastport. At its organization it had ten members. Up to 1872 it was connected with the church at Eastport, but from that time to October 1877 it had the following pastors independently: J. C. Berrian, 1872, 1874, 1875; A. A. Marshall, 1873; R. Woodruff, March to July 1874; L. D. Place, 1876, 1877. Since then it has been connected with Eastport, under the pastoral care of A. B. Purdy, until October i88r, from which time its pastor has been Alexander Patton. Blue Point. Blue Point, celebrated throughout the country for the fine quality of its oysters, lies in the southwest corner of the town. The land was called by the Indians Manow- tasquott. The little creek called by the Indians Namkee forms the western boundary of the village, as well as of the town. T be village has been increasing in popula- tion during a few years past with considerable rapidity. The house of worship occupied by the Baptist church of this village was built as a union church in 1865. In 1870, a Baptist church having been organized here, with nine members, the edifice was transferred to that denom- ination. Beginning with that time pastors have served here as follows: James Gregory, Henry Hunter and Valentine, each one year; George R. Harding, two years; John L'Hommedieu, three months; C. G. Callen, four years — to the present time. The church, standing in the center of the village, is valued at $1,200. The Sunday-school numbers 80 scholars. Its first superin- tendent was Nelson Danes. A Methodist Episcopal church was built here in 1866. In ministerial supply it was associated with Sayville from the latter date till 1878; with Patchogue from 1878 till 1880; and with Bayport in 1881. A division of the Sons of Temperance was organized here October loth 1867, with 23 members. It official number was 243. In 1870 it had 47 members. Its charter was surrendered October 5th 1876. Patchogue. Patchogue, the largest and most flourishing village in Brookhaven, lies *on the bay, two miles east of Blue Point. The site of the village, from Patchogue Creek on ^he west to Swan River' on the east, containing some three hundred acres, was lot No. 3 in the sale by lottery made by Humphrey Avery in 1758. It was sold to Leofford Leoffords, the instrument of sale being ac- knowledged March 15th 1759. The village site is level and sandy. The people derive a very important part of their support from the neighboring oyster beds and the other bay fisheries. Considerable ship-building is car- ried on upon the shore of the bay. This is mainly con- fined to the construction of the smaller class of vessels, such as are used in oystering and the other business of the bay. 52 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. Patchogue was made a port of entry in 1875. Since April ist of that year E. T. Moore has been surveyor. The gross tonnage of the port has been as follows for the respective years, ending June 30th: 1875, 934; 1876, 2,521; 1877,2,717; 1878, 2,766; 1879, 2,925; 1880, 2,730; 1881, 2,486. The number of vessels belonging to the port has been: 1875, 57; 1876, 134; 1877, 161; 1878, 179; 1879, 209; 1880,' 207; 1881, 201. The union school of this village is one of the largest in the county. The building is three stories in height, of handsome proportions, and was erected in the spring of 1870, at a cost of $10,700. The school, numbering about five hundred pupils, is under excellent management, and employs nine teachers. Cedar Grove cemetery, located on the east side of the Patchogue Rivej mill pond, contains about 13 acres. The association was organized May 3d 1875, and the land was purchased of Sarah H. Jayne. The cemetery was formally opened by a dedication service, conducted by Rev. B. F. Reeve, October 24th 1875. Sixty-four lots have been sold. The first trustees were George F. Car- man, E. T. Moore, O. P. Smith, William S. Preston, An- drew Fishell, J. R. Smith, George M. Ackerly, Brewster Terry and Charles E. Rose. BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AT PATCHOGUE. The oyster business which is carried on from this vil- lage is estimated to give employment to about four hun- dred men, and its annual proceeds probably reach nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Several streams in the vicinity of the village afford considerable water power. This has been for many years utilized in driving various mills and factories. A paper-mill has been for many years established upon the stream called Patchogue River, a mile and a half back of the village. Grist-mills are located on • this stream and Swan River in the eastern part of the village. The manufacture of twine was commenced here by parties from Massachusetts during the latter part of the last cen- tury. It was continued by Justice Roe, and about the year 1800 enlarged and carried on by George Fair, of New York. He was succeeded by John Roe, who owned two factories, one on either stream. These mills were the third cotton-mills established in the United States, and the first to manufacture carpet warp from cotton. The factory on Swan River was burned in 1854, but was soon after rebuilt. The two mills — that on the west called the " Eagle " and that on the east the " Swan River," the former occupying the original site — were in 1873 using about 200,000 pounds of raw material annu- ally. They were then in the possession of John E. Roe, successor to his father. They then used 1,600 spindles, but they have now been for several years idle. A short distance west of the village is a small stream called Little Patchogue. Upon this a woolen factory containing about 500 spindles was formerly located. In April 1832 a grant was issued by the commissioners of highways to Nathaniel Smith and Daniel G. Gillette to raise a dam where the south Country road crosses this stream, for milling or manufacturing purposes. The building was removed several years since.. Other manufacturing enterprises which have been in operation here in the past are an iron forge, several tan- neries and a machine shop employed i-n the manufacture of machines for making envelopes. The Patchogue and Suffolk County Bank was estab- lished October loth 1881, by Edward S. Peck, formerly a prominent business man of Brooklyn. Mr. Peck also built a residence in Patchogue during the same year. PATCHOGUE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The first house of worship in this village was erected in 1794, by a union of the Congregationalists, Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians. Each sect was allowed to occupy it a portion of the time. About the year 1822 the building was replaced by a new one on the same site. This is in the western part of the village. Its use has for many years been changed from religious to secular purposes. In 1831 the Methodists, having erected a church of their own, withdrew from the union, and, the Baptist and Presbyterian societies being extinct, the building fell into the full possession of the Congregation- alists, who occupied it until the building of their new church. The old parish burying ground lies near this old church. It contains about two acres, well filled with graves. The Congregational church was organized January 4th i793i by Rev. Noah Hallock, with eight members. It had no regular minister until 1822. From that time for- ward its ministers have been: Noah H. Gillette to 1833; Smith P. Gammage 1834, 1835; Mr. Moas'e, 1836; Par- shall Terry, 1837; Mr. Baty, 1838; B. Matthias, 1839-43; James H. Thomas, 1844-49; H. W. Hunt, 1849-58; Mr. Bachelor, 1S59, i860; Charles Hoover, 1861-64; Samuel Orcott, ,1865-69; Frederick Munson, 1870-74; S. S. Hughson, 1874-77; T. C. Jerome, 1877-80; S. F. Palmer, 1880 to the present time. In 1858 the handsome and commodious edifice on Pine street, which is now occu- pied, was erected. A parsonage was added to the church property about the year 1862, and this during the past year has been repaired at an expense of about $1,000. The church has 205 members. The church of this de- nomination at Sayville was formed in 1858, by the with- drawal of 40 members from this. THE PATCHOGUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized in the early part of the present century. A class may have been formed during the last years of the last century. Itoccupied the union meeting-house until 1831, when a church was built for its exclusive accommodation. This was afterward sold to the Roman Catholics and the present church was built in 1853. It has been ascertained that the following ministers served this church during the periods indicated: N. Mead, 1835; Zechariah Davenport, 1837, 1838; J. B. Merwin, 1839, 1840; J. Sanford, 1841; J. Henson, 1842; David Osborn, 1843-45; David Holmes, 1846; Laban Cheeney, 1847; T. G. Osborn, 1848, 1849; F. W. Sizer, 1850, 185 1; J. THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. S3 D. Bouton, 1852, 1853; Ira Abbott, 1854; William H. Bangs, 1855, 1856; Charles Gorse, 1857; C. Stearns, 1858, 1859; R. Codling, i860, 1861; Nicholas Orchard, 1862, 1863; William H. Russell, 1864, 1865; E. Sands, 1866, 1867; Charles Pike, 1868; J. H. Stansbury, 1869- 71; William Lawrence, 1872, 1873; B. F. Reeve, 1874- 76; W. W. M'Guire, 1877; Henry Aston, 1878-80; George Taylor, 1881. ST. Paul's episcopal chapel was built about 1843. Ministerially it is connected with St. Ann's at Sayville. Religious services according to the Episcopal form of worship are regularly conducted by Rev. John H. Prescott, who has officiated here during the past nine years. The chapel enjoys the honor of having the- only pipe organ in the village, and of being entirely out of debt. The society has 50 members. A Sunday-school of 68 scholars is connected with it. A BAPTIST MEETING-HOUSE was built on Ocean avenue in 1876, and was dedicated August 9th of that year. July 8th 1877 a church was organized with five members. Rev. George R. Harding preached for the church one year, since which it has ha4 no regular preacher. THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DENOMINATION owns and occupies the building formerly occupied by the Methodists. It is a neat little church, standing in the western part of the village. Occasional services are con- ducted by. a priest from some other place. SECRET SOCIETIES AT PATCHOGUE FIRE COMPANY. South Side Lodge, No. 493, F. &• A. M. was instituted in June i860, with seven charter members. The officers for that year were: W. S. Preston, W. M.; S. W. Chapell, S. W.; W. J. Horton, J. W.; A. C. Mott, secretary; D. J. Wheeler, treasurer; George F. Carman, S. D.; Charles W. Miller, J. D.; Henry Parks, tyler. February 22nd 1862 the building in which its meetings were held was burned, and the lodge lost all its regalia, furniture and records. It was reorganized in the following June. The masters of the lodge have been: W. S. Preston, i860; S. W. Chapell, 1861; George F. Carman, 1862, 1863; Daniel J.Wheeler, 1864, 1865, 1867; Alfred C. Mott, 1866; John S. Havens, 1868; John Furguson, 1869, 1870; Alfred Price, 1 871; John M.Price, 1872, 1873,1877; Robert Mills, 1874; Edwin Bailey, 1875, r876; John Roe Smith, 1878; E. G. Terrill, 1879, 1880. The lodge meets every Monday evening during the year, except through June, July and August, when it meets only on the first Monday of each month. The number of mem- bers June ist 1881 was 121. Brookhaven Lodge, No. 80, /. O. O. F. was organized here August 6th 1846, with five charter members. The first officers were: Nathaniel Conklin, N, G.; William S. Preston, V. G.; Henry Ketcham, secretary; Lewis G. Davis, treasurer. The presiding officers have been as follows: William S. Preston, Henry Ketcham, Lewis G. Davis, D. W. Case, Z. D. Fanning, Charles Price, Gils- ton Gillette, William C. Smith, John R. Swezey, Brewster Terry, John Woodhull, Samuel Ackerly, John S. Havens, Jonathan T. Baker, William P. Wicks, Israel Green, Rumsey Rose, George Jennings, E. T. Moore, John B. Wiggins, Edwin Bailey, John Bransford, N. O. Smith, John Baker, Samuel W. Overton, Edwin Bailey, George M. Webb, John Furguson, Robert Mills, William H. Hait, Charles H. Smith, N. M. Preston, Gilbert H. Car- ter, Carman Smith and Elias Hawkins. Patchogue Division, No. 240, Sons of Temperance was instituted October 9th 1867. It had 50 charter mem- bers. In 1870 its membership was 211. It was dis- banded in 1877. William J. Clark Fost, No. 210, Grand Army of the Republic was chartered April 22nd 1881, and on that day the following officers were mustered in: John Furguson, commander; William H. Parks, Sen. Vice-com.; Sylvester Rowland, Jr. Vice-com. ; William C. Gray, adjutant; Fran- cis Nugent, quartermaster; Lewis Homan, surgeon; Charles Satterley, chaplain; Edward A. Coles, officer of the day; William W. Homan, sergeant major; Jacob Bumpstead, officer of the guard. The post meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of ea.ch month. Patchogue Volu77teer Fire Company, No. i, was incor- porated by the board of town auditors March 30th 1880, according to' a general act of the Legislature. JOURNALISM AT PATCHOGUE. A weekly newspaper called the Suffolk Herald was started here by one Van Zandt. It was afterward edited by A. D. Hawkins. In the winter of 1864-5 i^ ^^^ ^ol^ to Harrison Douglass, who after a few months abandon- ed it and it was for a time edited by A. V. Davis, M. C. Swezey and others. Not long afterward its publication was suspended. In the summer of 1870 the Long Island Star was moved here from Port Jefferson, and after a few issues it was abandoned. The office materials were sold, and with them The Advance was started by Timo- thy J. Dyson, September ist 1871. It was purchased by Thomas S. Heatley in September 1876, and by him it has since been continued. It has gained the position of a prosperous village weekly. Bellport. Bellport, a village of about 500 inhabitants, lies about four miles east of Patchogue, on the gr-^at bay. The site is level and beautiful. It was called by the Indians Occombomock or Accombamack. The village was com- menced about fifty years ago, and was named in honor of two brothers, Thomas and John Bell, to whose enterprise it was mainly indebted for its early growth. Good water for the approach of vessels is found off the shore here, and several docks have been constructed. January 6th 1807. the town trustees granted to Nathaniel AVoodruff liberty to build a dock six rods into the bay, against his own land. March 3d 1829 a grant from the same author- 54 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. ity was issued to Colonel William Howell, Thomas Bell and John Bell to build a dock into the bay opposite the land of the former, far enough to get six and a half feet depth of water at comiTion high tide. A grant was issued in 1833 to Charles Osborn to build a dock seven hun- dred feet into the bay and one hundred feet wide. Some ship-building was formerly carried on here. After the completion of the Long Island Railroad a station was established about four and a half miles di- rectly north of ' here for the accommodation of this vil- lage. That station was at first called Tooker's Turnout, afterward Bellport Station, which name a year or two since gave place to Bartlett. An avenue thither from the village was laid out May igth 185 1. Since the extension of a railroad along the south side the old station has been almost abandoned by the people of this village. An academy was established here in the early days of the village, but an academic school has not been main- tained in the building for many years. The village dis- trict school, in a flourishing condition, occupies it. BELLPORT CHURCHES AND TE.MPERANCE SOCIETIES. A Congregational. church was organized here in the early years of the village. Its meetings were held in the academy. In 1845 it had 37 members, and Rev. Abijah Tomlinson was its pastor, and at the same time principal of the academy. Later Rev. Samuel Gibbs was pastor of the church. It occupied the lower room of Temper- ance Hall. The society gradually faded out, and in 1870 the remnant of it was merged in a Methodist Episcopal society which was then organized here. This denomina- tion built a church in 1873. It is in the same minister- ial charge as the church at Brookhaven. The Presbyterian church of this village was erected in 1850. In is pastoral supply it has since that date been associated with the church at South Haven. It has a nice pipe organ; its property, including a parsonage, is free from debt, and it has a membership of nearly one hundred. Bellport Division, No. 373, Sons of Temperance is one of the oldest in the county, having been organized in the early days of the order, more 'than thirty years ago. It is deserving of special notice on account of the fact that at an early period of its history a somewhat commo- dious building was erected for its use. This is Temper- ance Hall, and the division still has an existence and owns the building. It has about 90 members. Brookhaven Temple of Honor, another temperance or- ganization, was instituted at Bellport October 6th 1866. In 1873 it had thirty members. A few years later it ceased working. A small settlement of colored people lies a short dis- tance north of the village, on the avenue leading to the new railroad station .established on the newly completed section in 1881. Aneat little church is creditably sus- taine.d by the colored inhabitants. Near the settlement a cemetery has been laid out, and it contains a number of handsome monuments. Brookhaven Village. The territory extending from Bellport east to the Con- necticut River embraces the first land purchased of the Indians on the south side of the town. It was called Fireplace until within a few years, when the name of the town was appropriated to a part of this section. The chief attraction here to the early settlers of Setalcott was the meadows, which are very extensive. At times the whaling business, carried on off the ocean shore, and the manufacture of tar from the pine forests which abounded here, were matters of considerable importance. Perma- nent settlement, however, grew slowly. As an instance of the value of land in primitive days we may mention that Little Neck, adjoining Connecticut River just below Yaphank Creek, was sold at public auction May 15th 1716, and Nathaniel Brewster bought it for _;^7o 13s. "in money." May sth 1724 the town meeting voted that Nathaniel Brewster should have the stream " at South," called the Beaverdam River, to build a grist- mill and fulling-mill upon, to be commenced within two years; the stream to remain in his possession as long as it was used for such purposes. The fact that on the 26th of March 1742 the trustees granted the privilege of locating a mill on this stream to William Helme jr. sug- gests the suspicion that the former grant had been ne- glected. A low dam is nearly all the mark that is left to show that this grant was ever used. A dock has been constructed at a point on Connecticut River called Squassucks. A SAD AND mysterious CASUALTY occurred on the ocean shore opposite here on the night of September sth 1813. Eleven men who went from here to draw a seine on the beach were all lost in the sea, not one surviving to tell the terrible details of the calamity. The names of the drowned men were William Rose, Isaac Woodruff, Lewis Parshall, Benjamin Brown, Nehemiah Hand, James Homan, Charles Ellison, James Prior, Daniel Parshall, Henry Homan and John Hulse. brookhaven village CHURCHES. A small Methodist Episcopal church was built in this village in 1848. In r872 this was removed to another site and enlarged. This church up to 1870 was supplied in connection with the church at Coram. It was then associated with Moriches, but has since only been united in ministerial charge with Bellport. These congregations have been supplied by the following ministers: Siegfried Kristeller, 1871; J. T. Langlois, 1872; C. P. Cowper, 1873; Smith A. Sands, 1874, 1875; Daniel Jones, 1876- 78; W. T. Beale, 1879, 1880; D. F. Hallock, 1881. The first worship according to the forms of the Epis- copal church in this village was held by Rev. Charles Douglass at the dwelling house of Charles Swezey. Other clergymen afterward officiated. In the year 1873 ^ church was built and named in honor of St. James. The building cost about fi.soo. The ground on which it stands was given by John L. Ireland. The first minister located here was I. N. W. Irvine, who officiated' here and THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 55 at Yaphank about three years, and was succeeded by Thomas Fletcher, for two years. There was then no regular pastor until 1881, when Rev. Josephus Traggett was stationed here. A Sunday-school has been main- tained since the organization of the church, with an av- erage attendance of about 25. South Haven. South Haven is a small settlement on the west side of Connecticut River, between it and the small tributary stream which the Indians called Yamphank. The name Yamphank was originally applied to the neck of land thus formed. The settlement is of very ancient origin. It cannot be definitely stated at what time it began, but there are documents on record which show that a grist- mill, saw-mill and fulling-mill had been established on the river here, and that A PRESBYTERIAN MEETING-HOUSE stood near them, in the midst of a settlement, as early as the year 1745. The name of the locality was changed from Yamphank Neck to South Haven by vote of the people of the town May 3d 1757. The first minister of this church of whom we can find any record was Abner Reeve, who was ordained pastor of the church at Moriches November 6th 17SS; this parish and West Hampton were at that time branches of Moriches. He was dismissed in 1763, and David Rose succeed- ed him, being ordained here December 4th 1765, over the charge which consisted of " Moriches, Manor of St. George, Southport and Winthrop's Patent," to which was added a year or two later the church at Mid- dle Island. Mr. Rose died January ist 1799. Ministers have supplied this church since then as follows: Robert H. Chapman, a few months in 1 800-1; Herman Daggett, 1801-07; Ezra King, 1814-39; Abijah Tomlinson, several years from 1840; R. Cruikshank, who - resigned in August 1854; J. A. Saxton, 1854-56; William H. Cooper, 1856-80; N. I. Marselus Bogert, June ist 1881 to the present time. The present meeting-house was erected in 1828. Mastic. On the east side of the Connecticut River lies the peninsula of Mastic, a valuable and beautiful tract of land projecting so nearly across the great bay as to re- duce it to the width of a mere channel. This tract forms the shore front of the principal part of the territory in- corporated as the manor of St. George. Several of the most conspicuous members of three prominent early families, the "Tangier" Smiths, the Floyds and the Wood- hulls, have had homesteads upon it. The soil is good, and several large farms are employed in 'stock raising. though this interest is probably now on the decrease. The shore, which is extremely ragged, is broken into several necks, which, with the small creeks that divide them, still preserve their Indiam aames, among which are Poosepatuck, Sebonack, Necommack, Coosputus, Patterquash, Unchahaug and Mattemoy. During the Revolutionary war the British troops erected a fort near the present residence of Hon. Egbert T. Smith, on the southwest part of the peninsula. This fort was captured and partially destroyed' by a detach- ment of continental troops under Major Benjamin Tall- madge, November 27th 1780, a more full account of which will be found elsewhere. On a reservation on the east side of the peninsula live a remnant of the Pochaug tribe of Indians. They have a small church, and a school, which is supported by the State. The deed by which the right to plant and use 175 acres was given by William Smith to these Indians is dated July 2nd 1700. Moriches. The title to the land on which the extended village of Moriches is built was gained by three different pat- ents. That lying between Mastic River and the creek Senex was included in Smith's first patent; that between Senex and the mill stream now called Barnes's Mill Pond (formerly Terrill's River) was included in Smith's second patent; and that east of the latter point was covered by the patent given for land purchased by Messrs. Taylor, Townsend and Willets, commonly known as the Moriches patentship. During the first years of the last century the neck of land lying on the west of the mill stream was called Warratta, and was in the possession of Samuel Terrill. The mill stream named in his honor was by the Indians called Paquatuck, and the land on the east of it was callled Moriches or Maritches. Settlement was begun here at a very early date, probably in the early part of the last century. It did not become a part of the town of Brookhaven until about the time of the Revolution. CHURCHES of MORICHES. A Presbyterian church appears to have existed here previous to the middle of the last century, though it is not known to have had any house of worship of its own. Private houses were used for that purpose. Rev. Nehe- miah Greenman, licensed by the Suffolk Presbytery Oc- tober 20th 1748, was appointed to preach here and one year later was released. This was then a part of a large parish comprising Moriches, West Hampton and South Haven. In 1754 Rev. Abner Reeve appears as the pastor of these churches. He continued in that relation with this church until 1763. The Presbyterian element seems to have died out in the course of several years and the church became extinct. The first church erected here, " the union meeting- S6 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. house," was built in 1809 and used by the different de- nominations which were then struggling for an existence. In 1817 ^ Congregational church was organized here. November 14th 1831- the Presbyterian church was re- organized. The present church was built in 1839, and it was for several years used by both these denomina- tions. The parish was incorporated in 1849, as a Presby- terianchurch, and about that time the Congregational society became practically extinct. Captain Josiah Smith about this time gave to the parish some seven acres of land for a parsonage, which was built in 1850. The adjoining cemetery was opened for burials in 185 1. The church edifice was enlarged in 1861. The church membership is over 200. Since the reorganization the following ministers have been in charge: Alfred Ketcbara, 1831-34; Christopher Youngs, 1834-36; John Moase, 1836-38; Thomas Owen, 1838-47; Henry M. Parsons, 1847-52; Augustus T. Dobson, 1853-69; Robert Scott, 1869-72; Samuel Whaley, 1872-76; Hamilton B. Holmes, 1877 to the present time. A Methodist Protestant class was formed here March i2th 1839, by Rev. Elias Griswold. During the same year a church was built. The following pastors served the church: Rev. Messrs. Griswold, Moran, W. F. Har- ris, R. Lent, T. K. Wetsell, J. Feltey, Webber, Skinner, Frederick Dickerman, J. S. Kingsland,- Joshua Hudson, E. Stockwell and T. L. Dibble. The membership hav- ing been reduced to five persons the church building was in 1868 given to the society of the same denomina- tion at Manor, and it was moved thither in 1869. The Methodist Episcopal church of this village was built in 1839. A church had been organized four or five years previously, consisting of. ten members. . Its present membership is about 135. In ministerial supply the church was connected with West Hampton until 1870, when it was associated with the church at Fireplace, with Rev. Henry Still pastor. Since that year the church has had a pastor independently. The following ministers have filled that position: Henry Still, 187 1; George Filmer, 1872-74; A. A. Belmont, 1875; Robert Codling, 1876; Charles H. Beale, 1877-79; William Ross, 1880; L. S. Stowe, 1881. East Moriches and Eastport. At East Moriches, a village of five hundred inhabi- tants, the Presbyterian and Methodist churches both have chapels. Eastport is a village of five hundred inhabitants lying on the dividing line between this town and Southampton. A grist-mill was established on the boundary stream about a hundred years ago. The village name, taken from the Indian name of this stream, was Seatuck, and a post-office by that name was established here in 1849. This was discontinued in 1857, and the present name was adopted in i860, while the present post-office was not established until 1873. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.* George F, Carman. George Franklin Carman, whose portrait appears upon another page, was born in Patchogue, April i8th 1827. His father, Gilbert Carman, came from Hempstead, in which town the family have long resided, with a history that places them among the early pioneers in settlement, and among the leaders in all public and private enter- prises. In civil and political life the name is permanently recorded. Stephen Curman, great-grandfather to George F., was elected from Queens county to the State Legis- lature in 1788, where he was kept by the suffrages of his fellow citizens till 1819 — 31 consecutive years. The his- tory of Long Island or of the State has no parallel to this case of continuous political service. Mr. Carman's early life was not blessed — or cursed, as is frequently the case — with the surroundings of wealth and consequent ease. The incentives to per-- sonal exertion existed from the very first, so that after the usual routine of a boy's life — farm work summers and district school winters, much of the time living away from home — he went at the age of 16 to learn the car- penter's trade. Four years later he became, in common with hundreds of other young men, enamored with the notion of a whaling voyage. With the promptness of his decisive nature the act at once followed the decision, and in company with three acquaintances he went to Greenport and sailed in the ship "Nile," Captain Isaac Case, on a whaling voyage that lasted 37 months before he again looked on the familiar scenes and faces in Suf- folk county. He had not been ten days at sea before he considered his action a foolish one, and he continued to regret it all the time he was gone. Still the trip, which took him the whole length of the Pacific Ocean four times, did him more good than he could then measure. He had abundant time for reading and reflection, which was well improved, and his contact with men necessitated an intimate study of their dispositions, emotions and actions, that has continued to bear fruit of constant use. Besides he saw the world, mastered the science and prac- tice of navigation, learned much of the language of the Sandwich Islanders, and when he again set his foot on land he was a matured man, with a settled determination to do his best at whatever he should undertake. Although offers of rapid promotion were placed before him the sea had no charms, and he returned to his la- borious occupation and became a builder and contractor. In 1855 he was elected one of the seven town trustees and one of the two overseers of the poor. In the fall of the same year he was elected sheriff of Suffolk county, which necessitated his removal to Riverhead, where he lived for the next three years in the apartments in the county buildings provided for that functionary. His ad- * Some of these were written by others than the author of the fore- going history. Those by Mr. Bayles are the sketches of the Floyd family (exoeptins that of the present William Floyd), Mordecai Homan, Benjamin T. Hutchinson, Nathaniel Miller, the Mount family, John Rose, the Smiths, the Strong family (excepting that of Judge' Selah Brewster Strong and his children), Benjamin F. Thompson, John M Williamson, Alfred D. Wilson, G. P. MUla and the WoodhuU family /^^.c;^<7f^ THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 59 ministration of the affairs of this office was entirely satis- factory to his constituents, and his successor, Stephen J. Wilson, appointed him under-sheriff, in which capacity he served till July ist following, when he resigned and returned to his home in Patchogue. Here he took charge as editor and proprietor of the Suffolk Herald, a paper that he had established two years previously, and devoted his time to its interests until the summer of 1862. At this time the internal revenue laws framed to pro- vide funds to help meet the extraordinary expenses caused by the great slave-holders' rebellion went into operation, and Mr. Carman was designated by the pres- ident as " collector for the ist collection district of the State of New York, during the pleasure of the president of the United States, for the time being and until the end of the next session of the Senate of the United States, and no longer." This appointment was dated the 22nd day of August 1862, and was signed by Abraham Lincoln, president of the United States, and S. P. Chase, secretary of the treasury. This document, as may be imagined, has been carefully preserved, for Mr. Chase assured Mr. Carman that it was the first of the kind issued by the department, and was the first one signed by President Lincoln. The great State of New York was selected as the starting point, on account of its chief city being the money center of the nation, and the three counties of Richmond, Queens and Suffolk, having large and complicated manufacturing interests, and a more extended water front than any other in the nation, constituted the ist collection district. Mr. Carman's appointment was not solicited, but on the con- trary President Lincoln asked Mr. Carman in person if he would accept it. When the Senate again met his name was put in regular nomination by the president, the nomination was confirmed by the Senate, and a second appointment, dated March 6th 1863, signed as before, was forwarded to the appointee. Under this commission Mr. Carman discharged the duties of the office through the administrations of Lincoln and John- son, and from March to June 23d 1869, under President Grant's administration, when he resigned his position. The following paper, more weighty than a volume of praise, was forwarded to his address: "Treasury Department, "Comptroller's Office, " March 8 1870. ^'Geo. F. Carman, Esq., late U. S. Internal Revenue Collector ist Dist. of State of New York, Long Island City, N. Y. " Sir : Your accounts as Collector of Internal Revenue and Disbursing Agent to June 23d 1869 have been ad- justed, balanced and closed on the books of this De- partment. " Very Respectfully Yours, " R. W. Taylor, "Comptroller." The like of this paper more than one collector of in- tarnal revenue in this State has never been able to get from that day to this. It is but justice to state that the ■books and methods of doing the business of the first dis- trict of New York were regarded by the department as models of their kind, and openly commended to other collectors as worthy of their study and guidance. No description can give any adequate idea of the magnitude and complexity of the interests involved, or the immense labor and skill demanded and expended in conducting the affairs of this, one of the most important and most difficult internal revenue districts in the nation. Upon quitting the service of the federal government Mr. Carman entered the service of the South Side Rail- road Company as general manager, in which capacity he served two years, under the presidency of Charles Fox. The road was then sold to Jacob R. Shiphard & Co., who assumed control, which continued one year, when, failing to meet their obligations for the balance of pur- chase money, the property reverted to the original stock- holders. The old board of management was re-elected and reorganized as before, with the exception of the presidency, in which office George F. Carman was placed, with Charles Fox as vice-president. When sold to Shiphard & Co. the road was in good condition finan- cially, with provision for completing and paying for an extension of 15 miles east of Patchogue, that was under contract and in process of construction. The wildcat purchasers, from considerations never made public, com- promised this contract, and abandoned the extension. When the old directors came to investigate matters they found the company hopelessly bankrupt, evidently the result of the most reckless and questionable manage- ment. As president Mr. Carman struggled along six months, hoping to effect some compromise, when it be- came evident that the State courts were about to appoint a receiver. To avoid this the company, having made previous arrangements for such a contingency, handed the road over to the United States marshal, acknowledg- ing itself bankrupt. Charles Jones was appointed by Judge Benedict receiver in bankruptcy, and he appointed G. F. Carman as his representative to ran the road, which he did very successfully till its public sale, when it was bought by Conrad Poppenhusen, and Mr. Car- man's official connection with it ended. About 1870, previous to his retirement, he bought of Orange Judd for $100,000 the Flushing Railroad, from tide water at Hunter's Point to Winfield, about three miles, and sold it to the South Side Company. This property, with its water-front and dock franchises, remains to the present time one of the company's most valuable adjuncts and acquisitions. In the fall of 1869 Mr. Carman was elected member of Assembly. During the ensuing session, in which the house was under Democratic control, he was appointed and served on the committees of commerce and naviga- tion and engrossed bills. In 1879 Mr. Carman was again the Republican candidate for the Assembly, and Charles T. Duryea was the Democratic candidate. Upon canvassing the votes the Democratic board of supervisors declared Mr. Duryea elected by a majority of one. Mr. Carman, contending that he was elected by one majority, contested the matter in the Assembly, 6o THE TOWJJ OF BROOkHAVEN. which, after a memorable examination, seated him in place of Mr. Duryea. His services during both terms in the Legislature were creditable to himself and highly satisfactory to his constituents. He was a Fillmore man in 1856, and has been a Re- publican ever since. He was one of the radicals who in 1872 supported Horace Greeley, the wisdom of which he has never doubted. Often a representative of his party at State conventions, he has been prominently identified with all its movements. He was a warm supporter of Mr. Hayes's administration, and of Mr. Garfield and his administration. His political standing would not be justly represented if it were not added that he has been for many years one of the most influential men in his district, both at home and with the powers at Albany and Washington. He has always belonged to that branch of his party who believe that a majority of the people is the real authority in all matters, and should be respected, and not a majority of the politicians who re- joice in being called " Stalwarts." Through all the com- plications of politics Mr. Carman has preserved his manhood and his honor. His integrity as a citizen, or in the administration of public affairs, has never been assailed. He knows that in the eternal nature of things "honesty is the best policy," because it pays the best. Mr. Carman's mother was Mary Ann, daughter of Samuel Homan, of Brookhaven, where the Homans were among the first settlers. He had one brother who died some thirty years ago, and a sister who now lives in New York city. In 1850 he married Ellen, daughter of Captain John Prior of Patchogue. The issue of this marriage has been a son and a daughter. Mr. Carman commenced the contest of life with nothing but his sturdy hands and brain, and his unswerving de- termination to work and win. He supplied the deficien- cies of early education by mastering the mysteries of grammar and other studies one by one, from an open book as he worked at the carpenter's bench. No for- tune, or the smallest factor of a fortune, to the amount of a single dollar, ever came to help him start in life. One evidence of his acquirements is the fact that he has been president of the board of education in Patchogue for the past ten years. He is naturally a leader among men, but never assumed or accepted leadership until thoroughly qualified. In 1872 he built the house and fitted up the grounds and pleasant surroundings that now constitute his attrac- tive home on Ocean avenue, Patchogue, where the old homestead of his wife's family had once been. He is eminently genial and hospitable, and his interesting family contribute their full share to the attractions of this domestic circle. Mr. Carman is a natural conversationist, with an un- usually large and firm grasp of subjects, upon which he expresses his views in a consise, exact manner, with a delightful mixture of humor and anecdote. He is a man of prompt decision and incisive action, and has a weight and momentum of character that make him a notable man wherever he is placed. MORDECAI HOMAN. Mordecai Homan, whose memory is cherished by a generation that is fast passing away, as one of the most prominent residents of his day, was a native of that part of Yaphank then included in Middle Island. He was born November 5th 1770, and in his early life worked on his father's farm and taught school. About the close of the last century he purchased the interest of other heirs in his father's farm, and, having married Miss Polly Buckingham of Old Milford, Conn., settled down to the active duties of a useful life. In society, in the church and in town affairs he was recognized as a leader. His own modfest disposition alone prevented his rising to positions of greater prominence. He held the office of justice of the peace until he became familiarly known as Squire Homan, but his greatest service to his town was in the office of town clerk, which he held during 41 successive years, 1807-47. He died March 8th 1854, and his remains were laid at rest in the old parish bury-^ ing ground at Middle Island, near the church in which for many years he had been the clerk, and leader of the music. His works " do follow " him, as also does a numerous posterity. Dr. Nathaniel Miller was born at Springs, in the town of East Hampton, April 17th 1783. He was the son of Elisha and Abigail Mil- ler. His academic education was obtained at Clinton Academy, and his further course was pursued at the New York Medical College, from which he received a diploma. His practice as a physician at this place began in 1812 and ended in 1863. He was a prominent man and an acknowledged authority in his day. He was sent to the Assembly in 1818, and again in 1849. His wife was Sarah, daughter of Captain John Havens of Moriches, and he had seven children living at the time of his death, viz.: Nathaniel, Mary A., Caroline E., Jerusha K., Sarah. Laura C, and Julia F. He died May 7th 1863, and was buried in the private cemetery on the homestead. George P. Mills was born in Smithtown, May 30th i8oi. His parents were George and Tabitha Mills. After receiving a fair education at the district school and at Clinton Academy, East Hampton, he engaged in the mercantile business with his father in Smithtown, and afterward with Harry W. Vail at Islip. In 1844 he removed to a farm at Bellport. He was supervisor of Brookhaven from 1847 to 1851, inclu- sive, and represented the western district of Suffolk in the Assembly in 1858. He was married January ist 1834 to Sarah, daughter of Thomas Hallock of Smith- town, and had five children, one of whom died young One daughter and three sons survived him. He died at Bellport, March 6th 1868, and was buried at the Pres- byterian church cemetery of Smithtown. 6r #.*»i/^ ^(o Mcey/UJ James ■ M. Bayles. The subject of this sketch is an old and prominent ship-builder at Port Jefferson. His father, Elisha Bayles, removed from Mount Sinai in 1809 to this place and be- gan business as a merchant when Port Jefferson was a hamlet of. barely more than a dozen houses and was dubbed by the suggestive title of " Drowned Meadow." The store he kept stood on what is now Main street, then little more than a wood road, from which the gates and bars had scarcely been removed. His family con- sisted of four sons and a daughter, all of whom are still living. Here for 10 or 15 years he kept the general store that supplied the varied wants of the young vil- lage. His old home is still standing on Main street and is occupied by his youngest son. Captain Joseph Bayles. Under its roof was born, on the i8th of Jan- uary 1815, the subject of this sketch, James M. Bayles. His brothers were Alfred, Charles L., and Joseph. His sister's name was Maria. About the year 1822 a general desire was manifested to change the name of the village, and the senior Mr. Bayles, then an ardent Democrat and an admirer of Mr. Jefferson, urged the adoption of the name the village now bears, in honor of the great president. In his early years James M. Bayles spent his winters in attending district school, and his summers on board a wood sloop that ran to New York. The first summer of this work was when he was 14 years old, and his wages were $5 per month for six months. At the end of the season he received $31, the extra dollar being a present from the captain for his neatness in taking care of the vessel. This money he gave to his father. He continued this kind of life for the next three years, making several trips to southern ports, including Newbern, Charleston, Savannah and Mobile. From the last of these trips he saved $50, which became the nucleus of all his future accumulations. From the age of 17 to 20 he worked with his father in caulking and rigging vessels. For the last year of his minority he paid his father $150 and began business for himself one year before he was of age. At the age of 23 he had accumulated $250, and like a sensible young man made up his mind to take a partner for life. So in November 1838 he was married to Desire Ann Hawkins, whose family was among the first and oldest in Setauket. The business to which he had de- termined to devote his life was ship-building, and the first vessel of his construction was built in 1836. Since that time Mr. Bayles has built over 90 vessels. In 1861 he took his oldest son, James E., into partnership, the business having a large increase about that time. From that time to the present the firm has remained J. M. Bayles & Son. Mr. Bayles has served his town as assessor three years, as commissioner of highways three years, and three years- as sole trustee of the school district. In politics he has THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. always been a consistent Democrat of the Jackson school. Although his usual place of worship has been at the Presbyterian church he contributes to the support of other churches as well. In temperance matters he has taken an active interest, believing that no cause is more worthy the support of all who have the greatest good of mankind truly in view. He has always been a warm friend of the common school system, as a paying in- vestment for this generation to make and hand down to the next. Strict integrity, good work, honest pay, deserve confi- dence and you will get it — these are some of the rules and maxims that have guided him through his long, hon- orable and prosperous career. The wife of Mr. Bayles died on the 21st of January 1880. His children are very pleasantly and harmoniously settled in life, as follows: James E., partner in ship- building; Samuel H., master of the schooner "Annie A. Booth "; George F., partner in the mercantile firm of J. M. & G. F. Bayles; Annie S., Mrs. A. Curtis Almy, of Hempstead; Hamilton T., clerk in a store; Stephen Taber, assistant cashier of a bank in New York; Havens Brewster, M.D., physician in Brooklyn, being the only one of Mr. Bayles's sons who has chosen one of the learned professions. The firm of J. M. Bayles & Son employs 50 men the year round, thus largely contributing to the prosperity of the village. Mr. Bayles was active in the construc- tion of the Smithtown and Port Jefferson Railroad. He was made president of the company in 1870 at the first meeting of the board of directors, and has retained that position ever since. Benjamin F. Thompson, the honored historian of Long Island, whose name will grow brighter as the passing generations learn to appreciate the service he did in rescuing many of the fragments of Long Island history from oblivion, was a native of South Setauket. His great-great-grandfather was John Thompson, who came to Setauket in 1656. Benjamin F. was born May isth 1784. He was the son of Dr. Samuel Thompson, who was also a farmer of this village. He was educated at Yale College, but did not graduate. He studied medicine with Dr. Ebenezer Sage, of Sag Harbor, and practiced that profession about ten years, after which he exchanged it for that of the law. He was married June 12th 1810 to Mary Howard, daughter of Rev. Zechariah Greene. He represented a district of this county in the Assembly in 1813, and again in 1816. He was also a town commissioner of schools for this town in 1813 and 1814. He afterward removed to Hempstead, and in 1839 published a history of Long Island in one volume. A second edition, greatly enlarged and improved, was published in 1843, comprising two volumes. Still later he prepared the matter for a third edition, which unfortunately was never published. While making preparations for its publica- tion he was suddenly attacked by disease, which re suited in death on the 21st of March 1849. His remains were buried in the family plot at Hempstead, where he left two children. Edward Osborn. Edward Osborn was born in New York city, July 26th 1817. His father, Charles Osborn, was born in East Hampton, Suffolk county, and was educated at the academy in that village. At the age of 16 he went to New York city and engaged as a clerk in Mr. Van Wagnan's hardware store on Fulton street. After a term of years he married, and engaged in the same business on his own account. In the course of time his former employer be- came embarrassed, and Mr. Osborn bought his stock and stores, his business expanding until he became one of the leading importing and wholesale merchants in his line of trade. His location was Nos. 33 and 34 Fulton street, and the property still remains in the possession of the family. About 1830 he purchased a tract of land at Bellport, built upon it, removed his family, and there spent the re- mainder of his life. He was an able man, commanding the respect of all who knew him, and his ample fortune was the result of his own application and energy. He had six sons, of whom Edward, the subject of this sketch, was the fifth. Besides the schooling he received in New York city he attended for a time the academies at East Hampton and Huntington. In early life he developed a great taste for hunting, fishing, boating and sportsman- ship in all its better phases. In July 1844 he married Catharine, daughter of Rich- ard Gerard of Brookhaven. She was born May 3d 1824, and was one of a family of ten daughters and two sons, themother of whom is still living, at the age of 85 years. Mr. Osborn was of an active and observing turn of mind, feeding his love of variety by a great deal of travel. In 1855 he went to Europe in a sailing vessel. Dr. Rice of Patchogue accompanying him. He made two other trips across the Atlantic, the last with Dr. Chapell of Patchogue; and went in 1872 to California, making the tour of that remarkable portion of ouf country. His social qualities were specially prominent, winning many warm friends, who seemed attracted to him by the strongest regard. They were always welcome and made to feel at home at his charming residence in Bellport, and of the comforts and courtesies there experienced they never tire of telling, A sudden attack of illness cut him off in the 56th year of his age, universally mourned and regretted. His death occurred at his home January 24th 1873. He left one son, Charles Edward, who was born April loth 1849, and who still lives on the old homestead. Charles Edward Osborn married Nellie, daughter of George W. Rogers of Brooklyn. They have one child, Charles Whytelaw, born February 7th 1879. In 1876 Mrs. Edward Osborn built a house across the road from the old homestead, where she settled the next year and still lives, enjoying good health and the society of many friends. THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 65 The Tangier Smiths. Colonel William Smith the patentee of St. George's manor, was born at Newton near Higham-Ferrers, in Northamptonshire, England, February 2nd 1655. In 1675 he was appointed by King Charles II. governor of the royal city of Tangier, Africa, and commander of the troops necessary to protect an establishment on that bar- barous coast. He remained governor of Tangier 13 years; hence his descendants are distinguished from other families of the name of Smith by the appellation of " Tangier Smiths." In the Protestant church at Tangier, November 26th 1675, by Rev. Wibiam Turner, D.D., Colonel William Smith was married to Martha, daughter of Henry Tunstall, Esq., of Putney, county of Surrey, England. In 1683 they, with their three living children, returned to England. Three years later they embarked for America, and arrived in New York August 6th 1686. He was very soon appointed a member of his Majesty's council, under Governor Dongan*, which posi- tion he occupied until his death, 1705. On the death of the Earl of Bellomont in 1701, in the absence at Barbadoes of John Nanfan, the lieutenant governor. Colonel Smith by virtue of his position as president of the council was pro tem. at the head of the govern- ment, although four of the members opposed it. Colonel Smith showed great decision of character, as neither threats nor bribes could induce him to swerve from his duty. In May 1691 the supreme court was established by an act of the Legislature, and Colonel Smith was at once appointed associate judge and soon after chief justice. He is said to have discharged the duties of his various offices with great dignity and impartiality. Soon after his arrival in America Colonel Smith visited Setauket, and in 1687 purchased Little Neck, where he soon established his residence. June 8th 1693 he was commissioned to succeed Colonel Youngs in command of the militia of Suffolk county. About this time he purchased of the Indians the large tract of land which with Little Neck was constituted as the manor of St. George by the patents of 1693 and 1697. Colonel Smith erected his family mansion, beautifully situated, on a neck of land overlooking Long Island Sound from Setauket Harbor, where the family of the late Judge Selah B. Strong now reside; honored descendants of Colonel William Smith, through his son Colonel Henry Smith. Colonel William was actively interested with the inhab- itants of Brookhaven in most of the public enterprises of the time, and joined with them in their worship in the old town church. There his wife was accorded peculiar honor by a specification in the order for seating people made about the year 1703, by which she was the only woman to be allowed to sit at the table with the honored * " And whereas there ia a clause in my instructions to send over the names ol six persons more fltt to supply the vacancy of the council, six of the Attest I find In this government are as f oUoweth : Matthias Nichols, waiiam Smith, James Graham, Gabriel Minvielle, Francis Rumbouls, Major Nicolas Uemyre." Colonial Hist. State of N. Y., Vol. Ill, page 417 ; from Governor Dongan to the Lords of Trade, February 1687. justices and all householders who should contribute forty shillings or more to the minister's salary. Colonel William Smith died at his residence February i8th 1705, and was buried in the cemetery which he had prepared not far from his mansion, where he had laid to rest several of his children. His widow, a very intelli- gent and well-bred lady, survived him four years. She was known as the " Lady of the Manor." Colonel William and Madam Martha Smith had thir- teen children, only five of whom, three sons and two daughters, survived their parents. Of these, the eldest, Colonel Henry, remained in possession of the homestead at Setauket, while the second surviving son and tenth child — William Henry — established a residence at MaStic, on the south side. Colonel Smith's descendants are al- lied to the best families of our country, among them the De Lanceys, Mcllvaines, Dwights, Johnsons, Rowlands, Aspinwalls, Woolseys, WoodhuUs, etc. Colonel Henry Smith, above referred to, was born in Tangier, Africa, January 19th 1679. He was a man of ability and prominence in his day, occupying many positions of honor and trust in the county as well as in the town. He filled the office of county clerk from 1709 to 1716, and was for many years a judge of the county and a delegate to the prerogative court, for taking the proof of wills, etc. He was president of the Brookhaven trustees most of the time from 1709 to 1720, and during several of those years was also supervisor of the town. He was married January 9th 1705 to Anna, daughter of Rev. Thomas Shepard, of Charlestown, Mass., the cele- brated Rev. Cotton Mather officiating in the ceremony. By this wife he had nine children. He afterward mar- ried Frances Caner, who died, leaving no children. His third wife was Margaret Biggs, by whom he had two children, one of whom became the wife of Captain Wil- liam Nicoll. Rev. Charles Jeffrey Smith, the only son of Henry, who was the son of Colonel Henry, the eldest son of Colonel William Smith, was born at Setauket, in 1740. Possessed of a sufficient estate, which he inherited from his father, who died when he was byt a lad, he in early manhood showed a determination to devote his time, his energies and his means to the work of educating and Christianizing the Indians. He received the honors of Lebanon College at the age of 17, and four years later received the offer of a position as tutor in that institu- tion, which offer he refused for the sake of teaching an Indian school at that place. In June of the following year (1763) he was ordained at Lebanon, and with Jo- seph, a favorite Indian pupil of the school, as an inter- preter, he started on a missionary excursion into the Mohawk country, being directed to proceed to Onohogh- quage. The Pontiac war soon afterward cut short his progress in this undertaking and he returned to his home at Setauket, where he resided in 1766. He afterward went south and engaged in preaching the gospel to the colored people of Virginia, where he is said to have been very successful. In all his efforts for the elevation of these despised races he seems to have been actuated by 66 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. a spirit of pure benevolence, receiving no pay for his labor, and bearing his own expenses. Having returned to his home and family at Setauket, he came to an un- timely death by the discharge of a shotgun while out hunting. It was supposed to have been an accidental discharge of the gun while in his own hands, but many years afterward a negro at some place in the Southern States, when about to be executed for a murder which he had committed there, confessed that he had not only committed the crime for which he was about to die, but that he had years before murdered a minister by the name of Charles Jeffrey Smith, at Setauket, on Long Island, of which crime he had never been suspected. The exact account of this confession has unfortunately been lost. Mr. Smith's death occurred in August 1770, while he was in his thirty-first year, and his body was laid in the family cemetery on Little Neck. Major William Henry Smith, son of Colonel Wil- liam, the progenitor of the " Tangiers," was born at Se- tauket, March 13th 1689. He married a lady by the name of Merrit, from Boston, by whom he had one son, Merrit. For his second wife he married Hannah Cooper, of Southampton, March 3d 17 18, by whom he had two sons and five daughters. He died January 27th 1743. Major Smith inherited the southern part of his father's domain, and chose for his home a point on the Great South Bay known as Sebonack, St. George's manor, commanding extensive views rarely surpassed in beauty. That seat is now owned and occupied by his lineal de- scendant Hon. Egbert Tangier Smith. William Smith son of the major, and commonly called Judge William, was born at Mastic, in 1720. He was a man of considerable note during the Revolution- ary period. He was county judge several years, from which circumstance he received his distinguishing title. He was a member of the Provincial Congress of July 1776, and among the men who framed the State consti- tution upon which the "new form of government" was established in 1777. During the remainder of the Revo- lution, while the island was in the hands of the British, he represented the district in the State Senate. He was at this time, 1776-83, in exile from his property. Before leaving it he buried the patent in the ground. He after- ward returned and enjoyed the fruits of peace for several years. He died march 17th 1799, leaving a widow and five of the eight children who hadbeen born to him. His seventh son, William, born April 30th 1769, married Hannah Phoenix Smith, of Smithtown, and established a homestead at " Longwood." William Sidney Smith, a great-great-grandson of Colonel William, the original " Tangier Smith," and through his mother a lineal descendant in the fifth gen- eration from Richard, the original " Bull Smith," was born on that portion of St. George's manor known as Longwood, July 8th 1796. He was the son of William Smith the proprietor of Longwood, who, dying in the vigor of his manhood, left William Sidney an orphan at the tender age of seven years. From that time until he reached his majority he was under the guardianship of his uncle. General John Smith, of Mastic. After ac- quiring his education, during the advanced years of his youth he entered' the mercantile office of Cotheal & Rus- sell in New York, one of the firm being his brother-in- law Robert M. Russell, in whose family he was also an. inmate. Here he continued for several years. While residing in New York he enlisted in the military service of the State, and in 1815 received the commis- sion of ensign in the 142nd regiment of New York State infantry, and the following year was appointed lieuten- ant of a company in the same regiment. Later he was promoted by a commission from Governor Yates to be brigade major, which position he resigned in the autumn of 1823. At the age of 21 Mr. Smith left the city and took possession of his estate at Longwood. In the spring of 1821 he received an introduction, through- a mutual friend — Honorable Silas Wood, the_ pioneer historian of Long Island — to the family of Major William Jones of Cold Spring, L. I. In this family he soon be- came a favorite guest, and two years later was married to Eleanor, the third daughter of Major Jones. This event, which took place on the 7th of May 1823, proved in its lifelong sequel an unusually happy one, not only to the families immediately connected, but to the wide range of appreciative society with which the young couple in their chosen home were afterward surrounded. After spending a year at the home of the bride, while the old homestead at Longwood, which for twenty years had stood unoccupied by the family, was being fitted up for their occupancy, they removed thither and entered upon the active duties of a long and useful life. For nearly 55 years they walked together, and as the twilight of life's evening was drawing its calm shades around them, she, whose days of usefulness had been so nobly filled, reviewed in a collection of "Golden Wedding Mementos " some recollections of their united journey. In these pages we read that in their early life they had " settled down in the old homestead at Longwood, with courage and determination to encounter cheerfully the trials which were sure to meet them. * * * They were remote from all the conveniences of a settled com- munity or village, having neither railroad nor telegraphic communication with the outer world, and even mails were infrequent. Yet, with all these privations, their home has been one of happiness, peace, plenty, and con- tentment, through half a century. Here they have borne each other's burdens, shared in the cares, the joys, the sorrows, the sicknesses and the pleasures of all these different dispensations, until now, when the battle of life is nearly ended. Here, by the help of God, they have reared to manhood and womanhood their ten children." Mr. Smith, having established himself upon his estate of several thousand acres, a great part of which was heavily timbered, gave his attention to the cultivation of his farm, the management of his estate, and the various enterprises which at different times demanded his ener- gies. He was elected supervisor of the town in 1829, and held the same office for five years in succession. He was county treasurer from 1834 to 1848, inclusive- THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 69 represented the western district of Suffolk in the State Assembly in 1834, 1848 and 1856. He was for seven years either inspector, commissioner or superintendent of common schools, and was at different times elected by his townsmen to other offices of less importance. His own business interests prompted him to an active parti- cipation in the early management of the Long Island Railroad, and the flouring mills and woolen factory at Yaphank. Through a period of more than half a century he was constant in serving his generation in the various capacities in which duty called him to act. Dur- ing these years he was an earnest supporter of Christian enterprise and benevolence, and a o-?^ f^^->2^ THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVKN. supreme court of New York, was re-elected, and served till i860. He was a member of the constitutional con- vention of 1867— one of the oldest members of that body. He gradually withdrew from public affairs, and after a peaceful and serene experience of old age died November 27th 1872, in the 8ist year of his age. The event was feelingly and ably noticed by the press of New York city, as well as of Long Island. The Republican WaUktnan, of Greenport, contained the following remarks: " For many years Hon. Selah B. Strong occupied the foremost place in the minds of Long Islanders in respect to judicial or legal questions. He was recognized as bringing to the determination of all such matters the clearest intellect, the soundest judgment, the widest in- formation, the most profound study and the most thorough professional training of perhaps any ' son of the soil ' who ever sat on the bench in this or the other two counties of the island, and in all these particulars his fame suffered no abatement when he was transferred to the larger sphere of the court of appeals. Asa jurist on the bench, and a counsellor discussing points of law, he was held in deserved esteem by the people of the whole State, and the record of his decisions and opinions forms an imperishable monument to his memory. He had of late years withdrawn from active participation in public affairs, and had consequently passed in a measure from the knowledge of the younger man of our day. His large estate at Setauket and business concerns in general, with occasional examinations of legal questions, at the request of old friends and clients, occupied his time, and smoothed the decline of life with that degree of mental and physical activity which keeps the dual organism of man's wonderful nature in healthful harmony." Judge Strong was an active member of the Setauket Presbyterian church, which body at the close of the ser- vices December ist 1872 passed a suitable and feeling series of resolutions to his memory. He married (August 14th 1823) Cornelia Udall, born at Islip March 20th 1806, daughter of Dr. Richard Udall and Prudence Carll, who was a daughter of Silas Carll of Huntington. He was of light complexion, with very light hair and blue eyes (like his Brewster parent- age), 5 feet II inches high, and weighed 174 pounds. His children were: Cornelia Shepard, born February 14th 1826, married Marcena Munson; Mary Augusta, born October 31st 1827, died September 6th 1851; Anne Udall, born January 3d 1830, died September ist 1833; Caroline A., born June 6th 1832; Thomas Shepard, born August loth 1834; Richard Udall, born February 17th 1837, died August 19th 1840; Benjamin, born July 4th 1839, died July 21st 1840; Selah Brewster jr., born July ist 1841; and Henry Tunstall Strong, M.D., born April 24th 1845. Thomas Shepard Strong graduated at Yale in 1855. He is a lawyer in New York city, formerly in partnership with his brother Selah B. Strong jr. and now in partner- ship with Asa A. Spear at 22 Pine street. He married, September 29th 1870, at Scarboro, N. Y., Emily Boor- man, who was born December 3d 1841. She is a daughter of Robert Boorman, born in Hollingsborn, Eng., June isth 1790, and Sarah Ann Hodges, born in Leursham, Eng., April ist 1809. Selah B. Strong jr. graduated at Yale in 1864, and at the Albany Law School in 1865, and is a lawyer in New York. He married at New Haven, Ct., April 15th 1868, Julia Davenport Wheeler, born November loth 1844, daughter of Russell C. Wheeler, late of New York, and Theodosia Davenport, daughter of John A. Davenport of New Haven. They have one child, Cornelia Theodosia, born January 27th 1869 at New Haven. Henry T. Strong, M.D., graduated at Williams College in 1865, and at the New York Medical College, Twenty- second street, in 1868; completed, his studies in Paris and Vienna, and settled as a physician in New York. He married Mary Crosby Renwick October 31st 1872. He died December 12th 1876. They had one child, Williams Renwick Strong. Henry W. Titus. Henry Weeks Titus was born in the town of Hunting- ton, at Cold Spring, on the 7th of September 1797. His mother belonged to a distinguished Brooklyn family, owning a landed property there, all rural features of which have long since been obliterated by the brick and mortar usurpations of the great city. Harman and Mary Lefferts reared such a large, sturdy, old-fashioned family that it is a pleasure to give their names and birth record here. The father was born November 8th 1730; the mother August roth 1735, and their children as fol- lows: Adam B., January 6th 1756; James, September 14th 1757; Titus, June i6th 1759; Margaret, February 28th i'76i; John, July 20th 1765; Samuel, July 24th 1767; Mary, June loth 1769; Henry, April 2Sth 1771; Leffert, May 15th 1773; Abigail, January 7th 1775; William, February 5th 1779. Abigail, the tenth child in this family, was the mother of the subject of this sketch. His father had a farm of about 60 acres of land, on which Henry used to work while a boy, but it was rather unproductive and offered small inducement for much outlay of time or labor. For a little revenue he took clams and sent them to New York market by his father, who ran a sloop on that route as his main occupation. In this way he had accumulated a little fund of his own before he was fifteen years old. His early education was obtained at the common schools in his vicinity. As he grew toward maturity he was tall and slender, and dis- liked farm work, to which he had applied himself vigor- ously. Among other labors he used to dig deep holes by the side of stones that were too heavy to draw off, into which holes the rocks were tumbled and buried out of the way. Being of an active turn, and conscious of an impulse to go to some field where his youthful energies could have ample room for development, he went to New York city and engaged himself, not in a store, where too many young men seek light, genteel employment, but as an ap- prentice to learn the carpenter and builder's trade. Here he remained, working faithfully, four years, receiving the munificent sum of $32 per year. No four years of his 82 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. life were more advantageously spent however, for he mastered his employer's business in all its practical de- tails, so that he soon embarked on his own account, and commenced a remarkably successful career. Dur- ing his apprenticeship he was at one time employed on the lunatic asylum at Blooraingdale. But the city was growing rapidly, and competent contractors and builders had more than they could attend to without seeking outside work. Mr. Titus established a reputation for prompt and good work among the solid men who were investing their funds in the multitudinous building enterprises of that day. He had large dealings with prominent men, among whom was Rufus L. Lord, for whom he constructed hundreds of buildings. In De- cember 1835 the great fire swept away thousands of dwellings and business blocks, creating immediately thereafter an enormous activity in rebuilding the burnt district. Mr. Titus and all other respon.sibIe builders were at once overwhelmed with work. Dr. Rice of Patchogue, who knew him from 1833 to the close of his life, says he has known him to have as many as 3,000 men employed on his various contracts at one time. So perfect was the understanding and so implicit the confidence between Mr. Titus and Rufus L. Lord that block after block was built for the latter by the former without a stroke of the pen to attest the stipulations between them. Mr. Titus's cares and duties at this time were equal to the burden that falls on the general of an army. His activity was incessant, and he was equal to all the exigencies of the situation; otherwise disaster would have come in the place of success. Doc- tor Rice says he would walk from one gang of men to another, giving the most minute directions, and then to another, till his feet were blistered. But such labor usually receives ample compensation, and in this case it was crowned with abundant success. Mr. Titus's constitution was equal to the strain, so that he did not break down and become incapable of enjoying the results of his exertions. He was married July 25th 1826 to Susan Amelia Missillier, of New York, a lady of many accomplish- ments and of great personal worth. She was born in Elizabeth, N. J., and died September 5th 1855. Her mother was a French lady with a romantic history. She was born on the island of Hayti, and passed through the great insurrection, narrowly escaping with her life. A gang of the blood-thirsty insurgents went to kill her, but a faithful slave had secreted her in a field of sugar cane. She was a brilliant woman, of strong character, and a faithful mother. The children of Henry and Susan Titus were born as follows: Joseph Henry, Jan- uary isth 1828; Joel M., March 22nd 1830 (died May 7th following); Susan Amelia, July 24th 1834 (died June 7th 1875); Gardiner Green Howland, April 7th 1847 (died April 12th 1849). The house in which Mr. Titus lived while in New York, 117 Greenwich street, is still standing, unaltered, with the old carpenter's shop in the rear — all in a good state of preservation. Five years after the great fire, having amassed a property amply sufficient for all his wants, he decided to leave the city and the business he had followed, for the quiet enjoyments of a country home. Accordingly in 1840 he bought 200 acres in Bellport and 125 acres in Brookhaven, then called Fireplace. On the Bellport farm he built the house now owned and occupied by James Otis. In this he lived until Mr. Otis bought it in 1865, with all the land Mr. Titus owned on the south side of the road. He then returned to New York; but his health failed, and he came back the next year and lived in the large building known as the Titus house, a part of which he had previously moved a few rods to the east, and enlarged to its present size. This dwelling was built by the Howells, over 100 years ago. Here he remained till his death, October 6th 1873, at the age of 76. Mr. Titus was over six feet in height, with a compact, powerful frame. He was a great lover of outdoor life, fine horses, and all the exciting sports of the field, the woods and the water. He was a thorough farmer, and kept the best stock, of every kind, especially cattle and sheep. He was always a Democrat in politics, but uniformly refused office. He was kind to the poor and charitable to all public enterprises. Although never an active church member he was instrumental in raising most of the funds that built the Presbyterian church at Bell- port. He died universally regretted, and left a memory that his descendants can always contemplate with satis- faction. His son Joseph Henry Titus, who had passed most of his life in New York, built in 1877 a very attractive and elegant house on the old homestead, into which he moved the next year, and he has made it his permanent home. John R. Mather, the son of Richard and Irene Mather, and the grand- son of Captain Alexander Mather, and of John Willse on his mother's side, was born at Drowned Meadow, now Port Jefferson, November 20th 1814. Prior to 1800 Captain Alexander, his grandfather, dwelt at Old Man's, now Mt. Sinai, in the house recently owned and occu- pied by the late Henry Hawkins, who pulled it down and built anew on the same site. When a lad the sub- ject of this sketch used to ride his father's horses to Mr. Hawkins's to be shod, he being the nearest blacksmith in those days to the Drowned Meadow people. Captain Mather afterward removed to the village of Huntington and lived nearly opposite the old Episcopal church, on the street running to the harbor, where he died in 1824, and was buried in the old Presbyterian burying ground in that village. Previous to 1800 John R.'s grandfather Willse lived in the house more recently known as the residence of the late James Van Brunt, on the east side of Setauket THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 83 a^ce^C^ Harbor. About this time he purchased of Judge Thomas Strong a tract of land since owned by James R. Davis, and now in part by James M. Bayles, on which he built the house in which Mr. Bayles now lives. This he kept as a hotel, and a portion of the old house still remains. In those days that piece of ground was little else than an unsubdued swamp, prolific in briers and entangling shrubs. Judge Strong said while the terms of the sale were being agreed upon, " Willse, I thought you were a man of better judgment than to build a house in this swamp." In this house John R. Mather was born, in 1814, as before stated. Mr. Willse obtained from the town authorities permission to build a wharf, a portion of which is the same now used by J. M. Bayles. He was by trade a ship-builder, and is said to have built the first vessel ever constructed at Drowned Meadow, named the " Jay." How many he built is not known, but it is certain that he was the pioneer ship-yard pro- prietor and that he followed the business until removed by death in 1815, at the age of 50 years, at a time when he was in the midst of his greatest usefulness. He was a noble man, and to his forecast and energy the village of Port Jefferson owes its first start. He was the father of four sons and four daughters, of whom only two of the latter are now living. Richard Mather, son of Captain Alexander Mather, learned the ship carpenters' trade of Mr. Willse by a regular apprenticeship. He married Mr. Willse's oldest daughter, Irene, and after her father's death continued ship-building on the site now occupied by J. M. Bayles & Son. In 1816, while vigorously prosecuting his bus- iness he met with an accident in masting the schooner ' Rogers,' that caused his death in the prime of young manhood, at the early age of 30. He was an excellent mechanic and an excellent man, and the entire commun- ity joined in the grief that enshrouded his young family. Mrs. Mather was married five years later to William L. Jones, who in connection with her first husband's brother, Titus C. Mather, revived the ship-yard and con- tinued the business till about 1826, when Mr. Mather removed to Bridgeport, Conri., where he established him- self in the same occupation. In the spring of 1831 the subject of this sketch, who was only two years old at his father's death, went to Bridgeport and engaged as an apprentice with his uncle to learn the trade his father had followed, remaining with him six years, till the spring of 1837. Previous to 1830 his stepfather, W. L. Jones, had bought what was known as the Point property, on which he built the house now owned by his son William M. Jones, standing on the street that bears his name. Here he conceived the notion of starting a ship-yard, which he carried into execution, though laboring under great disadvantages from the unfavorable makeup of the shore for floating vessels to deeper water. The first vessel was built at this yard in 1834, and was called the 'Pearl.' A feiv months after the expiration of his apprenticeship John R. Mather returned from Bridgeport and joined his step- father in the ship-yard business, which partnership con- tinued till 1844. During this time they constructed a road across the marsh now constituting a part of Jones street, leading to where the site of the present dock was then fixed upon. . A grant for constructing this dock was obtained from the town, and an agreement made to build a road 18 feet wide, with walls of stone,and a bridge, under which the water might flow and ebb; all of which being faithfully performed on the part of Jones & Mather, the said road or causeway reverted to the town, and was to be maintained as a highway. The con- struction of a dock running 500 feet into the bay, with an arm 50 feet long, in the shape of the letter L, was a great public improvement, but financially a failure. The next .formidable undertaking was the laying of two sets of marine railway on the shore, which was so low that the whole territory had to be filled in from three to four feet to raise it above tide water, all of which was completed in 1841. Mr. Mather remained at the old yard above the meadows till 1878, when he removed his business to his present location, west of the dock above referred to, where now stands the schooner " Bessie Whitney " on her keel blocks, soon to receive her christening. She is a noble vessel of 700 tons burden, and reflects credit on her builder and her owners. It will thus be seen that " Boss " Mather has been continuously connected with ship-building in his native village for almost a half century, and that his family, commencing with his grandfather Willse, had for a like period, with slight intervals, preceded him in the same business. With a proud but not vain satisfaction he en- joys the reflection that his ancestors have been so promi- nently identified with this noble industry, which has built up and sustained Port Jefferson. That he has done well his part, and honorably continued the good reputation and enterprise of an old and honored family, a whole commurfity will bear witness. Mr. Mather married Sarah Jane, youngest daughter of Henry Wells of Smithtown, January 27th 1847. They have had three children— Sarah Jane, born September 2ist 1849; Irena Willse, born October 23d 1851; and John Titus, born June 29th 1854— all of whom are living. 84 ^^^x:;^ y^^ Nehemiah Hand. Nehemiah Hand, of Setauket, is one of the ablest representatives, in all respects, that Long Island has ever had of her leading manufacturing interest — ship- building. A perusal of his biography, which is given nearly in his own words, demonstrates that his brain is of the finest quality, large and well balanced, easily grasping and mastering every subject with which it has had to do. This mental machinery has been run in a body never strong since he had the rheumatism when 17 years old, by a will power and determination seldom equaled in any man's history. With characteristic readiness he furnished a full record of all his business operations, a thing few men can do. His account of his life is of interest to all classes, besides being valuable as a history of what has been done in this town. Mr. Hand says: " I was burn in the village of Fireplace, in the town of Brookhaven, January 19th 1814. My father's name was Nehemiah, and he was a descendant of a family of Hands who were among the first settlers on the east end of Long Island. My mother was a daughter of General Mapes, who came to this country during the Revolution- ary war. My father was a small farmer, and followed gunning and fishing when not needed on his farm. He was drowned on the 22nd of November 1813, with ten other men, all heads of families, while fishing in the sea at New Inlet on the South Beach. " I was born in January following, my mother being left with five small children to care for. I staid with her till I was twelve years old, when I went to work on a farm at $5 per month. When 14 I drove a sand cart to help build the Bellport dock. For the next two years I worked with a house carpenter for my board and $25 per year to buy my clothes. I did not think much of this trade. It was all square work and did not require much skill to nail on shingles and clapboards. I soon learned to do that as fast as my boss. In my 17th year I determined to learn the shipwright's trade, and walked 18 miles to Stony Brook to see my brother, who was a shipwright. He agreed to give me my board and clothes and a quarter's schooling till I was 21. The schooling I did not get — never had but 72 days' schooling in my life. While with him I had the rheumatism so bad that I had to go on crutches three months, and was made a cripple for life. My friends thought. I had better give up the trade, but I stuck to it and have never been sorry. My boss came to Setauket and started a ship-yard when I was in my igth year. In 1834 he sent me to North- port to take charge of a gang of men and finish up a vessel, which I did and launched her. January 19th 1835 I was 21 years old, and I staid with my boss till April ist for $20. " That summer I worked for Titus Mathews at Bridge- port. In 1836 I built the schooner 'Delight' for Adam Bayles. In 1837 I made the model and moulds for the schooner ' Swallow ' and helped build her by the day. In 1838 I was married to Mary Bennett of Setauket. That year I worked for Bell & Brown and learned to THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 8S build square-rigged vessels. In 1839 I built the vessel ' Hardscrabble ' for Louis Davis, of Miller's Place. In 1840 I bought a lot and built a house in East Setauket that cost $1,000, and it took me nine years to earn it. In 1841 I built a small vessel at Glen Cove called the ' Helen Jayne.' I did it by contract and cleared $500. In 1842 business was very dull and I worked for Bell & Brown in New York by the day. In 1843 I helped repair the sloops ' Globe ' and ' Aeronaut.' "In 1844 I found I must make money faster to support my family, and so I laid down the first set of ways ever built in Setauket, for repairs. Many said all they could against it, and I have found out by a long experience that it is the character of old settlers generally to oppose all improvements. I soon got a vessel to rebuild, the ' Martha Ann,' and before she was done I contracted with Captain Charles Tyler to build the sloop ' Com- merce,' and to own one-quarter of her when finished. She was 36 years old in October 1881, and is a good vessel yet, and has been very profitable to her owners. In 1846 I built the schooner ' Nancy Mills ' for Captain Joseph Tyler, besides having all the repairing I could do; employed about 20 men. In 1847 I built the schooner 'Mary Rowland' for Captain Thomas W. Rowland, which proved to be a good sailer. I owned one-quarter of her. The same year I built the schooner 'Albermarle' for William B. Whitehead, of Suffolk, Va. In 1848 I built for the same man another schooner, the ' South Hampton.' These vessels brought pine wood from Vir- ginia to Providence for steamboat use before coal was used. "In 1849 I built a schooner on my own account, and called her 'Marietta Hand,' after my oldest daughter. I sold one-half of her to Captain Micah Jayne, the boat to be commanded by Captain Scudder Jayne. In four years she had earned us $7,200, when we sold her for $5,800, $200 more than she cost us. In 1850 I built the schooner ' Nassau ' for Stephen H. Townsend and Cap- tain Richard Edwards. She was built for the Mediter- ranean fruit trade, and was capsized in a storm two years after. One man only was saved. He lashed himself to the wreck, anS after a dreadful exposure of six days was picked up by a passing vessel. I owned one-fourth of this vessel, which I got insured really after she was lost, but before we heard from her. The insurance was paid. In 1851 I built the brig 'N. Hand ' for Turner & Town- send. I owned one-fourth of her. She cost $14,600. In less than four years she had paid her owners $22,562, when we sold her for $10,250. Business for all kinds of vessejs was first-rate at this time. In 1852 I built the large sloop ' Chase.' She was used as a packet between New York and Providence, and lost her mast (95 feet long) one day racing with the sloop ' Pointer.' The prin- cipal owner was on board and said to the captain: ' Never mind, we are aliead.' "In 1853 I built the schooner 'Flying Eagle' on my own account. I sold half of her to Captain Benjamin Jones and others. I sent her to Constantinople in the time of the Crimean war, with a cargo of rum and pepper. I thought that would warm them up, and make them fight if anything would. We got $5,000 for carrying it. She was a good sailer, and paid her cost in the first four years. In 1854 I built the bark ' C. W. Poultney ' for Baker & Studson. She cost $39,000, and ran as a packet between Philadelphia and New Orleans. In 1855 I built the brig'T. W. Rowland.' She cost $28,000, and I owned one-fourth. The same year I sold my ways and place on the shore to Joseph Rowland, and bought the place and built the house where I now live. Setauket was a lively place that summer, from 90 to 100 men being constantly employed. Mechanics came in from all quarters, more than there were houses for. I started the bark 'Urania,' and -finished her in 1856 for Captain William R. Turner. She cost $31,000, and I owned three-eighths. She was built for the coffee trade between New York and Brazil. Two years after she ran as a packet between Shanghai and Nangasaki, when Japan was first open to the commerce of the world. She brought home a cargo of tea and silks, the freights on which amounted to $12,000. In 1857 I built the schooner 'Andromeda' for Captain T. W. Rowland. He owned one-fourth and I three-fourths of her. We ran her three years between Bridgeport, Conn., and .Washington, carrying marble to enlarge the capitol. In 1859 I built the bark ' Palace ' for a contract price of $24,000. I delivered her in New York three days before the time had expired, but had to sue for several thousand dollars due on her. I collected the whole and cleared $3,000 on the job. Samuel J. Tilden was lawyer for the contractors who refused to pay me. "In i860 I built the schooner ' Aldebaran ' and gave my son Robert N. Hand one-eighth of her. He took charge of her as captain when but 19 years old and sailed to Charleston. She left that harbor the day before Fort Sumter was fired on. Robert took as his first mate Edward Hawkins and they went to Oporto — captain and mate not yet 20 years old. February 27th 1863 she left New York with a cargo bound for Marinham. She was cap- tured March 13th by the rebel privateer ' Florida,' Cap- tain Moffitt, plundered and burned.- Her captain and all hands were taken on board the privateer and kept ten days, when the captain, mate and apprentice boy were put on board the brig ' Run In Need ' and sent to Greenock, Scotland, with nothing but their clothes. The captain asked Moffitt for his chronometer, charts, and nautical instruments, as they were given him by his father, but Mofiittsaid they were contraband of war, and refused. This Captain Moffitt was a son of the sensa- tional Methodist preacher Moffitt, who used to preach on Long Island. It cost the boys $350 to get home. I im- mediately emplo.yed Judge Marvin and filed a claim in Washington for the value of the vessel, and after waiting 13 years we got $30,160, with interest at 4 per cent. "In 1862 I built the brig ' Mary E. Rowland,' and sold her in 1863 at a handsome profit, as property went up. The same year I bought a farm of 16 acres for $3,- 800. I took my son George E. Hand as partner in 1863. We built the brig ' Americus ' in 1864-65. We were paying our men $4 for 10 hours work, and they struck 86 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. for the same pay and eight hours work. We refused to pay it and I went to Albany to buy timber for a house. Ashes were only i2j^ cents per bushel there and I con- tracted for all I could buy at Troy, Albany, Kingston and Poughkeepsie. When I got them to Long Island they brought me 24 and 25 cents per bushel. I bought and sold some gold, and anything else I could make money on. The ' Americus ' cost $42,000. Robert Hand bought one-sixteenth of her and took charge as captain. In 1867 I built the bark ' Mary N. Tyler,' costing $24,000. I owned one-half of her. In 1868 I built the brig ' Mary E. Thayer ' for Captain Henry Baker. She went into the Mediterranean fruit trade. She was un- fortunate; was dismasted twice, the last time in 1879. She once put into Lisbon and was robbed of $1,750. I paid $2,117 fo'' ^ collision where the captain came across the Atlantic without any lights. "In i86g I built the 'Georgetta Lawrence," a three-mast- ed schooner costing $32,000. Last summer we opened her and found everything sound. She was once struck by lightning off the cost of Cyprus with a load of coal oil in cases. The lightning shivered her mizzen mast in splinters, went through both decks and set the oil on fire. The mate, Charles Robinson, opened the hatches, jumped in between decks and threw out the burning cases, the men throwing water on him all the time. The vessel was saved by his heroism. Afterward Captain William Overton made a voyage in her to East London. On his way home he fell in with the bark 'Calcutta' with her rudder gone, and towed her to Cape Town in two days, for which the court awarded $5,000 salvage. She has paid her owners over $45,000. In 1870 I built the bark 'De Zaldo' for Waydell & Co. She went into the West India trade; cost $40,000 and paid her first cost in five years. In 1871 I built the brig ' Daisy ' for Cap- tain Casty for $32,500. She was much admired and a very fast sailer. She sailed from Cape Henry to Stet- ,tien in the German Baltic in 26 days, with a load of case oil, and paid her owners $io,t5oo the first year. In 1872 I built the barkentine ' Thomas Brooks,' which went into the West India trade, carried 660 hogsheads of sugar and cost $42,000. In 1873 I built the schooner ' N. Hand ' on my own account. " I then retired from ship-building and left the busi- ness to George N. Hand, my son and for the last ten years my partner. I have since enjoyed myself at home, seeing how much a little land will produce by good cultivation. I was one of the assessors of the town of Brookhaven from 1862 to 1865. In 1863 we raised $85,000 taxes and paid every drafted man $300. I was opposed to bonding the town, believing it the true policy to pay as we went along. "In 1861 and 1862 C. S. Burr, Joel L. Smith, Mr. Shipman and myself surveyed the first route for the railroad from Centerport to Port Jefferson. James M. Bayles was president of our company, and I was one of the directors. We had to raise $85,000 cash and get the right of way before the Long Island Company would guarantee our bonds. Judge John Lawrence Smith, J. M. Bayles and myself were a committee to conclude the bargain with Mr. Charlick, the president of the Long Island road, and to superintend the building of the road. We encountered many difficulties. There are eight iron bridges in twenty miles. The shortest is 100 feet long and the longest 450 feet. The road cost $35,000 per mile. " In my experience with shipping I have never paid $500 for insurance. I thought if insurance companies could make money insuring poor vessels I could save money by running my own risk on good ones. I have met with some losses, but have never been cheated out of a dollar in my life. By dealing honestly with others I have received the same treatment from them." Since 1870 Mr. Hand has been engaged with gentle- men in New York and on Long Island in fighting com- pulsory pilotage at Sandy Hook and Hell Gate. In January 1880 he, in company with several others, went before the committee on commerce at Albany to demand a repeal of the law. He made a telling statement of the bare facts which had more weight than any other speech made on the subject. Mr. Hand's short, cutting sentences made their way like an ironclad among wooden hulks. His speech closed with the following diamond- pointed words: " Now, gentlemen, this is our case exactly. We are compelled by law to pay for something we don't have and don't want. It is a robbery and a fraud. It is con- trary to our republican form of government. It is con- trary to our free institutions. It is a disgrace to our law-makers. It is a blot and a stain on our statute books. It is the last relic of barbarism. Repeal this compulsory pilotage. Give us equal justice — this is all we want." This was a volley of sledge-hammers. Every word weighed a pound. He also went before the committee on commerce and navigation at Washington in March 1880 and presented more fully the injustice of the pres- ent laws. During the war pilots' fees were doubled, and when prices of everything else came down they remained as they were. There are 140 of these pilots at Sandy Hook and Hell Gate. One of the oldest, Mr. Cisco, testified that the pilots were a " trade union " and each man paid $5 per month for legislative purposes. Mr. Hand took from his pocket receipts of pilot fees in every port be- tween Maine and Texas, showing that the New York pilots were the most exacting of all. Partial success has attended these efforts. Coasting vessels are no longer compelled to employ pilots at Hell Gate or Sandy Hook. Mr. Hand declares that he will help fight this thing as long as he lives if need be, till compulsory pilotage at New York is abolished. At present vessels going and coming from that port pay annually over $600,000, aJl of which is nothing more nor less than extortion. These are some of the many facts presented in his speech at Washington. Mr. Hand has lost two wives and is now living with the third. He has had eight children. The oldest two are Robert N. and George Hand. Two of his daughters are married— Mary Ella Smith and Cornelia J. Bayles. Two unmarried daughters are living, Kate H. and Mary Ida, and two are dead. Mr. Hand's career has been very active and productive, few men accomplishing so much 'for themselves and for others. He has made the world richer, wiser and better. residence: OF Capt. SCUDDER JAYNE,EAST SETAUKET SUFFOLK CO., L.I. RESJDENCE or C.E.DAVIS, PORT JEFFERSON^ SUFFOLK CO.,L w^J THE TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. 91 Captain Scudder Jayne. The Jayne family, so long identified with the interests of Setauket, traces its descent from William Jayne who was born in Bristol, England, January 25th 1618. In 1678 he emigrated to America, and established himself at Setauket, where he acquired land. He is said to have been twice married; his last wife was Annie Biggs. He died at Setauket, March 24th 17 14, aged 96. His sons (all born at Setauket) were: William, who was born March 23d 1684, and died in 1753, on Long Island; Samuel, who removed to Orange county, and died in 1765; Matthias; John; Daniel, died in 1785; James, born in 1698, died in 1781; and Stephen, born in 1700, married Mary Hawkins, died November ist 1774. John, Daniel, and James, like Samuel, moved away from Setauket. Stephen Jayne, son of Stephen above mentioned, was born August 25th 1727. His wife was Amy Davis. He was a farmer and blacksmith. He died at Setakuet, January 5th 1807, in the 80th year of his age. Joseph Jayne, son of Stephen last named, was born March 3d 1757. His wife was Elizabeth Robbins. He owned much land about Setauket, which at his death was divided among his four sons — Daniel, Stephen, Micah, and Alfred. He lived to be the oldest man in the village, dying August 19th 1847, aged 90 years. Captain Micah Jayne, the son of Joseph, now occupies the old Jayne homestead. He was born April 5th 1796; he is therefore 86 years old, and, like his father before him, he is the oldest man in the place. He had built and commanded several vessels, one of which, the "Adeline," was the first craft built on the modern system of ten hours labor per day in ship-yards, the day's work having previously extended from sunrise to sunset. Micah Jayne married Adeline Jones February 19th 1823. Their children were Scudder, Mary, Elizabeth and Benjamin Franklin. Captain Scudder Jayne, the subject of this sketch, is the son of Micah above mentioned, and was born at Setauket, May 17th 1824. He began his seafaring career at the early age of 15, when he went upon the water with his father. Within three years thereafter he had acquired his title of captain, taking command of the sloop " Ar- rival " when only 18 years of age. In 1846 the schooner " Adeline " was builf, and Captain Jayne commanded this vessel three years. During the next five years he was captain of the " Marietta Hand." In 1856 he had built for him the schooner " Susan E. Jayne," which he commanded until 1862. In 1863 he had the " Ida A. Jayne " built. Of this vessel he was captain until 1876, when he retired from business, and took up his residence in the house which he built in 1867 on the land bought by him in 1850 of Joseph Jayne. This place origin- ally belonged to the Jayne property, and adjoins the old Jayne homestead. January 24th 1851 Captain Jayne married Susan E. Jones, who was born April 30th 1829. Their children living are: Ida A., born October 29th 1856, and Scudder M., born April sth 1867. John L. Ireland. John L. Ireland, born in New York city, October nth 1796, was a descendant from the family of "Ire- land of the Hutt and Hale " in Lancashire, founded by Sir John de Ireland, one of the barons who accompanied William the Conqueror to England. The American branch of the family was founded by John the father of the subject of this sketch, born April 12th 1749. He was the second son of John Ireland high sheriff of Cork. He entered the British navy, and came to America in 1774 onboard of the "Glasgow" man-of-war. Leaving the navy on account of ill health he was appointed com- missary to the navy of Great Britain. He married February 2Sth 1789 his second wife, Judith, eldest daughter of Hon. Jonathan Lawrence of New York city, member of the Provincial Congress of 1776 and the first senator under the first constitution of the State of New York. Their fifth child, John L., the subject of this sketch, graduated at Columbia College in 1816, in a class of which the only living member is Frederick De Peyster. After leaving college he entered the counting-house of his brother-in-law in New York, where he staid for a time. November 22nd 1822 he married Mary, eldest daugh- ter of Colonel Nicoll Floyd of Mastic, and granddaugh- ter of General William Floyd, a signer of the Declara- tion of Independence and member of Congress from 1774 to 1 79 1. She was born at Mastic, December 22nd 1799. For the first three years after their marriage they lived in Steuben county, N. Y., where his father owned a large tract of land. In 1826 he returned to New York to assist his father in the care of a large property in the upper part of the city, which he had bought in 1798. On this property the father and son resided till the death of the former, November 28th 1836, at the advanced age of 87 years, 7 months and 16 days. The next year John L. Ireland purchased of the heirs of Major Rose a large farm in Fireplace, most pleasantly located, which he continued with great interest and skill to improve and cultivate till his death, which took place April 25th 1879, in the •83d year of his age. He was a man of stalwart mould of body and mind, of great activity and executive ability, always intent on the busi- ness of the moment, and pushing it with the utmost vigor. During his residence in New York city he was at one time an alderman and took a leading position in the boafd. His children were: John B., born in 1823, now a lawyer living in New York, with office at 170 Broadway; and Nicoll, born in 1826, who remains on the farm with his mother. Mrs. Ireland resides on the old homestead at Fire- place, enjoying in peace and tranquillity the twilight of a long and useful life, possessed of unusual vigor of mind and body for a person whose next birthday will be her 84th. THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. ^ l^^i^^^ii^' In Bellport lives Joseph Marvin, in the 93d year of his age, hale and hearty, of abstemious habits, addicted to the use of neither strong drink or tobacco. He was one of the first to join the Washingtonians, and the total ab- stinence principle is so dear to him that he refuses even a teaspoonful of brandy as a tonic, saying, " Let me die as I have lived, a sober man." He was born at Patchogue, where he by frugality and perseverance came in possession of the East Pond and mills, known as the "Swan River Mills." Running these and building small sloops he was able to bring up com- fortably a family of nine children, of whom all but one are now living. He has always been a close observer of men and events, with a decided will and way of his own. Many eccentricities and individual peculiarities he probably in- herited from his grandfather Smith, generally known as "Old Rooster Skin Narse Smith," a mighty hunter, who took great delight in wearing at different times the skins of all the game he caught or was possessed of. He was often seen with a coat of deer skin tanned with the hair on and lined with soft fur; breeches the same, and stock- ings lined with fur, over which were very large and sub- stantial shoes. On his head he wore the skin of a favor- ite rooster, the head left on for the front, and the tail feathers hanging down behind. Tradition says he was sometimes taken by strangers for Satan himself. In his own way he was a religious man, attending meetings and supporting gospel organizations. He had a habit of sitting bolt upright in church, with a long cane in his hand, which when the minister made some good point he would poke at one and say, aloud, "That means you;" and soon at another with, "That means you;" and after a while. " That I will take to myself." As he was known to be sincere, and paid well, his ways were endured for a long time; but finally a new minister stopped short in his preaching when " Rooster Skin" was applying the truth in his matter-of-fact way (" to give more force to the truth" he said) and requested a brother to lead him out. It proved a hard job for one man to put so muscu- lar a Christian out, and he called for^elp. The offend- ing brother told them to make a chair of their hands if they wanted to do it easy, which they did, and as they were struggling along with the burden he exclaimed, " Well, well! I am more honored than my Saviour — He rode on one jackass, and I have two of 'em." This pleased the young people so much they had to go out of doors and laugh, and the meeting broke up in an uproar. Joseph Marvin, the last grandson of so odd a sire, partakes of many of his sterling qualities, as well as some of his oddities. Years ago, with keen perception of the future, he bought land in Bellport four miles east of his birthplace, saying, " I may not live to see it, but that spot will some day be a watering place, so high and so close to the bay." After a while he sold his mills bought rnore land at Bellport, and took his family there, and has lived in one house for over 40 years, not sleep- ing else a month, all told. His life has been upright and useful, a witness to the sincerity of his religious belief. A host of children and grandchildren are ready to rise up and call him blessed, for whose sake a loving daughter has caused his portrait and this short history to be placed in this book. He has lived to see his predictions a reality, and now in his serene old age he watches the sails of the boatmen on the beautiful bay, patiently awaiting that other boatman with whom he is so soon to sail away on the eternal voyage. " And so beside the silent sea I wait the muffled oar ; No harm from Him can come to me, On ocean or on shore. " I know not where His Islands lift Their f ronded palms in air ; I only know I cannot drift Beyond His love and care." 93 Charles S. Havens. Charles Smith Havens, a brother of John Scudder Havens, whose portrait and biography follow this sketch, was born in East Patchogue, August 26th 1834. In Bayles's history of Suffolk county we read: "In 1695 Nathaniel Sylvester sold 1,000 acres near the middle of Shelter Island to Jonathan Havens, among whose numer- ous descendants down to the present day have been some of the most respected and honored men of this town." In 1730 among the 20 male inhabitants of adult age on Shelter Island were George, Edward, Jonathan and Henry Havens. By this we learn that the family came early, multiplied, and took rank among the best. Colonel John Havens, father of Charles S., was married and moved from Moriches to East Patchogue about 1822, whence he moved to Patchogue village in 1835. Our subject lived with his parents till he was 16 years old, attending school at Heliport Academy, and reciting during one year of special study to Rev. James H. Thomas. In 1848 he went as a clerk into Howell & Havens's store at Patchogue, where he remained till 1856, when Mr. Howell sold his interest to J. S. & C. S. Havens. This partnership continued till the store was burned in 1862, when the firm was dissolved and Charles went home and carried on the farm for a couple of years. In the spring of 1864 he removed from Patchogue to Center Moriches, where he bought a stock of merchan- dise and the good will of the business of Captain Wil- liam Penny, renting the store for the first five years and then buying it. In. this business, and in this place, he has remained from that time to the present. But he has not been allowed to stay behind the counter all these years. The people of Brookhaven thought a good merchant would make a good supervisor, and in 1866 they gave him that office, and re-elected him two successive years thereafter. Again in 1874 they put him in that position, and so well did he suit them that he was kept there three years more, the last two of which he served as chairman of the board. In the fall of 1877 his friends put him in nomination for member of Assembly, and elected him easily. About this time he had the mis- fortune to suffer from weakness of the eyes, which seri- ously interfered with his comfort and his capacity for close application while in Albany. He served on the committee on Roads and Bridges and the committee on Game Laws. In 1865 J. S. & C. S. Havens built a paper-mill at Canaan, above Patchogue, which was completed and put in working order in 1875 and has been in active opera- ton ever since, turning out from 75 to 100 tons per an- num of the very best quality of strawbbard. Mr. Havens was married in 1858 to Nancy M., daughter of Samuel Williamson, of Franklinville, South- old. Their children have been John, Lillian and Hettie. In politics Mr. Havens has always been a Democrat, 94 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. of that candid, consistent mould that is an honor to any party. He belongs to the Presbyterian church, and has been an official member, and clerk of the board for the past eighteen years. Within a few months he has been elected a ruling elder. In the Sunday-school he has always taken a warm interest as a working member and teacher, serv- ing as superintendent for the last fourteen years. Doctor Charles H. Havens of Smithtown was a brother of the father of our subject. He was county clerk from 1812 to 1820, and again from 1821 to 1828, and at one time he served as assistant health officer in the quaran- tine department on Staten Island. The doctor is re- membered as a superior man by those still living who knew him. Colonel John Havens had three brothers and five sisters. He died at Patchogue, April 24th 1850. Charles S. Havens belongs to that quiet, solid class of men whose influence and services, without noise or dis- play, are always exerted at the right time and in the right place. He is decidedly a modest man, very genial at home and abroad, and is most highly esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Egbert Tangier Smith. The accompanying portrait of Hon. Egbert T. Smith presents to the reader a distinguished representative of a noted and noble family. On page 69 of the history of this town, in connection with an account of the other Tangier Smiths, will be found a condensed historical sketch of Mr. Smith's life and public services, from which it will be seen that, in addition to honors received from the inhabitants of his native county, he was known in Washington and was selected by the great war presi- dent to go to England on important secret service. But, aside from official positions to which men attach honor, he has taken other and nobler positions for the oppressed and all those struggling for God-given rights and liber- ties, whether they belonged to his own or to a foreign land. He did all a private loyal citizen could do for Cuba, when, for nine long years she maintained the un- equal struggle for her freedom, giving money, and his voice in the public journals in her behalf, advocating her recognition by the American Congress. His character and acts as a citizen and a neighbor are in perfect keep- ing with his out-going and far-reaching sympathies. His heart and house are always open to the needy and infirm, and the misdirected or belated traveler is ever welcome to the hospitalities of his home. At the risk of his own life and that of his son, who went with him, he took his boat during a terrible storm on the bay a few years ago and put out to where a man was clinging to a capsized skiff, and succeeded in bring- ing him from certain death to safety and shelter. For this gallant act he received a gold medal. He has re- peatedly been appointed by successive governors as superintendent of the coast of Suffolk county to take charge of wrecked vessels. Not popularity but right and justice are the tests by which he measures all matters and determines his duties. He has always been a consistent and outspoken temper- ance man, never stopping to inquire whether his personal popularity would be advanced or retarded thereby. When he was a candidate for nomination as U. S. sena- tor an editor opposed to him in politics said he sup- ported him simply because he believed him to be a great and good man. Patriotism has always been a leading trait in his char- acter. When the war of the Rebellion broke out he tendered his services in a subordinate capacity, although a generalship was offered him by President Lincoln. Between his house and the shore of the Great South Bay are the very distinct outlines of an old fort, in the center of which Mr. Smith has planted a flag-staff where the stars and stripes are kept floating every fair day, just as he kept the old flag spread to the breeze all through the great Rebellion. Near by he has a cannon ready for the 4th of July or any other notable occasion. He lives on historic ground, and is constantly reminded of the blood and treasure that have been the price of American liberty. In the course of one of his journeys he was in Havana during Cuba's revolutionary effort for freedom, and saw one of the patriot chiefs shot for service in be- half of his native land. Mr. Smith was reared a staunch Democrat, and has always acted with that party, believing that its principles if carried out would result in the greatest good of the greatest number. He was in the Legislature at the time of the' death of Senator Brown of Queens county, and introduced resolutions of respect and condolence in the house. A few years ago one of the colleges conferred upon him the degree of LL.D. in honor of his name and ser- vices. He is a man of literary tastes and large reading and culture, and is a frequent contributor to the public press, where his articles are always welcome and prized. His temperament is nervous and very active, which, combined with his high mental talents, renders him an easy and effective public speaker. He is one of the largest land-holders in the State, owning the " manor of St. George," which contains over 7,000 acres of choice farming and wood land. His grand old family mansion, where his ancestors have lived for two hundred years, stands upon a bluff over- looking the Great South Bay and the blue Atlantic. His household is presided over by his daughters in a most genial and hospitable manner since the loss of their mother some years since. 97 John S. Havens. John Scudder Havens, a large landholder and a prom- inent merchant and business man of Brookhaven, was born in East Patchogue, October 20th 1826. His father, Colonel John Havens, was born in Moriches, November 14th 1787. His mother was Eliza, daughter of Scudder Ketcham, of Huntington, formerly owner of Eaton's Neck. His father's mother was Abigail, a granddaughter of Selah Strong, of Setauket. The Havens family came originally from Wales, and settled on Shelter Island. In 1745 the great-great-grandfather of John S. bought the mills now known as Carman's mill, at South Haven. Later he bought a farm at East Moriches of about 600 acres, known as Warratto Neck, which Colonel John Havens sold about 1820. John S. Havens bought it in 1855, and on this estate he now resides. His earlier years were passed at home on the farm, and he received his education at the common schools and Bellport Academy. In 1845 he taught school at Farmingville, and the next winter at Middle Island. In 1847 he engaged as a clerk in Walter Howell's store at Patchogue, in which capacity he remained two years. In 1849 he entered into partnership with his employer, and the firm of Howell & Havens continued six years. He then purchased Mr. Howell's interest, and took his brother Charles, who had been a clerk in the store for several years, into partnership. J. S. & C. S. Havens continued in business till their store was burned in 1862, when John S. bought out his brother, and built the brick store in which, with the exception of five or six years, he has continued the mercantile business ever since. In 1852 Mr. Havens was appointed postmaster at Patchogue under President Pierce, and he held the office eight years, through the administrations of Pierce and Buchanan. He was elected assessor in 1854 and served three years. As a general rule the man who manages his own business well is a good man to manage public business. This was the view taken by his fellow citizens, 98 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. and in 1859 they elected him to the chief office in the town, in which they kept him till the spring of 1862, when he declined re-nomination. In the fall of 1861 he was elected to'the Assembly from the second Assembly district of Suffolk county. His record as a member of this' body was a credit to himself and the people whom he served. He was placed on the committee on In- ternal Affairs of Towns and Counties; also on the com- mittee to re-arrange the State Congressional districts. The next year he was re-elected and was made chairman of the first of these committees, a proof of the value of his services the first year. Of his course during these two years in the Assembly the New York Tribune, a political opponent, took occasion to say that Mr. Havens was one of the very few who were not controlled by lobby or job rings or other dishonorable influences. Few men receive from opposite party organs as high praise as this. While he was member of Assembly and supervisor the valuation of Suffolk county was reduced over two million dollars by the board of State assessors, mainly through Mr. Havens's efforts in demonstrating to them the former inequality; for this service the next meeting of the board of supervisors accorded him a unan- imous vote of thanks. His townsmen, knowing by so many proofs the value of his services, could not allow him to remain absorbed in his own business, but in the spring of 1878 again elected him supervisor of Brook- haven, and re-elected him for the next four years> when he declined further re-nomination. For the last three years he was chairman of the board, in which were but two Democrats. A strong and nearly successful effort was made to place him in the State Senate, he receiving the unanimous support of the delegates from his county in two successive Senatorial conventions. Mr. Havens's name and servicies appear prominently in connection with the various institutions of Suffolk county. He is a director in the Suffolk County Insur- ance Company, and one of the managers of the Suffolk County Agricultural Society. He was married June 15th 1865 to Mary A., daughter of Jesse W. Pelletreau, of Southampton, a family of Huguenot descent. Their children have been three {;irls and one boy. Mr. Havens had one brother and three sisters, one of whom is not living. He has always been, in political affairs, an active Democrat, and his acts have always been an honor and a source of strength to his party. He belongs to the Congregational church in Patchogue, and gives cordial support to charitable and religious organizations. It is Mr. Havens's nature to be constantly occupied, but he is a quiet worker and makes no unnecessary show. His private business, already large, is constantly growing. He built and is partner in the paper-mill mentioned in his brother's biography. His landed property at Moriches and his store and paper-mill at Patchogue absorb much of his time; still he enjoys the visits of friends, who are ever welcome at his hospitable home. James Rice, M. D. Dr. James Rice of Patchogue is a native of Avon, Livingston county, N. Y., and was born February 4th 1804. As a striking illustration of the great difference between the eastern and western portions of the State of New York in the dates of their settlement it is interest- ing to record here the fact that his father, Oliver Phelps Rice, was the first white child born in this state west of Cayuga Lake, which event took place in 1783 at Cana- wangus, about two miles west of the famous Avon Springs. Suffolk county at that time had raised four generations of white babies. Oliver Phelps, one of the owners of the Phelps & Gorham's purchase, gave the boy (whom the Indians had taken a great liking to, and had named Canawangus) his own name, and with his name a deed of 100 acres of land. The mother of young Oliver, Dr. Rice's grandmother, was a most remarkable woman. With no advantages of early education she mastered and spoke fluently four languages; obtained a most excellent medical education, so that she attended to a regular practice far and near, after the country began to be settled by whites; and possessed rare common sense, that made her advice sought after by all classes on all manner of subjects. She possessed great mental.vigor and physical endurance. When Sullivan's army passed through Canandaigua in 1779 she baked bread for them night and day while they were in camp there, receiving flour for her family in pay- ment. She was frequently called in council with the reg- ular graduates of the medical schools, being treated with THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 99 great courtesy by them and her opinions having decided weight. Dr. Little, an old and leading physician in Avon, declared he would rather have " Granny " Rice (as she was called) in consultation over a difficult case, than any doctor he knew of. She lived to be 105 years old. From this it will be seen what kind of blood runs in Dr. Rice's veins. In early life he lived mostly on a farm, making good use of his limited advantages to obtain an education. He saved his income and economized in his expenditures, and at the age of 25 went to Philadelphia to pursue a medical education. He remained there five months, but his great admiration of Dr. Valentine Mott induced him to change .from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Philadelphia, to the college of the same name in New York, of which Dr. Mott was the renowned surgeon. Here he remained three years. Dr. Mott found him an apt student and extended to him his personal friendship, giving him after his gradnation an autograph letter of attestation of his proficiency as a surgeon, and commend- ing him to any people with whom he. might settle. The nuinber of medical graduates still living who hold diplomas signed by this remarkable surgeon is fast thin- ning out, and they will soon, like their great master, exist only in memory. His aptness for business while a young man, and his quick perception of the main chance, giving the key to his success through life, will appear from a little history of one of his speculations while a student. He had saved a few hundred dollars before going to the city, with which he sometimes bought a little wheat and had it ground and shipped to him. Then from his study of drugs he became familiar with their value, and bought from ships and importers and sold to retailers. When the news of the outbreak of the cholera of 1832 reached New York, his quick judgment told him there was a good speculation in camphor gum, as it was largely used by the profession in that disease, Inquiry at stores showed that the price had jumped from 50 cents to $1.50 per pound. This was on Saturday, and there were no telegraphs, and no Sunday boats to Philadelphia, only a single stage. In this, with all the money in his pocket he could command, he took passage. Reaching the Quaker City Monday morning early he quietly went from store to store, and in a couple of hours had bought 1,500 pounds, on which he made over $3,000. One other man on the stage was on the same errand as himself, and only these two in all the great city had taken time by the fore- lock. At noon, when the boat arrived from New York, there was a rush of men after camphor gum, but they found a "corner" in that drug. Immediately after graduating Dr. Rice came to Patchogue and commenced the successful career as a phy- sician and a citizen which has for almost 50 years been so well known to so many people. His form was com- pact, but very elastic, possessing the quickness and ease of movement that characterized all the members of his family. Sooner than is usual with young doctors he found himself in possessioif of a large lucrative practice. The life of physicians differs from that of any other class; while there is more material from which to con- struct an entertaining biography than usually exist in the. doings of other men, still it is such that it must not be made public. A doctor who is liked is in possession of more family and individual secrets than the most inquisi- tive old news-monger ever dreamed of. Whether he will or not, into his ear is constantly poured a stream of fact and fiction, complaint, suspicion and gossip, until, like the Zuni Indians, he feels like saying " my head is full and can hold no more." This accumulation of the inner facts of human life occurs with all physicians of long and large practice, but it is peculiarly true of Dr. Rice. He has a nature that invites frankness and confidence, for it carries an assur- ance that faith is never broken, and confidence never violated. For 30 years his professional duties were unusually extensive and exacting. His practice reached all classes, from the poorest^and humblest to the grand- est and most wealthy. Many times he has been called to New York, sometimes by special train, to visit patients who made him their first choice. It is well understood that from the very first his circumstances have been easy and his accumulations have had a healthy growth. Dr. Rice has never married. It is well known that he has done what many a batchelor brother has not — he- has placed all the members of his father's family who needed help in a position to help themselves. Wealthy people may learn by his example, if they will, how to increase their own happiness by making others happy. This is a secret possessed by few people of means. Few men of his age carry as pleasant, contented faces as he. His vigor of body and mind is still marked. One day in May 1882 he walked to Bellport and back between breakfast arid dinner, suffering no inconvenience there- from. Perhaps there is not a man in Suffolk county with a wider or more accurate knowledge of the men of his day and generation, and none bears a more honorable name, or commands a larger respect. The expectations of his honored professor Valentine Mott that he would distinguish himself in surgery were fully realized. During his whole active career he was the ablest surgeon in his county, performing the opera- tion of amputating the lower jaw on Mrs. Enos of Quogue, when it had been done but a few times in America. He was depended on and sent for to perform capital operations far and near. His brother Dr. Charles Rice, whom many people of Moriches and Riverhead will remember as a successful physician, was educated at Dr. James Rice's expense in the Philadelphia College of Physicians and Surgeons. He was a man of varied acquirements, and an extensive traveler, having completed the circuit of the earth in his desire to see and know for himself. He is now a resi- dent of Flint, Michigan, resting on the accumulations of a busy and successful life. Dr. Rice also bore the entire expense of the education at Michigan University, of his brother Dr. Oliver W. Rice, whose career is sketched below. He is himself a 100 THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. traveler, having in company with Edward Osborn made the tour of Europe, besides seeing much of his native land. The above engraving represents the cemetery lot and monument of the Rice family at Patchogue. The ground was purchased, laid out and fitted up by Miss Rachael Rice in 187 r, and to it were re- moved the remains of her brother Dr. Oliver W. Rice, who died two years before and was buried in the old cemetery. He was born in Livonia, Livingston county, N. Y., and came to Patchogue when a lad, to live with his brother Dr. James Rice. Here he helped in Dr. Rice's drug store, attended school, chose his profession, and completed the necessary course of reading preparatory to entering a medical school. Choice was made of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of Michigan, where he took a thorough course, and gradu- ated with honor March 30th 1854. He came home and commenced practice, taking high rank from the first. Desiring the additional advantages of a city experience he went in 1856 to Bellevue Hospital, New York, from which institution he received a diploma, dated March 7th 1857 and signed by John W. Francis, Isaac Wood, and Valentine Mott. Always a great worker, he returned and resumed the duties of his profession with ardor. His brother Dr. James Rice resigned to his care his own large practice, which he not only assumed easily and satisfactorily to all parties concerned, but largely extended. His career from this time to his death was a brilliant one. He was a born physician. It will give rise to no jealousy or contradiction to say that he eclipsed the bright fame of his brother, and attained a practice which, for large pro- portions, skillful conduct and satisfactory results, has never been excelled, if equalled, in Suffolk county. He kept two, three and finally four horses for his extended rides, which knew no cessation night or day. But he committed that sin which nature never pardons in physi- cian or patient — he overtaxed his strength and neglected its recuperation, Then followed the old, old story: fever, partial recovery, premature exertion, relapse, death. It was sad, but it was inevitable. He had com- pressed the work of twenty years into twelve, and nature took him out of the exciting race at the noonday age of 36 years and 9 months. The manifestation of public and private sorrow was. everywhere seen. The press spoke as it never does except in moments of great loss. The poor were sorely smitten, for they knew him only as their friend. Every class, in a community many miles in extent, felt a personal bereavement, for there was a vacancy at the bedsides of the suffering, and there was no equal successor. The funeral attested the public feeling. The Congregational church could not contain half who came to participate in the last sad offices. He died November 12th 1869. A short time after the lot was fitted up Dr. James Rice had the remains of his father and mother brought from Livonia, N. Y., where they had lived and died and deposited in the new burial place. Miss Rice has deeded this ground to the diocese of Long Island in trust, and has added a fund of f 1,000 to keep it perpetually in order. Pr.ANiNQ Mill of Edwin Bailby & Son. Edwin B.ailev. Edwin Bailey was born in Manchester, England. His father, Joseph Bailey, was a machinist, thoroughly ed- ucated and practiced in all that pertained to fitting up and running the steam engines of those days. He THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. lOI had saved enough to buy a home, and was fairly pros- perous till the Irish famine of 1846-7 drove thousands of poor people to England, glutting the labor market and filling the asylums and poor-houses, which raised the taxes and deranged business generally. Mr. Bailey could see no way of supporting his family there under those circumstances, and turning his little property into ready money he took his wife and one child, Edwin, and started for New York city, where they arrived September 29th 1848. Here he found the tide of emigration had filled the shops and work was hard to get. After an un- successful search from city to city for four months he was taken sick in Philadelphia, where he died. Edwin worked one year on a farm in Monmouth county, N. J., and his mother came to Patchogue and worked in a cotton factory, to which place Edwin also came at the expiration of his year, and obtained work in the same establishment. After a while he became an oyster- man on the Great South Bay, which pursuit he followed till 17 years old, when he went to learn the carpenter's trade. When he had mastered his trade he took a wife. In 1865 he was elected trustee and overseer of the poor, and he filled the office till 1868, when he was elected col- lector of the town of Brookhaven. In 1870 he built the union free school building at Patchogue, which has con- tinued an honor to the village. He was elected a mem- ber- of the first board of education, and enjoyed the credit of taking the lead in changing the school to its present consolidated system of management. In 1870 he opened a small lumber yard on a capital of |8oo. In 1881 he took his oldest son, Joseph, as partner, and built the manufactory and planing-mills which are represented above, enlarging and improving the business in all respects, and selling in that year over 5,000,000 feet of lumber, the total value of which exceeded $100,000. This is the largest and most important man- ufacturing interest in Patchogue, the largest village on the south side of the island. The recent rapid growth and costly buildings and improvements in all places on the south side are among the wonders of the times, EAST HAMPTON. By William S. Pelletrbau. ^ HIS town occupies the extreme eastern portion of the south branch of the island. It is bounded on the west by the town of South- ampton, while on the north, the east and the south nature has fixed the boundary, and around it, as upon the borders of Achilles's shield, "rolls the broad stream of ocean." As in the adjoining town, the improved and cultivated land bears a small proportion to the part which continues in a state of nature. The forest still occupies the western and much of the northern portion of the town. The range of hills which extends through Southampton ceases be- fore reaching the boundary, and throughout this town west of Montauk there are no high elevations of land. The portion next the ocean is a low plain, while the shore itself is fringed by the line of sand hills or "beach banks " which forms so prominent a feature of the Long Island coast. Upon the north, by the shore of Peconic and Gardi- ner's Bays, we find ah entirely different scene. The sur- face is more hilly, and the beach of the bay is bounded by cliffs, in some places of considerable height. The action of the waves during storms gradually undermines these cliffs, and landslides on a small scale are not infre- quent. The lighter portions of the soil are then swept away, while the bowlders are left as monuments to mark the places which the land once occupied. The bay thus gradually encroaches upon the land, to a much greater extent than is generally supposed. In the suit between the " Trustees of the Freeholders and Comonalty of East Hampton " and Josiah Kirk the point in question was the right of the town to the beach between the bay and the upland of the defendant, the premises being at that portion of the town known as "Northwest." It was shown from the record that when the land was originally laid out, in 1736, the lots were, bounded not by the bay but by the cliff; and it was most conclusively shown by the evidence that the bay had encroached to such an ex- tent that the place where the cliff was then must now be under water. This process of encroachment is especially discernible at Montauk. The whole region there, which is evidently of glacial formation, is composed of earth, clay, gravel and bowlders of all sizes, from large rocks down to minute pebbles, mixed together. The cliff at the extreme point is about seventy feet in height, and the wearing process described has covered the coast with rocks which extend in an unbroken line across to Block Island, and reach south to a distance of many miles; showing conclusively that this portion of Long Island is but a mere fragment of its former self. . Separating Montauk from the western part of the town is a desolate tract known as Napeague Beach. This is some five miles in length, and in width from Gardiner's Bay to the ocean. It is composed entirely of sand, which the wind has raised into hillocks. Along the shore of the creeks is a scanty growth of salt meadow grass; the rest only produces a few scanty bushes of the beach plum, and other plants which seem adapted to their bar- ren dwelling place. There is little reason to doubt that this region was once covered by the sea. There is a tra- dition that at an early date the skeleton of a whale was visible near the western end of the beach, and nearly midway between the ocean and the highlands. It is spoken of as having been nearly perfect, and was either left by the receding sea or carried to its place by some extraordinary tide. In one respect this barren tract may challenge pre-eminence over any other part of the island. The marshy places render it the paradise of mosquitoes, and here, if we may speak from experience, can be found the most annoying^ specimens of that bloodthirsty race. Next to this comes the peninsula of Montauk. It is a region entirely different from the rest of the town, and there is no reasonable doubt that it was once an island by itself. It remains in primeval grandeur, as unsubdued by the toil of man as when the Indian roamed over it with undisputed sway. A small portion is covered with woods, but the greater part is clear and has probably al- ways been so. The land is broken and hilly, and from the summits of the highlands may be seen a magnificent prospect of bay and ocean. The view from the extremity of the point is exceedingly grand. The Aborigines. At the time of the settlement the whol.e of the land now embraced in the town was owned and occupied by a tribe of Indians known as the Montauks. This name THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. is probably a corruption of the original, " Meantacut," and this, like the names of other Indian tribes, was not properly the name of the tribe as such, but of the local- ity which was its principal seat. The comparative prox- imity of the Montauks to the Connecticut shore, and the facility with which their enemy the Pequots could make a landing upon their coast with their war canoes, render- ed them subservient to that fierce tribe which was the terror of the New England settlements. At the head of the Montauk tribe was the great chief VVyandanch, who assumed the title of sachem of Paumanack or Long Island. At what time this title was assumed is uncer- tain, but in a singular affidavit made by Thomas Halsey, whose wife was murdered by Indians in 1649, he deposes "that at the time of the trouble in this town of South- ampton by reason of murther committed by the Indians I saw Mandush, whoe was a man reputed and acknowl- edged generally by all the Indians in these parts to be the great sachem's son of Shinecock, cutt up a turf of ground in Southampton and, delivering itt to Wyan- danch, gave up all his right and interest unto him. And hee the said Mandush, with many others of the chief of Shinecock Indians, did manifest their consent by their ordinary sign of stroaking Wyandanch on the back. And since that time the said Wyandanch (who was sachem of Meantauk) hath acted upon ye aforesaid interest given to him, as by letting and disposing of lands at Quaqua- nantuck and elsewhere." This was sworn to on the 19th of September 1666. According to the author of "Chronicles of East Hamp- ton" the Long Island tribes were under the control of and subject to Poggatacut, sachem of the Manhasset tribe, which inhabited Shelter Island, " who had under him ten or fifteen sachems, to whom his word was law." Poggatacut died in 1651 and was succeeded by his brother Wyandanch, who then became grand sachem of Long Island. Of his tribe Montauk was the chosen seat. As a refuge against their enemies a fort was built at the west end of Montauk, not far from the line separating it from Napeague Beach. This fort, however, must have been abandoned at an early date, for in the deed for Montauk given in 1661 allusion is made to its site as the place "where the old Indian fort stood." At that time a new fort had been made on the northeast side of Fort Pond, on what is still called Fort Hill. The outlines of this work are yet visible, and show that it was about one hundred feet square, with a round tower at each corner. The position was well chosen for defense, and the fort must have afforded comparative security against an enemy who did not possess the means nor the patience to carry on a regular siege. Relics of ancient burial places are found in the vicinity, and doubtless here rest the remains of many a warrior whose deeds are not told in song or story. The chief Poggatacut died in 1651, on Shelter Island, and his body was carried to Montauk to find a last resting place. While the corpse was being borne on its last journey the bearers rested at a place on the road be- tween Sag Harbor and East Hampton. On the spot where the sachem's feet lay a small excavation was made, apparently to mark the place; and for more than one hundred and eighty years that spot was to the Montauk Indians holy ground, and none of the tribe ever passed it without stopping to remove the leaves and rubbish which otherwise would soon have obliterated the mark. At the time of the construction of the turnpike this in- teresting spot was plowed up; its location was on the south side of the road, a short distance west of " Whoop- ing Boy Hollow." Considering the oppression of the Pequots, it is not surprising that Wyandanch and his tribe should have joined their forces with the English in Connecticut for the destruction of the New England savages. The great battle at Mystic Fort ended the Pequots' power forever. The few of that tribe who were among the Long Island Indians were hunted out and destroyed. After this the Narragansetts, seeing the destruction of the Pequots, became jealous of the growing power of the English, and their chief Miantonomah endeavored to induce the neighboring tribes to unite in a common cause and destroy the English settlements at a blow. Accordingly he visited Montauk, and made every effort to enlist the sachem in his enterprise. He represented that the whites had already taken the best of their lands; that game, once so abundant, was now scarce, and in a short time the Indians must perish before the advancing power of their new enemy. " For this purpose," said the wily savage, " I have come secretly to you, because you can persuade the Indians and sachems of Long Island what you will. Brothers, I will send over fifty Indians to Block Island and thirty to you from thence, and take an hundred of Southampton Indians, with an hundred'of your own here; and when you see the three fires that will be made at the end of forty days hence in a clear night, .then do as we shall do, and follow and kill men, women and children; but not the cows — they will serve for provision till the deer be increased." Fortun- ately the Montauk sachem did not listen to this appeal. Had he done so, and thrown his powerful influence into the scale of war, it is almost certain that the settle- ments on the south side of Long Island would have been swept from the -face of the earth. As it was he com- municated his knowledge to the magistrates in Connecti- cut, and, as Lion Gardiner quaintly remarks, "so the plot failed, and the plotter next spring after died as Ahab died at Ramoth Gilead." Ninigret, who was afterward sachem of the Narragan- setts, attempted to carry out the same plan, and in the same manner endeavored to obtain the help of the Mon- tauks. Failing in this he began a war with the latter tribe, which was carried -on by both sides with great vigor. Learning that the enemy was on Block Island, the Montauk sachem proceeded thither with a powerful force, and in a sudden attack killed about thirty of the Narra- gansetts. After this Ninigret made a descent upon Montauk, which he ravaged, burning wigwams, destroy- ing corn fields and killing many of the bravest warriors. It was at this time that he carried off the sachem's daugh- THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. ter, as related on page 21, general history of Long Island, in this volume. In this war the Montauks were reduced to great straits, and their case was ren- dered almost hopeless by a sickness which prevailed in the years 1658 and 1659. Among the victims was the great Wyandanch, and the tribe, having now lost its greatest warrior, was forced to ask the help and pro- tection of the English at East Hampton. This was readily granted, and the remnant of the tribe was per- mitted to reside on the parsonage land at the south end of the village. More than two hundred years after this event the workmen engaged in digging for the founda- tion of a house in this locality found the relics of Indian burial. Among the articles discovered were many glass bottles of peculiar shape, which had been buried with their deceased owners, and to-day the dwelling place of the living stands upon the resting place of the dead. What knowledge we have of the manners and customs of this ancient people we owe entirely to the labors of David Gardiner, who has so ably recorded his observa- tions in his " Chronicles of East Hampton." According to his account they raised large quantities of corn and vegetables; and the woods, well stocked with game, and the never failing productions of the waters supplied to the fullest extent their daily wants. They had canoes of great size, capable of carrying large numbers of men. Their language was the same as that of the tribes inhabit- ing New England. In religion they were polytheists and had gods in great numbers, but over these were two pre-eminent, a good spirit and an evil spirit; the former was known as Cawhluntoowut, the latter was termed Mutcheshesuraetook. The priests, called powawas, declared to the people the will of th* gods. The most savory sacrifice was the fins and tails of the whales which drifted upon the shore, and this may account for the fact that these portions are reserved in the Indian deed for the town as a part of the considera- tion, or purchase price. They believed in a future state, and a realm of bliss far to the west, in the region of the setting sun, where those who excelled in savage virtues would enjoy the delights dear to the savage heart. Boundless feasting, hunting, and dancing would be their portion, while for the coward, the liar and the traitor was reserved that servile and degrading labor so much despised by the Indian; and the task of making a canoe with around stone, and carrying water in a wicker basket, will not fail to remind the classical student of Tantalus, with his never ending thirst, and of Sisyphus, with the ever rebounding stone. Wyandanch left an only son named Wyancorabone, but he died of smallpox at an early age, and the male line of the great sachem was extinct. After his time the tribe, decimated by disease and slaughter, ceased to be a power to be feared. The Founders of a new plantation in America in the early days had many things to contend with. The enthusiasm which in- spired the first effort frequently cooled before the neces- sary hardships connected with the enterprise. Various causes of dissatisfaction would arise, and many who at first entered into the cause with zeal soon abandoned it in disgust. Of the twenty persons who were the original "undertakers" of the colony at Southampton fourteen left the plantation within four years. Some returned to the older settlements in New England, and some became the pioneers of new villages in the yet unoccupied wil- derness. In the spring of 1648 Theophilus Eaton, governor of the colony of New Haven, and Edward Hopkins, gover- nor of Connecticut, obtained a deed for that portion of the town lying west of Montauk. This deed was given by the sachems of Shelter Island, Montauk, Corchaug and Shinecock. The object probably was to avoid all trouble that might arise from conflicting claims of owner- ship. Of this deed the following is a copy. It was re- corded at the time in the town book of Southampton, and at a later date in the Suffolk county sessions: "This present Writing testifieth an agreement between the Worshipful Theoohilus Eaton, Esquire, Governor of the Colony of New Haven, And the Worshipful Edward Hopkins, Esquire, Governor of the Colony Connecti- cut, and their associates, on the one part. And Pogatacut, Sachem of Manhanset, Wyandanch, Sachem of Mean- tauket, Momowoton, Sachem of Corchauk, Nowedonah, Sachem of Shinecock, and their assotyates, the other Part. The said Sachems having sould unto the foresayed Mr. Eaton and Mr. Hopkins with their assotyates all the land lying from the bounds of the Inhabitants of South- ampton unto the East side of Napeak, next unto Mean- tacut highland, with the whole breadth from sea to sea, not .intrenching upon any in length or breadth which the Inhabitants of Southampton have and do possess, as they by LawfuU right shall make appear; for and in Consider- ation of twentie coats, twenty-four looking glasses, twen- ty-four hoes, twenty-four hatchets, twenty-four knives, one hundred muxes, already received by us the fore- named Sachems, for ourselves and assotiates, and in con- sideration thereof wee doe give up unto the said Pur- chasers all our right and Interest in the said land to them and their heyres, for ever. "Allsoe wee doe bind ourselves to secure their right from any claims of any others, whether Indians or other nations whatsoever, that doe or may hereafter challenge Interest therein. Allsoe wee the said Sachems have Covenanted to have Liberty to fish in any or all the creeks and ponds, and to hunt up and downe in the woods without Molestation, they giving the English In- habitants noe just offence or Injurie to their goods or cattle. Lykewise they are to have the fyns and tayles of all such whales as shall be cast up, to their proper right, and desire they may be friendly dealt with in ye other part. Allsoe they reserve liberty to fish in all convenient places for shells to make wampum. Allsoe if the Indy- ans hunting of any deer they should chase them into ye water and the English should kill them, the English shall have the body and the Sachem the skin. And in Testi- mony of our well performance hereof we have sett to our hands the Day and yeare above written. " The mark of X Poggatacut, Manhanset Sachem. " The mark of X Wyandanch, Meantacut Sachem. " The mark of X Momoweta, Corchake Sachem. " The mark of X Nowedonah, Shinecock Sachem. "Witnesses to this: Richard Woodhull, Tho. Stanton, Robert Bond, Job Sayre, Chectanoe x his mark, their Interpreter." THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. " Whereas, by direction from Theophilus Eaton, Esq., and Mr. Edward Hopkins, a purchase was made by Thomas Stanton and others of a part of the Eastern part of Long Island, of the Indian Sachems, the true pro- prietors thereof, in the name of Theophilus Eaton, Esq., aforesaid and myself with our associates, as by the said agreement dated the 29th of April 1648 may more fully appear, which said purchase was paid by me Edward Hopkins, and amounted to the sum of thirty pounds four shillings eight pence, as may appear by a note of particulars under the hand of Thomas Stanton, to whom the said sum was paid, now delivered to Robert Bond of East Hampton; this writing witnesseth that I have received the fore-mentioned sum of thirty pounds four shillings eight pence, of the Inhabitants of East Hamp- ton, and have delivered unto them the writings of the said purchase, and all the interest that thereby was pur- chased. In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed, the i6th of April 165 1. I say received ;^3o 4s. 8d. per me, • Edward Hopkins." The first settlers of this town, the men for whom Gov- ernors Eaton and Hopkins purchased the territory, were John Hand, Thomas Talmadge, Daniel Howe, Thomas Thompson, John Stratton, Robert Bond, Robert Rose, Joshua Barnes and John Mulford. Of the above number all were originally settlers in Southampton. John Hand appears in that town as a resident in 1644, and was probably there before that time. He was a brother-in-law of Josiah Stanborough, one of the original "undertakers," and both came from Stanstead in Kent. In 1649 he gave to Mr. Stan- borough power of attorney to dispose of lands in Stanstead. Thomas Talmadge sen., Thomas Talmadge jr. and Robert Talmadge are all mentioned in the list of 1644, and the first of these was named in 1642, at which time it was voted at the general court at Southampton, Sep- tember 7th, "that Thomas Talmadge sen. shall have instead of his 8-acre lot another granted unto him for his propriety and best advantage." Daniel Howe was one of the original " undertakers " of Southampton, and was a magistrate, but seems to have left the town in 1643. He was a freeman at Lynn, Mass., in 1634, and a lieutenant in the Ancient Artillery Company in 1638. Thomas Thompson is mentioned in 1642; he had land laid out for him in that year, also in 1643, and he appears in the list of 1644. John Stratton was a brother of Richard Stratton, who also appears in the list of 1644, and probably they re- moved together to the new settlement. Robert Bond had land laid out in Southampton in 1643, and at the general court it was ordered "that Robert Bond shall not make for any Indian or Indians any harping irons [harpoons] or fishing irons, which are known to be dangerous weapons to offend the English." The inference is that he was a blacksmith. Robert Rose had land in 1644, but his name does not occur after that in the Southampton records. He had a son Thomas, and is supposed to have been the father of John Rose (whose descendants still remain in that town), but of this there is no absolute proof. He died about 1665, as appears by a conveyance of his lands in East Hampton by his son Thomas to George Miller. Joshua Barnes, although engaged in the purchase, did not remove with the rest, but lived and died in South- ampton. William Barnes, his son, joined the new colony, and from him are descended the families of that name. John Mulford was living in Southampton in 1643, and he and his brother William are mentioned in the list of 1644. The men we have named are worthy of the honor of being styled the founders of this ancient town. It was for them to prepare a road which others were soon to travel, and as the new enterprise was crowned with suc- cess it is not strange that the numbers of the early set- tlers rapidly increased. Other Early Settlers. The following is a list of men who joined the settle- ment at a yery early date: Thomas Osborn, William Hedges, Ralph Dayton, Thomas Chatfield, Thomas Os- born jr., William Fithian, Richard Brooks, William Simonds, Samuel Belknap, Samuel Parsons, Joshua Gar- lick, Fulk Davis, Nathaniel Bishop, William Barnes, Lion Gardiner, John Osborn, Jeremiah Veale, John Miller, Charles Barnes, Stephen Hand, Thomas Baker, Ananias Conkling, Richard Shaw, Jeremiah Meacham. To give a detailed account of each settler in the above list would far exceed our limits, and we will only men- tion those whose descendants are still found in the town. Thomas Osborn, the progenitor of the numerous family of that name, is mentioned in the Southampton records in 1650 as being of East Hampton. Of his pre- vious history we have no knowledge. He had a son Thomas, who was a prominent citizen and died in 1712. William Hedges died about 1674; we have np informa- tion as to the locality from which he came. His de- scendants are numerous, and the farnily has always held a very high social position. Ralph Dayton and his son Robert were inhabitants of Southampton. He died in 1657. In 1647 one Samuel Dayton and his wife came to the latter place from Flush- ing, but whether he was related to Ralph is uncertain. Thomas Chatfield came from Sussex, England, and died in 1686, leaving sons Thomas and John. William Fithian is said to have been a soldier in Crom- well's army, and was a witness of the execution of Charles I. He came to this country about 1650, and died in 1678. John and Samuel Parsons were brothers. The former died in 1685, leaving sons Samuel and John. Joshua Garlick was probably a brother of Joseph Gar- lick, who was living in Southampton in 1645. He died March 7th 1700, at the age of 100 years. Fuik Davis was one of the earliest settlers in South- ampton, and had land laid out for him in 1642. He afterward moved to North Sea, and lived on the shore of the bay at the village of Towd. Nathaniel Bishop was a son of Richard Bishop of Salem, where he was a freeman in 1642. John, brother of Na- — ^^ — ^^^s^^^^^^:"^^^ ToV-^ aij^ts >H\A.-f \or«T, \^50 Saarrvutl Cr -Mul^OTcL \%Vk. LOM* "V*VvoTt\a.s 3er. C)ovjK\\u^!rS CcO^ l^o-stave \b5Q ^^'^'^ Plan of East Hampton Village, showing home lots of early settlers. By THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. thaniel, was the ancestor of the families of the name in Southampton. Nathaniel did not long remain in East Hampton, but moved to the western part of the county, and we believe settled at Huntington. Lion Gardiner, the original owner of Gardiner's Island, became a settler in the town in 1653, his son David re- maining on the island. Jeremiah Veale was from Southold. He is said to have been born in England, and died in 1686. It is pos- sible that Jeremiah, the settler in East Hampton, may have been a son of the one mentioned above. Of late years the name has been changed to Vail, and by this name his descendants are known. John Miller's descendants are still numerous, but of his own history previous to his coming to East Hampton we know nothing. He had a son John. He died in 1663. Charles Barnes, who was a schoolmaster for many years, is believed to have been a brother of William men- tioned above. Stephen Hand was a son of John Hand mentioned above. Thomas Baker, the ancestor of the families of that name, came from England in 1639. His wife's name was Alice, and they were married June 20th 1643. He had sons Thomas (born July 26th 1654) and Nathaniel (born December 22nd 1655), and a daughter Abigail. The families in this town are descended from the second son, Nathaniel. Thomas Baker died at the age of 82. Ananias Conkling was a brother of John Conkling, who was one of the early settlers of Southold, to which place they came from Salem, Mass., in 1650. Their na- tive place is said to have been Nottinghamshire, England. Ananias had a son Lewis, the ancestor of all the East Hampton families of the name. Richard Shaw was a son-in-law of Joshua Garlick, but we know nothing of his previous history, and he has left no descendants in the town. His son John removed to Cape May in 1693. Tradition, well supported by known facts, asserts that most of the early settlers came from Maidstone in Kent. In fond remembrance of their native village they gave its name to the new settlement. This name, although never judicially or legally sanctioned, was used incident- ally as the name of the place for at least forty years, and persons in writing deeds and wills seem to have clung to the old name from individual choice. The Early Village. To locate the homesteads of the early inhabitants is no easy task, when we consider that no record of the original division has^^come down to us, and our informa- tion upon this subject is derived from a careful compari- son of ancient deeds and wills, with a few incidental allusions in the writings in the town clerk's office. The early home lots were located at the south end of the present village, and north of the road to Bridgehampton, or what was then called "Wood's lane." What is now called Town Pond was then a swamp which extended beyond its present limits nearly to Buel's lane. On the east side of this swamp, on the upland, was laid out the burying ground. At the south end of the present home- stead of John D. Hedges was a tract of land known as the Calf Pasture. This was in after years purchased by the town for the use of the minister, or, as it was called, " parsonage land." It was upon this place that the Mon- tauk Indians, fleeing from their bloodthirsty enemies the Narragansetts, were allowed to remain under the protec- tion of their white neighbors. On the present home lot of John D. Hedges, his an- cestor William Hedges had his dwelling place, and he has transmitted it to his descendants in an unbroken line, William having left it to his son John in 1674. Still con- tinuing north, on the east side of the street, we next find the home lot of Jeremy Meacham, and next the lot of George Miller, which was probably owned at first by Robert Rose, the ancestor of the numerous families of that name. Both of these lots are now the property of Charles P. Jeffrey. Next comes a lot which has a historic interest as the dwelling place of Rev. Thomas James, the first minister of the town. Shortly before his death he sold this lot and the rest of his real estate to John Gardiner, the third owner of Gardiner's Island. It has been in the family ever since, and now belongs to Hon. Samuel B. Gardiner. Next is the lot of Lion Gardiner. After residing upon his island, with none but Indian neighbors,- from 1639 to 1653, he removed to East Hampton, and here he died in 1663. His daughter Mary married Jeremiah Conkling, and her father built a house for the young couple on the north side of the lot. It still remains in the Gardiner family. Mr. Gardiner had for his neighbor on the north Thomas Chatfield, who died in 1686. His lot then de- scended to his son Thomas, who was a prominent citizen and judge of the county court in 1738. The Presbyte- rian parsonage now stands on this lot. It remained in the Chatfield family till within the last sixty years. Next was the lot of Ralph Dayton, who died in 1658. In the Southampton records we find the following entry: "Sept. 22 1658, at a quarter court, the will of the late deceased Ralph Dayton was brought into the court and approved of by ye magistrates, and the _;^io that Robert Dayton owed to his father he hath put into the estate." It would seem by this as if he was living in that town at the time of his death. His lot descended to his son Robert, who died in 17 12. In 175 1 it was owned by Matthew Mulford, and it now belongs to his descendant Henry Mulford. St. Luke's church stands on the south part of this lot. John Osborne's home lot came next. About 1673 it was purchased for' a parsonage, as the old record says, "it being in the hart of the Towne." In 1676 the same premises were sold by the town to Captain Josiah Ho- bart, whom, according to an entry in the town book, "they had latelie received as an inhabitant amongst them." The lot is now owned by Samuel G. Mulford. In 165 1 it was voted " that a cartway over to the east THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. side of the town shall be made in the hbllow between Goodman Osborne's and Goodman Hand's." This was on the north side of the lot described above, and was early used as a road to Amagansett, but it was closed in a few years. The next was the lot of Benjamin Price, who was town clerk for several years, but the original owner was prob- ably John Hand. It was owned in 1676 by Justice John Wheeler, whose mother, Alice, was the second wife of Josiah Stanborough. It now belongs to Samuel H. Miller. Then comes the lot of William Edwards, and on the south side of it was erected in 17 17 the ■second church. The present owner is Samuel G. Mulford. We next find the lot of John Edwards, brother of the above. In 1700 it was owned by Jeremiah Miller. In 1722 it belonged to Eleazer Miller, who was member of the Legislature from 1748 to 1769, and from his long con- tinuance in that office obtained the title of " Assembly- man Miller." The present owner is Jeremiah Mulford. The next was owned by Nathan Birdsall, who proba- bly conveyed it to Nathaniel Downing, who owned it in 1680. The south part of it is now owned by the heirs of Dr. Abel Huntington. Next was the lot of John Parsons, who left it to his son Samuel in 1685. Part of it is now the property of Hiram Sherill, concerning whose ancestor the romantic story is told that he was in a vessel wrecked on the coast; that a party of young ladies visited the wreck, and one of them upon returning home reported having seen the handsomest man she had ever met; this was soon re- ported to the shipwrecked sailor, and the result was a more extended acquaintance and marriage. The young lady in question is said to have been the daughter of John Parsons. William Barnes came next. His lot is now owned by David H. Huntting, except that portion now occupied by the present Presbyterian church. North of William Barnes lived Nathaniel Bishop, and after him his son Daniel. Thomas Squires was the original owner of the next lot. In 1670 it belonged to Captain Josiah Hobart. The lot formerly purchased for a parsonage was given to Cap- tain Hobart in exchange for this. It was here that Rev. Nathaniel Huntting lived during his long pastorate. It is now the property of David H. Huntting, his de- scendant. Nathaniel Foster came next. He died in 1660, and his lot reverted to his father, Christopher Foster, of Southampton; and at a town meeting that year it was voted that " Goodman Foster was accepted to possess as an inhabitant his sonne Nathaniel's lot, to live upon it himself, or to put such an inhabitant as the town should accept of." It afterward belonged to Daniel Edwards. It has a historic interest as the place where Dr. Lyman Beecher lived during his stay in East Hampton, and the house he occupied is yet remaining. This lot now be- longs to George Hand. Next north lived George Miller. Lion Gardiner owned the lot in 1660, and Enoch Fithian in 1668. It is yet in the hands of his descendants. Lastly, next to the Amagansett road, lived Arthur Creese, whose lot afterward belonged to the Chatfield family. It is now owned by William Racket; Commencing at the south end of the street we find that time has made many changes. " Pudding Hill " was at the time of the settlement quite an elevatiian, and at its base was a marshy tract so difficult to cross that a por- tion of John Hand's home lot was bought for a road. But the quantity of material which in the course of two hundred years has been washed down "Wood's lane" has rendered the marsh dry land, and reduced the hill to a hillock. The tract south of the Bridgehampton road was a part of what was called the " second home lots." The first lot north of this road was John Hand's, who left it to his son John in 1660, and it remained in the family for some time after. It now belongs to Ed- ward Osborn. Next came John Stratton, who died about 1680, leav- ing his lot to his son John. It passed into the hands of Thomas Chatfield in 1700, and is now the property of Edward Osborn and Isaac Miller. Thomas Talmadge, ancestor of the famous family of that name, was north of John Stratton. The lot fell to his son Nathaniel about 1687, and is now owned by Mrs. David Thompson. Next was the lot of the blacksmith Robert Bond. It passed from his son John into the hands of Thomas Os- born in 1668, and still remains in that family, itspresent owner being William L. Osborn. Judge John Mulford, the illustrious ancestor of an illustrious race, came next, and his lot descended to his son John in 1686. In his will he leaves to his son Sam- uel " the honie lot I bought of Thomas Thompson." This was probably part of the next lot north, now owned by James M. Hedges. North of Judge Mulford lived Thomas Thompson. His lot, or the north part of it, was in 1656 owned by Arthur Howell, whose wife Elizabeth, daughter of Lion Gardiner, was the alleged victim of " Goody Garlick's" witchcraft, which created such a profound sensation in the early times. This lot is now the property of William Hedges. The Mulford lot south belongs to James M. Hedges. Thomas Baker, whose house served the triple purpose of his own home, a tavern on week days, and meeting- house on Sunday, lived next north of Thomas Thompson. His lot now belongs to the heirs of Samuel M. Gardiner. Next lived William Mulford, brother of John men- tioned above. His homestead descended to his son Thomas in 1687, and still remains in his family, the pres- ent owner being David G. Mulford. This brings us to the road called Buel's lane, or, as it was called in aticient times, "Catharine's lane." The lot next to this road was originally owned by Stephen Osborn, and by Richard Stratton in 1666. In after years it was noted as the home of Rev. Samuel Buel, the third minister of the town. THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. Richard Stratton lived next and left the lot to his sons Isaac and Benjamin in 1676. Upon this lot stands Clinton Academy, built in 1784. The land is now owned by the heirs of Dr. John Hedges. The next lot was owned at different times by men famous in the history of the town. Here lived William Fithian, and after him Matthias Burnet, long a justice and a prominent man. Burnet Miller, who was supervisor from 1764 to 1776, resided here in Revolutionary days, and was a member of Assembly from 1777 to 1783. Dr. Charles B; Dayton is the present owner. There is no locality in this ancient town that has been a source of greater interest than an old house, a relic of the olden time, which sta.nds on the lot adjoining the last mentioned, for here were spent the childhood days of John Howard Payne, author of " Home, Sweet Home." The lot was originally the dwelling place of Richard Brooks, and afterward of Thomas Terrill, and in 1726 was owned by William Schellinx, the ancestor of the Schellinger family. It was at one time the home of Dr. Ebenezer Sage, who was a physician in this place thirteen years, and member of Congress in 1812. The present owner is Samuel Osborn. Joshua Garlick, the centenarian and husband of " Goody Garlick," whose reputed witchcraft threw the. town into a f^ver of excitement, and whose career might in those superstitious days have had a melancholy termi- nation, was the owner of the next lot. In the will of David Gardiner, who died in 175.1, is written, "I leave to my wife Mehetabel my home lot which I formerly purchased of Richard Shaw." Richard Shaw was a son- in-law of Joshua Garlick, and inherited his land. He removed to Cape May, New Jersey. The place has ever since been in the Gardiner family, being now owned by Hon. Samuel B. Gardiner. Richard Shaw owned the lot next north of Garlick 's, and his son John succeeded him in 1683. Since then it has had many owners. It was in comparatively recent times the residence of General Jeremiah Miller, a very prominent individual in the town. The next lot was owned very early by Bazaleel Osborn, and has alwas been ip the family. The present owner is Sylvanus T. Osborn, to whom the writer is under much obligation for valuable assistance. Andrew Miller's lot came next, and he was succeeded in its ownership by William Schellinx. It was bought of David Gardiner in 1742, and has come down to his descendants. There is in the town no finer specimen of the aristocratic mansion of the " old style " than what is commonly called the " the old Gardiner house." In 1660 a series of lots were laid out and called the " New Town," the lots being bounded on the north by the road still called Newtown lane. Town Affairs in ye Olden Time. The new colony was now fairly started, and the great principle that actuated the founders of the town was that throughout its boundaries the inhabitants should be secure in " liberty under law." The following extracts from the town records will show the manner of regulat- ing town affairs in the early days: " East Hampton, 1650, at a Court of Election holden first Tuesday of October, there were chosen 4 men with the Constable for ye orderinge of ye affaires of ye town, and it is ordered that any two of them shall have power to grant a warrant for ye bringing of any delinquent be- fore them in any case; also the said 5 men shall have power to try any case under ye sum of 40 shillings; but if any case or action be to be tryed that is above, then it is to be tryed by a jury of seven men. It is ordered that any man should have liberty to purchase a Court for ye tryal of any action or suit, he paying forthwith to every man that shall be therein employed is. 6d., and for entering an action 2s." It is ordered that whosoever shall take up a lot in town shall live upon it himselfe, and also that noe man shall sell his allotment or any part /thereof unless it be to such as ye towne shall approve of, and give consent to the sale there of." • As an instance of the enforcement of the above we may quote the following: "East Hampton, April 7 1657. — It is agreed by ye voute of ye towne that ye bargaine yt Goodman Davis made with Goodman Birdsall in selling of his lands is 'annulified and not to stand." " Goodman Meggs's lot shall not be laid out for James Till to go to work on, and he shall not stay here." All public business was done at town meeting, and all good citizens were expected to attend; so to insure their attendance it was "ordered that any person neglecting to attend town meeting shall be fined i2d." That this was no idle threat witness the following: "May 13 1651. — These delinquents did not appear at the town meeting according to warning, viz.: Tho. Talmadge jr. (his fine paid, 6d.), Ralph Dayton (his fine paid); these together with fines of others used for a drum." " John Mulford his fine paid, i2d., William Mulford his fine paid; both of them paid towards the drum." The "court of the three men " was the tribunal before which all ordinary cases were tried. The constable was a member and the executive officer. This office was in those days of great importance, and considered fully equal to any other. The following was the oath taken by these officers: " You, being chosen by this court for the careful and comfortable carrying on the affairs of this town, do here swear by the name of the great and ever living God that you will ifaithfuUy and without respect of persons exe- cute all jury laws and orders as shall or may be made and established by this court, according to God, accord- ing to the trust committed to you, during this year for which you are chosen, and until a new one be chosen, if you remain among us, so help you God." The first court was composed of John Mulford, Thomas Baker and Robert Bond, and Thomas Talmadge jr. was the first clerk or recorder. It was the duty of this court to meet at 8 o'clock in the morning on the second day of the first week in each month. " October 1652, ordered that if any man be aggrieved by anything that is done by the men in authority that he shall have libertie to make his appeal to the next general court, or 8 THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. when the men are assembled together on public oc- casions." The first settlers were necessarily cautious in their dealings with their Indian neighbors. Selling powder to them was forbidden under penalty of 5 shillings. The evil effect of " fire-water " upon these sons of the forest was well known, and to prevent it we find the following: " It 'is ordered, for the prevention of abuse amongst the Indians by selling of strong water, first that no man shall carry any to them to sell, neither send them any, nor employ any to sell for them; neither shall any sell them any liquor in the town to any Indian for their pres- ent drinking, above 2 drams at one time; also whoever sells any liquor shall not let any Indian have any but such as are sent by the sachem and shall bring a written ticket from him, which shall be given him from the town; and he shall not have above a quart at one time; and whoever goeth contrary to this order shall be liable to pay 5s. for every quart, and so for every quantity more or less. May 28th 1655." The benighted savage was not a strict observer of the Sabbath, and to teach him his duty we find it ordered: " Noe Indian shall travel up and downe or carry any bundle in or through our towne on the Sabath day, and whosoever is found soe doing shall be liable to corporall punishment." In the vicinity of the treacherous race, who might be- come foes at any moment, to be constantly on guard was of the first importance, and it was ordered "that all fit to bear armes shall be supplied with sufficient arms, 4 lbs. of bullets or shot equivelent, noe shot smaller than swan shot." Mechanics at that time were in great demand, and great inducements were made to have them settle in the town. " February 2nd 1653 it is ordered yt there shall bee an invitation sent to Goodman Morgan of Southold; if hee will come and live here and weave all the town's work hee shall come in free from all former charges, and the town will give him 5 and break up 2 ackers of Land." Respect for the powers that be was strictly required, and delinquents in this matter were brought to condign punishment. " October 3d 1655 it is ordered that Wil- liam Simons for his provoking speeches to the 3 men in authoritie, being a disturbance to them in their proceed- ings, that hee shall forthwith pay 5 shillings, which is to be disposed of to make a paire of stocks." The latter article would be a standing warning to others inclined to transgress. Quarreling and blows were discouraged by the following: " It is ordered that whosoever shall rise up in anger against his neighbor and strike him he shall forthwith pay ten shillings to ye town and stand to ye censure of ye court; and if in smiting he shall hurt or wound another he shall pay for the cure, and also for his time that he is thereby hindered." False witness was also punished by doing unto the fal- sifier as he had thought to do unto his neighbor, a prin- ciple derived from Mosaic law. Such were a few of the enactments of the primitive colony, and they are an index of the thought and feeling of the community. Under that code of laws and the Bible, on whose teachings they were based, grew up a race of men of whom their descendants may well be proud. The influence of their spirit has moulded the laws of a State and of a nation, and thanks to their teach- ings we enjoy to-day undisturbed sleep within unbarred doors. For eight years the town was a nation by itself, living without a written constitution, but under the understand- ing that the inhabitants were bound by the principles of equity and natural right and justice, and guided by the light that springs from the word of God. At length, in 1654, the following resolution was passed: " It is or- dered that there shall be a copie of the Connecticut Combination drawn forth as is convenient for us, and yt all men shall set to their hands." The constitution thus adopted was as follows: " East Hampton, October 24th 1654. — Forasmuch as it has pleased Almighty God, by the wise dispensation of his Providence, so to order and dispose of things that we the Inhabitants of East Hampton are now dwelling together, the word of God requires that to maintain the Peace and Union of such a people there should be an Orderly and Decent Government established according to God, to order and Dispose as Occasion shall require. We Do therefore associate and conjoin ourselves to be one Town or Corporation, and Do for ourselves and suc- cessors, and such as shall be adjoined to us at any time hereafter, enter into combination and confederation together to maintain and preserve the purity of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we now possess; as also the Discipline of the Church, which according to the truth of said Gospel is now practiced among us; As also in our Civil "affaires to be guided and Governed by such Laws and Orders as shall be made according to God, and which by vote of the Major Part shall be in force among us. Furthermore we do engage ourselves that in all votes for choosing Officers or making orders that it be according to Conscience and our best light. And also we do engage ourselves by this Combination to stand to and maintain the authority of the several Officers of the Town in their Determinations and actions according to their Orders and Laws that either are or shall be made, not swerving therefrom. In witness whereof each accepted Inhabitant set to our hand." Although the purchase by Hopkins and Eaton was made for the inhabitants of the town yet it was not till some time afterward that the proper transfer was made; and we find that in 1651 "Ralph Dayton was ordered to go to Connecticut to have the evidence for our lands, and procure an acquittance for payment of our land and for a body of laws." Whaling. As in the neighboring town of Southampton, one of the most important sources of revenue was the dead whales cast up on the shore. It is not strange that a constant watch should be kept for these gifts of provi- dence, as they were considered, and with justice, for they came without the people's labor or care. In con- nection with this we find the following entries: "November 6th 1651. — It was ordered that Goodman Mulford shall call out ye town by succession to loke out for whales." "Ordered if any whale should be cast THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. up within our bounds that every householder shall. do his part to save the whale according as his turn shall come. The town shall be divided into two parts, one to cut one day and the other the other day." " If any Indian sliall find a whale and forthwith bring tidings of it he shall have 5s. If any Englishman of this town do accidentally find a whale, and bring first tidings, he shall have a piece of whale 3 feet broad." But the town did not long trust to drift whales alone. Within a very few years it became common to go off in canoes manned by hardy crews, and attack the monster of the deep in his native element. It is not generally known that at that time the whole coast of Long Island was lined with whaling stations, and the amount of oil annually made was very considerable. Hon. Henry P. Hedges in his historical address mentions a tradition " that Abigail Baker, who was married in 1702 to Daniel Hedges, in riding from East Hampton to Bridgehampton saw thirteen whales along the shore between the two places." This is much better supported than most tradi- tions, for Francis Pelletreau, of Southampton, writing to Stephen De Lancey of New York, in 1726, stated that eleven whales had been killed in that village that season. But the following document, lately discovered, shows most conclusively the great importance of this business: Eftimate of Whale Oil at Southampton and East Hampton, 1687. At Ketchaponack — John Jessup and Co., about 8 bar- rels a share, 96 bis. Quaquanantuck [Quogue] — Thomas Stephens & Co., about 22 bis a share, 264 bis; James Cooper & Co., about 12 bis a share, 144 bis. At ye Pines [just west of Shinecock Point] — Joseph Peirson & Co., about 20 bis a share, 240 bis.; John Post & Co., about 19 bis a share, 228 bis. At Towne [Southampton] — Francis Sayre& Co., about IT bis a share, 132 bis. At Weekapog — Isaac Raynor & Co., about 4 bis a share, 48 bis; Abraham Howell & Co., about 3 bis a share, 36 bis. At Mecox — John Cook & Co., about 6 bis a share, 72 bis; Joseph Moore & Co., about 10 bis a share, 120 bis. At Sagaponack — Lieut. Henry Peirson & Co., 23 bis a share, 276 bis; Robert Norris & Co., about 9 bis a share, 108 bis; James Topping & Co., about 7 bis a share, 84 bis; Shamgar Hand & Co., about 25 bis a share, 300 bis. Total, 2,148 barrels. 17 1 1, April 18. — East Hampton— John Gardiner & Co., 18 men, 2 bis a share, 36 bis; Samuel Mulford & Co., 24 men, 2 bis a share, 48 bis. The oil thus obtained was carted to Northwest and shipped to England. In this' enterprise danger was ever present, and the fol- lowing entry tells its own sad story: " Feb. 14, 1709. — This day, a whaleboat being alone, the men struck a whale, and she coming under ye boat in part staved it; and, tho' ye men were not hurt with the whale, yet be- fore any help came to them four men were tired and chilled, and fell off ye boat and oars to which they hung, and were drowned, viz.: Henry Parsons, William Schel- lenger jr., Lewis Mulford, Jeremiah Conkling jr." This shore whale fishery is now a thing of the past, and of all the stations which once dotted the coast of Long Island Amagansett and Southampton are the only ones that now remain to keep up the remembrance of the deeds of former times. Laying out of Land — Rights in Commonage. It is a singular fact that almost all the land that is now under cultivation in the town was cleared and cultivated within the first hundred years. Of the original laying out of the lots on Main street we have no records, but the lots were doubtless in proportion to the amount of purchase money paid by each individual. The undivid- ed rights in commonage have a different notation from the same rights in the town of Southampton. In this town the term " 13 acres of commonage" is the same as "_;^i5o allotment" in Southampton, meaning one full share. The. conclusion we arrive at from consulting the early records is as follows: All the undivided lands in the town were supposed to be divided into 47 lots, or full shares. Each lot consists of 13 acres — not in actual size, but this is simply the unit of value. The first division of land is said to have been about 600 acres, and the proportion that each man had was the basis for all future divisions. The follbwing •may serve as a sample of the manner of laying out the various divisions: " At a Towne meeting in East Hampton, April ye 6, 1739, It was then agreed on by major vote of the Pro- prietors of all undivided lands in this town that there shall be a division of land in this town, consisting of ten acres to one acre commonage, on ye north side of Acco- bonack Neck (or elsewhere on the north side) and Ayle- wife Brook Neck, To be layed out each- neck in a divis- ion; and yt ye trustees have full power to lay out the same, as they shall see cause, and to get men to assist them as they shall have occasion. Notwithstanding the above written signifies two divisions, it was and is by the vote to be understood to be but one division in the whole. The above said vote was deliberately read in ye town meeting and passed in ye affirmative; as test " Cornelius Conklng, Clerk." The following list is of value as showing the names of the early proprietors and the value of their respective shares: "An account of each man's right in commonage, in order to lay out a division of land of five acres to one acre commonage, as followeth: Joseph Osborne Oapt. Nathaniel Baker Mr. Thomas Chatfleld John Mulford Heirs of Capt. Sam'l Gardiner Mr. Nathaniel Huntting Mr. Nathaniel Hunttlng Capt, Math. Burnett Capt. Matthias Burnett Mr. Eleazer Miller Timothy Mulford Blias Mulford Capt. Matthew Mulford WUliam Hedges Samuel Parsons Bobert Parsons Giddion Hedges Benjamin Hedges Williami Conkhn Nath'l Downing and Son Nathaniel Acres. Roods. Poles. 13 13 13 18 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 5 8 13 5 13 THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. Josiali Miller — David Edwards ■ Nathan Dayton Henry Dayton Isaac Hedges Becompense Sherrill. Thomas Mulf ord . . . . William Hedges jr.. William Hedges.. ■ David Conkling.. Joseph Hicks John Edwards... Mr. Samuel Hudson. Henry Hudson Daniel Oshome jr Seth Parsons... John Parsons.. N^oah Barnes.. - Daniel Baker Isaac Barns & son. . William Hedges Isaac Mulf ord Edward Huntting. Samuel Russell Major John Merry Samuel Mulf ord Mr. Thomas Chatfleld . John Talmage William Hedges Aaron Fithian Jane Conkling Jeremiah Conkling. Benjamin Leek John Hedges. •■. Samuel Hedges.. BobertLeek Lewis ConkUng Left. Jonathan Baker . . . Mr. Nathaniel Huntting.. Jeremiah Mulf ord Thomas Dibble Charles Glover Mr. Nath'l Huntting... Mr. Thomas Chatfleld.. Ellsha Osborne. John Talmage... Elias Hand Joseph Conkling. Edward Jones.... Thomas Fyler . . . . . Cornelius Conkling Heirs of Capt. Saml. Gardiner.. Matthias Hopin.. Stephen Hand... Hezeldah Miller.. John Hand Eliphalet Stretten . WilUam King Daniel Petty John Terry Jonathan Young.. Daniel Osborne jr.. Elias Hand Edward Jones Stephen Hedges Te neirs of Capt. Talmadge deed.. John Parsons ye 4th Cornelius Conkling Daniel Osborne John Talmadge Samuel Hedges William & Ebenezer Edwards.. Ann Barber Acres. 11 13 13 13 10 1 1 13 5 7 Boods. 13 8 1 1 1 13 6 4 3 13 9 3 1 13 9 4 13 9 U 1 13 Poles. 13^1 33 13^ 20 8 32 8 13 6 13 _m 20 4 za 10 William Osborne JohnMulford Thomas Talmadge Lion Loner Samuel Hedges Icabod Luke Samuel Parsons jr John Stretten Jacob Schelllnz Thomas Osborne jr Henry Conkling Mr.Eleazer Miller Samuel Hedges Samuel Parsons jr John Stretten John Squier Samuel Hedges John Dayton Jeremiah Conkling jr Theophilus Wilman Beriah Dayton Bobert More Daniel Luke Eliakim Conkling Ye heirs of Capt. Talmadge... John Parsons ye 4th John Conkling Nathan Miller Daniel Dayton JohnDavis Lion Gardiner Samuel Hedges Daniel Osborne Daniel Osborne jr Daniel Edwards Ye heirs of William Barns dec Daniel Miller JohnDiament JamesHand Daniel Osborne jr William Hedges Whole number of lots, 47. Acres. 13 5 4 4 13 7 3 2 13 5 2 4 13 6 6 13 4 3 3 1 13 9 2 1 13 7 1 4 13 4 1 13 4 4 3 13 Roods. ■Poles. 10 30 1% m 3 17 16 34 30 6 34 30 8 2 20 1^ 29 ' 7 14 10 29 20 The general divisions were, as said before, divided into lots. The convenient highways for giving access were first laid out, and were not regarded as part of the lots. The common law principle that highways are an easement and that the fee of the land belongs to the ad- joining owners was not recognized, but all roads were considered "commons." One or two of the earlier high- ways are thus described: "S-acre division, an highway laid out from Amagansett to Abraham Conkling's, 4 poles wide; and an highway 4 poles wide along the path that goeth to ye brick kilns to ye cleft southward of ye Fresh Pond; and an highway along the path that goeth from Amagansett to Barnes his hole, consisting of 4 poles wide." In the old records and deeds several locations are men- tioned bynames now no longer used. The "Eastern Plain" was the tract between Hook Pond and Amagan- sett; " Little Plain" lay between Lily Pond and Georgica Pond; "Great Plain" was the tract of land extending from the south end of the village to Lily Pond, embrac- ing the locality known by its Indian name of Apoquogue; " Indian Well " is a place mentioned in ancient deeds, and is supposed to have been near the beach, by the road running south from the west end of Amagansett; THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. Alewife Brook Neck was the last division. The undivided lands at the present time include only such worthless regions as Napeague, and a few smaller tracts. Schools. Religion and education generally go together, and the first settlers, willing to give up all earthly enjoyment for the " kingdom of Heaven's sake," were yet fully awake to the value of earthly knowledge. A school was estab- lished within a year after the settlement, and the first schoolmaster was Charles Barnes, a son of William Barnes one of the original founders. He received at first ^^30 a year, and to insure a regular attendance a small part only of the amount was charged upon the scholars and the rest raised by tax. Jonas Holdsworth succeeded him in 1673, and after him the rod of correction was wielded by Peter Benson, whose pay was ^^^50 a year. In 1682 the school consisted of 29 scholars. About all required of a teacher in those days was that he should be a good penman, and have a fair knowledge of arith- metic. If " Solomon's rule" was his guide and practice it was considered an additional merit. Grammar, geog- raphy, and other branches now thought essential were not taught at all. It was not considered necessary for girls to know much except reading, and hence we find in old deeds a large proportion of women signing their names with a "mark;" and to most of the boy pupils the "rule of three" ^was the boundary of mathematical knowledge. Still the general desire for learning was much greater in this than in the neighboring town, a fact which we can hardly account for unless by supposing that the early ministers, who were all-powerful in their social influence, must have taken a deep interest in the cause. It was the zealous efforts of Rev. Samuel Buel that builded Clinton Academy. The salary of the schoolmaster and minister in early times was partly paid in productions of sea and land, and to fix a uniform price of these things it was ordered in 1656, by "the three men," that for the payment of town rates wheat should be 4s. 6d. a bushel, and Indian corn 3s. 6d. It was ordered at a subsequent meeting that dry merchantable hides should be 6d. a pound, and whalebone three feet long 8d. a pound. At the time Jonas Holdsworth was schoolmaster it was agreed that one-half his salary should "bee payd in beef or oyle, and the other half in oyle, pork, hides, or tallow, or whalebone." Holdsworth had previous to this been teacher in Southampton and Huntington. That " boys were boys" even in those strict and sober days is apparent from the fact that the boys at one time joined in rebellion against the schoolmaster Charles Barnes, whose heels they placed in juxtaposition with his head. In this they were aided and abetted by one Daniel Fairfield, a hired man, and one of a rather loose and immoral character. Offenses such as his were not likely to pass unpunished in those times, and he was fined and banished. Notwithstanding their efforts to ex- clude from the new colony the idle and dissolute, occa- sionally persons would obtain a residence who were un- desirable neighbors. The morals and manners of the town were not so entirely pure but that some measures were needed to punish transgressors of wholesome law, and in 1652 a house was purchased for a prison and placed in the street " opposite the dwelling of Goodman Garlick," in front of the present residence of Hon. Samuel B. Gardiner. One fact which has passed into history, and may be told without giving the offense it would once have given, is in connection with school history. There still stands on the west side of the street, near the middle of East Hampton village, a small dingy-looking building called, apparently in derision, the " Town Hall." When it was built we have not been able to learn, but it has from time, immemorial been used as a place where town officers held their meetings. Strange to say in so enlightened a town as this, this little shanty was for long years the vil- lage school-house in spite of its utter unfitness for the purpose. All who are acquainted with the characteris- tics of the people on the east end of Long Island know full well the difficulty of inducing a neighborhood to build a new school-house, and this building would doubt- less have been used for long years to come had not the supervisor, Jehiel K. Parsons, had the manhood — which few indeed of his brother officials possessed — to risk re- election to office by uniting with the school commissioner in condemning this unsuitable building. The result was a commotion which has not been exceeded since the trial of " Goody Garlick " for witchcraft. But after the ex- citement had ceased, and common sense resumed its sway, the good people built in 1876 the present school-house, which is an ornament and a credit to the ancient town. The writer once asked one of the bitterest opponents of the new school-house if any one now was sorry. " Yes," was the reply, " I am sorry." " Sorry for what ?" " Sorry we didn't do it before." The town of East Hampton is now divided into six school districts, which, with their respective numbers of pupils, are as follows: i. East Hampton (Hook District), 55 ; 2, Wainscott, 25; 3, Amagansett, 95; 4, Springs, 94; 5, East Hampton, 78; 6, Northwest, 10. That part of the town near Sag Harbor is embraced in the union school district of that village, and the chil- dren attend school in Southampton. Town Officers — Statistics for 1683. Supervisors. — Abraham Schellenger, 1699, 1700; Thomas Chatfield, 1701; John Mulford, 1704, 1706-16; Cornelius Conkling, 1705; Matthias Burnet, 1717-38; Eleazer Miller, 1739, 1740; Thomas Chatfield, 1741-43; Cornelius Conkling, 1744-60, 1762, 1763; Isaac Barnes, 1761; Burnet Miller, 1764-67, 1769-76; Abraham Gar- diner, 1768; Nathaniel Downing, 1777-79; Ezekiel Mul- ford, 1780-84; John Dayton, 1785-88; Abraham Miller, 1789-99; Jonathan Dayton, 1798; Abraham Miller, 1799, 1800, 1803-5; Jonathan Dayton, 1801, 1802, 1S06-15; Jonathan S. Conkling, 1816-25; David Hedges jr., 1826, 1836-39; Abraham Parsons, 1827, 1828; Abel Huntting- ton, 1829-32, 1844; Daniel Dayton, 1833; Felix Down- ing, 1834, 183s; Charles H. Miller, 1840-43; Samuel B. Gardiner, 1845; George L. Huntington, 1846-49; Thomas T. Parsons, 1850, 1851, 1857-59; John C. 12 THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. Hedges, 1852, 1853; Stephen L. Hedges, 1854-56, 1860- 66; Samuel P. Osborn, 1867, 1869-71; Jehiel K, Parsons, 1872-75; Walter E. Derby, 1876; Jonathan Baker, 1877- 81; Jehiel K. Parsons, 1882. Town Clerks. — Thomas Talmadge jr., 1650; Benjamin Price,i65i-53; Luke Lillie,i654,i65S; Thomas Talmadge, 1656-65, i68o-88; Thomas Osborn jr., 1666, 1667; Samuel Mulford, 1670-80; Thomas Chatfield, 1688-1709; Cor- nelius Conkling, 1709-47; Burnet Miller, 1747-76; John Chatfield, 1776-84; Jeremiah Miller, 1784-86; Abraham Miller, 1786-96; Elisha Mulford, 1796-99; Abraham Miller, 1800, tSoi; Elisha Mulford, 1801-3; Abraham Miller, 1803-14; Abraham Parsons, 1814-29; Jonathan S. Conkling, 1829-31; Samuel Miller, 1831-33; David Baker, 1833-56 (died in office); Samuel T. Osborn, 1856, 1857; Sylvanus M. Osborn, 1857-59; Stephen L. Hedges, 1859, i860; Sylvanus M. Osborn, 1860-64; Samuel P. Osborne, 1864-67; Samuel M. Gardiner, 1867 (resigned); David H. Huntting, 1867-69; John C. Hedges, 1869-74; Joseph S. Osborn, 1874 to the present. "September ye 8 1683. The Estimate of East Hampton." Capt. Talmadge Tho. Osborn Wm. Mulford Tho. Mulford , Mr. Baker Tho. Edwards John Parsons sen... . Jer. Conlding Philip Seely NtLth. Baker sen Joshua Garliok Capt. Hobart Natb. Doming John Parsons James Dimont Samuel Parsons Wm. Barnes John Wheeler Enoch Fithian John Osborn James Hand Blch. Brook Mr. Sohellenger Benjamin Ckmklingr. John MiUer sen Arthur Creese Benj. Osborn Wm. Edwards Joseph O^om John Squire John Edwards EbenLeek James Loper Wm. Perkins Stephen Hand Tho. Siament John Miller jr Jer. Miller Edward Jones James Bird John Stratton John Btratton jr Joseph Stratton Samuel Mulford John Hopping John I^eld Stephen Hedges Antboi^ KeUy Oliver Norris Edward Hare Widow Shaw Bichard Shaw Tho. Stratton Wm. Hambleton...;. Samuel Sherry JobnCerle John Mulford Tho. Chatfield Nath. Baker jr Bobert Dayton Nath. Bishop Bi. Stratton Tho. Hand John Brooks Tho. Bee William MiUer George MiUer BewlJck Osborn John Mitchell Tho. Chatfield jr Jacob Dayton 13 37 £ s.d, 362 3 280 10 106 3 64 3 ZU U7 10 79 247 3 57 10 174 HO 13 95 73 10 157 10 180 158 155 144 6 8 72 16 8 251 81 120 246 148 13 4 140 13 4 63 6 8 162 16 8 180 82 85 10 123 10 63 10 62 13 4 216 16 8 174 10 76 104 87 13 4 S5 47 13 4 270 6 8 1&4 3 4 100- Us 2O9 62 301 30 23 42 73 81 42 3 4 6 8 119 10 283 16 8 284 8 4 118 261 3 4 189 70 121 87 81 148 56 56 30 80 60 The total is £9,075 6b. 8d. Slander and Witchcraft. Two of the most curious episodes of the earliest days of the town are in connection with the trial and punish- ment of "Goody" Edwards for scolding and slander, and the charge against " Goody " Garliok for witchcraft. And here we may explain that, contrary to the opinion which is commonly held, social distinctions were much more strongly defined and marked in those times than at present. Men who were not of social standing high enough to be entitled to the style of " Mr." and " Gent, were addressed as " Goodman." A woman of similar position would be called " Goodwife," which was com- monly contracted into " Goody; " hence the women men- tioned above were known as Goody Edwards and Goody Garlick. In June 1653 a formal charge was brought against Goody Edwards, by Benjamin Price, for slandering his wife. Price opened the case in true lawyer style, by making the charge seem as hideous as possible, declaring that Goody Edwards had put his wife's life in danger by declaring her to be a " base lyinge woman." He also expressed in the quaintest manner his fear for his pos- terity, lest on the strength of such an accusation people in future times should say, "There goethe brats of abase lyinge woman." The testimony in this case is very ex- tensive and highly amusing, and a perfect picture of life in the primitive times. Goody Edwards might have come off better perhaps if it had not been proved that she had said that her husband " had brought her to a place where there was neither Gospel nor Magistrate." The court evidently felt bound to convince her that the latter part of her statement was a decided mistake, and she was sentenced to stand with a split stick on her tongue for one hour. Goody Edwards seems to have been a woman of muscle as well as temper, for when the constable came to perform his duty " she kicked him and broke his shins." Her husband — henpecked man, who perhaps had wrongs of his own to avenge — stood by and advised her "to take her punishment patiently." In- stead of following this sage advice " she threatened to kill him." And what was the cause of all this trouble ? Alas! An old woman said that "Goody Price said she had a petticoat that came from England." Another ver- sion was that " the money that bought that petticoat came from England." And this was the origin of the war that shook East Hampton from center to circumference. The case of witchcraft, when stripped of all its super- stitious features, seems to be simply this: The wife of Arthur Howell (daughter of Lion Gardiner) was sud- denly attacked by a fever, which caused temporary de- rangement. To account for strange symptoms by attrib- uting them to supernatural and infernal agency was characteristic of the times. The belief in witchcraft may have been absurd, but it was certainly universal. The dread of its power may have been groundless, but it was certainly unfeigned, and our ignorant ancestors may well be pardoned for believing what the greatest of British jurists never ventured to doubt. The depositions in this case cover many pages of the town records. c^^fCc THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. 13 Eleven witnesses v/ere examined, five of whom were wo- men. Goody Garlick was charged with bewitching her neighbors by using various herbs, and the whole testi- mony bears a most remarkable resemblance to that of the cases in Salem which years after had so tragical a termi- nation. Fortunately Goody Garlick had influential friends. The powerful mind of Lion Gardiner was not influenced by the popular superstition, and he boldly charged some of the witnesses with the very crimes they laid to the alleged witch. The court finally concluded to send her to Hartford " for the trial of the cause of witchcraft with which she was charged." We have no further knowledge of the case. It is thought that it ended here. Presbyterian Churches and Ministers. Desire of religious freedom brought our ancestors here, and conveniences for religious meetings were one of the first things to be provided for. The first place of worship was a private house, and we find the following vote at a town meeting held November 17th 1651: " It is ordered yt Thomas Baker shall have i8d. for every Lord's day that the meeting shall be at his house;" and at the same meeting it was voted, " It is ordered and agreed upon by us the inhabitants that there shall be a meeting-house built, 36 ft. long, 20 ft. broad, 8 ft. studs." This church stood on the east side of the burying ground, and very near the house of Minister James. Like all tho buildings of that day it had boarded sides and a thatched roof. It was used without change till 1673, when the population of the town had.increased to such an extent as to render its enlargement necessary. In 1698, when the question arose of building a new house, it was voted to repair the old one. In 17 17 the second church was built. This stood on the south side of the lot now owned by Samuel G. Mul- ford, and nearly opposite Clinton Academy. It is re- ported that the timber was brought from Gardiner's Isl- and, and some authors argue from this that building timber must have become scarce in the town. But when we consider that the builders in that day believed it necessary to use timber of a size vastly disproportionate -to the strength required we can conclude that they went to the island to procure an article suited to their views and not to their actual necessities. This church was fur- nished with galleries, and had also a clock and bell. It was supposed by some that at the time of its destruction, in 1864, it was the oldest church edifice on the island; but this is not the case, for the old Presbyterian church in Southampton (now the Methodist church) was built in 1707, and still stands and^ bids fair to last another cerifury. The third church was erected in 1862, and is one of the finest country churches in the county. Its cost was $i3.Soo- The trustees of the church became a corporate body March ist 1848. Until that time the church property had been managed by the trustees of the town. The first trustees under the incorporation were D.avid H. Huntting, Baldwin C. Talmadge, Stephen Hedges, Tal- madge Barnes, Sylvester D. Ranger and David H. Mil- ler. Messrs. Ranger and Huntting are now the only surviving members of the original board. Mr, Huntting has been re-elected to the office annually since that time. Probably no person in the town has a more extended business and social connection with the town, or.a greater knowledge of its affairs both in the past and present; and the writer of this sketch takes the greatest pleasure in acknowledging the valuable assistance he has furnished in the preparation of the work. Rev. Thomas James was the first pastor of this ancient church. He arrived in this country June 5th 1632. His father, Thomas James sen., had been a minister in Lin- colnshire, England. After coming to America Mr. James was settled at Charlestown, Mass., whence he removed to New Haven. Tradition states that he was a very young man when he came to East Hampton. This must have been the case, or else he must have attained an age be- yond the ordinary limit of human life. The first notice of Mr. James appears April 22nd 1651, at which date an extension of time was granted him to make his log fence. This would indicate that land had been granted him pre- fvious to this date. On August 23d it was ordered in a town meeting that Mr. James should "have for his work in the ministry for the ensuing year ;^4S, and his lands to lie rate free; and for future time ;^5o a year and rate free for the time of his standing in office in the ministry among them." From that time until age and infirmity had laid their hands upon him he appears to have been an active, public spirited man, who had a deep interest in the affairs of this world as well as of the next. All the information we have concerning his relations with his fellow townsmen tends to show that they were of the most satisfactory nature. Their confidence in his busi- ness capacity is exhibited by their conferring upon him offices not connected with his sacred calling. Among other evidences of his mental power he seems to have acquired a knowledge of the Indian language, and a good acquaintance with their customs. This was often of the greatest value, as may be seen by the following document (of'which 2, fac simile is also here given), in which is contained the Indian testimony concerning the boundaries of Southampton: "The Depostion of Mr. Thomas James, taken at East- hampton this 18th Day of October: 1667 Testifieth "Being earnestly desired by them of Southampton towne to be some meanes in their behalfe to procure ye testimony, or affirmation of ye montaukut Indians con- cerning ye bounds of Shinnikuke Indians, accordingly, Paqunttown,. Counsellor, being here att yt present att Easthampton, I enquired of him whether he knew any- thing concerning ye aforesd bounds, & he told me he did, as being often employed by ye Sachems in their matters, & wth all told me yt ye bounds of ye Shinnecuke Indians (since ye conquest of those Indians wch formerly many yeares since lined att akkobauk) did reach to a river where they go to catch ye fish we comonly call alewiues, the name of yt Riuer hee said is Pehik; & wth all told me yt there were two old women liueing at Mon- taukut who formerly were of ye Akkobauk Indians, who could giue further information concerning ye matter. 14 THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. So I made a journey wth Mr. Rich. Howell and Mr. John Leyton to Montaukut, & we mett with ye aforesd women, who affirmed they formerly were of ye Akkobauk Indians, & that they knew the bounds of ye severall plantations in those parts, one of them, an antient woman (called by ye Indians Akkobauk Homo's Squaw) — to wch the other also assented, called wompquaim's Squaw, a middle aged woman — they joyntly declared as followeth: that formerly many years since there was a small plantation of Indians att Akkobauk, & that those Indians, being few, were driven of their land, being conquered by other In- dians, & that in those tymes the bounds of those Akko- bauk Indians came eastward of ye Riuer pehikkonuk, to a creek wch shee named. And they gathered flags for matts wth in that neck of land, but since those Indians were conquered who lined att Akkobauk the Shinnocut bounds went to the riuer pehikkonuck, where ye Indians catched Alewiues, & the Shinnokuk Indians had the drowned deere as their on this side the said riuer, and one beare some yeares since, & the old squaw said by ye token shee eat some of it, pointing to her teeth, and that the skin & flesh was brought to Shinnocut as acknowl- edging their right to it, to a Saunk Squaw then lining their who was the old montaukut Sachem's sister; & first wife to Awkkonnu. this to ye best of my vnderstanding. " This taken upon Oath before mee "John Mulford." Mr. James prepared a catechism in the Indian language, for which he received the thanks of the royal governor. As an evidence of the regard in which he was held we may mention the town orders that his grist should be first ground at the mill, on the second day of the week, and that one-half of the dead whales drifted up should be his. In the Southampton records occurs the following: "Be it known to all men by these presents that I Thomas James, of East Hampton, Gent., being now vpon the point of Marriage with Mrs. Katherine Blux, of Southampton, doe by these presents for my selfe utterly denigh and renounce any right, title or interest I may, can, or might have in the present estate of the said Katherine Blux by virtue of our marriage, I by these giving and granting the same, as it now is soe for ever hereafter, to remaine and bee her owne entire possession and disposal; and is in and for consideration that I the said Thomas James are not now, nor by vertue of the said marriage ever hereafter shall bee, any way engaged to satisfy or pay any former debts or ingagements what- soever the said Mrs. Katherine Blux, or any other having any manner of relation to her, of what estate soever. In witness whereof both parties to these presents have here- unto sett our hands and seals this 14th day of August 1669. II Thomas James, „ . " Katherine Blux. Signed, sealed & delivered in presence of John How- ell, John Laughton." The sequel to this is recorded in the following words: "Mr. Thomas James was maryed the second day of Sep- tember 1669." Who this lady was to whom he gave his heart and hand in such a businesslike way is utterly un- known; no such family is known to have lived in South- ampton, though the name of Return Blux occurs once as witness to a deed. She seems to have been a widow with property in her own right. The date of her death is unknown, but she did not survive Mr. James, as no mention is made of her in his will. This document, lately discovered, is so characteristic of the man that we give it in abstract. It should be stated here that he dis- posed of all his real estate to John Gardiner, " Lord of the Isle of Wight," in 1695, for the sum of ;^5oo, one- half of which was paid at the time, and Mr. Gardiner obligated himself to pay the remainder within thirty days after Mr. James's decease, to his assigns, he to retain the use of the estate during his life. "The last will and Testament of me Thomas James, Preacher of ye Gospel & minister of East Hampton, in ye County of Suffolk, upon ye Isle of Nassau alias Long Island, within ye Province of New York, as followeth: * * * To my eldest daghter, Sarah, wife of Pere- grine Stanborough (having already given her more than any of the rest of my children), * * * four score pounds, in cash currerit of this Province, also an equal part with my other children of my personal goods, * * * also ye small part I have in ye ship called ye 'Speedwell' (being half a quarter), also ye feather bed I lye upon & ye green rug with it. To my second daghter, Mary, wife of John Stratton, an hundred pounds in cash. * *. * To my daghter Hannah, wife of James Diament, one hundred pounds. I, having very lately delivered to my son-in-law Thomas Harris in be- half of his wife, my 4th daghter, Ruth, one hundred pounds upon some conditions, doe confirm it absolutely to her; I also give her my feather bed in ye large cham- ber, with ye furniture to it. * * * I give to my grandchildren Mary Stanborough and Mary Stratton j^j'so a piece, and a feather bed and two pairs of sheets, * * * also to each of them a cow and six sheep, and an iron pot of ye bigger sort, * * * two pewter platters, a silver spoon. * * * To my daughter Anne Howell, now wife of Mr. Abraham Howell of Southampton, j^2o, provided she bring in noe after reck- oning on account of her first husband, my son Nathaniel, deceased. * * * To my eldest grandson, John Stan- borough, ^10. To my two daughters-in-law [step daughters?] Mary, wife of Mr. John Mulford, and Elis- ebeth, wife of Joseph Osborn, ;^io. * * * I ap- point Peregrine Stanborough, John Stratton and James Diament executors. As for what debts is owing to me from this Towne of East Hampton, either former arrears or for last year, amounting to above four score pounds, I give to all my grandchildren excepting those mentioned in this will. Only this^that if ye Towne freely and readily will take ye best and speediest way they can for ye discharge of ye debts afore said, then I give to ye town ;^2o towards ye maintaining of a good school-mas- ter in this towne; otherwise not. * * * \ gjyg (q my son-in-law John Stratton what time I have in my man Charles Jones, my executors to make good his in- denture and allow him 40s. in pay more. * * * To my son-in-law James Diament my share in ye horse mill * * * Dated June 5 1696. " Thomas James." Tradition states that at his own request he was buried, contrary to the usual custom, with his head to the east, in order that he might face his congregation at the Judg- ment Day. His tombstone, placed in accordance with this desire, still stands in the ancient graveyard, and near the spot where stood the church which was the scene of his lifelong labor. It bears the following inscription: "Mr. Thomas James Dyed The i6th day of June in the yeare 1696. He was Minister of The gospel and Pasture of the church of Christ." For a hundred and eighty-six years he has waited for THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. 15 the Day, and the question comes to the mind with sad solemnity — how long will he wait? Rev. Nathaniel Huntting, the second pastor, was a son of Elder John Huntting of Dedham, Mass., where his father, John Huntting, was pastor of the church. He was born November isth 1675, graduated at Harvard in 1693, came to East Hampton as early as 1696, and was ordained the 13th of September 1699. His salary was fixed at _^6o a year, and he had in addition to this a house and the use of the parsonage land. He married Mary Green of Boston in 1701, and had six children — Nathan- iel, Edward, Samuel, Jonathan, Mary, and John. The descendants of these children are numerous and widely scattered. Samuel, the third son, settled in Southamp- ton in 1739, and his descendants still remain in that town. Nathaniel, the eldest son, married Mary Hedges Septem- ber nth 1728, and had children Nathaniel, Joseph, Wil- liam, and Mary. From the son William are descended David H. Huntting, the present representative of the family in East Hampton, and also the families of that name in Southold. When we consider that this was one of the Puritan towns of the strictest.class it seems strange to read the written record that at the time of Mr. Hunt- ting's settlement the church numbered only six male members and twenty-two females. The lack of religious enthusiasm was greatly deplored by the faithful pastor. In his record of deaths .he mentions in 1752 the decease of six persons in less than six days, and adds, " Never did East Hampton see the like. Oh that for holiness too yt there never was the like!" After a pastorate of fifty years he was called to his eternal rest on the 21st of Sep- tember 1753, '" *^^ 7^*^ y^^"" °*^ '^'^ ^Se- His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Sylvanus White, of South- ampton, and his virtues and learning received a well mer- ited eulogium. Many of Mr. Huntting's sermons are still in existence, but a more lasting monument is a carefully kept record of marriages and deaths, begun in 1696 and continued till the end of his ministry. In it much incidental knowl- edge is conveyed concerning the habits of the people and the nature of the most common diseases which carried his parishioners to the tomb. The record is written in peculiar style, and many of his observations are so quaint as to be half ludicrous and half pathetic. Of course there was no attempt at scientific classification of dis- eases, but the symptoms which he frequently describes leave little doubt as to their nature. The universal ignorance of the laws of health and the want of skilled medical assistance had the same effect then that they would have now. Diphtheria seems to have been very prevalent at times and caused great mortality. Dysentery was especially common in the month of September, while the fell destroyer consumption had all seasons for its own. His venerated remains were laid to. rest in the same enclosure consecrated by the tomb of his sainted prede- cessor, and his modest monument bears the inscription: " In memory of the Revnd Mr. Nathaniel Huntting, who died Septmr ye 21 1753, in ye 78th year of his age." Previous to Mr. Huntting's death several persons had been employed as his assistants, and among them Rev. James Davenport, whose erratic views and half insane enthusiasm produced the " New Light movement;'' through his agency the same " root of bitterness " was introduced into this church, to mar the harmony so long existing. After some trouble all differences were happily arranged by the settlement of Rev. Samuel Buel, D. D. — This clergyman, whose in- fluence was so deep and lasting, was born at Coventry, Conn., September ist 1716, graduated at Yale in 1741, and settled as pastor here September 19th 1746. He re- mained, alike during the calm of peace and the storms and anxieties of the Revolution, the same faithful, labor- ious preacher and patriotic citizen. As with his prede- cessor James, there was something about him that brought him near to the popular heart; and the man who could reconcile the feuds of religious schism, and without sac- rificing in the slightest degree his political convictions could ingratiate himself with his country's enemies, and' yet retain to the fullest extent the love and confidence of his people must have possessed in no small measure the heaven-born gift, the art of pleasing. It is probable 'that, unlike Mr. James, he was not a man of business, and his neglect to continue the register so carefully kept by Mr. Huntting, which he admits was a " faulty omis- sion," and the irregular manner in which his part was performed would indicate a p^erson of unmethodical habits. Mr. Buel was married in May 1745 to Jerusha, daughter of Rev. Joseph Meacham, of Coventry. He had several children, most of whom died at an early age. The loss of his only son, Samuel, was especially mourn- ed, as he was a young man who seemed likely to inherit the talents of his father. A daughter Jerusha married David Gardiner, grandfather of Hon. Samuel Buel Gar- diner, the present owner of Gardiner's Island. His sec- ond wife was Mary, daughter of Elisha Mulford. Rev. Nathaniel Prime in his " History of Long Island " speaks with refreshing coolness of Dr. Buel's "weakness" in marrying a youthful wife in his old age. The circum- stances of his courtship (if such it could be called) are exceedingly characteristic of the doctor and the place. The story goes that Mary, daughter of Jeremiah Miller, was a blooming belle of 17, and had a most ardent ad- mirer in the person of a young man named Conkling. The young lady did not reciprocate his affection, and the young man went to Dr. Buel and requested his good offices to assist him in winning the heart of the obdurate beauty. The doctor consented, and taking a favorable opportunity " labored " with the young lady, but found her unwilling to consent to the proposed union. "Well," said the doctor, who evidently did not think it well for men or women either to live alone, " If you don't marry him you ought to marry somebody. Will you marry me ?" Whether the young lady was moved by sudden love for the good minister, or (as is more likely) dazzled by his high social position, we do not know. But she assented, and the man of 70 led his blooming bride to the altar. Strange to say young Conkling did not seem i6 THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. to appreciate Dr. Buel and his excellencies as much as he did before. Mrs. Mary Buel's tombstone records her death December 27th 1844, aged 79. Dr. Buel's young- est daughter, Mary, married Rev. Aaron Woolworth, of Bridgehampton. A tomb, covered with a heavy slab of stone, bears the following epitaph: - " Reader, behold this tomb with reverence and respect. Here lie the remains of that eminent Servant of Christ, the Reverend Samuel Buel, D. D., 53 years pastor of the Church in this place. He was a faithfuL and successful minister of the Gospel, a kind relation, a true friend, a good patriot, an honest man and an exemplary Christian. Was born September ist 1716, died in peace July 19th 1798, aged 82 years." It will be seen that the pastorates of these three men embraced a period of 154 years. Lyman Beecher. — The mantle of Samuel Buel fell upon a man whose fame is not bounded by the limits of his native land. He was ordained here September 5th 1799. To give any extended account of Dr Beecher would be superfluous, for his life and ministry are a part of the history of our country. The writer once asked an old man who had attended his meetings, " How did Lyman Beecher preach? " " How did Lyman Beecher preach? " was the repjy, " I'll tell you how; he would get up in the pulpit and make a prayer, and read the Psalm and a chapter in the Bible, just like other ministers. Then he would take his, text and shut up the book and lean over the pulpit, and the way that man would talk was a caution." Probably this was the great secret of Dr. Beecher's power — instead of reading a sermon at his people he talked to them. Dr. Beecher was dismissed at his own request in 1810. Rev. Ebenezer Phillips. — This clergyman was a son of Philetus Phillips, of Greenville, N. Y., and a descendant of Rev. George Phillips, second minister of Setauket. He was ordained here May 5th 1811. Faihng h'ealth compelled his resignation March i6th 1830, and he re- moved to Carmel, N. Y., where he died in 184-. Rev. Joseph D. Condit was settled here September ist 1830. He was dismissed April 22nd 1835 and removed to Massachusetts. Rev. Samuel R. Ely, after preaching as a stated supply, was ordained in 1835. His labors, which were highly satisfactory, were terminated on account of failing health, and his farewell sermon was preached October 25th 1846. He rided for some time at Roslyn, L. I., but has since died. Rev. Alexander B. Bullions was ordained and installed November 5th 1846. Mr. Bullions had just graduated from the seminary, where he had earned the reputation of a close student and one of fine literary attain- ments. He was a man of modest and unobstrusive man- ners. The loss of his wife and child weighed heavily upon his mind, for he had deep sensibilities, and this is usually considered the cause of his resignation, June 26th 1848. Rev. Samuel Huntting. — Nearly a hundred years after the death of Rev. Nathaniel Huntting his descendant of the fourth generation came to fill the place once more left vacant. He was the son of Deacon Edward Hunt- ting, of Southafnpton, and inherited all the virtues of his ancestors. The epitaph on his tombstone, which stands near that of his illustrious progenitor, tells the sad story of his too brief career: " Samuel Huntting, born at Southampton, L. I., Nov. II 1822; Installed pastor of the Presbyterian church in this place Oct. 31 1848; died September 10 1849, ^g^d 26 years 10 mos." Mr. Huntting was married in 1848 to Misj Emma Halsey, daughter of Daniel Halsey, of Southampton. He left one son, Samuel, who died in early manhood. His widow is still living. Rev. Enoch C. Wines.— Mr. Huntting was succeeded by Rev. Enoch C. Wines, a man of various and large ex- perience and of high Hterary ability. He was installed in February 1850. His pastorate was terminated in De- cember 1853 by his acceptance of a call from the synod of Wheeling to a professorship in Washington College, Pa. His subsequent long and useful service as a re- former of prison discipline has marked him as a wise, discriminating and efficient philanthropist in a work where a Howard had illustrated in his own career some of the noblest features of a regenerated humanity. Rev. Stephen L. Mershon was a graduate of Princeton, and was installed here in April 1854. His twelve years in this pastorate were distinguished by zeal crowned with success. During this time the parsonage was greatly enlarged and improved, a new and commodious session house erected, and a new church, of ample dimensions and elegant appointments, built and con- secrated to the service of God. He resigned in 1866 and removed to New Jersey. Rev. John D. Stokes, the present pastor, is a native of Ohio. He was installed in May 1867, and has enjoyed fourteen years of useful labor among a united people. St. Luke's Episcopal Church. About the year 1854 a stage coach stopped one even- ing at one of the many boarding houses in the village and a stranger alighted. For nearly twenty years that he remained John Wallace was in most respects one of the best known of the village residents, yet his life has always been wrapped in the profoundest mystery. He used his abundant means unsparingly in all cases that called for judicious benevolence. It was found that he came from Scotland, and friendly interest and vulgar curiosity alike failed to learn more of his early history. The theory of crime committed in the past, and flight to a distant land for safety, plausible as it might seem, could not be applied to one whose life was a constant practice of benevolence and virtue; and if some act of youthful folly had rendered him a wanderer it was more than atoned for in the long course of a holy life. He died in 1870, and the secret of his life was buried in his grave. It was to this gentleman that the Episcopal church in THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. 17 the village owed its origin, The first service of the Church of England was held in Clinton Academy, on Whit-Sunday, 1854. The services were conducted by Rev. Charles Gardiner, and the congregation numbered 14, all communicants. Mr. Wallace paid_ a nominal salary and the clergyman made his home with Dr. Abel Huntington. The same year Mr. Gardiner left for a more remunerative field, and his place was filled by Rev. Gurdon Huntington, the salary still being defrayed by Mr. Wallace. In the spring Sag Harbor and East Hampton joined forces, the clergyman residing at Sag Harbor and holding service half a day in this village, Mr. Wallace paying half the salary and the clergyman taking the offertory, which, owing to the liberality of summer visitors, was quite large. The subject of build- ing a church was discussed in 1858; Dr. Wagstaff headed the subscription paper with f 1,000, Mr. Wallace con- tributed $600, and the gentlemen and ladies making this village their summer resting place gave to the cause with great liberality. A site was procured in the winter of the same year and a contract made with Captain George Hand for the erection of a' building. A deed of trijst for the subscribers was taken by Dr. Wagstaff, who gen- erously provided a bell and the sacramental service; and the church was consecrated in July 1859, by Bishop Potter. The connection with the church of Sag Harbor was kept up a number of years, Mr. Wallace acting as lay reader by authority of the bishop. Since the death of Mr. Wallace the church is only open from June to Oc- tober. It has been for many years under the charge of Rev. Charles Gardiner, and supported by the voluntary offerings of the summer visitors. The title is now vested in a board of trustees. The church is kept in the nicest order by the care of a few who find their reward in the consciousness of doing good. A memorial window pre- serves the memory of Mr. Wallace and two young ladies who were lost in the steamer " Ville de Havre." Clinton Academy. Dr. Samuel Buel was foremost in the establishment of a school which should afford facilities for a higher grade of learning. The result of his labors was the establish- ment of Clinton Academy. At the meeting at which steps were taken to incorporate the institution the pre- siding officer was William Floyd, signer of the Declara- tion of Independence. At a meeting of the proprietors of the institution, held December 28th 1784, the follow- ing regulations and terms " were considered and deter- mined as laws of East Hampton Academy: " " Whereas we have founded this academy, at a great expense, for the purpose of promoting necessary and useful education, by the instruction of children and youths, from whatever places they may be sent to the seminary, as well for the benefit of society at large as for that of the children and youths of East Hampton and vicinity in particular, we have approved and determined on the following terms and regulations, to be adopted and strictly adhered to as temporary laws of this acad- emy: That this academy be immediately and continu- ally hereafter supplied with masters or tutors sufficient and thoroughly qualified for the number of pupils which may apply for instruction here, and for the branches of education which are required to be taught. That the said masters and tutors be governed by the laws of the academy so far as relates to the interests of the proprie- tors and promoting the general design. The English school to be opened at 8 o'clock and i o'clock. The following terms were agreed upon: For each scholar who attends for reading only, from 8 to 11 and from i to 3, 3 shillings a -month; for each scholar who attends for reading, writing and arithmetic, 4 shillings a month; for each reader only who tarries from 10 to 11 and from 3 to 4, r shilling a month. "And whereas much needless damage may occur to the house from the mischievous or careless management of the unruly, it is hereby provided that every scholar who shall break a square of glass shall immediately repair the same, or pay the ordinary price of two squares; any scholar who shall mark, scratch or deface the walls, ceil- ing or furniture, a penalty of i shilling more or less, ac- cording to damage; for breaking a desk or seat, to repair or pay double. " And whereas the utility and advantage of a school depends greatly on the good discipline preserved therein, and to prevent as much as possible the indelicacy of that corporal punishment which often becomes necessary where better means of government are not used, it is hereby recommended to the master that for every other 'trespass than those aforementioned — viz. for contempt of authority or breach of order — the penalty of a fine be exacted in proportion to the nature of such offense from every scholar so offending not under the age of 10 years. The fines to be applied to procuring presents for faithful scholars." Jabez Peck was master for the classic school and Wil- liam Payne for the English and writing school. Of the former and his history we know nothing, but to the latter a peculiar interest attaches from the fact that he was the father of the far-famed John Howard Payne. In those good old times " manners " were considered a very important part of a boy's education, a branch sadly neglected in modern times; so among other rules we find: "That no scholar be permitted to play at any game in any part of the academy, or to wrestle, scuffle, or make any noise whereby any of the students in any part of the academy or at home may be interrupted in their studies or any way incommoded." " No scholar to go for amusement or diversion on the roof of piazza." " That no student be permitted to wear his hat in any part of the academy when a superintendent or tutor is present, nor to pass a superintendent or tutor in the street without showing the common signal of deference and respect." "That the academy bell be rung every evening precisely at 9 o'clock, at which time every student shall repair to his quarters, and not be permitted to be abroad after that time." It is needless to say that "young America" has ceased to be governed in accordance with these last rules, good as they maybe. For many years this institution was very flourishing, and scholars flocked to it from all party of the county, including many who in after years attained to high emi- nence. But in after times, when schools of a similar character became more numerous, its influence and pop- ularity declined, and at the present day it is of more in- terest as a venerable relic of the past than as an institu- i8 THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. tion of the present. Yet no one can view its time-stain- ed walls, and antique appliances for study, without con- sidering that at a time when learning was a thing more difficult to attain, and consequently more highly valued than at present, it had tnore influence in moulding the character of Suffolk county than any other institution of its kind. Militia Companies in 1715. The following is a muster roll of the two companies in this town 167 years ago. In Ihem we find all the old families of the town well represented: East Hampton Foot No. i. — Cornelius Conckling, cap- tain; Ephraim Osburne, Henry Hand, Hezakiah Miller, John Talmage, Thomas Osburne, Elisha Osburne, Ma- thias Hopin, Stephen Hand, Ananias Conkling. Samuell Fyler, William Mulford, Edward Jones, John Diament, Thomas Osburne, John Hedges, Joele Bowditch, Eleazer Miller, Elisha Conckling, Robert Dayton, Thomas Wheeler, Matthew Mulford, John Strettin, Thomas Tal- mage, Enos Talmage, Joseph Osburne, Nathan Mulford, Elias Mulford, Samuell Russell, Thomas Mulford, Lewis Mulford, Daniell Dayton, Isaac Mulford, Thomas Mat- thews, John Stretten, Seth Parsons, David Fithian, Sam- uel Fyler, William Osburne, Nathaniell Diament, Moses Mulford, Nathaniell Baker, Nathaniel Goldsmith, Sava- rus Goold, Henry Brook, William Edwards. East Hampton No. 2. — Matthias Burnett, captain; John Wheeler, lieutenant; Lewis Conckling, Jeremiah Conck- ling, Isaac Hedges, Timothy Mulford, Thomas Edwards, Robert Parsons, John Edwards, David Conckling, Ed- ward Petty, Samuell Mulford, Ananias Conckling, Isaac Barnes, Samuell Barnes, Samuell Dibell, Nathan Miller, John Conckling, Recompence Sherrill, John Edwards, Arthur Looper, Samuell Benitt, Lion Gardner, Lion Gardiner, Thomas Davice, John Mery, Benjamin Heares, John Hart, John Karle, Abieh Carle, Ichabod Leek, William Schellinkx, Nathaniell Barnes, Richard Bayley, Abraham Hedges, Isaac Hedges, William Hedges, John Earle, Robart Earle, Benjamin Conckling, Peter Mur- dock, John Wheler, Samuell Parsons, Jeremiah Mulford. Patents and Boundaries. Governor Nicolls's patent is in terms similar to the other town patents of the time. It confirms the posses- sion of the town to " Mr. John Mulford, justice of the peace, Mr. Thomas Baker, Thomas Chatfield, Jeremiah Conkling, Stephen Hedges, Thomas Osborne senior and John Osborn as patentees, for and on the behalf of themselves and their associates, the freeholders and In- habitants of the said town;" "their west bounds begin- ning from the East Limitts of the bounds of Southamp- ton (as they are now laid out and staked, according to agreement and consent), so to stretch East to a cer- taine Pond commonly called the Fort Pond, which lyes within the Old Bounds of the lands belonging to the Muntauke Indyans; and from thence to go on still east to the-utmost extent of the Island. On the North they are bounded by the bay, and on the South by the Sea or Main Ocean." The patent is dated March 13th 1666. On the 9th of December 1686 another patent was granted, by Governor Thomas Dongan, the patentees named being Thomas James, Captain Josiah Hobart, Captain Thomas Talmadge, Lieutenant John Wheeler, Ensign Samuel Mulford, John Mulford, Thomas Chat- field sen., Jeremiah Conkling, Stephen Hand, Robert Dayton, Thomas Baker and Thomas Osborn, who were constituted a body corporate, " to be called by the name of the Trustees of the Freeholders and Comonalty of the Towne of East Hampton." The consideration was one lamb. In this patent, as in the one granted to South- ampton, it is very distinctly understood that the un- divided lands belonged to those who had been pur- chasers thereof, and not to the town at large. In purchases of land from the Indians it very fre- quently happened that the boundaries were vaguely de- . fined unless designated by some stream, which made a natural division. In the Indian deed for Southampton the land sold was said to extend " to a plain named Wainscott." This, being very indefinite, led to a long and bitter altercation in after days between the two towns as to the true line between them. The contest continued for thirty years, and was finally settled in 1695. It seems that a straight line had been partly agreed upon before, but the East Hampton people had laid out and occupied land to the west of this line. So it was agreed that the part of the line north of the Country road should extend as far to the east as the East Hamp- ton people had encroached to the west. This made a " square jog" in the line of the road. A " two-pole " highway was laid out on the line, which still exists, though the south part, through Wainscott, is wider. The street in Sag Harbor called Division street is the bound- ary line between the towns; the line extended strikes the wharf, leaving the greater part of it in East Hamp- ton. About the year 1830 a store stood near the wharf, and was kept by Peter French. The town line crossed the threshold of the door, ran by the side of the bar and so crossed the building; and it was a standing joke with the habitues of the place that they bought their liquor in one town and drank it in another. Revolutionary History. The beginning of the Revolution found the town of East Hampton ready, to unite with the other towns of the colony in the struggle for their rights, and eager for the fray. As early as 1774 a meeting was held, "legally warned by the trustees" June 17th. Eleazer Miller (whose long term as legislator had gained him the name of "Assemblyman Miller") was moderator, and the fol- lowing resolutions were passed: " ist. Voted that we will to the utmost of our abilities assert, and in a lawful manner defend, the liberties and immunities of British America; that we will co-operate with our brethren in this colony in such measures as shall appear best adapted to save us from the burdens we fear, and in a measure already feel, from the princi- ples adopted by the British Parliament, respecting the town of Boston in particular and the British colonies in North America in general. " 2nd. Voted that a non-importation agreement through " the colonies is the most likely means to save us from the present and future troubles. "3d. Voted that John Chatfield, Esq., Col, Abm. Gar- THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. 19 diner, Burnet Miller, Stephen Hedges, Thos. Wickham, Esq., John Gardiner, Esq., and David Mulford be a standing committee for keeping up a correspondence with the city of New York and the towns of this colony, and, if there is occasion, with other colonies; and that they transmit a copy of these votes to the committee of correspondence for the city of New York. "Voted unanimously, not one dissenting voice. "Burnet Miller, Clerk." The pasture lands of Montauk afforded a grazing place for large herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. In 1775 there were 2,000 of the former and 3,000 or 4,000 of the latter. July 5th of that year the people of Southampton and East Hampton petitioned the Provincial Congress "that Capt. John Hurlburt's company now raising for Schuyler's army may remain to guard the stock on the common lands of Montauk from the ravages of the ene- my." This was granted, and the company remained on Montauk and was supplied with arms, ammunition and provisions by the people of the town through Burnet Miller and Stephen Hedges, their committee. The fol- lowing letter, lately discovered, was written by Ichabod Raynor, who was one of the company. He was a son of Nathan Raynor of West Hampton, and was at that time 21 years of age. The letter is a curiosity in its waj^: " Montauk Camp, Aug. 9 1776. "Honored Mother: After my duty to you, this may serve to let you know that I am in good health at present and hope these lines will find you all in the injoyment of the same blessing. I should be glad if you would send me cloth enough for a pair of trowsers, by George Howell, and I will get Wm. Brewster to make them. I like being a soldier very well. It is a healthy time in the camp. J shall expect to see you in about a month. Give my love to Elihu and sisters Phebe, Mehitabel & Martha. Mr. Thomas and Wm. Brewster give their respects to you and all the family. Give my love to Mr. Jagger and Mr. Halsey's families & all inquiring frjends." In the town of East Hampton the idea of liberty from the earliest days seemed a thing woven into the hearts of men. The same spirit that prompted the inhabitants in 1686 to send answer to the high sheriff of Yorkshire that they sent delegates to the first provincial Assembly, called by Governor Dongan, " not in obedience to his order but that they might neglect no opportunity to as- sert their rights," still burned in the bosoms of their de- scendants. It is one of the brightest pages in the his- tory of East Hampton that tells how, when the Provin- cial Congress recommended articles of association to be signed by the inhabitants of the various towns, at a time when cautiousness might have some excuse every inhab- itant of this town capable of bearing arms signed his name to the document. This is unparalleled in the history of any other town in the colony. The articles and signa- tures are as follows: " Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liber- ties of America depends, under God, on the firm union of its inhabitants in a vigorous prosecution of the meas- ures necessary for its safety, and convinced of the neces- sity of preventing anarchy and confusion, which attend the dissolution of the powers of Government, we the freemen, freeholders and inhabitants of East Hampton * * * do associate, under all the ties of religion, honour, and love to our country, to adopt and endeavour to carry into execution whatever measures may be recom- mended by the Continental Congress or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention, for the purpose of pre- serving our constitution and opposing the execution of the several arbitrary and oppressive acts of the- British Parliament, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America on constitutional principles (which we most ardently desire) can be obtained; and that we will in all things follow the advice of our general committee re- specting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good order and the safety of individuals and private property. "John Chatfield, Abraham Gardiner, Burnet Miller, David Mulford, Thomas Wickham, Stephen Hedges, John Gardiner, Samuel Buel, John Hudson, Nathaniel Huntting, Eleazar Miller, Jeremiah Dayton, Thomas Dibble, Noah Barnes, Lemuel Mulford, Jeremiah Gardi- ner, Aaron Isaacs, Daniel Conkling, Elisha Davis, John Davis, Jacob Wickham, William Conkling, Nathan Conk- ling, John F. Chatelain, Thomas Hedges, John Parsons 3d, William Huntting, John Mulford, Jeremiah Bennet, Samuel Hunt, Selah Pike, Elias Conkling, Abraham Mul- ford, Jeremiah Conkling, John How, Samuel Parsons, Benjamin Stratton, David Osborne, Elisha Mulford, Daniel Hand, David Mulford, Matthew Mulford, John Miller, John Dayton, Joseph Osborne jr., Ebenezer ConkUng, Henry Chatfield, John Miller jr., Abraham Barnes, Patrick Goold, David Talmadge, Seth Barnes, Jason Miller, Simon Dibble, William Mulford, Jere- miah Sherrill, Gurdon Miller, Aaron Isaacs jr., Elisha Jones, Lewis Chatfield, Enos Talmadge, Thomas Jones, Huntting Miller, Samuel Stratton, Abraham Sherill, Recompense Sherill, John Stratton, Stephen Hand, John Dayton, Daniel Hedges, Jonathan Barnby, William Conkling jr., David Dayton, David Miller Henry Hopping," Josiah Osborne, Joseph Hopping, John Strong, Nathaniel Talmadge, Jeremiah Miller jr., Abra- ham Dimon, Isaac Dimon, Cornelius Osborne, William Hedges, Elisha Talmadge, George Gladden, Abraham Hand, Stephen Stratton, Thomas Osborne, Jeremiah Os- borne jr., Jonathan Mulford, Isaac M. Huntting, James Hand, Jeremiah Talmadge, Jeremiah Miller, George Strong, Lewis Osborne, Joseph Osborne, Williain Hedges jr.. Recompense Sherill, David Edwards, Ezekiel Mulford, Cornelius Payne, David Fithian, Samuel Conkling, Thomas Baker, Isaac Van Scoy, Isaac Van Scoy jr., Nathaniel Hand, Mathew Barnes, Philetus Osborne, Merry Parsons, William Parsons, Henry Downing, John Parsons, Jonathan Osborne, Joseph Osborne, Jeremiah Conkling, Samuel Conkling, John Mulford, Jonathan Tuthill, Jesse Dayton, Jacob Dayton, Jeremiah Parsons, Mulford Conkling, Mathew Stratton, Joseph Miller, Abraham Edwards, Samuel Parsons, Samuel Sherill jr., Eleazer Hedges, Abraham Mulford jr., David Loper, Nathaniel Doming, Jsaac Payne, Benjamin Parsons, Jacob Conkling, Jacob Conkling jr., Christ. Dibble, Samuel Gardiner, David Leek, Abraham Leek, Samuel Dayton, Uriah Miller, Nathan Miller, Abraham Schell- enger, Jeremiah Conkling, Nathaniel Baker, Jeremiah Conkling, Zebulon Conkling, Isaac Conkling, Jonathan Edwards, Abraham Loper, Philip Hedges, George Miller, Thomas Edwards jr., Elias Mulford, Ed- ward Conkling, Jedediah Conkling, Joseph Hicks, Zachariah Hicks, Jeremiah Dayton, Daniel Baker, Isaac Schellenger, Abraham Baker, Nathan Mulford, Jacob Hedges, Jeremiah Barnes, John Gardiner jr., Aaron Fithian, David Talmadge jr., Jeremiah Sherrill, Nathan Conkling 3d, Elnathan Parsons, Cornelius Bas- 50 THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. set, David Miller, Peleg Miller, Elisha Miller, Daniel King, Daniel Edwards, Nathan Miller, Stephen Burnett, James Field, Samuel Mulford, Benjamin Conkling, Gamaliel Bennett, Seth Parsons, Richard King, Mulford Conkling, William Bassett, Ezekiel Miller, John Hunt- ting, Abraham Quaw, David Loper, John King, Ichabod Raynor, Smith Osborne, Abraham Miller, Jonathan Mil- ler, Samuel Mulford, Ezekiel Jones, Ezekiel Jones jr., Nathan Conkling, Daniel Loper, Jeremiah Loper, David Edwards jr., Edward Bennett, Ludlam Parsons, John Par- sons, Josiah Mulford, Elisha Mulford jr., Stephen Rus- sell, Jeremiah Hedges, Thomas Talmadge, Jeremiah Os- borne, John Hedges, Samuel Hutchinson, Jacob Miller, Henry Miller, Ezekiel Hand, Abraham Conkling, Elisha Conkling, Elisha Osborne, Matthew Osborne, Jedediah Osborne, Jacob Osborne, Benjamin Hopping, Jonathan Squier, Jeremiah Hand, John Talmadge, Abraham Os- borne, Henry Hopping, Elias Hand, Henry Dayton, Zebedee Osborne, John Parsons, John Stratton, Jacob Sherrill, Samuel Baker, Micah Hart, Benjamin Leek, Abraham Hedges, Jacob Osborne, Jonathan Schellenger, Thomas Edwards, David Baker, Sineus Conkling, James Loper, Stephen Cooper jr., Benjamin Eyres, Benjamin Hedges, John Parsons 4th, Nathaniel Doming, Edward Wick, Jeremiah Terry, William Barnes, Ananias Miller, Thomas Filer, John Hoox. "These may certify that every male in the town of East Hampton have signed the above association that are capable of bearing arms. By order of the commit- tee. John Chatfield, Chairman." On the 6th of March 1776 guards were stationed at Montauk, and on the 22nd they saw a fleet of 20 sail apparently standing for Rhode Island. In July Colonel Henry B. Livingston was in command of troops, by Washington's order, on the east end of Long Island; and, seeing the necessity, he used every exertion to preserve the stock from falling into the enemy's hands. April 7th armed vessels were again descried in the bay and on the ocean. The alarm was at once given, a com- pany was formed on the spot and Captain John Dayton was put in command; and we are told that Minister Buel laid aside his sacred robes and appeared armed like the rest. The company hastened to Montauk, where the enemy attempted to land. Captain Dayton conceived the singular plan of deceiving the enemy by marching his company around a hill in sight of the British; the men, changing their coats, marched round a second time, and succeeded in impressing the British with the idea that a large body of troops was . ready to receive them, whereupon they relinquished the attempt and sailed away. When special messengers were sent through the county with orders for the militia companies to join Colonel Josiah Smith's regiment, and march at once to the west end of the island, it may be assumed that East Hamp- ton's sons were not behind the rest in rushing to the field, and the following muster roll of Captain Ezekiel Mulford's company, which has been lately discovered, will perpetuate to future generations the names of those who took part in the battle. -The occupation of the men is given, and in some cases their birthplace; in all other cases they were natives of East Hampton. "A muster roll of Captain Ezekiel Mulford's company in Colonel Josiah Smith's regiment, raised for the pro- tection of the inhabitants and stock on Long Island. David Sayre firK^ lieutenant, Nathaniel Hand second lieutenant; time ofjgnlistment July 26th 1776." Sergeant Mathew Mulford, cordwainer; Sergeant Lemuel Peirson, Southampton, weaver; Henry Dom- ing, yeoman; Henry Sherill, carpenter; Benjamin Crook, Oyster Ponds, yeoman; Ludlam Parsons, weaver; Thomas Jones, weaver; Zephaniah Bower, Southampton, tailor; David Miller, farmer; Abraham Osborn, weaver; Daniel Hoppin, farmer; Jeremiah Dayton, farmer; Joel Miller, weaver; Samuel Stratton, tailor; Nathan Hand, South- ampton, cordwainer; Daniel Baker, tailor; Samuel Conk- ling, weaver; Zachariah Hicks, tailor;' Peleg Miller, blacksmith; Elihu Hedges, mariner; Joseph Osborn, weaver; Jeremiah Barnes, cordwainer; Jonathan Mul- ford, weaver; Samuel Parsons, cordwainer; William Conkling, weaver; Samuel Mulford, weaver; Benjamin Conkling, cordwainer; Joseph Talmadge, weaver; Wil- liam Miller, weaver; Aaron Isaacs jr., cordwainer; Smith Stratton Osborn, cordwainer; Isaac Edwards, yeoman; Nathan Miller, cordwainer; Cornelius Basset, cordwainer; Daniel Edwards, weaver; Jacob Schel- lenger, weaver; John Hawks, weaver; Edward Bennett, yeoman; Gamaliel Bennett, blacksmith Henry Moore, Southampton, cordwainer; Jonathan Hedges, Southampton, weaver; Job Peirson, South ampton, blacksmith; William Haliock, Southold, cord wainer; Thomas Stanborough, Southampton, weaver Nathan Hedges, Southampton, weaver; Paul Dains, Southampton, mariner; John Pain, Southampton, yeo man; Paul Payne, Southampton, yeoman; Samuel Duval. Southampton, weaver; Henry Edwards, blacksmith Edmund Perry, Massachusetts, yeoman; Silas Edwards, Southampton, yeoman; Zebulon Thompson, Setauket, tailor; Joseph Hand, East Hampton, weaver; Peter Payne, Southampton, yeoman; James Loper, Southamp- ton, yeoman; Mathew Howell, Southampton, cordwainer; Wakeman Foster, Southampton, yeoman. " I do hereby certify that the within named officers and soldiers belonging to Captain Ezekiel Mulford's company have been mustered by me and examined, and according to the best of my knowledge they are sound, healthy and able-bodied. "David Mulford, " Muster Master for said Company. "East Hampton, July 26th 1776." The following is headed "A true State of 2nd Regi- ment of Militia in Suffolk County 10th February, 1776." David Mulford, Esq. . . Jonathan Hedges, Esq. Uriah Rogers George Herrick David Howell John Dayton David Peirson David Fithian Stephen Howell William Rogers Josiah Howell Samuel L'Hommedieu^ John Sandford John Gelston Phineas Howell Lemuel Peirson Elias Mathews colonel. lieutenant colonel first major, second major, captain. adjutant, quartermaster, sergeant major, drum major. 92 92 60 124 5° 62 54 78 58 560 THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. 21 John Lyon Gardiner records that the British troops were stationed at Southampton and Sagg. He says: " I think it was the hard winter of 1779-80. I lived at Amagansett with my father-in-law, Esq. Isaac Conk- ling. Some time in the spring of '80 there came a party of the British, about 15 or 20, under Lieutenant Derby, into Amangansett on their way to Montauk after de- serters, as it was a very common thing for soldiers to get off to Connecticut that way. Their ofificer and them- selves, probably being in liquor, fired into the houses at Jericho in the night a number of balls. They came on to Amagansett, fired into Jeremiah Conkling's through the door and shattered the windows to pieces very much. We had like to have been shot. His two children, a dozen years old, for a retreat from the balls went into the oven. They had before been to Nathaniel Baker's. Seeing a light they came to Isaac Conkling's and de- manded entrance, which he refused. While he was se- curing the door my mother, who was holding a candle, stood in the middle of the room. One gun only was shot, and as my mother held the candle very high the ball went under her elbow. They were then admitted. David and I were asleep and awakened by the gun. We were in the bedroom, and I remember well seeing them come in. The ball went into the fireplace and had like to have killed Cato, a negro, who was stirring up the fire. Derby lost his commission. They were ashamed the next day." During a furious storm on the night of Monday Janu- ary 22nd 1781 the 90-gun war-ship " Culloden," in pur- suit of French vessels from Rhode Island, went ashore and was wrecked on Montauk, at what has since borne the name Culloden Point. The unfortunate Major Andre was at one time quar- tered at the house of Colonel Abraham Gardiner. Dr. Nathaniel Gardiner, a son of the colonel, was a surgeon in the American army, and was at that time home on a visit. Owing to this fact he was liable to arrest as a spy, and the family endeavored to conceal his presence, but it was soon evident that the facts were known to Andre, who with great considerateness forebore to make any allusion to it, and afterward expressed bis regret that the circumstances prevented a mutual ac- quaintance. Many of the prominent inhabitants fled to Connecticut- Among those in that State in 1777 were Abraham Hand, Jeremiah Miller, Colonel David Mulford, John Mulford, Aaron Isaacs jr., Elisha Osborn, Jesse Dayton, Nathaniel Gardiner and Burnet Miller. In September and October 1778 Governor Tryon made a tour of the island, compelling the inhabitants to take the oath of allegiance, and he reports: "I have in a 2nd excursion brought all the inhabitants on the East end of L. I. as far as Montauk Point under an oath of peaceable behaviour to his Majestie's Government and into good humor." Rev. Dr. Buel seems to have been of those men who were on friendly terms with all, and could made himself agreeable (without sacrifice of principle) to the British officers, with whom he came, in frequent contact. Among other things it is related that he was fond of the chase, and on one occasion was invited to join a deer hunt with Sir William Erskine. He was somewhat late at the meet, and the officers composing the party had already mounted, when, seeing Dr. Buel approaching. Sir William gave the order to dismount and receive the reverend gentleman with proper ceremony. Among the younger officers was Lord Percy, then an aid. Dr. Buel, addressing himself to him, inquired what portion of his Majesty's forces he had the honor to command, and re- ceived the reply, "A legion of devils just from hell." "Then," said Dr. Buel, with a low bow, "I suppose I have the honor to address Beelzebub, the prince of devils." Pudding Hill. Our sketch of the Revolutionary history would be very incomplete did we fail to notice what is one of the most popular traditions of this town. On the south side of the road to Bridgeharapton as we enter the main street of East Hampton village is a slight elevation, at present crowned with a ruinous house, a relic of ancient times. There was once quite a hill, but the hollow has been nearly filled by the accumulations of years. The legend has been the subject of the following little ballad, writ- ten by Miss Fannie Elkins, of Brooklyn, which tells the tale with true poetic spirit: Scorn not the simple tale I tell Of humWe sacrifice. Souls true In little things are true When great occasions rise. Pull many a village picturesque • On green Long Island's shore Hecalls the English yeomen free, That settled it of yore. Homesick, they gave their new found homes Familiar English names ; East Hampton 'mid the rest such sires And such baptism claims. Here lived In days of '76 A certain stirring dame, Whose name and lineage have been lost Prom off the rolls of fame. It happened that one summer day, Like England's "goodly king," She made a pudding, but for plums She put fresh berries in. That day along the quiet road Prom old Southampton town Some British soldiers, foraging, To this same house came down. The door was closed that faced the sun, Because the day was hot, And, o'er the blazing fire intent. The good dame heard them not. " Hurrah boys!" said the leader bold, " We're just in time I Come on !" The tableau was a charming one Por any looker-on : - The astonished dame in homespun clad, With eyes that flamed with ire. Her cheeks in part with anger flushed, In part burned by the fire ; A group in tarnished uniform Of scarlet and gold lace, Blue sky seen through the open door, Green trees that shade the place. " Oh no, you're not," she made reply, Then seized the boiling pot. Ban with it through another door, And threw it, blazing hot. 22 THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. Pudding and all, adown the bill, And left It in the sand. Amid the curses loud and deep Of all that hungry band. The thing was nought, perhaps, beside What patriots daily do. And yet the spirit that inspired Was freedom's spirit too. The place and tale are widely known, Fresh is the legend still ; And all Bast Hampton villagers Are proud of Pudding Hill. East Hampton's Part in the Civil War. The following is an abstract of the action taken at town meetings in regard to raising volunteers: August 2 1st 1862, special meeting; $100 offered to every man who would enlist, or had enlisted since July 2nd 1862; a committee was appointed to look after fam- ilies of volunteers, and to allow $3 a month for the wife and $1 per month 'additional for every child during the volunteer's service; supervisor and finance committee authorized to borrow money for bounties. October 23d 1862, committee appointed to call upon enrolled men, and raise what money they could, and the supervisor au- thorized to go to New York and procure volunteers. March 9th 1864, supervisor authorized to pay a. bounty of $300 to every person who might be counted on the quota for the coming draft. April sth 1864, a tax of $8,000 voted to pay for volunteers. June 23d 1864, committee authorized to pay $400 to every volunteer or substitute, for one or three years, and proportionately for less time; town auditor authorized to issue bonds for money borrowed by the town. The amount of the war debt was about $35,000. Statistics. In 1686 the population was as follows: Males, 223; females, 219; male servants, 26; female servants, 9; male slaves, 11; female slaves, 14; total, 502; number of mer- chants, 2; number of marriages for 7 years past, 28; births, 116; burials, 57. The population at different dates has been as follows: 1790, 1,497; 1800,1,549; 1814, 1,449; 1830,1,668; 1840, 2,076; 1845, 2,155; 1850, 2,122; 1855, 2,145; i860, 2,267; 1865, 2,311; 1870, 2,372; 1875, 2,299; 1880, 2,516. The following is the present number of inhabitants in different portions of the town: Amagansett, 548; East Hampton, 807; Gardiner's Island, 40; Northwest, 78; Promised Land, 71; Sag Harbor (the part in East Hamp- ton), 532; Springs, 339; Wainscott, 100. The assessment in 1881 was: Resident, $753,290; non- resident, $314,115; total, $1,067,405. Wainscott. Wainscott is a small village in the southwest corner of the town, part of it being in Southampton. The first mention wehave of a settlement is in 1670, when John Osborn exchanged lots with the town and with individ- uals and obtained a tract of land bounded south by the ocean and east by Wainscott Pond. His descendants of the fourth and fifth generations are still living on the same spot. The families of Hand and Hopping were among the earliest settlers. In the ancient graveyard of the place are a few tombstones of the first settlers. One of the epitaphs here is as follows: "This Monument Erected by Col. Gardiner, Capt. Mulford, Lieut. Dayton & their Soldiers in Memory of Jedediah Osborn, who was killed by the discharge of his gun, Nov. 30 1772, in ye 21st year of his age. " How sudden was my death ! Life is but fleeting breath." Amagansett. The exact date at which a settlement was made here is unknown. The earliest deed of land in this vicinity which we have seen is dated in 1683, when Rev. Thomas James sold to Abraham Schellenger "52 acres in the woods eastward of ye towne, bounded E. by Jeremy Conkling, W. by Tho. James, south by ye highway that goes toward Napeague, north by highway commonly called Amagansett way." The earliest settlers were families named Baker, Conk- ling and Mulford. The oldest tombstone in the grave- yard is to the memory of David Baker, who died Novem- ber 23d 1729, aged 28. The ancestor of the Baker family in this village was Nathaniel, whose tombstone bears the following inscrip- tion: " Here lies the Body of Niithaniel Baker, the son of Mister Thomas Baker, who dyed February 27 and in the 84 yeare of his age 1738-9." Another epitaph here reads: "Here lies the body of Alice Baker, formerly wife of Thomas Baker, who died Feb. 4 1708, in the 88 year of her age." Thomas her husband was one of the original settlers of East Hamp- ton, where he died in 1700, and his widow lived with her son at Amagansett at the time of her decease. The first of the Mulford family was Samuel, who died July loth 1743, aged 65. He was a son of Captain Sam- uel Mulford, and grandson of John the first of the name. His descendants are still to be found here. He had a brother Elias, who lived here at the same time and died November 2nd 1760, aged 75. Lewis Conkling was a son of Ananias, who was among the early inhabitants of East Hampton. He settled in Amagansett in 1697. His tombstone has the following inscription: " In Memory .of Lewis Conkling, who died Oct. ye 2 1746 in ye 74th year of his age." His wife, Mary, died November 15th 1752, aged 76. Mr. Conk- ling left sons Isaac and Linnaeus. The latter had sons Isaac and Benjamin, the last of whom was the father of Judge Alfred Conkling of Utica,and grandfather of Sen- ator Roscoe Conkling. CHURCHES of AMAGANSETT. Until the year i860 the people of. this place had at- tended church at East Hampton, but the increasing popu^ THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. 23 lation here and the remoteness of that village rendered a separation from the old Presbyterian congregation almost a necessity. With the full concurrence of the parent church this enterprise was carried into effect by the building of a new edifice, which was dedica-ted Novem- ber 15th i860. The" first pastor was Rev. A. A. Haines, oi Hamburg, N. J., a descend^int jaf the family that had emigrated from Southampton to " East Jersey " in 1690. He acted as a stated supply till August sth 1862, when he was released from his charge to accept a chaplaincy in the 15th regiment New Jersey volunteers. For one year the pulpit was filled by Rev. Edward S. Beard, of Andover, Mass. Rev. William H. Dean was employed October i8th 1863, and he was settled, in response to a unanimous call April 4th 1864, and was installed May 3d of the same year. This relation was dissolved by mutual consent in September 1866, at which time he be- came pastor of a Cofigregational church at Bridgewater, Conn. He afterward went to California as a missionary, and died there in 1879. Rev. Charles M. Oakley, of Melville, Suffolk county, commenced his labors in Feb- ruary 1867 and continued until September 7th 1879, when his failing health compelled him to resign. Rev. J. B.- Finch began his labors here in December 1879, and still remains, a faithful and acceptable pastor. A Methodist Episcopal church, the only one in the town, was built here in 1850, but owing to the smallness of the society it has no regular pastor. THE OLD SCHOOL-HOUSE IN AMAGANSETT, which stood near the middle of the village, on the south side of the street, was afterward moved to a lot at the south end. of the village graveyard — a most appropri- ate spot, since its utter unfitness for school purposes and its want of proper ventilation doubtless sent many a scholar to find a permanent resting place in the adjoin- ing cemetery. The writer can relate, from his own ex- perience as a teacher, that one day 95 pupils were crowded into a room hardly large enough for 40 — every seat filled to its utmost capacity, one scholar in the teacher's chair, and Webster's Unabridged Dictionary brought into service as a seat for one small b'oy who could find none elsewhere. The people at length awoke to £4° was called a share and ^5 an eighth. About 187s Washington L. Tyson, of New York, be- gan to buy up individual rights, and other parties from the city also invested in the same. In 1878 a suit for the sale or partition of Montauk was begun by Robert M. Grinnell against the rest of the owners, their wives, and all claiming any interest in the premises. The sum- mons and complaint were very voluminous, the defend- ants being 241 persons. The number of whole shares was 35^, each share being ^£40. The largest owner was Washington L. Tyson, representing ;^305 9s. 8 5-i8d., and the smallest Hannah Parsons, owning 5-21 of a penny. The principal owners besides Mr. Tyson were: Jonathan Baker, ^£'10; Joseph H. Barnes, ^^12; Abra- ham D. Candee, ;^37; Edward Dayton, ;£'46; Samuel B. Gardiner, ^66; Benjamin Hedges, ;^8o; George O. Post, ;^2o; David Emmet Peirson, j^2 2. Upon the case being brought to trial a judgment was given for the plaintiff, and Everett A. Carpenter, of Sag Harbor, was appointed referee. His elaborate report recommended a sale; the matters of fact were decided by Judge J. O. Dykman, and Montauk was sold by auc- tion on the 22nd day of October 1879, and was purchased by Arthur Benson of Brooklyn, for the sum of $151,000. The dream of the present moment is that the south branch of the Long Island Railroad will be extended to Fort Pond Bay, which will be a harbor for European steamships. Gardiner's Island. The full history of this island would require a volume in itself, and our limits will allow only a brief sketch of the most important events connected with it. There are few families in this country whose history has been more carefully traced, or whose members have held stations of higher importance than the Gardiners; and few in- deed are the estates that have descended from father to son in an unbroken line for so great a length of time, in a land where change is the rule and continuance beyond a few generations the rare exception. Lion Gardiner, the ancestor of this family, tells as fol- lows the story of his coming to America, in an entry made in his family Bible, which is now a treasured heir- loom in the hands of his descendants: "In the year of our Lord 1635, July the loth, came I Lion Gardiner, and Mary my wife, from Worden, a towne in Holland, where my wife was borne, being the daughter of one Derike Willemson, deurant. Her mother's name was Hachin, and her aunt, sifter of her mother, was the wife of Wouter Leonardson, old burgermeester. We came from Worden to London and from there to New England, and dwelt at Saybrook fort 4 years (it is at the mouth of Connecticut River), of which I was commander; and there was born to me a son named David, 1636, the 29th of April, the first born in that place; and in 1638 a daughter was born to me, called Mary, the 30th of August; and then I went to an island of my own, which I bought of the Indians, called by them Manchonake, by us the Isle of Wight; and there was born another daugh- ter, named Elisebeth, the 14th of Sept. 1641, she being the first child of English parents that was born there." Governor Winthrop thus records Gardiner's arrival: " Nov. 28 1635 there arrived a small Norsey barque of 25 tons, sent by the Lords Say and Brooke, with one Gardiner, an expert engineer, and work base, and provis- ions of all sorts, to begin a fort at the mouth of the Connecticut River. She came through many great tem- pests, but through the Lord's great providence her pas- sengers and goods all safe." According to a statement written by John Lyon Gar- diner in 1793 the name of the island was pronounced by the oldest Montauk Indian Mashong-go-nock (the second and third syllables being accented), and the name, accord- ing to the same authority, was derived from the fact of " there having been a distemper that was here a great many years ago and killed a good many of the Indians." Upon this island Lion Gardiner remained, with none but the Indians for his neighbors, until 1653, at which time he removed to East Hampton, leaving his son Da- vid in possession, who remained here till 1657, when he went to England and remained some years. The original deed from the Indians, if any was ob- tained, is no longer in existence, and of the price paid we have no knowledge, but it was a tradition thata.large dog was one of the articles given in exchange. On the loth of March 1639 a "grant was obtained from James Farrett, agent of the Earl of Stirling, which confirmed " to Lion Gardiner, his heirs and assigns for ever the isl- and he hath now in his possession;" it being stipulated that there should be paid a yearly charge of five pounds, the first payment to be in 1643, as three years' payment had been advanced for the use of Farrett. This instru- ment was signed in presence of Fulk Davis and Benja- min Price, both of whom were afterward settlers in East Hampton. The island itself was not connected with the town till 1788, when it was annexed by the Legislature. Lion Gardiner died in 1663. His will, written Augiist 13th 1658, was entered in the town clerk's office in South- THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. ampton, and may be found in Vol. H of the printed rec- ords. In it he leaves all his real estate to his wife, "to dispose of it before her death as God shall put it into her mind, only this I put her in mind of, that, whereas my son David, after hee was at liberty to provide for him- self, by his owne engagement hath forced me to part with a great part of my estate to save his credit, soe that I cannot at present give to ray daughter and grandchild that which is fitting for them to have." The executors named were Thomas James, John Mulford and Robert Bond. An inventory of his estate was presented to the court at Southampton April 12th 1664; and, notwith- standing what he says about parting with a large part of his estate, he was considered a very wealthy man. His estate in East Hampton was inventoried at £,2^6, and his property on the island at ^^511. The latter inventory throws much light on the style of living at that time and we give it below: The Island itself, ;^7oo; ye great house and long, _;^ioo; the new house, ;^3o; ye new barne, _;^4o; ye old barne,_;^io; the house Simons lives in, ;^2o; ye bake house and cellar, j^io; ye old mare, ^^15; gelding 2 years old, ^8; a yearling colt, ^6; 6 oxen, ;^4o; 7 cowes and some calvs, ^35; t steer 4 years old, £6; 3 3 years old, ;^i3; 6 2 yearsold,^i8; 5 yearlings,;^; los.; i great Bull, ;^s; ewe sheep 114, jQ^T, of wethers & rams 66, ;^49 10s'.; a jack, £1; 4 boxes for wheels, los.; i broad ax, 2 narrow axes, 1 6s.; 2 adzes, 8s.; a bung borer, 2s.; 2 wedges, 6s.; a tennon saw, 8s.: 2 pairfork tines, 2s.; stilliards, £1 los.; 5 sides, 4s.; a chest, 8s.; a feather bed and bolster and two old blankets, ;£y, a hogs head & 6 bushels of salt, ;£i los.; 4 barrels of pork, £14; a grind stone and irons to it, ;£i 10s.; i hammer, is.; a punch for hop poles, 3s.; 2 great bookes, ^£2 5s.; part of a corslet, los.; cross staff and compass, _;^4 los.; steel mill, _;^2; 4 chains, ;Q2 los.; 2 shares and 2 coulters, ^i 16s.; 2 pair clevises, los.; 2 setts of hoops for a cart, jQi 10s.; hooks and staples for 4 yokes, ^^i; 2 bolts and collar, 6s.; axle tree pins, linch pins 8, and 3 washers, 14s.; 11 harrow teeth, 5s.; total, ;£'5ii, 7s. All we know of Lion Gardiner indicates that he was, in whatever position he might be placed, a foremost man. His history of the Pequot war is a document that bears on every page the stamp of truth. It is a manly and in- dignant protest against the actions of those for whose benefit he came to the western world, but whose faith with him was not kept. It shows most clearly that the prudent counsels of a wise and cautious man were un- heeded by men whose judgment and experience were far inferior to his own, and how bitterly those who neglected his advice atoned for their madness and their folly. After the decease of Mrs. Gardiner, in 1665, the island descended to David, the eldest son, who was the first white child born in Connecticut. He was educated in England, where he married Mary Lerningman, of Westminster. He died in Hartford, July loth 1689, and the inscription on his tombstone in the old burial ground in that place states that he was " well, sick, dead in one hour's space." He had four children — John, David, Lion and Elizabeth. John, who inherited the island, was born April 19th 1691. It was in his time (in the summer of 1699) that the famous Captain Kidd, " as he sailed," made a very unwelcome visit to the island. As John Lyon Gardiner describes it, "he took what fresh provisions he wanted; came in the night and cut the old gentleman's hands in the dark with their cutlasses; destroyed feather beds; scattered the paper money about the house; staid seve- ral days, and lived well; tied the old gentleman up to the mulberry tree, which is now standing at the north house; left money etc. with him. It was hid in a swampy place at Cherry Harbor. He showed Mr. John where he put it, told hira if he never called for it he might have it, but if he called for it and it was gone would take his or his son's head." It is needless to say that, with this understanding, the deposit was much safer than in some modern banking institutions. After Kidd was arrested and sent where he could do no more harm commissioners appointed came to the island, and the valuables were delivered up. Mr. Gardiner died June 25th 1738, and left sons David, Samuel, John, Jo- seph and Jonathan. David, who was the fourth proprietor, was born Janu- ary 3d 1691, and was the last owner who could speak the Montauk language. He had four sons — John, Abraham, Samuel and David. The second son, Abraham, was a very prominent citizen in East Hampton during the Revolution, and known as Colonel Gardiner. He died in 1782. John the fifth proprietor was born June 7th 17 14. His first wife, Elizabeth, died in 1754. He afterward married Deborah Avery; she survived her husband and married General Israel Putnanj. This John Gardiner died May 19th 1764, and was buried on the island. He left sons David, John and Septimus. John settled at Eaton's Neck, in Huntington. David, the sixth proprietor, was born in 1738, and was educated at Yale. He married Jerusha, daughter of Rev. Samuel Buel. His life was cut short by an untimely death at the age of 36. He left sons John Lyon and David. John Lyon, the seventh proprietor, has left a monu- ment to his name in the shape of a very carefully pre- pared sketch of local history, abounding in curious in- formation, and which will always be an authority on the subject. His " Notes and Observations on the Town of East Hampton," printed in the Documentary History of the State of New York, is a paper of great value. To him we are indebted for all that is known of the language of the Montauk Indians; it is greatly to be regretted that a very brief vocabulary is all that he took pains to record. He died November 22nd 1816, in the 47th year of his age. His eldest son, David Johnson, inherited the island. He died at the early age of 26, December 18th 1829, without children. The island then passed into the hands of his brother John Griswold Gardiner, who died in June 1861, at the age of 50. Hon. Samuel Buel Gardiner, the tenth proprietor, was born April 6th 1815, and married Mary G., daughter of .^ c/^.^^-^ ^^L.<2i^'/-^'■7 '7.^ ?_. THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. 29 Jonathan Thompson, formerly collector of the port of New York. He was a son of John Lyon Gardiner, the seventh proprietor of the island, who was born No- vember 8th 1770 and married Sarah, daughter of John Griswold of Lyme, Conn., March 4th 1803. The off- spring of this union were: David Johnson Gardiner, Lorn August i6th 1804 (who died unmarried and in- testate); John Griswold Gardiner, born September 9th 1812, who became the owner of the estate after his brother's decease; Sarah D. Gardiner, who married Da- vid Thompson of New York; Mary B., who died unmar- ried; and Samuel B. S. B. Gardiner. Samuel B.Gardner received an education which fitted him for the practical affairs of life as well as for the duties of the legislator and the official positions of various kinds which he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens. In 1846 he was elected to the Assembly of this State, having for his col- league Hon. Richard A. Udall of Islip; and he subse- quently held the offices of supervisor and justice of the peace in his native town for many years. Upon the death of his brother John Griswold Gar- diner he became the proprietor of Gardiner's Island. Under his able management the estate was transformed in appearance and productiveness, and the band of re- tainers who under the preceding administration had found a support without rendering an equivalent service soon awaked to a realizing sense of the fact that with new lords had come new laws. It is safe to say that as a source of income this estate was doubled in value in a surprisingly short time, and it now ranks as one of the finest in the county. In 1876 he was again elected to the Legislature, the political party with which he was connected feeling the need of a leader in whom the people of the county had more confidence than in the class of politicians under whose guidance they had so often sustained defeat. During his political career he was a Democrat, but be- longed rather to the school of Jefferson and Madison than to the party which claims to inherit their name and expound their principles. Mr. Gardiner in personal appearance was well calcu- lated to attract attention in whatever circle he appeared: tall and well proportioned, and, though dignified and courteously reserved in his intercourse with the world, kind and affable to all who had any claim upon his attention or acquaintance. In the bustling activity of modern life, and amid the tricks and chicanery of what is now called "politics," Mr. Gardiner moved as a relic of a former age, whose ample fortune rendered him independent of the one and whose integrity of character placed an infinite distance between himself and the other. He died January 5th 1882, and his mortal remains were consigned to their last resting place in the family graveyard, upon the island which had been his home for twenty years; and the whole community united in | mourning the loss of one whose life and acts were worthy of his ancient name. The estate of Hon. Samuel B. Gardiner descended by will to his eldest son, David, the present representative of this ancient line. It will be seen that this estate has been in the possession of the family 243 years, an aver- age of 24 years to each proprietor. In the will of David Gardiner the fourth proprietor, who died in 1751, occurs the following: " I leave to my eldest son, John, my island called Gardiner's Island, and after his decease to his. eldest son, and after his decease to the eldest son of the said eldest son, and in that man- ner to descend to the male line of my family to the end of time." The change of governm.ent and the abolishing of all feudal tenures, including entailments, has rendered his intention of no legal force, but the custom has ever been in accordance with this design. In 1686 a patent of the "manor of Gardiner's Island" was granted by Governor Dongan to David, the second proprietor. This patent, after reciting the facts that the island had been purchased of James Farrett, agent for the Earl of Stirling, and that a patent had been granted by Governor Nicolls in 1665 upon consideration of an annual payment of jQ^ (which annual payment had been remitted by Governor Lovelace, who reserved in lieu of it as an acknowledgment to His Royal Highness, " one lamb, to be paid the ist day of May yearly ") goes on to confirm to the said David Gardiner and his heirs and assigns the said island, "as a Lordship and Manor, with power to hold Court Leet and Court Baron, with the Advowson and right of Patronage of all churches," with many like terms, which conveyed manorial rights in " ye olden time." Among the prominent members of this family may be mentioned Colonel Abraham Gardiner, who was born February 19th 1721. He married Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Smith, of Moriches, June 12th 1745. He was executor of. the estate and guardian of the children of David, the sixth proprietor. During the Revolution the island was plundered by the British troops, and their leader, not content with this, concocted an infamous plot to injure the reputation of Colonel Gardiner in the eyes of his patriotic countrymen. A letter was written and left in a conspicuous place, addressed to the colonel and calculated by its language to impress the reader with the idea that the plunder of the island was part of a pre- pared plan, and that Colonel Gardiner was in secret league with the enemies of his country. "This letter, being duly found and communicated to the Provincial Congress, had at first the desired effect; but upon a strict examination his honor and patriotism were most clearly established. His tombstone in the ancient bury- ing ground at East Hampton bears the following epitaph: " In Memory of Colonel Abraham Gardiner, who de- parted this life August 21st 1782, in the 62nd year of his age. " Thus all we Bee, Hire all we have. Of good beneath the skies Shall rest like that within this grave, Till God shall say, ' Arise." " 3° THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. Dr. Nathaniel Gardiner, son of Colonel Abraham Gardiner mentioned above, was born January nth 1759. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Bering, of Shelter Island. During the Revolution he was a surgeon in the army, and he was a member of the Legislature in 1786, 1789 and 1790. He died March 25th 1804. David Gardiner, grandson of Colonel Abraham, was born May 2nd 1784, and was a man of high public posi- tion. " In the vigor of life, adorned by eminent virtues, solid abilities, and rare accomplishments, beloved and venerated, he was stricken with instant death by the bursting of the great gun on board the steam frigate ' Princeton ' on the river Potomac." This sad event oc- curred February 28th 1844. Hi§ remains rest under a massive monument in the graveyard at East Hampton; but a far more enduring memorial is found in his " Chronicles of East Hampton," a work of the greatest interest, and embracing the results of extended research. David second son of the sixth proprietor was born July 29th 1772. Julia Havens, his wife, was born on Shelter Island, May 25th 1771. David Gardiner their son was born at Flushing, L. I., January ist 1799, and married Mariette, eldest daughter of Hon. Abel Hunt- ington, M.D. He was a revenue officer in the New York custom-house 25 years, and retired to Bridgehampton, where the remainder of his life was spent. He died February 25th 1880, aged 81. His wife died February ist 1882, aged 81. They left three children — Frances, widow of Rev. Carlton P. Maples, formerly of Pomeroy, Ohio; John Lyon Gardiner, M.D., of Bridgehampton; and Rev. Charles Gardiner, of St. Luke's church East Hampton. The greatest length of the island is 7j^ miles. Its shape is very irregular. Its area is about 3,000 acres. It is distant about three miles from the nearest shore. It is assessed for taxes at $60,000. East Hampton Past and Present. Such is a brief sketch of the main incidents in the eventful history of this ancient town. Probably no other among the Long Island towns retains so much of the ways and manners of the olden time as this, which for more than two centuries had only one church; where the town meetings, in accordance with the practice handed down from Puritan days, are still opened with prayer; where town elections turn entirely upon local questions, and not on party politics; where intermar- riages of relatives, though sometimes productive of effects disastrous to mind and body, have in most cases tended only to perpetuate in a remarkable degree family characteristics both of a mental and physical nature; a town that in proportion to its population has produced more men of talent and high position than any other in Suffolk county; whose institution of learning has sent forth men whose courage has been witnessed on the battle field and their wise and eloquent words heard alike in the councils of the nation, the sacred desk and the halls of justice; men whose judgment has framed the government of a State and of a country where mil- lions enjoy the greatest boon that heaven has given to a people, liberty under law. The peculiarities of East Hampton village as a relic of the past are rapidly disappearing before the march of modern ideas, but it remains to be seen whether the future shall witness a better state of things than what has gone before. Our ancestors may have been quaint in their garb and formal in their manners, precise in their speech and fanatical in their religion, but they in their weakness laid the foundations of power, and established those institutions which are the blessing of the earth as it is and the glory of the world as it is to be. PROMINENT FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS.* We regret that our limits do not permit us to record at greater length the persoml history of the men of the past generations whose acts \\wt been a credit to them- selves and added lustre to the fame of this ancient town. Without disparagement to the many, we will mention the few who have been " foremost among their equals." The record of the Gardiner family is inseparable from the history of Gardiner's Island, already given. The Mulford Family. The persons of this name are descended from two brothers, John and William, who came to this town from Southampton. John was a prominent man in all public affairs and was commissioned judge in 1674. In his will he leaves to his wife Frideswide " two acres out of my own home lot and two out of the lot I bought of Tho. Thompson." The latter home lot he leaves to his eldest son, Samuel, and to his son John "the home lot I live upon." He haddaughters Mary (who married Jeremiah Miller) and Hannah (who m.uiied Benjamin Conkling). His will, proved March 19th 1686, marks approximately the date of his death. If there is any name held in highest reverence in this ancient town, and to which the unanimous voice of the citizens would decree the highest place on the page of history, it is that of om-rv eldest son of the pioneer John, above named; whose energy in resisting despotic power and redressing a people's wrongs might justly entitle him to the name of " Tho village Hampdon, who with open breast The little tyrant of his fields withstood." Captain Samuel Mulford was the eldest son of John Mulford, the first settler, and was born in 1644. At a * Some of these Wogrflphioal and genealojrloal sketches were written by others than Mr. Pelletreau, the author of the foregoins: history. Those by him are tho akotohes of the Mulford family, Eleazer and Bur- net Miller, Matthias Burnet, Thomas Chatfleld, Abel Huntington, the Osborn family, John Howard Payne and tho Dayton family, and the " Genealogioal Notes." THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. 31 very early age he was appointed captain of the militia company; was recorder for many years, and in early life manifested an ability that placed him in a front rank among the inhabitants of the town. The intolerance and blind bigotry of Lord Cornbury, his zeal for the Epis- copal form of church government and unconcealed hatred of Presbyterianism and non-conformity in any shape, awoke the minds of the people to the fact that there had been little relief in the change from the domin- ion of papacy. It was in the heat of the controversy caused by the disappointment of the expectation of civil and religious freedom that an election was held for members of the colonial Assembly, and Captain Mulford was duly chosen as the representative of his native county. This was in 1705, and from that time till 1720 he was continuously re-elected to this high position, and remained unawed by the influence of the representatives of royal power, and unmoved by the hope of official favor, the faithiul and unflinching champion of the people's rights. The greatest grievance of his fellow townsmen was a tax which, without shadow of law or justice, had been levied by the governor upon the products of the whale fishery, he demanding a tenth as a right of royalty. Against this unjust demand the people, with Mulford at their head, rose as one man. In a memorial addressed to the king he recounts the fact that the taking of whales by the people continued "above fifty years before the captors heard of any duty for so doing until of late," and that it was looked upon as " an imposition contrary to the law of the colony." It also seems that Captain Mulford and his two sons and Colonel Richard Floyd, of Brookhaven, "had been arrested on an action of trover for converting the Queen's goods to their own use," and that this case had been " carried from court to court to the number of fifteen or sixteen courts." The case against Colonel Floyd was, that Captain Theophilus Howell's company of South- ampton had a license to take whales, obliging themselves to pay one-twentieth part of all they gained. This party killed a whale and brought it ashore, and in the night a strong east wind drove it along shore about forty miles. The owners of the whale put it into Floyd's hands to try out, and he was prosecuted by the governor for the whale. The defense that was made by Captain Mulford is an example of careful reasoning which before an un- prejudiced tribunal could not fail to command respect; but judgment was given against him, and in every possi- ble way he was annoyed by persecutions and penalties. On the 2nd of April 17 14 he made a speech in the Assembly, " putting them in mind of some ill measures I was informed were taken." This speech was printed^ and brought down upon the devoted head of its author the wrath of the royal governor. Suit was instituted against Mulford in the supreme court, and as it was in the power of the governor to prolong the matter it kept him away from his home, and deprived him of the op- portunity of attending to his personal affairs. Conscious of the injustice the Assembly united in a petition that the prosecution might be dropped and Captain Mulford permitted to return to his native town. With that tenac- ity of purpose which distinguished him through life he resolved to make the journey to England, and there to present his wrongs in person to the king and council and demand redress. A voyage across the Atlantic at that time was something that called for the vigor of early manhood, but it was unhesitatingly undertaken by this man, whose head was whitened by the frosts of seventy years, but whose spirit was unconquered. To conceal his departure he made his way to Boston to embark, and duly arrived at London. Unaccustomed to the sights and sounds of crowded cities, and with none to urge his case or assist his claim, Samuel Mulford stood in Eng- land's capital, unknowing and unknown. The attend- ants of court had no attentions for the plain man from a distant colony, who came unannounced by the voice of fame and unaccompanied with the pomp of power. At length, by one of those singular circumstances which, in- significant in themselves, sometimes turn the tide of human events and set at nought all human calculations, attention was drawn to his case, and justice obtained for his cause. His unsophisticated appearance rendered him a conspicuous and suitable subject for the operations of the light-fingered gentry, and the contents of his pockets were quickly transferred to their own. It would seem as if the proverbial Yankee sharpness must have been early developed in this clime and prompted him to have several fishhooks sewn into his garments in such a manner that the next hand that was introduced into his pocket received an invitation to remain that it was found impossible to decline. This amusing affair was quickly noised abroad; it was mentioned in the newspapers at the time, and from an unknown individual he became the topic of the hour. His case was examined before the council, his information duly appreciated, the tax on oil ordered to be taken off, and he returned to his con- stituents with his efforts crowned with well merited suc- cess. At his return he took his seat in the Assembly. The hatred of the governor was not appeased; the old subject of the speech was revived, and by the vote of a subservient house he was expelled from his seat. It is needless to say that the people of Suffolk county did honor to themselves by immediately re-electing him to the place he had filled so long and so well, and he con- tinued to serve as their representative till October 17th 1720, when he was again expelled, for protesting against the legality of the house and refusing to unite in an ad- dress to the governor. Thus ended his public career, but to the end of his life he was in his native town an honored man. In the village graveyard, almost on the site of the church where forty years before Rev. Thomas James had preached his sermon of defiance to the arbitrary act of a former governor he was laid to rest, and a simple monu- ment " with shapeless sculpture decked " bears the fol- lowing inscription; " Here lyes buried the body of Capt. Samuel Mulford, who died August ye 21st 1725, Aged about 80 years." 32 THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. Honest Samujl Mulford! The moss is green on thy tombstone, and thy grave is leveled by the tread of time: but so long as the sound of freedom shall wake an echo in the hearts of men, and the cause of the oppressed find a champion against the might of the oppressor, thy power remains, thy spirit is with us still! Captain Samuel Mulford's first wife, Esther, died No- vember 24th 1717, aged 64. His second wife, Sarah (daughter of Colonel Mathew Howell), died April 6th 1760, aged 97. He left children Samuel (3), Timothy (4), Elias (s), and Matthew (6). Samuel (3) had a wife Sarah, died in 1743, aged 65. Timothy (4) (wife's name Sarah) died in 1741, aged 60. Elias (5) married Mary Mason and died in 1760, aged 75. Matthew (6) married Elizabeth Chatfield; he died in 1774, aged 85. He had a son Colonel David (7), who died December i8th 1778. The last named had a son Matthew (born October 22nd 1756, died March 24th 1845), who had a son Charles Lewis, who had a son Robert L., now of New York. David (7) also had a son Jonathan, from whom is descended Samuel G. Mulford, the present representative of the family in East Hampton. After the battle of Brooklyn Colonel Henry B. Living- ston conceived the daring plan of concentrating all the militia companies that could be raised and making a desperate effort to drive the enemy from the island. To effect this he sent messages to the various commanders in the county, urging their immediate aid. Among others to whom he sent letters was Colonel David Mulford, who commanded the second regiment, and, not hearing from him as expected, he somewhat hastily came to the conclusion that the colonel was not as patriotic and ardent in his country's cause as he should be, and ex- pressed these ideas in letters and conversations. This elicited a remonstrance from Colonel Mulford, 'and the following letter from Colonel Livingston (recently dis- covered) places him in an entirely different light: " SouTHOLD, 3d of September 1776. "Dear Colonel: I just received your favour, and am extremely sorry that my wariinth or rather zeal for the welfare of my country induced me to blame you rashly, as I am now convinced, tho' too late, of your sincerity in your countries cause. I think that we might have made our stand with safety for at least three weeks or a fortnight, as the enemy were no nearer than Jamaica, and the main body of them crossing at Hell Gate. Mr. Richard Millar with about forty other in- famous rascals, who style themselves Light Horse, are disarming the inhabitants. If I could have heard from you sooner, or known you would have attempted to make any stand, I should probably have been in posses- sion of those villains who have struck a panic by circu- lating false reports. But [in] the uncertainty of this, as I jdid not receive an answer to two letters I wrote to you. Major Rogers and Colonel Hedges by express, we to- gether with the officers -of the militia, determined a re- treat. Colonel Terry was with me and thought it would be impossible to rally [those] who were discouraged by the reports the disaffected have spread, and that it was his opinion I ought to look to the security of the de- tachment, which I have done and effected a retreat, with all our baggage and as many arms and ammunition as I could collect from the inhabitants on the way. I shall probably sail with my little detachment this evening. I should be glad you would assist Captain Davis, who I have ordered to collect what arms he can to prevent their falling into the enemies' hands; also in raising recruits for the continent. A number of boats will be sent to lake off the effects of those hearty in the cause. " I remain your most ob't " Henry B. Livingston." The descendants of the original William Mulford by his wife Sarah (who died in March 1687) were as fol- lows: He left children Thomas (2), William (3), Benja- min (4), Sarah (5) and Rachel (6). Benjamin (4) went to Cape May, New Jersey, and has descendants now living in that State. Thomas (2) married Mary, daughter of Jeremiah Conkling.* (Her mother was a daughter of Lion .Gar- diner). He died in 1731, aged 77. He left children Thomas (7), died in March 1765, aged 77; Rachel (8); Abiah (9), married William Hedges; William (10); Eze- kiel (11); David (12) and Jeremiah (13) whose descend- ants are now living in New Jersey. Thomas (7) had sons Elisha (14), Daniel (15), Barna- bas (16), born 1744, died 1827, Thomas (17). Barnabas (16) removed to Branford, Conn.,- about 1740; he was the progenitor of the New Haven branch of the family. Among other children he had a son Barna- bas jr. (born April 29th 1784, died June 22nd 1807), who had a son Hervey (born July 7th 1777, died February i6th 1847). Hervey had a son James Hervey (born December 26th 1802), and the latter a son Hervey, who with his son William Remsen Mulford now represents the family. To the latter we owe a very carefully prepared history of the family. In the old burying ground in this towii is an elegant iind substantial monument erected by Robert L Mul- ford, of New York, to the memory of Judge John Mul- ford and his descendants. Captain Ezekiel Mulford, who commanded one of the companies that took part in the battle of Brooklyn was a grandson 0I William, one of the first settlers. While in service he received directly from Washington the highest compliment for his intrepidity in a dangerous enterprize. After the battle he returned to East Hampton, and lived to an advanced age. He was noted for his retentive memory, and was to the end of his life a man of very active habits. His tombstone may be seen in the north burying ground at East Hampton, and bears the follow- ing inscription: "In Memory of Ezekiel Mulford, who died April isth i8ig, aged 83 years." Eleazer and Burnet Miller. Eleazer Miller was born in 1717, and. was a grandson of John Miller, whose name appears in the list of the first settlers. He was elected a member of Assembly in 1748 and continued in that office till 1769, when he was defeated in a warmly contested election by General Nathaniel Woodhull. His long term of 21 years gained him the name, by which he was universally known, of THfi tOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. 33 "Assemblyman Miller." He died March isth 1788, in the 92nd year of his age. His tombstone may be seen in the old burying ground. Burnet Mfller was a son of Eleazer Miller just men- tioned. He was town clerk for many years. He was a member of the 4th Provincial Congress, representative in the State Legislature from 1777 to 1783, and with the exception of one year was supervisor from 1764 to 1776. Of his life after the Revolution we have not been able to learn any particulars. It is probable that he joined the tide of emigration and went to some of the counties on the Hudson, whither many of the East Hampton families removed. Matthias Burnet. Captain Matthias Burnet, who was one of the most prominent citizens of the early time, was a son of Thomas Burnet the first of the name in Southampton, and was born in 1673. He early removed to this town, and held a prominent position, being supervisor for a period of 19 years. His tombstone bears the following inscription: " Here lyes buried the body of Matthias Burnet, Esquire, who died October the 4 1745, in ye 72 year of his age." Judge Thomas Chatfield was the eldest son of Thomas Chatfield the first of the name. He is said to have been of sound mind and superior judgment. After having served as justice of the peace for many years, he was in 1738 appointed one of the judges of the court of common pleas, and held that positivn till his deathi in 1752. He was supervisor in i74r-43. Judge Chatfield had a son John, who was justice for many years previous to the Revolution. From the description of the judge written by the author of " Chronicles of East Hampton," he might well be termed the last of the old settlers, for his costume and conversa- tion were of an age long anterior to his own. He had a daughter Mary, born September 12th 1707. September 9th 1731 she married Joseph King of Southold, who died November 6th 1732. She married Francis Pelletreau of Southampton, September 4th 1734, and after his de- cease, which occurred September 26th 1737, she Married Judge Hugh Gelston. Judge Chatfield died January i2th 1754, aged 65. Dr. Abel Huntington. This gentleman, though not a native of East Hampton was during a long life an honored and influential citizen of the town. He was born at Norwich, Conn., February 22nd 1776, of a family simple and unpretentious in station but endowed with keen intellect and more than ordinary talent. He studied medicine under Dr Phile- mon Tracy, who then stood at the head of his profession in Norwich and the adjacent county. In 1795 he came to East Hampton and entered upon the practice. of Dr. Ebenezer Sage, who at that time removed to SagHarber. Although he was only 19 years of age such was the repu- tation he had gained that he was warmly welcomed, and to the day of his death he retained to the fullest extent the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. In^ 1795 ^^ married Miss Frances Lee of Lyme, Conn., who died in 1813, leaving four children, to whose comfort, education and happiness Dr. Huntington devoted the energies of his mind during the remainder of his life. In his practice he was remarkably successful, especially in surgical operations, which he was occasionally called upon to perform. He was at all times a spirited politi- cian of the better class; thepublic confidence he enjoyed was shown in a marked manner by the numerous ofifices he was called upon to fill, and in no instance was the public confidence thus bestowed in the slightest degree abused. He was for many years one of the coroners of the county, at a time when the ofifice was of more con- sequence than at present. From 1829 to 1832 and again in 1844 he was supervisor of the town. In 1820 he was one of the presidential electors. He was 'elected to the State Senate in 1814 and in 1821, and member of Con- gress in 1833 and 1835. He was a member of the state, constitutional convention in 1845. In all the relations of social life he was a model man, and when he was call- ed away there were none who did not feel that the com- munity had sustained an irreparable loss, and that the world had been better for his having been a part of it. He died May 18th 1858, aged 82. To Miss Cornelia Huntington, the surviving daughter of this " nature's nobleman," and authoress of " Sea Spray," a vivid picture of the old East Hampton life and manners, which are fast passing away — the writer wishes to record his most grateful acknowledgments for informa- tion concerning the days long gone by. John Howard Payne. William Payne, as master of the English department of Clinton Academy, would not have left a name to posterity, but he is remembered as the father of the poet above named. We believe that at the time of John Howard Payne's birth his parents were residing in East Hampton village. Dr. John Howard, father of Mrs. Colonel Henry Hunt, was at that- time living at Smith- town Branch, and it was the custom of Mr. Payne on his journeys to New York to stop at the house of his friend. On one of these visits he remarked to the doctor, " I had a son born the other day; what shall I call him?" " Call him after my name," was the reply; and he was duly christened John Howard Payne. Of the events of his life, or of his death in a foreign land, we need not speak, for the career of the homeless man who sang of home has been portrayed by other hands. To read the earlier histories of Long Island, and find him mentioned there simply as the author of certain tragedies, may well 34 THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. provoke a smile, when we consider that if he had written nothing else but those tragedies his name would never have been written by any subsequent historian. The memory of these works has passed away, but the simple song of " Home, Sweet Home," that has awakened an echo in every heart that has heard its notes, is likely to last as long as the English language endures. It is the prerogative of genius, from that which is insignificant to build up that which shall be immortal. Nothing that adds to the happiness of the world can justly be called little, but when we think of the works of poets and phil- osophers, written in the vain attempt to gain immortal fame, it does seem as if immortality was never based upon a smaller thing than Payne's familiar song; and yet for this the poet's name lingers on every breeze, and is heard in the distant murmur of the sea; the music of his immortal verses is as widespread as the English tongue, and the voice of its melody, echoing through all future ages, shall mingle perhaps with the sound of the trumpet that announces the end of time, the beginning of eternity and the gathering of all mankind to their eternal home. Hon. Everett A. Carpenter. Among her eminent citizens. Sag Harbor can boast of none who occupy a more conspicuous position than the subject of this brief sketch. Mr. Carpenter is a son of the old Bay State, a native of Bristol county, in which he was born on the 6th day of July 1835. His father, Benoni Carpenter, was the first P'ree Soil candidate for Senator from that county; was afterward a Senator from Providence county, Rhode Island, Surgeon in the army, Medical Director of the Department of Carrollton, Louisi- ana, and from the close of the war until his death, in 1877, State Prison Superintendent of Rhode Island. After careful preparation, Mr. Carpenter entered Brown University, from which institution he graduated with honor in 1854 — being a member of the last class taught by its famous President, Francis Wayland. He became a teacher, then a student of the law, and soon after attaining legal age was admitted to the bar. Since his debut as a lawyer up to the present time he has maintained a prominent public position, being active in politics, earnest, in educational matters, zealous in his chosen profession, and energetic in all tasks essayed; displaying marked executive ability, a wise comprehension of public questions, and the faculty of making the most of his resources in every emergency. He was a delegate to the first Republican convention in Massachusetts, and has never swerved from his fealty to that party which boasts the lamented Lincoln as its patron saint, and Sumner, Fessenden, Seward and Andrew as its bright particular stars. He has held many offices, and in each he has secured a reputation for the highest ability. As assistant U. S. Assessor for Suffolk county, where he has resided for more than twenty years, he was as anxious to protect the people as he was rigid in guarding the rights of the government. For eight successive years he was Chairman of the Republican county committee of Suffolk; and his political op- ponents found him a dangerous campaigner. Thorough- ly organizing the county in every school district he was able to learn the weak places in his own party as well as those of the Democracy, and he proved himself as judicious in planning as he was skillful in ex- ecuting. When he had canvassed the county his predic- tions seemed marvelous in their exactitude; and it is said that he never made a mistake in determining general results so long as he managed party affairs in Suffolk. In 1879 he ran for the Assembly. His competitor was a retired merchant of high social standing, great wealth and greater political ambition. The county was so equally balanced politically — but one vote difference in the Assembly ballot of the year preceding — that the Democratic nominee deemed his triumph a foregone conclusion. Nevei^theless Mr. Carpenter went into the contest with a full knowledge of the party proclivities of the people, as well as a comprehension of their personal peculiarities and local prejudices, and a consciousness of his superiority in conducting a campaign. The end jus- tified his faith in himself, for he rolled up the unpre- cedented legislative majority of 1,629. I^i 1880 he be- came his own successor, and held the chairmanship of the most important committee — that of cities — in the Assembly of 1881. At the conclusion of his legislative term he returned to the active practice of his profession, and is enjoy- ing the praise and profit incident to an extended and increasing clientage. As a scholar Mr. Carpenter is the peer of any member of the Suffolk bar. He is well read in all the literature of the day, thoroughly versed in all the questions which engross public attention, has a vast fund of general in- formation, is skilled in the general principles known as the philosophy of government, is familiar with the history of political parties, and is on more than mere sj)eaking terms with the most advanced learning of the schools." In the Legislature he took a high position as a debater, as well as an untiring worker in all the posts he was called upon to fill. He made himself a power in every committee on which he was placed, and secured much valuable legislation for the State as well as for his con- stituents in Sufl'olk couoty. The repeal of that iniquity known as the Hell Gate pilot law is a monument to the patience, perseverance and masterly ability of Mr. Car- penter. For twenty-seven years efforts had been made to remove this incubus; but the power and the purse of the monopolists had prevailed. Mr. Carpenter fought the battle for the people, and achieved a triumph which will make him long remembered by those who recognize the magnitude of the task which he accomplished almost unaided. His fight on the New York street-cleaning bill attracted attention throughout the State, and formed the subject of comment in every journal from Montauk to Niagara. He was struggling against a vast lobby, un- limited means, unscrupulous schemers — yet he won, proving himself again " the right man in the right place." s.^../^ THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. 41 When the struggle for U. S. Senators made Albany the objective point for the nation's eyes, Mr. Carpenter found himself in the position of an anti-administration Repub- lican, simply because he could not consent to forsake his friends. He belonged to the so-called Stalwart division of his party; he was in that position for principle's sake; and he did not ask whether he was to " shout loudest with the stronger side," or to follow the fortunes of the minority. He was not anxious to learn what was deemed popular; but he knew what his duty was and was wil- ling to do it, if he stood alone. While others faltered -he stood firm. When the end came he was not a victor in promoting the fortunes of his friends; but he was a victor over every sentiment which marked the cunning incon- sistency of mere time-servers and political trimmers. He preserved his self-respect, maintained his party integrity, proved the worth of his friendship — and is now reaping his reward. As a lawyer he is well versed in the science of plead" ing, and accurate in all the details of practice. He has a clear comprehension of law principles and a vast knowledge of leading cases — his accuracy being as assured as his fund of information is extensive. In preparing his cases he is thorough., systematic, and exhaustive. Patient, persistent, pains-taking, he goes into court thoroughly armed; and he is never found over-weighted by his armor. The characteristics of his mind are comprehensiveness and strength. He is logical and methodical, aiming at victory without wasting words on immaterial matters, and never talks simply to listen to the sound of his own voice. As a man he has gained special distinction for fidelity and firmness. He is not afraid to stand alone, if need be, for the maintenance of the truth — believing that God and the right are a majority — and he never betrays a friend for the sake of winning favor from an army of foes. He is a pleasing, genial companion; a high-minded, generous and progressive citizen; an obliging neighbor; a kind husband and father; a zealous, unswerving, faith- ful friend; a firm, consistent, honorable foe. While he is not "that faultless monster which the world ne'er saw," he is in all the relations which mark men of power and prominence a companion for the good and great and the friend of those men and things deserving the respect and consideration of independent, manly men. The Osborn Family. This family is descended from Robert Osborn and wife Elizabeth, of Maidstone, Kent, England. Their son Thomas lived in Lynn, Mass., in 1649. The line of one of the families now living in this town is thus traced: I, Robert; 2, Thomas, born 1623, died 1712; 3, Daniel, born 1665, died 1713; 4. Daniel, died 1757; 5. Jonathan, born 1725, died 1782; 6, Joseph, born 1754, died 1844; 7, Joseph, born 1789, died 1872; 8, Sylvanus M., born 1815, and now a well known and prominent""nge 1?., and one who has a deep interest in the cause of 'educa- tion. The family at Wainscott is thus derived: Thomas (2) had a son John, who had a son Thomas, who had a son Elisha, who also had a son Elisha; he had a son Thomas, whose son John is now or was lately living upon the same farm owned by his ancestor John. Another family is derived as follows: Thomas (2), Joseph (i), Jeremiah (2), Samuel, born 1795, died 1827; Edward, born 1836. The late Judge John P. Osborn, of Noyack, South- ampton, and Henry P. Osborn, of Moriches, are sons of Jeremiah (2) above named. The branches of tliis family are very numerous, and we regret that a full history has not been given. The Dayton Family. Ralph, the first of the name, died about 1658. He had a son Robert, who died April i6th 17 12, aged 84. Robert's son Beriah died in 1746, leaving a son John, who died in 1776. The latter left a son John (Captain John of Revolutionary fame), who died in 1825. From his son Josiah (who died in 1839), are descended the families now representing the family in this town, except- ing Dr. Charles B. Dayton, who is descended from Sam- uel, son of Robert, Probably no name is more illustrious in the Revolu- tionary annals of this town than that of Captain Dayton. In addition to his exploit of deceiving the enemy and preventing their landing at Montauk, before described, he is the hero of another adventure. His lonely resi- dence was at the head of Dayton's Creek, a tributary of Georgica Pond, and its isolated position rendered it peculiarly an object of attack. He was one night awakened by the sound of a marauding band of soldiers endeavoring to break into his house. Hastily arising he put his little son Josiah (grandfather of the present Charles R. Dayton) out of the back door and sent him after assistance, while he resolved, baron-like, to defend his castle. Seizing his loaded musket he threatened to shoot the first one that entered. Tht party immediately fired into the house and several shots entered the post of a loom behind which he was sheltered. He began calling aloud to several imaginary persons, and reserved his fire until the door began to yield. He then fired and the party fled. The next day it was found that one of the soldiers had been killed. Captain Dayton's old farm-house still stands on the south side of the road leading to Bridgehampton. On the north side of the road and near the house is a small enclosure containing two graves. Here rest his remains, and his tombstone bears the inscription: "In Memory of Captain John Dayton, who died February 20th 1825, ae. 97." His wife Amy died January 31st 1834, aged 81, Brinley D. Sleight. The ancestors of the Sleights of Suffolk county were among the early Dutch settlers on the Hudson River. During the Revolution they occupied positions of official trust and responsibility, and shortly after the close of the war, or about the beginning of the present century, Cornelius Sleight, a notice of whom precedes this, moved to Sag Harbor and soon identified himself with the active business interests of that village. The subject of this sketch is the oldest living representative of the name in that branch of the family, and also the oldest living male descendant on his mother's side of those other Suffolk county families the Brinleys, the Sylvesters and the Darings, prominent in the early history of the east end of Long Island and whose names are now almost extinct. Brinley Dering Sleight is the oldest son of William Rysam Sleight and a grandson of the Cornelius mentioned above. His father was a native citizen of Sag Harbor, a shipowner and agent in the days of its whaling pros- perity, intimately associated with its material interests, a man of strict integrity but of generous instincts, highly respected in the community and one who " wore without abuse the grand old name of gentleman." Having ac- cumulated a handsome competency, he sent his son Brinley at an early age to the Washington Institute, Murray Hill, New York city, a school of some note, then under the charge of Messrs. Timothy Dwight andTheo- dore Woolsey Porter. Here he remained for several years, preparing for college. He subsequently entered Yale College, and after a full course graduated in good standing in the class of 1858. During his career as a student he was the recipient at the hands of his class of testimonials such as are usually awarded to the most popular and deserving. After his graduation he returned to his native place, and in 1859 bought an interest in The Corrector, a news- paper established in 1822, and commenced duty as a journalist. He soon gained the reputation of an easy and graceful writer, and became an active participant in local political affairs. In i860 he started a campaign daily in Sag Harbor, and conducted it in the interest of the combination electoral ticket of that year as opposed to the Republican party. It swung the banner of Bell and Everett, and attained some temporary notoriety for its pungent and terse paragraphs. It was the first and only daily paper ever published in Suffolk county. The field was too small for its successful continuance. In the same year Mr. Sleight was made the candidate for Assembly of the united American and Democratic parties in the old first district, comprising the five eastern towns of the county. The district was hopelessly against him, although he made a flattering canvass. His suc- cessful competitor was Hon. James H. Tuthill, the pres- ent surrogate of the county. In 1865, in connection with A. A. Hunt he bought the Schoharie Republican, retaining at the same time owner- ship and editorial control of The Corrector. He con- tinued his connection with the Republican for four years. In 1869 the Democrats placed him in nomination for the Assembly, and, notwithstanding the opposing State ticket was successful in the county, he was elected by a substantial majority over John Wood of Islip, who had •//i£t Jru ^'^-*^ ou*^ David H. Huntting. David Hedges Huntting was born in East Hampton, May 22nd 1815. A perusal of his genealogy shows that he is descended from families always known as exemp- lary, efficient and foremost in the vigorous private and public enterprises that tend to elevate and strengthen individuals and communities. His father, Jeretiiiah Huntting, was born in East Hampton, where he spent his life as a farmer, and died July 19th 1845, 73 years old. His grandfather, William Huntting, was a native of the same town, and died at the old homestead, July 6th 1816, at the age of 78 years. His great-graridfather, Nathaniel Huntting, died in September 1770, 68 years old. Nathaniel Huntting was the son of Rev. Nathaniel Huntting, who was settled over the Presbyterian society of East Hampton as its second pastor about the year 1695, ^"'^ remained pastor over a half century, relin- quishing his trust only when his physical strength proved inadequate, and dying, surrounded by the friends, the memories and the monuments of a well spent life, Sep- tember 2ist 1753, aged 78 years. Mr. Huntting's mother was Charity, daughter of Deacon David Hedges, of Bridgehampton, who was grandfather to Judge Henry P. Hedges. The Huntting family has been in possession of the present home- stead over 100 years, and it adjoins the property on which Rev. Nathaniel Huntting settled nearly 200 years ago. The family of William Huntting consisted of three sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter remain. David's boyhood career closely resembled that of the average farmer's boy. He was useful at home summers and attended the village school winters. At that time there was a sort of union between the academy (which is said to be the oldest in the State) and the district school by which arrangement the same teacher heard the classes of both schools. Young Huntting seems to have been a diligent, apt scholar, for at the age of 17 he had mastered the science of civil engineering to a sufficient degree to enable him to do some surveying to test his theories by practice. In this business he soon became exact and skillful. About 1835 he entered the field as a professional, and he has never quit it from that day to this. During the 47 years that have intervened he probably has done more surveying than any other man who has lived in the town of East Hampton during the last 100 years. THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. 41 Through a large part of his life Mr. Hunttinghas been connected with military organizations. Beginning as a private he filled all the successive minor ofifices until he became colonel of the 83d New York State militia, in which capacity he remained till it was disbanded. Several of the offices of the town he was also called upon to fill, being. trustee of the town, overseer of the poor, and for many successive years assessor. When 30 years of age he became one of the proprietors of the Montauk Point property, and in its management his voice and views have always been heeded, perhaps to as great an extent as those of any person living in South- ampton or East Hampton. Especially has this been true since the incorporation of the proprietors in 1850, as he was president of the board of trustees many years, and was prominent in measures taken for the legal de- fense of suits brought to test the titles of the proprietors. He also interested himself in the protection of the rights of the few scattering Indians left on those lands. Mr. Huntting was married December 12th 1843 to Phebe D., daughter of James and Abbie D. Edwards of East Hampton. They have had no children. In politics he was a Democrat till the campaign of i860, when, having always been " free soil " in principle, he helped elect Lincoln, and he has ever since worked with the Republican party. For a long term of years he has had charge of other people's business as executor of wills and administrator of estates, the number of these which he has settled amounting to 30 or 40. Such trusts are not, like political offices, secured by votes, but are bestowed for inherent and known qualities of equity and fair dealing, and in- dicate the high position in public confidence of the per- son to whom the7 are given. In 1824, when the first Sunday-school was organized in the Presbyterian church at East Hampton, David H. Huntting, then a boy 9 years old, was one of the scholars, and with that school he has been connected ever since as scholar, teacher or superintendent. Where is there a longer Sunday-school record? At the age of 15 he joined the Presbyterian church in his native village, and for over. 51 years he has been one of its active members and supporters, and for the la.st 40 years a leading member of its session, This church was not incorporated in due form till 1840, in which move- ment he was largely instrumental; he was at that time one of the trustees, and has ever since been president and treasurer of the board. In 1862 he bought a church bell at an expense of $350, and presented it to the society. He has a natural Yankee adaptation to whatever work or business is to be done, with a will and force to work up to the foremost ranks. Always a progressive and suc- cessful farmer, he was called upon to deliver the address before the Hampton Agricultural Society at Bridgehamp- ton in 1877, the proceedings of whose meeting were hand- somely printed in pamphlet form. The following sen- tences from this able address shows a wide range of' thought and a very creditable mastery of the art of clear and graceful expression: " To the young man no surer road to solid prosperity, and enduring pleasure and satisfaction is open than is found in the intelligent, industrious and economical pur- suit of what the old legal forms describe" as 'the art, trade and mystery of agriculture.'" "Always at the base and yet always the sure support of the best moral and physical necessities of men; whatever elevates the moral standing and weight of your class must of neces- sity bless every other in the wide range of human ac- tivity." " You will conduce to the interests of agriculture by a careful and persistent effort to improve and make efficient the appliances for the public education of the masses. You will see that no part of these funds is ex- pended upon incompetent, imbecile or immoral teachers, in the support of any distinctively sectarian schools, or in giving instruction in such branches as are either frivol- ous, unprofitable or simply ornamental." " The hand and heart that love and cherish the beautiful may always be trusted to minister to and exalt the good." Genealogical Notes. Barnes. — William Barnes, the ancestor of the families of that name, came from Southampton, and died Decem- ber ist, 1698. He had a son William (2), and probably a son Charles. William (2) had a son William (3), from whom most of the name are descended. Diament. — This family, whose name has been cor- rupted into " Dimon ", is descended from Thomas Dia- ment, who died about 1682. He had sons Thomas, James (who married Hannah, daughter of Rev. Thomas James) and John, who died young. He also had daughters Sarah, Abigail, Hannah Bud, Ruth Dayton and Elizabeth Miller. His wife's name was Mary. Baker. — Thomas Baker the first settler had a wife Alice and a son Nathaniel. He died April 30th 1700, aged 82. Nathaniel had a son Jonathan Henry Daniel, from whom the present families are descended. CoNKLiNG. — Ananias Conkling had sons Jeremiah and Lewis; the latter had sons Isaac and Sineus; from the last are descended the families of the name in Amagan- sett. OsBORN. — Thomas Osborn, the progenitor of this family, was born in 1622 and died September 2Sth 1712, aged 90. He had a son Joseph and probably a son John, the ancestor of the Wainscott families. The East Hampton families are descended from Joseph, who died October 2nd 1743, aged 83. 4-1 THE TOWN OF EAST HAMPTON. 'Stratton. — Richard Stratton had sons Richard, Thomas, Isa.ac, ^nd Benjamin. His wife was Eliza- beth, daughter of William Edwards. He died about 1676. Talmadge. — Thomas Talmadge, with his son Thomas, came from Southampton with tht first settlers. Thomas jr. had a wife Elizabeth, and sons Nathaniel (who had a son Thomas), Shubael, and Onesimus, and daughters Mary Hand, Hannah, and Sarah, wife of Thomas Bee. He died in 1687. Onesimus died February ist 1723, aged 61. Nathaniel died August 3d 1716, aged 72. Hedges. — William Hedges died about 1674, leaving sons Stephen and Isaac. The families of the name in the town of Southampton are descended from Daniel a son of Stephen. Most of the East Hampton families are descendants of William Hedges 3d. HUNTINGTON. By Charles E. Street. I HE old town of Huntington as it was at the first settlement embraced a territory about 20 miles in extent from north to south, and about 10 miles from east to west, being bounded on the north by Long Island Sound, east by Smithville or Smithtown, south by the Atlantic Ocean, and west by the town of Oyster Bay. This territory, stretching across Long Island, wi^h gentle undulations of surface from each shore inland, cul- minates in a crown of hills near the center. In the early time — its primitive forests and open wooded parks, fringed with green meadows, abounding in wild game, its northern .and southern shores washed by seas in which fish and wild fowl swarmed, its northern climate greatly moderated by the adjacent seas, healthy and salubrious, a soil nat- urally productive in its virgin freshness and compara- tively free from rocky obstructions and easily cultivated — it is not strange that this then wild region attracted to its borders those early immigrants who were seeking homes in the New World for themselves and their posterity. There have been various conjectures as to the appear- ance of this part of the island at the tini^ of the settle- ment, with respect to whether it was covered with forests or was a treeless region. What evidence we have goes to show that it abounded in great open parks of woodland free from underbrush, with occasional patches of thick timber in low places where there.were springs or streams which prevented the spread of fire; for, as a general rule, all uncultivated regions are devastated by annual fires which destroy the underbrush. But much of the terri- tory toward the center of the island was doubtless a tree- less plain, covered with wild grass, like the Hempstead plains, for it is repeatedly referred to in Indian deeds as "the great plain." In 1649 Adrian Van der Donck says in a letter to the Dutch government: " On the sea side the land is commonly sandy or compact, not very high, yet tolerably fertile, so that it is for the most part covered with handsome trees. There are many fine flats and maize lands, together with extensive valleys, some of which are salt, others again are fresh, all very good mead- ows. With the exception of the maize lands, flats and valleys, which have few or no trees and could with little labor be converted into good tillage land, the soil is com- monly covered with all sorts of timber, standing however without order, as in other wildernesses." The trees, veg- etables, fruits and animals of Van der Donck's time were the same as those now found here, except that some wild animals of the more destructive character have fallen victims to civilization, and disappeared. The fauna and flora of this region have changed^ but little, showing that climatic influences and the laws of animal and vegetable life exert the same power and produce the same phenom- ena century after century. Though Dutch and English navigators had previously sailed around Long Island, and rude and imperfect charts and maps had been made of the island and its adjacent waters, the first record we have of white men having vis- ited Huntington is found in a letter of " information re- lating to taking up land in New Netherlands in the form of colonies or private bouweries," by Secretary Van Tienhoven, to the States General of the United Nether- lands, dated March 4th 1650, found in the royal ar- chives at the Hague. After discovering many bays and harbors on the coast of Long Island, and particularly Oyster Bay, Van Tienhoven next refers to a bay which he calls Ma-rtinnehouck, as follows: " This bay is much deeper and wider than Oyster Bay, and runs westward in, divides into three rivers, two of which are navigable; the smallest stream runs up in front of the Indian village called Martinne-houck, where they have their plantations. This tribe is not strong, and consists of about 30 families. There were formerly in and about this bay great numbers of Indian planta- tions, which now lie waste and vacant. This land is mostly level and of good quality, well adapted for grain and all sorts of cattle; on the rivers are numerous val- leys of sweet and salt meadows. All sorts of fish are caught there." Such was apparently the first written report of the re- gion about Huntington Bay. It is worthy of note here that it was the custom of the early Dutch navigators to call harbors running far inland rivers, regardless of whether the \vater was salt or fresh. Cold Spring Harbor was called Nachaquetack River, Smithtown Harbor Nes- aquake River, etc. The Indians of Huntington. At the date of Tienhoven's report there were, as far as THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. new known, no white men living anywhere in this terri- tory. The country about Huntington Bay was inhabited by the Matinecock Indians, hence the term above used — Martinne-houck. The Indian village above referred to was probably located at the head of Huntington Harbor, and whoever will examine with an eye accustomed to an Indian country the slightly elevated mounds just to the north of where the road now crosses the creek, and near where the old Mill House (lately torn down by the Rev. Mr. HilO, was located, will detect in the materials and color of the earth abundant evidence that it was once the site of an Indian village. The same may, however, be said of what is evidently the site of another Indian village, on lands now owned by Dr. Daniel T. Kissam, adjoining a cove near his residence on the east side of Huntington Harbor, and formerly the homestead of Thomas Scudder; and it is possible that the Indian vil- lage referred to by Van Tienhoven may have been there located. There were three tribes of Indians then occupying the territory embraced in the town of Huntington. The Matinecocks held all the country on the north side, their eastern limits being Fresh Pond, and so westward as far as Flushing, and southerly to the middle of the island. The Secatogue tribe inhabited the southeasterly part of this territory, where Babylon now is, and from the sea inland to the middle of the island, adjoining the Matine- cocks. The Marsapeague tribe occupied the southwest- erly part of the territory, extending westward into Oyster Bay, and from the ocean northward to the middle of the island. It appears by Indian deeds and other authentic evi- dence that the territory of the Matinecocks within this town was called by the Indians Katanomocke. The chief of the Matinecocks then was Raseocon, and he was called the sagamore of Katanomocke, or, as called by the English, Huntington. Resossechok was then the chief of the Secatogue tribe, and Tackapousha was the chief of the Marsapeague tribe. These three tribes, with all other tribes on Long Island, were claimed to be subject to the Montauks, at the east end of the island, at one time said to have been the most powerful tribe on the island. The chief of the Montauks was Wyandance, and his authority was recognized by the tribes in this part of Long Island, and in all the earliest deeds of land by the chiefs of these tribes to the settlers the sanction of the Montauk sachem was required in order to make the conveyance valid, or at least its ab- sence was a serious cause of trouble. Wyandance early fell into the power of several white men at the east end of the island, who had rendered him aid in his wars with the New England tribes; among them was Lion Gardiner. Though Wyandance held the high-sounding title of chief of all Long Island, his power and that of his tribe had long been broken, and left to themselves the western tribes would not have acknowl- edged his authority. But Wyandance was a convenient puppet for Lion Gardiner and other able white men to use for their advantage. Under their manipulation he made grants and deeds of land to them and their friends in all parts of the island. Deeds made by the native chiefs in Huntington, which were not confirmed by Wy- andance, were disputed, and the white ministers of this sham Indian emperor at Montauk usually had influence enough in later years with the governors, council and courts to get their views sustained and procure the re- jection of titles not confiftned by Wyandance. The ab- surdity of his claim to supremacy over other Long Island tribes is shown by what is recited in certain deeds by the Montauks to eastern towns, concerning the condition of the tribe. In its deed to Southampton and East Hampton the chief consideration was " that the sayd English shall defend us the sayd Indians' from the unjust violence of any Indians that shall illegally assail us." And the Mon- tauks gave the peninsula of Montauk to " our trusty and beloved friends of East Hampton " for " the preservation of our lives, and the lives of our wives and children to this day, and of the land of Montaukett from the hand of our enemies, and since our coming among them the re- lieving us in our distresses from time to time.'' (They had fled from their enemies the Narragansetts to East Hampton village.) This is the language of a conquered people, shivering in their lodges in fear of their enemies, and not that of a powerful tribe dictating to other tribes. The Indian of "Katanomocke," or Huntington, in 1650, just prior to the settlement by white men, probably dif- fered little from the Indian of to-day in his native wilds. These bronze-colored children of the forest dressed in skins, lived in smoky lodges, and moved from place to place as the seasons changed. Thfeir tall slender forms stealthily moved through the wooded land, with bow bent, in questof deer and other game, or silently pad- dled the canoe along the shores of the South Bay or in the coves, creeks and harbors of the north side, ready to capture the fish with their spears or send their swift- flying arrows after the wild fowl. Brave but treacherous, vengeful and cmel, these Huntington Indians did not much differ much from that conception of Indian char- acter with which the American people are familiar. These were the Indians our forefathers settled among, and it does not appear that in subsequent years they had much difficulty with them. The Pioneers. Turning now from the aborigines, let us inquire who were the white men that first settled in this town? from whence came they? when and how? and what manner of men were they? These questions, perhaps the most in- teresting connected with the history of Huntington, will be answered as accurately and fully as the materials at hand, gathered with much labor and research, will per- mit; though errors and imperfections must necessarily creep into statements that deal with a period compara- tively so remote. Huntington was settled by Englishmen. Wood, Thomp- son and other historians of Long Island fix the date of the first settlement at 1653. Whether this date is taken on account of the first purchase from the Indians having tHE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. i been made that year, or whether there were formerly documents or traditions which fixed this as the date, it is difficult to tell. No such documents or verified authority seem to exist at this time, and we are compelled to rely on a statement that has not been contradicted. As set- tlements had been made several years before this at Southampton and Southold on the east, and at Hemp- stead and other points at the west, it is not unreasonable to suppose that white men had passed through this vicin- ity before 1653, and possibly some of them had located here without having acqui!-ed the Indian title. We know that the. pioneers were intensely puritan; they were thoroughly, impregnated with the social, po- litical and religious opinions of the puritans. They were, so to speak, a portion of that crop of zealous non-con- formists and outspoken enemies of Charles I. and his profligate court who a fi'w years before the elevation of Oliver Cromwell, finding the persecutions of the cava- liers intolerable, fled to America. If Huntington had been settled a few years later, when the cavaliers- were fleeing from puritan vengeance, it would in all probability have received a population which would have been essentially cavalier in quality, habits and manners, and corresponding opinions would have been stamped upon succeeding generations. As it was, more southern settlements received this later immigration, and the present widely diverse characteristics found in the two sections may be traced back to these early causes. The earliest settlers of' Huntington had all resided several years either in New England, Virginia or the Bahama Islands before coming here, and, except a few who were born in America, they had landed in this country during the twenty years immediately preceding the settlement of this town. The causes of their leaving England were the imposition of forced loans by Charles I. about 1630, and the oppressive pro- ceedings taken against the non-conformists to the church of England, about 1650. The counties of Essex, Lincoln, Northampton and Gloucester and the city of London furnished a large share of these immigrants, as will be found by consulting Hotten's list of those who removed from England to America between 1600 and 1700. At the period of settlement the New England colonies claimed jurisdiction over the territory east of the Oyster Bay line under the grant of Charles I. to the Earl of Stirling, and they maintained the claim with more or less success until the revolution in 1664, when the Dutch were subdued at New Amsterdam, and the colony of New York was founded, under the Duke of York. So that practically Huntington was founded by Englishmen, upon English territory, as an English town, and always continued such, regardless of occasional pretensions of the Dutch at the west. It was natural that these Englishmen should select homes in the New World in a territory at least claimed by the English government. The eastern boundary of New Netherlands, then held by the Dutch government, was near the western boundary of Oyster Bay, in Queens county. We are told by Silas Wood in his history of Long M- - and that Huntington was first settled by eleven families, who were followed by constant accessions of new comers. The names of the eleven are not given. If the statement was founded on any written authority such writing has not been found. The records of the town are silent upon the subject. The story of the journey and arrival of the first families here is lost to history, excepting a few fragmentary statements embodied in the records, relating to individuals known to have been among the first set- tlers. Aside from this all we know is that these persons and their families were here at a certain date, engaged in all the vocations necessary to the founding of a settle- ment in a new country. A careful study of all the facts at hand bearing upon the question leads to the conclusion that the following persons arrived in Huntington and resided here for some length of time between 1653 and 1664: John Adams came in the " Fortune " from London to New England in 1621, and removed from Hartford to Huntington very soon after the settlement. He had children John and Jeremiah. He bftilt the first mill at Cold Spring. . Robert Arthur was probably a son of John Arthur, of Salem, Mass., who married the daughter of John Gardi- ner; after her husband's death she lived at Nantucket, and is believed to have removed to Huntington, bringing her son Robert. The widow Arthur is often mentioned in the record in the first years of the settlement. Robert's wife's name was Mary, and she was a daughter of Thomas Scudder. There were Arthurs in Virginia as early as 1623. George Baldwin was at Boston in 1639, and purchased Eaton's Neck of Robert Seely in 1663, and it was long called Baldwin's Neck, after him. Joseph Bayle is represented by Moore as the son of John Baylie, who was born in England in 1617, sailed in the " True Love " from London to the Bermudas in 1635, and subsequently settled in Southold. Joseph came to Huntington among the first settlers; was town clerk here several years (beginning in 1666) and a captain of the train bands. His home lot was a little north of the pres- ent St. John's Church in Huntington village. He was one of the patentees in the second town patent. Thomas Benedict, called Goodman, is said to have been the only son of William Benedict of Nottingham- shire, England. He came to Massachusetts about 1639, aged perhaps 22, and soon after married Mary Bridg- ham, a passenger in the same ship he came in. They had children Thomas, John, Samuel, James, Daniel, Bettie, Mary, Sarah and Rebecca, all born at Southold, L. I. Mr. Benedict came from the latter place to Huntington about 1665, possibly earlier; remained here a few years, and then moved to Norwalk, Conn., where he died in 1690, having held the positions of deacon, town clerk and representative. John Betts, probably a son of Thomas Belts of Nor- walk, Conn., was at Wethersfield in 1648, and probably came to Huntington via Stamford. He was here as early 4 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. ,4^ 1660. His Hfe's name was Abigail. Savage is authority for the statement that he obtained a divorce from her. He left children John and Abigail. His home lot was adjoining that of Thomas Scudder, on the east side of Huntington Harbor. Samuel Blackman came from Stratford, Conn. He was a son of Rev. Adam Blackman, and married the daughter of Moses Wheeler. He died in 1667. His father, a noted preacher, was born in Staffordshire, Eng- land, and preached there until about 1638, when he came to New England, living first at Guilford and then at Stratford. William Brotherton was here at an early date, and had lands at Fresh Ponds. Thomas Brown came to Huntington from Southold previous to 1664. Thomas Brush was born about 1610 and came from Southold to Huntington about 1656-7. He died here shortly after 1670, and left children Thomas, Richard, John and Rebecca, who all settled in Huntington. He was a large landowner. Richard Bryant was a son of Ann and Alexander Bryant, the latter a merchant of Milford. Richard came from Milford to Huntington among the first settlers. At one time he and his father owned Eaton's Neck. Richard had a homestead nearly north of the present old Burying Hill in Huntington village. He had broth- ers Alexander and Samuel. His first wife's name was Mary; second, Elizabeth. His sons were Alexander, Samuel, John, Robert and Joseph, and his daughters Mary, Hannah, Abigail, Frances, Sarah and Elizabeth. John Budd came from London in the " America" in r635; ^^s at New Haven in 1639; engaged in the settle- ment of Southold; is supposed to have afterward returned to England and taken part against the king; was at Southold in 1655; was tried at New Haveii in 166 1 for protecting Quakers. He owned land and resided in Huntington a part of the time between 1658 and 1664, but is said to have died in Westchester county, about 1670, though the records ot the surrogate's office in New York city would indicate 1684 as the date. He left children John, Joseph and Judith. James Chichester was a son of James Chichester sen., who was at Taunton, Mass., in 1643 and at Salem in 1650. The name was originally written " Circencester." Probably he came via Southold, with the Scudders and others. His home lot was at Huntington Harbor. He married Eunice, a daughter of Jonathan Porter, and had sons James, David and Jonathan. Of John Coles it is only known that he was among the pioneers. John Conklin came from Nottinghamshire, England; was at Salem, Mass., in 1649, and afterward at Southold from which place he came with others to Huntington among the first. He died about 1683. The sons of Mr. Conklin and his wife Mary were John, Jacob, Benjamin, Joseph, Timothy and Moses, and their daughters Eliza- beth and two others. Of these children John and Tim- othy and perhaps others settled in Huntington; the others settled in Southold. They were all located at an early period at the north end of West Neck. Goodman Conklin held a high position in the church and was in- fluential in the affairs of the town. His son Timothy was probably the ancestor of most of the Huntington Conklins. John Corey came to Huntington from Southold, and was here as early as 1659. He is said to have been a Quaker. He married Mary Cornish, who survived him, and died here about 1684. His children were Mary, Abigail, Elizabeth, John, Martha) Elnathan, Thomas and Abraham. He was town clerk iq 1664 and later, and a man of very considerable influence- in the town. John Saramis and Nathaniel Williams ejich married one of his daughters. Robert Cranfield was one of the early settlers. Richard Darling was here before 1665; and was a car- penter. Jeffrey Esty was at Salem in 1637, and probably came with the Scudders from Southold about 1653. He was then an old man, and he died in 1659. His homestead was at East Neck. His children were Tonsfield, Isaac and Catherine. Savage says that Tonsfield's wife, Mary Esty, was executed as a witch, September 26th 1692, and that she begged of Sir William Phelps, the governor, not for her own life, but that no more innocent blood be shed. The daughter Catherine Esty married Henry Scudder, and after his death married Thomas Joanes. She was a woman of superior ability and great influence at that period. Gabriel Finch was a weaver. John Finch came from London in the "George" in 1635, then aged 27. He was a. charcoal burner. He died here in 1685. Some of his lands were sold at " an outcry'^ to pay rates, and the overseer seized all his property in order to indemnify the town against having to support him. Thomas Fleet was among the prominent and influential early settlers in this town. He came here from England before 1660, accompanied by his family, in his own ves- sel. Having anchored opposite Lloyd's Neck he soon discovered the advantages offered for his contemplated business by' the favorable position of Huntington Bay, with its convenient approach and well protected -harbor. He located himself near its head, and soon commenced his trading operations between the places on this coast and the West Indies, exchanging his exports there for cargoes that could be disposed of in New York and else- where. As the commerce of the country increased he enjoyed its advantages, and some idea may be formed of his commercial operations by the fact that as early as 1675 he was assessed on the rate list of this town, for forty vessels, besides land and stock. Between 1681 and 1685 Captain Fleet became an extensive freeholder, and in 1688 was one of the patentees named in the patent for lands granted by Governor Dongan. There is a tradition in the family that he was descended from Admiral Fleet- wood, a historical personage of Cromwell's time, and that the name was shortened from Fleetwood to Fleet. THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 5 Nathaniel Foster came from London to Lynn in the "Abigail" in 1635, when two years old, with his parents Christopher and Francis Foster. He had brothers John and Jeremiah, and a sister Rebecca. His wife, whose name was Joanna, was a relative of James Chichester. Mr. Foster's home lot was on the east side of Hunting- ton Harbor. He had a son Nathaniel. Edward Frenchone was one of the first inhabitants, but nothing more is known of him. Richard Gildersleeve came with Denton and others from Stamford to Long Island about 1644. He was in Huntington during some part of the first ten years of the settlement. John Gosbee came from Southampton to Huntington before 1658. He was sent that year by the town to Shel- ter Island to procure the confirmation by Wyandance of the first purchase- of lands from the Matinecocks in Huntington, but failed in his mission. His home lot was in West Neck. Edward Harnett and his father were at Salem in 1640, and suffered there for favoring the Quakers. Edward jr. married Elizabeth, a daughter of Jonathan Porter. Trustrum Hedges may be named as among the pio- neers. « Edward Higbee was in Huntington, as early as 1658, and probably earlier. He resided at the head of Hunt- ington Harbor. He was interested with his cousin, Cap- tain Thomas Mathews, in trade with the Bermuda Isl- ands, and engaged in many lawsuits with Thomas Scud- der and others. He died in 1660, leaving a widow and four children. The court provided for the widow by di- recting that " Sade Higbee shall have out of the estate one dress for every day and one for ye Lord's day." Jonas Holdsworth (probably identical with Jo. Holds- worth who took passage in the "Alice " in 1635 from Lon- don to Virginia, then aged 20 years) was at Southold early, and in Huntington as early as 1657. He was the first school teacher here of whom we have any knowledge, and in 1 66 1 was town clerk. John Ingersoll and his wife Jane had children John, Jane, Simon and Daniel; the daughter Jane married Adam Whitehead. Stephen Jarvis, possibly the son of John Jarvice who was in Virginia in 1623, came from Southold and settled here as early as 1658, on East Neck. He married Mary, the daughter of Jonathan Porter, and died in 1693, leav- ing sons Stephen, Abraham, William and John, and a daughter Eunice, and possibly other children. Joseph Jennings came from Southold as early as 1660, and died about 1667. His will is recorded at Hartford. He had a brother John at North Sea, in Southampton. John Jones, who had a home lot at East Neck, was a brother of Benjamin. These and another brother, Ebe- nezer, all came from Wales, and first settled at Stamford. Ebenezer remained there; John and Benjamin came here. Thomas Joanes is believed to be identical with the person of this name of Elzing, in Norfolk, England, who left Ipswich for New England with William Andrews in 1637, in the "John and Dorothy," and is said to have been a brother of Rev. John Jones. His second wife was Catherine Esty. He died in 1669, and in his wSi- names a son Thomas and a daughter Martha,_and refers to four other children, He was one of the patentees of the town in 1666. John Ketcham was probably a son of Edward Ketch- am, who was at Ipswich, Mass., in 1635. Savage makes Edward the founder of the family in America. John came to Huntington via Southold. He held many offi- cial postions here; was a delegate with Jonas Wood to the first meeting of deputies at Hempstead after the conquest, in 1665. His children were John, Philip, Sam- uel, Nathaniel, Joseph and Edward. William Ludlam was here among the first inhabitants, and owned the old mill in 1660. John Lane is believed to have come from Milford Simeon Lane was another of the early settlers. Richard Latten (or Lalting) came from England to Boston in 1638-9, having his wife and one or more children with him; was at Concord in 1643; moved to Fairfield, Conn., in 1646, and to Hempstead, L. I., tak- ing his son Josiah, in 1653; was in Oyster Bay in 1660, and the same year sold out and came with his son Josiah to Huntington. He continued in Huntington until 1663, when he was expelled for refusing to ac- knowledge the supremacy of the New Haven govern- ment over the town, and returned to Oyster Bay. He died in North Hempstead in 1672. His son Josiah con- tinued in Huntington until about 1667, when he moved to Oyster Bay, and was a prominent citizen there until he died, about 1720, aged 80 years. A daughter of Richard Latten married John Davis, one of the original proprietors of Brookhaven. Rev. William Leverich was born about 1608, and came in the "James " from London to New England in 1633. He preached at Boston, Piscataqua, Plymouth, Duxbury and Sandwich, and came from the latter place to Oyster Bay in 1653, being among the first purchasers of land from the Indians in that town and also in this. He first came to Huntington to reside about 1657, and was the minister here until 1670, when he removed to Newtown, where he died about 1694. He built the first mill in Huntington. He often appeared as attorney for parties in suits, and had much litigation of his own. He was an able minister and a learned man. He left two sons, Eleazer and Caleb, John Lum (or Lom) probably came from Fairfield; he was in Huntington as early as 1659. Captain Thomas Mathews was probably the first mer- chant in Huntington. He located on the east side of Huntington Harbor before 1660. Captain Jonas Mathews, probably a son of Captain Samuel Mathews of James City, Va., was a ship owner here in 1659, and traded between here and the Bermuda Islands, taking out pork, beef and pipe-staves, and bring- ing back rum, wine and sack. John Mathews, probably a brother of Jonas Mathews, was here with him and was called a "victualer." Mark Meggs was a son of Vincent Meggs, who came THE TOWK Of HUKTINGTON. fronarlEngland to Massachusetts and died in 1658 at what — is-Gow Killingsworth. Savage says that his son Mark, being rather wild, removed to Long Island and is not mentioned again. His wife's name was Avis. He owned the old mill here, which he sold to the town. In the papers he states: "Whereas I, Mark Meggs, have grown ancient and desire peace and quiet, and desire to move to Stratford." He probably went to Stratford and died there. James Naibor, a cooper, was at Boston in 1656, and here early; he died in 1672. He had children Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, Rachel and Martha. Richard Ogden came from Fairfield, Conn., and was a partner with his brother John Ogden in building a stone church for Governor Kieft at New Amsterdam. Isaac and Epenetus Piatt were sons of Richard Piatt, who is said to have been the common ancestor of all the Platts in America; he came from Hertfordshire, Eng- land, and settled at New Haven, Conn., in 1638, and died there in 1684. Epenetus and Isaac came to Hunt- ington among the first settlers, and probably via South- old. Both were very prominent in the town, often hold- ing offices of trust and honor. They were among the patentees of the town and large landowners. Epenetus had a home lot about where Arthur T. Hurd now resides, in the village of Huntington, and died there in 1693. Isaac died in 1691. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Jonas Wood, and left children Elizabeth, Jonas, Joseph, John, Mary and Jacob. Epenetus Piatt married Phebe, probably a daughter of Jonas Wood, and left children as follows: Phebe, Mary, Epenetus, Hannah, Elizabeth, Jonas, Jeremiah, Ruth and Sarah, born in the order named, between 1668 and 1692. Jonathan Porter was at Salem, Mass., in 1636, and came to Huntington about 1654, where he died in 1660. His children were: Eunice, who married James Chi- chester; Elizabeth, who married Edward Harnett, and Mary, who married Stephen Jarvis. His widow Eunice afterward married Giles Smith, of Fairfield, Conn. He was quite an old man when he came to Huntington. Thomas Powell was probably a son of Thomas Powell who, pursuant to a warrant of the Earl of Carlisle, was sent from London to the Barbadoes Islands in 1635. Thomas jr. is believed to have come to Huntington with Jonas Wood of Halifax, as it appears by the court rec- ords that he lived with Jonas Wood nine years. He is believed to have been at New Haven in 1640. His homestead was at the Town Spot, about where Dr. Charles Sturges formerly resided. He was a Quaker. At one time or another he held nearly every office in the town government. About 1690 he moved into Queens county, or near to the line. William Rogers, named in the Indian deed of the "Eastern purchase" in 1656, is supposed to have been the son of Isaiah Rogers, and a descendant of John of Dedham. Jonathan Rogers. — Some members of the family here trace his genealogy as follows: Son of Noah, who was a son of Joseph, who was the son of Thomas (a passenger in the " Mayflower " in 1620), who was the son of John of Dedham, who was the son of Noah of Exeter, who was the son of John the martyr (1555). Jonathan and Rebecca his wife had children Jonathan, John, Joseph, Mary, Obadiah and David. He probably died in 1707. Ann Rogers, in the Huntington records called the widow of George Wood, came from Setauket to Hunt- ington, and died here about 1669. She names in her will children Obadiah, John, Noah, Samuel, Mary and Hannah. Her will was written by Rev. William Leverich. The record of the court of assizes held in New York city October 2nd 1665 states that one Ralph Hall and Mary his wife were brought to the bar on indictment for witch- craft, in having at the town of " Seatalcott " caused the death of George Wood and an infant child of Ann Rogers. The indictment reads as follows as to the charge of murdering the child: " Moreover the constable and overseers of the said town of Seatalcott, in the East Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island aforesaid, do further present for our sover- eigne lord the king, that some while after the death of the aforesaid George Wood the said Ralph Hall did (as is suspected) devise terms by ye like wicked and detest- able arts commonly called witchcraft and sorcery, mali- ciously and feloniously practice and exercise on the person of an infant child of Ann Rogers, widow of ye aforesaid George Wood deceased, by which wicked and detestable arts the said infant child (as is suspected) most danger- ously and mortally sickened arid languished, and not long after by the said wicked and detestable arts (as is likewise suspected) died. And so ye said constables and overseers do present that the said George Wood and the said infant child by the ways and means aforesaid most wickedly, maliciously and feloniously were (as is sus- pected) murdered by the said Ralph Hall at the times and places aforesaid, against ye peace of our sovereigne lord ye king, and against the laws of this government in such cases provided." Both pleaded not guilty, and their case was submitted to a jury. The jury found as to Mary Hall: " There are some suspicions by the evidence of what the woman is charged with, but nothing considered of value to take away her life;" and the court gave sentence that "the man shall be bound body and goods for his wife's ap- pearance at the next sessions, and so on from session to session as long as they stay wilhin this government; in the mean while to be of ye good behavior." On giv- ing the bond they were released. Ann Rogers was probably the widow of Henry Rogers, who was at Setau- ket (then called Cromwell's Bay) as early as 1659. John Sammis had a homestead at West Neck, where his descendant John Sammis resided as late as 1880. He was the common ancestor of the Sammis family in Huntington. He is believed to have come via Southold, among the first settlers. The name is spelled in old papers Sammons, Samivays and Samis. The first John married a daughter of John C. Corey. His children were John, Isaac, Silas, Jeremiah, David, Deborah and Hannah. Thomas, Henry and John Scudder were brothers, and sons of Thomas Scudder sen., the founder of the family in America. The last named is believed to have been THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. the son of Dr. Heiiry Scudder, who presided at the con- vention of clergymen appointed by order of the king at Westminster Abbey in 1643. Thomas came from Graf- ton, Gratton or Groton in England, in 1636. His wife's name was Elizabeth. He was at Salem, Mass., in 1642; was called " Goodman," and died at Salem in 1657, leaving a will, in which he named his children John, Thomas, Henry and Elizabeth, and his grandson Thomas, a son of his deceased son William. Thomas, Henry and John came to Huntington via Southold, among the first settlers, and probably as early as 1653. Thomas was a farmer and a tanner; was a large land- owner, a patentee of the town, and held many important offices. He died in 1690, at his homestead on Hunting- ton Harbor, where George W. Scudder ^ now resides. His children were Benjamin, Timothy, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Mercy and Clemor. Henry Scudder, son of the first Thomas, settled in East Neck and married Catha- rine, a daughter of Jeffry Esty. He died in 1661, and mentions in his will children Jonathan, Moses, Mary, Rebecca and DsCvid. John Scudder is said to have lived at Huntington a short time, and in 1659 moved to Newtown. He left sons John, Samuel and Stephen. ,. Richard Scidmore came to Huntington from Southold very early. Thomas Scidmore engaged for John Winthrop in prep- arations for a plantation at Saybrook in 1636. He was at Cambridge, Mass., in 1642. His wife's name was El- len. He came from Southold to Huntington among the first, and often appears as attorney for parties in suits in the town court. He was a blacksmith, and lived about where Ezra C. Prime now resides, in Huntington village, but afterward moved to Crab Meadow. He had sons John and Joseph, and a daughter Dorothy, who married Hugh Griffin. He was, so far as known, the first town clerk in Huntington, acting as such as early as 1659. Mary Setten was a widow, and the mother of Sarah Soper. Robert Seely was here at a very early period, but spent much of the time at New Haven. He had land at West Neck, and at one time owned Eaton's Neck. His wife Mary was a sister of Captain John Manning. Mr. Seely was killed in the' Indian war in New England in 1675, after holding many official positions. John Smith was at Stamford in 1641. Probably he came with the Woods to Huntington. He was called "Rock John Smith." Arthur Smith was at Southold in 1659, and was sent over to New Haven for trial as a Quaker; was sentenced to be whipped, and gave large bonds for good behavior. Moore refers to him as a soldier in the Pequot war in 1637. He was in Huntington about 1660. Henry Soper, a brickmaker, resided near where Ste- phen K. Gould now lives, in Huntington village. His wife was Sarah, a daughter of Mary Setten. They had children Richard and others. She was a woman of vio- lent temper and speech, kept the neighborhood in an uproar, and was the subject of many civil and criminal pro- secutions, being once sentenced to " sit in the stocKI." John Strickland 'called either "Goodman " or "Jus- tice") was in Massachusetts in 1630, and probably came with Winthrop. He was then called Sergeant, and was appointed a justice of the peace by the Hartford govern- ment about 1662. He was here at an early period; was an old man when he came here, and was highly respected. John Teed came from London to New England as a servant in the family of Samuel Gunseld, in 1637, when he was aged 19. His homestead was at West Neck, near what is now Bouton's Point. He married Mary Jen- nings and had a son Samuel. Abial, John, Samuel, Henry, Content and Edward Titus were brothers, and sons of Robert and Hannah Titus, who came from near Stanstead Abbey, England, to New Eng- land in the "Hopewell" in 1635. John was probably the eldest, and came over with his parents, while the others are believed to have been born afterward. Robert re- sided in Weymouth, Mass., in 1643. These all came here via Stamford, Conn. They were in Huntington be- fore 1660, and were large landowners, having homesteads on West Neck and at the Town Spot. Henry Titus died in 1665. Abial was many years regularly paid for beat- ing the drum to call together the people on Sunday. Content married Elizabeth Moore of Newtown, and he died there in 1739, leaving six children. Edward and John Tredwell were probably sons of Thomas and Maty Tredwell, who came in the " Hope- well" from London to New England in 1635. John was at Ipswich in 1637, at Branford in 1648, at Southold in 1659, and probably came here that year. Edward came here about the same time. He died here, leaving a widow and six children. Edward married Phebe, a daughter of Epenetus Piatt. Samuel Wheeler was a son of Moses Wheeler of Strat- ford. His sister Elizabeth married Samuel Blackman. Mr. Wheeler came from Stratford to Huntington; he died in 1661. Joseph Whitman was probably a son of Zachariah and Sarah Whitman, who came from England in the "True Love" in 1635. Joseph was born about 1630. He came to Huntington among the first, probably from Milford. with Henry Whitney and others. He married Sarah Cecum, probably a daughter-in-law of Henry Whitney. Henry Whitney sued Joseph Whitman for marrying Sarah " against her mother's mind," but failed in the suit, the town court deciding that the subject was too dark for it to fathom. Walt Whitman, the poet, is a descendant of this Joseph. Henry Whitney was probably the son of John Whitney, who came to New England in the " Elizabeth Ann " in 1635. He was in Huntington as early as 1659, and prob- ably earlier. He had a contract from Rev. William Lever- ich for building the first mill in Huntington, out of which several lawsuits grew. He was one of the leading men in the church here, and officiated in some way before any minister was regularly settled. He was a man of vi- olent temper, and involved in many lawsuits with Mr. Leverich and others. 8 ^ THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. Thomas Whitson is believed to be identical with Thomas Whitson who came from London in the " Eliza- beth" in 1635, then aged 36 and described as a weaver. His homestead was at the Town Spot. Henry Wh'itson died in Huntington in 1669, leaving a widow and a son Thomas, a minor. Thomas Wicks left Wethersfield in 1635, was at Stam- ford in 1641, and came here with Edman Wood and others. His homestead was at the Town Spot. He was one of the patentees, held many important ofRcial positions here, and was a large landowner. He died in 1671. He had children Thomas, John, Rebecca, Martha, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. The name is spelled in the Huntington records Wicks,Wickes,Weeks,Wykes and Wix. Richard Williams was at Eranford, Conn., in 1646. He was here early, and his home lot was on West Neck. He was one of the purchasers named in the first Indian deed. Edman Wood, father of Jonas Wood of Halifax, was at Stamford, Conn., in 1641 and earlier; went to Hemp- stead, L. I., in 1644, and came to Huntington about 1658. He was then an old man, and died soon after. Jonas Wood of Halifax was so named to distinguish him from another Jonas Wood, who came from Oram, England. He came with Rev. Richard Denton from Halifax, England, to Massachusetts in 1634; removed to Wethersfield, Conn., in 1641; thence to Stamford in 1644, to Southampton in 1648 or 1649, and from thence to Huntington about 1654. He was deputy to New Haven in 1658. His home lot was probably about where his descendant Hon. Silas Wood resided, in the east street of Huntington. His wife's name was Joanna. He was drowned in the Peconic River. He left one son, Samuel. As Jonas Wood son of Edman Wood he deeded land to John Cerry as late as 1663; hence the date of his death given by Silas Wood, 1660, seems to be erroneous. Jonas Wood of Oram was at Stamford, Conn., about 1648. He was here very early, and was a justice of the peace both under New Haven authority and under that of the Duke of York; was deputy to Hempstead in 1665, and held many official positions. He was probably a son of Jeremiah Wood. George Wood was at Saybrook in 1660 and married that year. He probably came to Setauket, and from there to Huntington in 1660. He owned land at West Neck and on Lloyd's Neck, but sold the latter to Richbill. He was the husband of the mysterious " Ann Rogers." He died about 1665. Timothy Wood died at Huntington in 1659, leaving children. He probably came here via Stamford, Conn., with Edman Wood and others. Jeremiah Wood was admitted as an inhabitant of Huntington in 1660, and died about 1684, leaving chil- dren Jonas, Joseph and Phebe. John Wood came from London to New England in the "Hopewell " in 1635. He was here early. He died in 1683; his will mentions children John, Benjamin, Jo- seph, Eliphalet and Mattha. As will be readily seen these people did not come here in a body, as a colony from one place, but came from places widely separated, at different periods, in small companies, and in many cases in single families, so that it is hardly correct to say that Huntington was settled by a colony from any particular place. There was a group of families that came from South- old, and they were probably among the first. We may perhaps classify the following families as from Southold: Brush, Bayle, Budd, Benedict, Corey, Conklin, Esty, Jones, Ketcham, Mapes and Scudder. Another group of families came from Stamford, Conn. They were mostly adherents of Rev. Richard Denton; had previously left Wethersfield with him and settled in Stamford about 1640; from Stamford crossed to Hemp- stead, L. I., and thence drifted east into Huntington. The Woods, Richard Gildersleeve, the Titus brothers and some others were included in this group. There does not seem to be much authority for the statement often made that Huntington was settled by a company from Sandwich. Rev. William Leverich and his sons came from Sandwich, with a few others, to Oyster Bay, and made the first purchase of lands in that town from the Indians, and subsequently he came to Huntington. No evidence is found that any others from Sandwich settled here. Doubtless many came here direct from Salem, Mass., and joined their friends who had previously come here from Southold and other places. These people were less homogeneous, and their interests were less identical than those of the settlers of South- old and Southampton, on account of their meeting here as strangers from different localities, while in those towns the settlers came more in one body, from one locality. Here the settlement was made in particular places by groups of families, who were bound together by ties of kindred or acquaintance; and representatives of these families are found to this day in the parts of the town where they first settled. The pioneers in each locality were in the early time clannish, and worked together in acquiring lands near each other and in voting at town meeting upon the measures there proposed for the man- agement of town affairs. These rivalries often took the form of violent controversies and bitter hostilities, which however were kept within certain limits and were not permitted to seriously endanger the town government. Among the settlers were many persons of considerable note in their day, men of no ordinary ability and expe- rience. Of such we may mention Thomas Wicks, Thomas Fleet, Thomas Scidmore, Jonas Wood, Jonas Holdsworth, Isaac and Epenetus Piatt, Rev. William Leverich, Thomas Benedict, John Conklin, Robert Seely, Thomas Scudder, Henry Scudder, Henry Whitney, John Strickland, Samuel Blackman, Thomas Jones and John Corey. These were men probably all in, or a little past, the prime of life, with a large experience. Born in the stormy tinjes attending the conflict between the cavaliers and puritans in England they had learned to be self-re- liant, bold, active and enterprising. They were persons THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. " with a prefix to their names " — were called either Mr. or "Goodman," titles of respect in that age; and most of them held places of dignity in the church and the government which they helped to found. Purchases from the Indians. The first settlers here very soon took steps to acquire title to the soil from the native Indians, and made suc- cessive purchases of the land in parcels. In order to gain anything like a clear understanding as to how they acquired title a more comprehensive statement is neces- sary as to the tribes of Indians, their location and numbers, their chiefs and the surrounding influences. Raseocon had been chief of the Matinecocks from as early as 1646, and continued so several years, when Asharoken suc- ceeded him as chief. This tribe probably consisted of thirty or forty families, as we find signed to deeds of that date the names of 35 Indians. These men, principally heads of families, together with their wives and children, probably numbered not far from one hundred in all, and composed that part of the Matinecock tribe living within the territory bounded on the west by Cold Spring, on the east by Sraithtown, and extending south to "ye great plaine, or as far as Raseocon's land goeth." The Matinecocks made two deeds of their lands to the whites. The first was in 1653, conveying the western portion of their territory, and the following is a copy: "Articles of agreement betwixt Rasokan, Sagamore of Matinnicoke, of the one part, and Richard Houlbrock, Robert Williams, Danial Whitehead, of the other party, witnesseth as followeth: " Know all men whome these present writings may in any way concern that I Raseokan do sell and make over unto the aforesaid parties — Richard Houlbrock, Robert Williams and Danial Whitehead, their heirs, executors or assigns — a certain quantity of land lying and being upon Long Island, bounded upon the West side with a river commonly called by the Indians Nachaquetack, and the North side with the sea, and going eastward to a river called Opcatkontycke, on the south side to the utmost part of my bounds; promising and by virtue hereof I do promise to free the above said lands from all title off and claim that shall be, made unto it by reason of any former act; in consideration of which land the afore- said Richard Houlbrock, Robert Williams and Danial Whitehead doth promise unto the said Raseokan as fol- loweth: 6 coats, 6 kettles, 6 hatchets, 6 howes, 6 shirts, 10 knives, 6 fathoms of wampum, 3 muxes, 30 needles. Further the said sachem doth promise to go or send some one. in twenty days to show and mark out the bounds, and in case it prove not according to expectation, then this writing to be void and of no effect; but in case it be, then this writing to stand in full force, power and virtue. Witness our hands the second day of April 1653. His " Richard (R) Houlbrock, mark. " Robert Williams, " Danial Whitehead, " Raseokan, Sagamore." A careful examination of the description in this deed shows that it included the territory between what is now Cold Spring Harbor (then called Nachaquetack) on the west and the brook at the head of Northport Harbor (then called Opcatkontycke) on the east, with Long^l-— and Sound on the north; not including Eaton's Neck, and, as was afterward decided, not including Lloyd's Neck. The south boundary, designated as "to the ut- most part of my bounds," was " marked out" by Raseo- con's men as provided in the agreement, and was on the line of what was called the old Country road. This made a territory sometliing more than six miles square, a;id it was within this territory, and chiefly at what was afterward known as the " Town Spot " (at the east part df what is now the village of Huntington), that our fore- fathers first settled. It has always been called the " Old purchase." The other or second deed by the Matinecocks to the whites was made in 1656, and was for the eastern part of their territory. The following is a copy of this deed: " This indenture, made in the year 1656, on or about the last day of July, betwixt Asharoken, Matinnicock Sachem, and the rest of the Indian owners with him, on the one part, and Jonas Wood, William Roggrs, Thomas Wickes, for themselves and the rest of their associates, on the other part, witnesseth that I Asharoken have sold unto Jonas Wood, William Roggrs, Thomas Wickes, all the meadows, fresh and salt, lying and being upon the north side of Long Island from our former bounds. Cow Harbor brook, to Neesaquocke river; all the meadow within these bounds, West and East, and to the North side to as far as Asharoken's bounds goeth, southward as far as the neck called Eaton's Neck, Crab meadows, and all the rest of the meadows within the aforesaid bounds; with all the arbige that is or shall be hereafter upon the wood lands within the aforesaid bounds, to be the aforesaid Jonas's, William's and Thomas's, to them and their associates, heirs and exec- utors forever; reserving to the Indians liberty to plant and hum within these aforesaid bounds; and that for and in consideration of 2 coates, 4 shirts, 7 qts. licker, II oz. powder, in witness hereof we have sot to our hands: "Asharoken. Jonas Wood. "Makamah. William Roggrs. " Syhar. Thomas Wickes." " FOGER. " Poynepya. " Namerows. " MOHEMOS. " Mamarad. " Manateorye." This deed included all the territory between the brook at the head of Northport Harbor and Smithtown Har- bor, south to the great plains and north to the sound, in- cluding Eaton's Neck. It would seem, however, that those who had acquired title to Eaton's Neck under Theophilus Eaton, former governor of the New Haven colony, set up their claim to that neck against the grantees in the deed last recited. There is a curious paper in existence, found among the documents on file in New Haven, in the form of a depo- sition or affidavit by a number of Matinecock Indians, to the. effect that their chief Raseocon had as long ago as 1646 made a gift of Eaton's Neck and adjoining ter- ritory to Theophilus Eaton. While this gift, accompanied by a deed, was rejected and abandoned so far as it related to the extensive terri- 10 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. .^orw now known as Northpoit, Crab Meadow, Fresh Pond, and south to the middle of the island, it is as- sumed that the title to Eaton's Neck was permitted to stand, as originally, in Theophilus Eaton, running down from him to its present owners, regardless of the second deed above recited, though this deed to Huntington clearly included Eeaton's Neck in its terms. The two deeds by the Matinecocks here given and the deed to Theophilus Eaton are the only conveyances known to have been made by them of their territory in Huntington. The title to Eaton's Neck down to a recent period runs substantially as follows: 1646, The chief of the Matinecocks to Theophilus Eaton. Theophilus Eaton (or his representatives) to William Jones. 1662, William Jones and Mary his wife (a daughterof Theophilus Eaton) to Robert Seely. 1663, Robert Seely to Gewge Baldwin.- 1668, George Baldwin to Richard and Alex. Bryant. 1710, Alexander Bryan to John Sloss. John Sloss to John Sloss Hobert. 1788, John Sloss Hobert to Robert Watts. 1792, Robert Watts to John Gardiner. John Gardiner to John and Jonathan Gardiner. Town of Huntington to John and Jonathan Gardiner. Since the last named period the neck has been divided, but it is yet generally held in large tracts. While George Baldwin held it, and about the same year that Huntington obtained its patent, 1666, a grant was made to him of Eaton's Neck by Governor Richard NicoUs, and subsequently he obtained a confirmation of the grant from Governor Dongan, and it was erected -into a manor, called "the manor of Eaton." Turning now toward the southeast we find, as before stated, the Secatogue tribe occupying the greater part of the south shore, of the town as far east as Sumpwams River, now Babylon, west to the Marsapeagues' terri- tory, and north to the Matinecocks'. Recosachok was then the chief of this tribe. Though occupying a large territory the tribe was small in num- bers. There were 27 heads of families in the town. These with their wives and children possibly numbered about TOO persons. In 1657 Wyandance, the grand sagamore of all the tribes, sold to " Jonas Wood and the rest of his neigh- bors" five necks of the Secatogues' land, and Recosachok, their chief, confirmed the -deed. The same year Wyan- dance and Recosachok both made a further deed to the same parties of what was known as " Half Neck," "from the sea to the south path." Thirty-two years after this (in r689), after Recosachok had been gathered to his fathers, Wamehas, then chief of the Secatogues, made a deed of Sumpwams Neck, now Babylon, to the town. At different dates between 1688 and 1705 the chief of the Secatogues made as many as ten deeds to the whites, and a remnant of these Indians as late as 1755 conveyed to the town the last of the lands of the Secatogues. At the southwest was the Marsapeague tribe. Its chief was Takapousha. These Indians occupied the south- west part of the town, from the line of Queens county east to the territory of the Secatogues and north to the middle of the island, or the land of the Matinecocks. They were few in number in this town, but perhaps more numerous further west, in Queens county. There are only eight names of which a record is found. It is not probable that with wives aud children the tribe in Hunt- ington numbered more than 30. Takapousha sold no land to the whites, but Wyandance in 1667, by virtue of his claim of superiority, sold three necks of the lands of the Marsapeagues to the town. This deed was not ratified by Takapousha. After the death of Takapousha his son Isawaw became chief, and in 1683 he conveyed to the town meadows and beaches. In 1691 Choppie, then chief, conveyed meadows and islands in the South Bay. In 1693 Sowwame.s became chief and by three successive deeds, the last in 1698, conveyed away the last of their lands. The Secatogues and Marsapeagues made as many as 25 deeds to the whites. On the south side of the town the first purchases from the Indians only included the salt meadows lying between the streams and small arms of the bay, which were called " necks; later the fresh meadows as far north as the "Indian path " were purchased, and still later what was called the "brushy plains," or uplands, were acquired. The first deeds were made to individuals and their associates, and the land was divided to the purchasers so that most of the inhabitants held small parcels of salt meadow; and, as the cultivated grasses were unknown here in those days, this salt hay was relied upon mainly for winter food for stock. At a later period the convey- ances were mostly to the town in its corporate capacity, and the lands were partitioned out by vote at town meet- ings and by grants by the trustees. The first deed by the Matinecocks, for the " Old pur- chase", was made to several inhabitants of Oyster Bay, but these purchasers immediately sold to the original settlers of Huntington, and this territory was afterward divided among them and their descendants, except some remnants conveyed to the trustees of the town. The second deed by the Matinecocks, for the eastern part of their lands, though made to individuals named and their associates, was for the benefit of the town, and the land conveyed was parceled out among the people at various times during many years. As will be noticed by examining these deeds, the con-' sideration paid the Indians was of a nominal character, usually consisting of a few hatchets, a few pounds of powder, some knives and other implements, rum, and strings of wampum. There is evidence that the lands of the Indians at the south side were in some instances more or less occupied by the whites before deeds were made. The loud and persistent complaints of the red men were usually followed by sending among them some of the sharpest and most unscrupulous of the settlers, with directions to " satisfy " the Indians the best way they THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. could and procure deeds, to which their signatures were obtained, often reciting that the deed was made in con- sideration largely of "the love of the Indians for the white men"! Wyandance, secure in his position at Montauk, was glad enough to sell out the lands of these tribes in Huntington for gaudy coats and hats and " great fine * looking glasses." Raseocoh and Asharoken, Matinecock sachems, made short work of the matter by selling out all their territory in Huntington for a few coats, hatchets and knives and a little powder and rum. They reserved the right to hunt, but this soon became of little value, as the whites occupied the soil and with firearms soon rendered the game scarce. Recosachok, chief of the Secatogues, shared with Wyandance the coats and trinkets which formed the consideration for the earliest sales of the lands of that tribe, and these chiefs, having once cast off the clothing made of skins, and donned civilized costumes, were loth to return to their primitive habits, so that the whites had little difficulty in inducing them, from time to time, to p.art with a " neck of land " in consideration of more coats and finery. Waraehas likewise hankered after the flesh-pots of Egypt, and soon sold out his birthright for less than a mess of pottage. Thers is one notable exception to this race of spend- thrift chiefs — old Takapousha, chief of the Marsa- peagues. There is something heroic in the idea of this chief, clothed in his furs, disdaining the gewgaws and tempting finery offered by the whites, standing as a bar- rier against their encroachments and as far as he could holding his possessions intact until death took him to the happy hunting grounds. But Owassura, his son, coming into power, soon squandered the Marsapeague lands. It will be noted that the Marsapeagues were very few in number in this town. Perhaps the fact that just be- fore this time Captain John Underbill had led an expe- dition against this tribe at Fort Neck, on the south side of Oyster Bay, accounts for the smallness of their numbers. History does not inform us as to the number of Indians slain, but in view of Captain Underbill's reputation as an Indian fighter, and his well-known maxim that " the only good Indian is the dead Indian," it is highly 4)robable that the Marsapeagues suffered greM loss in numbers. The occasion of this attack-was a suspicion that Takapousha was untrue to the English, and had advised the Dutch to wage a war against the English settlers. However this may have been the first settlers of Huntington, coming here the same year, seem to have had little trouble with the Indians, and the con- quest of New Amsterdam by the English and expulsion of the Dutch in the year following (1664) put an end to any further apprehension of trouble from this source. First Settlement. The deed of the Old purchase was made by the Indians to Richard Holbrook, Robert Williams and Daniel White- head, inhabitants of Oyster Bay, and is dated April 2nd 1653, but on the same day these parties conveyed the premises so purchased to the inhabitants of Huntingdon, and this purchase was the only land owned by them until 1656, a period of three years. Hence the first settlement was made about the center of this purchase, viz., the east part of what is now the village of Huntington, then called the "Town Spot." It is presumed that many of the settlers came here by water, landing at Huntington Harbor. As the country along the harbor and the valley immediately south of it presented attractions for settlement, lands were first se- lected there; rude houses were constructed, and the heads of families soon began to gather around them some of the comforts of home. Along this highway (then called a "cart path") leading south from the harbor through the east part of the valley or near to it there lived, among others, Thomas Scudder, Richard Higbee, John Betts, James Chichester, Robert Cranfield, Nathaniel Foster, Stephen Jarvis, Thomas Powell, Isaac Piatt, Thomas Weeks, Jonas Wood, Thomas Whitson, Henry Whitney, Richard Bryant and Thomas Scidmore. Down East Neck there were, among others, Henry Scudder, Jeffrey and Isaac Esty, Mark Meggs, Thomas Fleet, John Jones, Thomas Joanes and John Finch. At West Neck, on the path to Horse Neck, John Sammis, Jonas Brush, John Corey, Timothy and John Conklin, Abial and probably John and Henry Titus, John Teed, Richard Williams, Timothy Wood and others were building them- selves homes. It was mainly at the Town Spot that measures were taken for the protection of the infant colony from appre- hended depredations of the Indians. In the day time the stock was in part driven for pasture to the East Fields, that wide and fertile tract of upland at what has since been called " Old Fields," and in part to the West Fields 'West Neck); but at night it was driven in and confined in a sort of stockade at the Town Spot, and guards were regularly deatailed, whose duty it was to watch at night and protect the settlers and their property from attack. The rules for the punishment of what was called " the watch " for neglect of duty were very strin- gent. Soon these settlers, whose homesteads usually con- tained only a few acres, required more land for cultivation, and were granted parcels of what was called " good plant- ing land" in the East or West Fields or other localities; so that, while they resided near the Town Spot, their farms were some distance off, and they soon sought and obtained small parcels of salt meadow to furnish prov- ender for stock during winter. Though the Indians had given deeds of the lands they had reserved the right to hunt, so that they continued to dwell in their old^wigwams and mingled more or less with the whites; but they were remarkably peaceable, seeming from the first to recognize the fact that the whites were masters of the situation, and yielding submission to the decrees of fate. The division of lands in the Old purchase was made to those who made the purchase from the parties in Oyster Bay and procured the deed from the Matine- THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. T ^ ■ica^s, and in proportion to what each had contributed to the purchase; but the greater part of the lands was held in what was called " commonage," and continued to be so held for many generations. In July 1656, three years after the first purchase, the second purcJhase was made, as we have already seen, by a deed from the Matinecocks of all the territory between the head of Cow Harbor (Northport) and Nesaquake River (Smithville), made to William Rogers, Thomas Weeks and Jonas Wood, and the "rest of their associ- ates." This territory was held in shares or " hundred- pound rights," in proportion to what each h^d contrib- uted in procuring it; and after the patent granted in 1666 by Governor Nicolls, and subsequent patents, the remainder came to be the common property of the free- holders of the town who had contributed toward the ex- pense of procuring the title. The immediate occasion of this seeond purchase was the need of more meadow lands; for at this period there were no cultivated grasses in the territory, and the people had to rely on the native grasses for feeding their stock dur- ing the winter months. The new purchase secured to them the broad salt meadows about Crab Meadow and Fresh Pond, and many of the new comers located in the vicin- ity of Cow Harbor (Northport) and Crab Meadow Neck. The Lloyd's Neck Controversy. The first serious controversy between Huntington and its neighbors concerning boundaries occurred very soon after the settlement, and related to the ownership of Lloyd's Neck — then called Horse Neck, though its In- dian name was "Caumsett." It is worthy of remark here that at different periods in the early history of the town its boundaries were at- tacked at each of its four corners, followed by a vigor- ous and lengthy litigation in each case, in all of which the outposts of Huntington were more or less driven in and her territory restricted. The case of Lloyd's Neck is interesting, as the facts do not seem to have gone into history, and widely differ from the popular belief. As has been shown Huntington had acquired the In- dian title by a deed from Raseocon, sagamore of the Matinecocks, to Holbrook, Williams and Whitehead, Oyster Bay men, who on the same day of the purchase, April 2nd 1653, assigned the whole of their purchase to the people of Huntington. The lands so purchased were described as "bounded upon the west side with a river commonly called by the Indians Nachaquetack [Cold Spring], on the north side with the sea, and going to a river called Opcatkontycke [Northport Harbor]; on the south side to the utmost part of my bounds.'' This description naturally included Horse (Lloyd's) Neck, and the Huntington people asserted their claim to it. In times of drouth and scarcity of feed for stock horses were driven there for pasture, and probably the neck took its name from this fact. Huntington was, however, soon disturbed in its claim. T^e first move was the making and delivering of the fol- lowing deed by the Indians: "September the 20 1654. " This writing witnesseth that I Ratiocan, sagamore of Cow Harbor, have sold unto Samuel Mayo, Daniel White- head, and Peter Wright my necks of land which makes the east side of Oyster Bay and the west side of Cow- Harbor, on the north side bounded with the sound, called by Indians Caumsett. For and in consideration of which neck of land we the aforesaid Samuel Mayo, Daniel Whitehead, and Peter Wright do promise to pay to the aforesaid Ratiocon, sagamore, three coats, three shirts, three hatchets, three hoes, two fathom of wampum, six knives, two pair of stockings, two pair shoes. In witness whereof we have interchangeably set our hands." This was signed by fourteen Indians. Here was a separate and subsequent sale of Horse Neck to Oyster Bay men, in hostility to the Huntington title. The leading men in this town were outspoken in their denunciation of what they called an act of bad faith on the part of tlie Oyster Bay purchasers. They did not so much blame the Indians, for it was expected they would sell as often as they could find a purchaser. Mayo, Whitehead and Wright, finding the people of Huntington determined to hold the neck, finally. May 6th 1658, sold out all their interests to Samuel Andrews, a London merchant, for ;£'ioo. Andrews was evidently a man of business. He had heard of Wyandance, the big chief down at Montauk, and, believing his ratification of the sale would be valuable, he, accompanied by Rich- ard Woodhull and Daniel Whitehead, proceeded at once to Shelter Island and with a few presents procured Wy- andance's signature to a complete ratification of his pur- chase. This was done May 14th 1658, only eight days after Andrews made his purchase. It seems that Huntington, hearing of this sale to An- drews, took similar steps to procure Wyandance's sanc- tion to its title, and sent John Gosby to Shelter Island to see the chief, but he arrived there one day too late and failed in his mission. Samuel Andrews died soon after and, September 5th 1660, his executors conveyed Horse Neck to John Richbill of Oyster Bay. The case of John Conklin, an inhabitant of Huntington, against John Rich- bill was decided in favor of Richbill, and Governor Rich- ard Nicolls issued his mandate to all justices of the peace and high constables directing Richbill to be put in possession of Horse Neck, which was done. But Huntington was not to be driven from the field without another effort. Richbill found his possession of the neck so much disturbed that he brought an action against the inhabitants of the town of Huntington for what he called " unjust molestation." This cause was tried at a general court of assizes held at New York city, composed of the governor and his council and the justices of the peace of "Yorkshire," in October 1665. The trial brought up for review all the facts bearing on the title as to both parties. The following are the names of the jurors who decided the case: Richard Gildersleeve, foreman; William Hallet, Henry Pierson, John Barrows,. John Symonds, Edward Titus and Thomas Smith. The attorney for Richbill was John Rider; the attorney for the people of Huntington was Rev. William Leverich. Many witnesses were examined and depositions were THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 13 read in evidence. Daniel Whitehead, Robert Williams, and Richard Holbrook, the men who conveyed to Huntington its title, which on its face included Horse Neck, stated that when the Indian chief signed the deed Horse Neck was reserved to the Indians by a verbal declaration. This is a notable instance of the evil of ad- mitting evidence of verbal declarations tending to vary a written instrument like a deed. The trial occupied two days, and the jury brought in a verdict in favor of Huntington, finding that "Horse Neck lyeth within the bounds of Huntington's deed, except further light can be made to appear unto us by the Hon. governor and coun- cil, and the plaintiff shall pay all costs and charges." This was regarded as a great triumph for Huntington, but her triumphing was short. A rehearing was had be- fore the governor and council, where adverse influences were at work, and the same year a decree was made re- versing the finding of the jury and declaring in favor of Richbill. This result was attained by giving more force to the idle, uncertain talk had when the Huntington deed was made than to the plain words of the deed itself. The following is a copy of the decree which declared Horse Neck outside the limits of Huntington: "The court, having heard the case in difference between the plaintiff and defendants debated at farge concerning their title to a certain parcel of land commonly called Horse Neck, and having also seen and perused their several writings and evidences concerning the same, it was committed to a jury, who brought in their verdict for the defendant; upon which the court, demurring, did ■ examine further into the equity of the cause, and upon mature and serious consideration do find the said parcel of land called Horse Neck doth of right belong to the plaintiff, it being purchased by the said plaintiff for a valuable consideration, and by the testimony of the first purchasers, under whom the defendants claim, was not conveyed or assigned by them to the defendants with their other lands; upon which and divers other weighty considerations the court doth decree that the said parcel of land called Horse Neck doth belong and appertain unto the plaintiff and his heirs, and it is hereby ordered that the high sheriff or under sheriff of the North Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island do forthwith put the said plaintiff or his assigns in possession thereof; and all per- sons are hereby requested to forbear the giving the said plaintiff or his assigns any molestation in the peaceable and quiet enjoyment of the premises." Richbill was immediately put in possession, and no further effort was ever made by Huntington to regain Horse ( Lloyd's ) Neck. In a few years Richbill's own- ership passed to James Lloyd of Boston, and Governor Dongan granted to him a patent, constituting the neck a manor or separate local government, called Queens Village, but generally known as Lloyd's manor. This con- tinued until the close of the Revolution, when manorial governments, being incompatible with republican insti- tutions, ceased to exist. By an act of the colonial Legis- lature passed October ist 1691 Horse Neck was declar- ed to be a part of Queens county, and when the manor ceased to exist it became a part of the town of Oyster Bay, where it has remained ever since. The separation of Lloyd's Neck from Huntington was a great mistake; geographically, politically, socially and financially its interests were identical with Hunting- ton's. How much this result was due to craft and cupidity it is difficult at this distant day to determine. Educational Beginnings. In view of the general intelligence and enterprise of the people it is probable that more or less was done from the beginning to educate the children in the infant set- tlement, but the first mention we find of schools is at a town meeting in 1657, four years after the first arrival here, when the town made an agreement for the educa- tion of children, with Jonas Holdsworth, an educated Englishman, who as we have seen left England in 1635, aged 20 years, so that he was about 42 years old when this agreement was made. This contract is well written as to form, and its penmanship, though antiquated, is of a superior order. As it is a very quaint paper, develop- ing peculiar customs, it is here given entire: "A covenant and agreement made the eleventh day of February 1657 at a Corte or Town meeting, betwixt the Inhabitants of ye Towne of Hunttington, of the one partie, And Jonas Houldsworth, of the other partie, whereby the said Jonas Houldsworth doth engage him- self to the saide Inhabitants during ye terme of foure years, to be expired from the 13 day of April next en- sueing the day of the date hereof. For to schoole such persons or children as shall be put to him for that end by ye said Inhabitants. And likewise the said Inhabit- ants doth alsoe engage themselves to the said Jonas Houldsworth for to build him a sufficient house, and to give him with ye said house a percell of grounde ad- joining to it for accomodation thereunto. And further- more the said inhabitants doth likewise engage them- selves to pay unto ye said Jonas Houldsworth, and in consideration ot his said schooling, twenty-five pounds (English accompt) and his diet the first year, and also to allow him what more may come in by ye schooling of any that come from other parts. The said twenty-five pounds is to be paid ye said Jonas as followeth: Three pounds twelve shillings in butter at six pence ye pound, and seven pounds two shillings in good well sized mer- chantable wampum, that is well strung or strand, or in such comodityes as will suite him for clothing. These to be paid him by ye first of October, and three pound twelve shil- lings in corne, one half in wheat and ye other in Indian, at three and five shillings ye bushel (provided it be good and merchantable), to be paid by ye first of March. Also ten pounds fourteen shillings in well thriving young cat- tle, that shall then be betwixt two and four years old, the one half being in the steare kind, — these to be delivered him when the yeare is expired. And also the two next ensuing yeares To pay the said Jonas Houldsworth Thirty- five pounds ye yeare, with ye foresaid alowance of what may come in by such as come from other parts. The said Thirty-five pounds is to be paid as followeth, viz.: five pounds in butter at six pence ye pound, and ten pounds in such wampum as is above mentioned, or in such comodityes as will suit him, — these all to be paid by ye first of October; and five pounds in corne by ye first of March, the half in wheat the other in Indian, at five and three shillings per bushel (so that it be good and merchantable); and fifteen pounds in well thriving cattle betwixt two and four years old, the half being in ye steare kind, — these are to be delivered when ye yeare is expired (being valued by indiferent men). And the fourth or last yeare to pay the said Jonas Houldsworth forty pounds in such pay as is above mentioned, according to the nature ^THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. d time proportionablely, and at the foresaid times of yment. Also it is agreed of that firewood be gotten d brought for the schoole when ye season shall require by such as send their children to school; and that the d Jonas Houldsworth shall have liberty yearly for to oose foure men that shall be bound to him for the true rformance of the foresaid engagement." On reading this document, now 225 years old, one n hardly help admiring the shrewdness of the school- ister in fortifying his rights as to his pay. It has been s boast of this generation that it first established free dools, but it seems the claim is unfounded, for here is free school established in the beginning of the town's jtory, supported by a general tax on the property of e whole town, payable in the same way that all obliga- )ns were discharged in those days. A school-house was built pursuant to the agreement, r we find that afterward Jonas Aldar and Thomas lidmore were appointed to fix the rate or tax to be ised for it. The Town Government. From the first settlement of this town, in 1653, down the English conquest of New York and the overthrow Dutch authority, in 1664, a period of eleven years, untington virtually enjoyed an independent govern- ent. Nominally the people during the latter part of is time acknowledged the authority of the Connecticut ilony, and applied Connecticut laws and procedure in e administration of justice and in the form of the wn government; but their political relations with Con- ;cticut seem to have been more a matter of their own loice than the result of any attempt at coercion on the irt of the Connecticut government. The people came together at a town meeting several lies a year and made rules and regulations for their >vernment, and the popular voice decided all public lestions. It was in fact as pure a form of democracy anything we find in history. The Dutch government at New Amsterdam made no lecial attempt during this period to exercise control fer Huntington. The line between the Dutch and nglish had been established at the very date of the set- :ment of the town, leaving the whole of Huntington on nglish territory; so that while the towns west of this Lve what may be called their period of Dutch history untington has no such his-tory. The people naturally brought with them and estab- ,hed here an English form of government, laws, habits id customs. At the town meetings (usually held at me house at the Town Spot) all male persons who were unted as inhabitants were entitled to an equal voice in iblic affairs. One or more of the magistrates presided these meetings. Much time was taken up in making ants of land, usually in small quantities, to inhabit- its, out of the common lands. These grants were made thout consideration, being on account of the common terest which each had in the land as joint purchaser am the Indians, in the proportion each had originally ntributed toward the purchase. It was in fact nothing more than a friendly partition of common property by consent, so far as it went, the great body of the lands being reserved as a common territory. Lands in Hunt- ington were from the beginning granted by the town to individuals in small parcels, of from six to twelve acres, rarely larger. Whoever will take the trouble to trace the title of a farm of considerable size in this town will almost invariably find it running back to a swarm of small grants from the town, and these grants are of different dates, usually covering a long period of time. The principal officers were the justices of the peace, constables and overseers. These were the judicial and executive authorities of the town. They held courts and enforced the laws, civil and criminal; they usually levied the taxes, collected and disbursed the same, attended to the settlement of the estates of deceased persons, provi- ded for the poor, laid out and maintained highways, settled controversies as to fences, and generally enforced the orders made at town meetings. These officers were chosen at town meetings except that magistrates were nominated by the people here and appointed at the general meeting of deputies at Hartford. While there was a majority here who favored acknowl- edging the Connecticut government there was a party opposed to such a course and in favor of entire independ- ence. Among the latter was Richard Latten, a man of mature age, large experience and considerable influence. He was outspoken in opposition to any connection with the New England colonies. At a town meeting held April loth 1660 the issue was brought to a vote, and the result is stated in the record in a few words, as follows: "It was put to vote concerning joining to a jurisdiction." "The major vote was to be under Connecticut juris- diction." This settled the matter and was immediately followed by proceedings against Mr. Latten. He was ordered to take all his horses and cattle out of the town immediately, under a penalty of j£^. He seems to have complied with the order by moving them to Oyster Bay, but continued to reside here a part of the time with his son or friends. To meet this the town further ordered that "if any one entertain Richard Latten, either by gift or for pay, he shall be fined 40 shillings." This intolerant spirit seems to have increased, and finally resulted in an order made at town meeting July 6th 1662, which was in substance that no one owning land in the town should alienate or lease any part of the same to another unless such applicant for purchase or lease should be approved by such men as the town ap- pointed for that purpose. The penalty for a violation of this order was ;£^to for each offense. The men chosen to pass upon the merits of applicants were Mr. Leverich, William Smith, Thomas Noakes, Goodman Jones, John Lom, James Chichester and Jonas Wood. It is not probable that this order was long enforced, as little further record is found of it. No one was permitted to keep a public house, for the entertainment of strangers, unless authorized by the town, and only one such house was permitted. The first hotel keeper in Huntington, as far as '•^know, was THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. IS Thomas Brush. He was appointed at a town meeting^ October rsth 1660, to keep the " ordinary." In 1662 James Chichester was chosen to keep the keep the ordi- Tiary, and he was re-elected for that purpose annually for several years afterward. His house is believed to have been on the east street of Huntington, the Town Spot. The Liquor Trade. The problem of regulating the sale of intoxicating drinks seems to have early engaged the attention of the settlers here, as will be seen by the following singula:r order, made at a town meeting in April 1663. After ap- pointing Goodman Chichester to keep the ordinary, which gave him the monopoly of selling by the drink, it •was ordered that "no townsman shall sell any strong ■drink to strangers, but the townsmen have liberty to buy or sell one to another, or of a stranger, to the quantity of a quart, but not under, upon the forfeit of double the value of what is bought or sold." The liquors drank here iu those early times were prin- cipally brought from the Barbadoes Islands. They were chiefly rum, sack and wine. Several of the early settlers were interested in this trade with the West India Islands, and accumulated their wealth in it. Thomas Fleet owned as many as forty vessels, and was probably the wealthiest man in the town. About the year 1658 Thomas Scudder [spelled in the original Skodar), Jonas Wood (of Halifax), Mr. Mathews and Edward Higbee, according to the record, were " equal mates " in fitting out a vessel to the West Indies. Whether they owned or chartered the vessel does not appear. It seems that after their return a quarrel arose among them as to a pipe of rum and several pipes of sack, mixed up somewhat with a dispute as to the beef and pork sent out on the voyage. It would seem that Jonas Wood claimed the rum and sack as his own prop- erty, depriving his " mates " of their share. Upon this Mr. Mathews brought suit against him to recover for himself and his partners their share of the pipes of rum and sack. Mark Meggs (who lived near where the steam- boat dock on the east side of the harbor is located) was a witness concerning the agreement, and he testified that "about August in the year '58, or when he was weeding of Indian corn, Thomas Mathews came to this deponent and desired him to help about a butt of rum and a pipe or two of wines, etc.;" and gives the conver- sation. In the meantime it appears that the rum had been disposed of, probably at a good profit, and the court awarded to the plaintiff damages as follows: "The verdict of the court is, they find for the plaintiff, and that the defendant is liable to pay the debt at 58 pounds 2 shillings and six pence, to be paid in beef and pork, the beef at five pounds the barrel, the pork at 3 pounds 15 shillings the barrel, to be delivered at the waterside in Huntington." This case was decided January 31st 1659, and from it we learn the price of beef, pork, rum and sack at Hunt- ington over two hundred years ago. Three years after this, Thomas Mathews again brought suit to recover the price of the rum and sack, against "Joanna Wood, widow and administrator to Jonas Wood, defendant." " Mr. John Simmons, of Hempstead, appeared in the case as an attorney for Joanna Wood, widow, and denied the charge." The names of the jurymen were Thomas Wicks, James Chichester, Thomas Jones, Richard Wil- liams, Stephen Jarvice and Samuel Titus. Mr. John Simmons, however, lost his case, and the jury decided that Joanna must pay for the rum and sack, and forty shillings damages, with court charges. It thus appears that our forefathers began at an early day to trade off beef and pork for rum and sack. In connection with this trade with the West Indies may be mentioned the fact that one of the chief articles of export was barrel and pipe staves, usually made from white oak timber. The destruction of this kind of wood was so great that its exportation except under certain conditions was finally prohibited. Magistrates and Courts. We find from the record that February 4th 1660 John Strickland, Jonas Wood and Thomas Benedict were ap- pointed magistrates, Jonas Holdsworth clerk, and Joseph Jennings marshal. These appointments were probably made in Connecticut, as Huntington continued to send deputies to the court of election there and to forward the names of persons nominated for these positions. Jonas Chichester was chosen for 1663 and was probably the last deputy sent there. It is not probable that previous to 1663 there were any official records kept of purchases and sales of land. At a town meeting held in that year the following order was made: "Captain Thomas Wicks, Thomas Brush and Isaac Piatt are chosen by the town to take a view of all the lands already laid out in fields, and to record the owner and the quantity he has taken up, in the town book; and also these four men have power to dispose of the land into fields or home lots, so as may conduce most to the advantage of those who need lands to improve, and to so lay out as it may not prove prejudicial to the commons, as near as they can to the Town Plot; and to record all such lands so laid out in the town book; and for every acre laid out by these men the persons em- ploying them are, by the major vote of the town, ap- pointed to pay sixpence to the acre." Pursuant to this order records were made in the town books of the "bounds" of the lands of the inhabitants at that time, and of such lands as were granted by these individuals, in the name of the town, to those who hitherto had pos- sessed none. The first court of which we have any record was held here January loth 1659. Jonas Wood was the magistrate. Some of the causes were held over to the next court. The court seems to have been held at the house of Jonas Wood, in the eastern part of the village. Some idea may be gathered concerning the manner of transacting legal business from the following: "John Budd against Enoch Higbee, to recover a debt of ;^2o. After hearing testi- mony the court decided as follows: The verdict of the i6 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. court is, the defendant shall pay the whole sum of ;^2o according to the bill, and ^£3 damages, ordinary pay, and the court charges." This John Bud, if the original, was a noted character in his day; if not the original John Bud who came from England and settled in Southold about 1650, he was probably one of the same family. We con- clude that he sold goods, and was probably the first store- keeper in Huntington. It will be noted that the judgment rendered in this case was to be satisfied in " ordinary pay." There was very little gold and silver money in the country; the value of wheat, rye, corn and other articles was fixed by law, and debts were paid in such articles by delivery of the same as money. In the next case, that of " Jonas Wood halli " against Thomas Brush, " the plaintiff deposeth that Thomas Brush has slandered him in that he goeth about to make him pay money twice, and also charged him with keeping a false book." Edward Frenchone deposed that "the deponent sayeth that he heard Thomas Brush say that he kept a false book." Here follows "the deposition of Goodwife Conklin." She seems to have been a witness for Brush, and gives testimony concerning the truth of the charge of Wood's seeking pay twice. She says " the 45 shillings was paid by her dater, and carried down in a wheelbarrow about the time when Thomas Cedar [prob- ably Scudder] was attending to the mill. Also, that upon going to her he told her there was wampum in it for Good- man Wood; that was after the time of the payment of the five and 40 shillings." After hearing much testimony the court decided as follows: "The verdict of the court is, they find for the plaintiff; and, whereas the defendant has slandered him with that he cannot prove, the de- fendant is to give verble satisfaction in the open corte, or pay five pounds, with all the costs and charges of the court." "Thomas Brush has given satisfaction." Here ends the first slander suit. There are some points about this record worthy of notice. The term " halli," following the name of Jonas Wood, is sometimes written " hallifax," and distinguished him from Jonas Wood the magistrate, before whom the cause was tried. The terms "goodwife" and "goodman" were common in those days as applied to persons of con- siderable note, something above the common level; they were used much as we now use " Mr." and Mrs.," while at that period Mr. was only applied to persons of the highest distinction in the neighborhood. Jonas Wood the magistrate was called and written Mr. Wood. The report of carrying down forty-five shillings in a wheel- barrow sounds ludicrous, but we must remember that such currency as Indian corn, pork and the like must have been weighty. This case shows that justices early had jurisdiction in cases of slander, and that, notwithstanding the old doctrine, " the greater the truth the greater the offense," our forefathers did permit the truth of the words spoken to be pleaded in justification ; otherwise Goodwife Conklin's evidence would have been excluded. As a sample of criminal procedure of that day, before Jonas Wood, we give the case of proceedings against Mary Setten for taking the property of Thomas Higbee. It seems that Mary stole some clothing and biscuits of Higbee, and hid them away in the barn. She alsa " confessed " to Mr. Wood, Mr. Strickland and Thomas Benedict that she corresponded with a " negar of Mr. Matthews," for which offense the court adjudged "that Mary Setten be brought forth the next training day, to be appointed by the magistrate, to proclaim before the town the crime proven against her." Early Mills. The first mill erected in Huntington was built by Wil- liam Leverich, about 1657. It was situated on the north side of what is now called Mill Dam lane, between Hunt- ington village and the harbor, a few rods west of where the stream now flows under the bridge and at the west side of a meadow lot now owned by H. G. Scudder. The remains of what was once the old mill race at the west side of this lot can now be easily traced. The water power which propelled the mill was obtained by putting . in a dam across the low meadow from the high ground on the east to that on the west, on the line of the highway now called Mill Dam lane. Thus obstructed, the stream coming from the south overflowed a wide space of swampy ground, making a large pond, which covered all the low ground at the south through which New York avenue now runs, and nearly as far east as to the east street. A very considerable water power was thus ob- tained. Mr. Leverich sold the mill to William Ludlam December 21st 1659. While Mr. Ludlam owned the mill a circumstance oc- curred which shows that the courts in those days had an equity side. October 26th 1660 William Ludlam appears as plaintiff, "against Henry Whitney, defendant, in an action of trespass for breaking the mill and grinding several times without his leave, to his great damage. The defendant denying the breaking of the mill, but confessed he opened the door and went and ground his corn, his family being all sick; he went to inquire for the key but could not hear of it, for he was gone to the south and his family with him. Being like to famish he was constrained to do it, yet notwithstanding he gave the miller his just toll. The verdict of the court is for the defendant, that he was necessitated to do as he did, and the plaintiff suffered no damage." June 13th 1667 Ludlam sold the mill to Mark Meggs,. who owned it and ground the corn of the town until 1672, when he sold it to the town and it became a town mill. Three years afterward, owing to the sickness which prevailed in the vicinity, believed to have been occasioned by the malaria arising from so large a pond of fresh water in the midst of the settlement, the town ordered the dam cut away and the pond let out. This mill was never used afterward, and the extensive tract of low lands where the pond had been was divided out to the original proprietors of the purchase according to their respective interests. The toll, or compensation for grind- ing, at this mill was fixed at the twelfth part of the grain ground. The old mill built by Mr. Leverich having ceased THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 17 grinding in consequence of the removal of the dam, the people were compelled to take some public action to se- cure the construction of another mill in a new place. This was done at a town meeting held January 30th 1674. "It was voted and agreed by the major part of the town that men should go to Cow Harbor to view and try the stream and place on the north side of Epenetus ground whether it were capable of having a mill there, and if it were found suitable for such a purpose that then they would have a mill there." It was also agreed that the charge of building "such mill should be according tft hundreds; also, that two shillings and six pence per day be paid for workmen on the mill and six shillings for a man and team; and Epenetus Piatt, Jonathan Rogers, Mr. Wood and John Sammis were appointed overseers of the work. It is difficult to tell just where this mill was located. Possibly it was at the head of Cow Harbor (Northport), or it may have been at the head of Little Cow Harbor (now Centerport). Goodman Webb, of Norwalk, Conn., a millwright who had worked on the first mill, was sent for and he put in the machinery. Having provided a mill the next step was to procure a miller. The town authorities sent to Southampton for Jeremiah Smith and offered him grants of land and special privileges if he would come and take charge of their mill. He came in 1676 and was employed and paid by the town authorities. In 1677 the constables and overseers sold this mill to him on certain conditions, among others that he should "supply the town with, sufficient good meal, and shall grind whenever the inhabitants shall bring him corn, and for his tolle he shall have the twelfth of Indian corn and the sixteenth of English grain;" and that if he took more "tolle" he should forfeit the mill. In 1680 a grant was made by the town to John Robin- son to build a mill at Cold Spring. The next year a number of Indians went to his house there and terrified him and his family so that they fled to Huntington in the night. The Indians rolled out a barrel of rum and helped themselves, stole and carried away guns and clothing, and threatened the lives of the family. In 1682 a grant was made by the town to John Adams of premises upon which to erect a saw-mill at Cold Spring. In 1688 Jonathan Rogers was granted the privilege of building a saw-mill at Cold Spring, on condition that he furnish lumber at a certain price "and deliver up the stream when the town wants it for a grist-mill." In De- cember 1691 the town made a further agreement with him that he might build a grist-mill there, and have the iron and millstones out of the "old mill," but subject to many conditions as to grinding grain for the town. After the water had been let out of the old mill pond above what is now Mill Dam lane, in Huntington village, another mill was built by Jacob Scudder a little further down, and a new and smaller pond made, which furnished power for a small mill. Dr. Zophar Piatt finally became the owner of this mill; but about 1752, as the capacity of ■the mill was not sufficient to accommodate the public, Dr. Piatt conceived the idea of a tide-mill lower down, and procured a grant from the trustees of the right to construct a dam across the head of Huntington Harbor and by flood gates control the water so as to furnish power for a mill. This was the origin of the present mill and mill pond on the west side of Huntington Harbor now owned and operated by Daniel Smith. The trus- tees bound Dr. Piatt to provide a strong mill dam; to construct race-ways for the water, to build a mill and grind grain for one-tenth toll, and also to operate his other or upper mill so as to furnish sufficient milling facility for the town. Dr. Piatt seems to have carried out all the promises of the agreement. In 1763 he sold the mill and all the rights appertaining to it to John Brush, and it was afterward known as Brush's mill. The mills in the town still being insufficient to grind the grain of the people an agreement was made in 1774 between the town and Sylvanus Townsend, of Oyster Bay, for the building of a new mill at what was then called Stony Brook Harbor, now Centerport. The trustees granted him land and the privilege of erecting a dam across the harbor. This seems to have been the same mill property now owned by William Titus, except that the mill has been greatly enlarged. There were many conditions attached to the grant; among them that the dam should be 18 feet wide at the top and sufficient for ox carts and teams to pass at all times, and to be so main- tained forever. Room was to be left near the mill suffi- cient for the inhabitants to pile cordwood. Townsend was not to hinder any person from fishing, oystering, clamming or gunning anywhere in the mill pond; was to erect a good mill and grind all the grain brought to him by the inhabitants, receiving one-tenth toll for grind- ing corn and one-sixteenth for grinding other grain; and in case of failure in any of these conditions the grant was to revert to the town. These conditions are understood to still adhere to the tenure of the property. The mill was built, and proved a great success. At a very early period John Sammis had a small mill at the cove on West Neck near his house. In 1790 Coles Waltman, a son-in-law of Abraham Van Wyck, applied to the trustees and procured from them a grant to con- struct a dam across the cove further down, so as to en- large the pond, and build a new mill. These improve- ments were made, and this is the mill property now owned by Mr. Lefferts in that place. The Oyster Bay Boundary. Serious questions arose soon after the settlement con- cerning the boundary between this town and Oyster Bay on the south side. When Wyandance made the sale, a part of the considerations of which was that he should have a "great fine looking glass," he sent Chickono, an Indian, to mark out the bounds of the lands sold. A dispute afterward arose as to the location of boundaries. Huntington claimed three necks of land under this purchase. Oyster Bay claimed that Huntington had taken more than the three necks, and disputed Hunting- ton's title to any part of the three necks. i8 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. The matter finally came before the governor, Richard NicoUs, and his council. The record reads: "At the general meeting of the deputies of Long Island, held before the governor at Hempstead, March the 6th day 1664, it is this day ordered that the town of Huntington shall possess and enjoy three necks of meadow land in controver-sy between them and Oyster Bay, as of right belong to them, they having the more ancient grant for them; but inasmuch as it is pretended that Chickono marked out four necks for Huntington instead of three, if upon a joint view of them it shall appear to be so then Huntington shall make over the outmost neck next to Oyster Bay to the inhabitants thereof and their heirs forever, the Indians or some of them of whom each town made their purchase being per- sonally present when the view to be made." In order to determine this question further action was taken, as appears by the following record: " The affirmation of John Ketcham, Thomas- Brush and Thomas Powell, being sent by the inhabitants of Huntington with an Indian called Chickono to view the south meadows, according to order of the governor and council. We having come to the south to our meadows we went over tvvo necks to our neighbors, who had called Marsapeague Indians, about the number of twenty, who opposed us about the space of an hour and would not suffer the Indians to go and show us the marked tree. Then we showed the sachem the writing to which he had set his hand, which was our acquittance, and yet he would not suffer the Indians to go. When we saw nothing would prevail we took our leave of them, and said we should carry back this answer to them that sent us; but they— not willing that we should look up the matter, as we did apprehend — spoke to the Indian who was Chickono to go and show us the tree. Many of Marsapeague Indians went with us. Thomas Brush went before, and not taking notice of the tree went past it; then Marsapeague Indian called him back and showed him the tree before Chickono came near it. Then Chickono came to the tree; he said that was the tree he marked as his master commanded him. Marsapeague sachem said by his interpreter that he told Muntaiiket sachem [Wyandance] that he was grieved to his heart that he had sold that neck upon which we then was, but Muntauket sachem told him that it was sold and it could not be helped; and therefore bid him go and receive his pay, and so he said he did; and also Marsapeague sachem owned his hand, and that he had received the goods." Huntington therefore received the three necks, while the fourth, Latten's Neck, went to Oyster Bay. In August 1684 Thomas Townsend, Nathaniel Coles and John Wicks, of Oyster Bay, and Thomas Powell and Abial Titus, of Huntington, by agreement surveyed and established the boundary line i)etween th^se towns, and defined it " to begin at the head of Cold Spring River, at a marked tree; thence running by ye cart path into the plains", etc. Under Connecticut and the Duke of York. Huntington continued loyal to the Connecticut gov- ernment, considering herself as within the limits of the grant by King Charles II. to that colony in 1662, which charter included "all adjacent islands." About this time Captain John Scott, a bold and crafty adventurer who had resided in the eastern towns and was at Setauket in 1663, was engaged in stirring up discon- tent and opposition both to the Connecticut government and to the authority of the king. He made large grants of land, said to have been fraudulent, and pretended to have authority to compel persons to disclose the titles to their lands. Finally a proclamation was issued by the Connecticut government charging him with speaking words tending to the defamation of the king's majesty, seditious practices and tumultuous carriages, usurping the authority of the king, usurping authority upon pre- tense of a commission, and numerous other crimes, and ordering his arrest. He was arrested at Setauket and taken to Hartford, and his lands were sequestrated. In the latter part of 1663 Scott made himself very officious against this town in its controversy respecting the title to Horse (Lloyd's) Neck, and claimed to hold a commission for the adjustment of boundaries. The people of Huntington were not deceived by him; his pretenses were met with a firmness that terminated all further troubles from him. The record of town meet- ings gives the following: " Propounded and voted this 26th of the 12 month 1663. " I. It was propounded that if Capt. John Scott should come and command the Constable to warn a town meet- ing the said (Nonstable should not obey him without he shew his commission, impowered by his Majesty King Charles the Second. " 2. It was voted that if Capt. John Scott should com- mand to see our titles to the lands of this town that he would not see them unless he shew his power to be from King Charles the Second. Early in 1664 the Connecticut colony sent commis- sioners to Long Island with power to establish courts and provide for the collection of rates, but these com- missioners never reached Huntington. Events were transpiring in Europe of momentous im- portance to the people here. King Charles II. made his grant and charter to the Duke of York, granting New Amsterdam and all the region held by the Dutch, in- cluding all Long Island. Colonel Richard NicoUs, com- manding the forces of the duke, and deputy governor, landed at Gravesend, demanded and enforced the sur- render of New Amsterdam (New York) by the Dutch, and proclaimed the authority of the duke over all the colony, including Long Island. In August 1664 a horseman rode up to the Town Spot in Huntington. He was the bearer of dispatches from the camp of Colonel Nicolls at Gravesend. The docu- ment he held, and which he read to the assembled people, was a proclamation, under the great seal of England, commanding submission to his Majesty King Charles the Second and to the authority of the Duke of York, and promising " the protection of his Majesty's laws and jus- tice, and peaceable enjoyment of whatever God's bless- ing and their own honest industry has furnished them with, and all other privileges with his Majesty's othfer English subjects." The western towns were also sum- moned to send deputies to meet the commissioners at Gravesend the 23d of August ensuing. The people of Huntington in after years had occasion to recall how they had been promised all the privileges THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 19 of Englishmen, and to bitterly complain of a faithless disregard of these sacred promises. The people awaited the course of events. If left to their choice they would have continued under the juris- diction of the Connecticut colony, but this was impos- sible. The associates of Governor Nicolls and commis- sioners from New England on November 30th 1664 ad- justed the boundaries between the territory granted to the Duke of York and that held under the charter of Connecticut of 1662, and this boundary, as a matter of course, placed Huntington under the Duke of York. Governor Winthrop informed the people here that Con- necticut no longer held any claim to jurisdiction. Hunt- ington was therefore compelled to accept the situation and acknowledge the authority of the government estab- lished by the Duke of York. Governor Nicolls, with the advice and concurrence of his council, February 8th 1665, issued a circular letter to the inhabitants of all the towns in the colony, calling upon each to send two deputies to meet him at Hemp- stead on the last day of February of that year. This circular letter was adroitly worded and well calculated to favorably impress the people toward the new adminis- tration. Promise was made that " good and known kws" should be established, and the advice and counsel of the people's representatives was to be taken. Huntington chose and sent to this meeting as deputies Jonas Wood and John Ketcham. The governor received the deputies from the several towns in a bland and open-hearted manner, which seems to have won their confidence and support. A code of laws for the future government of the colony, which had been previously prepared, evidently ■with great care, was submitted and enacted. This code was afterward known as the duke's laws, and copies in manuscript were furnished each town and, with a few amendments afterward made, continued in force during a long period. The copy furnished Huntington contin- ues in the town clerk's ofifice to this day, but is in such antiquated handwriting and so worn by use and effaced by the ravages of time that it is read with great difificulty. The deputies who attended this meeting at Hempstead signed an address directed to His Royal Highness the Duke of York, in which they say they "most humbly and thankfully acknowledge to your Royal Highness the great honor and satisfaction we receive in our dependence upon your Royal Highness," and unanimously declare their "cheerful submission to all such laws, statutes and ordi- nances which are or ^all be made by virtue of authority from your Royal Highness, your heirs and successors forever." This address did not suit the people. They rebelled against their deputies, undertaking to pledge their cheer- ful acquiescence in laws in the making of which they had no voice, for no provision was made at Hempstead for any future assembly of the representatives of the people. Mr. Piatt in his "Old Times in Huntington " well says: "The governor had unlimited power. He was com- mander-in-chief; he appointed all public ofiScers, and, with the advice of a council, had the exclusive power of legislation. He in fact was made a king by proxy. The people had no voice in the government. The spirit of rebellion and independence broke out among the people of Huntington." The deputies from this town were denounced in unqualified terms on account of this servile and fulsome address. Nevertheless the people yielded obedience to the laws and conformed to the new order of things. Town meetings were held in Huntington the first or second day of April, at which to elect a constable and four overseers, and these officers carried on the govern- ment of the town. All assessments of taxes were made by the constable and overseers, and this included the rate or tax for building and repairing the church, and the maintenance of the minister, for the siipport of the church was a town charge. The jurors who attended the court of sessions and assize were selected from the overseers, and except in capital cases a majority of the jury was sufficient to convict. The governor annually appointed a high sheriff for the whole of Yorkshire and a deputy for each riding. He also appointed the justices of the peace for each town, who held ofifice at the pleasure of the governor. The despotic power of the governor when presiding at a court of assize is thus apparent, as the justices sitting'at the court were all dependent on him for the tenure of their office, or in other words were liable to have their ofificial heads chopped off if they differed from the governor in opinion as to the merits of the cause being tried. The amount of the tax on the town for colony purpo- ses was fixed by the governor, and was assessed upon the real and personal property of the inhabitants. Jonas Wood of Oram was continued as a justice of the peace by Governor Nicolls. How much his signing the laudatory address to the governor, which was so distasteful to the people, had to do with the appointment it is impossible to say. It was very natural however that the governor should take care of his friends. -A justice of the peace in Huntington at this period performed the duties of an examining magistrate, bind- ing over for appearance at the court of sessions persons held for trial. He was also entitled, though not required, to preside at the court composed of constables and over- seers. He was a member of the court of sessions within the " east riding " and an advisory member of the court of assize. Constables and overseers continued to be elected by the people, and they carried on the town gov- ernment. The names of these officers during the first year of the duke's government cannot be given, but in 1667 Thomas Powell was chosen constable and John Teed and John Rogers overseers. The constable was required to carry a staff. The quaint terms of the law requiring this were as follows: "And that no man may pleade ignorance for such neglect, or refuse obedience, constables shall have a staffe of about six feet long, with the king's arms on it as a badge of his ofifice, which staffe shall be purchased at the charge of the town." THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. The First Patent. At the convention at Hempstead the deputies from Huntington, like those from other towns, were required to bring and exhibit the title deeds showing the bound- aries of the town; and all the towns, including Hunting- ton, were required to take out patents from the governor for their lands. Pursuant to this the first patent to Huntington was made by Governor Nicolls, bearing date November 30th 1666. It reads as follows: A Patent granted unto the Inhabita?its of Huntington. Richard Nicolls Esqr., Governer General under his Royal Highness the Duke of Yorke and Albany, etc., of all his territories in America, to all to whome these pr'ts shall come sendeth greeting. Whereas there is a certain Towne within this Govern- ment commonly called and known by the name of Hunt- ington, situate and being in Long Island, now in the tenure or occupation of several Freeholders and inhabit- ants there residing, who, having heretofore made lawful purchase of the lands thereunto belonging, have like- wise manured and improved a considerable part thereof and settled a competent number of familyes there- upon, and for a confirmation of the said Freeholders and Inliabitants in their enjoyment and possession of the premises, know ye that, by virtue of ye commission and authority unto me given by his Royal Highness, 1 have ratified, confirmed and granted and by these pr'sts do hereby ratify, confirm and grant unto Jonas Wood, William Leveredge, Robert Seely, John Ketcham, Thomas Scudmore, Isaac Piatt, Thomas Joanes and Thomas Weeks, in the behalfeof themselves and their as- sociates the Freeholders and inhabitants of the s'd Towne, their heirs, successors and assigns, all y't lands that already have beene or hereafter shall bee purchased for and in the behalfe of the Towne of Huntington, either from the natives, proprietors or others within the limitts and bounds herein exprest: (vizt) That is to say, from a certaine river or creeke on the West com'only called by the Indyans by the name of Nackaquatok and by the English the Coldspring, to stretch eastward to Nasaquack River; on the north to bee bounded by the Sound running betwixt Long Island and the Maine; and on ye South by ye sea, including there nine several necks of Meadow Ground; all which tract of land, together with the s'd necks thereunto belonging, within the bounds, limitts aforesaid, and all or any plantacon there- upon, are to belong to the said Towne of Huntington; as also all Havens, Harbors, Creekes, Quarryes, Woodland, Meadows, Pastures, Marshes, Lakes, Fishing, Hawking, Hunting and Fowling, and all other profitts, commodi- tyes, Emolum'ts and Heriditam'ts to the said land and premises within limitts and bounds aforementioned, de- scribed, belonging or in any wise appertaining, to have and to hold the said Lands and necks of lands, Hereditam'ts and premises, with their and every of their appurtenances, and of every part, part and parcel thereof, to the said patentees and their associates, to the proper use and behoofs of the said patentees and their associates, their Heirs, Successors, and assigns forever; and I do like- wise hereby confirme and Grant unto the said Patentees and their associates, their Heires, successors and assigns all the privileges belonging to a Towne within this Gov- ernm't, and that the place of their present Habitacon shall continue and retaine the name of Huntington, by which name it shall be distinguistand knowne in all Bargains and sales, deeds, records and writings. They, the said pat- entees, and their associates, their Heirs, successors and assigns rendering and paying such dutyes and acknowl- edgem'ts as now are or hereafter shall be constituted and establist by the Laws of this Colony under the obedience of his Royall Highness, his heirs and successors. Given under my hand and seale at Fort James in New York, the 30th day of November, in the i8th year of his Majesties reign and in the year of our Lord 1666. RicHARDE Nicolls. The Division of Lands. The expenses of procuring the patent were considerable, and were paid by those who held interest in the land- under the purchases from the Indians. The subsequent distribution of hundred-pound rights among the owners of lands depended generally upon the amount contributed by each. The theory of this division of land seems to have been as follows: An entire parcel or purchase was estimated at a certain number of hundred-pound rights, and in proportion to the amount contributed by each upon the purchase they received their share of the land, viz. in one, two, or more hundred-pound rights, and the hundreds were sometimes subdivided into fractional parts of a hundred. In the Old or first purchase, embracing the territory between Cow Harbor Brook and Cold Spring, there were, at the date of the last patent, 135 hundred-pound rights, and for the eastern purchase (between Cow Harbor and Fresh Pond) 30 such rights, making in all 165, owned then by 84 persons, each hold- ing from 4 rights down to ^ of one. Upon taking out a patent the governor's fees and the other expenses were apportioned upon all the holders of these hundred-pound rights according to the share held by each, and upon failure to pay the assessment the defaulting shares or hundreds were in some cases for- feited to those who paid the assessment; except as to lands already divided to them, and in others enough of their lands was sold to pay their share of the expenses. Probably this mode of division into hundreds may in a measure have had its origin in the military divisions of hundreds or " wapentakes " in England, dating from far back in feudal times. With the exception of purchases from the Indians by private individuals of lands in the south part of the town, such as were known as the Squaw Pit purchase and per- haps the Bating Place purchase, all the acquisitions of territory made from the Indians on the south side and in the interior of the town, after the first two purchases from the Matinecocks, were brought into a common ownership and represented by the hundred-pound rights above referred to. It is an error however to suppose that these share- holders in the lands immediately obtained possession of the proportion of lands to which their hundreds or cer- tificates of holding entitled them. The greater part of the territory was held in common, and was referred to- as commons or "in commonage." Divisions in small parcels were at first made to the proprietors by a majori- ty vote at town meetings. After trustees were created by the patent of 1694 they by resolution ordered that a division, usually of from six to twenty acres, be made to the holders of hundreds, in proportion to their holdings,. THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 21 and so at intervals, usually several years apart, other similar divisions were made to the proprietors. This process continued generation after generation, until in time it came to pass that the original holders of the hundreds or their heirs or assigns had received most of the lands due them under their certificates of shares of hundreds, and the lands in commonage were reduced to a few thousand acres on what was called the plains, a few remnants here and there, and most of the lands under water in the bays- and harbors. The trustees in making these divisions acted as trustees of the -original proprie- tors, pursuant to the town patents. As will hereafter be seen, the part of the remnants of land above and below water embraced within the limits of the Old or first purchase, as far east as Cow Harbor brook, was within a comparatively recent period sold by the heirs and assigns of the original owners to a private individual at a nominal price, and by him afterward con- veyed to the town of Huntington in its corporate capacity. About 1723 the trustees of the town, in order to pro- mote the settlement of the territory then called the Eastern Plains and since known as Clay Pits, had a tract of country there nearly two miles square surveyed in what were called " Uer6 of lots," with five new highways between the respective tiers, running east and west and half a mile apart. This territory was bounded on the north by what was called the Crab Meadow Hills, on the south by the Country road. These five highways; were all originally laid out on straight lines and four rods wide. In later years the uniformity of this plan, so creditable to its projectors, has been much impaired by encroachments upon the highways by adjoining owners, so that in many places these roads are much reduced in width. The land thus surveyed was divided out to the pro- prietors of the purchase, and this improvement marked a new era in the settlement and development of the eastern part of the town. The survey was made by Solomon Ketcham, a noted surveyor in his time, and entered on the town records with maps. In the southwestern part of the town, near where Beth- page is located, there was a tract of several hundred acres which had been purchased by private persons from the Indians, called the " Bating Place purchase." In 1768 it was held in 149 shares, by 41 persons, whose names and number of shares appear on the records. •Afterward the trustees of the town, believing that some of the land claimed and held by these persons was em- braced in another purchase, belonging to the town, were ubout to commence suit against the proprietors of this purchase, but the dispute was finally settled by arbi- tration. The "Squaw Pit purchase," embracing a large tract of land in the vicinity of what is now called Deer Park, was bought of the Secatogue Indians in several parcels. This was held in shares by a large number of individuals, and disposed of according to regulations made by the pro- prietors. In 1775 the trustees sold to numerous persons owning lands adjoining the harbors thatch beds and lands under water. In this way Stephen Kelsey, William Johnson, Thomas Scudder and Jonathan Scudder acquired title to the water front of their farms along the east side of Hunt- ington Harbor, so that their descendants or assigns now own in many cases all the lands under water to the channel. Similar sales were made about the head of Cold Spring Harbor and other parts of the town. The proceeds went into what was called the "thatch draw," t. e., monies collected on account of the annual hiring out of the meadows, chiefly on the south side. The day for hiring the south meadows was a great event in those days, and hundreds met to bid for the grass at a vendue "by the inch of a candle." The constant demand for grants or apportionments of the common lands early led to frequent divisions in small parcels to the holders of rights or hundreds, and this caused the necessity of having men appointed to lay out the land. In 1670 Thomas Powell and Joseph Bayly were chosen " layers out of land for the east end of the town, and Richard Williams and Content Titus were chosen as such for the west part." The bounds of lands and all sales of lands were recorded in the town book. When a person sold land to another both went upon the ground, and as a visible evi- dence of the transfer the seller delivered to the purchaser a twig broken from a tree and a piece of the turf from the soil. This explains the phrase in old deeds "sold by ye turf and twig." Ancient deeds, especially those written on parchment, had irregular or scalloped edges. This arose from the custom of preparing the deed in duplicate on one sheet and then cutting the two apart in a curved line, each party taking one. The perfect fitting of the irregular edges of the papers one to the other was evidence of the genuineness of the deeds. Hence arose the term "this in- denture," which has come down to our time, though the paper is no longer indented. The Title to Eaton's Neck. The grant or confirmation of title to the town having been obtained, with boundaries satisfactory to the in- habitants, the people regarded with suspicion and hostility the movements of Robert Seely, George Baldwin and others who were seeking to establish a title to Eaton's Neck adverse to that of the town. We have already seen how Theophilus Eaton had procured a deed of this neck from the Indians in 1646, and how by successive purchases this title had passed down from Eaton to others. Robert Seely had in 1663 made his deed of the neck to George Baldwin, and Baldwin was now applying to Governor Nicolls for a grant of it independent of Huntington. Under these circumstances a bitter feeling existed against both Seely and Baldwin. February 7th 1664 the town sent men to the neck, who found Baldwin fencing and building, and notified him that he was there " contrary to the town's mind," and that he should not THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. remain. October 17th 1666 the following order was made at a town meeting: " Voted and agreed the day and year above said, by the major part of the inhabitants of this town, that no inhabitant, whether proprietor or renter, shall sell or let any of their lands of commonage or meadow in any part or parcel of that land lying eastwards or northwards from Cow Harbor, to any person or persons that are or shall be proprietors of the neck called Stony Neck or Bald- win's Neck; and whosoever shall act contrary to this order shall forfeit ten pounds sterling for every hundred pounds commonage." Afterward an action was commenced by the town of Huntington against Robert Seely for trespass, the decla- ration alleging that the town had bought Eaton's Neck of the " right owners " and paid for it, and was entitled to its possession. This suit between Huntington and Robert Seely, in- volving the title to Eaton's Neck, created much excite- ment at the time, and its importance warrants a statement of the proceedings and the final verdict. It was tried at a court of assize held at New York in the fall of 1666. The following is from the record: " Mr. John Rider Attorney for the Pits. He produces a copy of the heads of two tryalls had at the Court of Sessions, the first by way of action, the second by re- view, by the governor's special warrant. He likewise puts in a declaration for the Plffs., wherein is alleged that the person under whom the Defendant claymes had no right to the land in question, commonly called Eaton's Neck, having never been in Possesion, or given any Con- sideration for it, but that the Pits. Purchased the same ■ from the true proprietors and paid for it. To prove their Declaracon severall Deposicons were read in Court: vizt. one of Mary the wife of Samuel Davis, who affirmeth That if Mr. Eaton had any right to the Land it was onely by guift, and Mr. Eaton resigned the Guift of the said Land to the Indyans. " Mr. Jones, the sonnein-law to Mr. Eaton, his letter is also produced, wherein he confesses the uncertainty of his title. The Pits. Deed was shewen and read, bearing date 'in or about the last day of July 1656,' wch is a great uncertainty in a Deed; besides, there are no chris- tian testimonyes to it. "The Deposicon of Richard Smith of Nesaquack was read, but excepted agst., hee being concerned. '"The Deposicons of Henry Jackson, John Cole, George Baldwin, John Finch, as also the Testimonyes of Thomas Weeks, Thomas Scudder, John Finch, Joseph Whitman and others, With the like of Thomas Scuda- more, and others, were read in behalf of Pits. "Mr. Sharpe Attorney for Defend. He puts in an answer declaring That ye Pit?, have already had two Legall Tryalls upon this sameAccot. and had been over- throwne in both, yet the Pits, continue their vexatious suits agst. the Defendt. in appealing to this Court of Assizes, agst all Law and Equity. "The Attorney for the Defendant delivers into ye Court a writing, wherein severall Indyans acknowledge the Land in Controversy was freely given to Mr. The- ophilus Eaton. It is witnessed by four christians. "The Pits, object that the witnesses deny their hand; but Samuel Titus, who is one of them, acknowledges his hand writing, but saith that hee was surprized and that there was no good Interpretor between them. "A Deed is read in Court wherein Theophilus Eaton, to whom the Guift was made, resignes all his Interest to his ffather's Lands in New England unto his sister, who is marryed to Mr. Jones. Its dated March ye 28th 1659. "Mr. Jones his Bill of Sale of Eaton's Neck to Robert Seely, for the consideration of 50 lbs. Sterling, is also read; it beares date the 22d of December 1664. "To prove the Land did belong to Mr. Eaton The Deposicons of these Persons following were read, vizt. Samll. Edsall's, John Dickerson's, Nicholas Wright, An- thony Wright, Thomas Benedict and Daniell Whitehead. Together with the Testimony of Capt. Thomas Willett, given in Court by word of mouth. "The Court, after having at large heard the matter in controversy debated on both parts, though fitt to make this following Order and Decree, vizt.: "At the Genall Court of Assizes, &c., the inhabitants of the Town of Huntington Pits., Robert Seely Defendt. The Court doth Decree That the two former verdicts given in by the Juryes at the Courts of Sessions in the East Riding of York Shire upon Long Island do stand good, and that the Land in question called Eaton's Neck be adjudged to ye Defendt. That the Pits, do pay or cause to bee paid the sum of ten pounds to the Person or Persons who received the Damage in moving their ffence Pluck't up by them. And that the Pits, do also pay or cause to bee paid the sum of tenn pounds more to the Defendant for the damage he hath sustained by them, and likewise that they Pay the Costs of Court, and charges. "By Order of the Governor and Court of Assizes. "Matth. Nicolls, Secret." The Contest with Richard Smith. We have seen how Huntington had lost Horse (Lloyd's) Neck after a protracted litigation, and how its southwest boundary had been attacked by Oyster Bay and one neck lost to the town. We will now briefly describe how an attack was made by Richard Smith, the proprietor of Smithtown, upon the northeast boundary of the town, as then claimed. Huntington held the deed of the Matinecock Indians to as far east as Nesaquake (Smithtown) River. The grant by Governor Nicolls had confirmed this title and established the same boundary. Richard Smith disputed this boundary, and claimed under his purchase from the Nesaquake Indians, and possibly under other claims of title, as far west as Cow Harbor (Northport). Smith brought several suits of trespass against those who occupied lands about Fresh Pond, some of which suits were tried at Southampton, and finally the contro- versy in 1670 came into the court of assize for adjudica- tion. The trial of the cause resulted in a vindication of Huntington's title as far east as Nesaquake River, but the court made it a condition that the town of Hunting- ton should settle families on the land within three years. In order to carry into effect this decree of the court quite an elaborate scheme of settlement was devised. The object was to compel all those who held shares or hundred-pound rights in the town to contribute pro- portionally to a fulfillment of the order of the court for the settlement of the territory. To this end owners of the rights or hundreds were divided into ten separate groups or companies, and each company was required to to settle one farm, each farm to consist of forty acres of tillable land, together with meadows and commonage for cattle. In order to induce respectable persons with their THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 23 families to settle in this new territory very liberal terras were offered by the ten several companies. The settler was not only to have the farm free, but was to enjoy all the rest of the land in that purchase as it might at a future time be divided out. In consideration of this they were to pay or refund to the several proprietors all the costs, and charges of suits with Richard Smith, satisfy all just claims of the Indians, build upon and fence the lands, and "manure so their fruits may be preserved;" to ab- stain from selling or letting any part of these' farms "to any person of a vicious life or truly of an evil report;" and further, "all and every of these particular farmers shall have a distinct ear mark for themselves, with wich ear mark they shall mark all their Cattle and Beasts raarkable, and record in the Town Books." The several companies held responsible for the settle- ment of the ten farms entered into an agreement dated September 23d 1672, under a forfeiture of ;^5oo for non-performance, " to settle every one of ye aforesaid farms by building, fencing, and placing so many persons on each farm as may properly be a familie according to the court's judgment;" and they also contracted with persons and their families to settle the farms according to the terms here stated, and these persons went with their families and began the settlement. The farms were located so as to occupy all the meadow lands and adjoin- ing uplands lying between the Nesaquake River on the east and the west side of Crab Meadow on the west. The farms were then settled, and Huntington felt secure in her title. But Richard Smith was not content to lose this terri- tory, and made an application for a rehearing at a court of assize held in New York in October 1672, setting forth that "at ye tryal in ye Court of Assize held ano 1670 several false evidences were produced at ye tryal by ye inhabitants of Huntington, whereby ye Court and Jury were misled." The application was granted. At a term of the same court held in New York in the follow- ing December a singular order was made by the court, adjourning the matter. As this shows how business was transacted by this court in those days a part of the order is here given: " Sometime in ye month of May next his Hon. the Governor intends to have a General Trayning and a meeting o'f the too troops of hors at the east end of Hempsted Playns; where some indifferent persons from ye east end of Long Island who will be there, and some others, from the West, shall be appointed to go and view ye said land called Nassequake land, on the West side of that River, and so make inquiry, thereunto in the best manner they can, and if possible to make a conclusion thereon between ye Plaintiff and Defendant; which if it cannot be attained unto that then the plaintiff have lib- erty to present his bill in Equity against the defendant at ye next general Court of assize as to that land called Nassequake land, wherton a defifinate conclusion can be obtained according to law and conscience." At a term of the court of assize held in New York in October 1675 this cause was tried, and the following ver- dict rendered: "In the case between the Pit. and Defendts The Court, after mature deliberacon, doth finde in equity for the Pit. and the proceedings of the Dutch Court in this case to bee legall and judiciall, and therefore give judg- ment for the Pit. That the lands in question between Nassaquake River westward and Whitman's Hollow, and so to the fresh ponds, doth of right belong unto him [Richard Smith] and he is to be put in possession of the same, if not otherwise delivered up. The present in- habitts. therefore by the Pits, consent to have leave to stay there until the first day of May next, and also to have Liberty to take off the produce of any corne that at or before this tryall was in the ground. However The said Land to bee within the jurisdiction of Huntington, as within their patent, though the Property adjudged to the Plaintiffe. The Deft, to pay the costs of this Cort, but for what hath been formerly each pty. to beare their owne charge." " The bounds of the land recovered from Huntipgton by Richard Smith Senr. and layd out by Thomas Weekes in obedience to the ordr. of the Court of Assizes, hee being imployed by the Courts of Huntington to give pos- session of the same, is declared to bee as foUoweth, vizt. From the west most part of Joseph Whitman's hollow & the west side of the Leading hollow to the fresh pond Unthemamuck, & the West side of this pond at high water marke (to the River eastward) as it is supposed. "This is attested by Thomas Weekes undr. his hand, Sept. 24th 1675. " Possession given by Turfe & Twigge." The agreement of possession was confirmed by Richard Woodhull, who had order to see the same done, if not agreed to before March loth 1676-7. Neither party in this suit obtained all it claimed. A Little More Dutch Government. Under the duke's laws put in force at Hempstead in 1665 power was given to the governor and council to issue warrants to the justices of the peace, and they were to issue them to the constables and overseers, "to cause men to work on public works and highways." Governor Nicolls, however, made no requisition on this town for repairing forts during his administration, but Francis Lovelace on becoming governor made an order in 1670 to the several towns for a contribution to repair the fort at New York city. The Huntington people protested against this on the ground that they could not be taxed without their own consent, expressed through their representatives in a general assembly, and they did not regard the justices, who were the appointees of the gover- nor, as their representatives. They held the order as de- priving them of the liberties of Englishmen, and refused to comply. Their protests were however denounced by Governor Lovelace as scandalous, illegal and seditious, and ordered to be publicly burned before the town-house of the city of New York at the next mayor's court. The recapture of New York by the Dutch, which soon followed, gave Governor Lovelace sufficient employment without troubling himself about the rebellious people of Huntington. The hostility engendered by the arbitrary proceedings of Governor Lovelace and the partial failure to repair the fort at New York probably had much to do with the surrender of that city to the Dutch, July 30th 1673, 24 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. though the surrender has generally been attributed to the cowardice of Captain John Manning, its commander. The English towns had no liking for a transfer to the government of the States General, and Huntington with the other eastern towns would gladly have again joined the Connecticut colony. A convention of deputies from five towns (Southamp- ton, Southold, Brookhaven, East Hampton and Hunting- ton) was called to meet at Southold. This town sent Thomas Scidmore and Isaac Piatt as deputies. The con- vention met August 14th 1673. An address was prepared and signed by all the deputies and sent to the Dutch governor, Anthony Colve. In substance it set out that these towns preferred the Hartford jurisdiction, but had been coerced into submitting to the government of the Duke of York; " but now, by turn of God's providence, ships of force belonging to the States of Holland had" taken New York, and, a summons having been sent to them to submit to the Dutch, they would do so on certain conditions. These conditions were set forth under ten heads, and were intended to guarantee to them about all the liberties and customs they then enjoyed. This address was delivered by deputies in person to the Dutch governor and council at New York. All the very material conditions asked for were subsequently agreed to by the council; the towns sent nominations for justices from which the council was to make appoint- ments, and the appointments were made. Joseph and Isaac Piatt were appointed magistrates for Huntington. The address, the compliance by the Dutch with the conditions therein insisted upon by the towns, the send- ing of names by the towns from which the governor and his council were to make appointments for office, and the subsequent appointment and acceptance of these officers were regarded by Governor Colve and his council as a full submission to the authority of " their High Mighti- nesses the Lords States General of the United Nether- lands and his Sovereign Highness the Prince of Orange." In October 1673 Governor Colve sent William Kniffe and Nicholas Voss to the towns to administer the oath of allegiance to the magistrates that had been appointed, it having been agreed that none others need take the oath. Silas Wood is authority for the statement that the Hunt- ington magistrates took the oath and that the people consented to the Dutch jurisdiction. When Kniffe and Voss went to the eastern towns on the same mission they met with a far different reception. Southold, though it had committed itself to an acknowl- edgment of Dutch authority, now refused to receive the commissioners. Southampton threatened them with violence and they returned to New York. This change of policy at the east grew out of the fact that Governor Winthrop of Connecticut had sent commissioners over to Southold who promised that the Connecticut colony would claim jurisdiction over the towns and protect them from the Dutch. In this matter Huntington only carried out the policy agreed to at first by all the five towns, and her course was honorable. As under the treaty of peace between the English and the Dutch, only about four months later, Long Island was restored to England, there was little opportunity for substituting Dutch rule for English in Huntington. With the restora- tion of English authority came a new governor. Sir Ed- mund Andros. His promises of good government were great, but his performances small. Huntington submit- ted to the new order of things. The duke's laws were re-enacted. Changes of the First Thirty Years. Before passing to the stirring events of the decade following 1680 it is desirable to look more closely into the customs, habits, laws and ways of the people. Near thirty years had now passed since the first settle- ment. Those who were old in 1653 had passed away; the young had advanced to the prime of life, and a new generation, born upon the soil, had appeared. The physical and mental powers of one generation had been employed in developing the resources of this region. Comfortable farm-houses and barns had been erected; orchards of apple, pear and peach trees in the " home lots " had grown to maturity; broad fields had been re- duced to cultivation; the few horses, cattle and other animals the first settlers brought with them had multi- plied into many. Mills for grinding grain and sawing lumber had been erected on the streams. Public high- ways, watering places and landings had been laid out and farms fenced from the common lands. Vessels were fitted out for trade with the Bermuda Islands, the New England colonies and the James River. The church and the school-house had made their appearance. Train bands paraded at the Town Spot, keeping step to the roll of the drum, and the colony had advanced from in- fancy to a vigorous and promising young life. These thirty years had been years of peace so far as Huntington was concerned, for this town had taken no active part in the English and Dutch conflicts on Man- hattan Island, but had quietly yielded submission to " the powers that be " as a matter of form, at the same time managing its local affairs in its own way. These conflicts had hardly stirred a ripple on the surface of Huntington thought. A great deal of complaint had been made about the arbitrary proceedings of the several colonial governors and of the inhabitants being deprived of the liberties of Englishmen, but up to this time nothing of the kind had occurred to materially check the pros- perity of the settlement. The grievance was more a matter of theory then experience. If the people were taxed without representatives the tax was too light to be much felt, rarely exceeding for colony purposes a penny on the pound; the tax for town purposes was about one penny on the pound, and that for county purposes was a mere trifle. The total valuation of property in the town then was about ;^6,soo, and the assessed valua- tion of the property of idividuals ranged from ^^^'i or less to ;^200. There was very little money in the country, but articles of produce passed as money at rates established by law as follows: Winter wheat, 4s. per bushel; summer wheat. THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 25 3s. 6d.; Indian corn, 2s. 3d.; rye, 2s. 6d.; pork, 3d. per pound; beef, 2d.; oil, ^i los. per barrel. These were the rates for 1679 as established that year by the court of sessions at Southampton. These articles were each a legal tender for debt, and no one could refuse to receive them in pay. Inducements were held out by the town to cause mechanics to come here and locate, generally by grant- ing them lands and hundred-pound rights, under which they would be entitled to future divisions when such were made. A gift of this kind was made to Samuel GriflRng, a blacksmith who came from Southampton and located at Huntington Harbor. He married a daughter of Thomas Scidmore, another blacksmith. John Davis, a brickmaker, was also in this way induced to come here from Setauket. It was a common thing for the town to make such grants to induce worthy and industrious men, skilled in the work required, to come and settle in the town. Great care was taken however in making it the condition of all such grants of land that the parties should remain in the town and pursue their special occu- pation. In 1679 it was ordered at a town meeting that such persons should be bound to diligently follow their particular trade for the benefit of the town in geueral, for the term of seven years at least, and not to make any sale or alienation thereof; "and in case he leave the town that he place a man of the same trade in his stead, or re- turn the land to the town." But while the policy was to invite skilled workmen and reputable persons into the town, we have already seen how the utmost care was taken to exclude those whom a committee of censors pronounced unfit to be inhabit- ants. In 1670 complaint was made to the governor that holders of land had sold small parcels " to divers poor, inconsiderable persons, who, though they have but a small part of a lot, yet expect to give their votes in town courts equal to the best freeholders, thereby which in time may prove to ye destruction of the place, in that it will come to be governed by the worst and least con- cerned inhabitants." The governor and council referred them to the court of sessions for relief. Thus we see how at a very early period the question of popular suffrage began to be agitated and its evils foreseen. If those people could witness an election in our day their notion of the proper qualifications in a voter would receive a rude shock. In 1689 Thomas Wicks and John Ketcham, as officers of the town, served on certain intruders a " protest against any person buying any land or meadow of ye In- dians within the limits of the town without the knowl- edge and approbation of the town." It was also ordered that " if hereafter any stranger or person unknown come to or travel through the town without a passport, or certificate from whence he came or whither he is bound, he shall be lyable to bee seized upon by anny ofificer of the town or place into which he come or through which he shall travel, there to be secured until he can clear himself," etc.; and he was required to de- fray by work the charges of his detention. Here we find a law against tramps stringent enough to satisfy their most inveterate enemy. The Duke's Military System. The duke's laws had put in force quite an elaborate military system in the colony, and there is reason to be- lieve that Huntington complied with it. Persons over 16 years old, with certain exceptions, met for training on such days as were appointed by the proper officers; the fine for absence was five shillings. There was a fort near the Town Spot at a very early day, but to what extent guns were mounted there it is impossible now to deter- mine. This old fort was sold or given to Mr. Jones for firewood in 1680 and another was elected. Near it was a watch-house, in- which there was usually kept as re- quired by law one barrel of powder ('' English wraught"), as much as 150 pounds of musket and pistol bullets, and 30 pounds of matches. The law required every inhabitant over 16 years old and under 60 to provide himself with " one good ser- viceable gun fit for present service, a powder horn, a worm, a prime rod wire, one pound of powder, seven pounds of pistol bullets, 20 bullets fitted to the gun, four fathoms of serviceable match for a match-lock gun, and four good flints fitted for a fire-lock gun. On forming military companies the constable and overseers sent to the governor names for captains, lieutenants and ensigns, and he appointed them unless objectionable. There were 60 men in a full company. The captain every three months or oftener examined the arms; if these were not up to the standard required the delinquents were fined 40 shillings, and if the fine was not paid they might be put in the stocks. There were four training days a year for the town and one general training for the " riding,'' occupying three days; and once in two years there was a general muster and training of all the soldiers in the colony, at a time and place appointed by the governor. Fines were imposed on those who failed to attend or were dis- obedient or disorderly. For sleeping on the watch the fine was ^^5. The following is taken from a stray leaf in the town records- " Monday June 3 1762, Being traneing Daie, it was then agreed by the consent of the whole company that Abiall Titus should Beat ye Drum Sabeth Dayes in ye fore and after noons, and for his pains therein the com- pany consented to by a new Drum, which Drum the said Abinll is to keepe in Repaire and beeat at all needful times, as Training Daies and times aforesaid, for which the said Abiall is to remain Rate free as long as the town see cause." A troop of horse consisted of 50 " troopes," with a captain, lieutenant, cornet, quartermaster and three cor- porals; each was required to have " one horse, saddle, bridle, holsters, pistols or carbine, and a good sword;" it was a ;£^ offense for a trooper to sell his horse without leave of his captain. The men named below appear by an anci-^nt scrap of paper in the town clerk's office to 26 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. have belonged to one of these companies in Huntington about this period: Captain Piatt, Lieutenant Jonas Wood, Ensign Jona- than Scudder, Sergeant Thomas Weeks, John Weeks, Jonas Wood, Isaac Piatt, Thomas Whitson, John Brush, Joseph Wood, Nicholas Smith, Joseph Whitman, Thomas Brush, Richard Brush, Samuel Wood, Robert Kellum, Thomas Scudder, Samuel Ketcham, James Smith, Thomas Powell, Abial Titus, Sargant Titus, Joseph Bayly, John Sammis. The Olc Roads. One of the things that necessarily first engaged the attention of the pioneers here was providing sufificient public roads, public watering places and landings. At this period the constables and overseers had the ordering and laying out of all these public conveniences and their repair, and, with the aid of fence-viewers appointed for the East Fields and West Fields, they had the supervision of fences. To one who has traveled in the new States at the west, where nearly all roads run upon straight lines on courses either north and south or east and west, one ot the most striking peculiarities of an old town like this is the crooked, winding labyrinth of roads which, while they form a network of communication, seem to have been laid out without any plan or general system. The differ- ence in the two sections of country in this respect arose out of controlling causes. In the new States the land surveyor has usually kept in advance of the settlements. Lands there are surveyed in townships, ranges, sections (of 640 acres each), half sections and quarter sections, all on straight lines conforming to the points of the compass. As lands are purchased from the government according to these subdivisions roads are almost invariably laid out on these surveys in straight lines, crossing each other at right angles. It was very different here. No surveys had been made. Lands were granted without much regard to the shape of the parcel and with no very special bound- aries. Such records as the following are frequent: "Voted that Edward Higbee have all that good piece of planting land on the hither side of Stony Brook, not hindering highways or waterings." The boundaries be- tween the properties being on crooked lines the public roads very naturally conformed to them; or, if the road was traveled before the land was occupied, its course de- pended on the undulations of surface and obstructions met with, and these crooked roads have been perpetuated down to our time and are likely to cling to the locality for ages to come. The first roads on the borders of civilization are very apt to follow the Indian paths or trails, and such was the case here. The first road from Huntington Harbor southerly through Dix Hills to Babylon was the Indian path to Sumpwams. The Neguntetogue road, over which our forefathers hauled their salt hay from the south to the north side, was on the line of an Indian path. The same may be said of NicoU's south path, running near the present south boundaries of the town. The main road now running along the south side of the island, and on which many of the millionaires of New York city are now building their splendid mansions looking out on the sea, was an Indian path. The road known as the old Country road, which formed the southern boundary of the First purchase; the road from Cold Spring eastward through Huntington to Katawamack (Crab Meadow), thence to Southold; and the road down West Neck to Caums'ett (Lloyd's Neck), all these and many more were Indian paths followed at the beginning of the settlement. There is no record of their first dedication to the public; they in fact were not specially so dedicated, but became public roads by use and were subsequently recorded. These Indian paths were narrow, and the feet of so many generations of the aborigines had trodden them that the ground was worn away to the depth of a foot'or more, so that they could be followed in the darkest night without difficulty. At the period now under review travel was chiefly on horseback, but when goods or produce had to be moved it was done in strong carts drawn by oxen. The light wagons of our time were unknown, and would have been useless upon the rough cart paths of this early period. From the first settlement of Huntington to 1691 the constables and overseers established and laid out roads and watering places, subject to orders made at town meetings. The law was then changed so that three " Serveyers and orderors of roads " were elected at town meetings, and roads were in the control of such officers until about 1708, when John Tuthill, Joseph Parson and Thomas Helme, commissioners appointed by the gov- ernor for Suffolk county, were given power to lay out roads and record those already in use. All the main roads in Huntington and some landing places were estab- lished by them and put on record in the county clerk's office; but under a new law passed in 1732 John Wickes was appointed a commissioner for this town for seven years to lay out and regulate roads. Swinging gates were then first authorized in certain places. Roads were now required to be recorded in the town books. This con- tinued until 1739, when the freeholders at a town meet- ing were authorized to elect commissioners to lay out and regulate roads. Afterward what was known as "the three-county act," applying to Suffolk, Queens and Kings counties only, was enacted, and it continued in force until a recent period. Primitive Customs and Laws. The settlers were careful to preserve to the public convenient places adjoining highways for watering stock; hence the phrase so often found in grants and early deeds, " not hindering waterings." Landing places near the shores were likewise reserved to the public use, but the use of that period greatly differed from the use now. Probably the landing at the old dock at Huntington Harbor was at the time of which we now write well covered with huge piles of barrel and pipe staves and barrels of salt pork and beef, awaiting shipment to the Bermuda Islands or elsewhere-, while pipes of rum, wine THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 27 and sack and goods of English manufacture were being landed from vessels. One source of revenue to the town in old times was the annual lease of the ferry between Huntington and Norwalk, Conn. The town at an early period controlled this ferry and continued to do so until about 1800. It made leases to persons who ran their vessels regularly. This ferry brought into the town many Connecticut peo- ple who settled here permanently, and it was a great convenience. Vessels ceased to run on the route about 1846. The boundaries of the town and of farms and "home lots'' were recorded in the town book. Every year the owners of adjoining lands met and made what was called a "perambulation of the bounds,'' and every three years there was a "perambulation" by the officers of adjoining towns of the boundaries between such towns, and a record made. The salt meadows at the head of Cold Spring Harbor were "sold at an outcry by an inch of candle." The practice was for the auctioneer to light a piece of candle an inch long, and the person who put in the last bid as the last flicker of the candle expired took the property. This was the practice for rnany generations at auction sales of property. Farmers were principally engaged in growing wheat, rye, and corn, and raising stock, principally horses, cattle and sheep, though on account of the depredations of wolves sheep raising was limited. The officers of the town were required by law to have wolf pits constructed for th« capture of these animals, and in order to award a bounty a record was made of every head of a wolf brought in; a constable and overseers examining it and deciding whether it was newly killed, and cutting off the ears as a token that the bounty had been paid. We have already seen with what care the sale of in- toxicating liquors was guarded. It may be added that no person was permitted to sell liquors, ales or wines in less quantities than a quarter of a cask, or to keep a house of entertainment unless a certificate of good char- acter was given by the constables and a license granted by two justices pf the peace. In 1684 John Ingersoll was warned that he would be prosecuted unless he de- sisted from entertaining strangers at his house. The penalty for violating the law was j£^ for every offense. It was enacted that persons so licensed " shall provide strong and wholesome beer, brewed of good malt, at two pence the quart, and shall not suffer excessive drink nor at unreasonable hours, nor after 9 o'clock at night." The penalty for being "overtaken with drunkenness"" was confinement in the stocks. The penalty for neglect- ing to take out a license was.^^s, and the price of a li- cense was two shillings and six pence a year. All per- sons were forbidden to sell or give liquor to Indians, e;ccept that in case of sickness or famishmg two drinks could be given. James Chichester kept the only public house in the town, and that was at the Town Spot. The price of rum from the West Indies was twelve shillings a gallon. The town also often took proceedings to preserve the estates of insane or dissipated persons, an instance of which is given as follows: " Huntington January 2d 1582-3, ^ town court being then held by his maj's authority, Complaint being then made to ye constable and overseers conserning John Finch Senr. that he is deprived in some measure of his intuelectals and yt he is very subject to swounding fits. And yt he is very much given to extravejent Courses of drinking strong drink, whereby he is like to come to want and the town like to be burdened by him; the constable and overseers, having taken the same into- serious con- sideration of the dangerous consequences yt may follow upon such irapotency and extravegency, doe order yt all ye known estate ye sd John finch hath in his present possession shall be attached by warrant and secured, ]jresarvied and improvied as the constable and overseers shall think best for ye livlyhood and mantanence of ye sd John Finch, whereby he my not suffer nor tl-.e sd town damnified. Signed Isaac Piatt, Epenetus Piatt, Thomas Whitson, James Smith." This John Finch was at one time the owner of five vessels. It was made the duty of constables and overseers to admonish parents and masters to instruct their children in religion and laws and to bring them up in some use- ful calling; "and if such wilfully refuse to harken to the voice of their parents or masters " they were to be whip- ped by the constable. Servants were treated with much rigor. It was ordered that if a servant ran away from " his master or dame " the constable should press men into his service and with a "hew and cry" pursue such runaway " by sea and land, and with force and arms bring him back." Severe penalties were provided against masters cruelly beatmg or maiming their servants. It was also provided that all laborers "shall work in their calling (being thereto required) the whole day, the master or dame allowing them sufficient tyme for feed and rest." The advocates of an eight-hour law in our times can dis- cover that some advance has been made in the condition of working men from the time when what was " sufficient time for feed and rest " was wholly determined by the employer. There is no reason however to believe that servants as a general thing were ill treated or that laborers did not get fair treatment. Persons desiring marriage were to have their names called three successive Lord's days in the meeting-house in the parish where they resided, or obtain license from the governor; then they could be married by a minister or a justice of the peace "provided they purge them- selves by oath before the minister or justice that they are unmarried." Any one taking a false oath of this was liable to the punishment prescribed by law, viz.: " be bored through the tongue with a hot iron." Bigamy was not likely to occur very often under such a rule as this if it was enforced. Ministers and justices were required to keep a record of births, marriages and deaths within the parish. It is probable that both Mr. Leverich and Mr. Jones, the first two ministers here, kept such a record; if so all such records have been lost, which is unfortunate, as tracing ancestry through this early period is thereby made diffi- 28 THE TOWN OF. HUNTINGTON. cult and in some cases impossible. There are, however, a few old Bibles in the town containing family records which perhaps reach back into this period. They should be treasured as of more value than fine gold. The intermarriage between families of tHe early set- tlers had already at the time of which we are now writing — say 1682 — brought about a family relationship and community of interests which did not exist at the begin- ning, all of which tended to strengthen the young settle- ment socially and politically and prepare it for that long period of peaceful prosperity which followed. If we now call the roll of the Huntington family names of 1680, from about one-half their number there will come no response. Gradually these names have disap- peared from the record; but the blood of these extinct families still survives in the town, though in persons of other names. Dr. Whitaker in his history of Southold shows that the family names standing highest on the assessment roll in that town soon after its settlement are as a rule the names of those wh£)se posterity has survived, while the poorer inhabitants gradually died out. The same rule seems to prevail here. The old saying that "big fish devour little ones" no doubt applies as well to the hu- man race as to the fish, and as to both has a scientific basis. The great law of " the survival of the fittest" has held sway in Huntington as well as all over the globe. Wealth has in all times, as a rule, been an element of strength; the strong survive, the weak perish. Scandals seem to have been circulated concerning pri- vate burial, and to avoid this it was required that each 'parish should have one or more burial places " fenced in," under the charge of an overseer, and as many as three persons were to view the corpse at the place of burial. The time when the oldest burying grounds in this town were located probably cannot be given. The old ceme- tery on the hill near the center of Huntington village was used as such as early as the period now under re- view, for there are papers of that date existing which refer to it. Probably persons were buried there in the first year of the settlement. We know too from inscrip- tions on old slate tombstones, read by some of the pres- ent generation, that burials were made as early as about 1690 — probably earlier — on the hill where St. John's church in the same village now stands. The oldest tombstones were invariably of slate stone; later came the sandstone monuments, and later yet marble. Doctor Whitaker in his history of Southold says with respect to the funerals there at this early period: " When death came they buried their dead with all seriousness, but they did it without funeral solemnities, in order to protest against wakes, masses, prayers for the dead, and the whole round of superstitious rites and ceremonies which are practiced in some places, without the authority of the word of God." One of the peculiarities of this olden time was the habit of the people in marking domestic animals, a cus- tom however which prevails even now in all frontier set- tlements. The constable and overseers were required to have a marking iron or flesh brand to distinguish the horses and cattle of this town from those of other towns. The town mark of Huntington was the letter E, said to have come from applying the letters of the alphabet to the respective towns, running from east to west. The horses were driven up, and a person appointed by the overseers applied the hot iron to the "off buttock" long enough to leave a permanent scar in the form of the let- ter E. This was the town mark. At the same time a private mark, usually the initial of the owner's name, sometimes a monogram, was in the same way branded on the other side of the animal. A record of the mark was then made in the town book, and a statement made of the'age, color and all " observable " marks on the arji- mal, and the date of the brand. If the horse was taken to another town to be sold the brand of that town and the private brand of the pur- chaser were put on in the same way over the other marks; all cattle were required to be marked in the same way. No person was permitted, under a penalty of _;:^5 for each offense, to sell, exchange or give away any horse, cow, ox or bull not marked, and the penalty was j^io on failure to record every sale or exchange of such ani- mals; and no person was permitted to kill such animals without making a registry of the fact. There is a book of marks in the town clerk's office where the private marks of the early settlers are recorded, and a description might be obtained of the stock owned by them, provid- ed the curious antiquarian who seeks this knowledge has the skill and patience to decipher the hieoglyphics in which the record is made. The following are specimens of the oldest of these records: " Sould by Mr. Jonas Wood to John Corey a sorrel mare about seven years old, with two nicks under ye off^ years and branded on ye off buttock with the toWn brand, E, and on ye near buttock with I. W." " Sould unto Jonathen Lewis by Thomas Whitson a colo'red horse witli a little star on his forehead, a crop on ye left year, a black main and tail, four white feet, one well eye (it being ye left eye), 15 years old. The said horse is in part of pay for his man sarvant which ye said Tom Whitson bought of ye said Lewis." Sheep were marked by cutting the ears — a custom that has come down to our own time. The various mutila- tions of sheep's ears are described in the records under the terms crop, latch, nib, hole, half-penny, slash and swallow fork. The following is given as a sample of one of these records: " Jonathen Harnett his mark which he gives his creaters is a croop on ye top of ye left year and a half penny on ye nyer side of ye rite year. June 16 1685." Animals found without marks were " impounded " at the expense of the owner. It would seem from an ex- amination of a large number of the descriptions of horses or record that black was the predominant color. Mares were not permitted to be shipped out of the country. Complaint was made that owing to the large number of THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 29 small, inferior horses running wild in the woods the breed of horses had been seriously impaired, and meas- ures were taken to remedy the evil. The business of catching whales and trying out their oil began here at a very early day. There is reason to believe that whales were quite abundant in the ocean along the south coast of the town, and more or less people were employed in the business down to the time of the Revolutionary war. A paper without date but as early as 1670 reads as follows: " Know all men by these present that I, Isack Nicolls, of Stratford, have and do by these present make over unto John Finch, of Huntington, all ye same right of beach and all drift whales that come ashore upon ye Masse- pague beach that I had of John Richbill,of Mawavanock, as witness my hand." At a town meeting held in 1673 it was voted "that no foreighner or any person of any other town have any liberty to kill whales or any other small fish (!) within the limits of our bounds." Inhabitants of other towns were also forbidden interfering "whereby the companies of whalemen and fishermen may be damnified, except such foreigner come into said company as a half- share man." As the town bound was " ye ocean shore " we infer the whales sometimes came into the §outh Bay. As early as 1680 Captain Edward Higbee was largely engaged in this whaling business, and there is a contract, of this date, on record between him and a company of nine Secatogue Indians, wherein the Indians engage themselves to go with him " at that season of the year when men go forth to kill whales, and do our best en- deavor then according to his directions until the engage- ment shall be fully completed." This agreement, while it required the Indians to work, made no provssion for their pay. Under the duke's laws one-fifteenth of the oil ob- tained from whales found drifting on shore went to the colonial government. These companies of whalemen conducted their operations from the South Beach. They were provided with small boats, harpoons, lines, . etc. Poles or spars of considerable size were set up in the sand at intervals along the beach, at the tops of which men were stationed to look out on the ocean, and when the spout of a whale was discovered the signal was given and the company with their boats went in pursuit. If successful the fish was towed in shore, the blubber sepa- rated, and the oil tried out in great kettles on the beach. These adventures were often very profitable, as oil sold for jQ\ los. per barrel. This oil was used for illuminating purposes in houses, at first by means of a contrivance of Dutch origin, consisting of shallow iron vessels about the size of a tea saucer; these were partly filled with oil and a wick was put in, the end extending a little over the margin; when lighted the wick drew the oil and maintained a feeble light, very inferior to the illumination of the present day. Afterward oil lamps came into use. The principal mode of lighting, however, was by the "dip," or tallow candle, with the manufacture of which most middle aged persons are familiar. Our forefathers had their anniversary days. Nothing reminds us more forcibly of the march of time than to consider how completely these have given place to others. The first day of November was observed as a day of thanksgiving for deliverance from the gunpowder plot of Guy Fawkes. January 30th was made a day of fasting and prayer for what the statute declared " the barbarous murder of Charles I., whereby to divert God's judgment from falling on the whole nation." The 29th of May was a day of thanksgiving, it being the anniversary of the restoration of Charles II. to the throne of England and the birthday of that king; ministers were required to pray and all persons to abstain from work. It is doubtful whether these days were very zealously observed in Huntington. It would have been more in accord with the sentiments of the people to celebrate the birth- day of Cromwell. Some of the laws in existence at this period seem to us harsh and cruel. There were eleven crimes enume- rated the punishment for which was death. Among these were murder, bearing false witness, maliciously to cause a conviction in a capital case, expressly denying the true God, denying the authority of the king or raising armies to resist him, children over 16 smiting their parents, forgery and arson. Burglary and highway robbery were punished as follows: First offense, branding on the fore- head; second offense, branding as before and whipping severely; third offense, death. For stealing clothes hanging out to dry, or robbing orchards or gardens, the offender was to be publicly whipped. Stealing boats, cows or hogs was to be followed by cutting off one of the offender's ears. Firing woods was punished with 20 stripes, lying or publishing false news with seven hours in the stocks, or not exceeding 40 stripes. Gamblers, drunkards and disorderly persons were put in the stocks or whipped. Every town was required to have stocks erected in the most public place, and pillories and prisons were to be provided where the court of sessions met. The fee of the constable for whipping was two shillings and sixpence. The following little affair is suggestive of the. spirit of the times: Huntington, June 2gth 1682. — Return Davis, aged about 45, testifieth: "Not long since, while in my house, I heard ye sound of a horse trotting; I looked out and saw Robert Kellam on horseback coming from Oyster Bay, having a bag under him which had ye bulk of 6 pecks in it; I thought it was meal, and I asked him why he set out from Oyster Bay on ye Lord's day to come home; he said it was not Lord's day, for it was night; I said, ' Look yonder — I think ye sun is half an hour high, and I believe you came out of Oyster Bay about ye begin- ing of ye afternoon meeting;' and I told him I though the would be taken notice of; I also asked him whether he had got his meal now; he said yes, he could not have it to come home yesterday." In the action against " Robart Kallam for breaking ye Sabbath by traveling and carrying a burden, the court finding it legally proved, the court sentence is yt ye said Robart Kallam shall pay twenty shillin, or make such an acknowledgement as ye court shall accept of, and pay 3° THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. what is due to ye court." The court charges were i2s- 6d.; constable fees, 5s.; clerk's fees, 3s. iid. It is hardly necessary to add that Robert Kellam made a very humble " acknowledgement " and escaped the fine. A recital in our time of the harsh penal enactments heretofore mentioned impresses one with the idea that our ancestors were very cruel, but such an impression is to a great extent erroneous. The people of Huntington had no hand in putting in force this bloody code. It was framed by the crown officers in England and pro- mulgated by the Duke of York, through his deputies, at Hempstead in 1665. Many of these forms of punish- ment were copied from statutes then in force in England, and if traced they would probably be found to have had their origin far back in mediaeval ages, having been en- acted, abolished and re-enacted in England time after time as one faction arose and swept away another. Transplanted here they were not in harmony with the sentiments of the times, and the most barbarous of them were not enforced. An examination of a large number of criminal cases occurring about this period, as they appear in the Huntington court records, leads to the opinion that justice was in all cases tempered with mercy. Very few persons here were put into the stocks, very few were whipped. If any were branded in the forehead, or had their ears cut off or their tongues bored with red hot irons, we have failed to discover the fact. When the people came to make their own laws, through their chosen representatives, this bloody code very soon disappeared and was replaced with more humane provisions. It may be added that the number of crimes punished by death was far greater in England at the date mentioned than here. At this period nearly all manufactured articles came from England, and the cost was such as to deter the peo- ple from indulging in articles of luxury. Inventories of goods and chattels taken and recorded at this time show that in general their personal property was of the rudest and simplest kind compatible with civilized life. These people, isolated from the rest of the world, and destitute of skilled artisans, tools, and materials necessary in pro- viding ornaments and articles of luxury, were compelled to content themselves with rudely constructed household furniture and plain but substantial dress, and to accus- tom themselves to subsist upon plain food and drink. As Dr. Whitaker says of the people of Southold: " With- in their dwellings they used tables, chairs, drawers, chests, bedsteads, beds, bedding, shovels, tongs, andirons, tram- mels, pot hooks, pots, pans, knives, wooden ware, pewter ware, especially plates and spoons, and sometimes a little earthen ware, and perhaps a few pieces of silver — as a tankard and a cup. But stoves, tin ware, plated ware of every kind, china, porcelain, queen's ware and all kinds of fine work of the potter's art seem to have been un- known among them. So were table cloths, and especially table forks. They had no carpets, and few had any pic- tures, watches, musical instruments or works of art for the adornment of their homes." Tea and coffee were not on their tables. It must not be supposed, however, that they felt very seriously the absence of these ornaments and luxuries. Pioneers on the borders generally very readily and cheer- fully adapt themselves to the surrounding circumstances, and are not apt to mourn the absence of what it has not been their habit to enjoy. It is questionable whether the advantages arising out of the possession of the more luxurious and elaborate appliances of modern civilized life are not more than balanced by the responsibil- ities and anxieties which these impose, and the way they retard the accumulation of more substantial wealth and obstruct more enduring happiness. The hands and brains of our forefathers were employee! in making them- selves plain but comfortable homes; what they accumu- lated was invested in land and stock — those substantial elements of wealth which strengthened them and in- creased their prosperity — instead of being wasted on the maintenance of the luxurious life exacted by modern usages, which, however proper in those who have the wealth to maintain it, is like a millstone hung about the neck of the middle classes of our time. The simple habits these people acquired in New Eng- land, where the length of women's dresses and the width of men's breeches were regulated by law, still clung to them. There is reason, however, to believe that the mil- itary companies or train bands took pride in their appear- ance. They wore cocked hats, tight breeches, and straight-bodied coats, and carried long swords and guns. They were probably as proud of their clumsy matchlock muskets as modern soldiers are of the wonderful rifles of our time. When these foot companies and troops of horse met on training days for practice, and the sound of the drum and bugle blast went out over the hills, it was a great day in Huntington, and young and old flocked in to the Town Spot to witness the display. The country was at peace. The Indians were quiet. One of the reasons why so little trouble existed be- tween the first settlers here and the Indians is the fact that the whites did not, as a general thing, occupy the lands of the Indians until deeds had been made and the purchasers had been put in possession by the Indians in person. Thus all the part of the town owned by the Matine- cocks was bought and paid for before a white man is known to have lived within its limits. On the contrary in New England the settlements were generally made in the Indian country first, and the titles acquired afterward. The whites having put themselves in the position of intruders, Indian depredations and wars were thereby often provoked. The settlers here adopted the wise policy of satisfying the Indians so far as the right to the land was con- cerned. A few trinkets were generally sufficient to ac- complish this, and in this way the Indian was led to feel that as he had voluntarily parted with his land he had no ground for quarrel with those who had purchased and paid him for it, although in point of fact the considera- tion was insignificant. In 1677 Samuel Titus, constable, sent a petition to Governor Andros which disclosed some of the troubles of that period and the mode of meeting them. He said: THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 3' "Your petitioners humbly desire your honor will be pleased that some course may be taken that the Quakers may not be suffered to come into our meeting-house in time of God's worship to disturb us, as they frequently do. Also that your honor will please to order that the county rate and minister's rate maybe made both in one; and also that your honor will please to order that the Indians may not plant in our meadows which we have bought of them and paid for, which is very much to our damage," etc. Endorsed — " The law to be altered; the Indians to be sent for by the constable." Huntington and the English Revolution. Returning now to a consideration of political events of a local nature it is interesting to see what part, if any, the people of Huntington took in the memorable contest for civil liberty which led up to the revolution of 1689, involving the downfall of James II., the accession of William and Mary, and the establishment of a permanent popular assembly in the colony, where the voice of the people could be heard on public measures. Though so far from the theater of the stirring events in England the people here were fully in sympathy with the revolutionary party in England that welcomed William to the throne. By public meetings and petitions they harassed King James and his ofificers with complaints tha't they were taxed without representation, and demands for the repeal of obnoxious laws. Assemblies of the people met in various places to dis- cuss public affairs, and there were men bold and out- spoken in denunciation of the arbitrary rule of Governor Andros. In April 1681 Isaac Piatt, Epenetus Piatt, Samuel Titus, Jonas Wood and Thomas Wickes, all of Huntington, were taken to New York and imprisoned without trial on the order of Governor Andros, charged with no other offense than attending meetings of dele- gates to devise means for a redress of public grievances. This did not have the effect to awe the people of Hunt- ington into submission, for they called a meeting in their own town the same year, as the following extract from the records will show; "Sept. 24 1 68 1. — At a town meeting legally warned it was voted to make choice of one or two men to be dep- uties to act in the town's behalf with the assembly that in this place shall meet to consider of such things as shall be thought good for the public. The day first above written Capt. Thomas Fleet and Isaac Piatt are chosen deputies for the town." Sir Edmund Andros, however, had left the colony be- fore the meeting of this assembly in Huntington, leaving a subordinate ofiScer, who was not likely to take aggressive measures. The next April the people in town meeting voted to reimburse the five men who had been imprisoned in New York for the expenses they had incurred and for their loss of time. June 27th of the same year (1682) it was voted "that Epenetus Piatt shall go to York, or where the assembly shall meet, if Mr. Wood will not go to carry a petition and to speak to it when occasion shall be." Petitions coming up from the towns to Anthony Brock- hoist, the commander in chief, he seems to have admit- ted the need of a general assembly to make laws, and, the Duke of York approving the measure, the new gov- ernor, Thomas Dongan, was immediately on his arrival required to summon a general assembly of delegates from the towns, which he did by calling such an assem- bly to meet at New York October 17th 1683. John Sarn- mis and Epenetus Piatt were elected deputies from Huntington. Thompson says: "The great and all important result of this enlightened assembly was the adoption of a bill of rights, or charter of liberties and privileges." We think the eulogy of the latter author on this assembly is overdrawn. It and the succeeding two assemblies failed to so fortify the liberties of the people as to perpetuate legislative power, and Governor Dongan quietly put his foot on the bill of rights and dispensed with any more assemblies of the people until the more decisive move- ments for civil liberty in England compelled a restora- tion of popular assemblies here. At this assembly held in October 1683 the division of the province into ridings was abolished and twelve coun- ties were established, among them Suffolk. This assembly also created a sort of town court, to be held by three commissioners. Huntington the next year elected Thomas Powell, Thomas Whitson and Thomas Fleet such commissioners, but upon their refusal to take the oath of office Isaac Piatt, Epenetus Piatt and John Corey were elected in their places. This court was shortlived. The office of town collector having been created Jonathan Scudder was elected collector of all rates, including the ;^so yearly salary of the minister. Early in 1686 Governor Dongan sent men to examine as to the boundary of the lands held by Huntington, and required the town authorities to appear and show by what authority they held lands, with the purpose of compelling the town to take out a new patent. Isaac Piatt and Thomas Powell were appointed commissioners to meet the men sent by. the governor, and to act in the matter according to their discretion. At the same time John Ketcham, Thomas Powell, John Samrais and Jere- miah Smith were appointed to meet the Indians and adjust the boundaries between the Indians and the town. The commissioners appointed to negotiate with the governor about the patent, under date of April 8th 1687, drew up and presented to Mr. Graham of the governor's council an elaborate statement of what the town desired the new patent to contain, and it seem's to have been made to conform very nearly to their wishes. In a letter afterward written to Mr. Graham on the same subject they say with respect to the cost of the patent: " Hoping his excellency will take into consideration the present state and condition of the town, both with respect to the sparseness of our numbers and the lowness of our es- tates, which by reason of the incapacity of the place is not like to be augmented, our lands being both barren and rocky, and so unfit for tillage. Yet, notwithstanding, we are willing to allow twenty pounds to his excellency 32 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. if our lands may be confirmed for the future, and twenty shillings quit-rent," etc. At the request of the governor Isaac Piatt took to New York the old patent granted by Governor Nicolls, and left it with John Graham to be used in the draft of another. The governor, having obtained possession of the old patent of the town, refused to give it up unless the ex- penses of a new confirmatory patent be paid, together with rents, making in all £,2<) 4s. 6d. This sum was eventually paid, but the transaction was indignantly de- nounced by the people. The patent was granted August 8th 1688, but both the old and new patents were re- tained in the government office in New York m.ore than two years afterward, and were not delivered until all charges were paid by the town, long after Dongan had ceased to be governor. The levy of the tax on the people by Governor Dongan the same year without au- thority of law further exasperated the people, and they were rejoiced when in a few months he was ordered by the king to deliver the seal of the province to Sir Ed- mund Andros, who assumed the government. The news of the overthrow of King James and the ac- cession of William and Mary reached America in April 1689, and Captain Jacob Leisler, having seized the fort at New York in behalf of King William, invited Hunt- ington with other towns to send deputies to New York to form a committee of safety, and also to send two men each to help guard the fort. The people of Huntington, though friendly to the cause of King Wil- liam, distrusted the purpose of Leisler and were at first undetermined what course to pursue. In March they sent two delegates to Southold to confer with the rep- resentatives from other towns, " to act as shall be, ad- judged meet concerning the lieutenant governor's warrant." In May following Captain Thomas Fleet was sent to Oyster Bay to consult with the people there "concerning the present state of the country," and Cap- tain Piatt was sent to Stamford and to New York on the same business. May 3d 1689 it was voted at town meet- ing here that " in answer to Southold's messenger this town will readily comply and join with them in the de- mand of the fort, and to act further as upon consideration shall be needful." The same day it was voted that Cap- tain Epenetus Piatt should " go to York with the east end men to make a demand of ye fort." The same town meeting made the following remarkable order: " May the 3 1689. — It was voted and consented that Capt. Epenetus Piatt shall have by virtue of the town's choice full power to act as civil and military head officer of this town, he applying himself to such general matters as he with the advice of his inferior officers shall see cause to make use of for that purpose; but as to the administration of civil justice he is to apply himself to English laws." It is evident that the people of Hunting- ton were in a state of great excitement, or they would hardly have declared martial law and made one of their citizens virtually a dictator. The people here had evi- dently made up their minds to support Leisler, as the best way out of the difficulty. It would seem that South- ampton and East Hampton were at first inclined to join Huntington in this course, but Southold refused and pre- ferred to join Connecticut. There were various reasons which influenced Huntington in its course. Leisler's position as the avowed champion of King William against the adherents of the late king in the colony attracted their sympathy in his behalf. He was in power, holding the fort at New York and all the archives of the government, among which were the two Huntingotn patents. June 1 2th following Leisler issued a requisition on each of the towns for two known Protestant trusty soldiers, armed upon their cost and to be maintained at New York to aid in keeping the fort." Huntington re- sponded to this a few days after by voting at town meet- ing that " this town will bear its equal proportion in what charge of soldiers the country shall see cause to send." Deputies were sent to meet the eastern towns in order to act in concert with them in complying with the order. Southold and Setauket opposed submitting to Leisler; Southampton and East Hampton expressed their willing- ness to join with Huntington in acknowledging Leisler and sending the soldiers to New York, but asked delay and promised to give notice when they would comply. The probably changed their minds, for no notice came. Leisler was peremptory in his demands on Hunt- ington, and April 15th 1690 a declaration by Huntington of full submission to the authority of Leisler was sent to him. He still held on to the town patents, much to the displeasure of the people; finally however, about the be- ginning of 1691, they were paid for in full and delivered up. Leisler's government was terminated by the arrival, March 19th 1691, of Henry Sloughter, the new governor commissioned by William and Mary. Leisler refused to deliver up the fort to the new governor, was tried, con- victed and executed for high treason. Huntington promptly sent Rev. Eliphalet Jones and Epenetus Piatt to New York " to welcome his excellency our governor into these parts." Under the commission of Governor Sloughter Hunt- ington with other towns in a measure reaped the advan- tages of the great revolution in England. An assembly composed of delegates from each county, chosen by the freeholders, was authorized, and many important changes were made in the government, which continued, with some modifications, until the American Revolution in 1776. Dongan's Patent. The patent of i688 is too lengthy to be given here in full. The needless repetitions and verbosity of the pa- pers coming from the government office at this period arose out of the fact that those who drafted and copied them were paid in proportion to the length of the docu- ment, and not from any lack of knowledge or skill in the preparation of legal papers; for there had about this time grown up a class of attorneys, graduates of the law- schools of London (the Inns of the Temple), who were THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 3.3, not surpassed in any age in their knowledge of the law and skill in their calling. This Dongan patent, after reciting the substance of the Nicolls patent, proceeded to confirm the former grant as follows: " And by these presents do give, grant, ratify and con- firm unto Thomas Fleet senior, Epenetus Piatt, Jonas Wood senior, James Cliichester senior, Joseph Bailey, Thomas Powell senior, John Sammis, Isaac Piatt and Thomas , Freeholders and Inhabitants of Hunt- ington, herein erected and made one Body Corporate and publique and willed and determined to be called by ye name of ye Trustees of ye Freeholders and Comonalty of ye Towne of Huntington, and their successors, all ye above recited Tracts of Land within ye Limitts and Bounds aforesaid, together with all and singular ye Houses, Messuages, Tenements, Buildings, Mills, Mill- dames, fencing, enclosures, Gardens, Orchards, fields, pastures, woods, underwoods, trees, timbers, feedings and Common of pasture, meadows, marshes, swamps, plaines. Rivers, Rivoletts, waters. Lakes, Ponds, Brooks, Streams, Beaches, Quarries, Creekes, Harbours, Highways and Easements, fishing, hawking, hunting and fowling, mines, mineralls (silver and gold mines excepted), and all fran- chises, profits, commodityes and Heriditaments whatso- ever to ye said Tracts of Lands and premises belonging or in anywise appertaining," etc. As to all grants or patents by governors of the province to individuals, and all grants and divisions of the com- mon land heretofore made by the town to individuals, these were confirmed to such owners, their heirs and as- signs; and all the common or unappropriated lands were confirmed " to the present freeholders and inhabitants, their heirs, successors or assigns forever," in proportion to their several divisions and allotments, as tenants in common, saving to the king such necks and parcels of land as were not yet purchased from the Indians. Power was given the town as a corporation to acquire, hold, manage and dispose of property, real and personal, and also to bring, maintain and defend suits at law, and a common "scale" was authorized " which shall serve to execute ye causes and affairs whatsoever of them and their successors," etc. Nine trustees, to be known as "trustees of the freeholders and commonalty of ye town of Huntingtown" were to be elected " on the first Tues- day in May forever," together with a town clerk, one constable and two assessors. The trustees were to meet at convenient times and "make acts and orders in writing" for the execution of their trust. Thomas Fleet sen., Epenetus Piatt, Jonas Wood sen., James Chichester sen., Thomas ■ Powell sen., Joseph Bayly, John Sammis and Isaac Piatt were appointed such trustees until others were elected. The consideration or rent reserved to the king was one lamb or five shillings, to be paid the 25th day of March every year in the city of New York. The patent passed the office August 2nd 1688. It will be noticed that no change is made in the bound- aries of the town by this patent, but the former bound- aries are confirmed. The town acted upon the authority given as to a seal, and had one made which has been used ever since. It is round and about three-quarters of an inch in diameter. It has a capital letter E in the cen- ter (the town mark) and H V N in the margin. (The letter U was then written as we write V now.) In December 1685 Gov. Dongan made a grant to Judge John Palmer and John Roysee, of New York, of all the lands between Cow Harbor (Northport) and Fresh Pond, bounded south by the road to Smithtown and called Crab Meadow, or by the Indians " Katawamac." This grant was founded on a deed of the premif-es made the previous October by two Indians, who pretended to have title, to John Palmer, John Roysee and Richard Cornhill, of Flushing. The deed and grant were spread upon the colonial records, and caused the town much anxiety sev- eral years. As the territory was within the Huntington, limits the town denied the validity of the grant. At first the people were disposed to compromise with Judge Palmer by offering to take him in as one of the patentees of the town, but they finally declined to do so and defied his claim. The Dongan patent of 1688 including the premises Palmer seems to have abandoned his claim. The Patent of 1694. Benjamin Fletcher, who became governor of the prov- ince December ist 1693, pursued the same policy as his predecessors in requiring new patents to be taken oyt by the town. Huntington acquiesced in the demand, and at a town meeting held that year voted to have a new patent; that Captain Thomas Weeks, Lieutenant Wood, John Wickes, Joseph Whitman, John Adams, Thomas Brush and Jonas Wood should have the management of the business, and that those who refused to contribute their share of the expenses should have enough of their lands sold at "an outcry" to meet their share. This patent was granted October 5th 1694. The ex- pense to the town was ;^s8, being 7s. gd. to each of the 164^^ hundred-pound rights in the town; 83 landowners contributed to this expense. This patent is of great length, covering 26 folios. The original, written on parchment, is now in the town clerk's office. It recites the other two patents, and sets forth that Joseph Bayly, Thomas Wicks, Jonas Wood, John Wood, John Wicks, Thomas Brush and John Adams, in behalf of themselves and the other inhabitants of Hunt- ington, had petitioned for a grant and for a change of boundaries, and proceeds to grant and confirm unto the above named persons by the name of "the trustees of the freeholders and commonalty of our said town of Huntington, and their successors," as follows: "All the afore recited tracts and necks of land lying upon our said island of Nassau, within our said county of Suffolk, bounded on the west by a river called and known by the name of Cold Spring, a line running south from the head of the said Cold Spring to the South Sea, and on the north by the sound that runs be- tween our said island of Nassau and the main continent, and on the east by a line running from the west side of a pond called and known by the name of Fresh Pond to the west side of Whitman's dale or hollow, and from thence to a river on the south side of our said island of Nassau, on the east side of a neck called Sampawams, and from the said river running south to the said South Sea; together with all and singular 34 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. the houses, messuages, tenements, buildings, mills, milldams, fencings, inclosures, gardens, orchards, fields, pastures, feedings, woods, underwoods, trees, timbers, commons or pastures, meadows, marshes, swamps, plains, rivers, rivulets, waters, lakes, ponds, brooks, streams, beaches, quarries, trees, harbors, highways and easements, fishing, fowling, hunting and hawking, mines, minerals (silver and gold rjiines excepted), and all other franchises, profits, benefits, commodities and hereditaments whatever to the said tracts of land, within the limits and bounds next above mentioned, belonging or in any ways appertaining, or therewithal used, accepted, reputed and taken to belong, or in any- ways appertaining, to all intents and purposes and construction whatsoever; and also all and singular the rents, arrearages of rents, issues and profits of the said tracts of land and premises heretofore due and pay- able; to have and to hold all and singular the before re- cited tracts and necks of land and premises, within the limits and bounds next above mentioned, with their and every of their appurtenances, unto the said Joseph Bayly, Thomas Wicks, Thomas Brush, Jonas Wood, John Wood, John Wicks, and John Adams, trustees of the freeholders and commonalty of our said town of Huntington, and their successors, forever, with the sole license of purchas- ing from the natives any land or meadow within the limits and bounds next aforementioned." The persons above named were declared to be " the first modern trustees and freeholders," etc., to continue until others were elected and to provide for the annual election of seven trustees. The quit-rent was fixed at forty shillings, to be paid at the city of New York. The most material feature of this patent is the change of boundary by which Fresh Pond was made the east boundary instead of the Nesaquake River. The first board of trustees under the new patent was elected May 7th 1695. It consisted of Joseph Baily, Justice Wicks, John Wood, Captain Wickes, John Adams, Thomas Brush and Jonas Wood, and John Adams was chosen supervisor. Mr. Adams had been supervisor the previous year and seems to have been the first one elected in Huntington. The first recorded meeting of the trust- tees ever held in this town convened July 12th 1695, and the first business transacted was to declare void an order of commissioners laying out a highway at " Wigwam Swamp," now Cold Spring village. The change of the eastern boundary made by the Fletcher patent left out of Huntington a large strip of territory between Fresh Pond and Nesaquake River on the north and Sumpwams and Islip on the south. The inhabitants of this territory between the old line and the " confirmation line '' were involved in various compli- cations with the other towns, and sought the protection of Huntington. But this town was unwilling to be in- volved in litigation, and at a meeting of the trustees held ■March 20th 1755 it was agreed: "That all those persons that have this day subscribed to articles among them- selves concerning a trial for a certain piece of upland ly- ing between ye old patent line and the confirmation line, and settling the line between Huntington and Islip and Smithtown, shall have full power and authority to carry on and manage the same without any let, hindrance or molestation of or by said trustees." It was further agreed that such persons should have all the rights of the town in the premises in controversy, and " shall reap all the benefits they shall gain thereby." The agreement here referred to as being made between these parties, who were about to embark in a lawsuit to recover the lost territory, was dated June 27th 1763 and was signed by 80 of the most influential infiabitants of the town. In it they set forth that they intended to seek to recover the land both north and south of " Winnecom- mac" (the Indian name for Comae). These 80 sub- scribers contributed about £\ each toward carrying on the suit. William Nicoll was their lawyer. The suit was not entirely successful, but the title was settled. Recording Wills, etc. As an aid to those who may seek information contained in wills, letters of administration, inventories and deeds of deceased inhabitants of Huntington, the following is given: First. — Between about 1653 and 1664, when the Eng- lish took New York from the Dutch, a period of practical town independence, wills were proved, letters of ad- ministration granted and inventories taken under author- ity of the town courts, and a number of them were re- corded in the town book, according to the custom then prevailing in New England. Probably during this period many wills were not recorded anywhere. Second. — When the duke's laws were put in force, in 1665, wills were required to be proved by the court of sessions, then held at Southampton, and recorded by its clerk, and copies transmitted to the recording office in New York city. A record of the wills so proved and re- corded from about 1665 down to 1692 would naturally be looked for in the records of the court of sessions in the Suffolk county clerk's office. There will be found there what is called " Session Book No. i," which con- tains the records of the wills of as many as twelve early settlers in Huntington, and also the " Lester Will Book," in two volumes, containing records of the wills of as many as twenty Huntington persons. The dates of the proof of. these wills are between 1669 and 1684. Third. — In 1692, by a change in the law, wills were proved and letters of administration granted before the governor and under his authority, but in the outlying counties, including Suffolk, the court of common pleas was vested with power to take the proofs and certify the same to the governor in New York city. This continued until 1788, when surrogates were appointed, for each county. Under the foregoing laws a record of wills be- tween 1672 and 1784 will be found in the New York city surrogate's office in as many as 29 volumes. The wills of as many as 150 inhabitants of Huntington who died within that period will be found in these books. Since 1784 records of probate of wills and of administra- tion upon estates of deceased inhabitants of Huntington have been recorded in the Suffolk county surrogate's of- fice. The original of " Session Book No. 1 " above re- ferred to has been lost for a long period of years. "Very recently the present efficient clerk of Suffolk county, The town of huntington. 35 O. B. Ackerly, who takes a deep interest in perfecting the early records of his office, succeeded in dis- covering its whereabouts and restored it to the county records. Fourth. — Deeds were from the earliest period of the settlement recorded in the town book provided for that purpose. In 1665 the duke's laws required all deeds to be recorded by the clerk of the court of sessions, and deeds not so recorded were declared void as to all except the grantor. The people of Huntington seem to have disregarded the law, for they continued to record their title papers in the town clerk's office down to about the close of the Revolutionary war, when their deeds began to be recorded by the county clerk. There are now three large volumes of those deeds dating from 1669 to 1800 in the town clerk's office. New Comers from 1664 to 1720. The list heretofore given of the earliest settlers of Huntington was confined to those who came here in the first eleven years, ending in 1664 with the victory of the English over the Dutch. Between the last mentioned date and the year 1700, or a little later, about forty new family names, not included in the first list, appear here. About half of these names, having become extinct here, are omitted from the following list, which includes 21 names of families settled here in the period mentioned; the year of coming (as near as it can be given) follows the name: Edward Bunce, 1684; first located on Eaton's Neck, then at Crab Meadow. James Battie, 1678. John Buffett, 1696; of French extraction. John Bennett, died here in 1684. Timothy Carll, 1701; he wrote his name "Karll." Captain Ananias Carll, 1722; probably here earlier; will proved in 1750; a captain of the military. The Carlls are supposed to have come to Huntington from Hempstead in Queens county, and there is a tradition in the family that Ananias was granted lands by the town where the late Gilbert Carll resided, to induce him to come here and take charge of the train bands. John Carman, 1718. John Davice, about 1680; came from Setauket; was a brickmaker and a large landowner. John Gould, 1680; came from Southampton. Dennis Harte, 1695. Robert Johnson, 1686; wife's name Mary; had a son Benjamin, then a minor and an apprentice to Thomas Whitson; probably a descendant of Edward Johnson of Canterbury, who with his wife Susan, seven children and three servants left Sandwich, England, for New England in 1637; possibly may be a descendant of William John- son who came with Francis Jarvis to Virginia in the "Primrose" in 1635. The subsequent settlement of the Johnson and Jarvis families in the same locality here. East Neck, favors the latter view. Robert is believed to have been the father of William Johnson of Huntington who died about 1749. Robert Kellam, 1676; sold his farm at Southampton about thjs date and moved to Huntington. Timothy Kelsey, 1667. Jonathan Lewis; believed to have been the son of John and Sarah Lewis of Tenterden, England, who with one child came in the " Hercules" of Sandwich to New England in 1634; came to Huntington from the town of Westerly, Rhode Island, about 1682, when he bought lands of Thomas Scidmore at Crab Meadow; married Jemima Whitehead, sister of Adam Whitehead; died in 1708 09, leaving children Jonathan, Daniel, Joseph, Rich- ard and John and probably others. The ancestors of the Lewises here are said to have been Huguenots who fled from France on account of religious persecution and first settled in Wales, and from Wales came to America. David Rusco, soon after 1700; the common ancestor of the family in America is believed to be William Rusco, who with his wife Rebecca and children Sarah, Marie, Samuel and William came from London in the " Inno- cence" to New England in 1635. David came from Southampton and purchased and lived where the late Silas Wood resided, in Huntington village. Richard Stratton, died here in 1676. Charles Tappeii, 1712. Samuel Underbill, 17 17; came from Queens county. Philip Udall, 1678; son of Philip Udall of Flushing; came here from Flushing; married Mary Bayle, daughter of Joseph Bayle. Jonas Valentine, 1689. Richard White, 1676. Jacob Waters, 1678. Taxation in 1688. In 1688 there were eight persons assessed on the rate list at ;^ioo or over, as follows (the pound being then worth I3.88): Isaac Piatt, ;^i22 los. ; Jonas Wood, ^^128 4s. 2d.; Thomas Scudder, £iog 55. lod.; Thomas Fleet, ;^r47 los.; Jonathan Rogers, £,it,2 4s. 2d.; John Sammis,;^io4 los. 8d.; Joseph Whitman, ;^ioo; Epenetus Piatt, j£2i^. The names of those assessed at from ;^5o to ;£ioo are as follows: John Wickes, ;^77 iis. 2d.; Joseph Bailey, ;^56 7s. 2d.; Nathan Foster, ^51 15s. lod.; Robert Cranfield, ^^85 6s. 8d.; Stephen Jarvis, ;^54 los. 8d.; Henry Soper,;^5o; Timothy Conklin, ;^69; Jonathan Scudder, ^83 17s. 8d.; John Ketchara, ^57 is. 8d.; Richard Williams, ;^8o; Samuel Ketcham, ,^65 is. 8d.; Jonas Wood, ;^53 los.; Richard Brush, ^50 19s. 6d.; Thomas Brush, ;^43 5s.; Thomas Wickes, ;^78 14s.; Robert Kellam, ^57 14s.; Jeremiah Smith, ^53; Edward Bunce, ^74 los.; John Inkersalle (IngersoU?), £64 12s. 6d.; Philip Udall, £k,i los. 6d. The following persons were assessed on the same tax list from £2^ to ;^5o: Jonathan Miller, ^^30 17s. 6d.; Jonathan Jarvis, ;^i2 I2S.; Thomas Powell, ,^^40 los.; Joseph Wood, ;^42 i8s. 4d.; Thomas Whitson, £2^ los.; Thomas Higbee, ^,£'27 los.; James Chichester, ^^43 12s. 6d.; John Betts, ^39 8s. 6d.; James Chichester jr., ;^34; Samuel Titus, 36 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. ^36 6s.; Abial Titus £45 5s.; John Brush, £43 5s.; James Smith, ^^38 los.; Thomas Scidmore, ^^28; John Scidmore jr., ^29; Jonathan Lewis, £48; William Brotherton, £^6 6d.; Robert Arthur, _;^28 2s. 6.; The following were assessed at less than £2^ each: Jonathan Miller, Edward Higbee, William Jarvice, William Barns, Stephen Jarvice jr., John Green, John Adams, Jonathan Adams, Moses Scudder, Jonathan Wood, Richard Davice, John Davice, Benjamin Scudder, Nicholas Smith, widow Corie, Jonathan Harnet, Tim- othy Scudder, Jeremiah Hubart, Jacob Brush, David Chichester, Jonathan Chichester, William Marce, Roger Quint, Thomas Whitehead, John Scidmore, Jeremiah Adams, Jonas Valentine, John Page, John Mathews, Richard Gildersleeve, John Battie, Walter Noakes, Thomas Smith, Samuel Smith, Richard Soper, John Jones, David Scudder. The estimate on this list of 37 names runs from £3 up to £2^, and the total number on the assessment list for 1688 was 84. All of them held more or less of the hundred-pound rights in the lands of the town and were denominated freeholders. Jacob Conklin. About 1710 an influential person named Jacob Conklin looms up in the town's history as a great landowner and an influential citizen. Many traditionary stories have come down concerning him, but it is difficult at this time to separate fact from fiction. The town records furnish proof that he was the son of Timothy Conklin, who was a son of John Conklin, the ancestor of all the Conklins on Long Island; but some of his descendants on the south side of the island have denied the relationship and make him their first ancestor in America. Their theory is that he had been impressed into the service of Captain Kidd, the notorious pirate, who about this time was the scourge of the seas, and that, taking advantage of an occasion when Captain Kidd's vessel was anchored in Cold Spring Bay, he escaped from tTie pirate's service, and, making his way to Half Hollow Hills in this town, located there permanently. This story has the appearance of a romance, but may be true and is not entirely inconsistent with his being the son of Timothy. One thing is certain — he was the possessor of large sums of money, a very rare thing for the period, and he made large purchases of land in the town, princi- pally at Half Hollow Hills, where -he resided. He bought a large tract from the town, for which he paid the cash, and the money was divided to the owners of the hun- dreds; very many purchases were also made by him from private persons, all about the same time. He was an in- fluential citizen, of the town for many years. Jesse Conk- lin, now of Babylon, is one of his descendants. Jacob Conklin's wife was Hannah, supposed to have been a daughter of Epenet'us Piatt. Much of the land then owned by Jacob Conklin is now embraced in the large farm of General Casey at West Deer Park. Smallpox Hospitals. About 1771 smallpox prevailed in theTtown to an alarming extent, and a practice prevailed among the doc- tors of that period of variolus inoculation, a method said to have been invented by Dr. Timon of Oxford, Eng- land, about 1700. This differed from Dr. Jenner's vac- cine lymph discovered in 1789. Many persons here who had been inoculated died, and the affair created such excitement that the people at a town meeting held in February 1771 made many stringent orders forbidding any person in the town except Doctors Gilbert Potter and Daniel Wiggins inoculating any one; and they were required each to have a house where such inoculated persons were to be confined and quarantined until fully recovered. A penalty of ;^io was provided for a vio- lation of this order. Dr. Potter's house for inoculation was at Cold Spring; that of Dr. Wiggins was in the east part of the village of Huntington, on the road to Dix Hills. Revolutionary Incidents in Huntington. We have now brought the history of Huntington down to near the opening of the American Revolution. There had been a long period of peace and quiet so far as this town was concerned, for the old French and Indian war, about the middle of the eighteenth century, had hardly stirred a ripple on the surface of things here, very few having gone from this place to engage in the conquest of Canada. The Indians had nearly all passed away, a few scattered remnants of the tribes living here and there in the households of the people as servants. The popula- tion had greatly increased. The common lands bad been divided to the proprietors and wide fields brought under cultivation, so that farming operations were going on in all parts of the town; the land was cleared, substantial fences were erected and the small rudely constructed houses and barns, with thatched roofs, of the early period had given place to more commodious and better con- structed buildings. Large quantities of wheat, rye, and corn were raised; there were as many as five flour mills in the town in constant operation and the music of saw- mills was heard on many a stream. Stock had greatly increased and the breed had much improved. New York city furnished as ure market to farmers, and, as there was no competition by the great west, good prices were obtained. As a general thing the expenses at a farm-house were small, for as the family was trained up in habits of fru- gality and industry, and accustomed to live principally on the products of the farm and to wear homemade clothing, the receipts of the farm exceeded the expendi- tures, and wealth had gone on accumulating in a moder- ate but certain degree. In fact, from a handful of pioneers poor in this world's goods, dwelling in log huts around the Town Spot, nightly guarding their families from murderous Indians and enduring every hardship known to border life, the settlement had become strong, populous and prosperous. We pass over the causes which brought about the American Revolution, except to say that the leading men here had identified themselves several years before the opening of the war with those measures of resistance THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 37 to the demands of the British government which met the approval of the revolutionary committees and assemblies of the period. As early as June 21st 1774 Huntington, at a town meeting, put forth what may be termed her declaration of rights in the following resolutions: " ist. That every freeman's property is absolutely his own, and no man has a right to take it from him without his consent, expressed either by himself or his represent- atives. " 2nd. That therefore all taxes and duties imposed on His Majesty's subjects in the American colonies by the authority of Parliament are wholly unconstitutional and a plain violation of the most essential rights of British subjects. " 3d. That the act of Parliament lately passed for shut- ting up the port of Boston, or any other means or device, under color of law, to compel them or any other of His Majesty's American subjects to submit to Parliamentary taxation are subversive of their just and constitutional liberty. "4th. That we are of opinion that our brethren of Boston are now suffering in the common cause of British America. " sth. That therefore it is the indispensable duty of all colonies to unite in some effectual measures for the re- peal of said act, and every other act of Parliametit whereby they are taxed for raising a revenue. " 6th. That it is the opinion of this meeting that the most effectual means for obtaining a speedy repeal of said acts will be to break off all commercial intercourse with Great Britain, Ireland and the English West India colonies. " 7th. And we hereby declare ourselves ready to enter into these or such other measures as shall be agreed upon by a general congress of all the colonies; and we recom- mend to the general congress to take such measures as shall be most effectual to prevent such goods as are at present in America from being raised to an extravagant price. "And, lastly, we appoint Colonel Piatt Conklin, John Sloss Hobart, Esq., and Thomas Wickes a committee for this town, to act in conjunction with the committees of the other towns in the county, as a general committee for the county, to correspond with the committee of New York. " Israel Wood, President." The committee mentioned in these resolutions met committees from other towns and chose delegates to rep- resent Suffolk county at the general congress or conven- tion. That the people here were as a general thing favor- able to measures for the defense of their rights against the attacks of the British ministry and Parliament is in- ferred from the absence of any record of dissent or op- position at that period. At the same time it is not prob- able that the mass of the people contemplated separation from the mother country, whatever may have been the purpose of the leaders. The next year (1775) the following persons were elected and acted as a committee on the state of the country: Israel Wood, Stephen Ketcham, Stephen Kel- sey, Henry Scudder and Thomas Brush. It was this year that Patrick St. Clair, governor of Michilimackinac, a prisoner on parole, was sent to Huntington by the Pro- vincial Congress to be taken care of. He was boarded in the house of Captain John Squiers in Huntington. | As it became evident that the British government in- tended to coerce the colonies into submission military organizations were springing up everywhere, and Hunt- ington was not behind in this work. At a meeting at Smithtown, September 5th 1775, for the nomination of field ofificers for the ist or western regiment of Suffolk, Huntington was represented by John Sloss Hobart, Thomas Wickes, Gilbert Potter, Captain Timothy Carll, Henry Scudder, Stephen Ketcham, Thomas Brush, John Squiers and Ebenezer Piatt, and officers were elected as follows: William Floyd, colonel; Gilbert Potter, lieutenant- colonel; Nathan Woodhull, first major; Edward Smith, second major; Philip Roe, adjutant; John Roe jr., quartermaster; Nathaniel Woodhull, brigadier-general. The first three companies of this regiment elected their officers at the committee chamber in Huntington Sep- tember nth 1775, as follows: First Company. — John Wickes, captain; Epenetus Conklin, first lieutenant; John Wood, second lieutenant; Ebenezer P. Wood, ensign. Second Company. — Jesse Brush, captain; Epenetus Conklin, first lieutenant; Philip Conklin, second lieuten- ant; Joseph Titus, ensign. Third Company. — Timothy Carll, captain; Gilbert Fleet, first lieutenant; Joel Scudder, second lieutenant; Nathaniel Buffett jr., ensign. At a meeting of committees of the companies at Smithtown soon afterward Captain Jesse Brush of Hunt- ington was chosen second major of the ist regiment in place of Edmund Smith jr., declined. September 14th 1775 Ebenezer Piatt received from the Provincial Congress 100 pounds of powder for Hunt- ington. As the process of arming and drilling went on signs of difference upon the subject of fighting Great Britain manifested themselves and lines began to be drawn be- tween rebel and loyalist. As early as December loth 1775 Dr. Gilbert Potter, in a letter to John Sloss Hobart of the Provincial Congress, admitted that a large share of the people here were very indifferent to the contest. He complained bitterly of Queens county's being op- posed to the patriot cause, asserted that the loyalists there were inciting "our slaves" and servants to hostility, and expressed the opinion that unless a force could be raised sufficient to subdue the loyalists in Queens county there was little hope of success; he closed however by saying, "As to myself I am determined to live and die free." About the same time Major Jesse Brush was appointed by the committee to go to the Provincial Congress and lay before it the state of the town "as to their slackness in military preparations." The absence of some of the officers of the Huntington companies and other causes led to the election of others in their places in December 1775- At a town meeting held January 29th 1776 in the meeting-house in Huntington a war committee was chosen, consisting of Joshua Ketcham, John Buffett, Piatt Conklin, Piatt Carll, Jonah Wood, Wilmot Oakley, Jesse Brush, Timothy Ketcham, Gilbert Fleet, Richard Conklin, Jonas Rogers, Thomas Wicks, Benjamin Y. 38 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. Prime, Timothy Conklin, Solomon Ketcham, David Rusco, Henry Smith and Gilbert Potter. These were all substantial freeholders and devoted to the cause of the colonies. Two more companies at Huntington, known as the 4th and 5th of the ist Suffolk regiment, were organized Jan- uary 12th 1776, as follows: 4tli company. — John Buffet, captain; Isaac Thompson, first lieutenant; Zebulon Ketcham, ensign. Sth company (from Cow Harbor). — Piatt Veal, captain; Michal Hart, first lieutenant; Isaac Dennis, second lieu- tenant; Jacob Conklin, ensign. The officers of the artillery were: William Rogers, captain; John Franks, first lieutenant; Jeremiah Rogers, second lieutenant; John Tuthill, fireworker. One thousand pounds of powder were received by the Huntington committee July 5th 1776 from Congress. The chairman of the Suffolk county committee, Wil- liam Smith, in a letter dated January 24th stated that the militia in the whole county did not exceed 2,000. Political events followed each other in rapid succession. The leaders of the Revolution, having taken their stand for freedom, urged those who were identified with them in the Long Island towns to arms, and to organize and bring the people into a hearty support of the cause. The Declaration of Independence had been proclaimed. The way the people of Huntington felt at this time is perhaps best shown by the report of what occurred here, pub- lished at the time in Holt's New York Journal. "Huntington, July 23, '76. "Yesterday the freedom and independence of the thirteen united colonies was, with beat of drum, pro- claimed at the several places ot parade, by reading the Declaration of the general congress, together with the resolutions of our provincial convention thereupon; which were approved and applauded by the animated shouts of the people, who were present from all the distant quarters of this district. After which the flag used to wave on liberty pole, having Liberty on one side and George HI. on the other, underwent a reform; /. e. the union was cut off, and the letters George HI. were dis- carded, being publicly ripped off; and then an efifigy of the personage represented by those letters, being hastily fabricated out of base materials, with its face black like Dunmore's Virginia [negro] regiment, its head adorned with a wooden crown, and its head stuck full of feathers, like Carleton's and Johnson's savages, and its body wrapped in the union instead of a blanket or robe of state, and lined with gunpowder, which the original seems to be fond of — the whole, together with the letters above- mentioned, was hung on a gallows, exploded and burnt to ashes. In the evening the committeee of this town, with a large number of the principal inhabitants, sat around the genial board, and drank 13 patriotic toasts, among which were: The free and independent States of America, The General Congress, The Convention of the 13 States, Our Principal Military Commanders, and Suc- cess and Enlargement of the American Navy. Nor was the memory of our late brave heroes who have gloriously lost their lives in the cause of liberty and their country forgotten." There is no doubt that the "rebels" made it hot for the tories about this time. Some forty of the latter, some of whom had deserted from the patriot militia, were concealed in the Marsapeague Swamp on the south side, over the line in Queens county. Colonel John Birdsall, with 200 men from Huntington and zoo from Queens county, undertook to "drive the swamp" and take these armed tories, but news of the disaster at Brooklyn arriving they withdrew. Colonel Josiah Smith of Brookhaven was placed in command of the ist Suffolk regiment, and pursuant to orders from the convention marched from Smithtown August izth to join General Greene at Brooklyn. The diary of Colonel Smith (recently discovered by William S. Pelletreau of Southampton, and printed in the history of that town contributed by him to this work) shows what part was taken by this regiment in the brief and disastrous campaign about Brooklyn. By the favor of Mr. Pelletreau we are able to give the names of the men in the two companies from Huntington under Colonel Smith's command, as follows: Captain Piatt's Company. — Nathaniel Piatt, captain; Samuel Smith, first lieutenant; Henry Scudder, second lieutenant; John Stratton, first sergeant; John Carll, second sergeant; Jesse Bunce, third sergeant; James Hubbs, first corporal; Jedediah Mills, second corporal; John Hart, third corporal; William Newman, drummer. Privates: Thomas More, Nathaniel Taylor, Daniel Smith, Epenetus Wood, Israel Mills, Nathaniel Smith, Nathaniel Sammis, Neheraiah Brush, William Mills, Mathew Smith, Job Smith, David Smith, Henry Shad- dain, Thomas Wheeler, Silas Biggs, Floyd Smith, James Hubble, Moses Soper, Jesse Bryant, Hezekiah Smith, Nathan Smith, Philip Bayley, William Gates, Jonas Wood, James Smith, Seth Jarvis, John Bayley, John Gil- dersleeve, Isaac Haff, Jesse Weeks, James Abbot, Simon Oakes, James Haff, Scudder Carll, Josiah Wicks, Samuel Rose, Alexander Fleet, Luke Ruland, Matthew Beale, William Taylor, William Smalling, Nehemiah Hart, James Grififis, George Beale, John West, Joseph Scid- more, Eliphalet Hill, Reuben Arthur, David Monroe. Captain Wickes's Company. — John Wickes, captain ; Thomas Brush, first lieutenant; Nathaniel Whitman, second lieutenant; Jesse Ketcham, Timothy Sammis and Samuel Vail, sergeants; Nathaniel Rusco, Ezra Conk.ling and Stephen Kellj', corporals; John Williams, drummer; John Bennett, fifer. Privates: William Sammis, Thomas Conkling, Samuel Nostran, Robert Brush, Jonas Sammis, Joseph Wood, Benjamin Denton, Philip Sammis, James Brush, Ebene- zer Sammis, Gilbert Brush, Joseph Conkling, Jesse Smith, Alexander Bryant, Josiah Smith, Joseph Ireland, George Everit, Nathaniel Allen, Isaiah Jervis, Peleg Smith, Nathaniel Udall, James Higbee, Nathaniel Jarvis, Joseph Jarvis, Caleb Rogers, Samuel Wickes, Stephen Strattan, Obadiah Kellura, John McGear, Piatt Sammis, David Ruland, Nathaniel Sammis, Eliphalet Chichester, Samuel Hart, Enos Bishop, Jesse Willmot. General William Howe, commander in chief of the king's forces in America, had landed and issued his proc- lamation dated August 23d 1776, announcing that all who submitted as faithful subjects should be fully protected. The following letter shows how Huntington was ex- cited over the arrival of the British fleet: "Huntington, Aug. 26 '76. " I had not arrived at my house from Jamaica half an hour before I received information by express from Cap- tain Thompson of Brookhaven that two ships, one brig THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 39 and three tenders had landed a number of regular troops between Old Man's and Wading River, who at i o'clock were shooting cattle. Major Smith has ordered the de- tachment designed for your party to the eastward, and as our men are gone and the wind fresh to the eastward I well know they cannot lay there. I expect them in our bay before morning, the only harbor in the sound. I have not ordered any men from here as yet, but am mus- tering them to make as good opposition as possible. We must have help here; everything possible for me shall be done. I think General Washington should be acquainted. Our women are in great tumult. "In great haste, yours, ^ " Gilbert Potter. "To Brig. Gen. WoodhuU." The battle of Brooklyn had resulted disastrously to the patriot cause, and the tories in the Marsapeague Swamp came out, threw up their hats, and hurrahed for King George. General Woodhull had come to Jamaica. Colonel Potter sent him loo men from Huntington on the 27th of August, and several days were spent in the vain en- deavor to prevent a drove of cattle on Hempstead plains from falling into the hands of the enemy. Woodhull was slain by the hand of a ruffian and his force dispersed. One of the greatest blunders of the period was the order of the convention of August 24th sending General Woodhull on this cattle expedition. His experience as an officer in the French war and his abilities entitled him to a different class of work. On the 29th of August General Erskine, command- ing officer under General Howe for Suffolk county, issued his proclamation commanding all committeemen and others in rebellion to lay down their arms and bring in their cattle, and their horses and wagons for transporting baggage, etc., for all of which they were promised full payment, while on failure to comply the country was to be laid waste. Judge Hobart and James Townsehd, who had been sent from the Provincial Congress, were at Hunt- ington and made an effort to rally the militia at this point. They sent for Colonel Mulford, of East Hampton, to take command. August 29th Major Jeffrey Smith ordered the four companies in Brookhaven to march to Piatt Carll's, in Huntington; three of the companies on their way there stopped at Epenetus Smith's and waited while Major Smith came to Hunting- ton and consulted with Hobart and Townsend. The militia were in high spirits and eager to march, but at dusk Major Smith returned, called the officers into a room and told them he thought it dangerous to march further west, as their force would not be sufficient to op- pose the enemy; if they must fall into the enemy's hands it would not be a good policy to incense a cruel foe by being taken in arms; if they remained quietly at home they would fare better. He said he should resign his commission and would give no orders, but advised them to take their orders from Hobart and Townsend. After hearing this the militia returned to their homes. Notwithstanding this we find Hobart and Townsend on the 30th of August writing to the convention that they should try to gather a force and make a stand at Huntington; they say: "We have exerted ourselves to recover the people from the consternation into which they were thrown- by the precipitate retreat of WoodhuU's party; Major Brush is with us and begins to be in spirits." But these efforts were all in vain. Two days after this the king's troops were in Huntington; the 17th regi- ment light dragoons took possession of the place. Sep- tember ist General Oliver De Lancey issued his proclama- tion from Huntington commanding all to lay down their arms, take the oath of allegiance, and sign the roll of sub- mission, disclaiming and rejecting the orders of Congress and conventions; to obey the government, and in all places of worship in future to pray for the king and the royal family. September 2nd Israel Wood, president of the trustees of Huntington, decided in favor of submission. Two hundred infantry and 100 cavalry held Huntington in their iron grasp. They tore the seats out of the Presby- terian church and converted it into barracks. Large numbers of the inhabitants with their horses and teams were pressed into the king's service. Companies of provincials, to be composed of local militia, were ordered to be raised and forced into the king's service. All fat cattle and sheep in Suffolk county were ordered to be driven down to Jamaica, the loyalists to receive certificates of value which entitled them to pay, but "the cattle of those in rebellion to be forced down for the re- freshment of the king's troops." By proclamation of Governor Tryon, the only way to save their lives and estates offered to those who had been in active rebellion was to deliver up all their arms to the commander-in-chief of the king's troops, and to enlist in the regular service for the term of the war, or, if not fit, to send a substitute. Commissary-General Daniel Chamar issued orders to his subordinates to take into their custody all the grain, forage and livestock they could find belonging to persons in rebellion or who had deserted their habitations; and to impress boats, wagons, horses, drivers, mills, barns, and what other conveniences might be required for his Majesty's service. This placed the lives and property of the people at the mercy of a haughty and cruel soldiery. Under these circumstances some of the committee in Huntington, as in other towns, signed a recantation of all their previous declarations. Henry Onderdonk jr. in his " Revolutionary Incidents" gives the following as the form of the paper signed: "Huntington, Oct. 21 '76. " The committee of Huntington, being thoroughly con- vinced of the injurious and inimical tendency of our former meetings and resolutions, and willing to manifest our hearty disapprobation of all such illegal measures, do hereby dissolve this committee, and as far as in us lies revoke and disannuU all former orders and resolutions of all committees and Congresses whatsoever, as being un- dutiful to our lawful sovereign, repugnant to the princi- ples of the British constitution, and ruinous in the ex- treme to the happiness and prosperity of this country." 4° THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. It is not probable that this was signed by a majority of the committee. Several of them had gone into the Continental army, had fled to Connecticut or were in Congress. Five hundred and forty-nine persons in Huntington took the oath of allegiance and peaceable be- havior before Governor Tryon. Thev ranged in age be- tween 15 and 70 years, and composed the greater part of the male population of the town. The original list of their names, with ages and occupation, made at the time and certified by the hand of Governor William Tyron, is now in the town clerk's office. It contains all the lead- ing family names in'this town. Huntington was no ex- ception; the other towns on Long Island pursued the same course. They took the oath as an outward form, but inwardly revolted against it. They yielded to the king a lip service extorted by force too great to be over- come, but mentally they abhorred the act, and all their sympathies were with the patriots who were fighting in the armies of Washington. It may be s.iid that they should have organized and resisted, but it is easy now to see that resistance would have been of no avail; Gen- eral Howe could have sent a force sufficient to com- pletely crush them. The. course of those who remained here with their fam- ilies was probably the wisest in the end. Nevertheless we cannot help admiring that band of noble patriots whose undaunted spirit of resistance to tyranny could be broken by nothing but death; who refused to take the oath of allegiance to a king and government they hated, and at the approach of winter abandoned their comfortable homes and farms, gathered their wives and children, and fled to points within the lines of Washing- ton's army. It is probably impossible at this late day to make a complete list of those who abandoned their homes here, but some of them can be given. Captain John Squiers, a prominent citizen here then, pursuant to an order by a British officer, certified April r3th 1780 that the following persons had abandoned their farms in Huntington rather than submit: Thomas Weekes, Cor- nelius Conkling, Thomas Brush jr., William Sammis, Gilbert Bryant, Josiah Buffett, Joshua Rogers, Jesse Brush, Isaiah Whitman. The names are also given of the loyalists who upon the vacation of the farms by the above persons took pos- session and occupied them. Their names are hardly im- portant, as the fiery indignation of the triumphant patriots in after years swept them from the town so completely that scarcely a vestige of their family names now remains. The following persons at various times crossed the sound to Connecticut on service in the patriot cause: Captain John Conklin, Dr. Gilbert Potter, Henry Scudder, Ebenezer Piatt, Jacob Titus, Thomas Conklin, Zachariah Rogers, Ebenezer Conklin, Alexander Conklin^ Carll Ketcham, W. Sammis, James Hubbs, Benjamin Blachly, Pearson Brush, Joseph Titus, Timothy Wil- liams, John Sloss Hobart, Selah Conklin, Ezekiel Wickes, John Carll, Jarvis Rogers, Jesse Arthur, Seth Marvin] Zebulon Williams, Richard Sammis, William Hartt, Stephen Kelsey, Eliphalet Brush, Benjamin Titus. A list might be made of the tories in Huntington. We have no right to denounce those who were conscien- tiously devoted to the existing government and for that reason refused to join in a rebellion, but those tories who, while remaining out of the king's armies, acted as spies on their neighbors, exciting and piloting raids of soldiers upon a defenseless people, earned the everlasting detestation of the people of Huntington. At the close of the war many of them fled to Nova Scotia and others hid themselves in unknown settlements. The king's troops having established their headquar- ters here, occupying the meeting-house and also barracks which they forced the people to erect, began to carry out the chief purpose for which they came. They plunder- ed the inhabitants of their fat cattle and sheep, grain, hay and wood, and transported them by means of ship- ping in the bay to distant points for the use of General Howe's army; so that the Huntington people not only had several hundred soldiers constantly quartered on them, but their property went to feed and maintain the British army on the mainland. One of the first acts of the British officers here was to seize 160 casks of oil and 20 hogsheads of molasses that had been stored in Huntington. Joseph Bunce and Jonas Higbee, who each owned a vessel here, were or- dered to move them up to the dock on the east side of Huntington Harbor and receive the oil and molasses on board, which they did and took the cargo to New York city under the convoy of his Majesty's ship " King- fisher," delivering it to a quartermaster of the king's troops. The greater part of the horses in the town were ■'pressed" into the service, and a large number of able- bodied men were in the fall of 1776 compelled to go with their teams to distant points in all parts of the island, transporting the baggage of troops who were con- stantly on the move. It was in the latter part of September 1776 that Nathan Hale, around whose name melancholy reflections always cluster, was captured here by the British, taken to New York, condemned as a spy and hung. There are many conflicting accounts as to the place and manner of his capture. As near as can be determined he was sent into the British lines by Washington to gather information con- cerning the enemy's strength, fortifications, etc. He crossed over from Norwalk to Huntington in a boat which was to return on a given day and take him back to the Connecticut shore. He made his way successfully through the lines of the British troops under the pretense that he was a schoolmaster seeking a situation, and, hav- ing succeeded in his mission, returned to Huntington, stopping over night in the house of William Johnson at a place called the "Cedars," near the shore of Huntington Bay. The next morning, seeing a boat approaching the shore, he took it to be the boat coming for him, and went to the shore. As the boat struck the beach Hale dis- covered his mistake and turned to retrace his steps. He was ordered to stop; on looking over his shoulder he saw the whole crew standing with their guns leveled at him. Escape was impossible; he was taken on board the THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 41 frigate "Halifax," then in Huntington Bay. His papers revealed his true character. He was taken to New York in the boat of the " Halifax ", and on the 22nd of Sep- tember 1776 was by order of General Howe executed as a spy. During the gloomy winter of 1776 the inhabitants were literally " hewers of wood and drawers of water " for the British soldiers. Information of the progress of the war in other parts of the country usually came through highly colored tory accounts, so that little hope was en- tertained by the people here of the final success of the American cause. In the spring of 1777 the second and third battalions of De Lancey's brigade were quartered on Huntington. John Wood, Nathaniel Harrison, Selah Samrais and many others, with their teams, were compelled to haul the clothing and baggage of the brigade from Jamaica to Huntington. There were also two companies of tories stationed here at the time. Rev. Joshua Hartt, a bold and outspoken patriot, was arrested by the notorious Provost Marshal Cunningham, and first confined in jail at Jamaica, then in jail at New York, where he remained until October 25th, when he was liberated on parole. The local militia companies here were made the ser- vants of the regular troops and were ordered out by the regular officers to perform all sorts of duty, chiefly to work on barracks and forts and transport provisions and baggage from place to place. The names of these mil- itia are on record, and among them were the most influ- ential men of the town. They were compelled to per- form duty as guards on horseback, six being detailed for such duty every night; 300 horses were pressed into this service. In August 1777 there were 300 British soldiers in Huntington, and barracks, magazines and storehouses were erected around and near the church. In November 1777 the bell was taken from the meet- ing-house by order of the trustees and placed in care of John Wicks for safe keeping. Soon afterward a party of armed men came to his house with two British officers — one the captain of the " Swan," an armed brig lying in the bay. The latter pointed a pistol at Wickes and said if he did not tell where the bell was he would blow him through; upon which he told them it was at his house, and they took and carried it off". Gilbert Piatt stated that in November 1777 he was compelled by the master of the "Swan" to carry a bell belonging to the inhab- itants of Huntington from Captain Wickes's house to the water side, and that it was delivered on board a barge of the ship. Zebulon Piatt stated that in the last of No- vember or first of December 1777 he was taken prisoner and carried on board of the "Swan;" that when he ar- rived on board he saw the bell, and he and the bell were shifted from the brig to a tender and sent to the main guard in New York. The trustees of Huntington after- ward petitioned Admiral Digby for the return of the bell, saying it was on his Majesty's ship "Rhinoceros," lying at the dock near the shipyards in tlie East River. The bell was afterward returned, but so cracked as to be worthless, and Dr. Davidson says it was recast into the bell now in use. It cost in London when new ^^75, and had the word Huntington cast upon it. A fort called Fort Franklin had been built at the west end of Lloyd's Neck in which four twelve- pounders and two three-pounders were mounted, and a garrison of about 300 men was stationed there. This fort was mainly built by Huntington men whose names can be given, be- longing to Captain Conklin's militia. Relays of 30 men of the company were put on this work daily. Besides these there were many others who worked there with picks and shovels, oxen and horses. Fort Franklin was intended as a rendezvous for tories, who from this point fitted out' expeditions by water to plunder the inhabitants in the harbors on the sound. Onderdonk says that Ludlow's battalion, numbering 150 men, occupied the fort in July 1777; afterward Cap- tain Hewett was in command, and he evacuated it July 7th 1781; that besides the regular force there was a body of equal number composed of tories, refugees, and. all degrees of desperadoes. They lived in huts near the fort. Having boats at command they sallied forth in every direction, for pillage and every kind of violence. It was considered as the headquarters of what was known as the " Honorable Board of Associated Loyalists." An attack was made on this fort in July 1781 by a combined force of French and Americans. Colonel Upham in his report states that three large ships, five armed brigs and other armed vessels appeared in Huntington Harbor July ist and at 8 o'clock landed 450 men, mostly French, on the beach two miles from the fort. They marched to within 400 yards of the fort, but were repulsed' by the cannon in the fort and very soon left. The strength of the attacking force was probably exaggerated. This attack was made by order of Count de Barras, who was at Newport. The commander of the fort, Colonel Hewett, complimented the Queens county militia for their timely assistance in repelling the attack, but cen- sured the Huntington militia for not appearing as ordered. Henry Onderdonk jr. accompanied his account of this affair with a cut and explanation, which he per- mits us to reproduce here. LONG ISLAND SOUND 4 O ColASpriittg. 42 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. Explanation of the Plan. b. Fort Franklin. c. Place where the French landed. e. A brig of 8 or 10 guns under protection of the fort. /. A large sloop attacking the fort on the west side, the fort bringing one gun to bear on her. g. Place where a British armed schooner landed her guns and mount- ed them in battery on shore and so beat off a 40-gun ship that came to the attack. ft. A 40-gua ship attacking the British vessels, which are trying to keep out of her way. Huntington was compelled to contribute ;£it(>, the expenses of digging a well near the fort. Thomas Brush paid the money in behalf of the town, and it was after- ward raised by a tax on property. The widow Chichester kept a public house on East Neck near the shore of the bay, and twenty-five loyalists from Connecticut were quartered in her house. Major Ebenezer Gray, with a party of Colonel Meigs's regi- ment, came over from Norwalk and attacked the house. A fight ensued, but the tories were overpowered; two of them, Captain Coffin and Lyon, were killed, one badly wounded and i6 made prisoners; the rest made their escape. One of the most fearless and uncompromising patriots of this period was Major Jesse Brush, who is described in a current report of the time as "a small, well b\iilt man, with red hair, sandy complexion and a bright eye, strong as Hercules and bold as a lion." He abandoned his farm rather than submit, and was a terrible thorn in the side of the tories in the town, as the following tory report will bear witness: " A party of rebels have a place of resort at Bread and Cheese Hollow, on a by-road that leads from the house o£ two men now in rebellion, viz. Nath'l Piatt and Thos. Treadwell, to that of the noted Sam'l Phillips, near the Branch. They extend along the road from said Phillips's to the well known Piatt Carll's, and have stopped several persons on horseback and in wagons and robbed a number of houses in Smithtown and Islip within the last ten days. They are said to be commanded by a rebel Major Brush, formerly of Huntington." Major Brush was taken prisoner with Captain Joshua Rogers, Lieutenant Ketcham, Timothy Williams and others in September 1780, while concealed under a boat in Smithtown, and was confined in jail in New York until exchanged. It is supposed that Major Brush and the rest were liberated in October 1780, as Henry Scudder went to New York at that time to negotiate their ex- change. About this time a party of patriots from Con- necticut concealed themselves in a wood below Hunting- ton Harbor and fired upon three dragoons, killing one; they then took to their boats and escaped to Connecticut. A tory correspondent of Gaine's JVew York Mercury, writing June 28th 1779, says: "The rebellious part of the inhabitants of this town [Huntington], who were kept in awe while the troops were stationed east of us, are now become more insolent than ever, and publicly threaten to have all the loyal- ists carried off to Connecticut. The principal of these miscreants are Nathaniel Williams, Stephen Kelsey, Eliphalet Chichester, John Brush, Jonas Rogers, Marlboro Burtis and Israel Wood, some of whom smuggled goods out of New York for the sole purpose of supplying the rebels in Connecticut. Scarcely a night passes but some of their loyal neighbors are plundered by the sons and other relations of those rebels who fled to Connecticut. I hope you will keep a good look out for these traitors." It is no doubt true that about this time the tories here suffered greatly by sudden attacks on them by those of their patriot neighbors who had formerly either left the town or secreted themselves in lonely places. Many of the sons of those who had taken the oath of loyalty had gone to Connecticut, and occasionally bands of these patriot refugees would land on the coast and make a raid on the tories, sometimes carrying off their cattle and sheep to supply the American army and sometimes cap- turing and carrying off the tories, and imprisoning them in Connecticut. The tories therefore made loud and frequent complaints to the British officers. July loth 1779 General De Lancey issued an order setting forth that peaceable and inoffensive inhabitants had been carried off in the night to Connecticut and robberies committed by sons of persons who had pre- tended to be loyal, with the aid of the latter, and declar- ed: "I will send over such fathers, mothers and their whole families to Connecticut, and give possession of their farms and property to be enjoyed by his Majesty's true and faithful subjects " until they " can prevail upon the rebels to desist." August 19th following General De Lancey ordered 210 of the Suffolk county militia to parade with their blankets on Monday the 23d instant, to be employed in repairing and constructing the fort at Brooklyn, and to cut, hew and transport 75,000 pieces of timber, pickets, fascines, etc., to be used in the work. This order was issued to Captain Dingee at Huntington South, who replied by stating that it was impossible to comply with it. Upon this the following sweeping order was made by De Lancey: " If the requisition of men and materials for the pur- pose above mentioned is not immediately complied with a detachment of troops will be sent into that dis- trict, and every person who shall have refused to con- tribute his assistance towards a work in which the king's service and the interest of the loyal inhabitants are so intimately blended shall be turned without distinction out of Long Island, and their farms will be allotted for the support of those who have suffered for real attachment to government." Compliance with the order could not be further re- sisted. Governor Tryon was exasperated at the backwardness of the people in taking the oath of allegiance, and caused the following order to be promulgated, dated September 23d 1778: "All the male inhabitants from 15 years old to 70 that have omitted or neglected waiting on his excellency on the 2nd instant, according to orders, are required to wait on his excellency at New York on or before the loth day of this month; on failure of which they will be fined five pounds each, and after the fines are levied any refusing to wait on his excellency will be obliged to quit the island with their families." As the people did not respond fully to the order Gov- THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 43 ernor Tryon in person early in September, with a force of 1,200 men, swept the island from one end to the other of its cattle, sheep and grain, and sent them to provision the king's army. On his way east he stopped at Huntington and ad- ministered the oath of allegiance to 413 male inhabitants. After his return he says in a letter, " I gave them the alternative either to take the oath or remove with their families and furniture to Connecticut." In October following Governor Tryon made another raid through the island with a large force, and adminis- tered the oath of allegiance to those who had escaped him before. The town of Huntington was early in the war largely drawn upon by the British for wood, to supply the invad- ing army at New York city and other places as well as at the barracks here. Governor Tryon many times ordered the local militia to have cut and sent to New York large quantities of wood. In order to equalize the burdens of the requisition the owners of woodlands met and ap- pointed men to superintend the cutting and carting of wood to the landings, and it was agreed that each inhab- itant owning woodland should contribute his proportion of the wood as it was from time to time demanded. This plan was carried out in part, but often the tory friends of the British would enter upon the lands of known friends of the American cause and cut and destroy tim- ber indiscriminately. It took fifty years to recover from the havoc made by the war in the Huntington wood- lands. In the fall of this year Colonel Tarleton with his Brit- ish Legion came to Huntington, and Colonel Simcoe was here with the Queen's Rangers. The inhabitants had been promised that if they took the oath of allegiance they would be paid for their prop- erty taken from them, and receipts were generally given for wood, beef, cattle, horses, etc. As about four years had passed, and receipts had accumulated representing large sums of money unpaid, the town, through the trus- tees and individuals, petitioned Governor Tryon that these bills might be paid. Admiral Digby, who was sup- plied with much beef for the shipping in the bay, paid for the greater part of it, but the other bills largely remained unsettled. The. British oflScers, as an excuse for not paying or giving receipts, said the people of Huntington were rebels and did not deserve pay. The following is an extract from a letter by Colonel Simcoe, dated April 4th 1780, stating his opinion of the people of Hunting- ton. He could not well have passed upon them a higher compliment: " I do not give receipts to a great number of people on account of their rebellious principles, or absolute dis- obedience of the general order. The inhabitants of the town of Huntington come under both descriptions. The last order I received relative to the collection of forage was to direct it all to be brought in, giving only an allow- ance for working oxen, under penalty not only of having it confiscated but their houses given up to plunder in case op disobedience." In August 1780 sickness prevailed to a great degree among the soldiers at the barracks in Huntington, espe- cially in the 2nd battalion of De Lancey's brigade. The inhabitants were compelled with their teams to transport large numbers of the sick to the hospital in Jamaica. During the year 1781 the number of soldiers was in- creased; a fleet of war vessels lay in the bay; probably plunder, pillage and destruction of property continued. As the most of the horses and cattle of the farmers had been pressed into the king's service, and a large part of the able bodied men were kept employed in the trans- portation of baggage and goods and in building forts , and barracks, it was impossible to cultivate the soil or raise any considerable crops, and provisions were scarce. In the spring of 1782 Thompson's corps, the Queen's Rangers and Tarleton's Legion, numbering about 600 men, were in Huntington. The same policy of robbery, pil- lage and destruction continued during the summer of this year. British officers were annoyed and alarmed at the success of the American armies and the ability of the '"rebels" to hold out year after year against the king's troops. Believing that the war would last many years longer it was determined to erect more permanent forti- fications and quarters for the soldiers. And now comes the crowning outrage upon the people of this town. Near the center of the village of Huntington there is a hill of considerable elevation, forming the northern terminus of a range of hills coming from the south. It commands a fine view of the harbor, bay and sound, and the distant shores of Connecticut. This hill had been consecrated ground, for all around its sloping sides to the crown of the eminence were the graves of the an- cestors of the inhabitants. It had been the principal burying ground in the town for more than a hundred years and wa& well occupied with graves, a large propor- tion of which were marked by tombstones. It was upon this spot, sacred to the tenderest sentiments of the hu- man heart, that Colonel Thompson decided to erect his fort, and he chose the highest part of the hill, where some traces of the work may yet be seen. Probably nothing could have been done by the British soldiers at this period to so profoundly move the people to anger and grief as this horrid sacrilege; and when on the 26th day of November 1782 the order went forth from the commanding general directing the inhabitants to come with their spades, axes and teams and commence the work of desecration, we may well imagine there was a fiery indignation kindled in the hearts of the people, which neither time nor circumstance nor aught else than death could ever quench. To make the humiliation greater the orders for the work were sent out through the officers of the local militia here that had been driven into the British service. The following is a specimen of these orders- " Huntington, Nov. 26th 1782. " By virtue of an order from Lieut. Coll. Thompson you must immediately warn all the carpenters whose names are undermentioned to appear without delay, with their tools, to labor on the barracks, on failure of which I am under an obligation to return their names immedi- ately; and must appear every morning by 8 o'clock, or 44 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. they will not be credited for a day's work, and must not go away till dismissed. " Philip Conkling, Ensign. ^ " Hubbard Conkling, Samuel Haveland, Jno. Morgan, Rich'd Rogers, Benj. Brush, Isaac Selah, John Wheeler, Isaac Wood, Dan'll Higbee." Captain Timothy Carll, of Dix Hills, was compelled to bring up his company, with spades, picks, axes, etc., and engage in the unhallowed work. Those who had teams in or near the village were pressed into the service. Over ICO tombstones about the top of the hill were dug up and the ground was leveled to prepare for the work. A force of carpenters was set to work tearing down the church on a distant hill, which they soon accomplished, and the material was conveyed to the burying hill and used in constructing the fort. Building materials were also obtained by tearing off the sides of buildings in the vicinity. The buildings of John Sammis, Henry Sammis, David Conklin and others were taken for this purpose. Apple orchards were cut down and fences leveled in all directions and the materials used for the fort. The tombstones which were dug up went into the construc- tion of the fort for fireplaces and ovens and into floors for dragoons to stamp on. Tradition informs us that persons employed about the fort often saw the loaves of bread drawn out of these ovens with the reversed inscrip- tions of the tombstones of their friends on the lower crust. The fort was built in about fifteen days. It was well named Fort Golgotha. One who visited it described it as facing the north, about five rods in front, with a gate in the rniddle, and extending a considerable distance north and south, with a ditch around it; the works, in- cluding the huts for soldiers, inclosing about two acres of ground. Colonel Benjamin Thompson, whose name will ever be infamous to the people of Huntington, was a'native of Rumford (Concord), Mass. After the war he went to England and was there made a knight; he afterward en- tered the service of the elector of Bavaria and was made a lieutenant general and created Count Rumford, with a pension of ^£'1,200. The treaty of peace was signed in Europe on the 30th of November, so that this great outrage was chiefly com- mitted after the war was over. From the profoundest depths of humiliation and sorrow into which the people of Huntington had been plunged by a long and desolating war they were elevated, as it were, to the seventh heaven by the news that the armies of Washington were victorious, the haughty legions of the king vanquished, and the freedom and indepen- dence of the colonies achieved and acknowledged. Is it any wonder that the generation that passed through these trials and triumphs ever after celebrated their inde- pendence? The war was over, but the greater part of the troops remained here during the succeeding winter. In the spring they burned their barracks and evacuated the place. The materials composing Colonel Thompson's redoubt were sold in lots by the trustees at vendue, and realized ^£2^ iis. 4d. | Losses by the Revolutionary War. It is impossible to give any correct account of the losses incurred by the people of Huntington during the war. A commission was instituted in 1783 by Sir Guy Carleton for the purpose of examining and adjusting such claims against the British government as had not been paid. People here made out and swore to their claims, but they were never allowed or paid. The total amount of these bills then made out was ^7,249. There are several hundred of them, and the town records show the amount of each. The amount of losses as stated in the town records is ^^21,383, particu- lar items of which are given. All who have written on the subject state that the actual losses probably amounted to four or five times this amount. We here give a list of some of the greatest sufferers by the war as they appear on the records, with the number of pounds lost by each: Thomas Scudder, 255; Dr. Zophar Piatt, 246; Israel Wood, 254; Henry Smith, 178; Israel Carll, 139; Col. Piatt Conklin, 132; Nathaniel Harrison, 106; Jesse Brush, 155; Epenetus Bryant, 104; Stephen Kelsey, 139; Jonathan Scudder, 182; Jacob Brush, 100; Israel Titus, 50; Zadock Smith, 54; Samuel Lewis, 50; Sylvanus Sammis, 59; John Sammis, 88; Job Sammis, 50; John Buffett, 89; Joseph White, 58; James Rogers, 78; Simeon Fleet, 54; John Bunce, 50; Micha Hartt, 62; Timothy Smith, 62; Eliphalet Sammis, 69; Mary Soper, 92; widow Mary Piatt, 71; John Wood, 63; Malba Burtis, 61; David Rusco, 50; Timothy Conklin, 55; Matthew Bunce, 68; Allison Wright, 76; Solomon Ketcham, 50; Hezekiah Conklin, 70; Timothy Carll, 55; Piatt Vail, 66; Samuel Wood, 50; Isaac Dennis, 55; Lemuel Carll, 54; Timothy Scudder, 50; Smith Brush, 65; Nathaniel Kelsey, 67; Phebe Scudder, 62; Jesse Bryant, 59; Piatt Carll, 50. Those whose losses appear at less than _;^5o were too numerous to be named here. It is true that under the stern code of war troops are often quartered on a conquered people, and very often vandalism and robbery follow in the wake of conquering armies; but such things are generally done by the jackals and hangers-on who are not amenable to military disci- pline. Here, however, pillage had the sanction of the officers. As a sample of this kind of warfare, Scudder Lewis in the claim book in the town clerk's office certi- fies that Lieutenant McMuUen impressed him and his team and wagon into the service, and that he and this officer and assistant spent tw© days in collecting "cover- lets" from house to house for the use of the soldiers. There is a tradition that blankets and bedding were pull- ed from the cradles of infants. As one instance out of many of petty robberies, Jesse Bryant certifies that Ma- jor GilfiUan not only carried off all his cattle and sheep, but with the soldiers entered his house and took ;^2o worth of clothing and bedding, and the cooking utensils and table dishes, including a dozen spoons. It is note- worthy that these were the acts not of outside parties but of British officers. As one instance of wanton cruelty and destruction of property the writer well re- members the statement of his grandfather Gilbert Scud- der, that near the close of the war the soldiers took over forty horses belonging to the inhabitants to a valley just THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 45 north of what is now called the Sand Hill road in the east part of Huntington village, a little east of where William H. Scudder now resides, and killed them all. ■ At the Close of the War and the withdrawal of the British troops the patriot in- habitants were relieved from any further necessity of re- pressing their sentiments, and the tories here were thrown into a state of consternation and alarm. Abandoned by their friends the British officers, they felt that their future residence here would be attended with extreme peril. At the celebration of peace some of them were roughly treated, and many joined that great army of 10,000 refugee loyalists who about this period fled from the States into Nova Scotia. Finding that country in- hospitable, and the successful " rebels" proving less hos- tile than anticipated, the greater part of them afterward returned. As the machinery of the civil government had been suspended from the opening of the war in 1776 till its close in 1782, martial law having taken its place, the dec- laration of peace left this town like others in much dis- order. The unprincipled outlaws who had learned in the school of war to rob and plunder now hung upon the outskirts of the villages, concealed in remote places, and made occasional raids upon the inhabitants. As late as August 20th 1783 a party of these thieves attacked the house of Israel Young in Cold Spring, and after treating him with great cruelty carried off 200 guineas. Active measures were however taken here to suppress these dis- orders. Town meetings were held, officers were elected, delegates were sent to attend the various political con- ventions, and the town of Huntington assumed its posi- tion in the State government. One of the first acts of the Legislature was to declare that all grants, charters and patents which had been made or issued under authority of the British government to the towns and which were valid and in force before the Revolution should be and remain valid, so that the town of Huntington continued to hold by a good title the lands whether above or under water within its corporate boundaries. It would appear from papers in the town clerk's office that at the close of the war there were only 221 heads of families in the town, which according to the usual rule of computation would make the population of the town 1,100. This population was distributed over the town as follows: The " Town Spot " (taking in West Neck and East Neck), 102 families; West Hills, 28 families; Long Swamp, 13 families; Dix Hills, 35 families; Old Fields, 12 families; Cow Harbor, 31 families. The names in full appear on the records. In 1790, seven years afterward, there were 385 heads of families, whose, names can likewise be given, and the entire population was fully 2,000, or nearly double that at the close of the war. This is in part accounted for by the return of large numbers of both patriots and loyalists who had previously left the town. After the Revolution followed a long time of peace and recuperation from the wastes of war, which furnishes few incidents of startling character; periods of peace and prosperity are not those which furnish the materials for ordinary history. The inhabitants resumed their occu- pations with enthusiasm and high hopes; new fields were subdued and cultivated; the raising of grain and live- stock was the chief employment and principal source of revenue. The flour-mills were driven to their fullest capacity, and as the people improved their condition financially the sounds of the woodman's axe and the car- penter's hammer were heard in all directions repairing and enlarging houses and barns, many of which had been partially destroyed by the British troops. The buzz of the spinning-wheel and the clash of the loom were heard in the homes of the people; the fair daughters of our forefathers were not afraid to pull the flax in the field and spin and weave it into fabrics. Annually the people came together in town meetings, elected their officers, made provision for the support of the poor and other expenses, provided rules as to the granting of licenses for taverns, passed the usual acts against cattle, hogs and sheep running at large, and for the marking of animals, regulated " swinging gates " on public highways, and made orders that no one not an inhabitant of the town should be allowed to fish, fowl, hunt, or catch shellfish withirv the borders of the town. Year after year we find a repetition of these orders. Paupers and Slaves. In 1790 the overseers of the poor, David Rusco and Philip Conklin, bought of Hannah Davis a house in the village of Huntington, and converted it into a poor-house. This poor-house was held until 1868, when it was ex- changed for the farm at Long Swamp. In 1872, the county system of maintaining the poor having been adopted, the poor-house farm was sold for $2,600 and the paupers were removed to Yaphank. Negro slaves were held in Huntington from the first settlement to some time after the beginning of this cen- tury. It is said thit the Dutch were the first to import negroes into America for slaves. In 1655 a cargo of slaves from the ship "White Horse" was sold in New York, followed by many others. Some of these negroes from time to time found their way into Huntington, and in time their descendants were likewise held as slaves; so that in 1755 we find 81 slaves (46 males and 35 fe- males) in Huntington, distributed among 53 families. A family in no case held more than four, usually only one. By acts of the Legislature passed in 1799 ^"d later provision was made whereby slaveowners might volun- tarily free their slaves, provided such slaves were under 50 years of age and capable of supporting themselves. Under these acts the slaves were from time to time set free, and negro slavery here ceased. Latest Boundary Disputes. Controversies occasionally arose concerning the boun- daries between this and other towns. Twice the line between Huntington and Oyster Bay was in dispute, but 46 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. by an order made by commissioners appointed by the Legislature in 1797 the present line was established. The most serious controversy as to boundary arose about the beginning of this century with Islip, concerning the ownership of Cap Tree Island, Oak Island and Grass Island in the South Bay. The litigation was chiefly between the town of Huntington and William NicoU of Islip. Several suits were instituted, and a case in the court of chancery was decided rather more favor- ably to Islip than Huntington, giving each party a por- tion'of the premises in dispute. The line has not since been changed. Both Huntington and Islip petitioned the Legislature for relief during the pendency of the suit, but that body refused to interfere. The islands in dis- pute lay opposite Islip. The claim of Huntington seems to have been based on the ground that its first patent, that granted by Governor Nicolls in 1666, included the premises, and that the town had purchased of the Indians large tracts of land east of the subsequently confirmed line at Sumpwams Creek and opposite the islands. It is true that it was voted at a town meeting in 1690 that the town of Huntington would buy the three necks of meadow lying east of Sumpwams which the Indians then desired to sell. Afterward large tracts of land were purchased further north and east of the line. This title was in 1814 recognized and confirmed by a quit-claim deed of 3,000 acres by Anning Mowbray of Islip to the trustees of Huntington. These lands were held many years by Huntington and in 1855 were sold, the western half to E. A. Bunce, Selah Bunce and F. M. A. Wickes at $5.40 per acre, and the east half to A. J. Blecher at $5.50 per acre. Since the town of Babylon was created the same old controversy has in a measure been revived. The War of 1812. The second war with Great Britain, known as the war of 1812, though it produced a temporary alarm at the prospect of an invasion, was not productive of many events of interest here. The people evidently intended to give the British a warm reception in case of an at- tempt to land troops in this vicinity. The following ex- tract from the town records best expresses the purposes of the people here in the emergency: "At a special town meeting held in the town of Hunt- ington, held at the house of Ebenezer Gould, on Satur- turday the 5th day of November 1814, it was voted that the sura of two hundred and seven dollars and 86-100 be paid by the town, being the amount of two bills paid for 6 casks of powder, 400 lbs. of musket balls, and a quan- tity of buck shot, by the trustees of sd. town, for the militia to defend the said town with in case of invasion. " Also voted that i cask of the powder and the sixth part of the ball and shot be deposited with Capt. Samuel Muncy at South. Also voted that i cask of the powder and the sixth part of the ball and shot be deposited with Matthew Gardiner, Crab Meadow or Fresh Pond. Also voted that 1}^ casks of the powder and the sixth part of the ball and shot be deposited with Epenetus Smith, Cow Harbor. Also voted that ly^ casks of the powder and the equal proportion of the ball and shot be deposited with Capt. Abel Conkling. Also voted that ij^ casks of the powder and the equal proportion of the ball and shot be deposited with Capt. John Rogers." It is stated that a connpany of 200 militia marched to Lloyd's Neck from Huntington village on a false alarm that the British were landing troops there. The following romantic little incident is related by the descendants of Dr. Potter. During the Revolutionary war, while the sick of the British soldiers were quartered on the inhabitants here, a young midshipman was nursed and kindly cared for at Dr. Potter's house by Mrs. Pot- ter; he recovered and went his way. In the war of 1812 the enemy captured a sloop belonging to Dr. Potter. It turned out that the midshipman who had been so kindly nursed in sickness by Mrs. Potter was the captain of the craft. When the captain found who owned the sloop he generously released it for a nominal ransom. Title and Products of Land under Water. From 1666, the time of the first grant to Huntington, down to about i860 the town claimed to own in fee sim- ple and have exclusive control of the lands under the creeks, harbors and bays forming its frontage north and south. For 200 years the town granted leases for docks, leased or sold the land under tide-water mill-pond.s, and prohibited non-residents from taking clams, oysters, etc., in the tide waters of the town. So jealous were the people of the town's rights that vessels collecting paving stones from the shores of the bays were driven away; even the seaweed did not escape notice, and was claimed by the town. Lands were sold in some instances run- ning to the channel, and the title to all the lands under water as above stated was not disputed. About 1848 large oyster beds were discovered in North- port Bay, and fleets of vessels came from abroad and took many of the oysters. The town resisted, and an exciting oyster war followed, though no one was killed or wounded. Finally Connecticut parties assumed con- trol over parts of the best oyster grounds, planted oys- ters and excluded the people from the premises so occu- pied. In 1859 a suit originated between one Dickerson, an inhabitant, and Theodore Lownds and others, involv- ing the right of the Lownds party to hold this ground without a lease from the town. Before this suit was de- cided the Lownds party ofi^ered, through their counsel, to take up and remove all oysters from their beds if they were permitted to do so. The town trustees refused to permit them to do this. The suit was tried and resulted adversely to the town. The unfortunate termination of this suit seems to have discouraged any further attempt on the part of the town to assert its rights for a period of about ten years. Many holders of dock leases refused to pay rent, and titles to salt water lands heretofore granted by the town were dis- puted. In the spring of 187 1 it was ordered at a town meeting that the trustees employ counsel to examine into the rights of the town to lands under water and as to the power of the town trustees over such lands, and the trus- tees were ordered to lease the oyster grounds under cer- THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 47 tain restrictions. The trustees employed Charles R. Street and Henry C. Piatt to examine into the town's title and the powers of the trustees and give an opinion upon the subject. A thorough and exhaustive examination was made of the whole subject, especially of the force and effect of the ancient grants and patents to the town by colonial governors, and a report was made and subse- quently presented in a pamphlet of about loo pages. The opinion set forth that the town had a good and valid title to the lands under water in the harbors of the town, and gave the reasons. The trustees then entered upon the policy of leasing the oyster grounds. Surveys have been made in Northport and Huntington Harbors and Lloyd's Harbor, and many leases granted. Suits have been instituted against a few trespassers on leased grounds, which suits have generally been decided favorably to the town; but the Connecticut p.arties still occupy their ex- tensive oyster beds here and bid defiance to the town. The water front of the town should, under proper man- agement, yield a revenue sufficient to pay the expenses of the town government, and should afford profitable em- ployment for a large population. At one time Jarvis R. Rolph claimed title to all the lands under water in front of the town under a sale once made for a nominal sura. About 1866 the trustees paid him about $1,000 for a deed conveying the premises back to the town. Much of the documentary evidence upon which the town relies in maintaining its title consists of loose papers in the town clerk's office, liable to be lost, while other records are so worn by time as to make it difficult to ascertain their contents. Provision should be made for better securing and perpetuating these records. Huntington Bay and its surroundings are unsurpassed in the wide world for beauty of scenery. One attractive feature is the magnificent sea beaches, formed of pure crystal-like pebbles and sands which gleam in the sun- shine white as the drifting snow. In the summer vessels maybe seen along the shore taking in cargoes of this almost transparent silex, to be sold and used in various ways in the world's markets. As the town reserved its owner- ship in the south part of East Beach the valuable bed of gravel and sand there deposited has for many years been eagerly sought for, apd has yielded more revenue to the town than many suppose. From 1865 to 1868, inclusive, the town received of Elbert Arthur a yearly rent of $1,625. The total amount received by the town from leases of East Beach since 1852 exceeds f 10,000. Great gravel-washing machines run by steam power are now taking up vast quantities of these pebbles from beds of the material covered by the waters of the bay. Missing Records. A belief founded on tradition prevails very generally in this town that a large portion of the town records have been lost or destroyed. This tradition is perhaps best set forth in a statement to Henry Lloyd made by the late Gilbert Carll, when he was 94 years old. He said that his grandfather Piatt Carll told him that some time before the Revolution Thomas Wickes, while town clerk, had the town records at his house in Santepeague Neck, two miles west of Babylon, and that a fire occurred and many of the records were burned. There is a mention made in the early records, about 1700, to the effect that some ancient records of the town which had been lost had been heard of, and a person was appointed by order of a town meeting to hunt them up, but no further men- tion is made of the matter. It is not probable that a great many records have been lost. There are, however, two periods in the town's his- tory where records are missing. The first is between 1653, the supposed date of the settlement, and the begin- ning of 1658. What was done during these five years is not recorded, except in a few loose, time-stained papers. The other period is between 1690 and 1710, and the missing papers relate to town meetings only, the record relating to other town matters remaining. It is also highly probable that the first book of highway records has been lost. Otherwise there are no serious breaks in the records of the town. It is true however that many of the most valuable papers, especially those upon which the title of the town and private titles rest, are so worn and dilapidated that they can hardly be handled without falling in pieces, so that gradually they are disappearing, and will be lost to future generations unless they are copied, or, what would be better, printed, as the eastern towns are printing theirs. Such printing should, how- ever, be done under the direction of persons thoroughly familiar with the records and competent to select only such as it is most important to preserve. Action in the Civil War. The events which transpired in the town of Hunting- ton during the late war of the Rebellion are so recent as to be in the memory of the present inhabitants, and this sketch will not go into the subject more than to state the facts of a local nature. The town obeyed all calls for volunteers and drafted men. Many joined companies organized elsewhere. One entire company, known as Company E 127th regiment, was organized in Huntington. Hewlett J. Long was subsequently captain and George S. Sammis lieuten- ant. This company was in Virginia, and also much of the time in or near Charleston, S. C. Walter R. Hewlett of Cold Spring organized a com- pany very early in the war. The commissioned officers were: Walter R. Hewlett, captain; Charles E. Jayne, first lieutenant; George T. Walters, second lieutenant. It was made up of recruits from Huntmgton and Oyster Bay chiefly. This company is said to have been present in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Chancellors- ville and Gettysburg, and with Sherman in his ''march to the sea," and to have lost heavily at Cedar Mountain. At the first call for troops in 1862 a special town meet- ing was called, and by a vote of 623 to 5 authority was given to raise $30,000 to pay a bounty of $100 to volunteers to fill the quota of the town, and $6 per month to the wives of volunteers and $1.50 to each child of a volun- 48 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. teer between 2 and 10 years of age. Sixty-two promi- nent citizens agreed in writing to indemnify the town and secure the raising and payment of the money to the extent of $500 each. A committee was appointed to re- ceive and disburse the money, consisting of Townsend Jones, George A. Scudder, Edward A. Bunce, Henry M. Purdy and Isaac Willets. In September of the same year, at another special town meeting, by a vote of 358 to 26, authority was given to raise not exceeding $35,000 to fill the town's quota underthe call of the president for 300,000 men. February 22nd 1864 a special town meeting by a vote of 256 to 27 decided to raise $24,000 to fill the quota under the call of the president for 200,000 men. July 13th following a special town meeting authorized the town auditors to issue bonds " to such amount as may be necessary" to procure the town's quota of men. This unlimited appropriation of the credit of the town was for the purpose of avoiding a draft, and great efforts were made to procure men as volunteers by the payment of bounties. Some however were drafted and procured substitutes or paid the $300 commutation. About the close of the war a town meeting authorized the payment of $250 each to such persons. The books of the supervisor, J. A. WoodhuU, show that there were issued bonds of the town for war pur- poses amounting to $195,439. The books of the presi- dent of the board of town trustees, Brewster Conkling, show expenditures amounting to $58,000 for war pur- poses. The war cost Huntington about $250,000. The bonds issued by the town were all paid off within about three years after the close of the war. Many of those who went to the war from Huntington lost their lives. At a public meeting held in 1865, at which Hon. Henry J. Scudder delivered a patriotic ad- dress, a subscription was started to erect a monument to the memory of these soldiers, but little has been done of late years toward carrying out the purpose. There is the sum of $670 in a trust company in New York city, draw- ing two per cent, interest, belonging to the fund for a soldiers' iponument. J. R. Rolph is custodian of the fund. Among the men prominent in transacting the business arising out of the large appropriations and disburse- ments of money for carrying on the war may be named George A. Scudder, Brewster Conkling (then president of the board of trustees), J.Amherst Woodhull (supervisor), Carles A. Floyd and Elbert Carll, and among those active in procuring enlistments were Captain Walter J. Hewlett, Captain Hewlett J. Long and Jenkins Van Schaick. In 1863, at the time of the first draft, Thomas Aitkin and Samuel Marsh were appointed commissioners to de- termine the quota from Suffolk county. The people of Huntington were nearly unanimous in sustaining the war for the suppression ot the rebellion, but they suffered little from it otherwise than in the payment of taxes. Among those who gave their services to the cause of the Union in this war was Admiral Hiram K. Paulding, long a resident of Huntington, and a brave and distinguished naval officer. Babylon Formed from Huntington. In 1872 the people of both the north and south sides of the town, feeling that they were no longer united by common interests in township affairs, made a movement for a division of the town. Petitions were forwarded to the Legislature favoring the measure, and a bill was drafted and passed creating the new town of Babylon out of the south part of the old town of Huntington. The division was no doubt a judicious step. As the lines of railroad and water travel all run east and west there is litlle communication between the two sections and little community of interest, separated as they are by wide uncultivated plains thinly populated. About the same time the Legislature abolished the board of trus- tees of the town as a separate body, and made, the super- visor, town clerk and assessors trustees ex officio. Statistics — Brickmaking. This town in 1810 had 4,425 inhabitants. The popu- lation in 1845 and at intervals of five years since is given as follows in the "Manual" of the Legislature: 1845, 6,746; 1850, 7,481; 1855, 8,142; i860, 8,924: 1865, 7,809; 1870, 10,704; 1875 (Babylon having been taken off), 7,739; 1880, 8,245. The present assessed valuation of property is $1,762,- 965. In 1823 the assessed valuation was $811,480; this included the territory now in the town of Babylon. The manufacture of brick is one of the largest indus- tries in the town. The brick yards of the late Charles H. Jones at West Neck have been annually producing enormous quantities for the market for many years. Dr. Oliver L. Jones now adds the management of this busi- ness to his other large property interests. The yards of Frank M. Grossman are very extensive and annually em- ploy a large force of men. The Eckerson brick yards, at East Neck, are likewise on a large scale. The bed of clay worked is very exten- sive and seems to run through all the necks of land on the north side of the town. Northport. Northport, in the eastern part of the town, has a har- bor unsurpassed on the sound for its capacity, depth of water and complete shelter from storms. It has a popu- lation of about 1,500, two churches, a large school-house, one newspaper, and numerous religious, benevolent and other societies. The chief branch of industry is ship- building. The ship yards of Jesse Carll are noted for the speed and completeness of the vessels there con- structed. Northport Presbyterian Church. — About 1794 the first Presbyterian church was erected in the eastern part of the town at Fresh Pond, and the congregation was called by that name. Rev. Joshua Hartt became its first minister. He preached there from about the close of the Revolutionary war to 1825. He probably married THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 49 more persons than any other minister in the town; the record mentions over 500 marriages by him. The fee was ordinarily about $3. The last entry in the record, after stating the fact of the marriage of a couple, says, " Promised $50 and paid nothing." From 1809 to 181 1 Rev. Nathaniel Prime was the minister; Rev. Henry Fuller to 1819; after him Rev. Nehemiah Cook to 1832, Rev. E. McLaughlin to 1834, Rev. C. Sparry to 1835, Rev. Ebenezer Piatt to 1837, Rev. William Townley to 1843, Rev. Ebenezer Piatt again to 1850, Rev. J. B. Smith to 1856, Rev. G. K. Narreman to 1857, Rev. S. G. Laws to 1872, Rev. C. H. Woodruff to 1881. The present elders of the church are Joseph S. Lewis, A. M., Ketcham and C. H. Brush. In 1829 the church was taken down and rebuilt at Red Hook. In 1871-72 this building was sold and a large and imposing edifice was erected at the head of Main street in Northport, at a cost of f [o,ooo. The foregoing facts and dates were furnished by a member of the church. A Methodist society was early organized at Northport and a church was built in 1852. The society had so in- creased in 1873 tl''3t a large and hnndsome brick church was erected on Main street, at a cost of $18,000. Its bell cost $657. The architect and builder was Benjamin T. Robbins. This is a strong aod prosperous church. Alcyone Lodge, No. 695, F. &• A. M. held its first reg- ular communication under a dispensation from R. W. James W. Gibson, March 5th 1869, with the following officers: William H. Sammis, worshipful master; JohnW. Dickerson, senior warden; Archibald M. Brewster, junior warden. The lodge was duly constituted June 23d 1869, by John H. Anthon, acting grand master. The Suffolk Coicniy Journal has been published and edited by B. T. Robbins for several years in Northport. A paper called the Northport Advertiser was published several years by Joseph S. Lewis. maintained services in Huntington in connection with the regular services in Cold Spring. Cold Spring. Cold Spring is a beautiful village in the extreme north- western part of the town. It has a magnificent harbor and bay and is surrounded with high hills, generally covered with forest trees. At the head of the harbor is a suc- cession of small lakes fed by springs of pure water, upon the surface of which are reflected the dense forest trees which cling to the adjoining hills. On the banks of one of these lakes Townsend. Jones, a retired New York merchant, has a charming villa and cultivated grounds. Lower down on the harbor are hotels and boarding houses for city visitors, the " Laurelton " on the west side and "Glenada " and " Forest Lawn " on the east. There is a Methodist Episcopal church at Cold Spring and another at Centerport. The Baptist church of Cold Spring was organized in 1842, by a union of the Baptists of Cold Spring, Hunt- ington and Centerport. The meeting of organization was held at Centerport. For some years this church Melville. Melville is a pleasant little village near the center of the island, with hills at the north, its fields and gardens sloping toward the sunny south. In 1829 a" church of the Presbyterian denomination was organized here with a membership of 45, and a plain but neat church edifice was erected. Rev. Joseph Nimmo, of the presbytery of Hanover, Virginia, supplied the pulpit six years. During his ministry the membership increased to 118. Mr. Nimmo was a fluent and attractive preacher and won the confidence and favor of all. He was succeeded by Rev. Chester Long in 1836. Rev. Charles M. Oakley took charge in 1853, Rev. P. B. Van Syckel in 1866, Rev. J. M. Hunting in 1869, and Rev. L. C. Lockwood in 1874. The latter continues his able and successful labors at Melville. The present member- ship is sonifething Over loO. HUNTINGTON VILLAGE. Huntington, the old " Town Spot," is the principal village in the town, and has a population of about 3,000. The origin of the name of this village (and town) is un- known. As the first settlement, or at least the first pur- chase of land from the Indians, was made jn the year that Cromwell dissolved the " long Parliament," and as Cromwell's birthplace was Huntingdon in England, it is possible that the settlement was named in honor of him; some color is given to this view by the fact that Setauket was then named Cromwell's Bay. The fact that this locality at the time of its settlement abounded in game and was a desirable hunting ground is also suggested as accounting for the name. Huntington village has nine churches, a fire company, a masonic lodge, an organization of odd fellows, two musical societies (the Choral Union and the Orchestra), a public library of 1,700 volumes, a village improvement society, and several co-operative religious and benevolent societies. It has two newspapers, six lawyers and four doctors. The following physicians, who practiced in Huntington, died at the dates given in connection with their names: Dr. Zophar Piatt, September 28th 1792, aged 87; Dr. Gilbert Potter, February 14th 1786, aged 61; Dr. Benja- min Y. Prime, October 31st 1791, aged 58; Dr. Daniel Wiggins, September loth 1805; Dr. James Sandford, Oc- tober 1795; Dr. Oliver Brown, October 1815; Dr. Daniel W. Kissam, November 21st 1839, aged 76; Dr. Benjamin F. Bowers; Dr. Joseph H. Ray, March 23d 1875; Dr. Carl von der Luehe, 1879. Among those here holding office may be mentioned Thomas Young, county judge of Suffolk county; Hon. George M. Fletcher, member of Assembly; Douglass Conklin, school commissioner; Stephen C. Rogers, super- 5° THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. visor, and George M. Tileston, postmaster. Many wealthy and prominent New York bankers, brokers and merchants have their country residences on the high ground about the village. The streets are well lined with shade treees, and the place attracts to it during the summer months a large boarding population from the cit)'. The officers of the town in the early times are entitled to credit for laying out the principal streets in Hunting- ton village with a liberal width. The road leading south from the harbor through the Town Spot, the road passing through the village from east to west known as Main street, and the road along the west side now known as Wall street were all at least four rods wide, and in places much more. The width of these roads contributes greatly to the convenience of the public and the beauty of the place. The Green. What is now known as the Green in the east part of the village has a history which if fully told would be in- teresting. This in the olden time was the Town Spot proper; around it the first habitations of white men here were reared; the first fort and watch-house were here; here is where the "watch" made its nightly rounds to guard the infant settlement from marauding Indians; the public house, then called the "ordinary", was located here; town meetings were held here. At its southern end, where the brook ran clear and limpid, sheep were annually driven to be washed- preparatory to shearing. Here is where the train bands and troops of horse met for drill and display, and in times of great excitement the i'nhabitants of the town gathered here to discuss pub- lic affairs and choose delegates to act for /them. Here the effigy of King George was burned at the opening of the Revolution, It was in fact for more than a hundred years the chief locality in the town. The title to the premises adjoining on the west was in Thomas Weeks sen. About 1739 the trustees of the town conveyed this common to Thomas Weeks, a son or grand- son of the first Thomas and owner of the adjoining land on the west. There was a condition in the grant that he should convey it to the '" neighbors living near," " to lay open in common, never to be fenced in; " and pursuant to this grant, which was dated August j8th 1736, the trustees had a survey made, as follows: " On the same day John Wickes and Thomas Brush, being two survey- ors of the said town, laid out to the right of Thomas Wickes 3 acres and 88 rods in several places in the said street, as may more at large appear by the return of said surveyors on the town records." After this survey and a map of the premises, with the streets running through, had been made and recorded, the grantee Thomas Wickes made a deed of the premises to the adjoining owners, John Wickes, Jonathan Wickes, Samuel Strattan, Philip Piatt, Joseph Lewis, Thomas Wickes jr. and Eliphalet Wickes, " their heirs and assigns forever, to lie in com- mon for the use of them the purchasers, and never to be fenced nor inclosed nor any part thereof, by any person or persons whatsoever, but to remain according to the true intent and meaning thereof forever." The trustees set forth in their grant to Wickes that the reason why they make the grant is that private persons had encroach- ed on the streets and commons and they desired to pre- serve the east street from such encroachments.. Many years afterward a deed of the premises was made by surrounding owners to Gilbert Piatt, who then kept a hotel adjoining. It is understood that his heirs, the children of Henry Lewis, deceased, now residing in Kan- sas, claim the premises. No opinion is here expressed upon the validity or ef- fect of these deeds, the purpose being to- simply state the facts. In later years the trustees of the town have sought to exercise some control over the land by leasing parts of it at a nominal rent for shops. In 1859 the ad- joining owners applied to the trustees and commissioners of highways to join with them in a plan for improving the property and converting it into a public park, and a survey and maps of it were then made; but little seems to have been done. Some of the streets then put down on the survey referred to are not now traveled by the public. The changes which the last hundred years have wrought have left this common of little use in its present condition, except as a goose pasture. If the title is in the town or in the surrounding owners it should have long ago been graded, laid out as a public park, jilanted with shade trees and so ornamented as to beautify the place. The Presbyterian Church of Huntington. The settlers were puritan Congregationalists, and they were very intolerant of any other form of religion, and especially hostile to the Quakers. There was an inten- sity in the religious opinions of these people which is but faintly shadowed in the formalism of these later times; they believed in a personal God, whose flaming sword hung in the heavens, ready to smite the wicked and the enemies of the true church. The devil with them was a personal demon roaming up and down the earth, seeking whom he might devour. Christian life with them was a state of holy warfare. The self-sacri- ficing, stern, unyielding puritan principles and habits which they brought with them served as a coat of mail in which to fight their enemy the devil. If they obeyed their illustrious leader Oliver Cromwell in praising God, they were no less careful to heed his other injunction to keep their powder dry. For several years after the first settlement they were without a regularly established place of public worship. They met at the houses of the most noted members of the church, and without doubt their services were kept up with regularity. Rev. William Leverich was the first regularly estab- lished minister here. He came from England with Cap- tain Wiggen in 1633, first to Boston, theuce to Plymouth, thence to Duxbury, and thence to Sandwich. In if — he left Sandwich with a company of men for Oyster I , They made the first purchase of lands from the Indi THfi tOWN 6F litfNTlNGTO^. 5* at Oyster Bay. The exact date wlien Mr. Leverich first came to Huntington cannot be stated. We know that he was here as a settled minister as early as 1657; prob- ably he preached here one or two years earlier. Before the arrival of Mr. Leverich ?Ienry Whitney had offici- ated in some form in the church; for when difficulties afterward arose between Mr. Leverich and Mr. Whitney the latter reminded the former that the people had pros- pered better while they had him, Whitney, than since the arrival of Mr. Leverich. Mr. Leverich was a man of property and seemed to be engaged in enterprises out- side of the ministry. He had also studied Indian lan- guages under Elliot, and spent much time laboring to christianize the Indians on Long Island. This gave him an advantage over others in securing advantageous pur- chases of land from them, lie was an educated minis- ter and possessed very considerable ability, which, joined with great physical powers of endurance and extraordi- nary enterprise, well fitted him to be the leader of men in a new settlement. Henry Whitney above mentioned, though a man of ability and influence, had a violent temper and a very provoking tongue. Between Mr. Leverich and Mr. Whitney a feud arose, which considerably disturbed the peace of the community and especially the church. These parties carried their grievances into the courts, and a number of spicy lawsuits were commenced in January 1659. Whitney began by suing Mr. Leverich in the town court for debt, and a few days after followed it up with a suit for slander. Mr. Leverich then brought four suits against Mr. Whitney for slander, breach of contract, defamation and debt. An examination of the voluminous testimony on record shows that Mr. Leverich had complained somewhat bitterly of the people's having failed to pay him according to contract, and he had threatened to preach no more in Huntington. Whitney charged him with saying that he (Leverich) lived among a company of hypocrits and disemblers," and declared that Leverich "was guilty of a breach of the Saboth and profained it." These charges were denied by Mr. Lev- erich and were the foundation of his suits for slander against Whitney. As to the slander the court required both parties to make a public acknowledgment that they had done wrong, or submit to a fine of ^5. Each side recovered more or less in the actions for debt, and either Mr. Leverich or Mr. Whitney — from the records it is impossible to determine which — was fined for disor- derly speaking in court. Mr. Leverich came out of the controversy without any serious injury to his character or influence as a minister. This is shown by the fact that he continued to officiate as minister here for ten years after these troubles. February loth 1662 it was ordered at a town meeting that Francis Noakes and Thomas Jones should "do their best to buy a house and land in ye town to be and continue the town's for the use and benefit of the minis- try, wherein to entertain a minister." The same year it was voted "that Mr. Leverich shall have all the meadow that lyes about Cow Harbor, on both sides the creek. for his yearly benefit so long as he continue the minister of Huntington." The effort to buy a house seems to have succeeded, for we find that in October of the next year an order was made that Caleb Corwith and Thomas Skidmore be chosen to make the rate to pay for it. This house continued to be for the use of the ministers until about 1672, when it would appear to have fallen into partial ruin, and was sold by the town to one Mardia Nabour, who converted it into an "ordinary" or public house. The first church in Huntington was erected in 1665, on what was known as Meeting- House Brook, a stream run- ning through the center of Huntington village, and about where the thimble factory of Ezra C. Prime now stands. It was a small frame structure, but large enough to ac- commodate the inhabitants of the town at that period. The times of church service, instead of being announced by the ringing of a bell, were proclaimed by the beating of a drum. The pulpit and seats were roughly con- structed, the floor was carpetless, and no provision was made for heating the church in cojd weather. Many per- sons brought hot bricks or foot stoves with them. The service began in the morning, and, except a short recess at noon, continued until late in the afternoon. When we consider these facts, together with the imperfect condi- tion of roads at that period, they being mere cart paths, and the rude structure of all vehicles for travel, we can imagine something of the hardships these zealous Chris- tians endured in the winter in attending church. . The church government, if not entirely blended with the town government, was an active agent in moulding the laws and enforcing obedience by the people. Both were founded on the underlying principle of obedience to God and submission to the powers that be. The church was supported by a tax levied on all the property of the town, in the same way that the town government was sup- ported. The cost of building the church and parsonage, the minister's salary and all such expenses'were put in- to the town rate and levied and collected. There was one old man in the town who often rebelled against being compelled to pay for the support of a re- ligion in which he disclaimed all interest. This was the Quaker Thomas Powell. He refused to pay his tax for six years (from 1676 to 1681 inclusive), -£S 15s. lod., but eventually such a pressure was brought to bear on him that the only alternative left was to pay up or leave the town. He paid the taxes and remained. April 1 2th 1699 Mr. Leverich sold all his lands and property in Huntington to Jonas Wood, and began to make preparations to leave Huntington. April 4th 1670 at a town meeting it was voted and agreed that if Mr. Leverich went from the town it was " the town's mind " that they would have another minister, "and that there should be some speedy course taken to seek out for some other to supply us." Mr. Leverich left Huntington for the western part of Queens county in 1670. The contrast between the simple primitive church ac- commodations of the period of which we write and the comfort and elegance of modern churches and church 52 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. worship is very great; but we must remember that many of these people fled from England to the New World for the special purpose of worshiping God according to their conscience, and the zeal and energy with which they went about it smothered all obstacles and gave to religion a charm that warm churches, velvet carpets and grand organs can scarcely supply. Mr. Leverich having left Huntington Rev. Eliphalet Jones came here to officiate, and remained several years before he was regularly settled as a minister. It was in June 1677, on a training day, when the train bands were out under Captain Joseph Bayle, that the matter of Mr. Jones being the minister was submitted to the people. Captain Bayle put the question, and it was voted nearly unanimously that he should be minister, and the engage- ment was made. It was also then voted that Mr. Jones should have built for him a study 16 feet square. Rev. Eliphalet Jones was the son of Rev. John Jones, who came to Charlestown, Mass., in 1635, and subse- quently settled at Fairfield, Conn. Eliphalet was born at Concord, in 1641, and in 1669 was a missionary at Greenwich, Conn., from which place he came to Hunt- ington about 1673. He remained in Huntington until his death, being the pastor of this church 59 years. He died in 1731, aged 90, and left no children. That he should have given satisfaction in the discharge of his duties here for half a century is highly creditable, if not remarkable. The church building erected on Meeting- House Brook in 1665 was long the place of Mr. Jones's labors. Scraps of paper, yellow and worn, covered with writ- ixig, when two hundred years old sometimes have a value and awaken interest. Such a paper, only a few inches square, dated June 3d 1681, is now in the county clerk's of- fice. It bears in the handwriting of Mr. Jones the heads of a sermon probably preached by hira on that day. On the other side of the paper are a variety of memoranda and the following poetical effusion, likewise in the hand- writing of Mr. Jones: " Good friend, who e'er thou art, I speak to ye unknown ; Think always in thy heart Each man would have his own. If I this book should lose, And thou perchance it find, Eememher thou God's holy word, And to the owner be thou kind." After fifty years of preaching in Huntington perhaps this scrap is-the only thing remaining in writing of all his literary work, except the charge given by him at the ordi- nation of Rev. Ebenezer Prime. In 1684 Captain Brockholst, of Governor Dongan's council, wrote to Justice Jonas Wood of Huntington in- forming him of complaints made that Mr. Jones had re- fused to baptize the children, and that the estates of in- habitants were violently taken from them for his main- tenance. The reply of Mr. Jones seems to have been satisfactory, for Captain Brockholst in a subsequent let- ter to Justice Wood says: "I~find him [Jones] willing in conformity to the law to baptize the children of all Xtian parents, but am sorry to hear that the loose lives of some of the inhabitants scarce deserve the name, which may have caused some stand and denial, and I hope your care in your station will prevent and see the Lord's day well and solemnly observed by all, and not spent so vainly as I am informed it is by some. To the last, Mr. Jones hath satisfied me that it was for arrears long since ordered to be paid, it being but reason that what is provided him should be satisfied, but the moder- atest way to obtain it is the best," etc. In 1691 a considerable sum that had accrued from the sale of lands was appropriated to the repair of this church, and it stood until about 1715, when it was torn down and another erected. Under the law then in force two of the overseers were to have charge of assessments for all church purposes and the disposition of the monies. It was enacted that "every inhabitant shall contribute to all charge both in church and state whereof he doth or may receive bene- fit, according to the equal proportion of his estate." At the same time it was declared that " no congregation shall be disturbed in their quiet meetings in the time of prayer, preaching or other divine service, nor shall any person be molested, fined or imprisoned for differing in judgment in matters of religion who professeth Chris- tianity." They might worship as they pleased, but must pay for the support of the church established by official authority. Every minister was required by law to preach every Sunday and pray for the king and queen, the Duke of York and the royal family, and to visit the sick. "April ist 1690 voted and consented to that there should be laid out sixty acres of land upon ye north side of ye Wigwam Swamp a top on ye hill reserved for a parsonage lott." This 60-acre tract was located on the hill just north of where Cold Spring village is now situ- ated, and is included in lands now owned by H. G. De Forest, purchased by him of the late Richard M. Conk- lin. It continued to be held as the parsonage land of the church for a long period. Finally at a town meeting held ill 1773 it was voted that this parsonage land, together with various parcels of meadow lands, should be sold by the trustees and the proceeds, together with monies re- ceived on previous sales, should be applied to the pur- chase of a parsonage house and lot in the Town Spot, to be for the use of the Presbyterian church and congrega- tion, " to lye forever for that purpose as long as the town endures." Pursuant to this the land was sold the same year and the proceeds of it and of the meadows sold amounted to ;^305 i6s. Afterward this fund was in- vested in the premises in the village of Huntington now owned and occupied by this church as a parsonage. As we have seen, the first church in Huntington was erected on Meeting-House Brook in 1665. Fifty years had now passed since this church was built. It had grown old, and Mr. Jones, the minister, had also grown old; the people vv^re about to provide him with an as- sistant; the population had greatly increased, and the want of a new and more commodious church was felt. With the usual enthusiasm in a work of the kind a sub- scription was started in 171 1 to raise money. A paper THE TOWN OP HUNTINGTON. 53 bearing this date shows ;^i8o subscribed for the purpose. Three years afterward we find a notice addressed to the inhabitants to meet at the house of Justice Wood, with their teams, to aid in getting timber for a new church. About this time the people at a town meeting ordered the old church sold to the highest bidder at ven- due, and it was sold to Jonas Piatt jr. for ^^5 2S. At the same town meeting it was voted that Mr. Woolsey be engaged to assist Mr. Jones in the ministry. An unfortunate division about this time arose between the inhabitants who resided in the east and those who resided in the west part of the town concerning the site to be chosen for the new church. What were called the east-end people wanted it on the hill where the meeting- house now stands; the west-end people desired to have it in the valley west of the hill and where the old church then stood. ~~ The advocates of the site in the hollow prevailed at first, and had erected the frame of the building there when the discontent of the eastern people was so great as to threaten a serious division in the church. Finally committees were appointed to confer and it was decided to leave the matter to be determined by the ministers of Jamaica and Oyster Bay and the Rev. Mr. Pomeroy of New York. Whether it was submitted to them does not appear, but at ameeting held June 14th 1715 the difficulty was amicably settled by an agreement, certified by the signatures of committees of both sides, to the effect that the frame of the meeting-house just erected should be moved by the east-end inhabitants to the site on the hill at their own expense; that they should reimburse those who had expended money and labor in erecting the frame in the hollow, and that all should have equal privi- leges in the new church, which was to be completed at the joint expense of both sides. The church was erected, and stood until destroyed by the British in the Revolu- tion. It was furnished with a bell, probably the first that ever sounded its notes over the hills and valleys of Huntington. For the purpose of showing that our forefathers ex- perienced some of the difficulties even now existing in the preservation of order in churches we give the follow- ing from the town records: "It was voted that the con- stable shall set above and Timothy and Jesse Ketcham below to see that good regulations be kept among the boys and negroes, and if any be and will not submit to good order their names shall be taken down and brought to the authority." Rev. Eliphalet Jones, having died at a good old age, was succeeded by Rev. Ebenezer Prime, a son of Jonas Prime, of Milford, Conn. Mr. Prime was first engaged as assistant to Mr. Jones in 1719, when about 20 years old, and in 1723 was ordained as bis colleague. There were then 41 members in the church. During his pas- torate 328 new names were added; there were 2,381 baptisms and 822 marriages. It wis during Mr. Prime's labors here (about 1740) that the celebrated Whitefield created great excitement by his preaching. He is said to have preached in Huntington several times, and the sensation made was great and long remembered. It was also while Mr. Prime officiated here that the form of church government was changed from Congregational (which it had been from the first settlement) to Presby- terian. This took place March 30th 1748. As Mr. Prime was growing old the Rev. John Close was in 1766 or- dained as colleague pastor, and assisted as such until 1773, when he was dismissed. Two or three years after this, the country having been plunged into the disorders of the Revolutionary war, the regular services of this church were suspended. Mr. Prime, being an ardent and outspoken " rebel," was compelled to fly from the British invaders, with such goods as he could suddenly get together, and conceal himself in a solitary retreat in the vicinity. He died October 3d 1799. Dr. Davidson says Mr. Prime was the last minister settled by the town, and this is probably so, though the connection between Church and State seems to have died out very gradually. The decisive act which marked the separation was taken April 26th 1785, when the church congregation elected John Brush, Timothy Conklin, Thomas Wickes, Samuel Oakley, Josiah Rogers and Tim- othy Carll trustees, under the style and title of " The Corporation of the Presbyterian Church in Huntington." Since the connection between the church and the town government was severed the following ministers have been settled over the church, in the order named: Rev. Nathan Woodhull, Rev. William Schenck, Rev. Samuel Robertson, Rev. Nehemiah Brown, Rev. Samuel F. Hal- liday. Rev. James A. McDougal, Rev. Thomas McCauly, Rev. Robert Davidson, Rev. Samuel T. Carter. In the spring of 1863 the Second Presbyterian church society was organized in Huntington village, taking off one-third of the communicants of the old church and the same proportion of families. The Rev. Mr. Wynkoop was the first pastor. About 1867 this young society built the very commodious church now occupied by it on Main street, at a cost of about f 10,000. Mr. Wynkoop was followed by Rev. W. W. Knox, who remained until 1882. St. John's Episcopal Church. St. John's, the only Episcopal church society in the town, was founded, as near as can be ascertained, about 1746. It was first called "Trinity," then " Christ's " church, but finally took its present name. The Rev. Samuel Seabury sen., who was the incumbent of St. George's church, Hempstead, a few years before and after this time, had extended his ministrations to Huntington, and had found here a few zealous church- men, anxious to organize a society. They were chiefly in the Rogers family, but included Dr. Samuel Allen, Captain John Bennett, Thomas Jarvis and others. The elevated ground between Huntington Harbor and the village, where St. John's church now stands, a beauti- ful and commanding eminence, had long been owned by the Jarvis family, and upon the highest part of the hill was a family graveyard which had finally become the resting place of the dead of many families, most of them 54 THfi tOWN Of titJNTlNGtOM. adherents of the Episcopal faiih. At first a small lot for a church was purchased east of and in front of the bury- ing place, from Captain John Davis, for _j£'5. Services had so far been performed at the houses of the friends of the church. In 1747, as near as can be ascertained, the first move was made toward building a church. The tim- ber was cut on Lloyd's Neck and brought into Hunting- ton Harbor and thence taken to the site of the church, and the work was prosecuted so that in the summer of 1749 the church was nearly or quite completed. A subscription for funds to pay for the church was made about this time. The paper is as follows: "CouNxy OF Suffolk, Sept. 1749. "Whereas there are a considerable number of persons in and about the town of Huntington of the Church of England, and there being no convenient house to meet in, we the subscribers do promise and agree to pay the respective sums to our names annexed, unto Henry Lloyd, of the manor of Queens Village, on or before the first day of May next after the date hereof, to be used in erecting a decent and convenient house for the worship of Almighty God according to the liturgy of the Church of England as by law established, on some convenient place in the town of Huntington; which money so to be rai^ed and paid to the aforesaid Henry Lloyd, or order, shall be drawn out of his hands by the order of a com- mittee hereafter to be chosen by the major part of the subscribers for the carrying of ye building aforesaid." The following amounts were subscribed and duly paid by the persons named: Timothy Tredwell, ;£2o; Dennis Wright, £2 9^-; Hannah Tredwell, ^£4.; Isaiah Rogers, ;^2o; Epenetus P'att, ^S; William NicoU jr., ^^2; Richard Floyd, ^3; Samuel De Honour, -£i; Monsieur Veile, ;£io; George Weisser, ^c^; Joseph Scidmore, _;^io; John Saterly, ;^i; Isaac Brush, ;^2o; Thomas Norihaway, ;^6: Munson Goold, /^i; John Davis, ;^s; William Mott, ^y, Thomas Jarvis, ^5; Samuel Ackerly, ;^5; John Bennet, ;^3; Benjamin Tredwell, £2< Eliphalet Smith, ,^3; given by Mr. Tredwell and others toward raising, ^i IIS.; total, ;£i4o is. The contribution of Henry Lloyd was estimated at ;^i45. Afterward a supplementary subst:ription was raised of _;^i9 for glass for the windows, which was 'Trroii'glrt-from Boston. As the lot held by the church was small measures were taken to enlarge the premises, and a committee pur- chased surrounding land and held it as trustees for the church. In order to bring it fully under the control of the Church of England all the church lands were con- veyed by the trustees (Isaiah Rogers, Zophar Rogers, Jeremiah Rogers, Thomas Jarvis, Dr. Samuel Allen and John Bennett) to "The Venerable Society for the Propa- gation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," located at Lon- don, England. The land so conveyed comprised five acres more or less, and was " bounded on the north by the highway leading over the mill dam, west by land of Timothy Kelsey, south by Israel Wood, and east by land laid out for church yard and the land of Captain John Davis deceased." This parcel, known as the church "glebe lands," seems to have extended north of the pres- ent church ground to Mill Dam lane. This glebe had upon it a house, which was used afterward as a rectory and is stated in a letter by Mr. Seabury to have been worth ;^2oo. This land had as early as 1680 been owned by Joseph Wood and was afterward sold by him to Thomas Jarvis. The house was on Mill Dam lane, Thomas Jarvis probably either donated or sold this property to the church. AVith respect to the title it appears that the deeds of the glebe to the Society for the Propagation of the Gos- pel were, about 1770, annulled and the title vested in the church wardens for the use of the society; but the pre- cise way in which it was done is not cle;ir, nor do the names of such wardens appear. The following extract is found in Hawkins's Colonial History: "In 1748 Mr. Seabury informed the society [for the Propagation of the Gospel] that at Huntington, a town about eighteen miles distant from Hempstead, a consid- erable number of people had conformed and built a church for the worship of God according to the liturgy of the Church of England; he had frequently officiated there, and at their request his son, who had been educat- ed at New Haven, read prayers and sermons under his direction. Such being the case he requested that his son, who would be recommended by the commissary, might be appointed by the society to be a catechist, with some small allowance. The society accordingly appointed Mr. Sam- uel Seabury junior to act in that capacity under the direction of his father, and allowed him a salary of ;^io a year." Under date of October 5th 1750 Mr. Seabury writes: "Religion prospers, though infidels try to weaken it. The church at Huntington is also rendered very commo- dious, and a congregation of fifty or sixty persons and sometimes more constantly attend divine service there, who behave very devoutly and perform their part in di- vine worship very decently. They had taken from them in the last mortal sickness four of their most substantial members, who bore the principal part of building the church, which has very much weakened their ability; and they have desired me to ask of the society a folio Bible and Common Prayer Book for the use of the church." In July 1752 Mr. Samuel Seabury went to Edinburgh to study medicine. From a receipt given by Rev. Samuel Seabury in 1750 it appears that he first performed services at Huntington in the spring of 1749, and it appears from a letter written by his father about this time that Mr. Seabury was only 19 years old when he first ofilciated at Huntington. He afterward became bishop of Connecticut and the first bishop of the American church. After Mr. Seabury's return from Scotland he occasionally ministered at Hunt ington, though settled at Jamaica. In 1763 Rev. E. D. Kneeland, a grandson of Rev. Dr. Johnson, >vas appointed reader here. About 1766 the Rev. Leonard Cutting, then settled at Hempstead, offici- ated here. The next year the Rev. James Greaton, who came from Christ's Church, Boston, was settled as the sole pastor over St John's church, and he continued until his death, in 1773. His widow, an accomplished lady, re- mained a year or two in the rectory on the glebe lands. Correspondence between her and Henry Lloyd of the manor of Queens shows great discontent on her part at having to pay rent for the premises, contrary to custom, and her inability to prevent the crops and fruits of the THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. SS place being destroyed by trespassers, added to which were financial difficulties. About two years after the death of Mr. Greaton she married Dr. Benjamin Y. Prime, and she lived 50 years after the dss^h -jf hej; second husband. During the Revolutionary war the Rev. M. Rowland of New York entered upon the cure, but remained only a short time. The Rev. John C. Rudd was here from 1805 to 1814; the Rev. Charles Seabury, son of the bishop, from the latter date to 1820; Rev. Edward K. Fowler from 1823 to 1826; then Rev. Samuel Seabury, son of Charles Seabury, who remained from November 1826 to April 1827, making the representative of the fourth generation of that family in the cure. After the above date church matters were in abeyance until August 6th 1834, when the Rev. Isaac Sherwood took charge of the mission and ofificiated alternately in this church and the school-house at Cold Spring Harbor. After his ordination to the priesthood, which occurred on the 29th of April 1835, the mission at Oyster Bay was under his care for a lime also. The corner stone of St. John's church at Cold Spring Harbor was laid, by the bishop of the diocese, on the same day on which Mr. Sherwood was advanced to the priesthood, and the church was consecrated on the 5th of April 1837. St. John's church in this village having been repaired, the parish was incorporated anew on the 7th of May 1838, and Mr. Sherwood continued as its rector until July 15th 1843. Since that time the following have been regularly connected with the cure for various terms- Moses Marcus, September 1843 to October 1844; Charles H. Hall, April 1845 1° April 1847; C. Donald Macleod, May 1847 to April 1848; Frederick VV. Shtlton, 1847 ; William A. W. Maybin, August 1852 to Oc- tober 1856; William G. Farmington, November 1856 to April 1858; James H. Williams, August 1858 to April 1859; William J. Lynd, April 1859 to April i860; Charles B. Ellsworth, November i860 to November 1870; Alfred J. Barrow, May 1871 to May 1877; Thaddeus A. Snively, July 1877 to April 1878; N. Barrows, May 1878. The old church, with its antiquated sounding board and seats with high straight backs, long ago disappeared, and in its place about 1861 the present edifice was erected. It is of the gothic style of architecture and an ornament to the village. The society about 1875 pur- chased more ground and built a very neat and commo- dious rectory. What became of the glebe of the church does not ap- pear, as we find nothing concerning it after the widow of Mr. Greaton left. Whether by some device the title came into private hands, or in the long period after the opening of the Revolutionary war (in which the church had no rector) the lands were occupied and held ad- versely by persons without title, is yet an open question. The foregoing statement is based on information de- rived from many sources, among them Moore's history of St. George's church, Hempstead; notes furnished by Rev. N. Barrows and Edward Kissam, and some original and hitherto unpublished papers from Henry Lloyd. Methodism in HuNTI^'GTON. About the time of John and Charles Wesley, the apos- tles jjf Methniicm, several ministers of this denomina- tion preached in Huntington and found adherents. A camp meeting was held at a place near the cove. East Neck, in 1814. Isaac Piatt, Gilbert Scudder and a few others commenced holding meetings at the harbor, and Joseph Crawford preached occasionally. Soon after this Ebenezer Washburn came here and preached in the house now occupied by Isaac W. Roe. A society was founded, which met in a building then owned by Mr. Coburn, since occupied by Mr. Walters as a cabinet shop. This was the beginning of Methodism in Hunt- ington. A church was built about 1830 on Main street in the village, and the society has steadily increased in numbers and strength from that time to this. The first church was torn down in 1863, and in 1864 a new and more im- posing edifice, costing $5,244, took its place. The so- ciety has a parsonage, and is in prosperous circumstances. Among the ministers who have occupied the pulpit of this church may be mentioned Rev. Moses Rogers, who preached here forty years ago and is now living at Crab Meadow, aged about 90 years. Since 1845 the following ministers have officiated here, in the order named: George W. Woodruff, Elbert Osborn, Isaac Sandford, David De Vinne,' Henry Burton, Seth W. Scofield, Ed- win O. Bates, James McBride, James D. Bouton, Samuel T. Johnson, D. F. Hallock, Henry Aster, D. O. Ferris, William H. Thomas, J. Lavalie, John Cromlish, John H. Stansbury, E. R. Warriner, Lemuel Richardson, I. E. Smith. The African Methodist church in Huntington was or- ganized about 40 years ago, at which time it purchased a building in the eastern part of the village. The society has ever since maintained itself and supported a min- ister. The First Universalist Society in Huntington was organized in January 1836; the first trustees were Colonel Isaac Conklin, Zophar B. Oakley, Israel Scudder, James Bouton, Jarvis S. Lefferts, Ray- mond Sellick, Isaac S. Ketcham and William H. Sackett. Meetings were held in the school-house in the western part of the village. The desk was supplied by preachers from New York and vicinity up to October 1854. Rev. Porter Thomas, the first settled minister, was installed November 9th 1854. His successors assumed the pastor- ate as follows: Rev. Samuel Jenkins, November 1856; Rev. H. P. Crozier, April 1859; Rev. Eben Francis, August 1865: Rev, George H. Emerson, D.D., March 1867; Rev. R. C. Lansing, October 1872; Rev. I. P. Booth, July 1874; Rev. W. H. Hooper, July 1876; Rev. R. P. Ambler, January 1881. The first church edifice, located on Nassau avenue near Main street, was erected in 1837 and was remodeled into a parsonage in 1868. In 1869 a lot was purchased on the corner of New York avenue and Elm street for a new church building. This was dedicated February 3d 1871. 56 THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. The site was well cTlQsen and the building is an ornament to the place. The sociHi.enjoys a reasonable degree of prosperity. Baptist Churches of Huntington. Rev. Marmaduke Earle, who was during a large por- tion of the time from i8ii to 1856 pastor of the Baptist church at Oyster Bay, extended his labors as far as Cen- terport and prepared the way for the first Baptist church of Huntington, which was organized, with nine members, by Rev. D. A. Flandra, who served the church as its pastor for several years. This was previous to 1842, but the exact date is not known. This church, by permission of Bishop Hobart, met for a portion of each Sunday dur- ing a considerable period in the Episcopal house of wor- ship (now torn down). Then another building was secured, and converted into a house of worship. This stood on a cross road leading from Huntington Harbor to West Neck, and near the "Mutton Hollow" road. Opposition to the Baptists made it difficult or impossible to secure church property more favorably situated. The membership increased to 19, but, unfavorably located and without wealth or influence, the church declined and finally ceased to exist. In September 1868 the present Huntington Baptist church was organized with ig members. In 1869 and 1870 they secured the lot and erected the building which they now occupy. Their first pastor was Rev. Lanson Stewart, who remained until 1875. He was followed by Rev. M. C. B. Oakley, who continued as pastor until October i88r. There is no pastor at present. The membership is 44. The First Catholic Church in Huntington was built at an early period and was loca- ted on West Neck. In 187c a new church was erected on Main street in the village of Huntington, at a cost of about $28,000. It is a large and handsome structure of brick, and its grounds are very tastefully laid out. Catholicism here is largely indebted to the enterprise and untiring exertions of Rev. J. J. Crowley for the great increase in members, strength and prosperity in his church during the many years in which he has officiated here. This church has a large membership. Schools at Huntington. Many readers will remember the old Huntington Academy, standing on the hill near the center of the vil- lage of Huntington. It was in its day a monument of the enterprise and liberality of the generation who en-, dured the trials of the Revolutionary war, for it was built about 1793, by an association of fifty of the leading citi- zens of Huntington. It was a two-story building with a belfry, and was quite an imposing edifice for the period in which it was built. It was outside of the common school system and was intended to and generally did furnish the means for a more liberal education than was provided by the surrounding common schools. It stood for more than 50 years, and many of the best educators of the period taught generation after generation of Hunt- ington youths wirhin its walls. It prepared for college the sons of those who were ambitious to give their ,cl;L'1d xeri a liheral education. A complete list of the teachers employed in the earliest years as principals of the academy cannot now be obtained; among those of later years may be mentioned Dow Ditmas, John Rogers, Charles Nichols, Selah Hammond, Samuel Fleet, Mr. Rose, Mr. Branch, Ralph Bull, Addison L. Hunt, D. G. York, James H. Fenner, Horace WoQ^ruffr^harles R. Street, John W. Leake and Israel C. Jones. Most of those here who have reached middle life spent their school days in the old academy, and from it there went out many who have become leaders of men, eminent in the professions, in letters and in all the avo- cations of life. The academy was torn down about 1857 to make way for the present union school building. The bell from its tower, which rang out its tones over hill and vale for fifty years calling together the boys and girls of Huntington, is now in the engine house of the Hunting- ton fire company. In 1857 the three school districts in and near Hunting- ton village were united in one and the present school building erected. It was enlarged in 1870. It is con- trolled by the common school law, except as to a few special enactments, one of which substitutes for trustees a board of education composed of six members. Smith Woodhull was the first president of the board, and did much toward establishing the school and arranging its grades of instruction. The principals of the school from its commencement to this time have been as follows, in the order named: A. S. Higgins, now of school No. 9 in Brooklyn; Joseph Gile, Charles Curtis, Charles G. Holyoke, Daniel O. Quimby, Charles H. Peck, Edward S. Hall. Mr. Hall is assisted by eleven teachers. The daily attendance of pupils is between 400 and 500. The course of study is thorough, and extends into all the branches of learning essential in a preparation for college. The institution draws to Huntington many people who are desirous of providing first-class facilities for the e