''^'^- m l!sL»-:Ka' YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Gift of HENRY ROGERS WINTHROP YALE 1898 ¦XL,--''- '- r: ,r„ . ,'% M L.'- HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND; CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT; WITH OTHEK IMPORTANT AND INTERESTING MATTERS PRESENT TIME. BY BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON, COUiSSELLOr^ AT LAW. "History presents complete examplps. Experience is doubly defective; we are bnni tno late to see thi; beginning, and we die too soon to gee the end of many tilings. Hisiory supplies lioth of these dtifects : modern Iiismry shows the causes, u hen I'xperience prcsrnts Ihe t^icts iiloiie: and ancieut history enables us to guess at iimeffects^ wljen expt'iience presents the causes atone." B0LI.NG BROKE. NEW YORK: PUBLISHED BY E. FRENCH, 146 NASSAU STREET. 1839. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1839, by Eli French, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of ^few-York. BCATCHERD AND ADAUS, PRINTEBfl. NV To THE HONORABLE SILAS WOOD, LATE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE CONGRESS OP THE UNITED STATES, FROM LONG ISLAND. Sir: The idea of dedicating this volume to you was co existent with the resolution to enter upon the compi lation of it ; and surely to no individual could it be so justly or appropriately inscribed, as to one, to whose talents, information, and indefatigable indus try, the public are deeply indebted for the first at tempt to perpetuate the civil and political history of Long Island. That publication has received, as it de served, universal approbation ; and it is therefore much to be regretted that your inclination for repose sliould have prevented you from preparing a new and enlarged edition of the " Sketch of the first Settlement of the several Townsupon Long Island," in which event the present compilation would not have been under taken. The materials of your work have been so fully incorporated into the present, as to give it a par ticular claim to your favor. With sentiments of esteem and respect, I remain, Sir, Your obt. Servant, BENJ. F. THOMPSON. January I, 1839. PREFACE. In collecting materials for the History of Long Is land, the compiler has sought to avail himself of every source of authentic and valuable information applica ble to his design of making the work both interesting and useful. How far these endeavors may have been successful, must be svibmitted to the deliberate consi deration of the reader. In justice to himself he can truly say he has avoided no reasonable labor or ex pense to make the publication worthy the approba tion of the public, although he has fallen far short of satisfying himself, or of accomplishing all that he had anticipated on his first setting out. Ornament of style and eloquence of description have not been among the primary objects of the compiler; his principal aim having been throughout to present a brief, yet correct account of such matters in relation to Long Island, as he conceived best worth preserving, and most likely to prove a repository of valuable historical and sta tistical information. He is, however, constrained to acknowledge that had he, in the commencement, been able to realize in any considerable degree the labor and responsibility he was about to assume, and the obstacles to be encountered in his progress, he would have been most effectually deterred from the under taking. The almost entire impracticability of de- Tl PREFACE. scribing, with any degree of minuteness, so many towns, villages, and other localities, without incurring the charge of tediousness or repetition, is one of the minor difficulties which the compiler has endeavored as much as possible -to avoid. Another and more formidable embarrassment presented itself in the progress of his researches, which was in great mea sure unexpected, and had well nigh persuaded him to relinquish his further labor after a considerable mass of materials had been collected. This arose from the pepuliar condition and deficiency of the re cords of many of the twenty-one towns which he ex amined. In general they are almost entirely wanting in matters of antiquity, and in others have been so negligently kept, as to be in great measure incapable of being understood. A few towns are comparative ly of recent organization, having formerly been includ ed in the territory of other towns, and of course can possess no records beyond the period of their for mation ; which is the fact in the towns of North Hempstead and Riverhead. In the town of Brooklyn there are no remaining records reaching beyond the revolution, they having been carried away about the close of the war by some evil-disposed individual. In all the other towns in King's County, excepting Gravesend, the ancient entries are uniformly in the Dutch language ; and this practice was in some in stances continued for half a century after the con quest in 1664. The hand-writing in many cases is so peculiar, and so much defaced by time or otherwise injured, as to be in a great degree unintelligible ; and those written in the Dutch language more particularly so, even to PREFACE. Vil those tvho have some acquaintance withtlue language, now nearly obsolete ; and, unless imraedia.te measures are adopted in those towns to have their ancient records transcribed in English while any one caij be found competent to the task, they will become not only a sealed book, but, so far as utility is concerned, a mere blank ; and the compiler cannot but consider it mat ter of very sincere regret that so much indifference should prevail regarding the preservation of these ve nerable records of antiquity. When it is remember ed that only two centuries have elapsed since this fair isle, now so far advanced in population and wealth, was the abode of a race of men scarcely elevated in the scale of intelligence aboYe the wild beasts with which the country at that period abounded, .it cannot but be matter of some i nportance, as well as of curio sity, to trace the progress of this strange eventful history, to mark the revolutions of time, and transmit its more important details to posterity. These consi derations have been among the leading motives for this undertaking. A native of Long Island himself, and descended from an ancestry coeval with its set tlement by Europeans, the compiler has befn stimu lated with the hope of being enabled to present to the attention of his fellow-citizens a series of valuable and interesting facts and incidents of the old^n times. He has had the satisfaction, during the period devoted to this subject, to receive from the kindness of. indivi duals many valuable communications, and for which he begs to express his grateful sense of obligation for favors thus gratuitously bestowed. His acknowledg ments are especially due to the Hon. James Kent, Hon. Richard Riker, Joseph W. Moulton, Esq. William Vlll PREFACE. Dunlap, Esq. Dr. Samuel Akerly, and John L. Law rence, Esq. of New- York; Hon. Jeremiah Johnson, Hon. Gabriel Furman, and Benjamin D. Silliman, Esq. of Brooklyn ; Rev. Thomas M, Strong of Flatbush ; Hon. Singleton Mitchill and Robert W. Mott, Esq. of North Hempstead ; Hon. Silas Wood of Huntington ; Dr. James E. Dekay and John Nelson Lloyd, Esq. of Oysterbay ; Rev. Jonathan Hunting and Joseph H. Goldsmith, Esq. of Southold ; Rev. John D. Gardiner and Luther D. Cook, Esq. of Sagg Harbor; Hon. John A. King and the Rev. William L. Johnson of Jamaica ; Selah B. Strong, Esq. and General John R. Satterly of Setauket. From the Hon. Secretary of State, and the clerks of the several counties and towns upon upon Long Island, the compiler has experienced the utmost courtesy ; all of whom have evinced their readi ness to afford him every opportunity of examining the records and documents in their possession. The com piler has been largely indebted to the contents of Mr. Wood's able and comprehensive " Sketch of the First Settlement of the several Towns upon Long Island," the most of which has been incorporated in the pages of this work. Many valuable matters have also been found in Mr. Furman's " Notes, Geographical and His torical, relating to the Town of Brooklyn ;" and in the article. Geology of Long Island, the compiler has avail ed himself of the very scientific and laborious reports of Mr. Mather, being the most faithful and circumstan tial account ever published in relation to Long Island, and which lias been considered of too much impor tance to be omitted or abridsreJ In this compilation, it is presumed something may be found interesting to all classes of readers ; and that PREFACE . IX it may hereafter be referred to as a record of facts connected with the first settlement of the country, and with our colonial and revolutionary history. No apo logy, it is hoped, can be thought necessary for the oc casional introduction of the names of individuals, and a few family details, which appeared to the compiler in some measure indispensable to the accomplishment of his object. Short biographical memoirs of some conspicuous characters have been introduced in con nection with impartial narrative ; and the compiler laments the want of proper materials for the history of others whose lives and actions are associated with the annals of our island. He is aware that much im portant matter might probably have been procured in time ; but this is incident to the very, nature of History, which is made up of isolated facts gleaned from an infinity of sources ; so that if one should resolve not to publish till every thing was to be collected, his la bor would never have an end ; and what was already obtained, would in the meantime remain useless to others. Those (says a modern author) who are un acquainted with the nature of such an undertaking, may complain that we should publish before we had filled up all vacancies in our documents, and hence been able, not only to have been completely full upon every head, but at the same time to have given a more continuous narrative of the whole. This object, could it have been obtained, would have been as gratifying to the compiler as to the reader. But we can assure all such as are disposed to censure upon tliis score, that, had they been obliged to turn over, compare, ex amine, and collate, as many volumes and defaced re cords as the compiler has done, they would abandon 2 X PREFACE. their censure by the time they had well entered upon their labors. Works of this character will always appear premature, as least to their author, for the rea son that there is no end to the accumulation of ma terials ; and out of the mass of matter presented, he has but a choice of selection, and, after all, must neces sarily reject much that is in itself truly curious and valuable. When it is considered that there are sufficient ma terials in the history of an individual town to make a respectable sized volume, the difficulty of comprising any thing like a complete account of twenty-one towns, with much other important matter, in a single volume of five or six hundred pages, will be perfectly apparent, and may constitute some apology for the imperfection of this work. Finally, should his endeavors to be useful in this in stance prove in any considerable degree satisfactory to the community, the compiler will conceive himself amply rewarded for a few months devoted to the accom plishment of an undertaking, wliich he believes to be of very great consequence both to the present and to future generations. He'mpsiead, [L. I.) Januar-y 1, 1839. HISTOIIY OF LONG ISLAND. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. Long Island may be described as the south-easterly portion of the State of New- York, and extending from about 40° 34' to 41° 10' North Latitude, and from 2° 58' to 5° 3' East Lon gitude from Washington City ; being in length, from Fort Hamilton at the Narrows to Montauk Point, nearly one hun dred and forty miles, with a mean range North 90° 44' East. Its breadth from the Narrows, as far east as the Peconic Bay, varies from twelve to twenty miles in a distance of ninety miles, widening in a space of forty miles from Brooklyn, and then gradually lessening in width to the head of Peconic Bay. This bay is an irregular sheet of water, into which the Peconic River discharges itself, expanding in width as it proceeds eastwardly from Suffolk Court House, and separating this part of Long Island into two distinct branches, — the northerly branch terminating at Oyster Pond Point, and the southerly branch at the extremity of Montauk ; the latter branch being the longest of the two by about twenty miles. Long Island is bounded on the West partly by the Narrows, partly by New- York Bay and the East River, and partly by Lono- Island Sound ; on the North by the Sound ; on the East by the Sound and Gardiner's Bay; and on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, together with the islands called the North and South Brother, and Riker's Island in the East River ; Plumb Island, Great and Little Gull Island, Fisher's Island, and Gar diner's Island in the Sound ; and Shelter Island, and Robin's Island in Peconic Bay. Probable area of the whole, fifteen 12 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. hundred square miles, or nine hundred and sixty thousand acres. A ridge or chain of hills, more or less elevated, com mences at New Utrecht in King's County, and extends, with occasional interruptions and depressions, to near Oyster Pond Point in the County of Suffolk. In some parts this ridge or spine (as it is sometimes called) is covered by forest, and in others entirely naked, having stones, and frequently rocks of considerable size, upon their very summits, presenting to the geologist and philosopher a curious subject of inquiry and spe culation. The surface of the island north of the ridge is in general rough and broken, excepting some of the necks and points that stretch into the Sound, which are, for the most part, level ; while the surface south of the ridge is almost a perfect plain, destitute not only of rocks, but even of stones exceeding in weight a few ounces. On both sides of the island are nu merous streams, discharging their contents into bays and har bors, affording convenient sites for various manufacturing establishments ; while the bays themselves are navigable for vessels of considerable size, where they are well protected from storms and heavy winds. On the south side of the island is that remarkable feature in the geography of the country, the great South Bay, extending from Hempstead in Q,ueeu's Coun ty, to the eastern boundary of Brookhaven — a distance of more than seventy miles of uninterrupted inland navigation. It is in width from two to five miles, and communicating with the sea by a few openings in the beach, the principal of which is opposite the town of Islip, called Fire Island Inlet, and through which most of the vessels enter the bay. In this bay are very extensive tracts of salt marsh, and islands of meadow, furnishing an immense quantity of grass annually to the inha bitants ; and its waters are equally prolific of almost every variety of shell and scale fish, which can never be exhausted. Wild fowl of many kinds, and in countless numbers, are found here, affording a pleasant recreation to the sportsman, and a source of profitable employment to many hundreds of indivi duals, who pursue it as matter of emolun>ent. Indeed, the country generally, as well as the markets of New- York and Brooklyn, are mostly supplied by the produce of this bay, and GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 13 is a mine of inexhaustible wealth. The bony fish that abound here are used extensively for fertilizing the soil, and is unsur passed by any other manure. The beach which separates this bay from the ocean, is composed entirely of sand, which in many places is drifted by the winds into hills of the most fan tastic forms, and in other parts is low and flat, scarcely rising a few feet above the level of the ocean. Very great and extra ordinary changes are constantly taking place on this beach, exposed, as it is, to the continual action of the winds and, the heavy waves of the wide and boisterous Atlantic. While in some parts much of the beach has been washed away, iu others large accretions of alluvial matter have been made ; and at the same time the sand is carried onward so as that the guts or inlets are constantly progressing to the westward. In some instances these changes have been so rapid, that persons now living can remember when some of these inlets were miles farther to the eastward than they now are. Some persons have accounted for this progressive alteration from what they suppose to be the indirect effects of the Gulf Stream, which, moving in immense volume with a velocity of five miles the hour without diminution or interruption in an east wardly direction, sweeping past the American coast from the Gulf of Mexico to Newfoundland, causes a current or eddy upon the shore in an opposite direction ; and its materials being composed of loose sand, is carried onward by the force of the current, and deposited in places to the westward. The ex istence of such a current upon the southern shore of Long Island is demonstrated by the fact of ordinary occurrence, that goods cast into the sea near the coast will soon be found float ing to the west, without the agency of the wind or other cause, than the motion of the water in that direction. In the winter of 1814 and ISl.*}, the bodies of those who were drowned in the wreck of the British Sloop of War, Sylph, as well as parts of the vessel and cabin furniture, were found, in a surprisingly short period after, along the beach to the eastward, even as far as Fire Island, more than fifty miles from the place where the accident occurred. That the existence of this current not being exten sively known araong mariners may account for some shipwrecks 14 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. upon this coast, is to be presumed, as some of them would seem to be otherwise unaccountable, except from a wilful exposure of property and life, by intentional casting of vessels upon the coast. The southern shore of the island is everywhere inaccessible to vessels of a large class, in consequence of the flats and sand bars which stretch parallel with, and at a short distance from, the beach. This is usually denominated the bar, aud in some places there are two, called the outer and the inner bar. The north, or Sound shore of Long Island is very irregu lar, being influenced in shape and form by the numerous bays and headlands, and is fortified against the wasting effects of the waves by masses of stones and rocks, projecting in some places beyond the edge of the cliffs ; and where these are not found, the coast has evidently been worn away to a consider able extent by the sea in the course of centuries. The ridge or spine of the island has some considerable high hills, and are seen at a great distance at sea, serving as land-marks to the sailor nearing the coast. One of these, called Harbor Hill in the town of North Hempstead, has been ascertained to be 319 feet above tide water ; and another in the West Hills, town of Huntington, 339 feet elevation above the sea. There is, how ever, reason to believe that both are much higher than has heretofore been supposed. Long Island Sound, a Mediterra nean Sea, separating the island from the main land of Connec ticut, is connected with the ocean at each end of the island. The Sound proper may be said to commence about Throg's Point, near which place the tides by Sandy Hook and Montauk generally meet each other. The course of the Sound is about N. E. for eighteen miles between Stamford and Lloyd's Neck, in which distance the shores are rugged and the channel rocky, interrupted by small islands and projecting points. Be yond Lloyd's Neck, the Sound opens into a noble elliptical expanse, from ten to twenty miles wide; presenting a fine view of gently rising hills and sloping vallies, forests and cuhivated fields beautifully intermixed. The water of the Sound is in general sufficient for vessels of the greatest draught, and free from obstructions to its navigation. Its length is about one GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 15 hundred and fifty miles, reckoning from Sandy Hook to Mon tauk ; and its average breadth may be about twelve miles. In some places it is more than twenty. The force of the current between Oyster Pond Point and Plumb Island is very great, but is exceeded by that called the Race in the vicinity of the Gull Islands, which, when increased by a north-east storm, is tre mendous. Proceeding eastwardly from the city of New- York, the East River, as it is generally denominated, has a tortuous course of sixteen miles. From the Battery to the mouth of Harlaem River, eight miles, the course is N. N. E. ; and from thence to Throg's Point, east nearly eight miles more. At the bend opposite Harlaem River is the noted pass or strait, called Hell Gate, which is crooked ; and from the numerous rocks, islands, eddies, and currents, is somewhat difficult and dangerous, par ticularly for vessels of large size ; and many serious accidents have occurred at this place. The danger, however, is not so great as used to be supposed, or as much so as appears from the agitation of its waters at half tide to a stranger on his visit to the spot. At such times the water forms, by its course among the rocks, noisy whirlpools of terrific aspect, and capable of swallowing up or dashing in pieces the largest ships exposed to their influence. Besides the streams which empty into the Sound from the shore of Long Island, there are several considera ble rivers of Connecticut that pour their contents into it from the north ; among these may be mentioned the Saugatuc, the Hou satonic, the Thames, and the Connecticut. The opinion has sometimes been advanced that the bed of the Sound was at some remote period covered by the waters of a lake ; and there are many geological facts in corroboration of the opinion also entertained, that the shores of Long Island and the Island of Manhattan were once contiguous. A tradition is said to , have prevailed among the Indians in that quarter that their ancestors could once cross from one side to the other upon the rocks. These shores strongly resemble each other in their character and structure, and the probability of their former union may be stipposed as well established as the nature of the case admits. 16 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. SOIL AND CLIMATE. The soil of Long Island is of a diversified character, and it is therefore difficuh to give such a description as is applicable to any considerable part of it. Like the surface, it possesses a very great variety. It may be said, in general terms, of the soil upon the north side, the surface of which is undulating, that loam prevails ; that upon the south is more sand than loam ; while through the middle of the island it is composed chiefly of sand or gravel, covered by a thin stratum of mould formed by the decomposition of vegetable matters through a long series of years. The soil upon the high grounds is in most cases better than that upon the plains, yet that found upon the Points or Necks on both sides of the island are better than any other. The great Hempstead plain is principally composed of a coarse black sand, but possessing enough of inherent fertility to afford a sufficiency of pasture for many thousand cattle and sheep for more than half the year, and, when manured with ashes, is ren dered quite productive. There is another extensive tract lying eastward from the Hempstead plains, and reaching to the head of Peconic Bay, composed so entirely of sand as to seem in a great measure incapable of any profitable cultivation by any process at present known. The soil of King's County possesses a greater natural fertility than almost any upon the island, ex cept, perhaps, some parts of Newtown and Flushing. And the lands upon Great Neck, Little Neck, and Cow Neck, are also extremely fertile, and valuable for agricultural purposes. The extensive tracts of salt meadow and marshes, which abound in almost every part, particularly in the great south bay, furnish an immense quantity of healthy and nutritious food for large stocks of cattle, horses, (fcc. The shell banks, which heretofore existed upon the sites of ancient Indian villages, have been used as a manure with advantage. Upon the south side of the island, and in the towns of Riverhead and Southold, the bony fish has for several years past been the main article relied upon for fer tilizing the soil ; and the quantity of hay and grain which has been produced by it from a single acre, is extraordinary. The SOIL AND CLIMATE. 17 abundance of this kind of fish, and the comparative cheapness of the article, will probably always insure its use in those parts of the island where they are taken with the greatest facility and in the greatest quantity. Tliere is reason to believe that the farmers of Long Island furnish annually, for transportation to market, a surplus of beef, pork, hay, and grain, amounting to more than ^150,000 in va lue ; and in all probability the produce of the South Bay falls very little short of that sum. The fire-wood sent annually to other places from the bays and harbors of this island must have amounted at least to $60,000 for the last forty years. The value of a good part of which last article has been returned in ashes and other manure. The climate of Long Island depends as much upon its insu lar situation as upon the latitude in which it is situated. The influence of the sea renders it more temperate than many other places in the same latitude in the interior. The humidity of our atmosphere and its variableness of temperature, renders it perhaps less conducive to health and longevity than if it were either colder or warmer, and less liable, at the same time, to great and sudden alterations. In the .summer, and generally in the afternoon, the island is almost regularly fanned by a breeze from the ocean, which renders it a desirable place of residence at that enervating season of the year. The same cause melts the snow in winter, and often before it reaches the ground. The west and south-west winds predominate in more than half the raonths of the year ; the thermometer seldom falling below zero in winter, or rising above ninety degrees in suramer; the mean temperature being about fifty-one degrees, which is the ordinary temperature of springs and deep wells. It is well known that the temperature of places in the same latitude is modified by the elevation of the land, the state of cultivation, proximity to the sea, or large bodies of water that do not freeze, and by the course of the prevailing winds. The temperature of the air is supposed to decrease in the same lati tude one degree for every 590 feet of elevation above the level of the sea. The elevation of Mexico being 7217 feet above 3 18 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. the sea, in latitude 19° 18', reduces the temperature to that of places on a level of the sea in latitude 33° 30'. The United States are less elevated above the sea than Eu rope, and the difference is in favor of a milder climate with us. The climate of this country has been estimated to be from 10 to 15 degrees colder than the corresponding latitudes in Eu rope. From the description of the climate of France and Italy by the Roman writers a few years before the Christian era, the temperature of those countries could not have been mate rially different from that of the United States at present. Their rivers were frozen solid, and the earth covered with snow more or less of the winter. Experience shows that rivers do not congeal with any degree of solidity until the thermometer is as low as 20, and in the United States in the latitude of Italy. The thermometer at present is seldom below 20 more than a few days during the winter. To produce the effects described, must have required quite as severe frost as now prevails in the same latitude in the United States, if not more so ; and the same causes which have produced the change in the climate there, will have the same effect here, so far as they are common to both countries. The clearing up and cultivating the coun try is the most powerful cause that has contributed to this ef fect, and will have a great influence in meliorating the climate of the country. The trees which cover an uncultivated coun try, shield it from the rays of the sun, and deprive the earth of the heat derived usually from that source. It is proved by ex periment that the temperature of improved land is ten decrees greater than wood land. Evaporation and rain are sources of cold, and are more abundant in a country covered with timber ; more moisture is supposed to evaporate from the leaves of a given quantity of green timber than from the saine extent of water. The influ ence of these causes is lessene'cl by cultivation ; the earth be comes warmer and drier, and the temperature of the air is in creased. The air from the sea has also a powerful effect on the climate ; the sea being 8 or 10 degrees warmer in winter and colder in summer than the earth, and in proportion as the country is cleared, the air from the sea penetrates further into GEOLOGY OF LONG ISLAND. 19 the country, moderates the heat in summer and the cold in winter ; and operates to render the temperature of the seasons more mild and uniform. The climate is also affected by the course of the winds, f^ormerly upon Long Island the north west was the predominant wind in the winter months, and the north-east wind generally prevailed in the spring, and some times in the fall ; but at present, as before observed, the west and south-west are predominant in raore than half the months in the year. These winds either come from the sea, or blow over a country less cold than that traversed by the north-west and north-east winds, and of course more raild and temperate. The climate here is evidently undergoing a change, and be coming more uniform than heretofore ; the winters are less severely cold, and the summers not so scorching hot. The extreme cold, and its long continuance in some seasons at intervals of eight or ten years, is probably attributable to the effect of large bodies of floating ice, which is formed at the Pole, and being detached from the great mass, is brought by the prevailing currents towards our coast, thereby disturbing the ordinary course of the seasons, and making the air, while passing our latitude, much colder and of longer continuance than it would otherwise be. Thus, in the year 1816 there was frost upon Long Island in every month of the year, and the corn was killed almost uni versally by the fifth of September. The same cause occasioned the cold summers of 1836 and 1837, but not to the same extent, the floating ice being less extensive, or was carried by the winds further from the shores. GEOLOGY OF LONG ISLAND. Long Island does not present as much variety to the obser vation of the philosopher and geologist as some other parts of the state ; yet there is probably enough to warrant the belief of its gradual formation by natural causes, and that a greater part of the island, if not the whole, has been reclaimed from the ocean. The discoveries made in excavating the earth to great depths 20 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. in various places, seem to have left this point no longer a mat ter of uncertainty or doubt with those who carefully consider the subject. The reasonings and conclusions which these surprising developments have given rise to, are, to the scientific inquirer, raost curious and interesting. It is abundantly demonstrated that very extensive alterations have taken place, and are still in progress upon the shores, and within bays and harbors, by the inroads which the sea is in cessantly raaking in some places, and the large accretions to the land in other locations. The raore extensive and extraordinary marine encroach ments have been and are now in continual operation upon the south shore of the island, the materials of which it is gene rally constructed being incapable of opposing any considerable barrier to the violence of winds and waves, especially during the existence of heavy storms, driving, with inconceivable force and augmented energy, against the soft and yielding substance of the headlands and beaches. Its effects and ravages are perceptible to the raost common observation from one end of the island to the other ; yet pro bably in no one place so palpable as about Gravesend, and particularly in the neighborhood of Coney Island. John Van Dyck, Esq. recollects when the beach at Coney Island was composed of high and extensive sandhills, where it is now a flat and level beach, sometimes covered by the tides; and he has cut grass upon a part of the beach which is now at a considerable distance in the sea. At other places where the water was of sufficient depth to float vessels of 50 tons, it is now solid ground. Mr. Court Lake, of the same place, aged 79, states that his grandfather, about 110 years ago, cut a quan tity of cedar posts upon a part of Coney Island which is now two miles in the ocean ; and that he has himself cut fire-wood at a place now a mile and a half from the shore. There was also a house upon Pine Island, owned by one Brown, the site of which is now a great way at sea; and that Plumb Island was once covered by fine timber, where there is none now, the greatest part of the land having washed away. The following interesting matter, contained in the learned GEOLOGY OF LONG ISLAND. 21 Reports made to the Legislature by W. W. Mather, Esq., relat ing to Long Island, is of too much consequence to be omitted. The coast of Long Island on the south side, from Montauk Point to Nepeague beach, a distance of about 10 railes, is con stantly washing away by the action of the heavy surf against the base of the cliffs, protected only by narrow shingle beaches of a few yards or rods in width. The pebbles and boulders of these beaches serve as a partial protection to the cliffs during ordinary tides in calm weather, but even then, by the bouldering action of the surf as it tumbles upon the shore, they are continu ally grinding into sand and finer materials, and swept far away by the tidal currents. During storms and high tides the surf breaks directly against the base of the cliffs, and as they are form ed only of loose materials, as sand and clay with a substratum of boulders, pebbles, gravel, and loam, we can easil}^ appreciate the destructive agency of the heavy waves, rolling in unbroken from the broad Atlantic. The destruction of land from this cause is less than one would be led to suppose, but still it is considerable. The road from Nepeague beach to Montauk Point, which was originally at some distance from the shore, has disappeared in several places by the falling of the cliffs. There are no data by whicli to estimate the inroads of the sea on this coast, as this part of the island is held in common by many associated individuals, who use it for pasturage, and it is inhabited by three herdsmen only, who are frequently changed, and who live several miles distant from each other. From Nepeague beach to two miles west of Southampton, the south coast of Long Island is protected by a broad and slightly inclined sand beach, which breaks the force of the surf as it rolls in from the ocean. From Southampton, westward, the coast of the island is protected by long narrow islands, from one raile to five or six distant from the main island. Some parts of the north shore of the south branch of the island, from Montauk Point towards Sagg Harbor, are washing away, but not so rapidly as on the south side of this branch of the island. The eastern parts of Gardner's and Plum Islands, which are composed of loose materials, are washing away in consequence 22 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. of the very strong tidal currents, and the heavy sea rolling in upon their shores from the open ocean. The action upon these coasts is so rapid as to attract the attention of the inha bitants, and calculations even have been made as to the time that will probably elapse before they will have disappeared. Rocks (boulders), that have formed a part of Plum Island, may now be observed at low water a raile or more from the present shore. Little Gull Island, on which a light-house is located, was disappearing so rapidly a few years since, that it becarae ne cessary to protect it from the farther inroads of the ocean by encircling it with a strong sea wall. Oyster Pond Point is wearing away rapidly, by the combined action of the waves during heavy north-east storms, and the strong tidal current, which flows with great velocity through Plum Gut. A small redoubt, about one quarter of a mile west of the Point, is nearly washed away ; and Mr. Latham, the owner of the farm, says, that several rods in width have dis appeared since his remembrance. During the heavy storm of the 12th Oct. 1836, the sea raade a clear breach over about one quarter of a raile of the eastern part of the Point, washed away all the light materials, and cut a shallow channel through which the tide now flows. The effects of this storm were very marked at many localities on the north shore. The cliffs were undermined, and crumbled or slid down, exposing the geolo gical structure, and presenting beautiful coast sections of the strata. The time subsequent to the storm until the winter set in, was devoted exclusively to raeandering the coast on the north part of Suffolk County, in order to inspect in detail the geological structure and phenomena of the alluvial and tertiary deposites. The destroying action of the sea upon the headlands and cliffs, where currents and a heavy surf beat against the coast, has been considered. Another effect of the sea is, the formation of marine alluvion. It results from the deposition of the mate rials transported coastwise by tidal and raarine currents, and by the action of the waves in the direction of the prevailing winds and storms. The winds which produce the greatest GEOLOGY OF LONG ISLAND. 23 transport of alluvial matter on the coast of Long Island, are from the north-east, during the heavy north-east storms. These storms bring in a heavy sea from the ocean, which, rolling ob liquely along the shore, aided by the powerful tidal currents, sweeps the alluvia along in a westerly direction. The north west winds are nearly as powerful as the north east, and blow for a much longer period in the year ; but do not bring an ocean swell, and the waves which they raise fall upon the shore in a line nearly perpendicular to the trend of the coast ; so that their effect is to grind the pebbles and gravel to sand by the action of the surf, rather than to transport them coastwise. In this way, outlets of small bays are frequently raore or less obstructed by bars, shoals, and spits, formed by the tidal currents sweeping past their mouths, and depositing the materials in the eddy formed by the meeting of the currents. If the strongest cur rents and prevailing winds be coincident in direction, the out let of the harbor will of course be found upon the leeward side. Almost every bay, inlet, and marsh on the north coast of Long Island, and also on the south coast, where they are not protected from the sea by the long sandy islands which have been mentioned in the preceding article, have their outlets blocked up entirely by the materials deposited, or so nearly as to leave only narrow entrances. Strong currents set along the shore, and these, aided by the oblique action of the surf, roll the pebbles and sand up the beach, which, on the retiring of the waves, are swept again into the surf, having described a semi circular line, and perhaps progressed several feet by the action of a single wave. This mode of transport is seen almost every where on these coasts. The cliffs are undermined, and the coarser parts of their wrecks are thus tumbled along from place to place by each succeeding storra. The particular local effects of such causes can only be fully understood by visiting the localities, or having accurate detailed topographical maps, like those now in progress under the supervision of the superinten dent of the National Coast Survey. It is hoped that those maps of Long Island will be published before the geological survey of the State of New-York shall have been completed, in order that an accurate, detailed map of this part of the 24 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. State may be formed, so as to illustrate the numerou.'S important geological details. The transporting action above alluded to, has been the most effective agent in the formation of the marine alluvians of Long Island. This island has been composed of one principal, and several small detached islands, which are now connected with each other and with the main island. The east end of the island, from Montauk Point to Nepeague beach, seems to have been, at some former time, two separate islands, which have since been connected with each other and with the main island by the westward currents sweeping along de- trital matter, derived from the continual destruction of cliffs of loose materials. Nepeague beach is five miles long, a great part of which is loose, drifting sand, enclosing marshes and salt ponds. This beach is so low in some places that the tides frequently overflow it. The skeleton of a whale is said to be now imbedded in these sands. At Fort Pond Bay, a few miles east of Nepeague beach, a narrow strip of shingle, fre quently overflowed by the tides, separates the Atlantic from this bay, which is separated from Long Island Sound by a beach sometimes open, but often blocked up with sand. Great Ho:^ Neck and Little Hog Neck, near Sagg Harbor, were once islands, which have been united by a sand and shingle beach, and the latter with the raain island. Farrington Neck, a few miles west of these, was an island which is now united with the raain island by a low beach. That part of the township of Southold, which is situated on the main island, was originally three islands, now connected with each other and with the main island by beaches and marshes of alluvial formation. The effects of alluvial action can be distinctly seen on the map of Oyster Pond Point. It shows where two of the islands, which were once separated from the east end of the north branch of Long Island, have been connected hy a beach and sand spit, enclosing a large pond, with an outlet only wide enough for a mill sluice. A tide mill is constructed at this outlet. Those long points of alluvion, called sand spits, projecting from the land in the line of the eddy currents, and formed by them, are very common, and are, in fact, the unfinished beaches GEOLOGY OF LONG ISLAND. 25 which will eventually obstruct the outlet of harbors and bays, and connect islands with each other. An interesting alluvial formation is now in progress on the north and north-west side? of Lloyd's Neck; in Huntington, and formed entirely by the deposite of the coarse detrital matter swept along by the current from the destruction of the high cliffs in the vicinity; This deposite is about one quarter of a raile broad, partly marsh and salt pond, protected by a high bank of shingle piled up and continued westward, so that the present outlet of the pond is half a mile farther west than it was within a recent period ; the shingle having been continually swept westward, while the flux and reflux of the tide through thei narrow channel keeps its outlet open. The ponds and small bays on the south side of Long Island, in the townships of South and East Hampton, frequently have their outlets closed by beaches formed by the detrital matter swept coastwise by the tidal currents and the waves. The long sandy islands on the south coast of Long Island, which protect it from the heavy waves of the Atlantic, are doubtless formed by the same cause. Long Beach is a sand-spit, extending from Ben's Point, near Oyster Pond Point, westward four and one- fourth miles ; and has been formed by the detritus swept coast wise, and deposited in the eddy currents. This beach gives safety to Oyster Pond's harbor, by serving ab a natural break water. Two sand-spits were observed in Cold Spring harbor, resulting from causes similar to those above detailed. The headlands and cliffs on this part of the island are con tinually wearing away by the action of the sea; and the mate rials of which they are composed, consisting principally of clay, sand, gravel, and pebbles, are transported by tidal currents, and deposited in other places. The tidal currents, in sweeping along the headlands and cliffs, undermine thera, and, transport ing the materials frora which they are composed, form shoals, block up the mouths of small inlets and creeks, so as to form fresh-water ponds, by preventing the ingress of salt water, throw up sand beaches in front of marshes, form sand-spits across the mouths of harbors, and connect islands with eachf other and the main land. 4 26 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. Huntington Harbor, certainly one of the best on the island, is of alluvial origin. By reference to the map of Long Islarid it will be seen that this harbor is formed by two necks of land, Lloyd's Neck on the west and north-west, and Eaton's Neck on the east and north-east. Lloyd's Neck, which was originally an island, has been connected with the main island by a lew sand beach, now overflowed at high water. Eaton's Neck was forraerly a cluster of four islands, which have in some way been connected with each other and with the main island. A sand-spit, one and one-fourth mile in length, and from ten to twenty rods in width, makes out into the harbor from the south-west part of Eaton's Neck, and adds much to its safety ; as also a similar one from the south-east part of Lloyd's Neck. There is abundant evidence that this harbor, and the safe ty of the smaller ones in the vicinity, are the result of alluvial action. The materials composing the sand-beaches and spits which I have mentioned, are precisely like those now thrown up by the action of the surf ; they consist of pebbles, gravel, and fine siliceous sand, interspersed with water-worn shells belonging to genera and species now living on the coast ; and they are destitute of boulders, which characterise all those low places formed by the degradation of the superincumbent ma terials. The beach, connecting Eaton's Neck with the main island, is three and a half miles in length, and ten to thirty rods in width. Mr. Gardner, who " keeps the light " on Eaton's Neck, informed me, that some years since, a vessel, during a violent storm, having been driven upon this beach, and an excavation made to get her off, marsh mud was found beneath the sand near tide water level, precisely like that in a small marsh on the opposite side of the beach, clearly indicating the manner of formation at that place. On the north-west part of Eaton's Neck, a sand-beach, one- half or three-fourths of a mile in length, has been thrown up in front of a marsh containing several acres. It has formed rapid ly since the remembrance of Mr. Gardner, who says he has seen sloops, loaded with wood, float in places now some feet above tide water level. GEOLOGY OF LONG ISLAND. 27 The long stretch of beach connecting Eaton's Neck with the raain island, is continued three-fourths of a mile eastward, and is, a. part of the way, formed in front of cliffs which it pro tects frora the farther encroachment of the sea, and the remain ing distance, before a small pond skirted with marsh, which formerly communicated with the sea by means of a creek, now filled with alluvial sand. A sand-beach, one-fourth of a mile in length, has been form ed between Long Island Sound and Crab Meadows, through which a creek, entering obliquely from the north-west, passes in a serpentine direction through the marsh. By the action of vio lent winds, the finer particles of sand are forraed into hillocks, which are very slowly moving inland. At Fresh Pond Creek is a similar sand-beach. The small pond at that place communicates with the sea by means of a sraall creek, which is often tilled by alluvial sands, so as to pre vent the ingress of the salt water. The obstruction has some times been removed by digging, and at others, the water, ris ing in the pond, bursts its barrier, and finds its way to the ocean, removing every obstacle, and raaking the channel deep er even than before. At Sunken Meadows is a sand-beach one-half raile in length, through which a creek enters obliquely from the north-east. Mr. Abraham Smith says that this beach has extended thirty rods in an easterly direction since his remembrance. On the north part of Crane's Neck is a shingle beach, about a mile in length, between Flax Pond and the Sound. The pond is skirted with marsh, and communicates with the sea by an opening called Flax Pond Gut. The tidal current is so strono- on this part of the coast, that the finer materials have been carried onwards ; while the coarser, consisting of pebbles, varying in size from a marble to two or three inches in diame ter, have been left to form this beach. A large proportion of the finer materials appear to have been swept to the south-west part of the neck, where, having been deposited, they form shoals, and a long sand-beach between the sea and a marsh of several acres in extent. By the action of water on the headlands, sand-spits have 28 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. been formed across the mouths of Old Man's, Drown Meadow, Setauket, Stony Brook, and Smithtown harbors. They are ren dered safer by these alluvial deposites, but they afford shelter only to vessels of small burthen, on account of sand-bars, which ex tend from the extreme points of the sand-spits across their en trances, which, I am informed, in some instances, are moving westward. Z^and-.tlides, on a small scale, are a very common occurrence on the north coast of Long Island. They are in some places caused by the sea undermining the cliffs, so that the super incumbent masses crack off at a short distance from their edges, and sUde down to a lower level, carrying with them trees and shrubs, and sometimes without even changing their relative position. Where the cliffs are high, they present the appearance of steps, in consequence of the successive slides. A great number of examples of these slides may be seen a little west of Petty's Bight, between Hudson's and Roanoke Points, and between Eastbrook and Swezey's landing. One of the most remarkable slides is at Fresh Pond Creek. The land hav ing thus slidden down within the reach of the surf, is carried away at high tides and during storms, thus allowing new slides to take place in succession. Sand-dunes are low hills of loose sand, which have been piled up by the wind hke drifting snow heaps, and, like them, are frequently changing their magnitude and position ; so that, in some places, productive lands are buried by the moving ma terials, while in others they are uncovered by their removal. ^n instance was mentioned to me of land in Southampton hav ing he^n inundated by sand, and after a lapse of about fifty years, it was uncovered by its drifting off. On sea-coasts, and in some other places in the interior of a country, the atmosphere is often clouded during high winds with the lighter particles of drifting sand, while the heavier are rolled along on the sur face. Every obstacle which creates an eddy current in the wind, as a rock, fence, bush or tree, causes a deposite of sand, which often serves as a nucleus of a hillock. The sand-banks when first forraed, present almost as much variety of outline and form as snow-drifts after a snow-storm. Examples were GEOLOGY OF LONG ISLAND. 29 observed on the north shore of Long Island during the heavy winds of October, where heaps of drift sand, two or three feet deep, were formed in a few hours behind boulders and blocks of rock, which created eddy currents in the wind. Sand banks, several feet deep, were observed in some of the ra vines next the beach, that had been formed between the time of the storm of the 12th, and the tirae observed on the 17th of October. A sraall pond near Horton's Point has been convert ed into a raeadow by the drifting sand filling it up, within the remembrance of Mr. Horton of Southold. The sand-dunes along the shore are so prominent as to mark the line of coast in many places, when seen at the distance of several miles, presenting a very broken, undulating or serrat ed outline of white hillocks, from ten to forty feet high. On almost all the beaches are hillocks of drift sand, and in raany places the high bluffs on the north coast are capped with them. Jacob's Hill, north-west of Mattituck, was once much higher than Cooper's Hill east of it ; but the sand has blown off, so that it is now rauch lower at the former place. Some arable land has been covered over, and red cedar trees have been buried by the drift sand. The grounds occupied by the dunes are exceedingly irregular in forra ; in some places covered with small round-backed hills, with deep, irregular or bowl-shaped valleys, formed by the wind scooping the sand out where it is not confined by the roots of the scanty vegetation that gains a foothold in some places. The south shore of Long Island, from Nepeague Beach to Southampton, is skirted with a line of sand-hills, presenting a very irregular, broken appearance in the distance. Nepeague beach is covered for a considerable breadth with loose, drifting sands, forming sraall hillocks of almost every variety of shape. The South Beach of Long Island is almost entirely a line of hil locks, and is composed of a chain of long narrow islands of land, from one to six miles from the main land. Three kinds of sand are found on Long Island, viz. : siliceous sand, garnet sand, and iron sand. These sands are mixed with each other iu variable proportions. They result, as has before been remarked, frora the degradation of land, the disin- 30 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. tegration of boulders, and the grinding up of pebbles by the action of the surf. The siliceous sand is found everywhere along the coast, and constitutes raost of the soil of the island. In some localities it contains grains of red and yellow feldspar ; in others, grains of black hornblende. Much of it is of good quality for the manufacture of common glass, for sawing marble, and for making mortar. Red garnet sand is not uncommon on the shore. In some operations this sand may perhaps be used as a substitute for emery. Magnetic iron sand is found in small quantities along the whole coast of Long Island where the surf beats on the shore. It is so abundant in some localities after storms, that perhaps it may be collected for blotting sand and for iron ore. Layers of it, two or three inches thick, were seen in raany places. Garnet and iron sands both occur more abundantly after storms ; and the reason is, that the surf, as it rolls upon the beach, carries the various kinds of sand along with it, and dur ing the refiux of the wave the water washes back the lighter grains, leaving the heavy sands behind. Each wave repeats this process, and the garnet and iron sands thus accuraulate in layers. The same principle is applied in the artificial separa tion of metals and ores from sand and pulverized rocks in metallurgic operations. Salt marshes are very extensive on the coast of Long Island, and they are of rauch value for meadow lands. These alluvions result from a combination of several causes. The first step in their formation is, the deposite of a sand or a shingle beach, by marine currents sweeping along detrital matter, and depositing it in the eddy currents in front of shallow bays and re-enter- ings of the coast, so as to shelter these spaces from the action of the surf if they were before exposed to it ; they are also made shallower by the sand and silt carried in by the tide, the deposites from the surface waters of the adjacent country, and by sand drifted frora the beach. Not only marine animals and plants, by their growth and decay, add new niatter to the gradually shoaling pond or bay ; but the accumulation of drifted GEOLOGY OF LONG ISLAND. 31 sea- weed, trees, &c., serve to increase the alluvion at every successive storm. These various causes corabined, gradually shoal the water with alluvial depositions) until raarsh grass finally takes root upon the surface. In the formation of these marine alluvions, vegetable remains far exceed the other mate rials in volume, so that an imperfect marine peat results. The marine peat observed in most localities is of inferior quality : it is light and spongy, containing undecoraposed vegetable matter. Sand-stones, conglomerates and brown iron ore, are conti nually forming, in small quantities, in several localities, by the action of mineral springs, and by the decomposition of pyrites. At Broad Meadow Point, called also Iron Point, two or three miles east of Riverhead in Suffolk County, this recent sand stone may be seen, at low water, in thick, solid masses. It may also be seen in the sand cliffs between Roanoke Point and Mattituck Inlet. Nodular masses of iron pyrites are not uncommon in the pebble beds of Suffolk County, and by their decomposition, form brown oxide of iron or haematite, enveloping the adjacent substances which serve as nuclei. When nodules of clay, or decomposable stones are thus enveloped, geodes of brown hae- metite are the result. These are abundant at the high cliff on the north-east side of Lloyd's Neck, in Huntington. Where these geodes are nuraerous, a kind offerruginous conglomerate is forraed of gravel, pebbles, and geodes. At the above locality, the sreodes and congfloraerate were confined to a stratum of only a few inches in thickness. Two geodes were found tilled with water. The erratic blocks of Suffolk County are of some importance, as they furnish the only rocks for building and wall stones. There is one circumstance connected with these boulders which we will mention, on account of the bearing it has upon some questions in the scientific part of geology. We will state only general facts, without entering at this time into the minute details, or the conclusions to be drawn from them. The boul ders and blocks vary in size from a pebble to masses weighing several hundred tons, and are mostly found on the range of 32 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. hills running through the island, and between them and tbe north shore. The boulders and blocks are contained in a stra tum which is inter-stratified with deposites of sand, clay and gravel, and is often exposed along the coast. Some of the blocks, when first disinterred, exhibit scratches upon one or more of their sides. Rocks, like those occurring on Long Island, are found in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and along the Hudson river; and they are so similar in their mineralogical characters and associations, as to lead to the conclusion that they were originally derived from those places. Again, as we progress westward from Montauk Point to Brooklyn, along the north shore, there is a regular succession of the groups of boulders, pebbles and gravel, corresponding to the successive changes in the rocks on the north side of the Sound. For example, the boulders on the east end of Long Island are like the granite, gneiss, mica slate, green-stone, and sienite of Khode Island and the east part of Connecticut ; further westward, opposite New London and the raouth of Connecticut river, are boulders like the New London and Connecticut river granites, gneiss and hornblende rock ; opposite New Haven are found the red sand stone and conglomerate, fissile and micaceous red sandstone, trap conglomerate, compact trap, amygdaloid and verd antique ; opposite Black Rock are the granites, gneiss, hornblende, quartz and white liraestone, like those in Fairfield County ; and from Huntington to Brooklyn, the trap (compact, crystalline, &c.) red sandstone, gneiss, granite, hornblende rock, serpentine and crystalline limestone, are found identical in appearance with those of the country between New Jersey and Connecticut. The clays of Suffolk County are so abundant and varied in their character, as to be adapted to various useful purposes. The beds are extensively wrought in some places, and the clays are mostly used for the manufacture of bricks ; from four to five millions of which are annually made at West Neck in the town of Huntington alone. White clays, which have the external characters of potter's clay, occur on West Neck, Lloyd's Neck, Eaton's Neck, East Neck, and Little Neck. Brown clays, suitable for stone ware, and others for coarse GEOLOGY OP LONG ISLAND. 33 pottery, abound in many places in the west part of the county. Both the white and brown clays are carried to distant parts for these raanufactures. Sorae of the clays have the external ap pearance of good fire clays, but actual experiraent only can de termine their fitness for this use. These clays contain no lime, and therefore are far less likely to melt in the fire than ordinary clays. Some of the clay beds on West Neck and Lloyd's Neck are ochreous, and perhaps they may be profitably used in the ma nufacture of yellow ochre. Fossil wood, or lignite, has been found in several places in the clays, and in their associated beds of sand and gravel, but in no instance in sufficient quantity for fuel. Sometimes it appears like charcoal, in others it is changed to iron ore, either hematite or pyrites. It was seen on Lloyd's Neck, Eaton's Neck, East Neck, Little Neck, and Mount Misery ; and has been found in many places from 20 to 100 feet below the soil. Peat, although not very abundant in Q,ueen's, King's, and Richmond Counties, is very common. Many localities were observed. Those of the most importance are near Newtown. From a bog one mile westerly from Newtown, peat of a very superior quality has been dug for more than fifty years, and it is much used by sorae of the inhabitants. An extensive raarsh of peat, which is probably deep and of fine quality, lies near the road from Williamsburgh to Jamaica, and is called the Ce dar Swarap. There may be about 30,000 cords of peat in this swamp. Sraall bodies of this combustible were seen in the ranges of hills in King's and Richmond counties. A meadow of two or three acres of ligneous peat was observed about one mile north of Ja maica. The owners of quagraires or quaking meadows will do well to examine them. Before raany years shall have elapsed, these bogs will become valuable, where they are now regarded as nearly worthless. The inferior qualities of peat will, under judicious treatment in compost heaps, raake a valuable manure. The principal marshes of Long Island are, Nepeague Marsh; one between Sagg Pond and Mecock Bay, east part of Shinue- cock Bay ; between Moriches and Great West Bay ; between 5 34 HISTORY op LONG ISLAND. Ocombamack Neck and Fire-Place ; between Ocombamacb Neck and Patchogue ; Patchogue and Nicolls's Neck ; and the very extensive one from Nicolls's Neck to Rockaway ; and those aDoui Jamaica Bay and Coney Island. j tu^ There are also many on the north shore of Long Island, tne principal af which are at Acabonnick, Oyster Ponds, Riv«rhead, Wading River, Smithtown Harbor, Crab Meadow, Lloyd's Neck, Oyster Bay Harbor ; between Peacock and Oak Neck, Musqmto Cove, north part of Cow Neck, Little Neck Bay, Flushing, Wil liamsburgh, Brooklyn, and Gowannus. The salt marshes of Suffolk County are estimated to cover an area of 55 square miles; of Clueen's County, 40 square miles ; King's, 12 square miles ; and Richmond 9 square miles ; raak ing an aggregate of 116 square miles, or 74,246 acres, of marsh alluvion of the south coast of New- York, exclusive of the exten sive raarshes on the south coast of Westchester County, which would probably swell the aggregate to 125 square miles, or 80,000 acres. The headlands, generally, on the north shore of Queen's County are washing away. The blocks of rock, which were once imbedded in the loose soil of the island, are seen on the beach extending out far beyond low-water mark. At Oak Neck, Fox Island, and Martinecock, as well as at Middle Island (commonly called Hog Island), the boulders ex tend far out at low water, and demonstrate the encroachment of the sea on the land. Middle Island and Oak Neck are Jjarts of a peninsula which lies between Oyster Bay and Long Island Sound. They were once islands, but have been connected with each other, and with Long Island, by beaches formed of detrital raatter swept frora the headlands of Middle Island and Oak Neck. Extensive salt marshes are forming under the pro tection of these beaches, and are raaterially increased by the sand drifted from them. These beaches are observed to vary in form and magnitude, being sometimes increased or diminish ed in particular by the effects of a single storm. Fox Island (so called) was once an island, but is now connected with Oak Neck and Long Island on the east by a long beach. A long sand-spit, of a mile and a half in length, extends to near Pea- GEOLOGY OF LONG ISLAND. 35 «ock's, where it is cut off by an inlet, which coraraunicates with the extensive marsh between Fox Island and Long Island. This beach and spit are derived from the materials washed frora Pox Island and Oak Neck. Peacock's Point is also washing away. Stumps and logs of wood are seen below low-water mark. Martinecock Point, a raile or more west of Peacock's, must have washed away rapidly. A long point of boulders and blocks stretches far out into the Sound at ebb tide. This was once an island, which is also connected with Peacock's by a long sand beach. Another ancient island, now connected with Long Island on the south-west by a beach, is very near Martine cock on the west. These two islands and beaches enclose a large pond, the inlet of which is through a mill sluice between them. Mr Jacob Latting, who is an old and respectable inha bitant, and has been a resident in the vicinity raore than half a century, informed us that these have been worn away raany rods within his recollection. Mr. Latting pointed out to us the position of the beach between Peacock's and Fox Island during the revolution. The beach then dararaed up the outlet of a raarsh, through which a small stream ran, and a trunk was put in the beach in 1778, to allow the water to drain through, in order to prevent flooding the meadows. We saw the trunk in its original position. The beach has since raade out about 200 yards in front of where it was at that time. He observed that these beaches are subject to considerable variations by storms, the materials being turabled along either eastward or westward, according to the direction of the wind. Sands's Point, on which a light-house has been long built, was washing away so rapidly some years since, that it became ne cessary to protect it by building a strong sea-wall along the shore. A reef of rocks, (the remains of ancient lands,) extends out sorae distance from the shore. The wall has afforded a protection ao-ainst the encroachraent of the sea, and about an acre of land has been added to that belonging to the United States, in consequence of the alluvial action of the surf deposit ing the sand and shingle in the eddy on the south side of the point. Mr. Mason, the keeper of the light-house, coraraunicat ed these facts, and many others of much interest. The broad 36 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. and extensive sand beach south of Sands's Point, a mile or more in length, was, since his remembrance, a salt marsh covered with grass. Mr. Mason is nearly 80 years of age. The mate rials swept from Sands's Point, and deposited on the edge of the marsh, have been drifted and washed over its surface. At and near Kidd's Rock, three quarters of a mile eastward of Sands's Point, the wasting of the cliffs from the effects of the waves is very evident. The cliffs present raural escarpments towards the Sound, but the hills slope down gradually on the other side towards the salt raarsh. This elevated land was for merly an island, but alluvial causes have formed a salt marsh where the water was sheltered from the sea. The wasting of the cliffs has caused the formation of long beaches— one connect ing Kidd's Point with Sands's Point, and the other connecting with the high grounds south-east of the marsh on the west side of Hempstead Harbor. A small inlet through the north end of this beach allows the tide to communicate with the raarsh. Boul ders and blocks are seen imbedded in the strata forming the mural escarpments, and the shore below is also strewed with thera. They also extend sorae distance from the coast, indica ting that a considerable breadth of land has been washed away. The boulders protect the shore for a time, but the smaller ones and the shingle are gradually ground up by the action of the surf, and washed away ; arid during storms and high tides, fresh inroads are made. The beach between Kidd's Point and Sands's Point covers a part of the marsh, the ooze and marine peat of which may be seen at the foot of the beach at ebb tide. This indicates that high land, or else a beach, was once farther sea ward, to afford protection for the formation of that part of the marsh. Only a few acres of high land reraain at Kidd's Point, and if it should continue to be washed away as heretofore, (and much expense would be necessary to prevent it,) a century or two would be sufficient to effect its entire removal. Kidd's Rock as, it is called, is a remarkable erratic block, which was imbedded ,in the loam of the tertiary formation. It has been undermined by the action of the sea, and has slid down to the shore, and cracked into many large fragments. These fragments probably weigh, at least 2,000 tons ; and several GEOLOGY OF LONG ISLAND. 37 sloop loads of it have been shipped to New-York for building- stone. A sand-spit has formed nearly across Hempstead Harbor, about three miles south of the mouth of the bay, and two miles north of the village of Montrose, at the head of the bay. It extends from the west shore, in an easterly direction, nearly across the harbor, leaving a deep inlet of one hundred to one hundred and fifty yards wide next to the eastern shore. It is owing to the same cause as the spit at Cold Spring. This spit is probably a thousand yards in length, but is not raaterially affected by storms. The detrital matter, no'w swept coastwise, is carried through the inlet and deposited in the inner harbor. Two large shoals have thus been formed, and it is said they are evidently becoming shallower every year, and at no distant time will form a considerable addition to the land. A small spit extends from the eastern shore a short distance north of the east end of the large one. Another spit, which extends on the west side of the bay, from the high bank on the west side of the harbor towards Kidd's Point, is separated from this point only by an inlet of thirty or forty yards, through which the tide flows into the marsh behind Kidd's Island. It is formed from the detrital matter both of this bank and of Kidd's Point. A spit of some hundred yards in length extends from the north, partly across the raouth of Plandome Bay. It is derived from the detritus of some high banks in the bay, and Barker's Point on the north. The beaches and spits we have been considering are trifling in extent and importance when compared with the Great South Beach of Long Island. This is a line of alluvial sand and shingle, extending from Nepeague, in East Hampton, to the raouth of New- York Bay, a distance of 104 miles ; and having a direction of about west-south-west. It is not continuous, but is divided by inlets communicating with the bays which are situated between this and Long Island, and through these inlets the tide ebbs and flows. At duogue, and several places east of this. Long Island communicates with the beach, either by marshes or by the upland ; but westward, for about seventy 38 HISTORY OP LONQ ISLAND. miles, a continuous line of bays, from half a mile to six miles broad, extends uninterruptedlv, and separates the beach entire ly from Long Island. This Great Beach is a line of spits and islands. One of the islands is about twenty-five miles long, with a breadth of a few hundred yards. They are all narrow and long ; and when above the reach of the surf, they are covered by a labyrinth of hillocks of drifted sand, imitating almost all the variety of form which snow-drifts present after a storm. Rockaway Neck is the only locality west of Southampton where the upland of Long Island approaches near the alluvial beach. The land through this distance is increasing in area by constant depositions. The beach at Far Rockaway, and for many miles east and west, is undergoing frequent local changes. The surf frequently washes away several rods in width during a single storm, and perhaps the next storm adds more than had been reraoved by the preceding. The sea fre quently makes inlets through the beach to the bays and marshes, and as frequently fills up others. The inlet at Rockaway Bay, called Hog Island Inlet, is con tinually progressing westward by the oblique action of the surf driving the sand, gravel, and shingle in that direction. The de posite of these materials on the west end of the island beach tends to obstruct the inlet to the bay ; but the strong tidal current dur ing the flow and ebb of the tide washes away the east end of Rockaway Beach as rapidly as the other forms. The inlet is thus kept open. Mr. Edmund Hicks, of Far Rockaway, has been long a resident here, and to hira we are indebted for the fact just mentioned. He knows Hog Island Inlet to have pro gressed more than a mile to the west within fifty years. New Inlet is the main inlet from the ocean to the Great South Bay. It was formed during a storm not many years ago. Crow Inlet and Jones's Inlet are undergoing changes analo gous to that of Hog Island Inlet. Barren and Coney Islands are a part of the Great South Beach of Long Island. Coney Island has already been referred to as washing away by the waves and marine currents. It is alluvial, with the ex- GEOLOGY OP LONG ISLAND. 39 ception of a very small tract of tertiary, and is separated from Long Island by a small creek which winds through the salt marsh. Mr. Wyckoff, who has lived for raany years on the island, remembers when this was a broad inlet ; but it has been gradually filled up with silt, organic alluvions, and drift sand, until it is reduced to its present size. The south part of Coney Island is a labyrinth of sand dunes, formed by the wind, which present alraost every imaginable shape that such material can assume. These hillocks are from 5 to 30 feet high, with a few straggling tufts of beach-grass, and clumps of bushes half buried in the drifted sands. They owe their origin to a tuft of grass, a bush, or a drift log, serving as a nucleus. As the grass grows, the drifted sand settles araong its leaves and partly buries it, and the process is renewed for years until a sand hill is forraed. On the contrary, when there is nothing to bind the sand together or shelter it from the wind, it drifts away, leaving deep hollows. Drifted snow banks afford an apt illustration of the sand dunes of the south beach of Long Island, and in a high wind we can realize, in a sraall deffree, the sand storras of the African and Arabian deserts. The encroachraents of the sea upon the east end of Long Island have before been raentioned. Vast masses of the cliffs of loam, sand, gravel, and loose rocks, of which Long Island is com posed, are undermined and washed away by every storm. The water of the ocean coast is almost always found to have more or less earthy matter in suspension, much of which, except during storms, is derived from the grinding up of the pebbles, gravel, and sand by the action of the surf It is estimated by Mr. Mather that at least one thousand tons of matter is thus transported daily from the coast of Long Island, and that pro bably that quantity, on an average, is daily removed frora the south coast between Montauk and Nepeague Beach. This shore, of fifteen miles in length, probably averages sixty feet in height, and is rapidly washing away ; and nearly one half the matter coming from the degradation of the land is supposed to be swept coastwise in a westerly direction. There are many evidences that the east end of Long Island was once much larger than at present, and it is thought proba- 40 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. ble it may have been connected with Block Island, which lies in the direction of the prolongation of the island. But if these evidences were insufficient, the present rapid degradation of the coast in that vicinity, the constant transportation of matter westward upon the Great Beach, and the extent of this beach (more than one hundred miles long, with a breadth of one hundred to one thousand yards,) which is the result of this action, would, by most minds, be deemed conclusive. The masses forming the erratic block group, and terrain de transport, are composed of blocks, boulders, pebbles, gravel, sand, loam, and clay, which are formed of the broken-up rocks reduced to various degrees of fineness, and transported a dis tance from their original situation. The erratic blocks of Suffolk County, and the facts relative to their general distribution, were before alluded to. These blocks are the only wall stones and building stones on Long Island and the contiguous islands, with the exception of a small tract of gneiss in places near Hurlgate. The boulders and erratic blocks are found on the surface, and imbedded in a se ries of strata forming the range of hills which extend through Staten, Long, Plum, and Fisher's Islands. The boulders on Long Island are rarely found south of the hills, but on the north they are observed, both imbedded and on the surface, ex tending to the north shore. The varieties of rock forming the boulders in Suffolk County were mentioned before as being exactly similar, in all their characters, to rocks of granite, gneiss, mica, slate, hornblendic rocks, scienite, greenstone, serpentine rocks, verd antique, red and gray sandstones, In the town of Huntington, about the middle of the island, the people, says he, were induced to believe there was a silver mine in a particular spot ; with the inquisitive spirit usual in such cases, they dug to a considerable depth, and in their pro gress, found a tree, with its branches, buried in solid earth thirty feet below the surface : the branches were chiefly decayed. At Newtown, a deep pit was sunk in the side of a hill in 1804, for the purpose of forming an ice-house. The hill is about twenty rods from the shore of the East River at Hallet's Cove, and fifty feet above high-water mark. At the depth of twenty feet, the workman threw out a great many frogs, lodged in the coarse gravel. Their color was not so vivid as common, in other respects they resembled the comraon frog of this country. General Ebenezer Stephens, on whose land it was, observed them, and, although torpid at first, in a short time they reco vered all the activity of their species. Mr. Henry Demilt, about thirty years ago dug a well upon the east side of Cow Neck, half a raile from the shore, and at the depth of thirty-four feet came to a stratum of creek mud and shells, the stench from which was such as induced him to abandon his design. The late Mr. William Allen, in digging for water at Man hasset in 1824, found a quantity of oyster shells seventy-eight feet below the surface, and obtained water at one hundred and two feet. The earth at the Bottom of the well being a clean white sand like that found upon the beach, intermixed with rounded pebbles. Selah B. Strong, Esq., of Setauket, L. I., says that his grandfather, the late Judge Selah Strong, in digging a well near his mansion upon the Neck, where he then resided, shortly before the Revolution, found a large tree in a horizon tal position, about forty feet below the soil, and in a good state of preservation. 7 50 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. Anthony Sherman, while digging a well in the year 1808, for Mr. Roderick Havens, upon Shelter Island, at the depth of fifty-seven feet found an Indian stone pestle, beautifully polish ed ; also abundance of clam-shells mixed with beach sand and gravel. Jeremiah Johnson, Esq. states that a well was dug about forty years ago by a Mr. Kolyer, at a place called Clam-Battery, in Newtown ; and at the depth of seventy feet discovered a quantity of shells, mixed with what resembled shore sand ; that Doctor Pater, in digging a well about thirty years since at New Utrecht, carae, at one hundred and twenty feet below the soil, to a stratum of salt meadow resembling that in the neigh borhood. And the same gentleman says, that, while comraand ing officer at Fort Green during the year 1814, a well was con structed there under his direction, fo| the use of the garrison, and at the depth of seventy feet clara-shells and sand were found, which had every appearance of having been at a forraer period washed by the sea. Mr. Abraham Van Alst, at Bushwick, some years since, found a log of wood, well preserved, at forty feet below the soil ; and several others in the sarae town, who dug wells, were compel led to abandon them on account of the filthy creek mud found at the bottora, which rendered the water unfit to be drank. Dr. Dwight, in the account of his tour upon Long Island, observes as follows : " When we commenced our journey on this island, I proposed to my corapanions to exaraine, with a continual and nunute attention, the stones of every size which should be visible to us throughout all the parts of our progress. This exaraination was made by us all with great care, and was extended to the stones on the general surface ; to those washed out in hollow roads ; to those uncovered on the sum mits and sides, and at the bottom of hills ; to those found in the deepest vallies, and to those which were dug out of a con siderable number of very deep wells. " The result of this exaraination was, that all the stones which we saw, were, without any exception, destitute of angles, limit ed by an arched exterior, appearing as if worn by the Ion" continued attrition of water, and in all respects exactly like GEOLOGY OF LONG ISLAND. 51 those which in a multitude of places were found on the beach of the ocean. " In ten or twelve instances, possibly a few more, we ob served small rocks of granite on our road. Every one of these exhibited what I thought plain proofs of having been washed for a considerable length of time, and strongly resembled rocks of the same Icind which have been long beaten by waves. I will not say that no other traveller would have considered these rocks as exceptions ; but to my eye they exhibited mani fest appearances of having been long worn by water. If this opinion be admitted, we did not find, in a progress of more than two hundred miles, a single stone which did not exhibit proofs of having been washed for a considerable time. " On Montauk Point the stones have a different aspect, being angular, and having the coramon appearance of the granite rocks so generally found in New England. " After we had passed Jaraaica in our way to New- York, we found a sirailar change in the stones ; most of them being angu lar, and presenting no evidence that they had ever been washed. Between these limits the stones are universally aquatic, if I may be allowed, for the sake of succinctness, to give them that name. " From this extraordinary fact, it would seem a natural con clusion that the great body of this island, or perhaps more pro perly the materials of which it is composed, were at sorae former period covered by the ocean ; and that by some cause, which cannot now be discovered, were thrown up into their present form. " That Long Island was once united with the main, towards its western end, has been believed by a great multitude of per sons from a bare inspection of the scenery. The narrowness and winding of the straits in many places, the multitude of intervening rocks and islands, the projection and course of the points between this island and the counties of New- York and iVestchester, and the general aspect of both shores, have pro duced this opinion in minds which have been formed to very different modes of thinking." From this train of accumulated facts, and the conclusions to 52 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. which they necessarily lead the mind of the inquirer, it can hardly be denied that the alluvial character of the greater part of Long Island is placed beyond the pale of controversy, pr even a rational doubt, in the' opinion of those who have given the subject any considerable attention. We have been the more particular upon this interesting portion of geology, be cause it constitutes an important part of the natural history of Long Island, and is a subject of curiosity as well as utility. DISCOVERY OF LONG ISLAND. There are sorae traditions among the Spaniards and Dutch, that probably this part of the world had been visited by Euro peans long before the reliowned Hudson sailed up the noble and majestic river that bears his narae. Others have sup posed that they had discovered sufficient proof, in the western part of our state, of its having been occupied at some very re mote era by a race of men further advanced in the arts, and particularly in that of defensive warfare, than could be reason ably conceived of those who inhabited the country at the period of the discovery by Hudson. No traces of a civilized people have ever been discovered upon this island, nor any evidence whatever to warrant the belief that any than savages ever possessed it, previous to the arrival of our European ancestors, in the early part of the se venteenth century. We may therefore reasonably infer, in the absence of any proof to the contrary, that Hudson and his adventurous crew were the first white people that ever set foot upon the shores of Long Island. In the work entitled, " History of New- York," by Joseph W. Moulton, Esq., which exhibits as much industrious research and studious accuracy as any historical work can claim, it is stated, that when Hudson first arrived within the waters of Sandy Hook, he observed them swarming with fish, and sent his raen to obtain a supply. It raay well be that they landed upon Coney Island, in the town of Gravesend, which was the nearest land; and if so, the Canarsee Indians were the first to DISCOVERY OF LONG ISLAND. 53 hail the approach of the long-to-be-reraerabered discoverer of New- York. Two hundred and twenty -nine years- ago, being the 3d of Septeraber, 1609, the chivalric Hudson first saw the shores of this island. On the 4th, it is related he sent his raen on shore in a boat, who, according to the words of his Journal, " caught ten great Mullet, a foot and a half long, and a Ray as great as four men could haul into the ship." Here, he says, they found the soil of white sand, and a vast nuraber of plumb trees loaded with fruit, and many of them covered with grape-vines of different kinds. They saw, also, a great quantity of snipe and other birds ; and on the morning of the 12th they rode up into the mouth of the great river. Judge Benson says thei name of the river was Sha-te-muck. The natives crowded to the shores on beholding so strange a sight as a large ship, and raen so different in appearance and dress from theraselves, and speak ing a language also which it was impossible they could under stand. The emotions which they felt, and the opinions and conjectures they raust have forraed on that raost novel and in teresting occasion, may be imagined, but can never be known. Such a curious corabination of circurastances was well calcu lated to excite fearful apprehensions in the rainds of an igno rant and unsophisticated people. The natives are described by De Laet as manifesting all friendship when Hudson first landed among them. They were clothed, he says, in the skins of elks, foxes, and other animals. Their canoes were made out of the bodies of trees ; their arms, bows and arrows, with sharp points of stone fixed to them, and fastened with hard pitch. They had no houses, he says, but slept under the blue heavens ; sorae on raats raade of bmsh or bulrushes, and sorae upon leaves of trees. They had good tobacco, and copper tobacco-pipes. After their first acquaintance, they frequently visited Hudson's ship. They were the deadly enemies of the Manhattans, and a better peo ple than they ; who, says our author, have always conducted toward the Dutch in a cruel and inimical raanner. Heckewelder relates, that from the best accounts he could obtain, the Indians who inhabited Long Island were Delawares, 54 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. and early known by the narae of Matauwakes according to De Laet and Professor Ebeling. Long Island at this tirae had various appellations, as Matou- wake, Meitowax, Matanwake, and Sewanhacky ; the last of which means the " Mand of Shells ;" and this appears to have been the most current appellation. It is sometimes called Ma- tanwax and Paumanake. Sorae of this variety are evidently but different ways of spelling the same word, and others niay have been conferred by the neighboring nations, the Manhat tans, the Nehantic or Mohegan tribes. It is the better opinion that the land was in most places destitute of timber ; and that the population of the tribes had much diminished in conse quence of incessant contests and bloody wars among them, which threatened the extermination of the whole race. The timely arrival of the white people, and the protection they af forded, may have been the means of savin g'^them from destruc tion by their enemies. THE LONG ISLAND INDIANS. The origin of the American Indians is one of those curious problems in the history of man that has given occasion to much ingenious conjecture, and has been a standing subject of specu lation and inquiry among antiquarians and philosophers in every age, and among every civilized people, since the discovery of the country. Thus far the investigation has not been attend ed by any very satisfactory results ; and frora the peculiar intri cacy of the subject itself there is little hope of entire success. It seeras to have been taken for granted that the race were ori ginally frora another country, and both Asia and Europe have been assigned as the quarter from which they must have passed to America ; that they either came by the way of Behring's Straits, or may have been driven by accident or misfortune from some distant island, to which their ancestors may have ar rived in the same way. If it be as necessary to account for the existence of other aniraals found here, as for the native Indians, a difficulty arises from the supposition that many of the tropi cal animals could never have existed for any length of time in THE LONG ISLAND INDIANS. 55 a region so intensely cold as Behring's Straits ; and if these are admitted always to have been here, the arguraent is equally strong in favor of raan. If the argument for emigration be of any force, it is just as strong in favor of the idea that Asia and Europe may have been peopled from America as the contrary. The Indians may have been equally indigenous as any other class of animals ; and if they were originally planted here by the common parent of nature, they must necessarily have been endued by the same kind author with capacities and instincts graduated to the condition in which they were destined to live, and to subserve the great purposes of their creation. With the exception of the Esquiraaux, it has been conjectured that all the Araerican tribes possess the sarae cardinal distinctions and the sarae physical characteristics; The differences which ex isted araong various tribes in teraperament, stature, or raental pow ers, may in great measure be accounted for upon grounds less improbable than the supposition oftheir having been a different order of men. The Indians of Long Island, whatever may have previously been their conduct toward one another or to distant tribes, were less troublesome to their white neighbors than the Indians north of the Sound. Nor does it appear that any formi dable conspiracy ever existed with them to destroy the settlers, as was attempted, but too successfully, upon the main. The white people, by forming distinct settlements in different parts of the island, and separating the tribes, probably prevented any such combination being formed, if it were ever intended. The white population were distinguished for their prudence and vi gilance ; and the first dawning of hostility would create alarm, and the means of defence be instantly resorted to. That diffi culties sometimes occurred with a single tribe, and might have been provoked by the improper conduct of the whites thera selves, it is reasonable to believe. The story of their griefs, or the wrongs they may have endured, can never be known ; and they and their sufferings are equally buried in oblivion. Their written language, so far as they possessed any, was entirely of a symbolical character ; and both deeds, contracts, and treaties were signed by a mark or symbol, — as the figure of a hatchet, pipe, bow, arrow, &c., each chief having his own appropriate 56 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. mark. It was not uncommon, upon the death of a sachem leav ing no son, or none but an infant, for the widow to assume and ex ercise most of the functions which her deceased husband had done. She was then called the sunk squa, or squa Sachem ; and the records of the different towns present examples of deeds being executed in such cases by female Sachems. In some instances the Sachem norainated a person to act as guardian for his son during his rainority. Wyandance, the Long Island Sachera, appointed Lyon Gardiner, and his son David Gardiner, as guardians to his son Wyancorabone ; and these persons actually affixed their names to conveyances on behalf of their ward. This singular appointment appears by the records of Eastharap- ton to have been made in 1660, and continued till the young Sachem came to the age which would authorise him to act for himself Pending the Indian war in New England in 1675, (designated as Philip's War,) which threatened the extermination of the white, people on the main, it was apprehended by the eastern towns on Long Island that the Indians here might be induced to unite with those hostile Indians to destroy them also ; and thereupon such prudent and precautionary measures were adopted as effectually prevented the consequen ces of such an union, if any such was in contemplation. The accounts of Philip's wars would be highly entertaining, but for the unfeeling barbarities, and cold, calculating horrors of savage warfare, which raark every stage of their progress. For, not contented with the destruction of cattle, grain, the plunder of goods and conflagration of dwellings, they murdered all they met without discriraination of age, sex, or condition ; beheading, scalping, dismerabering, and mangling their wretched and un fortunate victims, in a manner too revolting for recital. The Algonquin or Chippeway race of Indians is one of the most numerous in existence, and there is little doubt but that all the tribes anciently in New-York and New England, were of this race, if we may be allowed to consider identity of lan guage as proof of the fact. The vocabulary of the Narragan sett tongue, recorded by Roger Williams, shows them to have been of the same stock. The Mohegans , were progenitors of the other tribes in New England who spoke the same tongue. THE LONG ISLAND INDIANS. 57 So were the tribes in Maine. The Delawares, or Lenni-Lenape^ were of the same faraily ; and their language has been pro nounced by competent judges the most perfect Indian dialect in existence. The Iroquois, or Six Nations, once dreaded by all the other tribes from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, are Al- gonquins. This tribe extends from the mouth of the St. Law rence to the Mississippi, and northward to the Great Slave Lake. On the western side of the Mississippi is another great Indian family, the Sioux. In the south of the United States we have four tribes, — the Chickasaws, Choctaws, Cherokees, and Creeks ; of the latter the Seminoles are a part, whose towns were destroyed by General Jackson, their chiefs slain, and those who escaped death, effectually dispersed. The dif ferent and somewhat singular opinions which have existed upon this subject are amusing, although few of them are ve ry satisfactory to the antiquary. The Rev. Thomas Thorow- good, in 1652, published a quarto volume to prove the American Indians to be the Jews, who had been lost to the world for more than two thousand years. Roger Williams seeras to have entertained a similar opinion, as appears by his replies to ques tions propounded to him by an European correspondent. Cotton Mather, a curious and wonderfully prolific writer of the seventeenth century, affirms the same ; and supposes that the Devil seduced these Jews from their own country, to get them (as he expresses it) out of the way of the " Silver Trum pets of the Gospel." Boudinot, in his book entitled " The Star in the West," conjectures the Indians of America to be the " long-lost tribes of Israel ;" and last, though not least, may be mentioned our distinguished fellow-citizen, Mordecai M. Noah, Esq., who has composed a learned and ingenious dissertation to prove them to have been originally Jews, and a part of the lost tribes of his nation. It is one of the peculiar traits of Indian character, and one which is apparently universal, that while the business of pro curing food is the duty of the men, all other labor, however arduous or degrading, is devolved upon the vsromen. The use of the axe and other domestic implements is considered by these self-created lords as beneath their savage dignity ; while 8 58 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. to the weaker sex it belongs to plant corn, make and mend garraents, build wigwams, and attend to all the drudgery of rearing children and other family affairs. Revenge is with them a cardinal virtue, and to endure pain with heroic forti tude a quality worthy of high admiration. In short, to be proof against suffering, however exquisite, and to be destitute of all sympathy for that of others, is a characteristic of the sa vage in every part of the world. WAMPUM AND TRIBUTE. The frequent mention of the article wampum, in almost all Indian conveyances, contracts, and treaties, and the circumr stance of its being a part of the consideration, or price, in most Indian deeds in former tiraes, besides its use as a circulating mediura, as well among the natives as the white people at the first settlement of the country, renders it not only proper, but necessary, to give sorae account of so valuable a coraraodity. Wampum (from warapi or wompi, signifying white,) shells, or strings of shells, used by the Indians as an ornament of dress, and as a badge of distinction among the chiefs, and particularly among the women. They were sometimes worn as a belt or girdle. It is soraetiraes called warapura-peague, warapeague, or wompampeage ; of which wampum is a contraction. Seawan, was the narae of Indian raoney, of which there were two kinds : wompam, (which signifies white,) and suck- auhock, {sucki signifying black.) Wompam or wompampeague, or siraply peague, was, though iraproperly, also understood among the Dutch and English as expressive of the generic denoraination. Worapam, or white money, was made of the stem or stock of the meteauhock or periwinkle : suckauhock, or black money, was manufactured from the inside of the shell of the quahaug, {venus mercenaria,) a round thick shell-fish, that buried itself but a little way in the sand, and was gene rally found lying on it in deep water, and gathered by rakes or by diving after it. The Indians broke off about half an inch of a purple color of the inside, and converted it into beads. These, before the introduction of awls and thread, were bored with sharp stones, and strung upon sinews of beasts; and wjien WAMPUM AND TRIBUTE. 59 interwoven to the breadth of the hand, more or less, were called a belt of seawan or wompam. A black bead, the size of a straw, about one third of an inch long, bored longitudinally and well polished, was the gold of the Indians, and always esteemed of twice the value of the white ; but either species was considered by them of much more value than European coin. An Indian chief, to whom the value of a rix-dollar was ex plained by the first clergyman of Renselaerwyck, laughed ex ceedingly to think the Dutch set so high a price upon a piece of iron, as he termed it. Three beads of black and six of white were equivalent, among the English, to a penny, and among the Dutch, to a stuyver. But with the latter, the equivalent number sometimes varied from three and six, to four and eight. One of Governor Minuit's successors fixed, by placard, the price of the " good splendid seawan of Manhattan" at four for a stuyTrer. A string of this money, one fathom long, varied in price frora five shillings araong the New Englanders, (after the Dutch gave thera a knowledge of it,) to four guilders, ($1,664,) among the Dutch. The process of trade was this : the Dutch and English sold for seawan, their knives, combs, scissors, needles, awls, looking-glasses, hatchets, hoes, guns, black cloth, and other articles of the Indian traffic ; and with the seawan bought the furs, corn, and venison from the Indians on the seaboard ; who also, with their shell money, bought such articles from Indians residing in the interior of the country. Thus, by this circulating mediura, a brisk coraraerce was carried on, not only between the white people and the Indians, but between differ ent tribes among the latter. For the seawan was not only their money, but it was an ornament to their persons. It distin guished the rich from the poor, the proud from the humble. It was the tribute paid by the vanquished to those, the Five Nations for instance, who had exacted contribution. In the forra of a belt it was sent with all public raessages, and pre served as a record of all public transactions between nations. If a raessage was sent without the belt, it was considered an empty xoord, unworthy of reraerabrance. If the belt was re turned, it was a rejection of the offer or proffer accompanying it. If accepted, it was a confirraation, and strengthened friend- 60 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. ships or effaced injuries. The belt, with appropriate figures worked in it, was also the record of domestic transactions. The confederation of the Five Nations was thus recorded. The cockle shells had, indeed, more virtue amongst Indians than pearls, gold, and silver had araong Europeans. Seawan was the seal of a contract— the oath of fidelity. It satisfied raur- ders and all other injuries; purchased peace, and entered into the religious as well as civil cereraonies of the natives. A string of seawan was delivered by the orator in public council at the close of every distinct proposition made to others, as a ratification of the truth and sincerity of what he said ; and the white and black strings of seawan were tied by the pagan priest around the neck of the white dog suspended to a pole, and offered as a sacrifice to T'hahnghyawaagon, the upholder of the skies, the God of the Five Nations. The seawan was manufactured most abundantly upon Long Island, which abounded in shells, and called, for this reason, Seawan-hacky, or the " Island of Shells." The Poquanhock or duahang, and the Periwinkle were extremely plenty ; and for this reason, in all probability, it was that the Mohawks, the Pe- quods, and other powerful tribes, raade frequent wars upon the Long Island Indians, and corapelled thera to pay tribute in this alraost universal article of trade and coraraerce. The iramense quantity which was manufactured may account for the fact, that in the most extensive shell-banks left by the Indians, it is rare to find a whole shell ; having all been broken in the pro cess of making the warapura. And it is not unlikely that many of the largest heaps of shells are the remains of a wam pum manufactory. The French at one period undertook the counterfeiting of wampum by the substitution of a species of porcelain for shells, and which, could it have succeeded, might have proved a pro fitable adventure ; but the Indians at once discovered the trick, and the manufacture of earthen money was given up. The Dutch and English made great quantities from the genuine material, and from the greater mechanical facilities they pos sessed, gave them a wonderful advantage in the manufacture. Bat the consequences, as might be expected, was to diminish the WAMPUM AND TRIBUTE. 01 value of it in proportion to its abundance. In the com raencement of the European settlements, and in all purchases from the natives, wampum constituted a part of the price ; and this, with a few articles of clothing of trifling value, were ex changed for large tracts of valuable land. Hazard, in his collection of state papers, mentions that the Narragansetts procured raany shells from Long Island, out of which they manufactured Indian money ; and that they likewise frequently compelled the natives of the island to pay them large tribute in wampum. Dr. Edwards supposes that all the tribes upon Long Island, Staten Island, and Manhattan Island were equally tributary to the Six Nations, of whora the Mohawks were the most numerous and forraidable. It is well known they were the most dreaded of any of the northern tribes, so much so, that even the name became associated with sensa tions of fear and alarm in the minds of children and young people. The Pequots or Pequods, in the day of their power, inhabited the country about Stonington, Groton, and New London. To the north were the Mohegans, of whom Uncas was the chief, as Saccacus was of the Pequots, at the time of the first arrival of the white people. The Narragansetts occupied a portion of country including Rhode Island, and gave name to the beautiful bay between Point Judith and Point Seaconet whose chief was Canonicus. All these tribes committed occa sional hostilities upon the Long Island Indians, and particu larly the Montauks, who were nearest to them, and who were oftentiraes obliged to purchase their safety by the payment of tribute in corn and wampura. In 1655 a large body of Indians, consisting of five hundred from New Jersey and the North River, landed at New Amster dam, where they were provoked into hostilities, and did much injury. They then went to Staten Island, and comraitted great havoc there. A part of them went over to Long Island and threatened the setdement of Gravesend ; but as the Indians there refused to join them, they retired without doing much damage. In 1649 a murder wasp erpetrated at South Hamp ton, and the town vvas greatly alarmed at the hostile appear ance of the Indians in that neighborhood for several days. 62 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. Many outrages, and even murders, were committed in the Dutch towns in 1652. In 1645 the town had ordered one half of the miUtia company to bring their arms to church with them upon the Lord's Day. And in 1651 the town of East Hampton ordered the inhabitants also to bring their arms to meeting with them, under the penalty of twelve pence for every neglect. In 1681 the Indians plundered a store in Huntington, and threaten ed the family. The Montauks were doubtless superior in nurabers and war like skill to any other of the Long Island tribes, and this supe riority was acknowledged by the payment of tribute ; and it is evident from the early writers of New England, that the Pe quots, the most powerful tribe in Connecticut, had at one time subdued the Montauks, and thereby the whole of the Long Island Indians were in subjection to the Pequots ; and which they acknowledged by the payment of an annual tribute, for a tirae at least. But after 1637 they seem to have considered themselves in subjection to the English, and paid them, for their protection, the sarae amount of tribute which they had previous ly paid to the Pequots. In 1650, in consequence of their fail ure to pay, the New England coraraissioners sent Captain Ma son to Long Island to require payraent of the tribute due from the Indians, and to raake arrangements for its more punctual dis charge in future. In 1656 the Montauk chief visited the cora raissioners at Boston, and acquainted them that he had paid the tribute due frora him at Hartford for the space of ten years, but that it was in arrear for the four last years, in consequence of the war in which they had been engaged with the Narragan setts. On which account the coraraissioners consented to re lease the payment of it. It is not easy at this day to perceive the justice of the imposition of this tribute by the white people. The Pequots, who had also been tributary to the English in 1650, remonstrated against the injustice of exacting tribute frora them ; in answer to which, the coraraissioners said it was iraposed in 1635, for the raurders they had committed. It was exacted from the Long Island Indians under the pretence that the whites afforded thera protection from their red brethren, to whom they would otherwise have been forced to pay tribute. WAMPUM AND TRIBUTE. 63 Governor Winthrop, in his Journal of 1637, says ".The Indians sent in many Pequots' heads and hands from Long Island and other places, and Sachems from Long Island came voluntarily, and brought tribute to us of twenty fathoms of wampum each of them." From which it appears that the Long Island Indians were involved in wars, and dealt freely in the blood of their ene mies when the opportunity offered. In 1636 Mr. Winthrop says that Mr. Withers, in a vessel of fifty tons, going to Virginia, was cast away upon Long Island ; seven of his men were drowned in landing, some got in a boat to the Dutch plantations, two were killed by the Indians, who took all such goods as were left upon the shore. " In 1663," says the sarae author, " on the 2d of October, the barque Blessing, which was sent to the southward, returned ; she had been at an island over against Connecticut ; it is fifty leagues long, the east end about ten leagues frora the main, but the west not one mile. The In dians there are very treacherous, and have raany canoes so great as will carry eighty men." In Winthrop's History of New En gland, it is stated, that in 1638, Janeraoh, the Sachera of Niantic, had gone to Long Island, and rifled some of those Indians which were tributary to that colony. " The Sachems coraplained to our friends of Connecticut, (says he,) who wrote us about it, and sent Captain Mason, with seven men, to require satisfaction ; upon this Janeraoh went to Connecticut, raade his peace, and gave full satisfaction for all injuries." "In 1643, (he says) the Indians of Long Island took part with their neighbors on the raain ; and as the Dutch took away their corn, so they took to burning the Dutch houses; but these, by the mediation of Mr. Williams, were pacified, and peace re-established between them and the Dutch ; at length they came to an accord with the rest of the Indians. Those Indians having cleared away all the English upon the raain as far as Staraford, they passed on to Long Island, and there assaulted the lady Moody in her house di vers tiraes, for there were forty gathered there to defend it ; they also set upon the Dutch with an iraplacable fury, and killed all they could come by, burnt their houses, and killed their cattle without restraint ; so as the Govemor, and such as escaped, be took themselves to their fort at Manhattan, and there lived and 64 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. eat up their cattle." In Gookin's History, it is said, " The Pequots were a very warlike people about forty years since, (1624,) at which time they were in their meridian ; their chief Sachem held dominion over divers petty Sagamores, as over part of Long Island, over the Mohegans, and over the Sagamores of Q.uinipiac ; yea, over all the people that dwelt on Connecticut River, and over some of the most southerly inhabitants of the Nipmuck country about duinebaug." Another writer observes, that when the Dutch began the settleraent of New- York, all the Indians on Long Island and the northern shore of the Sound, on the banks of the Connecticut, Hudson, Delaware, and Sus quehannah rivers, were in subjection to the Iroquois or Five Na tions, and within the memory of persons now living, acknowr ledged it by the payment of tribute. As a proof, it is mentioned that a small tribe near the Sugar-loaf Mountain, in 1756, made a payment of 201. a-year to the Mohawks. Tararaany was an Indian chief of the Delaware or Lenni-Le- nape tribe, and was living after the arrival of Penn ; his resi dence is said to have been where Germantown now stands. So cieties named from this chief have been formed in New- York and other places, and the place of their meeting is called a wigwam ; Indian costume and phrases have also been adopted by these associations ; but they are now very much out of use. Sorae, however, have doubted the fact of the Long Island In dians being tributary, as has been stated by other writers. The Dutch, (says the venerable Samuel Jones,) finding all the In dians within and adjoining their settlements on Long Island tributary to the Mohawks or Five Nations, probably concluded that all the Indians ou the island were so. On the contrary, says Mr. Jones, a tradition once prevailed among the Montauk Indians that their ancestors had wars with the Indians on the main, who conquered them, and corapelled thera to pay tribute- This confirms the assertion, so often made in history, that the Narragansetts once held dominion over a part of Long Island at least, and probably corapelled the natives to assist them against their eneraies. When the English coraraissioners met at Hartford in 1650, Uncas came with a complaint that a Sa chem of Long Island had killed some of his men, bewitched di- OP THE DIFFERENT TRIBES. 65 vers others, and hiraself also ; and desired of the coraraissioners that he might be righted therein. About a year after the death of Miantonimoh, Ninigret undertook to organize a plan for ex tirpating the English, andsent a raessenger to Wyandance, the Long Island Sachera, to engage hira in it. Instead of listening to his message, Wyandance seized upon Ninigret's messenger, bound him, and sent him to Captain Gardiner at Saybrook fort. From thence he was sent under a guard of ten men for Hart ford. But they were wind-bound in their passage, and obliged to put into Shelter Island, where an old Sachera lived, the eld est brother of Wyandance. Here they let Ninigret's ambassa dor escape, and thus Ninigret was inforraed that his plan was discovered and defeated. After the peace of 1654 between the Montauk Indians and those upon the main, the Long Islanders, pretending to visit Ninekunet at Block Island, slaughtered of his raen near thirty persons at raidnight, two of whora were of great note. After which Ninigret surprised sorae of the Long Island Indians upon Gull Island, and killed raany of them ; and for which massacre the general Court of Connecticut de raanded several hundred fathoms of wampum as a satisfaction. In 1761 the Indians had so diminished on Long Island, as in some places to have entirely disappeared, and in others great ly reduced ; and even the once powerful Montauks could only number thirty-eight families, and one hundred and ninety-two souls. These were further reduced, in 1783, by the emigra tion of a considerable number to Oneida County with the Rev. Sampson Occom. OF THE DIFFERENT TRIBES. The Indians on Long Island, on the arrival of the white peo ple, were found divided into distinct tribes, or collections of families, having- different names, and exercising exclusive and independent authority or control over separate portions of the territory ; and these tribes had, moreover, each their chiefs and head men, called Sachems and Sagamores, with a sort of su prerae power in the conduct of public affairs, questions of war, treaties, and the payment of tribute. Frora the Sachems of the 9 66 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. different tribes, and- sometimes from a few other head men as- sociated with thera, the lands were purchased by the white peo ple, and from whora have descended the title to all the real es tate upon the island. Motives of honor, justice, and humanity, as well as true policy, dictated the propriety of such a course by strangers coming to settle in a country already occupied by a people, the undisputed tenants of the soil. The price was was always fixed by the convention of the parties, and good faith, it is believed, was always observed on the part of the white people. The principal tribes inhabiting the island at that distant pe riod, and occupying distinct and well-defined portions of terri tory, were thirteen in number, and were the undisputed claira- ants of the lands, over which they exercised an independent jurisdiction, as follows: The Canarsee Tribe claimed the whole of the lands now included within the limits of King's County and a part of the town of Jaraaica. The principal settleraent was probably about Flatlands, where there is a place which yet retains the narae of Canarsee, and was, perhaps, the residence of the Sachem. The last of the tribe is known to have died about 40 years ago. The inhabitants, in the infancy of the settleraent, had much dif ficulty with this tribe, and were corapelled to erect places of defence, to prevent the consequences of surprise. The ira mense piles of shells at this place and upon Bergen Island, show their nuraber raust at one time have been very considerable. The Rockaway Tribe were scattered over the southern part of the town of Hempstead, which, with a part of Jaraaica and the whole of Newtown, were the bounds of their claim. The greater part of the population was at Near Rockaway, and as far west as the present site of the Marine Pavilion. Those Indians who resided at the head of Maspeth Creek in Newtown, were a portion of this tribe, as deeds for land there were uniform ly executed by the Rockaway Sachem, which could not have been the case had the Maspeth Indians been a distinct tribe. This tribe had likewise a settlement upon Hog Island, consisting of seVeral hundred acres, situate in the waters of OF THE different TRIBES. 67 Rockaway Bay. The banks of shells in different places are very large. The Merric, Meroke, or Merikoke Tribe, as they have been differently denominated, claimed all the territory south of the middle of the island, from Near Rockaway to the west line of Oyster Bay ; and were, in all probability, at some for mer period, a part of the Massapequa, or Marsapeague tribe. A part of the lands in the town of Hempstead were purchased of this tribe. They had a large settlement upon Hicks's Neck, and other Necks between that and the village of Merric. The Massapequa, or Marsapeague Tribe had their prin cipal settlement at the place called Fort Neck ; and from thence eastward to the bounds of Islip, and north to the raiddle of the island ; being the usual boundary of all the tribes by a kind of common consent. The only remarkable battle between the whites and Indians was fought with this tribe, when their fort was taken and demolished by a force under the command of Captain John Underhill, about the year 1653. The Matinecock Tribe claimed jurisdiction of the lands east of Newtown as far as the west line of Smithtown, and probably to the west side of Nesaquake River. This was a nu merous tribe, and had several large settlements at Flushing, Glen Cove, Cold Spring, Huntington, and Cow Harbor ; and they possessed, from their local advantages, the means of sub sistence very abundantly. The Nesaquake Tribe possessed the country east of the river of that name to Stony-Brook, and from the Sound to the middle of the island. The extensive shell-banks near the vil lage of Nesaquake show that it was the site of a considerable settlement, and probably the residence of the Sachem. The Seatalcot, or Setauket Tribe claimed from Stony- Brook to the Wading River, and was one of the raost powerful tribes in the county. They inhabited the sides of the different creeks, coves, and harbors, and upon Little Neck, (now called Strong's Neck,) which issupposed to have been a royal residence. The Corchaug Tribe owned the remainder of the ter ritory from the Wading River to Oyster Ponds, and were spread along the north shore of Peconic Bay, and upon the 68 history of long island. Necks adjoining the Sound. They probably claimed Robin's Island also. . The Manhasset Tribe possessed Shelter Island, Ram Is land, and probably Hog Island. This tribe, although confined to about 10,000 acres, could, as tradition affirms, bring into the field raore than 500 fighting-men. The Sachem of this tribe was a brother of Wyandance, Sachem of Montauk. The Secatogue Tribe adjoined the Masapequa Tribe on the west, and possessed the country as far east as Patchogue. The farm owned by the Willet's family at Islip is called Seca- togue Neck, and was, it is supposed, the chief settlement, and residence of the Sachera. The Patchogue Tribe extended east from that place to Westhampton, and, as some think, as far as Canoe Place. The principal settlements must have been Patchogue, Fireplace, Mastic, Moriches, and Westharapton. The Shinecock Tribe claimed the territory from Canoe Place to Easthampton, including Sagg Harbor and the whole south shore of Peconic Bay. The Montauk Tribe had jurisdiction over all the remain ing lands to Montauk Point, and probably included Gardiner's Island. The Sachem of this tribe was of so rauch consequence as to have been acknowledged the Grand Sachem of Pauma- nacke, as Long Island was soraetiraes called. The lands in King's County were principally purchased by the governor of the New Netherlands from the natives, and by him disposed of to the settlers ; but in all the English towns, purchases were made by the planters directly from the Indians, and for which patents of confirraation were subsequently procur ed from the governor after the conquest. It is presumed ths Indian inhabitants paid little attention to the cultivation of the land, except the raising a small quantity of corn ; but depended, in great measure, upon the flesh of the deer and other. wild game, and the great abundance of fish, clams, and oysters, which were found on every shore, and in every creek and harbor. Except their canoes, some of which were very large, and their bows and arrows, the only materials of art among them, were sorae rude vessels of earth hardened in the fire, fragraents of which are op the different tribes, 69 sometimes found. The manufacture of warapura, and its use as money, is an evidence that, however simple or limited the business of any people may be, sorae sort of circulating raedium is indispensable. Governor Winthrop speaks of the superior elegance of the warapura raade by the Long Islanders in the year 1634. The Dutch and English, both frora necessity and convenience, resorted to this species of exchange, the value of which was adjusted by common consent and general usage. The religious notions of the Long Island Indians are des cribed in a communication from the Rev. Sampson Occom, an educated Indian minister, and published among the valuable 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 pawaws." This ceremony was of so odious a character in the opinion of the white people, that by the Duke's laws in 1665, it was enacted that " no Indian should be suffered to pawaw, or perform worship to the devil, in any town within this go vernment." The language of the Montauk Indians is supposed to have been the sarae with that of all the Long Island Indians, and differing little from the Narragansetts and other New-England tribes. It has been contended that no more than two original lan guages ever existed among the American Indians north of the Roanoke, the Delaware and the Iroquois, — the languages of the different tribes from Mississippi to Nova Scotia being, at most, particular dialects of the Delaware language. The struc ture of the Indian tongue is admitted to be different in many respects from all other known languages, ancient or modern. Sampson Occom, the Indian clergyman above naraed, was born at Mohegan, on the Tharaes, near Norwich, Connecticut, in the year 1723 ; and was the first Indian pupil educated by the Rev. Mr Wheelock, at Lebanon, in 1742, at the age of 19 years, were he reraained four years. About the year 1755 he went to Montauk, where he opened a school, and officiated as pubhc teacher of the Indian tribe there and preached also oc- 70 history of long island, casionally to the Indians at Shinecock. He continued at Montauk Point about 10 years. On the 29th of August, 1759, he was ordained by the Suffolk Presbytery. He next engaged in a mission to the Oneidas, and continued with them till he accompanied Mr Whittaker to Europe, and was the first Indian preacher who visited England. The houses in which he preached were thronged. Between February 16, 1766, and July 22, 1767, he preached in various parts of the kingdom, and between three and four hundred sermons. On his return from Europe, he remained awhile at Mohegan, whence he remov ed, in 1786, to the Stockbridge Indians at Brothertown, Oneida County. Many of the Mohegans and several of the Montauk tribe accompanied him to that place, where he died, in July, 1792. While in England he preached in the crowded chapels of London, and even occupied the pulpit of Whitfield with ac ceptance. The house in which he formerly lived, and the church in which he preached, are, or were lately, standing at Montville, New London County, Connecticut. Paul Cuffee, another Indian preacher, a man of singular eloquence, and of very considerable powers of mind, forraerly labored among the Indians at Montauk and Shinecock ; and although not a person of much education, w^as a useful and re spectable man. He was buried nearly a mile west of Canoe Place, where the Indian meeting-house then stood ; and over whose grave a neat marble slab has been placed, upon which is the following inscription : — Erected by the Missionary Society of New- York, in memory of the Rev. Paul Cuffee, an Indian of the Shinecock Tribe, who was employed by that Society for the last 13 years of his life on the eastern part of Long Island, where he labored with fidelity and suc cess. Humble, pious, and indefatigable in testifying the gos pel of the grace of God, he finished his course with joy on the 7th day of March, 1812, aged 55 years and 3 days." In Johnson's " Wonder Working Providence," a book as rare as it is singular, it is stated that when the English first com- OF the different tribes. 71 menced the settlement of Long Island, the Indians annoyed them much by the multitude of dogs they kept, which ordinarily were young wolves brought up tame, and continuing of a very ra venous nature. In 1643, one year before the Dutch war with the Indians north of the Sound, the Governor made a treaty with Penno- wits, Sachem of the Matinecock Indians ; and in 1646 raade a treaty also with Tackapausa, Sachem of the Marsapeague tribe, and with the representatives of five others. Thus the Dutch on the west, and the English on the east end of the island, maintained a firm and constant friendship with the natives near them ; the consequences of which were the raost happy on both sides. the dutch government. The hope of discovering a north-west passage to India, which had long been a favorite project of the maritime powers of Europe, and as yet hardly abandoned, was the propelling motive of several voyages undertaken by Henry Hudson in the first part of the seventeenth century. Two of these voyages were made in the years 1607 and 1608, in the service of an English association, which, being at length discouraged by ill success, finally abandoned the enterprise. On his third voyage in the service of the Dutch East India Company, Hudson, with a picked crew of twenty men, partly English and partly Dutch, ran down the coast from Newfoundland to 35° 4' N. lat., to ascertain whether a passage to the Pacific might not be found through the continent of North America. Retracing his route, he entered Delaware Bay on the 28th of Angust, 1609, but de clined to explore it on account of the intricacy of the channel. Following the eastern shore of New Jersey, he anchored his ship, the " Half- Moon," on the 3d of Septeraber, 1609, within the beach at Sandy Hook ; and after exploring the river to Albany, again put to sea, and arrived in Europe the 7th of Noveraber, 1609. Although disappointed in the raain object of the voyage, the Dutch Company believed they might establish a profitable trade in furs with the natives upon the Hudson River ; and repeated 72 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. voyages were afterwards made, that excited the ambition of private adventurers, which the Company endeavored to prevent by obtaining a decree of the States General in their favor, thereby securing a monopoly to themselves. This took place 27th March, 1614. In the service of this Company Adrian Block and Hendrick Christiance sailed, in the year 1614, and arriving here, erected a fort and a few dwellings upon Manhattan Island or its neigh borhood by consent of the natives. The former of these navi gators first sailed through Hell Gate, and passing the Sound in his way to Boston, gave name to Block Island, and disco vered Long Island to be entirely surrounded by water. An alliance was immediately forraed between the Dutch and Indians as an indispensable pre-requisite to the safety of the in fant settlement, and to ensure to theraselves the full benefit of an established trade. Yet, as the main object of the Corapany was the comraercial advantages to be derived from the fur trade, litde was done for some years in the way of colonization and settleraent of the country. In 1621 the great West India Company was formed in Hol land, sustained by the wealth and power of the " States Gene ral." The former licensed trading Company was merged in this, which gave great additional means and facilities for peopling the country with emigrants frora Holland. And to this circumstance may be ascribed the first successful attempts of the Dutch to plant colonies in America. In 1623 and 1624 the Company fitted out two ships for New Amsterdam, as New- York was then called, in one of which came Peter Minuit, the first director general or governor of the New Netherlands. Although the history of this interesting era is very defective, in consequence of a want of documentary evidence, yet enough has been preserved to exhibit the manner in which the settle ment of the country gradually progressed from the first rude beginnings to the establishment of regular government, and a commerce of considerable extent and importance. The West India Company had by their charter an exclusive right to trade to America for twenty-four years, and the governor THE dutch government. 73 held his commission by their appointment. The Dutch made a purchase of land upon the island called Manhattan in 1623, and gave to the settlement the name of New Amsterdara, and to the country generally New Netherlands ; by which appellations they continued to be known till the conquest by the English. King Jaraes, about the same time, granted a patent to the Lon don Company, under which they laid claim to New- York, The Dutch and English both claimed Long Island upon the ground of prior discovery of the country, it having been a prin ciple generally adopted by the European powers, or a part of the convential law of nations, that new discoveries should enure to the nation under whose authority, or by whose citizens they were made. And it was alleged by the English, that Sebas tian Cabot had, while in their service, discovered the whole of North America from thirty to fifty-eight degrees of north lati tude ; that many voyages had been made to different parts of the coast by English navigators previous to the year 1606 ; and that King Jaraes had, by letters patent, in that year grant ed all that part of the continent between 34 and 45 degrees of north latitude to Sir Thomas Gates and others, with perraission to divide themselves into two companies ; the first to be called the London Corapany, and the other the Plyraouth Corapany. In consequence of these conflicting clairas of territory, both powers endeavored to strengthen their authority by encourag ing and extending their settleraents upon this continent. The English, however, raostly confined their operations, to New England, while the Dutch clairaed New- York and New Jersey, and even the country as far east as Connecticut River. Wonter Van Twiller, the first Dutch governor (so called) of the New Netherlands, assumed the adrainistration in the year 1629, and continued in authority till 1638. Authentic his tory presents little account of the adrainistration of this gentle man ; but a work of exquisite humor, in which fiction builds upon the ground- work of truth, has fully amplified his renown ; and the name of Diedrich Knickerbocker, his panegyrist, will for ever reraind posterity of the imperturbable gravity and un utterable ponderings of " Walter the Doubter." During his administration, settlements began to be made in 10 74 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND- King's County, and near its close, or very soon after, in th© eastern part of Suffolk, particularly Southampton and South- old. The respective settlements under the Dutch and English in the several towns, were nearly cotemporaneous, and were all considerably advanced within the period of forty years ; although there does not appear to have been any union or com bination among them till the formation of Ridings at the con quest in 1664. In the Dutch towns the lands were chiefly, if not universally, purchased in the first instance from the natives by the governor, and by him granted out to individuals or com panies ; but in the English towns within the Dutch territory, the lands were procured by the first settlers immediately from the Sachems and head men of the several Indian tribes ; and in the territory independent of the Dutch, the lands were bought from the natives, (originally with the consent of the agent of the Earl of Stirling,) and afterwards by their own free con tract with the natives. In the case of grants to companies from the Dutch governor, the lands were subsequently divided among the individual inhabitants by lot ; and in all other cases of purchase, individuals were deemed entitled to a quantity of land in proportion to the amount paid by each toward the purchase thereof, or the expense of the patent by which it was confirmed. And long after the settlements of the several English towns, in the distribution of the comraon lands of the town, the number of acres apportioned to each individual was in exact ratio with the sum contributed to the original pur chase, or to the expenses incident to obtaining of patents, or other charges of a public nature. Thus, in the town of Hemp stead the portions allotted to the individual inhabitants differed from ten to two hundred acres. In a few instances large and valuable tracts were purchased by associations of individuals for themselves, and have remained private property ever since. Such is the case with the lands of Montauk and Shinecock. A few towns have at the present time large quantities of com mon lands, which are only improved as a common pasturage, or for cutting the grass. The town of Jamaica possesses a considerable tract of common meadows, which are rented out for the benefit of the town, or cut by the inhabitants themselves ; THE DUTCH GOVERNMENT. 75 the same is the case in the town of Oyster Bay ; and the town of Hempstead has now raore than twenty thousand acres of upland and meadow, used as public coramons, and continuing in a state of nature. The English settlers, as well under the Dutch jurisdiction as otherwise, were originally united in their religious creeds and opinions, and were generally those contain ed in the confession of faith adopted by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster in 1642. Araong thera the Congregational forra of church governraent prevailed till the year 1747, when the Presbyterian order was adopted as raost likely to preserve purity of doctrine and a raore efficient discipline. In some of the towns a minister was araong the first settlers, and the or ganization of churches was deemed a matter of primary impor tance. In the Dutch towns the governor clairaed the right of licensing ministers, by which he virtually assumed to be the head of the church, or the source of ecclesiastical authority. Many symptoms of superstition and a spirit of intolerance were early manifested, but not to the same extent as in some parts of New England. Those who were deemed heretics, were ob jected to by all, among whom the peaceable and unoffending Q,uaker was included. They seem to have been equally discoun tenanced by the Dutch and English ; and in sorae instances they were treated with no small severity. During the adrainis tration of Governor Stuyvesant, a very respectable raeraber of the Society of Friends was even apprehended and transported a prisoner to Holland, for trial as a heretic ; and some years after that, a duaker preacher was confined in the jail of Clueen's County, for more than twelve raonths, for a similar offence. It raay be said that this species of persecution, has existed to a greater or less extent in all ages : but the inconsistency seeras the raore apparent, and the incongruity greater, with those who for conscience sake had fled from tyranny and oppression in a foreign country, and sought an asylura in this, where they raight enjoy entirely unraolested the raost perfect freedom, civil and religious. Even these, with all their professed zeal for equality and justice, could persecute in their turn, and attempt to expel from the pale of society and fellowship the simple^ 76 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. hearted Quaker, who craved only the privilege of thinking for himself, and imparting his opinions freely to others. The States General of the United Belgic Provinces, in their grant to the Dutch West India Company in 1621, reserved to theraselves the power of coramissioning the governor whom they should appoint. The object was a politic one, and intend ed to connect the interest of the Company with that of the mother country, and by their influence and authority to secure a partial control at least over the colony ; and in 1623, when the Company fitted out two ships for the purpose of establishing trade here, Peter Minuit was sent out by thera under the title of Direc tor-general of New Netherlands, which was, in fact, but another narae for governor ; and with hira came a colony of Walloons, some of whom, it is supposed, settled on the west end of Long Island, and from whom the Waal-bocht, now called the Wall- about, received its name. Slaves were introduced here as early as 1626, if not sooner ; and the Dutch carried on a traffic in slaves between Africa and Virginia. Some were even carried there in 1620 in Dutch vessels. William Kieft succeeded Wonter Van Twiller as governor of New Netherlands in 1638, and remained in office for the space of nine years. During his administration he was beset with difficulties of every kind. The Swedes, he conceived, encroach ed upon him at the south and the English on the east ; while in the years 1645 and 6 he was involved in extensive wars with the Indians, both upon Long Island and the Main. To ward the close of his administration was fought the great bat tle of Strickland's Plain, with great slaughter on both sides. In May, 1647, Peter Stuyvesant, a brave old officer, was comtiiis- sioned governor, and speedily restored peace with the hostile Indians. He also made such arrangements with the United Colonies of New England as to maintain a tolerable good understanding with them throughout his adrainistration. He remained in the office of governor till the conquest in 1664. All the powers of governraent — executive, legislative and judi- ' cial — were vested in him and his council. He directly or indi rectly appointed or commissioned all the public officers, framed he laws, and decided all important controversies. He more- THE DUTCH GOVERNMENT, 77 over heard all appeals from subordinate raagistrates, and requir ed thera to send such cases as were depending before thera to the council, to be decided as they saw fit. In April, 1660, the governor ordered the magistrates of Rusdorpe (Jaraaica) to refer a certain cause, then pending before them, to the council, to be heard and determined ; and the raagistrates of Middle- burgh (Newtown) on another occasion were required to do likewise. He also ordered churches to be built, he installed ministers, and even directed thera when and where to preach. He excluded those whose tenets he did not approve, and final ly assumed and exercised the sole prerogative over the public lands. The Indian title was extinguished by him, and no pu/- chase could be made of the natives without his leave and ap probation. He granted out at his pleasure, to individuals or companies, parcels of land for settlement and cultivation, sub ject to such conditions and payments as he thought proper to impose. And frora the frequent complaints made by the dele gates of the different towns, it appears that he exercised the pre rogative in a capricious and arbitrary manner ; refusing lands to some, and making large and extravagant grants to others, his favorites and pohtlcal partisans. The Dutch towns seem to have been settled by degrees, and without any previous con cert of individuals, or without any iraraediate organization of courts for administering justice. Nor does it seem that they entered into any arrangeraent for self-governraent, but left eve ry thing to the will and pleasure of the governor,, who appoint ed officers of different kinds in the several villages, with raore or less power, and without any uniformity as to their number, title, or duration of office. As population increased, the people were permitted to nominate raagistrates, to be approved of by the governor ; but their powers were not defined by any general law, and therefore their acts frequently becarae raatter of coraplaint. In 1661 the governor established a new court, with greater and more definite authority than before. The magistrates subse quently chosen and approved, were authorized to decide con troversies between master and servant, seller and buyer, landlord and tenant ; and to take cognizance of all breaches of the peace and other misdemeanors; the Dutch courts generally pro- 78 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. ceeding according to the raaxims and principles of the " civil law," which raay properly be called the " common law" of the Dutch erapire. The English, who settled the towns of Gravesend, Newtown, Flushing, Jamaica, and Hempstead, became, from unavoidable necessity, though very reluctantly, Dutch subjects ; but were al lowed to hold lands, enjoy liberty of conscience, and employ their own ministers ; yet in their choice of magistrates it was requir ed that the approbation of the governor should be obtained, to authorize them to discharge the duties of their office. Hemp stead and Gravesend were incorporated towns, yet the^assentof the governor was equally required to sanction their election of magistrates, although it was alleged to be mere matter of forra. They were also authorized by their charters to elect a scout (or constable), and a clerk or recorder, to take and preserve the minutes of town proceedings. The raagistrates were vested with full power to try causes, civil and crirainal, with a limited jurisdiction as to the araount in controversy and the nature of the crime ; and to make ordinances or by-laws for the welfare and good governraent of the towns respectively. Flushing was also partially incorporated, but restricted by its charter from electing any other officer than a scout or constable, with power to preserve good order, heal differences between neigh bors, and report all important cases to the governor for his consideration and decision. This town was afterwards en dowed with the power of nominating magistrates, like the other towns ; and such was the case with the towns of Newtown and Jamaica. The general practice in those towns subject to the authority of the Dutch, was for the people to choose double the nuraber of persons required, out of whom the governor selected and coraraissioned those who should serve as raagistrates. In those towns which were independent of the Dutch, they elected an nually a certain number of officers, whom they denominated townsmen ; whose duty it was to superintend the public con cerns of the town, and to take cognizance of all trespasses upon the town lands. They, moreover, were associated with the magistrates in making such prudential rules and regulations The dutch GOVERNMENf. 79 as they mutually considered the public good required, (except Such as related to the adraission of settlers and the disposition of lands), but which were to be submitted to the consideration of the people in town raeeting, to be approved or disallowed by them. The authority of the townsmen, as well as of the jus tices, extended to such matters as concerned the police of the towns ; and certain rainor duties, such as related to the making and repairing offences, prescribing the time and manner of feed ing the comraon lands, planting the common fields, &c. The towns in Suffolk County were not subject to the control of any colony, nor had they any political connection with each other before- the conquest, except certain conventional agreements for specific purposes. Being too remote from Europe to derive any protection from that quarter, and without political alliances here, the whole power of government was retained by and vested in the primary assemblies of the people ; being an in stance of a pure democracy, and which, apparently, answered all the ends of government in those days of ancient siraplicity. They elected raagistrates and other civil officers, and established courts, which decided causes with or without the intervention of a jury, according to the discretion of the court, subject to the ultiraate decision of the town raeeting, called the General Court, if either party was dissatisfied with the deterraination of the court below. The patents, or ground briefs, issued by the Dutch governors, were raade by authority of the raother coun try, and usually commenced as follows : " We, director and council residing in New Netherlands, on the Island of Manhattan, under the goveriiraent of their High Mightinesses the Lords, the States General of the United Netherlands, and the privileged West India Company," (fcc. The first patents enrolled bear date one year after the arrival of Governor Van Twiller ; but there are no records reraaining in the Secretary's office of the proceedings of the Dutch Governraent during his administration. In 1640, or a little before, a few English emi grants attempted a settlement at Oyster Bay ; but the Dutch were so jealous of them, that Governor Keift sent a scout with a few soldiers, took some prisoners, and broke up the settle ment. The character of his Excellency is represented as rash, 80 history of long iSLAlTi>. and disposed likewise to tyrannize over those whom he was appointed to govern. He is said sometimes to have sported with the rights of the people, by rejecting, without reason, the names of magistrates presented for his approbation frora raere wantonness and caprice, as was the case also with his successor. The governraent was neither suited to the people, or calculated to afford them adequate protection. The laws were imperfecty and raany of thera not at all adapted to the exigency of the times ; and to aggravate the matter, the governor and council were either indisposed or incompetent to remedy many import ant defects in the adrainistration of civil and criminal justice^ The sense of public insecurity in time produced a spirit of general discontent, and the people, with great unanimity, re^ solved to state their grievances to the governor, and to deraand redress. Accordingly, the burgomasters of New Amsterdam called upon the several Dutch towns to send delegates to a convention in that city on the 26th of November, 1653. They met, and adjourned to the llth of December following ; at which time delegates from the city, from Brooklyn, Flatbush, Flatlands, Gravesend, Newtown, Flushing, and Hempstead met ; and after mutual consultation and discussion of various matterSj adopted a reraonstrance, which was ably drawn up, and ex pressed in spirited but decent language. The following ex tract frora this ancient docuraent contains the most material parts of it, and shows sufficiently, that even in that day the peo ple had not only intelligence enough to understand their rights, but knew also the legitimate objects of civil government. " To the Honorable Director General and Council of New Netherlands together, to the Council of the high and mighty Lords, the States-General of the United Provinces : — " The humble remonstrance and petition of the colonies and villages in the province of New Netherland, humbly show : " We acknowledge a paternal government, which God and Nature has established in the world for the maintenance and preservation of peace, and the welfare of men, not only prin cipally in conformity to the laws of nature, but according to the law and precepts of God, to which we consider ourselves obliged by his word, and therefore submit to it. The Lord the dutch government. 81 our God having invested their high Mightinesses the States- General, as his ministers, with the power to promote the welfare of their subjects, as well of those residing within the United Provinces as of those at this side of the sea, which we grate fully acknowledge ; and having coraraissioned in the sarae view sorae subaltern magistrates, and clothed them with au thority to promote the sarae end, as are the Lords Directors of the privileged West India Corapany, whora we acknowledge as lords and patroons of this place, next to your Lordships, as being their representatives. " We settled here on a rautual agreement and contract with the lord patroons, with the consent of the natives, who were the first proprietors of these lands ; of whora we purchased the soil at our own expense, and transforraed a wilderness, with iraraense labor, into a few small villages and many cultivated farms, encouraged by the privileges which we obtained, and whose preservation is dear to us. " The deep homage and profound respect which we feel for the Government of the United Netherlands, consisting and co agulated from various nations of the world : That we, leaving at our own expense, our country and countryraen, voluntarily choose to submit to their protection, and being now iraraatricu- lated in their body under our sovereign, the high and raighty lords, the States-General whom we acknowledge : " This being considered, we humbly solicit that this our re monstrance and petition may be received and well construed, without being misinterpreted." The remonstrance then sets forth their apprehensions of an arbitrary government being established, rendering hfe and pro perty unsafe. That injustice towards the natives might lead thera to comrait outrages upon them. That officers are ap pointed contrary to law, and without the choice of the people. That many obsolete laws are liable to be put in force, by which many raay be exposed to danger without knowing it. That rauch delay hath occurred in the execution of grants to those who had right to expect them. That large tracts of land are conveyed to favored individuals, to the injury of others. They then conclude as follows : 11 82 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND, "As we exert ourselves to reduce all our griefs fo six points, in the hope they will soon be redressed agreeable to the pri vileges of our country, when all discontents shall cease, a mu tual harmony be restored and our anxiety relieved. "We apply, therefore, to your wisdora to heal our sicknesses and pains. We shall reraain thankful, and consider any fur ther application needless, as we should otherwise be compelled to do. " Upon which, humbly soliciting your Honors' answer on every point or article, in such a manner that we may remain satisfied, or proceed further, New- York. P. L. Vander Girst, ) Frederick Lubberson, 1 Paulus Vander Beek, > Brooklyn. William Beekman, ) John Hicks, ) Tobias Feeks, \ ^^'''^^^S- Robert Coe, ) Thomas Hazzard, \ ^^"'^«^^- William Washborn, \ „ John Somers, ] ^^^P^tead. Peter Wolverton, J Jan. Stryker, "^ V Flatlands. Thomas Penewit, 3 Elbert Elbertson, ? n, ,i, t. rr„„ o i Platbush. 1 homas Spicer, ) George Baxter, J „ ,,, James Hubbard, \ «'-«^«^«'^^-" " Done Dec. 11, 1653." To this remonstrance the governor and council gave no for mal answer to the deputies, but entered a reply upon their minutes; denied the right of sorae of the towns to send depu ties, particularly Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Flatlands ; and pro- tested against the meeting. In their observations, the gover- the dutch government. 83 nor and council reflect rauch on the English as the authors of the public discontents, and especially upon George Baxter from Gravesend, to whom they evidently impute the draft of the re monstrance. Of Baxter and Hubbard it is ascertained that Baxter had been an ensign, and Jaraes Hubbard a sergeant in the British service, and are so naraed in the charter of Gravesend. They seera both to have been raen of talents and capacity, and were generally entrusted with the raanagement of the affairs of that town. In 1642 Governor Kieft appointed the former his " En glish secretary to write his letters, with a salary of two hundred and fifty guilders a year, in consideration of his talents and knowledge of the English language, and of the law." He was appointed by Governor Stuyvesant himself one of the corarais sioners who negotiated the treaty of Hartford in 1650. He had been educated in the principles of English liberty, and could not therefore countenance the tyranny of the Dutch governor ; his opposition to which made him the victim of Executive per secution, and it is supposed he was obliged to leave the country to escape the resentment of the governraent. On the 13th of De ceraber, 1653, the deputies presented another reraonstrance, in which they declared that if they could not obtain redress or protection frora the governor and council, they raust appeal to their superiors in the Netherlands. This so irritated Stuyve sant, that with true Dutch resolution, he ordered thera " to dis perse, and not to asserable again upon such a business." At this period the country was overrun with robbers, and there appeared to the inhabitants, who suffered by their depre dations, no raode of obtaining either relief or protection. As the only alternative, the magistrates of Brooklyn, Flatbush and Flatlands, united in forming a military company against "rob bers and pirates," and established a patrole in each village, April 7, 1654. On the day following, the governor issued his proclamation against certain robbers, whom he states "had been banished from New England, and were wandering about on Long Island." In the same year the governor refused to confirm the elec tion of Baxter and Hubbard, who had been chosen magistrates 84 history of long island. for Gravesend ; although they were among the original paten tees of the town, had often previously been elected to the office of magistrate, and enjoyed the highest confidence of their fel low-citizens in every situation. The rejection of these gentlemen excited so great a ferment in Gravesend, that the governor found it necessary to go there personally to appease it. It is stated in the records of Novem ber 23d, 1654, that the Governor went to Gravesend, and to effect his purpose was obliged to avail hiraself of the influence of Lady Moody, a connection of Sir Henry Moody, and one of the original patentees of that town. He conceded the nomina tion of the raagistrates for that year to her ; and her popularity reconciled the people to so extraordinary a measure, and pro duced submission to the arbitrary act of his Excellency'-. Of Governor Stuyvesant, it is observed by Judge Benson, " That he was of the profession of arms, and had lost a leg in the service, which was supplied by one of wood. His skill and experience must have been very useful to him, as he was in cessantly vexed with the marauding clans of the Mohegan fa mily upon his New England possessions. He was in great difficulty with the Swedes on the Delaware ; and his neigh bors on the Connecticut River were also a great source of trou ble and perplexity. In fine," says the Judge, " the whole of his duties and his character being considered, it may be questioned whether the chief magistracy among us has ever been confided to an individual of greater worth." In consequence of disputes between the English and Dutch about the boundaries oftheir respective territories, coraraission ers from both, raet at Hartford, September 19, 1650, and agreed, among other things, as follows : — " T'hat upon Long Island a line run from the westernmost part of Oyster Bay, and so in a straight and direct Une to the sea, shall be the bounds between theEnghshand Dutch there; the easterly part to belong to the English, and the westernmost part to the Dutch." This instrument will be found at length in our Appendix. In pur suance of this determination, it was further ordered " At a ses sion of the General Assembly at Hartford, March 10, 1663:— "This Court have voted Mr. Wyllys and Mr. Matthew Al- the dutch government. 85 lyn to go over to Long Island, to settle government on the west end of the island, according to the agreement at Hempstead in February last ; and those gentlemen are desired to issue the matter twixt J. Scott and Bloomer ; and they are further de sired to take in with them the assistance of the commissioners in those towns, for the regulating of any disturbances, as occa sion is presented. "A true copy frora the public records of the Colony of Connecticut. Exarained this 8th of August, 1664, by " George Wyllys, Secretary." The government of Connecticut, after the receipt of their charter in 1662, asserted their right to the whole of Long' Is land, as appears by the proceedings, of which the following is a copy. " At a General Assembly held at Hartford, May the 12th, 1664, for election, " Whereas, his Majesty hath been graciously pleased to con firm unto this colony, by charter, all that part of his dominions in New England, bounded, as in the said charter is expressed, with the islands adjoining. " This Court doth declare, that they claim Long Island for one of those adjoining islands, expressed in the charter, except a precedent right doth appear, approved by his Majesty. " This Court doth desire and request the worshipful governor, Mr. Matthew Allyn, Mr. Wyllys, and Captain Youngs, to go over to Long Island, and to settle the English plantations on the island under this government, according to instructions given them. "The aforesaid committee are hereby authorized to erect and constitute quarter Courts, or appoint other fit seasons for the keeping of court for the adrainistration of justice, that all cases may be tried according to law, (life, limbs, and banishment ex cepted,) and to do their endeavors so to settle matters, that the people raay be both civilly, peaceably, and religiously governed in the English plantations, so as they raay win the heathen to the knowledge of our Lord ahd Saviour Jesus Christ by their sober and religious conversation, as his Majesty our Lord and King requires in his gracious letters patent, granted to his sub- 86 history op long island, jects here, in this colony ; and in case of crimes of a capital na ture, they are to have liberty to take the opportunity of the Courts ofFairfield or Hartford; the like liberty they have in case of review. They may also give oath to those who are ac cepted by this Court for freemen on the island, and to do what else they judge raay conduce for the good of the colony. "A true copy from the public records of the colony of Connecticut. Examined this Sth day of August, 1664, by George Wyllys, Secretary." The commissioners accordingly came upon the island in June, 1664, organized Courts in some of the towns, established rules for the collection of rates, (fcc. ; but these arrangements were frustrated almost immediately by the arrival of the En glish and the conquest of New- York, whereby Long Island was annexed to the possessions of the Duke of York. This event was not altogether unexpected ; for on the 1st of Novem ber, 1663, the governor of New Netherlands, apprehending that the English designed to invade the Dutch territories, conven ed a meeting of the magistrates of most of the towns at New Amsterdam ; this meeting was composed of the magistrates of New Amsterdam, Renselaerwyck, Beverwyck, Harlaem, Ber gen, Staten Island, Flatlands, Flatbush, Brooklyn, Utrecht, and Bushwick; but they adjourned without effecting any thing. The Dutch government, by its oppressions, had become generally unpopular; even the Dutch inhabitants were dis gusted with the administration, and the English were, of course, extremely anxious for a change. The English towns under the Dutch jurisdiction had long determined on the first opportunity to withdraw themselves from their authority. They had held a meeting at Herapstead during the winter, and agreed to put theraselves under Con necticut, as some of the eastern towus had already done ; and in consequence of these proceedings being raade known to the government of Connecticut, the General Assembly of that col ony, on the 10th of March, 1663, appointed two commissioners " to go to Long Island to settle the government on the west end of the island, as above stated." " The English," says Smith, '' were every day encroaching upon the Dutch." The the dutch government. 87 following copy of a letter from Governor Stuyvesant to the West India Company, July 21, 1661, shows the state of things at that time : " We have not, (says he) yet begun the fort on Long Island, near Oyster Bay, because our neighbors lay the boundaries a raile and a half more westerly than we do ; and the more as yoiit Honors, by your advice of Dec. 24th, are not inclined to stand by the treaty of Hartford, and propose to sue for redress on Long Island and the fresh water river, by means of the States' arabassador. " Lord Stirling is said to solicit a confirmation of his right to all Long Island, and importunes the present king to confirm the grant made by his royal father, which is affirmed to be al ready obtained. We have advice from England that there is an invasion intended against these parts, and the country so licited of fhe king, the duke, and the parliament, is to be an nexed to their dominion. And for that purpose they desire three or four frigates, persuading the king that the Company possessed and held this country under an unlawful title, having only obtained of King James leave for a watering-place on Sta ten Island in 1623." In Noveraber, 1663, the English inhabitants convened at Jamaica to concert measures of relief from the oppression of the governor and council. The number assembled on that interesting occasion was so great, that the government did not think it advisable to attempt either to interrupt their proceed ings or to disperse the meeting by force. claims op the ENGLISH TO LONG ISLAND, AND THE CONaUEST OF' NEW-YORK. King Charles the First, on the 22d day of April, 1636, made a request of the corporation for New England, called the Plymouth Company, to whora a charter had been granted by King James the First in 1620, to issue their patent to Wil liam Alexander, Earl of Stirling, for Long Island and the islands adjacent. This request of his Majesty was assented to by the Corapany, and a grantor patent issued accordingly. The Earl gave a power of attorney to Jaraes Farret on the 20th day of 88 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. April, ] 637 ; thereby constituting and appointing hira as his agent to raanage and dispose of the lands thus conveyed to hira by the Plymouth Company. The Earl of Stirling Wcls a na tive of Scotland, where he was born in 1580, and was knighted by James VI. of Scotland and 1st of England in 1614. He obtained letters patent for Nova Scotia in 1620, and was creat ed secretary of state for Scotland in 1626. He was raade a peer of Scotland in 1630, and Earl of Stirling in 1636. His death took place in 1 640. The title thus acquired to Long Island was subsequently relinquished by his grandson, either to the crown or to the Duke of York, previous to the grant of\ Charles the Second in 1664, and in which the territory of Long Island was included in express words, as will hereafter appear. The power of attorney frora the Earl of Stirling to his agent, after reciting the issuing of the patent to him as aforesaid, and stating that he was desirous of iraproving the lands granted to hira, and had, therefore, appointed the said Jaraes Farret to be his attorney and agent, to take possession of the said islands, and to plant and improve the same, proceeds as follows : — " I, the said William, Earl of Stirling, do hereby empower and authorise for me, my heirs, executors, and administrators, and for every of us, to let, set, mortgage, sell, or by any other way or means, for a present sum or suras of money, or for yearly rent, to dispose of the said islands, or any of them, or parts of them, for such time or tiraes, term or terms of years, for life or lives, or for ever in fee, as my said attorney or agent shall judge most probably conducing to ray profit and behalf, and to the ends before specified. And after one or raore plantations, or colonies, or people, shall be there in any or all of the aforesaid islands settled, to continue, erect, and establish such honest and wholesorae orders and ordinances araongst and for the benefit of the said planters and colonies, as shall be judged, together with and upon the advice of the right worshipful John Win throp, Esquire, Governor of Boston Colony, in the said New England, raost tending to the preservation of the public peace, the improveraent of trade and commerce, and the due exe cution of justice in obedience to the laws of God, and as rauch as raay be agreeable to the laws of England." The said James CLAIMS OP THE ENGLISH. 89 Farret was further authorized and perraitted, by the said pow er of attorney, to take up and dispose of for his own use twelve thousand acres upon Long Island or the islands adja cent. In consequence of which he afterwards made choice of Shelter Island and Robin's Island in Peconic Bay, which, as will be seen, he sold to Stephen Goodyeare of New Haven on the 18th of May, 1641. The colony of Connecticut, after the reception of their charter in 1662, asserted a claira to Long Island under the clause of the charter which annexed to that colony the " islands adjacent." And the assembly at Hartford, on the 12th of May, 1664, formally resolved that it belonged to their jurisdiction, and appointed the governor and two other persons to " corae upon the island in that behalf, to establish quarter courts and other courts for the administration of justice, provided their judgments should not extend to life, limb, or ba nishment ;" and all capital cases were ordered to be tried at Fair field or Hartford. The commissioners thus appointed carae upon the island, and convened a raeeting at Setauket in the sura mer of 1664, raade a few decisions upon disputed claims araong the inhabitants, and took sorae further measures in the execu tion of their delegated powers. The final arrangements were for some cause delayed, and were eventually frustrated by the arrival of Colonel Richard Nicolls in August, 1664, with a considerable naval force to take possession of New Amster dam, in pursuance of an extensive grant of territory, made the 12th of March preceding, by King Charles II. to his brother Jaraes, Duke of York and Albany, and the consequent surren der of the city by the Dutch. The country included in this grant is thus described : " All that part of the raain land of New England, beginning at a certain place called or known by the narae of St. Croix, adjoining to Nova Scotia in America, and thence extending along the sea-coast unto a certain place called Pemaquire or Pemaquid, and so up the river thereof to the furthest head of the same as it' tendeth to the northward ; and extending frora thence to the river Kenebeque, and so upwards by the shortest course to the river of Canada northward ; and also all that island or islands commonly called by the several name or naraes 12 90 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. of Meitowacks, or Long Island, situate, lying, and being towards the west of Cape Cod and the Narrow-Higansetts, abutting upon the main land between the two rivers, there called or known by the several names of Connecticut and Hudson's river. To gether also with the said river called Hudson's, and all the land from the west side of Connecticut to the east side of Delaware Bay ; and also all those several islands called or known by the names of Martin's Vineyard and Nan tuck's, otherwise Nantucket, together with all," &c. " To be holden of us, our heirs and suc cessors, as of our manor of East Greenwich in our county of Kent, in free and coraraon soccage, and not in capite, nor by knight service yielding and rendering ; and the said Jaraes, Duke of York, doth for hiraself, his heirs and assigns, covenant and promise to yield and render unto us, our heirs and successors, of and for the same yearly, and every yea.c forty beaver skills when they shall be demanded, or within ninety days thereafter. And we do further give and grant unto our dearest bro ther James, Duke of York, his heirs, (fee, full and absolute power and authority to correct, punish, pardon, govern and rule, all such subjects of us, our heirs and successors, as shall from tirae to tirae adventure themselves into any of these parts or places aforesaid, or that shall or do at any time hereafter in habit within the same ; as well in all cases or raatters capital and crirainal, as civil, both raarine and others, so as the said pro ceedings be not contrary to, but as near as conveniently maybe, agreeable to the laws, statutes, and governraent of this our realra of England ; and saving and reserving to us, our heirs and successors, the receiving, hearing, and determining of the ap peal and appeals of all or any person or persons of, in, or be longing to the territories or islands aforesaid, in or touching any judgment or sentence to be there made or given ; and we do also for us, our heirs and successors, grant to our dearest bro ther James, Duke of York, his heirs and assigns, and to all and every such governor and governors, or any other officers or ministers, as by our said brother, his heirs or assigns, shall be appointed to have power and authority of govern ment and com mand, in or over the inhabitants of the said territories or islands. CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH. 91 " Witness ourself at Westminster, the 12th day of March, in the sixteenth year of our reign. By the King. "Howard." Immediately upon receiving this patent, the Duke of York constituted and commissioned Richard Nicolls, Esq. Deputy Governor of the colony ; and Robert Carr, George Cartwright, and Samuel Maverick, were joined with him as coraraissioners to demand and take possession of the country. The Dutch inhabitants, by the vigilance of their governor, were not ignorant of the designs of the English court ; for their records state, that on the 8th of July, 1664, intelligence was re ceived frora one Thomas Willet, an Englishraan, that an ex pedition was preparing in England against the city of New Arasterdara, consisting of two frigates of forty and fifty guns, and a fly-boat of forty guns, having on board three hundred soldiers, and each frigate one hundred and fifty raen ; and that they lay at Portsmouth waiting for a wind. News arrived also, from Boston, that they had already sailed. The burgomasters were therefore called together, the fort ordered to be put in a posture of defence, and spies were sent to Milford and Westchester for intelligence. Boston was in the secret ; for the court of Massachusetts had, in May preceding, or dered a supply of necessaries for the use of the ships on their arrival. The ships were four in number, one of which was called the Guerney. It was intended to rendezvous at Gardi ner's Island in the Sound, but they parted in a fog about the 20th of July. The new governor and Sir George Cartwright were on board the Guerney, and fell in first with Cape Cod. The other ships, with Sir Robert Carr and Samuel Maverick, (cora raissioners,) were rightly concluded to be driven to the east ward. After dispatching a letter to Governor Winthrop of Connecticut, requesting his assistance. Colonel Nicolls proceed ed to Boston. The other ships got into Piscataway. John Endicot was then governor of Boston, but old, and incapable of business. On the 27th of July the commissioners made a for mal request in writing, " That the governor of Boston would pass an act to furnish them with armed men, who should be gin their march to the Manhattans on the 20th of August en- 92 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND, suing; and promised that if they could get other assistance, they would give thera an account of it." This application was without success, and perhaps (as Smith says) from their disaf fection to the Stuart family, by whose persecutions the inha bitants had been driven from Europe. One of the ships entered the Bay of New- York several days before the others, and as soon as they were come up, Governor Stuyvesant sent a letter, dated August 19th, 1664, directed to the commanders of the English frigates, by John Declyer, one of the chief council, the Rev. John Megapolensis, minister, Paul Lunder Vander Grilft, and Mr. Samuel Megapolensis, Doctor in Physic, with the utmost civility, to desire the reason oftheir approach, and continuing in the harbor without giv- Sng notice, as they ought to have done. Colonel Nicolls an swered the next day with a suraraons as follows : — " To the Honorable the Governor and chief council at the Manhattans. " Right worthy Sirs, "I received a letter by some worthy persons intrusted by you, bearing date the 19th of August, desiring to know the intent of the approach of the English frigates ; in return of which, I think it fit to let you know that his Majesty of Great Britain, whose right and title to these parts of America is unquestion able, well knowing how much it derogates from his crown and dignity to suffer any foreigners, how near soever they be allied, to ursurp a dominion, and without his Majesty's royal consent to inherit in these, or any other of his Majesty's territories, hath comraanded me, in his name, to require a surrender of all such forts, towns, or places of strength, which are now possess ed by the Dutch under your coraraand ; and in his Majesty's name I do demand the town, situate on the island, commonly Known by the name of Manhattoes, with all the forts thereunto belonging, to be rendered unto his Majesty's obedience and pro tection, into ray hands. I ara further coraraanded to assure yon, and every respective inhabitant of the Dutch nation, that his Majesty being tender of the effusion of Christian blood, doth by these presents con firra and secure to every man his estate, life, and liberty, who shall readily submit to his government. And claims of THE ENGLISH. 93 all those who shall oppose his Majesty's gracious intention, must expect all the miseries of a war, which they bring upon themselves. I shall expect your answer by these gentlemen George Cartwright, one of his Majesty's commissioners in Araerica, Captain Robert Needham, Captain Edward Groves and Mr. Thomas Delavall, whom you will entertain with such civility as is due to them, and yourselves and yours shall re ceive the sarae from, " Worthy Sirs, "Your very humble Servant, "Dated on board his Majesty's ^ "Richard Nicolls." ship the Guerney, riding ! before Nayack, the 20th of ' Aug. 1664." Governor Stuyvesant proraised an answer to the summons the next morning, and in the meantime convened the council and burgomasters. The Dutch governor was a good soldier, (says Smith,) and had lost a leg in the service of the States. He would willingly have made a defence ; and refused a sight of the summons both to the inhabitants and burgomasters, lest the easy terms offered might induce them to capitulate. The latter, however, insisted upon a copy, that they raight corn- communicate it to the late raagistrates and principal burghers. They called together the inhabitants at the Stadt-house, and acquainted thera with the governor's, refusal. Governor Win throp, at the sarae time, wrote to the governor and his council, strongly recomraending a surrender. On the 22d of August the bursforaasters carae into the council, and desired to know the contents of the English message from Governor Winthrop, which Stuyvesant still refused. They continued their impor tunity ; and he, in a fit of anger, tore it to pieces ; upon which they protested against the act and all its consequences. Deter mined upon a defence of the country, Stuyvesant wrote a letter in answer to the summons ; in which he fully denied the right of his Majesty, the King of England, to the territory ; and set ting forth the reasons why the title was in the Lords, the States- General. That by virtue of a grant and commission given by the said Lords and raighty States-General to the 94 ' HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. West India Company, in the year 1621, with as much power, and as authentic, as his said Majesty of England hath given or can give to any colony in America, as more fully appears by the patent of the said Lords, the States-General, by them signed, registered, and sealed with their great seal, and shown to the deputies ; by which commission and patent to gether, and by divers letters, signed and sealed by the said Lords, the States-General, directed to several persons, both English and Dutch, inhabiting the towns and villages on Long Island, by which they are declared and acknowledged to be their subjects, which makes it appear more clear than the sun at noon-day, that the claim of England is absolutely to be denied. " Moreover, (says the governor,) it is without dispute, and ac knowledged by the world, that our predecessors, by virtue of the commission and patent of the said Lords, the States-General, have, and without control and peaceably (the contrary never com ing to our knowledge), enjoyed Fort Orange about forty -eight or fifty years ; the Manhattans forty-one or forty-two years ; the SouthRiver forty years ; andtheFresh-WaterRiver aboutthirty- six years. And that though the governors and commissioners of his Majesty had often quarrelled about the bounds of the Dutch possesssions, yet they, never questioned their jurisdiction itself. On the contrary, in the year 1650, at Hartford, and the year before at Boston, they treated upon the subject ; which is a suffi cient proof, that had his Majesty been well informed, he never would have given a commission to molest and endamage the subjects of the Lords, the States- General ; and less that his sub jects would attempt any acts of hostility against them. Con sequently, if his said Majesty were well informed of all that could be spoken upon this subject, he would not approve of what expressions were mentioned in your letter. And in case that you will act by force of arms, we protest and declare, in the narae of our said Lords, the States-General, before God and Men, that you will act an unjust violence, and a breach of the articles of peace, so soleranly sworn, agreed upon, and ratified by his Majesty of England and ray Lords the States- General ; and the rather, for that to prevent the shedding of blood in the month of February last we treated with Captain John Scott, CLAIMS OF THE ENGLISH. 95 (who reported he had a coraraission from his Majesty,) touch ing the limits of Long Island, and concluded for the space of a year. As touching the threats in your conclusion, we have nothing to answer, only that we fear nothing but what God (who is as just as, merciful) shall lay upon us, all things beino- in his gracious disposal ; and we may as well be preserved by him with sraall forces as by a great array. "My Lords, your thrice hurable and affectionate Servant, and Friend, Peter Stuyvesant." " At the fort at Amsterdara, the ] 2d of Septeraber, new style, } 1664." J While the Dutch governor and his council were contending with the burgoraasters and people in the city, the English cora raissioners published a proclaraation to the inhabitants of Long Island, encouraging them to submit, and promising them the king's protection and all the privileges of subjects. How far this flattering proraise was fulfilled, will appear frora the pro ceedings that afterwards took place at Hempstead, when a code of laws for the colony was published ; by which it turned out that, so far from enjoying the privileges of British subjects, they were entirely excluded from the benefits of an assembly, or the right of choosing any one to represent them in the governraent. This proclaraation was as follows : — " By his Majesty's coraraand. Forasrauch as his Majesty hath sent us by commission, under his great seal of England, amongst other things to expel or to receive to his Majesty's obedience all such foreigners as have, without his Majesty's leave and consent, seated themselves amongst any of his do minions in Araerica, to the prejudice of his Majesty's subjects and the dirainution of his royal dignity ; we, his Majesty's cora raissioners, declare and promise, that whoever, of what na tion soever, will, upon knowledge of this proclamation, acknow ledge and testify themselves to submit to this his Majesty's go vernraent, as his good subjects, shall, be protected in his Majes ty's laws and justice, and peaceably enjoy whatsoever God's blessing and their honest industry have furnished thera with, and all other privileges with his Majesty's English subjects. 96 history of long island. We have caused this to be published, that we might prevent all inconveniences to others, if it were possible ; however, to clear ourselves from the charge of all those miseries that may any way befall such as live here, and will not acknowledge his Majesty for their sovereign, whom God preserve. " In his Majesty's frigate ] Richard Nicolls, the Guerney, August } Robert Carr, 20, 1664. J George Cartwright, Samuel Maverick." i As soon as it was ascertained by Stuyvesant's letter that he was averse to surrender, officers were sent to obtain volunteers in the western towns on Long Island as far as Jamaica and Hempstead. And preparations were also made by the ship ping for an attack upon Fort Amsterdam. These movements, and probably urged likewise by those around hira, induced Stuyvesant to write again to Col. Nicolls on the 25th of Au gust, wherein, though he declares that he would stand the storm, yet, to prevent the spilling of blood, he had sent John De Decker, councillor of state; Cornelius Van Ruyven, Secre-, tary ; Cornelius Steenwyck, Major ; and Jaraes Cousseau, She riff; to consult, if possible, of an accommodation. Nicolls, who by this time knew the dispositions and wishes of the people, an swered imraediately, from Gravesend, that he would treat about nothing but a surrender. The Dutch governor next day, the 26th, agreed to a treaty and surrender, on condition the En glish and Dutch limits were settled by the Crown and the States- General. The English deputies were Sir Robert Carr, George Cart wright, John Winthrop, the governor of Connecticut, Samuel Wyllys, one of the assistants or council of that colony, and Thomas Clarke and John Pynchon, commissioners from the General Court of Massachusetts Bay. Whatever these persons should agree upon, Nicolls promised to ratify. At eight o'clock in the morning of the 27th of August, 1664, the coraraissioners on both sides raet at the governor's farm (or Bowery,) where the articles of capitulation were signed. These articles were twen ty-three in number, and were so framed as to protect the in habitants in their rights, civil and religious, as citizens of the CLAIMS OF the ENGLISH. 97 new government, to remove or remain at their pleasure, and to carry on trade and coraraerce as British subjects : the ports to be open to the Dutch vessels for six raonths ; public writings and docuraents to be carefully preserved. All persons in office to reraain therein till the tirae of a new election ; previous dif ferences and contracts to be deterrained according to the raan ner of the Dutch ; the officers, military, and soldiers, to raarch out with their arms, drums beating, colors flying, and with lighted matches ; and those disposed to continue in the coun try, to have fifty acres of land set out for thera. Favorable, however, as these articles were to the inhabitants, the Dutch governor refused to ratify thera until two days after they were signed by the coraraissioners. Governor Winthrop, on seeing the letters patent to the Duke of York, inforraed the English on Long Island that Con necticut had no longer any claims to the island; that what they had done was for the Welfare, peace, and quiet settlement of his Majesty's subjects, as they were the nearest organized governraent to thera under his Majesty. But now that his Majesty's pleasure was fully signified by his letters patent, their jurisdiction ceased and became null. The following is the conclusion of the commissioners on the subject of Long Island : — "The determination of his Majesty's commissioners relative to the boundaries of his Royal Highness the Duke of York's patent, and of the patent of Connecticut, November 30th, 1644. By virtue of his Majesty's coraraission, we haveheard the diffe rence about the bounds of the patents granted to his Royal High ness the Duke of York, and his Majesty's colony of Connecti cut ; and having deliberately considered all the reasons alleg ed by Mr. Allen, senior, Mr. Gould, Mr. Richards, and Captain Winthrop, appointed by the assembly held at Hartford the 13th day of October, 1664, to accompany John Winthrop, Esq., the governor of his Majesty's colony of Connecticut to New- York, and by Mr.Howell and Captain Youngs of Long Island, why the said Long Island should be under the governraent of Connecticut, which are too long to be recited. We do declare and order, that 13 98 HISTORY OF LONG ISLANDi the southern bounds of his Majesty's colony of Connecticut is the sea,, and that Long Island is to be under the government of his Royal Highness the Duke of York, as is expressed byplain words in the said patents respectively, and also by virtue of his Majesty's commission, and by the consent of both the governor and the gentlemen above named ; we also order and declare that the creek or river called Maraoroneck, which is reputed to be about twelve miles to the east of Westchester, and a line drawn from the east point or side where the fresh water falls into the salt, at high-water mark, N. N. W. to the line of the Massachusetts, be the western bounds of the said colony of Connecticut, and the plantations lying westward of that creek and line so drawn, to be under his Royal Highness's government ; and all planta tions lying eastward of that creek and line to be under the governraent of Connecticut. Given under our hands at Fort James, New- York, on Man hattan Island, this 30th day of Nov. 1664. Richard Nicolls, George Cartwright, Samuel Maverick. We, underwrritten, on behalf of the colony of Connecticut have assented unto this deterraination of his Majesty's corarais sioners in relation to the bounds and liraits of his Royal High ness the Duke's patent, and the patent of Connecticut. John Winthrop, Matthew Allen, Nathan Gouli/, _, _, James Richards. Governor Stuyvesant retained his large real estate upon the Island of New- York. He made a visit to Holland the year fol- lowrag, but returned soon after, and finally died at New- York Judge Benson says that he came from Brazil, and that he lost his leg in the attack upon the Island of Tobago That he was an honest and brave man is certain ; and his'posterity here are among the raost wealthy and respected of our fellow-ci- tizens. the colonial government. Governor Nicolls having thus peaceably obtained possession THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. 99 of the country, and about to lay the foundations of his future governraent, it was determined to change the name of the co lony ; and in corapliraent to the Duke of York, to whora the country had been assigned, and to whora the governor was in debted for his office and authority, agreed to call it New- York ; and the, city of New- Arasterdam, the city of New- York. It also becarae a raatter of great and indispensable necessity that a systera of civil regulations should be raatured and adopted, both to constitute general rules of action, and to produce a more perfect uniformity among the different towns, in sorae of which the English and in others the Dutch raunicipal law prevailed. Accordingly a meeting of delegates being convened aJ Herap stead, as will appear hereafter, for the purpose of adjusting any conflicting claims to lands, and settling the boundaries of the several towns, the deputies that attended were so highly grati fied with the interview with the governor, and with the infor mation imparted by him as to the liberal views and intentions of the Duke of York, that they drew up and signed an address full of gratitude and loyalty ; but which, as soon as their con stituents found they were to have no choice in the selection of magistrates, or a share in legislation, they manifested their dis approbation, and censured the deputies with so much severity, that the civil authorities thought it necessary to interfere ; and accordingly, at a court of Assize, held in October, 1666, it was resolved that whoever thereafter should any way detract or speak against any of the deputies signing the address to his Royal Highness at the general meeting at Hempstead, should be presented to the next Court of Sessions ; and if the justices should see cause, they should thence be bound over to the Assizes, there to answer for the slander upon plaint or information. This address, which excited so much uneasiness araong the people, is well worthy of attention ; a copy of which, with the naraes of those who signed it, is here presented : — To His Royal Highness, the Duke of York. March 1, 1665. We, the deputies duly elected frora the several towns upon Long Island, being assembled at Herapstead, in general raeeting, 100 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. by authority derived from your royal Highness under the Hon orable Colonel Nicolls as deputy governor, do raost hurably and thankfully acknowledge to your royal Highness the great honor and satisfaction we receive in our dependence upon your royal Highness according to the tenor of his sacred Majesty's patent, granted the 12th day of March, 1664; wherein we acknowledge ourselves, our heirs and successors for ever, to be coraprised to all intents and purposes, as therein is raore at large expressed. And we do publicly and unaniraously de clare our cheerful submission to all such laws, statutes, and ordinances, which are or shall be made by virtue of authority frora your royal Highness, your heirs and successors for ever : As also, that we will maintain, uphold, and defend, to the utmost of our power, and peril of us, our heirs and successors for ever, all the rights, title, and interest, granted by his sacred Majesty to your royal Highness, against all pretensions or inva sions, foreign and domestic ; we being already well assured, that in so doing we perform our duty of allegiance to his Ma jesty, as freeborn subjects of the kingdom of England inhabiting in these his Majesty's dorainions. We do farther beseech your royal Highness to accept of this address, as the first fruits in this general meeting, for a memorial and record against us, our heirs and successors, when we, or any of them, shall fail in our duties. Lastly, we beseech your royal Highness to take our poverties and necessities, in this wilderness country, into speedy consideration ; that, by constant supplies of trade, and your royal Highness's more particular countenance of grace to us, and protection of us, we raay daily raore and raore be encouraged to bestow our labors to the iraproveraent of these his Majesty's western dominions, under your royal Highness ; for whose health, long life, and eternal happiness, we shall ever pray, as in duty bound. For New-Utrecht, Jaques Cortelleau, Younger Hope. " Gravesend, Jaraes Hubbard, John Bowne. « Flatlands, Elbert Elbertsen, Roeloffe Martense. " Flatbush, John Striker, Hendrick Gucksen. « Bushwick, John Stealman, Gisbert Tunis. " Brooklyn, Hendrick Lubbertsen, John Evertsen. THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. 101 For Newtown, " Flushing, " Jaraaica, " Hempstead, " Oyster Bajr, " Huntington, " Brookhaven, " Southold, " Southampton, " Easthampton, " Westchester, John Coe. Richard Cornhill. Thomas Benedict. Robert Jackson. Matthias Harvey. John Ketcham. Roger -^Barton. John Youngs. John Howell. John Stratton. John Quinby. Richard Betts, Elias Doughty, Daniel Denton, John Hicks, John Underhill, Jonas Wood, Daniel Lane, Williara Wells, Thomas Topping, Thomas Baker, Edward Jessup, At this raeeting was also promulgated a body of laws and ordinances for the future governraent of the province, cora- monly called, by way of distinction, the "Duke's Laws," a copy of which was furnished to the deputies, and filed in the clerks' offices of the different counties, where some of them reraain to this tirae. Of this code we have prepared an analysis, which, it is presuraed, embraces the principal features thereof in a condensed form. All actions of debt, account, slander, and actions on the case concerning debts and accounts to be tried within the jurisdiction where the cause of action arose. Debts and trespasses under five pounds to be arbitrated, and if either party refuse, the justice to choose arbitrators, whose award to be final. All actions or cases from five to twenty pounds to be tried at the sessions, from whence there should be no appeal. Any person falsely pretend ing greater damages or debts than are due, to vex his adversary, to pay treble damages. If the action be entered, and the parties comproraise it, yet the agreement to be entered by the clerk of the- court. Upon the death of any person, the constable and two overseers to repair to the house of deceased to inquire after the manner of the death, and whether he left any last will or testament. But no administration to be granted, except to the widow or child until the third session after the party's death. The surplus of the personal estate to be divided as follows : one third to the widow, and the other two thirds among the children, except that the eldest son shall have a double portion. All amercements and fines, not expressly regulated by law, to 102 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. be imposed at the discretion of the court. No justice of the peace, who hath set upon or voted in any cause, to have any voice in the court to which appeal is made. Parties appealing, to give security ; and in criminal cases they shall also give security for good behavior until the matter is decided. No arrest to be made on the Sabbath, or day of humiliation for the death of Charles the First, of blessed meraory, or the anniversary of the restoration of Charles the Second. And all arrests, writs, warrants, and proclamations to be in the narae of his Majesty. All assessments to be made by the constable and eight overseers of the parish, and justices of the peace to be exempt from, assessments during their continuance in office. To rebuke an officer with foul words, so that he depart through fear without doing his duty, shall be taken for an as sault, and punished accordingly. No ChrLstian shall keep a slave, except persons adjudged thereto by authority, or such as have willingly sold or shall sell themselves. Every town to set out its bounds within twelve months after they are granted, and once in three years the ancientest town shall give notice to the neighboring towns to go the bounds betwixt their towns, and to renew their marks ; the tirae for prearabulation to be between the 20th and last of February, under the penalty of five pounds for neglect thereof; and owners of adjoining lands to go the bounds betwixt their lands once a year, under penalty of ten shillings. No person to follow the business of brewing beer for sale but those skilled in the art. The narae and sirname of every inhabitant in the several parishes to be registered ; and the rainister or town clerk shall recprd all raarriages, births, and burials in a book to be provided by the church-wardens. No body to be buried, except in public pla ces, and in the presence of three or four of the neighbors, one of whom shall be an overseer of the parish. Persons punish able with death, are those who shall in any wise deny the true God or his attributes ; those who corarait any wilful or preme ditated raurder ; he who slays another with a sword or dagger, that hath not any weapon to defend hiraself ; those who lay in wait ; poisoning, or any such wicked conspiracy ; lying with any brute beast, (and the beast to he burned) ; man-stealing ; THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. 103 taking away life by false and raalicious testirapny ; denying his Majesty's right and title to his crown or dominion, or resisting his authority by arms ; conspiracy against the public ; children above the age of sixteen, and of sufficient understanding, smit ing their natural father or mother, unless in self defence from maiming or death. Cattle and hogs to be marked with the public mark of the town and the private raark of the owner ; and horned cattle to be raarked upon the horn. Every cause of five pounds or un der to pay a tax of two shillings and sixpence ; if ten pounds, five shillings ; from ten to twenty pounds, ten shillings; and for every ten pounds raore, two and sixpence. Whereas the public worship of God is much discredited for want oi painful and able ministers to instruct the people in the true religion, it is ordered that a church shall be built in each parish capable of holding two hundred persons ; that rainisters of every church shall preach every Sunday, and pray for the King, Queen, Duke of York, and the Royal Faraily ; and to raarry persons after legal publication or license. Sundays not to be profaned by travelling by laborers or vi cious persons ; church- wardens to report twice a-year all raisde raeanors, — such as swearing, profaneness, sabbath-breaking, drunkenness, fornication, adultery, and all such abominable sins. That no person employed about the bed of any raan, wo- raan, or child, as surgeon, midwife, physician, or other person, presume to exercise or put in practice any act contrary to the known approved rules of the art in each mystery or occupation. Courts of Sessions to begin in the east-riding first Tuesday of June ; the second Tuesday in the north-riding ; and the third Tuesday in the west-riding. The constable to whip or punish any one when no other officer is appointed to do it. All sales and alienations of property to be by deed, and under hand and seal. No condemned person to be executed within four days after sentence, and the person executed to be buried near the place of execution. If any woman shall causelessly absent her self from her husband, and upon complaint made to a magistrate shall refuse to return, she shall forfeit her dower, unless the hus band afterwards affirm the same. Every minister within hi,? 104 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. parish is enjoined to pray and preach on the anniversary of the deliverance from the " Gun-powder Treason," the fifth of No vember, 1605 ; on the 30th day of January, to manifest detes tation of the barbarous murder of Charles L in 1649; and on the 29th of May, being the birth-day of Charles II. of blessed meraory. If any person comrait fornication with any single woraan, they shall both be punished, either by enjoining raarriage or corporal punishnient at the discretion of the court. Persons guilty of perjury to stand in the pillory three .several court days, and render double damages to any party injured thereby. Apprentices and servants absenting themselves from their mas ters without leave, to serve double the tirae of such absence. Every town to have a raarking or flesh-brand for horses. No ox, cow, or such like cattle, to be killed for sale or for private use without giving notice thereof to the town registrar. No person to be a coramon victualler, or keeper of a cook-shop or house of entertainraent, without a certificate of his good be havior frora the constable and two overseers of the parish ; nor suffer any one to drink excessively in their houses after nine o'clock at night under the penalty of two shillings and six pence. No purchase of land frora the Indians shall be valid without a license frora the governor, and the purchaser shall bring the Sachera or right owner before hira, to confess satisfaction. No one to sell, give, or barter, directly or indirectly, any gun, powder, bullet, shot, or any vessel of burden, or row-boat (ca noes excepted,) with any Indian, without permision of the go vernor, under his hand and seal ; nor sell, truck, barter, give or deliver any strong liquor to an Indian, under penalty of forty shillings for one pint, and in proportion for any greater or lesser quantity ; except in case of sudden extremity, and then, not exceeding two drams. To be father, brother, uncle, nephew, or cousin-german to any party in a trial, shall exempt a juror from serving, if ob jection be made before he is sworn, but not afterwards. No person to reveal the dissenting vote of a juror on arbitration, under the penalty of ten shillings. Every town, at its own ex pense, shall provide a pair of stocks for offenders, and a pound THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. 105 for cattle, besides prisons and pillories in places where courts of sessions are held. The value of an Indian coat, to be given to any one who shall bring the head of a wolf to any constable upon Long Island, provided it be killed upon the island. The court of sessions in each county shall take the proof of wills, which, with the wills, are to be transmitted to the " office of records" at New- York, when the executors shall receive a copy thereof, with a certificate of its being allowed, attested under their seal of office. The town marks for horses upon Long Island shall be as fol lows : for Easthampton, A ; Southampton, B ; Southold, C Seatalcot, D ; Huntington, E ; Oyster Bay, F ; Hempstead, G Jamaica, H ; Flushing, I ; Newtown, L ; Bushwick, M Brooklyn, N ; Flatbush, O ; Flatlands, P ; New Utrecht, Q and Gravesend, R, At this period the present town of River head was included in Southold, and the town of North Hemp stead, in Hempstead. These laws, with the alterations and additions made to them from time to time by the governor and council, continued to be the laws of the colony until October, 1683, when the first colo nial legislature niet, and the people were admitted, for a short time,. to a share in the legislative power. The several towns were organized at the meeting at Hempstead, their bounds es tablished, and the inhabitants required to take out new patents for the lands purchased within their limits. It was probably at the same time that the names of several towns were altered ; so that the town of Rustdorpe was to be called Jaraaica ; Mid- wout was changed to Flatbush ; Amersfort to Flatlands ; Breuck- elen to Brookland ; Middleburgh to Newtown ; and Vlissengen to Flushing. At the sarae tirae the towns of Long Island, Staten Island, and as sorae think Westchester, were erected into a shire, called Yorkshire. This shire was divided into three parts, denorainated Ridings, as follows: the towns of King's County, Staten Island, and Newtown, constituted the West Riding ; the reraaining towns of Queen's County, with perhaps Westchester, were called the North Riding ; while the towns in Suffolk County made up the East Riding of York shire upon Long Island. 14 106 HISTORY OF LONQ ISLAND. This remarkable code, of which the above is a mere general sketch or outline, is undoubtedly entitled to our sincere vene ration, both on the account of the wisdom displayed by thefra- mers of it, for the raany valuable principles which arecontained in it ; and also as a curious system of ancient legislation, to which our forefathers were compelled to yield obedience ; and as con sisting also of many singular provisions, which were thought necessary at that time from the state of the country and the con dition of its inhabitants. The system must be allowed to raanifest more practical wisdom, and less of superstition and puerile absur dity than the famous code which is reported once to have prevail ed in Connecticut, and known, frora the color of the paper upon AVhich it was first printed, as the " Blue Laws." The Duke's laws were to operate in a new-settled country with a raixed population, composed of emigrants from various nations, and holding a great variety of opinions upon the subject of govern ment ; it could hardly therefore have been expected, even by the framers of them, that all their multiplied provisions and restric tions would be equally satisfactory to the whole population. It was probably the best which the then state of things admit ted. Whether these laws were indeed compiled from the laws of the other English colonies which the governor had caused to be digested for the government of this province, or were drawn up in Great Britain by persons designated for the pur pose ; certain it is that no set of men, however eminent for ta lents, or deeply versed in the science and practice of English jurisprudence, could be expected entirely to succeed in framing such a body of rules, and of adapting them to the opinions and necessities of a people with whom they were unacquainted, and of numberless circumstances of a purely local nature. It was accordingly soon found expedient to introduce raany al terations and amendments, either to render them more accepta ble to the people, or better suited to the peculiar exigencies of the times. The English towns which had been subject to the Dutch rejoiced at the change of affairs resulting from the con quest, as they were thereby absolved from obedience to a go vernment which they despised ; and the other English towns equally exulted at the prospect of being relieved from the con- THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. 107 Stant jealousy and ambition of a foreign power in their neigh borhood. The eastern towns on Long Island, notwithstanding, would greatly have preferred to continue their forraer alliance with Connecticut, and therefore they submitted, with very general reluctance, to the separation. Some attempts were made to retain their connection, and they were renewed on more than one occasion thereafter. The English towns, as well those which had been settled under the Dutch as those associated with Connecticut, were au. thorized, frora the proclaraation of the coraraissioners at the con quest, to expect that they should be adraitted to the ordinary privileges and iraraunities of British subjects, to participate in the governraent, and have a voice in choosing representatives to a General Assembly, with power to make laws for the go vernment of the colony. How great then must have been their astonishment as well as disappointment, when, on the promul gation of the Duke's laws at the convention held at Herapstead, they found themselves deceived in their reasonable anticipa tions, and that by the very government which had inspired them with hopes of enjoying very many civil and political advantages, of which they had before been deprived. It can not, therefore, excite rauch surprise that the people should feel indignant at the servile submission oftheir deputies, contained in their address to the Duke of York, drawn up and signed by them at the meeting aforesaid. As the term " Riding" was introduced at the conquest, and occurs so frequently in the his tory of the colony, some account df its origin and meaning seems necessary for the general reader. In Jacob's Law Dictionary it is mentioned that Riding is cor rupted from the word Trithing, the name of a division of York shire in England ; of which he says there are three, called the East, West, and North Ridings. In the statute of 22d Henry VIII, trithing, or trithing-reeve is defined the third part of a county, or three or more hundreds or warpentakes ; such are the Laths in Kent, the Rapes in -Sussex, and the Ridings in York shire. And those who governed these trithings were called Trithing-Reeves, before whom were brought all causes that could not be determined in the hundred or warpentake. The 108 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. term is also used sometimes for the court held within the cir cuit of a trithing, of the nature of a Court Leet, but inferior to the county court, to which causes might be removed from those courts. By an order of the governor and Court of Assize in 1675, Staten Island was detached from Long Island, and permitted to have a jurisdiction of itself as a town; and in 1683 was erected into a separate county. Newtown continued attached to the west riding until the organization of the counties on Long Island by the first General Assembly in the sarae year, when it was made a part of the county of Queens. Previous to the convention at Hempstead in March, 1665, the following circular was addressed by his Excellency, Governor Nicolls, to the several towns on Long Island : — " James-ffort in New- York, 8th February, 166|-. " Whereas the inhabitants of Long Island have for a long tirae groan'd under raany grievous inconveniences and dis- couragera's, occasioned partly from their subjection, partly frora their opposition to a foreigne power, in which distracted condition few or no lawes could be put in due execution, bounds and titles to lands disputed, civil libertyes interrupted, and, frora this general confusion, private dissentions and aniraosityes have too much prevailed against neighbourly love and Christian charity. To the preventing of the future growth of the like evills, his Majesty, as a signall grace and honour to his subjects upon Long Island, hath, at his own charge, reduc't the forraigne power to his obedience, and by patent, hath invested His Royall Highnesse the Duke of Yorke ; I am deputed to put in execu tion. In discharge, therefore, of ray trust and duty, to settle good and known lawes within this governraent for the future, and receive yo^ best advice and inforraacon in a gemU raeet ing : I have thought fit to publish unto yo", that upon the last- day of this present ffebruary, at Herapstead upon Long Island, shall be a generall raeeting, which is to consist of deputyes chosen by the raajor part of the freemen only ; which is to be understood of all persons rated according to their estates, whe ther English or Dutch, within your severall townes and pre- ' cincts, whereof you are to make publication to the inhabitants THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. 109 foure dayes before yo" proceed to an election, appointing a cer tain day for that purpose. You are further to impart to the inhabitants from mee, that I do heartily recommend to them the choice of the most sober, able, and discrete persons, without partiality or faction, the fruite and benefitt whereof will return to themselves, in a full and perfect composure of all controver sies, and ye propagation of true religion amongst us. They are also required to bring ^^f^^ them a draught of each towne limitts, or such writings as are necessary to evidence the bounds and limitts, as well as the right by which they challenge such bounds and limitts, by grants or purchases, or both — As also to give notice of their raeeting to the Sachems of the Indians, whose presence may in some cases be necessary. Lastly, I do require you to assemble your inhabitants and read this letter to them, and then and there to norainate a day for the election of two deputyes from your towne, who are to bring a certificate of their election (w*** full power to conclude any cause or mat ter relating to their severall townes) to me at Hempstead, upon the last day of ffebruary, when (God willing) I shall expect them. Your assured friend, "To the raagistrates of the ] " Richard Nicolls." severall townes upon ^ Long Island." J The laws thus prepared having been published, and the se veral towns recognized, with a few inconsiderable alterations as to their boundaries, they were thereupon required to take out new patents for the lands originally purchased from the na tives. This request of the governor appeared somewhat plausi ble, frora the fact that a part of the county at least had passed from the Dutch to the English, and some of the towns, particu larly in Suffolk, had never obtained any patents whatever. The governor appointed a high sheriff for the whole shire, and a deputy sheriff for each riding ; together with a requisite nuraber of justices for the several towns. The high sheriff and deputies were appointed annually, but the justices held for an indefinite period at the governor's pleasure. In 1666 the office of deputy was abolished, and in 1683 that of high sheriff 110 history op long island. was discontinued, and a sheriff afterwards appointed for each county. These laws authorized the several towns annually, on the first or second day of April, to elect a constable, at first eight, and by a subsequent amendment, four overseers ; who were the assessors of the town, and with the constable were empowered to make regulations respecting raatters which concerned the police, and good government of the town. The constable and overseers were required annually to appoint two of the overseers to make the rate for building and repairing the church, for the maintenance of the minister and for the support of the poor. Frora the overseers, the constable selected the jurors who at tended the courts of sessions and assize. The principal courts established by these laws were the town court, the court of sessions, and the court of assize. The town court was composed of the constable, and by an amendment of the original law, of two overseers ; and had cog nizance of all causes of debt and trespass under five pounds ; and the justice of the peace was authorized, but not required, to preside in this court. The court of sessions was established in each riding, and was to be held twice a year. It was composed of the justices of the peace of the several towns in the riding, each of whora was at first allowed £20 a year, which, in 1666, were altered into an allowance for their expenses. This court had jurisdiction of all criminal causes, and of all civil causes over £5, arising in the riding. Causes were tried in this court in civil cases, and in criminal cases not capital, by a jury of seven raen, and the verdict was deterrained by the voice of a majority ; but in capital cases the jury consisted of twelve men, and they were required to be unanimous. The judgraents of this court for suras under £20, were final ; from such as were for more than that sum, the parties might appeal to the court of assize. The raembers of the council, the secretary of the colony, and the high sheriff, were respectively authorized to sit with the justices of the court of sessions ; and when either of them THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. Ill was present, he was required to preside. The courts of ses sions also took the proof of wills in the respective ridings. The court of assize was composed of the governor, council, and magistrates of the several towns, and was held once a year in the city of New- York. It heard appeals from the sessions and other inferior courts. Suits for demands above £20 might be commenced in this court on the warrant of the governor ; so that it had original as well as appellate jurisdiction, and was a court of equity as well as common law. The Duke's laws making no provision for a general assem bly, the people had no voice in the government ; but the gover nor had unlimited power, executive, legislative, and judicial. He was commander-in-chief; all public officers were appointed by him, and most of them held their offices at his pleasure. With the advice of his council he could make what laws he pleased, and repeal them in the same raanner, even against the opinion or consent of the council. Some of the araendraents to the original code purport to have been made at the court of assize, of which the juctices of the several towns formed a part. This was not a legislative but a judicial body ; and the power of the justices with regard to legislation, was probably like that of the parliaraent of France before the revolution, raerely to register the edicts raade by the governor and council. So far as they were permitted to interfere, the indulgence was calculated,, if not intended, to lessen the responsibility of the governor without dirainishing his power- It is certain that their presence or concurrence was not ne cessary, and that the act imposing duties establishing an excise, and many other iraportant acts, were adopted by the governor in council, and not at the court of assize. The people never considered the justices as their representatives, and censured the acts made at the court of assize as much as others. The governor presided in the court of assize, which, by appeal, had the control of all inferior tribunals. The judgments and de crees of this court were probably such as the governor dictated ; 112 HISTORY OF LONa ISLAND. his assistants not being colleagues, but merely advisers, who held their authority under him, and were dependent on him. In this court the governor united the character of both judge and legislator. He interpreted his own acts, and not only pronounced what the law was, but what it should be. The charges of the several towns and counties under the Duke of York were defrayed by a direct tax on the persons and estates, real and personal, of the inhabitants, according to an estimate raade by the constable and overseers of the several towns, in conforraity with certain rules prescribed by law. The rate fbr the public or county charge in each riding was fixed by the governor and council, by the amount of its estimate. A penny in the pound was usually sufficient for the purpose. The tax was collected by the constables, and paid over to such persons in the several towns as were entitled to it on the warrant of the high sheriff. The town charges were fixed by the con stable and overseers, and levied by the same estimate. Gover nor Lovelace in 1670, and Governor Dungan in 1686 or '87, both atterapted to raise raoney for colony purposes, by their own authority ; but the atterapt raet with so ranch opposition, that it could not be carried into effect. The colony charges were paid out of the monies arising frora duties iraposed by the governor and council on exports and irapQrts. In the fall of 1664 Governor Nicolls estabhshed a tariff of duties on goods exported to the Netherlands ; and shortly after, on other goods, exported and iraported. From the origin of the colony, each town was required to support its own poor ; the money to be raised by those who from time to time adjusted the contingent expenses of the dif ferent counties. By the Duke's laws the constable and over seers were required to take charge of the poor. In 1747 the several towns in Suffolk were authorized to choose overseers of the poor, and soon after some either counties were empowered to do the sarae. By the act of November llth, 1692, the power of taking the proof of wills, and of granting letters tes tamentary and of administration, was vested in the governor, or a delegate to be appointed by him. In 1778, and not before, the legislature ordered surrogates to be appointed by the governor THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT. 113 and council of appointment, in every county ; which is still con tinued, except that the power is now vested in the governor and senate. The courts of sessions, which by the Duke's law- were to be held in each riding and afterwards in each county continued to be held with great regularity afterwards. The records of this court, as originally constituted, and as re-organized by the act of 1683, are still to be found in the clerks' offices of Kings, Queens, and Suffolk. In King's there is a regular series of them, from 1669 to 1711. From these re cords it appears to have been a comraon practice for the se cretary of the colony, a member of the council, or the high she riff, to sit and act in court with the justices. In the record of the court held at Gravesend, December 13th, 1671, Mathias Nicoll, the secretary, is styled president of the court. This court was held at Gravesend frora its origin till 1685, when it was removed to Flatbush by virtue of an act of the colonial le gislature. There is also in the clerk's office of King's County, copies of most of the acts of the first assembly, passed in 1683 and in 1684, with one or more acts passed by the second as sembly in 1685. Smith, in his History of New- York, supposes that the court of assize had not been established till the time of Governor Lovelace. This is a great mistake. It was established by Nicolls in the code he had compiled for the governraent of the colony, and published in the asserably at HemiDstead, March 1st, 1)665. In the fall of the same year, the three last days in September, and the second, third, and fourth days in October, a general court of assize was holden at New- York, composed of Richard Nicolls, the governor, the members of the council, and the justices of the three ridings of Yorkshire, on Long Is land and Staten Island. The number of justices who attended this court rendered it a grievance. In the act of 1684, passed for its repeal, it is al leged that it had " become a great charge and expense to the province ; and by reason of the great number, not so fit and ca pable to hear and determine matters and causes of a civil na ture, usually brought to the said court ;" and it was for that reason abolished, 15 114 HISTORY OP LONQ ISLAND. The last court of assize held under Sir Edmund Andross, October 6th, 1680, was composed of the governor, five coun cillors, the mayor of New- York, five aldermen, and seventeen justices of the peace. THE public DISCONTENT. The people on Long Island considered some of the laws es tablished by the original code as arbitrary and oppressive ; and they deemed some that were raade by Col. Lovelace, who com raenced his administration in May, 1667, as still more excep tionable. They at length resolved to represent their grievances to the governor and council, and to pray for redress. October 9th, 1669, the towns of Herapstead, Jaraaica, Oyster Bay, Flushing, Newtown, Gravesend, Westchester, and East Chester, severally petitioned for redress. They enuraerated the defects in the existing laws which they wished to be reraedied, stated the provisions which they wished to be adopted, remonstrated against the restrictions which the governor had imposed on trade ; and reprobated, as the great est of their grievances, the exclusion of the people from any share in legislation. In their petitions they refer to the proclamation issued to the people of Long Island and others, by the coraraissioners, on their first landing at Gravesend, before the surrender of the co lony, promising that they " should enjoy all such privileges as his Majesty's other subjects in America enjoyed ;" the most im portant of which they allege is a participation in the power of making the laws by which they are to be governed, "by such deputies as shall be yearly chosen by the freeholders of every town and parish :" and they claimed a fulfilment of that pro- raise. They also coraplain of it as a grievance, that any acts should be made by the governor under pretence of his secret instruc tions ; and pray " to be inforraed what is required of thera by virtue of the coraraission granted by his Royal Highness the Duke of York." THE PUBLIC DISCONTENT. 115 The governor and council received the petitions, granted some of their rainor requests, but in the most important cases refused any redress. The town of Southampton was purchased and settled under the authority of the Earl of Stirling while he held the island, which circumstance the people of that town supposed exempt ed thera from the necessity of taking out a patent for their lauds frora the governor, as was required of other towns by the laws of 1665, and neglected to do it ; in consequence of which the governor and council, at the court of assize, October Sth, 1670, declared the titles to lands in that town invalid, unless a patent was obtained for thera within a liraited time. By another act passed at the sarae time, a levy or contribution was ordered to be made in the several towns on Long Island, to repair the fort at New- York. The governor had also imposed duties on goods imported and exported according to his pleasure for the support of govern ment, and was now attempting to raise money by a direct tax for other purposes without the consent of the people. Several of the towns were alarmed at the precedent about to be established as dangerous to their liberties, and determined to resist it. The want of a general asserably was felt as a great grievance from the first establishment of the Duke's governraent ; the in habitants considered theraselves in great measure disfranchised, and themselves little better than slaves, liable at all times to suffer by the arbitrary exactions of the government ; in short, that the whole system was only a tyranny in disguise, which, under the color of prerogative, might at any tirae trample upon the most sacred rights of the people under the plausible pre tence of upholding the authority of government and support- itig the dignity of the crown ; against all which alarming en croachments the people possessed no constitutional security o; any mode of redress, should petition and remonstrance fail, short of open and direct opposition to the governraent itself. The governor, it has been seen, possessed the sole appointing power ; and, united in hiraself all the attributes of despotic au thority, which he raight any tirae, and frequently did, exercise in 11(3 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. the most arbitrary manner. This concentration of power in the hands of a single individual might well alarm the tiraid, and awaken the raost serious jealousies and discontents araong the entire population of the colony, which was, in fact, the case. Difficulties continued to exist even after the establishraent of the asserably, by the influence which the governors possessed, and their sometimes refusing their sanction to laws the most salutary and indispensable for the public security. It was evidently the object of many governors to control, as far as possible, the public revenues, and to fill their own pockets at the expense of the people ; and there are not wanting instan ces of their having accumulated large fortunes in a surprisingly short period by acts of oppression and peculation. The governor could suspend the merabers of the council and appoint others, subject to the King's approbation ; he had a negative on the acts passed by the asserably and council ; he had power to suraraon, prorogue, or dissolve the assembly ; and with consent of the council, who were in general sufficiently submissive, could dispose of the public lands, and disburse the public raoney raised for the support of government. For some years the public revenue went into the hands of a receiver general, who was appointed by the crown, and was not accountable to the assembly. The acts for raising revenue for the support of government were continued for a series of years without appropriation ; and the council exercised a concurrent power over revenue bills, as in other cases. This raode of raanaging the revenue was liable to great abuse. An indefinite support enabled the governor to dispense with the assembly, and rendered him in a great measure inde pendent of them during that period ; and the omission of spe cific appropriations enabled the governor to fix the salaries of all public officers, to dispose of the public monies as he pleased, gave him the entire power over the civil list, and led to misap plication and embezzleraent. The English colonists on Long Island brought with them the doctrine that taxation and representation were inseparable — that the power of disposing of his own money was the birth right of every British subject, and one of the elementary prin- THE PUBLIC DISCONTENT. 117 ciples of British liberty,— and that taxes could only be iraposed with the consent of the people, by their representatives in a ge neral assembly. They had for some years paid a direct tax of a penny in the pound to defray the public charges of the several towns and counties, of which they had not complained. The towns of Soisthold, Southampton, and Easthamp ton, in a joint meeting by their delegates at Southold, agreed to contribute to the repairing of the fort, ." if they raight have the privileges that other of his Majesty's subjects in these parts have and do enjoy," alluding to the governments of New En gland. June 24th, 1672. — The town of Easthampton, to whom the proceedings of the delegates were coraraunicated, approved of the decision of the deputies, and agreed to comply with the or der, " if the privileges may be obtained, but not otherwise." The towns of Huntington, Flushing, Herapstead, and Jaraaica, by the votes of their respective town raeetings, refused to com ply with the order, and comraunicated the reasons of their refu sal in writing to their respective constables and overseers, to whom the order was sent. The people of Huntington assigned this araong other reasons for their refusal, viz : "because they were deprived of the liber ties of Englishraen ;" intiraating that they deemed it a violation of their constitutional rights that their raoney should be taken from thera without their consent by their representatives in a general assembly. The people of Jamaica, in justification oftheir refusal, stated that they considered theraselves already sufficiently burdened by the enhanced price which they paid for their goods, in con sequence of the duties which the governor had imposed on them, in addition to a penny in the pound, which they paid to wards the public charges. That a compliance with the order would be contrary to the King's instructions, which forbid any law to be enforced on the country that was contrary to the laws of the nation ; meaning, that no law for taking their money out of their pockets without their consent by their representa tives, was consistent with the British constitution. '¦ That on 118 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. the sarae principle that this order was iraposed, they raight be required to maintain the garrison, and whatever else we know not, till there be no end ; but if it raay appear to us that it is the King's absolute order to irapose the said burdens and disprivi- lege us, contrary to his forraer good intentions and instructions, and contrary to the liberties his Majesty's subjects enjoy in his territories and dominions, we shall, with patience, rest under the said burdens until address be made to the king for relief" The votes of Flushing and Hempstead have not been disco vered, but there is no doubt they were to the like effect. The constables of Flushing, Hempstead, and Jaraaica, laid the reso lutions of their respective towns before the ensuing court of sessions of the north-riding held at Jamaica ; but it seeras that the court did not act on them. They then laid them before the court of sessions of the west-riding, which met the next week, December 21st, 1670, at Gravesend. That court, under the in fluence of the secretary of the colony, who presided, and a mem ber of the council, after examining the writings containing the proceedings of the said towns, adjudged " That the said papers were in themselves scandalous, illegal, and seditious ; tending only to disaffect all the peaceable and well-meaning subjects of his Majesty in these his royal Highness's territories and domin ions." And the court further ordered " That the said papers should be presented to the governor in council, for' them to pro ceed on as they shall conceive will best tend to the suppression of false suggestions and jealousies in the minds of peaceable and well-meaning subjects in alienating them from their duty and obedience to the laws." Agreeably to this illegal order, the papers were presented to Go vernor Lovelace, and were by him and his council adjudged to the flaraes, and ordered to be publicly burnt before the town- house of the city, at the next mayor's court to be held there. It was this sage and humane Governor Lovelace, w,ho, as Smith in his History of New Jersey informs us, in 1668 wrote to Sir Robert Carr, who was then in authority there, that the best raethod to ke.ep the people in order was " to lay such taxes upon thera as raay not give thera liberty to entertain any other thoughts but how they shall discharge thera." 119 THE RE-CONaUEST BY THE DUTCH. There is a chasm in our history from 1672 to 1674, which English writers have not seemed very anxious to supply ; for it was during this period that the colony of New- York came into the possession and under the government of its former raas- ters, the Dutch. In the war of Charles II. and Louis XIV. against Holland in the year 1773, the Dutch atterapted to recover their authority in America. In that year two small Dutch squadrons, comraanded by Captain Cornelius Evertsen and Captain Jacob Benkes, were despatched to the West In dies to destroy, as far as possible, the English and French West India trade. In the course of this expedition they captured one hundred and twenty sail of English and French raerchant ves sels, which they despatched to Europe, and which arrived safe at Cadiz. The captains of the Dutch squadrons, highly ela ted with their great success, concluded to extend their opera tions to New- York. They accordingly united their forces, and sailed for their part of destination. Meeting with no obstacle, they arrived at Sandy Hook on the 30th of July, and in a few hours were in full possession of the city of New- York. The garrison, with forty pieces of ordnance, was taken without opposition or a gun being fired. Captain Manning, the com mandant of the fort, most cowardly surrendered it to them without making any defence whatever. He was afterwards tried for treachery and cowardice by a court-martial, and sen tenced to have his sword broken over his head. The comraanders of the squadron appointed Captain Antho ny Colve to be governor of the colony, who imraediately set about reinstating the Dutch governraent. August 14, 1673, he issued a proclaraation to the several towns on Long Island, requiring each of thera to send two depu ties to New- York, with full powers to raake their subraission to the states general and the prince of Orange on behalf of the town. The Dutch towns, and the English towns that were settled under the Dutch, subraitted to the new government. The En- 120 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. glish towns seem at first to have paid some attention to the pro posals of the governor, but soon declined them. October 1st, 1673, the Dutch governor sent Williara Knyff and Anthony Malypart to the English towns, requiring thera to take the oath of allegiance. Oyster Bay complied ; Hunhng- ton and Brookhaven offered to sign an agreement to be faithful to the Dutch government, but refused to take any oath that would bind them to take up arms against the crown of Great Britain. The three eastern towns declined any compromise, and sent deputies to Connecticut, to solicit that colony to take thera under her jurisdiction, and to furnish them with aid against the Dutch if they should attempt to enforce their demands. October 9th, 1673, the general court referred their applica tion to a committee, consisting of the governor, assistants, and two others ; and authorized them, with the concurrence of Mas sachusetts and Plymouth, to grant their request, and to do what should be raost advantageous for the mutual benefit of the par ties. The coraraittee agreed to take them under their jurisdiction, erected the three towns into a county, established a county court, appointed judges and such other civil and railitary officers as they deeraed necessary, and sent a railitary force to their aid. October 25th, the governor sent William Knyff and Nicholas Voss to the towns of Huntington and Brookhaven ; and, to in duce them to comply with his wishes, proraised them liberty of conscience, security of property, the choice of their officers, in the same manner as the like privilege had been enjoyed by the Dutch ; and also consented that the oath of allegiance should be so raodified as to accommodate their scruples. Huntington and Brookhaven consented to yield to the wishes of the governor on condition that none but the magistrates should take the oath required of them. This was conceded, and these two towns submitted on those terms. October 30th, the Dutch governor sent Cornelius Steenwyck, first councillor, and two others, to the eastern towns, to persuade them to comply with the same terms. THE RE-CONQUEST BY THE DUTCH. 121 They sailed down the Sound, and called at Shelter Island, where they fell in with Samuel Wyllis and Captain Winthrop, who had been sent to the island, by Connecticut, to carry their resolutions into effect. The Dutch coraraissioners visited South- old, and found the people asserabled and in arms. They offer ed to take their submission in writing, and to accept of the oath of allegiance from the raagistrates. The people of that town, however, refused all raanner of submission, and the commission ers returned without effecting the object oftheir mission. In the mean time the governor of Connecticut wrote to the Dutch governor, and remonstrated against his attempting to ex tend his jurisdiction over the English towns that never had been subject to the Dutch government. This produced a captious correspondence between the two governors. The Dutch governor undertook to reduce the eastern towns by force, and Connecticut assisted them to repel his attempts. The Dutch forces sailed down the Sound towards the east end of the island, and attempted several descents ; but effected no thing, except the collection of a surnof money of Nathaniel Syl vester of Shelter Island for the property of his brother Constant Sylvester, and Thomas Middleton, which the Dutch governor had illegally confiscated and sold to him. Trumbull, in his history of Connecticut, states that the Dutch threatened the eastern towns with destruction by fire and sword, unless they would submit and swear allegiance to the states ge neral ; that they sent ships and an armed force towards the east end of the island, and made several descents ; but that, by as sistance of the troops which had been sent by Connecticut, they were in all instances repulsed and driven from the island. October 14th, 1675, the general court of Connecticut returned Major Treat public thanks for his good conduct in defending the colony and the towns on Long Island against the Dutch, and for his subsequent services. November 26th, 1673, Connecticut, in conjunction with her confederates, declared war against the Dutch, and made prepa rations to coraraence hostile operations in the spring. The Dutch governor seems to have been alarmed at these preparations. March 27th, 1674, he ordered all vessels to be 16 122 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. removed to a particular place, lest they should hinder the de fence of the city ; and made provision for the transportation of the inhabitants of tho neighboring villages " in case of an at tack." Peace was concluded in Europe, February 9th, 1674, and the news of it suspended hostilities, although no official account of it was received till several months afterwards. By the treaty, all conquests were to be restored to their for mer owners ; but no person being sent to receive the surrender of the colony, the British government was not^reinstated until the ensuing fall. The people of Southold, Southampton, and Easthampton, dreaded the prospect of a return to the Duke's government, and determined to use their utmost efforts to resist it. They accor dingly chose delegates, and sent thera to Connecticut to solicit their continuance under the protection and governraent of that colony. May 14th, 1674, the general court took their application into consideration, and consented that they should continue in association with that colony, with the sarae privileges as other towns, as far as was in their power to raake the grant. The general court also appointed or re-appointed Captain John Youngs, Captain John Howel, and Mr. John Mulford, judges of the county court, and appointed Sarauel Wyllis, John Talcott, and the secretary, or any two of them, to go over to the island to order and settle the affairs of the people there, and to establish such railitary officers among them as they should judge necessary. June 13th, 1674, the town of Easthampton appointed a com mittee, who were ordered, in conjunction with Southampton and Southold, to petition the king to suffer thera to continue under the jurisdiction of Connecticut. These towns continued attached to Connecticut when the colony was restored to the Duke of York. THE RESTORATION OF THE DUKe's GOVERNMENT. After the conclusion of peace, June 29th, 1674, the Duke ot RESTORATION OP THE DUKe's GOVERNMENT. 123 York, to remove all doubt respecting his title, obtained a new patent for the territories which had been granted to him by the patent of March 12th, 1664 ; and shortly after appointed Major, afterwards Sir Edraund Andros, governor of his territories in America. October 31st, 1674, Sir Edmund arrived at New- York, re ceived the surrender of the colony frora the Dutch authorities, and reinstated the Duke's former system of government. Sir Edmund immediately sent to the three eastern towns, requiring them to return to the government of the Duke of York. The deputies of the three towns sent a memorial to the go vernor, in which they state " That, by the aid furnished them by the kindness of Connecticut, they had repelled the Dutch ; that they had joined thera, and corae under that governraent ; that that governraent had appointed both their civil and military officers ; that they had become bound by oath to that colony, and could not dissolve the connexion without their approbation." November 17th, the people of Southold, by a vote of their town meeting, declared themselves " to be under the governraent of his Majesty's colony of Connecticut, and that they would use all lawful raeans so to continue." The town of Easthampton instructed their deputies, who were appointed to consult with those of the other towns, what course they should take " to see that all lawfiil endeavors be put forth to the utmost for our continuance under that government." November 1 8th, 1674, the governor and council ordered that a messenger be again sent to the three towns, requiring them to restore the former overseers and constables to their places, " un der the penalty of being declared rebels ;" and ordered the three deputies who signed the raemorial on behalf of the respective towns, to wit: John Mulford, John Howell, and John Youngs. to appear and answer before the council on the like penalty Thus the endeavors of the eastern towns to continue under the jurisdiction of Connecticut were unavailing, and they were obliged, however reluctantly, to return to the government of the Duke of York. Sir Edmund pursued the sarae arbitrary course that his pre decessor had done. 124 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. November 26th, 1674, he suspended a term of the court of sessions in the east-riding of Yorkshire, and ordered the towns of Huntington and Brookhaven to have their business for the term transactea at the ensuing court of sessions at Jaraaica in the north-riding, because the three eastern towns had not re turned the accounts of the constables and overseers of those towns according to his orders. In April, 1681, the same governor arbitrarily suraraoned Isaac Platt, Epenetus Platt, Samuel Titus, Jonas Wood, and Thomas Wicks, inhabitants of Huntington, to New-York ; and caused them to be imprisoned without trial, and without being chargeable with any legal offence, but, as is supposed, merely for having attended a meeting of delegates of the several towns for the purpose of contriving the means of procuring a redress of grievances. Sir Edmund seems shortly after to have left the colony. June 29th, 1681, Anthony Brockholst presided in the court of assize as coraraander-in-chief. THE FIRST COLONIAL ASSEMBLY. June 29th, 1681, the grand jury, at a special court of assize, in which Anthony Brockholst presided, presented the want of a general assembly as a grievance ; and the court appointed Captain John Youngs, the high sheriff of Yorkshire, to draw a petition to be sent to the Duke of York for the privilege ; which he did, and it was signed by the clerk, by order of the court, and forwarded to his Royal Highness, who seeras to have, lis tened to the prayer of the petition, and instructed the new go vernor to summon a general assembly as soon as he arrived in the colony. Col. Thomas Dongan, the new governor, arrived August 27th, 1683, and soon after issued orders to the high sheriff to convene the freeholders of the several ridings, to choose re presentatives to meet hira in asserably the 17th of October en suing. This first assembly raet according to the suraraons, in New- York, October 17th, 1683, and elected Matthias Nichols, one of the representatives from New- York, their speaker. THE FIRST COLONIAL ASSEMBLY. 125 The assembly, at their first session, adopted a bill of rights, established courts of justice, repealed some of the most obnox ious of the Duke's laws, altered and amended others, and passed such new laws as they judged the circumstances of the colony required. By the act of October 29th, 1683, a court was established in every town, for the trial of causes of debt and trespass under forty shillings, to be holden the first Wednesday of every month, by three persons commissioned for that purpose, with out a jury, unless demanded by one of the parties, and then to be granted at the expense of the party demanding it." A court, called a court of sessions, was established, to be held yearly in every county by the justices of the peace of the said county, or any three or raore of them, for the trial of all causes, civil and criminal, arising in the county, by the verdict of twelve men ; the court to continue only three days. A court of gene ral jurisdiction was established, called a court of Oyer and Terminer and general gaol delivery, with power to remove all causes and judgments over five pounds from inferior courts ; and to examine, correct, or reverse the same ; to be holden by a judge and four justices of the peace, to be coraraissioned for that purpose in each respective county once in every year. Either by a law or an ordinance in 1684, two judges were ap pointed to hold this court. This asserably had another session in October, 1684. At that session they abolished the court of assize, made further alterations in the Duke's laws, and enacted several new ones. A new assembly was summoned in September, 1685, and met at New- York the ensuing October, and chose Williara Pinhorne their speaker. This asserably passed several acts, among which were the two following, to wit : An act, passed Noveraber 4th, 1685, for regulating the proceedings of monthly courts throughout the province, by which the jurisdiction of the court was extended to five pounds ; and an act, passed No vember 7th, 1685, for removing the court of sessions of King's County from Gravesend to Fbtbush. There is no evidence that this asserably ever raet again, or that any other was summoned, except one by Leisler during 12j HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. his exercise of supreme power, until the arrival of a governor under William and Mary in 1691. Charles II. died February 6th, 1685, and the Duke of York succeeded hira by the title of James II. ; and as he determined to have as liftle to do with parliaments as possible, so it is probable that he revoked the power which he had given to his governors to call assemblies, and determined that they should rule the colony by his instructions alone, without admitting the people to any participation in the public councils. By the act of Noveraber 29th, 1 683, the governor and coun cil were constituted a court of chancery, with an appeal to the king. The governor was authorized to appoint a deputy and other officers. On the 2d of November, 1683, an act was passed to divide the province into shires and counties ; in which it is enacted as follows : " Queen's County, to conteyne the severall towns of New town, Jamaica, Flushing, Herapstead, and Oyster Bay ; with the several out-farras, settlements, and plantacons adjacent. " King's County, to conteyne the severall towns of Bosh- wyck, Bedford, Brucklyn, Fflatbush, Fflatlands, New Utreht, and Gravesend ; with the severall settleraents and plantacons ad jacent. " Suffolk County, to conteyne the severall towns of Hun tington, Smithfield, Brookhaven, Southarapton, Southold, East- harapton to JWontauk Point, Shelter Island, the Island of Wight, Fisher's Island, and Pliirab Island ; with the several out-farms and plantacons adjacent." Andross having been appointed governor of New England, New- York was added to his governraent ; and an order of the king was read in council at New- York, July 28th, 1688, di recting Colonel Dongan to deliver the seal of the province to Sir Edmund, who shortly after re-visited the province and as sumed the government. August 25th, he issued new commissions to the civil officers of King's and Queen's counties. On his return to Boston, the affairs of New- York were con ducted by Nicholson the heutenant governor, and council. the first colonial ASSEMBLY. 127 It is supposed that Col. Dongan iramediately retird to his farm as a private citizen, where he remained until the spring of 1691, or longer, before he left the country. The news of the accession of William and Mary to the throne reached Boston in April, 1689 ; and the people imme diately rose, seized the governor, whose tyranny had become intolerable, and imprisoned him, where they deterrained to de tain him till they could hear frora England. The news of the proceedings in Boston prompted certain persons in New- York, whose zeal or ambition was too impatient of delay to await the changes which would necessarily have succceeded the revolution in England, to wrest the government out of the hands of Nicholson the lieutenant governor. May 31st, Captain Jacob Leisler put himself at the head of the party, seized the fort and kept possession of it. June 3d, he was joined by the other captains of the militia, with their companies. They imraediately issued a proclamation, stating that their intention in seizing the fort was to keep it for King William ; and that they would surrender it to the governor who should be appointed by him. Nicholson immediately retired aboard a vessel, and returned to England. June 12th, Leisler and his friends wrote to the several towns on Long Island, inviting them to send two men from each county to meet the deputies of the other counties at New- York, on the 26th instant, to form a committee of safety ; and also to send two raen frora each town to assist in guarding the fort. It is supposed that King's and Queen's counties complied with the request, although there was a powerful opposition in Queen's county to the raeasnre. The several towns in Suffolk raet by their deputies at South ampton, June 20th, where a majority of them refused to send deputies to New- York ; and iramediately opened a negotiation with Connecticut, and made another upsuccessful effort to put themselves under the jurisdiction of that colony, the laws and institutions of which were more congenial with their ideas of good governraent than those of any royal province. Most or all of the other counties, it is supposed, sent their deputies to New- York. 128 HISTORY OF LONQ ISLAND. The comraittee of safety, which raet at New- York June 26th, 1689, gave Leisler the superintendance of things ; and he raanaged the public affairs according to their advice till the ensuing fall. In Deceraber, letters were received frora England, directed to " Francis Nicholson, or in his absence to such as for the tirae being take care for preserving the peace and administer ing the laws in their Majesty's province of New- York in America;" and authorizing Nicholson "to take upon him the chief command, and to appoint, for his assistance, as raany of the principal freeholders and inhabitants as he should thhik fit." Leisler chose to consider these letters, in the absence of Nicholson, as addressed to hiraself, and immediately assumed the title and power of lieutenant govemor. He selected a council, appointed public officers in the several counties, and commissioned them in his own narae, and demanded an entire submission to his authority. He summoned a general assembly in the spring of 1690, (probably to procure supplies for the protection of the frontiers ;) which met in New- York the 24th of April, and chose John Spratt their speaker. It is not known that any thing was done at this raeeting. They were soon prorogued to the 1st of Septeraber. - No merabers attended from Suffolk, Albany, and Ulster ; and one from New- York, and one from Queen's County, refused to serve ; so that it could not have consisted of more than eight or nine members. During this period the towns in Suffolk County had several meetings to consult about the course which it would be proper for thera to pursue, without coraing to any agreement. The summons to choose asserably-raen was received March i5th, 1690, which they refused to obey. The people of Huntington, in April, 1690, signified their willingness to recognize the authority of Leisler. The people of Easthampton carae to a resolution, the 3d of May, that they would not subrait to Leisler, but would continue as they were. This town consented, however, September 9th, THE FIRST COLONIAL ASSEMBLY. 129 1690, that certain monies which they had formerly raised for public use, and which had not been paid to the government, should be paid to I,eisler, or to his order. The county sent no merabers to the assembly, and does not seem to have been reconciled to Leisler's authority ; but contin ued in a divided and neutral condition during his administration. January 1st, 1690, Leisler issued a warrant to have Andrew Gibb, the clerk of Queen's County, brought before hira, to an swer for not delivering the papers belonging to the office to Mr. Denton, the new clerk, whora he had appointed. February 15th, he issued orders to the sheriff, and to the civil and railitary officers of that county, to secure Col. Thoraas Dongan, the late governor, in his own house, and to bring Col. Thomas Willett, Capt. Thoraas Hicks, Daniel Whitehead, and Edward Antill, Esquires, before the council. February 21st, he gave orders to have Col. Dongan, Ste phen Van Cortland, Anthony Brockholst, and Matthew Plow man, Esquires, seized and brought before hira. August 9th, 1690, Leisler issued a proclaraation, requiring the members of asserably to meet at New- York the first day of September ensuing, to which day they were prorogued. August llth, after reciting that Nathaniel Pierson, one of the deputies elected to the assembly for Queen's County, and Wil- helmus Beekman, one of the deputies from New-York, had re fused to serve at the raeeting in April, he ordered those coun ties respectively to choose others in their room, to meet with the deputies of the other counties at their ensuing session in September. It seems that the opposition in Queens was not suppressed by the measures before taken for that purpose. October 18th, 1690, Leisler ordered Major Milbourn "to take what force he could raise, to suppress the opposition in Queen's County." October 26th, he suspended the court of oyer and terminer, about to sit in King's County, "until the counties on Long Island should be reduced to obedience." October 30th, Leisler, after stating that a rebellion existed in Queen's County, issued orders to Samuel Staats and Capt< 17 130 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND- Thomas Williams "to suppress it." He also ordered Thomas Williaras and Sarauel Edsdall to go to Flushing Bay toexamine the vessels there, to see that none were employed in a way pre judicial to his interest. Capt. Richard Ingolsby arrived at New- York with his corapany the last of January, 1691, and deraand ed possession of the fort, which Leisler refused ; which added a new subject to the public contentions. The colony seems to have continued in this convulsed con dition to the end of Leisler's administration. Leisler's authority was terminated by the arrival of Henry Slaughter, the new governor, March 19th, 1691. He refused fo deliver up the fort to the new governor ; and thus violated all his former professions of zeal for King William, forfeited all claim to any merit for his services, and incurred the reproach as well as the penalty of usurpation. Leisler, and Milbourn his son-in-law, were tried and convict ed of high treason ; and the warrant for their execution was is sued by the advice of both the council and assembly. Leisler's son preferred a complaint against the governor, which was referred to the lords of trade ; who reported, March llth, 1692, "that they were hurably of opinion that Jacob Leisler and Jacob Milbourn, deceased, were condemned, and had suffer ed according to law." November 12th, 1694, the parliaraent, on the application of Leisler's son, reversed their attainder ; and, in compassion to their families, restored them their estates. In the journals of the colonial assembly, April 18th, 1691, rauch credit is allowed by them to be due to Captain William Kidd for his raany good services done for the province in at tending, as they say, with his vessels ; and expressing an opin ion that he should be suitably rewarded ; and accordingly we find that the same assembly, upon the 14th of May next ensu ing, made an order that the sum " of one hundred and fifty pounds should be paid to Captain Kidd as a suitable acknow ledgment for the important benefits which the colony had de rived from his services." The coraraission of Governor Slaughter, of January 9th, 1589, constituted the foundation of the Colonial government here, after the revolution in England, THE FIRST COLONIAL ASSEMBLY. 131 and continued as it was then settled, with few innovations un til the American revolution. The executive power was vested in the governor ; and the legislative power in the governor, council, and assembly, subject to the revision of the king, to whom all laws were to be sent within three raonths after their passage. The council at first consisted of seven raerabers, which nuraber was afterwards increased to twelve, and were appointed by the king. The assembly was composed of dele gates from each county, chosen by the freeholders. The num ber was regulated by law. The terra of service was indefinite till 1743, when it was limited to seven years. Among the first acts of the administration of Governor Slaughter, was that of May 6th, 1691, for quieting and settling the pubhc disorders, which had long prevailed to the destruction of public confidence and regard for private right. Another act was passed at the same tirae for confirraing all previous charters, patents and grants, under the seal of the province, both which acts gave very general satisfaction. Governor Slaughter died suddenly, and was buried in old Governor Stuyvesant's vault. The gov ernment for the reraainder of the year 1691 was administered by Richard Ingolsby, the lieutenant governor, and continued till the arrival of Benjamin Fletcher in 1692. He soon got at variance with the assembly, and became of course unpopular. He consulted his own mercenary views more than the interest of tbe people he was sent to rule over. One of the acts of Governor Fletcher was the establishment of a public fair or market at Jamaica every Thursday, for the sale of all kinds of cattle, grain, (fcc. ; and/or holding two fairs yearly in the coun ties of Suffolk and Queens, and one in the county of Kings. The one for Kings to be held at Flatbush, those for Queens at Jamaica, and those for Suffolk, one at Southampton and the other at Southold. An act was also passed April 10th, 1693, for calling Long Island the " Island of Nassau," which was never po pular, and became obsolete in a few years thereafter. It was dur ing the administration of Governor Fletcher that the first printing press was established in the city of New- York, by William Brad ford, an important era in its history, and an event worthy of long remembrance. By the act of May 6th, 1691, the courts of com- 132 History op long island. mon pleas and sessions were distinctly organized. The court of coraraon pleas was to be holden by a judge and three justices, to be assigned for that purpose ; three of whom to form a quo rum, with power to hear and determine all causes arising in the County, triable at the common law ; and whose decision should be final in all cases under twenty pounds, except where the ti tle to land came in question. The court of sessions was to be holden by the justices of the peace in Kings the second Tuesday of May and September, at Flatbush ; in Queens, the third Tuesday of May and Sep tember, at Jamaica ; and in Suffolk, the last Tuesday in March at Southampton, and the last Tuesday in September at South- old ; to continue only two days. The court of comraon pleas was to be opened iramediately after the termination of the ses sions, and to continue only two days. The act which was passed for settling a ministry and raising a maintenance for them was extremely unpopular, except among Epis'copalians, for whose benefit it was perhaps covertly intended, and excited very general discontent. From the lan guage of the act itself, and the character of many who were in favor of it, it seeraed that there could have been no intention of confining its benefits exclusively to the church of England party ; and accordingly the assembly, to make the matter more clear and satisfactory, in 1695 resolved that the benefits of the act extended to the dissenting protestant clergy equally with others ; but the governor rejected that interpretation, and ap plied it solely to the Episcopal clergymen, and they continued to engross its advantages till the period of the American revo lution. By this act, among other things. Queen's County was divided into two precincts, namely, Herapstead and Jaraaica. The precinct of Herapstead included the township of Oyster Bay, and the precinct of Jamaica also included the town of Flush ing. There were at this time a very few families of Epis copalians in the country ; and the application of the act, accord ing to his Excellency's exposition of it, was deemed an imposi tion, and a grievance of no ordinary magnitude. The result was of course that the great mass of inhabitants were most un- .jtBtly obliged to contribute to the support of ministers of ano- THE FIRST COLONIAL ASSEMBLY. 133 ther church, whose ceremonies and doctrines they believed to be both erroneous and ridiculous. Governor Fletcher continued in the administration of the government till the close of the year 1698, and was succeeded by Richard, Earl of Bellaraont, who retained the office till 1701. One of the most important and popular acts of his ad ministration was that passed the 12th of May, 1679, for " vacat ing, breaking and annulling," several very extravagant grants of his immediate predecessor to some of his party favorites, and to the vestry and wardens of Trinity Church. In 1701, John Nanfan,Esq., was appointed lieutenant governor. He held the office but a single year, and was superseded by the appoint ment of Edward, Lord Cornbury. The real name of his Excel lency was Edward Hyde, and he was the son of the celebrated Earl of Clarendon ; and having been among the first to desert from the army of King James, his Majesty King Williara chose to make hira some return for his loyalty to him, by appointing hira governor of New- York. It would appear, however, that his sense of justice was as weak as his bigotry was uncontrollable, as the following among other instances may serve to illustrate. During a great sickness in New- York, the governor and council decided upon removing into the country, and the vil lage of Jamaica was deemed the raost convenient on raany ac counts. The Presbyterian rainister, Mr. Hubbard, happening to live in one of the best houses in the place, his Excellency requested to be allowed the use of it, which was politely tendered by the occupant, and Mr. Hubbard put himself to a considerable trouble and inconvenience for the governor's ac commodation. The consequences were different from what he could have expected, even from a gentleman. In return for his generosity, the governor, instead of surrendering the house to its original possessor, when about to leave the place raost perfidiously delivered it into the hands of the Episcopal party, and even encouraged the sheriff to seize upon the parsonage lands also, and appropriate them for the benefit of that denomi nation. This illegal and wanton act of the governor was fol lowed by a series of difficulties in the churghes of Jamaica, 134 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. which continued to disturb their harraony for more than twen ty years. In addition to this act of baseness, the same gover nor, in J 707, actually caused two Presbyterian ministers to be imprisoned for presuming to preach without his particular li cense. This miserable tool of royalty was a bankrupt in repu tation and fortune at horae, and had been sent here to fatten upon the people. Queen Anne, who succeeded to the throne in 1702, continued his appointment. He finally left the coun try in 1708, and returned to Europe. He died at Chelsea on the 1st of April, 1723. He was succeeded in the office of governor of New- York by Lord Lovelace, Baron of Hurley, who dying a few months af ter, left Mr. Ingolsby, who was governor once before, to ad minister the government ; and he being displaced, Gerardus Beekraan, president of the council, in the absence of the com mander-in-chief, filled the office till April, 1710. General Robert Hunter assumed the administration as gover nor in 1710, which he retained till 1719. About three thou sand persons, who were called Palatines, accompanied him to America for the purposes of settleraent. These people had shortly before fled to England frora the rage of religious per secution in Gerraany. Many of them settled in the city of New-York, where they erected a Lutheran church ; while others located on a tract of some thousand acres in the manor of Livingston. It was during the adrainistration of Governor Hunter, that an expedition was undertaken against Canada, and which failed entirely, after a very considerable waste of tirae and raoney. On the 2nd of November, 1717, an act was passed for destroying foxes and wild cats upon Long Island, they having become both numerous and mischievous. The reward for killing a wild cat was nine shillings, and for a fox, five shillings. Colonel Peter Schuyler, as president of the council, directed the affairs of the province from the time of Governor Hunter's departure till the 17th of Septeraber, 1720, when William Bur net, Esq. assumed the governraent. He was the eldest son of the celebrated Bishop Burnet, and was born at the Hague, in March, 1663. He was named William in honor of the Prince THE FIRST COLONIAL ASSEMBLY. 135 of Orange, who was his godfather. His means had been dis sipated in the great South-Sea scherae, and the office of gover nor of New- York was intended to repair in sorae raeasnre his broken fortunes. In the assembly of the year 1721, and main ly, as is supposed, through the influence of the governor, a very singular bill was introduced, with the more singular title of " An act against denying the divinity of our Saviour Jesus Christ ; the doctrine of the blessed Trinity ; the truth of the Holy Scriptures, and spreading atheistical books ;" but the good sense of the asserably immediately rejected the bill. On the 17th of June, 1726, an act was passed, entitled " An act to pre vent the setting on fire or burning the old grass on Hempstead Plains, which," says the preamble of the act, " is frequently set on fire by several of the inhabitants, through folly and the grati fication of their own wanton tempers and humors." And persons were also appointed in the act to assist in extinguishing such fires ; the persons named were Captain John Tredwell, Mr. Jaraes Jackson, Mr. William Corn well, Nathaniel Seaman, Benjamin Searaan, Obediah Valentine, Thoraas Williams, Peter Titus, Henry Willis, John Pratt, Nathaniel Townsend, Jeremiah Robbins, Thoraas Powell, Sarauel Jackson, Thoraas Seaman, John Mott, John Mott, jr., John Whitson, John Birdsall, John Tredwell, jr., Jaraes Burtis, and Caleb Carraan ; all of whom were residents of the town of Herapstead. Burnet was after wards appointed governor of Massachusetts and New Hamp shire. He died the 7th of September, 1729. John Montgomerie, Esq. was the next governor of the colo ny, and entered upon his duties the 14th of April, 1728. He was a Scotchman, had been bred a soldier, and latterly had held the office of groom of the bed-chamber to his Majesty George II. He was a gentleman of mild temper, and fond of retirement. No extraordinary acts of a public nature charac terized his short administration, and he died, greatly lamented, on the 1st of July, 1731. On his decease the chief coraraand of the province devolved upon Rip Van Dara, Esq., the oldest of the council, and an eminent merchant of New-York ; which he relinquished on the arrival of Governor Williara Cosby, August I, 1732. This gentleraan was as much distinguished 136 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. for his folly and imprudence as his predecessor was for pra dence and good sense. It was, however, during his admin istration that an act was passed on the 14th of October, 1732, to regulate the ferry between New- York and Brooklyn, and to establish, for the first tirae, the rates of ferriage. Some of these rates were as follows : — For a horse or beast, one shilling ; a calf or hog, four pence ; a sheep or lamb, three pence ; a wag on or cart, five shillings ; and for every person ten grains of sevil pillar or Mexican plate, or two pence in bills of credit. " Always provided that a sucking-child, or sorae remnants of goods or other small goods which a woraan carries in her apron, or a raan or a boy under his arm, shall be free." " In the administration bf Governor Cosby," says the histo rian Smith, "there was something to admire, and rauch to con- deran." No governor coramenced his adrainistration with bet ter prospects and greater popularity, yet none endeavored less to retain the confidence and respect of the people. With high opinions of prerogative, and being decidedly hostile to free and equal legislation, he becarae at length odious to the colony, and was finally deserted and opposed by many who had been his best friends. He died the 7th of March, 1736, and the direc tion of public affairs devolved upon George Clarke, Esq., as lieutenant governor, although violently opposed by the person al friends of Rip Van Dam, who, they thought, as the oldest of the council, was best entitled to supply the vacancy. But Mr. Clarke was afterwards confirraed in the office by the corarais sion of the king. It was during the adrainistration of Gover nor Clarke that the act was passed, on the 16th of December, 1737, for lowering the interest of money upon loans to seven per cent., as the high and excessive usury before taken, it was said, had been found by experience to be a very great discour agement of trade. It was also in his tirae that the raeraorable conspiracy was discovered called the " Negro Plot," which, it was supposed, had for its object the destruction of the whole city of New- York by fire. This was in the year 1741. The first fire broke out at his Majesty's house at Fort George, near the chapel, and sorae other adjacent buildings. Fires conti nued to happen daily, and were at first supposed to be accident- THE FIRST COLONIAL ASSEMBLY. 137 al, but at length such disclosures and confessions were made, that prosecutions were set on foot. A nuraber of people of co lor were comraitted to jail as incendiaries, kept in dungeons for sorae raonths, and finally conderaned to be hanged. Mr. Horsemanden, the recorder of the city, says, " raany people had such terrible apprehensions on the subject, that several negroes, some of whora had assisted to put out the fires, were raet and imprisoned ; and when once there, were continued in con finement, because the magistrates could not spare time to ex amine thera." During this dreadful consternation, raore than one hundred and fifty negroes were imprisoned, of whora four teen were burned at the stake, eighteen were hanged, seventy- one transported, and the reraainder pardoned, or discharged for want of proof At this glooray period the population of the city was twelve thousand, of whora one-sixth part were slaves ; a strange coraraent upon the professions of those who had left Europe for the sole purpose of enjoying perfect freedora in America. Governor Clarke, it raust be adraitted, studied his own interest ; for he retired from office with a fortune of a hun dred thousand pounds sterling, surely no mean sura in that day. His Excellency George Clinton, who had been corarais sioned as governor of New- York, arrived on the 23d of Novera ber, 1743, which put an end to the administration of Governor Clarke. At this time the finances of the colony were any thing but prosperous. He was descended from an ancient and res pectable family in Soraersetshire, England, and was bred to the law. His wife was an heiress of the elder branch of the house of Hyde, in the county palatine of Chesterj and where he after wards died in 1763. He was the son of Francis Clinton, Earl of Lincoln. His adrainistration of ten years was turbulent and unha^ppy. He was involved in a violent controversy with the assembly, instigated, as is believed, by Chief- Justice De Lancey, the ruling demagogue of that period. Yet, notwithstanding the pubhc discontents, raore laws were passed, and raore valuable improvements took place in the internal police of the province, than during any preceding reign. This gentleman was re ceived with great joy by the people, because they wanted a change, but were quite as well pleased to be rid of him a few 18 138 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. years after. He was a man of indolence, fond of wine, and therefore unfit to discharge the duties of his office. He, like his predecessor, raanaged to araass a fortune of eighty thousand pounds sterling, which he carried with him to Europe. He was succeeded, in 1753, by Sir Danvers Osborne. He arrived in October, and was received with great rejoicings ; but in con sequence of the loss of his wife, which produced great depres sion and melancholy, he was found, on the fifth day after his arrival, suspended by a handkerchief to the fence of Mr. Murry, one of the council. This unhappy gentleman had the reputa tion of great personal worth ; he had been a member of parlia ment, and was the brother-in-law of the Earl of Halifax. On the death of Mr. Osborne, the administration fell upon the Hon. James De Lancey, who had been a distinguished leader of the government under Mr. Clinton. He was now both chief-jus tice and lieutenant governor, comraencing with the latter of fice in 1753. He was but little acquainted with jurisprudence when raade a judge, yet by great industry and perseverance he becarae in the end a learned and profound lawyer. He re mained at the head of the government until the arrival of Sir Charles Hardy in 1755, and again as successor to Hardy from 1757 to 1 760 ; and died August 2d of the latter year. His daughter was the wife of the celebrated William Draper, whose fame will be as lasting as the letters of Junius. Sir Charles Hardy was a distinguished officer of the British navy, but his arrival as governor scarcely diminished the pow er of Mr. De Lancey, since the govemor, being ignorant of civil affairs, and entirely unacquainted with the colony, put himself into his hands, and was guided mainly by his counsels. It was during this year that preparations were made for a war in America between the English and French. The governor was promoted to the rank of rear admiral of the blue, with a com mand in the projected expedition against Louisburgh, and there fore left the administration in the handsof Mr. De Lancey. In Ju ly, 1758, the British under Colonel Bradstreet captured Fort Fron- tinac, and several arraed vessels on the St. Lawrence. The New- York troops consisted of two detachments ; one command ed by Lieut. Col. Charles Clinton, consisting of 440 men, un- THE FIRST COLONIAL ASSEMBLY. 139 der paptains Ogden of Westchester, Dubois of New- York, Bladgtey of Dutchess, and Daniel Wright of Queens ; the se cond was comraanded by Lieut. Col. Isaac Corse of Queens, and Major Nathaniel Wood hnll of Suffolk, with six hundred and sixty-eight men, under Captain Elias Hand of Suffolk and Richard Hewlett of Queens. On the death of Chief- Justice De Lancey in 1660, the adrai nistration devolved upon Cad wallader Colden, Esq., being the se nior meraber and president of the council. He soon after received the commission of lieutenant governor at the age of seventy-three years. This gentleman, a celebrated physician, botanist, and as tronomer, was a native of Scotland, and graduated at Edinburgh in 1705. Allured by the fame of Penn's colony, he carae to Arae rica in 1708. Governor Hunter was so weU pleased with him that he became his warm friend, and offered him his patronage if he would come to New- York. He consequently settled here in 1718, and was the first person that filled the office of surveyor- general in this colony. On the arrival of Governor Burnet he was made one of the council, and rose afterwards to the head of the board, thus succeeding to the administration of the go vernment in the absence of the governor. He owned a large tract of land in Orange County, but afterwards purchased a farm at Flushing in Queen's County, which he named " Spring Hill," to which he retired from the cares and perplexities of office, and where he died on the 21st day of September in the year 1776. Mr. Colden was relieved from the duties of his office for one year, commencing October 26th, 1762, by the arrival of Robert Monkton, Esquire, who had been appointed governor of the pro vince ; but being afterwards placed at the head of an expedition against Martinique, he left the government again to Mr. Colden, with an agreement, it is said, to divide equally between them the salary and perquisites of the office of governor. Sir Henry Moore was coraraissioned as Governor of New- York in 1765, at the time when the attempt was raade to im pose stamp paper upon the people, and gave rise to a spirit of opposition and jealousy of their rulers that was never after wards allayed, and which ended in revolution and the establish- 140 HISTORY OP LiONG ISLANB, ment of independence. He, however, managed with so much discretion, as to avoid any very considerable difficulties till his death, which happened Septeraber llth, 1769. His communi cations to the assembly were characterized by good sense and brevity ; and in enforcing the odious requirements of the pa rent country, he did not suffer his zeal for the crown to urge him into indiscreet controversies with the people among whom he lived, and whose respect and esteem he appeared anxious to preserve. At the terraination of his administration, the su prerae court of the colony consisted of the following named judges, — Daniel Horsemander, chief-justice, and David Jones, William Smith, and Robert R. Livingston, judges. The salary of the first was three hundred pounds, and that of the others two hundred each. On the death of Sir Henry Moore the duties of lieutenant governor again fell upon Mr. Colden, and continued so till the 18th of Noveraber, 1770 ; when John, Lord Dunmore, the new governor, arrived. He was less avaricious than some of his predecessors; for when the asserably, on the 17th of January, 1771, voted hira two thousand pounds as a salary for the ensuing year, he refused it, and returned a raes sage, saying, " that the king had appointed him a salary out of his treasury, and he wished this allowance omitted." The ob ject of this refusal was not so very disinterested as it raight at first appear, as it was intended to keep the governor independ ent of the people, and to raise monies for the support of the government by the imposition of taxes upon the colonists. His Lordship finally reraoved to Virginia, where he was made gov ernor, and his place was supplied by the arrival of William Tryon, Esquire, as governor,' the Sth of July, 1771. Governor Dunmore was, in 1775, obliged to abdicate the governraent of Virginia, and take refuge on board of a raan-of-war. He mani fested his resentment and the badness of his heart by acting the part of a corsair and plunderer. He also caused the conflagration of Norfolk, January 1, 1776. In 1786 he was appointed gov ernor of Burrauda, and died in England in 1809. His wife was Lady Charlotte Stewart, daughter of the Earl of Galloway. Governor Tryon comraenced his administration at a time of great excitement, and it required the utmost prudence to stear THE FIRST COLONIAL ASSEMBLY. 141 tlear of the most serious difficulties with the people. Yet he managed with so much discretion as to preserve the good will of the inhabitants till the period when all regular government was dissolved in the elements of revolution. On the 2nd of September, 1773, he laid the first stone of the New- York Hos pital. He left the colony in April, 1774, and returned again in 1775, at the instance of the ministry ; but did not again meet the assembly, that body having adjourned the 3d of April, 1775, and never convened anymore. Addresses of friendship were presented to hira frora raany public and corporate bodies ; and King's College (now Columbia), in which he had founded a pro fessorship, conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. It is much to be lamented that a person possessing so many amiable qualities, and a reputation for kindness and humanity, should, from his zeal for monarchy or resentraent to ward his opponents, have forfeited so entirely the good opinion of all his American friends, and incur all the odium due to the most consumraate villany, by conduct so atrocious and dis graceful as he afterwards exhibited. For he seemed to have changed his nature, and to enjoy a sort of demoniac pleasure in burning and plundering villages and towns as a means of distressing the inhabitants. With Governor Tryon terminated the list of colonial gov ernors, and with him expired also the name of colony and sub jects of a foreign power. The territory was organized into a state, and its citizens joined heart and hand with their political brethren in the other provinces, in every raeasnre calculated to free them from oppression, and to establish a free and indepen dent governraent. And on the 4th of July, 1776, was publish ed, by the representatives of a free people, that Declaration which has been eraphatically denominated the Charter of Ame rican Liberty. The whole history of the colonial government sufficiendy demonstrates, that it is in vain to expect a patriotic devotion to the public welfare, and the happiness of the people, frora rulers not connected with the country they govern by ties of personal feeling, and a kindred interest in the prosperity of its citizens ; and that a subserviency to the crown and disregard of the wel- 142 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. fare of the community, are vices inherent in the very nature of colonial governments. SUFFOLK COUNTY. This county includes all that part of Long Island which lies eastward of the township of Oyster Bay, excepting Lloyd's Neck, which is attached by law to the county of Queens. It is about one hundred and ten miles in length, and in some parts twenty in breadth. It is bounded northwardly by the Sound, eastwardly and southwardly by the Ocean, and westwardly by Lloyd's Neck, Cold Spring Harbor, and the east bounds of Queen's County ; including Gardiner's Island, Plumb Island, the Great and Little Gull Islands, Fisher's Island, Shelter Island, and Robin's Island. This county was organized on the 1st of November, 1683, at which time the ridings were abolished, and Long Island was divided into three counties, as they have reraained ever since. It is subdivided into nine distinct municipalities or towns, to wit: Huntington, Smithtown, Islip, Brookhaven, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, and Easthampton. The first court of sessions in this county, of which any record remains, was held under the authority of the Duke's laws, on the 6th day of March, 1677 ; and at which the presiding officers were as follows : Mathias Nicolls, President, Thomas Willet, Councillor, Thomas Baker, ] Isaac Arnold, ^ Justices. Richard WooDHULL. J The act of 1683 required two courts of general sessions to be held in each county, annually, and those fbr this county to be holden at the town of Southampton ; at which place they con tinued to be held, together whh the court of oyer and termi- SUFFOLK COUNTY. 143 ner, for about forty years, when they were held occasionally at Southold, where the prison was established. The oldest minute which has been discovered relative to the court of common pleas in this county, is as follows : " At a court of common pleas heW at Southampton the next day after the court of general sessions terminated, being the 28th day of March, in the ninth year of his Majesty's reign, anno domini, 1723. Present, Henry Smith and Benjamin Youngs, Esquires, Judges. Robert Hudson and Joseph Wickham, Esquires, Jus tices. William Smith, Clerk, Attornies, Hopkins, Clowes, and Vernon." This court was held under the act of the 6th of May, 1691. At a court of general sessions, held the last Tuesday of March, 1723, the presiding justices were Tiraothy Brewster, Jeremiah Scott, Joseph Wickhara, Selah Strong, William Sraith, and Brinley Sylvester. The court of coraraon pleas, October 1 , 1724, was held by Benjarain Youngs and Richard Floyd, judges, and Joseph Wickham, Thomas Chatfield, and John Foster, justices. About this time a court house, or county hall, was built at Riverhead, then a part of Southold, where the court was held for the first time, on the*27th of March, 1729. Under the ordinance of 1699, the naraes of judges of the court of common pleas, were as follows, from 1723 to 1775. 1723, Henry Smith, Benjamin Youngs, and Richard Floyd. 1729, Henry Smith, Benjamin Youngs, and Samuel Hutchin son. 1738, Henry Smith, Joshua Youngs, and Thomas Chatfield. 1752, Richard Floyd, Elijah Hutchinson, and Hugh Gelston. 1764, Richard Floyd, Sarauel Landon, and Hugh Gelston. 1771, William Smith, Samuel Landon, and Isaac Post. 1775, William Smith, Samuel Landon, and Isaac Post. The names of the clerks of the county, from 1669 to 1776, are as follows : 144 history OP long island. Henry Pierson, from John Howell, Thomas Helme, Henry Smith, 1669 to 1681. C. Congreve, froiji 1716 to HSS: 1681 to 1692: Samuel Hudson, 1723 to 1730. 1692 to 1709. William Smith, 1730 to 17f0. 1709 to 1716. Williara Nicolls, 1750 to 1775. The members of the general assembly of the colony from this county, from its establishment in 1691 to 1775, and for the respective periods mentioned, were as follows : Henry Pierson, Matthew Howell, John Tuthill, Matthew Howell, John Tuthill, Henry Pierson, William Nicolls, Samuel Mulford, 1691 to 1695. 1691 to 1693. 1693 fo 1694. 1694 to 1705. 1695 to 1698. 1693 to 1701. 1702 to 1723. 1705 to 1726. Epenetus Platt, Samuel Hutchinson, Daniel Pierson, Eleazer Miller, William Nicolls,, 2d, Eleazar Miller, William Nicolls, 3d, Nathaniel Woodhull, 1769 to 1775, 1723 to 1739. 1726 to 1,748. 1737 to 1748. 1748 to 1768. 1739 to 1769. 1768 to 1769. 1768 to 1769. 1769 to 1775. William Nicolls, 3d, The following persons were merabers of the council from 1683 to 1704. Colonel John Youngs, from 1683 to 1698 ; Colonel William Smith,.from 1691 to 1698 ; and Mr. William Nicolls, frora 1691 to 1704. The justices of the peace for the county, in 1763, were as follows : Richard Floyd, Hugh Gelston, Samuel Landon, John Chatfield, Richard Woodhull, George Phillips, Richard Miller, Nathaniel Baker, Isaac Barnes, John Pierson, Benjamin Conkling, Richard Woodhull, jun. Maltby Gelston, William Hubbard, John Woodhull, Isaac Post, Thomas Youngs, Robert Hempstead, Isaac Hubbard, Nathaniel Woodhull, Jonas Williams, Thomas Jarvis, Burnet Miller, John Still Winthrop, Thomas Helme, James Reeve, jun. Selah Strong, Thomas Sandford, Phineas Panning, Thomas Osborn, Daniel Wells, Parker Wickham, Thomas Cooper, Benajah Strong, Jonathan Thompson, Joseph Lewis, William Phillips, Charles Floyd, Samuel Allen, Obediah Platt, Ebenezer White, Samuel Hunting, Barnabas Terril, Benjamin Brown. Deputies to the convention which met the 10th of April, 1775, for the purpose of electing delegates to the first continen tal congress; Williara Floyd, Nathaniel Woodhull, Phineas Fanning, Thoraas Tredwell, and John Sloss Hobart. Members of the provincial convention which met the 27th of May, 1775 : Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss Hobart, Ezra L'Hommedieu, William Smith, Thomas Wickham, Thomas SUFFOLK COUNTY. 145 Tredwell, David Gelston, John Foster, Jaraes Havens, Selah Strong, and Thomas Deering. Members of the convention to form the constitution of this state, in 1777, were as follows : William Smith, Thomas Tred well, John S'oss Hobart, Mathias B. IVIiller, Ezra L'Homraedieu, Nathaniel Woodhull, Thomas Deering, and David Gelston. The following were members of the conventien which raet at Poughkeepsie, June 17th, 1788, and adopted the constitution of the United States : Henry Scudder, John Smith, Jonathan N. Havens, Thomas Tredwell, and David Hedges. The population of this county at different periods have been as follows : In 1731, 7675 ; in 1771, 13128 ; in 1786, 13793 ; in 1790,16440; in 1800,19444; in 1810, 21113; in 1820, 24272 ; in 1825, 23695 ; in 1830, 26780 ; in 1835, 28724. In 1810, there were in this county 1062 looms ; and during that year were manufactured, chiefly in families, 51220 yards of woolen, 158390 of linen, and 4087 of cotton cloth. There have been three capital executions in this county since the revolution, as follows : William Erskine, (black) of Brookhaven, convicted of rape, September 14th, 1791, and executed October 5, 1791. William Enoch, of Huntington, convicted of the murder of his wife in June, 1834, and executed January 12th, 1835. John Hallock, of Brookhaven, convicted of the ratirder of a colored woman. May 10th, 1836, and executed July 2d, 1836. ' The delegates to the convention of 1821, for amending the constitution of this state ; Ebenezer Sage, Usher H. Moore, and Joshua Smith. By the act of March Sth, 1773, Williara Smith, Sarauel Lan don, and Maltby Gelston, were appointed coraraissioners of excise for the county. The first judges of this county since the revolution have been Selah Strong, appointed in 1783 ; Ebenezer Platt, in 1794 ; Abraham Woodhull, in 1799; Thoraas S. Strong, in 1810; Joshua Smith, in 1823 ; Jonathan S. Conkling, in 1828; and Hugh Halsey, in 1833. Surrogates, Thomas Tredwell, from 1787 to 1791. Nicoll 19 146 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. Floyd, from 1791 to 1823. Ebenezer W. Case, from 1823 to 1827 ; and Hugh Halsey frora 1827 to the present time. The clerks of the county, since 1776, have been as follows : William B. Bevans, appointed in 1783 ; Ezra L'Homraedieu, in 1784; Hull Osborn, in 1810; Charles H. Havens, in 1812; Charles A. Floyd, in 1820 ; Charles H. Havens, elected in 1822 ; Joseph R. Hunting, 1829 ; and George S. Phillips, the present clerk, in 1838. The district attornies, since the act requiring one in each county, have been as follows : Silas Wood, appointed in 1818. Selah B. Strong, in 1821. Charles A. Floyd, in 1830, and Selah B. Strong again in 1834. The following extracts from court records and other sources are sufficiently curious and in teresting to be preserved, and present a diverting representation of the olden times, both in the language and subject matter of most of them. " At a court of sessions held at Southampton on the 4th of March, 1669, a complaint is prosecuted to the court against Mr. John Laughton, for his raisdemeanour in saying to Mr. John Howell that hee was a traytor to ye State, and hee would prove him soe. Mr. Laughton being called, appears, and being ques tioned by ye cort about itt, hee owned y' he called Mr. Howell soe, and confessed y' hee had noe just cause soe to call him. The Cort adjudg Mr. Laughton to pay a fine of £3 to ye county, and costs of cort, in current pay without further trouble. " Edward Avery ye Sraith at Eastharapton, being brought be fore ye cort to answer for his coraraitting of fornication with her hee now calls his wife ; hee acknowleged injeniously the fact or oflfence, and undertaking for his wife therein also. The cort give sentence that he shall pay £3 as a fine to the county, and costs of cort, all which he proraiseth to satisfie," &,c. "Mrs. Alice Stanborough entereth coraplaint against Mr. Edwards of their town of Eastharapton, for his turning a water course upon her land and housing to her great daraage and inconvenience, to the value of £5 10s. The complaint being prosecuted at this court, and the witnesses on both sides duly considered, the cort doth give their judgra' and order as follow eth -.—that the plf sueing for £510*. damage but not proving it, SUFFOLK COUNTY. 147 this cort doth judg and deterraine according to law in that case provided, that ye plf. shall lose her suite or plainte, and pay unto ye deft, costs of suite. And for prevention of any further trou ble betweene the plf and ye deft, concerning the turning of a flux of water into ye pit's grounds, this cort doth order that ye constable of Eastharapton, and 3 of theire overseers, naraely, Stephen Hand, Nathaniel Bishop, and Steeven Hedges, shall view the ground belonging to the plf. and deft, and set down, order, and dispose of that occasion as raay be raost convenient for both ye parties, with the assistance of Mr. Mulford — and what those 4 raen doe determine, as to where the water shall run, shall be a finall conclusion betweene the plf and deft., they being to satisfie the s"^ 4 men for what pains they shall bee at." " John Cooper, as Attorney for Mr. James Mills of Virginia, enters an action of debt against Hackaliah Bridges, on which ac compt sorae of his goods were attached ; the juryraen were Joshua Barnes, Joseph Rayraer, Richard Howell, Thoraas Topping, Thoraas Goldsmith, Robert Dayton, and Ensigne Bayly of Huntington. The plf produced his letter of atty. from Mr. Mills. Also the plf produced several writings knowne to bee signed by ye s* Hackaliah, which was compared with ye sd bill, to confirrae to the cort the reality thereof The jury finde for ye plf and 305. costs of suite. The cort give judgm' accordinge." " At a cort of sessions held March 6, 177i. The constable and overseers of Easthampton enter coraplaint against Reneck Garison and his wife, for being guilty of fornication before they were marryed. It being sufficiently proved, ye cort give sen tence that they both shall have corporall punishment publickly, viz : with five stripes a-piece. But John Denison and Corne- hus Vonk, engaging to the justices to pay forty shillings lo the country for ye s'^ Reneck and his wife, as a fine, the said sen tence is reversed." "A coraplaint against Peeter Whittere, March 7, 1671, for his abusive carriage toward Justice Mulford. The cort doth order and sentence, that ye s^ Peeter shall make acknowlegment of his evil and abusive carriage, next Lord's day come seven-night, at ye publique meeting in Easthampton, 148 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. to the satisfaction of Mr. Mulford ; and hee is to pay ye costs of ye coraplainte, as also his forraer fine iraposed." " January ye 14, 1672, Mr. John Tomson of Seatauk, plf enters an action of slander or deffamation against Richard Min- torne, deft, to be tryed at ye next cort of sessions. " The plf and dft. are agreed as follows : , " Be it known to all, that I, Richard Mintorne of Southampton, doe acknowlege that I have spoken ffoolishly and inadvisedly to the dissparagement of Mr. John Tomson of Seatauk, and that of my knowledge I know nothing of it. And this ] give for a publique satisfaction — as witness my hand. "RicHAH¦ >< ii S £ g; tt! m ,w Brookhaven. 3162 3404 B-66 10 35141 5556 4675 4850 579 1410 513 4590 1294 8451 '3846 Easthani.pton 8M 926 1819 12 17827 6 1785 2365 1528 187 405 168 2487 473 4903 1013 Huntington. 2765 2733 5498 16 32532 9 3272 771 359 591 12-20 312 -3530 1387 11044 38)3 Islip. 784 744 1628 5 8016 1 711 712 .577 110 a29 207 1634 289 1307 1108 Biverlipad. 1074 1064 2I3P lb 12302 3 1909 1514 1202 278 473 57 2234 522 1930 1328 Smithtown. 199 781 1580 4 10937 3 947 96f 485 12S nor 238 1681 443 3896 1552 Snutliold. 1600 1336 2936 21 23351 7 2954 491S 1696 m 72S 58 3751 689 3786 2684 Southampton 2652 263 5275 IE 23105 0 2993 Sue 2431 543|105( 494 4736 828 5416 2131 Shelter Island 152 181 333 ¦ g 48)6 1 80 5C 5: 16| 6S 21 42e 63 3837 266 Total. 14581 1379: 30673|lOlll68047 )0 2020- 2137f 1338' 269li6O34|206f 24971 5988 43570|l77C8 aUEEN's COUNTY. 157 EXTRACT FROM THE COMMON ECHOOL RETURNS, JANUARY 6, 1838. "0 -5tI 0 g :S"§ 03 1. j: S""? .S2 ~1 0 cc S 5-a -a . 0 c . childi tween sofaj f pub buted ts. Towns. 0 h OJ GO 0 gro us- a ber of t dun year ber of wn be 5 year unt 0 ydistr distric a3 i.= L, .^ SS 0 s ¦" S 0 0 a 3 3 ¦i-1 i = c 0 3c i5 t 33 ¦ Sm i W a, '< Hi m K Hempstead. MOfi M48 60,54 29.501 13 2r.ns 718 137 711 1400 375 3800 1691 2830 2938 Oyster Bay. ffiiltfi iiVt? ,51 M 9 34301 5 175fi 3090 1350 H74 1145 295 4727 1800 1.5147 .5032 North Hempstead 171.5 184.5 :ttfi(i 10 29738 9 54fl 1245 912 323 640 693 3055 1133 8177 4430 Flushing. 19(14 ira ¦AM 9 131190 5 asti 293 210 22i: 537 072 1852 816 3005 2718 Jamaica. 14Rf 1397 2S8.5 4 12304 5 19, 330 7H 30iJ .•jb? 32a 155H 799 115 1178 Newtown. 1901 1604 3505 9 10683 3 302 270 176 253 5U2 304 1710 801 235 1572 Total. 12850 liS80 25130 71 129537 40 5514 5552 2875 2649 4797 2737 10308 7165 30089 18458 EXTRACT FROM THE RETURNS OF COMMON SCHOOLS TO THE LEGISLATURE, JANUARY 5, 1838. i is «• ^ 2^ i oS JI a -J :S'H <2 ¦^ ?; 32 za %-. cC Towns. ¦u m '3 o St 1^ mountofpu ley received pended. IE c 3O S si 11 o c 3 O w *j "3 ir 02 Q < 7 < - < S2 ^ Justices. and Mr. Richard Betts, J " Whereas, during this court of sessions, there hath been several misdemeanors committed in contempt of authority in this town of Gravesend, by one throwing down the stocks, puUing down of ffencesj and such like crimes ; . the court also find that there was no watch in the town which might have prevented it ; and being the offenders cannot be discovered, it is ordered that the town stand fined in five pounds till they have made discovery of the offenders." Many other acts of the like kind are noticed in the records, which exhibit the mischiev ous disposition of stfme portion of the people at an early period.' Among others, is the following : " Sept. 14, 1696, about eight o'clock in the evening, John Rapale, Isaac Remsen, Joras Yanuester, Joras Danielse Ra- pale, Jacob Reyersen, Aert Aersen, Tunis Buys, Garret Cow- enhoven, Gabriel Sprong, Urian Andriese, John ''Williamse king's county. 171 Bennet, Jacob Bennet, and John Meserole, jr,. met armed at the court-house of Kings, where they destroyed and defaced the king's arms which were hanging up there." The first court-house at Flatbush was erected in 1685, and re mained till a larger one was built there in 1758, the expenses of which, amounting to four hundred and forty -eight pounds, were raised by an assessment upon the inhabitants of the county. It became so much out of repair, and was found in many respects so inconvenient, that anew court and jail were erected in 1792, and stood till destroyed by fire on the 30th of November, 1832. Since which time the county courts have been holden in the town of Brooklyn. It is reported that the prisoners, with one exception, exerted themselves during the conflagration to ex tinguish the flames, and immediately voluntarily submitted to be re-'imprisoned in another place selected for the purpose. This building had been erected at the expense of two thousand nine hundred and forty-four dollars, under the superintendence of John Vanderbilt, Johannes E. Lott, and Charles Doughty, Esquires. The following list contains the names of the judges of this county anterior to the Ainerican revolution : Cornelius Sebring, Cornelius Vanbrunt, Peter Stryker, Daniel Polhemus, Peter Cortileau, Samuel Garretson, Ryck Suydam, Christopher Codwise, Johannes Lott, Abraham Lott, Isaac Sebring, Samuel Garretson, Barnabas Ryder, Charles De Bevoioe, 1715 to 1718. 1718 to 1720. 1720 to 1722. 1722 to 1724. 1724 to 1729. 1729 to 1733. 1732 to 1739. 1739 to 1742. 1742 to 1745. 1745 to 1749. 1749 to 1752. > 1753 to 1761. John LefFerts, Abraham Schenck, Samuel Garretson, Comelius Vanbrunt, Samuel Garretson, John LefFerts, John Leflferts, Jeremiah Remsen, Peter Nagel, Englebest Lott, Theodones Polhemus, Jeremiah Vanderbilt, 1761 to 1766. 1766 to 1770. 1770 to 1777. :\ 1777 to 1780. List of Coimty Clerks before the Revolution : J 671 to 1682, 1683 to 1684, 1684 to 1687, 1687 to 1704, John West. Peter Smith. John Knight. Jacobus Vandewater. 1775 to 1783, John Rapelje. 1704 to 1715, Henry Filkin. 1715 to 1726, John M. Sperling. 1726 to 1750, J Adrian Hegeman. 1750 to 1775, Simon Boerun. 172 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. Names of first Judges. 'when appointed. 1808, "William Furman. 1823, Leffert Lefferts. 1827, Peter W. Radcliff. 1830, John Dikeman. 1833, Nathan B. Morse. 1838, John A Lott. DistriU Attornies. ijohen appointed. 1819, James B Clarke. 1829, Nathan B. Morse. 1833, William Rockwell. Clerks since the Revoltdion. •when appoiftted. 1784, Jacob Sharp. 1800, Leffert Lefferts. 1816, Abraham Vandeveer. 1821, Joseph Defan. 1822, Abraham V^ndereer. 1837, Charles E. Bulkeley. The following are the names of those who represented this county in the colonial assembly, between the respective periods mentioned from 1691 to 1775 inclusive : Nicholas StilLwell, from 1691 to 1693. Cornelius Van Brunt, from 1699 to 1716.- John Poland, Coert Stuyvesant, Johannis Van Ecklen, Hisnry ffilkin, Cornelius Sebring, Myndert Coerten, Gerardui Beekman, Cornelius Sebring,, 1691 to 1693. Samuel Garretson, 1716 to 1737. 1693 to 1694. Richard Stillwell, 1726 to 1727. 1693 to 1698. Johannis Lott, 1727 to 1761. 1694 to 1695. Abraham Lott, 1737 to 1750. 1695 to 1698. Dominicus Vandeveer, 1750 to 1759. 1698 to 1699. Abraham Schenck, 1759 to 1767. 1698 to 1699. Siraon Boerura, 1761 to 1775. 1699 to 1726. Jahn Rapelje, 1767 to 1775. Cornelius Van Ruyven, member of the council. The deputies who met in convention at New- York, April 10, 1775, to choose delegates to the continental congress, were Si mon Boerum, Richard Stillwell, Theodorus Polhemus, De nyse Denyse, and John Vanderbilt. The delegates selected by the convention were Johannis Lott, Henry Williams, J. Rem sen, Richard Stillwell, Theodorus Polhemus, John Lefferts, Nicholas Cowenhoven, and John Vanderbilt. These delegates convened at New- York on the 22d of May, 1775, and conti nued to meet at different places from time to time till the adoption of the constitution of the state in April, 1777; The Tnembers of the provincial congress from this county were Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, and John Lefferts ; but it does not appear that, after the first meeting of Congress, any one of them attended subsequent to the 30th of June, 1776. The delegates from this county to the convention which met at Poughkeepsie on the 27th of June, 1778, to adopt the constitution of the United States, were Peter Lefferts and Peter Vander voort. The population of this county at different periods has been as follows : In 1731, 2150 ; in 1756, 2707 ; in 1771, 3623 ; king's county. 173 in 1786, 3986 ; in 1790, 4495 ; in 1800, 5740 ; in 1810, 8303 ; in 1820, 11187; in 1825, 14679 ; in 1830, 21535; in 1835, 32057. The last capital execution in this county was of a man by the name of Wessels, who was hanged in 1786 for tiie crime of forgery. John Lefferts, Esq., of Flatbush, now deceased, was the delegate from this county to the convention of 1821, for amend ing the constitution of this state. » The following list contains the names of those who have represented this county in the assembly since the revolution : 1777 to 1783. WiUiam Boerum, Henry 1815. Tunis Schenck.' Williams. 1816 and 1817. Richard Fish. 1784. Johannes E. Lott, Rutger Van 1818. Corneliv(s Van Cleef. Brunt. 1819 & 1820. Tunis Schenck. 1785 & 1786. John Vanderbilt, Charles 1821 & 1822. Jeremiah Lott. Doughty. 1823. William Conselyea, jun. 1787 & 1788. Cornelius Wyckoff, 1824tol82G. William 7urman. Charles, Doughty. 1827 & 1728. Clarence D. Sacket. 1789 to 1791. Peter Vandervoort, 1829. John Wyckoff. Aquilla Giles. 1830 to 1833. Coe S. Downing. 1792. Charles Doughty. 1834 & 1835. Philip Brasher. 1793. Aquilla Giles. 1836. John Dik -man. 1794 to 1799. Peter Vandervoort. 1837. Richard V. W. Thorne, 1800 & 1801. Jacob Sharpe, jUn. ' Joseph Conselyea. 1802. John C. Vandeveer. 1838: Benjamin D. Silliman, Cor- 1803 to 1808. John Hicks. nelius'Bergen. 1809 & 1810. Jeremiah Johnson. 1839. Jeremiah Lott, Cornelius 1811 to 1813. John C. Vandeveer. Bergen. 1814. Jeremiah Lott, The surrogates of this county since the establishment of the office, have been as follows : From 1787 to 1793, Johannes E. Lott. 1814 to 1833, Jeremiah Lott. 1793 to 1799, Jacobus L. Lefferts. And from 1833 to the present 1799 to 1814, Wiffiam Livington. time, Richard Cornell. " At a court of general sessions, held at Gravesend Dec. 1, 1669 : " John ffirman, plf ] The plaintiff declared in an action ¦vs. [of defamation, how that the defen- Abm. fi'rost, deft. J dant reported him to be a perjured person and common Iyer ; which was sufficiently proved, and also confessed by the defendant. The jury brought in the ver diet for the plaintiff, with five pounds damages, and costs." 174 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. "This court having taken into consideration the miscar- riagesof Samuel Scudder andThomas Case, Quaker s,hY disturb ing and seducing the people and inhabitants of this government, contrary to the peace of our sovereign lord the king, doe there fore order that they forthwith give security to the value of forty shillings sterUng, before Mr. Justice Betts, for their good beha vior and appearance at the sessions." " Upon the complaint of the constable of Flatbush that there are several persons in the town who doe refuse to pay their minister, — The court doe order that such persons who shall refuse to pay their minister, it shall be taken from thera by dis tress." " October 11, 1693. At a meeting of the justices of King's County, at the county hall. Present, Roeleff Martense, Nicho las Stillwell, Joseph Hegeman, and Henry fiilkin, Esqs., jus tices ; John Bibout of Broockland, in the county aforesaid, we aver being committed by the said justices to the common jail of King's County, for divers scandalous and abusive words spoken by the said John against their majesties of the peace for the county aforesaid, to the contempt of their Majesty's authority and breach of the peace ; the said John having now humbly submitted himself, and craves pardon and mercy of the said justices for his misdemeanor, is discharged, paying the offi cers' fees, and being on his good behavior till next court of sessions, in November next ensuing the date hereof" During the same year in the town of Bushwyck, a man nam ed Urian Hagell was imprisoned for having said, on a train ing day, (speaking jestingly of the soldiers,) " Let us knock thein down ; we are three to their one." The justices called these mutinous, factious, and seditious words, and threatened to im prison the offender. May 8, 1694, two women pf the town of Bushwick were in-i dieted at the sessions in this county, for having beat and pull ed the hair of Captain Peter Praa while at the heacl of his company of soldiers on parade. One of them was fined £3, and the costs £1 19s. 9d ; and the other 40s. and the costs £1 19s, 9d. During the same year Volkert Brier, constable of Brooklyn, was fined £5, and the costs, araountuig to £l, by the king's COUNTY. 175 court of sessions, for tearing and burning an execution di rected to him as constable ; on account of which he made the following application to the governor for relief: The Petition of Volkert Brier, " To HIS Excellency. The hurable peticon of Volkert Brier, inhabitant of the towne of Broockland, on the Island of Nassau. ^ " May it please your Excellency, your peticoner being fined five pounds last court of sessions, in King's County, for tear ing an execucon directed to hira as constable. Your peticoner being ignorant of the crime, and not thinking it was of force when he was out of his office, or that he should have made returne of it as the lawe directs, he being an illiterate raan could not read said execucon nor understand any thing of lawe : humbly prays yr Excellency yt you would be pleased to remit said fine of five pounds, yr peticoner being a poor man, and not capaciated to pay said fine without great damage to himself and family. And for yr Excellency yr peticoner will ever pray, &c. '"Volkert Brier." November 12, 1695, the court ordered that the constables of the towns shall, on Sunday or Sahbath day, take law for the apprehending of all Sabbath-breakers, and search all houses, taverns, and other suspected places, for all profaners and breakers of the Sabbath day, and bring them before a justice of the peace to be dealt with according to law ; and for any ne glect of the constable, he should pay a fine of six shillings. The court also ntiade 3n order requiring each of the towns to cause to be immediately erected a good pair of stocks and a goo(i poMwrf, by which, it seems, they were resolved to keep both man and beast in proper subjection. By an act of asserably, July 27th, 1721, it was declared that the road, or King',s Highway, from the ferry upwards to the town of Breuckland, as far as the swinging-gate of John Rapelje just above the house and land of James Harding, should be and remain the common road, or King's Highway, from the said ferry, to the said swinging-gate for ever. 176 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. It.appears, that in 1654 this county was so infested by rob bers, who comraitted violence and outrage upon the property of the inhabitants, that the magistrates of the several towns united in forming a company to act against robbers and pi rates, and created for this special purpose an officer in each town, called a Sergeant, with a suhable guard. During the administration of the Dutch government, the poor, in the'several towns under their jurisdiction, were main tained by fines inrposed for the commission of different offences, and by voluntary contributions taken up in the churches, as was the custom upon the Sabbath and on other public occasions. "At a Court of Sessions, held at Gravesend, June 21, 1671. — Present, Mathias Nicholls, president ; Mr. Cornelius Van Ruyven, Captain John Manning, Mr. Thomas Lovelace, Mr. James Hubbard and Thomas Betts, justices ; Robert Coe, high sheriffe; constables sworn, John Ramsden for, Newtown ; John Hanch, fflatbush ; Wessell Garrett, Bushwicke ; Simon Johnson, fflatlands ; John Thomas, New Utrecht ; Ralph Car- dell, Gravesend ; and Lambert Johnson, Brookeland. Thefol lowing resolution was adopted : — " We, his majestie's justices, being assembled at a court of sessions at Gravesend, for the West-riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island, being assisted by some of the governor's council, and likewise of our brethren of, the North-riding, and having had the perusal of three papers ptesented at the court of sessions at Jaraaica the week before, from and in the names of the towns of Flushing, Hempstead, and Jamaica, upon mature delibera' con and consideracon had thereupon ; we have unanimously concluded ahd adjudged that the said pa,pers are in themselves scandalous, illegal, and seditious ; tending only to disaffect all the peaceable and well-meaning subjects of his raajesty's terri tories and dominions ; and do declare this to bee our sentiments and opinions, the which we humbly present to his Honor the Governor and his councell to proceed upon itt as'they shall con ceive will tend to the suppression of such mischiefs as may arise by the inipression of ffalse suggestions and jealousies in the minds of peaceable and well-meaning subjects from their duty and obedience to the laws." king's county. 177 " Thomas Lambertson and his wife, PlaintiffSj j vs. > John Low, Defendant. 3 " Action for deffemacon. Cause left to the court. " The defendant Confest that he was drunke, and was very sorry for defaming of the plaintiffs wife, and begg'd his pardon in open court. The court order that he pay the costs of the plaintiffs attendance, and keep a civil tongue in his head." There is reason for supposing that tobacco was an article much cultivated in some portions of this county in the early part of the settlement, as well for exportation as for domestic consumption araong the Dutch, with whom tobacco was con sidered almost a necessary of life. To guard against frauds in the manufacture of this commodity, and to preserve its reputa tion, the following act was passed in 1638, coramonly called the Tobacco Statute. "Whereas the Hon. Director and council of New Nether lands have deemed it advisable to make some regulations about the cultivation of the Tobacco, as raany Planters' chief aim and employ is, to obtain a large crop, and thereby the high name which our Tobacco has obtained in foreign countries is injured —to obviate which, every Planter is sel:iously warned to pay due attention that the Tobacco appear in good condition ; that the superfluous leaves are carefully cut away ; and further, that the Tobacco which is spunged is not more wetted than is required. That what is intended to be exported from New Netherlands be first carried to the public store-house, to be there examined, weighed and marked, and lo be paid there the duties which are due to the company ; to wit, five of every hundred pounds, in conformity to the grant of the company. And for all which we appointed two inspectors under oath. Those who transgress this ordinance shall lose all his Tobacco by confiscation, and besides arbitrarily corrected and punished. And further, that no contracts, engagements, bargains or sales, shall b& deem ed valid, except those written by the secretary, while all are warned to conforra themselves to this statute at their peril. Done at Fort Amsterdam, August 19, 1638." 23 178 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. The following persons were justices of the peace for this county in 1763 : Abraham Schenck. Aury Remsen. Jeremiah Vanderbilt. Samuel Garrilson, Jun. Englebert Lott. Pet^r Cortelyou. John.Lefferts. Johannis Bergen. Albert Van Brunt. Jacobus Debevois, Jun. Phillip Nagel, Jun. Cornelius Wyckoff. Thomas Polhemus. Bareut Johnson. Christopher Codwise^ Garret Cowenhoven. John Suydam. Leffert Lefferts. Jeremiah Remsen. Derric Remsen. Abraham Voorhis. Agreement made with Johannis Van Eckkellen, schoolmas ter of Flatbush, in 1682. " Art. 1. — The school shall begin at 8 o'clock, and go out at 11 ; shall begin again at 1 o'clock and end at 4. The bell shall be rung before the school begins. Art. 2. — When school opens, one of. the children shall read the morning prayer as it stands in the catechism, and close with the prayer before dinner ; and in the afternoon, the same. The evening school shall begin with the Lord's prayer, and close by singing a psalm. Art. 3. — He shall instruct the children in the common pray ers ; and the questions and answers of the catechism on Wed nesdays and Saturdays, to enable them to say them better on Sunday in the church. , Art. 4. — He shall be bound tp keep his school nine months in succession, from September to June, one year with another ; and shall always be present himself Art. 5. — He shall be chorister of the church ; ring the bell three times before service, and read a chapter of the Bible in the church between the second and third ringing of the bell ; after the third ringing, he shall read the ten commandments and the twelve articles of faith,, and then set the psalm. In the afternoon, after the third ringing of the bell, he shall read a sliort chapter or one of the psalms of David, as the congregation are assembling ; afterwards he shall again set the psalm. Art. 6. — When the minister shall preach at Brooklyn or Utrecht, he shall be bound to read twice before the congrega tion from the book used for the purpose. He shall hear the children recite the questions and answers of the catechism on Sunday, and instruct them. KINGS COUNTY. 179 Art. 7. — He shall provide a basin of water for the baptism, for which he shall receive twelve styvers in Wampom for every baptism, from the parents or sponsors. He shall furnish bread and wine for the communion, at the charge of the church. He shall also serve as, messenger for the consistories. Art. 8. — He shall give the funeral invitations, and toll the bell ; and for which he shall receive, for persons of fifteen years of age and upwards twelve guilders ; and for persons under fifteen, eight guilders ; and if he shall cross the river to New- York, he stiall have four guilders more. The school money. 1st. He shall receive, for a speller or reader, three guilders a quarter ; and for a writer, 4 guilders, for the day-school. In the evening, four guilders for a speller or reader, and five guilders for a writer, per quarter. 2d. The residue of his salary shall be four hundred guilders in wheat (of Wampom value,) deliverable at Brooklyn Ferry, with the dwelling, pasturage and meadow, appertaining to the school. Done and agreed on in consistory, in the presence of the con stable and trustees, this Sth day of October, 1682. Signed by Gasper Van Zuren and the congistory," " I agree to the above articles, and promise to observe them. " Johannis Van Eckkellen." EXTRACT PROM THE STATE CENSUS OF 1835, FOR THE COUNTY OF KINGS. 1 •d •o -r 1 1 t II .s Town«. i cd s s ¦s 2s. •a S1 g < i 5 1. II It-. o rt 3 "rt 1s < 1 ii 8 "oAh 1 1 o Hi i so 157 Gravesend. 371 324 695 2587 2 255 31 134 62 105 326 237 New Utrecht. 733 554 1287 4009 135 59 197 99 165 394 338 12 415 Flatlands. 363 321 684 2881 1 158 20 114 70 116 381 239 81 406 Flatbush. 847 690 1537 231 5777 3 34 211 66 260 662 490 81 894 Bushwick. 1889 1436 339.1 . 2655 2 394 575 449 176 1179 396 8 888 Bro(.Wyn— 1st. Ward. 680 843 1523 Ss 141 227 91 105 19 91 3 2d. 2419 2255 4674 m o 2 BOOO 615 811 381 147 76 282 26 205 35 / 3d. 1204 1560 2764 7 86 401 169 116 34 98 2 4th. 2731 2993 5724 M O 3 582 919 413 360 33 192 185 129 213485 313310 Sth. 3391 2119 4510 ^¦K 427 690 326 46 46 106 6th. 1120 1019 2139 ,rt >• 463 30 285 283 109 53 444 279 7th. 1078 96l 2042 S C 1260 400 344 212 136 918 252 8Ui. 286 201 487 — o 1545 40 82 102 53 51 348 163 9th. 438 228 666 -o 1343 74 295 3411 99 31 62 302 192 1 Total. 16550 15507 32037 231 i»?.W? 8 8000 702 5007 2532 1897 5160 3355 291 4616^ 180 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. EXTRACT PROM THE RETURNS OF COMMON SCHOOLS MADE TO THE LEGISLATURE, JAN. 5, 1838. 9 o J5 > ci ' , in « oS y §¦3-1 5 0 . o "C 2-5 ^1 T3 . ¦¦3 M 5; „ "S.I ¦o i^n. !-° i=! ^ C3 ID cC c.^ Towns. o ¦2 tC JZ ::= c3 S3 -O "D §¦= .^ S s^ ¦3^ S 0 = a m 7 7 12 0. ¦" < 1580 5 5645 < Brooklyn. S1893,86 ©2076,02 ©2043 56 Bushwick. 3 1 12 150,25 14H 612 150,25 Flatbush. 2 2 12 56,54 300,00 60 344 144,87 Flatlands. 2 2 12 62,10 658,00 83 164 62,10 Gravesend. 2 2 12 58,88 341,00 76 194 58,88 New Utrecht. 3 19 3 17 9 11 126,80 ©2348,43 687,51 145 2092 284 126,80 Total. ©4063,53 ;243 :©2586,46 TOWN OP EASTHAMPTON. This is the most easterly town on Long Island. It is situa ted upon the southern branch thereof, and includes the penin sula of Montauk and Gardiner's Island. It is bounded on the east by the confluence of the Ocean with the Sound ; on the south by the Atlantic Ocean ; on the west by Southampton ; and on the north by Gardiner's Bay ahd the Sound. The south shore is in some places a low sandy beach, in others form ed into hills of every Variety of shape ; but upon Montauk there are high and rugged cliffs, against whose base the wates dash with almost continued violence^any thing like a perfect calm here, being a rare occurrence. The northern shore is much less exposed to the action of the sea, for the raost part level, and is indented with nuraerous coves and small ponds or bays, which abound with fish, and are, in some instances, na vigable for vessels of small burthen. The greatest length of this town, from the west line to Montauk Point, is about twen ty-five railes ; and centrally distant frora the city of New-Yprk one hundred and ten miles ; from Albany two hundred and six ty ; and from the court-house at Riverhead, thirty miles. The town was settled in 1649 by about thirty families frora Lynn and.the adjacent towns of Massachusetts, where they had tar- TOWN OF EASTHAMPTON. 181 ried awlitle after their arrival from England. Previous to the settlement, arrangements were made with the governors of New Haven and Connecticut to obtain a title to the lands from the native Indian proprietors. This undertaking was soon ac complished by these gentlemen, and the conveyance which they procured frora the natives is as follows : — " April the 29th, 1 648. This present wrighting testyfieth an agreement betwixt the Worshipful Theophilus Eaton, Esq., Governor of the Colony of New Haven, the Worshipful Edward Hopkins, Esq., Governor of the Colony of Connecticut, their associates on the one parte; Poygratasuck, Sachem of Manhassett ; Wayandanch, Sachem of Mmntacutt ; Momometou, Sachem of Chorchake; andNowe- donah. Sachem of Shinecock, and their associates, the other par ty. The said Sachems having sould unto the aforesaid Th : Eaton and Ed : Hopkins, with their associates, all the land lying from the bounds of the inhabitants of Southampton unto the east side of Mountacutt high-land, with the whole breadth from sea to sea, not intrenching uppon any in length or breadth which the inhabitants of Southampton have and doe possess, as they by lawful right shall make appeare ; for a con sideration of twenty coates, twenty-four hatchets, twenty-four knives, twenty looking-glasses, one hundred muxes already re ceived by us the forenamed sachems, for ourselves and asso ciates ; and in consideration thereof we give upp unto the said purchasers all our right and interest in said land, to them and their heirs, whether our or other nation whatsoever, that doe or may hereafter challenge interest therein. Alsoe we, the sayd Sachems, have covenanted to have libertie ffor ourselves to ffish in any or all the cricks and ponds, and hunting upp and dpione in the woods, without molestation ; they giving to the English inhabytants noej ust offence, or injurie to their goods and chattels. Alsoe, they are to have the ffynnes and taylesfofaW such whales as shall be cast upp, to their proper right, and desire they may be friendly dealt with in the other parte', Alsoe they reserve lib ertie to fish in convenient places fifor shells to make wampum.. Alsoe Indyns hunting any deare they should chase into the water, and the English should kill them, the English shall have the body and the Sachems the skin. And in testymony 182 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. of our well performance hereof, we have set our hands the day and yeare above written. (Signed.) " In presence of Richard Wood- t " Poygratasuck, x hull, Thomas Stanton, Rob- [ Wayandanch, x ert Bond, and Job Sayre. ) Momometou, x NOWEDONAH. X " The precaution shown by the purchasers in procuring a con veyance frora the sachems of the four eastern tribes was wisely intended to protect the inhabitants from any pretence or claim on the part of the Indians, and prevent all controversies with their descendants, which might disturb the peace or endanger the future safety of the plantation. The title which had thus been acquired by Eaton and Hopkins was, in the suceeeding year, duly transferred to the settlers, whose names, and those who were associated with them soon after, are as follows : John Hand, sen., John Miller, Samuel Beltnapp, John Stretton, sen., Luke Lilies, Charles Barnes, Thomas Tallmage,jun.j Benjamin Price, Samuel Parsons, Robert Bond, Thomas Osborn, sen., Joshua Garlick, John Mulford, William Hedges, ffulke David, Thomas Tomson, Ralph Dayton, Nathaniel Bishop, Daniel How, ' Thomas Chaifield, William Barnes, Joshua Barnes, Thomas Osborn, jun., Lyon Gardiner, Robert Rose, William Edwards,'' John Osborne, Thomas James, William ffithian, Jeremiah Neale, William Mulford, Richard Brookes, Stephen Hand, Richard Stretton, William Symonds, Thomas Baker. The town was at first called Maidstone, probably by reason that Lyon Gardiner and some others of the first planters came from a town of that name in the county of Kent, England. Bat it was shortly after ch anged by general consent to that of Easthampton, which appellation it has ever since retained, and which seemed appropriate from its relative situation in re gard to the town of Southarapton, which had been se.ttled about ten. years before. The division line of these two towns was a raatter of considerable uncertainty, and occasioned a disagree- ' able controversy between thei'r inhabitants, which lasted till the year 1664, when all disputes we re, ter min ated by conjmission- ers appointed for that purpose by the governor, and by whom the boundaries were permanently established as they now are. town of EASTHAMPTON. 183 A gift of the remaining lands of Montauk was made by the natives, some years after the settlement, as an acknowledgment and consideration of the protection which had been extend ed to the individuals of that tribe, threatened, as they were, with invasion and extermination by their enemies, and which oblig ed them to take refuge among their white neighbors of East hampton. The following is the most material part of the con veyance given on the occasion, and setting forth, likewise, the reasons which had induced them to make it : "Whereas, of late years there has been sore distresses and calamities befallen us, by reason of the cruel opposition and violence of our deadly enemy, Ninnecraft, Sachem of Narra gansett, whose cruelty hath proceeded so far as to take away the lives of many of our dear friends and relations, so that we were forced to fly from Montaukett for shelter to our beloved friends and neighbors of Easthampton, whora we found to be friendly in our distresses, and whom we must ever own and acknowledge as instruments, under God, for the preservation of our lives, and the lives of our wives and children to this day, and of the land of Montankett from the hands of our eneraies ; and since our comeing among thera, the relieving us in our ex tremities from time to time. And now, at last, we find the said inhabitants of Easthampton our deliverers, cordial and faithful in our former covenants, leaving us freely at liberty to go or stay, being ready to perform all the conditions of our aforesaid agreement. After serious debate and deliberation, in considera tion of the love which we have and do bear unto these our trusty and beloved friends of Eastharapton, upon our own free and voluntary motion, have given, granted unto them and their heirs, all the lands," (fee. This instrument then proceeds to describe and convey all the'remaining lands of Montauk east ward of the original or first purchase, reserving to themselves the right and privilege of living there again, and of using such portions of the land as their necessities might require — which right and privilege they and their posterity have ever since continued to enjoy. In the preamble of this conveyance, allu sion is made to the cruel and perfidious massacre of the Sachem and many of his best warriors, a few years before, at Block Is- 184 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. land ; for, being there on some important occasion, they were surprised in the night by a party of the Narragansett Indians ; but were promised their lives should be spared upon laying down, their arras, which they had no sooner done, than they were set upon and murdered in the most barbarous manner, only one of the whole number escaping to relate the horrid deed. The Sachem himself was reserved for further cruelty, and being conveyed to the Narragansett country, was there tor tured to death by being compelled to walk naked over flat rocks, heated to the utmost by fires built upon them. Ninigret, the chief of that powerful tribe, (called also by thediflTerent names of Janemo, Ninicraft, and Nenekunet,) had a violent hatred of the Montauks, for not only refusing on a former occasion to unite with hira in destroying the white people, but for having discovered the plot to the English, by which his de sign was frustrated, and the inhabitants saved from des truction. The words of Captain Gardiner are, " Waiandance, the Long Island Sachem, told me, that as all the plots of the Narragansetts had been discovered, they now concluded to let the English alone until they had destroyed Uncas, the Mohe gan chief, and himself ; then, with the assistance of the Mohawks and Indians beyond the Dutch, they would easily destroy us, every 'man and mother's son." Indeed, it seems suspicions were generally entertained thg-t the Dutch not only countenanc ed the Indians in their hostility to the English, but had also secretly supplied them with arms. Several Indian Sagamores residing near the Dutch, reported that the Dutch govemor bad urged them to cut off the English, and it was well known that Ninigret had spent the winter of 1652 and 3 among the Dutch. In consequence, a special meeting of the commissioners was convened at Boston, in April, 1653, but several Indian sachems, who were examined denied any agreement with the Dutch to make war upon the English. Ninigret declared that he went to New Amsterdam to be cured of some disease by a French physician ; that he carried thirty fathoms of wampum with him, of which he gave the doctor ten and to the governor fif teen, in exchange for which the governor gave him some coa/5 with sleeves, but not one gun. TOWN OF EABTHAMPTON. 185 On the first day of August, 1660, and after the death of the Sachem Wyandanch, his widow, called the Squa-Sachem, and her son, united in a deed of confirraation to the original pur chasers for the lands of Montauk ; and described by thera as extending from sea to sea, and from the easternmost parts thereof to the bounds of Easthampton, for the consideration of one hundred pounds, to be paid in ten equal annual pay ments, in Indian corn or good wampwm at six to a penny. 'ihe names inserted in the original conveyance are as fol lows: Thomas Baker, Robert Bond, Thomas James, Lion Gardiner, John Mulford, John Hand, Benjamin Prior, Thomas Tomson, Thomas Tallmage, jun. Thomas Chatfield, John StrettoH, Thomas Osborn, sen. William Hedges, Thomas Osborn, jun. Richard Stretton, Roger Smith, Jeremiah Meacham, John Osborn, William Simons, William ffithian, Richard Brookes, Joshua Garlick, William Barnes, Saihnel Parsons, Nathan BUrdsill, Robert Daiton, William Edwards, George Miller, Steven Osborn, John Miller, Steven Hand, William Mulford, Nathaniel Bishop. A patent, confirming and assuring to the inhabitants of the town the lands formerly purchased from the native Indians, was obtained from Governor Nicolls on the 13th of March, 1666. The names of the patentees are, John Mulford, justice of the peace, Mr. Thomas Baker, Thomas Chatfield, Jeremiah Conklin, Thomas Hedges, Thomas Osborn, sen., and John Osborn ; for themselves and their associates the freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Easthampton ; together with all havens, harbors, creeks, quarries, woodlands, meadows, &,c. ; and, what is somewhat peculiar, this patent contains no reser vation of any quit-rent, as was usual in most charters granted by the colonial governors. It may gratify curiosity to be in formed, that the names of thirteen of the original settlers of this town are extract, while there are descendants of the remainder in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth degrees, residing here ; and in many cases the posterity of the first inhabitants are in possession of the identical lands of their ancestors. At the beginning of the settlement, a house lot, consisting of ten or 24 186 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND, twelve acres of ground, was laid out to each proprietor at the south end of the town, and upon each side of the town pond (so called), for the greater convenience of water for themselves and their cattle. The woodlands and meadows were next laid out, and allotted to individuals by town vote. All public measures were adopted in town meetings, called in the records the general court ; at which it was made the duty of every male inhabitant to attend. And to this court were brought all ap peals frora raagistrates and other public officers. But these meetings were liable to disorder and tumult from the number oi those who attended, and the want of a more eflicient judicial system was become too obvious to be longer dispensed with ; in which emergency the people very naturally looked to their brethren of New England for assistance. Accordingly, on the 7th of March, 1658, it was ordered and determined by the general court, upon due consideration, that Ralph Dayton, one oftheir most discreet men, should go to Connecticut to procure the evidence for their lands, and a code of laws. Whether the commissioner brought over, among other things, a copy of the famous " Blue Laws," we are not informed. The probability is, that most of the provisions of that singular code had by this time become in a good measure obsolete even with the Yankees themselves. The town of Southampton had erected one or two grist-mills in the early part of the settlement, and the people of this town were under the necessity of carrying their grain there to be ground. The first mill is said to have been worked by oxen ; and in the absence of horses, bulls were used for transporting the grain. This town continued an in dependent plantation or community until the year 1657, when by mutual consent, and for more perfect protection, they put themselves under the jurisdiction of the colony of Connecticut. The raagistrates having frequently, in diflicult cases, found it necessary to consult with their neighbors of Southampton and Southold, and sometimes also " the gentlemen at Hartford." On the 9th of December, 1658, it was voted in the general court, and decided, " that the capital laws, and the laws and or ders that are noted in the bodie of laws that came from Con necticut, shall stand in force among us." In the municipal ar- TOWN OF EASTHAMPTON. 187 rangement of public officers, they consisted of three magistrates, a recorder or clerk, and constable ; the latter was considered an important office, being a conservator of the peace and a "moderator of the general court, and was, as matter of course, always a person of mature years and of established character and respectability. The duty of the recorder was not only to enter the proceedings of the town meetings, but the decisions of the magistrates, and even the depositions and testimony of witnesses upon trials. Trials were either with or without ju ries, at the discretion of the magistrate. Frora the year 1650 to 1664, about sixty cases tried before the courts are found re corded in the town books, mostly for small debts and actions of slander; which latter action seems to have been extremely frequent in most of the towns. The recovery in such cases was Umited to five pounds, while in other actions the jurisdiction was unlimited. An extraordinary instance occurred in the case of Lion Gardiner of the Isle of Wight, who was prosecuted in this court for a claim of five hundred pounds sterling. The case was this : A Southampton man had hired a Dutchman to bring him a freight from the Manhadoes to Easthampton. The vessel was taken by the English, and brought to that is land, when Captain Gardiner retook her in behalf of the Dutch owners. Being prosecuted by the original captors to recover from him the value of the vessel and cargo, as well as damages which had been sustained, and the subject matter being not only of great iraportance, but involving principles of law be yond the learning of the town magistrates, it was very properly determined to refer the case to the court at Hartford. The plaintiff having ^probably little confidence in the justice of his cause, failed to appear, and the matter was dropped. The ge neral town court possessed of course unlimited authority in all respects, and every matter of a public nature, or concerning the interest and safety of individuals, was heard and determined in this primary assembly of the people. It was usual, if not re quired, that all important contracts and agreements, and particu larly those entered into between the English and Indians re lating to the killing of whales, should be entered upon the town books, and signed by the parties in presence of the clerk 188 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. and certified by him. Boat whaling was so generally practised, and was considered of so much iraportance by the whole com munity, that every man of sufficient ability in the town was obliged to take his turn in watching for whales from some ele vated position on the beach, and to sound the alarm on one being seen near the coast. For the want of other materials, at the comraenceraent of the settleraent the first houses and other buildings were covered with straw ; and for the greater safety from fires, it was required, under a penalty, that the o^y^ner of every dwelling should furnish himself with a ladder that should reach as high as the ridge ; and a person was likewise appointed to see that chimnies were kept well plastered upon the inside and swept frequently. Laws were also passed ren dering it highly penal to dispose of any guns, swords, lead or powder, to the Indians ; or selling to any Indian more than two drams of strong water at any time. These people were occasionally troublesome to the settlers, and in 1653 became so dangerous that the inhabitants took measures to obtain a large supply of ammunition frora the fort at Saybrook, and a patrole was almost constantly on duty to guard against the conse quences of a sudden attack. The general court passed an or der authorizing the guard to shoot any Indian that should re fuse to surrender when hailed the third time. And it was usual, at this perilous crisis, for the people, or some portion of them, to carry their arms with thera to the church on Sunday. The governraent under Oliver Crora well, having resolved on a war against the Dutch settlements in America, circulars were addressed on the subject to the different towns to request their assistance. Accordingly the people of this town, on the 29th of June, 1654, determined as follows : " Having duly con sidered the letters that came from Connecticut, wherein men are required to assist the power of England against the Dutch, we do think ourselves called to assist the said power accord ingly." In the year 1655 the inhabitants entered into an agreement or civil combination in the words following : « Forasmuch as it has pleased the 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 TOWN OF EASTHAMPTON. 189 together ; the word of God requires that to maintain the peace and union of such a people, there should be an orderly and de cent government established, according to God, to order and dispose as occasion shall require ; we do therefore sociate and conjoin ourselves and successors to be one town or corporation, and do for ourselves and successors, and such as shall be ad joined 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 practised among us ; as also in our civil affairs to be guided and governed by such laws and orders as shall be made ¦ according to God, and which by the vote of the major part shall be in force araong us. Further more we do engage ourselves, that in all votes for choosing officers or making orders, that it be according to conscience and ear 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 totheir orders and laws, that either are or shall be made, not swerving therefrom. In witness whereof," &c. The first settlers of the several towns in Connecticut seem to have entered into formal contracts of this nature. The prece ding is said to have been taken from ftiat of Windsor, and it is probable that the English towns on Long Island, in their origin, adopted compacts of a similar kind. "March 19, 1657, it is ordered that Thomas Baker and John Hand is to go to Connecticut for to bring us under their goverment, according unto the terms as Southarapton is, and also to carry up Good wife Garlick, that she may be delivered up unto the eiuthorities there, for her tryal of the cause of Witch craft, which she is suspected for." The town was received into the jurisdiction of Connecticut, but the fate of good wife Garlick is not known. On the arrival of Governor Nicolls in 1664, and his assuming jurisdiction over the whole of Long Island, and requiring the several towns to subrait to his authority, this town passed the following resolve: "The inhabitants of this town, understanding that we are off from Connecticut, and 190 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. the magistrates not willing to act further upon that account ; that we may not be without law and goverment, it is agreed the forraer laws and magistrates shall stand in force till we have further order from York." The cautious vigilance and sys tematic prudence of the people of this puritan town may be seen from the following extracts from the town records : " May 10^ 1651, it ordered that no man shall sell his accommodation to another without consent of the town, and if any purchase without consent, he shall not enjoy the same." " No raan shall sell any liquor, but such as are deputed thereto by the town, and no more than half a pint shall be drank at a tirae among four men ; and it is further ordered that good man Megg's lot shall not be laid out for James to go to work on, and that he shall not stay here." — " February 12, 1656, it is ordered that whoever shall raise up a false witness against any man, to testify that which is wrong, it shall be done unto him as he had thought to have done unto his neighbor, whatever it be, even unto the taking away of life, limb, or raeraber." — "And whosoever shall rise up in anger against his neighbor, and strike him, he shall forthwith pay ten shillings to the town, and stand to the censure of the court ; and if, in smiting, he shall hurt or wound aiMther, he shall pay for the same, and also for the time the person is thereby hin dered." — " And whosoever shall slander another, shall be liable to pay a fine of five pounds." — "April llth, 1664, it appearing that Nathaniel York did strike Obediah the Indian, several stripes, he is satisfied from him by half a bushel of corn, and his fine is left to the town's determination." — " January 19th, 1695, it is resolved that the Rev. Mr. James shall have prefer ence in the grinding of his corn at the raill on the second day of every week, and shall be preferred to any other person, un less his grain shall be in the hopper." " March 7th, 1650. At a general court it is ordered that any man raay set guns to kill wolves, provided they be not set within half a mile of the town, and also to take up the guns by sunrise ; and further, that it shall not be lawful to sell any dog or bitch, young or old, to any Indian, upon penalty of thirty shillings." « June 3d, 1653. It is ordered tbat one half of the TOWN OP EASTHAMPTON. 191 town shall carry arms to meeting upon the Lord's Day, with four sufficient charges of powder and shot." May Sth, 1655. It is ordered, that for the prevention of abuse among the Indians, by selling them strong waters, no man shall carry any to them to sell, nor yet send any, nor employ any to sell for them ; nor sell any liquor in said town to any Indian for their present drinking, above two drams at a time." It seems that the practice of boat whaling along-shore was practised here at an early pe riod, and was probably pursued to some extent on the whole south shore of the island. Contracts were frequently entered into between the white people and the Indians, to engage in whaling, raany of which are recorded. The following are co pied from the town books : " Easthampton, Aprill 2d, 1668. Know all" men by these presents, y' wee whose names are signed hereunto, being In dians of Montauket, do engage ourselves in a bond of ten pounds sterling for to goe to sea uppon ye account of killing of whales, this next ensuing season, beginning at the 1st day of November next, ending by ye first of Aprill ensuing ; and that for ye proper account of Jacobus Skallenger and his part ners of Easthampton ; and engage to attend dilligently with all opportunitie for ye killing of whales or other fish, for ye sum of three shillings a day for every Indian ; ye sayd Jacobus Skallenger and partners to furnish all necessarie craft and tack ling convenient for ye designe." " Agreement made the 4th of January, 1669, between ye whale compmies of East and Southampton. If any companie shall finde a dead whale up pon the shore, killed by ye other, a person shall bee immediate ly sent to give notice ; and the person bringing the news to bee well rewarded. And if one companie shall finde any whale so killed at sea, they shall endeavol to secure them, and have one half for their pains, and any irons found in thera to bee return ed to ye owners." In 1654, the raasristrates of the town ordered the rates to be paid in wheat at four shillings and sixpence a bushel, and In dian corn at three shillings and sixpence. The first raeeting- house was erected in the year 1652, which was twenty-six feet square and covered with thatch, as raost, if not all, the houses 192 HISTORY OP LONQ ISLAND. were at that time. Previous to which, meetings were held at the ordinary kept by Thomas Baker, and for which he was al lowed eighteen pence for each Lord's Day. A second meeting house was built in 1673, and to which the following entry re fers : " Whereas there was an agreement made between the town and Joshua Garlick about building a meeting-house, know therefore all raen by these presents, that he hath finished his work according to the town's expectation : — September 10 1674. Benjamin Conkling, Richard Shaw, John Parsons, John Mulford, Thomas Talmage." The present church was built in 1717, and is of course at this time more than one hun dred and twenty years old. It had formerly a second or upjier gallery, which has been taken down, and the interior so far modernized as to lose its ancient appearance in a great measure. The Rev. Thoraas James was the first minister in this town, and an early settler in the year 1 650. His ancestry is not known. It is conjectured, however, that he was a son of the Rev. Thomas Jaraes, who preached at Charlestown, in Massa chusetts, in 1633, who went to Virginia as a missionary in 1642, and, as is supposed, afterwards returned to England. It is the tradition that he carae from England before he had finished his studies, and that he completed his education with some of the ministers who at that tirae adorned the churches of New England. He was a man of strong natural powers, had a good education, understood public business, and was of ten eraployed by the town to act for them on difficult emergen cies. He was recorder of the town, and much of the first re cords are in his hand-writing. In 1651 the inhabitants agreed to give hira fifty pounds a-year for his labors in the ministry araong them. Mr. Jaraes seeras to have been the first person employed to instruct the Indians on the island. In the ac counts of the society for propagating the gospel in New En gland for 1661, there is an allowance of ten pounds to Mr. James of Easthampton, for preparing himself for that difficult employment ; and in the accounts for the succeeding three years, there is an allowance of twenty pounds a-year for each of those years to Mr. James, for his salary for instructing ¦ « the Indians at Long Island," He continued here till his death, TOWN OF EASTHAMPTON. 193 in 1696, The people employed a Mr, Jones to assist him dur ing the three last years of his life, in consequence of his a^e and infirmities, he having relinquished forty pounds of his salary to enable them to do it. Mr. James ordered his body to be laid in a position contrary to that of his people, and he was buried in that manner. On the 20th of November, 1695, he sold and conveyed his real estate to John Gardiner, of Gardi ner's Island, for five hundred pounds, one half of which was paid imraediately, and Mr. Gardiner obligated himself to pay the other half to the assigns oi Mr. James within one month next after his decease. Frora his selling his estate, and espe cially frora the omission of any terras of relationship in the de scription of the persons to whom Mr. Gardiner was to pay the residue of the purchase money, it has been inferred that Mr. James did not leave any posterity ; yet it is ascertained that he left two daughters, one of whom was the wife of a Mr. Stretton, and the other of Mr. Dimont, both of this town. Mr. James seeras to have been very zealous for the preserva tion of civil liberty and the protestant religion, which he saw endangered by the arbitrary raeasures and bigoted principles of James II. and his catholic governors, and probably freely and boldly expressed his apprehensions in the pulpit. In the mi nutes of the council for November 18th, 1686, it is stated, that on the reception of two depositions charging the Rev. Thomas James, of Easthampton with having preached a certain sedi tious sermon on the 17th of October preceding, an order was passed for a warrant to be issued to have Mr. James before the council that day fortnight to answer the premises. The result cannot be ascertained frora the records. There is little known also of his character, but sufficient indications in the records of the town evince that he was a faithful preacher and prudent man. The Rev. Nathaniel Hunting was the successor of Mr. James. He was born at Dedham, Massachusetts, November 15, 1675. His grandfather was John Hunting, who came from England in September, 1638, and settled at Dedham, where he died, April 12, 1682. He is said to have been a near relative of the memorable John Rogers, who for his religion was burned at the 25 194 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. stake in the reign of Queen Mary. Mr. Hunting, of Dedham, had three sons, of whom one was John, the father of the minis ter of this town. His wife was Elizabeth Payne, by whom he had seven sons and three daughters. His son, the Rev. Mr. Hunting, graduated at Harvard College in 1693, and came to this town in 1696, where he was finally settled, Septeraber 13, 1699, at a salary of sixty pounds a-year ; in addition to which, the town gave him the use of all the parsonage lands, built him a house, and gave it to him, with the lot it stood upon, in fee. He continued to preach till 1746, a period of fifty years, and having become infirm, was at his own request disraissed. His death took place in 1753. His wife was Mary Green, by whom he had ten children, four of whom died young. His only daughter married Mr. Coit of New-London. Six sons attained maturity ; two were farmers, and the rest liberally educated. Nathaniel and Jonathan were ministers, but were compelled to desist from preaching on account of their health. The latter died here in 1750 ; Edward was a physician, and died here in 1745 ; Nathaniel died in 1770; Samuel was a merchant, and lived at Southampton. His son, Sarauel, graduated at Yale College in 1767, and died in the West Indies, where he had been sent upon public business during the revolution. Benjamin, another son, was the late Colonel Hunting, one of the principal founders of the whaling business at Sagg Harbor, and who died, greatly re spected, on the 17th of August, 1807, at the age of fifty-three. The Rev. Jonathan Hunting, of Southold, is a grandson of the last-named Nathaniel Hunting. The third minister of this town was the Rev. Samuel Puell, born at Coventry, Connecticut, September 1, 1716, and gradu ated at Yale College in 1741. He studied theology with the Rev. Doctor Edwards of Northampton, afterwards president of Princeton College. Ho was ordained as an itinerant preacher in 1743, and on the 19th of Septeraber, 1746, was installed pastor of this church. When Long Island fell into the hands of the British in 1776, he remained with his people, while many of the inhabitants removed, and did much to relieve their distresses. He was attached to literature and science, and was the father and patron of Clinton Academy. His house was the TOWN OP EASTHAMPTON. 195 mansion of hospitality. Possessing a large fund of instructive and entertaining anecdote, his company was pleasing to persons of every age. He followed two wives and eight children to the grave. His only surviving child is the widow of the late Rev. Aaron Wool worth of Bridgeharapton. His first wife was Jerusha, daughter of the Rev. Joseph Meacham of Coventry; the second was Mary, daughter of Elisha Mulford of this town ; and the third, Mary, daughter of Jereraiah Miller, and who still survives. Mr. Buell died July 19th, 1798, and, with his two predecessors, completed a ministerial period in this place of one hundred and fifty -four years. His daughter Jerusha was the wife of David Gardiner, and mother of the late John Lyon Gardiner, of Gardiner's Island. The fourth rainister of this town was the Rev. Lyman Beecher, who was born at Guilford, Connecticut, in 1773, and graduated at Yale College in 1797. His settlement took place September 5, 1799, and reraained till 1810, when he remov ed to Litchfield. He shortly after went to Boston, where he was greatly distinguished for his superior talents, his theolo gical acquireraents, and pulpit eloquence. These qualifications, united with long experience, have established his fame, and caused him to be promoted to the presidency of Lane Seminary in Ohio, where his abilities have full scope for exercise, and his sphere of usefulness is greatly extended. His person and character have been thus briefly described by a writer who seems to have been well acquainted with him : — "Doctor Beecher (says this writer) is in size below the usual stature ; spare and rigid, with bones of brass and nerves of steel-like elasticity. His walk and gesticulation are characteristically rapid and vehement ; his grey eye kindles incessantly with the action of his mind, and the whole of his face indicates an energy unsubdued and unsubduable, with a moral fearlessness before which stern men will involuntarily feel their spirits quailing." He has within a few years been subjected to strong opposition, and no little censure from his theological brethren ; and his publi cations have been criticized with great severity, whether properly or not, must be left to the decision of those better skilled than we profess to be, in those metaphysical subtleties which make no 196 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. inconsiderable part of raost af religious systems. It is probable, however, that the difficulties he has encountered have had a tendency to elevate the character and enhance the popularity of Dr. Beecher. His immediate successor here was the Rev. Ebenezer Phillips, a descendant of the Rev. George Phillips, forraer minister of Brookhaven. He was settled in 1811, and removed, a few years after, on account of his-health, and was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Condict. The present clergyman is the Rev. Samuel R. Ely. Clinton Academy was erected here in 1785, being the first institution of the kind upon Long Island, and is much indebt ed, for its origin and success, to the Rev. Dr. Buell, and Mr. William Payne, father of John Howard Payne, formerly known as the "American Roscius." Mr. Payne had a high reputation as an instructor, and the school under his management obtain ed much celebrity. He removed, some years after, to New- York, and finally to Boston, where he conducted a seminary with great credit and usefulness. This academy has always maintained a reputable rank among similar institutions, and has done much to elevate the standard of education in this part of the island. The Rev. Henry Davis, late president of Ham ilton College, the Hon. Alfred Conkhng, one of the judges of the District Court of the United States, and Silvanus Miller, Esq., an eminent counsellor of the city of New- York, and for mer surrogate, are natives of this town, and received their early education at this seminary. President Dwight, in his travels, speaking of this place, says," A general air of equality, simpli city, and quiet, is visible here, in a degree perhaps singular. Sequestered, in a great measure, from the busy world, the peo ple exhibit not the same activity and haste which meet the eye in some other places. There is, however, no want of the social character, but it is regulatedrather by the long-continued customs of this single spot, than by the mutable fashions of a great city." The village of Eastharapton is confined to a single street, of about a mile long and eight or ten rods wide. The dwellings are about one hundred, mostly of antiquated appearance, and rarely painted. The village of Amagansett is situated three miles further east, is of similar appearance, and of nearly equal TOWN OF EASTHAMPTON. 197 antiquity, if we may judge from the number of graves, and the early date of many of the inscriptions. The houses are about fifty ; and the inhabitants, like those of the town, generally are farmers and mechanics. The peninsula of Montauk contains nine thousand acres, a part of which was formerly covered with wood, which has of late years much depreciated. There are several ponds of fresh water, and some considerable bays, which communicate with the Sound. The land is owned by about forty individuals, as tenants in comraon. The original shares are divided into eighths, worth al this time three hundred dollars each, and en titles the owner thereof to the pasture of seven cattle or forty- nine sheep. The Indians have a usu-fructuary interest in a portion of the land; but as the race is nearly extinct, this in cumbrance must be of short duration. The soil of this tract is generally of a good quality, and affords a great deal of pasture, for which it is used entirely. The surface is rough, and in sorae places so precipitous as to render the travelling soraewhat alarming. There is a sublimity and wildness, as well as soli tariness here, which leave a powerful impression on the heart In a storm, the scene which the ocean presents is awfully grand and terrific. On the extreme point stands the tall white column erected by the government for a light-house in 179.^, at an expense of twenty-two thousand, three hundred dollars, It is constructed of stone in the raost substantial manner, and would seem almost to bid defiance to time and the elements. There is a public-house near by, much resorted to by stran gers in the warm season from every quarter of the country. The following beautiful and descriptive lines, written on the spot by Mrs. Sigourney in 1837, are well worthy of preser vation : " TJltima Thule! of this ancient isle, Against whose breast the everlasting surge Long travelling on, and ominous of wrath, For ever beats. Thou lift'st an eye of light Unto the vex'd and storm-toss'd mariner, Guiding him safely io his home again. So teach us, 'mid our own sore ills, to wear The crown of mercy, and with changeless Eye, look up to Heaven." 198 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. A singular event took place in this town about half a century ago, the circumstances of which seem worth relating. An itin erant pedlar, with the usual assortment oi notions, arrived in the village late upon a Saturday evening, and apparently afflicted with the measles. As the most expeditious mode of notifying the people of his arrival, he resolved to attend church next morn ing, against the remonstrances of his host, who thought it high ly improper. He, however, persisted, and accordingly placed himself in the midst of the worshipping assembly. After meet ing, the facts transpiring, excited great alarm and indignation, and the wrath of the people was kindled against the pedlar. He saw, but too plainly, indications of the rising storm, and very prudently shouldered hrs pack early in the morning, and made the best of his way to the next town. But the incensed populace were not disposed to let him off so easily ; a few young men pursued and brought him back to the village, where they vented their wrath upon their victim by parading hira through the street upon a rail, and ever and anon plunging him over head and ears into one or other of the town ponds, of which there happened, very conveniently for their purpose, to be one at each end of the village. Having finally escaped from his enemies, he made no delay in finding a lawyer, and who hap pened to be the late Aaron Burr. The terrors of the law were fully visited upon the delinquents, and resulted in a verdict for theplaintiff of one thousand dollars. The defendants were of course dissatisfied, and the people of the town could not per ceive the justice of the verdict, seeing that raore than ninety of thera caught the measles, of which several are said to have died, Gardiner's Island was called by the Indians Manchotiock, and by the English Isle of Wight. It lies upon the north-east side of Gardiner's Bay, and contiiins about three thousand three hundred acres, including the beaches and fish ponds. The shape is irregular, the soil of a good quality, and there is a suf ficiency of woodland and salt meadow. From its first settle ment in 1639 to the year 1780, it remained an independent plantation ; but in the latter year it was annexed by law to the town of Easthampton, and of which it constitutes a very im- TOWN OP EASTHAMPTON. 199 portant part, being generally assessed for about one sixth of the public expenses of the town. Its distance from the nearest shore of Long Island is three miles, six from Oyster-Pond Point, and ten from the village of Easthampton. By virtue of his authority frora the Earl of Stirling, James Farret conveyed this island to Lyon Gardiner on the 10th of March, 1639, he having previously agreed with the native In dian proprietors for their right. The consideration paid to the Indians, according to well-established tradition, was one large black dog, one gun and ammunition, some rum, and a few Dutch blankets. He was also to pay to the Earl of Stirling and his heirs the yearly sum of five pounds, if demanded. " Of Lyon Gardiner, Governor Winthrop in his journal says, that on the 29th of November, 1635, there arrived a small barque of twenty-five tons, sent by the Lords Say and Brook, with one Gardiner, an expert engineer or work-base, and pro visions of all sorts, to begin a fort at the mouth of Connec ticut River." In Trumble's History, it is said " that Lyon Gar diner, who had been procured to superintend the fort at Say brook, and who afterwards commanded the garrison, was a gentleman of respectability and worth." He was a native of Scotland, and had served as a lieutenant iu the British army in the Low Countries. He belonged to the republican party, with the illustrious Hamden, Oliver Cromwell, and others of the same spirit. He continued in the command at Saybrook till the fall of 1639, when he removed to, and took possession of, the island which he had purchased in the spring. On the settle ment of Easthampton, ten years thereafter, he reraoved there, where he continued to reside. He was chosen a magistrate, and transacted various public business till his decease in 1663. His son David, born at Saybrook April 29, 1636, is generally believed to have been the first white child born in Connectieut, as his daughter Elizabeth, born September 14, 1641, was the first child born of European parents within the hmits of Suf folk County. The family Bible of Mr. Gardiner is now in possession of his descendants upon the island, in which is written, in his own hand, as follows : " In the year 1635, the 10th day of July, 200 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. came I, Lyon Gardiner, and Mary my wife, from Woden, a town of Holland, where my wife was born, being the daughter of one Diricke Willemson ; her mother's name was Hachir, and her aunt, sister of her mother, was the wife of Wonter Le- anderson. Old Burger Muster, dwelling in the Hostade, over against the Bruser, in the Unicorne's Head ; her brother's name was Punce Garretson, also old Burger Muster. We carae from Woden to London, and frora thence to New England, and dwelt at Saybrook fort four years ; it is at the mouth of Con necticut River, of which I was comraander ; and there was born to me a son, named David, the first born in that place ; and in 1638 a daughter was born, named Mary, 30th of August, and then I went to an island of my own, which I had bought of the Indians, called by them Manchonock, by us Isle of Wight, and there was born another daughter the 14th of Sep tember, 1641, she being the first child of English parents born there." While he lived upon the island, he was instrumental in performing an important service to Wyandance, the Long Island Sachem, in return for which the Sachem presented him a deed in 1659 for the land which now composes the town of Smithtown, and which Mr. Gardiner, in 1663, sold to Richard Smith, the first settler of that town. The service performed by Gardiner was the redeeming from his Indian enemies the Sachem's daughter, who, with others, had been captured at Block Island. His son Daniel went to England, where he married in 1657, and came into possession of the island on the death of his father in 1663. In 1689 he was chosen by the eastern towns to represent thera on sorae matters of importance before the ge neral assembly at Hartford, where he died suddenly, and was buried at that place. The following is a copy of the inscrip tion upon his tomb in the city of Hartford, " Here lyeth the body of Mr. David Gardiner, of Gar diner's Island, deceased July 10, 1689, in the fifty fovrth year of his age, well, sick, dead in one hovr's space." He left two sons, John and Lyon. The former possessed the island, and the latter settled in Easthampton, and was ac- TOWN OP EASTHAMPTON. 201 cidentally shot by one Samuel Bennet, while hunting deer toge ther near three-mile-harbor. He left two sons, Lyon and Giles. The latter died young, leaving no son. Lyon remained in the town, where he died in 1781, at the age of ninety-three. He was a wealthy farmer, and was highly esteemed and res pected. His sons were John, Lyon, and Jeremiah. Lyon died without issue. John lived in the town of Easthampton, where he died in 1780, aged fifty-nine. He was a man of more than ordinary talents, much devoted to philosophy and the mathematics, for which he was distinguished. He had a son, John, who hired the estate of his father, and followed the busi ness of a farmer till a short tirae previous to his death. In 1795 he purchased a farra at Moriches, where he died, at the age of forty-eight, in the year 1800. He left three sons, the Rev. John D. Gardiner, Abraham H. Gardiner, and Dr. Aaron F. Gardiner. John Gardiner, the eldest son of David, died in possession of the island in 1764. His sons were David and John. The latter becarae the owner of Eaton's Neck about the year 1786, where he died, a few years since, leaving three sons, Jonathan, John, and Matthew. David became the owner of the island, and married the daughter of the Rev. Mr. Buell, by whom he had two sons, John Lyon, and David. The latter settled at Flushing, where he died, leaving sons. John Lyon raarried the daughter of the Hon. Roger Griswold, and died upon the island, November 22, 1816. His son, John G. Gardiner, is now the owner, and in possession of the island, having purchased the interest of his surviving brother and sister. The staple produce of this island are beef, wheat, and cheese; and the average stock consists of twenty-five hundred sheep, one hundred horses, sixty-five cows, and four hundred other neat cattle. The notorious pirate Kidd, having visited, and buried a va luable treasure upon this island, it may seem not improper to give a brief account of that individual. William Kidd, the famous freebooter and pirate, was the commander of a merchant vessel which sailed between New- York and London, and celebrated for his nautical skill and enterprise -. on which account he was strongly recommended 26 202 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. by Mr. Livingston of New- York, then in London, as a proper person to take charge of a vessel which Lord Romney and others had purchased, and were then fitting out against the hordes of marauders which infested the Indian seas, and prey ed upon the commerce of all nations. The expense of this ex pedition was £6000 sterling. It was a joint fund, to which the King, liOrd Somers, the Earl of Rumsey, the Duke of Shrews bury, the Earl of Oxford, Lord Bellaraont, and Mr. Livingston were contributors. Kidd agreed to be concerned to the amount of one-fifth of the whole, and Mr. Livingston became his sure ty for the sum of £600. He soon set sail, and arrived on the Araerican coast, where he continued for some time, and was useful in protecting our coraraerce, for whic,h he received rauch public applause ; and the asserably of this state voted hira the sumof£250 as an acknowledgment of his services. He soon after established himself at the Island of Madagascar, where he lay like a shark, darting out at pleasure, and robbing with impunity the vessels of every country. Having captured a larger and better vessel than his own, he burnt the one in which he had sailed, and took command of the other ; in which he ranged over the Indian coast from the Red Sea to Malabar, and his depredations extended frora the Eastern Ocean, back along the Atlantic coast of South Araerica, through the Bahamas, the whole West Indies, and the shores of Long Island. The last of which were selected as the fittest for depositing his ill-gotten treasures. He is supposed to have returned from the east with more valuable spoil than ever fell to the lot of any other individual. On his home ward passage from the West Indies to Boston, where he was finally apprehended, he anchored in Gardiner's Bay, and in the presence of the owner of the island, Mr. Gardiner, and under the most solemn injunctions of secrecy, buried a chest of gold, silver, and precious stones. On the 3d of July, 1699, he was summoned before Lord Bellaraont at Boston, and prder- ed to report his proceedings while in the service of the com pany ; which, refusing to do, he was immediately arrested and transported to England, where he was tried, convicted, and executed at " Execution Dock " on the 12th of May, 1701. TOWN OP EASTHAMPTON, 203 He was found guilty of the murder of William Moore, gunner of the ship, and was hung in chains, Mr. John G. Gardiner has a small piece of gold cloth, which his father received from Mrs. Wetmore, who gave also the following account of Kidd's visit to the island. " I remember, (she says,) when very young, hearing my mother say that her grand-mother was wife to Lord Gardiner when the pirate carae to that island. He wanted Mrs. Gardiner to roast him a pig ; she being afraid to refuse him, roasted it very nice, and he was much pleased with it. He then made her a present of this cloth, which she gave to her two daughters ; what became of the other, know I not ; but this was handed down to me, and is, I believe, as nice as when first given, which must be upwards of a hundred years." It having been ascertained that he had buried treasures upon this island, commissioners were sent by Governor Bellaraont, who obtained the same, and for which they gave the following receipt : " A true account of all such gold, silver, jewels, and mer chandize, late in the possession of Captain William Kidd, which have been seized and secured by us pursuant to an or der from his Excellency, Richard Earl of Bellaraont, bearing date July 7, 1699. Received, the 17th instant, of Mr. John Gardiner, viz.' ounces. No. I. One bag of dust-gold, - - - 63| 2, One bag of coined gold, - - - - - 11 and one in silver, ------ 124 3. One bag duat-gold, • - . . . 24J 4. Oiie bag of silver rings, and sundry precious stones, - 4|. 5. One bag of unpolished stones, - - 1£J 6. One piece of crystal, cornelian rings, two agates, two amythists. 7. One bag silver buttons and lamps, . - - 8. One bag of broken silver, . - - 173^ 9. One bag of gold bars, ----- 353J 10. One do. ------ - 238i 11. One bag of dust-gold, ----- 59 j 12. One bag silver bars. . . - - 399 Samuel Sewall, Nathaniel Byfield, Jeremiah Dummer, Andrew Belcher, Commissioners. 204 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON. This town, called by the natives Agawam, is bounded south by the ocean, west by Brookhaven, north, partly by Riverhead and partly by Peconic Bay, separating it from Southold, and east by Easthampton. Length, from east to west, about twenty miles ; and breadth, in the widest place, six miles. The name was given in remembrance of Southampton in England, from which port the settlers took their departure from Europe, The surface is generally level, and the soil a light sandy loam, except the western part, which is mostly sand, and the roads heavy and tedious. About the villages of Southarapton, Bridgeharapton, and Sagg, the soil is naturally fertile, and is well cultivated. This town was settled in 1640, being cotem porary with the settlement of Southold, nine years previous to Easthampton and fifteen anterior to Brookhaven. In Ogilby's Araerica, it is raentioned that about the year 1640, by a fresh supply of people that settled Long Island, there was erected a town called Southampton, arid severed (he says) from the con tinent of Newhaven, they not finding a place in any other of the colonies. In Winthrop's Journal, he states that about forty families, finding themselves straitened, left the tovi^n of Lynn with the design of settling a new plantation. They invited Mr. Abraham Pierson, of Boston, to become their minister, who, with seven of the emigrants, entered into a church covenant before they departed. By an agreement, bearing date the 17th of April, 1640, Jaraes Farret, agent of the Earl of Stirling, authorized Captain Daniel How, Job Sayre, and others their associates, to purchase lands, and forra a settlement on Long Island ; " with as full and free liberty, both in church order and civil government, as the plantations in Massachusetts enjoyed." In consequence of this agreement. Captain How and his asso ciates sailed from Lynn in a vessel belonging to him, and arriv ed at Cow Bay, in the western part of Long Island, sometimes called Scout's Bay. On their arrival they made a purchase of the natives, which extended from the eastern part of Oyster Bay to the western part of Cow Bay, (afterwards named How's TOWN OP SOUTHAMPTON. 205 Bay,) to the middle of the plains, being half the breadth of the island ; and immediately commenced a settlement in the western part of their purchase. " On receiving information of this. Governor Kieft sent men to take possession, who set up the arms of the Prince of Orange on a tree. The Lynn people cut down the tree, and began to build. Captain How likewise took away the Prince's arms, and in stead thereof an Indian drew a very ugly face. This so incensed the governor, that he sent Cornelius Van Tienhoven, the secretary, the under-sheriff, a sergeant and twenty-five soldiers, to break up the settlement. The party set out on the 14th, and returned the 15th of May. They found the company, consisting of eight raen and a woraan with an infant, who had erected one house, and were engaged in erecting another. The party brought six of the raen with them to the governor, to wit. Job Sayre, George Wells, John Farrington, Philip Cartland, Nathaniel Cartland, and Williara Harcher, whom he confined, and exarained on oath. On exa mination it appeared that they came from Lynn, near Boston, and were brought to the island by James Farret, in a vessel commanded by Daniel How, both of whom had returned to New-Haven. On the 19th, these men, on signing an agree ment to leave the place, were dismissed." After their settlement at Cow Bay was broken up. Captain How and his associates came to this town, bargained with the natives for a tract of land, and advSnced them a part of the consideration to secure the purhase. On the 13th of December, 1640, they arranged the payment of the balance, obtained a deed for the land, and commenced their settlement. They held their first town meet ing on the 6th of April, 1641, and their proceedings are regu larly recorded from that period. The acknowledgment to the Earl of Stirling, or his heirs, was fixed by Governor Winthrop of Boston in 1641, according to an agreement with Jaraes Farret, at four bushels of Indian corn, payable the last day of September annually, at Southarapton. Soon after their arrival, they were joined by other farailies, according to agreeraent previously raade at Lynn; for while there, they forraed a civil contract, and entered into articles of confederation for their future government. Of one of these instruments the following is a copy : 206 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. "Know all men whome these presents may concerne, yt whereas it is expressed in our agreement that the power of dis- posinge of lands and admission of inhabitants into our planta- con, shall at all tymes remaine in the hands of us, the said undertakers, to us and our heyres forever ; and our intent and meaning is, that when our plantacon is layd out by those ap- poynted accordinge to our artikle ; and that there shall be a church gathered and constituted accordinge to the mynde of Christ, that then wee doe ffreely lay downe our power both of orderinge and disposinge of the plantacon, and receiv- inge of inhabitants, or any other thinge, provided that they shall not doe any thing contrary to the true meaninge of the fformer artikles. ffurtherraore, whereas it is expressed in a fforraer artikle, that the lands of the undertakers should at all tymes remaine ffree, affordinge any help to build meetinge- houses, or makinge a bridge, or mendinge of highways or the like, duringe the tyme of their discontinuance ffrom the planta con ; it is thought meete that it shall take place and stande in fforce but two yeares, unless there be some good reason given for it ; and then those shall have land only for the third yeare, provided that within the third yeare they corae back again." Previous to leaving the town of Lynn, Captain How purchased of Edward Howell, Edward ffarrington, Josiah Stanborough, George Wells, Job Sayre, Edward Needhara, Henry Walton, and Thomas Sayre, their parts of the vessel- in which they were to erabark for Long Island. On which account he agreed to transport as many goods as the undertakers should desire, at a certain sura per ton in payraent of the price of the vessel, which was sixty-five pounds. And it was further stipulated, that the vessel should be wholly eraployed in the service of the plantation, and not be sold away without consent of the com pany ; and also that the said vessel should be ready at the town of Lynn, to transport the persons and goods of the com pany, three times in the year, if required. 'This contract bears date the 10th of March, 1639, and still remains, although much mutilated, in the clerk's office of the town. The naraes of the settlers who had arrived durmg the first twelve months, were as follows : TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON. 207 Henry Pierson, Richard Post, Obediah Rogers, John Fordham, John Lum, Samuel Osman. John Rose, James Herrick, Christopher Foster, Joseph Raynor, Ellis Cook, John Jagger, Richard Smith, Thomas Hildreth, John Hampton, Joshua Barnes, Abraham Pierson, Edward Needham, Samuel James, John Gosman, John Bishop, John White, William Payne, John Jessup, Josiah Howe, Henry Walton, William Harker, John Jennings, Benjamin Haynes, George Wells, Job Sayre. Daniel How, Thomas Goldsmith, John Oldfields, Samuel Dayton, Thomas Burnet, John Howell, Thomas Sayre, Edward Howell, William Odell, Thomas Topping, John Woodruff, Allen Breed, Edmnnd ffarrington, Isaac Hillman, John Cooper, George Woods, The conveyance for eight railes square of land from James Farret, the agent of Lord Stirling, to the above-named persons, is recorded on the town books as follows : " Memorandum ; It is agreed upon between James Farret, agent, and Edward Howell, John Gosmer, Edmund ffarrington, Daniel How, Thomas Halsey, Edward Needham, Allen Breed, Thomas Sayre, Henry Walton, George Wells, William Harker, and Job Sayre ; that whereupon it is agreed upon in a cove nant passed between us touching the extente of a plantacon in Long Island, that the aforesaid Mr. Edward Howell and his co-partners shall enjoy eight miles square of land, or so rauch as the said eight miles shall containe, and that now lie in said bounds, being layd out and agreed uppon : It is to begin at a place westward from Shinnecock, entitled the name of the place where the Indians drawe over their cannoes out of the north bay, over to the south side of the island, and from there to run along that neck of land eastward the whole breadth be tween the bay aforesaid, to the easterly end of an island or neck of land lying over against the island coraraonly known by the name of Mr. Farret's Island. To enjoy all and every parte thereof, according as yt is expressed in our agreement elsewhere, with that island or neck, lying over against Mr. Farret's Is land, formerly expressed. James Farret." " Thomas Dexter, Richard Walker." Witnesses. 208 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. A deed for the same lands from the Indians to John Gosmer, Edward Howell, Edraund ffarrington, George Wells, Edward Needham, Thomas Sayre, Job Sayre, Edmund Halsey, Tho mas Halsey, Henry Walton, Daniel Howell, John Cooper, Al len Breed, and William Harker, bears date Deceraber 13, 1640, for the consideration of sixteen coats already received, and al so fourscore bushels of Indian corn, to be paid upon lawful de mand by the last of September, 1641 ; and upon further consi deration " that the said English shall defend us the sayd In dians from the unjust violence of any Indians that shall illegally assaile us." In 1652, " the town meeting agreed to allow their neighbors of Easthampton liberty to grind their corn at their mill, provid ed they helped to open the sepoose." The inhabitants, at their settlement, had entered into a con tract with each oiher, to be governed by such laws and orders as should be made by the major vote, and to support the au thority of the magistrates in executing such ordinances as should be in force among them. In most of the towns the de cisions of the magistrates were conclusive upon the parties ; but in this town an appeal was allowed from the magistrates to the town meeting, called the general court, which heard the appeal, and gave such judgment as the majority approved. The town courts were vigilant in repressing and punishing all kinds of vice and profanity ; and in 1653 they ordered that if any person over fourteen years of age should be convicted of wZ/mZ lyin^ by the testimony of two witnesses, he should be fined five shillings, or set in the stocks five hours ; and if any person should be convicted of drunkenness, he should be fined ten shillings for the first offence, twenty for the second, and thirty for the third. By a resolution of town raeeting in 1645, it was ordered, " that if any man shall take away any part of any man's working tools, or irons, harroics, yoakes, chaynes, or plowes, from any part of the common field without license from the owners, they shall pay to the owner ten shillings toward ma king restitution." In Allen's American Biography, it is said that " Allen Breed TOWN OP SOUTHAMPTON. 209 was one of the first settlers of Lynn ; that he was born in En gland iu 1601, and arrived in this country inl630. H.^ was a farmer, and lived in the western part of Summer- street, Lynn, possessing two hundred acres of land. He is one of the grantees named in the Indian deed of Southampton, Long Island, and died March 17, 1692, aged ninety-one. His descendants in Lynn and Other towns in Massachusetts are nuraerous ; from one of whom was derived the name of Breed's Hill, celebrated for the battle of 1775, called by mistake the battle of Bunker's Hill." It is probable that he returned again to Lynn, as did Edraund Far rington also ; for it appears frora the history of that town that he built a raill there in 1655, where a pond was dug, and a new brook opened for half a mile, called Farrington's Brook. He died in 1680, at the -age of eighty-eight years. Captain Dan iel How, another of the original settlers of this town, in the year 1645 transferred his possessions to John Gosmer, for four pounds, payable in wampum, two cows, and ten bushels of barley. He went to Eastharapton, and was one of the first settlers of that town. He had been admitted a freeman of Lynn in 1634, was a representative in the general court of Massachusetts in 1636, and was several times re-elected. He was also lieutenant of an artillery company in 1638, m which year he reraoved to Newhaven, and frora thence to Long Island. "At a town raeeting, October 6th, 1652, it is ordered that whoever makes it appear that he killeth any wolf within the bounds of this town, shall have paid unto him by ye town the sum of twenty shillings ; and he yt killeth a wolf at Quaquaout shall have ten shillings in like manner ; and it is further or dered, that if any goats are found without a keeper, and any person so finding them, bring them home unto the owners, they, the owners of the said goats, shall pay a penny the goat for them unto those who so bring them horae, and also pay for the harm which it shall appear is done by thera." The follow ing extracts show the manner in which testimony was taken and recorded in the general court of Southarapton, the style and abbreviations being scrupulously preserved as a matter of curiosity to the reader. "Southampton, April 24, 1655. The deposition of Mr. 27 210 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. Richard Smith : — This deponent sayth, when he was uppon the jury concerning ye tryall of an action depending in cort be tweene John Cooper and Jonas Wood, wee received divers tes timonies in cort, which were broght in by ye said Jonas Wood, whereby wee of ye jury found for Jonas Wood, amongst wh testimony's was the deposition of Goody Bishop, Goody Gar lick, and Sarauel Parsons. — May 1, 1655. The deposition of Christopher ffoster, who affirraeth upon his oath, yt being at Hempstead a little before the last winter, when and where he heard abargaine contracted betweene Jonas Halsted and Jonas Wood, Hallifax, viz : Jonas Wood did buy of ye foresaid Jonas four hoggs, which hoggs this depont. doth affirme that hee saw delivered at Southampton. — March 9, 1655. The depo sition of Ann White. This depont. sayth yt shee heard Tho mas Dale tell Sara Cooper that Mark Meggs did corae to him once when hee was alraost fuddled, and asked him if hee did not remember hee heard Henry Pierson say at Goodman Coy's, that Jonas should bee cast out of church and coramonwealth shortly ; whereunto Thomas Dale answereth noe, I did not hear him say noe such thinge. Taken before rae, Thomas Topping, Ju.stice. ^^ At a town meeting, November 14, 1665. It is concluded that John Jessup is to call forth thirty men to goe to the west sepoose, and if any refuse to goe, being warned, shall pay unto ye town five shillings. Also, whoever hath any convenient toole fitt for the worke, and refuseth to lend the same, shall also pay five shillings, and the said John Jessup shall have power to levy the fine by way of execution, and returne account thereof to ye tow ne. " At a general court, held March 6, 1654. 1 1 is ordered that noe Indian shall digg for ground-nuts in the plain, or digg in any ground, uppon penalty of sitting in the stocks for ye first fault, and for the second to be whipped. And if any of ye English see any Indian howing or digging as aforesaid, they may peaceably bring them to the magistrates, if they can ; if not, to take the hoes or digging instruments away frora them; and this to take effect as soon as the Sachera or Indians have warning hereof. TOWN OP SOUTHAMPTON. 211 ^^ February 7, 1655. An action of defamation of Thomas Rogers against James Gill. Verdict of the jury — wee finde for ye Plaintive, first our charges, and the said James to bee sharply whipped, and then banished out of this jurisdiction ; with this proviso, yt his creditors will bee bound to keep hira to his good behaviour, or else to sell hira out of our jurisdiction for two years' service, and the towne be noe more troubled with him. Judgment is granted accordingly by the cort. " May 10, 1650. At a towne meetinge it is concluded and agreed uppon, that Mr. Edward Howell shall have power to nominate and appoint two neighbours of this towne to goe to the Connecticut, to treat of matters that raay concerne this towne, and to put us under their jurisdiction for future gov erment. "^pnZ 10, 1653. It is ordered by the general court, that henceforth the Indians shall not any of them come to this towne, or into the plaines, or any nearer the towne than the head of the Long Creek at the west end of the plaines ; neither shall any of them come to the Mill with any gun, or bow and arrows, uppon penalty of forfeiting any such instrument to any Eng lishman who shall take them away from any such Indian. " At a towne meeting, held ye \&th day of June, 1653, it ig ordered and concluded by the major vote of the inhabitants that Jonas Wood shall goe wt ye vessell at North Sea, wh is shortly to goe to the River's raouth, as a raessenger from this towne unto Captaine Mason, to obtaine for ye towne a store of ammunition, accordinge to order of the coUony in that behalf ; and the towne doe promise to pay him what in reason is meet for his tyme and expenses. — August 18, 1653. At a towne meetinge it is ordered that there shall be another atterapt to let goe Shinnecock water." Frora this entry, it is probable that Shinnecock Bay was not then connected with the ocean, or that the entrance had becorae closed by sand, as is the case with several ponds in this town at the present day. In the year 1675 there were in this town seventy-five raen who bore arms in the militia, and they were required to meet for inspec tion six times a-year. In 1659 the town voted to send to Con necticut for a copy oftheir laws, and selected from them such 212 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. as they deeraed applicable to their condition; and the uni- forraity which prevailed in raost of the English towns raay be attributed to the fact.bf their having extracted raost of their laws from the same code. The salary, both of the minister and the schoolmaster, was raised by an assessment upon the inhabitants, and was generally apportioned according to the nuraber of acres of improved land which each one possessed. In order to secure the influence and protection of the people of New England, as well from the Dutch as the Indians, this town early sought an alliance with Connecticut, and was received into that jurisdiction in the year 1644. They were conse quently represented by deputies in the general court at Hartford ; but no attempt appears to have been made by Connecticut to levy taxes upon the town until the reception of the charter of the colony in 1662. The following persons were deputies from this town to the general courts of Connecticut at the periods mentioned : From 1655 to 1658, Thomas Topping. From 1659 to 1663, Thomas Topping. 1658 to 1659, Alexander Knowles. 1633 to 1664, Edward Howell. The Rev. Abraham Pierson was the first minister of this town. He had been a preacher in Yorkshire, England. He caine to Boston in 1639, and joined the church there. Those English emigrants who had made a stand at Lynn, having agreed to forra a settleraent upon Long Island, Mr. Pierson consented to accompany them, and he assisted materially in organizing the settlement. He continued with them till they put theraselves under Connecticut in 1644. He preferred being connected with New-Haven, because in that colony the right of voting was confined alone to church raembers. He, therefore, with a few of his adherents, removed to Branford near New- Haven, which had begun to be settled in 1638, and there put themselves under the colony of New-Haven. When this colo ny renounced her independence, and becarae consolidated with Connecticut in 1662, Mr. Pierson, adhering to his former opin ions, again reraoved with some of his congregation to a part of New Jersey which they called Newark, where they made a settlement, whereby Mr. Pierson became the first pastor of a third settlement. In 1668 the people there, voted to pay the expen- TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON. 213 ses of his reraoval, contributed to the digging him a well, and allowed him £80 salary a-year. He died there in the year 1680. His son, Abraham, who graduated at Harvard College in 1669, became the first president of Yale College, at Killing- worth, in 1701, and continued there till his death in 1707. The Rev. Dr. Ashbel Greene, of Philadelphia, is his grandson. The next minister of this town was the Rev. Robert Ford- ham, settled in 1649. He also carae from England. Johnson, in his Wonder- Working Providence, says, " Mr. Fordara first went to the west part of Long Island," and it is probable that he accorapanied the Rev. Mr. Denton to Hempstead in 1644, as he is the first person naraed in the Dutch patent of that town frora Governor Kieft, and he resided at Hempstead when he received the invitation to remove to this town. He remain ed the rainister here till his death in 1674. He was a man of . learning, and the owner of a large estate. His library was valued after his death at fifty-three pounds, and his property at two thousand. The Rev. Josiah Fordham, who was his grand son, preached awhile at Setauket after the death of Mr. Brewster in. 1690. The next clergyman of this town was the Rev. Joseph Taylor, who arrived in 1680. He came from New-Haven. But little information has been obtained con cerning hira, except that he died, April 4, 1682, at the age of thirty-one, having preached about two years. He was followed by the Rev. Joseph Whiting in 1682. He was the youngest son of the Rev. Samuel Whiting, a distinguished preacher at Norfolk, England, and the first minister of Lynn, Massachusetts. Mr. Whiting graduated at Harvard College in 1661. His daughter married the Rev. Jeremiah Hobart, afterwards minister of Hempstead. Cotton Mather, speaking of hirti, says, " Joseph is at this day a worthy and painful minister of the gospel at Southampton." He left a son, who graduated at Harvard in 1700, settled as the minister of Concord, New Hampshire, in 1712, where he died in 1752. As the records of this church are extremely defective, little can be learned respecting the subsequent clergymen beyond their naraes. It is ascertained that the Rev. Samuel Gelston settled here in 1727, and remain ed till his death, October 22d, 1782, having preached about 214 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. fifty-four years. It was during his time that the Suffolk pres bytery was formed, and the governraent of several of the churches in the county was changed frora the congregational to the presbyterian form. He was educated at Harvard Uni versity, where he graduated in 1722. His successor in the ministery here was the Rev. Herman Dagget, who graduated at Brown University in 1783. His settlement took place in 1791, and after several years he reraoved to the parish of Middletown, in the town of Brookhaven, officiating a part of the time in the church at Fireplace. He finally reraoved to Connecticut. The next clergyman was the Rev. David S. Bogart, a native of Q,ueen's County, and who graduated at Columbia College in 1790. He was settled in 1796, removed to North-Hemp- stead in 1812, and from thence to the city of New- York, where he now resides. The Rev. John M. Babbit was settled here in 1813, but removed in 1818 ; and was succeeded by the Rev. Peter Shaw in 1820. The present clergyman is the Rev. Henry N. Wilson. The first church here, was built in 164J , the year succeeding the settlement of the town, and remained for sixty-five years. A second church was erected in 1707, "and which, having stood one hundred and thirteen years, was succeeded by the present stately edifice in 1820. The academy near the church was completed in 1831, and has been thus far well supported. It is a handsome and convenient structure, and is creditable! to the spirit and intelligence of the people concerned in its erection. By an act of Asserably, passed May 16th, 1669, the precinct of Bridgehampton and Mecoxe was de clared to be a distinct parish, /or the building and erect ing a meeting-house ; ahd the first church was finished in a year or two thereafter. It was taken down in 1737, and the present edifice erected in its stead. This place was called by the Indians Segaboneck. The village was conteraplated to have been built a little south of the present site, and the place in tended is still designated as the old town. The first pastor of this church was the Rev. Ebenezer White, who graduated at Harvard College in 1692, and was settled here in 1695. His health failing, he resigned in 1748, and died in 1756. He was TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON. 215 succeeded by the Rev. Jaraes Brown, son of the Rev. Chadd Brown, of Providence, Rhode Island ; and related to those wor thy individuals, the liberal founders of Brown University in that state. He graduated at Yale College in 1747, and was set tled here in 175ff. His reraoval took place in 1775, and the parish had no regularly stated preacher till the 30th of August, 1787, when the Rev. Aaron Woolworth was installed here. He was born at Long Meadow in Massachusetts, October 25, 1763, and graduated at Yale College in 1784. His wife was the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Buell of Eastharapton, whose memoirs he published. His death occurred the 2d of April, 1821. He was a man of rauch classical learning, an eloquent divine, and extensively acquainted with ecclesiastical history. His immediate successor was the present clergyman, the Rev. Amzi Francis. The Methodists have erected a very handsome church in the centre of the village of Bridgehampton, which is an ornament to the place. The Hori. Nathan Sandford, late chancellor of this state, and a senator in the congress of the United States, was a native of this part of the town. Mr. Foster Rhodes, who accompanied the late Henry Eckford to Constantinople, and who has since been engaged as ship-builder to the Sultan, was born in the village of Southarapton, and is a son of Mr. Henry Rhodes, merchant of that place. On a late occasion of launch - ingone of the largestships in the world, (in Turkey,) the Sultan was so elated at his success, that he embraced Mr. Rhodes in the most enthusiastic manner, and presented hira at the same time a gold medal set in diamonds, of great value and of ex quisite beauty. Southerly of this village is a splendid sheet of water, known as Mocoxe Bay, coraraunicating with the ocean by a narrow inlet, and abounding with oysters of a superior quality. It is about four miles long, and less than one in breadth. Sagg Pond is also of considerable size, but is liable to have its inlet obstructed by sand carried into it by the cur rent, and requiring to be cleared out occasionally. The village of Sagg was settled at an early period. The inhabitants are farmers, and the land hete, as well as about Bridgehampton, is well cultivated. Sagg-Harbor derived its name from having 216 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. been originally the port or landing-place of Sagg. Shinnecock Bay, (sometimes called Southampton Bay,) is a very charming piece of water. It is more than ten miles long, and frOm three to four wide. It is separated from the ocean by a narrow sand- beach, which has doubtless been entirely formed by the sea. This beautiful expanse of water has long been celebrated for the excellence and variety of its marine productions. The clams found here are of a superior quality, and so abundant as to afford almost constant employment for about fifty persons, who probably take mqre than ten thousand dollars worth an nually, which are properly prepared, put up in casks, and trans ported up the western and northern canals to the utmost liraits of the state. The territory of Shinnecock, containing sorae thousand acres, is little else than a series of sand hills, in terspersed with intervals of level ground, which yield sufficient pasture for a considerable nuraber of cattle and sheep, for at least half the year. The northern portion, adjoining Peconic Bay, is the best soil, and is indented with a few coves, which yield a quantity of salt grass about their edges. The western part, where it is connected with the main island, was called by the natives Merosuck, or Canoe-Place, and where they used to transport their canoes across from the north to the south bay. There is a tradition that a small ditch or canal once existed here between the two bays, which was constructed under the direction of Mongotucksee or Long-knife, who once reigned lord of the Montauks and other neighboring tribes. A sraall remnant of the Shinnecock race still lingers on the south-eastern part of this tract, where they have a small church and a few comfort able dwellings ; but their ancient language and customs are no longer preserved. Sagg-Harbor is themost populous, wealthy, and comraercial place in the county, and may therefore not improperly be con sidered the emporium of Suffolk. The capital eraployed in trade here probably exceeds that of the whole county besides, there being nearly a million of dollars invested in the whale- fishery alone, employing a tonnage of more than six thousand, exclusive of several fine packets and other vessels engaged in the coasting business. It is supposed that no permanent settle- TOWN OP SOUTHAMPTON. 217 ment was attempted here previous to 1730, and then only a few small cottages were erected near the head of the present wharf, for the convenience of those engaged in fishing. Most of the land in the vicinity was then covered with timber and forest, and it is probable also that no inconsiderable number of Indians dwelt in the vicinity. In 1760 several respectable families es tablished themselves here, perceiving that it possessed many local advantages, and built for themselves comfortable houses. In 1767 the number of inhabitants had so increased, that it was resolved to erect a house for public worship, and without the advantage of regular preaching, the people were accustora ed to assemble on the Sabbath at the beat of drum, and hear a sermon read by one of the congregation. They began soon after more largely to appreciate the commercial facilities offered by the adjacent waters, and fresh efforts were made to iraprove upon the old practice of boat-whaling. For this end small sloops were fitted out, and ranged the ocesn at some distance from the coast ; but when a whale was caught, it became neces sary to return to port for the purpose of boiling out the oil upon the shore. The business had made but little progress when hostilities coramenced between the raother country and her colonies in 1775 ; and this island being the next year abandon ed to the eneray, coraraerce of every kind was of course sus pended till the close of the contest in 1783. Several British ships took their stations in the bay, and this village was raade not only a depot for military stores, but the garrison for a considerable body of soldiers. Daring the war it became the theatre of one of the raost extraordinary feats that was accom plished during the revolution. It has generally been denomi nated Meig's Expedition, and the circumstances are thus re lated by the historians of that period : " In retaliation for the burning of Ridgefield in Connecticut, by General Arnold and the wretches under his command, in April, 1777, a few soldiers from Newhaven went on a predato ry excursion to Long Island. A quantity of provisions had been collected at Sagg Harbor, and to destroy these was the ob ject of the expedition. The enterprize was one of the most spirited and successful of that eventful period. General Par- 28 218 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. sons conceived it possible to surprise the place, and confided the execution of it to Lieutenant-colonel Meigs, who embarked from Newhaven, May 21, 1777, with two hundred and thirty- four men, in thirteen whale-boats. He proceeded to Guilford, but on account of the roughness of the sea, could not pass the Sound till the twenty-third. On that day, at one o'clock in the afternoon, he left Guilford with one hundred and seventy men, under convoy of two armed sloops, and crossed the Sound to Southold, where he arrived at six o'clock. The enemy'stroops on this part of the island had marched for New- York two or three days before, but it was reported that there was a party at Sagg Harbor on the south branch of the island about fifteen miles distant. Colonel Meigs ordered the whale-boats to be transported over the land to the bay between the north and south branches of the island, where one hundred and thirty raen em barked, and at twelve o'clock at night arrived safely on the other side of the bay within four miles of Sagg Harbor. Here the boats were secured in a wood, under a guard, and the remain der of the detachment marched quickly to the harbor, where they arrived at two o'clock in the morning, in the greatest or der, attacking the outpost with fixed bayonets, and proceeding directly to the shipping at the wharf, which they found unpre pared for defence. The alarm was given, and an armed schooner with twelve guns and seventy men began to fire upon them ut the distance of one hundred anfl fifty yards, which con tinued three quarters of an hour, but did not prevent the troops from executing their design with the greatest intrepidity and effect. Twelve brigs and sloops, one of which was an armed vessel of twelve guns and one hundred and twenty tons of hay, corn, oats,. ten hogsheads of rum, and a large quantity of mer chandize, were entirely destroyed. Six of the enemy were kill ed and ninety taken prisoners. Not one of Colonel Meig's men was either killed or wounded. He returned to Guilford at two o'clock in the afternoon, having been absent only tv\^enty- five hours ; and in that time had transported his troops by land and water full ninety miles, and completed his undertaking with the most entire success. On the report of this matter to TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON. 219 the commander-in-chie;^ he addressed the following letter to General Parsons : "Head-quarters, Middlebrook, May 29th, 1777. Dear Sir.— I am just now favored with your letter of the 25th by Major Humphrey. The intelhgence communicated by it is truly in teresting and agreeable. And now I shall take occasion not only to give you ray hearty approbation of your conduct in planning the expedition to Long Island, but to return my sin cere thanks to Lieutenant Col. Meigs, and all the officers and men engaged in it. This enterprise, so fortunate in the execu tion, will greatly distress the enemy in the iraportant and essen tial article of forage, and reflects rauch honor upon those who performed it. I shall ever be happy to reward raerit when in my power, and therefore wish you to inquire for a vacant en- signcy in some of the regiments for Sergeant Gennings, to which you will promote him, advising me of the same and the tirae. I am, Sir, &c. G. Washington." The result, of this expedition was considered of so much con sequence, and so highly deserving of public approbation, that congress voted a sword to be presented to Colonel Meigs as a token of their sense of the prudence, activity, enterprise and valor, with which it had been conducted ; and the coraraander- in-chief published the affair with expressions, of great applause in general orders. In the year 1783 the inhabitants of this place, who had been for a period ef seven years exiled from their horaes, again returned, and united their energy and skill to revive coraraerce and other branches of business, which had been prostrated by the war. Their exertions were attended with tolerable success, and they were enabled in a short tirae to witness a liraited but prosperous trade, both foreign and domestic. Although, as has been seen, a Presbyterian church had been erected here in 1767, and different preachers had been engaged to officiate for stated periods, yet no clergyraan was regularly settled here previous to 1797, in which year the Rev. Daniel Hall from Connecticut was installed as the minister of the pa rish. He continued here till the year 1806, when he removed to the church at Shelter Island, w'here he died in 1812. He 220 history op 'long island. was a man of plain and unaffected manners, of a kind and amiable disposition, and charitable toward those who chanced to differ from hira in their opinions. In the raonth of October, 1812, the Rev. John D. Gardiner, a native of the county, and sonVjf John Gardiner of Moriches, was installed the minister of this church. He was educated at Yale College, where he gra duated in 1804. He was settled several years as a clergyman in New Jersey before his reraoval here. He continued in the discharge of his parochial duties with zeal and ability, and with the approbation of his people, till the month of June, 1832, when, anxious for retireraent from his arduous labors, he with drew from the ministry, and has since enjoyed, in the bosom of his family and the private circle of his friends, all the endear ments of domestic and social life, respected and esteemed by the community around hira. In the year 1817 preparations had been raade for the erection of a new church, and most of the materials had been procured when they were consumed in the awful conflagration that involved the destruction of the most valuable portion of the village. But by the renewed energies of the people, and the individual exertions of Mr. Gardiner, means were proch red ; and the present large and handsome edi fice was completed on the 18th of June, 1818. The Methodists erected a small church here in 1809, which they have since disposed of to the Catholics, and erected a new church a few years since, which, from its elevated situation and architec tural finish, is an ornament to the village. This port was formerly included in the collection district of New London ; and in 1771 a commission was given to Nicoll Havens of Shelter Island " to inspect the trade and navigation of Southold, and the harbors, bays, creeks, and other places in the neighborhood thereof, and for the preventing of illicit trade within the district of the port of New London." After his death, the office was held by Thomas Deering, and which he retained until Sagg Harbor became a port of entry, and a new collection district was established by congress, subject to the regulations of the treasury departraent of the United States. Since which time the collectors have been John Gelston, Henry P. Dering, Tho mas H. Dering, and John P. Osborn. Henry P. Dering re- TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON. 221 ceived his appointment from General Washington in May, 1790, and held the office till his death, April 30th, 1832. The whaling business upon this part of the island has exist ed, in some form or other, for a great length of time, and may be said to be almost coeval with the settlement of the country by the white people. Both individuals and companies at an early period were engaged in the pursuit of whales along the south shore, in f)oats built expressly for the purpose, and kept ready at convenient stations upon the beach. In the year 1760, three sloops, owned by Joseph Conkling, John Foster, and a few others, called the Goodluck, Dolphin, and Success, cruised for whales in latitude 36" north. Whales at that period were more abundant along-shore than at present, although some are yet taken by boats at East and Southampton alraost every year. The whales, when secured, were drawn upon the shore, cut in pieces, and conveyed a distance to be boiled out. This process was so offensive, that the town raeeting of Easthampton, in 1690, prohibited the practice within a certain distance of any habi tation. In 1785, a vessel owned by Col. Benjamin Hunting and Captain Silas Howell, was sent as an experiment to a more southern latitude, and by her success laid the foundation of a more extensive prosecution of the business. In a short time thereafter, the Brig Lucy, owned by Col. Hunting, made the first voyage from this port to the coast of Brazil ; this vessel was owned by him as late as 1797. The attempt was crowned with success, and served as a stiraulus to others. Something has also been done in the cod-fishery from this place. In the Suffolk Gazette of January 18, 1808, it is stated that six thousand six hundred quintals of cod-fish were brought in here during the preceding j^ear. But all commercial opera tions were of course suspended during the war of 1812, 1813, and 1814. In 1815 the business of whaling was again reviv ed, and has continued to increase gradually in amount and im portance to the present time. The sperm fishery around Cape Horn in the Pacific, and aronnd the Cape of Good Hope in the Indian Ocean, was not commenced till 1817. In September of that year the Argonaut, owned by Silas and Lewis Howell, commanded by Eliphalet Halsey, sailed for the Pacific, and re- 222 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. turned in June, 1819, with seventeen hundred barrels of sperm oil. This business is not only attended with heavy expense, but also with no little risk of property and life. One or two melancholy instances deserve to be mentioned. The ship Go vernor Clinton sailed from here in Angust, 1833, and is suppos ed to have been lost in a typhon, or hurricane, on the coast of Japan, in September, 1834. The whole crew, consisting of twenty-nine persons, among whom was Samuel Ludlow, cap tain, Daniel E. Brown, mate, Daniel Leek, second mate, Williara D. Schellinger, ^Airrf mate, Erastus E. Halsey, Charles Howell, Sylvester Stanbrough, and Henry Miller, boat steer- ers, Benjarain Payne, cooper, Edward P. Jennings, carpen ter, were drowned. Again, the ship Telegraph, belonging to S. and N. Howell, coraraanded by John E. Howell, left here for the coast of Chili, in October, 1834 ; and on the 20th of May, 1836, entered Resolution Bay in the island Ohitahoo for wood and water. On the succeeding night, the wind frora the mountain blew with such violence as to sever the ship's cable, and drive her out to sea, where she struck upon a reef of rocks, and was entirely lost, with twenty-two hundred barrels of oil and sperra. The people on board were fortunately saved by another vessel. Mr. Luther D. Cook of this port, a gentleraan of well-known intelligence, and extensively connected with this branch of commerce, has obligingly furnished us with some statistical information, which is deeraed of too rauch iraportance to be omitted. From the statement of this gentleraan it appears, that in the year 1837 there were twenty-three arrivals and twenty-nine departures of whaling-ships from this place ; the number of men and boys employed on board exceeding eight hundred. In order to appreciate the extraordinary progress which has been made in this business, it is only necessary to remark that, in 1815 there were only three ships owned here, and that in 1838 the number amounted to twenty-nine ; exhi biting an increase of twenty-six ships in twenty-three years. This shows also how rauch may be accomplished by the ever- restless spirit of enterprise and industry so characteristic of the American people ; and is nowhere so extensively displayed as TOWN OP SOUTHAMPTON. 223 in this department of navigation. While many other places possess local advantages not enjoyed here, yet the ship owners of this port have accomplished more in this expensive and ha zardous business than the whole State of New- York besides. What may be the experience of the future, can only be conjec tured. On account of the nuraber of vessels, both at home and abroad, engaged in this species of commerce, it is very doubtful whether the business will be found as profitable as heretofore. The whales are unceasingly pursued from one point to another over every part of the ocean, rendering them raore shy, and are consequently taken with far more difficulty than forraerly. From the immense number which are now annually captured compared with previous years, upon the various whaling sta tions, they will probably becorae scarce ; and from being con stantly harassed, more formidable. Indeed, it now requires all the skill of the rao.st practised individuals in raanaging the boats and in throwing the harpoon. These difficulties, together with the low price of oil, have rendered sorae late voyages not only profitless, but actually attended with loss. It is calculated by Mr. Cook, from the most correct data, that on the 1st of January, 1838, there were not less than five hundred and fifty-three ves sels of different descriptions in the sperm and right whale fish ery from the several ports of the United States. It also ap pears, that from the year 1804 to 1837 there have been one hundred and ninety-eight arrivals of whaling vessels at this port, producing three hundred and thirty-eight thousand six hundred and ninety barrels of oil ; forty thousand five hun dred and four barrels of sperm ; and one million five hundred and ninety-six thousand seven hundred and sixty-five pounds bf whalebone. That in the years 1834 and '35 there were seventeen arrivals, amounting in the aggregate to six thousand three hundred and sixty-one tons, being an average of three hundred and eighteen tons to each vessel. That in 1837 the arrivals were twenty-three, producing eight thousand six hundred and thirty-four barrels of sperra, thirty-one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four barrels of oil, and two hundred and thirty-six thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven pounds of bone/ That during the same year the departures were 224 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. twenty-nine, including one frora James-Port, one from Cut- chogue, and two from Green Port, all bound for the south At lantic Ocean. In the year 1838 the tonnage employed in whal ing from this port amounted to eleven thousand seven hun dred, to which, if we add five thousand four hundred and thirty-seven of enrolled and licensed tonnage eraployed in the coasting trade, will increase the sum total to seventeen thousand one hundred and thirty-seven tons of shipping belonging to Sagg Harbor. The growth and prosperity of this vii lage has been the necessary consequence of the extensive capital employed in commerce, and the various occupations to which it gives rise. The wealth and trade of the place may with propriety be said to be founded upon the whaling business, and will doubtless keep pace with its increase. The population is now about three thousand ; and it contains four hundred dwellings, twenty-five dry-good and grocery stores, two drug-stores, two watchmakers' shops, two lumber-yards, two sail-makers' shops, three fire engines with regularly organized companies, four butchers' stalls, a bakery, several hotels and boarding-houses, two printing-offices, fourteen coopers'-shops, which manufac ture to the amount of twenty-five thousand barrels of oil casks annually, a book-store and circulating library, and a public library of more than eight hundred volumes. The manufac ture of raarine salt by solar evaporation was formerly carried on to a considerable extent near this village, and in other places in the vicinity, but it has not been found recently to yield a sufficient profit to warrant its continuance. There are sometimes to be found in a country village indi viduals living in comparative obscurity, and making no preten ces to any kind of superiority, who nevertheless manifest some extraordinary talent, and possess, in reality, accomplishraents parallel with some whose reputation has been widely diffused in the scientific world. Such an individual may be found here in the person of Ephraim N. Byram, a native of this village, and a self taught mechanic and astronomer. Indeed, his attainments may alraost be said to be universal, as there are few subjects of science which he has not explored, and in which he has not made a very creditable proficiency. He has scarcely TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON. 225 ever travelled beyond the limits of the village, and for raany years has not been a mile from his own shop ; his time and at tention being constantly devoted to mechanical and scientific pursuits. He not only invents and executes the most ingenious and complicated machines, as clocks, telescopes, and musical organs, but even fabricates the implements with which his other works are constructed. This gentleraan, without any of the advantages of faraily, education, or wealth, and struggling with a constitution naturally delicate, has obtained a most ex traordinary knowledge of many branches of art and science, which might be thought, with a person in his situation, impos sible. Among a variety of other mechanical contrivances, planned and executed by himself alone, is a Planetarium, which exhibits the relative situation and movements of the solar system more perfectly than has perhaps ever been done before. By the most curious and intricate combination of mechanical appliances, it is raade to represent the position and revolutions of the celestial bodies in the most beautiful and harmonious order ; and evinces that the mind which could conceive and accomplish such an undertaking, must be deeply imbued with the elementary principles of astronomy and the physical sci ences. The extreme delicacy and neatness of every part of this wonderful production of art are only equalled by the sub- Urae conceptions with which its author must have been inspired. The Hon. Ebenkzer Sage, long a resident of this village, was born at Chatham, Connecticut, August 16, 1755, and gra duated at Yale College in 1778. Having qualified himself as a physician, he settled, about the year 1790, at Easthampton, and soon after married Ruth, daughter of Dr. Williara Sraith of Southampton. In 1798 he returned to Connecticut, but carae back and settled at Sagg Harbor in a short tirae after, where he spent the reraainder of his life with great usefulness and respectability. He was a cautious and skilful practitioner, and a man of rauch science and literature. He possessed great equanimity of teraper, and this, with a talent for huraor, rendered his company and conversation at all tiraes agreeable. He was elected to the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth congresses, in which he satisfied his political friends. In 1821 he was a delegate 29 226 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. in the convention for amending the constitution of this state. He survived his wife several years, and died, esteemed and lamented, January 20, 1834. The first newspaper printed upon Long Island was issued in this village by David Frothingham on the 10th of May, 1791. It was entitled Long Island Herald, and was transferred, on the 2d of June, 1802, to Selleck Osborn, and the title was changed to the Suffolk County Herald. On the 20th of Febru ary, 1804, he relinquished the paper to Alden Spooner, and reraoved to Litchfield, where he also published a paper called the Witness, and was soon after convicted and iraprisoned for a political libel, under circumstances which excited much sym pathy araong his republican friends. He afterwards published a paper in Boston, and in 1823 a volume of original poems. He went, a year or two after, to Wilmington, Delaware, where he published a paper entitled the American Watchman. His death took place at Philadelphia, October 1, 1826,. He was a person of considerable talents ; as a writer, respectable, and as a poet, holds a conspicuous rank among the list of American bards. Mr. Spooner again altered the title of the paper to that of the Suffolk Gazette, and which he continued to publish till the 23d of April, 1811, when he relinquisheu it for the Long Island Star, at Brooklyn. The next newspaper was the Suffolk County Recorder, com menced in 1816 by Samuel A. Seabury ; the name of which was changed to that of the American Eagle, and was discontinued in about two years thereafter. On the 3d of August, 1822, the Corrector was established by Henry W. Hunt ; and on the 16th of Septeraber, 1826, the Republican Watchman,^ by Samuel Phillips ; which two last-named papers continue yet to be pub lished weekly. On the declaration of war against Great Britain in 1812, preparations were made to protect this place against the enemy, and a small detachment of militia was stationed here, who era ployed theraselves in erecting a fortification upon the high ground overlooking the harbor. No regular garrison was es tablished, however, till the summer of 1813, when the British TOWN OP SOUTHAMPTON. 227 ships, taking their station in Gardiner's Bay, threatened to land at several points in the vicinity of this port. At that time three or four hundred men were placed here, and were continued til the end of the war. Some part of the tirae a corapany of artil lery, and another of regular troops, were stationed here ; and in 1814 one or more companies of sea fencibles. But at no time was the nuraber of soldiers sufficient to have effectually defend ed the place against the eneray, had the capture of it been considered by them an object of sufficient importance to have warranted the attempt. It was wholly impossible to have prevented their landing at various places bordering upon the bay, and they accordingly visited at pleasure Gardiner's Island, Montauk, and Oyster Ponds ; taking such provisions as their ne cessities required, and for which, it is believed, they generally paid an equivalent. In June, 1813, a launch and two barges, with about one hundred men from the squadron of Coraraodore Hardy, attempted to land at the wharf in the night ; but being timely discovered, the alarm was sounded, and the guns of the fort brought to bear in the direction of the boats ; so successful was the means used, that the designs of the enemy were effec tually frustrated. They had only time to set fire to a sloop which they took from the wharf, when a shot from the fort raked her fore and aft, and obliged thera to abandon her. The Aipericans going on board, extinguished the flaraes, when they found a quantity of guns, swords, pistols, and other instruraents, which the invaders, (deeraing discretion to be the better part of valor,) had left in their hurry to escape. On the 26th of May, 1817, the village was visited by a deso lating fire, that in a brief space laid the most valuable portion ofit in ruins. It originated in the dense part of the village, and the wind blowing a gale, such was the rapi dity of the flames, that, notwithstanding the utmost exertions of the firemen and citizens, many of the best houses and stores, with a great quan tity of merchandize, were consumed. Even goods that had been rescued from the buildings on fire, were subsequent ly, by the changing of the wind, burnt in the streets. This was, indeed, a terrible calamity, as the inhabitants had but just begun to revive from the total prostration of trade by the war. 228 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. Ships nearly ready for sea were delayed by the destruction of the stores destined for their use. The public sympathy was manifested on the occasion, and donations to a considerable ex tent were obtained for the more suffering portion of the popu lation. The event, however, proved that the ambition of the people was equal to the emergency ; and the ground swept over by the fire, was in a short time covered with buildings more convenient and substantial than before, and by which the ap pearance of the village was raaterially iraproved. The wharf was formerly the property of the state, at whose expense it was constructed ; but is now owned by an association of indivi duals, who share the profits arising from the use of it. It reme dies, in some degree, the want of a sufficient depth of water, by being extended several hundred feet into the bay. On the western part of the village, and within the limits of the corpo ration, is Otter Pond, covering several acres of ground, on which wasforraerlya raill; and, havinga communication with the cove at the upper part of the bay, is stocked with fish, and furnishes fine sport for the angler. Hog-Neck is situated in the bay, and within a few hundred yards of the village, with which it has lately been connected by a handsome bridge, constituting an important link in the route across Shelter Island to Green Port. This neck contains seve ral hundred acres of indifferent soil, but which its insular situa tion affords facilities for improving, and is thereby rendered quite productive. Between Canoe-Place and Q.uogue is a small hamlet, denom inated Good Ground, a sort of oasis in the desert of sand which surrounds it. It has a Methodist church and post-office. Quogue is a more considerable settlement, about fourteen miles from the village of Southampton, and near the western limits of the town. It is much resorted to in the summer for its pure air, and the abundance and excellence of the game that is found here. It has two good public-houses, and the inhabitants are generally farmers. Stephen Sayre was born in this town in 1745, where he spent a portion of his early life. Few persons were ever more conspicuous for personal beauty and accomplishments. He TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON. 229 was a staunch Whig in the revolution, and it is believed that his visit to England, in 1775, was as confidental agent of go vernment. Such was his prepossessing manners and appearance that he soon gained adraission into the best society, and was upon intiraate terms with many leading men in the administra tion there. He connected himself in marriage with an English lady oif rank, by whom he acquired a handsome fortune. Having entered into financial and comraercial business, his ac quaintance becarae extensive, and this, added to his very popu lar manners, caused him to be chosen high sheriff of the city of London. By his advocacy of the American cause, and his open opposition to the arbitrary measures of the adrainistra tion, he drew down upon himself the displeasure of govern ment, which led to his arrest upon a charge of treason, and for which he was raost unceremoniously thrown into the Tow er. The following particulars of this affair are found in the London Public Ledger of October 25, 1776 : — " Between the hours of nine and ten on Monday morning, Mr. Slavely, of Half Moon Street, Piccadilly, and Mr. Mann of dueen Ann Street, Westminster, (king's messengers,) attended by a con stable, repaired to the house of Stephen Sayre, Esquire, in Oxford Street. As an excuse to obtain an interview with hira, they pretended a forged draft for £200 had been issued by the bank, of which Mr. Sayre is a proprietor. He no sooner ap peared, than they acquainted him that they had an order, sign ed by Lord Rochford, one of the secretaries of state, to take him into custody on a charge of high treason ; and to search for, take and carry with thera, such of his papers as they might deem effectual for their purposes. Mr. Sayre heard the sum mons with coraposure, and obeyed its dictates with manly dig nity ; conscious of his innocence, he smiled at the malignity of the charge, and in perfect reliance upon his own integrity, per mitted the officers to search his tables and rifle his bureau. Theyconducted him to Lord Rochford, where they also found Sir John Fielding. The charge in the information was, that Mr. Sayre had expressed an intention of seizing the king's per son as he went to the parliament house, and of taking pos session of the Tower, (fcc. The advice of Mr. Sayre's counsel 230 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. was, that he should not answer any interrogations which Lord Rochford or Sir John Fielding raight put, nor sign any paper whatever. Mr. Sayre was then ordered into an adjoining apartment, and afterwards comraitted a close prisoner to the Tower. On the 14th of December, 1776, he appeared at the Old Bailey, and his counsel, Mr. Arthur Lee, moved to dis charge the recognizance entered into on the 28th of October last, on Mr. Sayre's being brought before Lord Mansfield upon a writ of habeas corpus. Mr. Baron Burland, who, with the Lord Mayor, presided at the court, accordingly discharged the recognizance ; and Mr. Sayre immediately gave orders to com mence actions against Lord Rochford, the under secretaries of state, and the king's messengers." In Gorden's Histojy of the Revolution, it is stated that " in 1775 many suspicions were en tertained of combinations in favor of America, and upon cer tain hints thrown out, Mr. Sayre, an Araerican, and a banker in London, was secured ; and being exarained before the secre tary of state, Lord Rochford, and confronted by his accuser, was committed to the Tower for high treason, on the ridiculous charge of designing to seize his Majesty at noon-day in his passage to the house of peers, of conveying hira a prisoner to the Tower, and afterwards out of the kingdora, and of overturn ing the whole form of government, by bribing a few sergeants of the guards." Mr. Sayre remained may years after in Lon don, engaged in speculation and commerce ; and on his return to America, settled upon a plantation which he had purchased upon the Delaware, near Bordentown, New Jersey, and where he spent the remainder of his days. The estate of Mr. Sayre is said to be now owned by Joseph Bonaparte, ex-Emperor of Spain ; and upon which he has erected a splendid and expen sive private establishment. In the History of the Arts of Design in the United States, lately published by William Dunlap, Esquire, honorable men tion is made of another gentleman,^also a native of this town ; and which, with a few trifling corrections that our acquaint ance with this person enables us to make, we take the hberty to introduce in this place. Nathaniel Rogers was born at Bridgehampton in 1778. TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON. 231 His father, John T. Rogers, was a respectable farraer of that place ; and the subject of this notice has the honor of springing frora the same class of citizens that gave birth to West, Wright, Vanderlyn, Fisher, Mount, and a long list of American artists, the yeomanry of the country. His raother was a daughter of the Rev. Jaraes Brown, minister of the parish for near fifty years, and grand-daughter of the Rev. Mr. Prime, former mi nister of Huntington. The father of Mr. Rogers, although the owner of a good farm, well knew it would not answer to divide it into four parts ; and therefore, after giving his sons a good education, two of them chose a mercantile, and the other a mechanical eraployraent. Nathaniel was put apprentice to a ship-builder at Hudson, where he served his master as clerk also; for he says of himself, that his business was " to keep the accounts, pay off the workmen, and serve out the grog." Much of the time he was employed in drafting and making models, at which he exhibited very considerable ingenuity and skill. In about a year after he was wounded by a severe cut in the knee, which disabled hira frora labor, and rendered him no longer serviceable to his employer. He was accordingly dismissed from his indentures, and returned to his parents' house, where he received, of course, every attention that his unfortunate condition required. This accident has soraetiraes been playfully mentioned by his friends as the most fortunate cut he ever made. But it may with propriety be supposed, that a due exercise of the sarae energies in the business origin ally intended, might have procured results equally advantage ous, although of less consequence in public estiraation. Having a taste for drawing, he had now sufficient leisure and opportunity of indulging in the perusal of such books as were calculated to impart information in his favorite depart ment. He ' began also to copy prints, and even made some slight essays at designing. His physician, Dr. Samuel H. Rose, possessed a mind, education, and taste, that might in sorae situ ations have gained him high praise, and was, as all who knew him can testify, a person of rauch goodness of heart. And seeing and sympathizing with the suffering boy, he sought to amuse him, and at the same time to encourage his wishes, by 232 history of long island. presenting him a few pencils and a box of colors. The young invalid felt fresh hispiration at this unexpected good fortune, and soon set about attempting the portraits «f,s»Kie of his more intimate acquaintance. Although, as might be ex pected, they were very imperfect performances, yet to them they appeared as wonderful likenesses. Going, soon after, to New- York, he procured an introduction to Mr. Howell, an artist, and a native of Long Island, by whom he was encourag ed and instructed. Mr. Howell, however, died not long after, of consumption. Rogers now determined within hiraself to be a painter, but his raore prudent father considered it a precarious undertaking, and one in which to obtain raediocrity only, would be equal to a failure. He therefore urged his son to fit himself for one of the learned professions, frankly offering to furnish the means. To this urgent request he agreed, and was accord ingly placed at school preparatory to entering upon the study of a profession. But his strong passion for the fine arts still haunted his imagination, and portraits and pictures flitted occasion ally across his fancy, disturbing the regular course of thought. On a visit which he made about this tirae to some friends at Saybrook, he fairly commenced the business of a portrait paint er, and drew some tolerable likenesses of several of his ac quaintance. His kind-hearted parent now believing that he saw raore solid evidences of his son's ability to distinguish him self in the art, gave consent for hira to begin a course of study ; and iramediate arrangements were made with Mr. Wood (at this period successfully prosecuting the business of a painter in New- York). For this kind instructor Rogers has ever entertained feelings of gratitude and personal kindness ; and when he fell into adversity, was both able and willing to administer to his relief, and to the sincere gratification of both. The young aS' pirant now set up for himself, and soon found employraent ; so that he was shortly after able to transrait a few bank jwtes to his father, with a special request that he would invest them for hira to the best advantage. The old gentleman's doubts of his son's ultiraate success, if any he had at this time, were complete ly dispelled, and his former anxiety on his account most agree ably relieved. Wood soon after removed to Philadelphia, and TOWN OF SHELTER ISLAND. 233 left the field open to Rogers. His business increased, and his reputation as a painter continued to advance until he obtained the first rank in miniature painting. His incessant application to business at one time threatened his health, but by timely re laxation and proper care he has been restored. He raarried in 1818 Caroline Matilda, daughter of Captain Samuel Denison of Sagg Harbor, and has several children whom he has educated, having saved a competent independence frora his profession. He is a member of the National Academy, and no longer pur sues his business, except as an occasional amuseraent. His character and conduct through life are worthy the imitation of the generation of young artists who aspire either to fame or fortune. TOWN OF SHELTER ISLAND, Is situated between the north and south branches of Long Island, at the eastern extremity of Peconic Bay, bounded by its waters on the north, west, and south, and by Gardiner's Bay on the east. The island is about six miles long, and four broad in the jvidest part ; containing about eight thousand acres, divi ded into several farms. The number of families is seventy, and the inhabitants about three hundred. The surface is in general undulating, and eovered in part by oak and other tim ber. The soil is of a good quality, and in general well culti vated. There are some ponds of fresh water, and one upon the southerly side of the island covering about thirty acres of ground. Peat is found in considerable quantity, but has hi therto been little used. The shores are indented by coves and small bays, and their edges abound with salt grass. There are many beautiful sites for building, and the prospect from many points is various and picturesque. Tj'he Indian name of this island is Manhansack-aha-qushu-wamock, meaning, an island sheltered by islands. It was the residence of the Manhasset tribe, and the place where the sachem lived is still called "Sachem's Neck." In the power of attorney executed by William Alexander, earl of Stirling, to James Farret, authoriz ing him to dispose of Lon^ Island, he was at liberty to select 30 234 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. for his own use twelve thousand acres, in consequence of which he made choice of this and Robins' Island in Peconic Bay, both of which, on the 18th of May, 1641, he sold to Stephen Good year of New-Haven, who, on the 9th of June, 1651, conveyed the same to Thomas Middleton, Thoraas Rouse, Constant Syl vester, and Nathaniel Sylvester, for sixteen hundred weight of good merchantable Muscovado sugar. The grantees pro cured an immediate confirmation of the title from Yokee, ihe Manhasset Sachem, and his chief men, and who covenanted and agreed at the same lime to put away all their dogs ; and in case any damage was done to the purchasers by thean, to make a proper satisfaction for the sarae forthwith. Rouse conveyed his quarter part of the island to John Booth, who, on the 8th of May, 1656, transferred his interest to Na thaniel Sylvester. The latter, on the 12th of September, 1662, sold a portion to his brother. Constant Sylvester. The English having, two years after, raade the conquest of New- York, this island came of course under the jurisdiction of the colonial go vernment; and on the 31st of May, 1666, a patent of confirraa tion of the purchase frora the agent of Lord Stirling, was grant ed by Governor Nicolls to the then owners. Constant and Na thaniel Sylvester, their heirs and assigns ; they yielding and paying annually thereafter, on the 1st day of May, one lamb, as an acknowledgraent to the Duke of York. On the re-cap ture of New-York by the Dutch in 1673, Governor ColVe, by a formal act of the 28th of April, 1674, confiscated the rights, whatever they might be, of Thomas Middleton and Constant Sylvester as public enemies ; and sold the same, on the 28th of August following, to the said Nathaniel Sylvesterfor fivehnndred pounds, taking hisbondforthe same, in consequence of which he became sole owner of the island. When the country was about to be restor^ed to the English by treaty, and the governor ex pected soon to leave New- York, he concluded to secure the money due upon the bond ; and accordingly despatched a vessel and about fifty soldiers to the island, and by means of threats and intimidation compelled Mr. Sylvester to pay it, which they carried off. Nathaniel Sylvester had five sons, Giles, Nathaniel, Con- TOWN OF SHELTER ISLAND. 235 slant, Peter, and Benjamin ; all of whom succeeded to the ownership of the island, as tenants in coramon in equal parts. Nathaniel afterwards sold his interest to the Havens' family, and settled at Rhode Island, where he died, leaving a son by the name of Brinley Sylvester. Peter and Benjamin conveyed to their brother Giles, and who, dying without issue, devised his estate to William Nicolls of Islip, and the same is now possess ed by the children of the late Sarauel B. Nicolls. Brinley Sylvester having acquired title to a portion of the island, part ly by purchase, and partly by devise frora his relations, reraov ed here in 1737, and erected the large mansion-house of the late General Dering, now the property of Sarauel S. Gardiner, Esq. BrinleySylvesterdiedhere, December 24th, 1752; and the property descended to his daughter, who interraarried with Thomas Dering, an erainent raerchant of Boston, who conse quently removed to this island, where he died, leaving the pro perty to his two sons, Sylvester and Henry P. Dering. The first- named, better known as General Dering, married a daughter of Nicoll Havens, and who still survives her husband. The follow ing is acopy of the inscription upon the tomb of General Dering; " Sacred to the raemory of General Sylvester Dering, -who departed this life, October Sth, 1820, aged sixty-one. He united a sound and active mind with ardent and exemplary piety. He lived not for himself, but for the community around him. He was a kind coun cillor and faithful friend. The prevailing disposition of his heart was sympathy for the distressed, and corresponding efforts for iheir relief For a long course of years he held various offices in church and state, and died lamented and beloved." Henry P. Dering married Miss Fosdick of New London, and died April 30th, 1832, leaving a widow and several children. He was born here July 3d, 1763, and removed to Sagg Harbor, where he held, for a great number of years, the offices of post- master and collector of the custoras for that port, and until the time of his death. Few men had a more extensive ac quaintance, or obtained and enjoyed through life a more envi able share of public confidence and esteem. The Hon. Jonathan N. Havens was the son of Nicoll Ha vens, and born here in 1758. He graduated at Yale College in 1777. In 1786 he was elected to the assembly of this 236 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. State, and continued in that body many years. He was a member of the convention that adopted the constitution of the United States in 1778. He was a representative in the fifth congress, and remained in that body till his death in 1799. The character of this distinguished man is briefly summed up in the following inscription upon his tomb : "Erected to the memory of Jonathan Nicoll Havens, Esq., repre sentative in the Congress of the United States. He was esteemed by a numerous acquaintance, as a man of superior talents and eru dition; a philosopher, statesman, and patriot ; and died, greatly la mented, October 25, 1799, in the forty-second year of his age." The following epitaphs are copied from head-stones in the Shelter Island burial-ground, and are remarkable for the singular contrast they exhibit, in the last solemn act of the deceased: " In Memory of Benjamin Conkling, who died Feb ruary 21, 1826, aged eighty-two. It is but justice to the character of Mr. Conk ling to say that he was an obliging neighbor; in his habits industrious, in his dealings honest; He liberally aided the cause of virtue and religion, end in his last moments bequeathed a large proportion of his property to the Presbyterian church and congregation of Shelter Island, for the support of the gospel." " In Memo'nj of Shadrach Conkling, who died Jan uary 23d, 1827, aged eighty-eight. Mr. Cpnkling possessed a sound mind and excellent understanding, and was a firm patriot, a good neighbor, charitable and strictly moral. He owned, at the time of his decease, a large estate, which he bequeathed to his relations, who were all very poor, and among whom were seven orphan children. Posterity will decide upon the wisdom manifested in the disposition of the estates of these two brothers." By some conventional agreeraent in former tiraes between the proprietors of this island and the people of Southold, the con cerns of the island, so far as they were of a public nature, were transacted in the town-meetings held at Southold. This suffi ciently appears from inspecting the records of that town, and accounts for the circumstance of there being no town records previous to the year 1730, when the first town-meeting was held, and an entry made thereof in the following words : , At a town meeting held this " Precinct of Shelter Island, April 7, 1730. day, — William Nicolls was chosen supervisor ; John Ha- { vens and Samuel Hudson, assessors ; Edward Havens, collector; and Edward Gil- *¦ man, clerk." TOWN OP SOUTHOLD. 237 The raale inhabitants of the town at this time, of full age, were as follows : William Nicolls, Edward Havens, Noah Tuthill, John Havens, Samuel Vail, Sylvester L'Hommedieu, Samuel Hudson, Thomas Conkling, Henry Havens, George Havens, Edward Gilman, Samuel Hopkins, Elisha Payne, Brinley Sylvester, John Bowditch, Joel Bowditch, Jonathan Havens, Daniel Brown. Abraham Parker, Joseph Havens, The first church was erected by the Presbyterians in 1733, the funds for defraying the expense of which, were collected upon the island and the adjacent towns. It was taken down in 1816, when the present church was erected upon the same spot. They have had a settled clergyraan here for short periods only, and at long intervals. During the revolution this island was stripped of its wood for the use of the British array and navy ; and great injury was committed upon the property of the inhabitants, most of whom, jf not all, were decided and active Whigs, and of course had no reason to expect any favor or indulgence frora the public enemy. The growth of timber is, however, very rapid, and vast quantities have since been disposed of by the owners. Few tracts of land are better adapted for farming purposes, and especially for the raising of stock and grain. Ram Island (so called) lies upon the north-east side of Shelter Island, and is now connected with it by a narrow strand of alluvial formation. It is owned by Mr. Thomas Tuthill, and contains about four hundred acres of moderately good land. The surface is rough, and has generally been appropriated for the pasturing of sheep, a business heretofore found very profitable. An act for the es tablishment of a ferry between this town and Southold has been passed, and, when carried into effect, will facilitate and increase the travel frora one branch of Long Island to the other. TOWN OP SOUTHOLD. This town occupies the north branch of Long Island, and includes the peninsula of Oyster Ponds, Plumb Island, the two Gull Islands, and Fisher's Island in the Sound, and Robin's 238 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. Island in Peconic Bay. It is bounded west by Riverhead, north and east by the Sound, and south by the bay which separates this town from Southarapton and Shelter Island. Its length, from the west bounds to Oyster Ponds Point, is about twenty-three miles, and its greatest breadth four miles. The Indian name of this town is Yennecock, and was purchased frora the Corchougs, a tribe that possessed this part of the is land, in the suramer of 1640. Most of the first planters were originally from Hingham, in Norfolk, England : and carae here by the way of New-Haven. The Rev. John Youngs, who had been a preacher in England, was their leader. He organized a church at New-Haven, and they, with others willing to ac- corapany them, coramenced the settleraent of this town. The principal men among thera besides Mr. Youngs, were Williara Wells, Barnabas Horton, Thoraas Mapes, John Tuthill, and Matthias Corwin. The governor of New-Haven, Theophilus Eaton, and the authorities there, had not only aided the first settlers in their negotiations about the purchase of the soil, but actually took the conveyance in their own naraes, and exercised a liraited control over the territory for several years, which eventually occasioned sorae dissatisfaction araong the inha bitants. The civil and ecclesiastical concerns of the settlement were conducted in a similar manner with the other plantations under the jurisdiction of New-Haven. All governraent was re puted to be in the church, and none were adraitted to the entire privileges of freedom, or free burgesses as they were called, ex cept church merabers ; a court was in like manner instituted, which was authorized to hear and deterraine all causes, civil and criminal, and whose decisions were to be according to the laws of God as contained in the holy scriptures. In the general court (or town meeting), consisting also of church members, was transacted the ordinary business of the plantation. In these, orders were made in relation to the division of lands, the en closure or cultivation of coramon fields, the regulation of fences, highways, and the time and manner of permitting cat tle and sheep to go at large upon the common lands ; and such further measures as were required for the rautual defence of the settlement from hostile attacks on every side. One of the TOWN OF SOUTHOLD. 239 first ordinances required every man to provide himself with arms and ammunition, and to assemble at an appointed place, whenever warned so to do, under a certain penalty for neglect in any of these respects. The plantation made early provision for the education of children, the preservation of good morals, and the support of religion. A committee was appointed to regulate the admission of new settlers, and no one could be come an inhabitant without their approbation ; and no planter could sell or let his house or land to a stranger, but only to such as were approved by the said committee, under a heavy penalty. The plantation found it not only difficult, but at tended with great and serious embarrassment, to enforce rigidly the rule of the jurisdiction excluding all but church merabers from voting at elections ; and having in this respect infringed upon its severity, the jurisdiction of New-Haven, in 1648, sent over a delegation of their principal raen to consult upon the necessity and importance of keeping the government in the hands oi ^' God' s Elect." The consequence was, that the town agteed, in future, to conform faithfully to the laws of the juris diction in this respect. The law here referred to, was that adopted in the year 1643, which, being somewhat curious, is here presented to the reader : " At a General Court, held at New-Haven for the Jurisdiction, the 37th of October, 1643. Present. Magistrates. Deputies. Theophilus Eaton, Governor. ) George Lamberton 1 New-Haven Stephen Goodyear, Deputy. fH. H. Nathaniel Turner > Thomas Gregson. J John Astwood i p^ Milford. William Fowler. ) , John Sherman J Edmund Tapp. ) William Leete 1 ^^ Guilford. Thurston Raynor, S. Samuel Disbrough ) Thomas FugUl, Sec. ^ N H R'chard Gildersleve 1 p^. Stamford. Tho. Kimberly, Marshall. 3 ' ' Johu Whitmore. ) I. It was agreed and concluded, as a fundamental order not to be disputed or questioned hereafter, thatt none shall be admitted to be free Burgesses in any of the Plantations within this Jurisdiction for the future, but such Planters as are members of some or other of the approved Churches in New England ; nor shall any but such free Burgesses have any vote in any Election (the six present free men att Milforde enjoying the Liberty with the Cautions agreed.) Nor shall any power or trust in the ordering of any Civill Affayres be att any time put into the hands of any other than such Church members ; though as free Planters all 240 HISTORV OP LONG ISLAND. have right to their Inheritance and to commerce, according to such Grants, Orders, and Lawes as shall be made concerning the same. II. All such free Burgesses shall have power in each Town ande Plantation within this Jurisdiction to chuse fitt and able men from amongst themselves (being Church members as expressed before) to be the Ordinary Judges to heare and determine all inferiour Causes, wther. Civill or Criminal; provided thatt no Civill Cause to be tryed in any of the Plantation Courts in value exceed 20s. ande that the punishment of such Criminals according to the minde of God re vealed in his word touching suoh offences doe not exceed Stocking and Whip ping, or if the fine be pecuniary thatt it exceed not five pounds, in wch. Court the magistrate or raagistrates, if any be chosen by the free Burgesses of the Jurisdic tion for thatt Plantation, shall sitt 'and assist with due respect to their place, ande sentence shall pass according to the vote of the major parte of each such Courte, onely if the partyes or any of them be nott satisfyed wth. the Justice of such sentences or Executions, appeals or complaynts may be made from ande agaynst these Courts to the Courts of Magistrates for the whole Jurisdiction. III. All free Burgesses in the Jurisdiction shall have a vote in the Election of Magistrates, whether Governour, Deputy Governour or other Magistrates, with a vote for Treasurer, Secretary and Marshall, &c. for the Jurisdiction, and for the case of such Burgesses, ande especially in remote plantations they may vote by proxi by sending in their votes, which votes shall be sealed in the presence of the free Burgesses, and the free Burgesses may chuse for each plantation as many Magistrates as the situation of Affayres raay require, and no plantation shall be left destitute of Magistrates if they desire one chosen out of those in church fel lowship with them. IV. All the Magistrates for the whole Jurisdiction shall meete twice a yeare , att New-Haven on the Monday immediately before the sitting of the two fixed General Courts hereafter mentioned, to keep a court called a court of Magistracy for the tryall of weighty ande capitall causes, whether civill or criminall, above those submitted to the ordinary judges in the particular plantations, and to receive and try appeals brought to them from the Plantation courts, and to call the inha bitants, whether free Burgesses, free Planters or others, to account for the breach of any laws established, and for other misdemeanours, and to censure them ac cording to their offence. Less than four Magistrates shall nott compose a court ; but it is required and expected all the Magistrates to attendeof the Jurisdiction. If not present, they shall be liable to a fine of 20s. unless excused on account of God's Providence preventing. Appeals and complaints can be raade from this to the General Court as the last resort. Besides the Plantation Courts ande the Court of Magistrates, there shall be a general court for the jurisdiction, which shall consist of the Governour and all the Magistrates within the Jurisdiction , and two deputies for every plantation in the Jurisdiction to be chosen preyiously. This court shall sit at New-Haven twice every year, viz, on the first Wednesday of April and the last Wednesday in October, at the last of which the officers for the ensuing year shall be chosen. The Governour, or in his absence, the Deputy Governour, shall have power to summon a General Court at any other time, and no one belonging to the court shall be absent on penalty of 20s. fine. V. The court shall, with all care and dilligence, provide for the maintainance oi the purity of Religion, and suppress the contrary, according to their best light from the word of God, and by the advice of the Elders and churches in the juris- TOWN OP SOUTHOLD. 241 diction so far as il might concern the civill power. 2d. This court shall have power to make and repeal lawes, and to require their execution while in force in all the several plantations. 3d. To impose an oath upon all the Magistrates, to call them to account for breach of Lawes, and to censure them according to offence; to settle and levie rates and contribution of the Plantations for the public service, and to heare and determine causes, whether civill or criminall ; they to proceed according to the Scriptures, which is the rule of all righteous lawes and sentences. Nothing shall pass as an act without the consent of the majority of the magis trates and of the majority of the Deputies. In the Generall Court shall be and reside the supreme power of the Jurisdiction." The difficulties and discontents that arose from the control which the colony of New-Haven claimed to exercise over the lands of this town, raade it necessary, at a subsequent period, to send over agents frora tirae to time to negotiate upon the sub ject ; and, in consequence of which, the following proceeding took place at New-Haven in 1649 : ¦' At a General Court held at New-Haven for the Jurisdiction, the 30th May, 1649. The ffreemen of Southold desired that the purchase of their plantation might be made over to them. The court told them that they are ffree to make over to them what right they have, either by a deed or by an act in court, that it might stand upon, to ffree them from all future claymes from themselves, or any under them, as themselves upon due consideration shall propound or desire. Mr. Wells being questioned about some land he had received of some Indians in Long Island byway of gift, in which Mr. Odell of Southampton hath a part, and himself did draw a deed, wherein the land was passed over from the Indians to them, which is contrary to an order made in thie Jurisdiction. Against which carriage the court shewed their dislike. But Mr. Wells doth now before the court fully resign up all his interest in that land to the jurisdiction, and will be ready to give a deed to declare it when it shall be demanded ofhim. Mr. Youngs inforraed the court that they at Southold had, according to order, pur chased a plantation westward from the Southold, abouteight miles, of the Indians, which, by the best information they can get, are known to be the right owners of that land, called by the name oi Mattatuck and Aquabouke, and thisfor the juris diction of New-Haven and Connecticut; which purchase comes to in the whole lix pounds six shillings ; the particulars how it arises, being expressed in the deed, which they desired might b» repayd ; and accordingly the Treasurer had an order from the court, and did pay it to them. Likewise Lieutenant Budd spoke of another purchase that was made, but did not give full information nor a perfect account thereof." " At a general court held at New-Haven for the jurisdiction, the 2d of May, 1658, the deputies of Southold propounded the desire of their town to re purchase of the jurisdiction a parcel of land called Mattatuck and Aquabouke, which the courfcon- sidering, by vote declared that the paying seven pounds, in good pay, the said land is their's, which was accepted by the 31 242 HISTORY OP LONQ ISLAND. deputies." And again : " At a general court of the same juris diction, held the 25th of May, 1659, Mr. Wakeman acknow ledged seven pounds received from the deputies of Southold for the land re-purchased by thera, called Mattatuck and Aquabouke, but being paid in wampum, Mr. Wells undertook to answer the damage that he should sustain by it." Immediately after the reception of the charter granted by Charles II. to Connecticut, in 1 662, and with which New-Ha ven was now associated, they clairaed a complete civil juris diction over the English towns upon this island ; and the gen eral court at Hartford took upon themselves the appointing of all officers in the said towns, not permitted by the charter to be chosen by the people ; and to make this exercise of authority the more acceptable, the towns were empowered to elect de puties to represent them in the general court. This union with that colony continued till the conquest in 1664, when it was reluctantly abandoned, but was hastily renewed on the re capture of New- York by the Dutch in 1673. The Dutch go vernor undertook to reduce them to obedience, but by the in terference of Connecticut it was prevented ; and at the restora tion of New- York in 1674, several towns were found" attached to Connecticut, and which they were raost anxious to continue. They sent deputies over to solicit their co-operation, and on the 13th of June, 1674, this town, in conjunction with South and Easthampton, agreed to petition the king for perraission to reraain under the jurisdiction of Connecticut. But Sir Ed mund Andross, the new governor, took effective raeasures to oblige them to submit to his authority. In the year 1649 the Indians in the vicinity, who had been heretofore friendly, exhibited a hostile disposition, coraraitted many outrages against this town and Southarapton, and even perpetrated one or more murders. It was therefore resolved to keep watch and ward, and to apply to New-Haven for assist ance and protection. They were again troablesorae in 1657; but no considerable corabination seeras to have been entered into, to interrupt the peace of the settleraent. The individual coraraissioned by the Governor in 1674 to demand the return of the town to his authority, was Silvester TOWN OP SOUTHOLD. 243 Salisbury, afterwards high sheriff of Yorkshire. On his arri val here, he addressed the following notice to the inhabitants of the town, whora he caused to be assembled for the purpose : " December 10, 1674. Gentlemen — Know y ee, that I am empowered by ye Hon oured Governor of New- York, to receive the return of this place into the coUony of New-Yorke, and the government thereof, pursuant to his Majesty's royall graints to his Royall Highnesse ye Duke of Yorke. Whreupon I doe declare to all, that I doe receive and accept of ye return and surrender of this place from under ye coUony of Connecticut, by whose protection they have been secured from ye Dutch invasion, unto the obedience of his Royall Highnesse. As wit ness my hand at Southold the day and year above sayd. "Silvester Sai.isbcry." The charter of Connecticut before mentioned was sirailar in raany of its provisions to the constitution which the people of the province had previously forraed for theraselves in 1639, before their arrival in the town ; and was therefore little more than a development of the same general principles. k It was the liberal spirit of this charter, and the protection it afforded to civil and religious liberty, which increased the anx iety of the eastern towns to preserve their union with Connec ticut. And although Long Island was not expressly named in the charter as a part of the territory included within the juris diction of that province, yet the names of some of the magis trates of Southold were inserted among those appointed to ad minister the government. This circumstance, in addition to a clause in the charter annexing the "islands adjacent" to Con necticut, furnished a very plausible pretext for claiming the jurisdiction over Long Island. It was probably by the con sent, if not at the instance of Southold and of South and East hampton, that Connecticut set up a construction of her charter, which, if it could have been maintained, would have embraced all the Enghsh towns, and consequently all the other towns af ter the conquest. The following proceedings at Hartford re late to this matter : "At a general court held at Hartford, the 12th of May, 1664, it is declared that they claira Long Island as one of the ' adja cent i'ilands' expressed in the charter, except a precedent right doth appear, approved by his Majesty." And afterwards again, on the 17th of November, 1674, the inhabitants of Southold being legally convened in town meeting, they resolved as foi- 244 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. lows : " We doe unaniraously declare and owne that we are at this present tirae under the governraent of his Majesty's colony of Connecticut, and are desirous so to continue." And on the arrival of Governor Andross, and after being reluctantly obliged to submit to his authority, they refused for some time to apply for or accept a patent of confirmation for their lands. Nor did they in fact acquiesce until his Excellency threatened to dis franchise them, and to treat them as enemies, contumaciously refusing to acknowledge the authority of their lawful sovereign. Upon this they consented to receive a patent, and one was ac cordingly issued on the 31st day of October, 1676, in which the following persons were naraed as patentees, to wit : Isaac Arnold, justice of the peace ; Captain John Youngs, Joshua Hor ton, constable, and Barnabas Horton, Benjarain Youngs, Samuel Glover, and Jacob Corey, overseers of the poor, for and on behalf of theraselves and their associates, the freeholders and inhabitants of said town. The lands included in the patent are described as " bounded on the west to a certain river or creek called the Wading Creek, in the Indian tongue Pauquqcumsuck, and to the eastward by Plura-Gut, together with the islands thereto belonging; on the north side with the Sound or North Sea; and on the south with an arm of the sea or river which runneth up between Southampton land unto a , certain creek which fresh water runneth into, called in English the Red-Creek, by the Indians To- Yongs ; together with the said creek and mea dows belonging therewith, so running on a straight line from the head of the afore-raentioned fresh water, to the head of the small brook that runneth into the creek called Pauquacumsuck, in cluding all the necks of land and islands within the aforesaid described bounds and limits." On the 27th of Deceraber next following, the patentees by deed, which is duly recorded, re leased to the town the interest acquired by the patent. Robin's Island, is situated in Peconic Bay, nearly opposite the village of Mattetuck ; and contains four hundred acres of land, rauch of which is covered with timber, and the remain der used for pasture and cultivation. This island was a part of the lands made choice of by the agent of Lord Stirling for his own use, and was conveyed, with Shelter Island, to Thomas TOWN OF SOUTHOLD. 245 Goodyeare, in the year 1641. In the American revolution it was a part of the estate of Major Parker Wickham, which by his attainder was confiscated, and was afterwards purchased of the coraraissioners of forfeitures by the late Mr. L'Horamedieu, by whose executors it was conveyed to the present owners. More than twenty thousand dollars' worth of wood has been sold off within a few years. The peninsula of Oyster-Ponds is the eastern extremity of the main island, upon the north branch thereof ; and connected with it by a narrow sand beach, evidently formed by the action of the sea. Oyster-Ponds is about five miles long and one broad, and is perfectly level, with the exception of a chain of small hills adjoining the Sound. The soil is not surpassed by any upon Long Island, and is equally well cultivated. It is divid ed into several fine farras, upon which are raised very superior crops of hay and' grain. A very considerable quantity of ex cellent beef, pork, butter and cheese, is annually made here for exportation. This fine tract of land was originally purchased of the natives by Mr. Hallock in 1646, and who subsequently took in with him, as part owners, three others, by the names of Tuthill, Youngs, and Brown. There are rocks here of ira mense size, sorae of which have been used for fencing. Indeed, the stones are sufficiently abundant to enclose a great part of the land with wall, divided into fields of convenient size. The principal article which is here relied upon for fer tilizing the soil, is the bony fish, of which alraost any desira ble quantity is easily obtained upon the shores at the proper season. The population of Oyster-Ponds is between five and six hundred, raore than half of which is located at the west end, formerly called Oyster-Pond's Village, now distinguish ed by the more classical name of Orient, Here are two churches, a post-office, some stores, mechanic shops, and two docks or wharves. Fifteen vessels are owned, principally sloops and sraall schooners ; which are raostly employed in con veying paving stone to New-York, and in the fishing business. It is, on the wJiole, a very pleasant village, and presents an ex tensive prospect over the adjoining waters. A little north west of the village, and between two considerable elevations 246 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND, near the Sound, is an ancient cemetery, filled with graves alraost to the very surarait of the hills. The stones are most ly of blue slate, coraraon in forraer tiraes, but now so worn and defaced by time and the elements, that very few of the older epitaphs can be read. The singular and very secluded situation of this place of sepulture, gives to it an appearance which cannot fail to excite the most intense interest in the visiter. Many of the inscriptions are raore than ohe hundred and seventy years old, and so peculiar for their quaintness and a sort of saintly huraor, as to be alraost ludicrous. The two following, of a more recent period, are given as fair samples of many others ; one of which having no date, is of itself a singular circum stance : " In meraory of " Here lyes Elizabeth, once Michal, wife of Nath'l. Tuthill, Samuel Beebee's wife, who died Feb. 15, 1756. who once was made a livin j^soul, Beneath this little stone But now's deprived of life. Does my beloved lie, ' Yet firmly did believe, that at O pity, pity me, whoever passeth by ; the Lord's return ; she should be And spend a tear at least. Made a living soul, in his own Or else a tear let fall, on my shape and form — Liv'd 4 and thirty Sweet blooming rose, whom years a wife. Died in her 57, God so soon did call." Has now lay'd down her mortal soul, in hopes to live in Heaven. " Upon the eastern part of Oyster-Ponds, is the large and splen did hotel and boarding establishment of Jonathan F. Latham, which, for the beauty of its location and extent of accommoda tions, will not suffer materially by comparison with those at Coney Island and Rockaway. This retreat is much resorted to by strangers during the warm season, for the benefit of pure air and sea-bathing. Near the hotel are still visible the remains of a fort, erected during the revolution by a party of American soldiers, under the command of Col. Henry B. Livingston, for the purpose of preventing the landing of the British troops upon this part of the island. Nearly a mile easterly of Oyster-Pond Point is Plumb Is land, about three miles in length, and containing eight hun dred acres of land, between which and the Point is Plomb- Gut, uniting the waters of the Sound and Gardiner's Bay. The population is about seventy-five, and most of the island is TOWN OF SOUTHOLD. 247 owned by Mr. Jerome, who resides upon it. It was purchased from the Corchoug tribe in 1667 by Samuel Wyllys of Hartford, for one barrel of biscuit, one hundred muxes, and a few fish hooks ; and afterwards became the property of Joseph Beebee of Plymouth. The surface is rocky and uneven, the soil of a mo derate quality, and its shores abounding with fish. It was once called the Isle of Patmos. On the west side, the United States have erected a light-house. Here was formerly a large rock, so exactly poised upon another still larger, as to present quite a natural curiosity. During the revolution some British soldiers atterapted to dislodge it, for the mere pleasure of seeing it roll into the abyss below, but were unsucessful. In 1814 a few of Commodore Hardy's sailors were more for tunate, and moved from its ancient resting-place this huge mass of granite, which had hitherto rested undisturbed since the creation. A few railes north-east from Plumb Island, in that part of the Sound which, on account of the swiftness of the cur rent, is called the Race, are situated the Great and Little Gull Islands. These must long since have disappeared but from their being composed of solid rock. The larger island contains about fifteen acres, and the other only one. Upon the latter a light-house was erected some years since, more important to mariners than almost any other upon the coast, this being the principal entrance from the ocean into the Sound. The wast ing effects of the waves have made it necessary to protect the works by a sea-wall, which consumed in its construction raore than twenty-five thousand tons of stone, brought frora the Con necticut shore. The scene presented here during an easterly storm is not only sublime, but terrific ; and the heavy surf breaking upon the shore, shakes the very foundations of the buildings, and threatens to overwhelm the whole island with its mountain waves. To the north-east of these islands, and between thera and the main land of New England, lies another island belonging to this town, called Fisher's Island, which is larger than either of those before mentioned, and of greater value. Fisher's Mand lies about six miles north- east of the Gull fclands, is four from Stonington, and nine from New London. It 248 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. was originally called Vissher's Island, and was so named by Captain Adrian Block, who, as De Laet says, " in the year 1614 built a yatch (at New Arasterdam), with which he sailed through the Hellegat into the Great Bay (the Sound), and visit ed all the places thereabout, and went as far as Cape Cod." He named Block Island after himself, and probably this island after the name of some one of his companions. It is nearly nine railes long, and of a medial width of one mile ; contain- in o- about four thousand acres. The surface is undulating, and soraetiraes hilly ; the shores irregular, with two convenient harbors, called east and west harbors, the latter of which is of the most importance. Mount Prospect, near the west end of the island, is a high sand-bluff; and near the middle of the island is another, still higher, which overlooks the adjacent country, and may be seen a good distance beyond Montauk Point. Some parts of the island. are rocky, and there are many large single rocks upon the surface. The salt meadows are exten sive, and a few of the swamps afford an excellent peat, which is much used for fuel. There are sorae tracts of level land, and the pasture fields are both large and well watered by never-fail ing ponds ; one of which, near the centre of the island, occupies between forty and fifty acres of ground. A greater portion of the soil is appropriated for grazing, and is capable of sustaining three thousand sheep, three hundred neat cattle, and other kinds of stock in proportion. A smaller amount of stock is now kept ; the raising of English hay being considered more profita ble. The staple articles raised here are wool, (of the Saxony and merino breeds,) butter and cheese. The beef and mutton made here are of superior quality and flavor. The base of one of the hills is a fine clay, of which great quantities of bricks have been burned. There are forty -five persons of all ages upon the island employed iu the business of the farms, dairy, (fcc. This island has been in the Winthrop family from the first purchase by John Winthrop, governor of Connecticut, son of John Winthrop first governor of Massachusetts. The purchase was made iii 1644. The wife of Mr. Winthrop was the daughter of the celebrated Hugh Peters, who was exe cuted in London, on the 16th of October, 1660. Mr. Winthrop TOWN OP SOUTHOLD. 249 was a raan of fine natural genius, and greatly improved by edu cation and study. He was chosen governor of Connecticut in 1657, and again in 1659, which office he retained till his death, April 5th, 1676. A patent of confirmation was granted to him by Governor Nichols, on the 2Sth of March, 1668, by the terms of which the island was declared "to be reputed, taken and held an entire enfranchised township, manor and place of itself; and to have, hold, and enjoy equal privileges and immu nities with any town, enfranchised place or manor, within the government of New- York ; and to be in no wise subordinate or belonging unto or dependent upon, any riding, township, place, or jurisdiction whatever." In the year 1680 the governraent of Connecticut laid claim to this island as being within their jurisdiction ; in consequence whereof his excellency. Governor Andross, addressed the following spirited and laconic epistle to the Hon. Williara Leet, Governor of Connecticut : " HonMe Sr. — Being advised by an order or warrant from yourself and some assistants sent to ffisher's Island, I am much surprised att your Intrepching upon his Maties Letters Pfitents to his Royal Highness, as well as the Grant by Govenour Nicolls to the Honoble. John Winthrop, Esq. (late Governor of Connecticut) for sd Island ; which Island and Grant it is my Duty to Assert, as much as this or any other part of the Govermt ; And therefore desire that you will, without delay, recall sd warrant or order, and forbear any the like proceed ings for the future, to prevent great Inconveniency s; and remaine your Effection- ate neighbour and Humble Servant, E. Andross." " To the Honble William Leet, Esqr. Gover- i nour of his Maties colony of Connecticut." ^ On the death of Mr. Winthrop in 1676, the island descended to his son, John Fitz Winthrop, who was likewise governor of Connecticut from 1698 to his death, November 27, 1707. At his decease, without issue, the island passed to his nephew John Winthrop, son of his brother Wait Still Winthrop, and thence to his son, Francis Bayard Winthrop, whose death took place in 1817. He devised the island to his four sons, John Still Winthrop, Francis Bayard Winthrop, William I^. Win throp, and Thomas C. Winthrop. William H. Winthrop hav ing purchased the interest of his co-tenants, is now sole owner of this valuable estate. From papers in the possession of this gentleman, it appears that an attempt was made by one of his ancestors, in the year 1712, to transport a pair of moose deer 32 250 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. from this island to England, as a present to Q.ueen Anne, which failed by the death of one, and the other breaking its leg; and her majesty was finally presented with the horns only. There are twelve churches, Presbyterian, Baptist, Method ist, and Universalist, within the limits of this town, the most of .which have been recently erected. The first church, and of the Presbyterian order, was built in 1642, and was succeed ed by another in 1684, which remained till 1803, when the present church was erected in its place. l^he first minister was the Rev. John Youngs, who was also one of the first settlers of the town. He had been a preacher at Hingham, England ; and came to New-Haven in 1638, frora whence he reraoved with a part of the merabers of his church to this town in 1640, where he continued till his death in 1672. His posterity are nuraerous, and many of them are now residents of this and the neighboring towns. His eldest son, Col. John Youngs, was appointed under the autho rity of Connecticut (after the reception oftheir charter in 1662) a judge, for the towns of Long Island subject to their jurisdic tion. And in 1681 he was created high sheriff of Yorkshire, (including the whole of Long Island;) which office he held for several years. He was in all respects a highly intelligent and respectable individual. His death occurred in 1698. His son Benjamin, and grandson Joshua, were successively judges of the county. The Rev. Daniel Youngs, another descendant of the Rev. John Youngs, was the third minister of Brookhaven, where he died in 1753. The second minister of this town was the Rev. Joshua Ho bart, son to the Rev. Peter Hobart, who died at Hingham, Mas* sachusetts, January 20, 1679. Three cf his brothers were like wise clergymen. One of thera, the Rev. Neheraiah Hobart, was father of the Rev. Noah Hobart pf Fairfield, Connecticut, and grandfather of the Hon. John Sloss Hobart, forme rjudgeof the supreme court of this state. The Rev. Joshua Hobart was born at Hingham in 1 628, and graduated at Harvard College in 1650. His settlement took place in 1674, and his death in 1717. His brother, Jeremiah Hobart, was the second minister of Hempstead. TOWN OF SOUTHOLD. 251 The third minister of the town was the Rev. Benjamin Woolsey, born in 1687, and graduated at Yale College in 1709. He settled here in 1720, and in 1736 reraoved to Dor-oris in Queen's County, where he died in 1750. Hia sons were Me- lancton and Benjarain, of whora more particular notice will be taken hereafter. The fourth minister was the Rev. James Davenport, son of the Rev. John Davenport of Stamford, and grandson of the celebrated John Davenport who came from England with Go vernor Eaton in 1637, and was the first minister of New-Ha ven. Mr. Davenport was born at Staraford in 1710, and gra duated at Yale College in 1732. He settled in this town in 1738. A few years after he began to entertain new views of religion, and became a wild and visionary enthusiast. He tra velled much about the country, and his extraordinary discourses were Ustened to by thousands. He finally became so trouble some, that in 1742 the general assembly of Connecticut, request ed the governor and council to have him transported out of that colony. He eventually recovered from this state of mental delu sion, and published to the world a confession of his errors. He removed frora this town in 1746, and died at Freehold, New Jersey, in August, 1755. His brother, Abraham Davenport, was a colonel and judge in Connecticut, and died atStamford in 1789. His son John, born at Freehold in 1752, became the rainister of Deerfield, New Jersey, and died July 13, 1821, at Lysander in this state. The fifth minister of this town was the Rev. William Throop, who graduated at Yale College in 1743, settled here in 1748, where he died in 1756 ; and was succeeded by the Rev. John Storrs. Mr. Storrs graduated at Yale College in 1756, was settled here in 1763, and again removed in 1787. The next minister was the Rev. Joseph Hazard. His settle ment took place in 1797. He removed in 1808, and subsequent ly died at Brooklyn, where he left an only daughter. The Rev. Zachariah Greene was settled in the parish of Cutchogue in 1786, and removed to Brookhaven in 1797, where he still re sides. The Rev. Jonathan Huntington, one of the present mi nisters of this town, is a great-grandson of the Rev. Nathaniel 252 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. Hunting, second minister of Easthampton. He graduated at Yale College at 1804, was settled here in 1807, and is much esteemed for his many amiable qualities. For sorae years after the conquest, the county courts were held occasionally in this town, and a prison for the county was ordered by the court of sessions to be prepared here /or the punishment and safe keeping of prisoners. The following, frora the town records, relates to this subject : " Southold, De ceraber 15, 1684, there was chosen by vote at town meeting, Samuel Youngs and Thoraas Clarke, both carpenters, to view and appraise the old meeting-house in order to make a county prison of said house, and upon their return they give in, they valued the body of the house at thirty-five pounds-" On the sixth of April, 1725) a new jail having been erected at River head, it was resolved at town meeting that the prison-house should be sold by the overseers if they could get what it was worth. The village of Greenport, which was commenced by a few spirited individuals in 1827, is already the largest and most prosperous village in the town, and bids fair to become a place of much commercial iraportance. It is very conveniently as well as advantageously situated at the head of what is called Southold Harbor, a part of the great Peconic Bay, twenty-three miles east of the court-house. It was at first laid out into streets and building lots in a regular raanner, and now con tains about one hundred dwellings and six hundred inhabit- antsi A large and convenient hotel has been erected, two churches, and a school-house ; besides wharves and railways for the accomraodation of vessels, the water being of sufficient depth for the largest ships, well sheltered from storms, and rarely, if ever, obstructed with ice. Several brigs, schooners, and sraaller vessels are owned here, employed in the coasting trade, besides five other vessels, amounting in the aggregate to two thousand tons, successfully engaged in the South Atlantic whaling business. That this highly privileged spot is destined to make still more extraordinary advances in population and trade there can be no reason to doubt ; and should the Long Island rail-road reach its intended destination at thia place, it will TOWN OP SOUTHOLD. 253 become, in many respects, an important out-port of the com mercial metropolis of the Union. Cutchogue and Mattatuc are thinly settled vicinages ; and the people, as is the case of the in habitants of this town in general, are agriculturists, and araong the most prosperous in the county. Fish is very comraonly used as manure, and has produced most extraordinary results to the farming interest of the town. The Presbyterian church at Mattatuc was built in 1697, and rebuilt in 1830. The one in Southold parish was erected in 1805, and that at Franklinville in 1830. At the latter place is a neat academy, completed in 1832. The Methodist church at Cutchogue was built in 1829 ; and the Universalist church in Southold parish, in 1835. There are several fine necks of land upon the south side of the town, the most iraportant of which are Great and Little Hog-Neck. The forraer contains some hundreds of acres divided into a number of farras. The soil of the town raay be denominated a sandy loam ; the sur face level, except on the north, which is stony, rough, and hilly. The shore on this side is irregular, and there are sorae consi derable necks or points which project into the Sound, particu larly Horton's, Rocky, and Duck Pond Points, and constitute separate farms. On a grave-stone of one of the first emigrants to this town is the following inscription : "Here Lyeth Buried HE Body of Mr. Barnabas Horton. Born at Mousley, in Lestershire, in Old England ; and died at Southold HE 13th day of July, 1680, aged 80 years." " Here sleeps my body, tombed in the dust, " Till Christ shall come and raise it with the just." Arwther, " Here lteth the eodtof Captain John Conkeltne, eohn in nottinghamshlile in england, who departed this like THE SIXTH DAY OP ApRlL, AT SoUTHOLD, ON LoNG IsLAND, IN THE SIXTY -POnRTn YEAR OF HIS AGE." AnNO DoMINI. 1694." The names of Horton, Youngs, and Conkling, which were among the first setriers of the town, are still the most numerous. In the year 1670 Jasper Griffing, a native of Wales, settled here, where he died, April 17, 1718, leaving three sons, Jasper, John and Robert. The first settled at Lyme, the second at 254 HISTORY OF LONQ ISLAND. Riverhead, and the third remained here. The late Rev. Edward Griffing, of Newark, and George Griffing, Esq. of New- York, are descendants of the last-named Jasper Griffing. The Hon. Ezra L'Hommedieu, was a native of this town. His grandfather Benjarain was born at La Rochelle, in France, and was one of the persecuted Hugonots, who, on the repeal of the edict of Nantz, fled to Holland, from whence he came to Araerica in 1686. In 1690 he settled in this town, and soon after raarried a daughter of Nathaniel Sylvester of Shelter Island, by whom he had two sons, Benjamin and Sylvester. The latter was the father of the late Samuel L'Hommedieu, Esq. of Sagg Harbor. Benjamin raarried Martha, daughter of Ezra Bourne of Sandwich, Massachusetts, June 4th, 1731, and died Septeraber 17, 1755. Their son, Ezra L'Horamedieu, was born here August 30, 1734, and graduated at Yale College in 1654. His first wife was Charity, daughter of Nicoll Floyd of Brookhaven, and sister of General William Floyd, whom he married December 24, 1756. She died July 31, 1785, and on the 15th of June, 1803, he married for his second wife, Catha rine, daughter of Nicoll Havens of Shelter Island, by whom he had a daughter, afterwards the wife of Sarauel S. Gardiner, a respectable raeraber of the New- York bar. Mr. L'Homraedieu was educated a lawyer, and becarae eminent in his profession. He was early called into the public councils of the state, and for a period of forty years without intermission his name is found associated with the prominent patriots and legislators of the state and Union. He was elected to congress in 1779, and was a member of several succeeding congresses previous to the adoption of the federal constitution in 1788. From this time till a short period before his death, he was almost constantly in the senate of this state. He was appointed clerk of the county of Suffolk in 1784, and retained the office for twenty-six years. He was fond of agricultural pursuits, and both by his example and writings did much to advance the science and practice araong his fellow-citizens. His death took place the 27th , ofSepteraber, 1811, in the 78th year of his age, leaving behind hira an exalted reputation for intelligence and private worth. Thomas S. Lester was born in this town in 1781, and af- , TOWN OP SOUTHOLD. 255 ter receiving a good comraon education, commenced the study of the law under the direction of Mr. L'Hommedieu, by whom he was patronized and assisted, and to whose professional prac tice he succeeded in 1805. He held for sorae time the office of district attorney, and was several times elected to represent the county of Suffolk in the assembly. In short, he was an ac tive and highly useful man ; and his premature death, at the age of thirty-six, on the 13th of September, 1817, was universal ly regretted by his friends and the public. John Wickham, an eminent lawyer of Virginia, whose death took place at Richmond on the 17th of January, 1839, was also a native of this town, a sou of John Wickham, a respectable farmer. He left here in early life, and established himself in the practice of the law at Richraond, where he ac quired a high reputation and amassed a large fortune. Zacheus Goldsmith was born here on the Sth of May, 1766. He very early manifested a strong disposition for the acquisition of knowledge, and was enabled, by his application and industry, to supply in a great measure, the want of a libe ral education. He read with avidity every thing that came in his way, and by dint of a retentive memory became possessed of a large fund of general information. His acquaintance with history, for which he had a peculiar relish, was extensive and accurate ; and a desire to becorae familiar with the geography of his own country, and to witness her extent and resources, led him, while a young man. to travel over the western territory of the United States, when it was for the most part a wilder ness, and attended by dangers sufficient to intimidate the most resolute adventurer. He traversed much of the same country again at an after-period, when it had become the theatre of civiUzation and improvement ; and had the satisfaction, as he expressed it, of seeing the wilderness blossom like the rose, and the desert rejoicing in the existence of towns, villages, and cities, with all the animated accompaniments of trade and com merce. . Mr. Goldsraith was the advocate of liberty and equal rights, and wished for the gradual abolition of slavery in all the states. His teraper was raild and conciliatory ; and it was rare that any thing was able to disturb his equaniraity or pro- 256 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. voke his resentment. His conduct was most exemplary, and worthy the imitation of others. He died in the seventieth year ofhis age, on the 8th of April, 1835. TOWN OF RIVERHEAD. This town is bounded easterly by Southold, southerly by Southarapton, westerly by Brookhaven, and northerly by Long Island Sound. It was forraerly erabraced within the limits of Southold, which originally extended from the eastern boundary of Brookhaven to Oyster-Pond Point, and remained so till the passage of the act of the 13th of March, 1792, by which it was set off frora Southold, and organized as a separate town, deriv ing its name from that of the principal settlement at the head of Peconic Bay or River, where the sarae is navigable for very small vessels only. The first town meeting was held here the 7rh of April, 1792, when the following named persons were elected town officers, to wit : David Wells, supervisor ; Josiah Reeve, town-clerk ; John C. Terry, Joseph Wells, and Ben jamin Petty, assessors ; Jeremiah Wells, and Spencer Dayton, coraraissioners of highways; Daniel Terry, Zachariah Hal lock, and David Edwards, overseers of the poor ; and Sylva nus Brown, collector. Only a comparatively small portion of the lands of this town is under improveraent, and much of the remainder, from the natural sterility of the soil, is incapable of profitable cultivation. Much of the territory is covered with wood, and this article has long been a staple for transportation. In the southern section of the town the surface is level, the soil light and sandy, and the timber chiefly pine ; while toward the Sound the surface is rough and hilly, the soil loamy, and oak timber more generally prevails. The hills on the north are a part of the spine or ridge of the island, and the cliffs near the shore are high and precipitous. There are two considerable streams in the town, one upon its western border, called the Wading River, or Brook, aud by the Indians Pauquacumsuck, which, coraraencing in the south part of the town, discharges itself into a salt creek setting up from the Sound ; and the other called the Peconic River, which TOWN OF RIVERHEAD. 257 has its origin in the eastern part of Brookhaven, runs easterly to, and terminates in Peconic Bay. Upon the latter stream are several mills and manufactories, which have been in active operation for many years, and the quantity of water is supposed sufficient to propel double the machinery yet erected upon it. Many plans have been in agitation to improve the navigation of this stream, and among other measures for the accomplish ment of the purpose, a company was incorporated on the 10th of March, 1835, with a capital often thousand dollars, to make a sloop channel from the head of navigation in Peconic River, up to the dam or bridge at the village of Riverhead ; and which, if carried into effect, as is confidently expected, the value of property in the neighborhood will be greatly enhanced, popu lation essentially increased, and business of every description experience fresh inspiration. Capital and enterprize only, are required, in addition to the advantages afforded by nature, to make this place the theatre of a variety of useful manufacturing establishments. The recent improvements in the village of Riverhead, as well as those of James-Port, two miles east, are satisfactory indications of what may, in a surprisingly short pe riod, be accoraplished by the union of energy and industry. The county buildings are located in this village, and the courts have been held here, uninterruptedly, for raore than a century. Instead of a few mean and scattered dwellings as formerly, it now contains a handsome collection of well-built houses, stores, and mechanic shops. The court-house, standing in the midst as a faithful sentinel, to watch over the peace and welfare of the inhabitants, while the cross-barred windows of the jail frown indignant upon all violaiions of the laws. Here is a Congregational, a Methodist, and a New Jerusalem church, several stores, two hotels, a drug-shop, grist-mill, saw-mill, full ing-mill, and a due proportion of mechanics and artisans. A handsome female academy was erected in 1835, and has been thus far well patronized. The following observations, in relation to this part of the country, are contained in the late President Dwight's journal of his travels through Long Island in the year 1804 :—" Riverhead (says he) is the shire town of this county. The court-house, a poor decayed building, and a mi- 33 258 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. serable haralet, containing about ten or twelve houses, stand near the efflux of the river. From this account of the court-house, it will naturally be expected that the business of lawyers and sheriffs is not here in very great demand, nor in very high re putation. The suspicion is certainly well-founded. The coun ty court, or court of comraon pleas, sits here twice a-year ; as sembles on Tuesday, and, after having finished its whole bu siness, adjourns almost always on the succeeding day. No lawyer, if I am not misinformed, has hitherto ever been able to get a living in the county of Suffolk. I entertain a very res pectful opinion of the gentlemen of the bar, but all will agree with me in saying, that this exemption from litigation, while it is a peculiar, is also a very honorable characteristic of this county. Not far from this hamlet is a spot of ground, about three miles in diameter, which, as I was informed by good au thority, is covered with shrub oaks and pines not raore than five or six feet in height. In the whole tract there is not a sin gle tree of the usual size, although it is surrounded by a forest of such trees. The cause of this phenomenon, in a place where the soil is substantially the same with that of the neighboring country, is not easy to assign." Were the venerable president now alive, and to travel over the same ground, he would have the satisfaction of seeing a pretty decent-looking court-house, something more than a miserable hamlet, and a very respect able population of steady, industrious citizens. He would find, too, that even in the county of Suffolk the annual crop of liti gation is considerable ; that there are about one dozen lawyers living in the county, two of whom are located in this village, and most of them at least getting a tolerable living by their professions alone. But times are materially changed in thirty years, and improvement is now the order of the day. The villages of Aquabogue and Upper Aquabogue, Fresh Ponds, Baiting-Hollows, and Wading-River, are considerable vicinages, with churches and school-houses in each. A few miles west of the village of Riverhead, and upon the Peconic stream, there was some years since a manufactory of bar-iron, conducted by Solomon Townsend, now deceased, which was discontinued at his death. During the late war with Great TOWN OF RIVERHEAD. 259 Britain, a number of vessels, owned here, and employed in car rying wood to different places, were captured by the enemy, and either burned, or suffered to be redeemed by their owners at exorbitant prices. The people, finally, determined, should a fit opportunity offer, to retaliate upon these raarauders of their property ; and accordingly, in the suramer of 1814, an occur rence took place, that reflects much credit upon the courage and activity of the inhabitants, the facts and circumstances of which are thus related in the newspapers of that period, as contained ina communication from Capt. John Wells to Col. Jeremiah Moore : " Riverhead, June 1, 1814. Sir, — I have the honor to inform you that a bat tle was fjught here yesterday, about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, between a few of the militia of your regiment and double their number of the enemy, which terminated in the total defeat of the latter. About ten o'clock in the forenoon, an alarm was given that two large barges were standing for our shore from the British squadron, then lying six or seven miles out in the Sound. About thir ty militia of Captain Terry's, Reeve's, and ray company, collected before they reached the shore. The enemy advanced with two large barges, containing about twenty- five or thirty men each, within musket-shot of the shore ; when they saluted us with their cannon and a volley of musquetry, and then gave three cheers, and proceeded to the sloop Nancy, lying on the beach. As they were on the eve of boarding her, we opened a destructive and well-.directed fire upon both the barges, which silenced their fire, and stopped their oars in an instant. They were so slow in wearing the barges and rowing off, that we had several fires into them "before they could get out of rausket shot. I am happy to say that the men fought well, without a symptom of fear ; neither was a man wounded among us. But from what we saw, we have reason to believe that many of the enemy were killed and wounded. We raade immediate preparations for another engagement, thinking they might send a large reinforcement, which we should have been happy to have met, as toe received a reinforcement shortly after the engagement, who found they were too late to take part in the affair. The officers present were Captain John Terry, myself, Usher H. Moore, and Ensign James Fanning. Your's respectfully, " To Lieutenant-Colonel Jeremiah Moore. John Wells, Captain.'' John Cleves Symmes was born in this town in 1740, and removed, early in life, to New Jersey, where he was allied in marriage with Susannah, daughter of Wilham Livingston, af terwards governor of that state. She was sister to the late Hon. Brockholst Livingston, and to Sarah, wife of Governor Jay. Mr. Symmes was well known for his enterprising spirit, the flattering prospects he once had in view, and for his , extra ordinary reverse of fortune. In February, 1777, he was made 260 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. an associate judge of the supreme court of New Jersey, and ip the year 1787 he made a successful application to the general government to purchase a tract of land, immediately north of the Ohio, and between the Miami rivers. A bargain was concluded with the coraraissioners of the board of treasury, for a tract which it was expected would contain a million of acres, but was found to embrace less than six hundred thousand. Of this he made payment for no more than two hundred and forty-eight thousand. In 1794 he received a patent from President Wash ington for three hundred and eleven thousand six hundred acres, the residue being reserved in pursuance of sundry acts of congress. Judge Symmes removed to the North-west Territo ry in 1789, and was appointed one of the district judges of the United States, having previously been a representative in con gress. Under his direction, Major Stites and twenty-five emi grants frora New Jersey raade a Settleraent at Colurabia, six miles frora Cincinnati, at which latter place he died in Febru ary, 1814. A large and respectable procession attended his re mains from the residence of his son-in-law. General Wilham H. Harrison, to a principal landing-place on the Ohio river, where military honors were performed by the infantry compa ny commanded by Capt. M'Farland. The body was then ta ken in a barge to North-Bend, and interred on the spot which Judge Symraes had previously selected. His daughter, Mrs. Harrison, was educated at Easthampton ; and by many who knew her, is esteemed a lady of great personal and mental ac complishments. John Cleves Symmes, jr., son of Daniel Symraes of this town, and nephew of the judge, was also born here. He was adopted as well as educated by his uncle, and accompanied him to the west. During the late war he was a cap tain in the army, and distinguished himself by his intrepi dity upon the Niagara frontier. His death took place at Ha milton, Butler county, Ohio, June 19, 1829. He was an amia ble raan, and had a raind much imbued with science. He was also projector of a new theory of the earth, upon which he de livered lectures in many places, and gained some disciples among scientific men. He believed this earth to be a hollow TOWN op riverhead. 261 sphere, open at the poles ; that it had within it several other con centric hollow spheres, open also at^heir poles ; and that it was possible to pass from one pole to the other through the centre of the earth. This novel conjecture met with so little success, that the author became dejected : a morbid melancholy took possession of his raind, and hastened his death in the meridian of life. Hull Osborn, an attorney and counsellor at law, a gentle man highly esteemed for his strict integrity and inoflensive manners, was a native of Southold, where he was born in 1771, and was for many years a resident of this town. He died at Westhampton, ..December 25, 1 834. He possessed little talent as a public speaker, but was well read in the science of juris prudence, and was greatly useful in the coraraunity by his pro fessional acquireraents. He retired in a great measure from the practice of the law, and assumed the vocation of a farraer for several years before his death. TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. This town embraces the whole width of the island, and includes more territory than any other in the county. It is bounded — north by the Sound, east by the towns of Riverhead and Southarapton, south by the Atlantic Ocean, and west by the towns of Islip and Sraithtown ; containing an area of raore than one hundred and three thousand acres, of which only about thirty-five thousand are iraproved. The south beach, opposite the town of Tslip, also belongs to this town. The ter ritory upon the south side of the town was purchased from the Sachem and chief men of the Patchogue tribe ; and that upon the north side, frora those of the Seatalcot tribe. The first settlement in the town was commenced at Setauket in the year 1655, which occasioned th^ town to be so denominated. How it acquired the name of Brookhaven, is conjectured from the fact of its bavins: within its liraits a number of considera- ble streams, the most of which afford at present sufficient water-power for propelling machinery for grinding grain, and for other purposes. The original planters were Presbyterians 262 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. and well-educated men, who possessed a corapetent knowledge of the laws and constitution' of England, and brought with them the true spirit of freedora and independence. The persecuting temper of Charles I., aided by the infamous proceedings of the Star-Chamber and the High-Commission Court, were the means of driving many frora their native country, to seek: an asylura in some distant quarter of the world. Hence the im mense immigrations to every part of the United States in the seventeenth century. The number of persons who first came to Setauket in 1655 is not exactly known, but the names of those who coraposed the settlement in the course of two years thereafter, are as follows: Edward Avery John Smith Samuel Dayton John Davis William Frost John Thomas Elias Baylis John Thomson Thomas Ward John Roe John Budd Henry Brooks William Williaras Robert WooUey Samuel Akerly Arthur Smith Joseph Combs Richard Waring Joseph Mapes Most of these persons, if not the whole, came directly from Boston and its neighborhood, and agreed to forra an independ ent settleraent or community upon this part of the island., The lands were purchased at different times as the number of in habitants increased and their necessities seemed to require. Purchases were soraetiraes raade by individuals for their own use, with the consent of the proprietors of the town, whose num ber never exceeded fifty-five. The civil affairs of the settle raent were conducted by magistrates elected from among them selves, and by tules and ordinances adopted in the primary assemblies of the. people. After the conquest of New- York, Richard WooodhuU Zachariah Hawkins Peter Whitehaire John Jenners Henry Perrir.g Andrew Gibb William Satterly Thomas Biggs John Tooker Henry Rogers William Fancy Jacob Longbotham Daniel Lane Richard Floyd Francis Muncy Obed Seward John Wade WiUiam Salyer Robert Smith Richard Waring Thomas Thorp Richard Bryant Samuel Eburne Timothy Brewster John Brewster Daniel Brewster William Poole Thomas Sharpe George Phillips Thomas Smith Moses Burnet Richard Smith Thomas Helme Joshua Garlick John Moger Robert Akerly. ' TOWN OP RIVERHEAD. 263 and on the 7th of March, 1666, a patent of confirraation for ''their purchaises of the natives, was obtained from Governor Nicholls, by which he fully ratified, confirraed, and granted to Captain John Tucker, Mr. Daniel Lane, Mr. Richard Wood- hull, Henry Perring, and John Jenner, for themselves and their associates, " all that tract of land, which, (says the patent,) hath already been, or that hereafter shall be, purchased for and in behalf of the said town, whether from native Indian proprietors or others, within the bounds and limits hereafter set forth and expressed, (viz.) that is to say, the west bounds to begin at the line run by the inhabitants of said town between thera and Mr. Smith's land of Nissequake, as in his patent is set forth, and to go east to the head of the Wading River or Red Creek ; from whence, as also from their west bounds, to stretch north to the Sound and south to the sea or main ocean ; all which said tract of land within the bounds and liraits aforefaid, and all or any plantations thereupon, frora henceforth are to belong and apper tain to the said town ; together with all havens, harbors, creeks, quarries, woodlands, meadows, pastures, marshes, waters, rivers, lakes, fishing, hunting, hawking, and fowling, and all other profits, commodities, emoluraent, and hereditaraents, to the said land and preraises within the limits and bounds aforementioned described, belonging, or in any wise appertaining." The first most important entry upon the town books, is a copy of the conveyance from Wyandanch, the Montauk Sa chem, (and sometimes styled the Grand Sachera of Paumanake, or Long Island,) to Richard Woodhull and the rest ofhis neigh bors, for two necks of meadow land upon the south side of the island; the consideration for which is stated to be twenty coats, twenty hoes, twenty hatchets, forty needles, forty muxes, ten pounds of powder, ten pounds of lead, six pair of stockings, six shirts,, one trooper's coat, made of good cloth, twenty knives^ and one gun. "At a town meeting, February 2d, 1671, it was voted and agreed that the constable and overseers is to send a letter to Captain Nicolls, for his coming down about the purchasing of the south meadows, and to give hira encourageraent by grant ing him an allotment at the south, as others have, for a gratifi- 264 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. cation." This is supposed to refer to Mathias Nicolls, who was secretary to the first English governor, and a lawyer of much consideration; as was the case with his son, William Nicholls, who, many years after, settled at Islip. "At a town meeting, November 17, 1671, it was voted and agreed upon, that there shall be a village at the Wading River, or thereabouts, of eight families, or eight men, to have accom modation as the place will afford." On the nineteenth day of November, 1675, a conveyance was procured from the Setauket Sachem, and signed by him, together with a few other Indian chiefs of that tribe, for the purpose of confirming former grants, and for other lands with in the liraits therein mentioned not before fully described. This instrument is not only a very curious document, but is otherwise of sufficient importance to be preserved in the history of the town. It is in the words following: " Know all men by these presents, that I, Gie of Setauket, Sachem, now living in Setauket in the east-riding of Yorkshire, with all my associates that have been the native proprietors of all theliinds of Setauket, doth fully and absolutely ratify and confirm unto the patentees and their associates of Brookhaven, else Setauket, all those parcels of land that have been bought of any of us or our an cestors, that is to say, from the west line that runs from Stoney Brook to the North Sea, and south to the middle of the island, and so to extend to the Wading River or Red Brook, and lo the middle of the island south,. and so to the North Sea or Sound. 1 say, I Gie doth for myself and my associates, or any that have any thing to do with any part or parcel of land within the line above-mentioned, of all that the inhabitants have purchased, doth for ourselves, our heirs and as signs, ratify and confirm unto the inhabitants of Setauket, to them, their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, with all the uplands, meadows, timber- trees, with all harbors, creeks, ponds, and fishing, fowling, hunting, with all and singular privileges, appurtenanceSj profits, that any way do or shall belong un to the said tract of land above-mentioned, to have and to hold. And what part or parcels of land that is within the aforesaid bounds, that is to say, from the west line of Stoney Brook to the east line of Wading River, and from tSence to the middle of the island south, and to the Sound north, that is yet unpurchased, I Gie, Setauket Sachera, myself and my co-partners and associates, doth fully give unto Mr. Richaid Woodhull whatsoever uplands or meadows that we, ap prehend is unbought by the inhabitants of Setauket, I say for some causes and considerations us moving, doth fully and absolutely give unto Mr. Richard Woodhull, sen., all the uplands and meadows, timber-trees, with all and singu lar privileges and appurtenances, profits whatsoever, from us, our heirs, or any that shall come after us, to him the said Richard Woodhull, to whora he shall dispose it, to him, them, and their heirs for ever, to have and to hold without let or molestation, and to the full and absolute confirmation of all the above-said TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 265 premises, and every part of thera we do hereunto set our hands and seal, this 19th day of November, 1675. " Signed, sealed, and delivered Gie Sachem, L. S. in the presence of us, Martuse, L. S. Robert Phillipson, John Mahue, L. S. Richard Mann. Masseoarge, L. S. Ochedouse, L. S." Mr. Woodhull, in a few days thereafter, released to the in habitants of Brookhaven the interest acquired by the said pur chase, as follows : " To all Christian people whom this may concern. Know Ye, That I, Rich ard Woodhull, living in Brookhaven else Setauket, in the east riding of Yorkshire, for some valuable causes and considerations, doth assign, freely give, and raake over to the inhabitants of Brookhaven, all ray right and interest that is given me by Setauket Indians, that is to say, both land and meadows, timber trees, or what soever is expressed in the above said confirmation and bill of Gie, I say I, Rich ard Woodhull, for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, have freely given and make over all that right and title given to me by the Indians, to the inhabitants of Brookhaven, else Setauket, to them, their heirs, executors, ad ministrators, and assigns, to have and to hold, and to the true confirmation of the sarae, I do hereunto set my hand this 23d of November, 1675. " Richard Woodhull, L. S." " Signed, sealed, and delivered in ttie presence of us, Robert Phillipson, Richard Howell." " At a toum meeting, December 18, 1685, it was voted and agreed that Mr. Samuel Eburne shall go to Yorke, to confer with the governor about our lands within our patent ; and to get a new patent, and that thetown is willing to find the governor twenty sheep for a present forthwith ; and that Mr. Sarauel Eburne shall follow his private instruction, and not go beyond it, and that Mr. Thomas Helme shall write a petition for the town to the gov ernor." In pursuance of this application, a patent was issued, includ ing all former grants, on the 27th of December, 1686, by Gov ernor Dongan, to John Palmer, Richard Woodhull, Samuel Eburne, Andrew Gibb, William Satterly, Thomas Jenner, and Thomas Helme, trustees of the freeholders and coramonalty of the town of Brookhaven, and their successors, to the use and behoof of the freeholders or inhabitants respectively, their sev eral and respective heirs and assigns for ever. " To be holden 34 266 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. ofhis said Majesty, his heirs and successors in lineage, accord ing to the manner of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, within his Majesty's realms of England, yielding, rendering, and paying yearly therefor, and every year henceforth, unto our sovereign lord the king, his heirs and successors, or to such officer or officers as shall be appointed to receive the same, the sum of one lamb, or two shillings current money of this pro vince, upon the 25th day of March, at New- York, in full of all rents, or former reserved rents, services, acknowledgments, and deraands whatsoever. And frora henceforward and for ever, the said trustees of the freeholders and comraonalty of the town of Brookhaven do and may have, and use, a common seal, which shall serve to execute the causes and affairs, or whatsoever, of thera and their successors." And the said John Palraer, Rich ard Woodhull, Samuel Eburne, Andrew Gibb, Williara Sat terly, Thomas Jenner, and Thomas Helme, were appointed by the said patent the first trustees, fo remain in office until others should be chosen in their stead. By this patent the town was incorporated, and unusually large powers and privileges were conferred. Seven trustees, a clerk, constable, arid two assessors, were authorized to be annually elected by the majority of the freeholders and freeraen of the town. Under and by virtde of the authority of this extensive patent, (which has since been confirmed by an act of the legislature,) the trustees have ever since exercised complete authority over the corporate property of the town. Town records, August 1, 1686, memorandum that Richard Floyd, sen., hath exchanged a share of meadow and upland at Occumbomack, with Williara Satterly, for a share of meadow. at Patersquash, with half the amendment of meadow belong ing to the said William Satterly. On the 9th of October, 1693, Governor Fletcher granted a patent to Colonel William Smith, one of the members of the council and chief justice of the province, for a large tract of land upon the south side of Brookhaven, known since by the name of Smith's Patent, " bounded west by a river called East Connecticut, north by the country road, near the middle of the island, east by Mastic River, and south by the Main Sea ; with TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. 267 all the islands in the bay between the raain land and the beach, from a certain gut or inlet called Huntington East-Gut, to a place called Cuptwauge, being Southampton west bounds." In this patent was likewise included a certain neck or peninsula, called Little Neck, lying in Setauket, the Indian name of which was Minasseroke. These tracts of land were, by the said patent, erected into a lordship or manor, called St. George's Manor. The greater part of this property is still in the pos session of the posterity of Col. Smith, and is owned by William Smith. William Sidney Sraith, and Selah B. Strong, Esquires. ' ^^ At a legal town meeting, July ye l^th, 1687, warned by Mr. Justice Woodhull, it was voted and agreed that ten pounds a-year shall be payd to the raaintenance of a School-Master for the future, and that the trustees agree with Mr. Francis Wil liamson to officiate as School- Master, for thirty pounds a-year, twenty pounds whereof is to be payd by the children." " May 7, 1687, at a town meeting, it was voted and agreed that the Indians should be disarmed, and to surrender them selves upon demand, otherwise to be looked upon as enemies. Ten men were chosen to go to ye South to disarra ym, and their arms to be left at Capt. Woodhull's." " At a town meeting, held the 18th day of May, 1687, it was unanimously agreed that a house should be built upon the land that was Goodman Moger's, the same dimensions of Jona than Smith's, to reraain a Parsonage-house to perpetuity. And the town also agreed that sixty-five pounds should be given for the land, and the trustees were ordered to take a bill of sale for the same ; and were further ordered to agree with a workman to build the said house, and that whatever the trustees did therein, should be obliging to the whole town." This arrange ment for a parsonage was raade several years subsequent to the employment of a minister, for the Rev. Nathaniel Brewster was settled here in 1665, being ten years from the comraenceraent of the plantation. He was a nephew of Elder Williara Brew ster, one of those bold and independent adventurers that arrived in the famous Mayflower in 1620, and laid the foundations of the Plymouth colony. The Rev. Nathaniel Brewster was a graduate of the first class of Harvard College in 1642, most of 268 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. whom returned to England in consequence of the liberty then allowed to all denominations of Christians. He was settled as a minister at Norfolk ; but at the restoration. Episcopacy being encouraged by the governraent, at the expense of the Indepen dents, he carae back to Araerica, and was settled in this town in 1665 as above mentioned, his three sons having preceded hira by several years. " At a town meeting, held October 24, 1665, it was voted and agreed to purchase the house and lot of Matthew Prior for the accommodation of Mr. Brewster." He continued here till his death, in 1690. His wife was Sarah, daughter of Roger Ludlow, Esq. one of the most eminent men of New England. He was a member of the council, and de puty governor of Massachusetts and Connecticut; and was the compiler of the first Connecticut code of laws. For some reasons he becarae displeased with public affairs in the co lony, and removed, in April, 1654, to Virginia, where, he died. His daughter is represented as a person eminently distinguished for her genius and literary acquirements. Mr; Brewster and his wife, were interred in the Presbyterian burying-ground of Setauket, but the inscriptions upon their tomb-stones are too much defaced to be read. He left three sons, John, Timothy, and Daniel ; all raen of excellent character, and highly useful during their lives. Their posterity are still nuraerous and respectable. It would seem, that either from age or other infir mity, Mr. Brewster was incapable of discharging his pastoral duties for some years before his death ; for at a town meeting held October 31, 1685, by the warrant of Mr. Jastice Woodhull, Sarauel Eburne was chosen by vote to be rainister of the town ; " and it being proposed unto hira, that in regard of some tender consciences, he would omit the ceremony in the book of Com mon Prayer, the said Samuel promised, that according to their desire, in regard of their tender consciences, to omit and not use the aforesaid ceremonies in the public worship, except to such as should desire the same." " At a training-day, Sep tember 26, 1687, it was ordered by a major part of the town, that Mr. Jonah ffordhara of Southampton, be sent unto, desiring him to officiate in the work of the ministry in this town." He appears to have declined the invitation ; and in the sarae year TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. 269 of Mr. Brewster's death, April 15, 1690, "it was voted by a majority of the people present, that Mr. Dugald Simson should be desired to continue with thera as their rainister ; and it was ordered that his salary for the year 1689 should be paid accord ing to the rate made the year before ; and that Richard Floyd and Peter Whitehaire should collect the same." " At a toiDn meeting, April ye lOth, 1697, it was fully agreed that Mr. Justice Woodhull. and Justice Sraith shall treat in behalf of this town and Sraithtown, with Mr. Phillips, in order to his settling araong us, in case he will engage to perforra • faithfully the duty of a minister of the gospel araong us during the time of his natural life. That they shall offer to his accept ance, fourty pounds in money, to be raised and levied upon this town and Smithtown, and Colonel Smith's manor ; and like wise the house and lot that was sould by Thomas Jenner to Capt. Clark ; and also a farm of outland toward Nasakeges' Swamp ; and likewise that Mr. Phillips be desired to remain with us upon mutual tryall of each other for ye space of one whole yeare." The Rev. George Phillips was the son of the Rev. Samuel Phillips, of Rowley, Massachusetts, and grandson of the Rev. George Phillips, of Boxford, England, afterwards first minister of Watertown, Massachusetts, (having arrived with Governor Winthrop in 1630.) Mr. Phillips was born at Rowly in 1664, and graduated at Harvard College in 1686. He came from Boston to Jamaica, Long Island, in 1693, where he preached till his removal to Setauket in 1697. He conti nued here till his death, April 3d, 1739. That he was a man of solid talents is generally believed, and possessed a happy vein of wit and humor, that rendered his corapany and conversation always agreeable. He was interred in the Presbyterian burying- ground of Setauket, where a handsorae stone was erected to his meraory a few years since, by Phillip Roe, Esq. one ofhis descendants. Many of the Phillips' faraily have been erainent in New England ; and the Rev. Doctor Miller has observed, that few families in this country have been more distinguished for liberal donations to religious and literary institutions. One of themfoundedAndover Academy; another, that of Exeter; two have been governors of Massachusetts, and one mayor of Boston. 270 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. At a meeting of the trustees of this town, October I3th, 1702, the following proceeding took place in relation to the ordina tion of the Rev. Mr. Phillips, which was sorae years after his settlement here : " Whereas preparation is made for Mr. Phillips' ordination, and he having made application that some person be appointed in the town's behalf, to present him to the persons who are to ordain him, it is ordered that Daniel Brewster, Samuel Thorapson, and Tiraothy Brewster be a committee to present Mr. Phillips in the town's behalf to be ordained, and that they accept him in the town's behalf, to be their minister." The town was extremely liberal of their gifts to Mr. Phillips ; for at a town raeeting, November 12th, 1695, it was ordered that one hundred acres of land near Nasakeage Swamp be laid out for the Rev. George Philhps at the orcimary of the town, by Richard Woodhull, surveyor ; and again, on the 12th of June, 1701, one hundred acres more were voted to him for his use ; and if he continued here for his life, then to be to him and his heirs for ever. " At a town meeting, August 28, 1710, it was agreed that a meeting-house be built upon the meeting-house green, to be iraproved in such a manner as the majority of contributors shall agree, and according to the tenor of an instrument in writing bearing date ye 29th of July, 1710; also. Col. Henry Smith, Col. Richard Floyd, Justice Adam Smith, Selah Strong, Samu el Thompson, and Jonathan Owen, were chosen to order the building, to proportion the sarae and the place of setting up, where it shall stand and remain for the public use." The building was soon after erected, and continued to be occupied till 1766, when, being somewhat decayed, and insufficient also to accommodate the increased number of the congregation, it was taken down, and a new church erected in that year. The town records contain thefollowing entry in relation to this new building : " Memorandum of the Meeting-house ; on the 10th of February we began to get timber, and on the 19th of the same raonth we raised the house, in the year of our Lord 1766." This edifice, although greatly injured by the British during the revolution, was subsequently repaired, and stood till 1811, when it was taken down to make way for the present handsome and TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 271 coraraodious structure, which was corapleted in that year. The pulpit was a present from the Presbyterian church in Cedar- street, New- York. One of the regulations of the town in rela tion to the old meeting-house, is so curious and singular as to be thought well worthy of preservation as a relic of the age in which so novel a measure was adopted. It is recorded upon the town books as follows : "At a meeting of the trustees of Brookhaven, August 6th, 1703. Whereas there hath been several rude actions of late happened in our church by reason of the people not being seated, which is much to the dishonor of God and the dis couragement of virtue. For preventing of the like again, it is ordered that the inhabitants be seated after the manner and form following : All freeholders that have or shall subscribe within a month to pay 40 shillings to Mr. Phillips to ward his sallary shall be seated at the table, and that no "women are permitted to sit there, except Col. Smith's Liadij, nor any woman-kind ; And that the Presi dent for the time being shall sit in the right-hand seat under the pulpit, and the clerk on the left ; the trustees in the front seat, and the Justices that are inhabit ants of the town are to be seated at the table, whether they pay 40 shillings or less. And the pew. No. 1, all such persons as have or shall subscribe 20 sliillings ; and the pew. No. 3, such as subscribe to pay 15 shillings ; in pew, No. 3, such as subscribe to pay 10 shillings; No. 4, 8 shillings; No. 5, 12 shillings; No. 6, 9 shillings ; No. 7, for the young men ; No. 8, for the boys ; No. 9, for ministers' widows and wives; and for those woraen whose husbands pay 40 shillings, to sit according to their age ; No. II, for those men's wives that pay from 20 to 15 shilUttgs. 'The alley fronting the pews to be for' such maids whose parents or selves shall subscribe for two, 6 shillings ; No. 12, for those men's wives who pay from 10 to 15 shillings; No. 13, for maids ; No. 14, for girls; and No, 15, free for any. Captain Clark and Joseph Tooker to settle the inhabitants according to the above order." The next minister of this church was the Rev. David Youngs, son of the Rev. John Youngs of Southold. He was born in 1719, and graduated at Yale College in 1741. His set tleraent took place in 1745, and he reraained till his death in 1753. In this brief period he was so fortunate as to obtain and secure the respect and confidence of his people. On his de cease the congregation were happy to procure the services of the Rev. Benjarain Tallmadge, a gentleraan of fine talents and a first-rate classical scholar. He was born at New-Haven, Janu ary 1, 1725, graduated at Yale College in 1747, and settled here in 1754. His first wife was a daughter of the Rev. John Smith of White Plains, whom he raarried May 16, 1750, and by whom he had several sons. She died April 21, 1768 ; and on the 3d 272 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. of January, 1770, he married a daughter of Thomas Strong of this town. He died February Sth, 1786, greatly beloved and respected by fhe whole community : his widow survived him more than fifty years. Mr. Tallmadge was succeeded in the ministry by the Rev. Noah Wetmore. He was descended from Thomas Wetmore, one of the first settlers of Middletown in 1670. He was born there in 1731, and graduated at Yale College in 1757. His wife was a daughter of Ithuel Russel of Branford. He settled as a minister at Danbury in 1760, from whence he removed to this place, April 17, 1786, where he died, March 9, 1796. He left three sons, Noah, Apollo.s, and Samuel, and one daughter, who married Dr. David Woodhull. The Rev. Zachariah Greene was the successor of Mr. Wet more. He is the son of Samuel Greene^ of Hanover, New Harapshire, and his mother was' Jane White, a near relative of Hugh White, who was among the first that had the courage to overleap the German settleraents on the Mohawk. Mr. Greene is one of thirteen children, and was born at Stafford, Connec ticut, January llth, 1760. At an early age he volunteered in the American army, and aided in erecting the fortifications upon Dorchester Heights, which compelled the eneray to evacu ate Boston ; and was on guard during the night of the houses being burnt on Dorchester Neck. He was afterwards araong the forces that opposed the landing of the British at Throg's Point in October, 1776, and was in the battle at the White Plains-. In Noveraber, 1777, he marched with the army into Pennsylvania ; and at the battle of White Marsh received a bullet through the shoulder, which disabled him from further service. He soon after entered Darthmouth College, wheie he graduated in 1780.- Having chosen the profession of a clergy man, and being in due tirae licensed to preach, he was settled as the rainister of Cutchogue in the town of Southold, June 28, 1787, frora whence he reraoved to Setauket, September 27, 1797. The history of the Episcopal Church in this town is very obscure, few records of its proceedings having been preserved. It is not probable that there was a single Episcopal church, or even minister, in the whole colony at the time of the conquest TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. 273 in 1664. But after the revolution in England and the acces sion of Q-ueen MaVy to the throne, the governors and most other officers of state were of the Episcopal order, and therefore very naturally confined the patronage of government to those of that denomination. This circumstance furnished a strong inducement for persons of that order to immigrate to this pro vince, and large and sometimes extravagant grants were made by the colonial governor to the church of England. Although the statutes of uniformity were never intended to affect the colonies, and the government had heretofore professed to encou- courage a perfect equality among Protestants of different sects, yet it soon became apparent that official influence was almost exclusively exerted in favor of Episcopacy, which, in the end, produced bad consequences, and, in some instances, hostility to the government itself Lord Cornbury had cora mitted outrage upom the Presbyterian church of Jamaica in 1702, and as his bigotry could not well be satiated by a single act, he prohibited the Dutch ministers and teachers from the exercise of their spiritual functions without his special license. In 1 707 he again interfered with the Dissenters, forbidding the Dutch congregation in New- York to open their church to Mr. Mr. McKemie, a Presbyterian preacher, whom he imprisoned, and Mr. Hampton also, another minister of the same sect, for preaching at Newtown. It is, however, but charitable to believe, that few of the Episcopal church approved or even counte nanced such acts of intolerance and persecution. Caroline Church, in Setauket, was erected in 1730, and was tbe first Episcopal church on Long Island, built expressly for the use of that denomination. In 1734 the town gave them a piece of land around it, for a yard and burial-ground. This building, after having been repeatedly altered and repair ed, is still standing, being nearly one hundred and ten years old. The society itself had been previously organized in 1725, under the ministration of the Rev. Mr. Standard, but prospered more abundantly under his successor, the Rev. Alexander Campbell, who arrived here from England in 1729, and during whose time the church edifice was completed. He removed in 1732, and was followed by the Rev. Isaac Brown in 1733. He 35 274 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. was a gentleman of education and talents, having graduated at Yale College in 1729, and continued to officiate here several years. In 1747 he removed to New Jersey, and was succeed ed the same year by the Rev. James Lyon from Ireland. He was a gentleman of good abilities and great energy of charac ter, but at the same time very eccentric. His death took place in 1786, from which time, till 1814, the congregation had no permanent clergyman. In the latter year the Rev. Charles Seabury was engaged, and has thus far zealously devoted him self to promote and sustain the best interests of tbe church. This worthy pastor is the son of the Rev, Samuel Seabury, late bishop of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and grandson of , the Rev. Samuel Seabury, former rector of the church at Hemp stead. Mr. Seabury succeeded his father as the minister of New London, where his grandfather had also preached for thir teen years previous to his removal to Hempstead. Besides tbe churches already mentioned, there is a Congre gational church at Old-Mans, first erected in 1720, and rebuilt in 1805, of which the Rev. Noah Hallock was for many years pastor. The Presbyterian church at Middletown was built in the year 1800, and the Rev. Herman Daggett was in stalled there in 1801, but reraoved to Connecticut in 1807, where he died. He was succeeded by the present rainister, the Rev. Ezra King. The Presbyterian church at Fire-place was erected in 1740, and rebuilt in 1828. The Congregational church of Patchogue was built in 1767, for which the pre sent church was substituted in 1822. The Methodists also built a church here in 1830. The Baptist church at Corum has now stood about ninety years. A Methodist church was erected at Stoney Brook in 1817,, and another has lately been commenced at Port Jefferson. This town, like most others, presents a diversity of surface and soil ; but in general it is sufficient to say, that on the north it is broken and somewhat hilly, the soil a sandy loam ; while the rest of the territory is a level and sandy plain, with occa sional tracts, well fitted for cultivation. The land in the Vi cinity of the Sound, and especially about the bays and harbors, is of the best quality, and the timbef abundant and thrifty. TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN. 275 Crane Neck, Old-Field, Strong's Neck, Dyer's Neck, and Mount Misery, are respectively fine tracts of land, and have more or less salt meadows attached to them. The two former project some distance into the Sound, and are separated frora each other by Flax- Pond Bay, formerly fresh water, which was used for rotting flax, submerged in it. About the year 1803 the water vvas let out by a channel dug across the beach ; the pond now abounds with fish, and its shores with salt grass. Old-Field extends still further to the north, and has a light house upon the extreme point, erected in 1823 at a cost of three thousand, five hundred and eighty dollars. It contains about five hundred acres, divided into several farms, and lies between Pltix Pond and Oldfield, or Conscience Bay. Strong's Neck, formerly called Little Neck, is the property of Selah B. Strong, Esq., lying between Oldfield Bay and Setauket Harbor, and is almost an island, being attached by a narrow isthmus of mea dow to the main island. It contains about four hundred and sixty acres, the most of which is under high improvement. The soil is a strong loam, and the surface moderately undula ting in some parts, in others nearly level. The stones are suf ficiently numerous to put the greater part of the fields into stone wall. This neck is deficient in forest trees, which is the only circumstance impairing its value. The prospect from many points is extensive, and highly picturesque, presisnting to the ad mirer of natural scenery a varied and beautiful landscape. From the local advantages of this charming place, it may well be ranked with the most pleasant and agreeable residences upon the island. There is a peculiarity in regard to the nu merous springs with which the shores of this neck abound, that while those near low water mark are perfectly fresh, others more distant are impregnated with saline particles. This neck was called by the Indians Minasseroke, and is believed to have been the residence of the Sachem and a portion of the Seatal cot tribe. It was sold by the town proprietors to Colonel Smith, and was included in his patent of St. George's Manor, in 1693. It belonged to the late Judge Selah Strong at the time of his death, of whom the following particulars may be interesting to many. He was descended from John Strong, a 276 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. native of Taunton, in Somersetshire, England, whose father was Richard Strong. John Strong sailed from Plyraouth, March 30, 1630, and arriving in Araerica in May following, settled at Dorchester, Massachusetts ; from whence, in 1636, he removed to Windsor. Connecticut, and with Roger Ludlow and others, aided in the settlement of that town. In 1659 he removed to Northampton, where he died, April 4, 1699, at the age of nine ty-four. His son Thomas lived there also, and died February, 20, 1690. He had sixteen children, of whom the eldest was Selah, born December 22, 1688, and while a young man, came to Brookhaven, where he died April 15, 1732. His first son was Thomas, who married Susannah, daughter of Sarauel Thompson, grea^grandfather of the compiler of this work. Mr. Strong died May 14, 1760, leaving an only son, the sub ject of this notice. Judge Strong was born December 25, 1737, and died July 4, 1815. His wife was a daughter of Wilham Smith, grand-daughter of Henry, and great-grand-daughter of Col. Wm. Smith above naraed. Judge Strong was several times elected to the legislature of this state, and held the office of first judge of the county courts frora 1783 to 1794. He was an extensive practical farraer, and was esteeraed a man of excellent understanding and much intelligence. His children were eight in number, the raost of whom are now living. He conveyed his large estate of Mount Misery to his son Thomas S. Strong, Esq., who has also held the office of first judge for a period of thirteen years. This valuable tract of land hes upon the east side of the harbor of Port Jefferson, and has the harbor of Old Mans on the east. It contains raany hundred acres of land, and much fine timber. The surface is uneven, but the soil is of good quality, and produces abundance of grass, hay, and grain. The Harbor of Port Jefferson, Setauket Harbor, and Old- Field Bay, have one common inlet from the Sound ; and the two former afford excellent accommodations for vessels of a middling class. The village of Port Jefferson (formerly Drown Meadow) has lately become a place of sorae commer cial iraportance ; it is pleasantly situated at the head of the bay, and may contain a population of three hundred^ principally en- TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. 277 gaged in ship-building and navigation. Here are several ship yards, railways, stores, hotels, and a considerable number of mechanics. It is much indebted for its comraenceraent and present prosperity to the enterprise of the late Captain John Wilsie, who began to build vessels here about forty years ago. About three railes eastward of this place is the settleraent of Old Mans, consisting raostly of farmers. The surface is bro ken and stony, and the soil of rather an indifferent quality ; there is, however, a considerable tract of salt meadow between the upland and the Sound, which is highly valuable. Two miles further east is the village of Miller's Place, situated on a handsome plain, considerably elevated, and overlooking the Sound to a great distance. It was first settled by Andrew Mil ler in 1671, and the most ancient grave found here is that of his daughter, who died a young woraan in 1690. This is a quiet and handsorae village, containing about twenty-five dwel lings and one hundred and thirty inhabitants. The soil is excellent and well cultivated. A sraall but neat acaderay was built in 1834, and has proved thus far a useful institution. Setauket receives its name from being the principal resi dence of the Seatalcot tribe of Indians. It is the oldest nnd most populous settlement in the town, is situated upon both sides of the harbor, and occupies about two square railes, being nearly equidistant from Port Jefferson on the east, and Stoney Brook on the west. For many years after the first arrival of the white peo ple, and before the erection of mills, their grain was conveyed to Milford and other places in Connecticut, to be made into flour. A grist mill was, in 1690, built upon the east side of the village, which has been discontinued for more than seventy years ; one having been erected upon the stream on the west side, which has been succeeded by one more valuable, a few years since. Setauket was the scene of many revolutionary events, and no small number of robberies and murders were com raitted by the British and their Tory allies. In 1777 a body of the enemy, commanded by Col. Richard Hewlett,, had taken possession of the Presbyterian church, and surrounded it with a picket and other means of defence. On the 14th of August, about one hundred and fifty men, under the coraraand of Col. 278 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. Parsons, embarked from Black Rock in a sloop and six whale- boats, with muskets and a bra.ss six-pounder, for the purpose of capturing the force encamped here. They landed before day break the next raorning at Crane-Neck-Bend, where, leaving their boats with a sufficient guard, marched as quick as possible to the village. A flag of truce was sent to the church de manding a surrender, which being refused, the firing commenc ed on both sides. In a short time word was brought frora the boats, that sorae British ships were proceeding down the Sound, and fearing that their return might be intercepted. Col. Parsons ordered a retreat to the boats, and the party arrived again at Black Rock the same evening, with a few of the enemy's horses and some military stores. The soldiers engaged in this ex pedition were volunteers from Col Webb's regiment, among whom were the Rev. Mr. Greene and the late Captain Brew ster. Twenty years and one month thereafter the former was installed minister of the same church, than which a more im probable event could hardly have been conjectured. The village of Stoney-Brook is on the western side of the town, adjoining the Sound, aud has one of the best and most accessible harbors upon this part of the island. The number of dwellings is about sixty, and the population between three and four hundred. Ship-building has been advantageously conducted here for raany years, the place being rauch indebt ed for its present prosperity to the energy and industry of the late Captain George Hallock. There are one brig, eight schoon ers, and fifteen sloops now owned here, all engaged in the coasting trade. More than four thousand cords of oak and walnut wood are annually sent from this port; ^'^^ there are returned about twenty thousand bushels of ashes, one thousand of bone, and three thousand loads of street manure. It is, on the whole, a place of considerable activity, and well located for business. Many hundred loads of Indian shells found here, have been used for fertilizing the soil in the neighborhood, some of which shells were covered by a stratum of sand of raore than five feet in depth. Corum is situated near the centre of the town, and has been the seat of town business for raore than sixty years, ; town meet- TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. 279 ings having previously been held at Setauket. The dwellings are not numerous, and the population only one hundred and fifty. It has a level surface and a sandy soil, with little natu ral fertility. Here is the town poor-house, with a small farra attached, which is well cultivated, raostly by the inmates of the house ; and the poor are not only decently but comfortably maintained, at a small expense to the town. In or near this village the British had accumulated a large quantity of Ibrage in the winter of 1780, which was entirely destroyed by a few troops under Col. Tallmadge on the 23d of November, while on their return from a successful expedition to Mastic. It is with no small gratification we are enabled to mention that Dr. Isaac Hulse, now a distinguished surgeon of the navy, was born here, August 31, 1796, being the youngest son of the late Caleb Hulse, Esq., of this place. While a youth, he left his paternal roof, and set out to seek or make his own fortune. In a short time he was found engaged in teaching a small sdhool in the county of Westchester, where, by his amiable conduct and desire for improvement, he attracted the attention of some respectable and intelligent individuals, who gave him free ac cess to their libraries. This rare opportunity he did not fail to improve, and his thirst for knowledge kept pace with his ad vancement. His first earnings were employed in procuring in struction frora others, and at the Jamaica academy coramenced an acquaintance with the Latin, Greek, and French lan guages, in which he so far improved himself by his own unre mitted exertions, as in a short space to be able to instruct others. In a few years he was engaged in superintending a classical school in the city of Baltimore, and by his genius and applica tion was in a short time sufficiently advanced to enter upon the study of medicine in the university of Maryland, and about the year 1820 was honored with a diploma and a gold medal as the reward of merit. In 182Mie received the commission of assistant surgeon in the Navy of the United States, and made several cruises in national vessels to the coast of Africa, the West Indies, and the Gulf of Mexico. In 1824 he was appointed surgeon to the Navy Hospital at Gosport, Virginia ; and soon after was trans- 280 HISTORV OP LONG ISLAND. ferred, at his own request, to the hospital at Pensacola, where he continued with increasing reputation, till Septeraber, 1838, when he received frora President Van Buren the appointment of Fleet Surgeon of the West India squadron, to which he is still attached. His medical reports to the secretary of the navy exhibit talents and acquirements of a high order; indeed, it is rare to find an individual, who, with so few advantages, and by his own unassisted endeavors, has acquired such distinc tion, or secured so prominent a reputation in his profession, as Dr. Hulse. While his private character and scientific accom plishraents do honor to his birth-place, his wonderful success may well serve as a stimulus to all ambitious youth, who aspire to fame and usefulness in any profession. Patchogue, so called from the name of the Indian tribe that • once possessed the territory around it, is the most compact and populous village on the south side of the island. It contains seventy-five dwellings and between four and five hundred inha bitants. It has a Congregational and a Methodist church, two ho tels, several stores, a grist mill, paper raill, two cotton factories, one of woollen cloth, two tanneries, and other raechanical branches. It is, upon the whole, a pleasant village, and rauch resorted to by strangers, on account of its vicinity to the bay and ocean, and the nuraerous garae which they afford. It is distant sixty miles from the city of New- York, and upon the great thorough fare from Brooklyn to Sagg Harbor. Four railes east, and ad joining the margin of the bay, is the recently-built village of Bell-Port, which owes its origin to the spirit and enterprise of Thomas and John Bell and a few others. It already contains more than thirty dwellings and two hundred inhabit ants, an acaderay, three stores, two ship-yards, railways, and wharves extending several hundred feet into the bay. From the progress already made, it is but reasonable to anticipate a considerable advancement in its business and population. Five miles east of this place is another, called Fire-Place, where is a mill, public-house, a church, and sorae half a dozen dwel lings. It is chiefly important as a rendezvous for sportsmen. The stream called East-Connecticut comraences in the middle of the island, and terminates in the bay a distance of twelve TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. 281 miles. It abounds with trout, and some other fish of the finest kind. Crossing this stream to the east, we come to that part of Col. Smith's original purchase called by the Indians Mastic, and divided into several farms, one of which formerly belonged to General Williara Floyd, and another to the laraented General Woodhull. The general beauties and delights of this roraantic spot have been so happily depicted by the poet Hearne, that we shall gratify the reader by the insertion of his verses : THE GROVES OF MASTIC. Far in a sunny cool retreat. From folly and frora noise reraote, I shun the scorching, noon-day heat, Contented in ray peaceful cot; Thro' towns and glades I oflen stray ; Of turn somewhat monastic. And spend the solitary day Amongst the groves at Mastic. Dame Nature, in a kinder mood, When things were first created. Decreed this spot near ocean's flood, An Eden when completed ; Here all the luxciries of life, She spread with hand all plastic, Beyond the reach of noise and strife, Ainong the Groves at Mastic. When Spring her annual visit pays, Sol puts a brighter face on. And Zephyr fills our creeks and bays. With brant and geese in season ; Here, on Smith's Point, we take our stand ; When free frora toils gymnastic, Where Death and lead go hand in hand, Among the fowl at Mastic. J^ Sometimes the tira'rous trout we wait Along the streamlet's border, With well-dissembled fly or bait. And tackle in good order. Or catch the huge enormous bass. Be his course e'er so drastic, While sitting on the verdant grass, Close by the Groves at Mastic. 36 282 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. The grouse, the pheasant, and the quail, In turn we take by changes. Or hunt the buck with flippant tail, As through the wood he ranges ; This strings our nerves 1 oh, pleasant toil. We want no epispastic. Nor Doctor, with his castor oil, Among the Groves at Mastic. There rosy health, of blooming hue, That wholesome child of morn. Is seen on faces not a few, Their features to adorn; Here length of life raakes wisdom sage, Life's active spring elastic. And lets none die, except with age. Among the'groves at Mastic. Moriches is that part of the town lying easterly from Mastic, and extends from Mastic River to the eastern limits of Brook haven. The country is thinly settled, and the people mostly farmers. The soil is sandy, with a slight mixture of loam ; but from the facility of manuring with sea-weed and fish, is raade tolerably productive. The narae of Long- Wood has lately been conferred upon a part of Col. Sraith's purchase between the north and south country rOads, owned by one ofhis descendants, William Sidney Smith. The following account of the loss of human life near this place is recorded in the New- York Journal of February 10, 1774 : " On Monday, the 24th ult. the house of Mr. Jesse Raynor, in St. George's Manor, was destroyed by fiire. His wife had sent their five smaller children to bed in a loft, to which they ascended by a ladder, and had with them a piece of pine-knot lighted. The straw-bed took fire. She went up, and threw the burn ing bed down the hole of the loft, which, falling on the floor, burst into a flame. Her husband carae with sorae of the neighbors, and saved a part of the goods. But when he perceived not his wife and children, his anguish was inconsolable. The eldest daughter, who went for her father, could tell nothing after the throwing down of the bed from the loft. As there is no person surviving who waspresent at the conclusion of this awful tragedy, nothing more is known than that his ' wife and five children were destroyed, some of their bones being discovered among the burning ruins." It has been seen, that among the first European settlers of this town was Richard Floyd. He was a native of Wales, from whence he emigrated in 1654. By the frequent divisions of TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. 283 land among the proprietors of the town, as well as by individual purchase, he became in time the owner of a considerable real estate, some of which is still possessed by his posterity. He was a raagistrate in the town and a colonel of railitia. From the frequent recurrence of his name in the records of that period, it is evident that he was not only a person of distinction, but a highly intelligent and useful man. The inscription upon his tomb is illegible ; but upon that of his wife enough remains to show that she died at eighty years of age in 1706. His son Richard was born in 1661, and married a daughter of Col. William Nicolls of Islip. The inscription upon his tomb de clares him to have been colonel of the county, and judge of the common pleas. His death took place February 28, 1737. One of his daughters married her cousin, William Nicolls, and another was the wife of Col. Thomas Dongan, governor of the province. Mrs. Nicolls survived her husband, and married Dr. Samuel Johnson, of Stratford, Conuecticut, afterwards president of the college of New- York. The third Richard Floyd was hke his father, a man of wealth and reputation. He was also a colonel of the county and judge of the common pleas. His death took place April 21, 1771. His children were Richard, Elizabeth, John, Margaret, Benjamin, Gilbert, William, Mary, and Anne. Richard, the eldest, married Arrabella, daughter of Judge David Jones, of dueen's County, and settled upon a farm at Mastic, which was afterwards forfeited by his adhe rence to the enemy in the revolution : he died at the city of St. John's. His children were Elizabeth, Anne, and David Richard. The latter, in pursuance of the will of Judge Jones, and by legal authority, adopted the name of Jones. He married Sarah, daughter of Hendrick Onderdonk, and died February 10, 1826, leaving two sons, to wit: Brigadier General Thoraas Floyd Jones, and Major General Henry Floyd Jones, the last of whom is now a senator in the state legislature. General William Floyd was the son of Nicoll Floyd, and great-grandson ofthe first Richard, who settled at Setauket in 1655. His father had besides, seven children, Ruth, Tabitha, Nicoll, Cliarles, Charii'y, Mary, and Catherine. He died ia 1752. General Floyd was born at Mastic, December 17th, 1734, His eany edacation was not such, as from the wealth and ability of his father, might have been expected. His natural intelligence was great, and his moral 284 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. character elevated. His first wife was a daughter of William Jones of South ampton, by whom he had three children, Nicull, Mary, and Catherine. The former has long possessed the estate at Mastic, and enjoyed in an eminent degree the public respect and confidence. Mary married Col. Benjamin Tallmadge of Litchfield; and Catherine became the wife of Dr. Samuel Clarkson of Philadel phia. The second wife of Gen. Floyd was a daughter of Benajah Strong of Setauket, by whom he had two daughters, Ann and Eliza. The first married George Clinton, son of the late Vice-President of the United States ; and the other became the wife of James Platt of XJt.ca. Mrs. Clinton, after the death of her husband, married Abraham Varick of New- York. Gen. Floyd was early chosen an officer in the militia of Suffolk County, and rose eventually to the rank of Major General. He was soon after elected a member ofthe provincial assem bly, and in 1774 was sent a delegate from this province to the first continental congress. In 1777 he was elected a senator ; and on the 9th of Septeraber of that year took his seat in the first constitutional legislature of thi? state. On the 15Lh of October, 1778, he was appointed by the legislature a member of con gress, and was re-appointed, on the 14th of October, 1779, in conjunction with Ezra L'Hommedieu and John Sloss Hobart. He was also one of that immortal band of patriots, who, on the 4th of July, 1776, signed and published to the world the great charter of American Independence. When the British took pos session of Long Island, his family fled for safety to Connecticut ; his house was occupied by the enemy, and he remained an exile from his estate for nearly seven years. The devastations comraitted upon his property in his absence, were very great. In 1784 he purchased a valuable tract of land in Oneida County, and to which he removed with his family in 1803. There he continued to reside with the good opinion ofhis fellow-citizens, and in comparative independence, till his death, which occurred at Weston, Aiigust 4th, 1821. At an early period ofthe controversy between Great Britain and her colonies, the feelings of Gen. Floyd were strongly enlisted on the side ofthe people, and he entered with zeal into every measure calculated to ensure theirrights and liberties. These feelings on his part excited a correspondent sympathy on the part ofthe people, and led to his subsequent appointment to the first continental congress, which met at Philadelphia the 5th of September, 1774 ; and he most heartily con curred in all measures adopted by that body. He served on nuraerous important committees, and by his ardor and fidelity rendered essential service to the patriotic cause. He enjoyed unusual health till near the close of life, and the faculties of his mind remained unimpaired to the last. In his person, he was of a middle stature, and possessed a natural dignity, which seldom failed to impress those with whom he associated. He was eminently a practical man, without ostentation or vanity. When his plans were once formed, he found no reason to alter them ; and his firraness and resolution were seldora equalled. In his political character there was much to admire. Uniform and independent, his views were his own, and his opinions the result of reason and reflection. If the public estiraation ofa man be a just criterion by which to judge. General Floyd was excelled by few of his cotemporaries; since, for more than fifty years, he was honored by his fellow-citizens with offices of trust and responsibility. Nathaniel Norton. Among the number of native-born citizens of Long Island, who contributed by their talents and exertions to assert and establish the freedom and independence oftheir country, and whose best days were devoted to TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. 285 her service ; it is to be lamented that many worthy individuals have passed into oblivion, while scarcely anything is remembered of their particular services ; however much their efforts may have contributed to success in that dark and trying period of American history. In the rank of this class of patriots may be reckoned the subject of this notice, yet it is evident that he perforraed rauch in the sacred cause of liberty and his country. Mr. Norton was born in Brookhaven, in the year 1742. What were the particular circumstances and employment of his juvenile days are not exactly known. At an early age he volunteered as a private in the provincial corps in the French war, (which commenced in 1756,) in the force commanded by Major General Bradstreet; and in the year 1760 was stationed at Oswego. Mr. Norton displayed on all occasions the characteristics of a brave and prudent soldier. In the beginning of 1776 he was appointed and commissioned as lieutenant in the fourth New-York Continental Regiment, com manded by Col. Henry B. Livingston ; and continued attached to that body till toward the end of the year 1781, when the five New-York regiments were con solidated ; and although he was not appointed to a command in those regiments, yet such was the estimate of his services and usefulness, that his pay and ap pointments were continued to hira during the remainder of the war ; and by a resolution of Congress became entitled to his due succession of rank. In the same year he was secretly coraraissioned by Governor Clinton to obtain loans of money from the wealthy Whig inhabitants of Long Island for the use of the government ; and thereupon the better to conceal this object and fulfil its duties, he was appointed to the command ofa small national vessel called the " Suffolk," in which he cruised in the Sound, between Sand's Point and Newhaven. In this business he was very successful, and obtained large sums on the faith of the gov ernment, which he regularly delivered to the governor. Captain Norton had previously done duty in the corps de reserve at the battle of Monmouth, on the 28th of Juue, 1778, and was engaged with the artillery in that action. He after wards accompanied General Sullivan in the expedition against the Six Nations, then occupying the western part of this state, but was prevented by sickness from taking an active part in the actions of Bemus' Heights and Stillwater, which led to the capture of the British army under Burgoyne. After the war. Captain Norton retired to his farm in this town, and remained till 1790, when he became an elder, and subsequently a minister in the Baptist church. He was settled for some time in Connecticut, and afterwards at Herkimer in this state. In 1805, age and bodily infirmity made it necessary to relinquish his pastoral du ties, and he spent the remainder ofhis days in retirement ; which a pension fVom the government enabled him to do in a comfortable manner. His mental powers were active and vigorous, his memory retentive, and his conversation at all times interesting and agreeable. He died suddenly, while on a visit to New- York, the 7th of October, 1837; and his funeral solemnities were attended by his surviving brethren ofthe Cincinnati, of which he was, at the time of his death, the oldest meraber. By his own previous desire his body was conveyed to Brookhaven, and interred in the burial-ground of the Baptist church at Corum on the 10th of October, 1837. Caleb Brewster, was born at Setauket, in the town of Brookhaven, in 1747. He was the son of Benjamin Brewster, grandson of Daniel Brewster, and great- grandson ofthe Rev. Nathaniel Brewster of that place, who is supposed to have been a nephew of Elder William Brewster, who arrived with the pilgrims at 286 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. Plymouth in 1620. The father of Mr. Brewster was a farmer, and the educa tion of his son was restricted to the ordinary branches taught in a country school, which at that period comprehended only reading, writing, and arithmetic. Being naturally of an ardent and enterprising disposition, and anxious to explore be yond the confines ofhis native town, he chose the life of a sailor ; and at the age of nineteen engaged himself on board a whaling vessel, comraanded by Captain Jonathan V^orth, bound to the coast of Greenland. His next voyage was to London in a merchant ship, and upon his return found his country involved in the revolutionary contest. His enthusiasm in the cause of liberty did not allow him to hesitate for a moment the course which his duty called him to pursue, and he immediately volunteered his services in securing Araerican independence. He was honored in a short time with the commission of lieutenant of artillery, and from that time forward was eminently distinguished for zeal and intrepi dity, possessing to the fullest extent the confidence of the officers of the array and that ofthe coraraander-in-chief. In short, such was the exalted opinion enter tained ofhis integrity, courage, patriotism, and prudence, that in 1778 he was eraployed as a confidential and secret agent of Congress; and he devoted himsell through the remainder of the struggle in procuring and transmitting the most minute, accurate, and important intelligence relative to the movements and in tentions of the enemy at different points, and particularly in New-York and on Long Island : for which he was uncommonly well qualified, as well by his intimate topographical knowledge of the country, as his acquaintance with the people on both sides the great political question, and therefore knew in whom, of either party, he could venture to confide. He was among those who, under Col. Parsons, crossed the Sound to Long Island in August, 1777, for the purpose of capturing a body of British and Tories, who, under Col. Hewlett, had taken pos session and garrisoned the Presbyterian church at Setauket. On the 23d ot June, 1780, he was appointed captain of artillery, and was frequently engaged with separate gangs of raarauders, who sometimes extended their predatory ex cursions upon the main. In November, 1780, he was a volunteer in the expedi tion under Major Tallmadge to the south side of Long Island, where they sur prised and took prisoners a party of British troops encaraped upon Smith's Point at Mastic, and on their return destroyed a large quantity of hay and railitary stores at Corum. In 1781 he engaged with and captured an armed boat with her whole crew, in the Sound, which he carried safely into Black Rock Harbor. Upon reporting the result of this enterprise to the commander-in-chief, he receiv ed from him the following, in reply to his application to be allowed a more con siderable force : " Head-auarters, New-Windsor, Feb. 23, 1781. " Sir. — It is not in my power at present to spare any further number of men for your detachment, as I am obliged to call in many guards, and weaken other necessary ones, to support the garrison of West Point. You will dispose of the boat, and what you took in her, for the benefit ofthe captors. I am, sir, " Your obedient servant, " G. Washington," On the 7th of December, 1782, Captain Brewster, with the whale-boats under his command, gave chase to several armed boats of the enemy in the Sound, and after a desperate encounter, in which most of the raen on both sides were either killed or wounded, he succeeded in capturing two of the enemy's boats. This TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. 287 notion has generally been denominated, by way of distinction, the boat fight ; and at the time was justly considered, in connection with its attendant circum stances, one ofthe most valorous and extraordinary engagements of that porten tous period. It was indeed a truly perilous adventure; yet the contest lasted only twenty minutes, and some of his boats refusing to come up, he was corapelled, frora his peculiar situation, to engage with the enemy alraost single-handed. During this short but terrible conflict, his shoulder was pierced by a rifle ball, which passed out at his back. His prudence and resolution enabled him to keep this occurrence a profound secret till the eneray surrendered, when he found him self exhausted from the effusion of blood- After reaching the shore, he was con fined, under the hands of a surgeon, for some time ; for the injury thus received he was placed upon the pension-roll of the army, and continued to receive a gratuity from his country for the remainder of his life. He participated in several other important and hazardous engageraents, while attached to the line of the army, the interesting particulars of which it is now impossible to ascertain, as none of his compatriots on those occasions are now living. On the 9th of March, 1783, he took command ofa sloop at Fairfield, for the purpose of attacking the Pox, a British armed vessel in the Sound ; and as soon as he carae near, he ordered his men to board her with fixed bayonets, himself leading the way. In less than two minutes she became their prize. Captain Johnson ofthe Fox, and two men, were killed, and several others wounded ; while Captain Brewster had not a person in jured. This extraordinary exertion on his part was more than his then state of health could endure, and in consequence of which he was confined to his bed for several raonths. When he recovered, the preliminaries of peace had been ex changed, and his beloved country had assumed her appropriate station among the free nations ofthe earth. In 1784 he married Anne, daughter of Jonathan Lew is, of Fairfield, Connecticut ; where he continued afterwards to reside, when not in public service, to the close of life. In 1793 he was commissioned as lieutenant of the revenue cutter forthe district of New- York ; and such was his well-known skill and prudence, that on the death of Captain Dennis, soon after, he was ap pointed her coraraander, which he retained till 1816, with the exception of three years of Mr, Adaras's adrainistration, to which he was opposed. In that year he retired to his farm at Black Rock, where he departed this life at the age of se venty-nine years, February 13, 1827. In stature. Captain Brewster was above the common size, of fine proportions, a commanding countenance, a constitution ath letic and vigorous, and of extraordinary activity. His talent for wit and humor was almost unrivalled, and for relating anecdotes few men could be found more entertaining. His Excellency Governor Tompkins, Dr, Mitchill, James Fairlie, Esq. and sev eral other gentlemen, accorapanied Captain Brewster in a voyage around Long Is land, in September, 1809 ; and so highly gratified were they all with his polite atten tion to their comfort, that it was resolved to present him a silver cup as a token oftheir obligation and regard. The fort at Staten Island, where raost of the gentlemen were present, was the spot chosen for delivering the cup, on which occasion Dr, Mitchill made an address in his usual able raanner, which was hap pily responded to by Captain Brewster, On the subject of his railitary services, Mr, Knox, former secretary at war, on the petition of Captain Brewster, re ported to the house of representatives, the 21st of June, 1790, that "he was a lieutenant of artillery during the war, and was confidentially employed in an 288 HISTORY OP tONG ISLAND. armed boat by the commander-in-chief, to keep open the communication between Connecticut and Long Island, for the purpose of obtaining intelligence. That he performed this hazardous service with fidelity, judgment, and bravery ; and the approbation of Washington, appears by his certificate, dated June 10, 1784. And that, by the execution of the trust reposed in him, he became peculiarly ob noxious to the enemy, who made raany atterapts to take or destroy hira. That in the raonth of December, 1782, he and those under his comraand behaved with the highest gallantry in an engagement with three of the enemy's armed boats, the largest of which, with the commanding officer, he captured, after an obsti nate resistance ; and in which action he was dangerously wouuded, and carried in to Connecticut, at a distance from any hospital, where he languished a long time under the pain of his wound." Benjamin Tallmadge, This able soldier, statesman, and patriot, has been honorably mentioned in the histories of his time as an active and enterprising officer of the revolution. He was the son of the Rev. Benjarain Tallmadge of Setauket, where he was born, Feb, 25, 1754, His mother died while he was at the age of fourteen years, but his father survived till the year 1786, He very early exhibited a fondness of learning, and under the tuition of his father, who was an excellent classical scholar, made such progress, that at twelve years of age he was examined by President Dagget of Yale College, then on a visit to Brookhaven, and found well qualified to enter that institution. He, however, did not enter till some years after, and graduated in 1773. Soon after, he was invited to take charge ofthe high school at Weathersfield, which station he held until his entrance into the army. The legislature of Connecticut having resolv ed to raise their quota of troops for the campaign of 1776, he accepted a com mission of lieutenant, and soon after received the appointment of adjutant in the regiment of Colonel Chester. He joined his regiraent in New- York in June, from which time to the end of the^var he was in constant and active service. He was engaged in the battle of Long Island on the 27th of August, 1776, and was one ofthe rear-guard when the array retired to New-York from their lines at Brooklyn. Before the regiment to which he belonged was discharged, he re ceived the appointment of captain of the first troop in the second regiment of dra goons. The regiment was ordered to rendezvous at Weathersfield, where the winter was occupied in preparing for the campaign of 1777. In the course of this year he received the commission of raajor, and was honored with the confi dence ofthe coramander-in-ohief and principal officers of the army. He was in most of the general battles that took place with the main army in the northern states, at Long Island, White Plains, Brandywine, Monmouth, Germantown, and White Marsh. He opened, this year, a secret correspondence (for General Washington) with sorae persons in New- York, and particularly with the late Abraham Woodhull, of Setauket, which lasted through the war. He kept one or raore boats constantly eraployed in crossing the Sound on this business. On Lloyd's Neck, an elevated promontory between Huntington and Oyster-Bay, the eneray had established a strongly fortified post, with a garrison of about five hundred raen. In the rear of this fort a band of marauders had encamped them selves, who, having boats at command, were constantly plundering the inhabit ants along the main shore, and robbing the small vessels in the .Sound. This horde of banditti Major Tallmadge had a great desire to break up ; and on the 5th of September, 1777, embarked with one hundred and thirty men of hi» detach- TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. 289 ment, at Shippan Point, near Stamford, at eight o'clock in the evening. In about two hours they landed on Lloyd's Neck, and proceeded to the attack, which was so sudden and unexpected, that nearly the whole party was captured, and landed in Connecticut before raorning. Not a man was lost in the enterprise. For the purpose of breaking up the whole system of intercourse between the ene my and the disaffected on the main, he was appointed to a separate comraand, consisting of the dismounted dragoons of the regiment and a body of horse. While stationed near North-Castle, a prisoner was brought in, calling himself John Anderson, but who turned out to be Major Andre, on his way to New- York after his interview, near West Point, with the infamous General Arnold. Of this prisoner Major Tallmadge had the custody up to theday of his execution, and walked with him to the gallows at Tappan, October 2d, 1780. In Novem ber ot the same year he resumed his favorite scheme of annoying the enemy on Long Island, and having obtained the most accurate information of Fort St. George, erected on a point projecting into the South Bay at Mastic, he commu nicated his project to the commander-in-chief, who, considering the attempt ^s too hazardous, desired him to abandon it. Having crossed the Sound and examined the particular condition ofthe post, he was finally authorized to risk the enter prise, by the following letter frora Washington. " Head-auarters, Nov. llth, 1780. " Sir, — I have received your letter of the 7th instant. The destruction of the forage collected for the use of the British army at Corum upon Long Island, is ofsomuchconsequence, that I should advise the atterapt to be raade. 1 have written to Col. Shelden to furnish you a detachment of dismounted dragoons, and will commit the execution to you. If the party at Smith's house can be at tempted without frustrating the other design, or running too great a hazard, I have no objection. But you must remeraber that this is only a secondary object,. and, in all cases, you will take the most prudent raeans to secure a retreat.. Con fiding entirely in your prudence as well as enterprize, and wishing you success, I am yemr's, &c,, " G, Washingtoh," In pursuance of this communication Major Tallmadge ordered the detachment to repair to Fairfield. Here being raet by other troops, the party embarked, the 21st of November, 1780, at four o'clock, P. M., in eight whale-boats. The whole number, including the crews of the boats, araounted to eighty raeni They cross ed the Sound in four hours , and landed at Old-Mans at nine o'clock. The troops had raarched about five miles, when it beginning to rain, they returned, and took shelter under their boats, and lay concealed in the bushes all that night and the next day. At evening the rain abating, the troops were again put in motion, and at three o'clock in the raorning were within two miles of the fort. Here he di vided his men into three parties, ordering each to attack the fort at the saine tirae at difl'erent points. The order was so well executed, that the three divisions ar rived nearly at the sarae moment. It was a triangular enclosure of several acres, strongly stockaded, well barricaded houses at two of the angles, and at the third a fort, with a deep ditch and wall, encircled by an abattis of sharpened pickets, projecting at an angle of forty-five degrees. The stockade was cut down, the column led through the grand-parade, and in ten minutes the main fort was car ried by the bayonet. The vessels near the fort, laden with stores, attempted to escape, but the guns ofthe fort being brought to bear upon them, they were se- Oi 290 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. cured and burnt, as were the works and stores. The number of prisoners was fifty-four, of whom seven were wounded. While they were raarched to the boats under an escort. Major Tallmadge proceeded with the reraainder of his detach ment, destroyed about three hundred tons of hay collected at Corura, and re turned to the place of debarkation just as the party with the prisoners had ar rived, and reached Fairfield by eleven o'clock the same evening ; having accom plished the enterprise, including a march of forty miles by land and as much by water, without the loss ofa man. Congress passed a resolve complimentary to the commander and troops engaged in this expedition, which was said by thera to have been planned and conducted with wisdora and great gallantry by Major Tallmadge, and executed with intrepidity and coraplete success by the officers and soldiers ofhis detachment. The following was addressed to him by the com mander-in-chief: " Morristown, Nov, 28, 1788, " Dear Sir. — I have received with much pleasure the report of your successful enterprise upon Fort George, and the vessels with stores in the bay, and was particularly well pleased with the destruction of the hay at Corura, which raust, I conceive, be severely felt by the enemy at this tirae. I beg you lo accept my thanks for your judicious planning and spirited execution of this business, and that you will offer them to the officers and men who shared the honors of the en terprise with you. The gallant behavior of Mr. Muirson gives hira a feir claim to an appointraent in the second regiraent of dragoons, when there is a vacancy. And I have no doubt ofhis meeting with it accordingly, if you will make known his raerit, with these sentiments in his favor. You have my free consent to re ward your gallant party, with the little booty they were able to bring from the enemy's works. Your's, &c., " G. Washington." During that part of the campaign of 1781 in which the main array was in Virginia, Major Tallraadge was left with the forces under General Heath in the Highlands on the Hudson ; still, however, holding a separate command, he raov ed wherever duty or a spirit of enterprise dictated. In continuation of his for mer design of annoying the enemy upon Long Island, he marched his detachment to Norwalk ; and as Fort Sion go, at Tred well's Bank, near Smithtown, was pos sessed by a British force, he determined to destroy it. On the night ofthe 9th of October, 1781, he erabarked apart of his troops under the coraraand of Major Prescott, with orders to assail the fort at a particular point. At the dawn of day the attack was raade, the fortress subdued, the block-house and other com bustible materials burnt, and the detachment returned in safety with their prison ers, and a handsorae piece of brass artillery. On the llth of April preceding. Major Tallmadge had written to General Washington, wherein he says :— " At Lloyd's Neck it is supposed are assembled about eight hundred raen, chiefly ref ugees or deserters frora our array. Of this number there raay be about four hun dred and fifty or five hundred properly armed. Their naval squadron consists of one vessel of sixteen guns, two sraall privateers, and a galley. About eight miles east of Lloyd's Neck, they have a post at Tredwell's Bank, of about one hundred and forty raen, chiefly wood-cutters, armed. I have seen an accurate draft of this post and works," He believed that if two frigates should enter the Sound in the absence ofthe British fleet, and at the same time a suitable body of troops were embarked in boats, the posts might be cut off; and he offered to aid TOWN OP BROOKHAVEN. 291 or direct an enterprise for such an object. To this proposition the commander- in-chief replied as follows : " New- Windsor, April 8, 1781, " Sir,— The success ofthe supposed enterprise must depend on the absence of the British fleet, the secrecy of the attempt, and a knowledge ofthe exact situa tion ofthe enemy. If, after you have been at the westward, the circumstances from your intelligence shall still appear favorable, you will be at liberty to be the bearer of a letter to the Count de Rochambeau, to whose determination 1 have referred the matter, Your's, &c,, "jG, Washington," Nothing more is heard of this matter till the July following, when the Count de Barras, having no employment for his squadron at Newport, detached for this service three frigates, with two hundred and fifty land troops, the whole under the command ofthe Baron d'Angely, The detachment sailed on the 10th of July, and was joined in the Sound by several boats, with a few volunteers and pilots from Fairfield. But it was soon evident that the fort on Lloyd's Neck was much stronger than had been supposed, and not to be carried without the help of cannon, which had not been provided. The party, after a few shots from the fort, re-embarked, having two or three killed and wounded, Ainong those raor tally wounded was Heathcote Muirson, the individual so favorably raentioned by General Washington in his letter to Major Tallmadge inserted above. He was a son of Dr, Muirson of Setauket, and had graduated at Yale College in 1776, His death, as may well be supposed, was a source of grief to aU who were ac quainted with his raany amiable qualities. After the affair of Fort Slongo, Major Tallmadge returned to the .neighborhood ofWhite Plains, where he found full employment, in guarding the inhabitants against the refugee corps under Col; De Lancey, and the cow-boys and skinners who infested the Unes. In the course of the ensuing winter he took his station on the Sound, and arranged another plan to beat up the enemy's quarters on Long Island; but a violent storm prevented its being carried into effect; he succeeded however, in capturing raany of the enemy's vessels engaged in illicit trade be tween the opposite shores, and several cargoes of valuable goods were taken and condemned. The secret correspondence conducted by Major Tallmadge, during several years, within the British lines, has been before alluded to. And when the American army was about to enter the city of New-York after the peace, he entered before it was evacuated by the British, that he raight afford protection to those who Were the secret friends oftheir country, and who otherwise would have beenexposedtoill-treatraent, as refugees ortories. He retired frora the army with therank of colonel. He was for several years treasurer, and afterwards president, of the Cincinnati Society. In March, 1784, he raarried Mary, daughter of Ge neral William Floyd of Mastic ; and by her had several children, one of whom is the Hon, Frederick A, Tallraadge, a senator of the State of New- York. In 1800 Col, Tallmadge was chosen a representative in congress from Connecticut, having previously established himself in extensive raercantile business at Litch field. He was, while in congress, during eight successive elections, a firra and judicious member of that body, and watchful over the political interest ofa coun try, vfhose independence he had so nobly contributed to achieve. After sixteen years of service in the national legislature, he declined a re-election, and retired 292 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. to private life. To public objects of benevolence he gave largely and freely. He died, beloved and venerated for his services and worth, March 7th, 1835, We cannot conclude our account of this town without raentioning three other individuals, natives of Brookhaven, who, by their virtues and talents, do credit to ¦the place of their birth, and therefore deserve honorable notice in the history of Long Island, ff HeuT'y S. Mount, Shepherd A. Mount, William S. Mount, three brotherj, artists, are sons of the late Thoraas S, Mount of Setauket ; their mother, a daughter of the late Major Jonas Hawkins of Stony-Brook, These ingenious young gentlemen have been respectfully mentioned by Mr. Dunlap in his His- ior'y ofthe Arts of Design, and from which the following particulars are princi pally extracted : HpNRY S, Mount, the eldest, served an apprenticeship at the business of Sign- painting with the late Lewis Child of New-York, and has long been acknow ledged equal to any individual in that branch ofthe arts, which he still pursues as his raain occupation. He has besides exhibited very considerable talent in portrait painting, and raore especially in pictures of still-life. He is a student of the National Academy of Design, and has frequently produced pictures in the gallery of Clinton Hall which have elicited high praise from the most eminent judges, and been the subject of general adrairation, Shkpherd a. Mount, the next brother, was brought up to the coach-making business in the city of New-Haven, and imraediately on completing his appren ticeship, turned his attention to portrait-painting, which he has pursued with such brilliant success, as to make it his principal pursuit ; indulging, however, occasion ally in landscape and design, in which his fine taste for coloring has enabled him to produce very handsome specimens. Many ofhis late portraits possess great excellence, not only as correct and faithful delineations of personal features, but also as highly finished pictures. He is likewise a student of the National Aca demy, and does equal credit to himself and the institution with which he is asso- iciated, William S. Mount,, the junior of these brothers, was born at Setauket, Novem ber 26, 1807, and put at an early age, with his brother, at sign-painting, which he soon relinquished for a higher department of the arts. He has displayed, (says Mr. Dunlap,) uncommon talent, both in fancy pictures (or composition of figures,) generally rustic and comic, and at the same tirae in portrait-painting. At an early period ofhis career|he eagerly sought for and examined pictures by jdifferent masters; and West's Madness of Lear anA Ophelia led him to study composition. His selecting these, from among many other pictures exhibited in the same place, is a proof of his discriminating eye and correct taste. In 1826 he entered a student of the National Academy, and at the annual exhibition he produced for inspection his first composition figure. The Daughter ofjairus, which attracted much attention. His next was a Rustic Dance, still better, which evinced that he had discovered the path in which he was destined to excel, A constant attention to drawing, a profound study of such specimens of coZmrog' •as fell in his way, with great devotion to the practice and study oi design, has already been rewarded by a skill of uncommon grade ; and he now occupies, hy the unanimous consent of those best able to appreciate his merits, the first jank in the class of huraorous and doraestic scenes. Besides the two admirable per&rmancea .ab.oye-namedj this gentleman has p.rod.ucfid, among other charming TOWN OP ISLIP. 293 pictures, the Last Visit, the Raffie, the Courtship, the Tough-Storij, the Fortune- Teller, the portrait of Jeremiah Johnson, Esq,, in the common council-room of the city of Brooklyn, that of the Rev, Mr. Carmichael of Hempstead, and the splendid full-length of Bishop Onderdonk in the chapel of Colurabia College. TOWN OF ISLIP. This town is situated upon the south side of the island, and centrally about forty-five miles from the city of New- York. Bounded on the east by Brookhaven ; on the south by the bay ; on the west by Huntington ; and on the north by Smithtown and Brookhaven. It extends east and west about sixteen miles and has a medial width of eight miles. Most of the territory lies between the south and middle country roads as formerly travelled, including Ronkonkoma Pond and a part of the set tlement of Hoppogues. More than half the lands of the town is embraced by the boundaries of Nicolls' Patent. The town received its name from the first European settlers, many of whom came from Islip, in Oxfordshire, England. The country was at that time thickly populated by Indians, from whom the lands were purchased. The Secatogue tribe claimed the lands west of the Connetquot River, and from whom purcha ses were made ; while the soil on the east was bought from Winnequaheagh, Sachem of Cannetquot, a semi-tribe or fa mily inhabiting the sides of that stream in 1683. Judging from the great abundance of the necessaries of life, and other local advantages enjoyed by these people, it is reasonable to infer, that at some period their numbers must have been very great ; yet they seem to have been of a pacific character, and at the settlement of the white inhabitants, manifested a friendly disposition, and instances of hostility were very rare. They have now disappeared entirely, leaving nothing but extensive shell banks, here and there, to acquaint us of their previous existence. In consequence of the number of swamps and streams which intersect the town, and thereby impeding the travel on the south side from east to west, there were few in ducements for settlers ; accordingly we find that the increase of population was very gradual, and no town meeting was held previous to the year 1700, although the town began to be 294 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. settled as early as 1666, being several years later than any other town upon Long Island. The very valuable neck of land, now owned by Dr. Udall and the Willett family, is still called by the name oiSecatogue,a,nd was probably the residence of the Sachem and a considerable portion of the Indian tribe. Before the construction of bridges over the larger streams, the travel was necessarily confined to the interior of the island, and occasioned a great number of roads to be marked out, which were afterwards abandoned, and no traces of many of them are now to be discovered ; thereby, in some instances producing confusion and uncertainty in relation to boundaries, which were frequently very loosely expressed, and almost im possible to be satisfactorily ascertained. It has been conjec tured, and not without reason, that the separation of the oak and pine timber was assented to by the Indian tribes inhabiting the north and south sides of the island, as the dividing line between their respective territories ; this was considered to be about the middle of the island, consequently many roads near this imaginary boundary would acquire the common designa tion of middle or country roads, although one or more miles from each other, in particular places. If any patent was ever issued for lands in this town, exclusive of that to Mr. Nicolls in 1684 and others confirmatory thereof, it has not been disco vered. The records now existing in the clerk's office of the town commence with the year 1720, and the first town meet ing was held in April of that year. The want of any previous documents may be accounted for by the fact of a great part being the property ofa single individual, and the population of the remaining portion of the town very thinly settled, con sequently no necessity existed for town meetings. The mi nutes of the first meeting for town purposes are as follows : " Precinct -j -^^ '^ meeting of the said Precinct the first tuesday of April, pj. f being the sixth year of the reign of our sovreign Lord George Islip J ''^^ fi''^' o'fs'^Cr^at Britain, Anno. Dora. 1720, it was by a ma jor vote, then and there declared and agreed as followeth : Benjamin Nicolls, Supervisor. Thomas Willets and John Moubray,^ Assessors. Isaac Willetts, Collector ; and James Saxton, Constable." ' TOWN OP ISLIP. 295 The names of the freeholders of the town at that time were as follows : Benjarain Nicolls Thomas Willets John Moubray Isaac Willets Daniel Akerly Josepeli Dow John Moger James Saxton Williara Gibb George Phillips, Jun. John Arthur Araos Powell John Smith Samuel Muncy William Green Richard Willets William Nicolls Anning Moubray Joseph Saxton James Morris Israel Howell John Scudder Annanias Carll Stephen White Amos Willets Daniel Phillips Joseph Udall Samuel Tillotson, The extensive domain known as Nicolls' Patent, includes more than sixty square miles of land, and has, since its first purchase from the natives, by successive entailment, been pre served as one estate. It was obtained from the Indians in 1683 by William Nicolls, and is described in the conveyance there for, as "all that neck, tract, piece, or parcel of land on the south side of Long Island, bounded on the east by a certain river, called Conetquot ; on the south by the Sound, (bay ;) on the west by a certain river called Cantasquntah ; and on the north by a right line from the head of the said river called Conetquot, to the head of the said river called Cantasquntah ; to have and to hold the said neck, piece, or parcel of land and premi ses, with all and singular the appurtenances, unto the said William Nicolls, his heirs and assigns for ever ;" and for which a patent of confirmation was granted by Governor Dongan on the Sth of December, 1684. Letters patent were likewise issued on the 1st of November, 1686, corroborating the former, and including, moreover, "a certain other piece or parcel of land and meadow ground unimproved, and not as yet granted to any person whatsoever, being bounded on the east by the lands of the said William Nicolls, on the south by the Sound or bay, on the west by a certain creek or river called or known by the narae of Wingatthappagh, and on the north by a right line from the head of the said creek or river, called Conetquot." And on the 20th of February, 1697, another patent was issued to the said WiUiam Nicholls, by Governor Fletcher, for land as follows, to wit : 296 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. •' A certain parcel of vacant unimproved land, in part adjoining the land of said Nicolls and of Andrew Gibb, bounded easterly by a brook or river to the westward of a point called Blue-Point, known by the Indian name of Manow- tassquott, and a north and by east line from the head of said river to the country road ; thence along the old road westerly until it bears north and by east, to the head of Ovawake river ; and thence by a south and west line to the head of the said river, and so running easterly along by the land of said Nicolls and Gibb, to the head of Conetquot, and down said river to the Sound ; and from thence along the sound easterly to the mouth ofthe Manowtassquot aforesaid ; together with a certain fresh pond called Raconckom'y Pond." Ronkonkoma Pond, in the north-west part of the town, is a beautiful and picturesque sheet of water, which from its location is an object of much curiosity, and in magnitude almost deserving to be called a lake. It is more than three miles in circumference, and situated near the geographical centre of Long Island. Its shape is nearly circular, the water perfectly clear and of great depth. Those who have lived long in the neighborhood as sert, that there is an undeviating septennial rise and fall of the water in this pond, which, if true, is a phenomenon well worthy the investigation ofthe geologist and philosopher. It is enclosed by a narrow beach of the purest white sand, which circum stance, it is said, gave occasion for its Indian appellation, the translation of which into English is sand-pond. It abounds with fish of various kinds, of which the most prevalent is the ^rellow perch. Some of these were in 1790 transferred by Dr. Mitchill to the waters of Success-Pond in Clueen's County. It is difficult to conceive an object more gratifying to the lover of nature, the admirer of beautiful scenery, than this pond, which being in the midst of an extensive forest, the stranger, on first beholding its placid and silvery surface, is inspired with rapture and delight. The extensive forests which border upon this pond, are stocked with herds of deer, who, when hard pressed by the sportsman and his dogs, often, as a last re sort, betake themselves to the water in the hope of escape ; but this resource avails them not ; boats are procured, and the poor terror-stricken animals are soon overtaken and destroyed. Notwithstanding a great many of these interesting creatures are every year sacrificed for the enjoyment of the hunter, their numbers are not sensibly diminished ; the great range afforded them, and the almost impenetrable morasses in which they may he in a measure secure from attack, allows opportunity for in- TOWN OP ISLIP. 297 crease ; and however much persons of refined sensibilities may deprecate the seeming cruelty of, this fashionable amusement, there will always be found individuals not merely to justify the practice, but even ready to join in it with an ardor and enthu siasm known only to sportsmen. The surface of this town is level and destitute of stone, the soil light and sandy, with a slight mixture of loam in different places. The meadows are very abundant, and yield an im mense quantity of the best sedge and salt grass. The bay on the south is four or five mile wide, containing an inexhaustible variety of fish, and is visited by a countless number of wild fowl, such as geeese, ducks, brant, (fcc, at almost all seasons of the year. The sea-weed and fish procured from the bay, and manure made by stock, constitute the main articles used for fertilizing the soil ; and many farms by this means are render ed highly productive and profitable. The population of the town is chiefly confined to the south country road, and in the western part of the town forms an almost continuous village. Mills have been erected on the principal streams, and the water- power is sufficient for more, should interest or necessity require their erection. The different necks of land, as well as the brooks and small rivers, had formerly distinct and appropriate Indian names, which are preserved in ancient deeds, and well known to some of the older inhabitants. Till within a few years there was but one house for public worship in the town. This is a grotesque looking edifice, of small dimensions and singular shape, standing upon the country road near the middle of Nicolls' Patent. It was erected in the year 1766, principal ly, if not entirely, at the expense of the (then) opulent proprietor of that immense estate. In the cemetery adjoining the church, which is called St. John's Episcopal Church, is a monu mental tablet, upon which is the following inscription, com memorative of the amiable qualities of the late owner of Nicolls' Patent : '' Sacred to the meraory of William Nicolls. Hospitality, cha rity, and good-will toward his fellow-raan, were the marked charac ters ofhis life ; and a perfectly resigned submission to the will of his Creator distinguished the sincere Christian at the hour of death, which took place, Nov. 20, 1823, " M. 24." 38 298 HISTORY OK LONG ISLAND. There are numerous islands situate in the bay, belonging to this town, the most important of which are the Fire Islands, and give name to the principal inlet by which vessels enter the bay. Upon the main beach near this inlet, a substantial light house was erected in 1825, at an expense of eight thousand dollars, and is what is called an eclipsed light. The beach op posite this town, which belongs to Brookhaven, has, since the settlement of the white people, experienced many and extraor dinary changes, exposed as it is to the never-ceasing action of the winds and waves ofthe ocean. In the trial of an import ant cause some years since, one Jacob Seaman, an aged inha bitant, testified that about the year 1764 the ocean made a breach through the beach between Fire Island Inlet and Gil- go Gut, and formed the island now called Cedar Island, by the mass of sand washed into the bay, Isaac Thompson, Esq., one of the judges' of the county, spoke also of a gut formerly existing, called Huntington Gut, between Cedar Island and Oak Island, which has entirely disappeared, and the place become solid beach. John Arthur, an old man, had been told, when a boy, that Fire Island Inlet broke through after the purchase made by Mr. Nicolls in 1683, and was at that time called the New Gut. Col. Floyd stated, that about sixty years before 1814, there were seven inlets east of Fire Island Inlet, which were from a quarter to half a mile wide. Dr. Udall, an aged and respectable physician, stated that he had heard David Willets, an old man, then deceased, declare that Fire Island Inlet was formerly called the Great Gut, and sometimes Nine- mile Gut, because when it first broke through, it was nine miles loide. This is supposed to have occurred in the year 1691. In the year 1773 the Fire Islands were not as they now are, but a mere sand-spit, producing only a few patches of salt grass, and were called Seal Islands. From the Ne'W-York Gazette, June 4, 1781. " A number of whale-boats got , into the South Bay, near Islip, from Connecticut, and took off one vessel and plundered some others. They also robbed several people on shore. This induc- ed,a royal party of militia to follow the crews of the boats down to Canoe- Place, where they surprised them, killed one, wounded another, and made the whole party prisoners, with four boats and thirty stand of arms ; a part of the pirates were subsequently confined in a sugar-house in New- York." TOWN OF ISLIP. 299^ J^Tew-York Magazine, July, 1802, '_' On the 28th of September, 1801, a ser pent, ofa species unknown to the people there, was killed in a swamp at Islip. Its length was seven feet, and of proportional thickness. It was on the belly and sides of a straw color ; on the back were thirty-six black spots, reaching from the head to the tail, and on each side of this row were other dark brown spots. It had no fangs or biting-teeth, and was therefore not venomous. In the lower part ofthe mouth was a considerable fleshy portion like a tongue, which terminated in a long bicuspidated projection. It had scuta both on the belly and tail, which amounted to about three hundred, Frora these characters it is evi dent that it belonged to the genus Boa ; the number of the scuta so exactly cor responding to the species termed constrictor, and is said irt India to grow to the length of thirty feet, and to be capable of destroying the largest animals by'en- twining itself about the body of its victims." Fromthe same. " The glow-worm is a native of Long Island, and made its appearance at Islip in October, 1802, in raoist places, beside fences a^d under locust trees. Their light is on the tail or posterior portion of the body, like that ofthe fire-fly or lightning-bug (lampyrus). At times, seemingly optional with the animal, it was kindled to a remarkable brightness. On some ofthe fine eve nings of October, the appearance of these glow-worms (cicindela,) lying thick arnong the grass, was like that of burning coals, and made a brilliant exhibition, asthey bespangled the ground. This animal neither stings nor bites, is nearly an inch long, and resembles the millipedes in shape." In connection with the history of this town, it may not be unacceptable to the reader to have a brief account of the first proprietor ofthe extensive domain known by the general designation oiJ^icoUs' Patent. William Nicolls was the sun of Mathias Nicolls, descended from an ancient and honorable faraily at Islip, in Oxfordshire, England ; and came to America with his uncle, Richard Nicolls, comraander ofthe expedition sent to reduce New- York frora the possession ofthe Dutch government, in 1664, and was the first go vernor ofthe colony under the Duke of York. Mathias Nicolls was immediately appointed secretary of the colony and a raeraber of the council. He was like wise authorized, ex officio, to preside with the justices in the courts of Sessions of the several ridings organized after the conquest. In 1672 he was chosen mayor of New- York, and after the act of 1683, remodelling the courts of justice, he was appointed one of the judges ofthe colony. In this capacity he ofliciated forthe last time in Uueen's County, Sept, 12, 1687, a short time before his death. He made several purchases of land on Little Neck and Great Neck in Clueen's County, which, in 1687, he conveyed or devised to his son William, the subject of this notice, and which he disposed of afterwards to different persons. In 1718 he conveyed twelve hundred acres upon that part of Cow Neck called Plandome, to Joseph Latham, for two thousand two hundred and fifty pounds, in the deed for which there is a special reservation of sixty square feet, where he states his father, Mathias Nicolls, lies buried. It is presumed that William Nicolls was born in England, and came over, when a boy, with his father, in 1664, He was well educated, and having chosen the profession ofthe law, acquired a high standing at the New- York bar. He was appointed the first clerk of aueen's County in 1683, which he held till his removal to the city in 1688, In 1683 he made his first purchase of land at Islip, which, with others subsequently acquired, were confirmed in 1697 by a patent 300 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. of Col. Fletcher, .who was distinguished for his extravagant grants of the public lands. In 1704 Mr, Nicolls becarae the proprietor ofa tract of land on Shelter Island, by virtue of a devise in the will of Giles Sylvester, comprehending a large pro portion of that island. He was a warm friend of liberty, and friendly to the revolution in favor of William and Mary, but was opposed to the arbitrary and impolitic raeasures which were adopted by Leisler, rather, it would seera, to secure his authority than to advance the interests of the revolution. In consequence of his disapprobation ofthe course pursued by Leisler, he was imprisoned, as well as others who had courage and honesty enough to avow their sentiments in rela tion to public affairs. In March, 1691, Governor Slaughter having arrived, called Leisler to account, liberated Nicolls and other state prisoners, and settled the foundations of the future government ofthe colony, March 23d, he appointed Mr. Nicolls a member of the council; and in 1695 he was sent to England by the assembly, as the agent of the colony to solicit the interference of the crown for enforcing the contributions which had been allotted to the other colonies in defence ofthe country against the encroachraents ofthe French, (which fell with unequal weight upon the colony of New-York ;) and for which service the assembly allowed himSlOOO. In 1698 he was suspended from the council by the new governor, the Earl of Bellamont, who, on his arrival,' seems to have embraced the views and adopted the feelings of the Leislerian party, and exerted his official influence to crush their opponents. In 1701 he was elected a member of assembly for the county of Sufliblk; but not being a resident of the county as required by law, he was not suffered to retain his seat. To avoid a similar result, it is supposed he fixed his residence permanently on Great Neck, in Islip, which afterwards became the principal seat ofthe family. In 1702 he was again elected a member of assembly for Suffolk, and was by the house elected their speaker! He was frora that time regularly elected a meraber of every succeeding assembly till his death, and was also re-elected speaker. In 1718 he resigned the speaker's chair on account of his health, which seems to have prevented his attendance for the few last years ofhis life. He was a member of assembly twenty-one years in succession, and speaker sixteen years ofthe time. On the 30th of March, 1691, he was eraployed with James Emmot and George Farrawell, as king's council, to conduct the prosecu tion against Leisler and his associates; and he was also one ofthe council employed by Nicholas Bayard in March, 1703, in his defence against a political prosecution instituted by Nanfan, the lieutenant-governor, and pursued with all the violence aud bitterness of party rancor, for circulating and signing petitions to the king and parliament, in which the abuses of power by hi? Honor and his friends were enumerated: a rejiort of which case is published in the state trials of that year. He was also one of the council employed in the defence of Francis McKemie, a Presbyterian clergyman, in June, 1707, who was indicted for preaching ; which was brought about by the bigol,ry ofthe governor, Lord Corn bury: a narrative of which is contained in a pamphlet published in New- York in 1755, He was twice married. One ofhis wives was Anna Van Rensselaer, daughter of Jereraiah Van Rensselaer, Esq,, and widow of Killian Van Renssel aer, who was the heir ofthe original proprietor of the manor of Rensselaerwick. Mr. Nicholls served in the assembly at a period when the colony was divided ittto bitter parties, and when a variety of interesting questions occurred between TOWN OF ISLIP. 301 the governors and assembly, which affected the rights and independence ofthe assembly. On all these questions he was on the side of the assembly, and appears to have been uniformly friendly to the principles of freedora ; both in his professional and political eraployments he was a firra and decided friend to the rights of the people and to the best interests ofthe colony. He died in 1723 or '24, and left a number of children. Several ofhis descendants have been distinguished by public stations. His eldest son Benjamin settled at Islip, and married Charity, daughter of Richard Floyd, by whom he had two sons, William and Benjamin. He died young; arid his widow married the Rev, Doctor Johnson of Stratford, who was afterwards president of the college at New-York, under whose care her two sons received a liberal education, William inherited the estate of his father, and remained at Islip ; Benjamin settled in New-York, and acquired a distinguished rank at the bar, William Nicolls the""~- seeond, the second son of Mr. Nicolls, (to whora he devised his estate on Shelter Island,) was also educated a lawyer, and was a man of talents. He was a member of assembly for the county of Suffolk for twenty-nine years in succes sion; and during the last nine years was speaker ofthe house. He was first elected in 1739, and was re-elected amember of every succeeding assembly till his death. It is supposed that he died in the spring of 1768, The governor. Sir Henry Moore, dissolved the asserably February 6th, 1768 ; and the tradition is, that he was taken sick on his journey home, and died at a house on Hempstead Plains. He much resembled his father in his political sentiments, and was also a decided friend to the rights of the colonies. He is supposed to have concuried in the addresses to the king, lords, and commons, which were adopted by the assembly in 1764 and 1765, and which he signed as their speaker. These ad dresses abound with patriotic sentiments. In that of 1764 they say that "It would be the basest vassalage to be taxed at the pleasure of a fellow-subject." In that of 1765 they assert that " An assumption of power by the British par liaraent to tax the colonies, if acquiesced in or admitted, would make them raere tenants at will of his Majesty's subjects in Britain," This gentleraan died a bachelor, and his estate descended to William Nicolls the third, the eldest son of/' his brother Benjamin. William Nicolls the third, (commonly called Lawyer Nicolls,) was appointed clerk of the county of Suffolk in 1750, and continued to hold that oflice till his death, March 29, 1780, During the last four years ofhis Ufe the administration of justice was suspended by the war, and the office was of course without profit. It is said that some time before his death he labored under a partial paralysis, which disqualified him for business. His last entry upon the records was made November 8, 1776, In March, 1768, he was elected a raeraber of assembly for the county of Suffolk, with Eleazer Miller, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the death of his uncle. That asserably being dissolved January 2d, 1769, he was again elected in March, 1769, with Col. Woodhull, a raeraber for Suffolk. This was the last assembly under the colonial government, and con tinued till it was superseded by the provincial congress or convention, whichmet in May, 1775. During the period of this assembly, tb£ disputes between the mother country and the colonies arrived at a crisis. The time for action had arrived; and the question, whether the colonists were to be vassals ofthe British parliament or enjoy the rights of freemen, was to be decided by force. The prospect of a conflict so unequal, in which the result was so doubtful, staggered many who were friendly to the colonies. The occasion required all the zeal and 302 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. energy ofthe raost ardent patriotism. Col. Woodhull was qualified for the crisis, and met it without dismay; Mr. Nicolls was less energetic and decisive. Admitting that he was decided in his opposition to the raeasures of parlia ment, yet it must be conceded that he wanted the energy and boldness of his .grandfather and uncle, either of whom, judging from the course they took on other occasions involving similar principles, would have been at the head of the opposition. This gentleman left two sons, William and Benjamin. He devised his estate on Shelter Island to his son Benjamin, and his large estate at Islip to his son Williara ; which, with the exception ofa few farms which the legislature ofthe state of New- York thought proper to take out of the course ofthe law, by limitations in his will, after passing three descents, continues undiminished in the family. The last-named William Nicolls remained upon the estate at Islip, and died at an early age in the year 1799. His son, the late Williara Nicolls, was born after the decease ofhis father, and at the age of twenty -one came into possession ofthe estate in fee. Upon his death intestatein 1823, it descended to his three children as tenants in comraon, TOWN OF SMITHTOWN, This town, at first called Smithfield, was originally conveyed to Lyon Gardiner, of Gardiner's Island, in 1659, by Wyan danch, chief Sachem of Long Island, in grateful remembrance for kindness shown to the Sachem in the redemption of his daughter from her captivity among the hostile Indians across the Sound. It is bounded north by the Sound, east by Brook haven, south by Islip, and west by Huntington ; and lies upon both sides of Nesaquake River. In 1663 it was sold by Mr. Gardiner to Richard Smith, the common ancestor of the nume rous families of the name of Smith, in this town and elsewhere, by which he became proprietor of most of the lands now con stituting the town of Smithtown ; the title being confirmed to him by the Nesaquake Indians in 1662 ; and for which a pa tent of confirmation or assurance was obtained from Go vernor Nicolls the same year. In the succeeding year Mr. Smith procured a further grant from the Nesaquake Sachem, for a tract of land upon the west side of that river, for which, including his former purchase, a second patent was issued by the Governor on the 25th day of March, 1667, in which the boundaries are recited as follows: "Easterly by a certain run of water called Stony Brook, stretching north to the Sound, aud southerly bearing to a certain fresh- TOWN OP SMITHTOWN. 303 water pond called Ronkonkoma, being Seatalcott's west bounds ; which said parcel of land was heretofore granted by patent to Richard Smith by the said Richard Nicolls." The omis sion of a western boundary in this patent may have in part induced a controversy which ensued between the town of Huntington and Mr. Smith, concerning the title to lands upon the west side of Nesaquake River. This controversy, after be ing protracted for some time, was eventually decided before the court of assize held at New-York in 1675, and resulted in fa vor of Mr. Smith ; and in order to establish his claim beyond dispute, a new patent was granted, according to his desire, a year or two after, by his Excellency, Governor Andross, as follows : "Edmund Andross, Esquire, Seigneur of Sausmares, Lieutenant and Governor- General under his Royall Highness, James, Duke of York and Albany, and of all his territories in America. " To all to whom these presents shall come, sendeth greeting. »??»«?**¦** VVhereas there is a certain parcell of land scituate, lying, and be- ^ L. S. } ing, in the east-riding of York-shire upon Long Island, commnn- *t*tt**t** ly called or known by the name of Nesaquake lands, bounded eastward by a certam runn of water called Stony Brook, stretch ing north to the Sound, and southward bearing to a certain fresh-water pond call ed Raconkamuck, being Seatalcott west bounds, from thence south-westward to the head of Nesaquake River, and so along the said river as it runns unto the Sound. Also another parcell or tract of land on the west side of the said river, extending to the westernmost part of Joseph Whitraan's Hollow, as also to the westside of Leading-Hollow to the fresh pond Unsheraarauck, and the west of that pond att high-water raark, and so to the Sound, being Huntington east bounds ; which said parcell or tract of land, on the east side of Nesaquake River, was heretofore granted, by patent unto Richard Sraith, the present possessor, by Coll. Richard Nicolls, and to his heyres and assigns forever ; as also that on the west side of said river; with some provisoes and restrictions, the which has since, by due course of law att the General Court of Assizes, held in the year 1675, been recovered by the said Richard Smith frora the town of Huntington. Know yee, that by virtue ofhis Ma'ies letters patent, and the commission and authority un to me given by his Royall Highness, have rattifyed, confirmed and granted, and by these presents do rattify, confirm, and grant unto the said Richard Smith, his heyres and assigns, the aforesaid parcells or tracts of land on both sides the Nesaquake River, Together with all the lands, soyles, woods, meadows, pas tures, marsl^es, lakes, waters, fishing, hawking, hunting, and fowling; and all other profits, comraodities, and emoluments to the said parcells of land and pre mises belonging, with their and every of their appurtenances ; and every part and pafccU thereof To, have and to hold the sayd parcells or tracts of land and premises, with all and singular the appurtenances, unto the said Richard Smith, his heyres and assigns, to the proper use and behoof of him, the said Richard 304 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. Smith, his heyres and assigns for ever. The tenure ofthe said land and premi ses to bee according to the custom ofthe raanor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, in England, in free and coramon soccage and by fealty only. As also that the said place bee as a township, and bee called and known by the name of Smithfield or Smithtown, by which name to be distinguished- in all bargains and sales, deeds, records, and writings. The said Richard Smith, his heyres and assigns, making due improvement on the land afore-raentioned, and continuing in obedience and conforming hiraself according to the laws of this government; and yielding and paying therefor, yearly and every year, unto his Royall High ness's use, as an acknowlegement or quit-rent, one good fatt lamb, unto such offi cer or oflficers as shall be empowered to receive the same, , Given under my hand, and sealed with the seal of the province in New- York, this 25th day of March, in the twenty-ninth year of his Ma'ies reign. Anno Dora., 1677. "E. AwnRoss." Richard Smith, the patentee above named, arrived at Boston from England in the year 1650, where he married, and remain ed till 1655, when he came with a nuhiber of emigrants to Long Island, and was one ofthe first proprietors of Brookha ven. He lived at Setauket several years. The records of the town sufficiently indicate that he was not only an active, intel ligent individual, but was a leading character and a magistrate. After his removal to Smithtown, he sold most of his lands there, the conveyances for which are recorded in a book now in the ofiice ofthe county clerk. His death took place at an advanc ed age, about the close of the seventeenth century. Only a small part of his great real estate was disposed of during his life. Some time after his decease, iri the year 1707, his chil dren, whose names wer-e Richard, Jonathan, Job, Adam, Sam uel, Daniel, and Deborah, made application to the court of as sizes held at New- York, for the appointment of commissioners to make a division of the remaining lands among them ; where upon the court appointed Richaid Woodhullof Brookhaven, John Hallock of Southold, and George Townsend of Oys ter-Bay, to make the partition required. This commission was duly executed, and the division made was subsequently confirmed by the court in the same year. It is probable that horses were very rare during the first settlement of this town, or that they had not as yet been introduced ; which accounts for Mr. Smith's having made use ofa large bull for many purposes for which horses were afterwards used, which occasioned him TOWN OP SMITHTOWN. 305 to be designated as the bull-rider, and his posterity to this day as the Bull Smiths, while the descendants of Col. William Smith of Brookhaven are as familiarly known as the Tangier Smiths, he having once filled the office of governor of Tangier. There are also upon the island two other distinct races or families by the name of Smith, the one called Rock Smiths and the other Blue Smiths, the origin of which is matter of conjecture. Many singular traits of character, and not a few strange stories, are related concerning this famous progenitor of the Smiths of Smithtown, the records of which have too much the semblance of fiction to be worth perpetuating. The area of this town is nearly ten miles square. The sur face on the north is a good deal broken and hilly, while on the south it is nearly a level plain. The soil is generally good, and well cultivated. The timber is abundant, and has long been a staple article of exportation. The Nesaquake River is the only considerable stream in the town ; commencing in the southern part of it, and running a northerly course to the har bor adjoining the Sound. The population is much scattered over the surface, but there are, nevertheless, several plea sant vicinages iu different parts, which deserve particular men tion. The most considerable village is that called the Branch, which is centrally situated upon the middle country road, and where the public business of the town is usually transacted. Here is a tavern, post-ofiice, store, and about a dozen dwellings, owned principally by farmers. The Presbyterian church was originally built in 1750, and the present more modern edifice in 1823. It is probable that a church existed in some part of the town previous to 1750, as the records thereof mention that on the 13th day of February, 1717, Richard Smith and his four brothers gave a tr.ict of land upon the west side of Nesaquake River to Daniel Taylor, in consideration of his having agreed to labor among the people in the work of the ministry for four years. Between the Branch and Stony-Brook is a small, but neat hamlet, called Mills' Pond, consisting of a few houses arrang ed about the borders of a pond, used as a common watering for cattle. At the head of Stony-Brook harbor is another consider- 39 306 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. able settlement, and one other upon either side of Nesaqui^ke river, a few miles from the Sound. On the east side of this river, and near the residence ofthe late Richard Smith, was the dwelling-place ofhis ancestor, the patentee of the town ; and this was probably the site of the principal settlement of the Nesaquake tribe, as well as of the Sachem. At the head of boat navigation upon this river, is the village called the Head ofthe River, which has long been a place of considerable busi ness, having several valuable mills and machinery, employed for various mechanical purposes. In the north-west part ofthe town is another settlement, called Fresh-Ponds, where there is a Presbyterian church, in which the Rev. Joshua Hart ofli ciated pastor from the year 1792, till his death a iew years since. On the southern limit ofthe town is the neighborhood of Hop pogues, where a Methodist church has been erected for several years. Here is the residence of the Hon. Joshua Smith, who has frequently represented the county in the legislature, and held the office of first judge of the common pleas from 1823 to 1828. The first minister of this town of whom any record has been preserved, was the Rev. Abner Reeve. He was a native of Southold, and graduated at Yale College in 1731. He was eraployed in this town in the year 1735, but whether settled or not, is not certainly known. He subsequently preached at Westhampton, Fire-Place, and Huntington, without being regularly settled in either. He removed, in 1750, to Blooming- Grove in Orange County, and from thence to Brattleborough in Vermont, where he died. He was an amiable man and a good scholar, but wavering in his disposition and somewhat ec centric. His son, the late Hon. Tappen Reeve, was born at Fire-ni^ in the town of Brookhaven, October, 1744, and graduated at Princeton College in 1763. He here formed an agreeable intimacy with the daughter of president Burr and sister ofthe late Col. Burr, whom he afterwards married. He studied law in one of the eastern states, and entered upon his professional course at Litchfield, Con necticut, in 1772, He was a firra patriot in the revolution. In 1798 he was appointed a judge ofthe superior court of that state, and afterwards chiefjustice, which ofiice he held till 1814. He was in the practice ofthe law about twenty-six years, and was the founder of a Law Acaderay at Litchfield, which was the most useful, successful, and distinguished in this country, until the one instituted TOWN OP SMITHTOWN. 307 at Harvard College under the auspices of Judge Story. He presided over the Litchfield Law School ftir nearly forty years, and sent forth pupils to every part ofthe United States, richly endowed with the principles and practice ofthe law. Judge Reeve was distinguished for simplicity of manners and for purity of prin ciple and conduct. At his decease, December 13, 1823, his pupils in every part of the country met, and passed resolutions highly favorable to his character. Among these raeetings was that ofthe Baltimore bar, at which the Hon, Robert Gcodloe Harper presided. The resolutions contained the warmest effusions of gratitude and veneration. Dr. Beecher, in his funeral oration, said of him : " I have never known a man who loved so many persons, and was himself beloved by so many " The Rev. NapthaU Dagget was settled here in 1751. He was a native of Attleborough, Vermont, and graduated at Yale college in 1748. His wife was Sarah, daughter of Richard Smith of this town. In 1756 he removed to New-Haven, and accepted the professorship of divinity in Yale College ; and after the death of President Clapp, in 1666, he officiated as president till the accession of President Stiles in 1777. In 1779 he distinguished himself by his courage and patriotism when the city of New-Haven was attacked by the British troops in their incendiary expedition against the maritime towns of Con necticut. They took him prisoner, most shamefully beat and insulted him, and compelled him to walk several miles in extreme hot weather. This savage treatment in all probability accelerated his death, which occurred November 25, 1780. The next rainister of this town was the Rev. Thomas Lewis, of whom little is known, except that he graduated at Yale College in 1741, came here in 1763, and again removed in 1769. The Rev. Joshua Hart was a native of the island, graduated at Princeton in 1770, settled here in 1773, in 1792 left the church in the Branch, and settled in the parish of Fresh Ponds, where he continued till his death a iew years since. He was a man of considerable powers of mind, assisted by a good education ; and his convivial talents were such as to make his conversation at all times interesting and agreeable. The Rev. Luther Gleason, from Stillwater, Saratoga coun ty, was settled here in 1797, and remained until dismissed for alleged misconduct in 1806 ; since when a numher of clergy men have been successively engaged, whose continuance has been for short periods. 308 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. Thomas Tredwell, Esa,, late of Pittsburgh, was a native of this town, and one ofthe most useful men of his day. He was well educated, and was distin guished for firmness and prudence during the difficult and trying period of the revolution. He was almost constantly engaged in public business ; was chosen a member of the provincial convention in 1775, and elected afterwards to the provincial congress frora Long Island. He was also a member of the first senate cf this state under the constitution, and seems to have been, in all respects, fitted to the perilous times in which he lived. He received, as he merited, the highest testimonials of respect and confidence from his fellow-citizens on all occasions where judgment and perseverance were required to be exercised. He was the first surrogate of this county, appointed in 1787, and retained the office till 1791 ; soon after which he removed to Plattsburgh, and was appointed also the first surrogate of Clitjton county, which he held till his death in 1826, The late President Dwight, in the journal ofhis travels through this island iri 1804, has the following remarks: " The best land, (says he,) which we saw on this day's journey, is in and about Smithtown, Here we dined, or rather wished to dine ; the inn at which we stopped, and the only one on the road, not having the means of enabling us to satisfy our wishes. In this humble mansion, how ever, we found a young lady, about eighteen, of a fine forra and complexion, a beautiful countenance, with brilliant eyes, animated with intelligence, possessing manners which were a charming mixture of simplicity and grace, and conversing iu language which would not have discredited a drawing-room or a court. Her own declarations compelled us to believe, against every preconception, that she was a child of this very humble uneducated family. But nothing we saw in the house could account for the appearance of her person, mind, or manners. I was ready to belifive, as all my companions were, when we left the spot, that sorae ' Flowers are born to blush unseen, And waste their sweetness on the desert air," It raay gratify the curiosity of the reader to know, that the house referred to was kept at that time in ths Branch by Derick McCoun ; and that the young lady, (so highly extolled by the venerable Doctor,) was his daughter, now the widow ofthe late Major Smith of Patchogue. " At a town raeeting, held in Smithtown, August 9th, 1774, it was resolved, and we do fully declare ourselves ready to enter into any public measures that shall be agreed upon by a general congress ; and that Solomon Sraith, Daniel Smith, and Thomas Tredwell be a comraittee for said town, to act in conjunction with committees ofthe other towns in this county, to correspond with the com mittee of New-York; and the said coramittee is fully empowered to choose a delegate to represent this county at the general congress; and that said commit tee do all that shall be necessary in defence of our just rights and liberties against the unconstitutional acts ofthe British ministry and parliament, until another committee be appointed," In a note to Moulton's History of New- York, it is stated, that an obituary appeared in a newspaper, printed in 1739, ofthe death of a negro at Sraithtown, Long Island, reputed to have been one hundred and forty years old, who declare.1 that he well remembered when there were but three houses in New-York, Th ; meraory, therefore, of this remarkable individual raust have extended back to the first setUeraent of New Amsterdam, (as New- York was then called,) in 1626. 309 TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. This is the most westerly town in Suffolk County ; bounded on the north by the Sound, on the east by a line running from Fresh Ponds to the north-west angle of Winnacomac Patent, from thence to the creek east of Sunquam's Neck, then down said creek to the South Bay, and from thence south to the Ocean ; on the south by the Ocean; on the west by Cold Spring Harbor, and by a line running from the head of the said har bor to the creek west of West-Neck ; then down the said creek to the South Bay, and from thence southerly to a monument upon the beach, fixed by commissioners in 1797. Its ex tent on the Sound being about ten miles, upon the South Bay six, and from north to south twenty miles; containing nearly one hundred and sixty square miles. In 1691 Horse-Neck, now called Lloyd's Neck, which lies within the bounds of Huntington Patent, was annexed to Q,ueen's County by an act of the legislature, and has remained so ever since. The earliest deed for land, within the bounds of this town, was given by the Indians to Theophilus Eaton, Governor of Newhaven, for Ea ton's Neck, in 1646. The first Indian deed to the original set tlers of Huntington, was obtained in 1653, and comprised six square miles, being all the lands between Cold Spring and East Cow Harbor, and extending from the Sound to the old country road, including Horse-Neck, which, it seems, was not intended to be conveyed by the Indians, but was sold, in 1654, to three men hving in Oyster-Bay. The consideration paid for the purchase of 1653, was six coats, six bottles, six hatchets, six shovels, ten knives, six fathoms of wampum, thirty muxes, and thirty needles ; which was no doubt considered by the grantors an adequate compensation. In 1656 the people of Huntington obtained a deed for the land extending from Cow Harbor to Nesaquake River, and from the Sound to the coun try road. A part ofthe South-Necks was purchased in 1657, and other parts in 1658 and at subsequent periods, together with the lands lying south of the middle country road. The lands in the town were claimed by three different tribes, the Matinecocks, the Massapequas, and the Secataugs. Both Wy- 310 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. andanch, Sachem of Montauk, and the Sachem of Nesaquake, denied the rio-ht ofthe Matinecock Indians to the land between Cow Harbor and Nesaquake River, which they had sold to the people of Huntington. The conflicting claims of these differ ent tribes produced a long controversy between Huntington and the proprietor of Smithtown, which, after an arbitration and several lawsuits, terminated in 1675, in a divi.'sion ofthe disputed territory ; and the boundary between the towns was determined to be a line running from Fresh Pond to Whit man's Hollow ; the north-west corner of Winnecomac Patent. The first settlers in all cases purchased their lands fromthe In dians who claimed thera ; the price paid was very inconsidera ble, and usually consisted of blankets, clothing, fishing iraple- ments. and sometimes of guns and ammunition, with a small quantity of wampum. The settlers at flrst only took up a house-lot in the village, and this is supposed to be all the land taken up before the flrst patent. Immediately after the con quest of New- York in 1664, the governor ordered the pur chasers of Indian lands to take out a patent for the confir mation of their contracts, and forbade any further purchases to be made from the natives without a license from the go vernment. The governor, with the advice of the council, had the disposition of the public lands. No purchase could be made without his licence, and none was of any avail unless confirmed by patent, for which such sums were demanded as avarice dictated. The fees charged for patents constituted a perquisite of the governor, and quit-rents charged on them pro duced no inconsiderable revenue to the crown. In 1666 the inhabitants of Huntington obtained a patent, by which the whole territory between Cold-Spring and Nesaquake River, and between the Sound and the Sea, was erected into a town, with town privileges ; but the patent gave no power to the in habitants to purchase the lands still held by the Indians within the limits ofthe town. Irj 1685 the governor issued a patent for lands in the town, which in 1675 had been adjudged by the court of assize to be within the limits of the original patent, and in 1686 he required the inhabitants to purchase the lands within the town which had not been obtained of the TOV/N OP HUNTINGTON. 311 Indians, in order that they might be compelled to take out new patents for them. The original patent was made subject to such quit-rent as should be afterwards fixed, and became, eventually, a subject of difficulty between the governor and the people ofthe town. To compel them to consent to its be ing fixed according to his wishes. Governor Dongan, in 1686, seized their patent, and obliged them to raise £29 4s 7d, in sat- isfuciion of quit-rent and the expense of a new patent, which passed the council Angust 2d, 1688, and was one of the last acts of his adrainistration. This last patent was similar to the former, and which, after "confirming the titles to lands already purchased, granted all the remainder thereof with in the limits of the patent (except the necks on the south side and the land to the north of them) absolutely to the inhabitants, according to their rights or shares in the original purchases, and also incorporated the town. The patentees named in the original patent, in 1666, were Jonas Wood, Robert Seely, John Ketcham, Thomas Scidmore, Isaac Post, Thomas Jones, and Thomas Wicks. In 1694 another patent was granted by Go vernor Fletcher, by which the eastern limit of the town was altered, their former purchases confirmed, and the right of pre-emption to all the lands within the boundaries ofthe patent, not then purchased, secured to them. The expense of this pa tent was £56 18s 3cf, of which sum £50 was paid to the gover nor and public officers. The names inserted in the last patent are Thomas Wicks, Joseph Bayley, Jonas Wood, John Wood, John Wicks, Thomas Brush, and John Adams ; and they are called trustees ofthe freeholders and commonalty ofthe town, with the usual powers ofa civil corporation. In an early period ofthe settlement, in this town as well as in others, almost all domestic trade was carried on by means of exchange. Contracts were made to be satisfied in produce^ and even the judgments given in the courts, were made paya ble in grain, at fixed prices, or in m,erchantable pay at the cur rent price. The prices were established by the governor and court of assize ; and in 1665 the assessors weie ordered to fix an estimate for stock. Accordingly, a horse or mare four years old and upward, was to be taken in pay at twelve pounds ; a 312 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. cow four years old and upward, at five pounds ; an ox or bull ofthe same age, at six pounds ; and other articles, as pork, wheat, corn, &c., at proportionate prices. In the draft of a con tract between the town and a schoolmaster in 1657, the salary was to be paid in current pay ; and in 1686 the town contracted with a carpenter to make an addition to the meeting-house, to be paid in produce. Even executions issued by the magistrates, were satisfied in the same way. " At a town meeting, A pril 4, 1661, it was agreed that a firkin of butter should be paid in, at Steven Jarvis's house by the middle of June, for the satisfaction ofa debt due from ye town to Ensigne Briant." The more ef fectually to preserve the public morals, the people excluded from society those whom they thought likely to injure them. In 1662 they appointed by a vote at town meeting, a committee, consisting ofthe minister and six oftheir most respectable citi zens, to examine the characters of those, coming to settle araong them ; with power to admit or reject, as they judged most likely to benefit or injure society, with a proviso, that they should not exclude any "that were honest, and well approved by honest and judicious men ;" and forbid any inhabitant to sell or let house or land to any one not approved by the committee, under the penalty of ten pounds, to be paid to the town. In 1653 the town forbade any inhabitant to entertain a certain obnoxious individual longer than the space ofa week, either gratuitously or for pay, under the penalty of forty shillings. " At a town meeting, held May 14, 1658, it was agreed by a major vote, that tow men beeing chose to goe to Newhaven about joining in goverment with them ; and also to a tend the bisnis of the ships that was caste away on the south side ; and that they that belonge to the ships bisnis, shall bear tow-third of the charges in sendin of the tow men, and one-third the towne in generall shall paye." And 27th December, 1658, it was "ordered that the Indians have ten shillings fbr as many wolves as they kill within our bounds, that is, ten shillings a year, if they make it evident they were so killed." March 5, 1665, the town court gave judgment, "that defendant pay the debt in wheat or peas, at merchant prices." " At a towne meating, Nov. ye 10th, 1686, it was agreed upon TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 3l3 by ye generalitie of ye inhabitants, that too men should be sent to Yourke in order to ye Govenor's letter ; the men chosen by ye towne for yt purpose was Tho. Powell and Isaac Platt." July 29, 1682, the town court ordered a person to pay a fine of twenty shillings, or make such acknowledgment as the court would accept, for having brought a bag of meal from Oyster- Bay on the Sabbath ; and on the 3d of June, 1683, required a written confession from three men, who had travelled on the Sabbath from Huntington to Hempstead. In order to secure the due administration of justice in this town and to punish crimes, a court was early established by the people, composed of three magistrates, a clerk, and consta ble, chosen annually at town meeting. The parties were enti tled to a jury of seven men, a majority of whom were compe tent to render a verdict. In cases of slander and defamation, (which were by far the most common,) the judgment was fre quentiy in the alternative, that defendant make confession in open court, or pay a pecuniary satisfaction. In one instance of gross slander the defendant was adjudged to be placed in the stocks, which appears to be the only instance on record of cor poral punishment in the town. Nor does it appear that a sin gle criminal prosecution took place in the town previous to 1664, slander and trespass being the most aggravated cases on record. In 1660 the town resolved to put themselves under the juris diction of Connecticut, and were received accordingly. In 1662 they elected two deputies to attend thenext general court of election at Hartford, in May, 1663. This connection was dissolved, of course, on the conquest of New-York in 1664. Onthe 18th of October, 1660, the towu estabhshed a house of entertainment, and made its continuance to depend upon the correctness with which the keeper discharged the trust ; and January 2d, 1682, the town court ordered the estate of an in temperate person to be attached, that it might be "secured, pre served, and improved for his livelihood and maintenance, and that the town might not be damified." The first minister of this town was the Rev. William Leve- ridge or Leverich. He came from England with Captain Wig- 40 314 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. gin and company, arriving at Salem, October 10, 1633. He preached at Dover, Massachusetts, till 1635. In 1638 he re moved to Sandwich, and in 1647 was employed by the com missioners of the United Colonies as a missionary, and resided for the most of the time at Plymouth. He is mentioned by Morton, in his hi'story of Plymouth, as among the ablest minis ters in the colony of Massachusetts in 1642. In April, 1653, he visited Long Island, and made a purchase, with others, at Oyster-Bay. It is probable that he devoted some part of his time, after his reraoval to Oyster-Bay, in instructing the natives, either on Long Island or elsewhere. From the accounts ofthe commissioners presented to the society for propagating the gos pel in New England, it appears they allowed Mr. Leveridge small sums, from time to time, between 1653 and 1658, for his services among the Indians. In 1657 they desired him to in struct the Corchaug and Montauk tribes, at the east end of the island, if his situation would admit of it. In 1658 he was es tablished as the minister of this town, and on the iOth of Feb ruary, 1662, the people, by a vote at town meeting, appointed two men to purchase a house and land for a parsonage ; and by a similar vote, the 7th of June following, granted to Mr. Leve ridge the use of all the meadow about Cow-Harbor, on both sides of the creek, as long as he should continue their rainister. In 1670 he removed to Newtown, and was the first minister of that place. In April, 1673, the people, by a vote at town meeting, au thorized the magistrates, with certain other persons named for the purpose, to endeavor to procure a minister for the town ; and in January, 1676, by a similar vote they agreed to invite the Rev. Eliphalet Jones, to continue with them as their min ister, and that he should have twenty acres of land where he chose to take it up. He deferred his acceptance of the invita tion till the 10th of June, 1677, when, at a public training, the choice of the people was expressed in his favor with one dis senting voice. Mr. Jones was the son of the Rev. John Jones, (who came to Boston in 1635, and settled at Concord in 1637.) He was born Nov. 6, 1640, and died in this town in 1731, at the age of ninety -three. He appears to have been a man of TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 315 great purity and simplicity of manners, and a faithful and suc cessful preacher. In consequence of his increasing age and infirmity, the town, on the 19th of June, 1719, engaged the Rev. Ebenezer Prime to assist him, which he did till June 5, 1723, when he was ordained as his colleague. After the death of Mr. Jones, the Rev. Mr. Prime continued the minister of Huntington till October 30, 1766, when the Rev. John Close was settled as his colleague. After the departure of Mr. Close in 1773, Mr. Prime continued without a colleague till his death. Mr. Prime was born at Milford, Connecticut, in 1700, and gra duated at Yale College in 1718. His first wife was a daugh ter of Nathaniel Sylvester of Shelter Island, by whom he had a son that died while a student in Yale College ; and two daughters, one of whom married the Rev. James Brown of Bridgehampton, and the other Mr. Israel Wood of this town. His second wife was a daughter of Judge Youngs of South- old, by whom he had a son by the name of Benjamin, who af terwards became an eminent physician. His third wife was a Miss Carle of this town, whom he left a widow at his death in 1779. The next minister was the Rev. Nathan Woodhull, son of Captain Nathan Woodhull of Setauket. He was born in 1752, graduated at Yale College in 1775, and settled in this town in 1785; from whence he removed to Newtown in 1789, where he died in 1810. He was succeeded by the Rev. Wil liam Schenck, a native of New Jersey, graduated at Nassau HaU in 1767, and settled here in 1794. He continued here till 1817, when he removed with his family to Ohio. His wife was a daughter of Robert Gumming, Esq. of Freehold, New Jersey. He was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Robinson, who settled in 1817, and removed in 1823 ; after which the Rev. Nehemiah Brown and the Rev. Mr. Halliday were successive ly engaged for short periods. The first Presbyterian church was erected in the village of Huntington in 1665, enlarged in 1686, and succeeded by anoth er on the site of the present church in 1715. This stood till the revolutionary war. The British troops, stationed here du ring the winter of 1777, took possession of it, tore up the seats, 316 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND, and made a store-house of it. It remained in this condition till the fall of 1782, when it was torn down by order of Colo nel Thompson, and the materials were employed in the con struction of barracks in the fort upon the burying-hill. The Episcopal church, called St. John's, was erected in 1764 ; and the only settled clergyman in this church was the Rev. James Greaton. He graduated in 1754 at Yale College, and came to reside here in 1767, where he died in 1773. His wife was Mary Wheelright of Boston, by whom he had two sons, John and James. After his death she became the wife of Dr. Benjamin Y. Prime. A Presbyterian church "Was erected be tween Crab-Meadow and Fresh-Pond, in the eastern part of the town, shortly before the revolutionary war, and was supplied a part of the time by the Rev. Joshua Hart, minister of Smith- town. Another has lately been built at Red-Hook. A Meth odist church was erected at Comae in 1786, and a second in 1831. A handsome Universalist church was completed in the village of Huntington in' 1837. Huntington Academy was erected in 1794, and has proved one ofthe most useful schools in the country. The village of Huntington is the most ancient and populous in the town, and has a fine harbor. The other navigable waters on the north side of the town are Cold-Spring, Lloyd's Harbor, and Great and Little Cow-Harbor. The bay formed by Eaton's Neck and Lloyd's Neck affords a depth of water for vessels of the largest class, and was used as a station for ships during the revolution. The South- Bay, which bounds the town on the south, is evidently decreasing in width, and the depth of water constantly lessening by the sand washed and blown into it from the beach. The village of Little Cow- Harbor is now called Centre-Port, and the name of Great-Cow- Harbor changed to North-Port ; each having a considerable po pulation, and easy communication with the Sound. Comae and Dix-Hills also contain a number of houses ; but the most active and thriving village is Babylon, upon the south side of the island, in full view of the bay and ocean. It is situated upon ¦Sunquams Neck, and has a fine stream of water on either :side, upon which mills have long been erected. The popula tion is about two hundred and fifty, with two good hotels,, some TOWN OF HUNTINGTON. 317 half a dozen stores, and several mechanic shops. Few places are more pleasantly and eligibly situated for business, and for the resort of those who delight in sea air and the amusements of fishing and fowling. It is about forty miles from the city of New- York. The first Presbyterian church was built in 1730, which was demolished by the British during the revolution, and its materials conveyed to Hempstead to aid in the erection of barracks at that place. A new church was finished soon after the peace, which has lately been converted into a dwelling- house, and a larger and more elegant edifice erected in its place, with a bell presented by David Thompson, Esq. of New- York. The society of Universalists are also preparing to erect a house for public worship in the village, which, when not occupied by them, is to be free to all denominations of Christians. The surface of this town along the Sound, and for two or three miles frora it, is rough and hilly, sometimes stony. It then becomes level, and so continues from two to four miles in different places, v/hen there occur three separate ridges or groups of hills, the West Hills, the Hills around the Long- Swamp, and Dix-Hills. These are irregular, and extend two or three miles each way. South-westerly of Dix-Hills, after a sraall interval of level land, is another group, called the Half- Way-Hollow- Hills. From which the descent to the South- Bay is an inclined plane, and so gradual as to be imperceptible. The South-Bay has upon its northern shore a continuous strip of salt-meadow, nearly a mile wide. The soil near the Sound, and particularly upon the necks, is the best in the town. The high grounds are the most valuable and productive. The pine plains in the middle of the island are a mass of sand, with occa sional spots having a thin covering of loam. The whole of the town is evidently alluvial, for in no part can the earth be excavated to any considerable distance without meeting with sand and gravel, bearing evident marks of long attrition by wa ter. On a slope at the west end of the Half- Way-Hollow-Hills, coarse sand-stones, of a dark yellow color, intermixed with mineral substances, have been found. Also the sulphuret of iron ; and at the depth of eighteen feet, limbs of trees and the outer bark of the pitch-pine have been discovered, their inter- 318 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. Slices filled with a mineral. At the flrst settlement ofthe town, wolves, wild-cats, wild-turkies, swans, and pelicans were found in abundance; and the wolves were so mischievous, that boun ties were freely given for their destruction. Eaton's Neck, which lies upon the north, and extends some distance into the Sound, is a valuable tract of about fifteen hundred acres. There is a due proportion of arable land, wood land, and meadow. On the extreme point a light-house was erected in 1798, at an expense of $9,750. This neck takes its name from Governor Eaton of New-Haven, who obtained it frora the Indians in 1646. It was sold to Richard Bryan of Milford, in 1684, whose descendants conveyed it to John Sloss of Fairfield. His daughter became the wife of the Rev. Noah Hobart of that place, and eventually it became the property of her son, the late Hon. John Sloss Hobart, former judge of the supreme court of this state ; who, at the close of the re volution, conveyed it to John Watts of New- York, and sold by hira to John Gardiner, the ancestor of the present owners. West Neck is likewise a highly valuable and fertile tract of land, of raany hundred acres, between Cold-Spring and Hun tington Harbors, to which Lloyd's Neck is attached by a low flat sand-beach or strand. In addition to its other local ad vantages, it contains very extensive beds of choice clay, from which millions of brick have been manufactured. On the east side of Huntington Harbor is East Ned:, which is neither so large or fertile as the former. It is, however, more elevated, and affords from many spots very sublime and romantic views of the distant scenery. A splendid mansion has lately been erected in an elevated position by Professor Rhinelander of New- York as a country residence, which is seen to great ad vantage from all parts of the adjoining country. A newspaper was established in this town by Samuel A. Sea bury in 1821, called the " American Eagle," which was con- . tinued till about the year 1825 ; and on the flrst of May of that year a monthly magazine, entitled the " Long Mand Journal of Philosophy" was comraenced by Samuel Fleet, which, for want of sufficient patronage, was rehnquished in a year or two after. TOWN OP HUNTINGTON. 319 John Sloss Hobart, mentioned above as a former owner of Eaton's Neck and an inhabitant of this town, was born at Fairfield in 1635. He graduated at Yale College in 1757, and although not bred a lawyer, wa.sa man of a sound edu cation and excellent understanding. His deportment was grave and his counte nance austere ; yet he was a warm-hearted man, and universally respected for his good sense, his integrity, his pure moral character, and patriotic devotion to the best interests of his country. He possessed the entire confidence of the public councils ofthe slate, and on all fitting occasions this confidence was largely and freely manifested. He was appointed to the bench of the suprerae court of this state in 1777, and continued in the office for about twenty years. He was (says Chancellor Kent) a faithful, diligent, and discerning judge during the time he remained upon the bench. He was selected as a raeraber from this state of a par tial and preliminary convention that met at Anapolis in September, 1786, and was afterwards elected by the citizens of New-York ameraberof the state con vention in 1788, which ratified the present constitution ofthe United States, V\riien he retired from the Suprerae Court in 1798, he was chosen by the legis ture of this state a senator in Congress. His friend, the late Hon. Egbert Ben son, caused a plain marble slab to be affixed in the wall ofthe chamber of the supreme court in the City-Hall of the city of New- York, to the raemory of Judge Hobart, with the following inscription upon it, which, though bordering on that quaint and sententious style so peculiar to Judge Benson, contains a just and high eulogy on the distinguished virtues ofthe deceased-: "John Sloss Hobart, was born at Fairfield, Connecticut. His fath er, a minister of that place. He was appointed a Judge of the Su preme Court in 1777, and left it in 1798, having attained si.vty years of age. The same year he was appointed a Judge of the United States District Court for New-York, and held it till his death jn 1805. As a ma'/i, firm — as a citizen, zealous — as a Judge, dis tinguishing — as a Christian, sincere. This tablet is erected to his memory by one, to whom, as a friend — close as a brother." Benjamin Youngs Prime. This eminent physician was the son of the Rev. Ebenez6r Prime, minister of Huntington, where he was born about the year 1746. He received his classical education at Princeton College, where, after graduating, he remained awhile as tutor, and afterwards commenced the study of medicine with Doctor Jacob Ogden, who was, for nearly forty years, a respectable physi cian at Jamaica, and who published an ingenious and valuable treatise upon scarlet fever, a disease at that time little known in this country. After comple ting his course of studies. Dr. Prime sailed for Europe, and while there attended some ofthe more celebrated medical schools of London, Edinburgh, and Paris; after which he made an excursion to the city of Moscow, He was honored with a degree at most ofthe institutions which he visited, and was much noticed and respected for his amiable manners and extraordinary attainments. Returning to America, he commenced practice in the city of New-York, where he obtained much distinction; and on the city being entered by the British troops in Septem- teraber, 1776, he was compelled to abandon his business and prospects; for, being a staunch Whig, and accustomed to lash the enemy with the satire ofhis pen, to remain among them at such a time might expose him to inconvenience and dan ger. About this time he contracted a matrimonial alliance with the widow of 320 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. the Rev, Jaraes Greaton, by whom he had two sons and three daughters; the youngest of whora is the Rev, Nathaniel S, Prime of Newburgh, a scholar and man of talents. Doctor Prime continued to use his pen and to indulge his poetic vein in lampoons upon the British officers and soldiers, and to encourage by every means the hopes and exertions ofhis countryraen. Having finally becorae suspected as the author of sorae severe publications, in which the eneray and their Tory allies were held up to public scorn and ridicule, atterapts were made to take him prisoner; but being acquainted with their designs, he took refuge with his faraily in Connecticut, where he remained till the resloration of peace. He next settled as a physician in his native place, where he had constant employ ment, extending his practice to a considerable distance in all directions, till the close of his valuable life on the 31st of October, 1791. He was a man of great natural abilities, possessed much genius for poetry ; and his learning, both pro fessional and raiscellaneous, was various and extensive. He died in the vigor of life and in the midst of usefulness, universally respected and lamented. His widow survived him for a period of nearly fifty years, TOWN OP OYSTER-BAY, This town embraces a larger extent of territory than any other in the county of dueens ; and is bounded north by the Sound, east by Suffolk County, south by the Atlantic Ocean, and west by the towns of Hempstead and North Herapstead, together with Lloyd's Neck lying opposite the town of Hun tington. The name is, doubtless, derived from the beautiful bay on its northern border, which anciently is said to have abounded in oysters of the flnest quality. In the spring of 1640 an attempt was made to form a settlement upon the pre sent site of the village of Oyster-Bay by Captain Edward Tom- lyns, his brother Timothy Tomlyns, and a few other persons from the town of Lynn,without having obtained permission from the Dutch or consent of the agent of the Earl of Stirling, who at that time resided in Boston. They met with such opposition from the Dutch, who remonstrated against their proceedings, that they abandoned the place and returned again to Massachusetts. James Farret, the authorized agent of the Earl, was so much displeased with the conduct of these adventurers, that he forth with drew up a formal protest against them, which is thus recorded in Winthrop's History of Massachusetts : "Know all men by these presents, that whereas Edward Tomlyns and Timo- thy Tomlyns, together with one Housard Knowles and others, have lately entered and taken possession of some part of the Long Island in New-England, TOWN OP OYSTER-BAY. 321 whicli was formerly granted by Letters Patent of our Sovereign Lord, King Charles, to the Right Hon, William Earl of Stirling and his heirs : I, James Farret, by virtue ofa commission under the hand and seal ofthe said Earl to me mads for the disposing and ordering of the said Island, do hereby protest and intimate, as well to the said Edward Tomlyns and others, the said intruders, as to all others whom it raay concern, that neither they, nor any of them, nor any other person or persons, (not claiming by or from the said Earl,) have or shall have, orenjoy any lawful right, title, or possession of, in, or to the said island, or any part thereof; but that the said Earl, his heirs and assigns, raay and will at all times, when they please, implead or eject, either by course of law or lawful force, if need be, all the said intruders, their servants, tenants, or assigns ; and may and will recover against them and every of them, all damages and costs in this behalf sustained, or any color of title, or pretence of right, by grant frora the governor of New England, or any other notwithstanding. In testiraony whereof I have made and published this protest and intiraation before John Winthrop, one ofthe magistrates and council of the Massachusetts, in New England aforesaid, and have desired that the same be recorded there, and in other jurisdictions in these parts, and have published and showed the same to the said Edward Tomlyns in presence of the witnesses. Dated at Boston, the 28th of 7th month. An, Dom. 1641, in anno Regis Domini Nostri Caroli Angliae, decimo septimo. " James Farret," In the history of Lynn, it is mentioned that the said Edward and Timothy Tomlyns were men of distinction in the early settlement of Massachusetts, who, as well as Daniel Howe, were frequently chosen representatives to the general court between the years 1634 and 1640. In 1642 some of the English again advanced as far as Oyster-Bay, within the tract which had been previously purchased from the Indians by Captain Howe, and were again repulsed by Governor Kieft, and some of the per sons taken and imprisoned in New- York. The line of separa tion between the respective territories of the two powers was a constant source of difficulty, and the public harmony was dis turbed by mutual complaints of encroachments both on Long Island and the Main; and it was at length attempted to put an end to the controversy by definitely settling the boundaries of the respective territory. On the 19th of May, 1643, the colonies of Plymouth, Massa chusetts, Hartford, and New-Haven, united for their mutual security and the protection of the settlements connected with them ; and the public affairs were transacted by two commis sioners from each, by whom all controversies between the Eng lish and Dutch were from that period managed on the part of 41 322 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. the English. A treaty for the adjustment of differences and the establishment of boundaries between the two powers, was negotiated by Simon Bradstreet and Thomas Prince on the part of the commissioners ; and by Thomas Willet and George Baxter on the part of the Dutch, at Hartford, the 19th of Sep tember, 1650. By that treaty, as has been seen, it was agreed " that a line run from the westernmost part of Oyster-Bay, and so a straight and direct line to the sea, should be the bounds betwixt the English and Dutch ; the easterly part to belong to the English, and the westernmost to the Dutch. When this town came to be settled by the English, a dispute arose between them and the Dutch governor, respecting the western limits of the bay, and this, with the delay of the States-General to ratify the treaty, furnished the Dutch governor with a pretext for not fulfilling it. The first permanent settlement in this town was upon or near the site of the village of Oyster-Bay, in the year 1653 ; and the Indian deed for the first purchase was given by the Matinecock Sachem, as follows : "Anno Domini, 1653 — This writing witnesseth that I, Assiapum, alias Mo- heness, have sold unto Peter Wright, Sarauel Mayo, and William Leveridge, their heyres, exets, adminiatr, and assigns, all the land lying and scituate upon Oyster-Bay, and bounded by Oyster-Bay River to the east side, and Papequ- tunck on the west side, with all ye woods, rivers, raarshes, uplands, ponds, and all other the appertainances lying between ye bounds afore-named, with all the islands to the seawai-d. excepting one island, coramonly called Hogg-Island, and bounded near southerly by a point of trees called Cantiaqtie ; in consideration of which bargain and sale he is to receive as full satisfaction, six Indian coats, six kettles, six fathom of wampum, six hoes, six hatchets, three pair of stockings, thirty awl-blades or muxes, twenty knives, three shirts, and as much Peague as will amount to four pounds sterling. In witness whereof he hath set his mark, in the presence of his " William Washborne, Anthony I . . ,. , ./•,,. -isr • 1 . T> u . Tirii- ( Assiapum or Moheness, /raark," Wright, Robert Williams, 'V Upon the above instrument is an endorsement, as follows : " The within-naraed Peter Wright and .William Leveridge, do accept of; as joynt purchasers wil!li ourselves, William Washborne, Thomas Armitage, Dan iel Whitehead, Anthony Wright, Robert Williaras, John Washborne, and Eichard Holdbrook, to the like right as we have ourselves in ye land purchased of Assiapura, and particularly mentioned in ye wijiting made and subscribed by hiraself, with the consent of other Indians respectively interested, and in ye names of such as were absent, acted by him and them. As witness our hands. Peter Wright, Samuel Mayo, Willia'n Leverish." TOWN OP OYSTER-BAY. 323 In Hazard's collection of state papers, it is mentioned that the vessel which brought Mr. Leveridge here belonged to Captain Thomas Willet, Samuel Mayo, William Paddy, and John Barnes of Barnstable ; and as war then prevailed between the English and Dutch in Europe, she was taken while within the Dutch limits, having gone to Hempstead-Harbor, and landed their cattle and goods, because there was no house erected at Oyster-Bay in which they could be received. The capture was made by Thomas Baxter of Rhode Island, who was cruis ing against the Dutch commerce, under authority of Rhode Island, and took sides with the mother country ; upon which the commissioners ofthe United Colonies were obliged to inter fere, to procure a restoration of the vessel. One of the most ancient records of the town is a grant of land to Henry Townsend, dated the 16th of September, 1661, whh permission to build a mill at Mill-River upon the west end of the town ; meaning, probably, the west side of the settlement as then existing ; which is probably the same as has been owned by the Townsend family ever since. It would seem that much trouble was experienced by the first settlers, in consequence of the conflicting claims ofthe English and Dutch to this part of the town ; and in June, 1656, the commissioners ofthe United Colonies, in answer to a commu nication from the Dutch governor, reproveth him for still con tinuing to claim Oyster-Bay, contrary to the treaty made at Hartford. These disputes involved the inhabitants in much per plexity, for, in order to avoid giving offence to either power, they were under the necessity of observing a sort of neutrality be tween the contending parties ; and on the 13th of Dec. 1660, the town meeting resolved that no person should intermeddle, to put the town either under the Dutch or English, until the difference between them be ended, under the penalty of fifty pounds sterhng. In 1659 the directors of the West India Com pany ordered the Dutch governor to erect a fort, or to build a block-hpnse, on their East-Bay, in order more effectually to re sist the encroachments of the English. Although the treaty of Hartford was ratified by the States-General on the 22d of Feb ruary, 1656, the Dutch governor was reluctant to give up his 324 HISTORY OP LONQ ISLAND. claim of jurisdiction over this town, or a part ofit. But on the 8lh of January, 1662, the people ofthe town took a more decided stand, avowing their allegiance to the king of England, and re solved to defend any who should be molested for exercising au thority among them, at their joint expense ; and it is presumed that the town, about this period, united with other English towns upon the island in putting themselves under Connecti cut. The exact boundaries between this town and Hunting ton were a subject of dispute, which occasioned the following letter, dated the 5th of July,U669 : " Friends and neighbors of the town of Huntington. We once raore desire you in a loving, friendly way, to forbear mowing our neck of meadow, which you have presumptiously mowed these several years ; and if, after so raany fritndl'y 'warniiigi, you will not forbear, you will force us, friends and neighbors, to srck our remedy in law, not else; but resting -your friends and neighiors. By mc, in behalf of the town of Oyster-Bay- Mathias Harvey, Town Clerk." On the 29th of Sept,, 1677, a patent of confirmation for the lands already purchased from the natives was obtained of Go vernor Andross, in which the boundaries are thus described : " Beginning on the east, at the head of Cold-Spring Harbor, and running a southward course across the Island to a certain river called by the Indians War- rasketuck^ tfien along the sea-coast westerly to another certain river called Ar- rasquaung ; then northerly to the easternmost extent of the Great Plains, where the line divides Hempstead and Robert Williams' hounds ; from thence wester ly along the middle of said plains till it bears south frora the said Robert Wil liams' raarked tree, at the point of trees called Cantiaque; then on a north line, somewhat westerly, to the head of Hempstead Harbor on the east side of the Sound ; and from thence easterly along the Sound to the afore-mentioned north and south line, which runs across the island by the Cold-Spring aforesaid ; to Henry Townsend, sen., Nicholas Wright, Gideon Wright, Richard Harrison, Joseph Carpenter, and Josias Latting, for themselves, their associates, the free holders and inhabitants of the said town, their heyres, successors, and assigns, for ever." On the 26th of May, 1663, the Indians sold a part of Ma tinecock to Capt. John Underhill, John Frost, and Willinm Frost ; another part on the 20th of April, 1669, to Richard Lat ting ; another part on the 1st of Dec. 1683, to Thoraas Town- send ; and upon the 9th of January, 1685, the chiefs, namely, Siicanemen alias Runasuck, Chechagen alias Qiiaropin, Sa- mose (son of Tackapansha), being empowered by the rest of the Indians, conveyed the residue of Matinecock, together with TOWN OP OYSTER-BAY. 325 some other lands, for the price of sixty pounds of current mer chantable pay, to James Cock, Joseph Dickerson, Robert Townsend, Samuel Dickerson, Stephen Birdsall. James Town- send, Daniel Weeks, Isaac Doughty, John Wood, Edmund Wright, Caleb Wright, John Wright, William Frost, and John Newman; and thereupon the said grantees agreed to accept, as joint purchasers with them, the following-named persons, being then the acknowledged inhabitants and freeholders of the town, comprising the most complete list of names at that time, which the records present : John Townsend, Sen. Daniel Townsend, John Dewsbury, William Crooker, John App'.egate, Thomas Youngs, John Rogers, Hannah fforman, for her son Moses. John Robbins, Thomas Townsend, Samuel Birdsall, Josias Carpenter, Sampson Hauxhurst, Adam Wright, Thomas Weeks, Nathan Birdsall, Mathew Prior, John Pratt, Thomas Willets, Samuel Weeks, Joseph Weeks, Peter Wright, George Downing, Richard Harcutt, Daniel Coles, jun. John Cock, John Weeks, Henry Franklin, John Townsend, sen. of Lusum, Henry Bell, Richard Willett, Meriam Harker, John Williams, of Lu sum. Hope Williams, of Lu sum. Lawrence Mott, William Buckler, Josias Latting, Thomas Cock, William Hauxhurst, Elizabeth Dickson, James Bleven, Daniel Whitehead, Samuel Tiller, Robert Coles, Richard Kirby, William Thorncrafl, Robert Godfrey, Ephraim Carpenter, Joseph Sutton. A separate patent was obtained from the governor for the purchase of Musquito-Cove, cotemporaneously with that for the other part of the town, and purports to be for seventeen hundred acres, the quit-rent for which was fixed at one bushel of good winter wheat annually. The records of thetown during the last years of the 17th century, are filled with numerous conveyances for land from the natives, both to the town and to individuals, divisions and allotments among the proprietors of the town, wills, and contracts of different descriptions. " At a town meeting held March 21, 1689, Richard Harcut and John Townsend were deputed to go to Jamaica to appoint two men from the county to be at York on the tenth of -Ipril next, to consult of the affairs of the country." On the 19th of Feb. 326 HISTORY op LONG ISLAND. 1693, the town met to consider the late act of assembly for set tling two ministers in the county, and decided that it was against their judgment, and reported to the governor that they could do nothing about it. In 1693 a purchase was made from the Masapequa Indians for a tract at Fort Neck on the south side of the Island, by Thomas Townsend, for fifteen pounds current silver money, which, on the 29th of June, 1695, he gave to his son-in-law Thomas Jones and daughter Freelove. By the act of 1691 Horse Neck, (now Lloyd's Neck,) which had heretofore been an independent plantation, and the only manorial estate in the county, was annexed to the town of Oyster-Bay. Lloyd's Neck, called by the Indians Caumsett, contains about three thousand acres of land, projecting into the Sound between Cold-Spring and Huntington Harbor. The soil is of an excellent quality, one half of which is appropriated to cultivation, and the other to the growing of timber. It was erected into a raa nor called Queen's Village in 1G85, during the administration of Governor Don- o-an ; and an application for ? renewal of the like privileges was raade by the owners to the legislature the 27th March, 1790, which was refused. The Brit ish troops took possession ofit during the revolution, erected a fort, and commit ted depredations to a great extent; having, during the course ofthe war, cut down and disposed of between fifty and a hundred thousand cords of wood. The re production was so rapid, that for the last fifty years more than a thousand cords have been annually sold. Independent of its fine soil and many local advanta ges, there is an inexhaustible mine of fine white clay, suitable^for pottery, and a bed of yellow ochre, of unknown extent, which may be employed as a substitute for paint. The purchase of this Neck was made the 20th Sept. 1654, from Ra- tiocan Sagamore of Cow-Harbor, by Samuol Mayo, Daniel Whitehead, and Peter Wright, threa ofthe first settlers of Oyster-Bay, for the price of three coats, three shirts, two cuttoes, three hatchets, three hoes, two fathom of wampum, six knives, two pair of stockings, and two pair of shoes. They sold to Samuel An drews, on the 6th of May, 1658, for £100, and the sale was confirmed by Wyan- danck, the Long Island Sachem, on the 14th of the same raonth. On the death of Andrews, the Neck was conveyed to John Richbill the 5th of Sept. 1660, who, on the 18th of Oct. 1666, sold it to Nathaniel Sylvester, Thomas Hart, and Latimer Sampson, for £450. Sylvester released to his co-tenants, Oct. 17, 1668, a patent having been obtained from Governor Nicolls on the 20th Nov. 1667. The executors of Hart sold his moiety to James Lloyd of Boston for £200, Oct. 17th,167D, he having married Grizzle Sylvester, who had becorae entitled by devise from Siimpson to his portion ofthe Neck. Mr. Lloyd now became proprietor of the whole estate. He diod, Oct. 16, 1693, having devised the p-'operty to his children, one of whom, Henry Lloyd, came here to reside in 1711. Having ac quired the interest of his co-tenants, he becarae in time the sole owner of the Neck, which, in consequence of being included in the general bouridaries of Hun tington purchase, was clairaed by that town. On appeal to the ^court of assise, TOWN OF OYSTER-BAY. 327 the claim of the town was disallowed, and, to prevent a renewal of any such pretence in future, Mr. Lloyd procured a release from a greater part, if not from all, the freeholders of the town of Huntington. The division line between him and the town was definitely fixed by David Jones of Oyster-Bay, Richard Woodhull of Brookhaven, and Williara Willis of Hempstead, arbitrators mutu ally chosen for the purpose in 1734, Henry Lloyd was born Nov. 23, 1685, and died March 10, 1763. His wife, Rebecca, was the daughter of John Nelson of Boston, whom he married Nov. 33, 1708, and by whom he had ten children. He devised the Neck to his four sur viving sons, Henry, John, James and Joseph, Henry was born Aug. 6, 1709, and having espoused the royal cause in the revolution, his part ofthe estate be carae forfeited by his attainder, and was subsequently purchased of the commis sioners of forfeitures by his brother John. James was born March 14, 1728, and was an eminent physician in Boston, where he died in 1809. His son, the Hon. James Lloyd, a distinguished senator in congress from Massachusetts, died suddenly while on a visit to New- York, a few years since, leaving to his children a spotless reputation and aprincely fortune. Joseph was born Dtc. 19, 171G, aud died at Hartford June 20, 1780. ,Tohn, the other brother, was born Feb, 19, 1711, and married Sarah, daughter ofthe Rev, Benjamin Woolsey of Dos-Ons ; and had children Henry, John, Rebecca, Abigail and Sarah. Of these, Henry died, a few years since, unmarried. Abigail became the wife of Dr. James Cogswell of New-York, one of ihe most excellent men of his day, and greatly distinguished not only for his professional eminence, but for his noble philanthropy and pub lic spirit, Sarah interraarried with the late Hon. James Hillhouse, senator in congress from Connecticut, eminent for his intelligence, and his entire devotion to every measure calculated to advance the public interest ofthe state and Union. James Hillhouse, Esq, of New-Haven, so favorably distinguished for his exten sive literary attainments and fine poetical genius, is his son. The last-named John Lloyd was about thirty years old at the commencement of the revolution ary war; and when the enemy took possession of Long Island, he vvas compelled to leave his large possessions to the free plunder of those who were influenced by no rule of law or justice, and great was the injury sustained. He received an appointment in the commissariat, the very responsible duties of which he dis charged with a fidelity which met the approbation of the commander-in-chief. On his return to his farm in 1783, he married Amelia, daughter of tlie Rev. Ebenezer White, of Danbury, Connecticut. The office of judge of Q.ueen's Coun ty was tendered him by Governor Jay, which, from his love of retirement, he declined. His death, which was sincerely regretted by those who knew hira, took place at the age of forty-seven, in the year 1792. His widow survived till 1818, His only son, John Nelson Lloyd, a gentleman of great respectability and worth, resides upon the Neck, being the owner of more than one-third part of it ; while another portion belongs to the children of his deceased sister, Angelina, who intermarried with George W. Strong. Esq., a distinguished counsellor ofthe city of New- York. The remains of the fort erected upon the western side of the Neck near the Sound, are still visible. An attempt was made to capture this garrison in July, 1781, by a force under the comraand of the Baron de Angely, but which proved unsuccessful, partly from the want of cannon, and partly from mistaking the 328 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. true point of approach to the fort. This place was visited during the war by Prince William Henry, since King William IV. of England. The mansion of Mr. Lloyd is on the south side of the Neck, a beautifully romantic situation, the chnrras of which are intended to be portrayed by the late Governor Livingston in his delightful poem entitled " Philosophic Solitude." Dos- Oris is likewise, an interesting place, situated on the Sound a short distance north of Glen-Cove. The name is alleged to be a contraction of the words Dos Uxoris, and in tended to imply that the property had been derived to some of its former owners through the female line. The location is not only beautiful and picturesque, but well calculated for, business. Several extensive milling establishments have long been erect ed here, and proved a source of considerable pecuniary emolument. The soil in the vicinity is of excellent quality, and the facilities for improvement are rarely exceeded. This valuable property was originally obtained of the, Matinecock Indians by Lewis Morri.s, a merchant ofthe island of Barbados, (uncle of Richard Morris, first proprietor of Morrisiana,) for which a patent of confirmation was granted by Governor Dongan in 1685. The whole, or a great part of it, was sub sequently conveyed by Morris to Daniel Whitehead of Jamaica, Long Island ; and was devised by him to his daughter, wife of John Taylor, whereby it descended to her only daughter, Abigail, who interraarried with the Rev. Benjamin Woolsey, minister of Southold. After his marriage, Mr. Woolsey remov ed to Dos-Oris, where he continued till his death. One of his daughters became the wife of Dr. George Muirson of Setauket, a distinguished physician, and celebrated for "his successful treatment of the small-pox ; more than two thousand having been inoculated by him, of whom only five died. Of this number was his grandson, George Muirson Woolsey. Heath cote Muirson, son of Dr. Muirson, an amiable youth and ardent patriot, was mortally wounded during the attack upon Lloyd's Neck in July, 1781, aa above mentioned. Another daughter of Mr. Woolsey married the Rev. Noah Wells of Stamford, a theologian of much acuteness, and distinguished for his con troversial writings on the subject of American Episcopacy. He died in 1776. A third daughter was the wife of John Lloyd, as above stated. Mr. Woolsey had also two sons. Me- TOWN OP OYSTKK-BAY. 329 lancton and Benjamin. The former, better known as Col. Woolsey, father ofthe late Gen. Melancton Woolsey of Cum berland Head, near Plattsburgh, and grandfather of Com modore Melancton T. Woolsey of the United States navy. General Woolsey was created a field-officer at the age of twenty-two, and rendered very important services upon the northern frontier. After the revolution, he took up his resi dence near Plattsburgh, and died at Trenton, June 29th, 1819, while on a journey to visit his son, then commanding at Sacket's Harbor. One of Col. Woolsey's daughters was the second wife ofthe Hon. James Hillhouse of New-Haven. Benjamin Woolsey, second son ofthe Rev. Mr, Woolsey, graduated at Yale College in 1744, and resided at Dos-Oris, in the commission ofthe peace, till his death in 1770. His estate was sold to Nathaniel Coles ; the other portion having been conveyed by the executors of Col. Woolsey to John Butler in 1660, came also into the possession of Mr. Coles, who married the daughter of Mr. Butler, and thus descended to the late John B. Coles and Gen. Nathaniel Coles. The said Benjamin Woolsey married Miss Isaacs of New Rochelle, by whom he had two daughters, one of whora raarried Moses Rogers, an eminent merchant of New-York ; and the other the Rev. Timothy Dwight, afterwards president of Yale College, and one of the most learned men of the age. His death took place January llth, 1817, but his widow still survives at an advanced age, in the full possession of her mental faculties. After the death of his wife, Mr. Woolsey married Ann, daughter of Dr. Muirson, (who had married his sister,). and by whom he had several children. William W, Woolsey and George M, Woolsey of New-York, are sons of Mr, Woolsey, Another ofhis daughters married Captain Palmer of the British array, and emigrated to Ireland, His daughter Elizabeth married William Dunlap, well known for his eminence in the fine arts, and as the author of many valuable publications, Oyster-Bay Village, including the Cove, (so called,) con tains about sixty dwellings, and three hundred and fifty inhabit ants. From its position, fronting on the Bay and Sound, it may be considered one of the most desirable places of residence in this part ofthe island, and some gentlemen of wealth and taste have made choice of it accordingly. The view from many points is charmingly picturesque, presenting, in common with a few other locations in this quarter of the country, a variegated prospect of land and water, of forest and cultivated fields. Be tween the water of the Bay and Sound is Middle or Ce?itre Island, formerly called Hog-Island, once probably encircled by water, but now connected with the main land of Matinecock 42 330 HISTORY OF LONQ ISLAND. by a long sandy beach of alluvial formation. It contains about six hundred acres ofthe most valuable land, divided into three farms, and highly improved. On the west ofthe village is the country-seat of the Hon. William T. McConn, vice-chancellor ofthe first circuit, a gentleman of high judicial acquirements and acknowledged ability in his official station. In front ofhis mansion is a rock of considerable size, from which the celebra ted George Fox addressed a large assemblage in 1672, while on a tour through Long Island. On the high ground near the Baptist church, are the remains of a fortification erected by Col. Simcoe, in the revolution, to prevent any hostile American force from entering the Bay ; and while here, was visited by the unfortunate Major Andre a short time previous to his arrest and execution. On the east side of the village, which is called the Cove, in a romantic spot shaded with trees, and having a luxuriant view ofthe Bay and surrounding scenery, is the private residence of Dr. James E. Dekay, an individual favorably known for his amiable character, and his proficiency in science and literature. His '¦' Sketches of Turkey" alone have elevated him far above the majority of travellers ; to this excellent perforraance the reading world are deeply indebted for a more correct delineation of Turkish character and man ners than has before been published. The first Baptist church in this village was erected in 1724, and still remains, a curious relic of that age. It is about twenty feet square, with a quadrangular pointed roof, and no longer used for " lodgitig folk disposed to sleep ;" having lately been converted into a stable. The present church was built in 1801. The first minister of this congregation was the Rev. William Rhodes, a native of Chichester, England, who was engaged here in 1700, before the erection of the church. His successor was the Rev. Robert Feeks, the son of a Q,uaker, who was both prudent in his behavior and of liberal sentiments. He continued to preach till 1740, and died at the age of eighty-nine. The Rev. Thomas Davis, from Pennsyl vania, was settled here in 1 r45, and, after several years, returned to his native state. The Rev. Caleb Wright, a grandson of Mr. Rhodes, had accepted an invitation to settle ; but having TOWN OP OYSTER-BAY. 331 died suddenly after his arrival in November, 1752, his installa tion sermon was changed to a funeral oration. In 1789 the Rev. Benjamin Coles was settled, and continued till within a few years of his death in 1811. The Rev. Marmaduke Earle was associated in the ministry with Mr. Coles in 1800, in which year the Oyster-Bay academy was corapleted, and of which Mr Earle was the superintendent for nearly thirty years. He is still pastor of the church, and devotes a portion of his time to the business of instruction, although far advanced in years. Glen- Cov e,iorv-York, and the extreme old age and inability of the Rev. Mr. Polhemus to perform ministerial ser vices at Brooklyn. The governor deemed this request reasonable, and sent Nicasius de Sille, Fiscal of New-Netherland, and Martin Kre- gier. Burgomaster of New- Amsterdam, to this town, as a com mittee of inquiry, who reported in favor of the application ; whereupon the request of the inhabitants was granted. They accordingly prepared a call for the Rev. Henry Solinus, alias Henricus Selwyn, frora Holland ; who was approved of by the classis of Amsterdam, on the 16th of February, 1660, when the classis also gave the Rev. Mr. Solinus a dismission, wishing him a safe and prosperous journey by land and by water to his consreo-ation in the New-Netherland. The time of the arrival of this minister is not known. He was installed in the church on the 3d of September, 1660, in the presence of the Fiscal and Burgomaster Kregier, by the order of Governor Stuyvesant, who appears to have been at the head ofthe eccle siastical as well as the civil and railitary government of the colony. The salary of Mr, Selwyn was fixed at six hundred guilders ; and the marriage fees, instead of being a perquisite of his office, were to be accounted for to the church. On the 29th of October, 1662, it appears that he paid over to the consistory seventy-eight guilders and ten stivers, for fourteen marriages 476 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND, performed by him during the year. On the 23d of July, 1664, he returned to Holland; and after his departure, Charles Debevoice, schoolmaster and sexton, was directed to read the prayers in the church, and a sermon from an approved author, every Sabbath, till another should be called. The first Dutch church was built- here in 1666, and stood about forty years ; when another was erected on the same spot, which was taken down in 1810, and a new and substantial one built in Jero lemon Street. This last, not being found sufficiently large, has lately given place to a more splendid edifice, on nearly the same site., An Episcopal society existed in this town as early as 1766. It was incorporated in 1787 ; and in 1795 St. Ann's church was occupied for the first time. This building was of stone, and was superseded by the present elegant edifice in 1824. The first Methodist church was incorporated in 1794 ; the first Presbyterian church in 1822; the first Baptist church in 1823 ; the first Roman Catholic church in 1822; and the first Con gregational church in 1839. The first printing-press established in this town was by Thomas Kirk in 1 799, from which was issued a weekly news paper, entitled " The Courier, and New- York and Long Island Advertiser," and was continued for about four years. The first number ofthe " Long Island Star," by the same gentleman, was issued on the first of June, 1809, and transferred to Alden Spooner in the year 1811. The most compact part of this town was incorporated into a village on the 12th of April, 1816, which, although violently opposed by a portion of the population, gave a new impulse to the spirit of improvement, and has resulted in raising it to the third rank among the cities of the State of New- York. The village charter authorized the election of five trustees, and those named in the act were Andrew Mercein, John Garrison, John Doughty, John Seaman, and John Dean, This charter was several times amended and enlarged as the increase of po pulation required, until it became indispensable to endow the place with the name and privileges of a city. On the Sth of April, 1834, the whole territory of the town was incorporated TOWN OF BROOKLYN. 477 under the name ofthe " City of Brooklyn," and its inhabitants a body corporate and politic, by the style of " The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Brooklyn." It is divided into nme wards ; tbe powers ofthe corporation are vested in a mayor, and a board of aldermen composed of two, elected an nually from each ward. These have the appointing of most of the subordinate officers of the city. Bedford, upon the eastern part of the town, was formerly a separate hamlet ; but is now so far swallowed up by the progress of improveraent, as to have nearly lost its identity. Gowanus is that part of Brooklyn which joins Flatbush and the waters ofthe bay, consisting prin cipally of a low tract of salt raarsh, ponds, and creeks, over which a highway and bridge have been constructed, and is fast becoming more valuable as the city advances in that direction. The Wallabout is a part of Brooklyn north-east from the ferry, and rendered famous in the revolution from having been the scene of the most heart-rending sufferings .of many thousand American citizens, confined on board the prison-ships station ed in the bay. The United States possess about forty acres, in cluding the site of the old mill-pond. Here have been erected a spacious navy-yard, public store-houses, machine-shops, and two immense edifices, in which the largest ships are protected from the weather, while building. On the opposite side of the bay has lately been constructed the Naval Hospital, which is not only splendid, but magnificent. The " Apprentices' Li brary Association " was formed in 1824, the corner-stone of which was laid by the Marquis La Fayette during his last visit to America in that year. The library is now in the Brooklyn Lyceum ; and the building having becorae the pro perty of the city, is appropriated for public offices, and the hold ing of courts, being denominated the " City Buildings." The Brooklyn Lyceum was instituted October 10, 1833. The edi fice is a beautiful specimen of architecture, composed of granite, and every way adapted to the purpose of its projection. The objects of this institution are intellectual and moral improve ment, by means of certain specified committees, and by gratui tous public lectures. A course of lectures by gentlemen of the city of New- York was commenced the 7th of November, 1833 ; 478 HISTORY OP LONG ISLAND. and has been varied occasionally by essays, principally frora the pens of ladies. The Brooklyn Collegiate Institute for young ladies was incorporated in 1829. The building is large and beautifully located near the East River. It flourished for a few years, and gave promise of permanent utility ; but from want of sufficient patronage, the school has been given up. The " City-Hall," which was commenced a few years since upon a magnificent scale, has been interrupted in its progress, and doubts are entertained of its completion, at least upon the plan and to the extent originally contemplated. This town had a full share ofthe railitary operations during the Revolutionary war ; and was for a long time in the posses sion of the British army. It is covered with the remains of for tifications, which were thrown up by the Americans and En glish for their defence against each other. In this town was fought the most sanguinary part of the battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776 ; which took place on the retreat of the Ame rican array within their lines, and the attempt of a portion of thera to ford the mill-pond at Gowanus; in which attempt nearly the whole of a regiment of young men frora Maryland were cut off. Many of the minor events connected with this battle and the Revolutionary contest are fast sinking into the shades of obli vion ; the compiler has therefore thought proper to give place to the following piece of history, not with an idea that he can immortalize any event which he relates ; but with a hope that his eflEbrts will call forth some nobler pen to do justice to the meraories of many ofthe almost forgotton heroes of those hard- fought battles and arduous contests. In the battle above-men tioned part of the British army marched down a lane, or road, leading from the Brush tavern to Gowanus, pursuing the Ame ricans. Several of the American riflemen, in order to be more secure, and at the same time more effectually to succeed in their designs, had posted theraselves in the high trees near the road. One of them, whose name is not now known, shot the English Major Grant ; in this he passed unobserved. Again he loaded his deadly rifle, and fired ; another English officer fell. He was then discovered, and a platoon ordered to ad- TOWN OP BROOKLYN. 479 vance, and fire into the tree ; which order was iramediately carried into execution, and tlie rifleman fell to the ground, dead. After the battle was over the two British officers were buried in a field near the place, and their graves fenced in with some posts and rails, where their remains still rest. But, for " an example to the rebels," they refused to the American rifle man the rites of sepulture, and his body lay exposed on the ground till the flesh was rotten, and torn off the bones by the fowls of the air. After a considerable length of time, in a heavy gale of wind a large tree was uprooted ; in the cavity formed by which some friend to the Americans, notwithstand ing the prohibition of the English, deposited the soldier's skeleton to mingle in peace with its kindred earth. In the year 1776 and the subsequent years, there was station ed at the Wallabout several ships for the reception and confine ment of American seamen taken prisoners by the enemy. The circumstances in relation to this event are so interesting, and are so intimately connected with the Revolutionary history of the town, that we cannot omit giving a brief account of some of the more prominent ones, which have been derived from fhe pen of Jeremiah Johnson, Esq., mayor of the city of Brook lyn, a gentleman of great intelligence and research, and whose memory extends back to the period to which the facts them selves relate. The qualifications of this respectable indivi dual, and the large share of public confidence enjoyed by him, are evinced by the fact of his having held the office of super visor of the town for more than forty years in succession. He has, raoreover, represented the county in the legislature, and risen from a private in the railitia to the rank of major-general. He has also been a judge ofthe common pleas ; and on the 3d of April, 1814, was appointed to the command of the 22d bri gade of New- York infantry, consisting of one thousand seven hundred and fifty men, who were stationed at Fort-Green during the late war. The following particulars were communicated by him to the editor ofthe "Naval Magazine," for September, 1836 : " The subject ofthe naval prisoners, and of the British prison-ships stationed at the Wallabout during the revolution, is one which cannot be passed by in 480 HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND. silence, Frora printed journals published in New- York at the close of the war, it appears that eleven thousand five hundred American prisoners had died on board the prison ships. Although the nuraber is very great, still if the nuraber who perished had been less, the coraraissary of naval prisoners, David Sprout, Esq., and his deputy, had it in their power, by an official return, to give the true number exchanged, escaped, and deaid. Such a return has neveir appeared in the United States, This man returned to America after the war, and resided iu Philadelphia,, where he died. He could not have been ignorant of the statement published here on tbis interesting subject. We raay therefore infer, that about that number perished in the prison ships, A large transport,, naraed the Whitby, was the first prison ship anchored in the Wallabout. She was moored near " Rerasen's MiU," about the 20th of October, 1776, and was crowded with prison ers. Many landsmen were prisoners on board this vessel ; she was said to be the most sickly of all the prison ships. Bad provisions, bad water, and scanted rations were dealt to the prisoners. No medical men attended tbe sick. Disease reigned unrelieved, and hundreds died from pestilence, or were starved, on board this floating prison, I saw the sand-beach between a ravine in the hill and Mr, Rerasen's dock becorae filled with graves in the course of two months ; and be fore the 1st of May, 1777, the ravine alluded to was itself occupied in the sarae way. In the month of May of that year two large ships were anchored in the Wallabout, when the prisoners were transferred from the Whitby to them. These vessels were also very sickly, frora the causes before stated. Although many prisoners were seirt on board of them, and were exchanged, death made room for all. On a Sunday afternoon, about the raiddle of October, 1777, one of the prison ships was burnt ; the prisoners, except a few, who,, it was said, were burnt in the vessel, were removed to the remaining ship. It was reported at the time that the prisoners had fired their prison ; whieh, if true, proves that they preferred death, even by fire, to the lingering sufferings of pestUence and starva tion. In the month of February, 1778, the reraaining prison ship was burnt at night ; when the prisoners were removed from her to the ships then wintering in the Wallabout, In the month of April, 1778, the Old Jersey was moored in the Wallabout, and all the prisoners (except the sick) were transferred to her. The sick were carried to two hospital ships, naraed the Hope and Falmouth, anchor ed near each other about two hundred yards east from the Jersey. These ships remained in the Wallabout until New- York was evacuated by the British. The Jersey was the receiving-ship — the others, truly, the ships of Death ! It has been generally thought that aUthe prisoners died on board ofthe Jersey. This is not true ; many raay have died on board of her who were not reported as sick : but all the men who were placed on the sick-list were reraoved to the hospital ships,.from which they were usually taken, sewed up in a blanket, to their lung home. After the hospital ships were brought into the Wallabout, it was reported tbat the sick were attended by physicians; few, very few> however, recovered. It was no uncommon thing to see five or six dead bodies brought on shore in a sin gle morning ; when a small excavation would be raade at the foot ofthe hiU, the bodies be cast in, and a man with a shovel would cover them by shovelling sand down the hUl upon thera. Many were buried in a ravine on the hill ; some on the farm. The whole shore frora Rennie's Point to Mr. Rerasen's dock-yard was a place of graves ; as were also the slope of the hill near the house, the shore TOWN OP BROOKLYN. 481 from Mr, Rerasen's barn along the raUl-pond to Rapelje's farra and the sandy island, between the flood-gates and the mill-dam ; while a few were buried on the shore, the east side of the WaUabout, Thus did Death reign liere, from 1776 until the peace. The whole Wallabout was a sickly place during the war. The atmosphere seemed to be charged with foul air from the prison ships, and with the effluvia ofthe dead bodies washed out of their graves by the tides. We have ourselves examined many of the skulls lying on the shore ; from tbe teeth, they appear to be the remains of men in the prime of life, A singularly daring and successful escape was effected from the Jersey about 4 o'clock one afternoon, in Deceraber, 1780, The best boat of the ship had returned from New-York, was left fastened at the gangway, with the oars on board. It was stormy; the wind blew from the north-east, and the tide ran flood. A watch-word, was given, and a number of prisoners placed themselves between the ship's waist and the sentinel ; at this juncture four eastern captains got on board the boat, which was cast off by their friends. The boat passed close under the bows of the ship, and was a considerable distance from her before the sentinel on the forecastle gave the alarra, and fired at her. The boat passed Hell-Gate, and arrived safe in Connecticut next raorning. Suffice it to say, in conclusion, that here more than eleven thousand American citizens and soldiers perished, many of whose names are unknown, and whose sufferings are buried in oblivion ! They lingered where no eye of pity witness ed their, agony ; no voice administered consolation ; no tongue could praise their patriotic devotion, or friendly hand be stretched out for their relief. Here to pass the weary day and night, unvaried, except by new scenes of painful endu rance, and new inflictions of hopeless misery. The hope of death was to them the only consolation which their situation afforded. 61 APPENDIX. APPENDIX No, I, Capitulation by the Dutch to the English. Referred to at page 96. These Articles foUowing were consented to by the Persons here under subscrib ed, at the Governour's Bowery, August the 27th, Old Style, 1664. I. We consent That the States-General, or the West India Company, shaU freely injoy all Farras and Houses, (except such as are in the Forts,) and that within six months they shall have free Liberty to transport all such Arras and Ammunition as now does belong to them, or else they shall be paid for thera. II. All Publique Houses shall continue for the Uses which they are for, III. All people shall continue free Denizens, and shall injoy their Lands, Houses, Goods, wheresover they are within this Country, and dispose of them as they please. IV, If any Inhabitant have a Mind to remove hiraself, he shall have a Year and six Weeks frora this day, to remove hiraself. Wife, Children, Servants, Goods, and to dispose ofhis lands here. V, If any Officer of State, or Publique Minister of State, have a Mind to go for England, they shall be transported Fraught free, in his Majesty's Frigotts, when these Frigotts shall return thither. VI, It is consented to, that any People raay freely come from the Netherlands, and plant in this Colony; and that Dutch Vessels raay freely come hither, and any ofthe Dutch may freely return home; or send any Sort of Merchandize horae in Vessels oftheir own Country, VII. All Ships frora the Netherlands, or any other Place, and Goods therein, shall be received here, and sent hence, after the manner which formerly they were, before our coraing hither, for six Months next ensuing, VIII, The Dutch here shall injoy the Liberty of their Consciences in divine Worship and Church Discipline, IX. No Dutchman here, or Dutch Ship here, shaU upon any occasion be pressed to serve in War against any Nation whatsoever, X: That the Townsmen ofthe Manhattans shall not have any Soldiers quar tered upon them, without being satisfied and paid for thera by the Officers ; and that at this present, if the Fort be not capable of lodging all the Soldiers, then the Burgoraasters, by his Officers, shaU appoint some Houses capable to receive them. XI, The Dutch here shaU injoy their own Customs concerning their Inherit ances. 486 APPENDIX. XII. All Publique Writings and Records, which concern the Inheritances of any People, or the Reglement ofthe Church or Poor, or Orphans, shall be care fully kept by those in whose Hands now they are, and such Writings as parti cularly concern the States-General, may at any Time be sent to them. XIII, No Judgment that has passed any Judicature here, shall be called in duestion ; but if any conceive that he hath not had Justice done hira, if he apply himself lo the States-General, the other Party shall be bound to answer for the supposed Injury, XIV, If any Dutch, living here, shall at any Tirae desire to travaUe or traf fique into England, or any Place, or Plantation, in obedience to his Majesty of England, or with the Indians, he shall have (upon his Request to the Governor,) a Certificate that he is a free Denizen of this Place, and Liberty to do so. XV. If it do appeare that there is a publique Engageraent of Debt by the Town of the Manhattoes, and aWay agreed on forthe satisfying of that Engageraent, it is agreed that the same Way proposed shall go on, and that the Engagement shaU be satisfied, XVI, All inferior Civil Officers and Magistrates shall continue as now they are, (if they please,) till the customary Tirae of new Elections, and then new ones to be chosen by theraselves ; provided that such new chosen Magistrates shall take the Oath of Allegiance to his Majesty of England before they enter upon their Office, XVII, All Differences of Contracts and Bargains raade before this Day, by any in this Country, shall be determined according to the Manner ofthe Dutch. XVIII, If it do appeare that the West India Company of Amsterdam do really owe any Suras of Money to any Person here, it is agreed that Recognition and other Duties payable by Ships going for the Netherlands, be continued for 6 Months longer. XIX. The Officers MUitary, and Soldiers, shall march out with their Arras, Druras beating, and Colors flying, and lighted Matches; and if any of thera will plant, they shall have fifty Acres of Land set out for^thera; if any of thera will serve as Servants, they shall continue with all Safety, and becorae free Denizens afterwards. XX, If at any Tirae hereafter the King of Great Britain, and the States ofthe Netherland, do agree that this Place and Country be redelivered into the Hands ofthe said States, whensoever his Majestic will send his Coramands to re-deliver it, it shall iraraediately be done, XXI, That the Town of Manhattans shall choose Deputyes, and those Depu tyes shall have free Voyces in all publique Affairs, as rauch as any other Deputyes- XXII; Those who have any Property in any Houses in the Fortof Aurania, shall (if they please) slight the Fortifications there, and then enjoy all their Houses, as all People do where there is no Fort, XXIII, Iftherebe anySoldiers that wUl go into HoUand, and if the Corapany of West India in Arasterdam, or any private Persons here, wUl transport them into Holland, then they shall have a safe Passport from Colonel Richard Nicolls,Deputy-Governor under his Royal Highness, and the other Commission ers, to defend the Ships that shall transport such Soldiers, and aU the Goods in thera, from any Surprizal or Acts of Hostility, to be done by any of his Majestie's Ships or Subjects. That the Copies ofthe King's Grant to his Royal Highness and the Copy of hia Royal Highness's Coraraission to Colonel Richard Nicoll?, APPENDIX. 487 testified by twoCommissioners more, and Mr. Winthrop, to be true Copies, shall be delivered to the Hon. Mr. Stuyvesant, the present Governor, on Munday next by Eight ofthe Clock in the Morning, at the Old Mlln ; and these Articles consented to, and signed by Colonel Richard Nicolls, Deputy-Governor to his Royal Highness ; and that within two Hours after the Fort and Town called New Amsterdam, upon the Isle of Manhatoes, shall be delivered into the Hands ofthe said Colonel Richard Nicolls, by the Service of such as shall be by hira thereunto deputed, by his Hand and Seal, John De Decker, Robert Carr, Nich, Verleet, Geo, Cartwright, Sara, Megapolensis, John Winthrop, Cornelius Steenwick, Sara, Willys, Oloffe Stevens Van Kortlant, Thomas Clatke, Jaraes Cousseau, John Pinchon. I do consent to these articles, RICHARD NICOLLS. No, II, List of Governors, Lieutenant-Governors, and Presidents of the Council, 'who have administered the Government of ihe Colony and State of New- York from its settlement to the present time. DUTCH. Peter Minuet, Director-General, . . - - 1625 to 1629 Wauter Van Twiller, - ... 1629 to 1638 WiUiara Keift, - 1638 to 1647 Peter Stuyvesant, - - - - 1647 to 1664 Anthony Colve, frora October 14, 1673, to February 9, 1674 ENGLISH. Richard Nicolls, - - - - frora Septeraber 7, 1664 to 1667 Francis Lovelace, . - - - 1667 to 1673 Edraund Andross, - - - - 1674 to 1681 Anthony Brockholst, - .... 1C81 to 1683 Thoraas Dongan, - - - 1683 to 1688 Francis Nicholson, - - - - 1688 to 16S9 Jacob Liesler, (Lieutenant-Governor,) - 1689 to 1691 Henry Slaughter, a few raonths in - - 1691 Richard Ingolsby, (Lieutenant-Governor,) - - 1691 to 1692 Benjarain Fletcher, - - - . - - 1693 to 1698 Richard, Earl of Bellamont, - - - 1698 to 1701 John Nanfan, (Lieutenant-Governor,) 1701 to 1702 Edward Hyde, (Lord Cornbury,) - n02 to 1 708 Lord Lovelace, (Baron of Hurley,) - - - 1708 to 1709 Richard Ingolsby, (Lieutenant-Governor,) few raonths in 1709 Gerardus Beekman, (President,) - - 1''09 w 1^10 Robert Hunter, - - - " HlOtoHlS Peter Schuyler, (President,) ----- 1718 to 1720 488 APPENDIX. WUliara Burnet, -...--- 1720 to 1729 John Montgomerie, - - 1728 to 1731 Rip Van Dam, (President.) - - - 1731 to 1732 William Cosby, - 1732 to 1736 George Clarke, - - 1736 to 1743 George Clinton, ... - - 1743 to 1753 James De Lancey, (Lieutenant-Governor,) in 1753 Danvers Osborn, a few days in - 1753 James De Lancey, (Lieutenant-Governor,) 1753 to 1755 Charles Hardy, - 1755 to 1757 James De Lancey, (Lieutenant-Governor,) - 1757 to 1760 Calwallader Colden, (Lieutenant-Governor,) - 1760 to 1763 Robert Monkton, ^ - 1762 to 1763 Cadwalader Colden, (Lieutenant-Governor,) 1763 to 1765 Henry Moore, - - - - 1765 to 1769 Cadwalader Colden, (Lieutenant-Governor,) till 1770 John Murray, Earl of Dunmore, - 1770 to 1771 William Tryon, 1771 to 1775 (Thecolonial government was suspended in May, 1775 ; from which time, till AprU, 1777, New- York was governed by the provincial congress; Nathaniel WoodhuU, president of the congress in August, 1775, The state-governraent went into operation after the adoption of the constitution, the 20th of AprU, 1777,) State Governors. George CUnton, frora - - 1777 to 1795 John Jay, - - - 1795 to 1801 George Clinton, - - - 1801 to 1804 Morgan Lewis, - - - - 1SD4 to 1807 Daniel D, Tompkins, - - - 1807 to 1817 John Taylor, (Lieutenant-Governor,) in 1717 De Witt Clinton, - - . 1817 to 1822 Joseph C, Yates, - - - 1822 to 1824 De Witt Clinton, - - - -, 1824 to 1'828 Nathaniel Pitcher, (Lieutenant-Governor,) - - 1828 to 1829 Martin Van Beuren, three raonths in - 1829- Enos T, Throop, (Lieutenant-Governor,) - 1829 to 1830 Elected Governor, - ... 1830 to 1832 WUliara L, Marcy, - 1832 to 1839 WUliara H. Seward, - - - 1839 The Terms of the Courts of Common Pleas. IN SUFFOLK. \ ^'''^^ Tuesday in January, last Tuesday in J ^^ River-Head, ( May, first Tuesday in October. J I First Tuesday in June, last Tuesday in Oc-) „„ IN aUEENS. I j„^^^. ^^.^^ ^^^^^^ .^ February, \ at N,Herapstead. Third Tuesday in January, third Tuesday in April, third Tues- I day in July, third Tuesday in October, At Brooklyn. 5 First Tuesday of every month at the Exchange Build- CITT OF EROOKLVN, J . •^ •* ° - (. ings. Brooklyn Municipal Court, at the CUy Buildings, every day, except Sundays. •1. APPENDIX. 489 No, III; Treaty of Hartford, 1650 ; mentioned at pages 87 and 322, Articles of agreement made and coiUuded at Hartford, Upon Conecticut, Sep teraber 19, 1650, between delegates of the Commissioners of the United English colonies, and the delegates of Peter Stuyvesant, governor-general of New Nether lands—concerning the bounds and limits between the English United Colonies and the Dutch province of New Netherlands, We agree and determine as follows: That upon Long Island, a line run from the westernmost part of Oysterbay, and so in a straight and direct line to the sea, shall be the bounds between the English and the Dutch there, the easterly part to belong to the English, and the westernmost part to the Dutch, The bounds upon the main to begin upon the west side of Greenwich Bay, being about four miles from Stamford, and so to run a westerly line twenty miles up into the country, and after, as it shall be agreed by the two governments of the Dutch and New- Haven, provided that said line run not within ten miles of Hud- sou's River, and it is agreed that the Dutch shaU not, at any time hereafter, build any house or habitation within six railes of the said line. The inhabitants of , Greenwich to remain (till further consideration thereof be had,) under the go vernraent of the Dutch, That the Dutch shall hold and enjoy all the lands in Hartford that they are actually in' possession of, known or set out by certain raarks and bounds, and all the remainder of the said lands, on both sides of Connecticut River, to be and re main to the English there. And it is agreed, that the aforesaid bounds and limits, both upon the island and main, shall be observed and kept inviolable, both by the English ofthe unit ed Colonies and all the Dutch nation, without any encroachraent or raolestation, until a full determination be agreed upon in Europe, by mutual consent of the two States of England and Holland. And in testimony of our joint consent to the several foregoing conditions, we have hereunto set our hands this 19th day of Septeraber, 1650, SIMON BRADSTREET, THOMAS WILLET, THOMAS PRINCE, GEORGE BAXTER, No. IV. Remonstrance of the several towns in'the Dutch territory, io the Governor and council, in 1653, a part of which is quoted at pages 80, 81 and 82; the remain^ der is as follows : " Wherefore although with all huraUity, we will declare freely our anxious fears by which we some time since have been alarmed and discouraged in our labors and callings, so that it is not in our power to act with that rigor and af fection in promoting the welfare of our country as well as before, although in a wilderness, for the foUowing reasons : 1. Our apprehension to see an arbitrary government established among us, which is contrary to the first intention and genuine principles of every well-regu lated governraent, to wit : that one or more should arrogate the exclusive power 62 490 APPENDIX. to dispose arbitrarily ofthe life and property of any individual, and this in virtue or under pretext of a law or order which he might fabricate, without the consent, knowledge, or approbation ofthe whole body, their agents or representatives. Thus new laws relative to the lives and property of the inhaljitants, contrary to the privileges of the Netherlands, and odious to every free-born man, and principally so to those whora God had placed under a free governraent on new settled lands, who are entitled to claira laws which are as near resembling those of Netherland as possible. It is our humble opinion that it is one of our privileges, that in making new laws, our explicit consent, or that of our representatives, is unavoidably requir ed for their adoption, 2, Casually we are every year full of apprehension that the natives of the land raay coraraence a new war against us, by the raurders they coramit under the pretext that they have not been paid for their land, which creates many ca lamities and discourages settlers, and even contributes to lessening the number and industry ofthe reraainder. It has, thus far, not been in our power to discover the truth hereof, or ascer tain to what tribe these raurderers belong. It is too often disregarded as commit ted by savages who reside at a considerable distance. But, be that as it may, it fills us with daily anxiety, so that we are compelled to look out for own defence, as we cannot discover in what manner our lives and property shall be protected, except by our own means. 3, That officersand raagistrates, although personally, from their qualifications, deserving siraUar offices, are appointed contrary to the laws of the Netherlands, to many offices, without consent or nomination of the people, which nevertheless are the most concerned in the choice, 4, That many orders and proclamations made before, without approbation of the country in the days of yore, by the authority of the Director-General and council, either of former days or actually ruling, which remain obligatory, al though we are ignorant of their force, and become transgressors from ignorance without knowing it, by which we are exposed to raany dangers and troubles, and raay occasion our own ruin without knowing it, 5, On the proraises of grants and general letters of privileges and exemptions, various plantations have been made at a great expense of the inhabitants in building their houses, making fences, &c., the cultivation of the land, and princi pally so by those of Middleburgh, and Middlewout, with their neighborhoods and other places. Many single farms were taken up by persons who solicited a deed of such a grant, but were always delayed and disappointed, to their great loss, which creates a suspicion that some innovations are in contemplation, or that there is a lurking intention to alter forraer stipulations, 6. That to some individuals, large quantities of land are granted for their pri vate profit, on which a large village of 20 or 30 families might have been esta blished, which, in the end, raust effect an immense loss to the Patroons, with re gard to their revenues, as well now as in future, and which raust weaken the strength ofthe Province, and disable that part of the country to provide in or con tribute to its defence, and that of its inhabitants, except we or our commonalty are enabled to effect it, 7. As we exert ourselves to reduce all our griefs within six points, which we APPENDIX. 491 confidentially explained, as we renew our aUegiance, in the hope that these wUl soon be redressed, agreeably to the privileges of our country, when all discontents shall cease, a rautual harmony be restored, and our anxiety relieved. We apply therefore to your wisdom to heal our sicknesses and pains. We shall remain thankful, and consider any further application needless, as we otherwise should be compeUed to do. Upon which, humbly soliciting yoiir honors' answer on every point or article in such a raanner that we raay reraain satisfied, or proceed further, &c,, as God shall direct our steps. Your Honors' suppliant Servants," Done.December 11, 1653. No, V. Narrative and remonstrance ofthe Deputies previously assembled at Hempstead, in March, 1665, as mentioned at page 108, relating to the different apprehension of some matters then and there transacted. " His Majesty having employed his ships of war, and sent a considerable num ber of soldiers to reduce these parts of America to his obedience, the present go. vernment was readily received, and peaceably settled on Long Island, by virtue ofhis Majesty's letters patent, made and granted by his Royal Highness James, Duke of York and Albany, bearing date the twelfth day of March, in the six teenth of the reign of our sovereign Lord King Charles the 11, published a Gravesend, on Long Island, aforesaid, about the raiddle of August following, in the audience of a great number of the inhabitants thereof, by tbe Right Honorable Col, Richard Nicolls, deputy governor under his royal highness. At which time and place Governor Winthrop, being then present, openly declared tha' their colonies claimed no jurisdiction de jure over Long Island ; but what they had done was for the welfare, peace, and quiet settleraent of his Majesty's sub jects, as they were the nearest court of record to thera under his Majesty ; but cow his Majesty's pleasure was fuUy signified by his letters patent, as above said, their jurisdiction over thera ceased and becarae null; whereupon our ho norable Governor then replied also, that he would not put out any ofthe officers which Connecticut had set up in the civil state, but confirra them under his pow er to act in every town, untU a convenient season served to convene deputies from all the towns on the island, when and where laws were to be enacted and civil officers established. Shortly after, at another raeeting of our honorable governor and Connecticut Commissioners, several persons were there confirmed by hira in civU authority, by his writing under his hand, which they published in several towns where they were to collect rates and former dues for Connecticut, unto which power these eastern towns readily and willingly obeyed and submitted for the space of six months at least. In March foUowing, we were convened, being deputies chosen by the several towns in a general asserably held at Hempstead, where his Majesty's afpresaid patent was first read, and a coraraission frora his royal highness the Duke of York empowering and investing the aforesaid Col, Richard Nicolls, with autho rity to put the contents of the said patent into practice and execution, who de clared unto us that our first business should be to decide some, and to corapose 492 other differences which were on float before he carae to the government, accord ing to the manner and form in practice since our late acknowledgment ofthe Con necticut authority ; but that he had prepared a body of general laws hereafter to be observed ; the which were delivered to us, and upon perusal we found them to be a collection of the laws now in practice in his Majesty's other colonies in New England, with abatement of the severity against such as differ in raatters of conscience and religion. We proceeded to object against some and propose other clauses in the laws ; whereupon several amendments were made with further assurance frora the go vernor, that when any reasonable alteration should be offered from any town to the sessions, the Justices should tender the same at the assizes, and receive satis faction therein, the truth and effects whereof we have since found. The Governor further declared that for his own part he expected no benefit for his labors out of the purses of the inhabitants, not so much as to defray his charge and expenses at the courts ; but that it was absolutely necessary for him to esta blish a form and rule of county rates, to support the public charge ; whereupon we pitched upon the form and rule at this day observed in Connecticut, which was known to some of those present. In the next place we conceived that two hundred pounds yearly raight defray the public charge ; to which the Governor replied that he would touch none ofthe public money, but that the high sheriff from year to year should cause the same to be collected, and give, at the expiration of his office, in open court at the gene ral assizes, an account ofhis receipts and disbursements. If it should happen the rate was more than the charge ofhis year, the overplus should remain to the use of the country the next year ; if the charge was greater than the rate, the country was obliged to bear it with an additional rate ; in all which transactions we acted with sincerity of heart, according to the best of our understanding, and in obedience to his Majesty's authority established by his let ters patent over us. Moreover we appointed a committee to attend the governor for his resolution, whether we raight not, according to the custom of the other colonies, choose our raagistrates; We reeeived answer by our deputies, that they had seen the in- strucjtlon of his Royal Highness, wherein the choice of all the ofiices of Justice was solely to be made by the Governor, and some of us do know that a parlia ment of England can neither make a judge nor justice of the peace. In conclusion the Governor told us that we had seen and read his Majesty's letters patent, the commission and instructions from his Royal Highness the Duke of York, and if we would have a greater share in the government than he could allow, we must go to the king for it. Nevertheless some malicious men have aspersed us as betrayers of their liber ties and privileges, in subscribing to an address to his Royal Highness, full of duty and gratitude, whereby his Royal Highness may be encouraged the more to take us and the welfare of our posterity into his raost princely care and consi deration. Neither can any clause in that address bear any other natural sense and con struction than our obedience and submission to his Majesty's letters patent, ac cording to our duty and aUegiance, However, that our neighbors and feUow-subjects raay be undeceived of the false aspersions thrown upon us, and the impostures of men disaffected to go- APPENDIX. 493 vernment raanifested, lest they should further prevaU upon the weakness of ZuZ' 7r' . '""P"''"' ^•^'^ subscribers of the said address, conceive our- ,rr,= ^ f P"''"'*' *'" narrative and reraonstrance ofthe several pas sages and steps conducting to the present government under which we now live and we desire that a record hereof may be kept in each town, that future ages may not be seasoned with the sour malice of such unreasonable and groundless aspersions. ° r. . , , „, Signed by the Deputies. Dated the 21st day of June, 1666, No. VL Remonstrance of Southampton against the order 'requiring them to take out a new patent. Southamption, February 15, 1670, 1 o the Governor : Honorable Sir,— We, the inhabitants of this town, do hereby present unto you our humble service, &c, to show our respect to your honor's pleasure, and our obedience to the order of the honorable court of assize— we are bold to manifest herein unto you sorae reasons why we are unwUling to receive any further patent for our lands, as foUoweth: 1st, Because, as we have honestly purchased thera of the natives, (the proper and natural owners of them,) so also we have already the patent right, lawfully obtained and derived from the honorable Earl of Stirling, we being to pay one fifth part of gold and silver ore, and four bushels of Indian corn yearly, 2dly, Because the injunction laid on persons and plantations by the laws in 1666, to take forth patents for their lands from our then governor, we grounded- ly conceive intended not the plantations on this east end of the island, but only those at the -west end who were reduced from a foreign government, even as here tofore. Those English that came to d well within the precincts which the Dutch claimed took out land briefs from the Dutch governor, 3dly, Because those of us, who were first beginners of this plantation, put none but ourselves to the vast charge in our transport hither, we greatly hazard ed our lives (as some lost theirs) here amongst and by the then numerous and barbarously cruel natives ; yet through divine Providence we have possessed these our lands above thirty years without interruption or molestation by any claiming them from us, and therefore we cannot see why we should lose any of our rightful privileges, so dearly and honestly purchased, or how our lands can be better assured to us by taking out another patent from any one, 4thly, And materially because by our said patent we had licence (we being but few) to put ourselves under any of his Majesty's colonies for government, whereupon accordingly, by willing consent on all sides, we adjoined ourselves to Hartford jurisdiction, and divers of us became raerabers of the king's court there, and when the worthy Mr, Winthrop obtained a patent frora his Majesty our present lord, King Charles II,, for the said colony of Hartford, our town is included, and sorae of the then chief members of our town expressly nominated in the patent ; so that this placq became undeniably an absolute limb or part of the said colony ; and raoreover, since that and after his Majesty's corarais sioners came into these parts, his Majesty of grace and free motion was pleased 494 APPENDIX. so far to encourage his people of the said colony, as by his letter to assure them that their ecclesiastical and civil privileges which he had granted thera, should not be infringed or diminished by his said coraraissioners, or any others whatso ever, 51y, It is not only in aU our experience beyond all parallel that each town should be constrained to take forth a patent, but also the patents here imposed and those given forth, which yet we have seen, seera to bind persons and towns in matter of payraent to the will and mercy of their lord and his successors, or lieutenants ; and who can tell but in time to come those raay succeed who, through an avaricious distemper, raay come upon us with such heavy taxes and intolerable burdens, as raay make us, or our poor posterity, to groan like Israel in Egypt, 61y, Because people are enjoined to acknowledge in the said patent (if we mis take not greatly) that his royal highness the Duke of York is sole proprietor of the whole island ; which we cannot consent unto, because we know ourselves to be the true proprietors of the land we here possess, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging, and also because raen are enjoined by the said patent to pay not only all just dues, but also all deraands that raay be raade by his royal high ness or his authorised agent, 7ly, Because we are more than confident his Majesty will desire no raore of us than already we are, even his faithful liege people, who have raany of us al ready taken, and the rest of us are ready to take, the oath of allegiance unto him. Willing we are to pay our just dues in town and to the country, and ready to serve his Majesty with our lives and fortunes ; we are his subjects, and we know that he will not make us slaves to any. Sly, Because General Nichols gave it under his hand that we at this end should have as great privileges as any colony in New-England, and yet we are denied our deputies at the courts ; we are forced to pay customs for goods im ported, for which custom hath before been paid to his Majesty's use in England. 91y, and lastly, — The king's coraraissioners, in the year 1664, by their procla mation, seemed to demand only the government, with exact and full proraise that the people should enjoy whatsoever God's blessing and their own industry had furnished them withal ; and we see not what more a patent can assure us, espe cially considering that the patents here taken forth by places, or particular per sons, secure them not absolutely ; for it seems to us by the order of the court of assizes, even from them who have received a patent, wood and timber may be taken away without leave and without pay ; in all which respects, and sorae other, we cannot be willing to take forth raore patent than we have. And if we do succeed otherwise than we expect, we hope we shall, like good christians, pa tiently bear the pressure that raay be perraitted to fall upon us, yet never fail to be fervent votaries for your honor's real happiness, [Signed by Thoraas Halsey, jun. and 49 other inhabitants ofthe town.] No, VH. Ofthe Q.uaker Persecutions, Whether the persecutions formerly practised toward the respectable sect of Christians, called Quakers, ought to be ascribed to the peculiar temper and dis- APPENDIX. 495 position ofthe age in which they were perpetrated, or to the bigotry of particu lar sects or. individuals, it is not our province to determine ; yet at the same time some account of those unjustifiable outrages upon the rights of conscience and the liberty of speech, seeras a necessary "part of the duty of the historian . These acts of violence were more particularly frequent and notorious from the year 1647 to 1664, during the administration of Peter Stuyvesant, who appears to have been a zealous and intolerant member of the Dutch Calvinistic church, and disposed to execute the instructions accompanying his commission with the raost extravagant rigor. The official oath required by those instructions was, " the maintenance of ihe Reformed Religion in conformity to the word and the decrees of the synod of Dordrecht, and not to tolerate in public any other sect." By an ordinance of 1656, any one preaching doctrines other than those authorized by the Synod, was finable one hundred, and everyone attending thereon, twenty- five guilders. In the spirit of this provision, the governor, in 1656, imprisoned sorae Lutherans, and in 1658 banished a clergyman of that church. He was reproved for the former by the Dutch West India Company, who directed hira to permit the free exercise of their religion to all persons within their own houses ; and though commended for the latter, was instructed to use moderate measures in future. Against the Gluakers, who had, by their peaceful and prudent conduct, raade many converts in some of the western towns on the island, particularly at •Jamaica and Flushing, the temper of the governor was violent and revengeful. Orders in writing, or placards, were issued to the town authorities not to enter tain raerabers oi this odious sect; and the ordinance of 1662 provided, that besides the Reformed religion, no conventicles should be holden in houses, barns, ships, woods. Of fields, under the penalty of fifty guilders for each person, man, woman, or child, attending for the first offence ; double for the second ; quadruple for the third; and arbitrary correction for every other. The iraportation oi seditious and seducing books, and the lodging of persons arriving in the Province without reporting themselves and taking the oath of aUegiance, subjected the offenders to severe penalties. These, with some otJier causes of discontent, rendered the government very unpopular ; and it is probable, that, had not the Province been conquered in 1664 by a foreign power, a revolution would have, in a very short time, been effected by the inhabitants themselves, either with or without the aid of the other colonies. Materials upon the subject of these Cluaker persecutions are both abundant and authentic; yet want of space wiU necessarUy restrict our inquiries within narrow limits, and confine our attention to a few cases of raore than ordinary severity. The most prorainent individuals against whom these atrocities were comraitted were— Robert Hodgson, Edward Farrington, W Uiam Bowne, Wil liam Noble, Edward Feake, Henry Townsend, John Townsend, Edward Hart, John Bowne, Sarauel Spicer, and John TUton, Of Hodgson little raore is known than that he was a worthy man, and highly esteemed by the Friends for his intelligence and zeal in defence of civU and religious Uberty. The cruel treatraent he received from the government drove him from the Province after the termination of his sufferings and imprisonment. Spicer and Tilton, and probably Farrington, carae with Baxter and Hubbard to Gravesend in 1643, accompanied by the Lady Moody, from Massachusetts, WiUiam Bowne came about the sarae time to Gravesend, and was a raagistrate there in 1657. He afterwards removed with his family, and a few other ttuakers, from that town 496 APPENDIX. to New Jersey, where they raade a purchase, embracing the present county of Middlesex and part of Monmouth. John and Henry Townsend, with their brother Richard, eraigrated, it is believed, from Lynn Regis in Norfolkshire, England, to Saugus, (now Lynn,) Massachusetts, a little previous to 1640, and soon after arrived in the New Netherlands, John first located at New Araster dam, and afterwards with Henry at Flushing ; from whence they, with Richard, went to Jaraaica, and eventually to Oyster-Bay, where they became large pro prietors of land, and the progenitors of a nuraerous offspring. Their posterity, by repeated intermarriages with the families of that and the neighboring towns, have become very extensively connected, and rank among the most respectable citizens, John Bowne, and his father Thoraas Bowne, were among the earliest and raost venerable inhabitants of Flushing, They erabraced with zeal the opinions and principles of George Fox, and were, with others, on this account, marked out by the minions of arbitrary power, as fit subjects of rigorous and unceasing persecution. It has been mentioned in a former part of this work, that John Bowne was, in 1663, transported to HoUand for his supposed heretical opinions, and for which act the Governor was severely reprimanded by the West India Company, whose servant he was. The coraraunication made by the governor and council at the tirae, and addressed to the directors, was as follows: " Honorable, right respectable gentlemen. We omitted in our general letter, the troubles and difficulties which we, and many of our good inhabitants, have since some time raet with, and which daily are renewed by the sect called duakers ; chiefly in the country, and principally in the English viUages; establishing forbid den conventicles, and frequenting those against our published placards, and dis turbing in this manner the public peace ; in so far that several of our raagistrates and well-affectioned subjects remonstrated, and coraplained to us from time to time of their insufferable obstinacy ; unwilling to obey our orders or judgments. Among others, has one oftheir principal leaders, named John Bowne, who, for his transgressions was in conformity to the placards, condemned in an amende of 150 guilders, in seawant, who has been under arrest raore than three months for his unwillingness to pay, obstinately persisting, in his refusal in which he still con tinues ; so that we at last resolved, or were rather compelled, to transport him in this ship from this province, in the hope that others raight, by it, be discouraged. If, nevertheless, by these raeans no more salutary impression is made upon others, we shall, though against our inclinations, be compelled to prosecute such persons in a more severe raanner ; on which we previously solicit to be favored with your Honors' wise andforeseeing judgraent. With which, after onr cordial salutations, werecoramendyour Honors to God's protection, and remain, Honorable and Right Respectable gentleraen, " Your Honors' faithful Servants." : " Fort Arasterdam in New Netherlands, 9th January, 1663," This man had been arrested, September 1, 1662, charged with harboring duakers, permitting thera to hold their raeetings at his house, attending them himsell, and suffering his family to attend thera. After reraaining in prison for sorae time for the non-payment of his fine, he was offered his liberty on condition of leaving the province, which, refusing to do, he was transported as aforesaid. His father, Thomas Bowne, died at an advanced age, September 18, 1677. APPENDIX. 497 From the first appearance of the Quakers in the jurisdiction, it seems to have been the deterraination of Governor Stuyvesant to prevent, by evei-y possible means, the dissemination of opinions, which he was pleased to denominate " sedi tious, heretical, and ahami'nable ;" and the whole sect was always spoken of with the utmost contempt and with the most opprobrious epithets. Among the first that fell under his displeasure was Hodgson. He was accused of holding conven ticles, and, proceeding toward Hempstead, he was seized by order of Richard Gildersleeve, a magistrate there, and conimitted to prison. Information being sent to tbe city, a guard was ordered to bring hira before the governor and councU. Two woraen, who had entertained him, were also taken ; one of whora had a young child. These were put into a cart ; and Hodgson being fastened behind , it, was dragged through woods by night to the city, and thrust into the dungeon of Fort Amsterdam, On being brought out next day, he vvas examined, con demned, and sentenced to two years' hard labor, or to pay a fine of 600 guilders. With the latter alternative he was either unable or unwilling to comply, and was again confined, without permission to see or converse with any one. Being after wards chained to a wheel-barrow and commanded to work, he refused to do so, and was, by order of the Court, beaten by a negro with a tarred rope till he fainted : the punishment was continued at intervals to one hundred lashes with the same results. After having been for some months confined, and frequently scourged as before, he was liberated at the solicitations of the governor's sister, and banished from the province. Upon the Dutch records, the case of Henry Townsend is alluded to, who, on the 15th of September, 1657, was conderaned in an amende ot^£8 Flanders, or else to depart the province within six weeks, upon the penaUy of corporal punishment, for having called together conventicles. Being a person of great worth and consideration with the people of Flushing, where he had pre viously resided, they asserabled, and addressed a remonstrance to tbe governor, dated Deceinber 27, 1657, in which they acknowledge the receipt of a prohibition to retain or entertain any of the people called Gluakers, and say that they cannot condemn, nor stretch out their hands against thera, to punish, banish, or persecute them considering it a case of conscience between Godand their own. souls. That the love of peace and liberty extends to Jews, Turks, and Egyptians, as the sons af Adam, condemning hatred, war, and bondage ;¦ all which they said was accord- in" to the patent of their town, which they were unwilling to infringe or violate. This document was subscribed by Edward Hart, as town clerk, and thirty others ; together with John and Henry Townsend of Jamaica, then called Rustdorp. It was presented next day in person by Tobias Peaks, sheriff, one of the signers. Theo-overnor was highly incensed, and ordered his attorney-general, Nicasius De Sille,1mmediately to arrest him. Fiirrington and Noble, two of the magistrates,, signers also, were taken and imprisoned. Hart admitted writing the paper, say ing he was requested to d'o so as containing the sentiments ofthe village meeting at the house of Michael Milnor, He was therefore imprisoned. On the Sth of January, 1658, the magistrates •of Rustdorp informed the governor tbat the Quakers and their adherents were lodged, and entertained, 'ind- unrelentingly eo'fre- sponded in said village, at the house of Henry Townsend ; who, they say, forraerly convocated a conventicle of the Quakers, and assisted in it, for which he had been condemned on the 15th df September, 1657, in an amende of £8 Flanders, that had. not as yet been paid. He was thereupon cited to appear. John Townsend, who had also- &een surambned, January W, on being asked if he had gone with. 63 498 APPENDIX. Hart to persuade Farrington to sign the reraonstrance, answered that he had been at Flushing, and visited Farrington as an old acquaintance ; and that he had also been at Gravesend, but not in corapany with the banished feraale Quaker. The court having suspicions of his favoring the Quakers, he was ordered to find bail for £12, to appear when summoned. On the 15th of January, Henry Townsend attended, and was told by the attorney-general, " that as he had treated the pla cards of the director-general and council with contempt, and persisted in lodging Quakers, he should be condemned in an amende of £100 Flanders, to be an ex ample for other transgressors and contiimelious offenders of the good order and placards of the director-general and council in New Nethe'rla'nds, and so to remain arrested till tite iaid amende be paid, besides the costs and mises of justice." On the 28th, Sheriff Feaks was brought from prison, and " though (says the record) he confessed that he had received an order of the director-general not to admit in the aforesaid village any of that heretical and abominable sect called Quakers, or procure them lodgings, yet did so in the face of the placards ; and, what was worse, was a leader in coraposing a seditious and detestable chartabel, delivered by hira and signed by himaelf and his accomplices, wherein they justify the eJomTOaSZe sect of the Quakers, who treat with contempt all 'political and ecclesiastical au thority, and undermine the foundations of all government and religion,^" He was therefore degraded from his office, and sentenced to be banished or pay an amende of 200 guilders. On the 26th March, 1658, the governor, in order to pre vent as rauch as possible the consequences of Quaker influence among the people, resolved to change the municipal governraent ofthe town of Flushing ; and there fore, after forraally pardoning the town for its mutinous orders and resolutions, says, "in future I shall appoint a sheriff, acquainted not only with the English and Dutch language, but with Dutch practical law ; and tbat in future there shall be chosen seven of the raost reasonable and respectable of the inhabitants, to be called Tribunes ot Townsmen; and whom the sheriff and raagistrates shall consult in all, cases; and that a tax of twelve stivers per morgen is laid on the inhabitants for the support of an Orthodox minister ; and suoh as do not sign a written sub mission to the same in six weeks, raay dispose of their property at their pleasure, and leave the soil of this government." On the council records of January 8, 1661, it is stated that the governor address ed the people of Jamaica, informing them that he had received their petition for a rainister to baptize sorae oftheir chUdren ; and their information that the Quakers and other sects held private conventicles. He tells them that he had despatched his deputy-sheriff, Resolve Waldron, Bnd one of his clerks, .Nicholas Bayard, to take notice thereof, and requiring the inhabitants to give exact inforraation where and in what house suoh unlawful conventicles were kept; what persons had exercised therein ; what men or women had been present ; who called the meet- in" and of all the circumstances appertaining thereunto. In consequence of this inquisitorial espionage of the governor's deputy, Henry Townsend was a third time dragged lo the city, and again incarcerated in the dungeons at Fort Araster dara, On the day following, he and Sarauel Spicer, who had also given enter tainraent to a Quaker at his raother's house in Gravesend, were brought from their loathsome prison. It was proved by witnesses procured for the occasion, that Townsend had given lodging to a Quaker, and besides notifying his neigh bors, had even allowed him to preach at his house and in his presence ; also, that Spicer was present, both at the raeeting at Jamaica and Gravesend, and procured APPENDIX. 499 lodging for the Quaker at his mother's house. They were accordingly condemned in an amende of 600 guilders each, in conformity to the placard respecting conven ticles, and to be imprisoned untU the said amende be paid ; and further, that the said Henry Townsend be banished out of the province, /or an example to others. The widow Spicer, mother of Sarauel, was also arrested, accused, and condemned in an amende of £15 Flanders, The said Henry Townsend having ingenuously acknowledged that ho lodged in his house some other friends who are called Quakers, and had a raeeting of friends at his house, at which one of thera spoke, he was thereupon again sentenced as follows : " Whereas, Henry Townsend, now a prisoner residing at Rustdorp, was heretofore imprisoned and pimished for lodging and retaining some of the sect of Quakers, has done the sajne de novo, whereby this abominable sect, who vilify both the political magistrates and the ministers of God's holy word, are confirftied and encouraged in iheir errors, and otlier s are lured and seduced, and led astray fromthe right road ; all which are cases ofthe most pernicious consequence, from which 'nothing can arise but cala mities and divisions, directly contrary to tlie orders of the director-general, and therefore he deserves to be further punished as an example for others. The council having heard tlie prisoner's confession, ccndemn him i'n an amende of £25 Flanders, with an express warning to abstain in future from all such conventicles, on the penalty of being bwnished from the province." On the 6th of October, 1662, John Tilton and Mary his wife, having been ac cused and comraitted before the governor and council of New Arasterdam, of hav ing entertained Quakers and frequented their conventicles, were conderaned, and ordered to depart from the province before the 20th of Noveraber following, upon pain of corporal puishraent. It is presuraed, that through the influence of Lady Moody, the last sentence was either reversed or commuted for the payraent of a fine, as they continued to reside at Gravesend for the remainder oftheir lives. Many more instances, with alraost equaUy aggravated circurastances, might be mentioned, showing that the severe reprimand which the governor received frora the authorities of Holland was well merited, and ought to have been followed by his expulsion from an office he so unworthily filled. But his power was soon after terminated by the conquest of New-York ; yet his Excellency, though de prived of the government, was nevertheless permitted to retain his large posses sions upon Manhattan Island, a good portion of which is still enjoyed by his de scendants. Before closing this interesting article, we will cite an example of Quaker per secution, which took place during the administration of Lord Cornbury, a raan of raost detestable character, and fully equal to the Dutch Governor for religious in tolerance. He in his turn persecuted other sects as w.eU as Quakers, instances of which are adverted to in other parts of this work. The case we now allude to is that of Samuel Bownas, a Quaker preacher, who came to Araerica at the be- einnin" of the 18th century. The facts are stated in the journal of his travels af terwards published. He left England on the 24th of March, 1702, and landed m Maryland, where he received a chaUenge frora George Keith, an Episcopal rais- sionary who had once been a Quaker, He was followed by Keith through Penn- sylvanil and New Jersey to Long Island, and a meeting being appointed at Hempstead, he preached Noveraber 31, 1702, at the house of one Thomas Pear- saU As Keith could not, by other raeans, sUence his adversary, he procured Rich ard Smith and WiUiara Bradford of Hempstead to raake an affidavit, charging 500 APPENDIX. him with heresy, and for which a warrant was issued by Joseph Sraith and Ed ward Burroughs, justices, for his apprehension. On the 29th, while attending a raeeting of fiiends at Flushing, Cardell the high sheriff, with a posse arraed with guns, pitchforks, swords, and clubs, entered the house, and took him prisoner. He appeared before the court at Jamaica, consisting of four justices, Joseph Sraith, Edward Burroughs, John Smith, and Jonathan Whitehead, the last of whom, says the prisoner, was a very moderate raan, and did rauch to set him at liberty; but they had a priest with them, who put the worst construction upon everything he said, and had also a man secreted in a closet to note down what he should say ; but the man Was so drunk, that in going home he lost his papers, for which great inquiry was made. The justices ordered the prisoner to give bail in £2000, with sureties to appear and answer an indictraent, which the prisoner said he would not give, " were it only three half-pence." Justice Whitehead offered hiraself as baU, and took the prisoner home till next day, when he was coraraitted to gaol in Jaraaica for the term of three raonths. At the end of which, a special coraraission of oyer and terminer was granted to Chief Justice Bridges, and Robert MiUer, Thomas Willet, John Jackson and Edward Burroughs, associates, who met at the county hall in Jaraaica. The names ofthe grand jury were Richard Cornell, Ephraira Goulding; John Clayer, Isaac Hicks, Robert Hubbs, Reginald Mott, Theodore Vanderwick, Sarauel Denton, Joseph Mott, Richard Valentine, Na thaniel Coles, Joseph Dickerson, Isaac Doughty, Samuel Emery, John Sraith, John Sering, John Oakley, Sarauel Hallet, Richard Alsop, John Hunt, James Clement, and WUliam Bloodgood. The jury presented the bUl to the court, en dorsed " Ignoramus ,¦" upon which the judge wag very angry, and told the jury that surely they had forgot their oaths, and for so doing he could give them some hard names, but for the present should forbear. " Is this your verdict (said the judge) touching the quaker ?" " It is," said the forman ; at which the judge raged, and threatened to ¦" lay the jury by tlie heels, and to irapose a-fine upon thera ;" to which one of them replied, if he did, " the matter should soon be exposed in Westminster- Hall." The judge now ordered the prisoner to be kept more close than before, and threatened to send him to London, chained to the deck of a man-of-war, then ready to said for England, " Thomas Hicks, an honest old man, who had been a justice of the province, and was well versed in the law, carae to visit me, (says he,) and consoled rae with many kind words, saying that they dare not send me out of the country," His old eneray, Keith, published a paraphlet against him, which rather increased the number of his friends. During his imprisonment he learned to make shoes, by which he earned fifteen shUlings a week, refusing at the same time all pecuniary aid from his friends. While here, he was visited, he says, by an Indian sachera, who asked him if he was a Christian; and being told yea, and are they not Christians who keep you here ?" Being told they called themselves so, he expressed much surprise, and said, "the Mang Manetou (meaning God) looked at the heart," Then the Indian took a piece of coal, and drawing a circle, said, " they believed the Great Spirit to be all eye, that he saw every thing ; all ear, that he heard every thing ; and all mind, that he knew every thing." At the sitting of the court in October, 1703, the bUl was again returned, " Ignoramus," and he was discharged. He visited America again in 1727, and died in England on the ?dof April, 1753, APPENDIX. 501 No. IX. Of Colonel Smith and his descendants, or the Tangier S'tniths. \ Colonel William Smith was born at Newton near Higham Ferrers in Northamptonshire in England, February 2d, 1665. It seems "that in his youth he was destined for the active scenes of life, and,it is not probable that he receiv ed eithera classical or .legal education. He, however, possessed a vigorousmind, with a versatility of genius capable of attaining distinction in any employraent to which it was applied. The family probably were attached to the royal cause; as he seems to have been in great favor with Charles II, which was continued during the reigns of James II, WUliam and Mary, and while he continued under Queen Anne. Charles II, in 1675, appointed him governor of Tangiers, which place., as well as Borabay, was given to hira by the king of Portugal as a part of the raarriage portion of his wife, Queen Catharine, the daughter of that king; and he proba bly at the sarae time gave hira the commission of colonel, and the command of the troops necessary to protect an establishraent on that barbarous coast. It was intended to raake Tangiers a place of trade, and to establish a colony there. The project, however, did not succeed ; and in 1683 the place was abandoned, and Col. Sraith returned to England, He raarried Martha, daughter of Henry TunstaU, Esq,, of Putney, in the County of Surrey, November 6, 1675. After his return, he erabarked in trade in London, and continued in business until he left he country in July, 1686. It would also seem that he was for a short time concerned in trade after his ar rival here, and raay have come over for that purpose. There is an entry of a note on the records of Brookhaven, bearing date April 23, 1690, given by Col. Thomas Dongan, the late governor of the province, to Col. Smith, for £993, purporting to be for goods, in which the colonel is styled a merchant. Col. Smith arrived w ith his faraily at New- York August 6th, 1686, He very early visited Brookhaven, and seeras to have taken a fancy to a valuable neck of land there, called Little Neck, which was held in shares by various proprietors, who were in some disput-i about the premises. Governor Dongan aided him in effecting the purchase. He wrote to the proprietors, and recommended it to thera to sell out to Colonel Smith, as the best mode of terminating the contro versy, to which a considerable portion of them agreed ; and on the 22d of Octo ber, 1687, Colonel Smith made' his first purchase in Brookhaven, of Littie Neck, now owned by S, B, Strong Esq., one ofhis descendants. In 1689, it is supposed he removed to Brookhaven with his family, and took ¦ up his permanent residence there. After his settlement at Brookhaven, he raade a purchase of a large tract of country, extending frora the country road to the South Bay, and from the Fireplace River to Mastic River, to which the town assented, and which, with his former purchases, was erected into a manor, by the name St, George's raanor, by patent of Colonel Fletcher in 1693; and sub sequent to this he purchased all the lands unpurchased, lying between his for mer purchase and the bounds of Southarapton, which were annexed to his raanor by another patent of Col, Fletcher in 1697, whose grants to individuar*were so extravagant, that several of them were annuUed by an act of the colony legis- iure under the succeeding adrainistration. Governor Slaughter arrived at New- York March 19th, 1691, and on the 25th 502 APPENDIX. he appointed Col, Smith one of the members of the council : he also appointed him one of the coraraissioners of oyer and terminer, which tried and convicted Leisler and his associates. The supreme court was established by an act of the legislature. May 6th, 1691; consisting ofa chiefjustice, with a salary of £130; a second judge, with a salary of £100; and thr^e other judges, without a salary. On the 15th, the governor and council appointed Joseph Dudley chiefjustice, Thomas John son the second judge, and Col. Smith, Stephen Van Cortland, and WiUiara Pinhorne, the other judges. Col, Smith was at the same time appointed a judge or delegate ef the prerogative court for the county of Suffolk, Col, Fletcher arrived, and took upon him the government, August 29th, 1692, November llth, 169?, the seat of Joseph Dudley Was vacated for non-residence, and Col, Sraith was appointed chiefjustice in bis room. On the Sth of June, 1693 he was coraraissioned to succeed Col, Youngs in the comraand of the rai litia of Suffolk county. During the tirae he held the office of chief justice, the colony was divided into rancorous parties, and the public measures were of course influenced by party spirit; yet he seems to have discharged the duties of his office with great dignity and impartiality. Governor Bellamont, on his ar rival, April 2d, 1698, took part with the friends of Leisler, and, as might be ex pected, removed Col, Smith fromthe office ^of chiefjustice, and on the 30th of October, 1700, appointed Mr, Van Cortland in his stead. He was, however, allowed to retain his place at the council board, as his loyalty was so well known in England, and such his popularity with the ministry, that his Excellency dare not carry his resentment so far as to reraove hira. The governor died 5th of March, 1701, and John Nanfan, .the lieut. governor, being absent frora the colony. Col. Smith, president of the council, clairaed and exercised the author ity of governraent. This claira was opposed by the adherents of Leisler, and denied by a raajority of the assembly, who were of the sarae party. The min utes ofthe supreme court, while Col, Sraith presided, from Oct. 4, 1693, to Oct. 5, 1700, are preserved in the collections of the New- York Historical Society. In 1702 Lord Cornbury re-appointed hira chief justice, which office he held till AprU, 1703. He continued a raeraber of the council till his death, which took place at his residence upon Little Neck, Setauket, Feb. 18, 1705, The inscrip tion upon his tomb in the family cemetary, is as follows : " Here lyes inter ed ye body of ye Hon^. Coll. William Smith, Chiefe Justice and President of ye Councill of ye Province of New- Yorke. Born in England at Higliam-Fe,rrers in J^orthamptonshire Feb . ye ^d, 165A, and died at the mansion of St, George, Feb, 18, 1701, in ye 51st yeare ofhis age.'' The wife of Col. Smith is said to have been a remarkably intelligent and well bred lady, and eminently skilled in domestic economy. They had three sons, Henry, Wilham, and Charles Jeffery ; the last-named died young and without is sue, Henry Sraith, like his father, was a gentleraan of talents and inforraation, and fiUed the office of clerk of Suffolk County frora 1710 to 1716 ; was for raany years one of thejudges of the county and a delegate ofthe prerogative court, for taking the proof of wUls, &c, for the said county. WUliam Sraith, the se cond son of Col, Smith, comraonly called Major Smith, settled on a part of his father's purchase at Mastic, His son Williara, who also lived at the sarae place, was for raany years a judge of the court of comraon pleas of the coun- APPENDIX. 503 ty, and a raember of the first provincial congress: In 1777 he was elected a senator under the state constitution, which office he retained till peace in 1783, His sons were John and WUliam, The former was the late General Smith, a man of good abilities, well acquainted with public business, and greatly respect ed by the coraraunity. He was in office frora early life till his death. He was a raeraber ofthe state legislature for raost of the tirae from 1784 to 1800, In 1788 he was in the convention that adopted the constitution of the United States, In 1799 he was elected a representative in congress, and was continu ed for four years, frbra w hich station he was appointed by the legislature of this statea senator in the congress of the United States, In 1814 he was raade marshal of the southern district of New- York, which he held till his decease June 25, 1816. His wife, whom he left a widow, was the daughter of the la mented General Woodhull, and who yet survives. The only daughter of Gen. Smith is the wife of John L, Lawrence, Esq., of New-York. William Smith, brother of General Smith, was a respectable farmer of Brookhaven, and lived and died upon that part of St. George's manor, since called Longwood, now in possession of his son, WiUiam Sidney Sraith, Esq. Col. William Smith, son of Henry and grandson of the chief justice, was likewise a gentleraan of consideration and ability. He was clerk of the coun ty of Suffolk frora 1730 to 1750, and was also judge of the common pleas for several years before the Revolution. He raarried Margaret, daughter of Hen ry JL.loyd, Esq., of Lloyd Neck, and had several children. His daughter, Anna, a lady of rauch amiability and worth, becarae the wife of the late Judge Selah Strong of Setauket. No. X. Of General Nathaniel Woodhull, This gentleman was the son of Nathaniel Woodhull, of Brookhaven, a descendant of Richard Woodhull, one of the first settlers of that town, and who is supposed to have left England in consequence of having taken an active part in favor of liberty a short tune before the restoration of Charles II, in 1660. He is named in the original deeds for Jamaica as one of the first proprietors of that town, but settled in Brookhaven soon after. An original letter of Lord Crew to hira, dated in 1687, in answer to one of his, is among the papers of the late Abraham WoodhuU, Esq., of Brookhaven, in which he styles him cousin, and speaks of his relations, araong whom he enilmeraies a bishop, and a number of families of the first rank in society. General Woodhull had three brothers younger than himself, Richard, Jesse, and Ebenezer. The first-named graduated at Yale College in 1753, was a tutor there some years, where he died, Jesse and Ebenezer reraoved to Orange county, where many oftheir posterity stiU r6SlQ6 General WoodhuU, the eldest son, was born at Mastic, Long Island, Decem ber 30 1722 His early life was passed in assisting his father to cultivate the possession which he afterwards inherited, and his education was such as calcu lated to fit him for the duties of active life. He was endowed by nature with a strong, discriminating mind and a sound judgraent, which soon attracted the notice of his fellow-citizens, and pointed hira out as peculiarly qualified for pub lic usefulness. In 1761 he raarried Ruth, daughter of Nicoll Floyd, and sister 504 APPENDIX. of General William Floyd, His first public employment was in a inUitary ca pacity in the war between Great Britain and France, which commenced in 1754 and terminated in 1760, But it is not known that he entered the army be fore 1758, Previously to that year, tbe war had been conducted without much system or vigor, and the French had the superiority in every campaign. Being appointed a major in the provincial forces of New-York, Mr, WoodhuH in 1758 served in that capacity in the army under General Abercrombie, intended for the reduction of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, He was engaged in the dar ing, or rather rash assault, ordered by t-he English General,, before the arrival of the artillery, upon the former place, which, strongly fortified, was defended by a garrison of more than fi've thousand, and protected on its only assailable side by fallen trees, with their branches projecting outward, so cut as to answer the purpose of a chevaux-de-frize. After an exposed fire of four hours from the French-, during which tirae every effort of heroic perseverance proved ineffectu al in raaking an impression on the enemy's works, the assailing force was oblig ed to retire to the southern- side of Lake George; with the loss of about two thousand killed and wounded. Desirous of wiping bff the stain' of this re pulse. General Abercrombie detatched a portion of his army against Cadaraqui, or Fort Frontinac, (now Kingston,) an important fortress at the coraraunication of Lake Ontario with the St, Lawrence, Lieut. Col, Bradstreet, with whom the design originated, coramanded the enterprise, having a train of eight can- n-on and three mortars, and a body of three thousand men, of whom one kun- dred and fifty were regulars. The rest of the detachment was- coraposed of Provincials from different places. On the 27th of August, 1758, a corabined operation was made against the fort by land and water. The conduct of the forces in the boats being comraitted to Corse and Woodhull, the latter with or ders to receive the fire of the fort without returning it, until their troops had loaded and fired. The resolutioil with which the operations were conducted dis pirited' the enemy, whose forces were insufficient' to the defence of their works, and, after a feeble resistance, the garrison struck their colors, and capitulated. Immense stores of provisions and merchandise, intended for the French forces in- America, sixty pieces of cannon, sixteen mon ars, and nine armed vessels, sorae carrying eighteen guns, were the fruits of t] « .surrender. Whether Mr. WoodhuU -lyas eraployed in the campaign ofthe . ' -wiug year is not ascer tained, most of his papers having been destroyed' b/ a lire a fe^f years after his death. It is believed, however, that he either raarched with the force which General Prideux conducted in 1759, against Niaa-ara, or that led by General Amherst against Ticonderoga and' Crown- Pbint, which last enterprise had a successful issue. In 1760 he served as colonel of the third regiment of New- York Provinciafs, under General Amherst, which marched against Monti-eal, and effected the final reduction of Canada. Upon the capitulation of the Mar quis De Vaudreul, on the 8th ofSepteraber, Col. Woodhull, with his troops, re turned to New-York, and retired to private life. The reraoval of French power fi-ora their neighborhood',, so dangerous to the coloijists, and their con- sciousn-^of having efficiently contributed' to its achieveraent, produced, natural ly, a more free inquiry into the relative rights of the provinces and the raother country. The spirit to which this inquiry gave rise was stiraulated by the pre tentions of Britain that Araericans were to be taxed by parliaraent for the ex penses of whatever attacks raight be raad'e upon them, occasioned by any wars APPENDIX. 605 ^Lw in?' " "f '"°"' '" ^•'''='> '^^ P"'"' ""'to Height engage; and which grew into assertions of a right to tax them in aU cases whatsoever. Acts of parliament rashly passed, and soraetiraes timidly repealed, only served to in crease the existing discontent, and hasten the irapending crisis, Participatine in the general feeling, the Asserably of New-York, at the close of December! l7bS, unaniraously resolved that no tax could, or ought to be, imposed on the persons or estates of his majesty's subjects within the colony, but by their own free gift, and by their representatives in general assembly ; that the rights and pn-vUeges of the legislatures could not be abridged, superseded, abrogated or an- nulled ; and that they had a right to consult with the other colonies in raatters wherein their liberties raight be affected. In consequence of these resolutions the Governor, Sir Henry Moore, dissolved the assembly on the 2d of January, 1769. The languages and proceedings of the assembly were highly approved by the people of Suffolk, and at the election in the spring of 1769, they return ed to the assembly Col. Woodhull and William Nicoll, Esq. In their in structions, drawn for their representatives, the county emphatically express ed their reliance on the exertions of their merabers to preserve their freedom, and ihe command over their own purses. The injunction was faithfully observed by Col. Woodhull, who, during the six years that followed, of the continuance of the royal government, was constant in his devotion to the rights of his coun tryraen and his opposition to the court party. In the convention which raet in the city of New-York, April 10, 1775, to choose delegates to the continental congress. Col. Woodhull appeared frora the county of Suffolk. Pursuant to a recommendation from the New- York local coraraittee, a provincial congress was deputed by the several counties, which met in the city, May 22d, 1775. This body practically asserted its right to entire sovereignty, suspending, in effect, from the time of its organization, and ultiraately dissolving and expelling, the royal authority. Col. Woodhull was placed at the head of the delegation from Suffolk, On the 22d of August, 1775, the provincial congress re-organized the mUitia of this colony into brigades, directing that a brigadier-general, with a raajor of brigade, be coraraissioned to the coraraand of each. The railitia of Suffolk and Queens constituted one brigade, of which Col, Woodhull was sub sequently appointed general, and Jonathan Lawrence, Esquire, a raember of the provincial congress from Queens, raajor of brigade. On the 28th of August, 1775, General Woodhull was elected president ofthe provincial congress, which office he held in the body that succeeded it in 1776, The provincial congress, doubting its powers to conforra to the recommendation of the continental con gress, by erecting a new forra of governraent, to the exclusion of all foreign con trol, on the 31st of May, 1776, recoraraended to the electors of the several coun ties to vest the necessary powers either in their present delegates, or in others to be chosen in their stead. The British army having, on the 30th of June, ap peared off the harbor of New- York, the provincial congress, on its adjournment that day, directed that the congress in which t'hose new powers were vested, should immediately assemble at White Plains. They did not, in fact, assemble .till the 9th of July, 1776, when General Woodhull was chosen president. "The declaration of independence, passed on the 4th, had not yet received the unani mous approbation of the colonies in continental congress, the delegates from the colony of New- York having declined to vote, (althougli they were personal ly in favor of the measure, and believed their constituents to be so,) because they 64 506 APPENDIX. were fettered by instructions drawn nearly twelve raonths before, when the hope of reconciUation w-as yet cherished. Imraediately on this meeting, the new provincial congress unanimously adopted the declaration, (General Woodhull presiding,) on the part of the people of New-York ; thus filling the void occa sioned by the want of the necessary powers in their delegates at Philadelphia, On the next day they assumed the title of the representatives of the Stale of New- York. The invading array under Lord Howe had landed on Staten Island; and by the command which their naval force secured over the adjacent waters, they were enabled to threaten an attack from this point either upon Long Island or the Island of New-York. General Washington was therefore obliged to divide the force collected to oppose them, a portion of which entrenched themselves at Brooklyn, when the residue was stationed at different places on Yoik Island, The New- York convention had, on the 20th of July, ordered one fourth ofthe railitia of Queens and Suffolk to be drafted ; and the second regiment thus ob tained, had marched under comraand of Col, Josiah Smith of Brookhaven, and Col, Jeromus Rerasen of Newtown, within the lines at Brooklyn, then com manded by General Sullivan, On the 10th of August General Woodhull's affairs requiring his return home, he obtained leave of temporary absence from the convention, whose sittings had been transferred to Harlaera ; and proceeded to his residence at Mastic, seventy-five raUes frora New- York. On the22dof August, the uncertainty that had prevaUed as to the first point of attack on the part of the invaders, was dispelled by the landing of a portion oftheir forces at New Utrecht, at the place now called Bath, Aware of the increasing want of provisions among the enemy, and the American array being confined to the lines, the whole stock and produce of Long Island would be in the power of the hos tile troops, unless raeans were proraptly used to prevent it. The convention adopted a policy since successfully pursued by the Russians on a larger scale. This was, to deprive the invading foe of supplies, and thus corapel their aban- donraent of the island, by removing the stock and other provisions in the vici nity ; and if that could not 'be effected, by destroying thera. Resolutions were ac cordingly passed on the 24th of August, ordering General Woodhull, or, in his absence, Col, Potter, (Doctor Potter, of Huntington, who had served against the French in 1758-9,) to march, without delay, one half of the western regi ment of militia of Suffolk County, with five days' provisions, into the western parts of Queen's County ; and that the officers ofthe militia of Queen's County Should imraediately order out the whole railitia of that county, to effect the de sired object. An express being sent with these directions to Major Lawrence, Colonel Potter, and General Woodhull, the latter reached Jaraaica on the next day, (Sunday,) and iraraediately took measures to apprise the convention of his arrival there, and awaited the approach of the forces intended to act under his 'Comraand, He was, however, doomed to experience not only delay, but disap pointment, and his feelings raay be raore easily imagined than described. The .convention were fully aware that the militia to be collected on this emergency -would be wholly insufficient to effect the desired object, and more particularly to enable the General to station a force, agreeably to their wishes, on the high grounds in the western part of Queen's County, to repel the ravaging parties of the enemy. In the preeeding year it had been found necessary to dispatch some ofthe troops under the command of General Wooster to Suffolk County, to pre vent depredations along its exposed coast, and its armed inhabitants were not APPENDIX. 507 now more than competent to the same purpose. In Queen's a majority ofthe in habitants were disaffected to the patriotic cause, and rendered the delence of the county rauch raore diffiouU, The Tories there had, in the preceding raonth of December, obtained a quantity of arras fromthe Asia raan-of-war; and had even prevented, by their superior nurabers at the polls, an election, then attempted, of delegates to the provincial congress; insomuch that a mUitary intervention, under the direction of the continental congress, had becorae necessary to de prive the Tories of offensive weapons, and to secure to the Whigs the freedom of election, A large body ofthe Whigs of that county were already embodied in the regiment of Colonel Remsen, and many of those at horae were overawed by the neighborhood of the British force, or were employed in preparations for the flight of their famUies, if fortune should favor the British arras. The conven tion accordingly deputed a comraittee to General Washington, advising hira of their object; of their apprehension of the insufficiency of tbe force they had or dered to join General Woodhull ; and of their conviction that it would be raost conducive to the public welfare that the regiments of Colonels Smith and Rem sen should be added. The coraraitte reported on the 26th, that at the conference with General Washington he seemed well pleased, but said he was afraid it was too late. He, however, expressed his willingness to afford every assistance to the convention consistent with the public good ; and stated that he would im mediately give orders that Sraith's and Rerasen's regiments should raarch into Queen's County and join General Woodhull, Notice of this was forwarded to General Woodhull ; as well as ofthe expectation that by the tirae he received their letter the promised reinforceraent would have joined hira. On the same day the whole militia that had been collected was assembled at Jamaica, and was found to consist only of about one hundred men, led by Colonel Potter of Suf folk, about forty militia frora Queens, and fifty horsemen belonging to the troop of King's and Queen's Counties. With this handful of men. General WoodhuH advanced to the westward of Queen's County, agreeably to his orders. Owing, probably, to the receipt of information that increased numbers of the British had disembarked on the preceding day at New Utrecht, the coraraanding officer at Brooklyn did not detach the second Long Island regiraent to join General Woodhull ; and by some fataUty, the omission was neUher coraraunicated to the convention, nor to the expecting General, Disappointed at not meeting the ad ditional troops, without whom he could not post any force on the heights to re pel depredations of the eneray, he nevertheless commenced with vigor the exe cution of the rest of his orders. He placed guards and sentries to prevent com munication between the Tories and the enemy ; and scouring this and the suc ceeding day the country southward of the hUls in King's, and a considerable part of Newtown and Jamaica, he sent off an iraraense quantity of stock, col lected them toward the great plains, and ordered off a further quantity from near Hempstead. In the mean time his numbers had dwindled (by the anxiety of the railitia to reach their homes, and protect or remove their famUies) to less than a hundred raen, who, as weU as their horses, were worn down. What thev had effected, deraonstrated that with the force the convention had expected to place under his coraraand, the object to which they attached so rauch impor tance could have been accomplished. The subsequent disasters to the Ameri can arras would, however, have rendered its accoraplishment useless. Early on the 37tb of August, a pass through the hilU in King's County, which had been 508 APPENDIX. left unguarded by the Araerican troops, was taken possession of by the enemy. The Araerican outposts were surprised, and the array driven, after a sanguina ry engagement, within their entrenchments at Brooklyn. Nurabers of the Brit ish troops during the sarae day posted theraselves on the hUls between New- York and Jaraaica, and parties of the enemy's horse made incursions into the country within a short distance of the General's force. In this state of things he retired to Jamaica, sending, at different tiraes, two messages to the conven tion, apprising them of his situation ; of the absolute necessity of reinforce ments, and of his conviction that the two Long Island regiments could not join him in consequence of the interruption of the coraraunication. Unfortunately, the convention did not sit on that day, and the General receiving no answer, dispatched his brigade-major, who was also a meraber of that body, to repeat his representation and obtain their orders. The convention, at their meeting on the 28th, still adhered to their forraer project ; believing that by crossing the East River to York Island, and raaking'a detour to Flushing, the two regiments might still reach Jaraaica. They accordingly sent Major Lawrence to Gen. Washington with a letter expressing that opinion, and referring hira to the brigade-raajor for explanations as to the means; at the same time they directed the necessary preparations for the transportation and landing of the troops, and receiving soon after a reiteration of the call for an iraraediate reinforcement, they deputed two of their body, John Sloss Hobart and James Townsend, Es quires, to repair to General Woodhull with instructions and advice. Owing, probably, to the intermediate roads being in possession of the enemy, these gen tleraen, it is believed, never reached hira. Whether the express dispatched by Maj, Lawrence, as soon as ordered, on the raission to Gen, Washington, was raore successfuly is not known. On the same raorning the convention forwarded a circular to the coramittees of the dif ferent towns of Connecticut lying upon the Sound, requesting their co-operation in removing the stock from Long Island to that State, and an appUcation to the governor for such force as could be speedUy obtained. An application to him had been intermediately made by General Washington to throw over one thou sand raen upon the island. In the afternoon Maj, Lawrence returned from the American camp, bringing a letter from the commander-in-chief declining the re quest of the conventioh for the desired reinforcement; because, in the opinion of hiraself and his general officers, the men they had were not more than corape tent to the defence of their lines. The retreat across the river, which was effect ed on that night, raight have been suspected and thwarted if the passage of the second regiment had been attempted in open day. This, no doubt, formed an ad ditional reason for non-compliance. In the mean time Gen. Woodhull, whose notions of military obedience had been forraed in the strictest school, was await ing ths expected orders and reinforceraents. At this tirae the situation of Gen. Woodhull was peculiarly embarrassing. If he had not received encouragement that he should be reUeved, the sraallness of his force would have justified an im* mediate retreat. Every comrannieation from the convention, frora whora he re ceived his orders, iraported it to be their wish he should retain his station in the western part of Queen's County, and encouraged hira to expect a reinforceraent. The oraission of any intelligence to the contrary, with the delay of the return of his brigade-raajor, who was detained by the convention, was calculated to strengthen that expectation. To have retreated under these circumstances, would APPENDIX. _ 509 have been a violation of railitary rules, and in case of relief being sent, would ' have been deeraed highly dishonorable. In this emergency, the General had no Qounsel but his own honorable feelings to consult, and he adopted the course which they dictated. He resolved not to make a final retreat until he heard from the convention. On the morning of the 28th, he ordered his troops to fall back, and take a station about four miles east of Jamaica, and there to reraain untU fur ther orders. The General remained at Jamaica till afternoon, in momentary ex pectation of a message frora the convention. He then retired slowly with one or two companions, still indulging the hope of intelligence frora the convention, until he fell a sacrifice to his reliance on their vigilance and his own high sense of railitary honor, which forbid his abandoning the station assigned him, however perilous, before he was assured that relief was hopeless, or he had orders to that effect. A severe thunder-shower, as is supposed, obliged hira to take refuge in a public-house about two railes east of Jaraaica ; he was there overtaken by a de tachment ofthe 17th regiraent of British dragoons, and the 71st regiraent of Brit ish infantry, accompanied by some ofthe disaffected inhabitants as pilots. The General immediately, on being discovered, gave up his sword in token of surrender. The ruflaan who first approached him, (said to be a Major Baird, of the 71st,) as reported, ordered him to say, God save the King ; the General re pUed, "God save us all ;" on which he most cowardly and cruelly assaUed the de fenceless General with his broad sword, and would have killed him upon the spot ' if he had not been prevented by the interference of an officer of more honor and humanity, (said to be Major Delancey of the dragoons,) who arrested his savage violence. The General was badly wounded in the head, and one of his arms was man gled from the shoulder to the wrist. He was taken to Jamaica, where bis wounds were dressed, and, with other prisoners, was confined there till the next day. He was then conveyed to Gravesend, and with about eighty other prisoners, (of which number Col. Robert Troup, of New- York, was one,) was confined on board a vessel which had been employed to transport live stock for the use of the array, and was without accoramodations for health or comfort. The General was re leased from the vessel on the remonstrance of an officer who had more hu manity than his superiors, and removed to a house near the church in New Utrecht, where he was permitted to receive some attendance and raedical assis tance, A cut in the joint ofthe elbow rendered an amputation ofthe arm neces sary. As soon as this was resolved on, the General sent for his wife, with a re quest that she should bring with her all the money she had in her possession, and all she could procure ; which being complied with, he had it distributed among the American prisoners, to alleviate their sufferings— thus furnishing a lesson of hu manity to his enemies, and closing a useful life by an act of charity. He then suf fered the amputation, which soon issued in a mortification, which terminated his life September 20th, 1776, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. He left only one chUd, who ia now living on her paternal estate at MasUc, in Brookhaven, and is the widow ofthe late General John Smith, deceased. It is said that one of the battalions employed in this inglorious warfare against an unresisting individual was commanded by a Major Crew, a distant kins man ofthe General ; and that when he carae to be apprized of that fact, and of the circurastances of the case, he was so disgusted, that he either resigned his commission and quit the service, or obtained permission to leave the army and 510 APPENDIX. return to England. All thp transactions of that period bear the marks of inex perience and improvidence, of precipitation and alarm. The talents pf General Woodhull were peculiarly adapted to a military station. With personal courage, he possessed judgment, decision, and firraness of character, tempered with con ciliating raanners, which coramanded the respect and obedience of his troops, and at the sarae time secured their confidence and esteem. His excellent wife, who had barely arrived soon enough to attend him in his last moments, was permitted to remove his dead body, which was prepared for the purpose by the British surgeons. Painful as her feelings must have been while attending the raangled corse of her deceased husband and dearest friend, in its slow progress over a distance of seventy miles, she had the satisfaction of reflect ing that it was out ofthe possession ofthe eneray, and the consolation of deposit- in" it on his own farm, amid the graves ofhis ancestors. The cruel treatment of this gallant officer and eminent citizen aroused in every patriotie bosom feelings of indi"nation. Nor can the circurastances ever be recollected without admiring the lofty spirit which no extreraity could bend to dishonor, nor without disdain and ab horrence of a coward brutality, which vainly seeks for extenuation in the bitter aniraosities of the tiraes. It is proper here to state, that the late Chief Justice Marsjiall, in the Biogra phy of Washington, while narrating the disposition of the American forces imrae diately prior to the battle of Long Island, fought on the morning of the 27th of August, 1776, raakes the following remark : " The convention of J^ew-York had ordered General Woodhull, with the miiitia of Long Island, to take post on the high grournd as near the enemy as 'possible ; but he remained at Jamaica, and seemed scarcely to suppose himself under the control of the regular officer co'm- manding on the Island." The unjust imputation contained in this short sentence, upon the well-known character and principles of General Woodhull, and its total variance frora facts, make it obvious to every well-informed person that the learned historian was entirely unacquainted with what transpired on the occasion referred to, and had raistaken the circumstances attending the conduct and fate ofthe unfortunate General, To reraedy, as far as possible, the-consequences of this erroneous state- raent, and rescue the memory of the noble martyr from the grave charge above raentioned, a coraraunication was addressed to Judge Marshall, on the 13th of Feb, 1834, by John L, Lawrence, Esq, containing a plain and candid relation of facts relative to the raatter above raentioned ; and to which his Honor respond ed in a raanner which was to be expected from a great and generous mind, when convinced of an iraportant error, unconsciously coraraitted. The letter is as fol lows : " Washington, Feb, 21st, 1834, "Sir: " Judge Edwards did me the favor to deliver yesterday evening yonr letter of the 13tb, with the docuraents to which it refers. It is to rae malter for deep concern and self-reproach that the Biographer of Washington should, frora what ever cause, have mis. stated the part performed by any individual in the war of our revolution. Accuracy of detail ought to have been, and was, among ray primary objects. If in any instance I have failed to attain this object, the failure is the raore lamented, if its consequence be the imputation of blarae where praise was merited. APPENDIX. 511 hnJf '7 """ ^^'^^ y°" ^^^' furnished me, demonstrate that the sraall caUed "; :• ':"'""'' near Jamaica, Long Island, in August, 1776, was no called out for the purpose of direct co-operation wuh the troops in Brooklyn and was not placed by the convention under the officer commanding at that post' It IS apparent that their particular object, after the BrUish had landed on Long Island, was, to intercept the supplies they raight draw from the country It is apparent, also, that General Woodhull joined them only a day or two before the battle ; and there is every reason to believe that he executed with imelli^ence and vigor the duty confided to hira. I had supposed that the order to march to the western part of Queen's County directed an approach to the eneray, and that the heights alluded to, were between Jaraaica and Brooklyn. But 1 have not the papers which I read at the tirae from the publications then in ray possession. I only recollect the irapression they made, that General Woodhull was called into the field for the purpose of aiding the operations from Brooklyn ; and that General Washington, knowing the existence of this corps, had a right to count upon It in some slight degree, as guarding the road leading frora Jamaica. In this I was raistaken; and in this the raistakeof which you complain originated, " I think, however, you misconstrue it ; no allusion is made to the number of the militia under his command, nor to any jealousy of the mUitary officer com raanding at Brooklyn ; nor is it hinted that the convention had placed hira un der that officer, I rather infer that it appeared to rae to be an additional exam ple of the raany inconveniences arising, in the early part of the war, from the disposition of the civU authorities to raanage affairs belonging to the raUitary department. " 1 wish much that I had possessed the information you have now given me. The whole statement would most probably have been omitted, the fact not be ing connected with the battle ; or, if introduced, have been essentially varied. "I ara, with great respect, your obed't " John L, Lawrence, Esq. " J, MARSHALL." New-York," Correspondence between General Woodhull and the Convention. The capture of General Woodhull was one of the most calamitous events of the revolution. It deprived the country of the talents, the experience, and coun sels of one of the ablest and most patriotic of her citizens. The cruel and das tardly treatment of a prisoner, especially of his rank and character, after a peaceable surrender, roused a spirit of indignation in the breast of every hon est and disinterested man. It contributed to alienate the affections of the people from a country whose officers were capable of such unprincipled barbarity, and to strengthen the determination of all ranks to adhere to the resolution then recently adopted by the continental congress and the convention of this state, to render the United States independent of her control. General Woodhull was as much distinguished for his private and doraestic virtues as for his zeal forthe rights of his country, and was held in the highest estim.ation by all those who enjoyed his society, or had he pleasure of an intimate acquaintance with him. His death spread a gloora over Long Island— was universally laraented by the friends of freedom, to whom he was known, as well as by all those to whom he 512 APPENDI-qC. was endeared by social relations ; and whUe the revolution continues to be a subject of gratitude with the people of Long Island, his meraory will be che rished among their fondest recollections. August 25th, 1776, General Woodhull wrote to the convention. His letter cannot be found, but the contents may be inferred frora the following answer : August 26th, 1776. Sir — Your's of yesterday is just come to hand, in answer to which we would inform you that Robert Townsend, the son of Samuel Townsend, Esq., is ap pointed coraraissary for the troops under your coraraand, of which we hope you wUl give hira the earliest notice; and that we have made application to Gene ral Washington for the regiraents under the comraand of Cols, Sraith and Rem sen to join you. He assured our comraittee that he would issue out orders im raediately for that purpose, and we expect that they are upon the spot by this tirae. Confiding in your known prudence and zeal in the coraraon cause, and wish ing you the protection and blessing of heaven. We are, with respect, your very humble servants. By order, &c. ABRAHAM YATES, Jun. To Gen. Nathaniel Woodhull. Jamaica, August 21th, 1776. Gentlemen — 1 ara now at Jaraaica, with less than 100 raen, having brought all the cattle from the westward and southward of the hills, and have sent thera off with the troops of horse, with orders to take all the rest eastward of this place, to the eastward of Hempstead Plains, to put thera into fields, and to set a guard over thera. The eneray, I am informed, are entrenching southward, and from the heights near Howard's. I have now received yours, with several reso lutions, which I wish it was in my power to put in execution ; but, unless Cols, Sraith and Rerasen, raentioned in yours, join me with their regiments, or sorae other assistance iramediately, I shall not be able ; for the people are all moving east, and I cannot get any assistance from them, 1 shall continue here as long as I can, in hopes of a reinforcement; but if none coraes soon, I shall retreat, and drive the stock before rae into the woods. Cols, Sraith and Rerasen, I think, cannot join rae. Unless you can send me sorae other assistance, I fear I shall soon be obliged to quit this place. I hope soon to hear frora you, I am, gentlemen, your most humble serv't, NATHANIEL WOODHULL. To the Hon, Convention of the State of New-York. Westward of Qiieen's County, August Vilih, 1776. Gentlemen — Inclosed I send you a letter frora Col, Potter, who left me yester day at 11 o'clock, after bringing about 100 men to me at Jamaica, Major Smith, I expect, has all the rest that were to corae from Suffolk County, There have about 40 of the mUitia joined me from the regiments in Queen's County, and APPENDIX. 513 about 50 of the troop belonging to King's and Queen's counties, which is nearly all I expect, I have got all the cattle southward of the hills in King's County, to the eastward of the cross-road between the two counties, and have placed guards and sentinels from the north road to the south side of the island, in or der to prevent the cattle's going back, and to prevent the coraraunication of the Tories with the eneray, I ara within about six mUes ofthe enemy's camp : their light horse have been within about two mUes, and, unless I have more men, our stay here will answer no purpose. We shall soon want to be supplied witb provisions, if we tarry here. I ara, gentleraen, your most ob'dt. humble serv't, NATHANIEL WOODHULL. The Hon. Convention of New- York, at Harlaem. Jamaica, August 28 Correspondence between the Convention .and General Washington. Wednesday morning, Aug. 28yr-York and of Penn sylvania, who guarded it. They at first gave ground ; but General Parsons be ing arrived, and having occupied an erainence, he renewed the combat, and raain tained his position till Brigadier-general Lord Stirling carae to his assistance with fifteen hundred raen. The aojion becanje extremely a.uimated, &nd fortune favored neither the one side nor the (ither. The Hessians, on their part, had at- tacljed the centre at break of day ; and the Anaericans, commanded by General APPENDIX. 519 Sullivan in person, valiantly sustained their efforts. At the same tirae the En glish ships, after having made several movements, 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 General Grant, This also was a diver sion, the object of which was to prevent them frora attending to what passed in the centre and on the left. The Americans defended themselves, however with ex trerae gallantry, ignorant that so rauch valor was exerted in vain, since victory was already in the hands of the eneray. General Clinton being descended into the plain, fell upon the left flank ofthe centre, which was engaged with the Hes sians, He had previously detached a sraall corps, in order to intercept the Ame ricans, As soon as the appearance ofthe English light infantry apprized thera of their danger, they sounded the retreat, and retired in good order towards their carap, bringing off their artillery. But they soon fell in with the party of royal troops which had occupied the ground on their rear, and who now charged them with fury ; they were compelled to throw themselves into the neighboring woods, where they raet 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 desperate situation, tUl at length several regiraents, aniraated by an heroic valor, opened their way through the midst ofthe enemy, and gained the carap of General Putnam ; others escaped through the woods. The inequality ofthe ground, the great numbers of positions which it offered, and the disorder which prevailed throughout the line, were the cause that for several hours divers partial combats were raaintained, in which many of the Americans feU. Their left wing and centre being discorafited, the English, desirous of a com plete victory, made a rapid raovement against the rear of the right wing, which, in ignorance ofthe misfortune which had befallen the other corps, was engaged with General Grant. FinaUy, having received the inteUigence, they retired. But, encountering the English, who cut off their retreat, a part ofthe soldiers took shelter in the woods ; others endeavored to make' their way through the marshes of Gowan's Cove ; but here raany were drowned in the waters or perished in the raud ; a very sraall nuraber only escaped the hot pursuit of the victors, and reached the camp in safety. The total loss of the Araericans, in this battle, was estimated at raore than three thousand raen in kUled, wounded, and prisoners. Among the last were found General Sullivan, and Brigadier-general Lord Stir ling. Almost the entire regiment of Maryland, consisting of young raen of the best families in 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 araount to four hundred raen. The eneray encaraped in front of the American lines ; and on the succeeding night broke ground within six hundred yards ofa redoubt on the left, and threw up a breast- work on the Wallabout heights, upon the Debevoice farm, coramenced firing on PortPutnara, and reconnoitred the American forces. The Americans were°here prepared to receive thera ; and orders issued to the raen to reserve their fire tiU they could see the eyes of the eneray. A few of the British officers re connoitred the position, and one, on coraing near, was shot by WUliara Van Cotts, of Bushwick. The same afternoon Captain Rutgers, brother of the late Colonel Rutgers, also fell. Several other British troops were kUled, and the co- 520 APPENDIX. lumn which had incautiously advanced, fell back beyond the range of the Ame- rican fire. In this critical state of the Araerican array on Long Island 5 in front a numerous and victorious eneray with a forraidable train of artUlery, the fleet indicating an intention of forcing a passage up the East River ; the troops lying without shelter frora heavy rains, fatigued and dispirited. General Washington deterrained to withdraw the array from the island ; and this difficult movement was effected with great skill and judgment, and with complete success. The re treat was to have coramenced at eight o'clock in the evening of the 29th, but a strong north-east wind and a rapid tide caused a delay of several hours; a south west wind springing up at eleven, essentially facilitated it passage frora the is land to the city ; and a thick fog hanging over Long Island toward raorning, concealed its raoveraents frora the enemy, who were so near that the sound of their pick-axes and shovels were distinctly heard by the Americans. General Washington, as far as possible, inspected every thing frora the coraraenceraent of the action on the raorning ofthe 27th; tUl the troops were safely across the river, he never closed his eyes, and was alraost constantly on horseback. After this the British and their allies, the Tories and refugees, had possession of Long Is land ; and many distressing scenes occurred, which were never raade public, and can therefore never be known. The Whigs, who had been at all active in behalf of independence, were exiled frora their horaes, and their dwellings were objects of indiscrirainate plunder. Such as could be taken, were incarcerated in the church of New Utrecht and Flatlands ; while royalists, by wearing a red badge in their hats, were protected and.encouraged. It is believed that had Lord Howe availed himself of the advantages he possessed by passing bis ships up the river between Brooklyn and New- York, the whole American army must have been almost inevitably captured or annihilated. General Washington saw but too plainly the policy which raight have been pursued, and wisely resolved rather to abandon the island than attempt to retain it at the risk of sacrificing his array. The unfortunate issue of the battle of Long Island was doubtless to be as cribed, in part, to the Ulness of General Greene, He had superintended the erec tion of the works, and becorae thoroughly acquainted with the ground. In the hope of his recovery, Washington deferred sending over a successor till the ur gency of affairs made it absolutely necessary : and then General Putnara took the comraand, 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 tirae to acquire this knowledge before the action. The consequence was, that, although he was the comraander on the day of the bat tle, he never went beyond the lines at Brooklyn ; and could give no other orders than for sending out troops to meet the enemy at different points. The foUow ing is a letter to congress, describing the events of the day, by Colonel Harri son, secretary to the commander-in-chief. New-York, 8 o'clock P. M; 37 Aug. 1776. Sir; I this minute returned from our lines on Long Island, where I left his. Excellency the General. Frora him I have it in command to inform congress, that yesterday he went there, and continued tiU evening, when, from the eneray's having landed a considerable part of their forces, and from tnany oftheir move- APPENDIX. 521 ments, there was reason to apprehend they would make in a little tirae a general attack. As they would have a wood to pass through before they could approach the lines, it was thought expedient to place a number of raen there on the differ ent roads leading frora where they were stationed, in order to harass and an noy thera in their raarch. This being done, early this morning a smart engage ment ensued between the enemy and our detachraents, which, being unequal to the force they had to contend with, have sustained a considerable loss ; at least many of our men are missing. Araong those that have not returned are Ge neral Sullivan and Lord Stirling. The eneray's loss is not known certainly; bnt we are told by such of our troops as were in the engageraent, and have corae in, that they had many kUled and wounded. Our party brought off a lieute nant, sergeant, and corporal, with twenty privates, prisoners. While these detachments were engaged, a coluran of the eneray descended from the woods, and raarched towards the centre of our lines with a design to make an irapression, but were repulsed. This evening they appeared very nu merous about the skirts of the woods, where they have pitched several tents; and his Excellency inclines to think they raean to attack and force us frora our lines by way of regular approaches, rather than in any other raanner. To-day five ships ofthe line carae up towards the town, where they seeraed desirous of getting, as they turned a long tirae against an unfavorable wind ; and, on my return this evening, I found a deserter frora the twenty-third regiraent, who in formed me that they design, as soon as the wind will perrait them to cerae up, to give us a severe cannonade, and to silence our batteries if possible. I have the honor to be, in great haste, Sir, your raost obedient, Robert H, Harrison, As the two Generals, who commanded in the engagement, were taken prison ers, no detailed official account of the action was ever reported to the Coraraand er-in-chief The following letter from Lord Stirling, and extracts from Ge neral Sullivan's, contain a few particulars not hitherto published. Lord Stirling was a prisoner on board Lord Howe's ship when he wrote. Lord Stirling to General Washington. Eagle, 29 Angust, 1776. Mt Dear General, I have now an opportunity of informing you of what has happened to me since I had the pleasure of seeing you. About three o'clock in the morning of the 37th I was called up, and inforraed by General Putnam that the eneray were advancing by the road frora Flatbush to the Red Lion, and he ordered me to march with the two regiraents nearest at hand to raeet them. These happen ed to be Haslet's and SraaUwood's, with which I accordingly marched, and was on the road to the Narrows just as the daylight began to appear. We pro ceeded to within about half a raUe of the Red Lion, and there met Colonel At- lee whh his regiraent, who inforraed rae that the enemy were in sight; indeed, I then saw their front between us and the Red Lion. I desired Colonel Atlee to place his regiment on the left of the road, and to wait their coming up ; whUe I went to forra the two regiments I had brought with me along a ridge frora the road up to a piece of wopd on the tap of the hill. This was done instantly oa very advantageous ground. 66 522 APPENDIX. Our opponents advanced, and were fired upon in the road by Alice's regi ment, who, after two or three rounds, retreated to the wood on ray left,, and there formed. By this time Kichline's riflemen arrived; part of them I placed along a hedge under the front of the hUl, and the rest in the front of the woodr The troops opposed to rae were two brigades of four regiraents each, under the com mand of General Grant ; who advanced their light troops to within one hun dred and fifty yards of our right front, and took possession of an orchard there, and sorae hedges, which extended towards our left. This brought on an ex change of fire between those troops and our riflemen, which continued for about two hours, and then ceased by those light troops retiring to their main body. In the mean time Captain Carpenter brought up two field-pieces, which were plac ed on the side of the hill so as to command the road and the only approach for some hundred yards. On the part of General Grant there were two field-pieces. One howitzer advanced to within three hundred yards of the front of our right, and a like detachment of artillery to the front of our left. On a rising ground^ at about six hundred yards' distance, one of their brigades forraed in two lines opposite to our right, and the other extended in one line to the top ofthe hiUs,. in'the front of our left. In this position we stood cannonading each other till near eleven o'clock ; when I fijund- that General Howe, with tbe main body of the army, was between me and our lines; and I saw that the only chance of escaping being all made pri soners, was, to pass the creek- near the Yellow Mills; and, in order to render this the more practicable, I found it absolutely necessary to attack the body of troops coramanded by Lord Cornwallis, posted at the house near the Upper Mills. This I instantly did, with about half of SraaUwood's regiment; first order ing all other troops to raake the best of their way through the creek. We con tinued the attack for a considerable tirae, the raen having been- rallied, and the attack renewed, five or six several times; and we were on the point of driving Lord Cornwallis from his station ; but large reinforcements arriving, rendered it irapossible to do more than provide for safety. I endeavored to get in between that house and Fort Box ; but, on attempting it, I found a considerable body of troops in my front, and several in pursuit of me on the right and left, and a constant firing on me. I imraediately turned the point of a hill, which covered me from their fire, and was soon out of the reach of ray pursuers, I found that it would be in vain to atterapt to raake ray escape, and therefore went to surren der myself to General de Heister, command'er-in-cKief of the Hessians, Wm. Stiuling. General Sullivan to the President of Congress. WhUemarsh, 25 -October, 1777. I! know it has been generally rejiorted that I coraraanded on Long Island when the action happened there. This is by no means true. General Putnara had taken the command from rae four days before the action. Lord Stirling commanded the main body without the lines. I was to have coraramanded under General Putnara within the lines, I was uneasy about a road, through which I had often foretold that the enemy would come, but could not per suade others to be of ray opinion. I went to the hUl near Flatbush fo recon noitre, and with a picket of four hundred men was surrounded by the eneray, who had advanced by the very road I had foretold, and which I had paid horsemen APPENDIX. 523 iifty dollars for patroUing by night whUe I had the comraand, as I had no foot for the purpose. What resistance I made with these four hundred raen against the Britisli •army, I leave to the officers who were with rae to declare. Let it suffice for me to say, that the opposition ofthe smaU party lasted frora half past nine to twelve .o'clock. The reason of so few troops being on Long Island, was because it was ge- aierally supposed that the enemy's landing there was a feint to draw .our troops thither, that they might the raore easUy possess themselves of New- York, I of ten urged, both by word and writing, that, as the enemy had doubtless both these objects in view, they would first try for Long Island, which commanded the other ; and then New-York, which was completely coramanded by it, would fall of course. But in this I was unhappy enough to differ frora alraost every officer in the array till the event proved ray conjectures were just, John Sullivan, No, XI. Of Captain Nathan Hale. This eminent martyr to Araerican liberty was the son of Deacon Richard Hale of Coventry, Connecticut, where he was born June 6, 1755 ; and graduated at Yale College in 1773, Possessed of genius, taste, and ardor, he early becarae distinguished as a scholar, and being endowed in an eminent degree with those .gifts and graces which always add a new charm to youthful exceUence, he gained the respect and confidence of all that knew hira. Being a patriot frora principle, -and enthusiastic in a cause which appealed equally to his sense of justice and his love of liberty, he was araong the first to take up arms in defence of his country, whose soil had been invaded by a hostile force, and its citizens subjected to the alternative of determined resistance- or humiliating submission. The life of Captain Hale was short, but eventful. Its termination was under rare circum stances of intrepidity and cruelty. His case has been deemed parallel with that of Major Andre, aud in some respects it was so— the nature of the service was identical. Both were young, well educated, ardent and brave; one for his king, the other for his country ; and each feU a victim to the rigor of military law. The news of the battle of Lexington roused his martial spirit, and suraraoned him to the tented field. Before arriving at the age of twenty-one, a captain's commis sion was tendered hira, and he soon became an efiacient officer in the continental army ; where his activity, zeal, and patriotism, obtained universal approbation. The corapany under his coraraand, participating in the same spirit, submitted to a systera of discipline before unknown to the army ; and which produced very beneficial results. He entered as a captain in the light infantry regiment coraraanded by Colonel Knowlton of Ashford, and was with the array on its retreat from Long Island, in August, 1776, The American forces took refuge in the city of New- York, and afterwards at the heights at Harlaem ; and it be came a -matter of the utraost iraportance, in the opinion ofthe coraraander-in-chief, to ascertain thenuraerical force and conteraplated operations ofthe eneray; for on that knowledge depended the safety of the American army, and perhaps the na- tion also, A councU of officers was assembled, and resulted in a determination 524 APPENDIX. to send some one competent to the task into the heart of the eneray's camp, and Colonel Knowlton was charged with the selection of an individual to perform the delicate and hazardous service. On being inforraed ofthe views and wishes of Washington, Hale, wUhout hesUation, volunteered his services, saying that he did not accept a coraraission for fame alone ; that he had been sorae time in the army without being able thus far to render any signal aid to his country ; and that he now felt impelled, by high considerations of duty, to peril his life in a cause of so vital importance when an opportunity presented itself of being use ful. The arguraents of his friends were unavailing to dissuade him from the undertaking; and having disguised hiraself as well as he could, he left his quarters at Harlaera Heights, and having an order frora the commander-in- chief to all the Araerican arraed vessels to convey hira to any point which he should designate, he was enabled to cross the Sound frora Fairfield to Long Island, and arrived atHuntington about the middle ofSepteraber, 1776, When he reached Brooklyn, the British array had taken possession of New- York. He exarained with the utmost caution the fortifications ofthe enemy, and ascertained as far as possible their number, position, and future intentions ; and having satis- factorUy accoraplished the objects of his raission, he again reached Huntington for the purpose of re-crossing the Sound. While waiting for a passage, a boat came on shore, which he at first supposed to be from Connecticut, but proved to be frora a British vessel, the Cerberus, lying in the Sound; and on board this boat, it is said, was a relative of Capt, Hale, a Tory refugee, who recognized and betrayed him. He had assumed a character which did belong to hira, that of pretending to be what he was not. That he was a spy, could no longer be con cealed, and he was iramediately sent to General Howe at New- York. Here the parallel between Ais case and that of Andre ceases. The latter was allowed time and an impartial trial before officers of honorable rank and character, and his last raoraents were soothed by tenderness and sympathy. Not so -» ith the forraer; he was delivered into the possession of the infamous provost-martial, Cunningham, and ordered iramediately for execution, without even the formality of a trial. The order was performed in a brutal raanner on the twenty-first of September, 1776, and his body was buried on the spot where he breathed his last. He was, indeed, perraitted to consecrate a few previous raoraents in writing to his famUy-, but as soon as the work of death was done, even this testimony of affec tion and patriotisra was destroyed, assigning as the cause, " that the rebels should never kti,ew they had a man in their armfj who could die with such firmnesi." In this trying hour the use of a bible and the attendance of a minister, which he de sired were also denied him. Thus unknown to those around hira, with no eye to pity, orawoice to adrainister consolation, fell one of the raost nobleand amiable youths which America could boast ; with this his dying observation, " that he only lamented hejmd but one life to lose for hiscovmiry," Though the manner of his execution will be abhorred by every friend of humanity, yet there cannot be a question but that the sentence of death was conformable to the practice of all civilized nations. It is, however, but common justice to the character of Captain Hale to state, that his motives for engaging in this service were entirely different .from those which sometiraes influence others in like cases. Neither expectation of .promotion or pecuniary reward induced the atterapt. A high sense of public duty, and a hope of being in this way useful to his country, and the opinion -which heiiad adopted, thsAievery kind of service becarae honorable by being ae- APPENDIX. 525 cessary, were the motives which prorapted him to this hazardous, and, to hira, fatal enterprise. To see such an one, in the bloom of youth, influenced by the purest intentions, and emulous of doing good to his beloved country, fall a victim to the policy of .nations, must have been wounding even to the feelings of his enemies. Among other causes of distress in 1776, the want of provisions and clothing was severely felt by the American army. Just previous to the battle of Long Island it was ascertained that an English sloop, with suppliesof these essential articles, had arrived in the East River, and lay there under the protection of the ship Asia, of ninety guns. Captain Hale conceived the bold project of capturing this sloop, and bringing her into the port of New-York, and found a sufficient number of bold hearts and stout hands to make the attempt. At an hour con certed they passed in a boat to a point of land nearest the sloop, where they lay tUl the raoon was down ; and when all was quiet, except the voice of the watch man on the quarter-deck of the Asia, they pulled forthe sloop, and in a few mi nutes were on board. She became their prize, and the goods were distributed to those who needed them in our array. The father of Captain Hale was born September 28, 1717, and died June 1; 1802 ; having been a raagistrate raany years, and several tiraes a representative frora Coventry to the state legislature. He had twelve children, John Hale, one of his sons, held the commission of major in the militia of Connecticut, and was frequently a representative in the asserably. He died Deceraber 18, 1803. David Hale, another son, was for sorae years a judge of the county court; and the Rev, Enoch Hale of Westharapton Massachusetts, another son, was a per son of extraordinary abilities, and held in high estiraation by the clergyraen of New England, A raeeting of the citizens of Coventry and the neighboring towns was held on the 25th of Noveraber, 1836, at which a society was formed called the Hale Monument Association ; for the purpose of taking measures to erect a suitable raemorial to the raemory of the subject of this notice. An eloquent address was delivered on the occasion, by Andrew T. Judson, Esq., to whora we are in debted for much ofthe information contained in this brief raeraoir. The following poetical tribute to the lamented Hale is from the pen ofthe late President Dwight: " Thus, while fond virtue wished in vain to save, Hale, bright and generous, found a hapless grave; With genius' living flame his bosom glow'd. And science charmed him to her sweet abode; In worth's fair path, adventured far. The pride oi peace, and rising ^-race of war." As yet no monument has been erected, nor have his ashes ever been recovered. A select comraittee of congress, on the 19th of January, 1836, recomraended an appropriation of one thousand dollars from the treasury of the United States to wards carrying the object into effect; but no action was ever had upon it after wards, and it is much to be feared so praiseworthy a design wUl be suffered to sleep, perhaps forever. 526 APPENDIX. No, XII, Recollections of Brooklyn and New- Vork in 1776, ( Commtmicaled to the Editor of the J^aval Magazine, by General Jeremiah John son.)- The enterprising whale-boat privateers-men of our country deserve our notice, although their acts of robbery are censurable. Captains Hyler and Marriner of New Brunswick annoyed the British troops so much, that an arraed force was sent to that place to destroy thei'r boats. The object was effected, but the cost was more than it was worth. New boats were iramediately built, Hyler and Marriner cruised between Egg-Harbor and Staten Island. Hyler took several ships, and levied contributions on the New-York fishermen on the fishing-banks. He frequently visited Long Island, He took' a Hessian raajor at night frora the house of Michael Bergen, at Gowanus, when his soldiers were encamped near the house. He surprised and took a sergeant's guard at Canau- sie, from the house of their captain, Schenck. The guards were at supper, and their muskets standing in the hall, when Hyler entered with his raen. He seized the arras, and, after jesting with the guard, he borrowed the silver spoonsioi' his faraUy ; took a few other articles with all the muskets, and raade one prisoner. He sent the guard to report themselves to Colonel AxteU, and returned to New Jersey. Capt, Hyler also paid a visit to Colonel Lott at Flatlands. The colonel was known to be rich; his money and his person were the objects desired. He was surprised in his house at night, and taken. His cupboard was searched for money, and some silver found ; and, on further search, two bags supposed to contain guineas, were discoveed. These, with the silver, the colonel and two of his ne groes, virere embarked, and taken to New Brunswick, In the morning, on the passage up the Raritan, the captain and crew agreed to count and divide the guineas. The bags were opened, when, to the mortification of the crew, they found the bags contained only half-pennies belonging to the church of Flatlands ; and the colonel also discovered that his guineas were safe at home. The crew were disappointed in their Scotch prize. They, however, determined to make the raost of the adventure ; they took the colonel and his negroes to New Brunswick, where they compelled hira to ransom his negroes, and then permit ted him to return home on parole. Captain Hyler also, with two boats, took a corvette of twenty guns, about nine o'clock at night in Coney Island Bay, The ship lay at anchor, bound for Halifax, to complete her crew. The night was dark ; one of the boats, with rauffied oars, was rowed up close under the stern of the ship, when the officers were to be seen at a game of cards in the cabin, and no watch on deck. The spy- boat then fell astern to her consort, and reported; when orders were passed to board. The boats were rowed up silently— the ship boarded instantiy on both sides — and not a man was injured. The officers were confined in the cabin, and the crew below. The captain ordered the officers and crew to be taken out the ship, well fettered, and placed in the whale-boats. Afterwards a few articles were taken from the ship, and she was set on fire ; when Captain Hyler left her, with his prisoners, for New Brunswck. My informant, one of the raen who took the ship, stated that the captain of the corvette wept as they were crossing the Bay, and reproached himself for permitting one of his Majesty's ships to be sur prised and taken " by two d d egg-sheUs ;" and he added, that there were $40,000 APPENDIX. 527 on board the burning"vessel, which Captain Hyler and his crew deserved for their gallant enterprise. The booty, however, was lost. After the notorious refugee, Lippencott, had barbarously mnrdered Captain Huddy at Sandy-Hook, General Washington was very anxious to have the ' raurderer secured. He had been demanded from the British general and his sur render refused. Retaliation was decided uponby General Washington, Young Argill was to be the innocent victim to atone for the death of Captain Huddy. He was saved by the mediation of the Queen of France, Captain Hyler de termined to take Lippencott, On inquiry, he found that he resided in a well- known house in Broad Street, New- York, Dressed and equipped like a man- of-war press-gang, he left the KUns with one boat after dark, and arrived at Whitehall about nine o'clock. Here he left his boat in charge of three men, and then passed to the residence of Lippencott, where he inquired for hira, and found he was absent, and gone to a cock-pit. Captain Hyler thus failed in the object of his pursuit and visit to the city. He returned to his boat with his press-gang, and left Whitehall ; but finding a sloop laying at anchor off the Battery, from the West Indies, laden with rum, he took the vessel, cut her cable, set her sails, and with a north-east wind sailed to Elizabethtown Point, and be fore daylight had landed frora her, and secured forty hogsheads of rum. He then burnt the sloop to prevent her re-capture. Captain Marriner resided many years at Harlaera, and on Ward's Island, after the war. He was a man of eccentric character, witty and ingenious, and abounding in anecdotes ; but he had his faults. He had been taken "by the Bri tish, was on parole in King's County, and quartered with Rem Van Pelt of New-Utrecht. The prisoners among the officers had the liberty of the four southern towns of the'eounty. Many of thera frequented Dr, Van Buren's tavern in Flatbush, Here our captain's sarcastic wit, in conversation with Major Sherbrook of the British army, led to abusive language from the Major to the prisoner. After some time Marriner was exchanged, when he determined to capture Major Sherbrook, Colonel Matthews, (the mayor of New- York,) Colo nel Axtell, and a Major Bache, who all resided in Flatbush — were noted and abusive Tories, and obnoxious to the American officers. For the purpose of carrying his design into execution, he repaired to New-Brunswick, and procured a whale-boat. 'This he manned wUh a crew of well-armed volunteers, with whom he proceeded to New-Utrecht, and landed on the beach at Bath about half past nine o'clock in the evening. Leaving two men in charge of the boat, with the rest of the crew he marched unmolested to Flatbush church, where he divided his men into four squads, assigning a house to each ; each party or squad was provided with a heavy post, to break in the doors. All was sUent in the viUage, Captain Marriner selected the house of George Martence, where his friend, the Major, quartered, for himself; the other parties proceeded to their as signed houses. Time was given to each to arrive at its destination ; and it was agreed that when Marriner struck his door, the others were to break in theirs, and repair to the church wUh their prisoners. The doors were broken at the same time, Marriner found the Major behind a Hrge chimney in the garret, where he had hidden hiraself; and where he surrendered, in presence of his landlady, who lit the way for Marriner. The Major was perraitted to take his sraall clothes in his hand, and thus vvas marched to the church, where the parties assembled, Mr. Bache was taken; Cols. Axtell and Matthews being at New- 528 APPENDIX. York, escaped capture. The parties raarched, with their prisoners, unraolested to their boat, and returned safe to New Brunswick. This event took place about midsummer, on a fine moonlight night. ' Captain Marriner also paid Simon Cortelyou of New Utrecht, a visit ; and took hira to New Brunswick as a return for his uncivU conduct to the American prisoners. He took his tankard, and several articles also, which he neglected to return. After Captain Marriner's visit to Flatbush, four inhabitants of New Utrecht were taken separately, and separately imprisoned in the Provost in New-York, on suspicion of having been connected with Marriner in his enter prise; viz; Col, Van Brunt, his brother Adrian Van Brunt, Rem Vanpelt, and his brother Art Vanpelt, The Connecticut whale-boats rendered Long Island Sound very unsafe to the British, except to strong-armed vessels. The whale-boats visited ceirtain posi tions along the Sound whenever they pleased ; and carried on a trade with New- York in dry goods, &c. to a great amount. The enterprizing and predatory warfare of the American whale-boat-men alarraed the Royalists greatly, and they considered theraselves unsafe unless surrounded by an armed force ; and many British officers, residing on Long Island, repaired to Brooklyn or New- York, Col, Robertson, who coramanded Queen's County, resided at Jaraaica, He con sidered himself safe under the protection of two dragoons, and of the troops usually stationed there, A Major Stockton, who murdered a railler named Araerman, at Flushing, without justifiable cause or provocation, was tried for the crime at Bedford, be fore a court-martial. The culprit was acquitted for want of surgical evidence that Araerman died of the wound inflicted by him. James Hedges, of Flushing, was murdered in his house by six soldiers of the 54th regiment, who also plun dered the house. Five of them were subsequently tried, and two of thera. Tench and Porter, were hanged upon land late of Francis Skillraan. Sorae soldiers had killed one of Captain Suydara's cattle of Bedford, three of whom were shot by hira while in the act of skinning it. Two other persons were killed in Bushwick, three in Newtown; one at the Half-way House, and others at Jaraai ca and Flushing, In the year 1777, two police courts were established — one in the city of New- York, under Mayor Matthews, and another for Long Island, under Judge Lud low at Jaraaica. In 1777, the continental paper raoney had depreciated so rauch, that it was of little value, and it was contrived to borrow raoney for the use of the army fromthe Whigs of Long Island. Perfect secrecy was preserved in these tran sactions ; and before the year 1782, loans to a large araount were obtained. Major Hendrick Wyckoff crossed the Sound frequently, and was concealed at the house of Peter Onderdonk at Cow Neck ; frora thence he carae to the house ofhis father at New- Lots, and by his raeans a large araount of money was pro cured, and safely conveyed to head-quarters at Poughkeepsie. Within the American lines at Brooklyn, during the Revolution, lived a Mr. Rapelje ; who being suspected of disaffection to the American cause, had been sent by the Whigs to the interior of New Jersey. His wife remained in possession ofthe house, and probably felt more hostile to the party who had deprived her of her husband than she would have done had he been perraitted to reraain at horae. The house was near the shore, whence Generel Washington embarked in his APPENDIX. 529 memorable retreat frora Long Island in August,* 1776, She obtained early knowledge of this moveraent the night it took place, and herself saw the first detachment push off. Thinking it a good opportunity to be revenged upon those ¦who, she believed, had deeply injured her faraUy, she resolved to inforra the Bri tish of what was taking place araong their enemies. She had" no one to send, however, with the information, but a black servant ; and accordingly dispatched him, with orders to coraraunicate the intelligence to the first British officer he could find. The black succeeded in passing the American sentinels, and made his way to the neighboring carap ; but, unluckUy for the success of his raission, carae to a part of the encampment where the Germans were stationed, and was stopped by a soldier who could not understand English, and to whom consequent ly, he could not coraraunicate the raessage. He was committed, therefore, to the guard, as a suspicious person, and kept until raorning ; when an officer visiting the post exarained him, and was inforraed of what had taken place during the night. The alarm was imraediately given, but it was too late — Washington and his troops were all safely landed on the opposite shore. No, XIIL Members of Congress from Long Island. The following persons were merabers of the Old Congress, first from the Pro vince, and then frora the State of New- York, from 1774 to 1789 ; with the tirae of taking their seats, viz : 1774, Septeraber 5, Williara Floyd. 1775, May 10, sarae. 1778, October 15, same. 1779, December 2, same, and Ezra L'Horaraedieu. November 23, WUliara Floyd. 1782, August 28, Ezra L'Horamedieu, Noveraber 27, William Floyd. 1783, August 7, Ezra L'Homraedieu. 1785, January 11, Zepheniah Platt. March 29, Melancton Smith. 1787, January 16, same. The following named individuals have been elected to congress since the adoption of the constitution of the United States, with the tirae for which they respectively served, viz : 1789 to 1791, Williara Floyd. 1791 to 1795, Thomas Tredwell, 1795 to 1799, Jonathan N. Havens. 1799 to 1804, John Smith, 1804 to 1805, Samuel Riker. 1805 to 1807, Eliphalet Wickes. 1807 to 1809, Samuel Riker. 1809 to 1813, Ebenezer Sage, 1813 to 1815, John Lefferts. 1815 to 1817, George Townsend. 67 530 APPENDIX. 1817 to 1829, Silas Wood, 1829 to 1833, James Lent. 1833 to 1837, Abel Huntington. 1837 to the present time, Thomas B. Jackson. INDEX. Academy, Clinton, Eastharapton, p, 196, Erasmus Hall, Flatbush, 461, Huntington, 316. Oyster Bay, 231, Miller's Place, 277, Riverhead, 257, Southampton, 214. Union Hall, Jamaica, 397. Hempstead, 357. Addressof the Delegates at Hempstead, Andros, Governor, arrival of, 123. Apprentices' Library, Brooklyn, 477. Ashes, use of, on Long Island, 44. Assembly, first colonial, 124. B Babbit, Rev, John M, notice of, 214, Babylon, description of, 316. Barren Island, account of, 450, Barry, Rev. Edmund D. notice of, 396, Bath, description of, 453. Battle of Long Island, account of, 515. Baxter, George, notice of, 83, 495. Beaver Pond, mention of, 382. Beecher, Rev, Lyman, notice of, 195, Bellamont, Governor, arrives, 133. Bell-Port, account of, 280, Benson, Egbert, memoir of, 408, Bethpage, account of, 333, Birdsall, Benjamin, memoir of, 360, Bloomer, Rev, Joshua, notice of, 396. Boat-fight, account of, 286. Bogart, Rev, David S, notice of, 314, Boardman, Rev, WUliam, notice of, 417. Boelen, Rev. Herraanus, notice of, 393. Bostwick, Rev, David, notice of, 390. Bownas, Samuel, account of, 499,_ Bradner, Rev, Benoni, notice of, 391, Branch,Villageof, 305, Brewster, Captain Caleb, memoir ofj 3S5, Rev, Nathaniel, notice of, 367. Brick-House, account of, 333. Brier, Volkert, petition of, 175. Brookhaven, account of, 261. Brooklyn, account of, 463, Recollections of, 526. City of, 476. first press established in, 476. Brown, Rev, James, notice of, 215, Buckley, Rev BarzUla, notice of, 376. Buckram, VUlage of, 331, Buell, Rev, Samuel, notice of, 194. Burnet, Governor, arrives, 134, Rev, Matthias, notice of, 391. Bushwick, description of, 431, Byram, Ephraira N, notice of, 224. CampbeU, Rev. Alex, notice of, 273. Capitulation, articles oi, by the Dutch, 485. Carmichael, Rev. WUliara M, notice of, 356, Centre-port, notice of, 316, Clarke, Governor, arrives, 136, Rev. Abrahara L, 375, 417, Clays of Long Island, 32, 42, 318. Clinton, George, notice of, 137, De Witt, memoir of, 428, Clowes, Sarauel, death of, 167, Rev, Timothy, notice of, 396, Cobbet, Williara, notice of, 367, Coles, Rev. Benjamin, notice of, 331. Cold-Spring, account of, 334, Colden, Governor, arrives,139 — meraoir of, 380, Cadwallader D, meraoir ofj 381. Colgan, Rev, Thoraas, notice of, 375, 394, Coney Island, accountof, 38, 438, 445, Conecticut, claims to Long Island, 85, Convention of delegates at Hempstead, 108, Cornbury, Governor, arrives, 133 — his conduct, 38& 632 INDEX. Cosby, Governor, arrives, 135. Counties, on Long Island, division of, 125, Court of Sessions established, 110. Assize instituted, 113. Corura, ViUage of, 278. Cow Neck, notice of, 346. Crane Neck, notice of, 27, 375. Rev. Elias W, notice of, 391, Cross, Rev, Robert, notice of, 390, Cuffee, Rev, Paul, notice of, 70. Cutting, Rev, Leonard, notice of, 354, Dagget, Rev. Herman, notice of, 214, 274. Rev, NapthaU, notice of, 307, Davenport, Rev, James, notice of, 251. Davis, Rev. Thomas, notice of, 330, Dedication of this Work, 3. De Kay, Dr, James E. notice of, 330, De Laet, reraarks of, 53. De Lancey, Chief Justice, notice of 137. Denton, Rev, Richard, notice of, 352, Dering, General Sylvester, notice of, 335. Henry P. notice of, 235. Discontents, account of the public, 114. Discovery of Long Island, 52, Dongan, Governor, arrives, 124. Do3-oris, account of, 328, Duke's laws, digest of, 101. Dunraore, Governor, arrives, 140. Dutch Governraent, of the, 71. do Capitulation of the, 96, 485. do Re-conquest of New- York by the, 119. Dwight, Rev. Tiraothy, remarks of, 48, 50, 257. Earle, Rev, Marmaduke, notice of, 331, Eastharapton, account of, 180, 185. East River, description of, 15. Eaton's Neck, account of, 318. Eckford, Henry, notice of, 358, Eclipse and Henry, race between, 400, Eigenbrodt, Lewis E, A, memoir of, 406. English, claims of, to Long Island, 87, Epitaphs, curious, 236, 246, 338, Erratic Blocks of Long Island, 31, 40, Execution-rock, account of^ 46, F Farret, James, notice of, 88. Fatoute, Rev, (jeorge, notice of, 891. Feeks, Rev. Robert, notice of, 330. Fire Islands and inlet, 12, 298, Fish used as raanure, 44, 245, Fisher's Island, account of, 247. Fletcher, Governor, arrives, 131. Floyd, Richard, and faraily, notice of, 282, do General WUliam, raeraoir of, 283, Fordham, Rev. Robert, notice of, 213. Fort Neck, account of, 333. Flatbush, description of, 456, Flatlands, description of, 447. Flushing, description of, 370. Fox, George, visit to Long Island, 374. Francis, Rev. Amzi, notice of, 315. Fraeligh, Rev. Solomon, notice of, 393. Fresh Ponds, mention of, 306. Frogs, found in the earth, 49. Funk, Rev, Seymour P, notice of, 391. G GaUatin, Albert, letters of, 473, Gardiner's Island, account of, 1S8, 303. do Lyon, notice of, and faraUy, 199. do Rev, John D. notice of, 230, Gelston, Rev, Samuel, notice of, 313. General description of Long Island, 11. Geology of Long Island, 19 to 54, Gleason, Rev, Luther, notice of, 307. Glen Cove, account of, 331. Goetschius, Rev, Henry, notice of, 392. Goldsraith, Rev, John, notice of, 417, do Zacheus, memoir of, 355. Goodwin, Rev. Mr, notice of, 376. Gorden, Rev, Patrick, notice of, 393, Governors, List of (from 1625 to 1839,) 487. Grace Church, Jamaica, dedicated, 395. Gravesend, description of, 437, Grant, Charles, letter from, 472. Greaton, Rev. James, notice of, 316. Greene, Rev, Zachariah, notice of, 251, 372, Green Port, description of, 353, Griswold, Edward, memoir of, 368. Gulf-Streara, effects of, 13, Gull Islands, account of, 347. H Hacket, James H, notice of, 402. Hale, Captain, memoir of, 533, HaU, Ralph and wife, trial of, 151, do Rev, Richard D, notice of, 356. Hallets-Cove, description of, 418. Hallock, Rev, Noah, notice of, 274. Hamilton, Fort, account of, 452, , INDEX. 63S Hammel, Rev. WUliam, notice of, 396. Harbor-Hill, mention of, 14, 366, Hardy, Governor, arrives, 138, Harrison, Robert H,, letter frora to President of Congress, 520, Hart, Rev, Joshua, notice of, 306, 307. do Rev, Seth, notice of, 356. Havens, Jonathan N., Epitaph of 235, Hazzard, Rev, Joseph, notice of, 251, Heathcote, Rev, George, notice of, 390, Head ofthe River, Village of, 306, Hell-Gate, notice of, 47, 418. Herapstead, description of, 341. do Village, description of, 356. do Harbor, notice of, 366, Hicks, Elias, raeraoir of, 340, HicksvUle, account of, 332, Hobart, Rev. Joshua, notice of, 250. do John Sloss, raeraoir of, 319. do Rev, Jereraiah, notice of, 352, do Rev, John Henry, raeraoir of, 355, Hog-Neck, account of, 228. Hoppogues, notice of, 306, Horton, Rev, Siraon, notice of, 416. Hubbard, Rev, John, notice of, 387. Hudson, Henry, Journal of, 53, Hulse, Dr. Isaac, raeraoir of, 279. Hunting, Rev, Jonathan, notice of, 251, do Col. Benjamin, 221, do Rev, Nathaniel, notice of, 193, Huntington, description of, 309, do First newspaper in, 318. Hunter, Governor, arrives, 134. Hyde Park, notice of, 367. Hyler, Captain, notice of, 526, I Indians, of Long Island, and tribes, 31, 65, do Purchases frora, 104, Ireland, Rev, John, 396, Islip, description of, 293, Jaraaica, description of, 382. do Press established in, 398. Jaraes, Rev. Thoraas, notice of, 192, Jefferson, port, description of, 276, Jenny, Rev, Thoraas, notice of, 354. Jerusalem, vUlage of, 358. Jericho, vUlage of, 331, Johnson, Rev. WiUiam L,, notice of, 396, . , do WiUiam Martin, memoir of, 402, do Rev. Evan M., notice^ of, 376, 417. Johnson, General, correspondence of 471. ^ Jones' Fund, notice of, 334. do Rev, Eliphalet, notice of, 314. do Samuel Jones and family, memoir of 338. do David S,, mansion of, 333. K Keteltas, Rev, Abrahara, notice of, 401. Kidd's Rock, account of, 36, 365. Kidd, Williara, notice of, 130, 201, do treasure buried by, 303. Kieft, Governor, arrives, 76, King's County, description of, 169. do Judges of, 171, 172. do raerabers of 172, 173, do Census of, 179, do Poor-House in, 462, King, Rufus, raeraoir of, 405, Kuypers, Rev, Zachariah, notice of, 396. do Rev, John, notice of, 406. LakeviUe, description of, 363. L'Horaraedieu, Ezra, raeraoir of, 254. Laws, Duke's, accountof, 101, Lawrence, Jonathan, and faraily, rae raoir of, 421, Leisler, Jacob, notice of, 127, 130, do Commission from, 447, Lester, Thomas S,, notice of, 254, Leverich, Rev. Williara, notice of, 313, 416, Lewis, Francis, meraoir of, 379, Linnean Gardens, account of, 376, Lloyd's Neck, description of, 336. Long Island, description of, 11. do Battle of, 515. do Soil and Climate of, 16, do Discovery of, 52. do Naraes for, 54. do Grant for, 89. Lovelace, Governor, arrives, 134. Ludlow, Roger, notice of, 268. Lyceura, Brooklyn, notice of, 477. Lyon, Rev. James, notice of, 274. M Magnetic Iran on Long Island, 30. Magistrates, mode of choosing, 78, Magness, Rev, George, notice of, 389. Manhasset, description of, 364, Marshes of Long Island, 33. Marks, of cattle and horses, 105. Marriner, Captain, notice of, 536. 534 INDEX. Maspeth, description of, 418, Mastic, notice of, 281, Matinecock, sale of, by Indians, 324, Meig's expedition, account of, 317. Miller's Place, account of, 277. MiUs, Sarauel, death of, 164. Rev, William, notice of, 391. Mills' Pond, Village of, 305, Ministry, Act .for settUng a, 132, MitchUl, Dr, Samuel L., memoir of, 369, Monkton, Governor, arrives, 139, Montgoraery, Governor, arrives, 135, Moody, Lady Deborah, notice of, 84, 439, Montauk, description of, 197. Montrose, Village of, 366. Moore, Rgv, Thoraas L,, notice of, 355. Governor, arrives, 1.39. Moriches, description of, 382. ¦ Morse, Rev, John, notice of, 416, Mount, Henry, and brothers, notice of, 392, N Nanfan, Governor, arrives, 133. Narrative, and reraonstrance of depu ties, 491. Nassau, narae given to Long Island, 131. Naval Hospital, Brooklyn, 477, Near-Rockaway, description of, 358, Negro Plot, account of, 136. New-Haven, laws of, 239, Newtown, description of, 410. New Utrecht, description of, 450. NeWiYork, taken by the English, 98, Re-captured by the Dutch, 119. Restored to the English, 123. Nicolls, Governor, arrives, 92, Williara, notice of, and faraily, 299, Patent to, 295, North Herapstead, description of, 361. North Port, notice of, 316. Norton, Nathaniel, memoir of, 284, Norwich, Village of, 331. O Occom, Rev, Sampson, notice of, 69. Ogden, Dr, Jacob, notice of, 167. Old Man's, Village of, 277. Osborn, Hull, notice of, 261, Selleck, notice of, 225. Oyster Bay, description of, 320. Village of, 339. Visit of George Pox to, 330. Oyster Ponds, description of, 22, 345. Paul Cuffee, Rev. notice of, 70- Pavilion, at Rockaway, described, 359. Peat, beds of, on Long Island, 33. Patchogue, Village of, 280. Patents, forra of in ancient tiraes, 79, Persecution ofthe Quakers, 494, PhUips, Rev, George, notice of 269, 387, Pierson, Rev, Abraham, notice of, 212. Plandome, description of, 365, Plumb Island, description of, 247, Poyer, Rev. 'Thomas, notice of, 394. Pomeroy, Rev, Samuel, notice of, 416, Prime, Rev, Ebenezer, notice of, 315,- Dr. Benjamin Y., memoir of, 319, Prison-ships, account of the, 479, Prudden, Rev. John, notice of, 387. Q Quaker's, persecutions ofthe, 494, Queen's County,description of, 157, Judges and Clerks in, 150, 159, Members of asserably, 159, 160, Population of, 159, Address ofthe people to Gov. Tryon, 166. Court House built in, 363. R Rara Island, notice of, 337, Rapelje, Sarah, notice of, 463, Rapelje, John, notice of, 528, Rattoon, Rev, Elijah D,, notice of, 396. Reeve, Rev. Abner, notice of, 306. Tappen, raeraoir of, 308, * Reraonstrance of the several towns, 489, Ridings, term explained, 107, Riker's Island, notice of, 45, Riker, Dr, John Berrien, memoir cf, 427, Richard, notice of, 428. Rhodes, Foster, notice of, 215. Rev. William, notice of, 330. Riverhead, description of, 356. Robins Island, account of, 244. Rock Hall, notice of, 359, Rockaway, watering-place, 359, Rogers, Nathaniel, memoir of, 330. Romeyn, Rev, Thoraas, notice of, 392, Ronkonkoma Pond, described, 296. INDEX. 535 Sage, Dr. Ebenezer, memoir of, 325. Sagg-harbor, village of, described, 316, Great fire in, 237, Salt Marshes of Long Island, 30, 34, Sampson, Latimer, wiU of, 148. Sand-dunes, account of, 28, Sandford, Nathan, notice of, 215, 377. Sands'-Point, notice of, 35, 305, Sand stones of Long Island, 31, Sayre, Rev, GUbert, notice of, 396. Stephen, memoir of 228, Schoonmaker, Rev, Martinus, notice of, 460, Rev, Jacob, notice of, 393. Seabury, Rev, Samuel, notice of 354, 395. Rev, Charles, notice of, 374. Setauket, Village of, 377. Shaw, Rev, Peter, notice of, 214, Shelter Island, description of, 333. Silliman, General, account of, 335, Skinner, Abraham, notice of, 399, Slaughter, Governor, arrives, 130. Srauh, Richard, notice of, 304, Williara, and family, notice of, 501, Sraithtown, description of, 302, SoU and cliraate of Long Island, 16,43. Sound, Long Island, described, 14. South Beach, notice of, 13, 37. Southarapton, description of, 304, Reraonstrance of, 493. Southold, description of, 237, Spencer, Rev. Elisha, notice of, 390, Spring Hill, notice of, 379. Squaw Islands, described, 332, Standard, Rey. Mr. notice of, 373. Stepping-stones, notice of, 47, Stirling, Lord, letter frora, to Washing ton, 531, Storrs, Rev, John, notice of, 351, Strebeck, Rev, George, notice of, 396. Strickland Plain, battle of, 76, Strong's Neck, description of, 375, Strong, Judge Selah, notice of, 375. Stuyvesant, Governor, notice of, 76, 84, 373. Coraraission from, 446, Success Pond, description of, 363, Suffolk County, described, 143, Merabers of assembly, &o,, 154, 155. Executions in, 145, SuUivan, General, letter to president of congress, 522, Symmes, John Clevesf, notice of, 259, Tallmadge, Rev, Benjamin, notice of, 271, Col, Benjarain, memoir of, 288, Tammany, an Indian chief, account of, 64, Taxes, in town of Brooklyn, 474. Taylor, Rev, Joseph, notice of, 213. Rev. Daniel, notice of, 305. Thomas, Rev, John, notice of, 353. Thorborn, Grant, notice of, 420. Throop, Rev, WiUiam, notice of, 251, Tobacco Statute, quoted, 177, Townsend, John, Henry, and Richard, notice of, 496, TredweU, Thomas, raeraoir of, 308, Tribes of Indians on Long Island, 65, Tribute, paid by Long Island Indians, 59, Truxton, Thomas, memoir of, 403, Tryon, Governor, arrives, 140. V Underhill, John, raeraoir of, 336. Union Course, account of, 399. Hall, academy built, 397. Urquhart, Rev. WiUiam, notice of, 393. V Van Dam, Rip, president of the coun cU, 135, Van Dyke, Rev, Mr. notice of, 417. Van Eckkellen, Johannis, contract of, 178, Van Nest, Rev, Rynier, notice of, 393, Van Twiller, Governor, arrives, 73. W Walker, Rev, Zackariah, notice of, 387, Wallabout, description of, 4'77. Wampum, and tribute, account of, 58. Washington, letters frora, 286, 289, 514, 515. Webster, Rev, Charles, notice of, 353. Weed, Rev. Henry R,, notice of, 391. Westbury, description of, 332. West-Neck, notice of, 318, Wetmore, Rev. Noah, notice of, 272. Whaling business of Sag Harbor, 221. White, Rev, Calvin, notice of, 396. Rev, Ebenezer, notice of, 214. Whiting, Rev. Joseph, notice of, 813, f^ 536 INDEX. Wickham, John, notice of, 255. WilUarasburgh, account of, 434. WUson, Rev. Henry N., notice of, 314. Winthrop, John, and famUy, notice of 349. Witchcraft, trials for, 151, 163, Wood, Silas, dedipation to, 3. Woodbridge, Rev, Sylvester, notice of, 353. Woodhull, Gen., meraoir of, 503. Rev. Nathan, notice of, 315, 416, Wolver-Hollow, VUlage of, 331, Woolsey, Rev, Benjarain, 351, 328. Wright, Rev. Caleb, notice of, 330, Wvatt, Rev. William, notice of, 417. Yates, Abraham, letters from, 514. Yorkshire, when erected, 105. Youngs, Rev. David, notice of, 271. Rev. John, notice of, 350. ERRATA. The reader is requested to correct with his pen the following er- rors in the text of this work, viz : Page 11, line 6, for 90" read 69°. 13, line 4 from foot, for east read west. 97, line 13 frora foot, for 1614 read 1664. 109, line 9 from foot, for covmbtf read country. 119, line 6, for 1773, read 1673. 130, line 2 frora foot, for 1589 read 1689.- -133, line 7, for 1679 read 1699. 155, in title, for Queens read Suffolk. 158, Une 6, for 1778 read 1788. 171, line 13, afl^r immediately, insert and, 200, second paragraph, for Daniel read David, 261, in title, for Riverhead read Brookhaven. 251, line 2 frora foot, for Huntington read Hunting. 253, lines 11 and 12 from foot, for 1734 and 1737, read 1834 and 1837. 363, line 20, for norfA read south. 394, line 15, for 1810 read 1710. 405, line 21, after anointed insert aid. 416, last line, for 1775 read 1789. ¦119, line 26, for wood read wooL 440, line 11, ioi pri'nciples read views. THE END. 00831 9965 I mm: m^ f®5 '*- ¦ » 1 ¦ ¦¦ 1