ts\.
¦A :

r

5?-" ft* -, *''¦',*«*,
Sri* "^Ss^M*" -

¦ ¦< . ¦ £

i'^ftJlF-"

^

!K>-

^;-L.
^•x^^
'-'ft.
-I
•:'t
1**: rf
J*-**-
•¥2aLii«¥]MH¥Eissinnf-

Gift of

FRANCIS P. GARVAN

A History OF
HAUPPAUGE LONG ISLAND
By Simeon Wmd

^4ited and Published by
Charles J. Warner
1920

A HISTORY OF
HAUPPAUGE LONG ISLAND
N. Y
TOGETHER WITH
GENEALOGIES
OF THE FOLLOWING FAMILIES: WHEELER, SMITH, BULL
SMITH, BLYDENBURGH, WOOD, ROLPH,
HUBBS, PRICE, MC CRONE
BY
SIMEON WOOD
EDITED BY
CHARLES J. WERNER
PUaLISHED BY
CHARLES J. WERNER
44 WHITEHALL ST., NEW YORK, N. Y.
1920

One Hundred Copies
Printed ^
of which this is 'I
No. I

Q.iiS'.irs

edit toob
IS
AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED
TO
WILLIAM WHITESIDES WERNER
BORN APRIL 2D, 1^20

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
Editor's Preface  7
Introduction  9
Land of Sweet Waters  10
Hauppauge  14
Winne-Commack Patent  17
Wheeler Family  19
Smith Family (Bull Smiths)  25
Blydenburgh Family  27
Wood Family  31
Rolph Family  35
Smith Family  36
Jacobus Hubbs and Descendants  39
Elijah Price and Children  41
Third Smith Family  42
Another Price  43
McCrone  44
The Methodist Church  46
Methodist Preachers  57
Havens Wheeler  65
Judge Smith's Servants  66
Ellen S. Mowbray and Her Poem  68
Oak Trees  70
School House  72
Centennial of the Church  75
Changes  82
Inscriptions in Wheeler Graveyard  84
Inscriptions in James Smith's Graveyard  86
Inscriptions in George Wheeler's Graveyard . . 86
Inscriptions in Sammy Payne Graveyard ... 87

TABLE OF CONTENTS— Continued
Joshua Smith's Graveyard  87
Wheeler Migrations  89
Conkling Migrations  90
Wood Migrations  90
Bull Smith Migrations  90
Blydenburgh Migrations  91
Smith Migrations  91
Nichols Migrations  92
Price Migrations  92

EDITOR'S PREFACE
The late Mr. Simeon Wood, author of this
unique History, was ever a lover and student of his
native village and surrounding territory. During
the latter yeairs Of his Hfe he busiecl himself in com
piling and arranging in manuscript form, the inter
esting story of Hauppauge,* its eiarly settlers and
the church which thcy were wont to attend.
The orthodox historian, seeing and caring for
little outside of musty records and ancient toines,
was not df a type with bur author. The following
pa:ges show "that Ml-. Wood sought to bring to us
'the charm of the 'hallowed past, the poetry of a
die'H^ht'fu'l 'rural spot and the homely memories and
traditions of t'he 'forefa'ihers of the locality. From
one -who Will read ciat-eftiity the 'following pages,
fhe ansrwet will be, "he has succeeded."
Thtou^hout thfe 'nairr&tive, the precept of a
•Christiatt teacher is apparent. Mr. "Wood realized
1?h'a?t history "with a 'people is in fact aTcin to experi
ence "in the ¦in'^ividtia'l, and we of the present day
may look back upon the deeds and example set by
our forefathelrs in *1?he .ptrt-s?i*it of a Christian -knd
God-fearing life, and carry on the work begun by
them in the home, church and public forum.
•Pronounced "Hoppog," with accent on first syllable.^ —
Editor.

And now looking on the History from a more
niateriahstic standpoint, the reader will find in
these pages a full and careful recital of the facts
connected with the settlement of Hauppauge and
the growth and changes effected in the institu
tions within its borders. Genealogical accounts of
the native families are exhibited and an exhaustive
record of the Methodist Church and those in any
way connected with it, is given.
Mr. Simeon Wood was born in Hauppauge in
1839 and hved there during his entire life. He was
respected by all and died in Hauppauge, Dec. 3.
1914. This volume is a fitting memorial to his
memory. A word as to the circumstances of publication.
The author finished his manuscript about 1909 and
it has since remained in the hands of his family.
Mr. Orville B. Ackerly, the premier authority on
Suffolk County history, directed the editor's atten
tion to it and he saw that this interesting an:'
uniquely treated History was worthy of publica
tion, in fact should be published. With Mrs.
Wood's appreciated co-operation and the use of a
copy of the manuscript owned by Mr. Ackerly and
generously furnished as printer's copy, the book
has been produced and is herewith given to the
reader. Huntington, L. I., October 16, 1918.

SIMEON WOOD

INTRODUCTION

In the year 1906, when the Methodist Society
was one hundred years old, its members celebrated
the event of the founding of the Church with a
series of meetings lasting a week.
It was then that the question naturally arose,
who were the people that organized the Society,
and when was the place first settled?
To throw some light on these questions this little
history is written.
The date of the first house appears to be 1731, on
what is now known as the Arbuckle farm.
Thomas Wheeler appears to be the first owner
of the land, that made his home here. It is not
definitely known when he came. If he followed
the course young people are expected to take, and
made a home of his own when he married, he evi
dently came here about the year 1740, as his first
child was born in that year.
As Timothy's wife was six years younger than
the wife of Thomas, he may have settled here a few
years later.
Trusting that the information here recorded will
be of some interest to our successors, this sketch is
respectfully dedicated to the people of HAUP
PAUGE.

THE LAND OF SWEET WATERS
Years before the "pale faces" crossed the "big
waters" and found a "new world," there was a
tribe of those people whose origin is the subject of
many theories, on what is now famous Long Island.
They were the Nissequogue Indians, habitants
of the land bordering on the river whose name they
bore. By the headwaters of this river was a spot
ideal to the roving children of the forest. It awoke
their fancies to a glorious hereafter where they
would realize that perfect joy of which humanity is
ever dreaming.
In the poetic language of a race famed for its
eloquence, the place was called Hauppauge* (the
land of sweet waters), which was found to be so
appropriate by the despoilers of their homes, that it
was not changed to Wheelersdale or Smithville, or
any other prosaic name to suit some family pride or
fancy, but it is Hauppauge today, and as the years
roll on, its significance is more and more im
pressed on the favored dwellers of this fair land
To this day, rehcs of "the stone age" are found,
where lost or broken ; the bow and arrow won for
?According to W. W. Tooker, the eminent authority on
Indian names, a strict translation of the word, gives us
"overflowed land," rather than "land of sweet waters." 
Editor.

lO

this mystic race the means of their livelihood, and
it requires but little imagination to see the hunts
men returning with their game, after a successful
day at their favorite employment.
Then with their squaws, and papooses, they are
banqueting in the bountiful shade, drinking, not
"fire water," that demon of the festal halls of civ-
iHzation (?), but with a crude cup of pottery,
quenching their thirst from the limpid streams of
that beverage which the Great Teacher of life
made the wine of the feast.
Then we see the "braves" relaxed from their
stoicism, having a grand "pow wow" until wearied
with the dance, they light the fires that "soothe
the savage breast," and the untutored mind is lost
to resentment and care with incense from the "pipe
of peace."
It is not to be imagined that "war paint" was put
on where these "laughing waters" were murmur
ing a lullaby to the drowsy fancies of those whose
idea of Heaven was the perfection of their greatest
pleasure on earth. So we can easily imagine this
the vestibule of the "happy hunting-grounds" of
the Indian faith, that "thinks admitted to that
equal sky his faithful dog shall bear him company."
Then we see the tribes selHng their land for a
few trinkets, and passing away before the invaders
of their heritage.
A few years have passed, and all that is left to re
mind us of its former occupants are a few arrow
heads and a name.
Civilization's pathway through the mystery of

II

Hfe is recorded by the pen and the press. The mys
terious trail of the red man is dimly traced by
curios of war and the chase.
The name suggested by the Indian fancy desig
nates one of those charming spots that is as yet but
the rough diamond in the hands of the Lapidary,
cut just enough for a connoisseur to see its beauty.
The name is unique, and so is the place. Sparkling
streams and spreading trees, that awake the poet's
muse and inspire the artist's hand. Nature has
abundantly supplied. We look with admiration
and awe on mountain height or boundless ocean,
until wearied with the burden of vastness they im
pose, we turn to the brooks and trees for that per
fect rest the longing soul demands.

Turn from the barren mountain height
To where a village is portrayed.
No haughty grandeur greets the sight
But charming rills, and grateful shade.
A fairy land cannot compare .
With designs wrought by Nature's skill;
Each fancy finds a picture there
That fondest, sweetest dreams fulfill.
Things of beauty, joy forever.
Is the aspiring soul's demand,
Shady trees and tiny river
'Together make an ideal land.
It was this picture of repose
That cheered the weary travellers' gloom;
It drew their wanderings to a close,
And made "Sweet Waters" happy home.
Grand trees, sweet brooks, thy dreamy sounds
were music to the "savage breast;"
His faith in happy hunting-grounds
Heard the Great Spirit whisper, "Rest."

12

To sketch a scene, so fair a land.
Though the fancies may be clever.
And trained the eye and skilled the hand,
Nature smiles at Art's endeavor.
Her matchless views, perfection are.
With graceful Unes, ideal and true;
Tis vain to strive for scenes more fair,
From Nature, Art must take its cue.
The summer flowers, the autumn leaves.
In the panorama's chang^ing scene;
In Fancy's realm a beauty weaves
That keeps our miem'ries ever green.
Providence for her children made
An antidote for care and woes;
Trees of ornament, trees of shade.
Arrest the eye, invite repose.
The fruit trees bring their lavish store,
And cast their treasures at our feet.
While a sweet promise we adore
Fulfilled it makes our joy complete.
The forest monarch sentry stands,
Watching generations come and go.
Whose faithful hearts and willing hands
Make love, life's sweetest waters, flow.
The trout is spfOrting in the brooks.
The quail is whistling in the g^rain.
The saucy squirrel cunning looks.
The whip-poor-will sings night's refrain.
In vales and ponds where lilies grow.
Or shy arbutus on the hills..
Coy Nature smiles and hearts o'erflow
With love, sweet balm for all our ills.
Time shifts the scene, a winter's land;
The streams are clasped in frost's embrace.
The trees now cold and naked stand.
Monuments to departed grace.
Glorious Hauppauge! thy charms live on
Through pains and sorrow age must bear;
When friends are few, and hopes are gone.
Thou art the home of mem'ries dear.
Upon the sea of time distressed.
Longing for the quiet river,
Thy fancies beckon me to rest
Where "sweet waters" flow forever.

13

HAUPPAUGE

When Richard Smythe (the bull rider) was
given his patent to Smithtown, by Richard Nicolls,
Colonial Governor under his Royal Highness
James, Duke of York, the Nisaquake land was
bounded on the south from "a certaine ffresh Pond
called Raconkamuck" to the head of Nesaquake
River. That description served very well while only the
north and south shores of the Island were popu
lated, but when the middle came to be of more
consequence, there was quite a controversy as to
where was "the river's head."
Some went so far as to assert that the little pond
by Timothy Wheeler's was the headwaters of the
Nissequogue, which opinion inspired this couplet
from a rhymester of that period :
"If they went a little farther still
The source would be on top of the hill."
The question was finally settled by commission
ers appointed for that purpose, who decided that
the springs by Caleb Smith's was the point in dis
pute. The boundary question was settled in 1763;
then about 1789 there was another dispute about
14

the line between the Towns,* as two surveyors did
not agree by about a rod where the line was. That
matter was settled by taking the disputed rod and
one on either side of it to make a road, which was
long known as the "New Highway."
The first public road was the "King's Highway,"
laid out in 1704 by act of the Colonial Legislature.
It had the distinction of being the only highway for
many years, as the roads leading to or from it were
called paths, made mostly by individual necessity.
The road to the south side, near Caleb Smith's, was
called "Caleb's Path ;" the one from Timothy
Wheeler's was, and still is called "Wheeler's
Road;" "Joshua Smith bought the right of way
across from where the schoolhouse now stands to
the King's Highway, and that was known as 'The
Judge's Lane;' " then from Wheeler's Road to Ca
leb's Path there was another road, known as
"Joshua's Path."
As the Winne-Commack patent was bounded on
the north by Smithtown, and on the east and south
by Islip, Hauppauge occupies a portion of three
patents. Evidently the first settlers made their fortunes in
the cord wood business. They had large tracts of
timber land and took the wood to the Landing on
the Nissequogue River to be scowed down to the
harbor, from where the sloops took it to New York.
Hauppauge could boast of some substantial citi-
* Smithtown and Islip. The main street of Hauppauge is
the boundary line between these two towns. Indeed, the name
was sometimes used in the plural, as "The Hauppauges." —
Editor. 15

zens in those days. During the Revolutionary
War when the Island was overrun by the British,
the place was visited by the soldiers to see what
plunder they could find. They searched Joseph
Blydenburgh's house for his gold, but the money
was in an old churn covered with rags in the gar
ret, and that was the only place that they did not
look for it. They also tried to get Jacob Wheeler's
oxen. He had them hid away and when they asked
where they were, they were told that the oxen had
gone to New York. Thinking that some of their
comrades had taken the cattle to the city, they
sought no farther. In after years the place where
the cattle were hid was called the York lots.
"The Wheelers," "The Smiths" and "The Bly-
denburghs" have the distinction of being the first
families of the land.
As "The Smiths" never built more than the two
houses of the first settlers, "The Wheelers" and
"The Blydenburghs" will have to be credited as
being "the rude forefathers of the hamlet."
There was many a matrimonial alliance between
the two families, and their progeny either married
in" the families that came later, or brought their af
finities from other parts, so that most of the houses
were built by the descendants of those two famiHes.

i6

WINNE-COMMACK PATENT

On the map of Long Island it will be seen that
the southern boundary of Smithtown is not a
straight line.
It was not always so. That part south of the
road from Hauppauge to Commack was the
Winne-Commack patent granted to Charles Con-
greve by Queen Anne in 1703. The road from
Hauppauge to Commack was laid out on the line
l)etween the two patents* in 1789.
Charles Congreve sold the southern part of his
patent to Rip Van Dam, a prominent merchant,
and Alderman in New York in 1693 and 1695. In
1731, one John Mott and others, when Rip Van
Dam was acting Governor of the Colony of New
York, built a small house on his part and lived
there several years.
The eastern part of Rip Van Dam's purchase
finally came in possession of Elias Smith, grand
father to Eugene Piatt. Eugene Piatt sold it to
Charles Arbuckle.
The northeastern part of the patent is where
Jacob and Paul Nichols lived. Their places are
now owned and occupied by R. H. Handley, whose
grandfather, William Hockman, came to Haup-
*Winne-Commack and Smithtown. — Editor.
'7

pauge nearly 60 years ago and built the house
lately occupied by J. R. Crandall.*
To improve his land, he took muck from the
swamp by the Hauppauge springs and made what
is now the lily pond. When asked why his crops
looked so well, he said, "I grease their tail and let
them go."
His son-in-law, Robert Handley, bought and
built on the Paul Nichols' place.
I ?Thi^ property is now owned by Henry S. Mott of North-
port. — ^Editor.

18

THE WHEELERS

About the year 1640, Thomas Wheeler^ of New
Haven, Conn., died, and shqrjtly after his widow
Alice, with her children, John^ Mary'' and Sarah*,
came over to Southampton, Long Island, where
she, the widow, became the second wife of Josiah
Stansbrough, prominent citizen of that place.
One of her daughters married Josiah Horton of
Southold, and the other, Francis Sayre of South
ampton. Her son John* moved to Easthampton and be
came one of the leading men of that town.
He was Captain on the militia. Justice of the
Peace, one of the patentees, and trustees named in
the Dongan patent to the Town of Easthampton in
1686. He was Collector and Assessor, and from
1704 to 1718 was Supervisor of the town. He died
in 1718 at about the age of 80 years.
Among his children were Thomas' and John*.
In 1724 Thomas' sold his house in Easthampton,
and came to Smithtown. Among his children were
Thomas*, born in 1710; Timothy*, born in 1713,
and Jeremiah*, born in 1723.
Thomas* and Timothy* settled in the Islip part
of Hauppauge. Thomas* built his house near
where the store and Post Office now stands. Tim-

>9

othy*'s residence was about a mile further west on
the King's Highway, later known as the "Old
Country Road." The house is now owned and oc
cupied by the family of the late Henry Wills.
These residences gave to the place the name of
"Wheeler's," by which it was known in early rec
ords. The Wheeler places were a landmark for
many of the highways and boundaries in that part
of the town. As Thomas W^heeler*'s house was
built before the road between Islip and Smithtown
was laid out, it apparently stands in the highway.
Thomas* had children. They were DanieP, born
January 3, 1740; EHzabeth^ July 15, 1741; Jonas*,
April 4, 1743; Sibyl^ September 10, 1744;
Phoebe^ April 25, 1746; Sarah', April 25, 1748;
Thomas", January 12, 1752; Thomas', April 7,
1753; Tabatha', March 8, 1756; SamueP, January
3, 1762.
DanieP "followed the water." He had a son
Daniel® that went by the name of "Lawyer Buck,"
who inherited and lived in a place belonging to his
uncle Thomas. This is the same place that Harry
Griffin now occupies.
Elizabeth" married James Payne, and was
mother of Thomas* and Jonas Payne*. Thomas*
married Charity, and Jonas* married Temperance,
sisters of James and Alexander Smith. Thomas*
was father of Jonas Wheeler'', James Smith'' and
Frank Payne^. He also had daughters' that mar
ried two of the L'Hommedieu brothers. Smith and
David. WilHam L'Hommedieu' of Smithtown
Branch is a son of Smith ; he also had a daughter*

2o

that married John Wells of Sayville, and they were
the parents of a former Sheriff of Suffolk County'.
Amanda', the present wife of Edward Y. Blyden
burgh, is David's daughter.
Jonas Wheeler" built his house about half a mile
west of his father's, on land purchased of Joshua
Smith, so he became a resident of Smithtown. He
married Ruth, sister of the third Joseph Blyden
burgh, and they were the parents of Richard*
("Judge Wheeler"), Almeda* and EHzabeth*-
Judge Wheeler married his cousin, Phoebe, daugh
ter of Jacob. Ruth'' and Richard Bartlett'' were
their children. Almeda* married Isaac Lewis, and
after his death she married Daniel Hubbs, father
of George K. Hubbs. Elizabeth* married Garret
Darhng, and after her death Garret Darling mar
ried his cousin, Mary Darling. They had a daugh
ter, Celia, that married Jonas Beecher Blyden
burgh, and another that was the wife of Brewster
Pederick. Sibyl" married  Conkling, and was mother of
Thomas Wheeler Conkling*, who married Phoebe
Stage. Their children were Cornehus', Erastus'',
Phoebe Kersiah' and Julia Ann''. Cornehus' mar
ried a sister of Dr. Jarvis R. Mowbray of Bayshore.
Erastus'' married Lydia, daughter of Thomas W.
Wood; Phoebe K.'' never married and JuHa Ann'
married Richard Bartlett, her second cousin.
Phoebe", the third daughter, married her cousin,
Jacob Wheeler", son of Timothy*; their children
were Elkanah* and Isaac*. Elkanah' was the
father of Fletcher E. Wheeler', Wesley' and Mary

21

Jane', who married Capt. Elijah Bjush and hved in
Smithtown branch. Isaac* was father of S^rah',
from whom the McCrone family have descended,
and Margaret', who marriecj  Sweezy an4 hved
on the Southside.
The fourtih daughter, Sarah", married 
Platchley and lived in Commack. Among their
children were Carl*, Susan* and Experience*. Su
san* married  Weeks, and Experience* married
-¦  Haff, and was mother of Daniel Haff' of Say-
vjlle, the step-father of John Wood.*
His son Thomas" married Phoebe  , he had
his father's place. Their only child, Jujia*, died
about 14 years of age, so his place was inherited by
his nephew, Thomas Wheeler Conkling*.
Tabatha" married Theophilus Wood, and was
mother of Thomas Wheeler Wood*. She lived
about a mile east of her father's place, on the corner
of Blydenburg^h's Road.
Samuel", the youngest child, when in Haup
pauge, lived on what was later known as "The
Sammy Payne place," lately sold to the Wikerts.
He moved to Canajoharie, New York.
Arnong Timpthy*'s children were George", Ja
cob", Timothy" and William".
George" settled in Smithtown, near Theophilus
Wood. He had sons, George*, Titnothy*, Isaac*
and Benjamin* George' the second had the home
stead, and was father of Walter', Sarah Catherine',
Ann Maria' and Zalmon', who died when a young
*Johw Wood was County Clerk of Suffolk County and a
promanent man. He lived at Sayyille and wrote a short his^
toncal sketch ox that villagib — ^Editor.
22

triiri. WatfeF's fiJ-st \\rife Was Henrietta Paynd;
they had no children, ttis second Wife was a
daughter of Alderi L'Horiliiledifetl, arid they lived
at Stony Brddk; arid had several fchildten. Sardh
Catherine' married a man by the name of Fitch-
ett, and Aflh Maria' matried ZehaS Ivihs, and
their sort, Geof^e W. Ivins', was a well-knovifH
conductor on the Long Island Railroad. Timothy*
fhoved to the city. lisadC* lived in the house hext
Horth of His father's; his children Were Havens*.
Charles Wesley', William' and Mary Anh'. Beti-
jstKiih' hlarried Eloulsd, daughter of Nathaniel
Bunce. They lived where Patrick Dellny tiOW
stays. He sbld the place to — — Crump, then built
the house on the Atzbiirgter place. I'hfeir childi-eh
Wei-e EHzdbeth', Ester', Gi^orge Ed.' and Alfrted*.
Jacob", fatheir Of Elkdhah* and tsaac*, had his
fathei-'s place, and when his wife and cousin,
Phoebe" (daughter of Thomas*), died, he married
Tehipei-ance, daughter bl the secbiid Joseph Bly-
dfenbUr^h. Their children were Jacob*, Joshua*, Phoebe*
and Clarissa*. Jacob* married a widow, that was
"Betsy" Rolph biefore she married her first hus
band. Their children were WiUiam Jewett' and
Clarissa'. William Jewett' married Ann, daugh
ter of Piatt Wicks of Commackj and they had one
son, Jacob Piatt Wheeler', now of ^Iorthport.
Clarissa' married Isaac W. felydenburgh ; they also
had one son, Edward Y. Blydenfeurgh^ now living
in Sriiithtowh Brinch.
Joshua' married Jerusha Ruland; their children

were Egbert', Charles', Richard Rogers', Jane
Maria', Temperance' and Joshua'.
Phoebe* married "Judge Wheeler," and Clarissa*
married Frederick Wheeler, the second Timothy's
sop. Jacob* and Joshua* built their houses near each
other on the "New Highway," north of the old
homestead. Timothy" the second had his house next west of
his father's place. Harry Blydenburgh lived there
at one time.
Wilham" lived on what is now known as the
"Sanford place."
Fletcher E. Wheeler', son of Elkanah*,. built the
house on the hill east of his father's, where he lived
with his wife Hannah, daughter of Charles Hubbs.
Isaac Wheeler*, the progenitor of Margaret' and
Sarah', hved in the small house at the beginning of
Wheeler's road..
The last Wheeler house in the place was built
about 1856, by Richard B. Wheeler', a great-grand
son of both Thomas* and Timothy Wheeler*. It is
now the home of A. W. Sanford.
The name of Wheeler, so long associated with
Hauppauge, is now lost in the surging sea of
humanity. Of all the Wheeler homes that made
the village of Sweet Waters, but one has descended
to their heirs. It is Joshua*'s place, owned by the
heirs of his daughter, Mrs. J. M. Germond'. The
Wheeler name, associated with the place for about
ISO years, lives only in the history of the- past.

24

THE SMITHS

Among the first settlers of Southampton was
Richard Smythe*, who secured the patent to the
land on each side of the Nissequogue River from
the Duke of York and also from the Indian Chief,
Nassekeag. He has long been known to posterity
as "The Bull Rider." It was said of him that he
bargained with the Indians for as much land as he
could ride around in a day on his bull. The place
was then known as the Nisaquake land, while now
but a small portion of the land and the river bears
the name of Nissequogue. It is all known as
Smithtown. Among Richard Smythe's nine children was
Daniel", who left, among his children, Daniel' the
second. In the division of the town among the
Smith heirs, the land in Hauppauge fell to the sec
ond Daniel' and his sister, Deborah'. Daniel'
bought his sister's share for either five or ten
pounds and became sole proprietor. Among his
children were Caleb* and Joshua*, to whom he be
queathed the Hauppauge lands.
Joshua*'s house was built somewhere about
1769, not far west of Thomas Wheeler's, and here
lived his son, Joshua Smith, Jr.", and grandson,
Joshua B. Smith*, and great-granddaughter, Ellen
25

Smith', until 1861, when she married Dr. Jarvis R.
Mowbray of Bayshore.
In 1868 the farm was sold and now the place re
mains as it was 40 years ago, excepting for the
ravages of old age. But time has dealt gently with
the old landmark, and it still stands a reminder of
those bygone days when the tillers of the soil were
the aristocrats of Hauppauge.
Caleb*'s house was built west of the west brook
on the hill. In 1798, Caleb Smith", Jr., Isaac Bly
denburgh and Joshua Smith", Jr., made an agree
ment to build a dam for a mill pond and erect what
was known for a time as the "New Mills."* Caleb
Smith", Jr., lived at Commackf; his daughter*
married "Major 'Nezer*," half-brother of Joshua
B. Smith*, and lived on the Caleb place in Haup
pauge. Their children were Aaron', Joshua B.',
Caleb', Ethelbert', Cordelia' and Ehzabeth'.
It remained in the Major's family until 1907,
when the Major's son, Joshua B. Smith', died. He
was the last Bull Smith to live in Hauppauge, and
now the place belongs to (the) Bull. (Present
owner's name is Bull.)
•Now generally spoken of as Blydenburgh's Milfe. — Editor.
fHis residence is now owned by Carll S. Burr and lies very
near the Hunting:ton boundary line. — Editor.

26

THE BLYDENBURGHS

Augustine Blydenburgh* was a Hollander, who,
in 1676, lived with his wife Silvesta in what is now
Stone street. New York, where he owned two
houses. He died in 1686, leaving a last will now on
file in the New York Surrogate's Office. He had
children, Joseph^, William^ Benjamin^, SamueP
and Mary^, wife of Harmon King of Flushing.
Joseph^ was admitted a freeman of the city in
1691, together with his brother, Benjamin^. In the
same year he was elected Constable of the Dock
W^ard. In 1693 he bought of Thomas Lloyd of
Philadelphia the property, seemingly, on which the
Trinity building now stands. In 1696 he fitted out
some ten or a dozen mariners for the expedition on
the ship Adventure, galley; Capt. WiUiam Kidd,
commander; taking their bonds in payment condi
tioned on the results of the voyage.
In 1697 he gives twelve shillings toward glazing
Trinity Church. He went to Smithtown about the
year 1700, having previously married Deborah,
daughter of Jonathan Smith, eldest son of the pat
entee, and established the ancestral home of the
Blydenburghs of Long Island across the road from
where the Presbyterian Church now stands. The
house now being torn down, has long been pointed

27

out as the place where Washington took dinner
when he made the tour of the Island. (The skep
ticism of today that does not accept the stories of
the Bible as literally true, doubts the legend of the
Bull Rider, or that Washington ever visited Smith-
town.*) Joseph^'s wife, Deborah, died, and he married
"Collosia," and had a son, Joseph', who married
Charity Saxton and Hved at Stony Brook. Being
something of a sport, his fortune soon ran so low
that he came to the wilderness of Hauppauge to
recuperate it. It was said of him that he could
work as well as sport.
East of what is now known as Blydenburgh's
road and on the King's Highway, he bought a
tract of land of Landlord NicoU, the owner of IsUp
town, and there made his home, which proved to be
the "Mecca" of more than one susceptible Haup
pauge youth that would pay his devotions at the
shrine of the little god of hearts. His house was
built east of where the barn now stands. In 1797,
his son James* built the present house.
His children were Joseph*, Daniel*, James*,
Mary*, Nancy*, Catherine*, Ruth*, Temperance*,
WiUiam* and Charity*, who died young.
Joseph* hved from 1732 to 1833. He married
Nancy, sister of James and Alexander Smith, and
lived in a house not far from Thomas Wheeler's.
now a part of the house called "Locustdale."
•Washington passed through Smithtown during his tour of
Long Island and there seems to be no reason to doubt the
statement that he dined at the Blydenburgh house. It stood
on the road that Washington travelled over. — Editor.
28

Among his children were Selah", Daniel" and
John". Selah" married Jane Ruland, and they were
the parents of Luther', Deborah*, Harriet* and
Elizabeth*. Harriet* married  Runyon, and
Ehzabeth* married Isaac Smith, and they both
moved out to Illinois.
Daniel" was father of several children. He had
two wives. In his family were Joseph*, Thomas*,
Wessels*, Richard*, Smith*, Selah*, Nathan* and
two daughters*.
Joseph* was father of Joseph Bennett', Alfred'
and William' of Bayshore.
Wessels* was father of Isaac W. Blydenburgh'.
Joseph''s son Daniel* was killed in the French
War. WiUiam* married Joanna Longbotham, and was
father of Harry Blydenburgh", who distinguished
himself by marrying four times. One of his wives
was Clarissa, daughter of Jacob and widow of
Frederick Wheeler.
James* married Alma Davis of Mount Sinai. His
children were Samuel", born October 11, 1789;
Temperance", April 16, 1791 ; Ehzabeth", June 8,
1793; Nathaniel", December 9, 1794; Clarissa",
September, 1797; James", December 7, 1800; Char
ity", March 18, 1804; Catherine", May 5, 1806.
Mary* married Bennett Dayton.
Nancy* married Caleb Newton, and lived at the
Great Pond (Lake Ronkonkoma).
Catherine* married James Smith, and hved in
Hauppauge. Ruth* married Jonas Wheeler, and also hved in

29

Hauppauge. Temperance* was the second wife of
Jacob Wheeler.
John", son of Joseph*, was father of Jonas
Beecher Blydenburgh*, who married Celia, daugh
ter of Garret Darling. They lived while in Haup
pauge, where Mr. Turick now lives.
Selah"'s son, Luther*, was one of those necessary
autocrats that even a republic must endure. The
pedagogue's sceptre was his emblem of authority.
He went to Hardscrabble to "Teach the young idea
to shoot," and while there got badly struck by one
of Cupid's random shots. As sympathetic woman
is a natural-born nurse in that malady that is ever
diagnosed as either passion or love. Amy Saxton
was the specialist that came with him to Haup
pauge and devoted her Hfe to the victim of Cupid's
thoughtless prank.
One family of three generations of their descend
ants are the only Blydenburghs left in the place.

30

A FEW LATER FAMILIES

WOOD
When Southampton was settled about 1640,
there were two persons by the name of Jonas Wood
that were the pioneers of the place. To distinguish
them, one went by the name of Jonas Wood of Hal
ifax. He lived in Southampton, and was afterward
the founder of Huntington. The other, Jonas
Wood of Oram, settled in the North Sea commun
ity, and he probably was the ancestor of Richard
Wood*, who kept a public house in Southampton,
as this Richard Wood*, in his will dated August 17,
1731, gives to his son Silas", his dwelling in the
"North Sea bound."
Richard Wood* married Hannah, daughter of
Thomas Reeve. Their children were Hannah^,
born February 9, 1705; Phoebe*, born October 28,
1709; James^ born March 13, 1711 or 12; Mat-
thew^ born March 6, 1715 or 16; Theophilus*,
born May 11, 1718; Abraham", August 14, 1721;
Silas", June 16, 1724.
Their son Theophilus" moved up in O'range
County, and settled near St. Andrews. He married
and in his family were Abraham', Simeon' and

3>

Theophilus'- During the Revolutionary War he and his son
Theophilus, Jr.', enlisted in the Continental Army.
The son was made a prisoner by the British, and
being a wheelwright by trade, was made to work
when so weak he could scarcely stand. He finally
made his escape, and a woman's pity took him in
and cared for him. When he heard the British at
the door inquiring for their prisoner, he shouted
out that he was Theophilus Wood, but his pro
tector told them it was only a sick man out of his
head who thought he was Theophilus Wood, and
he did not know what he was saying. They went
on — a woman's wit saved him.
He had some cousins by the name of Carll at
Dix Hills, Long Island, and he finally came there,
and from there he came to Hauppauge, where he
surrendered again, and this time he did not escape,
as he was made a prisoner for life by Tabatha,
youngest daughter of Thomas Wheeler.
He bought a farm of 300 acres of the commis
sioners of the NicoU patent, bounded on the east by
the Blydenburgh road. He paid 100 pounds for the
tract. They had two daughters* that died young, and
one son, Thomas Wheeler Wood*. Theophilus
died when his son was young and was buried in the
Wheeler graveyard near Timothy Wheeler's. His
widow now having a chance to marry again im
proved her opportunity and married Alexander
Hubbs, sOn of James Hubbs. They had one child
that died young. It was not long that she enjoyed
32

her second marriage ; again the widow's weeds she
bore. The third and last call she had was from
Nathaniel Bunce, whose daughter Elouisa married
Benjamin Wheeler. Her last venture she survived
over seventeen years.
Thomas Wheeler Wood* was born Dec. 2, 1791,
married in 1816 Jane, daughter of Alexander and
Lydia (Ruland) Smith, who had moved from Ron
konkoma to Hauppauge. Their children were:
Theophilus"; born 1816, died 1822.
Mary H."; born 1819, married Moses R. Smith.
Her six children were : Emmett W.*, Wilmot M.*,
who afterwards became a judge of the Supreme
Court of New York; Herman T.*, Theron L.*,
Mary C* and EUen L.*. She died 1907.
Lydia M."; born 1821, married Erastus A. Conk
ling. Among her ten children were : Caroline Cor-
neha*, Thomas M.*, Elbert E.*, Annie* and Ray
mond*. She died in 1898.
Theophilus"; born 1823, died 1825.
Almeda Jane" ; born 1826, died 1849.
Thomas W."; born 1828, married Elmira Hawk
ins. Among his eleven children were : Ashbel F.*,
Clayton E.*, Pearcy*, Raymond* and Eva* He
died in 1891.
Sarah M."; born 1830, married Charles WiUits.
Her children were : Edmond K.*, Jane W.*, Phebe*
and Lewis*. She died in 1866.
Cornelia C"; born 1833, died 1837.
Theophilus B."; born 1836, married Mary Steph
enson. Of their nine children, seven are hving:
Lydia*, Theophilus*, Mary*, Jane*, Edith*, El-
33

bert* and Raymond*. Mr. Wood lived in Missouri.
Simeon", the author of this History of Haup
pauge, was born in 1839 and married Fannie V. Ed
wards. Their children were: Wilmot B.* (died),
Everett R.*, George* (died). Bertha V.*, who mar
ried Andrew Henry VoUbracht of East Islip on
June 9, 1915, Ethel A.*, Mabel I.«, Harold* and
Parker E.* Mr. Wood died at Hauppauge Dec. 3,
1914. Lewis S."; born 1841, died 1857.

34

ROLPH
Benjamin Rolph, who died in 1832, and Sarah
Rolph, who died in 1843, lived in different houses
in the place, and had quite a number of girls that
proved as attractive to the gallants of that genera
tion as the Blydenburgh girls did to the one previ
ous. "Betsey" married the second Jacob Wheeler;
they were the parents of William Jewett and Clar
issa. "Beckey" married Daniel Smith, son of James
Smith. They lived in the house where Frank R.
Nichols now lives. Their children were Daniel Al
fred, Martha Ameha, Moses Rolph and Charles
Carpenter. Hannah Oakley lived at West Hills.
"Sally" married Joshua Brush, and hved on the
place next north of George Wheeler's. It was
sometimes called "the Hay Hollow." Ethelbert
and George were their sons.
"Phene" married Alexander Smith, Jr., and lived
on his father's place next to James Smith's. Their
family was Theressa, Almeda, Addie, Erastus, Jar
vis and Ralph. After their father died, the family
went to the city.
"Fanny" married Ira Hubbs, and lived in Com-
35

mack. Hon. Orlando Hubbs, ex-Congressman,
ex-Assemblyman and State Senator, is her grand
son.

SMITH AGAIN

When the third Joseph Blydenburgh* was seek
ing a partner to go in the business of making a
home, he found his affinity in the smiles and
blushes of Nancy Smith, who lived at the "Great
Pond" (now Ronkonkoma). To her he told that
enchanting story, where romance talks reason
blind.
When sly Cupid wounds the heart
Reason sighs, "Love is blind."
Boused to action by his fatal dart
Passion sees what Reason cannot find.
As "all is fair in love and war," he brought a
bride from the "Sand Pond,"* to the "Sweet
Water" land, and part of the house that is now
"Locustdale" was the home of four generations of
Blydenburghs. Legend has it that Nancy's ancestors came over
from England to help build Trinity Church in New
York City ; then came and settled on the place now
called "Sandy Garth," the home of Maude Adams. f
•Meaning Lake Ronkonkoma. — Editor.
fLocated east of Lake Ronkonkoma. — Editor.
36

In her family were Alexander*, James*, Temper
ance* and Charity* Smith, all her brothers and sis
ters. James* married Catherine, sister of Joseph Bly
denburgh ; Daniel" and Wessels" were their sons.
Temperance* married Jonas Payne, and Charity*
married Thomas Payne, Elizabeth Wheeler's sons.
James* and Alexander* came to Hauppauge and
bought land of their brother-in-law, Joseph Bly
denburgh, for one dollar an acre. Each had 100
acres. The land was next to Theophilus Wood's
purchase. Alexander* married Lydia Ruland, sister of Se-.
lah Blydenburgh's wife, Jane. Their children were
Elizabeth", who married  Mapes; Fanny",
who changed her name to Ward; Nancy" was Har-
ley Longbotham's wife; Almeda" married Richard
Gildersleeve; Jane" married Thomas W. Wood;
Minerva" married John Newton; and Alexander"
married "Phene" Rolph.
The descendants of Jane" are the only ones liv
ing in the place. In her family of eleven was Mary
H.', her eldest daughter, who died in 1907, aged 88
years. She married Moses R. Smith, son of Daniel
Smith, and they were the parents of Emmet W.*,
Willmot M.*, Herman T.*, Theron L.*, Mary C*
and Ellen L. Smith*.
The second daughter, Lydia', married Erastus
37

A. Conkling, and of her family there is but one liv
ing. After the two older girls married, the family
moved to Dix Hills, and lived there 13 years, then
moved back on the old place.

38

JACOBUS HUBBS AND HIS DESCENDANTS

Jacobus Hubbs*, probably a resident of Hunt
ington, had a son James", who came to Smithtown
and bought a farm south of the "Branch" brook.
Among his sons were Alexander', Charles',
Daniel' and Ira Hubbs' .
By his first wife, Daniel' was the father of
George K. Hubbs* His second wife was Almeda,
widow of Isaac Lewis, and sister of "Judge"
Wheeler. His son George* identified himself with
Hauppauge by teaching school and marrying Ruth,
daughter of the "Judge."
Ira' lived near where the Catholic Church now
stands, before he moved to Commack. He mar
ried Fanny Rolph.
Alexander' married Theophilus Wood's widow,
and hved with her on her farm as long as he lived.
Charles' married Freelove Wicks. He had a
blacksmith shop near Thomas Wheeler's. His
children were Hannah* and Jonas*, that made
Hauppauge history.
Hannah* married Fletcher E. Wheeler, and their
children were John Fletcher", Andrew", Erastus",
Francis", Harriet Jane" and Wesley J. Wheeler".
Jonas* married Susan Nichols; Warren" and
WiUiam C." were their sons.

39

Charles' was celebrated as a joker, and his
mantle has fallen (somewhat out of shape) to his
grandson Warren", the present patriarch of that
branch of humanity in Hauppauge,

40

ELIJAH PRICE AND HIS CHILDREN
Among the inspiring events of the Revolution,
none looms brighter than the famous crossing of
the Delaware River by the immortal Washington.
Among that determined band of ill-fed, barefoot
soldiers who postponed the return of CornwaUis to
England was Ehjah Price*, who faithfully served
his country all through the war.
After the surrender of CornwaUis when the
founders of the new nation were returning to home
and friends, among the maidens that welcomed the
heroes of war with the flowers of peace as they
were crossing Trenton Bridge, was one that be
came the wife of Elijah Price.
Among the early industries of Hauppauge was a
tan-yard and a fulling mill. "A bunch of maple
sprouts near Timothy Wheeler's tan-yard" is men
tioned in the records of Smithtown as the bound
ary mark between Smithtown and Islip. They
stood near the springs from which Hauppauge de
rived its name.
The fulling mill was by a pond on what was
known for a number of years as "The WooUey
Place."*

•The Woolley place gets the name from its being pur
chased in the 60's by Milton Woolley, a distiller in Brooklyn,
of a Frenclunan named Louis Lapenz. — ^Editor.
41

Elijah Price* and his wife came here from New
Jersey and lived in a house that stood across the
road from Joshua Wheeler's, and he had charge of
the fulling mill.
Sidney" and Charles" were their sons. They had
a daughter Ameha" that married Alexander Soper,
and there was another daughter that married Na
than Woodhull. It was their daughter Maria
WoodhuU' that married the second James Blyden
burgh, and they were the parents of the present
James D. Blydenburgh*
Charles" lived where E. D. Hahn now lives ; his
first wife left no children. His second wife was
mother of George', Charles' and a daughter' He
parted with his place and moved over on "The
NicoU Road."
Sidney" married Susan Tillotson, a daughter of
Sarah, sister of Jane and Lydia Ruland.
Sidney" and Susan had one child, an only son,
Sandford Elijah Price', whose oddities were the
proverbs of Hauppauge.

STILL MORE SMITHS

Zephaniah* and Jonathan Smith* were brothers
of another family of Smiths that came to Haup
pauge at a more recent date. Jonathan* brought
his wife with him and settled just west of the

42

church. His descendants in the place are the fam
ily of Arthur W. Sanford.
Zephaniah* took for his wife one of the fair
maidens of the land, Deborah, sister of Luther and
daughter of Selah Blydenburgh. Their house,
which was burned down, stood where Mr. Lands*
house now stands, and there, as good citizens, they
obeyed the injunction to "replenish the earth."
Their son, Henry", lately celebrated his 83rd
birthday by sitting for his portrait with his great
grandchild on his knee. As he distinctly remem
bers his great-grandfather, he can boast of know
ing seven generations of his family.
Zephaniah's sons have all left the place, but most
of his daughters are here, and they and their de
scendants are more numerous than any other fam
ily ancient or modern in Hauppauge.
They comprise the families of Sarah Jane Soper,
George Augustus Cornish, George E. Cornish,
Warren J. Hubbs, Warren S. Hubbs, WiUiam E.
Hubbs, Nathaniel Raynor, Harry Griffin, WiUiam
Olivie and Grant Chidchester.

ANOTHER PRICE
It was the vulgar name of a "clam peddler" that
Isaac Brown bore when he journeyed from the
Southside to Hauppauge with his load of bivalves.
On one of his trips he brought along George Price,
a relative of the Landlord NicoU family.
43

George was in search of a wife. When he beheld
the comely Sarah Wheeler, Brown gave him fifteen
minutes to decide whether he should seek any
farther. In the prescribed time, cautious Cupid poising
his shaft, saw them yield to cruel fate, and dropped
a tear as he returned his arrow to its quiver.
Romance is moonlight, morbid fancies our ideals frame.
Fate is sunlight, we see our follies, then Cupid blame.
Price's people were magnanimous. They did
not wish to deprive their new relative of her old
associations, so in the generosity of their hearts
they bought Wessels Blydenburgh's place and
gave the bride a home and incidentally Hauppauge
a new citizen.

McCRONE
The Price's daughter, Penelope Jane, ventured
on that treacherous sea of which normal youth is
ever dreaming, under conditions similar to her
mother's. Andrew Hamilton brought his friend George
McCrone from the city, and invited her to meet
him at dinner.
Without the preliminary moonlight strolls and
spooning nonsense, their souls communed with the
banquet's cheer, and ere they left the festal board
agreed one fate to share.

44

That interesting spot is now "home sweet home"
to three generations of McCrones.

RETROSPECTION

"The Wheelers," "The Smiths," and "The Bly
denburghs," first families of Hauppauge, where
are they today? Where are those names so long
associated with the Land of Sweet Waters ?
The Wheeler name is no longer in the place, but
as distance lends enchantment to the view, a few
can boast of being descendants of the pioneers of
this little village that has not yet awoke to the
charms of its natural beauty.
"The Smiths" have disappeared entirely, not
even a descendant left; and one small house con
tains all that is left of "The Blydenburghs."

45

THE CHURCH

The first Church erected in Smithtown was a
Presbyterian Church built at Nissequogue. In
1750 it was moved to the "Branch" and in 1827
the old building was taken to the "New Mills" and
used as a woolen factory and the present Church
erected in its place.
This undoubtedly is the reason why the Bull
Smiths of Hauppauge went to the Branch to meet
ing; it was the Church of their fathers.
The Wheelers originally Presbyterian, were won
over to the Methodists by the itinerant preachers,
and in 1806, they met in the school-house and or
ganized a Church Society. Their first meeting
house was an unfinished room in the upper story
of Richard Wheeler's house.
Soon after the Society was formed, the Church
building was commenced on land given the Society
by Joshua Smith, Jr. He gave a plot of ground,
eight rods square, which was increased to its pres
ent size by his son, Joshua B. Smith.
In the minutes of the Trustees' book for the
year 1807 the folowing names were entered, being
of those entitled to vote at the election of Trustees :
Elkanah Wheeler, Timothy Wheeler, Jacob
W^heeler, George Wheeler, Isaac Wheeler, Sr.,

46

Isaac Nichols, Wickham Wheeler, Richard
Wheeler, John Combs, Benjamin Jarrard, George
Burton, Jacob Wheeler, Jr., Paul Nichols, John
Wicks, Jacob Nichols, Ira Hubbs, Jeremiah Shad-
don, Isaac Jarrard.
The following reminiscence of the struggles of
a hundred years ago may be of interest at the pres
ent time. Instead of cutting froHcs to raise money
as they did then, the brethren would depend on the
"Ladies' Aid" to help them out.
"When they were raising money to build the
Church, my grandfather gave enough standing
timber to make ten cords of wood as his subscrip
tion. The people interested made what was called
in those days a cutting frohc, to cut the wood. A
young man by the name of Henry Burton came to
help, but finding that they had no rum, he left
without doing anything.
"Cutting frolics were common occurrences a
century ago and it was more common for some of
the party to get intoxicated before the frolic was
over. To the credit of the Methodists, this was a
temperance party, the people doing the work and
going home sober; no doubt feeling thankful for
the privilege of doing something for Him Who had
done so much for us."
JAMES D. BLYDENBURGH.
The following record was taken from the record
ing Steward's book of the Smithtown circuit, now
in the Methodist Historical Library, 150 Fifth Ave
nue, New York City. It was copied for this sketch
47

by Mrs. Olive B. Washburne, a granddaughter of
Elbert Osborn, who was on the Smithtown circuit
in 1842 and 1843.
"The Hauppauge Church was built in the year
1806, the following named persons contributed:
Jacob Wheeler  $50.00
Timothy Wheeler  20.00
Isaac Nichols  ,  10.00
John Combs  10.00
Tabatha Hubbs  5.00
George Burton  10.00
Geo. Wheeler  25.00
Woods Smith  10.00
Daniel Smith  10.00
Richard Wheeler  25.00
Wm. Wheeler  10.00
Selah Blydenburgh  1.00
James Blydenburgh  10.00
Alexander Smith  5.00
Thomas Wheeler  10.00
Caleb Smith  20.00
EHas Smith  5.00
James Payne  10.00
MiUs PhiUips  5.00
Ehphalet Whitman  5.00
B. B. Blydenburgh  5.00
Epenetus Smith  5.00
Wickham Wheeler  3.00
Adam Darling  5.00
Ebenezer Wheeler  4.00
John Vail  2.00
48

Coe Searing  2.00
Joseph R. Roe  2.50
John Laws  3.00
Caleb Newton  5.00
Locea Huff  2.50
Stephen Jayne  5.00
Nathaniel Bunce  3.00
Moses Sair  1.00
James S. MiUer  2.00
Ehphalet Smith  1.00
Azariah Weeks  3.00
Hamelton Darling  4.00
John Darhng  3.00
Samuel Hartt  6.00
Adam Smith  2.00
Peter Jayne  3.00
Wm. C. Smith  2.00
Wm. Blydenburgh  2.00
Rich. Blydenburgh  1.50
Dan. Blydenburgh  5.00
Joseph Jayne  2.20
Ezra Tuttle  1.00
Benjamin Walker  1.00
"November 6, 1809, a meeting of the Society was
held to aid in paying off the debt incurred in build
ing this M. E. Church, which resulted as follows :
Jacob Wheeler  $5.00
Elkanah Wheeler  2.00
Joshua Wheeler  1.25
Jacob Wheeler, Jr  2.50

49

AJjram Nichols  1.25
Ifredericjc Wheeler  1.00
Wm. Wheeler  2.00
Richard Wheeler  3.00
Joseph B. Roe  1.00
Isaac Hammond  1.00
Justus Overton  1.00
Goldsmith Davis  1.00
Daniel Yarrington  2.50
Jonas Payne  1.00
Mills PhiUips  2.50
Epenetus Smith  2.00
Wm. Blydenburgh  2.00
Benjamin Walker, Jr  1.00
Thomas Wheeler  1.00
Wickham MiUs  1.10
Nathaniel Smith  2.50
Benj. B. Blydenburgh  2.00
Wickham Wheeler  1.00
Henry Blydenburgh  3.00
Caleb Newton  2.00
Jeny Wheeler  1.00
Benjamin Jervis  2.00
Eberin Mott  1.00
Richard Smith, Jr  2.50
Epenetus Oakley  2.00
Jonas Newton  1.00
Caleb Smith "  1.00
Daniel Smith  1.00
Alexander Smith  1.00
Nat. Conkling  1.00
Jessie Davis  l.QO

50

Warren Smith  1.00
Thomas W. Wood  1.25
Nathaniel Bunce  1.00
Geo. Wheeler  1.00
Ehas Smith  1.00
Samuel Hartt  1.00
Jeremiah Nbae  1.00
Jeffrey A. Newkirk  l.OO
Charles Hallock  1.00
Joel Rayner  50
Geo. Davis  1.00
John Newton  3.00
thomas Hallock  1.00
John Wicks  5.00
Isaac Mills  l.Ob
Ebenezer Jayne  2.00
Barnabas Wheeler  1.00
Daniel Jones  2.00
Benjamin Homan  50
Joseph Ward  50
Samuel Brush  50
Samuel Smith  56
John Darhng, Jr  25
Gamahel Taylor  50
Benj. W. Smith  50
George Hallock  50
WoodhuU Smith  5Ci
Wm. Smith  75
Isaac Smith  50
John Hallock  50
Wm. Tooker  50
Ira Ketchum  50

51

John BedeU  25
Foster Nubran  50
Nehemiah Hyelur  25
Ehphalet Mowbray  25
Stephen Thurber  25
John Douglass  25
Samuel Shing  50
James Smith  50
Joseph Blydenburgh  50
James Mapes, Jr  25
James Benjamin  50
Gabriel Jayne  50
Whitman West  25
Aaron Ward  25
Richard Geburlu  50
Jessie Smith  25
Daniel WiUits  50
Medad Ryers  50
Thomas Wheeler, Jr  25
Joseph Gornes  50
Amos Hiebur  25
Selah Wicks  25
David W. Smith  25
Charles Adams  25
David Smith  50
John Carll  25
William WoodhuU  50
Saml. Smith  25
John M. WiUiams  25
Nathaniel Buffet  25
"March 19, 1816, at a meeting held for the pur-
52

pose of improving the comforts of the Church, now
having been enclosed and occupied with benches
made of slabs of boards, on which the congrega
tion have sat for the last ten years, from Sabbath
to Sabbath listening to the invitation to the Gospel
as presented from the pulpit (composed of rough
boards) by the pioneers of the M. E. Church, such
as Rev. Joseph Crawford, Carpenter, Richmond,
Canfield, Bushnell, Presiding Elder Freeborn,
Garretson, Ward, Schofield, Renolds, Elder Sam
uel Merwin, Northup and Stewart."
It was at this meeting they determined to put up
a decent pulpit, and seat comfortably the lower
part of the Church, leaving the upper part to finish
in the Autumn.
Subscriptions were as follows :
Jacob Wheeler  $13.00
Elkanah Wheeler  7.00
Richard Wheeler  12.00
Samuel Brush  5.50
Wickham Wheeler  4.00
Caleb Smith  10.00
James Payne  5.00
Daniel Smith  4.00
Jacob Wheeler, Jr  7.00
Timothy Wheeler  6.00
Joshua Smith  6.00
WiUiam Smith  5.00
Geo. Wheeler  10.00
James Smith  50
Wood Smith  2.50

S3

Henry Cohklihg  2.50
Chas. rt. Harris  l.SO
i»aul kichols  1.00
David Nichols  1.00
Gamaliel Taylor  50
Oliver Smith  3.00
Geo. Wheeler, Jr  3.00
Moses Brush  5.00
John VaU  1.00
Jonathan Brush  50
Epenetus Oakley  2.00
Samuel Brown  50
Geo. MiUer  75
Curtis Rogers  2.00
Ehphalet Whitman  3.00
MiUs PhiUips  1.00
Thomas W. Wood  5.00
Isaac Blydenburgh  2.00
John Newton  3.00
Thomas Wheeler  4.00
Tho. W. Jayne  50
Tho. Brush  50
Ebenezer Jayne  4.00
Peter Darling  1.00
Thomas Hallock  3.00
Charles A. Floyd  1.00
Epenetus Smith  2.50
Richard O. Taylor  1.00
Henry Blydenburgh  1.00
Elias Smith  5.00
±»eter M. E. Gurney  1.00
Jacob Nichols  2.00

54

ijamin Jarrard  1.00
Leonard Smith  5p
Samue} W. Smith  l.QO
Friend  2.00
Daniel Hubbs  3.00
"Early in June the Church vv^s finished so far as
thp pulpit, and seats were contemplated by this
last effort, and the recorder of this recollects when
in June, Wm. Jewett, and Fitch Reed, occupied the
pulpit on their way to the Quarterly meeting at
 held June, 1817."
When the Church was first built the sides and
roof were covered with three-foot shingles, and
the pulpit was level with the gallery.
In 1828, it was decided to plaster the Church and
have new seats. About 1833 a parsonage was
built, which was first occupied by John Lovejoy in
1833. It was used as a parsonage until 1848, when
Stony Brook and Port Jefferson were taken from
the circuit.
Francis C. Hill was the last to occupy it. It was
then sold and has been known ever since as the
"Adriance place."
In 1861 the shingles were replaced by clapboard
siding and the window frames were extended to
cover both lower and upper windows, and blinds
were added.
In 1866 J. H. Stansbury was on the circuit, and
during his pastorate most of the churches in his
charge were remodelled. In the Hauppauge
55

Church the pulpit was lowered, and the seats were
changed so that the long ones were in the middle of
the building, instead of under the galleries. When
the church was finished this time, a small organ, its
first musical instrument, was put in the gallery, and
the two sexes ventured to break away from the old
custom and sit in the same seat with each other.
In 1895 the steeple and beU were added. The
primitive tastes of its founders have disappeared
in the soul's quest for the beautiful.
Editor's Note — In 1906, the centennial year of the church,
an historical pamphlet entitled, "One Hundred Years of
Methodism at Hauppauge, L. I.," was published by the con
gregation. The work was compiled by Wesley J. Wheeler of
Islip, a son of Fletcher E. Wheeler of Hauppauge.

56

THE METHODIST PREACHERS
That have preached in Hauppauge, wiU be found
in the following chronology of preachers who have
preached on the Island:
1769 — The first Methodist Society was organized
at Newtown by Thomas Webb, a retired
officer of the British army. He resided in
Jamaica.
1770 — ^Joseph Pilmoor was pastor in New York
and visited Newtown at intervals of a
month until the close of the Revolution
ary War.
1772 to 178^1 — The following preachers visited and
preached on Long Islarid: Robert Wil-
Hams, Richard Boardman, Richard
Wright, Thomas Rankin, James Demp
ster and Daniel Ruff.
1784 — John Dickens, founder of the Methodist
Book Concern, was the New York
preacher.
1785 — Phillip Cox was the first preacher appointed
to Long Island.
1786 — PhiUip Cox and Ezekiel Cooper, who suc
ceeded John Dickens as head of the "Book
Concern."

57

1787 — Thomas Ware, Peter Mority and Robert
Cloud. Freeborn Garretson, Presiding
Elder.
1789 — WiUiam Phebus and John Lee.
1790 — David Kendall and Aaron Hunt.
1791 — WiUiam Phebus and Benjamin Abbott.
1792 to 1794 — In the itinerancy were John Ragan,
James Boyd, Joseph Totten, George Stre-
back, Robert and Sylvester Hutchinson,
Lawrence McCloud, Jacob Rickhow, Tim
othy Dewey, Peter Jayne, David Buck,
Andrew Nichols, Billy Hibbard, Jimmy
Horton, Peter Cartwright and probably
Lorenzo Dow.
1795 — Wilson Lee, John Clark, Sylvester Hutchin
son and Joseph Totten.
1796 — ^John Clark, Jacob Rickhow, David Buck,
Timothy Dewey and William Phebus.
Freeborn Garretson, Presiding Elder.
1797 — Joseph Totten, Andrew McNichols and Eb
enezer McLane. Sylvester Hutchinson
and Freeborn Garretson, Presiding El
ders.
1798 — David Brown and John Wilson.
.1799 — ^James Campbell and John Wilson.
1800 — ^James Campbell and Samuel Merwin. Free
born Garretson, Presiding Elder.
1801— Peter Jayne and Billy Hibbard.
1802 — David Buck and John Finnegan.
1803 — Francis Ward, Sylvester Foster and John
Finnegan.
1804 — Francis Ward, Henry Fames and Henry

5^

Redstone. WiUiam Thatcher, Presiding
Elder.
1805 — Henry Fames, John Finnegan and Henry
Redstone.
1806 — James Coleman and Mitchell B. BuU.
1807 — Luman Andrus and John Kline. Joseph
Crawford, Presiding Elder.
1808 — Nathan Emory and Nehemiah W Tomp
kins.
1809— Francis Ward and WiUiam Phebus.
1810 — Long Island circuit was divided; Jamaica
on the west and Suffolk on the east.
1810 — Henry Redstone, Coles Carpenter and Ste
phen Redstone.
1 SI 1-;— Ezekiel Canfield and Samuel Bushnell. Free
born Garretson, Presiding Elder.
1812 — Samuel BushneU, with local preachers.
1813 — Francis Ward and David Wright.
1814 — John Clark, Arnold Schofield and Charles
W. Carpenter.
1815 — ^John Renolds, Ohve Sykes and James Boyd.
1816 — Beardsly Northup and Zalmon Stewart.
1817 — WiUiam Jewett and Fitch Reed.
1818— WiUiam Jewett and John M. Smith.
1819 — Samuel Cochran and Ebenezer Brown.
1820 — Reuben Harris and S. D. Ferguson. P. P.
Sanford, Presiding Elder.
1821 — Reuben Harris and EH Dennison.
1822 — Jacob Hall, Humphry Humphries and Rob
ert Francis.
1823— Jacob Hall and WiUiam M. WiUit.

59

1824 — Henry Hatfield and Horace Bartlett. Laban
Clark, Presiding Elder.
1825 — Horace Bartlett and John W. LeFevre.
1826— Noble W. Thomas and John W. LeFevre.
1827— Noble W. Thomas, Cyrus D. Foss and Oli
ver B. Amerman.
1828 — Richard Seaman, O. B. Amerman, C. W.
Carpenter, with Christopher R. Morris,
supply.
1829 — Josiah Bowen and Samuel Drake.
1830 — Josiah Bowen and Edward Olden.
1831 — Reuben Harris and Edward Olden.
1832 — Reuben Harris and Abram S. Francis. Sam
uel Merwin, Presiding Elder.
1833 — Smithtown Circuit : The Great Pond*, Com
mack, Hauppauge, The Landing and
The Branch. John Lovejoy was the first
preacher in the parsonage at Hauppauge.
•Lake Ronkonkoma. — Editor.
1834 — WiUiam R. Stopford and John B. Merwin.
1836 — Bezilell Howe and James Rawson.
1838— John Nixon and Charles D. Pelton.
1839 — John Nixon and Theron Osborne.
1840 — Theron Osborne and Samuel King. Stephen
Martindale, Presiding Elder.
1841 — Samuel W. King and Timothy C. Young.
1842 — Elbert Osborn and Timothy C. Young.
1843 — Elbert Osborn and Nathan Rice. John J.
Mathias, Presiding Elder.
1844 — Nathan Rice and Marvin Lent.
1845 — George HoUis, Marvin Lent, with Samuel
M. Hammond and Justis O. Worth, asso
ciates.

6c

1847 — Ezra Jagger and Francis C. Hill.
1848 — Ezra Jagger. Port Jefferson and Stony
Brook taken from the circuit. Laban
Clark, Presiding Elder.
1849— Eben S. Hibbard.
1850 — WiUiam Gothard. S. Langdon, Presiding
Elder.
1854 — ^Joseph Wildey. BueU Goodsell, Presiding
Elder.
1855— Robert Codhng.
1857 — Daniel Jones.
1859— Eben S. Hibbard.
1861— WiUiam Wake. William H. Norris, Presid
ing Elder.
1863— E. K. Fanning.
1866 — ^J. H. Stansbury. Hart M. Pease, Presiding
Elder.
1869 — Daniel Jones. Heman Bangs, Presiding El
der.
1871— Charles Sterns. H. M. Pease, Presiding El^
der.
1875 — Thomas M. Terry. C. B. Sing, Presiding
Elder.
1876 — Benjamin Redford, died and succeeded by
William Lawrence. John L. Peck, Pre
siding Elder.
1877— Seigfried Kristella.
1879 — Lake Grove Circuit: Hauppauge, St. James
and Lake Grove. Smith A. Sands. John
W. Beech, Elder.
1881— John T. Langlois. 6i

1883 — Sylvester Smith. Thomas H. Beech, Pre
siding Elder.
1885 — John F. Duenkerke. Benj. M. Adams, Pre
siding Elder.
1888— John S. Haugh.
1889— E. J. Curtis. W. H. Wardell, Presiding El
der.
1892— J. N. Crane.
1895 — Central Ishp Circuit: Hauppauge and Cen
tral Ishp. T. B. Cornell. Geo. VanAls-
tine. Presiding Elder.
1896— William N. Taft.
1898— Fred Gunton.
1899— WiUiam N. Taft.
1900 — H. E. Marsland. James Montgomery, Pre
siding Elder.
1902— Fred Buckwalter. C. S. Wing, Presiding
Elder.
1904 — Ralph Waldo Thompson. J. S. Chadwick,
Presiding Elder.
1907— E. S. Wright.

In 1838, when John Nixon and Charles D. Pelton
were its ministers, the Church must have had the
largest class in its history. To show who attended
church at that time the following is a copy of the
names taken from a class book of that year.
Elkanah Wheeler (leader), Mary Wheeler, Isaac
Wheeler, Sr. ; Richard Wheeler, Phoebe Wheeler,
Catherine Wheeler, Fletcher E. Wheeler, Wesley
Wheeler, Margaret Wheeler, Elizabeth Wheeler,
62

Betsy Wheeler, Mary Jane Wheeler, George
Wheeler, Sr. ; Benjamin Wheeler, Elouisa Wheel
er, Geo. Wheeler, Jr. ; Ehzabeth Wheeler, Free-
love Hubbs, Henry Blydenburgh, Clarissa Blyden
burgh, Tabatha Bunce, Mary Smith, Charles Price,
Phoebe Price, Sidney Price, Susan Price, Polly
Smith, Deborah A. Smith, Sarah Smith, Cloe Tillot
son, Daniel Thompson, Triphene Thompson, Mary
Brish, Juliana Blydenburgh, Ruth A. Hubbs, Eliza
beth Blydenburgh, Hannah Smith, Rebecca Smith,
Moses R. Smith, Hannah Walker, Wessels Smith,
Theodorus Brush, Sarah Brush, Isaac Wheeler,
Jr. ; Nathaniel H. Wheeler, Moses Blydenburgh,
Mary A. Tillotson, Paul Nichols, Ehzabeth A.
Wheeler, Hannah A. Brush, Sarah E. Payne, La-
vina Tucker, Edward F. Smith, Henry C. Wheeler,
Jonas Hubbs, Isaac Blydenburgh, Egbert Soper,
Phoebe Blydenburgh, Sarah SmalHng, Sarah L,
AVheeler, Mary E. Smith, Clarissa E. Wheeler,
Henry M. Tooker, WiUiam Olmstead, William J.
Wheeler, Adahne Smith, Joshua Wheeler, Alfred
Wiggins, Charles Nichols, Samuel P. Soper.
Here in a class of 77), 27 of them were Wheelers.
In 1840 there were but 11 Wheelers in a class of 34,
and in 1865, with a class of 38, but 4 were Wheelers.
Elkanah was class leader for many years, then
his son, Fletcher, followed by WiUiam Jewett, who
was the last of the name to hold the position.
When the Society was organized, Richard
Wheeler was chosen clerk for the Trustees and
held the office for twenty-one consecutive years.
He was followed by Fletcher, Wesley and Richard
63

B. Wheeler, who held it thirty-one years longer.
The name of Wheeler so often recorded in the book
has dwindled away until 1891 the last one was en
tered. It was Richard Bartlett Wheeler, elected Trus
tee. The Wheelers have passed away.
When that dread disease consumption had
claimed Francis Ward as its victim, he had a long
ing to preach his last sermon in the Hauppauge
Church. Not able to stand alone, it was the
Wheeler brothers, Fletcher and Wesley, who en
abled him to fulfill his dying wish.
Standing there in the presence of the fell de
stroyer, with youth on either side, that mind sum
moned before its Creator and Judge, presented a
picture in the primitive pulpit of one hundred years
ago that was not soon forgotten. Looking like a
spirit held a little longer to earth by loving mortal
hands, that like Jacob's craved a blessing, he
preached one of the most impressive and eloquent
.sermons ever heard in the Church.
In the churchyard directly back of the pulpit,
and,near the Church, there is a marble slab erected
by Caleb Smith (who was a friend of the preach
er's) that marks the resting place of Francis Ward,
where he was buried at his own request.
Besides being a friend of the preacher's, Caleb
.Smith had pohtical honors. He was a Senator at
Albany when he influenced Samuel Merwin, chap
lain of the Senate, to come to Long Island, where
for several years he was Presiding Elder.
64

HAVENS WHEELER

In this delusive world, the truth
Is hard to find, by what we say;
The heart deceives, but then, forsooth.
It's what we do gives thought away.
If words found us the gates of Paradise, what n
saint many a poor, deluded mortal would be. Most
people are judged in this world by their deeds, and
the probabilities are that they will be in the next.
"Blowing the Gospel Trumpet" was Havens
^Vheeler's idea of a holy hfe. To bring up his son
in the way he should go, made him sit Sundays
with the Bible on his knees. It was said of him
that he would come home at night and feel in the
hogs' trough, and if it was dry, he would "jaw" his
wife for not giving them enough, and if it was wet,
she would get the scolding just the same for giving
them too much.
To the woods he then would go and blow his
Gospel Trumpet, where the silence echoed with his
prayers and their consolation soothed his cares.
He thought he had a "call" to Missouri to waken
the sinners there with his Gospel hobby, so the
ladies, kind-hearted creatures, aided him in his mis
sion to "The West," thinking that would be the last
of Havens. He did not stay long; he found that
65

Missouri was a place where one must be up and
doing, not blowing.

ANECDOTES CONCERNING JUDGE
SMITH'S SERVANTS
In those good old times the villagers were neigh
bors. The people next door were not strangers.
Everybody knew everyone in his own village, and
most of the folks in the country for miles around.
They were the days before telegraphs, tele
phones, lodges, leagues, yellow journals and all
such news sources were plentiful. They were the
days when the neighbors "went out to tea," and, of
course, the news was discussed on these occasions.
On one of these gatherings at the "Judge's," (he
employed more help than anyone in the neighbor
hood to till the acres that comprised the "Judge's
Neck") they had a little darkey that helped about
the kitchen. Then quince and sugar, pound for
pound, was the recipe that tickled the palate at the
expense of the stomach, and one of the perquisites
of his position was to have what was left of the
"sweetmeats" after the company were through.
This time the guests tarried long at the table and
the impatient little fellow's head kept bobbing in
the door until he could stand the agony no longer.
He rushed out to his mistress, exclaiming, "Mis'
66

"Mith, Mis' 'Mith, the qual'ty is eatin' all the
crince!" "Black Dick" was another darkey that worked
for the Judge and lamb was his favorite repast.
Out hunting one day, he came across a flock of
sheep. With temptation before him, he trained
his gun on a lamb. Just then someone happened
along. Fairly caught in the act of shootinr. the
surprised darkey stammered out, "T-t-care quail!"

ELLEN S. MOWBRAY AND HER OFT-
QUOTED POEM ON HAUPPAUGE

In youth we dream of the happiness that await >
us in the drama of hfe and go forth to wrestle with
its burdens and cares, till, wearied with disappoint
ment and sorrow, the future loses its enchantment,
memory takes the fancies' place, and the mind
fondly dwells on what it now realizes were "child
hood's happy days."
A longing for the old associations inspired these
verses from a former resident of this place.
HAUPPAUGE
(The Land of Sweet Waters)
Keep evermore the Indian name
So long ago possessed, that tongue
And time, which gave alike, are gone.
Their history never told or sung.
I could not change, I love the sound
Associate from infancy
With home and friends, and scenes which grew
Through passing years more dear to me.
Of other races than ours, with wants
Of human nature still the same.
We may not doubt that He Who gave
It first, in blessing breathed the name-
But whether choosing here his home,
Or pausing weary from the chase.
Or savage combat, first he drank
With gladness, we can never trace.

68

Hauppauge, thy old significance
Has never failed. The waters sweet
Still rise in homestead well and spring
And flow a/cross the quiet street.
In brooks that sing their pleasant song
To pebbles underneath, and flowers
Which grow beside, and skies that smile
Above them in the soimmer hours.
Still hide they where the grand old trees
Stand reaching upward to the sky;
In marshy dells, where wild flowers greet
With odors soft the passer-by.
And beauty, water nursed, gleams forth
To catch the eye and thrill the heart
With sudden sense of all the joy
Of earth, in which it holds a part.
How cool and sweet the draught he takes
The mower knows, when shines the sun
Upon him with its fiercest heat
And only half his day is done.
And the children know who leave their play
Ere into school again they hie
To seek the springs whose crystal depths
Unfailingly their wants supply.
How often in the days long gone
From berry-huntings in the wood.
Or briery fields as night drew on
We came, and by the wellside stood
To drink, upon our homeward way.
Refreshment from its waters deep,
Ere on we passed with quickened step.
Lest darkness o'er our path should creep.
Dear old home! From thee my thought
Climbed early to that Home above
Where change comes not, and never death
Can still from us the voice of love.
How sweet and full our draught shall be
From life's bright river, flowing there;
The life of rest untouched by pain.
Of joy, undimmed by fear or care.
1878. ELLEN S. MOWBRAY, Bayshore.

69

THE OAK TREES

Our history would be incomplete without refer
ence to the oak trees standing along the highway
west of the Church.
When the Church was built, Joshua Smith, do-
nator of the land for its site, realizing that a place
was needed for the horses to stand during the ser
vices, moved the fence back from the line of the
highway, leaving a place in the "oak trees' shade"
for the animals' comfort.
Then, to make certain that they should always
stand for that purpose, when he sold the adjoining
land, he reserved the strip where the trees stand,
and for eighty years they were the only sheds the
church-goers' faithful animals had.
Although no longer used for that purpose, they
still stand an emblem of the Graces that hover
'round this consecrated spot, to cheer the travailer
in the cares and temptations of life.
Their roots represent our hope anchored in
time's uncertain sands; their branches, that faith
which reaches outward and upward from our toil
and care, while the leaves, their crowning glory, is
that sweet charity without which all other graces
fail. Many a tree has become famous by one event.

70

but who can estimate the number of events that
have occurred under these silent oaks that tell no
tales, standing on the borders of romance and re-
hgion, when after that momentous question, "May
I see you home?" the youthful swain would put the
precepts of his church in practice by endeavoring to
"love his neighbor as himself,"

71

THE SCHOOL-HOUSE

The ancient school-house, a little building 13x16
feet, wherein the Church Society was organized,
stood on what is now the lawn, between Donald
son's house and store.
Directly across the road in front of the school
was one of those old-fashioned wood-piles, belong
ing to Thomas Wheeler, that stood against a pole
laid in forked posts. The pile was so long and high
that one of the teachers complained that it kept
the air and sunshine from the school-room.
There was another teacher in this historic build
ing that evidently had original ideas in school man
agement, as he devised something "new under the
sun" in way of punishment for a refractory pupil.
He clasped the fire-tongs about her neck and led
her by them around the school-room.
In after years, he atoned for the indignity by
marrying the subject of his discipline, and at this
date their children are prominent citizens of Cen
tral Ishp.
When the new school-house was built, about
1840, T. W. Conkhng, who inherited Thomas
Wheeler's estate, bought the old house and moved
it across the road in front of his residence and used
it for a carpenter shop.

72

Although still standing, but few remember the
classic features of the old building that played such
an important part in the founding of the Church.
Board siding replaced its weather-worn shingles
years ago, and its present owners use it for a wood-
house. The following are the names of a few of the
managers of this ancient shooting gallery where
"the young idea" was taught truer, higher aims in
the marksmanship of life : Samuel A. Smith,
George K. Hubbs, Samuel Hammons, Luther Bly
denburgh, Jonas Beecher Blydenburgh, Wesley
Wheeler, Ruth Wheeler, Triphena Rolph and
Mary H. Wood.
The Trustee's report for the year 1834 showed
that there were 58 children of school age, 5 to 16,
in the district. School was taught six and one-
third months, 71 scholars were taught, and $63.54
with the public money, $22.46— a total of $86.00,
paid all expenses.
The families that had children of school age
were : Charles LaHommedieu, 2 ; Thomas W.
Wood, 4; George Wheeler, Jr., 1; Isaac Wheeler,
1; Thomas Burns, 2; Selah TiUitson, 3; James
Petty, Jr., 1; Charles Burns, 4; Patrick Burns, 1;
Daniel Thompson, 2; Henry C. Wheeler, 2;
Joshua Smith, 1 ; Richard Wheeler, 1 ; Alexander
Conckhng, 1 ; Joshua Brotherton, 2; Henry Jayne,
2; Henry Blydenburgh, 1; Elkanah Wheeler, 1;
Wesley Wheeler, 1; Isaac Wheeler, 2; Fletcher
E. Wheeler, 1 ; Samuel Payne, 2; Daniel Smith, 1 ;
Jacob Wheeler, 2; Joshua Wheeler, 3; Mary

73

Payne, 2; Samuel Nichols, 4; Thomas W. Conk
ling, 1 ; Zephaniah Smith, 3 ; Alexander Smith, 1 ;
Francis Ward, 1.
The Trustees that signed the foregoing report
were Thomas W. Wood, Fletcher E. Wheeler and
Thomas W. Conkling.
Those were the days when teachers boarded
round and school was kept every other Saturday.
At the school meeting it was resolved to raise
$4.00 for contingent expenses and fuel, so the
teacher had what was left for his services, $82.00.
It was at the old Thomas Wheeler homestead
that the Hauppauge Post Office was established in
1855, and Thomas Wheeler Conkling, great-
grandson of Thomas Wheeler, the first settler, was
the first postmaster.

74

THE CENTENNIAL OF THE CHURCH

Now on the century's mark we stand
In thoughtful, restrospective mood.
Where the rude forefathers of our land
In simple faith communed with God.
Childlike their zeal, with souls sincere
They met, and told the "old, old story,"
While folly dropped the repentant tear.
And hallelujahs shouted glory.
Nearly 170 years have elapsed since the first
house was built in Hauppauge, and 100 years since
the foundation of the Church was laid.
From the retrospect, conditions have changed.
We see in the dim vista of the past those vast con
gregations where the people came from near and
far to the Quarterly Meetings, the strongholds of
Methodism; and as fancy hears their prayers, their
testimonies, the amens, the hallelujahs, and the
soul-reviving songs that are still the hght of Wes
ley's path, can we wonder that those whose zeal
was inspired by the stirring faith of the old Circuit
riders, think that "the good old times" were better
than the passive new?
In May, 1906, a series of meetings were held to
celebrate the founding of the Church Society.
A few of those that had preached here were pres
ent, but the great majority were placed in the hst
headed, "IN MEMORIAM." Among them were:

75

Francis Ward, died 1814, age 39, buried at Haup
pauge. Ezra Jagger, died 1850, age 44, buried at West
Hampton. W. R. Stopford, 1852, Cypress HiUs.
MitcheU B. Bull, 1857, Cypress HiUs.
Horace Bartlett, 1858, 65, New Haven, Conn.
John Nixon, 1859, 71, unknown.
Noble W. Thomas, 1860, 79, Hempstead.
Josiah Bowen, 1873, 62, Derby, Conn.
Benjamin Redford, 1876, 62, Lake Grove.
Charles Stearn.s, 1873, 69, East Norwich.
Abram S. Francis, 1882, 75, Greenwood.
Seigfried KristeUa, 1883, 47, Evergreen Ceme
tery. WiUiam Gothard, 1883, 75, Cypress HiUs.
Zacariah Davenport, 1883, 80, Westport, Conn.
Robert Codling, 1884, 66, Helena, Florida.
Samuel M. Hammond, 1892, 59, Hempstead.
George HoUis, 1894, 85, Orient.
Eben S. Hibbard, 1896, 83, Mt. Olivet.
Francis C. HiU, 1898, 75, Riverhead.
John B. Merwin, 1898, 86, Greenwood.
Justis C. Worth, 1900, 83, Sea Chff.
Sunday, May 20, 1906, Bishop Andrews preached
from the text, "For God So Loved the World," at
the regular service. The day was fine, with a large
attendance, a reminder of the times when churches
were not as numerous, and the churchgoers more
plentiful than now.
Tuesday, May 22, was League Day. Services
76

opened with an address of welcome by the pastor,
R. W. Thompson, followed by a Scripture lesson,
"Loaves and Fishes," by Miss Saguer, president of
the Brooklyn North District Juvenile League; a
song, "The Little Shepherd;" exercise, "The
Bible." Then the "Glory Song." An address by
Miss Saguer; singing, "Onward, Christian Sol
diers;" an address by Jeremiah Wood, president of
the Brooklyn North District League, was followed
by singing "Rock of Ages."
The evening service opened by singing, "Sweeter
Than AU," and "Count Your Many Blessings."
Quartette, "There is a Guiding Star." Prayer by
Bro. Marshall of Central Islip. Viohn solo by C. L.
Land. Quartette, "Abide With Me." Scripture
lesson in Revelations by Arthur Atkins. Singing,
"Walking in the Sunshine," by the Juniors. Ad
dress by Arthur Atkins, "I Heard Voices of Harp
ers, Harping With Their Harps." Quartette,
"Lead Me Gently Home, Father." Epworth
League met at the altar for prayers. Doxology.
Wednesday, May 23, Sunday School Day.
The history of the Sunday School reaches back
very dimly in the past, as there were no records
kept when it first started. The is one yet living
(1906) who recollects going to the school barefoot
when a small girl, as it was the custom in the days
of her childhood; so a school must have been kept
all of eighty years. "Aunt Beckey" Smith and
"Aunt Polly Wessels" Smith were among the
teachers. There were no officers. The hbrary was
kept in a place in the pulpit and school was kept

only in the summertime. Then, as Santa Claus had
no snow for his deer and sled, the children had to
be content with what presents they received at
home. Services opened by singing, "Crown Him Lord
of All." Reading the 90th Psalm. Prayer by the
Pastor. Singing, "Trust and Obey." Address of
welcome by B. F. Prince, Superintendent. The
former superintendents then addressed the meet
ing, beginning with Cornelius Brush, then by T. B.
Cornell. Singing, "I Love to Tell the Story." Ad
dress by E. C. Smith. The superintendents were
followed by an address by the Pastor. Violin solo
by C. L. Land. Singing, "More About Jesus." Ad
dress by Charles D. Baker, Long Island Editor of
The Brooklyn Times; subject, "Planting the Seed."
Closed by singing.
Evening service. Singing, "Speak to My Soul."
Prayer by B. F. Prince. Quartette, "Though Our
Sins Be as Scarlet." Reading by Henry C. John
son, 13th chapter of Corinthians. Song by the
Juniors. Violin solo by C. L. Land. Singing,
"How Dear to My Heart." Prayer by H. C. John
son. Prayer by the Pastor. Duette and chorus.
Doxology. Thursday, May 24, The Old Preachers' Day.
Singing, "Blest be the Tie that Binds." Prayer by
Thomas M. Terry, who was Pastor in 1875. Scrip
ture les.son by T. B. Cornell, Pastor in 1895. Violin
solo by C. L. Land. Singing, "All Hail the Power of
Jesus' Name." Address by E. K. Fanning, Pastor in
1863. Singing, "Cheer Ye That Love the Lord." Ad-
7^

dress by Thomas M. Terry. Singing, "Revive Us
Again." Reading a letter from Bro. Haugh, Pas
tor in 1888. Address by T. B. Cornell. Singing,
"The Old Time Religion." Reading a letter from
W. N. Taft, Pastor in 1899. Also a letter from H.
E. Marsland, Pastor in 1901. Address by Fred.
Buckwalter, Pastor in 1902. Supplementary His
tory, read by Bro. Buckwalter. Singing, "Glory
for Me." Poem, "Centennial of the Church," read
by the Pastor. Poem, "Hauppauge (the Land of
Sweet Waters)," read by Mrs. Ellen S. Mowbray.
Singing, "Onward, Christian Soldiers." Benedic
tion. Evening service. Singing, "Come Thou Al
mighty King." Singing by the Juniors, "There is
a Home Eternal." Prayer by Bro. Laine of Smith-
town Branch. Lesson by Bro. Buckwalter. Viohn
solo by C. L. Land. Solo and chorus, "The Song I
Love." Address by J. E. Duenkerke, Pastor in
1885. Song by the Juniors, "What E're I Do."
Singing, "The Old Time Religion." Address by J.
T. Langlois, Pastor in 1881. Quartette, "Lead Me
Gently Home," "Praise God from Whom AU Bless
ings Flow." Benediction.
Sunday, May 27, Memorial Day. Singing.
Prayer by the Pastor, R. W. Thompson. Singing,
"America." Rev. Charles H. Buck of Yonkers
preached from the text, "Fight the Good Fight of
Faith." After an address by W. W. Hulse of Bay
Shore, the few survivors of the Civil War were
decorated with the emblems of peace by the young
ladies of the Church, and after a solo by Mrs. Wil-

79

liamson of Brooklyn, adjourned to the graveyard to
pay their comrades whose battles of life are o'er,
their tribute of flowers.

80

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO

One hundred years ago our fathers stood
Pondering over their village need.
And then resolved to build a house of God,
And Methodist to be its creed.
They in the school-house met, and plans were made
To organize a brothers' band;
On classic ground was the foundation laid
For a Church in "The Hauppauge" sand.
Temptation lures from wisdom's truth and care
Where selfish pleasures end in pain.
Ambition is a castle in the air.
There fancy seeks its rest, in vain.
We drain the dregs of passion's bitter cup
Ere we heed the new command;
It is but love that puts God's buildings up,
And only love will make th«n stand.
With the Christians' password, "Watch and Pray,"
They stood on guard in manhood's might;
Where wisdom kept their wily foe at bay,
TTiis Church commemorates the site.
On hallowed ground, in the "death angel's reign,"
Where hopes were laid with shroud and tear,
It taught them faith to meet their hopes again.
It was their refuge from despair.
The Church our fathers built with loving hands.
The temple where in grace they grew.
Consecrated by a century stands
A gift from old times to the new.
Transformed from the past to its present state.
With marks of each successive stage.
With pride and reverence we celebrate
Our centennial heritage.
Still from their silent graves, its founders speak,
For virtue lives, and ne'er grows old;
To find wisdom's truths we the prophets seek.
And quote the facts our fathers told.

Centuries will be numbered with the past.
Time will change Hauppauge's shifting sands.
This building will fall, but their faith shall last.
That on the "Rock of Ages" stands.

CHANGES

One hundred years: time has wrought its
changes and Hauppauge has not escaped the joys
and sorrows that it brings.
The land of the braves, the squaw and the
papoose is changing still. An old habitation and a
gravestone record the brief sojourn of their suc
cessors in the panorama of hfe's fleeting show.
The churchyard, that library of the dead, had
been filled, enlarged, and a great part filled again.
The primitive church that was our fathers' pride
has disappeared in the fantasia of modern ideas.
Sheds have taken the place of the oaks for the
horses' comfort. The itinerant preacher has left
the field to the resident pastor. The Sunday School
is officered and kept the year round. The barefoot
scholar is extinct. Santa Claus is scheduled for the
Christmas time on his "Free Delivery Route," but
the name of Wheeler is not on his list.
They, like their predecessors, the Nissequogue
Indians, have left the murmuring brooks of "Sweet
Waters," and all but few, a very few, have crossed
the "silent river."
Dear, grand old Hauppauge that rocked the
cradle of the infant Church; while from memorv

82

the events of its childhood are fading, we trust that
the historian of its next centennial, inspired by thy
wood-crowned hills and sparking rills, will paint a
fairer, brighter page.

When our country's primeval lands
Were by the haughty Sachem trod.
Here their unlettered, roving bands
By crystal springs communed with God.
No guilded hall or city's mart
Allured their soul from Heaven's dome;
To Nature's wilds they gave their heart,
And the forest was their home.
No temple on their pathway stood.
Dedicated to art or fame.
Where the denizens of the wood
Were their companions, and their game.
The faithful braves armed for the chase
With skill the wary stag betrayed,
The patient squaws worked fields of maize,
The papoose by the wigwam played.
Where the unerring arrow's flight
Their simple larder filled with cheer;
These hunting grounds were their delight,
Foretaste of the Great Spirit's care.
Here, they counselled war or peace
When angered by a wily foe;
And passion's rising tide would cease
In the streamlets gentle flow.
"The savage breast" has passions sweet.
The flitting wood nymph's charms beguiled
The haughty warrior to her feet.
Then the reflecting waters smiled.
From fancies, heroes, pride or fame.
Which never our affection prove,
¦"Keep evermore the Indian name"
"Sweet Waters" make a stream of love.

83

THE FAMILY GRAVEYARDS— THE
WHEELER GRAVEYARD

The graveyard is the strand where the tide of
humanity casts its drift on the shore of time.
Across the King's Highway from Timothy
Wheeler's. The .sighing trees reverently cast their shade
'Where filial love long since has ceased to weep.
By curiosity hurried steps are stayed,
Here "the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
In the dee|> shadows fieeting time has cast
On this neglected, consecrated spot.
We pause; whUe fancies linger in the past
And' give our sires the tribute of a thought.
The moss-grown stones bear names to fame unknown ,-
Here is a great-grandsire's ivy-mantled cell.
Had he fortune's smile, or the cold world's frown.
The pride or shame of family legends tell.
They had sorrows, and disappointment bore;
They had trials, temptations were their lot;
Ambition the vigors of youth allure,
They dreamed of joy to come and g^rief forgot.
We fancy than heroes of truth and right;
They had merits that we are proud to own.
Few are the lives that bear a critic's light;
They had their frailties — we'll leave them in the tomb.
On these moss-grown stones whose inscriptions
are being slowly defaced by the busy hand of time,
we find that in the year
1783, Thomas Wheeler died, age  73
84

1801, Phoebe Wheeler, his wife  81
1784, Timothy Wheeler  71
1803, Mary, his widow  77
1780, Phoebe, wife of Jacob Wheeler  34
1790, Temperance, wife of Jacob Wheeler  36
1824, Jacob Wheeler  76
1843, Isaac Wheeler  68
1839, Thomas Wheeler  85
1845, Ruth, his widow  91
1801, Juha, daughter of Thos. & Ruth Wheeler. . 14
1801, Jonas Wheeler  58
1834, Ruth, his widow  85
1830, Timothy Wheeler  86
1823, Rebecca, his wife  70
1823, Epenetus Wheeler  66
1829, Frederick Wheeler  47
1822, Henrietta, wife of Capt. Wm. Wheeler  49
1824, Mary, wife of Jonas Payne  30
1802, Elizabeth, wife of Garret Darling  23
1822, Charles, son of Mary and Jonas Payne,
I year, 6 months
1867, Theodore, son of Capt. Wm. Smith  78
1805, Charles, son of Capt. Wm, Smith  7
1808, WiUiam, son of Capt. Wm. Smith . .6 months
1827, Frederick, son of Theo. & Sarah Wheeler,
1 year, 6 months
1848, Clarissa, wife of Henry Blydenburgh  59
1809, Esther, wife of Isaac Wheeler  23
1827, Rhoda, daughter of Isaac Wheeler  2
1814, Rhoda, daughter of Dan. and Hannah .
Wheeler  14
85

GRAVEYARD ON JAMES SMITH'S PLACE
The following names are found in the plot on
James Smith's place :
1837, James Smith, died, age  95
1824, Catherine, his wife  80
1822, Thomas Payne  54
1863, Charity, his widow  91
1817, Mary Esther, daughter of Conkhng and
Catherine Ketchum  4 months
1800, Catherine, daughter of Jonas and Temper
ance P^yne  5
Henrietta, daughter of John and Ehzabeth
Blydenburgh  1 year, 6 months
GRAVEYARD ON GEORGE WHEELER'S
PLACE
In the grounds on George Wheeler's place these
names are still to be found :
1798, Charity Blydenburgh  85
1844, Almy, wife of James Blydenburgh  79
1850, James Blydenburgh  96
1866, Jeremiah Davis  73
1813, Deborah LaHommedieu  40
1871, Samuel Blydenburgh  82
1873, Ehzabeth, his widow  80
1843, Huldah Blydenburgh  22
1850, Jeremiah Blydenburgh  18
1838, Henry, son of Wm. and Mary Smith,
2 years, 5 months
86

1815, Alfred, son of Wm. and Mary Smith  10
1820, Ruhamer Wheeler  .' " '63
1841, George Wheeler  95
SAMMY PAYNE GRAVEYARD
The "Sammy Payne" plot contains these names :
1826, Temperance, wife of Jonas Payne  50
1827, Jonas Payne  57
1828, Jonas Payne  34
1850, Samuel Payne  60
JOSHUA SMITH'S GRAVEYARD
The burial place of Joshua Smith's family was a
plot of ground near his residence.
Consequently, when the farm was sold it could
not be reserved, and reverence for the dead neces
sitated their removal to the protecting care of the
Church. In the northeast corner of its hallowed acre,
that's ever consecrated by sorrow's bitter tears, is
heard the requiem of the evergreens, whispering
rest over the memories of the old substantial fam-
ihes of Hauppauge.
Just outside of this hollow square of guardian
trees, a sentry to time's sanctuary of his fore
fathers' lasting abode, with that portion of his fam
ily that found no dearer spot than the parental
home, until called away from the typical streams of
87

Hauppauge, to rest beside the sweet waters of
Eternity, stands the memorial of "Major 'Nezer."

In reverence pause. On these stones we trace
The last of a proud, historic name
That from the low level of our race
Astride a bull, scaled the hill of fame.
Pause, but envy not the world's renown,
Fame's height is not the Mount of GIbry;
On earth's honors selfish critics frown.
And careful skeptics doubt the story.
Delusions surround fame's flick'ring light;
Vain ambition seeks the glit'rin^ prize;
The hill's far below the mountain height;
Famie is the World's love; love to Heaven flies.

88

CONCLUSION
Many of the descendants of the first settlers left
the scenes of their childhood to seek fortune in
other lands. Whether the fickle Dame smiled on
them or not, it is not the purpose of this sketch to
inquire. It seeks not their "merits to disclose," "or
draw their frailties from their dread abode."

WHEELER
Timothy Wheeler of the third generation hved
in New York City.
"George Ed," Benjamin's son, kept a feed store
in Brooklyn. Alfred, his brother, was a sailor, and
never married.
Walter, the second George's sou, after his sec
ond marriage lived in Stony Brook, where he had
quite a family.
Richard Rogers, Joshua's son, married Eliza
beth, daughter of Jacob Fisher, and hved in Brook
lyn. Charles hved in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Egbert went to Cahfornia, during the "Gold
Fever," and never returned.
WiUiam Jewett emigrated to Northport.
89

Fletcher E. kept a feed store near Bedford Sta
tion ; his son Wesley is living in the village of Islip.
Daniel Wheeler, son of Fletcher's brother Wes
ley, lived at Baldwin, L. I., where his family now
reside.

CONKLING
Cornelius Conkling was a parson in New Jersey.
Erastus A. Conkhng started a wood yard in
Brooklyn, and after coal became fuel for family use,
it was a "Wood and Coal" yard.
Thomas M., his son, for many years had charge
of the cab service at 34th street. New York City.

WOOD
T. W. Wood, Jr., also had a wood and coal yard
in Brooklyn, where most of his family now reside.
T. B. Wood, his brother, is living in Missouri.

SMITH
Ebenezer Smith's son, Aaron, kept a store in
Brooklyn under the name of Smith and Bunce;
afterward he had a drug store in Islip, where his
son Caleb now lives.
Caleb and Ethelbert tried their fortune in Hong
Kong, China, and came back and ended their days
90

in Smithtown, where most of their children now
hve. Joshua B. was the last "BuU Smith" in Haup
pauge. He died in 1907, then the place was sold
and the "Major's" descendant who bore the name
of Lawrence, moved to Smithtown Branch.
BLYDENBURGH
Nathaniel Blydenburgh, son of the first James,
lived in Hempstead.
James D., son of the second James, is living in
Smithtown Branch, across the road from where his
great-great-grandfather founded the first Blyden
burgh home in 1700.
Edward N., his brother, is living in Babylon.
Charles, another brother, did not return from
the Civil War.
Isaac, a son of Luther, is hving "out West."

SMITH
Charles Carpenter Smith, Daniel's youngest son.
is living in Islip.
Willmot M. Smith, son of Moses R., was a law
yer in Patchogue, and at the time of his death in
1906, was a judge of the Supreme Court of New
York. Moses R. Smith's other sons : One hves in Hunt
ington, that is Herman; and Theron hves in
Smithtown.

91

NICHOLS
Elias Nichols, son of Paul, was an M. D. in New
York City. PRICE
Charles Price, a grandson of Elijah, has a green
house near Smithtown depot.
Sanford Elijah Price, sOn of Sidney, ended his
days in Hauppauge, then his widow married her
first love, and took the last of the name to Port
Jefferson.

Humanity, hke water, is ever in motion. Gen
erations will come, and generations must go.
The babbhng brooks of Hauppauge still wind
their way to the silent Nissequogue, whose waters
ceaseless flow to mingle with the vast and mighty
ocean. In this wilderness of disappointment and sorrow
from our lives must spring those little streams of
love (the sweet waters of life's fitful river) which
are flowing, flowing, forever flowing over the
treacherous sands of time to sparkle on the bound
less unfathomed Sea of Glory.
— END —
92

Ck/ilAA.^- 1 I / t-'-^Z^^^i**^

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

3 9002 01503 7402

1 rft.*

'til

^

I ' * J * f rf.:
• '««¦'<¦ ,
'A
'.-¦K
I F^ni
D$