USA > New York > Suffolk County > Hauppauge > A history of Hauppauge, Long Island, N. Y., together with genealogies of the following families: Wheeler, Smith, Bull Smith, Blydenburgh, Wood, Rolph, Hubbs, Price, McCrone > Part 1
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Gc 974.702 H29w 1137064
MJ
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01152 3120
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofhauppau00wood_0
SIMEON WOOD
A HISTORY
OF
HAUPPAUGE
LONG ISLAND N. Y
TOGETHER WITH
GENEALOGIES
OF THE FOLLOWING FAMILIES: WHEELER, SMITH, BULI. SMITH, BLYDENBURGH, WOOD, ROLPH, HUBBS, PRICE, MC CRONE
BY SIMEON WOOD
EDITED BY CHARLES J. WERNER
PUBLISHED BY CHARLES J. WERNER 44 WHITEHALL ST., NEW YORK, N. Y. 1920
One Hundred Copies Printed of which this is No.
-
1137064
This Book IS
AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED TO WILLIAM WHITESIDES WERNER
BORN APRIL 2D, 1920
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
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
Elijah Price and Children
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 years of his life he busied himself in com- piling and arranging in manuscript form, the inter- esting story of Hauppauge,* its early settlers and the church which they were wont to attend.
The orthodox historian, seeing and caring for little outside of musty records and ancient tomes, was not of a type with our author. The following pages show that Mr. Wood sought to bring to us the charm of the hallowed past, the poetry of a delightful rural spot and the homely memories and traditions of the forefathers of the locality. From one who will read carefully the following pages, the answer will be, "he has succeeded."
Throughout the narrative, the precept of a Christian teacher is apparent. Mr. Wood realized that history with a people is in fact akin to experi- ence in the individual, and we of the present day may look back upon the deeds and example set by our forefathers in the pursuit of a Christian and 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.
7
And now looking on the History from a more materialistic 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 lived 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 and 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.
8
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.
9
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, relics 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.
IO
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- ilization (?), 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 selling 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
life 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 lines, 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 changing scene; In Fancy's realm a beauty weaves That keeps our mem'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 sporting in the brooks, The quail is whistling in the grain, 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 families.
16
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 between 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 Platt. Eugene Platt 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.
17
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.
*This property is now owned by Henry S. Mott of North- port .- Editor.
18
THE WHEELERS
About the year 1640, Thomas Wheeler1 of New Haven, Conn., died, and shortly after his widow Alice, with her children, John2, Mary2 and Sarah2, 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 John2 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 Thomas3 and John3.
In 1724 Thomas3 sold his house in Easthampton, and came to Smithtown. Among his children were Thomas4, born in 1710; Timothy4, born in 1713, and Jeremiah4, born in 1723.
Thomas4 and Timothy4 settled in the Islip part of Hauppauge. Thomas4 built his house near where the store and Post Office now stands. Tim-
19
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 Wheeler"'s house was built before the road between Islip and Smithtown was laid out, it apparently stands in the highway.
Thomas4 had children. They were Daniel5, born January 3, 1740; Elizabeth5, July 15, 1741; Jonas5, April 4, 1743; Siby15, September 10, 1744; Phoebe5, April 25, 1746; Sarah5, April 25, 1748; Thomas5, January 12, 1752; Thomas5, April 7, 1753; Tabatha5, March 8, 1756; Samuel5, January 3,1762.
Daniel5 "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 Thomas6 and Jonas Payne6. Thomas6 married Charity, and Jonas® married Temperance, sisters of James and Alexander Smith. Thomas6 was father of Jonas Wheeler7, James Smith7 and Frank Payne7. He also had daughters7 that mar- ried two of the L'Hommedieu brothers, Smith and David. William L'Hommedieu8 of Smithtown Branch is a son of Smith ; he also had a daughter&
20
that married John Wells of Sayville, and they were the parents of a former Sheriff of Suffolk County9. Amanda8, 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 Richard6 ("Judge Wheeler"), Almeda6 and Elizabeth6. Judge Wheeler married his cousin, Phoebe, daugh- ter of Jacob. Ruth7 and Richard Bartlett7 were their children. Almeda6 married Isaac Lewis, and after his death she married Daniel Hubbs, father of George K. Hubbs. Elizabeth6 married Garret Darling, 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.
Sibyl5 married - Conkling, and was mother of Thomas Wheeler Conkling6, who married Phoebe Stage. Their children were Cornelius7, Erastus7, Phoebe Kersiah7 and Julia Ann7. Cornelius7 mar- ried a sister of Dr. Jarvis R. Mowbray of Bayshore. Erastus7 married Lydia, daughter of Thomas W. Wood; Phoebe K.7 never married and Julia Ann7 married Richard Bartlett, her second cousin.
Phoebe5, the third daughter, married her cousin, Jacob Wheeler", son of Timothy4; their children were Elkanah6 and Isaac6. Elkanahe was the father of Fletcher E. Wheeler7, Wesley7 and Mary
21
Jane7, who married Capt. Elijah Brush and lived in Smithtown Branch. Isaac6 was father of Sarah7, from whom the McCrone family have descended, and Margaret7, who married - - Sweezy and lived on the Southside.
The fourth daughter, Sarah5, married Blatchley and lived in Commack. Among their children were Carl6, Susan6 and Experience6. Su- san6 married - - Weeks, and Experience6 married
Haff, and was mother of Daniel Haff7 of Say- ville, the step-father of John Wood .*
His son Thomas" married Phoebe-, he had his father's place. Their only child, Julia6, died about 14 years of age, so his place was inherited by his nephew, Thomas Wheeler Conkling6.
Tabatha5 married Theophilus Wood, and was mother of Thomas Wheeler Wood6. She lived about a mile east of her father's place, on the corner of Blydenburgh's Road.
Samuel5, 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.
Among Timothy"'s children were George5, Ja- cob5, Timothy5 and William5.
George5 settled in Smithtown, near Theophilus Wood. He had sons, George6, Timothy6, Isaac6 and Benjamin6. George6 the second had the home- stead, and was father of Walter7, Sarah Catherine7, Ann Maria7 and Zalmon7, who died when a young
*John Wood was County Clerk of Suffolk County and a prominent man. He lived at Sayville and wrote a short his- torical sketch of that village .- Editor.
22
man. Walter"'s first wife was Henrietta Payne; they had no children. His second wife was a daughter of Alden L'Hommedieu, and they lived at Stony Brook, and had several children. Sarah Catherine7 married a man by the name of Fitch- ett, and Ann Maria married Zenas Ivins, and their son, George W. Ivins8, was a well-known conductor on the Long Island Railroad. Timothy® moved to the city. Isaac® lived in the house next north of his father's; his children were Havens?, Charles Wesley7, William7 and Mary Ann7. Ben- jamin® married Elouisa, daughter of Nathaniel Bunce. They lived where Patrick Delany now stays. He sold the place to - Crump, then built the house on the Atzburger place. Their children were Elizabeth7, Ester7, George Ed.7 and Alfred ?.
Jacob5, father of Elkanah® and Isaac6, had his father's place, and when his wife and cousin, Phoebe5 (daughter of Thomas4), died, he married Temperance, daughter of the second Joseph Bly- denburgh.
Their children were Jacob6, Joshua®, Phoebe® and Clarissa6. Jacob® married a widow, that was "Betsy" Rolph before she married her first hus- band. Their children were William Jewett7 and Clarissa7. William Jewett7 married Ann, daugh- ter of Platt Wicks of Commack, and they had one son, Jacob Platt Wheeler8, now of Northport. Clarissa7 married Isaac W. Blydenburgh ; they also had one son, Edward Y. Blydenburgh8, now living in Smithtown Branch.
Joshua6 married Jerusha Ruland; their children
23
were Egbert7, Charles7, Richard Rogers7, Jane Maria7, Temperance7 and Joshua7.
Phoebe6 married "Judge Wheeler," and Clarissa6 married Frederick Wheeler, the second Timothy's son.
Jacob6 and Joshua6 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.
William3 lived on what is now known as the "Sanford place."
Fletcher E. Wheeler7, son of Elkanah6, built the house on the hill east of his father's, where he lived with his wife Hannah, daughter of Charles Hubbs.
Isaac Wheeler6, the progenitor of Margaret7 and Sarah7, lived 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. Wheeler7, a great-grand- son of both Thomas4 and Timothy Wheeler4. 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 Joshua6's place, owned by the heirs of his daughter, Mrs. J. M. Germond7. The Wheeler name, associated with the place for about 150 years, lives only in the history of the past.
24
THE SMITHS
Among the first settlers of Southampton was Richard Smythe1, 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 Daniel2, who left, among his children, Daniel3 the second. In the division of the town among the Smith heirs, the land in Hauppauge fell to the sec- ond Daniel3 and his sister, Deborah3. Daniel3 bought his sister's share for either five or ten pounds and became sole proprietor. Among his children were Caleb4 and Joshua4, to whom he be- queathed the Hauppauge lands.
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