A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 164

Author: Ross, Peter. cn
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1188

USA > New York > A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 164

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By order in Council &c. J. SPRAGG, S.cr the above written is Entred Into Suffolk Records folio 224 pr Jno Howell Cla, [Endorsed. Governors order for Laying out land

INFORMATION FILED BY THIE ATTORNEY GEN- ER.IL.

To his Excellency THOMAS DONGAN Captaine General and Governor in Chiefe of New-

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EAST HAMPTON.

Yorke and Territoryes thereto Belonging and the Councill.

NEW YORKE SS. James Graham Esqr Attor- ney Generall of our sovereigne Lord the King James the Second by the grace of God of England Scotland ffrance and Ireland King defender of the faith &c. Gives your Excel- lencye and honors to understand and be in- formed that whereas by an order of Councill bearing date the 29th day of July 1686 direct- ed to Joshua Hubbard High Sheriffe of the county of Suffolke within this province it was ordered and declared in these words ffollow- ing viz. Att a Councill held at ffort James in New Yorke July the 29th 1686, Present. The Governour &c, Robert Cady: John Par- sons, Jacob Dayton, John ffield, Samuell Sher- ry, Olipher Norris, William Hamilton, Daniell Kieff, Simon Hillyer John Richardson, make- ing their Complaints that the towne of East- hampton will lay them out no Land as they were ordered in Councill to doe and it ap- pearing that the said Inhabitants have for more than the space of four yeares payed all dutyes in the aforesaid Towne and are become associates in the same: Ordered that Captaine Josiah Hobart High Sheriffe of the county of Suffolke see that a Surveyor lay out for each person of the aforementioned Inhabitants thirty acres of arable Land within the bounds of Easthampton that is not yet ffenced or En- closed and appropriated by any person they paying the charges which the sayd Sheriffe and Surveyor shall bee at in the performance of the same giveing securitye not to dispose or sell any of the sayd Land untill it shall be improved by them. By Order in Councill J: Spragg Secr. Which said Order the sayd Josiah Hubbard as in duty bound did follow and obey according to the tennor and effect thereof Yett notwithstanding Saml Mulford, Robert daiton, Samuell Parsons Benjamin Conkling, Thomas Osburne, John Osburne, and all at Easthampton within the county of Suffolke aforesayd did confederate together to bring his Maties authority into contempt and scorn and particular in contempt of the sayd Ordr of Council and against the peace of our sayd Lord the King with fforce and arms did upon the sixth day of October In the yeare of our Lord 1686. att Easthampton in the county of Suffolk aforesayd in the day- time Riotously Tumultously Contemptuously and unlawfully assemble themselves together with diverse other unknown By beating of the

drum without any warrant or authority what- ever from his sayd Majestye and there did publish and affix upon the wall of their nicet- ing house a certaine Scandalous Libellous pa- per which follows in these words vizt A PRO- TEST Whereas Robert Kedy John Parsons Ja- cob daiton Samuell Sherry Simon Hilliard John Richardson Oliver Morris and John ffield have procured certain Lands within the bounds of Easthampton on Long Island in the province of New Yorke Belonging to the proprietors of the said land vizt Thomas Baker Thomas Chalfield Jeremiah. Conkling Stephen Rodgers and others with them to whom the sayd Land hath been granted and Ratifyed as by their pattent deeds of Conveyance and Law both of England and the province aforesayd may ffullv appeare to be measured marked and to be Entered in the book of Records to them the sayd Kedy, Parsons, daiton, Sherry, Hilliard, Richeson, Morris, and field as by the sayd En- try appeareth And whereas wee Samuel Mul- ford, Robert daiton Saml Parsons Benjamin Conkling Thomas Osburne and John Osburne are appoynted by the proprietors of the Land in the bounds of the sayd township of East- hampton to defend and preserve the Right of the sayd proprietors In upon and Unto the sayd Lands as by their order to us In that behalfe given appeareth: Wee the said Saml Mulford Robt daiton Saml Parsons Benjamin Conkling Thomas Osburne and John Osburne in pursuance of our sayd Trust doe make and declare this public protest against the sayd Robert Kedy John Parsons Jacob daiton Saml Sherry Simon Hilliard John Richeson Oliver Morris and John ffield That is to say wee doe declare to them and all men that soe much of the Land lying in the sayd Bounds of East- hampton as was not formerly before their pro- curing it to be measured for them layd out to other persons But it remained undivided be- tweene the proprietors aforesayd as hath been by them the sayd Kedy &c or any of them been procured to be measured, marked and Bounded to them or any of them the sayd Kedy &c is the Lands of the sayd proprietors whose Comittee we the protest- ors are and doe protest hereby against the sayd persons that have measured marked or recorded the Same to themselves or procured the same to be done and against the sayd act of them and Every of them as a Trespasse against the propriety of the proprietors there- of and done against their Lawfull Interests

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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.

therein and that their sayd Entry not being by Law is Refellable in and by the Law-And doe hereby forbid and warne the sayd Kedy &c and Each of them or any others from or under them or any of them from any occupa- con of any of the sayd Lands not granted and divided to them by the sayd proprietors de- claring unto them and all men hereby that if they or any of them shall presume to occupy any of the sayd Lands that wee shall Use the Law against any such occupyer for the de- fence of the proprietors Right therein to the uttermost. And this protest wee have made to the intent those Concerned may not pre- tend ignorance of the proprietors Right and Claime in and to the sayd Lands and may bee lyable to such damages as shall accrue if they shall wilfully proceed to improve sayd Lands and that noe person may purchase or other ways Receave the same from them as good Estate in Law and for the Conservation of the proprietors Right and Claime in and unto the sayd Lands This done and published the Sixth of October 1686 By Samuell Mullford by order of the Comittee. Which sayd Scan- dalous and libellous paper was so affixed by Saml Mullford Robert daiton Saml Parsons Benjamin Conckling Thomas Osburne and John Osburne On purpose to Bring his Maties Authority Into Contempt and Scorne and to the Evill Example of his Maties Liege people. -Wherefore his Maties sd Attorney Genl prayeth the Consideration of this honble board in the premises And that the sayd Saml Mul- ford Robt daiton Samuell Parsons Benjamin Conckling Thomas Osborne and John Osborne may answer the premisses and have due pun- ishment In Law for such their Contempte aforesayd.

[Here follow Gov. Dongan's Warrants for the arrest of all the above parties, and of Stephen Hedges, Willm. Perkins, Jeremy Concklin, Daniel and Nathaniel Bishop aiders and abetors in the above. Dated 19. Nov. 1686.]

COMPLAINT AGAINST THE REV. MR. JAMES.

JOSIAH HUBRART of Easthampton in the County of Suffolke Esqr being deposed upon his Corporall Oath Saith That upon the Seav- enteenth day of October one thousand Six Hundred Eighty and Six in Easthampton Mr Thomas James minister of Easthampton afore- sd preacht out of that Text in the Twenty fourth Chapter of Job the Second verse the

whole Subject of his Sermon was to Show the evill and pronounce the curses against those who removed their. neighbours Land markes and in his applicacon he brought it to the present matter of this Towne as to the Land laid out here lately and continued the pronouncing the Curse against them that acted in it and shewed that there order for it was noc excuse though it were an Edict from the King himself as Suprcame nay though it were establisht by a Law yet they could not be ex- cused from the Curse and then he went on and blessed God that this was not our Condicon for the Providence of God had soe ordered it that our Honod Governor had made such Re- strictions in the order that mens Proprieties could not be meddled withall

JAS HOBART. Jurat decimo Octavo dic Novemb: Anno Dini (1686) Sedente Cur. J. PALMER. Endorsed Mr Hobarts Affidt: 1686

ORDER OF COUNCIL.

Att a Councill held the 18th day of Novemb 1686, prest his Exly the Governor Majr Brockholls Mr fflipsen Mr Cortland Mr Spragg Majr Baxter

Two depositions being this day read against Mr Thomas James minister of East- hampton for preacheing a certeyne Seditious Sermon on the Sevententh day of October last Its ordered that a warrant bee made out to one of the messengers of this board to repayre forthwith to Easthampton & take into his cus- tody the body of the sayd Jeames & him keepe So as to have him to answer the premisses be- fore this board this day fortnight.

Its' likewise ordered that Mr Josias Hub- bart bee Subpenaed to attend the same day, and that the clerk of Easthampton bee then likewise here with the bookes of that Towns public affayres.

A certeyne Lybell being this day read called ve ptest of a comittee of Easthampton wherein they contemptuously opose the orders of the Governor and Councill for the layeing out land in that Town and it appeareing that in a most riotous mutinous & Seditious manner they the Sayd pretended Comittee did publish their Sayd lybell by Beate of Drum & afterwards did affix the Same on the publick meeting house of the Sayd town It's therefor ordered that Samuell Mullford Robt Dayton Saml Par-

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EAST HAMPTON.

sons Benja Concklin Thomas Osborne & John Osborne bee by vertue of a warrt taken into ye custody of a Messengr of this board to an- swr the premisses here this day fortnight.

Another Lybell of the same nature by Thomas Osborne Stephen Hedges & Mary Perkins being likewise read Ordered That Stephen Hedges & the husband of Mary Per- kins bee lykewise taken into custody to answer the same the same day.

Ordered lykewise that Jeremy Concklyn Danl Bishop Nathaneel Bishop bee likewise taken into the Custody of the messenger to answer lykewise this day fortnight.

Ordered lykewise that Mr Hubbard bring up along with him one or more prsons to whom hee layd out ye land by ordr of this board who are in feare from the threats of the afore- menconed persons & theyr accomplices.

In the difference between Mr prudden min- ister of Jamaica an his parishioners It's or- dered that they pay to the sayd Mr prudden what is due to him by agreement on record in the Town booke-and that when that's don if the Sayd parishionrs have any thing to ob- ject against theyr said minister they shall bee heard

INFORMATION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

To his Excellencye THOMAS DONGAN Captaine Generall Governour in Chiefe of New Yorke and territoryes Belongeing And the Councill.

New York ss James Graham Esqr Attor- ney Generall of our Sovereigne Lord James the Second by the grace of God King of Eng- land Scotland ffrance and Ireland King de- fender of the faitl &c Gives your Excellencye and honors to understand and be informed That Mr Thomas James Late Minister of East- hampton in the County of Suffolk within this province nowwayes Regardeing the duety and fealty he owes unto our Sovereigne Lord the King did upon the Seaventeenth day of Octo- ber 1686 att Easthampton in the County of Suffolk aforesayd publish and declare in a Sermon by him then and there preached upon the text in the twenty fourth chapter of Job the Second verse many Seditious words which were these following viz Cursed is he that re- moves his neighbours landmark and in aplica- tion to the present matter of this Towne meaneing the Town of Easthampton aforesaid [as to the land lately layd out here the Curse is against them that acted in it and their order

for it (meaneing and order of this honble board) is no excuse though it were an edict from the King himselfe as Supreme nay tho' it was establisht by a law yett they (meaneing those that gave obedience to the sayd ord) cannot bee creused from the curse.] Which words were preached by him on purpose to Raise and Stirr up the minds of his Majestyes Liege people Into Sedition and his Majestyes Laws and authority into Contempt to Bring against the peace of Our Sayd Lord the King and to the Scandall and Reproach of the Cler- gy Wherefore his Majestyes Sayd attorney General prayeth the Consideracon of his hon- ble board in the premises and that the Sayd Mr. Thomas James may answer the Same.

Endorsed JAMES GRAHAM.

Inform agst Mr Jeames 1686

WARRANT TO ARREST THE REVD MR JAMES.

THOMAS DONGAN Captayne Generall and Govenr of the province of New York and the territoryes thereto belongeing To Henry ffilkin one of the messengers of the councill greeting These are in his majestyes name to comand vo to take into custody the body of Thomas Jcames late.minister at Easthampton whereso- cver hee shall bee found and him Safely keepe so as yow may have him to answer before mee and the Councill on the first Thursday in De- cember next ensuing unto a certeyne Infor- macon then and there to bee exhibited against him for that hee the Sayd Thomas Jeames on the Seventeenth day of October last past in the Sayd Town of easthampton did preach a cer- teyn Seditious Sermon tendeing to the Stirring up of Strife and publick disturbance of the peace and quiett of his majestyes Liege people and government liere hereby lykewise com- andeing and requireing all Sherriffs Consta- bles and other officers as also all other persons of what degree or quality soever to bee aideing and assisteing unto the sayd Henry ffilkin in the execution of the premisses as they will an- swer the contrary att theyr perrills and have with yow att the Same tyme this precept for yor doeing whereof this shall be your Suffi- cient warrant Given under my hand and Seale att ffort James this nineteenth day of novem- ber in the Second yeare of his Majestyes Reigne Annoq Dmne 1686

THOS: DONGAN.

Sheriffs returne

By vertue of this writt I have in

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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND

my custody the body of the within named Thomas Jeames HENRY FFILKIN

Endorsed 1686 warrt & apprehendding of Jeames

PETITION OF THE REV. MR. JAMES.

To the Right Honorable THOMAS DONGAN Governour and Captaine Generall of all his Majesties Territories belonging to the Province of New Yorke, The Humble Pe- tition of mee Thomas James Minister of Easthampton as followeth.

Whereas yor Excellencies Supplicant was Informed that you were offended with me, in Respect of some expressions of mine in a Ser- mon preached Octob. 17 .- 86. I thought my selfe bound in duety, & from the High Re- spects I haue of your Excellencies Dignity & vpon good Advice, voluntarily to make my Appearance before yor Excellency in New Yorke & hane waited yor pleasure to this Day in order to yor Excellencies satisfaction, & haue submitted my selfe to yor Excellencies Censure, and knowing yor Excellencies Clem- ency am emboldened humbly to Crate yor Pardon, of what through any Error in my Ap- prehension I hatte giuen occasion of offence to yor Excellency my Intentions being Right in whateuer proceeded from me att that tyme ; and that yor Excellency be graciously pleased to remitt the Penalty imposed, & what fees may be exacted vpon me before the tyme of my being sumoned to appeare before you & ye Honble Councill, considering the great charge I have beene att for about 3 weeks time since my comeing from home this being the first tyme (for almost fourty years of my being a minister of the Gospel) that I have been? called to accompt by any Authority I haute litted vnder, or ginen any cause for the same, nor needed at this tyme had there beene yt faourable construction of my words as they deserued. So hoping as God hath got you as a father over this Comonwealth, so you will exercise a fatherly compassion towards yor humble Petitioner, who hath & shall continue yor Excellencies humble Orator att the Throne of Grace, & stand euer obliged to yor Excel- lency in all hearty affection, & duetifull %

[Here a word or tavo are illegible in the original copy.]

As might be supposed of such citizens, discontented and expressive of their discontent

even when the royal regime was so firmly es- tablished that even the possibility of change was undreamed of, from the first, although isolated from the centre of events, they eagerly watched every movement in the impending struggle, and when the crisis came the people were unanimous in favor of a change, and even Dr. Butell at one time threw off his gown and shouldered a musket to do battle for the lib- erties of his country. The feeling in East Hampton is clearly shown by the fact that when the Provincial Congress, with the view of fully estimating the sentiments of the peo- ple, sent out what were called articles of as- sociation to the various communities, every adult male signed the copy received in East Hampton, the only instance of such unanimity on the island.

The document is well worthy of a place in the annals of the township, not only for its value as indicating the patriotic sentiment of the people, but as furnishing a list, practically, of its active male inhabitants at the time. It is, in effect, as follows :

Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depends, under God. on the firm union of its inhabitants in a vig- orous prosecution of the measures necessary for its safety, and convinced of the necessity of preventing anarchy and confusion, which attend the dissolution of the powers of Gov- ernment, we the freemen, freeholders and in- habitants of East Hampton * do as- sociate, under all the ties of religion, honour, * and love to our country, to adopt and en- deavour to carry into execution whatever measures may be recommended by the Con- tinental Congress or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention, for the purpose of pre- serving our constitution and opposing the ex- ecution of the several arbitrary and oppressive acts of the British Parliament, until a recon- ciliation between Great Britain and America on constitutional principles (which we most ardently desire) can be obtained ; and that we will in all things follow the advice of our general committee respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good order and the safety of individuals and private property.

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EAST HAMPTON.

John Chatfield, Abraham Gardiner, Burnet Miller, David Mulford, Thomas Wickham, Stephen Hedges. John Gardiner, Samuel Buel, John Hudson, Nathaniel Huntting, Eleazar Miller, Jeremiah Dayton, Thomas Dibble, Noah Barnes, Lemuel Mulford, Jeremiah Gardiner, Aaron Isaacs, Daniel Conkling, Elisha Davis, John Davis, Jacob Wickham, William Conkling, Nathan Conkling, John F. Chatelain, Thomas Hedges, John Parsons 3d, William Huntting, John Mulford, Jeremiah Bennet, Samuel Hunt, Selah Pike, Elias Conk- ling, Abraham Mulford, Jeremiah Conkling, Jolın How, Samuel Parsons, Benjamin Strat- ton, David Osborne, Elisha Mulford, Daniel Hand, David Mulford, Matthew Mulford, John Miller, John Dayton, Joseph Osborne jr., Ebenezer Conkling, Henry Chatfield, John Miller jr., Abraham Barnes, Patrick Goold, David Talmadge, Seth Barnes, Jason Miller. Simon Dibble, William Mulford, Jeremiah Sherrill, Gurdon Miller, Aaron Isaacs jr., Elisha Jones, Lewis Chatfield, Enos Talmadge, Thomas Jones, Huntting Miller, Samuel Strat- ton, Abraham Sherill, Recompense Sherill, John Stratton, Stephen Hand, John Dayton, Daniel Hedges, Jonathan Barnby, William Conkling jr., David Dayton, David Miller, Henry Hopping, Josiah Osborne, Joseph Hop- ping, John Strong, Nathaniel Talmadge, Jere- miah Miller jr., Abraham Dimon, Isaac Dimon, Cornelius Osborne, William Hedges, Elisha Talmadge, George Gladden, Abrahanı Hand, Stephen Stratton, Thomas Osborne, Jeremiah Osborne jr., Jonathan Mulford, Isaac M. Huntting, James Hand, Jeremiah Talmadge, Jeremiahı Miller, George Strong, Lewis Osborne, Joseph Osborne, William Hedges jr., Recompense Sherill, David Ed- wards, Ezekiel Mulford, Cornelius Payne, David Fithian, Samuel Conkling, Thomas Baker, Isaac Van Scoy, Isaac Van Scoy jr., Nathaniel Hand, Mathew Barnes, Philetus Os- borne, Merry Parsons, William Parsons, Henry Downing, John Parsons, Jonathan Os- borne, Joseph Osborne, Jeremiah Conkling, Samuel Conkling, John Mulford, Jonathan Tuthill, Jesse Dayton, Jacob Dayton, Jeremiah Parsons, Mulford Conkling, Mathew Stratton, Joseph Miller, Abraham Edwards, Samuel Parsons, Samuel Sherill jr., Eleazer Hedges, Abraham Mulford jr., David Loper, Nathaniel Doming. Isaac Payne, Benjamin Parsons, Jacob Conkling, Jacob Conkling jr., Christ. Dibble, Samuel Gardiner, David Leek, Abra-

ham Leek, Samuel Dayton, Uriah Miller, Na- than Miller, Abraham Schellenger, Jeremiah Conkling, Nathaniel Baker, Jeremiah Conk- ling, Zebulon Conkling, Isaac Conkling, Jona- than Edwards, Abraham Loper, Philip Hedges, George Miller, Thomas Edwards jr., Elias Mulford, Edward Conkling, Jedediah Conk- ling, Joseph Hicks, Zachariah Hicks, Jeremiah Dayton, Daniel Baker, Isaac Schellenger, Abraham Baker, Nathan Mulford. Jacob Hedges, Jeremiah Barnes, John Gardiner jr., Aaron Fithian, David Talmadge jr., Jeremiah Sherrill, Nathan Conkling 3d, Elanthan Par- sons, Cornelius Basset, David Miller, Peleg Miller, Elisha Miller, Daniel King, Daniel Edwards, Nathan Miller, Stephen Burnett, James Field, Samuel Mulford, Benjamin Conk- ling. Gamaliel Bennett, Seth Parsons, Richard King, Mulford Conkling, William Bassett, Ezekiel Miller, John Huntting, Abraham Quaw, David Loper, Jolin King, Ichabod Ray- nor, Smith Osborne, Abraham Miller, Jona- than Miller, Samuel Mulford, Ezekiel Jones, Ezekiel Jones jr., Nathan Conkling, Daniel Loper, Jeremiah Loper, David . Edwards jr., Edward Bennett, Ludlam Parsons, John Par- sons, Josiah Mulford, Elisha Mulford jr., Stephen Russell, Jeremiah Hedges, Thomas Talmadge, Jeremiah Osborne, John Hedges, Samuel Hutchinson, Jacob Miller, Henry Mil- ler, Ezekiel Hand, Abraham Conkling, Elishia Conkling, Elisha Osborne, Matthew Osborne, Jedediah Osborne, Jacob Osborne, Benjamin Hopping, Jonathan Squier, Jeremiah Hand, John Talmadge, Abraham Osborne, Henry Hopping, Elias Hand, Henry Dayton, Zebedee Osborne, Jolın Parsons, John Stratton, Jacob Sherrill, Samuel Baker, Micah Hart, Benjamin Leek, Abraham Hedges, Jacob Osborne, Jona- than Schellenger, Thomas Edwards, David Baker, Sineus Conkling, James Loper, Stephen Cooper jr., Benjamin Eyres, Benjamin Hedges, John Parsons 4th, Nathaniel Doming, Edward Wick, Jeremiah Terry, William Barnes, Ananias Miller, Thomas Filer, John Hoos.

These may certify that every male in the town of East Hampton have signed the above association that are capable of bearing arms. By order of the committee.

JOHN CHATFIELD, Chairman.

The war itself added little to the sum of local history. The vessels of the British fleet were seen from the heights of Montank at

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HISTORY OF LONG ISLAND.

various times, and the Continental authorities duly apprised, and to the various military com- panies East Hampton contributed fully its share. During the occupation of the island British troops were stationed at Sag Harbor and repeatedly overrun East Hampton, leaving behind them the usual tales of spoliation, dis- order and crime, even going as far as Montauk Point in search of deserters from their own forces or of "contumacious rebels." Many of the leading people sacrificed their property and went to Connecticut, including Colonel David Mulford, Nathaniel Gardiner, Abraham Hand, Jesse Dayton, John Mulford, Aaron Isaacs, Jr., Elisha Osborn, Jeremialı Miller and Bur- net Miller. Those who remained were forced, in 1778, to take the oath of allegiance under the direct supervision of Governor Tryon, who declared himself satisfied with the thorough- ness of his work, in East Hampton as well as elsewhere throughout the county.

From the termination of the war until a comparatively recent date the story of East Hampton might be summarized in the words ·of Channing's "Needy Knife Grinder,"-

"Story? Lord bless you, sir, I have none to tell you."

A change now and again of a pastor, the removal of an old family, the stranding of a whale, or the arrival or departure of a whaling ship might be regarded as the sum total out- side of the doings of the farm or the gossip vf the village. In 1854, through the instru- mentality of John Wallace, a Scotchman, who, somehow, had wandered to East Hampton, a Church of England congregation was found- ed in that village, out of which has developed St. Luke's church, consecrated in 1859 by the late Bishop Potter. In 1860 a new Presby- terian church was constituted at Amagansett, of which the Rev. J. B. Finch has been pastor since 1879. Long pastorates seem to have again become the rule in East Hampton, for we find the old church of the village-the church of James and Buell and Beecher, pre- sided over by the Rev. John D. Stokes, who

was installed into the pastorate in 1867. In the Civil War East Hampton bore its full share in the patriotic work of upholding the Government at Washington, and contracted in its efforts a war debt of nearly $35,000.

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A history of Long Island, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Part 164

Author: Ross, Peter. cn Publication date: 1902 Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1188

Author: Ross, Peter. cn
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1188