USA > New York > Suffolk County > Easthampton > A history of the town of East-Hampton, N.Y. > Part 4
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honest old Puritans of this country, until by the constant repetition of some faults which the Puritans shared in com- mon with their opponents of that day, and by the imputa- tion of many which they never had, many a weak minded man has been ashamed of those worthy ancestors who foun- ded the institutions which secure us our political and re- ligious freedom .*
Let England thank God that the Puritans lived-thank the Puritans under God for many of the free principles which were engrafted in her constitution.
Let America own them as the fathers of education, piety and freedom.
We might have told how from time immemorial until within the last half century the simple manners of the early planters of this colony remained unimpaired the manners and customs of their descendants.
We might have told how regularly Monday morning was devoted by the matrons to washing, and how with equal regularity Monday afternoon was devoted to social visits. And if it was so, is there any thing particularly sinful or ludicrous in their order and method. I have yet to learn that there is any better day of the week for that purpose than the one they chose.
We are well aware that there is a sickly silly sentimental- ity afloat, which looks with conceited contempt upon every thing connected with Puritanism. We well know how much wiser some of their descendants feel themselves to be than their Puritan ancestors were.
It may have been that their broad backs and stiff knees bent with less grace and pliancy than ours to the mandate
*The wilful and superlative mendacity of Peter's History of Connec- ticut is fully exposed in the Historical Discourses of Prof. Kingsley and Leonard Bacon of New-Haven, Ct.
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of human custom. It may have been that they felt con- strained by their understanding of revealed truth to adopt a more strict and faithful parental control than we. Per- haps their coats were more for use and less for show ; per- haps they were broader in some places, and coarser and plainer than ours.
But those same queer old men and women in their antique apparel built America. They cleared her forests ; extermi- nated her wild beasts; founded schools and colleges; fought the Revolution ; established the Republic ; framed the best Government under Heaven for a free people, and transmit- ted those immunities and institutions unsullied and unim- paired to their descendants.
As we are bound to maintain and defend our institutions and privileges, our invaluable inheritance ; so are we bound to honour and defend whatever was high and manly in their character, and cherish with a filial tenderness their fame and memory.
Standing amid the graves of our ancestors, collected in their ancient temple of worship, what thrilling recollections rush along the memory. While we are reminded by the crumbled dust of former generations, that we hold our ex- istence by the frailest tenure, and that we too shall soon pass away from this stage of living action, and our departed dust will iningle with theirs ; we are also reminded of the , proper objects and purposes of life ; we are incited to act faithfully our part in the several spheres in which we move :
"In the world's broad field of battle, In the bivouac of life,
Be not like dumb driven cattle, Be a hero in the strife."
Where shall the spiritual aspirations of our nature rise if not upon the graves of our sires? Where if not there shall the high resolve and noble purpose of the soul be formed ?
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Well may we lay the passions, the prejudices and the sel- fishness of our nature by the tomb of our ancestors. We may there learn the lessons of a high and holy patriotism of a purer and more elevated piety.
We feel our souls kindle in generous emulation of their example. We feel above the limited recollections and in- terests of every days pursuit. We break through the pres- ent objects of sight and sense. We feel our relation to the venerable past, to the pious dead. We contemplate our connection as one of the links that stretch along the chain of the boundless future.
Our ancestors ; who has fully comprehended the meaning of those words ?
They lived when this world's bright but transient morn They lived when sin began its reign.
began.
" Earth felt the wound, and Nature from her seat, Sighing through all her works gave signs of woe That all was lost."
In that long night of wretchedness which followed, they lived. They lived when Heaven sent its Saviour down to earth. When Cesar stormed the Northern Isles they met him like heroes on the very shore. They fought at Hast- ings when the invaders wrenched their dearest liberties and rights .- Through all past time they lived.
Our posterity ; they will extend through all coming time. Another centennial anniversary of the planting of this little commonwealth, you and I shall never see. But our children that rise up after us we trust will rejoice at its return and pay the tribute of respectful gratitude to our memory and the memory of those who have now long since passed away. Changes will come-kingdoms and nations be overturned- and yet the waves of successive generations will rise and roll onward, far onward until the winding up this world's · affairs.
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We are not severed fragments-broken remnants of a dis- jointed race-but connected, closely, intimately connected with all that is past-with all in this world yet to come.
Matrons and maidens of my native town :- Worthy were . your mothers of their noble partners in the vicissitudes and perils of their earthly career-meet helps in laying the foundations of learning, liberty and morals-fit in rearing the finished and tasteful superstructure. We admire their courage, their constancy, their devotion. Tradition has told us of their simple habits, their pure desires. Despise not ye their bright example. What though the fashion of their day has passed away-what though we smile at the anti- quated equipage and costume of their time. The fashion and the paraphernalia of our day will also soon be past for-
ever. The attire of the living will be put off, and the habil- iments of the dead will enclose our dust ; and in your turn ye will be the departed mothers of future generations. So live that the graces and simple habits and worthy pursuits of the early mothers of our village shall survive and adorn the life of our descendants.
And now, ye fellow townsmen, ye have looked upon the graves of your departed sires. We have recounted their deeds-we have lived in the historic remembrances of the past-we have traced the origin of its early settlement-we have seen the deep foundations of permanency, prosperity and peace, in the life and habits of the Pilgrim band. That ardent, patriotic fire burned in as bright a flame the first three half centuries in the breasts of their descendants. That spirit assisted in rearing the imposing edifice of our National Liberty. It built our Academic Hall,-illustrious in its name-illustrious as the first that flourished with a chartered life within the confines of our state,-proud and thrice happy in the annual cohorts that it dismissed with
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its parting blessing, to adorn the land. That spirit reared the venerable temple of the living God.
Still longer do we love to linger around the remembrances of the past. Are our fathers dead ? Do we look at all that remains of them when we survey their departed dust ? No ! ah ! no ! Their memory lives ! Their deeds survive! Their labours speak their fame. Their institutions, founded in toil and built in sacrifice, are the inheritance of their de- scendants.
They live .-- They, the spirits of the just, perchance to-day look down upon us from their high abode-blest in the in- heritance of the Saints ! Blest in the welcome of the High- est ! Blest in the homage of the Living !
They speak to us to-day-" For you we did maintain our birthright and our liberties. For you we raised the Hall of science and of learning; enlarge its walls ; adorn its por- tals ; fill its alcoves. For you we reared a holy Church to our High King-that church, that dear, blest Church, main- tain. Fulfil your mission on the earth; live for the world as we have lived ; live for the boundless future. Beyond this day, this present fleeting day, will generations rise ; they feel your impress ; they are moulded by your charac- ter ; they are destined to move onward as your impulses have directed them. Live then as men, as patriots, and as Christians. Leave the impress and the memory of your 6 noble efforts with your posterity, and join us in His good time, this side the swelling Jordan, in our promised, ever- lasting Home."
CHAPTER III.
INTRODUCTION TO VOL. I OF THE TOWN RECORDS-1649-1680. Invitation to the Writer, p. 44. Government, a Necessity, p. 45. Value of the Records, p. 45. The Town Meeting, p. 46. Representative Government Desired, p. 49. The Settlement extended, p. 50. Witchcraft, p. 51 .. Whaling, p. 52. The Title to Lands, p. 53. The Church, p. 54. Lion Gardi- ner, p. 55. Character Fixed, p. 56.
The town of East-Hampton settled in 1649, in 1653 built and thatched a church. Tradition (probably correct) locates that church on the east side of the present burying-ground, opposite to and west of the house-lot of Lyon Gardiner. South of Lyon Gardiner and also on the east side of the street lived William Hedges. On the west side of the street then lived Thomas Baker and Thomas Osborn, and all within one- fourth of a mile of that church as a centre. Jonathan T. Gardiner, descendant of that Lyon; Jonathan Baker, de- scendant of that Thomas ; Joseph S. Osborn, descendant of that same Thomas Osborn, are a committee chosen by their fellow townsmen to procure the publication of the ancient records of their town. They have invited the writer, a na- tive of their town and descendant of the same William Hedges, to prepare an introduction to such publication. More than two and a fourth centuries have passed since the ancestors of these descendants with others, the first settlers, laid the foundations of the good old town of East-Hampton. Our forefathers wrought in harmony the great work of plant-
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ing a colony which should endure for coming centuries. Side by side their bones are mouldering in the old "South- end " buryingground. Succeeding generations took up their work in turn to cease, and again beside each other there, to rest in the last long sleep. The animating sentiment, the impelling motive, the moving impulse, the sustaining forti- tude, the elevating aims, the upholding faith, the cheering friendships, the darkening perils were similar for all. They were in life united and in death notdivided. This invitation to the writer from the descendants of such sires, is enforced by the memories of eight generations of the dead. Their mighty shades make the call to him sacred.
The free Government and institutions of the United States of America were born in its early settlements. Of necessity the first colonial communities were self governed. They were in a wilderness which must be subdued to sustain them. Wild beasts and wild Indians encircled them. They were visited by roaming tramps and vagabonds. Discordant ele- ments divided them. Gaunt famine threatened. On every side without and within the dark cloud of danger hung over them. Untiring industry alone could keep away starvation. Fearless strength alone subdue the wild beast. Sleepless vigilance only secure from the savage foe. Organized power only could settle and put down individual grievances and quarrels. Combination only could build churches and school- houses, roads and bridges. Martial law only could gather power to repel the enemy. Self-preservation required self- government. Discord and disorder was ruin.
The government must embody the people's will or be a shadow. It must be strong to act or be defied. It must be swift to strike or fail of opportunity. It must drown all dis- cord or be overwhelmed by it.
In such conditions were all the early colonial settlements.
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Therefrom sprang a hardy race who by unshrinking toil felled the forest, built villages and towns, made laws suitable to their requirements, instituted churches, organized armies and in self-reliant hope and courage founded a nation on the Western shore of the Atlantic. As truly as the river's source is found in remote springs and fountains whose union forms the rolling stream, so truly the springs and fountains of these great States are found in the early settlements of this fair, free land.
The Records of the Town of East-Hampton are more full, more clear, more continuous, more intelligent than are usual- ly found in like early colonies. They contribute clear his- toric light wherein from the source in the past we may trace the causes which produced the present. Every native of the old town, every careful student of our National History will rejoice that these records by publication have become an enduring memorial to the world, and thank the sons of her early settlers for this generous contribution to the history of our nation.
From the settlement of the Town in 1649 until the con- quest of the Colony of New-York in 1664, East-Hampton was practically self-governed. Left mainly to itself these fifteen years the colony gained an experience of self-control and self-reliance that educated it for free institutions which in succeeding ages arose out of like experiences in all the old settlements of the country.
The Town Meeting was the originating organizing, elect- ing, legislating and deciding power. As early as October 3, 1650, at a Town Meeting then holden, called a " Court of Election," Thos. Talmage, Jr., is chosen recorder. Also " four men with the constable for the ordering of ye 'affairs' of ye Towne." The ordinances then and thereafter enacted were such as were called for by their peculiar condition.
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The oaths prescribed for the offices of Recorder, the three men, sometimes 4 and sometimes more, holding magisterial authority ; the pound-master and constable are on pages 6 and 7. The four men or any two of them could try cases involving any sum under forty shillings. See page 7.
The Montauks were the most powerful and probably num- erous tribe of Indians on Long Island, claiming tribute and service from all the other tribes at the time of this settlement. Even after the universal massacre of their warriors by the Narraghansetts, (see pages 174, 175-6) and the terrific rav- ages of the small-pox (see page 201), their number was large and stated in 1761 to be 180.
An alliance with the nearest settlement for purposes of security of defence and improvement of adjoining lands, was vital. The entry succeeding the earliest record of the Town Meeting shows the care taken to make this secure, (see pages 8, 9,10.)
The order that all that are fit to bear arms be sufficiently " provided of such armes " and the prohibition to sell " pow- der, lead, shot, sword, flint, gun or pistol to any Indian," (page 8,) show the sense of impending peril.
In all that required care for the general safety against out- side foes, internal dissension, individual neglect, violence, fraud or injustice against oppression, avarice, theft, crime, disorder and vice, the Town Meeting fitted the Law for the emergency, and with heavy hand repressed all disorder.
Although the Town Meeting met often, sometimes month- ly and sometimes " in 3 wekes," " or els the first wet day and all to appere at the beat of the drum" (p. 12) ; although the magistrates, generally "3 men" were directed to hold court "every month," see page 17), yet it might be too long for an impatient litigant to wait until the sitting of either. In case the real or supposed necessity so required a court could be
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demanded sooner provided the litigant paid the fees therefor (see pages 7, 74 and 424. The term "purchased court," or purchasing a court, occurring in these records simply means that the court was held at an extra occasion and the fees of the court were paid by a litigant and were simply a com- pensation for the time of the court. In the sense that the judgment of the court was "purchased" or purchasable, a comparison of the ancient with modern tribunals or legisla- tures would do no discredit to the former.
The Town Meeting, the acorn out of which grew the stately oak of local and national government in these United States acted under so many occasions and emergencies that entire classification is hardly possible. The following may assist the reader in the study of the subject :
THE TOWN MEETING.
Elected all officers-pages, 7, 45, 88, 99, 103, 113, 148, 180, 185, 187, 197, 200, 225, 242, 255, 274, 364, 366, 414.
Constituted Courts-pages, 7, 45, 154, 177, 227.
Tried important cases-pages, 22, 38, 87, 389.
Heard Appeals -. pages, 27, 28.
Ordered Lands Allotted-pages, 15, 25, 151, 180, 181, 186 188, 204, 267, 392.
Chose the Minister, &c .- page' 16.
School Master, &c .- page, 380.
Fixed their Salaries-pages, 16, 155, 183, 393, 404, 432. Ordered the Church built-pages, 19, 20, 66.
Admitted or excluded Settlers .- pages, 7, 13, 18, 20, 91, 176, 182, 327, 371, 387, 395, 400, 421.
Ratified or annulled Sales of Land-pages, 13, 18, 20, 109, 154, 231, 327.
Assigned to Committees their duties-pages, 13, 18, 291
Made police regulations-pages, 8, 11, 17, 18, 20, 21, 29, 71, 81, 101, 104, 192, 201, 367, 380, 422.
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Imposed fines for absence from Town Meeting-pages, 7, 13, 14, 16, 17, 145, 251, 856.
Neglect to vote or accept office-pages, 28, 100, 145.
Ordered a prison-page, 57.
Licensed Tavens-pages, 61, 154, 370.
Appointed or provided for the Whale Watch-pages, 18, 29, 60, 87, 114.
Regulated the fencing and improvement of the public lands-pages, 10., 144, 146, 148, 155, 185, 186, 190, 192, 197, 218, 220, 224, 257, 270, 327, 361, 367, 386, 388, 392, 401, 404, 423.
Chose military officers-page, 225.
Fixed times for burning the woods-pages, 17, 21, 220.
Expelled vagabonds-pages, 18, 20, 93, 371, 421.
Provided for highways, &c .- pages, 27, 60, 68, 22, 32, 46, 59.
Labor thereon, and footpaths-pages, 27, 71, 187, 224, 269. Enacted Laws for Estrays-page, 272.
For settling Mechanics-pages, 307, 331, 338, 339, 349, 360, 415, 416.
The entry of June 24, 1672, page 346, is significant. In the March of 1672, France and England had declared war against the Netherlands. Governor Lovelace had summoned the eastern towns of Suffolk County to assist in defending the Colony and contribute to repairing the fortification at New- York city. The Justices and deputies from these towns meeting at Southold, had determined that they would so contribute "If they might have the privileges that other of his Majesties subjects in these parts do have and enjoy." The determination "is well approved of by this town and they are willing to answer their part in the charge accord- ing to their act if the privileges may be obtained but no otherwise." The novice in history will understand that
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representative Assemblies were granted to Rhode Island and other colonies by charter, and had just been granted to New Jersey. This privilege so dear to free born English- men, inherited from Magna Charta, the safeguard against arbitrary taxation, is the privilege so earnestly desired by them, and the granting whereof is made the condition for their contributing. Thus early the sons of this old town evinced their undying attachment to the liberties of the cit- izen. The experiment of self-government conducted by them in their forest home for a generation had borne good fruit. In their own experience of nearly one-fourth of a century secluded from the hand of power, too obscure for the notice of rulers, they had administered among them- selves such laws, civil and martial, as suited their simple habits. Well they knew no laws made in Parliament wherein they were unheard, could fit their condition so ex- actly as their own taught them by their circumstances. In after years, through the voice of their representative, Sam- uel Mulford, they spoke for freedom. Its undying spirit burned in all their succeeding history. The resolve of this liberty-loving town was no more doubtful than the resound- ing echoes of Bunker Hill. If the heavy hand of despotic power found servility elsewhere in these old towns the un- equivocal tones of freedom rang out as warning bells for the coming centuries.
This volume of the Records extends about thirty years from the first settlement. The colony was fairly launched on the political ocean where were sailing many like towns on the borders of the Atlantic. The members of the colony had increased. Dangers from the savage had lessened. Adventurous hearts panted for more acres and more room. John Osborn selling land at the east and acquiring much more at the west at Wainscott, was located there in 1670,
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and being so " remote from the town," in June of that year a grant of preference " to grind at the mill " is given him. The tradition that he was the first settler of Wainscott is confirmed by this and other entries in the records. His home lot taken by the settlers given to Thos. Smith, a black- smith, who soon leaves, then dedicated by vote for a par- sonage, is finally sold to Josiah Hobart, who settles on it and afterwards becomes 'High Sheriff of his county.
WITCHCRAFT
The wife of Joshua Garlick, accused of witchcraft, by an order of the town meeting made March 19th, 1657, was di- rected to be taken for trial to Hartford. The testimony against her is scattered over the records anterior to and about the time of this entry The result of this trial appears to have been unknown until lately. In the printed colonial records of Connecticut, pages 572 and 3, appears the follow- ing letter, and on the same page in a Note the letter is said to be in the handwriting of Gov. Winthrop, not dated, but must have been written some time in the spring of 1678 :
LETTER TO EAST-HAMPTON. " GEN & LOVING FRIENDS :
We having received your letter & findinge recorded a Court Order of 1649 wherein ye Court declared their acceptance of your Towne under this Government by your Agents Lift. Gardiner, etc., we shall present the same to our next Gen : Court for a further & full confirmation thereof : And ye meantime did take yt case which was presented from you into serious consideration and there hath passed a legall tryall thereupon : Whereupon though there did not appeare sufficient evidence to prove her guilty yet we cannot but well approve and commend the Christian care & prudence of those in authority with you in searching into ye case ac- cordinge to such just suspiciou as appeared.
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Also we think good to certify yt is desired & expected by this Court yt you should cary neighbourly & peaceably without just offence to Jos. Garlick & his wife & yt ye should doe ye like to you. And ye charge wee conceive & advise may be justly borne as followeth : yt Jos. Garlick should bear ye charge of her transportation hither & return home. 2ndly, yt your towne should beare all their own charges at home & the charge of their messengers & witnesses in bring- ing the case to tryall here & their return home-the Court being content to put ye charge of the Tryall here upon ye County's account."
Thus the only known case of accusation for witchcraft in East-Hampton, for the trial of which the town author- ities preferred to seek a higher tribunal, resulted in an ac- quittal, to the lasting honor of the town and the colony of Connecticut.
WHALING.
The first settlement of the Town was located near the ocean, as if for convenience of whaling, which probably was even then a consideration moving to the enterprise. Refer- ences to this adventurous business occur among the earliest records, and seem to indicate that the whole colony were in- terested and engaged and sharing therein. (See pages 8, 18 29, 53, 60), even suspending school therefor, (p. 380). As early as 1668, Jas. Loper was here suing Renek Garrison for " non-performance of his agreement about going a fish- ing," p. 284. In 1672 he was attaching blubber of Nathan- iel Williams, p. 344. In May, 1673, he is acquiring a house lot in the Calf Pasture (south of Wm. Hedges' lot), p. 360. In December, 1674, he had married Elizabeth, daughter of Arthur Howell, and was making a marriage settlement on his wife, p. 372. The Records of Nantucket, under date of June 5, 1672, contain the draft of a proposed agreement
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with James Loper, of East-Hampton, to engage there " on a design of whale catching." It does not appear that Loper went to Nantucket on the " design." Possibly the bright eyes of Elizabeth Howell were a strong attraction and may account for the marriage and settlement and prosecution of whaling thereafter at East-Hampton. The very successful prosecution of off shore whaling in late years at Amagansett, is but the continuation of adventure perilous but prosper- ous, conducted by the hardy sons of East-Hampton from the earliest times.
THE TITLE TO THE LANDS UNDIVIDED.
It has been a question often mooted whether the title to the lands vested in the town as a corporation or in certain proprietors, their heirs and assigns. Some expressions in the records appear as if the town as a town owned and con- trolled until allotted all the lands therein ; but the proprie- tors who undertook the enterprise of settling the colony, purchasing of the Indians, instituting and building the church and schoolhouse, and subduing the wilderness, called themselves "the town." To all practical purposes for over an hundred years they were "the town." Their expenditures of time, labor, money, hardship and danger made the place habitable for themselves and others, and the enhanced value they deemed as justly an inheritance belong- ing to them and their heirs.
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