USA > New York > Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 2 > Part 69
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9 The road was opened to Farmington Oct. 15. 1841, to Yap- hanck June 26, 1842, and to Greenport July 29, 1844.
10 Frothingham's Long Island Herald was established at Sag Harbor May 10, 1791, by David Frothingham. In 1802 it was sold to Sellick Osborn, and changed to
The Suffolk County Herald. It was sold in Feb. 1804, to Alden Spooner, and its name was changed to
The Suffolk Co. Recorder was established at Sag Harbor Oct. 19. 1816, by Sam'l. A. Seabury. In 1817 it was changed to The American Eagle; 2 years afterward it was discontinued. The Corrector was started at Sag Harbor Ang. 3. 1822, by 11. W. Hunt, and is now published by Alex. Hont.
The Republican Watchman was commenced at Sag Ilarbor in Sept. 1826. by Sam't Phillips. In Sept. 1444, it was removed to Greenport, where it is uow published by S. Phillips & Son.
The Suffolk Times was started at Greenport in Ang. 1857, by John d. Riddell, its present publisher.
The American Eagle was established at Huntington in 1821 by Sam'l A. Seabury. In May, 1825. it was changed to The Long Island Journal of Philosophy and Cabinet of Variety, (mo.,) pub. by Sam. Flect. In 1827 it was changed to The Portico, and was discontinued in 1829.
The Long Islander was started at Huntington in July, 1838, by Walter Whitman, and is now published by Geo. Il. Shepard.
The Suffolk Democrat was started Feb. 17. 1847, at Huntington, and is now published by Edward Strahan. The Suffolk Gazette was commenced at Riverhead in Ang. IS49. After 18 months it was removed to Sag Harbor, In Dec. 1854. it was brooght back to Riverhead, and was soon after discontinued.
The Suffolk Herald was established at Patchogue Ang. 14. 1858, by Van Zandt & Co .. its present publishers.
The Suffolk Union was started at Riverhead in 1559 by Washington Van Zandt.
11 There tribes were the " Ornarsees," occupying Kings co. and a part of Jamaica: the " Rockaways." the country about Rock- away and parts of Jamaica and Newtown; the "Mattinerocks,"> the w. side of the island. from Flushing to the x. line of Hunting- ton; the " Nessequogs," the country from the E. line of Hunting- ton to Stony Brook ; the " Staukats," that from Stony Brook to Wading River; the "Corchogoes." all the s. branch of the island E. of Wading River; the " Merecoles" and " Mareapeques," the conn- try upon the s. side of the islands w. of suffolk co .: the" Lecatogues," the country from the w. line of the co, to the E. part of Islip; the "l'atchoques." from the E. line of Islip to the w. part of South ampton: the "Shinnecocks." the country around Canoe Place, fand thence E. to Easthampton ; the "Montauks" that are now included in the town of Easthampton; and the "Manhassets," occupying Shelter Island. Of all these tribes there uow remain
633
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
and powerful; and the consent of Wyandance,1 their grand sachem, was necessary to the validity of all Indian grants of that date upon the island. The earliest settlement within the co. was made in 1639, on Gardners Island, under title derived from James Farrett, agent of the Earl of Stirling, to whom a grant of the whole of Long Island had been made by the Plymouth Com- pany.ª Southold and Southampton were settled in 1640, Easthampton in 1648, Shelter Island in 1652, Iluntington in 1653, Brookhaven in 1655, and Smithtown in 1668, by English immigrants from New England. These settlers were strongly imbued with Puritan doctrines and zealously devoted to their strict observance." They naturally sought alliance with the adjacent New England colonies, to whom they were warmly attached, and with whom they were closely united until they were brought under the government of New York. Among thie first measures taken by the colonists was the establishment of religious worship and schools, which in most of the towns date from the first or second year of settlement. These were commonly supported by tax, often levied in kind, and sometimes coupled with privileges and grants that are still recognized.
The patents granted by the New York governors created corporations, with municipal powers and privileges which were liberal for that period. These have never been changed, and are still valid. The rights were of two classes,-one belonging to all who might gain a residence and citizenship within the town, and the other pertaining only to the persons named in the patents and their heirs at law. During the Revolution most of the inhabitants of the co. warmly espoused the cause of the colonists; but after the battle of Long Island the British ascendency was com- plete, and few opportunities occurred for assisting in the popular movement. Several bold and successful incursions were made by partisan corps ; but the armed occupation of the island was at no time interrupted .. During the latter part of the War of 1812 an English fleet was stationed off the eastern coast; but few depredations were committed. The history of the co. from that day to the present is only the record of the industrial pursuits of a thriving people.
BROOKHAVEN-was incorp. by patent, under Gov. Nicoll, March 13, 1666, with the usual privileges of a township ;5 and Dec. 27, 1686, the patent was confirmed by Gov. Dongan, and ex- tended privileges were granted.6 It was recognized as a town March 7, 1788. It occupies the eutire width of Long Island, near the center of the eo. E. and w. It has 20 mi. of coast on Long Island Sound, 2I on South Bay, and above 30 on Fire Island, which skirts the whole s. coast. Patchogue and Bell- port Bays, upon the s. coast, are branches of Great South Bay ; and Old Mans Harbor and Port Jeffer- son, Conscience, Setauket, and Flax Pond Bays, are indentations upon the N. coast from L. I. Sound. The principal capes upon the N. coast are Cranes Neek, Old Field Point,7 Little Neck,8 Dyers Neck,9 Mount Misery, and Rocky Point. A range of low hills extends across the N. part of the town; but elsewhere the surface is level. The principal streams are Peconic River, in the E. part, and the Con- necticut, in the central. There are several fresh water ponds of great depth and purity in the town, many of which have no outlet. The soil along the coast, both upon Long Island Sound and South Bay, is a moderately fertile, light, sandy loam, and in the interior it is generally unproductive. Along the streams near their mouths are numerous salt meadows. Port Jefferson10 (p. v.) is situated at the head of Port Jefferson Bay, on the x. coast. It has a good harbor, aud shipbuilding is largely carried on.11 Pop. 1,247. Setauket, (p. v.,) on the bay of the same name, contains 2 churches and 4 shipyards and has a pop. of 1,136. Stony Brook,12 (p. v.,) near the line of Smithtown, contains 1 church and has a pop. (in this town) of 542. Mt. Sinai, 13 (p. v., ) on Old Mans Harbor, has a pop. of 276. Millers Place,14 (p. o.,) Rocky Point, and Swezys
but a few individuals in Islip and Brookhaven. about 200 at ! Shinnecock, and 5 families on Montauk Point. They have lost all knowledge of their language, using only the English, and are intelligent and civilized. They have intermarried to a considera- ble extent with negroes, and are probably of more than half Af- rican blood.
1 Wyandance died in 1639, and the Montauk Indians afterward became tributary to the Narragansetts.
2 This grant was made in 1635, and, at the request of Charles I. Farrett was appointed agent in 1637 .- Hough's Nantucket Pampers. LY.
3 Most of the towns were jealous of the admission of strangers, and only allowed them to participate in their privileges upon careful examination of character and motive.
4 By the act of May 6, 1784, the sum of £10,000 was levied npon this co. as a " back tax" for defraying expenses incurred in the wars.
6 Capt. John Tucker, Dan'l Lane. Richard Woodhull, Henry Perring, and John Jenner were named trustees in this patent. Patents, 1, 81, Sec. Office.
6 This instrument provided that 7 trustees should be annually elected, in whom the legal ownership of the property of the town should be vested. John Palmer, Richard Woodhull, Samuel Eburne, Andrew Gibh, Wm. Satterly, Thos. Jenner, and Thos. Helme were named as the first trustees.
7 The Indian name of this point was " Co-met-i-co."
8 Called by the Indians " Mi-nas-se-roke."
& Its Indian name was "Porquett."
19 Formerly known as "Drowned Meadow," and called " So-was- sett"' by the Indians.
11 There are 5 shipyards upon the E. side of the harbor, and 3 upon the w.
12 Called by the Indians " Wopowag." The great quantities of shells found near the banks indicate that this was a favorite residence of the natives.
13 Called by the Indians " Non-o-wau-tuck."
14 Named from Andrew, son of John Miller, ono of the pioneers of Easthampton.
634
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
Landing are hamlets on the coast of Long Island Sound. Patchogue1 (p. v.) is situated on Patchogue Bay, in the s. w. part of the town. It contains 4 churches, an academy, and manufac- tories of twine, paper, cotton, ropes, and flour. Pop. 1,562. Bellport, (p. v., ) on the w. side of Bellport Bay, contains 1 church and an academy. Shipbuilding is carried on to a considerable extent. Pop. 383. Blue Point,? (p. o.,) in the s. w. part, is a hamlet. Fire Place, (p. v.,) on Bellport Bay, contains 1 church and about 35 houses; Moriches,' 4 churches and 50 houses ; East Moriches, (p. v.,) 40 houses ; and West Moriches (Moriches p. o.) and Seatuck, hamlets, are situated near the coast of East Bay. Yaphank,' (p. v., ) a station on the Long Island R. R., containing 3 churches and 35 houses, and South Haven, (p. v.,) containing 1 church and 20 houses, are situated on Connecticut River. Mastics is a hamlet on Mastic River. Middle Island, (p. o.,) containing 2 churches, Selden, (p. o.,) 1 church, New Village, (p. o.,) 1 ehureh, and Coram,6 (Cor-um,) (p. o.,) are hamlets in the central part ; and Wamp- missic,1 containing 1 ehureh, and Manorville,8 (p. o., ) are hamlets in the E. part. Center Moriches is a p. o. Waverly, and Medford, are hamlets and R. R. stations. The town poorhouse is located near Coram, upon a small farm purchased in 1817 at a cost of $900. The lighthouse on Old Fields Point was built in 1823; and another on Fire Island, near Fire Island Inlet, was built in 1858.º The first settlement was made at Setauket,10 'in 1655, by a colony of im- migrants from near Boston, Mass.11 The land was bought from the Setauket Indians, and the sale confirmed by a release from Wyandance, Sachem of Montauk. This settlement was received under the government of Conn. in 1661, and Richard Woodhull and Thos. Pieree were appointed magis- trates by the General Court. The traet of land between Islip and Bellport, extending to the center of the island, was purchased of the natives by John Winthrop in 1666, and the title confirmed March 29, 1680.12 Col. Wm. Smith purchased Little Neck, Oct. 22, 1686, and an extensive tract E. of Connecticut River, extending northward to the center of the eo., in May, 1691.13 Fort St. George, a strongly fortified British post on South Bay, was surprised and taken by a party of 80 men, under Maj. Tallmadge, Nov. 21, 1780. They erossed Long Island Sound from Conn., landing at Old Mans Harbor, marched to Coram, where they destroyed a large amount of forage, and then to Fort St. George, which they captured witheut the loss of a man. Over 50 men were made prison- ers, and a large amount of property was destroyed.14 Gen. Woodhull, 15 Pres. of the Second and Third Provincial Congresses, Gen. Win. Floyd, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Col. Richard Floyd,16 and Maj. Wm. Il. Smith, were residents, and Maj. Benj. Tallmadge was a native, of this town. In the infancy of the settlement a building was ereeted at Setauket, which served the double purpose of a townhall and church.17 There are now 26 churches in town.18
EAST HAMPTON-was incorp. by patent, under Gov. Nicoll, March 13, 1666,19 and eon- firmed by Gov. Dongan, Dee. 9, 1686. It was recognized as a town March 7, 1788. It lies at the E. extremity of Long Island, s. of Gardners Bay and Long Island Sound, and includes Gardners Island, lying N. of the mainland. The E. part consists of a narrow peninsula, to which the name, Montauk, is applied. Upon the N. coast are several large bays, some of them nearly landlocked. The princi- pal of these are Northwest, Three Mile, Acabonae, and Napeague Harbors, and Fort Pond Bay. In the central and w. parts the surface is mostly level or gently undulating; but along the coast
1 Named from the "Pochough" Indians, who inhabited this | Woolley. Akerly. Combs, Waring. Mapes, Thorp, Eburne, Brew- region.
2 Called by the Indians " Man-ou-tuss-qwott," an important oyster bed in Great South Bay, iu this vicinity.
8 An Indian name, pronounced Mo-rich-es. Great quantities of fish and wild fowl are seut from this vicinity to the New York market.
4 Yaphank is the Indian name of a small tributary of the Connecticut. The place was originally called " Millville," and afterward " Brookfield."
5 This name is applied to a considerable tract of land w. of the river, formerly occupled by the Poos pa-tuck Indians, a tribe subject to the Pochoughs. Parts of this tract were known as " Si-bonock," " Ne-com-mack," " Coos-pu-tus," "l'a-ter-quos," " Un-corhaug," and " Mut-le-moy." 6 Named from au Indian chief.
7 This name was given by the Indians to a swamp iu the vicinity.
8 Forinerly called " St. Georges Manur."
9 This lighthouse is 150 ft. high and 166 ft above the sea, and is furnished with a French flashing lens apparatus of superior quality.
10 Then called " Cromwell Buy."
11 The family names of these auttlers were Woodhull, Ilaw- kina, Whitehaire, Jenuer, Perring, Gibb, Sitterly, Higgs, Tooker, Rogers, Fancy; Longbotham, Lane, Floyd, Money. Seward, Wade, Sayler, Smith, Avery, Dayton, Davis. Frost. T omas, Baylis, Thomson, Ward. Roe, Budd, Brooks, Williams, !
ster, Poole, Shape. Burnet, Helme, Garlick, Moger, Pierce, and Ware. Many of these names are still common on the island. By a vote of the inhabitants, taken July 13, 1687, the trustees of the town were directed to establish a school, and Francis Williamson was employed as a teacher, at a salary of £30 per annum. The first mill was erected at Stony Brook, iu 1690 .- Thompson's Hist. Long Island, 2d Ed., , 408.
12 A great part of this tract was divided into 36 prizes, aud disposed of by lottery for £12,000 in June, 1758.
18 These purchases were confirmed Oct. 9, 1693, under the title of the " Manor of St. George," which included all the town as then founded E. of the Connectiont. A large proportion of this tract is still owned by the descendants of Col. Smith.
14 Washington's Wrdings, EHl; Journal of Congress, Dec. ", 1780: Thompson's Hist. Long Island.
15 Gen. Woodhull fell in the battle of Long Island, Sept. 1776, and was buried in this town .- Onderdonk's Rer. Inc.
16 The lands of Col. Richard Floyd located in this town were confiscated by the British.
17 The early pastors of the church at Setauket were Revs. Na- thaniel Brewster, in 1655, Ged. Phillips, in 1697. David Younes, in 1745. Benj. Tallmadge, in 1754, Noah Wetmore, in 1786, and Zachariah Greene, in 1797.
18 9 M. E., 8 Presb., 4 Cong., 2 Prot. E., 2 Af. M. E .. Bap.
19 The trustees named in the patent were John Mulford, Thos. Baker, Thomas Chatfield. Jeremiah Coneklyn, Stephen Hedges, Thos. Osboruc, sr., aud John Osborne .- Patents, I, SI, Sec. office.
635
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
upon the s. is a belt of low, shifting sand ridges; and the E. part is broken by low, irregular hills, some of which attain an elevation of 100 ft. above the sea. Near the coast in the s. part of the town and upon the peninsula are several fresh water ponds. The principal of these are Great,1 Fort,2 Oyster, Hook, and Georgiea Ponds; and their outlets have been elosed by sandbars or a beach. Upon the main portion of the peninsula of Montauk the soil is fertile, but its neck is a barren, sandy waste. In the w. part the soil is a light, sandy loam and is kept highly fertile by the use of manures. Stoek raising forms the leading occupatiou; and to that pursuit Gardners Island3 aud Montauk Point are exclusively devoted. A traet of about 9000 aeres, embracing the entire E. portion of the town, is devoted wholly to pasturage. It is owned by a company, incorp. as tenants in common, whose affairs are managed by a board of 7 trustees elected annually." Twelve trustees are chosen annually, to whom are committed the management of the town commons, the meadow beaches, and the waters within the bays, the privileges of which are enjoyed by all citizens. A town poor- house is located on a small farin about 2 mi. w. of East Hampton Village. Lighthouses are located upon Cedar Island, at the entrance of Sag Harbor,5 at the N. extremity of Gardners Island, and upon Montauk Point.6 East Hampton, (p. v., ) about 1 mi. from the beach, in the s. w. part of the town, has 2 churches," an academy,82 windmills, and about 70 houses. Amaganset, (p. v., ) a scattered village about 2 mi. E. of East Hampton, contains 1 church. Pop. 270. Springs, (p.o.,) near Aeabonae IIarbor, and Wainscott, in the s. w. corner of the town, are hamlets. Sag Har- bor9 (p. v.) is partly in this town. The first settlement in this town, and the first English settlement in the State, was made on Gardners Island in 1639, by Lyon Gardner.10 Settlement in the w. part of the town was commeneed in 1648, upon lands purchased of the Montauk Indians, by a company of English families from Lynn, Mass." The government of the colony was purely democratie. The people met in "General Court," and enacted laws, appointed eivil and ministerial officers, and aeted upon appeals from the decisions of their magistrates. Three magistrates,12 a reeorder, a secretary, and a constable were annually eleeted. Lands were allotted to individuals, and could not be alienated without the approval of the General Court. In Dee. 1653, they adopted the laws of Conn .; and from 1657 to 1667 they were united with that colony.13 The inhabitants sided with the colonists in the disputes which led to the Revolution. In June, 1775, an " Association" favoring the measures of the Continental Congress was formed, and its articles were signed by every male inhabitant capable of bearing arms.14 Rev. Thomas James, the first pastor in the town, settled in 1651.15 There are now 4 ehurelies iu town.16
HUNTINGTON-was ineorp. by patent, under Gov. Nicoll, Nov. 30, 1666.17 The patent was renewed Aug. 2, 1688, and again Oct. 5, 1694. It was recognized as a town Mareh 7, 1788, at which time Eatons Neek and Crab Meadow were annexed. The w. line was established Feb. 17,
I Called by the Indians " Quaw-noti-wock." This pond con- | izing the Board of Regents of the University. This academy and tains 500 acres.
2 The Indian name of this pond is " Konk-hong-a-nok." It lies s. of Fort Pond Bay, and nearly divides the isthmus.
8 Called by the Indians " Mon-cho-nock," or " Ma-shong-o-muc," and mentioned in early records as the " Isle of Wight." It con- tains 3,300 acres.
4 This tract originally belonged to the Montauk Indians, and was conveyed by them to the colonists of East Hampton, Feb. 11, 1661. the natives reserving to themselves the right of living upon and using so much of it as they might need. Its owner- ship was vested in the colonista in person. The lands were represented at first by 40 shares, valued at £40 each, and were intrusted to the management of the trustees of the town. The shares are now divided into "eighths." of which 36 have been purchased by the corporation and extinguished. These eightlis are now worth $350 to $400 each. The tract is divided into large enclosures, of which "the field" is reserved for fat- tening stock. Every share entitles its possessor to the privi- lege of pasturing for " the season" 48 cattle, 14 of them to be ad- mitted to "the field." A horse is rated as 2 " beasts," (cattle,) and 7 sheep as one. "The season" is fixed by the trustees, and generally lasts from June 1 to Oct. 20. About 1400 cattle and 1100 sheep are annually kept within these enclosures. Five Indian families resido upon the tract. who own 50 shares and are entitled to the keeping of 50 cattte. These privileges are usually hired of them for $200 per annum.
6 C'edar letand Lighthouse (built in 1839) is 34 ft. high.
6 Montank Lighthouse, on Turtte Ilitt. is 85 ft. high, and 160 feet above the level of the sea. It was built in 1795, at a cost of $22.500.
1 The vane upon this church bears the dates of 1649 and 1717, as those of the first settlement of the village and the erection of the church edifice.
8 Clinton Academy was founded in 1784, and incorp. by the regents Nov. 17, 1787. A petition of the trustees of this insti- tution suggested to the legislature the propriety of a general system of supervisiou, and led to the enactmeut of the law orgau-
Erasmus Ilall, in Flatbush, were incorp. the same day, and are the oldest legally organized academic institutions in the State. 9 See page 638.
10 This island was purchased from Jas. Farrett, agent of the Earl of Stirling, March 10, 1639. Elizabeth Gardner-born upon the island, Sept. 14, 1641-was the first child of English parents born within the present limits of this State. The pirate, Kidd, visited the island in 1699 and buried a quantity of gold, silver, and jewels, which were afterward recovered by commissioners sent from Boston for that purpose. A piece of ctoth of gold pre- sented by Capt. Kidd to Mrs. Gardner is still preserved.
11 This purchase was made by the Governors of Conn. and New Haveu for the colonists, and was conveyed to them the following year. The tract embraced an area of about 30,000 acres; and the valuo of the articles given in exchange for it was £30 4s. 8d. The Indians reserved the right of fishing, hunting, and of taking shells for wam pum upon the lands sold, and the right to the fins and taits of drift whales.
12 The first magistrates were John Mulford, Robt. Bond, and Thos. Baker.
13 The first school was taught by Chas. Barnes, who received a salary of £30 per annum. He was succeeded in 1663 by Peter Benson.
14 John Chatfield, Col. Abram Gardiner, Burnet Miller, Rev. Sam't Buelt, Thomas Wickham, and 248 others .- Hedge's 200th Anniversary Address. In Jan. 1777, the enemy having armed oc- cupation of the island, required the inhabitants to sign a counter declaration, as the condition of their remaining in quiet occupa- tion of their houses. This declaration was signed by 150. of whom 117 had signed the former paper .- MSS. State Library.
16 The succeeding pastors of the same church were Nathaniel Iluntting, in 1699, Sam'l Buell, in 1746, Lyman Beecher. in 1799, and Ebenezer Phillips, in 1810.
16 2 M. E., Presb., and Af. M. E.
17 The trustees namned in the patent were Jonas Wood, Wm. Leverige, Robt. Seely, John Ketcham, Thos. Scidmore, Isaac Platt, Thos. Jones, and Thos. Wicks .- Putents, 1, 63, Sec. Office.
636
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
1787, and Lloyds Neck was set off to Oyster Bay in 1788. This is the w. town of the co. It extends across the island, and has 10 mi. of coast on Long Island Sound and 6 on Great South Bay. It also includes about half of Oak Island Beach, and Cedar and several smaller islands in Great South Bay. The N. shore is deeply indented by Huntington Bay, from which Lloyds Harbor extends to the w., Huntington Harbor to the s., and Northport Bay to the E. Ceuterport and Northport Harbors branch off upon the s. of the latter bay, and two smaller arms upon the N. W. Great, Little, and Eatons1 Necks are peninsulas formed by these bays and liarbors. Groups of low hills extend through the center, and the surface 2 to 3 mi. from the sound is broken; but elsewhere it is comparatively level. The soil in the N. and s. is fertile; but in the interior it is unproductive. The industrial pursuits arc various; whaling, fishing, and taking oysters and clams are some of the leading occupations. Shipbuilding and manufactures receive considerable attention. At the annual election 7 trustees are chosen, to whose care the management of the town property is committed.2 The town poorhouse is located near Huntington Village. A lighthouse was built upon the point of Eatons Neck in 1798.3 Huntington, (p. v.,) near the head of Huntington Harbor, contains 5 churches, a flourishing union school,4 2 printing offices, and a limited number of manufacturing cstablishments.5 Pop. 1,328. Cold Spring,6 (Cold Spring Harbor p. o., ) on the E. side of Cold Spring Harbor, contains 3 churches, 2 shipyards, a woolen factory, and other manufactories. Con- siderable whaling business is carried on from this port.7 Pop. 602. Northport8 (p. v.) is on the E. side of Northport Harbor. Shipbuilding is here largely carried on. Pop. 430. Centerport9 (p. v.) contains 1 church and 142 inhabitants; and Vernon Valley10 (p. v.) 1 church aud 100 inhabitants. Babylon, (p. v., ) near Great South Bay, contains 2 churches and has a pop. of 470. This is a favorite resort for hunting and fishing parties. Amityville,11 (p. v., ) in the s. w. part, contains 1 church and has a pop. of 304; Deer Park, (p. v., ) a station on the Long Island R. R., contaius 12 houses ; Melville,12.in the w. part, 1 church and 108 inhabitants; and Comac, (Com- mack p. o., ) in the E. part, 2 churches and 121 inhabitants. West Hills, (p. o.,) containing 1 church, and Dix Hills, (p. o.,) are hamlets on the Smithtown turnpike. Settlement began near the x. coast, in 1653, by a company from Sandwich, Mass.13 In 1660 the settlement was received under the government of Conn .; and in 1663 deputies were elected to the General Court at Hart- ford. Upon the English conquest, in 1664, the town came reluctantly under the government of New York. During the Revolution, companies of tories were stationed here, and many outrages were committed upon those friendly to the independence of the colonics. There are 22 churches in town.14
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