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 70
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ISLIP5-was first recognized as a town by the Colonial Government, Nov. 25, 1710, and by the State Legislature March 7, 1788.16 It lies w. of the center of the co., and extends from the s. coast to the middle of the island; it has a coast of about 18 mi. on Great South Bay, and includes Cap Tree, Oak, and several other islands off the s. coast. Numerous narrow inlets from Great South Bay divide the coast into distinct "necks," of which there are 35 within the limits of the town. The Connetquot River, and Sam-po-wans or Thompsons Brook, are the principal streams. The surface is level, except in the N. part, where it is hilly. The brush plains occupy all the central portion; and near the coast are extensive salt meadows. Upon a tract extending along the bay, and varying in width from one to three miles, the soil is fertile. This part of the town is thickly settled; but the re- mainder is almost uninhabited. The keeping of the town poor is let to the lowest bidders. Pena- taquit, 17 (p. v., ) near the coast, contains 1 church and has a pop. of 292; Islip, (p. v., ) 2 mi. E. of l'enataquit, contains 3 churches and about 70 houses. Midroadville, containing 40 houses, and Sayville, (p. v., ) containing 2 churches and 822 inhabitants, are in the s. E. part. Lake-
1 Named from Gov. Eaton, of New Haven, by whom it was purchased of the Indians in 1646. The names "Eatons Manor" and " Gardners Neck" have been applied to it.
2 The ferry from this town to Norwalk, Conn., which has been maintained from an early period. is under the control of these trustees. Under their patent-which is still in force-the inhabit- ant- clain the exclusive right of taking oysters and clams in the waters within the jurisdiction of the town. Most of the pitdie lands were sold in 1853, and the proceeds invested, to meet the ordinary expenses of the town. Abont 3,000 acres were sold, at $5.40 per acre.
3 This lighthouse is 56 ft. high and 138 ft. above tide. It was built at a rost of $0,500.
4 This school has an endowment of $7,400, bequeathed by Na- thaniel Potter.
6 E. C. Prime established a thimble factory at this place in 1837. Ten or 12 men are constantly employed, and 5 to 6 gross of gold and silver thin:bles are made daily. There is a wind sawmill in this place, erected in 1823.
6 Called by the natives "Nach-a-qua-tuck."
7 Belonging to this port are 5 whaling vessels, with an aggre- gate of 2,129 tons.
8 Formerly called "Great Cow Harbor."
9 Formerly called "Little Cow Harbor."
10 Formerly " Red-Hook." 11 Formerly " West Neck."
12 Formerly "Sweet Hollow;" called by the Indians " Sun- quams."
13 The names of some of the families residing in the town at the date of Nicolls Patent were Titus. Wood, Brush, Green, Wickes, Jours, Rogers, Todd, Sendder, Skidmore, Chichester, Whitson, Bagly, Meggs, Mathews, Darling, Baldwin, Harnett, Ludlmin, Adams. Smith, Houldsworth, Cranfield, Soper, French. Foster, Platt, Jarvis, Powell. Cory, Leverich, Williams, Westcote, Lynch. Benedict. Conkling, Strickling. Tredwell, Porter. Wheeler, seely. and Ketehamn. The first school was established in 1657.
14 10 M. E .. 4 Presh., 2 Meth. Prot., Bap., Prot. E., Union, Univ., R. C. and Af. M. E.
15 Named from Islipe, Oxfordshire, Eng.
16 This act empowered the inhabitants of the district " on the s. side of Long Island, from the westermost limits of the. land of Thos. Willett to the eastermost part of the lands of William Nicoll. near Blue Point," to elect town officers.
17 This name was given by the Indians to a small stream in the neighborhood. The village was formerly called " Mechanicsville."
637
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
land1 (p. v.) is a station on the L. I. R. R., s. of Lake Ronkonkoma. Pop. 215. Thompsons Sta- tion (p. o.) and North Islip (Suffolk Station p. o.) are stations on the Long Island R. R. Modern Times is a place of about 20 houses, in the central part.2 The Patchogue Indians were the original occupants of that part of the town E. of Connetquot River, and the Secatogues, or So- catokets, of that part w. of the river. A large tract of territory, w. of the Connetquot, was purchased hy Wm. Nicoll, Nov. 29, 1683, and that part E. of the same stream by Olof, Philip, and Stephen Van Courtlandt, June 1, 1703.8 During the Revolution the inhabitants were in a constant state of alarm by the frequent passing of British troops to and from New York City. There are 10 churches in town.4
RIVERHEAD-was formed from Southold, March 13, 1792. It lies upon the N. side of the island, between Brookhaven and Southold, and has 16} mi. of coast upon Long Island Sound. Peconic River and Great Peconic Bay form the s. boundary, and Wading River5 a part of the w. The surface in the s. part is level, but in the N. it is hilly. The shore is lined with high and precipi- tous bluffs of clay and hardpan. The soil is light and sandy, and in most parts but moderately fertile. The poorhouse is located on a farm of 45 acres. Riverhead, (p. v.,) an important station on the L. I. R. R., is situated on Peconic River at the head of boat navigation. It is the county scat, and contains the co. buildings, 3 churches, a seminary,6 and several manufactorics.7 Pop. 813,-723 in Riverhead and 90 in Southampton. From Riverhead E. to the line of Southold, a distance of about 6 mi. upon the "South Road," is a continuous settlement, which has received at different places the names Upper Aquebogue, (p.o.,) Old Aquebogue, (Jamesport p. o.,) and Franklinville, (West Suffolk p. o.) Old Aquebogue and Franklinville are statious on the L. I. R. R. Jamesport8 is situated about one-half mi. s. of Old Aquebogue, on Great Peconic Bay, and contains 1 church; pop. 148. Northville, (Success p. o., ) in the N. E. part, contains 1 church and 35 houses; Bating Hollow, (p. o.,) in the N. part, in a scattered settlement, has 2 churches; and Wading River, (p. v.,) on stream of same name, 1 church and 25 houses. Settle- ment begun at Riverhead, in 1690, by John Griffing and others. There are 10 churches in town.9
SHELTER ISLAND10-was incorp. by patent, under Gov. Nicoll, May 31, 1666;11 but its government was united with that of Southold until 1730. It was recognized as a town March 7, 1788. It lies between the two peninsulas which form the E. extremity of Long Island, and embraces an area of over 8,000 acres. The island is very irregular; upon all sides jutting headlands extend out into the surrounding waters, and branching bays penetrate into the interior. The principal of these inlets are Cocclis, West Neck, and Deerings Harbors. The surface is hilly, and the soil fertile. Grain raising and sheep husbandry form the principal agricultural pursuits. Guano and oil are manu- factured in considerable quantities from bouy fish caught in the neighboring waters. There is a wind gristmill near the center of the island. Shelter Island is a p. o., centrally located. This island was the ancient residence of the Manhassett Indians. It was purchased for the Earl of Ster- ling by Jas. Farrett, and was afterward sold to Stephen Goodyear, of New Haven. In 1651 it was purchased by Nathaniel and Constant Sylvester, Thos. Middleton, and Thos. Rowc.12 The first settlement was made in 1652. The first church edifice was built in 1743.13
SMITHTOWNH4-was organized by patent, March 25, 1677, and recognized as a town March 7, 1788. It lies upon the N. side of the island, between Huntington and Brookhaven. Stony Brook and Nissequague Harbors, extending far inland, are separated by the Nissequague Neck. Nissequague River, emptying into the harbor of the same name, divides the town into two nearly equal parts. The surface is considerably broken and hilly. The soil is a light, sandy loam in the s. part, and a clayey loam along the sound. The Branch, (Smithtown Branch p. o.,) on Branch Brook, near the center of the town, contains 2 churches and 35 houses; Smithtown, 15 (p. v., ) on Nissequague River, 20 houses ; and St. Jamesville, (St. James p. o., ) at the head of Stony Brook Harbor, 1 church and 25 houses. Fresh Pond is a p. o., in the N. w. part. Hoppogue, 16 on
I This place was laid out on a magnificent scale. Large sume were spent in advertising it as a desirable residence for mechanics and others of small means, and many were induced to buy lots. Their investments, however, proved of little value,- their deeds being given by irresponsible parties.
2 This " village" was laid out and built by Stephen Pearl An- drews and others, who held to the doctrine of " the Sovereignty of the Individual," and some of whom were practical believers in the " Free Love" doctrine.
3 Nicolls's Purchase was confirmed to him by a patent issued hy Gov. Dongan Dec. 5, 1684 ; and the Van Courtlandt Purchase was confirmed to John Mowbray, by whom it had been subse- quently bought, by a patent issued in 1708.
4 3 M. E., 2 Prot. E., 2 Af. Meth., Cong., Cong. Meth., and Presb. 6 Called by the Indians " Pan-qua-cum-suck."
6 Established in 1835.
T Upon the river at this place is a fall of 6 ft .; and a hydraulic
canal, connecting two small ponds with the river, has beeu con- structed, in which is a fall of 8{ ft.
" Called by the natives " Mi-a-mog," or " Mi-an-rogue."
9 6 Cong., 2 M. E., 2 Swedenborgian.
10 The Indian name of the island was " Man-han-sack-a-ha- quash-u-wor-nock," signifying "an island sheltered by islands." 11 This patent was issued to Constant and Nath'l Sylvester. 12 In 1673 Gov. Anthony Colve proclaimed Middleton and Con stant Sylvester "public enemies of Holland," and sold their interests in the island. They were bought by Nath'l Sylvester, and the purchase money was collected by an arined force .- Thompson's Hist. L. I.
13 The census reports 1 church; Presb. 14 Named from Richard Smith, of R. 1., the early proprietor of
the town. 15 Usually called the "Head of the River."
16 Sometimes written "Hauppaugs." The word is supposed to siguify " sweet waters."
638
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
the line of Islip, and Nissequague, on Nissequague Neck, are hamlets. A tract of land, including the principal part of this town, was, in July, 1659, conveyed to Lyon Gardner as a frec gift, by Wyandance, Sachem of the Montauks;1 and in 1662 the grant was confirmed by the Nessequake tribe, by whom the lands were occupied. In 1663 the tract was sold to Richard Smith, and in 1665 the remaining part of the town was purchased of the Indians by him. Fort Slongo, in the N. w. part of the town, was orected by the British during the Revolution. It was captured by a body of Americans, under Col. Tallmadge, Oct. 3, 1781.2 There are 6 churches in town.3
SOUTHAMPTON-was incorp. by patent, under Gov. Andros, Nov. 1, 1676,5 confirmed by Gov. Dongan, Dec. 6, 1686, and recognized as a town March 7, 1788. It occupies the greater part of the s. branch of Eastern Long Island, and has 30 mi. of scacoast. The entire s. shore is skirtcd by a beach which is united in a few places with the mainland, separating the enclosed waters into distinct bays, the principal of which are East, Quantuc, Shinnecock, and Mecox Bays ; minor bays, branching from these, divide the surrounding shores into numerous irregular "necks." The beach which separates the waters of these bays from the Atlantic is unbroken except by a single inlet into Shinnecock Bay. The outline of the N. coast is extremely tortuous; ragged and often nearly landlocked bays project inland, and irregular points of land jut out into the surrounding waters. A range of low hills extends along the N. border of the town, and the Shinnecock Hills occupy the central part; elsewhere the surface is level. The soil in the E. and s. parts consists of a light, sandy loam, and is moderately fertile; but in other parts it is of an inferior quality. A large tract s. of Peconic River is covered with extensive pine forests. Stock raising and the other branches of agriculture form the principal industrial pursuits. The lands are enriched by the application of immense quantities of bunkers. Large tracts of meadow and pasturage lands in different parts of the town are owned by 3 companies, who, in common, elect annually a board of 12 trustecs, to whose management the lands are committed.6 Taking clams and oysters, and whaling, form an important part of the business. The town has a small poorhouse, a short distance E. of Bridge- hampton. A lighthouse has been recently erccted on Ponquogue Beach.7 Sag Harbor, (p. v.,) in the N. E. part, was incorp. as a fire district in 1803, and as a village March 12, 1819. It contains 7 churches, the Sag Harbor Institute, a newspaper office, a bank, a cotton flannel factory,8 2 clock factories, and several manufactories of oil casks. This port has long been noted for the extent of its whaling business.9 It was made a port of entry in 1784, and by itself now constitutes a district of customs. Pop. 2,776,-2,041 in Southampton, and 735 in Easthampton. Southampton, (p. v.,) midway between Shinnccock and Mecox Bays, contains 2 churches, an academy,10 and 65 houses. Bridgehampton,11 (p. v., ) in the E. part, contains 2 churches and about 40 houses; Shinne- cock, on the E. side of Shinnecock Bay, is an Indian settlement of about 20 houses.12 Sags, Scuttle Hole and Watermill are hamlets, in the E. part. Flanders, (p. v., ) in the N. part, contains 2 churches and about 20 houses; Speonk, (p. v., ) near East Bay, contains 2 churches and about 40 houses. Ketchabonec and Quogue, (p. o., ) near Quantuc Bay, and Goodground (p. o.) and Canoe Place, near Shinnecock Bay, are hamlets. Riverhead (p. v.) is partly in this town. The first settlement was made at Southampton, in 1640, by a company of immigrants
1 This gift was made by Wyaudance upon tho recovery of his | harks, 2 brigs, and 2 schooners, with an aggregate of 5,927 tons, daughter, whom Gardner had returned from captivity among the Narragansetts.
2 J'he Americans destroyed the fortifications and 2 cannon. took 21 prisoners, and retired without the loss of a man, taking with them 1 brass piece, the British colors, and a quantity of small arms and ammunition .- Onderdonk's ( Revolutionary) In- cidents.
8 3 M. E., Presb., Prot. E., and R. C. 4 Named from Southampton, Eng. Called hy the Indians "Ag-wam," a place abounding in fish.
6 John Topping, John Howell, Thos. Halsey, sr .. Jos. Raynor, Edward Howell, John Jagger, John Foster, Francis Sayre, Jos. Fordham, Henry Pierson, John Cooper, Ellis Cook, Sam'l Clarke. Rich. Post. and John Jennins were named trustees in this patent. 6 These lands are portions of 3 tracts, severally known as the " Tinen Purchase," the " Quogue Purchase," and the " Topping Purchase," which are still held by the proprietors in common. The " Town Purchase" ocenpies the E. part of the town. It is divided into 154 shares, called " fifties," worth about $10 cach. These fifties are subdivided into sixteenths, and the shares are owned in every conceivable quantity, from 1-40th of a fifty to 10 fifties. The Quogne and Topping Purchases occupy the w. part of the town.
7 This lighthouse is 150 ft. high, and 160 ft. above the level of the sea. It is furnished with an excellent lens apparatus, and its light can be seen 20 nautical miles distant.
8 The " Suffolk Mills" were built at an expense of $130,000. About 150 hands are employed, and 10,000 to 12,000 yds. of flan- nel are made per week.
9 The shipping of this port in 1858 consisted of 5 ships, 11
registered; 15 sloops, 5 schooners, and 1 steamer, in all, 1400 tons, enrolled; and a few small vessels, amounting to about 100 tons, licensed. The total number of vessels belonging to this port at different periods has been as follows : in 1807, 4; in 1832, 20; in 1841, 44; in 1843, 52; in 1845, 61: and in 1847, 63.
10 This academy was established in 1831, and is unincorporated. 11 This village is sometimes called "Bullhead ;" and the name Bridgehampton is applied to a large section of country extend- ing from Easthampton to the w. part of Mecox Buty.
12 This is the residence of the renmint of the Shinnecock In- dians. conAsting of about 200 persons. They have learned many of the arts of civilized life, and obtain a subsistence by culti- vating the soil, fishing, and taking clams. Many of the young men go on whaling voyages, and the young women are employed as servants in the families of the whites. They have entirely lost their native language, and speak the English fluently. They are frugal, industrious, orderly, and intelligent. They have a small (Cong.) church and a spacious schoolhouse. They receive their proportion of the common school money, and the school com. inissioner of the district employs a teacher for them. They are exempt from taxation, and are debarred the exercise of the elect- ive franchise. They occupy the lamls between Canoe Place and Shinecock Creek as tenants in common. This tract was con- veyed to the trustees of the town by Pompumo, Chico, and Man- manum, the sachems of the Shinnecock Indians, Aug. 16. 1703; and the same day the trustees leased the lands back to the In- dians for a term of 1000 years. at an annual rent of one ear of corn. The Indians annually elect 3 trustees, who, with the con- currence of 2 justices, cau lease certain of their lands tothe whites.
639
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
from Lynn, Mass. A grant of the land was obtained from James Farrett, agent of Lord Stirling, in April, and a couveyance from the Indians on the 13th of Dee., 1640. During the first 12 months 47 settlers arrived.1 In 1644 Southampton was received under the government of Conn., and until 16642 was represented in General Court at Hartford. Upon the Dutch invasion in 1673 the town again sought a union withi Conn. It was received, and, together with Easthampton and Southold, was erected into a co. Upon the re-establishment of English power, in 1674, the town came under the government of New York. The first settlement at Sag Harbor was made in 1730, by a few fishermen. On the morning of the 24th of May, 1777, Col. Meigs, with 130 men, surprised the British force stationed at Sag Ifarbor, destroyed 12 brigs and a sloop, besides a large amount of forage, provisions, and merchandise, and returned across the sound without the loss of a man.3 A body of American troops was stationed at Sag IIarbor in 1813, in consequence of the presence of a British fleet in Gardners Bay." The first church was erected at Southampton, in 1641;5 and the first church in Bridgehampton was built in 1670.6 There are now 17 churches in town.7
SOUTHOLD8-was incorp. by patent, under Gov. Andros, Oct. 30, 1676,9 and recognized as a town March 7, 1788. Riverhead was taken off in 1792. It comprises the principal part of the northern peninsula of Eastern Long Island, and includes Robins Island in Great Peconic Bay, and Plum, Fishers, and several smaller islands in Long Island Sound. Orient10 is a peninsula upon the E .; and Great and Little IIog Necks are smaller peninsulas in the s. The s. shore is indented by several small, irregular bays; while the outline of the N. coast is unbroken except by 2 or 3 narrow inlets. The surface is elevated and level. The soil is a light, sandy loam, kept highly fertile by the use of manures. Plum Island,11 separated from the mainland by Plum Gut, contains about 800 acres. Fishers Island, about 8 mi. eastward, is 7 mi. long by I} wide and contains about 4000 acres.12 Great and Little Gull Islands are between Plum and Fishers Islands. Agriculture forms the leading industrial pursuit ; potatoes, corn, and wheat are the principal crops.13 Considerable attention is also given to shipbuilding, whaling, and commerce. A limited amount of manufac- turing is carried on.14 Scattered tracts of lands and beaches, owned by an incorp. company, are intrusted to the management of 3 trustees, elected annually. These lands are represented by II0 shares, valued at $15 each. The town has a poorfarm of 300 acres near Southold Village. Light- houses are located on Hortons Point, Little Gull Island, 15 and "The Dumplings,"-a group of rocks in Fishers Island Sound.16 Greenport,17 (p. v., ) on Greenport Harbor, was incorp. April 18, 1838. It is a port of considerable whaling and commercial business, 18 and is the E. terminus of the L. I. R. R. It contains 5 churches and 2 printing offices. Pop. 1,665. Southold, (p. v., ) near the
1 These were Dan'l and Josiah Howe, Thos. Goldsmith, John Oldfields. Sam'l Dayton, Thos. burnet, John and Edward Howell, Thos. and Job Sayre, Thos. Topping. John Woodruff, Henry and Abraham Pierson, Richard Post, Obadiah Rogers, John Ford- ham. Samuel Osman, John Rose, James Herrick, Chris. Foster, Jos. Raynor, Ellis Cook, Edward Needham, Sam'l James, John Gosman, John Bishop, John White, Win. Payne, Johu Jessup, Ilenry Walton, Wm. Harker, Allen Breed, Edmund Farrington, Isaac Hillman. John Cooper, Geo. Woods, Johu Jagger, Richard Smith, Thos. Hildreth, John Hampton, Josh. Barnes, John Jen- nings, Benj. Haynes, Geo. Wells, Wm. Odell. and John Lum.
2 T'he depnties were John Ilowell. fromn 1644 to '51; John Cosmore, from 1651 to '55; Thomas Topping, from 1655 to '58; Alex. Knowles, from 1058 to '59; Thomas Topping, from 1659 to 763; and Edward Howell, from 1663 to '64.
$ Cad. Meigs, with 234 men. crossed from Guildford (Conn.) to Sonthold, in 13 whaleboats, on the 23d of May, and transported the boats across the peninsula, reaching the s. shore 4 mi. from Sag Harbor at midnight. In the attack the British had 6 men killed and 90 were taken prisoners. The party arrived at Guildford on their return in 25 hours from the time they left. Congress expressed its approbation of this enterprise by pre- senting Col. Meigs with a sword; and Gen. Washington, in a letter to Gen. Parsons, (by whose command Col. Meigs had undertaken the expedition,) congratulated him upon its snc- cessful achievement .- Onderdonk's Rev. Inc.
4 This fleet lay here through the war, making forced levies upon the inhabitants of the adjacent shores, but usually paying for the property taken. A descent was made upon Sag Harbor in June. 1$13; but an alarm was raised, and the invaders were repelled withont their doing serious injury.
6 The pastors of the society have been Rev. Abraham Pierson, in 1640: Kobt. Fordham, in 1649; Jos. Taylor, in 1680: Joseph Whiting. in 1680; Sam'l Gelatou. in 1716; Sylvanus White, in 1727: Josh. Williams, in 1785; Harmon Daggett. in 1792; David S. Bogart. in 1795; John B. Babbitt, in 1817: Peter H. Shaw, in 1821; Dan'l Beers. in 1830: and IFugh N. Wilson, in 1836.
6 Rev. Ebenezer White. in 1690, Jos. Brown, in 1756, Aaron Woolworth, in 1787. and Amzi Francis, in 1823, have been the pastors of this church.
7 6 3I. E., 5 Presb., Bap., Cong., Meth. Prot., Prot. E., R. C., and Union.
8 That part of the town E. of Cutchogue was called by the In- dians "Ten-ne-cock," and by the English "Northfleet."
9 Isaac Arnold. Johu and Benj. Youngs, Josh. and Barnabas IIorton, Sam'l Glover, and Isaac Corry were named trustees in this patent.
10 Called by the Indians "Po-qua-tuck." It was bought of the Indiaus by Peter Ilallock, in 1641; and the first settlement was made on it soon after. during Ilallock's absence in England, hy John Tuthill, John Youngs, jr., Johu King, and Israel, Richard, and Samuel Brown .- Griffin's Journal, 19.
11 Formerly known as the "Isle of Putmos." It was bought of the natives, in 1659, by Sam'I Wyllys.
12 This island was named "Fischers Island" by Capt. Cook, the navigator, in 1614. It was purchased, in 1644, by Gov. Wiu- throp, of Conn. ; and was organized as a township by a patent obtained from Gov. Nicoll, of N. Y., in March, 1688. It was for a time claimed by both N. Y. and Conn. Its surface is undn- lating ; near the w. end is a high sand bluff, and near the middle another still higher. There are two convenient harbors ou the coast. The soil is well adapted to grass growing and grazing. Ilny. wool. butter, and cheese are exported.
13 There were nearly as many potatoes raised in this town in 1855 as in all the co. besides. A greater quantity of wheat is raised in Southold than in any other town in the co., and a greater quantity of corn than in any town except Southampton. Immense quantities of fish and seaweed are used as fertilizers.
14 Brick are made in large quantities near Greenport aud upou Robins Island : and off and guano areextensively manufactured from fish near Sonthold.
15 The lighthouse npon Little Gull Island was built in 1806, And is 56 ft. high and 74 ft. above tide. It is supplied with a fog bell, which is rung by machinery.
16 The lighthouse upon North Dumpling was built in 1848, and is 25 ft. high and 70 ft. above the sea. A red light is used. 17 Formerly "Stirling."
18 The shipping of this port consists of 7 vessels engaged in whaling; about 100 others, with an aggregate of 6000 tons, en- rolled; and 102 small vessels, licensed : mostly engaged in the I cousting trade.
640
SUFFOLK COUNTY.
center of the town, is a station on the L. I. R. R. It contains 3 chure ies, the Southold Academy, a savings' bank, and about 80 houses. Hermitage, a small settlement, Cutchogue, (p. v.,) containing 3 churches and nearly 100 houses, and Mattituck, (p. v.,) containing 2 churches and 40 houses, are stations on the L. I. R. R. New Suffolk, on Great Peconic Bay, contains 1 church and about 20 houses. Franklinville is on the line of Riverhead. West Southold is a p. o. East Marion,1 (p. v.,) near the w. side of Orient IIarbor, contains a windmill, a tidemill, and 1 church; pop. 300. Orient,? (p. v., ) on the E. side of the same harbor, contains 2 churches and 60 houses. The first settlement was made about 1640, by Rev. John Youngs and others, from New Haven.3 The government of this colony, like that of several of the earlier New England settlements, was vested in the church members. None others were allowed to vote or to hokl office ; and the Mosaic code was adopted as their law. This exclusiveness was of short duration. All citizens were soon admitted to the right of suffrage; and in 1657 the Mosaic code was super- seded by one better adapted to the circumstances of the people. Upon the union of New Haven with Conn., in 1662, Southold was united with the latter colony and was represented in General Court. In 1664 the town passed under the jurisdiction of New York. The first church was erected in 1641, in the village of Southold." There are now 17 churches in town.5
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