USA > New York > Suffolk County > Southold > Griffin's journal : first settlers of Southold, the names of the heads of those families, being only thirteen at the time of their landing; first proprietors of Orient, biographical sketches > Part 7
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If so, this grandfather, Thomas, must have been the first of the family, which came to this place about 1670, and to Southold in 1660.
Rev. Elisha Gillet died at, or in the neighborhood of Patchogue, in May, 1820, aged eighty-seven years. About the year 1790, or near that time, Mr. Gillet re- sided in Orient, lower neck, where he statedly preached on the seventh day to a small congregation of strict Sabbatharians, who, with himself, were strong in the belief that Saturday was the only and true Sabbath. There was about six or seven families of this sect.
These, he organized into a church, over which he presided some two or three years, with favorable pros- pects ; but divisions arose, and ere six years had past, his flock began to scatter, and he found himself incom-
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petent to the task of keeping them together. His church, as a body, soon became extinct, and he, a truly good man, lived to mourn over some of his stray flock. After these days he deemed it his duty strictly to keep two days as his Sabbath, viz :- Saturday and Sunday. His gifts were small, yet he well understood the Bible. He preached the first sermon in the second new meet- ing house in Orient, on the 18th July, 1817, at the time eighty-four years of age. He left two sons by his second wife, an excellent woman, Zebulon and Gano. This last one was some time a Judge of our County Court-a man of acknowledged abilities. They are now both dead.
John King was one of our early settlers. He had a son, Samuel, who must have been twenty-five years old when his father, John, came to Oysterponds, being.born in 1633 or '34. His, Samuel's son, who was John King 2d, was born near the date of 1695, and died about 1753 or '54. He was much known as Ensign King; was greatly respected for his wise councils, and unshaken faith in the merits of his Saviour. He was considered a substantial pillar in the Church.
The following fact, respecting his goodness of heart, I had from his second son, the late Major Nathaniel King. On a certain night, after being in bed some time, he arose, and walked out into his yard. While looking around he observed his corn house door open. Suppos- ing his boys, by neglect, had not shut it, as was their duty, he advanced to close it, but at that instant ob- served with much surprise, a near neighbor of his filling
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a bag with corn. He was startled beyond measure, and it was some time before he could collect himself suffi- ciently to address his visitor in language proper on such an occasion. However, ere he could do this to his mind, the affrighted intruder, with a sigh, cried out "I am an undone man forever." "I hope not so bad as that," replied the commiserate Mr. King ; " I suppose your fa- mily are in need of bread ; had you informed me that was the case, I would willingly have assisted them ; you have broken a prominent command, and done me an injury, but in case you repent, and fully refrain from this course forever, you have my hearty forgiveness." To this the trembling man observed, with tears, "Through God's assistance, I never will take from any one again what is not my own." Mr. King then gave him his hand. It is now about one hundred and fifteen years since this transaction, and the man's name is not yet revealed.
Dr. Thomas Vail was the oldest son of Thomas Vail, Sr., who was the son of Jeremiah Vail 3d, who was the son of Jeremiah Vale 2d, who was the son of Jeremiah Vail 1st, who settled at Oysterponds in 1656, on what is now known as the Point Farm, and now owned by the sons of the late Capt. Jonathan F. Latham. Tho- mas Vail, Sr., about 1758, married Hannah, the daugh- ter of Richard and Hannah Brown. Was a captain of militia, in which station he was respected. Not far from 1767 he removed with his family into the state of Vermont, near or in the town of Pomfort. At this place Thomas, the eldest son, lived with his father until
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1776, when he returned to Long Island to reside with his grandmother, whose interest in his welfare was great.
Thomas, at the time he came to reside with his wid- owed grandmother in 1776, was sixteen years of age. He had now returned to the land of his childhood an accomplished, well-informed youth of sixteen. ITis ad- dress, manners, and language, soon procured for him the most respectful consideration of all who knew how to appreciate worth and talent in a promising young man.
At the age of about seventeen, he was employed to teach the school. He was very successful in his first performance as a school teacher. In 1781, he taught a school at Southold. One day, while on his way to Southold, when just east of Ashamomack Beach, he was taken prisoner by Captain Simcoe, of the British army, who, after detaining him a short time, let him off. This Simcoe was many years after a Governor of Canada. Not far from 1780, he went a short voyage, as a volunteer, in the American frigate Confederacy ; was gone about three months. In 1783, he married Bethia, the daughter of Major Barnabas Tuthill. In 1786, we find him keeping a flourishing school at Hunt- ington. In 1787, '88 and '89, superintending a large school in Pearl street, in New York. There he was much respected for his literary acquirements and com- munications. As a member of the Manumission So- ciety, he was honorable and of respectable standing, and as a member of Dr. John Rogers' Church. In 1792, he removed his family to Oysterponds, from which he had been absent four years. He now com- menced keeping a store of dry goods and groceries with
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seeming success for about two years, in which time, by a contract with the people in the district, he built them a handsome school house. This was about 1793. He was the first to open a school in said house, for one quarter. In 1794, a complete failure overtook him; gave up all business. Mortified at his reverses of for- tune, which imprudence had brought on him, in haste he left the country, and moved into the State of Ver- mont with his family and effects. Here he entered on a new mode of providing for his family. Studied phy- sic, and, as a man of brilliant abilities, he soon was re- ceived into the society as competent to practice, which he did with success. In the spring of 1816, after an absence of twenty-two years, he came back to Oyster- ponds. IIe came alone, greatly changed in personal appearance ; his mind vigorous and bright, but the body a relic of what was florid and beautiful. He had left his family : for what cause, we know not, as there never was anything but unity betwixt him and his wife. He took the school in Orient, which, with the practice of physic, he continued to attend until Febru- ary, 1820, when a stroke of paralysis rendered him un- fit for further usefulness. With his mind calmn, com- posed, and, to appearance, resigned to his situation, he lingered until March, when death put a period to his eventful and chequered life. Since his death, we have been satisfactorily informed that his domestic life while with his family, from 1783 to 1816, a term of thirty- three years, was united and peaceable. I have often heard him observe that it showed great weakness, as well as confirmed cowardice, to quarrel with a wife.
In his youth, he was assuredly one of the most pro-
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mising of young men ; a complete figure. and as pre- possessing as genteel. Had his prudence been as great, and in every respect equal, to his acquirements in the knowledge of men and things, Thomas Vail would have been held in high and deserved consideration by all who know how to estimate talent, united with true and respectable address.
A short time previous to his death, he said to me that, at the age of about eighteen, he formed an ac- quaintace with Miss Frances Webb, of Southold, an in- teresting girl, and well calculated to make the married state peaceful and happy. Their attachment was re- ciprocal ; but, alas ! the mutability of all earthly pro- ductions. Circumstances, united with unavoidable strange events prevented a union of bodies whose souls, congenial, were bound by that sacred chord which no- thing can sever but death. A short time before his death, he stole a visit to the grave which contained the remains of this, his early and first love. But he has gone, and not a stone tells where he lies.
" The well-sung woes shall soothe my pensive ghost ; He best can paint them who has felt them most "
The following elegy, was written by him on the sud- den death of his interesting and beautiful daughter Harriet, aged two and a half years. Her death was, as it was thought, occasioned by eating the blossoms of Indian weed. See that beautiful sentence, "No poison there to taint life's purple blood," &c.
In Sharon's grove the earliest shrubs arise, And smiling beauty meets our raptured eyes Spring's earliest blossoms opening to the sight, Fill every sense with pleasure and delight.
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Arabia's groves, and Sharon's spicy fields, Fragrance, and song in rich abundance yields ; Young rosy morning here perfumes her breath, Beauty, perfumes, and song, rise from the teening earth : From earth they sprang, to earth they must return- Their early birth but speeds them to their urn.
Such is frail man ! The nursling of an hour Spreads his young wings to catch an April shower- Health's rosy charms still brightning in his face, Where budding thoughts slide with peculiar grace. Morn is more fair with Philomela's song, In sweetest strains the feathered tribes among- Such were the notes my charming Harriet sung.
Beauty and song in all her form appear, Her Maker formed her with peculiar care ; Her mein angelic-Heaven in her eye ; Her mind a diamond from yon spangled sky, A moment glittering to my ravished view, To Heaven returned, and bade this earth adieu !
Some beckoning angel in the World of Day, Pointed the weed, and bid her haste away, And leave her poisoned dust to mix with kindred clay. Fancy stood by, and marked her ærial flight Through liquid regions of supernal light.
I viewed her path through yon imperial skies, And the big tears stood trembling in my eyes, While through ten million stars I saw her spirit rise- Pleasure and pain my laboring bosom tore, Till she arrived on Canaan's blissful shore.
Urania pointed to a blooming plain, Edged by the shore of Heaven's eternal main, Where a young throng of cherubs caught my sight, Dress'd in the garbs of Heaven's unclouded light !
Just pass'd the tree which monthly fruitage yields Twelve sorts of fruits-its leaves the nations heals.
With sportive step, they gaily pass along, In converse sweet-when, amidst the etherial throng, My angel Harriet caught my raptured view ! O, how changed ! how glorious ! and how new ! Celestial spirit now !- health, rosy bloom
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Decked her ethereal soul like splendid noon- As summer's evening, mild as morning skies, Streaked with calm splendor Auroras' rise. Again Urania's leveled tube I held, To view their route along the Heavenly field !
Onward they pass'd, with wonder and delight, 'Till the dim mist of flesh obscured my mental sight ; Through spicy groves, and amaranthine bowers, They circling pass, cropping the sweetest flowers- From beauteous trees take life's inspiring food, No poison there. to taint life's purple blood ! But fragrant dews stand trembling on each spray, Diffuse new life, and animate the day.
A moment listening, as they pass along, When loud Hosanna's burst from every tongue ; The sounds euphonious float along the air In accents sweet, that charm the ravished ear. With notes like these, Jesus, the Son of God, Who hung the spangled sky, and spread the Heavens abroad- By whose creative voice the sons of men Sprang from the earth, and must return again To kindred dust. Blest be that power Divine- That deep, unbounded, rich, exhaustless mine Of wisdom infinite ! Truth, Mercy, Grace, Which all beam splendid from our Saviour's face ; Let the arch-angels bow with radiant nod, Low at the feet of our incarnate God ! All Heaven your voices raise in sweetest strain, Join all your harps His praises to maintain ; Ye fragrant gales that sweep the ambrosial bowers, With wings perfumed that skim those flaming towers Built by the hand of God ; round yonder shining throne, Raise your glad anthems to the farthest tone Of Heaven's imperial kingdom, round and round, Forever bear them through the immense profound.
Say, ye that chant the high arch-angels' praise, If infant voices such sweet murmurs raise, What are the notes which Gabriel's concerts plays ?
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My mind, be hushed, be calm as summer's even, Nor form one wish to call them back from Heaven ; For whom my heart has bled the livelong day, But now revives with a celestial ray.
How reason sinks beneath paternal love, Those tender charities our trembling fibres move With griefs, with joys, with pleasure, and with pain. Thousands of passions-thousands wanting name- Rage, uncontrolled by Reason's placid voice ; Nor heed her strains when moved by griefs, joys,- The wondrous union 'twixt dull clay and mind, Is so mysterious none but God can find The mystic link, or see the unknown cause, Why flesh obeys not Spirit's purer laws.
Grief, like a flood, has overwhelmed my soul, Such as frail nature never can control. Like boisterous waves that, foaming mountain high, Then, thundering, dash on rocks-no help is nigh To save the sea-beat mariner, who, on an oar, Floats to and fro, till dashed upon the shore By the huge billow's rapid, quick retreat, Safe lands the captive, drenched from head to feet. With cautious step, he slowly mounts the plain, And views the tempest lash the foaming main. O'erwhelmed with joy, he bends the thankful knee, And wafts, great God, his humble thanks to thee.
Orange Webb, Sr., was an inn keeper, at what was called Sterling, for about forty years. In 1830, it was changed to the name of Greenport. In Orange Webb's days, there were but five or six dwelling houses at that place near the landing, where was a wharf, to which vessels of fifty or eighty tons could come. It was at the mouth of the creek, adjoining the then Judge
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Thomas Youngs' farm of some five hundred acres. He was some time concerned in the West India trade, in vessels of his own. The house and establishment which he owned and occupied, from 1770 to 1805, was the property of Thomas Fanning from 1740 to 1770. O. Webb's children were, sons -- 1st. Thomas; 2d. John; 3d. James; 4th. Orange; 5th. David; 6th. Silas. Daughters-1st. Fanny; 2d. Polly ; 3d. Nancy. Thomas became a very respectable ship master, and a valuable member of society. He died in June, 1819. John died in parts unknown ; James died at home ; Or- ange, for many years, was a merchant in New York- a man of very prepossessing address; a Christian in life and profession.
Noah Tuthill was the oldest son of Daniel and Ruth Tuthill, of Oysterponds, N. Y., and was born about 1770. When a school boy he was marked for his faithful at- tention to his book, and the rules of the school. Obe- dient and kind to his parents, he observed their directions with the most filial affection. At all times he displayed a mind that would compare with the brightest philan- throphist. He died November, 1827, aged fifty-seven years.
Some years ago, before temperance societies were known in our region, it was fashionable for neighbors to congregate at village taverns on long winter's even- ings, by a good fire in the bar-room. The social glass would move merrily around, and its sparkling contents soon produce a company of generous, jolly, indepen- dent, loquacious, intenders of kindness, and doing good
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deeds to all and every needy fellow creature which their charity could reach.
They each one strove to convince his fellow how ready and happy he was, at all times, to do everything in his power to comfort and accommodate everyone and every- body. One was willing to lend his horse any time ; another his cart ; another his plough; another his pitch- fork, or hoe, or anything to oblige. A more generous set of associates seldom met, except where the decanter stands for an hour glass.
Amidst this would-be-social group of unbounded kindness and charity, one man sat a silent, taciturn ad- mirer of the spirit of benevolence and universal good- will which had so immediately taken possession of his companions. He invariably hoped that it was not the free use of toddy that had wrought this miraculous change-not inferior to that from a freezing point to a fever heat. In a moment of silence, this man, with em- phasis, observed, "Gentlemen, you are the most com- passionate and obliging set of men in the circle of my acquaintance. As for my good nature and readiness to do acts of kindness, and deeds of mercy, you must ask my neighbors. While I might judge selfishly, they will judge righteously." This man was Noah Tuthill.
He was twice married. His first wife was Poliy, the daughter of Capt. Rufus and Mary Tuthill, of Oyster- ponds. She died in 1803, aged thirty-two years.
His second wife was Abigail, the daughter of Con- stant and Sibil Terry, of Orange county, N. Y.
This second wife was the smiling infant in Mrs. Ter- ry's arms when I was welcomed to the hospitalities of
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her house. To her husband she was all his heart could desire. She died in 1826, aged thirty-eight years .- Noah Tuthill was the first child and first son of Daniel Tuthill, who was known for the last forty years of his life as Adjutant Tuthill. Although a man of property and much known through the town, it is doubtful whether half the rising generation knew his Christian name. With black and white, young and old, it was always " Adjutant." His father was Noah, whose fa- ther was Deacon Tuthill, whose father was John, whose father, John, came to Southold with the first settlers in 1640. This second John was then only five years old.
Thomas S. Lester, Esq., was the only son of Sylvester and Mary Lester, of Southold. Although his sojourn on earth was brief, it was full of usefulness to his friends, connections, town and state, in whose representative councils he was several times an honorable member. A more deserving man, considering his situation, age, pro- fession and calling, has rarely lived and died in South- old. He was early chosen executor to some valuable estates. These responsible situations he filled with great satisfaction to the public and credit to himself.
Scarcely arrived at the meridian of life, endowed with an excellent constitution, in the midst of extensive bu- siness and acknowledged usefulness, he died, September 13, 1817, aged thirty-six years. Mr. Lester was a friend, benefactor and wise counsellor. He held the office of district attorney for this county at the time of his death.
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Zacheus Goldsmith, at all seasons, stood conspicuous amidst my friends for the last thirty years. Our inter- views were always pleasant and interesting ; we agreed in what constitutes pure and undefiled religion, and its invaluable effects on the life of its real possessors. I believe he was a sincere convert to the truth, as laid down in the gospels of the New and Old Testaments, which point out the way to obtain that blessed spirit of love and good-will to the whole family of man. Our last interview was at Hazard Moor's inn, at Southold. He then appeared as well as usual. This was Tuesday, I think the 6th of April. On Thursday, the 8th of April, 1835, he departed this life, aged seventy years.
His very amiable wife, Mary, was the daughter of the late Capt. Elisha Vail, of Southold. She died 14th Sep- tember, 1849, aged seventy-three years.
Samuel, the ninth child of my parents, died suddenly in 1784, aged near two years.
Austin the twelfth child of my parents, died in the summer of 1791, aged two years.
Parnol, the seventh child of my parents, a very mild, comely interesting child, died in April, 1791, at the early age of twelve years. Her last words were "Thy will be done."
Deziah Griffin was the third child of my parents. She died with the small pox, December 11th, 1794, aged twenty-five years. She was a person of most amiable address, interesting in conversation, and a kind daugh- ter. But, alas ! she was soon summoned to the silent, darksome grave.
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Sometime previous to her death she received the ad- dresses of Mr. Samuel Brown, of whom mention has been made. Mr. Brown at the time followed the sea, and was away on a voyage. Not long after he sickened and died in Philadelphia. And so it was that their meeting was no more in this world. But may we not hope that they have united in another and better world, in songs of free grace and unmingled praise to God and the Lamb for ever and ever.
Moses Griffin, the sixth child of my parents, was born March 7th, 1775. At the age of nineteen he taught a school in Orange county, N. Y. His pleasant, agree- able mode of governing and instructing his scholars, procured him the just respect, love, and good-will of the parents and pupils. His business, in the Spring of 1796, was on the water, coast-wise. In October of that year, he shipped as mate on board of a vessel bound to Ca- rolina, after naval stores. On their return, in Novem- ber, the vessel, with all on board, was lost. Thus he perished in the bloom of life. He was an acknowledged comely youth, greatly and justly beloved.
About a year previous to his death, he had formed a very tender attachment to a young lady of the most amiable and estimable qualities. This attachment was reciprocal, founded on the solid and broad basis of vir- tue unstained. She mourned him not as lost, but gone before.
Elisha Griffin, the fourth child of our parents, was born December 2, 1770. He was, through all his earthly sojourn, an active man ; much more inclined to dwell on the light side of a subject than a shaded one ; to encourage and console his associates, and his connec-
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tions, appeared to be the cordial which was his joy to administer. From the age of twenty-two years, he fol- lowed the seas ; sometimes to foreign ports. In 1815, he removed his family to New York, where, after a se- vere illness, which terminated in a rapid consumption, he died on the 7th January, 1819, aged forty-nine years. He possessed a kind and tender heart. He viewed honesty as a treasure equal to his existence to preserve. He was twice married. His first wife was Hannah, a twin daughter of Major Nathaniel and Experience King. By this amiable woman, he had one child (Hen- rietta) now the excellent wife of an excellent man- Mr. Hewlett Smith, of Jamaica, Queens County.
His second wife was Phæbe, who resided in New York. By her, he had a family of three or four boys, and, I believe, only one daughter, who is now a mar- ried woman, living at Harlem, New York, named Har- riet. His boys were Augustus, Peter, Samuel and John Orville. This last one died a few months since, at Poughkeepsie, New York.
Never is the human heart so buoyant with bliss and joy as when conscious of a sincere desire to do good to others, by sharing with them the blessings which Providence has conferred upon us. What joy and sa- tisfaction fill the heart of the benevolent man, when he sees his fellow man made happy through his charity.
My grandfather, Jonathan Terry, married Lydia, the daughter of Deacon Daniel and Mehitable Tuthill, of Oysterponds, by whom he had twelve children, whose names were :-
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1st. Jonathan, born May, 1738 ; died Nov. 1816. 2d. Thomas, born 1740; died at the age of fourteen years.
3d. Lydia, born 1742 ; died in 1819.
4th. Ruth, born Nov., 1744; died in Oct., 1836.
5th. Deziah, born Feb., 1746 ; died Nov., 14, 1814.
6th. Noah, born Sept .. 1747; died Oct., 1815.
7th. Mehitable, born Sept., 1749; died Feb. 12, 1835.
8th. Patience, born 1752 ; died about three years old. 9th. Patience, born 1755 ; lived but two days.
10th. Thomas, born 1757; died 1824.
11th. Daniel Tuthill, born Dec., 1759.
12th. Patience, born 1751; died Jan. 14, 1835.
Jonathan, the first of these brothers, was a man of great resolution. At the age of seventy-eight, he ap- peared to retain all the vigorous powers of a sound man of thirty-five. Would bear watching, fatigue and hunger with surprising energy ; with the suppleness of a lad of fifteen years, mount and manage a restive horse, with all the animation of a disciplined sports- man. It is generally conceded that he rose with the sun every morning, for the space of fifty years before his death. What was said of Moses, the great Jewish law-giver, may be said of Mr. Terry at seventy-eight- "His eye was not dim, neither his natural force abated." He died of the effects of a fall, of near twenty feet, which fractured his skull, in November, 1816. He was an accommodating neighbor. His wife was Jemima, the daughter of Benjamin Brown, of Oysterponds. He (Brown) died in 1774. She (Jemi- ma) died April, 1803, aged fifty-four years.
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