USA > New York > Suffolk County > Shelter Island > Historical papers on Shelter Island and its Presbyterian church, with genealogical tables > Part 3
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Notably among those who found such shelter were Lawrence and Cassandra Southwick, an aged couple. After having been put into prison, starved and flogged, they were banished from New England with the threat that if they ever returned they would be put to death. The threat was not needed, for shortly after they had been received upon this island, they died and are believed to have been buried in the ancient graveyard now on the Horsford estate. The poet Whittier, you know, has immortalized this act of shelter- ing these refugees by making it the subject of one of his finest poems. Mary Dyer, who was hung upon Boston Commons, also received succor for a time on this island. Likewise William Leddra and Joseph Nicholson and wife. These, together with others, were
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Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
here kindly treated and cared for, their wounds dressed and healed, and their spirits cheered and strengthened.
Besides these, others of this sect who came from England, not- ably John Taylor, of York, and William Robinson and George Fox, the great apostle of the Friends or Quakers, touched first at Shelter Island or in time tarried here.
James Bowden, in his "History of the Society of Friends," says that except this island and the colony of Rhode Island, there was not at this time a nook in the colonies of North America on which a Friend could land without exposing himself to severe suffering and the ship-master to a heavy penalty. The possession, therefore, of this island, he adds, by one who loved the truth was a providential circumstance peculiarly favorable to Friends at this juncture, and not to be viewed as one of mere chance.
From all this it has been claimed by one and another that Nathaniel Sylvester and his family were Quakers or Friends. Dr. Charles Evans, author of "Friends in the 17th Century," says that "he either became a Friend at the time he purchased the island, or he was convinced of the principles of the Friends soon after he ob- tained possession of it. Here the weary exiles, on account of re- ligion, always found a home and a heart to receive, to succor and refresh them, so that the kindness and liberality of Nathaniel Syl- vester were widely known and highly appreciated by Friends in America and Great Britain."
James Bowden in his work, to which reference has already been made, says of Nathaniel Sylvester that when he joined in religious professions with Friends, we are uninformed; but as early as the third month of 1659 he is referred to as one who had adopted our principles." This is also the opinion of his descendants, who live upon the estate to-day. Both Bowden and Evans think that these friendly acts of succor and refuge, which the proprietor of this island extended to the persecuted Quakers, gave to this island its present name of Shelter Island. As we shall have occasion to speak of the names given to this island at various times and their origin presently, we shall let this claim stand until then.
There is an interesting paper among the records of Southold, bearing date of the 28th of the eleventh month of 1657, the origin of which is perhaps connected with the persecution of the Quakers. This persecution led the writer to express himself rather strongly, which he afterwards regrets and retracts, as the paper will show.
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It is signed by Giles Sylvester, and reads as follows: "Whereas, I am accused to say that all the ministers in New England were worse than witches, I owne I said soe, for which I am heartily sorrowfull, and owne to bee very inconsiderately spoken and to my folly and wickedness in it, and hope the Lord shall guide my wayes and words to be more circumspect and like to himselfe. Then the parties that heard them finding themselves grieved, I told them that I meane noe other than those that were formall and not spirituall, such was my meaning, though not expressed till exception was made; therefore, I say, as I sayed, it is very evill in me or in any man to say any such thing, for we ought not to speak evill of any man."
28th of the IIm., 1657.
GILES SYLVESTER.
Before leaving the Quakers it is worthy of record that George Fox, the founder of this sect, twice visited this island and was en- tertained by the Sylvesters. The Rev. Mr. Fox, in his journal of 1672, speaks of his visits to this island, and of his preaching to the Indians and the people, who were deeply impressed by what he said unto them.
And now let me refer briefly to the various names that have been given to this island. The first is Cotjewaminick, which appears upon a deed given to Sir Gardiner by Yoco, the Manhansick chief. It was also called by the Indians "Manhansick Ahaquashuwornock" or "Manhansick Ahaquazuwamuck," which is said to mean "at or about the island sheltered their fishing place," or "their sheltered fishing place at or about the island." The first English name which it bore was Mr. Farrett's Island or Farrett's Island. After Mr. Farrett sold the island to Mr. Goodyear, it was also known as Goodyear's Island, and when Mr. Goodyear disposed of it to the four English gentlemen, one of whom selected it as his dwelling place, namely, Captain Nathaniel Sylvester, it was known as Syl- vester Island, appearing as such upon record as late as 1674. How- ever, long before this, it was also called Shelter Island, and this, too, before the Quaker persecution began. Indeed, it is so called in the confirmatory paper, bearing date March 23, 1652, namely, "Wee whose names are here underneath subscribed do hereby testify and declare that Yokee, formerly Sachem of Menhansick Ahaquazuwa- muck, now called Shelter Island." Hence Bowden and Evans are wrong in claiming that because of the friendly acts of succor and refuge which the proprietor of this island extended to the persecuted Quakers, the island received its present name of Shelter Island.
DEED OF JOHN BOOTH TO CAPT. NATHANIEL SYLVESTER.
This Indenture made the eight Day of May in the yeare one thousand Six hundred fiftie and six betweene John Booth late of Shelter Island formerly called Menhansack gent of the one part and Captaine Nathaniell Silvister of the same of the other part Witnesseth that whereas James ffaret Esqr Deputie for the Right honoble Willm Earle of starling was by purchase from Unkenchie Sachem of pammanuck & the said Menhansack possest of Menhansack aforesaid beinge a member of Long Island called pammanack as aforesaid or lying nere unto the same as by a deede of bargaine & sale from the said sachem Reference being thereunto had more largely doth and may appeare; And whereas the said James ffarrest by deede under hand & seale bearing date the eighteenth of May one Thousand Six hundred ffortie & one for the considerations therein expressed conveyed unto Stephen Goodyeare of Newhaven Merchant, his heires & assignes for ever the aforesaid Iland of Menhansack wth all the Rivers woods uplands meadowes harbours & creeks & all other the apptening rights liberties & conveniences what soever there unto in any wise belonginge & appertayninge wth all that right title & interest wch the said Willm Earle of Starlinge his heires or assigns or the said James fforrett & his heires or assignes then did or at any time from thenceforth should clayme or demand together wth the aforesaid originall grant as by the last menconed & recited grant relacon thereunto beinge had more fully may appeare. And whereas alsoe the said Stephen Goodyeare by his bill of sale from Robert Carmand did stand seised of one Island comonly called by the name of Roberts Iland scituate lyinge neere Menhansack Island aforesaid hee the said Robert carmeand haveinge formerly purchased the same of Iyonancam Sachem of pammanack aforesaid.
The said Stephen Goodyeare by his deede poll bearinge Date the Nynth day of June one Thousand six hundred ffiftie & one for the consideracons therein expressed did sell convey & make over all his estate right title & interest of in & to both the said Ilands together wth all rights liberties ymunities & priviledges belonging or in any wise appurteininge to them or either of them & theire & either of theire appurtunce unto Captaine Thomas Middleton Thomas Rous Constant Silvister gents, & the said Nathaniell Silvister and theire heires & assignes for ever as by the last menconed grant more fully may Appeare and whereas Yoko Sachem of the said Menhansack formerly called Unken- chie Actoncocween Captaine Yowoconogus Sonquoequahisick some of his cheife men by their deede beareinge Date the seaven & twentieth Day of December one Thousand six hundred ffiftie & two for such consideracon as therein is expressed Did alien assigne bargaine & sell unto the said Thomas Middleton Thomas Rous Constant Silvister & Nathaniell Silvister & their heires & assignes for ever All that their Ilands of Ahaquazuwamuck otherwise called Menhansack with all the rivers woods uplands medows harbours & creeks with all other apptenneg rights liberties [Book 2, page 48.] and conveniences whatsoever thereunto in any wise belonginge & appurteyninge as by the same deede last mentioned may appeare. And whereas the said Thomas Middleton for valuable consideracon purchased of the said Thomas Rous all his fowerth part in & throughout bothe the said llands & ioynt stock thereuppon for & to the use of the abovesaid John Booth & his heires & Assigns for ever by virtue whereof hee the said John Booth became legally possest of the same, hee the said Join Booth for & in consideracon of the some of Seaven hundred poundes sterlinge before the sealeinge & delivir here of in hand payd by the said Nathaniell Silvister to the said John Booth to full satisfaction accordinge to agreement in that behalfe hath granted bargained & sold & by these puts Doth fully & absolutely grant bargaine & sell unto the said Nathaniell Silvister & his heires & assignes All his estate right tytle interest clayme & Demand whatsoever of in & to one intire fowerth part of the said Ilands soe bargained & sold as abovesiad & all the Dwellinge houses barne outhouses ffences Orchard yards gardens earable land meadows marches, harbours creeks woods underwoods comons & comon of pasture proffitts priviledges ymunities advantages & easemts wth theire & every of theire appurtennces & stock of cattle in & upon the said Menhansack thence called Shelter Iland as abovesaid in as large & ample manner to all intents & [Book 2, page 48.] purpose as hee said John Booth mought or ought to heave inioyed the same as if these p'nts had not beene thereof had or made To have & to hold the said intire fowerth part if both the said Ilands stock of cattle & all other thabove granted premises with theire & every of theire appurennes unto the said Nathaniell Silvister his heires & assignes To the only proper use & behoofe of him the said Nathaniell Silvister & of his heires and assignes for ever. And he the said John Booth for himselfe his heires executors administrators & for every of them doth covenant promise grant & agree to & wth the said Nathaniell Silvister his heires & assignes & to & with every of them by these p'nts in manner & form followinge That is to say That hee the said John Booth his heires executors & administrators shall & will warrant all & singuler the prmises above spesified wth theire & every of theire apptenntnes unto the said Nathaniell Silvister his heires & assignes against him the said John Booth & his heires & assignes & all & every other person & persons whotsoever now haveinge or weh at any time hereafter shall or may have or clayme any lawfull estate right tytle or interest by from or under him them or any of them his heires or any of their estate or tytle. And finally that hee the said John Booth & his heires & assignes shall & will at any time hereafter within the space of Seaven yeares next ensuinge the Date hereof att the proper cost & charge of him the said Nathaniell Silvister his heires & assignes Requiringe further assurance ratifie & confirme such legall conveyance under his or their hands & seales when provided and Demanded as aforesaid beinge comprised within the warrantie herein specified. In witness whereof the parties first above named have hereunto interchangeable sett theire hands & seales the Day and yeare first above written.
JOHN BOOTH.
Sealed subscribed and Delivered in the prsence of
GILES SILVISTER DAVID GARDINER THOMAS MAPS GEORGE V. MILLER his marke.
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Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
It received this name upon the coming of the Sylvesters in 1652, without doubt, suggested and determined by the meaning of the Indian name, Manhansick Ahaquatuwamock, a sheltered island or Shelter Island. It is a goodly name, and long may it be signifi- cant, not only of a popular watering place, but of friendliness, love of mankind, liberty of conscience, nobility of character, and every grace that should adorn a Christian and God-fearing community.
Let us now resume the tracing out of the various owners of this island. These have thus far been:
The Manhansett tribe of Indians;
King Charles I .;
Earl of Stirling;
James Farrett;
Stephen Goodyear, and
Messrs. Middleton, Rouse, Nathaniel and Constant Sylvester. Now another name is introduced as part owner, namely, that of Ensign John Booth, who with Captain Sylvester made the purchase from the Indians in December, 1652. It may be that this John Booth simply represented Messrs. Middleton, Rouse and Constant Sylvester, as there is another paper on record bearing the date of 1656, which implies that Thomas Rouse was still the owner of one- fourth of the island, that paper being a release of his quarter of the island to Thomas Middleton for John Booth. John Booth thus, in 1656, takes the place of Thomas Rouse, and the owners are Middle- ton, Booth, Nathaniel and Constant Sylvester. This ownership continued for a while, when John Booth withdrew by selling his portion to Nathaniel Sylvester for 700 pounds sterling. Nathaniel Sylvester soon after conveyed a portion of this newly acquired quarter to his brother Constant. This happened September 12, 1662. It was now in the hands of Thomas Middleton, Nathaniel Sylvester and Constant Sylvester, and continued so until 1673, when Captain Nathaniel Sylvester became sole proprietor of the island, as will be shortly seen from documents bearing that date. Let us, however, return again to old England, for there certain things have happened since last we referred to her, that, like previous events, affected this island during these years of Captain Nathaniel Sylvester's residence upon it and in the progress of which he be- came sole proprietor. Our last reference to the mother country closed with Oliver Cromwell's decisive victory over the royalist forces, by which he became ruler of all England, assuming the title,
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not of King, but of Protector. He continued thus until his death in 1658. We also had occasion to state the rejection on the part of Cromwell for England, of the proposed division of Long Island, between the Dutch and the English, according to the proposed treaty agreed upon at Hartford, in 1650, between the Dutch and English colonists, which treaty was sent to Holland and England for ratification. In rejecting this treaty, the claims of the Dutch were entirely ignored, the reason given being in these words, "of not knowing of any plantations of the Netherlands there, save a small number upon Hudson's River." This, as was then stated, resulted in war, in which the English were the victors. While this war lasted, which was for about two years, there were troublous times for our early settlers here. Upon Cromwell's death, September 3, 1658, his eldest son, Richard, was proclaimed his successor. But he was not the success his father was at ruling, and so the people once more desired the restoration of kingly rule, inviting Charles II. to return and assume the crown, which he did on the 29th of May, 1660.
He immediately issued orders to the New England colonies to cease their persecution of the Quakers, having been kept informed, while in exile, of their suffering, through the writings of Mrs. Syl- vester to her father, who was always near the King in his flight. On the 12th of March, 1663, King Charles II. gave to his brother, the Duke of York, an extensive grant of territory in the New World, which included the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam and the whole of Long Island. Immediately upon receiving this patent, the Duke of York sought to take possession by constituting Colonel Richard Nicholls Deputy Governor of the Colony, and commission- ing him to take possession of this territory. The following year, or in 1664, he sailed with a fleet of man-of-warsmen, and in due time appeared in New York harbor. He immediately issued a summons to surrender, which he enforced without bloodshed, and thus the English became possessors of New Amsterdam, now called New York in honor of the Duke of York, and the whole of Long Island, including the adjacent islands. This necessitated a confirmation in the title of this island, which the Sylvester brothers sought and re- ceived from Governor Nicolls. They also received from Governor Nicholls a perpetual exemption from taxes and other public bur- dens upon the payment of £150, "one-half of which was to be in beef and the other half in pork."
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Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
These papers read as follows, the latter, namely, the release, bearing the earlier date of the two, and therefore given first: "Rich- ard Nicoll, Esqr., Govenor, under his Royall Highnesse, James, Duke Yorke and Albany, &c., of all his territorys in America: To all to whome these presents shall come; whereas Nathl. Sylvester, of Shel- ter Island, merchant for and on behalfe of himselfe and of his brother Constant Sylvester, off Barbadoes, Esqr., hath of his own voluntary free will and good affection to this government, advanct and paid to- wards ye the support and maintenance thereof, the sum of 150 lbs., the receipt whereof I doe hereby acknowledge. Now know yea, that by vertue of commission and authority given unto me, by his Royall Highnesse, James Duke of Yorke, I, for and in consideration of the aforesaid sum of 150 lbs., and for other good causes and considera- tions me thereunto moving, doe hereby grant unto ye said Nathaniel and Constant Sylvester, and to their heires and assignes forever. That ye said island called Shelter Island is, and forever hereafter shall be, by these presents discharged, exonerated and acquitted from all taxes and rates, either civill or millitary, and from all trayning, setting forth and keeping any soulders, horses, arms, troopers or other warlike provisions other than what they shall voluntarily doe, for the defence of their said island, and this government in cases of for- eigne invasion or disturbance by the natives. Given under my hand and seale in James fforte ye 25th day of May, in ye year Anno Dom. 1666.
"RICH. NICOLL." (L. S.)
The confirmation is as follows: " A tract of land lying and being in a certain bite, bay, or arm of the sea, which runneth between the lands of Easthampton, Southampton and Southold, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, upon Long Island, heretofore purchased from the Indians by James fforett, agent to William, Earl of Stir- ling, and which hath since come by several deeds, conveyances and grants to the said Constant Sylvester, of the island of Barbadoes, Esq., and Nathaniel Sylvester, then inhabiting and residing in Shelter Island aforesaid, merchant; and which said manor and place of itself, and forever have, hold, and enjoy like and equal privileges and immunities with any other town, infranchised place or manor, within this government; but not to extend to the protecting any traitor, malefactor, fugitive or debtor, flying unto the said island, to the damage of any person, or the obstruction of the laws. The same to be held, as of his majesty, the King of England, in free and com- mon soccage, and by fealty only, yielding and paying yearly one
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Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
lamb, upon the first day of May, if the same shall be demanded." This paper bears the date of May 31, 1666.
You will notice, please, that in this document Governor Nicoll places Shelter Island on the same footing with "any other town, in- franchised place or manor within this government." Thus, as early as 1666 Shelter Island was designated as a town, though not fully organized as such by the selection of proper officers until 1730.
For a few years after this the island continued in the peaceful ownership of the Sylvester brothers and Thomas Middleton. But only for a few years. For in 1673, seven years later, the Dutch sud- denly recaptured New York and all their lost territory. This in- volved another change in the government and proprietorship of this island. Governor Colve, now being the ruler of Long Island and its adjacent islands, by a formal act, dated April 28, 1673, de- clared Constant Sylvester and Thomas Middleton enemies of the government and confiscated their ownership and interests in Shelter Island. Constant Sylvester in the meantime had died, leaving his portion to his heirs, while Thomas Middleton was in England. To enforce this confiscation, several Dutch men-of-war appeared off Shelter Island, with the following result as set forth in the colonial documents of that day, written in Dutch, the translation of which, as here given, being an exact copy of what is on record at the State Capitol in Albany.
"Nathaniel Sylvester delivered in council an extract from his Privileges. He was commanded to produce the original, which he said he left home-on which the protocol being examined it was ascertained that the Heirs of his Brother, late Constant Sylvester, with one cos. Middleton, residing in England, were co-partners of the Island, named Shelter Island-whose share must be confis- cated in behalf of the State.
"To which the aforesaid Nathaniel Sylvester replys that a con- siderable sum of money was due to him by the aforesaid heirs of Constant Sylvester-but after many discussions pro and con it was finally agreed with the aforesaid Nathaniel Sylvester that he, in compensation for the action of said heirs of Constant Sylvester and Thomas Middel-towne-as for the confirmation of his Privileges- shall pay to the Government the sum of five hundred pounds in pro- vision of this country."
Following is the confiscation of Shelter Island and its transfer to Nathaniel Sylvester:
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Shelter Island and Its Presbyterian Church
"We, Cornelis Evertse, Jun., and Jacob Benckes, Comm., with our Military Counsil of the Navy, in the service of Their High and Mighty Lords, the States General of the United Netherlands, and His Serene Highness the Lord Prince of Orange, greeting-
"Be it known that we, in virtue of our commission of aforesaid High and Mighty Lords are authorised and qualified to make war with our men-of-war and confided soldiers against the King of England and France and their subjects-publick enemies of our State and to inflict them all possible damages by water as well as on land, and if possible to take and conquer their possessions, and when conquered to confiscate these in behalf of the High and Mighty Lords, the States General of the United Netherlands and His Serene Highness the Lord Prince of Orange, and further to dispose of these to their best advantage, so is it that we in virtue of aforesaid commission endeavored to execute it-for this end which by force of arms lawfully and brought under the submission of our Masters Fort James, now William Hendrick named, with the city of New-Yorke, now named New Orange, situated on the Island Manhattans, with all the lands, places and territories de- pendant from it, so as those were lately possessed by the subjects and in virtue of the commission of His Majesty of England, under the patronage of the Duke of Yorke, among which lands and ter- ritories is discovered a certain island known by the name of Shelter Island, situated to the east of Long Island, now in possession of Nathaniel Silvester-to whom however it belongs in part with heirs of Constant Sylvester and cos. Thomas Middletowne, residing in England, the Barbadoes, being subjects of his Majesty of England and of course open enemies of our Lords and Masters aforesaid, to whom in no manner can be permitted the liberty granted to all our good subjects who cheerfully submitted themselves under our obedience-but that in conformity to the laws and customs of all nations the goods and effects of our aforesaid enemies ought to be confiscated; therefore, we, in virtue of our aforesaid commission, confiscated in behalf of the aforesaid High and Mighty Lords, the State's General of the united Netherlands and his Serene High- ness the Lord Prince of Orange, after mature deliberation with our military tribunal, all the right, property, title and pretention which the aforesaid heirs of Constant Sylvester and Thomas Middletowne, or any other individual of our lawful enemies may have in aforesaid island named Shelter Island. So as we now confiscate all their
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