History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 91

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell and Co.
Number of Pages: 703

USA > New York > Queens County > History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals. > Part 91

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The swiftly passing months have filled out the period of mourning, but those who learned life's best lessons from his words and his noble example will, with his widowed wife and her children-all of whom still gather about the family fireside-lovingly and reverently cherish a remembrance of Solomon Townsend that will not soon fade away behind the misty curtains which the years drop between the past and the future.

494

Scusader & Whitney

SCUDDER V. WHITNEY.

Henry Whitney, the earliest of the Whitney family who can be traced in America, was born in England, probably about the year 1620. The first mention of him on this side of the Atlantic is found in the records of the town of Southold, Long Island, where on the 8th of October 1649 he joined with three others in buying lands at Hashamonock, in that town.

In 1658 he is found in the town of Huntington, where he seems to have been an influential citizen until 1663, when he removed to Jamaica in Queens county.

on the homestead at Woodbury. His children were: Amelia A., who married Charles A. Van Sise; John C., who married in New York, was a merchant in Brooklyn, and died there in 1877; Daniel D., who has served six years as alderman and one term as register of arrears in the city of Brooklyn and is now president of the Hamil- ton Fire Insurance Company; and Scudder V. Whitney, the gentleman whose portrait and autograph appear at the head of this page.

This youngest son was born at the homestead where he now resides, at Woodbury (a part of the East Woods tract) on the 11th of March 1821, and here on his fa- ther's farm his early days were spent. The foundation of his education was laid in the common schools, but in a seat of learning by the family fireside, with Scudder V. Whitney as his tutor, he acquired most of that mental discipline which fitted him for the place he was destined to fill. Nor was his education all that he began in the old country school-house; for here as a pupil he won the confidence of the people so far that in the winter when he was but eighteen years of age he was invited to be- come the teacher in the school where he had hitherto been a pupil. He taught here two terms, and his success

Darling Whitney, the grandfather of the subject of this biography, and belonging to the fifth generation of the Whitney family in America, was born in Stamford, Conn., September 25th 1758. He married Sarah Valen- tine and settled in the town of Oyster Bay, at what was then known as East Woods, now Woodbury; and here, at his death, he left a family consisting of six children, viz .: Daniel; John, the father of Hon. D. B. Whitney, M. D., who now resides at East Norwich, L. I .; Israel C., Naomi, Esther and Sarah. Daniel, the oldest of these children, was born July 2nd 1781. He married Nancy Valentine of Suffolk county, and succeeded his father [ in this his first school was high proof of his executive

495

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, OYSTER BAY.

ability and good judgment. Subsequently he attended the Oyster Bay Academy, under the Rev. Marmaduke Earle, where he learned surveying, a science which he has since quite extensively practiced as an art. In this capacity he has frequently served the highway commis- sioners, and in 1873 the board of supervisors appointed him to act in behalf of Queens county to settle with Suffolk county the division line between the two. Mr. Whitney in politics is one of those Democrats who, like poets, are born, not made; for he inherits his views and principles from at least two generations of his ancestors. He was elected superintendent of common schools in 1845 by this party, and has since been repeatedly elected to positions of trust in his native town, having served six years as trustee of the Jones fund, fifteen years as assessor, and finally at the town election in 1881 he was chosen supervisor of Oyster Bay by a majority of 413 votes in a total of 1,843, and had a majority in each election district in the town.

Although this is his first year in the board of supervi- sors his well known ability and experience in other pub- lic duties secured his appointment on some of the prin- cipal committees, where he is ably vindicating the judg- ment of his townsmen who have called him to adminis- ter this important trust.

Mr. Whitney has for twenty years been a director in the Glen Cove Mutual Insurance Company, and had served as trustee in his school district for a like period when he resigned the latter position to qualify as super- visor.

As peacemaker among men he has rendered valuable service to his friends and neighbors in a large number of cases in the community. It has frequently fallen in the line of his duty to administer upon the estates of his deceased neighbors or to execute their last wills, and, although not an attorney, he has been very frequently called upon as a careful conveyancer to write deeds, draft wills and prepare similar legal papers for his friends.

His marriage to Elizabeth Titus, youngest daughter of Henry Titus and sister of Daniel D. Whitney's wife, took place April 9th 1849. They have reared a family of three promising children-Phobe T., born January 26th 1852: Daniel S., born November 4th 1855; and Henry C., born May 31st 1867. These children are all living, and in the old homestead with their parents form a happy circle, respected socially by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.

RICHARD SMITH.

The branch of the Smith family to be considered here has descended from Jacob Smith of Hempstead, who married Freelove Jones of South Oyster Bay. Their children were two sons, Thomas and Isaac, and a daughter. Thomas married Phœbe Allen of Great Neck, and raised a family of ten children. The sixth, named

Puchar I. Smith

Thomas, was born in 1755 and married Deborah Butler, a sister of William and John Butler of Dosoris. He died December 3d 1807, leaving five children, viz., Thomas, Richard, Abram, Isaac and Sarah. None of these were married except Richard, who left two sons, Daniel W. and Thomas.

Richard Smith mentioned above, whose portrait ap- pears in connection with this sketch, was born August 5th 1791, on Center Island, where his family had resided for two or more generations. His wife was Phœbe, the daughter of Joseph White the old ship-builder.

Richard spent some part of his time working a farm at Oyster Bay. He was also engaged in driving a stage for a time between that place and Hicksville. In later life he parted with his interests on Center Island and bought land on Cove Neck, where he afterward resided. He had strong faith in the final triumph of the Union armies during the war of the Rebellion, and accordingly in- vested in government securities at that time. These se - curities inured greatly to his benefit in after years. He lived a life of usefulness, and came down to his death in a good old age, departing this life March 12th 1868. His two sons reside on the property on Cove Neck owned by their father. Daniel W. is a large oyster producer, who has sold for cash in one year oysters to the amount of $40,000, besides those sold on running ac- counts. He owns several sloops engaged in the trade. His residence is finely situated on Oyster Bay Harbor, and his home though plain is a home of industry, comfort and hospitality.

496

Yours July Jan -72 Hours

DANIEL K. YOUNGS.

Beautifully located on Oyster Bay Harbor, and nest- ling among the hillsides which slope to the very edge of that picturesque sheet of water, is the Youngs home- stead. Here eight generations of the family have been born, and here the family still reside, in a house a por- tion of which more than two centuries ago sheltered their ancestors.

The Rev. John Youngs, the first of the family who came to America, set out from Hingham, England, and arrived at New Haven in 1638. From thence he migra- ted to Southold, Suffolk county, where many of his de- scendants still reside. He was known as a very devout man, but one fully alive and active in secular as well as religious affairs. His second son, Thomas, removed from Southold to Oyster Bay Cove in 1655, and was admitted into the original purchase, the share "set off " to him being what was usually known as a half right. The evi- dence of ownership was surveyor's certificates, some of which are yet extant. Among the old documents of the family, recently compiled by Hon. William J. Youngs, is a lease made by Thomas Youngs to his two sons, bearing date 1670. It only historical value consists in showing how much had been done in fifteen years toward subdu- ing a comparative wilderness.

The family increased, and settled in and about the and political economy, while literature and the classics Cove until the Revolutionary war, when, owing to political

differences, one branch migrated to Connecticut. At this time Daniel Youngs 2nd was in possession of the homestead. He was a captain of militia, and his accou- trements, muster roll, and military order-book are still preserved. One would suppose that the "captain" was not at heart very loyal to "His Majesty," for when Wash- ington made his tour of Long Island he remained at the Youngs homestead while in Oyster Bay. The family still preserve many relics of this visit. Daniel Youngs 3d succeeded to the ownership of the homestead. He also seems to have had a liking for the military, for we find he was a "trooper" in 1812, although not in active service. He was afterward a justice of the peace of the town of Oyster Bay, and was noted for settling almost every suit brought before him. His highest emolument in any one year during his term of office was five dollars. An honest and upright man, of modest and retiring dis- position, he was much beloved by all who knew him. He died in 1874, at the ripe age of 91 years.

Daniel K. Youngs was born in 1817. At the age of 16 he succeeded his father in the management of the farm. A lad of studious habits, a finished education and a pro- fession were intended for him by his parents; but, pre- ferring the life of an agriculturist, he was permitted to remain on the farm. Much of his leisure time was now devoted to the study of standard works on agriculture were not neglected.

497

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, OYSTER BAY.

In 1850 he married Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Smith, Esq., a lady of exemplary character and a lineal descendant of Sir John (usually known as "Captain " John) Underhill. The newly married people removed from the Cove to Center Island, where they remained several years, and from whence they removed to the old Underhill homestead (then owned by Daniel Smith, Esq.), at Matinecock. Mr. Youngs was at this time president of the Queens County Agricultural Society and one of the prominent farmers of the State.

In 1865 he repaired to Huntington, Suffolk county, to obtain for his son the advantages of the academy there. Here he remained until 1875, when he returned to the homestead at the Cove.

Although he desires to be known only as a practical farmer, the fact remains that he is in the broadest sense an "agriculturist," being an authority on nearly all agri- cultural and horticultural topics.

Mr. Youngs, his unmarried sister Susan M. Youngs, and brother Thomas are now the owners of the home- stead. Our subject has one son, William J., who is a lawyer by profession and has twice represented Queens county in the State Legislature. He married Eleanor Smith, daughter of David J. Youngs, in 1879, and they have one daughter, Mary Fanny, who is the sole repre- sentative of the ninth generation of this branch of the Youngs family.

Overlooking the homestead and the bay is the family cemetery. Laid out with paths, and with shade and orna- mental trees, it lies the peaceful resting place of those of the family who have gone to their last sleep. In the center a large marble shaft has been erected to the memory of the original progenitor of the family at the Cove. It is a beautiful spot, fitly chosen, and the honorable names borne by those who now rest there will ever act as an incentive to honorable deeds to those of the family living and yet to live.

CHARLES COLYER.

It is understood that Theodorus Colyer was one of three brothers (the others Abraham and Jacobus) sup- posed to have emigrated from Holland, and that he had one son, named John. No record can be found of any other children of said Theodorus Colyer.

John Colyer was born March 29th 1729. He had five children-Mary, Charles, Phebe, Amy and Charles 2nd, the last born March 27th 1769 and the only one that arrived at maturity.

Charles 2nd married Martha Whitson. Their children were John (died in infancy), Stephen, Sarah, Richard, John, Zebulon W. (died in infancy), Charles, Abraham, Phebe, Jacob, Israel, Martha, Ruth W., and Rachel. Ten of these lived to be heads of families. It is related of Charles Colyer (son of John, that one day, when about twelve years old, on taking his horses to water he caught sight of some British officers who were "pressing" horses to move their artillery. They espied him at the same time,

Charles bolyer

and ordered him to stop. On his refusal they pursued, and even fired at him; but the undaunted young hero, relying on the speed of his horses, put the whip to them and took a "wood road" which led to a thicket in a gully nearly a mile from his home. There he hid the horses for more than a week, carrying food and water to them at night. After they were secured he crept back to the brow of a hill a few rods from his home, and heard the officers threatening his widowed mother on his account and telling her that if they found her son they would kill him. They soon left, but a few days after, while at the house of a neighbor, the young lad recognized his former pursuers there. The recognition was mutual, and they inquired why he ran away, advised him not do the like again as he exposed himself to the danger of being shot, gave him a piece of silver and called him a brave little fellow. Farewells were exchanged and they saw no more of each other. His were the only horses of the neighbor- hood that escaped the pressgang. At the present time the people of the vicinity will point out their hiding- place. Although he owned several thousand acres of land in what is now known as Melville and Half Hollow Hills, and on the south shore of Long Island, he decided to become a teacher. Some of his pupils had been his schoolmates (for he was but 16 years old), and in order to keep in advance of them he studied diligently. He also became one of the first surveyors of western Suffolk county. While still very young he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which office he held contin- uously until his death, at the age of 46.

His son Charles Colyer, the subject of this sketch, was

498

HISTORY OF QUEENS COUNTY.

born December 23d 1799, in what is known as Round Swamp (town of Huntington, Suffolk county), which was a part of the "Bethpage purchase "-a tract of land bought by Thomas Powell sen. from four Indians (Maw- mee, alias Serewanos, William Chepy, Sewrushung, and Wamussum) August 18th 1695, a "division " of which his great-grandfather Theodorus Colyer bought in 1755.

On March 5th 1822 he married Mary, daughter of Richard Van Wyck and granddaughter of Theodorus Van Wyck, a lineal descendant of Cornelius Barentse Van Wyck, a member of an old and noble family of Holland, who emigrated to America in 1660 and was the progeni- tor of numerous Van Wycks, as mentioned in the history of the Van Wyck family, page 206 of this volume. A few days after his marriage he purchased a farm in Woodbury, town of Oyster Bay, which he occupied during the re- mainder of his life, and here children and grandchildren crowded around for many happy years before the family circle was broken by Death, the relentless, who claimed some as his own. The eldest child, Martha, was born June 8th 1823; Charles W., born February 15th 1825, died December 8th 1868; Mary E., born July 8th 1827, died December 7th 1862; Mariam was born July 25th 1834; Sarah J. June 17th 1843; and the youngest, Richard C. Colyer, April 4th 1845.

This son now occupies the homestead farm; and, although but a young man, has been called by his towns- men to the office of justice of the peace. Though hav- ing reached only the second year of his term he has been highly complimented by the people for his ability and fitness for the discharge of the duties of his office.

Martha Colyer, daughter of Charles and Mary Colyer, married, first, John Nelson Monfort, a man of sterling character, who is remembered with respect by all who knew him, and by none more kindly than by her who became his wife August 10th 1842. Several years after the death of Mr. Monfort his widow married Francis M. A. Wicks, well known as a justice in Suffolk county.

Charles W. Colyer married Mary Duryea. Mary E. Colyer married Francis Sammis, of Hempstead, May 23d 1844. Mariam married Ezra Smith in 1850. Sarah J. married Ketcham Buffet, March 1863. Richard married Alice O., daughter of Francis M. A. Wicks, September 28th 1870.

Captain Colyer, whose portrait appears in connection with this article, brought his title of "Captain" from the training-field of the State militia, where he commanded a company eleven years. During his life it frequently became his duty to administer some of the minor offices in his adopted town. In politics Mr. Colyer was a staunch Republican, and in his religious views partook somewhat of the Quaker ideas of his ancestors. His wife, who survives to cherish the memory of him as a loving husband, comes from one of the old families, whose Presbyterianism she inherits. Mr. Colyer was a person of a peculiarly happy disposition and sweet temper, and the twinkle of his eye when telling or hear-

ing an amusing story showed how keen a sense of humor he possessed.

After a life of nearly four-score years he died April 9th 1878, peacefully, as he had lived. He was honored when living by those who knew him, and when dead held in kindly remembrance.

M. L. H. B.

THE WHITE FAMILY.

Edward White, the first of the White family that set- tled in the village of Oyster Bay, was a Quaker, and came from England about the year 1660. He afterward mar- ried Mary, daughter of Simon Cooper, and settled on the property now owned and occupied by his great-great- grandson Joseph White. Their children were Simon, Mary, Robert, Joseph Abigail, Martha, Judith, Edward and Ann. Simon married Phebe Wright; they lived on the old family homestead and had two children, Judith and Joseph. Judith married Wright Craft, of Duck Pond, and had two children, Simon and Oliver.

Joseph, who when the Revolutionary war broke out was a young man, left his native village and entered the service of his country. While he was on an American privateer the vessel was captured off Long Island by an English frigate, and all hands were carried prisoners to Antigua in the West Indies, where Mr. White was con- fined in prison two years, when he was released and re- turned home. He then went into the service of the United States as a ship carpenter, for which in his old age he received a pension from the government. After the war was over Mr. White returned to his old home- stead in the village to see his mother (his father, Simon White, having died when Joseph was a young child), which he had not dared to do before, as the village of Oyster Bay was in possession of a regiment of British troops, commanded by Colonel Simcoe, who built a fort on the high ground overlooking the village. He then married Ann Alsop, by whom he had five children, named Daniel, Thomas, Alsop, Phebe and Philena. Phebe died young; the rest of the children all grew up, married and

had families. Daniel married Mary Kemp and had two children, Daniel and Isabella. Thomas married Amelia Velsor and had three children, Thomas, Phebe and George. Alsop married Rhoda Wortman and had six children, Coles, Joseph, Jacob, Annie, Fannie and Rhoda. Philena married Richard Smith and had children Daniel, Thomas, and others that died very young.

The remains of Edward White and Mary his wife and of most of their descendants lie in the White family burial plot, containing about half an acre, situated in the eastern part of the village, on the north side of the main road leading to Oyster Bay Cove.

The daughters of Edward White married into the Colwell, Chadyne and Larrabee families, and their re- mains and those of their descendants lie in the White family burial plot, as the many tombstones there will show.

499

THE VILLAGE OF OYSTER BAY.

OYSTER BAY VILLAGE.

This village is beautifully situated on the south side of the excellent harbor from which it and the town take their name. The place is abundantly supplied with per- ennial springs and has long been noted as a healthy lo- cality. This place and Roslyn are considered to be better supplied with spring water than any other places on Long Island.

The railroad is reached by two lines of stages, running respectively to Locust Valley and Syosset, each of which stations is about four miles distant. Efforts are being made toward the construction of a "north side " railroad from New York through this place to Huntington. Many important business men of the metropolis reside here, some of them having retired. Vice-Chancellor William T. McCoun spent his last days here.

Much of the early history of the place is embodied in the general history of the town. The original village site extended from the foot of Mill Hill to Cove Hill, and as far south as the head of South street, and included the village and the two small settlements on the east and west known as the Cove and Oyster Bay Harbor. South street is mentioned in deeds under the name of Main street as late as 1848.

Oyster Bay Academy for many years flourished as a useful school under the principalship of Rev. Marmaduke Earle. The present advantages for obtaining an educa- tion are furnished by a union free school.

There is an extensive library and reading room in the village, under the auspices of the Brotherhood of Christ Church. A number of the residents of the village and vicinity have contributed liberally by donating books.

The growth of the place has been slow. The chief industry is the taking of oysters and clams from the har- bor. There are several stores dealing in general mer- chandise, also hardware, grocery, shoe, millinery, clothing and other stores, a coal and lumber yard and two fair sized hotels.

JAMES M. LUDLAM.

One of the principal business men of this village is James M. Ludlam, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers in Southampton, Suffolk county, L. I., where they owned a mill in 1665. The first will on rec- ord in the city of New York, dated April 27th 1665, is that made by William Ludlam of Southampton. It showed that he had three daughters, and three sons, Henry, Joseph and Anthony. Joseph removed to Hog Island (now Center Island) in 1680, where he died and was buried. One branch of the family still resides there. Thomas Ludlam, the grandfather of James M. Ludlam, removed from that island in 1740. He was one of those who during the Revolution were compelled to render aid and comfort to the British, and at one time was made to draw wood across the East River on the ice. One branch of this family is the subject of a special mention in the article on Center Island.

James An. Sudlam

this sketch, is a son of Joseph Ludlam. He was born at Mill Neck, on Oyster Bay Harbor, November 3d 1809, and lived here, giving his attention to agriculture, until 1836, when he removed to Oyster Bay village and com- menced business in a country store. The building then occupied, a frame structure, was destroyed in 1848 by a fire which originated in an adjacent building. Mr. Lud- lam immediately replaced his store by a substantial brick one, which is still owned by him and occupied by the firm of Frederick Ludlam & Co. Mr. Ludlam carried on this business alone about twenty-five years; at first in a small way, but with a gradually increasing prosperity. In 186t his son James H. became a partner with him. After about forty years of activity in this business the senior Mr. Ludlam retired, leaving the business to his two sons, James H. and Frederick, and now the business has passed into the hands of Frederick Ludlam & Co. During the years he was engaged in this business many changes occurred, with general prosperity, though during the financial disasters of 1857 he suffered loss with others by bank failures. Most of his time has been devoted to his private affairs, to the exclusion of politics and public business, except as he has ever been deeply interested in the public schools. In the school board he has served ten years as trustee, and in local improvements he has been largely interested. He purchased ground and erect- ed a large number of dwellings as a means of developing that part of the village in which he lived. To further the interests of the town he recently offered to build at

James M. Ludlam, the gentleman first mentioned in his own expense a mile of the proposed north shore rail-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Queens County, New York : with illustrations, portraits, and sketches of prominent families and individuals., Part 91

Author: Publication date: 1882 Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell and Co. Number of Pages: 703

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell and Co.
Number of Pages: 703