USA > New York > Suffolk County > History of Suffolk county, New York, 1683 > Part 22
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Previous to this time-say in the summer of 1796-an effort was made to procure the services of the Rev. Luther Gleason as permanent pastor. The sum of £79 3s. was contributed by 75 persons for the pastor's sup- port. An agreement was entered into with the Presby- terian church at Smithtown to call Mr. Gleason to take charge of the two congregations, he to preach one half of the Sundays in the " meeting-house " at Smithtown and the other half in the " meeting-house " at Hunting- ton South. In case of public fasts or Thanksgiving days the Smithtown congregation was to have the minister's services. The salary was fixed at £160 per year, and Mr. Gleason was to have the use of the parsonage house, barn, and lands belonging to the same, situated at Smithtown. He entered upon his pastoral duties July 9th 1797, and continued to discharge the same-traveling between the two places-for nine years. He is said to have been a man of rather limited education, but a very companionable man and a pleasing preacher; and he made many warm friends. The fact of his having been a chaplain in the Continental army during the Revolu- tion doubtless tended to make him popular. He won the hearts of his parishioners to such an extent that he retained their confidence even after he had been deposed from the ministry. On the 20th of March 1804 he was convicted by the Presbytery of Long Island on charges of " making too free use of intoxicating liquors " and " a lightness of deportment unbecoming the sacred profes- sion." He confessed his guilt, and was restored to his former standing. On June 17th 1806 he was arraigned on charges of a more serious nature. A trial was held, lasting five days, which created great excitement, and he was found guilty and suspended. Still further charges being preferred, he refused a trial and left the presby- tery. He was finally deposed, October 16th 1807. The action of the presbytery was, however, not approved by a large portion of the congregation, who petitioned to have Mr. Gleason restored to them, and, on being re- fused, asked for letters of dismissal.
same month the Lord's Supper was administered for the first time since July 21st 1811, but entire harmony was not restored until several months later.
Rev. Samuel Weed began his labors as a missionary in 1817, and was ordained May 21st 1819, but not installed. While attending a meeting of the General Assembly at Philadelphia, June 25th 1820, he died. The church at this time had only 29 members. For further and full particulars relating to the history of this organization the reader is referred to an interesting account of the same by the Rev. James C. Nightingale, in the South Side Signal, July 22nd 1876.
The following named ministers have since Mr. Weed's death filled the position of pastor of the church or min- ister in charge:
Alexander Cummings, 1820-24; Nehemiah Baldwin Cook, 1824-32; Jonathan Cable, four months in 1833; Ebenzer Platt, 1833-37; Hollis Reed, 1838; Alfred Ketcham, 1839-48; Edward Vail, 1848-51; Gay- lord L. Moore, 1852-56; Charles W. Cooper, 1857-69; James McDougall jr., 1871-73; James C. Nightingale, 1873-79; Walter B. Floyd, 1881 to the present time.
The third house of worship was erected in 1838 and 1839, and the present handsome church edifice and a parsonage situated on Deer Park avenue were completed in 1873.
Babylon M. E. Church .- Previous to 1840 the Method- ists in this vicinity worshiped in private houses and school rooms. In that year a lot of land was pur- chased of S. W. Cooper, situated on the east side of Sumpawams road (Deer Park avenue), adjoining the premises of S. G. Wilson, and a church building 30 by 40 feet was erected. This building having become insuf- ficient to accommodate the increasing congregation, an- other lot, a few rods further north, was purchased and presented by William R. Foster. .
In 1859 and 1860 a much larger and more ornament- al edifice was erected on the newly acquired premises.
The pastors of this charge since 1840 have been Na- than Rice, William E. Bates, Timothy C. Young, Henry Hatfield, James D. Bouton, G. A. Graves, Charles Stearns, Gershom Pierce; Robert Codling, 1857, 1858; H. Asten, 1858-60; S. D. Nickerson, 1861, 1862; L. P. Perry, 1862-64; William Gothard, 1864, 1865; 1866, supply; A. O. Hammond, 1867-69; J. V. Saunders, 1769-71; - Lavall, 1871, 1872; J. W. Horn, 18.72, 1873; George Dunbar, 1873-76; E. A. Blake, 1876-79; W. H. Russell, 1879, 1880; William P. Estes, 1880-82.
Trinity Episcopal Church .- In 1862 a Protestant Epis- copal church was organized, with the title of " Trinity Church Babylon," but in consequence of the organiza- tion, some years later, of Christ Church West Islip, and the building by the latter of a beautiful edifice east of the village, in the town of Islip, Trinity church has practically been merged in the other organization.
Much dissension prevailed until 1812, when the disaf- fected were excluded from the communion. That act Babylon Baptist Church .- In 1872 the Baptists effected a church organization, and in the following year the handsome house of worship now standing at the corner so weakened the church that it was found impossible to support a pastor. In April 1818 the unfortunate differ- ences were partially reconciled, and on a Sunday of the of Main street and Carll avenue was completed. The
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THE TOWN OF BABYLON.
erection of this building was principally due to the lib- erality of E. B. Litchfield and Mrs. Sarah Bertine. The pastors have been George Lavalley, James S. Ladd and John B. L'Hommedieu.
St. Joseph's Raman Catholic Church, situated on the north side of Grove place, is a handsome and appropriate structure of the gothic style of architecture. It was erected in 1878. From 1878 to 1880 Rev. Joseph Coughlin was the parish priest. He was succeeded by Rev. James Blake, the present incumbent.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Sampawams Lodge, No. 104, was instituted July 27th 1849. The charter members were Jesse Conklin, Stephen Leek, Stephen J. Wilson, Henry Southard, Val- entine Sprague, Henry Bedell, E. V. Brown, Ebenezer Kellum, Charles Pascoe and John Snodgrass.
The first officers were: Jesse Conklin, N. G .; Stephen Leek, V. G .; John Snodgrass, secretary; Ebenezer Kel- lum, treasurer.
The present officers (1882) are: Henry Baylis, N. G .; Frank S. Weeks, V. G .; Jonathan Sammis, secretary; Joel S. Davis, treasurer.
HOTELS.
The American House, before mentioned, is probably the Bassett.
oldest hotel on this island, having been in continuous use as a place of entertainment for nearly a century. The east wing is the part longest erected, and bids fair to stand for many years longer.
officer at the battle of North Point (Baltimore) during the war of 1812.
During the fifty years preceding 1841, in which the U. S. mails were carried in stages over the south post road, this building was one of the important resting places. Here horses were changed, and passengers who were going to the city breakfasted and those returning took dinner. The owners of this site have been Jesse Smith, Nathaniel Conklin, Benjamin Rushmore and Simon W. Cooper, Jordan Seaman, E. W. Underhill, Selah C. Smith, - Clarendon, - Schmull and David S. S. Sammis; and the place has been kept by Jesse Smith, Philo Snedecor, John Bedell, Jordan Seaman, Edwin Dodd, J. E. Dodd, Jesse Conklin, C. E. Snedecor, William Watson, S. C. Smith, Martin Willetts, William Pitman Kellinger, D. S. S. Sammis, and Mrs. P. A. Seaman.
Other hotels have been in operation in the village and are now discontinued. About 1814 Thomas Gould had a public house near where is now the residence of Colonel Post on Main street. Another was kept by Pat- rick Gould about 1829 on the site of S. L. Seaman's store, at the corner of Main street and Placide avenue.
This place was afterward under the management of Jesse Conklin, Elkanah Jarvis, Ira Kellum, and U. H.
The Sumpawams Hotel was opened about 1850, by Thomas J. Seaman, and conducted by him until his death, in 1856. The house was then kept by his widow until 1872. The property, situated on the south side of Main street, is now owned by L. H. Fishell, and used for various business purposes, containing the post-office, the store of the owner, Trave's meat market and Johnson's confectionery establishment.
Under the roof of this venerable hostelry numbers of eminent personages have been sheltered and fed. Among the number may be mentioned Joseph Bonaparte, ex-king of Spain and the eldest brother of the great Napoleon. The ex-king made a tour through Long The Watson House, one of the finest watering place Island in 1816, stopped at this hotel, and in consequence hotels in the country, is situated on the east side of Pla- of sickness was detained thereat for several days. Although free from haughtiness, he traveled in good style and with a due regard for comfort. An Italian gentleman was his traveling companion, and in his train cide avenue. It was built in r870, by S. C. Smith, is now under his management, and is frequented by persons from every section of the country. The Argyle Hotel was erected on the property owned he had several carriages. The vehicle in which he rode and occupied as a country seat at one time by E. B. was drawn by four splendid horses; another carriage car- Litchfield of New York and named by him "Blythe- bourne." It was purchased by the Long Island Improve- ment Company, an association of English and American capitalists, in 1881, from L. H. Thayer of New York. In ried his cooks and other servants, and the third was loaded with silverware, wines and cooking utensils. It is said that this distinguished tourist at one time contem- plated purchasing a farm located about three and a half February 1882 work was begun toward the erection of a miles east of this village. He subsequently purchased a large estate near Bordentown, N. J.
mammoth summer hotel. This structure was completed in June of the same year, and is a very handsome edifice,
Commodore David Porter was also a guest. In 1840 beautifully located. It has a frontage of 300 feet and a Daniel Webster, on his way to attend a great political depth of 155 on the ends and 60 feet in the center. It is guests and is luxuriously furnished throughout. It was opened June 20th 1882. James P. Colt is the manager. mass meeting of the Whigs at Patchogue, stopped here built in the Queen Anne style. It has room for 700 over night, occupying the apartment now used as the trav- elers' room. Cephas Halsey and Major Philip Thomas boarded in this house a number of years previous to 1848. They were both gentlemen of the old school, the TRADE AND MANUFACTURES. former having been a successful trader in the West Indies, and the latter having served his country in im- portant military and civil positions. Major Thomas was a native of Maryland, and distinguished himself as an
Of persons who have been engaged in merchandising may be named Abraham G. Thompson, Foster Nostrand, Benjamin Rushmore, Benjamin K. Hobart, Thomas H. Smith, Timothy P. Carll, Lawrence Seaman jr., Smith
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THE TOWN OF BABYLON.
Woodhull, Ezra C. Stadge, Silas Tooker, Wm. A. Took- er, Samuel C. Wicks, S. S. Bourdette, Alanson Seaman, James H. Carll, B. T. Hunt, Thomas J. Seaman, Walter W. Robbins, John M. Oakley, Sidney Bruce, Aaron Smith, Charles Jayne, Timothy S. Carll, John Robbins, Theodore N. Hawkins, Mark Ketcham, Washington T. Norton, Sidney L. Seaman, S. J. Wilson, E. J. Moore, Leopold H. Fishell, J. James Robbins, Elbert Dean and Dowden Brothers.
Although the place has never been remarkable for its manufacturing industries it has not been entirely devoid of enterprise in that line. As early as 1801 Nathaniel Conklin, at that time the most wealthy, enterprising and extensive land owner in the vicinity, established a tan- nery; and for several years, with Simon W. Cooper as foreman, he conducted a large business. In conse- quence of failing health Mr. Conklin sold out to his foreman, under whose ownership the tannery remained until his death, in January 1852. His son George D. Cooper then carried on the concern until he died, in October 1860, when the business was discontinued.
About 1810 Major Timothy Carll commenced on the stream of water called Blythebourne the manufacture of a good quality of woolen goods; and after his death, February 18th 1826, his son Selah Smith Carll was pro- prietor until his death, in 1829, with Samuel Har- graves, an Englishman, well skilled in the business, as superintendent. The factory was afterward run by several persons in succession, the last being one Park- hurst, under whose management the buildings were de- stroyed by fire.
About 1849 Isaac Willetts purchased the property and water power and erected new buildings, and for a num- ber of years he manufactured straw paper on a large scale. The paper business was afterward conducted successively by Martin Willetts, Sherman Tweedy, George W. Ingalls, S. Harned and Elbert H. Walters.
The property is now owned and used by the Argyle Hotel Company.
POST-OFFICE.
" The first post-office within the limits of the town was established here in the first years of this century. For about 20 years it was known as "Huntington South P. O." The name was subsequently changed to Babylon. The first postmaster was Major Timothy Carll (major to distinguish him from others of the same name). His successors have been: Simon W. Cooper, 1815-36; Tim- othy Platt Carll, 1836-49; Walter W. Robbins, 1849-53; Lawrence Seaman jr., 1853-61; Walter W. Robbins, 1861- 63 (died in office); John Robbins, 1864-66; Sidney L. Seaman, 1866-69; Theodore N. Hawkins, 1869-71; John Robbins, 1871-82.
JOURNALISM.
The first newspaper published in this town was the Suffolk Democrat. For about 15 years previous to 1859 it had been published at Huntington. In that year Hon. John R. Reid became its owner and assumed its edito-
rial and business management, which he retained about six years. The first number of the paper printed here was issued April 8th 1859. During the editorship of Judge Reid the paper attained a large circulation as well as influence, and was regarded as the leading Democratic journal of the county. For about a year it was published by Charles Jayne, when it was removed to Hunt- ington and its name changed to Suffolk Bulletin.
On the 9th of July 1869 Henry Livingston, as editor and proprietor, issued the first number of the South Side Signal. From that time to the present it has had an eminently successful career, and it now has an extensive circulation. Its especial attention to local news through the medium of a numerous corps of sub-editors has greatly contributed to enlarge its list of subscribers.
In the spring of 1876 the press, stock and fixtures of a newspaper which had been published at Islip were purchased by an association, and the first number of the Babylon Budget was issued. March 25th 1876. The paper has since been under the management of John R. Reid, W. S. Overton, Jesse S. Pettit, John Louden, Charles T. Duryea, and J. R. Reid the second time. It is now con- ducted by S. A. Titus, and is in a prosperous condition.
While directed by Judge Reid the Budget obtained a wide reputation for the terse, vigorous style of its edito- rials, as well as for its originality and its able and inde- pendent treatment of public questions.
AMITYVILLE.
This village is situated in the southwestern portion of the town, near the easterly line of Queens county, and is next in size and population to Babylon. Previous to 1840 it was known as West Neck South. At that date the locality could properly be classed as a hamlet, there being only a few houses scattered along the old post road from Hempstead to Babylon.
Colonel Platt Conklin, son of Captain Jacob Conklin, was about the middle of the last century the owner of a large tract of land in this vicinity, which he probably sold about 1770.
At an early period a grist-mill and saw-mill was erected on the stream known as Ireland's Brook. This mill property has been owned by three successive generations of the Ireland family.
One of the first houses built on the south road in this immediate locality was erected by Abraham Wanzer. It afterward became the property of Thomas Wiggins, who conveyed it to Joshua Hart sen., March 21st 1794. The premises are now owned and occupied by Joshua Hart son of the last named.
The earliest house of entertainment was that of Zebulon Ketcham, which was situated half a mile east of the present village. Washington on his tour through Long Island while president dined here. An account of this journey in "Onderdonk's Annals," states that "Presi- dent Washington passed up the south side as far as Patchogue; thence crossing over to Smithtown via Coram, he returned through Oyster Bay, Hempstead Harbor,
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THE TOWN OF BABYLON.
and Flushing. He was attended by his suite of officers and rode in a coach drawn by four gray horses, with out- riders. He dined at Zebulon Ketcham's, Huntington South, and begged the landlord to take no trouble about the fare, and on leaving gave a half 'Joe ' and a kiss to his daughter."
At a later period, about 1810, Thomas Ireland, be- sides his mill business, kept a public house.
During the Revolution Joshua Ketcham had a good farm down on the neck. He was a thrifty farmer and suffered considerably froin the depredations of British foraging parties.
One of the first merchants here was Ebenezer Chiches- ter, who had a store in 1816. He afterward formed a partnership with John O. Ireland. The latter in 1824 was in business on his own account in a store situated on the corner of the turnpike and the Farmingdale road. Mr. Ireland is now living at Greenport. In 1836 Na- thaniel Williams commenced business on the site last mentioned, and he continued the same until 1859. The present store-keepers in the village are Messrs. Wood- hull Skidmore and Purdy.
The place has two churches, both Methodist Epis- copal. The first church edifice was erected on the north side of the country road. About 1845 a new building was erected on the same site, which remained there un- til 1874, when it was removed to the east side of Farm- ingdale road and remodeled into a handsome church.
About the year 1870 a considerable number of this ble place in which to test the feasibility of his scheme. congregation, and about 30 members of the church, de- siring to have a place of worship nearer their homes, erected a building for religious meetings half a mile north of the railroad. Services are now held on alternate Sundays, the same minister officiating in both churches.
The population of the territory properly included in the village is about 1,500. The village is situated in the midst of a fine section of farming land, and the residences in this locality indicate a thrifty population.
The three hotels of this place, the Douglass House, King's Hotel (formerly the Revere House), and the Bay View Hotel, are well filled during the summer months.
In 1867 Charles Wood established a large lumber yard near the railroad depot, and he has since continued to transact a large business. He is said to be one of the most enterprising business men on Long Island. He has recently commenced operating a large sawing and plan- ing mill.
The most noted establishment of Amityville is the new institution for the treatment of the insane, known as the " Long Island Home Hotel." It is owned by an incorporated company, organized in 1881. It is a hand- some edifice, 250 feet in length, containing a central building four stories high, surmounted with a cupola, and has wings on each side 75 feet long. Its internal arrangements are very complete. The insane are treated with kindness, instead of harshness; and in pleasant weather are allowed to busy themselves about the grounds in such out door employment as their taste dic- tates. The success of this treatment has been very
great; the larger number of the patients have been en- tirely restored. John Louden is the superintendent. The trustees are William Blake, Townsend Cox. A. D. Bailey, P. H. Foster, J. Louden, D. J. Runyon, D. S. S. Sammis, and S. R. Williams. The president is Town- send Cox; vice-president, William Blake; treasurer, S. R. Williams.
About four years ago a company was organized here for the purpose of planting and growing oysters in the waters of the South Bay. The company purchased and laid down in waters near the village several hundred bushels of seed -oysters, and it is said that the venture has proved decidedly profitable. The business bids fair to increase to a great extent at no distant day.
BRESLAU.
This village is situated about midway between Babylon and Amityville. Its history does not extend back more than 13 years. In 1869 the land upon which the village now stands was covered with pine trees and an under growth of bushes. About that time Charles S. Schleier, a German by birth but a resident of this country since 1849, conceived the idea that Long Island presented ex- cellent facilities for the building up of a manufacturing and industrial community on the co-operative plan. In company with a number of intelligent gentlemen he ex- amined the site and became satisfied that it was a suita- Some of the land was purchased by Mr. Schleier, and some by Thomas Wellwood. It was divided into lots and sold to settlers, who were mostly Germans.
The place grew rapidly and a manufacturing establish- ment was put up about 1872. It was a brick building three stories high, 120 feet by 40, and was intended for a shoe factory. A Massachusetts firm, however, com- menced the manufacture of papier mache goods there, and probably would have been successful had not the long period of business depression prevailed soon after the beginning of the enterprise. As it was, the firm failed. The building is now occupied as a button manu- factory: bone, celluloid, rubber and other materials be- ing worked up into buttons. A large number of hands are now employed in the work, and the business gives indications of success. On the north side of the railway, nearly opposite the button manufactory, is a large frame building furnished with steam power. In this building trimmings of various kinds for ornamenting ladies' dresses are made, of worsted, silk, cotton, and linen materials.
It is not unlikely that ere long other industries will be undertaken, the location being so well adapted for manu- facturing purposes.
The present inhabitants are nearly all of German birth, and are industrious. Their houses give evidence of thrift and comfort. Many of the dwelling houses have been enlarged and improved since they were first erected, in the early days of the settlement. Every year shows de- cided gains in the development and prosperity of the village.
1. %
Suo. a . Reid
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THE TOWN OF BABYLON.
The school district which embraces Breslau is number He is a persistent and discriminating reader, and has 4 in the township. The public school is well attended one of the largest and best selected private libraries in and the children are taught the different branches; prin- cipally in English, but are also taught to speak the Ger- man language grainmatically. the State, gathered with the enthusiasm of a book-lover and the refined taste of a cultured student-a collection of more than 15,000 volumes, in which there are not half a dozen books which a scholar would not deem a prize.
There are three churches, Lutheran, Methodist and Roman Catholic.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES .*
JOHN R. REID
was born in the town of Brookhaven, Suffolk county, N. Y., February 8th 1836. After obtaining a common school education, by which he profited to the utmost, he commenced teaching in his fifteenth year. Alternately teaching and attending school-he having no income save that which he earned-he became thoroughly versed in Latin and French, familiar with the higher mathematics, and well grounded in rhetoric, logic and metaphysics, with an earnest love for polite literature. As a student he was energetic and ambitious, always standing well in all his classes and leading in most.
In his twentieth year he began the study of law. He graduated at the State and National Law School, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and was admitted to the bar on attaining his majority. He immediately entered upon the active practice of his profession, having an office in New York city as well as at Babylon, where he resides.
He has also taken an active part in political matters, editing with marked ability two Democratic newspapers for several years and being foremost with voice and pen in efforts to promote the mental, moral and social well- being of the community. As a speaker on literary and educational topics, temperance, odd-fellowship and masonry he has been earnest, entertaining and instruc- tive. He has an excellent command of language, and his wit and humor are keen, delicate and scholarly. Being both rhetorical and logical he is very effective in his appeals as an advocate. As a stump speaker he is ready and versatile. In Suffolk county he is regarded as the ablest criminal lawyer and advocate at that bar, and in the profession generally he holds a prominent po- sition. As a jury lawyer he has a recognized eminence.
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