History of Suffolk county, New York, 1683, Part 25

Author: W.W. Munsell & Co., pub; Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather); Cooper, James B. (James Brown), 1825-; Pelletreau, William S. (William Smith), 1840-1918; Street, Charles R. (Charles Rufus), 1825-1894; Smith, John Lawrence, 1816-1889
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 677

USA > New York > Suffolk County > History of Suffolk county, New York, 1683 > Part 25

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The settlers laid out a town plat in the neighborhood of what is known as the Green at Setauket. Lots in

THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN.

this plat were called home lots. One was reserved for a minister, another for a weaver, another for a shoemaker and another for a blacksmith. Different sections of land and salt meadows were divided among the proprietors, so that a freeholder soon came to own a number of patches of a few acres each, here and there, scattered among the different sections of land so divided up. For example let us enumerate the various parcels of land be- longing to the " accommodation " which Zachariah Haw- kins sold to Peter Whitehaire September 16th 1668. This comprehends his home lot, ".taking in three rows of apple trees, running to the harbor;" four acres in "the field " between land of Arthur and Robert Smith; three acres between land of William Fancy and Thomas Thorpe; four acres in Crane's Neck; one acre " that was of Cock's lot;" two and a half acres in the Little Neck; ten acres at the Old Man's; two five-acre lots at New- town, numbers 2 and 21; enough in the 3-acre lots to make forty acres; "a share of meadow that belongs to Cock's lot," a share at the fresh pond, a share upon the beach, a share at "the Old Man's," and a share at the south; " with all commonage and privileges whatsoever doeth belong to one acommodation."

The settlers appear to have lived on friendly terms with the Indians. They have left no evidences of any serious difficulty occurring with them. On the contrary they seem to have moved from the earliest period with little apprehension or fear of molestation by them. They extended their operations of building and improving isolated patches in different directions, which placed them in a much exposed position, but we have not learned that the Indians took any unfair advantage of such exposure. They seemed to live in almost absolute peace and quie- tude. The settlers soon pushed their explorations across the island; and, finding there great fields of natural meadow abounding in luxuriant grass, they negotiated with the Indians whom they found in possession of them for some portions of their abundant domain.

Through the instrumentality of Richard Woodhull the settlers obtained (July 20th 1657) from the grand sachem Wyandanch and Wenecoheage a deed for a large tract of meadows at Mastic. For this the Indians were to re- ceive 20 coats, 20 hoes, 20 hatchets, 40 needles, 40 muxes, 10 pounds of powder, 10 pounds of lead, six pairs of stockings, six shirts, one trooper's coat, 20 knives and one gun. The bounds of this tract were "from a River called Connecticut, and So to a River called Wegontho- tak Eastward."

1671-the town at a public meeting appointed a com- mittee to go to view the meadows at Unkechauge and negotiate with the Indians concerning them. To facili- tate negotiations the committeemen were duly author- ized to carry "some likers with them to the Indians upon

the towne's acount." This commission was probably not directly successful. Finally, in 1674, assisted by the favorable influence of Governor Lovelace, Tobacus and his associates gave the town of Setauket a deed for " all the mowable medow land, whether hier land or lower, that lieth betweene a River called conitticut to another River called Mastick," with the privilege of setting up houses and yards for the care of their hay, and "fre egres and Regres to their medowes without any mollesta- tion." This deed is dated September 19th 1674. The land thus obtained was spoken of as the "New Pur- chase," while the tract extending from Accombamack to Yampkanke Creek was known as the "Old Purchase."

June roth 1664 the inhabitants of Brookhaven ob- tained a deed from Tobacus, the sachem of Unchachage, for all that tract on the south side lying within the fol- lowing bounds: "On the South with the Grate baye and on the weste with a fresh ponde, aioying to a place com - anly called a combamack, and on the Este with a river called Yamphanke, and on the north it extendes to the Midell of the Island." These bounds comprehended all the land on the south side ever bought of the Indians by the proprietors in common of Brookhaven, except the meadows above spoken of. At the same time the sachem reserved "Seficient planting land for thos that are the true Natife propriaters and thare ayers." The price named in the deed for this considerable tract of land was the value of fifty fathoms of wampun, which when paid -as the sachem's receipt, dated March 31st 1665, shows -was equal to six pounds and ten shillings.

On the same date as the above transaction, June 10th 1664, a deed for the pasturage and timber of all the lands from Old Man's to Wading River was given by Mayhew, sachem of Setauket, to the town. This transfer was made through the medium of the committee of Connect- icut appointed for the "settling of business on Long Island," and it is probable that the other transactions bearing that date were consummated through the influ- ence or exertions of the same committee. The price paid for this grant was one coat, one knife, one pair stockings, two hoes, two hatchets and two shirts.

By another writing bearing the same date, " Masse- tewse and the Sunke squaw, native proprieters and owners of all the lands belonging to the trackte of land commonaley cawled the ould manes," sold to the inhab- itants all their rights in the same for 4 coats, 4 pairs of stockings, 2 chests of powder, 10 bars of lead, 6 hoes, 10 hatchets, ro knives, 4 shirts and 3 pickle kettles.

It is however probable the Indians residing in the vicinity either were not satisfied or afterward changed their minds, for we find that in 1670 John Tooker and Daniel Lane bought of Wapheege a tract of upland and meadow in Unkechauge Neck covering mainly the same The purchase of Old Field was made at an early day. A deed of confirmation was given by Wyandanch, but it bears no date. It must have been made, however, pre- vious to 1659, since that potentate died that year. It engages to " maintain and defend " the rights of the in- ground. Moreover, nearly a year later-August 22nd habitants to the land "against all that shall hereafter disturb them." The memorandum of an agreement made by Wyandanch, without date, but appearing on the records about the same time, leads us to suppose that this was the neck called by the Indians Cataconock or the Great Neck, and that the following goods were paid

THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN.

for it: 6 coats, 6 kettles, a brass gun, a trooper's coat, 10 knives, a pair of shoes, 2 pounds of powder, 2 pounds of lead, 20 muxes and 40 needles.

The purchase of all the land between Stony Brook and Wading River, from the sound to the middle of the Island, was finally confirmed to the inhabitants of Brook- haven and Richard Woodhull November 19th 1675. This deed of confirmation gives to Richard Woodhull whatever remnants of land there may be within the bounds named that have not been already bought of the Indians. It is signed by the sachem Gy, and his associ- ates Massetuse, John Mahue, Nasseceage, Achedous and Coraway, or Puding. The inhabitants on the same day, through their representatives, Richard Woodhull, John Tooker, Andrew Miller and Thomas Biggs, gave to the Indians an instrument guaranteeing to them and their heirs sufficient land for planting, and free liberty to hunt, fowl or fish within the bounds of the town. November 23d following Richard Woodhull assigned to the inhabit- ants the rights gained by the above deed and received in return a farm of eighty acres at Wading River, and half the meadow that the town owned there at the time.

The inhabitants of Brookhaven secured a deed of con- firmation of their title to the beach, from the bounds of Southampton westward-to the inlet, signed by Winecros- cum, Runkes, Wenemerithew, Ryotty, Peenais, Weump and Weramps. This instrument bears date November Ioth 1685, and recites the assertion of a claim to the said beach by the inhabitants of Southampton. The lat- ter claim was founded upon a deed given by Wyandanch to Lion Gardiner June roth 1658, in which the Indians above named assert that they were not consulted, neither allowed any share in whatever may have been received in to a town in the government, with the requirement of no payment for it. They declare their action to be in ac- cordance with the consent and order of their sachem Tobacus, and deny the right of any one else to this beach but the inhabitants of Brookhaven.

December 8th 1690 Richard Woodhull jr., acting no doubt for the town, obtained a deed for the highways eight rods wide running down on either side of the neck lying between Connecticut River and Paterquas, then called by the English Rattlesnake Neck. This deed also granted fencing stuff and building timber, and all other privileges needed for the use and enjoyment of the meadows, and a strip of woodland eight rods wide around the neck at the head of the meadows. It further em- bodied a confirmation of the title to those meadows as well as all other meadows and uplands, both of the old purchase and the new, that had already been given by the Indians. This deed was signed by Tobackas, Wesqua- sesac, Awaekhous, Waphege, Aiot, Pammulup and Wae- ramps.

tained between the South Beach and the firm land; bounded eastward by the mouth of Connecticut River and westward by the west line of said township of Brook- haven, with all and singular the profits, advantages and privileges of fishing, fowling, oystering and other privi- leges whatsoever thereunto belonging, or in any wise ap- pertaining." The consideration named in this deed was five pounds lawful money of New York.

The foregoing purchases cover the whole territory oc- cupied or claimed by the early proprietors of Brookha- ven, and indeed, as we shall see further on, a larger ex- tent than they were able to hold in unquestioned pos- session. These evidences afford us the gratifying assur- ance that the early settlers and proprietors were not dis- posed to trample upon the rights of the Indians or to secure possession of land without respecting their claim; but, as far as we can see, in every case fairly purchased their lands of them.

'In compliance with the requirements of the duke's government the freeholders and inhabitants of this town applied for and received from Governor Nicolls a patent confirming their right and title to all the lands which they had already purchased or should afterward purchase within the bounds stated, viz .: "That is to say, the west Bounds to begin at the Line run by the Inhabitants of the said Towne, between them and Mr. Smith's lands of Nesa- quake, as in his Patent is sett forth, and to go East to the head of the Wading River or Redd Creeke; from whence, as also from their west Bounds, to stretch North to the Sound, and South to the Sea or Maine Ocean." This patent was dated March 7 1666, and it invested the free- holders and inhabitants with all the privileges belonging

other quit-rent or demand than the payment of such duties and acknowledgments as should from time to time be required by the laws of the government. The men named as patentees were "Capt. John Tucker, Mr. Daniel Lane, Mr. Richard Woodhull, Henry Perring and John Jenner."

A second patent was granted by Governor Thomas Dongan, December 27th 1686. By this patent John Palmer, Richard Woodhull, Samuel Eburne, Andrew Gibb, William Satterley, Thomas Jenner and Thomas Helme were con- stituted a body corporate and politic under the name of the Trustees of the Freeholders and Commonalty of the Town of Brookhaven. The territory covered by the for- mer patent was granted and confirmed to them and to. their successors forever, " to be held in free and common socage, according to the tenure of the Manor of East Greenwich in the county of Kent, England;" and to pay a quit-rent of one lamb or two shillings current money of the province on the 25th day of March annually. The invested with powers and duties substantially as follows: They were not to interfere in any way with the possession of land by persons holding land either through individual grants or allotments or as tenants in common of undivi- ded lands. From their jurisdiction were reserved the quit-rents due his Majesty from several individuals hold-

A deed for the South Bay was given to the trustees of board of trustees thus incorporated was at the same time Brookhaven by the Indians claiming to be the proprie- tors of it, whose signatures appear as Rubin, Sunney, Solomon, Nimrod, Richard, Harey Umpequd, Richard, Jothan, Harry, Hanibal and Tim. This was dated April 8th 1755, and it conveyed "all that tract of land, covered with water, situate and being in said Brookhaven, con-

THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN.

ing former grants within the limits of the patent, as also

remained unpurchased of the Indians. By the same name they were to have succession forever, and to be compe- tent to receive, to hold and to dispose of property of any kind whatsoever, and to sue or be sued in any court in the province. They were to have and to use a common seal, and all their acts and orders should be certified under it and signed by the president of the trustees, or in his absence by any two of them. They should upon a public summons of any three meet together "to make such acts as they might think convenient," so long as those acts were not repugnant to the laws of England or of this province. Such acts were to be made by vote of the major part of such of the trustees as were assembled, there being not fewer than five present at any such meet- ing.

The patent also ordained that there should be chosen annually, on the first Tuesday in May, by the freeholders and freemen of the town, seven trustees, as the successors to the board named in the patent, one clerk, one con- stable, and two assessors. The trustees were further, constituted commissioners of the town, with power to levy such sums of money as they thought necessary for the public expenses of the town; to give directions to the assessors from time to time how to proceed in their assess- ments on the estates of the inhabitants, and to order the disbursement of money so raised for the use of the town.

RECORD OF THE SETTLERS.

Having now reviewed the basis upon which the title to lands occupied by the settlers of this town rested, we give herewith the names of the early settlers themselves and what few scraps of evidence we are are able to find in relation to each of them. The following persons were freeholders in this town at some time during the first twenty-five years of its settlement :

Robert Akerly had a lot in the first divisions of land. His name appears on a list of inhabitants in r664. The same name appears again in 1718 as a town trustee, which probably referred to a descendant of his. He was probably an elderly man at the time of settlement and died in a few years thereafter.

Samuel Akerly, probably a son of the former, had a half lot from his father, which he traded with Henry Perring for the lot, etc., which had been Joshua Gar- lick's. He had a lot in the first "loot mente," and his name appears as an inhabitant in 1664. He was. em- ployed as a herdsman by the inhabitants of the "hie strete " during the summer of 1672, at two shillings six pence a day. He held the office of fence-viewer in 1695.

Edward Avery, a blacksmith, agreeing to work for the town's people "as cheap as other smiths do," received from the town the home lot that was Matthias Dingle's, with the privilege of a new purchaser's accommodation on payment of the just proportion, December 6th 1667.

Philip Allcock, of East Hampton, was accepted as a townsman April 2nd 1672, provided he could produce a satisfactory certificate of good behavior. He had already

purchased, March 3d 1671, of Daniel Lane the home were the several necks of land along the south side that lot formerly owned by William Simson and later by Richard Briant. Whether or not his certificate of good behavior was produced is not known. He sold the property he had bought here to Robert Wolley October 3Ist 1672.

Robert Arnold appears to have been an inhabitant of the town in r662. He was that year one of four men- John Jenners, Mr. Tucker and Mr. Smith being his asso- ciates-appointed at a town meeting September 25th to act in settling differences, with the same power as magis- trates, till the end of the year.

Alexander Briant, of Milford, Conn., appears as one of the proprietors in 1661. He sold his accommodations to Richard Floyd, May 9th 1673.

Richard Briant, of Milford, Conn., bought of Thomas Mapes accommodations of a new purchaser May rith 1670, and sold the same to Edmond Thompson on the 27th of the same month. He returned to Milford.

Nathaniel Brewster, a minister of the gospel, graduate of Harvard University in the first class, and grandson of Elder William Brewster, one of the "Pilgrims," came to this town about the time of the first settlement. He is supposed to have been the first minister here. He had a lot in the first "loot mente," and another in the second division of Old Field. October 24th 1665 the constable and overseers purchased the house of Mathew Priar for his accommodation and use as their minister. His thrce sons, Timothy, Daniel and John, afterward became prom- inent men in the early town history, the first as clerk twenty-three years, and the second in the same office for twenty-six years following. He died in 1690.

- Barker, probably a blacksmith, had occupied a home lot, which reverted to the town, and was given to Henry Brooks in August 1671.

Thomas Biggs sen., one of the first settlers, was an in- habitant in 1664, living by the brook upon which Daniel Lane's mill was located. March 14th 1669 he exchanged accommodations with John Bayles, of Jamaica, which exchange was reversed April 22nd 1674.

Thomas Biggs jr., son of the former and likewise one of the first settlers, was a prominent citizen of the primi- tive commonwealth. He was a fence-viewer in 1695, president of the first elected board of trustees in 1688, and held the same office the following year, and was ? trustee for several years afterward.

John Bosweek-sometimes spelled Boswick or Beswick -was from Southampton, and bought accommodations of Henry Rogers March Ist 1671; was accepted as a townsman August 22nd 1671, and bought part of an ac- commodation of Jacob Longbotham June Ist 1672.

Robert Bloomer, a blacksmith, appears to have been an inhabitant of the town previous to 1663. An action was commenced against him that year for debt and tres- pass to the amount of £50, by John Scott, who appears to have obtained judgment and in execution seized his bellows and tools. June 9th 1664 the judgment of the inferior court appears to have been reversed by the com- mittee of the General Assembly of Connecticut, who then

THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN.

ordered that the constable deliver to Bloomer the bellows and other tools, and that one of Mr. Scott's cows be given to Bloomer in place of one of his that had died after be- ing seized by Scott. Bloomer was sued again by Samuel Edsall for £4 in 1666, and his rights in the town were sold by the high sheriff to John Tooker in November of the last named year.

John Budd appears as an owner in the first "loot mente." He probably was not settled here many years together. Having lived at Southold just before, he bought all the accommodation of William Cramer here October 28th 1666, and afterward-about 1673-sold the same to | an inhabitant in 1664. Andrew Miller. In June 1668 he exchanged some prop- erty which he owned at Huntington with Captain John Platt for his home lot and one-fourth of commonage, which he afterward sold to John Thomas. He is supposed to have returned to Southold after disposing of his prop- erty here.

Henry Brooks was granted an accommodation by town meeting in August 1671, with the home lot "that was Barker's." From his having possession of the " smith's accommodation " we infer that he was a blacksmith. A part of this he sold to the town July 15th 1672.

Roger Barton appears as an inhabitant of this town in 1664. His signature as "recorder " is attached to several copies of documents from the court of Connecticut. His term of residence here was probably short.

William Brunkly was accepted as a blacksmith by the town and given a home lot and privilege of a "new pur- chaser's accommodation," July 1oth 1669. It was under- stood that he was to do the town's blacksmith work at fair rates, and to occupy his lot three years to perfect his title. Nothing more is heard of him.

John Bayles, from Jamaica, traded accommodations with Thomas Biggs, and removed hither in March 1669. He was chosen an overseer in 1671 and was placed on the committee to purchase meadows at South, August 22nd of the same year. He was a magistrate of the town in 1673. April 22nd 1674 he traded his accommodations back again with Thomas Biggs and returned to Jamaica.

Elias Bayles: But little is known of him, except that the town meeting November 17th 1671 granted him an allotment in the new village at Wading River.

Roger Cheston was one of the first six purchasers of 1655. He received lots in the divisions of Old Field, and October 2nd 1661 sold his accommodations and home to Daniel Lane.

James Cock was among the earliest settlers, and re- ceived lots in Old Field which he sold to Henry Perring. He probably left the colony within a few years. In 1668 some of his land was owned by Zachariah Hawkins.

William Crumwell (or Cromwell or Cramer) was one of the early settlers and a man in whom the townsmen doubtless placed some confidence. He was appointed an appraiser of John Scott's property June 9th 1664. He evidently left the town at an early period. October 28th 1666 he sold all his accommodations to John Budd for £30.

John Coombs (Comes or Cooms) appears to have been

one of the early inhabitants, though his name is but lit- tle mentioned in the records except as the index to an [allotment in several later divisions of land. He was evi- dently in the town as late as 1674.

James Cumfield was a landholder in the town in 1660; beyond which fact nothing is known.

John Dier was one of the early freeholders. His name soon passed into obscurity, except so far as it may be preserved as the ancient name of the neck of land which lies between the harbors of Port Jefferson and Setauket, which was known as Dier's Neck. His name appears as

Samuel Dayton was a son of Ralph Dayton, one of the early settlers of East Hampton. He lived a while at Flushing, then settled in Southampton in 1648, and about 1658 came to Brookhaven, as is supposed. He bought a home lot of Richard Smith, May 8th 1668, besides having a lot in the first "loot mente." He was appointed on the commission to the Unkechauge Indians August 22nd 1671. He was probably the progenitor of a numerous posterity reaching to the present generation.

Abraham Dayton was probably a son of the last named; his name does not appear until several years after the first settlement. On a rate list of 1675 he is assessed for three acres of meadow, five horses and several cattle, in all valued at £104.

Joseph Davis, formerly of Southampton, a weaver of cloth, was granted the weaver's lot by town meeting De- cember 23d 1668. He was also granted an accommoda- tion on "paying as others do," and agreed to weave the town's yarn into cloth on as reasonable terms "as they do generally upon the island."

John Davis does not appear at the first, but February 16th 1675 receives a half accommodation from the over- seers and constable

Foulk Davis, of Jamaica, appears as the owner of a house and accommodation, bought of Daniel Lane-the former property of Samuel Akerly-and he sells the same to William Salyer October 25th 1671. That prob- ably closes his residence here. It is probable that from one or more of the last three mentioned descended the numerous families of the name of Davis at present found in this town.

Matthias Dingle had a lot in the town plat previous to 1667.

Samuel Edsell appears as a witness to the Indian deed of the beach to the town November roth 1685. He also appears in a suit against Bloomer. He was but little known to the records.

William Fancy was one of the early settlers. He had a share in the successive allotments of land from the earliest ; was an inhabitant in 1664 and a subscriber to the minister's salary in 1697. He probably died soon after that date, and left a widow.

William Frost received from the town a "new pur- chaser's accommodation " September 26th 1672, and had other allotments of land.

Richard Floyd, a native of Wales, came to Setauket in 1656 and took an active part in the public affairs of the

THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN.

little colony. Being a man of some education, refine- justice in 1701, justice and trustee in 1702, one of the ment and wealth, he quickly advanced to a position of commissioners for Suffolk county to lay out highways in 1704, and a justice in 1706. His descendants have been honored and respected, and a remnant still lingers in the town. prominence and received the confidence of his neighbors. By the investment of his means he became possessed of several shares in the proprietorship of the town. He probably introduced the first negro slave in this town. Joseph Hand in 1663 sold his home lot and accommo- dation to John Scott. This he did in 1672, and sold the same to John Hurd of Stratford March 9th 1674. He held several offices in John Hurd, of Stratford, Conn., bought of Richard |Floyd one and a half accommodations November 12th 1669. the town : was collector in 1690 ; commissioned "to supervise the taxes " in 1692, 1695, 1697 and 1704 ; president of trustees 1696, 1699, 1700 and 1704. He is Thomas Higam was taken as a townsman in 1676, and ten acres of land were granted to him. No more is known of him. supposed to have died soon after the latter date. His descendants through successive generations have held positions of honor and prominence not only in the town, but in the county and State. His family name, however, is almost extinct in the town. His ashes repose in the old burying ground at Setauket, laid out from his own home lot, but the march of the centuries has almost ob- literated all trace of his grave.

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