History of Suffolk county, New York, 1683, Part 73

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 73

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In the spring of 1880 a pipe organ was purchased for the church at a cost of $1,000. In 1881 a new front was added to the church building, a chapel was fitted up, and a lot adjoining the church was purchased on which to erect a parsonage.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Sayville was an off- shoot from the society at Patchogue. About 1838 a class of some fifteen was formed, with Silas Hulse as leader. Services were held on alternate Sabbaths in a school- house here by clergymen from Patchogue, till the year 1847, when the society had increased to about forty mem- bers. During this year a house of worship 25 by 40 feet in size was erected, at a cost of about $r,ooo, and services were thereafter held each Sabbath afternoon. The pulpit was supplied from Patchogue by Revs. Joseph Hensen, Ira Abbott, John B. Merwin, David Osborn, Gilbert Osborn, F. W. Sizer, William H. Russell, Aerolus Orch- ard, J. D. Bouton and others. The Sunday-school super- intendents were Humphrey Tuthill, Josiah Woodhull, Francis Woodhull, Charles T. Strong, William H. Russell, Charles L. Raynor and others. In 1866, the membership having increased to about one hundred, Sayville was made a separate charge, with Blue Point attached. The follow- ing clergymen have officiated in the charge since that time: D. S. Stevens, three years; A. McAllister, one year; J. O. Worth, two years; S. Kristellar, three years; D. F. Hallock, one year; John Rippen, two years; W. L. Holmes, three years; William Ross, the present pastor.

THE TOWN OF ISLIP.

In 1868 the church was enlarged, at an expense of $700. In 1870 a parsonage costing $2,500 was erected, and in 188r the church edifice was rebuilt and enlarged. A cemetery of about six acres is controlled in part by the church.

St. Mark's (Episcopal) Church at Islip was organized November 15th 1847, under Rev. William Everett, the first rector. The congregation first worshiped in a framed building which was erected in 1847 at a cost of about $2,500. It stood on the corner of the South road and Johnson avenue. Mr. Everett was succeeded in July 1855 by Rev. James M. Cos, and he in 1861 by the present rector, Rev. Reuben Riley.

The present church edifice was built in 1880, entirely at the expense of William H. Vanderbilt, and the rec- tory by subscription. Both stand on land donated by Dr. A. 'G. Thompson, of Islip. The old church was pur- chased for the use of the Roman Catholics and removed to the eastern part of the village.

This church established a mission at Central Islip, where a chapel was built in 1869, and another at Brent- wood in 1872. Both these missions are supplied from St. Mark's church.

house and afterward in a small framed house of worship that was erected in 1854. The first pastor was Rev. Joseph Nimmo, whose pastorate commenced with the organization of the church. He was succeeded in 1860 by Rev. Alvin Nash, who remained till 1865. During some months after the resignation of Mr. Nash the pul- pit was supplied by students from the Princeton Theo- logical Seminary, one of whom, Rev. W. G. Barnes, be- came pastor in June 1866. His pastoral relation was dissolved early in 1868, and Rev. J. E. Nightingale and Rev. Thomas Tracy supplied the church till April 1869, when Rev. John Murdock became pastor; but in June 1871 he resigned because of ill health. The pulpit was supplied by different clergymen till January 1872, when Rev. M. B. Thomas was called. He remained till May 1878, and was succeeded during the same year by Rev. A: H. Allen, the present pastor.

In 1867-8 the present church edifice was erected, and it was dedicated early in 1869. The house first built was at this time converted into a lecture room. Adjoining the church property is the parsonage, which was recently purchased. The cost of all these buildings, with sites and furniture, was about $18,000. In the erection of a church and the purchase of a parsonage as well as in the ordinary church expenses this society was very largely aided by the late Robert L. Maitland and his family, of New York city.

This church has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity since its organization. It has a prosperous Sunday- school.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Bay Shore was or- ganized as a separate society in 1860, with 85 constituent members. Previous to that time this society had formed

a part of Islip charge, the house of worship being located about midway between the two villages.

The first class at Bay Shore (then Penataquit) was or- ganized in 1850, with Amos Doxsee as leader. About 1854 a small chapel was erected on the present site of the church. This church edifice, the corner stone of which was laid in 1867, was completed and dedicated in May 1869. It is a framed building with a brick base- ment; and has a seating capacity of three hundred and fifty. An elegant parsonage adjoining the church was erected in. 1880. The cost of the church property was about $13,000.

The pastors of this church since the erection of the church building here have been: Revs. James V. Saun- ders, 1867; T. Morris Terry, 1868-70; George Dunbar, 1871, 1872; William T. Pray, 1873, 1874; Thomas D. Lit- tlewood, 1875; Edward H. Dutcher, 1876; Stephen Rushmore, 1877, 1878; Charles W. Powell, 1879-8r.

The church has been uniformly prosperous since its formation. It is a noteworthy fact that the separation of this society from the church of Islip was accomplish- ed without discord. This church was made a separate station in 1872. A Sunday-school has been maintained since 1851.

The Presbyterian Church of Islip was organized No- vember Ist 1857, with seventeen constituent members. . The Congregational Church of Bay Shore was organ- Meetings had previously been held, first in a school- ized in 1860, with about thirty constituent members. Abut 1852 a society of Congregational Methodists erect- ed a small church building on the north side of Main street, near First avenue. This was afterward rebuilt and enlarged on the same site. It was subsequently re- moved to its present site on the corner of Main street and Second avenue and refitted in its present style, and in the above mentioned year the church was incorpor- ated.

The first pastor after its incorporation was the Rev. Thomas Easton. Among his successors are remembered Revs. Moses Bedell, Stephen Baker, Benjamin Lockwood and Clark Lockwood. Rev. Stephen Haff was pastor from May 187r till August 1878, and Rev. A. H. Kirk- land from June 1880 till June 1881.

St. Patrick's (Roman Catholic) Church at Bay Shore was organized about r860, by Rev. Father O'Neil, and the present house of worship was erected. Mass had previously been celebrated in private houses from time to time. At the time of its organization the church con- sisted of about 70 souls. It has increased to about 150. Father O'Neil was succeeded by Rev. J. J. Croly, the present pastor, soon after the erection of the church.

Emanuel Episcopal Church at Great River commenced as a mission of St. Mark's in 1862, and was called St. Mark's Chapel. It was transferred to the charge of St. John's church, Oakdale, in 1873, and was organized as a parish under its present name in 1878, with the Rev. Newton Perkins as rector. During the same year Mr. Perkins retired from the rectorship, and he was succeeded in 1879 by Rev. William P. Brush, who officiated during a portion of that year. The church has since had no settled rector. Among the clergymen who officiated while the congregation was a mission were Revs. John C. Hewlet,

THE TOWN OF ISLIP.

George Love, -- Sharpe, Rolla O. Page, Irving McElroy and Samuel J. Corneille.

The chapel was built in 1862 on land donated by Hon. William Nicoll. Its cost was more than $600. Additions were made to the building and furniture in 1877 by the congregation, and a bell was presented by James Gregory of New York. In 1879 J. Neal Plumb placed in the church a memorial window in honor of his deceased wife, and in 1880 added a recess chancel and refurnish- ed the church.

St. Ann's Protestant Episcopal Church of Sayville was formerly a mission of St. John's church at Oakdale, and services were conducted by the rector of that church, Rev. Charles Douglas, in St. Barnabas's chapel, which was erected in 1866. In 1874 the society was organized under its present name. From the time of its organiza- tion Rev. John H. Prescott has been the rector.

The present church edifice was refitted from St. Bar- nabas's chapel. It is a wooden structure, with a seating capacity of 175. . It was consecrated by Bishop Little- john in 1878, and a rectory was built during the same year. The church is partially endowed by the munifi- cence of John R. Suydam, of New York city, who has a summer residence at Bayport. It has a cemetery of six acres, free from debt or incumbrance. One half of the proceeds of the sales of lots is set apart as a sinking fund for the perpetuity of the cemetery.

St. Ann's Guild and Sayville Library, under the aus- pices of St. Ann's church, though undenominational in its character, was organized in 1880. Its object was to furnish healthful, attractive and profitable entertainment for the young men of the village, and thus draw them away from or prevent them from falling into evil associ- ations. The reading room is furnished with magazines and periodicals of various kinds, and with 900 volumes of books. The parlors of the guild are rendered attract- ive to the members, who find there sources of amuse- ment which tend to win them away from the bad in- fluences which often prove disastrous to young men. The guild has 65 members, and its success has exceeded the expectations of its projectors.

The Dutch Reformed Church of Sayville was estab- lished in 1866. A house of worship was built in that year and dedicated in 1867. Rev. G. Van Emerick is the pastor and the services are conducted in the Dutch lan- guage. The society was established by the native Hol- landers, who have settled here in considerable numbers.

The history of Christ Church (Protestant Episcopal), West Islip, dates from August 28th 1869. Several mem- bers of the denomination met at that time and organized themselves into a congregation, and then into "a relig- ious society in communion with the Protestant Episcopal church in the State of New York, under the acts of the Legislature of that State."

and consecrated July 3d in the same year. It was built on land donated by Dr. Wagstaff.

The first rector of the parish was Rev. John Robert Stanley, A. B. He was followed in succession by Revs. Frederick B. Carter, James O. Drum, George Love, J. Milton Stevens, C. B. Mee and Samuel Moran, the present rector.

The church is a tasteful framed structure, with sittings for 175. The interior is frescoed and the chancel is complete in all its arrangements. The choir is furnished with an excellent pipe organ.

The church has 86 communicants and the parish is in a flourishing condition.

The M. E Chapel at Great River .- Rev. H. S. Still, pastor of the M. E. church of Islip, came to Great River (then Youngport) in 1872 and held religious ser- vices in private residences. The results of these meet- ings were the formation of a class and the erection of a house of worship. The building was raised December 27th 1872 and finished the following year. Dedicatory services were held January 25th 1874. The society had enjoyed the new house but a month when it was con- sumed by fire. The present chapel was immediately erected, being completed for services on August Ist fol- lowing. The cost of building and furniture was $1, 150. The ground was donated by William Nicoll, with the proviso that it should revert to his estate when no longer used for church purposes. Services were conducted by the pastors of the Islip church. The class at the time of its organization numbered 36, but is now reduced to 12 members. David Peterson, Josiah Peterson, and Robert Black were the original class leaders. David Peterson is the only one now acting in that capacity. The Sunday-school was organized contemporaneously with the church. P. J. Hawkins and the pastor were the organizers, and David Peterson was elected superin- tendent. George Peterson, a son of the latter, is now superintendent. The school numbers about 50 mem- bers. The church has no regular preaching services at the present time.

The Bayport Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1874, with between thirty and forty constituent mem- bers. For many years previous services had been held in the school-houses here. The first pastor after the organization of the society was Rev. S. Kristeller. In 1875 Rev. George Filmer came in charge, followed in 1878 by Rev. W. L. Holmes and he in 1879 by Rev. R. R. Diossy. In 1880 Rev. S. Howland was pastor, and in 1881 Rev. A. Fawcet. The present house of worship was erected in 1874. Its seating capacity is 200.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church of Bay Shore was organized in 1880, with fifteen members, and James H. McCoy as pastor. He was succeeded in 1881 by the present pastor, James H. Nichols. .

The colored inhabitants had during many years an

The first vestry consisted of Alfred Wagstaff, senior warden; Benjamin R. True, junior warden; Richard irregular church organization and preaching was had in Arnold, Thomas C. Lyman, John Toppin and Effingham a church building that was erected long since. This B. Sutton. A church building was erected at a cost of building has been enlarged and improved since 1880. $8,000, and first opened for service April 9th 1871, The society is free from debt.

Som rail

THE TOWN OF ISLIP.

THE DUTCH ELEMENT.

The immigrants from Holland who, with their de- scendants, constitute so large a proportion of the popu- lation of some parts of the town, were first attracted to this region by the development of the oyster fishery, which was similar to the occupation in which they were engaged at home. Oysters from Virginia had been plant- ed in the bay about 1840, and within ten years they had multiplied so that the taking of them was a profitable in- dustry. In 1849 Cornelius and Jacob De Waal, brothers, came from Holland, and numbers of their countrymen soon followed and engaged in the shell-fisheries. Many others have come in more recent years. In 1875 there were several hundred inhabitants of Dutch descent, and large numbers of Bohemians and others of European na- tionality.

JOHN WOOD'S REMINISCENCES.

An interesting address, dealing more particularly with the history of Sayville, was delivered there on the 4th of July 1876 by Supervisor John Wood. In the course of his remarks he said:

" The compiler of this sketch came to this village to reside in 1838, as a school teacher. His compensa- tion at that time was $12 a month and board-" board- ing around " as was then the custom. Other wages were then in the same proportion, and many who complain of hard times and privations at the present day can hardly realize the simplicity of fare and dress at that time. There were then but four dwellings on the main road be- tween the school house and Green's Brook. In one of these were the tavern, store and post-office. There was no church edifice within the bounds of the school district, no Sabbath-school, nor any public burying ground. Religious meetings, however, were held weekly in the school-house. All the books in the district aside from Bibles, hymn-books and school-books could easily have been carried under one's arm. But one newswaper came to the post-office, and that a copy of the Republican Watchman, then published at Sag Harbor. Letters came but seldom. Frequently the entire south side mail would be overhauled without finding a single letter for Sayville. In 1845 the writer took the census of this entire election district, including the agricultural and other statistics, in one day."

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN H. VAIL.

The fine steel portrait of John Harvey Vail, the pres- ent supervisor of Islip, represents a man in the full flush of physical and mental maturity and vigor. His father, who was for some time a dry goods merchant in New York, came from the north part of the island, where the family had long resided. His mother was a daugh- ter of Dr. Udall of Islip, in which town our subject was born.

After receiving a good education he sailed in March 1863 for China, via the Cape of Good Hope.

He soon connected himself in business with the firm of Jardine, Matheson & Co., then and still the largest general merchants in China. With them he remained 12 years, realizing in enjoyment and business prosperity all his expectations and hopes. His only visit home was made in 1869, and he returned within a year to the life and scenes he had learned to prize so highly.

Mr. Vail's accounts of the ancient and renowned Chinese people are most enjoyable and instructive. Their natural abilities, their cizilization, their national and pri- vate life, are, he says, far superior to the conceptions and opinions usually entertained regarding them. The over- flow of their population that reaches us represents only their laboring class.

He made, in company with a few choice companions and business acquaintances, many exciting and remarka- bly successful exploring and hunting expeditions. Their course would be up a river, as far sometimes as 250 or 300 miles into the country. The region abounded in game. A party with five guns, on a trip of eighteen days, killed 1,495 pheasants, 90 deer, 112 ducks, and other birds and beasts, making a grand total of 1,71I head. On another trip a company of five, in 14 days, shot 700 head of game, among which were five wild boars, one of which weighed 483 pounds.

Mr. Vail was, with others, engaged in certain railroad enterprises well worth relating. A company of foreign business men was organized at Shanghai to build a narrow gauge road. Knowing the watchfulness and prejudices of the government they bought the land and right of way as in this country, but ostensibly for a "tramway." Engines, rails and all necessary fixtures were bought and shipped from England. After the grading was done a large force was engaged and nine miles of track, from Shanghai to Woosung, were laid in a very short time; and before the officials knew what was going on a train of passenger cars filled with those in- terested and with other foreigners was on the road and a trial trip made. The consternation of the government officials and the astonishment of the common people knew no bounds. The road was run a few weeks, the natives patronizing it in such numbers that the cars were not sufficient to carry all who wanted to ride. The government, however, became more and more opposed to the innovation, in which there seemed to be an ele- ment of change in the habits of the people fraught with mischief to the old regime, and demanded the sale of the road to the state, promising to complete and continue it. The demand was imperative, and the company sold its rights for a good round price; but the government, in- stead of ever operating the road, tore it up and sent the rails, engines and cars to the island of Formosa, in the China Sea. Mr. Vail still keeps, as curious reminders, the certificates of stock in that little road, which paid better than many like investments in his own land.

He has been a great traveler, twice making a complete journey around the world, seeing, taking notes, and

THE TOWN OF ISLIP.

buying photographs of many of the most wonderful places and objects. He has many things curious and rare, collected in foreign travel, including several beautiful birds and skeletons, trophies of the chase and of his personal capture. When to an inspection of these is added his graphic story of incident and ad- venture, one enjoys a near approach to the reality, with none of its risks or expense.

Mr. Vail would have remained in China much longer than he did-perhaps to the present time-had not his health failed to such an extent that his physician told him he would not survive another hot season there. He at once closed up his business, which had been very prosperous, selling among other things a couple of ves- sels. He reached home in 1879, and has slowly recovered very fair health, although still feeling the effects of his long stay in the Asiatic climate, so trying to foreigners.

His friends and townsmen welcomed him back to hi- native town, and last spring they emphasized their ap- preciation of his worth by making him supervisor of Islip. One of the significant proofs of his popularity is the fact that he is the first Democrat who has been elected to that office in over twenty years. He has been chosen president of the Islip Driving Park Association, foreman of the fire brigade, and a vestryman of St. Mark's church.

Few men, young or old, have seen as much of the world, or had so much experience crowded into 15 years. Mr. Vail is still a young man, of enviable social endow- ments, as the cordial welcome his many friends receive at his pleasant and well appointed home is a constant proof. His father, who was at one time treasurer of Suffolk county, died in 1864, but his mother is still spared to enjoy the society of her son, and to make his old home a blessing that it never could be without her. He has lost one brother and one sister, and has a brother and two sisters living.

LINDLEY MURRAY,

the author of the well known English grammar, al- though not a native of Islip, resided there, in the family of Judge Isaac Thompson, during the Revolutionary war.

He was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, and was educated for the bar, but abandoned all attempt to practice during the war. It is supposed that while in Islip he was occupied in writing the grammar, which was completed during his residence at Holdgate, near York, in England, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health and where he died in 1826. He was a Quaker, and a royalist during the Revolution. His father, Robert Murray, himself went to England with his family, but returned in 1775 and engaged in mercantile pursuits with his son Lindley, under the firm name of Murray, Sansom & Co., London and New York. Although a Quaker he kept his coach, which he called his " leath- ern vehicle for conveniency." Many deeds and wills written by Lindley Murray are still to be found in Suf- folk county.

JARVIS R. MOUBRAV.

John Moubray, the patentee of that portion of the town of Islip formerly known as Moubray's patent, came to America from Scotland, accompanied by his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Anning. He is first mentioned as a resident of the town of South- ampton, L. I., in the year 1685. The records also show that he taught school in that town from May to Novem- ber 1694, at twelve shillings per scholar for the term, in accordance with a written agreement dated April 28th. 1694. By some means he afterward found his way to the then precinct of Islip, and there made his first purchase of land from the Indians, the deed for which is dated the 30th day of May 1701, in the thirteenth year of the reign of King William the third. It con- sisted of two necks of land, bounded on the east by the brook Aweeksa, on the north by the line between the north and south Indians, on the west by Watchogue Brook, which is the western boundary of Penataquit Neck, and on the south by the South Bay. After- ward he received a grant and patent from the colonial government of seven necks of land (in which his first purchase was included), bounded as follows: on the east by the Orawack brook or river, now known as the Paper- Mill Brook; on the north by the old country road; on the west by Appletree Neck Brook, called by the Indians " Saghtekoos," and now known as Thompson's East Brook; and on the south by the South Bay.

This patent was granted to the said John Moubray under the reign of Queen Anne, and dated the 19th day

THE TOWN OF ISLIP.

of October 1708. The above mentioned deed and patent, both written on sheepskin and showing plainly their age, are now in the possession of Dr. Moubray, and are viewed with interest by such as like to decipher old documents.

For four successive generations there was but one son to inherit the family name. The line beginning with the first John Moubray runs thus: John, Anning, John, Anning, Eliphalet.

Eliphalet was the father of nine children who grew to maturity-six daughters and three sons. The names of the sons were John Monfort, Anning Stewart and Jarvis Rogers. The last and one sister, Mrs. Amelia M. Field, are the only survivors. .

These children were all born at the old homestead on Aweeksa Neck, near the brook of the same name, which is now regarded as the boundary line between the vil- lages of Bay Shore and Islip.

James R. Moubray was born October 9th 1820. After spending his childhood in the place of his birth he took his academic course at Union Hall Academy, Jamaica. He entered Union College, Schenectady, in 1837, and was graduated from it in 1840, during the presidency of the Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Nott. The same year he entered the office of Dr. James R. Wood (lately deceased) of New York city, as his first regular student. After remaining three years with him and one year as assistant physician in Bellevue Hospital he was graduated in medicine and surgery from the New York University in the spring of 1844, and commenced the practice of medicine in his native place in August of that year. He continued in full practice nearly twenty years, after which, wishing to give more time to the care of his farms and other busi- ness, both public and private, he partially retired, but has not since that time been able to wholly escape the demands for his services which naturally follow one who for so many years served the public in a professional ca- pacity.

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