History of Suffolk county, New York, 1683, Part 77

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 77

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PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.

The river for several miles below the village was naturally shallow and the channel narrow and crooked. A considerable commerce however was from an early date carried on upon it. A few sloops were built on its banks as early as sixty years ago. Vessels of any con- siderable draft could not come up to the village, but were obliged to anchor below and send their cargoes to the wharf by scows and lighters. In the early part of the last decade improvements were made in the channel of the river which were of great benefit to the village. At- tempts had previously been made to effect similar results, but they had fallen short of their mark. As early as 1835 a stock company was incorporated for that purpose and the work was commenced, but for some reason it was discontinued before any considerable progress had been made. In 1870-73 three appropriations were made by Congress to the aggregate amount of $25,000, and the State Legislature appropriated $5,000 to the purpose of opening a channel 75 feet wide. at low water from the village down to the mouth of the river, a distance of two and three-quarters miles. This work, nearly completed by the money appropriated, has effected a great improve- ment in favor of navigation, and it is also said to have wrought a favorable change in the action of the water in the river, causing it to run off nearly a foot lower at ordinary low tides and also preventing its rising so high as it formerly did under the influence of easterly winds. By this means the mills are relieved of what was frequently a serious annoyance, and the lots along the river banks are less liable to inundation.

Among other manufacturing enterprises here may be mentioned the soap factory established a few years since by J. B. Slade; works for the production of fertilizers, by the same, more recently commenced; the manufacture of cigars and tobacco by Newins & Griswold, which has The village of Riverhead occupies a convenient level site, and is laid out with considerable regularity. Many of the streets are lined with shade trees, and considerable pains is taken to keep the streets and walks in good order. This spirit of public improvement has given birth to a " Village Improvement Society," which was organ- been in operation a few years; of pipe organs by Earle & Bradley, started by George W. Earle in 1868 and closed about 1874; of wagon-jacks by Swezey Brothers; and of chocolate in a mill near the village, which was carried on for a while a few years since. It is estimated that $750,000 is invested ized in the early part of 1881, with Hon. John S. Marcy

THE TOWN OF RIVERHEAD.

president and George F. Stackpole secretary. The object of this society is the improvement of the village generally, as well as its approaches. In the latter direction a very commendable undertaking has already been carried through in the opening and improvement of a new and direct road across the plains southward to Quogue, on the south side.

In connection with the subject of roads it may be noted that Abner street was so named by vote of the town April 2nd 1850, in honor of Abner Howell.

The present population of Riverhead is about 2,000. A smail part of the village extends across the river into Southampton. At the census of 1880 that portion con- tained 218 persons, while the main part had a population of 1,757.

Until within a few years the entire village lay on the south side of the railroad. As lately as 1862 nothing had been done in building on the north. This section was then occupied by cleared fields and groves of native timber. Improvements have since been made with great rapidity. Streets have been opened, shade trees planted, public buildings and many nice residences erected and public and private grounds ornamented and improved.

COUNTY BUILDINGS.

The first court-house, as has already been stated, was erected in 1728, and about a centuty later was recon- structed and enlarged. This building, located in the center of the business portion of the village, is still stand- ing, though its interior has been rearranged and fitted for various business purposes. A new court-house was erected in 1854-5, on a spacious plat of ground in what was then the northwestern suburb of the village. The building committee, appointed by the board of super- visors, consisted of S. B. Nicoll, of Shelter Island, Wil- liam R. Post, of Southampton, and Sylvester Miller, of Riverhead. The building is of brick and stone, and cost $17,800. The jail, an octagonal building of stone, occupies a yard in the rear. The jail having been "in- dicted " by the grand jury 14 or 15 times as insufficient for the purpose, a new building was erected in 1881 in the same yard with it. The court-house is two stories in height, and stands on a basement of stone. The base- ment and a part of the main floor are occupied by living apartments for the sheriff or jailer. The main floor also contains the jurors' rooms and the supervisors' room. The court-room is on the second floor.

The office of the county clerk was at first itinerant, moving from place to place with each change of incum- bent. It was afterward fixed at Riverhead. The first building for the use of this office was erected in 1846. It was a fire-proof structure, about 20 by 30 feet in size and a single story in height, and stood on the west corner of Griffing avenue and Main street. It was sold in 1875, after the completion of the new clerk's office, and is now used as a marble- working shop. The new clerk's office stands on the court-house lot. It is a handsome fire-proof build- ing, of two high stories. The lower story, lined with.

shelving and a gallery, is occupied by the books and documents belonging to this office, while the upper floor is used as the surrogate's office. In the surrogate's court during the year 1881 99 wills were admitted to probate, three have been contested and are still undecided, and notices of intention to contest have been filed in two other cases. Ninety-eight letters of administration were granted, and there were 40 accountings and 13 cases of real estate proceedings.

The records of the clerk's office begin with 1669. These records for nearly two centuries accumulated very slowly. The first book of deeds, a small volume, con- tains all that were recorded from 1687 to 1714; the sec- ond reaches from the latter date to 1768; and; the third from that date to 1804. The first book of mortgages contains all recorded from 1755 to 1775; the second from that date to 1778; and the third from the latter date to 1794. The annual records of mortgages now fill five or six massive volumes of about 600 pages each, while those of deeds fill ten of the same sized volumes. It is estimated that the weight of records, books and doc- uments contained in this office is about eight tons, and that the written surface would cover nearly fifteen acres. The office is being rapidly filled with the constant accu- mulation of matter.

THE RIVERHEAD SAVINGS BANK,

resulting from the discussion and efforts of a number of enterprising citizens led by N. W. Foster and Orville B. Ackerly, was granted a charter April 27th 1872. In ac- cordance therewith the trustees organized at the Long Island House, May 18th 1872, and the bank was opened for business, the first deposit being made on the 31st of the same month. The following gentlemen were the first trustees: James H. Tuthill, John Downs, N. W. Foster, Jeremiah M. Edwards, Gilbert H. Ketcham, Daniel A. Griffing, J. Henry Perkins, Moses F. Benjamin, Edwin F. Squiers, John R. Corwin, Orville B. Ackerly, Richard T. Osborn, Isaac C. Halsey, Simeon S. Hawkins, Rich- ard H. Benjamin, John F. Foster, Thomas Coles, J. Hal- sey Young, John S. Marcy, Abraham B. Luce, Jonas Fishel, and John P. Mills. The following have since been placed in the board to fill vacancies as from time to time they occurred: Ebenezer P. Jarvis, John A. Mon- sell, Charles S. Havens, Edward Hawkins, Timothy M. Griffing, George W. Cooper, Thomas G. Osborn, James E. Wells, J. Henry Newins and Clifford B. Ackerly. The. first officers were: R. H. Benjamin, president; John S. Marcy and Abraham B. Luce, vice-presidents; O. B. Ackerly, secretary. The present secretary is Clifford B. Ackerly; otherwise the officers have continued to the present time the same as at the first. The prosperity which the institution has enjoyed is shown by the fact that on the first of January 1882 it had 2,400 depositors, to whom there was due $581,289.55, to secure which the bank held assets to the amount of $634.581.85, leaving a surplus or reserve fund of $53,292.30 with which to meet losses that may occur, or to, pay extra dividends to de- positors when it shall amount to fifteen per cent. of the

THE TOWN OF RIVERHEAD.

deposits. Through all those years of financial depres- sion which followed so soon after its organization, as well as during the later years, the growth and success of the bank have been constant to the present time.

COUNTY FAIR GROUND AND FAIRS.

The Suffolk County Agricultural Society owns a field of 20 acres in the northern part of the village, where its annual fair is held. This was enclosed with a board fence in 1868, and the exhibition hall was erected in 1869. This building cost about $5,000, and at the time was one of the finest of its class in the State. From its wide northern platform the lamented Horace Greeley addressed seven thousand people of Suffolk but a few weeks before his death, on the subject of the waste lands of Long Island. This was at the annual fair of 1872. The build- ing stands in the southern part of the grounds. Other buildings, for the use of the officers of the society and for stock, have been erected, and a half-mile track in the northern part for trotting matches has been prepared.

Though a brief account of this society is given on page 69, our readers will be pleased with the following fuller history furnished by N. W. Foster, the secretary of the society:

The first record we find of an agricultural society in this county is a printed copy of the "Constitution of the Suffolk County Agricultural Society adopted October 6th 1818"; article 2 of which states the society's object to "be the advancement of agriculture in all its various branches, by collecting and circulating the knowledge of improvements, and by bestowing premiums for the most successful exertions." Article 9 provides for "two meetings each year, at the court-house in Riverhead, in May and in October;" article 10 for " an annual fair and cattle show, time and place to be appointed by the man- agers." The officers were: President, Thomas S. Strong; Ist vice-president, Sylvester Dering; 2nd vice-president, Joshua Smith; 3d vice-president, Nathaniel Potter; 4th vice-president, John P. Osborne; corresponding secre- taries, Charles H. Havens and Henry P. Dering; record- ing secretary, Ebenezer W. Case; treasurer, David War- ner. Twelve managers were also elected, We find no mention of any meetings or fairs.

In Volume I. of the Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society for 1841 is found the state- ment that the Suffolk County Agricultural Society was organized in that year. In the "Transactions" for 1842 are several statements by persons receiving premiums for crops from this county society, of which William W. Mills was then president. In the volume for 1843 is a report by William C. Stout, president, stating that the third annual fair was held November 15th and $186.50 paid in premiums. Richard B. Post was secretary, David C. Brush treasurer, and there was a manager from each town. "The society is not in so flourishing a condition as I would like to see it, owing almost entirely to the im- mense length of our county, thereby rendering it difficult to fix upon the proper place at which to hold an annual fair and give general satisfaction. Measures are in pro-

gress however to correct this evil by organizing two societies."

In the volume of 1846 J. Lawrence Smith, president, writes under date of March 20th 1847, that " the county society was dissolved in 1843, and a new society formed from a smaller and more thickly settled portion of the county." This society was known as the "Western Branch of the Suffolk County Agricultural Society." Its records show that fairs were held each year from 1843 to 1852 (excepting 1844), respectively at Comac, Smith- town, Comac, Islip, Huntington, Greenport, Babylon, Smithtown and Huntington. The officers during this period were as follows, so far as recorded:

Presidents-W. C. Stout, 1843, 1845; J. Lawrence Smith, 1846, 1847; Joshua B. Smith, 1848; Harvey W. Vail, 1849, 1850; Edward Henry Smith, 1851; Dr. John R. Rhinelander, 1852; Edwin A. Johnson, 1853.

Vice-Presidents-W. H. Ludlow, 1845; Lester H. Davis, 1846; Samuel N. Bradhurst, 1847; William Nicoll, 1851; Samuel L. Thompson, 1852, 1853.

Secretaries-Henry G. Scudder, 1845; Nathaniel Smith, 1846, 1847, 1851; Dr. Abraham G. Thompson, 1848-50; Edward K. Briar, 1852; J. H. Carll, 1853.

Treasurers-R. B. Post, 1843; Nathaniel Smith, 1845; Richard Smith, 1846, 1847; Jarvis R. Mowbray, 1848; Elbert Carll, 1849, 1850; William Lawrence, 1851; David C. Brush, 1852; William H. Ludlow, 1853.

At the fair at Comac October 16th 1843 premiums were awarded amounting to $110. At Smithtown in 1845 the premiums amounted to $95. An address was delivered by Dr. John R. Rhinelander. In 1846 the premiums were $79. An address was given by Samuel A. Smith.

At a meeting (date not given) held between the fairs of 1846 and 1847 it was resolved "that this society be hereafter known and called by the name of "The Suffolk County Agricultural Society." At the fair of 1847 mention is made of "corn planted three feet apart, four stalks in each hill, showing that good corn may be produced on much less ground than is usually required;" and "fine flat turnips grown since oats were taken off." The address was by William H. Ludlow, and the premi- ums aggregated $94. At Huntington October 10th 1848 a new constitution (prepared by the secretary, Dr. A. G. Thompson, as instructed at a previous meeting) was pre- sented and adopted. An address by Dr. Thompson " reviewed the past and present operations of the society, the benefits resulting from the formation of agricultural societies, and urged the importance of system, of indus- try, and economy in managing agricultural matters."

The first fair held in the eastern part of the county was at Greenport, October 2nd 1849. The address was by John G. Floyd.

At a meeting of the managers, April 6th 1850, it was resolved, "on condition that the residents of Babylon and vicinity pay or secure to be paid to the treasurer of the society, on or before May Ist 1850, the sum of $100, and that the necessary cattle pens be erected, a suitable building or tent be provided, and that arrangements be made for the conveyance of passengers to and from the railroad free of all charge, that the fair will be held in

THE TOWN OF RIVERHEAD.

that village September 24th 1850." Also resolved, " in case the residents of Babylon and its vicinity do not agree to the above resolution, the exhibition will be held in Islip in case the said conditions be complied with." In addition to the premiums offered the year before, pre- miums were offered for crops grown on the "Plain lands." The fair was held at Babylon. "F. M. A. Wicks, of Thompson's station, exhibited cheese, pumpkins, citron, melons, fine potatoes and Isabella grapes raised on the 'Plain lands,' adjoining the Long Island railroad at Thompson's station. Ira L'Hommedieu exhibited tomatoes, blood beets and egg plants raised on land of Dr. E. F. Peck at Lake Road station. These productions showed conclusively the error of the idea that the lands contiguous to the Long Island railroad are worthless." "The society is indebted to Mr. Francis M. A Wicks and to Dr. E. F. Peck for proving beyond objection that these desolate lands can be made productive under a proper course of cultivation. The perseverence shown by these two gentlemen is deserving the highest commendation, and it is hoped that success may attend their efforts." The annual address was delivered by John Fowler jr.

At the winter meeting, December 4th 1850, a premium was awarded to Samuel S. Thompson, of Setauket, " for 8472 bushels, 4 quarts and I pint of Australian or 'Ver- plank' wheat, raised on two surveyed acres, the weight being 637/2 lbs. per bushel; the standard of 60 lbs. per bushel being allowed, the yield of the crop was 89 bushels 2 pecks on the two acres. * *

* Deducting the expenses, the net profit was $341.75."

"William Burling, of Babylon, raised 65 bushels of onions on one-eighth of an acre, being at the rate of 520 bushels per acre." The net profit was $24.65.

At Smithtown September 25th 1851 the address was delivered by Dr. Franklin Tuthill, of New York city. Mr. Brush, the treasurer, dying before the next fair, John D. Hewlett was appointed treasurer in his stead. At the fair at Huntington, October 21st 1852, the address was by Henry J. Scudder, of New York city. It is reported that another fair was held in 1852, at Islip, but the rec- ord shows no further meeting till February Ist 1865, when the society was reorganized at Thompson's station, with the title "Suffolk County Agricultural Society." The officers elected for the first year were as follows: President, William Nicoll, Huntington; vice-president, Robert W. Pearsall, Islip; secretary, J. H. Doxsee, Islip; treasurer, William J. Weeks, Brookhaven; directors, H. G. Scudder, Huntington; Caleb Smith, Smithtown; Robert O. Colt, Islip; Thomas S. Mount, Brook- haven; D. H. Osborne, Riverhead; David G. Floyd, Southold.

The officers from this time have been:

Presidents-William Nicoll, 1866, 1867, 1872-74; Dr. B. D. Carpenter, 1868-71; Henry Nicoll, elected in 1872, not serving, William Nicoll was appointed; Henry E. Huntting, 1875, 1879, 1880; Hon. John S. Marcy, 1876- 78; Alvah M. Salmon, 1881, 1882.

Vice-Presidents-Dr. B. D. Carpenter, 1866, 1867; Samuel B. Gardiner, 1868; Henry G. Scudder, 1869-71; Lewis A. Edwards, 1872; Henry E. Huntting, 1873,

1874; R. T. Goldsmith, 1875; Stephen C. Rogers, 1876- 78; Alvah M. Salmon, 1879, 1880; George W. Cooper, 1881, 1882.

Secretaries-J. H. Doxsee, 1866, 1867; Thomas S. Mount, 1868.71, 1875; Henry D. Green, 1872-74; Na- thaniel W. Foster, 1876, 1877, 1879-82; J. L. Millard, 187.8.

Treasurers-W. J. Weeks, 1876, 1877; Joshua L. Wells, 1868-71; David F. Vail, 1872-74; Samuel Griffin, 1875-82.

The first fair after the reorganization was held at Riverhead, September 27th and 28th 1865. "The board of managers are fully satisfied with the results of the fair, both in the interest manifested by the people of the county and the pecuniary result arising therefrom." The receipts were $1,600, and the disbursements $800. From this time the fair has been held each year at Riverhead, excepting 1867, when it was at Greenport. The addresses have been delivered as follows: In 1865 by Hon. Henry Nicoll, of Mastic; 1866, Hon. William H. Gleason, Sag Harbor; 1867, Hon. Samuel A. Smith, of Smith- town; 1868, Hon. Henry P. Hedges, of Bridgehamp- ton; 1869, William Nicoll, of Islip; 1870, Robert W. Pearsall, of Brentwood; 1871, Hon. Henry J. Scudder, of Northport; 1872, Hon. Horace Greeley, of New York; 1873, General Stewart L. Woodford, of Brooklyn; 1875, Hon. Townsend D. Cock, of Queens county; 1876, Hon. L. Bradford Prince, of Flushing; 1877, Hon. John R. Reid, of Babylon; 1878, Hon. Nathan D. Petty, of River- head; 1879, Hon. James W. Covert, of Flushing, 1880, P. T. Barnum, of Bridgeport; 1881, Hon. R. B. Roose- velt and E. G. Blackford, of the New York Fish Com- mission, and Barnet Phillips, secretary of the American Fish Cultural Association.

In 1866 the question of permanent location came up, was discussed and laid over; also "the propriety of unit- ing with Queens county to form a Long Island agricul- tural society. October 29th 1867 the managers accepted from the citizens of Riverhead a deed donating to the Suffolk County Agricultural Society "land lying near and westerly of the Riverhead Cemetery, for fair grounds, with this condition-if the society shall fail for two consecutive years to hold a fair thereon, the grounds shall revert to the donors." The grounds are pleasantly located, conveniently near to the village and to the depot of the Long Island Railroad, and of very ready access from all directions.

The matter of fitting up the grounds was referred to the president, vice-president and treasurer, and it was "resolved that the sum of $200 be appropriated to pay the treasurer for his extra services in behalf of the society." The first fair on the new grounds was held September 30th and October Ist and 2nd 1868. Again $200 was paid to the treasurer for services.

B. D. Carpenter, Stephen C. Rogers, Joshua L. Wells, John S. Marcy, William Nicoll and Robert W. Pearsall were the building committee that supervised the erection of the Exhibition Hall. The architect was George H. Skidmore, of Riverhead. The contract for building was awarded to Fielder, Skidmore & Co. The building was

THE TOWN OF RIVERHEAD.

completed in time for the next annual fair, October 6th, 7th and 8th 1869. In the evening of the 6th a public meeting was held in the court-house, and papers were read by Robert W. Pearsall, of Brentwood, and Hon. Henry P. Hedges, of Bridgehampton, the latter upon " Fertilizers and their Application." " Mr. William Nicoll in a few appropriate remarks called attention to the Exhibition Hall, and, with a view of liquidating the debt incurred by its erection, he moved that a committee be appointed for soliciting life members of the society upon the payment of $ro each. The motion having been passed and the committee appointed, Mr. Nicoll manifested his earnestness in the movement by the pay- ment of $70, making his wife and children life members. Others immediately followed the example, till $400 had been contributed." The annual meeting in the evening of the 7th was addressed by Mr. Nicoll.

On June 22nd and 23d 1870 occurred the first borti- cultural exhibition, a festival and reunion, which was very successful, bringing together a very large and pleas- ant company. Others were held June 14th 1871 and June 19th 1872. There being few if any professional florists in the county, and the strawberry growers being particularly busy marketing their fruit, it was found to be impracticable to attempt at present more than one fair each year.

In 1876, besides the usual annual meeting on Wednes- day evening during the fair, meetings were held at the court-house on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for dis- cussion of matters of interest to the county and its peo- ple; but the attendance was so small that no encourage- ment was felt to repeat the experiment.

During this year the grounds were improved by plant- ing trees, which were donated to the society by Isaac Hicks & Sons, of Old Westbury, Queens county; P. H. Foster, of Babylon; E. F. Richardson, of Brentwood, and Israel Peck, of Southold. Adjoining Exhibition Hall was built a cloak or package room, which has proved a great convenience to visitors and a source of profit to the society. New features were introduced into the exhibition, viz. " Centennial relics " and " a display of antiquities." This being the Centennial year this fea- ture seemed to touch every heart, bringing out a warm response throughout the county, and, not stopping with county limits, was similarly responded to in several other counties as a striking feature in their fairs. The sug- gestion, coming as it did from this county, at once intro- duced this society to many sister societies that before hardly knew of it. A display of "plans " for farm build- ings, etc., by Suffolk county architects (which has been of much service by favorably introducing to visiting strangers such architects as exhibited, and also by elevat. ing the standard of architecture in the county) and a "collection of foreign curiosities " were very successful in themselves and added much to the exhibit. A new and notable feature of the fair was the gathering of the chil- dren of the public schools of the county,-teachers and pupils being admitted free on one specified day,-the ef- fect of which was so gratifying that it has become one of

the fixtures of each fair, thereby cultivating in the rising generation an interest in the society. This year, too, more largely than ever before, was the power of the county press shown in arousing throughout the county a new and general interest in the society, and a strong de- sire to attend the fair. All together, notwithstanding the greater attraction offered by the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, this year seems to have been a turning point in the history of the society. Partly from the geo- graphical situation of the county, partly from the difficul- ty experienced in reaching the fair with articles for ex- hibition, and from various other reasons, a feeling of more than indifference seemed very largely to have pos- sessed the people of both east and west. This now gave place to a desire to promote the success of the fair.

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