USA > New York > Suffolk County > History of Suffolk county, New York, 1683 > Part 90
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The Greenport Watchman said:
" In his death the town and county lose one of their most honored citizens-a man of sterling integrity, un- blemished honor, clear, cool, practical brain, sound judgment, kind heart, generous impulse and old-fashioned simplicity of life' and manners. He was fond of good cheer, open to all social and genial influences, free and hearty in his intercourse with all classes and a great lover of out-door diversions."
The South Side Signal said:
" Mr. Smith was one of the few men whom the com- munity can ill afford to spare. In all the relations of life he bore an honorable part. Throughout his long life every act was consistent with good judgment and controlled by inherent kindness of heart. Few men had a wider circle of friends. No man could be taken from us who could be more sincerely mourned."
No better things need be said of any man after his death, and they carry a conviction that they told the truth.
Lyman B. Smith was born January 23d 1804. He died of dropsy August 21st 1881. He married, in De- cember 1829, Phebe Smith, who still survives. They had eight children, as follows: Nancy B., Georgianna, John, Adrian, Mary Emma, Coe D., Phebe and Ella. Of these Nancy, John and Mary Emma are dead. Adrian and Coe D. live on the old homestead.
Mr. Smith was named by Dr. Lyman Beecher, who was a frequent visitor at his father's house and a great friend of the family. During his later years Mr. Smith was familiarly known through all this section as " Uncle Beecher.'
The papers and records of the Smith family are truly ancient and venerable. Coe D. Smith has in his safe several deeds bearing dates from 1732 to 1735. He has also a cane that belonged to his great-great-grandfather, Daniel Smith. It is a single joint of Malacca wood over 31/2 feet long, with a silver head that extends down the stick four inches. On the top of this is engraved in bold, heavy lines P.S. 1694. Few families can exhibit such an heirloom.
Lyman B. Smith had three brothers, Daniel, Thomas and Alanson, and three sisters, Charity, Nancy and Abigail. This branch of the great family of Smith is hardy and longlived, and has added lustre and honor to the old family tree.
God Phillips
GEORGE S. PHILLIPS.
George S. Phillips lived to be over 80 years old and was one of the most useful and valued citizens of Smith- town. The house in which he was born, lived and died was the old family dwelling where his father, his grand- father and his great-grandfather also were born and died.
He was the only child of Mills and Hetty Phillips, and inherited the estate of his parents, including the flouring, fulling and saw mills at the head of Nisse- quogue River, and held a controlling interest in them until his death. In early life he attended school at Clinton Academy, East Hampton, and at Union Hall, Jamaica. His marked abilities soon brought him into public life. In 1819 he was appointed postmaster, which office he held until he resigned in 1838. About 1820 he was elected inspector of schools, and in the year follow- ing commissioner of schools. In November 1827 he was elected justice of the peace, and held the office 12 years. In April 1828 he was elected supervisor, and held the of- fice, although not consecutively, 23 years. He was twice a member of the Assembly, in 1831 and in 1835. In November 1837 he was elected county clerk, and held the office 3 years. He was an agent of the Suffolk County Mutual Insurance Company from its organiza- tion in 1837 to 1868, and a director from 1848 to the time of his death. The several positions of honor and trust were honestly and faithfully administered. Politi- cally he was a Democrat until about 1860, after which time he voted the Republican ticket with occasional ex- ceptions. He was a kind neighbor, and the poor will
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THE TOWN OF SMITHTOWN.
hold him long in their remembrance. He was thrice married-first in 1822, to Mary C. Mills; second in 1837, to Elizabeth Blydenburgh; third in 1851, to Abby C. Edwards, who still survives him. He was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and a friend of de- serving charities. He left no children and with him the name of Phillips, which for three generations was honor- ed and respected by the inhabitants of Smithtown, be- comes extinct there. After a well spent life he is joined to his fathers; and his example is worthy of imitation by the young men of any community.
W. C. LAWRENCE.
The family of Lawrence, which has been associated with the history of Smithtown since about 1820, is a branch of the old Lawrence family of Flushing, descended from Samuel Lawrence who once lived near the present village of College Point. His son, the now venerable Leonard W. Lawrence, who removed to Smithtown about 1820, is the father of W. C. Lawrence, whose portrait and autograph are at the right of this column. Leonard W. Lawrence was married, soon after coming to Smithtown, to Phobe Tredwell Smith, oldest daughter of Elias Smith, whose ancestry is traceable back to the first set- tlement of this township. Mr. Smith's old homestead is the place that has since passed by bequest into the hands of W. C. Lawrence.
This gentleman is now the only survivor of his father's three children. He was married in 1851 to Elizabeth H., daughter of Major Ebenezer Smith, and soon after- ward undertook the management of his father's farm, which trust was discharged by him for about 29 years, or until 1880. Their children, two sons and one daughter, are all living.
Mr. Lawrence was a Whig of the old line, and became a Democrat of the staunchest school; and, although not a partisan, he thoroughly believes in Democratic princi- | gives ample scope for the exercise of his ability.
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ples as the foundation of good government.He has long been identified with the Presbyterian church, as an attendant upon its worship and a contributor to its various financial enterprises, but in religion as in politics he is not so biased as to refuse to see good in those who choose to reach the same goal by a different way.
Mr. Lawrence is always interested in the good govern- ment of his native town, and has faithfully discharged the duties of such offices as he has been called upon to fill. His ambition has been and is to be a successful farmer, and the large area that he has under cultivation
SOUTHAMPTON.
By WILLIAM S. PELLETREAU.
HE town of Southampton occupies the greater part of the south branch of Long Island, and is about 30 miles in length. In width it is exceedingly variable, being about 10 miles wide on the western boundary, from the ocean to Peconic River. The general average may be taken as seven miles. The isthmus called Canoe Place is about half a mile wide, and separates the town into two distinct parts, of which the western is a little the larger.
A part of the Great South Bay extends along the southern portion as far east as Quogue, where a narrow extent of upland and meadow divides it from Shinecock Bay. The latter extends east nearly to the village of Southampton. Two miles east of this village begins a sheet of water called Mecox Bay, about five miles in length, with an average width of three-fourths of a mile. This has no permanent connection with the ocean. An artificial channel is dug at certain seasons of the year, and the tide ebbs and flows for a short time; but the in- let is soon closed with drifting sand, and this process has been repeated from year to year from the earliest period of our history. This temporary inlet has always borne the name of "Sepoose," an Indian word meaning Little River. Upon the north side of the town are many branches of Peconic Bay, extending far into the land and having a constant tide. Among these may be men- tioned Cold Spring and Bullshead Bays, and North Sea harbor. Throughout the town there are no running streams of any size, and what is commonly called a brook is almost wholly unknown.
The surface in both sections of the town is nearly level on the south side, but on the north hilly. The soil in the western part is generally light and sandy, excepting a small portion next the South Bay; the greater part is covered with pine woods, and appears incapable of profit- able cultivation. The eastern part of the town has a large extent of excellent land, which is under careful cultivation. Most of the woodland in this part is oak, pine only appearing on the tops of hills. Near the center of the town is the tract called Shinecock Hills, a large part of which was formerly covered with woods, but is now almost entirely denuded.
This town is bounded on the west by Brookhaven. The southwest corner is at a monument on the South Beach where an inlet formerly ran; thence the line runs straight to the center of the mill dam on Seatuck River, and thence to a point on the "Country road," where a marble monument stands marked with the letter B on the west and S on the east side. By the side of it stands a brown stone, said to mark the spot where stood in ancient times a white oak tree, known as the "bound tree." From this the line extends to Peconic River, a distance of about six miles, running through a wilderness of burned pine land. A brown stone monument marked as above stands at the northwest corner, near the river. The town is bounded south by the ocean, and north by Peconic River and Bay.
The eastern boundary, owing to indefinite expressions used in the Indian deeds, was for long years in dispute. Originally the line was supposed to run straight from the ocean to Sag Harbor, but as the people of East Hampton had improved some land to the west of this line an agree- ment was made in 1695 by delegates appointed by each town, by which a corner was fixed, and a line run from the ocean to the Country road. Here the line makes a "square jog," and runs east 35 rods, and then runs in a northerly direction straight to Sag Harbor; the line cross- ing the wharf, Division street, is at that village the line between the two towns. It was agreed by the delegates that there should be a highway two rods wide the whole length of the line, and the road laid out is still used as such.
From the terms of the Indian deed for Southold that town at one time laid claim to a part of the town of Southampton lying near the village of Flanders. A more extended account of this claim will be given in another place.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The towns of Southampton and Southold were both settled in 1640, and of late years there has been a great controversy as to which is entitled to the honor of being considered the oldest English town in the State of New York. The case has been argued at great length by Rev. George R. Howell and Rev. E. Whittaker, D.D., in
2
THE TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.
behalf of their respective towns. Into this controversy we do not propose to enter, nor do we presume to decide where such learned doctors disagree; but we propose in the history of each town to produce the results of the most recent and extensive investigations, and the reader will be prepared to judge for himself.
" The Disposall of the Vessell .- March 10 1639 In consideracon that Edward Howell hath disbursed 151b and Edmond ffarington rolb, Josias Stanborough 5lb, George Webbe Iolb, Job Sayre 51b, Edmond Needham 5lb, Henry Walton Iolb, and Thomas Sayre 51b, itt is agreede upon that wee the forenamed undertakers have disposed of our severall pts of our vessell to Daniel How. In consideracon whereof hee is to transporte them soe much goods either to them, their heirs, executors and Assignes (If they shall desire it) as their Several Somme or Sommes of Monney shall Amount unto. And moreover, to each of those persons Above named or their Assignes he shall transporte to each man A person and a tunne of goods free. But in case that any of the forenamed per- sons shall not haue occasion for the transportacon of soe much goods as his money shall Amount vnto, that then the said Daniell is to make them payment of the re- mainder of the monney by the end of two yeares next ensuing the date hereof. And likewise this vessell shall be for the vse of the Plantacon, and that the said Daniell shall not sell this vessell without the consent of the Maior pt of the Company. And that the vessell shall be reddy at the Towne of Lynne to Transporte such goods as the Afforesaid vndertakers shall Appoint, that is to say, three tymes in the yeare. Ffurthermore, if In case that any Person or Persons shall not have occasion to Transport any goods, that then the said Daniel is to pay them their Somme or Sommes of Monney, together with Allowence for A tunne of goods and A person, within the tearme of two years next ensueing the date hereof. And for the full performance of [two words gone] said Daniel How hath our [three lines gone]. Ffurthermore, whareas it is expressed formerly that the vessell shall come to our Intended Plantacon three tymes in the yeare, we thought good to express the tymes, viz. the ffirst Moneth, the ffourth moneth and the eighth moneth. Ffurthermore, ffor the rates of persons, goods and chat- tell, if there proue any difference betweene vs the vnder- takers and the Said Daniell How, that then it shall be referred to tue men whome they and he shall chuse. Ffurthermore, for as much as Allen Bread, Thomas Hal- sey and William Harker Are by the Consent of the com- pany come into and party vndertakers with vs, we Ed- ward Howell, Daniel How and Henry Walton have con- signed three of our parts-that is, to each man A howse lott, planting lott and ffarme, answerable to the rest of ye vndertakers-for their disbursement of five pounds A man
to vs the above said undertakers. That is to say, where- as Mr. Howell had 3 lots he shall have but two, and Dan- iel How for 3 lots shall have but two and Henry Walton for 2 lots shall have but one.
"EDWARD HOWELL
" DANIEL HOW
" HENR. WALTON."
In the latter part of the year '1639 a number of men, including some lately arrived from England and others who had been for some time inhabitants of the town of Lynn in Massachusets, organized themselves into a com. pany for the purpose of founding a plantation on Long Island. They purchased a vessel and drew up articles of agreement between themselves, which might be called the The second part, known as the Agreement of the Un- dertakers, contains the articles of agreement drawn up to regulate the affairs of the intended plantation. These specify that Edward Howell, Edward Farrington, Ed- mond Needham, Daniel How, Josias Stanborough, Thomas Sayre, Job Sayre, George Welbee, Henry Wal- ton, Thomas Halsey, Allen Breade and William Harker constitution of the new colony. This agreement is dated had disbursed £80 toward "setting forward a planta- March roth 1639, and is divided into three parts. The first we here give in full, as the oldest document con- nected with our history. It is perhaps unnecessary to state that at that time and until 1753 the year was always considered as beginning March 25th, and that month is always in our old records called the first month. tion," and taken upon themselves the expense of trans- porting such persons as should be chosen to go upon the first voyage " of discovery and search, and to begin and settle a plantation; " that the said " undertakers" claimed the right to dispose of all lands within its limits, so that what they laid out for a house lot should always continue so, and that but one dwelling house should be builded upon it; that the land they laid out for "plant- ing lots " and farms should never be used for house lots, " whereby more Inhabitants might be received into our said Plantacon, to the overcharging of Commons and the Impoverishinge of the towne; " that whoever should sell his accommodation in the town should sell it entire, and that each settler should have four acres for a house lot, and 12 acres for a planting lot, and so much meadow and upland as should make his accommodations 50 acres; that no person should "challenge or claime any proper interest in seas, rivers, creekes or brooks howsoever bounding or passing through his grounds, but that ffree- dom of fishing, fowling and navigation should be com- mon to all within the banks of the said waters whatso- ever." Whoever should fell any trees in the highway was to remove them. No person was to make any high- ways or paths over another person's land, but all were to use the " Alowed wayes layed out for yt end." The expense of purchasing the land for the plantation was to be borne in proportionate shares by all the inhabitants. All men were left free to decide all controversies among themselves. And the agreement concludes with the stipulation that "Whensoever it shall please the Lord and hee shall see it goode to adde to us such men as shall be fitt matter for a church, that then wee will in that thinge lay ourselves downe before ye constituters thereof, either to be or not to be receaved as members thereof according as they shall discerne the worke of god to be in our hearts."
This agreement was signed by the following, who are to be considered the founders of the town: Edward Howell, Edward Needham, Josiah Stanborough, Edmond Far- rington, Thomas Sayre, Job Sayre, Daniel How, George Welbe, Thomas Halsey, William Harker, Henry Wal- ton, Allen Bread. And the following names are added: Thomas Newell, John Farrington, Philip Kirtland, Nathaniel Kirtland, Thomas Farrington, Thomas Terry, and another which is not decipherable with certainty,
3
THE TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.
but is said to be Richard Ryall. John Cooper and John Gosmer were afterward admitted into the number, with the "like full and lymited power in all thinges yt con- cerne our Plantacon." Facsimiles of the autographs of some of the founders are given herewith.
Edward Sonel
Job Saypo
Czomas Balles John Douyer
The third part of the document is called " A Declara- tion of the Company." It is therein agreed that, "whereas it is expressed in one Article that the power of disposinge of lands and Admission of Inhabitants into our planta- cons shall at all tymes remayne in the hands of us the said undertakers, our true intent and meaning is that when our plantacion is laid out by those Appointed ac- cording to our Articles, and that there shall be a church gathered and constituted according to the minde of Christ, that then wee doe freely lay downe our power, both of orderinge and disposinge of the plantacon and receaving of Inhabitants, or any other thing, at the feete of Christ and his church, provided that they shall not doe anything contrary to the true meaning of the fformer Articles." It was also agreed that those who had an in- terest in the plantation and remained absent from it should only retain their land for the term of three years, "providing that within the third yeare they come back againe."
The next information we have concerning this com- pany is of a date some two months later. Leaving Lynn they proceeded to the west end of Long Island and com- menced a settlement at Cow Bay, on the west side of the neck now called Manhasset, in the town of North Hemp- stead. This was May Ist 1640. The Dutch governor, learning of their arrival, sent officers to arrest them as "strollers and vagabonds " trespassing upon the territory of their high mightinesses, and as having added insult to injury by tearing down the arms of the Prince of Orange and substituting for them an " unhandsome face." The officer and soldiers sent to arrest them arrived at the spot. May 15th and found them in active operation, with
one house built and another unfinished. They were asked what they were doing there, and by what power or authority they presumed to settle on their territory, and were told that they must show their commission. "Eight men, one woman and a little child made answer " that they intended to plant there, and were authorized "by a Scotchman who had gone with their commission to Red Hill " (probably New Haven). Thereupon six of the men-Job Sayre, George Welbe, John Farrington, Philip Kirtland and Nathaniel Kirtland-were arrested and taken to Fort Amsterdam.
Upon their examination they stated that they had come from Lynn to settle on Long Island under authority from James Farrett and with the consent of Governor Win- throp of Massachusetts Bay; that it was intended to bring twenty families, and many more would come if the land was good. Job Sayre stated that he was born in Bedfordshire, had lived in Lynn and was 28 years old. George Welbe was born in Northamptonshire and was 25 years old. John Farrington was 24 years old, Philip Kyrtland 26, Nathaniel Kyrtland 22, and all three came from Buckinghamshire. William Harker said he was born in " Circenshire," and was 24 years old. On the 19th they were discharged, on condition of leaving the territory, never to return without the "Directors' express consent." Thus ended what was undoubtedly the first attempt at an English settlement on Long Isl- and. Their movements subsequent to this are unknown, but as no notice occurs of their return to Lynn it is sup- posed that they went at once to the east end of the isl- and; and Winthrop in his journal of June 1640 men- tions the settlement at Southampton as an accomplished fact, and June 1640 must be considered as the date of the founding of this town.
Before leaving Lynn the company obtained a grant from James Farrett, agent for the Earl of Stirling, who at that time was the proprietor of Long Island under grant from the Plymouth colony. A copy of the com- mission of the Earl of Stirling to James Farrett is among the papers in the clerk's office of this town, and in this it is agreed that any question or dispute that may arise is to be decided by the Right Hon. John Winthrop, gov- ernor of Massachusetts Bay. This commission is dated April 2nd 1637. The grant from Farrett, commonly called "Farrett's Patent," is still in existence in the town clerk's office, and the following is a copy of it:
"Know, all men whom this present writing may con- cerne, thatt I James Farrett, of Long Island, Gent., Deputy to the Right honorable the Earle of Sterling, Secretary for the Kingdom of Scotland, doe by these presents, in the name and behalf of the said Earle, and in mine own name as his deputy, as it doth or may in any way concerne myself, Give and Grant ffree leave and liberty to Danyell How, Job Sayre, George Wilbe, and William Harper, together with their associates, to sitt downe upon Long Island aforesaid, there to possess, Im- prove and enjoy Eight miles square of land, or so much as shall containe the said quantity, not only upland butt alsoe what soever meadow, marrsh ground, Harbors, Rivers and Creeks lye within the bounds or limitts of the said Eight miles, the same and every part thereof quietly
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THE TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.
and peaceably to enjoy, to them and their heires forever, without any disturbance, lett or molestation from the said Earl, or any by his appointment or procurement for him or any of his; and that they are to take theire choyce to sitt downe vpon as best suiteth them. And allsoe that they and theire Associates shall enjoy as full and free liberty in all matters that doe or may concerne them or theires, or that may conduce to the good and comfort of them and theirs, both in Church order and civell government, together with all the easements, con. veniences and accomodations what soever which the said place doth or may afforde, answerable to what other Plantations enjoy in Massachusets Bay. Butt in as much as itt hath pleased our Royall King to give and grant the Patente of Long Island to the aforesaid Earle, In consid- eration thereof itt is agreed upon that the trade with the Indians shall remaine to the said Earle of Sterling, to dispose of from time to time and at all times as best lik- eth him; Onely the aforesaid Daniel How and his co- partners shall have liberty to make choyce of one man amongst them that shall freely trade with the Indians in their behalf for any victuals within theire owne planta- tions, but not for wampum. And if any of the aforesaid persons or any for them shall secretly trade with the In- dians for Wampum, whether directly or indirectly, with- out leave or license from the said Earle or his assigns, the person or persons soe offending shall pay for every fath- om so traded, to the said Earle or his assigns, the sum of twenty shillings. Ffurther itt is Agreede vpon that what soever shall be thought meete by the Right Worshipfull John Winthrop, Esq., Governor of the massachusets Bay, to be given to the Earle of Sterling in way of acknowl- edgement as the Pattentee of the place, shall be duly and truly paid; and ffurther more it is agreede upon that noe man shall by vertue of any gift or purchase lay claim to any land lying within the compass of the eight miles be- fore mentioned, but only the aforesaid Inhabitants shall make purchase in their owne names and at their owne leisure from any Indians that Inhabit or have lawful right to any of the aforesaid land or any part thereof, and thereby assume itt to themselves and their heires as their Inheritence for ever. In witness whereof wee have here- unto sett our hands and seales the 17th day of Aprill 1640.
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