History of Suffolk county, New York, 1683, Part 96

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 96


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110


VILLAGES AND NEIGHBORHOODS.


WATERVILLE.


This village is situated at the extreme western end of the town, and may be said to extend from Seatuck River to George W. Tuthill's mill stream. This tract, being part of the Speonk division in Topping's purchase, was purchased of the original drawers of the lots by Edward Petty. In 1772 Colonel Josiah Smith and David Howell,


of Moriches, built a mill at Seatuck River, where the mill now is, and Edward Petty by deed dated May 27th in the same year sold them an acre of land adjoining the stream for the purpose of building a dam. On the 17th of April 1775 he sold to John Tuthill, the first settler of that name in that part of the town, "a certain neck of land at Seatuck, being 7 lots, beginning at. No. I on the west or at the river where Capt. Josiah Smith and David Howell have a grist-mill and saw-mill now standing; the neck being bounded on said river the west side, on the south end by the bay or water, and on the east by the water until it comes to a certain stake at Silas Schellen- ger's mill tail, being a bound betwixt lot No. 7 and No. 8; and from said stake by the land of the forementioned Silas Shellenger unto a certain bound at Moriches path; and on the north by said path, except one acre which I conveyed unto Capt. Josiah Smith for the benefit of a mill."


The original road which led from Speonk to Moriches turned west at the house of William E. Phillips, crossing the swamp at the head of the Great Pond; ran south of Charles Rogers's house to Seatuck River; then ran along the riverside until near George W. Tuthill's mill stream, which it crossed very near the railroad bridge. It then followed the west bank of the stream some distance north, and then, turning west, crossed Seatuck River nearly half a mile north of the present Country road. This road was cut through the woods by Colonel Mat- thew Howell, about 1700. The road which is now used, and forms the street through Waterville, was cut through the woods (for the whole country was at that time a for- est) by John Tuthill, soon after his purchase of the neck. The road from William E. Phillips's house to George W. Tuthill's mill was cut through as early as 1771, at which time it was called the "new road."


The oldest house in this village is the one now owned by Cephas Tuthill, and was built about 1800, by John Tuthill, son of the first settler. The church in this place was first organized in 1822, and belonged to the denomination known as "Stillwellites." It afterward changed to "Methodist Protestant." Meetings for many years were held in the school-house and in private dwel- lings, and the church edifice was erected in 1853. The entire population with few exceptions is engaged in bus- iness on the waters of the Great South Bay, and farming is carried on to a limited extent. The number of inhab- itants is 195.


SPEONK.


The first settlement in this village was made as early as the middle of the 18th century. The first notice is in 1745, when it was voted by the trustees that Abram Halsey (who was a son of Thomas 2nd, son of Thomas the first settler) should have some land at Speonk run- ning from the swamp to his house. There may be some doubt as to whether this house was at that time a perma- nent dwelling or only occupied for a part of the year. After the laying out of the Speonk division (1748) Abram


25


1


THE TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.


Halsey purchased a large number of lots of the original owners, much of which land is still in possession of his descendants. The old Halsey house stood on the east side of the road running from the house of Joel Tuthill, and about 80 rods south of it. Abram had a son David, who had sons Hiram and Oliver, from whom the present families are derived.


" In Memory of John Tuthill, who died Novr. 4 1805, aged 77 years."


He left sons John, Daniel, Jonathan and Joshua, whose descendants are very numerous and respectable. His wife Sarah died December 11th 1820, aged 84. James the first of that name lived on the present homestead of Austin Tuthill, and his tombstone in the family burying" ground states that he died may Ist 1828, aged 78 years and 24 days. He left sons James, Joseph, Benjamin, Daniel, Seth and Salem, each of whom left a numerous offspring.


The Rogers family is descended from Joseph Rogers, who came from Bridgehampton about 1760, at which time he sold his house and land at that place to Thomas Sandford, in exchange for "all his lotted land and meadow at Speonk." This embraced all the land between George W. Tuthill's mill stream and the Great Pond, and com- prised lots 8 to 23 inclusive, Speonk division. Joseph Rogers died about 1800. His estate, though subdivided among descendants, still remains in the family. The tract of land between the Great and :Little Ponds was called in ancient times "Basket Neck.


The Phillips family, consisting of four brothers-Wil- liam, Josiah, Joseph and Moses-came from the town of Brookhaven in 1757. William purchased of Jeremiah Smith "272 lots in Basket Neck, lying between the west line of lot 24 and the middle of lot 26." This is now the homestead farm of William E. Phillips. In 1771 Joseph Rogers sold to William and Josiah Phillips all that part of his estate "lying east of the new road running across my neck" (the " new road " being the one running from Speonk to Waterville by the house of William E. Phillips). . In 1782 the four brothers bought of Henry Ludlam " a certain tract of land and meadow at Speonk, boundrd E by the bay and land of Wm. Chard, south by bay, west by land of Vincent and Stephen Rogers, N. by Morriches road." This is now the estate of Joseph Phillips. These families, with the Tuthills, Halseys and Rogerses, owned at one time all this section of the county.


The church in the village was built in 1846, and was originally Presbyterian. It has of late years been con nected with the Methodist society, and the pulpit is at


present supplied by the pastor of the church at West Hampton.


The population of Speonk is 196. The entire business of the place has until within a few years been farming and fishing. It now bids fair to become a favorite resort for summer visitors from the city, and this business is rapidly increasing. There is one hotel in the place, known as the Rossmore House, established in 1872. An


Tuthill, but was discontinued after a few years. At the eastern extremity of the village, on Speonk River, is the carriage manufactory of Elias T. & Lewis Tuthill. This was established in 1844, and in 1867 came into the posses- sion of its present owners. The building is very sub- stantial, built of brick, and the water power is ample. About $4,000 worth of work in the shape of carriages, sleighs and heavy wagons is done annually, and the firm has most excellent facilities both for manufacturing and repairing.


TANNER'S NECK.


Next east of Speonk River is Brushy Neck, and next to this are what are known in the old records as "Great Tanner's Neck " and "Little Tanner's Neck." The tract of land bounded east by Beaverdam River was called by the Indian name of Apocock. The first set- tlement at Tanner's Neck was made by Jonathan Jagger, as early as 1740. He purchased many lots of the origi- nal owners, one of his purchases being of Daniel Wick, who sold him " 272 lots bounded W. by middle of the swamp which separates Little Tanner's Neck from Great Tanner's Neck." His house stood south of the road, not far from the present residence of his descendant Seth R. Jagger.


Brushy Neck was granted by the town in 1742 " for a parsonage for ye use of a gospel minister that shall be sutebly qualified for ye ministerial function, and shall be settled by our people yt shall call him thereto; and on default ye said Brushy Neck shall return to ye proprie- tors again." As it afterward formed part of the Speonk division, it seems to have reverted to them.


Hugh Raynor, a son of Jonathan Raynor of South- ampton, was one of the early settlers of this place and owned the tract lying west of Beaverdam River. In 1799 he sold the north part of the tract to Thomas Rogers of Riverhead. This place is now-owned by his descendant Lester H. Rogers.


THE METHODIST CHURCH


is situated in this village, and to the kindness of Rev. Edward K. Fanning, the present minister, we are indebted for this sketch of its history. In 1831 Reuben Harris was the circuit preacher in this county, and preached at West Hampton. Under his labors Ezra Jagger was con- verted, and he was the first of that denomination in this part of the town. Believing it to be his duty to join a church, he went alone in his boat to Patchogue, and


The Tuthill family so numerous in this part of the town is descended from two men, John and James, who academy was started here in 1862 by Professor John were uncle and nephew and came from Southold about 1760. The former from his success in the chase was generally known as " Hunter John." Like the Halseys he bought an extensive tract of land, and his descendants reap the benefit of his foresight. His house stood south of the present residence of Herman Rogers, and his tomb- stone in the burying ground near by bears the following inscription:


26


THE TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.


united with the church at that place. Soon afterward a class was formed here, of which he was leader. He be- came a local preacher, and joined the New York confer- ence. For sixteen years he was a faithful itinerant preacher, and he died in 1850. The first Methodist class consisted of Ezra Jagger (leader), Silas Tuthill, Thomas Rogers, Charles Howell, William Raynor, Wil- liam Jessup, Phebe Jagger, Phebe Corwin and John Gordon. .


The sentiments of the community were strongly Pres- byterian, and much prejudice was entertained against the new sect. The school-houses where they had formerly held meetings were closed against them, and they were compelled to meet in private houses. At that time Rev. A. S. Francis was preaching in the village, and he started one day with Ezra Jagger to cross the bay in his boat. In company with them was the latter's father, Deacon Cephas Jagger, and the following story is exceed- ingly characteristic of the deacon, as well as of the times: The conversation turned on the late revival, and the dea- con inquired, " Why don't you build a church for your- selves?" Mr. Francis replied, "I do not think we can get the means." The reply was, "You don't know what you can do till you try." Mr. Francis then asked, " What will you give us?" The deacon paused, and after a long silence answered, "I am a member of the other church, and it will not do for me to do much, but I will put it into Ezra's power to give the land to set it on, and to cut what timber he pleases out of my woods." The offer was at once accepted, and an effort made, which was crowned with merited success. The land given was part of Deacon Jagger's homestead, and the church was built in 1833. Mr. Jagger soon after called for letters of dismissal from the Presbyterian church, and joining the Methodist's remained a faithful member till his death. The first sermon in the new church was preached by Rev. Daniel Ostrander. For the first few years it was called the West Hampton mission, but in 1836 it became a self sustaining circuit. The parsonage, a comfortable dwelling house, was built in 1856, and adjoins the church. In 1859 the church was enlarged and improved, and its membership is large and increasing.


BEAYERDAM.


It should be stated that West Hampton is a general name for the regions between Quogue and Speonk, and there is no village with that title. Beaverdam has the best claim to be the local name. The first mill and first church in the western part of the town were built here, and here is the last resting place of the early set- tlers.


The facilities for a water-power mill at this place sup- plied a want that must have been severely felt at that early day. The first mention we find in the trustees' book. At a meeting April Ist 1746 "it was voted that Abigail Howell, widow of John Howell jr., should have the use and improvement of the stream called the Bea- verdam, with all necessary conveniences for a mill and


the making of a dam, for twelve years to come, and then to return to the town." The mill was built soon after and is mentioned in 1748. In 1758 it was granted to Benjamin Homan for thirteen years, "provided the said Homan shall keep and maintain a good grist-mill, and grind for one-tenth of what he grinds, and shall not by any means or pretentions take or exact any more, on for- feiture of the use of the stream; and at the expiration of the term the stream to return to the Town." In 1771 the same was granted to Jeremiah Homan (probably a son of Benjamin) for the term of ten years, "on condi- tion that he do keep a inill in good order, and grind after the common custom, and maintain a good road over the mill-dam, and likewise provide and keep a good road from the meeting-house across the river, four pole wide, at his own cost."


Before the mill-dams were built on Beaverdam and Speonk Rivers the old Country road crossed these streams near their heads, and, it is supposed, at the same places the Indians had their crossings. After the dams were built the roads were turned so as to cross them. At the old road, some distance north of the mill at Beaver- dam, is the corner between the " Upper division" and the "Last division" in Quogue purchase. A line running from the center of the dam to the bridge at Riverhead separates Quogue and Topping's purchases, and this dam is also the corner of the "Speonk division," and "Last division" in the latter.


CHURCH AND CEMETERY.


The exact time when a church was erected here is un- known, but it was previous to 1758. It stood in what is now the burying ground, very near the gate. It remain- ed till 1831, when the present church was built at Quogue. The church organization was of course Pres- byterian. and for many years the parish was connected with Moriches. The . first minister was Rev. Nehemiah Greenman, who preached in 1748 and 1749, and Rev. Abner Reeve was ordained in 1755. This became a dis- tinct parish in 1763, but for 20 years after that time there was no settled pastor. A complete list of the pas- tors till 1843 may be found in Prime's history of Long Island.


In 1771 the town granted to the western parish the use of a tract of woodland extending from the east side of the mill pond to a point twelve rods east of the meet- ing-house, and running north to the "old road," for the use of a school-house and meeting-house, and it still re- mains for the same purpose. The tract of land east of the river and south of the mill was the " blank lot " in the Upper division, Quogue purchase. It contained 100 acres, and was sold by the trustees to Hezekiah Howell in 1738, and the latter sold one-fourth of the property to Nathaniel Howell. The houses in this village stand on this lot.


The burying ground here is the oldest in the western part of the town, and here " the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." The oldest tombstone bears the following inscription :


27


THE TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.


"In Memory of Elisha Howell jr., who died Sept. ye 8th 1754, in ye 17th year of his age."


The following perpetuate the memories of some of the early settlers:


" In Memory of Stephen Jagger Esq., who died April 10 1796 in the 77th year of his age. Be not slothful, but followers of them who by faith and patience inherit the promises."


"In Memory of Ephraim Halsey, who died August 20th 1764, aged 71 years."


"In Memory of Cornelius Halsey, who died April 19 1782, in the 61 year of his age."


In this cemetery stands the monument erected by public subscription in 1866 to the memory of the soldiers from West Hampton who fought and fell in the struggle to preserve the constitution and crush the great rebel- lion. It is of brown stone, about 16 feet in height, and land being bounded east by Aspatuck River. His son bears the following inscriptions:


"West Hampton's tribute to the patriotism and bravery of her sons who in the war for the preservation of the Union heroically fought and honorably fell."


".Capt. Franklin B. Hallock, Serg't Cyrus D. Tuthill, Corp. Hiram H. Wines, Reeves H. Havens, Timothy W. Robbinson, Thomas M. Smith, Edward Stephens, James E. Griffing, Henry S. Raynor."


ONUCK AND POTUNK.


The native Indians seem to have had no name for the vast tracts of woodland which form the larger part of this portion of the town. Their villages were on the necks of land near the bay, and each of these had a very significant name in their language. The two necks lying east of Beaverdam River were known as Great and Little Wonunk, which name has been corrupted into "Onuck." It is probable that here was made the first settlement west of Southampton. Isaac Halsey had a house here in 1738 and purchased a large tract of land surrounding. The two necks are at the present time almost wholly owned by his descendants, and this is probably the most fertile portion of this region. Isaac Halsey left a son Ephraim (whose epitaph is given above), and from him are descended the families now living here. The resi- dence of Dennis K. Halsey stands on the site of the original house built by the first settler early in the last century.


first settlers here was John Jessup, who was living here at the Revolution, and whose grandson Deacon John S. Jessup, lately deceased, inherited the lands and inhabited the mansion built by his ancestor.


KETCHAPONACK.


Next east of Potunk, and extending to the stream known as Aspatuck River, is the neck called by its orig- inal Indian name "Ketchaponack." It is probable that a settlement was commenced here as early as 1738, at which time Jonathan Raynor had a house and orchard on the lot now occupied by the homestead of Elisha Raynor. Among the first settlers was Jonah Bower, who lived on the place now owned by Charles Griffin, his


Grant Bower lived on the homestead of the late Deacon Fanning Griffin. The Howell family is descended from John Howell (a son of Captain Josiah Howell of South- ampton), who was generally known as " John Howell of Canoe Place," from his keeping a house of entertainment at that place before the Revolution.


The Great South Bay here ends in a narrow channel (crossed by a bridge) which connects it with Quantuck Bay. Near this is the country seat of the family of Gen- eral John A. Dix, late governor of the State. The hotel of Mortimer D. Howell is a popular resort during the summer of a very superior class of city people, and the vicinity has many attractions, which are highly appreci- ated. A union chapel, built in a style of elegant sim- plicity, is one of the finest features of the village.


QUIOGUE.


Between Aspatuck and Quantuck Rivers is a neck of land called in our ancient records Little Assup's Neck, or Quiogue .. The latter is the name now in use. This neck was originally owned by Daniel Halsey and Daniel Foster. The Presbyterian church of the West Hampton parish stands at the head of the neck, having been re- moved to this place from Beaverdam in 1832. Near it is the parsonage, now occupied by Rev. William B. Reeve, who after having served the church as a "stated supply " for twenty years was at length installed in 1875.


Originally the roads from one neck to another ran of necessity around the head of the creeks; but about 1860 the inhabitants of this region, inspired with a most com- mendable public spirit, built bridges of a very durable nature across the streams of Beaverdam, Aspatuck and Quantuck. The latter is a work of some magnitude, and it is said that the wood growing on 12 acres of woodland was used in making a foundation.


The neck next east of Onuck is known by the Indian name of Potunk. It is bounded on the east by the swamp and pond called by the aboriginal name " Mono- baugs," which separates it from Ketchaponack. The lay- ing out of the upland and meadow in this neck may be found in the second volume of printed town records, pages 114, 277. The corner lot on the south.side of the road opposite the house of Nathan Jessup is supposed to be lot 14 in the original division. It was sold to Nehe- miah Sayre by Jonathan Jagger in 1759, and continued QUOGUE. in possession of his descendants till within a few years, The tract just east of Quantuck Creek was known in when it was sold to the Stephens family. Among the | ancient times as "Assup's Neck," and extends east to a


28


THE TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.


creek called "Cutting's Creek." Next to this, and bounded easterly by a pond and swamp near the road running to the beach, is the neck called by the Indians Quaquanantuck, which has been contracted into "Quogne." This is the first point east of Rockaway where access can be had to the ocean shore without crossing the bay, and to this fact the village owes its prosperity; for Quogue is undoubtedly, in proportion to the number of its inhabitants, the wealthiest village on Long Island. The great extent of salt meadow was the cause of the first settlement, and it is probable that the first collection of houses in the western part of the town sufficiently numerous to be called a village was at this place. The first actual notice that we have of a settle- ment is in 1748, when William Johnes sold to Jonathan Cook "60 acres in Quogue purchase, bounded N. by highway, S. by bay, W. by Josiah Howell, E. by John Post, with all the buildings and fences thereon." This includes the present homestead of Henry Gardiner of Quogue.


Among the early settlers was Captain John Post, who owned the homestead now in possession of his descend- ant George O. Post. Another was Josiah Foster, a son of John Foster jr., of Southampton, who was among the very first to attempt the subjugation of the wilderness; he built his house on the site now owned by the heirs of Erastus Foster, and after a long life left to his sons a large estate, and the still richer legacy of a remarkable faculty for increasing it. Captain Josiah Howell and Deacon Thomas Cooper, with Captain Obadiah Rogers, also had houses toward the west end of the village, while the Jessup family still retain much of the land owned by their ancestor Deacon Thomas Jessup.


The pond and swamp to the east of the Quogue lane was called in ancient times Ogden's Pond, from the name of the first purchaser of "Quogue purchase." The tract of land lying east of this was called Ogden's Neck, and the creek separating it from the next neck (called Sec- ond Neck) was known as Ogden's Creek. The first set- tler in Second Neck was Nathan Herrick, who had a house on the estate now belonging to George F. Stone, as early as 1745.


The village burying ground contains many old tomb- stones, marking the resting places of the early settlers, and a few of the oldest are here given:


" Here lies the body of Jonathan Cook, who departed this life March 7 1754, aged 54 years."


" In memory of Elizabeth, wife of John Foster, who departed this life ye 18th of March 1773, in the 78 year or her age." [She was the mother of Josiah Foster, mentioned above, and lived with him during the last years of her life.]


" In Memory of Mr. Elisha Howell, who died Sept. 7 1777, in the 73d year of his age."


" In Memory of Abigail, wife of Capt. John Post, who died March 17 1772, in ye 67 year of her age." [Captain John Post, the first settler, died January 3d 1792, aged 92.]


" In Memory of Mr. Nathan Herrick, who died March 24 A. D. 1783, in the 83d year of his age."


" In memory of Mr. Daniel Howell, who died May 21 1798 in the 23 year of his age.


" 'In youthful bloom diseases wore my life away; My soul returned to God, my body to its native clay. My friends, consider well your mortal state, Secure your souls in Christ before it be too late.' "


The whole of Quogue Neck seems to have been divided into four tracts, bounded north by the road and running south to the bay. The eastern one was owned by Deacon Thomas Cooper. Next west was the farm of Thomas Jessup. Next came Captain Thomas Stephens; while west of all, by Cutting's Creek, was Josiah Howell. Captain Obadiah Rogers's house was north of the road and very near the present house of S. D. Craig, while somewhat east of him, and on the south side of the road, was the house of John Halsey.


The proximity of this village to the ocean renders it a favorite summer resort, and its privileges have for many years been highly appreciated by the class of wealthy citizens who desire to spend the heated season "on old Long Island's sea-girt shore." The business thus created has from a small beginning very largely increased, and the place is now almost wholly composed of large boarding- houses, which are very liberally patronized.


A few years since an attempt was made to manufacture iodine from the sea water on a large scale, but it failed to prove as remunerative as was expected. Its projectors next turned their attention to manufacturing steel from the magnetic " iron sand " which is found here in great abundance. It was soon discovered that, although the finest kind of steel could be made from this ore, the cost of manufacturing was too large to make it a successtul business, and the buildings and machinery was sold at a great sacrifice. Within the last year a new enterprise has been started, which has so far been very successful. The iron ore is separated from the sand by magnets, and, packed in bags, is transferred to foundries in New Jersey and made into steel of a very superior quality.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.