History of Suffolk county, New York, 1683, Part 98

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 98

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).

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Peirson was for many years one of the most prominent citizens of the town and county. Possessing a large estate and marked ability he held a high position in the community, and was for nine years a member of the colonial Assembly and speaker of the House. His home lot was on the east side of the street, next north of the home lot mentioned before as bought by Rev. Ebenezer White. He left a numerous family, and in the early part of the present century there were eleven families of his descendants in the village. To- day one little boy, David Emett Peirson, is the sole rep- resentative of this honored name.

Among the early families were those of Nathaniel Rusco, Robert Norris, Benjamin Palmer and John More- house. The first of these owned the corner lot, now the homestead of Charles S. Rogers. Major John Howell. of Southampton, in his will (1696) left his land at Sagg to his son Theophilus, who settled here, on the present homestead of George Clarence Topping. Edward Howell, a grandson of the founder of the town, as early as 1712 had built a house at Poxabog, where his descendants of the fifth generation still remain.

Daniel Hedges and his son Jonathan came from East Hampton about 1702, and of their descendants many held high official positions. Foremost among these was Deacon David Hedges, who was supervisor of the town twenty years,-a longer period than any other man,- and for many years a member of the State Assembly, and was in all respects "a man of upright life and free from guile." Tradition states that at the time of the Revolu- tion, when most of the prominent citizens of the county were taking steps to remove themselves and families to Connecticut, Deacon Hedges with others was on the road to Sag Harbor to embark. Upon reaching the hill at the north end of the village street he stopped to take a last view; and, moved with patriotic impulse, wheeled his ox cart round, and declared he would return and share the fortunes of his neighbors. His mental power and moral virtues have been transmitted to his posterity, and our respected fellow citizen Hon. Henry P. Hedges, the learned historian and eloquent legal orator, is a worthy descendant of an illustrious ancestor.

The village burying ground, singular to relate, was in the middle of the village street, and was for more than a century unfenced. At what time it was enclosed we do not know, but the fence having become dilapidated the inhabitants, with praiseworthy care, have within a few years replaced it with one elegant in form and durable in material. Within this enclosure "the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep," and the moss-grown tombstones with nearly obliterated inscriptions are a source .of interest to the antiquarian. Among the oldest epitaphs are the following:

"Mr. Peregrine Stanborough, Deacon in ye Parish, Departed this life Jan. ye 4 1701, in ye 62 year of his age.

Coll. Henry Peirson Deceased November the 15 in the 50 year of his age 170[."

"Here lies ye Body of Captain Elnathan Topping, who departed this life March the 26 anno Domini 1705, aged 64 years."

" Here Lieth the Body of John Topping, Justice of the Peace, aged fifty years, who departed this life in the 29 day of May in the year 1686."

"Here was Layed the body of Mr. Nathaniel Rvsco, who dyed Avgust the 21st Anno 1714, in ye 67 year of his age."

" Here lyes buried the body of Theophilus Howell Esq., aged 77 years; deceased March ye 12 1739."

A tombstone from which the inscription is wholly scaled away marks the grave of Captain David Peirson, who commanded the militia company in the Revolution. The foot stone has the words, " Mr. David Peirson."

HAMPTON LIBRARY.

The opportunities for obtaining useful knowledge have been greatly increased within the last few years by the establishment of the Hampton Library. This institu- tion, whose benefits have been so generally acknowledged and so widely extended, owes its origin to the liberality of two men who in the evening of their life made this place their home. In the year 1873 William Gardiner and Charles Rogers, possessed not only of wealth but of the ennobling spirit which prompts a liberal use of it for the good of others, by a liberal endowment founded this library, which was to be for the benefit of this and the neighboring villages. It contains about 4,000 volumes of the choicest literature, and has entered upon a career which we trust will be enduring.

NORTH HAVEN.

Hog Neck, or North Haven, as it has been called within a few years, is a large peninsula near Sag Harbor. It was originally claimed by the Shelter Island Indians, and their transfer of it will be found in the history of that town. It was first laid out and divided in 1680, but had no inhabitants till many years later.

The first settlers here were a family named Russell, as mentioned before. Previous to the Revolution John Mitchel seems to have been living here, and Constant Havens, of Shelter Island, was a large landowner here as -

THE TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.

early as 1765. His descendants still occupy a large por- tion of the estate he purchased of its original owners. This neck constitutes a school district, and a small but elegant chapel was built here in 1880. Within the last. few years it has attracted the attention of persons of wealth and station in New York city, and now bids fair to become dotted with elegant and costly residences.

NOYACK.

About four miles west of Sag Harbor is a point some two miles in length projecting into Peconic Bay. Its In- dian name was Noyack, meaning "a point of land," and it has given its name to the neighboring village. This peninsula, with some land adjoining, was granted by the town to John Jessup in 1679, and was given by him to his son Isaac, who settled here as early as 1712. The Jessup homestead was where the residence of David Wiggins now stands. In an old family burying ground north of the house is a slate tombstone, bearing the fol- lowing inscription, which is to-day as legible as it was when it left the hands of the carver: "Here lyes ye Body of Abigail Jessup, Daughter of Mr Isaac & Mrs Sarah Jessup, who deceased in Nov'mbr 1724, aged about 11 years." The estate continued in the Jessup family till about 1800, when Silas Jessup, the last owner, sold it to the father of the late Judge John S. Osborn. After the death of Judge Osborn it was sold to its pres- ent owner. A mill on the stream near this place was built about 1690, at which time the mill stream was granted to John Parker "to set a fulling-mill on." In 1718 it was granted to Jonah Rogers. About 1748 it was owned by Charles Rugg, and was known for a long time as "Rugg's mill." It afterward passed into the hands of a family named Budd. In 1874 the ponds ad- joining, some thirty in number, were purchased by G. W. Thompson, of Oakland, Cal., who proceeded to im- prove them as trout ponds. At an expense of more than $10,000 he has made the premises one of the most beau- tiful summer resorts on Long Island; the cool shade and the music of rippling waters make it seem almost a por- tion of fairy land.

NORTH SEA.

This is the oldest village in the town excepting South- ampton. Its name is derived from the fact that in an- cient times Peconic Bay was called the North Sea, in distinction from the ocean, which was called the South Sea. On the west side of North Sea Harbor a point of land projects into the creek, which has always been

the first settlers came to the town they landed here, and one woman, as she stepped on shore, exclaimed, "For conscience' sake I'm on dry land once more," and hence the name. This tradition, whether true or false, is of great antiquity.

when the town voted that John Ogden and his company should have Cow Neck and Jeffry's Neck and plowing land to the amount of 324 acres, provided they should settle six families. They were also to have all the meadow between Hog Neck Spring and Millstone Brook (where it is mentioned that the sachem's house stood). Mr. Ogden formed the first whaling company in the State, and an agreement was made by which he and his company were to have the exclusive privilege of killing whales within the town limits.

The first settlers here were John Ogden, Jonas Wood of Oram (so called in distinction from Jonas Wood of Halifax, who lived in Southampton and afterward was the founder of Huntington), Samuel Dayton, Vincent Meggs, Mark Meggs, Samuel Clark, John Scott, Samuel Barker, Edmond Shaw, Fulk Davis, Samuel Davis and Joseph Davis. With the exception of Scott these names have entirely disappeared.

The families that have left descendants, and whose names are identified with the village, are as follows:

The Scott family is descended from John and Jecha- miah, sons of Captain John Scott, whese notorious career is fully described in Thompson's History of Long Island. Jechamiah was a magistrate, and at one time lived in the village of Southampton, and is buried there. His home lot in North Sea was next south of the present residence of Austin Rose.

The first of the name of Lupton was Christopher, who was here before 1654. He had sons John and Joseph. The name has long since disappeared.

The first of the Jennings family was John, who came as early as 1670, and had sons William and Samuel. He lived on what is now the homestead of Jeremiah Reeves. Charles Sturmy was here in 1675. He lived on the present home lot of Austin Rose.

The Rose family is descended from John Rose, who may have been a son of Robert Rose, who was in the town as early as 1644. John is first mentioned in 1660, and purchased a house and lot of John Scott. He died in 1697, and left children John, David, James, Thomas and Martyn, The families of that name now living here are descended from John, who had a son David, whose grandson David (born in 1753 and died in 1836) was a justice and supervisor for many years, and few men have been more noted for energy and activity. He was a large landholder, and his estates are still in the family of his son Colonel David Rogers Rose.

The first of the Harris family was George, who is found as early as 1675. He had sons George and Henry, whose descendants are still found.

The Haynes family, now not found here, is descended from Benjamin, who appears in 1668, when he bought a called " Conscience Point." Tradition says that when house and lot formerly belonging to Samuel Barker. This is the old Haines homestead, which is now owned by the heirs of Hewlett Reeves, who bought it of the heirs of Samuel Haines in 1877. Benjamin had sons Benjamin, James and Samuel.

The old North Sea line which separated it from South- The first notice we have of a settlement here is in 1647, ampton commenced at Weckatuck Spring, near Hog

THE TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.

Neck Beach, and ran to Millstone Brook. It crosses the north end of the home lot of Charles Payne at Towd, and just south of the head of Fish Cove, and crossed North Sea street about forty rods north of the house late of Lewis Jennings. The population of North Sea and Noy- ack in 1880 was 227.

SAG HARBOR.

So long as the population of the town was almost en- tirely confined to Southampton all goods and stores from abroad were landed at North Sea as the most convenient place. But when in process of time the population of Sagaponack and Mecox had become quite numerous, it was necessary to find some nearer port of landing, and thus save much time and labor in transporting their goods. This was the origin of Sag Harbor, which was for many years called " Sagaponack Harbor " and " The Harbor of Sagg." The first mention of Sag Harbor by name is in the town trustees' book in 1707, where the clerk makes a charge-"For going to Sag Harbor to evi- dence for ye towne, 3s. 6d." It seems that about this time a man named Russell had "squatted" on Hog Neck, for an entry of May Ist 1707 says, " Paid to Capt. The- ophilus Howell for warning Mr. Russell, of Hog Neck, to depart from the neck, 5s."

We have evidence that the Russell family was living on the neck in 1727. In 1745 Samuel Russell had a house on the site of the railroad depot in Sag Harbor, and this in building said wharf at present." It is not probable so far as our knowledge extends was the first settlement made here. He is mentioned in 1751 as running a ves- sel, and about 1760 he sold his house to Nathan Ford- ham jr. This house was a noted resort in the early part of the present century, when a tavern was kept there by his grandson Peletiah, who from certain personal pe- culiarities was well known to his contemporaries by the name of "Duke Fordham." At this tavern Fenimore Cooper, the prince of American novelists, wrote his first work, "Precautions."

Af the time of the settlement the only land that was of any value was the meadow along the shore, and the high- way originally included everything between the meadow and the East Hampton town line. In 1745 this highway was narrowed to the present limits of the main street, and the land to the east was laid out into a " division " of 17 lots and the same number of " amendments," which were drawn by the proprietors in the usual way. At that time a high cliff was along the shore, and lot 1, which is where John De Castro's livery stable now stands, was bounded north by the cliff. The south line of this division was at the junction of the roads to Sag and Southampton. The original lines between the various lots were of course long since obliterated, but we know that Washington street lies between amendments 5 and 6. This division was bounded on the south by a small tract originally reserved for the proprietors to sell, and was called the "twelve acres." This was laid out and divided in 1761 into 17 lots and drawn as usual. This tract was bounded on the

south by the " Great North division," and Union street, which formerly ran along the north side of the burying ground and entered Main street at the house now owned by John S. Fordham, was the boundary between these two divisions. The house in Jefferson street now occupied by Jeffrey Fordham, was on the old line of Union street. This house was the dwelling of Braddock Corey, who was a constable and prominent citizen in 1776. Captain John Hurlburt purchased lot No. 5 of its original owners, and built a house on it in 1796, which stood on the site of Mrs. Lobstein's house on the south stde of Union street, a few rods from Main street. The residence of Stephen B. French stands on the same lot.

THE WHARVES OF SAG HARBOR.

Tradition states that the first landing place for vessels was near the foot of Howard street, and several store- houses and other buildings were there, which were after- ward moved away. The following is the first notice of any attempt to build a wharf at this place:

May 5th 1742 "it was voted by the Trustees of said town, yt Abraham Peirson, Josiah Peirson, David Top- ping and John Cooper shall goe down to Sagg Harbor, and make choice of a place to build a wharf at said har- [bor, according to the best of their Judgement; and for ym to get as many people as they can get to assist in Building said wharf, The inhabitants of ye towne having the privilege of sd wharf before any other, and the said town to bee at noe charge by any contract or compulsion that any wharf was built at this time, for in 1748 we find the following: "Voted yt Abraham Peirson, Thomas Sandford and Elihu Howell bee a committee to agree with John Russell to build a wharf at Sagg Harbor, and make returns to ye Trustees." The project evidently dragged heavily, for it was voted April 3d 1753 "that the Commissioners of Highways shall goe to Sag Harbor and stake out the peice of land where John Russell is to build a wharf if he see cause, The said men to be paid by said Russell."

April 7th 1761 it was "voted that Nathan Fordham jr. and James Foster shall have the liberty and privilege of building a wharf and setting up a try-house at Sag Harbor, at such place as is thought fit and convenient by those persons,-that is, Josiah Peirson, Thos. Sandford, Wm. Johnes, Lieut. Cornelius Halsey and Isaac Post,- who are authorized to select a place and to set the bounds of said house and wharf, The Town reserving the privilege of landing their whale upon said wharf at all times; and they shall receive it into their try-house, and try said whale on reasonable terms." Here we have the first intimation of the whale fishery being carried on in vessels. After this it was the custom to cruise along the shore in sloops, and after the capture of a whale to carry the blubber and bone to the harbor, where the for- mer was tried into oil; and this practice continued until vessels of greater size, fully equipped, ventured upon longer voyages, which in after years extended to the most distant portions of the globe.

THE TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.

It appears that in 1770 a number of inhabitants en- tered into an agreement to build a wharf, and petitioned the trustees for their consent. Accordingly it was voted that " the proprietors of the wharf shall have liberty to build a wharf, provided that the water should be left clear from Mr. John Foster's yard 48 feet eastward, and from thence the water granted eastward 150 feet." The old wharf stood where the bridge is which leads on to Hog Neck, and, although the next time of building is unknown, it was in use during the Revolution. The present wharf was built in 1794. Among the principal inhabitants

AT THE REVOLUTION

was John Foster, whose house stood on the south cor- ner of Main and Howard streets, where the East End Hotel now is. He was at one time a large shipowner and made voyages to Europe in his own vessels. He was a member of the first Provincial Congress of the State, and held a high position. By various changes of fortune he was in after years in reduced circumstances, and sup- ported to a great extent by the liberality of his friends. He died in 1816, and rests in a nameless grave in the North End burying ground at Southampton. Captain Nathan Fordham lived in the old house now owned by Jesse Halsey, on the west side of the road, near Otter Pond bridge, and owned a large farm adjoining. He died May 18th 1805, aged 84. His tombstone in the old burying ground records that " he was one of the first who commenced the settlement of this place." James Howell had a house of entertainment on the east side of Main street where the American Hotel now stands. He was a noted tory, and at his house the British commander was captured by Colonel Meigs in his attack on the harbor. He was born in Southampton, October 15th 1734, and died in Sag Harbor, December 12th 1808. In addition to the place mentioned above, he owned the property on the west side of Main street from Elisha King's to Wil- liam H. Cooper's.

At the Revolution Sag Harbor was an important depot of supplies for the enemy, and every reader of American history is acquainted with the account of the expedition of Colonel Meigs, which was made May 23d 1777. Em- barking with 170 men in whale boats, he left Guilford, Conn. He landed at what is called "Short Beach," on Hog Neck, and leaving his boats he proceeded by the Noyack road around the cove to the village. The old house on that road with a brick basement, now owned by Sylvanus Crowell, was then used as a hospital. Here Meigs seized two men as guides, and captured the com- mandant at the house of James Howell as above stated. He then proceeded to the wharf, and succeeded in de- stroying 12 brigs and sloops and a large quantity of grain and stores, and after killing six of the enemy and making 90 prisoners he retreated to his boats and returned with- out the loss of a man.

SAG HARBOR CHURCHES.

Presbyterian .- The number of inhabitants had increas- ed to such an extent that steps were taken to build a

church, and February 24th 1766 a meeting was held "to consult upon the affair of erecting a house for publick worship at Sagg Harbor." At this meeting it was voted "to get the timber and build the house as soon as con- veniency will admit." Committees were appointed to collect materials, and it was further agreed that any dis- pute that might arise should be decided by John Foster,. of Southampton, Maltby Gelston, of Bridgehampton, and William Hedges, of East Hampton. The church was to be Presbyterian in its form of government, and a perma- nent committee was appointed, consisting of Joseph Conkling, James Howell, Captain Nathan Fordham, John Mitchell and Constant Havens. This church stood where the Episcopal church now stands, and was torn down in 1817. The second church, built on the old site- in the above year, was used until 1843, when the present Presbyterian church was built, which was dedicated May 16th 1844, and is one of the finest churches on the island. To assist the feeble church the town in 1767 voted that the Sag Harbor parish should have the use of certain meadows near Hog Neck; and a piece of land was purchased of David Hand "at or near Sag Harbor meeting-house, as it is laid out and staked off for a bury- ing place, to be to the trustees of Southampton and their successors for ever." This is the old burying ground by the church, and is at the north end of lot 1 Great North division. In exchange for this David Hand received: land by his home lot, which is on the north side of the- main road from Bridgehampton to East Hampton, and. now owned by James Austin.

The ministers of the Presbyterian church have been as follows: John Taylor, 1789; James Richards, D. D .; Daniel Hall, 1797; Aaron Jordan Bogue; Nathaniel S. Prime, 1806-09; Stephen Porter; John D. Gardiner, 1812-32; Samuel King, 1832; Ithamar Pillsbury, 1834; Joseph A. Copp, 1835-51; John Lowery, 1863-67; Wil- liam G. Barnes, 1868-72; Alexander W. Sproule, installed May 20th 1873.

The Episcopal Church of Sag Harbor .- In an upper room of the arsenal building, early in the year 1845, a little company of persons assembled for the first regular services of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the town. The services were conducted by Henry Floy Roberts, a candidate for orders, sent as a missionary by certain churches in Brooklyn. The services were afterward held in the session room of the Presbyterian church, which had been rented for that purpose, and the society was soon incorporated, under the title of Christ Church. Rev. Mr. Roberts, having been ordained, was called to- be its first rector, and a committee was appointed to se- cure a building site for a church. A new Presbyterian church having been built, the building previously used. was offered for sale, and was purchased by the commit- tee August 25th 1846. Extensive repairs and improve- ments were made, and on December 16th of the same year it was dedicated by Right Rev. Dr. Ives, bishop of North Carolina.

Rev. Mr. Roberts was rector until April 2nd :847, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. Richard

THE TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON.

Whittingham, nephew of the late bishop of Maryland. At this time there were 32 families and 19 communicants connected with the church, and a Sunday-school of 16 scholars.

Mr. Whittingham resigned in 1849, and was succeeded by Rev. G. C. Foot, who took charge of the parish February rst 1850. January rst 1853, Rev. Mr. Pardee succeeded him; he resigned on account of ill health in October 1854, and died in New York in 1857. For many years the church suffered great depression by rea- son of the decline in the whaling interest. Many fam- ilies removed, the most enterprising elements transferring their stimulus to other fields of labor. At the same time an Episcopal church was established in East Hampton, which caused a withdrawal of the support of many fam- ilies connected with the church in this place.

Rev. Gurdon Huntington was called to the rectorship in June 1856. Services for some time previous had been held by Rev. W. B. Musgrave. Rev. Mr. Huntington retained the rectorship until 1864, when he resigned, and services were again conducted by Mr. Musgrave. Rev. David F. McDonald was called to the position, and re- mained till 1870, when his resignation was received, and he was succeeded by Rev. S. Hubbell, who in 1873 was followed by Rev. William Mowbray. After a brief ser- vice of usefulness Mr. Mowbray died July 26th 1875, and the present rector. Rev. John Jay Harrison, assumed the duties of the office the following September. The church has from the time of its establishment shown a steady growth, and the little company that gathered in the ar- senal has increased until at the present time it embraces in its connection 80 families and roo communicants.

The first officers were: Marcus A. Starr and William Fordred, wardens; Cleveland S. Stillwell, William Buck, John Schellenger, William Bickerston, Frederick Crocker, Erastus Osgood, Darius A. Nash and Thomas Hallworth.

Sag Harbor M. E. Church .- The first services of this church were held as early as 1807, and in 1809 a house of worship was erected. The increase of the congregation, which was commensurate with the rapid growth of the village, made a much larger edifice a thing of necessity, and in 1837 a very elegant church was built in the east- ern part of the village, upon a hill commanding a very extended view. In 1864 this church was removed to its present locality, in the center of the place, and very much improved both in its external appearance and internal *accomodations. The first church was sold to the Ro- man Catholic society, and is now standing on the north side of Union street and used as a school building by that denomination. The Methodist church is one of the most flourishing in the town, and we regret that we have not been able to obtain a more extended history of it.

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.