USA > New York > Nassau County > Long Island; a history of two great counties, Nassau and Suffolk, Volume I > Part 51
USA > New York > Suffolk County > Long Island; a history of two great counties, Nassau and Suffolk, Volume I > Part 51
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In 1789 the island was sold by a man named Brooks, who also owned what was then known as the Treadwell Farm, to Thomas Dodge, who renamed it Dodge's Island. Here he established a shipyard and built several sloops which were launched in what was then known as "Cat Creek." Later the creek was dammed and made into a mill- pond on which a large grist-mill was erected. It is said that this mill had a double water-wheel which greatly increased its power.
When the mill was built the shipyard was removed to the bay side of the island and operated by one John Chard who built a number of famous sloops there. In 1843 Chard sold the business to Edmund S. Hyde who became one of several owners between 1843 and 1871, and many fine sloops were turned out by the various owners of this shipyard.
The Island was willed in 1843 to Peter Dodge, nephew of Thomas. In 1871 it was purchased by Richard O'Gorman who sold many scowloads of sand from its deposits. Sand from this island went into the building of Fort Schuyler on Throggs Neck.
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT
William Cullen Bryant, the poet, was for many years a dis- tinguished citizen of the village of Roslyn in North Hempstead Town and his home "Cedarmere" was one of the show places of the village. He established his home here in 1846 when he purchased forty acres and a homestead built by Richard Kirk in 1787. Subsequently his holdings were increased to 200 acres. After his death on June 12, 1878, the Bryant Library, which he had established, was deeded to the village by his daughter, Miss Julia S. Bryant, according to her father's request.
INDUSTRY
In North Hempstead Town an early industry was farming, with one or more grist-mills in each community for grinding the grain supplied by the farmers.
The clam and oyster business started in 1832 when Henry Cock planted the first clams in "Cow Bay", the seed clams being obtained from the natural beds in the Sound. This business was not active, however, until 1855 when a number of local residents and others entered the industry. It became so profitable thereafter that most of the bay bottom was devoted to planting clams and oysters until a few years ago, when the industry was abandoned.
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LONG ISLAND-NASSAU AND SUFFOLK
ROSLYN MILLS
Roslyn, originally known as Hempstead Harbor, was founded early in the settlement of North Hempstead and was at one time the industrial center of the township.
In 1698, John Robson was granted a permit to build a dam and grist-mill at the head of the Harbor. In 1709 Robson deeded to Charles Mott the dam, mill and implements, for one hundred pounds. According to records a new mill was constructed on the site about
(Photo Courtesy of The Historic American Building Survey, Library of Congress) Eldridge Mill, Great Neck
1735. The mill property passed through many ownerships and several fortunes were made and lost here. During the wars of the Revolu- tion and 1812, profits were large and the owners made big money, maintaining expensive homes.
Henry Onderdonk in 1750 built and operated a grist-mill on North- ern Boulevard, opposite the lower mill pond in Roslyn. In 1773 he erected a paper mill on the lower mill pond, which was one of the first paper mills in the State.
The Roslyn Silk Manufacturing Company was started in 1880 by William Taber and Louis Dumas and in 1881 it was chartered as a stock company with a capital of $12,500. At that time they had forty-two looms and employed about fifty hands. This business pros- pered for a number of years.
A butter and cheese factory was started in 1881 by the Westbury Dairy Association which was in operation for several years.
All of these industries have had their day and Roslyn is now principally a fine old residential community.
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TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD
The settlers of Port Washington early discovered that the hills near their waterfront contained a fine quality of building sand. In 1869 some operations were carried on there by Charles W. Mitchell on property then known as "Crow Hill", now the site of Manhasset Bay Yacht Club's beautiful home. O'Gorman's Island (Manhasset Isle) proved to be a prolific source of supply and another early de- velopment was in the hills near the Mill Pond on property of Freelove Lewis. As time rolled on other properties were obtained for this industry, among the operators being Murray & Reed, Crescent Sand & Gravel Co., and Goodwin Sand & Gravel Co.
One of Port Washington's former industries, long since dis- continued, was the shipwrecking junkyard of Captain Elbert Stannard, a skipper of windjammer days who settled in Port Washington about 1887 and acquired the Mitchell homestead, now known as The Anchorage, together with considerable shore front property. Here he engaged in the business of purchasing old warships and other vessels, converting them into freight and passenger carriers, or breaking them up for salvage. He was one of the largest such dealers of his time. Among the vessels broken up at his yard here were the frigates Potomac, St. Lawrence, Savannah and Macedonia. The latter was captured from the British near New London, Conn., by Commodore Decatur while in command of the frigate United States, in the War of 1812. Another historic ship purchased and junked here was the Powhattan, Commodore Perry's flagship on his voyage to Japan.
Boatbuilding was a natural industry for North Hempstead Town with its two excellent harbors. As early as 1786 it was flourishing on Cow Bay. Transportation of freight between north shore villages and New York City was mainly in sloops, built from native timber. Sloops were also used in dredging clams and oysters.
In more modern times the demand for sailing yachts has increased tremendously. On the shores of Manhasset Bay and Hempstead Harbor the building and servicing of yachts is an active industry. There are six yards on Manhasset Bay and three on Hempstead Har- bor. Many small naval craft were built here during the second World War. In Port Washington there are facilities for hauling, storing and servicing more than 1000 yachts up to 100 feet in length.
AIRCRAFT
In 1929 the American Aeronautical Association purchased sixteen acres on Manhasset Isle. Work was started on a million-dollar plant for the manufacture of Savoia Marchetti seaplanes and amphibians but it was only half completed when the depression stopped opera- tions. In 1936 the plant was taken over by the Pan American Air- ways which established a seaplane base. Here on September 10th of that year the German seaplane Zephyr completed a flight of 2830 miles from Germany in 23 hours, 19 minutes flying time. Two days later the sister ship Aeolus also arrived.
In July, 1937, the Pan American Airway's Bermuda Clipper began a service of two trips weekly between Port Washington and Bermuda. In 1938 the service was increased to four weekly trips in conjunction
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LONG ISLAND-NASSAU AND SUFFOLK
with the British Imperial Airways. On June 28, 1939, The Pan American Dixie Clipper left here for Marseilles, France, via the Azores and Lisbon with 23 passengers and a crew of 12, thereby inaugurating the world's first transatlantic airline passenger and mail service. Service continued on these routes from Port Washington until 1940, when the base was transferred to the newly completed La Guardia Airport, on Flushing Bay.
During World War II the Manhasset Isle Plant, acquired by the Navy, was used by the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation which employed more than three thousand workers. In 1946 the plant was purchased by the Cairns Corporation for the manufacture of aluminum sheet metal products, an industry which may in time employ several thousand workers.
MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
The U. S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, Great Neck, occupies the eleven acre estate of the late Walter Chrysler which was purchased in 1943 by the Government. In addition to the Chrysler mansion, a number of stone buildings since erected have accommo- dations for about 2000 students. The formal opening took place in September, 1943.
The course covers a year at San Mateo or Pass Christian for basic training, a year at sea for practical seamanship, and the final two years of advanced training at the Academy. King's Point is to the Merchant Marine what West Point and Annapolis are to the Army and Navy.
CASTLE GOULD
Hempstead House, one time estate of Jay Gould and later of Daniel Guggenheim at Sands Point, Port Washington, was acquired in 1942 by the Special Devices Division of the Navy, as a gift from Mrs. Guggenheim. The 162-acre tract contains a forty room stone castle and numerous buildings in which some 300 scientists and tech- nicians carry on their experiments.
NEWSPAPERS
The Town's first newspaper was the North Hempstead Gazette which was started in Manhasset December 3, 1846, by William H. Onderdonk. Two years later it was sold to Cogswell Bros. and removed to Roslyn. In 1852 it was transplanted in Westchester County.
The Plaindealer was started in Roslyn in 1850 and in 1852 moved to Glen Cove as the Glen Cove Plaindealer but was discon- tinued in 1854.
The Roslyn News was established in 1878 by William R. Burling. It is the oldest surviving newspaper in the town and is now owned by Griscom Publications, Inc. of Glen Cove.
The Port Washington News was established January 3, 1903, by the late William M. Hyde, who served as its editor and publisher until his death in 1927. It was added to the Griscom chain in 1940.
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TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD
The Great Neck Record, also of the Griscom chain, started publi- cation in 1907 as the North Hempstead Record. In the chain also is The Manhasset Press, now in its 21st year.
Other newspapers of the town are: The Great Neck News, a tabloid started in 1924; The Westbury Times, started in 1927; The
Caril A. ! Ewie
(From watercolor by Cyril A. Lewis)
Roslyn-Washington Tavern in Background
Manhasset Mail, a tabloid started in 1928, and the Port Washington Reporter, a tabloid started in 1939.
PLACE NAMES
Sands Point was originally known as Cow Neck as it was first used by farmers on adjacent lands as a common grazing ground for their cattle. It received its present name from the Sands family, which settled on the Neck in 1694, and not from its fine sandy beaches as many suppose.
Manhasset Bay was called Shout's Baie by the early Dutch, Howe's Bay by the English and later Cow Bay until about forty years ago.
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LONG ISLAND-NASSAU AND SUFFOLK
Port Washington was originally also called Cow Bay and later Cow Bay Village, but about 1860, when application was made for a post office, its present name was chosen.
Manhasset Valley, Cow Neck and vicinity were called by the Indians Sint Sink, meaning stone upon stone, or stony place.
Plandome was so named by Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, meaning pleasant home, or, as some say, after the Place Vendome in Paris, which the doctor had visited.
Roslyn was originally known as Hempstead Harbor. It appears that there was a regiment of Scottish Highlanders stationed there during the Revolutionary War and one of their favorite songs was "Roslyn Castle." When in 1844 a change in name was proposed recollection of the old song suggested the name of Roslyn.
Great Neck was known in the early days as Madman's Neck.
Stepping Stones Lighthouse, in the Sound northwest of King's Point, was so named because in early days it was possible at low tide to step from stone to stone out to the end of the reef.
Execution Rocks, in the Sound, one mile north of Sands Point, is said to have received its name because it was used as a place for the execution of criminals. It is now the site of a lighthouse.
EARLY TRANSPORTATION
In 1836 Charles W. Mitchell operated a stage route to Sands Point where the Steamboat Statesman made stops on her daily run between Roslyn and New York. As Port Washington then had only about 200 inhabitants it was impossible to make the stage route pay. Other steamboats were tried out on this run but all failed to pay and in 1845 the service was discontinued.
After the steamboats stopped running, Mitchell ran his stage to Manhasset to connect with another stage line which ran to the New York City ferries. The fare was 75 cents each way and travelers usually remained in the city over night. In 1850, the population having increased, the steamboat American Eagle ran between Roslyn and New York City with stops at Sands Point, Great Neck and White- stone. Various steamboats continued operating on this run until about 1900.
The first railroad constructed on Long Island started operating April 18, 1836, and ran from South Ferry, Brooklyn to Jamaica. The railroad was gradually extended and ran to Greenport in 1844. The railroad ran from Hunters Point (Long Island City) to Flushing in 1854 and was later extended to Great Neck. About 1867 a movement was started to extend the railroad to Port Washington but it was nearly 30 years later before actual work started and the first train reached Port Washington in 1898.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
There are still a number of buildings remaining in North Hemp- stead that were built in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Probably the oldest homestead, of which one wing of the original building is still standing, and which is in an excellent state of preser-
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TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD
vation, is located on Sands Point. It was built in 1676 by John Corn- well, the pioneer settler on Cow Neck. In the basement is the large old Dutch oven and on the main floor the big fireplace as originally constructed.
The Plandome Mill at Leed's Pond in Plandome was built in 1693, probably by William Nichols, who obtained a large grant of land in that section. This old grist-mill continued in actual opera- tion until 1910 and probably could again be put in operation.
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(From watercolor by Cyril A. Lewis)
The Mill in Roslyn Park
The Sands Point House on Sands Point Road is probably the oldest homestead in Sands Point. It was built by Capt. John Sands, for whom Sands Point was named, in 1695, and remained in that family until 1936, when it was purchased by Raymond Loewy, the present owner.
It is probable that the oldest structure in Great Neck is a part of the original building on the farm of Mrs. L. U. Skidmore, now the residence of Mrs. Roswell Eldridge, in Saddle Rock. The house is near the Mill Pond, about 70 yards from the old mill. Henry Allen bought the land from Richard Thorne, December 22, 1698, and built the homestead and grist-mill which latter was originally known as Allen's Mill. This is one of the few old time grist-mills still in running order and is now being operated as a hobby by Mrs. Eldridge. By using the old mill stones a fine quality of flour is produced. It has long been known as Saddle Rock Mill and is usually open to visitors.
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The old mill on Northern Boulevard, Roslyn, was built as a grist- mill in 1701 and ran continuously until 1916.
The Adam Mott homestead on the Hempstead Harbor side of the Neck, built in 1715, is now owned by Martha W. Mott Fraser, a descendant of the original settler. It is one of the most beautifully preserved original homesteads in this area.
Tristram Dodge, who with his brother Thomas came from Block Island, built his homestead in 1719 on the Hempstead Harbor side of the Neck, now known as Harbor Acres. The house is now owned by David McCullough. Thomas Dodge built his homestead in 1721 at the head of the Mill Pond on Harbor Road, Port Wash- ington. This old building which has never been altered, is still in the Dodge family, being now owned and occupied by Charles F. Dodge, of the fifth generation to be born there. Thomas Dodge was a weaver and his old loom, spinning wheel, firearms, cow bells, candle mold and many other relics of Colo- Washington Tavern, Roslyn nial days are still in the house which is of Dutch Colonial architecture.
The home of Mrs. Martin W. Littleton in Plandome was built for Richard Nicolls, the first English Governor of the colony of New York. It is a lovely white colonial house on an estate which originally contained 3000 acres and was once called "Plandome Manor". On the property Mrs. Littleton maintains a museum housed in a building of Palestine architecture. It contains a large collection of religious books and antique articles brought from the Holy Land.
Washington Tavern on Northern Boulevard in Roslyn, built in 1753 by Henry Onderdonk, is a noted landmark in which during the Revolutionary War Hessian soldiers were quartered. Here in 1790 George Washington did not sleep but had breakfast.
The old Mitchell homestead on Main Street in Port Washington, known for many years as "The Anchorage", was built by John Mitchell in 1760. The Baxter homestead on Shore Road in the Baxter Estates was built about the same time.
Another landmark is the Sands Point Lighthouse, built in 1806 by Noah Mason at a cost of $8500 and first lighted in November, 1809. Constructed of huge brownstone blocks, the walls are four feet thick at the base. It is eighty feet high from the ground to the lantern. The original structure was in continuous operation for 113 years until in 1922 a steel tower with an automatic green flashing light was
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TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD
erected on the outer end of the reef. The old liglithouse and light- keeper's dwelling were sold for $100,000 to Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont, who owned the surrounding property.
ST. FRANCIS SANITORIUM
An institution worthy of mention is St. Francis Sanitorium for Cardiac Children, in Flower Hill, which started in 1937 in a small frame building, originally the horse and carriage stable of the late Carlos Munson, a Quaker who donated it to the Franciscan Mission- aries of Mary. It now includes six buildings, one of which is equipped as a hospital for active rheumatic cases. Operated under Catholic supervision the institution is open free of charge to any child in Nassau County regardless of race, color or creed.
THE CHURCHES
The Friends (Quakers) took root early in North Hempstead. The earliest local record is dated "Westbury, 1671, 23d of 3d month. It is adjudged that there shall be a meeting kept at Woodedge the 25th of the 4th month, and so every First-day." Friends met at the houses of Henry Willis and Edmund Titus. In 1678, Henry Willis was fined ten pounds for having his daughter married to George Masters according to Friends' ceremony, and upon his refusing to pay, Joseph Lee, under-sheriff, seized Willis' barn of corn.
About 1702 a meeting house was erected in Westbury, the land comprising 31/4 acres having been purchased the previous year for four pounds. In 1708 William Willis built a stable for the Friends' horses, and in 1716 Nathaniel Seaman, for 35 shillings a year, pro- vided wood and did janitor work.
In 1800 a new meeting house was built, 40 x 57 feet, at a cost of £822 9s. 10d. In 1818 a stable 110 feet long and 20 feet wide was built at a cost of $331.19. In 1827 $2000 was ordered raised for work among Indians. It was in this year that the membership became divided. The Hicksite or Unitarian branch of the Friends pre- dominating, the Orthodox branch withdrew and built a meeting-house on the opposite side of the road.
The first meeting of Friends in Great Neck was held in 1702 at the home of William Mott and the first meeting on Cow Neck was held at Joseph Dougherty's house in 1703. Meetings were also held at the homes of Richard Cornwell, William Hutching and William Mott and in 1719 a meeting-house was built at Manhasset on property donated by Joseph Latham which was used until 1812 when a new building was erected on the same site.
When created in 1784 North Hempstead Town had but four places of worship, the Dutch Reformed Church, near Lake Success; the Methodist Episcopal at Searingtown, and two Friends meeting-houses, one at Westbury and the other at Manhasset.
The Dutch Reformed Church was built at Lake Success in 1732 on a half acre of ground bought from William Wiltse for 25 shillings. In 1813 a part of the congregation withdrew and in 1816 erected a
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church at Manhasset. When the Lake Success congregation disbanded in 1830 its church was torn down.
Judge Onderdonk, in 1886, bequeathed $4000 to the Manhasset church on condition that its horse sheds, adjacent to Onderdonk prop- erty, be removed. His family further offered to provide a site and contribute $5000 towards a parsonage. The offers were accepted and in 1887 a parsonage was built as a memorial to Mrs. Annie O. Link- letter. The church was destroyed by fire in 1897 and the present building was erected on the site in 1898. It is now known as the Community Reformed Church.
(From watercolor by Cyril A. Lewis)
The Searingtown Church
The Methodist Episcopal Church, built at Searingtown in 1788 on land given by Jacob Searing, was the second Methodist Church on Long Island.
The African M. E. Zion Church Society was formed in 1821 and in 1833 erected a small frame building at Lake Success. There is another such church in Roslyn and a negro Baptist Church in Westbury.
The Union Free Church was built in Port Washington in 1858-9 at the head of the Mill Pond, on land donated by Henry Cocks. The building, which cost $2000, was used by various denominations for a number of years.
The first Methodist meetings in Port Washington were held in homes in 1832. It was not until June 4, 1852, that the Port Washing- ton M. E. Church was organized. Services were held in the "Red School House" until the Union Free Church was built. In the year 1870, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Harper, of the famous publishing company, gave most of the money for a new building and C. W. Mitchell donated land on Carlton Avenue. In 1874 property on North
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TOWN OF NORTH HEMPSTEAD
Washington Street was purchased and a parsonage was erected and in 1883 the church was moved to this site. In 1886 a chapel was added and in 1906 a choir loft and pipe organ were installed, largely through a gift from Andrew Carnegie. In 1918 and again in 1926 the buildings were improved. This church, which started with eight members, now has more than 800.
The first Baptist Church of Port Washington was organized September 14, 1873, with a membership of twelve. In 1886 the present church on Carlton Avenue was erected and in 1915 a parsonage was added.
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Port Washington had its origin as a mission Sunday School at the home of Mrs. D. Preston Wysong in 1891. Services were later held in a store and still later in the
Sand's Point Lighthouse at Port Washington, as It Looked 40 Years Ago
Baptist Church. In 1896 a chapel was built and services were con- ducted there until 1905 when the present property was purchased and on June 5, 1910, was dedicated the present English Gothic edifice of Connecticut granite.
St. Peter of Alcantara R. C. Church dates from 1897 when a building was erected in Sandy Hollow. When a large parcel of prop- erty on Port Washington Boulevard was donated by the late W. Bourke Cochrane, the present edifice was erected at a cost of approxi- mately $80,000. It was dedicated November 22, 1902. St. Peter's Parochial School building was later erected.
The Lutheran Church of Our Savior was organized in Port Washington October 10, 1915, and in 1926 the present fine church was built on Franklin Avenue at a cost of $42,000.
The First Church of Christ Scientist, Port Washington, estab- tablished about 1932, has since used the Masonic Temple. A site having recently been obtained, a building is planned for the near future.
The Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Harbor Road and the Mt. Olive A. M. E. Church on Mackay Avenue were established in Port Wash- ington in the early 1900s.
L. I .- I-29
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LONG ISLAND-NASSAU AND SUFFOLK
The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church which meets in the Odd Fellows' Hall is Port Washington's most recent church society.
At the beginning of the Civil War, Great Neck, which now boasts six handsome church edifices and a Temple, was without a regular
Sunily Pt - March Pr.
11
Sand Point Light
Thidage
Steamboat Dock 185
* Sandy Point Hotel
Summer Home "Majhington Irving?
Barkers Pt.
Sandy Form
1691
Mott Fanno 1715
120
Malts Pt.
Ye Old Village
Cornel Farm (Cornwall) 1676
Canned
Cocks 1750" Cornwall Will 1795
Village Comclary x Indian Spring Mc Kee's General Store & Post Office
First settlers on Cow Recks
Hotel- School Unium Free Church
Bay
Cow Bay
ッI
ITHY
Quaker
Dodge Farms 1721-1919 Hesliving quartered here~
Joms Pt.
during the Revolutionary How
Suttow Hill
Baxter Formo
Frywal five leef
Cherry trees uline Moim St topomy
Underdark Jarm 7698
Duris Garne
Muchell Farm 1769
Hegamen Farm later Monfort Farmy
Oyster Boat first aggiung planted by Henry Cak 1892
First Train
Bogart $ yarm
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Flowers Hill filund 1869
7% coll
HISTORIC MAP of
5 with fence erected 1698 by more of Hempstead for pasture land
COW NĘCK PORT WASHINGTON renamed 1858
LITTLE COW NECK Hucolls Mill 1693
FLOWERHILL 1700
Latham Mill 1746 Mitchel Forno
andy lavera
Darne
place of worship until Henry Allen, a leading citizen, donated land on which in 1863 was built by public subscription the Union Free Church. Abram Post Skidmore having donated $5000 for its main- tenance, it served several denominations until about 1887. It is now the Chapel Theater.
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