USA > New York > Long Island historic homes, ancient and modern : including a history of their founders and builders > Part 12
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Capt. John Seaman probably came from England before 1643, as his name appears on the Salem, Mass., records that year, and the following year he was in Stamford, Conn., and a leader among the colonists of that town. The History of Queens County, N. Y., states that "One of the earliest settlements in the eastern part of Queens county was made at Jerusalem and a tract of land which comprised about all of the territory of the present town of Hempstead east of the bushy plains and north of the islands in the South Bay.
"This tract appears to have claimed the attention of Capt. John Seaman and Robert Jackson while acting as a pioneer committee to the permanent settlement at Hempstead made by the colony from Stamford, Conn., in 1644, and a large part of it to have been secured by Capt. John Seaman from the Indians at that time, as more than 1 500 acres of the same lying east of the township purchase of the Indians, and the Gov. Keift patent including all the meadows and uplands of Ruskatux Neck, were held by him individually. The selection of such a body of land shows the remarkable sagacity of these two men."
On December 21, 1656, John Seaman and Richard Gildersleeve were nominated by the town of Hempstead and appointed magis- trates by Gov. Stuyvesant. In March, 1658, John Seaman and others were sent by the town in concert with Checkman, an Indian representative of the Montauk Sachem and other Indians if they came, to lay out the bounds of the town, to be known by marked trees, etc., and to "continue forever."
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The will of Capt. John Seaman, dated August 25, 1694, gives to his sons some 2700 acres, 2200 of which were in Jerusalem (town of Hempstead). That in addition to his great abilities he lived and practiced justice and fair dealing is proven by the fact that no complaints were made by the Indians against him for wrong done them, as was so common with most of the proprietors and settlers. Once, when the Indians had planned a massacre, a friendly Indian gave him timely notice and the calamity was averted. Capt. John Seaman married first, Elizabeth, daughter of John Strickland ; married second, Martha Moore, daughter of Thomas and Martha (Youngs) Moore. Their fifth child was Sarab, born about 1675; married to John Mott.
John Mott, by his wife Sarah (Seaman) Mott, had issue
1. Henry Mott of Hempstead.
11. John Mott, fr., married Rebecca ; died 17 -.
III. James.
IV. Patrick, born 1707; died 1751; married Deborah
John Mott, Jr., son of John Mott (1), was born about 1688. He was an industrious farmer and a useful citizen, but his name does not appear on the records as holding office. He married Rebecca , and had the following named children:
1. John Mott (3), died before 1751.
11. SAMUEL MOTT, born January 12, 1712.
III. Micajah, married Rachel -. IV. John, married 1748 Ruth Powell, daughter of Thomas and Abigail ( Hallock) Mott; he died 1781.
V. Sarah, married a Hulse.
VI. Martha, married Daniel Carman. VII. Rebecca.
VIII. Phebe.
IX. Jacob, married Kesiah Searing.
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Samuel Mott, second child of John, Jr., and Rebecca (- ) Mott, was born January 12, 1712. He married December 9, 1734, Hannah Wood, a descendant of one of the carly settlers of Oyster Bay. He was a farmer of quiet and retiring disposition, and not particularly interested in public affairs. He died in Hempstead, April 7, 1780. His will was dated Sept. 6, 1775. By his wife Rebecca, he had issue, Richard, John, Samuel, Jchu and probably other children.
Richard Mott, eldest child of Samuel and Rebecca (- -) Mott, was born July 1, 1736. He resided in Hempstead, where he was a prosperous and enterprising farmer. If he possessed any mechanical genius which was developed in the son, it is not known. His name does not often appear on the town records. His will was dated August 30, 1775, and he dicd September 2, following. He married Phæbe Her will was dated at Oyster Bay, June 30, 1815, and presented for probate in 1834. Their children were
I. Amy, married Smith.
II. JAMES MOTT, born about 1667; married Amy Powell.
III. Hannah Mott, born after her father's death; married Simonson.
James Mott, only son of Richard and Phæbe (- Mott, was born in the little village of Westbury, town of North Hempstead, about 1767. He had only a common school education, and his experimental knowledge was limited to the simple farm life which he followed until he grew to manhood. With these environments he became one of the great inventors and mechanical geniuses of his time, and deserves to rank with such men as John Fitch, Robert Fulton, Oliver Evans, Amos Whittemore and Eli Whitney, who laid the foundation for subsequent commercial greatness.
THE OLD MOTT MILL AT WESTBURY
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James Mott is first introduced to the public as the owner, pro- prietor and operator of a large two-story mill fronting on the main road opposite and within a few feet of the Whitney mansion at Westbury. In this mill was manufactured table cloths, napkins, bed covers, sheets, and almost every class of linen and woolen goods, including carpets, required for the household. He was assisted in the general management by his daughter Ann, who not only possessed the mechanical genius of her father, but was a natural born artist, and designed the patterns for the carpets and other goods of fine workmanship. Although the demand was limited to a "home market," it was very great and required at times the labor of several operators. The farmers brought their flax and wool, and in due time returned with the manufactured goods. All the machinery used in the manufacture of these goods was invented and constructed by Mr. Mott. His motive power, familiar to many people still living, was as original as it was ingenious, and was supplied entirely by ocean breezes, as were the tide mills by the ebb and flow of the tide. From the center of the roof was set a high pole from which extended ten arms. To these were attached a framework of moveable shutters. These arms were held in position by iron guys extending from the top of the pole to the end of the arms. The pole formed the shaft on which the wings revolved, and it mattered not in which direction the wind was, these were kept revolving the year round, furnishing all the motive power required, without the use of fuel of any kind. It probably never occurred to Mr. Mott to patent any of his inven- tions, but there is little doubt that he laid the foundation and furnished the brains for many of the great inventions which have succeeded his. His son James inherited the father's genius, and he and his sister carried on the manufacture for many years after the
STEPHEN MOTT
SARAH (FROST) MOTT
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father's death. He was the first in his line of the Mott family to adopt the religious views of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, and was no doubt influenced by his wife, who was born into the society. His wife was Amy Powell, to whom he was married about 1792. She was the daughter of Solomon Powell (2), son of Solomon (1), son of Thomas (2), son of Thomas ( 1). These were all connected with the Society of Friends. Onderdonk says "Thomas Powell was an active Friend of Huntington, and moved thence to Bethpage about 1688." James Mott, by his wife Amy ( Powell) Mott, had issue, I. STEPHEN MOTT, born March 19, 1793; see record.
11. Ann.
III. Amy.
IV. Richard.
V. Jerusha.
VI. James.
Stephen Mott, eldest child of James and Amy (Powell) Mott, was born March 19, 1793. He inherited none of his father's mechanical genius, and while he worked occasionally in the factory, he spent most of his time on the farm. He resided in Westbury for many years, and about 1840 he bought a farm in Jericho and built the homestead still standing about a mile west of Jericho on the turn- pike and about two miles from the Hicksville station. It was in this house that Stephen Mott Wright was born and was named from his grandfather. Stephen Mott was a thorough farmer, honest, industri- ous, and a man of good principles. He was a consistent member of the Society of Friends, in which faith his mother had instructed him. Before his death he bought a farm in Roslyn and removed there. He died at the residence of his sister at Mt. Kisco, N. Y., November 23, 1873, and was buried in the little cemetery attached to the
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Friends' meeting-house at Westbury, 1 .. I. He married, January 6, 1815, Sarah, daughter of Charles Frost, of Wheatley, L. I., son of William (2), son of Wright Frost, son of William, one of the most conspicuous of the early settlers of Oyster Bay. On her maternal side she was a descendant of the Rushmores, another old and well known Long Island family. She died at Roslyn, L. I., Jan. 20, 1864. Wright Frost the great-grandfather of Sarah Frost, married Mary Underhill, daughter of John (2), son of Captain John Underhill.
Capt. John Underhill was one of the most noted men of his time, and he seems to have found in the town of Oyster Bay a permanent rest for his restless spirit. He was born in Warwickshire, England, and died at Oyster Bay about 1672. He had been a soldier in the Netherlands and at Cadiz. He came to New England in 1630 with Winthrop, and was a representative from Boston to the General Court. He was appointed by Sir Henry Vane to command the col- onies' troops, and with Capt. John Mason destroyed the Indian forts at Mystic in 1637, and broke the power of the Pequods. Being banished from Boston on account of his religious opinions, he went to England, and in 1641 was made governor of Exeter and Dover, but returned to this country and settled first in Stamford, Connecti- cut, removing thence to Flushing, L. I. He was a delegate to the General Court of the New Haven colony in 1643, was assistant justice there, and held an important command during the hostilities with the Dutch and Indians in 1643-6. After fighting the Indians successfully in New England, the Dutch government invited him to come to New Amsterdam, in 1649. He bought in 1651, a place at Southold, L. I., and brought his family there in 1658, but losing his wife soon, he sold his home in 1651 to Thomas Moore and set- tled on a grant of land at Oyster Bay, at a place which he named
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Kenilworth or Killingworth, and joined the Society of Friends, spend- ing the remainder of his days in peace and quietness, beloved and honored by his neighbors. He had among other children a son, John, Jr.
John Underhill (2), son of John (1), married Mary Prior, daughter of Matthew and Mary Prior. They had nine children, of whom Mary was the third. She was married to Wright Frost.
Wright Frost by his wife Mary ( Underhill) Frost, had issue Joseph and William.
William Frost, second child of Wright and Mary ( Underhill) Frost, was born about He married, first Hannah Prior, daughter of John and Elizabeth Prior; married second, Jemima Coles, daughter of Benjamin Coles. By his first wife he had a son, Charles.
Charles Frost, son of William and Hannah ( Prior) Frost, was born about 1757. He married, first Esther Cock; second, Mary Rushmore. Issue,
Isaac Frost, born about 1782.
Phebe Frost, married Samuel B. Titus.
Sarah Frost, born April 16, 1793, was married to Stephen Mott. Stephen Mott by his wife Sarah (Frost) Mott, had
1. Mary Frost Mott, married Daniel Dodge Wright.
Il. Lydia Phobe, married Hiram P. Perry, of New York, and, subsequently, William M. Valentine, of Roslyn, L. I.
III. Valentine, married Ann Elizabeth Reynolds.
Daniel Dodge Wright by his wife Mary (Frost) Wright, had issue Stephen Mott Wright, born August 16, 1841.
Joseph Henry Wright, died in infancy, February 23, 1847.
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LONG ISLAND HISTORIC HOMES.
Stephen Mott Wright, eldest son of Daniel Dodge Wright and his wife Marv Frost (Mott) Wright, was born in Jericho, I .. I., the home of his mother's ancestors, and but a few miles from the homes of his paternal ancestors. He inherited many of the traits of his sainted mother, who was a devout member of the Society of Friends, but the intellectual endowments and strong, robust, manly character and manly bearing were the Wright's, while the blood of the Under- hills, Seamans and other allied families have helped to enrich and form a noble manhood. It was the sweet, gentle influence and guiding hand of a godly mother that shaped his course through life and gave to him those lovable traits that attracted others to him, and made him popular among his associates, and forged the links of friendship that have followed him through life. From his boyhood up, his life has been spent in New York City, and there he received his educa- tion, thorough and complete in the elementary branches, with sufficient of the classics to fit him for an active business life. He entered his father's employ, and later the closer relations of partner- ship, enjoying at all times the fatherly advice and the friendly intercourse which such a partnership implied, and finally succeeding to the business, which he carried on successfully until, having ac- cumulated a competence, he in 1887 retired from active business life, but not to a life of idleness, for his desire to serve his fellow men and to help those who needed his help, has kept him constantly em- ployed. His connection with various benevolent institutions and benevolent enterprises has taken much of his time, and he has served in various capacities many institutions without any compensation whatever. He was for twelve years secretary, and later president, of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, a noble educational institution with which many of the leading men of New York have
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been identified. His services rendered to the Building Trades' Club as secretary and treasurer, from almost the beginning of its organiz- ation, received due recognition in 1894, in the receipt of a beautiful bronze group executed by Gaudey, of Paris.
The Mechanics and Traders Exchange has claimed a share of his attention, he having served for many years as its secretary. He was for several years the New York representative in the board of directors of the National Association of Builders, and for several consecutive vears was sent as a delegate to represent the building industry of New York in the conventions of the National Association. When in 1891 the builders of New York entertained the above named convention, Mr. Wright was secretary of the committee of arrange- ments, and in that capacity arranged all the details for the entertain- ment of nearly a thousand delegates for a whole week. The preliminary arrangements of this occupied a large portion of his time for nearly a year.
During the Washington centennial celebration in New York in 1889, Mr. Wright was secretary of the conference, having charge of the civic and industrial division of the parade. In recognition of his great service rendered in connection with this affair, he received a bronze medal. Gen. Daniel Butterfield, the grand marshal, who made the pre- sentation, said : " Throughout all the detail work connected with these duties, Mr. Stephen M. Wright has, without any recompense, been indefatigable, and by authorization of the conference of the civic, commercial and industrial bodies of this city, I am to present him with this token of the high appreciation, not only held by myself personally, but also by all who have been connected with the affair, for his most valuable, skillful and efficient aid. * Right well you have earned and deserved it. May it ever serve, not only as a
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LONG ISLAND HISTORIC HOMES.
memorial to you and others of your faithful services in behalf of this grand celebration, but serve also as a reminder of my undying friend- ship and respect."
Honors have been literally heaped upon Mr. Wright, but he accepts them all in a spirit of true modesty, glad always to render a service when it is in his power to do so, and if such service remains unrecognized it is passed by and forgotten.
One of the most important positions held by Mr. Wright, and which he still fills, is that of secretary-treasurer to Webb's Academy and Home for Shipbuilders, the only institution of the kind in America, founded by William Henry Webb, the eminent shipbuilder. Mr. Wright's position as treasurer is one of great responsibility and trust, thousands of dollars passing through his hands annually. This service, like all others in which he has given time and money, is gratuitous.
Mr. Wright's military service covers a period of ten years. His record is an honorable one, for which he was highly commended by his superiors and congratulated by his comrades. He entered the National Guard of the State of New York as private in Battery G, First Regiment of Artillery, October 25, 1864; promoted orderly sergeant February 15, 1865; commissioned second lieutenant Au- gust 28, 1866; commissioned regimental adjutant May 27, 1868. On this occasion he was presented by his old comrades of Battery G, with an elegant gold mounted sword. Upon the disbandment of the regimental organization in December, 1869, Lieut. Wright was ren- dered supernumerary, and on February 5, 1870, was assigned by Gov. Hoffman to the position of first lieutenant of Separate Battery, Light Artillery, continuing in that position until January 4, 1872, receiving from the commander the "sincere thanks for the faithful
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manner in which he performed his duty in the battery." During his term of service he participated in many important events requiring coolness, courage and steadiness of nerve. The most important of these was the "Orange Riot" of July 12, 1871, in which the troops were exposed to equal if not greater danger, than in time of battle, missiles of every kind from an unseen foe being hurled from windows and the tops of houses. Mr. Wright was highly complimented in general order by Gen. Shaler for his gallantry and skill in handling his command.
Mr. Wright has been identified with the various patriotic societies almost from the date of their organization, notably the Empire State "Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, of which he was elected secretary in 1896 and again in 1897. He thoroughly reorganized the department with which he was connected, and probably gave more time to the work than any other incumbent before or since, and not only were his services gratuitous, but he paid out large sums of money to advance the interests of the organization. When he went abroad in 1897 he was commissioned as a representative of the Empire State Society to pay its tribute to the memory of Gen. Lafayette at his tomb. He also made an official and friendly call on the French ambassador, Gen. Horace Porter, who returned it with distinguished honors of State. General Porter, previous to his going abroad, was President-General of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Mr. Wright was one of the very early members of the Order of the Founders and Patriots, and an enthusiastic promoter of its ob- jects. He has served the society in various capacities with the same self-sacrificing spirit that has characterized all his labors in this direc- tion. He is an active member of, and an ardent worker in various
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other patriotic societies, notably the Patria Club, the Patriotic League, the American Scenic and Historical Preservation Society, the American Institute of Civics, the American Institute, the Municipal Art Society, American Flag Association, the New England Society in New York, and is an associate member of John A. Dix Post No. 35, G. A. R.
As president of a Council of the Patriotic Order of the Union League of America, the distinction came to him in 1862, of hav- ing initiated colored men for the first time into a secret society of white men, thus making them coequal in membership.
Much of Mr. Wright's benevolent work has been carried on through the several Masonic orders with which he has long been connected, having held in them many important positions. He is Senior Past Master of Prince of Orange Lodge No. 16, F. & A. M., and of the higher orders, he is a member of Phenix Chapter, R. A. M., Pentalpha Council No. 36, R. & S. M., Palestine Commandery No. 18, Knights Templar, and was raised to the 33º in the Cerneau Body of the Scottish Rite, as Sovereign Grand Inspector General. He was Senior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of New York in 1881-2, and was the Representative of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, near the Grand Lodge of New York, from 1878 to 1885. He is a member of the Masonic Veterans, and of the Temple Club of New York City. He was largely instrumental in creating the Masonic Board of Relief, having served as its treasurer for many years.
Mr. Wright married May 10, 1866, Kate A. Metzgar, daughter of Christian and Adeline (Lynch) Metzgar. Her father was renowned as a practical shipbuilder, having been the superintendent of William H. Webb throughout his business career. They had two children,
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Joseph Henry, born March 14, 1867, and Maria Louise, born April 16, 1868, both of whom died in early childhood.
On May 17, 1902, Mr. Wright met with a great bereavement in the loss of his wife. She was a woman of strong individuality, rare domestic qualities and loveliness of character, which shone brighter and brighter as she advanced in years. She was loyal to her friends, and delighted in unostentatiously doing good and making others happy. For thirty-six years she had been the care-taker, companion and adviser of her beloved husband, always solicitous of his comfort and welfare, Losing their children early in life, they became more and more attached to each other, and were one and inseparable. He gratified her every wish, and anticipated everything that would add to her happiness. She had long been a sufferer, and all that tender nursing and skillful medical treatment could suggest, was provided. If words of condolence and love from hundreds of friends could relieve the aching heart of the afflicted husband, he might find relief, but time alone can heal the wound.
THE SEAMAN AND ALLIED FAMILIES.
IN the ancient records of Norfolk county, England, this name was written Symonds or Simmons. In old English the word Symond stood for Seaman. The family tradition is that it is of Danish stock which settled in England after the repulse of the Danes by King Al- fred.
Albert W. Seaman of Wantagh, L. I., has in his possession what appears to be a photo of the original coat-of-arms of this family, the description of which is not found in Burke. It consists of seven semi-horizontal bars wavy, each bar beginning with silver or gold, and alternating. The crest represents a sea-horse rising out of a golden crescent on which are seven spear heads. It may be that an early member of the family was engaged in a war against the Turks, as indicated by the crescent. The motto indicates the character of the family: "We make our name known by our deeds," and this trait has been conspicuous in every generation.
Capt. John Seaman, the founder of the Long Island family is said to have held a commission in the British navy, and this commis- sion is also said to be in possession of one of his descendants. He came to this country in 1635, and his name appears on the Long Island records as early as 1643. He emphatically " made known his name by his deeds."
Says one writer: "It is evident that a large part of Capt. John's time from 1656 to 1695 must have been taken up in transacting the
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work of the Hempstead Colony. He was also employed by Suffolk county to act for it in a very important matter. That in addition to his great ability he loved and practiced justice and fair dealing, is proven by the fact that no complaints were ever made by the Indians against him for wrong-doing them, as was so common with most of the proprietors and settlers. Once, where the Indians had planned a general massacre of the whites, a friendly Indian gave him timely notice and the calamity was averted. While he was a serious man, he was also a staunch friend to religious liberty and not much in- clined to a belief in witchcraft.
Being also one of the largest proprietors in the town in the town- ship purchase of the Indians, and by the patents of Governors Kieft, Nicoll and Dongan, after settling his sons at Jerusalem, probably because of his almost constant employment in some public trust or embassy, had made it impossible to carry on the very extensive stock and farming operations-he appears to have removed with his two youngest sons, Nathaniel and Richard, to Hempstead village. At the date of his will, 1694, he appears to have been residing at what he called the home lot adjoining the land of James Pine.
The earliest record of Capt. John Seaman is the following: "On December 11, 1645, surveyors at Salem, Mass., were ordered to view the ground that John Symonds desired near to Goldsmith's ten acre lot. On Jan. 8, 1643-4, after a grant of waste land to Thomas Goldsmith (afterwards at Southampton) between the water side and his ten acre lot (reserving a way) there was granted to John Simonds all the waste lands between the lots of Hugh Larkin and Stukely Westcott and the water side excepting the highway."
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