USA > New York > Suffolk County > Bridgehampton > Sketches from local history > Part 17
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ingly, "That is your share of the voyage." Then their curiosity was excited, and they saved what they could, which was but a small part of what was probably in the carcass, for they had finished cutting in the blubber and had cast off the lines which held the whale fast to the ship. Some days after this they fell in with the whale ship, "Vigilance." whose captain came aboard and informed them that it was really ambergris, and that they just missed making a fortune, for it had a value equal to goldl. It was estimated that had it all been saved its value would have been greater than the proceeds of the entire voyage. When returning home to Sag Harbor from this voyage in August of the year 1867, after a se- vere storm somewhere south of the Gulf Stream. they fell in with the ship "Tilly." completed dis- abled, laden with lumber, from which they rescued the entire crew of 14 men and officers, and brought them to Sag Harbor.
The John Penny referred to above followed the sea for the greater portion of his active life. a very interesting man and from whom I acquired much information. He was the nephew of the Joshua Penny who figured in the war of 1812, and who lived at Three Mile Harbor, in East Hampton Town. At that time the British fleet were anchored in Gardiner's Bay, and Joshua Penny built a sort of torpedo and intended to blow up the flag ship the . first dark night, and the only reason he failed to carry out his plan was that some traitor informed the British authorities of the scheme, which led to his arrest, conviction and sentence to serve in a pe- nal colony in Cape Town.
It is said that when he was led from the court room after the trial, he met the man whom he sus- pected of revealing his plan to the enemy, and for which he was confident he had accepted a brite of $1.000. Facing this man he said, "You sold a Penny for a thousand dollars, and if I live to come back I will kill you the first time we meet."
The incident I am about to relate, was told me by the John Penny referred to above. The ship of which he was second mate was in the harbor of Honolulu, at that time in the Sandwich Islands. where they had gone to refit for another voyage and also to ship their whale oil around Cape Horn to New York by some merchant ship.
The new Clipper Ship "Sovereign of the Seas"
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had just made a record run from New York to San Francisco with a general cargo, the freight bill for which amounted to $84,000. She then went in bal- last to Honolulu to load with whale oil for New York. When she came into that harbor under full sail, Mr. Penny said it was the grandest and most beautiful sight he ever beheld, and after she had dropped her anchor, he, with a boat load of their own men went aboard the clipper and helped furl the sails.
After loading with whale oil the "Sovereign of the Seas" made the voyage from Honolulu to Sandy Hook in 82 days.
The only Sag Harbor whale ship I ever saw was the brig "Myra" when she was anchored out in the Harbor just before sailing on hier last voyage in July of the year 1871. I was acquainted, however. with very many of the whalemen who made that industry a success in their day, many of whom af- ter acquiring a competency, returned to eastern Long Island to spend the remainder of their days. I might say that the "Myra" never returned to her home port, but after a fairly successful voyage was condemned in the Barbadoes in December of the year 1874.
From the early history of this Town the Indians took an active part in the whaling industry, and I am not aware that a list of these men was ever com- piled and published. The town records show that when this industry was carried on from the shore these men were employed, and later when our ships went to distant seas, these men were conceded to have been both seamen and whalemen of the very highest order.
I herewith give a list of whalemen from the Shinnecock tribe as nearly complete as I was able to make it. Some of these men I remember, but of course most of them had passed on before my day.
SHINNECOCK WHALERS From 1817 to 1932
Beeman, Le Roy Bunn, David W.
Noah
Franklin
Wesley
James
Milton
Russel
Nelson
Boardman, Alphonso John
Thomas
Brewer, Frank
William
Bunn, Charles
Warren
David
Cuffee, Aaron
Kellis. Oliver
Abraham
Oliver O.
Absolem
Moses
Andrew
Joshua
Elias
Andrew
Erastus
Lee, Ferdinand
James
Garrison
James
Milton
James
Notlee
Luther
Robert
1
Nathan
Winfield .
Paul
Phillips, Peter
Paul
Thompson, John H.
Russel
Jeremiah
Sidney
Walker, Abraham
Wickhanı
Charles
Eleazer. Alphonso
David
David
John
Isaac
Moses
Orlando
Stephen
Richard
James
I have been asked as to the method or plan of payment of the officers and crews of whale ships. I have sought information on this subject from var- ious books written concerning this industry, but by far the most satisfactory information was from some of the whalemen themselves.
The ship as a rule was owned by a stock company, in many instances the captain being the owner of considerable stock. This made him especially in- terested in the success of the voyage. Then an especially skilled and expert whaleman whether cap- tain or mate was often given a socalled bonus, this agreement being made by the ship owners to secure their services. In general, the pay of both officers and men was determined by share or "lay" accord- ing to the ability of each individual. The captain would receive from 1/S to 1/10 of the net proceeds of the voyage, plus a possible bonus, this would us- ually amount to from $4.50 to $5. per day for the voyage. There are a few cases on record where the mate was given the same lay as the captain. This was true in the case of John Sayre of Bridgehamp- ton.
A boat-steerer was the lowest grade officer on the ship and received a lay of from 1/20 to 1/100 of net proceeds. Being an officer he was entitled to
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live with the other officers in their cabin. The fore- mast hands were often the very lowest grade of hu- manity. It could be said of many of them "Any- where I hang my hat, is Home. Sweet Home to me," so that they were indifferent as to the result of the voyage, and received from 1/160 to 1/250 of net proceeds for their lay.
.A cooper, carpenter or blacksmith if an energetic man and kept his trade work ahead of the demand would often receive a double lay, for instance, a cooper, when no whales were being caught. could set up oil barrels enough so that when whales were found, he could work with the crew in killing. cut - ting in, and trying the blubber.
The whole company were found or boarded at the ship's expense. the food as a rule was not too good, and many times extremely poor. The so- called "slop chest" was supplied with all manner of wearing apparel used and needed by the sailors. which was sold and charged to their account, and deducted from his share at the end of the voyage.
If the voyage was a failure, then both the ship owners and crew were out of luck and sustained a severe loss, while a good and successful voyage would sometimes return the whole cost of the ship to its owners, and satisfactory returns to both of- ficers and crew.
During the first half of the 19th. century this in- dustry was about the only thing that brought ready money to eastern Long Island, but like some other industries it had its day and passed on.
LIBRARIES IN BRIDGEHAMPTON
In Colonial days, with but few exceptions, the books owned by the early settlers were of a religious character. The Bible took pre-eminence over all others, and was studied and read persistently, (much to their credit ) which accounted much for their fund of knowledge in religious history. These books had to be imported at first, and cost money to buy, and money was a rare commodity at that time. This ac- counted for the small number owned by most fam- ilies. The binding was usually of heavy leather. One book by a certain author would be loaned throughout the entire neighborhood. The next neighbor would do likewise, so the general exchange of books was a help to many.
Daniel Talmadge lived in Hay Ground. (see 1850
Map) and was probably the owner of more books than any one man in this community, and he was always willing to loan any of his books. These would quite often when returned, be soiled or mutilated, and in some cases would be lost and never returned. This led him to compose a stanza which he wrote on the front page of all of his books. It read as follows :
"If this book be lent to any, As perhaps it may to many ; I beg you carefully to use it. With attention to peruse it ; And return it without damage. To its owner, Daniel Talmadge."
There are still a goodly number of these old books scattered about this community at this time, some dating back to the early seventeenth century, and in very good order and well preserved.
The first real public library established in Bridge- hampton was primarily the result of the efforts of Stephen Burroughs, who came from New England to teach school on Shelter Island, and tutor in the family of the Hon. Jonathan Nicholl Havens, who at that time was Assemblyman from this District. He then came to Bridgehampton.
While at Bridgehampton, during one vacation period, Burroughs canvassed this entire community and collected money for a library to the amount of 40 Pounds, quite a large sum for those days. These subscriptions were given with the understanding that the books bought should be other than those of a religious character. Dr. Aaron Woolworth was minister of the church in Bridgehampton at that time. When he found that Burroughs had collect- ed the money for a library, he at once began to se- lect a list of books according to his own liking. without consulting Burroughs. This was the real cause of the clash between these men.
Burroughs declared that unless the wishes of the subscribers were granted in the selection of books. he would refund the money. A book committee had been appointed, but these were so under the in- fluence of Mr. Woolworth that a fair decision was almost impossible. However, after much discus- sion and some abuse, they at last compromised. but the final list included every book that Burroughs had named in his list first submitted. In this whole action Woolworth showed himself an autocrat, and a man unworthy of his calling, and displayed a spirit
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that would not be tolerated at this time. I am per- suaded that Burroughs in the stand he took in this matter, was far more honorable than the Rev. Woolworth and his colleagues. This was at least one time in his career that he proved himself a real man. Let us give him credit for the action he took and the spirit he showed. More is the pity that his life in general, was so unstable and crooked.
The books were bought and the library establish- ed in the house of Levi Hildreth, his only remuner- ation being the free use of the books. This library was in use for a good many years, but was finally reduced in numbers to such an extent that it ceased to exist. Judge Henry P. Iledges many years ago had a list of the books in that library, which he had printed, and which list is here copied. This was al- ways known as the "Burroughs Library," and was established in the year 1793. \ few of those books are still in existence.
Raynal's Indies, 8 vols. Newton on the Prophe- Rollins Ancient History, S vols.
cies. 3 vols. Edwards on the Will
Hist. of Modern Eur- Death of \bel
ope. 5 vols.
Moore's France. 2 vols.
- Italy, 2 vols.
Robertson's America, 3 vols. Scotland. 2 vols.
Mirabeau's Court of Berlin. 2 vols.
Memoirs of Baron de Tott. 2 vols.
Fordyce's Addresses
Sermons to Young Women
Doddridge's Rise and Pro- gress of Religion.
Watts' Foundations of the Christian Church
Manners in Portugal, 2 vols. Plutarch's Lives. 6 vols. Arabian Nights' Enter- tainment. 4 vols.
Neal's Hist. of the Puri- tans, 4 vols.
Ramsey's Revolution. 2 vols.
First Hampton Library, Bridgehampton 1877
Linn's Characteristical Sermons
Morse's Geography
Thomson's Seasons
Clerk's Vade Mecum Pope's Essay on Man Milton's Paradise Lost Conquest of Canaan
Emma Corbett
Beauties of the Maga- zine
Derham's .Astro Theol- ogy
Montague's Letters. 3 vols. Telemachus, 2 vols.
Compleat Letter Writer Hervey's Letters. 2 vols.
Jennen's View Lectures Beauties of History, 2 vols.
Knox on Education, 2 vols. Miss Rowe's Letters
Bennett's Letter to a Lady Memoirs of Baron Trenck
Visions of Columbus
Young's Night Thoughts Humphrey's Works
Kaim's Art of Think- ing
Sparman's Voyage to Cape of Good Hope, 2 vols.
Guthries Geography Brisson's Narrative Mosheim's Ecclesiastical
History Flavius Josephus. 6 vols.
Perry's Pronouncing Dic- tionary
Clarke's Farriery
Hervey's Meditations
Burke on the French Rev- olution Watt's Logick Gustavus Vasa
Paine's Rights of Man, Watt's Supplement Ist. & 2nd. parts, 2 vols. Edwards on Original Sin
Lathrop on Baptism Life of Charles Went- worth, 3 vols.
Cook's Travels, 2 vols. Edwards' Hist. of Re-
demption
Goldsmith's Rome, 2 vols.
Wait's Gospel History Ilist. of Charles XII of Sweden Evans on the Christian Temper Dickinson's Letters
Weft and Lyttleton William's Sermons, + vols. Peter Pindar, 2 vols.
Adam's View of Religion Dodd on Death
Franklin's Life
England, Abridged
1
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Present Hampton Library in Bridgehampton
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Cowper's Task
Carver's Travels
Blair's Sermons, 2 vols.
Lavater's AAphorisms on Cook's Voyages Abridged Man
Goldsmith's Animated Nature, 4 vols.
Moore's Monitor
Gay's Fables
French Revolution
Paley's Philosophy
Mills on Cattle
Byron's Shipwreck
Mason on Self Knowledge
Clarissa Harlowe, 3 vols. Watts Miscellaneous
British Moralist, 2 vols. Thoughts Fool of Quality, 5 vols.
In my judgment the above is a very creditable list of books, and unquestionably Stephen Burroughs should have the major portion of the credit for hav- ing established that library.
About the year 1850 a circulating library was established in Bridgehampton, its headquarters be- ing in the back room of the store of E. Jones Lud- low. A charge of one dollar per year was made for the privilege of borrowing books. This library was in use until about 1870, when I think the books then remaining were sold at public auction. While this library was not very large, even such a small collection of books was very much missed through- out this community. When it ceased to exist, these conditions were brought to the attention of two prominent men, and they, after consulting with some of our leading citizens, decided to establish a real library in Bridgehampton. This became the "Hampton Library in Bridgehampton." It was or- ganized and incorporated under the above name, in the year 1876, and opened in May of 1877. It was the gift of Mr. William Gardiner and his brother- in-law, Mr. Charles H. Rogers. Mr. Gardiner gave the lot and $10,000 and Mr. Rogers gave a similar legacy. This $20,000 was for the building and equipment of the library, and the balance was to be invested as an endowment fund. Later Mrs. Rog- ers gave an additional $5.000 to the endowment fund. Since that several of our local residents have given very substantial sums of money for the en- dowment fund.
The first Board of Trustees were as fololws, viz : William Gardiner, Charles Rogers, Henry P. Iled- ges, James R. Huntting. Wickham S. Havens, and John F. Youngs. The last named was Secretary and Treasurer for many years. Henry P. Hedges was the first President of the Board of Trustees. and filled that position for many years.
In selecting the first list of books, Mr. Charles H. Rogers sought the advice of William Cullen Bryant. This list consisted of 3523 volumes. It has now grown to between 13.000 and 14.000 volumes. When organized, a charge of two dollars per year was made for the privilege of borrowing books later reduced to one dollar and a half, and still later
--
CHARLES ROGERS
WILLIAM GARDINER
-
CAPT. JAMES R. HUNTTING
CAPT. WICKHAM S. HAVENS
JOHN F. YOUNGS
HENRY P. HEDGES
Bruce's Travels up the Nile Warville's Travels
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
to one dollar. In the year 1905. through the efforts of Mr. Egbert R. Bishop, this library became a free institution, registered under the State Board of Re- gents, and receives a small appropriation from the State Department of Education. About the same time a free reading room was set apart for the use of the public, which has been highly appreciated and patronized.
This library through the kindness and liberality of the heirs of Mrs. William Walker, received a gift of $1,000 to fit up an Art Room in which to display a collection of paintings formerly owned by Mrs. Walker, and presented to the library by her heirs.
A Women's Committee was organized, which has
been active in rendering real assistance to this insti- tution, and is still doing good work. Mr. John F. Berwind was one of this library's most helpful bene- factors. One who could always be counted on for real help and assistance, during the short period in which he filled the office of library trustec.
While there are larger libraries in this locality, as determined by number of books, there are none that excel this one in quality and class of books. It is a great pity that such a collection of books and period- icals that could never be replaced, should be housed in a building that is not fire proof. It was not only my hope but ambition that a suitable building might be erected, but I am now persuaded that I shall nev- er see it accomplished.
SOME LANDMARKS AND COLLOQUIALISMS
When the Colonists first landed in this section. the greater portion of the land was covered with forests. As the land was cleared by cut- ting and removing the trees, the timber was used for building their houses and barns, as well as for fuel. The land cleared had to be fenced for the live stock, and the cheapest fence that could possibly be built at that time, though it called for a vast amount of manual labor, was that of digging a ditch to mark the dividing line between adjoining owners. On this.mound, live trees were lopped, when the sap was down. The limbs were also lopped and interwoven to make a tight fence. The mound served as part of the fence, but more particularly to hold the lopped tree in a semi-upright position, so the sap could flow up. according to nature. to insure the life of the tree so lopped. This led to the expression "a live fence". These fences took up and occupied a large area of land, which mattered little so long as the land was cheap, but as prices of land advanced, the ditches and live fences began to disappear, so much so, that at the present time, they are rarely seen. ] have been asked. "Why did they fence and ditch the woodland?" I supposed that this was generally known, but I find that it is not. so I will endeavor to answer it. When the highways were laid out in the early days they were made very wide. some of them being from 10 to 15 or more rods wide. These afforded an abundance of pasture. It was the cus-
tom in those days to turn the cattle and sheep into the highways and common land to roam at large, this of course included the woodland. This gave feed for this stock all summer, and left the improved land to grow crops for winter feed. Coal was not mined in this country to any great extent until the year 1820, and was not used in Bridgehampton to any extent until 1870. Prior to this, wood was al- most the only fuel used. This fact alone gave wood- land a considerable valuation, and also gave the am- bitious men of those days remunerative occupation when not engaged with their farm work. There was a great demand for wood in the cities for fuel, and on the whale ships for blocking and wedging the oil casks. The coarse and rough wood was converted into charcoal, for which there was a ready market. as it was the only coal used by blacksmiths in those days.
The site of these coal kilns may be located all about the farming land even to this day, the soil being black with the fine charcoal which is almost indestructible. The many landings along the shore of Noyack and Peconic Bays, such as Budd's, Whalebone. Scott's and many others, mark the places where great quantities of cordwood were shipped to market by sailing vessels. I have heard my Father say that Silas Woodruff and Halsey Dickinson together put 1,100 cords of wood on the shore at Shelter Island in one year, and there were
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many others in that same business. The prevailing price for cutting wood in those days was 5 shillings (621/2 cents) per cord, and the wood sold for six dollars per cord, on the shore at these landings, this showed a good margin of profit. The fact that these conditions did prevail, was alone sufficient to put a real value on woodland. That is perhaps somewhat difficult to realize in these days. I am now working up to the answer to the foregoing question. The owners of woodland took great pains to care for and protect their property, because it was really valuable. The land they cut over in the winter and from which they carted the wood, they ditched and fenced the following spring. Why? So that when the herds of cattle were turned out to roam at large over high- ways and woodlands, and not brought home again until the inclement weather of approaching winter demanded it, they could not roam over the wood lots and destroy the young scions just as they started from the stumps, for if they were allowed to do this. very many would be killed and those that were nipped off and yet lived, would grow trees both im- perfect and crooked, and seriously affect the next crop of cord wood or timber, as the case might be.
I have heard the old men say that years ago, when almost everyone from Amagansett to Shinnecock went to Sag Harbor Saturday afternoon to do their trading, which was largely in barter, there was such a marked distinction in the appearance of the horses. wagons, harness, and even the men, in their dress. accent and general appearance, that one accustomed could easily distinguish, though not personally ac- quainted with them, the men, teams, and in fact, the general outfit, whether it was from South- ampton. East Hampton or Bridgehampton. This seems almost incredible in communities so closely located geographically, but it was true nevertheless. Then again, there were certain words or phrases that were peculiar and in fact, they still are. to certain localities. Take for instance the word "Gally" which was and still is in general use on eastern Long Is- land, as applied to a person who becomes suddenly embarrassed or confused, its use being almost en- tirely confined to this locality. An up-State man upon hearing this word for the first time, said : What was the matter with the person affected. and how was he handled? AAnother word that may be classed as 'Provincial English' is "Pightle" meaning
a small lot or enclosure adjoining a barn yard, and is confined in its use to eastern Long Island. Every community has its own peculiar slang phrases. One old man I knew would say 'I vow', another 'I vum', another 'Con-stab-it', another 'By singe it'. One old man in this place was repairing an old fence. it had been a live or hedge fence, but was at that time intermingled with rails, wire, and poles, sup- plemented with boards. A neighbor in passing asked if he was building a fence. He replied, "I am trying to repair what you see here, but this is no fence, it may have been classed as such some time, but now it is what I call a 'Scrag-mat-i-cal Run' ".
More than one hundred years ago there lived in Sagaponack a class of men who, when excited or engaged in a warm argument, spoke a language or dialect, that a stranger could not understand. One has said, "It sounded like a confusion of tongues". As an illustration, about the time referred to above there was a phrase or expression in common and universal use in Wainscott, that would be absolutely meaningless to a stranger. I heard this from a man now over So years of age, who knew this to be a fact not only from memory, but from experience, in fact, his mother was a native of Wainscott. The expression is "For-ti-no", and without doubt was a corruption of the phrase "for aught I know." or "for what I know". It is easy to realize what a confusion of language would result in the use of a large number of such corruptions, incorporated in common conversation.
I never saw a left-handed plow used in this locai- ity in all my life, while in some sections, none but left-handed ones are used. Again, I never saw a team on Long Island driven with a "Twitch Line". while in some sections nothing else is used. The word "Team" as used on Long Island means two or more horses or oxen harnessed together, while in Connecticut one will hear them say, "One horse team". In that State you will seldom, if ever, hear of an "AAxe Handle", it is always ".Axe Helve". either is correct.
In other sections of the country you will seldom sce a scuttle in the roofs of the old houses, while here there was hardly a house without one. In the early days on eastern Long Island most of the men had been whaling, so that in their work about the farms, they would express themselves in language
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