USA > New York > Suffolk County > Bridgehampton > Sketches from local history > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
One day this Mr. Jagger met an acquaintance from out of town. I think he was from North Sea. and after the usual salutation. asked him if he had heard the news? "Why no." said the man, "I have not, what is it?" "Well." said Jagger. "they do say. the plover are driving up on the south beach in wind rows. It is a wonderful sight, and every one has been, or is going down to the ocean to see it. It is too bad and a shame that there should be such a loss."
"Well. well." said the man, "I am glad you told me, and before I go home I will drive down to the ocean and see them." This he did, but saw no plover, neither had there been any there.
When he came back he saw Jagger and asked him why he had told him such a yarn. for there were no plover washing ashore, neither had there been any.
"Why." said Jagger. "you were too late, for they do say, the tide has arisen and washed them away."
A Shoemaker's Joke
About the middle of the 19th century there lived in Sagaponack a bachelor whose name was Smith Topping. A very gentlemanly man, and one who gave much attention to his personal appearance. He took great pleasure in escorting his lady friends to local entertainments, and could truly have been classed as a genuine gallant. Phebe Topping at this time was a maiden lady who lived in Poxabogue : she afterward married Daniel H. Haines, and she was the star actor in this drama, and the one who told the story.
Phebe was very much in need of a new pair of shoes, so went to Oliver Sayre for the purpose of ordering a pair made. At that time there were no ready-made boots or shoes to be had, but every one had to go to the local cobbler or shoemaker, who made all kinds of shoes according to the measure taken. and of such leather as was suitable for the purpose for which they were needed.
Oliver Sayre was a local shoemaker whose home was on the northerly side of the Main Road between Bridgehampton and Poxabogue, the site of which is marked by his name on the 1850 Map. "Now, Phebe." said Mr. Sayre. "I will tell you what I will do. If you will go out riding with Smith Topping I will make you a pair of shoes from the best leather in my shop and will not charge you one penny for. them."
Money at that time was not very plentiful, and after due reflection she decided she could stand the joke. so accepted the offer and gave the order. Whereupon Mr. Sayre said; "You must first per- form your part of the contract."
Shortly after this Topping appeared with his best horse and invited Phebe to go out riding. She gladly accepted the invitation (Sayre had probably made the bargain with Topping) and upon return- ing home called on Sayre to assure him that she ex- pected the shoes in accordance with his agreement. Sayre measured her foot and told her to come for the shoes in about three weeks, when they would be ready for her.
At the appointed time Phebe went for her shoes. Sayre had made them beautifully, and of the best leather, but they were only from three to four inches long, and made to fit a little baby. Phebe said, "I was mad. just as mad as I could be."
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
I wish I knew what became of those shoes. She told this story when she was an old lady. She lived to be very old, 90 yrs. 7 mon. and 22 days.
Stories of Luther Hildreth
Isaac Hildreth lived in Mecox about 1756 to 1822. had a large family; of the boys there were Luther, Shadrach, Isaac. Lester, John and Matthew.
Luther went a number of voyages whaling, but when home would work on the farm and assist his brothers. One source of income was fishing. This was followed both in the ocean and Mecox Bay.
Luther was a very passionate man, and quick tempered. Very heavily built and strong, so that when he became excited or out of patience, most men let him alone.
One day they were drawing the seine in Mecox Bay, and among the crew was his brother, Shadrach. It appears that the latter was placed in a very in- portant place about the seine, and because of some- thing he either did, or else failed to do, they lost a good share of the draught of fish.
Luther laid the blame to Shadrach, and in his wrath grasped him by the collar and seat of his pants, lifted him clear above his head, waded out in the bay as far as he could and threw him still farther and exclaimed: "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, and to H-1 you go." Then left him and went back to work.
When home from sea on one occasion he was working with a team of horses near the bay. They ran away from him and went across the bay to the beach. Luther got a boat and went after them. After catching them, he drove them back to the bay, and swam them across, only he got into the boat and drove them into deep water. He then fin- ished his day's work.
In commenting upon his experience he said : "He had a fine time and that it was the nearest like be- ing towed by a whale than anything he had ever experienced on the land."
SOME STORIES OF SAG HARBOR
A generation ago Sag Harbor could boast of having as residents a class of men who had experi- enced the prosperous days of the whaling industry, and also the dark, anxious days of the Civil War. Taken as a class they were a remarkable company
of men, and included such names as French, Payne, Nickerson, Lucas, Sherry, Hedges, Homan, Vail and others.
John Homan became much interested in a de- scription of a barometer any one could make by taking some chemical or mineral salts, putting the same in a bottle of rain water. In fair weather these salts would all settle to the bottom of the bottle, but in stormy weather they would rise and become cloudy and roiled. Homan made one of these barometers, and after testing thoroughly, told his neighbors how wonderfully it worked, being amazed at its accuracy.
Charles S. Hedges, the village painter, heard this account, listened attentively, but said nothing. Some days after this, Hedges arose early one morning. lastened down to Mr. Homan's house before he was up, went to the front porch, took down the im- provised barometer, gave it an infernal shaking. hung it up carefully, then went around to the back door and called Homan. He came to the bedroom window and asked what was wanted. "Why." said Hedges, "the other day I heard you telling about that barometer you have made, and I am interested. I'll tell you John, I have a wagon that I want to paint, but I want to be sure of the weather. I would hate to start on it and then have bad weather, so I thought I would come down early and see if you could advise me about it."
"Well, Charles," said Homan, "I certainly can tell you just what it is going to do; you just wait for me to dress, and I will be down." Hedges waited patiently, and when Homan came down, he said. "Come with me and I will show you how it works." Homan was instantly excited, for the whole mass was forming. "Why, Charlie." said he; "you cannot paint any wagon the day. Why, man, it is going to storm. You wait till I call my wife." Whereupon he ran to the stairway and called. "Tempy, Tempy, get up quick and shut the garret windows, for it is going to rain inside of fifteen minutes. No, Hedges, this is no day to paint."
Hedges expressed his gratitude, and told Homan the information was worth a great deal to him.
When I was a boy there was an old man who lived in Sag Harbor whose name was Jennings. I do not know why, but he was always called Mis- sionary Jennings. He had been a truckman in his younger days, but at that time, because of his age
{ 162 }
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY .
he was unable to do as hard work as that business demanded, so occupied his time in doing lighter work, such as raking lawns and planting gardens for the villagers.
He still kept a horse and cart, and would plow gardens and cart away the accumulated rubbish, and in fact make himself generally useful. Among the jobs he was called upon to do were those about these homes that the laws of sanitation absolutely demanded before the days of sewers.
He was a very diffident man and one easily em- barrassed, and on the day in question when he had finished his work at a certain place the owner de- manded an itemized bill for services rendered.
This bothered the old man considerably; he thought about it but could not find the words that he thought proper to use, and yet he was anxious to submit his bill, so he finally made it out something like the following :
"To one load of loam, and one load more. $.
To one load of gravel dumped at the door, $. To sundry jobs in divers places. $
This answered the demand, and he collected his bill.
Many of the men who became whaling captains retired well-to-do, and enjoyed themselves in spend- ing it because of the comforts it afforded them. One of them who lived in the Hamptons, after many years of plenty had the misfortune to lose his money.
It was hard to change his mode of living, but he had to submit to the inevitable. His horses that liere-to-fore had been fat and sleek, and in high condition were now void of ambition and in poor condition, and to get the speed a whip was a neces- sary part of the outfit. And this was evident to such an extent, that their ribs were a very promi- nent part of their anatomy.
The day in question, this ex-Captain stopped his team in front of Nickerson's office : the latter noticed the condition of the horses and said : "Captain, have you engaged your mason yet?" "Why, I fail to understand you ; did you think I was doing some building ?" said the Captain. "Oh, I did not know as to that." said Nickerson. "But I noticed you had your lathing done," pointing to the horses' ribs.
At the beginning of the Civil War. young men were enlisting in every community. Meetings were held to create and incite the spirit of loyalty and patriotismn. Such a meeting was held in Sag Harbor,
when the parents of the young men who were going to the war were weeping, and expressing their sor- row when bidding farewell to their sons, perhaps for the last time. There was one man, no less patriotic than the others, who took a different view of the matter, and a no less serious one at that. He shed no tears, but felt the blow.
He said; "Boys, I have always been a loyal and patriotic citizen of my country. I am glad you are offering your services, and thereby showing the same spirit. Your father has this charge to make to you : 'Always stand up for and honor your country and your country's flag; and in doing this, you are honoring me. I have only one request to make, it is this : When you get to the front, and meet those rebels. I want you to fight like the Devil.'"
Samuel Trib Hildreth was a resident of Sag Har- bor, and followed the butcher business for many years. When gold was discovered in California, he left his native town and became a "Forty Niner," and later came back to his native town.
He was a gentleman, though when about his work his clothes were in accordance with his task. Few of his associates ever saw him when dressed in his best. One day he decided to take the afternoon boat for New York, so dressed up for the occasion. This was much a contrast to his general appearance that his associates sought to make fun of him, com- menting on his fine appearance. He replied; "Can't a man array himself in the garb of respectability, and the habiliments of a gentleman without being subject to the rude comments of the vulgar public?"
A Sag Harbor Cooper
During the height of the whaling industry in Sag Harbor, the oil barrels all were made by hand. This made the trade of a cooper very important. Many times a smart man would draw two shares on a whaleship, one as a cooper, the other as a sailor. Poles for barrel hoops were in great demand. A man was found by the owner, cutting hoop poles in his woodland and asked by what right he was so doing. He replied that "he was a cooper, and that custom had established a law by which a cooper had the right to go into any man's woodland to cut hoop holes for as far as he could throw his axe." "But." said the man; "you are such farther than that." "I know I am," said the cooper, "but custom has
{ 163 }
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
recently changed that law, so that now he can go as far as he can throw it twice."
One cooper happened to be very cross-eyed, and was asked if that affliction did not bother him in his trade. His reply was, "No. it does not. it is really a great help, for I can watch the pole I am cutting with one eye, and at the same time look up another pole with the other one."
Two Menhaden Fishermen
Eldoras and Edward King were two brothers who followed the fishing business. Eldoras worked for wages and was sure of an income, Edward operated another fishing outfit on shares. Fish were not very plentiful that year, and it appeared as if those work- ing for wages would fare the better. One day when on a fishing cruise, these brothers met. Eldoras asked Edward which he would rather have: "The half of a little or the whole of nothing." Edward soon gave up his job and secured work about the wharf, but again failed to make good. Some of his friends joked him as to his past success and future prospects. He retorted as follows: "I suppose there are some people that are very wise, but I know there are a good many others that are d -- n otherwise."
An Old Resident of North Haven
The peninsula lying to the north of Sag Harbor and between Shelter Island Sound and Novac Bay. was in the early records called Iloggenoch, a sup- posed Indian name, but which Mr. W. W. Tooker claimed was a corruption of Hog Neck. This land was known and called by the latter name until recent years when it was changed to North Haven. . At extremely high tides it is an island, that is when the tides rise high enough to flow across the central portion of Long Beachi.
Before the bridge was built that connects it with Sag Harbor the only way to get there was by the way of Long and Short beaches, and there is even to this day a recorded highway the length of these two beaches.
The bridge was not built until a goodly portion of the land was cleared and settled. I think a ferry boat or float was used many years before a bridge was constructed, but finally as business demanded it. a toll bridge was built. The charge for a team and wagon was sixteen cents each way. The toll house was located at the Sag Harbor end of the
bridge, and West Water Street ran from the bridge to lower Main Street, on what is now L. I. Railroad property. The old bridge went straight across the channel and was very short compared with the present one.
Wilson Payne was the father of James, William and Huntting, and grandfather of Madison, David and Henry, the last of whom gave me the informa- tion regarding his grandfather Wilson.
He always lived on North Haven and owned a farin there. In those early days almost every one used strong drink, and it was considered no disgrace whatever, and was not frowned upon as it is to-day. and the men who did not use it were the exceptions.
This man sometimes used it to such an extent that it affected his judgment seriously, and led him to do those things that otherwise he would not have done.
There was an abundance of fish in the bay in those days, and a large application of them on the land as fertilizer enabled the farmers even on the light soil of North Haven to grow good large crops. The grass that grew after harvest would lie on the ground and as it dried up and ripened would become very smooth and slippery. One day this man con- ceived the idea of sleigh riding on this dry grass, so he harnessed a horse before a sleigh, put on the bells just as in winter, and rode about the fields. This was a new stunt and attracted considerable atten- tion and notoriety, among his neighbors, who ap- peared to enjoy it fully as much as he.
I can readily see where it might have some ad- vantages over snow. On another occasion, he and James Eldredge. Uncle Jim as he was usually called. went over to Sag Harbor after supper to spend the evening, but instead of walking they went in a row boat. They stayed quite late, and when they went back home they got off the right course some how. and brought up against a water fence. Neither one knew what the matter was, but they could not get away from that fence. so kept pulling at the oars and kept the boat right there. This they did until daylight, when they saw the trouble, and probably they were in better condition to navigate their craft by that time, and at last reached home safely.
Mr. Payne raised turnips as one of the farm crops, these he sold for the most part to the residents of Sag Harbor, and peddled them about the village.
The day in question, he took a load of turnips
{ 164 }
£
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
over to the village with his team of oxen on a two wheeled cart, such as was in general use on the farms at that time. He wore a new suit of clothes that he had just gotten the day before: and to assist him in peddling he took with him his grandson Madison, a small boy of perhaps ten or twelve years.
When taking his load to the village he crossed the bridge and paid the toll, but on returning, he had plenty of time, and to save the toll, he went as was his custom by the Novac Road, west to the road on the old Dr. Sweet farm that led to the Wading Place. thence across the creek to Long Beach, and then by Short Beach home.
This day when arriving at the Wading Place, lit- tle Madison went to take down the bars in the fence : he noticed the water was very high, and said to his grandfather ; "We cannot go across for the meadow is all under water, the tide is awful high."
"Oh, come on boy," said the old man, "we can go all right, you get in the back of the cart and hang on, a little water wont hurt you." The old gentle- man had been imbibing quite freely and had con- siderable of what was sometimes called "false courage."
He sat down in the front end of the ox cart and the boy was in the rear hanging on for what he thought was his life. They had one bushel of tur- nips left unsold. The oxen were used to crossing the creek at this place, and knew the way, and really needed no driver or guide, but the water was deep. They had only gone a little when the oxen were swimming. The cart being built of wood, save the tires and braces, sank somewhat with the weight of the passengers or crew, but yet floated. The turnips drifted away. The boy Madison was frightened but was charged to hold on.
The old man, as he sat in the cart. knew enough not to try to stand up, but simply hung on, and was obliged to raise his chin and throw his head back to keep his mouth above water, but they got across at last all right, with the new suit somewhat the worse in appearance because of the sea voyage.
When Wilson was quite an old man, a company of hunters went to North Haven fox hunting, and he joined them with his old flintlock gun. There is no way for a fox to get off of Hog Neck but by the way of Short Beach, and when a fox is being crowded and worried by the hounds, he would always run for this beach, seeking to get across to the so-
called main land. This knowledge led the hunters to forin a line across the narrow portion of the Neck near Short beach, so that they could either get a shot at the fox or drive it back, and often the fox would follow the west shore close to the water, or in the edge of the water so as to leave no scent, and thereby confuse the hounds.
The west side of the Neck along Noyac bay is made up of high bluffs, and there are many gullies made by erosion in these banks that extend almost to the water, and at high tide the water is quite deep near the shore.
Wilson Payne secreted himself in one of these gullies close to the store, and waited and watched for the fox, with his flintlock primed, cocked and ready. At last he saw the fox coming, and when he passed the old hunter he was very near to him. Payne aimed and fired, but the gun missed fire and only snapped. The fox was so frightened at seeing the man and hearing the gun, that he sprang out into the water to escape. but the water was so deep he had to swim. Whereupon Payne rushed into the water, using his gun as a club, and killed and cap- tured his game.
A Story of Nathan Cook (Tailor)
Nathan Cook lived on Mitchel's Lane in Bridge- hampton ( 1800 map). He was a tailor by trade. and brother of David Cook (blacksmith) of Hay Ground. At that time ready-made clothing was un- known. The cloth was woven on the home loom. from wool or flax grown on the farm. The tailor went from house to house, measured and made suits for the men and boys, and usually boarded with the family while working for them.
It was said that if forty men came to Nathan Cook the same day to engage him to come and do their tailoring, he would give them all the same answer, which was: "I cannot come this week, I will come next week if I can, but week after sartin." This promise satisfied his customers for a time, but often brought him trouble later.
Thomas Gelston was one of those who engaged him to do some work, and received the above answer. "Now tailor," said Gelston, "that don't go, you have been telling me that right along, and you do not keep your word, I cannot depend on you. I really want to know when you will come ?" "Mr. Gelston,' said the tailor: "if the Lord spares my life I will
{ 165 }
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
be at your house at sun-up," such a day, naming it. "Very well," said Gelston, "I shall expect you if you are alive."
The day came, but no tailor. Along in forenoon Gelston went down to the Tavern; on the way every one he met he told the startling news that Tailor Cook was dead. At the Tavern he told the same. and before night the news had spread to the utmost limits of the community, and among those who heard it was the tailor himself, who in his wrath hastened to Gelston's, and called him to task for circulating such a story. Gelston said; "Tailor, you told me if you were alive you would come, and as you did not come I naturally supposed you were dead, and so reported it."
Nathan Cook claimed to possess power to foretell events. In carrying out this idea, I should have supposed he would have been rather unpopular ; he never indulged in this pastime, however, when about his regular work or trade, it was only when visiting or calling about the town ; for instance, he might go into the house of a neighbor to spend the evening : when upon entering the room he would stare about. and sniff, and sniff, and would finally announce ; "I smell Death, there will be a corpse in this house be- fore morning."
An Old Resident of Noyack
Jonah Rogers lived at the North Side or Noyack. and owned and sailed a schooner for many years. usually in the coastwise trade, but sometimes to the West Indies, but generally from Boston. Salem or some of the New England ports, to New York or some of the ports along Long Island Sound.
His crew consisted as a general thing, of one old sailor, no longer fit for regular service, because of his age or disability, but who could steer a boat and knew how and what to do as a sailor.
The other help would be one or two boys, who were new at the job, but could assist, the idea being that of economy, they receiving little more than their board.
On one voyage they left Salem for New York or some nearby port, and it being a short voyage, they provisioned the vessel accordingly, with enough food and supplies for not to exceed one week. The cargo was dried salt codfish and rum.
When well out to sea, there came on a heavy northwest blow or gale, and they were obliged to go
before it, not being able to beat against it. This con- tinued for many days, and drove them many miles out to sea, so that instead of reaching port in one week as they expected, they were about three weeks in getting there.
They ran out of provisions and water, so had to resort to the cargo for food, that is; they ate salt codfish, this created thirst, then they drank rum, the salt counteracting the liquor to a certain extent, and this was their diet until they reached port. The boys appeared to mind it much more than the old man, but they were all glad of a change of food.
Fashions Change
Thomas Gelston was a great practical joker, and always had time enough for that sport. One day when returning from Sag Harbor a man hailed him and asked for a ride, but Gelston called back; "I cannot do it, I have not the time, for I have just bought a new bonnet for my wife, and if I don't hurry home. the thing will be out of fashion before I get there."
Edward Chapman Rogers manufactured hats in Sag Harbor. Some of wool, and I think some of straw. These were for the most part sold on east- ern Long Island. Harry Edwards, of Bridgehamp- ton, usually known as "Uncle Harry," one day in speaking of wearing clothes that were in fashion. said; "I have one of Ed. Rogers' wool hats that I have worn for 21 years, and in that time it has been in fashion seven times."
Robert Hedges of Sagaponack was born in the year 1809. In his youth he served as carpenter's ap- prentice in Franklin, New Jersey, for a term of five years, after which he was classed as a carpenter. He then came home to his father. About this time he shouldered his axe one morning, walked into the woods. cut three and one half cords of wood and corded it up, in one day, and walked home at night. This is certainly a case where fashion has changed in this locality.
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.