USA > New York > Suffolk County > Southampton > The early history of Southampton, L. I., New York, with genealogies, 2nd ed. > Part 13
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Elias Foster lived on the present homestead of Mr. Peter Fournier. John Foster, one of the convention to adopt the Con- stitution of the United States, lived on the late homestead of Mr. Lewis Hildreth. Deacon Samnel Howell lived on the home- stead now of Mr. Jeremiah Squires.
To complete the list of present residences in the main street from the fork in the road opposite the burying ground, north- ward on the trapezoidal tract of land which forms the fork, lived on the end fronting the south, the widow of the late Capt. Austin Herrick. On the east side north of Mrs. Herrick lived Capt. Daniel Jagger and north of him Capt. Henry Halsey, and still north of him Miss Sayre. On the west side of the same lived Mrs. Agee Halsey. On the east side of the east branch of the main street line, successively advancing northward, the widow of Jonathan Fithian, Esq. (as in the plot before given), Charles Bishop, Caleb Halsey, Septa Jackson, Peter Fournier, James Bishop, William Jagger and Lewis Jagger. On the west side of the same branch live Mrs. Lewis Sanford, Albert Jagger, Albert Reeves and Francis Bishop. On the south end of a tract of land between the two branches aforesaid, and fronting south live Mr. Lewis Bowden, on the west, and Mr. John Burnett to the east of him. On the west side of the west branch, north of Capt. William Fowler (as in the above plot) lived Mrs. Harriet R. Halsey, Mr. E. Wines Payne and Captain Samuel MeCorkle. On the east side of the same lived Mr. David Jagger.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
Watermill. This was settled very early, the grist mill being erected there by Edward Howell in 1644, and the land being taken
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THE SETTLERS.
up by the sons of the first settlers. It is in the parish of Southamp- ton village. It maintains a prosperous district school and has a population of nearly 200.
Sagg.
This village was settled as before stated about 1660. The earliest settlers were Josiah Stanborough, John and Elnathan Topping, Henry Pierson, Christopher Leaming and Rev. Ebenezer White. Theophilus, son of Major John Howell, settled here quite early on land now occupied by G. Clarence Topping. Daniel Hedges came here about 1702 from East Hampton and was the progenitor of those of the name in Southampton.
Among the oldest epitaphs in the village burying ground are the following :
" IIere lyes buried the body of Theophilus Howell, Esq. Aged 77 years ; deceased March the 19, 1739."
"Coll. Henry Peirson deceased November the 15 in the 50 year of his age. 1701."
" Mr. Peregrine Stanborough, Deacon in the Parish. Departed this life Jan. the 4, 1701, in the 62 year of his age."
" Here lies the Body of Captain Elnathan Topping, who departed this life March the 26 anno Domini 1705, aged 64 years."
" Here lieth the Body of John Topping, Justice of the Peace, aged fifty years, who departed this life in the 29 day of May in the year 1686."
" Here was layed the body of Mr. Nathaniel Rusco, who dyed Avgust the 21st Anno 1714, in the 67 year of his age."
Noyac.
Isaac Jessup settled here in 1712. His homestead continued in this family till about 1800, when Silas Jessup sold it to Jere- miah Osborn and after the death of his son Judge John S. Osborn it was sold to David Wiggins. A fulling mill was built here about 1690 by John Parker and in 1718 was owned by Jonah Rogers. The place is now well known from the fine trout ponds stocked and owned by G. W. Thompson.
Canoe Place.
This is on a peninsula between the Shinnecock and Peconic bays, called Niamnek by the Indians, and Canoe Place by the
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HISTORY OF SOUTHAMPTON.
settlers from the fact that canoes were drawn here from one bay to another by the Indians. The present hotel property was sold by the trustees of the proprietors in 1739 to Jeremiah Culver. Until the revolution his house was the only habitation between Riverhead and Southampton. From the revolution to the present day the successive owners have been Major George Herrick, John Howell, grandfather of Charles Howell late of Ketchabonnek, George Seaman and Israel Conkling.
Squiretown.
This is a small hamlet near Peconic bay north of Good Ground. The first settler was Ellis Squires who came from East Hampton.
Good Ground.
This thriving village has sprung up since 1800. It contains a Methodist church built in 1863 and a school-house. It is so named from the fact that it is an oasis amid the barren pine lands that surround it.
Ponquogue, formerly Paugonquogue.
This is a small hamlet on the Shinnecock bay and has a fine light-honse erected in 1837. The Bay View Hotel ereeted here in 1875 is a large structure and attractive to sportsmen on account of abundant game in the vicinity.
Atlanticville.
Formerly Fourth Neck contained in 1880 a population of 267. It has a small Methodist church and a school-house. The creek on the east called by the Indians Achabacawesuck has been abbreviated to Weesuck by the later inhabitants. A large board- ing house frequented by sportsmen is located on Tiana bay, owned by Benjamin F. Squires.
Quogue.
This neck of fertile land was known as Quaquanantuck by the Indians, but as life was too short to grapple with the polysyllabic names of the aborigines, it soon dwindled to Quaqua and finally
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THE SETTLERS.
to Quogue, its present appellation. Settlements began here about 1740 by the Cooks, Fosters, Howells and Posts from Southamp- ton. Among the epitaphis of the old burying ground we give the following : *
" Here lies the body of Jonathan Cook, who departed this life March ", 1754, aged 54 years."
" In memory of Elizabeth, wife of John Foster, who departed this life the 18th of March 1773, in the 78th year of her age."
" In memory of Mr. Elisha Howell, who died Sept. 7, 1777, in the 73d year of his age.
" In memory of Abigail, wife of Capt. John Post, who died March, 17, 1772, in the 67 year of her age."
[Capt. John Post, the first settler here, died Jan. 3, 1792, aged 92.]
" In memory of Mr. Nathan Herrick, who died March 24 A. D. 1783, in the 83d year of his age."
This village has now numerous large boarding-houses and is a favorite summer resort as the neck of land extends down to the shores of the ocean with Shinnecock bay on the east and Quan- tuck bay on the west.
Quiogue.
This is a small village between Aspatuck and Quantuck rivers, on land formerly called Little Assup's Neck. Here stands the Presbyterian church of the parish of West Hampton and Quogne where Rev. Wm. B. Reeves, M. D., after preaching twenty years as stated supply was finally installed as pastor in 1875.
Ketchabonack.
This is a district with farm houses scattered here and there, lying next west and north-west of Qnogue. Jonathan Raynor was probably the first white resident, having a homestead here in 1738 ; now occupied by Elisha Raynor. In this locality the late Governor John A. Dix had a country seat and near this was the summer house of Joseph Alden, D. D., ex-president of the State Normal School at Albany. Mr. Mortimer D. Howell has a large boarding-honse ; has for several years been a popular summer resort for people of the city.
* W. S. Pelletreau, to whom we are indebted for many facts in this sketch of the villages.
21
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HISTORY OF SOUTHAMPTON.
Onuck and Potunk.
These are two necks of land west of Ketchabonack. Onuek or Wonnnk was as early as 1738 occupied by Isaac Halsey, and is still the residence of his descendants. Potunk was settled some time previous to the revolution and one of the first to move here was John Jessup, whose homestead was occupied by his grandson Deacon John S. Jessup who but a few years ago full of honors for a life of integrity went over to the majority.
West Hampton.
There is no one village of this name at present, but it is the name of a station on the Long Island railroad and also is applied as a name to all that district generally between Quogue and Speonk.
Beaverdam.
A grist mill was built here on the mill stream as early as 1748. " Before the mill-dams were built on Beaverdam and Speonk rivers the old country road crossed these streams near their heads, and it is supposed, at the same places the Indians had their eross- ings. After the dams were built the roads were turned so as to eross them, At the old road, some distance north of the mill at Beaverdam, is the corner between the ' Upper Division ' and the ' Last Division ' in Quogue purchase. A line running from the. center of the dam to the bridge at Riverhead separates Quogne and Topping's purchases, and this dam is also the corner of the 'Speonk Division,' and ' Last Division ' in the latter." *
A Presbyterian church was erected here somewhat previous to 1758. Among the old monuments in the burying ground are the following :
" In memory of Stephen Jagger Esq., who died April 10 1796 in the 77th year of his age."
"In memory of Ephraim Halsey, who died August 20th 1764, aged 71 years."
" In memory of Cornelius Halsey, who died April 19, 1782, in the 61 year of his age."
* W. S. Pelletreau.
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THE SETTLERS.
The people of West Hampton have honored themselves in erecting a monument to the memory of the soldiers from that neighborhood whose lives were sacrificed in the slaveholders' rebellion. It is of brown stone, about sixteen feet high and has the following inscriptions :
" West Hampton's tribute to the patriotism and bravery of her sons who in the war for the preservation of the Union heroically fought and honorably fell."
"Capt. Franklin B. Hallock, Serg't Cyrus D. Tuthill, Corp. Hiram A. Wines, Reeves H. Havens, Timothy W. Robinson, Thomas M. Smith, Edward Stephens, James E. Griffing, Henry S. Raynor."
Speonk.
This village was settled about 1740 and the earliest settlers were Abraham Halsey (son of Thomas, son of Thomas the first of the name in Southampton), John and James Tuthill, Joseph Rogers, from Bridgehampton 1760, and the Phillips family, con- sisting of four brothers, William, Josiah, Joseph and Moses, from Brookhaven in 1757. The village has a Methodist church and school-house and the population in 1880 was 196.
Waterville.
The westernmost village on the south shore of the town is Waterville, formerly Seatuck. It has a population of about 200. engaged in farming and fishing.
Flanders.
This is a small settlement in the north-west section of the town near Riverhead. The first house was erected here about 1770 by Josiah Goodale. Families of Squires and Fanning came soon after. The population is 126.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHAMPTON.
CHAPTER X.
INDIANS - FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH THEM -- PURCHASE OF THEIR LANDS - LEASE OF SHINNECOCK AND THE HILLS - SALE OF SHINNECOCK HILLS.
AT the time of the settlement of Southampton, five tribes of Indians were living in its vicinity. The tract of land originally settled was purchased of the Shinnecocks, leaving part of their lands still in their possession. The remainder of their territory was afterward purchased, and the western boundary of the town then was on the borders of the Poosepatuck, or Poosapatuck and Patchogue tribes, and the northern on the borders of the Pea- conics. To the east roamed the Montauk, the royal tribe of the island whose chief, Wyandanch, a man of noble character, exer- cised supreme authority over the whole thirteen tribes who oceu- pied the island. The aggregate population of these tribes is now unknown, though collateral facts confirmed by tradition afford good evidence of its being very great.
The Montanks are said to have been the most numerous and powerful. Tradition has it, that in early times when drawn out in "Indian file" the warriors of the Shinnecock tribe extended from Shinnecock gate to the town - this being about two miles would give them at least 2,000 adult men - but 200 seems far more probable. Nowedanah, a brother of Wyandanch, was the chief of the Shinnecocks, as appears in the deed of sale of East Ilampton.
There is no reason to suppose the Indians on the east end dif- fered in character from those on the main - they were bold, hardy and warlike. Yet never once was there any armed collision or serious disturbance of the peaceful relations initiated at the settlement of the town. There were indeed, at times, ominous threats and rumors, but they all originated in the machinations of the natives on the main, or, there is some reason to believe, of the Dutch in New York. This friendly feeling was owing partly to
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THE INDIANS.
the fact of the fair and equitable treatment they universally re- ceived from the English ; and partly from the peculiar circum- stances of the natives themselves. The Montauks on the east, and the Shinnecocks on the west, had been harrassed by inen- sions of the Narragansetts of Rhode Island, and were glad to enter into a treaty with the English for mutual protection. It will be seen from the Indian deed of 1640, given in the appen- dix, that this stipulation was made with the whites as a part of the consideration in the sale of the land. This understanding between the Indians and the English went far to secure peace within their borders.
The amicable relations between the two races was seriously threatened in 1653, when the Narragansetts, perhaps allied with emissaries of the Dutch, endeavored to seduce the Indians on the east end of Long Island into a combination with them to extermi- nate all the white settlers. In this they were unsucessful, although the apprehensions of the English were greatly excited, and for some time unusual care was taken to guard against a sudden attack.
The Narragansetts of Rhode Island exercised a kind of feudal *
authority over the Indian tribes of the east end of Long Island, although these in former times were said by ancient Indians to have mustered over 5,000 warriors. This sovereignty, however, was probably fluctuating and dependent on the results of their not unfrequent contests in the field.
+ Another writer says of them : " The Indians upon L. I. were more fierce and barbarous, for one Capt. Howe about this time (1642 or 3) going with eight or ten men to a wigwam there to de- mand an Indian that had killed one Hammond an Englishman [of which the Southampton records are silent] the Indian ran vio- lently out with a knife in his hand, wherewith he wounded one of the company, thinking to escape from them, so as they were forced to kill him upon the place, which so awed the rest that they durst not attempt any revenge. If they had been always so handled, they would not have dared to have rebelled as they did afterwards." Mather also says the English were obliged to
* Gookin. Indian Tribes.
+ Hubbard. Gen. Ilist. of N. E.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHAMPTON.
arm themselves and be on the defense many days as the Indians were assembled (1649) in a " hostile posture."
Rev. Samson Oceum, who belonged to the tribe of Mohegans originally dwelling in the territory between Norwich and New London, gives some account of the manners and customs of the Indians on the east end of Long Island. He labored among the Montauks and Shinnecocks as teacher and preacher. His account substantially agrees with that of Lyon Gardiner, and adds in sub- stance the following items : Marriages were often contracted by parents for their children in infancy, with the understanding, however, that the latter could ratify or ignore the parental agree- ment upon ariving at the age of discretion. It was usual to eele- brate the marriage by a feast to which the friends of both parties were invited.
Children were named also at a similar gathering for a dance, and often a man changed the name so given and chose one for himself, especially to commemorate some great event in his life.
The great and good supreme being in the account of Oecum is called Cauhluntoowat, and the great evil god, Muteheshesunne- tooh, to both of whom sacrifices were offered.
The bodies of the dead were washed before burial and then decked with ornaments and the face often painted. Mourning was continued a year during which the women usually blackened their faces. The period of mourning was terminated with a dance. He says " they used to bury great many things with their dead, especially the things that belonged to the dead, and what they did not bury they would give away, and they would never live in a wigwam in which any person died, but will immediately pull it down."" Mr. Occum was the first Indian preacher ever in Great Britain. He was educated by Mr. Wheeleck, President of Dartmouth College, and was ordained by the Suffolk Presby- . tery.t He was the author of the hymn " Awaked by Sinai's awful sound."
He preached with acceptance in New York and Boston.
Mr. Prime, Hist. of L. I., says: "The conduct of the Long Island Indians towards the whites, is without a parallel in the
* Mass. Hist. Coll., 1 s. v. 10. t ldem. v. 9.
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THE INDIANS.
history of this country. It was to be expected that individual acts of aggresion would occur on the part of a barbarous people, for real or supposed injuries. But even these were rare ; and the Indians always showed themselves willing to submit to an impar- tial investigation, and just decision of alleged wrongs."
From records of particular courts at Hartford, Ct., Liber 2. p. 99, as published in Hist. Magazine, by Mr. Charles J. Hoadley, we take the following :
" A perticular Court [at Hartford] May 11th, 1657.
" Vpon examination of Wigwagnb, hee MAGISTRATES. confessed that hee was liyred to burne Jno Webster Esq Gournor Mr Wells Deputy Mr Cullick Mrs. Howell's house, by two Indians one Awabag, whoe pmised him one gun : and Mr Clarke Mr Tailcoat Agagoneagu who promised him 7s 5d and Mr. Ogden wth Mr Allin & Wm Wadsworth hee said Anwegenum did know hee was to burne the house two dayes before it was done-and that himselfe and the three Indians were together when he was hyred, but Anwegenum did not heere their discourse, but Anwa- bag told Anweganum of it afterward.
Vppon consideration of the motion made from or friends at Southampton for the prsence, countenance and assistance of 20 men from vs, and considering their sad distressed prsent state by reason of the insolent and insuffrable outrage of some heathen vpon that Iland and neare that plantation by fyering senerall dwelling houses to the vndoing of seuerall members of this Collony.
"This Court order that there shall be 20 men prssed forthwth to goe ouer to their assistance as the case may require together wth necessary prnision & Amunition weh are to bee taken out of the seurall Townes in the pportion following :
Hartford- " Windzor- - Wethersf-
Farmington-
These men to have 251b of powder & 501b of Bullets."
Midltown-
Sea Brooke - Pequett-
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HISTORY OF SOUTHAMPTON.
These troubles began in 1655, when Ninigrate, chief of the Narragansetts, undertook to reduce the Long Island Indians to submission. The latter were obliged to appeal to the English on the Island and the main for assistance.
The only other occurrence of this kind which happened in Southampton was the murder of Mrs. Thomas Halsey, in 1649, which caused some apprehension of a general insurrection against the English. A messenger was immediately sent to the magis- trates to summon Wyandanch to appear before them. "His counselors fearing that he would be summarily condemned to death by way of retaliation, advised him not to obey the sum- mons. Before he expressed his own opinion, he submitted the case to Mr. Gardiner, who happened to be lodging in his wigwam that same night. By his advice he set out immediately for Southampton, Mr. G. agreeing to remain as a hostage to the tribe, for the safety of their beloved chief. With amazing celerity, he not only accomplished the journey of twenty-five miles, but actually apprehended on his way, and delivered to the magistrates, the murderers of the woman ; who instead of being his own sub- jects, proved to be Pequot Indians from the main ; some of whom were generally lurking on the Island for the purpose of promot- ing disturbances between the natives and the new settlers. These men being sent to Hartford, were there tried, convicted, and ex- ecuted."
The only allusion to this murder found in the records is as follows :
"I the subscriber, namely, Thomas Halsey do witness that at the time of the trouble in this town of Southampton by reason of murther committed by the Indians ; at a great assembly of the Indians for the settling of matters in fine, I saw Mandush (who was a man reputed and acknowledged generally by all Indians for those parts to be the great Sachem's son of Shinnecock) cut up a turf of ground in Southampton and delivering it to Wyan- danch, gave up all his right and interest unto him. And he the said Mandush with many other of the chief of Shinnecock Indians, as ancient men did manifest their consent and that they were con- tented by their ordinary sign of stroking Wyandanch on the back
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THIE INDIANS.
and since that time the said Wyandanch hath acted upon the aforesaid interest given to him as by letting and disposing of lands at Quaquanantuck and elsewhere. And I never heard any deny Wyandanch his right and propriety in the premises until of late. And this I am ready to depose when thereunto called. Witness my hand the 19 day of September 1666."
"THOMAS HALSEY."
"I the subscriber namely Thomas Sayre do also witness all that is above testified by Thos Halsey except only the delivery of the turf and further that when Mandush gave up his right to Wyan- danch, and stroked him on the back, Mandush also told Wyan- danch that now he would be all one dog. And this I am ready to depose when I am thereunto called. Witness my hand this 19 day of September 1666."
"THOMAS SAYRE."
Confirmation of this relinquishment of the fee of the land similar perhaps to that under William the Norman, in England, that, according to the feudal system, the barons should hold their tenures of the King, is found in some documents which Weany, Sunk Squa (or the royal Squaw, or Squaw Regent, in court par- lance) the widow of Wyandanch unites in signing with the Shin- necocks.
As to their religions belief, it has been found impossible to as- certain any information from the living representatives of the Shinnecock tribe. But Lyon Gardiner, the chronicler of East Hampton, has left on record a statement in reference to the Mon- tanks, who, doubtless, differed in nothing in this respect from other Long Island tribes. As no man was better qualified than he, the worthy friend of the noble Wyandanch, we give his notes entire.
" They were, as I have before remarked, Polytheists. They had gods in great numbers ; many of lesser influence, having par- ticular charges, and two of exalted degree, the good and evil Deity, having a general superintendence and control, as well over all other gods as over men. There was a god of the four cor- 22
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HISTORY OF SOUTHAMPTON.
ners of the earth, and the four seasons of the year ; another of the productions of the earth ; another of the elements ; one of the day and night ; and a god of the hearth, the family and domestic relations. The great, good, and supreme Deity they called Caulkluntoowut, which signifies one possessed of supreme power. The great evil spirit was named Mutchesumetook, which signifies evil power. They worshipped and offered sacrifices to these gods at all times. They had small idols or images which they be- lieved knew the will of the gods and a regular Priesthood by whom these idols were consulted. The priests were called Powa- wows, or Powwas, and declared to the people what the gods re- quired of them. When dances and feasts should be made ; when presents should be given to the old people ; when sacrifices should be offered to the gods, and of what kind. These Pow- was pretended to hold intercourse with the gods in dreams, and with the evil spirits in particular, who appeared to them under different forms, and by voices in the air. These were the Medi- cine-men. They administered to the sick ; relieved those afflicted with evil spirits and poison, and incantations and charms, pro- tected the people from all harm. Subject to the Powwas' influ- ence, neither fire could burn them nor water drown them; nor could they receive any injury whatever. The most savory sacri- fice made to the great Deity was the tail or fin of the whale, which they roasted. The leviathan, from which it was taken, was at times found cast upon the sea-shore, and then a great and prolonged Powow or Religious Festival was held. At these fes- tivals great efforts were supposed to be necessary to keep the Evil One without the circle of their incantations. His presence, it was believed, would defeat the object of the Powwas in the procurement of the favor and particular regard of the good deity. Violent gesticulations, lond yells, and laborious move- ments of the limbs and body, with distortion of the features, were continued until the excitement produced approached to madness. When the Evil Spirit was supposed to be subjugated, the dance and the feast commenced. It is among the Indian tra- ditions, that the existence of the Evil Spirit was evidenced by his having, when driven from the feast, left the imprint of his foot upon a granite rock on Montauk, and made three holes in
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