"Moving Pictures for Thanksgiving."

The Expositor | November 1918

"The history of a typical American village from the coming of the Puritans to the Civil War. (Illustrated by Pathe Moving Pictures of the historical pageant given at Southampton, L. I., last summer in commemoration of the 275th anniversary of the founding of the town. The ancestors of the minister of this church were among these immigrants.)

275th Anniversary of Southampton | 1915

 

"the place for their descendants to possess both freedom of body and mind--Long Island."

Brooklyn Daily Eagle | 14 March 1915

"Baccalaureate sermon will be preached by Rev. Jesse Halsey"

8 June 1915 | Brooklyn Daily Eagle

W.W. Bishop and Alma Jagger Married

Brooklyn Eagle 26 June 1915

"Practical Christianity is being preached, taught, and lived."

1915

The church gives its own movie shows, censored by the mothers of the church. 

Dances are held in the church gymnasium. Mothers and fathers attempt old-fashioned quadrilles and polkas while the youngsters dance the hesitation.

There is a billiard table in the boys' clubroom. The boys also play basketball and center ball. 

Mothers sew at the church and have noonday luncheon together. The older wives help and counsel younger wives.

The men meet in the evenings and discuss everything under the sun.


The Jesse Halsey Manuscript Collection. Special Collections, Princeton Theological Seminary Library.

An Olde Arm-Chair

The Messenger | Mother's Day 1915

Labrador: New Years 1915

Celebration of the Two Hundred and Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the Founding of the Town of Southampton, N. Y.

June 12, 1915

Celebration of the Two Hundred and Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the Founding of the Town of Southampton, N. Y.

INTRODUCTION 

The Pageant, as it was worked out, surpassed even the fondest dreams of its originators. The beautiful day made the setting at the head of Lake Agawam perfect. Every seat on the grand stand was filled, the parking spaces were crowded, and the rest of the people filled Pond Lane and lined the shores of the lake for a long distance. If the Pageant Committee had needed inspiration, the enthusiastic audience would certainly have furnished it. As one scene succeeded another in perfect rhythm, we could not believe that these people were the men, women, and children who had given their time from their daily work or play to make this a success. The community spirit developed was wonderful! Each part was taken with conviction, one might almost say reverence, and joy. Nothing that the people of Southampton ever did yielded such large returns. From the beautiful Dance of the Woods and Waters in the Prologue to the inspiring vision of Southampton's future citizens — one hundred tiny children — marching to greet the Spirit of old Southampton and vowing allegiance to the tradition of her noble past, every part was performed with zeal and grace. One of the most striking features was the old-time Whale Rally — a thing that can never be duplicated because it was given by men, every one of whom had followed the sea in years gone by. The historical scenes were carefully reproduced, the Interludes were happily planned to give a lightness and freedom to the pro- gram that left nothing to be desired. As all joined in singing "America" at the close, there was not one in all the six thousand witnesses but felt his spirit lifted and dedicated to a larger civic service and a deeper consciousness of our "goodly heritage." --Abigail Fithian Halsey

Historic newspaper and scrapbook images courtesy Lizbeth Halsey White Files, Southampton Historical Museum Archives and Research Center.

"go forward toward that larger, freer, nobler, happier Southampton that is to be.”

“And so, upon this holiday, Southampton, to you and to the future I commit this charge. Be loyal to the ideals of your past as you go forward toward that larger, freer, nobler, happier Southampton that is to be.”

SINGING OF “AMERICA”

Note on THE PARADE from Lizbeth Halsey White

The parade which succeeded the pageant was, without exception, the most brilliant spectacle Southampton has ever witnessed.  Immediately after the singing of "America," in which the several thousand present had so heartily joined, the marshal and his aides on horseback led the way from the park to Monument Square, where the parade was formed.  These, closely followed by the band, led the line of march, with the veterans and the boys in blue of the Civil War episode coming after. Then came the pageant characters, each in their respective groups, marching two and two, led by the Herald and the Spirit of Southampton, two most impressive figures, each representing so perfectly the parts represented. Following the pageant characters came the fire department, with decorated automobiles bringing up the rear.   

It was estimated that at least 10,000 people visited Southampton that day. Almost as many were turned away from the grounds as could be admitted, and these were lined up along the street to view the parade. The line of march continued from Monument Square through Job's lane and Main street, down Bridgehampton road and Elm street to the railroad station, from thence back by Main street to disband at Monument Square. Crowds were assembled all along the line, especially on Job's lane and Main street, and cheered most enthusiastically as each group appeared. From the wood nymphs in the lead to the hundred children representing the future of America in the final episode, it was difficult to decide which group received most attention. The Puritans and Indians were ever popular figures, while the sailor boys and the wedding party seemed to be especial favorites. The veterans and the boys in blue won loud applause, while the boys of Southampton's efficient fire department, never in better form than on this occasion, received their full share of approval.   

It was, indeed, a beautiful spectacle. The rich colors of the pageant costumes in the fading light of a perfect June day, made an impression which can never be forgotten by the many who witnessed it — a day in which a splendid community spirit, assisted by all which nature can offer at this season of the year, had combined to make a complete success far beyond the hopes of its promoters. Just a word as to the author of the pageant, Miss Abigail Fithian Halsey.  

A student of history and a native of old Southampton, for her its local history had always peculiar charm. The idea of the pageant as the most appropriate way of celebrating the 275th anniversary had been in her mind for a long time. When her plan was proposed to the committee in charge of the event, it seemed so much more of an under-taking than could be carried to ultimate success, that it was thought quite impracticable; but Miss Halsey’s conviction and enthusiasm won such confidence that exactly one month before the time for the celebration it was decided to follow the plan proposed, which was done almost to the letter.  The committee was most fortunate in securing the co-operation of Mr. Robert K. Atkinson, of the Sage Foundation in Sag Harbor, who, as pageant master, carried out so sympathetically and to such successful conclusion the event which gave color to a day of celebration which will be long remembered by all who had participated in it.   L. H. W. 

Lizbeth Halsey White | June 12, 1915 | Celebration of the Two Hundred and Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the Founding of the Town of Southampton, N. Y.

Lizbeth H. White

Lizbeth Halsey White

Lizbeth H. White

Memorial written by and read by Robert Keene at the Annual Meeting of the Southampton Colonial Society, 17 May 1985

Lizbeth White, born Lizbeth [May] Halsey, and the sister of Abigail Halsey and the Rev. Jesse Halsey, has become one of my heroines.

Lizbeth White was the Southampton Town Historian during the 1920s. She succeeded the first Town Historian, William S. Pelletreau, the man who restored and put in order and had reprinted the early Town Records. It is the work that Lizbeth White did as Town Historian that has made me so familiar with her. It was her accomplishments and foresights, along with her remarkable grasp and concept of local history, that has endeared her to me, three Town Historians and some 50 years later.

Lizbeth White as the founding Regent of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and it was Lizbeth White who was instrumental in brining to the attention of the Town Board in 1928 the design of the Town Flag, as presented by the Daughters of the American Revolution. It was her small typewritten note that I found in the Dunwell papers that led to the adoption, in 1982, of the first Southampton Town Flag.

And it was Lizbeth White who revealed that the first woman to step ashore at what was later to be called Conscience Point was Eleanor, the wife of the leader of the first settlers, Edward Howell. And she was the first to identify that small boy in the boat who was Arthur, Eleanor and Edward Howell’s 8-year-old son.

Lizbeth White lived in what is now known as The Post House, and raised her family there. When The Post House, which is being renovated and restored at the present time, reopens as an inn a room will be named for Lizbeth White. It was while reading an old article by her that I found reference to the Old Post House. She mentioned that when some chimney work was being done in the 1920s some bricks were found that had 1684 scratched on them. Later the Museum acquired one of those bricks and at the present time it is on loan to The Post House, where it can be seen.

In 1915, Southampton celebrated its 275^th anniversary, and at that time the Sea-Side Times published a piece by Lizbeth White. It was in that piece that Lizbeth White proved to me that she had the understanding and inspiration that, over 35 years later, resulted in the founding of the Southampton Historical Museum. The following is what Lizbeth White wrote back in 1915. It was a most remarkable inside into what someday was going to take place.

I quote Lizbeth White, from a Sea-Side Times of 1915: “And now permit me to urge upon you the importance of guarding with greater care the vouchers of your noble descent, the memorials of your venerable history.

“Many of our town’s most precious memorials have vanished forever. Our fathers were too busy planting and colonizing, to think much about leaving behind them personal souvenirs. We have few of their household materials which ministered to the narrow comforts of their life.

“The golden opportunities for constructing the infant history of our colony have for the most part passed away. Those which remain ought to be seized with the greatest avidity. Shall I give you an outline of what ought to be in this fine Old Town? First then, I would like to see the fairest lot of land to be found between Long Springs and the beach devoted to a memorial use. Spare an acre or two from your generous farms, upon it to be erected a modest but dignified structure of stone, or brick, fireproof, which shall contain primarily a library. Then into this repository let every native and every citizen take a pride in gathering whatever shall preserve the memory of the past or throw light upon its life. The place and time to begin are here and now.

“Begin with today and work backward as fast and as far as possible,” she wrote, continuing: “Gradually the past will be restored, the lost will be found. Long hidden treasures will leap from their hiding places and find their companions and congenial associations. How much of value has been thrown away for want of a place to keep it. The spaced upon your shelves or in your cases will appeal powerfully to generous possessions. In the long run things tend to go where they are greatly wanted and where they ought to be.

“The Colonial Society, established in 1898, has held on two occasions, a loan exhibition where a rare and beautiful collection of articles and relics of earlier days were brought together and exhibited. These exhibitions have proved our locality rich in treasures of the past and the Society has long looked forward to making permanent an exhibit of the kind of thing which historical societies everywhere are doing, with a background of incidents far less picturesque than that Southampton possesses.”

Lizbeth White also made the following statement during her talk at the convention of New York Historians, held in Southampton, on October 6^th, 1932, two weeks before she passed away, and I quote, “We bow in grateful tribute today to these representatives both of the old and the new who have sought so successfully to pass on to the future the best of all that has preceded.”

I wonder what Lizbeth White would say today if she could see how Southampton has preserved its heritage, and continues to honor its past, and has created this truly magnificent museum complex which has become a fitting memorial for all that Lizbeth White ever dreamed of. And furthermore, it is a tribute to Lizbeth White, the first woman historian of the Town and the meticulous recorder of our history and our heritage.

I sincerely believe it would be in order at this time to entertain a motion from the membership to the effect that the contents of this building, The Captain Rogers Homestead, be known in the future as the Lizbeth White Memorial, and that an appropriate bronze plague be created and mounted in the building so indicating that designation.

"The first week in August the Starlings suddenly disappeared entirely"

Helen Isham Halsey | September 5, 1915 | Southampton, Long Island

Sept. 5 The first week in August the Starlings suddenly disappeared entirely and not one have I seen since.

“Early in springtime, on raw and wintry mornings,

Beneath the freezing house-eaves I heard the starlings sing—

‘Ah dreary March month, is this then a time for building wearily?

Sad, sad, to think that the year is but begun!

Late in the autumn, on still and cloudless evenings,

Among the golden reed-beds I heard the starlings sing—

‘Ah that sweet March month, when we and our mates were courting merrily;

Sad, sad, to think that the year is all but done.”

(“The Starlings” by Charles Kingsley)

Sept. 5. The Gold Finch and their young birds are very much in evidence these days. They are such pretty little things—their sweet flight song fills the air che-cher-cher— the [second note] accented strongly—like this “Put SEED into it, put SEED into it.” Flying in dips. They like the stalks along the road where they find so full of seeds— The tree swallows seem to make early preparations for southern travel and congregate on the trees by our little pond and along the fences by the thousands to hold some sort of silent communion about it for they make little noise as they cavort in the air in circles.