Written by the Late Mrs. Edward P. White on the Day of Her Death, Tuesday, October 25, 1932
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| L. Emory Terry, Lizbeth Halsey White, Col. Walter Barnes |
With the removal of the signs which for several weeks have
given to the village a suggestion of environment, which is her historic right,
we engage our minds to reflect upon what this week of history has left to us
which will remain and be of permanent value to the future?
The sign committees of the different villages are to be
highly commended for interpreting so successfully the historic places along the
route of the tour, which our visitors and many of our own residents found so
interesting. Each village erected its own signs so that each was quite
individual in design.
Southampton was fortunate in having a committee for its signs
the enthusiasm of which knew no
bounds. W.D. Van Brunt, chairman, has had long familiarity with activities of
this kind, ever since, as village president, he gave careful attention to the
placing of signs designating the streets and compiling the Village Book in
which among other valuable information we find a list of historic events which
have occurred in Southampton from the beginning of her history in 1640 until
1908, when that book was compiled. One of our D.A.R. members has referred to
this book as Mr. Van Brunt’s bible,” and the many to whom it has become most
useful believe it has been well named.
As well as an historic, the sign had also an artistic value
which was much appreciated. The weatherworn shingles provided by Dick Foster
and Cortland Smith, shaped and touched by the magic brushes of Eli H. Fordham,
were appropriate reminders of those early houses, gray with the ocean salt and
damp of two hundred years and more. Abigail F. Halsey and Dr. David H. Hallock
also made the contributions to the work. Since the signs are stored away until
another historic occasion shall call them forth, it is not out of place
remember that of all the committees which contributed so much to make the
Historical Conference an outstanding success, none gave greater enthusiasm to
the work than those who marked the historical places, of which Southampton had
38.
The Water Mill committee also did excellent work for their
markings were so legible that they could be read with much more rapid driving
than the 25 miles made on the Historic Tour. Would it not be interesting indeed
if 1644 could be made permanent on the old watermill—our oldest landmark on
Eastern Long Island? When the windmill on the green is restored by the
community committee, surely the date of the building—1800—will be placed
conspicuously thereon.
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| Southampton Press, October 6, 1932 |
In speaking of markers we desire to most appreciatively
commend to the attention given by the Village Board to the renewing and
replacing of the street signs, several of which were much in need of repair,
while a few had disappeared altogether for all of the substantial appropriation
made in the village budget for this purpose each year.
For instance, in view of the coming to Southampton of the
State Historical Conference this Fall, and the incentive to refurbish our
historical housekeeping, it was discovered late in the Summer that very
substantial signs declaring the s sites at Old Town of the earliest settlement
(1640) and that of the earliest church building (1644) had but lately fallen
down.
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| Old Post House |
These had been erected during the early days of the
Southampton Village Improvement Association (1885) and so substantially made
that they had withstood the element for more than 40 years. In view of the
coming of a conference of historically-minded people it was, indeed, a calamity
to discover that these very important signs had disappeared and their renewal
must wait for next year’s budget.
The village officials, however, were more than equal to the
occasion when the matter was brought to their attention and voted the needed
funds wherewith to replace these and also others which needed repair. The committee
on street signs, Elmer W. Van Brunt, for the village, gave much time and
untiring effort to the replacement of the signs and in erecting them. This
could not have been done without the assistance of C. Wesley Baily, whose
interest and persistent overtime effort saw the painting finished in time for
the coming of the visitors on October 6th.
Especial appreciation is hereby given for the guide post on
which “Southampton—founded 1640” may be read by all who pass on the Montauk
Highway at either entrance to the village.
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| The Hollyhocks | built 1662 | home of Thomas Halsey |
Since the erection of this most valuable reminder of our
historic beginnings, we can but wonder why we have not used it before, for 1640
is the proud inheritance of every one who has a living interest in Southampton.
There are other markers, too, which if rightly placed would
help to make Southampton as interesting as the date of her birth. 1640 is an
altitude to attain unto and so many of our oldest landmarks have disappeared.
We should be eternally grateful to those of our Summer colony who have
appreciated many of our old houses enough to restore them, thus preserving to
the village these landmarks which speak of her history and mark the contrast
between the old and the new, all of which helps to make the village more
attractive.
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| Sign marking site of British Fort during Revolutionary War |
We have in times past thought we had no Revolutionary
history worthy of preservation, because Long Island was under British supremacy
until after the close of the war. We have awakened to realize that the history of
Long Island during the Revolution is unique, that to live if one must, under
British supremacy was heroic and that he story of the Refugees who fled to the
patriot soil of Connecticut is one of the most thrilling of the Revolutionary
War. The old Fort cast up by the British on the hill back of the colored church
was removed only two years ago to make way for a new street which will open up
for settlement many choice building sites in a newer Southampton. The fort is gone,
but historic sentiment can still make attractive the site with the placing of a
marker to the memory of those who, though their husbands and brothers were away
in the lines—they managed to live in peace under very trying circumstances
until the return of their protectors; or, we may erect most worthily if we
will, a marker in memory of the British General, Wm. Erskine, who declared from
the first of his coming that he and his solders had not come to make war on
defenseless women and children, and who, during his stay on Eastern Long Island,
became so impressed with the justice of the patriot cause that he resigned his
commission and returned to England before the war was over.
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| Herrick House, North Main Street |
The William Smith Pelletreau house which stood in North Main
Street, where General Erskine made his headquarters during the occupation, has
disappeared but the Herrick house, across the street, is standing with its huge
fireplace unchanged since the days when General Erskine and his officers had
their mess from over its blazing logs.
This house was built in 1760 by David Howell, who went as a
refugee to Connecticut, during the Revolution and so far as is known, did not
return. It has been well cared for by several generations of the Herrick
family. During the historical Conference, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Herrick were
good enough to open their home on two occasions and nearly a hundred visitors
enjoyed their hospitality—with its many reminders of Revolutionary history.
Let us not wait o long before we erect on the triangle near,
a marker to the Revolutionary era in Southampton.
The Charles B. Foster collection at Littleworth is receiving
more frequent visits as it becomes better known. Here are preserved the homely
implements of the early housekeeping and farms which so many have given to the
bonfire. The exhibit contains also a very complete collection of guns,
especially of Winchesters and implements of the whale fishery. The collection
is an interesting and valuable one and Mr. Foster is most generous in his
invitation to open it to any who so desire.
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| Southampton Press, June 1931 |
In 1910, the Society incorporated and purchases from Charles
Reeves at North Sea the peninsula of upland and meadow known as Conscience
Point, and the right-of-way there. The society placed there a boulder in honor
of the landing there of the colonists, who in June, 1640, settled Southampton.
With the increase of traffic and building it became
necessary to visibly define the boundary line of the right-of-way and a board
fence has been completed by placing near the main highway an entrance which is
ornamental and appropriate and altogether a great improvement. The entrance is
of Colonial design—the drawing for which was the contribution of William I. La
Fon, Jr.
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| First Presbyterian Church of Southampton |
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| Southampton Press, October 6, 1932 |
* * *
In as many as half a hundred homes each quarter of the
coming year will come the State Association Quarterly—New York History—to those
who during the past few months have become members of this Association. In this
will be found interesting account of the recent Conference; the papers read and
there will be enjoyed even more when read for oneself, and many items of
current historical interest appear which are most enlightening. A membership in
the Association places New York History in the home of the subscriber and this
is more than worth the $3.00 which is the annual membership dues.
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| First National Bank of Southampton c 1939 |
Surely there are still those who in attending the meetings
have gained a more definite knowledge of the important activities of the New
York State Historical Association and would like to give their endorsements.
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| Lizbeth May Halsey White & Edward Pearson White c1929 | 34 Post Crossing |
Credentials for membership are an interest in the history of
New York State and the signature of one who is already a member. A call the
Library and your subscription can be arranged. L.E. Terry at the Southampton
Bank or Mrs. Edward P. White, 34 Post Crossing, will be glad to arrange it for
you and forward your membership to Frederick B. Richards, secretary, Glens
Falls, N.Y.
October 25, 1932
LIZBETH H. WHITE
Historic newspaper and scrapbook images courtesy Lizbeth Halsey White Files, Southampton Historical Museum Archives and Research Center.
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