Camp at Whalebone

Property owned by Jesse Halsey, Abigail Fithian Halsey, Lizbeth Halsey White at Whalebone Landing in 1903

Dec 1837 Jesse Halsey and wife Mary [Budd] give 2 acres at Whalebone to CH Halsey (b. 1830) 

The acreage is bordered by: N, Stephen Harris; E&S, David H. Rose (2 acres) [wife Mary Halsey is CHH’s sister]; W, Ed. W. Halsey [Jesse and Henry’s brother]. Charles's father, Henry Halsey, purchased 4 acres from his brother Edward W. Halsey's son (Ed. J Halsey) and this portion of approximately 6 acres was split between Lizbeth Halsey White and Abigail Fithian White.

In 1882, Elizabeth [Aunt Libby Halsey] Fowler gave her 6 acres to CHH (her three sons went to sea and never returned, Charles was her favorite nephew), and in 1903, CHH left the remaining 5 of those acres to Jesse Halsey. Nearby property is owned by the descendents of many of Henry Halsey's siblings, among others: E&S Wilmun Halsey (CHH's brother) heirs (Aunt Gus); Wm. S. Halsey; David Rose (wife, Mary was CHH's sister); W.S. Foster; J. Herrick; John J. Morgan; Theo. A. Halsey (related via Eliza Halsey, wife of Henry Halsey and daughter of Barzillai Halsey); Gladys Beckwith, and Elaine Beecham (Harris heirs).

Edward Post White | Obituary

Funeral Rites Sunday For Edward P. White"

Southampton Press | Friday, September 9, 1938

Edward & Lizbeth White c1926

The death of Edward Post White on Friday, September 2, 1938, came as a shock to his many friend. Mr. White had been in ill health since March, but of late had been much better. He was born July 15^th, 1865, the only son of Captain Hubert A. and Sarah Post White. Both his father’s and mother’s families have been active in the affairs of Southampton since the days of its early settlement. His uncle, Albert J. Post, was the first president of Southampton Village. The Old Post House was his birthplace and the home of his mother’s family for several generations. Sebonac, now the home of C.H. MacDonald, was his father’s family home.

Mr. White was educated in Friends’ Academy, Locust Valley, and Mohegan Lake Military School. He has severed his town in many capacities, as assistant postmaster for twelve years, later as tax collector, town clerk and finally as, justice of the peace. In all these offices his quiet and genial personality and his just decisions have won him the respect and cooperation of his fellow citizens. But it was in his own home that Edward White was at his best, a devoted son, a loving husband, and helpful father, always more interested in his children’s pleasures or successes than in his own. December 24^th, 1892, he married Lizbeth Halsey, whose family, like his goes back to the founders of Southampton. Together they worked to preserve its history. White town clerk, Mr. White worked with the late harry Sleight of Sag Harbor, in compiling the seventh and eighth volumes of the Town Records, 1883-1927. Mrs. White compiled the World Records while she was town historian. Her death occurred in 1932.

Their children, all of whom are married, are Captain Edward White, Jr., who is with the Bureau of Marine Investigation and Inspection, Washington, D.C., and was in London at the time of his father’s death; also Mrs. Gerald T. Adams of Westhampton Beach, and Harry Halsey White, who lives in the home on Post Crossing. There are five grandchildren, Edward and Helena White, Jean and Gerald Adams, and Harry Halsey White, Jr.

The funeral services were held in his home on Sunday afternoon at five o’clock, The Rev. James N. Armstrong of the Presbyterian Church conducted them. The Rev. John E. Zeiter of the Methodist Church spoke as a friend and neighbor. Edwin O. Swain sang “Abide with Me.” Rev. Jesse Halsey, brother of Mrs. White, offered the prayer at the grave and closed the service.

"An Old Southampton House in New York"

Friday, May 20, 1938 | Southampton Press

No. 90 Grove Street and No. 88 Grove Street, N.Y.C.

Among the many houses and gardens exhibited for the benefit of Greenwich House in New York last week was that of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Phelps Stokes, 88 Grove Street. The house was built in 1827 by three Halsey Brothers of Water Mill, Henry, Jesse and Edward. Later Jesse and Edward went to sea and became captains. In 1833, Henry, with his wife and infant son, Charles Henry, moved to Southampton and built the house on North Main Street owned by Rev. Jesse Halsey. The brothers, when they retired from the sea, also built in Southampton, Capt. Jesse, the house now owned by Dr. D.H. Hallock and Capt. Edward the house on Hill Street owned by Mrs. George Burling.

In the older house in New York are details that are repeated in the Southampton houses. It was built at the time when Greenwich Village (The Green Village) was made a part of the City of New York. The streets are irregular here and depart from the rectangular plan of the city . . .  A.F.H. 

 Sheridan Square, N.Y.C., 88 Grove Street Center

[Abigail Fithian Halsey] 

Images courtesy Abigail Fithian Halsey Files | Southampton Historical Museum Archives and Research Center 

Letter from Abigail Fithian Halsey re: 88 Grove Street

34 Post Crossing

Southampton, L.I.

December 17, 1936

My dear Mr. Stokes,

This is a letter I have intended to write a long time giving you some information about your house which was built by my grandfather Henry Halsey and his brothers Jesse and Edward in 1827.

Their father had died and their mother Phoebe, unable to give her boys a college education, although she owned much land here, took them to New York and apprenticed them to a master mason. They built 88 Grove Street for themselves, buying Lot No. 52 from Thomas R. Mercein at the time, I think when Greenwich Village was taken into the city. Henry brought his bride there, and his mother, brothers and two sisters lived on one floor, he and his wife on the other. My father, Charles Henry Halsey was born there in 1830. In ’33 the two younger brothers went to sea, became whaling captains, the others came home to Southampton where Henry built the house my brother, Rev. Jesse Halsey of Cincinnati, still owns.

It may interest you to know that the cornice in the old house in Southampton is the same as in yours. I know because one day long ago as I passed, I plucked up my courage and called to tell you all this. Neither you nor Mrs. Stokes were home, but your faithful Anna gave me a glimpse of the lovely interior of these old rooms.

It is in gratitude for your preservation of that which is beautiful and precious to us that I write at this Christmas season to wish you Joy in the old house.

Very sincerely,

Abigail Fithian Halsey