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).

A Bit of Local History Written by the Late W.S. Pelletreau

Record of the Ownership of the Triangle between Main Street and North Sea Road Southampton Press

The recent burning of the Dawson dwelling and barns recalls an article written by our esteemed historian, the late William S. Pelletreau

--> [1840-1918], and published in the PRESS in May, 1917. The article has much value and interest to all living in that section of the village and is reprinted by request.

In old times, long before the Revolution, the entire triangle between the Main street and the North Sea road was owned by Abner Howell. He was the son of Col. Josiah Howell, and was a man of importance in his day and time. A small, brown tombstone tells us that Mr. Abner Howell died Sept. 16, 1775 in the 76^th year of his age. About 1750 he gave his son, Phineas Howell, the lot where John Cavanagh now lives, and he built a house upon it which was standing in our boyhood days. At the same time there was another house exactly like it and this was owned by Mr. Peter Fournier and was where the Commercial House now stands. They were not only exactly alike in other respects but there was a peculiar style to the chimneys which attracted our attention. Both of these houses were torn down about 1849. Abner Howell seems to have divided the entire triangle between his two sons, Phineas and David, and Phineas had the north part and David Howell had the south portion. In 1788 Phineas Howell sold east part to Annanias Halsey and went to what was the “Western Country” and settled in the town of Tully, in what is now Onondaga County, New York, and he died there at a very advanced age. Annanias Halsey was the father of a family that had been prominent in Southampton. His son, Uriah Halsey, lived on the place now owned by Mrs. Wilmun Halsey and had two daughters. One married John Sherry of Sag Harbor and the other married Capt. Crowell of the same place.

Another son of Annanias was Eli P. Halsey, who was the father Edwin P. Halsey, who lived in the old house, next north of Herrick’s store.

Another daughter married Col. Samuel hunting, whose wealth has been of benefit to many families. Another daughter, Mary (or Polly, as she was generally called) married Mr. Daniel Fordham, whose descendants are numerous and well known. Another daughter, Susan (commonly known in our boyhood days as Aunt Susan Halsey) lived and died unmarried in a little old house that stood just north of Capt. Daniel Jagger’s house, now Mr. Donnelly’s. After her death the house was sold by Capt. Jagger to David Terry, who moved it to Tuckahoe where it still remains.

The part of the lot sold to Annanias Halsey was in later years sold to Capt. Harry Halsey, who is well remembered. The part where the little house stood is now owned by Miss Abigail Halsey, and the homestead by the Rev. Jesse Halsey. The old house and lot of Phineas Howell was sold by him to Ebenezr Jagger in 1772. He had a tan yard on the premises, and was the great-grandfather of Mr. Hubert Jagger. In later years the house and lot belonged to Mr. Aja Halsey, who tore down the old house and built a new one and which, after passing through several hands now belongs to John Cavanagh.

We may add that Abner Howell did not live on that tract. His home lot, which was that of his father’s before him, was where Mr. Livingston Bowden now lives. He was the village blacksmith and the relics of his shop were plainly visible some years ago, when the road was ploughed up on Bowden Square.

The south part of the triangle was given by Abner Howell to his son, David Howell, who built a house upon it about 1750. In 1770, the main street of Southampton was surveyed from the beach to the road at Long Springs and David Howell’s house is there mentioned. Like most houses of that time it was built on the line of the street. The present door yard has been taken in from the highway but no one is any the worse for it. David Howell was a silversmith and learned his trade from Capt. Elias Pelletreau. We have seen spoons made by him and stamped with his name. On May 10^th, 1782, David Howell sold his house and lot to Col. Josiah Smith of Moriches for £400, or $2,00. As the lot included what is now Mr. Donnelly’s property, it is worth as much today. What became of David Howell we do not know but he may have gone West like his brother. Colonel Josiah Smith bought this place for his daughter Hannah, who married Elias Pelletreau, and they lived there many years keeping a store, which did a large business for those days. Flax was a staple article and was raised in large quantities and taken in trade but times have changed and there has not been an ounce of flax raised in Southampton for nearly 100 years. We may as well mention that another article of extensive sales was West India rum. In the latter part of his life Elias Pelletreau purchased a large farm at the south end of the village, with a house still standing and well known as the Hollyhocks.

After the death of Elias Pelletreau, the David Howell, house and lot was sold to Benjamin Howell and after passing through one or two hands it came into possession of Capt. Austin Herrick and is now owned by his descendents who are well known to us all. The house which still remains, was built originally after the standard style of those times, with a long sloping roof on one side, but at some later period it was changed, and by making gambrel roof with dormer windows, it was made practically a two-story house. In old times, when land was cheap, houses were built large on the ground, the upper part was a necessary evil, and it was not necessary to put one house on another. It has stood the storms of more than 160 years and will outlast many of the flashy houses of the present time.

The person who sees Mr. Dawson’s place would hardly believe that it is a hundred years old. So much has been added that it looks like a new house, but the original house has passed its 100^th mark long years ago, and hereby hangs a tale.

In the early part of the last century, the farm at the north end, now owned by Mr. James E. Foster, was the homestead of John Bishop and his wife Jerusha, both models of short-sighted penuriousness. The story goes, and we have heard it repeated by those who evidently believed it, that they were left this farm and much other land, with the condition that they were to support two maiden sisters until their death or marriage. They seem to have been well convinced that the former would happen first and they might have to wait a long time for that, and they worried about certain sharp individuals, and there were sharp people even in those virtuous days, and they were Squire William Herrick, Rufus Sayre, and Joel Jacobs, made them the offer to take the girls off their hands and support them until they were dead or married, in exchange for their farm and some other lands, among which we believe was a lot at Halsey’s neck, now owned by Edward. H. Foster, Esq. They accepted the offer and congratulated themselves on their grand stroke of luck. One of the characters in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” says, “Gals is mighty on certain things. If you think they have gone one way they are sure to be gone the other.” With that perversity, so peculiar to the female sex, these girls, who were expected never to marry, were both married within a year. The Bishops then repented in sackcloth and ashes, that they had parted with their land so easily. The house on the farm was sold to Paul Sayre, the grandfather of our well-known townsman, Mr. Rufus Sayre, and he moved it to its present site where he purchased a small piece of land of the proprietors. This is the 100^th anniversary of its moving and it is certain that it was of some age at the time. Here Paul Sayre lived and died, and his daughter, Miss Nancy Sayre, with a sister lived there within our recollection.

As for the Bishops’ story we hardly know what to say. There are some things which make us doubt it, but as the Italian saying is, “If it is not true, it is well made up.”

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

List of Southampton Folks Influential to Jesse

from the folder marked "HALSEY AUTOBIOGRAPHY Carbons," this half page of notes reads:

Ed Foster – Natural Prayer

Miss Mallory – Cheating Boy

Frank Corwith – Fold Paper

Pop Johnson – Black Shoes

Madison - Boy like that.

Jen Baird- Ella Bennett

Father and 46 Psalm

Dr. Campbell – Leave it there

Wilson – Any other way

Edgar Hildreth

M Jagger-

Lil Halsey

Chas Foster – Pro Bono Publico

Encouragement – M. Jagger

Chas A. Jagger

Wm H Pierson

M. A Herrick – Thank God; best part of Education

Warren Hildreth – Don’t you think you ought to?

Honesty. Encouragement –

Abigail and Book – Poetry

By the Cherry Tree Fire | Abigail Fithian Halsey

When the good old russet apple tree
Beside the garden gate

Had gone the way of all the earth

And met its kindly fate,

We chopped it down and sawed the trunk

And piled a mighty pyre

That kept the good old airtight hot

For many a winter fire,

And planted in its place a tree

That Mother, nothing daunted,

Had wished to see beside that gate,

The one she’d always wanted,

An Ox-heart cherry tree at last.

It blossomed white in May,—

But June time came, and Mother went

Along her shining way,

Year after year her cherry tree

Spread boughs above the gate,

Where little ones she never knew

Played early here and late,—

Young Charles & Freck & Little Bill

And John and Ab and Honey

And Luz and Nan and Little Sam

And Bob and Jane and Sonny.

One Day came Daddy with cement

And said, just speaking slow,

“We’ll lean a mark for years ahead

To see how much we grow.”

There underneath the cherry tree

Their hands laid imprints down,

While honey bees and holly hocks

All gaily “went to town.”

September came and back to school

The merry children went.

The hurricane blew down the tree,

But left the old cement.

Today I find the imprints still

Of Ab and Sam and Honey,

Of Charles & Freck & Little Bill

Of Nancy, Luz and Sonny.

Tonight I sit beside the fire

And watch in glowing ember

The cherry tree of other years

Bring back a “long remember.”

Tonight where are the little hands?

In other worlds, in other lands.

Oh Mother, on your shining way

Forgive our tears,

Forgive our fears.

In this new day

Oh, may we know

What you have learned so long ago,—

That love alone like little hands

Leaves imprints on the years.

A.F.H.

October 16, 1943

MEMORIALS OF THE NORTH END: Part Three

by Lizbeth Halsey White | circa 1932

Some years after this, a certain young man living in the South End was so attracted to this same gambrel-roofed house that he desired it for his home in case he could persuade a certain young woman living at Long Springs to share it with him. She was cool to his suit and he sailed away on a whaling voyage with his dream unrealized no news was heard of him, nor of the ship, for many a long day.

The vessel was wrecked on the shores of Brazil and twelve sailors made their way, as best they could, through the tangled forests to Rio de Janeiro. It took them a month to reach it—torn and bedraggled. They told their story to the captain of a small vessel sailing for New Bedford. He could take only a part of their number. So they drew lots, and the young man of our story was not one of the fortunate. When the ship sailed, however, it carried one more than the lot had selected and the stowaway was not discovered until the ship was far at sea.

So he received with cheerfulness the captain’s order that he should sail “before the mast” for his passage. Thus it happened that on a September afternoon of this same year two men, grimed with dust, were walking toward Southampton. Meanwhile, the good ship Warren had been given up for lost, and the crew also. A woman standing by her gate on the Sag Harbor road that day saw the men. She looked at them, then looked again. She grew pale, and ran down the street crying, “Oh, Lord a Massy! There comes them two poor fellows that was drowned in the bottom of the ocean!”

The young lady meanwhile had changed her mind and not very long after this incident, Austin Herrick and Mary Jagger went to live in the gambrel-roofed house which has furnished history and atmosphere for the neighborhood and for the village for many years before and since.

Capt. Austin Herrick made seventeen voyages to sea and after he retired he kept the store attached to the house. He is described as tall and very dignified, especially in his elder days when he carried a cane. It is related of him that on the Sunday morning after the Rev. William Neal Cleaveland, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, had preached his sermon in defense of African slavery, Capt. Austin Herrick arose and walked out of church with a very decided step. Though none followed, his action was much approved and the Rev. Cleaveland soon afterwards resigned his charge. Capt. Herrick’s son, the Rev. Samuel Edward Herrick, was a prominent minister in Boston for many years and his daughter Mary remained in the old home.

In the early days when only wood fires were known and the only means of lighting them was by the slow process of flint and steel, it was the custom if the coals burned out to seek live coals from a neighbor that the fires might be replenished. Coals were not the only things borrowed for there were no markets and grocery stores were not as convenient as today.

One woman of the olden time was heard to say, “The devil is always around, even in church on Sundays, taking your mind off the sermon by reminding you that you owe your neighbor a loaf of bread.”

Mrs. Elizabeth Howell Pierson of the South End and Mrs. Elizabeth Jessup Post of the North End were having tea together. In the course of conversation, Mrs. Pierson remarked, “Well, Elizabeth, you know the South End is the Court End of the town because the minister and the doctor and the squire all live there.” Theodore White in his composition written about 1850 when a boy of 13, upon the “South End,” said there was one advantage the North End had: “The farmers could raise a better crop of corn on their land.”

So there have been rivalries; but since the Methodist Church has given to the North Side its quota of the clergy; since doctors, village presidents, and bank presidents are counted among its leading citizens and the Town Hall has marked its boundaries, many of these have been eliminated. We suppose, however, we must concede to the South End the Summer Colony. The North End, too, has its “city voks”—we remember well the Bonner family who were at Charles Selden’s, and Connie’s birthday parties when all the children of the neighborhood were invited, and you had ever so much ice-cream!

The Gemmells and the Duers who were sometimes at the Wilmun Halsey’s. The mother of Katherine Mackay O’Brien was a little girl and her toys and dainty ruffles were the admiration of all the neighborhood children. Her dresses, like her mother’s, were pressed each time they were worn and we discovered for ourselves a secret, even though there was no maid to do the pressing. (Southampton has learned many tricks from the “City Folks”—and is still learning.) Then there was the very friendly Mrs. [Lizzie Jean Nelson wife of Cyrus*] Sears and the dainty Aline? We still can see Madame Sears sitting and rocking in our mother’s kitchen, chatting gaily while the Saturday baking was going on—but mother could bake and listen, too.

The North End has good reason to remember the Coffin family who were at Wm. Jagger’s, for they must have furnished several parlors with the priceless heirlooms they gleaned in the North End. In our grandmother’s parlor were six high-back fiddle-backed chairs of Queen Anne pattern. Mrs. Coffin succeeded in persuading her to part with three of them at the (then) fabulous sum of $5.00 each.

In general, however, the North End has been too far from the ocean for summer rentals and she has been left to follow her accustomed ways, and much of the informal neighborliness, which is one of her traditions, remains, unbroken, as in the years agone.

A prominent representative of the South End when asked by a prominent resident of the North End how his next door neighbor was, (who was chronically ill), he replied he did not know, then added somewhat apologetically, “You know in the South End we do not boil our teakettles on our neighbor’s stoves as they do in the North End.”

The North End has adown the years cherished her traditions of old-fashioned neighborliness and when families have commenced together for several generations the ties of friendship become very strong.

There was one especially, who has but lately left us [Mary Herrick] (and the gambrel-roofed house still speaks), whose life among its many graces is remembered, first of all, for its kindly interest and friendly neighborliness, which like the flowers in her garden have made the years of her generation fragrant and sweet. It is spirits such as these that have made the atmosphere of the old North End, and happy shall be those who make a like contribution to the perpetuation of her traditions.

Courtesy Lizbeth Halsey White Files, Southampton Historical Museum Archives and Research Center

*[Cyrus Sears was for some time in the wholesale grocery business in Boston, with his brother, under firm name of Sears & Co., but removed to New York City and engaged in the real estate business. He served from 26 Sep 1862 to 7 Jul 1863 as 2d Lieutenant 45th Regiment, Mass Volunteer Infantry, with much credit, the officers and soldiers associated with him, becoming much attached to him. He died of apoplexy at his summer residence in Southampton, L.I.]

"Historical Association Aftermath"

Southampton Press | Thursday, October 27, 1932 

Written by the Late Mrs. Edward P. White on the Day of Her Death, Tuesday, October 25, 1932

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.

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.

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 6^th.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Southampton Press, June 1931

On the impulse given by the coming of the Historical Association, the Southampton Colonial Society has completed two very important project which have for some time been under consideration—the restoration of the stones in the old South End Burying Ground, the fund for which has been met by the accumulated dues of its members, and the completion of the fence marking the boundary of the right-of-way to Conscience Point.

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.

First Presbyterian Church of Southampton

The carrying out of the design was done by Builder Lester E. Raynor and the result is both appropriate and attractive, wholly in keeping with its purpose. The committee from the Colonial Society, who have had the matter in charge, President L. Emory Terry, and Mrs. Hugh Halsey, are to be congratulated upon the success of the undertaking. The boundary line is now well defined, the entrance to the Point is dignified and inviting, and speaks of an interest in Southampton's beginnings, which as been given permanent emphasis.

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.

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.

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. 

At Camp

At Camp: Charles Halsey 1916

When Summer Camps Were For The Whole Family

Bishop's Tower at Shinnecock

The East Hampton Press & The Southampton Press

By Heather Girgent

The word “camp” is more often used to describe a place where parents can send their children during the summer to enjoy various activities away from home.

However, in the early 1900s there was an entirely different meaning of the word “camp” for many Southampton residents. At that time, it was fairly common for local businessmen, farmers and other middle-class families who lived in the village to build small, simple structures close to the bay, which became a sort of summer escape, a camp they could enjoy with their families.

The Southampton Historical Museum will present an “Escape to the Bay: Family Camps in Southampton” exhibit, featuring several of these historic camps, opening on Saturday, August 18.
Exhibit curator and museum advisory committee member Hilary Woodward said she took up an interest in the history of these camps about seven years ago.

“I felt that this was a story that should not be forgotten,” she said during a telephone interview last Thursday. “The history was being lost and I really wanted to document it before it was too late.”
Ms. Woodward’s vested interests in the history of these camps may have something to do with her own fond memories of summer days spent on the bay.

“I’m a Herrick and my family was one of the families that owned a camp, so this was a culture I knew about,” she said. “I remember enjoying scalloping, clamming and having clambakes on the beach. It was a real simple, fun way that people spent their summers and the exhibit really celebrates that.”

Ms. Woodward’s family camp was called “Whalebone” and was built by her grandfather, John Austin Herrick, the second generation owner of Herrick Hardware on Main Street in Southampton.
The Herrick camp, located on Noyac Bay, was sold in 1959 to Justice Robert Kendrick and his family when Ms. Woodward was just 5 years old. The Kendricks sold Whalebone just a few years ago, and according to Ms. Woodward, it was just recently torn down.

At the start of her research, Ms. Woodward visited a few other original camp owners and heard stories about their experiences.

“Those who could remember being children spending their summers in the camps during the 1920s were in their 80s and now, several of them have passed away,” she said. “Their stories and their reminiscences of the camps were disappearing.”

While Ms. Woodward spent time with the families, she was able to gather photos and hear stories about their escape to the bay. She learned that some of these camps were in fact still being used by the families. Others were being sold and would eventually be torn down to open up the land for bigger houses to be built.

According to Ms. Woodward, each of the camps she had the pleasure of learning about had a significant name and were built in such a way that reflected the personality of the owner.

For example, the Halseys’ camp on Peconic Bay. According to Ms. Woodward, Jesse Halsey was a minister in Cleveland and the church was doing renovations, so he brought the doors from the church to Southampton and used them to build his camp in 1946.

The Halsey family’s camp was called “Shiconnic.” Ms. Woodward reported that the family was happily using it up until a few years ago.

Other camps included “The Tower,” a three-story camp built on the highest spot of land owned by the Bishop family. True to its name, The Tower was a strategic structure that allowed the family to see views of the bay and the ocean.

Another, owned by the Alexander family, was built from timber left from Camp Upton, a Long Island-based induction and training facility for new soldiers who were to fight in World War I. The camp, still standing, is appropriately called “War Timber.” It has not been changed since 1918 and the family still uses it, according to Ms. Woodward.

Another family that has no plans to surrender their camp is the Corwin family. According to Susan Corwin Mitchell, her family’s camp has three separate buildings and is located off Millstone Brook Road, at the end of a long driveway, which was originally dirt but is now paved with crushed clamshells the family acquires from their days on the boat.

During a telephone interview last Friday, Ms. Mitchell explained that her grandparents, who lived on North Main Street, built the main camp in 1902. Two other buildings followed later.
When Ms. Mitchell was born, she and her parents lived at the second building on the property, she said. Approximately five years later, they moved to Big Fresh Pond Road.

At that time, the camps used only firewood for heat. So, according to Ms. Mitchell, her father had to dig out an area under the camp for a heating system, in preparation for the family’s arrival. Over time, more improvements were added, including indoor plumbing and electricity. But Ms. Mitchell said she still remembers the time when outhouses and a hand pump were the way.

“I remember my grandpa keeping a jug of water next to the water pump so that if we had to prime it, we could,” she said. “And I remember there was a hurricane one summer but we had gas for the stove and water from the pump, so we could still cook.”

Now living in Florida, Ms. Mitchell said that she makes sure to come up and spend time at the camp several times a year.

“I thought having a camp like that was normal,” she said laughing. “We just walked out the door and went to play in the woods, making tree forts, discovering things and going on the boat clamming and crabbing. My grandpa taught us how to sail there. It was a wonderful experience growing up. We enjoy our camp and plan to have it for generations to come because we feel blessed that we’ve been able to hold on to it this long.”

The exhibit will feature original photos and stories from all of these camps but there will also be a scrapbook wall. According to Ms. Woodward, there are most likely many other families in the area who have a family camp history or memories of a childhood spent on the bay. For that reason, she said, she encourages the community to come in, view the exhibit and bring along any photos they have of having fun at the bay, even if it wasn’t at a camp.

The “Escape to the Bay” exhibit will be on view at Rogers Mansion in Southampton from Saturday, August 18, opening at 4 p.m., through Saturday, November 3. Exhibit hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Entrance to the exhibit is $4 for adults, and free for members and children. For more information, call 283-2494 or visit southamptonhistoricalmuseum.org.

December 1938 Letter from John Herrick to Jesse Halsey regarding writing from Herrick's mother concerning both men.