Historic Oyster Bay & Long Island

Historic Oyster Bay & Long Island This site is dedicated to the history and beauty of Long Island, New York...with a special emphasis on historic Oyster Bay.

This beautiful center-hall colonial was built in 1754 by Zephaniah Platt and is situated in a rural setting along an est...
11/23/2018

This beautiful center-hall colonial was built in 1754 by Zephaniah Platt and is situated in a rural setting along an estuary of Long Island Sound near Sunken Meadow. Zephaniah was a wealthy farmer and father of 10. He was one of the few who refused to leave their home and property when the Battle of Brooklyn was lost in 1776; most Patriot families fled to rebel-held Connecticut, but not Zephaniah, who reluctantly submitted to a loyalty oath to the King to avoid imprisonment. The British then occupied the 120-mile length of NY’s Long Island for 7 brutal years.

On December 22, 1777, according to Gaines NY newspaper, British soldiers decided to search Zephaniah’s property, where they discovered 2 small whaleboats concealed in his barn. These “whaleboats” were common at the time: about 20 feet long, fast, double-ended and lightweight, and were used by rebel raiders from Connecticut to conduct surprise attacks on the British and the Loyalists of Long Island. Many of them carried a small cannon or a swivel gun mounted to their bow, and the rebel raiders wreaked havoc with small fleets of these boats, sometimes kidnapping individuals and even large groups of soldiers from enemy forts operating on the island.

“In exploring the territories of Zephaniah Platt,” reported Gaines NY newspaper, “…there was found snugly concealed in a barn, 2 whale boats, which were instantly committed to the flames, and Mr. Platt in propria persona, secured in custody of the captors, who drove off the cattle and live stock from his farm.”

The whaleboats were destroyed, Zephaniah was arrested, and his livestock was confiscated. Near 70 years of age, he was brought 50 miles west to New York City and was imprisoned on the hellish prison ship “Jersey” anchored in Wallabout Bay. His daughter Dorothea traveled to the city and pleaded before Sir Henry Clinton, and was successful in restoring her father’s liberty. He was returned home, but poor Zephaniah, having caught the rampant small-pox while confined on the Jersey, died shortly thereafter, on January, 27, 1778. Thus concludes this remembrance of a local Patriotic hero, who risked all for the cause of freedom. 🇺🇸

It turns out that Oyster Bay has something extra to be thankful for this Thanksgiving :-)Raynham Hall Museum, home of Ro...
11/22/2018

It turns out that Oyster Bay has something extra to be thankful for this Thanksgiving :-)

Raynham Hall Museum, home of Robert Townsend, George Washington's key spy in NYC, has uncovered the earliest known mention of Thanksgiving in New York State, in 1759. Oyster Bay can now call itself the home of New York's first Thanksgiving.

According to the handwritten journal of Zachariah Weekes, Oyster Bay's schoolmaster, dated Sunday, Nov. 25, 1759, which reads "...Last Thursday being a day set apart by our Governor for publick Thanksgiving for the Success of his Majesties Forces in America..."

The journal will remain on display at Raynham Hall through the Thanksgiving weekend. Hope to see it then!

ON THIS DAY IN OYSTER BAY ~ 1778: Lieutenant Colonel John Graves Simcoe of the British Army arrived in Oyster Bay to set...
11/20/2018

ON THIS DAY IN OYSTER BAY ~ 1778: Lieutenant Colonel John Graves Simcoe of the British Army arrived in Oyster Bay to set up winter quarters for the 300 troops he was commanding, a Loyalist regiment known as the Queen's Rangers. The Rangers had been established since 1756, and under Simcoe's command, became one of the most successful British regiments in the American Revolution.

Below is an incredibly accurate map of Oyster Bay that Simcoe made at the time. His troops were quartered in village homes and the local churches (C). German Hessian troops were quartered here as well (D), with additional troops along the outskirts of the village. You can see the varied terrain and shoreline of Oyster Bay, the Mill Pond, and Sammis Creek - I can even see the street where I live on Simcoe's map!

Upon his arrival, Simcoe immediately began to fortify a pre-existing fort that was built in 1776. He cut down the Townsend's prized apple orchard in order to get a clear field of fire for his cannons that he placed on the hill overlooking the town, to protect the harbor from privateers and whale-boaters, and to protect the forage collected for the British troops quartered in New York City.

For his own headquarters, Simcoe commandeered Raynham Hall, the home of patriot merchant Samuel Townsend (E on the map) and quartered himself in the house alongside the family. Daily officers’ meetings were held in the front parlor, and the presence of British officers in the house became an everyday fact of life. During that time, Simcoe was visited several times by a close friend, British officer Major John André, who would shortly be hanged as a spy for his role in helping Benedict Arnold turn traitor in 1780.

Simcoe remained at Raynham Hall as an uninvited guest until the following Spring. During his time there, Simcoe flirted with Samuel Townsend's teen-age daughter Sally, who may have returned his affection. Simcoe presented Sally with the country's first recorded valentine, on Feb. 14th, 1779. Little did Simcoe know, but Sally's older brother Robert, who grew up in Raynham Hall, became George Washington's key spy in New York City, and provided General Washington with a great deal of valuable intelligence.

Simcoe and his Rangers left Oyster Bay shortly after Valentine's Day, never to return again. Sally would live to the ripe old age of 82, but she never married. Among her possessions found after her death was Simcoe's well-worn valentine. As for her brother Robert Townsend - his identity as one of General Washington's spies would not be discovered until a full century and a half later.

The Townsend family home is now Raynham Hall Museum, a fascinating place to visit online or in person. :-)

ICYMI - Late autumn splendor at the Coe estate, under a cerulean blue sky. Some beauty for your Saturday morning. :-)
11/17/2018

ICYMI - Late autumn splendor at the Coe estate, under a cerulean blue sky. Some beauty for your Saturday morning. :-)

A stroll around Saint John's Pond :-)
11/16/2018

A stroll around Saint John's Pond :-)

11/16/2018

AMAZING news! Raynham Hall Museum has discovered the earliest known mention of Thanksgiving in New York, held on Thursday, November 22, 1759! The hand-written account was found inside our unpublished 1758-1759 diary of Zachariah Weekes, who was once the schoolmaster in Oyster Bay.
It reads in part, "...Last Thursday being a day set apart by our Governor for publick Thanksgiving for the Success of his Majesties Forces in America..."
Most scholars recognize the feast held in October of 1621 by Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts as the first Thanksgiving. The next two records, one in July of 1630 and the next in November of 1775, took place in Massachusetts. Later known observances were for the colonies as a whole.
This very early date, located just when our present-day celebrations occur - a Thursday in the end of November - represents not only one of the earliest Thanksgivings, but also the only early celebration limited to New York. Please share this incredible discovery about Historic Oyster Bay with your friends and family!

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