Essays & Interpretive Articles

“On May 10, 1775, a special meeting was held by Islip Precinct where those who wished could sign the supporting document. At the time of the signing… the war was on as the Battles at Lexington and Concord had occurred on April 19, 1775.”

“A signature on this paper was an act of treason and so the first steps were taken. This document was the first real division of the population into sides with those supporting the patriot cause called “Associators” and those who did not called “non-Associators.””

“What most people miss is that the Articles of Association were the first real organization of a government in the colonies at least as far as unified action was concerned. Abraham Lincoln considered them the first real constitution.”

“In 1776 the population of Islip Precinct was 375 and it appears that 35 of those eligible signed the Islip document… considering slaves, free blacks, native Americans, women and children could not sign. Also, the Quakers who lived in Islip could not sign due to their religious beliefs.”

“Isaac Thompson, who was the host, is mentioned but what we get is a picture of a man who was a witness to history and not an active part of it. The story of the life of Isaac Thompson is one of a man who made history took a stand risking his own life and the lives of his family.”

“He attended the May 10, 1775, meeting of the freeholders and residents of the Precinct of Islip… He signed the Islip Precinct articles which he knew would place him, his family and his property in jeopardy, doubly so as he was a Crown magistrate and Precinct official.”

“The family's and others' experiences on the Manor were like all those living in Islip Precinct at the time and perhaps a bit worse.”

“Isaac Thompson was basically walking on a tightrope or balancing on the edge of a knife during the six years of occupation due to his patriot sympathies and position as a Crown magistrate.”

“The beginnings of what we call Sagtikos Manor go back to a Royal Patent granted to Stephanus Van Cortlandt on June 2, 1697, based on his 1692 purchase of 150 acres… Stephanus Van Cortlandt was the uncle-in-law of the founder of Islip, William Nicoll.”

“Ananias Carll is first mentioned for having registered an ear mark for his cattle in 1726. He was elected Supervisor at the annual meeting of 1731… It was Selah who in 1758 sold by then much enlarged tract to Jonathan Thompson of Brookhaven (Setauket).”

“During his ownership most of the work on the farm and in the home was performed by slaves or indentured servants… this manor was also home to several enslaved people who were erased from the history of Long Island.”

“According to New York State Census Records the third proprietor of the Manor, Isaac Thompson, owned an average of four slaves in the decades of 1790, 1800 and 1810… The full story of these enslaved people needs to be told and that will be one of the focuses of the 250th research work in the coming years.”

“It is hard for us to imagine a sparsely populated rural Islip Town let alone one where soldiers passed on the road and were quartered in the local homes… For the residents of the Precinct, it was a time when they seemed to have no friends.”

“Since they were under occupation they all were British subjects, so the licenses were interpreted rather liberally by those who held them. This led to what has been termed “The Whaleboat War.””

“The residents of Islip Precinct found themselves “hosting” British troops whether they wanted to or not. When large troop movements occurred, they might be bivouacked on your land and often the farms woodlot, and fences and even buildings would be used for firewood.”

“Your forage would be used to feed the army's animals, and your livestock would either be “purchased,” seized or just plain stolen.”

“In colonial America, magistrates, often called justices of the peace, primarily handled minor legal matters within their local areas. They presided over petty crimes, issued warrants, and sometimes played a role in civil disputes.”

“Considering that he would be friends with the Nicolls who controlled most of Islip… Isaac Thompson played a much larger role than we have told the story of at Sagtikos… Perhaps it is time for the walls to talk.”

“Often, the occupiers would require the residents to sing “God Save the King” at their meetings and religious services. To comply (so to speak) the colonists found a way to obey and protest in song all at the same time!”

“This ability to fit other words to a well-known tune by knowing the rhythm was what gave the colonists the idea on how to “twist the tail” of the British lion.”

“One story that is told is that a congregation on Long Island was required to sing the anthem to begin their religious services. As the occupation authorities listened outside, they heard the music but misinterpreted the words being sung.”

“Instead of a first line that read “God save great George our King,” they were singing the hymn whose first line is “Come, thou almighty King!””

“Nothing in the minutes of the Islip Precinct's annual meeting held on April 4, 1775, indicates any concern that the news from Massachusetts… was on the mind of the residents as the crisis was reaching a critical point.”

“In the passage of just a few months, war would come to Long Island. Islip militiamen faced defeat and prison, many residents would flee and for the next seven years Islip would be occupied by British troops.”

“Islip was still a middle ground, and contemporary maps show it as “Indian Territory.” When in 1683 the East Riding (original name for Suffolk) was formed into a county… it was not shown to be part of any town.”

“The Red Ensign also called the Red Duster that became the Civil Flag used in the colonies be flown over Islip during colonial times and during the time of British occupation.”

“So, what flag flew over today's Town of Islip and was carried by its militia into battle? That is not an easy question. With the militia of Islip closely tied to Huntington it is likely that the flag that Huntington used was the one the members of the militia marched under.”

“At a reading of the Decoration of Independence in July 1776, a flag was raised in Huntington that had the Union Flag removed from the canton and the words “George III” removed, leaving a red flag emblazed with the word “Liberty.” … With the defeat at Brooklyn the flag over Islip would once again be the Red Ensign for six more years until 1783.”

“In April 1787, 39-year-old Benajah Strong was the last person to be elected to the office of Supervisor of the Precinct of Islip as for in a year the State of New York would recognize Islip as a Town by law.”

“As a well-known supporter of the patriot cause. He was one of those who fled to Connecticut when the British occupied Suffolk County, but he was involved in several raids and missions and was considered a “notorious rebel.””

“The June 26, 1775 census conducted by John Mowbrey, and witnessed by Judge Isaac Thompson, identified 64 men of Islip's 375 residents that would be subject to military service.”

“The Islip Militia Company consisted of 38 men who were assigned to the 1 Suffolk County Militia Regiment under Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull. Judge Isaac Thompson also served in this Regiment.”

“On a very hot day Mr. Haddock and the Town Historian visited the known burial places of these men who risked everything by siding with the patriot cause and mounted signs provided by the Sons of the American Revolution at the burying grounds and cemeteries of Islip Town.”

“These signs are the first steps in our 250th celebration here in the Town of Islip.”

“The colonial version of this structure was the main portion of Fort St. George raided at 3 AM on November 23, 1780.”

“For his valiant service at these two raids Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the Second Regiment of Continental Dragoons received the first decoration that the common soldier was eligible to earn, the Purple Heart.”

“At a Town Meeting of Said Presinct held the first Tuesday of April in the Seventeenth year of his present Majesties Reign George the Third King of Great Britain &:C:… Isaac Thompson Supervisor. [April 1777]”

“At a town meting of the precenct held the first tuesday in April by the Authority of the good People of the State of new york and in the Eighth year of the American Independence… [April 1784]”

“further it is agreed upon by the Authority aforesaid that if any Damage is Done by un Ringed hogs the owner by [of] Said hogs Shall pay the full Damage Judged by and [any] two Indifferent men. [April 1776]”

“It was agreed at ye Town Meeting by Aning Moubray to keep Hannah Hulse ye year ensuing at one Shilling and ten pence three farthings Per week as many weeks as he keeps her if she should live within ye year. [April 1739]”

“the lands and meadows are divided in farms or necks (as they are called) by Creeks and Brooks mostly about half of a mile apart…”

“in the late war in the year 1776 there were three American privateers lay within this Inlet, and went out, as opportunity offered; and captured a number of British Vessels…”

“There are in this Town about one hundred and twenty dweling [dwelling] houses twenty-five of which Indians, Mustees and free Negros live in.”

“Paid to Garet Monfort one of the towns men two Pounds of the towns money on account of findin[g] grain for Indian hannah. [1787]”

“the main dependance [dependence] of the farmers in this Town is on their Stocks of Cattle; which the large Tracts of Salt, and Sedge meadows ennables [enables] them to keep…”

“It is also concluded upon by the majority of Voats that i[f] any one of the Inhabitants of the precinct of Islip Shall Give Leave to any furniener [foreigner] to fish in the bay or also in the Creek that He Shall forfit the Sum of forty shillings to the overseers of the poor… [1765]”

“To understand history and events of year's past we need to look at more than facts, events and even the “big players” in those times to put the event in context.”

“To gain the full picture we need to know what they ate, what they read, the news that reached them and the music they listened to and the songs they sang, just to name a few things.”

“The Islip Precinct minutes are rather silent on the impact and orders given to the residents but the Huntington Town minutes contain many of the orders and records of the impact of the occupation on their residents.”

“The fact that even that set of records really lists any comments on the military issues other than support to the occupying forces shows the control that the occupation forces had over the residents.”