At the time of its discovery by Hudson in 1609, Long Island was occupied by thirteen tribes of the Lenni-Lenape division of Algonquin Indians, who are now represented by a few individuals of mixed blood dwelling near Shinnecock Neck, Forge, and Montauk Point, where at the period of the first European settlement Wyandance, the chief of the thirteen tribes, resided. Antiquarian discoveries have demonstrated the existence of a prehistoric race of different origin. The various Indian names of the island were Sewanhacky, Panmancke, Matouwacks, and Wamponomon. The Dutch named it Lange Eylandt, whence Long Island ; a subsequent change by the Colonial Legislature to the Island of Nassau never became popular.

 Included in the land between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, embraced by latitudes 40 to 48 North, granted by James I. to the Plymouth Company in 1620, it became the property of the Earl of Stirling, and at his death in 1640 of the Duke of York. The earliest settlements by the Dutch were begun in 1632 ; the first recorded purchase of land in South Brooklyn is in 1636. The Dutch exercised jurisdiction in the western part of the island down to 1664, in which year they were dispossessed of New Netherlands. Many of the agricultural holdings toward the east remain unchanged in the possession of descendants of the original settlers ; Gardiner's Island has belonged to the family of that name since 1640. The military operations during the Revolutionary period and the battle of Long Island (q.v) are the chief incidents of the subsequent history of the Island.

Consult: Thompson, The History of Long Island (New York, 1843 ); Prime, History of Long Island (New York, 1845) ; Furman, Antiquities of Long Island, with Bibliography (New York, 1875) ; Flint, Early Long Island (New York, 1896) ; and the Annual Reports of the Long Island Historical Society (Brooklyn).

Long Island Historical Society

An association in Brooklyn, N.Y., organized in 1863 for the purpose of furthering a knowledge of American history, primarily as connected with the history of Long Island. On June 11, 1864, a committee on the natural history of Long Island was appointed, and from its work has grown a fine museum of flora, fauna, minerals, antiquities, and historical relics of the Island. The society has published a number of valuable works, among them two volumes on the Battle of Long Island, and one containing the hitherto unpublished letters of George Washington on agricultural and personal topics. Its library comprises 45,000 volumes and as many pamphlets.

"For 15 years the society had been laboring in various ways for the instruction and entertainment and benefit of the people of the City of Brooklyn, and in gathering together a collection of books and other materials to aid it in its work, and for 11 years it had been the owner of land on the corner of Clinton and Pierrepont streets, upon which to erect a building in which to place its collections and establish its head-quarters. The commencement of that building had been postponed from time to time, until a favorable opportunity should offer itself to raise the funds necessary for its completion. Finally, last Spring the ball was set in motion by Mr. S. B. Chittenden, who proposed to give $20,000, provided the Directors would raise $80,000 more, thus insuring a sum of $100,000. The Directors took the matter into consideration, and invited various architects to submit plans and specifications, not with a view to the selection of any particular plan at that time, but to see what they could do with $100,000."

"They had resolved at the outset that they would not make a subscription binding, or make any start toward the erection of the building, until they had secured the entire amount of $100,000, which would give them $80,000 for the building, $14,000 to complete paying for the lot, and leave them $6,000 to use for incidental purposes." (NYT Nov.14,1877)

Battle of Long Island

A battle fought on Brooklyn Heights, Long Island, N.Y., August 27, 1776, during the Revolutionary War, between a British force of more than 15,000 under General Howe and an American force of about 8000 under the immediate command of General Israel Putnam. The British, landing at a point of Long Island a short distance below the "Narrows," marched by three routes against the American position, which had been strongly fortified in anticipation of an attack. Brooklyn Heights being necessary to the British if they were to succeed in their plans for the capture of New York. The most important road, the Jamaica Road, leading to the American position, seems to have been left almost wholly unguarded, and it was by this that the British advanced in greatest force. Parts of the American army under Gen. William Alexander (Lord Stirling) and General Sullivan, stationed in advance of the principal American fortification, were defeated after some stubborn fighting, both Alexander and Sullivan being captured; and Howe then proceeded to invest the works. In the evening of the 27th Washington crossed over to Long Island, and on the following day brought over reinforcements. General Howe showing no disposition to storm, however, Washington decided to abandon the works and transfer his forces to Manhattan Island, and during the night of August 29-30 this was successfully effected, the British not suspecting the movement until the Americans had crossed in safety. The British loss in killed, wounded, and missing in the battle of Long Island was about 400, while the American loss was about 1000.

Consult: Field, Battle of Long Island (Brooklyn, 1869) ; Carrington, Battles of the American Revolution (New York, 1876) ; Dawson, Battles of the United States (New York, 1858) ; Johnston, Campaign of 1776 Around New York and Brooklyn (Brooklyn, 1878) ; and the critical article by Adams, "The Battle of Long Island," in American Historical Review (New York, 1896).

Shinnecock Tribe

A remnant tribe of Algonquin stock (q.v.) residing about the bay of the same name near the southeast end of Long Island, N.Y. At the beginning of this century they numbered only about 150 persons, all more or less of negro admixture, and had entirely lost their language and all other primitive characteristics. They are daring seamen and furnish efficient recruits to the United States Life Saving Service, in which several of their most promising young men lost their lives by a storm in 1877. They have no relations with the general Government, but the State of New York supports a school at East Moriches for the benefit of them and the two other Long Island remnants, the Poospatuck or Unquachog and the Montauk, numbering only a few families each.

Henry Reed Stiles

(1832---). An American physician and author, born in New York City. He was educated at the College of the City of New York, and at Williams, subsequently studied medicine, and practiced for a short time. In 1857 he began the publication of the American Journal of Education. In 1859 he resumed his medical practice, and in 1863 became librarian of the Long Island Historical Society. In 1873 he became superintendent of the New York Homoeopathic Insane Asylum at Middletown, N.Y., and from 1877 to 1881 was director of the Homoeopathic Dispensary at Dundee, Scotland. From 1882 to 1885 he was professor of mental and nervous diseases in the New York Woman's Medical College. His publications include: The History and Genealogies of Ancient Windsor, Connecticut (1859) ; Monograph on Bundling in America (1861) ; The Wallabout Prison-Ship Series (1865) ; and The History of the City of Brooklyn, New York (1867-70). He edited Illustrated History of the County of Kings and City of Brooklyn (1884).

Montauk

An Algonquian tribe formerly inhabiting the eastern end of Long Island, and claiming sovereignty over most of the other tribes of the Island. Their principal village was near Montauk Point. When first known they were a numerous people, but having been reduced by a pestilence in 1658 to about 500 souls, they were invaded by the Narragansett from the mainland and forced to seek shelter among the white settlers at Easthampton. A century later only 162 remained. Many of these joined a kindred band in New York about 1788, and in 1829 only about 30 were left on Long Island. By 1870 these had dwindled to about a half dozen.

Montauk Point

A promontory at the eastern end of Long Island, in Suffolk County, N.Y. (Map: New York, J 5). On it are located a stone lighthouse, 170 feet high, with a flashing white light; a Daboll fog-trumpet ; and a United States life-saving station. The Point was named after the Montauk Indians, who once inhabited the region.

Oscar Fitzalan Stanton

(1834---). An American naval officer, born at Sag Harbor, N.Y. He graduated at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1855, and after considerable service in Mediterranean and African waters, cruised with the Pacific Squadron from December, 1860, to March, 1862. Promoted to be Lieutenant-commander in June, 1862, he commanded the steamer Tioga of a squadron operating on the James and Potomac rivers, and from December, 1863, to November , 1864, was with the West Gulf Blockading Squadron in command of the Panola. After ordnance duty at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and some service with the East Gulf Blockading Squadron, he held the command of various vessels and served at the Norfolk Navy Yard, the United States Naval Station, the New London Naval Station, and at the Naval Academy. In 1891 he was made commodore and in 1893 was given the command of the North Atlantic Station with the rank of acting rear admiral. In 1894 he was retired.

Sag Harbor

A village in Suffolk County, N.Y., 100 miles east of New York City ; on Gardiner's Bay, and on the Montauk division of the Long Island Railroad (Map: New York, H 5). It was formerly one of the most important whaling centers in America, but at present is best known as a summer resort. The leading industry of the village is the manufacture of watch cases. Population, in 1900, 1969.

Flushing

Formerly a village, now included in the Borough of Queens, New York City (Map : Greater New York, H 5 ). The township was settled in 1643 and the village about two years later, both being called at first Vlissingen, of which the present name is a corruption. About 1660 the population became predominantly Quakers.

Fisher's Island

An island off the harbor of New London, Conn., at the east entrance of Long Island Sound (Map ; Connecticut, H 4 ). It belongs to Southold Township, Suffolk County, Long Island and is about seven miles long, and one mile or less wide, with an area of about 4000 acres. The surface is undulating, the soil fertile and well adapted for agriculture. A large portion is occupied as a military reservation, and here is situated Fort Wright, which forms one of the defenses of the eastern end of Long Island Sound.

Fort Hamilton

A United States post, established in 1831, and occupying a reservation of 167 acres on the southwest shore of Long Island. It is one of the principal defenses of New York City, commanding "the Narrows." The post-office and telegraph station is Fort Hamilton, N.Y. There are quarters for 650 men and stables for 200 horses. During the American Revolution the British landed here prior to the battle of Long Island. 1776.