Patchogue Stories

Over the years however Patchogue suffered the same fate as many of Long Islands other towns and villages. Modern travel and changing tastes made other destinations more accessible and attractive dooming the tourism business and the old resorts. Mega stores, shopping malls and Outlet factories saturated the area forcing the once prosperous stores of the downtown area out of business and leaving it resembling a ghost town. Decay crept into the village, and looked like it was there to stay.

Fortunately, Patchogue is a success story. Creative government leadership and the efforts of a dedicated community have persevered and the town is now in a period of renewal. Boutique shops, trendy restaurants a beautifully restored local theatre and an innovative new "artists community" have transformed the down town business area into a popular destination to shop and visit.

Because of its long and varied history Patchogue is full of interesting stories and people from its past. Some stories involve well known people who lived or visited here. Some concern events such as the sinking of the Louis V. Place that gained national attention. But many involve people who lived their life in relative obscurity known only to the people of the town. In this section, I share a variety of the short, sometimes strange but always interesting tales of people and events that helped make this town a fascinating place. Questions or comments longislandstories58@gmail.com

A Patchogue Relic of the War of 1812

Taken from the pages of the June 27th, 1899 Brooklyn Daily Eagle;

Revolutionary Relic. Patchogue L.I. - Andrew Jackson Smith, one of the oldest residents of Patchogue, has presented to the Suffolk County Historical Society a cannon ball that was fired by the British by the War of 1812 from a point near Blue Point, at the house then occupied by his great grandfather, Annais Smith, and which stood on the site of the present Clifton Hotel. The ball is about four inches in diameter and weighs about six pounds, and had been handed down from generation to generation in the Smith Family. I wonder where this cannon ball is today?

“A Cannon Ball With A History”

A Patchogue Relic of the War of 1812

The above story started my search. And I could not let it go. I needed to know the history and story behind the cannon ball. It started with the article reference above. According to the article in the South Side Signal dated 7/8/1899, Andrew Jackson Smith of Patchogue had made a donation of a cannon ball to the Suffolk County Historical Society (1). The article explains that this cannon ball had been shot from a point near the shore off of Blue Point by a British ship during the War of 1812. The cannon ball hit the property of the Smith Homestead, Andrew’s ancestral home. The “Homestead” was located on the shore of the Great South Bay in Patchogue. The cannon ball was described in the article as being “four inches in diameter, and weighing about six pounds. Its surface is rough and irregular and shows signs of having been made before modern machinery was used for such purposes” (1).

The article goes on to say that the cannon ball had been in procession of the Smith family since 1812 and had been handed down from generation to generation.

The Smith family of Patchogue were among the earliest and most established families in the town. Ananias Smith, who built the Homestead, was born in Coram in 1729 and had moved to Patchogue. In addition to being one of the town’s earliest residents he was also a founding member of the Congregational Church of Patchogue and an early Patriot during the Revolutionary War. He was also known far and wide as a “unique character” who dressed himself in the skins of many of the animals he had killed.

The Smith Homestead described was lived in by generations of the Smith family. In the late 1800’s the land was sold by the family and a seaside resort called the Clifton Hotel took its place. The site is now occupied by a housing development.

Andrew Jackson Smith, who donated the Cannon Ball, was the second son of Micah and Betsey Newey Smith and a grandson of Ananias Smith. Andrew was named after "Old Hickory" himself, President Andrew Jackson. According to his "Find a Grave" bio he was also the first School Master of Patchogue (6) and a well known citizen of the town. He died in Patchogue at the age of 94 and is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery.

The cannon ball is mentioned again in an article in a June 5^th, 1936 issue of the Patchogue Advance (2). The article is written by another relative of the Smith family, Ruth N. Smith Rice. In the article titled “A Revolutionary Patriot”, Ruth Smith relates a number of stories about her great, great grandfather Ananias Smith. She describes him as a “faithful defender of the cause of freedom” during the Revolutionary War, who had Tories living all around him, many of whom attempted to betray him to the British on numerous occasions”. An article I had previously written about Ananias describes how he had his house taken away from him by a local Tory during the War. He then had to sue to get his land back after the wars conclusion (Long Island Stories, The Curious Case of Captain Jonathan Baker) (3). As part of the article mentioned, Ruth Smith relates a tale she found in a book of poems written in 1894 by another family member, Betsey Ann Smith titled “Original Poems”(4). In it, Betsey Smith relates the struggles Ananias had with the Tories and the British, and how a cannon ball was fired at his house by the British which did no harm except to demolish a towering bell pear tree that was on the grounds.

This story seems to imply (though not directly) that the cannon ball was fired by the British at Ananias house during the Revolutionary War. This contrasts however with Andrew Jackson Smiths assertion that the cannon ball was fired during the War of 1812.

This is a bit perplexing as Andrew Jackson Smith had a direct enough connection with the cannon balls history to have correctly known when it was fired. Having been the guardian of the relic for years it seems he would have a strong knowledge of its history and relayed this to properly to both the newspapers and the Suffolk County Historical Society when he donated it. On the other hand, the description of events given in “Original Poems” while not directly saying it was shot during the Revolutionary War certainly implies it was and paints a strong background picture of why you would assume this after reading it. In my opinion however, I will need to go by the direct account of Andrew Jackson Smith in concluding the cannon ball was fired during the War of 1812.

What and interesting little nugget that the cannon ball caused no damage to the house except for the loss of a bell pear tree!

This cannon ball holds a special place in Patchogue history because of its tie to the War of 1812 (however slightly) as well as the long and storied history of the family who possessed this relic and handed down it down from generation to generation.

In early 2021 I decided I would attempt to find the “Patchogue Cannon Ball”. I had written a small article about it years before but I always had the question in my mind if I could find it. Could it still be in the possession of the Suffolk County Historical Society after all of these years? I wrote to the Society and within weeks of doing so received a reply from Mr. Richard Doctorow, Collections Manager of the Society. He indicated that indeed they were able to locate the cannon ball in their archives. It was catalogued with the notation; “Cannon Ball from the War of 1812, from Blue Point donated by Smith” (5). Incredible that after 122 years I was able to track down this wonderful relic of Patchogue, the Smith family and the War of 1812.

On a sunny April weekend I arranged to visit the Suffolk County Historical Society to view the cannon ball. Mr. Doctorow greeted me and led me to a table where the cannon ball sat. It had not been on display but had been catalogued and stored in the Societies “artifact room” most likely since it was received in 1899. Due to the Historical Societies copy write rules I cannot show the pictures of the cannon ball which I took (there is a fee to do this that I could not afford, and without paying the pictures can only be for my personal use). But sitting in front of me was the ancient cannon ball that I had researched for so long. It matched the description given in the newspaper articles but was obviously in a sensitive condition as small pieces of it were flaking off.

Standing there that morning I suddenly realized I was probably one of the first people in many, many years to look at this long forgotten relic of Patchogue and Smith family history. To those who did not know its story, it must have appeared as a musty relic of a time long ago. To me it was like finding a portal to a time, place and family that had left a tremendous imprint on Patchogue and our local history. A relic and a story from long ago that had been forgotten but now rediscovered. A cannon ball with a history worth remembering.

My great thanks to Mr. Doctorow and the Suffolk County Historical Society for helping me re-discover this piece of history and thus finish this story.

1) South Side Signal, “A Cannon Ball With a History”, 7/8/1899 pg. 4

2) Patchogue Advance, A Revolutionary Patriot”- “From the People” 6/5/1936 pg. 12

3) Long Island Stories (web site) , “The Curious Case of Jonathan Baker”

4) Original Poems, Betsy Ann Smith Roberts, Published in 1894 by the Patchogue Advance

5) Suffolk County Historical Society, Riverhead New York

(6) Find A Grave - Cedar Grove Cemetery - attribute ASLIN

Patchogue's Captain Gil Moger

Captain Gil Moger was born in Patchogue around 1833 and, when not out at sea, lived his entire life in the town. He died at 93 years of age in 1926. What makes his life so remarkable? The fact that he went blind in his early 40's and refused to give up his life on the waters. Struck with what would disable most men, Captain Gil decided he would live all of his remaining years on his beloved 24 foot boat, The Black Swan. You see, Captain Gil loved the sea, the bays and the waters and could not imagine himself not being on them. The Black Swan was nothing special but it was his. The Swan was described as a sturdy wooden craft that showed the effects of time. According to Newspaper accounts Captain Gil had the Black Swan permanently moored on the Patchogue River near current day Division Street (about where the Harbour Crab sits today). He knew the ship so well he could get around it by feel and touch and when he was in need of repairs or food he was aided by local friends. "The Swan" would often spring leaks and these same friends would come to his aid with supplies and repairs.

In his early days Captain Gil sailed the oceans and travelled far and wide. At some point he settled down and became and "oysterman" in the Great South Bay. But once he lost his site he was relegated to the calmer waters and safe harbour of the Patchogue River. Through the years his friends would beg him to come ashore and live with them on land. He always refused, saying he was no "landlubber" and he would never abandon his beloved Black Swan. Finally, a year before his death the Black Swan caught on fire and although Captain Gil was able to be saved his beloved boat sustained so much damage it had to be brought on shore, never to sail again.

Poor, blind and left with no home Captain Gil was sent where many in the same condition were sent before him, the Suffolk County Almshouse in Yaphank. He did not go easily, insisting he could fix his ship. He begged his friends not to take him to the Almshouse, but they had little choice. Without his beloved ship and the water he loved so much, Captain Bill lasted at the Almshouse just 1 year before passing on 12/16/1926. Prior to agreeing to be taken to the Almshouse Captain Gil made his friends promise that when he died the remains of his Black Swan (which had been hauled on land and saved for him) would be brought out to sea and sunk. The only proper burial for his old friend he said. These good friends honoured his request, and one week after his death the remains of the Black Swan were brought out just beyond Fire Island and sunk.

Captain Gil's story touched people all over and his remarkable tale was spread by numerous newspapers locally and throughout the northeast. His mishaps and struggles were chronicled in local and regional papers and he became a bit of a folk hero. A valiant man who refused to let his blindness keep him from his love of the sea. Before his death one newspaper wrote of him (June 16th, 1888 edition of the local East Hampton Star) describing Captain Gil this way. "He preferred piety and virtue to all the flattering allurements of the world".

I have tried to find the grave of Captain Moger but have so far been unsuccessful. Some accounts have him being buried in Patchogues Cedar Grove Cemetery and some have him buried in the Old Waverly Cemetery. I have yet to find records of him in either but will keep trying as he deserves to be found. I did however find the perfect send off for this old salt. It is from the December 17th, 1926 edition of the New York Daily News published upon his death and reads as follows:

" Captain Gil Moger of Patchogue died at the Suffolk Almshouse at 3am yesterday- during the dog watch - six bells- weather fair and clearing". A sailors send off for a life long sailor.

A Few References used for "Captain Gil Moger"

New York Times - 12/17/1926 Page 1 - "Capt Gil, Blind, Dies on Land He Shunned"

Nassau Daily Review - 12/17/1926 Page 2 - "Aged Seaman Wants Sloop Burned at Sea"

Brooklyn Standard Union - 7/1/1925 - Page 1 - "Blind Skipper Guards His Ship in Drydock"

Captain Jonathan Baker (or junior), like his father, was a well-respected member of the community and active in both the political and social arenas of the Patchogue and Brookhaven communities. In addition, in April of 1760 he was elected by his fellow citizens as a Captain of a 95-man company of the Suffolk County Militia (1) and at one point held the rank of Second Major of the Minute Men formed during the Revolutionary period (1).That all changed in 1776 when he was arrested as a Tory sympathizer by the Patriot members of the community and sent to Litchfield penitently in Connecticut (2). The Litchfield Jail in northwestern Connecticut was an overflow location for Tory prisoners (2).

So how did one of the most respected members of the Brookhaven community come to be arrested and labeled a traitor and collaborator? Well this is a story that was played out all over the 13 colonies as citizens tried to come to grips with either supporting the British government that had ruled over them for years or to support many of their friends and neighbors who were revolting against what they perceived as a cruel and unjust repressor that cared little for their subjects beyond the taxes they could collect from them.

It was the decision of Captain Jonathan Baker to remain among his neighbors but secretly support the British and the Tory members of the community who were among them.

In a meeting held by the Committee of Safety at Coram on June 4^th, 1776, a Who’s Who of the community appeared to give testament to the traitorous activities of Captain Johnathan Baker and another local resident, Stephan Fountain (3&4). These witnesses included names well known in the community such as Hannah Hawkins, Robert Homan, Benjamin Woodull, Garret Degroat, Francois Bartoe, Josiah Saturly, Samuel Saturly, Annanias Smith, Mathew Beal, Humphry Avery, Philup Ackerly, and Alexander Smith. The evidence was damning and the conclusion was clear. Both defendants had actively supported the British cause and had worked secretly against their neighbours and friends to advance the objectives of the opposition.

The following is an example of the testimony given by one of Captain Bakers neighbour's, Ananias Smith.

"And said Ananias Smith doth further declare that he is a neighbour of Capt. Jonathan Baker and hath dayly observed his language, man[n]er of Deportment and general conduct, and doth seriously believe from what he has seen of him, and from his general character, that he hath for months past spent the chief of his time in promoting of, and carrying on a correspondence with our common enemies, and helping such among us to go on board the King's ships of war and dayly busy in promoting disaffection amongst the Inhabitants to the cause of America, and intirely believes him to be our inveterate enemy”. (Calendar of Historical Manuscripts, Vol. 1, p. 330).

This was a stunning outcome for many people of the community who had always viewed Captain Jonathan Baker as a friend and upstanding Patriot who supported the colonist revolutionary cause.

On June 8^th, 1776 Captain Baker was brought before the Continental Congress, arrested and sent to prison in Litchfield Connecticut, the place where the young Patriot government sent Tory sympathizers that they perceived were undermining the “cause” of freedom (2).

This in itself makes for an interesting and “curious” story. How could such an upstanding member of the Patriot cause who was well respected and rewarded with high military commissions end up being a secret Tory organizer and sympathizer?

But it is what apparently happened in the upcoming years that makes this story even stranger. That is, once the Revolution ended Jonathan Baker returned to Brookhaven and resumed his position in the community.

To continue the story, Captain Baker’s imprisonment in Litchfield was a short one (3). After General Howe’s victory in the Battle of Long Island in 1776 the British consolidated their control of Long Island and the Patriot leadership capitulated, at least in a public manner, as witnessed by the passage below.

On October 24, 1776, the Committee of the County of Suffolk met at Brookhaven and decided to "dissolve ourselves" and revoke "all our proceedings under the (Continental) Congress (Revolutionary Incidents, p. 60).

It was during this period that Jonathan Baker returned to Brookhaven and resumed his position of leadership in the community apparently under the protection of the Crown and in peace with many “closet Patriots”.

In fact, records indicate that Mr. Baker, perhaps seeking revenge for Ananias Smiths part in his treason trial, took control of a large part of Ananias Smiths land and his home in Patchogue and lived there until the end of the war (3).

Ananias Smith had indeed provided much of the specific evidence against Jonathan Baker in his trial for treason (3). Mr. Baker did suffer consequences for these actions after the war ended and the Patriots retook control of the area, but he was apparently accepted back into the community.

Though there is little information I was able to find on Jonathan Bakers life between the year he returned to Brookhaven from prison and the end of the Revolutionary War, we do know that after the war ended he faced some challenging times.

The aforementioned Ananias Smith filed a civil lawsuit in 1786 against Captain Baker and his son Terry, claiming that they occupied his house illegally from March 1777 until March 1783(3). These dates correspond with the time frame Jonathan Baker returned from prison on the treason charges until the end of the hostilities with England. It leads me to believe that upon the return of Tory Jonathan Baker he assumed ownership of Patriot Ananias Smith’s property and home under the protection of the British. It is important to note that this is my assumption from the pieces of the puzzle I have found and not a recorded fact.

A final note on the matter is found in Suffolk County Mortgages (5) and Suffolk County Land Records (6) with a statement from Jonathan Baker in Brookhaven saying that on 24 June 1784;

“I have mortgaged all my lands, meadows and buildings which I now own and possess, situate lying & being in South Haven above said (Patchogue area of Brookhaven)" for one thousand pounds, New York money as security to Humphrey Avery and Ananias Smith regarding an action at law”.

I presume this is related to the 1786 lawsuit previously mentioned. I have not been able to find any official record of the outcome of this lawsuit but it seems to indicate that Jonathan Baker was being taken to task for the illegal occupation of his neighbour Ananias Smiths, property.

Curiously to me is the fact that his family, despite Captain Jonathan Bakers tainted past as a Tory sympathizer and supporter as well as one who may have confiscated the land of a Patriot, was able to regain their position in the Brookhaven and Patchogue communities after the war. This is attested to by maps of the early 1800’s showing large tracts of land with the Baker name on it as well as streets named after the Baker family. Clearly we cannot indict and entire family on the actions of one individual, and in fact we have no evidence to support any other member of the family worked on the side of the British. But one would assume that at least the suspicion was there and that there would be some ill feelings by those who supported the Patriot cause.

Perhaps some explanation can be found from a quote from Henry Onderdonk's Preface to “Revolutionary Incidents” that attempts to reconcile the fact the Jonathan Baker was a Tory yet returned to Brookhaven after the war. (2)

"Although the people of Long Island had taken an oath of fealty to the British crown in 1776, they were never deemed bona fide British subjects, and on the return of peace, in 1783 (with the exception of a few who were attainted of treason), they quietly slipped off their oath with their loyalty, and without the formality of abjuring their allegiance, took their places among the citizens of these free and Independent States”(2).

Post - Mortem

It is clear that Captain Jonathan Baker was not “forced out” of Brookhaven by the Patriots or “closet Patriots”, but remained and continued on with his life. He died in 1789, just six years after the end of the war (7&8). With the exception of the lawsuit brought by Ananias Smith (which was certainly not a minor thing and whose conclusion is unknown) he seems to have lived out his life in relative quiet. Census records, maps and land documents show the Baker family remained in Patchogue and apparently continued as an important part of the cultural and political fabric of the community (8). The Tory past of one of their most prominent family members long forgotten and apparently forgiven. A curious case indeed.

Authors Comment

My research on “The Curious Case of Captain Jonathan Baker” is a perfect example of the importance of actually finding and studying the source documents of the subject you are researching. I had always read about Tory’s and our Patriot forefathers and had a general “feel” for the history surrounding the subject. But to actually find the transcripts of the meetings expressing the actual words and feelings of those who had lived through this period brought it to life for me in a way no history book could. These were real people, not just passages in a book. To find and actual record of a Patriots home possibly being taken away by a Tory sympathizer, and right in my home town, was to me quite amazing. It brought cold, factual history to life. Those of you who are familiar with this site will also recognize in this story two characters who are featured in other areas of this site. One is our old friend Ananias Smith, a strange character with the nick name of “Old Rooster-Skin Narse” who is featured in the “Patchogue Stories” section of this site and the other is Lieutenant Jonathan Baker, Captain Jonathan Bakers father, who is featured in the “Traveling Dead of Patchogue” section of the site. You can imagine my surprise when I stumbled across both of them here. Very cool indeed.

References for “The Curious Case of Captain Jonathan Baker”

• 1. Third Annual Report of the State Historian of the State of New York 1897, New York and Albany: Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford Co., 1898

  2. Henry Onderdonk Jr., Revolutionary Incidents of Suffolk and Kings Counties; With an Account of the Battle of Long Island, and the British Prisons and Prison Ships at New York [New York: Leavitt & Company, 1849)

  3. (Calendar of Historical Manuscripts, Relating to the Revolution, In the Office of the Secretary of State, Albany, New York, Vol. 1 [Albany, Weed, Parsons & Co., 1868],

  4. THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY (http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/history/amrev/safety.htm)

  5. Suffolk County Mortgages B:82-84

  6. Suffolk County Land Records Vol___ page 82

1. “Captain Jonathan Baker Posted Ancestry.com” - 13 Sep 2012 by michaelthedouglas

2. Ancestry.com Baker family searches

3. Patchogue - Medford Library - Mark Rothenberg - On Line Collection

Note about the references used for this article: In my research into this story I was lucky enough to visit ancestry.com and find the comments referenced above in number 7. Comments is the incorrect word. The undisclosed author of this entry into the ancestry site wrote one of the best documented analysis of the subject of Jonathan Baker and his family that you could imagine. Many of the resources listed above come from that entry. Without it, I would not have been able to piece together much of this story. To whomever is responsible for reference point 7; thank you and well done! In addition, I utilized and was led to a number of resources identified and summarized by Mark Rothenberg of the Patchogue - Medford Public Library and their exceptional on line history collection.

Now that hurts!

Taken from the Long Island Farmer, April 9th, 1844 page 2

"We hope the good people of Patchogue will not make themselves appear ridiculous, before the rational portion of the community much longer. It is reported that three out of five of the ruling elders of the Millerite church, can neither read nor write. Increase the salary of the schoolmaster in Patchogue".

But apparently the "Senators" quirky fun loving side endeared him to many of the towns people. On one occasion, when the circus came to town none other then Edward Ross was found riding on top of the main wagon waving and smiling. He had apparently joined the troupes rounds on Long Island. On another occasion he challenged a young "dandy" from Patchogue to a "wheelmans" race. The article gave no indication who won the race, but obviously despite his run ins with the law, he was still and active participant in the town. But from what I have been able to find, his most endearing trait was his colourful dress and outgoing personality that allowed Senator Ross to overcome his reputation as a petty thief and scoundrel and be considered a harmless character who brought some color and interest to town..

Sadly, a newspaper article notes that Edward somehow became paralyzed and was sent to the Yaphank Almshouse as he was unable to care for himself any longer. The Almshouse was and infamous institution where the poor, elderly and incapacitated of Long Island were sent to live out the remainder of their lives. In 1918, two years after being sent there, "Senator" Edward Ross died and was buried in the Potters Field adjacent to the Almshouse. No name or indication of who is buried there is found on his "headstone". Just a number. There "Senator" Ross rests along side hundreds of other forgotten and abandoned individuals that lived many years ago and whose stories are lost to time. That is...... until I stumbled upon a small article in and old newspaper that told of the colorful life of a man they fondly called "the Senator"

Updated 2018

While researching and article I will be doing on the Yaphank Almshouse I stumbled across my old friend Edward Ross. A record of inmates of the institution in the year 1883 lists Edward Ross, indicating he had been at the Almshouse earlier in his life as well as directly prior to his death. Notes on his record give us a glimpse of his background. He was admitted to the Almshouse for "sickness". His mother's habits (part of the background admission process) was noted as a "lunatic". His brother and mother are also listed as paupers. A final notes mentions that at some point in his early life, Edward had been and inmate of the Suffolk County Children's Hospital, the "sister residence" of the Almshouse meant for abandoned children. It appears that Edwards troubled life but harmless life was doomed from the start.

Sources for "Senator" Edward Ross

Port Jefferson Echo - "Senator Dies at Almshouse" - 6/29/1918

South Side Signal - "The Patchogue Argus Says" - 1/12/1907

Suffolk County News - "Patchogue Notes" - 8/4/1911

Suffolk County News - Island News Notes" - 6/28/1918

Records of the Suffolk County Almshouse, Yaphank New York

The Signs of Those Times!

From a May 17th, 1897 article in the Brooklyn Eagle entitled "Bicycles Collide - Patchogue LI:

" T.J. Tappen and Anton Neilson, both prominent business men of this village, collided on Main Street late Saturday night, while preceding home on their wheels, and both were seriously injured. Neither had a light and each lays blame on the other."

Mrs. Jennings Goes To Washington

William Jennings was a 16 year old resident of Patchogue who like many other young boys of Long Island joined the Army having become caught up in what was perceived as the excitement of the Civil War. Once in however, William had second thoughts and along with some of his buddies deserted, but did not return home. After spending a few months in hiding young William ran our of money and came up with a clever idea. He reenlisted in the army under another name in order to collect the bounty that was being offered for volunteers. He was however recognized by a fellow solider from his old unit and was arrested and sentenced to death for desertion.

News was sent to his mother, Mary Jennings, that her son was to be executed by firing squad. She left Patchogue that day and traveled to Washington intent on pleading for her sons life. Without hesitation she marched to the White House and requested a meeting with President Abraham Lincoln and incredibly it was granted. She pleaded for her sons life by claiming he was only a naïve and young teenage boy who was ill prepared to join the army. Impressed with the passion and spunk of Mrs. Jennings and sympathetic to a young boys folly, the President pardoned young William from the death penalty but did sentence him to spend the rest of the war in a federal prison. Mrs. Jennings plea was just in time. When the Presidents pardon reached the prison where William was being held he was found sitting on this own coffin, waiting his turn for execution!

Mary Jennings story was picked up by the national and local papers and she became a bit of a celebrity. She retuned to Patchogue as did her son after the war. William settled into life after his return to Patchogue and became a respected bayman and Captain of a boat. He died in November of 1923 and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery. His Obituary refers to him as Captain William Jennings, a widower. And most strangely, it lists him as a Civil War Veteran! Obviously Williams boyhood transgressions were forgiven by all.

Mary Jennings died in March of 1904 and over time her story faded from memory. The amazing story of a Patchogue mother's improbable journey to save her son.

Post- Mortem:

The below appears in the Annual Report of the Adjunct General of New York. This report was published in 1899 and contains a listing of Civil War soldiers from the New York regiments along with a recap of their service.

Jennings, William T - Age 18-enlisted, October 8, 1861, at Long Island; mustered in as private, Co. D, October 17,1861, to serve three years; deserted, sentenced by court martial to forfeit all pay and allowances due and be confined at hard labor during the war; transfered, June 2nd, 1864 to CO F., Fifth New York Veteran Infantry, also borne as Gerrings.(1)

I am assuming William lied about his age (he was 16) to get in without his mothers permission. This also seems to indicate that at some time he was returned from prison to active duty.

Updated 2/2019

I think all could agree that it is difficult to judge the actions of a 16 year old boy, and it seems that the people of Patchogue indeed did not hold Williams actions as a young boy against him. However I am sure that the actions of his son Percy during World War 1 gave the Jennings family a great deal of pride and perhaps a bit of vindication. The story of the bravery of his son was related in a 1919 article in the Suffolk County News (2) and paraphrased below.

It tells of Sargent Percy E. Jennings of the 304th Machine Gun Battalion, son of William Jennings, who had been cited for conspicuous bravery and gallantry for saving two members of his team who had been separated from his unit and were in danger of being captured or killed by the Germans. He volunteered to go back and find the men, did so under heavy fire, and helped guide them back to safety at great peril to himself.

Sources for Mrs. Jennings Goes To Washington

(1) - Annual Report of the Adjunct General of the State of New York for the Year 1899 - 12th New York Infantry Regiment.

Brooklyn Eagle - "Mothers Plea Was Potent" - 11/6/1909

Brooklyn Eagle - " Mrs. Mary Jennings Dead" - 3/14/1904

Find A Grave - Mary Jennings and William Jennings

(2) - Suffolk County News - 2/7/1919

The Pastor Solves the Mystery

And article in the October 26th, 1961 issue of the Long Islander tells the story of and incident that occurred in Patchogue in 1792. The article relates that the Parishioners in the town of Patchogue had just finished building the first church located on Waverly Avenue, on the corner where Lakeview Cemetery sits today. One evening after a function at the church a number of parishioners swore they saw a red robed, cloven foot beast with horns on his head wandering the woods behind the church. For three nights afterwards the people of the church swore they saw the same beast roaming the woods. People began to spread the word that it was the devil himself. The pastor of the church, determined to put these rumors to bed, waited up the next night. Finally he spotted the strange beast out in the woods and raced out the door towards it. At church the next day he informed the congregation of his findings. The "devil beast" they had all seen was nothing more than a billy goat that had the habit of standing on his back feet in and upright position as he tried to eat leaves off of low lying trees. The mystery was solved.

irons and transported to the Florida to be taken to a prison camp in the South. Left behind in the S.J. Waring was their negro cook, Joe. The Confederate crew felt he was too old to worry about, and he was left on the Waring to cook for 5 Confederate crew members who remained on the captured ship with orders to sail her back to a port in the South. No sooner had the Florida disappeared from view on the horizon, than the crew broke into some whiskey which had been left behind. Joe went about his business pouring the increasingly intoxicated crew drinks and serving them food. Within hours one by one the Confederate crew began to pass out. Joe waited and watched. When the last crew member fell fast asleep, Joe crept down stairs to the kitchen and came back to the deck of the ship with one of his knives. One by one, he crept up on the sleeping crew, stabbed them to death and threw them over the side of the boat. Within minutes, Joe had killed all 5 Confederate crew members.

As Joe had been to sea all of his life he was able to point his ship back North and make a run for safety. Soon, he came across a Union ship that took him on board and heard his incredible story. After confirming his tale by boarding the S.J. Waring and seeing its blood drenched floors, he was taken along with the Waring back to New York and celebrated as a hero for the rest of his life. While the newspaper article does not tell us how long Joe lived, it does tell us he was known for years as "Old Joe the Union Hero". It goes on to say that one insurance company even agreed to pay Joe $1.00 a day for the rest of his life, which they faithfully did.

The S.J. Waring was built in Stony Brook Long Island by a William Bacon and was originally used to run cargo between New York and Charleston. It was only 499 tons but was known to be a fast and agile ship. Three years after Joe and the ship were returned to New York, it ran aground as it tried to enter Stony Brook harbor and began to break apart. The ship could not be salvaged. The Brooklyn Eagle article notes the wreck of the ship was visible in the harbor for many years and that people would venture out to its resting place to obtain parts of it. Many people came back after seeing the wreck swearing the decks of the ship still were stained with the blood of the unfortunate Confederate crew. Some claimed to have recovered some of the blood stained planks of the deck and brought them home as a souvenir.

It was said that Captain Frank Smith returned to Patchogue after the war and resumed his career as a successful sea captain. As to the fate of Joe, he seems to have disappeared into the haze of history, only to be brought back to life here. Some newspaper articles report "Old Joe's" real name was William Tillman. Somewhere below the waters of Stony Brook Harbor may lie what is left of the S.J. Waring.

Authors Note - after originally writing this article I did come across another account of this incident that differs from this one. An 1861 copy of Harpers Weekly states that two Confederate soldiers were left alive by Joe and left in chains below. In addition, one "Yankee" was on board (left there when the ship was captured). This version has "Old Joe"(or William Tillman in this article) as allowing the two Confederates to come up to the deck to help him sail the ship back North with the warning they would meet the same fate as their friends should they try anything. Which version is accurate, I do not know.

Sources

(1) Brooklyn Eagle - 9/1/1900 - "A Negros Daring Deed"

(2) Picture Credit - the engraving that appears in this section was published in the 1861 Harpers Weekly

Sources For Ralph Brown

Patchogue Advance – 8/24/1944 – “Ralph Brown Wounded In France”

Patchogue Advance – 12/6/1945 – PFC Brown Discharged, Wounded in France

Bellport Revisited – 2008 – Victor Principe

Picture Credit - Images of America: Bellport Revisited

Patchogue's Marine Monster of 1899 (Brooklyn Eagle - June 21, 1899)

No one was quite sure what this strange serpent was, but everyone was sure they had never seen anything like it. Captain Smith, seeing an opportunity to make some money off of his find, charged 10 cents to see his catch and there were lines of people willing to pay so they could say they had seen the Patchogue Marine Monster.

In June of 1899 Captain John A. Smith captured a strange sea creature in the Atlantic Ocean off of Patchogue. When his ship docked and he brought it on shore it created a hysteria in town. As reported in the June 21st, 1899 edition of the Brooklyn Eagle the strange sea creature was about 9 feet long and 9 and a half feet around. Its head was 2 and a a half feet around and the mouth was almost a foot along. Running along its jaw was two rows of razor sharp saw like teeth which pointed inward. Strangest of all was the fact that the creature had a hard shelled back, with the shell beginning 10 inches below its head and continuing to its tail. The shell was not even and round like a turtles, but instead was uneven with six ridges of pointed edges which ran lengthwise from its head to its tail. It had two back "flappers" for feet which were each close to 2 feet long.

After a day or two Undertaker Ruland embalmed the body and sent it to the "Central Park Museum of Natural History" so it could hopefully be identified and put on display for all to see. So what was this strange beast that Captain Smith captured? Was it what it was rumored to be by the people of Patchogue, a hold over from the prehistoric ages that had been hidden from view in the depths of the ocean? Regretfully this will be left to our imagination as there are no further reports telling us if the beast was ever identified.

Gilson Ruland – A Fascinating Story Of An Old Resident Of Patchogue

This was one of the first pieces that I wrote for Long Island Stories after finding a small article in the August 10^th, 1911 issue of the New York Times titled “Silent To Wife For 40 Years” (1). I stumbled across it while researching Patchogue and for some reason it fascinated me. It was the exact type of small forgotten story I had been looking for that was interesting and brought the old town “to life”. The article detailed Patchogue resident Gilson Ruland’s reaction after returning from the Civil War to a reportedly unfaithful wife. The first piece I wrote was quite small containing a copy of the New York Times article and some commentary by me. But as the years went on I was able to obtain more information on Gilson Ruland and was actually able to “flesh” out the story.

Here is the New York Times article that started it all. The quotes in italics are taken exactly as they appear in the article:

"Gilson Ruland was born in Patchogue and lived there his entire life. Shortly before the Civil War Gilson married a young woman from the town and settled down. Like many young men on Long Island he enlisted to fight for the Union at the first call for volunteers, leaving his young wife at home. He returned in 1865 at the conclusion of the war and was greeted by gossiping residents linking his wife with those of younger men who had not fought in the war. Without a word, Gilson took all of his possessions and left his house and his wife, building a small home next store to his old house. He never spoke to his wife again, despite the fact that they could clearly see each other through the windows of the adjoining houses. If they passed in the street he would icily stare ahead and proceed as if she was a total stranger. The wife made many fruitless attempts to reconcile but was always greeted with a blank stare and a cold shoulder. His wife died in her seventies, never having remarried. Some said she died of a broken heart".

"Gilson lived until he was 91 years old and also never remarried. When he died, he had not a friend or relative in the world to grieve for him. He was buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in the old Waverly Avenue cemetery. Ruland was known by generations of Patchogue children as Santa Claus because of the long white beard he sported in his later life".

This story really stayed in my mind. Who was this Gilson Ruland? What happened to him? What happened to his wife? So I dug a little deeper and found a lot more.

The story continued to fascinated me however. Now that I knew Gilson was a real man I wanted to see if I could find out more about him and also what happened to him? After more digging I found an article in the 1912 issue of a paper named the Daily Star entitled “Did Threatening Note Cause Old Mans Death” (3). The article retells the tale of Gilson Ruland returning from the Civil War and turning his back on his reportedly unfaithful wife. It than goes on to tell how a year after his death executors of his estate visited his house to establish its worth. The article describes the home as an “old ramshackle dwelling” that was referred to in town as the “Hermitage”. The article goes on to describe the executors finding what is referred to by them as a “white cap letter” hidden in a crevice of the house. It was a threatening letter that told the old man if he did not clean up his hedges outside his house there would be consequences. The article speculates that perhaps it was the fear of these threats and not ill health that lead to the old man’s death. Fascinating!

The Daily Star article also provided me with a great deal more information on Gilson. Not only was he called Santa Claus by the children of the town, but he is described as being a “lovable old recluse” who had fat cheeks, laughing blue eyes and a long white beard just like Santa Claus. It also tells how every Christmas the recluse would walk the streets of Patchogue giving out “toys, candy and coppers” to the children who followed him. It goes on to note that Gilson’s hobby was collecting door knobs, that he survived on his Civil War pension and that he had an old ships bell on his front lawn which he rung once in the morning to welcome the day and once at night to close it.

Having felt I went as far as I could with Gilson Ruland, I began to research other stories and quite a few followed. But I was always curious about Gilson Ruland’s wife. Who was she? What happened to her? All I knew from the original article is that she never remarried and died in her seventies. I did some more research but never was able to come up with any additional information. That is until recently.

Thanks to the help of an avid researcher of old head stones that visited Long Island Stories and contacted me, I was able to flesh out more of the story. Going under the title “aislin”, he like me works to bring to life the stories of those who may otherwise be forgotten. You can find much of his work on “Find A Grave” where he provides research on individuals buried in local cemeteries

A final interesting note to this rather sad but very interesting story. To the very end Gilson retained his bitterness towards Mary. It was noted that on the day of her funeral "the old man hitched up his horse to the farm wagon and drove out of town until the funeral was over" (8).

On a cold blustery day I went to Patchogue and found what is now number 75 River Avenue. I wanted to see if there was anything that remained of the old house that Gilson lived in. Any clue of the man who lived there. I am fairly certain this would be the same location as number 75 was in 1904, as I was able to located the house number in approximately the same place on an 1870's street map of Patchogue I found in the Patchogue library (5).

Alas, the “old ramshackle house” was no longer there, replaced by a very small building that houses a business. Interestingly enough though, inscribed to the left of the front of the building is the date “1914”. This building was put up only a few years after Gilson's death in 1911 and it would seem reasonable that it replaced the "old ramshackle" house that he lived in. I looked to see if I could find any trace of the old ships bell, but I found none. I looked to see if there was an old home next to or behind number 75 that could have been Gilson’s wives. No luck. Only a more modern home was there. So I had to imagine. I stood outside number 75 and realized this was the place where Gilson's home once stood, sitting next to his wife’s whom he never spoke to. The house of a Civil War veteran. The house of Patchogue’s very own Santa Clause!

Gilson Ruland Updated 2/2019

This story just keeps on giving. An additional article in the Brooklyn Eagle (12) follows up on the original one noting the passing of Gilson Ruland. It notes that during the demolition of Gilsons old shack and barn that was on his property, a pot was found containing $108 in cash (a good deal of money at that time). In addition they found scattered around the property ancient coins and relics that dated back many years and which were quite valuable. Finally the article notes that found "hidden" in a section of the house was what they called a "white cap letter" written by anonymous town people threatening that if Gilson did not clean up the unkempt hedges around his property that something very bad was going to happen. Apparently Gilson did not keep up with his property very well making the old man some enemies in town!

The names of the men were: William Rose, Isaac Woodruff, Lewis Parshall, Daniel Parshall, Benjamin Brown, Nehemiah Hand, James Homan, Henry Homan,Charles Ellison, James Prior and John Hulse. The boat came on shore in pieces and eight of the bodies were recovered. I have located the tombstones of some of them. William Rose was buried on the ground on which this building stands, but was removed some few years ago to the present village cemetery; Isaac Woodruff's stone is in St. John's Cemetery in Oakdale; the two Parshall boys have a stone in the old Patchogue Cemetery on Waverly Avenue; Benjamin Brown's body and stone were removed to the Woodland Cemetery in Bellport; Nehemiah Hand's stone is in the Presbyterian Cemetery in South Haven. If the other five have stones, I have failed in finding them".

In an article that appeared in the 2010 Fire Island Tide written by Jay D. Raines, another theory was advanced for the death of the fisherman (2). The author felt that experienced fisherman would never have left their boat in such a vulnerable position, and that the British had little interest in killing American fisherman. Instead, she felt that most likely the men were the victims of an attack by a great white shark or group of great white sharks that came upon their small boat as they fished. Some men may have been in the water when the attack occurred and were killed there while others may have been knocked from their small boat and than attacked. Mr. Raines notes that this would account for the condition of the boat when it was found (in pieces) and the fact that some of the bodies were never found. He speculates that they could have been devoured whole by the shark. Mr. Raines notes that there was no official record of an autopsy done and that most likely the people of the time were not familiar with the killing machine that we now know the great white shark can be. It was, he said, far easier for the families of the men to believe their loved ones simply drowned rather than having been eaten by a sea monster.

We will never know for sure exactly how these men died. Only our speculation and theories. But the account given in Mr. Shaw's presentation to the Fireplace Literary Club contains an interesting note. Two of the eleven doomed fisherman "had a stone in the old Patchogue Cemetery on Waverly Avenue". The men were Daniel Parshall and Lewis Parshall. Two more interesting individuals from a time long ago whose remains reside in Patchogue's Lakeview Cemetery.

I have searched the cemetery for that stone but have been unable to find it. There are a few other stones that bear the name of Parshall, but none for these two men. Their remains now rest in an unmarked grave, with their stone most likely having disappeared over time, a victim to time, vandalism or the elements.

Sources for "The Mystery of 1813"

(1) Taken exactly as it appeared from a paper written by Mr. Osborn Shaw of Bellport for the Fireplace Literary Club, and read by him at the Brookhaven Free Library, October 5th, 1933. Mr. Osborn was the Brookhaven Town Historian

(2) Fire Island Tide Newspaper - July 23, 2010 - By Jay D. Raines

"Hermit Sam Of Cannan" ( Brooklyn Eagle, 1/6/1895)

A story about this unusual character appears in an 1895 article in the Brooklyn Eagle. In the article, Hermit Sam is described as "known to nearly every inhabitant of Long Island". Sam lived "almost like a wild man in a cave that was located somewhere in the hills just north of Cannnan (present Cannan Lake area). He lived on his own and made his living as a hunter, and was often seen in the forests around Patchogue tending his traps. He had very long hair, an overgrown bushy red beard and was always wrapped in rags from head to toe. Towns people nick named him the "Wild Man". You could imagine the site he made on the rare occasions he ventured into Patchogue to buy supplies. Sam was also fiercely protective of his cave and he would use the ax he always carried to frighten away anyone who would come near it.

Well, it seems that at the time of the writing of this article the towns people and law enforcement had decided Sam had grown a little to eccentric and they chased him down to send him to the notorious "County House" for the poor in Yaphank. Notorious for its poor treatment of those who stayed there and generally died there, alone and forgotten. Sam was captured but he convinced his captors to allow him to return one last time to his cave to retrieve some belongings. Once there he proceeded to dig up a bundle wrapped in paper which contained "several hundred dollars in silver". The article says that "this he wrapped up and took with him to the poor house".

The last two sad sentences of this article reads " He was suppose to be about 70 years of age. His once powerful frame is wasted until he appears more like a ghost than a human being".

I wonder if Sam's cave near Cannan Lake still exists somewhere beneath a mound of dirt or buried under some thick underbrush? Maybe one day I will search for it and see if there is any hints of this strange man left hidden.

But the article leads me to many new revelations as it gives us a hint as to how and when Sam became the Hermit he became known as. According to the story, Sam had lived with his widowed mother, Hannah, whom he adored. They lived in a small house together until her death. Sam, who never liked people to begin with, became totally withdrawn after the death of his beloved mother and became a recluse, seldom venturing from the small house they lived in except to get food and occasionally to work as a farm laborer. He lived this way until the old house fell down around him, at which point he disappeared into the woods near Cannan and began the life of a wild hermit (2).

Now that I had Sam’s full name I was able to fill out his story. “Find a Grave” helped me locate Samuel Mott buried in the Waverly Street Cemetery in Patchogue (3a). Thanks to notes included on Sam’s Find a Grave page (provided by “aislin”) (4), this Sam Mott's mother was indeed listed as Hannah. I had found our man. From this information we were led to census reports and other records that helped me flush out the sad story of Hermit Sam.

Sam was born in 1836 to Charles and Hannah Mott. According to the 1850 census of Brookhaven Town Sam was living with his mother and father in a small home with a number of brothers and sisters. Sam’s father Charles was listed as a farmer (5). In the 1860’s census Sam is 25 years old and is still living with his father and mother and he is now shown as a Day Laborer (6). Finally, the 1870 census shows Sam living with his widowed mother, Hannah. His father Charles had died in 1862 (7). Sam’s final chapter of semi normal life ends with the death of his mother in 1875, when after her passing he began to descend into total isolation and eventually the life of a back woods hermit living in a cave in the forest of New Cannan, and area of North Patchogue which is near what is now Canaan Lake (2).

Eventually, Sam’s life sadly culminated in his forcible removal from the forest and admittance into the Yaphank Almshouse on January 6^th, 1895 (2).

Sam’s stay at the Almshouse was not a long one. His headstone lists his death as 1895. The same year he was admitted to the Almshouse.

I began to wonder what had happened to Sam’s brothers and sisters and if they had tried to help him. And it was here, like many of the stories I find, that the tale of Hermit Sam got even stranger. I was able to locate four of the brothers and sisters (8). Nelson Mott had died in 1873. Pervilla Mott Smith died in 1919. Charlotte Mott Rice died in 1912. And finally an Edward T. Mott died in 1901. We will revisit him in a minute. There were other brothers and sisters, but these are the ones I found. Having found them, I wondered if Pervilla or Charlotte, both whom were alive when Sam took to the woods and was eventually sent to the asylum, had ever tried to help their brother Sam. The only clue I could find was a sentence in the Brooklyn Eagle article in 1893 that stated “he (Sam) had a few relatives that he refused to acknowledge” (1). From this we can possibly surmise that they may have tried to help Sam, but he was not interested. We will never know for sure.

Post - Mortem

Hannah Mott did not live to see the demise of her two sons. Evidence suggests that she took care of them her entire life, however within one year of her death Samuel was living as a hermit in a cave. Within three years of her death her son Edward, unable to take care of himself, was confined in a poorhouse where he would live out the rest of his life alone and destitute. I imagine her as a strong mother who cared for her sons, both of whom seemed to have had some emotional challenges. And sons, who once she was gone, struggled to get along in the world without her.

The story of Hermit Sam of Canaan. A complex story of a broken family from long ago brought to life as a result of a small paragraph found in an 1895 Brooklyn Eagle article.

Sources for "So Who Was "Hermit Sam of Cannan"

1. Brooklyn Eagle - "Long Islands Wildman" - 1893

2. Brooklyn Eagle - " Hermit Sam Arrested" - 1895

3. Find a Grave - Samuel Mott Waverly Cemetery

4. Notes on Find a Grave provided by "aislin"

5. 1850 Federal Census Record

6. 1860 Federal Census Record

7. 1870 Federal Census

8. Ancestry.com

A final thought. My interest in Sam Gordon began as I tried to find out who the man whose name was that had his name on the abandoned building on Lake Street . The building was clearly from another day and age and to me represented vestiges of Patchogues wonderful past. I had originally thought the building had something to do with the fishing industry and the towns seafaring past. I made this assumption because of what appeared to me to be "water floats" that were suspended from the outside of the building that can be seen in the photos above. I was quite surprised when I found the building actually housed a produce company! But the shame of this story besides being a tale of the tragic death of Sam Gordon, is the buildings demolition in July of 2012.

The loss of this historic building passed without much fanfare or objection. One day it was here. A testament to the towns wonderful past. The next it was gone. This has been a troubling trend in the town of Patchogue. Wonderful growth and necessary revitalization but often at the expense of those landmarks that help keep us connected to our towns wonderful history and culture. The history and culture that indeed laid the foundation for what we love most about Patchogue. My quest to find out who Sam Gordon was came just in time for me. I was able to beat the "wrecking ball" and discover the man behind the building. A part of history that is now but a memory.

Sources For " Who Was Sam Gordon?" and "Sam Gordon Revisited"

1. Patchogue Advance - 3/30/1950 - "Sam Gordon Killed At Railroad Crossing

2. Patchogue Advance - 4/20/1950 - "Will Gives Money To Hebrew Cemetery Association, His Sons and His Widow"

Picture 1 Above; Original sketch of Honey Bee done in 1885

From the start, Honey Bee was considered something special by those fireman who worked with it. From the fire fighters of New York City to the fire fighters of Patchogue, Honey Bee was more than a machine. It was a treasured member of the family.

To illustrate that point, I share with you and amazing and rare piece of history I came across while researching Honey Bee. I found it in the Library of Congress records and it is a song about Honey Bee written by the men of Volunteer Fire Company Protector written sometime in the 1860’s (11).

Honey Bee. Engine No. 5. By J. McGuey

Library of Congress, Rare Books and Special Collections Division

O there is a place in Ann Street of which I love to tell,

Where oft I’ve sat with other boys listening for a bell,

How oft I’ve sat around that spot; my heart from care was free,

The only thought upon my mind, was of thee, Honey Bee

Chorus

Then rally round Protection, Boys/ Wherever you may be,

And give a lively shake upon, / That good old Honey Bee.

That Bell it tolled, the Engine rolled, to the fire we did go;

Our hose was stretched, we manned our brakes, the water quick did flow,

Then work your Engine, lively boys, the flames above you see,

Shall quick be got under by that little Honey Bee.

Then rally, chorus

How oft I’ve run along with her through streets of mud and mire,

But of this I never thought a going to a fire.

In turning of a corner the flames then we should see,

It was then there was excitement with you, old Honey Bee.

Then rally, chorus

It was when you were laying up that I felt very sad,

Losing those pleasant times with you I always had,

Then when I go unto a fire other Engines I would see,

But I never could be satisfied without you, Honey Bee.

Then rally, chorus

‘Tis now that you have come back that I feel good again,

And at a fire how gay I am a singing out your name,

‘Tis when I am getting old that number I shall see,

I will think of the happy time I’ve spent with you, old Honey Bee,

This loss must have been a rare occurrence for Protector Company, as notes I have found claim that “the company and Old Honey Bee were never “washed” over a 5 year period (4). “Washed” meant beat to a fire. Ann Street in lower Manhattan, the home of Protector Company and Honey Bee, was located a block away from the famous Barnum Museum (13). Barnum Museum was known around the world for its collection of oddities, exotic animals and “freak show” talent. People flocked to the museum. In 1865, the Barnum Museum went on fire and companies from around the City responded to put out the horrific blaze. The museum was a total loss. There is no doubt that Honey Bee, with its station just one block away, was on hand to fight this historic fire. The fire that is listed as the last fought by the volunteer NYC fire companies before they were disbanded and replaced by the new paid force. The Barnum Museum fire and loss of this well-loved attraction made news all over the world, and Honey Bee was most likely right in the middle of it all.

It is unclear what happened to Honey Bee between the times the Volunteer department disbanded in 1865 (and thus Protector Company) and when she was bought by the town of Patchogue in 1880 (1,4). Records indicate it was most likely out of service for much of that period as the City had installed a central water system that made “hand pumping” fire apparatus obsolete. We do know that in 1880, the town of Patchogue purchased Honey Bee from the town of College Point for $300 (1,4). Honey Bee was about to begin its second stage of its remarkable life. When the department received her, much work was needed to put her back in shape as she had been out of service for many years.

Alas, progress marches on and progress indeed came to Patchogue. Records indicated that by 1926 Old Honey Bee had long ago been taken out of service, the town having installed its own central water system. She could be found being stored in what was the old brick jail located directly behind what was then the fire house (3). She was still brought out for parades and special occasions, but her days of fighting fires were over. In 1903, after having been decommissioned, the fire department officially turned over ownership of Old Honey Bee to the Patchogue Association of Exempt Fireman, and organization of current and past members of the department (4,6,12). In exchange for Honey Bee, the department was given a modern hose wagon and new firemen’s uniforms (6, 12). It was under their guidance and ownership that Old Honey Bee would reside (4, 6).

“Then rally round Protection, Boys

Wherever you may be,

And give a lively shake upon,

That good old Honey Bee”.

Picture 6 Above; Honey Bee being transported by today's Department

Resources for “The Amazing Life of "Honey Bee". The Pride of the Patchogue Fire Department.

(1) Brooklyn Eagle – 3/7/1900 “Patchogue’s Old Honey Bee”

(2) Brooklyn Eagle – 7/30/1912 “President Taft Member of Engine Hose Company”

(3) Brooklyn Eagle – 3/9/1926 “Patchogue Exempts Present...”

(4) Brooklyn Eagle – 5/28/1904 “ Old Honey Bee Turned Over To Exempts”

(5) Brooklyn Eagle – 7/14/1903 “Traded Engine for Hose Cart”

(6) Brooklyn Eagle – 10/9/1919 “Old Hand Pumps In Contest”

(7) Brooklyn Eagle – 10/12/1919”Patchogue Vamps Confident of Victory”

(8) Long Island Advance – 1/1/1971 “ Patchogue Fire Department Plays Important Role”

(9) Historic Fire Stations of New York City – web site

(10) Stony Brook Carriage Collection – web site

(11) Library of Congress – Rare Books and Special Collections Division

(12) Museums of Stony Brook vs. Village of Patchogue

(13) Municipal Journal – 8/22/1912 – Honey Bee member of Protection 5

(14) Reminisces of Old Fire Laddies and Volunteer Fire Departments Of New York and Brooklyn – J. Frank Kernan – 1885 - Historic illustration of Honey Bee as it appeared in the 1860’s

Picture Credits for "The Amazing Life of Honey Bee"

Picture 1; Original sketch of Honey Bee done in 1885 probably depicting its appearance in the 1860's . This is the oldest representation of Honey Bee I could find -From "Reminisces of Old Fire Ladies and Volunteer Fire Departments of New York and Brooklyn"- J. Frank Kernan- 1885.

Picture 2; Original Copy of the Honey Bee Song as it actually appeared in the 1800's and how it appears in the Library of Congress - Library of Congress, Rare Books and Special Collections Division

Picture 3; Early picture of Honey Bee stored somewhere in Patchogue- Patchogue Advance, 12/5/1946

Picture 4; Patchogue Fire Department standing in front of Honey Bee outside old Fire House. The fire house appears to be the 2nd one which was built prior to current house - Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 7/30/1912

Picture 5; Early picture of Honey Bee taken in Patchogue - Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 5/28/1904

Picture 6; Honey Bee being transported by today's Department. Taken from Patchogue Fire Department web site.

Questions or comments: longislandstories58@gmail.com