Freetown (East Hampton)
Encyclopedia
Freetown is an area in East Hampton (town), New York
originally inhabited by freed slaves and Native Americans
.
East Hampton in the early 19th century was lightly populated and one of the biggest slave holders were descendents of Lion Gardiner
who owned Gardiner's Island. During the War of 1812
slaves from the island were used to ferry supplies back and forth because they could slip through British lines because it was "obvious" that they were "owned."
After slavery was abolished in New York State in 1827, freed slaves were relocated to small houses just north of East Hampton (village), New York
. An 1858 Chace Map shows only 13 structures in town
In 1879 Arthur W. Benson
bought 10,000 acres (40 km²) around Montauk, New York
from the Montaukett
tribe and relocated tribe members to Freetown.
There is little direct connection to the neighborhood now. One of the last structures from the town is the St. Matthews Chapel which was moved in 1976 to what is now East Hampton Pointe.
East Hampton (town), New York
The Town of East Hampton is located in southeastern Suffolk County, New York, at the eastern end of the South Shore of Long Island. It is the easternmost town in the state of New York...
originally inhabited by freed slaves and Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
.
East Hampton in the early 19th century was lightly populated and one of the biggest slave holders were descendents of Lion Gardiner
Lion Gardiner
Lion Gardiner , an early English settler and soldier in the New World, founded the first English settlement in what became the state of New York on Long Island. His legacy includes Gardiners Island, which is held by his descendants.-Early life:...
who owned Gardiner's Island. During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
slaves from the island were used to ferry supplies back and forth because they could slip through British lines because it was "obvious" that they were "owned."
After slavery was abolished in New York State in 1827, freed slaves were relocated to small houses just north of East Hampton (village), New York
East Hampton (village), New York
The Village of East Hampton is a village in Town of East Hampton, New York. It is located in Suffolk County, on the South Fork of eastern Long Island...
. An 1858 Chace Map shows only 13 structures in town
In 1879 Arthur W. Benson
Arthur W. Benson
Arthur W. Benson was a president of Brooklyn Gas Light who developed the New York City suburbs of Bensonhurst and Montauk.Benson founded the Brooklyn Gas Light company in 1823, when Brooklyn had 9,000 people....
bought 10,000 acres (40 km²) around Montauk, New York
Montauk, New York
Montauk [ˈmɒntɒk] is a census-designated place that roughly corresponds to the hamlet with the same name located in the town of East Hampton in Suffolk County, New York, United States on the South Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 3,851 as of 2000...
from the Montaukett
Montaukett
The Montaukett is an Algonquian-speaking Native American group native to the eastern end of Long Island, New York and one of the thirteen historical indigenous centers...
tribe and relocated tribe members to Freetown.
There is little direct connection to the neighborhood now. One of the last structures from the town is the St. Matthews Chapel which was moved in 1976 to what is now East Hampton Pointe.