Collection | Text

Highlights of the Long Island Collections

Highlights of the Long Island Collections, a combination of manuscripts, maps, and broadsides, reflects Long Island’s rich history from present-day Brooklyn and Queens to the East End. Individually and in combination, this digital collection offers a vivid understanding of how the island went from being a sparsely populated stretch of land settled by farmers and fishermen to a mix of densely populated residential areas, business and industrial zones, highways and commuter train lines, and exclusive enclaves of beachfront property on the East End.

Contributor
New-York Historical Society

Item Details Content statement

Description

Highlights of the Long Island Collections, a combination of manuscripts, maps, and broadsides, reflects Long Island’s rich history from present-day Brooklyn and Queens to the East End. Individually and in combination, this digital collection offers a vivid understanding of how the island went from being a sparsely populated stretch of land settled by farmers and fishermen to a mix of densely populated residential areas, business and industrial zones, highways and commuter train lines, and exclusive enclaves of beachfront property on the East End. Included in this collection are the papers of some of the most influential families of Long Island—the Gardiners, Lloyds, Townsends, and Woodhulls; real estate, legal, and financial documents; business ledgers and accounts; notices of land for sale and the creation of towns and residential neighborhoods; and maps that document the new towns and neighborhoods, along with the new subways, Long Island Railroad lines, and highways. The digitization of the Long Island collections was made possible by a generous grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation.

Full Title
Highlights of the Long Island Collections
Member of
New-York Historical Society Digital Collections
Genre
archives (groupings)
broadsides (notices)
manuscripts (documents)
maps (documents)
Owning Institution
New-York Historical Society
Subject (Geographic)
Long Island (N.Y.)
Long Island (N.Y.)--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
Long Island (N.Y.)--History--Revolution, 1775-1783
Long Island (N.Y.)--History--Sources
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)--History
Queens (New York, N.Y.)--History--Sources
Contributor
New-York Historical Society
Digital Format
image/tiff
Digital Origin
digitized other analog

Subcollections

12 subcollections
Epenetus Platt collection, 1702-1848 (bulk 1702-1739)
Collection relating to Epenetus Platt (1674-1744), landowner, member of the General Assembly, military officer, and trustee of the Town of Huntington, Long Island, N.Y. and the Platt family. Includes of receipts, letters, property records, forms printed by William Bradford or John Peter Zenger related to Platt's service in the General Assembly, items signed as trustee of Huntington, and a watercolor copy of the Platt family arms by A.B. Durand.
George W. Strong letter books, 1804-1853
Correspondence, 1804-1853, of attorney George Washington Strong of New York City probably compiled by his son, the diarist George Templeton Strong. The bulk of the correspondence consists of letters written by Strong, 1820-1841, to his brother in-law John Nelson Lloyd of Lloyd Neck, Long Island. Strong writes to Lloyd of personal and financial matters, including the welfare and activities of family members and mutual acquaintances, and advice…
Hempstead (N.Y.) collection, 1666-1870 (bulk 1727-1782)
Thirty-eight items, mostly deeds and indentures for land in Hempstead, including a handful of receipts and invitations, and a set of documents related to the building of a road in Far Rockaway in 1870.
John Avery ledgers, 1763-1770, 1775-1780
Ledgers of John Avery (1739-1779), schoolteacher at Huntington, Long Island, New York. Three ledgers (A, B, and D--ledger C is referred to in the other ledgers, but is not held by New-York Historical Society) covering 1763-1770 and 1775-1780 and recording the accounts of parents of his pupils, most from Huntington, Suffolk County, and Brooklyn, Connecticut, where he boarded with Col. Israel Putnam, expenses of his school, particularly firewood,…
John Bowne journal, 1650-1694

John Bowne (1627-1695), Quaker of Flushing, Long Island. Bowne's journal contains entries of births, marriages, and deaths in the family; a few business and personal accounts; mentions of several Quakers both in Britain and the American colonies; accounts of his voyages to and from England; his arrest and imprisonment in 1662 for holding Quaker meetings in his home; his trial before Peter Stuyvesant and deportation; and his appeal to the…

Lloyd family papers, 1654-1822
Correspondence, land papers, deeds, bonds, memoranda, maps, indentures, wills, and miscellaneous legal and financial documents, 1654-1822, of the Lloyd family of Long Island, Boston, and Rhode Island. Correspondence, 1654-1822, consists of letters received by members of the Lloyd family, generally from other family members, and principally concern financial and legal matters, disposition of family property, inheritances, management of farm and…
Long Island (N.Y.) property records and legal documents, 1662-1874.
Collection of 15 items chiefly relating to land in Long Island, N.Y. Includes deeds, indentures, and other documents relating to land sales including a land grant from Peter Stuyvesant and material relating to Capt. John Scott's fraudulent land sales. Also includes other legal documents relating to criminal and civil proceedings.
Long Island City (New York, N.Y.) and Astoria (New York, N.Y.) property records and legal documents, 1639-1758.
Collection of property records and legal documents relating to land in Long Island City, N.Y. and Astoria, N.Y. (formerly part of Newtown); includes contemporaneous copies of agreements with Native American tribes from the 17th century, deeds and other records for property formerly belonging to the Lawrence family, and legal records relating to several lawsuits involving the Lawrence, Hallett, Leverich, and Moore families and others.
Robert Townsend account books, 1772?-1784.
Account books dated 1772?-1784 from merchant and Revolutionary War spy Robert Townsend, his father, Samuel Townsend, and brothers, Solomon Townsend and Samuel Townsend Jr. They consist of Robert Townsend's daybook, 1772?-1774; a daybook of Samuel Townsend Sr. and Samuel Townsend Jr. dated 1773; a daybook attributed to Solomon Townsend dated 1778; and Robert Townsend's receipt book, 1779-1784, with some receipts made out to Robert Townsend &…
Solomon Townsend papers, 1768-1811
Solomon Townsend (1746-1811) was a merchant, shipmaster, iron founder, and member of the New York State Assembly. His papers, 1768-1811, include diaries, account books, and other business records. An account and record book of voyages with the brig Sally, 1768-1773, includes notes on wages paid to the crew, freight lists, accounts with shippers, freight charges, cargo, etc. During this period the ship stopped at New York, Québec, Cape Fear,…
Southold (N.Y.) collection, 1685-1765
Collection of documents relating to the people and land of the Town of Southold, Suffolk County, N.Y. Includes a legal brief in King vs. Josiah Raynor and William Reeve, presenting the case against them for poisoning twenty sheep belonging to Timothy Hudson of Southold. Also includes several documents related to the petition of the Corchaug Indians to retake possession of land at Indian Neck in Southold; the Indians had been granted use of land…
Townsend family history and documents, 1827-1874.
Family based in New York City and Long Island. Family history and records, 1827-1874, consisting of a genealogy of the family written by Peter S. Townsend in 1827-1828, supplemented with annotations, clippings, and other material, probably by his brother, Solomon Townsend, and a volume of copies and excerpts of deeds, land papers, and other records, mainly of Jamaica (N.Y.) and Oyster Bay (N.Y.), pertaining to various members of the Townsend…

Items in this collection

336042-Service File.jpg
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132 Items

East Hampton book of laws, June 24, 1665.

A 1798 copy of the "Duke's Laws" promulgated by Governor Richard Nicolls at a convention of representatives of the English and Dutch towns held at Hempstead, March 1, 1665. This copy was made from the copy at East Hampton dated June 24, 1665 and includes amendments and additions from [June?] 1665 through October 13, 1675. The laws are based on those from the other British colonies in North America and cover both civil and criminal matters and establish civil offices and courts in the colony of New York.
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76 Items

Notes and observations on the town of East Hampton at the east end of Long Island by John Lyon Gardiner, April 1798.

Description and history of the town of East Hampton and neighboring towns in eastern Suffolk County written by John Lyon Gardiner of the Isle of Wight [i.e. Gardiners Island] at the request of the Rev. Samuel Miller of New York. Includes town boundaries and the physical features of the area, descriptions of agriculture and fisheries, and the social conditions of the inhabitants. The first part focuses on the period of settlement and establishment of the towns and government in the 17th century and the post-settlement decline of the Native American inhabitants.
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290 Items

Samuel Townsend daybook, 1750-1751

Merchant of Oyster Bay, Long Island. Daybook, 1750-1751, recording small sales of rum, fabric, sugar, molasses, and other foodstuffs, clothing, and various small goods. Includes sales to members of the Townsend, Weekes, Wright, and Seaman families and many others including Ned Lane, a Native American, and at least two African Americans. Wanting two or more leaves.
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84 Items

Solomon Townsend ledger, 1821-1823

Merchant and resident of New York City. Ledger, 1821-1823, recording personal and business transactions, as well as the accounts of his mother, Mrs. Anne Townsend, and transactions with other members of his family, including siblings Hannah, Jacob, and Peter S. Townsend. Written when Solomon Townsend was a young clerk aged 15 through 17, the ledger was likely more of an exercise than an actual business concern. The volume has two sequences of pages inverted with respect to each other beginning at each cover and converging toward the middle (tête-bêche style).
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337157-Service File.jpg
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74 Items

Columbia & Brittannia: a play. As it is performed at the hall in East Hampton Academy. By Jabez Peck AM. [1786]

Original manuscript prompt copy of the play "Columbia and Britannia" by Jabez Peck, created for a performance of the work at the East Hampton Academy (Clinton Academy, East Hampton, Long Island) in April of 1786. Peck was a scholar and teacher of Greek and Latin at the Clinton Academy. Manuscript bears the owner's inscription by John Lyon Gardiner of East Hampton who is listed for the role of Arator in the manuscript's opening list of dramatis personae. Other cast members include John C.
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168 Items

Lloyd family record book, 1654-1894.

In 1686, James Lloyd, Boston merchant, acquired the Long Island peninsula then known as Horse Neck (and later as Lloyd Neck) from his wife, Grizzell, who had inherited it and other property from Latimer Sampson. The same year, Governor Thomas Dongan issued a patent establishing Lloyd Neck together with another property as the Manor of Queen's Village, and Lloyd as the Lord of the manor. Following James Lloyd's death, control of the property passed to his son, Henry Lloyd.
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339967-Service File.jpg
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332 Items

Account book of Henry Lloyd, 1707-1723, and John Lloyd, 1769-1784.

Account book, 1707-1723, of Henry Lloyd (1685-1763), merchant of Rhode Island, and later lord of the Manor of Queens Village and resident at Lloyd Neck, Long Island, and son of Boston merchant and early Long Island property owner James Lloyd (1650-1693); and, 1769-1784, of John Lloyd (1745-1792), merchant and farmer of Lloyd Neck and Henry Lloyd's grandson. The first portion of volume contains individual accounts for various trading ventures to Jamaica, London, and elsewhere, as well as numerous individual accounts with tradesmen and business associates.
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222 Items

James Lloyd copy and account book, 1674-1823

Boston merchant and first lord of the Manor of Queens Village; acquired ca. 1676 the Long Island peninsula of Lloyd Neck (also known as Queen's Village), originally known as Horse Neck, and today part of Huntington township. Following James Lloyd's death, control of the property passed to his son, Henry Lloyd. Account book, 1676-1731, kept by Boston merchant James Lloyd; with later accounts of his son, Henry Lloyd.
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110 Items

Stephen Jayne account book, 1726-1735

Account book, 1726-1735, kept by Stephen Jayne, blacksmith of the Town of Brookhaven, New York, recording customer accounts for smithy work. Entries include name of customer, cost of work, and type of job done. Jobs include shoeing horses as well as the making and repairing of domestic implements, farm tools, plows, chains, mattocks, forks, knives, guns, etc. Includes customers from several prominent Brookhaven families including members of the Smith, Hulse, Brewster, and Strong families, as well as several other Jayne family members.
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138 Items

David Gardiner and John Lyon Gardiner account book, 1757-1804

Account book, 1757-1804, of the Gardiner family of Gardiners Island, N.Y. It was begun by David Gardiner (1738-1774), sixth Proprietor of Gardiners Island, and continued after his death by his son, John Lyon Gardiner (1770-1816), the seventh Proprietor. David Gardiner's entries date approximately 1757-1766 and primarily record sales of agricultural products including grain, cheese, hay, and wool, and transactions for various merchandise and services.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11
336042-Service File.jpg
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132 Items

East Hampton book of laws, June 24, 1665.

A 1798 copy of the "Duke's Laws" promulgated by Governor Richard Nicolls at a convention of representatives of the English and Dutch towns held at Hempstead, March 1, 1665. This copy was made from the copy at East Hampton dated June 24, 1665 and includes amendments and additions from [June?] 1665 through October 13, 1675. The laws are based on those from the other British colonies in North America and cover both civil and criminal matters and establish civil offices and courts in the colony of New York.
View Item
336175-Service File.jpg
Text
76 Items

Notes and observations on the town of East Hampton at the east end of Long Island by John Lyon Gardiner, April 1798.

Description and history of the town of East Hampton and neighboring towns in eastern Suffolk County written by John Lyon Gardiner of the Isle of Wight [i.e. Gardiners Island] at the request of the Rev. Samuel Miller of New York. Includes town boundaries and the physical features of the area, descriptions of agriculture and fisheries, and the social conditions of the inhabitants. The first part focuses on the period of settlement and establishment of the towns and government in the 17th century and the post-settlement decline of the Native American inhabitants.
View Item
338656-Service File.jpg
Text
84 Items

Solomon Townsend ledger, 1821-1823

Merchant and resident of New York City. Ledger, 1821-1823, recording personal and business transactions, as well as the accounts of his mother, Mrs. Anne Townsend, and transactions with other members of his family, including siblings Hannah, Jacob, and Peter S. Townsend. Written when Solomon Townsend was a young clerk aged 15 through 17, the ledger was likely more of an exercise than an actual business concern. The volume has two sequences of pages inverted with respect to each other beginning at each cover and converging toward the middle (tête-bêche style).
View Item
337157-Service File.jpg
Text
74 Items

Columbia & Brittannia: a play. As it is performed at the hall in East Hampton Academy. By Jabez Peck AM. [1786]

Original manuscript prompt copy of the play "Columbia and Britannia" by Jabez Peck, created for a performance of the work at the East Hampton Academy (Clinton Academy, East Hampton, Long Island) in April of 1786. Peck was a scholar and teacher of Greek and Latin at the Clinton Academy. Manuscript bears the owner's inscription by John Lyon Gardiner of East Hampton who is listed for the role of Arator in the manuscript's opening list of dramatis personae. Other cast members include John C.
View Item
339798-Service File.jpg
Text
168 Items

Lloyd family record book, 1654-1894.

In 1686, James Lloyd, Boston merchant, acquired the Long Island peninsula then known as Horse Neck (and later as Lloyd Neck) from his wife, Grizzell, who had inherited it and other property from Latimer Sampson. The same year, Governor Thomas Dongan issued a patent establishing Lloyd Neck together with another property as the Manor of Queen's Village, and Lloyd as the Lord of the manor. Following James Lloyd's death, control of the property passed to his son, Henry Lloyd.
View Item
339967-Service File.jpg
Text
332 Items

Account book of Henry Lloyd, 1707-1723, and John Lloyd, 1769-1784.

Account book, 1707-1723, of Henry Lloyd (1685-1763), merchant of Rhode Island, and later lord of the Manor of Queens Village and resident at Lloyd Neck, Long Island, and son of Boston merchant and early Long Island property owner James Lloyd (1650-1693); and, 1769-1784, of John Lloyd (1745-1792), merchant and farmer of Lloyd Neck and Henry Lloyd's grandson. The first portion of volume contains individual accounts for various trading ventures to Jamaica, London, and elsewhere, as well as numerous individual accounts with tradesmen and business associates.
View Item
336864-Service File.jpg
Text
110 Items

Stephen Jayne account book, 1726-1735

Account book, 1726-1735, kept by Stephen Jayne, blacksmith of the Town of Brookhaven, New York, recording customer accounts for smithy work. Entries include name of customer, cost of work, and type of job done. Jobs include shoeing horses as well as the making and repairing of domestic implements, farm tools, plows, chains, mattocks, forks, knives, guns, etc. Includes customers from several prominent Brookhaven families including members of the Smith, Hulse, Brewster, and Strong families, as well as several other Jayne family members.
View Item
336725-Service File.jpg
Text
138 Items

David Gardiner and John Lyon Gardiner account book, 1757-1804

Account book, 1757-1804, of the Gardiner family of Gardiners Island, N.Y. It was begun by David Gardiner (1738-1774), sixth Proprietor of Gardiners Island, and continued after his death by his son, John Lyon Gardiner (1770-1816), the seventh Proprietor. David Gardiner's entries date approximately 1757-1766 and primarily record sales of agricultural products including grain, cheese, hay, and wool, and transactions for various merchandise and services.
View Item
336042-Service File.jpg
Text
132 Items

East Hampton book of laws, June 24, 1665.

A 1798 copy of the "Duke's Laws" promulgated by Governor Richard Nicolls at a convention of representatives of the English and Dutch towns held at Hempstead, March 1, 1665. This copy was made from the copy at East Hampton dated June 24, 1665 and includes amendments and additions from [June?] 1665 through October 13, 1675. The laws are based on those from the other British colonies in North America and cover both civil and criminal matters and establish civil offices and courts in the colony of New York.
View Item
336175-Service File.jpg
Text
76 Items

Notes and observations on the town of East Hampton at the east end of Long Island by John Lyon Gardiner, April 1798.

Description and history of the town of East Hampton and neighboring towns in eastern Suffolk County written by John Lyon Gardiner of the Isle of Wight [i.e. Gardiners Island] at the request of the Rev. Samuel Miller of New York. Includes town boundaries and the physical features of the area, descriptions of agriculture and fisheries, and the social conditions of the inhabitants. The first part focuses on the period of settlement and establishment of the towns and government in the 17th century and the post-settlement decline of the Native American inhabitants.
View Item
338365-Service File.jpg
Text
290 Items

Samuel Townsend daybook, 1750-1751

Merchant of Oyster Bay, Long Island. Daybook, 1750-1751, recording small sales of rum, fabric, sugar, molasses, and other foodstuffs, clothing, and various small goods. Includes sales to members of the Townsend, Weekes, Wright, and Seaman families and many others including Ned Lane, a Native American, and at least two African Americans. Wanting two or more leaves.
View Item
338656-Service File.jpg
Text
84 Items

Solomon Townsend ledger, 1821-1823

Merchant and resident of New York City. Ledger, 1821-1823, recording personal and business transactions, as well as the accounts of his mother, Mrs. Anne Townsend, and transactions with other members of his family, including siblings Hannah, Jacob, and Peter S. Townsend. Written when Solomon Townsend was a young clerk aged 15 through 17, the ledger was likely more of an exercise than an actual business concern. The volume has two sequences of pages inverted with respect to each other beginning at each cover and converging toward the middle (tête-bêche style).
View Item
337157-Service File.jpg
Text
74 Items

Columbia & Brittannia: a play. As it is performed at the hall in East Hampton Academy. By Jabez Peck AM. [1786]

Original manuscript prompt copy of the play "Columbia and Britannia" by Jabez Peck, created for a performance of the work at the East Hampton Academy (Clinton Academy, East Hampton, Long Island) in April of 1786. Peck was a scholar and teacher of Greek and Latin at the Clinton Academy. Manuscript bears the owner's inscription by John Lyon Gardiner of East Hampton who is listed for the role of Arator in the manuscript's opening list of dramatis personae. Other cast members include John C.
View Item
339798-Service File.jpg
Text
168 Items

Lloyd family record book, 1654-1894.

In 1686, James Lloyd, Boston merchant, acquired the Long Island peninsula then known as Horse Neck (and later as Lloyd Neck) from his wife, Grizzell, who had inherited it and other property from Latimer Sampson. The same year, Governor Thomas Dongan issued a patent establishing Lloyd Neck together with another property as the Manor of Queen's Village, and Lloyd as the Lord of the manor. Following James Lloyd's death, control of the property passed to his son, Henry Lloyd.
View Item
339967-Service File.jpg
Text
332 Items

Account book of Henry Lloyd, 1707-1723, and John Lloyd, 1769-1784.

Account book, 1707-1723, of Henry Lloyd (1685-1763), merchant of Rhode Island, and later lord of the Manor of Queens Village and resident at Lloyd Neck, Long Island, and son of Boston merchant and early Long Island property owner James Lloyd (1650-1693); and, 1769-1784, of John Lloyd (1745-1792), merchant and farmer of Lloyd Neck and Henry Lloyd's grandson. The first portion of volume contains individual accounts for various trading ventures to Jamaica, London, and elsewhere, as well as numerous individual accounts with tradesmen and business associates.
View Item
340518-Service File.jpg
Text
222 Items

James Lloyd copy and account book, 1674-1823

Boston merchant and first lord of the Manor of Queens Village; acquired ca. 1676 the Long Island peninsula of Lloyd Neck (also known as Queen's Village), originally known as Horse Neck, and today part of Huntington township. Following James Lloyd's death, control of the property passed to his son, Henry Lloyd. Account book, 1676-1731, kept by Boston merchant James Lloyd; with later accounts of his son, Henry Lloyd.
View Item
336864-Service File.jpg
Text
110 Items

Stephen Jayne account book, 1726-1735

Account book, 1726-1735, kept by Stephen Jayne, blacksmith of the Town of Brookhaven, New York, recording customer accounts for smithy work. Entries include name of customer, cost of work, and type of job done. Jobs include shoeing horses as well as the making and repairing of domestic implements, farm tools, plows, chains, mattocks, forks, knives, guns, etc. Includes customers from several prominent Brookhaven families including members of the Smith, Hulse, Brewster, and Strong families, as well as several other Jayne family members.
View Item
336725-Service File.jpg
Text
138 Items

David Gardiner and John Lyon Gardiner account book, 1757-1804

Account book, 1757-1804, of the Gardiner family of Gardiners Island, N.Y. It was begun by David Gardiner (1738-1774), sixth Proprietor of Gardiners Island, and continued after his death by his son, John Lyon Gardiner (1770-1816), the seventh Proprietor. David Gardiner's entries date approximately 1757-1766 and primarily record sales of agricultural products including grain, cheese, hay, and wool, and transactions for various merchandise and services.
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