Litchfield enquirer., 1876-08-24

At the time of the Revolution, Long Is- land was one of the most important parts of the State of New York, and it's wealth and population bore far greater propor- tion to the rest of the State than it does at the present time. By an unfortunate defeat of the American forces at the bat tie of Long Island in 1776, it remained under the British power till the close of the war. and many of the inhabitants who joined the revolutionary army, found themselves, in much greater degree than others of the patriot host, cut of from friends and home. T. *..i1 |t --..- After the battle of Long Island, the three counties were occupied by troops of the enemy, who established posts in all of the important villages, and martial law
 was the only power. Persons of wealth and influence found themselves obliged to flee from their estates, which were imme
 diately taken possession of by the enemy and converted to their use, while the un- fortunate owners found a refuge in Con- necticut and other colonies. Among these may be especially mentioned Col. Wm. Smith, at that tune owner of the Manor of St. George, one of the largest estates on the Island in possession of single individual. Being patriot of the truest kind, he was obliged to abandon all to the enemy; while Gen. William Floyd,
 whose extensive estates adjoined, was al-e so forced to leave, and served as a dele, gate to the Colonial Congress during the war; and as we look over the list of sign CTS of the Declaration of Independence, 1t should he to us source of honest pride that one of that immortal band was Suf- folk County man. " s'3A 'ze' ..
 Several reasons made St George Manor (of which Mastic Neck was the most val. uable part,) an exceedingly important point of occupation for the British troops. Situateh not far from the centre of the county, having good landing place on Great South Bay, and the inlet from. the ocean being. at that time almost opposite Smiths Point, and having suf- ficient depth of water to admit vessels of some size, it naturally became depot of
 supplies for the troops in the county. Here one would naturally suppose they would be safe while the Island, from one end to the, was under their control. But another important element was tolbe talk en into consideration. The expedition undertaken by Col Meigs, which result ted in the destruction of F valuable stores and vessels belonging to the enemy at Sag Harbor, the complete success of the enterprise, and the honor and reward gained by the actors in e the fight, had stimulated others to. follow his example, and 1t was no uncommon thing for a small but daring party of men to embark in whale boats from some point in Con- necticut, cross Long Island Sound in the night, land at Southold and transport their boats across that branch of! the Is-i land, launch them on Peconic Bay, and sail. to Canoe Place. the narrow isthmus Tn Southampton, where half an hours la- bor would enable them to launch on the waters of Shinnecock Bay, from thence they would proceedlstoa Qnogue, where another short portage would find them in the Great South Bay, and before any no- tice could be given of their approach, their presence would be known by the sudden surprise of some tory in his house which did not prove his castle, of the ta- king of some vessels loaded with valua- ble goods. whose owners were little dream ing of an attack, and after having bnTn- ed what they could not carry away with them, they would depart the way they came with a secrecy that eluded discovery. and swiftness that defed pursuit. Such expeditions, undertaken again and again. madeTt necessary that means should be taken. to prevent their success, and forts for the protection of their depots of sup plies were prepared in many places, and among others, one of formidable propor- tions was erected on Smiths Point, and honored with tine name of Fort St.