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| The entry for the top part of the page is the Indian Deed for the beach |
| The eastern part of Brookhaven and South
Haven Hamlets was not included in the Town of Brookhaven's "Old Purchase
at the South" of 1664 (see page 10). The
deed below, signed 13 Nov 1688, completed the land purchases that now comprise
the Brookhaven/South Haven Hamlets. "Yamphank Neck" is the parcel of
land between Yaphank Creek (aka Barteau Creek) on the west to the
Connecticut River (now known as the Carman's River) on the east (see
map and commentary). The
sale was by the Indian Wopehege to Samuel Terrell. Unfortunately, five years later this parcel also was included in the first patent from Governor Fletcher to the Manor of St. George and the Tangier Smith family -- their lands otherwise being on the east side of the Carman's River. For two hundred years there were legal disputes because of the overlapping. The Neck remained theoretically under the jurisdiction of the Lord of the Manor until 1789 when the Manor was formally annexed to the Town of Brookhaven by the newly independent government. As a practical matter, however, it appears from the Town records that the Town trustees believed that the Neck was within their jurisdiction, and that the Neck was largely governed by the Town. |
To all people to Whom this present Writeing shal come, I Wopehege, allis porridg Indian, living in Brookhaven presints, in the county of Suffolk, on Long Island, send greeting, known yee, that I, the saide Wopehege Indian, for and in consideration of ye above sd Towne and county, as allso for Divers other good coses and considerrations, mee at this present,
| Continued Page 71 |