Smith’s Bull Ride (1)

May 28

Here’s a refined overview of the history and legend of Richard “Bull” Smith and his famed bull ride:

Born around 1613 in England, Richard Smith emigrated to New England during the 1640s and later settled in Southampton on Long Island before moving to what became Smithtown, New York
Known as Richard “Bull” Smith or “Bul Rider”, he earned that nickname because he reportedly used a bull—commonly for transport—instead of a horse, which was rare and expensive at that time

A popular local legend holds that a Montauk Sachem (Wyandanch or Montauk chief) rewarded Smith after he helped rescue a kidnapped daughter of the chief. The reward: all the land he could encircle in one day while riding a bull
Riding his bull named “Whisper” on the longest day of the year (circa 1665), Smith allegedly traced out Smithtown’s boundaries—roughly 55 miles—riding west, then south, then east, pausing midday at a spot that became known as “Bread and Cheese Hollow” where he ate his lunch
Variations of the tale include using bait (a cow) to keep Whisper moving swiftly and ensuring success before dusk

Despite being widely embraced in local folklore, historians doubt the literal truth of the ride. Early deeds show that most land transfers occurred via conventional patents—not the dramatic bull circuit
In 2010, a Smithtown Historical Society exhibit titled “Running of the Bull: Smithtown’s Origins, Real and Imagined” explicitly challenged the myth, emphasizing that Smith acquired the land through deeds originating with Lion Gardiner, not a day-long bull ride

Smith received the land patent for Smithtown in 1665, and later endured boundary disputes with Huntington, eventually prevailing in court around 1675
He passed away on March 7, 1691/92, and descendants continued to refer to the family as the “Bull Smiths,” distinguishing them from other Smith families in the region

In 1941, a bronze statue of his bull, “Whisper,” was unveiled at Routes 25 and 25A in Smithtown, encapsulating the town’s origin story
A mural painted in 1939 also depicts Smith’s legendary ride, cementing the image in local culture

Smith’s Bull Ride (2)