Town of Huntington - First Purchase

Timeline of Huntington History

1653 First purchase of land from the Matinecock, establishing the Town of Huntington (Town governed by a “New England” style Town meeting)

1656 Second purchase of land from the Matinecock, adding eastern portion of Huntington

1657 First school established; Jonas Holdsworth, teacher

1658 Old First Church founded, the oldest religious institution in Huntington (Rev. William Leverich, the first minister from 1658-1669, was also Huntington’s first miller)

Thomas Powell began service as the first recorder (Town Clerk)

1663 John Lome (Lum or Lume) chosen as the first constable

1664 British gain control of Manhattan and Long Island from the Dutch, establishing governance by the Duke of York; Duke’s Laws govern the lives of Huntington residents until 1669

1665 Old First Church constructed Huntington’s first “meeting house” in accordance with Duke’s Laws at the corner of Meeting House Brook (now Prime Ave.) and Main St.

1666 Governor Richard Nicolls issued patent defining Huntington’s territory & boundaries

Town was inhabited by 57 freeholders and heads of families

1683 Governor Thomas Dongan convened representative assembly and established Suffolk County

1684 Town was inhabited by 84 freeholders and heads of families

1688 Governor Thomas Dongan issued new Town charter, authorizing governing body of elected trustees

1694 Huntington’s first seven Trustees elected.

1694-99 John Adams served as the first Town Supervisor

1715 Old First Church constructed new meeting house at current location (125 Main St.)

1748 St. John’s Episcopal Church built on East Street (now Park Ave.) in Huntington

1752 Tide mill built by Dr. Zophar Platt, first physician in Huntington