Footnotes to Long Island History
FARMING AND FISHING WERE MAIN OCCUPATIONS
OCT
20,1966
by
Thomas R. Bayles
Editor's
note: Our review of the history of the Moriches bay area takes a step
backwards in time this week to
take a closer look at the area in its
early days. This information comes from the book "Historical sketches of
Suffolk county
"by Richard M. Bayles. The books was published in
1874.Thomas R. Bayles, the son of Richard M. Bayles has supplied
the
following information.
Moriches is the general name derived from the Indians who once occupied
the territory, now applied to a continuous settlement extending along
the country road from the head of Forge river within two miles of the
east line of the town, a distance of about five miles. It is divided
into three villages West Center and East Moriches each of which has a
post office farming and fishing are the principal occupations of people.
West Moriches contains a store, grist mill saw mill and paper mill and
thirty five houses is located at the head of the Forge river about three
miles from the bay. The river is navigable for small vessels nearly up
to this point. An iron forge was established here by Col. Floyd in the
early part of presents century, but did not continue long. post office
opened 1827, with James M. Fanning as postmaster.
Center Moriches a
village of 600 inhabitants, is beautifully situated near the east bay it
contains two churches four stores two hotels and a number of tradesman.
A grist mill is located on Terrell's river which forms the boundary line
between this and East Moriches. The villages is largely visited during
the summer season and two large boarding houses are located near the
shore. A large number families accommodate summer boarders. A bathing
station on the south beach opposite here affords excellent facilities
for surf bathing and a number of sail boats make connection with that
point daily. The first church of this village was built in 1809 Although
the origin of the settlement must date back nearly two centuries and a
church organization has been sustained here for half a century no house
of worship appears to have been located her until 1809 when a building
for the use of all