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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWE-1 r HISTORIC AND NATURAL DISTRICTS FOR OFFICE USE ONLY INVENTORY FORM UNIQUE SITE NO. 10310- 66()X;1 DIVISION FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION QUAD_ NEW YORK STATE PARKS AND RECREATION SERIES ALBANY,NEW YORK (51 S)474-0479 NEG. NO. YOUR NAME: Town of Southold/SPLIA DATE: April 1988 _ YOUR ADDRESS: Town Hall Main Road TELEPHONE: 516 765-1892 Southold , N. x. 11971 ORGANIZATION (if any): routhold Town Community Development Office 1. NAME OF DIS'T'RICT: Fishers � 1 d $4 ' ft-v q4 I 2. COUNTY: Suffolk TOWN/CITY: 7outhold VILLAGE;Fishers Island 3. DESCRIPTION: Far to the east of Southold Town proper and separ- ated by many miles of sea, lies Fishers Island , close to the Rhode Island and Connecticut shores . About 20 miles from Orient Point , it is the last in the chain of islands that includes Plum Island , Great Gull Island and Little Gull Island . Fishers Island is about 8 miles long with an average width of less than a mile . The island which contains about four thousand acres , is composed of sand , clay and rock pushed there by the glacier. It is hilly and uneven and the shoreline is irregular with ponds and extensive marshes of environmental signif icance .Some of the hilly areas are of considerable ele- vation. Two natural harbors on the north side and one on the west side are augmented by a man-made harbor also on the west 4. SIGNIFICANCE: - (continued ) Fishers Island has a very interesting early history. Archeological excavation on the island has uncovered a, number of Indian sites, some of which date back to 8000 B.C . (Form WR 1.4) . John ti7inthrop , Jr. - later Governor of 03onneeticut - received grants of "Fyshers Iland" in 1640 and 1641 but did not settle on the grant until 1644 when he purchased the island from the Indians and began building and planting Fishers Island was erected as the Manor of Fishers Island in 1668 and remained in the Winthrop family until 1869. This is one of the rare instances when such a large property deco-nds in the same family for so manor generations . (Forms VEL'- 18, FI - 7 , FT-36 , & FI-43 . ) (continued ) 5. MAP: See attached . HP-2 10 6. SOURCES: See attached . T,onp Island Conservancy ]News. Spring 1986 outham ton =rens. 7/23/87 he Suffolk Times . 11/6/86 ew 7ork, my -8, 1985 . or Island A History of Two Creat Counties. i'aui Baiiey, 1949 . Sketches of Suffolk County, R4M- Bayles, 1874 . 7 . THREATS TO AREA: BY ZONING ❑ BY ROADS ❑ BY DEVELOPERS ❑ BY DETERIORATION ❑ OTHER ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: None known. 8. LOCAL ATTITUDES TOWARD THE AREA: There is strong support for preserving the island ambience . 9. PHOTOS: 77 neg. XIV-13 View across Hay Harbor from east. Wilmerding house in distance . .4 WE 1 4 . SIGNIFICANCE ( continued ) : In 1863 Robert R. Fox purchased the island and hoped to develope it as a fine stock farm. Fox rebuilt the old Winthrop Mansion as his residence (WE /,. ) and re- furbished the east end Winthrop house before his death in 1871. (Farm FI 7. ) In the years following Fox' s death, efforts were made to develop the island as a summer colony and quite a number of lots were sold on the west end , cottages were built (Form WE 8) and a large hotel was constructed . In 1889 the island was sold to Edmund 14. and Walton Ferguson, brothers who were associated in the Coke business with H. C . Frick in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Form WE 15) The Fergusons intention was to keep the island as a single and private estate but the island started to grow. The Mansion House which had been open for many years expanded and cottages were built. During this period the Wilderness barn was built as a dairy to supply the needs of the summerpopulation along with Middle Farm. (Forms FT 36 &: FI 44 In 1898 the U. S. Government pur- chased 261 acres on the west end to build a fort for the protection of Long Island Sound . Fort H.G. Wright was abandonned in 1950 but some of the buildings remain, in particular the officers' and non--commissioned officers' quarters. ( Forms Wry, 3 & WE 3a) . 0n the west end a number of mansions , which were constructed as summer homes by the Fergusons and their friends in the 18901x, are well preserved and are of great interest architecturally. Also some of the west end cottages retain their integrity and give a, fine sense of place . (Forms W7 69,17r 79WE 9,WE 14 W'� 15)and QVE 8,WE 10A. ) The eastern two thirds of the isiand was transferred by the Fergusons to a corporation, FIDOO, for controlled development guided by a plan laid out in 1928 by the F. L. Olmsted firm. Great attention was paid to environ- mental concerns with restrictions and covenants. The result has been an unusually low density land use that preserves the natural terrain. �v� l 6 . SOURCES continued : The WinthropManor of Fishers island , The {girder of 0 onia cords o anors in . merits. Rev. M. Lloyd Woolsey. 1927. The Henry 1. Ferguson Museum, Newsletter, 1987 . Histor of luffolk County New York. . . . . W. W . ._unse 1, IRM2. Chapt. out old" by U. S . Pelletreau. Fishers Island . Henry L. Ferguson, 1925. New York. July 1-8, 1985 . Indian Notes and Monographs . Vol. XI , Pio . 19 "Archeological xp oration of PTshers Island , New York" by Henry L. Ferguson 1935 . The Trees of Long Island . Geo . T. Peters. 1973 TOWN OF SOUTHOLD - EAST HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY 19. 9.q8 FISHERS ISLAND . . .WES'T END NYS DOT NEW LONDON QUAD (ENLARGED) SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES 93 NORTH COUNTRY ROAD I 390 SETAUKET•LONG ISLAND,NEW YORK 11733 WE-18 r . r. WE- WE-15A ,;r= WE-16 No h WJE-16A W-E-17 i �74�� � - H i WE-11 -12 . . .. *. WE-15 Haw4� Nest WE-13 Point I WE-EO W-E-20A WE-14 WE-20 �yail, P�J// I :DOI WE-9A • a WE-25 WE-22 •Pil � a'; r17� WE-21 WE-9 • � �� i 3 E WE-23, WE-7 -Pilt� r' and ' ! 'Y // 1'F 4 1�\\1• +� ! {.�,`_ WE-24 J�y �f r }I v+• Is • •• f ' V � • • ��.- , �} �v ,` tj � o`er ;4 ;�, • ,» ��y-: `. Silver vR�l� -� •. �:� oaf IV Clove nett mi WE-3E t�a •,` -�'- ', Tslan �_� - .. WE-3D � ,.,,. , e rospect • `��'f��s FORT H Oil R1 T ,r" WE-5 I * a - MiLYRES 4571 -6A WE-3C WE �� /- � a� �•` �� if '' " WE-3A WE-6 WE-6B Wilderness , :. - �.: ' - 3,�OCK ISLAND �,�Dint 1380 ,-,WE-3B ` �) - 41 2 540 000��Eer 75 •E. 72°00' Raee�"" 7510mm-E. r-„ r+r, ir,ih�f74C-C d" d FI-22 FI7-13 FI-7 FI-1 FT-1A F17'3(YICu1pP FI-20 FI-15 FI-8 75m-N. FI- FI-14 FI-g ""'.y tied v -:-`Bmn �. FX-2 FI-18 " inthrop Po7tMo 1 ' y WB5lJ 6 -32 FI-29 Clum• FI ■' Ice n' P f; Pulpit _ Rock FI-21 FI-1 FI-28 FI-33 R FI 24 is " ' u' _-,=e,.- 'FI-2 oks " E St DEast End 2 oint r y 11 r b O r RR ngry. Foul` �1R. Point FI-3 = < - C sl l Guaid FI-34 3 Col `qs'% - Sta`o P :' W ec _ d an Point 0 0 a° -aChocomount ' ~_` c ,;c 8e�. " w .G� 6" .�=a. N r� FI-3 - ~l r s lReservoir-'-" T` -.v_ _' a R+' FI-4 __ •a ,r_-�:'�~ { +•' r _ 390000 - �z = 24`. 1 % FI-35A t `-�4 " " - � F1 _ ��y FI-5 FI-37 r S' U ; H - D . s `} Bea .." 'FT-10 FI-36 I ate s . ,.-. 12 FI-38 p n Trcasure c° FI-26 FI Pond Gr° FI—]g FI—I 1 y rliw yo Beach FI-17 TOWN OF SOUTHOLD — EAST " r Is tend FT-27 oolnn5 Pond y FI-30 FI-29A HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY -' � FI-25 FISHERS ISLAND Brickyard ON wd 1988 EAST END ` ♦ bcr FI-39 me FI-41 FI-40 NYS DOT MYSTIC QUAD u 7 FI-43 t FI-42 • � FI-44 SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION too FEET OF LONG ISLAND ANTIQUITIES 43 NORTH COUNTRY ROAD SETAUKKT 9 LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK • 11733 _.2550Onn — – I- WE 1 I 1. VISHERIS ]ISLAND. I1 FLSHrmis lsLAwD is thus described by ? !-the editor of the Greenport Watchman: KXD. BATTLES The island is over 9 miles in length x OF urDEpg from cast to west, and contains some 8,200 acres; it had been divided into 15 sous aer frog Tr or 18 farms,but we believe it is now iLAtQT STRUGGLr AND all managed by the estate, mainly as i(iF Teii AtfRalt-AN -grazing land for cattle and sheep, ex- ,by irmz CONTRiT. cept perhaps 100 acres or so that have hqu4red years ago t been sold in small parcels. The soil is of poorer quality, for much the 1+ettla'pt lana inland. 1 greater Dart of its area, than we had t fuller moraine he b n expected to fine it, being light, thin, as fall and libation on the big, stony and unproductive, in all the x.wax a Grand UbaUOo to It easter0 sant,which is broken into hills opreaeutProapeocPark,iL end ridges,no trees are found except a cep peaoefulltin the beast; few near the Mansion Douse and other 'wVeod, the .hoar of battle dwellings. These occupythe higher =hep the oonfliet was aver.■ adiivides,from the tops of which very gtuhs dtseioline,and app pieturesque and pleasing views may lie Win nail uverbdroe Lha PhWiOt/ had. Tne Mansion (a part of which anal,thou Gowanus Creol was built by the Winthrop family who em and the rathleas vict then owned the island 150 years ago) et npa. The coed Sown at stands on a commanding eite back from 'Mould terminate throu.h d. the harbor,with a large lawn in front, 6tonom into the eelestla and is a very commodious and comfort- Pwhan the British eva0u able.dwellinl:,modernized in both ex- K7th of Marna. 1776. teroal airpeaiTance and internal arrange- [00.1onlated that ?Ne,V-rc meats,but bearing plentiful evidence ext point of attact. 11M. of its antiquity and solidity. It is oc- the*oxer:would oomt 8000 cupied by Mrs. Fox, a stately and �haps he did noL a000aive ON courteous lady of the olden time, avid- 13u,q as lt actuauy w�- Be ow of the late proprietor; sbe passes with promptitude and wi most of her time on the Leland and man- FrndenL t rneraL The.act ll the estate,assisted by her sou-in- s Itoatun*kraw isruen Patna James 17.Lyles,Esq.,of the firm were ordered to New•YorkL. WE yles�&+Gilson, 104 John Bt., I-. Y. April 14. Tee defenaed of t Fad divided the energy Sad -« Mr.Rileo. R Howell, AasistanulAbrarian,sere a ,imout the most impart e 3�tl [IM the following as of both value tlnd Interest to th, Deng inland side. T i I ; 8iany of our readers. It is OfEeial and may be rt+- Washington wax Summon, f lied upon as autbentic. left Patasm 1n command SDE AND LON(3MDE Or B&STH&UPTON, (};Sena was intruaLed the f r The latitude and longitude of the old Preabyterian l,heights.d for tNo he c ebnrch, w taken by the U. S.Coast Survey of 1838- .Were on the Same pian with 38, was as follows: the works wassc Uititedo-400 57"77.38++ Lon tado—i2a 111 26.281t !dines as more needed the ps LATITUDE AND-LONGTIME OF SOUTHAMPTON. iia 3ervte3e- A tew days The Utitede and longitude of the old Presbyterian tesaed wttn a v,ofent rev+ church-1707.1843—the site thereof being now the volved noon Sullivan,an- ' S. W. corner of the homestead of Albert !Rogers, tarred to Putnam. T 4 deoeased, as taken by the U. B. Coast Survey of $rppltlyn ati-rded ma + i 183E-38: defense. Trio indbnu Labtade-00 631 01.!1+1 Longitude-720 23F 22.781+ ,gaq on the �,et warps B3S on the aft, tulle• Lees than a in r i 1877 Scrapbook. Vol . I by i Geo . R. Howell 1877 I a , w GREAT HARBOR .. -- ,�.._ F( 1 ,{� ?•�. ^r• .ter,,.. .. . Win:' -"•,». ik"~.�'T'�''"". 4 w.�� (�-,.,J. < r.r •.`';3 F - -��+ i ��.�^• - � - - r _ - - "` �1i'�-"_'"4�-��e 6 r y +� �• f� ,�,• {A ��i! ! ,yam �..as s� � � - _;�� .0 l+i - ��- • 7•' �O .Ys � .. �j Y- *V '�� 4rg T3. Yll �� �•^ ti r` } y vr- rf. •t f N P.•. tl3 !f / _'' .? _. -t ;J.° lyar �'y �y�.^ .. - lk Ila -MAP` LOT IS r , y _ w a. \\� r r-"\•t r �Y \4� m i Embracing the ac .GREAT,UARBOR0-ATLANTIC SH RC �`. p w ��'C`iSl.rf/�:�f����lr'.+j�. '�J'•L'��Y�..��yo F � � / -_ �� ' f [`.VI �/f.i�/1 /y,!"� % SL`�/ �l Xyl y/ P' �• * � r._.` '-�.,,��r"" .s......_ r� .' ��} WE 1 3 . DESCRIPTION ( continaed) : side where the ferry from New London docks . The island was used for farming and grazing from the 17th century to about 1924. The clay was mined and bricks were made here up through the early years of the 20th century. In the waters adjacent to Fishers Island there are three lighthouses . The eastern two thirds of the island was privately held until 1928 when the owners hired the F. T,. Olmsted firm to devise a master plan for controlled development. The plan is still in force and is supported by an Archi— tectural Review Committee . The Fishers Islsnd Development Company (FIDCO) manages this east end and enforces re— strictive covenants on environmental grounds . According to Peters Trees of T:onr, Island , Fishers Island has notable Tilia Americana Linden trees )and a rare Thuja Occidentalis Eastern Arborvitae which may be a last re is examp e o a. receding northern species . Uso here , there are at least eight nature preserves,and osprey nests where 11 young were reported in 1985 . View of old Coast Guard Station on east end at East Harbor . (Now a private residence . ) Brochure Fishers f Mansion Houseand Cottages f East Hampton Library 'WE 13 WE 12 WE 15 KK XII-2a WE 14 fes: OAF HAY HARBOR CLUB DOCK 21 - _ -T-�',�--r.'4 �I �� r��,l. li ,� J'��� �.. ����f f I -_ � � .ti � I�'�1.•_j ••1� w � . - r R -.40 WE l Fishers Island t West End IN a Circa 1870 ' s and 1880 ' s cottages that have been more or less altered . r. S1 a■arr U _.�„�--, IE■■l■lr ii.Z,61i:rr�rr riii�i...ii - - , C . 1974 photos _sV by Odiseos Collection SFLIA - A F1 j 1.. WE 1 rr Fishers Island _ West End Circa 1870 ' s-1880 ' s t Y cottages that have been more or less altered . .ti c. 1974 photos by Odiseos . Collection SPLIA 1 I� IIl 111 111 ` It � ,s ti��tlt '�- 'IIl11�flllllll�jll�lllHl�I�ll �� 4 •4 =�sr f�`q DOUBLE PAGE PLATE No.1 f SOUT3104-D FW -R V $OFFOLK COIL NTY A�',� t� F-A�.Ib,a. q. R !1 7'.Y-7) �! 41 QD __� .: ■, �� �� r.r r _ .�1 ��•ST .GST Go J�� I. `�_, 'f � � -3'�• //��,/..I.��] �f�llilf:flllllR: O!r . •. S'i`1l �� �\{{1111+`.'..x///— '" �Q % � a+V� .�J Lwsr[ro /1 T ,a T� � I f WE-1A NEW YORK STATE PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE INVENTORY FORM For Office Use Only---Site Identifier Project Iden,%UioerSo„*hn7cijcpr rn Date Your Name Phone ( 51§ 765 1892' l � Address Town Hall, Main Rd. Southold LI NY 11971 Zip Organization (if any) Southold Town Community Development Office 1 . Site Identifier (s) Fishers Island (multiple) 2 . County Suffolk One of following: City Township Incorporated Village Unincorporated Village or Hamlet 3 . Present Owner multiple Address zip 4 . Site Description (check all appropriate categories) : Site X Stray find Cave/Rockshelter _Workshop Pictograph Quarry Mound Burial XXShell midden Village Surface evidence Camp X Material in plow zone X_Material below plow zone X Buried evidence Intact occupation floor XSingle component Evidence of features —XStratified Multicomponent Location X Under cultivation X Never cultivated X Previously cultivated. Pastureland X Woodland _Floodplain —Upland Sustaining erosion Soil Drainage : excellent X good X fair_ poor Slope : flat X gentle X moderate X steep Distance to nearest water from site (approx. ) 1 site is terraced above a Elevation: varies fresh water pond. 5 . Site Investigation (append additional sheets , if necessary) : Surface date (s) _Site Map (Submit with form*) Collection Subsurface--dates) Testing: shovel coring other unit size no. of units (Submit plan of units with form*) Excavation : unit size no. of units (Submit plan of units with form*) * Submission should be 8�"xll" , if feasible Investigator Page 2 Manuscript or published report (s) (reference fully) : Funk, Dr. Robert. "Archeological Investigations on Fishers Island, New York 1985-1986" Present repository of materials 6 . Component (s) (cultural affiliation/dates) : 7 hist of material remains (be as specific as possible in identifying object and material) : If historic materials are evident , check here and fill out historic site form. 8 . Map References : Map or maps showing exact location and extent of site must accompany this form and must be identified by source and date . Keep this submission to 8�"xll" , if possible . USGS 7� Minute Series Quad. Name For Office Use Only UTM Coordinates 9 . Photography (optional for environmental impact survey) : Please submit a 5"x7 " black and white print (s) showing the current state of the site. Provide a label for the print (s) on a separate sheet. .l 70 i ARCHEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION One band was rounded t OF and from that timet e t land and begin ca FISHERS ISLAND, NEW YORK after Three years after t Winthrop, Jr., applies i hlassachusetts for a gra iBy following year he applic HENRY L FERGUSON one. In 1644 he purc from the Indians,and grant for it from the INTRODUCTION HISTORICAL NOTE protected in his owm From early Colonial days until 1$95,no record is Fishers Island,called by thelndians.lfnnrtau•lnuki!' purchase from the Ind hisw known of the finding of any Indian artifacts on lies at the eastern end of Long tabard Sound, its between the Coto the Island,and his r Fishers Island. About that year a grooved axe,now nearest point to the mainland being only two miles plantations far to the in the author's collection,was turned up by a plow from the Connecticut shore. Prior to the coming of The only trouble'.N in one of the fields of Durfee Meadow at the west end the white colonists, the Island was heavily wooded. Indians, the first wii of the Island- Some few years later, Mr. W. W. and deer and game birds abounded unit. it was not brother of Uncas, can Holmes,of Waterbury,Connecticut,who was inter- until 1815 that the appearance changed,and then a strayed a canoe- For ested in archeology, found some artifacts which are great gale laid waste the Island and left it nearly one hundred fathor now in the museum of the htattatuck Historical denuded of trees. Good harbors afforded safe camp records, chiefly letter Society in his home city. It was not until 1912, aiies,and springs and fresh water lakes were near at learn that Indians we when the author moved to the Island, that the hand. Clams and other shell fish were found in laborers for a numb systematic collection of Indian artifacts was com- never failing supply, and, with game on land and several small houses,c menced. From that year until 1924 farming was fish plentiful in the waters about the Island, the been found no the Isla carried on throughout the Island,and the specimens Indians who lived there, or who visited it, had no these Indian workmei found represented purely surface material. After difficulty in securing necessary food, that date the farm lands were uncultivated,and the The earliest records state that the Connecticut surface finds gradually ceased. For several years coast from Niantic to what is now the Rhode Island ARCHEOLOGIC. little work was done, but in 1929 some excavating state line was originally controlled by the Niantic. FISHERS IS', was accomplished in one shell heap,and the following Some time previous to the coming of the whites,the year,really serious work was started. Possibly the Pequot,who were part of the\lohegan living on the tiENRI results to date lack full scientific value, as proper Thames River, inland from New London, broke records have not been kept;but the work so far com- away from their main tribal body and forced their /\ RTI FACTS fou pleted has at]east been done carefully,and it is felt way southward to the'coast, dividing the Niantic, 1/�1 have been goo that what ground has been gone over, has been The Narragansett occupied land east of the Rhode thoroughly searched. It is hoped that the following Island bounds connection wil g F $ ry, only distant from Fishers Island connection with shell report will add something of value to present infor- about four miles. Just which tribe of Indians came are more Fullythshell matron concerning the cultureof the Indians occupy- and hunted and fished and lived on the Islaud will fled oto material c. ing Fishers Island in pre-Colonial times. Later re- probably never be known. Certainly the Niantic, fired as advisable her ports, it is hoped, will present a more complete Pequot, Mohegan, and Narragansett all lived near record of future work. The author desires here to enough to make the journey in safety,hot at the-time collated interest and i with such cohated t express his sincere thanks to i%fr. Blair S. Williams, the colonists reached Connecticut, the Pequot were to alr.William Shirley Fulton,and to:tfr.Harold J. in power. Su Baker who have all so enthusiastically assisted in the For two years previous to 1637, John Winthrop, collecting, and who have permitted him to photo- Jr., and Lion Gardiner had endeavored to found a The following diff graph many specimens from their personal collet- settlement at Saybrook at the mouth of the Con- tions, some of which are reproduced in the plates necticut River. Continual troublu with the Indiana Each had water car illustrating this paper. Also, he is deeply indebted resulted in Nlay, 1637, in sending an expedition of these areas,odd arti to Mr.George G.Goodwin,Assistant Curator of the ninety men led by Captain John Mason and Captain been found in variot Department of Nlammalogy, American ]Museum of Underhill against the Pequot. Proceeding to hlys- or probable camp cit Natural History, New York City,for his identifica- tic, the whites surprised and killed six or seven Harbor;grooved tion of the animal and other bones found during the hundred Indians, completely breaking the power of HaHay y Harbowks Neu point—W research. the Pequot. The survivors escaped and scattered. crone intsant Peninsula—West Hart and other spec available. Sand Bank West liar skeleton,potshe Wilderness Farm;&ton Hill Field—Wildcrncsa Brick Yard, 1Vest—' potsherds. Reprinted from Museum of the American Indian: lieye Foundation, Brick Yard,East—nes INDIAN NOTES AND MONOGRPAHS, Vol. 11, No. 1, 1935. large area:[ngi r 71 One hand was rounded up at Fairfield and butchered, Beach--Middle Farm—North Shore;grmved axe,hammer and from that time the settlers were safe to take up stone,stone scrapers„points,and one net sinker, Pond—hliddl6 Farm;stone pestle. land and begin colonizing the State. Durres Meadow;pottery bird'.head;grooved axe. Three years after the Pequot Massacre, John Chocomount Cove;potsherds,object of metal. The land Winthrop, Jr., applied to the General Court of here has not been plowed. 14assachusetts for a rant to Fishers Island,and the Coast Guard Field;fragments of stone bowls,broken stone g gorget, stone hoes, points and chips, potsherds, following year he applied to Connecticut for a similar pottery pipe sem,pottery gaming disc- one. iscone. In 1644 he purchased the title to the Island Winthrop Fields; colt, hammer stones, stone mortar, from the Indians,and twenty ears later received a points,gouge,and a limonite paint stone. Y} Reservation Field;broken banner stone,fragment of store NOTE grant for it from the Duke of York. He was well gorget,stone points, potsherds,pottery pipe stem. protected in his ownership. In the year of the Grass Pond;stone chips,potsherds. urchau from the Indians 1644 �6inthro moved Ponds;several good points have been picked up slong the ndians.lfarrrnaulort'Rif, P ( }• P edges of the laland's many ponds when the water ,ng Island Sound, its to the Island,and his was theonly white man's house ievets have fallen. In all probability these were hejng only two miles between the Connecticut River and the Providence used or lost while fishing or hunting. Prior to the comingof Plantations far to the east. STRAY BURIALS teas heavily wooded, The only trouble`Xinthrop experienced with the ded on it. It was not Indians, the first winter, was when Nowequa, a have been located from time to time,by accident,in changed,and then a brother of Uncas, came from the mainland and de- widely scattered locations on the Island. These nd and left it nearly strayed a canoe. For this act he was forced to pay points are designated by numbered crosses on the rs afforded safe camp one hundred fathoms of wampum. From old map. That burial accompaniments were found with ter lakes were near at records, chiefly letters of the Winthrop family, we only two of these burials, probably points more to I fish were found in learn that Indians were later used on the Inland as carelessness or disinterest among those excavating h game on land and laborers for a number of. years. Foundations of rather then to an actual lack of such artifacts- In bout the island, the several small houses,of which there is no record,have no instance was any record made of the position of ho visited it, had no been found on the Island and may mark the homes of the skeletons nor of the depth at which they were fond these Indian workmen. found. From accounts, all were in shallow gravm hat the Connecticut BURIAL NO. 1. This skeleton was found when iow the Rhode Island widening the road near Fort"'right gate. With it oiled by the Niantic. ARCHEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF were found a fragment of a brass object, a limonite ing of the whites,the FISHERS ISLAND, NEW YORK paint cup,and a lead bullet. No record of the posi- lohegan li%ing on the tion of the skeleton was made by the workmen,who New London, broke IIFNRY L. FERGUSON merely gathered up what they happened to see, ody and forced their BURIALS Nos.2&3. About 1895 two skeletons ARTIFACTS found on Fishers Island since 5912 were du u b C.W.Hedge while putting in a e fividing she Niantic, g P y g P K pipe rd east of the Rhode have been grouped as surface finds; finds in line. No records were made. from Fishers Island connection with stray burials; and finds in BURIAL No.4. While excavating for the cellar of tribe of Indians cams connection with shell heaps. While these specimens the Walker house,a laborer drove a pick into a skull. A on the Island will are more fully described later in this paper,and Bassi- This was saved with some of the other bones. A ertainly the Niantic, fled as to material composition and use, it is can- rumor, probably with same truth in it, says that a ansett all lived near sidered advisable here to list the various locations bead necklace was found. If so, it has not as yet afety,hutat the time with such collated information as may seem of been traced. tut, the Pequot were interest and importance. BURIAL No.S. In 1926, while excavating for the Fishers Island Club,laborers dug into it stone lined 537, John Winthrop. SURFACB FINDS grave,and destroyed it before notes or pictures could deavored to found a The following different locations contained sus- be made. No artifacts were found. mouth of the Can- iblc with the Indians tient relics to designate them as probable camp sites. BURIAL xo.b. A skeleton,without discernibleac- ing expedition of Each had water easily accessible. In addition to companiments,was found and reburied while grading hiaaon and Captain these areas,odd artifacts of stone and pottery have was in progress at the Reed property on.Hungry Proceeding to Captain s. been found in various places removed from obvious Point. killed six or seven or probable camp sites. BURIAL No. 7. While constructing the seventh Baking the power of Hay Harbor;grooved axe. green on the golf course in 1926,s scraper turned up a aped and scattered. hawks Nest Point--West Harbor;fragmentsof stone howl, skeleton in white sand. The skull was lose, having atonepoints and chips been dumped in the fill before the bones were no- Peninsula—West Harbor;stone points,limonite pendant, and other specimens; complete list of finds not tired. With this burial a perforated black stone available. pebble ornament(pl.ix,a)was found. j Sand Sank—West Harbor;fragments of badly decomposed BURIAL NO.8. This skeleton, of an adult, was skeleton,potsherds,crude stone points, i Wilderness Farm;stone pointe,potsherds. found near the ocean on the south side of the Wilder- Hilt Field—Wilderness Swamp;stone points,potsherds. tress Swampwhile putting in a pipe line. No arti- Brick Yard, West—West Harbor; telt, stone ports, facts accompanied it. at1on, pond,Ea3. � Brick Yard,East—near Barlow Pond;stone points over a BURIAL No.9. A child's skeleton was uncovered large area:Fragments of stone bowls. i MINNOW- 72 on the high land east of East Harbor while widening single article of 'European manufacture has been and pins, and several the road. No artifacts were found. found,except where the owner of an adjoining house among the shell layers. had buried refuse, though the regular layers of shells had disintegrated and v p' yielded a variety of Indian arti- t SsEts. HEAT Htrar,us and the its have Section C was open facts. The locations of the shell heaps are desig- center ofBfor 20ft.at; In two of the shell heaps so far worked,Hedge nnated on the map by circled capitals. distance the average d Peninsula,complete or partial skeletons were found.d. HAWKS NEST POINT(A). This midden lies at the HEDGE. The first burial encountered was ex- Beneath this,the shells So part of a hilt near the site of the origins] humed from shells at a depth of 18 in. It proved to camp. It measures 300 ft.long by 70 ft. wide,and with 4 in.of underlying be the skeleton of a child of about ten years of age, runs from high water-mark inland. Thesurfacearea pit measuring 4k ft,by and was a reburial. The skull was badly crushed, was formerly plowed, and the topsoil is, therefore, nothing was found in and was placed where the pelvis should have been, mixed with small pieces of shell. Excavation was some animal bones. T facing east. The pelvic,arm,and finger bones were commenced near the road and carried westward,re- had ruined much of the placed where the skull should have been. The leg vealing one pit after another,often only a foot apart, pit. Between two houl bones were missing. A bone bodkin was found with and varying in depth from 3 ft. to 41 ft. Some pits of the excavation, ano this burial. were full of long clam shells, some,of round clams, opened. This section I The next burial was found 2 ft. beneath the and two contained only scallop shells. In most of awls, a slender pestle wrface,and was also a reburial. The bones lay in a the pits, some oyster and mussel shells were found decomposed,ornament fire pit covered by!fj ft.of shells and 6 in.of topsail, scattered throughout. No burial was encountered (pl.xl,g.). y! and reposing upon 1 ft. of ashes and shells. The here, but it is possible that graves may be encoun- BRICK YARD—EAST skeleton was in a flexed position. The skull,though tered higher up on the hillside. This midden has hollow about 75 yds. badly crushed, was in proper relation to the spine, yielded so far half of a broken boat-stone, a slate entire area from about facing southeast. The arm bones were laid across ornament, a telt, hammer stones, sinkers, stone furnished surface find the pelvis, the leg bones being missing. In the scrapers, bone awls, measuring only 100 ft stomach position were found the skeletons of two points, and many potshcrde. Fish and deer bones were found throughout, and a burials were found in fish and several clam shells. These latter were in pairs showing that the bivalves were whole when piece of moose antler and fish hooks were recovered, covers the layer of she placed in position. The scales and bones of the O` HEDGE SHELL HEAP c A fine spring, which is 4 in.in depth. Only a filled up,furnished waterfor the ih or e camp site which searched and has yielth i fish were well preserved. Nothing rise was found now directly with this burial,but within a radius of 2 ft., was probably situated on the hill-top north of the fish hook, bone awls, deposit. The shell heap lies in a hollow of the hills, and a crude axe. Br, and within the same pit,bone and stone implements meats,and the usual q and some potsherds were found, and this whole site affords one of the best sheltered Th places on the Island for camping. e surface soil found throughout. About ! ft. aconin the surface and the same distance to the southeast of this burial,another skull has been plowed, and as the area has been used for PENINSULA (D). At man ears as a chicken deposit,and a spring i was found with parts of the jaw banes missing. No y Y yard, broken shells and where the marsh con other bones were located. surface refuse abound. Excavations here have been section dug, an area Four feet southeast of the second burial,and about carried on in three separate sections. The entire undisturbed burial wa 3 ft, beneath the surface, on the edge of a fire pit, arca opened in Section A approximates 28 ft,square, this excavation anotht were found pieces of another skull, the whole of and d in, below the surface, the first layer of shells was discontinued for which when restored would measure approximately averaged 8 in.in thickness. From appearances,the measures 30 ft.by 60 f 5 in. in diameter. In this instance, too, no other deepest parts of this midden,except for three or four 2 ft. from the surfac bones were found. pits, appear to follow- the contour of the ground, paint stone,and potst Four feet west of the third burial,another reburial Which slopes gradually and is clearly not dug. In BAY vtEw(a). Thi was encountered. This skeleton was badlydis- the autumn of 1933,at a depth of 5 ft.,beneath two edge,and has an area membered and broken. The arnl and leg bones were distinct deposits of shells,and in 5 in,of yellow sand, one pit has been excai missing, a skeleton of a seal,minus the skull,was uncovered. with shells to a depth i PENINSULA. In the first area uncovered,a burial A bone harpoon point(pl.XIII,n.)was found among layer of shells was in perfect condition was exhumed. The skeleton the bones. \ear it was found the boat-stone shown stratum of yellow dirt was that of an aged person buried in a flexed position In pl. Ix, b. This section of Hedge has yielded shells continued down nearly east and west with the skull facing south. No potsherds, occasional arrow points and hammer fact, the layer was no accompaniments of any de-serfption were found in stones,and bone needles and awls. the lower deposit were connection with the bones. Section B.an area about 12 ft.by 44 ft.,lies 35 ft. their interiors browned northeast of A,at the base of the hill slope,and a road only shell heap yet fc SHELL HEAPS Po Y has covered this deposit far ears, As new cement these unbroken and scc pavement was to he laid, digging in this area was potsherds wens encoun The shell heaps on the Island are not Large in area, pushed with all haste. Shells were encountered at a Five additional shell and,except in two instances,Lie under about 7 in.of depth of 4 in.and continued downward for about 3 ft, remain as yet untouc top soil and have an 8 in. average depth of shells, Several pits were found, all about 3 ft. in diameter Brick Yard—West (I mostly of long clams, badly broken. In these two and 4-ft. in depth. In one section where mussel House Field(1),and I deposits, the shell layers vary from a few inches to shells abounded,about three-quarters of a jar,shown three feet in thickness, In the shell heaps so far restored in the frontispiece, was found. Potsherds, f excavated, and in the top soil overlying them,not a pieces of stone pipe bowls,a gaming stone,bone awls i R A y 73 and pins, and several stone mortars were found DESCRIPTION of Aa7IFAcTs among the shell layers. Some of the pottery pieces had disintegrated and could not be saved. ARTICLES OF STONE Section C was opened due northward from the Axes- There have not been many axes found,and center of B for 20 ft.ata width of 10 ft. For half the those that have been recovered are all of the corn- distance the average depth of the topsoil was 8 in. pletely grooved type. Representative ones are Beneath this,the shell stratum measured about 16 in. shown on pl. v. The best one(c) is finely finished with 4 in.of underlying ash. Early in the digging,a and is 43 in.long, with a circumference of 10} in. pit measuring 41 ft.by 3 ft.deep was located,though about the ridge nearest the cutting edge. This was nothing was found in it save a few potsherds and found near the entrance of Hay Harbor. It weighs some animal bones. The earlier laying of a pipeline 6} lbs.and is made of a claystone porphyry. Two had ruined much of the structure and contents of this comparable axes have also been found. These are pit. Between two boulders on the western boundary not available for measurement or description. One of the excavation, another fire pit was located and crude grooved axe (a) was found on the beach at opened. This section has yielded a bone bead,bone Middle Farm, on the north shore of the Island. awls, a slender pestie-like stone, a broken, badly Those shown as b and d are of different form. decomposed,ornamented pat and a clam shell dipper Banner Stone. The half of a black basalt banner (pl xt,t) stone of the bipointed type, with large transverse perforation(pl.ix,t)similar to the type found in the ERICA vARD—BAST(t:). This shell heap lies in a Ohio valley,came from Reservation Field. hollow about 75 yds. from Barlow Pond, and the float„Stones. In one of the pits opened in Hawks entire area from about 200 yds.south and west has Nest Shell Heap a fragment of a broken slate boat furnished surface finds. This is a small deposit, stone was recovered (p). Ix, J). This shows no measuring only 100 ft. by 25 ft. Two pits and no burials were found in it. About 8 in. of top soil evidences a asfounoa. Another fragment(b)of s covers the layer of shells which varies from i in.to steatite one tion found at Hedge Shell Heap. ]t has 4 in.in depth. Only a portion of this heap has been two perforations, one at the end and one on top; searched and has yielded a shell spoon,a broken bone next to the latter, ta h the broken edge,are traces still fish hook,bone awls,hammer stones,arrow points, thud one,and v the concave side the start of still e and a crude axe. Broken pottery, in useless frag- another is in evidence. On the top it has been menta,and the usual quantities of animal bones were scored with several incised lines. found throughout. Ceks. One good cels(pl.vi,d)was found on the PENINSULA(D). About 5 in,of top soil covers this surface at Brick Yard--West. This measures 31 in. deposit,and a spring is located at its southern edge in length and has a circumference of 31 in. A small where the marsh commences. It was in the first but perfect implement(e)of this type was found on section dug, an area about 8 ft. by 5 ft., that the the surface of the high ground to the south of the undisturbed burial was found. Twenty feet east of present eighth green of the golf tGurse—old Rin- this excavation another pit was started before work throp Fields. Both of these specimens are of the was discontinued for the winter. The shell heap petalo,d type. The cutting edges of two broken Celts measures 30 ft.by 60 ft.,and has an average depth of were excavated near the second burial exhumed from 2 It. from the surface. Arrow points, a graphite Fledge Shell Heap. Another Celt, a atone with paint stone,and potsherds were found. natural depressions on the sides and with a well sAv view(e). This deposit lies at the water's worked edge, was recovered from Hawks Nest Shell edge,and has an area of 150 ft. by 90 ft.,and only Heap` one pit has been excavated. The topsoil was mixed Chipped Points. Plates[,11,and III depict types with shells to a depth of 12 in.beneath which an 8 in. of arrow and spear points,knife blades,scrapers and perforators,of sham and materials similarly used on layer of shells was found. Beneath this was a stratum of yellow dirt about 6 in.thick,and below, the adjacent mainland. Many were recovered as shells continued downward for more than 2 ft. In West surface finds from Hawks Nest Point; Peninsula— shells the layer was not dug through. The shells of Farm—Hill Harbor;Sand Bank--West Harbor;Wilderness the lower deposit were nearly all those of long clams, Farm Field; Brick Yard—West;over a large their interiors browned as from roasting. This is the area att Brick Yard—East;on the beach t Middle only shell heap yet found with a thick stratum of Farm (yielded over two hundred); Coast Guard these unbroken and scorched shells. Stone chips and the banks ofWinthrop Tal Fields;Reservation Field;and from potsherds were encountered throughout. the banks of several ponds is low-water level. Five additional shell heaps have been located,but Close to the second t wall and with a Hedge remain as yet untouched. They are Holmes (E), Shelf Heap,as awl point was found with the broken Brick Yard--West (F), North Hill (H), Mansion the surface and bone awls. These were about 2 w under House Field(1),and Barlow(J). theaurfaceamong the shells. Otherpointawerealso 74 found during the digging at Hedge. A few points ent for hafting. The hoe not shown is also of this were recovered from shell layers at Brick Yard—East type. A great part of their surfaces have dis- notched net sinker and one point from Peninsula Shell Heap. integrated, probably due to sand-blasting. That k type have been for Chips have been found in quantities on the surface illustrated in pl, iv, b was found in Section B of SmoolhinE Stolle. at Hawks Nest Point, Coast Guard Field,on eleva- Fledge Shell Heap. trated on pl. vi, . tions near Grass Pond,east of the golf course,and in rlrorsars. A small, flat mortar was found on the ticularly the ends. the shell deposit at Bay View. surface with other stone artifacts near the present Shell Heap. Disker. Fragments of a soapstone dish were found eighth golf green, originally Winthrop Fields. An- with many arrow points and chips on the surface of ocher has a depression on both sides. That shown the high ground above the shell deposit at Hawks on 1.vu1 is in.dee-,and the other Au4s. Many ex Nest Point. Other fragments of similar steatite p p lin. This and g several crude mortars have been recovered from recovered from th { bowls have been found on the East Brick Yard Field lledge Shell Heap. seem to fall into i and on the Coast Guard Field. type(pl.x11,i,j,Jr. Comic Slone. One flat,circular stone 1,vi,b , Point Cup. A limonite paint cup (pl. l'1, c) was Coming (P ) found with Stray x[u, d, r); and the Burial No. 1 near the ate to Fort of the type sometimes referredtori"chunke stones," These latter are mWright The up rested on a fragmentary Urass was obtained at Hedge Shell Heap. This has been having been sharp fashioned from an irregular slab of stone and shows ornament. The edge of the concretion has been rubbing. They at no evidences of finishing on its flat surfaces. ground smooth,as has also a projection on its base. been used for drilli Gorlels. Only three fragments of stone gorgets Point Stones. Paint stones of both limonite (pl. for picking out the have been found. One of sandstone(DI.Ix d)shows, lx,e)and graphite(c),showing much usage on their The perforated t besides part of a perforation,two incised lines. This surfaces, have been frequently met with. of being strong enc specimen comes from the surface of Coast Guard Persdanls. An irregular, flat, black slate pendant Of the nine found, Field. Another one (f) of slate, also showing a (pl, ix, a), with a biconical perforation and the be- for this purpose;tl Perforation, was picked up on Reservation Field. ginning of another adjacent to it,came from the shell suited for picks or The third fragment(h)is well finished and of a hard heap at hawks Nest Point. perforation was pry stone and was found in Hedge Shell Heap, Another pendant of a small natural pebble(pl.ix, it being attached Ganga. Onlyone gouge has been found,and this a a),also with a biconical drilling,was an accompani- Three awls,in gt small one(pl.v1,a). The hollowing is but slight and ment of Stray Burial No. 7. second burial disc, starts about half-way down the blade. The cutting A triangular shape limonite pendant was a surface about 2 ft. under edge is sharp and shows considerable use. It is a find southeast of the peninsula in West Harbor. It plain awls have bee crudely finished specimen, the pecking marks show- measures j!in.wide at the perforated end,and is I in. this area, a great ing on the back of it. An unusual feature is that long, with a thickness varying from 317 in. to iii in. awls were found i secondary chipping shows along one edge. It was The perforation is A in. in diameter and is of the midden. found close to the eighth golf green near Winthrop biconical type. One surface is quite smooth, the Seven awls, of ft House• other shows where it was split from a larger piece and condition, were fo Grindiul Stoner. A few of this type of artifact then worked down by grinding. The edges have Yard—East- Thr were recovered,by far the most interesting being the been worked down to shape. the rest,ordinary r one shown on pl.vil,b. Unfortunately, this speci- Pasties. An artifact that might be classed as a Arrow Points. t� men has been broken and part is missing, it is pestle is a slender stone rod, IO} in. in length and toe bone of a deer t grooved on both sides,the depression shown being 2j} hating a circumference of 81�in. (pl.vi[,a). This were recovered fro in,wide and t�in.deep,while the one on the opposite was recovered during loty water on the edge of other arrow point, side is if in. wide and } in. deep. it was in all \]fiddle Farm Pond. IIoth ends show much use,but interesting on aceo probability used in finishing pestles. the sides have not been worked. Seuehal other base' Another unusual grinding stone is depicted on pl. broken Brads. A bone VI,U it shows much use all over,and two surfaces Pestles have been found an shell heaps or in length was fou (on the left) are so worn that they almost form a elshere. Pips. A fragment of soapstone pipe bowl, with Two ethers (i, I) cutting edge where they meet. cross-hatched decoration, was found in Hawks Nest Hedge Shell Heap Ilolnnra Stones. A single hamster atone was showing marks of found with other stone implements on the beach at Point Shell I1caP• Paris of two other pipe bowls Aliddle Faint, have also been uncovered in Hedge Shell Heap. These, probably, Several more have been recovered as bead manufacture surface finds on Winthrop Fields during construction Scrapers. Small scrapers are shown on pl. I,a,b, work on the golf course. A variety of hammerstones and a large one, probably used in skin dressing, is from Fish vertebrae pictured on lIn, a. The objects b and c on the Shell Heap. p. were found scattered through all the sites in Hawks Badkirss. One 1 Nest, Hedge,and Brick Yard—East Shell Heaps. same plate might have also seen use as scrapers,but from the ulna of more probably they are unfinished blades. Drib s< Hoes. The only hoes as yet collected are four in o p . p. shown on pl.x111, number, three of which are shown in pl. iv. Two, ants are depicted on P 1 u,a,b,and the larger type of perforator on pl.1[,c and pl.Il[,d. was found in the I (a. and c.) were surface Ends in a section of Coast Fish Iloohs, TI Guard Field, situated at the narrow neck of the Sinkers. Several natural stones grooved for use v[ as net or fish-line sinkers(pl. ,A,i)were recovered the other broken l island, near its eastern point. The largest one (a) 141 in,long,shows no evidence of having been used, from the various shell heaps. These vary in size found,the entire c from 2 in. in diameter to Ills in.and are the type Nest Point. Thes while the other two do so to a slight extent,,(c)is of common to the New England share districts. One each has a groove i the wide-blade, narrow-top type, the most convent- tThe broken one Heap. f � C �s 75 not shown is also of this their surfaces have dis• notched net sinker(pl.v[r,c)and another of similar Fish-hook Barb. Only one bone barb (pl. xi[,a), r to sand-blasting. That type have been found, of the type attached to a piece of wood or bone,has as found in Section B of Smoothing Slone. The only one recovered is illus- been found. A small groove for lashing purposes trated on pl. vi, f. .All surfaces show wear, par- may be seen on the lower end. mortar was found on the ticularly the ends. This was found in the Hedge Harpoon Point. The harpoon point (pl. x[rt, rt), artifacts near the present Shell Heap. found at a depth of 5 ft.among the bones of the seal ly Winthrop Fields, An- OBJECTS OF BONE burial in Section A at Hedge Shell Heap, is the both sidrs. That shown remnant of what,originally,was a longer point,as is I the other I in. This and Auls. Many examples of so-called awls have been shown by the re-cut base. It presents two barbs on ave been recovered from recovered from the shell heap excavations, These one side. A fragment of another is shown,m. seem to fall into three classes: the flat, perforated Knife Handle. A well shaped and preserved tool type(p1.xu,i,j,k,f,m,n,o,p,q);the heavy type( l p. paint cup (pl- vi,c} washandle of antler(pl.xn[,1),probably for a knife,was :o. 1 near the xt[s, d, r); and the pick-like type {pl. xrt[,J.g, h). gate to Fort These latter are made from cracked bone, the point discovered at Hedge Shell Heap. I on a fragmentary brass Pins. Three bone pins were having been sharpened and the sides smoothed by the concretion has been found in Hedge Shell Heap. Projection rubbing. They are too small and delicate a have One, S?g in. in length, has an o a ro ection nn its base, been used for drilling and were,possibly,implements r yi I 4• ones of both limonite i. oblong head, on which a cross. SAI r (P for picking out the flesh from shellfish. [wing much usage on their hatched design is carved {pl. The perforated type does not Have the appearance xnt,c), The second o ,b in, •�4 1 r'• ntly met with. ( ). � of being strong enough for drilling in most instances. low was made from a deer t fiat, black slate pendant Of the nine found,only one could be used practically R' tl perforation and the be- for this purpose;the ethers,two,appear p to bone and is not ornamented.� .iur aI t to it,came from the shell be better The third,(b), inn length,is •st suited for picks or forks for eating purposes. The Y r' perforation was probably used for a thong,to enable without an head well tope red yy call natural pebble(pl,[x, to a sharp point, and has three it being attached to a belt or part of the clothing. f t rillfng, was an aceom ani- grooves nese its bast, p Three awls,in good condition,were found near the ), Scroprr. A bone akin scraper i second burial discovered in the Hedge Shell Heap., I'+e +its pendant was a surface (fig• 1.), broken at both ends, II•• Pe about 2 fL under the surface; and perforated and was found in Hedge Shell Heap. " it . sula in Brest Harbor. It plain awls have been recovered from other se-tions of This was made from the rib of xrforated end,and is 1 in. this area, a great number from Section B. Some a member of the deer family. I ying from� in, to ti in. awls were found in each pit in the Hawks Nest n diameter and is of the midden. One side was worked dawn is an I ' edge about as sharp as a paper ace is quite smooth, the Seven awls,of fine workmanship and in excellent �.cutter, the other being left Iti1 I dit from a larger piece and condition, were found in the shell layers at Brick ,� natural. finding. The edges have Yard—East. Three were of the perforated type and C. the rest,ordinary sharpened bones. POTTERY Arrow Points, One arrow int, made from the Bead. A fragment of a crude, it might be classed as a Po A. 1Qj in.in length and toe bone of a deer(pl.Yrs, d)and one of antler(c), a barrel-shaped bead (pl. xt, e), �J` 911 in, (pl.vu,a), This were recovered from Hawks Nest Shell Heap. An- I} in. long, was obtained at r water on the edge of other arrow point,fashioned from a bird bone(b),is [ Hedge Shell Heap. ends show mush use,but tnterestingon account o[the well shaped barbs on its Bird's Head. Probably in Ftc.L found in shell heaps or worked. Several other base, some ways the most inter- Bcads. A hone bead(p1.xnt,k)measuring 1}in. in length was found in Hawks lest Shell Heap. eating specimen yet met with is the pottery bead Two others (i, f) were recovered from Seet'on C in of a crested bird (pl. xr, a). This is of a brown )apstone pipe bowl, with Hedge Shell Heap. In the same area, two bones pottery and highly polished by much rubbing. ,as found in Hawks Nest Though still showing a trace of a break at the rear of two other pipe bowls showing marks of circular cutting were also found. end, the base has been carefully ground off. It is I Fledge Shell Heap. These, probably, were discarded in the process of without doubt the handle from the rim of a bird-type >are shown on pl. t,a,b, bead manufacture. Two beads (pl. xrt, f), made bowl, such as is often met with in the southeastern used in skin dressing, is from fish vertebrae,were recovered from Hawks Nest part of the United States. By comparison of form, objects b and c on the Shell (leap.Bodkins. One bodkin of the usual typemade clay,and finish with other specimens in this Museum, seen use as scrapers,but it is certain that its origin was in the Tennessee infinished blades. Drill from the ulna of some member of the deer family,is Valley. ft is Illg in.high and was discovered north a,b,and the larger type shown on pl.xtlr,o. The fragment of a flat bodkin of the Durfee Meadow. I p1-lit,d, was found in the Hedge Shell Heap, Gaming Disc. One pottery gaming disc(pl.x[,d), stones grooved for use Fish hooks. Three bone fish hooks, two perfect, ly�in.in diameter,was found on the surface at the v[,h,0 were recovered the other broken by the trowel (pl.xn,f,f,h)were ancient camp site near the Coast Guard Station. ps. These vary in size found,the entire ones in the shell deposit at Hawks Jar. About three-quarters of an froquoian-type IA in. and are the type Nest Point. These are nearly identical in shape,and vessel(frontispiece)was recovered by Mr.Harold J. nd shore districts. One each has a groove in which the line could be fastened. Baker from Section B of Hedge Shell Heap, and The broken one was recovered from Hedge Shell presented by him to the Museum of the American In. Heap. 76 dian,Heye Foundation(catalogue number 18!74 03). casting doubt as to its aboriginal origin that the camp site This is a fine specimen,and is shown fully restored. as an ornament. that thIndians, m site It measures 121 in.in height and is I I in.wide at its The fragments of a badly decomposed kno greatest Circumference. It has four points on the brass ornament were found with Stray° some Indians we rim with nodes in front of them made by pinching the Burial No. 1, near the gate at Fort most likely, lived clay, when soft, between the thumb and forefinger. Wright, It lay among the bones on a ployers. Below the rim is an incised decoration of lines and fragment of bark, under a small stone It is doubtful if dots,and a band of the same at the lower part of the paint cup. This object was also prob- ship has been disc neck. The entire lower part of the jar has a paddled ably made from a brass utensil, as on possible exception decoration of a twisted cord type,probably made by one side of it there is still adhering to it the three pins, th wrapping a string about a wooden paddle. It is of a some lead solder. bird's head, and uniform dark brown color and,from the evidence of The varieties of carbon attached to itin places,was undoubtedly used certainly were not as a crooking pot. A marked scar Pipe St—mi. Pottery pipe stems, two in number, personal ornamen f (pl. xt, b, c) were recovered from the Hedge Shell r to the fact that b Heap. Two other pipe stents were found on the burials, and some surface at the Coast Guard and Aesen'ation Fields, There is probably Potsherds(pl. x) have been found at many points j the Island. Whe on the surface of the Island and have been recovered N be learned of its a from practically every shell heap. All of this Pi, Many deer bon pottery was so badly broken or scattered as to make © have been found any,save email restoration impossible. Most of the abounded, and 1 sherds found were well fired and are of good quality. Indians did not h Two colors predominate,a reddish brown and a slaty needs. Whether black, but some of dark brown are also met with. summer months, Some few pieces of vessel rims show typical Algonkian lived upon it all 0 and Iroquois types of incised and punctate orna- t1' at the present tin mentation, as may be seen by referring to the illustration. The Algonkian type predominates,by r a rough estimate, two to one. Plate x, a, b, d,j, k A large assorti and!show sherds of this culture,and c,e,f,g,h,and have been found i, those from the Iroquois. whether in the themselves, was ARTICLES OF SHELL Natural History Dipper. A large clam shell (pl, xr, q), worked list has been id, considerably on its edge,was probably used as a food Assistant Curator stirrer,the aide of the pot wearing the edgeaway. It would naturallybe used di as a peer. It was un- 2. Seaver Fta. . earthed in the southeastern corner of Section C of Deer(Virginia).-• Hedge Shell (leap. Dog(Domeszic).. CONCLUSION Fox••••.••••••.. Spcox. A spoon fashioned from a conch shell plink............ (pl.xi,f)was found at Brick Yard—East Until furt'ter research is accomplished, it is not Shell )sea This measures 3 in. in adviwable to express definite ideas as to results thus Moose........... P- � P h1usL•rat......... length. far. From the preliminary work done, there arise, Otter............ however,several striking points,mostly of a negative Ox(Domestic).... ARTICLES OF METAL Pig(Domestic)... character. One of the most interesting is the almost Ivo se...... complete lack of relics showing contact kith the Seal(Harhor)... Bulfel. A leaden bullet, much mis- p C Sheep(Domestic) shapen,was an accompaniment to Stray white settler. With the exception of the two objects Woodchuck..... Burial No. 1. made from fragments of brass kettles (one of them Ornarnentr. A perforated object of from the surface, and, possibly, not used by the metal(fig.2 ,4 Indians),and the bullet nothing has been recovered Duck(G-olden eye { g. ) in.in length,was found C 4Scat on a sandy hillside near the Goodwin of Colonial origin. Duck gle l la)ij.. place on Chocomount Cove. It is made It should be borne in mind that until 1544 the of brass, having been fashioned from Indians inhabited the Island. In that year John some utensil of European manufacture, Winthrop, Jr., completed his purchase and moved probably one of the brass kettles so corn- there. Ill-ji not conceivable that he would allow monly traded to tin Indians in Colonial Indians In any number to lite on the Island,because days. The perforation has not been of fears for his family's safety in so isolated a location. drilled but has been punched out, thus The year 1544,therefore,was probably the last date 7. r 77 its aboriginal origin that the camp sites could hare been used as e•Ich by Black Brant...........Branta nigricans(Lawr.) ] badly decompoacd Indians. We know from records that In later years Goose(Canada),.._...Brants canadensis canndenaie found with Stray some Indians were employed as laborers. These (Linn.) Leexr Snow Goose.....Chen hyperborea hyperhorw the gate at Fort most likely, Bred in houses furnished by their em- Pallas ng the bones on a ployers. Grouse(Ruffed)....,,.Bonasa umbellus umbellus(Linn.) It is doubtful if an)thing new of Indian workman- Gull..................Lav (p) nder a small stone Loon.............. ..Gauin s u mrner immer {BrunnKh} ect was also prob- ship has been discovered on Fishers Island,with the Merganser(Amerinn)..M merganser ameriranus brass utensil, stlegrist tensil, as on possible exceptinn of the peer. Prabably (Mn) still adhering to it the three pins, the broken boat stone, the pottery FISH bird's head, and the harpoon are of most interest. Black Fish(Tga autog) ...Tauioonitis(Linn.) The varieties of awls show three types and most Dog Fish (5pined),.•..Squalus acanthial(Linn.) certainly were not all used g•ed for drilling. Shark(Sand)..........Grcharias littorafin (Mitchell) A marked scarcity of ordinary shell beads and Sheepshead. ..........Sparidae personal ornaments is noticeable, due undoubtedly "PTILEs to the fact that but a few scattered and unrecorded Turtle(Painted).. ....Chry�sernis Pella(Schneider) Turtle(Snapping)......Che ydra nepentina(Linn.) burials, and some reburials, have been unearthed. There is probably an Indian cemetery somewhere on i the Island. When this is discovered,much more will be learned of its ancient inhabitants. Many deer bones and the remains of other animals i have been found. In the sea, fish and shell fish abounded, and birds were plentiful, so that the Indians did not have much labor in supplying their rxssu.er nsw.sa'....e "O1Ts^� needs. Whether the Island was used only in the summer months,or whether the Indian inhabitants lived upon it all the year,cannot be definitely proven at the present time. IDENTIFIED BONES A large assortment of the bones and teeth that have been found while exploring the shell heaps, whether in the top soil or in the shell deposits themselves, was sent to the American Museum of Natural History for identification. The following list has been identified by Mr. G. G. Goodwin, iAssistant Curator of Mammals. Ati]YA].S Beaver........—....Castor canadensis(Kuhl) Deer(Virginia)....,.. Odocaileusvirginianus(I oddaert) Dog(Domestic).......Canis familians Fos—...............Vulpes fulva(DesmRrest) Mink.................Mustela vison mink (Peale and nplished, it is not Beauvois) i as to results thus Moox................Alces americana(Clinton) Muskrat..............Ondatra aibethica(Linn.) done, there arise, Otter.................Lutra canedensis($S�chreber) costly of a negative Ox(Domestic).........Ban domestita Pig(Domestic),........Sus scrota domestics esting is the almost Porpoix..............sp.(p) contact pith the Seel(Harbor).........Phocavitulinsconcolw(DeKay) t of the Iwo objects Sheep(D4mestie)......ON-is domestim ttles (one of them Woodchuck...........Marmota monax(Linn.) not used by the BIRDS has been recovered Duck(Golden eye).....Clangula clangula(Linn.) - Duck(.Scoter).........Oidemia sp.(r) rOTTWXr v[eifL Eagle(Golden)........Aguila chrysaetos caradensis In the Mu—ar 0Ye Amed—Indsan,14exe F—latkm fCaL Nv tat until 1644 the (Linn.) 19174011 Hesaht,tet fishes n that year John rchase and moved a he would allow he Island,because isolated a location. 14 )ably the last date L� ���� I �f o _ ' ♦aria. 41; *if C fd a .� .. �t_ .ti �iA,r.-;rC"'-'•�;r 'y': "ate' 1 79 Od 'ORATORS AND KN3F'C 11"OKS 1� ' -`" '��, •'�,� t }r^ .;i ir'S,�," "�t4k 1�}+tib f+`I����s 4i `� ��=..f:�'��,' �° ..�"�'-w�• �v:.��.. `�-,� .��Y�,:�.�i���'ar gin'y i �, :. , =fir�'~ �•• _� .. � y.. r j: lk"� ���•�,, 11.i.01MM� f A: w. n...s s rrwau.w+--tS�N[11�,s�+.wo nwn a.n C e { 5 h s k a I nrenew di ai 1-h- VARIOUS O4tECTS O►!SONE La t;th of tt,71 Inches C d h 9 _ T K P Q RJECPS cw!ON[ .r of m ay s�rru, ORNITHOLOGY ARCHEOLOGY An Old Squaw,and a pair of Belted Kingfishers were smoung the birds In May of 1986,the first professional archeological"dig""took place. The added. Since the death of David Parsons of the Peabody Museum,Yale 1986 Museum NEWSLETTER covered the"finds"that were made from University,last year,the bird taxidermy is being done by Ralph Morrill th ev sites which were excavated. The two professionals,Dr.Robert and assistants. Ralph lives in Hamden,Connecticut and has retired fiom] F 'ef Archeologist from the Now York State Museum,Albany,and the Peabody after many years as its Chief Preparator. John Pfeil of the Archeological Society of Southeastern Connecticut, returned again in lune and once more in August. 1986 confirmed their HERBARIUM sincere interest in further exploring the Island to discover new sites of Indian inhabitation,some of which may date back to 8,000 B.C. The collection of Fishers Island ferns and wildflowers is continuing with the dedicated help of Penni Sharp,Museum Curator,Ed Homing,and On April 4, 1987 an archeological symposium was held in Essex, friends. If you are interested in helping,please contact the Curator. Connecticut under the sponsorship of the Connecticut Archeological Society. On that occasion Dr.Funk delivered a paper,"ARCHEOLOGI- SANCTUARIESr j CAL INVESTIGATIONS ON FISHERS ISLAND,NEW YORK 1985- ! 1986." In the paper he stated that Fishers Island could"serve as a There are now seven wildlife sanctuaries which are managed by the H.L.F. microcosm for the prehistory of the coastal region." They further hoped to Museum. (Please see the map.) One of the easiest ones to visit is the "obtain data relevant to the current controversy about the role of horticul HENRY LEE FERGUSON,JR.SANCTUARY which is situated on four tune and settled village life within coastal New York and New England." acres of low land directly behind the museum. A pond with a lovely A third goal was to"delineate changes in the Island's shape and size "Egret"sculpture by Jane Canfield in memory of Lee Ferguson,and cut resulting from rising sea level and the consequences for cultural ecology. trails,make this an attractive area for both birds and people. Another l✓r o r"z easily accessible one is the BETTY MATTHIESSEN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY which is on the peninsula in Island Pond(where oysters are grown). Well cleared trails,vistas across the lake toward Block Island, and a small pond in the middle of the 8 acres,provides further interest in CANT this beautiful sanctuary. (Note: approximately 6%of Fishers Island is FISHERS ISLAND now under Museum Land Trust managemenL) SO 131 ISLAND ECOLOGY -MAY 198-7 Island Ecology is an ever present concern for the Museum. In the Fall of 1986 an Island GROWTH COMNIITTEE was formed from members of THE FISHERS ISLAND CMC ASSOCIATION. The President of the H.L.F.Museum was appointed to the ENVIRONMENTAL COMMIT- TEE. The conclusion reached by the Committee was: "The Fishers Island Civic Association will seek solutions and municipal representation which " all together will enable Island people to more fully control the Island's natural resources,including harbors,wetlands,and land." The H.L.F. Museum is also working closely with the Fishers Island t^nncerv�cy whose ecological goals are similar. "SPECIAL 1987 SUMMER EXHIBITION" Thanks to the research of Robert White,a Museum Board member the, { "5225:9"exhibition will be about FORT H.G.WRIGHT.a Coastal Defense unit which was established during the Spanish-American War of w 1898. Photographs,historical documents,and personal anecdotes make up this exhibition,a fifty year era in the Island's past. ISLAND HISTORY ` The Museum's HISTORICAL COMMITTEE now has a"winter" committee to record events of significance. The photographs taken by Charlie Morgan last Spring during the"Oil Barge Incident"are examples of on-the-spot coverage and which are so important to the Island's history. Excavated Indian fere pit c. t 075 S.C. revealed oldest pottery, charred nuts, fire cracked rocks In May of 1986 one of the archeologists picked up a copper coin near the �- WINTHROP HOUSE. An expert dated it at about 1790. Efforts are bing made by the HISTORICAL COMMITTEE to photograph and receive information on all of the houses on the Island. Please get a 'fill-out sheet"at the Museum in order to record what you know about your house and then return it to the Museum. 9 P r kc CEl s .,A *• FIELD NOTES The Fishers Island OSPREY population has fluctuated a lot during the past five years,from a high of eleven birds which fledged to maturity a ` about three years ago,to only three in 1985. In 1986,from eight active '! . ,,„•' +•%r' + IP �. nests,seven Ospreys were raised successfully. Curator Ed Horning reports that in May 1987 there are eight reactivated nests(a May 11 count "" �► � revealed 19 eggs in the 8 nests I)and hopes are high for a bumper crop of " FISH HAWKS. The following fairly unusual birds were seen in'86 and '87: PARASI'T'IC JAEGRES,SNOW GEESE,HUDSONIAN CURLED', at least six sightings of PEREGRINE FALCONS,a BALD EAGLE, FORSTER'S TERN(Sept.11),IVORY GULL(Oct. 10),BAIRDS SANDPIPER,ROYAL TERN, YL.HEADED BLACKBIRD(Oct.2), f _ ROUGH LEGGED HAWK,SNOWY OWL,PINE SISKIN,PILEATED WOODPECKER,YL.THR.VIREO. The F-I.CHRISTMAS BIRD ' = COUNT was conducted on January 3, 1987. 42 different species were identified. May'87 possibly three pairs of RED-TAILED HAWKS and two pairs of BARRED OWLS have found nesting areas. OYSTER CATCHERS,which were once rare visitors to F.l.,in'86 and '87 may have 8 to 10 nests. Could it be Carey Matthiessen's oyster hatchery that is attracting these bizuare-looking and noisy birds to the Island? The September and October'86 migration of hawks was not as spectacu- lar as those of'85. The heaviest concentrations of hawks passing over the Island in the Fall takes place immediately after a Nor'easter storm when it is followed by a cold front and brisk northwest winds. On days such as these,one can count many hundreds of hawks of all kinds headed west and south. When it is windy,the birds stay close to the ground;when the velocity drops,the hawks can be seen rising up out of sight on the thermal John E.Pfeiffer, Professional, air currents created over the Island. PIPING PLOVER were once common nesters here. The last sighting was aboutlhieCyee75-ag'p: Nonc at a newly discovered Archaic site, C. 8000$.C. - 700 B.C; (Photos-Mrs. George Cook) have been known to nest here for the past few years. LEAST TERNS have had colonies both at Middle Farms and near Moncy May 11-15,1987 Pond at the East End. Both'85 and'86 have seen the nesting site wiped out by extreme high tides. Good luck little terns this year! The 1987 archeological week with three professionals and eleven volun- On July 10, 1986 the Curator collected a rare PIPE VINE SWALLOW- tecrs continued the work which was commenced in 1985 and 1986. Split TAIL butterfly. into three groups,the teams worked at three major sites. One of these was a new discovery at mid-Island. There evidence was unearthed of a Middle In April '87,30 HARBOR SEALS were coup at Pine Islands a �(o�Woodland p n(,300 B.C.- 1600 A.D.)and below that a GREY SEAL was found dead on a beach. /\level of an earlier habitation called the Archaic(8000 B.C.-700 B.C.). The flat terrace overlooking one of the largest fresh water ponds will quite probably be the first and oldest authenticated Indian living area found on Fishers Island. The other two sites which were worked were a shell"midden"at West Harbor andsrvigreaat the aEas e Island. The"midden,,, HENRY L.FERGUSON �— �d of the. 188] - 1959 according to Dr.Funk,was basically a garba�ge dumping ground for the ( ) shells of clams,oysters,and scallops. It was used from about 1000 B.C. probably until 1600 A.D. Projectile points,polished bone needles,and Henry L.Ferguson was born in Pittsburg,PA and was one of six children pottery were recovered and both charcoal and pollen samples,which will born to Julia Lee White and Walton Ferguson. He attended Pomfret En— be used to date the stratified layers,were uncovered. School and graduated with anngineering degree from Yale University, class of 1905. While there he rowed on the varsity"fours." After /The East E d site oduced some of the e_a_rl_ie_st_ ttery found in the graduation,he with four classmates,bought a working ranch in Cody, / Northeast. It is Early Woodland and dates from about 1075 B.C.The Wyoming Before he was married in 1910,he took some very adventur- 1 charcoal samples which were token(and which will be radiocarbon dated) ous hunting and exploration trips:MAINE,NEWFOUNDLAND,two to were mostly of charred nuts which indicates habitation there into the Fall` BRITISH COLOMBIA,NEW BRUNSWICK,PANAMA,AND CO- LUMBIA,SOUTH AMERICA(where he and the Antartic explorer, Little by little Fishers Island is giving up her secret past, The profession Lincoln Ellsworth,walked over the Andes},and the ISLANDS OF THE als are planning future exploration to further the knowledge of mart's CARIBBEAN. previous life along crustal New England.