George Washington visited Sayville in 1790, stopping by what is now Montauk Hwy and Cherry Ave. He calls Montauk Hwy. "South Rd."
From George Washington's 1790 Diary: His Sayville
Visit
"From hence turning off to the right we fell into the South Rd. [Montauk Hwy]
at the distance of about five miles where we came in view of the Sea & continued
to be so the remaining part of the days ride, and as near it as the road could
run for the small bays, marshes and guts, into which the tide flows at all times
rendering it impassible from the height of it by the Easterly Winds."
"We dined at one Ketchums..." - Day before Sayville
"Thursday 22nd. About 8 O'clock we left Mr. Thompson's -- halted a while at one
Greenes distant 11 Miles and dined
Harts Tavern..."
"To this place we traveled on what is called the South road described yesterday
but the Country through which it passed grew more and more Sandy and barren as
we traveled Eastward, so as to become exceedingly poor indeed but a few miles
further Eastward the lands took a different complexion we were informed. From
Harts we struck across the
Island for the No. side, "
NOTES: The Ketchums mentions are of the family of John Ketchum of Amityville Horror fame. According to the Amityville story, he was a witch that came to Long Island from Salem, MA. The Greenes are the people who settled West Sayville. The Amityville legend says John Ketchum came to Long Island from Salem Mass. because he was a witch escaping the trials, then in Amityville he was burned as a witch.
Washington visiting the Ketchums is significant because it was a member of that family, Isaac Ketchum, that foiled the plot to kidnap George Washington in 1776. Isaac Ketchum was in jail for counterfeiting, overheard a plotter, then reported it.
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Washington believed America is a Christian country. |
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Billy was Washington's favorite slave and he is shown in the top picture driving the President's carriage in Long Island. He was eventually freed by George Washington. |
"Almighty and eternal Lord God, the great Creator of heaven and earth, and
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; look down from heaven in pity and
compassion upon me Thy servant, who humbly prorate myself before Thee." George
Washington's prayer at Valley Forge
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This picture taken in West Sayville about 1910. People are dressed for Washington's birthday. Pictured is Samuel Greene, descendent of the Greene that met George Washington at this spot. |
From Supreme Court Justice
Thurgood
Marshall: "There has never been a credible tale of George Washington
taking advantage of a slave sexually."
Washington on opinion on freeing slaves: "This may seem a contradiction, but � it
is neither a crime nor an absurdity. When we profess, as our fundamental
principle, that liberty is the inalienable right of every man, we do not include
madmen or idiots; liberty in their hands would become a scourge. Till the mind
of the slave has been educated to perceive what are the obligations of a state
of freedom, the gift would insure its abuse."
This is why his slaves remained
slaves in name only until Washington's death, when they got legal freedom. He
believed freedom should be gained gradually until the slave is of independent
mind and means.
