Gardiners Island
Geography
Location	Gardiners Bay
Total islands	2
Area	3,318 acres (13 km²)
Administration
New York
County	Suffolk County

Gardiners Island is a small island in eastern Suffolk County in the U.S. state of New York, located in Gardiners Bay between the two peninsulas at the eastern end of Long Island. Gardiners Bay is a small arm of the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 10 mi (16 km long and 8 mi (13 km wide in the U New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Suffolk County is a county located in the US state of New York. An island (ˈaɪlənd or isle (/ˈaɪl/ is any piece of land that is completely surrounded by water in two dimensions above high tide and isolated from other significant Suffolk County is a county located in the US state of New York. A US state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of the United States of America that share Sovereignty with the federal government New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Gardiners Bay is a small arm of the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 10 mi (16 km long and 8 mi (13 km wide in the U A peninsula is a piece of land that is nearly surrounded by Water but connected to Mainland via an Isthmus. Long Island is an island located in southeastern New York, USA, its western shores directly across from Manhattan, from which the island stretches It is 6 miles (10 km) long, 3 miles (5 km) wide and has 27 miles (43 km) of coastline. It has been owned by the same family for nearly 400 years, and although occasionally reported as the largest privately owned island in America or the world, it is not. ^[1] It is, however, the only real estate still intact as part of an original royal grant from the English Crown. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Throughout the Commonwealth realms The Crown is an abstract metonymic concept which represents the legal authority for the existence of any government ^[2]

Contents 1 Geography 2 History 2.1 First English Settlement in New York 2.2 Captain Kidd 2.3 American Revolution 2.4 War of 1812 2.5 Birthplace of First Lady Julia Gardiner Tyler 2.6 Gardiners Point Lighthouse and Fort Tyler 2.7 Challenges to Private Ownership 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External links

Geography

The island is 3,318 acres (13 km²) in size,^[3] approximately 5 square miles (13 km²). It includes more than 1,000 acres (4 km²) of old growth forest and another 1,000 acres (4 km²) of meadows. Ancient Woodland Old growth forest, (also termed primary forest, ancient forest, virgin forest, primeval forest, frontier Many of the buildings date back to the 17th century. As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar In 1989, the island was said to be worth $125 million. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) ^[4]

The island has the largest stand of white oak in the American Northeast. The tree species Quercus alba, also called "white oak" is one of the pre-eminent hardwoods of eastern North America Other trees include swamp maple, wild cherry and birch. Acer rubrum ( Red Maple, also known as Swamp or Soft Maple) is one of the most common and widespread deciduous Trees of eastern The Wild Cherry or Sweet Cherry ( Prunus avium) is a species of cherry, native to Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia Birch is the name of any Tree of the genus Betula ( Bé-tu-la) in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the The island is home to New York state's largest colony of ospreys, and is one of the few locations in the world where they build their nests on the ground, as there are no natural predators to the osprey on the island. The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus, also called Sea Hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating Bird of prey.

Its structures include the oldest surviving wood-frame structure in New York state, a carpenter's shed built there in 1639. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous A carpenter (builder is a skilled craftsman who performs carpentry - a wide range of Woodworking that includes constructing buildings, A shed is typically a simple single- story structure in a Back garden or on an allotment that is used for Storage, hobbies, or

History

First English Settlement in New York

In 1639, the island was settled by Lion Gardiner from a grant by Charles I as the first colonial English settlement in present-day New York state. Lion Gardiner (1599-1663 an early English settler in the New World founded the first English settlement in what became the state of New York. Charles I, (19 November 1600 &ndash 30 January 1649 was King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The island was originally in its own jurisdiction affiliated with neither New York nor New England. The island has been privately owned for over three hundred years by his descendants, and is the only real estate still intact as part of an original royal grant from the English Crown. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Throughout the Commonwealth realms The Crown is an abstract metonymic concept which represents the legal authority for the existence of any government ^[2]

Lion Gardiner reportedly purchased the island in 1639 from the Montaukett Indians for "a large black dog, some powder and shot, and a few Dutch blankets. The Montaukett (or improperly as Montauk) is an Algonquian speaking Native American tribe native to eastern of Long Island, New York Gunpowder is a an explosive mixture of Sulfur, Charcoal and Potassium nitrate (also known as saltpetre/saltpeter that burns rapidly producing volumes A shotgun (also known as a scattergun) is a Firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands " The Indians called the island Manchonake, while the Gardiners initially called it Isle of Wight. The Montauketts gave Gardiner title at least in part because of his support for them in the Pequot War. The Pequot War was an armed conflict in 1636-1637 between an alliance of Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth colonies with Native American allies (the

The original 1639 royal patent gave Gardiner the "right to possess the land forever" with the island being declared a proprietary colony with the Gardiners getting the title of Lord of the Manor and thus able to establish laws for the island. A proprietary colony is a Colony in which one or more private land owners retain rights that are normally the privilege of the state and in all cases eventually became so The title of Lord of the Manor arose in the English mediaeval system of Manorialism following the Norman Conquest.

After it was decided that the British rather than Dutch would rule Long Island and that it would be part of New York rather than Connecticut a new patent was issued to Gardiner's son David Gardiner on October 5 1665 by Governor Richard Nicolls. Richard Nicolls (born 1624 in Ampthill, Bedfordshire; died May 28, 1672 on the North Sea, off Suffolk) was the first British

In 1688 when Governor Donegan granted the patent formally establishing the East Hampton government, there was an attempt to annex it to East Hampton. However the Gardiners resisted and the governor reaffirmed its special status. ^[5]. The island's special status was to continue until after the American Revolution when it was formally annexed to East Hampton.

Gardiner established a plantation on the island for growing corn, wheat, fruit, and tobacco, as well for raising livestock. Fundamentally a plantation is usually a large Farm or estate, especially in a tropical or semitropical country on which Cotton, Tobacco Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica Wheat ( Triticum spp is a worldwide cultivated grass from the Levant area of the Middle East. Tobacco is an Agricultural product recognized as an addictive drug processed from the fresh Leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. Livestock is the term used to refer (singularly or plurally to a Domesticated Animal intentionally reared in an agricultural setting to produce such as Food

Captain Kidd

The pirate/privateer Captain Kidd buried treasure on the island in June, 1699. William " Captain " Kidd ( c 1645 &ndash May 23, 1701) was a Scottish sailor remembered for his Kidd stopped at the island while sailing to Boston to attempt to clear his name. With the permission of the proprietor, Mrs. Gardiner, he buried $30,000 in treasure in a ravine between Bostwick's Point and the Manor House. For her troubles he gave her a piece of gold cloth (a piece of which is now at the East Hampton library) captured from a Moorish ship off Madagascar, as well as a bag of sugar. Madagascar, or Republic of Madagascar (older name Malagasy Republic) is an Island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern Kidd warned that if the treasure were not there when he returned, he would kill the Gardiners. Kidd was to be tried in Boston and Gardiner was ordered by Governor Bellomont to deliver the treasure as evidence. The booty included gold dust, bars of silver, Spanish dollars, rubies, diamonds, candlesticks, porringers. History Spain Following the introduction of the Guldengroschen in Austria in 1486 the concept of a large silver coin with high purity (sometimes known as "specie" A porringer is a small usually Pewter, dish from which Europeans and colonial Americans ate their gruel or Porridge, or other hot or cold dishes Gardiner kept one of the diamonds which he gave his daughter. A plaque on the island marks the spot but it is on private property. ^[6][7][8][9]

American Revolution

The current manor house was built in 1774. The Gardiners sided with the colonists during the American Revolution. In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" However a fleet of 13 ships sailed into Cherry Harbor and began a process of foraging the island and its manor house at will and were to turn it into a private hunting preserve. Among the British guests were Henry Clinton and John André. Henry Clinton may refer to Henry Clinton (1730–1795 (General Sir (1730–1795 who fought during the American Revolutionary War William For other uses see John André (disambiguation. Major John André ( May 2, 1750 &ndash October 2 At one point Major Andre and Gardiner's son Nathaniel Gardiner, who was a surgeon for the New Hampshire Continental Infantry, exchanged toasts on the island. Gardiner would later be the American surgeon who attended to Andre when he was executed after being caught spying with Benedict Arnold. Benedict Arnold V ( – June 14, 1801) was a General during the American Revolutionary War who originally fought for the American Continental ^[10]

Following the revolution, the island was formally brought under East Hampton town jurisdiction.

War of 1812

During the War of 1812 a British fleet of seven ships of the line and several smaller frigates anchored in Cherry Harbor and conducted raids on American shipping Long Island Sound. The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and the British Empire, particularly Great Britain and her North American colonies Long Island Sound is an Estuary of the Atlantic Ocean and various Rivers in the United States that lies between the coast of Connecticut Crews would come ashore for provisions which were purchased at market prices. During one of the British excursions, Americans captured some of the crew. The British came to arrest then Lord of the Manor John Lyon Gardiner. Gardiner, who was a delicate man, adopted the "green room defense" where he stayed in a bed with green curtains surrounded by medicine to make him look feeble. The British not wanting a sick man onboard let him be. ^[11]

The British were to bury several personnel on the island. Some of the British fleet that burned Washington assembled in the harbor in 1814. The Burning of Washington took place in 1814 during the Anglo-American War of 1812. ^[12]

Gardiner's supply boats were manned by slaves during the war and this made it easier for them to pass through British lines. Many of the Gardiner slaves were to live in the Freetown (East Hampton), just north of East Hampton (village), New York. Freetown is an area in East Hampton (town New York originally inhabited by Freed slaves and Native Americans. East Hampton is a Village in Suffolk County, New York on the South Shore of Long Island. ^[13]

Birthplace of First Lady Julia Gardiner Tyler

Julia Gardiner who was to become President John Tyler's First Lady was born on the island in 1820. Julia Gardiner Tyler ( May 4, 1820 &ndash July 10, 1889) second wife of John Tyler, was First Lady of the United States John Tyler Jr (March 29 1790 January 18 1862 was the tenth President of the United States (1841-1845 and the first ever to obtain that office via succession First Lady is a term used in the United States to describe the wife of an elected male Head of state.

Gardiners Point Lighthouse and Fort Tyler

From 1854 to 1894, the island was the site of the Gardiners Island Lighthouse. Year 1854 ( MDCCCLIV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common year Year 1894 ( MDCCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Gardiners Point Island is an island in Block Island Sound that was the former location of the Gardiner Island Lighthouse as well as Fort Tyler.

Challenges to Private Ownership

Owing to the high cost of upkeep, in 1937 the island was put up for sale but was bought at the last minute by a relative, Sarah Diodati Gardiner, for $400,000. Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Upon her death in 1953, the island passed in trust to her nephew Robert David Lion Gardiner, and his sister, Alexandra Gardiner Creel. Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[4] Their aunt had also set aside a trust fund for upkeep of the island, but it was exhausted by the 1970s. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970.

When Creel died, her rights passed to her daughter, Alexandra Creel Goelet.

The two were to have a highly publicized dispute over ownership and direction of the island.

Gardiner accused Alexandra of wanting to sell and develop the island. She accused him of not paying his share of the estimated $2 million/year upkeep and taxes of the island. Gardiner said he would not oppose ownership by the government or a private conservancy group. ^[4]

The case went to court in 1980 and Gardiner was initially barred from visiting the island but in 1992 courts ruled that he could visit the island (although the Goelets and Gardiner were not on the island at the same time).

Gardiner, who claimed the title "16th Lord of the Manor of Gardiner's Island" and lived in East Hampton, married in 1961 but had no children, leaving him with no heir. Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In 1989, Mr. Gardiner attempted to adopt a middle aged Mississippi businessman, George Gardiner Green, Jr. , as his "son"^[4] Green was a descendent of Lion Gardiner.

Upon Gardiner's death in 2004 ownership totally passed to Alexandra. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again "

The Goelets offered to place a conservation easement on the island in exchange for a promise from the town of East Hampton to not up-zone the land, change its assessment or attempt to acquire it by condemnation. The Goelets and East Hampton agreed upon the easement through 2025. ^[14]

Shortly before Gardiner's death he said:

We have always married into wealth. We've covered all our bets. We were on both sides of the Revolution, and both sides of the Civil War. The Gardiner family always came out on top. ^[4]

See also

• Block Island
• Fishers Island
• Gardiners Point Island

References

Further reading

• Gardiners Island Lighthouse
• Robert David Lion Gardiner obituary
• Encyclopedia of New York: Gardiners Island

External links

• Gardiners Island is at coordinates 41°05′48″N 72°06′15″W / 41.096607, -72.104205 (Gardiners Island)Coordinates: 41°05′48″N 72°06′15″W / 41.096607, -72.104205 (Gardiners Island)

A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system.

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