Revolution on the Island: Long Island divided as America moved toward independence
Even before the first shots of the American Revolution were fired, political tensions were growing across Long Island, where communities and even families found themselves divided over loyalty to the British Crown and support for the patriot cause.
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As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Long Island's role in the nation's founding story remains deeply significant.
Even before the first shots of the American Revolution were fired, political tensions were growing across Long Island, where communities and even families found themselves divided over loyalty to the British Crown and support for the patriot cause.
"Long Island was split," said Robert Hughes, historian for the Town of Huntington. "As you went further east, you had more support for what became known as the patriot cause. And more loyalists were on the west end, Queens, which at that point included Nassau County."
The divisions often reached inside individual homes.
"You're going to have patriots and loyalists in the same household," said Justinne Lake-Jedzinak, director of education at Raynham Hall Museum.
Others attempted to remain neutral amid the growing conflict.
"We don't acknowledge them enough," Lake-Jedzinak said. "They probably weren't super invested in what was happening, or they were concerned, but they weren't necessarily as engaged."
Huntington emerged as an early center of patriot support. In 1774, two years before the Declaration of Independence, the town adopted its own Declaration of Rights in response to Britain's actions following the Boston Tea Party.
"The British shut down the Port of Boston, so the residents of Huntington adopted the Declaration of Rights to say we support the people in Boston and we want to assert our rights as British citizens," Hughes said.
When war began in 1775, political divisions led to changes in local government. Patriot leaders in the northern portion of the original Town of Hempstead, including Martin Schenck, separated from their largely Loyalist neighbors in the south and formed what became the Town of North Hempstead.
At the same time, Long Island began preparing for armed conflict. Local militia regiments organized throughout the region, training on village greens and gathering weapons. A professional military unit, the 3rd New York Regiment, also was raised on Long Island.
"The 3rd New York Regiment, Long Island Companies, stayed on the forks of Long Island," said Revolutionary War living historian Justin Costantino.
According to Andrew Freleng, commander of the 3rd New York Regiment reenacting unit, the unit was responsible for monitoring the coastline for British ships and protecting residents from raids.
"They were tasked with watching the coast for British shipping that would beach soldiers, and collect sheep and cattle, plunder homes, take hostages," Freleng said.
By late June 1776, the British fleet had arrived in New York Harbor. Days later, on July 4, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.
"The American War of Independence is on in earnest," Costantino said.
News of independence reached Long Island about two weeks later. On July 22, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read publicly in Huntington, prompting celebrations among residents. After hearing the words in the document, the crowd set their sights on the town flag.
"They took the flag down. They ripped off the word George III and ripped off the Union Jack," Hughes said. "So we were left with a red flag with the word liberty, which is now the official flag of the Town of Huntington."
The removed lettering was placed in an effigy of King George III. The Union Jack was draped over the effigy like the royal robes. And it was blown up with gunpowder before a cheering crowd.
What had begun as colonial resistance to British policies had transformed into a war for independence. As the conflict intensified, Long Island would soon become the war's frontlines.
"The atmosphere must have been panic and anxiety," Freleng said. "Nobody really knew how long it would take for the British to make their way out east."
