News of Long Ago - "Susan Butler Matties Francis Cleaveland Huntington and the Huntingtons Build A Home In St. James"

News of Long Ago by Bradley Harris, Smithtown Historian

(I have been writing about the descendants of John Lawrence Smith and the contributions they made to Smithtown history.  My last article was about Charles Butler, John Lawrence Smith’s grandson, and his role in Smithtown’s past.  This article is about John Lawrence Smith’s granddaughter, Susan Butler, her marriage to Francis Huntington, the home they built in St. James, and the birth of their children – Prescott, William, and Christopher.)  

“Susan Butler marries Francis Cleaveland Huntington and the Huntingtons build a home in St. James….”

Susan Louisa Butler was the third child of Prescott Hall and Cornelia Stewart (Smith) Butler.  Susan was born on August 10, 1879, in the house known as Bytheharbor in St. James.  Like her brothers, Susan Butler was sent to private schools in New York City and then attended a finishing school to complete her education.  Two months before her 25^th birthday, on June 15, 1904, Susan married Francis Cleaveland Huntington, the son of Reverend William Reed and Theresa (Reynolds) Huntington of New York City.  The Huntington family had a long and distinguished past in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and when Susan and Francis were married in 1904, the Reverend William Reed Huntington was serving as the rector of Grace Church Parish in New York City.  In spite of the fact that his father held such a prominent position in the Episcopal Church in New York City, Francis and Susan chose to be married in the Episcopal Church in St. James, the little church where the Butler family worshipped whenever they were in St. James.  

The uniting of the Butler and Huntington clan was quite an occasion and wedding guests were brought out to St. James from New York City aboard a special LIRR car.  The little St. James Episcopal Church must have been packed with Huntington, Butler, and Smith family members who came to the wedding.  A reception followed the wedding and it was held at the Butler home “two miles north on Moriches Road” where Bytheharbor was located.  One of the wedding guests, Matilde Leverich, remembered her trip to the wedding and she told Barbara Van Lieu about it years later.  “Matilde Leverich and her mother, Mrs. Leverich, had come down from New York on the train in the special LIRR car” and when they arrived in St. James, “they went from the St. James station straight to the church where Matilde met Annie Tinker.”  Annie Tinker and Matilde Leverich, who both must have been 13 or 14 in 1904, hit it off immediately and struck up a conversation.  “Annie invited Matilde to drive with her to the reception at the Butler’s house.”  Matilde agreed to do so after discovering that Annie Tinker was driving a “four-in-hand coach” that had “one man with a ‘toot’ (horn) on the boot.”  Annie drove Matilde to the reception “circling around and coming in the far” entrance “drive with a flourish.”  It was only “after their safe arrival” that Annie confided to Matilde that it was “the first time” the “horses had ever been driven together!”  (“Account of the Susan Butler – Francis Huntington Wedding of 1904,” told to Mrs. Barbara Van Lieu by Matilde Leverich in the early 1960’s, biographical information on Susan Louisa (Butler) Huntington contained in the Huntington files of the Long Island Room, Smithtown Library.) 

Following their marriage, Francis and Susan Huntington lived in Timothy House, the grand old Smith family home that sits on the north side of North Country Road opposite the Episcopal Church.  Lawrence Butler owned this house having acquired it and beautifully restoring it as a colonial homestead in 1903, and he let the “newly-weds” live here “while their house on Moriches Road was being built.”  It was in Timothy House where Prescott Butler Huntington was born on July 26, 1905.  Prescott  was  Cornelia (Smith) Butler’s first grandson and to mark the occasion of his first birthday on July 26, 1906, Cornelia presented him with a gift of a house and 96 acres of land in Nissequogue.  The house on the neck of land known as Rassapeague was deeded to Prescott Huntington and held in trust by his parents until Prescott was married in 1930 and the house and land became his property.  It was a remarkable gift from a grandmother to her grandson and the property remains in the Huntington family’s ownership today.

When Francis and Susan Huntington’s house was completed in 1906, they moved in.  Their new home was built south of Moriches Road very near its intersection with Cordwood Path.  There is a small pond there and their new house of stucco and stone construction was built in the woods on the hill south of this pond.  According to a real estate brochure that advertised this house for sale in 1982 when William R. Huntington sold the property he inherited from his grandmother, the two and a half story house built “around 1907” was constructed of “stucco and concrete” and had “18 rooms arranged around central hallways.”  There were “8 master bedrooms,” with “4 master baths, 3 lavatories,” and a “servant’s room and bath.”  The house also had “an elevator, abundant closets and several fireplaces.”  The estate of 34 acres came complete with an “eight car garage,” a two story brick cottage with six rooms and a bath, and “a barn and other farm buildings.”  The brochure pointed out that the property was located on “one of the highest points in the vicinity” and “offered spectacular views” of Long Island Sound “from its terrace, porch, balcony and tremendous windows.” This was the house that became  Francis and Susan Huntington’s home whenever they came to St. James in the summer.  (Copy of a real estate brochure in the Huntington family files of the Long Island Room of the Smithtown Library dated 1982 by Barbara Van Lieu.) 

When the Huntingtons moved into this house in the summer of 1907, their family had grown to include two children.  On January 28, 1907, the Huntingtons became the proud parents of a second boy when Susan gave birth to William Reed Huntington. And then on February 27, 1911, a third son, Christopher Huntington was born.  The three Huntington boys spent winters in New York City where they were home schooled by tutors, and they spent their summers in the house off Moriches Road in St. James.  Their father, Francis Cleaveland Huntington, was an established attorney in Manhattan having been admitted to bar in 1892.  Francis Huntington started out his law career in a partnership with Thomas Rhinelander, and by the time he married Susan in 1904, he had become the senior partner of the “noted firm of Huntington, Rhinelander & Seymour.”  Unfortunately, Francis and Susan Huntington did not have a long married life together since Francis died in New York City on March 15, 1916, at the age of 51, leaving his young wife of 37 a widow with three small children – Prescott (10), William (8) and Christopher (5).  Susan became a single parent and raised the three boys on her own. (Information gleaned from a Butler family genealogy on file in the Long Island Room files of the Smithtown Library.)

Frank Huntington, whose father was Prescott Butler Huntington, remembers the remarkable lady who was his grandmother Susan Butler Huntington.  One of the stories that Frank always heard about his grandmother is how she coped with raising three boys after she lost her husband. She decided to take them on a trip to the west coast, and so when World War I ended, she packed up her boys’ belongings in steamer trunks, loaded the boys and their trunks aboard a commercial steamer, and sailed with them through the Panama Canal on a trip to California.  She took them to see many of the natural wonders and newly created national parks in California, and then came back home by train.  Long before the advent of cruising, Susan Butler Huntington took her boys on a once in a lifetime experience on a trip they would never forget.

From his perspective as Susan Butler Huntington’s grandson, Frank remembers his grandmother lived in the large house near the pond that was called “Butler’s Pond” or “Grandmother’s Pond” by members of his family.  He recalls that his grandmother had a big farm with its own farmhouse where the farmer lived who maintained the farm property, cultivated the crops in the vegetable garden, and cared for the chickens and ducks that were raised in coops.  It was very much a working farm and Frank has memories of his grandmother making “her own butter, bread and ice cream” in the big kitchen of her home.  He recalls watching her work as she made bread for the family and marveling at the strength in her hands as she kneaded the dough.  Frank’s mother always took her children with her whenever she stopped by grandma’s farm and Frank recalls that his mother used to follow a weekly routine.  They would first stop by “Uncle Charlie’s house” (Charlie Butler’s house on Branglebrink Farm) where they would pick flowers from the beautiful flower gardens that Uncle Charlie cultivated.  Then they would stop by Grandma’s house to get the week’s supply of vegetables – “beets, potatoes, swiss chard, freesh eggs,” and whatever else was in season.  On week-ends, Frank’s father, Prescott Huntington would take his boys and make a pilgrimage to Larry Smith’s general store to pick up the newspapers and then make a stop at his mother’s house to pick up a chicken and a duck for Sunday’s dinner.  Frank remembers that one of his father’s favorite questions as he served chicken and duck to his children was:  “What are you going to have?  Light, dark, or duck?”   

As Susan Huntington’s sons grew up, she sent her boys to boarding school at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts.  According to Frank Huntington, “it was one of the better schools of the day” and each of the Huntington boys graduated from this prep school before moving on to attend Harvard University.  All three boys graduated from Harvard.  Prescott Huntington graduated from Harvard College in the class of 1926 and he decided to pursue a career in law.  He attended Harvard Law School graduating in the Class of 1929.  William Reed Huntington graduated from Harvard College and then went to the University of Virginia where he studied architecture and became an architect.   Christopher graduated from Harvard University and then attended Northwestern University where he got a Master’s degree in German.  He subsequently returned to Harvard where he taught German until World War II began.  Then he joined the Navy and his experiences in the war made him decide to enter the priesthood and he converted to Catholicism and became a priest.

When Susan Butler Huntington died in 1958, she left this world knowing that her sons had been given the best education that money could buy and that each of her sons had chosen a profession that they felt would give their lives meaning.  Each of these Huntington sons would go on in life to have an impact on the Smithtown and the wider world, but that is a topic that will have to wait until next time….  

Photograph to accompany this article:

Francis and Susan Huntington’s home, built in 1906 on the west side of Moriches Road on land that Susan had inherited from her mother Cornelia (Smith) Butler.  The house is still standing on the hill that is to the south and west of the pond that is near the intersection of Moriches Road and Cord wood Path.

Editorial - McCarthy + Malloy + Creighton = The MMC Hess Express

Don’t worry Commack we know what’s best for you! And It is a Hess Express 12 pump gas station and convenience store on the corner of Harned Rd and Rte. 25. REALLY? As a matter of fact we are so certain it is good for you we are going to move mountains to welcome this filling station which will be joining the many other Commack stations along Gasoline Row. We will grant a zone change, we will grant variances and if we need to do more, they will let us know. Because after all we are only thinking of you. You can thank us now or later. That is the message from the MMC team of Councilmen McCarthy, Malloy and Creighton.

In a Newsday article (November 7, 2013) Councilman Robert Creighton said the Hess Express proposal for a convenience store and 12-pump gas station was “a very good project” and statistics of the site show it is “not a terribly dangerous intersection. It is like every other intersection — when people violate the law it becomes a dangerous intersection.” Duh! 

The MMC threesome have been advocating this project for a long time and as election day approached, when the signs indicated that there might be a change in the composition of the board, they voted and gave Hess the go ahead. No worries according to Creighton it’s when people violate the law that it becomes a dangerous intersection. Newsflash, people violate traffic laws all the time, think of how many auto body repair shops are located throughout Smithtown.  Some of these violations are keeping Suffolk County afloat. 

The location of the project on the corner of Harned Road and Rte 25 where Sunken Meadow Parkway exits can not be considered to be like “any other intersection”. There is a tremendous amount of traffic at the location exiting the parkway is confusing.  Indian Head Rd. traffic heading east must make a left turn from Indian Head Road onto Jericho (RTE. 25). Drivers are often accelerating to catch the green light and seldom if ever pull entirely into the appropriate lane. These motor vehicle (mv) operators in cars, busses and trucks will be meeting up with vehicles exiting the MMC Hess Express. 

On Harned Road you will have mv’s crossing the lanes of traffic to exit and enter the MMC Hess Express. Creating traffic jams and creating a scenario for a real serious traffic accident.  

The role of our elected officials is not to act as a rubber stamp for commercial interests it is to protect the safety, interests and well being of residents. The decision made to approve the “MMC” Hess Express fails to do this.

Opponents of the proposal, Supervisor Vecchio and Councilman Wehrheim, could have tabled the vote on this application which would have allowed Councilwoman Elect Lynn Nowick the opportunity to review the plan and vote. But that didn’t happen. And now all that’s left are the legal challenges being made by Rudy Massa owner of Gasoline Heaven. I suspect that a judge will see Town Board approval and prefer not to get involved. After all who has the responsiblity to look after residents interest.

Don’t worry Commack - The MMC team was only thinking of you.

Pat

Hess Express Gets A Green Light By Town Board

Site of proposed Hess Express - Harnard Rd & Rte. 25 CommackThe Town Board, sitting as the Board of Site Plan Review, voted 3-2 on Tuesday afternoon to approve the site plan for a controversial Hess Express gas station on the corner of Rte. 25 and Harned Road in Commack.

The plan calls for the demolition of two structures  and the construction of a 12-pump gas station with a 1,231 square ft. convenience store. The plan has been the subject of much controversy. The original gas station has been boarded up for almost a decade.  Reopening the site as a gas station was never an issue since the property is zoned WSI and gas stations are a permitted use in WSI. The trend for  Hess stations has been to include a convenience store at their stations. The construction of the convenience store at this site requires a change of zone and variances. The Town Board denied the application with a three-two vote in 2009.

With a new board in place the Hess plan gained momentum. At a February 23, 2012 Public Hearing for the Hess plan two dozen residents spoke for over two and a half hours expressing their opinions and concerns (Town Hears Proposal For Commack Hess Station). Rudy Massa owner of Gasoline Heaven presented a petition with over 1,800 resident signatures opposing the plan.

The plan went to the Board of Zoning Appeals and was granted approvals to proceed. Before Hess could move forward they needed the approval of the Board of Site Plan Review which they received on Tuesday. The vote- Councilmen McCarthy, Creighton, Malloy “yes”. Supervisor Vecchio and Councilman Wherheim “No”. 

According to Town Attorney John Zollo, The approval by the Board allows Hess to proceed. Demolition can begin after Hess files its demolition site plan and gets the necessary permits. 

In a conversation with Rudy Massa Wednesday afternoon, he expressed a great deal of disappointment in the vote. While admitting that there is a small component of competition in the effort to prevent the Hess Express, it’s the saftey issue that concerns him. Massa talks about his children and grandchildren and other residents of the community, a “safety issue doesn’t just go away. The Town voted it down once before. There have been no changes in traffic. How can they do this?”

Meat Or Meatless - Which Is The Right Way To Go?

By Kia Edwards

From “meatless Mondays” to “Tofurky Thursdays”,  more Americans are becoming more aware of their diet and switching over to some form of vegetarianism.  In fact, the amount of vegetarians in the US has nearly doubled in the last few years to just about 5%.  Is it worth making the switch?  Let’s see….

For starters, the American Dietetic Association defines vegetarians as:

• Image - www.bu.edu•           Vegans or total vegetarians exclude all animal products (e.g. meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, and other dairy products). Many vegans also do not eat honey.

• •          Lactovegetarians exclude meat, poultry, fish, and eggs but include dairy products.

• •          Lactovegetarians exclude meat, poultry, fish, and eggs but include dairy products. fish but include dairy products and eggs. Most vegetarians in the US are lacto-ovovegetarians.

The shift toward a vegetarian diet is based on the fact that Americans generally eat a high calorie diet that consists of too much saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.  In addition, Americans tend to eat too few complex carbohydrates and fiber.  Combine this with the fact that obesity is rising at an alarming rate, and we have a solid reason to change our diets.  Studies have shown that vegetarians have a lower risk of developing many conditions plaguing our population such as obesity, heart disease, some cancers {specifically colorectal, breast and ovarian}, diabetes and high blood pressure.  This is because a vegetarian diet is typically low in fat and high in fiber.  However, it is possible to eat a diet that is high in fat if the wrong things are eaten on a regular basis (think french fries, hash-browns, etc).

Vegetarians do need to be aware of the fact that if they don’t eat a balanced meal, they increase their risk of lacking some nutrients.  Quinoa, soy, lentils and tempeh are good sources of protein for vegetarians to eat.  Vegetarians can also rely on dark, leafy greens for iron and calcium.  Vitamins B-12 and D become more of a challenge, but additional supplements may be taken in order to get an adequate amount in your diet.* 

Image from www.sodahead.comNow, on to the meat eaters.  What are the benefits of meat?  The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine states that a meat diet has the following benefits: it’s a good source of complete protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins.  Protein is necessary to build and repair muscle tissue, a necessity for everybody, but especially athletes.  Iron is necessary for transporting oxygen around the body, while zinc helps with healthy eyes and skin.  Meat diets also have the added benefit of simplicity.  Vegetarians generally have to carefully plan their meals in order to ensure that they are getting the required nutrients.  Lastly, meat diets tend to provide more satiety than vegetarian diets.      

The downside to a meat diet is that meats contain saturated fats and cholesterol.  This increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease.  Relying on meat as a main food source can also lower your fiber intake.  After eating that porterhouse steak, you may be too full to eat the side of spinach AND dessert…so guess which one you choose?  Fiber is important for digestion and may help to prevent colorectal cancer.  Digesting meat also requires more effort for your kidneys.  However, a healthy individual typically does not have to worry about this fact.   

All in all, it’s a matter of personal taste….so the battle between the carnivores and omnivores will continue.  Vegetarian diets certainly have their benefits and, if you are willing to make sure that you’re getting all of your nutrients, it’s not a bad way to go.  Some health experts recommend that individuals, at the very least, try to follow a vegetarian diet a couple of times a week to experience the health benefits.  Meat eaters can focus on eating more lean meats and incorporating fish in their diets.  They should also focus on getting enough fruits and vegetable to ensure adequate fiber intake if they aren’t willing to make the change.      

*Please check with your doctor before taking 

Kings Park Resident Frank L. Mercuri Captures The Beauty Of Smithtown

Fall Colors by Frank L. Mercuri - click on photo to enlargeSummer in Smithtown means beaches, boating, picnics and outdoor concerts. Transitioning into autumn presents Smithtown residents with many seasonal activities that are  both beautiful and fun. Different from the summer but equally pleasurable and a little awe inspiring as well. Check out Frank L. Mercuri’s “Fall Colors” a video of some of the beautiful scenes found throughout Smithtown. Click here for video