Community Corner
Historical Society Releases 2013 Holiday Ornament
This year's ornament features the Rev. Paul Cuffee's gravesite, which is located north of Montauk Highway by the rail road trestle.
The Hampton Bays Historical Society has released its 2013 ornament features the Rev. Paul Cuffee's gravesite, which is located north of Montauk Highway by the rail road trestle.
According to Brenda Berntstein, head of the society, The Rev.Cuffee was the second of seven sons of Peter Cuffee, a native Indian of the Shinnecock tribe, and grandson, on his mother's side, of the Rev. Peter John.
She said he was born in 1757 in Brookhaven and lived in Poosepatuck.
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"He was an ordained Presbyterian Minister and in 1798, he received a commission from the "New York Missionary Society" to work with the Long Island Indians," she said.
After being ordained, he moved to Canoe Place and for the rest of his life he worked and preached among the Indians between Montauk and Canoe Place.
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"Priest Paul, as he was known, was a very popular minister and was said to have a wonderful speaking voice and friendly manner which made him a very well-loved and respected Preacher," She said.
He died in 1812 at the age of 55 and was buried in a Canoe Place where he had preached. His grave is marked with a simple marble slab which reads:
"Erected by the New York Missionary Society in memory of Rev. Paul Cuffee an Indian of the Shinnecock tribe. Who was employed by that society for the past thirteen years of his life, on the eastern part of Long Island where he labored with fidelity and success."
The ornament joins a series of other historical society ornaments released in the past, including ones that depict the Mary Jackson House, which sat on Canoe Place Rd; AP Squires General Store; the old Key Food; the Ellis Squires House; the Centennial of Hampton Bays Schools; Ada's attic; the Shinnecock Canal and the Shinnecock/Ponquogue Lighthouse and Shinnecock Coast Guard station.
All proceeds from the sale of the ornament will benefit the Hampton Bays Historical Society.
The ornaments are available at Shinnecock Hardware, Quogue Sinclair Fuel or by contacting the Historical Society at: 631-728-0887.
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