A History of Long Island, Vol. 1

Including a detailed annotation dealing with the history of Long Island from the early 20th century up to today *** With these books an effort has been made to present the history of the whole of Long Island in such a way as to combine all the salient facts of the long and interesting story in a manner that might be acceptable to the general reader and at the same time include much of that purely antiquarian lore which is to many the most delightful feature of local history. Long Island has played a most important part in the history of the State of New York and, through New York, in the annals of the Nation. It was one of the first places in the Colonies to give formal utterance to the doctrine that taxation without representation is unjust and should not be borne by men claiming to be free-the doctrine that gradually went deep into the hearts and consciences of men and led to discussion, opposition and war; to the declaration of independence, the achievement of liberty and the founding of a new nation. It took an active part in all that glorious movement, the most significant movement in modern history, and though handicapped by the merciless occupation of the British troops after the disaster of August, 1776, it continued to do what it could to help along the cause to which so many of its citizens had devoted their fortunes, their lives. This is volume one out of three, covering the general history of Long Island. *** American Ground is an ambitious series chronicling the rise, transformation, and soul of the United States through the dynamic histories of its greatest cities and counties. From the colonial roots of Boston and Philadelphia to the industrial ascent of Chicago, the cultural tides of Los Angeles, and the political pulse of Washington, D.C., each volume uncovers the unique narrative of place-how local histories have shaped national identity. Told with a blend of scholarly rigor and narrative flair, the series weaves together political upheaval, econom