Skip to main content

Item of the Week: The Mulfords Sell Land in Apaquogue

Thu, 10/10/2024 - 08:30

From the East Hampton Library’s Long Island Collection

On Sept. 26, 1797, David Mulford (1754-1799) and Rachel Gardiner Mulford (1750-1811) sold 24 acres of land “in Appequoag” (Apaquogue) to his brother Jonathan Mulford (1770-1840). The parcel bordered other Mulford family properties, including land that “Major David Mulford” and his brother Matthew Mulford (1756-1845) owned. The other boundaries are described as “Narrow Lane” and Patrick Gould’s property. 

Gould (1729-1800) owned land “on the Bridgehampton Road” in an area known as Jericho, which today would be near where Cove Hollow Road meets Route 27. While Rachel and David’s home at the Mulford Farm is one of the best-known family properties, the Mulfords owned land that went as far as Lily Pond Lane. The parcel’s description as in Apaquogue further suggests it was near Georgica Pond and the present-day Apaquogue Road, closer to the southwestern edge of East Hampton. 

Jonathan paid his brother “four hundred and forty four pounds lawful money of the State of New York.” It may seem odd that at that point New York State residents were still using British pounds, but a wide range of international currency continued to be used in the early United States until mints were better established. 

Jeremiah Conkling (1746-1824) and Sophia Rysam (1779-1858) witnessed the sale. Sophia was the youngest daughter of Capt. William Rysam (1737-1809). The Rysam family, Revolutionary War refugees, came to Sag Harbor and East Hampton from Norfolk, Va., because of the educational opportunities at Clinton Academy for Sophia and her older sisters. The Rysam girls boarded with the Mulford family, staying with David, Matthew, and Jonathan’s mother, Phebe Huntting Mulford (1736-1815). In 1795, Captain Rysam married Phebe, making her Sophia’s stepmother at the time of this deed. 


Andrea Meyer is head of collection for the East Hampton Library’s Long Island Collection. 

Villages

Montauk Playhouse Work Will Be Done by June

Construction of the new aquatic and cultural spaces at the Montauk Playhouse Community Center is slated to be done by the end of June, according to Sarah Iudicone, president of the Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation. The date for the public opening, however, is still up in the air.

Apr 3, 2025

Days of Crime and Mystery

Hamptons Whodunit, a mystery and true-crime festival now in its third year in East Hampton Village, kicks off with a cocktail party at the Maidstone Club next Thursday evening and continues with three days of discussions, tours, book signings, and interactive events.

Apr 3, 2025

Item of the Week: Home, Boarding House, Cottage, Rectory

Bridgehampton’s Atlantic House is an excellent example of the tradition of structural reuse hereabouts.

Apr 3, 2025

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.