History of Smithtown
Smithtown, originally known as Smithfield was founded in 1665. It is located along the beautiful north shore of Long Island, approximately 50 miles from New York and only a half-hour drive from the Atlantic Ocean beaches. Local legend has it that, after rescuing the abducted daughter of the local American chief, Richard Smith was told that the chief would give Smith all the land he could circle in one day while riding on a bull. Smith chose this ride on the longest day of the year (summer solstice) so that he would be able to ride long distances in one day. The land he acquired is said to be about the location of the present town. In 1903 Lawrence smith Butler, a successor of Richard Smith (founder of Smithtown), Suggest an idea of Bronze statue to his friend Sculptor Charles Cary Rumsey. In 1923, the casting was complete and ready for shipment but unfortunately, the funds were not raised and the statue was not shipped to Smithtown. It sat in front of the Brooklyn Museum for a number of years. In 1941 Butler renewed his quest and convinced Rumsey’s heirs to donate it to the town. Finally, May 10, 1941, Mary Rumsey, daughter of sculptor presented the statue to the people of Smithtown.
The Patentee’s Graveyard is located in Whisper Hill in Nissequoque, which lies between the north of Moriches roads and the intersection of the river. Most of the people believe that Richard smith buried on the hill next to his son Obadiah, who drowned in the Nissequogue river in 1680.
The original Smithtown railroad station was built in 1872 by Charles Hallet. A new station was built in 1936 by Lawrence Grant White and was dedicated on February 20, 1937. while a work project was underway to eliminate the grade-level- railroad crossing on Smithtown. The old station was sold to the odore Bunce who moved it to Lawrence Avenue.