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Archeological Site Inventory Form

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Unless indicated below, this is a transcript of the original Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities/Town of Brookhaven survey form. Corrections to obvious typographical and spelling errors have been made. Corrections to factual errors, updates or comments on the information are either enclosed in [square brackets], or will be clearly indicated as updated material. Since most of the surveys were conducted in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, much of the information reflects that time period. Included in this category are sites for which some documentation may exist but are no longer extant often with little or no modern evidence at the site.

Sites which have a suffix of “S” are supplemental sites not included in the original surveys.

Archeological Site Inventory Form

Tar-men's Neck

 If checked, this is a Supplemental Form, not in the original surveys.

Br01.2-S

10-06-2004

01-01-1970

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Submitter

Submitter Name:
John Deitz
Submitter Address:
7 Locust Rd.

Brookhaven, NY 11719
631-286-3178

Identification

Tar-men's Neck
Suffolk
Brookhaven
Hamlet of Brookhaven

Ownership

4a-Public Site
4b-Private Site
Post-Morrow Foundation and individual private owners

Historic and Architectural Importance

According to Shaw's History (1933): "Tar-men's Neck derives its name from the fact that tar was made from the pine trees of the vicinity and the tar-men had a house in the Neck, some time prior to 1678. According to tradition, the house or shack stood a little east of the centre of the neck, probably in the immediate neighborhood (sic) of Mrs. Amy d' Arcas' place [I'm not exactly sure what house he was referring to]. The manufacture of tar and turpentine was carried on quite extensively in the Town at a very early date. By 1715, it had grown to such an extent that the trustees put a duty of "a bit" for every barrel of tar and ten shillings for each barrel of turpentine made in the Town. That they had difficulty in collecting the duty, is evident from that fact that on 2 Dec. 1717, they met for the expressed purpose of calling those men to account that had made or 'run tar' upon Town lands, to pay the money they were owing."

Research reported by Alison Wallner suggests that the "tar-men" included William Fancy, Jr., son of William Fancy, one of the original proprietors of Brookhaven/Setauket and a purchaser of one of the original meadow lots in Fire Place. (see Brookhaven Town Record:  1664 Meadow Lots Drawers). "Around the mid 1680's he mortgaged his property, including some tar making tools. So it would appear that he was involved in that business. In this same record he is called a weaver, and he also mortaged his loom."

6- Description, Condition, Evidence of Site

6a-Standing Ruins
6b-Cellar Hole with Walls
6c-Surface Traces Visible
6d-Walls Without Cellar Hole
6e-Under Cultivation
6f-Erosion
6g-Underwater
6h-No Visible Evidence
Much of the land in Tar-men's Neck south and east of South Country Road is currently owned by the Post -Morrow Foundation as open space/wetlands, and the Deer Run Farm.

7- Collection of Material from Site

7a- Surface Hunting
7b-Testing
7c-Excavation
7d-None

8- Prehistoric Cultural Affiliation or Date

9-Historical Documentation of Site

History of Brookhaven Village: A paper written by Mr. Osborn Shaw of Bellport for the Fireplace Literary Club, and read by him at the Brookhaven Free Library, October 5th, 1933

10- Possibility of Site Destruction or Disturbance

11-Remarks

12- Map Location

[If an original form, the source map images were not reproducible.]

12a- 7 1/2 Minute Quad. Name:

12b- 15 Minute Quad. Name:

12c- U.S.G.S Coordinates:

12d- D.O.T. Coordinates: (if known):

Other Maps: See Other Documents for Map Showing Dayton's and Tar Men's Necks

13- Photographs

Photos and images

Supplemental Material

Prepared By

John Deitz