The History of Rockville Centre's Smith Pond

The History of Rockville Centre's Smith Pond. . , The History of Rockville Centre's Smith Pond, Michael DeMott realized the potential in the land around him and began work on his mill in 1710. His insight foresaw the area of Rockville Centre as a main commercial center for the South Shore of Long Island., As revolutionary tempers began to brew, bringing neighbor against neighbor, it was at DeMott's Mill where the first blood was shed on Long Island in the War of Independence., In 1780, the Smith family, one of the original Hempstead settlers, took over the mill. Young Mordecai 'Rock' Smith helped run the strenuous daily activities of the mill for his father, as an apprentice at the age of fifteen., By the year 1825, he became a leading citizen of the community; running a country store adjacent to his mill, and serving as a blacksmith, a farmer, a preacher, as well as, the justice of the peace. To honor Mordecai 'Rock' Smith and his dedication to his community, Rockville Centre was named., 1710 , Michael DeMott started work on his mill, dam and pond., 1730 , Anthony DeMott takes ownership of mill., 1776 , Loyalist and rebels begin a skirmish at DeMott's Mill marking the first blood spilled on Long Island in the War of Independence., 1780–1806 , Family of Mordecai 'Rock' Smith takes ownership of DeMott Mill and renames it Smith Mill and Pond.