Smithtown in Suffolk County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Richard Smith
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 22, 2018
1. Richard Smith Marker
Inscription.
Richard Smith (c. 1618-1692) depicted here holding his 1665 patent and gazing over the land this document entitled him to, was the founder and first English setter of Smithtown. Born in Yorkshire, England, Smith - often spelled Smythe in early documents arrived in the British American colonies in 1635. After stops in Massachusetts, Southampton, and Setauket, Smith, his wife, and nine children settled in what is now the Village of Nissequogue after he acquired the land comprising Smithtown through deed agreements signed with English settler Lion Gardiner and Montauket Sachem Wyandanch. While the 1665 patent granted royal approval of his acquisition, Smith spent the remainder of his life waging legal battles to define Smithtown's boundaries. Though the tale of Smith securing his land through a day-long bull ride is mythology, residents of Smithtown have handed the tale down through generations, allowing it to become an integral part of the town's history.
The Damianos family proudly dedicates this statue as a gift to Smithtown's residents on the town's 350th anniversary. They hope that current and future generations will be inspired by Richard Smith's pioneering spirit and fierce determination.
2015
Sculpture by StudioEIS, Brooklyn, NY
Richard Smith (c. 1618-1692) depicted here holding his 1665 patent and gazing over the land this
document entitled him to, was the founder and first English setter of Smithtown. Born in
Yorkshire, England, Smith - often spelled Smythe in early documents arrived in the British American colonies in 1635. After stops in Massachusetts, Southampton, and Setauket, Smith, his wife, and nine children settled in what is now the Village of Nissequogue after he acquired the land comprising Smithtown through deed agreements signed with English settler Lion Gardiner and Montauket Sachem Wyandanch. While the 1665 patent granted royal approval of his
acquisition, Smith spent the remainder of his life waging legal battles to define Smithtown's
boundaries. Though the tale of Smith securing his land through a day-long bull ride is mythology, residents of Smithtown have handed the tale down through generations, allowing it to become an integral part of the town's history.
The Damianos family proudly dedicates this statue as a gift to Smithtown's residents on the
town's 350th anniversary. They hope that current and future generations will be
inspired by Richard Smith's pioneering spirit and fierce determination.
2015
Sculpture by StudioEIS, Brooklyn, NY
Erected 2015 by Damianos Family.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1665.
Location. 40° 51.346′ N, 73° 11.229′ W.
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Marker is in Smithtown, New York, in Suffolk County. Marker is at the intersection of Hauppauge Road and East Main Street, on the right when traveling north on Hauppauge Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Smithtown NY 11787, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 22, 2018
2. Richard Smith Statue and Marker
The marker is mounted to the back of the statue. Although the statue itself is visible from a distance, the marker itself is not obvious unless one is close to and behind the statue.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 22, 2018
3. Richard Smith Statue
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 22, 2018
4. Richard Smith Statue - wide view
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 422 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 28, 2018, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
