The Complete History of Hunters Garden Association
Hunters
Garden Association
By
Donald P. Michne
177
Echo Ave., Miller Place, NY 11764
Completed
February 2006
Date President Secretary/Treasurer Cook
1833 Wells Tuttle
1874 Samuel Tuthill/Elisha Wells
1884 May 15 Lyman Tut Tuttle George C. Corwin
1887 Oct George Frank Tuttle E. W. Tuttle Lyman Tuttle
1894 May 17 George Frank Tuttle
1895 Ernst Tuttle
1905 Parshall Tuttle
1909 May 20 George Frank Tuttle Eckford J. Robinson/Charles Robinson
1911 Oct 2 George Frank Tuttle E.J. Robinson
1915 May
George Chauncy Doc Tuttle
1923
Lorimer M. Raynor George Chauncy Doc Tuttle
1930 May Lee L. Downs
1931 Oct 15 Josiah C. Raynor (thru 1961) Substitute cooks
1932 May Percy V. Ketcham Josh Bud
1934 Oct Fred Caleb Raynor Reuben B. Wells
thru 1936 Charles Cheshire
1937 Lorimer M. Raynor
1943 Ross Tuttle
1944 Roswell B. Tuthill
1948 May J. C. Raynor Lee Downs
1950 Oct. 10 Willard Downs
1951 William H. Price
1953 Capt. Robert Newins Chas. L. Lyon (sec/trsr) Bob Newins
1960 Charles L. Lyon
1964 Frank L. Lyon
1970 George Schmelzer Frank L. Lyon
1973 Oct. 18 Pat Raimond
1975 Samuel B. Cross
1976 Oct Frank L. Lyon Guenther Raddatz
1976 George Schmelzer became President Emeritus and Director At Large
1983 Herman Henriksen V.P.
1984 Thomas Szczpanski (sec)
1985 Oct. 3 H. Henriksen V.P. Richard Raynor/ Tom Szczpanski
1985 Dec. 5 Richard Raynor/Robert Lyons III
1994 Herman Henriksen
1995 Oct. R. Lyons III V.P. Richard Raynor/ Mark Lyon
1997 Richard Raynor/Jack Meyer
1998 Oct. Guenther Raddatz Richard Raynor/Jack Meyer
2001 Nov. 1 Donald P. Michne/Jack Meyer
1755 John Tuttle (1728-1805) arrives in Speonk (Eastport). Organizes a group of relatives
and friends and meet at the plains.
1833 Oct. Group decides to vote for a President. Wells Tuttle, grandson of John Tuttle, is
unanimously elected.
1851 May Met at Westhampton (plains) just North of Gabreski Airport.
Members at this time included Wells Tuttle, Capt. Josiah Smith (1772-1852),
William (Billy) Gordon (1826-1909), Alvah Brewster Tuttle (1833-1920), his
brother, George Frank Tuttle (1822-1915), David Parshall Tuttle (1829- ), Salem
Wells, and Ebenezer Jayne.
1874 Oct. 7 Moved. Original site burned over and was relocated across the Riverhead Road about one mile South of the intersection of Westhampton/Riverhead Rd. and Quogue/Riverhead road. Dues 25 cents, 10 cent fine for not attending, 3rd Thursday in May, 2nd Thursday in October. Attendance of the fall chowder 22.
1876 May Attendance 19. Rained, garden plowed and planted.
1876 Oct. Attendance 25. Garden poor, potatoes destroyed.
1877 May Attendance 34. Plowed and planted.
1877 Oct. Attendance 80. Dues increased to 50 cents, no more fines for not attending.
1878 May Attendance 27. Plowed and planted. Oysters sold at 25 cents a peck.
1879 May Plowed and planted. Made eel chowder. Dr. Howell, speaker.
1879 Oct. Last time meeting at Quogue Plains. Made bass and bluefish chowder.
1880 May Moved to present location owned by John E. Young called Brewsters Lots. Located on Lot 12 of the Map of Haleys Manor dated 1786.
1880 Oct. 5 bushel oysters, 1 barrel crabs, eel chowder, pies, cakes and fruits.
1881 Oct. New members, 25 cents, dues, 25 cents.
1882 May Garden planted.
1882 Oct. George Hill on arrangements, eels and oysters. New members 50 cents,
dues 25 cents.
1883 May Plowed and planted. Cooked clam and eel chowder.
1884 Feb. 27 Special Meeting; Terrys Hall in Riverhead. 140 members present. Corwin made the clam stew. A silver badge was presented to Wells Tuttle for being the oldest member and serving as President for 50 years. Minutes taken at this meeting.
1884 May 15 Attendance 120. A badge was presented to George C. Corwin for making the best clam stew. Cooked clam stew, eel chowder and a barrel of oysters. Dues 25 cents
per meeting plus 25 cents for the new badge presented to George C. Corwin.
1884 Oct. 9 Attendance 130. Crops taken by coons. Purchased 50 cups, plates and spoons. First time postcard reminders were sent out.
1885 May Attendance 160. Plowed and planted.
1885 Oct 8 Attendance 75. 8 bu's oysters, 5 pieces of venison. This is the first time that a
woman was present, Mrs. Kline.
1886 May Attendance 200. Oysters, eel and clam chowder. Planted garden.
1886 Oct. Oysters and roasted clams. Wells Tuttle was given a silver plated knife, fork
and spoon.
1887 Oct Dues 25 cents. Wells Tuttle died and his nephew, George Frank Tuttle elected President.
1891 Oct 19 . Group split into two groups. Go to North side.
1891 Oct 29 The North side incorporated and purchased 2 acres on Wildwood Lake and later built a clubhouse. Due to a lack of interest, around 1932 the North side disbanded and sold the property.
1905 Poem written May 19, 1905 (article from the Brooklyn Daily Times) by George Frank Tuttle. The first automobile was driven to Hunters Garden by Clifford Wines and Jacob Creamer of Westhampton. 86 Members present Oct. 22.
1909 May 20 Dues 30 cents; 99 members present. 100 lbs. Eels, 1 barrel potatoes, 29 lbs salt pork. Poem written by George Frank Tuttle used for the meeting announcement.
1912 Meeting dates were changed to current dates. Third Thursday of May and October.
1913 Oct. Attendance 101.
1914 May Attendance 106.
1914 Oct. Attendance 107.
1915 May Attendance 111. Annual dues are 50 cents. George Frank Tuttle dies and George Chauncy Tuttle is elected President.
1923 Re-organized and dues were increased to fifty cents.
1924 May Attendance 51.
1924 Oct. The dirt road to Hunters Garden was impassable and the meeting was not held.
1925 1925 and 1926 Meetings were held at a grove owned by Henry Hallock on Sound Ave.
1925 May Attendance 124.
1925 Oct. Attendance 73.
1926 May Attendance 75.
1926 Oct. Attendance 60.
1927 May Meeting was resumed at the regular meeting place, Hunters Garden.
Attendance for May was 69, unknown for October.
1928 May Attendance 55.
1928 Oct. Attendance 71.
1929 It was decided that the title to the property be cleared. A tax deed was secured from the County Clerk. The property, 300 x 600 was surveyed by Lorimer M. Raynor and a map was filed in 1935. Attendance May 58, Oct. 70.
1930 May Attendance 35. Rained on Thursday, chowder held on Friday.
1930 Oct. Attendance 37.
1931 May Attendance 55.
1931 Oct. Attendance 40.
1932 May Attendance 60. There were sixteen speakers at the spring chowder.
1932 Oct. Attendance 38. Eight speakers.
1933 May Attendance 74. George C. Tuttle showed the Wells Tuttle badge.
1934 May Attendance 70. Paid $5. for map and survey filed in Riverhead.
1935 May Attendance 60. Thru a mix-up, the land was sold for taxes.
1935 Oct. Attendance 60. Tax and penalties $9.16 and 1936 tax, $4.25.
1936 May Attendance 100. Had to go with 4 kettles and had 18 speakers.
1937 May Attendance 100.
1937 Oct. Attendance Large.
1938 May Attendance 100. Read the History of Hunters Garden by Mrs. Leila M. Journeay.
1938 Oct. Attendance 65. Many speakers.
1939 May Attendance 64. Judge Leone Howell spoke.
1939 Oct. Attendance 100. Many speakers.
1940 May Attendance 70. Eight speakers.
1940 Oct. Attendance 70.
1941 May Attendance 90. Price of eels was 20 cents a pound. Purchased 90 lbs., cost $18.
1942 May Attendance 90.
1942 Oct. Attendance 70.
1943 May Attendance 80.
1943 Oct. Attendance 100 plus.
1944 May Attendance 100. Eight speakers. A poem was written and published in the Oct. 1944 L.I. Forum.
1944 Oct. Attendance 150. Eight speakers, 1/9/45 Tax $5.47.
1945 May Attendance 110. Price of eels went to 45 cents a pound, increasing the dues to $1. per meeting.
1945 Oct. Attendance 140.
1946 May Attendance 100.
1946 Oct. Attendance 125.
1947 May Attendance 128.
1947 Oct. Attendance 115.
1948 May Attendance 128. Purchased 100 lbs. of eels for $45.
1949 May 135 members and guests attended the chowder.
1949 Oct. Attendance 125.
1950 Oct. Attendance 75.
1951 May Attendance 87.
1951 Oct. Attendance 102.
1952 May Attendance 26. raining at noon.
1952 Oct. Attendance 85. The 1876 minutes were read.
1953 May Attendance 103.
1953 Oct. Due to rising costs, dues were raised to $3.
1954 May Attendance 100.
1954 Oct. Attendance 100.
1955 May Attendance 100.
1956 Oct. Attendance 92. Rained on Thursday, chowder was held on Friday.
1959 May Attendance 118. Eels 45 cents per lb.
1960 George Schmelzer purchased the property from a tax sale and obtained a tax deed.
1960 Rained on Thursday, chowder held on Friday. Eels 55 cents per lb.
1961 Oct. Attendance 106.
1962 May Attendance 96.
1962 Oct. Attendance 99.
1963 May Attendance 132.
1963 Oct. Attendance 107. Speaker, Judge McInerny.
1964 May Attendance 105. Speaker, Judge John P. Cohalan.
1964 Oct. Attendance 96. Speaker, Sheriff Frank Gross.
1965 May Attendance 124. Speaker, Celon Anderson.
1965 Oct. Attendance 121. Speaker, Augustus Guerrera.
1966 May Attendance 55. Heavy downpour at noon on Thursday.
1966 Oct. Attendance 92. Speaker, Roy Lott. Rained on Thursday, held chowder on Friday.
1967 May Attendance 138. Speaker, Parks Commissioner, Charles Dominy.
1967 Oct. Attendance 142. Speaker, Riverhead Supervisor, Vojoda.
1968 May Attendance 141. Speaker, Sheriff Frank Gross.
1968 Oct. Attendance 160. Speaker, Senator Girffreda. Motion made to form a Corporation.
1968 Hunters Garden Association acquires land by tax deed, Liber 6325 page 124.
1969 May Attendance 146. Speaker, Family Court Judge Schrader.
1970 May Attendance 165. Speaker, Judge Lundberg.
1970 Oct. Attendance 128. Speaker, Assemblyman Costigan.
1971 May Attendance 142. Speaker, Mr. Clark on Coastal problems.
1971 Oct. Attendance 127. Speaker, Judge Lincoln G. Schmidt.
1972 May Attendance 110. Speaker, Curtis B. Doll.
1972 Oct. Attendance 77. Speaker, Smith Morgan. Rained Thursday, chowder held on Friday.
1973 May Attendance 99. Speaker, Sheriff Corso.
1973 Oct. Attendance 94. Speaker, Col. John Lee, Rifle Association.
1974 May Attendance 91.
1974 Oct. Attendance 77.
1974 Hunters Garden Incorporated. Dues are now $10. which includes two chowders. Also, in the spring, raw clams are offered and the fall, raw oysters are offered.
1975 May Attendance 68. Speaker, H.T. Dusenberry, L.I. Lighting Co.
1984 150 Year Anniversary Memorial coins are offered to members and guests for $3. each.
Memorial stone is placed at Hunters Garden.
1984 Oct. Dues are raised to $12. per year. Guests at the Chowder pay $7.50 Extra chowder $3. qt.
1986 Oct. 16 Membership 133 Chowder attendance 95 members 35 guests.
1987 May Membership 131 Chowder attendance 85 members 22 guests.
1988 May Guenther Raddatz was out of town, Herman Henriksen served as cook.
1989 Oct. Membership 116 The chowder was cancelled due to heavy rain on Thursday and Friday. The eels were sold at $3. per quart and clams at 20 cents each. This was only the second time in the history of the Association a chowder has been cancelled. Since 1950, 74 chowders were held with no rain and 3 were held on the following day, Friday.
1990 Apr. 5 In a letter to George Schmelzer from American Title Insurance Co. it stated that there is a discrepancy as to the ownership of the 4.1 acres which the Association acquired in 1968 through a tax deed. Said deed was recorded in Liber 6325 page 124. This tract of land was part of a lot which was condemned along with various other lots in 1959.
1990 Apr. 5 Suffolk County Dept. of Real Estate offered the Association $5,000 per acre for the 4.13 acres.
1990 May 90 attended the chowder, 64 members and 26 guests.
1990 Aug. 5 Negotiations for the 4.13 acres to be given a deed of gift to Suffolk County for the consideration of unrestricted access to the property twice a year with the right to operate an open pit fire.
1991 May 2 Membership 100
1991 Oct. 31 Membership 126
1992 Dues still $15. and new members pay an initiation fee of $5.
1992 May Membership 127 Chowder attendance 128. 90 members, 38 guests.
1992 Nov.25 Letter of lawsuit received from the attorney representing the U.S. Dept. of Navy v Hunters Garden Association Inc.
1993 May Membership 107 Dues were raised from $15. to $18. $12. for guests, $4. for extra chowder. 69 members attended the chowder.
1993 Oct. 7 Membership 126 Chowder attendance 78. 62 members, 16 guests.
1993 Oct. 21 Resolution approved to release and quit claim to the Dept. of The Navy 3.2 acres (changed from 4.1) in exchange for a 5 year, renewable license to use the property 2 days per year.
1994 Feb. 23 President, Frank Lyon passed away after serving for 24 years. Vice President, Herman Henriksen takes over as president.
1994 May Membership 113 Chowder attendance 73. 55 members, 18 guests.
1994 Oct. Membership 115 Chowder attendance 89. 77 members, 12 guests.
1994 Nov. Membership 129
1995 May. Membership 110 Chowder attendance 87. 67 members, 20 guests. Dues were increased from $18. to $20. and initiation fee raised from $5. to $10. Guests remain at $12.
1995 Oct. Membership 136
1996 May Chowder held on Friday due to rain on Thursday.
1996 Oct. Chowder attendance 83. 68 members, 15 guests.
1996 Oct. From a memo prepared by Lincoln G. Schmidt in 1993 and updated Oct. 1996, Through
a series of erroneous assessments, double assessments, and finally the Incorporation of Hunters Garden Association, Inc. in 1974, the Association acquired a deed (liber 7734 p 541) based on the non-payment of taxes for the year 1962-63. Hunters Garden Association has paid taxes on the parcel for every year since 1935, excepting the sale year of 1962-63, and has a valid claim of ownership under color of title going back at least to the monumented survey in 1929 if not to the continuous semi-annual use and occupancy since 1880. Following lengthy negotiations, a quitclaim Deed dated October 22, 1993 was delivered to The United States of America, Department of the Navy, and a five year license for non-Federal use of the Real Property was delivered to Hunters Garden Association, Inc. dated from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998.
1997 May Chowder attendance 86. 68 members, 18 guests.
1997 Oct. Chowder attendance 75. 65 members, 10 guests.
1998 May Membership 90 Chowder attendance 98. 77 members, 21 guests. Henrickson resigns.
1998 Oct. Chowder attendance 81. 67 members, 14 guests. Guenther Raddatz is elected president.
1999 May Membership 115 Chowder attendance 95. 73 members, 22 guests.
2000 May Membership 127 Chowder attendance 117. 98 members, 19 guests.
2000 Oct. 127 106. 88 , 18 .
2001 May 125 110. 90 20
2001 Oct. 125 115. 97 18
2002 May 124 104. 79 25
2002 Oct. 124 100. 81 19
2003 May 128 96. 76 20
2003 Oct. 128 93. 75 18
2004 May 125 110. 91 19
2004 Oct. 125 101. 81 20
2005 May 125 130. 98 22
2005 Oct. 134 103. 90 13
Raynor, Fred Caleb (1868-1837)
Raynor, Lorimer M. (1861-1943)
Tuthill, Roswell B. (1867-1951)
Tuttle, George Chauncy Doc (1867-1934) (grandson of Wells Tuttle)
Tuttle, George Frank (1822-1915)
Tuttle, Lyman Tut
Tuttle, Wells (1803-1887)