There were also some who worked at shipbuilding. A cargo of shellfish or cordwood was taken to New York City and traded for the City's abundant horse manure brought back to enrich the farmer's fields. Many men also served as captains and sailors on various trading vessels. They shipped their catch by schooners to New York City. Others harvested shellfish, particularly scallops, soft clams and oysters taken from Stony Brook Harbor. Some families, however, made their living by cutting cordwood and hauling it down to the dock at the end of Cordwood Path, a site that is still a short distance from the store. Their soil was rich in this area and crops thrived in the fields. When the first telephone in the village was installed in the store, the establishment became even more of a community center. There were parties, dances and seasonal celebrations held in a large room upstairs. Since the Post Office was located within this store, it became a central meeting place where the townfolk gathered to wait for the mail, to catch up on the local gossip and to keep in touch with the world. Here, the residents purchased yard goods, kitchen wares, medicine, shoes, horse medicine, tobacco, groceries, hardware, and more. James during this period is associated with the store. James General Store, now the hub of the community, was inherited by Everett Smith, son of Ebenezer. At this site, Ebenezer conducted his business until the St. The heart of the business district was on Moriches Road from its intersection with Three Sisters Road south to North Country Road. James of the 1860's was located north of North Country Road, where some thirty houses were concentrated, most of them along Moriches Road, Three Sisters Road and Harbor Hill Road. James in honor of the local Episcopal Church. By that time, the name of Sherawogge was changed to St. Having some success, Ebenezer returned to Long Island to build a General Store in 1857. As an enterprising young man, when he heard the news of the gold strike in California, Ebenezer headed for the West. He set off for adventure and properity found by trading with the settlers and Indians in the Mississippi River Valley. One day, Ebenezer left this idyllic, rural community with an assorment of goods packed on horseback. In the early 1840's, Ebenezer Smith, a descendant of Richard "Bull" Smith, lived within a hamlet of Smithtown known as Sherawogge. Well, Richard Smith encircled what is currently the Township of Smithtown. As much land as he could cover in a day would belong to him. Later, folklore claims that he added to his holdings by agreeing with the Nesaquake Indians to ride his pet bull around the property he desired to own. In the late 1600's, Richard Smith bought some land from Lyon Gardiner. Legend tells that early settler Richard Smith was known for his habit of riding bulls instead of horses and acquired the nickname "Bull" Smith. The story really begins with the Smith family, a colorful and inventive lot. James General Store is rich with the folklore and history found at the very core of Long Island's heritage. The store is open year round, and now includes a post office sub-station inside. All such programs are themed to the turn of the century date coinciding with Mayor Gaynor's residency at Deepwells Farm. Currently ongoing interpretive programs at the store include popular period craft demonstrations or events held each weekend with special quarterly festivals or holiday celebrations. James General Store, the oldest continuously operating general store in the United States. Included within the Deepwells Farm Historic Park boundaries is the St. Directions: Long Island Expressway to exit 56 (Route 111 north, North Country Road) cross Main Street in Smithtown (Route 111 becomes 25A at this point) continue north to Moriches Road and turn left.
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