Owen Tells How Freeport Acquired
Its Present Name 

Editor, Nassau Daily Review-Star: 

      This little remembrance of mine does not, as you will see, conflict with the very interesting story by Mr. William E. GOLDER, as to the history of Freeport.  His story I enjoy has it brings back old memories of people that were my ancestors on my Mother’s side and their friends and neighbors. 

      There are a great many newcomers in Freeport, which in the old days was Raynorville.  To get to the point of how the name was changed, I will have to be a little lengthy.  My great grandmother’s name was GOLDEN nee VAN HOUGHTON.  The family came from Staten Island, bought a farm at Rum Point, now called Roosevelt after the death of my great grandfather.  She sold her farm and married Joseph RAYNOR of Raynorville, farmer-oysterman-bayman. 

     The house was on Main street very near what is called Atlantic avenue today.  She had several sons by GOLDEN. These sons also lived on Main street.  There were two girls, Francis and Caroline. Francis was my Grandmother.  She married Seaman RAYNOR, who was from the north shore, I believe Greenport. Caroline, the other daughter, married a SEAMAN, who was the father of Nelson SEAMAN. In other words, Caroline was the grandmother of Dr. Ben SEAMAN. 

     In the old days along Main street, South, there were some farmers and storekeepers, and no matter what their main business was they were interested in net fishing, had their own oyster beds, and a good 30-foot Sloop (boat).  At this time there were no railroads on the south shore.  If you had anything to sell or you wanted to buy, it had to be carted by horse and truck or by boat.  It took a farmer all night to take his products to Brooklyn with a heavy load and most of the next day to get back.        Those that were interested in the oyster business transported their cargo to Fulton Market by their own boats, and if possible brought back lumber and coal.  Business began to pick up as the oysters and clams were found to be so good, and the orders were increased.  This meant more boats and more money as there was not much money around Raynorville in those days the next best thing was for the customers to come after the cargoes.  There was no place to dock (no public dock).  It is that way to this day.  Those who owned the docks and waterfront charged wharfage.  This hurt business. Seaman RAYNOR first got Joe RAYNOR to allow the boats to unload at his docks, as this was found to work out successfully, those that were in the oyster and clam business had a meeting and decided to make it a  FREEPORT, and it was a free port as long as the business lasted.  Then the railroad came along.  This was the finish, particularly for perishable goods, but if we only had a decent channel through Jones Inlet and up to a point where vessels could be discharged, in my opinion, there would be a new Freeport. 

      I hope Mr. Golder, you will not forget to mention the old and only Ben Smith Hotel, Merrick road and Main street.  There were many a shin and stomach warmed by the old pot belly stove more than any place in Freeport.  As a tall story club, well Lowell Thomas should have been there. 

A. E. Owen 
Lynbrook. L.I.
(date unknown, early 1940’s ?)

.