I passed it nearly every day for more than 15 years.  The building is the same now as then, except there was an extension on the south side which was formerly used as a tavern.  Some years later this extension was removed from the building.

      I remember Daniel RAYNOR and wife, the owners of the property. Mrs. RAYNOR lived to an advanced age.  I prepared medicine for her prescribed by a Hempstead doctor in 1876. Daniel RAYNOR was a prosperous farmer and the father of a noted family, 6 sons and 2 daughters, namely:  Edward, Alanson, William, Mott. Francis, John, Amanda and Ellen V.

      I knew all, except one who died before I was born.  The oldest, Edward RAYNOR, owner of the grist and saw mills which were located at the head of Freeport creek, directly opposite across the street from his father’s home, also a large farm extending from Mill road to more than 500 feet north of Merrick road and on each side of road from Liberty avenue on the east to Strassel garage on the west.  He had 3 sons and a daughter, namely:  Bedell, Quincey, John and Ellen. Bedell operated the grist mill and married a cousin of mine.  They lived on the second floor of the tavern extension.  I often visited them when a boy. Bedell left the mill and became a dealer in oysters, died at 62. 

      William the 2d son of Daniel RAYNOR, was in the lumber business, associated with Samuel S. CARMAN for some years.  Sold his interest became active in building enterprises, erecting stores and improving real estate, also established a shoe store and had a large patronage, also donated the site for the hook and ladder company on Church street.  He had one daughter, who died at the age of 20. 

      The third son, Alanson RAYNOR, was a bayman and captain of the Sloop Egress engaged in the freighting business.  He had one son, Walter, who is still living and engaged in the boating business. 

      Mott RAYNOR, the fourth son, was a bayman and oyster planter.  He slipped on the ice and fractured a leg from which he never recovered.  He had a son and daughter named Daniel B. and Mary.  The son was named after his grandfather.  He worked in his uncle William’s shoe store and succeeded him in the business which he conducted many years.  He was a building promoter and a director in Freeport bank.  He died suddenly about nine years ago.  The daughter married Frank P. Smith a grocerman and expressman.  She died about 20 years ago.

      Francis RAYNOR, the fifth son of Daniel followed the business of carting and sailing yachting parties.  His wife was my first school teacher, prior to her marriage.  After he husband’s death, Mrs. RAYNOR’s dress caught fire from the stove and she was badly burned, dying from the effects.  They had one son named Bergen, who became a traveling salesman for a New York wholesale shoe house.  He died about 12 years ago.

      Ellen V. RAYNOR, a daughter of Daniel, when a young lady, had a sloop named after her.  The vessel was engaged in general freight business (the first and only time I was seasick was aboard that boat when a boy).  Ellen V. married Carman SMITH of Milburn, they are deceased.  They had one son, Charlie D. SMITH, a friend of mine, who is well known in Freeport, his native village.  For many years he was actively engaged in the shoe and harness business.  He is now residing on West Merrick road and will recall some of the items mentioned, for Daniel RAYNOR was his grandfather.

      Amanda RAYNOR remained unmarried living at the old home and had the care of her mother until she passed on.  After a few years she left the old homestead for a new residence which she had erected on West Merrick road.  There she lived in retirement until her decease.

      This is a brief description of the descendants of Daniel RAYNOR up to the third generation.

      Aubrey SOPER, the owner of the place, is my nephew, the only son of my sister, Mrs. Annie J. SOPER, who is now living on Raynor Street, adjoining the property of the old homestead that soon will be the home of the Freeport Historical Society. 

By William E. GOLDER 
Freeport Review Star 
(date unknown but probably in early 1940s) 
Newspaper article provided by Gerald V. S. Raynor, Huntington, L.I., NY