Oyster Bay History

Founded over 300 years ago, the town of Oyster Bay on Long Island in New York has a colorful history, stretching from the Matinecock Indians who gave way to Dutch and English settlers, through the Revolutionary War when Robert Townsend served Washington as the spy, Culper Jr., to its glory years when Sagamore Hill served as Theodore Roosevelt's summer White House.

Thursday, February 02, 2006

First American Valentine

You know Oyster Bay is famous for oysters and Theodore Roosevelt. But do you know that Raynham Hall, the family seat of the Townsends, Oyster Bay's "first family", is also the home of the first Valentine?

It seems Sarah "Sally" Townsend, sister of the Revolutionary War spy, Robert Townsend -- Culper Jr. of the Culper Spy Ring -- was a mighty popular young lady. One officer, who signed himself James McGill, showed his appreciation by etching "The adorable Miss Sally Townsend" into a handy window pane! Another, Lt. Col. John Graves Simcoe of the Queens Rangers, while quartered at the Townsend family home, sent Sally the first documented American Valentine on February 14, 1779.

You can read the Valentine on the Raynham Hall Museum website. Or better yet, see it and the etched glass tributes for yourself by visiting the Museum in person.

posted by The Webshop @ 1:43 PM    

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