Sherwood-Jayne Homestead

The Sherwood-Jayne property in East Setauket is the oldest operating farm on Long Island. Now a museum, the 18th century Jayne Homestead, with original construction dating back to 1730, was purchased by Howard Sherwood in 1908, giving the house its current name.

However, the house was built by Matthias Jayne who was born in the fall of 1689 to William and Anne Jayne. Matthias and his wife, Temperance Helme whom he married the same year the house was built, raised their family in this home.

Many of the Jayne ancestors are buried in the Setauket Presbyterian Churchyard, the earliest death date being 1714.

Picture courtesy of The Setaukets, Old Field, and Poquott by The Three Village Historical Society, 2005

Today the Jayne-Sherwood Homestead hosts an annual apple festival which is coming up soon on September 22nd. Visit the house, property and see a piece of 18th century Long Island.

As summer comes to a close on Long Island, visitors and locals alike try to squeeze in those last days and nights of warm weather at their favorite outdoor spots. As we were having a cocktail recently on the deck of Claudio's Clam Bar in Greenport and watching a sailboat race go by as we turned to that summer breeze, I started to wonder about the history of Greenport and what the end of summer was like in yesteryear! It turns out that Greenport was a Whaling port as far back as the 1800's, but was Claudio there at that time?

As the story goes, from the restaurant's website, a whaler by the name of Manual Claudio, opened up Claudio's Tavern in Greenport in 1870. This tavern's home is now registered as a National Historic Building and the simple tavern has turned into an entertainment haven with its restaurant and bar and is still owned by the Claudio family.

Besides a former whaler, who was Manual Claudio? He was born in 1839 in Fayal, Portugal. He married Ellen Heaney, a native to Ireland. They remained in Greenport throughout their lives where they raised their two sons Frances Joseph (Frank) and William.  Ellen died in 1903 and is buried in the Saint Agnes Cemetery of Greenport.

A small family with humble beginnings grew a waterfront on the Sound in Greenport into a vibrant place for us to enjoy yet another Long Island asset. Long Island thanks you, Claudio family!