Thomas Hopkins in Oyster Bay

Thomas Hopkins, a native of Dorset, England immigrated to Plymouth, Massachusets in 1636, spent years in Rhode Island as one of the first settlers of Prividence and eventally settled and died in the settlement of Littleworth of Oyster Bay. How did he end up in Oyster Bay, a small town on the north shore of Long Island?

Thomas was the son of William Hopkins and Joanna Arnold. He had the distinction of having individuals such as Benedict Arnold and Stephen Hopkins (signer of the declaration of independence) there is no question that Thomas was born into families that would foster good education, fortune and prestige.

Therefor, it is not surprising that from 1652 to 1672 Hopkins served in a number of civic positions in Providence, including Commissioner, Deputy, and member of the Town Council. In 1676 King Philip's War raged in Rhode Island and most of Providence was destroyed. While Hopkin's two oldest sons, William and Thomas, either remained in Providence or returned there shortly after the war, Hopkins and his youngest moved to Oyster Bay, on Long Island and remained there. Hopkins' son predeceased him, and his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, then married Richard Kirby. It was in the home of Kirby that Hopkins was living when he died in 1684.

Photo of Thomas Kirby (descendent) document coutrsy of the Oyster Bay Historical Society.

Isaac Fox Allman

Although he wasn't a native of Long Island, Isaac Fox Allman found himself and his 2nd wife, Mahala Delle Wright, living in Selden in the latter part of his years. A Civil War veteran and a patentee of a gas engine, Isaac was held in high regard within his community as a brave and influential man.

Isaac, born in 1842, was the son of Isaac Bailey Allman of England and New Jersey and his wife Matilda Mott. Although we are not sure how his middle name was chosen, it is assumed it was taken from Matilda's brother in law, Vincent Henry Fox. Perhaps Vincent and Matilda's sister Phebe were Isaac's god parents.

The Civil War: Isaac was a Corporal during the Civil War under the 13th New York Calvary and he was part of the Great Rebellion for 4 years.

The Inventor: Isaac invented the Allman Gas Engine. Paperwork on this patent is still held by his honored descendents, who have generously shared the photos you see here. The Allman Gas Engine was used in the mechanical refrigeration industry and was patented in 1891. His company, the Allman Gas Engine Company was located at 461 Canal St in New York City and was established in 1897.

Isaac was on Long Island as early as the year 1900 and lived there until his death, although he died in Jersey City at his half brother's home, whom he spent his winters with at the time. His half brother was Stephen Lynn, an Engineer who presumably worked with Isaac at some point, perhaps for his company.

Isaac and Mahala are buried with a husband and wife headstone at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Port Jefferson.

The Allman family is connected to the Randall family of long island through marriage. The Randall descendents have generously contributed to this blog post. Thank you to the Randalls and the Allmans!