Culper Spy Ring – Long Island, New York
Roe Tavern was built in 1703. It’s where Washington spent the night on April 22, 1790. Austin Roe, the inn keeper, was one of Washington’s spies. Sadly the tavern was destroyed in 1936. The memory of it lives on the form of a historic marker.
Historical figures are remembered on the raised relief sculpture on the gable end of the Setauket School. One of these depicts Richard Woodhull. He was a patentee and first magistrate of Setauket. Born in Thenford, England, on September 13, 1620. He died in Setauket on October 17, 1690.
This one of Benjamin Tallmadge recognizes the Colonel of the 2nd Regiment, Light Dragoons, Continental Army. As a spy for General Washington, he was instrumental in the capture of Major Andre, though he grieved at his hanging. Born in the Setauket Parsonage on February 25, 1754. Michael Gressel was sculptor.
The Setauket Village Green was the site of the first settlement in the Town of Brookhaven on April 14, 1655. The Battle of Setauket took place here on August 22, 1777. The green is jointly owned by the Setauket Presbyterian and Caroline Episcopal Churches. The Setauket Presbyterian Church is the oldest church in Brookhaven, instituted in 1660. The present church building was completed in 1812.
Abraham Woodhull was a friend and confidant of George Washington and head of the Long Island secret service during the Revolution. He operated under the alias of Samuel Culper, Sr. To him and his associates have been credited a large share in the success of the army of the Revolution. Born in Setauket on October 7, 1750, in the original Woodhull Homestead, son Richard Woodhull and Margaret Smith. He was fifth generation descended from Richard Woodull, the original grantee of a large portion of Brookhaven Town.
The home of Richard Woodhull was built in 1690 and burned in 1931. It is where Abraham Woodhull served a chief of Long Island spies under General Washington.
Fishing boats would send messages across Long Island Sound that could be intercepted and read by people on land.