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FORT MASSAPEAG LECTURE 4/7/2026 MPL
The Jones Settlement and Dispersion
The Jones Settlement and Dispersion
(1696)
(1696)
The arrival of the Jones family marked the final phase of displacement for the Indigenous communities in Massapequa, signaling a permanent shift in the region's demographics.
The arrival of the Jones family marked the final phase of displacement for the Indigenous communities in Massapequa, signaling a permanent shift in the region's demographics.
Establishing a Legacy of Settlement: Although the Fort site was purchased in 1693, the first permanent European settlers, Major Thomas and Freelove Jones, arrived in 1696. They established a home on land gifted for their marriage by Freelove's father, Thomas Townsend. Their residence was situated just north of the Fort Massapeag site, a location that also contained a Native American burial ground and village.
Indigenous Dispersion: Historical records indicate a vibrant Native American village existed nearby as late as the 1680s. However, by the close of the 17th century, the local Indigenous population had vanished from Massapequa. Through a combination of disease, conflict, and land sales, the Lenape and Matinecock peoples were displaced, moving eastward on Long Island or upstate.
Lasting Impact: The settlement of European families marked the final displacement of the Indigenous communities in Massapequa. Though dispersed, the Algonquian culture remains a vital element of Long Island's heritage and descendants live across the tri-state area.
Jones Memoir
Jones Memoir
This excerpt from the 1906 family history by Thomas Floyd-Jones describes the land ownership of Major Thomas Jones and his wife Freelove. It tells of the brick house home and the stories of signs of haunted spirits. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Major Thomas and Freelove Townsend Jones Oyster Bay home in Massapeag, 1696 - Old Brick House
Major Thomas and Freelove Townsend Jones Oyster Bay home in Massapeag, 1696 - Old Brick House
This image shows the first European estate in South Oyster Bay. A wedding gift from Freelove's father Thomas Townsend. According to the Massapequa Historical Society, the house was located on the south side of Merrick Road in present day Biltmore Shores, in close proximity to the remains of Fort Massapeag. The image was taken from the 1906 book "The Jones Family of Long Island; Descendants of Major Thomas Jones (1665-1726) and Allied Families" Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
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