The Floyds

A hundred years or more ago - actually since 1840 - Greenport was the "end of the main line" of the Long Island Railroad and this was our railroad yard. By any measure it was a substantial and bustling area and a stalwart of commercial interests. 

The railroad didn't show up here by accident. Greenport has a deep water harbor, safely shielded from Nor'easters and winter storms, at that time a thriving boating and whaling industry, and pretty abundant farmland that produced 7 inbound to NYC trains a day full of passengers and goods. It was a pretty good deal for those in trade as it was another day's sail at best to New York and their taxes and tariffs so to put into Greenport, offload and ship by rail the rest of the way made a lot of sense.

David Geltson Floyd was the grandson of William Floyd, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and with the building of the LIRR out to Greenport, moved here in 1840, opened a Ships Chandlers with a fellow named Skillman, owned and maintained three whaling ships and generally prospered like crazy.  Brecknock Hall was the family home - now a center for all kinds of wondrous things.  He was also father to 4 daughters, one of whom was Grace who, among other things, built the Floyd Memorial Library in David's memory.  Her husband also designed the stained glass in the Episcopal Church.  It can well be imagined that there are any number of "Floyd" touches in the village, long forgotten, but just under a few coats of paint or a new facade.

In a time, now, when civic largess is a something of what we might politely describe as a "lull" it is pretty good to remember the Floyd family and this town.  Great Grandfather William Floyd sat with Franklin, Adams and Jefferson and signed our foundation document.  His son served in the War of 1812 which had more than some action in this very area.  His son came here and put some enterprises together, did well and GAVE BACK..or his family did... that that is probably because that is what people do.  

He also took time to play a game with his grand daughter.