CONTAINING A PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND, ITS CIVIL DIVISIONS, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, STATISTICS, ETC.
Names, Form and Situation.
LONG ISLAND unquestionably derived its distinctive name, from the form of the territory to which it is applied. It obtained several different appellations from the aborigines, which appear to have been used on different occasions, or by differ ent tribes. Of these, the following are of frequent occur. rence:-Paumanacke, Mattanwacke, Meitowax, and Sewanhacka. The last, meaning "the island of shells," was peculiarly appropriate; as the shores and bays abounded, from time immemorial, with various kinds of shell-fish, the relics of which, accumulated in large mounds by the natives, remain to the present day.
Its present name was early applied by the European settlers. But in 1693, some years after the province was brought under the British government, the name was changed, by an Act of the Colonial Legislature, to the "ISLAND of Nassau." And, to insure its adoption, it was enacted, that "all grants, patents, deeds, conveyances, bargains of sales, bills, bonds, records and other written instruments," made in any county, part or place of said Island, should recognise this name. Sanctioned by this high authority, but in opposition to popular sentiment, the name obtained only a partial and temporary currency; and though the Act was never repealed, it was soon permitted to be regarded as obsolete.
Long Island is situated between 71° 47′ and 73° 57′ west longitude from Greenwich, and is about 125 miles in length