Students study family gravestones as part of a curriculum-based education program at the William Floyd Estate.
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William Floyd was one of eight children born to Nicoll and Tabitha Floyd on the prosperous plantation at Mastic. As the oldest son, William inherited the plantation from his father in 1755 at the age of 21. A leader in business and society of his community, William also took up the colonial cause against Great Britain. He and his first wife Hannah Jones had three children by 1767. William became a colonel in the militia in 1773, and represented New York in the First Continental Congress in 1774.
Around 1777, William, Hannah, and family left Long Island while the British occupied it. Hannah died in 1781. The rest of the family returned to Mastic in 1783. In 1784, William married Joanna Strong, and and they had two daughters together. This portrait was painted around 1792. Note that the house is prominently featured in the background.
Late in life, William moved to Westernville, New York, and carved a new estate there. He left the Mastic property to his son Nicoll.
You can learn more about William Floyd and his family by joing a tour of the manor house.
Whenever you visit the William Floyd Estate grounds, always protect yourself from ticks. During the summer and early fall, you should also be prepared to avoid mosquitoes.
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