The first winter they were here, they did live in shelters dug from the
earth. There are no caves here in the Haamptons. They did use seaweed as a
form of insulation. They wooden houses with wide floor boards were built
facing South.

Your best bet for detailed information is the Long Island Collection at the
East Hampton Library, phone 631 324-5977. The library has a website and I
believe the e-mail address for the Long Island Collection is listed.

Nancy Hyden Woodward

> From: BettyLou Boysen <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: "A LISTSERV list for discussions pertaining to New York State
> history." <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Fri, 3 Jan 2003 17:08:31 -0800
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Mid 17th Century Long Island Necessities
>
> I am trying to find what materials were available [land and sea] in the
> Hampton's and other Long Island area from 1640 - 1700 that could be used to
> build their homes provide materials for light, household, farming
> implements, etc.
> I have read that they lived in caves [natural or man-made]; however, I do
> not believe that the landscape of the area lends itself to cave living until
> shelters could be built.
> It is my understanding that there were not craft-persons among the first
> settlers so they had to rely on their own ingenuity and skillfulness.
> Thank you for any help!
>
> BettyLou Hand Boysen
> [log in to unmask]