Gardiners Island

Gardiners Island

Gardiners Island is a small island east off the coast of the eastern end of Long Island. It is 6 miles long and 3 miles wide. In 1639, on the basis of a grant by King Charles I, the island was settled by Lion Gardiner. The patent gave him the "right to possess the land forever", Lion Gardiner was given the title of Lord of the Manor and thus was able to govern the island as a proprietary colony.

Gardiner reportedly purchased the island in 1639 from the Montaukett Indians for "a large black dog, some powder and shot, and a few Dutch blankets". It has been privately owned by Gardiner's descendants for over three hundred and fifty years and is the only real estate in the United States still held by a royal grant from the English Crown.

Gardiners Island from Springs, New York showing the famed white windmill and manor house.

Julia Gardiner, who was to become President John Tyler's First Lady, was born on the island in 1820.

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