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[From the Bay Shore ./ottmo!.] Seventy-THne Yearn Old.On this day, April 24, 1886, our beloved friend, Mrs. Phebe Dominy, sees the sunshine on the seventy-ninth an- 1 niversary of her birth. Holding bo high J a place in the esteem of all who know her and being so important accessory to the welfare of onr village, we gladly set forth a few data of her very useful life, knowing it will be of very general interest. She was bom at East-Hamp-ton, L. I., April 24, 1807, the year in which steam was first used by Robert Fulton to navigate the Hudson. Her father was Major Miller in command ( of the malitia. He enjoyed the honor of being the first Postmaster appointed , at East-Hampton. Airs. Hominy was i of a family of eight -four daughters and four sons. All the latter have passed away, but two sisters of Mrs. I), still live- -Mrs. Rosalie Raker widow of Edward M. Raker, and mother of Jonathan Raker, Supervisor of East-Hampton. The other sister is Mrs. Henry Stratton, also of East-Hampton. Phebe was married in 1826 to Felix Dominy. also of East-Hampton, by Rev. Ebene-zer Phelps. The Dominy family were originally from Holland, but Felix Roininy was of the sixth generation bom in America. The old clock that was brought over to America by the first Dominy is now in Mrs. D’s possession and is a quaint affair with square case some 14 inches high and witd heavy iron handles at the side. The Dominy family has never been very numerous in this country. Felix had one brother only---William, who removed to Reekmantown, near Plattsburgh, N. V., where his descendants still live. These two sons, like all of their family were possessed of strong will power, and were very tall, a characteristic that is seen in their descendants. William was at one time gunning on the ice when he broke through and was unable to get out, by reason of the ice breaking as he bore nis weight on it. Seeing an air hole some distance away toward the shore he grasped his gun firmly and dove under the ice for the air hole which he safely reached and from which he was able by his tall stature to get out.Mr. Felix Dominy received the appointment as keeper of the light at Fire Island on May 17, 1835, and remained in charge thereof for nine years. The idea that Fire Island would be a capital summer resort led him to have a hotel built by N. K. Rarto. This structure they occupied all the year until May 17, 1862, when the present Dominy House, Ray Shore, was purchased and Mr. Dominy took charge of it, Mrs. I), staying at Fire Island during the summer till 1866. when the hotel was sold. It has since passed through the hands of I). S. Samtnis to Mrs. Benjamin Sire. Mr. Dominy died in 1868 while visiting his daughter at HufTalo, and was buried at East-Hampton. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Dominy has given her entire attention to the resort now her home, and has probably done more to give Ray Shore a fame than anyone other person. Her reputation as manager was known far and near.****** *Mrs. Dominy became the mother of five children—Nathaniel O. (a resident of East-Hampton); Arthur W. (now Superintendent of Life-Saving Service) Jerushu lluell (who became tne wife of Capt. Samuel Hulac and is now deceased) | Mary D., now Mrs. W. L. Tyson, of N. Y., and Ned S. Dominy.Mrs. Dominy has an almost perfect recollection or past events and a witty way of expressing herself. She noted the fact that Isaac Willetts was wont to stop at the Dominy House. On the 12th day of March, 1842, this gentleman drove his team from Montauk Point to Fulton Ferry, llrooklyn, a distance of 120 miles in 23 hours—a fact it would be very ditlicult to have accomplished in these days for all we have so many fast llyers.*******We give this long and somewhat rambling notice without much particular attention being paid to the subject of the sketch-Mrs. Phebe Dominy. We find her to-day a woman of rare executive ability—a strong will and always the mistress of her household, but with her will power so well blended with true womanly qualities that she is universally beloved; and in all the years she has been before the public as hostess never had any trouble or misunderstanding with herguestft.or any others who met her. Her friends are found all over the Union and loud are their praises at her care for their comfort when her guests. At home she is kuown as a model of kindness and benevolence and it would be almost an impossibility to find any other person in this section to-day who has such a warm place in the regard of her townspeople. May she enjoy many other returns of her birthday and be blessed with health and happiness. Her mother died at the age of ill years and 6 months in full possession of all faculties. We hone to be able to record the centennial of the birth of Mrs. Phebe Dominy surrounded then as now with truo friends and able to enjoy their presence.
Newspaper Details
East Hampton Star
East Hampton, New York, US
Sat, May 01, 1886
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
William B.
USA 17 Dec 2023
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