Richard M. Bayles was born in Coram, on March 23, 1846. His father had died
only eleven days earlier and his mother died in 1860 when Richard was not
yet fourteen. Her brother Edward Swezey took Richard and his two older
brothers into his home, which he shared with his parents, his wife Cynthia
and two young daughters Eliza Ann, and Alda. They lived in Middle Island on
the north side of the Middle Country Road just east of the Presbyterian
Church. Richard's two brothers were killed June 2, 1864 at the battle of
Cold Harbor, Virginia.
From October 1892 through the following May, Richard taught 18 pupils in the
West Middle Island (district 16) school while boarding at the home of J.H.
Randall on Middle Country Road (Carl Hart Bike Shop). In December he bought
one half acre of land on the North side of the highway from Henry P.
Hutchinson and constructed a 13ft.
By 18 ft. office. That winter while Mr.
Randall was in Florida, Miss Florence Rowland from Miller Place came to stay
with his wife Lydia who was a cousin of Florence. Richard met her for the
first time on February 4, and on July 13, 1893 they were married. Richard
soon broke ground for a house next to his small office. Over the years
Richard made additional purchases of land until he eventually owned about
three acres. After Richard died in 1930 Florence and their son Albert
continued to live in the house. Albert lived there until his death in 1963.
At various times Richard made additions to his small office. When his other
son Thomas married Gertrude Benjamin in 1916 they moved into the west part
of the building. They remained there until Thomas died and Gertrude moved to
a small house nearby. At this time the old office building was demolished.
In 1976 Thomas's son Donald took title to the property and modified
Richard's home so that it could be used for offices. The property was sold
in 1996.
Richard M. Bayles was a man of many talents. He was widely known for his
works as a historian. His "Sketches of Suffolk County" was published in
1873. He was called on often to give talks on local history. While writing
these and other county histories, Richard taught school. His next project
was a handbook containing descriptions of all the communities on Long
Island. When completed it was called "Bayles Long Island Handbook" On a
number of occasions he was a candidate for Brookhaven Town Clerk but was
defeated each time.
His next enterprise had Richard setting up a small hand operated printing
press in his office and began a part time printing business. Using the
experience acquired conducting research during his history-writing period he
now offered to his services in searching land titles. Searching through
deeds to prove title provided the information necessary to establish
property lines so he now entered a new career as a surveyor. In 1899 he
undertook the assignment of surveying the Greenlawn Cemetery at Pinelawn. In
addition to the above business pursuits Richard planted and maintained a
small apple, pear, and peach orchard from which he sold fruit.
Prepared by:
Mr. Donald Bayles,
Local Historian
1999
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