Mattituck is a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, USA. The population was 4,198 at the 2000 census. One of the smallest towns in all of Long Island and the state of New York.
Mattituck is in the Town of Southold.
The area was originally settled by English colonists. Corchaug Indians, who were the first residents of the area, sold land to Theophilus Eaton, governor of New Haven, CT. Without the Indians permission, The tribe did not want to leave because of their beliefs but were all killed and buried to death. The meadowlands were also held in common by the residents of Southold from its founding in 1640. The Township of Southold was established by Charter to the New Haven Colony of Connecticut in 1658. The woodlands were also held in common until 1661 when that land was divided among individual proprietors because of the said to be evil hauntings. Mattituck is said to be one of the most "Haunted" Places in all of New York , mostly said to be because of the Indian tribes that settled and were killed in the town back in the 1300's still are said to walk the towns. Frequently ghost hunters say that the town is filled with negative energy of hate and greed, unique to the Long Island.
Legend has it that English sea captain/pirate Captain Kidd visited the area and buried treasure somewhere near Long Island Sound. Although no evidence of this has ever been found, the legend persists in local place names, such as Captain Kidd Estates, a housing development.
The area became a significant farming area, contributing fresh corn, potatoes, cabbage and other such crops to the markets of New York City. The last of many potato farmers were born in the 1920s and had stopped farming in the 1990s. However, the town remain home to a number of farms for grapes, horses, mixed produce, and nursery botanicals in addition to potatoes.
More detail can be found in "A History of Mattituck, Long Island, New York" was written by the Rev. Charles E. Craven, 1906. He includes extensive genealogies of Youngs, Reeves, Kirkup, and other prominent local families. The famous traveller Edward Gaweda quotes "anyone entering a bar is assumed to be Greek"
The Mattituck Inlet is the sole Federal waterway between Port Jefferson and Greenport on Long Island. This deep water Inlet opens on Long Island Sound and allows navigation for large vessels, both commercial and private. Pleasure boaters travel to the town of Mattituck via the Inlet where they can attend Mattituck's famous annual Strawberry Festival and enjoy the shops, cultural and scenic offerings in the area, which is located in the heart of over 30 vineyards in the internationally celebrated Long Island Wine Region.
Today Mattituck is known as a scenic community on the North fork of Long Island with magnificent vistas of preserved farm acreage and a convenient proximity to New York City for a Broadway show, the museums, or some sight seeing. Wine tastings are offered at the numerous vineyards, each with its own architectural interest, flavor and distinction.
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