The First Residents Of The Town Of Brookhaven Were Algonkian-Speaking Native Americans, The Setalcots (Or Setaukets), And The Unkechaugs. The Boundaries Of The Town Of Brookhaven Coincide Almost Exactly With The Tribal Lands Of These Two Groups Or “Tribes.”

English Settlers Arrived On The North Shore Of The Town In 1655. The Six Men, From The Town Of Southold, Purchased Eight Square Miles Stretching From Stony Brook To Port Jefferson In Exchange For Tools, Wampum, Lead, Powder And "1 Pair Of Children's Stockings." The First Settlers Came From Eastern Long Island And New England. The Town Was Originally Called Ashford, And Later Brookhaven, The First Settlement Was Named After The Native Americans It Was Purchased From: Setauket. More Land Purchases Followed Over The Years. In 1666, After Long Island Became A Part Of The Colony Of New York, Governor Richard Nicholl Granted A Patent, Which Fixed The Name Of Brookhaven, Confirmed Title To The Lands Already Purchased, And Allowed For Additional Purchases. In 1686, Governor Thomas Dongan Issued A Patent Which Granted Extensive Powers To The Town, And Established A Representative Form Of Government.

Early Brookhaven Residents Were Engaged In Farming, Fishing And Whaling. In The 1800s, The Shipbuilding, And The Cordword Industries Became Important As Well. Many Of Our Early Residents Held Important Roles In The Formation Of The State And The Nation.