On Saturday, March 21, Allison McGovern, an archaeologist, will talk about her work on the Fowler House, seen here, at the East Hampton Library. The house, at 95 Springs-Fireplace Road, is believed to be the last surviving dwelling to have housed a Montaukett family who lived in Indian Field, Montauk.
At least some of the wood used to construct the Fowler House came from Indian Field, but there has been debate about how much of the structure was moved from Montauk to Freetown. Regardless of whether it was moved fully assembled or was new construction, by 1885 it sheltered the family of George Fowler (1860-1931) and Sarah Melissa Fowler (1857-1926).
The Fowler family and other Montaukett relatives gave up their rights to land in Montauk to Arthur Benson in exchange for small parcels in East Hampton. Some of the land Benson purchased was later sold to the Long Island Rail Road, which wanted to run trains to Montauk’s deep-water port. In later years, the Fowlers were involved in court cases against Benson’s heirs regarding Montaukett land.
In this photograph, we see the Fowlers as more than a court case or a house — we see them as a family. We can’t be sure which family members appear here, but two children, a boy and a girl, stand on the porch near bicycles. Beside them, a figure in a cap leans against a column. The girl watches as a man walks toward the back of the house without a jacket. To the left stands a woman, and everyone except the girl looks toward the photographer.
A covered wagon or swing sits beside the porch, which displays a flag. A plant with vines grows up the house near the porch. An arbor with vines is visible behind the house. The plantings are reminiscent of the gardens at Home, Sweet Home, where George Fowler worked as a gardener.
The details in this tiny image bring the Fowler family to life. Ms. McGovern’s talk, which starts at 10:30 a.m., will share even more of the details she has uncovered about this important Montaukett family.
Andrea Meyer, a librarian and archivist, is the head of the Long Island Collection at the East Hampton Library. Ms. McGovern's talk has been cancelled.
