The Early History of the Matinnecock

Prior to claims of title by the Dutch and English, Eaton’s Neck was occupied by the Matinnecock Indians. Their chief was Asharoken (also spelled Resoroken). The Matinecocks (one of thirteen tribes on Long Island) occupied and claimed ownership of the north shore of Long Island from Hempstead to Smithtown. In 1646, Theophilus Eaton, governor of New Haven purchased the peninsula from the Matinnecock Indians. There is no longer any documentation of the original deed for this purchase. Its existence and validity are attested to by its reference in other deeds. Furthermore, in 1663, a statement was signed by the Indians (by a cross, the mark X) in the presence of English witnesses affirming the sale to Theophilus Eaton. The Matinnecocks saw nothing irregular in selling the same land to multiple purchasers. For example on July 30, 1656, in another Indian deed, Chief Asharoken sold to Jonas Wood, William Rogers and Thomas Wilkes of Huntington the north side of Long Island from Cow Harbor (Northport) to the Neesaquock River (Smithtown). The language is not clear but seems to include Eaton’s Neck and Crab Meadow. Furthermore, in 1762 another deed from the three surviving heirs of Chief Asharoken, specifically includes Eaton’s Neck and Crab Meadow, again selling the land to the trustees of Huntington. As a result of the multiple sales, the Town of Huntington filed at least three law suits but was unsuccessful in obtaining ownership of the land.
From eatonsneck.org