Setauket’s Selah Strong recognized as one of Washington’s spies

According to the Three Village Historical Society, Selah Strong was elected president of the trustees of the Town of Brookhaven in May 1780, a position equivalent to Brookhaven town supervisor. He was elected through 1797 and also served as the first judge of Suffolk County.

News 12 Staff

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Apr 26, 2021, 8:04 PM

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Updated 1,339 days ago

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A ceremony was held Monday morning at St. George’s Manor Cemetery to honor Seleh Strong, husband to Anna Strong – a member of the Culper Spy Ring that helped win the Revolutionary War.

Anna Strong is revered for her role in the spy ring, using her clothesline to signal fellow patriot spies that it was safe to retrieve intelligence that would be delivered to Gen. George Washington.

Seleh Strong also aided the patriots, which landed him in a New York City prison. After his release, Strong joined the Continental Army.

According to the Three Village Historical Society, Selah Strong was elected president of the trustees of the Town of Brookhaven in May 1780, a position equivalent to Brookhaven town supervisor. He was elected through 1797 and also served as the first judge of Suffolk County.

When President George Washington made a tour through Long Island in 1790, it was Selah Strong who led him and his entourage from Coram to the Roe Tavern in Setauket, where he spent the third night of his tour.

President George Washington visits Long Island

On Monday, a plaque was added to the gravestones marking the final resting place of Anna and Selah Strong. It recognizes Selah Strong as a member of the Culper Spy Ring and well as his other achievements.

“Together, they were a force,” said Steve Healy, of the Three Village Historical Society. “And now you'll have dual plaque which will show what they did, and I think people will appreciate that.”