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.”
St. George’s Manor Cemetery
Anyone
interested in learning more about the Culper Spy Ring can book a private tour
through
Tri-Spy Tours on the historical society’s website.
New plaque on Selah Strong's gravesite.