East Marion

Beginnings
East Marion, a quaint hamlet situated in Suffolk County, New York, aligns with the census-designated place (CDP) of the same name within the town of Southold. According to the 2010 census, the population of this peaceful community stood at 926 individuals.

The Revolution

British troops made landfall in 1776 amidst the turmoil of the American Revolutionary War. The conflict forced numerous families to seek refuge in Connecticut, leaving their farms vulnerable to sporadic plundering by the Redcoats. Following Benedict Arnold’s defection, he orchestrated raids on Connecticut from Oysterponds. During the War of 1812, the British reappeared, establishing a somewhat ineffective blockade against American vessels bound for New York City. In 1814, Commodore Stephen Decatur stationed his American squadron near Trumans Beach but refrained from direct confrontation with the British forces. Post-war, Oysterponds experienced a resurgence in farming and fishing, leading to prosperity. By 1840, over 30 schooners were actively operating from the harbor, transporting fish and produce.

Turning point

Originally known as Oysterponds Lower Neck and Oysterponds Upper Neck, Orient and East Marion embarked on separate paths in 1836, adopting new names. Orient was selected to denote its position as the easternmost locale on the North Fork of Long Island. Meanwhile, East Marion paid homage to Gen. Francis Marion, renowned as the “Swamp Fox” during the Revolutionary War. The addition of “East” distinguished it from an existing town named Marion elsewhere in the state.

Brushes with fame

By 1870, the northern tip of the North Fork had transformed into a popular resort destination. The renowned Orient Point Inn, welcoming guests since 1796, hosted illustrious figures such as President Grover Cleveland, poet Walt Whitman, orator Daniel Webster, actress Sarah Bernhardt, and author James Fenimore Cooper, who crafted “Sea Lions,” set in Orient. Unfortunately, the inn, operational until the 1960s, met its end with demolition.

Meanwhile, amidst this bustling scene, the Tuthill family of Orient sought to maintain a semblance of privacy. Referred to less sensitively in those times as the “Tuthill Dwarfs” or “Tiny Tuthills,” they remained prominent figures. The three Tuthill sisters—Cynthia, Lucretia, and Asenath—were both midgets and skilled seamstresses. In the mid-19th century, their brother Rufus constructed a scaled-down house for them on Village Lane, which still stands today. Despite their shy and diminutive stature, their nephew Addison declined an invitation from P. T. Barnum to join his circus.

Claims to fame

Today, Orient is predominantly recognized for its ferry connections to New London and the picturesque Orient Beach State Park. Ferry services, operating on a regular schedule, commenced in the 1930s, facilitating travel between the two states. The establishment of Orient Beach State Park traces back to 1929 when the community generously ceded the majority of the 4-mile-long beach peninsula to the state.

In contrast, East Marion retains its quaint, rural charm, characterized by a tranquil atmosphere, numerous bays and inlets, wildlife sanctuaries, and expansive farmlands. Presently, the community boasts a collection of cozy bed and breakfast accommodations nestled along NY 25, spanning the stretch between Greenport and Orient Point.