James
E. Bayles, a prominent citizen of Port Jefferson, was born here
May 8, 1841, a son of James M. and Desire A. (Hawkins) Bayles, both
natives of Port Jefferson, which was their home throughout life. Our
subject has been
prominently connected with ship building interests in the United
States, and
is probably the best known ship-builder in the Empire State.
As Mr. Bayles is most correctly estimated as a citizen by those who have been most closely associated with him we will quote largely from local papers concerning his career. This from the "Times," October 13, 1883: "The Bayles family have been identified with the town of Brook Haven and the village of Port Jefferson for generations, and no small part of the material wealth of Port Jefferson today is due to the energy and perseverance of `Boss Jim,' as he is familiarly called. The name of the village is said to owe its origin to Elisha Bayles, father of James M., who, being a stanch Democrat and an ardent admirer of Jefferson, when the subject of changing the name, 'Drown Meadow,' was suggested, presented the title, Port Jefferson. "Elisha Bayles settled in Port Jefferson in 1809, having moved thence from Mt. Sinai, and commenced business as a merchant. At that time Port Jefferson (Drown Meadow) was a straggling hamlet of barely a dozen houses. He had four sons and a daughter, all of whom are still living. James M., the father of our subject, was born January 18, 1815, on `Coakey Hill,' in the residence on Main Street, at present occupied by his youngest brother, Capt. Joseph Bayles. At the age of twenty-three he was married at Setauket. In 1836 he commenced ship building in a small way, the business coming naturally to him. He had served no apprenticeship, but was self-educated in the mysteries of modeling and shaping the timbers. He was so exact and painstaking in his methods of building, always objecting to poor work, that he soon established a reputation as a master ship-builder, and was identified with the building of ninety-five vessels. Among some of the barks built by him may be mentioned the `Carib,' built for Capt. John Moore, to run to St. Croix. This boat cost over $45,000, and at the time was considered the finest vessel in America.. Her cabins were fitted and furnished regardless of expense. `Boss' Bayles always superintended the work in progress in the yards and even after 1862, when lie had associated with himself in the business his son, James E., he was always on hand. "Our subject, like most youths of his day, had the advantage of the ordinary common schools, to which was added one term each at the then famous Northville and Franklinville Academies. At an early age he was apprenticed to the ship carpenter business, learning the trade under his father's careful tutelage. Early in 1862, when he had barely reached his twenty-first birthday, lie became a member of the firm of J. M. Bayles & Son, which firm, more than any other perhaps, have, by their conscientious workmanship and handsome modeling, rendered Brook Haven vessels famous for their speed, carrying capacity and fine outline. Within the last ten years the extensive business of the firm has been entirely entrusted to him. The firm always made a great specialty of repairing and overhauling yachts, probably more than any other firm in the United States, except in the large cities. About seventy vessels, comprising yachts, barks, ships and schooners, have been built under his careful supervision since the year 1863. The vessels have varied from twenty to nine hundred tons. "In 1884 Mr. Bayles was elected Supervisor of the town of Brook Haven, by an overwhelming majority, and the following year he was re-elected by a majority of six hundred and eighty-six. He is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in the town of Brook Haven, and is prominent in its counsels in Suffolk County. At various times he has held the position of Trustee of the public schools at Port Jefferson, and in 1872 was nominated for member of Assembly." Mr. Bayles was married in January, 1866, to Miss Jennie R. Wells, the daughter of W. .'V. Wells. She died in 1882. In 1887 Mr. Bayles married Elmina L. Edwards, daughter of Franklin and Julia A. Edwards. Our subject with his family reside in a handsome residence beautifully situated on an eminence that overlooks Port Jefferson Bay. At the present time our subject is Vice-President of the Bank of Port Jefferson, and is always interested in local questions, having at heart the good of the community. Personally, our subject is genial and a pleasant and intelligent gentleman, a good conversationalist and entertaining in his manner. Taken from Portrait and Biographical Record of Suffolk County, NY Ghapman Publishing 1896 |
The
following was found in a Gedcom
file
found on Rootsweb submitted by Frederick Ford ANURICK@aol.com
- if this is not the original source it remains unknown.
The
first authentic record of the BAYLESS, or Bayles, family, was the
appearance of a refugee named Bayles at Colchester, England. He
is said to have come from the Low Countries; family tradition says that
he was a Huguenot and migrated from northern France to escape the death
which overtook so many thousands of Huguenots at the massacre of St.
Bartholomew on August 24,
1572. The family is also found to have lived in Wales at about the same
time. Quote from Roxie Belle Bayless Black as cited in a letter received from Bill N. Allen Dec. 1995: " The Bayles family immigrated from France to escape the St. Bartholemew's massacre of the Hugenotsabout August 24, 1572, thence to the Low Countries and from there to Colchester, England and from there to Wales for a while....Three brothers, William, John and Samuel Bayles came from England to America together in 1636 on an English ship names "Truelove"." The name "BAYLESS" probably relates to "bailiff", a minor official. The earliest documented ancestor is John Bayles (or Bayley, or Baylie), born in 1617 in the Parish of St. Peters of Mancrofts in Norwich, Norfolk, England. [ One researcher claims that John was born in 1617 in Colchester, England ]. At any rate, he sailed from London to America on June 10, 1635, aboard the "Truelove", on which were his brothers William and Samuel. (Also on board was a John Lake "aged 16" and so probably too young to have been the John Lake whose Great Granddaughter, Joanna Lake, married John Bayles's Great Grandson Daniel Bayles.) John Bayles was indentured to a man named John or William Wells. The "Truelove" sailed first to Bermuda and then to Boston. Landing in Boston, they settled in New Haven, CT, and in 1639 moved to Southold, Long Island. There is no further information on John until his term with Wells was completed. According to researcher Howard Green Bayless, "John came from the Parish of St. Peters of Mancrofts in Norwich, Norfolk, ENG. He sailed from London on June 10, 1635. The "Truelove" sailed first to Bermuda and then to Boston. John was an indentured servant to John Wells, the younger son of a wealthy family. John Wells was in Boston in 1635, Lyn in 1638, New Haven in 1639 and in 1640 he came to Southold, Long Island. It is unknown what John Bayles did during these years. " It has been established that JohnBayles married Rebecca Stillwell in 1641. The records of the First Church show that John lived in Southold, LI, prior to 1654. In 1656 John bought property on Town Street, and on 22 Sep 1661 sold a house and land to John Tuthill. By this time Bayles was living in Jamaica, LI, where he voted in the Town Meeting in July. From the Town Records of Jamaica, 13 Mar 1662: "It is ordained and agreed by the town that John Bayles shall keep an ordinary in the town of Rusdorpe for the entertaining of strangers, and that he shall forthwith set upon the work to provide for strangers, and to give entertain- ment to such strangers as shall come." [ SOURCE: World Family Tree No. 1197, CD#18, submitted 11/27/1997 ] Howard Green Bayles, however, states that "because of the lack of records between 1635 and 1654, it cannot be proved with certainty that John Bayles of the "Truelove" is the same John who married Rebecca Stillwell and fathered the American Bayless line of descent. In 1654, church records in Southold show that John Bayles was living there earlier than that date (HGB 1944). He bought a lot in Southold in 1656. On Sept.22, he sold his house and land to John Tuthill. John Bayles had arrived in Jamaica, L.I., by July 14, 1661 when he voted in the Town Meeting. In 1664-5, he was involved in a New Jersey land deal. (This parcel of about 300 square miles may have included a substantial part of Staten Island.) He probably did not move to NJ but did spend much of this time there. The land deal was a failure. In the years 1668-74 he lived in Setauket (elected Constable in 1672). In 1674 he traded his land in Setauket for land in Jamaica. His will was made but he died on Oct. 18, 1682, before signing it. The will was proved on Dec.13, 1682 in Jamaica, L.I., New York. " Events in John
Bayles' life: Jan 15
1683: "The
probate of the will of John Bayles Deceased and Admicon Granted to
rebecca Bayles his widdow and Relict therin named Anthony Brockholls
Esqr Commander in Cheife and the Councell of the Province of New York
To all to whom this Shall come or may Concerne Greeting Whereas John
Bayles Lateof Jameca
on Long Island Deceased Did in his lifetime make and Declare and Cause
to
be put in writing his Last Will and Testamt Intending to signe Seale
and Publish
and the Same in Usuall forme of Law butt before the Same was Effected
Departed
this Life Now Know Yee That att a Court of Sessions held a Jameca
aforesaid
for the North rideing of Yorkshire on Long Island the 13th 14th and
15th
Days of December Last Past the said Will hereunto Annexed being
produced
by Mr. Peter Smith the person who wrott the Same Declaring upon his
Corporall
Oath that the Same was According to the order and Directions Declared
the
Same to be his Last Will and Testamt. Itt was Approve Admitted and
Allowed
of according And the Said John Bayles ahving while he lived and att the
time
of his Death Goods nad Chattles within the said Towne of Jameca and
Province
and Rebecca Bayles his widow and Relict being therinn appointed his
whole
and Sole Executrix the Admisson of all & singular the Said Goods
and
Chattles and the said Will administer upon the Same Accordingly to make
a
full and just inventory unto the next court of Sessions Ensuing the
Date
and Render a True and Perfect Account of her Admisson in the time by
law
required. Givenunder my Hand and Seale in New York the 15th Day of
January
in the thirty fourth yeare of his Maties Reigne Annoque Dom 1683. "
Quote from Roxie Belle Bayless Black as cited in a letter received from Bill N. Allen Dec. 1995: " The Bayles family immigrated from France to escape the St. Bartholemew's massacre of the Hugenotsabout August 24, 1572, thence to the Low Countries and from there to Colchester, England and from there to Wales for a while....Three brothers, William, John and Samuel Bayles came from England to America together in 1636 on an English ship names "Truelove"." The name "BAYLESS" probably relates to "bailiff", a minor official. The earliest documented ancestor is John Bayles (or Bayley, or Baylie), born in 1617 in the Parish of St. Peters of Mancrofts in Norwich, Norfolk, England. [ One researcher claims that John was born in 1617 in Colchester, England ]. At any rate, he sailed from London to America on June 10, 1635, aboard the "Truelove", on which were his brothers William and Samuel. (Also on board was a John Lake "aged 16" and so probably too young to have been the John Lake whose Great Granddaughter, Joanna Lake, married John Bayles's Great Grandson Daniel Bayles.) John Bayles was indentured to a man named John or William Wells. The "Truelove" sailed first to Bermuda and then to Boston. Landing in Boston, they settled in New Haven, CT, and in 1639 moved to Southold, Long Island. There is no further information on John until his term with Wells was completed. According to researcher Howard Green Bayless, "John came from the Parish of St. Peters of Mancrofts in Norwich, Norfolk, ENG. He sailed from London on June 10, 1635. The "Truelove" sailed first to Bermuda and then to Boston. John was an indentured servant to John Wells, the younger son of a wealthy family. John Wells was in Boston in 1635, Lyn in 1638, New Haven in 1639 and in 1640 he came to Southold, Long Island. It is unknown what John Bayles did during these years. " It has been established that JohnBayles married Rebecca Stillwell in 1641. The records of the First Church show that John lived in Southold, LI, prior to 1654. In 1656 John bought property on Town Street, and on 22 Sep 1661 sold a house and land to John Tuthill. By this time Bayles was living in Jamaica, LI, where he voted in the Town Meeting in July. From the Town Records of Jamaica, 13 Mar 1662: "It is ordained and agreed by the town that John Bayles shall keep an ordinary in the town of Rusdorpe for the entertaining of strangers, and that he shall forthwith set upon the work to provide for strangers, and to give entertain- ment to such strangers as shall come." [ SOURCE: World Family Tree No. 1197, CD#18, submitted 11/27/1997 ] Howard Green Bayles, however, states that "because of the lack of records between 1635 and 1654, it cannot be proved with certainty that John Bayles of the "Truelove" is the same John who married Rebecca Stillwell and fathered the American Bayless line of descent. In 1654, church records in Southold show that John Bayles was living there earlier than that date (HGB 1944). He bought a lot in Southold in 1656. On Sept.22, he sold his house and land to John Tuthill. John Bayles had arrived in Jamaica, L.I., by July 14, 1661 when he voted in the Town Meeting. In 1664-5, he was involved in a New Jersey land deal. (This parcel of about 300 square miles may have included a substantial part of Staten Island.) He probably did not move to NJ but did spend much of this time there. The land deal was a failure. In the years 1668-74 he lived in Setauket (elected Constable in 1672). In 1674 he traded his land in Setauket for land in Jamaica. His will was made but he died on Oct. 18, 1682, before signing it. The will was proved on Dec.13, 1682 in Jamaica, L.I., New York. " Events in John
Bayles' life: Jan 15 1683: "The
probate of the will of John Bayles Deceased and Admicon Granted to
rebecca Bayles his widdow and Relict therin named Anthony Brockholls
Esqr Commander in Cheife and the Councell of the Province of New York
To all to whom this Shall come or may Concerne Greeting Whereas John
Bayles Lateof Jameca on Long Island Deceased Did in his lifetime make
and Declare and Cause to be put in writing his Last Will and Testamt
Intending to signe Seale and Publish and the
Same in Usuall forme of Law butt before the Same was Effected Departed
this Life Now Know Yee That att a Court of Sessions held a Jameca
aforesaid
for the North rideing of Yorkshire on Long Island the 13th 14th and
15th
Days of December Last Past the said Will hereunto Annexed being
produced
by Mr. Peter Smith the person who wrott the Same Declaring upon his
Corporall
Oath that the Same was According to the order and Directions Declared
the
Same to be his Last Will and Testamt. Itt was Approve Admitted and
Allowed
of according And the Said John Bayles ahving while he lived and att the
time of his Death Goods nad Chattles within the said Towne of Jameca
and
Province and Rebecca Bayles his widow and Relict being therinn
appointed
his whole and Sole Executrix the Admisson of all & singular the
Said
Goods and Chattles and the said Will administer upon the Same
Accordingly
to make a full and just inventory unto the next court of Sessions
Ensuing
the Date and Render a True and Perfect Account of her Admisson in the
time
by law required. Givenunder my Hand and Seale in New York the 15th Day
of
January in the thirty fourth yeare of his Maties Reigne Annoque Dom
1683.
" |
Anyone
researching the Bayles family history of Long Islandf would be
hard pressed to avoid seeing the name of Thomas Baylis. The
following
short biography was originally posted as part of the introduction to
the
Thomas R. Bayles Local History Room, located in Longwood Public
Library.
A direct link to a complete list of his work can be found at: http://longwood.suffolk.lib.ny.us/bayleslist.html.
Cookie
Hill, 111 East Main Street, Port Jefferson, NY This
beautiful wrought iron gate leads to the Elisha Bayles house. The
original
center section is said to date from near 1800. James Madison Bayles
(son
of Elisha) was born here in 1815. He became the leading shipbuilder of
the
Bayles shipbuilding family, which owned the house until 1950. According
to family legend, a Bayles wife baked and sold cookies to make a living
while awaiting the return of her seafaring husband, hence the name
"Cookie
Hill."
The village (Port Jefferson) was named after Thomas Jefferson at the urging of shipbuilder Elisha Bayles, an ardent Jeffersonian Democrat. Jefferson helped the village acquire funds for dredging of the harbor channel. The statue, dedicated on July 4, 1994, was sculpted by Domenico Facci. Source: The Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson With the demise of wooden shipbuilding, the Bayles Shipyard was sold in 1917. |
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