The town was founded in 1640 and is the oldest English-speaking town in New York State. The original 1640 settlement of Southold ran from Town Creek up Young’s Avenue and then west along Rte. 25 to Willow Hill, Southold’s First Presbyterian church is the oldest English church society in the State of New bridgeYork. In 1650 the population was about 180, growing to 880 by 1698.
The harbor at Greenport was important in trade, fishing, and whaling because it rarely froze over.
