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The sexual assault attorneys in Westbury, NY, present this article to offer a detailed excerpt about the neighborhood.
Located 18 miles east of Manhattan is Westbury, a village on Long Island in Nassau County, New York. The neighborhood spans 2.34 square miles and hosts an approximate population of 15,146 with a population density of 6,379.9 square miles. Westbury belongs to ZIP code 11590 and area code 516.
Westbury's modern-day Jericho Turnpike was once a trail used by the Massapequa Indians. In the 17th century, it served as a divider between the early homesteads north of the Turnpike and the Hempstead Plains to its south. Today, it serves as a state highway complex.
The earliest settlers of Westbury were mostly Quakers who arrived in 1658.
In 1657, Captain John Seaman purchased 12,000 acres from the Algonquian Tribe of the Massapequa Indians. In 1658, the Stites family built their homestead in this area. Their land was the only family farm until English Quaker Edmond Titus joined them and settled in Hempstead Plains, known today as the Village of Westbury.
The area was named "Westbury" in 1675 by English Quaker Henry Willis after his hometown in England. The early history of Westbury is closely tied to the early history of The Society of Friends, which had its first meeting house built in 1700.
Many of the first settlers owned slaves until 1775, when the Quakers, compelled by their religious beliefs, freed all 154 African-American slaves that they owned.
Many of these formerly enslaved men and women built their own homesteads on the open land near the land of Westbury, and in 1834, with Quaker's assistance, they and their descendants built the New Light Baptist Church.
In 2014, the congregation celebrated its 180th anniversary. The building still stands on the corner of Union Ave. and Grand Blvd.
By 1837, the Long Island Rail Road was extended through Westbury. The railroad made it easier for Italian and Irish immigrants to work Westbury's farms, and in 1857, St. Brigid's Parish was founded.
During this period of time, many African-American families arrived to the area via the Underground Railroad. While for many Westbury was only one stop away from Canada, several freed men and women stayed in Westbury after being harbored in secret rooms in the homes of the Quakers.
Following the Civil War, most of the stores that comprised the small village were mainly black-owned.
From the 1850s to the 1900s, Westbury's population and ethnic diversity rose as many Irish and Italian origins continued to settle.
One of the most famous events tied to Westbury occurred in 1927 when Charles Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field for the history-making flight to Paris.
During World War II, Westbury sent 1,400 persons to serve the country, which was 20% of the community's population, making it the highest percentage of any comparable community in the United States.
By 1960, Westbury's population had grown to 14,757, and the many Caribbean and Latin American families began to settle in the following decades.
If you ever find yourself in Westbury, NY, there are some fantastic attractions that are a must-see.
For those looking to expand their knowledge about the history of Westbury, be sure to check out the Historical Society of the Westburys, which maintains its collection of historical documents, photos, and items in the Cottage (445 Jefferson Street) located between the Westbury Memorial Public and Children's Libraries. Visitors are welcome on the first Saturday of every month from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Wednesdays 10 AM - 1 PM, and Thursdays 1 - 5 PM.
If you have a special event coming up, consider having it at the Westbury Manor. Home to the Titus House, built in the early 1880s, the stunning venue holds a great history tying back to the Titus family, who were descendants of Quaker settlers. The venue is available for all events but specializes in weddings.
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If you or a loved one have been a survivor of sexual assault, you deserve justice. Allow the knowledgable Westbury, NY, sexual assault attorneys to help you get the justice you deserve. Contact our legal team today.
Banville Law
20 Crossways Park Dr N #210b,
Woodbury, NY 11797, USA
(516) 243-8034
