Photograph of Benjamin D. Hicks.
Nassau County celebrates its 125th anniversary this year with educational events commemorating its extensive and illustrious history. The region now known as Nassau County was originally inhabited by indigenous tribes such as the Marsapeque, Matinecoc, and Sacatogue. Dutch settlers began to colonize the area in the early 1600s as part of the New Netherland colony, followed by English settlers in the mid- to late 1600s. Nassau County officially came into existence in 1899, after the three towns within its boundaries sought independence from Queens' jurisdiction. During this transitional period, when Queens became a borough of New York City, a significant figure rose to the occasion: Benjamin Doughty Hicks (1836-1906), known throughout his life as Benjamin D. Hicks.
Benjamin D. Hicks was the cousin of Isaac Hicks (1815-1900), who founded Hicks Nurseries in 1853. The Westbury nursery is still owned by the Hicks family and run by Stephen Hicks, a 6th generation descendant. In 1870, Benjamin D. Hicks moved from Manhattan to Westbury at the age of 34. From 1870 to 1898, Benjamin D. Hicks was instrumental in the New York State Republican Party and was the leading advocate to separate the Towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay from Queens County.
On April 27, 1875, Hicks chaired a meeting to take preliminary steps to form a new county. Residents in the eastern portion of Long Island, including Roslyn, felt neglected by the Queens County government centered in the west. Hicks, along with other prominent figures, believed a separate county would better serve the eastern communities' needs.
Hicks tirelessly advocated for secession through countless defeats and setbacks. After the bill failed to pass in Albany in May of 1877, “Hicks, in a long public letter blamed the defeat on ‘selfish politicians, both on Long Island and at Albany…’ (Mohan, Geoffrey. "Nassau's Difficult Birth: Eastern Towns of Queens Win the Fight to Separate After Six Decades of Wrangling" (Long Island, Our Story, Newsday, pp. A16-A17, A53-A54).”
On January 22, 1898, Hicks chaired and moderated the Mineola meeting that planned the creation of Nassau County. After almost thirty years of losing battles, Hicks’ determination bore fruit when Governor Frank Black, a friend of Hicks, signed the bill to create Nassau County on April 27,1898, becoming effective on January 1, 1899. Hicks' role was pivotal during this moment in Long Island history; he recognized the need for a more responsive local government and championed the cause for his community.
The Hicks family has a long history of serving the Long Island community; for 67 years members of the family owned and operated the Roslyn Grist Mill, from 1849 to 1916. The first member of the Hicks family to purchase a share of the Roslyn Grist Mill was Oyster Bay resident and owner of J. Hicks & Sons Lumber Yard in Hempstead Harbor, Joseph Hicks. Joseph purchased the Mill in two installments in April and August of 1849 before selling half of the Mill to his son, Benjamin Hicks, in 1854. Walter Hicks took ownership in 1878 and named it the “Walter Hicks' Grist Mill.”
Benjamin D. Hicks and his wife Alice purchased the Mill from Walter Hicks on August 8, 1887. Together they owned the Roslyn Grist Mill for five years until 1892. The final Hicks family owners of the Roslyn Grist Mill, Isaac Hicks and his wife Ida, signed over the Mill for $1 on April 29, 1916, to five trustees (Harold Godwin, John H. Love, Henry Waldbridge, Gerald L. Eastman, and Albertson Hicks) to restore the Mill into a museum. In 1976, when Nassau County acquired the Roslyn Grist Mill, the 1916 trust agreement signed by Isaac and Ida Hicks was included in the transaction.
Benjamin D. Hicks' involvement with the Roslyn Grist Mill demonstrates his understanding of the importance of local infrastructure, while his advocacy for a separate county showcases his commitment to responsive government. The Roslyn Grist Mill stands as a poignant testament to these enduring values, honoring the aspirations of Roslyn's forefathers.
The current restoration of the Roslyn Grist Mill contributes another dimension to the narrative of the Hicks family. When you visit Roslyn later this year, you can witness the reinstallation of the shingled siding, the addition of a new roof, and preparations for reproduced milling equipment. The completion of these tasks signifies the conclusion of Phase II of the Roslyn Grist Mill’s rehabilitation and introduction of an opportunity for restricted access to the general public.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, speaking at a press conference held in July 2023 at the Roslyn Mill site, underscored the project's significance and Nassau County's substantial investment in the project. He emphasized the importance of preserving historical sites like the Roslyn Grist Mill, stating, "money cannot buy what you have here. It is an important archeological site. It is an important historical site. I am just so pleased as a student of history to be part of this." County Executive Blakeman even challenged the Roslyn Landmark Society to complete Phase II by 2025, coinciding with the county's 125th anniversary – a fitting tribute to Hicks and his contributions to the Roslyn community.
The meticulously restored Roslyn Grist Mill stands as a distinguished landmark, offering educational enrichment and community engagement. This transformation owes its realization to the support of County Executive Blakeman and esteemed community stakeholders. Their collective efforts ensure that visitors will embark on a local journey, tracing the artistry of milling, the rich history of Roslyn, and its indispensable role in the development of Nassau County 125 years ago.
Undoubtedly, the narrative of Benjamin D. Hicks and the Hicks family will contribute to this history, further enhancing our understanding of the region's cultural legacy. “The Hicks family and Hicks Nurseries have been a part of the fabric of Nassau County since its founding,” said Stephen Hicks. “Over the ensuing 125 years, our business has adapted and changed along with Nassau as it has grown into the prosperous suburban county that it is today. We look forward to being a part of this community for the next 125 years.”
Photograph by civil engineer George Bradford Brainerd, 1879.
From left to right: Jennifer Lister, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and Howard Kroplick. Image provided by the Roslyn Landmark Society.
To watch a video of the Roslyn Landmark Society's celebration of the conclusion of Phase I of the Roslyn Grist Mill Restoration Project, click here: Howard Kroplick Introduces Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive
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Also significant to the Roslyn area: when delegates were polled about the name for the new county, the second choice after Nassau was Bryant County, after the distinguished former Roslyn Harbor resident William Cullen Bryant.