Gardiner’s Island

Tucked between the North Fork and South Fork of eastern Long Island lies one of America’s most storied and mysterious private properties – Gardiner’s Island. With over 380 years of continuous family ownership, this 3,300-acre island is not only a rare holdover from colonial America but also home to one of the most historically significant family cemeteries in the United States. From pirate legends to royal land grants, from early colonial settlements to modern preservation debates, Gardiner’s Island stands as a living monument to American heritage – largely hidden from public view.

A Royal Grant and the Birth of an American Dynasty

Gardiner’s Island was originally deeded in 1639 to Lion Gardiner, an English military engineer who had served in the Netherlands. The grant came from the Earl of Stirling and was later confirmed by King Charles I of England, giving Gardiner legal and hereditary ownership of the island in perpetuity. This made Gardiner’s Island the first English settlement in what would become the State of New York, pre-dating the establishment of East Hampton and Southampton.

Lion Gardiner named the island after himself and created what would eventually become the oldest privately owned estate in the United States that has remained within the same family for centuries. The island operated as a proprietary colony – essentially its own legal and political entity – long before American independence. Gardiner and his descendants maintained control over the land, collecting taxes, managing agricultural operations, and even exercising their own judicial authority well into the 18th century.

A Landscape Untouched by Time

Gardiner’s Island spans approximately 3,300 acres and includes 1,000 acres of old-growth forest, meadows, ponds, tidal wetlands, and over 27 miles of shoreline. It remains largely undeveloped, making it one of the most pristine and ecologically significant parcels of land on the East Coast. The island is home to hundreds of plant and animal species and is a designated critical habitat for ospreys, shorebirds, and other coastal wildlife.

Despite its proximity to the Hamptons and the North Fork’s wine country, Gardiner’s Island is completely off-limits to the public. There are no ferries, no airstrips, and no bridge connecting it to the mainland. Access is strictly controlled by the Gardiner family descendants, who still manage the island through private trusts and limited-use arrangements. This seclusion has allowed the island’s historic structures and natural environment to remain remarkably well-preserved.

Pirate Lore and Colonial Legends

Gardiner’s Island holds a special place in pirate folklore. In the late 1690s, Captain William Kidd, the infamous Scottish privateer turned pirate, is said to have landed on the island and buried treasure under a tree, entrusting it to the Gardiner family with instructions to hold it safely. The story claims that when Kidd was captured, Lion Gardiner’s grandson handed over the treasure to colonial authorities, and this act helped spare him from punishment.

While the tale of Captain Kidd’s treasure has taken on a mythic status, the story is supported by references in colonial records and legal documents. Some of the supposed treasure – gold dust, candles, cloth, and other items – was documented as having been handed over to Governor Bellomont of Massachusetts, adding weight to the legend.

The Gardiner’s Island Cemetery: A Family Legacy in Stone

Located in a peaceful grove on the island lies the Gardiner’s Island Cemetery, a sacred and historically rich burial ground reserved exclusively for members of the Gardiner family. The cemetery contains the graves of generations of Gardiner descendants, dating back to the 17th century, including:

Lion Gardiner (1599–1663), the founder of the estate
David Gardiner, father of Julia Gardiner Tyler, who became First Lady of the United States as the wife of President John Tyler
Multiple colonial-era descendants who played roles in early New York government, military service, and land development

The cemetery is closed to the public and maintained privately. It is considered one of the oldest family cemeteries in continuous use in the country and holds deep emotional and historical significance for the Gardiner lineage. The grave markers range from worn 17th-century headstones to more modern family monuments. The surrounding landscape is kept largely natural, contributing to its solemn and timeless atmosphere.

Modern Ownership and Preservation Controversy

Despite its historical value, Gardiner’s Island has not been without internal family conflicts and public scrutiny. In recent decades, disputes between heirs, trusts, and outside preservationists have emerged over the island’s future. Some family members have pushed to ensure permanent conservation, while others have resisted outside oversight, emphasizing the importance of private ownership and generational control.

As of the 21st century, the island is overseen by Alexandra Creel Goelet, a Gardiner descendant who has invested significantly in the upkeep and conservation of the land. Public access remains prohibited, and structures like the Gardiner’s Manor House and Windmill – both dating back centuries – are maintained for private use. The cemetery remains one of the few places where the island’s earliest settlers and later generations coexist in quiet tribute, surrounded by the land they called home.

A Living Symbol of American Continuity

Gardiner’s Island and its private cemetery represent something rare in modern America – a continuous link to the colonial past, untouched by the development, tourism, and overexposure that has changed so much of Long Island. While most visitors to the East End can only glimpse it from afar, the island’s lore, legacy, and lineage are woven deeply into the history of New York and the nation itself.

Whether viewed as a relic of aristocratic privilege, a model of environmental stewardship, or simply a historical marvel, Gardiner’s Island stands alone – figuratively and literally – as one of Long Island’s most intriguing and important treasures.