Bay Constables (1876-1917)

In 1875, the New York State Legislature passed the Bay Constable Act, requiring elected Bay Constables to “enforce all laws for the protection, preservation and regulation of the fisheries for shellfish” within the town. 

From 1876 to 1898, Bay Constables were elected to one-year terms, starting in April. From 1899 to 1915, Bay Constables were elected to two-year terms, starting in April. This elected position was eliminated in 1917, and became an appointed position.

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Alexander Sammis was the first Bay Constable, and later served a term as Game Constable. Under the Town of Huntington, Sammis has served several years as a law enforcement Constable. The well-known bayman had also been a member of the U.S. Life-Saving Station at Oak Beach. 


Bay ConstablesTerm of Service

1.

Alexander Sammis

April 4, 1876 -- April 2, 1878 

2.

Willis Smith

April 2, 1878 -- April 1, 1879 

3.

James H. Hewlett

April 1, 1879 -- April 6, 1880 

4.

Jesse Muncy

April 6, 1880 -- April 5, 1881 

5.

Charles E. White

April 5, 1881 -- April 4, 1882** 

6.

Frederick Mohr

April 4, 1882 -- April 3, 1883 

7.

Solomon P. Wanser

April 3, 1883 -- April 1, 1884 

8.

Charles Chichester

April 1, 1884 -- April 7, 1885 

9

Philip T. Sammis

April 7, 1885 -- April 6, 1886 

---

Charles E. White*

April 6, 1886 -- April 6, 1887 

10.

Andrew J. Sammis

April 6, 1887 -- April 3, 1888** 

11.

David W. Anderson

April 3, 1888 -- April 5, 1889 

12.

Smith Oakley

April 5, 1889 -- April 2, 1890 

---

Andrew J. Sammis*

April 2, 1890 -- April 6, 1891 

13.

John E. Pearsall

April 6, 1891 -- April 6, 1892** 

14.

Frederick Kovernick

April 6, 1892 -- April 4, 1899 

15.

Max J. Gnilka

April 4, 1899 -- April 3, 1901** 

16.

Theodore Stratton

April 3, 1901 -- April 8, 1903 

---

John E. Pearsall*

April 8, 1903 -- April 5, 1905 

17.

August F. Smalling

April 5, 1905 -- April 7, 1907 

18.

n/a

April 7, 1907 -- April 7, 1909 

---

Max J. Gnilka*

April 7, 1909 -- April 7, 1911 

19.

Charles Heartt, Jr.

April 7, 1911 -- April 4, 1917≠ 

* Previously elected to a non-consecutive term.   ** Re-elected to a non-consecutive term.   ≠ Position eliminated.