1. Autumn at Caumsett

By Walter Kolos

Autumn marked the end of the year at Caumsett. It was a grand finale, a time of crisper air and invigorating weather.  It was a time, unlike our own, when October brought the first substantial frosts, and the trees were bare of leaves by Halloween. A long summer of field mowing was over, and the dried hay was stored for the winter. The corn too was harvested, and put away as fodder and silage. The fall season and the long shadowed days of emerald grass and colorful foliage had arrived.

Historically, Lloyd Neck was a vital farming region, a region that depended on the cycles of nature for its livelihood. From the time of the Lloyd Manor in the eighteenth century to the early1920s, the peninsula depended on farming, hunting and fishing. It was a time when people relied on the autumn harvest for their existence.   Until the Fields introduced the luxurious estate life at Caumsett, Lloyd Neck was a land of hard work, and often hardscrabble living.

Although known as the Marshall Field estate, the Lloyd Neck property was also known as Caumsett Farm. Most of the farming activities centered on the huge, 100+ herd of Guernsey cattle, a breed renowned for milk with a high butterfat content. At the west end there was a large section of buildings referred to as the “farm group.” This area was comprised of a hay barn, milking barns, bottling plant, houses and garages.  This was the working engine of the estate---the operations center for the vast property.  A large number of employees resided here too.

For the Field family, Caumsett was a country place, as they spent their summers in Maine, and had an even grander hunting establishment in South Carolina. This was a “convenient” wilderness, made all the more amazing by its close proximity to New York City.

The cattle were under the supervision of John Spencer Clark, who was the superintendent of the estate. A major part of the grasslands at Caumsett were set aside for the herd. Fields of corn were maintained for the cattle too.  The grazing meadows were served by large concrete, automatic filling water troughs for the cows. Most of these are still extant on the property today, although not one is functional.

Many of the dairy products were given to the residential staff.  Several quarts of milk were distributed each day to the households.  Brush’s Dairy in Huntington sold the surplus milk, as Caumsett did not have a distribution operation.  During World War II, the estate qualified as a farm due to its dairy operation, allowing it to purchase to gasoline and other products that were denied to the other estates.  The farm designation proved to be extremely beneficial for the upkeep of Caumsett during this period of rationing and restrictions.

The four acre, high walled garden just to the south of the dairy barns provided all the vegetables, fruits and cut flowers for the estate.  This was the only food producing facility Caumsett.  The surplus produce from the garden was stored in underground cold storage cellars. The harvests here were done throughout the summer and fall growing season.

The premier sporting activity at Marshall Field’s estate was hunting, which always took place in the fall.  Caumsett was famous for its pheasant shoots and fox hunts.  Providing for these aristocratic pastimes required expert landscaping and logistic skills.  In order to have well executed and “proper” hunts, much work would have to go into the planning.  This work was entrusted to the head gardener George Gillies and gamekeeper Douglas Marshall.

The pheasant shoots at Caumsett were legendary. About 5,000 birds were kept in pens at the estate.  For the hunt, the right proximity between woods and field would have to be established, so the hired beaters could flush out the birds from the forest to the meadows.  Hunting blinds were built at the corners of several fields to hide the shooters.

Many locals complained that the hunt was nothing more than an outright slaughter.  So many pheasants were airborne that it was impossible for the hunter to miss. Questions, too, arose about the disposal of the kill, as only so many pheasant dinners could be served!

As for fox hunting, strict protocol dictated the pursuit of this sport.  Woodland trails had to be established, and also ample forests for cover had to be provided for the foxes.  Open fields too, had to be in close proximity for a successful hunt.  Fences and hedges had to be built to provide the obstacles necessary for the hunters on horseback, as they followed their pack of hounds—and the fox.

It was all in keeping with Caumsett’s very English—not American—traditions.

As the hunt proceeded, the bright flashes of red coats on horseback and packs of hounds could be seen in pursuit of a hapless fox.  The hunt ended either when the fox was caught or lost by the hounds. On a successful day, the tip or “brush’ of the fox’s tail was clipped off as a memento. This was an integral part of this most important autumnal activity.

Caumsett’s natural setting, with extreme varieties in flora, fauna and topography set the stage for many outdoor sports. It was a patchwork quilt of woods, fields and wetlands that was heightened with gorgeous hues as autumn approached.  The beautiful acreage provided the perfect place for end of the year activities, before the long, seemingly endless Long Island winter ensconced itself in interminable whiteness.