Abraham Woodhull was a friend and confidant of George Washington, headed the Long Island Secret Service during the Revolution, and operated under the alias Samuel Culper, Sr.; he and his associates were credited with a large share in the success of the Army of the Revolution. Born in Setauket on Oct. 7, 1750, in the original Woodhull homestead, he was the son of Richard Woodhull and Margaret Smith and the fifth generation descended from Richard Woodhull, the original grantee of a large portion of Brookhaven town. A Presbyterian, he occupied a “pew of authority” in the old church and did much toward building the new church. He was regarded as a man of integrity, punctual and precise in his business relations, freed his slaves long before they were legally free, and held numerous important positions, serving as magistrate in Setauket for many years, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1793 to 1799, and First Judge of Suffolk Co. from 1799 to 1810.

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin