This site was part of land sold by Tobaccus, Sachem of the Unkechaug Indians, to Gov. John Winthrop of Connecticut in 1664, extending from Bellport through Bluepoint and from Great South Bay to the middle of the island. By 1680 it was known as Winthrop's Patent. Humphrey Avery of Preston, Conn., purchased Pine Neck from John Still Winthrop in 1752, sold the land by lottery in 1756, and later repurchased the lot on which the Swan River Nursery office now resides, built in 1820 as the Avery homestead. Members of the Avery family who owned and inhabited this site were Humphrey Avery, 1699-1788; Humphrey Avery, 1725-1789; Roger Avery, 1755-1824; John Avery, 1791-1868; Humphrey Avery, 1816-1889; Charles W. Avery, 1854-1915; and Humphrey R. Avery.