Laws of New York, Seventy-fifth session
Chapter 139
AN ACT to incorporate the proprietors of Montauk lands,
in the town of Easthampton, in Suffolk county.
Passed April 2, 1852, three-fifths being present.
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly
do enact as follows:
- Samuel B. Gardiner, David H. Huntting, John T. Dayton, John Baker, Henry P.
Hedges, Wilkes Hedges, and Maltby G. Rose, and their associates, the proprietors
of the undivided lands of Montauk, in the town of Easthampton, in the county of
Suffolk, are hereby constituted a corporation; and the seven persons above
named, shall be the first trustees of Montauk, and they and their successors in
office shall be known as the trustees of Montauk, and said seven persons shall
hold said office of trustees until the first Monday of December, one thousand
eight-hundred and fifty-two.
- It shall be lawful for the said proprietors of the undivided lands at
Montauk, to meet on the first Monday of December, one thousand eight hundred and
fifty-two, and and annually thereafter on the first Monday of December on each
year, and in such place, and at such time of the day, as the trustees for the
time being, shall appoint by notice as is hereinafter provided; and at every
such meeting, the said proprietors of Montauk, or a majority such of them as
shall be present, shall have power to make such rules and regulations for
improving, managing, governing an using such lands as they may deem proper; and
at any such meeting, so to be held on the first Monday of December, one thousand
eight hundred and fifty two, and at every annual meeting thereafter to be held,
the said proprietors, or a majority of such of them as may be present in person
or by attorney, shall, and may elect seven persons being proprietors of Montauk,
who shall be called the trustees of Montauk; and in the choice of trustees, also
in making by-laws and regulations, and all other business done at such meetings,
each proprietor owning one-half eighth part of a share, shall have one vote; and
each proprietor shall have one vote for every half-eighth of a share, up to one
share; and as to any interest over and above one share, each proprietor shall
cast one vote for every eighth part of a share which he may own over and above
one share.
- Three weeks previous notice shall be given by said trustees of said
meetings of proprietors, to be held on the first Monday in December, one
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, by posting three written or printed
notices of the time and place of such meeting in three public places in the town
of Easthampton, and the like number in three public places in the town of
Southampton, and any annual or special meeting of said proprietors may be called
by the trustees of Montauk at any time, they giving the like notice aforesaid.
- The said trustees shall have the superintendence of the said lands of
Montauk, and shall have power to make such by-laws, rules and regulations for
managing, governing, using and improving same, as a majority of them from time
to time may deem necessary: provided, however, such by-laws, rule and
regulations do not contravene those made by the said proprietors at any of their
meetings; which bylaws, rules and regulations so made by said trustees, as also
those made by said proprietors at their meetings, shall be entered in a book to
be provided for that purposed by the clerk to be appointed by said trustees; and
said trustees, at their first meeting, shall elect one of their number clerk;
provided, however, that said trustees may elect the same person both clerk and
chairman, and in such case the person thus elected shall perform the duties of
both clerk and chairman. It shall be the duty of the clerk to enter in said
book by him provided the name of each proprietor, and the amount of interest in
said Montauk lands to him or her belonging, and no proprietor shall be entitled
to a vote at any meeting of the said proprietors unless his or her name be
entered in said book. A majority of said trustees shall form a quorum competent
to the transaction of business.
- The said trustees shall have power to bring and maintain suits for all
injuries and causes of action done or accruing to the proprietors, whether by
trespass on said lands, by breach of said by-laws, or by breach of any contract,
or howsoever accruing or of whatsoever nature, and to recover therein for the
use of said proprietors.
- It shall not be lawful for any proprietor or proprietors of the said lands
of Montauk to cut or carry away from the same any wood, timber, or grass, or any
other produce of the land whatsoever, or to plow, plant or sow, or in any other
way to use or occupy the said land, or any part thereof, otherwise than in
conformity to such rules and regulations as shall be established by the
proprietors at their meetings, or by said trustees, and the said trustees shall
be bound by such by-laws, rule and regulations, the same manner as other
persons.
- This act shall not affect the Montauk tribe of Indians, nor their right,
title or interest in and to said Montauk lands.
- This act shall take effect immediately.