UPDATE: Peconic Land Trust – Preserve Spotlight – Elliston Family Conservation, Southampton

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Elliston Family Conservation, Southampton, New York

For the Elliston Family of Southampton, conservation is a tradition

It began with Emma Rose Elliston. She was born in Honolulu aboard the ship Zenas Coffin of Nantucket in 1859. Emma Rose’s father was a 19th century whaling captain. She spent most of her early life on the sea with her family. Following her last voyage in 1869, she married J. Edward Elliston and lived in Southampton until her death in 1933.

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In 1951, Edward Elliston donated 128 acres of family land to the Town of Southampton. The Emma Rose Elliston Memorial Park is located on the northeast side of Big Fresh Pond.

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Then in 1999, Emma Rose and Edward’s grandnephews — Phil, Dave and Fred — contacted the Peconic Land Trust. They wanted to increase their family’s legacy with an additional 10.8 acres of woodland on Big Fresh Pond Road.

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Their decision to choose a conservation outcome for this land made possible a hiking trail link from Tuckahoe Woods Preserve to our Nature’s Preserve, named in memory of Kurt Billing, a staunch advocate for the protection of Tuckahoe Woods. The Trust was able to purchase the Elliston property at a bargain sale and then, at the same time, sell it to Southampton Town.

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A big Thank You to the Elliston Family for preserving the beauty of nature around Big Fresh Pond!

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Are you interested in exploring the conservation of your family lands — or know of a potential conservation opportunity in your community? Connect with Director of Conservation Planning, Melanie Cirillo at 631.283.3195 to learn more about what’s possible.

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