Jonas Higbee, a ship master, and Maria Smith from Little Cow Harbor (now Centerport) were married in 1817 by the renowned “Marrying Minister” Reverend Joshua Hartt. They had 7 children- 2 sons; twins Jonas and Shepard, and 5 daughters; Phebe, Irene, Elizabeth, Frances, and Susan. Here are the stories from the remarkable lives of sisters Irene and Susan.

Standing, left to right: Phebe Higbee Denton, Irene Higbee Jarvis, Elizabeth Higbee Johnson Bishop.  Seated, left to right: Frances Higbee Lewis, Susan Higbee Udell Bunce.

In our Decades Decoded series, we share touchstones of Northport history from the 1940s to the 1990s.

The Nineteenth Amendment, which gave white women in America the right to vote, was certified and became law on August 26th, 1920. It was a huge step in a long, continuing fight for equal rights and we have many revolutionary women to thank.

Among them are two women with ties to Northport.