Opening from On This Site - Native Long Island

Messtopass (Mannatto Hill)

Messtopass is documented as a boundary landmark near Mannatto Hill in the town of Oyster Bay. A Huntington place-name source places it on the western boundary south of Old Country Road. The name appears in a boundary description as a hole of dirt and water near Mannatto Hill. Later local place-name work connects the same name with the western Huntington boundary and Round Swamp. The name is interpreted as a filthy pool of water, combining language for dirty or bad with language for a small pool of water. Why Place Names Matter “Place names may be connected with past events. They record ancient events going back to the creation of the world, and more recent events such as historic and heroic events or warfare.” — First Nations Education Steering Committee and First Nations Schools Association, BC First Peoples 12 Teacher Resource Guide (2022), Printed p. 152; PDF page...