Nine scout troops from across Suffolk came together over the weekend to clean and restore the historic trail leading to the Manor of St. George in Mastic—the very route used by Major Benjamin Tallmadge during a daring Revolutionary War raid in 1780.
Armed with rakes, clippers, and a deep respect for history, the scouts spent hours clearing brush and debris along the overgrown trail. Their work revives the path where Tallmadge’s men marched across Long Island to attack the British-held Manor, then named Fort St. George. The successful raid not only dealt a critical blow to the Red Coats but also led to the first award of the Purple Heart by General George Washington to a soldier wounded during the assault.
“This is more than just a trail cleanup,” said John Scott Prudenti, a Manor representative. “The scouts are walking in the footsteps of American heroes. It’s living history.”
After capturing the Manor and turning it back over to the family of Col. William Tangier Smith, Tallmadge’s men famously continued north to Coram, where they set fire to a major British hay stockpile—crippling enemy supplies—before retreating to Mount Sinai and rowing back across Long Island Sound to Connecticut.
Local historians joined the scouts to share stories of Tallmadge’s raid and its pivotal role in the American Revolution. Prudenti said he hopes the restored trail will attract more visitors and students eager to learn about Long Island’s important contributions to the nation’s founding. “The effort honors the spirit of service and patriotism that Tallmadge and his soldiers embodied nearly 250 years ago,” he said, adding, “This trail is a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and resilience. It’s amazing to see it brought back to life.”
Participating in the trail restoration were the following troops, including # 2720, formed for scouts with special needs:
Troop 47 Patchogue
Troop 272 Ronkonkoma
Troop 414 Center Moriches
Troop 572 Bohemia
Troop 2019 Mount Sinai
Troop 197 Ronkonkoma
Troop 221 Manorville
Troop 354 Port Jefferson Station
Troop 2720 Ronkonkoma (Special Needs)
Contributing to the effort were the Suffolk Water Authority, Olish Farms, and the Hillside Islamic Center, along with the Mastic Peninsula Historical Society.