Fire Island National Seashore - William Floyd (U.S. National Park Service)

As a member of the Second Continental Congress, 41-year-old William Floyd was the first of the New York delegates to sign the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776. He was an important merchant and leader who lived on Long Island. Today his home, the William Floyd Estate, is part of Fire Island National Seashore.

Portrait of an older gentleman, William Floyd, standing with cane in front of his mid-1700s manor house on Long Island.

NPS photo

William Floyd in front of his Long Island manor house.

William Floyd was one of eight children born to Nicoll and Tabitha Floyd on the prosperous plantation at Mastic. As the oldest son, William inherited the plantation from his father in 1755 at the age of 21. A leader in business and society of his community, William also took up the colonial cause against Great Britain. He and his first wife Hannah Jones had three children by 1767. William became a colonel in the militia in 1773, and represented New York in the First Continental Congress in 1774.

Around 1777, William, Hannah, and family left Long Island while the British occupied it. Hannah died in 1781. The rest of the family returned to Mastic in 1783. In 1784, William married Joanna Strong, and and they had two daughters together. This portrait was painted around 1792. Note that the house is prominently featured in the background.

In 1803, at age 69, Floyd left Long Island with his family to establish a new home in Westernville, New York. He built a large frame house in 1803–1804 and lived in it until his death in 1821.

William Floyd left the Mastic property to his son Nicoll.

You can learn more about William Floyd and his family by joining a tour of the manor house.

Whenever you visit the William Floyd Estate grounds, always protect yourself from ticks. During the summer and early fall, you should also be prepared to avoid mosquitoes.

William Floyd's signature etched in granite block.

Learn More About the Declaration of Independence
and its Signers

Ben's Guide to the U. S. Government for Kids:
(U. S. Government Printing Office site)

About the Declaration of Independence
Signing the Declaration of Independence

Visit Independence National Historical Park
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Great Essentials Exhibit in West Wing of Independence Hall

If you're visiting Washington, D.C., stop by Constitution Gardens to see the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial.

The William Floyd House in Mastic Beach, Suffolk County, NY, which is now a part of Fire Island National Seashore, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1980.

The Gen. William Floyd House on Main Street in Westernville, Oneida County, NY, little altered and on the National Register of Historic Places since June 17, 1971, remains in private ownership.

National Park Service links: