Greenlawn – Huntington Town officials, including members of the Town’s African American Historic Designation Council, African American Task Force, ancestors of Samuel Ballton, members of the Huntington NAACP, Harborfields School District, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Moses A. Baldwin Camp #544, and Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865, joined to dedicate the east end of Boulevard Avenue after the former slave-turned-Greenlawn “Pickle King” on Wednesday, June 16.
“We are honored to recognize the unique American success story of former Greenlawn resident Samuel Ballton. Born into slavery in Virginia in 1838, Mr. Ballton overcame great adversity and heroically rescued his wife from slavery soon after escaping it himself, then went on to serve in the Union Army for the remainder of the Civil War before settling in Greenlawn to become a successful farmer and landowner,” said Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci. Mr. Ballton had a hand in developing this growing community at the turn of the 20th Century and his life story reminds us all of what is possible in this great nation.”
Deputy Supervisor, Councilman Ed Smyth stated, “Samuel Ballton is not just an inspiration to the African American community; he is an inspiration to all small business owners. He literally started with nothing, and through his own enterprise and the indispensable help and motivation of his wife Rebecca, he built a small empire. He was a risk taker, a developer, a farmer, an entertainer; he ran a hotel and a livery; he was a philanthropist and a visionary for Greenlawn and the surrounding areas. This recognition is long overdue and well deserved.”
Councilwoman Joan Cergol said, “The most talented screenwriters couldn’t come up with a film as incredible as the true life story of Samuel Ballton. He was a brave veteran, a brilliant entrepreneur, and a pivotal figure in our Town’s history. I am honored to have helped dedicate a portion of Boulevard Avenue as Samuel Ballton Way in his great memory.”
Town Clerk Andrew P. Raia said, “Samuel Ballton was an innovator and the backbone of the Greenlawn community. He worked tirelessly not just to sell produce, but to contribute to the betterment of the community. Samuel Ballton was nicknamed the ‘pickle king,’ selling 1.5 million pickles in a single year. He was the unofficial mayor of Greenlawn, sharing his secrets with fellow farmers and going so far as to build houses for many residents.”
Superintendent of Highways Kevin S. Orelli stated, “I was honored to play a small part in today’s street dedication in honor of Samuel Ballton - the “Pickle King of Greenlawn” held today at the corner of Boulevard & Taylor Avenue in Greenlawn.”
On behalf of the Ballton family, Carl Ballton said, “The Ballton Family is sincerely appreciative to the Town of Huntington and its Council Members for recognizing the contributions our ancestor, Samuel Ballton, made to the community. This is especially gratifying as our nation has formally established Juneteenth as a national holiday. We especially want to call out the untiring efforts of Ms. Irene Moore, chairperson of the African American Historical Designation Council, to recognize and commemorate the contributions of African Americans to the larger community. Thank you!”
Chairperson Irene Moore of the Town’s African American Historic Designation Council (AAHDC) thanked the Town Board for honoring the AAHDC’s request to dedicate the street after Samuel Ballton and she invited members of the public to download the African American Historic Designation Council’s booklet, which chronicles African American history in the Town of Huntington.
The Town was also represented by Director of Human Services Carmen Kasper, members of the African American Historic Designation Council (AAHDC), and African American Task Force members Kenneth Johnson, Martine MacDonald. Samuel and Rebecca Ballton’s descendants, Carl Ballton (great, great grandchild) and Lula Ballton of Atlanta, Georgia, and Leighann Ballton and Brian Ballton (both great, great, great grandchildren) of Los Angeles, California, joined the ceremony. Attendees included NAACP Huntington Branch President Veronique Bailey, Rev. Larry Jennings, Sr. of Bethel AME Church, Harborfields School District Superintendent Dr. Rory Manning, Monique Golding (Elementary Teacher), a student, and a member of their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force. Moses A. Baldwin Camp #544, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War were represented by Don McMahon, Commander & Eagle Scout Coordinator, Nassau County; Christopher Shand, Junior Vice Commander; Dennis J. Duffy, Secretary-Treasurer & Graves Registration Officer (GRO); Scott McKendrick, Past Camp Commander and Eagle Scout Coordinator, Suffolk County; Fred Kuntz, Past Camp Commander; Joseph Buzzell, Historian; and members Norman Erikse (a Greenlawn resident), Daniel McMahon, Wayne Haddock, and Blake McCauley. Eileen Sleckman represented the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865.
In March 2020, at the recommendation of the Town’s African American Historic Designation Council, the Town Board renamed a portion of Boulevard Avenue in Greenlawn, where Samuel Ballton owned property, to honor the contributions made by Mr. Ballton to the development of the hamlet in the late nineteenth century.
Mr. Ballton was born into slavery in Virginia in 1838 and escaped from slavery at the beginning of the Civil War. He later returned to rescue his wife. He served in the Union Army until the conclusion of the war. The family lived in Alexandria, Virginia before coming north to settle in Greenlawn in 1873.
When he first arrived in Huntington, Mr. Ballton worked as a tenant farmer for Alexander Gardiner and other wealthy farmers. He saved money and with Mr. Gardiner’s help, purchased land of his own and became a successful farmer. In one year, he grew over a million and a half cucumbers for pickling, earning him the unofficial title of the “Pickle King” of Greenlawn.
With the proceeds from his farming and money borrowed from wealthy landowners, Mr. Ballton purchased and subdivided land in Greenlawn to build houses in the growing community. Mr. Ballton was active in civic affairs and raised a large family in Greenlawn. Many of his descendants continue to call the Town of Huntington home. Ballton died in 1917 and is buried at the Huntington Rural Cemetery.
In recognition of Mr. Ballton’s contributions to the Huntington community and his outstanding character, the Town of Huntington renamed the section of Boulevard Avenue, east of Taylor Avenue, as Boulevard Avenue/Samuel Ballton Way.
In May 2021, the Huntington Town Board established Juneteenth as an official observed Town holiday to celebrate the fulfillment of President Abraham Lincoln's order to end slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation.
VIDEO: https://huntingtonny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=2558
Photos from Event (labeled): Juneteenth Samuel Ballton Street Dedication Proclamation (l-r): Town Clerk Andrew P. Raia, Deputy Supervisor Councilman Ed Smyth, Highway Superintendent Kevin S. Orelli, Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Carl Ballton, Lula Ballton, Leighann Ballton, Brian Ballton, Councilwoman Joan Cergol; Huntington Samuel Ballton Way Sign Unveiling; Huntington Samuel Ballton Way Sign; Samuel Ballton descendant Carl Ballton speaks.