EASTHAMPTON, a town of Suffolk county, New York, occupying the peninsula of Montauk at the E. end of Long island; served by the Long Island railroad. The population in 193o was 6,569. The scenery is varied and picturesque, and there are many summer homes and hotels. Montauk lighthouse, on Turtle hill, was first built in 1795. At Montauk Point a large military camp was established after the Spanish-American War. The principal villages are Sag Harbor (partly in the adjoining town), East Hampton and Amagansett. Most of the town was bought from the Indians in 1648 for about 13o by nine men from Massachu setts, who with 20 other families settled here in 1649; and until 1664, when all Long island passed to the duke of York, the settle ment was practically independent. In 1683 Gardiner's island, settled in 1639, was made a part of Long island and of Easthamp ton township. The settlements here were repeatedly threatened by pirates and privateers, and there are many tales of treasure buried by Captain Kidd on Gardiner's island and Montauk point. Sag Harbor (settled in 173o and incorporated in 1803) was held by the British after the battle of Long island as a strategic naval and shipping point. It was an important whaling centre from until the embargo ruined the fisheries, and again from 1830 to 1850.