Long Island was first discovered by the explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1604 .
Long Island was first was not settled until the late 18th century when the land was granted to British loyalists who fought for the British against the Americans in the American Revolution .
Long Island was first discovered by the explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1604 but was not settled until the late 18th century when the land was granted to British loyalists who fought for the British against the Americans in the American Revolution .