Smithtown originally, known as "Smithfield", was first settled around 1665. Local legend has it that, after rescuing a Native American chief's kidnapped daughter, Richard Smith was told that the chief would grant title to all of the land Smith could encircle in one day "on a bull". Smith chose to ride the bull, known as Whisper, on the longest day of the year to enable him to ride longer in one day. The land he acquired in this way is said to approximate the current town's location. There is a large anatomically-correct bull of Whisper at the fork of Jericho Turnpike (Route 25) and St Johnland Road (Route 25A).