[2] Evidence has been found of the historic presence of Native Americans on Spesutie Island.

[2] In 1658, Lord Baltimore granted the island to Nathaniel Utie who named his manor house after his surname and the Latin word for hope, spes.

[2] In 1802, William Smith bought the island, and his descendants would remain there for almost a century, though the War of 1812 brought some disruption.

[2] In late April 1813, troops under the command of Rear Admiral George Cockburn briefly occupied the island, and passing vessels such as HMS Highflyer engaged in the forced purchase of cattle.

[3] The Smith family sold the island in 1900 and by 1927 ownership had passed to the Susquehanna Development Company.