The Tucker family, like so many of the West Sayville residents of Dutch heritage, earned their living on the Great South Bay or in the associated industries. John Tucker is a resident of West Table, New York, born on August 5, 1898. He grew up in a household with his six sisters, including his sister Mildred Tucker. With the exception of an older sister, born in 1896, none of the children married. All the boys in the family went on to become baymen. They all lived together in their family home. John Tucker's father was engaged in the oyster business and owned a boat called the Nellie Hayes.

Scope and Content Note
April 16, 1977: This interview takes place on April 16, 1977, at the home of John Tucker and his sister, Mildred Tucker. John talks about his father's oyster business and the challenges they faced due to regulations on dredging. He mentions how his father would gather oysters and transport them on his boat, the Nellie Hayes. He describes the appearance of the boat, with black paint and white trim. The conversation also delves into the oyster industry, including the oyster beds, natural oyster sets, and the process of catching and selling oysters. John recalls how his family would gather oysters and sell them to dealers. He talks about the struggles they faced during the 1938 hurricane, which affected the oyster business. Additionally, the interview covers various aspects of boat maintenance and navigation. John Tucker shares his experiences working on the boat, including scraping the mast and maintaining the deck. He discusses the use of sails and the boat's maneuverability. He also mentions other boats in the area and their owners. He reflects on the changes in the community and how his father provided for the family during the winters by raising livestock and growing their own food. 

During the interview with John Tucker, he discusses his father's oyster business, their experiences in the industry, and the decline of oyster growth due to pollution. He praised his father's skill but criticized his dishonest practices. They also talked about leasing oyster grounds, different oyster companies, and the daily routine of oystering. The interview covered oyster harvesting and shipping methods, including the use of barrels and sacks, purification processes, and destinations for oyster shipments. John briefly mentions clam harvesting and the impact of pollution. The interview concluded with a discussion of the John’s Dutch heritage and the decline of Dutch traditions in the community.

August 3, 1977: The interview with John Tucker covers a range of topics related to boats, fishing practices, and the oyster industry. Tucker discusses different types of boats used for fishing, including rowboats and sharpies, as well as the challenges of sailing without outboards or sails. He also mentions the use of nets for fishing and described the process of setting and pulling them in. John talks about catching various types of fish, such as weakfish, and how they were sold. Regarding boats, John mentions the transition from boats with wheels to tillers, indicating that wheels became outdated. He describes older boat types with big holes and no middle decks. He also discusses the construction and features of boats, including the use of arches on the deck and cabins for different purposes. He shares memories of his father's oyster and eel businesses. John talks about smoking eels and delivering them, as well as using spears to catch eels in winter. He discusses the transportation of clams and oysters on boats, including the shoveling of loads and cleaning of boats. Finally, John provides insights into the oyster industry, mentioning the arrival of oyster boats in the spring and their activities during different seasons and talks about carrying wood-framed oysters in the spring and engaging in bunker fishing in the summer.

June 20, 1979: In this interview, John Tucker discusses the history of the Rudolph Oyster House, which has been remodeled and turned into a museum. The original building was called the "opening house" where oysters were opened for customers. John estimates that the original Oyster House must be around a hundred years old. He mentions that the oysters were opened using a cracking method and that there were benches with cement edges where the oysters were opened. John also mentions a separate room where the oysters were washed and prepared for shipping. He describes the layout of the building and the location of the benches, offices, and shipping room. John estimates that around fifteen openers worked in the building at one point.