Biography of Theodore Montgomery Hill, Justice of the Peace in Pelham in Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

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Below is a brief biography of Theodore Montgomery Hill who served as a Justice of the Peace in Pelham in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The biography appeared in a multi-volume work published in 1903 and cited following the excerpt below.

"HILL, Theodore Montgomery, 1874-

Class of 1894 Law.

Born on Staten Island, New York, 1874; studied in Trinity School, New York; graduated LL.B., New [Page 446 / Page 447] York University Law School, 1894; in practice since 1895; Justice of Peace; in U.S. Naval Service in Spanish War.

THEODORE MONTGOMERY HILL, LL.B., who was born on Staten Island, New York, on July 31, 1874, is a son of Jacob Clarkson Hill and Amanda M. (Harwood) Hill. He is descended from William Hill, a merchant of New York, who married Alethea Carmer in 1786, and had a son, Robert Carmer Hill. The latter married Susan Clarkson, and had a son, Jacob Clarkson Hill, the father of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Hill was educated at the Trinity School, New York, and in the Law School of New York University, from which latter he was graduated a Bachelor of Laws in 1894. He also spent three years in mercantile employment and three in a law office. He was admitted to the Bar in 1895 and since that date has been practicing his profession in New York, with offices at No. 44 Broadway. He lives at Pelham Manor, New York, where he has been Justice of the Peace for six years, and is Secretary of the Republican Town Committee. In the Spanish War of 1898 he served as Gunner's Mate on the U.S.S. 'Jason.' He is a member of Phi Delta Phi, Phi Gamma Delta, the Bar Association, the Republican Club, the Manor Club, the Huguenot Yacht Club, the New York University Alumni Association, the Trinity School Alumni Society, the Pelham Marine and Field Club, and other organizations."

Source: Chamberlain, Joshua L., ed., Universities and Their Sons: New York University Its History, Influence, Equipment and Characteristics with Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Founders, Benefactors, Officers and Alumni, Vol. II, pp. 446-47 (Boston, MA: R. Herndon Company 1903).



Source: Id., p. 447.

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1923 Magazine Article About Edward Penfield's Mosquito Extermination Efforts in Pelham Manor

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I previously have posted to the Historic Pelham Blog an odd item about the efforts of famed illustrator Edward Penfield to eradicate mosquitoes in Pelham Manor during the 1920s. See:

Wednesday, April 27, 2005: Edward Penfield of Pelham Manor - Famous Illustrator and . . . Mosquito Exterminator???

I since have located a magazine article authored and illustrated by Edward Penfield that was published in December, 1923. The text of the article as well as its two illustrations appear below, followed by a citation to their source.

"Art and Science Combine in a Village Campaign Against Mosquitoes

PELHAM MANOR, NY.Y.

An unceasing war against mosquitoes has been waged in Pelham Manor for several years, as a result of which it was found this past summer that the pests had been practically eliminated from the village. The first definite steps towards mosquito control were taken in 1918, at which time the insects were so numerous throughout the community as to make outdoor summer life almost an impossibility. During several previous years the writer had personally taken up the study of scientific methods of mosquito control. The literature from the State Board of Health emphasized the fact that the most effective way to get rid of mosquitoes is to drain and keep drained all deposits of stagnant water. Contrary to the belief of many people, the sprinkling of oil on stagnant water does not actually poison the insects. If it is sprayed in a thin layer on a pool, it will retard breding, by suffocating the 'wigglers' as they come to the surface for air; but a slight breeze will blow the oil to one side, and breeding will continue in the clear space.

With this knowledge in hand, the President and Board of Trustees of Pelham Manor were appealed to, but no immediate action was taken. The problem was then brought to the attention of the local Women's Club, and it was arranged that the writer should give short talks on the subject of mosquito control at the weekly meetings of the club. These talks were aided considerably by a map showing the breeding places in the community and a number of colored cartoons, two of which are reproduced herewith. In a short time enough members were sufficiently interested to form a committee to make a second appeal to the village authorities. This resulted in appropriating the sum of $300 for mosquito elimination work.

The first year showed a great diminishing in the number of mosquitoes, and this ultimately led to a demand by the voters that a large drain be built through the most trouble- [Page 577 / Page 578] some section of the community. An appropriation of $2,000 was then made for the ditching, draining and oiling of the low lands. This work was laid out be an engineer, who indicated the levels and the right locations and directions for the ditches. All land that could not be drained has been filled in, and oil is sprayed on all catch-basins every four days during the summer months.

The residents of Pelham Manor are cooperating by keeping their property clean and free from any receptacle in which water may lodge. They also see that no water collects in the gutters on the eaves of their houses, keep their rain barrels covered, and, in fact, do everything possible to assist in the campaign against mosquitoes.

EDWARD PENFIELD.

Street Commissioner.

Source: Penfield, Edward, Art and Science Combine in a Village Campaign Against Mosquitoes in The American City Magazine, Vol. XXIX July-December, 1923, pp. 577-78 (NY, NY: The Civic Press, 1923) (Containing Vol. XXIX, No. 6, Dec. 1923 of the Magazine in bound volume).



[No Caption Beneath Illustration]



[Caption Beneath Illustration Reads: "PELHAM MANOR, N.Y. IS FORTUNATE IN HAVING AS ITS STREET COMMISSIONER A MAN OF PRACTICAL IDEAS WHO IS ALSO A NOTED ARTIST, THE ORIGINATOR OF THE POSTER IN AMERICA"]

Source of Both Images: Id., p. 577.

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1886 Poem Representing Fictionalized Account of the Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885

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Occasionally I have written about the Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885 that resulted in the death of Fireman Eugene Blake and injuries to several others including the train engineer, Riley Phillips. See:

Monday, September 24, 2007: The Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885

Tuesday, September 25, 2007: More About the Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885

Wednesday, September 26, 2007: The Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885 Continued . . .

Thursday, September 27, 2007: Findings of the Coroner's Inquest That Followed the Pelhamville Train Wreck of 1885

It appears that shortly after the accident, a poem containing a fictionalized account of the incident by Alexander Anderson appeared in a book of Christian writings compiled by Donald MacLeod, D.D., one of Her Majesty's Chaplains for Scotland. The poem is transcribed below in its entirety, followed by a citation to its source.

"PHILLIPS OF PELHAMVILLE.

BY ALEXANDER ANDERSON.

SHORT is the story I say, if you will
Hear it, of Phillips at Pelhamville.

Driver was he for many a day
Over miles and miles of the double way.

Day and night, in all kinds of weather,
He and the engine he drave together.

I can fancy thhis Phillips as one in my mind
With little of speech to waste on his kind,

Always sharp and abrupt of tone,
Whether off duty or standing on,

With this firm belief in himself that he reckon'd
His duty first; all the rest was second.

Short is the story I say, if you will
Hear it, of Phillips at Pelhamville.

He was out that day, running sharp, for he knew
He must shunt ahead for a train overdue,

The South Express coming on behind
With the swing and rush of a mighty wind.

No need to say in this verse of mine
How accidents happen upon the line.

A rail lying wide to the gauge ahead,
A signal clear when it should be red;

An axle breaking, the tire of a wheel
Snapping off at a hidden flaw in the steel.

Enough. There were waggons piled up in the air
As if some giant had tossed them there.

Rails broken and bent like a willow wand,
And sleepers torn up through the ballast and sand.

The hiss of the steam was heard, as it rush'd
Through the safety-valves of the engine crush'd

Deep into the slpe, like a monster driven
To hide itself from the eye of heaven.

But where was Phillips? From underneath
The tender wheels with their grip of death

They drew him, scalded by steam and burn'd
By the engine fires as it overturn'd.

They laid him gently upon the slope,
Then knelt beside him with little of hope.

Though dying, he was the only one
Of them all that knew what ought to be done;

For his fading eye grew quick with a fear,
As if of some danger approaching near.

And it sought -- not the wreck of train that lay
Over the six and the four-feet way --

But down the track, for there hung on his mind
The South Express coming up behind.

And he half arose with a stifled groan,
While his voice had the same old ring in its tone,

'Signal the South Express!' he said
The fell back in the arms of his stoker, dead.

Short, as you see is this story of mine,
And of one more hero on the line.

For hero he was, though before his name
Goes forth no trumpet blast of fame,

Yet true to his duty, as steel to steel,
Was Phillips the driver of Pelhamville."

Source: Anderson, Alexander, Phillips of Pelhamville in MacLeod, Donald, D.D., ed., Good Words for 1886, p. 765 (London: Isbister and Company, 1886).

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Two 17th Century Fairfield Probate Records Referring to Thomas Pell

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There are two brief references to Thomas Pell in Volume I of the multi-volume publication "A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records" compiled by Charles William Manwaring and published in 1904. One of the digest records reflects Thomas Pell's service as an administrator in connection with the estate of William White of Fairfield in 1656. The second reference merely lists him as among the owners of land in Fairfield between 1649 and 1652. The pertinent excerpts appear below.

"Page 107.

White, William, Fairfield. Invt. £63-01-10. Taken 4 October, 1657, by Andrew Ward, Nathan Gould.

Court Record, Page 109 - 3 December, 1656: Adms. to Thomas Pell, he to husband the Estate as well as he may for the children, and to report when called for."

Source: Manwaring, Charles William, ed., A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Vol. I, p. 163 (Hartford, CT: R. S. Peck & Co. 1904) (citing Probate Records Vol. II, 1650 to 1663, p. 107).

"FAIRFIELD.

Owners of Land, 1649 to 1652. See Vol. II of Lands, Page 43, in Office of Secretary of State.

[Left Column]

Addams, Edward,
Bateman, William,
Banker, John,
Baxter, Thomas,
Bennet, James,
Drake, Samuel,
Dun, Thomas,
Everts, James,
Everts, John,
Hedges, Steven,
Henderson, Hendrick,
Hide, Humphrey,
Jennings, Joshua,
Jones, John,
Jones, Thomas,
Knowles, Alexander,
Lancaster, Walter,

[Right Column]

Lyon, Henry,
Lyon, Richard,
Middlebrooke, Joseph,
Osborne, Richard,
Patchen, Joseph,
Perry, Richard,
Pell, Thomas,
Pinckney, Philip,
Rowland, Henry,
Sherington, Thomas,
Sherwood, Thomas,
Staples, Thomas,
Staples, Thomas,
Squire, George,
Vouke, Richard,
Williams, Richard,
Wheeler, Ephraim,
Wheeler, John,
Wheeler, Thomas."

Source: Source: Manwaring, Charles William, ed., A Digest of the Early Connecticut Probate Records, Vol. I, p. 87 (Hartford, CT: R. S. Peck & Co. 1904) (citing Probate Records Vol. II, 1650 to 1663, p. 107).

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The Pelham Electric Light and Power Company and its Incorporation Into the Westchester Lighting Company

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Pelham's power needs once were met by a company known as "The Pelham Electric Light and Power Company". Below is a brief summary of the early history of The Pelham Electric Light and Power Company until it was absorbed into and became a part of the Westchester Lighting Company. A citation to the source follows the quoted material.

"X. Corporate History of the Westchester Lighting Company.

The Eastchester Electric Company was incorporated July 3, 1889, under the General Manufacturing Corporations Law of 1848. This company was merged December 1, 1900, into the Westchester Lighting Company. The Pelham Bay Park Electric Light, Power and Storage Company was incorporated July 23, 1890, under the General Manufacturing Corporations Law of 1848. This company seems to have got [sic] into financial trouble within a year or two after its incorporation, and its property was sold at sheriff's sale, in March, 1892, to one Herman Vogel. A copy of the original bill of sale was produced by counsel for the Westchester Lighting Company. This sale did not include [Page 66 / Page 67] the company's franchise. However, on January 16, 1897, Vogel transferred the property, alleging that it included the franchise, to one Charles W. Smith, who in turn, on January 9, 1900, sold it to the Pelham Electric Light and Power Company, which on Decmeber 1, 1900, was merged into the Westchester Lighting Company. It appears from the testimony, however, that all of the capital stock of the Pelham Bay Park Electric Light, Power and Storage Company was acquired by the Pelham Electric Light and Power Company on or about January 16, 1897, and is now held by the Westchester Lighting Company, so that title to the old franchise could be acquired by the present operating company by the process of merger.

The Pelham Electric Light and Power Company was incorporated January 25, 1897, under the Transportation Corporations Law, and was merged into the Westchester Lighting Company December 1, 1900. The Westchester Lighting Company itself was incorporated November 5, 1900, under the Transportation Corporations Law. This company absorbed by merger on December 1, 1900, in addition to the Pelham Electric Light and Power Company and the Eastchester Electric Company, nine other gas and electric companies operating entirely in Westchester County, and on December 1, 1902, it absorbed two additional Westchester companies. Several of the companies merged into the Westchester Lighting Company were themselves the product of preceding mergers and consolidations, so that the Westchester Lighting Company today counts no less than 30 predecessor companies in its family tree. This does not include the Pelham Bay Park Electric Light, Power and Storage Company, which is controlled through stock ownership but which has not yet been merged. Neither does it include the New York and Westchester Lighting Company, which was incorporated July 11, 1904, to furnish the means by which the control of the Westchester Lighting Company could be transferred from the United Gas Improvement Company of Philadelphia to the consolidated Gas Company of New York. After performing its function incident to this change of ownership, the New York and Westchester Lighting Company was merged into the Westchester Lighting Company, October 20, 1904. . . . "

Source: Maltbie, Milo R., Franchises of Electrical Corporations in Greater New York: A Report Submitted to the Public Service Commission for the First District, pp. 66-67 (NY, NY: Public Service Commission for the First District, 1911) (Reprint of Appendix A of the Annual Report of the Public Service Commission for the First District, State of New York, to the Legislature for the Year Ending December 31, 1910).

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1648 Commercial Record Involving Claim Against Thomas Pell for Three Hundred Pounds

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Recently I have posted a number of 17th century commercial records involving Thomas Pell. See:

Monday, December 17, 2007: 1649 Record Whereby Thomas Pell Appointed Agent to Recover Bond Due From Pewterer Ambrose Adlam of the City of Bristoll

Friday, December 14, 2007: Additional 17th Century Shipping and Commercial Records Mentioning Thomas Pell

Tuesday, January 9, 2007: 1648 Notarial Record by Boston Merchant Providing Power of Attorney to Collect Debt From Thomas Pell of New Haven

Wednesday, January 10, 2007: 17th Century Commercial Records Involving Thomas Pell and Edmund Leach

Thursday, January 11, 2007: More 17th Century Commercial Records Involving Thomas Pell and Edmund Leach

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting transcribes another such record prepared in 1648. It reflects a three hundred pound sterling claim by David Selleck of Boston against Thomas Pell of New Haven.

"ASPINWALL NOTARIAL RECORDS. . . .

1 (9) 1648 David Selleck of Boston did constitute Capt Richard Malbone of New Haven his true & lawfull Atturney granting him power to aske leavie &c: of Tho: pell of New haven Chirurgeon the summe of three hundred pounds wch he stopped or detained & due damages, & of the receipt to give acquittance, also to compound & agree & to sue impleade &c:

Also an Assignment was made by Dav: Selleck unto Edmund Leach to receive the said summe & whatsoever Capt Malbone shall recover & to give him a dischardge:

Also I attested a Copie of the Oath of Dorothie Tilson taken before 27th Apr: 1647

the 2. Novemb. 1648."

Source: A Volume of Records Relating to the Early History of Boston Containing the Aspinwall Notarial Records from 1644 to 1651, Vol. 32, p. 161 (Boston, MA: Municipal Printing Office 1903).

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1649 Record Whereby Thomas Pell Appointed Agent to Recover Bond Due from Pewterer Ambrose Adlam of the City of Bristoll

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As indicated last Friday, I have been reviewing mid-17th century commercial records published in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by the City of Boston searching for references to Thomas Pell. See:

Friday, December 14, 2007: Additional 17th Century Shipping and Commercial Records Mentioning Thomas Pell

Tuesday, January 9, 2007: 1648 Notarial Record by Boston Merchant Providing Power of Attorney to Collect Debt From Thomas Pell of New Haven

Wednesday, January 10, 2007: 17th Century Commercial Records Involving Thomas Pell and Edmund Leach

Thursday, January 11, 2007: More 17th Century Commercial Records Involving Thomas Pell and Edmund Leach

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting transcribes another such record prepared in 1649 after Thomas Pell married Lucy Brewster, the widow of Francis Brewster. The record reflects the appointment of an agent to recover a bond due to Francis Brewster executed ten years earlier before his loss at sea. The record reads:

"ASPINWALL NOTARIAL RECORDS. . . .

6 (8) 1649. Tho Pell of Newhave Chirurg: who married Lucie late wife of ffrancis Brewster of Newhaven did constitute Nathaniel Brewster of Walderswick in the Count of Suffolke in the Domin. of Eng. his true & lawful Attr granting him power to aske &c: of John Cadle of the City of Bristoll pewterer his Exer or Administ a certaine bond of 128 li dat. 3 (8) 1639. due to Ambrose Adlam & by him assigned to the sd ffrancis Brewster (this Appearers pr decessor) as by a p curation under the hand of the sd Ambrose Adlam dat: 3 Mar. 1640. may appeare & of the receipt to give acquittance also to compound &c: & to appeare in any Court &c: to doe say &c: wth power to substitute &c."

Source: A Volume of Records Relating to the Early History of Boston Containing the Aspinwall Notarial Records from 1644 to 1651, Vol. 32, p. 248 (Boston, MA: Municipal Printing Office 1903).

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Additional 17th Century Shipping and Commercial Records Mentioning Thomas Pell

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Between 1876 and 1909, the City of Boston prepared and published a 39-volume set of records relating to the early history of the City. Some of the records seem to reflect Thomas Pell's commercial activities as a young man.

Early this year I published to the Historic Pelham Blog a series of postings that transcribed 17th century shipping and commercial records from those volumes that mention Thomas Pell of Fairfield. See:

Tuesday, January 9, 2007: 1648 Notarial Record by Boston Merchant Providing Power of Attorney to Collect Debt From Thomas Pell of New Haven

Wednesday, January 10, 2007: 17th Century Commercial Records Involving Thomas Pell and Edmund Leach

Thursday, January 11, 2007: More 17th Century Commercial Records Involving Thomas Pell and Edmund Leach

Another series of such records is transcribed immediately below. A full citation to the source appears immediately after the excerpts.

"ASPINWALL NOTARIAL RECORDS. . . .

5 (4) 1651. Shipped in good order & wel conditioned by me Edmund Leech of London in & uppo the good shipp called the Swallow of London whereof is Mr for this pr sent voyage Wm Greene, now at Anchor in the river of Thames & bound for the Port of Boston in N. England, to say, one dry fatt twoe bundles of Sythes fourty nine firkins two kilderkins, & a fagot of steele in all rated at three Tunne. Being numbered & marked as in the margent wch are to be dd in the like order & Condition at the port aforesd the danger of the seas excepted unto John Duncombe or his Assignes he or they paying freight for the said

[In Left Margin of the Above: "No. A. one dry fatt. 2 bundle Syths. No. 57. 58 E [Backwards "D"] 49 firkins No. from: 1: to 34: & from 40: t0 57. 1: fagot of steele No. 35 X"]

[Page 346.] goods the summe of nine pounds wth primage & average accustomed. In witnes whereof the Mr or purser hath affirmed to three bills [Page 386 / Page 387] of ladeing of this tenor, one whereof being accomplished the other are voyd. so god send you a psperous arrivall. Dat in London 20th ffeb. 1650. William Greene.

The pcells recd the contents I know not.

Mr. Greene I pray you Deliver the Contents hereof to Mr Thomas Pell of ffairefield or els where in N: England.

The marke J D of John Duncombe

witnes
Wm Humfrey
John Cole.

Shipped in good order & well conditioned by me John Duncombe in & uppon the good ship called the Swallow of London whereof is Mr for this pr sent voyage Wm Greene now at Anchor in the River of Thames & bound for Boston in New Engl. to say, two bales, in tunnage one hogshead & kilderkin being numbered & marked as in the Margent [In Left Margin: "ED No. 1 & 2:"], wch are to be Delivered in like order & condition at the port aforesad the danger of the seas excepted unto the sd John Duncombe or his Assigns he or they paying freight for the sd goods the summe of twenty shillings wth primage & average accustomed. In witnes whereof the Mr or purser hath affirmed to three bills of ladeing of this tenor one whereof being accomplished the other are voide so God send her a psperous arrivall. Dated. in Lond. 20th ffebr: 1650.

The pcells received the contents I Know not William Greene.

Mr Greene I pray Deliver the Contents hereof to Mr Tho: Pell of ffairefield or else where in N: England. The marke J D: of John Duncombe.

Witnes
Wm Humfrey
John Cole

5 (4) 1651 Be it knowne hereby that I Edward Bendall of Boston doe acknowledg to have rec d of Mr Wm Greene goods shipped by Edmund Leech & John Duncomb aboard the Swallow according to theire severall bills of ladeing Dated 20th ffeb: 1650. & doe hereby ingage my selfe to keepe them safely as also one boxe of store, for & in consideration of two shillings p weeke warehouse roome, dureing theire stay & to deliver the sd goods unto Mr Pell of ffairfield when they shalbe demanded, or to such as Mr Leech & Mr Duncombs Administrators shall appoint, they paying the warehouse roome & giveing a sufficient discharge to Mr Greene before the publ notarij. witnes my hand this 5 (4) 1651.

Teste Will: Aspinwall Edw. Bendall
Nots: publ:

[Page 387 / Page 388]

This was againe discharged by Mr Pell hee haveing rec d the goods for Mr Leech."

Source: A Volume of Records Relating to the Early History of Boston Containing the Aspinwall Notarial Records from 1644 to 1651, Vol. 32, pp. 386-88 (Boston, MA: Municipal Printing Office 1903).

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Abstract of Will of William Rodman Dated Oct. 28, 1782

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I have transcribed 17th, 18th and early 19th century wills and abstracts of wills of residents of Pelham of which I have become aware. I recently prepared an index to those materials and subsequently have located other such materials that I have posted. See:

Thursday, March 29, 2007: Index to Transcripts of Wills and Abstracts of Wills Prepared by Early Pelham Residents.

Friday, October 5, 2007: Abstract of 1770 Will of Duncan Campble of Minefords Island in Pelham

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the abstract of the will of William Rodman dated October 28, 1782. Interestingly, the will was disallowed on July 18, 1793. The abstract appears below, followed by a citation to its source.

"WILLIAM RODMAN, of Pelham Manor, farmer; Oct. 28, 1782; devised to brother Joseph Rodman part of Hart Island in lieu of debts and demands; to brogther Samuel Rodman the other quarter part; to wife Leah use of farm in Pelham for seven years, then to brother Joseph Rodman, he to pay wife; mentioned nephew John Bertine, son of sister Mary Bertine, dec'd., under 21; nephew Samuel Bartine; niece Sarah Bartine; after death of brother Joseph Rodman, all farm to two nephews William and John Rodman, his sons; cousin William Rodman, son of Joseph Rodman, dec'd., the small race saddle and furniture I had from his father [etc.]. Executors, friends John Bartow, Junr., Theodosius Bartow and Benjamin Pell. Wit., Theodosius Bartow, Joseph Mullinex, William Landrine. Probated July 18, 1793. Appeared Theodosius Bartow of New Rochelle, and declared that the will was placed in his custody, and that at the time the will was written by him, the sd. William Rodman had no issue and further declared that about three or four years later was summoned to write another will; that he then had no issue; but, some time after had a daughter who is still living; that he had carried the second will away with him and failed to make a third will; the first will found and herewith recorded; that about a year last wenter the sd. William Rodman, dec'd. Will disallowed, July 18, 1793."

Source: Bristol, Theresa Hall, ed., Abstracts of Wills Recorded at White Plains, Westchester County, N.Y., Subsequent to May 1, 1787 in The New York Genealogical and Bigraphical Record, Vol. LV, No. 3, pp. 262, 268 (NY, NY: The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, Jul. 1924)(citing Liber B).

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Another Biography of Frederick Hobbes Allen, President of Pelham Manor and Owner of Bolton Priory in the Early 20th Century

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On a number of occasions I have written about Frederick Hobbes Allen, an owner of Bolton Priory during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. See, e.g.:

Thursday, March 1, 2007: Biographical Data Regarding Frederick Hobbes Allen, President of Pelham Manor and Owner of Bolton Priory in the Early 20th Century.

Tuesday, May 3, 2005: Colonel Frederick Hobbes Allen, An Owner of Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting provides yet another biography of Frederick H. Allen. This one appeared in a book published in 1913. The text of the biography and a citation to its source follow.

"FREDERICK H. ALLEN.

Frederick Hobbes Allen, a former President of the village of Pelham Manor, Corporation Counsel, Chairman of the Democratic County Committee, etc.

His parents were Hon. Elisha Hunt Allen and Mary Harrold (Hobbes) Allen, and his birth-place, Honolulu, where his father was Chief Justice and Chancellor. He is a descendant of the puritan fathers, in an unbroken line from a member of Cromwell's famous 'Ironsides,' Edward Allen who settled in Northfield, Mass., in 1685. The property then acquired by him has been in the family up to the present day.

He was graduated from Harvard University with the degree of A. B. in 1880 and three years later received the degree of LL. B, in course, also the degree of A.M.

At this period, 1882, he became secretary to the Hawaiian legation at Washington, D. C., over which his father then presided as Hawaiian Minister and held the further distinction of Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. Upon his father's death the following year he was appointed Charge d'Affaires. Mr. Allen's association with representative men in Washington life gave him a taste for matters of State and politics and an experience which became useful to him later.

Leaving Washington in 1884, Mr. Allen came to New York and entered the law office of Holmes & Adams. He was admitted to the bar during the same year and became managing clerk for Messrs. Miller, Peckham & Dickson. A few years later he became associated with Col. Hugh I. Cole, with offices at 59 Wall Street and in 1896 formed the firm of Adams & Allen. This partnership continued until the death of Mr. Adams in 1900, after which a new firm was formed known as Allen & Cammann, and which still exists.

Soon after arriving in New York he came to Pelham Manor to reside, and there soon became interested in local affairs. It is a testimony to his good work in the town's behalf that he was first chosen Corporation Counsel of Pelham Manor which position he held three years; and then President of that village, the only Democrat ever elected to latter office.

In 1904 Mr. Allen was chosen chairman of the Democratic County Committee of Westchester County, which position he held until the fall of 1911, when he voluntarily retired.

His ability, as an organizer and manager has been further recognized in his appointment to be a member of the Executive Committee of the Democratic State Committee for New York State, a position high in the councils of the party.

Mr. Allen was married June 30, 1892, to Adele Livingston Stevens. Six children have been born, Frederick Stevens, Mary Dorothy Adele, Barbara Frances Gallatin, Joan Livingston, Julian Broome Livingston and Priscilla Alden Sampson. The family hme, Bolton Priory, is beautifully situated at Pelham Manor, one of New York's exclusive suburbs.

It is one of the historical spots of that section for here lived Anne Hutchins [sic], who was killed by Indians in 1643.

Mr. Allen's social affiliations include the Union Club, the Knickerbocker, the City Club, New York Athletic Club, and the Westchester Country Club, of which he is president; is a member of the patriotic society of the Colonial Wars and the Sons of the Revolution.

Possessing recognized ability in his profession and an enviable position in the Democratic organization of his County and State, of which he was a delegate to the Denver convention of 1908, Mr. Allen has ably maintained the dignity and traditions of his worthy ancestor."

Source: Smith, Henry T., Westchester County in History Manual and Civil List Past and Present - County History Towns, Hamlets, Villages and Cities - Truly This People Can Say, We Have Made History - 1683-1914, Vol. III, p. 190 (White Plains, NY: Henry T. Smith, Publisher, 1913).

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