Historic Pelham: Did Pelham Founder Thomas Pell Have a Residence in Pelham?

Yesterday I was asked to address again the question of whether Thomas Pell, who acquired from Native Americans the lands that became the Manor of Pelham, ever had a residence in Pelham. The evidence strongly suggests that at the time of his death Pell maintained a working farm on today's Rodman's Neck on the mainland adjacent to City Island. Rodman's Neck also has been known variously as "Pell's Point," "Ann Hook's Neck" (various spellings), and Pelham Neck.

That Pell would have such a farm on the lands he acquired should come as no surprise. Thomas Pell was a maritime trader, a physician, and a land speculator who would have had to oversee the vast holdings he acquired that later became the Manor of Pelham (about 50,000 acres -- NOT the widely-reported 9,166 acres). Pell transferred lands to settlers at what came to be known as the Village of West Chester and also what came to be known as the Village of East Chester in possible efforts to buffer his remaining lands from Dutch (and, perhaps, Native American) incursions.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog collects prior postings that touch on this topic and assembles additional evidence relevant to this question.

Colonial New York Authorities Repeatedly Referenced "Thomas Pell of Ann Hook's Neck"

Colonial New York authorities repeatedly referenced Thomas Pell as being "of Ann Honok's Neck," suggesting that today's Rodman's Neck was a centerpiece of his holdings where he could be reached, and lending additional credence to other evidence that he had a farm on Ann Hook's Neck.

For example, near the end of Thomas Pell's life, Pell was involved in a boundary dispute with John Richbell of Mamaroneck. The dispute was unresolved at the time of Pell's death in late September, 1669. Eventually the dispute with Richbell was settled by mediators working with Richbell and with Thomas Pell's principal legatee (his nephew, John Pell). However, on September 13, 1669, about two weeks before Thomas Pell died, colonial New York authorities issued a special warrant citing Thomas Pell to appear before the next Court of Assizes to deal with the boundary dispute. The special warrant was addressed to "Thomas Pell of Ann-hook's-neck, or elsewhere." See Bolton, Robert, The History of the Several Towns, Manors, and Patents of the County of Westchester From Its First Settlement to the Present Time Carefully Revised by its Author, Vol. I, p. 469 & n.a (NY, NY: Chas. F. Roper, 1881) (citing "Alb. Assize Rec. p. 204).

Similarly, after Pell died in the last week of September, 1669, the Court of Assizes of the Colony of New York appointed a group of New York residents to inventory only that portion of Pell's estate that existed within the Colony of New York. Any inventory of his Fairfield and Colony of Connecticut properties was left to the authorities of those jurisdictions. The Court of Assizes order states that "Mr. Thomas Pell of Ann Hook's Neck, is lately deceased, and having left a considerable estate in this government." See, generally, Bell, Blake A., Mon., Mar. 31, 2014: Inventory of the Estate of Pelham Founder Thomas Pell Taken Shortly After He Died in Late September, 1669.

The Inventory of Pell's Estate in the Colony of New York Indicates He Had Housing and "Barnes" in the Area

The inventory of that portion of Thomas Pell's estate located within the Colony of New York contains two pertinent references to housing on the lands that came to be known as the Manor of Pelham:

"The howsing, lands, barnes, islands, adjoyning from Hutchinson River westward, and so far eastward as were Mr. Tho. Pell's inst. and lawful right" (valued at 500 English pounds) and the "House and land in Westchester" (valued at 20 English pounds).

Care should be taken regarding the second reference. The reference to "Westchester" is ambiguous. Westchester County was not created until 1683, some fourteen years later. Although there are early "pre-county" references to the region as Westchester, this may also be a reference to the village of West Chester first settled on Pell's western-most lands in 1654. Nor does the separate reference to "howsing" and "barnes" shed any more light on the issues. It simply suggests that somewhere in the 50,000 acre tract first acquired by Pell there were "howsing" and "barnes" separate from the "House and land in Westchester." Still, when considered together with the references at about the same time to "Thomas Pell of Ann Hook's Neck," there is at least circumstantial evidence to support an argument that Pell had housing and barns on Pell's Point.

Moreover, there is no reference to "barnes" in the context of the "House and land in Westchester." This seems significant when considered in the context of the remainder of the inventory which makes fairly clear that Pell had a substantial working farm in the Colony of New York. The inventory of Pell's property in New York at the time of his death shows that Pell owned a substantial number of livestock at the time of his death -- livestock that would have required daily care. This strongly suggests that even if Pell did not live on the farm, someone did, whether they were caretakers or hired hands. The inventory further reflects that at the time of Pell's death, there were edible foodstuffs among Pell's property, as well as most of the ordinary farm implements and personal effects of day-to-day life as would be expected on a seventeenth century farm.

As an interesting aside, the inventory also references "In Applebyes keeping, 2 cows and 1 plow chaine" valued at 9 English pounds and 8 Shillings. The reference to "Applebyes" is intriguing. Hunter's Island, originally part of Pell's purchase and not far from Ann Hook's Neck, was long known as "Appleby's Island." As Lockwood Barr noted in his history of the Town of Pelham published in 1946, however, there seems to be no record of who Appleby was. Barr said: "The first conveyance of the Island [Hunter's Island] found in the office of the County Clerk of Westchester, is a deed dated January 17, 1797, transferring an Island ". . . commonly called Appleby's. . ." from John Blagge to Alexander Henderson." See Barr, Lockwood, A Brief, But Most Complete & True Account of the Settlement of the Ancient Town of Pelham Westchester County, State of New York Known One Time Well & Favourably as the Lordshipp & Manour of Pelham Also The Story of the Three Modern Villages Called The Pelhams, pp. 91-93 (The Dietz Press, Inc. 1946). Thus, this reference in the inventory supports at least an inference that today's Hunter's Island was occupied at the time of Thomas Pell's death, that Appleby had two cows and one plow chain belonging to Thomas Pell, and that the cows and plow chain originated nearby -- perhaps only a few hundred yards away on Ann Hook's Neck.

Evidence that When Thomas Pell's Principal Legatee Arrived and Settled on the Pelham Lands He Inherited, He Likewise Lived on Ann Hook's Neck

There also is evidence that when Thomas Pell's principal legatee (his nephew, John Pell) arrived in America in the fall of 1670 to accept his inheritance, he first lived on Ann Hook's Neck where his deceased uncle may have had a working farm. For example, The Records of the Town of Eastchester contain a document dated May 17, 1671 that references "Mr John Pell of ye manor of Annhocks neck". The document reads, in its entirety:

"Whereas there is a new road laid out for the common highway into New England neare Eastchester the which is sayd to be much more conveniant than ye former as well for strangers and travelers as ye inhabitants But yet by some persons hath been objected against and a right understanding may be had hereupon in having ye sayd wayes viewed by knowing and indifferent persons Mr John Pell of ye manor of Annhocks neck and Mr. John Richbell of Momoroneck are hereby appointed and desired either by themselves or some understanding persons in such affairs who they shall employe to take a view of ye said roads or highways within three weeks after ye date hereof and to make reports unto me which of them they shall judge most conveniant to be maintained the which thereupon shall be confirmed and allowed of accordingly Given thereupon shall be confirmed and allowed of accordingly Given nder [sic] my hand at Forte Jeames in New York this 17th Day of May 1671

Fran Lovelace

This presenc testifieth Moses Hoit Snr have several parcels of upland as herein certified which their butts and bounds one pec [piece] of land by the second meado"

Source: Records of the Town of Eastchester, Book Two, p. 24 1/2 (Typewritten manuscript of records transcribed by Eastchester Historical Society 1964) (copy in author's collection). See also Paltsits, Victor Hugo, ed., Minutes of the Executive Counicl of the Province of New York Administration of Francis Lovelace 1668-1673 Volume II - Collateral and Illustrative Documents XX-XCVIII, pp. 656-57 (Albany, NY: State of New York, 1910). See, generally Bell, Blake A., Tue., Sep. 12, 2006: Evidence Sheds Light on Location of An Early Home of John Pell, 2d Lord of the Manor of Pelham.

Another such reference from a document prepared in 1671 describes John Pell as "Mr John Pell of ye Mannor of Anne-Hooks Neck." It states:

"A Speciall Warr t for Jeremy Cannon, ais Dorman, James Mott, Roger Pedley to appeare at ye Assizes to answer Mr Pell in a Case of Trespass.

Whereas Mr John Pell of ye Mannor of Anne-Hooks Neck hath made Complaint unto mee that Jeremy Cannons ais Dorman, James Mott, Roger Pedley, & James [blank] a Serv t belonging to Mr John Richbell of Momoronock, have together or apart at severall times comitted a Great Trespass, in carrying away severall parcells of Hay made up in Stack upon his Land, & there being one Stack of Hay lately burnt upon ye said Land, of w ch there is great suspition one or more of the persons aforementioned are guilty; These are in his Ma ties Name to require ye said Jeremy Cannon ais Dorman, James Mott, Roger Pedley and James [blank] Mr Richbells Servant as aforesaid, That they make their Appearance at ye next Gen ll Court of Assizes to be held in this City beginning on ye first Wednesday in October next, wch will be on ye fourth day of ye said Month, then and there to make Answer to ye Complaint of Mr John Pell in ye Matters aforesaid, & that they forbeare ye giveing ye said Mr Pell any Molestacon by carrying away any more Hay from ye said Land untill ye difference between him & Mr about their Title be decided. Hereof They nor any of them are not to faile as they will Answer the Contrary at their Perills. Given under my Hand & Seale at Forte James in New Yorke [Page 657 / Page 658] this 22th day of September in ye 23d yeare of his Ma ties Reigne, Annoq Dni 1671.

Fran: Lovelace

To Jacob Young of Ann-Hooks Neck, or any other person whom Mr Pell shall Employ upon this Occasion to see this Speciall Warrant served, & returne made thereof at ye Assizes."

Source: Paltsits, Victor Hugo, ed., Minutes of the Executive Counicl of the Province of New York Administration of Francis Lovelace 1668-1673 Volume II - Collateral and Illustrative Documents XX-XCVIII, pp. 657-58 (Albany, NY: State of New York, 1910).

Similarly, a record four years later suggests that John Pell still resided on Ann Hook's Neck where his uncle may have had a working farm. The record references John Pell as the "Manor of Ann Hook's Neck" and states:

'A true copy of a deed of sale between John Pell unto Ralph Warner, recorded this 10th of May, 1675.'

'TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, that I, John Pell, proprietor of the Manor of Ann Hook's Neck, have sold unto Ralph Warner, Blacksmith, all those my horses, mares, colts and horse kinds that are now being or belonging to Norwalk bounds, in the County of Fairfield and the colony of Connecticut, he, the said Warner, paying all charges that have been out recordings and markings the said horses, and does hereby acknowledge the satisfaction received, and does hereby acquitt, discharge and quit-claim all my right and the interest I might or ought to have unto the said horses of Norwalk aforesaid.'

'IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, this fifth day of March, 1675.'

JOHN PELL'

'Signed and delivered in presence of SWESSELL SWESSELL,
CHARLES RAVEN.'

Source: Selleck, Charles M., Norwalk, Vol. I, p. 103 (Norwalk, CT: Harry M. Gardner, Printer 1896).

These various references clearly associate John Pell with Ann Hook's Neck. Although this strongly suggests that when he first arrived in America, John Pell resided on Ann Hook's Neck where his uncle may have had a working farm, these references do not establish such a proposition with certainty. The 1675 record quoted above, for example, references John Pell as "proprietor of the Manor of Ann Hook's Neck" which may be an effort to reference a broader region of today's Pelham than merely Pell's Point. Still, taken as a whole, together with references to Thomas Pell "of Ann Hook's Neck" and the inventory of Thomas Pell's estate in New York, such references suggest to this author that Thomas Pell had a working farm on today's Rodman's Neck and that his nephew lived there for at least a few years after first arriving in America to acceptance the inheritance of his uncle's estate in 1670.

Tradition Says Thomas Pell Had a Farmhouse Where the Bowne House Was Built on Ann Hook's Neck in 1730

Apart from the fact that the Neck of land at issue has long been known as "Pell's Point," as early as the 18th century, tradition in Pelham also held that Thomas Pell had a farmhouse that stood near the end of Ann Hook's Neck. Although the references to such effect are numerous, one example comes from Bolton's 1881 edition of The History of Westchester County. It states:

"Pelham Neck is terminated by the property of the late Gilbert Bowne. On the site of the dwelling-house, stood the residence of Thomas Pell, Esq., first lord of the manor. Perhaps the finest view of City Island and the adjacent waters are to be had from this portion of the Point."

Source: Bolton, Robert, The History of The Several Towns, Manors, and Patents of the County of Westchester, From Its First Settlement to the p. 71 (NY, NY: Chas. F. Roper, 1881).

Conclusion

Absent definitive archaeological or 17th century documentary evidence, we are left to speculate regarding whether Thomas Pell ever had a "house" that stood on the lands later known as the Manor of Pelham. Although the matter is far from certain, this author believes that when the entire extant context is considered including not only 17th century references such as those listed above as well longstanding tradition including the tradition since the 18th century of referring to the area as "Pell's Point," it is likely that Thomas Pell had a working farm and a farmhouse on today's Rodman's Neck. It seems clear, however, that Thomas Pell maintained his residence in Fairfield until he died there in late September 1669. Admittedly, however, it is not now possible to pinpoint precisely where Pell's farmhouse stood on today's Rodman's Neck.