Historic Pelham: More About Benjamin F. Corlies, a Co-Founder of Pelham Heights

Earlier this week I published an article summarizing biographical data for Benjamin F. Corlies, a co-founder and developer of the original Village of Pelham, known today as Pelham Heights. See Tue., Oct. 06, 2015: Benjamin F. Corlies, A Founder of Pelham Heights. Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog provides additional biographical information about Corlies that sheds more detail on his life.

Benjamin F. Corlies seems to have started his stationery, printing, and lithographing business on his own by at least 1858 in a shop located at 31 Nassau Street in New York City. This would have been at about the time he married Susan Meigs. An advertisement for his business appeared in the August 16, 1858 issue of The Evening Post published in New York City. An image of the advertisement appears immediately below, followed by a transcription of its text to facilitate search.

"BENJAMIN F. CORLIES, BLANK BOOK MANUFACTURER,

STATIONER, PRINTER AND LITHOGRAPHER, 31 Nassau

Street, OPPOSITE THE POSTOFFICE." Source:

BENJAMIN F. CORLIES [Advertisement], The Evening Post

[NY, NY], Aug. 16, 1858, p. 2, col. 4. NOTE: Click Image to Enlarge.

After Corlies entered into a copartnership with Charles A. Macy, Jr., he was involved in an unfortunate incident when he discovered one of his bookkeepers was embezzling from the firm. In 1874, while one of the bookkeeper clerks employed at Corlies, Macy & Co. was on vacation, Benjamin F. Corlies discovered that the clerk had embezzled $35,000 from the firm. The firm had the clerk arrested on his return from vacation. See NEW YORK CITY NEWS, The Albany Daily Evening Times, Aug. 25, 1874, p. 2, col. 5 ("Joshua Shove, confidential clerk and book-keeper of Corlies, Marcy [sic] & Co., stationers, at No. 39 Nassau street, was arrested to-day, charged with embezzling $35,000 from the firm. The defalcation was discovered by Benjamin F. Corlies, during the absence of Shove on his vacation."). A brief newspaper account of the incident is quoted in its entirety below:

"A CONFIDENTIAL CLERK'S TROUBLE.
-----

Joshua Shove, for many years the confidential clerk and book-keeper of Messrs. Corlies, Macy & Co., was to-day arrested on an order issued by Judge Donahue upon a charge of embezzling. It appears that Mr. Benjamin F. Corlies had been examining the books of the firm during the clerk's absence at a fashionable watering-place and had discovered a defalcation to the amount of $85,000. A suit has been brought against Shove for the recovery of this amount, and a criminal prosecution was also commenced against him to-day by his arrest upon his return from his vacation. The prisoner is now locked up in the Ludlow Street Jail in default of $25,000 bail."

Source: A CONFIDENTIAL CLERK'S TROUBLE, The Daily Graphic [NY, NY], Aug. 25, 1874, p. 390, col. 5.

Benjamin F. Corlies served for a time as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of New Rochelle, though he resigned from the position in 1888, not long before he retired from his printing business. See COUNTY NEWS, The Eastern State Journal, Aug. 25, 1888, p. 3, col. 3.

In 1889, Benjamin F. Corlies joined with other Pelham residents and neighbors including Robert C. Black, James M. Secor, James M. Townsend, and Henry B. B. Staples, to form a "Citizens' Park Association" to oppose proposals to sue the newly-created Pelham Bay Park as a site for the construction of almshouses, penitentiaries, and hospitals. See PUBLIC PARKS ARE A PEOPLE'S TRUST -- And Solid Citizens Rise Up to Protest Against the Spoliation Bills -- TWO MEETINGS AT ONE CALL -- Emphatic Resolutions Passed and Committees Commissioned to Fight the Battle at Albany, N.Y. Herald, Mar. 12, 1889, p. 3, col. 6.

A few months later, Corlies retired from the printing firm he founded. A notice of the dissolution of the copartnership and the creation of a successor copartnership of the same name without Mr. Corlies as a partner was published on September 13, 1889. An image of the notice appears immediately below, followed by a transcription of its text and a citation and link to its source.

Sep. 18, 1889 Legal Notice Announcing

Retirement of Benjamin F. Corlies and the

Dissolution and Reconstitution of the

Copartnership Under the Same Name

Without Corlies. (Text Transcribed Below).

Source: Copartnerships [Legal Notice],

The Evening Post [NY, NY], Sep. 18, 1889,

p. 6, col. 6. (NOTE: Click Image to Enlarge).

"Copartnerships.
-----

CORLIES, MACY & CO. -- THE COPARTNERSHIP heretofore existing under the firm name of Corlies, Macy & Co., and consisting of Benjamin F. Corlies, Charles A. Macy, Jr., and Francis H. Macy, Jr., is this day dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Benjamin F. Corlies retiring therefrom. Messrs. Charles A. Macy Jr., and Francis H. Macy, Jr., will settle all affairs of the copartnership and have assumed all of its liabilities.

NEW YORK, September 13, 1889.

BENJAMIN F. CORLIES.
CHARLES A. MACY, JR.
FRANCIS H. MACY, JR.

CORLIES, MACY & CO.

We, the undersigned, do hereby certify that we have formed a copartnership, to begin on the thirteenth day of September, 1889, to continue the business heretofore conducted by Benjamin F. Corlies, Charles A. Macy, Jr., and Francis H. Macy, Jr., under the firm name of Corlies, Macy & Co., which said last named copartnership has transacted business in the State of New York for a period of three years and upwards; and do further certify, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 400 of the Laws of 1854 and of the acts amendatory thereof, that we intend to continue the use of the said firm name of Corlies, Macy & Co., and that the persons composing our new copartnership and dealing under such firm name are the following:

Charles A. Macy, Jr., residing at No. 206 West 45th Street, New York city.

Francis H. Macy, Jr., residing at No. 81 West 71st Street, New York city.

William Herbert, residing at NO. 456 West 23d Street, New York city.

And that the principal place of business of the said copartnership is No. 39 Nassau Street, in the city of New York.

NEW YORK, September 13, 1889.

CHARLES A. MACY, JR.,
FRANCIS H. MACY, JR.,
WILLIAM HERBERT.

STATE OF NEW YORK, CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK, ss.:

On the 17th day of September, 1889, before me personally appeared Charles A. Macy, Jr., Francis H. Macy, Jr., and William Herbert, to me known and known to me to be the individuals described in and who executed the foregoing certificate and severally acknowledged to me that they executed the same.

EDWARD R. GREENE,
Notary Public, Kings County.
Certificate filed in New York County."

Source: Copartnerships [Legal Notice], The Evening Post [NY, NY], Sep. 18, 1889, p. 6, col. 6.

Corlies and his wife appear to have moved to Pelham Manor in about 1881 as he was one of the founding members of the Pelham Manor Protective Club formed in that year. For the next three decades, Corlies was very active in the early development of the Village of Pelham Manor in addition to his real estate development in the Village of Pelham (today's Pelham Heights). In Pelham Manor, Corlies developed and owned the Hazen School buildings on which he spent over $100,000 in improvements. He leased those buildings and the property on which they stood for use as Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls. According to one account quoted in full below, Mr. Corlies "was one of the early advocates of the trolley, and the introduction of the gas and sewer systems into Pelham Manor."

In the Village of Pelham, Mr. Corlies was "instrumental" in having the brick Pelham Train Station that still stands today built in 1894. The station was moved to a point that was more central to the location of the plots that Corlies was developing in The Heights.

Although Benjamin F. Corlies died on January 25, 1914, his wife survived him by more than four years. Susan Meigs Corlies died in the couple's home located at 965 Esplanade in the Village of Pelham Manor on July 12, 1919.

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Below is additional research regarding the life of Benjamin Franklin Corlies, a co-founder of the original Village of Pelham (known today as Pelham Heights).

More regarding trading with the Confederates in 1861.

"GONE TO FORT LAFAYETTE. -- Bethel Burtin and Benjamin F. Corlies, who were arrested on Thursday, charged with dealing with the Confederates, were yesterday sent to Fort Lafayette."

Source: GONE TO FORT LAFAYETTE, The Sun [NY, NY], Sept. 14, 1861, p. 2, col. 5.

More regarding the bizarre incident involving the brief institutionalization of Commodore Meade.

"FROM NEW YORK.
-----
Special Correspondence of the Inquirer.
NEW YORK, May 28 . . .

Commodore Richard Meade has caused the arrest of Charles A. Meigs and Benjamin F. Corlies, on a charge of illegal arrest and imprisonment in the Insane Asylum, at the instance of defendants, on a malicious charge of insanity, in October last. They were held in $5000 bail. Since the affidavit on which the arrest was granted, action for false imprisonment has been commenced, with damages laid at $200,000. . . ."

Source: FROM NEW YORK, The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 29, 1869, p. 2, col. 4.

Other aspects of the life of Benjamin Franklin Corlies.

"OUR NEARBY NEIGHBORS.
-----
Pelhamville. . . .

Mr. Benjamin F. Corlies is widening Wolfs' Lane and constructing a macadamized walk to unite with that of the Fairchild property."

Source: OUR NEARBY NEIGHBORS -- Pelhamville, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 3, 1894, p. 4, col. 1.

"PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO
(From the Pelham Press, November 25, 1896) . . .

Benjamin F. Corlies of Pelham Manor, while driving through North Pelham last Friday morning in front of the station, the 8:49 express passed through scaring the horse so that it bolted, throwing the rider. Mr. Corlies was not badly hurt. The animal was caught by Hill Allen, coachman for Ralph K. Hubbard, of Loring avenue, Pelham Heights."

Source: PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO (From the Pelham Press, November 25, 1896), The Pelham Sun, Nov. 26, 1926, p. 12, cols. 1-4.

"LOCAL NEWS . . . .

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Corlies, of Pelham Manor, leave for Europe to-day."

Source: LOCAL NEWS, The New Rochelle Press, Oct. 15, 1898, p. 5, cols. 1-3.

"BENJAMIN F. CORLIES.
-----
His Pelham Manor Improvements.
-----
Real Estate Building Guide.

Benjamin F. Corlies, of Pelham Manor, New York, retired some years ago from the old and well-known firm of Corlies, Macy & Co., of New York City, which firm he founded. Turning his attention to real estate he purchased some hundred acres in Pelham and has expended upwards of $100,000, at that place, in grading and macadamizing streets, building sewers, furnishing gas and electric light, improving sidewalks and drains and has constructed ten handsome houses there. This section is high and healthful, and is a delightful community socially and in every other way. The land is all restricted to at least a $5,000 house. The well known Pelham Country Club for golf, is located midway between Pelham and Pelham Manor.

Mr. Corlies is a member of the New York Chamber of Commerce, New York Produce Exchange and one of the corporate members of the new National Arts Club, and many other socieities and clubs. He is a man of sterling integrity in addition to [illegible] He has purchased large plots of land within the past twelve years, and is the owner of the Hazen School buildings, on which property he has spent over $100,000 in improvements. Mr. Corlies was instrumental in having the new station erected at Pelham, some years ago, and was one of the early advocates of the trolley, and the introduction of the gas and sewer systems into Pelham Manor. His great desire now is to have a Worlds Fair for New York, in 1905, located in Pelham Bay Park. The magnificent water front and natural advantages, would prove of greatest benefit to the Borough of the Bronx and outlying sections, and would make the world acquainted with the beauties of the section where the Fair would be located. Pelham is on the main line of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, and is 28 minutes from 42d street. Pelham Manor, on the branch line, is 25 minutes fro 129th street. The two places, Pelham Manor and Pelham, are connected by trolley cars meeting every train."

Source: BENJAMIN F. CORLIES -- His Pelham Manor Improvements -- Real Estate Building Guide, The Mount Vernon Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 13, 1899, p. 4, col. 4.

"PELHAM MANOR.
-----

Mr. Benjamin F. Corlies has commenced the erection of two houses on his property on Edgewood avenue. . . ."

Source: PELHAM MANOR, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jun. 22, 1901, p. 8, col. 2.

Benjamin F. Corlies was a founding member of the Pelham Manor Protective Club and was among the sixty original members who signed the Club's articles of incorporation. See Interesting Document of Early Days of Pelham Manor Shown by Historian -- Articles of Incorporation of the Pelham Manor Protective Club, Established in 1881 are Exhibited At Manor Club Hobby Show, The Pelham Sun, May 15, 1936, p. 12, cols. 1-3.

"PELHAM
-----

Real estate transfers are reported for Pelham as follows: Pelhamdale ave. n e s, adjoins grantee; Witherbee Real Estate & Impr Co to N.Y., N.H. & H.R.R. Co; D of C; Oct 31; Nov 6, 1905, 1. Pelham Heights, map of, lots 124, 126, 128 and 130, block 13; The Mutual Life Ins Co to Benjamin F Corlies; release; Nov 6; Nov 9, 1905, 1,000. Same lots; Benjamin F. Corlies to Lawrence H. Tasker; Nov 1; Nov 9, 1905, 2,000."

Source: PELHAM, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 20, 1905, p. 4, col. 2.

Benjamin Franklin Corlies and Susan Meigs were married in 1858 (most likely on November 4, 1858) and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with friends and family in Pelham Manor on Wednesday, November 4, 1908. An article about the event appeared several days later stating as follows:

"FIFTY YEARS WEDDED
-----

A most brilliant and largely attended society event took place in the 'Marbury House,' Pelham Manor, Wednesday afternoon of last week, when Mr. and Mrs. John Cunningham Hazen gave a reception in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Corlies on the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage.

Over 400 guests were present, many coming from the oldest and best families in New York, as well as from Pelham Manor and New Rochelle. Among those invited were Governor and Mrs. Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Carnegie, Mr. and Mrs. August Belmont, Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Schaub, Mrs. Mead, widow of Admiral Mead, the members of the White House families, and many other prominent persons.

The reception was held from 4 to 7 o'clock in the room on the first floor, which was transformed into a scene of beauty by the magnificent display of flowers, yellow chrysanthemums and orchids predominating. Mr. and Mrs. Corlies and Mr. and Mrs. Hazen received, assisted by Mrs. James M. Townsend, Mrs. Guy M. Johnson, Mrs. Henry M. Babcock, Mrs. Charles F. Roper, Mrs. Robert Black, Mrs. Chas. J. Ferrin and Mrs. William Twells Tiers.

Previous to the reception the young ladies of Mrs. Hazen's school greeted Mr. and Mrs. Corlies, the president of the senior class making a few appropriate remarks. Rev. Dr. Slicer, of All Souls' Church, New York, who is a personal friend of President Roosevelt, delivered a brief address. He referred to the useful lives of Mr. and Mrs. Corlies, and said that the golden decorations and presents of the occasion represented the golden rewards of two lives well spent.

During the reception Miss Slater, a prominent singer and soloist, of New York, sang a number of selections. A collation was served after the reception. Beautiful presents in gold were much in evidence. -- Mt. Vernon Argus."

Source: FIFTY YEARS WEDDED, New Rochelle Pioneer, Nov. 7, 1908, p. 3, col. 5.

"BENJAMIN F. CORLIES.

Benjamin F. Corlies, founder of the firm of Corlies, Macy & Co., died at his home in Pelham Manor, N. Y., Sunday, January 25, in the eighty-first year of his age. Mr. Corlies descended from an old Quaker family of Red Bank, N. J. He retired from business some twenty-five years ago, after which he purchased large tracts of land in Pelham and Pelham Manor and became a pioneer in the successful development of these villages. He spent much of his time abroad or on his estate at Hurricane, in the Adirondacks.

Mr. Corlies was a trustee of the Society for the Relief of the Destitute Blind, a member of the Chamber of Commerce of New York, a member of the Monmouth County Historical Society, a fellow of the National Academy of Design and was one of the founders of the National Arts Club. He leaves a wife, formerly Susan Meigs."

Source: BENJAMIN F. CORLIES, New-York Tribune, Jan. 27, 1914, p. 7, col. 5.

"DIED. . . .
Corlies, Benjamin F. . . .

CORLIES -- On Sunday, January 25, 1914, Benjamin F. Corlies, in the 81st year of his age. Funderal services at his late residence, The Esplanade, Pelham Manor, N. Y., on Wednesday, January 28, at 5 o'clock. Carriages will meet train for Pelham leaving Grand Central Terminal at 4:06 p.m."

Source: DIED, New-York Tribune, Jan. 27, 1914, p. 7, col. 7.

"MR. B. F. CORLIES DIES AT AGE OF 80
-----

Mr. Benjamin F. Corlies, founder of the firm of Corlies, Macy & Co., died at his home in Pelham Manor, N.Y., on Sunday of a complication of diseases. He was eighty years old. Mr. Corlies was descended from an old Quaker family of Red Bank, N.J. He retired from business twenty-five years ago, after which he purchase large tracts of land in Pelham and Pelham Manor, and became a pioneer in the successful development of these villages.

Mr. Corlies was a trustee of the Society for the Relief of the Destitute Blind, a member of the Chamber of Commerce of New York, a member of the Monmouth County Historical Society, a Fellow of the National Academy of Design, and was one of the founders of the National Arts Club. His wife, who was Miss Susan Meigs, survives him."

Source: MR. B. F. CORLIES DIES AT AGE OF 80, N.Y. Herald, Jan. 27, 1914, p. 7, col. 1.

"OBITUARY
-----
Benjamin F. Corlies.

Benjamin F. Corlies, founder of Corlies, Macy & Co., died on Sunday at his home in Pelham Manor in his eighty-first year. He retired from business about twenty-five years ago and bought large tracts of land in Pelham and Pelham Manor. He became a pioneer in the successful development of those villages. Mr. Corlies was a trustee of the Society for the Relief of the Destitute Blind, a member of the New York chamber of commerce, a member of the Monmouth County Historical society, a fellow [of] the National Academy of Design, and a founder of the National Arts club. His wife, who was Miss Susan Meigs, survives him."

Source: OBITUARY -- Benjamin F. Corlies, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 27, 1914, p. 2, col. 1.

"MRS. BENJAMIN F. CORLIES.

Mrs. Susan Meigs Corlies, daughter of John A. Meigs, for many years a National Bank Examiner, died yesterday at her home at 965 Esplanade, Pelham Manor, N.Y. She was the widow of Benjamin F. Corlies, who moved to Pelham Manor 30 years ago.

Mrs. Corlies was known as a speaker on literary topics and was a member of the National Arts Club. Her only near surviving relative is a brother, Beveric Meigs, who lives in California. Her husband died six years ago."

Source: MRS. BENJAMIN F. CORLIES, The Yonkers Statesman, Jul. 13, 1919, p. 6, col. 5.

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