Record of Intestate Death of David Jones Pell of Pelham in 1823

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David Jones Pell was a son of Philip Pell II and Gloriana Tredwell Pell.   Pell was an officer during the closing days of the Revolution and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the 3rd New York Militia.

Pell was born in the Manor of Pelham on January 13, 1761.  On March 7, 1790 he married Hester ("Hetty") Sneden.  David J. Pell inherited the farmhouse built by his father that now forms a portion of the home known as Pelhamdale at 45 Iden Avenue that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  The couple had at least ten children whom they raised in the Pell farmhouse that, at the time, overlooked Old Boston Post Road (today's Colonial Avenue) and a valley that swept down to the Hutchinson River.  The children included:

1. Nancy Hannah, b. Oct. 11, 1791, bapt. by Rev. Elias Cooper; married Feb. 12, 1822, to Theodosius Hunt of the town of Eastchester, by Rev. Revaud Kerney, rector, Episcopal Ch., New Rochelle. 

2. Samuel Tredwell, born Jan. 25, 1794, bapt. by Rev. Elias Cooper; d. Sept. 26, 1803. 

3. Margarett Anne, b. Oct. 13, 1795; d. Jan. 28, 1796. 

4. Margarett, b. July 3, 1797, bapt. by Rev. Elias Cooper; d. Aug. 28, 1823; married March 10, 1821, to James Pell of the town of Pelham, by Rev. Revaud Kerney, rector, St. Paul's Church, Eastchester. 

5. Caroline Amelia, b. Sept. 27 [year unknown], bapt. at St. Paul's Ch., by Rev. Isaac Wilkins. 

6. Mary, b. Aug. 10, 1801, bapt. by Rev. Isaac Wilkins. 

7. Stephen Sneden, b. Nov. 29, 1803, bapt. Dec. 9, 1806, by Rev. Theodosius Bartow, rector, Episcopal Ch., New Rochelle. 

8. David, b. Oct. 13, 1806; d. Dec. 8, 1806. 

9. Gloriana, b. Oct. 20, 1810, bapt. June 3, 1811, by Rev. Isaac Wilkins, Ch. of Eng. minister. 

10. Sophia, b. Sept. 23, 1812, bapt. Sept. 12, 1814, by Rev. Isaac Wilkins, rector, Episcopal Chs. of West and East Chester.

Source:  Webber, Richard, Record of the Family of Colonel David Jones Pell (1761-1823) and Hester Sneden, His Wife, The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. LX, No. 3, p. 244 (NY, NY: The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, July, 1929).

David Jones Pell lived out his years in the Pell farmhouse overlooking Boston Post Road.  He died intestate (leaving no will) on August 18, 1823.  He is buried in the cemetery of St. Paul's Church, Eastchester where a stone also honors his military service during the Revolutionary War.

His widow, Hester ("Hettie") Sneden Pell, applied for letters of administration to authorize her to serve as Administratrix of the estate of David Jones Pell.  On September 23, 1823, Westchester County Surrogate Ebenezer White, Jr. granted such letters of Administration to Hettie Pell.  An image of those letters of administration appears immediately below followed by a transcription of its text and a citation and link to its source.

Gravestone at Grave of David Jones Pell,

Cemetery of St. Paul's Church, Eastchester, Section

4, Grave 180.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Military Service Stone at Grave of David Jones Pell,

Cemetery of St. Paul's Church, Eastchester, Section

4, Grave 180.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"119

LS [within seal]

The People of the State of New York
BY THE GRACE OF GOD FREE AND INDEPENDENT:
TO Hetty Pell widow of David J. Pell late of the County of Westchester dec'd

Send Greeting:

WHEREAS the said David J. Pell at the time of his death, was an inhabitant of this county, and, as is alleged, lately died intestate, having whilst living, and at the time of his death, goods, chattels, or credits within this state, by means whereof the ordering and granting administration of all and singular the said goods, chattels, and credits, and also the auditing, allowing, and final discharging the account thereof, doth appertain unto us:  and we being desirous that the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased may be well and faithfully administered, applied, and disposed of, do grant unto you the said Hetty Pell full power by these presents, to administer and faithfully dispose of all and singular the said goods, chattels, and credits; to ask, demand, recover, and receive the debts which unto the said deceased while living, and at the time of his death, did belong; and to pay the debts which the said deceased did owe, as far as such goods, chattels, and credits will thereto extend, and the law require; hereby requiring you to make, or cause to be made, a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased, which shall or have come to your hands, possession or knowledge; and the same so made to exhibit, or cause to be exhibited, into the office of the Surrogate of the said county ["of New York" is struck out], at or before the expiration of six calendar months from the date hereof; and also, to render a just and true account of administration, when thereunto required; And we do by these presents depute, constitute, and appoint you the said Hetty Pell Administratrix of all and singular the goods, chattels, and credits which were of the said David J. Pell.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, we have caused the seal of office of our said Surrogate to be hereunto affixed.  

WITNESS, Ebenezer White Jun'r Esquire, Surrogate of the said county at Somers Town the twenty third day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three and of our Independence the forty eighth.

[Signed] Ebenezer White Jun'r"

Source:  Letters of Administration to Hetty Pell, Widow of David J. Pell, Intestate in New York Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999, Westchester County, New York, Letters of Administration D-F, 1818-1838 (available via Ancestry.com; paid subscription required to access via this link).  

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I have written repeatedly of Colonel David Jones Pell and the home in which he and Hester ("Hetty") Sneden Pell lived and raised their family known as Pelhamdale.  See, e.g.:

Wed., Mar. 8, 2017:  Stephen S. Pell of the Town of Pelham, a Son of Colonel David Jones Pell of Pelhamdale.

Wed., Feb. 01, 2017:  Pelham Historic Marker Placed on Hutchinson River Parkway in 1927.

Wed., Nov. 30, 2016:  Article on the History of Pelhamdale Published in 1925 After Tragic Fire.

Thu., Nov. 03, 2016:  1860 Auction Offering Pelhamdale Lots from the Estate of James Hay.

Thu., Oct. 20, 2016:  Fears in 1934 and 1935 that the Historic Home Known as Pelhamdale Would Be Razed. 

Fri, May 13, 2016:  1851 Advertisement Offering Farm and Mansion Known as Pelhamdale for Lease.

Wed., Sep. 23, 2015:  Yet Another Tale of Buried Treasure in the Town of Pelham. 

Thu., Sep. 17, 2015:  An Account of the February 28, 1925 Fire at Pelhamdale, A Home on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fri., Sep. 04, 2015:  Sale of the Pre-Revolutionary War Home Known as Pelhamdale in 1948.

Tue., Sep. 09, 2014:  The October 18, 1927 Unveiling of the Historic Marker at Pelhamdale, the Historic Home at 45 Iden Avenue.

Tue., Jun. 24, 2014:  Story of Pelhamdale, the Old Stone House by the Bridge, Once Owned by David J. Pell.

Thu., Jan. 03, 2008:  Charges in 1808 Against Lieutenant-Colonel David J. Pell of Pelham that He "Indulges in Inebriety and Habitual Drunkeness." 

Mon., Oct 15, 2007:  Town Proclamation Recognizes Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Pelhamdale at 45 Iden Avenue. 

Thu., Oct. 26, 2006:  Genealogical Data Regarding David Jones Pell of the Manor of Pelham, Revolutionary War Officer. 

Wed., Nov. 02, 2005:  Engraving by P.M. Pirnie Showing Pelhamdale in 1861. 

Thu., Oct. 13, 2005:  Two More Pelham Ghost Stories. 

Mon., Sep. 19, 2005:  The Long-Hidden Pastoral Mural Uncovered in Pelhamdale, a Pre-Revolutionary War Home. 

Mon., Apr. 11, 2005:  More From the William R. Montgomery Glass Negative Collection (includes photograph of fire at Pelhamdale on February 28, 1925). 

Tue., Mar. 22, 2005:  The 1790 U.S. Census Information for the Township of Pelham.

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