The Celebration of Arbor Day in the Town of Pelham in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries

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Happy Arbor Day Pelham!  In recent years, the State of New York has recognized the last Friday in April as Arbor Day.  The first Arbor Day celebration in the United States is generally believed to have been celebrated on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska City, Nebraska.  Some sources claim that on that day over one million trees were planted in Nebraska.  Because the Arbor Day holiday promotes a better future through tree planting and tree care, its celebration long has centered around young people including students, Boy Scouts, and Girls Scouts.  

According to one source (quoted in full below):

"The first observance of Arbor Day in this State [New York] under the law of 1888, took place May 3, 1889.  More than half of the school districts of the State . . . [celebrated] the day by planting trees about school grounds.  In nearly every case the planting was accompanied by interesting literary exercises."

Pelham has a long tradition of celebrating Arbor Day.  During the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, Arbor Day celebrations in Pelham were common and were widely reported in local newspapers.  Pelham schoolchildren planted trees.  Local Pelham Boy Scouts followed suit. Such plantings typically were accompanied by patriotic songs, presentation of the Colors, speeches, poem-readings, essay contests and essay-readings, and more.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog collects and transcribes a number of news stories about the celebration of Arbor Day in the little Town of Pelham.  Happy Arbor Day!  

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Below is the text of a number of news articles about Arbor Day celebrations in Pelham.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

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

Arbor day was observed with appropriate exercises on Friday last.  Following is the programme: 

Saluting the Flag..........................School 
Robin Red Breast........................Elmer Anderson 
Morning Call...............................Chorus 
Ginger Tree................................Harry Stone 
What to Plant.............................Fritz Ernst 
Song of Liberty..........................Chorus 
Historical Trees..........................By several 
Briar Rose.................................Evelyn Waugh 
Arbor Day March......................Chorus 
Surprise.....................................Susie Owens 
Sir Robin...................................Leonard Glover 
Violets.......................................Mary Whalen 
Brave Old Oak..........................Chorus 
Little Nut People........................Agnes Ernst 
Secret........................................Alice Miller 
Supposing..................................Bertie Glover 
Naughty Pussy...........................Gracie I. Wright 
America....................................Chorus 
Tree planting.............................John Campbell 
The Brave Rabbit......................John Marvel 
Star Spangled Banner................Chorus . . ."

Source:  Our Nearby Neighbors - Pelhamville, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 10, 1894, p. 4, col. 1.

"Arbor Day April 17th In Pelhams 
-----

Friday, April 17 has been designated as Arbor Day in the Pelhams, in a proclamation issued this week by Dr. Frank P. Graves, Commissioner of Education.

Public School children of the Pelhams, following the custom of previous years will plant trees on that day."  

Source:  Arbor Day April 17th In Pelhams, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 20, 1925, Vol. 16, No. 3, p. 1, col. 6.  

"Twenty Trees Planted.

As an Arbor Day observance, Pelham Scouts planted twenty trees about the Scout Cabin site on the old Polo Grounds Saturday April 18th.  Troops 1 and 4 tied in the contest and Scout T. Kasmer, Troop 3 received honorable mention for bringing in the specimen showing the best preparation and care for transplanting.  The planting was in charge of Vice-President Remington Schuyler and Deputy Commissioner Stacy Wood."  

Source:  Twenty Trees Planted, The Pelham Sun, May 1, 1925, Vol. 16, No. 9, p. 3, col. 1.  

"Pelham Girls Receive A. B. Degrees At Wells
-----
Miss Odelein Pearce President of Senior Class Delivers Arbor Day Address
-----

Three Pelham girls received their A. B. degrees on Tuesday from Wells College, Aurora, N. Y. They were Miss Odelein Pearce, of Roosevelt avenue, Miss Kathrine King, of the Esplanade and Miss Eloise White, of Nyac avenue.

Miss Pearce was president of the Senior Class and delivered the Arbor Day address on Monday before the entire college and the guests assembled for the Commencement Exercises.  Miss Pearce played the part of Orsino, Duke of Hyria, in the performance of 'Twelfth Night,' given as part of the Commencement activities.  Miss King and Miss White also took part in the performance for which Miss White was chairman of the costume committee.

Miss Pearce was graduated from Pelham Memorial High School in 1924 and Miss White in 1925.  Miss King was graduated from the Lenox School in New York."

Source:  Pelham Girls Receive A. B. Degrees At Wells -- Miss Odelein Pearce President of Senior Class Delivers Arbor Day Address, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 15, 1928, p. 7, col. 4.  

"TREES PLANTED ON ARBOR DAY AT HUTCHINSON
-----
Prize Money Won in Essay Contest Used to Purchase Two Trees for School Campus.
-----

In observance of Arbor Day, Friday, May 10, the children of the Hutchinson School planted two English Hawthorn trees on the school campus to replace two which were destroyed in the ice storm of March 4.  The trees were purchased with prize money received by the school as its award in the recent Gerard Swope Essay Contests.  The planting of the trees was timely in conjunction with the project selected by the school for the essay contest,, 'Nature in Our Own Back Yards.'

The tree-planting program was conducted by Mrs. Raymond S. Deck, director of the Naturalists' Club of the school; Mrs. Mary F. Canty, teacher of the 6A Grade and Miss Jane Grinker, teacher of music.

The American Flag and the School Flag were brought on the field by the Color Guard of Scouts of the 6A Class.  The program opened with the Salute to the Flag and the singing of 'America.'

Eleanor Gillooly told 'How We Won This Money.'  Stanley Jones told 'What to do With It.'  Betty Kelly recited 'The Story of the Hawthorn Tree.'  George Jones recited an 'Introduction to Tree Poems.'  Constance Coughlin recited, 'The Tree Stands Very Straight and Still.'  John Johnson recited, 'The Friendly Tree.'  Francis Vick recited 'The Beggar Trees.'  The program closed with the singing of 'Trees' by Joyce Kilmer."

 Source:  TREES PLANTED ON ARBOR DAY AT HUTCHINSON -- Prize Money Won in Essay Contest Used to Purchase Two Trees for School Campus, The Pelham Sun, May 17, 1940, p. 5, cols. 7-8.

"ARBOR DAY.
-----

In a letter sent out by A. S. Draper, superintendent of public instruction, dated April 1, 1890, he says:  The first observance of Arbor Day in this State under the law of 1888, took place May 3, 1889.  More than half of the school districts of the State . . . [celebrated] the day by planting trees about school grounds.  In nearly every case the planting was accompanied by interesting literary exercises.  

This result was very satisfactory.  It is hoped that all districts which observed the day in 1888, may observe the day in 1889, may observe the day with still greater enthusiasm this year, and that school districts which did not observe it may be induced to inaugurate the custom on May 2, next.

While the work performed on Arbor Day cannot counteract in a sensible degree the constant inroads upon our forests, made necessary by the unceasing demands of our rapidly increasing population, the children of the commonwealth may be taught to love nature and a reverence for trees.  Wanton destruction of our forests may be stayed, and something can certainly be done through this agency to make attractive the school grounds of the State, already too long neglected.

It is hardly necessary to repeat here the general observations on this subject published in the circular of 1889.  The purpose of the law in establishing Arbor Day is commendable in every way, and its general observance throughout the State is earnestly recommended.  With the hope that pleasure and satisfaction may come to all who observe the day, and that practical results may follow, the accompanying suggestions are offered.

In some sections of our state it may be impracticable to delay the planting of trees till May 2, the day fixed by law for Arbor Day.  In such cases it is recommended that trees be planted when this work can most successfully be done, and that all districts unite in observing the day by literary exercises on the day fixed by law."

Source:  ARBOR DAY, The Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Apr. 12, 1890, Vol. XLVI, No. 2, p. 2, col. 2.  

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1884 Gun Battle With Burglars Ransacking the Pelham Manor Depot

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At 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 1884, a massive snowstorm was bearing down on the New York region.  The storm eventually dumped up to three feet of snow on Pelham and the surrounding region.  The night was not fit for men but, apparently, it was fit for beasts.  

With the storm raging, a pair of burglars had been working the New Rochelle and Pelham Manor region.  At about 2:30 a.m. the pair forced their way though a small window into the ticket office of the Pelham Manor Depot.  

The burglars, described only as a "tall man" and a "short man," did not realize that the local "Vigilance Committee" known as the "Pelham Manor Protective Club" was on the case.  There previously had been so many burglaries, safe-crackings, and break-ins at the Pelham Manor Depot that the Executive Committee of the Pelham Manor Protective Club had authorized installation of an electric burglar alarm with a "wire" running from the Depot to the nearby home of the Station Manager, Joseph English.

At 2:30 a.m., a "gong" in the home of Station Manager Joseph English rang, alerting him that the station had been entered.  Though the storm raged outside, English ran to two nearby homes for help, including the home of Thomas D. De Witt, a member of the Executive Committee of the Pelham Manor Protective Club.  De Witt grabbed his loaded five-shot revolver and he, English, and another unidentified Pelhamite ran to the Depot, ready for a gunfight, if necessary, and to arrest the burglars.

I have written before about the burglary that night.  For examples, see:

Mon., Jan. 28, 2008:  1884 Burglary and Gunfight at the Pelham Manor Depot.

Mon., Sep. 15, 2014:  1884 Gunfight in Pelham Manor Pits Local Residents Against Pelham Manor Depot Burglars. 

Detail from 1881 Map Showing Pelham Manor Depot and Surrounding

Area Not Long Before the January, 1884 Burglary.  Source:  "Town of

Pelham. (With) Pelham-Manor. (From Actual Surveys and Official

Records by G. W. Bromley & Co., Civil Engineers" in Bromley, George

W., Atlas of Westchester County, New York from Actual Surveys and Official

Records by G. W. Bromley & Co., Civil Engineers, pp. 56-57 (Washington, D.C.,

G. W. Bromley & Co., 1881).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

When De Witt arrived at the Pelham Manor Depot, he saw two burglars:  one tall, one short.  Disappointingly, the burglars saw him and ran from the Depot across vacant lots.  As they ran into the stormy darkness, De Witt shouted for them to stop, then leveled his revolver and began firing in their direction.  As he emptied his five-shot revolver, the burglars returned fire, all to no effect.

The three Pelham Manor men searched the Depot and discovered that only a "few cents" was missing from the ticket office.  Though the thieves had escaped, they left behind a hat, a key, and a blanket.  It turned out that the blanket had been stolen earlier that night from Mrs. Condon of New Rochelle.  The blanket was returned to Mrs. Condon.

The burglars, it turned out, were busy that night.  They had tried to burglarize Jacob Holweg's store in New Rochelle by cutting a panel out of a shutter and breaking a pane of glass.  They failed, however, to gain entry to the Holweg store.  They then broke into the Wars & Sheffield store in New Rochelle where they stole "some jewelry."  Finally, they burglarized Trinity Episcopal Church where they stole all the carpets, some valuable vases, "and other articles."

With the gunfight, burglars, thieves, and vagabonds, it seems, were beginning to learn that the Vigilance Committee known as the Pelham Manor Protective Club was making it much harder to prey on Pelhamites and the little Pelham Manor Depot. . . .

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Below is the text of the report of the Pelham Manor Protective Club on the January 9, 1884 burglary as well as a number of news stories about the burglary.  Each is followed by a citation to its source and, where available, a link to its source.

"A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Pelham Manor Protective Club was held at the residence of Mr. W. E. Barnett, on February 2nd 1884.

Present Mess. Reynolds, Black, Barnett, De Witt and Johnson.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

On motion the letter of Dr. Buck was referred to the committee on pamphlet of instructions.

D. M. Johnson reported that he had audited the accounts of the late Treasurer, Mr. De Witt, and found them to be correct.  Balance transferred to the new Treasurer, $151.62, uncollected dues $7.00.

Mr. De Witt reported that the Depot at Pelham Manor was broken into at about 2.30 A.M. January 9th, that he and others were aroused, went to the Station and endeavored to arrest the burglars, but they were well armed and escaped by jumping through a window, after exchanging several shots with Mr. De Witt.  One of them was a tall man and the other a short man.  They left behind, a Hat, a Key and a Blanket.  The blanket was returned to Mrs. Condon of New Rochelle, from whom it was stolen that same night.  No clue could be found by which the burglars could be traced or identified.

On motion the Town election matters were referred to Messrs. Reynolds and Black as a committee -- Adjourned -- 

D. M. Johnson
Clerk"

Source:  RECORDS -- PELHAM MANOR PROTECTIVE CLUB [1881-1892], pp. 68-69 (original leather-bound journal in the collections of the Westchester County Historical Society).  

"SOME VERY PERSISTENT THIEVES.

Burglars forced an entrance into the railroad station at Pelham Manor, on the New-York and New-Haven Railroad, at an early hour yesterday morning.  R. C. De Witt, the agent, was warned of it by a burglar alarm, and he got up, taking his revolver with him.  He found two men in the ticket office, but at his approach they made off.  He fired several shots at them and they returned the fire.  They escaped, but they had succeeded in securing only a small amount of money.  At a later hour an effort was made by the thieves to get into Jacob Holweg's store, at New-Rochelle, by cutting a panel out of a shutter and breaking a pane of glass.  They were not able to make their way into the store however and they went to Trinity Episcopal Church, in the same place where they stole all the carpets, some vases, and other articles."

Source:  SOME VERY PERSISTENT THIEVES, N.Y. Times, Jan. 10, 1884, p. 3, col. 3 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"Burglars at Work.

NEW ROCHELLE, Jan. 9.  --  Burglars attempted to rob the railroad depot at Pelham Manor yesterday morning but were driven off by Mr. Dewitt.  An hour after an unsuccessful attempt was made on the residence of Mr. Holloways here and then the robbers went to the Episcopal church, which they entered, stripping the edifice of all carpets which they carried off together with some vases of value."

Source:  Burglars at Work, Democrat and Chronicle [Rochester, NY], Jan. 10, 1884, Vol. 52, No. 10, p. 1, col. 5 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"WESTCHESTER COUNTY. . . .

PELHAM MANOR.  --  About one a.m. yesterday Mr. R. C. DeWitt, of Pelham Manor, was aroused by the ringing of his burglar alarm, which indicated that the depot of the New-York, New-Haven and Hartford Railroad Company on the Harlem River Branch had been entered by burglars.  Mr. De Witt went to the station, armed with his revolver.  Then he discovered that a couple of burglars had forced their way though a small window into the ticket office.  He fired at them five times, and the robbers in return fired shot for shot, without effect.  They made their escape from the building, followed by Mr. De Witt and some of his neighbors; but owing to the storm and darkness of the night all trace of them was soon lost.  They obtained only a small amount of money."

Source:  WESTCHESTER COUNTY. . . . PELHAM MANOR, New-York Tribune, Jan. 10, 1884, p. 8 col. 4.

"ELECTRIC SPARKS. . . .

NEW ROCHELLE, Jan. 9.  --  Burglars attempted to rob the depot at Pelham Manor yesterday morning, but were driven off by Mr. Dewitt.  An hour after an unsuccessful attempt was made on the residence of Mr. Holloway here, and then the robbers went to the Episcopal church, which they entered, stripping the edifice of all the carpets, which they carried off, together with some vases of value."

Source:  ELECTRIC SPARKS. . . NEW ROCHELLE, The Buffalo Daily Courier [Buffalo, NY], Jan. 10, 1884, Vol. XLIX, No. 10, p. 1, col. 8.  

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND. . . .

On Tuesday night last, the station at Pelham Manor was broken into by thieves, entrance being gained by breaking out a window on the side facing the railroad track.  The depot is supplied with a burglar alarm, the wire of which runs to the residence of the station agent, Mr. Joseph English.  When he was aroused by the ringing, he notified Mr. Thomas D. DeWitt and another gentleman, and the three went to the depot.  On their approach, the burglars, of whom there were two, ran out and across the lots.  Mr. Dewitt called to them to stop, and fired several shots from a revolver, but the burglars returned the fire with compound interest, and made good their escape.  They only succeeded in getting a few cents from the depot.  On the same night, Hollweg's store, at New Rochelle. was broken open but nothing was stolen, and the night before, Ware & Sheffield's store and the Presbyterian Church were robbed."

Source:  PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 11, 1884, Vol. XV, No. 747, p. 3, cols. 3-4.  

"WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

NEW-ROCHELLE.  --  The Episcopal Church was entered yesterday morning by burglars and stripped of all the carpet.  Some vases of value were also taken.

PELHAM MANOR.  --  About one a.m. yesterday Mr. R. C. DeWitt, of Pelham Manor, was aroused by the ringing of his burglar alarm, which indicated that the depot of the New-York New-Haven and Hartford Railroad Company on the Harlem River Branch had been entered by burglars.  Mr. De Witt went to the station, armed with his revolver.  Then he discovered that a couple of burglars had forced their way through a small window into the ticket office.  He fired at them five times, and the robbers in returned fired shot for shot, without effect.  They made their escape from the building, followed by Mr. De Witt and some of his neighbors; but owing to the storm and darkness of the night all trace of them was soon lost.  They obtained only a small amount of money."

Source:  WESTCHESTER COUNTY, New-York Tribune, Jan. 10, 1884, Vol. XLIII, No. 13,570, p. 8, col. 4.  

"SERIES OF BURGLARIES. -- R. C. DeWitt, the station agent at the Pelham Manor station, on the Harlem River branch of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, was awakened from his sleep at about 1:30 o'clock Wednesday morning, by hearing his burglar alarm go off.  He ascertained at once that some one had entered the ticket office of the station.  Seizing his revolver, he went there and found two men in the ticket office.  When they saw him they ran.  He fired several shots after them, and with some neighbors, gave chase.  They returned shot for shot, and, aided by the darkness, succeeded in getting away.  About an hour later, burglars, probably the same fellows, tried to force an entrance into Jacob Holway's store, at New Rochelle, by cutting out a panel in a shutter and breaking a pane of glass, but had to desist.  They then broke into Wars & Sheffield's store, and stole some jewelry.  They next attacked Trinity Episcopal Church, stripped it of its carpets, and also carried away two valuable vases.  The people of New Rochelle are very much alarmed at these repeated burglaries."

Source:  SERIES OF BURGLARIES, The Yonkers Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Jan. 10, 1884, Vol. I, No. 50, p. 1, col. 4.

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Thaddeus Davids of Davids Island Off the Shores of Pelham and New Rochelle

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Davids Island is a 78-acre island in Long Island Sound adjacent to Glen Island off the coasts of New Rochelle and Pelham.  The island is named after Thaddeus Davids who lived in New Rochelle and was famous for "Thaddeus Davids Electro Writing Fluid" and "Thaddeus Davids Ink" during the 19th century.  Davids bought the island in November, 1856.  

The island was part of Thomas Pell's original purchase of lands from local Native Americans in 1654 and remained part of the Manor of Pelham until John and Rachel Pell sold 6,000 acres to Jacob Leisler for the benefit of Huguenot settlers on September 20, 1689.  

In 1862, Thaddeus Davids leased Davids Island to hotelier Simeon Leland who, in turn, subleased it to the United States for the construction of a Civil War military hospital.  De Camp General Hospital was built with wooden structures that eventually sheltered thousands of wounded soldiers.  By late 1862, De Camp was the Army's largest general hospital, housing more than 2,100 patients. According to one source, "[o]riginally, the hospital treated only Union soldiers, but following the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, the War Department opened it to care for hundreds of wounded Confederate soldiers. Davids' Island soon held more than 2,500 Confederate prisoners.  Most had recovered by October and were moved to prisoner of war camps elsewhere."

Detail of 1867 Beers Map Showing Davids Island Adjacent to

Locust Island (Known Today as Glen Island).  Source: Beers,

Ellis & Soule, Atlas of New York and Vicinity From Actual

Surveys By and Under the Direction of F. W. Beers, Assisted by

Geo. E. Warner & Others, p. 7 (Philadelphia, PA: Beers, Ellis & Soule,

1867) ("Plans of East Chester, Pelham and New Rochelle

Westchester Co."). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

I have written before about Pelham's involvement with Davids Island, particularly during the Civil War.  For examples, see:

Wed., Oct. 19, 2016:  Valor in the Waters Off Pelham During a Monumental Snowstorm in 1871.

Wed., Feb. 03, 2016:  Pelham Women Assisted Union Troops and Confederate Prisoners on David's Island During the Civil War.

Wed., Oct. 21, 2015:  Ministering to Troops on Hart and Davids Islands During and Shortly After the Civil War. 

Tue., Nov. 03, 2009:  Pelham Students Help Civil War Soldiers on Davids' Island in 1864. 

Fri., Jun. 3, 2005:  Davids' Island Off the Coast of Pelham Manor During the Civil War.

Though Thaddeus Davids only owned the island for a few years in the late 1850s and early 1860s, the island continues to bear his name.  To learn more about Thaddeus Davids, who served as Supervisor of the Town of New Rochelle and became one of its most notable citizens, see the two extensive obituaries quoted in full below.

Thaddeus Davids in 1879, from the January 21,

1879 Issue of the Graphic.  NOTE:  Click on Image

to Enlarge.

"THADDEUS DAVIDS, ESQ."  Source:

AN HONORED CITIZEN GONE -- One of New Rochelle's

First Pioneer's Useful Life Ended -- WHO AND WHAT MR. DAVIDS

WAS, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jul. 28, 1894, Vol. XXXIV, No. 17,

p. 1, cols. 5-6 & p. 8, col. 1.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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Below is the text of two obituaries that appeared shortly after the death of Thaddeus Davids in 1894.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"THE OBITUARY RECORD.
-----
Thaddeus Davids.

Thaddeus Davids died at his residence, the old Underhill homestead, on Pelham Road, New-Rochelle, early Sunday morning.  He had been a prominent man in Westchester County since the second quarter of the century, and until comparatively recent years he was an active figure in commercial life in this city.  The Thaddeus Davids ink is a familiar and staple article of commerce, but eleven years ago the manufacture and control of this, and all the business connected with it, finally passed out of his hands.

Mr. Davids had nearly completed his eighty-fourth year.  He was born Nov. 16, 1810, in the town of Bedford, Westchester County, N. Y.  He was employed in the ink and stationery trade as early as 1825, and accumulated a large fortune early in life.  He was once the owner of Davids Island, comprising eighty acres of woodland and tillable ground, lying in Long Island Sound off New-Rochelle.  This he leased to the United States Government, which then had a military station on Hart's Island near by, (now owned by New-York City) during the civil war.  The Government afterward bought the island, which is now a recruiting station, and has lately been building a massive mortar battery there.  Mr. Davids, after leaving the island, established his home on Echo Bay, New-Rochelle Harbor.

Since 1883 he had had no business interests, and for six years he had been confined by physical disabilities to one room.  But his brain was as active as ever, and he retained his mental faculties to the end.  His last illness was brief.

Mr. Davids had been thrice married, the last time, thirty-two years ago, to Miss Chase of Providence, R. I., who survives him.  He had twelve children, of whom eight sons and two daughters survive.  Funeral services, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Canedy, will be held in his house to-day."

Source:  THE OBITUARY RECORD -- Thaddeus Davids, N.Y. Times, Jul. 24, 1894, p. 5, col. 2 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"AN HONORED CITIZEN GONE
-----
One of New Rochelle's First Pioneer's Useful Life Ended. 
-----
WHO AND WHAT MR. DAVIDS WAS. 

Having passed the three score and ten allotted to man and added fourteen years more to his life Mr. Thaddeus Davids, whose name is known the wide world over, peacefully breathed his late residence on Pelham Road, Sunday last, after an illness of about three weeks, although he had been an invalid for several years past. 

Mr. Davids was born in the town of Bedford, this County in the year 1810 and when quite young his parents removed to the Tenth Ward of New York City.  

When old enough to seek a livelihood he went into the employ of David Felt, a stationer.  Here he remained some time.  

At the age of fourteen he was employed as assistant to an old Englishman named Kidder, who at the time, about 1824, made writing ink in a small way in New York City.  About a year afterward young Davids employer became ill, and having no relatives or near friends to care for him, was nursed by Davids, to whom he left the little property he possessed at his death, which occurred soon afterward.  The youth had gained knowledge and experience enough to enable him to carry on the business, and in 1825 began it for himself.  He was successful for a time, but being a minor was obliged to make purchases and contracts in his father's name.  This resulted in his being unable to recover $3,000 paid by the United States Government for writing ink and sealing wax furnished by him.  Disappointed and chagrined he gave up the business and went to sea, visiting the West Indies, South America, and the Northwest coast.  While in Columbia, South America, he became acquainted with some of the merchants of that country, receiving from them promises of order when he should venture again into business.  These promises were afterward made good, and were the beginning of the large trade the present house has with the West Indies and Central America. 

An incident is related from a reliable source in this connection which clearly shows how honest Mr. Davids was in all his transactions. 

It appears that during the last year he furnished wax for the Government, an individual known as a go between intimated to Mr. Davids that he added an extra price to the agreed price, and suggested that this extra figure be paid to him (the go between).  Mr. Davids was too honorable a man to enter into such a swindling arrangement, of which fact the officials were soon made aware, and from that time Mr. Davids never sought for a renewal of the contract to furnish the Government officials with the articles which he had been accustomed to furnish them with. 

Thaddeus Davids first ink works were in William street, near where the Brooklyn Bridge crosses it.  He was not suited with his location, his store being too far from the business centre of the city, which was further down town.  He moved to John street, between Cliff and Pearl streets and in 1853 to No. 56 Cliff Street.  In 1856 he moved to the present quarters, where a double six-story and basement building is devoted exclusively to the business.  He married when about eighteen years old, Jane M. Reynolds, of North Castle.  After her death he married in 1847 and again in 1861.  There were children by all three marriages.  His last wife survives him. 

Altogether he was the father of twelve children, ten of whom are living and there are now twenty grandchildren and seven great-grand children. 

Mr. Davids came to this town in the year 1836 and purchased a small piece of property on Cedar Road within a stones throw of where he died.  He then began to increase his ownership of property here and soon held a vast amount of it and at once identified himself with every public measure that he conceived was beneficial to the public interests.  In . . . 1856 he was elected to the office of Supervisor of this town and was re-elected in 1857, 58, 59, 60 and 64.  He was also elected Justice of the Peace in 1863, 64, 65 and 66 and for twenty years held the honored office of Treasurer of the public schools of the town, for which position he received a handsome testimonial from the Board of Education for his valued services.  This testimonial is now hanging in the room lately occupied by him at his late residence.  He was the Trustee of the New Rochelle Savings Bank, was Village Trustees in the years 1858, 59, and 75, and President in 1859 and 1864.  

A few years after his residence here he erected a factory on the property owned by him, now owned by Mrs. George W. Sutton on Echo avenue, and here for some years he manufactured ink, sealing wax and wafers.  

The place was under the supervision of Mr. William Hubsdell.  This existed for some few years, when it was destroyed by fire.  Then the work of manufacturing seals and wafers was taken in charge by the deceased father of the editor of the PIONEER, who up to the time of his death in 1860, carried on that line of business at her property on Franklyn avenue.  At Mr. Sweet's death, the business was assumed by his eldest son Joseph, who has conducted from that period up the the present day, although in the last few years the business has decreased considerably owing to the sharp competition.  When the New Rochelle factory was destroyed by fire Mr. Davids gave his entire attention to his New York department and soon had a most prosperous business.  

In the year 1870 Mr. Davids supervised the planning and building of the present Town Hall and also contributed largely to its erection in many ways, but would not think of accepting one penny for his labors. 

To Mr. Davids is largely due the credit for our present perfection and efficiency, which the public schools in our town today enjoy.  Through his indefatigable zeal and perseverance can be attributed the great success of our educational facilities.  While associated with it for over twenty years he labored most zealously for the welfare of them and when on his retirement from office he was presented by the Board of Education with a beautiful engrossed testimonial.  

When Mr. Davids lived in his handsome residence near the water he named the street which led to it Echo avenue on account of the fine echo of any sound made at this particular point.  A few years later he purchased the island in New Rochelle harbor, which he named Davids Island.  When the war of the Rebellion broke out he aided largely the Union cause, and with the aid of a few sent to the front Company I, of this place.  During the war the United States Government wanted an Eastern station for a hospital, and Mr. Davids cheerfully gave them at a nominal sum the island off this harbor which bears his name and which he had contemplated the erection of a country seat to equal that of the then Austrian Consul, Hugo Futsch, just opposite, and which is now Glen Island.  Davids Island is now a recruiting station.  

In 1853, when there was a decided opposition on the part of the old settlers, to all suggested improvements to the roads, water supply, drainage, etc. on account of anticipated increase in taxes.  Mr. Davids and a few of his intimate friends who advocated improvements of the Village, became convinced that the only way in which they could be undertaken, would be by getting the place incorporated as a village, which was finally carried in 1857 by a majority of two votes.  Many of the old settlers contended that the streets and sidewalks had 

AN HONORED CITIZEN GONE
(Continued from First Page)
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always been good for their fathers and their grandfathers before them, and was therefore good enough for them, and years elapsed before the opponents experienced a change of heart and conformed to the idea that improvements might be a good thing after all, and although Mr. Davids lived to know and realize the fact that his suggestions had been successfully carried out, he was deprived by long continued sickness from taking an active part of even witnessing the progress of the work and increased prosperity of the village. 

Mr. Davids was a very prominent Odd Fellow.  In fact he at one time held the office of Grand Treasurer of the New York District and was much interested in the advancement of the Order, even up to within a few weeks of his death.  About twenty-five years ago he was a charter member of the National Lodge of New York and did considerable to give that lodge prominence in the annals of the order. 

He was also one of the builders of the Odd Fellows Hall, at Grand and Center streets, New York and on his removal to this town, started a lodge here which continued for many years until death removed most all of its members.  

Mr. Davids amassed a fortune through ink, and his place on Echo avenue was one of the attractive spots on the Sound.  In 1883 reverses came to him through mistaken confidence, and the business which he had fostered went into the hand of a receiver to satisfy creditors.  He gave up all property and had but his reputation left.  The blow was crushing and shortly after he was taken with a stroke of paralysis, rendering him helpless.  

Mr. Davids was in every sense the father of improvements in New Rochelle. No one resident has even done so much as he has for its welfare.  He it was who built the first public dock we ever had, to him is due the credit of having placed the first load of blue stone on the streets of our village, while in numerous other ways he did much for the town he resided in.

In politics he was a staunch Democrat and in all his political life was found to be an honest and conscientious official. His word was always as good as his bond and to take advantage of any one was a thought that never entered his head. To those of our older residents who were personally acquainted with him and who survive him today will he ever be held in loving remembrances. 

His funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Charles F. Canedy, Rector of Trinity Church, officiated.  Mrs. Edwin Harmer rendered the musical portion of the services.  Although his widow desired a quiet and unostentatious funeral there was a large attendance. 

The remains were encased in a handsome casket, surrounded by and abundance of floral emblems. 

The interment was made in the family plot in Beechwood Cemetery.  

To the widow and relatives of the deceased is extended the sympathy of a sorrowing community."

Source:  AN HONORED CITIZEN GONE -- One of New Rochelle's First Pioneer's Useful Life Ended -- WHO AND WHAT MR. DAVIDS WAS, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jul. 28, 1894, Vol. XXXIV, No. 17, p. 1, cols. 5-6 & p. 8, col. 1.  

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More on the Glen-Drake Rifle Range in Pelhamville During the 1870s

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In the autumn of 1874, a group of New York State National Guardsmen who were members of the American Rifle Association (the original name of today's National Rifle Association) secured land for a small rifle range that permitted target shooting at 200 yards.  The group was led by Colonel John T. Underhill of the 27th Regiment Infantry, National Guard of the State of New York.  By the following spring, however, it was clear that the range was too small and a new location would have to be secured.  

Colonel Underhill was charged with finding a larger and more suitable site for a rifle range to be used by National Guardsmen for rifle practice, drilling, and encampments.  In a report he prepared on November 29, 1875, Col. Underhill wrote "[a]fter considerable labor and some expense," a site at Pelhamville "was selected and secured, targets at once erected and practice commenced."

The new rifle range, named "Glen-Drake" Rifle Range, opened formally in October, 1875. According ton one source, Glen-Drake range was "situated two-thirds of a mile north of the depot of the New York and New Haven Railroad at Pelhamville, with a road running in a straight line from the depot to the range."   Source:  "Annual Report of the Adjutant General" in Documents of the Senate of the State of New York Ninety-Ninth Session - 1876, Vol. I -- Nos. 1 to 17 Inclusive, pp. 332-33 (Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons and Company, 1876) (quoted in full below).  This would place the rifle range, very roughly speaking, alongside today's Fifth Avenue roughly at 6th Street.

The rifle range immediately became a popular destination for spectators who wanted to watch the many shooting competitions held there.  Indeed, there is a news story, quote below, that indicates that over 2,500 people visited the range during shooting competitions on a single day in 1875.  

I have written about the Glen-Drake Rifle Range in Pelhamville on several occasions.  See:

Fri., Feb. 05, 2016:  More on the Glen-Drake Rifle Range Once Located in Pelhamville.

Tue., Jul. 28, 2009:  Account of Christmas Shooting Matches in 1875 at the Glen-Drake Rifle Range in Pelhamville.

Wed., Apr. 22, 2009:  1877 Account of Competition for De Peyster Medal at the Glen Drake Range in Pelhamville.  

Mon., Apr. 20, 2009:  Only Known Image of the Glen-Drake Rifle Range Near Pelhamville.

Wed., Apr. 01, 2009:  Evidence of a "Glen-Drake" Rifle Range in Pelhamville During the 1870s.

Only Known Image of the Glen-Drake Rifle Range in Pelhamville.  Note the

National Guardsmen Marching in Formation Through the Gate and the

Canvass Targets in the Distance as Well as Tents on the Grounds of the

Range. The Structure on the Hill in the Distance Just Above the Upper Left

Corner of the Gate May Be the Little Schoolhouse that Once Stood

Where Today's Hutchinson Elementary School Stands. Source: Starr, George

C., The Forest and Stream Hand-Book for Riflemen, p. 7 (NY, NY: J. B. Ford &

Co., 1876).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes several news stories about shooting events held at the Glen Drake Range in Pelhamville during late 1875 and early 1876.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

*          *          *          *          *

"SHOOTING AT GLENDRAKE.
-----

The second day's meeting of the American Rifle Association took place yesterday at Glen Drake near Pelhamville, Westchester county.  The first contest was a subscription match.  The winners were:  --  Lieutenant Hofele, 20 points; John Gorham, 18; H. Fisher, ,16.  The prizes in the subscription match, at 500 yards, were won by H. Fisher, 23; Lieutenant Hofele, 18; John Gorham, 18.

The Ladies' Match was won by A. W. Peck on a score of 22.  G. O. Starr took the second prize, with 17 points, and Captain E. Cardoze came in third on a score of 10 points.

Shooting for the Westchester Cup was not finished last night.  To-morrow a subscription match, an all-comers' contest and a competition for the De Peyster Badge, valued at $300, will occur."

Source:  SHOOTING AT GLENDRAKE, The New York Herald, Oct. 29, 1875, p. 5, cols. 2-3. 

"THE RIFLE.
-----

The American Rifle Team will shoot off at Creedmoor, on the 29th inst., for the Providence prize won in October last.  

On the 25th inst. (next Thursday) the American Rifle Association are to hold a meeting on their ranges at Glen  Drake.  Five matches are to be shot, namely, the All Comers', a Subscription, De Peyster badge -- team matches -- and 'an old time turkey shoot.'"

Source:  THE RIFLE, The New York Herald, Nov. 19, 1875, p. 5, col. 6.

"THANKSGIVING DAY
-----
A Day of General Gladmess and Rejoicing.
-----
The Family Reunions and Family Dinners.
-----
THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. . . .

The American Rifle Association offers a series of prizes to be contested at Glen Drake Range, near Pelhamville, Westchester county, concluding with an 'old time turkey shoot.'  Company G, Seventy-first regiment, Captain Weber commanding, will hold a friendly contest at the same place with Company B, Twenty-seventh regiment, of Westchester, Thursday.

The American Rifle Association of Mount Vernon have made arrangements for a lively time.  Company G, Seventy-first regiment, N.G.S.N.Y., will participate in the shooting matches to take place at Glen Drake.  At Mount Vernon the company will be received by Company B, Twenty-seventh regiment, and escorted through the village and thence to Glen Drake.  The De Peyster Badge and several other prizes will be contested for, after which some poultry prizes will be shot for. . . ."

Source:  THANKSGIVING DAY -- A Day of General Gladmess and Rejoicing -- The Family Reunions and Family Dinners -- THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS, The New York Herald, Nov. 24, 1875, p. 5, col. 6.

"THE RIFLE IN WESTCHESTER -- A GALA DAY AMONG MARKSMEN AT GLEN DRAKE RANGE.

Under the auspices of the American Rifle Association, a series of interesting matches came off yesterday at Glen Drake range, near Pelhamville, Westchester county.  As some of the prizes to be shot for were open to all sorts and conditions of marksmen, and as the weather was all that could be desired, the attendance was large, it being estimated that not less than 2,500 persons visited the grounds during the day.

First on the programme was a 'Subscription Match,' distance 300 yards; any rifle; trigger pull, three pounds; position, standing and firing from the shoulder; entrance fee $1.  One-half of the entrance money to be for the benefit of the association; balance to be divided among the three highest scores; entrances not limited.  The firing in this match was at a 200 yards target, each competitor being allowed five shots, in addition to two sighting shots.  When the shooting ceased at four o'clock, F. Hyde was declared the highest scorer, having made twenty points out of a possible twenty-five.  The remaining two highest scores were not known when darkness set in.

The next was an 'All Comers' Match,' the distance, targets and conditions being similar to the foregoing, excepting that each man had seven shots.  To the winners in this contest there were offered five prizes, varying in value from $35 to $5.  The following are the names of the successful contestants and their scores out of a possible thirty-five:  --  Frederick Backofen, Company G., Forty seventh regiment N.G.S.N.Y., 26; Philip Crookspire, Company K, Twenty-seventh regiment N.G.S.N.Y., 24; Colonel George D. Scott, 24; Sergeant W. A. French, Seventh regiment N.G.S.N.Y., 24; Ordnance Sergeant T. R. Murphy, Eighth regiment N.G.S.N.Y., 24.

Another and without doubt the most interesting contest was the 'De Peyster Badge Match,' open only to members of the National Guard, in uniform.  The badge is of gold, appropriately designed and richly chased.  Its value is about $400.  This must be won three times before any member can lay claim to it.  The weapons used were military rifles, the distance, position, &c., being the same as in the two preceding matches.  The competitors had each seven shots at the target.  In this match Frederick Backofen took the prize, scoring twenty-five out of a possible thirty-five.

The 'old time turkey shoot,' provided the opposite to lucrative on the part of the projectors.  In the first place, it was intended that the head of a live turkey should be exposed as a target, but Mr. Bergh, having received an intimation of the proposed cruelty to birds, placed his veto on that particular feature of the sport.  Accordingly it was decided to decapitate the turkeys, and then allow the head and neck of each bird to be operated upon by the marksmen at a distance of 100 yards with regulation muskets.  The entrance fee was fifteen cents per shot.  Before the receipts had commenced to accumulate the stock of turkeys rapidly decreased, and when a party took two birds out of four shots there was a hearty laugh given by the spectators, which was changed to a roar as Philip Crookspire, after firing six shots, carried off the last four turkeys remaining, and thus put an end to the fun."

Source:  THE RIFLE IN WESTCHESTER -- A GALA DAY AMONG MARKSMEN AT GLEN DRAKE RANGE, The New York Herald, Nov. 26, 1875, p. 7, col. 2.

"THE RIFLE.
-----

The American Rifle Association has proposed a series of matches that are to come off to-morrow at the ranges near Glen Drake, Pelhamville, N.Y.  The following matches will be contested:  --  

SUBSCRIPTION MATCH.  --  Distance, 300 yards; any rifle; trigger pull, three pounds; position, off-hand; entrance fee, $1.  One-half of entrance money to be for benefit of association; balance divided between three highest scores.  Hours of shooting -- 10:30 A.M. to 1 P.M., and 1:30 P.M. to 4 P.M.  Entries are not limited.

ALL-COMERS' MATCH.  --  Conditions  --  Distance, 300 yards; any rifle; trigger pull, three pounds; position, off-hand; entrance, $1 to members, $1 50 to others.  Hours of shooting -- 10:30 A.M. to 1 P.M., and 1:30 P.M. to 4 P.M.  First prize, $20 value; second prize, $15 value; third prize, $10 value; fourth prize, $5 value; fifth prize, $3 value.

DE PEYSTER BADGE MATCH.  (Presented by General J. Watts De Peyster; value, $300.)  --  Distance, 300 yards; open to any bona fide member of the National Guard; military rifles only; position, off-hand; trigger pull, six pounds; seven scoring shots, two sighting shots; contestants must shoot in uniform.

LADIES' MATCH.  --  Prizes, three in number, valued at $15, $10 $6.  Conditions  --  Distance, 300 yards; any rifle; trigger pull, not less than three pounds; position, off-hand; entrance fee, $1.  Hours of shooting -- 10:30 A.M. to 1 P.M., and 1:30 P.M. to 4 P.M."

Source:  THE RIFLE, The New York Herald, Dec. 24, 1875, p. 6, col. 5.  

"WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY. . . . 

The American Rifle Association have made up a series of rifle matches to be contested on their ranges at Glen Drake near Pelhamville.  The boys are wiping out their old Antietam muskets and making ready for sharp practice. . . ."

Source:  WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY, The New York Herald, Feb. 19, 1876, p. 10, col. 3.

"AMERICAN RIFLE ASSOCIATION.
-----

The American Rifle Association have made arrangements for a meeting on their ranges at Glen Drake, near Pelhamville, on Tuesday next.  The programme embraces three matches.  The first is a subscription match; distance, 300 yards; any rifle; off hand; entrance fee $1; one-half of the money to be divided among those who make the three best scores.  Entries not limited.  The second is an all-comers' match; distance, 300 yards; any rifle; off hand; entrance fee $1 to members, $1 50 to all others.  First prize a $25 badge, second prize a $15 badge and third prize $3 in value.  Third match -- Distance, 300 yards; military rifles only; off hand; open to bona fide members of the National Guard in uniform; entrance fee $1 for members, $1 50 for all others.  First prize a $25 badge, second prize a $15 badge and third prize $3 in value."

Source:  AMERICAN RIFLE ASSOCIATION, The New York Herald, Feb. 20, 1876, p. 6, col. 5.  

"SHOOTING AT GLEN DRAKE.
-----

The spring meeting of the American Rifle Association at Glen Drake range yesterday was very poorly attended, owing, doubtless, to a misunderstanding, arising out of the inevitable postponement on account of the weather, of the programme arranged for the preceding day.  There were fifteen entries for the All Comers' match, the conditions of which were:  --  Distance, 200 yards; position, off hand; rifle, any within rules; military rifle allowed five points.  The first prize in this match was a pickle service, valued at $25, which was won by Major F. Shonnard, who presented it to the association with the understanding that it be shot for at a future day on conditions to be named by himself.  The second prize, a silver cruet stand, was carried off by Henry Grohman.  Next on the programme was a military match, off hand; distance, similar to the foregoing, five shots with military rifles.  This was won by Frederick Crookspeare, who scored 21 out of a possible 25.  The prize was a handsome gold military badge.  A subscription match at the same distance and under corresponding conditions with the two former followed.  The entries numbered eighteen.  In the contest one-half of the entrance money went to the association, the residue being divided among the three highest scorers.  The first and second prizes were awarded to D. F. Davids, who scored 21 out of a possible 25, the third prize being secured by Major Shonnard, whose score numerically equalled that of the first named.  A subscription match, distance, 500 yards; position, any; rifle, any within rules; military rifle allowed five points, closed the day's proceedings.  For this match there were seventeen entries.  It was won by Major Shonnard, who scored 21 points out of a possible 25, and which, with the allowance of five points on his military rifle, carried his score ahead of that of F. F Davids, who made 23 points on the target.  The De Peyster badge, valued at $300, will be once more contested for to-day."

Source:  SHOOTING AT GLEN DRAKE, The New York Herald, May 20, 1876, p. 3, col. 6. 

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