James Burnett of Pelham Manor: Chief Pooh-Bah and Jack of All Trades

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James D. Burnett was a celebrated citizen of Pelham Manor during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  He served as Chief of Constables for the Town of Pelham and, later, became a member of the Village of Pelham Manor Police Department where he served into the 1920s.  

In 1896, newspapers in the region made much of the many jobs James Burnett held simultaneously.  In 1896, Burnett served simultaneously as:  (1) Deputy Sheriff; (2) Westchester County Game Constable; (3) Town of Pelham Chief of Constables; (4) Street Commissioner of the Village of Pelham Manor; (5) Lamp-Lighter for the Village of Pelham (Pelham Heights); (6) Lamp-Lighter for the Village of Pelham Manor; (7) Janitor of Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church; (8) Janitor of the Manor Club; and (9) Janitor of a local school.  

James D. Burnett, it seems, was Pelham Manor's Chief Pooh-Bah and Jack-of-All-Trades.  At times, however, he was a little too busy with all his duties to perform his work.

For example, when New York City annexed a large portion of the Town of Pelham in 1895, it set the boundary of Pelham Bay Park with the Village of Pelham Manor, but also annexed a long, narrow strip of Pelham Manor just outside of Pelham Bay Park.  The area became known as "No-Man's Land."  I have written before about "No-Man's Land" in Pelham.  See:

Thu., Feb. 27, 2014:  More About the Fabled "No-Man's Land" of Pelham Manor: A Tiny Strip of New York City.

Mon., Dec. 5, 2005:  The Fabled "No-Man's Land" of Pelham Manor: A Tiny Strip of New York City.

In 1896, shortly after annexation became finalized, Mount Vernon barbers had a bright idea.  Blue Laws in Mount Vernon barred them from providing barber services on Sunday.  New York City, however, had no Blue Laws applicable to barbers at the time.  In early February of that year, Mount Vernon barbers set themselves up in "backrooms" in buildings located in "No-Man's Land."  They told their customers that that could take a trip to No Man's Land on Sundays and that "a shave, shampoo, mustache curl and trolley ride from and to Mount Vernon could be had for 25 cents."  

Though No-Man's Land was part of New York City, not Pelham, some complained that the Mount Vernon barbers were violating the Sunday Blue Laws and that Burnett should do something about it.  Chief of Constables James D. Burnett, however, said that "he was too busy to look after the law violators" noting not only that he held so many positions, but also that he had begun "studying law."  He told complainants, however, he would "find time" on a subsequent Sunday to look into the matter. . . . .

1899 Map by John Fairchild Showing Beech Tree Lane Section of Pelham.

White Strip Extending from Lower Left to Upper Right with Words "New York

City" Shows Portion of No-Man's Land That, Today, Includes Elm Tree Lane.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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Below is the text of a pair of articles published in 1896 that touch on the subject of today's Historic Pelham article.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"James Burnett's Nine Offices.

PELHAM MANOR, Feb. 8. -- James Burnett of Pelham Manor, who was recently appointed County Gamekeeper, is village constable, janitor of the public school, lamp-lighter for Pelham Manor and Pelham Heights, janitor of the Manor Club, janitor of the Presbyterian Church, village Street Commissioner, and Deputy Sheriff."

Source:  James Burnett's Nine Offices, N.Y. Times, Feb. 9, 1896, Vol. XLV, No. 13,875, p. 1, col. 5 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"SHAVE AND TROLLEY RIDE. 
----- 
Go Together in Pelham, Which Has a Pooh-Bah Constable. 

When the recent annexation act went into effect, that part of the town of Pelham wherein lived the town officials was gathered in by New York City. The remainder is now know as No Man's Land. Mount Vernon barbers against whom the Sunday law operates resolved to do business in No Man's Land. Word was passed around among their customers that by taking a trip to No Man's Land on Sunday, a shave, shampoo, mustache curl and trolley ride from and to Mount Vernon could be had for 25 cents. The barbers established themselves in saloon backrooms, restaurants and hotels last Sunday and did a rousing business. 

James Burnett, who is town constable of the territory, said he was too busy to look after the law violators. Burnett, as well as being Chief Constable, is County Game Constable, janitor of the Presbyterian Church, Street Commissioner of the Village of Pelham Manor, village policeman, janitor of the public school, street lamplighter for Pelham Manor and Pelham Heights, janitor of the Manor Club and Deputy Sheriff. He expects shortly to run an express between New York and No Man's Land. In the interval between his labors, he is studying law. He says he will find time next Sunday to watch the Mount Vernon barbers." 

Source:  Shave and Trolley Ride, The World, Feb 11, 1896, p. 15, col. 5.

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