Historic Pelham: John E. Price of City Island, One of Pelham's Earliest Commercial Oystermen

Not much is known of the earliest oystermen in the Town of Pelham. Not much, of course, was done to document their lives during the early to mid-19th century. By piecing together snippets from a wide variety of sources, however, it is possible to assemble a rough portrait of some of those pioneer oystermen. One such pioneer oystermen was John E. Price, among the earliest oystermen to operate from City Island in the Town of Pelham.

According to a host of sources including several Federal census records, John E. Price was born in New York in about 1826. As a young man in the 1850s he began oystering from City Island in the Town of Pelham. At the time, the natural oyster beds off the shores of Pelham were rich with the bivalves. Additionally, oystermen in the region were just developing the practice of "planting" oyster beds in the waters of Long Island Sound. Thus, Price began oystering at the best possible time.

According to an obituary, Price soon "started a string of boats, and made a comfortable fortune" by oystering off the shores of Pelham.

As one might expect, John E. Price planted and maintained oyster beds in Long Island Sound. This is known because in 1879, famed City Island oysterman Joshua Leviness became the first person in the State of New York charged with illegally dredging oysters using steam power. At trial, the attorney for Leviness argued that Leviness was hired by the owner of an artificial oyster bed that was adjacent to a bed planted by John E. Price to harvest the owner's oysters from his bed. The attorney contended that the statute did not bar steam-powered equipment when dredging one's own oysters from one's own artificial bed -- only when dredging natural beds or unlawfully dredging the artificial beds of others. The argument failed and Leviness was convicted.

The Federal Censuses for the Town of Pelham in 1850, 1860, and 1870 suggest that oysterman John Price married a woman named Caroline who was born in New York and was three years younger than he and that the couple had several children including: (1) Stephen, born in about 1847; (2) John E., born in about 1850; (3) Robert H., born in about 1856; (4) Charlie S., born in about 1858; (5) Annie, born in about 1861; (6) Sarah, born in about 1863; (7) Maura, born in about 1866; (8) Mable E, born in about 1868; (9) Jennie, born in about 1869; and (10) William, birth date unknown. A brief obituary in a local newspaper indicates that Jennie died at the age of 16 in 1885 of "lingering consumption."

Brief newspaper clippings from the 1880s and 1890s shed a little light on the life of John E. Price. For example, he was hailed as a hero in December, 1881 for saving the life of City Island oysterman Joseph Horton. Horton was operating a skiff with a sail while oystering off the shores of City Island. The sail snagged on a stake marking the boundary of an oyster bed, capsizing Horton's boat. Horton scrambled out of the cold water and climbed onto the bottom of the skiff bobbing upside down in the waters of Long Island Sound. He began to shout.

John Price and one of his sons were out oystering as well. They heard Horton's shouts and rescued him from his imperiled condition.

Several different accounts emphasized John Price's love for sailing and rowing in the waters of Long Island Sound for fun. Indeed, an obituary noted that he rowed all around in the waters off the shores of City Island only days before his death in 1910 at the age of 85. Another example was a sailing race Price ran against Samuel Pell of City Island in September, 1885. Pell raced his large oyster sloop Louise H. Price raced a smaller oyster sloop, the Wm. H. Lockwood. Because Pell's boat was so much larger, Pell had to give a "time allowance" (i.e., spot Price some time). Although the race was highly anticipated, there was no wind that day. The race began at 1:00 p.m. from City Island Bridge and only involved a ten-mile course, but with no wind it took the sloops until dark to complete the race. Pell's sloop, the Louise H., finished 3 minutes and 20 seconds ahead, but when the time allowance was considered, Price's sloop, the Wm. H. Lockwood, was declared the winner by 47 seconds.

As one of the earliest oystermen on City Island, John E. Price became one of the most respected mariners in the Town. His counsel and guidance were sought by oystermen throughout the island.

Members of John E. Price's family also gained similar respect. For example, one of his sons, John E. Price, Jr., was a leader of City Island oystermen during the infamous 1895 Oyster War about which I have written before. See:

Wed., Jun. 24, 2015: The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part I.

Thu., Jun. 25, 2015: The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part II.

In 1899 John E Price had the sad duty of searching for and discovering the body of his friend, Thomas Collins. Collins was 80 years old at the time of his death and was said to have been, at the time, "the oldest fisherman of City Island." Since the 1840s Collins had been engaged in the oystering trade and fished the waters around City Island. Indeed, he and John Price had virtually grown old together oystering in Long Island Sound near City Island. Yet, on April 8, 1899, Collins headed to the oyster beds near City Island for the last time.

No one knew what happened. In the evening, two of his sons returned home and were surprised not to see their father. They searched for him, but found only his rowboat overturned on a nearby beach where it had been washed ashore. All of City Island was called out to search for old Thomas Collins in the waters around City Island. According to the New York Times:

"It was almost 9 o'clock, however, before John Fordham, John Price, and Henry Glazier, grappling from the sides of their boat, came upon something heavy. It was the body of their old friend Collins. They towed the body to shore and stretched it on the beach. A doctor sad the body had been in the water for at least four hours. It was taken to the Collins home at 31 Carroll Street."

John E. Price died in his home at 146 King Avenue on November 24, 1910. He was found dead "of paralysis" (likely a stroke) by William Price, one of his sons. According to his obituary, "until a few days ago was able to row around the island as easily as any boatman of the younger generation. He owned some property near his home."

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Below is the text of a number of newspaper articles that touch on the life of City Island oysterman John E. Price. Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"STEAM DREDGING FOR OYSTERS.

Yesterday in the Court of Sessions, at White Plains, the first case under chapter 302 of the Laws of 1878, providing that in none of the waters of the State of New York shall dredging for oysters be done by steam power, was tried before Judge Silas D. Giffor and Associate Justices Howe and Lawrence. The District Attorney was assisted by ex-Judge J. M. Peters, and Martin J. Keogh was counsel for the defendant. The indictment in the action charges that Joshua Leviness, an oysterman, dredged on John Price's oyster-bed with his steam dredge in violation of the statute. It appeared that Charles McClellan owns, or is reputed to own, an adjoining oyster bed, and that Leviness had been engaged to take up some of the oysters for him. When he got to the boundaries of the bed he had to go upon Price's bed but did not dredge thereon or raise any of the oysters. These beds are in Long Island Sound, off the Town of Pelham, near City Island. The defense claimed that they had the right to dredge for their property by whatever means they chose. Inasmuch as it was not a natural bed of oysters. The prosecution, and the Judge in charging the jury, said that the letter of the law 'dredging for oysters in the waters of the State by steam power,' had been violated, and the jury found Leviness guilty of dredging upon private grounds."

Source: STEAM DREDGING FOR OYSTERS, N.Y. Times, Dec. 9, 1879, p. 5, cols. 1-2.

"City Island. . . .

Just before sunrise on Saturday morning last, Mr. Joseph Horton, with a sail in his skiff, started out to work. The sail caught in an oyster stake off House Rock, capsizing his boat. Mr. Horton climbed up on the bottom of the boat and set his vocal powers to work, and was heard by some oystermen and was rescued by Capt. John Price and Son. Mr. Horton was very numb with the cold when picked up and is now confined to his bed. . . ."

Source: City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 16, 1881, Vol. XIII, No. 639, p. 2, col. 4.

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND. . . .

Miss Jennie, daughter of Mr. John Price, died of lingering consumption on Monday afternoon last, and was buried from the M. E. Church, Wednesday. The young lady was 16 years of age. . . ."

Source: PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 15, 1885, Vol. XVI, No. 817, p. 3, col. 3.

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND. . . .

The match race between the oyster sloops, Louise H. owned by Mr. Samuel Pell, and Wm. H. Lockwood, owned by Mr. John Price came off last Saturday, as announced, but it was rather a tame affair as there was little or no wind, the boats being nearly six hours going over the course of ten miles. The boats started about one o'clock from City Island bridge and it was nearly dark when they returned to the starting point. The Louise got in 3 minutes and 20 seconds ahead, but as she is a larger boat than the Lockwood, and had to give time allowance, the later won the race by 47 seconds. The friends of the respective boats each think their favorite is the smarter and the late contest will, in all probability, result in another, when it is hoped the conditions of the weather will be more favorable to a more exciting race."

Source: PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 4, 1885, Vol. XVI, No. 833, p. 2, col. 4.

"OLD FISHERMAN DROWNED.
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Thomas Collins's Boat Comes Ashore Alone at City Island -- Body Found.

The body of Thomas Collins, known as the oldest fisherman of City Island, was found last night in the oyster beds near Rodman's Neck, from which he had gained a livelihood for the last fifty years. He was 80 years old.

Collins was in the habit of going alone on the Sound to catch fish and gather oysters. He had three sons, and for many years they helped him, but recently all got jobs as clerks and left their father to ply the old trade by himself.

Yesterday afternoon, the sky being clear, he ventured to the foot of Carroll Street, where he had his boathouse, with the intention of rowing out to the oyster beds. He was not expected home until suppertime, and his daughter set the table in anticipation of his return.

At about 6 o'clock his two sons, Frank and Stephen came home for their supper and inquired for their father. They waited until 7 o'clock and then started a search. They found their father's rowboat overturned on the beach north of the boathouse, the tide having washed it ashore. Immediately the little colony of fishermen on the island was informed and about fifty of them went with lanterns and grappling hooks in rowboats and launches to the oyster beds, about 600 feet from shore.

It was almost 9 o'clock, however, before John Fordham, John Price, and Henry Glazier, grappling from the sides of their boat, came upon something heavy. It was the body of their old friend Collins. They towed the body to shore and stretched it on the beach. A doctor sad the body had been in the water for at least four hours. It was taken to the Collins home at 31 Carroll Street."

Source: OLD FISHERMAN DROWNED -- Thomas Collins's Boat Comes Ashore Alone at City Island -- Body Found, N.Y. Times, Apr. 9, 1899.

"STORM AT CITY ISLAND.
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Wind and Lightning Combine to do Considerable Damage.
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During the thunderstorm which passed over City Island yesterday lightning struck the flagstaff on the large yacht shed in the shipyard of Robert Jacob. This is the second pole struck by lightning in this shipyard within two weeks.

Another bolt struck the chimney of Dr. Seifert's residence, completely demolishing it and tearing away a portion of the roof of his house. The occupants were badly frightened, but no one was injured.

A tree in the Pelham Cemetery was struck, and at the residence of John Price, an oysterman, the chimney was carried away by the wind."

Source: STORM AT CITY ISLAND -- Wind and Lightning Combine to do Considerable Damage, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 28, 1900, p. 5, col. 4.

"Old City Island Oysterman Dead.

John E. Price, one of the first oyster men on City Island, was found dead of paralysis at his home, 146 King Avenue, last night, by his son, William. He was 84 years old. He was known to every one on City Island, and until a few days ago was able to row around the island as easily as any boatman of the younger generation. He owned some property near his home."

Source: Old City Island Oysterman Dead, N.Y. Times, Nov. 25, 1910, p. 11, col. 6 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"Pioneer Oysterman Dead.

John E. Price, the pioneer oysterman of City Island, died suddenly at his home, No. 146 King Street, City Island, last night in his eighty-fifth year. He went to City Island sixty years ago, when oysters were plentiful in the neighboring waters, started a string of boats, and made a comfortable fortune. When the supply gave out he retired, but was very active up to a month ago, spending most of his time rowing about City Island."

Source: Pioneer Oysterman Dead, The Evening Post [NY, NY], Nov. 25, 1910, p. 14, col. 4.

"PIONEER OYSTERMAN DEAD.
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John E. Price, the pioneer oysterman of City Island, died suddenly at his home, 146 King street, City Island, on Thursday night of last week, in his 85th year.

He went to City Island 60 years ago, when oysters were plentiful in the neighboring waters, started a string of boats, and made a comfortable fortune. When the supply gave out, he retired, but was very active up to a month ago, spending most of his time rowing about City Island."

Source: PIONEER OYSTERMAN DEAD, New Rochelle Pioneer, Dec. 3, 1910, p. 2, col. 5.

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The oystering industry was, for decades, a critically-important economic activity in the Town of Pelham. Many residents of City Island made their living from the industry or ran businesses that catered to the oystermen. Accordingly, I have written about Pelham oystering on many, many occasions. See, e.g.:

Thu., May 11, 2017: Nineteenth Century Fake News: Announced Discovery of Another Great Oyster Bed in 1871 Led to a Near "Oyster Riot".

Wed., Mar. 29, 2017: Important Description of the Oyster Industry in Pelham in 1853.

Thu., Feb. 11, 2016: Was a City Island Hotel Keeper Among the First to Learn of the Great Oyster Bed Discovered in 1859?

Wed., Jun. 24, 2015: The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part I.

Thu., Jun. 25, 2015: The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part II.

Mon., Dec. 01, 2014: Jury Finds City Island Oystermen Guilty of Stealing Oysters from Planted Bed in 1878.

Tue., Nov. 11, 2014: Efforts by Herman Le Roy, Jr. of Pelham to Build an Oyster Pond in the 1830's.

Thu., Aug. 07, 2014: Oysterman Joshua Leviness of City Island Accused of Stealing Oysters Near High Island in 1883.

Tue., Feb. 04, 2014: Pelham: Once Oyster Capital of the World.

Thu., Mar. 25, 2010: Discovery of "The Great Oyster Bed" in Long Island Sound in 1859.

Wed., Mar. 24, 2010: The Oyster War of 1884 Between Glen Cove and City Island Intensifies.

Tue., Mar. 23, 2010: Yet Another "Oyster War" in 1884; Glen Cove Officials Feud with City Island and Connecticut Oystermen.

Mon., Mar. 22, 2010: 77-Year Old City Island Oysterman Joshua Leviness Reminisces in Testimony Provided in 1884.

Fri., Mar. 19, 2010: The New York Legislature Stepped Into the Oyster War on Long Island Sound in 1895.

Thu., Mar. 18, 2010: 1859 Town of Huntington Record Reflecting Dispute with City Island Oystermen.

Wed., Mar. 17, 2010: Report of September 13, 1884 Tour of Oyster Beds by Captain Joshua Leviness of City Island.

Tue., March 16, 2010: More on 19th Century Oystering in Pelham - Descriptions of Oyster Beds Off Hart Island, City Island and in Pelham Bay Published in 1887.

Mon., Mar. 15, 2010: More on 19th Century City Island Oyster Industry - City Island Oystermen Complaint of Pollution.

Fri., Mar. 12, 2010: Early History of Oystering in the Waters Off City Island in the Town of Pelham.

Thu., Mar. 11, 2010: The "Great Oyster War" Between City Island and Tarrytown in 1877 and 1878.

Thu., Dec. 3, 2009: Pelham News on May 30, 1884 Including Allegations of Oyster Larceny and Meeting of the Pelhamville Improvement Association.