Historic Pelham: Patrick L. Rogers of Pelham and His Estate Along Shore Road in the 19th Century

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During the Civil War, one of the largest tracts in the Town of Pelham that fronted Long Island Sound along what we know today as Shore Road belonged to Patrick L. Rogers. The tract was immediately southwest of today's boundary between Pelham Manor and Pelham Bay Park. It overlooked Hunter's Island, from the mainland.

Patrick L. Rogers died in 1864. His will (transcribed below) named his wife, Sarah, and a number of his friends as executors of his estate. That estate included a massive 175-acre tract along today's Shore Road. He left his real and personal property to his wife and children.

Upon Patrick's death, the executors began the work to administer the estate. It took a number of years, but much of the tract finally was offered for sale by auction in 1869. A number of advertisements for this important auction appeared in newspapers published throughout the region. (An image of one such advertisement and a transcription of its text appear at the end of today's article.)

I have written before about this important land auction. See:

Mon., Jul. 31, 2006: Sale at Auction of P. L. Rogers Estate on Mainland Across from Hunter's Island in Pelham in 1869.

Thu., Feb. 18, 2010: 1869 Advertisement for Auction of Portion of 175 Acres in Town of Pelham Owned by P.L. Rogers.

The auction of a portion of the Rogers estate in 1869 encompassed "a portion" of the 175-acre property owned by Patrick L. Rogers before his death. The auction was held on Saturday, April 3, 1869 at the Mott Haven Railroad Depot. Why was the auction held at Mott Haven rather than Pelham? At the time, the Mott Haven Railroad Depot was the very first railroad station across the Harlem River from Manhattan -- likely an effort to select an accessible location between Manhattan and lower Westchester County to attract the most buyers.

Advertisements for the auction touted important features of this spectacular Pelham property. First, it was situated in Pelham -- a major selling point at the time. Second, it overlooked Hunter's Island and Long Island Sound. Third, it was conveniently located only eight miles from Harlem Bridge. Fourth, it was on the line of the Harlem and Portchester Railroad, an early transportation artery into and out of New York City. Fifth, it was within "two minutes' walk of the new Pelham depot." Sixth and, perhaps, most importantly (and, thus, printed in all capital letters in the advertisement) a critical roadway passed through the property. It was described as "THE HARLEM AND NEW ROCHELLE BOULEVARD PASSES THROUGH THE PROPERTY." This was an early reference to what we know today as Shore Road.

The heirs of Patrick L. Rogers offered the land in plots of 1-1/2 acre to 7-acre plots. While the auction clearly was intended to attract those who sought residential "villa plots," real estate speculators were not ignored. Advertisements emphasized that "Buyers and capitalists will do well to invest in the above property, in view of the improvements being carried out in that neighborhood."

Advertisements also indicated as follows: "For maps and particulars inquire of CHARLES D. MOTT, 25 Pine street and at Fourth avenue, corner 125th st." There are no known maps or other printed "particulars" now known that illustrate the auction offerings made available on April 3, 1869. Perhaps, one day, some will surface.

Detail From 1868 Beers Map Showing Location of the P. L. Rogers Estate

Along Today's Shore Road, A Portion of Which Was Offered for Sale at a

Peremptory Auction Held on Saturday, April 3, 1869. Source: Beers,

Frederick W., "City Island, Pelham Township, Westchester Co., N.Y. [with]

Town of Pelham Westchester Co. N.Y." in Atlas of New York and Vicinity from

Actual Surveys by and Under the Direction of F. W. Beers, Assisted by A.B.

Prindle & Others, p. 35 (NY, NY: F. W. Beers, A.D. Ellis & G.G. Soule, 1868).

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"SALES AT AUCTION.
-----
AT AUCTION.

Peremptory Sale.
Valuable Villa Plots of Westchester county Property, to be sold at Mott Haven railroad depot, first station across the Harlem river, Saturday, April 3, at 12 o'clock, by direction of Gerard M. Stevens, Esq., referee. A portion of 175 acres of the Estate of P. L. Rogers, deceased.

This desirable property is situated at Pelham, adjoining Hunter's Island, and fronting the on [sic] Sound. It is distant eight miles from Harlem bridge, on the line of the Harlem and Portchester Railroad. Within two minutes' walk of the new Pelham depot.

THE HARLEM AND NEW ROCHELLE BOULEVARD PASSES THROUGH THE PROPERTY.

It is beautifully laid out in plots varying from 1 1/2 to 7 acres, fine soil, and lovely building sites on every plot. Neighborhood first class, with fine scenery on the Sound. Buyers and capitalists will do well to invest in the above property, in view of the improvements being carried out in that neighborhood. For maps and particulars inquire of CHARLES D. MOTT, 25 Pine street and at Fourth avenue, corner 125th st."

Source: SALES AT AUCTION -- AT AUCTION Peremptory Sale [Advertisement], N.Y. Herald, Apr. 2, 1869, p. 8, col. 3 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"[Page] 127

Westchester County --
Surrogate's Court --
----------
In the matter of proving the last Will and testament of Patrick L. Rogers, Deceased.
----------

Be it remembered, that, heretofore, to-wit, on the thirteenth day of July, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty four, Sarah A. Rogers, one of the executors named in the last Will and testament of Patrick L. Rogers, late of the town of Pelham, County of Westchester, deceased, appeared in open Court before the Surrogate of the County of Westchester, and made application to have the said last Will and testament, which relates to both real and personal estate proved, and on such application the Surrogate did ascertain by satisfactory evidence who were the widow, heirs at law and next of kin of the said testator, and their residences, did issue a citation in due form of law, directed to the said widow, heirs and next of kin by their respective names, stating their respective places of residence, requiring them to appear before the said Surrogate at his office in the town of White Plains, in the said County of Westchester, on the twenty fifth day of July, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty four, to attend the probate of the said Will, and afterwards to-wit, on the said twenty fifth day of July, satisfactory evidence by affidavit was produced and presented to the said Surrogate of the due service of the said citation, in the mode prescribed by law, on all the parties named, therein, and the said Surrogate having ascertained that eight of the heirs and next of kin were minors having no general guardian within the State and that said citation had been duly served on the minors and also upon the person or persons having control of such as were under

[Page] 128

fourteen years of age, as prescribed by law, and having filed the written assent of John P. Jenkins, and by an order duly entered for that purpose, appoint him the special guardian for said minors to take care of their interests in the premises, and on that day the said executors and the said special guardian having attended in person, and no one appearing to oppose the probate of the said will, such proceedings were thereupon had afterwards that the Surrogate took the proofs of the said Will herein after set forth upon this twenty fifth day of July, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty four and he adjudged the said Will to be a valid will of real and personal estate and the proofs thereof, to be sufficient which said last will and testament and proofs are as follows, that is to say: --

In the name of GOD, Amen: --

I, Patrick L. Rogers, being at present in good health bodily and of sound mind memory and understanding, but mindful of the uncertainty of human life, do for the disposition after my decease of the property and effects of which I may die seized and possessed or entitled to make, publish and declare this my last Will and testament,

First: -- It is my will and I do hereby direct my executor and executrix herein after named, as soon as conveniently may be after my decease, to pay off satisfy and discharge all my just debts and funeral expenses.

Second: -- All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate property and effects of every nature or kind which may remain after the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses I give, devise and bequeath to my executrix and executors herein after named, or such of them as shall assume the execution of this my Will the survivors and survivor of them in trust, nevertheless,

[Page] 129

to invest and keep the same invested in such a manner as they may see fit, until the distribution of my estate as herein after provided and to collect and receive the rents, income or profits thereof, and dispose of the same as follows --

First: -- To pay to my beloved wife during her natural life, or until she shall marry again, or until the youngest of my living children shall attain the age of twenty one years -- which ever event shall first occur so much of the income and profit of my estate as may be necessary for the comfortable support and education of my said children, and in case the whole of said income shall be insufficient for the support of my wife and mother and the maintenance and education of my said children or such of them as may be minors then and it that case I authorize my executors and executrix to apply to that purpose so much of the principal and invested as may be necessary to make up the deficiency.

Second -- Upon the youngest of my living children attaining the age of twenty one years I direct my executors and executrix in case my wife shall then be living, and unmarried, to invest so much of my estate as may be necessary to produce an annuity of one thousand dollars per year and pay the same to my said wife during her life time or until she shall marry again for the support and maintenance of herself and my mother and such of my children if any who may need assistance,

And to divide all the rest residue and remainder of my estate equally among such of my children as shall then be living but in case any of my children shall have died leaving lawful issue him or her surviving, then to divide the same between such of my children as shall then be living and the issue of any so deceased in such manner that the child or children of the one so deceased shall take --

[Page] 130

the same share that his or her or their parent would have taken if living.

Third: -- Upon the death or marriage of my said wife which ever event shall first occur, in case my youngest living child shall have then attained the age of twenty one years, I direct my executrix and executors after making a suitable provision for the support of my mother during her life time, to divide all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate which may then remain equally among such of my children as shall then be living, or in case either of my said children shall have died leaving lawful issue, him or her surviving, such child or children of mine as shall then be living or the issue then living of my deceased child in such manner that the child or children of one so deceased shall take the same share which his her or their parent would have taken if then living.

Fourth: -- In case the youngest of my living children shall not have attained the age of twenty one years at the death or marriage of my said wife then and in that case I direct my executors and executrix to apply the said rents and income of my estate or so much thereof, as may be necessary for the purpose to the support and maintenance of my mother during her life time, and the maintenance and education of my minor children until the youngest of my living children shall attain the age of twenty one years, to divide the whole rest, residue and remainder of my estate except so much as may be necessary for the support of my mother between such of my children as shall then be living and the descendants of any who may then have died leaving issue in such manner that the child or children of any deceased children shall take the one share which his her or their parent would have taken if living.

[Page] 131

Lastly: -- I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my wife Sarah A. Rogers, executrix and my friends, Peter Murray, Samuel B. Bartow and Charles Griffith all of the City and County of New York, merchants, Daniel O'Connor of said City, Builder, executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and annulling all other former Wills by me made and declaring this to be my last will and testamtent.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirty first day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven.

Patrick L. Rogers (LS)

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said testator as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Benj M. Stilwell, 11 Chambers St New York.

Thomas Wadling, 11 Chambers St New York.

-----

Westchester County --
Surrogate's Court --
----------
In the matter of proving the last Will and testament of Patrick L. Rogers, deceased.
----------
State of New York,
County of Westchester SS: --

[Page]

Benjamin M. Stilwell, of the City of New York, being duly sworn and examined before the Surrogate of the County of Westchester, doth depose and say,

That he was well acquainted with Patrick L. Rogers late of the town of Pelham, in the said County, deceased.

That he was present as a witness and did see the said Patrick L. Rogers, deceased, subscribe his name to the instrument in writing now produced and shown to this deponent, bearing date the thirty first day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven, purporting to be the last will and testament of the said Patrick L. Rogers, deceased.

That the said Patrick L. Rogers at the time of making such subscription declared the said instrument so subscribed by him to be his last will and testament, and requested this deponent to sign his name as a witness thereto.

Thereupon this deponent did accordingly sign his name and witness at the end of the said instrument, in the presence of the said Patrick L. Rogers, deceased and in the presence of Thomas Wadley of the City of New York, the other subscribing witness to the said instrument.

This deponent further saith that the said Patrick L. Rogers, dec'd, at the time he so executed the said instrument was a citizen of the United States of full age sound mind and memory in all respects competent to devise real estate and not under any restraint, and that this deponent saw the said Thomas Wadley sign the said instrument at the end thereof, as a witness in the presence of the said Patrick L. Rogers dec'd and at his request --

[Page] 133

Sworn, examined and subscribed,
before me this 25th day of
July A D. 1864.

Benj. M. Stilwell.
John W. Mills.
Surrogate --

Westchester County --
Surrogate's Court --
----------
In the matter of proving the last Will and testament, of Patrick L. Rogers, late of the town of Pelham, deceased.
----------
Westchester County -- to-wit: --

Benjamin M. Stilwell, of the City of New York being duly sworn and examined before John W. Mills, Surrogate of the County of Westchester doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with Thomas Wadling formerly of the City of New York, and with his manner and style of handwriting having often seen him write, and that he verily believes that the signature Thomas Wadling signed as a witness to the instrument in writing now produced and shown to this deponent bearing date the date the 31st day of March, in the yeara one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven purporting to be the last will and testament of Patrick L. Rogers deceased, is the true and genuine hand writing and signature of the said Thomas Wadling and that the said Thomas Wadling since the execution of the said instrument has left the United States and had been since and is now residing in England.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 25th day of July A. D. 1864

Benj M. Stilwell
John W. Mills,
Surrogate.

[Page] 134

Westchester County --
Surrogate's Court --
----------
In the matter of proving the last Will and testament of Patrick L. Rogers, late of the town of Pelham, deceased.
----------
Westchester County SS: --

Shubart E. Swaine, of the City of New York, being duly sworn and examined before John W. Mills, Surrogate of the County of Westchester doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with Thomas Wadling formerly of the City of New York, and with his manner and style of handwriting having often seen him write, and that he verily believes that the signature of Thomas Wadling signed as a witness to the said instrument, now produced and shown to this deponent bearing date the thirty first day of March, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven purporting to be the last will and testament of the said Patrick L. Rogers deceased in the true and genunie hand writing of the said Thomas Wadling and that the said Thomas Wadling since the execution of said instrument, has left the United States and is not [sic] residing in England.

Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 25th day of July, A. D. 1864.

S. E. Swaine.

John W. Mills,
Surrogate --

[Page] 135

Westchester County --
Surrogate's Court
-----------
In the matter of proving the last Will and testament of Patrick L. Rogers, deceased.
-----------

The executor, widow, heirs at law and next of kin having this day appeared in pursuance of the citation heretofore issued, and the proofs and examination of the subscribing witnesses to the said will, having been duly taken and heard, and upon such proof it appearing satisfactorily to this Court that the said will had been and duly executed according to law, and that the said testator at the time of executing the same was in all respects competent to dispose of the same.

It is therefore Ordered, decided and decreed, that the said will be and the same is hereby established as a will of real and personal estate and that the same be admitted to probate and recorded.

John W. Mills.
Surrogate --

Westchester County SS: --

Recorded the preceding last will and testament of Patrick L. Rogers, deceased, as a valid will of real and personal estate together with the proofs and examinations taken in the Court of the Surrogate of the County of Westchester, relating to the said last will and testament, which record is hereby signed and certified by me pursuant to the Revised Statutes this 25th day of July, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty four.

John W. Mills.

Surrogate --"

* * * * *

Immediately below are images of the probate records transcribed immediately above.