Why Were the Leaders of Early Pelham Villages Titled "Presidents" Rather than Mayors?

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When the Village of Pelham Manor incorporated in 1891, followed by the Villages of Pelham and North Pelham which both incorporated in 1896, each of the villages and their boards of trustees was led by a "President" who served a one-year term -- not a "Mayor."  Today, of course, our two villages are led by Mayors, not Presidents.  What changed and when did it change?

The answer, as one might expect, is that the applicable village law changed.  In 1927, New York Stated amended its village law effective July 1, 1927.  On that dated, all incumbent Village Presidents throughout New York State were re-designated as Village Mayors.  Thus, on that date, President Elliott C. House of Pelham Manor, President Maxwell B. Nesbitt of Pelham, and President James Reilly of North Pelham became the Mayors of their respective villages.  Additionally, each enjoyed the good fortune of having their one-year term extended to a new two-year term as the amended law provided.  See N.Y.S. Village Law, Ch. 650 (effective Jul. 1, 1927).

On that day in 1927, the concept of "Presidents" of the Pelhams faded into the history of our small Town of Pelham. 

"GOOD MORNING, MR. MAYOR!  MAYOR HOUSE of
Pelham Manor -- MAYOR NESBITT of Pelham -- MAYOR
REILLY of North Pelham.  These three chief executives of
the Pelham Villages today assume their new titles according
to the provisions of the amended law relating to the village
government.  All of them are in office for two years under the
new statutes."  Source:  GOOD MORNING MR. MAYOR!,
The Pelham Sun, Jul. 1, 1927, p. 4, cols. 2-4.  NOTE:
Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"Mayors To Relieve Village Presidents
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New Village Law Tenders Higher Honor on Village Chief Executive
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'Hizzoner the Mayor!'

After July 1, the Chief Executive of the three Pelham villages will be known by the lofty titles of Mayors.  Under the amended Village Law which becomes effective on that date the office of Village President is discontinued and the incumbent is designated as the Mayor of the Village.  It is thus that James Reilly, Elliott C. House and Maxwell B. Nesbitt presiding officers of the local Boards of Village Trustees will be known in their official capacity.

Among other changes in the village law is the appointment of a village assessor who will prepare the assessment roll of the village before November 1.  Taxes for the succeeding year will be collected on this roll.  Heretofore the Village Trustees have made assessments in the spring of the year and collected current taxes on the current roll.

Opportunity is afforded the taxpayers to inspect the roll in time for Grievance Day which has been set between Dec. 1 and Dec. 15."

Source:  Mayors To Relieve Village Presidents -- New Village Law Tenders Higher Honor on Village Chief Executive, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 10, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 16, p. 1, col. 5.

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