John Henry Dey, Another Important Early Pelham Manor Resident

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John Henry Dey and his family were important early settlers of Pelham Manor.  Dey was born in Varick, a small community on Cayuga Lake in Seneca County, New York on June 28, 1826.  He was a son of Peter Light Dey and Rebecca Steele Dey.  

As a young man, John H. Dey met Emeline Matilda Cowles of Geneva, New York, a Finger Lakes community only twelve miles from Varick.  Emeline was a daughter of Alvah Cowles and Harriet Woodruff Cowles of Geneva.  (Some sources say her father was named Abraham Cowles.)  John and Emeline married in 1848 and became active in the community of Geneva.  John Dey became editor of the local newspaper, the Geneva Courier.  He also became active in the local temperance movement in Geneva and served on the Finance Committee of the local temperance organization.  See 4th OF JULY, Geneva Courier, June 1848 [undated and unnumbered page], col. 1 (describing Jun. 1, 1848 meeting held in the Washington Temperance House to plan for an alcohol-free Fourth of July celebration).

During the 1860s, John H. Dey found his calling as an associate editor of The New York Evangelist.  He served in that role for forty years and became a member of the Board of Directors of the weekly newspaper.  The Evangelist was founded in 1830 during the Second Great Awakening.  Originally founded to support and "defend" the many Revivals underway throughout the region, as "revival fever" waned by the 1850s the newspaper evolved into an anti-slavery publication published by the American Bible Tract Society.  See, generally, Dey, John H., "THE FIRST YEARS OF THE EVANGELIST" in The New York Evangelist, Dec. 28, 1899, Vol. LXX, No. 52, pp. 7-8 (NY, NY:  Dec. 28, 1899).  

By at least the mid-1870s, John and Emeline Dey were living in New York City and were active members of the University Place Presbyterian Church.  Dey served as an Elder of the church from 1873 until 1882.  See 1845-1895 Services Commemorative of The Fiftieth Anniversary of the University Place Presbyterian Church New York November 24-28, 1895, p. 243 (NY, NY:  The De Vinne Press, 1895).  He served as Superintendent of the Sunday School of the church at least as early as October, 1874.  Id. at p. 218.  

The couple had three children:  James A. Dey (born about 1850), Ella C. Dey (born Feb. 20, 1853; died May 31, 1937), and Henry Ellingwood Dey (born Dec. 16, 1864, according to his passport).

Although John H. Dey remained active with the University Place Presbyterian Church in New York City until 1882, he and his family moved to Pelham Manor in 1879.  They lived in the home that still stands at 1065 Prospect Avenue.  Within the first few months of living in Pelham Manor, the family suffered a tragedy.  Dey's daughter, Ella C. Dey, had married James A. Baird, the eldest son of John Baird (manager of the Metropolitan Elevated Railway).  The young married couple lived with John and Emeline Dey in their home on Prospect Avenue in Pelham Manor.  During the summer of 1879, James A. Baird died unexpectedly, leaving Ella C. Dey Baird a young widow who continued to live with her parents in Pelham Manor.  The 1880 U.S. Census for the Town of Pelham shows John and Emeline Dey living with their three children and a "servant" named Catherine Beatty.  

In 1882, John and Emeline Dey became members of the Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church in Pelham Manor.  It appears that at that time Dey ended his role as an Elder of the University Place Presbyterian Church in New York City.

John and Emeline Dey embraced Pelham Manor and became active members of the community.  John H. Dey became an Elder of the church and served in that capacity for 24 years.  He also served as the church's Clerk of Session from 1903 to 1906.  See Coss, Jonathan, John Henry Dey (Apr. 17, 2015) (biography and research regarding John Henry Dey; copy in files of the author).  Dey served on the committee in charge of the twenty-fifth anniverary celebration of Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church and was responsible for delivering the church history and the prayer and benediction at anniversary services on October 13, 1901.  See TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY -- Huguenot Memorial Church, Pelham Manor, to Celebrate it To-Morrow, New Rochelle Pioneer, Oct. 12, 1901, p. 6, col. 2; ANNIVERSARY OF HUGUENOT MEMORIAL CHURCH, PELHAM MANOR, The New Rochelle Pioneer, Oct. 19, 1901, p. 8, col. 2.

John H. Dey also was one of the original incorporators of the Manor Club in 1883, together with Robert C. Black, George H. Reynolds, G. Osmar Reynolds, and W. R. Lamberton.  See THE FINE OLD MANOR CLUB -- Pelham Manor Social Organization Nearly Forty Years Old, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jul. 23, 1910, p. 6, col. 1.  He was an active member of the Manor Club during the late 19th century.  

John H. Dey served as Treasurer of the Village of Pelham Manor for fourteen years.  Before that, he was a charter member of the Pelham Manor Protective Club established to use dues paid by local residents to fund private security services and various municipal services such as lamp-lighting, snow clearance, and the like.  He is reflected in the minutes of the Club as attending most meetings and special meetings over the course of the decade beginning in 1882.  Although Dey often received votes to elect him to the Executive Committee of the Club, he never served in that capacity.   

1065 Prospect Avenue, Village of Pelham Manor.

Home of John Henry Dey and Emeline Matilda Cowles

Dey (and Family) for Many Years.  NOTE:  Click

on Image to Enlarge.

Detail From 1893 Map Showing Location of John Henry Dey's

Home in the Village of Pelham Manor.  Source:  "Towns of

Westchester and Pelham.  Villages of Westchester and

Unionport.  Village of Pelhamville." in Bien, Julius, Atlas of

Westchester County, New York.  Prepared Under the Direction

of Joseph R. Bien, E. M., Civil and Topographical Engineer

from Original Surveys and Official Records, p. 3 (NY, NY:  Julius

Bien & Co., 1893).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Emeline Cowles Dey died in her home located at 1065 Prospect Avenue on December 30, 1903.  Her funeral was held two days later on New Year's Day and was conducted by the Rev. Charles E. Robinson, of White Plains, and the Rev. Harris Ely Adriance, of New York, both former pastors of the Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church.    

John Henry Dey died in his home located at 1065 Prospect Avenue on March 19, 1906.  He died after a brief bout of pneumonia that "resulted from a severe cold which he took while attending a farewell reception to Dr. Alexander, pastor of the New York University Church, who was leaving for a trip abroad."

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Below is the text of numerous articles about John Henry Dey, his wife, Emeline, and members of the Dey family.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"JOHN H. DEY DEAD.
-----
For Forty Years He Was Associate Editor of The New York Evangelist.

John H. Dey, for forty years association editor of The New York Evangelist, a National organ of the Presbyterian Church, died yesterday at his home in Pelham Manor in his eightieth year.  Mr. Dey had been ill only a few days of pneumonia.  The disease resulted from a severe cold which he took while attending a farewell reception to Dr. Alexander, pastor of the New York University Church, who was leaving for a trip abroad.

Mr. Dey was regarded as the dean of the religious editors of New York City and was widely known because of his contributions to Presbyterian publications.  He was a native of Varick, N.Y.  Twenty-seven years ago he went to Pelham Manor and was one of the founders of that village.  For fourteen years he served as Treasurer of the Manor.  He was an elder of the Presbyterian Church in Pelham Manor and also the New York University Church and a member of the Huguenot Society.  He leaves three children, J. R. S. Dey of Texas, Henry E. Dey of Pelham Manor, and Mrs. E. P. Bacon of Milwaukee."

Source:  JOHN H. DEY DEAD -- For Forty Years He Was Associate Editor of The New York Evangelist, N. Y. Times, Mar. 20, 1906, p. 9, col. 6 (access via link requires paid subscription).

"DIED. . . . DEY.--At Pelham Manor, N. Y., John Henry Dey, in the 80th year of his age.  

Funeral services at his late residence Wednesday, March 21st, at 2:30 P. M.  Trains leave Grand Central Depot for Pelham at 1:27 P. M."

Source:  DIED. . . . DEY, N. Y. Times, Mar. 20, 1906, p. 9, col. 7 (access via link requires paid subscription).

"John H. Dey.

John H. Dey, for forty years associate editor of 'The New York Evangelist,' a national organ of the Presbyterian church, died on Monday from pneumonia at his home in Pelham Manor, in his eightieth year.  He had been ill only a few days.  

Mr. Dey was a native of Varick, N. Y.  Twenty-seven years ago he went to Pelham Manor and was one of the first settlers of that village.  For fourteen years he served as treasurer of the Manor.  He was an elder of the Presbyterian Church in Pelham Manor and of the University Church, in New York city, and a member of the Huguenot Society.  He leaves three children -- J. R. S. Dey, of Texas; Henry E. Dey, of Pelham Manor, and Mrs. E. P. Bacon, of Milwaukee."

Source:  John H. Dey, New Rochelle Pioneer, Mar. 24, 1906, p. 8, col. 3.  

"PELHAM MANOR
-----
Funeral of John H. Dey.

The funeral of John H. Dey, who died at his residence on Prospect avenue Sunday night, was held this afternoon at his late residence at 3:00 o'clock.  There was a very large attendance, the mourners coming fro New York city and elsewhere.  Dr. Knox, Dr. Robinson and Rev. Adorance, of New York, officiated."

Source:  PELHAM MANOR -- Funeral of John H. Dey, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 31, 1906, p. 5, col. 3.  

"Mrs. John H. Dey died at her home in Pelham Manor, N.Y. on December 30 [1903] in her seventy-sixth year.  She was born in Geneva, N. Y., and married there in 1848 to Mr. Dey, formerly and for many years managing editor of The New York Evangelist.  The celebration of their golden wedding in 1898 interested a large circle.  Mrs. Dey was interested in charitable and church affairs, and her house was a frequent meeting place of the good ladies of the Manor.  Her funeral on New Year's Day was conducted by the Rev. Charles E. Robinson, of White Plains, and the Rev. Harris Ely Adriance, of New York, both former pastors of the Huguenot Memorial Church, Pelham Manor.  The Rev. A. W. Cowles, LL. D., of Elmira, is the only survivor of Mrs. Dey's immediate family.  Of her children, two sons and a daughter (Mrs. E. P. Bacon, of Milwaukee) survive her."

Source:  [Untitled], The Christian Work and Evangelist, Jan. 16, 1904, Vol. 76, No. 1926, p. 107, col. 3 (NY, NY:  Jan. 16, 1904).  

"NEWS CONDENSED . . . 
-----

Mrs. Emiline M. Dey, wife of the Rev. John H. Dey, formerly editor of The Evangelist, died at her home in Pelham Manor a few days ago.  Mrs. Dey was seventy-eight years old, and was a native of Geneva.  She was the daughter of Abraham and Harriet Cowles, and leaves two children."

Source:  NEWS CONDENSED, Geneva Daily Times [Geneva, NY], Jan. 16, 1904, p. 4, col. 3.  

"Funeral Rites Planned For Henry E. Dey

PELHAM MANOR -- Funeral services for Henry Ellinwood Dey, 100 Jackson Avenue, Pelham Manor, will be held at 3 P. M. tomorrow at 1065 Prospect Avenue, Pelham Manor.  

Mr. Dey, who died yesterday in New Rochelle Hospital, had long been a resident of Pelham Manor.  He was a former Town Clerk, Village Treasurer and Receiver of Taxes for the Town.

Born in New York City, he was the son of John H. Dey, associate editor of the New York Evangelist, and Eveline W. Cowles.  He was born Dec. 16, 1864.  He attended the Art Students' League in New York City and the Julien Academy in Paris.  Upon completion of his course there he painted abroad for several years.

He was connected with the art staffs of Puck, Life and Judge Magazines.  During the World War he was active with the Drama Section of the Manor Club, designing scenery for their productions.  

He was a member of Huguenot Memorial Church.  

His wife, Mrs. Sophie Schuyler Dey, and sister, Mrs. Edward D. Bacon, and a niece, Miss Juanita Dey Currie, all of Pelham, survive."

Source:  Funeral Rites For Henry E. Dey, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 30, 1942, p. 2, col. 1.

"PELHAM MANOR.

Improvement is still the order of the day in Pelham Manor.  Every house, with the exception of a handsome cottage on Pelhamdale aveune, just finished, is occupied, and the demand during the renting season was far in excess of supply.  The Pelham Manor and Huguenot Heights Association, whose financial embarrassment have greatly retarded the growth of the place, has yielded the field to new management.  Mr. Silas H. Witherbee, of New York, becomes the owner of the choicest portion of the property, and E. Marshall Pavey, an enterprising young lawyer of New York, is his representative in Pelham Manor.  The grading of the Esplanade has been completed as far as the Station, and arrangements are being made for the removal of the ledge of rocks opposite the Station.  Ground has been broken by Mr. W. H. Valentine and Prof. Shinn of the Union Free School.  A house is also to be build immediately for Mr. J. P. Marquand, Jr., the agent of the N.Y., N.H. & H.R.R., who proposes also to establish a store for the sale of general merchandise, at the railway depot, which is being enlarged and refitted for that purpose.  

The little son of Mr. Samuel Ward, who was dangerously injured while carelessly handling an unexploded 'flower pot' after the exhibition on the evening of the Fourth, is now out of danger.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Black will spend the month of August at Newport.

Rev. Charles Higby [sic], Rector of Christ Church, with his family, is rusticating on Long Island.  

Dr. and Mrs. Waite will spend the month of August at their summer lodge, Calumet Island, one of the Thousand Isles of the St. Lawrence.

At the last meeting of the Trustees of the Huguenot Church, appropriate resolutions were adopted, regarding the death of James A. Baird, late one of their number.  Mr. Baird was the eldest son of John Baird, manager of the Metropolitan Elevated Railway, and with his wife, resided with his father-in-law, John H. Dey (of the N. Y. Evangelist), on Prospect avenue.  He was beloved wherever kinown, and his unexpected death has cast a gloom over the entire place. -- New Rochelle Press."

Source:  PELHAM MANOR, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 25, 1879, Vol. X, No. 514, p. 1, col. 6.  

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