The Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Road Company Incorporated in 1817

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Until the first two decades of the 19th century, travel to and from the Town of Pelham was very difficult due to the lack of bridges and meaningful roadways.  Indeed, travel to the area from New York City or from points north was easiest by ship, thus ensuring that City Island grew in those early years to become the principal population center of the town.

This all began to change in 1815 when local residents arranged for the construction of the first Pelham Bridge.  See Tue., Oct. 11, 2016:  Is It Possible The First Pelham Bridge Built in About 1815 Was Repaired After Near Destruction by a Storm?

According to longstanding history of the Pelham Bridge, on March 6, 1812, the New York State Legislature enacted a statute incorporating the "Eastchester Bridge Company" to build a bridge over the Hutchinson River where it empties into Eastchester Bay.  With plans to build a bridge that would allow a more direct roadway from the Village of Westchester to the Town of Pelham, another group of local residents began planning construction of such a road as a toll road.  

The Pelham Bridge was built by early 1815 but, within months, was destroyed by an extraordinary storm and flood. There were, however, prompt proposals to rebuild the bridge by August 1, 1817. At about this time, local residents created the “Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Road Company.”  It was incorporated on April 5, 1817. 

According to one historian, “The Shore Road was made into a real road by the Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Co., incorporated April 5, 1817.”  Barr, Lockwood, A Brief, But Most Complete & True Account of the Settlement of the Ancient Town of Pelham Westchester County, State of New York Known One Time Well & Favourably as the Lordshipp & Manour of Pelham Also The Story of the Three Modern Villages Called The Pelhams, p. 51 (Richmond, VA: The Dietz Press, Inc. 1946).  Lockwood Barr may have overstated the point a little. It appears that the Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Road Company was incorporated to build a road from the causeway at the Village of Westchester (near today's Westchester Square in the Bronx) to the Pelham Bridge -- not beyond the Pelham Bridge onto today's Shore Road between the bridge and the Pelham Manor border. 

In any event, it is clear that construction of the road between the Village of Westchester and Pelham Bridge connected Pelham to what were then more populated portions of lower Westchester County, making the colonial roadway known today as Shore Road in Pelham Bay Park all the more important.  The roadway built by the Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Road Company came to be known as the "Westchester Turnpike."  Occasionally, portions of today's Shore Road between Pelham Bridge and the Pelham Manor border were also referred to as Westchester Turnpike. See, e.g., SUPREME COURT -- John Hunter, Plaintiff vs. Robert R. Hunter, Deforciant [Legal Notice], New-York Evening Post, Nov. 19, 1818, p. 3, col. 2 (referencing "the highway leading from the Westchester turnpike road in Pelham to Rodman's Neck, (so called)").  For more on the history of Shore Road, see Friday, Oct. 14, 2016:  Early History of Pelham's Ancient Shore Road, Long an Important Pelham Thoroughfare Along Long Island Sound.

Today's Historic Pelham article sheds a little more light on the creation of the Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Road Company in 1817.  I have written before, on a single occasion, about the history of the company.  See Tue., Feb. 28, 2006:  Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Road Company "Builds" Shore Road in Pelham.

On March 21, 1817, New York State Senator Darius Crosby introduced in the State Senate "An Act to Incorporate the Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Company."  The bill had its first reading to the Senate that day and, by unanimous consent, was read a second time then was committed to a committee of the whole, suggesting there was little or no opposition to the measure.

Four days later on March 25, 1817, the committee of enrolment reported to the Senate that they had examined the engrossed bill and that it had been enroled [sic] and collated.  Thereupon, the Senate voted, by resolution, passage of the bill.

The following day, on March 26, 1817, the New York State Assembly announced that the Clerk of the Senate had delivered to the Clerk of the Assembly the bill that the Senate had passed.  The bill received its first reading before the Assembly that day and was promptly referred to a select committee consisting of Assemblymen Ebenezer White, Jr. and John Townsend of Westchester County, and Edward Smith, Jr. of Putnam County.  The Committee was directed to "consider and report thereon."

The following day (March 27) Assemblyman White of Westchester County reported favorably on the bill to the Assembly as a whole, recommending that he believed it "proper that it [the bill] should become a law of this state."  The Assembly ordered that the "said bill be committed to a committee of the whole house" suggesting, again, that the bill was not controversial.

Two days later on March 29, 1817, the Assembly met as a committee of the whole on the engrossed bill, then formed a select committee to consider the Senate bill further.  The committee consisted of Assemblymen Christopher Tappen Jr. and Green Miller (both representing Sullivan and Ulster Counties), and Assemblyman Ebenezer White, Jr. of Westchester County.  The select committee was instructed "to report the same [the bill] complete."

On Tuesday, April 1, 1817, the Senate bill was read to the full Assembly for a third time.  The Assembly then passed the bill "without amendment" and ordered the Clerk of the Assembly to "deliver the said bill to the honorable the Senate, and inform them, that this house have passed the same without amendment."

The Senate immediately referred the bill, passed by both houses of the legislature, to the "Council of Revision" for advice on whether it should become a law of the State.  On April 7, a message from the Council of Revision, delivered by the Secretary of State, was read to the Senate stating the Council's view "that it does not appear improper to the Council" that the bill should become a law of the state.  

Thus, the bill became law as "CHAP. CLVII -- AN ACT to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company." effective April 5, 1817.

The text of the statute sheds interesting light on the project to build the roadway from the Village of Westchester to the Pelham Bridge.  For example, it authorized three men and their associates to "associate for the purpose of making a turnpike road."  The men were Herman Le Roy (of Pelham, who lived near Pelham Bridge), Thomas C. Taylor, and William Edgar.  It confirmed that the new road would "begin at the causeway leading from the village of Westchester to Throgsneck [sic], at some point east of the bridge over Westchester creek, and to run from thence on the most convenient route to the bridge lately erected over the mouth of Eastchester creek."  It constituted the company as capable of suing and being sued and to allow it to purchase and own property.

The Statute authorized the company to issue one hundred shares of stock, "of thirty dollars each."  It further appointed William Bayard, Thomas C. Taylor, and Benjamin W. Rodgers as "commissioners to receive subscriptions for the said stock" (i.e., sell the 100 shares for thirty dollars each to raise $3,000 to fund the venture).  

Perhaps the most interesting, and amusing, aspect of the statute was the section that authorized the company to levy tolls on the turnpike, once built.  The statute stated "it shall be lawful for the company hereby incorporated to exact and receive at the gate or turnpike to be erected on the said road, the following rates of toll."  It proceeded to list the following:

• for every score of sheep or hogs, six cents; 
• for every score of cattle, horses or mules, twenty cents; 
• for every chair, sulkey [sic], chaise or other two wheel pleasure carriage, with one horse, six cents; 
• for every horse rode, three cents; 
• for every horse led or driven, two cents; 
• for every stage waggon, chariot, coach, coachee, phaeton or other pleasure carriage, drawn by two horses, twelve and an half cents, and six cents for every additional horse; 
• for every cart or waggon, drawn by one horse, six cents; 
• for every cart or waggon, other than stage waggons, drawn by two horses, mules or oxen, eight cents, and two cents for every additional horse, mule or ox; 
• for every sleigh or sled, if drawn by not more than two horses, mules or oxen, six cents, and 
• for every additional horse, mule, or ox, one cent.

By early July, 1817, it seems the shares had all been sold.  That month notices appeared in the Commercial Advertiser published in New York City that an election would be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday, August 4, 1817 at the office of Thomas C. Taylor, 41 Robinson Street (New York City) during which subscribers of shares would elect directors of the Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Road Company.  

Soon, afterward, Pelham had a more convenient roadway connecting it with lower Westchester County and the great metropolis of New York City.

"Pelham Bridge in 1865 From a sketch by W. J. Wilson"

This Shows the So-Called "Third Pelham Bridge" That Crossed

Eastchester Creek and Connected the Westchester Turnpike with

Shore Road.  Source: Jenkins, Stephen, The Story of the Bronx From

the Purchase Made by the Dutch from the Indians in 1639 to the Present

Day, Opposite p. 318 (NY and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons The

Knickerbocker Press, 1912).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"FRIDAY, 10 o'clock A.M. March 21, 1817.

The Senate met pursuant to adjournment.

PRESENT, 

His honor, Philetus Swift, President pro hac vice, and a quorum of the Senate. . . . 

Mr. Crosby, according to leave, brought in the said bill, entitled 'an act to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company,' which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was read a second time, and committed to a committee of the whole. . . ."

Source:  JOURNAL OF THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK:  AT THEIR FORTIETH SESSION -- SECOND MEETING, pp. 213, 215 (Albany, NY:  J. Buel, 1817).  

"TUESDAY, 10 o'clock, A.M. March 25, 1817.

The Senate met pursuant to adjournment.

PRESENT,

His honor Philetus Swift, President pro hac vice, and a quorum of the Senate.

The committee of enrolment reported, that they had examined the engrossed bill, entitled 'an act to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company' . . . and that the same [was] duly enroled and collated.

Thereupon,

The said engrossed bill, entitled 'and act to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company,' was read the third time.

Resolved, That the bill do pass."

Source:  JOURNAL OF THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK:  AT THEIR FORTIETH SESSION -- SECOND MEETING, p. 233 (Albany, NY:  J. Buel, 1817).

"WEDNESDAY, March 26, 1817.

The house met pursuant to adjournment. . . . 

Four several messages from the honorable the Senate, also delivered by their clerk, with the bills therein mentioned, were read, informing that the honorable the Senate have passed the bill, entitled 'an act to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company,' . . . in which bills respectively they request the concurrence of this house.

The said bills were severally read the first time, and by unanimous consent were also read a second time, and the bill, entitled 'an act to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company,' was refered [sic] to a select committee, consisting of Mr. White, Mr. E. Smith and Mr. Townsend . . . severally to consider and report thereon."

Source:  Journal of the Assembly, OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK -- FORTIETH SESSION -- SECOND MEETING, pp. 668, 670 (Albany, NY:  J. Buel, 1817).

"THURSDAY, March 27, 1817.

The house met pursuant to adjournment. . . . 

Mr. White, from the select committee to whom was refered [sic] the engrossed bill from the honorable Senate, entitled 'an act to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company,' reported, that they have had the said bill under consideration, and believe it proper that it should become a law of this state.

Ordered, That the said bill be committed to a committee of the whole house. . . ."

Source:  Journal of the Assembly, OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK -- FORTIETH SESSION -- SECOND MEETING, pp. 678, 682(Albany, NY:  J. Buel, 1817).

"SATURDAY, March 29, 1817.

The house met pursuant to adjournment. . . . 

The house then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on the engrossed bill from the honorable the Senate, entitled 'an act to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company,' and after some time spent thereon, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Sanford, from the said committee, reported progress, and asked for and obtained leave to sit again. . . . 

Thereupon -- 

Ordered, that the committee of the whole house be discharged from further consideration of the said bill, entitled 'an act to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company,' . . . and that the same be committed to a select committee, consisting of Mr. Tappen, Mr. G. Miller and Mr. White, to report the same complete. . . ."

Source:  Journal of the Assembly, OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK -- FORTIETH SESSION -- SECOND MEETING, pp. 699, 704 (Albany, NY:  J. Buel, 1817).

"TUESDAY, April 1, 1817.

The house met pursuant to adjournment. . . . 

The engrossed bill from the honorable the Senate, entitled 'an act to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company,' was read the third time.

Resolved, that the bill do pass.

Ordered, That the clerk deliver the said bill to the honorable the Senate, and inform them, that this house have passed the same without amendment. . . ."

Source:  Journal of the Assembly, OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK -- FORTIETH SESSION -- SECOND MEETING, p. 720(Albany, NY:  J. Buel, 1817).

"MONDAY, 9 o'clock A.M. April 7, 1817.

The Senate met pursuant to adjournment.

Present,

His honor Philetus Swift, President pro hac vice, and a quorum of the Senate. . . . 

A message from the honorable the Council of Revision, delivered by the Secretary of State, was read, informing, that it does not appear improper to the Council, that the bill, entitled . . . 'an act to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company' . . . should respectively become laws of this state. . . ."

Source:  JOURNAL OF THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK:  AT THEIR FORTIETH SESSION -- SECOND MEETING, pp. 283-84 (Albany, NY:  J. Buel, 1817).

"CHAP. CLVII.

AN ACT to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company.

Passed April 5, 1817.

Associates.

I.  BE it enacted by the people of the state of New-York, represented in senate and assembly, That Herman Le Roy, Thomas C. Taylor, William Edgar, and all such other persons shall associate for the purpose of making a turnpike road, 

Route.

to begin at the causeway leading from the village of Westchester to Throgsneck, at some point east of the bridge over Westchester creek, and to run from thence on the most convenient route to the bridge lately erected over the mouth of Eastchester creek, be and they are hereby created a body corporate and politic, in fact and in name, by the name of 'the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company,' 

Powers.

and by that name shall have continual succession, and be persons capable in law of suing and being sued, pleading and being impleaded, answering and being answered unto, defending and being defended, in all courts places whatsoever, in all manner of actions, suits, complaints, matters and causes, and by the same name and style shall be in law capable of purchasing, holding and conveying any estate, real or personal, for the use of the said corporation:  Provided, that such estate, as well real as personal, so to be purchased and held, shall be necessary to fulfil [sic] the end and intent of the said corporation.

Shares.

II.  And be it further enacted, That the stock of the said company shall consist of one hundred shares, of thirty dollars each;

Commissioners to receive subscriptions.

and William Bayard, Thomas C. Taylor and Benjamin W. Rodgers, are hereby appointed commissioners to receive subscriptions for the said stock, in the manner directed in and by the act, entitled 'an act relative to turnpike companies,' passed the 13th day of March, 1807.

Tolls.

III.  And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the company hereby incorporated to exact and receive at the gate or turnpike to be erected on the said road, the following rates of toll, to wit:  for every score of sheep or hogs, six cents; for every score of cattle, horses or mules, twenty cents; for every chair, sulkey, chaise or other two wheel pleasure carriage, with one horse, six cents; for every horse rode, three cents; and for every horse led or driven, two cents; for every stage waggon, chariot, coach, coachee, phaeton or other pleasure carriage, drawn by two horses, twelve and an half cents, and six cents for every additional horse; for every cart or waggon, drawn by one horse, six cents; for every cart or waggon, other than stage waggons, drawn by two horses, mules or oxen, eight cents, and two cents for every additional horse, mule or ox; for every sleigh or sled, if drawn by not more than two horses, mules or oxen, six cents, and for every additional horse, mule, or ox, one cent.

Rights.

IV.  And be it further enacted, That the company hereby incorporated shall have all the rights, privileges and immunities, which are given and granted in and by the aforesaid act relative to turnpike companies, and shall be subject to all the conditions, provisions and restrictions therein contained."

Source: "CHAP. CLVII -- AN ACT to incorporate the Westchester and Pelham turnpike road company Passed April 5, 1817" in LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK, PASSED AT THE THIRTY-NINTH, FORTIETH AND FORTY-FIRST SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE, COMMENCING JANUARY 1816, AND ENDING APRIL 1818, Vol. IV, pp. 160-61 (Albany, NY:  Printed for Websters and Skinners by the Printer to the State, 1818).

"NOTICE is hereby given, that an election of Directors in the Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Road Company will be held at the office of Thomas C. Taylor, situate at No. 41 Robinson-street, in the third ward of the city of New-York, on the first Monday of August next, at the hour of 12 o'clock at noon; at which time and place the subscribers of shares in the said company, are notified to attend accordingly. Dated this 3d day of July, 1817. 

WM. BAYARD, ) 
B.W. ROGERS, } Commissioners. 
THOS. C. TAYLOR, ) 

july 3-law4w" 

Source: NOTICE, Commercial Advertiser [NY, NY], Jul. 3, 1817, p. 3. 

The same notice also appeared on July 16, July 17 and July 22. See NOTICE, Commercial Advertiser [NY, NY], Jul. 16, 1817, p. 4; NOTICE, Commercial Advertiser, Jul. 17, 1817, p. 4; NOTICE, Commercial Advertiser, Jul. 22, 1817, p. 4.

"The present road from Westchester Bridge to Pelham Bridge was authorized as follows:

In 1817, Hermann Le Roy, Thomas C. Taylor, William Edgar and their associates were incorporated as a turnpike company to make a turnpike road beginning at the causeway leading from the village of Westchester, at some point on the east side of the bridge over Westchester Creek, and to run from thence in the most convenient route to the bridge lately erected over the mouth of Eastchester Creek and were to be known as the 'Westchester and Pelham Turnpike Road Company.'"

Source:  Scharf, J. Thomas, History of Westchester County, New York Including Morrisania, Kings Bridge and West Farms Which Have Been Annexed to New York City, Vol. I, p. 815 (Philadelphia, PA:  L. E. Preston & Co., 1886).

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Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
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The Eastchester Bridge Company Raised Tolls on Pelham Bridge Before It Was Even Built

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

On March 6, 1812, the New York State Legislature enacted a statute incorporating the "Eastchester Bridge Company" and authorizing it to build a bridge over the Hutchinson River where it empties into Eastchester Bay.  I have written before about that initial authorizing statute.  See  Mon., May 12, 2014:  The March 6, 1812 New York Statute Authorizing Construction of the Pelham Bridge.  

The first Pelham Bridge was built between June 4, 1814 and March 18, 1815.  Shortly before construction of the bridge began, however, the Eastchester Bridge Company was able to obtain an amendment to the original March 6, 1812 statute authorizing construction of the bridge and granting the exclusive toll franchise to the company for a period of thirty years.

On March 25, 1814, New York passed "An ACT to amend an act, entitled 'an act to Incorporate the Eastchester Bridge Company,'" 37th Sess. Ch. LIV.  The amended statute did several things to benefit the Eastchester Bridge Company.  It extended the exclusive toll franchise period from thirty years to thirty-five years.  It substantially increased the amounts of the tolls the company was authorized to charge for crossing the bridge.  The original statute required the company to account annually to the comptroller for monies received and expended.  The amended statute repealed this obligation, alleviating some of the company's administrative burdens.  

The amended statute added penalties that could be enforced in court against any disgruntled travelers who damaged the bridge or its facilities or who made it past the toll gate without paying the required toll.  Moreover, in recognition of the fact that the War of 1812 was raging at the time the statute was amended, the amendments required the company to allow Federal and state troops and their wagons, carriages, and equipment to cross the bridge toll free.

The increased tolls seem amusing today.  The amended statute authorized the following tolls:

• every four wheeled pleasure carriage with two or more horses, nineteen cents; 
• every two wheeled pleasure carriage and horses, ten cents; 
• every pleasure sleigh and horses, ten cents; 
• every common waggon and horses, six cents; 
• every stage-waggon and horses, twelve and an half cents; 
• every common sled and horses, six cents; 
• every ox cart and oxen six cents; 
• every horse cart and horse, five cents; 
• carriages of all kinds, drawn by mules, shall pay the same tolls as if they were drawn by horses; 
• every man and horse or mule, five cents; 
• every horse, mule, ox, cow or steer, one cent; and
• every dozen hogs, sheep or calves, and so in proportion for a greater or less number, six cents; for every foot passenger, one cent.

Once these increased tolls were authorized by New York State, it appears that the Eastchester Bridge Company was prepared to move forward.  Within the next few months construction began on the famed Pelham Bridge, the first bridge to cross the Hutchinson River where it meets Eastchester Bay.  

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Below is the text of the statute that forms the basis for today's article.  It is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"CHAP. LIV.

An ACT to amend an act, entitled 'an act to Incorporate the Eastchester Bridge Company.'

Passed March 25, 1814.

Recital.

WHEREAS the president and directors of the Eastchester Bridge Company, have by their petition to the legislature under their corporate seal, prayed that certain amendments may be made to the act whereby they are incorporated:  Therefore, 

Corporation confirmed and continued.

I.  BE it enacted by the People of the state of New-York, represented in Senate and Assembly, That the persons created a body politic and corporate in and by the act hereby amended, and their successors, shall be and continue a body politic and corporate, by the names and with all the powers and privileges in the said act mentioned, for and during the term of thirty-five years and no longer, any thin in the said act to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

7th sec. of former now repealed.

II.  And be it further enacted, That the seventh section of the said act hereby amended,be and the same is hereby repealed.

Toll which may be demanded.

III.  And be it further enacted, That instead of the toll which by the said act the said company are authorized to demand of of all persons passing the said bridge, a toll not exceeding the following rates, to wit:  For every four wheeled pleasure carriage with two or more horses, nineteen cents; for every two wheeled pleasure carriage and horses, ten cents; for every pleasure sleigh and horses, ten cents; for every common waggon and horses, six cents; for every stage-waggon and horses, twelve and an half cents; for every common sled and horses, six cents; for every ox cart and oxen six cents; for every horse cart and horse, five cents, and carriages of all kinds, drawn by mules, shall pay the same tolls as if they were drawn by horses; for every man and horse or mule, five cents; for every horse, mule, ox, cow or steer, one cent; for every dozen hogs, sheep or calves, and so in proportion for a greater or less number, six cents; for every foot passenger, one cent;

Power of toll-gatherer.

and it shall be lawful for the toll-gatherer at the said gate, to stop any person or persons from passing through the said gate until they shall have respectively paid the toll herein allowed to be collected:  Provided always nevertheless, That any troops in the service of this state or of the United States and all artillery waggons and other carriages and stores of every kind belonging to this state or to the United States, shall be permitted to pass the said bridge free of toll.

Penalty for injuring the bridge, &c.

IV.  And be it further enacted, That if any person or persons shall wilfully do, or cause to be done, any act whereby the said bridge to be erected as aforesaid, or any thing appertaining thereto, or the toll-house or gate of the said company shall be destroyed or injured, the person or persons so offending, shall pay and forfeit to said corporation, double the amount of the damages sustained by such offence or injury, to be recovered by the said corporation with costs of suit, in an action of trespass, in any court of record having cognizance thereof, which action shall in every instance be considered as transitory in its nature.

Penalty for not paying toll.

V. And be it further enacted, That if any person or persons shall pass the gate to be erected in pursuance of this act, or shall cause his, her or their horse, carriage, waggon, cart, sleigh, sled, cattle, or other thing or things to pass the said gate without having paid the legal toll therefor, every such person shall forfeit and pay ten dollars for every such offense, to be recovered by the said company for their use, in an action of debt, in any court having cognizance thereof, and which action shall be considered as transitory in nature.

[Note. -- The Eastchester bridge company, was incorporated March 6, 1812. -- Sess. 35, c. 22  --  Its charter was originally limited to 30 years.  --  The 7th section of the act amended, and which is repealed by this emendatory [sic] act, required the company to account annually to the comptroller for monies received, expended, &c.  --  The toll is considerably increased by this act, as will be seen by comparing its 3d section with the 5th section of the original act, but the company are to allow troops, &c. to pass toll free.  --  [See proviso to section 3.]  --  The original act did not provide for injuries, &c. done to the bridge, and for frauds, &c. upon the toll-gatherer -- this is remedied by section 4 and 5.]"

Source:  37th Sess., CHAP. LIV., An Act to amend an act, entitled 'an act to Incorporate the Eastchester Bridge Company, Laws of the State of New-York, Passed at the Thirty-Sixth, Thirty-Seventh and Thirty-Eighth Sessions of the Legislature, Commencing November 1812, and Ending April 1815, Vol. III, pp. 53-54 (Albany, NY:  Websters and Skinners, 1815).

"Pelham Bridge in 1865 From a sketch by W. J. Wilson"

Source: Jenkins, Stephen, The Story of the Bronx From

the Purchase Made by the Dutch from the Indians in

1639 to the Present Day, Opposite p. 318 (NY and 

London: G.P. Putnam's Sons The Knickerbocker Press,

1912).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

Below are examples of previous postings that address the histories of the various Pelham Bridges that have spanned Eastchester Bay for the last two centuries.

Wed., Oct. 12, 2016:  More on the Early History of Pelham Bridge Including Ownership of the Bridge Between 1834 and 1860.

Tue., Oct. 11, 2016:  Is It Possible The First Pelham Bridge Built in About 1815 Was Repaired After Near Destruction by a Storm?

Wed., Oct. 1, 2014:  Bridge Keepers of the Pelham Bridge from 1870 to 1872.

Mon., Jul. 21, 2014:  Image of the Second Pelham Bridge Built in 1834 From a Sketch Created in 1865.

Thu., Jul. 17, 2014:  Sabotage Brought Down the 70-Ton Draw Span of Pelham Bridge in 1908 and Delayed its Opening. 

Tue., Jun. 10, 2014: Construction of the Concrete Arch Pelham Bridge.

Mon., May 12, 2014: The March 6, 1812 New York Statute Authorizing Construction of the Pelham Bridge.

Tue., Sep. 22, 2009: Names of Early "Keepers of Pelham Bridge" Appointed by Westchester County.

Thu., Jan. 08, 2009: Another Brief History of The Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Jan. 1, 2009: A Brief History of Pelham Bridge.

Wed., Jan. 2, 2008: New York State Senate Report on Petition by Inhabitants of Westchester to Allow Construction of Toll Bridge Across Eastchester Creek in 1834.

Tue., Aug. 28, 2007: The Laying Out of Pelham Avenue From Fordham to Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Wed., Jul. 4, 2007: 1857 Real Estate Advertisement for Sale of the Pelham Bridge.

Fri., Jul. 22, 2007: 1857 Real Estate Advertisement for Sale of "Country Seat" at Pelham Bridge.

Fri., May 18, 2007: Celebration at Pelham Bridge in 1872.

Wed., May 16, 2007: Board of Supervisors of Westchester County Vote to Build New Iron Bridge to Replace Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Tue., May 15, 2007: The Owner of the Pelham Bridge Hotel Sold it for the Princely Sum of $22,000 in 1869.

Mon., May 14, 2007: Plans to Widen Shore Road in the Town of Pelham in 1869.

Fri., May 11, 2007: A Sad Attempted Suicide at Pelham Bridge in 1869.

Thu., Dec. 08, 2005: The First Stone Bridge Built Across Eastchester Creek in Pelham, 1814-1815.

Thu., Aug. 18, 2005: The Opening of the New Iron "Pelham Bridge" in 1871.

Tue., Aug. 9, 2005: Cock Fighting at Pelham Bridge in the 19th Century.

Thu., Jul. 21, 2005: Today's Remnants of the Bartow Station on the Branch Line Near City Island.

Tue., Jun. 28, 2005: The Hotel and Bar Room at Pelham Bridge.

Thu., Mar. 24, 2005: The Bartow Area of Pelham in the 19th Century: Where Was It?

Wed., Mar. 23, 2005: Prize Fighting at Pelham Bridge in 1884.

For more about the Pelham Bridge and its history, see Pelham Bridge, Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelham_Bridge (visited May 6, 2014).

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Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

The Old Stone House That Stood on Hunter's Island Near John Hunter's Mansioin

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Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
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The history of Hunter's Island, once part of the Town of Pelham, is overshadowed by the towering figure of John Hunter and the mansion he built on the island beginning in about 1812.  Most writings about Hunter's Island focus on John Hunter and his mansion.  For many examples, see the list of my previous postings at the end of this article.

Far less attention is given to the Old Stone House that once stood on Hunter's Island near Hunter's Mansion.  A portion of the Old Stone House is believed to have been buit long before the construction of Hunter's Mansion and is said to have stood on the island as early as the seventeenth century.  

In the hopes of prompting my treasured brethren from the East Bronx History Forum to consider and debate some of the traditions that have arisen regarding the old stone house on Hunter's Island (and, hopefully, to add to the knowledge base regarding the Old Stone House), I have included below an undated photograph of the Old Stone House.  The photograph is maintained in the collections of The Office of The Historian of the Town of Pelham.

Undated Photograph of the Old Stone House on Hunter's Island.

Photograph Courtesy of The Office of The Historian

of the Town of Pelham.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

A notation on the back of the photographic print depicted in the image above indicates that it shows what is "probably" the oldest structure still standing in what once was the Manor of Pelham.  

According to local tradition, a portion of the Old Stone House may have been built as early as the seventeenth century.  Also according to tradition, the Old Stone House (or at least a portion of it) served as the residence of successive owners of the island including John Pugsley, Alexander Henderson, William Henderson and even John Hunter who reportedly lived in it while his famous mansion was being built only steps away in the early nineteenth century.

It appears that the Old Stone House stood near the site where John Hunter built his mansion.  Hunter's Mansion stood at the very top of the knoll near the center of the island.  The Old Stone House seems to have stood near, but not on, the top of the same knoll.  The map detail below, from a topographical map prepared in about 1905, appears to show the Old Stone House near Hunter's Mansion.

Detail from 1905 Map of Pelham Bay Park.

Source: Office of the President of the Borough of the Bronx

Topographical Bureau, Topographical Survey Sheets of

the Borough of the Bronx Easterly of the Bronx River,

Sheet 29 "Map of OPelham Bay Park City of New York

Forming Sheet 29 of the Topographcial Atlas of the Territory

East of the Bronx River" (1905) (Lionel Pincus and

Princess Firyal Map Division, The New York Public Library).

NOTE: Click Image to Enlarge.

A different map published in 1868 also seems to show the Old Stone House.  It is difficult to decipher the reference on the map which may be a reference to "Farm H." (perhaps Farm House?) or Farm II (as in Roman Numeral "II"?).  In any event, the map detail below seems clearly to show the structure not far from John Hunter's Mansion.

Detail of 1868 Map of Pelham Showing Hunter's Island.

Source:  Beers, F.W., Atlas of New York and Vicinity

from Actual Surveys By and Under the Direction of

F.W. Beers, Assisted By A.B. Prindle & Others,

pg. 35 (NY, NY: Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1868) (Detail from

Page 35 Map Entitled "Town of Pelham, Westchester Co., N.Y.

(With) City Island"). NOTE: Click Image to Enlarge.  

Reliable references to the Old Stone House seem to be few and far between.  Indeed, references to any sort of outbuildings on Hunter's Island are rare.  This author would welcome any information about such outbuildings, particularly references to anything believed to be the Old Stone House.  Undocumented (and likely unverifiable) references to the structure indicate that it was built by an unidentified "Huguenot" prior to 1700 and was later occupied by members of the Pell family, the Pugsley family, the Henderson family, and John Hunter and his family.  The structure later was used as a barn and was portrayed in the 1920s by William R. Montgomery, Historian of the Town of Pelham, as the oldest stone house standing in what once was Westchester County.  A fire eventually destroyed the interior and roof of the building.  The remnants of the building were razed in the 1930s, likely at the same time that Hunter's Mansion was razed.

The photograph of the Old Stone House that appears above was published in the October 15, 1926 issue of The Pelham Sun with the following caption:  "OLDEST HOUSE IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY Now standing on Hunter Island.  At one time the residence of the Pells."  (See below.)  The article published with the photograph stated, in part:

"Mr. Montgomery's collection of photographs of both the modern Pelham and the Pelham of years past is remarkable.  Several of the pictures are here reproduced.  One of them shows the Old Huguenot Homestead on Hunter's Island.  It was probably built by a Huguenot prior to 1700 and was later occupied by the Pells, the Pugsleyes and the Hunters.  This house was later used as a barn and is the oldest stone house standing in Westchester County.  The interior and roof were destroyed many years ago by fire.  The building now belongs to New York City. . . ."

Source:  Pictures of Past Give Heritage Of Pride To Pelham -- W. R. Montgomery's Rare Historical Collection of Deeds, Maps and Indian Relics Makes Old Pelham Live, The Pelham Sun, Oct. 15, 1926, p. 18, cols. 1-7.

Source:  Pictures of Past Give Heritage Of Pride To Pelham --

W. R. Montgomery's Rare Historical Collection of Deeds,

Maps and Indian Relics Makes Old Pelham Live,

The Pelham Sun, Oct. 15, 1926, p. 18, cols. 1-2.  NOTE:

Click Image To Enlarge.

Another interesting reference appeared in the November 1, 1933 issue of The Daily News published in Tarrytown, New York.  The reference makes clear that a painting of the Old Stone House on Hunter's Island once existed and was displayed during an exhibition at the County Center in White Plains on November 1, 1933.  Although the reference does not indicate the artist who created the painting, this author is virtually certain that the painting was created by John M. Shinn of Pelham who created a large number of oil paintings of significant historic sites in Pelham and the surrounding region during the late 1920s and the early 1930s, many of which are displayed on the walls of the Town Board room in Pelham's 
Town Hall and some of which are referenced as on display during the same exhibition in 1933.  The reference states that the exhibition at the County Center included "dozens of oil paintings of such historic sites as Split Rock Road, where the thickest fighting too place at the Battle of Pell's Point, in October, 1776, of the stone building on Hunter's Island reputed, at one time, to be the oldest house in Westchester County, of the Bolton Priory soon after its erection, of 'Sunnyside,' where Washington Irving lived."

Source:  Exhibit Opens Tonight At 8 At County Center, The Daily News [Tarrytown, NY], Nov. 1, 1933, p. 16, cols. 6-8.  

In addition, clearly there was a barn on Hunter's Island in the late 19th century.  There is a reference to a fire in that structure that destroyed hay stored within but, apparently, not the entire structure.  The reference is consistent with the statement published in 1926 that "many years" before 1926, the roof and interior of the structure were destroyed by fire.  Below is the published reference to the fire:

"Fire Matters. . . . 

The alarm of fire on Friday night was caused by a conflagration even further off than Prospect Hill, where we had placed it.  The blaze was that of a large barn on Hunter's Island.  It is supposed that it was caused by spontaneous combustion.  A large quantity of hay, stored in the building, is a total loss"

Source:  Fire Matters, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 14, 1890, Vol. XXII, No. 1341, p. 3, col. 1.  

An advertisement for the sale of Hunter's Island published in 1880 makes reference to a couple of outbuildings on the property.  The advertisement stated:

""Magnificent Suburban Property ON THE SOUND, Never Before Offered.

Hunter's Island and connecting Twin Islands at New Rochelle, fronting on Long Island Sound.  Most beautiful and complete suburban residence in America.  Ancient and lordly mansion of stone, built by Gov. John Hunter, recently repaired at large expense, gas, water, &c.  Located in park of 300 acres of beautifully diversified woodland, meadow and water front.  All laid out and designed with the intention of having a finer country seat in America than in England, as its natural advantages are unsurpassed.  Views from house most varied, both seaward and over surrounding country.  Location most prominent on the sound.  Buildings are very compete and include Lodge, Stables, Green Houses, &c.  Place is connected to mainland by stone causeway, and handsome and imposing entrance.  Two miles from New Rochelle, 8 mies from Harlem Bridge, 40 minutes from Grand Central Depot, very accessible, 16 trains daily by New Haven RR, also branch from Fulton Ferry, 1 mile from depot.

HOMER MORGAN, 2 Pine street.
RICHARD V. HARNETT, 111 Broadway."

Source:  Magnificent Suburban Property on the Sound, Never Before Offered, The Evening Post [NY, NY], Mar. 4, 1880, p. 3, col. 5.  

*          *          *          *          *

I have written about John Hunter, his mansion, and Hunter's Island on many occasions.  Below are a few examples.

Fri., Dec. 2, 2005:  John Hunter of Hunter's Island in Pelham, New York.

Wed., Dec. 14, 2005:  New Information About John Hunter's Acquisition of Hunter's Island in the Manor of Pelham.

Thu., Apr. 27, 2006:  Burial Place of John Hunter (1778 - 1852) of Hunter's Island.

Mon., Aug. 14, 2006:  An Early Account of a Visit to Hunter's Island and John Hunter's Mansion in Pelham.

Mon., Aug. 28, 2006:  John Hunter of Hunter's Island in Pelham Obtained Special Tax Relief in 1826.

Tue., Nov. 21, 2006:  John Hunter Loses a Debate in the State Senate During the Winter of 1841.

Fri., Dec. 15, 2006:  References to John Hunter of Pelham Manor in the Papers of President Martin Van Buren.  

Thu., Jan. 17, 2008:  A Little More Information About John Hunter of Hunter's Island.

Mon., Nov. 10, 2014:  Obituaries And Notice of Art Auction Published Upon the Death of John Hunter of Hunter's Island in 1852.

Wed., Jan. 28, 2015:  Pelham Manor Resident Pushed for Removal of the Causeway from Shore Road to Hunter's Island in 1902.

Friday, April 17, 2015:  Lawsuit Over the Will of John Hunter of Hunter's Island.

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