Historic Pelham

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The Three Original Neighborhoods Planned by the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Associations in the Early 1870s

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During the 1870s, real estate speculators who owned lands in the area of today's Village of Pelham Manor began to dream. They formed the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association to develop a first class, elegant suburban respite from the giant metropolis nearby. Their plans were grandiose. They developed an Esplanade "in the center of which rows of trees are left standing with such care as to give it the appearance of one of the drives in the famous Bois de Boulogne."

They placed the center of the new development at the location we know today as Four Corners. They had a grand plan to build a magnificent church at the corner. The developers flooded the Metropolitan region with handbills, sales brochures, newspaper advertisements, and even a stock prospectus in connection with the sale of shares in the venture.

I have written on numerous occasions about the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association, as well as the development of the suburb that came to be known as Pelham Manor. See the end of this article for a lengthy list of such postings with links to each.

The Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association developers envisioned three neighborhoods that would form the initial basis of the new development. The three were: (1) Pleasant Ridge Division; (2) Glen Mitchill Division; and (3) Chestnut Grove Division. Where were these three original Pelham Manor neighborhoods? It turns out that one of the three was not even within the boundaries of today's Village of Pelham Manor. Rather, it was within an area now part of Pelham Heights in today's Village of Pelham.

Marketing materials for the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association shed light on the locations of the three original neighborhoods. In 1875, the Association released a large map entitled "MAP of THREE DIVISIONS AS PLOTTED of Lands of the PELHAM MANOR & HUGUENOT HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION. PELHAM, WESTCHESTER CO. N.Y." (see below).

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

The map provides a fascinating glimpse of the original vision of the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association developers. For example, the map shows that a large hotel once was planned along the Esplanade near its eastern end adjacent to the Pelham Manor Depot that once stood where I-95 now cuts through Pelham Manor. The hotel would have stood roughly adjacent to the home that now stands at 1084 Esplanade. A store and post office was planned for the area across the street from Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church where today's Four Corners Shopping Center stands.

The rough center of the development was expected to be today's Four Corners intersection of Boston Post Road and Pelhamdale Avenue, anchored by the beautiful church building of the Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church known as the "Little Red Church." A detail from the map above showing the planned Little Red Church roughly a year before it actually was built appears immediately below.

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

The central avenue of the new development was the exceptionally-wide boulevard known as "Esplanade." According to text included with the map, the planned development would include:

"Dwelling Houses of new & tasteful designes for sale, -- (or may be rented,) as now built, or building, -- $4,000 to $12,000 for Estate Complete fitted for residence the year roudn, -- having furnaces on sanitary principles, (from Gold's Heater Co. of New York,) -- Hot and Cold Water circulation, Lavatories, Closets, etc., -- Gas, (at less than one-half City cost,) -- Sidewalks, Graded Lawns, &c. Built after best models from Boston Suburbs and elsewhere in the Healthful, well privileged including liberal and handsome grounds and select suburb called  Pelham Manor and Huguenot Heights, extending from the New Haven Railroad to the Sound. Accessible from N. Y. City business centres -- with over 40 trains daily, by two thoroughly equipped railroads, and the well appointed East River Boats. One commutation ticket serves on both railroads. Two Depots, Two Churches, Schools, etc. on premises. About one hour's ride to Fulton Street, by Cars and Boat, -- or by all rail, about half hour only to Grand Central Depot. Also, -- Choice Lands in parcels, large or small, on good Avenues, for sale favorably. This Westchester County suburb is now so endowed and regulated as to offer almost everything sought for in the externals of a home; -- its healthfulness is proven by the Sanitary Record for nearly forty years of the adjacent 'Priory' (Young Lades') School, -- by the continuous health and longevity of the several families there resident from the beginning of the century, -- as well as by its gravelly, well drained soil. Those subject to Asthma elsewhere, having come to Pelham Manor to live, find themselves rid of that distressing malady. All family supplies daily served at residences; -- good public and social privileges; -- associations refined; absolute restrictions insuring against nuisances; landscape beautifully wooded, and combined with attractions of Sound, most picturesque; delightful drives, with boating and fishing ad libitum; Neptune House and Pelham Bay Hotels near by, &c., &c. Taxes in Pelham are very light, about one-eighth of city imposition. Agents effecting sales fairly dealt with. Excursions, -- pleasures, -- plans, -- etc., furnished by Stephens Brothers, Managers for Corporation, 187 Broadway, New York City. R. M. Mitchill, Sup't residing at Pelham Manor."

Although a number of the anticipated roadways either were not built or, subsequently, were rerouted or (in the case of those where I-95 now stands) were destroyed, it is still possible to determine the rough locations of the three original neighborhoods planned by the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association.

The Pleasant Ridge Division stood in a portion of today's Pelham Heights. It was bounded, roughly, by Colonial Avenue (designated as Old Boston Post Road on the map above), Wolfs Lane, properties plotted on the north side of today's Boulevard (designated as "Ridge Avenue" on the map, and properties plotted on the north side of what looks to be, roughly, today's Cliff Avenue (designated as "Glen Avenue").

The Glen Mitchill Division, apparently named after the on-site Superintendent of the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association, Robert M. Mitchill, stood in an area now part of today's Village of Pelham Manor. It was bounded, roughly, by Colonial Avenue (designated as Old Boston Post Road on the map above), Pelhamdale Avenue, an area near but not adjoining today's Boston Post Road (designated "Boston Boulevard" on the map above), and properties plotted on the north and east sides of the curving Monterey Avenue (designated "Lake Avenue" on the map above).

The final neighborhood was the Chestnut Grove Division that likewise was planned in an area that is part of today's Village of Pelham Manor. That neighborhood was bounded, very roughly, by the New Haven Branch Line Railroad tracks still in use that run parallel to today's I-95, today's Lake Drive to the northeast of Pelhamdale Avenue (designated as a planned "Continuation of Glen Avenue" on the map above"), today's Boston Post Road (designated "Boston Boulevard" on the map above), and properties plotted on the east and south sides of the curving roadway consisting of today's Prospect Avenue and Highland Avenue.

If you live in one of these three areas today, congratulations! You live in what were the first planned suburban neighborhoods designed by the founders of the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association in the early 1870s!

1874 Newspaper Advertisement for Pelham Manor and Huguenot Heights.

Source: Westchester County Property for Sale and to Rent, N.Y. Daily

Herald, Jun. 28, 1874, p. 14, col. 5 (Note: Paid subscription required to

access via this link). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Labels: 1875, Chestnut Grove Division, Development, Glen Mitchill Division, Pelham Manor and Huguenot Heights Association, Pleasant Ridge Division, Real Estate, Robert M. Mitchill, Village of Pelham Manor

Tuesday, January 09, 2018

News of Pelham Published February 12, 1875

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In early February, 1875 -- much like recent days in 2018 -- the Town of Pelham was in the midst of a brutal cold spell that froze much of Long Island Sound and the waters off the shores of Pelham with ice so thick that people, horses, sleighs, and more could cross on the ice safely from island to island. The brutal cold, however, did not stop Pelhamites from enjoying an active social life and outdoor sports according to news of the Town published in a Mount Vernon newspaper on February 12, 1875.

In 1875, the Mount Vernon newspaper known as The Chronicle was in its sixth year of publication. In its earliest days, the newspaper occasionally carried news of Pelham. In those early days, Pelham Manor had not been settled much. The settlement of Pelhamville was tiny and, as one might expected, generated little interest or news. Indeed, most of the population of the Town of Pelham was concentrated on City Island and in the tiny nearby settlement on Shore Road known variously as Bartow, Bartow-on-the-Sound, and Bartow Station. Thus, the earliest news of Pelham reported in The Chronicle focused on City Island.

In early February, with much of the Sound solidly iced over, Pelhamites were concerned about their safety. Because it was possible to walk from island to island, prisoners held on Hart Island were escaping in droves -- simply walking away from the island on the ice to City Island and then to the mainland. According to the February 12 news report, in one week alone "about thirty prisoners" escaped.

Pelhamites also were concerned about local environmental issues in early 1875. The same news account reported the formation of a "committee" representing Pelham consisting of Town Supervisor James Hyatt, David Carll (shipyard owner and one of the most successful businessmen in Pelham), and Stephen Pell (a notable civic citizen and ancestor of John Pell, nephew of Pelham founder Thomas Pell). On behalf of Pelham, the committee traveled to Albany to complain to lawmakers that New York City contractors were illegally dumping refuse in the waters between Throggs Neck and City Island risking destruction of the oyster beds in the region, the mainstay of the Town's principal industry involving the planting, harvesting, and sale of oysters. The committee asked the lawmakers to enforce preexisting law banning such dumping.

On the lighter side, the news account described a host of social and recreational activities undertaken (or planned) by Pelhamites that brutally-cold February in 1875. For example, the Merry Ten of City Island planned a grand "calico ball" -- by invitation only -- at Leviness Hall on the evening of Monday, February 22, 1875.

The "Merry Ten" was a social club based on City Island in the Town of Pelham during the latter part of the nineteenth century. It seems to have been active from at least the early 1870's through at least the mid 1880's and, indeed, was described in one article published in [1882] as "an old organization of City Island." See PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 30, 1884, Vol. XV, No. 767, p. 3, col. 4 ("Last evening, the Merry Ten, an old organization of City Island, gave a complimentary ball, at Von Liehn's Hotel.").

In 1893, the highly-successful social club spawned a spin-off social club for the younger set known as "The Merry Ten, Jr." The name "Merry Ten" was associated with unaffiliated social clubs throughout the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Social Clubs named "Merry Ten" can be found in San Francisco, Yonkers and even Lowell, Massachusetts. There even was a dime novel story written by Harvey King Shackleford entitled "The Merry Ten; or, The Shadows of a Social Club. A Temperance Story." I have written before about the "Merry Ten" of City Island. See Wed., Sep. 03, 2014: The Merry Ten Social Club of City Island in the Town of Pelham During the 19th Century.

Ticket: "GRAND FANCY DRESS AND MASQUERADE BALL OF

THE MERRY TEN, TO BE HELD AT LEVINESS' HALL, City Island,

On Thursday Eve'g, Feb. 22d, 1872. TICKETS, ADMITTING GENTLEMAN

AND LADIES, $1.00. No Gentleman or Lady admitted on the floor, unless

Fancy Dressed and Masked, until after intermission. J.M. FLYNN,

President. JOHN ADEMA, Sectretary. M. KNAPP, Vice-President.

R. L. LINCOLN, Treasurer." NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

According to the same report, a charitable group named the Society of Earnest Workers formed by members of Grace Episcopal Church on City Island hosted a fundraiser consisting of an entertainment of tableaux and charades at Horton's Hall on the evening of Monday, February 8, 1875. (A "tableaux," popular at the time, involved posing costumed people, objects and, sometimes, animals to represent a scene, famous picture, statue or the like.) "Attendance was large" and the entertainment raised more than $10 to support the group's work.

The article further reported that a minstrel entertainment group known as the Stony Swamp Minstrels intended to give "one of their pleasing entertainments" at Leviness Hall on City Island later that month. Minstrel shows, of course, were 19th and early 20th century entertainments that, sadly, lampooned African-Americans in burlesque settings with comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music performances. Little is known of this minstrel group that appears to have been based in the City Island region and even owned an ice boat named the "Stony Swamp" that competed in local races. Hopefully additional research will reveal more about the history of this minstrel group.

The Stony Swamp Minstrels raced their iceboat named the "Stony Swamp" on the ice of frozen Pelham Bay during that brutal cold snap in 1875. The ice boat raced against other local ice boats including the Town Dock and the Graham. One such race, held on the ice of Pelham Bay on Saturday, February 6, 1875, was somewhat unusual. Two ice boats raced a horse-drawn sleigh on the ice. The ice boats beat the horse-drawn sleigh soundly, beating it by one-third of the distance across the entire bay.

19th Century Stern Steerer Iceboats Likely Similar to Those

Raced on Frozen Pelham Bay on Saturday, February 6, 1875.

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

And . . . THAT's the way it was in February, 1875, in the Town of Pelham.

* * * * *

"City Island.

The Merry Ten of City Island will give a grand invitation calico ball at Capt. Leviness' Hall on Monday evening Feb. 22nd.

On Monday evening last the members of the Earnest Workers gave an entertainment consisting of tableaux and charades at Horton's Hall. The attendance was large and the proceeds netted over $10.

During the past week about thirty prisoners have escaped from Hart's Island and City Island. People have been crossing from one island to the other for several days.

The residents of the Island have several ice boats, the Stony Swamp, Town Dock and Graham, in successful operation on Pelham Bay. The Stony Swamp is owned by the minstrel troupe of the same name.

On Wednesday last several boats were a whole day in getting from opposite City Island to Throggs Neck.

The Stony Swamp Minstrels intend giving one of their pleasing entertainments at Leviness's Hall about the 28th inst.

On Saturday last a race took place on Pelham Bay between two ice boats and a horse attached to a [sleigh] but the horse was beaten one third of the distance across the bay.

On Monday a committee of gentlemen from this place consisting of David Carll, Stephen Pell and Supervisor Hyatt went to Albany for the purpose of protesting against the dumping of refuse matter by the contractors of New York between Throgg's Neck and City Island. The committee requested our members to use their utmost endeavors to have the law in relation to the above abuse enforced. It forbids the dumping of all refuse matter one mile from Sandy Point. This action has been taken in prevention of the destruction of oyster beds beginning that part of the Sound spoken of above as a dumping ground."

Source: City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 12, 1875, Vol. VI, No. 282, p. 3, col. 2.

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Labels: 1875, City Island, Grace Church, Hart Island, Iceboats, Merry Ten, Merry Ten Social Club, Oyster, Oysters, Pelham Bay, Pollution, Recreation, Society of Earnest Workers, Stony Swamp Minstrels

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen Against Connecticut Oystermen in 1873-75

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During the late 1860s, a giant natural oyster bed was discovered by oystermen off the harbor of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Enterprising oystermen throughout the region harvested hundreds of thousands of bushels of seed oysters and carried them to oyster planting grounds in New York, Connecticut, and even New Jersey. For several years the giant oyster bed served as "a never failing source of supply to the oyster planters" of surrounding states.

In 1873, however, something changed. Connecticut oystermen "joined together to monopolize" the bed and began to exclude oystermen from other states from harvesting seed oysters -- actually, any oysters -- from the bed. New York oystermen, including those based on City Island in the Town of Pelham, were furious. Indeed, they asserted that although the bed was off the harbor of Bridgeport, Connecticut, it actually was located in New York waters.

Yet another oyster war began.

Port Washington, Long Island oystermen were the first to throw down the gauntlet. On March 15, 1873, a large number of them met formally and voted to approve the following resolutions:

"Whereas the oystermen of the State of Connecticut are endeavoring to prohibit and prevent the oystermen of this place, and others of the State of New York, and who are citizens thereof, from catching seed oysters in certain portions of the waters of Long Island Sound, more especially off the harbor of Bridgeport, as has ever been our custom and right; and whereas we believe said bed of oysters to be within the boundaries of the State of New York, as we are informed by competent counsel and other reliable authority, and none but citizens of this State (New York) have a right to work said bed; and whereas we are satisfied that large quantities of territory belonging to said State of New York have been taken up and planted with oysters in violation of law and the rights of the people of this State, more especially off Norwalk Islands, Shippan, Darien and other places; therefore, be it

Resolved. That, while we are and have ever been willing to share our rights and privileges in common with our neighbors, if the oystermen of Connecticut attempt to deprive us of or curtail those rights, that we, the oystermen and citizens of the State of New York, are determined to resist further encroachments and assert and maintain those rights which belong to us.

Resolved. That we claim that the bed known as the Bridgeport bed is in New York State waters, and that only the citizens thereof have the right to catch oysters thereon.

Resolved. That such grounds in this State as have been taken up and planted at Norwalk Island and other places by the oystermen of Connecticut be reclaimed from them for the use of our own citizens.

Resolved. That a committee of five be appointed to confer with the oystermen of City Island, Oyster Bay, Staten Island, Little Neck and other places to insure co-operation.

A considerable sum of money was then raised and the meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the Chair."

New York oystermen defied their Connecticut brethren and harvested oysters off Bridgeport Harbor. On Thursday, May 29, 1873, however, things became more heated. The New York smack Henrietta Scott was harvesting oysters in the area when it was boarded by five men who demanded that the two-man crew of the smack provide some evidence of their "authority" for harvesting oysters in the area. When no such "evidence" was forthcoming, the five men overpowered the crew of the smack and had a tug tow the smack back to Bridgeport. There, the men instituted a civil lawsuit alleging trespass on the oyster bed against the captain of the smack, Harry Scott. Captain Scott was about to become a famous man.

Skirmishes continued and New York oystermen continued to slip in and out of the giant bed. Within months the New York legislature decided to look at the matter. The legislature adopted a resolution "calling for information relative to the respective rights of Connecticut and Long Island to the oyster-beds of the Sound." It seems that the legislature was contemplating enactment of legislation to address not only "a question of boundary between Connecticut and New-York," but also claims under an old colonial charter under which New York claimed its boundary extended to low water mark on the Connecticut shore and Connecticut claimed the boundary line was in the middle of the stream between two shores. As one Assembly member stated, "the disputed questions involve millions of dollars worth of property, beside excited feeling and prejudice between the residents of the two shores."

The oystermen, of course, could not be bothered to wait for a tortoise-like investigation followed by a log-rolling legislative process. Oysters and the money they brought were at stake.

New York oystermen continued their assault on oyster beds off the Connecticut shores. In May of 1874, Connecticut oystermen decided to seek revenge with a counter-attack. A flotilla of about two hundred oystering vessels descended upon planted oyster beds maintained by the oystermen of Sayville, Long Island. The Connecticut vessels harvested more than $50,000 worth of oysters from the beds (nearly $1.5 million in today's dollars). A local newspaper reported:

"The Suffolk County Oyster Planters' Association, of Sayville, composed of about one hundred members, having some 200 acres under lease, near Nichols' Point, have been almost entirely cleaned out, and the Society broken up. Much indignation is felt over the matter, and it was feared at one time that the parties would come in hostile collision, but milder counsels prevailed, and those who planted under the leases, have resolved to try the uncertain issue of the law for redress. If the law will allow one man to reap where another man has planted, it is high time, in our estimation, that a stronger and more just law was enacted. If the people own the bay bottom they own no oysters, except those that grow naturally, and to rob another of oysters, bought, paid for and planted, even though they are planted in the wrong place, and contrary to law is an outrage upon the commonest rights of property. We hope this matter will be thoroughly sifted and the wrong placed where it belongs."

Cooler heads may have prevailed in that instance, but the oyster war continued for many months. Indeed, in October, 1875, several New York boats were caught by Connecticut oystermen harvesting oysters off Connecticut shores yet again. The Connecticut oystermen successfully boarded and seized the New York vessels. It seemed this brought the matter to a head.

According to one news report, a truce was announced to allow the civil trespass case against Captain Scott to be decided by the courts and, hopefully, resolve the matter. The report stated:

"Mr. Bullock, of Bridgeport, counsel for the seizers, received a letter from Mr. Scudder of New York, requesting that no further proceedings be taken toward a condemnation of the boats seized, pending a decision in the courts of 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' the main case to determine the constitutional and jurisdictional rights of Connecticut over the oyster interest. A consultation was had in New York Wednesday between Judge Shipman, H. J. Scudder, counsel for New York, and Mr. Bullock of Bridgeport, in which it was determined to release the seized boats upon pledges from the New York interest as represented by Mr. Scudder that pending a final adjudication of 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' no encroachments upon the oyster beds of our coast by New York parties shall again occur, and upon further pledges by the owners of the boats seized that their boats should not be permitted to return. It is therefore well understood that Connecticut oystermen shall be no further annoyed by non-residents or oyster boats owned outside of the State. The first hearing -- 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' probably will be had during the Autumn. The schooner Undine was the first to be released, and the other boats now held will soon be realized."

Yet another oyster war was paused. Scott vs. Ketcham, it seems, is a story of its own -- to be continued. . . . .

* * * * *

"OYSTER CONTROVERSY BETWEEN TWO STATES. --

Our readers will recollect that some five years ago there was a large bed of oysters found in the Long Island Sound, off the harbor of Bridgeport, Conn., from which hundreds of thousands of bushels of seed oysters were caught and carried to the different harbors and planting grounds and planted not only in this State, but in New Jersey and Connecticut; since which time said bed has been a never failing source of supply to the oyster planters of these States. It now appears that though this oyster bed is in New York State boundaries, the oystermen of Connecticut have joined together to monopolize the working of said bed to the utter exclusion of all others, and this without a shadow of law or right.he T On the other hand, the oystermen of this State are determined to protect their rights and interests, and are holding meetings and raising money to carry the war into Africa. At a large and earnest meeting of the oystermen of Port Washington, L. I., and vicinity, held at the above place March 15, 1873, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted -- John Mackey, Sr., in the chair, and W. S. Weeks, Secretary: --

Whereas the oystermen of the State of Connecticut are endeavoring to prohibit and prevent the oystermen of this place, and others of the State of New York, and who are citizens thereof, from catching seed oysters in certain portions of the waters of Long Island Sound, more especially off the harbor of Bridgeport, as has ever been our custom and right; and whereas we believe said bed of oysters to be within the boundaries of the State of New York, as we are informed by competent counsel and other reliable authority, and none but citizens of this State (New York) have a right to work said bed; and whereas we are satisfied that large quantities of territory belonging to said State of New York have been taken up and planted with oysters in violation of law and the rights of the people of this State, more especially off Norwalk Islands, Shippan, Darien and other places; therefore, be it

Resolved. That, while we are and have ever been willing to share our rights and privileges in common with our neighbors, if the oystermen of Connecticut attempt to deprive us of or curtail those rights, that we, the oystermen and citizens of the State of New York, are determined to resist further encroachments and assert and maintain those rights which belong to us.

Resolved. That we claim that the bed known as the Bridgeport bed is in New York State waters, and that only the citizens thereof have the right to catch oysters thereon.

Resolved. That such grounds in this State as have been taken up and planted at Norwalk Island and other places by the oystermen of Connecticut be reclaimed from them for the use of our own citizens.

Resolved. That a committee of five be appointed to confer with the oystermen of City Island, Oyster Bay, Staten Island, Little Neck and other places to insure co-operation.

A considerable sum of money was then raised and the meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the Chair."

Source: OYSTER CONTROVERSY BETWEEN TWO STATES [Special Notice], N.Y. Herald, Mar. 25, 1873, No. 13,365, p. 1, col. 2.

"The oyster boats owned by New York dealers have been withdrawn from the Connecticut coast. This has been done because the smack Henrietta Scott was captured off Point-no-Point, about five miles from Bridgeport harbor, last Thursday by five men. The captors say that the foreign boat was dredging for oysters on a forbidden bed. When asked to show their authority they would not or could not comply; but overpowering the two men on board the Henrietta Scott, towed her to Bridgeport harbor with the tug Knickerbocker, of Bridgeport, with which they had overhauled her. Harry Scott, captain of the captured vessel, had a suit for trespass instituted against him at Stratford, Conn. He says, if he is beaten, he will appeal to the United States Court, and make it a test case. The oystermen throughout the city are ready to fight the matter to the end. -- Sun."
Source: [Untitled], Queens County Sentinel [Hempstead, NY], Jun. 5, 1873, Vol. 16, No. 1, p. 4, col. 6.

"ALBANY.
-----
AFFAIRS AT THE STATE CAPITAL. . . .
THE LONG ISLAND OYSTER WAR. . . .

The resolution offered in the Assembly by Mr. Prince, and adopted, calling for information relative to the respective rights of Connecticut and Long Island to the oyster-beds of the Sound, contemplates further legislation to test the constitutional questions involved. An appropriation of $1,500 was made in the Supply bill last year to defray the expenses of litigation on the subject, but the terms of the appropriation were not sufficiently broad to cover all the questions that arise in the case. It is not only a question of boundary between Connecticut and New-York from the use of the oyster-beds. New-York claims that, under the old Colonial charter, her boundary extends to low water mark on the Connecticut shore, while Connecticut claims that the boundary line is in the middle of the stream between the two shores. Mr. Prince says the disputed questions involve millions of dollars worth of property, beside excited feeling and prejudice between the residents of the two shores. . . ."

Source: ALBANY -- AFFAIRS AT THE STATE CAPITAL. . . . THE LONG ISLAND OYSTER WAR, N.Y. Tribune, Jan. 8, 1874, Vol. XXXIII, No. 10,224, p. 1, col. 4.

"The Oyster War.

Some two weeks since we spoke of a raid made by the oystermen of Brookhaven upon the oyster beds at Sayville, but then, not having the full particulars, we now publish the following lengthy account of the same affair from the Babylon Signal, under the caption of 'An outrage under cover of Law:'

For the past ten or twelve years the oystermen of Sayville have devoted considerable attention to the planting of oysters in the Bay opposite that place, some by authority from Brookhaven, (which town still holds jurisdiction over the waters set off when the town of Islip was formed;) others operated under the oyster act of 1866. The bottom occupied was taken from portions of the Bay where there were planted, and the business has grown into an important one, many thousands of dollars being ingested in the stocking of the beds. It seems in the management of this business many planters had not conformed to the strict requirements of the law, in the fact that they had occupied more land than the law allowed, though barren of natural oysters originally. Acting on this latter fact, the oystermen from different parts of Brookhaven town, with a fleet of 200 boats, appeared on the Sayville beds in April, and have been actively engaged since taking up the oysters planted by the Sayville men. Remonstrance in some cases prevailed, but not to the extent of saving the oysters, except in some instances where the parties held leases from Brookhaven, but not all of these were respected. It is estimated that over $50,000 worth of planted oysters have been taken up and carried away by men who never planted an oyster within miles of these beds. The Suffolk County Oyster Planters' Association, of Sayville, composed of about one hundred members, having some 200 acres under lease, near Nichols' Point, have been almost entirely cleaned out, and the Society broken up. Much indignation is felt over the matter, and it was feared at one time that the parties would come in hostile collision, but milder counsels prevailed, and those who planted under the leases, have resolved to try the uncertain issue of the law for redress. If the law will allow one man to reap where another man has planted, it is high time, in our estimation, that a stronger and more just law was enacted. If the people own the bay bottom they own no oysters, except those that grow naturally, and to rob another of oysters, bought, paid for and planted, even though they are planted in the wrong place, and contrary to law is an outrage upon the commonest rights of property. We hope this matter will be thoroughly sifted and the wrong placed where it belongs."

Source: The Oyster War, Sag-Harbor Express [Sag Harbor, Long Island, NY], May 28, 1874, Vol. XV, No. 46, p. 2, col. 5.

"Oyster War.

A few days ago mention was made of the capture in Connecticut waters of several boats owned in New York and engaged in fishing for oysters. Mr. Bullock, of Bridgeport, counsel for the seizers, received a letter from Mr. Scudder of New York, requesting that no further proceedings be taken toward a condemnation of the boats seized, pending a decision in the courts of 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' the main case to determine the constitutional and jurisdictional rights of Connecticut over the oyster interest. A consultation was had in New York Wednesday between Judge Shipman, H. J. Scudder, counsel for New York, and Mr. Bullock of Bridgeport, in which it was determined to release the seized boats upon pledges from the New York interest as represented by Mr. Scudder that pending a final adjudication of 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' no encroachments upon the oyster beds of our coast by New York parties shall again occur, and upon further pledges by the owners of the boats seized that their boats should not be permitted to return. It is therefore well understood that Connecticut oystermen shall be no further annoyed by non-residents or oyster boats owned outside of the State. The first hearing -- 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' probably will be had during the Autumn. The schooner Undine was the first to be released, and the other boats now held will soon be realized. -- New Haven Courier."

Source: Oyster War, Queens County Sentinel [Hempstead, NY], Oct. 14, 1875, vol. 18, No. 20, p. 2, col. 6.

* * * * *

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 and various oyster wars such as that during the 1870s that is the subject of today's article, on many, many occasions. See, e.g.:

Wed., Jul. 05, 2017: Pelham's Most Entrepreneurial Oysterman Was Forced To Sell His Steam Engine Oyster Dredge in 1882.

Tue., Jun. 27, 2017: John E. Price of City Island, One of Pelham's Earliest Commercial Oystermen.

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.

Mon., July 30, 2007: 1885 Report Notes Decline of Oyster Industry Near City Island in the Town of Pelham.

Fri., Jul. 27, 2007: Possible Origins of the Oyster Feud Between City Islanders and Huntington, Long Island.

Thu., Jul. 26, 2007: Pelham's City Island Oystermen Feud with Long Islanders in 1869.

Fri., Apr. 13, 2007: Oystermen of City Island (When It Was Part of the Town of Pelham) Pioneered Oyster Cultivation.

Fri., Jan. 26, 2007: A History of the Early Years of City Island When it Was Part of the Town of Pelham, Published in 1927.

Mon., Sep. 18, 2006: A Brief Description of Oystering in Eastchester Bay and at Pelham Published in 1881.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

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Labels: 1873, 1873 Oyster War, 1874, 1875, City Island, Harry Scott, Lawsuit, Oyster, Oyster War, Oysterman, Oystermen, Oysters, Scott vs. Ketcham

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

More on the Glen-Drake Rifle Range in Pelhamville During the 1870s

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Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
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In the autumn of 1874, a group of New York State National Guardsmen who were members of the American Rifle Association (the original name of today's National Rifle Association) secured land for a small rifle range that permitted target shooting at 200 yards. The group was led by Colonel John T. Underhill of the 27th Regiment Infantry, National Guard of the State of New York. By the following spring, however, it was clear that the range was too small and a new location would have to be secured.

Colonel Underhill was charged with finding a larger and more suitable site for a rifle range to be used by National Guardsmen for rifle practice, drilling, and encampments. In a report he prepared on November 29, 1875, Col. Underhill wrote "[a]fter considerable labor and some expense," a site at Pelhamville "was selected and secured, targets at once erected and practice commenced."

The new rifle range, named "Glen-Drake" Rifle Range, opened formally in October, 1875. According ton one source, Glen-Drake range was "situated two-thirds of a mile north of the depot of the New York and New Haven Railroad at Pelhamville, with a road running in a straight line from the depot to the range." Source: "Annual Report of the Adjutant General" in Documents of the Senate of the State of New York Ninety-Ninth Session - 1876, Vol. I -- Nos. 1 to 17 Inclusive, pp. 332-33 (Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons and Company, 1876) (quoted in full below). This would place the rifle range, very roughly speaking, alongside today's Fifth Avenue roughly at 6th Street.

The rifle range immediately became a popular destination for spectators who wanted to watch the many shooting competitions held there. Indeed, there is a news story, quote below, that indicates that over 2,500 people visited the range during shooting competitions on a single day in 1875.

I have written about the Glen-Drake Rifle Range in Pelhamville on several occasions. See:

Fri., Feb. 05, 2016: More on the Glen-Drake Rifle Range Once Located in Pelhamville.

Tue., Jul. 28, 2009: Account of Christmas Shooting Matches in 1875 at the Glen-Drake Rifle Range in Pelhamville.

Wed., Apr. 22, 2009: 1877 Account of Competition for De Peyster Medal at the Glen Drake Range in Pelhamville.

Mon., Apr. 20, 2009: Only Known Image of the Glen-Drake Rifle Range Near Pelhamville.

Wed., Apr. 01, 2009: Evidence of a "Glen-Drake" Rifle Range in Pelhamville During the 1870s.

Only Known Image of the Glen-Drake Rifle Range in Pelhamville. Note the

National Guardsmen Marching in Formation Through the Gate and the

Canvass Targets in the Distance as Well as Tents on the Grounds of the

Range. The Structure on the Hill in the Distance Just Above the Upper Left

Corner of the Gate May Be the Little Schoolhouse that Once Stood

Where Today's Hutchinson Elementary School Stands. Source: Starr, George

C., The Forest and Stream Hand-Book for Riflemen, p. 7 (NY, NY: J. B. Ford &

Co., 1876). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes several news stories about shooting events held at the Glen Drake Range in Pelhamville during late 1875 and early 1876. Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

* * * * *

"SHOOTING AT GLENDRAKE.
-----

The second day's meeting of the American Rifle Association took place yesterday at Glen Drake near Pelhamville, Westchester county. The first contest was a subscription match. The winners were: -- Lieutenant Hofele, 20 points; John Gorham, 18; H. Fisher, ,16. The prizes in the subscription match, at 500 yards, were won by H. Fisher, 23; Lieutenant Hofele, 18; John Gorham, 18.

The Ladies' Match was won by A. W. Peck on a score of 22. G. O. Starr took the second prize, with 17 points, and Captain E. Cardoze came in third on a score of 10 points.

Shooting for the Westchester Cup was not finished last night. To-morrow a subscription match, an all-comers' contest and a competition for the De Peyster Badge, valued at $300, will occur."

Source: SHOOTING AT GLENDRAKE, The New York Herald, Oct. 29, 1875, p. 5, cols. 2-3.

"THE RIFLE.
-----

The American Rifle Team will shoot off at Creedmoor, on the 29th inst., for the Providence prize won in October last.

On the 25th inst. (next Thursday) the American Rifle Association are to hold a meeting on their ranges at Glen Drake. Five matches are to be shot, namely, the All Comers', a Subscription, De Peyster badge -- team matches -- and 'an old time turkey shoot.'"

Source: THE RIFLE, The New York Herald, Nov. 19, 1875, p. 5, col. 6.

"THANKSGIVING DAY
-----
A Day of General Gladmess and Rejoicing.
-----
The Family Reunions and Family Dinners.
-----
THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS. . . .

The American Rifle Association offers a series of prizes to be contested at Glen Drake Range, near Pelhamville, Westchester county, concluding with an 'old time turkey shoot.' Company G, Seventy-first regiment, Captain Weber commanding, will hold a friendly contest at the same place with Company B, Twenty-seventh regiment, of Westchester, Thursday.

The American Rifle Association of Mount Vernon have made arrangements for a lively time. Company G, Seventy-first regiment, N.G.S.N.Y., will participate in the shooting matches to take place at Glen Drake. At Mount Vernon the company will be received by Company B, Twenty-seventh regiment, and escorted through the village and thence to Glen Drake. The De Peyster Badge and several other prizes will be contested for, after which some poultry prizes will be shot for. . . ."

Source: THANKSGIVING DAY -- A Day of General Gladmess and Rejoicing -- The Family Reunions and Family Dinners -- THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS, The New York Herald, Nov. 24, 1875, p. 5, col. 6.

"THE RIFLE IN WESTCHESTER -- A GALA DAY AMONG MARKSMEN AT GLEN DRAKE RANGE.

Under the auspices of the American Rifle Association, a series of interesting matches came off yesterday at Glen Drake range, near Pelhamville, Westchester county. As some of the prizes to be shot for were open to all sorts and conditions of marksmen, and as the weather was all that could be desired, the attendance was large, it being estimated that not less than 2,500 persons visited the grounds during the day.

First on the programme was a 'Subscription Match,' distance 300 yards; any rifle; trigger pull, three pounds; position, standing and firing from the shoulder; entrance fee $1. One-half of the entrance money to be for the benefit of the association; balance to be divided among the three highest scores; entrances not limited. The firing in this match was at a 200 yards target, each competitor being allowed five shots, in addition to two sighting shots. When the shooting ceased at four o'clock, F. Hyde was declared the highest scorer, having made twenty points out of a possible twenty-five. The remaining two highest scores were not known when darkness set in.

The next was an 'All Comers' Match,' the distance, targets and conditions being similar to the foregoing, excepting that each man had seven shots. To the winners in this contest there were offered five prizes, varying in value from $35 to $5. The following are the names of the successful contestants and their scores out of a possible thirty-five: -- Frederick Backofen, Company G., Forty seventh regiment N.G.S.N.Y., 26; Philip Crookspire, Company K, Twenty-seventh regiment N.G.S.N.Y., 24; Colonel George D. Scott, 24; Sergeant W. A. French, Seventh regiment N.G.S.N.Y., 24; Ordnance Sergeant T. R. Murphy, Eighth regiment N.G.S.N.Y., 24.

Another and without doubt the most interesting contest was the 'De Peyster Badge Match,' open only to members of the National Guard, in uniform. The badge is of gold, appropriately designed and richly chased. Its value is about $400. This must be won three times before any member can lay claim to it. The weapons used were military rifles, the distance, position, &c., being the same as in the two preceding matches. The competitors had each seven shots at the target. In this match Frederick Backofen took the prize, scoring twenty-five out of a possible thirty-five.

The 'old time turkey shoot,' provided the opposite to lucrative on the part of the projectors. In the first place, it was intended that the head of a live turkey should be exposed as a target, but Mr. Bergh, having received an intimation of the proposed cruelty to birds, placed his veto on that particular feature of the sport. Accordingly it was decided to decapitate the turkeys, and then allow the head and neck of each bird to be operated upon by the marksmen at a distance of 100 yards with regulation muskets. The entrance fee was fifteen cents per shot. Before the receipts had commenced to accumulate the stock of turkeys rapidly decreased, and when a party took two birds out of four shots there was a hearty laugh given by the spectators, which was changed to a roar as Philip Crookspire, after firing six shots, carried off the last four turkeys remaining, and thus put an end to the fun."

Source: THE RIFLE IN WESTCHESTER -- A GALA DAY AMONG MARKSMEN AT GLEN DRAKE RANGE, The New York Herald, Nov. 26, 1875, p. 7, col. 2.

"THE RIFLE.
-----

The American Rifle Association has proposed a series of matches that are to come off to-morrow at the ranges near Glen Drake, Pelhamville, N.Y. The following matches will be contested: --

SUBSCRIPTION MATCH. -- Distance, 300 yards; any rifle; trigger pull, three pounds; position, off-hand; entrance fee, $1. One-half of entrance money to be for benefit of association; balance divided between three highest scores. Hours of shooting -- 10:30 A.M. to 1 P.M., and 1:30 P.M. to 4 P.M. Entries are not limited.

ALL-COMERS' MATCH. -- Conditions -- Distance, 300 yards; any rifle; trigger pull, three pounds; position, off-hand; entrance, $1 to members, $1 50 to others. Hours of shooting -- 10:30 A.M. to 1 P.M., and 1:30 P.M. to 4 P.M. First prize, $20 value; second prize, $15 value; third prize, $10 value; fourth prize, $5 value; fifth prize, $3 value.

DE PEYSTER BADGE MATCH. (Presented by General J. Watts De Peyster; value, $300.) -- Distance, 300 yards; open to any bona fide member of the National Guard; military rifles only; position, off-hand; trigger pull, six pounds; seven scoring shots, two sighting shots; contestants must shoot in uniform.

LADIES' MATCH. -- Prizes, three in number, valued at $15, $10 $6. Conditions -- Distance, 300 yards; any rifle; trigger pull, not less than three pounds; position, off-hand; entrance fee, $1. Hours of shooting -- 10:30 A.M. to 1 P.M., and 1:30 P.M. to 4 P.M."

Source: THE RIFLE, The New York Herald, Dec. 24, 1875, p. 6, col. 5.

"WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY. . . .

The American Rifle Association have made up a series of rifle matches to be contested on their ranges at Glen Drake near Pelhamville. The boys are wiping out their old Antietam muskets and making ready for sharp practice. . . ."

Source: WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY, The New York Herald, Feb. 19, 1876, p. 10, col. 3.

"AMERICAN RIFLE ASSOCIATION.
-----

The American Rifle Association have made arrangements for a meeting on their ranges at Glen Drake, near Pelhamville, on Tuesday next. The programme embraces three matches. The first is a subscription match; distance, 300 yards; any rifle; off hand; entrance fee $1; one-half of the money to be divided among those who make the three best scores. Entries not limited. The second is an all-comers' match; distance, 300 yards; any rifle; off hand; entrance fee $1 to members, $1 50 to all others. First prize a $25 badge, second prize a $15 badge and third prize $3 in value. Third match -- Distance, 300 yards; military rifles only; off hand; open to bona fide members of the National Guard in uniform; entrance fee $1 for members, $1 50 for all others. First prize a $25 badge, second prize a $15 badge and third prize $3 in value."

Source: AMERICAN RIFLE ASSOCIATION, The New York Herald, Feb. 20, 1876, p. 6, col. 5.

"SHOOTING AT GLEN DRAKE.
-----

The spring meeting of the American Rifle Association at Glen Drake range yesterday was very poorly attended, owing, doubtless, to a misunderstanding, arising out of the inevitable postponement on account of the weather, of the programme arranged for the preceding day. There were fifteen entries for the All Comers' match, the conditions of which were: -- Distance, 200 yards; position, off hand; rifle, any within rules; military rifle allowed five points. The first prize in this match was a pickle service, valued at $25, which was won by Major F. Shonnard, who presented it to the association with the understanding that it be shot for at a future day on conditions to be named by himself. The second prize, a silver cruet stand, was carried off by Henry Grohman. Next on the programme was a military match, off hand; distance, similar to the foregoing, five shots with military rifles. This was won by Frederick Crookspeare, who scored 21 out of a possible 25. The prize was a handsome gold military badge. A subscription match at the same distance and under corresponding conditions with the two former followed. The entries numbered eighteen. In the contest one-half of the entrance money went to the association, the residue being divided among the three highest scorers. The first and second prizes were awarded to D. F. Davids, who scored 21 out of a possible 25, the third prize being secured by Major Shonnard, whose score numerically equalled that of the first named. A subscription match, distance, 500 yards; position, any; rifle, any within rules; military rifle allowed five points, closed the day's proceedings. For this match there were seventeen entries. It was won by Major Shonnard, who scored 21 points out of a possible 25, and which, with the allowance of five points on his military rifle, carried his score ahead of that of F. F Davids, who made 23 points on the target. The De Peyster badge, valued at $300, will be once more contested for to-day."

Source: SHOOTING AT GLEN DRAKE, The New York Herald, May 20, 1876, p. 3, col. 6.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
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Labels: 1874, 1875, 1876, American Rifle Association, Glen-Drake Range, Recreation, Rifle Range, Sport, Sports

Historic Pelham

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The Three Original Neighborhoods Planned by the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Associations in the Early 1870s

Tuesday, January 09, 2018

News of Pelham Published February 12, 1875

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen Against Connecticut Oystermen in 1873-75

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

More on the Glen-Drake Rifle Range in Pelhamville During the 1870s

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