Pelham's Grand Traditions of Celebrating the Fourth of July During the 19th and Early 20th Centuries

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"From early morning hours when the first fire cracker proclaimed the
dawn of the nation's greatest holiday, until well into the night

when the last skyrocket traveled its course across the sky, the
din of explosions and smell of powder brought recollections
of actual warfare."

----- Newspaper Description of Noisy Fourth of

July Celebration in the Town of Pelham in 1927.

The little Town of Pelham has a longstanding grand tradition of celebrating the Fourth of July in quintessentially-American ways.  Indeed, I have written on a number of occasions regarding grand Fourth of July celebrations in Pelham.  See, e.g.:

Wed., Jul. 04, 2018:  The Village of North Pelham's Grand Fourth of July Celebration in 1907.

Tue., Jul. 04, 2017:  Pelham's Fourth of July Celebration in 1877.

Mon., Jul. 04, 2016:  19th Century Fourth of July Celebrations in the Town of Pelham. 

Fri., Jul. 04, 2014:  A History of Grand "Small-Town" Fourth of July Celebrations in Pelham.

Fri., Aug. 21, 2009:  Pelhamville's Independence Day Celebration in 1894.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog article continues a tradition of describing fascinating Fourth of July celebrations over the years in the Town of Pelham.  Below are descriptions of celebrations that range between 1878 and 1927.  At the close of today's article is the text of each newspaper article on which the descriptions below are based.  The text of each article is followed by a citation and link to its source.

Quaint Celebration in 1878

Today's Pelhamites certainly would recognize the Fourth of July celebration held in their little town by our predecessors 141 years ago in 1878.  In those days, most of Pelham's population lived on City Island, so the island was ablaze in celebration for much of the day.  

Of course, what would an All-American Fourth be without the National Pastime?  For a week prior to the holiday, City Island's two baseball teams had been preparing for a big baseball game.  The Clam Diggers was the weaker local team.  Yet, for nearly a week its members talked trash to the members of the rival Vails.  According to one account, the Clam Diggers told "the Vails at every opportunity how they were going to beat them."  On the Fourth of July, however, the Vails crushed their trash-talking rivals 23 to 3.  Following the game, the vanquished Clam Diggers relented and told all who would listen that the game was the last they would play against the Vails.

Two local brewers, Diehl's and Loeser's, paraded wagons of their wares.  According to one account, the horses and wagons "presented quite a fine appearance on Monday last, as they drew up in front of the City Island Hotel, with horses and wagons decked with plumes and gay-colored ribbons."

The ladies of the local Methodist Episcopal Church of City Island had grand plans for the day intended to help fund construction of a new church building.  They announced the week before the holiday that they would host "a citizens' picnic and clam-bake, in the Scofield Orchard, near the church parsonage."  The event featured ice cream as well as dinner and refreshments, all in an effort to raise the $6,000 needed to fund and furnish their planned new church building.

As the day waned and darkness fell, financier William Belden hosted a grand fireworks display for all of Pelham on his grand estate on Belden Point at the tip of City Island.  The display cost $500 (roughly $19,000 in today's dollars).  As one would expect a "large number of people assembled on the Point to witness the display" which was accompanied by the City Island Cornet Band.

Pelham Had to Ban Revolvers for the Fourth of July Celebration in 1909

During the 19th century and even well into the early 20th century, it was common for Pelhamites to carry revolvers.  On the Fourth of July each year, such revolvers were used as part of the celebration, particularly by young boys and men.  

By the early years of the 20th century, however, the Village of North Pelham had enacted local legislation that barred the carrying of revolvers or other such weapons in the village.  Nevertheless, in prior years young men and boys ignored the ban on the Fourth of July and fired revolvers into the air as part of the holiday celebration.  

By 1909, the leaders of the Village of North Pelham were fed up with the practice.  Two days before the holiday that year, the Trustees of the village announced that the village would enforce the ban and that "any person caught, having a revolver in his possession, will be arrested."  The Trustees emphasized that they had "taken this action because many boys have used revolvers loaded with ball cartridges in past years and the dangers that have ensued."

1927 May Have Been the Worst of all Pelham Fourth of July Celebrations

By 1927, the availability of fireworks had become so widespread that the Fourth of July celebration seems to have spun out of control.  The holiday was unacceptably noisy due to local fireworks and one of the local fireworks stands set up in the town to sell explosives caught fire and burned.  The fire spread to, and completely destroyed, the adjacent De Feo & Donati Electrical Shop on Fifth Avenue.  Other nearby stores were damaged by water and smoke.  

Pelhamites, of course, grew increasingly unhappy with the nature of the celebration.  

The Town of Pelham no longer followed a tradition of a grand Fourth of July parade in 1927.  The problem, according to the local newspaper, was that the week of the Fourth of July holiday was among the most popular vacation weeks of the year.  The Town reportedly was a shadow of itself during the week as many thousands of Pelhamites left for "vacation resorts."  

Lack of crowds, however, did not stop those left behind from celebrating.  Indeed, fireworks were easy to procure.  Local fireworks stands sprang up within the town and sold fireworks to virtually all comers.  The stands seem to have been located everywhere.  Ironically, there was one located directly across the street from the Pelham Fire Department.

Fireworks advertisements filled the local newspaper.  Stands such as Subitsky's Fireworks Stand (located opposite the Pelham Post Office on Fifth Avenue) carried a vast assortment of items including:  Salutes, Roman Candles, Cap Canes, Skyrockets From 1 oz. to 4 pounds, Sparklers, Jumping Jacks, Essex Tanks, Pin Wheels, Flashlight Crackers, Giant Crackers, Cock O' the Walk, Torpedoes, Fire Balloons, Devils-on-the-Walk, Ten Minute Torches, Five Minute Torches, Thunderbolts, Radio Candles, Fountains, Mines, Bingoes, Golden Shower, Serpent Hats, Flower Pots, Triangle Pin Wheels, Snakes, Aerial Flash Salutes, Railroad Torches, and Red and Green Fire.  

Today, of course, on the evening of July 4th, many Pelhamites head to the grounds of the New York Athletic Club or to Shore Park next door to watch the NYAC fireworks set off from Travers Island.  

Newspaper Advertisement for Electrical Store Burned and Destroyed

When Fireworks Stand Outside the Store Ignited on July 4, 1927.

Source:  WE WERE BURNED OUT!, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 8, 1927,

Vol. 18, No. 20, p. 1, cols. 6-7.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Text of Advertisement Transcribed Below to Facilitate Search.

Newspaper Advertisement for Sale of Fireworks at Fireworks

Stand Located, Ironically, Across the Street from the Pelham

Firehouse.  Source:  FIREWORKS! for the 4th, The Pelham

Sun, July 1, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 19, p. 12, cols. 1-7 (NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge).  Text of Advertisement Transcribed

Below to Facilitate Search.

"FIREWORKS! FIREWORKS! FIREWORKS! for the 4th FIREWORKS! FIREWORKS! FIREWORKS! GREAT BIG STOCK ALL READY FOR YOU TO SELECT FROM

You Get Your Fireworks For Less at Pelham Paint & Hardware Company

Firework Stand Opposite Fire Headquarters Fifth Avenue, Pelham

SAFE AND SANE

SAFE AND SANE"

Advertisement for Sale of Fireworks in Pelham Manor for

July 4, 1927.  Source:  FIREWORKS!, The Pelham Sun,

Jul. 1, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 19, p. 10, cols. 4-5 (NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge).  Transcript of Text Appears

Immediately Below to Facilitate Search.

"FIREWORKS!

BIG STOCK OF ALL KINDS OF FIREWORKS TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH

Get Your Fireworks In Pelham Manor AT BURGESS B. FIELD SERVICE STATION
BOSTON ROAD and PELHAM PARKWAY
(Foot of Secor Hill, Boston Rd., Pelham Manor)"

1927 Newspaper Advertisement for Subitsky's Firework Stand

Opposite the Pelham Post Office.  Source:  Hooray July 4th,

The Pelham Sun, Jul. 1, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 19, p. 16, col. 1

(NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge).  Transcript of Text

Appears Immediately Below to Facilitate Search.

"Hooray July 4th A GREAT BIG STOCK OF FIREWORKS!
Lots of Noise Makers But No Trouble Makers
-----
FINEST ASSORTMENT IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY
-----
Living Up to Subitsky's Motto of Leading the Way

Salutes, Roman Candles, Cap Canes, Skyrockets From 1 oz. to 4 pounds, Sparklers, Jumping Jacks, Essex Tanks, Pin Wheels, Flashlight Crackers, Giant Crackers, Cock O' the Walk, Torpedoes, Fire Balloons, Devils-on-the-Walk, Ten Minute Torches, Five Minute Torches, Thunderbolts, Radio Candles, Fountains, Mines

Assortments, $1.00 Upward

Bingoes, Golden Shower, Serpent Hats, Flower Pots, Triangle Pin Wheels, Snakes, Aerial Flash Salutes, Railroad Torches, Red and Green Fire
-----
DON'T WAIT -- GET YOUR ASSORTMENT EARLY
-----
SUBITSKY'S FIREWORK STAND
(Opposite the Post Office)
Fifth Avenue Pelham"

"WE WERE BURNED OUT!
But We Are Not Quitting Business!

De Feo & Donati, proprietors of the electrical store at 149 Fifth Avenue which was burned in Monday's fire wish to announce that they have secured temporary premises immediately opposite the Post Office on Fifth Avenue.

Estimates on electrical work or radio installations and our general business will be conducted from that address for a time.  Our telephone number is Pelham 2753.  Only our stock was burned.  The skill of our workmen is still at your service.

We Thank Our Patrons for the Many Kindly Messages We Have Received During the Last Few Days"

Cover of the Program for the July 4, 1907 Celebration. Source: Original

Held in Private Collection, But Image Provided to The Office of The

Historian of The Town of Pelham. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"City Island.

On Thursday, July 4th, the ladies of the M. E. Church of City Island propose holding a citizens' picnic and clam-bake, in the Scofield Orchard, near the church parsonage.  Proceeds for the benefit of the crew church in contemplation.  Dinner, ice cream and other refreshments can be procured on the grounds.  If the day should prove stormy, the picnic will be held the next fair day.  It is to be hoped that the ladies will reap a large sum from this enterprise, thereby helping to forward the new church movement.  The old church is entirely too small for the congregations that meet in it from time to time.  The people of City Island have done nobly.  Thus far over $2,000 have been pledged, and it only remains for a few of the wealthy men on and near City Island to swell the amount so that the work can go on.  The lot is clear, or the balance due on it otherwise provided for, and when $5,000 has been pledged work will be begun and pushed forward to a rapid completion.  The congregation want to build a church that will cost, furnished comple[te], about $6,000.  The plans have been prepared and from the description given us, the building will be not only sufficiently commodious, but an ornament to the island. . . ."

Source:  City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 28, 1878, Vol. IX, No. 458, p. 2, col. 5.

"City Island.

On Tuesday, July 2nd, the schooner Illinois, while at anchor about three miles south of Captain's Island, was run into by the steamer Massachusetts.  At the time of the disaster the captain was rigging the fog-bell and the mate was blowing the horn.  The schooner was struck amidship and almost immediately sank.  A boat was lowered from the steamer and the schooner's crew was picked up.  The schooner, Kate Kallahan, Captain E. J. Horton, went to the assistance of the wrecked schooner and made fast until the wrecking steamer, James McMahony, arrived, when the sunken vessel was raised and towed to City Island, where she was beached.  She is now on the ways at Hawkins's ship yard for repairs.  The schooner was badly damaged.  It will cost about $1,500 for her repairs.

The two brewers, Diehl's and Loeser's, turnouts, presented quite a fine appearance on Monday last, as they drew up in front of the City Island Hotel, with horses and wagons decked with plumes and gay-colored ribbons.

A game of base ball was played on the Fourth of July, between the Vails and Clam Diggers, both of City Island, which resulted in an overwhelming victory for the Vails.  Score, 23 to 3.  The Clam Diggers declare this is the last game with the Vails.  Mr. Editor, we would say nothing about this if it were not for the fact that, for a week before the game came off the diggers were telling the Vails at every opportunity how they were going to beat them.  But we are all liable to mistakes, and such was the case with the Clam Diggers on July 4th.  Umpire, Mr. Geo. Bell.

Mr. Wm. Belden gave the citizens of City Island a grand treat by the display of about $500 worth of Fireworks on the night of the fourth.  A large number of people assembled on the Point to witness the display and the City Island Cornet Band discoursed some good music.

At Carll's ship yard the sloop G. J. Demarest is on the ways for recaulking and painting.  The sloop Long Island has been hauled out for cleaning and repainting.  The steam yacht, just completed, was launched on Saturday last, and left for Key West on Sunday.  The Minnie Griffin is having a new spar put in and is being recaulked.  The schooner Ella Cooper is hauled out for cleaning, caulking and painting."

Source:  CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 12, 1878, Vol. IX, No. 460, p. 3, col. 1.  

"FOR A SANE FOURTH.
-----
Pelham Trustees Put Up the Ban on Revolvers for Next Monday.
-----

North-Pelham, July 2. -- The village trustees are going to keep the young patriots in bounds who may wish to celebrate to an unlawful extend next Monday.

Trustee Lyon said this morning that the board would enforce the law about carrying weapons and that any person caught, having a revolver in his possession, will be arrested.

The village trustees have taken this action because many boys have used revolvers loaded with ball cartridges in past years and the dangers that have ensued."

Source:  FOR A SANE FOURTH -- Pelham Trustees Put Up the Ban on Revolvers for Next Monday, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 2, 1909, Whole No. 5971, p. 1, col. 6.  

"FIREWORKS POP ALL OVER STREET WHEN STAND BLAZES UP ON NIGHT OF FOURTH; FIRE DESTROYS STORE
-----
De Feo & Donati Electrical Shop on Fifth Avenue Total Loss -- Other Stores Nearby Damaged by Water and Smoke -- Origin of Fire Unknown -- Fire Loss Estimated at $5,000
-----

While Pelham was celebrating the Fourth in great style on Monday evening, about 7:30, the firework stand outside the electrical store of De Feo & Donati at 145 Fifth avenue became ignited.  Five hundred dollars' worth of fireworks exploded within the next few minutes.  The electrical store and its contents valued at $5,000, were destroyed.  Damage to surrounding stores and apartments by smoke and water is estimated at $15,000.

Fire Chief Dominick Amato and the firemen of the first fire district fought the blaze amid a series of explosions and shooting fireworks.  Four lines of hose were laid and the fire was in hand half an hour after the blaze started.

The De Feo & Donati store is the center of a block of five one-story structures near the Westchester & Boston R. R. station.  To the north is the Astarita fruit store and the Marion Dress Shop.  To the south the Tybee Tea Room and the Betty Hat Shop.  In the rear of the stores are five apartments, occupied by Mrs. Marion Held, proprietress of the dress shop; J. W. Bradshaw, Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Adair, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Singer.  All the stores and apartments were damaged by smoke and water.

The fire spread with amazing rapidity.  A few seconds after the start the front windows of the De Feo store were broken by the exploding fireworks and the blaze had spread to the electrical store.  When the firemen arrived flames were roaring through the skylight and had mushroomed under the room setting fire to the Astarita store and threatening the entire row of buildings.  Fire Chief Amato, who operates a garage a few doors away, was talking with De Feo when the fire started.  He grabbed a fire extinguisher from his stock nearby and waded through the mass of exploding fireworks into the store in an effort to prevent the spread of the flames.  Several autos which were parked at the curb were removed to safety under the supervision of Police Chief Fitzpatrick. 

Proprietor De Feo, remembering that there was a considerable sum of money in a desk and cash register inside the store, made a spectacular dash into the store.  Armed with an axe he smashed the desk and obtained a sum reported at over $200.  

To fight the spreading of the flames, firemen tore holes through the ceiling of the Astarita store.  Household furniture was removed from the Bradshaw home in the rear of the store.  The work of the firemen was effective.  The recall was sounded at 9:45.

The building is the property of Dr. Wm. I. Wallach, 141 Center avenue, New Rochelle.  It is protected by insurance.  Dr. Wallach said that he had had no opportunity to estimate his loss but would at once proceed to repair the building.  The following loss is being reported:

De Feo & Donati, electrical store, total loss, $5,000.  Insurance carried, $3,000.

Tybee Tea Room, damage by water to foodstuff stored in basement, together with tapestry and hangings in restaurant, $1,000.

Astarita Fruit and Vegetable Store, damage to the stock in store and basement, $1,500.

T. S. Hughes, sewing machine agent, damage to stock of machines in basement of De Feo store, $1,500.

Betty Hat Shop and Marion Dress Shop, stock damaged by smoke, $1,000.

Various conjectures are made as to the origin of the fire, but no one has any authentic story.  The Tybee Tea Room resumed business on Tuesday, but the other stores in the block were forced to shut down."

Source:  FIREWORKS POP ALL OVER STREET WHEN STAND BLAZES UP ON NIGHT OF FOURTH; FIRE DESTROYS STORE -- De Feo & Donati Electrical Shop on Fifth Avenue Total Loss -- Other Stores Nearby Damaged by Water and Smoke -- Origin of Fire Unknown -- Fire Loss Estimated at $5,000, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 8, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 20, p. 8, cols. 4-5.

"No Injuries In Noisiest Fourth Of July Program
-----
Firecrackers and Fireworks Proclaim Anniversary of Signing of Declaration of Independence
-----

Although it is estimated that fully one-third of the residents of the Pelhams took advantage of the week end holiday and spent the Fourth of July at vacation resorts, those who remained, gave Pelham the noisiest Fourth of July celebration that can be remembered by even the oldest of the residents of the town.  From early morning hours when the first fire cracker proclaimed the dawn of the nation's greatest holiday, until well into the night when the last skyrocket traveled its course across the sky, the din of explosions and smell of powder brought recollections of actual warfare.

Although all manner of noisemaker and fireworks was utilized in the celebration there were no injuries reported by the local physicians.  Pelham luckily escaped the toll of burned fingers, and other injury that ordinarily accompanies the noisy and unsafe program of Fourth of July celebrating.

No organized program has been prepared for the observance of the day.  The early days of July see the exodus of vacationists to summer resorts and the custom of a town celebration has been abandoned.  Vacant houses were kept under the vigilant supervision of the police departments and though this service vacationing Pelhamites were assured of home protection during their absence.

Traffic was heavy on all through highways.  On the Boston road long traffic lines were managed without mishap.  Police officers kept the cars moving at a fair rate of speed despite the heavy traffic."

Source:  No Injuries In Noisiest Fourth Of July Program -- Firecrackers and Fireworks Proclaim Anniversary of Signing of Declaration of Independence, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 8, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 20, p. 7, col. 2.  

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Delay in Completion of the Pelham Region's First Telephone Circuit in 1882

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Like so many other American inventions, the telephone changed life in the little Town of Pelham in the 19th Century.  Indeed, United States Patent No. 174,465 for "Telegraphy" was issued to A. G. Bell on March 7, 1876.  Within only a few short years, residents of Pelham began telephone installations throughout the region.

The telegraph, of course, pre-dated the telephone.  It was developed by Samuel Morse during the 1830s and 1840s.  Despite the earlier development of the telegraph, Pelham seems to have remained cut off from the rest of the world regarding electronic communications until June, 1878, when financier William Belden had a telegraph line installed by the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company to an office in his home on Belden's Point, City Island in the Town of Pelham.  The telegraph was manned by a private telegrapher employed by Mr. Belden.  See City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 31, 1878, Vol. IX, No. 454, p. 2, col. 5 (reporting that "Mr. Wm. Belden is having the A. & P. Telegraph wire extended as far as his house, and has an operator and an office of his own at his private residence.").  In 1882, the telegraph system was expanded when the Western Union Telegraph Company installed telegraph lines between Williamsbridge and City Island to connect with the line of the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company.  See Fri., Nov. 27, 2009:  Telegraph Wires Connected Pelham to the Outside World in 1882.  The same year (1882), a telegraph office began operating in Pelham Manor daily (except Sundays) from 6:00 a.m. until 8:45 p.m. each day.  See Tue., Aug. 11, 2009:  News of Pelham Manor and City Island Published on July 14, 1882.

A Morse Telegraph from 1872-73 of the Type Likely

in Use at About the Time William Belden of City Island

Had a Telegraph Line Extended to His Residence There.

Source:  Wikimedia Commons. NOTE: Click to Enlarge.

I have written on numerous occasions of the histories of telegraph and telephone communications in the Town of Pelham.  See, e.g.:

Tue., Mar. 29, 2005:  The Earliest Telephone in Pelham Manor? 

Tue., Aug. 11, 2009:  News of Pelham Manor and City Island Published on July 14, 1882.

Fri., Nov. 27, 2009:  Telegraph Wires Connected Pelham to the Outside World in 1882.

Mon., Dec. 21, 2009:  More on What May Have Been the First Telephone Installed in Pelham. 

Mon., Mar. 24, 2014:  The Earliest Telephone in Pelham? When and Where Was it Installed?

Mon., Mar. 02, 2015:  The Telegraph in Pelham: Pre-Telephone Communications with the Outside World.

Tue., May 03, 2016:  More on the Earliest Installations of Telephones in the Town of Pelham.

By 1882, it seems, Pelham and the entire region were clamoring for installation of telephone lines and telephones.  There was talk of the creation of a telephone circuit through installation of telephone poles and wires throughout the City Island, Pelham, New Rochelle, and Larchmont region with a central office ("general office") to be located in New Rochelle.  The concept was to have merchants and residents in the region who wished telephone service to pay "monthly dues" to fund installation of the poles and wires as well as creation of the telephone circuit.  

By late summer of 1882, however, it became clear that the initiative would not proceed that year.  Residents of the lovely summer resort community of Larchmont did not want "ungainly" telephone poles erected along their streets.  Instead, they wanted telephone wires to be laid underground.  Additionally, the entire summer resort was more seasonal than residential.  Because most in Larchmont at the time closed their resort homes for the winter and departed to other locations including New York City until the spring, Larchmont residents did not want to begin paying "monthly dues" until the following spring season when they would return to their vacation homes.

New Rochelle merchants who wanted phone service raised similar concerns.  They noted "now that the season is so far advanced, [they] would rather commence paying the monthly dues for the same in the spring."

Given such concerns, on August 26, 1882 the New Rochelle Pioneer reported that "telephone managers at present are not making arrangements to erect poles about New Rochelle, Larchmont, Pelham and City Island, with a general office at New Rochelle."  It also reported that "From the present outlook the telephone circuit will not be perfected before the winter sets in."

Pelham would have to wait a little longer before its residents could install the latest technology:  the telephone.

1884 Telephone, From a Newspaper

Advertisement Published that Year.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"The telephone managers at present are not making arrangements to erect poles about New Rochelle, Larchmont, Pelham and City Island, with a general office at New Rochelle.  The Larchmont people do not care to have the ungainly poles erected about their streets, and there is a strong possibility that the wires will be laid under ground.  This will delay the work until late in the fall, and by that time Larchmont will be deserted.  We understand that a number of the New Rochelle merchants, now that the season is so far advanced, would rather commence paying the monthly dues for the same in the spring.  From the present outlook the telephone circuit will not be perfected before the winter sets in."

Source:  [Untitled], New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 26, 1882, Vol. XXIII, No. 20, p. 3, col. 2.  

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More on 19th Century Clothing Merchant Patrick Lawrence Rogers of Pelham

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Patrick Lawrence Rogers was born in Ireland in 1817.  His mother, Rose, bore him when she was 28-years-old.  He was married to Sarah Ann Mills by 1840 when he was 23-years-old.  It is not yet known when Rogers immigrated to the United States, but he arrived by 1840.  He and his wife had at least four sons and eight daughters between 1840 and 1853.  They lived for a time in Brooklyn, before moving to Pelham.

P. L. Rogers, as he was known, became a successful New York City clothier as a young man.  By the early 1840s, he operated a "Fashionable Tailoring Establishment" at 292 Grand Street.  His business grew until he outgrew his Grand Street space.  In about 1845, he moved his business to 102 Bowery, between Hester and Grand Streets and placed the following advertisement regarding the move:

"P. L. ROGERS' Fashionable Tailoring Establishment 102 Bowery, between Hester and Grand sts. would inform his old customers and the public in general, that having from his untiring exertions increased his business to such an extent, he has been compelled to change his place from 292 Grand-st. to the above place; he would call the attention of his customers and the public to a very well selected assortment of Fall and Winter Goods, embracing all the latest styles of French and English Cloths and Cassimeres, a very rich lot of Velvet Vestings, suitable for the coming season -- all of which will be made in a few hours' notice, at extraordinary low prices, and in the superiur [sic] style for which the establishment has been so long celebrated.  Employing the best workmen, he does not hesitate [to] challenge a comparison with any in point of style or elegance, in the city.  s18 6teodis*"

Source:  P.L. ROGERS' [Advertisement], New-York Daily Tribune, Sep. 25, 1845, Vol. V, No. 144, p. 3, col. 6.  

By 1849, P. L. Rogers had moved his establishment once again, this time to 76 Fulton Street at its intersection with Gold Street.  Once again, his advertisements emphasized the quality of his cloths, "Cassimeres," and "Vestings."  One advertisement stated:

"CLOTHING.
-----
THE BEST PLACE TO GET NEAT AND FASHIONABLE clothing made to order, or buy it ready made from the best material, is at the store of P. L. Rogers, 76 Fulton street, corner of Gold, where he is prepared to show his friends and the public an extensive and well selected assortment of cloths, Cassimeres and Vestings, which he will make up to be sure in the best and most fashionable style, and at the lowest possible price.

P. L. ROGERS,
76 Fulton street, corner of Gold."

Source:  CLOTHING -- THE BEST PLACE TO GET NEAT AND FASHIONABLE [Advertisement], The New York Herald, May 28, 1849, No. 5470, p. 5, col. 5.  

By 1850, P. L. Rogers seems to have expanded the nature of his business from tailoring and retail clothing to a combination clothing retailer and wholesaler.  Indeed, his advertisements became lengthier and contained more pricing information.  For example, the following advertisement appeared on May 31, 1850:

"CLOTHING.
-----
THE BEST PLACE TO BUY.

CLOTHING AT WHOLESALE OR RERAIL [sic], is at the Store of P. L. ROGERS, 76 FULTON - ST. at the sign of Gen. Taylor.  I assert, without hesitation, that my stock of Spring and Summer Clothing is the cheapest and most varied, both in style and prices, that has ever been offered for sale in the city.

Dress and Frock Coats, From French and English Cloths........$5 00 to 20
Office and Business Coats, from Cassimere, Cashmerett, Tweed, Alapacca, and Linen, &c.........$1 00 to 7 00
Vests from plaint and fancy Silks, Satin, and Marseilles...............75 to 5 00

BOYS' CLOTHING.

Boys' Frock and Sack Coats, from Cloth, Alapacca, Linen, &c........75 to 5 00 
Boys' Jackets and Pants, from ................. 62-1/4 to 2 00
Boys' Vests, from Silk, Satin and Marseilles....... 50 to 2 00
Also, a splendid assortment of Cloths, Cassimeres and Vestings, constantly on hand, and made at the shortice notice.

P. L. ROGERS, 76 Fulton-st., cor of Gold.

A full suit of Summer Clothing for $2.      s20 2mMWFh"

Source:  CLOTHING -- THE BEST PLACE TO BUY [Advertisement], New-York Daily Tribune, May 31, 1850, No. 2847, p. 2, col. 5.  

The wholesale and retail clothing business of P. L. Rogers continued to succeed and grow.  In 1850, Rogers built a massive establishment to house his expanding business.  It was named the "Union Hall Wholesale and Retail Clothing Warehouse," an immense establishment for its time.  It was a six-floor warehouse that stood on the corner of Fulton and Nassau Streets opposite the famed Sun and Herald newspaper buildings.  The new facility opened in November, 1850.  Each of the six floors housed a different department of the clothing "Emporium" specializing in "ready-made clothing."

This was a massive establishment for its time.  Irish immigrant P. L. Rogers employed about 1,000 people at his Emporium -- mostly Irish.

A lengthy advertisement published on November 1 of that year trumpeted the new facility.  It said:

"UNION HALL Wholesale and Retail CLOTHING WAREHOUSE, Corner of Fulton and Nassau-sts., (opposite the Sun and Herald Buildings.)

This immense establishment, built expressly for the proprietor, P. L. ROGERS, and opened in November, 1850, consists of SIX FLOORS, each of which is, of itself, a COMPLETE DEPARTMENT; the whole combined forming one of the most perfect and comprehensive Wholesale and Retail Clothing Emporium to be found in the CITY OF NEW-YORK; embracing a stock of some TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS' WORTH OF READY MADE CLOTHING, in every variety, of the cheapest and most desirable style of goods, of our own importations, and from manufacturer's agents suited to all markets.

Particular attention is paid to the manufacture of BOYS' CLOTHING, under the immediate supervision of an experienced cutter and a large assortment constantly on hand.

P. L. R. has just completed his FALL AND WINTER STOCK, which he confidently offers to the public as unsurpassed in extent, variety, style, material, workmanship and cheapness.

P. L. ROGERS,
Union Hall Clothing Warehouse,
Corner of Fulton and Nassau-sts. N. Y.

013 2mTuTh&8*"

Source:  UNION HALL Wholesale and Retail CLOTHING WAREHOUSE [Advertisement], New-York Daily Tribune, Nov. 1, 1851, Vol. XI, No. 3289, p. 2, col. 3.  

Patrick Lawrence Rogers and his family (including his mother, Rose) continued to live in Brooklyn in the 1850s and can be found there in 1855 as reflected in the New York State Census that year.  His business, known as "Union Hall," continued to thrive.  Indeed, despite opening the newly-constructed six-story Union Hall only a few months before, by May 1852, Rogers had taken over the adjoining building further to expand his business.  With the success of his massive wholesale and retail clothing emporium, however, at some point thereafter Rogers and his family purchased a 175-acre estate and home along today's Shore Road in the Town of Pelham.  

On Monday, July 4, 1864, Patrick Lawrence Rogers was involved in a carriage accident.  He was thrown from his vehicle and badly injured.  He was carried to his Pelham residence along Shore Road where he lingered for two days.  He died on Wednesday, July 6, 1864.  His funeral was held on Saturday, July 9 at St. Stephen's Church in Manhattan at the corner of East 28th Street and Lexington Avenue.  Although the obituary in The New York Times stated he was 50 years old, he actually was 47.

His widow, Sarah Rogers, and other executors of his will quickly had the will proved and probated.  See Thu., Sep. 07, 2017:  Patrick L. Rogers of Pelham and His Estate Along Shore Road in the 19th Century.  In 1869, the executors of the will of P. L. Rogers held a peremptory auction of a portion of his 175-acre estate in Pelham.  The auction was held on Saturday, April 3, 1869 at the Mott Haven Railroad Depot.  See id.  It appears that a small portion of the lands that belonged to Rogers were sold.  His home was not sold.  Indeed, it appears that his wife, younger children, and his mother continued to live in the home.

Only months after his death, P. L. Rogers' mother died.  Rose Rogers died in the family home at Pelham on Saturday, March 4, 1865.  Her brief obituary read:

"MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.
-----
Died. . . . . 

ROGERS.  --  At Pelham, Westchester county on Saturday, March 4, in the 76th year of her age.  Mrs. Rose ROGERS, mother of the late P. L. Rogers.

The funeral services will take place at St. Matthews church, New Rochelle, on Monday morning at eleven o'clock."

Source:  MARRIAGES AND DEATHS -- Died. . . . ROGERS, N.Y. Herald, Mar. 5, 1865, Whole No. 10,415, p. 2, col. 6.

The wife of P. L. Rogers, Sarah, continued to live in the family home in Pelham until the late 1870s.  By about 1877, it seems that she suffered some form of difficulty -- likely financial difficulty.  A plaintiff sued her in New York Supreme Court and obtained a writ of execution against the Rogers estate in Pelham which, by then, consisted of only about 101 acres of the original 175-acre tract.  In 1878, the Sheriff of Westchester County levied upon and took the Rogers estate from Sarah Rogers and offered it at a Sheriff's Auction to the highest bidder at an auction held at the County Courthouse in White Plains on April 17, 1878 at 11:00 a.m.  So far, research has not revealed the outcome of the auction, although it seems readily apparent that Sarah Rogers and her family lost the land at that time.

*          *          *          *          *

I have written before about Patrick Lawrence Rogers and his estate in Pelham.  See:

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

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

Thu., Sep. 07, 2017:  Patrick L. Rogers of Pelham and His Estate Along Shore Road in the 19th Century.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

Below is the text of a number of other advertisements and other items that are not quoted in their entirety above that form bases for today's Historic Pelham article.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"THE FALL CAMPAIGN OPENED at Gen. Taylor's Head-Quarters, No. 76 Fulton-st., corner of Gold. -- P. L. ROGERS, Commissary General of the above well-known establishment, desires to acquaint his patrons and the public, that he is now prepared to offer them an assortment of FALL and WINTER CLOTHING (made of superior materials, and by experienced workmen) at wholesale and retail, cheaper and more varied in style than can be found at any other house in this city.  The entire establishment is under the supervision of Mr. J. SOUDER, who will specially attend to the custom department, thereby guaranteeing a perfect fit to all who patronize him.  Remember, 76 Fulton-st., corner Gold -- Gen. Taylor's Head Quarters.     s16 1m*"

Source:  THE FALL CAMPAIGN OPENED [Advertisement], New-York Daily Tribune, Oct. 2, 1851, Vol. XI, No. 3263, p. 2, col. 4.  

"UNION HALL
Wholesale & Retail Clothing Warehouse, CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STREETS, Opposite the Sun and Herald Buildings, New York.

THIS SPLENDID EDIFICE, SIX STORIES IN HEIGHT, was built expressly for P. L. ROGERS, and opened in November, 1850.  So great has been the increase of business in this short space of time, that the Proprietor has been compelled to add the adjoining building to his establishment, and now possesses one of the largest and most complete wholesale and retail CLOTHING EMPORIUMS in the country.

UNION HALL is situated on one of the great business thoroughfares, corner of Nassau and Fulton streets, and is one of the most central locations in the city.  The building contains SIX FLOORS, each of which is, of itself, a complete department.

The First Floors are devoted to the retail business exclusively, and a number of polite salesmen are always in attendance.

The Second Floors are the custom departments, replete with all the latest and most desirable styles of goods, of our own importations, and from manufacturers' agents, where all who desire their garments made to order, in the best style, and for reasonable prices, will be promptly served.

The Third and Fourth Floors are devoted to the wholesale branch; and wholesale buyers will find, in this department, an extensive variety of the garments suited to all markets.

The Fifth and Sixth Floors are occupied exclusively for manufacturing.

The Spring and Summer Stock for 1852 is perhaps the largest ever exhibited before by any establishment, and embraces the most fashionable and substantial wearing apparel of every description, SUITABLE FOR ALL CLASSES, of every variety of material, at the lowest prices ever before known in the trade.  Buying his Goods in immense quantities, the Proprietor is thereby enabled to effect a GREAT SAVING in cost, which results to the benefit of the purchaser.  His stock of CLOTHS, CASSIMERES AND VESTINGS, from the best manufactories in EUROPE AND AMERICA, manufactured and imported to order, and embrace all of the richest fabrics and most beautiful styles.

The attention of COUNTRY MERCHANTS and purchasers generally, is particularly invited to an examination of this IMMENSE STOCK of some Two Hundred Thousand Dollars' Worth of Ready-Made Clothing, Manufactured by competent workmen, and cut in the most elegant and modern style.  Also, every variety of Boys' Clothing.

A separate department is manged by a gentleman of experience and taste, and supplied with every material in use, imported and of home manufacture.

P. L. ROGERS,
Union Hall Clothing Emporium,
corner of Fulton and Nassau sts.,
opposite the Sun and Herald offices.

ap13 2m"

Source:  UNION HALL Wholesale & Retail Clothing Warehouse [Advertisement], The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 20, 1852, p. 3, col. 4 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"THE PRIZE CARRIAGE FOR UNION HALL.  --  The following communication from Mr. P. L. ROGERS, the well-known Clothier of Union Hall, is in reply to a letter, signed 'An Artist,' which appeared in the DAILY TIMES of Saturday:

UNION HALL CLOTHING WAREHOUSE,              }
Cor. of Fulton and Nassau-sts., Friday, March 18.  }

To the Editor of the New-York Daily Times:

MR. EDITOR:  I have the pleasure to state, in answer to the communication of 'An Artist, that the prize of $100 for the best design of a commodious and elegant business vehicle for Union Hall, has been awarded to Mr. N. H. Hoyt, of No. 230 Ninth-avenue, (the artist and architect employed by Mr. Kipp, the well-known stage proprietor,) for a most superb and beautiful model from which he is now engaged in manufacturing the Prize Carriage.  It will be completed is time for the World's Fair, and will run to and fro between our establishment and the Crystal Palace.  The vehicle, harness and horses will form, together, the most magnificent business 'turn out' ever seen in New-York.  Yours respectfully, P. L. ROGERS."

Source:  THE PRIZE CARRIAGE FOR UNION HALL, N.Y. Times, Mar. 21, 1853.  

"DIED . . . 

ROGERS.  --  On Wednesday, July 6, at his residence, at Pelham, Westchester County, N.Y., P.L. ROGERS, from injuries sustained by being thrown from his carriage, on the 4th inst., aged 50 years.

The funeral Will take place from St. Stephen's Church, corner of East 28th-st. and Lexington-av., on Saturday morning, at 10 1/2 o'clock.  The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, without further notice."

Source:  DIED . . . ROGERS, N.Y. Times, Jul. 8, 1864.  

"Legal Notices.
-----

SHERIFF'S SALE. -- By virtue of a certain writ of execution issued out of the Supreme Court of the State of New York and to me directed and delivered, I have levied upon and taken -- which I shall expose for sale, as the law directs, at the Court-House in the village and town of White Plains, county of Westchester, and State of New York, on Wednesday, the seventeenth day of April, 1878, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon of that day -- all the right, title, and interest of Sarah A. Rogers, individually and as executrix of and trustee under the last will and testament of P. L. Rogers, deceased, which she had on the 20th day of February, 1877, or at any time thereafter, of, in, and to the following described premises, to wit:

All that certain tract, piece, or parcel of land situate lying and being in the town of Pelham, county of Westchester, and State of New York, bounded and described as follows:  Beginning at high water mark on the shore of Long Island Sound, at the boundary line between the premises hereby intended to be conveyed and land of Aaron Raymond (formerly of the said Patrick L. Rogers); and running thence along said Raymond's land north, twelve degrees fourteen minutes west (N., 12 deg. 14 min. W.), seven hundred and sixteen (716) feet, crossing the highway known as the Boston road, to the northerly side of said road; thence along the northerly side of said road south, seventy-three degrees twenty-six minutes west (S., 78 deg. 26 min. W.), sixty-one (61) feet, to the other land of said Raymond; thence along said Raymond's land north, twenty-two degrees fifty-three minutes west (N., 22 deg. 53 min. W.), five hundred and eighty (580) feet; thence north, sixty-eight degrees thirty four minutes east (N., 68 deg. 34 min. E.), twenty (20) feet; thence north, twenty-two degrees five minutes west (N., 22 deg. 5 min. W.), four hundred and sixty-five (465) feet six (6) inches; thence south, sixty-eight degrees thirty-four minutes west (S., 68 deg. 34 min. W.), four hundred and eighty (480) feet; thence south, twenty-two degrees fifty-one minutes east (S., 22 de. 51 min. E.), four hundred and sixty-five (465) feet six (6) inches, to land of Doctor Morris; thence along said Morris's land south, sixty-eight degrees thirty-four minutes west (S., 68 deg. 34 min. W.), eight hundred and ten (810) feet, to land of M. L. Bartow; thence along said Bartow's land north, thirty-eight degrees fifty-eight minutes west (N., 38 deg. 58 min. W.), seven hundred and twenty-six (726) feet; thence north, forty-nine degrees twenty-seven minutes east (N., 49 deg. 27 min. E.), one hundred and seventy-eight (178) feet; thence north, thirty-eight degrees six minutes west (N., 38 deg. 6 min. W.), two hundred and fifty-two (252) feet; thence north, sixteen minutes east (N., 16 min. E.), one hundred and thirty-six (136) feet; thence north, fifteen degrees seventeen minutes east (N., 15 deg. 17 min. E.), five hundred and twenty-nine (529) feet; thence south, eighty degrees twenty-six minutes east (S., 80 deg. 36 min. E.), three hundred and eighty-six (386) feet; thence north, sixty-seven degrees sixteen minutes east (N., 67 deg. 16 min. E.), one hundred and six (106) feet; thence north, thirty-six degrees seven minutes west (N., 36 deg. 7 min. W.), eight hundred and forty-eight (848) feet; thence north, sixty-six degrees forty-four minutes east (N., 66 deg. 44 min. E.), sixty-six (66) feet; thence north, sixty degrees, forty-four minutes east (N., 60 deg. 44 min. E.), eight hundred (800) feet thence north, seventy degrees thirty-six minutes east (N., 70 deg. 36 min. E.), eighty-six (86) feet; thence north, sixty degrees forty-four minutes east (N., 60 deg. 44 min. E.), two hundred and eighty-five (285) feet; thence north, forty-four degrees two minutes east (N., 44 deg. 2 min., E.), one hundred and seventy-one (171) feet; thence along land of Peter Van Cortlandt south, sixteen degrees twenty-three minutes east (S., 16 deg 23 min. E.), eight hundred and twelve (812) feet; thence south, thirteen degrees eleven minutes east (S., 13 deg. 11 min. E.) seven hundred and thirty-one (731) feet six (6) inches; thence north, seventy-six degrees fifteen minutes east (N., 76 deg. 15 min. E.), seventeen (17) feet, to land of Mary C. Worster; thence along said Worster's land south, twenty-one degrees twenty-four minutes east (S., 21 deg. 24 min. E.), nine hundred and sixty-one (961) feet six (6) inches; thence still along said Worster's land and land of Charles A. Trowbridge north, sixty-nine degrees thirteen minutes east (N., 69 deg. 13 min. E.), six hundred and twenty-one feet, to land of Peter Van Cortlandt aforesaid; thence along said Van Cortlandt's land south, seventeen degrees thirty minutes east (S., 17 deg. 31 min. E.), five hundred and fifty-three (553) feet, to the northerly side of the Boston road aforesaid; thence sought, twenty-seven degrees eight minutes east (S., 27 deg. 8 min. E.), forty-six (46) feet six (6) inches, to the southerly side of said road; thence still along said Van Cortlandt's land south, eighteen degrees east (S., 50 deg. E.), one hundred and forty-three (143) feet to high water mark on the shore of Long Island Sound; and thence along said shore, at high water mark, in a general westerly direction, to the place of beginning; together with all the right, title, and interest of the said Patrick L. Rogers, deceased, and of the party hereto of the first part (Sarah A. Rogers), in and to the land under water, and all water rights and privileges in front of, adjacent, and appertaining to the premises above described:  being the same premises above described; being the same premises shown on a map or diagram surveyed for Audley W. Gazzam by Rudolph Ross, surveyor, August 27th, 1875, recorded in the Westcheter County Register's office, in Liber 676 of Mortgages, page 124, &c., September 6, 1875: excepting and reserving however, from the premises above described the land of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company, shown in said diagram; also excepting a certain parcel of land containing two acres, shown in said diagram, and marked 'A;' and a certain other parcel of land containing one acre, shown in said diagram and marked 'B' thereon -- the premises hereby intended to be conveyed containing, exclusive of the exceptions and reservations above mentioned, and exclusive of the highway known as Boston road, one hundred and one acres and one-tenth of an acre of land.  --  Dated February 26, 1878.

ROBERT F. BRUNDAGE, Sheriff.
HORATIO F. AVERILL, Plaintiff's Attorney,
120 Broadway, N. Y.               46w7"

Source:  Legal Notices -- SHERIFF'S SALE, Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Mar. 15, 1878, Vol. XXXIII, No. 48, p. 4, col. 1.

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