Mysterious and Intriguing Notice of Chancery Sale of Pelham Lands on Miniford's Island in 1823

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The legal notice that began appearing in issues of the New-York Spectator nearly two centuries ago in early April, 1823 is intriguing.  It reflects notice of a court-ordered public auction of a 24-acre tract on "Miniford's Island" in the Town of Pelham (today's City Island).  Today's Historic Pelham Blog article attempts to unravel some of the mystery of the legal notice and challenges the many experts on City Island history who regularly read the blog to provide any assistance possible further to unravel this fascinating mystery.

An image of the legal notice (and transcription of its text to facilitate search) appear at the end of today's article.  The notice explicitly states that the tract will be sold at public auction "IN pursuance of a decretal order of the Court of Chancery."

The New York Court of Chancery, first established in 1701 during British colonial rule, was the highest court in the State of New York from 1701 until 1847.  After U.S. independence, the New York State Constitution of 1777 continued the court as a court with jurisdiction on cases of equity (rather than legal damages).  During the period 1777 to 1847 the court also served, generally speaking, as a court of appeals to consider appeals from certain matters decided by the New York Supreme Court.

A Chancery Court "decretal order" such as that referenced in the legal notice was an order entered by the Court of Chancery upon a motion or petition in the nature of a decree finally determining some right of a party to a proceeding in equity (rather than one seeking merely legal damages).  

According to the notice, pursuant to such a decretal order, a 24-acre tract on City Island was to be sold at a public auction at 12:00 Noon on April 28, 1823.  The auction was to be held at a public Inn managed by innkeeper David Smith in Eastchester.  (Pelham seems to have had no such inn or other such "public" place.  The notice failed to identify the owner of the land scheduled to be auctioned; hence, the mystery as to what prompted this decretal order.

The 1820 U.S. Census, taken in Pelham on January 5, 1820, reflects that there were only 41 households in all of the Town of Pelham (with a total of 285 residents including "Free White Males," "Free White Females," "Slaves," and "Free Colored Persons" ). Among the 41 heads of households reflected in that census were Nicholas Haight, Joshua Huested, and George Horton.  See 1820 United States Census - Census Place:  Eastchester, Westchester, New York, Township of Pelham, Page 206 NARA Microfilm Roll M33_75, Images 164-65 (Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29, National Archives, Washington, D.C.) (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

As of 1818, much of City Island was owned by Pelham residents Nicholas Haight and Joshua Huested.  On January 1, 1819, however, Nicholas Haight and his wife, Mary, sold to George Washington Horton 42 acres on the lower (southern) portion of City island.  The Horton family continued to hold most of this tract for much of the next sixty years.

Nicholas Haight, on the other hand, apparently was not so fortunate.  By 1820 Haight seems to have been in financial straits and soon found himself subject to a different decretal order by the New York Court of Chancery directing public auction of Haight's 130-acre farm on Rodman's Neck on the mainland adjacent to City Island.  Indeed, I have written before about Haight's travails in this regard.  See:

Tue., May 19, 2015:  Advertisements for Two Nineteenth Century Sales of Large Properties on Rodman's Neck in the Town of Pelham. 

Mon., Dec. 03, 2007:  Notice of Chancery Court Order Directing Auction Sale of Nicholas Haight's Farm in Pelham in 1820.  

Fri., Nov. 30, 2007:  1820 Advertisement for Sale of Nicholas Haight's Farm on Rodman's Neck.  

Legal notices of the public auction of Haight's farm on Rodman's Neck suggest that Haight's financial difficulties were connected to a lawsuit brought against him, his wife, notable Pelham resident John Hunter of Hunter's Island, and Peter Augustus Jay, a successful lawyer, anti-slavery advocate, philanthropist, and eldest son of John and Sarah Livingston Jay.  The lawsuit was referenced in legal notices published in 1820 as "George Faile, vs. Nicholas Haight and Mary his wife, John Hunter and Peter A. Jay."

George Faile, the plaintiff in the action, was a resident of East Chester who owned a fine estate in the southwestern corner of that settlement with a home, seated upon rising ground that overlooked the valley to the southeast, the Hutchinson River and "the distant waters of the Sound."  See Bolton, Jr., Robert, A History of the County of Westchester From Its First Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. I, p. 154 (NY, NY: Alexander S. Gould 1848). 

Research has not yet revealed the nature of the Chancery Court action brought by George Faile of Eastchester against the Haights, John Hunter, and Peter A. Jay.  It seems at least possible, however, that the legal notice issued in early April, 1823 announcing a public sale of a 24-acre tract on City Island was a further decretal order entered in connection with that action involving a tract owned by Haight on City Island (in addition to his Rodman's Neck property).  

The description of land contained in the legal notice includes a reference that seems to support this theory.  In describing one of the boundary lines of the 24-acre tract, it noted that the boundary separated the tract from "other land of Nicholas Haight" on City Island (emphasis added).  Interestingly, and likely significantly, the Master in Chancery named in both the 1820 and 1823 legal notices of public sales at auction was John M. McDonald, a famous Westchester County resident who later conducted and recorded in writing more than four hundred interviews of soldiers and eyewitnesses involved in the Revolutionary War in Westchester County.  These interviews and other papers were collected into the famed "McDonald Papers" in the 1920s by the Westchester County Historical Society.  See The McDonald Papers (visited Sep. 24, 2018).

The tract of land is described in a version of the legal notice published on April 8, 1823 as follows:

"all that certain tract, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being on Miniford's Island, otherwise called City Island, in the town of Pelham, county of West Chester, and state of new York, and is bounded as follows, to wit:  Beginning at a stone marked and set in the ground on the west side of said island, running thence north seventy-nine degrees east, by Thomas Pell's land, thirteen chains and twenty-two links, to a stone marked E. by the shore; thence south forty-six and three-fourths east, along by high water mark at common tides, seven chains and twenty-one links -- thence south twenty and an half east, by the said high water mark two chains -- thence south nine and a quarter east to take and give by high water, three chains ninety-six links, to a stone marked F. thence south twenty-seven west, by other land of Nicholas Haight, thirteen chains nineteen links, to a stone wall by land of Cornelius Myers -- thence south eighty-one west, by said Myer's land, seven chains nineteen links -- thence south seventy six west, by said Myer's land, three chains fifty-five links, to a ditch -- thence north one east, by said ditch and shore to take and give seven chains thirty-four links -- thence north eighteen east. by the water, one chain eighty links -- thence north fifty-seven east, by said water, three chains sixteen links -- thence north ten and three fourths east, two chains thirty-seven links, by said high water mark, to the stone or place of beginning, exclusive of a road two rods wide running through said land.  Containing twenty-four acres of land, be the same more or less."

To try to understand this description we first must understand the units of measurement of chains and links.  A "chain" is a unit of length equal to 66 feet   A link is 1/100 of a chain (about 7.92 inches).  The description translates to a rather labyrinthine plot of land wedged between a host of boundaries including Long Island Sound, a stone wall, a ditch, and -- of course -- surrounding properties.  

Clearly an interesting element of this entire "mystery" is the possibility that the land at issue was owned by Nicholas Haight.  If so, his financial difficulties extended well beyond 1820 and seem to have extended at least into 1823.

1823 Legal Notice for Auction of City Island Property

by Decretal Order of the Court of Chancery of New York.

Source:  IN CHANCERY [Legal Notice], New-York Spectator,

Apr. 8, 1823, Vol. XXVI, p. 3, col. 6 (text transcribed immediately

below).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"IN CHANCERY.
State of New-York, ss.

IN pursuance of a decretal order of the Court of Chancery, will be sold at public auction at the house of David Smith, innkeeper, in the town of East Chester, in the county of West Chester, and state of New-York, on Monday, the twenty-eighth day of April instant, at 12 o'clock at noon of that day, under the direction of the subscriber, one of the masters of this court, all that certain tract, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being on Miniford's Island, otherwise called City Island, in the town of Pelham, county of West Chester, and state of new York, and is bounded as follows, to wit:  Beginning at a stone marked and set in the ground on the west side of said island, running thence north seventy-nine degrees east, by Thomas Pell's land, thirteen chains and twenty-two links, to a stone marked E. by the shore; thence south forty-six and three-fourths east, along by high water mark at common tides, seven chains and twenty-one links -- thence south twenty and an half east, by the said high water mark two chains -- thence south nine and a quarter east to take and give by high water, three chains ninety-six links, to a stone marked F. thence south twenty-seven west, by other land of Nicholas Haight, thirteen chains nineteen links, to a stone wall by land of Cornelius Myers -- thence south eighty-one west, by said Myer's land, seven chains nineteen links -- thence south seventy six west, by said Myer's land, three chains fifty-five links, to a ditch -- thence north one east, by said ditch and shore to take and give seven chains thirty-four links -- thence north eighteen east. by the water, one chain eighty links -- thence north fifty-seven east, by said water, three chains sixteen links -- thence north ten and three fourths east, two chains thirty-seven links, by said high water mark, to the stone or place of beginning, exclusive of a road two rods wide running through said land.  Containing twenty-four acres of land, be the same more or less -- together with the hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging.

Dated New-York, April 1st, 1823.

JOHN M. MACDONALD,
Master in Chancery.

april 5 C&S2awtds"

Source:  IN CHANCERY [Legal Notice], New-York Spectator, Apr. 8, 1823, Vol. XXVI, p. 3, col. 6.

1868 Map Depicting City Island.  Source: F. W. Beers, "City Island,

Pelham Township, Westchester Co., N.Y. (with) Town of Pelham,

Westchester Co., N. Y." in Atlas of New York and Vicinity, p. 35 

(NY, NY: Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1868). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

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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.

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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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Stephen S. Pell of the Town of Pelham, a Son of Colonel David Jones Pell of Pelhamdale

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Stephen Sneden Pell was a notable early Pelham resident who served as Town Supervisor from 1827 to 1831 and also in 1841.  In 1845 the Westchester County Board of Supervisors appointed Pell to a two-year term to serve with two others as Westchester County's "Superintendents of the Poor."  Pell continued to serve in that capacity until his term expired in late 1847.  He also served for a time as "Town Auditor" of the Town of Pelham during a period that also included 1847.  Pell also served numerous terms as a vestryman at St. Paul's Church in Eastchester (1826-1831; 1834-1842; and 1848-1850).

Stephen S. Pell was born November 29, 1803 in a portion of the home today known as Pelhamdale located at 45 Iden Avenue.  The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Stephen Sneden Pell was a son of David Jones Pell and Hester ("Hetty") Sneden.

Stephen S. Pell married Adeline M. Turnbull on December 5, 1830.  The couple had at least one son, Walter T. Pell.  Stephen and Adeline Pell and their family lived for a time in a home that was on today's Boston Post Road near the Hutchinson River.  The property was located about sixty feet away from the Town Dock on the Hutchinson River (also known as Eastchester Creek).  Stephen Pell was a "merchant."  From his property on Boston Post Road he operated a lumber yard, a coal yard, and a country store.

On the property Pell maintained a full assortment of lumber and a large quantity of coal.  In his country store he maintained an inventory, and sold a large assortment, of dry goods, groceries, earthenware, hardware, boots, shoes, and even liquor.  He also kept on the site a grocery wagon, a "pleasure wagon," a rockaway carriage, a horse cart, and livestock.  He maintained fruit trees on the property to produce fruit for sale in his country store.  

Pell's property included about six acres on which stood a two-story home that was 40 by 35 feet.  There also was a barn nearly as large as the house (40 by 28 feet).  There also were an ice house, a hay scale, and a number of additional outbuildings.  

It appears that in the late 1840s, Stephen Sneden Pell and his family suffered some form of financial difficulties.  Legal notices published in New York City newspapers in 1849 and early 1850 suggest that Pell had debts owed to two men named John R. Hayward and Jesse Lyon.  It appears that he assigned his interests in both his real and personal property to the two men who arranged for an auction of the contents of his country store and other personal property, followed later by an auction of his six-acre property, dwelling, and the other buildings on the site.  The auction of the contents of the store and other personal property was scheduled for September 21, 1849.  

The sale of the real property, according to one legal notice, was first scheduled to take place on February 2, 1850 at 12:00 noon at the Merchants' Exchange.  It appears that the auction either did not take place or did not result in a sale of the property.  Another auction was scheduled to take place on October 13, 1850 at 12:00 noon on the premises.  Although research has not yet revealed the results of that auction, if it occurred, no later auction notices seem to have been published.  The legal notices of the auctions styled them as "Assignees' Sale at Auction" of the property.  

A notice of Stephen Sneden Pell's death appeared in the June 16, 1870 issue of The New York Herald.  The notice indicated that he had died in Brooklyn and that the funeral would be held in the home of his son, Walter T. Pell.  

Stephen Sneden Pell's wife, Adeline Turnbull Pell, died eleven years later of pneumonia on January 31, 1881.

Detail of Map Published in 1853 Showing What Is Believed to Be the Area

Where the Stephen Sneden Pell Property Was Located.  Property May Be

One or More of the Structures Located Opposite the Prevost Property on

the Other Side of Boston Post Road.  Source: Dripps, Matthew &

Conner, R.F.O., Southern Part of West-Chester County N. Y. (1853)

(Museum of the City of New York, No. 29.100.2628).

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Notice of Assignees' Sale at Auction of Personal Property

of Stephen Sneden Pell of the Town of Pelham, New York.

Source:  ASSIGNEES' SALE AT AUCTION [Advertisement],

Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Sep. 21, 1849,

p. 3, col. 4. NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

Below is the text of a number of items that shed light on the life of Stephen Sneden Pell.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"FOR SALE -- A neat cottage with an excellent well near the door, carriage house, out buildings, &c, with one quarter acre of land laid out in garden, situated in Pelham, Westchester county, on the Boston turnpike, 16 miles from the city.  There are every variety of fruit trees, gooseberry and other valuable bushes.  --  Apply to Stephen S. Pell, Pelham, or S. Taylor, No. 556 Grand st, N. Y.          430 1m*"

Source:  FOR SALE -- A neat cottage [Advertisement], The Sun [NY, NY], Apr. 30, 1842, p. 3, col. 6.  

"ASSIGNEES' SALE AT AUCTION.

THE Subscribers, Assignees of Stephen S. Pell, of the town of Pelham, Westchester County, will sell at Public Auction, at the Dwelling House and Store lately occupied by said Pell, in the said town of PELHAM, on FRIDAY, THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBER INSTANT, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, the personal property lately belonging to said Pell, consisting of a full assortment of Lumber, selected for a Lumber Yard, and a large quantity Coal, selected for a Coal Yard.  The contents of a Country Store, consisting of a large assortment of Dry Goods, Groceries, Earthenware, Hardware, Boots, Shoes, Liquors, &c.  One Pleasure Wagon; one Grocery Wagon; one Rockaway; one Horse Cart and Harness; one Horse; Harness; Sow and Pigs.

The articles to be sold are in first-rate condition, and will be sold to the highest bidder.  The sale will commence on the 21st day of September instant, at 10 o'clock, A. M., and be continued until the whole of the personal property is sold.

Dated September 12, 1849        17w2
JOHN R. HAYWARD,  }
JESSE LYON, }
Assignees."

Source:  ASSIGNEES' SALE AT AUCTION [Advertisement], Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Sep. 21, 1849, p. 3, col. 4.  

"SATURDAY, Feb. 2.

At 12 o'clock at the Merchants' Exchange.

Town of Pelham -- That valuable business stand lately occupied by Stephen S. Pell, as a Store and Coal and Lumber Yard, situated in the lower part of the town of Pelham, in the county of Westchester, on the Boston Turnpike, opposite Pelham Dock, (which is within 60 feet of the d), containing about 6 acres of good land.  On the premises is a two story dwelling, 40 by 35 feet; a barn, 40 by 28 feet; ice house, hay scale, with all the necessary outbuildings, and an assortment of fruit trees -- suitable for a large country business.  The premises are in good repair and well calculated for a boarding house.  The property will be sold without reserve, to close a concern.  The terms are liberal and will be made known on the day of sale.  For further particulars apply to the Auctioneer, No. 7 Broad street."

Source:  SATURDAY, Feb. 2, Morning Courier and New-York Enquirer, Jan. 31, 1850, Vol. XLI, No. 7053, p. 5, col. 9.  

"ASSIGNEES' SALE OF REAL ESTATE.  --  A BUSINESS STAND AT AUCTION.  --  That valuable business stand, lately occupied by Stephen S. Pell, as a store, coal and lumber yard, situate in the town of Pelham, Westchester County, on the Boston turnpike road and opposite Pelham dock, containing about 6 acres of land.  On the premises is a large two-story dwelling-house, with all the necessary out-buildings, suitable for a large country business, (the premises are well calculated for a boarding-house,) all in good repair.  Said premises will be sold on Saturday the 13th day of October at 12 o'clock, noon, on the premises. Terms liberal; made known on the day of sale.

JOHN K. HAYWARD,
JESSE LYON.

s29 2w*"

Source:  ASSIGNEES' SALE OF REAL ESTATE.  --  A BUSINESS STAND AT AUCTION, New-York Daily Tribune, Oct. 1, 1849, Vol. IX, No. 149, p. 3, col. 7.  

"PELL.  --  in Brooklyn, STEPHEN S. PELL, formerly of Pelham, Westchester county, New York, in the 67th year of his age.

The funeral will take place from the residence of his son, Walter T. Pell, 11 Abingdon square, New York city, this (Thursday) afternoon, at two o'clock.  The relatives and friends are invited without further notice."

Source:  MARRIAGES AND DEATHS . . . Died . . . PELL in Brooklyn, STEPHEN S. PELL, The New York Herald, Jun. 16, 1870, p. 3, cols. 4-5 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).    

"MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. . . . 
DIED. . .

PELL. -- On Monday, January 31, of pneumonia, ADALINE M. PELL, widow of Stephen S. Pell, late of Pelham.

Funeral from the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Moore, 101 Waverly place, on Wednesday, at two o'clock.  Interment at Greenwood."

Source:  MARRIAGES AND DEATHS . . . DIED . . . PELL,  New York Herald, Feb. 2, 1881, p. 9, col. 6.  

"Supervisors of the Several Towns. . . .

PELHAM. . . .

Stephen S. Pell, 1827 to 1831, 1841. . . ."

Source:  Smith, Henry T., ed., Manual of Westchester County Past and Present - Civil List to Date, Vol. I, p. 58 (White Plains, NY:  Henry T. Smith, Publisher, 1898).

"VESTRYMEN. . . .

Stephen S. Pell, 1826-1831, 1834-1842, 1848-1850."

Source:  Coffey, William Samuel, Commemorative Discourse Delivered at the Centennial Anniversary of the Erection and the Sixtieth of the Consecration of St. Paul's Church, East Chester, West Chester Co., N.Y., October 24th, 1865, by the Rev. William Samuel Coffey, M.A., Rector, p. 35 (NY, NY:  Perris & Browne, Printers, 1866).

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