Historic Pelham

Presenting the rich history of Pelham, NY in Westchester County: current historical research, descriptions of how to research Pelham history online and genealogy discussions of Pelham families.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

John Bartow Who Lived in the Manor Home Built by John Pell in About 1672


John Pell, often referenced by members of the Pell family as the "Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham," was the nephew and principal legatee of Thomas Pell who bought lands that became the Manor of Pelham from local Native Americans on June 27, 1654.  Born in England in 1643, John Pell traveled to America in 1670 following his uncle's death to claim his inheritance that included the lands that formed the Manor of Pelham. 

Unlike his uncle who remained a resident of Fairfield after purchasing his Pelham lands, John Pell moved onto the lands shortly after inheriting them from his uncle.  It is believed that he built a Manor Home worthy of his vast land holdings.  Its location has long been lost in the mists of time.  Some authorities have suggested two possible locations for Pell's Manor House: (1) near today's Bartow-Pell Mansion; and (2) on Rodman's Neck, also known as Pell's Point and Anhooke's Neck.  See, e.g., City History Club of New York, Historical Guide to the City of New York, p. 210 (NY, NY: 1909) ("Not far away [from the Bartow-Pell Mansion] is the site of the original Pell Manor House, though some say that it was on the extreme end of Pelham Neck.").

Although it cannot be known with certainty, an analysis of the available evidence suggests that John Pell may have lived in two homes in the area.  He first may have lived for a time in the early 1670s in a home built by his uncle and referenced in an inventory of his deceased uncle's estate on Pell's Point (today's Rodman's Neck).  Some say the Bowne home on Rodman's Neck was later built on the site of the Pell home.  Evidence also suggests that John Pell later built a Manor House near today's Bartow Pell Mansion.  I have written about this home before.  See 

Mon., Nov. 03, 2014:  More on the 17th Century Location of the Manor Home of John Pell of the Manor of Pelham.

Tue., Sep. 12, 2006:  Evidence Sheds Light on Location of An Early Home of John Pell, 2d Lord of the Manor of Pelham

Bell, Blake A., The Manor House of John Pell, Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 51, Dec. 24, 2004.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog attempts to shed further light on the history of the Manor House of John Pell that once stood in Pelham.  A genealogy of the Bartow family authored by Evelyn P. Bartow and published in 1875 asserts that John Bartow, a son of Theophilus Bartow and Bathsheba Pell lived in the Manor Home built by his grandfather, John Pell (known by Pell family members as "Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham").  The book further claims that Aaron Burr, who married a member of the Bartow family, "was an intimate friend and frequent visitor at the house."  Indeed, the book claims, "It was at Mr. Bartow's house, after his removal to N.Y. City, that Burr was kindly received after his return from exile."



Image of Primitive Drawing of a Home Claimed by Some to
Depict the John Pell Manor House Near Today's Bartow-Pell
Mansion Museum; Provenance and Source Information So Unclear
that It Cannot Be Known with Any Degree of Reliability Whether
This Actually Depicts the Pell Home. Source: Courtesy of the
Office of the Historian of the Town of Pelham.  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

The pertinent excerpts from the book are transcribed below, followed by a citation and link to the source.

"JOHN BARTOW,1 [Footnote 1 reads:  "Bolton's W. C., i, 541, 551; ii. 200, 209, 213, 222; N. Y. Gen. Rec., Jan. 1872; Bolton's W. Ch., 107, 124; N. Y. Marriage Licenses."] eldest son of Theophilus Bartow and Bathsheba Pell, his wife, born at Westchester 1740, lived at Pelham, in the old Manor House of his grandfather, Lord Pell.  He was wealthy, and a great friend to St. Peter's Church, Westchester, of which he was vestryman.  At the old manorial residence of his ancestors, Mr. Bartow kept open house to all his relatives and friends, and his home was the centre of attraction to the society of the neighborhood, from the hearty welcome they always received.  Col. Burr, who had married his first cousin, was an intimate friend and frequent visitor at the house.  It was at Mr. Bartow's house, after his removal to N. Y. City, that Burr was kindly received after his return from exile.  Mr. Bartow sold his estate towards the close of his life, and lived in Spring street, N.Y.  He died in 1816, and was the last of the Bartows who was interred in the family cemetery at Westchester.  The funeral was attended by Robert Bartow, his grandson, the Reids of Eastchester, and many others of the family.  The family of Robert Bartow now reside on a portion of the estate of John Bartow.  A short distance from their residence is a station named Bartow, of the Harlem River Branch.  John Bartow m. first, Mary Ryder, of Jamaica, by whom he had two sons and one daughter; and secondly, in 1771, Ann, d. of Joseph Pell, of Pelham, by whom he had three sons and four daughters, as follows: -- 

1.  Augustus Bartow, b. 1762, of whom hereafter.

2.  Stephen Bartow,1 [Footnote 1 reads:  "Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209; N. Y. Gen. Rec., Jan. 1872; Bolton's W. Ch. 124."] b. at Westchester, m. Mary Thompson, of Catskill, N.Y., and had Sarah Bartow,2 [Footnote 2 reads:  "Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209; N. Y. Gen. Rec., Jan. 1872, July 1874."] m. John Spencer; Edwin Bartow,3 [Footnote 3 reads:  "N. Y. Gen. Rec., Jan. 1872, July 1874."] d. s. p.; Alfred Bartow,3 [See Footnote 3 above] d. s. p.; Emily Bartow,4 [Footnote 4 reads:  "N. Y. Gen. Rec., July 1874."] unm.; Harriet Bartow,3 [See Footnote 3 above] unm.; Maria Bartow,5 [Footnote 5 reads "N. Y. Gen. Rec., Jan. 1872, July 1874; Noble's Life of Cole, 236; American Cyclopedia.] m. Thomas Cole, of Catskill; and Fanny Bartow,3 [See Footnote 3 above] unm.

3.  Mary Bartow, 6 [Footnote 6 reads:  "6) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209; N.Y. Gen. Rec., Jan. 1872."] m. Punderson, son of Basil Bartow.

4.  John Bartow, 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] b. 1772, m. Mary Sands, of Sands Point, L. I., and had an only child, Mary Bartow, who d. unm.

5.  Phoebe Bartow, 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] m. Dr. Turk.

6.  Sarah Bartow, 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] m. Dr. Halleck.

7.  Amelia Bartow, 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] d. unm.

8.  James Bartow 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] m., and had an only child, Eliza Bartow.

9.  Katharine Bartow, 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] b. 1790, m. Mr. Smith.

10.  Bernabeu Bartow, 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] named after Don Juan Baptista de Bernabeu, who had married his cousin, died s. p."

Source:  Bartow, Evelyn P., Bartow Genealogy:  Containing Every One of the Name of Bartow Descended from Doctor Thomas Bartow Who Was Living at Crediton, in England, A.D., 1672 with References To the Books Where Any of the Name is Mentioned, pp. 37-38 (Baltimore, MD:  Innes & Co., Printers and Binders, 1875).  


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Monday, March 19, 2007

Abstract of 1768 Will of Caleb Pell of the Manor of Pelham, Proved April 9, 1768


On Thursday, November 30, 2006, I posted to the Historic Pelham Blog an abstract of the 1768 Will of Caleb Pell. See Thursday, November 30, 2006: Abstract of 1768 Will of Caleb Pell of the Manor of Pelham.

I since have located a more extensive abstract of the same will. Below is the text of an abstract of the will of Caleb Pell of the Manor of Pelham. The will was proved April 9, 1768. A citation to its source follows the text of the abstract.

"ABSTRACTS OF WILLS -- LIBER 26. . . .

Page 259. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, CALEB PELL, of the Manor of Pelham, farmer, being indisposed. I leave to my son, Caleb Pell, all that my farm and plantation of lands and salt meadows lying in East Chester town ship, and formerly belonging to my father, Thomas Pell, and where my son Caleb now lives, with all appurtenances, Reserving all the lands that lye to the west of the fence, that runs across the said farm, from the Boston road to the land now, or late, of Jonathan Archer, the use of which I give to my son, James Pell, for the space of one year, and then to my son Caleb, on condition that he pay to my executors £125, when my younger son Elijah is 18 years old, for his use. I also give to my son Caleb a negro boy and my silver watch, 'and my large China Punch Bowl.' I leave to my wife Mary a negro boy and woman and child, 'also my stocks of Bees and all my Poultry,' and all the wool that shall be sheared off my sheep this year, also my two best beds with furniture, and a mahogany tea table, and one dozen best chairs, and all linnen and kitchen utensils, and my silver plate, Looking glass, and China. I leave to my daughter, Ann Laurence, a negro girl, and a Mahogany Chest of Drawers, and a dining table and a tea table to be made [Page 162 / Page 163] for her. I leave to my daughter, Mary Rodman, a negro girl. To my daughter Bathsheba a bed and furniture; To my daughters, Euphemia and Fila [Phila], each a bed; To my son Elijah my large chest; To my wife Mary my riding chair and horse. I leave to my son James all that my farm or Plantation lands and meadows, lying in the Manor of Pelham, where I now live, and the rest of my movable estate, and he is to pay all debts, and he is to pay to my wife £150, and he is to furnish my wife 12 good cows and sheep, and he is to provide for my daughter Phila till married. And he is to provide for my wife 30 bushels of wheat, 50 of corn, 25 pounds of 'good swingled flax,' a number of swine, 'and cyder for herself, children, and servants that shall live with her.' And she is to have the use of the west great room in my house, and two bedrooms, and chamber and garret, and use of kitchen 'and the shed where the cheese press stands.' And the use of the hen house, mill house, Barracks, and Smoke house, and provisino for the unmarried daughters, and he is to pay to each of my daughters £100, and to my son Elijah £500 when of age, and he is to be supported till of age. And my son James is to pay for his schooling, 'and give him learning, as reading, writing and common Arithmetick, Navigation, Surveying, and bookkeeping.' 'In case it will suit my son Elijah to go to a Latin School, and my executors think fit to let him learn Latin, they may let him go.' And my son James is to pay for his learning till he is 16, and then bind him out to a merchant. My son James is to give a bond for the performance of all these conditions. My wife is to have the use of the rest of my estate during her widowhood. My executors are to sell 5 negroes and my riding horse, and the money to be paid to my son James to help him pay legacies. I leave to my son James all my rights and improvements which I have in Phillips Upper Patent.

Dated March 24, 1768. Witnesesses, Joshua Pell, Jr., Gilbert Lawrence, John Bartow. I make my wife and [Page 163 / Page 164] my brother-in-law, James Ferris and John Ferris, of Westchester, executors. Proved April 9, 1768. (James and John Ferris were Quakers.)

[NOTE. -- This will is of great length, and contains very minute directions as to support of wife and daughters.]"

Source: Pelletreau, William S., ed., Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York. Vol. VII. June 6, 1766 - November 29, 1771. With Letters of Administration, January 6, 1767 - January 11, 1773. in Collections of The New-York Historical Society For the Year 1898., pp. 162-64 (NY, NY: The New-York Historical Society 1899).

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Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Abstract of 1772 Will of Mary Pell of the Manor of Pelham


The following is an abstract of another early will prepared by an 18th century resident of the Manor of Pelham. It is an abstract of the will of Mary Pell prepared on April 18, 1772 and proved May 30, 1772. Beneath the abstract is a citation to its source.

"ABSTRACTS OF WILLS - LIBER 28. . . . .

Page 261. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, MARY PELL, of the Manor of Pelham, in Westchester County, widow, being of sound disposing mind. I direct all debts to be paid. I leave to my son, Caleb Pell, my Great Bible. 'I leave to my son James one good feather bed and bedding thereunto belonging, which he now ledges in.' I leave to my son Elijah one good feather bed, and a negro boy, if my son lives to be 21. 'The reason I give my sons no more by this will is they having received the rest of their portion already.' I leave to my daughter, Ann Van Kleeck, 'the use of 6 large Table silver spoons, to be bought with my money of £8 value, so long as she lives, and then to her daughter, Mary Lawrence.' I leave to my daughter, Mercy Rodman, the same number of spoons for life, and then to her daughter Charlotte. I [Page 43 / Page 44] leave to my daughter, Bathsheba Pell, 6 large silver Table spoons that I have marked C. P. M., and £10, and a Damask Table cloth. I leave to my daughter, Euphemia Pell, my silver Tankard marked C. M. P. during her life. If she leave issue she may give it to whom she pleases, but if not, then to my daughters, Bathsheba and Philena. I also give to my daughter Euphemia a pair of brass candle sticks. I leave to my daughter Helena my Silver Pint Mugg marked T. P. A. and 6 silver tea spoons, one pair of sugar tongs marked M. P., and one Mahogany Tea table, and £10, and a feather bed and furniture. I leave to my granddaughter, Mary Pell, daughter of my son Caleb, one pair of gold sleeve buttons of 40 shillings price, to be bought for her with my money, and my silver shoe buckles. I leave to my grandson, Caleb Haviland, one pair of gold sleeve buttons, 40 shillings price, My negro man, Dick, is to be sold, and may choose his master. The money is to be paid to my three daughters, Bathsheba, Euphemia, and Helena, and I leave them the rest of my estate. I make my brothers, James Ferris and John Ferris, executors.

Dated April 18, 1772. Witnesses, Charles Vincent, Sr., Joshua Pell, Jr., John Bartow. Proved, May 30, 1772."

Source: Pelletreau, William S., Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York - LIBER 28 Continued in Collections of The New-York Historical Society For the Year 1899, pp. 43-44 (NY, NY: New-York Historical Society 1900).

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