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.

Thursday, October 08, 2015

More About Benjamin F. Corlies, a Co-Founder of Pelham Heights


Earlier this week I published an article summarizing biographical data for Benjamin F. Corlies, a co-founder and developer of the original Village of Pelham, known today as Pelham Heights.  See Tue., Oct. 06, 2015:  Benjamin F. Corlies, A Founder of Pelham Heights.  Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog provides additional biographical information about Corlies that sheds more detail on his life.

Benjamin F. Corlies seems to have started his stationery, printing, and lithographing business on his own by at least 1858 in a shop located at 31 Nassau Street in New York City.  This would have been at about the time he married Susan Meigs.  An advertisement for his business appeared in the August 16, 1858 issue of The Evening Post published in New York City.  An image of the advertisement appears immediately below, followed by a transcription of its text to facilitate search.



"BENJAMIN F. CORLIES, BLANK BOOK MANUFACTURER,
STATIONER, PRINTER AND LITHOGRAPHER, 31 Nassau
Street, OPPOSITE THE POSTOFFICE."  Source:
[NY, NY], Aug. 16, 1858, p. 2, col. 4.  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

After Corlies entered into a copartnership with Charles A. Macy, Jr., he was involved in an unfortunate incident when he discovered one of his bookkeepers was embezzling from the firm.  In 1874, while one of the bookkeeper clerks employed at Corlies, Macy & Co. was on vacation, Benjamin F. Corlies discovered that the clerk had embezzled $35,000 from the firm.  The firm had the clerk arrested on his return from vacation.  See NEW YORK CITY NEWSThe Albany Daily Evening Times, Aug. 25, 1874, p. 2, col. 5 ("Joshua Shove, confidential clerk and book-keeper of Corlies, Marcy [sic] & Co., stationers, at No. 39 Nassau street, was arrested to-day, charged with embezzling $35,000 from the firm.  The defalcation was discovered by Benjamin F. Corlies, during the absence of Shove on his vacation.").  A brief newspaper account of the incident is quoted in its entirety below:

"A CONFIDENTIAL CLERK'S TROUBLE.
-----

Joshua Shove, for many years the confidential clerk and book-keeper of Messrs. Corlies, Macy & Co., was to-day arrested on an order issued by Judge Donahue upon a charge of embezzling.  It appears that Mr. Benjamin F. Corlies had been examining the books of the firm during the clerk's absence at a fashionable watering-place and had discovered a defalcation to the amount of $85,000.  A suit has been brought against Shove for the recovery of this amount, and a criminal prosecution was also commenced against him to-day by his arrest upon his return from his vacation.  The prisoner is now locked up in the Ludlow Street Jail in default of $25,000 bail."

Source:  A CONFIDENTIAL CLERK'S TROUBLEThe Daily Graphic [NY, NY], Aug. 25, 1874, p. 390, col. 5.

Benjamin F. Corlies served for a time as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of New Rochelle, though he resigned from the position in 1888, not long before he retired from his printing business.  See COUNTY NEWSThe Eastern State Journal, Aug. 25, 1888, p. 3, col. 3.  

In 1889, Benjamin F. Corlies joined with other Pelham residents and neighbors including Robert C. Black, James M. Secor, James M. Townsend, and Henry B. B. Staples, to form a "Citizens' Park Association" to oppose proposals to sue the newly-created Pelham Bay Park as a site for the construction of almshouses, penitentiaries, and hospitals.  See PUBLIC PARKS ARE A PEOPLE'S TRUST -- And Solid Citizens Rise Up to Protest Against the Spoliation Bills -- TWO MEETINGS AT ONE CALL -- Emphatic Resolutions Passed and Committees Commissioned to Fight the Battle at AlbanyN.Y. Herald, Mar. 12, 1889, p. 3, col. 6.

A few months later, Corlies retired from the printing firm he founded.  A notice of the dissolution of the copartnership and the creation of a successor copartnership of the same name without Mr. Corlies as a partner was published on September 13, 1889.  An image of the notice appears immediately below, followed by a transcription of its text and a citation and link to its source. 



Sep. 18, 1889 Legal Notice Announcing
Retirement of Benjamin F. Corlies and the
Dissolution and Reconstitution of the
Copartnership Under the Same Name
Without Corlies.  (Text Transcribed Below).
The Evening Post [NY, NY], Sep. 18, 1889,
p. 6, col. 6. (NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge).

"Copartnerships.
-----

CORLIES, MACY & CO. -- THE COPARTNERSHIP heretofore existing under the firm name of Corlies, Macy & Co., and consisting of Benjamin F. Corlies, Charles A. Macy, Jr., and Francis H. Macy, Jr., is this day dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Benjamin F. Corlies retiring therefrom.  Messrs. Charles A. Macy Jr., and Francis H. Macy, Jr., will settle all affairs of the copartnership and have assumed all of its liabilities.

NEW YORK, September 13, 1889.

BENJAMIN F. CORLIES.
CHARLES A. MACY, JR.
FRANCIS H. MACY, JR.

CORLIES, MACY & CO.

We, the undersigned, do hereby certify that we have formed a copartnership, to begin on the thirteenth day of September, 1889, to continue the business heretofore conducted by Benjamin F. Corlies, Charles A. Macy, Jr., and Francis H. Macy, Jr., under the firm name of Corlies, Macy & Co., which said last named copartnership has transacted business in the State of New York for a period of three years and upwards; and do further certify, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 400 of the Laws of 1854 and of the acts amendatory thereof, that we intend to continue the use of the said firm name of Corlies, Macy & Co., and that the persons composing our new copartnership and dealing under such firm name are the following:

Charles A. Macy, Jr., residing at No. 206 West 45th Street, New York city.

Francis H. Macy, Jr., residing at No. 81 West 71st Street, New York city.

William Herbert, residing at NO. 456 West 23d Street, New York city.

And that the principal place of business of the said copartnership is No. 39 Nassau Street, in the city of New York.

NEW YORK, September 13, 1889.

CHARLES A. MACY, JR., 
FRANCIS H. MACY, JR.,
WILLIAM HERBERT.

STATE OF NEW YORK, CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK, ss.:

On the 17th day of September, 1889, before me personally appeared Charles A. Macy, Jr., Francis H. Macy, Jr., and William Herbert, to me known and known to me to be the individuals described in and who executed the foregoing certificate and severally acknowledged to me that they executed the same.

EDWARD R. GREENE,
Notary Public, Kings County.
Certificate filed in New York County."

Source:  Copartnerships [Legal Notice]The Evening Post [NY, NY], Sep. 18, 1889, p. 6, col. 6

Corlies and his wife appear to have moved to Pelham Manor in about 1881 as he was one of the founding members of the Pelham Manor Protective Club formed in that year.  For the next three decades, Corlies was very active in the early development of the Village of Pelham Manor in addition to his real estate development in the Village of Pelham (today's Pelham Heights).  In Pelham Manor, Corlies developed and owned the Hazen School buildings on which he spent over $100,000 in improvements.  He leased those buildings and the property on which they stood for use as Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls.  According to one account quoted in full below, Mr. Corlies "was one of the early advocates of the trolley, and the introduction of the gas and sewer systems into Pelham Manor."

In the Village of Pelham, Mr. Corlies was "instrumental" in having the brick Pelham Train Station that still stands today built in 1894.  The station was moved to a point that was more central to the location of the plots that Corlies was developing in The Heights.  

Although Benjamin F. Corlies died on January 25, 1914, his wife survived him by more than four years.  Susan Meigs Corlies died in the couple's home located at 965 Esplanade in the Village of Pelham Manor on July 12, 1919.

*          *          *          *          *

Below is additional research regarding the life of Benjamin Franklin Corlies, a co-founder of the original Village of Pelham (known today as Pelham Heights).

More regarding trading with the Confederates in 1861.

"GONE TO FORT LAFAYETTE. -- Bethel Burtin and Benjamin F. Corlies, who were arrested on Thursday, charged with dealing with the Confederates, were yesterday sent to Fort Lafayette."

Source:  GONE TO FORT LAFAYETTE, The Sun [NY, NY], Sept. 14, 1861, p. 2, col. 5.

More regarding the bizarre incident involving the brief institutionalization of Commodore Meade.

"FROM NEW YORK.
-----
Special Correspondence of the Inquirer.
NEW YORK, May 28 . . . 

Commodore Richard Meade has caused the arrest of Charles A. Meigs and Benjamin F. Corlies, on a charge of illegal arrest and imprisonment in the Insane Asylum, at the instance of defendants, on a malicious charge of insanity, in October last.  They were held in $5000 bail.  Since the affidavit on which the arrest was granted, action for false imprisonment has been commenced, with damages laid at $200,000. . . ."

Source:  FROM NEW YORK, The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 29, 1869, p. 2, col. 4.  

Other aspects of the life of Benjamin Franklin Corlies.

"OUR NEARBY NEIGHBORS.
-----
Pelhamville. . . . 

Mr. Benjamin F. Corlies is widening Wolfs' Lane and constructing a macadamized walk to unite with that of the Fairchild property."

Source:  OUR NEARBY NEIGHBORS -- Pelhamville, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 3, 1894, p. 4, col. 1.  

"PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO
(From the Pelham Press, November 25, 1896) . . . 

Benjamin F. Corlies of Pelham Manor, while driving through North Pelham last Friday morning in front of the station, the 8:49 express passed through scaring the horse so that it bolted, throwing the rider.  Mr. Corlies was not badly hurt.  The animal was caught by Hill Allen, coachman for Ralph K. Hubbard, of Loring avenue, Pelham Heights."

Source:  PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO (From the Pelham Press, November 25, 1896), The Pelham Sun, Nov. 26, 1926, p. 12, cols. 1-4.  

"LOCAL NEWS . . . . 

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Corlies, of Pelham Manor, leave for Europe to-day."

Source:  LOCAL NEWS, The New Rochelle Press, Oct. 15, 1898, p. 5, cols. 1-3.  

"BENJAMIN F. CORLIES.
-----
His Pelham Manor Improvements.
-----
Real Estate Building Guide.

Benjamin F. Corlies, of Pelham Manor, New York, retired some years ago from the old and well-known firm of Corlies, Macy & Co., of New York City, which firm he founded.  Turning his attention to real estate he purchased some hundred acres in Pelham and has expended upwards of $100,000, at that place, in grading and macadamizing streets, building sewers, furnishing gas and electric light, improving sidewalks and drains and has constructed ten handsome houses there.  This section is high and healthful, and is a delightful community socially and in every other way.  The land is all restricted to at least a $5,000 house.  The well known Pelham Country Club for golf, is located midway between Pelham and Pelham Manor.  

Mr. Corlies is a member of the New York Chamber of Commerce, New York Produce Exchange and one of the corporate members of the new National Arts Club, and many other socieities and clubs.  He is a man of sterling integrity in addition to [illegible]  He has purchased large plots of land within the past twelve years, and is the owner of the Hazen School buildings, on which property he has spent over $100,000 in improvements.  Mr. Corlies was instrumental in having the new station erected at Pelham, some years ago, and was one of the early advocates of the trolley, and the introduction of the gas and sewer systems into Pelham Manor.  His great desire now is to have a Worlds Fair for New York, in 1905, located in Pelham Bay Park.  The magnificent water front and natural advantages, would prove of greatest benefit to the Borough of the Bronx and outlying sections, and would make the world acquainted with the beauties of the section where the Fair would be located.  Pelham is on the main line of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, and is 28 minutes from 42d street.  Pelham Manor, on the branch line, is 25 minutes fro 129th street.  The two places, Pelham Manor and Pelham, are connected by trolley cars meeting every train."

Source:  BENJAMIN F. CORLIES -- His Pelham Manor Improvements -- Real Estate Building Guide, The Mount Vernon Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 13, 1899, p. 4, col. 4.  

"PELHAM MANOR.
-----

Mr. Benjamin F. Corlies has commenced the erection of two houses on his property on Edgewood avenue. . . ."

Source:  PELHAM MANOR, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jun. 22, 1901, p. 8, col. 2.  

Benjamin F. Corlies was a founding member of the Pelham Manor Protective Club and was among the sixty original members who signed the Club's articles of incorporation.  See Interesting Document of Early Days of Pelham Manor Shown by Historian -- Articles of Incorporation of the Pelham Manor Protective Club, Established in 1881 are Exhibited At Manor Club Hobby Show, The Pelham Sun, May 15, 1936, p. 12, cols. 1-3.  

"PELHAM
-----

Real estate transfers are reported for Pelham as follows:  Pelhamdale ave. n e s, adjoins grantee; Witherbee Real Estate & Impr Co to N.Y., N.H. & H.R.R. Co; D of C; Oct 31; Nov 6, 1905, 1.  Pelham Heights, map of, lots 124, 126, 128 and 130, block 13; The Mutual Life Ins Co to Benjamin F Corlies; release; Nov 6; Nov 9, 1905, 1,000.  Same lots; Benjamin F. Corlies to Lawrence H. Tasker; Nov 1; Nov 9, 1905, 2,000."

Source:  PELHAM, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Nov. 20, 1905, p. 4, col. 2.  

Benjamin Franklin Corlies and Susan Meigs were married in 1858 (most likely on November 4, 1858) and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with friends and family in Pelham Manor on Wednesday, November 4, 1908.  An article about the event appeared several days later stating as follows:

"FIFTY YEARS WEDDED
-----

A most brilliant and largely attended society event took place in the 'Marbury House,' Pelham Manor, Wednesday afternoon of last week, when Mr. and Mrs. John Cunningham Hazen gave a reception in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Corlies on the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage.

Over 400 guests were present, many coming from the oldest and best families in New York, as well as from Pelham Manor and New Rochelle.  Among those invited were Governor and Mrs. Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Carnegie, Mr. and Mrs. August Belmont, Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Schaub, Mrs. Mead, widow of Admiral Mead, the members of the White House families, and many other prominent persons. 

The reception was held from 4 to 7 o'clock in the room on the first floor, which was transformed into a scene of beauty by the magnificent display of flowers, yellow chrysanthemums and orchids predominating.  Mr. and Mrs. Corlies and Mr. and Mrs. Hazen received, assisted by Mrs. James M. Townsend, Mrs. Guy M. Johnson, Mrs. Henry M. Babcock, Mrs. Charles F. Roper, Mrs. Robert Black, Mrs. Chas. J. Ferrin and Mrs. William Twells Tiers.

Previous to the reception the young ladies of Mrs. Hazen's school greeted Mr. and Mrs. Corlies, the president of the senior class making a few appropriate remarks.  Rev. Dr. Slicer, of All Souls' Church, New York, who is a personal friend of President Roosevelt, delivered a brief address.  He referred to the useful lives of Mr. and Mrs. Corlies, and said that the golden decorations and presents of the occasion represented the golden rewards of two lives well spent.

During the reception Miss Slater, a prominent singer and soloist, of New York, sang a number of selections.  A collation was served after the reception.  Beautiful presents in gold were much in evidence. -- Mt. Vernon Argus."

Source:  FIFTY YEARS WEDDED, New Rochelle Pioneer, Nov. 7, 1908, p. 3, col. 5.  

"BENJAMIN F. CORLIES.

Benjamin F. Corlies, founder of the firm of Corlies, Macy & Co., died at his home in Pelham Manor, N. Y., Sunday, January 25, in the eighty-first year of his age.  Mr. Corlies descended from an old Quaker family of Red Bank, N. J.  He retired from business some twenty-five years ago, after which he purchased large tracts of land in Pelham and Pelham Manor and became a pioneer in the successful development of these villages.  He spent much of his time abroad or on his estate at Hurricane, in the Adirondacks.

Mr. Corlies was a trustee of the Society for the Relief of the Destitute Blind, a member of the Chamber of Commerce of New York, a member of the Monmouth County Historical Society, a fellow of the National Academy of Design and was one of the founders of the National Arts Club.  He leaves a wife, formerly Susan Meigs."

Source:  BENJAMIN F. CORLIES, New-York Tribune, Jan. 27, 1914, p. 7, col. 5.  

"DIED. . . . 
Corlies, Benjamin F. . . . 

CORLIES -- On Sunday, January 25, 1914, Benjamin F. Corlies, in the 81st year of his age.  Funderal services at his late residence, The Esplanade, Pelham Manor, N. Y., on Wednesday, January 28, at 5 o'clock.  Carriages will meet train for Pelham leaving Grand Central Terminal at 4:06 p.m."

Source:  DIEDNew-York Tribune, Jan. 27, 1914, p. 7, col. 7

"MR. B. F. CORLIES DIES AT AGE OF 80
-----

Mr. Benjamin F. Corlies, founder of the firm of Corlies, Macy & Co., died at his home in Pelham Manor, N.Y., on Sunday of a complication of diseases.  He was eighty years old.  Mr. Corlies was descended from an old Quaker family of Red Bank, N.J.  He retired from business twenty-five years ago, after which he purchase large tracts of land in Pelham and Pelham Manor, and became a pioneer in the successful development of these villages.

Mr. Corlies was a trustee of the Society for the Relief of the Destitute Blind, a member of the Chamber of Commerce of New York, a member of the Monmouth County Historical Society, a Fellow of the National Academy of Design, and was one of the founders of the National Arts Club.  His wife, who was Miss Susan Meigs, survives him."

Source:  MR. B. F. CORLIES DIES AT AGE OF 80, N.Y. Herald, Jan. 27, 1914, p. 7, col. 1.

"OBITUARY
-----
Benjamin F. Corlies.

Benjamin F. Corlies, founder of Corlies, Macy & Co., died on Sunday at his home in Pelham Manor in his eighty-first year.  He retired from business about twenty-five years ago and bought large tracts of land in Pelham and Pelham Manor.  He became a pioneer in the successful development of those villages.  Mr. Corlies was a trustee of the Society for the Relief of the Destitute Blind, a member of the New York chamber of commerce, a member of the Monmouth County Historical society, a fellow [of] the National Academy of Design, and a founder of the National Arts club.  His wife, who was Miss Susan Meigs, survives him."

Source:  OBITUARY -- Benjamin F. Corlies, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 27, 1914, p. 2, col. 1.  

"MRS. BENJAMIN F. CORLIES.

Mrs. Susan Meigs Corlies, daughter of John A. Meigs, for many years a National Bank Examiner, died yesterday at her home at 965 Esplanade, Pelham Manor, N.Y.  She was the widow of Benjamin F. Corlies, who moved to Pelham Manor 30 years ago.

Mrs. Corlies was known as a speaker on literary topics and was a member of the National Arts Club.  Her only near surviving relative is a brother, Beveric Meigs, who lives in California.  Her husband died six years ago."

Source:  MRS. BENJAMIN F. CORLIES, The Yonkers Statesman, Jul. 13, 1919, p. 6, col. 5.


*          *          *           *          *

I have written about the fascinating history of Pelham Heights on many occasions.  For a few examples, see:

Tue., Oct. 06, 2015:  Benjamin F. Corlies, A Founder of Pelham Heights.

Mon., Oct. 05, 2015:  A Brief History of the Founding of Pelham Heights, Once the Village of Pelham.

Mon., Apr. 14, 2014:  Early History of Pelham Heights Published in 1895.

Tue., Jan. 21, 2014:  Early History of Pelham Heights: "Then Was Formed The Idea That Gave Pelham Heights Its Birth"

Thu., Jul. 16, 2009:  Village of Pelham Trustees Grant Franchise Necessary for the Pelham Manor Trolley that Inspired the Toonerville Trolley.  

Fri., Dec. 07, 2007:  Another Biography of Congressman Benjamin Fairchild of Pelham, a Founder of Pelham Heights.  

Thu., Dec. 06, 2007:  Biography of John F. Fairchild, Engineer of the Pelham Heights Company During the 1890s.  

Fri., Sep. 28, 2007:  When Incorporated, The Original Village of Pelham Needed More Elected Officials Than it Had Voters.  

Tue., Aug. 15, 2006:  Another Biography of Benjamin L. Fairchild of Pelham Heights.

Fri., Apr. 22, 2005:  Benjamin L. Fairchild of Pelham Heights -- A Notable Pelham Personage.  

Bell, Blake A., Early History of Pelham Heights, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 32, Aug. 13, 2004, p. 9, col. 1.

Bell, Blake A., Pelham and The 1889 Wreck of the Steamship Ancon, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIV, Issue 7, February 18, 2005, p. 10, col. 1.


Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, October 07, 2015

The Week that Was in 1896: Pelham Press News of Pelham, November 19, 1896 to November 25, 1896


The year was 1896.  The Town of Pelham was a very different place.  There was, of course, no Internet.  There were no smart phones, radios or televisions.  There were no news anchors, talking heads, video pundits or YouTube stars. Most Americans depended on their neighbors for news.  Those in the know, however, depended on newspapers for news; that is, of course, unless they could afford access to the telephone, telegraph, telegram, or anything else named with the prefix "tele" (much like anything named today as with the prefix "cyber"). . . . . . 

The number of local community newspapers across the United States exploded in the late nineteenth century to feed the insatiable hunger of Americans for news -- any news, not just local news.  Communities as small as the Town of Pelham, bordering New York City with easy access to what were then some of the leading newspapers in the country, hungered for local news not reported in the city papers.

One local paper, about which I have written before, sprang up in Pelham.  It was the "Pelham Press."  The Pelham Press was founded on March 1, 1896.  The manner in which the tiny little newspaper was founded was undoubtedly unique.  According to one account:

"During the winter of 1895-96, the late Mark A. Hanna, chairman of the Republican National Committee was forcing the presidential nomination of Governor William McKinley, of Ohio. There was much opposition to McKinley and Hanna with his millions was purchasing the support of certain newspapers. There lived in Stamford, Conn., a tall old gentlemen [sic] by the name of John T. Trowbridge. He resembled Charles Evan Hughes with his flowing beard. Trowbridge saw that Hanna was proceeding with a very expensive program and getting audience with the political leader unfolded the scheme which brought the Pelham Press into being, as well as several other weekly newspapers along the Long Island Sound shore from the Bronx to Milford, Conn. 

These newspapers were to sponsor the McKinley cause. A representative in each city, town and village would edit his particular sheet. All the papers would be printed alike with the exception of the heads, and subheads on the editorial page. Each group of news would be printed under the heading of the locality where it was to be circulated. The papers were printed in New York City and delivered in the various communities by train. The only expense to the editor was the fifty cents express charges. 

Mr. Trowbridge came to Pelham hoping to establish a link of his chain journalism here. I was recommended for the position as editor and I accepted the very flattering offer. 

It was never intended that these newspapers should survive the election, but the Pelham Press had made its mark and when the time for suspension came, the circulation list was rather substantial, and although I pocketed everything, Trowbridge continued to supply me with papers".

Source:  Minard, J. Gardiner, MANY NEWSPAPERS HAVE ENTERED PELHAM FIELD SINCE PELHAM PRESS WAS PUBLISHED IN 1896, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 5, 1929, p. 9, cols. 1-6. 

Pelham's first printed newspaper, however, had a short life due to the Spanish-American War.  When that war began in 1898, the newspaper's editor, reporter, janitor, and chief bottle-washer, J. Gardiner Minard, "resigned" from all positions to enlist in the infantry to fight in the war.  As Minard put it later, "So the Pelham Press may therefore be regarded as killed in action".  

Almost no copies of the Pelham Press exist.  Pelham is fortunate, however, because its citizens were so interested in history that, for many years well into the 20th century, the successful local newspaper known as The Pelham Sun had a relationship with J. Gardiner Minard and printed the content of a number of his newspapers printed in 1896 and 1897 as "30 Years Ago" stories.  Thus, of course, we have important documentation of portions of the history of our little town.  

One such instance of documentation tells us what happened in Pelham in late November, 1896 that was thought to be important enough to report in the expensive medium of a print publication:  the Pelham Press.  Transcribed below is the news of The Week that Was in 1896:  November 19-25.  The quaint local news printed that week provides a lovely reminder of the tiny rural town that Pelham once was.

"PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO
(From the Pelham Press, November 25, 1896)
-----

Miss Beula Crewell, daughter of village treasurer and Mrs. Baltis F. Crewell of North Pelham, and Eugene Penfield of Mount Vernon, were married a week ago last Sunday.  The young couple surprised their friends with the announcement this week.  They will reside in New York city.
-----
Wolf's lane is being put in passable condition, a much needed improvement.  First street in Pelham Heights is also being paved by Smith Bros., the local contractors.
-----
Leland T. Powers of Boston, Lectured on the ndw play 'Lord Chumbley,' at the Hazen Seminary for young ladies Monday.
------

Frank M. Lyon has purchased the [illegible] the Young block, Fifth avenue and Fourth street, and will take possession the first of December, consolidating his present business with Beyel's.  Mr. Beyel will move his family to New York City on that date.
-----

The Baptists will hold a prayer meeting at the chapel. Fourth avenue near Third street, Friday evening.  The Rev. William A. Granger, pastor of the First Baptist church, Mount Vernon, will conduct the meeting.
-----

P.P, de Arozarema of Pelhamdale avenue, Pelham Heights, will raffle a Spanish donkey, 7 years old, two sets of harness, saddle and bridle and donkey cart, at Lyman's drug store tomorrow afternoon.
-----
Benjamin F. Corlies of Pelham Manor, while driving through North Pelham last Friday morning in front of the station, the 8:49 express passed through scaring the horse so that it bolted, throwing the rider.  Mr. Corlies was not badly hurt.  The animal was caught by Hill Allen, coachman for Ralph K. Hubbard, of Loring avenue, Pelham Heights.
-----
Miss Lizzie Morrelly of Third avenue, employed at the Cors Print works, caught her fingers in a paper cutter injuring them badly.  Dr. Walter S. Fleming of Mount Vernon, was called and dressed the wounds.  She will be unable to use the hand for some time.
-----
Dennis A. Walsh cut a deep gash in his hand while trimming a wick for a lamp at the Pelham A.C. headquarters Thursday evening.  He hurried to Lyman''s drut store where the injury was dressed.
-----
Last Thursday the New York police broke up a dangerous gang of thieves who proved to be the ones who have been operating in this section.  One of the men was wearing the hat taken by them from Mr. Bertine of Pelham Manor, when the Pelham man was driving with his daughter on the Split Rock road two weeks ago.  Among the goods recovered was a quantity of loot taken from the Hazen Seminary in Pelham Manor several weeks ago.  Mr. Bertine identified his hat but was unable to identify any of the men.
----- 
Mrs. M.A. Bowden, mother of George Bowden, of Ninth avenue, died at her home in New York City last Saturday in her 88th year.  The funeral services were held from her late residence, 361 West Fifty-first street, yesterday.
-----
Last night the town hall was filled with an enthusiastic audience to witness one of the finest plays given here yet.  It was a two-act drama entitled 'Above the Clouds,' and was given under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. I. C. Hill.  The scenery was loaned by Paul Mellon of the Bon Ton Theatre, Jersey City.  Charles C. Kneen was stage manager and Dr. Charles A. Barker was electrician.  The case was as follows:L  Philip Ringold, 'Crazy Phil' (a mountain hermit), I. C. Hill; Alred Thorpe, a city nabob, Chalres Kneen; Amos Gaylord, a country gentleman, Charles Ward:  Howard Gaylord, his son, James Greer:  Titus Turtle, a Gourmand, Elmer Kavanaugh; Curtis Chipman, 'Chips'' in the rought, Bertrand Burnett:  Nat Taylor, Thorp's protege, Elwood Clarke:  Grace Ingalls, a young artist, Miss Ida E. Hill:  Hester Thorne, Gaylord's housekeeper, Mrs. Ezra Daggett:  Susie Gaylord, Gaylord's daughter, Miss Louise Furber; Lucretia Gerrish, 'So Romantic,' Miss Mary E. Jennings:  song (selected), William Williams.  The proceeds will go to the church of the Redeemer."

Source:  PELHAM 30 YEARS AGO (From the Pelham Press, November 25, 1896), The Pelham Sun, Nov. 26, 1926, p. 12, cols. 1-4.  


Pelham Town Hall Where the Two-Act Drama
"Above the Clouds" Was Staged on November
24, 1896.  NOTE:  Click Image To Enlarge.

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

Labels: , , , , , ,

Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Benjamin F. Corlies, A Founder of Pelham Heights


One aspect of the history of Pelham Heights about which little has been written is the biographical data for Pelham Heights co-founder Benjamin Franklin Corlies.  Much has been written about the co-founder of Pelham Heights, Benjamin L. Fairchild.  There is a great deal of information about Fairchild because he served many terms in Congress.  Information about Corlies, however, is a little more difficult to locate.  Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog assembles biographical data about Corlies.  

Benjamin Franklin Corlies was a co-developer and co-founder of the Village of Pelham, known today as Pelham Heights.  He was a Pelham Manor resident who lived in a home along the Esplanade that no longer stands and once was called "Myne Owne."  He also owned an estate in the Adirondacks that he named "Hurricane."  Benjamin F. Corlies is the man after whom Corlies Avenue is named in Pelham Heights.  

Corlies was born on November 23, 1833 in the Village of Aurora, part of today's Town of Ledyard in Cayuga County, New York.  By the age of 22, Corlies resided in Ward 7 of New York City, according to the New York State Census of 1855.  See New York State Census 1855, New York County, New York City, Ward 07, District E-D-1, p. 46 of 85 pp. (Original Data from Census of the State of New York for 1855, Microfilm, New York State Archives, Albany, NY) (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access link).  His passport application filed in 1882 indicates that he was 48 years old, five feet five inches tall, with a high forehead, gray eyes, Roman nose, medium mouth, a round chin, brown hair, fair complexion and a "medium" face.  See U.S. Passport Applications, 1882-1887 for Benj. F. Corlies (Jun. 14, 1882) (Microfilm Roll 250 - 01 Jun 1882 - 30 Jun 1882, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.) (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access link).

Benjamin F. Corlies co-founded the stationery, printing, and lithographing business first known as B. F. Corlies & Macy and later known as Corlies, Macy & Co., Inc. in 1857.  By 1860 the firm had taken the form of a co-partnership.  The business was extraordinarily successful and was incorporated in 1895.  Benjamin F. Corlies withdrew from the old firm effective September 13, 1889, before its incorporation.  See Copartnerships [Legal Notice], The Evening Post [NY, NY], Sep. 18, 1889, p. 6, col. 6.  Some authorities erroneously state that he withdrew from the firm in 1885.  See Corlies, Macy & Co., Inc. Old Established Stationers. -- Unique Methods of Advertising. -- Well Equipped Manufacturing Plant, Walden's Stationer and Printer, Mar. 25, 1910, p. 8, col. 1 & p. 12, cols. 1-2 (NY, NY:  Mar. 25, 1910) ("Benjamin F. Corlies withdrew from the old firm about 1885.").

Benjamin Franklin Corlies led a fascinating life.  Not long after he established his printing business, the Civil War began.  On September 2, 1861, a man named J. K. Millner of Danville, Virginia approached Corlies' firm with what was thought to be a rather ordinary order for the lithographing of 1,000 sheets of bills for the Bank of Pittsylvania, Chatham, Virginia at a total charge of $135.  Without giving any thought to the matter, the firm executed the order in the ordinary course of its business and delivered the bills on September 9, 1861.  

Milner, it turned out, was a notorious Confederate supporter who arranged the manufacture of 40,000 to 50,000 rifled-barrel rifles but was arrested as he made a payment for the rifles.  Within days, federal authorities also arrested Corlies for his dealings with Milner and imprisoned him at Fort Lafayette, an island coastal fortification in the Narrows of New York Harbor, built offshore from Fort Hamilton at the southern tip of what is now Bay Ridge in Brooklyn.



Painting Depicting Fort Lafayette Where Benjamin F. Corlies
was Held Prisoner, as Seen from the Brooklyn Shore with
Denyse's Wharf on the Left.  Source:  "Fort Lafayette" in
Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia (visited Oct. 4, 2015).

Corlies' co-partner, Charles A. Macy and several others affiliated with the firm and with Corlies filed a statement with William H. Seward, Secretary of State, on September 14, 1861 pleading for the release of Corlies and saying that the bank bills were printed "without any intention or supposition on the part of our firm that we were violating the laws of the United States" and emphasizing that "We have never feld that our loyalty should be for a moment questioned, having rendered all the aid in our power since the rebellion first commenced to sustain the Government."  Macy further noted in the statement:

"I as a member of the Seventh Regiment New York State Militia [went] with the regiment to Washington when ordered there, and during my absence Mr. Corlies sent our porter, Theodore Craft, with the Eighth Regiment New York State Militia, our firm (with moderate means, having recently commenced business) paying his salary during the term of his enlistment for three months and hiring a person to fill his place while away."

On September 17, 1861, after receipt of the pleas for release of Benjamin F. Corlies from the island prison at Fort Lafayette, on September 17, 1861, Secretary of State William H. Seward directed that Corlies "be discharged upon his taking the oath of allegiance."  Corlies took that oath the following day and was release.  See "Case of Messrs. Milner, Walker, Burton and Corlies" in The War of the Rebellion:  A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies -- Additions and Corrections to Series II - Volume II To Be Inserted in the Volume, pp. 749-66 (Washington, D.C.:  Government Printing Office, 1902).  

A few years later, Benjamin F. Corlies was involved in a bizarre "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" situation.  He and another man were sued by Commodore Richard W. Meade who accused them of conspiring to have him committed to the Bloomingdale Asylum for "lunacy" as part of a scheme to get him out of the way so that a suitor of his daughter to whom he objected could marry his daughter.  Meade sought $200,000 in damages.  Shortly after Meade filed his lawsuit, "an order of arrest, in $5,000 bail, was granted on the 24th inst. [May 24, 1869]" and Benjamin F. Corlies and Charles A. Meigs were "arrested and gave bail."  See COMMODORE MEADE -- The Commodore Asks $200,000 Damages for False Imprisonment, N. Y. Times, May 30, 1869.  Research so far has not revealed the resolution of the lawsuit.

Benjamin F. Corlies married Susan Meigs (born on Dec. 1, 1839), a daughter of Charles Austin Meigs and Julia Augusta Van Zandt.  In 1885, Corlies left the firm of B.F. Corlies & Macy.  Living in Pelham Manor, he became involved in buying and developing tracts of land in Pelham Manor and in Pelham Heights.  To read more about his involvement, with Benjamin L. Fairchild, in the formation and development of the Village of Pelham, now known as Pelham Heights, see Mon., Oct. 5, 2015:  A Brief History of the Founding of Pelham Heights, Once the Village of Pelham.

In his later years, Corlies and his wife, the former Susan Meigs, traveled extensively overseas.  Corlies was interested in social work and served as a trustee for the Relief of the Destitute Blind.  He was an art aficianado and was actually elected as a fellow in the National Academy of Design.  He also was among the founders of the National Arts Club.  He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce of New York and a member of the Monmouth County Historical Society.  (His family was a part of the old Quaker settlement of Red Bank, N.J.)  

Corlies became ill late in life and lived abroad for a time for health reasons.  A Pelham Manor friend of his, William B. Randall, continued to represent his interests and facilitate the sale of the last remaining lots owned by Corlies in Pelham Heights.  

On Sunday, January 25, 1914, while in Pelham, Benjamin F. Corlies died in his home.  He was survived by his wife, Susan.  Two days later a brief obituary appeared in The New York Times.  It read:

"Benjamin F. Corlies.

Benjamin F. Corlies, founder of the firm of Corlies, Macy & Co., died at his home in Pelham Manor, on Sunday, in his eighty-first year.  Mr. Corlies retired from business some twenty-five years ago, after which he purchased large tracts of land in Pelham and Pelham Manor, and became a pioneer in the development of those villages."

Source:  Benjamin F. Corlies, N.Y. Times, Jan. 27, 1914.  

*          *          *          *          *

Below are a few items relating to Benjamin F. Corlies.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.





Announcement of Formation of Stationery, Printing, and
Lithographing Co-Partnership of Benjamin F. Corlies and 
Charles A. Macy, Jr.  The Firm Had Existed In Another
Form for a Few Years Before This.  Source:  [Untitled in the 
"COPARTNERSHIPS" Section], Morning Courier
And New-York Enquirer, Nov. 23, 1860,
Vol. LVIII, No. 11,318, p. 1, col. 1.
NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

"THE SUBSCRIBERS HAVE THIS DAY FORMED A co-partnership for the purpose of transacting a general Stationery, Printing and Lithographing business at No. 31 Nassau street.

The style of our firm to be B. F. CORLIES & MACY.  

The said Partnership to commence on the first day of October, 1860, and to expire on the 30th day of September 1862.

BENJAMIN F. CORLIES,
CHARLES A. MACY, JR.

New York, Oct. 1, 1860.

o4"

"THE MEADE CASE AGAIN.
-----
Commodore Meade Sues His Son-in-Law and Brother-in-Law for False Imprisonment -- Damages Laid at $200,000 -- Affidavits in the Case.

The case of Commodore Richard W. Meade, which created so much excitement last fall, and in the satisfactory termination of which the 'EAGLE' took such a prominent part, is now again before the Courts in New York.

It will be remembered by the readers of the EAGLE, that in October last, Commodore Meade was arrested on the complaint of Benjamin F. Corlies, who charged him with having threatened to take his life.  He was taken before a Police Justice who took bail for his good behavior, and was leaving the Court, when he was re-arrested, and on the certificate of a Tombs lawyer, was incarcerated in the Bloomingdale's Lunatic Asylum.  Corlies had been paying attention to a daughter of Commodore Meade, against the desire of the latter, who had forbidden him to visit the house.  During the incarceration of Commodore Meade in the Lunatic Asylum, however, Corlies got mariied to his daughter, and the Commodore claims that the plot was concocted to get him out of the way.  How long he might have remained in the Lunatic Asylum, had not the case been taken up by the EAGLE, it is hard to say, but it is certain that when, through the public attention being drawn to the matter by this paper, the Commodore was brought before Judge Sutherland on a writ of habeas corpus, he was pronounced perfectly sane, and discharged from custody.  He now sues Mr. Meigs and Mr. Corlies for damages in the sum of $200,000 for false imprisonment, and the following affidvaits have been taken in the case.

The defendants have put in no answer as yet.  The case will excite a good deal of interest when it comes to trial.

AFFIDAVIT OF B. W. MEADE.

Richard W. Meade agt. Charles A. Meigs and Benjamin F. Corlies, City and county of New York, ss. Richard W. Meade, the plaintiff in this action, being duly sworn, says:  That on or about the 13th day of October, 1868, at the city of New York, the above named defendants caused the plaintiff to be arrested by a police officer, upon a false and fabricated charge of disorderly conduct, and of threatening to shoot the said Corlies, and to be taken before the Police Justice of said city, and to give bonds to keep the peace; that immediately upon the giving of said bonds, the defendants wrongfully and maliciously caused the plaintiff to be again arrested and taken in charge by a police officer, and to be conveyed in charge of said officer to the Lunatic Asylum of Bloomingdale, upon a false, unfounded, and malicious charge of insanity, and then and there to be taken in charge by the physicians and officers of said Asylum, and to be stripped of his money, amounting to more than five hundred dollars, and of various valuable letters and papers upon his person, none of which property has since been restored to him, and to be detained, confined and imprisoned in said Lunatic Asylum, and against his will, for the space of fifty-eight days, on such false and malicious charges, during all which time he was deprived of free intercourse with his friends, altogether prevented from attending to his necessary business, and subjected to great physical and mental suffering; that the plaintiff was afterwords brought in custody, before one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of this State, charged by said defendants with lunacy or insanity, and, after examination into said charge, said Justice dismissed the same, and caused the plaintiff to be discharged out of custody.

That the plaintiff is about to commence, by the summons hereto annexed, an action in this Court against said Charles A. Meigs and Benjamin F. Corlies upon the cause of action above stated.

R. W. MEADE.

Sworn to before me this 6th day of April, 1869, JOHN BUTCHER, Notary Public, New York county.

AFFIDAVIT OF MR. SMALLWOOD.

SUPREME COURT -- Richard W. Meade vs. Charles A. Meigs and Benjamin F. Corlies -- City and County of New York. -- Joseph L. Smallwood, of the City of New York, being duly sworn, deposes and says, that on the 13th day of October, 1868, the defendant Meigs, accompanied by a police officer, came to deponent's place of business, No. 10 Beaver street, in this city, and said officer then and there arrested the above plaintiff and took him to the Police Court at the Tombs.  That said arrest was made upon a warrant, and sued upon the complaint of said Corlies charging that Meade with disoderly conduct on the 8th of said October, and with having then threatened to shoot said Corlies.

That at the time of said arrest, said officer informed deponent, that the said Meigs had told him it was the intention to have said Meade confined as a lunatic.  That deponent also went to said Police Court for the purpose of giving bail for said Meade, if bail should be required on said charge; that both of the defendants were present at the time in said Court; that the Police Justice then required said Meade to give bail in the sum of $500 to keep the peace for twelve months and deponent then gave such bail.

That immediately upon the giving of such bail the defendant, Meigs, spoke to said justice in a low tone, and said justice then ordered Meade, who was about leaving the room, to be seated, and sent an officer of the Court for a physician in the Tombs; that said Meade was then taken into another room to be examined by physicians as to his sanity, and deponent left the Court room.  That the defendant Corlies then came out followed by the deponent, and said to him, 'I am very sorry that I was obliged to take this course, but I was urged to do it by Mrs. Meade and Mr. Meigs, (meaning the defendant Meigs) but I had no fear of the Commodore,' (meaning the plaintiff).

Deponent further says that on the following day (October 14), the defendant Meigs came to deponent's place of business and desired a private interview with deponent; that said Meigs in a conversation then had with deponent, admitted that he was concerned in procuring the arrest of said Meade and his confinement as a lunatic, and that a part of the object in so doing was that the marriage of the daughter of said Meade might take place without his interference to prevent the same.  

JOSEPH L. SMALLWOOD.

Sworn before R. H. ROCHESTED, Notary Public.

AFFIDAVIT OF JAMES OGILVIE.

James Ogilvie of the City of New York debing duly sworn deposes and says that he is Superintendent of one of the halls of the Bloomingdale Lunatic Asylum and has been in that position for the period of about eight months; that he is acquainted with Commodore Richard W. Meade and has known him since the year 1867; that deponent formed his acquaintance at the Brooklyn Navy Yard at a time when deponent was Acting Master in the U.S. Navy.  Deponent further says that he has had frequent opportunities to learn the personal characteristics and mental condition of said Meade since said acquaintance commenced, and that nothing which deponent ever saw in the conduct, or conversation of said Meade was not of perfectly sound mind.  

Deponent further says that he well recollects the time when said Meade was brought to said Bloomingdale Asylum, in October, 1868, upon a charge of lunacy, and that said Meade, during all the time of his confinement in said Asylum, was in the Hall which was under the superintendence of deponent.

That during all the time of said Meade's confinement, as aforesaid, deponent had daily, and frequently, hourly opportunities of judging of the mental condition of said Meade, and deponent says that said Meade, during all said period, was in deponent's judgment, and to the best of his knowledge and belief, perfectly sane and in the full exercise of his senses.

JAMES OGILVIE.

Sworn before

JOHN BUTCHER, Notary Public."


http://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/60750737/

"OBITUARY
*   *   *
Benjamin F. Corlies

Benjamin F. Corlies died at his home, in Pelham Manor, N. Y., Sunday, January 25, in his eighty-first year.  He was the founder of Corlies, Macy & Company, commercial stationers and manufacturers, but has not been actively engaged in the business of that firm for nearly twenty-five years.  Since his retirement from the stationery field he purchased large tracts of land in Pelham and Pelham Manor, and took an important part in the development of those villages.  He spent a good deal of his time abroad and at his estate in the Adirondacks, which is known as 'Hurricane.'

Mr. Corlies was interested in social work and was a trustee for the Relief of the Destitute Blind.  His delight in art is shown by his election as a fellow in the National Academy of Design and he was one of those who founded the National Arts Club.  He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce of New York and was enrolled in the Monmouth County Historical Society.  His family was a part of the old Quaker settlement of Red Bank, N.J.  He is survived by his wife, who was formerly Susan Meigs."

Source:  OBITUARY . . . Benjamin F. Corlies, American Stationer, Jan. 31, 1914, Vol. LXXV, No. 5, p. 24, col. 1 (NY and Chicago, Jan. 31, 1914).  


Detail from 1910 Bromley Map Showing Pelham Heights.
Map Was Created About the Same Time as the Articles
About Pelham Heights that Appear Immediately Below.
in Bromley, George W. & Bromley, Walter S., Atlas
of Westchester County, New York, Volume 1, From Actual
Surveys and Official Plans by George W. and Walter S.
Bromley and Co., 147 N. Fifth St., Philadephia, 1910, p. 22
(Philadelphia, Pa:  G.W. Bromley & Co. 1910).
NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *           *          *

I have written about the fascinating history of Pelham Heights on many occasions.  For a few examples, see:

Mon., Oct. 05, 2015:  A Brief History of the Founding of Pelham Heights, Once the Village of Pelham.

Mon., Apr. 14, 2014:  Early History of Pelham Heights Published in 1895.

Tue., Jan. 21, 2014:  Early History of Pelham Heights: "Then Was Formed The Idea That Gave Pelham Heights Its Birth"

Thu., Jul. 16, 2009:  Village of Pelham Trustees Grant Franchise Necessary for the Pelham Manor Trolley that Inspired the Toonerville Trolley.  

Fri., Dec. 07, 2007:  Another Biography of Congressman Benjamin Fairchild of Pelham, a Founder of Pelham Heights.  

Thu., Dec. 06, 2007:  Biography of John F. Fairchild, Engineer of the Pelham Heights Company During the 1890s.  

Fri., Sep. 28, 2007:  When Incorporated, The Original Village of Pelham Needed More Elected Officials Than it Had Voters.  

Tue., Aug. 15, 2006:  Another Biography of Benjamin L. Fairchild of Pelham Heights.

Fri., Apr. 22, 2005:  Benjamin L. Fairchild of Pelham Heights -- A Notable Pelham Personage.  

Bell, Blake A., Early History of Pelham Heights, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 32, Aug. 13, 2004, p. 9, col. 1.

Bell, Blake A., Pelham and The 1889 Wreck of the Steamship Ancon, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIV, Issue 7, February 18, 2005, p. 10, col. 1.


Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,