More on Installation of "Silent Cop" Traffic Lights and Traffic Semaphores in Pelham in the 1920s

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Pelham has had automobile traffic issues for as long as, well, as long as there have been automobiles.  Indeed, from the earliest years of the twentieth century until today, Pelham lies in the path of tens of thousands of motorists traveling to and from New York City.  In fact, in the years before completion of the Hutchinson River Parkway, I-95, and other major thoroughfares in the region, motorists used roadways such as Boston Post Road and Shore Road to travel along the eastern coastline northeast of New York City.  That meant traffic issues for little Pelham.

As I have noted before, by about the time of World War I, traffic was becoming so heavy on Boston Post Road and accidents were becoming so frequent that a traffic cop was assigned to direct traffic at Red Church Corner, known today as Four Corners (the intersection of Boston Post Road and Pelhamdale Avenue).  Pelham Manor posted John McCormack to handle the duties.  He became known as "Mack," the "Smiling Cop," who became famous and even played himself in a movie.  See Mon., Feb. 24, 2014:  Mack, the Movie Star Traffic Cop of Pelham Manor, 1916-1928.  

During the Roaring Twenties, however, traffic in Pelham exploded.  Two things quickly became clear.  First, traffic was an issue around the clock -- not just during the workday.  Second, intersections throughout all three villages were experiencing a rise in traffic and, in numerous instances, increases in the number of intersection accidents.  It was time to harness the power of "Silent Cops" as early traffic signals were known.

I have written before about installations of so-called "Silent Cops" in Pelham as early as 1922.  See Wed., Nov. 29, 2017:  Pelham Grows Up: Installation of "Silent Cop" Traffic Lights and Traffic Semaphores in the 1920s.  Such Silent Cops at the time took the form of simple traffic lights or simple traffic semaphores, examples of which are pictured below.

1925 Horni Signal Manufacturing Company Traffic Light. 

Early Traffic Semaphore.

By 1927, the use of early traffic lights and traffic semaphores was proving itself effective in Pelham.  Consequently, the community began expanding the use of such signals as traffic continued to grow.  These, however, were not modern, timed, and automated traffic lights.  Rather, they were lights and semaphore lights that were mechanically controlled by a Police Officer who managed traffic on particularly congested thoroughfares like Boston Post Road.

Thus, for example, during the summer of 1927, Pelham Manor Police Chief Philip Gargan oversaw installation of three traffic semaphore lights at two problematic Boston Post Road intersections:  Fowler Avenue and Esplanade.

By 1927, in fact, both intersections were problematic.  The Fowler Avenue intersection was particularly bad because, at the time, there was a slight jog in the roadway just to the east of the intersection that created a blind curve along Boston Post Road immediately before the intersection.  There were many accidents at the intersection caused by cars pulling out from Fowler onto Boston Post Road just as vehicles rounded the blind curve and struck them in the intersection.  Indeed, the local newspaper, The Pelham Sun, described the intersection as "a dangerous intersection, with a blind curve just east of it, [that] has been the scene of many accidents."

Esplanade was another problematic intersection.  Vehicles traveling north and south on that busy road would try to scoot across the heavily-congested Boston Post Road causing accidents as well.  In July, 1927, Police Chief Philip Gargan oversaw installation of two traffic semaphore lights at that intersection to control northbound and southbound traffic on Esplanade.  At the same time Chief Gargan oversaw installation of another traffic semaphore light at the Fowler Avenue intersection.

The effect of the three new traffic signals was immediate.  Indeed, the local newspaper seemed almost surprised that there were no accidents at the Fowler Avenue intersection during heavy weekend traffic the weekend of July 23-24 that year.  The newspaper reported:  "The heavy week end traffic was more easily managed with the assistance of the lights which are situated at Fowler avenue and the Esplanade.  There were no reports of accidents at these points which ordinarily present a hazard during heavy traffic hours."

Of course, not all motorists complied with the new signals.  Indeed, even with a police officer operating the signals, some motorists simply blew through red lights and, of course, were ticketed.  Again, as The Pelham Sun reported, "there were those who failed to comply with the code set down by the red and green lights.  Tonight in Pelham Manor police court.  Judge Anthony M. Menkel will impose penalty on several motorists who were served with summonses when they passed traffic signals set against them."

As always, it seems that the more things change, the more they stay the same, even in the little Town of Pelham. . . . 

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"Boston Road Traffic Lights Prove Successful
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No Accidents Reported At Dangerous Intersections After Installation of Light Semaphore
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The three new traffic lights recently installed on the Boston road have not been without their effect.  The heavy week end traffic was more easily managed with the assistance of the lights which are situated at Fowler avenue and the Esplanade.  There were no reports of accidents at these points which ordinarily present a hazard during heavy traffic hours.

Although motorists in general observed the signals there were those who failed to comply with the code set down by the red and green lights.  Tonight in Pelham Manor police court.  Judge Anthony M. Menkel will impose penalty on several motorists who were served with summonses when they passed traffic signals set against them.

On the whole Chief of Police Philip Gargan, under whose direction the traffic lights were installed, is highly pleased with the new system.  Fowler avenue, a dangerous intersection, with a blind curve just east of it, has been the scene of many accidents.

It has been necessary to erect two lights at the Esplanade to accommodate traffic on both north and south-bound thoroughfares."

Source:  Boston Road Traffic Lights Prove Successful -- No Accidents Reported At Dangerous Intersections After Installation of Light Semaphore, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 29, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 23, p. 10, col. 2.  

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Roadateria, A Depression-Era Business at 4076 Boston Post Road

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Recently members of the East Bronx History Forum brought to my attention a fascinating old post card showing an odd diner once located at 4076 Boston Post Road very near Pelham's border with the Bronx.  The post card depicted a business named "Roadateria" with one awning that also spelled its name "ROAD-A TERIA."  The post card was available for auction sale on eBay.  The front and back of the post card appear immediately below.

"The Roadateria, located at 4076 Boston Post Road, Bronx, N.Y."

Obverse of Undated and Unused Post Card, Circa 1929-1930.

NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

"The Roadateria, located at 4076 Boston Post Road, Bronx, N.Y."

Reverse of Undated and Unused Post Card, Circa 1929-1930.

NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

Members of the East Bronx History Forum asked if I could provide any information about the history of the business.  Not only had I never seen the post card, but I also had never heard of the business.  

Another Pelham history mystery!  Sleuthing followed.

The business, it turns out, was a "short-lived venture."  The name of the business was "Roadateria Company, Inc."  It seems that the story behind the business is a rather sad one revolving around the rather unsuccessful sons of a hard-driving, self-made millionaire who saw an opportunity to feed New Yorkers from food trucks and built a manufacturing business to satisfy that need.  Roadateria, however, was just one of several unsuccessful ventures of the sons trying to replicate their father's success.

It is very difficult from the available resources to determine with any degree of certainty the complete nature of the business located at 4076 Boston Post Road with precision, but it appears that there was a manufacturing concern located there from 1929 until at least 1930.  That concern manufactured and sold a very distinctive form of prefabricated roadside diner known as a "Roadateria."  Additionally, it seems that along the roadside at that location the owners/manufacturers operated one of their own prefabricated units as a Roadateria Diner frequented by travelers along Boston Post Road that likely included Pelhamites as well as residents of the Bronx and other travelers along the Turnpike.  

As described by one source, the prefabricated Roadateria unit was a "combination dining car, lunch car and road stand" and was "vaguely reminiscent of a diner, but had white clapboard siding, casement windows, and a green tile roof.  One long window of the building opened up to create a road stand in good weather.  It had seats for twenty customers."  (See full reference quoted below.)

The president of Roadateria Company, Inc. was Edward J. Tierney.  Edward J. Tierney had years of experience in the manufacture and sale of food trucks and prefabricated diners.  Edward J. Tierney was one of several sons of Patrick J. Tierney.

In 1895, Patrick J. Tierney founded a chain of lunch wagons that eventually evolved into a business named Tierney Dining Cars.  He grew the chain into 38 lunch wagons that operated around the clock at "strategic locations" in the New York region.  Although he first had his lunch wagons built for him, in 1905 Tierney began building his own units in a garage behind his home located at Cottage Place in New Rochelle.  The history of Tierney Dining Cars and its successor businesses is fascinating in its own right.  Some of the following discussion is based upon information and cited sources referenced in "Tierney Dining Cars" in WIKIPEDIA -- The Free Encyclopedia (visited Apr. 5, 2016).  

Although the Patrick J. Tierney business began manufacturing truck-based dining cars, with the rise of automobiles, the business evolved to manufacture "diners" that were "modeled after railroad dining cars" intended to be placed at fixed locations rather than moving from one location to another.  The business was extraordinarily successful  Tierney died a millionaire in 1917.  At that time, a million dollars was worth about $18.524 million in 2016 dollars.

Patrick Tierney's two sons, Edward J. and Edgar T. Tierney, formed a parnership and took over their father's business.  Soon they converted the partnership into a corporation named P. J. Tierney Sons, Inc.  The shareholders of the new company were the two Tierney sons and their uncle, Daniel Tierney.  The Tierney Brothers became prolific manufacturers of dining cars.  

Then, however, during the "Roaring Twenties" they tried to expand beyond the mere manufacture of such lunch wagons and diner cars.  They also issued stock to the public, like so many other businesses at the time.  According to one source:

"Aside from manufacturing cars, for which they also offered operational training courses for new owners, the Tierney brothers also established the Tierney Operating Company in 1923. The purpose of this listed company was to open one new company-owned diner per week on average, over a period of four years. The brothers signed over all of their existing cars in New Jersey, New York and Westchester County to the company and offered half of its 500,000 shares to the public."

Source:  "Tierney Dining Cars" in WIKIPEDIA -- The Free Encyclopedia (visited Apr. 5, 2016). 

As the Roaring Twenties rolled along, the company experienced financial difficulties.  The company took on a major investor who subsequently claimed he had been defrauded into investing $500,000 in exchange for stock while being misled about the liabilities of the company.  Litigation resulted.  Ultimately, Edward J. Tierney and his uncle, Daniel, had to sell -- first -- their controlling interest and, finally, their entire interest -- in the company.  The company without the Tierney Brothers (and their uncle) thereafter changed its name to P. J. Tierney, Inc. and continued to manufacturer lunch wagons and diners without the Tierneys.  

In February, 1927, the Tierney Brothers and their uncle formed "Tierney Brothers" to compete with their former business.  Tierney Brothers was based in Mount Vernon but was quickly shut down when the former business obtained injunctive relief preventing the Tierneys from using their name in connection with such a business.  The Tierneys changed the name of the business to "Pioneer Lunch Car Builders, Inc." and tried to launch again.  

Edward J. Tierney served as president of "Pioneer Lunch Car Builders, Inc." located at 800 South Fulton Avenue.  By March 28, 1928, Tierney had "Conceived & Designed" the concept of "THE ROADATERIA" according to materials submitted in connection with a lawsuit brought by United Kitchen Equipment Co., Inc. first against Pioneer Lunch Car Builders, Inc. seeking to attach the property of Pioneer Lunch to satisfy a judgment for alleged failure to pay for certain kitchen equipment delivered to Pioneer Lunch.  On May 2, 1928, Pioneer Lunch Car Builders, Inc. filed for bankruptcy.  Following the bankruptcy of Pioneer Lunch, United Kitchen sued the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff of Westchester County claiming they had negligently delayed securing the property attachment until after Pioneer Lunch declared bankruptcy.  See United Kitchen Equipment Co., Inc., Plaintiff-Respondent v. Thomas V. Underhill, as Sheriff of Westchester County and William F. Murphy, Deputy Sheriff, No. 425, Case on Appeal pp. 69 - 109 (N.Y. App. Div. 2nd Dep't, 1931).  

The materials submitted to Appellate Division, 2nd Department for the above-referenced case on appeal paint a picture of Pioneer Lunch Car Builders, Inc. as a very troubled business struggling to build lunch wagons while fending off creditors at a time when the American economy was humming along.  At least in the case of kitchen equipment provided by United Kitchen, it seems apparent that Edward J. Tierney strung the company and its representatives along, failed to keep promises, dodged the creditors, and, generally, paid in increments only when forced to do so.  Ultimately, bankruptcy resulted.  

In 1929, Edward J. Tierney became involved with a company named Roadateria Company, Inc.  He became president of the company, but it was a short-lived business likely among the many such businesses ravaged by the Great Depression.  Although it is not certain how long the business manufactured Roadateria diners, it seems at least possible that the business operated a working Roadateria diner at 4076 Boston Post Road until at least 1930, when a help-wanted advertisement appeared in a local newspaper seeking waitresses for a Roadateria Diner at that location.

Help Wanted Advertisement Published in 1930 Seeking

"counter girls, and waitresses" for Roadateria Located at

4076 Boston Post Road.  Source:  [Untitled Advertisement],

The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], May 22, 1930, p. 26,

Col. 3.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Shares of the public company P. J. Tierney, Inc., once owned by the Tierney Brothers and their uncle, ceased trading in 1933.  Remnants of the company, however, "passed into what is now DeRaffele Manufacturing Company."  Id.

After his Roadateria efforts, Edward J. Tierney seems to have retired for a time.  However, "[j]ust before he died in 1946, he tried again with a company called Tierney Diners, Inc., but that, too, produced nothing beyond the design phase."  Id.    

In short, it seems that the fascinating post card showing a "Roadateria" located at 4076 Boston Post Road, depicts a rare form of American diner 

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"Roadateria Company, Inc.  4076 Boston Post Road, Bronx, NY, 1929

Edward J. Tierney was president of this short-lived venture after he was forced out of P. J. Tierney Sons, Inc.  The company manufactured a prefab 'combination dining car, lunch car and road stand.'  The unit was vaguely reminiscent of a diner, but had white clapboard siding, casement windows, and a green tile roof.  One long window of the building opened up to create a road stand in good weather.  It had seats for twenty customers."  

Source:  Gutman, Richard J.S., American Diner -- Then and Now, p. 238 (Baltimore, MD and London:  The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993).    

"TIERNEYS SEEK TO BLOCK SALE
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Want Irwin Untermyer to Hold His 4900 Shares.
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HE CHARGES BIG SHORTAGE.
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Appears in White Plains Court Against Lunch Wagon Makers.
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Special Dispatch to THE SUN.

WHITE PLAINS, March 4. -- Irwin Untermyer appeared before Supreme Court Justice Joseph Morschauser here to-day in opposition to the application for an injunction made by Edward J. and Daniel W. Tierney of New Rochelle to restrain him from selling at public auction 4,900 shares of the stock of P. J. Tierney & Sons Company, manufacturers of lunch wagons in New Rochelle.  Mr. Untermyer contends the sale is necessary to make up a shortage of $95,699.29 in the liabilities of the corporation, which he asserts was misrepresented to him when he bought 51 per cent. of the stock.  

Deal Is Described.

Mr. Untermyer was represented at the hearing by Louis Marshall of the firm of Untermyer & Marshall, while Frederick P. Close appeared for Edward J. and Daniel W. Tierney, two of the other principal stockholders of the Tierney company.  According to Mr. Marshall, his client turned over to the corporation $425,000 to pay debts, and other obligations, and then loaned Edward J. Tierney $40,000.  This money was paid by Mr. Untermyer, who is a son of Samuel Untermyer, on September 21, 1926.  The plaintiffs then deposited 4,900 shares of the P. J. Tierney & Sons Company stock as collateral with Mr. Untermyer.  

Mr. Marshall said that Mr. Untermyer relied on the statement of the assets and liabilities when he paid in the money, and later, when expert accountants examined the books, there was found a discrepancy in the report which increased the liabilities to $95,699.29.  This Mr. Untermyer wants the Tierneys to make good, or he says he will sell the collateral left in his hands.

More Time Given.

Mr. Close, in behalf of the Tierneys, contended that the stock could not be sold until there had been a law suit properly adjudicated.  'The company was on the verge of bankruptcy and Mr. Untermyer took it out of the jaws of death,' said Mr. Marshall, 'by making the large loan.  Now he wants to get back in the treasury the amount that ws misstated as to liabilities when he took over the controlling stock.

Justice Morschauser gave Mr. Close additional time for filing affidavits.

The stock had been noticed for sale on March 22."

Source:  TIERNEYS SEEK TO BLOCK SALE -- Want Irwin Untermyer to Hold His 4900 Shares -- HE CHARGES BIG SHORTAGE -- Appears in White Plains Court Against Lunch Wagon Makers, The New York Sun, Mar. 4, 1927, p. 9, cols. 2-3.  

"TIERNEYS SCORE IN WESTCHESTER
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They Win Injunction in Untermyer Suit Over Lunch Wagon Stock
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Edward J. Tierney and Daniel W. Tierney of New Rochelle scored a point this week when Supreme Court Justice Morschauer at White Plains granted them an injunction against Irwin Untermyer, retraining him from selling at public auction 4,900 shares of stock of the P. J. Tierney & Sons, manufacturers of lunch wagons, providing the issues involved in the suit are tried May 16.

The Tierney lunch wagons are in operation in almost every town in Westchester.

Through Louis Marshall, Mr. Untermyer sued the plaintiffs to compel them to make good $95,699.29, which he contended was the discrepancy between the assets and liabilities after he bought the stock, although Mr. Untermyer said he was told the assets far exceeded the debts.  Then Mr. Untermyer, who said he gave $500,000 for the stock of the lunch wagon company, threatened to sell the stock which had been put up as security to guarantee the statement that the company had no large debts outside those enumerated by an accountant.  

Mr. Untermyer contends that the plaintiffs had failed to make good under the contract and for that reason he insisted that the money he returned to the treasury of the Tierney Company or he would sell the stock Feb. 18.  The injunction was applied for and the sale has been held in abeyance since.

The Tierneys, through Frederick P. Close, denied that the company owned the large amount specified by Mr. Undermyer."

Source:  TIERNEYS SCORE IN WESTCHESTER -- They Win Injunction in Untermyer Suit Over Lunch Wagon Stock, The Hastings News, Apr. 22, 1927, p. 16, col. 1.  

"PETITION IN BANKRUPTCY
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Filed By Edward J. Tierney, Manufacturer
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New York, Sept. 16. -- (INS) -- Petition in bankruptcy was filed in U.S. district court here today by Edward J. Tierney, manufacturer of New York, listing liabilities of $592,315, and assets, $20,757.  He has a share in Tierney brothers, of 800 South Fulton avenue, Mount Vernon.  

Among his creditors, he owes the following:  Mount Vernon Trust company, $41,999.  Balz brothers, of New Rochelle, $2,00.  [Likely $2,000]  Mamaroneck National bank, of Mamaroneck, $4,500.  D. W. Tierney, of New Rochelle, $75,000.  Edgar T. Tierney, of New Rochelle, $400,000."

Source:  PETITION IN BANKRUPTCY -- Filed By Edward J. Tierney, Manufacturer, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 16, 1927, p. 10, col. 5.  

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The Origins of Village Park Along Boston Post Road in the Village of Pelham Manor

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"We must work together for the very reason that the Post Road is an integral part of the Pelhams."

     --1938 comment regarding zoning debate that led to the establishment of Village Park.

"This is not a time for display of selfishness and fear.  For the permanent benefit of the Pelhams we must all give the utmost of sympathy and understanding to each other's problems."

     -- 1938 comment regarding establishment of Village Park along Boston Post Road.

"The only possible way that this inevitable condition of a 'shameful eyesore and a challenge to the value of the property of every resident-owner within our village' can be avoided would be for the Zoning Commission to so change the zoning laws as to make the property within our village abutting on the Boston Post Road village park property so that the village and possibly the Pelhams could maintain this property in such character as to enhance rather than depreciate property values throughout the Pelhams"

     -- One of the public rationales for establishing Village Park along Bostom Post Road.

By 1938, the Great Depression had devastated our nation and our little Town of Pelham.  Large estates in our Town were being razed because owners no longer could afford to pay (or wanted to pay) the real estate taxes required for massive properties.  

In addition, at about the same time the character of various parts of our Town began to change.  For example, today's Boston Post Road, once known as the Boston Turnpike (US Route 1), previously was a quaint unpaved residential roadway that passed through the Village of Pelham Manor.  By 1938, however, the residential roadway was becoming history.  Boston Post Road was becoming an unendingly-busy highway that moved seemingly infinite traffic from New York City toward the northeast.  Traffic began to pound the once-residential roadway around the clock.  The neighborhood was changing.  

In addition to the unending traffic, the collapsed economy of the Great Depression ravaged large estates in Pelham -- particularly in the affluent Village of Pelham Manor.  Among such estates was what was left of the amazing Pelham Manor residence that originally was built for Martin J. Condon of the American Snuff Company.  That mansion likely was the largest mansion ever built in the Town of Pelham (including all those that once lined Long Island Sound during the 18th and 19th centuries).  

I have written extensively about Condon's mansion that once stood along Boston Post Road just west of the Esplanade.  For a few examples, see:  

Tue., Mar. 03, 2015:  More About Martin J. Condon and the Mansion He Built in the Village of Pelham Manor.

Thu., Jan. 29, 2015:  R. Clifford Black of Black, Starr & Frost Bought the Martin J. Condon Mansion in 1913. 

Tue., Sep. 16, 2014:  More Images of the Pelham Manor Residence of Martin J. Condon of the American Snuff Company. 

Fri., Jun. 23, 2006: More About Martin J. Condon of the American Snuff Company Who Owned an Estate in Pelham Manor.

Fri., Dec. 23, 2005:  The Pelham Manor Residence of Martin J. Condon of the American Snuff Company.  

So, how does all of this "history" have to do with the early origins of Village Park along Boston Post Road in the Village of Pelham Manor?  

Once the massive mansion built for Martin J. Condon was razed, there was a large stretch of prime undeveloped property along the northern side Boston Post Road both west and east of the Esplanade.  As the Depression raged, merchants throughout the entire Town including the Village of North Pelham began to agitate for the revision of the Village of Pelham Manor residential zoning ordinances applicable to the land.  Those ordinances provided for single family dwellings.  Merchants hoped that major apartment buildings could be built on the property along Boston Post Road to bring more potential shoppers to the region.  Soon, the battle raged.

Residents throughout the Town battled over whether property on BOTH sides of Boston Post Road should be acquired by outright purchase or eminent domain to create attractive parks on both sides of the major roadway.  Some residents feared that changing the zoning to permit large apartment buildings would create the risk of an "eyesore" on a major thoroughfare into, out of, and through Pelham.  Merchants, in contrast, hoped that increasing the population density in the area would help businesses and improve customer traffic in the Town's businesses.

A citizen's group named the "Boston Post Road Association" sprang up to promote an initiative to acquire land on both sides of Boston Post Road for dedication as a park.  The group circulated petitions to that effect for presentation to the Village of Pelham Manor Board of Trustees.  According to one account:

"Proposal for a half-mile long park on both sides of the Boston Post Road from James street to the Esplanade is made in a petition that is soon to be presented to the Pelham Manor Board of Trustees.  The Pelham Sun learned this week.  It is said that the proposal is sponsored by the Boston Post Road Association and urges that the Board of Trustees purchase residential properties on both sides of the highway, widen the Boston Post Road and install a parking strip down the center of the roadway, to provide two lane traffic through the westerly section of the village and increase the beauty of the village from the westerly approach.  The properties that the sponsors of the petition propose that the village purchase are assessed at about a half million dollars."  (See text of full article below.)

Though the battle raged, a modified version of the proposal by the Boston Post Road Association prevailed.  The Village of Pelham Manor was able to acquire a portion of the open stretch of land along Boston Post Road (mostly east of the Esplanade) to create a park to buffer nearby residences from the heavy traffic along the highway.  

Regarding the opposite side of Boston Post Road, it turned out, all was not lost.  Barely three years later, due to the philanthropic efforts of Clifford T. Weihman of 401 Monterrey Avenue, land on the opposite side of Boston Post Road was donated to the Village of Pelham Manor to permit the establishment of the Martha Emmons Weihman Memorial Park located on property adjacent to the Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church.  To learn more about the extensive history of Martha Emmons Weihman Memorial Park, see Bell, Blake A., History of the Martha Emmons Weihman Memorial Park, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIV, Issue 42, October 28, 2005, p. 10, col. 3.

Plans to create parkland along Boston Post Road were well underway!

Village Park Along Boston Post Road in August, 2013.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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Transcribed below is the text of a number of articles relating to today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"MERCHANTS URGE ZONE CHANGE TO ASSIST BUSINESS
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North Pelham Businessmen Prepare to Support Proposed Change to Permit Apartments.
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Zoning changes which will increase the population of the Village of North Pelham are favored by local merchants, who met on Monday night to formulate plans to support the movement to open a residential area of the village to apartment house construction.  Under the leadership of Fred M. Wirth, local garageman , the merchants will endeavor to enlist the aid of property owners.  The merchants will join the group that is urging that zone restrictions west of Fifth avenue and south of Fourth street be lifted.  They will be heard on this subject at the Zoning Hearing to be held at Hutchinson School on the night of Monday, April 11th.

The merchants pointed to other communities which had opened up areas to apartment house construction and pointed out that the change had been of benefit both to the income of those communities and to the local business in those districts.

Thirty-five merchants, the majority of them representing Fifth avenue stores, are supporting the pro-

(Continued on Page 12)

Merchants Support Change In Zoning
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(Continued from Page 1)

ject.  A committee of which John P. W. Ceder, real estate man, is chairman is studying the report recently submitted to the Board of Trustees by Rudolph G. Miller.  This committee will present the merchants' side of zoning at the public hearing.  Mr. Ceder is assisted by Seth T. Lyman, owner of Fifth avenue frontage; Irving J. Wallach, meat market proprietor; Matthew Poliakoff, dry goods merchant, and M. J. Murphy, builder.

At Monday night's meeting, Ceder called attention to the fact that in a total assessed valuation of $13,589,000 for the village, on the town tax roll, business property on Fifth avenue and Fourth street is assessed at $4,250,000.

'Business property pays one-third of the taxes in this village,' said Mr. Ceder.  'It should have a voice in planning its zoning.  You merchants are representatives of that property.'

The claim that the erection of apartments would increase school costs was criticized by Mr. Ceder, who told of an investigation made in two North Pelham apartment buildings:  'It's not true that the apartments are crowded with school children,' he said.  'I made an investigation in the Peldale and Pelnord, two typical North Pelham apartment houses, and learned that there were only seven children of school age in them.  What if families with children do move into apartment houses?  The new apartment houses will pay sufficient taxes to offset the increased cost of education.'

'In Hartsdale five new apartments were erected,' said Irving J. Wallach, 'and in 294 families in these buildings there are only 50 children of school age.  These buildings are paying high taxes and add to the school district income.'

James T. Bollettieri said that the problem confronting the Village Board at the present time was one of increased assessments of adjoining property when sales are made for apartment house construction.  

'Assessments were not raised in Mount Vernon when zones were opened to apartments,' said Ceder.  'I do not believe that property values would change here as long as the residential buildings remain on the property.'

It was the general consensus of opinion among the merchants that there is little hope for improvement in local trade unless the new apartment area was opened.  They were optimistic in their belief that new apartments would not be long vacant.  Reports indicated that there are only a few vacancies in apartments on Fifth avenue.

'Those are vacant only because the Westchester & Boston Railroad shut down,' said Mr. Ceder.

The group voted unanimously to enlist the aid of all merchants in the village in the appeal for larger apartment house zones.  Another meeting has been called for Monday night.

The following were appointed a Ways and Means Committee:  Jas. T. Bollettieri, Albert Wise and Jack Wotman."

Source:  MERCHANTS URGE ZONE CHANGE TO ASSIST BUSINESS -- North Pelham Businessmen Prepare to Support Proposed Change to Permit Apartments, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 1, 1938, Vol. 28, No. 52, p. 1, col. 3 & p. 12, col. 6.  

"ZONE COMMISSION REVIEW BRIEFS IN PELHAM MANOR
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More Names Added to Petition of the Pelham Manor Association Supporting Proposed Ordinance.
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The Pelham Manor Zoning Commission is continuing its deliberations on the proposed new Zoning Ordinance for the village.  Numerous expressions both in support and in opposition to the proposed ordinance have been pouring in by mail to the office of William B. Randall, chairman of the Commission, who has asked The Pelham Sun to announce that although it will be impossible to answer all these communications personally, every one of them will be given careful consideration before official action is taken on the proposed ordinance.

The Pelham Manor Association last night filed its brief in support of the proposed zoning ordinance.  The association also filed petitions signed by 85 property owners supplementing the original petition filed with the Zoning Commission last week.

In a communication to Mr. Randall, which has been forwarded to The Pelham Sun, Norbert J. Donovan, of No. 4516 Boston Road, files a 'minority' appeal for a change in restrictions on the Boston Post Road, in which he states:

'It must be taken into consideration that the Post Road is thor-

(Continued on Page 12)

Commission Reviews Briefs On Zoning
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(Continued from Page 1)

oughly recognized as a great public highway; that because of this it is not within the category of attractive residential property.  Based on this obvious fact it stands to reason that residential property owners on the Boston Post Road cannot afford to pour money into upkeep and improvements against a constantly depreciating property value; that, because of this fact, these properties will thus show the effects of this lack of improvement and lack of upkeep until the Boston Post Road -- the highway of our village and to the Pelhams -- will be a shameful eyesore and a challenge to the value of the property of every resident-owner within our village.

'The only possible way that this inevitable condition can be avoided would be for the Zoning Commission to (1) recommend the passage of such laws as would remove all trucks and commercial vehicles from the Post Road within our village and thus return the residential character of the neighborhood to these property owners, or (2) face the situation as it is and recognize the fact that it would be to the ultimate benefit of all property owners in the Pelhams if this Boston Post Road property was zoned for  proper type of suburban garden apartments, or (3) so change the zoning laws as to make the property within our village abutting on the Boston Post Road village park property so that the village and possibly the Pelhams could maintain this property in such character as to enhance rather than depreciate property values throughout the Pelhams.

'This is not a time for display of selfishness and fear.  For the permanent benefit of the Pelhams we must all give the utmost of sympathy and understanding to each other's problems.  We cannot legislate one group into an untenable position and then smugly go back into our homes and feel we have 'put something across.'  We must work together for the very reason that the Post Road is an integral part of the Pelhams and it behooves every property owner to see that the Zoning Ordinance is worked out in such a way that this front yard or gateway to the villages be enhanced rather than depreciated thru the proposed Zoning Ordinance.  I doubt that we could legally remove the trucks and heavy traffic from the Post Road for the reason that it is a recognized public highway.  We could, however, regulate the classes of apartments to be erected on such Post Road properties; or we could also condemn the properties and beautify the property as a park -- but we simply must not place the Boston Post Road property owners in such a position that the property will inevitably and necessarily depreciate into a deplorable eyesore, and this will inevitably happen if you zone so as to give those property owners no opportunity to maintain the value of their premises.'"

Source:  ZONE COMMISSION REVIEW BRIEFS IN PELHAM MANOR -- More Names Added to Petition of the Pelham Manor Association Supporting Proposed Ordinance, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 1, 1938, Vol. 28, No. 52, p. 1, col. 4 & p. 12, col. 5.  

"PROPOSE PURCHASE OF HALF MILE OF PROPERTY ON BOSTON POST ROAD FOR VILLAGE PARK
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Petition To Be Presented To Trustees Next Month
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Boston Post Road Association Understood to be Preparing Proposal That Village Purchase Property Assessed Above a Half-Million Dollars; Mayor Gause Describes Plan as 'Fantastic.'
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Proposal for a half-mile long park on both sides of the Boston Post Road from James street to the Esplanade is made in a petition that is soon to be presented to the Pelham Manor Board of Trustees.  The Pelham Sun learned this week.  It is said that the proposal is sponsored by the Boston Post Road Association and urges that the Board of Trustees purchase residential properties on both sides of the highway, widen the Boston Post Road and install a parking strip down the center of the roadway, to provide two lane traffic through the westerly section of the village and increase the beauty of the village from the westerly approach.  The properties that the sponsors of the petition propose that the village purchase are assessed at about a half million dollars.

According to Sylvester E. Powers, Pelham Manor real estate broker and director of the Boston Post Road Association, the petition was inspired by an unnamed individual who indicated to officers of the association that the Board of Trustees would be responsive to such a proposal from the property owners group.  Consequently, signatures are being solicited, and according to report about 60% of the taxpayers in the area affected have signed.  It is understood that the petition will be presented to the Board of Trustees at its next meeting, Monday, October 10.

'Fantastic' Says Mayor Gause

Mayor Edmund C. Gause when questioned relative to the proposal by The Pelham Sun, described it as 'fantastic.'  The village could not undertake such an expense, the Mayor said.  He had heard of the proposal, he said, but did not believe that there was any definite move to gain support of property owners.  

The Boston Post Road Association after an unsuccessful attempt to have zone restrictions on the Boston Road, west of the Esplanade, reduced to permit the erection of apartment houses, threatened to take the matter to court to force the zone change from residential to apartment house district for this area.  It is the contention of owners of property in this district that because of heavy traffic the Boston Post Road has lost its residential character."

Source:  PROPOSE PURCHASE OF HALF MILE OF PROPERTY ON BOSTON POST ROAD FOR VILLAGE PARK, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 30, 1938, Vol. 28, No. 26, p. 1, cols. 5-8.

"NEWS of PELHAM ACTIVITIES 
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Board Accepts Plan For Park Donated By Clifford Weihman 
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Work Started On Clearing Site at Boston Post Road and Esplanade; Estimates Made
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PELHAM MANOR -- The proposed plan for the Martha Emmons Weihman Memorial Park on Boston Post Road and Esplanade, have been accepted by the Village Planning Board and the work on clearing out the site has begun, Village Trustee C. Furnald Smith announced today.

Cost of converting the property into a village park is being paid by Clifford T. Weihman, of 401 Monterrey Avenue, in memory of his late wife.

According to Trustee Smith, the main entrance to the park will be from Boston Post Road, utilizing the original entrance, flanked on either side by a number of stately elm trees.  From the entrance there will be  sunken plaza, with a fountain in the center and shrubs banking the sides.  Paths will wind throughout the site which is about an acre in dimension.  There will be a side entrance to the park from the Esplanade.

Willard W. Gay of New Rochelle is the architect for the project, which is being done entirely under Village supervision.  Village Engineer, Julius Dworschak, who is making estimates of the costs, is expected to let out the contract for the work shortly.  The greater part [sic; text ends at this point with no continuation]."

Source:   NEWS of PELHAM ACTIVITIES -- Board Accepts Plan For Park Donated By Clifford Weihman, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 29, 1941, p. 5, cols. 5-7.  

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Slaves Likely Were Held, and Forced to Work, at the Shrubbery, Once Located Near Split Rock Road in Pelham

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On February 26, 1790, Aaron Burr purchased a 146-acre farm in Pelham commanded by a mansion that stood near today's "Split Rock Road" and Boston Post Road known as "The Shrubbery".  The home, built in the mid-18th century, was a Pell family homestead owned for many years by Joshua Pell Sr..  The 146-acre tract was part of a larger farm owned by Joshua Pell Sr. the Revolutionary War.  Joshua Pell Sr. had a son, also named Joshua, who served as a British officer in upstate New York during the Revolutionary War. 

During the 1780s New York State's Commissioners of Forfeiture sold the 146-acre tract to Isaac Guion for 988 pounds.  The land had been confiscated from Joshua Pell "Jr." after it was bequeathed to him by his father.

The will of Joshua Pell "Sr." entitled his children to receive monetary legacies when his entire farm (including the 146-acre tract) was divided in half and devised to two of his older sons: Joshua Pell "Jr." (who was entitled to receive the northern half) and Edward Pell (who was entitled to receive the southern half).  

The children of Joshua Pell "Sr." filed a lawsuit in which they were represented by Aaron Burr.  As a consequence of the lawsuit, in 1789 the New York State Treasurer paid Joshua Pell "Jr." 988 pounds in compensation for "wrongful taking" and paid Isaac Guion 125 pounds for his expenses. 

Significantly, in 1790 Aaron Burr bought the very 146-acre tract at issue in the lawsuit. He bought the northern half of Joshua Pell Sr.'s original farm -- the Joshua Pell "Jr." tract -- from Nicholas and William Wright.  He acquired the land subject to the right of dower of Phoebe Pell , the widow of Joshua Pell "Sr."  (For the complete text of this deed, see Wed., Jun. 14, 2006: Text of Deed by Which Aaron Burr Acquired Pelham Lands in 1790.)  Burr soon sold the tract to his step-son, Augustine J. F. Prevost. 

Prevost and his family lived in the home for many years until some time after November 17, 1813.  During that time Prevost was a slaveholder. For example, the U.S. census of 1800 shows that Prevost owned four slaves.  Additionally, manumission records of the Town of Pelham show that in 1807, Prevost manumitted a male slave named Job who was between 21 and 22 years old. The 1810 U.S. census shows that he owned one slave.  

It seems likely that others who owned the home known as the "Shrubbery" before Prevost also owned slaves who worked on the estate.  Joshua Pell, Sr. built The Shrubbery during the 1750s.  Both he and his wife were slaveholders.  

The New York Slave Census of 1755 indicates that Joshua Pell, Sr. owned two slaves.  A record of transfer of ownership shows that Phebe Ward Pell received three slaves from her father.  Moreover, the March 1, 1758 will executed by Joshua Pell, Sr. bequeathed slaves named Michael, Arabella and Hagar to various family members.  It seems likely that some or all of these slaves worked on the estate known as the "Shrubbery." 

It is also possible that Isaac Guion, who owned the estate during much of the 1780s, may have had slaves on the estate.  He was a known slaveholder. It is possible that the reference to “Isaiah Guion” as owner of one slave in the 1790 census is a reference to Isaac Guion, but that has not been established.  

Immediately below is an image of the Shrubbery before it burned in the 1890s.  It seems likely that slaves held by Augustine Frederick Prevost and Joshua Pell, Sr. – perhaps Michael, Arabella and Hagar – trod the floorboards of this 18th century home and worked in the fields and outbuildings that surrounded it.

The Shrubbery, Home of Joshua Pell, Sr., Isaac

Guion, and Augustine J. Frederick Prevost Before

It Burned in the 1890s.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Detail from 1868 Beers Atlas Map Showing Location of

"THE SHRUBBERY" (Lower Left) Just Off Today's

Boston Post Road in Area Between Today's Split Rock

Road and Today's Boston Post Road.  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, p. 35 (NY, NY:  Beers

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

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I have written on numerous occasions regarding slavery in Pelham.  For examples, though there are many more, see:

Bell, Blake A., Slavery in the Manor of Pelham and the Town of Pelham During the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries (paper prepared for and presented to the 28th Annual Conference on New York State History on June 8, 2007).  

Bell, Blake A., Records of Slavery and Slave Manumissions in 18th and 19th Century Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 27, Jul. 9, 2004.

Thu., Jan. 07, 2016:  The 1790 U.S. Census and What It Reveals About Slavery in Pelham.

Wed., Dec. 16, 2015:  The Will of Joshua Pell Sr. of the Manor of Pelham Dated March 1, 1758.

Tue., Feb. 09, 2010:  1755 Census of Slaves Older than Fourteen in the "Mannour of Pelham."

Mon., Jun. 18, 2007:  Information About Slaves Owned by Joshua Pell, Jr. of the Manor of Pelham.

Tue., Mar. 27, 2007:  1791 Will of Benjamin Guion of the Town of Pelham.

Mon., Mar. 26, 2007:  Will of Elizabeth Guion of the Town of Pelham Made in 1789 and Proved on October 5, 1791.

Thu., Mar. 22, 2007:  Abstract of Will of John Hunt, Owner of Land on "Mineford's Island" in the Manor of Peham Prepared in 1776 and Proved June 17, 1777.

Tue., Mar. 20, 2007:  Abstract of 1768 Will of John Pugsley of the Manor of Pelham, Proved December 31, 1768.

Mon., Mar. 19, 2007:  Abstract of 1768 Will of Caleb Pell of the Manor of Pelham, Proved April 9, 1768.

Fri., Mar. 16, 2007:  Abstract of Will of Thomas Pell of Eastchester, Owner of Lands in Pelham Manor, Prepared in 1753 and Proved in 1754.

Wed., Apr. 12, 2006:  1712 Census of Westchester County Documents Slave Ownership in Pelham

Mon., Apr. 3, 2006:  1805 Will of William Bayley of Pelham Included Disposition of Slaves

Fri., Feb. 17, 2006:  Runaway Slave Notice Published by John Pell in 1748 Comes to Light

Wed., Jul. 19, 2006:  Pelham Manor Runaway Slave Notice in June 30, 1777 Issue of The New-York Gazette; And The Weekly Mercury.

Mon., Jul. 18, 2005: Pelham Manor Runaway Slave Notice in August 29, 1789 Issue of The New-York Packet

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