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.

Friday, August 07, 2015

Original Efforts to Establish City Island Ferry Services During the 1760s


In a prior posting to the Historic Pelham Blog, I noted that a rope-hauled ferry once run by the Way Brothers operated to connect City Island to the mainland for a fifty-year period prior to construction of the first City Island Bridge in 1868.  See Fri., Mar. 13, 2015:  An Important History of the City Island Bridge Built in 1868 and the Way Brothers' Ferry That Preceded It.  That posting noted:

 "Before this bridge [the first City Island Bridge] was constructed, the travel from the main land to City Island was by means of a very primitive ferry, in the form of an old flat scow, similar to the conventional mud scow of to-day. This scow had a flat deck, with a low railing on each side to prevent horses and other animals, from backing off into the water. To each end of this scow was fastened a large cable or rope long enough to reach across the water when the scow was pulled across. 

 "In order that the rope should not float and impede navigation on the water that divided the Island from the main land, heavy iron weights were fastened on the rope that that it would sink to the bottom of the river. This primitive ferry was operated by the Way Brothers, who, when the scow had a load, would give a signal and then, with the assistance of two or three men, would walk along the banks and draw the boat across, in the same manner as a horse draws a boat along a tow path. 

 "The ferry charged a toll; twenty-five cents for a team, fifteen cents for a single horse and five cents for a man, hog, sheep or goat. This old ferry had been in use more than fifty years up to the time when the City Island bridge was built."

 Id. (quoting CITY ISLAND'S HISTORIC BRIDGE -- A SKETCH OF ITS ORIGIN -- To be Replaced by a Modern Iron Structure, Mount Vernon Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 23, 1898, Vol. XXVI, No. 1926, p. 1, cols. 4-5.).

Scow of the Sort Once Drawn by Hand by Men Using
Rope System To Travel from the Mainland to City
Island.  Source:  Otis, James, Peter of New Amersterdam:
A Story of Old New York (Project Gutenberg, 2013)
(Available for "use of anyone anywhere at no cost
and with almost no restrictions whatsoever"). NOTE:
Click Image to Enlarge.

 The ferry service once operated by the Way Brothers was not, however, the earliest ferry service that connected City Island to the mainland.  Additionally, there was early ferry service that connected the island to Long Island.  

 According to a manuscript entitled "Number one, Book of Laws, ordered by the Community of Minneford's Island, made the tenth day of May, one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-three" held by the New-York Historical Society, on May 10, 1763 residents of City Island (then known as Minneford's Island" authorized a ferry at the northern end of the island to connect it with Rodman's Neck on the mainland.  The ferry was to operate around the clock ("Day Light to Day Light") and it was directed that the ferryman "shall not fail to give good attendance Durering and for the ensuing year from the date hereof, and likewise to keep a sufficient craft to take in a horse and chair, or two horses."  The City Islanders further authorized a toll as follows:  "the ferry man shall receive for each chair and horse not to exceed the sum of one shilling and sixpence, and for each person the said ferry man not to exceed the sum of four coppers for each time crossing said ferry."  That year, the ferry license was awarded to the "best and fairest bidder," a woman known as "Mrs. Deborah Hicks."

 Three years later City Islanders authorized a ferry service to connect the south end of Minneford's Island with the opposite shore of Long Island.  The ferry franchise was established on May 13, 1766 and was leased to John Barnes for a term of five years.  

 Soon after the authorization of ferry service to Long Island, the residents of the island designated a group of residents to act as a committee and serve as "Proprietors of the Island" -- local representative government in its infancy.  The Proprietors of Minneford's Island soon were faced with disputes over apparent misuse and abuse of the ferry system by residents attempting to transport too many farm animals at one time.  Indeed, at a "meeting of the committee of the Proprietors of Minford's Island" held at the home of Isaac Barnes on May 11, 1765, the Committee ordered:

 "that no owner or proprietor of the said Island, not residing thereon, shall put or caus to be put on more than twoo creatures of any kind; likewise, any owner or inhabitant living and residing upon the said Island may bring on twoo cows, if a twoo wheld carriage, one horse, and if a waggon two horses p'r. each right; any person, proprietor, owner or inhabitant disobey these  orders and putting on more than the No. above written, must expect to have them put in common pound and dealt with according to law, &c."

 Robert Bolton detailed these developments regarding early City Island ferry service in the second edition of his seminal two-volume history of the County of Westchester published in 1881.  A pertinent excerpt of Bolton's description appears immediately below, followed by a citation and link to its source.

 "In the possession of the New York Historical Society, is an ancient MSS entitled, 'Number one, Book of Laws, ordered by the Community of Minniford's Island, made the tenth day of May, one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-three.'  From which we take the following:

 'May 10th, 1763, this day, we, the Community of Mineford's Island, have thought proper to apoint a stated ferry acroost from Mr. Samuel Rodman's Neck to said Island, in manner and form as followeth:  The ferryman to keep a good sufficient craft to ferry a man or men acroost from Mr. Rodmans Neck to said Island, and from said Island to the neck, at all times and from Day Light to Day Light, and shall not fail to give good attendance Durering and for the ensuing year from the date hereof, and likewise to keep a sufficient craft to take in a horse and chair, or two horses in manner and form as abovesaid, and the ferry man shall receve for each chair and horse not to exceed the sum of one shilling and sixpence, and for each person the said ferry man not to exceed the sum of four coppers for each time crossing said ferry, &c.'

 The same year the ferry at the north end of said island was disposed of to the best and fairest bidder, viz:  Mrs. Deborah Hicks.  On the 13th of May, 1766, Jeremiah Fowler was ferryman; 11th of June 1776, the ferry was sold to John Bridgewater.

 The ferry across from the south end of Minneford's Island, to the opposite shore of Long Island, was established 13th of May, 1766, and let to John Barnes for the term of five years.

 'On the 14th day of June, 1763, Isaac Barnes, Benjamin Palmer, John Barnes, Enock Hunt, Joseph Mullinix and Joseph Palmer were chosen by the proprietors trustees of the island.'  The year following, '8th of May, Capt. John Wooley, Israel Pinckney, Aaron Hunt, Benjamin Palmer, Isaac Barnes and Caleb Hunt were appointed the committee, and Benjamin Palmer, clerk and treasurer, to the proprietors of the Island for one year.'  [Page 77 / Page 78]

 'At a meeting of the committee of the Proprietors of Miniford's Island, assembled at the house of Isaac Barnes, the 11th day of May, 1765,

 'Present:

 'MOSES OWENS,      }         {SAMUEL RICE,
DUNCAN CAMPBELL}         {JOSEPH PALMER.'

 'The committee ordered that no owner or proprietor of the said Island, not residing thereon, shall put or caus to be put on more than twoo creatures of any kind; likewise, any owner or inhabitant living and residing upon the said Island may bring on twoo cows, if a twoo wheld carriage, one horse, and if a waggon two horses p'r. each right; any person, proprietor, owner or inhabitant disobey these  orders and putting on more than the No. above written, must expect to have them put in common pound and dealt with according to law, &c.' a

 [Footnote "a" reads as follows:  "a  In May, 1770, Isaac Barnes had two cows, 2 yearlings and 1 colt, making in all 5 head; Benjamin Palmer, 2; Joseph Muleux, 1; Dukin Campble, 5; Minor Hillard, 10; John Pinkney, 4; John Barnes, 2; Markos Baxter, 4; Deborah Hicks, 8; Widow Brucks, 4."]"

 Source:  Bolton, Robert, The History of the Several Towns, Manors, and Patents of the County of Westchester, From Its First Settlement to the Present Time Carefully Revised by its Author, Vol. II, pp. 77-78 (NY, NY:  Chas. F. Roper, 1881) (edited by C. W. Bolton).

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Wednesday, May 06, 2015

Another Interesting History of City Island Published in 1901


City Island once was part of the Town of Pelham before its annexation by New York City in the mid-1890's.  Indeed, for much of Pelham's history, City Island was the Town's center of population.  Thus, the much of the island's early history is important to understanding the history of the Town of Pelham.

 I have written so often about the history of City Island and its citizens that it would be counter-productive to list all such articles in a single posting.  I have, however, included numerous examples of such items at the end of today's posting.

 In 1901, The New York Times published a brief but entertaining history of City Island as the opening of the new steel City Island Bridge that still connects the island to the mainland neared.  Immediately below I have transcribed the text of the article, followed by a citation and link to its source.  Although the article provides a fascinating overview of a rather complex history, great care should be taken regarding the various deeds and dates of deeds referenced in the story since some of the facts cited are not borne out by the historic record.

Map of Town of Pelham with Inset of City Island, 1868.
Source: Beers, F.W., Atlas of New York and Vicinity,
p. 35 (NY, NY: Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1868).

 "HISTORIC CITY ISLAND

 Opening of the New Steel Bridge May Stimulate Interest in a Section Long Neglected.

 THOUGH probably the only suburb better known to the lovers of outdoor life than City Island is Coney Island, little is known historically by the average New Yorker about this delightful spot.  In former years it was a typical fishing village, but the old farmhouses and dwellings have almost entirely been replaced by hotels, clubhouses, and cottages, and in place of the fishing smacks and oyster boats that once anchored in East chester Bay is the fleet of the Harlem Yacht Club.  But the final blow to the antiquity of the spot will be the opening of the new steel bridge connecting City Island with the mainland, which will probably take place with appropriate exercises on July 4.  This structure will replace the old wooden bridge that for years has done service.  The draw of the old bridge was formerly used on the old Harlem River bridge at Third Avenue, and was removed to City Island when the first steel structure was built across the Harlem River at this point.

 On one occasion this wooden draw was swept from its pivot pier and went floating down the Harlem with several people and a horse and carriage upon it.  Capt. John N. Munson was in charge of the bridge at that time, and he rescued the draw and its passengers as it was nearing the mouth of the Harlem Kills, one of the most dangerous points in the Harlem River.  Since that time two bridges have been built over the Harem at Third Avenue, but the old wooden draw is still doing service at City Island.

 To tell the bicyclist, the angler, the horseman or the yachtsman of to-day that those who were conspicuous in the creation of the Republic planned to make of City Island a great commercial metropolis would undoubtedly provoke expressions of incredulity, and yet such is the fact, for nearly a century and a half ago the little territory was laid out into city lots and a system of piers and warehouses was projected for the accommodation of the great trade of the Indies, which the men of that tiime reasoned was certain to come to that ideal location for a trading, manufacturing, and maritime city.

 In 1666 Mr. Thomas Pell is recorded as having applied for letters patent from the Crown, creating the manor of Pelham, embracing the territory vaguely described as between the Bronx and the Connecticut Rivers, and covering a strip of land some miles back from the shore and the islands lying upon the tract before the mainland.

 These included the island of Minnefords or Minifers, or Minnewit, names variously given to the Indians who had peopled the place [sic] before the advent of the white man.  The official records of New York State and of Westchester County say that this island, of Minnefords was the present City Island, and the term Great Minnefords is occasionally used now in legal documents relating to the island.  Thomas Pell and his nephew, John Pell, secured the royal patent or title to the territory claimed and for some time were owners of the entire tract.  On Dec. 11, 1687 John Pell sold the island to John Smith of the town of Ducklands, and though William Pate and Robert Godfrey made some pretensions of having prior claim, their title seems to have melted away in haze.  In 1700 the island passed into the possession of William Euerdon [i.e., Everdon] and Gabriel Umbriel [sic], who disposed of it to Samuel Dodge [sic], who in turn sold it to Samuel Rodman, the owner of Rodman's Neck, as the mainland adjoining it was then and is now known.  Rodman is recorded as having paid £2,300 for the island.

 On June 1, 1755, he leased the Island of Minnefords to John Jones of Jamaica [sic], 'for an annual payment of Five Shillings and one pepper corn if the same shall be lawfully demanded.'

 In 1761 the island passed into the possession of Joseph and Benjamin Palmer, and in May, 1763, Gov. Cadwalader [sic, should be Governor Robert Monckton], Captain General and Governor General in Chief of the Province of New York, conveyed to Benjamin Palmer letters patent 'for 400 feet of land under water from high water mark round Minnefords Island, which patent recognizes the plan of the island, and that it was made by the Surveyor General.'

 It is recorded that Palmer paid £2,730 for his rights, and having an eye to business he promptly divided the island into thirty equal parts, selling twenty-six parts to a company.  The company then divided their property into 4,500 building lots, 25x1000, for the purpose of creating a trading centre to be known as City Island, and fixed the price of the lots at £10 each.  When this plan was devised a ferry 'for man or men' was established between Rodman's Neck and the island at the point where the new steel bridge is being built.

 After the Revolution the islanders did not seem to prosper, and it is only within the last few years that they have shown signs of activity and improvement, which is mainly due to the discovery of the spot by bicyclists and yachtsmen.  The old wooden bridge, which will soon be torn away, was opened Dec. 1, 1873, much of the material used in its construction being taken from the wreck of the frigate North Carolina.

 The one relic of former days that now remains on the island, and which proves a great drawback, is the little one-track, one horse road, with its tiny bob-tailed cars that runs through the main street of the island and carries passengers to and from Bartow Station on the Suburban Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad, about two miles from the island.  This railroad has probably stood more ridicule than any other line of cars in the United States.  Nevertheless, it is a money maker, and so crowded are the four cars that comprise the rolling stock of the system that the fishermen who frequent the islands by the hundreds on Sunday mornings are frequently seen riding on the roof.  In Summer the cars rarely miss a train, but in Winter the line is blocked about half the time.  An effort has been made to obtain a franchise to run a trolley road along the present route, but the Park Commissioners have refused to grant it on the ground that it would traverse a public park."

 Source:  HISTORIC CITY ISLAND -- Opening of the New Steel Bridge May Stimulate Interest in a Section Long Neglected, N.Y. Times Magazine Supplement, Jun. 9, 1901, p. 7, cols. 3-4.

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I have written about various aspects of the history of City Island, once part of the Town of Pelham.  For merely a few such examples, see:

Tue., Dec. 16, 2014:  "Fifty Years Behind the Times" - City Island After its Annexation by New York City.

 Mon., Dec. 15, 2014:  Brief History of City Island Including the Legend of the Macedonia Hotel with Photographs Published in 1906.


Tue., Nov. 07, 2006:  Tour of City Island and Portions of Pelham Published in 1909.

Wed., Jul. 12, 2006:  A Brief History of City Island Published in a Book by Stephen Jenkins in 1912.





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Friday, March 13, 2015

An Important History of the City Island Bridge Built in 1868 and the Way Brothers' Ferry That Preceded It


By the mid-1890s when New York City annexed City Island and adjacent areas on the mainland, the old City Island bridge that was completed in 1868 had become a decrepit and dilapidated eyesore. The bridge originally was built from the timbers of an ancient decommissioned ship known as the North Carolina, cobbled together with a draw that was taken from the old Harlem Bridge when that bridge was replaced.  As one account put it so succinctly, even when newly-built in 1868, the City Island bridge was "nothing but a second hand affair." 

 The City Island Bridge that currently connects City Island with the mainland and that replaced the one built in 1868 was erected beginning in 1898.  It opened to the public July 4, 1901.  It cost $200,000.

 Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes another article published shortly before construction of the replacement bridge began.  The article recounts the history of the first bridge and, perhaps more interestingly, describes the Way Brothers ferry that pre-dated that bridge.  The text of the article is followed by a citation and link to its source.  

"Old City Island Bridge"
Source: "Chapter XX: City Island" in History of Bronx Borough City Of New York
Compiled for The North Side News By Randall Comfort, p. 59 (NY, NY: North Side
News Press: 1906). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

 "CITY ISLAND'S HISTORIC BRIDGE.
-----
A SKETCH OF ITS ORIGIN.
-----
To be Replaced by a Modern Iron Structure.
-----

 The old City Island bridge is doomed.

 The decree went forth more than one year ago.  The structure is unsafe, the timbers shaky and the stone abutments washed out and crumbling from the storms and tides of more than thirty years.

 What wonderful and interesting tales this old bridge could tell:  What fish stories, real or imaginary, the thousands and tens of thousands of fishermen from almost every hamlet in Westchester County, might relate.  There is not another bridge in this state that has a fisherman's record that can compare with that of the old structure at City Island.  Not a single day in the whole year, when the weather permitted, holiday or Sunday, that this bridge did not have its complement of fishermen.

 The 'old salt,' with weather beaten face, pea jacket, leather hat, and stump clay pipe, with his old fashioned hazel rod fish pole; the professional angler, with his up-to-date bamboo pole, waterproof line, patent reel and modern outfit; the mechanic, the laborer, the clerk,, the young man with his less pretentious tackle, all could tell some interesting fish story in connection with that old City Island bridge; and, no doubt, in each breast an echo, 'How dear to my heart are the scenes and recollections of this old bridge which will soon be only a remembrance of days gone by!'

 The march of improvement has decreed the destruction of this old water mark.  New York City now owns City Island bridge.  It is the connecting link between Pelham Bay Park and the Island.  It is an old wooden structure, not by virtue of years, but by reason of the fact that the materials used in its construction were not new.  The old timbers are morised and bolted together and form an old fashioned frame work of early bridge building.

 The City Island bridge was built in 1868 and this would make it just thirty years old, but the timber from which this bridge is constructed, together with the experiences and incidents connected with it, make it historically interesting.

 Before this bridge was constructed, the travel from the main land to City Island was by means of a very primitive ferry, in the form of an old flat scow, similar to the conventional mud scow of to-day.  This scow had a flat deck, with a low railing on each side to prevent horses and other animals, from backing off into the water.  To each end of this scow was fastened a large cable or rope long enough to reach across the water when the scow was pulled across.  

Scow of the Sort Once Drawn by Hand by Men Using Rope
System To Travel from the Mainland to City Island.
Source:  Otis, James, Peter of New Amersterdam:  A Story
of Old New York (Project Gutenberg, 2013) (Available for
"use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no
restrictions whatsoever").  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

 In order that the rope should not float and impede navigation on the water that divided the Island from the main land, heavy iron weights were fastened on the rope that that it would sink to the bottom of the river.  This primitive ferry was operated by the Way Brothers, who, when the scow had a load, would give a signal and then, with the assistance of two or three men, would walk along the banks and draw the boat across, in the same manner as a horse draws a boat along a tow path.

 The ferry charged a toll; twenty-five cents for a team, fifteen cents for a single horse and five cents for a man, hog, sheep or goat.  This old ferry had been in use more than fifty years up to the time when the City Island bridge was built.

 The timber in this bridge was taken from the old naval ship North Carolina, which David Carl [sic], a ship builder on City Island, purchased from the government at the Navy yard, the year previous.  Carl bought this vessel for the iron and copper that her frame contained.  He had the vessel towed to City Island, where he dismantled her.  After removing all the iron and copper in her hull above the water line, he cut the vessel into sections and, as fast as these sections dropped over into the water, they were towed ashore by the fishermen and inhabitants of the Island, who need the timber and cut it up for firewood; the agreement having first been made with Carl [sic], that he was to have every bolt and bit of the copper in the wood.  

 The accumulation of frame work, planking, ribs, stays, etc., was so large that a number of men decided to form a company and build a bridge out of the lumber.  The corporation comprised David Carl [sic], Josh Leviness, Benjamin Hageman, William Lockwood, George Gould, David Cromwell and one or two others.  

 In the Spring of 1868, Zeke Rowe, of Flushing, L. I., contracted to build the bridge for $35,000.  He set at work a large force of men and on August 21, 1868, the bridge was opened for travel and the first person to cross it was a woman, Mrs. George Gould, mother of Theodore Gould, who opened the first hotel in Mount Vernon, where Adelina Patti made her first appearance at a concert.

 The Goulds were among the pioneers of Mount Vernon when the Home Industrial Association of which Horace Greeley was President, purchased the site of this city.  

 The first bridge tender and toll taker was Andrew J. Horton, aand the last bridge tender, Phil Flynn.  The bridge had a small draw, which opened to the vessels desiring to go up the Sound.  The iron work and machinery of this draw were taken from the old wooden Third avenue drawbridge, over the Harlem River, at 130th street, New York City.

 The bridge is nearly half a mile long.  It has a narrow foot path on the north side.  The drive way is just wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other and a driver mustd keep his wits about him to avoid a collision.  

 In going over the bridge every plank and frame piece creaks and groans as if in agony.  The stone piers that carry the frame work, are falling and crumbling and, in order to hold the stones together, large piles and logs have been anchored around the piers to save them from falling in to the mud.  At the present tie a one horse car line runs on one side of the drive.  This railroad runs between City Island and Bartow.  The Westchester Electric Company recently purchased the franchise, and when the new bridge is completed, trolley cars will take its place.

 At the time when this bridge was thrown open to the public there was no way of traveling, except by foot or by carriage.  

 The Harlem River branch of the New Haven Road did not pass through this territory until 1872.

 Robert J. Vickery ran the first stage from Bartow to City Island and met the very first train that went over the road in the Fall of 1872.

 It was only a short time after the opening of the Harlem branch road, that the citizens of the town of Pelham voted to purchase the City Island bridge, and, through the Board of Supervisors who granted permission, bonds were issued for this purpose.  After the town of Pelham purchased the bridge, it was made free to all travel.

 The bridge, as stated at the outset, has been condemned.  A sign on the bridge warns the public that the bridge is unsafe and cautions the traveller to go no faster than a walk.  

 Since City Island has been annexed to New York City, the old draw has not been in use.  It is not safe to open it.  

 A new bridge is soon to take the place of the old City Island bridge.  Surveys, plans and specifications have been made and the contract for the abutments has been awarded to Warren Roosevelt & Son, of this city.

 The new bridge will be of iron and steel, with large draw.  It will be wide enough to accommodate foot passengers and vehicles and, it is estimated, will cost about $200,000."

 Source:  CITY ISLAND'S HISTORIC BRIDGE -- A SKETCH OF ITS ORIGIN -- To be Replaced by a Modern Iron Structure, Mount Vernon Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 23, 1898, Vol. XXVI, No. 1926, p. 1, cols. 4-5.  
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To learn more about the City Island Bridge, early efforts to develop a bridge from the mainland to City Island and about Benjamin Palmer, Samuel Rodman, and others involved in efforts to build such a bridge, see the following.   

Thu., Dec. 04, 2014:  Park Department Commissioners Condemned -- But Didn't Close -- the "Dilapidated" City Island Bridge in 1894.

 Tue., Oct. 07, 2014:  Legislative History of the 1775 Statute Authorizing Construction of City Island Bridge.

Tue., Jul. 22, 2014:  Stories of City Island Bridge Published in 1892.







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