Grand Regatta, Ball, and Clam-Bake on Davids Island in 1857

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More than 160 years ago, on August 13,1857, nearly two thousand local residents gathered on Davids Island off the shores of New Rochelle and Pelham for a grand celebration.  Davids Island is a 78-acre island in Long Island Sound adjacent to Glen Island. The island is named after Thaddeus Davids who lived in New Rochelle and was famous for "Thaddeus Davids Electro Writing Fluid" and "Thaddeus Davids Ink" during the 19th century.  Davids bought the island in November, 1856.

Only a few months after purchasing the island, Thaddeus Davids permitted his island to be used for the celebration.  The celebration included a grand ball, an "Indian" clam bake, and a hotly-contested regatta held offshore.  

A short time before the celebration, Thaddeus Davids permitted the construction of "a very spacious building" on the island to serve as a ballroom for the event.  Selection of the island for such a grand party was no accident.  At the time, Davids Island was entirely undeveloped.  It was covered with wooded valleys and groves of old-growth trees.  It had "bold, rocky shores and sandy beaches."  Moreover, the view from the highest point on the island was spectacular.  According to one report published in 1857, "From its highest point can be seen the shores bordering on Long Island Sound, taking in at a glance City Island, Hunter's Island, Hart Island, Manursing Island, Throgg's Neck, Glen Cove, Orienta, Mamaroneck, Rye, and other suburban villages."

The location of the island also was important.  It was only a few hundred feet off the mainland shores of New Rochelle and Pelham Manor.  Moreover, it was only a quarter mile from an important steamboat landing at New Rochelle.  

On the morning of Thursday, August 13, 1857, people began streaming onto Davids Island.  The spacious ballroom building was decorated festively with flags and more.  At about 11:00 a.m. Dodworth's Band arrived from New York City to provide music throughout the day and evening.  The Dodworth Band of New York City was the premier brass band in the United States from the 1840s to the 1880s.  The band was founded by the Dodworth family in 1825 and grew to become one of the famous American bands of the 19th century.

With festive music as a background, a little after 1:00 p.m. the regatta began.  The yachts raced over a twenty mile course laid out in Long Island Sound.  There were four classes of competitors:  first class, second class, third class, and fourth class.  The winners of the top three classes each received a substantial $50 prize (about $1,850 in today's dollars).  The winner of the fourth class received a $30 cash prize.  

The Excelsior, owned by L. D. Huntington of New Rochelle, won the first class race.  The Electric Spark, owned by J. E. Ebling of Harlem, won the second class race.  The Emma, owned by Thaddeus Davids of New Rochelle, won the third class race.  The Dan Smith, of Oyster Bay, won the fifth class race.

The third class race clearly was the most exciting of the day.  Two of the yachts in the race were running neck-and-neck as they neared the end of the course at Davids Island.  The Emma and the Silence battled to the very end as crowds on shore cheered the two yachts jockeying side-by-side for a "considerable distance" to the very end.  The Emma finally edged out the Silence by about two boat lengths as the yachts crossed the finish line.  

The third class race was a bitter disappointment for the owner and friends of the Silence who had "bet very freely in her favor."  They immediately challenged the Emma to a rematch for a $200 stake which Thaddeus Davids immediately accepted.  The rematch was scheduled on the spot for two weeks later on August 27, 1857.  Sadly, no record of the result of the rematch has yet been located!

While the regatta was underway, an unusual "Indian style" clam bake was being prepared.  One account noted that the Indian style of clam bake was "quite a novelty on this end of the Sound."  The preparations were described as follows:

"Long pieces of wood were piled up in cross layers, with large paving stones interspersed, until the pile was about six feet high.  It was then set on fire, and when the wood was all burned out, the stones were nicely and evenly placed, and swept clean.  Forty bushels of Little Neck hard-shell clams were then dumped upon the hot stones, and the surface of the clams covered with green corn in the husk; and these covered over to the depth of six to eight inches with fresh seaweed.  The whole was then covered with a large sail.  In five minutes clouds of steam arose from the pile, and in about fifteen minutes more, the great clam-bake was ready; when there were plenty of anxious lookers-on, equally ready to go in for a share.  Two large boilers of chowder were also made, and said to be quite equal to that made at Marshfield by the late Daniel Webster."  

It did not take two thousand celebrants long to devour forty bushels of Little Neck clams and the two large boilers of chowder.  Once the food was gone, the crowd retired to the ballroom and surrounding area for a grand dance with the music of the Dodworth Band of New York City.  They danced the night away until 2:00 a.m.

Detail of 1867 Beers Map Showing Davids Island Adjacent to

Locust Island (Known Today as Glen Island). Source: Beers, Ellis

& Soule, Atlas of New York and Vicinity From Actual Surveys By

and Under the Direction of F. W. Beers, Assisted by Geo. E.

Warner & Others, p. 7 (Philadelphia, PA: Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1867)

("Plans of East Chester, Pelham and New Rochelle Westchester Co.").

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Thaddeus Davids in 1879, from the January 21, 1879

Issue of the Graphic. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

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I have written before about Davids Island, particularly Pelham's involvement with it during the Civil War.  For examples, see:

Wed., Apr. 26, 2017:  Thaddeus Davids of Davids Island Off the Shores of Pelham and New Rochelle.

Wed., Oct. 19, 2016:  Valor in the Waters Off Pelham During a Monumental Snowstorm in 1871.

Wed., Feb. 03, 2016:  Pelham Women Assisted Union Troops and Confederate Prisoners on David's Island During the Civil War.

Wed., Oct. 21, 2015:  Ministering to Troops on Hart and Davids Islands During and Shortly After the Civil War. 

Tue., Nov. 03, 2009:  Pelham Students Help Civil War Soldiers on Davids' Island in 1864. 

Fri., Jun. 3, 2005:  Davids' Island Off the Coast of Pelham Manor During the Civil War.

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"REGATTA, BALL, AND CLAM-BAKE AT DAVID'S ISLAND. -- Notwithstanding the extreme heat of the weather on Thursday, a vast concourse of persons visited David's Island, Long Island Sound, on that day, for the purpose of witnessing a regatta, and participating in a grand ball, Indian clam-bake, and other festivities.  David's Island comprises about one hundred acres of land, and is a quarter of a mile from the steamboat landing at New Rochelle.  The island is picturesquely diversified by dell and grove, alternated with bold, rocky shores and sandy beaches.  From its highest point can be seen the shores bordering on Long Island Sound, taking in at a glance City Island, Hunter's Island, Hart Island, Manursing Island, Throgg's Neck, Glen Cove, Orienta, Mamaroneck, Rye, and other suburban villages.  On reaching the island, we found that a very spacious building, which has recently been erected for a ball-room, was decorated with flags, &c., ready for the festive occasion.  About 11 o'clock, Dodworth's Band, from the city, made its appearance on the ground, and discoursed most excellent music at intervals, from that time until about 2 o'clock yesterday morning.

Shortly after 1 o'clock p.m., the regatta took place, over a course about 20 miles in length.  The judges decided the Excelsior, owned by L. D. Huntington of New-Rochelle, the winner of the first-class prize of $50; the Electric Spark, owned by J. E. Ebling of Harlem, winner of the second-class prize of $50; the Emma, owned by Thaddeus Davids of New-Rochelle, winner of the third-class prize of $50, and the Dan Smith of Oyster Bay, winner of the fourth-class prize of $30.  The race between the Emma and Silence was a most exciting one; running as they did side by side for a considerable distance, the Emma finally coming in by about twice her own length.  The owner and friends of the Silence having bet very freely in her favor, appeared sadly disappointed at the result and challenged her against the Emma for $200 a side, which was accepted; the match to come off at the City Island on the 27th inst.

While the yachts were pushing their way through the rippled waters, a clam-bake in the genuine Indian style was made on the island, and proved quite a novelty on this end of the Sound.  Long pieces of wood were piled up in cross layers, with large paving stones interspersed, until the pile was about six feet high.  It was then set on fire, and when the wood was all burned out, the stones were nicely and evenly placed, and swept clean.  Forty bushels of Little Neck hard-shell clams were then dumped upon the hot stones, and the surface of the clams covered with green corn in the husk; and these covered over to the depth of six to eight inches with fresh seaweed.  The whole was then covered with a large sail.  In five minutes clouds of steam arose from the pile, and in about fifteen minutes more, the great clam-bake was ready; when there were plenty of anxious lookers-on, equally ready to go in for a share.  Two large boilers of chowder were also made, and said to be quite equal to that made at Marshfield by the late Daniel Webster.  The knife, fork and spoon exercise being terminated, the party now numbering about 2,000 persons, dancing began, and was kept up until about 2 o'clock yesterday morning."

Source:  REGATTA, BALL, AND CLAM-BAKE AT DAVID'S ISLAND, New-York Tribune, Aug. 15, 1857, p. 7, col. 3 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

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The Ornery Wild Hogs of Huckleberry Island Off the Shores of Pelham at the Close of the Civil War

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The lore of Huckleberry Island off the shores of Pelham includes the story of a very odd incident that involved ornery hogs on the island at the close of the Civil War.  Indeed, a number of newspaper articles make brief, passing references to the incident without much detail -- only enough information to pique interest in the curious incident.  One article published years later to tout Colonel Delancey Kane's "Pelham Coach" told the story with a little more detail.  

As I have written before, throughout the Civil War there was a large military installation on David's Island off the shores of New Rochelle and Pelham.  During the war an enterprising entrepreneur moved onto nearby Huckleberry Island and raised a large number of hogs that he sold to the military authorities and troops on Davids Island.  

For a time the venture was successful, though difficult since the Huckleberry Island did not have the means to support the hogs.  The entrepreneur had to transport their food from the mainland.  

In this manner the entrepreneur scratched out a living for several years.  Soon, however, his fortunes turned.  The Union won the war and the number of troops on nearby David's Island declined precipitously.  

At the close of the war, the entrepreneur had a "large drove of hogs" on the island, but no one to whom to sell them.  Moreover, without ongoing sales to the military, he lacked the money to feed the poor beasts.

Soon the drove of hogs grew thin, desperately hungry, and ornery.  They ran wild all over Huckleberry Island.  

One morning, wild with hunger, the hogs attacked their owner.  At first they drove him into his house.  Soon they battered down the door.  Finally, they chased their owner until he climbed onto the roof of the house to save his life.  The hogs reportedly "surrounded the building and kept him there for three days."

Finally, the pigs' "wildness and squealing" attracted the attention of residents along the shore.  The residents made it to Huckleberry Island and saved the entrepreneur whose pig-raising days were over. . . .

To learn more about the histories of Huckleberry Island and David's Island, see, e.g.:

Wed., Feb. 03, 2016:  Pelham Women Assisted Union Troops and Confederate Prisoners on David's Island During the Civil War.

Wed., Oct. 21, 2015:  Ministering to Troops on Hart and Davids Islands During and Shortly After the Civil War.

Fri., Jun. 3, 2005:  Davids' Island Off the Coast of Pelham Manor During the Civil War.

Fri., Dec. 04, 2015:  Early Celebrations of the Huckleberry Indians of the New York Athletic Club.

Thu., Jun. 08, 2017:  More 19th Century Reports of Captain Kidd's Treasure Buried Off Pelham Shores.

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Below is the text of an article published in 1876 that includes a brief description of the incident that forms the basis for today's Historic Pelham article.  The text is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"COL. KANE'S COACH ROUTE.
-----
Extending a Pleasant Drive to Historical Grounds.

Col. Delancey Kane mounted the box of his canary-colored coach at 7:30 yesterday morning, after every seat was filled with passengers, on the lawn in front of the Neptune House, New Rochelle, and started on the new route for his four-in-hand to the Hotel Brunswick.  The time table now reads:  'On and after July 5 the New Rochelle and Pelham coach will make a single trip daily (Sundays excepted), between New York and New Rochelle, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:30 A. M., will arrive at the Hotel Brunswick at 9:30 A. M.; and leaving the Brunswick every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 4:45 P. M., will arrive at the Neptune House, New Rochelle, at 6:45 P. M.'

Three changes of horses are made, in Mott Haven, Union Port, and Pelham Bridge.  The fare each way is $2, with a proportionately less amount to intermediate stations.  A pleasant feature will be in leaving New York on Saturday afternoon, remaining over Sunday in New Rochelle and returning on Monday morning in time for business.

The extended route abounds in historical and local interest.  The Neptune House is on a wooded island facing New Rochelle Bay.  In the distance the white caps of Long Island Sound are seen as they dash on the shores of several islands that obstruct the passage way to the bay.  The house was built by Philip Rhinelander Underhill, a descendant of the Rhinelander who fled to this country with the Huguenots from La Rochelle, France, and landed on Davenport's neck in 1689.  The neck is across the bay to the left of the hotel.  Facing the hotel is Locust Island, a secluded spot, where Edgar A. Poe spent some time when he lived in Fordham.  Further out inn the sound is David's Island, a garrison post during the civil war, and nearby is Huckleberry Island, which tradition gives as a rendezvous for Captain Kidd.  The surface of the island has been dug over several times by the superstitious colored people of New Rochelle in search of the pirate's treasure.  It was last inhabited by a man who speculated in hogs for the garrison on David's Island.  At the close of the war he had a large drove of hogs, but no food for them.  They grew thin, and ran almost wild over the island.  One morning the hogs attacked the man, drove him into the house, battered down the door, and chased him to the roof.  The hogs surrounded the building and kept him there for three days.  Their wildness and squealing attracted persons from the main shore, and the speculator was rescued.

A hedged roadway leads from the rear of the Neptune House to a stone bridge connecting with the main land.  A short distance from the shore Col. Kane's route takes the road along the shore to Pelham Bridge.  On either side the roadway is lined with costly stone mansions, surrounded by large fields and beautiful lawns.  The word Pelham is of uncertain origin.  New Rochelle was formerly a part of Pelham Manor.

The tract of land on the sound shore was originally included in the grant by the Indians in 1640 to the Dutch West India Company.  Sir Richard Nicolls, Governor of the province granted it to Thomas Pell, gentleman, Oct. 6, 1656, and he, in 1669, granted it to John Pell, commonly called Lord Pell, the first Judge that sat in Westchester county.  The tract extended for six miles along the coast, and about eight miles into the interior.  The settlement of the Huguenots founded New Rochelle.  The remainder of the tract was sometimes called Pell Hamlet, but local historians say that Pelham is derived from Pel (remote) and Ham (mansion).  It is one of the most beautiful suburbs of New York.  The roadway, after crossing the stone bridge, ascends a rocky ridge, and from there is a view across the Sound to Long Island.  Descending the hill, Sheffield Island (sometimes called Emmet's Island) is seen.  It is connected by a rustic bridge with the mainland.  A small stone mansion, built in a grove of tall elm trees, is occupied by Mr. Wm. Hoyt, a New York merchant, whose wife is a daughter of Chief Justice Chase, and was formerly tenanted by Wm. H. Leroy (brother-in-law of Daniel Webster), who married the daughter of Thomas Addis Emmet.  On the west side of the road is a large mansion, the residence of the family of Judge Robert Emmet, and the scene of a daring raid by the masked burglars two years ago.

A turn in the road brings the coach riders in sight of Col. Kane's first resting place, 'The Priory.'  It is an immense stone mansion; two large square turrets rise from either end, the roofs are quaint, and the outbuildings are old style.  This was the residence of the Rev. Robt. Bolton, an Episcopal minister.  It is on land that was granted to the Church of England.  The walls of the mansion are hung with family pictures by Etty, of the Royal Academy.  An original portrait of Bunyan is among them.  The library contains the original Italian edition of Pisanese, collected by Napoleon I., and bearing his initial, surmounted by the imperial crown.  There is also a copy of Macklin's Bible, printed in six royal quarto volumes, a copy of Elliot's Indian Testament, said to be the first work 'written and published in the present United States.'  There is a valuable cabinet of coins and autographs, the oldest of which is that of Henry VII, and Elizabeth, Queen Mary, and Oliver and Richard Cromwell.

'The Priory' is used as a young ladies' seminary, conducted by Miss N. Bolton.  A wide terrace surrounds the house, and the gardens are laid out in elaborate designs.  The walks lead to several natural curiosities, among them a 'rocking stone,' of full twenty tons in weight, so nicely poised that 'a stripling's arm can sway a mass no host could move.'

Col. Kane's route then passes through a stretch of forest trees, and Hunter's Island seen in the distance, and the residence of Dr. R. L. Morris, grandson of Robert Morris, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  The last mansion on the Pelham road before reaching Bartow's, is occupied by Mrs. Bartow in the midst of over 200 acres of fields and meadow lands.

At Bartow the road leads to Pelham Bridge, and at Arcularius Hotel the coach route extends over the same boulevard that Col. Kane has driven for the past few months."

Source:  COL. KANE'S COACH ROUTE -- Extending a Pleasant Drive to Historical Grounds, The Sun [NY, NY], Jul. 6, 1876, Vol. XLIII, No. 297, p. 1, col. 2.

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Thaddeus Davids of Davids Island Off the Shores of Pelham and New Rochelle

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Davids Island is a 78-acre island in Long Island Sound adjacent to Glen Island off the coasts of New Rochelle and Pelham.  The island is named after Thaddeus Davids who lived in New Rochelle and was famous for "Thaddeus Davids Electro Writing Fluid" and "Thaddeus Davids Ink" during the 19th century.  Davids bought the island in November, 1856.  

The island was part of Thomas Pell's original purchase of lands from local Native Americans in 1654 and remained part of the Manor of Pelham until John and Rachel Pell sold 6,000 acres to Jacob Leisler for the benefit of Huguenot settlers on September 20, 1689.  

In 1862, Thaddeus Davids leased Davids Island to hotelier Simeon Leland who, in turn, subleased it to the United States for the construction of a Civil War military hospital.  De Camp General Hospital was built with wooden structures that eventually sheltered thousands of wounded soldiers.  By late 1862, De Camp was the Army's largest general hospital, housing more than 2,100 patients. According to one source, "[o]riginally, the hospital treated only Union soldiers, but following the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, the War Department opened it to care for hundreds of wounded Confederate soldiers. Davids' Island soon held more than 2,500 Confederate prisoners.  Most had recovered by October and were moved to prisoner of war camps elsewhere."

Detail of 1867 Beers Map Showing Davids Island Adjacent to

Locust Island (Known Today as Glen Island).  Source: Beers,

Ellis & Soule, Atlas of New York and Vicinity From Actual

Surveys By and Under the Direction of F. W. Beers, Assisted by

Geo. E. Warner & Others, p. 7 (Philadelphia, PA: Beers, Ellis & Soule,

1867) ("Plans of East Chester, Pelham and New Rochelle

Westchester Co."). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

I have written before about Pelham's involvement with Davids Island, particularly during the Civil War.  For examples, see:

Wed., Oct. 19, 2016:  Valor in the Waters Off Pelham During a Monumental Snowstorm in 1871.

Wed., Feb. 03, 2016:  Pelham Women Assisted Union Troops and Confederate Prisoners on David's Island During the Civil War.

Wed., Oct. 21, 2015:  Ministering to Troops on Hart and Davids Islands During and Shortly After the Civil War. 

Tue., Nov. 03, 2009:  Pelham Students Help Civil War Soldiers on Davids' Island in 1864. 

Fri., Jun. 3, 2005:  Davids' Island Off the Coast of Pelham Manor During the Civil War.

Though Thaddeus Davids only owned the island for a few years in the late 1850s and early 1860s, the island continues to bear his name.  To learn more about Thaddeus Davids, who served as Supervisor of the Town of New Rochelle and became one of its most notable citizens, see the two extensive obituaries quoted in full below.

Thaddeus Davids in 1879, from the January 21,

1879 Issue of the Graphic.  NOTE:  Click on Image

to Enlarge.

"THADDEUS DAVIDS, ESQ."  Source:

AN HONORED CITIZEN GONE -- One of New Rochelle's

First Pioneer's Useful Life Ended -- WHO AND WHAT MR. DAVIDS

WAS, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jul. 28, 1894, Vol. XXXIV, No. 17,

p. 1, cols. 5-6 & p. 8, col. 1.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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Below is the text of two obituaries that appeared shortly after the death of Thaddeus Davids in 1894.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"THE OBITUARY RECORD.
-----
Thaddeus Davids.

Thaddeus Davids died at his residence, the old Underhill homestead, on Pelham Road, New-Rochelle, early Sunday morning.  He had been a prominent man in Westchester County since the second quarter of the century, and until comparatively recent years he was an active figure in commercial life in this city.  The Thaddeus Davids ink is a familiar and staple article of commerce, but eleven years ago the manufacture and control of this, and all the business connected with it, finally passed out of his hands.

Mr. Davids had nearly completed his eighty-fourth year.  He was born Nov. 16, 1810, in the town of Bedford, Westchester County, N. Y.  He was employed in the ink and stationery trade as early as 1825, and accumulated a large fortune early in life.  He was once the owner of Davids Island, comprising eighty acres of woodland and tillable ground, lying in Long Island Sound off New-Rochelle.  This he leased to the United States Government, which then had a military station on Hart's Island near by, (now owned by New-York City) during the civil war.  The Government afterward bought the island, which is now a recruiting station, and has lately been building a massive mortar battery there.  Mr. Davids, after leaving the island, established his home on Echo Bay, New-Rochelle Harbor.

Since 1883 he had had no business interests, and for six years he had been confined by physical disabilities to one room.  But his brain was as active as ever, and he retained his mental faculties to the end.  His last illness was brief.

Mr. Davids had been thrice married, the last time, thirty-two years ago, to Miss Chase of Providence, R. I., who survives him.  He had twelve children, of whom eight sons and two daughters survive.  Funeral services, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Canedy, will be held in his house to-day."

Source:  THE OBITUARY RECORD -- Thaddeus Davids, N.Y. Times, Jul. 24, 1894, p. 5, col. 2 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"AN HONORED CITIZEN GONE
-----
One of New Rochelle's First Pioneer's Useful Life Ended. 
-----
WHO AND WHAT MR. DAVIDS WAS. 

Having passed the three score and ten allotted to man and added fourteen years more to his life Mr. Thaddeus Davids, whose name is known the wide world over, peacefully breathed his late residence on Pelham Road, Sunday last, after an illness of about three weeks, although he had been an invalid for several years past. 

Mr. Davids was born in the town of Bedford, this County in the year 1810 and when quite young his parents removed to the Tenth Ward of New York City.  

When old enough to seek a livelihood he went into the employ of David Felt, a stationer.  Here he remained some time.  

At the age of fourteen he was employed as assistant to an old Englishman named Kidder, who at the time, about 1824, made writing ink in a small way in New York City.  About a year afterward young Davids employer became ill, and having no relatives or near friends to care for him, was nursed by Davids, to whom he left the little property he possessed at his death, which occurred soon afterward.  The youth had gained knowledge and experience enough to enable him to carry on the business, and in 1825 began it for himself.  He was successful for a time, but being a minor was obliged to make purchases and contracts in his father's name.  This resulted in his being unable to recover $3,000 paid by the United States Government for writing ink and sealing wax furnished by him.  Disappointed and chagrined he gave up the business and went to sea, visiting the West Indies, South America, and the Northwest coast.  While in Columbia, South America, he became acquainted with some of the merchants of that country, receiving from them promises of order when he should venture again into business.  These promises were afterward made good, and were the beginning of the large trade the present house has with the West Indies and Central America. 

An incident is related from a reliable source in this connection which clearly shows how honest Mr. Davids was in all his transactions. 

It appears that during the last year he furnished wax for the Government, an individual known as a go between intimated to Mr. Davids that he added an extra price to the agreed price, and suggested that this extra figure be paid to him (the go between).  Mr. Davids was too honorable a man to enter into such a swindling arrangement, of which fact the officials were soon made aware, and from that time Mr. Davids never sought for a renewal of the contract to furnish the Government officials with the articles which he had been accustomed to furnish them with. 

Thaddeus Davids first ink works were in William street, near where the Brooklyn Bridge crosses it.  He was not suited with his location, his store being too far from the business centre of the city, which was further down town.  He moved to John street, between Cliff and Pearl streets and in 1853 to No. 56 Cliff Street.  In 1856 he moved to the present quarters, where a double six-story and basement building is devoted exclusively to the business.  He married when about eighteen years old, Jane M. Reynolds, of North Castle.  After her death he married in 1847 and again in 1861.  There were children by all three marriages.  His last wife survives him. 

Altogether he was the father of twelve children, ten of whom are living and there are now twenty grandchildren and seven great-grand children. 

Mr. Davids came to this town in the year 1836 and purchased a small piece of property on Cedar Road within a stones throw of where he died.  He then began to increase his ownership of property here and soon held a vast amount of it and at once identified himself with every public measure that he conceived was beneficial to the public interests.  In . . . 1856 he was elected to the office of Supervisor of this town and was re-elected in 1857, 58, 59, 60 and 64.  He was also elected Justice of the Peace in 1863, 64, 65 and 66 and for twenty years held the honored office of Treasurer of the public schools of the town, for which position he received a handsome testimonial from the Board of Education for his valued services.  This testimonial is now hanging in the room lately occupied by him at his late residence.  He was the Trustee of the New Rochelle Savings Bank, was Village Trustees in the years 1858, 59, and 75, and President in 1859 and 1864.  

A few years after his residence here he erected a factory on the property owned by him, now owned by Mrs. George W. Sutton on Echo avenue, and here for some years he manufactured ink, sealing wax and wafers.  

The place was under the supervision of Mr. William Hubsdell.  This existed for some few years, when it was destroyed by fire.  Then the work of manufacturing seals and wafers was taken in charge by the deceased father of the editor of the PIONEER, who up to the time of his death in 1860, carried on that line of business at her property on Franklyn avenue.  At Mr. Sweet's death, the business was assumed by his eldest son Joseph, who has conducted from that period up the the present day, although in the last few years the business has decreased considerably owing to the sharp competition.  When the New Rochelle factory was destroyed by fire Mr. Davids gave his entire attention to his New York department and soon had a most prosperous business.  

In the year 1870 Mr. Davids supervised the planning and building of the present Town Hall and also contributed largely to its erection in many ways, but would not think of accepting one penny for his labors. 

To Mr. Davids is largely due the credit for our present perfection and efficiency, which the public schools in our town today enjoy.  Through his indefatigable zeal and perseverance can be attributed the great success of our educational facilities.  While associated with it for over twenty years he labored most zealously for the welfare of them and when on his retirement from office he was presented by the Board of Education with a beautiful engrossed testimonial.  

When Mr. Davids lived in his handsome residence near the water he named the street which led to it Echo avenue on account of the fine echo of any sound made at this particular point.  A few years later he purchased the island in New Rochelle harbor, which he named Davids Island.  When the war of the Rebellion broke out he aided largely the Union cause, and with the aid of a few sent to the front Company I, of this place.  During the war the United States Government wanted an Eastern station for a hospital, and Mr. Davids cheerfully gave them at a nominal sum the island off this harbor which bears his name and which he had contemplated the erection of a country seat to equal that of the then Austrian Consul, Hugo Futsch, just opposite, and which is now Glen Island.  Davids Island is now a recruiting station.  

In 1853, when there was a decided opposition on the part of the old settlers, to all suggested improvements to the roads, water supply, drainage, etc. on account of anticipated increase in taxes.  Mr. Davids and a few of his intimate friends who advocated improvements of the Village, became convinced that the only way in which they could be undertaken, would be by getting the place incorporated as a village, which was finally carried in 1857 by a majority of two votes.  Many of the old settlers contended that the streets and sidewalks had 

AN HONORED CITIZEN GONE
(Continued from First Page)
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always been good for their fathers and their grandfathers before them, and was therefore good enough for them, and years elapsed before the opponents experienced a change of heart and conformed to the idea that improvements might be a good thing after all, and although Mr. Davids lived to know and realize the fact that his suggestions had been successfully carried out, he was deprived by long continued sickness from taking an active part of even witnessing the progress of the work and increased prosperity of the village. 

Mr. Davids was a very prominent Odd Fellow.  In fact he at one time held the office of Grand Treasurer of the New York District and was much interested in the advancement of the Order, even up to within a few weeks of his death.  About twenty-five years ago he was a charter member of the National Lodge of New York and did considerable to give that lodge prominence in the annals of the order. 

He was also one of the builders of the Odd Fellows Hall, at Grand and Center streets, New York and on his removal to this town, started a lodge here which continued for many years until death removed most all of its members.  

Mr. Davids amassed a fortune through ink, and his place on Echo avenue was one of the attractive spots on the Sound.  In 1883 reverses came to him through mistaken confidence, and the business which he had fostered went into the hand of a receiver to satisfy creditors.  He gave up all property and had but his reputation left.  The blow was crushing and shortly after he was taken with a stroke of paralysis, rendering him helpless.  

Mr. Davids was in every sense the father of improvements in New Rochelle. No one resident has even done so much as he has for its welfare.  He it was who built the first public dock we ever had, to him is due the credit of having placed the first load of blue stone on the streets of our village, while in numerous other ways he did much for the town he resided in.

In politics he was a staunch Democrat and in all his political life was found to be an honest and conscientious official. His word was always as good as his bond and to take advantage of any one was a thought that never entered his head. To those of our older residents who were personally acquainted with him and who survive him today will he ever be held in loving remembrances. 

His funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Charles F. Canedy, Rector of Trinity Church, officiated.  Mrs. Edwin Harmer rendered the musical portion of the services.  Although his widow desired a quiet and unostentatious funeral there was a large attendance. 

The remains were encased in a handsome casket, surrounded by and abundance of floral emblems. 

The interment was made in the family plot in Beechwood Cemetery.  

To the widow and relatives of the deceased is extended the sympathy of a sorrowing community."

Source:  AN HONORED CITIZEN GONE -- One of New Rochelle's First Pioneer's Useful Life Ended -- WHO AND WHAT MR. DAVIDS WAS, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jul. 28, 1894, Vol. XXXIV, No. 17, p. 1, cols. 5-6 & p. 8, col. 1.  

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Valor in the Waters Off Pelham During a Monumental Snowstorm in 1871

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They were ordinary sportsmen who lived in New Rochelle.  On Saturday, January 28, 1871, they took their shotguns, climbed into a small boat and rowed out into the waters off David's Island and New Rochelle to do a little duck hunting.  

The bitter cold of the winter meant that ice floes crowded Long Island Sound.  To make matters worse, a winter storm was brewing.  As the hunt progressed, it began to rain.  Soon, according to one account, it was a "pelting, piercing rain."  As the storm worsened, the rain turned to snow.  The waters of the Sound grew rough.  The waters around the hunters' small skiff grew crowded with ice floes, trapping the tiny boat in the midst of the ice.  Then, the floes began drifting away from the shores off New Rochelle and Pelham toward the open Long Island Sound, dragging the boat along for the ride.

Recognizing their life-threatening peril, the two duck hunters began giving distress signals toward David's Island.  There, the men of the Army's Eighth Infantry were stationed at Fort Slocum.  Among those men was Lieutenant P. H. Ray who was the first to observe that the two duck hunters were in distress.

Lieutenant Ray gathered six volunteers and shoved off into the storm to help the hapless hunters.  The tiny boat of rescuers struggled against the cold, the waves, and the storm.  It took hours to reach the hunters just as darkness settled and the snow intensified.  The hunters were found senseless in their boat -- almost lifeless and nearly frozen to death.  Unable to help themselves, the hunters were lifted by the rescue crew into the rescue boat.

As the rescue crew brought the vessel about, they realized in horror that the tide was rushing up the Sound, carrying them away from their post at David's Island.  At the same time, the windy storm rattled the ice floes and jammed the floes around the boat, making it nearly impossible to move.

Back at Fort Slocum on David's Island, the entire post understood the peril facing their brave comrades in the rescue boat.  Commanders had the men light signal fires.  They ordered the repeated, night-long firing of muskets and the blowing of bugles to help their colleagues make their way home.

It was all to no avail.  The rescue boat could not get back.  All night long as the storm raged Lieutenant Ray beat his men and the two hunters in the rescue boat in a desperate effort to keep them moving, to keep them from falling asleep, and to keep them from freezing to death.  When Lieutenant Ray faltered from exhaustion, his Sergeant took over, beating Lieutenant Ray and the others in the boat in a last ditch effort to keep them alive.

As the sun rose and dawn broke, a lookout and sentinels on David's Island finally spotted the rescue boat stuck in ice above City Island.  The waters had frozen around the floating ice floes and the rescue boat, trapping it and its occupants in the bitter cold of a frozen Long Island Sound.   

Volunteers agreed to man a second rescue vessel.  Four lieutenants, a sergeant, and five men piled into a rescue boat filled with blankets, liquors, food, and more.  The rescue boat shoved off with spades and axes, using the tools to cut the ice ahead of the boat as it struggled toward the ice-bound vessel containing their colleagues.  After struggling this way for hours, the second rescue boat reached Lieutenant Ray and his men.  The group in the ice-bound original rescue boat was "found to be entirely helpless, having been out sixteen hours in the driving snow-storm."

The struggle for life, of course, was not over.  Heavily laden, the rescue boat turned for David's Island and continued the battle to return to Fort Slocum.  With the entire post on the island watching anxiously, the rescue boat made its way back, eventually nearing the island.  According to several accounts:

"As soon as the rescued men reached their comrades on David's Island, the latter rushed into the water waist deep, seized them in their arms and carried them to their quarters, where they were speedily placed under medical treatment.  All were badly frost-bitten, but they have since almost wholly recovered through the unremitting attention of their companions.  Had it not been for the courage and unselfishness of Lieut. Ray the two citizens must have died a fearful death; while the conduct of the officers and men in volunteering to rescue Ray and his company shows, at once, the friendly feeling existing between the officers and men of the regiment."

Once again, the treacherous waters off the shores of City Island, Pelham, David's Island, and New Rochelle had tried to take their toll.  This time, due to the valor of members of the Army's Eighth Infantry, lives were saved, not lost.

Detail from Lithograph Published in About 1871 Showing

Lifeboat Rescue of Boaters by a Royal National Lifeboat

Institution Lifeboat.  Source:  28" x 15" Lithograph, Ca.

1871-73 Royal National Lifeboat Institution Lifeboat Pulling

Into Harbor with Load of Shipwreck Victims, Published by

Armstrong & Company Lithographers, Boston, MA and

Distributed with the Citizen & Round Table.  NOTE:  Click

on Image to Enlarge.

*          *           *          *          *

Below is the text of newspaper articles on which today's posting is based.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"Saved from Perishing.

During the terrific snow-storm of night before last, a small skiff with two citizens of New-Rochelle, who were out ducking, was caught in the ice opposite the United States Army post at David's Island, and was fast drifting out in the open Sound.  Just before dusk they were seen struggling hopelessly, and making signals of distress, by Lieut. P. H. Ray, of the Eight[h] Infantry, stationed at David's Island who immediately started in the blinding storm, with a boat's crew of six men, to their rescue.  He cut his way through the ice, and reached the lost men at dark; so exhausted from cold and wet were they that they were unable to row or help themselves, but had to be lifted by Lieut. Ray's men into his boat.

After getting the castaways into his boat, Lieut. Ray attempted to reach the garrison at David's Island, but found himself jammed in the ice, with a strong tide drifting up the Sound.  It was impossible to get back.  All that fearful night, in a snow storm, he kept his men moving as much as possible in so small a boat, beating them to keep them awake and from freezing to death -- they had no blankets, only the clothing in which they started to rescue the lost men -- until at last he succumbed and was in turn pushed and knocked about by his sergeant, Hill, to keep him from being overcome with the frightful severity of the night.

On David's Island the commanding officer kept fires burning, muskets firing, and bugle sounding, to encourage his officer and his boat's crew if alive.  The wives of the officers were up all night, anxious and apprehensive for the safety of Lieut. Ray and his men.  No man slept on the island that night.

At daylight the lookout and sentinels discovered Ray and his crew jammed in the ice above City Island.  A volunteer crew, consisting of Lieut. Corlies, Lieut. Craig, Lieut. Earnest, Lieut. Summerhays, Sergt. Fernald, and five men started to bring Ray, his men, and the two citizens, taking with them for the sufferers blankets, liquors, food, and all that thoughtfulness could suggest as needful.

They had to cut their way to the lost men through the ice, with spade and axes.  When they reached Lieut. Ray, he and his men were found to be entirely helpless, having been out sixteen hours in the driving snow-storm.

When they reached their companions and friends on David's Island, the men rushed into the water, waist deep, seized them in their arms and carried them to their quarters, where they were put under medical treatment.  All were badly frost-bitten, but they are doing well, under the care of their comrades.  Had it not been for the courage and unselfishness displayed by Lieut. Ray, the two citizens would have died a fearful death; while the conduct of the officers and men in volunteering to cut out Ray, show how strong is the good feeling between the officers and privates of the 'Old Eighth Infantry.'"

Source:   Saved from Perishing, Paterson Daily Guardian [Paterson, NJ], Jan. 31, 1871, Vol. XX, No. 12955, p. 2, col. 2.  

"Westchester County.
-----
NEW ROCHELLE.

ALMOST LOST -- A PERILOUS NIGHT. -- An event occurred in this neighborhood on Saturday evening and night of week before last, which at one time was thought would cost the lives of nine men, and for imminent dangers, hair breadth escapes, and an almost miraculous rescue, will compare favorably with many of the wild western fictions, throughout the most rabid ramifications of 'yellow covered literature.'

It seems that on the afternoon of the day above named, a small boat containing two residents of this village, who were out duck shooting, was most unexpectedly 'locked' in the ice opposite the United States army post at David's Island, and was evidently being carried out into the open and cheerless waters of the Sound.  The occupants of the boat, while helplessly struggling against their ominous position, and endeavoring to attract observation by making signals of distress, were seen shortly before dusk by Lieutenant Ray of the Eighth Infantry, stationed at David's Island, who at once set out, in a blinding storm, with a boat's crew of six men, to the rescue of the unfortunate men.  Having cut their way through the ice, the lieutenant and his party succeeded in reaching the almost lost men as thick darkness was about covering the dreary scene.  The men in the boat were so exhausted from cold and pelting, piercing rain, that they were unable to help themselves, and had to be lifted by the rescuing party into the latter's boat.  After this was accomplished Lieutenant Ray attempted to reach the garrison at David's Island, but found his boat suddenly become fixed in the lee, with an irresistible tide drifting up the Sound.  Here was a dilemma sufficient to unnerve even a brave man, such as the gallant officer named proved himself to be on occasion.  It was impossible to get back.  All that fearful night, in a blinding snow storm, he kept his men moving as much as was possible in a small boat, beating them in order to keep them awake and prevent them from being frozen to death, until at length, he succumbed and was in turn pushed and knocked about by his Sergeant, Hill, to keep him from being overcome by the terrible severity of the night.

The commanding officer on David's Island kept fires burning, muskets firing and bugles sounding, to encourage his brave lieutenant and the boat' screw, if still alive.  The wives of the officers were up all night, anxious and apprehensive for the safety of Lieut. Ray and his men.  No eyes were closed in slumber on the island during that eventful night.  At daylight on the following morning the lookout and sentinels discovered Ray and his crew jammed in the ice at a point above City Island.  A volunteer crew, consisting of Lieutenants Craig, Corles, Earnest and Summerhays, accompanied by Sergeant Fernhald and five men, started to bring back Ray, his boat's crew, and the two citizens, talking with them for the sufferers, blankets, liquors, food and other substantial requisites.  They had to cut their way to the ill-fated party through the ice, with spades and axes.  When they reached Lieut. Ray he and his men were round to be entirely helpless, having been out sixteen hours in the pitiless storm.

As soon as the rescued men reached their comrades on David's Island, the latter rushed into the water waist deep, seized them in their arms and carried them to their quarters, where they were speedily placed under medical treatment.  All were badly frost-bitten, but they have since almost wholly recovered through the unremitting attention of their companions.  Had it not been for the courage and unselfishness of Lieut. Ray the two citizens must have died a fearful death; while the conduct of the officers and men in volunteering to rescue Ray and his company shows, at once, the friendly feeling existing between the officers and men of the regiment."

Source:  Westchester County -- NEW ROCHELLE -- ALMOST LOST -- A PERILOUS NIGHT, The Statesman [Yonkers, NY], Feb. 9, 1871, Vol. XVI, No. 782, p. 1, col. 2.  

"SAVED FROM PERISHING.
------
Noble Conduct of Officers and Men of the Eighth United States Infantry -- Out all Night in an Open Boat -- Two Lives Saved.

During the late terrific snow storm, a small skiff with two citizens of New Rochelle, who were out ducking, caught in the ice opposite the United States Army Post at David's Island, and was fast drifting out in the open Sound.  Just before dusk they were seen struggling hopelessly, and making signals of distress, by Lieut. R. H. Ray, of the Eighth Infantry, stationed at David's Island, who immediately started in the blinding storm with a boat's crew of six men to their rescue.  He cut his way through the ice, and reached the lost men at dark; so exhausted from cold and wet were they that they were unable to help themselves, but had to be lifted by Lieut. Ray's men into his boat.

After getting the castaways into his own boat, Lieut. Ray attempted to reach the garrison at David's Island, but found himself jammed in the ice, with a strong tide drifting up the Sound.  It was impossible to get back.  All that night, in a fearful snow storm, he kept his men moving as much as possible in so small a boat, beating them to keep them awake and from freezing to death -- they had no blankets, only the clothing in which they had started to rescue the lost men -- until at last he succummed [sic] and was in turn pushed and knocked about by his sergeant, Hill, to keep him from being overcome with the frightful severity of the night.

On David's Island the commanding officer kept fires burning, muskets firing, and bugles sounding, to encourage his officer and his boat's crew, if alive.  The wives of the officers were up all night, anxious and apprehensive for the safety of Lieut. Ray and his men.  No man slept on the island that night.

At daylight, the look out and sentinels discovered Ray and his crew jammed in the ice above City Island.  A volunteer crew, consisting of Lieut. Corlies, Lieut. Craig, Lieut. Earnest, Lieut. Summerhays, Sergt. Fernald and five men, started to bring back Ray, his men and the two citizens, taking with them for the sufferers blankets, food, and all that thoughtfulness could suggest as needful.

They had to cut their way to the lost men through the ice, with axes and spades.  When they reached Lieut. Ray, he and his men were found to be entirely helpless, having been out sixteen hours in the driving snow storm.

When they reached their companions and friends on David's Island, the men rushed into the water, waist deep, seized them in their arms, and carried them to their quarters, where they were put under medical treatment.  All were badly frost bitten, but they are now doing well under the care of their comrades.  Had it not been for the courage and unselfishness displayed by Lieut. Ray, the two citizens would have died a fearful death; while the conduct of the officers and men in volunteering to cut out Ray, show how strong is the good feeling between the officers and privates of the 'Old Eighth Infantry.'"

Source:  SAVED FROM PERISHING -- Noble Conduct of Officers and Men of the Eighth United States Infantry -- Out all Night in an Open Boat -- Two Lives Saved, The Leavenworth Times [Leavenworth, KS], Feb. 3, 1871, Vol. XXIII, No. 28, p. 2, col. 3 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"Narrow Escape from Death.
AN OPEN BOAT ICE-LOCKED ALL NIGHT IN THE SOUND.

On Saturday night a boat containing two citizens of New Rochelle, who were out duck shooting, was caught in the ice opposite the United States army post at David's Island, and was rapidly carried towards the open Sound.  Lieutenant P. H. Ray, of the Eighth Infantry, stationed on David's Island, saw the peril in which the duck-hunters were placed, and started with a boat's crew of six men to their rescue.  He succeeded in rescuing the two civilians and in getting them into his boat, but then discovered that he too, with his party, was hopelessly caught in the ice, and that return to the island was impossible.  The cold was intense, and although the men endeavored to keep themselves alive by beating one another, they were soon benumbed into utter helplessness.  All night long fires were burned, muskets discharged and bugles sounded on David's Island, and early yesterday morning Lieutenant Ray and his party were seen jammed in the ice above City Island.

A volunteer crew, consisting of Lieutenants Corlies, Craig, Ernest, and Summerhays, Sergeant Fernald and five men, started to their rescue, and with axes cut their way through the ice to their nearly frozen comrades.  Much excitement existed on David's Island when the men, who had been exposed to the storm sixteen hours, were carried on shore.  Every attention was paid them, and although they are suffering from severe frost bite they are all in a fair way to recover."

Source:  Narrow Escape from Death -- AN OPEN BOAT ICE-LOCKED ALL NIGHT IN THE SOUND, The Evening Post [NY, NY], Jan. 30, 1871, p. 3, col. 8.  

"Two citizens of New Rochelle who went out duck shooting in an open boat last Saturday night were caught in the ice when opposite the United States army post on David's Island, and borne rapidly towards the open Sound.  Their peril was observed, however, by Lieutenant P. H. Ray, of the Eighth Infantry, who went out with a boat and six men to their rescue.  He succeeded in getting the duckhunters [sic] into his own boat, but the ice had surrounded him in the meantime, and he was unable to return.  The cold was so intense that the men became numb beyond the power of motion, although they tried to keep one another alive by mutual beating.  Fires were burned and muskets discharged all night long on the island to guide them in their return.  In the morning they were discovered firmly fixed in the ice.  A volunteer crew, consisting of ten men, then started to their relief, cutting their way through the ice with axes.  They were successful and brought their comrades back after they had been exposed to the storm for sixteen hours.  Every attention was given, and all will probably recover."

Source:  [Untitled], Queens County Sentinel [Hempstead, NY], Feb. 16, 1871, Vol. 13, No. 38, p. 2, col. 5.  

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