Mysterious and Intriguing Notice of Chancery Sale of Pelham Lands on Miniford's Island in 1823

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The legal notice that began appearing in issues of the New-York Spectator nearly two centuries ago in early April, 1823 is intriguing.  It reflects notice of a court-ordered public auction of a 24-acre tract on "Miniford's Island" in the Town of Pelham (today's City Island).  Today's Historic Pelham Blog article attempts to unravel some of the mystery of the legal notice and challenges the many experts on City Island history who regularly read the blog to provide any assistance possible further to unravel this fascinating mystery.

An image of the legal notice (and transcription of its text to facilitate search) appear at the end of today's article.  The notice explicitly states that the tract will be sold at public auction "IN pursuance of a decretal order of the Court of Chancery."

The New York Court of Chancery, first established in 1701 during British colonial rule, was the highest court in the State of New York from 1701 until 1847.  After U.S. independence, the New York State Constitution of 1777 continued the court as a court with jurisdiction on cases of equity (rather than legal damages).  During the period 1777 to 1847 the court also served, generally speaking, as a court of appeals to consider appeals from certain matters decided by the New York Supreme Court.

A Chancery Court "decretal order" such as that referenced in the legal notice was an order entered by the Court of Chancery upon a motion or petition in the nature of a decree finally determining some right of a party to a proceeding in equity (rather than one seeking merely legal damages).  

According to the notice, pursuant to such a decretal order, a 24-acre tract on City Island was to be sold at a public auction at 12:00 Noon on April 28, 1823.  The auction was to be held at a public Inn managed by innkeeper David Smith in Eastchester.  (Pelham seems to have had no such inn or other such "public" place.  The notice failed to identify the owner of the land scheduled to be auctioned; hence, the mystery as to what prompted this decretal order.

The 1820 U.S. Census, taken in Pelham on January 5, 1820, reflects that there were only 41 households in all of the Town of Pelham (with a total of 285 residents including "Free White Males," "Free White Females," "Slaves," and "Free Colored Persons" ). Among the 41 heads of households reflected in that census were Nicholas Haight, Joshua Huested, and George Horton.  See 1820 United States Census - Census Place:  Eastchester, Westchester, New York, Township of Pelham, Page 206 NARA Microfilm Roll M33_75, Images 164-65 (Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29, National Archives, Washington, D.C.) (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

As of 1818, much of City Island was owned by Pelham residents Nicholas Haight and Joshua Huested.  On January 1, 1819, however, Nicholas Haight and his wife, Mary, sold to George Washington Horton 42 acres on the lower (southern) portion of City island.  The Horton family continued to hold most of this tract for much of the next sixty years.

Nicholas Haight, on the other hand, apparently was not so fortunate.  By 1820 Haight seems to have been in financial straits and soon found himself subject to a different decretal order by the New York Court of Chancery directing public auction of Haight's 130-acre farm on Rodman's Neck on the mainland adjacent to City Island.  Indeed, I have written before about Haight's travails in this regard.  See:

Tue., May 19, 2015:  Advertisements for Two Nineteenth Century Sales of Large Properties on Rodman's Neck in the Town of Pelham. 

Mon., Dec. 03, 2007:  Notice of Chancery Court Order Directing Auction Sale of Nicholas Haight's Farm in Pelham in 1820.  

Fri., Nov. 30, 2007:  1820 Advertisement for Sale of Nicholas Haight's Farm on Rodman's Neck.  

Legal notices of the public auction of Haight's farm on Rodman's Neck suggest that Haight's financial difficulties were connected to a lawsuit brought against him, his wife, notable Pelham resident John Hunter of Hunter's Island, and Peter Augustus Jay, a successful lawyer, anti-slavery advocate, philanthropist, and eldest son of John and Sarah Livingston Jay.  The lawsuit was referenced in legal notices published in 1820 as "George Faile, vs. Nicholas Haight and Mary his wife, John Hunter and Peter A. Jay."

George Faile, the plaintiff in the action, was a resident of East Chester who owned a fine estate in the southwestern corner of that settlement with a home, seated upon rising ground that overlooked the valley to the southeast, the Hutchinson River and "the distant waters of the Sound."  See Bolton, Jr., Robert, A History of the County of Westchester From Its First Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. I, p. 154 (NY, NY: Alexander S. Gould 1848). 

Research has not yet revealed the nature of the Chancery Court action brought by George Faile of Eastchester against the Haights, John Hunter, and Peter A. Jay.  It seems at least possible, however, that the legal notice issued in early April, 1823 announcing a public sale of a 24-acre tract on City Island was a further decretal order entered in connection with that action involving a tract owned by Haight on City Island (in addition to his Rodman's Neck property).  

The description of land contained in the legal notice includes a reference that seems to support this theory.  In describing one of the boundary lines of the 24-acre tract, it noted that the boundary separated the tract from "other land of Nicholas Haight" on City Island (emphasis added).  Interestingly, and likely significantly, the Master in Chancery named in both the 1820 and 1823 legal notices of public sales at auction was John M. McDonald, a famous Westchester County resident who later conducted and recorded in writing more than four hundred interviews of soldiers and eyewitnesses involved in the Revolutionary War in Westchester County.  These interviews and other papers were collected into the famed "McDonald Papers" in the 1920s by the Westchester County Historical Society.  See The McDonald Papers (visited Sep. 24, 2018).

The tract of land is described in a version of the legal notice published on April 8, 1823 as follows:

"all that certain tract, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being on Miniford's Island, otherwise called City Island, in the town of Pelham, county of West Chester, and state of new York, and is bounded as follows, to wit:  Beginning at a stone marked and set in the ground on the west side of said island, running thence north seventy-nine degrees east, by Thomas Pell's land, thirteen chains and twenty-two links, to a stone marked E. by the shore; thence south forty-six and three-fourths east, along by high water mark at common tides, seven chains and twenty-one links -- thence south twenty and an half east, by the said high water mark two chains -- thence south nine and a quarter east to take and give by high water, three chains ninety-six links, to a stone marked F. thence south twenty-seven west, by other land of Nicholas Haight, thirteen chains nineteen links, to a stone wall by land of Cornelius Myers -- thence south eighty-one west, by said Myer's land, seven chains nineteen links -- thence south seventy six west, by said Myer's land, three chains fifty-five links, to a ditch -- thence north one east, by said ditch and shore to take and give seven chains thirty-four links -- thence north eighteen east. by the water, one chain eighty links -- thence north fifty-seven east, by said water, three chains sixteen links -- thence north ten and three fourths east, two chains thirty-seven links, by said high water mark, to the stone or place of beginning, exclusive of a road two rods wide running through said land.  Containing twenty-four acres of land, be the same more or less."

To try to understand this description we first must understand the units of measurement of chains and links.  A "chain" is a unit of length equal to 66 feet   A link is 1/100 of a chain (about 7.92 inches).  The description translates to a rather labyrinthine plot of land wedged between a host of boundaries including Long Island Sound, a stone wall, a ditch, and -- of course -- surrounding properties.  

Clearly an interesting element of this entire "mystery" is the possibility that the land at issue was owned by Nicholas Haight.  If so, his financial difficulties extended well beyond 1820 and seem to have extended at least into 1823.

1823 Legal Notice for Auction of City Island Property

by Decretal Order of the Court of Chancery of New York.

Source:  IN CHANCERY [Legal Notice], New-York Spectator,

Apr. 8, 1823, Vol. XXVI, p. 3, col. 6 (text transcribed immediately

below).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"IN CHANCERY.
State of New-York, ss.

IN pursuance of a decretal order of the Court of Chancery, will be sold at public auction at the house of David Smith, innkeeper, in the town of East Chester, in the county of West Chester, and state of New-York, on Monday, the twenty-eighth day of April instant, at 12 o'clock at noon of that day, under the direction of the subscriber, one of the masters of this court, all that certain tract, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being on Miniford's Island, otherwise called City Island, in the town of Pelham, county of West Chester, and state of new York, and is bounded as follows, to wit:  Beginning at a stone marked and set in the ground on the west side of said island, running thence north seventy-nine degrees east, by Thomas Pell's land, thirteen chains and twenty-two links, to a stone marked E. by the shore; thence south forty-six and three-fourths east, along by high water mark at common tides, seven chains and twenty-one links -- thence south twenty and an half east, by the said high water mark two chains -- thence south nine and a quarter east to take and give by high water, three chains ninety-six links, to a stone marked F. thence south twenty-seven west, by other land of Nicholas Haight, thirteen chains nineteen links, to a stone wall by land of Cornelius Myers -- thence south eighty-one west, by said Myer's land, seven chains nineteen links -- thence south seventy six west, by said Myer's land, three chains fifty-five links, to a ditch -- thence north one east, by said ditch and shore to take and give seven chains thirty-four links -- thence north eighteen east. by the water, one chain eighty links -- thence north fifty-seven east, by said water, three chains sixteen links -- thence north ten and three fourths east, two chains thirty-seven links, by said high water mark, to the stone or place of beginning, exclusive of a road two rods wide running through said land.  Containing twenty-four acres of land, be the same more or less -- together with the hereditaments and appurtenances to the same belonging.

Dated New-York, April 1st, 1823.

JOHN M. MACDONALD,
Master in Chancery.

april 5 C&S2awtds"

Source:  IN CHANCERY [Legal Notice], New-York Spectator, Apr. 8, 1823, Vol. XXVI, p. 3, col. 6.

1868 Map Depicting City Island.  Source: F. W. Beers, "City Island,

Pelham Township, Westchester Co., N.Y. (with) Town of Pelham,

Westchester Co., N. Y." in Atlas of New York and Vicinity, p. 35 

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

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More About Reid's Mill Built in 1739 on Eastchester Creek Adjacent to Pelham

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One of the earliest technological developments that contributed to the growth of the region in and around the Manor of Pelham before the area became a Town in 1788 was the construction of a tidal mill along Rattlesnake Brook, a small creek that once emptied into Eastchester Creek (i.e., the Hutchinson River) in an area that is part of today's Co-Op City.  Although efforts to construct a mill along Rattlesnake Brook began in the 1690's, the tidal mill that later became known as "Reid's Mill" seems to have been built in 1739.  

Generations of farmers from Pelham, Eastchester and nearby communities carted their grain to that tidal mill, the remnants of which stood until about 1900 when the remainder of the original mill structure was blown down in a storm.  

The tidal mill eventually came to be known as Reid's Mill, named after the family that took it over and operated it from 1790 until the time of the Civil War.  The mill was such a landmark (and was so famous and well-known throughout the northeast) that it was the subject of a delightfully-quaint short story published in Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly Magazine in August, 1888 entitled "The Miller's Daughter."  The short story was about the owner of the mill during the Revolutionary War, a notorious Tory (and his rebel daughter) who continued to operate the mill in the midst of the Neutral Ground during the war.  See Seton, William, The Miller's Daughter, Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, Vol. 26, No. 2, p. 177 (Aug. 1888). 

Illustration from "The Miller's Daughter" that

Appeared with the Following Caption in August, 1888:

"Again the sentinel bade her give the countersign; and now,

to her surprise and delight she recognized the voice.  'Why,

it's Polly.  Don't you know Polly?' she answered."

Source:  Seton, William, The Miller's Daughter, 

Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, Vol. 26, No. 2, p. 177 (Aug. 1888).

I have written about efforts to construct a mill in this area on a number of occasions.  For examples, see:  

Tue., Aug. 01, 2006:  Reid's Mill Built in 1739 on Eastchester Creek Adjacent to Pelham.

Wed., Sep. 13, 2006:  Early Efforts of the Town of Eastchester To Obtain Cooperation of John Pell For Construction of a Saw Mill.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog provides further information about Reid's Mill, an important early gathering place for local farmers.  Several important images of the remnants of the mill before it was blown down in 1900, as well as images of the Reid home that no longer stands, are included.  In addition, at the end of this posting is a detail from a map published in 1868 showing the location of the mill.

Detail from Photogravure Entitled "OLD MILL-WEST CHESTER"

Showing Remnants of Reid's Mill in About 1894.  Source:  eBay

Listing Describing the Full Item as "Orig 1894 Photogravure 10.5 x

13.5 Old Mill Westchester Lake Boat New York NY" and "Vintage

and Original High-Quality Photogravure Published by Parish in 1894.

Rare. Excellent Condition"  Brought to Author's Attention by Jorge

Santiago of the East Bronx History Forum.

Reid's Mill in an Undated Photograph Taken Prior to 1900.

Source:  Courtesy of The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham.

Undated Photograph of Remnants of Reid's Mill, Taken from

an Unusual Angle.  Source:  Courtesy of Mike Virgintino Collection /
Bronx Historical Society.  This Image May Be A Detail from the
Image Immediately Below Published in 1913.

"OLD REID'S MILL, EASTCHESTER" in Undated Photograph.

Source:  Cook, Harry T., The Borough of The Bronx 1639 - 1913 Its

Marvelous Development and Historical Surroundings, p. 139

(NY, NY:  Harry T. Cook, 1913).

"Reid's Mill, Eastchester.  From a Water-Color by Mrs. Lascelles."

Source:  Jenkins, ,Stephen, The Story of The Bronx From the Purchase

Made by the Dutch from the Indians in 1639 to the Present Day, 

Opposite p. 424 (G.P. Putnam's Sons, NY and London, The

Knickerbocker Press, 1912).  Note:  The Westchester County

Historical Society Has a Glass Negative with an Image of This

Lascelles Watercolor.



This Seems to Be the Photograph Published in The Story of the Bronx
by Stephen Jenkins Shown in the Immediately Preceding Image.
The Image is "Embedded" within this Blog (Not Copied To This Blog),
Directly from the Online Collections of The Museum of the City of
New York and, Thus, Cannot Be Resized.  Source:  "[Watercolor of Reid's Mill]
DATE: ca. 1900 gelatin silver print" and
"X2010.11.14008"

"The Old House Near Reid's Mill, About 1665-1670, Eastchester."

Source:  Jenkins, ,Stephen, The Story of The Bronx From the Purchase

Made by the Dutch from the Indians in 1639 to the Present Day, 

Opposite p. 424 (G.P. Putnam's Sons, NY and London, The

Knickerbocker Press, 1912).



This Seems to Be the Photograph Published in The Story of the Bronx
by Stephen Jenkins Shown in the Immediately Preceding Image.
The Image is "Embedded" within this Blog (Not Copied To This Blog),
Directly from the Online Collections of The Museum of the City of
New York and, Thus, Cannot Be Resized.  Source:  "[Eastchester,
Old House Near Reid's Mill]  DATE:  ca. 1900 gelatin silver print" and
"X2010.11.13997"

Undated Photograph Purporting to Show the Reid Homestead
Once Located Near Reid's Mill.  Home Was Said to Include a 
Portion That Dated from 1668, But It No Longer Exists.  
Source:  Office Of The Historian of The Town of Pelham.

Undated Photograph Believed to Show Members of the Reid
Family Who Were the Last Operators of Reid's Mill Before It
Was Abandoned After the Civil War.  Source:  Courtesy of 
Mike Virgintino Collection / Bronx Historical Society.

Below are transcriptions of various resources that touch on the history of Reid's Mill.  Each is followed by a citation to its source.  These research resources are in addition to the ones collected in previous Historic Pelham Blog postings about Reid's Mill and its predecessor(s) (see above).

"But perhaps the greatest advantage obtained in this part of the town was the construction of the mill since called 'Bartow's' and 'Reid's Mill,' at Sanders' Landing, by Thomas Shute and Joseph Stanton, in 1739.  The articles of agreement between these persons represent them as having meadow lying on each side of Rattlesnake Creek, and bind them jointly for the expenses of construction, repair and care of the mill, and guarantee to each an equal share in the profits; and in case of the determination of either party to sell his share, give the other party the first right of purchasing it.  Mr. Shute, in 1742, disposed of his share to Henry Tippitt. [Footnote '1']  [Footnote 1 reads:  '1 Book of Westchester County Deeds, vol. G, p. 388.']  In 1759 the mill and other buildings were the property of Dr. Thomas Wright, who sold them to Adolph Waldron 'Boulter,' who, in 1766, sold to John Bartow, and he, in 1790, to John Reid, [Footnote '2']  [Footnote 2 reads:  'Book of Deeds:  Book H, p. 162 and 166, and L, p. 42.']  father of Robert Reid, the last miller."

Source:  Scharf, J. Thomas, History of Westchester County, New York, Including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, Which Have Been Annexed to New York City, Vol. II, p. 736 (Philadelphia, PA:  L. E. Preston & Co. 1886).  

"The small stream which waters the western part of the village of Eastchester was formerly known as Rattlesnake Brook.  An early town order requires the inhabitants to meet together one day in the spring for the destruction of this dangerous reptile.  As late as 1775 one of them was killed near the brook, measuring some six feet.  Feb. 1st, 1696-7, John Pell, Sen., had the privilege of erecting a mill on this brook.  In 1721 Nathaniel Tomkins was permitted by the town to erect a fish-weir on Rattlesnake Creek, 'to ye advantage of himself to catch ye fish that swimmeth therein, for ye space of ten years from this date, providing he put it up at once.' [Footnote 'c']  [Footnote c reads:  'Town Record.  It appears from the Town Record, that as early as 1708 there existed a mill covenant between the town and Col. Caleb Heathcote.  Town Record, vol. ix, p. 54.']  

Near the mount of the brook, on 'Mill Lane,' is situated the tide mill of the late Robert Reid, Esq.  This gentleman was the son of John Reid, who was born at Dalmellington, Ayreshire, Scotland, in 1752, and bought land of John Bartow.  His grandfather, Robert Reid, was of Ayreshire, Scotland, and descended from the Reids of Loch Hannoch, of the Clan Chatu, settled at Craig-on-Hill, Ayrshhire, 1644.  Robert Reid's mother was Mary Bartow.  He had five maiden sisters; one of whom, Phoebe, still survives and occupies the property which they have held for nearly a century.  The Reid cottage occupies an extensive view of the winding creek and the high grounds of Pelham.  The adjoining property formed a portion of the ancient planting grounds of Eastchester."

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. 1, pp. 245-46  (NY, NY:  Chas. F. Roper, 1881) (edited by the Rev. C. W. Bolton).

"The Bronx remained divided into various estates and settlements throughout the eighteenth century.  Most of the East Bronx remained undeveloped swampland that had few roadways.  However, farming was the mainstay for many inhabitants of the upland areas (Jenkins 1912:  103).  Manufacturing began only at the onset of the American Revolution, a result of the Non-Importation agreement.  Colonists now had to make items previously imported from England.  Several saw and grist mills opened on local waterways (Jenkins 1912:  103, 104).  Reid's Mill was the first mill to operate on Eastchester Creek (Hutchinson River) (McNamara 1984:  480).  Originally known as Sanders' Landing, the mill dates to the 17th century, operated first by Thomas Shute, followed by Joseph Stanton and later by John Bartow (Ibid.:  208).  John Reid (also spelled Reed) acquired the mill in 1739 and passed it to his son, Robert, in 1790, who operated the mill until the 1850's.  Abandoned after the Civil War, the old mill blew down during a storm in 1900.  Reid's Mill would have been located near the center of the present Co-Op City to the south of the project site (Ibid.:  480).  Reed's Mill Lane, which ran from Boston Post Road to the mill, once traversed the southeast corner of the project site."

Source:  Historical Perspectives, Inc., New York City School Construction Authority Phase 1A Archaeological Assessment P.S. 189 - X Steenwick Avenue and Reeds Mill Lane Bronx, New York, p. 12  (Westport, CT:  June 26, 2001).

"REID'S MILL LANE.  This lane dates back to the 1600's, when it led from Boston Road to a mill on the Hutchinson river.  The mill was operated in succession by Thomas Shute, Joseph Stanton, John Bartow and (in 1790) John Reid.  His son, later, was the miller.  In the ensuing century, the name was rendered 'Reed.'  The mill stood until 1900 when it was blown down".   

Source:  McNamara, John, History in Asphalt:  The Origin of Bronx Street and Place Names, Borough of the Bronx, New York City, p. 191 (Harrison, NY:  Harbor Hill Books, 1978).

"REID'S MILL.  This was the first tidal mill to be erected on Eastchester Creek, or the Hutchinson River.  The year was 1739.  John Reid (sometimes spelled Reed) was the miller in 1790, and his son, Robert, continued on until the 1850's.  After the Civil War, it was abandoned and stood forlornly on the salt meadows for decades, finally to be blown down in a storm in 1900.  Its site would be roughly the center of Co-Op City.

REID'S MILL ROAD.  This is the former name of Provost Avenue from Boston Road to the City line.  It followed the general line of Steenwyck Avenue to Rattlesnake Creek on which the mill was located."

Source:  McNamara, John, History in Asphalt:  The Origin of Bronx Street and Place Names, Borough of the Bronx, New York City, p. 451 (Harrison, NY:  Harbor Hill Books, 1978).

"SANDER'S LANDING.  This was formerly the end of Reid's Mill Lane at Eastchester Creek (Hutchinson River), as noted in 1668.  In 1739, a tidal mill was erected there by Shute and Stanton.  This was run by John Bartow in 1766, and passed into the ownership of John Reid in 1790, and to his son Robert."

Source:  McNamara, John, History in Asphalt:  The Origin of Bronx Street and Place Names, Borough of the Bronx, New York City, p. 460 (Harrison, NY:  Harbor Hill Books, 1978).  

Detail of 1868 Map Showing Portion of East Chester Where

Reid's Mill (Denoted as "G. Mill" Near End of "Mill Lane") Once Stood.

Source:  Beers, F. W., "Town of East Chester, Westchester Co., N.Y.

With Waverly With Lakeville With East Chester With Washingtonville"

in Atlas of New York and Vicinity, p. 32 (NY, NY:  Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1868).

It is important to note that the detail of the 1868 Beers map immediately above shows not only the location of the mill, but also the location of the Reid family home in relation to the location of the mill.  The structure depicted just to the northeast of the mill is labeled "Miss Read" and is likely a reference to Phoebe Reid, the last of the five "maiden" sisters of the Reid family who continued to live in the Reid family home long after the mill was abandoned.  See 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. 1, pp. 245-46  (NY, NY:  Chas. F. Roper, 1881) (edited by the Rev. C. W. Bolton).

Detail of 1867 Map Showing Portion of East Chester Where

Reid's Mill (Denoted as "Reed's G. Mill" in Upper Left of
Map Detail) Once Stood.  Source:  Beers, F. W., "Plan of East
Chester, Pelham and New Rochelle, Westchester Co.,
N.Y." in 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 (NY, NY:  Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1867).

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Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site on the Old Eastchester Village Green Turns On the Lights

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Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.
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The Federal government recently provided funds for lighting the beautiful Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site located on the old Eastchester Village Green.  Last night I photographed the newly-lit site.  Posted below are four of the many, many photographs that I took of the lovely site.

The site includes an 18th century stone church that was used as a hospital during the Revolutionary War.  It also includes remnants of the Eastchester Village Green that was the scene of the famous Election of 1733 which raised issues of Freedom of Religion and the Press.  The cemetery that surrounds much of the church has grave stones dating back to 1704.  It contains more than 6,000 burials including slaves, Revolutionary War soldiers, members of the Pell family and many 18th and early 19th century Pelham residents. 

The photograph immediately above shows the church on the right with the full moon in the sky.  On the left is the 19th century stone carriage house that now serves as the museum and administrative offices at the site.

The photograph above shows the church, with the full moon above, from a slightly different angle.  Although it may be difficult to make out in the small version of the photo, immediately to the right of the steeple tower in the night sky is the Constellation Orion.  In the full-sized, high resolution photograph, the Constellation is quite striking.

This photograph was taken from the cemetery grounds.  Some of the grave stones are visible in the foreground.  In the distance near the lower right corner next to the tree, a boom from the industrial area along the Hutchinson River is lit and visible. 

This photograph shows the main entrance facade of the church building.

St. Paul's Church National Historic Site is located at 897 South Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550.  It is only 100 yards or so from the newly-opened Pelham Manor Shopping Plaza and is easy to visit and has wonderful programs.

The site provides guided tours, Monday to Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.  Some of the upcoming special programs, as indicated on the site's Web site, include:

Sat., Dec. 12, open from Noon to 4 PM

Opera in the historic church

A 2 p.m. performance by the Bronx Opera Company, featuring favorite excerpts from classic operas as well as performances, and sing-alongs, of some traditional seasonal carols and Holiday favorites.

Tues, Dec. 15, 10 AM - Noon
Bill of Rights Program
An educational program marking the 217th anniversary of the adoption of the Bill of Rights.

Sun., Dec. 20, 2 PM
Holiday Organ Concert
A recital by Jan Piet Knijff featuring classical music on the historic 1833 pipe organ, including some traditional carols and Holiday favorites. Refreshments served.

Thus., Dec. 22-23, 26, 29-31, 10 AM to 4 PM
Family Holiday Program
Historic games, activities, music and demonstrations, designed for children on vacation from school, as well as parents, adults, and others.

Sat., Jan. 9, open from Noon to 4 PM
Shakespeare in the Church
At 1:30 p.m., enjoy a performance by the Red Monkey Theatre Group of the climatic "trial" scene of William Shakespeare's classic, The Merchant of Venice, performed in the historic church, which was used as a courthouse in the 18th century. Also view the site’s feature exhibition, "Chief Executives on the Village Green: St. Paul’s and the Presidents."

Sat., Feb. 13, open from Noon to 4 PM
Presidents & African American History
Talks and re-enactments commemorating President’s Day and February as African American History Month, including appearances by Presidents Washington, Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as talks about Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln -- special activities for children.

Sat., March 13, open from Noon to 4 PM
Women’s History Month Event -- Colonial Gravestones and Eleanor Roosevelt
In recognition of March as Women's History Month, at 1 p.m. art historian John Zielinski explores the lives of women in 18th_Century America based on symbolism and inscriptions on gravestones, including several in the historic burial yard at St. Paul’s. At 2 p.m., a historian with the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library explores the life and times of Eleanor Roosevelt, who visited St. Paul’s Church. At 3 p.m., tour the historic cemetery and learn about the lives of American women over three centuries.

Sat., March 20, 2 PM
David Hackett Fischer and the American Revolution
Acclaimed historian and author David Hackett Fischer, a distinguished Professor at Brandies University, talks about the American Revolution, delivering the annual Aronson Memorial Lecture. Among Dr. Fischer’s outstanding books are Paul Revere’s Ride and Washington’s Crossing, which received the Pulitzer Prize. The site is open from 1 to 4 p.m.

Sat., April 10, open from Noon to 4 PM
Native Americans: The Area’s Earlier Residents

At 2 p.m., staff historian Pat Ernest explores the story of the Native Americans who lived in the area before the European settlers. There will also be tours of the historic Church Bell Tower and of the cemetery, one of the nation’s oldest burial yards.

Fri., April 16, 3 PM
Church Tower Walk
Join us for a hike up the wooden staircase in the Church tower, leading to the historic, 250-year-old metal bell, one of the oldest in the country. (Note: This program is repeated, every other Friday, weather permitting -- April 30, May 14, May 28, June 11, June 25.)

Sat., May 8, 5-9 PM
St. Paul's Historic Dinner
With only one American World War I veteran still alive, this year’s special benefit event recognizes the soldiers and civilians who lived at the time of the War to End all Wars. The event features a World War I era (1914-1918) style dinner, as well as music and talk recalling The Great War. Contact the site at 914-667-4116 for ticket reservations and details.

Mon., May 31, Memorial Day
Soldier’s Stories & Songs
The site will be open, regular hours, 9 AM to 5 PM, with special tours throughout the day, recalling the lives and stories of soldiers interred in the historic cemetery. There will also be music and talks recognizing soldiers from throughout American history.

Sat., June 12, open from Noon to 4 PM
Colonial Day
Join us for Colonial era style music, dancing, crafts, games and arms. There's also special tours of the Church Bell Tower and of the colonial section of the historic cemetery, and a recital on the historic pipe organ.

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Excerpt from Book Published in 1860 Provides Memories of Sundays at St. Paul's Church Before 1838

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The history of St. Paul's Church of Eastchester, now a National Historic Site, is closely entertwined with that of the Town of Pelham. Consequently, I often have written about the history of the church here. For a few of many examples, see:

Thursday, November 8, 2007: Brief History of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester Published in 1886.

Friday, September 21, 2007: The Ringing of the Bell of St. Paul's Church of Eastchester on the 100th Anniversary of the First Service in the Stone Church

Thursday, September 6, 2007: Information About St. Paul's Church, the Battle of Pelham and Other Revolutionary War Events Near Pelham Contained in an Account Published in 1940

Wednesday, August 15, 2007: Plan of Pews in St. Paul's Church 1790

Monday, August 13, 2007: 1865 Comments of Rev. William Samuel Coffey of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester Regarding the Tenure of Rev. Robert Bolton of Pelham

Wednesday, August 8, 2007: A Description of an Eyewitness Account of Interior of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester During the Revolutionary War

Friday, June 15, 2007: Photograph of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester Published in 1914

Monday, April 9, 2007: An Account of the Election Victory of Lewis Morris in the So-Called "Great Election".

Monday, February 12, 2007: Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site Opens New Exhibition: "Overlooked Hero: John Glover and the American Revolution"

Wednesday, December 20, 2006: A Brief History of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester Published in 1907

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting transcribes a chapter from a book published in 1860 containing an account of "Pleasant Sundays' spent at St. Paul's Church in about 1836. The author of the book was James Bolton (1824 - 1863), the youngest son of Rev. Robert Bolton who founded Christ Church in Pelham Manor and who served as Rector of St. Paul's Church in East Chester.

As James Bolton notes in the preface, he changed names in the book, but provides "truthful" narrratives from his boyhood. The book is about his family's life on the "Pond Field Farm" in East Chester which Rev. Bolton acquired in about 1836 before he built Bolton Priory and Christ Church in Pelham. In the book, James Bolton refers to Pond Field Farm as "Brook Farm", to East Chester as "Lancaster" and to St. Paul's Church as "St. Peter's Church".

The material appears immediately below, followed by a citation to its source.

"V.

Pleasant Sundays.

BROOK FARM was about three miles from the village of Lancaster. It was the nearest village to us, and thither we had to go for our letters, literature, clothes and groceries; all of which, and blue pills besides, could be obtained in one large shop. The village, nicely shaded with locust-trees, straggled for another mile along the high road -- the houses being mostly on the left-side of the way, as on the right-hand side the land bordered on a vast salt-marsh, watered, and often flooded by a tidal creek [Hutchinson River], which connected Lancaster with the sea. Beyond the marsh, rose a somewhat hilly and well-wooded country, trending towards other townships. The inhabitants of Lancaster were mostly farmers, each living on [Page 33 / Page 34] his own small holding. Here and there was a villa of pretensious architecture, the residence of a retired city tradesman, or of an elderly maiden lady, invisible as a dormouse during the cold season. The Lancastrians must have been a healthy population, for they had no doctor. They must have been a happy population, for they had no lawyer. That they were kindly and hospitable, we had many practical experiences. There were, as there always are, village curiosities among them; the cheif of these was that aged patriarch, Beldart, the sexton -- six feet of bone and muscle -- bell-ringer and grave-digger -- the parish authority -- the person, according to his own estimate, on whose Atlas shoulders rested all the interests of true religion and virtue in Lancaster.

Close on his heels came Squire Timms, a crotchety bachelor -- rector's churchwarden, always in a fidget about something -- the target of the village belles. Then there was 'Aunt Bathsheba,' as she was called -- as her own children called her -- fattest and amiablest [Page 34 / Page 35] of women -- throwing off smiles as the sun throws off its rays -- delighting much in teaparties (she was famous for crullers and dough-nuts), and so fond of hearing herself sing, that she never knew when to let a note go, but would be warbling away at the first line of a psalm whilst the congregation had turned the corner of the third. If it was not praying for the dead, I would say, 'Bless her dear old soul.' Sixty years ago, when a boy, whilst playing about the camp of a British regiment, then lying at Lancaster, her husband had his skull cracked by a wanton soldier, who got, as he deserved, the cat-o'-nine-tails for it. He had to be trepanned, and there on the crown of his polished head, encircled by a wreath of snowiest hair, you could see the piece of silver -- we always set it down for an English half-crown -- which the doctors had made him a present of.

The parish church, St. Peter's, of which our beloved father was rector, stood by itself on a green knoll at the entrance of the village. It was a large stone edifice, begun prior to [Page 35 / Page 36] the revolutionary war, and had been used as a court-house or hospital by either earmy, according as the one or the other occupied Lancaster. Beldart remembered when you could trace blood-stains on the floor. There, even up to our day, sunken in the trunks of a row of venerable acacias, might be seen the rings to which troopers had fastened their horses, and occasionally, so tradition said, unhappy creatures with two legs less than a horse.

I have told you that the church stood by itself on a green knoll. It was surrounded with tall willows and poplars; but the glittering weathercock on its spire out-topped the tallest of them. The churchyard, which sloped down to the marsh, lay behind. It was spacious, yet thickly covered with stones, some just from the mason's chisel, some dating back as far as 1688. Over the graves ran quantities of blackberry vines, the fruit whereof we could stick on our thumbs like thimbles; but we dare not go very deeply into their constituents. I am afraid that these juicy black- [Page 36 / Page 37] berries often drew us off from profiting by the epitaphs.

Adjoining the church was a hundred-and-fifty-feet carriage shed, built, as the inscription on it testified, by that munificent individual, 'John Armiger, Esq., for the comfort and convenience of the worshippers at St. Peter's.'

I was a 'comfort and convenience,' for numbers of the worshippers came from a distance, and we could not leave our vehicles exposed to the noon-heat or rain. Now we drove into this famous shed, exchanged our horses' bridles for halters, gave them their hay or corn, and left the whole row, two or three dozen, in charge of a single man.

For this church, then, of a Sunday, our family started about ten o'clock, directly the necessary farm duties were done. It was a three quarters of an hour's drive, for there were some formidable hills to ascend and descend. We made a regular cavalcade -- four wheels, two-wheels and saddle -- seldom less than fifteen souls -- and we carried our own [Page 37 / Page 38] and our horses' provender with us, for it was too far to return between morning and afternoon services.

Arrived, we had ten minutes to see the horses stabled, and exchange a word with the farmers' sons, who lingered outside the porch till the bell tolled in. Then we took our seats in the gallery around the organ. (The organ also announced, in gold letters, that it was the gift of the munificent 'John Armiger, Esq.') We were the choir, whilse our elder sister played. The prayer-book service is the same as in England, except that you pray for the 'President of the United States,' instead of 'our Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria,' and for 'the Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled,' instead of 'the High Court of Parliament.' Our beloved father had no curate. I often wished I could have helped him when it was so hot, that every opening of the mouth was an effort. He preached simply, affectionately, earnestly -- upholding the Banner of the Truth with both [Page 38 / Page 39] hands and the people knew the joyful sound, and crowded to hear it.

After service, we looked to the horses and then, in exceedingly primitive style, spread our own meal on the vestry table, and, sitting round on chairs and hassocks, ate our meal 'with gladness and singleness of hears, giving thanks to God' for it in his own house. In extreme summer the vestry was too close, and we had to adjourn to the open space around the communion rails.

Then our Sunday-school commenced. We had fifty or sixty children. The were arranged in classes in the gallery. My personal charge was a group of black boys. They were merry fellows -- merrier than wise. They laughed at the driest question in the Catechism, and there were certain Scripture stories, as Balaam and his loquacious ass, and Jonah in the whale's belly, which gave rise to such a rolling of the whites of their eyes, and to such rollicking sounds, that I did not [Page 39 / Page 40] venture to narrate them twice. I tried to write lessons on their memories, but it was very much like trying to write them on a whipt syllabub.

Sunday-school ended, we strolled up a lovely shady valley, down which a brook dropped musically; lay on the cool sward; listened to the wood-thrush's vespers; and talked on sacred subjects.

By-and-by the bells rang again, and we assembled for a late afternoon service. Then hastening home, we walked over the farm, and marked the growth of things; and so, thanking God for our Sabbaths, finished them as a Christian household should with 'hymns and spiritual songs.'

Those were pleasant Sundays. I regale myself on them now! They were pleasant, I verily believe, because they were observed sacredly. Busy six-day workers need a seventh day's rest, and you cannot rest if you allow worldly enterprises or worldly pleasures to occupy the mind -- they keep the mill grind- [Page 40 / Page 41] ing, whereas you want to shut it up, and get rid of its clatter.

It is possible for everybody to sanctify the Lord's day in their hearts, and if they have learnt that secret, they have learnt the secret of pleasant Sundays.

Source: Bolton, James, Brook Farm: The Amusing and Memorable of American Country Life, Chapter V, pp. 33 - 41 (NY, NY: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1860).

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1819 New York Statute Authorizing David Pell and Benjamin Underhill To Build Mills on Eastchester Creek in Pelham Manor

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In 1819, the New York State legislature passed a statute authorizing David Pell and Benjamin Underhill to erect a grist mill and a saw mill on Eastchester Creek in the Town of Pelham. The text of the statute appears immediately below, followed by a citation to its source.

"FORTY-SECOND SESSION.

CHAP. LVII.

AN ACT authorizing David I. Pell and Benjamin H. Underhill to erect Mills on the Creek between East-Chester and Pelham, in Westchester County.

Passed March 19, 1819.

Preamble.

WHEREAS by an act of the legislature, passed April ninth, eighteen hundred and five, there was granted to David I. Pell, Abijah Barker and Theodosius Hunt, the right to erect a grist mill and a saw mill, if they found it convenient, on the creek which divides the town of Pelham from the town of Eastchester, at or near a place called Fisher's landing, and near the turnpike bridge over the said creek: Provided, The same was erected within the term of six years after the passing of the said act: And whereas, The said grant has not been used for the purpose aforesaid; and the said David I. Pell, together with Benjamin H. Underhill, hath, by the petition of a number of the inhabitants of the towns of Pelham and Eastchester, prayed for a renewal of the grant, to be made to the said David I. Pell and Benjamin H. Underhill: Therefore,

Site of the dam.

1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of New-York, represented in Senate and Assembly, That it shall and may be lawful for the said David I. Pell and Benjamin H. Underhill, and their heirs and assigns, to erect and build a dam and gristmill, and a saw mill, if they shall deem it expedient to build a saw mill, on the creek which divides the towns of Eastchester and Pelham, at some place near Fisher's landing, and near the turnpike bridge over the said creek; and that they shall procure, at their own expense, the necessary land for the said purpose, on each side thereof:

Proviso.

Provided always, and it is hereby enacted, That such mill dam shall not be higher than the surface of the salt meadows lying on the creek above the said dam; nor shall the said salt meadows be drowned or injured thereby: and that in all cases of such injury, the owners and possessors of such meadows shall respectively have their remedy at law therefor, against the said David I. Pell and Benjamin H. Underhill, and their respective heirs and assigns: Provided always, That it shall at all times hereafter be competent for the legislature to amend this act, so as more effectually to prevent any public or private injury which may result from the erection of the said dam.

Conditions to be complied with.

II. And be it further enacted, That in the erection of the before mentioned grist mill, (if placed near the said bridge or road) that then the water wheel shall be covered and hid from view: and when completed for grinding, the said David I. Pell and Benjamin H. Underhill, and their respective heirs and assigns, shall, and are hereby bound, to keep and maintain one good and sufficient run of stones, and a bolt, for the use and accommodation of the inhabitants of the towns of Eastchester and Pelham; and if two run of stones shall be erected in said mill, and the business of the country should require it, that then both run shall be employed for the use and accommodation of the inhabitants aforesaid, and to grind for them at the accustomed toll of the neighbouring [Page 63 / Page 64] mills:

Proviso.

Provided always, That if the said dam and mill shall not be completed within the term of three years, so that there be one good and sufficient run of stones and bolt ready for the use of the inhabitants of the said two towns, then the privileges hereby granted shall be null and void."

Source: Laws of the State of New-York, Passed at the Forty-Second, Forty-Third and Forty-Fourth Sessions of the Legislature From January 1819 to April 1821, Vol. V, pp. 63-64 (Albany, NY: William Gould & Co., 1821).

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An Account of the Great Election of 1733 Held on the Village Green At St. Paul's Church in Eastchester

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Recently I posted an item summarizing the early history of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester. In that posting I included links to a number of earlier postings regarding the history of the church which, in the 18th and early 19th centuries, was one of the two principal churches available to Pelham residents for worship. See Thursday, November 8, 2007: Brief History of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester Published in 1886.

One of the most notable events ever to occur on the Village Green in front of St. Paul's Church was the "Great Election of 1733" where the people's candidate, Lewis Morris, was elected to the provincial Assembly. A newspaper account of the election published by John Peter Zenger led to a trial in which he was acquitted of printing and publishing seditious libels. The trial is considered one of the most important early victories for freedom of speech in America and an important precursor to inclusion of the First Amendment among those of the Bill of Rights accepted during the early years of the United States of America. Below is an account of the election. Last April 9 I provided a transcription of an October 29, 1733 newspaper article containing Zenger's account of the election. See Monday, April 9, 2007: An Account of the Election Victory of Lewis Morris in the So-Called "Great Election".

"Driven from office by his foes, [Lewis] Morris was now [in 1733] the favorite champion of the people. He had retired to his estate at Morrisania. But here he was not permitted to rest; perhaps he was incapable of it. He threw himself at once into the politics of the time, and, although old (for he was now over sixty), became a candidate for the assembly. The story of his election, despite all the efforts of De Lancey and the court party, is preserved for us in Zenger's journal, almost with the minuteness of a modern reporter. I shall abridge if for the reader, since it tells us much of the manners of our ancestors. When Lewis Morris, in the autumn of 1733, appeared as the candidate of the people for Westchester, a very remarkable election took place. Few modern politicians would care to undergo the fatigues and the dangers that awaited the patriotic voters in 1733. There was fear that the court party might practise some fraud; fifty electors kept watch all night at East Chester, where the polling was to take place, until the morning of the election day. The other electors of Morris's party began to move on Sunday afternoon so as to be at New Rochelle by midnight; on their way they were entertained at plentifully covered tables in each house as they passed; at midnight they met at the home of an active partizan whose house could not contain them all. A large fire was made in the street, and here they sat till daylight came, in the damp air of a Westchester morning. At daylight they were joined by seventy mounted voters from the lower part of the county, and then the whole body moved to the polling place at East Chester in the following order: first rode 'two trumpeters and two violins,' the representatives of a modern band; then came four freeholders, one of whom carried a banner, on one side of which was inscribed, in golden capitals, 'King George,' on the other, 'Liberty and Law.' Next came the candidate, Lewis Morris, Esq., late chief justice, then two colors, and at sunrise they entered the common of East Chester. Three hundred of the principal freeholders of the county followed Morris on horseback, the largest number ever known to be assembled since the settlement of the town. Three times they rode around the green, and then went to the houses of their friends. About eleven o'clock, perhaps with still more state and show, appeared the candidate of the opposing party. It was William Forster, Esq., once a schoolmaster sent over by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, but now clerk of the peace and justice of the Common Pleas by the appointment of Governor Cosby. It is suggested that he paid a hundred [Page 233 / Page 234] pistoles for his office. Next him in the procession were two ensigns borne by two freeholders, and then came James De Lancey, chief justice, and Frederick Philipse, second judge, baron, etc. They were followed by one hundred and seventy mounted freeholders, the magnates of Westchester County. They entered the green on the east side, rode around it, and as he passed it was notice that De Lancey bowed to Morris and that the civility was returned. But now one of the Morris party called out, 'No Pretender,' and "Forster said angrily, 'I will take notice of you.' It was reported that he was no friend to the Hanoverian family. An hour after came the high sheriff, finely mounted, with housings and trappings of scarlet richly laced with silver. The electors gathered on the green; the great majority was evidently for Morris, but the other side demaned a poll, and the voting began. It was rudely interrupted when the high sheriff refused to receive the vote of a Friend or Quaker of large estate who would not take the usual oath. A fierce wrangle began. Morris and his friends insisted that an affirmation was sufficient; the sheriff, a stranger in the county, one of Cosby's instruments, persisted in his refusal. De Lancey and his friends sustained him, and thirty-seven Quakers, who were ready to vote for Morris, were excluded by this unjust decision. Even in England they would have been allowed to vote. Fierce, no doubt, was the rage of the popular party. One of them called out that Forster was a Jacobite; Forster denied it. At last the 'late Chief Justice' was returned by a large majority. He rebuked Forster and the sheriff for their attempt upon the liberties of the people, and threatened them with deserved punishment; but when all his followers answered with loud cheers, he restrained them from violence. De Lancey and his faction, we may fancy, rode sullenly away. But soon after Morris entered New-York in triumph, amidst salutes from all the vessels in the harbor. He was met by a party of the chief merchants and gentlemen of the town. The people followed him with 'loud acclamations.' He was conducted to the Black Horse Tavern, where a fine entertainment had been prepared, and where, [Page 234 / Page 235] amidst the flow of fiery Madeira and steaming punch, it is not likely that the governor and his followers were spared in the usual speeches."

Source: Wilson, James Grant, ed., The Memorial History of the City of New-York From its First Settlement to the Year 1892, Vol. II, pp. 233-35 (NY, NY: New-York History Co., 1892).

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