Village of Pelham Manor's Initiative to Annex No-Man's Land from New York City in 1931

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Sandwiched between the southern boundary of the Village of Pelham Manor in the Town of Pelham and the northern boundary of Pelham Bay Park is a tiny strip of land only 250 feet wide that long has been known as "no-man's land."  While the phrase may evoke images of a forsaken strip that no one wishes to frequent, nothing could be further from the truth.  

No-man's land is a long strip of land made up today of about thirty-five properties that sit in the Bronx.  Because they are separated from other Bronx residential areas by Pelham Bay Park, however, they derive many of the amenities of the suburban lifestyle offered by the lovely Village of Pelham Manor.  For example, the children of homeowners located on the strip attend schools in Pelham Manor.  Yet, the lucky homeowners who live on this strip pay modest New York City property taxes (at least when compared with property taxes in Pelham).

There is no shortage of explanations for the existence of no-man's land.  Some say that a surveyor's error was responsible.  Others claim that New York City originally intended the city boundary to end at the northern boundary of Pelham Bay Park but changed its mind and decided to annex slightly more land to the north to ensure that small islands located in Long Island Sound would be within the City's boundaries.  Another account says that a road named "Park Drive" once was intended to be built along the northern boundary of Pelham Bay Park so that extra land was annexed to allow the road to be built.  Plans for that roadway supposedly were abandoned due to opposition by Pelham residents, thereby freeing the area adjacent to the planned roadway for residential development.  

I have written several times about Pelham's no-man's land.  See:


Mon., Dec. 5, 2005:  The Fabled "No-Man's Land" of Pelham Manor: A Tiny Strip of New York City.

Thu., Feb. 27, 2014:  More About the Fabled "No-Man's Land" of Pelham Manor: A Tiny Strip of New York City.

Tue., Jun. 06, 2017:  James Burnett of Pelham Manor: Chief Pooh-Bah and Jack of All Trades.

Whatever the reason for its creation, the result was 'no-man's land."  By the early 1930s, no-man's land had become a headache for all concerned. New York City found it difficult to provide the area with basic services.  The City did not maintain the roadways, did not provide transportation to New York City Schools for the children who lived there (who had to pay tuition to Pelham to attend its schools), and -- in effect -- relied on Pelham Manor to provide utility hookups and the like to residents in exchange for the payments of fees.

In about early March, 1931, there were seventeen residences built in no-man's land.  (Today there are more than thirty.)  Pelham Manor decided to do something about no-man's land.  Petitions began circulating to have the entire area annexed by the Village of Pelham Manor to return the land to Pelham.  Any such annexation would require approvals by New York City, the Village of Pelham Manor, and the Town of Pelham, followed by final legislation enacted by the State of New York.  

Within a short time, every property owner in no-man's land except one signed the petitions in favor of annexation.  The one dissenter was a local real estate developer named Arthur Cole who was using his property as a horse riding academy in violation of New York City zoning ordinances and planned, one day, to erect an apartment building on the property which, he believed, would likely not be permitted by the Village of Pelham Manor.  

Then, a no-man's land resident filed a formal complaint with State authorities arguing that because a few feet of his property was in Pelham Manor (though most was in New York City as part of no-man's land), his daughter had the right to attend Pelham schools without having to pay tuition.  State authorities ruled against the Pelham School Board and directed the Pelham Union Free School District to accept the student without requiring tuition payments, opening the door to the possibility that others might pursue similar claims.

The annexation initiative kicked into high gear.  The Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham Manor held hearings and fully supported the move.  Everyone believed that New York City wanted to relieve itself of the headache of dealing with no-man's land.  

The Pelham Manor Board of Trustees directed the Village Clerk to estimate what the assessed value of the property would be if annexed by Pelham.  The Clerk estimated it to be worth about $496,000 although Arthur Cole disputed the figure claiming the value would be closer to $1,000,000.  Whatever the value, it was clear that annexation would return a substantial amount of valuable real estate to the tax rolls of the Village of Pelham Manor.

The Village of Pelham Manor Village Attorney, Edgar Beecroft, prepared the necessary papers for submission to New York City to seek its approval for annexation.  That is when things ground to a halt.

New York City raised an interesting legal issue.  It indicated that it needed to calculate the amount of bonded debt that would have to be attributed to the property -- and dealt with -- before the property could be annexed.  

The Village of Pelham Manor began to wait.  As time began to pass, it became increasingly clear that annexation would not happen.  Indeed, nearly eighteen months later the local newspaper, The Pelham Sun, speculated that perhaps the matter would be resolved in the year 1933.  It was not.  

In the meantime, as the years passed, when a Pelham child needed to attend a school for the hard-of-hearing in 1938, Pelham negotiated with New York City to allow such Pelham schoolchildren to attend a special school in New York City in exchange for allowing schoolchildren in no-man's land to attend Pelham schools without paying tuition fees.

With no approval from New York City, the annexation of no-man's land languished until World War II when the proposal seems to have died of old age.  No-man's land continues as part of New York City to this day.

Detail of Map Published in 1929 with Portion of No-Man's Land Shown

at Bottom of Page.  Source:  G. M. Hopkins Co., Atlas of Westchester

County, Vol. 1, Pg. 03 (Philadelphia, PA:  G. M. Hopkins Co., 1929).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"MANOR MAY GET BACK PROPERTY ANNEXED TO N. Y.-----
Residents of 225 Foot Strip Petition Village to Annex Property East of Park.
-----

If a plan advanced by a group of New York City residents who live just across the Manor boundary line, is approved by the state legislature, Pelham Manor will regain a section of the property which it lost when New York City annexed what is now Pelham Bay Park and City Island.  Residents of the Park Drive section, recognized as Pelham Manor, but in reality within New York City, are circulating petitions urging the return to the village of a 225 foot strip of land several blocks long on the easterly border of Pelham Bay Park, in order that service connections, school facilities and other advantages of Pelham Manor may be gained without additional cost.

At the present time the residents of a half dozen houses in the strip which extends from Long Island Sound almost to the Boston road, are enjoying the advantage of local schools, sewer and service connections by paying certain fees to Pelham Manor and to the school district.  The Pelham Manor police department has an agreement with the New York City police to provide protection.

It is impossible for New York City to provide for the section because it is divided from the rest of the city by the extensive Pelham Bay Park.  

At the meeting of the Pelham Manor Board of Trustees on Monday night Village Attorney Edgar C. Beecroft reported:  That the property had been taken by New York City early in the century when the park lands and City Island were annexed.  The strip at the easterly end was not included in the park land as the city had intended to construct a highway around the park, but the plan was never realized.  In the meantime, the property had been developed.

The petition which was received on Monday night was tabled pending the receipt of others."

Source:   MANOR MAY GET BACK PROPERTY ANNEXED TO N. Y. -- Residents of 225 Foot Strip Petition Village to Annex Property East of Park, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 13, 1931, Vol. 21, No. 50, p. 1, col. 6.

"MORE PROPERTY OWNERS URGE ANNEXATION
-----

Six more property owners have signed the petition urging that the Village of Pelham Manor regain the strip of property lying between the village boundary and Pelham Bay Park, according to the announcement of Village Clerk Gervas H. Kerr.

The new signers were William B. Randall, Mrs. William B. Randall, the Robert C. Black Realty Company, the Skania Realty Company, Inc., Robert H. Crosby and Murray B. Parks.

At the meeting Monday, Gervas H. Kerr, village clerk, was instructed by Mayor Lawrence F. Sherman to determine the assessed valuations of the parcels of property for which annexation is sought."

Source:   MORE PROPERTY OWNERS URGE ANNEXATION, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 10, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 2, p. 10, col. 2.

"PROPERTY VALUED AT $496,592 MAY RETURN TO ROLL
-----
Public Hearing on Annexation Of Strip at Village Boundary To Be Held May 25.
-----

Property assessed at $496,592.00 will be annexed to [the] village of Pelham Manor if the plan to regain part of the property which was taken from the village in the early days of this century, is carried through by legislative act.  Owners of property in this strip of land which borders Pelham Bay Park on the north will attend a public hearing at the Village Hall in Pelham Manor on Monday, May 25.  The trustees will plan their campaign to regain this property on the testimony offered by these property owners.

The property in question which was formerly in Pelham Manor, measures approximately one hundred feet across the northerly border of the park.  It was included in the land taken by the city and included in the plan of Pelham Bay Park for the construction of a highway around the park, but the program was never carried out, and the property has since been developed by private enterprise.  Residents of the strip although virtually living in Pelham Manor are unable to secure the privileges of Pelham Manor residents without payment of fees, and their homes are separated from the city services by the park which measures several miles.

The Board of Trustees of Pelham Manor has received a petition from seventeen property owners arguing that the village take over this strip of property by legislative act.

Village Engineer Julius Dworshak has reported that it will cost the village $58,637.50 to install street improvements in the strip that is proposed to be annexed to the village.  William B. Randall, chairman of the village planning committee, has approved the program and estimates that the property is worth a million dollars."

Source:  PROPERTY VALUED AT $496,592 MAY RETURN TO ROLL -- Public Hearing on Annexation Of Strip at Village Boundary To Be Held May 25, The Pelham Sun, May 1, 1931, Vol. 21, No. 5, Section 2, p. 9, col. 1.  

"STREET REPAIRS IN NEW STRIP TO COST $22,507.50
-----
Village Engineer Estimates Improvement Work To Be Done Should Property Be Annexed by Village.

According to the estimate of Village Engineer Jules Dworschak, it will cost the village $22,507.50 to make street improvements in the strip of property that is proposed to be annexed to Pelham Manor.  Eighteen property owners residing in the half mile strip at the northerly boundary of Pelham Bay Park are ready to secede from New York City and become residents of the village, which has catered to their needs for several years.  On Monday, May 25, a public hearing will be held at the Village Hall, to discuss the submission of a bill to the legislature to permit the annexation of the property by the village.

History repeats itself.  Early in the 20th century [sic] the City of New York effected legislation which took from the Town of Pelham all that property which is now Pelham Bay Park and City Island.  The bulk of that property was developed for park, but a strip measuring 250 feet wide along the northerly boundary of the land was left out of the park in anticipation of the construction of  a highway around the tract.  The property has since been developed and eighteen residences constructed thereon.  If the legislature will permit it the village will re-annex some of the land which it lost almost thirty years ago."

Source:  STREET REPAIRS IN NEW STRIP TO COST $22,507.50 -- Village Engineer Estimates Improvement Work To Be Done Should Property Be Annexed by Village, The Pelham Sun, May 15, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 6, Section 2, p. 10, col. 5. 

"ZONING CHANGES AND ANNEXATION UNDER DISCUSSION
-----

Two important issues will bring out several hundred residents of Pelham Manor to the public hearing to be held at the Village Hall on Monday.  The application of Arthur W. Cole for a change in zone restrictions to permit the construction of a two-and-one-half story block of stores and offices at the Red Church Corner will be opposed by property owners who desire to retain the strict residential character of the village to annex a 250 foot strip of New York City property at the southwesterly boundary of the village will be favored generally."

Source:   ZONING CHANGES AND ANNEXATION UNDER DISCUSSION, The Pelham Sun, May 22, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 8, p. 1, col. 6. 

"LAND BETWEEN PARK AND VILLAGE IS CALLED 'NO MAN'S LAND'; ONLY ONE DISSENTING VOTE AT PUBLIC HEARING
-----
 William B. Randall Formally Presents Petition for Annexation of 250 Foot Strip to Village of Pelham Manor; Arthur W. Cole Voices His Objections; Trustees Prepare To Submit Plan to Legislature.
-----

Eighteen residents of the 'No Man's Land' between Pelham Manor and Pelham Bay Park made their formal application to join the village on Monday night when William B. Randall, former president of Pelham Manor urged that the village annex a strip of property one mile and a quarter long and 250 feet wide.  He was supported by all but one owner of property in the strip in question.  That was Arthur W. Cole, who entered his protest saying that annexation would cut the value of the property in half.

The petition was accepted by the Board of Trustees, and the matter held over for consideration.  It is expected that Village Attorney Edgar C. Beecroft will be instructed to prepare the annexation bill which will be submitted to the legislature at its next session.  The plan must be approved by the City of New York, but inasmuch as the property is marooned from the rest of the city, and may at some future date become an economic 'sore toe' it is expected that there will be no official opposition.

Although the hearing on Monday night was attended by officials of the Bronx, Mr. Cole's opposition was the only dissenting vote.  At the present time a riding academy operated by Cole on a section of the property in question is under fire in New York City as a zoning violation.  If this property is taken into the village, it will be included in the residential district and Cole will have another zoning fight on his hands.

Mr. Randall in presenting the petition said as follows:

'The petitioners wish to express their thanks to the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham Manor, for the interest which they have taken in helping them secure action in reference to having the narrow strip of land, 250 feet by 6600 feet, lying between Pelham Manor and Pelham Bay Park, now belonging to New York City, incorporated into our Village.

'We do not know how this strip came to be left between Pelham Manor and the Park, but it may be that the Park Commission in 1886 expected to use this strip as a Boulevard.  That reason no longer exists, as the cost of condemning the land, now considerably improved, would be too great.  Major Fairchild states that it was an engineering mistake.  Very few of the property owners have declined to sign the petition.  One reason given was the fear of increased taxes in Pelham Manor, that they might be more than those levied now by the City of New York.

Comparison between the taxes assessed in Pelham Manor, on improved property, and those assessed in New York, does not justify this opinion, and even if they were higher, the advantages of living in a beautiful residential suburb like Pelham Manor, would offset such increase.  Another reason for declining to sign this petition, given by one property owner, was, that some time he might wish to build an apartment house on the property.  This is a good reason for the Village taking over this strip, if possible, as the residents of Pelham Manor do not wish for apartments, which would lower the value of residential property in the vicinity.

'As an actuality, the citizens residing within the debatable territory really belong to Pelham Manor.  Their friends and neighbors live in Pelham Manor, and they desire their children to use our Public Schools.  They are virtually citizens of our Village, but are not entitled to its advantages.  These people pay taxes to New York, but receive no service in return.  New York City is unable to give them Schools.  Police.  Fire Protection.  Garbage removal and other utilities.  In order to remedy this uncomfortable and unfair condition, it will be necessary to introduce in the State Senate and Assembly, a bill covering this matter, after approval by the Governor.  It requires the approval of the New York City Authorities.

'It is believed that the city of New York regards this strip as of little value to the City, and as more or less of a nuisance, on account of the difficulty in giving utilities to this territory.  If a demand should be made by the people of this section, who are entitled to vote, the City under the election law would be obliged to constitute a separate election district -- with all the expenses attached, for only a handful of votes.  Again, if a demand should be made for school privileges, New York would have to arrange transportation several miles to the Bronx.

'It seems practically impossible for the City to give this section Water, Gas, Fire and Police Protection, or Public Schools.  We hope that Pelham Manor is willing to do so.  It has already been most helpful on many occasions.

'We, therefore, ask you to give favorable consideration to our petition, as providing a just and fair treatment of the property owners  on our border who now live in a sort of 'No Man's Land.'  If Pelham Manor is willing to accept them, we feel confident that New York will be glad to be relieved of the problems of giving this section necessary services.'

Mayor Sherman informed the petitioners that the village board would lose no time in considering their petition."

Source:  LAND BETWEEN PARK AND VILLAGE IS CALLED 'NO MAN'S LAND'; ONLY ONE DISSENTING VOTE AT PUBLIC HEARING, The Pelham Sun, May 28, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 9, Section 2, p. 9, cols. 1-2.  

"COUNTY AND TOWN MUST APPROVE OF ANNEXATION
-----
Village Attorney Preparing Legal Portfolio in Response To Petition of New York City Residents.
-----

Legal matters incumbent on the proposed annexation by the Village of Pelham Manor of a 250 foot wide strip of land across the southerly boundary of the village, are in preparation by Village Attorney Edgar C. Beecroft [illegible] regarded as residents of Pelham Manor, they are unable to enjoy the privileges of civic improvements here without paying fees.  They contend that New York City has neglected their section and that they will be benefited by joining Pelham Manor.

Village Attorney Beecroft reported to the Board of Trustees on Monday night that it will be necessary to gain the approval of the County Board of Supervisors, the Town Board and of the state legislature."

Source:   COUNTY AND TOWN MUST APPROVE OF ANNEXATION -- Village Attorney Preparing Legal Portfolio in Response To Petition of New York City Residents, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 2, 1931, Vol. 21, No. 14, p. 1, col. 2.

"PREPARE LEGAL WORK BEFORE LAND CAN BE ANNEXED
-----

The Pelham Manor Board of Trustees is expected to announce a definite plan on Monday for the annexation of a 250 foot strip of New York City property to the village.  Village Attorney Edgar C. Beecroft has been preparing the necessary legal papers.  The strip in which there are seventeen residences lies along the southerly boundary of the village between the village line and Pelham Bay Park.

Of the seventeen property owners only one has expressed opposition to the plan to annex the strip to Pelham Manor.  Arthur W. Cole, who maintains a riding school at one end of the 250 strip [sic] is experiencing legal difficulties with the New York City authorities relative to zoning.  It is believed that he can expect even more rigid zoning restrictions if the property is taken into Pelham Manor."

Source:  PREPARE LEGAL WORK BEFORE LAND CAN BE ANNEXED, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 10, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 15, p. 1, col. 1.  

"SCHOOL BOARD LOSES TUITION CASE; BOUNDARY LINE RESIDENCE OWNERS CAN SEND CHILDREN TO LOCAL SCHOOLS
-----
Deputy Commissioner of Education Decides that Parent Can Select Pelham Manor as His Residence When House Is Located on Boundary Line; Property Included in Strip Proposed To Be Annexed to Village.
-----

Reserving the decision of the Board of Education of the Pelhams, Deputy and Acting Commissioner of Education Ernest E. Cole, has declared that tenants of houses on the Pelham Manor village line can send their children to the Pelham schools without payment of tuition.  The decision was handed down at Albany on Saturday.  William L. Ransom was attorney for the appellant Melville T. Chandler, of No. 11 Monroe street.  Tuition fees charged for seven-year-old Adelaide Chandler, daughter of the appellant, were responsible for the suit.  

The action has a bearing on the status of some of the school children residing in the 250 foot strip of property on the northerly boundary of Pelham Bay Park, just across the Pelham Manor village line.  An action is pending to have this property annexed to the village of Pelham Manor.  It was taken into New York City late in the nineteenth century.

Chandler is the owner of a 50 x 125 foot parcel of land which is partially in Peham Manor and partially in New York City.  Inasmuch as an eight foot frontage of his property is within Pelham Manor, and 16% of the house, also, he objected to being charged tuition fees for the attendance of his child at Prospect Hill School.  The Board of Education contended that Chandler paid the greater percentage of school taxes to  New York City, he was not properly a resident of the Pelham school district and should not therefore be entitled to free educational privileges.

Commissioner Cole in his decision dated as follows:

'It has long been held that to acquire a domicile or residence, two things are necessary -- the family residence in a place and the family to make it a home.  Both conditions are present in this case.  The appellant resides in a house that is located partly in said Union Free School District.  We should not indulge in too great refinements in determining just what proportion of the house is located on each side of the line.  The house is a home for residential purposes.  It would not be a dwelling house with the Pelham side eliminated.  Under these circumstances I think that the appellant had the right to choose the place of residence, at least for school purposes, and he has clearly indicated such choice.  Therefore, I find his daughter a legal resident of said Union Free School District for the purpose of school attendance and must be received and instructed in the public schools maintained in said district with no tuition charge.'"

Source:  SCHOOL BOARD LOSES TUITION CASE; BOUNDARY LINE RESIDENCE OWNERS CAN SEND CHILDREN TO LOCAL SCHOOLS, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 31, 1931, Vol. 22, No. 18, p. 1, cols. 7-8.

"SCHOOL PROBLEM FOR PARENTS IN BORDER STRIP
-----
New York City Refuses To Provide Transportation for Pupils in 250 Foot Strip.
-----

Problems of residents of the 250 foot wide 'no man's land' strip between Pelham Manor and Pelham Bay Park were increased last week when the new York City School authorities refused to provide school transportation to children living there because their parents own automobiles.  Thus the parents are forced to take their children to schools several miles across Pelham Bay Park or pay tuition fees in the Pelham schools.  Many have adopted the latter policy, hoping for an adjustment under recent legislation which requires New York City to reimburse the Pelham school district according to the school tax paid on the property.

At the meeting of the Board of Education last Thursday night the case of one parent was cited.  School Trustee William B. Shaw urged that the Pelham Board of Education be lenient with the parent because of financial difficulties.  The father is a native of Pelham was educated in Pelham schools and has been engaged in building construction for several years.  Trustee Shaw recommended that because this man has materially added to the school district income by building several houses, he should be granted an extension of time in paying tuition fees.  The board agreed to accept a note.

A year ago it was proposed by property owners in the strip that the village of Pelham Manor take steps to acquire the property, in order that the residents of this section could gain the benefits of village improvements without paying fees.

The property was formerly part of Pelham Manor, but it was annexed by New York City about thirty years ago when Pelham Bay Park was planned.  A section 250 feet wide along the easterly border of the Park was to have been purchased by the city and a highway around the park constructed thereon.  The city, however, did not follow this plan and a developing company subsequently sold the property in lots. 

The re-annexation plan has not progressed very rapidly.  An investigation was started several months ago to determine how much of the bonded indebtedness of the City of New York was chargeable to the border strip.  However, no report has been made."

Source:   SCHOOL PROBLEM FOR PARENTS IN BORDER STRIP -- New York City Refuses To Provide Transportation for Pupils in 250 Foot Strip, The Pelham Sun, Oct. 21, 1932, Vol. 23, No. 31, p. 13, col. 3.

"PERHAPS IN 1933 WE SHALL SEE . . . 

The annexation to Pelham Manor of the 'No Man's Land strip' across the northerly boundary of Pelham Bay Park so that the residents of this section may gain the benefits of village improvements without the payment of fees. . . ."

Source:   PERHAPS IN 1933 WE SHALL SEE, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 22, 1932, Vol. 23, No. 40, p. 12, cols. 5-6.  

"No Official Approval Of Agreement With N.Y. City On School Pupils
-----

Although press report from New York City has stated that official approval has been given by the City Board of Education to the proposal for an exchange of pupils between Pelham and New York City, President William L. Chenery of the local Board of Education stated last night that he had not received any notification.  The plan for the exchange provides that Pelham schools will accept, without fee, the children residing in the 250 foot 'no man's land' strip across the northerly border of Pelham Bay Park within New York City in exchange for New York City accepting hard-of-hearing pupils at the Elementary School for the Deaf conducted by the City Board of Education."

Source:  No Official Approval Of Agreement With N.Y. City On School Pupils, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 9, 1938, Vol. 28, No. 36, p. 1, col. 6. 

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Earliest Known Use of "Pelhamite" to Reference Residents of Pelham, New York

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Recently, Historic Pelham asked (and attempted to answer) the following:

"Why are we called Pelhamites? Why not "Pelhamanians," "Pelhamians" or "Pelhamers?" Perhaps even "Pelhamaniacs!" How long have we been known as "Pelhamites?" Actually, just what is a Pelhamite? What do the residents of such communities as Pelham, New Hampshire and Pelham, Georgia call themselves? Will we ever really know the answers to such earth-shaking questions as these?"

Source:  Mon., Jul. 13, 2015:  What is a "Pelhamite" and For How Long Have We Been Called That?

That article documented the then-earliest-known use of "Pelhamite" to reference residents of our little town of Pelham, New York. It noted that on October 8, 1910, The Pelham Sun used the term as follows:

"The Town of Pelham, although one of the smallest in the county, did itself proud, for a Pelhamite, Col. F. J. Hoyle, of Pelham Manor, was made permanent chairman of the [Westchester County Democratic] convention, and later our Supervisor, Edgar C. Beecroft, was unanimously chosen as the candidate for District Attorney amid thunderous applause." 

Source: THE COUNTY DEMOCRATS SELECT A GRAND TICKET, The Pelham Sun, Oct. 8, 1910, Vol. 1, No. 27, p. 1, cols. 1-2 (emphasis supplied)

Clearly Pelhamites of Pelham, New York have referred to themselves as such for more than a century. In doing so, however, we may not be as special and unique as we otherwise might have believed. Virtually every other community in the world named "Pelham" also seems to use the demonym "Pelhamite" for its citizens. It seems, therefore, that the term may originate simply from the ease with which it flows as a shorthand reference to someone from Pelham. Indeed, the term certainly seems to flow from the tongue more easily than "Pelhamaniacs."

We now can say with certainty that the earliest use of the term Pelhamite to reference Pelham, New York citizens can be moved back more than thirty years earlier to December 5, 1877.  Indeed, sharp-eyed students of Pelham history may already have noticed this fact.  

In the most recent Historic Pelham article published on Friday, April 6 about the formal installation of Rev. Dr. Henry Randall Waite as the first permanent pastor of the Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church, a newspaper report about the event published that date noted that after the installation ceremony clergymen and other "visitors were entertained by the hospitable Pelhamites at their homes."  See  A HUGUENOT INSTALLATION -- THE NEW CHURCH THAT HAS BEEN ERECTED AT PELHAM MANOR, N. Y. Herald, Dec. 5, 1877, No. 15,080, p. 4, col. 4.

It appears, dear Pelhamites, that we have been referred to as Pelhamites for at least 140 years and likely much longer than that.  Hopefully additional research will push that date back even more!

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John Robert Beecroft and the Beecroft Family of Pelham Manor

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John Robert Beecroft moved to Pelham in about 1881.  He became one of the most famous hymnologists in the United States and served as Superintendent of the Century Company where he oversaw the preparation and publication of hymnals, among other publications, for more than twenty five years.  Beecroft became an active member of the community that, in 1891, incorporated as the Village of Pelham Manor.  According to the minutes of the Pelham Manor Protect Club, a predecessor to village government, Beecroft was elected a member of that group during a meeting on July 9, 1884.  He remained a member of that organization until resigning on January 8, 1891, only a few months before the organization permanently suspended operations due to the impending incorporation of the Village.  

For several years during the 1890s John R. Beecroft was elected to, and served as a Trustee on, the Board of Education of the Pelham Union Free School District No. 1.  He became President of the School Board.  He also was elected local Justice of the Peace although only two weeks after beginning his term on January 1, 1897 he resigned his positions as Justice of the Peace and as President of the School Board.  At the time, it was reported that he resigned the positions "for business reasons, being actively engaged in publishing a new hymn book which he just compiled."  A few months later Beecroft was elected President of the School Board once again, and served in that position for the next few years.

John Robert Beecroft was born in Keston County, Kent, England in May, 1849.  He came to this country as a young man during the late 1860s, likely in about 1869.  For a few years following his arrival he was employed with the publisher A. S. Barnes & Company in Chicago and as a manager of the Scribner Publishing Company of Chicago and, later, an editor of the Century Magazine in Chicago  

On January 16, 1872 Beecroft married Elizabeth Corbett in Cook County, Illinois.  She was born in Philadelphia in 1849.  The couple had their first child, Frederick J. Beecroft, in December of that year. The following year the couple had their second child, William George Beecroft.   Their third son, Edgar Charles Beecroft was born on February 16, 1876.  In October, 1877, their fourth son, Albert Arthur Beecroft, was born.  Soon thereafter, in about May 1879, Beecroft joined the Century Company and moved his family to New York.

John Robert Beecroft in an Undated Photograph

Believed to Have Been Taken Shortly After His

Arrival in New York in About May, 1879.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Elizabeth Corbett in an Undated 

Photograph Taken in About 1869.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

In 1880 the Beecroft family was living in Flushing, Queens County, New York.  About the following year they moved to Pelham.  There the parents had two more children:  Roswell Chester Beecroft (born June 24, 1883) and Mary Beecroft.  

While working at the Century Company in Mount Vernon, New York, Beecroft compiled three important hymnals, the two best known of which are "In Excelsis with Hymns for Christian Worship" and "Hosanna."  He also compiled song books for use in Sunday schools throughout the nation.  

Beecroft and his family lived in the home that stands at 1382 Pelhamdale Avenue.  Beecroft's sons became well-known throughout Pelham as the "Beecroft Boys."  Indeed, when the Town of Pelham began developing today's Shore Park, some said it should be named "Beecroft Beach" because the Beecroft Boys frequented the area to swim so often during the 1890s.  The area was, of course, right around the corner from their home at 1382 Pelhamdale Avenue.

John Beecroft was an active member of the community.  In addition to his service as a School Board Trustee and as President of the School Board, he also was an active member of Christ Church in Pelham Manor, located virtually across the street from his home.  He served as a Warden of the Church.  He also was a member of the New York Athletic Club, The Church Club, The Polo Club, and the Congregational Club.  He also was a Free Mason with the Huguenot Lodge, F. and A. M. of New Rochelle.  

John R. Beecroft died tragically at the age of 53.  His death prompted at least two lawsuits.

On December 19, 1900, Beecroft arrived on a train at the Pelham Manor Depot.  A member of the New York Athletic Club he climbed aboard a stagecoach operated by the club and driven by a driver hired by the club.  As the stagecoach left the Depot Plaza, the driver lost control of the horses.  The stagecoach careened around the corner onto Pelhamdale Avenue, but in passing beneath the railroad bridge that carried the Branch Line tracks over Pelhamdale Avenue, the out-of-control stage cut too close to a stone abutment supporting the bridge.  The rear wheel struck the abutment upsetting the stagecoach and throwing John Beecroft onto the roadway.  Badly injured, Beecroft reportedly lay in the roadway for nearly an hour before help arrived and he was transported to his home several hundred yards away on Pelhamdale Avenue.  I have written before about the terrible stage accident.  See Mon., Apr. 12, 2010:  New York Athletic Club Stage Coach Accident Leads to Death of Pelham Manor Man.  

As weeks passed, Beecroft simply did not get better.  It was determined that he had suffered a broken leg with the break at the thigh.  In late February Beecroft was moved from his home to the Polyclinic Hospital in New York City where physicians operated on Beecroft to repair the leg.  The shock of the operation was too much for Beecroft who reportedly also suffered from kidney disease and, perhaps, rickets.  He lingered in the hospital for nearly two weeks, then died there on March 2, 1901.  His funeral was held at Christ Church on Pelhamdale Avenue in Pelham Manor on March 5, 1901.  The pallbearers at his funeral were R. H. Scott, F. K. Hunter, James McLoughlin, C. A. Van Auken and Walter T. Bell.

After their father's death, William G. Beecroft and Edward C. Beecroft filed a $50,000 lawsuit against the New York Athletic Club as executors of their father's estate.  The lawsuit alleged that Beecroft's death was due to the negligence of the club in hiring an incompetent and "half blind" stage coach driver.  During discovery, an issue arose as to whether Beecroft boarded the stage on his way home from the train station or on his way to a meeting with a New York Athletic Club official.  In a trial held on April 9, 1902, the jury found in favor of the club and rejected the negligence claims.

The executors of Beecroft's estate changed counsel and filed an appeal.  Soon they were granted a new trial on procedural grounds.  On March 2, 1905, a jury rendered a verdict in favor of the Beecroft estate, awarding $9,500 in damages.  

In the meantime, a dispute involving the President of the New York Athletic Club arising out of the Beecroft incident resulted in a lawsuit alleging slander.  It turns out that a New York City political official named Frank A. Hunter, who was a member of the New York Athletic Club and also once had served as Master of the Huguenot Lodge, F. and A. M., New Rochelle (where Beecroft was a member) was questioned by an insurance adjuster about what he knew concerning where John Beecroft was headed in the stagecoach at the time of the accident.  He responded that Beecroft was headed to his home.  Later, at trial, Hunter was called as a witness.  There he testified that Beecroft was on his way from the railroad depot to the New York Athletic Club where he was scheduled to meet with Hunter.

John R. Van Wormer, President of the New York Athletic Club, told a number of people that Hunter had perjured himself at trial, relying on the discrepancies between what he told the insurance adjuster and his trial testimony.  Hunter protested that the Judge at the trial had "exonerated me from any intentional misstatement, declaring that the natural presumption was that when a man left his office he was going home, no matter where he would stop on his way there.  Hunter filed his slander suit against Van Wormer seeking $50,000 in damages.  Sadly, though, research has not yet revealed how the slander suit was resolved.

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Below is the text of a number of articles that touch on the subject of today's article.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.  

"Pelham . . . .

Mr. John R. Beecroft has resigned the positions of justice of the peace and president of the Board of Education.  He has been a school trustee of the town for many years and has done much to raise the standard of the schools.  His term as justice of the peace commenced on January 1st.

Mr. Beecroft resigns these positions of trust for business reasons, being actively engaged in publishing a new hymn book which he just compiled."

Source:  Pelham, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 15, 1897, p. 3, col. 3.  

"JOHN R. BEECROFT DEAD.
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Succumbed to Operation for a Broken Leg -- Was an Authority on Hymnology
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PELHAM MANOR, March 3 -- John R. Beecroft, one of the best known hymnologists in the United States, and for twenty-six years superintendent of the hymn book department of the Century Company, died late Saturday night in the Polyclinic Hospital where he was undergoing an operation on a broken leg.  Mr. Beecroft broke the leg about two months ago while on his way home from the Pelham Manor railway station.  He was a passenger in the stage of the New York Athletic Club, of which he was a member, when the horses ran away.  The stage was thrown against a stone abutment and Mr. Beecroft was thrown out and lay on the highway for about an hour before medical assistance reached him.  His leg was broken near the thigh and did not heal.  About two weeks ago he was taken to New York and operated upon.  The shock following the operation was too much for him, in his weakened condition, and he died of exhaustion of the heart.

Mr. Beecroft was born in Keston County, Kent, England, 53 years ago and came to this country when a young man.  For a few years following his arrival he was employed with A. S. Barnes & Co., publishers of Chicago.  After the consolidation of that corporation with the American Book Company he came to New York where he has since been with the Century Company.  His most prominent work was the compilation of three hymnals.  The best known of these is 'In Excelsis' used in the evangelical churches all over the United States.  This work was followed by 'Hosanna' and by song books for use in Sunday Schools, all published by the Century Company.

Mr. Beecroft had lived in Pelham Manor twenty years.  He had served as president of the Board of Education.  He was a member of the New York Athletic Club, The Church Club, the Congregational Club, and Huguenot Lodge, F. and A. M. of New Rochelle.  His wife, five sons and a daughter survive him.

The funeral of the deceased took place to day from Christ's Church Pelham Manor."

Source:  JOHN R. BEECROFT DEAD -- Succombed to Operation for a Broken Leg -- Was an Authority on Hymnology, Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 5, 1901, p. 4, col. 2.

"OBITUARY.
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JOHN R. BEECROFT.

John R. Beecroft, a well known hymnologist and publisher, died in the Polyclinic Hospital late Saturday night from shock following an operation for a broken leg.  He was injured by being thrown from a stage of the New York Athletic Club in a runaway near his home in Pelham Manor about two months ago.  He was fifty-three years old, and was a member of the New York Athletic, Church, and Congregational clubs.  A widow, five sons and a daughter survive him."

Source:  OBITUARY -- JOHN R. BEECROFT, N.Y. Herald, Mar. 5, 1901, p. 10, col. 6.  

"OBITUARY.
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JOHN R. BEECROFT.

John R. Beecroft, superintendent of the Century Company, died at midnight on Saturday in the Polyclinic Hospital from the shock following an operation for a broken leg.  Mr. Beecroft was injured during the holidays.  He was returning late one night from the Pelham Manor railroad station to his home, when the stage of the New York Athletic Club, in which he was riding, ran into a stone wall.  Mr. Beecroft was thrown out, and when he was picked up and carried home it was found that his right leg was broken near the thigh and that he had sustained other injuries.  He was taken to the hospital about two weeks ago on the advice of the physicians who were attending him, and operated on last week.

Mr. Beecroft was born in Kent, England, in 1848 and came to this country about thirty years ago.  He became identified with the Century Company about twenty-five years ago, and had since been the superintendent of its various publications.  He was well known as a hymnologist, having compiled a number of works, the most prominent of which is his 'In Excelsis', published by the Century Company and used extensively in the Protestant churches throughout the country.  Mr. Beecroft was a member of the New York Athletic, the Church, Congregational and Polo clubs, and also of the Masonic order.  At his home in Pelham Manor he served as president of the Board of Education, and until lately as warden of the Episcopal church.  He leaves a widow, five sons and a daughter.  The funeral was held on Tuesday, at 1:30 p.m., in Christ Church, Pelham Manor, and was very largely attended.  

The pallbearers were R. H. Scott, F. K. Hunter, James McLoughlin, C. A. Van Auken and Walter T. Bell."

Source:  OBITUARY -- JOHN R. BEECROFT, New Rochelle Pioneer, Mar. 9, 1901, p. 3, col. 3.

"PELHAM MANOR ROBBERIES
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Beecroft Brothers Lively Experience with Burglars.
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Pelham Manor is a fruitful and evidently a mighty easy field for the unwelcome operations of burglars.  Many robberies have been committed there recently, but probably the boldest attempt of all was made at 2 A.M. yesterday, when James Beecroft, one of the sons of the late John R. Beecroft, was beaten by burglars in his own home.  Mr. Beecroft, who had been at a Fourth of July celebration, found the front door open when he returned home.  Becoming suspicious he entered the hallway as silently as possible.  As he did so two men sprang out of the parlor and seized him.  One of the burglars struck him a heavy blow on the jaw, while the other felled him with a blackjack.  The noise aroused Fred, an elder brother of James, and he slid down a post from the second story window to the veranda.  The burglars ran from the house.  James, who had recovered quickly, followed them with a shotgun.  He saw Fred in the yard, and thinking he was one of the burglars levelled his gun at him.

'Let up, I'm Fred!'

The brothers then chased the burglars toward the woods, but the latter escaped.

Only a few weeks ago burglars broke into the homes of D. L. Carson, treasurer of the Southern Bell Company; the Rev. A. F. Tenney, rector of Pelham Priory; Prof. A. C. McGiffert, of the Union Theological Seminary, who lost $500 worth of silverware, and J. Hull, of the American Tobacco Company."

Source:  PELHAM MANOR ROBBERIES -- Beecroft Brothers Lively Experience With Burglars, The Daily Standard Union [Brooklyn, NY], Jul. 5, 1901, p. 8, col. 6.  

"JUDGE MILLS WON THE SUIT.
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Defended New York Athletic Club Against Action of Beecroft Estate to Recover $50,000.
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The suit of the heirs of John R. Beecroft of Pelham Manor against the New York Athletic Club for $50,000 damages for the death of Mr. Beecroft on December 19th, 1900 [sic] which was tried in the Supreme yesterday resulted in the jury bringing in a verdict for the defendant this morning.  

The plaintiffs through their counsel former judge George Appell alleged that Mr. Beecroft's death was the result of the negligence of the club.  He was being driven to the clubhouse in one of the Club's stages, when he was thrown out by the stage coming in contact, with an embankment.  Senator Mills was counsel for the club."

Source:  JUDGE MILLS WON THE SUIT -- Defended New York Athletic Club Against Action of Beecroft Estate to Recover $50,000, Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Apr. 10, 1902, Vol. XL, No. 3071, p. 1, col. 3.

"FOR FIFTY THOUSAND DAMAGES.
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The suit of William G. Beecroft and Edward C. Beecroft, as Executors of the will of the late John R. Beecroft, a wealthy clubman [sic] of Pelham Manor, against the New York Athletic Club, for $50,000 for the loss of Mr. Beecroft's life through alleged negligence, was begun before Justice Keogh in the Supreme Court Wednesday morning.

The plaintiffs charge that on December 19, 1900, Beecroft got into the stage owned by the club, to be driven to the Club House, and through the negligence and carelessness of an unskilled driver the state ran into an embankment and he was hurled out; he died in March, 1901.  Beecroft left a widow and six children.  On Thursday the jury found for the defendant."

Source:  FOR FIFTY THOUSAND DAMAGES, New Rochelle Pioneer, Apr. 12, 1902, Vol. XXVII, No. 45, p. 1, col. 3.  

"SUES CLUB PRESIDENT.
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Frank A. Hunter Accuses J. R. Van Wormer of Slander.

Suit for $50,000 has been begun by Frank A. Hunter, of this city, against John R. Van Wormer, president of the New York Athletic Club and secretary of the Lincoln Safe Deposit Co.

The suit is for defamation of character growing out of certain remarks alleged to have been made by the president of the club apropos of testimony that Mr. Hunter had given in the suit for $50,000 brought by the estate of John R. Beecroft against the New York Athletic Club.

According to the filed papers, Mr. Van Wormer on April 9 said in presence of a number of people, 'Hunter perjured himself,' and on another occasion remarked, 'that his testimony at the Beecroft trial was a most excellent piece of perjury.'

The present suit grew out of the death of John R. Beecroft, a member of the club and the religious editor of the 'Century.'  While driving from the clubhouse at Travers Island Mr. Beecroft was thrown out of the carriage and killed.  His heirs claimed that the club had employed a half blind driver and that the accident was due to his driving against one of the buttresses of the railroad bridge.

'Mr. Beecroft carried some insurance,' said Mr. Hunter, 'and when an adjuster came to me with some printed questions asking me to answer them I wrote in answer to the question, 'Where was he going when the accident occurred?' that 'He was going home.'  I was subpoened [sic] at the trial and the same question was asked me.  I replied that he was going to the club, and that he had an appointment with me.

'Despite the fact that Judge Keogh exonerated me from any intentional misstatement, declaring that the natural presumption was that when a man left his office he was going home, no matter where he would stop on his way there, this man has made statements that have led me to bring this suit.'

Mr. Hunter is a well known resident of this city.  He has taken an active part in politics and is Past Master of Huguenot Lodge, F. & A. M."

Source:   SUES CLUB PRESIDENT -- Frank A. Hunter Accuses J. R. Van Wormer of Slander, New Rochelle Pioneer, Mar. 14, 1903, Vol. 44, No. 52, p. 1, col. 6.

"APPELLATE COURT. . . . 

William G. Beecroft and Edgar C. Beecroft, as executors, etc., of John R. Beecroft, deceased, respondents, vs. the New York Athletic Club of the City of New York, appellant.  Judgment and order affirmed, on the opinion of Mr. Justice Keogh, with costs.  Goodrich, P. J.P.; Bartlett, Woodward, Hirschberg and Hooker, JJ., concur."

Source:  APPELLATE COURT, Mar. 27, 1903, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Mar. 27, 1903, p. 6, col. 5.  

"AWARDED $9,500 FOR HUSBAND'S LIFE.
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Widow of John R. Beecroft Secures Verdict from N. Y. Athletic Club.
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White Plains.  March 2 -- The jury in the suit of the widow of John R. Beecroft against the New York Athletic club rendered a verdict today awarding the plaintiff $9,500 in damages.  She had sued for $50,000.

Beecroft was a member of the club.  He visited Travers Island one day.  On the way to the clubhouse the driver of the station wagon ran into an abutment of a railroad bridge, and Mr. Beecroft was thrown out and fatally injured."

Source:  AWARDED $9,500 FOR HUSBAND'S LIFE -- Widow of John R. Beecroft Secures Verdict from N. Y. Athletic Club, The Morning Call [Paterson, NJ], Mar. 3, 1905, Vol. XLVI, No. 53, p. 5, col. 1.  

"A GREAT LEGAL VICTORY FOR LOCAL ATTORNEY
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NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB MUST PAY LARGE DAMAGES.
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A very interesting action from a legal standpoint was tried before the Supreme Court at White Plains during the past week, the case took the entire week, to try, and attracted the large audience of lawyers owing to the many interesting and difficult questions of law involved, which had never before been argued in a court.

Old Mr. John R. Beecroft, who was a member of the New York Athletic Club, was riding home from the Pelham Manor Railroad Station to the club house on Travers Island in December 1900, and the wheel of the wagon collided with the abutment of the railroad bridge under which it was going at the time.  Mr. Beecroft was thrown from the wagon and fractured his leg.  Several months afterward he died, and his executors commenced an action against the club to recover damages claiming that while a long time had elapsed between the accident and the death, nevertheless, his death was traceable to the injury.

The club vigorously contested the matter showing that at the time of the injury Mr. Beecroft was being driven to his home and not to the club at all, which it proved by several witnesses, and further that Mr. Beecroft was an aged man and did not die of the injury, but of brights disease of the kidneys from which they proved by the Doctors he had suffered for a long time; they also proved that Mr. Beecroft had what is known as rickets of the bones making them very brittle and liable to break easily, and, in any event the collision of the wagon wheel with the bridge abutment was not the fault of the club.

Upon the first trial before the Supreme Court in April, 1902, the club won the case.  Then Mrs. Beecroft and her sons secured the legal services of Judge M. J. Tierney, of this city, and an appeal was taken and a new trial secured.  This new trial was had during all the past week before the Supreme Court at White Plains, Mr. Tierney trying the case for Mrs. Beecroft, and won her a verdict from the jury of nine thousand five hundred dollars.  The trial was a great contest of legal skill in the handling of the many difficult questions and fine distinctions, in which Mr. Tierney seems to be fully at home.

He certainly deserves congratulations upon this splendid victory.

The lawyers for the club were former Judge Mills of Mount Vernon, and Mr. John C. Gulick of New York City.  It is a happy result for Mrs. Beecroft."

Source:  A GREAT LEGAL VICTORY FOR LOCAL ATTORNEY -- NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB MUST PAY LARGE DAMAGES, New Rochelle Pioneer, Mr. 4, 1905, Vol. XXX, No. 39, p. 1, col. 2.  

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