Rare Map Published in 1874 on Behalf of the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association
On May 26, 2016, Swann Auction Galleries in New York City conducted Sale 2417 of "Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books." Lot 111 in that auction was described as follows:
"Sale 2417 Lot 111
(NEW YORK CITY.) Pelham Manor and Huguenot Heights.
Lithographed folding map, with small portion of hand-coloring. 32 1/2 x 21 1/4 inches. New York: Pelham Manor and Huguenot Heights Association, [1874]
Estimate $200 - 300"
The pre-auction sales price estimate of $200 to $300 for the map was far too low. The map sold for $750, with the buyer's premium bringing the total to $938.
Only a few copies of the map sold during the auction still exist. One copy is held by the New York Public Library in its "Maps of New York City and State" in the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division. See "Pelham Manor and Huguenot Heights Association [Map]" in "New York City" Sub-Collection of the "Maps of New York City and State" Collection of the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division of the New York Public Library (1874) (Available via The New York City Public Library Digital Collections).
The map was an advertising map, sometimes used as an advertising handbill, published on behalf of the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association in 1874. I have written about the map before. See Wed., Jan. 14, 2015: 1874 Handbill Advertising Homes, Lots, and Securities for Sale by the Pelham Manor And Huguenot Heights Association. I am including higher resolution images of the map and details of the map, plus additional information about the map, in today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog.
Much of the land in the Chestnut Grove Division of the Development devolved to Silas Witherbee's headstrong daughter, Mary Witherbee, who married Robert C. Black of famed Fifth Avenue Jeweler Black, Starr & Frost. Mary Black and her husband, Robert Black, thereafter worked tirelessly to develop the area that became known as Pelham Manor. Indeed, at the time of his death in 1889, Silas Witherbee was helping his daughter arrange the opening of "Pelham Hall", also known as Mrs. Hazen's School for Girls in a home owned by the Black family. The intent was to develop a notable school to attract home purchasers to the tiny settlement of Pelham Manor with the vast majority of its proposed lots still unsold at the time.
Wed., Jul. 30, 2014: Yet Another Attempt in 1894 to Resurrect the Glory Days of Coaching to Pelham.
Mon., Jul. 29, 2014: Wonderful Description of Coaching to Pelham on the Tally-Ho's First Trip of the Season on May 1, 1882.
Wed., Apr. 14, 2010: Col. Delancey Kane Changes the Timing and Route of The Pelham Coach in 1876.
Tue., Sep. 08, 2009: 1877 Advertisement with Timetable for the Tally Ho Coach to Pelham.
Mon., Mar. 23, 2009: The Greyhound and the Tantivy-- The Four-in-Hand Coaches that Succeeded Col. Delancey Kane's "Tally-Ho" to Pelham.
Fri., Jan. 16, 2009: The Final Trip of the First Season of Col. Delancey Kane's "New-Rochelle and Pelham Four-in-Hand Coach Line" in 1876.
Thu., Jan. 15, 2009: The First Trip of Col. Delancey Kane's "New-Rochelle and Pelham Four-in-Hand Coach Line" on May 1, 1876.
Thu., Mar. 06, 2008: Auctioning the Tantivy's Horses at the Close of the 1886 Coaching Season.
Wed., Mar. 05, 2008: Coaching to Pelham: The Tantivy Has an Accident on its Way to Pelham in 1886.
Thu., Jan. 24, 2008: An Account of the First Trip of Colonel Delancey Kane's Tally-Ho to Open the 1880 Coaching Season.
Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008: Brief "History of Coaching" Published in 1891 Shows Ties of Sport to Pelham, New York
Thursday, August 3, 2006: Images of Colonel Delancey Kane and His "Pelham Coach" Published in 1878.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005: Taunting the Tantivy Coach on its Way to Pelham: 1886.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005: 1882 Engraving Shows Opening of Coaching Season From Hotel Brunswick to Pelham Bridge.
Thu., Jun. 09, 2005: Coaching to Pelham: Colonel Delancey Astor Kane Did Not Operate the Only Coach to Pelham.
Fri., Feb. 11, 2005: Col. Delancey Kane's "Pelham Coach", Also Known as The Tally-Ho, Is Located.
The dark line is significant. It demonstrates something on which I never have focused. Although it long has been known that Col. Delancey Kane's route for the Pelham Coach proceeded for many years in the 1870s and 1880s along today's Shore Road and Pelham Road in New Rochelle, this map indicates that in 1874 the stage made it to New Rochelle then looped back to the Boston Post Road and proceeded to and then onto Pelhamdale Avenue back to Shore Road. I never had any idea that a portion of the route of the Pelham Coach included part of today's Pelhamdale Avenue from Boston Post Road to Shore Road -- the same historic stretch along which the Pelham Manor Trolley that inspired the Toonerville Trolley in the comic strip "Toonerville Folks" later traveled.
Other Examples of 1874 Advertisements by the Association
As noted above, the 1874 map / handbill that is the subject of today's article was not the only advertisement published by the Association in 1874. Below are several additional examples of advertisements placed in a variety of periodicals in 1874 by the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association.
The full page advertisement immediately below is very similar to -- but nevertheless different from -- the map that is the subject of today's article. Also published in 1874, this full page advertisement includes the main map and two of the three detail images that were included in the map / handbill also published in 1874.
Note that at the Very Bottom of the Advertisement is the
Following Statement: "Copies of this map, suitable for
mounting, to be had gratuitously on personal application
to the agents of the Association." This Likely is a Reference
to the Map that is the Subject of Today's Article.
"PELHAM MANOR AND HUGUENOT HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION.
Organized under the Laws of the State of New York.
OFFICERS:
S. H. WITHERBEE, President.
C.J. STEPHENS, Secy.
H.C. STEPHENS, Treasurer.
R. M. MITCHILL, Sup't.
E. G. SPILSBURY, Engineer.
-----
This Association has been formed and legally incorporated for the purpose of most effectively combining capital and skill in the control and improvement of such a large body of land as should, by its NATURAL ADVANTAGES and SUPERIOR ACCESSIBILITY from the BUSINESS CENTERS of NEW YORK CITY, be found most adaptable for sub-division into VILLA PLOTS, and therein provide, at a moderate cost to every purchaser, a foundation for a SUBURBAN HOME, or for PROFITABLE INVESTMENT that would surely commend itself to public favor.
As fully satisfying these various objects, several estates, comprising 500 ACRES OF CHOICE LAND, adjacent to the new metropolitan limits, are finally consolidated and being improved as one whole, under the ownership of this Corporation, who now invite the attention of the public to a NEW SUBURB so regulated as to guarantee to those who shall early purchase LAND PORTIONS or STOCK SHARES therein, a COMBINATION OF ADVANTAGES seldom equalled.
NEW YORK OFFICE, with STEPHENS BROTHERS & CO., 187 Broadway, between Cortlandt and Dey streets.
BEAUTIFUL SUBURB!
'PELHAM MANOR & HUGUENOT HEIGHTS'
EIGHT MILES only from HARLEM RIVER.
-----
TIME VIA EXPRESS BOATS & H.R.R. PORTCHESTER R.R.
FROM FULTON ST. TO PELHAM MANOR
ONLY 35 MINUTES.
TIME VIA N.Y. NEW HAVEN & HARTFORD R.R.
FROM GRAND CENTRAL DEPOT TO HUGUENOT HEIGHTS
ONLY 36 MINUTES.
MAP SHOWING LOCATION OF LANDS OF THE PELHAM MANOR AND HUGUENOT HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION, AND THEIR RAILROAD COMMUNICATIONS WITH NEW YORK CITY.
-----
THE PROPERTY is situated in the Township of PELHAM, WESTCHESTER COUNTY, Eight Miles only from the centre of New York City, extending from the New Haven Railroad on the north to the picturesque shores of the Sound on the south. The natural characteristics of this GRAND CONSOLIDATED TRACT OF LAND are, in part, its diversified and inspiring landscape (nearly all of which is beautifully wooded), culminating in a multiplication of CHARMING VILLA SITES, and crowned by HEIGHTS which command views of the Sound and the Hudson Highlands; -- its salubrious atmosphere and remarkably pure and abundant spring waters; -- its fertile soil of sandy loam, entirely free, through the natural subsoil drainage, from malarious exhalations; -- its southeasterly exposure and proximity to the sheltered Sound, warding off the extremes of both Winter and Summer; -- with a well-proven record through the present century of almost PERFECT HEALTH of its inhabitants; -- all these, combined with other conspicuous advantages, make this portion of Old Westchester County PECULIARLY FAVORABLE FOR HOME SETTLEMENT, AND RESIDENCE THE YEAR ROUND.
SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, &c. Of the excellent institutions in the immediate neighborhood, is the far and worthily famed 'PELHAM PRIORY,' attractive in its School and English Church; whilst in the vicinity are several other good Churches and Schools of various denominations. Also, northeast from and nearly adjoining the lands of this Association may be found 'HUGUENOT PARK,' with its beautiful Villas, Avenues, and Lakes. Again, half a mile beyond 'Pelham Manor,' upon the very romantic Sea-shore Road, is situated the spacious and well-appointed 'Neptune House,' which is largely patronized by the best classes.
COMMUNICATIONS, DRIVES, &c. Further, the local and carriage drive communications of this excellent suburb deserve mention. In addition to the fine avenues (one a perfect Esplanade, one hundred feet in width) already made or under construction by this Association, and running through its lands and centrally intersecting therein, are two great East-and-West and North-and-South Highways, -- namely, the Boston Boulevard and Pelhamdale Avenue, which latter avenue is the direct thoroughfare between the CAPTIVATING SEA-SHORE and the large and thriving community of MOUNT VERNON, whilst the Boulevard affords a straight and splendid drive to New Rochelle, and other prosperous towns beyond, or in the other direction to New York City.
RAILROAD FACILITIES. But of still greater importance are the remarkable Railroad facilities possessed by 'Pelham Manor' and 'Huguenot Heights,' rendering either more accessible from City Hall than are many parts of the city itself, actually nearer. 36 TRAINS DAILY. First, on the main line of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, on the northern boundary of this New Town site, is a station, served by Twenty-three Passenger Trains Daily, stopping but twice between Pelhamville and 43d Street; -- thus giving direct access in THIRTY-FIVE MINUTES' TIME ONLY TO THE GRAND CENTRAL DEPOT. Besides this liberal service, the southerly portion of this suburb is traversed by the NEW AIR LINE EXTENSION, or HARLEM RIVER BRANCH OF THE NEW HAVEN RAILROAD, with Thirteen Daily Trains between 'Pelham Manor' Station AND THE HARLEM RIVER TERMINUS OF THE GREAT RAILWAY BOULEVARD, where close connection is made with the Express Boats of the Morrisania Steamboat Company, which in about half an hour land their passengers at Fulton Slip, the southerly and Business end of the Great Metropolis. By this unequalled route, residents are enabled to leave their homes at Pelham, and reach offices and stores below Canal street, in New York City, in about ONE HOUR'S TIME; thus realizing for this Suburb at least the mmuch coveted RAPID TRANSIT.
CHOICE OF ROUTES. Let it be specially noted that the Commuter, residing at either Pelham Manor or Huguenot Heights, has the valuable privilege of choice of Routes (from day to day as convenience may dictate), the one terminating Down Town and the other at Forty-second Street.
THE LANDS offerred by this Association are subdivided, as the Topography best admits, into Plot, varying in size from Three to Twenty City Lots, -- Inverstment in which, at present prices, is certain to increase in value with each successive year.
The undersigned will cheerfully furnish all further particulars, as well as full facilities for personal inspection of the Company's Lands.
June, 1874.
R. M. MITCHILL, Sup't, Pelham, N. Y.
STEPHENS BROTHERS & CO., Managers.
187 Broadway (first floor), New York City.
-----
Copies of this map, suitable for mounting, to be had gratuitously on personal application to the agents of the Association."
Source: PELHAM MANOR AND HUGUENOT HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION [Advertisement], The Daily Graphic [NY, NY], Jun. 12, 1874, p. 785, cols. 1-2.
Immediately below is a second advertisement published at about the same time.
August 26, 1874 Advertisement from The Daily Graphic
Quoted in Full Immediately Below with Citation and Link.
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
Finally, below is a third advertisement that appeared in the Evening Telegraph at about the same time.
"PELHAM MANOR AND HUGUENOT HEIGHTS,
Midway Between Mount Vernon and New Rochelle.
Eight miles only from the Territorial Centre of New York city. A new and delightful suburb, unsurpassed in neighborhood and healthfulness. Noted for its natural beauty, picturesque water and inland views, and offering unusual advantages in accessibility from the Business Centres of the Great Metropolis. RAPID TRANSIT now secured by two railroads and thirty-six trains daily to both Central and Lower New York. Thirty-five minutes from Grand Central Depot, via New Haven Railroad. One hour only from Wall street, via Express Boats on the East River and the Harlem River Branch Railroad. One Commutation Ticket, good on both routes. The property of THE PELHAM MANOR AND HUGUENOT HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION comprises 500 acres (nearly one mile square), extending from the main line of the New Haven Railroad to Long Island Sound, of which three divisions, viz.: -- 'Pleasant Ridge,' 'Glen Mitchill,' and 'Chestnut Grove' (in the order named, commencing on the north), aggregating about 170 acres, have been topographically plotted, and the grading of the avenues thereon is rapidly going forward. The attention of all invited to the many Choice Plots, varying in size from three city lots to as many or more acres, now for sale by us at Low Prices and on Liberal Terms. EXCURSIONS from New York Office to Manor and Heights every pleasant afternoon. Apply for new Map of city and lower Westchester, prospectus of the association, diagrams of property, &c., to STEPHENS BROTHERS & CO., Managers, 187 Broadway, N.Y."
Source: PELHAM MANOR AND HUGUENOT HEIGHTS [Advertisement], Evening Telegram [NY, NY], Aug. 27, 1874, p. 3, cols. 3-4.
* * * * *
I have written on numerous occasions about the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association, as well as the development of the suburb that came to be known as Pelham Manor. For examples, see:
Bell, Blake A., The Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XV, Issue 1, Jan. 6, 2006.
Wed., Jan. 14, 2015: 1874 Handbill Advertising Homes, Lots, and Securities for Sale by the Pelham Manor And Huguenot Heights Association.
Tue., Jun. 17, 2014: 1875 Real Estate Sales Brochure for New Suburb of Pelham Manor Being Marketed by the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association.
Fri., Feb. 21, 2014: More About Edmund Gybbon Spilsbury Who Served as Engineer for the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association.
Tue., Jul. 19, 2011: 1876 Newspaper AdvertisementTouting Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association Real Estate.
Wed., May 19, 2010: Obituary of Charles J. Stephens of the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association.
Tue., May 18, 2010: 1874 Newspaper Advertisement Touting Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association Real Estate.
Mon., May 17, 2010: Jessup Family Members Tried in 1909 to Take Back Some of the Lands Conveyed to Form the Lands Developed by the Pelham Manor and Huguenot Heights Association.
Fri., May 14, 2010: 1885 Article on Alleged Failure to Develop Pelham Manor Said the Development "At Best Resembles the Collapse of a Wild Cat Land Scheme."
Wed., Nov. 11, 2009: 1874 Evening Telegram Advertisement for Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Development.
Thu., Apr. 09, 2009: The Death of Charles J. Stephens in City of Mexico in 1891.
Mon., Mar. 2, 2009: 1884 Advertisement Placed by Charles J. Stephens of the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association Offering Home for Rent.
Tue., Jun. 20, 2006: Mystery - A Lawsuit Filed Against the Dissolved Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association in 1915.
Mon., Jun. 12, 2006: Early Deed of Land to the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association.
Fri., May 26, 2006: The 27th Conference on New York State History Will Include Presentation of Paper on Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association.
Wed., May 10, 2006: Horace Crosby, the Civil Engineer Who Laid Out the Chestnut Grove Division for the Pelham Manor & Hueguenot Heights Association in the 1870s.
Mon., May 8, 2006: Edmund Gybbon Spilsbury Who Served as Engineer for the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association.
Tue., Apr. 18, 2006: Prospectus Issued by the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association in 1874.
Mon., Mar. 27, 2006: 1057 Esplanade: One of the Original Homes Built by the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association.
Mon., Mar. 20, 2006: Charles J. Stephens and Henry C. Stephens of the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association.
Tue., Feb. 21, 2006: Silas H. Witherbee and His Influence on the Village of Pelham Manor.
Thu., Dec. 22, 2005: Area Planned for Development by The Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association in 1873.
Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Labels: 1874, Charles J. Stephens, Edmund Gybbon Spilsbury, Henry C. Stephens, Pelham Manor and Huguenot Heights Association, R. M. Mitchill, Real Estate, Real Estate Advertisement, Silas H. Witherbee