Horton Family Application for Underwater Land Grant in 1855 to Build a Dock in Pelham

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In 1855, the tiny little Town of Pelham had a population of only about 600 people, most of whom lived on City Island.  City Island only then was becoming a small maritime center for oystermen, ship repair, fishing, and regional amusement and resort fishing.  Much of the southern tip of the island was still held by members of the Horton Family including Stephen Decatur Horton and George Washington Horton.

Stephen Decatur Horton and his wife, Caroline Lucilia (Skidmore) Horton, were important early settlers of City Island in the Town of Pelham.  Stephen D. Horton, born January 18, 1821 and died October 23, 1900, became a notable Hellgate Pilot during the mid-1870s.  Stephen and Caroline Horton, an affluent local couple, eventually built a lovely mansion on Belden point at the southern tip of City Island known simply as "The Mansion."  See Fri., Jul. 10, 2015:  The Mansion Built by Stephen Decatur Horton and His Wife on Belden Point, City Island, Town of Pelham.

"Stephen Decatur Horton" and "Caroline Lucilia (Skidmore)

Horton" Source: Pelletreau, William S., Historic Homes and

Institutions And Genealogical and Family History of New York,

Vol. II, p. between pp. 204-05 (New York and Chicago: The Lewis

Publishing Company, 1907). NOTE: Click Image to Enlarge.

Stephen Decatur Horton's father, George W. Horton, was born February 21, 1786. He died September 22, 1860.  He married Elizabeth Horton, April 24, 1813. She, in turn, was born April 6, 1794 and died in June, 1861. Among the children of the couple was Stephen Decatur Horton (see above) and George W. Horton, Jr. who was born June 27, 1827.  See Tue., Oct. 28, 2014:  Genealogical and Biographical Information Regarding George Washington Horton and His Family, Early Settlers of City Island in the Town of Pelham.  See also Tue., Jul. 11, 2006:  Genealogical and Family History Information Regarding Members of the Horton Family of City Island, Once Part of Pelham.

"Old George W. Horton Homestead. Foot of Main Street, City

Island. Borough of Bronx. New York." Source: Pelletreau,

William S., Historic Homes and Institutions And Genealogical

and Family History of New York, Vol. II, p. between pp. 202-03

(New York and Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907).

NOTE: Click Image to Enlarge.

In early 1855, it appears that the two brothers, George W. Horton, Jr. and Stephen D. Horton joined forces to develope one of the first commercial docks in the Town of Pelham at the southern end of what then was called "Main Street" at the southeastern tip of City Island.  The pair repeatedly published a legal notice in regional newspapers dated February 28, 1855.  (It must be noted that George W. Horton, Sr. was still alive at the time, so it is possible that it was him and his son who published the notice, although evidence suggests it was the two brothers.) The notice provided public notification that the pair would appear before the Commissioners of the Land Office at the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of New York in Albany on April 10, 1855 to seek a "grant in perpetuity" of "land under the waters below high water mark" in Long Island Sound at the southern tip of City Island.  The purpose of the grant they sought, according to the legal notice, was "the purpose of promoting the commerce of the State, by erecting a Dock thereon."

The underwater land the pair sought was described in the notice as follows:

"adjacent to land bounded southerly and easterly by the waters of the Sound, northerly by land belonging to the heirs of Samuel Bowne, deceased, and westerly by the waters of the Sound and land of Franklin Arcularius -- of which the subscribers are the owners and proprietors and the actual occupants, for the purpose of promoting the commerce of the State, by erecting a Dock thereon, viz:  Beginning at a point at ordinary high water mark, 34 feet south-east of Main avenue, on City Island; thence from a point at high water mark, opposite the south-easterly termination of Main avenue on City Island, south 28 degrees 35 minutes east, 170 feet into the Sound; thence south 61 degrees 25 minutes west, 40 feet; thence north 28 degrees 35 minutes west, 40 feet; thence north 61 degrees 25 minutes east, 14 feet; thence north 28 degrees 35 minutes west, 126 feet, to a point on the shore, at ordinary high water mark; thence north 54 degrees east, 26 1/4 feet, to the place of beginning -- containing eleven one hundredths of an acre of land."

Of course, a dock was, indeed, built at that location.  The map detail below, from a map published in 1868, shows a dock at that location, perhaps the first commercial dock built in the Town of Pelham.

Detail of Map Published in 1868 Showing Dock Extending from

Stephen D. Horton's Land at Southern Tip of City Island in the

Town of Pelham.  Source:  Beers, F. W., "City Island, Pelham

Township, Westchester Co., N. Y. [With] Town of Pelham, Westchester

Co., N. Y." in Atlas of New York and Vicinity, pg. 35 (NY, NY:  Beers,

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

Legal Notice for Application to Obtain Underwater Lands

Dated February 28, 1855.  Source:  NOTICE OF APPLICATION

[Legal Notice], The Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY],

Mar. 9, 1855, Vol. X, No. 43, p. 4, col. 6.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"NOTICE OF APPLICATION for

GRANT OF LAND UNDER WATER -- Notice is hereby given, that application will be made by the subscribers to the Commissioners of the Land Office, at the office of the Secretary of State in the city of Albany, on the 10th day of April, A. D., 1855, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, for a grant in perpetuity of the following described land under the waters below high water mark of the waters of Long Island Sound, at City Island, in the town of Pelham, in the County of Westchester, adjacent to land bounded southerly and easterly by the waters of the Sound, northerly by land belonging to the heirs of Samuel Bowne, deceased, and westerly by the waters of the Sound and land of Franklin Arcularius -- of which the subscribers are the owners and proprietors and the actual occupants, for the purpose of promoting the commerce of the State, by erecting a Dock thereon, viz:  Beginning at a point at ordinary high water mark, 34 feet south-east of Main avenue, on City Island; thence from a point at high water mark, opposite the south-easterly termination of Main avenue on City Island, south 28 degrees 35 minutes east, 170 feet into the Sound; thence south 61 degrees 25 minutes west, 40 feet; thence north 28 degrees 35 minutes west, 40 feet; thence north 61 degrees 25 minutes east, 14 feet; thence north 28 degrees 35 minutes west, 126 feet, to a point on the shore, at ordinary high water mark; thence north 54 degrees east, 26 1/4 feet, to the place of beginning -- containing eleven one hundredths of an acre of land. -- Dated Feb. 28, 1855.

GEORGE W. HORTON,
STEPHEN D. HORTON.

42w7"

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More on Efforts to Divide Pelham Into Two Towns During the Late 1850s

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During the mid-19th century, the Town of Pelham was split into two principal camps:  the islanders versus the mainlanders.  The principal population of the Town at that time lived on City Island.  The population on the mainland, however, was growing. The mainlanders began to chafe at the refusal of City Islanders to vote in favor of authorizing funds to improve roads and infrastructure on the mainland. 

As I have written before, during the late 1850s, there was an initiative by many of the most illustrious mainland residents to have the Westchester County Board of Supervisors split the Town of Pelham into two towns. 

Eventually, the proposal was to create a then-unnamed town consisting of City Island, Hart Island, and High Island (and their "appurtenances") and a second town consisting of the mainland, Hunter's Island, the Twins (and their "appurtenances").  In 1859 an application was made to the Board of Supervisors by members of the Marshall, Morris, Bartow, Grenzebach, Coudert, Roosevelt, Hunter, Schuyler, and Secor Families, among others, to have the town split along these lines.  

I have written before about this multi-year campaign to split the Town of Pelham into two towns.  See, e.g.:  

Thu., Feb. 16, 2017:  Pelham Mainlanders Wouldn't Give Up: More Efforts to Split the Town in Two During 1859.

Fri., Jul. 15, 2016:  Efforts to Divide the Town of Pelham Into Two Towns Began as Early as 1856. 

Mon., Mar. 09, 2015:  The Feud Between Mainlanders And City Islanders in the Town of Pelham Turned Ugly in 1859.

Although we know that the Town of Pelham was not split into two towns at that time, research has not yet revealed the precise manner in which the petition to divide Pelham was resolved.  As I have noted before, however, one possibility is that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Westchester may not have had the authority to enact such legislation.  Only the State of New York had such authority since the Town of Pelham and its boundaries were created by State statute in 1788, as reaffirmed by State statute in 1827, defining the "limits and divisions" of the Town of Pelham. See Mon., May 07, 2007 1827:  Statute Defining the "Limits and Divisions" of the Town of Pelham.

Today's Historic Pelham article documents the fruits of additional research on the failed efforts to divide Pelham into two towns.

It now is clear, as one might have suspected, that the citizens of City Island, Hart Island, and High Island fought back against the initiative over a period of years.

The Board of Supervisors of the County of Westchester appears to have rejected the initiative, at least initially, as early as 1856.  Thus, on Tuesday, November 18, 1856, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Westchester met in White Plains.  During the meeting, the Supervisor of White Plains who also was a member of the Board's Judiciary Committee, John J. Clapp, summarized the situation involving a petition received from Pelham residents who wanted to divide the Town into two towns and a "remonstrance" from Pelham residents who opposed the initiative.

Mr. Clapp then presented a report on the matter recommending against the division of the Town of Pelham.  According to records of the Board, "On motion, the Report was agreed to by the Board."  (Emphasis in original.)

The Board's agreement with the report read by John J. Clapp of the Judiciary Committee does not, however, seem to have ended the matter.  The initiative clearly continued well into 1859, though there remain gaps in the historical record that must be filled in as best possible. 

On November 17, 1859, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Westchester met pursuant to adjournment.  At the time, the Supervisor of the Town of Pelham was Samuel Lippencott.  

During the meeting, the Town Supervisor of the then-Town of New Rochelle, Thaddeus Davids, presented a "remonstrance" of citizens of the Town of Pelham opposing division of the town.  It is interesting that the remonstrance was presented to the County Board by the Supervisor of the Town of New Rochelle and not Samuel Lippencott, the Supervisor of the Town of Pelham.  The record of the meeting indicates only that a "quorum" was present, without indicating which Supervisors attended.  Thus, it is possible that Lippencott was not present.  Of course, it also is possible that Lippencott was attempting to maintain an appearance of impartiality in the matter because, as Town Supervisor, he represented all of the citizens of Pelham including, of course, both mainlanders and islanders.  Lippencott's name does not appear in any of the published newspaper legal notices giving notice of the proposal to divide the Town of Pelham, though the names of many supporters of the measure were included in such notices.

Interestingly, Samuel Lippencott most likely opposed the initiative to split the Town as he was a "carpenter" who lived with his wife and family on City Island.  See Mon., Nov. 02, 2015:  Samuel Lippincott, Town Supervisor of Pelham in 1859, 1860, and 1861.  It would not be unreasonable to assume that Lippencott made his views on the initiative known to his fellow members of the County Board.  

The County Board received the remonstrance from Mr. Davids and immediately referred it to the Judiciary Committee for consideration.

Map of Town of Pelham with Inset of City Island, 1868.

Source:  Beers, F.W., Atlas of New York and Vicinity, p. 35

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

*          *          *           *           *

"Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors.
-----
ANNUAL SESSION, NOVEMBER, 1856.
-----
Members of the Board.

Bedford........................Truman Clark.
Cortlandt......................Frost Horton.
East Chester,................Darius Lyon.
Greenburgh,.................Seth Bird.
Harrison,......................Daniel W. Gray.
Lewisboro,...................Daniel Hunt.
Mamaroneck,...............John Morrell.
Mount Pleasant,...........Henry E. Paulding.
Morrisania,..................Gouverneur Morris.
New Castle,.................John Y. Haight.
New Rochelle,.............Thaddeus Davids.
North Castle,...............Charles Purdy.
North Salem,...............Isaac H. Purdy.
Ossining,.....................John F. Purdy.
Pelham,.......................George W. Horton.
Poundridge,.................Alsop H. Lockwood.
Rye,.............................John E. Marshall.
Somers,.......................Joseph Reynolds.
Scarsdale,...................Francis Secor.
West Chester,..............Abraham Hatfield.
West Farms,................Samuel M. Purdy.
White Plains,...............John J. Clapp.
Yonkers,......................William W. Scrugham.
Yorktown,....................Samuel Fowler.
-----
Chairman,
Hon. DANIEL HUNT.
Clerk,
HIRAM P. ROWEL, Esq.
-----

Tuesday, Nov. 18.

The Board met pursuant to adjournment.

-- Mr. Hunt, in the Chair, and a quorum present. . . . 

Mr. Clapp, from the Judiciary Committee, . . . to whom were referred the petition for and the remonstrance against the division of the town of Pelham, presented a Report, against dividing said town.  On motion, the Report was agreed to by the Board. . . ."

Source:  Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors -- ANNUAL SESSION, NOVEMBER, 1856, Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Dec. 19, 1856, Vol. XII, No. 32, p. 2, cols. 5-7.

"BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 
WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
-----
November Session, 1859.
CHAIRMAN -- ALSOP H. LOCKWOOD, Esq.
CLERK -- E.O. SUTHERLAND.
-----

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:

TOWNS.                        NAMES.
Bedford,........................HEZEKIAH D. ROBERTSON.
Cortlandt,......................OWEN T. COFFIN.
East Chester,................DARIUS LYON.
Greenburgh,.................CHARLES W. LITTLE.
Harrison,......................SAMUEL HOPPER.
Lewisboro,...................DANIEL HUNT.
Mamaroneck,...............WILLIAM L. BARKER.
Mount Pleasant,..........ISAAC M. TWITCHINGS.
Morrisania,..................WILLIAM CAULDWELL.
New Castle,.................DANIEL HALLOUCK.
New Rochelle,.............THADDEUS DAVIDS.
North Castle,...............CHARLES PURDY.
North Salem,...............GILBERT F. BAILY.
Ossining,.....................GEORGE A. BRANDRETH.
Pelham,.......................SAMUEL LIPPENCOTT.
Poundridge,.................ALSOP H. LOCKWOODK.
Rye,.............................JOHN K. MARSHALL.
Scarsdale,...................FRANCIS SECOR.
Somers,......................WILLIAM MARSHALL, JR.
West Chester,..............ABRAHAM HATFIELD.
West Farms,................JOHN BUSSING.
White Plains,...............GILBERT S. LYON.
Yonkers,......................AUG. VAN CORTLANDT.
Yorktown,....................BENJAMIN D. MILLER.
-----

WHITE PLAINS, Thursday, Nov. 17.

The Board met pursuant to adjournment -- Mr. Lockwood in the Chair, and a quorum present. . . .

Mr. Davids presented the remonstrance of citizens of the town of Pelham against the division of said town, which was referred to the Judiciary Committee. . . ."

Source:  BOARD OF SUPERVISORS -- WESTCHESTER COUNTY -- November Session, 1859, Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Nov. 25, 1859, Vol. XV, No. 29, p. 2, cols. 2-7.

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Pelham Responds to the Financial Panic of 1857; Steps to Alleviate Plight of the Poor of the Town

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On August 24, 1857, the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company, an Ohio Bank, failed.  The failure of the bank focused attention on the financial state of the overextended railroad industry and the inflated real estate markets associated with the railroad industry.  Financial confidence quickly waned and, on October 13, 1857, a financial panic gripped the New York Stock Exchange.  By the time the panic settled, hundreds of banks had failed.  Individual investors were ruined.  Although the financial crisis began to level off and the U.S. economy began to stabilize by 1859, a true recovery was not felt until after the American Civil War.  

"RUN ON THE SEAMEN'S SAVINGS' BANK DURING THE PANIC."

Source:  Harper's Weekly, Oct. 31, 1857, Vol. I, p. 692.  NOTE:  This

Engraving Shows an Unruly Crowd Outside a Seamen's Bank Shoving

and Gesturing.  A Ragpicker Can Be Seen Picking Up Worthless Stock

Certificates and a Pickpocket Can Be Seen Working the Crowd.

The brief entry quoted below is from an account of the Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Westchester following the Board's annual session in late 1857.  During that session, Pelham Town Supervisor George Washington Horton of City Island offered a resolution that was adopted by the Board authorizing the Town to raise $50 "for the temporary relief of the poor in said town" and to assess taxes to raise, among other sums, $20 "to defray the expenses for house for town paupers."  The entry suggests that, like many small communities in the New York region, only weeks after the panic the Town of Pelham was struggling to assist citizens who had been affected by the Financial Panic of 1857 and the subsequent financial downturn.

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

"Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors.
-----
ANNUAL SESSION, NOVEMBER, 1857.

Members of the Board:

Towns.             Names. . . . .

Pelham............George W. Horton. . . . 

Mr. G. W. Horton presented the Abstract of Town Accounts of the town of Pelham; and thereupon presented the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved.  That the Accounts of the town of Pelham, as audited by the Board of Town Auditors, Nov. 5, 1857, amounting to $247, be levied, assessed, and collected, in said town.

Mr. G. W. Horton offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, that the sum of $50 be raised in the town of Pelham, for the temporary relief of the poor in said town, pursuant to a resolution passed by the Board of Town Auditors.

Mr. G. W. Horton also offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That there be levied and assessed upon the real and personal property in the town of Pelham the sum of $2,020, of which sum $20 was voted to defray the expenses for house for town paupers; $500 which was voted to be raised for working roads and building bridges in said town; also $1,500, which was voted according to the Act of the last Legislature, for the purpose of building a Town Hall for the town of Pelham."

Source:  Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors -- Annual Session, November 1857, Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Dec. 18, 1857, Vol. XIII, No. 32, p. 2, cols. 6-7.

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Genealogical and Biographical Information Regarding George Washington Horton and His Family, Early Settlers of City Island in the Town of Pelham

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George Washington Horton and his family were early settlers on City Island in the Town of Pelham.  As of 1818, most of the island was owned by 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.  For the next sixty years or so, most of this land was owned by George Washington Horton and, later in that time, by two of his sons:  Captain Stephen Decatur Horton and Captain George Washington Horton, Jr.

As one might expect, the Horton family is forever linked with the early history of City Island, its development, and its maritime traditions.  Today's posting to the Historic Pelham blog transcribes genealogical and biographical information published in 1907 for various members of the Horton family tied to City Island.  Included in today's posting is a fascinating photograph of the George Washington Horton homestead on City Island as well as portraits of Stephen Decatur Horton and his wife, Caroline Lucilia (Skidmore) Horton.

"George W. Horton was born February 21, 1786, died September 22, 1860.  He married Elizabeth Horton, April 24, 1813.  She was born April 6, 1794, died June, 1861.  The children of this marriage were:  Joshua, born September 29, 1814, died January 10, 1815.  Benjamin Franklin, born December 25, 1815, died March 20, 1867.  Sarah Ann Glover, born October, 1817, died June 30, 1896.  Andrew Jackson, born July 16, 1819, died May 3, 1899.  Stephen Decatur, born January 18, 1821, died October 23, 1900.  Phebe Jane, who married Matson S. Arnow, was born May 10, 1824, died March 5, 1905.  George W., born June 27, 1827. . . . 

George W. Horton, grandfather of Dudley R. Horton, resided in New York City until 1833, and was there engaged in the transportation business.  During the War of 1812 he enlisted in the United States Army.  He was the first of the Horton family to settle on City Island, where in 1833 he purchased a tract of land comprising about one-third of the entire island and thereon erected the old Horton mansion, which is still standing on Main street, at the lower end of the island.  He was an energetic and progressive citizen, and during his active career contributed materially towards the growth, development and building up of City Island, a most delightfully located and beautiful tract of land.

Stephen Decatur Horton, fifth child and third son of George W. and Elizabeth (Horton) Horton, and father of Dudley R. Horton, was born at City Island, Westchester county, New York, January 18, 1821, a reference to whose career will be found elsewhere.  He married, September, 1842, Caroline Lucilia Skidmore, born April 16, 1824, daughter of Hubbard and Caroline (Avery) Skidmore.  Her father, Hubbard Skidmore, and grandfather Thaddeus Avery, fought in the Continental Army, and her original ancestor, Captain John Underhill, was commissioned by the English Governor Sir Edmund Andross to punish the Indians for the massacre of the noted Ann Hutchinson and her family at Pelham Neck, a duty he zealously performed.

Captain Horton died at City Island, October 23, 1900, and his wife survived him until August 18, 1903.  She was known as a most worthy woman, possessed of many excellencies of character, and was beloved by all who knew her.  She was a consistent member of the Dutch Reformed Church for many years, but during the latter years of her life became associated with the Episcopal Church of the community in which she resided. . . . 

CAPT. STEPHEN DECATUR HORTON.

Stephen Decatur Horton, fifth child and third son of George W. and Elizabeth (Horton) Horton, was born at City Island, Westchester county, New York, January 18, 1821.  He was educated in the schools of City Island, and upon attaining to manhood engaged in boating and shipping.  After pursuing this line of work for several years, he gained sufficient experience to become a licensed pilot on the East River and Long Island Sound, technically known as a 'Hell Gate Pilot,' and continued the same for a period of nearly fifty years, during which time he became well known as a successful and careful navigator.  Captain Horton was held in esteem for his many excellent personal qualities.

He married, September, 1842, Caroline Lucilia Skidmore, born April 16, 1824, daughter of Hubbard and Caroline (Avery) Skidmore, and their children were as follows:  Gertrude, born October 17, 1844, married Nicholas William Abbott, December 21, 1899; her husband was born December 5, 1832.  Dudley R., born December 17, 1854.  Estelle Mary, born May 2, 1857, married Edward Woodin, August 9, 1877, and has children:  Edward Bruce, born May 29, 1878, died January 8, 1879, and Estelle Lucilia, born June 4, 1880.  Howard L., born October 10, 1861, married Louise Van Zandt.  Captain Horton died at City Island, October 23, 1900, and his wife survived him until August 18, 1903.  She was known as a most estimable woman, possessed of many excellencies of character, and was beloved by all who knew her.  She was a consistent member of the Dutch Reformed church at City Island throughout her life, but during the latter years of her life became associated with the Episcopal and Methodist Episcopal churches of the community in which she resided in the absence of a church of her own denomination.

Source:  Pelletreau, William S., Historic Homes and Institutions And Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. II, pp. 202-03, 205-06 (New York and Chicago:  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907).  

"Old George W. Horton Homestead.

Foot of Main Street, City Island.  Borough of Bronx.  New York."

Source:  Pelletreau, William S., Historic Homes and Institutions And

Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. II,

p. between pp. 202-03 (New York and Chicago:

The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907).

"Stephen Decatur Horton" and "Caroline Lucilia (Skidmore) Horton"

Source:  Pelletreau, William S., Historic Homes and Institutions And

Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. II,

p. between pp. 204-05 (New York and Chicago:

The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907).

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Description of City Island in the Town of Pelham Published in 1868

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Before its annexation by New York City in the mid-1890's, City Island was part of the Town of Pelham.  The area that included City Island, surrounding islands and the mainland adjacent to the area was considered one of the most magnificent and beautiful areas anywhere near New York City.  With the creation of Pelham Bay Park, much of the area has been preserved in a lovely, pristine state.

I have written on many occasions about City Island and various aspects of its history.  I have included a lengthy list of such postings with links at the end of this brief article.  

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes an article that appeared in the Eastern State Journal on September 18, 1868 describing City Island.  At the time, the bucolic island had a population of about 800 people -- the vast majority of the entire population of the Town of Pelham.

Map of Town of Pelham with Inset of City Island, 1868.

Source:  Beers, F.W., Atlas of New York and Vicinity, p. 35

(NY, NY:  Beers, Ellis & Soule, 1868).

"CITY ISLAND.
-----
ITS RESOURCES - ATTRACTIONS - AND THE NEW BRIDGE.
-----

This neck of land, which projects from the main land at Pelham, is one of the most pleasant and desirable locations of the many which abound on the shores of Westchester County.  There is a population of eight hundred souls, two churches, public schools, one hundred dwellings, three hotels, two shipyards, with railways for hauling out vessels, and all the necessary appliances for building or repairing vessels, of which there is a good deal done.  It was at the yards on the Island that the celebrate yacht, Vesta, was built; and the Henrietta, the property of James Gordon Bennett, Jr., was lengthened previous to her famous ocean race.  It is from this Island, also, that our famous Saddle Rock oysters are brought, and for which the inhabitants of New York and the surrounding country are indebted.  

The approach to the Island from the main land is from New Rochelle, or Mount Vernon Station, a distance of about four miles, through a magnificent country, studded with some of the most beautiful farms in our State, and forms a most desirable drive of fifteen or twenty minutes, which to those visiting the Island from the city, more especially, is a pleasant relaxation from the heat, dust, and inconvenience of the cars.

Until the present year, the means of access to the Island from the main shore was by a boat or a large barge, which was propelled by means of ropes, stretched from one shore to the other, and by which the boat was drawn forward and back; but the more enterprising and public spirited citizens of the Island have recently formed a stock-company, and have constructed a bridge, of a solid and substantial character, thus affording the islanders and those visiting them a rapid and safe means of transit, and at a small cost -- for of course it is a toll bridge.

The dimentions [sic] of the bridge are a span of one thousand feet, twenty-four feet in width, with a draw of one hundred and twenty-eight feet, leaving a passage-way for vessels of forty-two feet in width.

The directors of the Bridge Company are Messrs. George W. Horton, Stephen D. Horton, David Carll, Joshua Leviness, and Benjamin Hegeman -- names which are a sure guarantee for the proper official management of the Company.  The bridge has been erected at a cost of nearly or quite thirty five-thousand dollars.

After crossing over to the Island you have before you a splendid shell road, running the length of the Island -- to which the famed Coney Island road, that our neighbors of the City of Churches speak so proudly of, will hardly compare, for the making of fast time.

The Island consists of two hundred and seventy acres, is one and a quarter mile long, by from one quarter to a half mile wide; and the soil is said to be rich and productive to a great degree.  The steamboat Meta plies to and from New York city, daily; and the Neversink touches at the Island on Sundays.  To these means of access there is about to be added a railroad from Harlem Bridge to New Rochelle, which will run within three-fourths of a mile from City Island Bridge, and where a depot will be built for passengers vising the Island.

To say of our readers in search of a day's pleasure, or desiring a relaxation from the cares of business, or those fond of the beautiful, the picturesque, and the romantic, we would recommend to them a visit to the shores of City Island, and its hospitable inhabitants, for besides being the principal harbor on Long Island Sound for wind-bound vessels -- as many as one hundred and fifty having been there at one time -- is it not there where you can find good bathing on hard sand -- in salt water!  There are plenty of boats, fish, fishing-tackle, clams, oysters, and many good things to enjoy and consume, which make a trip like this so enjoyable; to say nothing of the bass-fishing and the duck-shooting in the Fall and Winter.

Heretofore the residents owning property on the Island have not been disposed to sell, prefering [sic] to enjoy their inheritances in apparent seclusion; but as several Summer residences have been erected during the present year, a disposition for still further improvement has shown itself, and we learn upon inquiring that some choice building sites will be offered for sale during the coming Spring."

Source:  CITY ISLAND - ITS RESOURCES - ATTRACTIONS - AND THE NEW BRIDGE, Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Vol. XXIV, No. 21, Sep. 18, 1868, p. 2, cols.  4-5.

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Below are links to a host of prior postings that address, in one fashion or another, aspects of the history of City Island.

Mon., Apr. 07, 2014:  History of A Few of the Earliest Public Schools in the Town of Pelham. 

 Tue., Feb. 04, 2014:  Pelham: Once Oyster Capital of the World.

Thu., May 13, 2010:  More on the Early History of the Pelham and City Island Horse Railroad.  

Thu., Apr. 29, 2010:  City Islanders Complain and Force the Operators of Their Horse Railroad to Agree to Replace Antiquated Cars in 1908.  

Wed., Apr. 28, 2010:  Efforts by the Pelham Park Horse Railroad to Expand and Develop a Trolley Car Line on Shore Road in 1897.

 Tue., Apr. 27, 2010:  New York City's Interborough Rapid Transit Company Sued to Foreclose a Mortgage on the Horse Railroad in 1911.  

Mon., Apr. 26, 2010:  Public Service Commission Couldn't Find Marshall's Corners in 1909.  

Fri., Mar. 26, 2010:  Captain Joshua Leviness Defies the New York Legislature and Dredges Oysters with a Steamer in 1878. 

Thu., Mar. 25, 2010:  Discovery of "The Great Oyster Bed" in Long Island Sound in 1859. 

Wed., Mar. 24, 2010:  The Oyster War of 1884 Between Glen Cove and City Island Intensifies.

Tue., Mar. 23, 2010:  Yet Another "Oyster War" in 1884; Glen Cove Officials Feud with City Island and Connecticut Oystermen.

Mon., Mar. 22, 2010:  77-Year Old City Island Oysterman Joshua Leviness Reminisces in Testimony Provided in 1884.

Fri., Mar. 19, 2010:  The New York Legislature Stepped Into the Oyster War on Long Island Sound in 1895.

Thu., Mar. 18, 2010:  1859 Town of Huntington Record Reflecting Dispute with City Island Oystermen.

Wed., Mar. 17, 2010:  Report of September 13, 1884 Tour of Oyster Beds by Captain Joshua Leviness of City Island.

Tue., March 16, 2010:  More on 19th Century Oystering in Pelham - Descriptions of Oyster Beds Off Hart Island, City Island and in Pelham Bay Published in 1887.

 Mon., Mar. 15, 2010:  More on 19th Century City Island Oyster Industry - City Island Oystermen Complaint of Pollution.

Fri., Mar. 12, 2010:  Early History of Oystering in the Waters Off City Island in the Town of Pelham.

 Thu., Mar. 11, 2010:  The "Great Oyster War" Between City Island and Tarrytown in 1877 and 1878.

Wed., Mar. 10, 2010:  1899 Article About City Island's New Bridge Describes History of Area and Includes Wonderful Images. 

Fri., Mar. 5, 2010:  Construction of the City Island Horse Railroad in 1887.  

Thu., Mar. 4, 2010:  Beginnings of Horse Railroad - News from Pelham and City Island Published in 1884.

Wed., Mar. 3, 2010:  1879 Advertisement for Robert J. Vickery's City Island Stage Line, A Predecessor to the City Island Horse Railroad.

Tue., Mar. 2, 2010:  1901 Report Indicated that The Flynn Syndicate Planned to Buy the Pelham Bay Park & City Island Horse Car Line.

Mon., Mar. 1, 2010:  Flynn Syndicate Buys the City Island Horse Car Line in 1907 to Incorporate It Into Electric Trolley Line.

Fri., Feb. 26, 2010:  1913 Decision of Public Service Commission to Allow Reorganization of City Island Horse Railroad for Electrification.

Thu., Feb. 25, 2010:  Photograph of Patrick Byrnes and Article About His Retirement of the City Island Horse Car in 1914.  

Wed., Feb. 24, 2010:  Attempted Suicide of City Island's Long-Time Horse Car Driver.

Wed., Feb. 3, 2010:  Early Information Published in 1885 About the Organization of the "City Island Railroad", a Horse Railroad from Bartow Station to City Island.

Tue., Feb. 2, 2010:  Information About the Pelham Park Railroad at its Outset.

Fri., Jan. 22, 2010:  1884 Account of Early Origins of Horse Railroad Between Bartow Station and City Island.
Mon., Jan. 4, 2010:  1888 Local News Account Describes Altercation on the Horse Railroad Running from Bartow Station to City Island.

Thu., Dec. 31, 2009:  1887 Election of the Board of Directors of The City Island and Pelham Park Horse Railroad Company.

Thu., Dec. 31, 2009:  Obituary of David Carll, Master Shipbuilder on City Island in the Town of Pelham. 

Thu., Dec. 3, 2009:  Pelham News on May 30, 1884 Including Allegations of Oyster Larceny and Meeting of the Pelhamville Improvement Association.

Wed., Dec. 2, 2009:  Accident on Horse-Car of the Pelham Park Railroad Line in 1889.

Tue., Dec. 01, 2009:  Brief History of City Island Published in 1901.

Mon., Oct. 05, 2009:  1878 Account of Results of Sloop Race Held Off the Pelham Shores. 

Fri., Sep. 18, 2009:  City Island News Published in January, 1882.   

Mon., Sep. 7, 2009:  More on the Ejectment of Henry Piepgras from Land Beneath the Waters Surrounding City Island. 

Tue., Sep. 1, 2009:  Pelham News on February 29, 1884 Including Talk of Constructing a New Horse Railroad from Bartow to City Island.  

Tue., Aug. 11, 2009:  News of Pelham Manor and City Island Published on July 14, 1882.  

Wed., Jan. 28, 2009:  Biography of Archibald Robertson, Another Resident of City Island When it Was Part of the Town of Pelham.

Fri., Jan. 23, 2009:  Biography of Jacob Smith of City Island, Proprietor of the Macedonian Hotel.

Mon., Jan. 07, 2008:  1878 Article Describing the "Attractions of Little-Known City Island" in the Town of Pelham.  

Wed., Dec. 05, 2007:  Photograph of the Old Wooden City Island Bridge.

 Mon., July 30, 2007: 1885 Report Notes Decline of Oyster Industry Near City Island in the Town of Pelham. 

Fri., Jul. 27, 2007:  Possible Origins of the Oyster Feud Between City Islanders and Huntington, Long Island.

Thu., Jul. 26, 2007:  Pelham's City Island Oystermen Feud with Long Islanders in 1869.

Fri., Apr. 13, 2007:  Oystermen of City Island (When it Was Part of the Town of Pelham) Pioneered Oyster Cultivation.  
Thu., Apr. 12, 2007:  Advertisement Offering Lots on City Island Belonging to Peter Harrison for Sale in 1775. 

Tue., Jan. 30, 2007:  Interesting Advertisement for Sale of Land on City Island in the Town of Pelham in 1800.  

Mon., Jan. 29, 2007:  Palmer Family Offers One Thirtieth of City Island for Sale in 1785. 

Fri., Jan. 26, 2007:  A History of the Early Years of City Island When it Was Part of the Town of Pelham, Published in 1927.

Thu., Jan. 25, 2007:  A Brief Account of the Early History of City Island, Published in 1909.

Mon., Nov. 27, 2006:  The 19th Century Ejectment of Henry Piepgras from Land Beneath the Waters Surrounding City Island.

Mon., Sep. 18, 2006:  A Brief Description of Oystering in Eastchester Bay and at Pelham Published in 1881.  

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