Original Records of Witchcraft Trial of Ralph and Mary Hall Who Afterward Fled to the Manor of Pelham

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"Ralph Hall thou standest here indicted, for that having not the feare

of God before thine eyes Thou did'st upon the 25th day of December,

being Christmas day last was 12 Moneths, and at severall other times

since, as is suspected, by some wicked and detestable Arts, commonly

called witchcraft and Sorcery, maliciously and feloniously practice and

Exercise, upon the Bodyes of George Wood, and an Infant Childe of

Ann  Rogers, by which said Arts, the said George Wood and the
Infant Childe (as is suspected) most dangerously and mortally fell
sick, and languisht unto death.  Ralph Hall, what does thou say for
theyselfe, art thou guilty, or not guilty?"

-- Witchcraft Charge Read Against Ralph Hall on October 2, 1665.

The witch hunt was underway.  George Wood had grown sick, languished, and died.  After his death, his widow had a child who also grew sick, languished, and died.  Something was terribly wrong in the English settlement of Seatalcott (also known as Setauket) on Long Island (today's Town of Brookhaven).  The only explanations for such incomprehensible losses were the "wicked and detestable Arts" known as "witchcraft and Sorcery."  A monumental witch hunt followed.

In 1665, New Yorkers Ralph and Mary Hall found themselves battling for their lives.  The pair was accused of using witchcraft and sorcery beginning on Christmas day, 1664 and at various times thereafter to cause the sicknesses and subsequent deaths of George Wood and the new baby of his widow, Ann Rogers.  The Constable and Town officials of Seatalcott charged the pair with murder by sorcery and witchcraft.  Ralph and Mary Hall were dragged before  the first session of the first Court of Assizes for the Colony of New York.

The Court of Assizes for the Colony of New York was established under the Duke's Laws in 1665.  The first session of the Court began on September 28, 1665 at New York before the Governor of the Colony, his Council, and the Justices of the Peace of the so-called East Riding of Yorkshire, a judicial district that was "ridden" on horseback by Justices of the Peace to dispense justice and that included Long Island.  The court's calendar in that first session has been described as follows:

"Thirteen actions were entered for trial, one original suit between Jno Richbell vs. Inhabitants of Huntington to be tried by the special warrant from the Governor; six appeals from Court of Sessions of Gravesend and other towns including one from the Mayors Court of New York; four bills in equity:  one action on the case and one of 'Trespasse.'"

Source:  Christoph, Peter R. & Christoph, Florence A., eds., New York Historical Manuscripts:  English -- Records of the Court of Assizes for the Colony of New York, 1665-1682, p. 1 (Baltimore, MD:  Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1983).

One of the thirteen actions tried by the new Court of Assizes during that first session in the fall of 1665 was the murder trial of Ralph and Mary Hall.  That trial was held in an adjourned session of the court on October 2, 1665.  The court met "at New Yorke on the Island of Manhattan."

The Stadt Huys (i.e., City Hall) Where the Court of Assizes Met

and Where Ralph and Mary Hall Were Tried on October 2, 1665.

Drawing by J. Carson Brevoort Prepared from a 1679 Sketch by

Jasper Danckaerts, and Printed as a Lithograph in 1867.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The Sheriff of New York, Allard Anthony, escorted the pair into Court that day.  In the courtroom was a jury of twelve:  Foreman Thomas Baker of Easthampton, Captain John Symonds of Hempstead, "Mr. Hallet" and Anthony Waters of Jamaica, Thomas Wandall of Marshpath Kills, "Mr. Nicolls" of Stamford, and six men from New York City including famed New Yorker Jacob Leisler:  Balthazer de Haart, John Garland, Jacob Leisler, Anthonio de Mill, Alexander Munro, and Thomas Searle.

The two prisoners, Ralph and Mary Hall, were brought before Sheriff Allard Anthony who read the indictment against them.  The two likely were terrified as they faced murder charges that could cost them their lives.  Court authorities read depositions from witnesses to the jury.  Not a single witness, however, appeared in person to testify against the prisoners.

After the deposition testimony was read, the Clerk of the Court of Assizes had each of the two prisoners stand, raise their hand, and asked them how they plead:  "art thou guilty, or not guilty?"  Both pleaded not guilty and "threw themselves to bee Tryed by God and the Country."

The twelve jurors deliberated and soon returned with the following verdict:

"Wee having seriously considered the Case committed to our Charge, against the Prisoners at the Barr, and having well weighed the Evidence, wee finde that there are some suspitions by the Evidence, of what the woman is Charged with, but nothing considerable of value to take away her life.  But in reference to the man wee finde nothing considerable to charge him with."

The Court of Assizes immediately imposed sentence on the two prisoners.  The Court directed that Ralph Hall "should bee bound Body and Goods for his wives Apperance, at the next Sessions, and so on from Sessions to Sessions as long as they stay within this Government, In the meane while, to bee of and upon Entring into a Recognizance, according to the Sentence of the Court they were released."

Poor Ralph and Mary Hall seem to have fled Seatalcott/Setauket (Brookhaven).  Indeed, they seem to have fled to the island owned by Pelham founder Thomas Pell that we now know as City Island.  See Drake, Samuel G., Annals of Witchcraft in New England and Elsewhere in the United States from their First Settlement Drawn Up from Unpublished and Other Well Authenticated Records of the Alleged Operations of Witches and Their Instigator, the Devil, pp. 125-27 (NY, NY: Burt Franklin 1869) ("Under these Bonds they continued until the 21st of August, 1668, at which Time 'they were living upon the Great Miniford's Island.'").

I have written before about poor Ralph and Mary Hall and their persecution for witchcraft well before the hysteria of the Salem Witchcraft trials later in the 17th century.  See:

Bell, Blake A., Ralph and Mary Hall (Persecuted in the 17th Century for Witchcraft) Fled to the Manor of Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XV, Issue 34, Sep. 1, 2006, p. 8, col. 2.   

Thu., Oct. 30, 2014:  Did Thomas Pell Act on Pangs of Remorse After Witchcraft Persecution Involving His Family?

Fri., May 12, 2006:  Possible Evidence that Residents of the Manor of Pelham Were Acquitted in Rare 17th Century Witchcraft Trial in New York.

It seems likely that Thomas Pell's pangs of remorse over his family's earlier involvement as witnesses at the witchcraft trial of Goody Knapp, who was executed after a finding that she was a witch, led him to allow Ralph and Mary Hall to settle on Great Minneford Island (today's City Island) that he owned.  Indeed, as I have noted before, the Reverend Nathaniel Brewster who began preaching in Setauket the same year Ralph and Mary Hall were accused by local authorities of witchcraft and sorcery was a stepson of Pelham founder Thomas Pell and preached periodically in Eastchester, once part of the Manor of Pelham until Thomas Pell sold the land to the so-called Ten Families who founded the settlement.  Brewster may well have played a role in helping Ralph and Mary Hall settle on his stepfather's island.  See Tue., Nov. 04, 2014:  Rev. Nathaniel Brewster, Stepson of Thomas Pell.

Below is a transcription of material from "New York Historical Manuscripts:  English -- Records of the Court of Assizes for the Colony of New York, 1665-1682" relating to the trial of Ralph and Mary Hall who fled Setauket on Long Island to settle on City Island in 1668.

*          *          *          *          *

"[38-43]

[CALENDAR:  Oct. 2 Trial of Ralph Hall and Mary, his wife, for witchcraft.  The prisoner was brought to the bar by Allard Anthony, sheriff of New York;  indictment by constable and overseers of Seatalcott read, charging prisoners with murder of George Wood and an infant child of Ann Rogers, widow of George Wood, by sorcery and witchcraft; several depositions are read but no witnesses appear; prisoners plead not guilty, Vedict of jury that there is sligh suspicion against the woman but nothing against the man.  Sentence of court that the man give bond for his wife's appearance at each sessions while they stay within the government and for her good behaiour.  Bond given.]

[TEXT (FROM DH4):]

At the court of Assizes held in New Yorke the 2d day of October 1665 etc.

The Tryall of Ralph and Mary his wife, upon suspicion Witchcraft.

The names of the persons who served on the Grand Jury.

Thomas Baker, Foreman of the Jury, of East Hampton.

Capt. John Symonds of Hempsteed.

Mr. Hallet             }
                             }  Jamaica
Anthony Waters   }

Thomas Wandall of Marshpath Kills.

Mr. Nicolls of Stamford

Balthazer de Haart   }
John Garland           }
Jacob Leisler            }     of New Yorke.
Anthonio de Mill       }
Alexander Munro     }
Thomas Searle        }

The Prisoners being brought to the Barr by Allard Anthony, Sheriffe of New Yorke,  This following Indictment was read, first against Ralph Hall and then against Mary his wife, vizt.

The Constable and Overseers of the Towne of Seatallcott, in the East Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island, Do Present for our Soveraigne Lord the King, That Ralph Hall of Seatallcott aforesaid, upon the 25th day of December; being Christmas day last, was Twelve Monthes, in the 15th yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Lord, Charles the Second, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith etc., and severall other dayes and times since that day, by some detestable and wicked Arts, commonly called Witchcraft and Sorcery, did (as is suspected) maliciously and feloniously, practice and Exercise at the said towne of Seatalcott in the East Riding of Yorkshire on Long Island aforesaid, on the Person of George Wood, late of the same place by which wicked and detestable Arts, the said George Wood (as is suspected) most dangerously and mortally sickned and languished, And not long after by the aforesaid wicked and detestable Arts, the said George Wood (as is likewise suspected) dyed.

Moreover, The Constable and overseers of the said Towne of Seatalcott, in the East Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island aforesaid, do further Present for our Soveraigne Lord the King, That some while after the death of the aforesaid George Wood, The said Ralph Hall did (as is suspected) divers times by the like wicked and detestable Arts, commonly called Witchcraft and Sorcery, Maliciously and feloniously practise and Exercise at the said Towne of Seatalcott, in the East Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island aforesaid, on the Person of an Infant Childe of Ann Rogers, widdow of the aforesaid George Wood deceased, by which wicked and detestable Arts, the said Infant Childe (as is suspected) most dangerously and mortally sickned and languished, and not long after by the said Wicked and detestable Arts (as is likewise suspected) dyed, And so the said Constable and Overseers do Present, That the said George Wood, and the said Infante said Childe by the wayes and meanes aforesaid, most wickedly maliciously and feloniously were (as is suspected) murdered by the said Ralph Hall at the times and places aforesaid, against the Peace of Our Soveraigne Lord the King and against the Laws of this Government in such Cases Provided.

The like Indictment was reade, against Mary the wife of Ralph Hall.

Therer upon, severall Depositions, accusing the Prisoners of the fact for which they were endicted were read, but no witnesse appeared to give Testimony in Court vive voce.

Then the Clarke calling upon Ralph Hall, bad him hold up his hand, and read as followes.

Ralph Hall thou standest here indicted, for that having not the feare of God before thine eyes Thou did''st upon the 25th day of December, being Christmas day last was 12 Moneths, and at severall other times since, as is suspected, by some wicked and detestable Arts, commonly called witchcraft and Sorcery, maliciously and feloniously practice and Exercise, upon the Bodyes of George Wood, and an Infant Childe of Ann Rogers, by which said Arts, the said George Wood and the Infant Childe (as is suspected) most dangerously and mortally fell sick, and languisht unto death.  Ralph Hall, what does thou say for theyselfe, art thou guilty, or not guilty?

Mary the wife of Ralph Hall was called upon in like manner.

They both Pleaded not guilty and threw themselves to bee Tryed by God and the Country.

Where upon, their Case was referr'd to the Jury, who brought in to the Court, this following verdict vizt.

Wee having seriously considered the Case committed to our Charge, against the Prisoners at the Barr, and having well weighed the Evidence, wee finde that there are some suspitions by the Evidence, of what the woman is Charged with, but nothing considerable of value to take away her life.  But in reference to the man wee finde nothing considerable to charge him with.

The Court there upon, gave this sentence, That the man should bee bound Body and Goods for his wives Apperance, at the next Sessions, and so on from Sessions to Sessions as long as they stay within this Government, In the meane while, to bee of and upon Entring into a Recognizance, according to the Sentence of the Court they were released.

[MOULTON:  The most extraordinary trial that occurs in the annals of our juridical history took place at this first Court of Assize.  It was a trial for suspicion of witchcraft on the 2 Oct. 1665.

A list of the Grand jury (12) were named

The prisoners were Ralph Hall and Mary his wife.  The prisoner being brought to the bar by the sheriff of New York the Indictment was read, viz:  The Constable and overseers of the Towne of Seatalcott, in the East Riding of Yorkshire upon Long Island do present for our Sovereign Lord the King that Ralph Hall of Seatalcott aforesaid upon the 25 Dec. being Christmas day last past and severall other dayes and times since that day by some detestable and wicked Arts comonly called Witchcraft and Sorcery, did (as is suspected) maliciously and feloniously practice and excercise at the said towne etc. on the person of George Wood by which wicked and detestable Arts the said George Wood (as is suspected) Most dangerously and Mortally sickened and languished and not long after etc. dyed.'

Another count in the Indictment charges him with like wicked and detestable art of witchcraft (as is suspected) practiced afterwards upon an infant child of the widow of said Wood, by which the child also died.  And so the said Constable and overseers do present that the said George Wood and the said Infant childe by the ways and meanes aforesaid were (as is suspected) murdered by said Ralph Hall etc.

The like Indictment was read against Mary the wife of Hall.

Whereupon depositions of witnesses accusing prisoners of the fact were read but no witnesses appeared to give testimony in court viva voce.

The prisoners were then separately called for by the 'Clarke' to hold up their hands while he recapitulated the substance of the Indictments.

They both pleaded not guilty and threw themselves to be tried by God and the country.

Whereupon their case was referr'd to the Jury who brought into Court this verdict, viz:  We having seriously considered the case committed to our charge against the Prisoners at the Barr and having well weighed the Evidence Wee finde that there are some suspitions by the Evidence, of what the woman is charged with, but nothing considerable of value to take away her life.  But in reference to the man we finde nothing considerable to charge him with.  'The Court thereupon gave this pretence that the Man should be bound body and goods for his wife's appearance at the next sessions, and so on from sessions to sessions, as long as they stay within this Government.  In the mean while 'to live of the good Behavior.'  So they were returned into the sheriff's custody and upon Entering into a Recognizance according to the sentence, they were released.]"

Source:  Christoph, Peter R. & Christoph, Florence A., eds., New York Historical Manuscripts:  English -- Records of the Court of Assizes for the Colony of New York, 1665-1682, pp. 9-12 (Baltimore, MD:  Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1983).

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Who Today Has the "Right" to Receive the Famed Manor of Pelham Fatt Calfe from the City of New Rochelle?

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The expectant crowd anxiously awaited on and along Fifth Avenue in front of Town Hall in the Village of North Pelham at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, August 29, 1946.  Representatives of television broadcaster Columbia Broadcasting System were present with television cameras to record the event.  (Commercial television broadcasting, which had declined dramatically during World War II, was beginning to ramp up again.)  A gaggle of photographers from newspapers and news organizations throughout the region were waiting expectantly.  There was a large crowd of spectators despite threatening skies.  Everyone was excited.

That day and night, the Village of North Pelham was in the midst of its Golden Jubilee celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of its founding in 1896.  One of the many events that formed an important part of that celebration was so special that it was recorded by Columbia Broadcasting System (with an announcer) for a later nationwide broadcast on Sunday, September 1, 1946 from 8:15 to 8:30 p.m. on WCGW.  Moreover, CBS was not the only broadcaster present at the event.  A portion of the ceremony also was broadcast by radio station WFAS, 1230 on the am dial.  The special event that attracted so much attention was the presentation of a "fatt calfe" by the City of New Rochelle to the little Village of North Pelham.

I have written repeatedly not only of various fatt calfe ceremonies in Pelham's history, but also of the grand Golden Jubilee fiftieth anniversary celebration hosted by the Village of North Pelham on August 29, 1946.  See, e.g.:

Bell, Blake A., Tradition of Demanding a New Rochelle "Fatt Calfe", The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 16, Apr. 16, 2004, p. 8, col. 2. 

Thu., Dec. 08, 2016:  Cancellation of 1909 Fatt Calfe Ceremony Due to "Sharp Lawyers" Prompted a Pell Family Feud.

Tue., Dec. 01, 2015:  Lean Roast Beef Is NOT a "Fatt Calfe" Though Pell Family Members Accepted it in 1956.

Mon., Jan. 05, 2015:  The Village of North Pelham Celebrated the Golden Jubilee of its Incorporation During Festivities in 1946.

Thu., Sep. 10, 2009:  1909 Dispute Among Pell Family Members Over Who Would be the Rightful Recipient of the Fatt Calfe from New Rochelle. 

Fri., Mar. 04, 2005:  In 1909 Fear of "Sharp Lawyers" Prompted Cancellation of the Pell Family's "Fatt Calfe" Ceremony.

1938 New Rochelle U.S. Commemorative Silver Half Dollar (Obverse)

Depicting John Pell Receiving the "Fatt Calfe" in 1689. Photograph by

the Author.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The "fatt calfe" ceremony that attracted so much attention on August 29, 1946 was an homage to a promise made by Jacob Leisler in 1689, as a representative of French Huguenots of New Rochelle, to John and Rachel Pell of the Manor of Pelham to deliver one such "calfe" annually "if demanded."  On September 20, 1689, John Pell, and his wife, Rachel, sold to Jacob Leisler of New York City 6,000 acres of Manor of Pelham land.  At the same time they gifted to Leisler another 100 acres for use as church grounds.  Leisler reportedly had been commissioned to acquire the land on behalf of French Huguenots seeking to relocate to North America, many of whom fled from La Rochelle in France.  The land became today’s New Rochelle, named in honor of La Rochelle from which many of the Huguenots fled religious persecution by the French Catholics. 

A condition of the sale in 1689 was that Jacob Leisler and his "heirs & Assigns" should deliver to “John Pell his heirs and assigns Lords of the said Manor of Pelham . . . as an Acknowledgment to the said Manor one fatt calfe on every fouer and twentieth day of June Yearly and Every Year forever (if demanded)” (spelling and punctuation as in original deed).  The June 24th date was not chosen randomly.  June 24 is the annual date of The Feast of St. John the Baptist when a "fatt calfe" would have been particularly welcome for the sort of feast and celebration that was so common on that date in those years.

Every few generations, it seems, there is a "rediscovery" of that ancient "fatt calfe" provision in the deed by which John and Rachel Pell transferred lands to Jacob Leisler.  With each such "rediscovery," members of the Pell family typically approach the City of New Rochelle and "demand" delivery of a "fatt calfe" to one or more members of the family as part of an important historic anniversary or a large family reunion celebration.  Rarely however, has such a "demand" been made by any of the Villages in Pelham or the Town of Pelham.  The North Pelham celebration in 1946 was an exception.

Though it may come as disappointing news to the many members of the Pell Family descended from John and Rachel Pell who are scattered throughout the nation, it would seem (at least from Pelham's perspective) that a meaningful argument can be made that the right to demand and receive the "fatt calfe" (to whatever unlikely extent it may still be labeled a "right") has devolved to the Town of Pelham and not to members of the Pell family or to today's Villages of Pelham and Pelham Manor.  

Under the original deed, the "right" to receive the "fatt calfe" belonged to John Pell and "his heirs and assigns Lords of the said Manor of Pelham."  The deed did NOT say the right belonged to the descendants of John Pell, only John Pell and his "heirs and assigns."

John Pell, of course, no longer is with us, having died in the first few years of the 18th century.  Thus, we are left to determine the meaning of "his heirs and assigns," a legal term of art in the real estate field.  We then must determine who meets this definition of "his heirs and assigns."

The phrase typically appears in a so-called habendum clause in a deed -- the clause that describes the estate that is being granted.  John Pell's "heirs" would have been those to whom his real estate was bequeathed or who otherwise inherited it.  His "assigns" would have included those who came into possession of his property through purchase, gift or some form of transfer from him, his heirs or anyone who inherited the property from him or any of his heirs.  

This suggests, of course, that an argument can be made that all who now own any of the lands that comprised the Manor of Pelham immediately after the sale to Leisler in 1689 (including those who live in today's Town of Pelham and on City Island) are among John Pell's "assigns" as referenced in the 1689 deed.  If such a theory is correct, there would now be tens of thousands of Lords of the Manor of Pelham -- those who own property that was owned by John and Rachel Pell in the Manor of Pelham immediately after the sale to Jacob Leisler on September 20, 1689.  

Now things get even a little more interesting.  The clause of the deed requiring delivery of a fatt calfe if demanded may arguably be deemed ambiguous.  It requires Jacob Leisler, his heirs and assigns to deliver to “John Pell his heirs and assigns Lords of the said Manor of Pelham . . . as an Acknowledgment to the said Manor one fatt calfe on every fouer and twentieth day of June Yearly and Every Year forever (if demanded).”  Does that mean Jacob Leisler and, subsequently all his heirs and assigns (arguably all landowners in today's City of New Rochelle) must each deliver one "fatt calfe" to each of the "heirs and assigns" of John Pell (arguably at least all the landowners in the Town of Pelham and on City Island) if demanded?  Alternatively, is the delivery of only one "fatt calfe" required to be delivered to all "heirs and assigns" of John Pell?

It would seem that it would be most reasonable to interpret the provision to require delivery of only "one fatt calfe" regardless of the number of "heirs and assigns" who may exist today.  But, who should deliver the fatt calfe?  Who should properly receive the fatt calfe?

Over the last century, members of the Pell Family seem implicitly to have recognized that the reference to John Pell's "heirs and assigns" in the deed does not include his descendants (i.e., members of the Pell Family).  Thus, they do not seem ever to have demanded that the descendants of Jacob Leisler deliver a fatt calfe to them.  This omission implicitly affirms that provision placed the obligation not on Leisler's descendants but on his "heirs & Assigns."  Of course, essentially the same phrase (i.e., "heirs and assigns") is used on the opposite side of the equation providing that John Pell and his "heirs and assigns" are entitled to receive the fatt calfe.  

In short the Pell family does not demand the "fatt calfe" from Leisler's descendants but, instead, from a municipal representative of his "heirs and assigns" -- the City of New Rochelle as the representative of all those within the City who own lands once owned by Jacob Leisler (Leisler's "Assigns").  Paradoxically, however, at the same time members of the Pell Family demand that the calf be delivered to them (or one of their own) as descendants of John Pell and NOT to a municipal representative of Pell's "heirs and assigns."  

Thus, one could argue, there are only two who today would have the joint authority, as the municipal representatives of John Pell's true "heirs and assigns" (i.e., the tens of thousands who now own land that was part of the Manor of Pelham immediately after the sale of land to Jacob Leisler on September 20, 1689) to demand delivery of the fatt calfe on June 24.  Those two would be the Town of Pelham (as landowner and representative of those who own land in Pelham) and the City of New York (as landowner and representative of those who own land on City Island and in Pelham Bay Park).

This author now has the temerity to assert that all previous deliveries of a "fatt calfe" to members of the Pell Family and to the Village of North Pelham are null and void and of no force and effect since those deliveries were not demanded by John Pell or any of his "heirs and assigns" -- only his descendants.  Since neither the Town of Pelham nor the City of New York demanded delivery of the fatt calfe in those instances, no such delivery was required.  The City of New Rochelle should be deemed simply to have gifted the fatt calfe on each such occasion rather than meeting any obligation under the deed issued to Jacob Leisler.  

What say you Pell Family members?  What say you landowners in New Rochelle?  What say you landowners on City Island?  And, indeed, since New York City owns today's Pelham Bay Park which was part of the Manor of Pelham on September 20, 1689, what say you New York City?

*          *          *          *          *

Below is a transcription of an article describing New Rochelle's delivery of the "fatt calfe" demanded by the Village of North Pelham in 1946.  Although, arguably, the Village was a representative of John Pell's "heirs and assigns" who lived within its boundaries, it was not the most appropriate representative to make such a demand.  At least the ceremony was performed in front of the Town Hall of the Town of Pelham. . . . . . 

"Presentation Of 'Ye Fatte Calf' [sic] Recalls Olden Tribute To John Pell, Lord of Manor

NORTH PELHAM -- One of the most colorful events of the Village's celebration yesterday on the 50th anniversary of its founding was the historic reenactment of the delivery of a fatted calf by Mayor Stanley W. Church of New Rochelle to Mayor Dominic Amato of North Pelham at 4:15 P. M.

The picturesque ceremony, which took place in front of Town Hall, was recorded by a battery of photographers as well as by the Columbia Broadcasting System television, when it will be shown over a nationwide broadcast Sunday over WCGW from 8:15 to 8:30 P. M.

George Usbeck, announcer, opened the ceremony:

'The year is 1689; on the shores of Long Island Sound a little band of French Huguenots had selected a site for their settlement.  That site was part of the landed properties of the Lord of the Manor of Pell.  And when the purchase contract was signed, it contained a provision in which the Huguenots agreed to 'forever yielding and paying unto John Pell, his heirs and assigns, one fatte calf [sic] on every four and twentieth day of June yearly and every year forever, if demanded * * *

'Two hundred and fifty-seven years have passed down the corridors of history since that agreement was signed, but today New Rochelle again delivers to its neighboring village, North Pelham, 'ye fatte calf.'

Neil Gibbons, who played the part of a mounted courier in Colonial costume, rode up Fifth Avenue from the Railroad Station to Town Hall, where he dismounted, handed the reins of his horse to a policeman, and unrolling a scroll, read greetings.

Mayor Church, holding the calf by the tethers, and assisted on each side by Miss Denise Velon and Miss Arline Gyllenhammer, dressed in colonial costumes, came down Fifth Avenue grinning broadly, and the calf tugged so hard he pulled the little procession along.  Miss Velon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henri Velon of 454 Fourth Avenue, was dressed in blue and rose, and Miss Gyllenhammer, daughter of Mrs. Harriet Gyllenhammer of 125 Second Avenue, wore a white flower-sprigged costume.

They stopped in front of Mayor Amato, and the battery of photographers had a field day as the two mayors shook hands and held the pose for a few minutes.

'It gives me great pleasure,' Mayor Church said, 'to present to your fine village today a token of our friendship in the form of the ancient fee for the site of New Rochelle.  I bring you the fatted calf to help make your day's celebration complete and, from the residents of New Rochelle, greetings as your reach your 50th birthday.  I want to congratulate you on the ceremony that will take place tonight when you burn the bonds to signify that at the ripe young age of 50, North Pelham is debt free.'

Mayor Amato receiving the calf for the residents of his village, thanked the New Rochelle Mayor and residents.

'The friendly relations, both business and social, between New Rochelle and the Pelhams are worth cherishing,' he said, 'and have their roots in the ceremony that we reenacted today, which began so many years ago.  I hope there will be many other occasions like this when our communities may get together for the mutual advancement of our section of Westchester.'

At the close of the exercises, a barbecued calf was carved into sandwiches and sold."

Source:  Presentation Of 'Ye Fatte Calf' Recalls Olden Tribute To John Pell, Lord of Manor, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 30, 1946, p. 10, cols. 3-7.  

"HISTORIC CUSTOM reenacted at North Pelham's celebration of its

50th anniversary yesterday.  Mayor Stanley Church of New Rochelle

(center) presents a 'fatte calf' [sic] to Mayor Dominic Amato, according

to the terms of an old deed.  Looking on are (second from left) Miss

Denise Velon of 545 Fourth Avenue, North Pelham, and Miss Arline

Gyllenhammer, of 125 Second Avenue, North Pelham, in Colonial

costumes."  Source:  Presentation Of 'Ye Fatte Calf' Recalls Olden

Tribute To John Pell, Lord of Manor, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, 

NY], Aug. 30, 1946, p. 10, cols. 3-7.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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February 1, 1689 Order by Lieutenant Governor Jacob Leisler and His Council Directing Inventory of John Pell's Gunpowder

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On February 1, 1689, Lieutenant Governor Jacob Leisler and his Council issued an order directing an inventory of a rumored store of gunpowder on the property of John Pell of Pelham in Westchester County. This was about eight months before John and Rachel Pell sold a large part of the Manor of Pelham to Leisler for the benefit of Huguenot settlers who subsequently established New Rochelle. The text of the brief order appears below, followed by a citation to its source.

"BY THE LIEUT GOVERNOR & COUNCILL &c"

Whereas I am enformed that there is Severall Barrrells of gun powder in ye Custody of Mr John Pell of Pelham within Westchester County

These are to will & require you to make diligent Search and Enquiry for the same & what quantity you fin to make a report unto mee forthwith. Given &c february 1st 1689.

JACOB LEISLER"

Source: O'Callaghan, E.B., ed., Documentary History of the State of New-York. Arranged Under Direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, Secretary of State, Vol. II, p. 39 (Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons & Co., Public Printers 1850).

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March 8, 1691 from John Pell and Other Magistrates to the New York Attorney General

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Below is the text of a letter issued by the Magistrates of Westchester County, including John Pell, to the New York Attorney General, James Graham, on March 8, 1691. The purpose of the letter was to request that two men who had interfered with the responsibilities of the Undersheriff to be "sent for" from New York and "secured" there.

"THE MAGISTRATES OF WESTCHESTER CO TO COLL. GRAHAM.

Westchester March 8 1691

SR - The occasion of troubling your Honour att this time is to acquaint thatt there is a number of People in this County who have Richard Penton at their head who doe denie the Government and Vilify all authoretie in this County yea declaring that the Comander in Chiefes his Administration of the Government to be without Authoroty and all proceedings under him to be Illegal upon That foundation they glory Themselves of a Turne; and are so bold to publicly declare themselves Leisler's men which they presumptiously without regard or respect To Law haue abused the Justices in Executing there office by ill wordes animating Each other; so thatt itt is to be feared; they haue no better intention than a New Rebellion, to prevent which if the Principall Ringleaders might be sent for to New Yorke and there secured itt might prevent the Mescheife of Tumultuos Breaking the Geiyle here in this County for such things haue been threatened; If such as oune Penton to be there Major & Penton declares to be his Captain and others thatt dare and threaten ye under Sheriffe in the Executing of his office be fetcht doune It may preuent further trouble the Person Principally concernd is Richard Penton & one Robert Bloomber and such others as you may be informed further by the Report and affidavets hereinclosed all which is sent you by the undersheriffe who can declare further The aspect of ye times and the Common Safety of the County oblidgeth us to give you this trouble Desiring, thatt according to our bounden Duty our humble Indeavors & Service be presented to the Comander in Chiefe and Councell Wee Subscribe ourselves

humble Servants
JOHN PELL
JOHN PALMER
WILLIAM BARNES

Addressed,

To ye Honble
James Greyham Esqr
theire Magesties Attorney
Generall
in
New Yorke"

Source: O'Callaghan, E.B., ed., Documentary History of the State of New-York. Arranged Under Direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, Secretary of State, Vol. II, p. 187 (Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons & Co., Public Printers 1850).

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The "Rediscovery" of the Deed Reflecting John Pell's Sale of the Lands That Became New Rochelle

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On September 20, 1689, John Pell and his wife, Rachel, conveyed to Jacob Leisler of New York City 6,100 acres of land that had formed the northeastern part of the Manor of Pelham acquired in 1654 by Thomas Pell, John Pell's uncle. The original deed is framed and maintained among the collections of the Thomas Paine Cottage in New Rochelle. For an image of the deed and a transcription of its text, see:

Friday, April 6, 2007: The Deed Reflecting John Pell's Sale of the Lands That Became New Rochelle

The deed long was thought to be lost but was "rediscovered" in a secret compartment of a small desk. An account of the rediscovery appeared in the February, 1912 issue of Westchester County Magazine. That account appears in its entirety immediately below, followed by a citation to its source.



"ORIGINAL DEED TO NEW ROCHELLE FOUND
Lord John Pell Sold to Jacob Leisler who afterward transfered the 6,000 acres to Huguenot Refugees.

The Huguenot Association of New Rochelle has secured the original deed of the 6,000 acres of land delivered by John Pell, Lord of the Manor of Pelham, and Rachael, his wife, to Jacob Leisler, then acting Governor of the Province of New York, who, in turn, sold it to the Huguenot refugees from France for the same price that he paid.

The deed, which is on a large sheet of parchment bearing the signature of John Pell, the mark of his wife, and the names of five witnesses, together with the seals of the Pells, was purchased by Henry M. Lester, President of the Huguenot Association, from William D. Bonnett, of North avenue, New Rochelle a descendant of a Huguenot family.

A few days ago Mr. Bonnett was cleaning out an old desk bequeathed to him by his grandfather, intending to have it restored, and opened the panel of a secret compartment. In this compartment was the deed, in an excellent state of preservation, after 223 years.

The parchment bears date 'the twentieth day of September, in the first year of the reign of our sovereign Lord and Lady, William and Mary, King and Queen of England, and in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and eighty-nine.'

As payment for the land, Mr. Leisler, according to the deed, gave 'one thousand six hundred and seventy-five pounds, and agrees to give to John Pell, his heirs or assigns one fat calf on every four and twentieth day of June yearly and every year forever (if demanded).'"

Source: Original Deed to New Rochelle Found in Westchester County Magazine, Vol. VIII, No. 5, p. 64 (Feb. 1912).

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The Deed Reflecting John Pell's Sale of the Lands that Became New Rochelle

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On September 20, 1689, John Pell and his wife, Rachel, conveyed to Jacob Leisler of New York City 6,100 acres of land that had formed the northeastern part of the Manor of Pelham acquired in 1654 by Thomas Pell, John Pell's uncle. The original deed is framed and maintained among the collections of the Thomas Paine Cottage in New Rochelle. An image of the deed appears immediately below, followed by a transcription of its contents.






"TO ALL CHRISTIAN PEOPLE To whom this present writing shall come John Pell proprietor of the Mannor of Pelham within the County of Westchester in the province of New York within the Domminion of New England Gentleman and Rachell his wife Sendeth Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting. Know Yee that the said John Pell & Rachell his wife for an in consideration of the sume of Sixteens hundred twenty & Five pounds sterling currant silver money of this province to him in hand paid & secured to be paid att & before the ensealing & delivery hereof by Jacob Leisler of the Citty of New York Marchant, the Receipt whereof they the said John Pell & Rachell his Wife doe hereby Acknowledg & themselves to be fully Sattisfied & contented & thereof & of every part & parcell thereof doe hereby freely & cleerly Acquitt exonerate & discharge the said Jacob Leisler his heirs Executors Administrators & every of them by these presents, HAVE Granted bargained & sold & by these Presents Doe grant Bargaind & sell unto the said Jacob Leisler his heirs & Assignes ALL that Tract of Land lyeing & being within the said Mannor of PELHAM containning Six thousand acres of Land And also One hundred Acres of Land more which the said John Pell & Rachell his Wife do freely Give & Grant for the French Church erected or to be erected by the Inhabitants of the said Tract of Land or by their Assignes BEING butted & bounded as herein is After expressed beginning att the west side of A certaine white Oak tree marked on all foure sides standing at high water mark & at the south end of Hog Neck by Shoals harbour & runs north westerly through the great & fresh Meadow lyeing between the Roade & the sound & from the north side of the said Meadow where the said line crosses the said Meadow to run from thence due north to Bronckeses River which is the west divission line between the said John Pell's Land and the aforesaid Tract bounded on the south Easterly by the sound & Salt water & to run east northerly to A certaine peice of Salt Meadow lyeing att the Salt Creek which Runneth up to Cedar Tree brook, or Gravilley, brook, and is the bounds to the southern. Bounded on the east by a line that runs from said Meadow north-westerly by marked trees to a certaine black Oak tree standing A little below the Roade marked on fouer Sides & from thence to run due north fouer miles and one halfe more or lesse AND from the north end of the said west line ending att BRONCKESES River, and from thence to run easterly till it meetes with a North end of the said easternmost bounds, together with all and Singuler the Islands & Isletts before the said tract of Land lyeing & being in the sound & Salt water with all the Harbours creeks Rivers Riveletts Runs Waters Lakes Meadows ponds Marches Salt & fresh swamps Soyles timber trees pastures feedings, Inclosures fields Quarryes, Mines mineralls, (Silver & gold Mines only excepted,) fishing hunting fowleing hawking AS Also the Messuages Houses tenements barnes Mills Milldams as they were at the time of the ensealing & delivery of the Articles of Aggreement of Sale for said Land bearing date the second day of July in the Yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty-seven, AS Relatôn being thereto had doth more fully and att large Appeare, AS allso the Reversion & reversions, Remainder & Remainders of a certaine Lott of Land & Meadow now in the tenure & occupâton of John Jefferd & Olive his wife being parts of the aforesaid six thousand Acres of Land with all the Privilidges belonging thereto or any wise appurtaineing or there with now used occupied & enjoyed; AS allso the Right title interest Reversion, Remainder, property claimd & demand whatsoever of in & to the same & every parte thereof as is hereafter expressed, TO HAVE & TO HOLD the Aforesaid Tract of Land with all other the Above granted premisses unto the said Jacob Leisler his heirs & Assigns for Ever to his & there own sole & proper use benefitt & behoofe for every YIELDING & paying unto the said John Pell his heirs & assignes Lords of the said Mannor of PELHAM or to the Assigns of him or them or their or either of them as an Acknowledgment to the Lord of the said Mannor one fatt calfe on every fouer & twentyth day of June YEARLY & Every Years forever (if demanded) AND the said John Pell & Rachell his Wife for themselves their heirs Executors & Administrators Respectively doe hereby covenant promisse & grant to and with the said Jacob Leisler his heirs & Assignes in mannor & formd following (that is to say,) that att the time of the ensealing hereof they the said John Pell & Rachell hi Wife doe Avouch themselves to be true Sole & lawfull owners of all the afore bargained premises and that they are lawfully seized of & in the same & every part thereof in their owne proper Right of a good & Indefinable estate of Inheritance in fee simple & have in themselves good Right full power & lawful Authority to sell & dispose of the same as Aforesaid AND the said Jacob Leisler his heirs & Assignes shall & may from henceforth & forever hereafter peaceably & Quiettly have hold occupy possesse & enjoye the Above Granted premises & every parte & parcell thereof, free & clear without any charge or Incumbrance caused made Suffered or granted by said John Pell & Rachell his Wife or either of them their or either of their heirs in Estate Right title interest in law or Equity trust charge or other Incumbrance whatsoever, AND the said John Pell & Rachell his Wife for themselves Respectively & for their Respective heires doe covenant promisse & grant to warrant & defend the Above Granted premisses with their appűrtenânces & every part & parcel thereof Unto the said Jacob Leisler his heirs & Assigns forever, Against the Lawfull claimes & demands whatsoever, IN WITNESSE whereof the said John Pell & Rachell his Wife have hereunto Sett their hands & Seales in New York & the twentyth day of September in the First years of the Reigne of our soveragne Lord & Lady William, & Mary, KING & QUEEN of England &c., and in the Years of our Lord One thousand Six hundred Eighty & Nine.


JOHN PELL.


the mark R
Rachell Pell"


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