Historic Pelham

Presenting the rich history of Pelham, NY in Westchester County: current historical research, descriptions of how to research Pelham history online and genealogy discussions of Pelham families.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

1786 Advertisement Offering for Sale the 300-Acre Farm of James Pell in the Manor of Pelham


Periodically I post to the Historic Pelham Blog 18th and 19th century real estate advertisements offering land in the Manor of Pelham for sale. Below is the text of one such advertisement published by James Pell in 1786. The advertisement is followed by a citation to its source.

"TO BE SOLD,

A Valuable FARM, situated on the manor of Pellham, containing upwards of three hundred acres of good and fertile land and meadow, of which are about 35 acres of good salt meadow; also 80 acres of full timbered land, and well watered by living springs; also two bearing orchards, containing 600 trees of the best grafted fruit, and other fruit trees of all kinds, too tedious to mention; also, a good dwelling-house, two good barns, cider-mill house and granery, and several other out-houses, too tedious to mention. -- Whoever inclines to purchase the said farm, may apply to JAMES PELL, now living on the premises, who will give an indisputable title for the above premises.

JAMES PELL.

N.B. Part of the farm adjoins several good landings on East-Chester-Creek.

67 13"

Source: To Be Sold, The New-York Packet, Feb. 20, 1786, No. 569, p. 1, col. 1.

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Friday, August 03, 2007

Abstract of Sale of Lands of Joshua Pell of Pelham Manor by the Commissioners of Forfeiture in the Southern District of New York State in August, 1784


Following the close of the Revolutionary War, the "Commissioners of Forfeitures in the Southern District of New York State" conducted sale proceedings involving lands of those who were not loyal to the Patriot cause during the War. On August 23, 1784, the Commissioners of Forfeitures sold a 146-acre farm located in the Manor of Pelham that once had belonged to Loyalist Joshua Pell, Jr. Pell served as an officer in the Bugoyne campaigns during the War. (To read his diary, see October 2, 2006: The Revolutionary War Diary of Loyalist Joshua Pell, Jr. of the Manor of Pelham.)

Below is a transcription of an abstract of the Commissioners' records of that sale from abstracts published in The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record in April, 1928.

"ABSTRACTS OF SALES BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF FORFEITURES IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK STATE

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COPIED AND CONTRIBUTED BY THERESA HALL BRISTOL. (MRS. ROBERT DEWEY BRISTOL), Life Member and Member of the Publication Committee of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.

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* * *

August, 1784. . . .

No. 3. Sold to Isaac Guion of the City of New York, Merchant; a farm in Manor of Pelham; bounded N. by James Pell; W. by Eastchester Creek; S. by Edward Pell; e. by lands forfeited by conviction of John Pell; 146 a.; forfeited by the conviction of Joshua Pell [excepting and reserving thereout to Phebe Pell, widow and relict of Joshua Pell late of Westchester Co., farmer, her right of Dower]."

Source: Bristol, Theresa Hall, Abstracts of Sales by the Commissioners of Forfeitures in the Southern District of New York State in The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. LIX, No. 2, pp. 108-09 (NY, NY: The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, April 1928).

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Monday, March 19, 2007

Abstract of 1768 Will of Caleb Pell of the Manor of Pelham, Proved April 9, 1768


On Thursday, November 30, 2006, I posted to the Historic Pelham Blog an abstract of the 1768 Will of Caleb Pell. See Thursday, November 30, 2006: Abstract of 1768 Will of Caleb Pell of the Manor of Pelham.

I since have located a more extensive abstract of the same will. Below is the text of an abstract of the will of Caleb Pell of the Manor of Pelham. The will was proved April 9, 1768. A citation to its source follows the text of the abstract.

"ABSTRACTS OF WILLS -- LIBER 26. . . .

Page 259. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, CALEB PELL, of the Manor of Pelham, farmer, being indisposed. I leave to my son, Caleb Pell, all that my farm and plantation of lands and salt meadows lying in East Chester town ship, and formerly belonging to my father, Thomas Pell, and where my son Caleb now lives, with all appurtenances, Reserving all the lands that lye to the west of the fence, that runs across the said farm, from the Boston road to the land now, or late, of Jonathan Archer, the use of which I give to my son, James Pell, for the space of one year, and then to my son Caleb, on condition that he pay to my executors £125, when my younger son Elijah is 18 years old, for his use. I also give to my son Caleb a negro boy and my silver watch, 'and my large China Punch Bowl.' I leave to my wife Mary a negro boy and woman and child, 'also my stocks of Bees and all my Poultry,' and all the wool that shall be sheared off my sheep this year, also my two best beds with furniture, and a mahogany tea table, and one dozen best chairs, and all linnen and kitchen utensils, and my silver plate, Looking glass, and China. I leave to my daughter, Ann Laurence, a negro girl, and a Mahogany Chest of Drawers, and a dining table and a tea table to be made [Page 162 / Page 163] for her. I leave to my daughter, Mary Rodman, a negro girl. To my daughter Bathsheba a bed and furniture; To my daughters, Euphemia and Fila [Phila], each a bed; To my son Elijah my large chest; To my wife Mary my riding chair and horse. I leave to my son James all that my farm or Plantation lands and meadows, lying in the Manor of Pelham, where I now live, and the rest of my movable estate, and he is to pay all debts, and he is to pay to my wife £150, and he is to furnish my wife 12 good cows and sheep, and he is to provide for my daughter Phila till married. And he is to provide for my wife 30 bushels of wheat, 50 of corn, 25 pounds of 'good swingled flax,' a number of swine, 'and cyder for herself, children, and servants that shall live with her.' And she is to have the use of the west great room in my house, and two bedrooms, and chamber and garret, and use of kitchen 'and the shed where the cheese press stands.' And the use of the hen house, mill house, Barracks, and Smoke house, and provisino for the unmarried daughters, and he is to pay to each of my daughters £100, and to my son Elijah £500 when of age, and he is to be supported till of age. And my son James is to pay for his schooling, 'and give him learning, as reading, writing and common Arithmetick, Navigation, Surveying, and bookkeeping.' 'In case it will suit my son Elijah to go to a Latin School, and my executors think fit to let him learn Latin, they may let him go.' And my son James is to pay for his learning till he is 16, and then bind him out to a merchant. My son James is to give a bond for the performance of all these conditions. My wife is to have the use of the rest of my estate during her widowhood. My executors are to sell 5 negroes and my riding horse, and the money to be paid to my son James to help him pay legacies. I leave to my son James all my rights and improvements which I have in Phillips Upper Patent.

Dated March 24, 1768. Witnesesses, Joshua Pell, Jr., Gilbert Lawrence, John Bartow. I make my wife and [Page 163 / Page 164] my brother-in-law, James Ferris and John Ferris, of Westchester, executors. Proved April 9, 1768. (James and John Ferris were Quakers.)

[NOTE. -- This will is of great length, and contains very minute directions as to support of wife and daughters.]"

Source: Pelletreau, William S., ed., Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York. Vol. VII. June 6, 1766 - November 29, 1771. With Letters of Administration, January 6, 1767 - January 11, 1773. in Collections of The New-York Historical Society For the Year 1898., pp. 162-64 (NY, NY: The New-York Historical Society 1899).

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Friday, March 16, 2007

Abstract of Will of Thomas Pell of Eastchester, Owner of Lands in Pelham Manor, Prepared in 1753 and Proved in 1754


Below is the text of an abstract of the will of Thomas Pell of Eastchester who owned lands in the Manor of Pelham. The will, prepared in 1753, was proved February 12, 1754. A citation to its source follows the text of the abstract.

"ABSTRACTS OF WILLS -- LIBER 18. . . .

Page 463. -- In the name of God, Amen, I, THOMAS PELL, of Eastchester, in the County of Westchester, Esq., being somewhat indisposed in body. 'I will that £100 to my beloved wife Dorothy and to divide with the young children, Samuel, James, Dorothy and Rachel, and in portion what I gave to these four children.' (The foregoing is copied exactly from the will and may have been incorrectly recorded.) I leave to my son Thomas, 5 shillings. To my son Roger, 5s. To my son John, 1s. To Sarah Dodge, wife of Emans Dodge, 1s. To Mary, wife of John Ward, Jr., £5. To my son David, £500, or 1/2 of my farm in Eastchester, and 1/2 the salt meadow; Also my silver tankard and tumbler, that formerly belonged to my grand father, John Pell. I leave to my wife Dorothy, the best dwelling room in my house, and a bed and 6 chairs, and a negro wench to wait upon her. I leave to my son David a negro man. To Keziah, wife of James Laurence, £50. To my son David, my Great Bible. If my son David takes 1/2 of my farm, he shall take it [Page 476 / Page 477] where the buildings stand. I leave to my wife Dorothy 9 silver spoons. I leave my wearing clothes to my sons. My executors are to sell 1/2 of my farm in Eastchester, and my lands lying in the manor of Pelham, an my right in lands in the Patent at the north end of New Rochelle lands, and my lands in Fairfield, Connecticutt, and my rights in the Nine Pastures in Duchess County. I make Caleb Pell, Dorothy Pell, and David Pell, executors.

Dated September 11, 1753. Witnesses, Nathan Palmer, Joseph Drake, Jonathan Archer, Joseph Stanton. Proved, February 12, 1754."

Source: Pelletreau, William S., ed., Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York. Vol. IV. 1744-1753. With Letters of Administration Granted 1745-1753. in Collections of The New-York Historical Society For the Year 1895., pp. 476-77 (NY, NY: The New-York Historical Society 1896).

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Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Abstract of 1772 Will of Mary Pell of the Manor of Pelham


The following is an abstract of another early will prepared by an 18th century resident of the Manor of Pelham. It is an abstract of the will of Mary Pell prepared on April 18, 1772 and proved May 30, 1772. Beneath the abstract is a citation to its source.

"ABSTRACTS OF WILLS - LIBER 28. . . . .

Page 261. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, MARY PELL, of the Manor of Pelham, in Westchester County, widow, being of sound disposing mind. I direct all debts to be paid. I leave to my son, Caleb Pell, my Great Bible. 'I leave to my son James one good feather bed and bedding thereunto belonging, which he now ledges in.' I leave to my son Elijah one good feather bed, and a negro boy, if my son lives to be 21. 'The reason I give my sons no more by this will is they having received the rest of their portion already.' I leave to my daughter, Ann Van Kleeck, 'the use of 6 large Table silver spoons, to be bought with my money of £8 value, so long as she lives, and then to her daughter, Mary Lawrence.' I leave to my daughter, Mercy Rodman, the same number of spoons for life, and then to her daughter Charlotte. I [Page 43 / Page 44] leave to my daughter, Bathsheba Pell, 6 large silver Table spoons that I have marked C. P. M., and £10, and a Damask Table cloth. I leave to my daughter, Euphemia Pell, my silver Tankard marked C. M. P. during her life. If she leave issue she may give it to whom she pleases, but if not, then to my daughters, Bathsheba and Philena. I also give to my daughter Euphemia a pair of brass candle sticks. I leave to my daughter Helena my Silver Pint Mugg marked T. P. A. and 6 silver tea spoons, one pair of sugar tongs marked M. P., and one Mahogany Tea table, and £10, and a feather bed and furniture. I leave to my granddaughter, Mary Pell, daughter of my son Caleb, one pair of gold sleeve buttons of 40 shillings price, to be bought for her with my money, and my silver shoe buckles. I leave to my grandson, Caleb Haviland, one pair of gold sleeve buttons, 40 shillings price, My negro man, Dick, is to be sold, and may choose his master. The money is to be paid to my three daughters, Bathsheba, Euphemia, and Helena, and I leave them the rest of my estate. I make my brothers, James Ferris and John Ferris, executors.

Dated April 18, 1772. Witnesses, Charles Vincent, Sr., Joshua Pell, Jr., John Bartow. Proved, May 30, 1772."

Source: Pelletreau, William S., Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York - LIBER 28 Continued in Collections of The New-York Historical Society For the Year 1899, pp. 43-44 (NY, NY: New-York Historical Society 1900).

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Tuesday, March 22, 2005

The 1790 U.S. Census Information for the Township of Pelham


Only seven years after the end of the Revolutionary War and two years after the formal creation of the Town of Pelham, the federal government performed its first U.S. census. Below I have created a "cut-and-paste" image that combines data spread across two pages of the 1790 U.S. Census, New York State, Westchester County, Township of Pelham (pages 141 and 142). That image appears below.



The handwritten titles of the five columns are somewhat difficult to read. They are, from left to right, the following:

"Free White Males of 16 Years Upward Including Heads of Families"
"Free White Males Under 16 Years."
"Free White Females Including Heads of Families"
"All Other Free Persons"
"Slaves"

The census shows 45 free white males sixteen years or older, 31 free white males under sixteen years old, 84 free white females, 1 "other free person" (likely an emancipated slave) and 38 slaves for a total population of 199 persons.

The names of those listed in the census are well known to students of Pelham History including, among many others:

Philip Pell, Esq. (Revolutionary War Hero)
Benjamin Guion (Well Known Tavern Owner)
David J. Pell (Descendant of John Pell, 2nd Lord of the Manor; Became Owner of Pelhamdale)
James Pell (Descendant of John Pell, 2nd Lord of the Manor)
James A. F. Prevost, Esq.
Thomas Pell (Descendant of John Pell, 2nd Lord of the Manor)
Samuel Rodman (Rodman's Neck)
William Bailey (Bayley - Uncle of St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton; Owner of the Kemble House)

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