Some 17th Century Records Relating to Pelham Founder, Thomas Pell

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On June 27, 1654, an English settler named Thomas Pell who lived in Fairfield in today’s Connecticut signed a deed with local Native Americans. By that document, Pell acquired the lands that became the Manor of Pelham – a Manor that covered much of today’s northeast Bronx and lower Westchester County.  Although much has been written about Thomas Pell, principally by Pell family members and genealogists, I have spent years trying to piece together brief references to Pell from 17th century documents in an effort to shed additional light on his life.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes two more such records.  Both appear in published records of New Haven where Pell once lived.  Both provide interesting insights into Pell, his acquaintances, and some of the ways he made a living in the seventeenth century.

Thomas Pell Acquired a Debt in 1648 and Sought to Enforce it in Court in 1663

The following record dated September 1, 1663 illustrates that Thomas Pell was involved in financial transactions including the acquisition and subsequent enforcement and collection of unpaid debts when he lived in New Haven and, later, Fairfield.  The record suggests that in 1647, Mr. Thomas Bridges was owed a debt that was due in May of that year by Sergeant Jeffrie.  The debt was reflected in a "Bill" (perhaps a bill of lading).  The face of the bill indicated that only partial payment had been made by the due date of May, 1647.  In 1648, Thomas Bridges endorsed the bill over to Thomas Pell, presumably because Pell paid for the bill or discharged a debt owed by Bridges in exchange for the bill.  

Nearly fifteen years later, in 1663, Pell went to court in New Haven to enforce the debt and sought both damages for non-payment as well as eight percent interest.  It appears that Thomas Pell was represented in the matter by "Mr. Augur."  In a court session held in New Haven on September 1, 1663, the Court told Pell's representative, Mr. Augur, that by law Pell was not entitled to any interest on the debt, but that he could seek damages for non-payment of the debt.  Mr. Augur stated that he would leave it to the Court to determine the damages due to Mr. Pell for non-payment of the debt.

The Court considered the matter and confirmed the legitimacy of the unpaid portion of the debt reflected on the face of the bill.  It then referred the matter to Lieutenant John Nash, directing that he consult with Pell to determine the amount of damages for non-payment that would be due in addition to the unpaid debt.  The Court further directed that if Nash and Pell could not make such a determination, the Court would consider the matter further.

Below is a transcription of the record, followed by a citation and link to its source as well as my own "translation" of the old English reflected in the record.

"AT A COURT HELD ATT NEW HAVEN SEPTEMBER Irst 1663.

Mr Augur propounded about a debt due by Bill from Serjt Jeffrie to one Mr Thomas Bridges marcht made ouer to Mr Thomas Pell in the yeare 1648 but due in May 1647, part of which was payd as upon Bill appeares with somme dammage for none paymt; He defired intereft onely dammage for nonepaymt:  Mr Augur fd he would Leave it to the Court.  The Court Confidering of ye Cafe, did allow ye debt foe farre as yet appeares, & Left the buifenes wth Leifetennt John Nafh to compound with Mr Pell about it, & if he Could not iffue it, the Court would Confider further wt to doe in it."

Source:  Dexter, Franklin Bowditch, ed., New Haven Town Records 1662-1684:  New Haven Colony Historical Society Ancient Town Records, Vol. II, p. 58 (New Haven, CT:  New Haven Colony Historical Society, 1919).

Here is a modern "translation" of the old English of the entry.

AT A COURT HELD AT NEW HAVEN SEPTEMBER 1st 1663.

Mr. Augur propounded [i.e., laid an evidentiary foundation] about a debt due by Bill from Sergeant Jeffrie to one Mr. Thomas Bridges marked [and] made over [i.e., endorsed and transferred] to Mr. Thomas Pell in the year 1648 but due in May 1647, part of which was paid as upon [the] Bill [it] appears with some damage for non-payment:  He desired eight percent interest; It was told him [by the Court] that by law he could not demand interest only damages for non-payment:  Mr. Augur said he would Leave it to the Court [presumably to determine damages].  The Court considered the case [and] did allow that debt so far as it appears, and left the business with Lieutenant John Nash to compound [i.e., consult] with Mr. Pell about it, and if he [John Nash] could not issue it, the Court would consider further what to do in it [the matter].

Thomas Pell Helps Arrange Apprenticeship for Son of Deceased Friend in 1659

On August 14, 1658, Jeremiah Jagger of Stamford, husband of Elizabeth Jagger and father of fourteen-year-old John Jagger, died.  Jeremiah Jagger was a local planter and apparent friend of Thomas Pell and Henry Jackson.  Jagger's wife, Elizabeth, was named executrix of his will.  

About one year after Jeremiah Jagger's death, Thomas Pell and Henry Jackson were appointed as "overseers" for the then-fifteen-year-old boy, John Jagger.  In this capacity and with the signed consent of John Jagger, Pell and Jackson executed an indenture binding young John Jagger to serve as an indentured servant and apprentice  to New Haven Cooper John Winston for a term of six years (until John Jagger reached the age of twenty-one).  The indenture required Winston to teach young Jagger the "Art of Coopery," and to feed, clothe, and house him.  The indenture also required young Jagger to serve Winston, and to avoid "unlawful games," taverns, and alehouses.  The indenture further prohibited the young Jagger from marrying or entering into any contract without Winston's authorization during the term of his servitude.  

Below is a transcription of the record, followed by a citation and link to its source as well as my own "translation" of the old English reflected in the record.

"[On the fly-leaf, at the opening of the volume.]

This indenture followeing was Recorded at ye Defire of Mr Thos. Pell & Henry Jackfon, the 5th of August 165[9].

This indenture (made ye eleuenth of March, Anno: Dom: one thoufand fix hundred & fifty eight) Witnefseth, That we Henry Jackfon & Thomas Pell, being made oufeers and Betrufted by Elizabeth Jagger Late wife to Jeremiah Jagger Planter Deceafed*  [NOTE:  Footnote "*" states "*Jeremiah Jagger, of Stamford, died on August 14, 1658."] in Stamford & whole Executrix, Doe order, Appoint, & Putt John Jagger (wth his Confent), the Sonne of Jeremiah & Elizabeth Jagger abouefd, an apprentifse to John Winfton, Cooper, inhabiting in New Haven, being about ye age of fifteene yeares, to Learne the art & trade of a Cooper, both Keyne-worke & Sett-worke  † [NOTE:  Footnote "†" states:  "† Sett-worke = piece-work."] (according to his Capacity), ffor ye full tearme of Six yeares after ye Date hereoff:  The fd John Jagger his Mafter faithfull to ferue, his fecrets to keepe, any unlawfull games, tauernes, and alehoufes he fhall not frequent, or bee from his Mafters houfe att unlawfull times or feafons, But in all things as an obedient feruant ought to doe:  (marriage or Contract he fhall auoyd within ye abouefd time, without ye leave and approbation of his Mafter).  But in finglenes of heart & life fhall attend all his Mafters fervife as a good & faithfull feruant.  The fd John Winfton Carefully to inftruct him in all his Art of Coopery of Keyne & fettworke, to provide him meate, Drinke, Apparel, wafhing & Lodging, meete & Conuenient for fuch a feruant in all Ciuillity, wth Correction in Rightenousnes, the whole tearme of fixe yeares, and to prouide him att his departure fuch Apparell as appeareth by Articles of Agreement.  Witnes our hands ye daye & year aboue written.

John Jagger
Thos:  Pell
Henry Jackfon

Witnes, James Bifhop, Secretary

This is a true Record of ye originall, per James Bifhop Secretary"

Source:  Dexter, Franklin Bowditch, ed., New Haven Town Records 1662-1684: New Haven Colony Historical Society Ancient Town Records, Vol. II, pp. 441-42 (New Haven, CT: New Haven Colony Historical Society, 1919).

Here is a modern "translation" of the old English of the entry.

This indenture following was recorded at the desire of Mr. Thos. Pell and Henry Jackson, the 5th of August 165[9].

This indenture (made the eleventh of March, A.D. 1658)  Witnesseth, that we Henry Jackson and Thomas Pell, being made overseers [i.e., "protectors" or guardians] and entrusted by Elizabeth Jagger, lately the wife of Jeremiah Jagger, deceased in Stamford and sole Executrix [of Jeremiah Jagger's will], do order, appoint and put John Jagger (with his consent), the son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Jagger abovesaid, an apprentice to John Winston, Cooper, living in New Haven, being about the age of fifteen years, to learn the art and trade of a Cooper, both regular work and piece-work (according to his capacity), for the full term of six years after the date hereof:  The said John Jagger, to serve his master faithfully, to keep his secrets, any unlawful games, taverns, and alehouses he shall not frequent, or be [away] from his master's house at unlawful times or seasons, But in all things as an obedient servant ought to do:  (marriage or contract he shall avoid with the abovesaid time, without the leave and approval of his master).  But in singleness of heart and life [he] shall attend all his master's service as a good and faithful servant.  The said John Winston is to instruct him carefully in all his Art of Coopery of regular and piece-work, to provide him meat, drink, apparel, washing and lodging, meet and convenient for such a servant in all civility, with correction in righteousness, the whole term of six years, and to proide him at his departure such apparel as appears by Articles of Agreement.  Witness our hands the day and year above written.

John Jagger
Thos:  Pell
Henry Jackson

Witness, James Bishop, Secretary

This is a true Record of the original, per James Bishop Secretary

"Thomas Pell" by Thom Lafferty from an Original

by an Unknown Artist Who Imagined Pell as He

Would Have Looked. There Are No Known Images

of Thomas Pell. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

I have written about Pelham founder Thomas Pell and various aspects of his life on countless occasions.  For links to more than sixty articles and one book dealing with the topics, see the following.

Fri., Jan. 16, 2015:  Possible Service of Pelham Founder, Thomas Pell, with English Forces in the Siege and Capture of Bois-le-Duc in the Netherlands in 1629.

Thu., Jan. 15, 2015:  The Man For Whom The Town of Pelham Is Named.

Wed., Dec. 10, 2014:  Did Pelham Founder Thomas Pell Have a Residence in Pelham?

Tue., Nov. 04, 2014:  Rev. Nathaniel Brewster, Stepson of Thomas Pell.

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

Mon., Mar. 31, 2014:  Inventory of the Estate of Pelham Founder Thomas Pell Taken Shortly After He Died in Late September, 1669.

Wed., Oct. 7, 2009:  1656 Native American Deed for Fairfield, Connecticut Lands Signed by Thomas Pell as a Witness.

Fri., Apr. 24, 2009:  Dutch Authorities Remove the Settlers At West Chester in March, 1656.

Tue., Apr. 07, 2009:  1666 Record Containing "Observations" on the Patent Granted to Thomas Pell.

Thu., Dec. 20, 2007:  Two 17th Century Fairfield Probate Records Referring to Thomas Pell.  
Tue., Dec. 18, 2007:  1648 Commercial Record Involving Claim Against Thomas Pell for Three Hundred Pounds.

Mon., Dec. 17, 2007:  1649 Record Whereby Thomas Pell Appointed Agent to Recover Bond Due From Pewterer Ambrose Adlam of the City of Bristoll.

Fri., Dec. 14, 2007:  Additional 17th Century Shipping and Commercial Records Mentioning Thomas Pell.  

Tue., Nov. 27, 2007:  Thomas Pell Was Elected a Freeman of Connecticut on October 9, 1662, the Day the Crown's Connecticut Charter Was Read to the Public.

Wed., Oct. 24, 2007:  July 3, 1666 Letter on Behalf of the Governor of the Province of New York To Thomas Pell.

Tue., Oct. 23, 2007:  1664 Petition of Inhabitants of Westchester to Commissioners for the Affairs of New England Mentioning 1654 Purchase by Thomas Pell.

Mon., Oct. 22, 2007:  Dutch Authorities Demand That Thomas Pell Halt His 'Intrusion' at Westchester in 1656.

Fri., Oct. 19, 2007:  Thomas Pell Was Feared Drowned or Lost at Sea in 1656.  

Thu., Oct. 18, 2007:  April 19, 1655 Dutch Protest Against Thomas Pell's Efforts To Settle Englishmen on Lands the Dutch Called VreedLandt.

Wed., Oct. 17, 2007:  1669 Map of Lands in Dispute Between Thomas Pell and John Richbell.

Tue., Oct. 16, 2007:  Information About Thomas Pell's Treaty Oak Published in 1912.

Wed., Oct. 10, 2007:  Thomas Pell Accompanies Delegation of Dutch from New Haven to Hartford in October, 1663.

Tue., Aug. 14, 2007:  Biographical Data About Thomas Pell, His brother, John, and His Nephew, John Pell of the Manor of Pelham.  

Tue., Jul. 24, 2007:  Article About the Pell Treaty Oak Published in 1909. 

Mon., Jul. 23, 2007:  1906 Article in The Sun Regarding Fire that Destroyed the Pell Treaty Oak.

Wed., May 2, 2007:  Information About Thomas Pell's Treaty Oak Published in 1922. 

Mon., Apr. 2, 2007:  More Evidence That Thomas Pell Paid 500 Pounds Sterling for the Lands that Became the Manor of Pelham.

Wed., Mar. 07, 2007:  Published Abstract of 1669 Will of Thomas Pell, Followed by Entire Text of Will of Thomas Pell.

Wed., Feb. 07, 2007:  Information About Thomas Pell in the Catalogue of the Names of the First Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut Published in 1846.

Fri., Feb. 02, 2007:  1670 Letter from John Winthrop, Jr. to William Lord Brereton, Describing the Arrival of John Pell in America to Receive Thomas Pell's Estate.

Thu., Jan. 11, 2007:  More 17th Century Commercial Records Involving Thomas Pell and Edmund Leach.

Wed., Jan. 10, 2007:  17th Century Commercial Records Involving Thomas Pell and Edmund Leach.

Tue., Jan. 9, 2007:  1648 Notarial Record by Boston Merchant Providing Power of Attorney to Collect Debt From Thomas Pell of New Haven.

Mon., Jan. 8, 2007:  Dutch Authorities Decide To Station a Ship With Men Off Today's City Island on February 9, 1654 To Keep Watch on the Activities of the English.

Fri., Dec. 22, 2006:  Brief Biographies of Thomas Pell, First Lord of the Manor of Pelham, and His Nephew, John, Published in 1912.

Tue., Dec. 12, 2006:  Did Thomas Pell Avoid Taxes by Maintaining a Medical Practice?

Fri., Dec. 08, 2006:  An Interesting Power of Attorney Executed in Favor of Thomas Pell on October 29, 1651 Plus Other Records.

Thu., Dec. 07, 2006:  Additional Authorities Supporting Assertions that Thomas Pell Conducted Trade by Ship Along the East Coast.

Wed., Dec. 06, 2006:  When Did Thomas Pell Arrive in America?

Wed., Nov. 22, 2006:  Young Thomas Pell Unjustly Accused of "Extortion or Sinfull Unrightousness".

Mon., Nov. 06, 2006:  The Source of Confusion Over the Date Thomas Pell Acquired the Lands That Became the Manor of Pelham.

Tue., Oct. 24, 2006:  Thomas Pell's and John Pell's Land Dispute with John Richbell in the Late 1660s and Early 1670s.

Mon., Oct. 23, 2006:  More Early Evidence That Thomas Pell Had a House Later Used by His Nephew, John Pell, on Rodman's Neck. 

Fri., Oct. 06, 2006:  Additional Evidence That Thomas Pell Acquired His Lands At the Behest of English Authorities.

Thu. Oct. 5, 2006: Additional Evidence That Thomas Pell Paid 500 Pounds Sterling for the Lands That Became the Manor of Pelham.

Wed., Oct. 04, 2006:  Did Thomas Pell, First Lord of the Manor of Pelham, Act as an Attorney?

Fri., Aug. 25, 2006:  Thomas Pell, First Lord of the Manor of Pelham, Traded Tobacco Along the East Coast by Barque.

Mon., July 24, 2006:  A Statute Enacted in 1666 Seems to Have Prompted Thomas Pell To Seek a Royal Grant Confirming His June 27, 1654 Land Acquisition.

Fri., July 7, 2006:  The Involvement of Thomas Pell's Family in the Witchcraft Persecution of Goody Knapp.

Mon., July 3, 2006:  Where Is Thomas Pell's Handwritten Copy of the Treaty Signed With Local Native Americans on June 27, 1654?

Wed., Jun. 28, 2006:  A Biography of Mathematician John Pell, Brother of Thomas Pell (First Lord of the Manor of Pelham).

Tue., Jun. 27, 2006:  Land Owned by Thomas Pell and His Wife in New Haven, Connecticut in the Mid-17th Century.  

Thu., Apr. 13, 2006:  Rumors in 1657 That Thomas Pell Manipulated Local Native Americans To Protect His Land Acquisition From Incursions by the Dutch.

Fri., Mar. 03, 2006:  1666 Letter from Thomas Pell to John Winthrop, Jr. Regarding Pell's 1654 Purchase of the Lands That Became Pelham.

Thu., Feb. 16, 2006:  Evidence of the Use of Thomas Pell's Insignia To Seal a Letter from Lion Gardiner in 1636.  

Fri., Jul. 29, 2005:  Has Another Piece of the Treaty Oak Surfaced?

Bell, Blake A., Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak (Lincoln, NE: iUniverse, Inc., 2004). 

Bell, Blake A., How Much Did Thomas Pell Pay for the Manor of Pelham?, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XV, Issue 43, Nov. 3, 2006, p. 10, col. 1.

Bell, Blake A., Thomas Pell's Feud With the New Haven Courts, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 14, Apr. 2, 2004, p. 10, col. 2.

Bell, Blake A., Thomas Pell: The Historical Context, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 12, Mar. 19, 2004, p. 10, col. 1.

Bell, Blake A., Pelham History: The Involvement of Thomas Pell's Family in the Witchcraft Persecution of Goody Knapp, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 4, Jan. 23, 2004, p. 11, col. 1 through p. 12, col. 2.

Bell, Blake A., Pelham History: Why Did Thomas Pell Buy the Lands That Became Pelham?, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 2, Jan. 9, 2004, p. 11, col. 1 through p. 12, col. 3.

Bell, Blake A., Thomas Pell's Treaty Oak, The Westchester Historian, Vol. 28, Issue 3, pp. 73-81 (The Westchester County Historical Society, Summer 2002). 

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