Slaves Likely Were Held, and Forced to Work, at the Shrubbery, Once Located Near Split Rock Road in Pelham

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On February 26, 1790, Aaron Burr purchased a 146-acre farm in Pelham commanded by a mansion that stood near today's "Split Rock Road" and Boston Post Road known as "The Shrubbery".  The home, built in the mid-18th century, was a Pell family homestead owned for many years by Joshua Pell Sr..  The 146-acre tract was part of a larger farm owned by Joshua Pell Sr. the Revolutionary War.  Joshua Pell Sr. had a son, also named Joshua, who served as a British officer in upstate New York during the Revolutionary War. 

During the 1780s New York State's Commissioners of Forfeiture sold the 146-acre tract to Isaac Guion for 988 pounds.  The land had been confiscated from Joshua Pell "Jr." after it was bequeathed to him by his father.

The will of Joshua Pell "Sr." entitled his children to receive monetary legacies when his entire farm (including the 146-acre tract) was divided in half and devised to two of his older sons: Joshua Pell "Jr." (who was entitled to receive the northern half) and Edward Pell (who was entitled to receive the southern half).  

The children of Joshua Pell "Sr." filed a lawsuit in which they were represented by Aaron Burr.  As a consequence of the lawsuit, in 1789 the New York State Treasurer paid Joshua Pell "Jr." 988 pounds in compensation for "wrongful taking" and paid Isaac Guion 125 pounds for his expenses. 

Significantly, in 1790 Aaron Burr bought the very 146-acre tract at issue in the lawsuit. He bought the northern half of Joshua Pell Sr.'s original farm -- the Joshua Pell "Jr." tract -- from Nicholas and William Wright.  He acquired the land subject to the right of dower of Phoebe Pell , the widow of Joshua Pell "Sr."  (For the complete text of this deed, see Wed., Jun. 14, 2006: Text of Deed by Which Aaron Burr Acquired Pelham Lands in 1790.)  Burr soon sold the tract to his step-son, Augustine J. F. Prevost. 

Prevost and his family lived in the home for many years until some time after November 17, 1813.  During that time Prevost was a slaveholder. For example, the U.S. census of 1800 shows that Prevost owned four slaves.  Additionally, manumission records of the Town of Pelham show that in 1807, Prevost manumitted a male slave named Job who was between 21 and 22 years old. The 1810 U.S. census shows that he owned one slave.  

It seems likely that others who owned the home known as the "Shrubbery" before Prevost also owned slaves who worked on the estate.  Joshua Pell, Sr. built The Shrubbery during the 1750s.  Both he and his wife were slaveholders.  

The New York Slave Census of 1755 indicates that Joshua Pell, Sr. owned two slaves.  A record of transfer of ownership shows that Phebe Ward Pell received three slaves from her father.  Moreover, the March 1, 1758 will executed by Joshua Pell, Sr. bequeathed slaves named Michael, Arabella and Hagar to various family members.  It seems likely that some or all of these slaves worked on the estate known as the "Shrubbery." 

It is also possible that Isaac Guion, who owned the estate during much of the 1780s, may have had slaves on the estate.  He was a known slaveholder. It is possible that the reference to “Isaiah Guion” as owner of one slave in the 1790 census is a reference to Isaac Guion, but that has not been established.  

Immediately below is an image of the Shrubbery before it burned in the 1890s.  It seems likely that slaves held by Augustine Frederick Prevost and Joshua Pell, Sr. – perhaps Michael, Arabella and Hagar – trod the floorboards of this 18th century home and worked in the fields and outbuildings that surrounded it.

The Shrubbery, Home of Joshua Pell, Sr., Isaac

Guion, and Augustine J. Frederick Prevost Before

It Burned in the 1890s.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Detail from 1868 Beers Atlas Map Showing Location of

"THE SHRUBBERY" (Lower Left) Just Off Today's

Boston Post Road in Area Between Today's Split Rock

Road and Today's Boston Post Road.  Source:  Beers,

Frederick W., "City Island, Pelham Township, Westchester

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

Atlas of New York and Vicinity from Actual Surveys by and

Under the Direction of F. W. Beers, p. 35 (NY, NY:  Beers

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

*          *          *          *          *

I have written on numerous occasions regarding slavery in Pelham.  For examples, though there are many more, see:

Bell, Blake A., Slavery in the Manor of Pelham and the Town of Pelham During the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries (paper prepared for and presented to the 28th Annual Conference on New York State History on June 8, 2007).  

Bell, Blake A., Records of Slavery and Slave Manumissions in 18th and 19th Century Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 27, Jul. 9, 2004.

Thu., Jan. 07, 2016:  The 1790 U.S. Census and What It Reveals About Slavery in Pelham.

Wed., Dec. 16, 2015:  The Will of Joshua Pell Sr. of the Manor of Pelham Dated March 1, 1758.

Tue., Feb. 09, 2010:  1755 Census of Slaves Older than Fourteen in the "Mannour of Pelham."

Mon., Jun. 18, 2007:  Information About Slaves Owned by Joshua Pell, Jr. of the Manor of Pelham.

Tue., Mar. 27, 2007:  1791 Will of Benjamin Guion of the Town of Pelham.

Mon., Mar. 26, 2007:  Will of Elizabeth Guion of the Town of Pelham Made in 1789 and Proved on October 5, 1791.

Thu., Mar. 22, 2007:  Abstract of Will of John Hunt, Owner of Land on "Mineford's Island" in the Manor of Peham Prepared in 1776 and Proved June 17, 1777.

Tue., Mar. 20, 2007:  Abstract of 1768 Will of John Pugsley of the Manor of Pelham, Proved December 31, 1768.

Mon., Mar. 19, 2007:  Abstract of 1768 Will of Caleb Pell of the Manor of Pelham, Proved April 9, 1768.

Fri., Mar. 16, 2007:  Abstract of Will of Thomas Pell of Eastchester, Owner of Lands in Pelham Manor, Prepared in 1753 and Proved in 1754.

Wed., Apr. 12, 2006:  1712 Census of Westchester County Documents Slave Ownership in Pelham

Mon., Apr. 3, 2006:  1805 Will of William Bayley of Pelham Included Disposition of Slaves

Fri., Feb. 17, 2006:  Runaway Slave Notice Published by John Pell in 1748 Comes to Light

Wed., Jul. 19, 2006:  Pelham Manor Runaway Slave Notice in June 30, 1777 Issue of The New-York Gazette; And The Weekly Mercury.

Mon., Jul. 18, 2005: Pelham Manor Runaway Slave Notice in August 29, 1789 Issue of The New-York Packet

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The Will of Joshua Pell Sr. of the Manor of Pelham Dated March 1, 1758

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In 1758, Joshua Pell, Sr. of the Manor of pelham prepared a will that covered holdings including a large tract within the Manor of Pelham. Included in that will were the dispositions he intended to be made of a number of slaves.  As I have indicated before, for several years I have tried to piece together some of the tragic history regarding slavery in the early years of Pelham's history.  Indeed, on June 8, 2007 I presented an academic paper on the topic to the 28th Annual Conference on New York State History.  The paper was entitled "Slavery in the Manor of Pelham and the Town of Pelham During the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries."  Immediately below is a bibliographic list of prior writings I have prepared on the topic including the 2008 conference paper.  

Bell, Blake A., Slavery in the Manor of Pelham and the Town of Pelham During the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries (paper prepared for and presented to the 28th Annual Conference on New York State History on June 8, 2007).  

Wednesday, April 12, 2006: 1712 Census of Westchester County Documents Slave Ownership in Pelham

Monday, April 3, 2006: 1805 Will of William Bayley of Pelham Included Disposition of Slaves

Friday, February 17, 2006: Runaway Slave Notice Published by John Pell in 1748 Comes to Light

Wed., Jul. 19, 2006:  Pelham Manor Runaway Slave Notice in June 30, 1777 Issue of The New-York Gazette; And The Weekly Mercury.

Monday, July 18, 2005: Pelham Manor Runaway Slave Notice in August 29, 1789 Issue of The New-York Packet

Bell, Blake A., Records of Slavery and Slave Manumissions in 18th and 19th Century Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 27, Jul. 9, 2004.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog Posting provides the text and digital images of the pages of the record of the complete will of Joshua Pell created in 1758 and proved August 14, 1781.  (I previously have written about a published abstract of this will.)  

Among the many bequests made in his will, Joshua Pell Sr. purported to bequeath to a number of his legatees several of the slaves he owned.  The bequests provide some record of those held in slavery in the Manor of Pelham at the time.  In his will Joshua Pell Sr. bequeaths to three of his children three slaves named Michael, Clarabella, and Hagar.  The pertinent language of these specific bequests are quoted immediately below:  

"I give and bequeath unto my Son Gilbert Pell one Negro Boy Slave named Michael to be Delivered unto him at the Expiration of his apprenticeship which he is now serving with Joseph Latham at New York"

"I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Phebe Pell the sum of One hundred pounds Lawful money of New York and one Negro girl Slave named Clarabella to be paid and Delivered to her at the day of her Lawful marriage"

"I giive and bequeath unto my Daughter Jerusha Pell the sum of One hundred Pounds Lawful Money of New York and one Negro girl Slave named Hagar to be paid hereafter specified"

*          *          *          *         *

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog sets forth digital images of each of the four pages of the record of Joshua Pell Sr.'s will.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source, as well as a transcription of the handwritten text.

First Page of Record of the Will of Joshua Pell, Sr.,

Dated March 1, 1758 and Proved August 14, 1781.

Source:  New York Wills and Probate Records,

1659-1999, Ancestry.com (Original Data:  New

York County, District and Probate Courts:  Wills

and Administrations, Vol. 0032-0035, 1778-1783,

pp. 270-73) (NOTE:  Paid subscription required

to access link).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"[Page 270]

270

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN.  The first day of March in the thirty first year of his Majestys Reign and in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and fifty Eight -- I Joshua Pell senior of the Manor of Pelham in the County of Westchester and Province of New York yeoman being sick and weak in Body but of sound and perfect mind memory and understanding, thanks be given unto God therefor, calling unto mind the mortality of my Body and knowing that is appointed for all men once to die, do make ordain and constitute this my Last Will in manner and form following, that is to say principally and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of God who gave it me, and as for my Body I recommend it to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian like and Decent manner at the Discretion of my Executors herein after named, and as touching such Worldly goods and Estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give to devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form / Viz Imprimis I order that all my just Debts and Funeral Charges be fully paid and satisfied as soon as convenient they can be done after my Decease.  Item I give and Bequeath unto my well beloved Son Joshua Pell Junier [sic] the sum of Five pounds Current money of New York to be paid unto him by my Executors within one year after my Decease to him his Heirs and assigns -- Item I give and Bequeath unto my well beloved wife Phebe Pell the use and Command of the best Room in my House, with the use of a Bed &c &c beding [sic] and other Household goods for her Comfortable Subsistance [sic] as also a Sufficiency of Provision and Cloathing for her and my younger Children during her natural life or so long as she remains my Widow to be provided and allowed her by my two sons Joshua Pell and Edward Pell -- Item I give and bequeath unto my said Wife more, the sum of seven Pounds yearly and every year &c during the time of her natural Life or widowhood, and in case she marries after my Decease then I give unto her my said Wife the sum of one hundred pounds --"

Second Page of Record of the Will of Joshua Pell, Sr.,

Dated March 1, 1758 and Proved August 14, 1781.

Source:  New York Wills and Probate Records,

1659-1999, Ancestry.com (Original Data:  New

York County, District and Probate Courts:  Wills

and Administrations, Vol. 0032-0035, 1778-1783,

pp. 270-73) (NOTE:  Paid subscription required

to access link).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

[Page 271]

"271

Pounds [sic] Current money of New York to be paid unto her immediately and the other above specified priviledges [sic] to Cease and determine -- Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Gilbert Pell one Negro Boy Slave named Michael to be Delivered unto him at the Expiration of his apprenticeship which he is now serving with Joseph Latham at New York as also the sum of One hundred Pounds Lawful money of New York to be paid to him as follows that is to say Twenty Pounds thereof at the Expiration of his apprenticeship affores'd, and Eighty Pounds the residue thereof as is hereafter specified to hi his Heirs and assigns.  Item I give and bequeath unto my son Phillip Pell the sum of One hundred Pounds Lawful money of New York to be paid to him as hereafter specified to him his Heirs and assigns -- Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Benjamin Pell the Sum of One hundred Pounds Lawful money of New York to be paid unto him as is hereafter specified to him his Heirs and assigns -- Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Phebe Pell the sum of One hundred pounds Lawful money of New York and one Negro girl Slave named Clarabella to be paid and Delivered to her at the day of her Lawful marriage to her, her Heirs and assigns -- Item I give bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Pell the sum of One Hundred Pounds to be paid unto her as is hereafter specified to her, her Heirs and assigns -- Item I giive and bequeath unto my Daughter Jerusha Pell the sum of One hundred Pounds Lawful Money of New York and one Negro girl Slave named Hagar to be paid hereafter specified to her her Heirs and assigns -- Item it is will and I do hereby order that none of the above mentioned Legacies and bequeaths nor any part thereof Except such parts thereof as is Expresly [sic] limited to a time of payment be liable to be paid until such time as my youngest Surviving Child (be it son or Daughter) shall arrive to full age and then all and Singular the above Legacies and bequeaths to be fully paid and discharged.  Item it is my Will and I do hereby order that in Case any one or more of my six youngest Children that is my Sons Gilbert Pell, Philip Pell, Benjamin Pell, and my Daughters Phebe Pell, Sarah Pell, and Jerusha Pell should die before they come to Lawful Age or without Lawful Issue that then the share or shares of such Deceased be equally divided among the Survivors of them six Sons and Daughters share and share alike to them their Heirs and assigns, Item it is my Will and I do hereby order that all or such part of my moveable Estate as my Executors shall think necessary to pay all my Just Debts Funeral Charges and Charges of Executing this my Will, be sold or disposed of by them for that purpose and the and the [sic] use or profits of the Remainder be Employed in maintenance of my Wife and maintenance and Educating of my younger Children 'till they all severally arrive to age and then the Remainder if any be it is my Will that it be Equally Divided among my six youngest Children that is Gilbert Pell, Phillip Pell, Benjamin Pell, Phebe Pell, Sarah Pell and Jerusha Pell or the Survivors of them their Heirs and assigns -- Item I give Devise and Bequeath unto my two Sons Joshua Pell Junr., and Edward Pell all and Singular my Lands meadows and Tenements to be equally divided between them in the following manner and form that is to say To begin at a Water Fence where a small Creek puts up on the Southernmost side of a Ditch commonly called Ben's Ditch, and from said fence to Run an Eastwardly"

Third Page of Record of the Will of Joshua Pell, Sr.,

Dated March 1, 1758 and Proved August 14, 1781.

Source:  New York Wills and Probate Records,

1659-1999, Ancestry.com (Original Data:  New

York County, District and Probate Courts:  Wills

and Administrations, Vol. 0032-0035, 1778-1783,

pp. 270-73) (NOTE:  Paid subscription required

to access link).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"[Page 272]

272

Eastwardly [sic] line so as to divide the whole into two Equal parts or shares and northernmost half part or share I give and Devise unto my Son Joshua Pell Junr. to him his Heirs and assigns, and the Southernmost half part or share I give and Devise unto my Son Edward Pell to him his Heirs and assigns.  Item I give and Devise unto my Son Edward Pell the whole the whole [sic] of a Hammock lying in the West Meadows commonly called the West Hammock to him his Heirs and assigns, the said Lands above devised to be freely possessed and Enjoyed by them my said Sons Joshua Pell and Edward Pell immediately after my Decease -- Item it is my Will and I do hereby order that in Case Either of my said Sons should Die without Lawful Issue that then the share of Land above devised unto such Deceased I give and Devise unto my next oldest surviving Son upon the same Conditions and under the same Restrictions as is hereinafter mentioned on the part and behalf of them the said Joshua Pell and Edward Pell to be paid and performed -- Item it is my Will and I do hereby order that my said Son Joshua Pell in Consideration of the above Devise of the said one half part of my Land shall pay the sum of Five hundred Pounds Lawful money of New York as his part or share towards discharging the Legacies above bequeathed unto my Wife and my other Children to be paid by him the said Joshua Pell as the said Legacies shall severally become due as above directed -- Item it is my Will and I do hereby order that my said Son Edward Pell in Consideration of thee above Devise of the other half part of my Land and Hammock shall pay the sum of Two hundred and twenty Pounds Current money of New York as his part or share Towards discharging the Legacies above bequeathed unto my wife and my other Children to be paid by him the said Edward Pell as the said Legacies shall severally become due as above directed -- Item I give and bequeath unto my said unto my said [sic] Son Joshua Pell my Cane and my large Bible to him his Heirs and assigns.  Lastly it is my Will and I do hereby nominate Constitute and appoint my said Son Joshua Pell and my Trusty and Loving son in Law Joseph Latham of the City of New York Ship Wright my Executors in Trust of this my last Will and Testament, to see the same Executed and fulfilled, and I do hereby utterly disallow, disannul revoke and make null and void all other and former Wills bequeathed or appointed Ratifying and allowing this and no other as y Last Will and Testament.  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and year first above written -- 

Joshua Pell [Sealed LS]

Signed Sealed published pronounced and Declared by the said Joshua Pell as his last Will and Testament the word (Senior / between 4th: 2nd lines on the other side, also the word / said between the 18th & 19th lines & the word / son / between the 19th & 20th lines of the side being first interlined -- in the presence of us -- Charles Vincent Senr; Philip Pell, Robert Rolfe. -- City and Province of New York } -- LS -- Be it Remembered that on the fourteenth Day of August One thousand seven hundred and Eighty One, personally came and appeared before me Cary Ludlow Surrogate for the City and Province aforesaid Charles Vincent Senr. of the County of Westchester and Province of"

Fourth Page of Record of the Will of Joshua Pell, Sr.,

Dated March 1, 1758 and Proved August 14, 1781.

Source:  New York Wills and Probate Records,

1659-1999, Ancestry.com (Original Data:  New

York County, District and Probate Courts:  Wills

and Administrations, Vol. 0032-0035, 1778-1783,

pp. 270-73) (NOTE:  Paid subscription required

to access link).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"[Page 273]

273

New York aforesaid yeoman who being duly sworn on his Oath declares that he saw Joshua Pell sign and Seal the annexed written Instrument purporting to be the Will of the said Joshua Pell bearing date the first day of March in the year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and fifty Eight; and heard him publish and declare the same as and for his last Will and Testament; That at the time thereof he the said Joshua Pell was of sound disposing mind and memory to the best of his Knowledge and belief of him the Deponent, and that his name subscribed, and that his name subscribed to the said Will, is of his own proper hand writing which he subscribed as a Witness thereto in the Testators presence; -- and that he the Deponent likewise saw Philip Pell and Robert Rolfe the other Witnesses to the said Will subscribe their Names as Witnesses thereto in the Testators presence.---------

Cary Ludlow Surrogate."

Source:  New York Wills and Probate Records, 1659-1999, Ancestry.com (Original Data:  New York County, District and Probate Courts:  Wills and Administrations, Vol. 0032-0035, 1778-1783, pp. 270-73) (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access link).  

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1755 Census of Slaves Older than Fourteen in the "Mannour of Pelham"

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On June 8, 2007, I presented a paper to attendees at the 28th Annual Conference on New York State History entitled  “Slavery in the Manor of Pelham and the Town of Pelham During the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries".  Among the many, many resources on which I relied in the preparation of that paper was a census of slaves older than fourteen in the "Mannour of Pelham" prepared by John Pell on April 12, 1755.  I have transcribed the text of that brief census below.


"MANOR OF PELHAM.
A True List of all the Slaves both Male & Female in the mannour of Pelham above the Age of Fourteen Years according to Report to me made in Submission to the present Malitia Act of General Assembly of this province

....................................................................................Numb,
Joshua Pells numbr males 2......................................... 2
Caleb Pells numbr males two Femals two.................. 4
Philip Pells numb males two Femals two.................... 4
Samll Rodmans number Males two Femals two........ 4
Bernard Rylanders males two Femals one................. 3
Phebe Pell wd Jos. pell Deed one male one Femal...2 
Executive of Isaac Contine Deed males one...............1
for my own possession males three, Female 1.......... 4
................................................number of the Whole.    24 

From your Honnours Most Humble Servant
JOHN PELL, Captain
of the Mannor of pelham.

Aprill the 12th 1755"

Source:  O'Callaghan, E.B., ed., The Documentary History of the State of New-York Arranged Under Direction of the Hon. Christopher Morgan, Secretary of State, Vol. III, p. 854 (Albany, NY:  Weed, Parsons & Co., Public Printers 1850).

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References to Pell Family Members in "Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution"

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In 1864, Little, Brown and Company published a book by Lorenzo Sabine entitled "Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution with an Historical Essay" in two volumes. Sabine provided brief biographical data for many Loyalists including a couple of Pell family members from the Manor of Pelham. Below are the brief entries with citations to their sources.

"PELL, JOHN. Of New York. Ensign in the Queen's Rangkers. A prisoner in Northampton, Massachusetts; released from jail, November 5, 1779."

Source: Sabine, Lorenzo, Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution with An Historical Essay by Lorenzo Sabine in Two Volumes, Vol. II, p. 157 (Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company 1864).

"PELL, JOSHUA. Farmer. In 1782 a Loyalist Associator at New York to settle at Shelburne, Nova Scotia, the following year, with his family of fourteen persons."

Source: Id., p. 565.

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1791 Will of Benjamin Guion of the Town of Pelham

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As previously noted, in 1951, the New Rochelle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution prepared and distributed a typewritten manuscript entitled "OLD WILLS OF NEW ROCHELLE Copies of Wills By Citizens of New Rochelle, N. Y. 1784-1830". The manuscript includes transcriptions of a number of wills of early residents of the Town of Pelham.

One such will was that of Benjamin Guion of the Town of Pelham prepared on August 15, 1791 and proved on September 24, 1791. The text of that will appears below, followed by a citation to its source.

"BENJAMIN GUION

Liber B of Wills, page 188 Aug. 15, 1791

In the name of God Amen, I Benjamin Guion of Pelham in the County of West Chester and State of New York, being sick and Weak of body but of a sound disposing mind memory and understanding Do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following: First I order my just debts and funeral charges to be paid by my Executors hereafter named. Secondly I give to my wife Sarah the One third of all my real Estate and the room in the south west end of my house during her Widowhood. Thirdly, I give to my sister Elisabeth Guion that part of my house where she now lives to-wit: The Northeast and thereof, her firewood and Victuals as long as she shall live. Fourthly, I give all the remainder of my real Estate (or all my real Estate) to be divided at the Death or re-marriage of my said wife to my daughters Elizabeth, Susanna, Phebe and Mary or the survivor or survivors of them to be sold or divided as they and my Executors hereafter named shall thin most adviseable. Fifthly, All my personal estate I give to my said daughters share and share alike to be divided to them respectively as they come of age or marry, by my Executors hereafter mentioned. Except the bed, bedding and furniture which at present belongs to and is claimed by my wife and also my Negro man named Pomp, who I hereby give her if he is contented to live with her in peace, if not she may dispose of him as she thinks proper. I think it would be best not to sell the real Estate if any of my daughters remain unmarried at the death or remarriage of my said Wife Though I am free and it is my will they use their discretion. And if they or the survivors of them or who of them shall take upon themselves the execution of this my will shall think it most advisable, I hereby impower them in any manner they may they may [sic] think fit to sell it and to give good and sufficient deeds in law to the purchaser or purchasers. It is also my wil that all my stock of cattle Horses, Hogs together with my farming utensils, remain this and the ensuing year on the farm for the use of my Wife Sister and Children and longer even as long as my Executors hereafter named shall observe my wife to manage with prudence & Discretion. Lastly I hereby nominate & appoint my brother Elias Guion & ye Revd Theodocius Bartow executors and my daughter Elizabeth executrix of this my last Will and Testament. In [Page 21 / Page 22] Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety one.

Benjamin Guion (L. S.)

Signed, Sealed, published and declared by the said Benjamin Guion as & for his last will and testament In presence of us who subscribe our names as Witnesses thereto in the presence of the testator & in the presence of each other.

N.B. The word 'fourthly' wrote on the margin, the word 'to' interlined, the word 'my' interlined, the word 'manage' wrote over an erasure, the word 'Last' interlined before signed.

Philip Pell
Francis LeCont
Theos Bartow

Proved September 24, 1791 by deposition of Francis LeCont, carpenter.

...............................................................

NOTE: Benjamin Guion, the maker of the above will, (Liber B, page 188) was the son of Aman Guion of New Rochelle and his wife Elizabeth Samson. He was born February 8, 1731 and was baptized February 28, 1731 in the Anglican Church, (now Trinity) New Rochelle. He married Sarah Pell, daughter of Joshua Pell and settled in Pelham on a farm close to the New Rochelle Town line."

Source: BENJAMIN GUION in OLD WILLS OF NEW ROCHELLE Copies of Wills By Citizens of New Rochelle, N.Y. 1784-1830, pp. 21-22 (New Rochelle, NY: 1951) (typewritten manuscript prepared by New Rochelle Chapter, Daughts of the American Revolution).

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Abstract of Will of Rebecca Palmer, Owner of Land on City Island in Pelham, Prepared in 1771 and Proved April 10, 1773

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The following is an abstract of the will of Rebecca Palmer who owned land on "Minifords Island" (later, City Island) in the Manor of Pelham prepared in 1771 and proved April 10, 1773. A citation to the source of the abstract follows the text.

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

Page 475. -- In the name of God, Amen. I, REBECCA PALMER, of the Borrough Town of Westchester, widow, being advanced in years. I leave to John Palmer, son of my eldest son, £3. I leave to my granddaughters, Rebecca, Easter, and Rachel, the children of my son, John Palmer, £4. To Sarah, daughter of Joshua Pell, 'one silver table spoon, of the value of 21 shillings.' To my daughter Martha, wife of Benjamin Morell, I leave all that my dwelling house and lots situate upon Minifords Island in the Manor of Pelham, which I bought of Enoch Hunt and Joseph Mullinex, during her life and then to her daughter Mary. If she dies without issue, then to Ann, daughter of Benjamin Palmer. I leave to my daughter Martha 'one small Iron Pot, and one hog and my Poultry, and the bed I commonly lie on.' My executors are to put on good security £50 for my daughter Martha, and all my wearing apparell. My executors are to sell all the rest and divide among my children. I make my sons, Philip and Benjamin, and my grandson, Joshua Pell, Jr., executors.

Dated October 18, 1771. Witnesses, Samuel Seabury, James Lewis, Enoch Hunt. Proved, April 10, 1773."

Source: Pelletreau, William S., ed., Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York. Volume VIII. 1771 - 1776. With Letters of Administration, 1773 - 1779. in Collections of The New-York Historical Society for the Year 1899., p. 119 (NY, NY: The New-York Historical Society 1900).

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Abstract of Will of Thomas Pell Sr. of the Manor of Pelham Prepared in 1739 and Proved in 1752

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I have been collecting abstracts of 17th and 18th century wills of residents of the Manor of Pelham. Today's Historic Pelham blog posting transcribes the text of an abstract of the will of Thomas Pell, Sr. of the Manor of Pelham prepared in 1739 and proved in 1752. A citation to the source follows the quoted material.

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

Page 154. -- In the name of God, Amen, September 3, 1739, I, THOMAS PELL, SR., of the Manor of Pel- [Page 400 / Page 401] ham, in Westchester County, being sick and weak. I leave to my daughter, Anne Broadhurst, the use of the room she now lives in, 'while she remains a single woman without a husband,' but in case my son Joseph shall not like or approve of her living in said room, then he shall build her a small house of about 16 feet square, and allow her this and the use of 6 acres of land; I also give her £60. It is my will and mind that my brother, John Pell, shall have house room, lodging, victuals, and clothes, comfortable for him during his life, and which I order my son Joseph to provide for him. I leave to my wife Ann the use of the best room in my house, and timber in any part of my woodland, and the use of 60 acres of land, and chamber and cellar room, while she remains my widow, also £100, and my best bed and furniture. I leave to my son John £5; to my son Thomas £3; to my sons Joshua and Philip each £3, they all having had their portions already. I leave to my son Joseph all lands, meadows, and houses, and all else that belongeth to me, except as above reserved. I leave to my daughter, Mary Sands, £70; to my daughter, Sarah Palmer, £5; to my daughter, Beersheba Pell, £150; to my grandson, Samuel Broadhurst, £10, and all the rest to my 4 daughters. I make my sons Philip and Joseph executors.

Witnesses, S. Lawrence, John Coutant, John Curie. Proved, August 18, 1752. Philip Pell was then dead."

Source: 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. 400-01 (NY, NY: The New-York Historical Society 1896).

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A Large Distillery Once Stood on the Prevost Farm in Pelham During the 1790s

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In 1795, Augustine J. Frederick Prevost placed an advertisement in The Daily Advertiser published in New York City. The advertisement offered his farm including a a significant distillery with an associated dwelling for sale.

I have written about Augustine J. Frederick Prevost and the home in which he lived -- called the Shrubbery -- before. (Prevost was the step-son of Aaron Burr.) For examples of such earlier postings, see the following:

Tuesday, July 18, 2006: Aaron Burr Tries to Pull a Fast One in the 1790s and Must Sell His Farm in Pelham

Wednesday, June 14, 2006: Text of Deed by Which Aaron Burr Acquired Pelham Lands in 1790

Thursday, April 14, 2005: The Pelham Home for Children that Once Stood on Split Rock Road

Monday, October 2, 2006: The Revolutionary War Diary of Loyalist Joshua Pell, Jr. of the Manor of Pelham

A photograph of the home that stood on the Prevost farm may be found here: "The Shrubbery Before its Destruction by Fire in 1890s".

The fascinating and descriptive advertisement offering the Joshua Pell / Augustine J. Frederick Prevost Farm for sale appeared in the February 9, 1795 issue of The Daily Advertiser. It is quoted in its entirety below, followed by a full citation to its source.

"Farm and Distillery for Sale,

A Handsome well improved FARM, containing about 160 acres of excellent land, and twelve acres of salt meadow, situate on a navigable river, opposite the town of East Chester, in the town of Pelham, 20 miles from New York; forty tons of good English hay are cut annually, besides a large quantity of salt grass and sedge; there is on the premises an orchard of the best grafted fruit, and a great variety of every kind, a good dwelling house and a new barn; Also, a large Distillery 56 by 46 situate on the shore of the said creek with 5 stills, one of 1200 galloons [sic], and 5 of 400 gallons each; in this building are apartments for a distiller and a small family, a continual stream of water leading through the upper story of the house renders all pumping uncessary [sic], and one hogshead of cyder brandy or rum, and 60 gallons of gin may be made daily; the country around yields an abundance of cyder which may be purchased, at a low price, the distillery being the only one in the southern part of West Chester county, is the best and nearest market.

If any one should incline to purchase the distillery, and dwelling house, with an acre of land adjoining, it will be disposed of in that way in preference. Apply to the subscriber on the premises, or to J. B. Prevost, No. 30 Partition Street, New York.

AUG. Js. Fred. PREVOST.

Jan. 28. 3aw 4w"

Source: A Farm and Distillery for Sale, The Daily Advertiser, Feb. 9, 1795, Vol. XI, Issue 3116, p. 4, col. 2.

Clearly a distillery of the size described in the advertisement was a commercial venture that likely served surrounding communities and, perhaps, New York City. No known trace of the distillery has yet been found, although there are interesting areas along Eastchester Creek (the Hutchinson River) where possible remnants may exist.

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