Was it Mary Pell of Pelham Who Scandalized the Town of Eastchester in 1696?

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Occasionally, it is fascinating merely to speculate. That is all today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog does. It speculates regarding the identity of a woman identified as "Mary Pell" of "Seabrock in New England" referenced in an intriguing record contained in the seventeenth century records of the Town of Eastchester.

The record reflects a scandal involving a woman named Mary Pell (also referenced as "Mary Pelle") who is described as a resident of "Seabrock [Saybrook] in New England in America". Although it cannot be known with certainty, I ask today whether there is some possibility that the woman may have been Mary Pell of the Manor of Pelham. She was the daughter of John Pell, Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham.  Although this seems highly unlikely, it is interesting to consider within the context of the few facts that can be established.  

I have been unable to locate any late seventeenth century record of a Mary Pell or a "Mary Pelle" of "Seabrock" or Saybrook. While, of course, it is possible that such a woman existed, I offer for consideration the possibility that the woman lied about her residence given her scandalous circumstances (at least as viewed through seventeenth century eyes), described below.

Mary Pell, daughter of John Pell (Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham), was born in about 1682. The Eastchester record does not explain the scandal in which this "Mary Pelle" was involved. The record strongly suggests, however, that a pregnant Mary Pell arrived at the home of "Joseph Tayller Senr" [Joseph Taylor, Sr.] in Eastchester "near hear time of being dellivered".

Apparently fearful that this girl would be a bad influence on residents of the Town or that she and her child might be unable to take care of themselves and would become wards of the Town, the Town obtained an indemnification from "Joseph Tayller Senr" and another man named "John Tomkings Senr" [John Tomkins, Sr.] to hold the town "harmless by Reason of hear being hear". The entire record is transcribed immediately below.

"Att a town meting called March the 3th 1696 whereas Mary Pelle now being in Eastchester and sojourning at the house of Joseph Tayller Senr and being great with chilld and near hear time of being dellivered and the Town being unsatisfied doe desier that sequirity shall be given for hear good behaviour and that the said Mary Pell nor hear chilld that she is now going with shall not be chardgabell unto the Town wereon John Tomkings Senr and Joseph Tayller Snr have bound themsellves thear heirs and suckesors to keep and beare the town harmless by Reason of hear being hear as witnesseth our hands this day & year befor written

This aformenshoned woman declared hear selfe to be named Mary Pell & that she bellongs unto Seabrock in New England in America

The mark of
John Tomkins
Joseph Tailer"

Source: Records of the Town of Eastchester, New York, Book Three, pp. 5-6 (Typewritten manuscript of records transcribed by the Eastchester Historical Society Jan. 1964).

 

Part of Pelham and Eastchester Border in 1851.

Source:  Dripps, Matthew & Conner, R.F.O.,

Southern Part of West-Chester County N.Y. (1851).



There are, of course, problems with any speculation that this "Mary Pelle" was Mary Pell, a daughter of John Pell of the Manor of Pelham. If the young woman lied about her residence, why not her name? The record refers to her as a "woman" -- not a girl, suggesting that she may have been older than 13 or 14. Additionally, the Manor of Pelham was adjacent to Eastchester and, thus, it seems at least plausible that someone in Eastchester would have known John Pell's young daughter, Mary.

In any event, the record is sufficiently intriguing and may possibly be tied to the Pell family (so integral to the early history of Pelham) that it is worth transcribing so that others may be able to see it, provide their own speculations, and comment on it.

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

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

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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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October 14, 1772 Quaker "Marriage Contract" of Bersheba Pell of the Manor of Pelham and Moses Quinby

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During the 1920s, a resident of the Village of North Pelham named Adolph Fassler purchased a fascinating document from an unidentified "New York City Collector" at a sale of historical documents. It was a Quaker "Marriage Contract" dated October 14, 1772 between Bersheba Pell of the Manor of Pelham and Moses Quinby of Westchester.

Mr. Fassler donated the Marriage Contract to the Town of Pelham. It was displayed to residents of the Town during the 1954 Tercentennial celebration of the signing of the Pell-Siwanoy Treaty. An article about the document appeared in the January 21, 1954 issue of The Pelham Sun. The text of that article is transcribed below.

"Quinby-Pell Marriage Contract

Among the interesting historical relics to be featured in the observance of the Tercentennial Anniversary of the signing of the Thomas Pell Treaty with the Indians, is a marriage contract, made in 1772 by Bersheba Pell, a descendant of Thomas Pell [sic], first proprietor of the Manor of Pelham, and Moses Quinby, of Westchester. The certificate, which is remarkably preserved, although it is 182 years old, was recently presented to the Town of Pelham by Adolph Fassler purchased it from a New York City Collector at a sale of historical documents about thirty years ago. The handsomely engrossed scroll is the Quaker marriage contract entered into prior to the Revolutionary War, by the granddaughter of Thomas Pell, Third Lord of the Manor, and her Quaker swain, son of Aron and Elizabeth Quinby of Westchester Village. Miss Pell was the daughter of Caleb and Mary Pell, who, at the time of the wedding, 'late of the Manor of Pelham, deceased'. The marriage took place at the old Quaker meeting house in Purchase Oct. 14, 1772.

The certificate reads as follows: 'Whereas Moses Quinby of Westchester County and Province of New York, son of Aron and Elizabeth Quinby of Westchester, and Bersheba Pell, daughter of Caleb and Mary Pell, late of the Manor of Pelham, deceased, in the County and Province aforesaid, having signified their intention of Marriage with each other, before several monthly meetings of the people called Quaker, held at Purchase in the province of New York, according to the good order amongst them, and having consent of parents, their said proposals of marriage were allowed by the said meetings.

Marriage Vows

'Now these are to certify whom it may concern that for the full accomplishment of their said intensions, this Fourteenth Day of the Tenth Month called October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand and seven hundred and seventy-two, they, the said Moses Quinby and Bersheba Pell appeared in a Public Meeting of the said people at Westchester, and said Moses Quinby taking the said Bersheba Pell by the hand, did in solemn manner, openly declare that he took her, the same Bersheba Pell to be his wife, promising through the Lord's assistance to be unto her a loving and faithful husband until death do separate them, and then and there to the same assembly, the said Bersheba Pell did in right manner declare that she took him, the same Moses Quinby to be her husband, promising through the Lord's assistance to be unto him a loving and faithful wife, until death should separate them, or in words to that propose, and Moreover, the said Moses Quinby and Bersheba Pell, (she according to custom assuming the name of her husband) as further confirmation thereof did then and there to these presents set their hands, and we whose names are hereunto also subscribed, being present at the solemnization of the said marriage and subscription, have as witnesses hereunto set out [sic] hands, the day and year above written.'

Appended are the signatures of the 38 witnesses, including a Caleb Pell, and a Phila Pell. The bride signed her name 'Bersheba Quinby.'

Pelham Manor Village historian Lockwood Barr's Investigation into the family history of the early Pells, failed to show any record of the wedding. Bolton's history of Westchester, states that the daughter of Caleb and Mary Ferris Pell was christened Julia, but it might be assumed that the name 'Bersheba' could have been prompted by the name of her aunt Bathesheba Pell, daughter of Thomas Third Lord of the Manor, who married Theopholis Bartow. Their son John was the builder of the famous Bartow Mansion, situated close to the site of the original Pell home, in what is now Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx. The Bartow mansion on the Shore Road is now the home of the International Garden Club, and during the administration of the late Fiorello La Guardia, as Mayor of the City of New York, it was used as the summer city 'White House'.

Thomas Pell Third Lord of the Manor, married an Indian Princess, daughter of the reigning Indian Chief of Westchester, according to Bolton. They had ten children, Ann, John, Joshua, Philip, Caleb, Joseph, Mary, Sarah, Bathsheba and Thomas.

Caleb and Mary Ferris Pell had six children: Caleb, Elija, Julia, (believed to be the Bersheba of the marriage contract) Ann, Mary and Euphemia.

The late Stephen H. P. Pell, of Ticonderoga, N. Y. who was the historian of the modern Pell family, the breaking up of the Manor of Pelham, was done by Thomas, third Lord, who, instead of leaving the Manor intact to his eldest son, and giving the other sons a few hundred dollars, divided it among them all, with the result that none of them had enough to be of any importance. In 'Ancient Town of Pelham, N. Y.,' Lockwood Barr states 'Tradition in the Pell family relates that during the Revolution, members of the family being Loyalist, fled to New York City [f]or British protection, and that the original Manor House, erected close to the site of the present Bartow mansion, being empty was burned to the ground, as were so many mansions in the 'Neutral Ground'."

Source: Quinby-Pell Marriage Contract, Pelham Sun, Jan. 21, 1954, p. 3.

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