More on 19th Century Baseball in the Town of Pelham

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As the sport of baseball grew increasingly popular and became our "National Pastime" during the 19th century, Pelhamites played the game with gusto.  As early as the 1860s until the end of the century, there were many "base ball clubs" founded on City Island and in Pelhamville and Pelham Manor.  Unsurprisingly, records of these various clubs no longer seem to exist given their recreational and social purposes.  Thus, we are left to piece together what can be gleaned from an incomplete collection of local newspapers to develop some semblance of a history of the rise of the sport in Pelham.

In 1884, William J. Belden was a new occupant of "The Mansion" at Belden Point.  When a group of City Islanders approached him for a donation to support a newly-organized "base ball club," Belden donated $20 to help pay for equipment and uniforms.  The new team promptly named itself the "Beldenites" (occasionally referenced as the "Beldens").  Another City Island baseball club at the time was known as the "Muffers."  The newspaper reference quoted below makes clear that by September, 1884, the Muffers had disbanded with many of the team's better players moving to the new Beldenites Base Ball Club.  According to one account, the form Muffer players who joined the new team made the Beldenites "much stronger than heretofore."

The brief article quoted below is significant for several reasons.  First, the article states that the Beldenites played an Eastchester club named the "Rock Crabs" on Thursday, September 18, 1882, although the results of the game are not recorded.  Second, the article describes the postponement of a game between the Beldenites and the Pelhamville baseball club that was originally scheduled on Saturday, September 13, 1882.  Third, the article notes that a game "was to be played" the previous day (Thursday, September 18, 1882) between the Beldenites and Pelhamville, "with what result we did not learn."  This, of course, means that the Beldenites either played two games against two different teams (the Eastchester Rock Crabs and the Pelhamville baseball club) on September 18 or that one (or both) games were never played.  Finally, the article notes (as referenced above) that "[t]he muffers having disbanded the better players joining the Beldenites, makes the latter club much stronger than heretofore."

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The text of the article containing these 1882 references to baseball played in Pelham is quoted in full below, followed by a citation and link to the source.

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND.

Painters are still at work on the interior of Mr. Belden's mansion, although the owner is occupying it.

A baseball nine, from Eastchester, styling themselves the Rock Crabs, played a game with the Belden's yesterday.

A rumor is current that Mr. William B. Astor is negotiating for the purchase of the Col. Duryea place, and intends to erect an elegant mansion.

Next Tuesday evening, the 23rd inst., as previously announced, the Bartow association will hold their third annual summer-nights hop at Secord's pavilion.  It promises to be enjoyable to the fullest degree.

Mrs. Bryant gave a birthday party, in honor of her niece, Miss Jennie Johnthrie, on Wednesday evening last.  A large number of invitations were issued, and the gathering of the friends of the hostess and her niece was very large.

Mr. John P. Hawkins has completed the arrangements for the reconstruction of the building, at the shipyard, now used for a dwelling and business purposes.  It is to be greatly enlarged and improved.  Mr. Isaiah Kinzy has the contract.

Mr. David Carll is expected home, from Florida next week.  Mr. C. went south to look after the interests of his orange groves, which were reported as suffering for the want of care, on account of the inability of his manager to look after them, he being seriously ill.

The Beldenites were to have gone to Pelhamville, on Saturday last, to test its powers with the club of that place, on the diamond field, but for some reason not explained, at the last moment telephoned that they could not go.  A game between the two clubs was to be played yesterday afternoon, with what result we did not learn.  The muffers having disbanded the better players joining the Beldenites, makes the latter club much stronger than heretofore.

The fishing season has fairly opened, and matters are lively around Pelham Bridge.  Large messes of snappers are being caught daily, and the bass and blackfish season has about opened.  A gentleman while fishing at Pelham Bridge, one day last week, caught a drum fish weighing 59 1/2 pounds.  It took him over two hours to land his splendid catch.  Capt. Gus Lawrence will be found always at his post of duty courteous and obliging, ready to fit you out with all the requisites to capture the members of the finny tribe.

The court house on City Island, has recently been painted inside and out, at a cost, it is said by the man who did the work, of $150.  No proposals were asked for, and in fact no competition was allowed for the work.  The labor was performed by days work, and the person doing it was allowed to purchase the material where he saw fit, and have the same charged against the town.  There are painters on City Island who would have given bonds to perform the work in the same manner as now done, and supply all material, for $100, had competition been allowed.  This may, to some, seem like a small matter, but it is the small leaks which lead to large ones."

Source:  PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 19, 1884, Vol. XVI, No. 783, p. 3, col. 5.  

1887 Baseball Game Like Those Played in Pelham.

"THROWN OUT ON SECOND BASE - GILBERT

GAUL -- [SEE PAGE 647.]"  Source: Harper's Weekly,

Sep. 10, 1887.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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I have written more than forty articles regarding the history of baseball in Pelham and early baseball games played in the Town of Pelham.  Below is a listing, with links, of some of my previous postings on the topic of 19th century baseball in Pelham.

Thu., Jul. 21, 2016:  "Base Ball" Match Played at Arcularius Hotel at Pelham Bridge in 1875.

Thu., Feb. 18, 2016:  More on the Storied History of 19th Century Baseball in Pelham.  

Tue., Dec. 15, 2015:  The 1894 Baseball Season in Pelham, New York.

Tue., Sep. 22, 2015:  Two Newly-Discovered 19th Century Accounts of Baseball Played in Pelham.

Thu., Jun. 18, 2015:  More Early References to 19th Century and Early 20th Century Baseball in Pelham.

Mon., Apr. 06, 2015:  Early Baseball Game Played by Pelham Team in 1866.

Mon., Dec. 22, 2014:  Rare 1889 Photograph of Baseball Players Playing on Pelham Field.

Wed., Nov. 26, 2014:  More Early References to Baseball Played in Pelham. 

Thu., Nov. 13, 2014:  Baseball Crowds in Pelham Got Out Of Hand in 1896. 

Fri., Sep. 12, 2014:  Reference to an 1884 Baseball Game Between the Country Club of Pelham and Calumet. 

Thu., Jul. 31, 2014:  Fascinating Account of Baseball Game Played at Pelham Bridge in 1878.

Mon., Jul. 28, 2014:  Additional 19th Century References to Baseball Being Played in Pelham.  

Tue., Apr. 08, 2014:  More 19th Century References to Baseball in the Town of Pelham.

Fri., Mar. 28, 2014:  Earliest Evidence Yet! Baseball Was Played in Pelham Only Months After the Civil War Ended. 

Thu., Mar. 20, 2014:  19th Century Baseball in Pelham - Newly-Discovered References.

Tue., Feb. 16, 2010:  Photograph of Only Known 19th Century Women's Baseball Team in Pelham, New York.

Thu., Jan. 28, 2010:   News About Pelham Manor and Pelhamville in 1895 - Lighting Districts, Gas for the Village, Baseball and More.

Tue., Dec. 15, 2009:  Baseball Games Played by the City Island Beldenites and the City Island Rivals in 1884.  

Mon., Dec. 14, 2009:  Baseball Games Played by the City Island Shamrocks in 1889.  

Fri., Dec. 11, 2009:  Earliest Reference Yet to Baseball Played in Pelham.  

Thu., Dec. 10, 2009:  More 19th Century Baseball and Firefighting References. 

Wed., Dec. 9, 2009:  City Island Shamrocks Base Ball Club Changed its Name to the Minnefords in 1888.

Wed., Nov. 25, 2009:  Even More Early References to Baseball Played in Pelham.

Tue., Nov. 24, 2009:  Yet Another Reference to Early Baseball in Pelham.

Mon., Nov. 23, 2009:  Additional Brief Accounts of Baseball Played in Pelham in the 19th Century.

Fri., Nov. 20, 2009:  More Accounts of Early Baseball Played in Pelham.

Fri., Nov. 13, 2009:  1894 Account of Developments in Pelham Including a Reference to a Baseball Game Played that Year.

Thu., Nov. 12, 2009:  More Early References to Baseball Played in Pelham.

Wed., Sep. 30, 2009:   Score of June 1, 1887 Baseball Game Between the Country Club and The Knickerbocker Club.

Fri., Mar. 20, 2009:   Another Reference to 19th Century Baseball in Pelham.

Tue., Mar. 4, 2008:   Another Brief Reference to 19th Century Baseball in Pelham.

Mon., Nov. 26, 2007:  Box Score of a Baseball Game Played on Travers Island in Pelham Manor in July 1896.

Wed., Nov. 21, 2007:  Baseball on Travers Island During the Summer of 1897.

Fri., Jul. 20, 2007:  Account of Early Baseball in Pelham: Pelham vs. the New York Athletic Club on Travers Island in 1897.

Fri., Nov. 10, 2006: The Location of Another Early Baseball Field in Pelham.

Mon., Oct. 9, 2006:   Reminiscences of Val Miller Shed Light on Late 19th Century Baseball in Pelham and the Early Development of the Village of North Pelham.

Thu., Mar. 23, 2006:  Baseball Fields Opened on the Grounds of the Westchester Country Club in Pelham on April 4, 1884.  

Tue., Jan. 31, 2006:  Another Account of Baseball Played in Pelham in the 1880s Is Uncovered. 

Thu., Oct. 6, 2005:   Does This Photograph Show Members of the "Pelham Manor Junior Base Ball Team"?

Thu., Sep. 15, 2005:  Newspaper Item Published in 1942 Sheds Light on Baseball in 19th Century Pelham.  

Thu., Feb. 10, 2005:  New Discoveries Regarding Baseball in 19th Century Pelham. 

Bell, Blake A., Baseball in Late 19th Century Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 17, Apr. 23, 2004, p. 8, col. 2.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

More Early References to Baseball Played in Pelham

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

It is easy to romanticize our national pastime of baseball, particularly when imagining how it was played in its earliest days.  Although research has revealed that from the mid-1860's through the end of the 19th century, the Town of Pelham was a hotbed of baseball activity, recent research makes it increasingly clear that the games and the unruly crowds they attracted were viewed as a nuisance by many in Pelham.  Nevertheless, it remains clear that citizens of the Town embraced the national pastime with gusto.  There were baseball grounds at Pelham Bridge, Bartow, City Island, in today's Pelham Manor, on the western edge of the Heights, and in Pelhamville.  

Recently I wrote that by 1896, the crowds for Sunday baseball games had grown too large, too unruly and out of control.  The noise of the raucous crowds disturbed the tiny new village known as the Village of Pelham.  The entire population was fed up with Sunday baseball.  During the summer of 1896, the Citizens League of the Village of Pelham voted to take steps to stop Sunday baseball.  See Thu., Nov. 13, 2014:  Baseball Crowds in Pelham Got Out Of Hand in 1896.

Recent research has uncovered a brief news item published in 1884 that not only describes baseball games played by the City Island teams known as the Beldenites and the Muffers, but also describes another instance where local constables halted an effort to play a baseball game, this time on City Island, out of fear that fans would be drunken and unruly.  Indeed, the brief reference to the actions of the constables sheds interesting light on what such games could be like.

On Sunday, August 10, 1884, a sailing ship docked at City Island in the Town of Pelham.  It carried a base ball club from Yonkers with a band playing festive music.  As the team and its band disembarked in the hope of playing a game on the island, they were "promptly confronted" by three constables.  The constables made clear that it "would be unhealthy" for the team to attempt to play a game there.  The team "reembarked and sailed away."  According to a news account published a few days later, local bar owners were not particularly happy:  "Some of the gin dealers considered this action on the part of the constables an outrage, since they might have captured a few nickels, while the residents suffered from the noise and presence of drunken men."

The same news account noted that on Thursday, August 14, 1884, the Beldenites of City Island played a ballgame against the Clippers Base Ball Club of New Rochelle.  The Clippers roundly defeated the Beldenites 24 to 7.  

The news account also described a game halted by rain that was scheduled for later completion.  On Saturday, August 9, 1884, the Muffers traveled to Willet's Point and played a team from that place.  (The Muffers later disbanded with most players joining the Beldenites in a move that substantially strengthened the Beldenites.)  Before completion of the bottom half of the second inning, heavy rain halted the game.  The score stood Willet's Point 8, Muffers 6.  The game was scheduled for completion the following Saturday, August 16.  

Undated Photograph (Ca. 1896) of the Pelham A.C. Jr. Baseball Team.

Although Difficult to See in This Low Resolution Version of the Image,

There Are Many Children Whose Eyes Can Be Seen Peering, and

Whose Fingers Extend, Through the Cracks Between the Boards Behind the Team.

Below is the complete text of the news account referencing the various baseball events described above.  It is followed by a citation to its source.

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND.

--It is announced that there is to be an evening party given at Flynn's Pavilion, during the present month.

--The yacht Gracie is to be raffled at Mount Vernon during the present month.  There is to be one hundred chances at $2 each.

--The Clippers Base Ball Club, of New Rochelle, and the Beldenites of this place, played [a] game of ball here on Thursday, which resulted in favor of the Clippers by a score of 24 to 7.

--The Muffers visited Willet's Point on Saturday, and started a game of base ball with the picked nine of that place.  The game was interrupted by the heavy rain, after the Willet's Point nine had played two innings and the Muffers one.  The score stood Willet's Point 8, Muffers 6.  The game will be completed to-day.

--Astor's new steam yacht anchored a short time off here on Sunday.  Capt. 'Sam' Freestone made a flying visit to his home, after which the yacht proceeded to Newport.  All who saw this beautiful vessel were readily convinced that she is indeed the handsomest, as well as the largest steam yacht afloat.  People here naturally take a great pride in the vessel as she was designed by, and constructed under, the superintendence of Mr. Gustave Hillman, and is commanded by Capt. Sampson W. Freestone, both of this place.  

--A base ball club from Yonkers came to the Island with a band of music on Sunday last.  They were promptly confronted by three constables bold, and were convinced that it would be unhealthy to undertake a game of ball there.  They reembarked and sailed away.  Some of the gin dealers considered this action on the part of the constables an outrage, since they might have captured a few nickels, while the residents suffered from the noise and presence of drunken men.

--The excursion of the Merry Ten to Roton Point on Wednesday proved to be one of the most enjoyable occasions of the season.  The two barges and the steamboat were completely filled and the company was all that could be desired.  The music was good and the arrangement, for refreshment, were [sic] perfect.  As a pecuniary venture the club have no reason to regret the undertaking, and the people here will long remember the excursion and will be happy when they can go on another excursion under the same management."

Source:  PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 16, 1884, p. 3, col. 6.  

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Below is a listing, with links, of my previous postings and a published article on the topic of 19th century baseball in Pelham.

Thu., Nov. 13, 2014:  Baseball Crowds in Pelham Got Out Of Hand in 1896.

Fri., Sep. 12, 2014:  Reference to an 1884 Baseball Game Between the Country Club of Pelham and Calumet.

Thu., Jul. 31, 2014:  Fascinating Account of Baseball Game Played at Pelham Bridge in 1878.

Mon., Jul. 28, 2014:  Additional 19th Century References to Baseball Being Played in Pelham.

Tue., Apr. 08, 2014:  More 19th Century References to Baseball in the Town of Pelham.

Fri., Mar. 28, 2014:  Earliest Evidence Yet! Baseball Was Played in Pelham Only Months After the Civil War Ended.  

Thu., Mar. 20, 2014:  19th Century Baseball in Pelham - Newly-Discovered References.

Tue., Feb. 16, 2010:  Photograph of Only Known 19th Century Women's Baseball Team in Pelham, New York.Fri., Apr. 16, 2010:  Formation of the City Island Beldonites Baseball Club in June 1884 

Thu., Jan. 28, 2010:   News About Pelham Manor and Pelhamville in 1895 - Lighting Districts, Gas for the Village, Baseball and More.

Tue., Dec. 15, 2009:  Baseball Games Played by the City Island Beldenites and the City Island Rivals in 1884.  

Mon., Dec. 14, 2009:  Baseball Games Played by the City Island Shamrocks in 1889.  

Fri., Dec. 11, 2009:  Earliest Reference Yet to Baseball Played in Pelham.  

Thu., Dec. 10, 2009:  More 19th Century Baseball and Firefighting References. 

Wed., Dec. 9, 2009:  City Island Shamrocks Base Ball Club Changed its Name to the Minnefords in 1888.

Wed., Nov. 25, 2009:  Even More Early References to Baseball Played in Pelham.

Tue., Nov. 24, 2009:  Yet Another Reference to Early Baseball in Pelham.

Mon., Nov. 23, 2009:  Additional Brief Accounts of Baseball Played in Pelham in the 19th Century.

Fri., Nov. 20, 2009:  More Accounts of Early Baseball Played in Pelham.

Fri., Nov. 13, 2009:  1894 Account of Developments in Pelham Including a Reference to a Baseball Game Played that Year.

Thur., Nov. 12, 2009:  More Early References to Baseball Played in Pelham.

Wed., Sep. 30, 2009:   Score of June 1, 1887 Baseball Game Between the Country Club and The Knickerbocker Club.

Fri., Mar. 20, 2009:   Another Reference to 19th Century Baseball in Pelham.

Tue., Mar. 4, 2008:   Another Brief Reference to 19th Century Baseball in Pelham.

Mon., Nov. 26, 2007:  Box Score of a Baseball Game Played on Travers Island in Pelham Manor in July 1896.

Wed., Nov. 21, 2007:  Baseball on Travers Island During the Summer of 1897.

Fri., Jul. 20, 2007:  Account of Early Baseball in Pelham: Pelham vs. the New York Athletic Club on Travers Island in 1897.

Fri., Nov. 10, 2006: The Location of Another Early Baseball Field in Pelham.

Mon., Oct. 9, 2006:   Reminiscences of Val Miller Shed Light on Late 19th Century Baseball in Pelham and the Early Development of the Village of North Pelham.

Thu., Mar. 23, 2006:  Baseball Fields Opened on the Grounds of the Westchester Country Club in Pelham on April 4, 1884.  

Tue., Jan. 31, 2006:  Another Account of Baseball Played in Pelham in the 1880s Is Uncovered.  

Thu., Oct. 6, 2005:   Does This Photograph Show Members of the "Pelham Manor Junior Base Ball Team"?

Thu., Sep. 15, 2005:  Newspaper Item Published in 1942 Sheds Light on Baseball in 19th Century Pelham.  

Thu., Feb. 10, 2005:  New Discoveries Regarding Baseball in 19th Century Pelham.  

Bell, Blake A., Baseball in Late 19th Century Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 17, Apr. 23, 2004, p. 8, col. 2.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Yet Another Reference to Early Baseball in Pelham

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Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.
Please Click Here for Index to All Blog Postings.

For the last several days I have been posting references to early instances of baseball being played in Pelham.  Today I transcribe an article that appeared in the August 23, 1884 issue of the New Rochelle Pioneer.  The article details news about Pelham and City Island.  It includes a reference to a baseball game scheduled later the same day, another game played on Thursday, August 21, 1884 and yet another played on Saturday, August 16, 1884.

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND.

--Mr. Higbee, of Pelham, is absent on a vacation.

--The Muffers will play a game of ball with the Pelhamville nine to-day.

--Rev. C. Winter Bolton supplies Mr. Higbee's pulpit in the Priory church, during the rector's absence.

  Mr. Von Leihn is constructing a large sewer from his hotel to the water.

--Business on the Island is improving somewhat, and people are getting more hopeful.

--The Beldonites went to Mamaroneck on Thursday [August 21, 1884], and played a game of ball with the club of that place.  The Mamaroneck nine was defeated by a score of 31 to 19.

--The steamer Joshua Leviness has been taken from Hawkin's ways, and is to be taken to New York city for sale.  If not sold, she is to be used as a freight boat running up the Sound. 

--The game of ball between the Muffers and the picked nine at Willetts Point was completed last Saturday and was won by the Willett's Point nine by a score of 28 to 22.

--The sociable at Flynn's Pavilion Wednesday night was a grand success.  The attendance was large and quite select, and although the evening was excessively warm those who attended seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly.

--An infant a few days old was found on the shore near Belden's Point on Monday.  It was wrapped in a New York World of August 14, and put in a segar box.  It is generally believed that it was thrown from some passing boat and drifted upon the shore.  Coroner Hyler held an inquest on Monday, and a verdict in accordance with the above statement was rendered.

--The Hudson Hose Company from Yonkers, visited the Island on Thursday, and were the guests of Capt. Stringham.  He served a chowder in his usual handsome manner, and they got outside of it with neatness and dispatch.  They enjoyed themselves in a royal manner, each one seemed bound to have the best possible time, and to assist the others to do the same.  They went home in the evening, and will be remembered here as gentlemen whose acquaintance is courted.

--Mr. Dayton seems to be unable to agree with his tenant, Mr. Newton.  It seems that Dayton leased his house to Mr. Newton for a stated sum, and was to receive half the fruit on the place, and in the absence of Mrs. Newton, it is claimed he helped himself to both halves.  Mr. Newton did not like this, and upon his return refused to permit Mr. Dayton to take away any more of the fruit, and Mr. Dayton served a dispossess warrant upon Mr. Newton claiming that he has failed to comply with the contract under which he went into possession.  He is not expected to accomplish much in this way, and nearly all who know of the circumstances denounce him for his actions in the matter.

--A short distance above Hell Gate the steamer Pilgrim of the Fall River Line on her trip from Fall River collided with a three-masted schooner Thursday morning.  There was no panic on either vessel.  The schooner was in tow of a tug, which sheered off as she approached the steamer, but the tide catching the schooner on her bow made her swing in and strike the Pilgrim about forty or fifty feet from the bow of the port side, and as she scraped along the steamer's guard, which is of iron, she cut her main rigging, causing the mainmast and maintopmast to tumble over the side.  She was towed to this place and after proper repairs have been made she will proceed on her voyage.  the name of the schooner is the Dick Williams.  She is loaded with coal and bound from Hoboken to New Bedford." 

Source:  Pelham and City Island, The New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 23, 1884, p. 2, col. 6.


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Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.
Please Click Here for Index to All Blog Postings

Additional Brief Accounts of Baseball Played in Pelham in the 19th Century

Please Visit the Historic Pelham Web Site
Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.
Please Click Here for Index to All Blog Postings.

I continue to document every reference I find about baseball played in Pelham during the 19th century.  For some of the prior postings, see:

Friday, November 20, 2009: 

Thursday, November 12, 2009:  More Early References to Baseball Played in Pelham.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009:  Score of June 1, 1887 Baseball Game Between the Country Club and The Knickerbocker Club.

Friday, March 20, 2009:  Another Reference to 19th Century Baseball in Pelham.

Monday, November 26, 2007: Box Score of a Baseball Game Played on Travers Island in Pelham Manor in July 1896.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007: Baseball on Travers Island During the Summer of 1897.

Friday, July 20, 2007: Account of Early Baseball in Pelham: Pelham vs. the New York Athletic Club on Travers Island in 1897

Friday, November 10, 2006: The Location of Another Early Baseball Field in Pelham

Monday, October 9, 2006: Reminiscences of Val Miller Shed Light on Late 19th Century Baseball in Pelham and the Early Development of the Village of North Pelham

Thursday, March 23, 2006: Baseball Fields Opened on the Grounds of the Westchester Country Club in Pelham on April 4, 1884

Tuesday, January 31, 2006: Another Account of Baseball Played in Pelham in the 1880s Is Uncovered

Thursday, October 6, 2005: Does This Photograph Show Members of the "Pelham Manor Junior Base Ball Team"?

Thursday, September 15, 2005: Newspaper Item Published in 1942 Sheds Light on Baseball in 19th Century Pelham

Thursday, February 10, 2005: New Discoveries Regarding Baseball in 19th Century Pelham

Bell, Blake A., Baseball in Late 19th Century Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 17, Apr. 23, 2004, p. 8, col. 2.

I have located some other brief references that reflect baseball teams that played on City Island in Pelham and some of the games they played in 1884.  The full article containing the references is transcribed below:

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND.

--William E. Lowndes will represent this town in the Grand Jury at White Plains, Sept. 15.

--Charles Price had a dispute with Joseph Schowsboe a few days agao and he struck him with an oar.  Price was arrested.

--The game of ball between the Muffers [of City Island] and Pelhamville nine played last Saturday [August 23, 1884] resulted in a victory for the Muffers by a score of 42 to 11.

--The excursion of Grace church and Sunday School takes place today.  They will go to Alpine Grove and with bright weather all will be pleased with their day's recreation.

--Norma Leviness, daughter of Mr. Charles Leviness, died on Monday last, Agu. 25, in the eighteenth year of her age, after a lingering illness.  The funeral took place on Wednesday.

--The Beldonites went to New Rochelle and played a game of ball with the men of that place on Thursday, which resulted in a victory for New Rochelle by a score of 36 to 17.

--Work in the shipyards appears to be improving here a little.  Von Liehn continues to be busy in his hotel business and the number of summer boarders does not seem to lessen to any material extent.

--The school election in Pelhamville district passed off very quietly and resulted in the re-election of Mr. William Barry and of Mr. E. H. Gurney in place of Jacob Heisser whose term expired.

--Capt. Stringham appears to be doing his full share of the business on the Island.  The best evidence of his success is that those who visit his place once, never go elsewhere when similar services are required.

--Prof. Munroe is at Pelhamville in charge of a class of about forty students from the School of Mines in New York city.  They will spend about six weeks in studying and exercising in practical surveying.

--A large number of picnic parties have visited the Island and Flynn's pavilion this week.  All seem to enjoy themselves here thoroughly and as they all bring a little money with them, of course they are made welcome.

--Las Sunday a party visited a liquor saloon near the middle of the Island and greatly annoyed the people living in that vicinity and those passing the place.  When spoken to about it the proprietor thought the party a little lively but the neighbors think that they were decidedly noisy and offensive in their actions.

--Capt. Josh appears to have been in a pugnacious mood on Thursday and vented his spleen on an unfortunate boatman.  The boat man was seen falling, or being thrown, out of a second story windo and shortly after the Captain pursued him along the street at a break neck pace.  The boatman escaped with the loss of his hat and with clothing badly torn and extremely happy that nothing worse befell him.

--Plans for a new steam yacht, 180 feet long, 28 feet wide and 12 feet deep, are now making for Mr. P. Lorillard, it is said.  The new yacht is intended for service on Long Island Sound, Hudson river and other like inland waters, and she will lack nothing in her construction that money can procure and which may tend to produce a high rate of speed.  The model, plans, &c., are now in progress at City Island, from which locality so many fast and handsome steam crafts have been turned out lately.

--Many of the church people here are greatly indignant at the appearance of the lager beer wagon of Louis Diehl upon the streets on Sunday.  Almost every Sabbath this wagon can be seen going its rounds just as people are returning from church and an effort is to be made to put a stop to it.  They do not understand how this man can sell beer which a local grocer cannot do so, and they will doubtless have the Sunday law applied and ask for the confiscation of all the beer in the wagon.  One application will probably effect a cure.

--The Sunday school connected with the Trinity M. E. church will go on an excursion next Wednesday, September 3, in Locust Grove, L.I.  The propellor 'Capt. John,' of New Rochelle, has been engaged and will leave City Island at 9 A.M. and will leave Locust Grove at 4 P.M.  Locust Grove is close to Coney Island and doubtless many of the excursionists will visit this famous summer resort and be glad of an opportunity of reaching there so comfortably and so reasonably.  The tickets are only 50 cents.

--The Muffers will play the nine from Willet's Point, a game of ball on the Island to-day. . . . "

Source:  Pelham and City Island, New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 30, 1884, p. 2, col. 6.

Please Visit the Historic Pelham Web Site
Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.
Please Click Here for Index to All Blog Postings.

More Accounts of Early Baseball Played in Pelham

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I continue to document every reference I find about baseball played in Pelham during the 19th century.  For some of the prior postings, see:

Thursday, November 12, 2009:  More Early References to Baseball Played in Pelham.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009:  Score of June 1, 1887 Baseball Game Between the Country Club and The Knickerbocker Club.

Friday, March 20, 2009:  Another Reference to 19th Century Baseball in Pelham.

Monday, November 26, 2007: Box Score of a Baseball Game Played on Travers Island in Pelham Manor in July 1896.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007: Baseball on Travers Island During the Summer of 1897.

Friday, July 20, 2007: Account of Early Baseball in Pelham: Pelham vs. the New York Athletic Club on Travers Island in 1897

Friday, November 10, 2006: The Location of Another Early Baseball Field in Pelham

Monday, October 9, 2006: Reminiscences of Val Miller Shed Light on Late 19th Century Baseball in Pelham and the Early Development of the Village of North Pelham

Thursday, March 23, 2006: Baseball Fields Opened on the Grounds of the Westchester Country Club in Pelham on April 4, 1884

Tuesday, January 31, 2006: Another Account of Baseball Played in Pelham in the 1880s Is Uncovered

Thursday, October 6, 2005: Does This Photograph Show Members of the "Pelham Manor Junior Base Ball Team"?

Thursday, September 15, 2005: Newspaper Item Published in 1942 Sheds Light on Baseball in 19th Century Pelham

Thursday, February 10, 2005: New Discoveries Regarding Baseball in 19th Century Pelham

Bell, Blake A., Baseball in Late 19th Century Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 17, Apr. 23, 2004, p. 8, col. 2.

I have located some other brief references that reflect baseball teams that played on City Island in Pelham and some of the games they played in 1884.  The full article containing the references is transcribed below:

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND.

--Mr. C.S. has our thanks.

--A game of polo was played by the Country Club at Bartow, on Thursday. 

--Mr. S.D. Horton is building a new house on the lower end of City Island.

--Jenkins & Cameron, auctioneers, sell the propellor, 'Joshua Leviness,' at City Island to-day.

--Mr. Godirey, who received a severe hurt by having a heavy log fall on his foot, is improving nicely.

--Supervisor Hyatt slipped from his wagon the other day and hurt his arm badly.

--Mr. Jas. D. Bell has commenced the erection of a house on his premises on Main street.  Mr. J. Kenney being the builder.

--The work at the shipyards is very slack.  There is a little prospect of work at Carll's yard, a three master being in contemplation, but at the other yards little other than repairing is looked forward to at present.

--The base ball club, Beldonites, send a challenge to any junior B. B. club in Westchester Co. to play a game of base ball for a Snyder dead ball and bat on their grounds at City Island.  All communications to be sent to Mr. George Boster, City Island.

--A coaching party consisting of Mr. and Mrs. William Belden, Prof. Doremus, Messrs. Clark, Bell and Woodruff, drove recently to Dover, N.J.  The stylish four-in-hand was driven by Mr. Belden.  The party started for the Delaware Water Gap, via Lake Hopatcong and Schooley's Mountain, where they spent a short time, and then proceeded to the handsome summer residence of Mr. Beldon at City Island.

--A match game of ball was played between the Rivals of City Island and the Muffers of the same place, resulting in a victory for the latter, by a score of 13 to 4.  The Muffers challenge any club to play them in a match game for a Peck & Snyder dead ball.  All correspondence to be addressed to John Brady, City Island, N.Y.

--A fight occured on the steamboat dock at City Island, on Saturday between James Brown and Oliver Ayres.  Brown gave Ayres a black eye and knocked out one of his teeth for which Ayres had him summoned before Justice Martinson on Monday at seven o'clock.  The Judge fined Brown ten dollars or ten days in the County Jail.  The fine was paid by his brother.

A race for cabin sloops came off at City Island on Saturday, for a pennant given by Eugene Reed.  They were to sail six miles to the windward and return.  There were four entries, viz:  Katie Wood, Florence, Carrie and the Wm. H. Lockwood.  The Carrie broker her mast and withdrew.  The Florence carried away her jib traveler, and thus disabled her for the race.  The race was won by the Lockwood, time, two hours, twelve minutes.  It was well contested from the beginning."

Source:  Pelham and City Island, The New Rochelle Pioneer [New Rochelle, NY], Jul. 25?, 1884, p. ?, col. 5 (date and page number cut off at top, but text references make clear the date is very shortly after July 24, 1884).

Please Visit the Historic Pelham Web Site
Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.
Please Click Here for Index to All Blog Postings.