News of Pelham Published February 12, 1875

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In early February, 1875 -- much like recent days in 2018 -- the Town of Pelham was in the midst of a brutal cold spell that froze much of Long Island Sound and the waters off the shores of Pelham with ice so thick that people, horses, sleighs, and more could cross on the ice safely from island to island.  The brutal cold, however, did not stop Pelhamites from enjoying an active social life and outdoor sports according to news of the Town published in a Mount Vernon newspaper on February 12, 1875.

In 1875, the Mount Vernon newspaper known as The Chronicle was in its sixth year of publication.  In its earliest days, the newspaper occasionally carried news of Pelham.  In those early days, Pelham Manor had not been settled much.  The settlement of Pelhamville was tiny and, as one might expected, generated little interest or news.  Indeed, most of the population of the Town of Pelham was concentrated on City Island and in the tiny nearby settlement on Shore Road known variously as Bartow, Bartow-on-the-Sound, and Bartow Station.  Thus, the earliest news of Pelham reported in The Chronicle focused on City Island.

In early February, with much of the Sound solidly iced over, Pelhamites were concerned about their safety.  Because it was possible to walk from island to island, prisoners held on Hart Island were escaping in droves -- simply walking away from the island on the ice to City Island and then to the mainland.  According to the February 12 news report, in one week alone "about thirty prisoners" escaped.

Pelhamites also were concerned about local environmental issues in early 1875.  The same news account reported the formation of a "committee" representing Pelham consisting of Town Supervisor James Hyatt, David Carll (shipyard owner and one of the most successful businessmen in Pelham), and Stephen Pell (a notable civic citizen and ancestor of John Pell, nephew of Pelham founder Thomas Pell).  On behalf of Pelham, the committee traveled to Albany to complain to lawmakers that New York City contractors were illegally dumping refuse in the waters between Throggs Neck and City Island risking destruction of the oyster beds in the region, the mainstay of the Town's principal industry involving the planting, harvesting, and sale of oysters.  The committee asked the lawmakers to enforce preexisting law banning such dumping. 

On the lighter side, the news account described a host of social and recreational activities undertaken (or planned) by Pelhamites that brutally-cold February in 1875.  For example, the Merry Ten of City Island planned a grand "calico ball" -- by invitation only -- at Leviness Hall on the evening of Monday, February 22, 1875.  

The "Merry Ten" was a social club based on City Island in the Town of Pelham during the latter part of the nineteenth century.  It seems to have been active from at least the early 1870's through at least the mid 1880's and, indeed, was described in one article published in [1882] as "an old organization of City Island."  See PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 30, 1884, Vol. XV, No. 767, p. 3, col. 4 ("Last evening, the Merry Ten, an old organization of City Island, gave a complimentary ball, at Von Liehn's Hotel.").

In 1893, the highly-successful social club spawned a spin-off social club for the younger set known as "The Merry Ten, Jr."   The name "Merry Ten" was associated with unaffiliated social clubs throughout the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries.  Social Clubs named "Merry Ten" can be found in San Francisco, Yonkers and even Lowell, Massachusetts.  There even was a dime novel story written by Harvey King Shackleford entitled "The Merry Ten; or, The Shadows of a Social Club. A Temperance Story."  I have written before about the "Merry Ten" of City Island.  See Wed., Sep. 03, 2014:  The Merry Ten Social Club of City Island in the Town of Pelham During the 19th Century.  

 Ticket:  "GRAND FANCY DRESS AND MASQUERADE BALL OF

THE MERRY TEN, TO BE HELD AT LEVINESS' HALL, City Island,

On Thursday Eve'g, Feb. 22d, 1872.  TICKETS, ADMITTING GENTLEMAN

AND LADIES, $1.00.  No Gentleman or Lady admitted on the floor, unless

Fancy Dressed and Masked, until after intermission.  J.M. FLYNN,

President. JOHN ADEMA, Sectretary.  M. KNAPP, Vice-President.

R. L. LINCOLN, Treasurer."  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

According to the same report, a charitable group named the Society of Earnest Workers formed by members of Grace Episcopal Church on City Island hosted a fundraiser consisting of an entertainment of tableaux and charades at Horton's Hall on the evening of Monday, February 8, 1875.  (A "tableaux," popular at the time, involved posing costumed people, objects and, sometimes, animals to represent a scene, famous picture, statue or the like.)  "Attendance was large" and the entertainment raised more than $10 to support the group's work.

The article further reported that a minstrel entertainment group known as the Stony Swamp Minstrels intended to give "one of their pleasing entertainments" at Leviness Hall on City Island later that month.  Minstrel shows, of course, were 19th and early 20th century entertainments that, sadly, lampooned African-Americans in burlesque settings with comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music performances.  Little is known of this minstrel group that appears to have been based in the City Island region and even owned an ice boat named the "Stony Swamp" that competed in local races.  Hopefully additional research will reveal more about the history of this minstrel group.

The Stony Swamp Minstrels raced their iceboat named the "Stony Swamp" on the ice of frozen Pelham Bay during that brutal cold snap in 1875.  The ice boat raced against other local ice boats including the Town Dock and the Graham.  One such race, held on the ice of Pelham Bay on Saturday, February 6, 1875, was somewhat unusual.  Two ice boats raced a horse-drawn sleigh on the ice.  The ice boats beat the horse-drawn sleigh soundly, beating it by one-third of the distance across the entire bay. 

19th Century Stern Steerer Iceboats Likely Similar to Those

Raced on Frozen Pelham Bay on Saturday, February 6, 1875.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

 And . . . THAT's the way it was in February, 1875, in the Town of Pelham.

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"City Island.

The Merry Ten of City Island will give a grand invitation calico ball at Capt. Leviness' Hall on Monday evening Feb. 22nd.

On Monday evening last the members of the Earnest Workers gave an entertainment consisting of tableaux and charades at Horton's Hall.  The attendance was large and the proceeds netted over $10.

During the past week about thirty prisoners have escaped from Hart's Island and City Island.  People have been crossing from one island to the other for several days.

The residents of the Island have several ice boats, the Stony Swamp, Town Dock and Graham, in successful operation on Pelham Bay.  The Stony Swamp is owned by the minstrel troupe of the same name.

On Wednesday last several boats were a whole day in getting from opposite City Island to Throggs Neck.

The Stony Swamp Minstrels intend giving one of their pleasing entertainments at Leviness's Hall about the 28th inst.

On Saturday last a race took place on Pelham Bay between two ice boats and a horse attached to a [sleigh] but the horse was beaten one third of the distance across the bay.

On Monday a committee of gentlemen from this place consisting of David Carll, Stephen Pell and Supervisor Hyatt went to Albany for the purpose of protesting against the dumping of refuse matter by the contractors of New York between Throgg's Neck and City Island.  The committee requested our members to use their utmost endeavors to have the law in relation to the above abuse enforced.  It forbids the dumping of all refuse matter one mile from Sandy Point.  This action has been taken in prevention of the destruction of oyster beds beginning that part of the Sound spoken of above as a dumping ground." 

Source:  City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 12, 1875, Vol. VI, No. 282, p. 3, col. 2.

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Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen Against Connecticut Oystermen in 1873-75

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During the late 1860s, a giant natural oyster bed was discovered by oystermen off the harbor of Bridgeport, Connecticut.  Enterprising oystermen throughout the region harvested hundreds of thousands of bushels of seed oysters and carried them to oyster planting grounds in New York, Connecticut, and even New Jersey.  For several years the giant oyster bed served as "a never failing source of supply to the oyster planters" of surrounding states.

In 1873, however, something changed.  Connecticut oystermen "joined together to monopolize" the bed and began to exclude oystermen from other states from harvesting seed oysters -- actually, any oysters -- from the bed.  New York oystermen, including those based on City Island in the Town of Pelham, were furious.  Indeed, they asserted that although the bed was off the harbor of Bridgeport, Connecticut, it actually was located in New York waters.

Yet another oyster war began.

Port Washington, Long Island oystermen were the first to throw down the gauntlet.  On March 15, 1873, a large number of them met formally and voted to approve the following resolutions:

"Whereas the oystermen of the State of Connecticut are endeavoring to prohibit and prevent the oystermen of this place, and others of the State of New York, and who are citizens thereof, from catching seed oysters in certain portions of the waters of Long Island Sound, more especially off the harbor of Bridgeport, as has ever been our custom and right; and whereas we believe said bed of oysters to be within the boundaries of the State of New York, as we are informed by competent counsel and other reliable authority, and none but citizens of this State (New York) have a right to work said bed; and whereas we are satisfied that large quantities of territory belonging to said State of New York have been taken up and planted with oysters in violation of law and the rights of the people of this State, more especially off Norwalk Islands, Shippan, Darien and other places; therefore, be it

Resolved. That, while we are and have ever been willing to share our rights and privileges in common with our neighbors, if the oystermen of Connecticut attempt to deprive us of or curtail those rights, that we, the oystermen and citizens of the State of New York, are determined to resist further encroachments and assert and maintain those rights which belong to us.

Resolved.  That we claim that the bed known as the Bridgeport bed is in New York State waters, and that only the citizens thereof have the right to catch oysters thereon.

Resolved.  That such grounds in this State as have been taken up and planted at Norwalk Island and other places by the oystermen of Connecticut be reclaimed from them for the use of our own citizens.

Resolved.  That a committee of five be appointed to confer with the oystermen of City Island, Oyster Bay, Staten Island, Little Neck and other places to insure co-operation.

A considerable sum of money was then raised and the meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the Chair."

New York oystermen defied their Connecticut brethren and harvested oysters off Bridgeport Harbor.  On Thursday, May 29, 1873, however, things became more heated.  The New York smack Henrietta Scott was harvesting oysters in the area when it was boarded by five men who demanded that the two-man crew of the smack provide some evidence of their "authority" for harvesting oysters in the area.  When no such "evidence" was forthcoming, the five men overpowered the crew of the smack and had a tug tow the smack back to Bridgeport.  There, the men instituted a civil lawsuit alleging trespass on the oyster bed against the captain of the smack, Harry Scott.  Captain Scott was about to become a famous man.

Skirmishes continued and New York oystermen continued to slip in and out of the giant bed.  Within months the New York legislature decided to look at the matter.  The legislature adopted a resolution "calling for information relative to the respective rights of Connecticut and Long Island to the oyster-beds of the Sound."  It seems that the legislature was contemplating enactment of legislation to address not only "a question of boundary between Connecticut and New-York," but also claims under an old colonial charter under which New York claimed its boundary extended to low water mark on the Connecticut shore and Connecticut claimed the boundary line was in the middle of the stream between two shores.  As one Assembly member stated, "the disputed questions involve millions of dollars worth of property, beside excited feeling and prejudice between the residents of the two shores."

The oystermen, of course, could not be bothered to wait for a tortoise-like investigation followed by a log-rolling legislative process.  Oysters and the money they brought were at stake.

New York oystermen continued their assault on oyster beds off the Connecticut shores.  In May of 1874, Connecticut oystermen decided to seek revenge with a counter-attack.  A flotilla of about two hundred oystering vessels descended upon planted oyster beds maintained by the oystermen of Sayville, Long Island.  The Connecticut vessels harvested more than $50,000 worth of oysters from the beds (nearly $1.5 million in today's dollars).  A local newspaper reported:

"The Suffolk County Oyster Planters' Association, of Sayville, composed of about one hundred members, having some 200 acres under lease, near Nichols' Point, have been almost entirely cleaned out, and the Society broken up.  Much indignation is felt over the matter, and it was feared at one time that the parties would come in hostile collision, but milder counsels prevailed, and those who planted under the leases, have resolved to try the uncertain issue of the law for redress.  If the law will allow one man to reap where another man has planted, it is high time, in our estimation, that a stronger and more just law was enacted.  If the people own the bay bottom they own no oysters, except those that grow naturally, and to rob another of oysters, bought, paid for and planted, even though they are planted in the wrong place, and contrary to law is an outrage upon the commonest rights of property.  We hope this matter will be thoroughly sifted and the wrong placed where it belongs."

Cooler heads may have prevailed in that instance, but the oyster war continued for many months.  Indeed, in October, 1875, several New York boats were caught by Connecticut oystermen harvesting oysters off Connecticut shores yet again.  The Connecticut oystermen successfully boarded and seized the New York vessels.  It seemed this brought the matter to a head.  

According to one news report, a truce was announced to allow the civil trespass case against Captain Scott to be decided by the courts and, hopefully, resolve the matter.  The report stated:

"Mr. Bullock, of Bridgeport, counsel for the seizers, received a letter from Mr. Scudder of New York, requesting that no further proceedings be taken toward a condemnation of the boats seized, pending a decision in the courts of 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' the main case to determine the constitutional and jurisdictional rights of Connecticut over the oyster interest.  A consultation was had in New York Wednesday between Judge Shipman, H. J. Scudder, counsel for New York, and Mr. Bullock of Bridgeport, in which it was determined to release the seized boats upon pledges from the New York interest as represented by Mr. Scudder that pending a final adjudication of 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' no encroachments upon the oyster beds of our coast by New York parties shall again occur, and upon further pledges by the owners of the boats seized that their boats should not be permitted to return.  It is therefore well understood that Connecticut oystermen shall be no further annoyed by non-residents or oyster boats owned outside of the State.  The first hearing -- 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' probably will be had during the Autumn.  The schooner Undine was the first to be released, and the other boats now held will soon be realized." 

Yet another oyster war was paused.  Scott vs. Ketcham, it seems, is a story of its own -- to be continued. . . . . 

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"OYSTER CONTROVERSY BETWEEN TWO STATES. -- 

Our readers will recollect that some five years ago there was a large bed of oysters found in the Long Island Sound, off the harbor of Bridgeport, Conn., from which hundreds of thousands of bushels of seed oysters were caught and carried to the different harbors and planting grounds and planted not only in this State, but in New Jersey and Connecticut; since which time said bed has been a never failing source of supply to the oyster planters of these States.  It now appears that though this oyster bed is in New York State boundaries, the oystermen of Connecticut have joined together to monopolize the working of said bed to the utter exclusion of all others, and this without a shadow of law or right.he T  On the other hand, the oystermen of this State are determined to protect their rights and interests, and are holding meetings and raising money to carry the war into Africa.  At a large and earnest meeting of the oystermen of Port Washington, L. I., and vicinity, held at the above place March 15, 1873, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted -- John Mackey, Sr., in the chair, and W. S. Weeks, Secretary: -- 

Whereas the oystermen of the State of Connecticut are endeavoring to prohibit and prevent the oystermen of this place, and others of the State of New York, and who are citizens thereof, from catching seed oysters in certain portions of the waters of Long Island Sound, more especially off the harbor of Bridgeport, as has ever been our custom and right; and whereas we believe said bed of oysters to be within the boundaries of the State of New York, as we are informed by competent counsel and other reliable authority, and none but citizens of this State (New York) have a right to work said bed; and whereas we are satisfied that large quantities of territory belonging to said State of New York have been taken up and planted with oysters in violation of law and the rights of the people of this State, more especially off Norwalk Islands, Shippan, Darien and other places; therefore, be it

Resolved. That, while we are and have ever been willing to share our rights and privileges in common with our neighbors, if the oystermen of Connecticut attempt to deprive us of or curtail those rights, that we, the oystermen and citizens of the State of New York, are determined to resist further encroachments and assert and maintain those rights which belong to us.

Resolved.  That we claim that the bed known as the Bridgeport bed is in New York State waters, and that only the citizens thereof have the right to catch oysters thereon.

Resolved.  That such grounds in this State as have been taken up and planted at Norwalk Island and other places by the oystermen of Connecticut be reclaimed from them for the use of our own citizens.

Resolved.  That a committee of five be appointed to confer with the oystermen of City Island, Oyster Bay, Staten Island, Little Neck and other places to insure co-operation.

A considerable sum of money was then raised and the meeting adjourned to meet at the call of the Chair."

Source:  OYSTER CONTROVERSY BETWEEN TWO STATES [Special Notice], N.Y. Herald, Mar. 25, 1873, No. 13,365, p. 1, col. 2.  

"The oyster boats owned by New York dealers have been withdrawn from the Connecticut coast.  This has been done because the smack Henrietta Scott was captured off Point-no-Point, about five miles from Bridgeport harbor, last Thursday by five men.  The captors say that the foreign boat was dredging for oysters on a forbidden bed.  When asked to show their authority they would not or could not comply; but overpowering the two men on board the Henrietta Scott, towed her to Bridgeport harbor with the tug Knickerbocker, of Bridgeport, with which they had overhauled her.  Harry Scott, captain of the captured vessel, had a suit for trespass instituted against him at Stratford, Conn.  He says, if he is beaten, he will appeal to the United States Court, and make it a test case.  The oystermen throughout the city are ready to fight the matter to the end. -- Sun."
Source:  [Untitled], Queens County Sentinel [Hempstead, NY], Jun. 5, 1873, Vol. 16, No. 1, p. 4, col. 6.  

"ALBANY.
-----
AFFAIRS AT THE STATE CAPITAL. . . . 
THE LONG ISLAND OYSTER WAR. . . .

The resolution offered in the Assembly by Mr. Prince, and adopted, calling for information relative to the respective rights of Connecticut and Long Island to the oyster-beds of the Sound, contemplates further legislation to test the constitutional questions involved.  An appropriation of $1,500 was made in the Supply bill last year to defray the expenses of litigation on the subject, but the terms of the appropriation were not sufficiently broad to cover all the questions that arise in the case.  It is not only a question of boundary between Connecticut and New-York from the use of the oyster-beds.  New-York claims that, under the old Colonial charter, her boundary extends to low water mark on the Connecticut shore, while Connecticut claims that the boundary line is in the middle of the stream between the two shores.  Mr. Prince says the disputed questions involve millions of dollars worth of property, beside excited feeling and prejudice between the residents of the two shores. . . ."

Source:  ALBANY -- AFFAIRS AT THE STATE CAPITAL. . . . THE LONG ISLAND OYSTER WAR, N.Y. Tribune, Jan. 8, 1874, Vol. XXXIII, No. 10,224, p. 1, col. 4.  

"The Oyster War.

Some two weeks since we spoke of a raid made by the oystermen of Brookhaven upon the oyster beds at Sayville, but then, not having the full particulars, we now publish the following lengthy account of the same affair from the Babylon Signal, under the caption of 'An outrage under cover of Law:'

For the past ten or twelve years the oystermen of Sayville have devoted considerable attention to the planting of oysters in the Bay opposite that place, some by authority from Brookhaven, (which town still holds jurisdiction over the waters set off when the town of Islip was formed;) others operated under the oyster act of 1866.  The bottom occupied was taken from portions of the Bay where there were planted, and the business has grown into an important one, many thousands of dollars being ingested in the stocking of the beds.  It seems in the management of this business many planters had not conformed to the strict requirements of the law, in the fact that they had occupied more land than the law allowed, though barren of natural oysters originally.  Acting on this latter fact, the oystermen from different parts of Brookhaven town, with a fleet of 200 boats, appeared on the Sayville beds in April, and have been actively engaged since taking up the oysters planted by the Sayville men.  Remonstrance in some cases prevailed, but not to the extent of saving the oysters, except in some instances where the parties held leases from Brookhaven, but not all of these were respected.  It is estimated that over $50,000 worth of planted oysters have been taken up and carried away by men who never planted an oyster within miles of these beds.  The Suffolk County Oyster Planters' Association, of Sayville, composed of about one hundred members, having some 200 acres under lease, near Nichols' Point, have been almost entirely cleaned out, and the Society broken up.  Much indignation is felt over the matter, and it was feared at one time that the parties would come in hostile collision, but milder counsels prevailed, and those who planted under the leases, have resolved to try the uncertain issue of the law for redress.  If the law will allow one man to reap where another man has planted, it is high time, in our estimation, that a stronger and more just law was enacted.  If the people own the bay bottom they own no oysters, except those that grow naturally, and to rob another of oysters, bought, paid for and planted, even though they are planted in the wrong place, and contrary to law is an outrage upon the commonest rights of property.  We hope this matter will be thoroughly sifted and the wrong placed where it belongs."

Source:  The Oyster War, Sag-Harbor Express [Sag Harbor, Long Island, NY], May 28, 1874, Vol. XV, No. 46, p. 2, col. 5.

"Oyster War.

A few days ago mention was made of the capture in Connecticut waters of several boats owned in New York and engaged in fishing for oysters.  Mr. Bullock, of Bridgeport, counsel for the seizers, received a letter from Mr. Scudder of New York, requesting that no further proceedings be taken toward a condemnation of the boats seized, pending a decision in the courts of 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' the main case to determine the constitutional and jurisdictional rights of Connecticut over the oyster interest.  A consultation was had in New York Wednesday between Judge Shipman, H. J. Scudder, counsel for New York, and Mr. Bullock of Bridgeport, in which it was determined to release the seized boats upon pledges from the New York interest as represented by Mr. Scudder that pending a final adjudication of 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' no encroachments upon the oyster beds of our coast by New York parties shall again occur, and upon further pledges by the owners of the boats seized that their boats should not be permitted to return.  It is therefore well understood that Connecticut oystermen shall be no further annoyed by non-residents or oyster boats owned outside of the State.  The first hearing -- 'Scott vs. Ketcham,' probably will be had during the Autumn.  The schooner Undine was the first to be released, and the other boats now held will soon be realized.  --  New Haven Courier."

Source:  Oyster War, Queens County Sentinel [Hempstead, NY], Oct. 14, 1875, vol. 18, No. 20, p. 2, col. 6.

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The oystering industry was, for decades, a critically-important economic activity in the Town of Pelham.  Many residents of City Island made their living from the industry or ran businesses that catered to the oystermen.  Accordingly, I have written about Pelham oystering and various oyster wars such as that during the 1870s that is the subject of today's article, on many, many occasions.  See, e.g.:

Wed., Jul. 05, 2017:  Pelham's Most Entrepreneurial Oysterman Was Forced To Sell His Steam Engine Oyster Dredge in 1882.

Tue., Jun. 27, 2017:  John E. Price of City Island, One of Pelham's Earliest Commercial Oystermen.

Thu., May 11, 2017:  Nineteenth Century Fake News: Announced Discovery of Another Great Oyster Bed in 1871 Led to a Near "Oyster Riot".

Wed., Mar. 29, 2017:  Important Description of the Oyster Industry in Pelham in 1853.

Thu., Feb. 11, 2016:  Was a City Island Hotel Keeper Among the First to Learn of the Great Oyster Bed Discovered in 1859?

Wed., Jun. 24, 2015:  The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part I.

Thu., Jun. 25, 2015:  The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part II.

Mon., Dec. 01, 2014:  Jury Finds City Island Oystermen Guilty of Stealing Oysters from Planted Bed in 1878.

Tue., Nov. 11, 2014:  Efforts by Herman Le Roy, Jr. of Pelham to Build an Oyster Pond in the 1830's.

Thu., Aug. 07, 2014:  Oysterman Joshua Leviness of City Island Accused of Stealing Oysters Near High Island in 1883.

Tue., Feb. 04, 2014:  Pelham: Once Oyster Capital of the World.

Thu., Mar. 25, 2010:  Discovery of "The Great Oyster Bed" in Long Island Sound in 1859.

Wed., Mar. 24, 2010:  The Oyster War of 1884 Between Glen Cove and City Island Intensifies.

Tue., Mar. 23, 2010:  Yet Another "Oyster War" in 1884; Glen Cove Officials Feud with City Island and Connecticut Oystermen.

Mon., Mar. 22, 2010:  77-Year Old City Island Oysterman Joshua Leviness Reminisces in Testimony Provided in 1884.

Fri., Mar. 19, 2010:  The New York Legislature Stepped Into the Oyster War on Long Island Sound in 1895.

Thu., Mar. 18, 2010:  1859 Town of Huntington Record Reflecting Dispute with City Island Oystermen.

Wed., Mar. 17, 2010:  Report of September 13, 1884 Tour of Oyster Beds by Captain Joshua Leviness of City Island.

Tue., March 16, 2010:  More on 19th Century Oystering in Pelham - Descriptions of Oyster Beds Off Hart Island, City Island and in Pelham Bay Published in 1887.

Mon., Mar. 15, 2010:  More on 19th Century City Island Oyster Industry - City Island Oystermen Complaint of Pollution.

Fri., Mar. 12, 2010:  Early History of Oystering in the Waters Off City Island in the Town of Pelham.

Thu., Mar. 11, 2010:  The "Great Oyster War" Between City Island and Tarrytown in 1877 and 1878.

Thu., Dec. 3, 2009:  Pelham News on May 30, 1884 Including Allegations of Oyster Larceny and Meeting of the Pelhamville Improvement Association.

Mon., July 30, 2007:  1885 Report Notes Decline of Oyster Industry Near City Island in the Town of Pelham.

Fri., Jul. 27, 2007:  Possible Origins of the Oyster Feud Between City Islanders and Huntington, Long Island.

Thu., Jul. 26, 2007:  Pelham's City Island Oystermen Feud with Long Islanders in 1869.

Fri., Apr. 13, 2007:  Oystermen of City Island (When It Was Part of the Town of Pelham) Pioneered Oyster Cultivation.

Fri., Jan. 26, 2007:  A History of the Early Years of City Island When it Was Part of the Town of Pelham, Published in 1927.

Mon., Sep. 18, 2006:  A Brief Description of Oystering in Eastchester Bay and at Pelham Published in 1881.

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Pelham's Most Entrepreneurial Oysterman Was Forced To Sell His Steam Engine Oyster Dredge in 1882

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Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

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How could one tiny little news story about Pelham published in 1882 contain so much significant history about our little town?  

First, it tells us that what likely was Pelham's first "photograph gallery" opened on Main Street on City Island in June, 1882.  "Mr. Hilbert" opened the gallery.  

Second, it tells us that shipyard entrepreneur and owner, John Hawkins was building yet another significant "ship."  This one, however, was "patented."  It was unusual because it was a large garbage scow -- a nasty trash dumping barge that, according to the article, was "considered a great success."

A larger City Island success, however, was the amazing three-masted schooner laid at Carll's Yard.  It was to be a 900 tonnage ship with a "double deck."  Moreover, plans were underway to build a 1200 ton vessel with a keel of 150 feet -- the largest vessel ever built on City Island up to that date.

Perhaps the most interesting reference in the news story, however, was an announcement that famed Pelham oysterman Joshua Leviness had sold his oystering steamboat.  Leviness was a true oyster entrepreneur -- a successful and affluent one at that.  He was the first on City Island to have a specialized steamboat built to haul oyster dredges in Long Island Sound.  Many, however, were horrified.

Oystermen feared that such specialized steamboats would be so ruthlessly efficient that they quickly would wipe out natural oyster beds and destroy the natural resource on which so many Long Island Sound oystermen depended.  New York quickly passed legislation outlawing the use of steamboats to dredge oysters.  

Leviness quickly tested the new law.  He was hired by a City Island resident to harvest oysters from the resident's planted oyster bed.  Leviness used his steamboat to harvest the oysters and was charged with violations of the law.  At trial Leviness and his lawyer argued that the statute applied only to natural beds and that a steamboat could be used on privately-owned planted oyster beds.  The court rejected the argument and found Leviness guilty of violating the law.

Thus, the June 24, 1882 issue of The Chronicle, published in Mount Vernon sadly reported:

"WE understand Capt. Joshua Leviness has sold his oyster steam boat to parties in Westchester for to run as a freight boat between that place and New York.  It will be remembered Capt. Josh had this boat built in a peculiar manner and expressly to dredge by steam for oysters.  Afterwards an act was passed by the Legislature prohibiting the use of same."

Steam technology to harvest oysters in Long Island Sound would not be permitted.  Captain Leviness had to resort to the oystering methods that had been used off the shores of Pelham for the previous fifty years.

*          *          *          *          *

"CITY ISLAND NOTES
-----

MR. HILBERT has opened a photograph gallery on Main street.

MR. ISAIAH KINSEY is building a two story house on Fordham ave., for Mr. Fred Gianisure.

AN exhibition of the pupils of District School No. 2 [City Island] has been given of late, every Friday afternoon, under the supervision of the principal, Mr. Sterne.

MR. JOHN HAWKINS is building another large dump scow for Mr. Goodyear of New York.  The patent is one of Mr. Hawkins own and is considered a great success.  

The keel for a new three masted schooner has been laid at Carll's yard recently.  Tonnage to be 900 tons with a double deck.  Also at this same yard there will soon be laid the keel for a vessel of 1200 tons, with a keel of 150 feet.  This will be the largest vessel ever built on City Island.  

THE boat race on Saturday last between Ayres and Nelson (colored) was not a very satisfactory affair.  Nelson took the lead from the start and kept it throughout.  The race was for $25, checks undoubtedly.  These checks are the same as cash.  But as a general thing it is a bad practice to pull an eight mile boat race for any man's check.

MESSRS. A. B. WOOD & Son are building a steam launch for William Astor to be used as a tender to the yacht Ambassadress.  The English launch formerly owned by Mr. Astor has been sold to Mr. Dermouth, of New York city, and is undergoing repairs at the same yard.

WE understand Capt. Joshua Leviness has sold his oyster steam boat to parties in Westchester for to run as a freight boat between that place and New York.  It will be remembered Capt. Josh had this boat built in a peculiar manner and expressly to dredge by steam for oysters.  Afterwards an act was passed by the Legislature prohibiting the use of same.  

MR. WILLIAM BELDEN, on Saturday afternoon last, gave the Saturday Night Club, of New York city, a sail up the Sound in the yacht Yosemite.  The water was smooth, and all enjoyed themselves.  An elegant dinner was served on board and addresses made by L. M. Bates, Chas. M. Beech, the Hon. B. A. Willis, Richard B. Kimball, Bronson Howard and Fred Taylor.  The health of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor was drank [sic] and the former was nominated for a member of the club."

Source:  CITY ISLAND NOTES, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jun. 24, 1882, Vol. XIII, No. 12, p. 3, col. 6.  

*          *          *          *          *

The oystering industry was, for decades, a critically-important economic activity in the Town of Pelham.  Many residents of City Island made their living from the industry or ran businesses that catered to the oystermen.  Accordingly, I have written about Pelham oystering on many, many occasions.  See, e.g.:

Tue., Jun. 27, 2017:  John E. Price of City Island, One of Pelham's Earliest Commercial Oystermen.

Thu., May 11, 2017:  Nineteenth Century Fake News: Announced Discovery of Another Great Oyster Bed in 1871 Led to a Near "Oyster Riot".

Wed., Mar. 29, 2017:  Important Description of the Oyster Industry in Pelham in 1853.

Thu., Feb. 11, 2016:  Was a City Island Hotel Keeper Among the First to Learn of the Great Oyster Bed Discovered in 1859?

Wed., Jun. 24, 2015:  The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part I.

Thu., Jun. 25, 2015:  The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part II.

Mon., Dec. 01, 2014:  Jury Finds City Island Oystermen Guilty of Stealing Oysters from Planted Bed in 1878.

Tue., Nov. 11, 2014:  Efforts by Herman Le Roy, Jr. of Pelham to Build an Oyster Pond in the 1830's.

Thu., Aug. 07, 2014:  Oysterman Joshua Leviness of City Island Accused of Stealing Oysters Near High Island in 1883.

Tue., Feb. 04, 2014:  Pelham: Once Oyster Capital of the World.

Thu., Mar. 25, 2010:  Discovery of "The Great Oyster Bed" in Long Island Sound in 1859.

Wed., Mar. 24, 2010:  The Oyster War of 1884 Between Glen Cove and City Island Intensifies.

Tue., Mar. 23, 2010:  Yet Another "Oyster War" in 1884; Glen Cove Officials Feud with City Island and Connecticut Oystermen.

Mon., Mar. 22, 2010:  77-Year Old City Island Oysterman Joshua Leviness Reminisces in Testimony Provided in 1884.

Fri., Mar. 19, 2010:  The New York Legislature Stepped Into the Oyster War on Long Island Sound in 1895.

Thu., Mar. 18, 2010:  1859 Town of Huntington Record Reflecting Dispute with City Island Oystermen.

Wed., Mar. 17, 2010:  Report of September 13, 1884 Tour of Oyster Beds by Captain Joshua Leviness of City Island.

Tue., March 16, 2010:  More on 19th Century Oystering in Pelham - Descriptions of Oyster Beds Off Hart Island, City Island and in Pelham Bay Published in 1887.

Mon., Mar. 15, 2010:  More on 19th Century City Island Oyster Industry - City Island Oystermen Complaint of Pollution.

Fri., Mar. 12, 2010:  Early History of Oystering in the Waters Off City Island in the Town of Pelham.

Thu., Mar. 11, 2010:  The "Great Oyster War" Between City Island and Tarrytown in 1877 and 1878.

Thu., Dec. 3, 2009:  Pelham News on May 30, 1884 Including Allegations of Oyster Larceny and Meeting of the Pelhamville Improvement Association.

Mon., July 30, 2007:  1885 Report Notes Decline of Oyster Industry Near City Island in the Town of Pelham.

Fri., Jul. 27, 2007:  Possible Origins of the Oyster Feud Between City Islanders and Huntington, Long Island.

Thu., Jul. 26, 2007:  Pelham's City Island Oystermen Feud with Long Islanders in 1869.

Fri., Apr. 13, 2007:  Oystermen of City Island (When It Was Part of the Town of Pelham) Pioneered Oyster Cultivation.

Fri., Jan. 26, 2007:  A History of the Early Years of City Island When it Was Part of the Town of Pelham, Published in 1927.

Mon., Sep. 18, 2006:  A Brief Description of Oystering in Eastchester Bay and at Pelham Published in 1881.

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."

John E. Price of City Island, One of Pelham's Earliest Commercial Oystermen

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."

Not much is known of the earliest oystermen in the Town of Pelham.  Not much, of course, was done to document their lives during the early to mid-19th century.  By piecing together snippets from a wide variety of sources, however, it is possible to assemble a rough portrait of some of those pioneer oystermen.  One such pioneer oystermen was John E. Price, among the earliest oystermen to operate from City Island in the Town of Pelham.

According to a host of sources including several Federal census records, John E. Price was born in New York in about 1826.  As a young man in the 1850s he began oystering from City Island in the Town of Pelham.  At the time, the natural oyster beds off the shores of Pelham were rich with the bivalves.  Additionally, oystermen in the region were just developing the practice of "planting" oyster beds in the waters of Long Island Sound.  Thus, Price began oystering at the best possible time.

According to an obituary, Price soon "started a string of boats, and made a comfortable fortune" by oystering off the shores of Pelham.  

As one might expect, John E. Price planted and maintained oyster beds in Long Island Sound.  This is known because in 1879, famed City Island oysterman Joshua Leviness became the first person in the State of New York charged with illegally dredging oysters using steam power.  At trial, the attorney for Leviness argued that Leviness was hired by the owner of an artificial oyster bed that was adjacent to a bed planted by John E. Price to harvest the owner's oysters from his bed.  The attorney contended that the statute did not bar steam-powered equipment when dredging one's own oysters from one's own artificial bed -- only when dredging natural beds or unlawfully dredging the artificial beds of others.  The argument failed and Leviness was convicted.

The Federal Censuses for the Town of Pelham in 1850, 1860, and 1870 suggest that oysterman John Price married a woman named Caroline who was born in New York and was three years younger than he and that the couple had several children including:  (1) Stephen, born in about 1847; (2) John E., born in about 1850; (3) Robert H., born in about 1856; (4) Charlie S., born in about 1858; (5) Annie, born in about 1861; (6) Sarah, born in about 1863; (7) Maura, born in about 1866; (8) Mable E, born in about 1868; (9) Jennie, born in about 1869; and (10) William, birth date unknown.   A brief obituary in a local newspaper indicates that Jennie died at the age of 16 in 1885 of "lingering consumption."

Brief newspaper clippings from the 1880s and 1890s shed a little light on the life of John E. Price.  For example, he was hailed as a hero in December, 1881 for saving the life of City Island oysterman Joseph Horton.  Horton was operating a skiff with a sail while oystering off the shores of City Island.  The sail snagged on a stake marking the boundary of an oyster bed, capsizing Horton's boat.  Horton scrambled out of the cold water and climbed onto the bottom of the skiff bobbing upside down in the waters of Long Island Sound.  He began to shout.  

John Price and one of his sons were out oystering as well.  They heard Horton's shouts and rescued him from his imperiled condition.

Several different accounts emphasized John Price's love for sailing and rowing in the waters of Long Island Sound for fun.  Indeed, an obituary noted that he rowed all around in the waters off the shores of City Island only days before his death in 1910 at the age of 85.  Another example was a sailing race Price ran against Samuel Pell of City Island in September, 1885.  Pell raced his large oyster sloop Louise H.  Price raced a smaller oyster sloop, the Wm. H. Lockwood.  Because Pell's boat was so much larger, Pell had to give a "time allowance" (i.e., spot Price some time).  Although the race was highly anticipated, there was no wind that day.  The race began at 1:00 p.m. from City Island Bridge and only involved a ten-mile course, but with no wind it took the sloops until dark to complete the race.  Pell's sloop, the Louise H., finished 3 minutes and 20 seconds ahead, but when the time allowance was considered, Price's sloop, the Wm. H. Lockwood, was declared the winner by 47 seconds.  

As one of the earliest oystermen on City Island, John E. Price became one of the most respected mariners in the Town.  His counsel and guidance were sought by oystermen throughout the island.  

Members of John E. Price's family also gained similar respect.  For example, one of his sons, John E. Price, Jr., was a leader of City Island oystermen during the infamous 1895 Oyster War about which I have written before.  See:

Wed., Jun. 24, 2015:  The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part I. 

Thu., Jun. 25, 2015:  The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part II.

In 1899 John E Price had the sad duty of searching for and discovering the body of his friend, Thomas Collins.  Collins was 80 years old at the time of his death and was said to have been, at the time, "the oldest fisherman of City Island."  Since the 1840s Collins had been engaged in the oystering trade and fished the waters around City Island.  Indeed, he and John Price had virtually grown old together oystering in Long Island Sound near City Island.  Yet, on April 8, 1899, Collins headed to the oyster beds near City Island for the last time.

No one knew what happened.  In the evening, two of his sons returned home and were surprised not to see their father.  They searched for him, but found only his rowboat overturned on a nearby beach where it had been washed ashore.  All of City Island was called out to search for old Thomas Collins in the waters around City Island.  According to the New York Times:

"It was almost 9 o'clock, however, before John Fordham, John Price, and Henry Glazier, grappling from the sides of their boat, came upon something heavy.  It was the body of their old friend Collins.  They towed the body to shore and stretched it on the beach.  A doctor sad the body had been in the water for at least four hours.  It was taken to the Collins home at 31 Carroll Street."

John E. Price died in his home at 146 King Avenue on November 24, 1910.  He was found dead "of paralysis" (likely a stroke) by William Price, one of his sons.  According to his obituary, "until a few days ago was able to row around the island as easily as any boatman of the younger generation.  He owned some property near his home."

*          *          *          *          *

Below is the text of a number of newspaper articles that touch on the life of City Island oysterman John E. Price.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"STEAM DREDGING FOR OYSTERS.

Yesterday in the Court of Sessions, at White Plains, the first case under chapter 302 of the Laws of 1878, providing that in none of the waters of the State of New York shall dredging for oysters be done by steam power, was tried before Judge Silas D. Giffor and Associate Justices Howe and Lawrence.  The District Attorney was assisted by ex-Judge J. M. Peters, and Martin J. Keogh was counsel for the defendant.  The indictment in the action charges that Joshua Leviness, an oysterman, dredged on John Price's oyster-bed with his steam dredge in violation of the statute.  It appeared that Charles McClellan owns, or is reputed to own, an adjoining oyster bed, and that Leviness had been engaged to take up some of the oysters for him.  When he got to the boundaries of the bed he had to go upon Price's bed but did not dredge thereon or raise any of the oysters.  These beds are in Long Island Sound, off the Town of Pelham, near City Island.  The defense claimed that they had the right to dredge for their property by whatever means they chose.  Inasmuch as it was not a natural bed of oysters.  The prosecution, and the Judge in charging the jury, said that the letter of the law 'dredging for oysters in the waters of the State by steam power,' had been violated, and the jury found Leviness guilty of dredging upon private grounds."

Source:  STEAM DREDGING FOR OYSTERS, N.Y. Times, Dec. 9, 1879, p. 5, cols. 1-2.  

"City Island. . . .

Just before sunrise on Saturday morning last, Mr. Joseph Horton, with a sail in his skiff, started out to work.  The sail caught in an oyster stake off House Rock, capsizing his boat.  Mr. Horton climbed up on the bottom of the boat and set his vocal powers to work, and was heard by some oystermen and was rescued by Capt. John Price and Son.  Mr. Horton was very numb with the cold when picked up and is now confined to his bed. . . ."

Source:  City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Dec. 16, 1881, Vol. XIII, No. 639, p. 2, col. 4.  

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND. . . .

Miss Jennie, daughter of Mr. John Price, died of lingering consumption on Monday afternoon last, and was buried from the M. E. Church, Wednesday.  The young lady was 16 years of age. . . ."

Source:  PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 15, 1885, Vol. XVI, No. 817, p. 3, col. 3.  

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND. . . .

The match race between the oyster sloops, Louise H. owned by Mr. Samuel Pell, and Wm. H. Lockwood, owned by Mr. John Price came off last Saturday, as announced, but it was rather a tame affair as there was little or no wind, the boats being nearly six hours going over the course of ten miles.  The boats started about one o'clock from City Island bridge and it was nearly dark when they returned to the starting point.  The Louise got in 3 minutes and 20 seconds ahead, but as she is a larger boat than the Lockwood, and had to give time allowance, the later won the race by 47 seconds.  The friends of the respective boats each think their favorite is the smarter and the late contest will, in all probability, result in another, when it is hoped the conditions of the weather will be more favorable to a more exciting race."

Source:  PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 4, 1885, Vol. XVI, No. 833, p. 2, col. 4.  

"OLD FISHERMAN DROWNED.
----
Thomas Collins's Boat Comes Ashore Alone at City Island -- Body Found.

The body of Thomas Collins, known as the oldest fisherman of City Island, was found last night in the oyster beds near Rodman's Neck, from which he had gained a livelihood for the last fifty years.  He was 80 years old.

Collins was in the habit of going alone on the Sound to catch fish and gather oysters.  He had three sons, and for many years they helped him, but recently all got jobs as clerks and left their father to ply the old trade by himself.  

Yesterday afternoon, the sky being clear, he ventured to the foot of Carroll Street, where he had his boathouse, with the intention of rowing out to the oyster beds.  He was not expected home until suppertime, and his daughter set the table in anticipation of his return.

At about 6 o'clock his two sons, Frank and Stephen came home for their supper and inquired for their father.  They waited until 7 o'clock and then started a search.  They found their father's rowboat overturned on the beach north of the boathouse, the tide having washed it ashore.  Immediately the little colony of fishermen on the island was informed and about fifty of them went with lanterns and grappling hooks in rowboats and launches to the oyster beds, about 600 feet from shore.

It was almost 9 o'clock, however, before John Fordham, John Price, and Henry Glazier, grappling from the sides of their boat, came upon something heavy.  It was the body of their old friend Collins.  They towed the body to shore and stretched it on the beach.  A doctor sad the body had been in the water for at least four hours.  It was taken to the Collins home at 31 Carroll Street."

Source:  OLD FISHERMAN DROWNED -- Thomas Collins's Boat Comes Ashore Alone at City Island -- Body Found, N.Y. Times, Apr. 9, 1899.

"STORM AT CITY ISLAND.
-----
Wind and Lightning Combine to do Considerable Damage.
-----

During the thunderstorm which passed over City Island yesterday lightning struck the flagstaff on the large yacht shed in the shipyard of Robert Jacob.  This is the second pole struck by lightning in this shipyard within two weeks.

Another bolt struck the chimney of Dr. Seifert's residence, completely demolishing it and tearing away a portion of the roof of his house.  The occupants were badly frightened, but no one was injured.

A tree in the Pelham Cemetery was struck, and at the residence of John Price, an oysterman, the chimney was carried away by the wind."

Source:  STORM AT CITY ISLAND -- Wind and Lightning Combine to do Considerable Damage, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 28, 1900, p. 5, col. 4.

"Old City Island Oysterman Dead.

John E. Price, one of the first oyster men on City Island, was found dead of paralysis at his home, 146 King Avenue, last night, by his son, William.  He was 84 years old.  He was known to every one on City Island, and until a few days ago was able to row around the island as easily as any boatman of the younger generation.  He owned some property near his home."

Source:  Old City Island Oysterman Dead, N.Y. Times, Nov. 25, 1910, p. 11, col. 6 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"Pioneer Oysterman Dead.

John E. Price, the pioneer oysterman of City Island, died suddenly at his home, No. 146 King Street, City Island, last night in his eighty-fifth year.  He went to City Island sixty years ago, when oysters were plentiful in the neighboring waters, started a string of boats, and made a comfortable fortune.  When the supply gave out he retired, but was very active up to a month ago, spending most of his time rowing about City Island."

Source:  Pioneer Oysterman Dead, The Evening Post [NY, NY], Nov. 25, 1910, p. 14, col. 4.  

"PIONEER OYSTERMAN DEAD.
-----

John E. Price, the pioneer oysterman of City Island, died suddenly at his home, 146 King street, City Island, on Thursday night of last week, in his 85th year.

He went to City Island 60 years ago, when oysters were plentiful in the neighboring waters, started a string of boats, and made a comfortable fortune.  When the supply gave out, he retired, but was very active up to a month ago, spending most of his time rowing about City Island."

Source:  PIONEER OYSTERMAN DEAD, New Rochelle Pioneer, Dec. 3, 1910, p. 2, col. 5. 

*          *          *          *          *

The oystering industry was, for decades, a critically-important economic activity in the Town of Pelham.  Many residents of City Island made their living from the industry or ran businesses that catered to the oystermen.  Accordingly, I have written about Pelham oystering on many, many occasions.  See, e.g.:

Thu., May 11, 2017:  Nineteenth Century Fake News: Announced Discovery of Another Great Oyster Bed in 1871 Led to a Near "Oyster Riot".

Wed., Mar. 29, 2017:  Important Description of the Oyster Industry in Pelham in 1853.

Thu., Feb. 11, 2016:  Was a City Island Hotel Keeper Among the First to Learn of the Great Oyster Bed Discovered in 1859?

Wed., Jun. 24, 2015:  The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part I.

Thu., Jun. 25, 2015:  The 1895 Oyster War Involving City Island Oystermen - Part II.

Mon., Dec. 01, 2014:  Jury Finds City Island Oystermen Guilty of Stealing Oysters from Planted Bed in 1878.

Tue., Nov. 11, 2014:  Efforts by Herman Le Roy, Jr. of Pelham to Build an Oyster Pond in the 1830's.

Thu., Aug. 07, 2014:  Oysterman Joshua Leviness of City Island Accused of Stealing Oysters Near High Island in 1883.

Tue., Feb. 04, 2014:  Pelham: Once Oyster Capital of the World.

Thu., Mar. 25, 2010:  Discovery of "The Great Oyster Bed" in Long Island Sound in 1859.

Wed., Mar. 24, 2010:  The Oyster War of 1884 Between Glen Cove and City Island Intensifies.

Tue., Mar. 23, 2010:  Yet Another "Oyster War" in 1884; Glen Cove Officials Feud with City Island and Connecticut Oystermen.

Mon., Mar. 22, 2010:  77-Year Old City Island Oysterman Joshua Leviness Reminisces in Testimony Provided in 1884.

Fri., Mar. 19, 2010:  The New York Legislature Stepped Into the Oyster War on Long Island Sound in 1895.

Thu., Mar. 18, 2010:  1859 Town of Huntington Record Reflecting Dispute with City Island Oystermen.

Wed., Mar. 17, 2010:  Report of September 13, 1884 Tour of Oyster Beds by Captain Joshua Leviness of City Island.

Tue., March 16, 2010:  More on 19th Century Oystering in Pelham - Descriptions of Oyster Beds Off Hart Island, City Island and in Pelham Bay Published in 1887.

Mon., Mar. 15, 2010:  More on 19th Century City Island Oyster Industry - City Island Oystermen Complaint of Pollution.

Fri., Mar. 12, 2010:  Early History of Oystering in the Waters Off City Island in the Town of Pelham.

Thu., Mar. 11, 2010:  The "Great Oyster War" Between City Island and Tarrytown in 1877 and 1878.

Thu., Dec. 3, 2009:  Pelham News on May 30, 1884 Including Allegations of Oyster Larceny and Meeting of the Pelhamville Improvement Association.

Mon., July 30, 2007:  1885 Report Notes Decline of Oyster Industry Near City Island in the Town of Pelham.

Fri., Jul. 27, 2007:  Possible Origins of the Oyster Feud Between City Islanders and Huntington, Long Island.

Thu., Jul. 26, 2007:  Pelham's City Island Oystermen Feud with Long Islanders in 1869.

Fri., Apr. 13, 2007:  Oystermen of City Island (When It Was Part of the Town of Pelham) Pioneered Oyster Cultivation.

Fri., Jan. 26, 2007:  A History of the Early Years of City Island When it Was Part of the Town of Pelham, Published in 1927.

Mon., Sep. 18, 2006:  A Brief Description of Oystering in Eastchester Bay and at Pelham Published in 1881.

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."