April 19, 1655 Dutch Protest Against Thomas Pell's Efforts To Settle Englishmen on Lands the Dutch Called VreedLandt

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On April 19, 1655, the Dutch issued a protest against Thomas Pell complaining of his efforts to settle Englishmen on lands known by the Dutch as VreedLandt. It is believed that the settlement was near the head of today's Westchester Creek in the area that once was the Village of West Chester. Pell had acquired the lands as part of his massive purchase on June 27, 1654 that eventually became the Manor of Pelham. Below is a transcription of an English translation of the "Protest"

"PROTEST AGAINST THOMAS PELL FOR SETTLING ON LANDS BELONGING TO THE DUTCH WITH NOTICE TO QUIT

19th April 1655.

Cornelis van Tienhoven, by virtue of his commission as Fiscal for the Province of New Netherland and Attorney for its authority and jurisdiction, etc etc.

To you, Thomas Pell or whom else it may concern.

Having been directed to proceed to and upon the lands of VreedLandt, taken possession of during the time of the late Hon ble Director-General Kieft and bought from and paid for to the actual owners and proprietors, natives of this country, as the Book of Deeds and their signatures prove, I inform and warn you and all, whom it may concern, herewith, that you and your associates have not only settled upon lands, bought many years ago by the Dutch nation and occupied by the late Hon ble Director Kieft by virtue of the title deeds, but that you also occupy it by usurpation, contrary to the agreement made at Hartford and to the peace concluded between the two nations in Europe, against the will and consent of the Director-General and High Council of New-Netherland.

Therefore, I, the Fiscal, give you and all, whom it may concern, this public notice in th name, and on behalf of their Noble High: Might: the States General and the Lorde Director of the Priv. W. I. Company by the bearer hereof, Claes van Elslandt, Court Messenger, chosen and appointed to execute this errand, to warn you not to proceed with building, clearing, pasturing cattle or cutting hay or whatever else may be necessary for the cultivation of the soil upon the aforesaid purchased and long possessed lands contrary to the agreement made at Hartford and to remove within fifteen days after the service of this notice from the lands within the jurisdiction of New Netherland with your people, servants or bound slaves, furniture, cattle, implements and everything brought there by you or yours as your property, under the penalty, that if you or any of you shall be found after the date aforesaid to have acted contrarily, of being prosecuted, you and all whom it may concern, according to law. In the meantime I protest against all damage, [Page 38 / Page 39] injury, mischief and trouble, which through your actions may arise, while we declare before God and the World to be innocent thereof.

Done at Amsterdam in New Netherland on the date as above.

Whereas the present situation does not permit, that the Fiscal of N. Netherland should serve the foregoing notice and protest in person, therefore the Court Messenger, Claes van Elsland, is authorized to do it. Done at Amsterdam in N. N. date as above."

Source: Fernow, Berthold, Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New York, Vol. XIII, pp. 38-39 (Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons and Company 1881).

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1865 Comments of Rev. William Samuel Coffey of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester Regarding the Tenure of Rev. Robert Bolton of Pelham

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On October 24, 1865, Rev. William Samuel Coffey of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester delivered a "Commemorative Discourse" during the Centennial Celebration of the erection of the church building. In the discourse, published by Perris & Browne in 1866, Rev. Coffey relates a brief account of the stewardship of the Church by Rev. Robert Bolton of Pelham. The pertinent excerpt appears immediately below, followed by a citation to its source.

"The year 1837 is distinguished in the history of our Church, by the settlement over it of a Clergyman, whom the people themselves, unassisted by other connection, undertake to support; and which arrangement, then permanently established, has continued to the present day. It cannot be doubted, that this in large measure was in consequence of Mr. Bolton's* [Footnote * From Page 23 Appears Below] very popular manners, and the attractiveness of his accomplished and widely known family.† [Footnote † from Page 23 Appears Below] The congregations assembling Sunday after Sunday, are described to me as very large, and that Mr. Bolton's effort was a determined and successful one to raise the religous tone of those receiving his ministrations. . . . .

* Mr. Bolton was ordained both Deacon (July 25, 1837) and Priest (November 19, 1837) in our Church. He had been previously a Congregational Minister.

† Mr. Robert Bolton [Jr.], eldest son in this family, is the author of the History of West Chester County. This work in two volumes gives evidence of the most active research, and of the great aptitude of this gentleman for such literary efforts. The County is farther indebted to him for a 'History of the Church' in her several towns, which is read with more than local interest. While the writer of this Discourse, has himself, in all points, consulted original sources, some of which are in his own care, he is only too ready to acknowledge his indebtedness to his esteemed friend, for whatever of guidance he may have received from these volumes in his preparations."

Source: Coffey, William Samuel, Commemorative Discourse Delivered at the Centennial Anniversary of the Erection and the Sixtieth of the Consecration of St. Paul's Church, East Chester, West Chester Co., N.Y., October 24th, 1865, pp. 23-24 (NY, NY: Perris & Browne, 1866).

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A Description of an Eyewitness Account of Interior of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester During the Revolutionary War

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Following the Battle of Pelham on October 18, 1776, British and German troops occupied the still unfinished church building on the village green in Eastchester. On October 24, 1865, Rev. William Samuel Coffey of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester delivered a "Commemorative Discourse" during the Centennial Celebration of the erection of the church building. In the discourse, published by Perris & Browne in 1866, Rev. Coffey relates a brief eyewitness account of the church building during the Revolutionary War. That account has been excerpted from the Discourse and appears below, followed by a citation to its source.

"The War of the Revolution discovers to us the town of East Chester, with its people greatly divided in sentiment, a severe sufferer between the contending forces. Brothers separate from brothers -- sons from their fathers. Old Col. Jonathan Fowler with as loyal a hear as ever beat to the toast of the King, in sadness sees his son Theodosius a Captain in the American Army, and in recruiting service on this Green, throw down on the drum head the two shillings, which, received, binds the enlistment of some son of one of his old neighbors. Ward is arrayed against Ward, and the Pells across the Creek, best friends of the Church, take up arms against each other. By both the opposing forces, at several different periods, the new building was used for hospital purposes. An eye-witness, our informant, remembered the appearance of the interior during a British occupation of it. There is no floor, the sleepers are not even down, but along the sides of the building are seen large pieces of timberupon which the sick are sitting or reclining. Alas for the ravages of war! the shingle-sided old Church, now about eighty years old, is its victim, but blessed be God, under no more repulsive circumstances than being made use of for fire-wood for the sick and dying in the hospital. But some possible consequences of the destruction have been avoided; for faithful hands have conveyed away the old Prayer Book and Bible, and the bell, and perhaps Church papers, and have safely buried them from view until peaceful days shall again dawn. In what place can they be concealed with greater propriety than upon that of the Vincents? A tribute, to-day, to those secreting and guarding [Page 7 / Page 8] hands, and thanks to a merciful Providence, which has permitted us to be summoned this morning to the Services by that bell, and to conduct them from the pages of those venerable books."

Source: Coffey, William Samuel, Commemorative Discourse Delivered at the Centennial Anniversary of the Erection and the Sixtieth of the Consecration of St. Paul's Church, East Chester, West Chester Co., N.Y., October 24th, 1865, pp. 7-8 (NY, NY: Perris & Browne, 1866).

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1714 Letter Reporting on the Establishment of the Church at East Chester Built in 1692

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For more nearly two centuries after its first settlement, the sparsely populated rural settlement that came to be known as Pelham had no church of its own. Many Pelham residents traveled quite a distance to attend the church in East Chester. A church building was constructed in East Chester in 1692. That structure eventually was replaced by the structure known today as Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site.

In 1714, a report was issued to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in England describing the construction of the church in East Chester in 1692. That letter is transcribed below, followed by a citation to its source.

"(I) An Account of the building of the churches at East and Westchester enclosed in Mr. Bartow's letter of 14 April, 1714. (Letter Book S. P. G., IX., p. 226):

'May it please the venerable and honorable society for P. G. we whose names are subscribed doe hereby certify that the church of Westchester was built by a rate layed and levided on the inhabitants of the town in proportion to their estates in the year of our Lord 1700 and that Mr. Morgan a Presbyterian minister of East Chester did sometimes come to preach in it until such time as Mr. Bartow came and took possession of it in the year 1702 since which time it has been supplied by him. We also testifie that the church of East Chester was built in the year of our Lord 1692 by subscription of the inhabitants of the said town and that Mr Matthews a Presbiterian minister for about 3 years and after him Mr. Morgan a Presbiterian minister did preach till such time as Mr Bartow began to preach unto us in the year 1703 since which time it has been in his possession and he comes and preaches at East Chester once in 4 weeks during the winter and once in a week during the space of 6 months in the summer And we further testify that the town of East Chester was made a distinct parish from West Chester in the year 1700. Signed Joseph Hunt, Justice & Ch. Ward., West Chester; Thos Spel, Justice & Vestryman, Pelham; Noah Barton, Justice and Vestryman, Yonkers; Miles Oakley, Justice & Vestryman, West Chester; Dan Clark clerk D. Com. West Chester; Israel Honeyman Junr, Vestryman; Jno Drake of East Chester, Justice; Thos Pinear of East Chester, Justice; Jeremiah Fowler, Church Warden of East Chester; Isaac Taylor, Vestryman; Willm Pinckney, Vestryman.'"

Source: Briggs, Charles Augustus, American Presbyterianism Its Origin and Early History Together with an Appendix of Letters and Documents, Many of Which Have Recently Been Discovered, Appendix, p. lxv (NY, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons 1885).

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An Account of How Soldiers Were "Recruited" in Pelham in 1758 for the French and Indian War

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In 1952, Frederick C. Haacker prepared an interesting typewritten manuscript entitled "WESTCHESTER COUNTY NEW YORK AND THE FRENCH & INDIAN WARS 1755 - 1762". In it, among other things, he provided an account of how soldiers were "recruited" for the 1758 Campaign during that War. The example he used was that of Benjamin Palmer of the Manor of Pelham. The brief account is transcribed in its entirety below, followed by a citation to its source.

"BENJAMIN PALMER OF PELHAM

1758

An interesting account of how soldiers were 'recruited' during 1758, is related to us by Benjamin Palmer, one of the leaders in the movement for a free bridge across the Harlem River. In a letter to Colonel Aaron Burr, Member of the New York State Assembly, from the City and County of New York, in the year 1798, Palmer explains how the Free or Farmer's Bridge was built across the Harlem, he spending £140-14s to finish the bridge, in 1758.

'Besides this loss', he states, 'I was twice pressed in one year, as a soldier to go to Canada, there then being a War between England and France, therefore I was obliged to hire two men to go in my place, - the one cost me £5 and the £20, supposed by the people in general as well as myself, to have been the orders of Colonel Philipse, because he knew I would stop his bridge from taking toll. Notwithstanding this I continued building the free bridge until finished.'

'Benjamin Palmer'

Benjamin Palmer was from City Island, and in 1763, appears as a Freeholder, in the Manor of Pelham.

-----

The Harket Book, by Thomas F. Devoe, p. 64 1862
The New York Gazette, Sept. 6, 1806.
New York Historical Society Quarterly Bulletin, July 1951, p. 315
The Borough of the Bronx, Harry T. Cook, p. 47 1913"

Source: Haacker, Frederick C., Westchester County New York and the French & Indian Wars 1755 - 1762 (Typewritten Manuscript 1952).

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More Evidence That Thomas Pell Paid 500 Pounds Sterling for the Lands that Became the Manor of Pelham

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As I have noted before, historians long have believed that there exists no record of the amount Thomas Pell paid Native Americans on June 27, 1654 when he acquired the lands that became the Manor of Pelham. On Friday, September 29, 2006 I published to the Historic Pelham Blog an item entitled "Intriguing Evidence of the Amount Thomas Pell Paid Native Americans for the Manor of Pelham". In it I noted that I have located an obscure 17th century document published in a journal released in 1869 that says that Thomas Pell paid "£500 starlinge" for the lands he acquired. Thereafter, on Thursday, October 5, 2006, I published an additional item entitled "Additional Evidence That Thomas Pell Paid 500 Pounds Sterling for the Lands That Became the Manor of Pelham".

I have located additional evidence in published transcriptions of other 17th century English papers that further supports the conclusion that Pell paid 500 pounds sterling for the lands that became the Manor of Pelham. In the so-called Clarendon papers, there are further references to support this proposition. I have quoted such an additional reference immediately below.

"Mr. Thomas Pell afforesd in Consideration of a valuable summe of money purchased a considerable Tract of lands (of the Indian natiues the right & true owners thereof nere adjacent to the sd Isl: of Manahatans) in the time of the late warre & was seised & posesst thereof & kept posession thereof in the time of the late warre, setling certaine families there, & erected the small beginning of a towne called Westminster [sic -- Westchester], neuerthelesse the sd Dutch Gouernr Styvesant after the conclusion of the generall peace betwixt the late Vsurper Oliuer & their States, & Six moneths after his owne publicque proclaiming of it in those ptesw, in a hostile way and by force of Armes inuaded the lands of the sd English, surprised their psons Carrieing them prisoners to their Cittie New Amsterdam, & kept them there in prison so long vntill such time as he enforced them to subscribe to an instrumt in writing to acknowledge the Hollands West Indie Company as Cheif Lords & patrons of the said lands & to submit to his gouerment vnder them & to accept & obey such Magistrates which he should from time to time Constitute ouer them, the said lands were formerlie in the yeare 1642 setled by certaine English families that were banished oute of the Massachusets the cheif whereof were Mrs. Anne Hutchinson and others & that vnder the gouermt & protectio of the Dutch, the Dutch Gouernr any pte or pcell of the sd. lands & therefore forewarned the sd. [Page 12 / Page 13] Mrs. Hutchinson to departe or else to buye & giue them satisfaction for the same, the which they delaying vppon the promise of the sd. Dutch Gouernr. fullie to satisfie the Indians himselfe, which hee not doeing the sd. Indians killed the sd. Mrs. Hutchinson with many more English that were there, burning their howses and killing their Cattl, so that although the sd place was first setled by the blood of the English, & since lawfullie purchased as abousaid by the Consent and willing desire of the sd. Indian owners for the English to settle there, yet the place is still deteined from the sd. Mr. Tho: Pell, whom I haue heard say he could make it appeare by his accompts the purchase of the sd lands & what he had disbursed aboute the settlement of it, stood him in very neere 500 l. sterl:"

Source: Moore, George H., ed., The Clarendon Papers in Collections of the New-York Historical Society for the Year 1869, pp. 12-13 (NY, NY: The New-York Historical Society 1870).

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Lord Cornbury Installs John Bartow as Rector of the Parish of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers and the Manor of Pelham in 1702

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Wills on file in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York, contain entries other than wills. Examples of such entries include material regarding Lord Cornbury's installation of John Bartow as Rector of the Parish of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers and the Manor of Pelham in 1702.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting transcribes abstracts of those records published in 1893. The abstracts appear immediately below, followed by a citation to their source.

"ABSTRACTS OF WILLS - LIBER 7. . . .

[Mandate of Lord Cornbury in Latin.] To all Rectors, Chaplains, Curates and ministers, and to Caleb Heathcote, Henry Hunt and Josiah Hunt, Church Wardens of the Parish of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and Manor of Pelham, commanding them to induct the Rev. JOHN BARTOW, as Rector in the said Parish, now vacant, and to put him in possession of the Rectory, Glebe, and Church property. Given under the Prerogative seal of this Province, November 9, 1702.

Cornbury.

[Latin.] By virtue of the above written mandate, and in the presence of Hugh Farquhar and Thomas Hunt, Joseph Haviland, Daniel Clark, and Edward Collier. We William Vesey, Clergyman, and Josiah Hunt, Church Warden of the Parish of Westchester and Eastchester, have inducted the Rev. JOHN BARTOW, in the Parish Church of Eastchester, Westchester, Yonkers, and Manor of Pelham, and put him in possession of the Rectory, Glebe, and Parish property. In Testimony whereof we had subscribed these Presents, December 6, 1702.

We whose names are underwritten, doe certifie and declare, that on Sunday the 6 day of December, anno Domini 1702, JOHN BARTOW, Clerk, after his induction, did in the Parish Church of Westchester, read the morning and evening service, according to the exact form by Act of Parliament prescribed, and immediately after the reading of ye aforesaid service did declare his unfeigned assent and consent to all contained and prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer, as the Law in such cases directs, before ye Congrega- [Page 361 / Page 362] tion on the said day assembled, and also did read ye books of ye 39 Articles of the Church of England, with the ratification. And immediately after ye reading of ye aforesaid Articles and Ratification before the Congregation, did declare, at the above said time and place, his unfiegned assent and consent to them, and to all things therein contained. In Testimony whereof we who were present have hereunto subscribed our names this 6th day of December anno Dom., 1702. William Vesey, Joseph Haviland, Edward Collier, Thomas Hunt, Hugh Farquhar, William Willett, Josiah Hunt, John Williams."

Source: Pelletreau, William S., Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York, 1665-1707 in Collections of the New-York Historical Society For the Year 1892, pp. 361-62 (NY, NY: The New-York Historical Society 1893).

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