The Will of Philip Pell Sr. of the Manor of Pelham

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This article presents the will of Philip Pell of the Manor of Pelham who died between December 21, 1751 and May 27, 1752.  Sometimes referenced as Philip Pell I, he married Hannah Mott.  Philip Pell I was a son of Thomas Pell, so-called "Third Lord" of the Manor of Pelham.  Philip Pell I was the father of Philip Pell II (1732-1788) who married Gloria Tredwell.  Philip Pell II is believed to have built the original Pell farmhouse that forms a portion of the home that still stands known as "Pelhamdale," listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Philip Pell II was the father of Philip Pell III (often referenced, confusingly, as "Philip Pell, Jr.") who is one of the most celebrated men ever to have lived in Pelham.  

In failing health, on December 21, 1751, Philip Pell I executed his last Will and Testament.  I have written about the will before, based on a published abstract of its contents.  See Fri., Mar. 09, 2007:  Abstract of Will of Philip Pell I of the Manor of Pelham Prepared in 1751 and Proved in 1752.  Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the entire text of the will of Philip Pell I and presents images of each of the pages of the will from the archives of the Surrogate's Court.  In addition, the article discusses the significance of various aspects of Pell's will.  

In his will, Pell leaves his real estate and the vast majority of the remainder of his estate to his son, Philip Pell II.  He provides for the future and comfort of his wife at the time of his death, "Phebe," who was his second wife.  Pell's will provided:

"I give to my present Wife Phebe all the plate which now remains which she brought with her when we were married also one Negro Boy named Lew one good feather Bed Beding [sic] & furniture also I order my said Wife shall have the Liberty & priviledge [sic] of living in one of the Rooms in my house which she shall choose as long as she shall live and I order my son Philip to maintain her in an Honourable Manner & find her a good horse and chair to go abroad with."

The will further notes that in the event of any dispute between Phebe Pell and his son, Philip Pell II, regarding her living arrangements in the home, then his son would have to pay her two hundred pounds and she would have to leave the home.

The will also details bequests to the two daughters of Philip Pell I:  Hannah Pell and Martha Pell.  First, Pell bequeathed to them equal shares of "all the valuable goods & plate which I had by my first Wife Hannah dec'd."  

Each received three young slaves and three hundred pounds.  The sums were to be paid in six annual installments of 50 pounds beginning at the time of marriage or the age of twenty one, whichever came first.  Both daughters also were permitted, on the day of their marriage, each to select and take six milk cows from the herd bequeathed to his son, Philip Pell II.  Hannah seemed to receive a special bequest in the form of "half a Dozen Silver Spoons which I had made last winter."

The full text of the will, and images of the pages of the will from the archives of the Surrogate's Court, appear below.

Transcription of the Text of the Will of Philip Pell I

"83

I Philip Pell of the Manor of Pelham in the County of Westchester & province of New York Yeoman being indisposed in Body but of sound mind & memory do make my last Will and Testament in manner following first I order all my just debts & funeral charges to be duly paid and satisfied in some convenient time after my decease 2d I give to my present Wife Phebe all the plate which now remains which she brought with her when we were married also one Negro Boy named Lew one good feather Bed Beding [sic] & furniture also I order my said Wife shall have the Liberty & priviledge [sic] of living in one of the Rooms in my house which she shall choose as long as she shall live and I order my son Philip to maintain her in an      81      Honourable Manner & find her a good horse and chair to go abroad with and if any difference should happen to arrise [sic] between my sd Wife & my son Phillip his heirs and assigns then I order my said Philip his heirs or assigns / in case of such difference about her living / to pay to my said wife the sum of two hundred pounds over & above what I have hereby given her which shall be in full Lieu of her thirds or Dower & she shall quit my house and estate & if she shall agree with my said son & live with him as I have above desired tht also shall be in lieu of her thirds or dower 3d I order all the valuable goods & plate which I had by my first Wife Hannah dec'd to be equally divided between my two daughters Hannah & Martha Pell"

"84
Page No. Old Liber

share & share alike 4  I also give to my Daughter Hannah my Three negro children namely Kate Robin & Jean to her own use for ever  I also give to my Daughter Hannah ) [sic] the sum of three hundred pounds to be paid to her after the following manner by my son philip [sic] his heirs or assigns (to wit) fifty pounds thereof to be paid to her at the day of her Marriage or at the time when she shall attain the age of twenty one years which may first happen & fifty pounds every year after untill [sic] the whole three hundred pounds be paid her  I likewise order that my said Daughter Hannah  shall at the day of her Marriage / if she shall marry / have the Liberty to choose out Six Milks [sic] Cows out of my son Philips [sic] stock  I also give her half a Dozen Silver Spoons which I had made last winter 5th I also give unto my Daughter Martha my three Negro children named Moll Titus & Boss to her own use for ever  I also give to my daughter Martha the sum of three hundred pounds to be paid to her after the following manner (by my said son Philip his heirs or assigns) to witt [sic] fifty pounds thereof at the day of her Marriage or at the time when she shall attain the age of twenty one years which shall first happen and fifty pounds every year after untill [sic] the whole three hundred pounds be paid to her  I likewise order that my said daughter Martha shall at the day of her marriage (if she shall marry) have the liberty to choose out six Milk Cowes [sic] out of my son Philip's stock  6 and in case either of my said Daughters hannah [sic] or Martha should happen to die before Marriage or attaining the age of twenty one years then I order all her share or portion so dying to be given to the surviving Daughter her Ex rs Adm rs & assigns for ever  7 all the rest residue and remainder of my whole estate both Real and personal Goods and Chattels Lands and Tenements whatsoever and wheresoever I give devise and bequeath the same unto my only son Philip Pell & to his heirs Executors Admin rs & Assigns for ever subject nevertheless to the payment of the af d Legacies to my said two daughters and I do hereby require and charge him his heirs and assigns to pay the several Legacies to my said Daughters or Survivor at the times above specified & to let 'em choose each Six Cowes [sic] as is before directed and if my Son Philip his heirs or assigns shall neglect or refuse to pay the said Legacies of three hundred pounds to my said daughters as is before directed & refuse to let 'em choose out six Cowes [sic] as aforesaid then it shall & may be lawfull [sic] & I order & empower any one of my Executors to sell so much of my Lands as will be sufficient to pay the said Legacies & make good the damage for refusing the Cows to my said Daughters  Lastly I nominate and appoint  82     my said Wife Phebe my said Son Philip pell Jun r and my Brother in Law William Mott Executors of this my last Will"

"85

and Testament hereby making void all former Wills by me made declaring this only to be my last Will & Testament  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this twenty first day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty one.

Philip Pell (Ls)

Signed sealed Published and declared by the said Philip Pell as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who sign our names as Witnesses thereof in his presence the words (last Winter) between the 2 last lines at the bottom of the first side of this sheet being interlined.  Joseph Rodman  Joseph Pell  Jno. Bartow

Westchester County } Ls  March 14th 1752 Be it Remembred [sic] that on the day and year above written personally appeared before Samuel Purdy being thereunto delegated and appointed Joseph Pell one of the subscribing Witnesses to the within Will of philip [sic] Pell and made oath on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God and Joseph Rodman one other witness to said Will of philip pell [sic] and he being one of the people called Quakers on his solemn affirmation declared that they saw the said Philip Pell sign seal publish and Declare the same to be his last Will and Testament and that at the time thereof he was of sound and disposing mind and memory to the best of their knowledge and belief & severally subscribed their names as witnesses to the said Will in the Esc r Tesators presence.

Sam. ll Purdy

George Clinton Esq r  Captain General and Governor in chief of the province of New York and Territories thereon depending in America Vice Admiral of the same and Admiral of the White Squadron of his Majestys [sic] Fleet To all to whom these presents shall come or may concern Greeting.  Know Ye that at Westchester County on the fourteenth day of March last before Samuel Purdy Esq r being thereunto delegated and appointed the last Will and Testament of Philip Pell deceased (a Copy whereof is hereunto annexed) was proved and now approved and allowed by me the said deceased having whilst he lived and at the time of his death Goods Chattels and Credits within this province by means whereof the proving and Registering the said Will and the granting administration of all and singular the said Goods Chattels and Credits and also the auditing allowing and final discharging the accompt thereof doth belong unto me And that administration of all and singular the Goods Chattel and Credits of the said deceased and any way"

"86
Page No. Old Liber

concerning his Will was granted unto Philip Pell Jun r and William Mott two of the Executors in the said Will     83     named being first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same and to make and exhibit a true and perfect Inventory of all and Singular the said Goods Chattels and Credits and also to render a just and true accompt thereof when thereunto lawfully requested.  In Testimony whereof I have caused the prerogrative Seal of the province of New York to be hereunto affixed this twenty seventh day of May one thousand seven hundred and fifty two.

Jno Ranyar D Secry"

Images of Pages of the Will of Philip Pell I

December 21, 1751 Will of Philip Pell, Sr., Proved May 27, 1752,

Page 1.  Source:  New York Surrogate's Court (New York County),

Wills, Volume 0018-0019, 1751-1756, p. 83 (Available Via

Ancestry.com "Record of Wills, 1665-1916:  Index to Wills 1662-

1923, New York Surrogate's Court).  NOTE:  Click on Image

to Enlarge.

December 21, 1751 Will of Philip Pell, Sr., Proved May 27, 1752,

Page 2.  Source:  New York Surrogate's Court (New York County),

Wills, Volume 0018-0019, 1751-1756, p. 84 (Available Via

Ancestry.com "Record of Wills, 1665-1916:  Index to Wills 1662-

1923, New York Surrogate's Court).  NOTE:  Click on Image

to Enlarge.

December 21, 1751 Will of Philip Pell, Sr., Proved May 27, 1752,

Page 3.  Source:  New York Surrogate's Court (New York County),

Wills, Volume 0018-0019, 1751-1756, p. 85 (Available Via

Ancestry.com "Record of Wills, 1665-1916:  Index to Wills 1662-

1923, New York Surrogate's Court).  NOTE:  Click on Image

to Enlarge.

December 21, 1751 Will of Philip Pell, Sr., Proved May 27, 1752,

Page 4.  Source:  New York Surrogate's Court (New York County),

Wills, Volume 0018-0019, 1751-1756, p. 86 (Available Via

Ancestry.com "Record of Wills, 1665-1916:  Index to Wills 1662-

1923, New York Surrogate's Court).  NOTE:  Click on Image

to Enlarge.

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."  

Sale of the Pre-Revolutionary War Home Known as Pelhamdale in 1948

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Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
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There is a lovely historic home located at 45 Iden Avenue in the Village of Pelham Manor.  It is known as "Pelhamdale."  Portions of the home are believed to pre-date the Revolutionary War. The home once was owned by American Patriot David Jones Pell.  The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home has been significantly altered since the eighteenth century.

In 1948, the home was sold to Joseph Boucher of the Bronx.  At the time, the home was owned by the estate of W. W. Taylor and had been on the market for an exceedingly long period of time.  During that time, Town residents proposed all sorts of schemes to "save" the home.  Pelham Post 50, American Legion proposed to buy Pelhamdale to serve as its local headquarters, but objections from neighbors stopped that effort.  Townspeople proposed to raise money privately to purchase the home and designate it as the Town of Pelham Public Library as a memorial to those who fought in World War II.  The effort failed, however, due to a "lack of public interest."

Though the home has been through a succession of owners during its roughly 265-year history, it remains today an elegant private residence listed on the National Register of Historic Places do to its storied history and the backgrounds of those who have lived in it including Philip Pell and his son, David Jones Pell.

I have written about David J. Pell and the lovely historic home known as "Pelhamdale" and "Pelham Dale" on numerous occasions.  For a few examples, see:

Tue., Jun. 24, 2014:  Story of Pelhamdale, the Old Stone House by the Bridge, Once Owned by David J. Pell.

Thu., Jan. 03, 2008:  Charges in 1808 Against Lieutenant-Colonel David J. Pell of Pelham that He "Indulges in Inebriety and Habitual Drunkeness." 

Thu., Oct. 26, 2006:  Genealogical Data Regarding David Jones Pell of the Manor of Pelham, Revolutionary War Officer. 

Mon., Oct 15, 2007:  Town Proclamation Recognizes Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Pelhamdale at 45 Iden Avenue. 

Wed., Nov. 02, 2005:  Engraving by P.M. Pirnie Showing Pelhamdale in 1861. 

Thu., Oct. 13, 2005:  Two More Pelham Ghost Stories. 

Mon., Sep. 19, 2005:  The Long-Hidden Pastoral Mural Uncovered in Pelhamdale, a Pre-Revolutionary War Home. 

Mon., Apr. 11, 2005:  More From the William R. Montgomery Glass Negative Collection (includes photograph of fire at Pelhamdale on February 28, 1925). 

Tue., Mar. 22, 2005:  The 1790 U.S. Census Information for the Township of Pelham. 

Pelhamdale on October 14, 2007.  Photograph by the Author.

NOTE:  Click Image To Enlarge.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of an article published in 1948 describing a recent sale of Pelhamdale.  It is followed by a citation and link to its source. 

*          *          *          *          *

"Historic Old Pell House Sold, Built Before Revolutionary War

PELHAM MANOR -- Pell House, almost 200 years old and one of Westchester's historic landmarks, Carol Place and Iden Avenue, has been sold by the estate of W. W. Taylor to Joseph Boucher, 2534 Woodhull Avenue, the Bronx.

John K. Miller, Mount Vernon real estate broker, who handled the transaction, and who has been managing agent of the property for 16 years, said the new owner will occupy the house and plans extensive alterations.  The old stone house, which stands on a plot of an acre-and-a-half, has 13 rooms.

Dates From 1750

The house, the only pre-Revolutionary mansion still standing in Pelham Manor [sic], was erected around 1750 - 1760, according to Lockwood Barr, town historian.  Mr. Barr, in his book, 'Ancient Town of Pelham,' relates that the house originally was called Pelham Dale, from which Pelhamdale Avenue derives its name.  It was built by Philip Pell II, grandson of the third Lord of the Manor of Pelham.

According to Mr. Barr, the house, on a small triangular tract bounded by Carol Place, Iden Avenue, and the Hutchinson Parkway, is all that remains of the original large farm.  After the Revolution, Colonel David Pell, a son of Philip Pell II, lived in the old homestead until his death in 1823.  His widow sold the tract to James Hay, who named the place Pelham Dale.

In the North wall of the house is imbedded a large piece of red sandstone on which is cut in relief the coat-of-arms of the Hay family.

Sought as Historic Shrine

'Pelham Dale was one of the magnificent country estates of Westchester,' Mr. Barr writes.  'It has passed through many ownerships; yet today, in spite of its use and abuse, it still is a fine example of the mansions of its day.  Numerous unsuccessful attempts have been made to interest some patriotic society in purchasing thiss old Pell place and restoring it as a historic museum for the Pelhams.'

Last year Pelham Post 50, American Legion, was considering buying the property for a clubhouse but Pelham Manor residents objected.  Last January a proposal by the Pelham Realty Board that the mansion be purchased by popular subscription as a town public library for a World War II memorial, fell through from lack of public interest."

Source:  Historic Old Pell House Sold, Built Before Revolutionary War, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 4, 1948, p. 5, cols. 4-6.  

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

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Abstract of Will of Philip Pell I of the Manor of Pelham Prepared in 1751 and Proved in 1752

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."

Below is an abstract of the will of Philip Pell I prepared in 1751 and proved in 1752.  Philip Pell I was the grandfather of Col. Philip Pell, American Patriot during the Revolutionary War.  The abstract is followed by a full citation to its source.

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

Page 80. -- I, PHILLIP PELL, of the Manor of Pelham, yeoman, being indisposed in body. I leave to my present wife, Phebe Pell, all the plate which now remains [Page 379 / Page 380] which she brought with her when we were married, and a negro boy and a feather bed and furniture, 'and the use of one of the rooms in my house which she may choose.' And I order my son Philip to maintain her in an honorable manner, 'and to furnish her a good horse and chair to go abroad with.' And if any difference should arise between her and my son Philip concerning her living, he is to pay her £200 more than I have given her. All the valuable goods and plate which I had by my first wife Hannah, are to be divided between my two daughters, Hannah and Martha Pell. I leave to my daughter Hannah my 3 negro children and £300, and at the day of her marriage she shall have 6 cows; Also half a dozen silver spoons which I had made last winter.' I leave to my daughter Martha 3 negro children and £300, and 6 cows when she marries. All the rest of my estate, real and personal, I leave to my only son, Philip Pell. I make my wife Phebe, and my son Philip, and my brother in law, William Mott, executors.

Dated December 1, 1751. Witnesses, Joseph Rodman, Joseph Pell, John Bartow. Proved, March 14, 1752."

Source: Pelletreau, William S., Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York. Vol. IV. 1744-1753. With Letters of Administration Gratned 1745-1753. in Collections of the New-York Historical Society For the Year 1895, pp. 379-80 (NY, NY: The New-York Historical Society 1896).

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

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