Pelham's Grand Traditions of Celebrating the Fourth of July During the 19th and Early 20th Centuries

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"From early morning hours when the first fire cracker proclaimed the
dawn of the nation's greatest holiday, until well into the night

when the last skyrocket traveled its course across the sky, the
din of explosions and smell of powder brought recollections
of actual warfare."

----- Newspaper Description of Noisy Fourth of

July Celebration in the Town of Pelham in 1927.

The little Town of Pelham has a longstanding grand tradition of celebrating the Fourth of July in quintessentially-American ways.  Indeed, I have written on a number of occasions regarding grand Fourth of July celebrations in Pelham.  See, e.g.:

Wed., Jul. 04, 2018:  The Village of North Pelham's Grand Fourth of July Celebration in 1907.

Tue., Jul. 04, 2017:  Pelham's Fourth of July Celebration in 1877.

Mon., Jul. 04, 2016:  19th Century Fourth of July Celebrations in the Town of Pelham. 

Fri., Jul. 04, 2014:  A History of Grand "Small-Town" Fourth of July Celebrations in Pelham.

Fri., Aug. 21, 2009:  Pelhamville's Independence Day Celebration in 1894.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog article continues a tradition of describing fascinating Fourth of July celebrations over the years in the Town of Pelham.  Below are descriptions of celebrations that range between 1878 and 1927.  At the close of today's article is the text of each newspaper article on which the descriptions below are based.  The text of each article is followed by a citation and link to its source.

Quaint Celebration in 1878

Today's Pelhamites certainly would recognize the Fourth of July celebration held in their little town by our predecessors 141 years ago in 1878.  In those days, most of Pelham's population lived on City Island, so the island was ablaze in celebration for much of the day.  

Of course, what would an All-American Fourth be without the National Pastime?  For a week prior to the holiday, City Island's two baseball teams had been preparing for a big baseball game.  The Clam Diggers was the weaker local team.  Yet, for nearly a week its members talked trash to the members of the rival Vails.  According to one account, the Clam Diggers told "the Vails at every opportunity how they were going to beat them."  On the Fourth of July, however, the Vails crushed their trash-talking rivals 23 to 3.  Following the game, the vanquished Clam Diggers relented and told all who would listen that the game was the last they would play against the Vails.

Two local brewers, Diehl's and Loeser's, paraded wagons of their wares.  According to one account, the horses and wagons "presented quite a fine appearance on Monday last, as they drew up in front of the City Island Hotel, with horses and wagons decked with plumes and gay-colored ribbons."

The ladies of the local Methodist Episcopal Church of City Island had grand plans for the day intended to help fund construction of a new church building.  They announced the week before the holiday that they would host "a citizens' picnic and clam-bake, in the Scofield Orchard, near the church parsonage."  The event featured ice cream as well as dinner and refreshments, all in an effort to raise the $6,000 needed to fund and furnish their planned new church building.

As the day waned and darkness fell, financier William Belden hosted a grand fireworks display for all of Pelham on his grand estate on Belden Point at the tip of City Island.  The display cost $500 (roughly $19,000 in today's dollars).  As one would expect a "large number of people assembled on the Point to witness the display" which was accompanied by the City Island Cornet Band.

Pelham Had to Ban Revolvers for the Fourth of July Celebration in 1909

During the 19th century and even well into the early 20th century, it was common for Pelhamites to carry revolvers.  On the Fourth of July each year, such revolvers were used as part of the celebration, particularly by young boys and men.  

By the early years of the 20th century, however, the Village of North Pelham had enacted local legislation that barred the carrying of revolvers or other such weapons in the village.  Nevertheless, in prior years young men and boys ignored the ban on the Fourth of July and fired revolvers into the air as part of the holiday celebration.  

By 1909, the leaders of the Village of North Pelham were fed up with the practice.  Two days before the holiday that year, the Trustees of the village announced that the village would enforce the ban and that "any person caught, having a revolver in his possession, will be arrested."  The Trustees emphasized that they had "taken this action because many boys have used revolvers loaded with ball cartridges in past years and the dangers that have ensued."

1927 May Have Been the Worst of all Pelham Fourth of July Celebrations

By 1927, the availability of fireworks had become so widespread that the Fourth of July celebration seems to have spun out of control.  The holiday was unacceptably noisy due to local fireworks and one of the local fireworks stands set up in the town to sell explosives caught fire and burned.  The fire spread to, and completely destroyed, the adjacent De Feo & Donati Electrical Shop on Fifth Avenue.  Other nearby stores were damaged by water and smoke.  

Pelhamites, of course, grew increasingly unhappy with the nature of the celebration.  

The Town of Pelham no longer followed a tradition of a grand Fourth of July parade in 1927.  The problem, according to the local newspaper, was that the week of the Fourth of July holiday was among the most popular vacation weeks of the year.  The Town reportedly was a shadow of itself during the week as many thousands of Pelhamites left for "vacation resorts."  

Lack of crowds, however, did not stop those left behind from celebrating.  Indeed, fireworks were easy to procure.  Local fireworks stands sprang up within the town and sold fireworks to virtually all comers.  The stands seem to have been located everywhere.  Ironically, there was one located directly across the street from the Pelham Fire Department.

Fireworks advertisements filled the local newspaper.  Stands such as Subitsky's Fireworks Stand (located opposite the Pelham Post Office on Fifth Avenue) carried a vast assortment of items including:  Salutes, Roman Candles, Cap Canes, Skyrockets From 1 oz. to 4 pounds, Sparklers, Jumping Jacks, Essex Tanks, Pin Wheels, Flashlight Crackers, Giant Crackers, Cock O' the Walk, Torpedoes, Fire Balloons, Devils-on-the-Walk, Ten Minute Torches, Five Minute Torches, Thunderbolts, Radio Candles, Fountains, Mines, Bingoes, Golden Shower, Serpent Hats, Flower Pots, Triangle Pin Wheels, Snakes, Aerial Flash Salutes, Railroad Torches, and Red and Green Fire.  

Today, of course, on the evening of July 4th, many Pelhamites head to the grounds of the New York Athletic Club or to Shore Park next door to watch the NYAC fireworks set off from Travers Island.  

Newspaper Advertisement for Electrical Store Burned and Destroyed

When Fireworks Stand Outside the Store Ignited on July 4, 1927.

Source:  WE WERE BURNED OUT!, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 8, 1927,

Vol. 18, No. 20, p. 1, cols. 6-7.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Text of Advertisement Transcribed Below to Facilitate Search.

Newspaper Advertisement for Sale of Fireworks at Fireworks

Stand Located, Ironically, Across the Street from the Pelham

Firehouse.  Source:  FIREWORKS! for the 4th, The Pelham

Sun, July 1, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 19, p. 12, cols. 1-7 (NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge).  Text of Advertisement Transcribed

Below to Facilitate Search.

"FIREWORKS! FIREWORKS! FIREWORKS! for the 4th FIREWORKS! FIREWORKS! FIREWORKS! GREAT BIG STOCK ALL READY FOR YOU TO SELECT FROM

You Get Your Fireworks For Less at Pelham Paint & Hardware Company

Firework Stand Opposite Fire Headquarters Fifth Avenue, Pelham

SAFE AND SANE

SAFE AND SANE"

Advertisement for Sale of Fireworks in Pelham Manor for

July 4, 1927.  Source:  FIREWORKS!, The Pelham Sun,

Jul. 1, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 19, p. 10, cols. 4-5 (NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge).  Transcript of Text Appears

Immediately Below to Facilitate Search.

"FIREWORKS!

BIG STOCK OF ALL KINDS OF FIREWORKS TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH

Get Your Fireworks In Pelham Manor AT BURGESS B. FIELD SERVICE STATION
BOSTON ROAD and PELHAM PARKWAY
(Foot of Secor Hill, Boston Rd., Pelham Manor)"

1927 Newspaper Advertisement for Subitsky's Firework Stand

Opposite the Pelham Post Office.  Source:  Hooray July 4th,

The Pelham Sun, Jul. 1, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 19, p. 16, col. 1

(NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge).  Transcript of Text

Appears Immediately Below to Facilitate Search.

"Hooray July 4th A GREAT BIG STOCK OF FIREWORKS!
Lots of Noise Makers But No Trouble Makers
-----
FINEST ASSORTMENT IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY
-----
Living Up to Subitsky's Motto of Leading the Way

Salutes, Roman Candles, Cap Canes, Skyrockets From 1 oz. to 4 pounds, Sparklers, Jumping Jacks, Essex Tanks, Pin Wheels, Flashlight Crackers, Giant Crackers, Cock O' the Walk, Torpedoes, Fire Balloons, Devils-on-the-Walk, Ten Minute Torches, Five Minute Torches, Thunderbolts, Radio Candles, Fountains, Mines

Assortments, $1.00 Upward

Bingoes, Golden Shower, Serpent Hats, Flower Pots, Triangle Pin Wheels, Snakes, Aerial Flash Salutes, Railroad Torches, Red and Green Fire
-----
DON'T WAIT -- GET YOUR ASSORTMENT EARLY
-----
SUBITSKY'S FIREWORK STAND
(Opposite the Post Office)
Fifth Avenue Pelham"

"WE WERE BURNED OUT!
But We Are Not Quitting Business!

De Feo & Donati, proprietors of the electrical store at 149 Fifth Avenue which was burned in Monday's fire wish to announce that they have secured temporary premises immediately opposite the Post Office on Fifth Avenue.

Estimates on electrical work or radio installations and our general business will be conducted from that address for a time.  Our telephone number is Pelham 2753.  Only our stock was burned.  The skill of our workmen is still at your service.

We Thank Our Patrons for the Many Kindly Messages We Have Received During the Last Few Days"

Cover of the Program for the July 4, 1907 Celebration. Source: Original

Held in Private Collection, But Image Provided to The Office of The

Historian of The Town of Pelham. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"City Island.

On Thursday, July 4th, the ladies of the M. E. Church of City Island propose holding a citizens' picnic and clam-bake, in the Scofield Orchard, near the church parsonage.  Proceeds for the benefit of the crew church in contemplation.  Dinner, ice cream and other refreshments can be procured on the grounds.  If the day should prove stormy, the picnic will be held the next fair day.  It is to be hoped that the ladies will reap a large sum from this enterprise, thereby helping to forward the new church movement.  The old church is entirely too small for the congregations that meet in it from time to time.  The people of City Island have done nobly.  Thus far over $2,000 have been pledged, and it only remains for a few of the wealthy men on and near City Island to swell the amount so that the work can go on.  The lot is clear, or the balance due on it otherwise provided for, and when $5,000 has been pledged work will be begun and pushed forward to a rapid completion.  The congregation want to build a church that will cost, furnished comple[te], about $6,000.  The plans have been prepared and from the description given us, the building will be not only sufficiently commodious, but an ornament to the island. . . ."

Source:  City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 28, 1878, Vol. IX, No. 458, p. 2, col. 5.

"City Island.

On Tuesday, July 2nd, the schooner Illinois, while at anchor about three miles south of Captain's Island, was run into by the steamer Massachusetts.  At the time of the disaster the captain was rigging the fog-bell and the mate was blowing the horn.  The schooner was struck amidship and almost immediately sank.  A boat was lowered from the steamer and the schooner's crew was picked up.  The schooner, Kate Kallahan, Captain E. J. Horton, went to the assistance of the wrecked schooner and made fast until the wrecking steamer, James McMahony, arrived, when the sunken vessel was raised and towed to City Island, where she was beached.  She is now on the ways at Hawkins's ship yard for repairs.  The schooner was badly damaged.  It will cost about $1,500 for her repairs.

The two brewers, Diehl's and Loeser's, turnouts, presented quite a fine appearance on Monday last, as they drew up in front of the City Island Hotel, with horses and wagons decked with plumes and gay-colored ribbons.

A game of base ball was played on the Fourth of July, between the Vails and Clam Diggers, both of City Island, which resulted in an overwhelming victory for the Vails.  Score, 23 to 3.  The Clam Diggers declare this is the last game with the Vails.  Mr. Editor, we would say nothing about this if it were not for the fact that, for a week before the game came off the diggers were telling the Vails at every opportunity how they were going to beat them.  But we are all liable to mistakes, and such was the case with the Clam Diggers on July 4th.  Umpire, Mr. Geo. Bell.

Mr. Wm. Belden gave the citizens of City Island a grand treat by the display of about $500 worth of Fireworks on the night of the fourth.  A large number of people assembled on the Point to witness the display and the City Island Cornet Band discoursed some good music.

At Carll's ship yard the sloop G. J. Demarest is on the ways for recaulking and painting.  The sloop Long Island has been hauled out for cleaning and repainting.  The steam yacht, just completed, was launched on Saturday last, and left for Key West on Sunday.  The Minnie Griffin is having a new spar put in and is being recaulked.  The schooner Ella Cooper is hauled out for cleaning, caulking and painting."

Source:  CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 12, 1878, Vol. IX, No. 460, p. 3, col. 1.  

"FOR A SANE FOURTH.
-----
Pelham Trustees Put Up the Ban on Revolvers for Next Monday.
-----

North-Pelham, July 2. -- The village trustees are going to keep the young patriots in bounds who may wish to celebrate to an unlawful extend next Monday.

Trustee Lyon said this morning that the board would enforce the law about carrying weapons and that any person caught, having a revolver in his possession, will be arrested.

The village trustees have taken this action because many boys have used revolvers loaded with ball cartridges in past years and the dangers that have ensued."

Source:  FOR A SANE FOURTH -- Pelham Trustees Put Up the Ban on Revolvers for Next Monday, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 2, 1909, Whole No. 5971, p. 1, col. 6.  

"FIREWORKS POP ALL OVER STREET WHEN STAND BLAZES UP ON NIGHT OF FOURTH; FIRE DESTROYS STORE
-----
De Feo & Donati Electrical Shop on Fifth Avenue Total Loss -- Other Stores Nearby Damaged by Water and Smoke -- Origin of Fire Unknown -- Fire Loss Estimated at $5,000
-----

While Pelham was celebrating the Fourth in great style on Monday evening, about 7:30, the firework stand outside the electrical store of De Feo & Donati at 145 Fifth avenue became ignited.  Five hundred dollars' worth of fireworks exploded within the next few minutes.  The electrical store and its contents valued at $5,000, were destroyed.  Damage to surrounding stores and apartments by smoke and water is estimated at $15,000.

Fire Chief Dominick Amato and the firemen of the first fire district fought the blaze amid a series of explosions and shooting fireworks.  Four lines of hose were laid and the fire was in hand half an hour after the blaze started.

The De Feo & Donati store is the center of a block of five one-story structures near the Westchester & Boston R. R. station.  To the north is the Astarita fruit store and the Marion Dress Shop.  To the south the Tybee Tea Room and the Betty Hat Shop.  In the rear of the stores are five apartments, occupied by Mrs. Marion Held, proprietress of the dress shop; J. W. Bradshaw, Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Adair, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Singer.  All the stores and apartments were damaged by smoke and water.

The fire spread with amazing rapidity.  A few seconds after the start the front windows of the De Feo store were broken by the exploding fireworks and the blaze had spread to the electrical store.  When the firemen arrived flames were roaring through the skylight and had mushroomed under the room setting fire to the Astarita store and threatening the entire row of buildings.  Fire Chief Amato, who operates a garage a few doors away, was talking with De Feo when the fire started.  He grabbed a fire extinguisher from his stock nearby and waded through the mass of exploding fireworks into the store in an effort to prevent the spread of the flames.  Several autos which were parked at the curb were removed to safety under the supervision of Police Chief Fitzpatrick. 

Proprietor De Feo, remembering that there was a considerable sum of money in a desk and cash register inside the store, made a spectacular dash into the store.  Armed with an axe he smashed the desk and obtained a sum reported at over $200.  

To fight the spreading of the flames, firemen tore holes through the ceiling of the Astarita store.  Household furniture was removed from the Bradshaw home in the rear of the store.  The work of the firemen was effective.  The recall was sounded at 9:45.

The building is the property of Dr. Wm. I. Wallach, 141 Center avenue, New Rochelle.  It is protected by insurance.  Dr. Wallach said that he had had no opportunity to estimate his loss but would at once proceed to repair the building.  The following loss is being reported:

De Feo & Donati, electrical store, total loss, $5,000.  Insurance carried, $3,000.

Tybee Tea Room, damage by water to foodstuff stored in basement, together with tapestry and hangings in restaurant, $1,000.

Astarita Fruit and Vegetable Store, damage to the stock in store and basement, $1,500.

T. S. Hughes, sewing machine agent, damage to stock of machines in basement of De Feo store, $1,500.

Betty Hat Shop and Marion Dress Shop, stock damaged by smoke, $1,000.

Various conjectures are made as to the origin of the fire, but no one has any authentic story.  The Tybee Tea Room resumed business on Tuesday, but the other stores in the block were forced to shut down."

Source:  FIREWORKS POP ALL OVER STREET WHEN STAND BLAZES UP ON NIGHT OF FOURTH; FIRE DESTROYS STORE -- De Feo & Donati Electrical Shop on Fifth Avenue Total Loss -- Other Stores Nearby Damaged by Water and Smoke -- Origin of Fire Unknown -- Fire Loss Estimated at $5,000, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 8, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 20, p. 8, cols. 4-5.

"No Injuries In Noisiest Fourth Of July Program
-----
Firecrackers and Fireworks Proclaim Anniversary of Signing of Declaration of Independence
-----

Although it is estimated that fully one-third of the residents of the Pelhams took advantage of the week end holiday and spent the Fourth of July at vacation resorts, those who remained, gave Pelham the noisiest Fourth of July celebration that can be remembered by even the oldest of the residents of the town.  From early morning hours when the first fire cracker proclaimed the dawn of the nation's greatest holiday, until well into the night when the last skyrocket traveled its course across the sky, the din of explosions and smell of powder brought recollections of actual warfare.

Although all manner of noisemaker and fireworks was utilized in the celebration there were no injuries reported by the local physicians.  Pelham luckily escaped the toll of burned fingers, and other injury that ordinarily accompanies the noisy and unsafe program of Fourth of July celebrating.

No organized program has been prepared for the observance of the day.  The early days of July see the exodus of vacationists to summer resorts and the custom of a town celebration has been abandoned.  Vacant houses were kept under the vigilant supervision of the police departments and though this service vacationing Pelhamites were assured of home protection during their absence.

Traffic was heavy on all through highways.  On the Boston road long traffic lines were managed without mishap.  Police officers kept the cars moving at a fair rate of speed despite the heavy traffic."

Source:  No Injuries In Noisiest Fourth Of July Program -- Firecrackers and Fireworks Proclaim Anniversary of Signing of Declaration of Independence, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 8, 1927, Vol. 18, No. 20, p. 7, col. 2.  

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
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More on 19th Century Baseball in the Town of Pelham

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

Today's Historic Pelham article provides further research in the Quixotic quest to document nineteenth century baseball in the Town of Pelham.  

Games of the Clam Diggers Played in 1878

One of Pelham's most interesting baseball teams during the late 1870s was known as the Clam Diggers.  The team likely was not a baseball club but the baseball team of a broader men's social club known as "The Clam Diggers Club of City Island."  The club appears to have operated at least during the years 1878 and 1879, but likely operated for a longer period.  

Clearly one important event hosted by The Clam Digger Club of City Island was an annual parade followed by a Clam Bake.  In 1879 the parade was scheduled to be held in September.  Members of the Club marched behind a large painted banner that was six feet high and ten feet long.  On it was painted a giant clam beneath which was painted the motto "No gentlemen need apply."  The philosophy of the club reportedly was "Plenty of clams and good markets."  In 1879 the club was scheduled to march with the City Island Cornet Band and, at the conclusion of the parade, gather at Horton's Grove for a "monster clam bake."

According to a brief news account, on July 4, 1878 (the previous year), a City Island baseball team named "Clam Diggers" played another City Island team named "Vails."  The Clam Diggers likely were the team that represented The Clam Diggers Club of City Island, although that has not yet been established with certainty.

It appears that during the week before July 4, the game was highly anticipated.  The news account suggests that the members of the Clam Diggers were engaged in trash talk all week, "telling the Vails at every opportunity how they were going to beat them."  The game, however, did not go as the Clam Diggers planned.  The Vails had an "overwhelming victory," beating the Clam Diggers 23 to 3.  The umpire for the game was George Bell of City Island.  According to a local newspaper, after the game the Clam Diggers declared that "this is the last game with the Vails."

It seems that during 1878, the Vails and Clam Diggers were arch rivals on City Island and played a number of games against each other (about which I have written before).  On May 25, 1878, the Vails beat the Clam Diggers "on the grounds of the Vails."  Interestingly, a man named "A. F. Vail" acted as the umpire "to the entire satisfaction of both clubs."  Thus, it would seem that the Vails were named after a member of the Vail family of City Island.  See City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 31, 1878, Vol. IX, No. 454, p. 2, col. 5.

The two teams were scheduled to play the previous week as well, although no record of the result yet has been located.  See City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 17, 1878, Vol. IX, No. 452, p. 2, cols. 4-5 (noting "The Vails will play against the Clam Diggers on the grounds of the former, tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon [May 18, 1878].").

Pelhamville Club Split for Practice Game in 1885

According to a brief report, on April 19, 1885, the Pelhamville Base Ball Club split into two teams of nine players and played a practice game.  One team was captained by "M. Lynch" and the other by "T. Patterson."  Although there is no record of the score, the team captained by T. Patterson won the game.

It should come as no surprise, of course, that 19th century teams practiced and there are records of Pelham teams practicing diligently for their season.  This particular intrasquad scrimmage seems unusual and, indeed, illustrates that the Pelhamville Club was fairly large when compared to other local teams in Pelham.  

1886 Game Between Refrigerator Manufacturer Team and City Island Team

On Monday, July 5, 1886, an unidentified baseball team from City Island and a baseball team from the refrigerator manufacturer L. H. Mace of New York City.  The City Island team won by a score of 5 to 2.  

This game, like others about which I have written before, illustrates that club teams, teams from companies and businesses, and even makeshift teams traveled throughout the New York City region during the 1870s and 1880s to play ball.  

Currier and Ives Print of an Early Game of Base Ball.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"CITY ISLAND. . . .

A game of base ball was played on the Fourth of July, between the Vails and Clam Diggers, both of City Island, which resulted in an overwhelming victory for the Vails.  Score, 23 to 3.  The Clam Diggers declare this is the last game with the Vails.  Mr. Editor, we would say nothing about this if it were not for the fact that, for a week before the game came off the diggers were telling the Vails at every opportunity how they were going to beat them.  But we are all liable to mistakes, and such was the case with the Clam Diggers on July 4th.  Umpire, Mr. Geo. Bell. . . ."

Source:  CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 12, 1878, Vol. IX, No. 460, p. 3, col. 1.  

"City Island and Pelham.

The Clam Diggers Club of City Island, will hold their annual parade some time next month.  The club will be escorted by the Cornet Band.  At the conclusion of the parade a monster clam bake will [be] served at Horton's Grove.  A good time may be expected.  The banner of this justly popular club is a marvel of beauty.  It is six by ten feet, more or less in size.  On it has been painted by City Island's most popular artist, a large hard clam, underneath which is the motto 'No gentlemen need apply.'  The watchword of this justly popular club is 'Plenty of clams and good markets.' . . ."  

Source:  City Island and Pelham, The Chronicle, Aug. 1, 1879, Vol. X, No. 515, p. 2, col. 6.

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND.

-- A practice game of ball was played between two picked nines of the Pelhamville Club on the 19th inst.  One nine was captained by M. Lynch, and the other by T. Patterson.  The latter nine won the game. . . ."

Source:  PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, New Rochelle Pioneer, Apr. 25, 1885, p. 3, col. 6. 

"LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. . . .

-- The Country Club, of Pelham, announce a variety of outdoor sports, including polo, trap shooting, baseball and lawn tennis, to take place during May and June. . . ."

Source:  LOCAL INTELLIGENCE, New Rochelle Pioneer, Apr. 25, 1885, p. 3, cols. 1-2.   

"PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND. . . .

A game of baseball was played Monday, between a nine belonging on City Island and a nine from the refrigerator manufactory [sic] of L. H. Mace, New York.  The game resulted in a victory for City Island, by a score of 5 to 2. . . ."

Source:  PELHAM AND CITY ISLAND, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 9, 1886, Vol. XVII, No. 896, p. 3, col. 2.

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I have written nearly fifty articles regarding the history of baseball in Pelham and early baseball games played in the Town of Pelham.  Below is a listing, with links, of previous postings on the topic of early baseball in Pelham.


Wed., Jul. 12, 2017:  The Nonpareils Base Ball Association of City Island During the 1860s.

Wed., Apr. 19, 2017:  Pelham Manor Club Defeated Gramatan Country Club in Baseball Game in August, 1902.

Mon., Feb. 13, 2017:  Important Information About Early Baseball in Pelham Including a Game Against the Monitors of Brooklyn.

Wed., Jan. 11, 2017:  Baseball Star Paddy Smith of Pelham.

Fri., Sep. 30, 2016:  More on 19th Century Baseball in the Town of Pelham.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

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19th Century Baseball in Pelham - Newly-Discovered References

 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."

For many years I have researched the history of baseball in the Town of Pelham.  On Friday, December 11, 2009, I posted to the Historic Pelham Blog an item entitled "Earliest Reference Yet to Baseball Played in Pelham".   In it I quoted a reference to a recreational baseball game played during an outing of The Wm Cook Association from the Eleventh Ward, New York City on September 26, 1877.   

On March 9, 2010, I posted another item entitled "Earliest Reference Yet to Organized Baseball Played in Pelham."  That item described a game played by The Vail Base Ball Club of City Island against a team from Mamaroneck on June 13, 1878. 

I now have located a few additional references to additional games played by The Vail Base Ball Club a few weeks later.  The Vail Base Ball Club was also known as "The Vails" and "The Vail B.B. Club."  In 1878, the officers of the Club were James M. Liming, President; A.F. Vail, Vice-President; Francis Vail, Treasurer, and C.P. Billar, Secretary.  See City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 21, 1878, p. ?, col. 5 (no page number printed on the newspaper page).  It also appears that the Club was relatively new in 1878 since one account noted that the Club scheduled its "first annual moonlight excursion and picnic" later in 1878, suggesting that the Club was in its earliest years.  Id. 

The reference to the August 3rd game is very brief.  It states: 

"The Alphas, of New Rochelle, played the Vails of City Island, on Saturday last, on the grounds of the latter.  The New Rochelle boys were badly beaten, by a score of 29 to 12."

Source:  City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Vol. IX, No. 464, Aug. 9, 1878, p. 2, col. 6. 

Additionally, the news of "City Island" published in the October 4, 1878 issue of The Chronicle of Mount Vernon included several references to The Vail Base Ball Club of City Island.  I have quoted these additional relevant excerpts immediately below.

"The Vail B. B. Club intend giving a ball on the 3rd [?] inst., in Borden's Hall.  Extensive preparations for the affair are going on. . . . .

CHALLENGE -- The Vail B. B. Club, of City Island, challenge any amateur ball club of Westchester County to play for the championship of the county.  Communications should be addressed to Chas. P. Billar, secretary of the Vail B.B.C. . . .

The Vail B. B. Club, of City Island, played the Eagle Club of West Farms, on Wednesday last, on the grounds of the former.  The game resulted in a victory for the Vails.  Score, 15 to 12.  At the commencement of the first inning, J. Mitchell, the catcher for the Eagles, was partially disabled by being struck over the eye with a foul ball, receiving quite an ugly cut thereby, and before the game closed, Manly, catcher for the Vails, was also struck in the eye with a foul.  Both men played until the game was finished."

Source:  City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Vol. IX, No. 472, Oct. 4, 1878, p. 2, col. 5. 

19th Century Baseball as it Likely Was Played in Pelham.

At the end of this posting, I have quoted the entire news items within which the above-quoted excerpts about early baseball in Pelham appeared.  In addition, immediately below I have included links to the many, many Historic Pelham Blog Postings I have published regarding the early history of organized baseball in Pelham. 

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

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

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

Monday, December 14, 2009:  Baseball Games Played by the City Island Shamrocks in 1889.  

Friday, December 11, 2009:  Earliest Reference Yet to Baseball Played in Pelham.  

Thursday, December 10, 2009:  More 19th Century Baseball and Firefighting References. 

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

Wednesday, November 25, 2009:  Even More Early References to Baseball Played in Pelham.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009:  Yet Another Reference to Early Baseball in Pelham.

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

Friday, November 20, 2009:  More Accounts of Early Baseball Played in Pelham.

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, March 4, 2008:  Another Brief Reference to 19th Century Baseball in Pelham.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*     *     *     *     *

Below are fascinating transcriptions of the entire news articles within which the baseball excerpts quoted above appeared.  

"City Island.

The M.E. Sunday School held their annual pic-nic at Oriental Grove, on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 1878, and they had a very nice time.

Mr. Charles Baxter is building a two story house on Main street, 38 feet deep, and 20 feet front.  The building is for Mr. Hebborn, who is at present in the feed business in the building recently occupied by Mr. John Boull.

Master Edward Cochran fell from a pear tree on Saturday at two o'clock, a distance of 30 feet.  He has not recovered as yet from the fall.

Mr. Charles Baxter is fitting up his large building on Main street for an armory for F. Company, 27th Reg't, N.G.S.N.Y.  The place has been leased from Mr. Baxter for five years, as it is the most convenient place on the island for the purpose.  It will be opened on the 1st or 5th of September, with a grand ball given by F Co.

The sloop yachts Pell and Cyrus F. Pell are hauled out at Carll's yard, for cleaning and painting.  On Friday, Capt. Pell, while standing on the arm of one of the ways, made a misstep and fell, breaking one of his ribs.

The schooner Lady Jackson is at Carll's yard, discharging a load of chestnut timber, for the frame of a new schooner.

Mr. Elisha Booth is building a two-story frame house, 28 feet front by 30 feet deep, on Main street.  The lower part is for a fancy bakery, and the upper part for a dwelling.  Mr. George O. Hawes is doing the work.

Mr. George Wilson is building a two-story house, 24 feet front by 18 feet deep, near Main street.  Mr. Charles Baxter is doing the work.

The Scotch Excelsior Athletic Club held their excursion at Chas. McClennon's pavilion on Friday last.  The steamer Black Bird was chartered for the excursion, and steamed in at the town dock about 11 o'clock.  A variety of Scotch games were played, and a match game of quoits was pitched, fifty feet distance, for a gold medal.  The Sheriff of Pike County, Penn., and a number of gentlemen from that part of the country, were among the excursionists.  At six o'clock the party, after making arrangements for another excursion, left the island well satisfied with the day's enjoyment. 

At Hawkins ship-yard, the schooner Townsend S. Jackson, is on the ways for general repairs.  Tugboat James McMahon is out for caulking, etc.  Sloop Robert H. Coles is out for cleaning and painting, and sloop yacht Katie Wood, and schooner F. B. Sindson, are being caulked and painted.  The yacht Intrepid is to be repainted.

At Carll's ship-yard, the schooner Palladium is on the ways, for caulking and general repairs.  The yachts Active and Estelle are hauled out for cleaning and painting.

The Alphas, of New Rochelle, played the Vails of City Island, on Saturday last, on the grounds of the latter.  The New Rochelle boys were badly beaten, by a score of 29 to 12.

Aesop." 

Source:  City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Vol. IX, No. 464, Aug. 9, 1878, p. 2, col. 6. 

"City Island.

On Wednesday evening of last week, the new armory of F Company, 27th Regiment, was opened with a grand ball, at which there was a large attendance of the friends of the members.  The dancing was kept up with vigor until early morn.

The Vail B. B. Club intend giving a ball on the 3rd [?] inst., in Borden's Hall.  Extensive preparations for the affair are going on. . . . .

CHALLENGE -- The Vail B. B. Club, of City Island, challenge any amateur ball club of Westchester County to play for the championship of the county.  Communications should be addressed to Chas. P. Billar, secretary of the Vail B.B.C.

At Hawkins ship yard -- schooner Forest Home, hauled out for general repairs; schooner E. H. Pray is out for caulking and painting; the yacht Intrepid is having a new keel put on and other repairs done; schooner New Regular is on for caulking and painting; the schooner Illinois, which was run into a sunk off Captains Island, some weeks ago by the steamer Massachusetts, is still at Hawkins yard and is likely to remain there.  There are four claims against the vessel, notice of which are posted on her bow.  The captain has absconded with what goods there were on board the vessel at the time of the accident.

Commissioner Cochran is making quite an improvement on Main street, between the turn and Fordham avenue.  In some places the street has been cut down about two feet.  The earth is being used as filling on the old road.

On Monday night last, the propeller Ellen was lying at the end of the pier at Carll's yard, having just been launched, after having had extensive repairs done.  On Tuesday morning, it was found that the propeller had been towed away and the bill for her repairs had not been paid.  Mr. Carll went immediately to New York and found the vessel lying at the foot of Fourteenth street, and had her towed back to his dock, where she remains. 

Last Saturday afternoon, the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the new M. E. Church, on City Island, was held in the presence of a large concourse of people.  The services commenced with singing by the assemblage and singing by the children of the Sabbath School.  Rev. Mr. Belden, of City Island, offered prayer and the Sunday School children sang another song; after which Rev. Dr. Morsell, of Grace Church, delivered a brief address.  105 names were added to the list of subscribers to the new church fund.  These names were put in a tin box and placed in the corner-stone as it was laid.  Rev. Mr. Delancy, Pastor of the church, and the Rev. Mr. Fields, of New York, delivered short addresses, and the service slosed.

Aesop.

The tax sales of the town of Pelham have been postponed until the 30th inst.

Mr. Pell's new house is rapidly approaching completion.

The Vail B. B. Club, of City Island, played the Eagle Club of West Farms, on Wednesday last, on the grounds of the former.  The game resulted in a victory for the Vails.  Score, 15 to 12.  At the commencement of the first inning, J. Mitchell, the catcher for the Eagles, was partially disabled by being struck over the eye with a foul ball, receiving quite an ugly cut thereby, and before the game closed, Manly, catcher for the Vails, was also struck in the eye with a foul.  Both men played until the game was finished.

Another oyster war has begun.  It appears that Mr. Chas. McClennon planted oysters in the vicinity of his dock.  A short time ago, as the plaintiff claims, Stephen and Morris Leviness, Eugene Williams and Samuel Billar took oysters from the grounds above referred to, Mr. McClennon brought an action against the parties named, and the case is to come off at White Plains on the 11th inst.  We understand the defendants claim that the ground was a natural oyster bed, and if Mr. McClennon planted on it while the natural oysters were there, it was no fault of their's [sic], and h must therefore be the loser.

Some large catches of blackfish have been made at City Island recently.  Persons can be fittout out with all the appliances at Flynn's, City Island Bridge."

Source:  City Island, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Vol. IX, No. 472, Oct. 4, 1878, p. 2, col. 5. 

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