Pelham Historic Marker Placed on Hutchinson River Parkway in 1927

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On Tuesday, October 18, 1927, the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution unveiled a New York State historic marker on the Hutchinson River Parkway near the home known as "Pelhamdale," located at 45 Iden Avenue in Pelham Manor.  The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

During the ceremony for placement of the marker, Town Historian William R. Montgomery delivered remarks on the history of the home and the life of David J. Pell, a patriot who served during the Revolutionary War.  Ogden Philip Pell, a grandson of David J. Pell, and Isabelle Pell Lawrence, a great-granddaughter of David J. Pell, attended the ceremony.

I previously have transcribed and published the remarks on the history of Pelhamdale delivered by Town Historian William R. Montgomery that day.  See Tue., Jun. 24, 2014:  Story of Pelhamdale, the Old Stone House by the Bridge, Once Owned by David J. Pell.  

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog recounts the program for the event during which the historic marker was unveiled.  The marker was placed on the roadside property of the Westchester County Parks Commission along the newly-constructed Hutchinson River Parkway where Iden Avenue then entered the parkway.

Detail from Map Published in 1929 Showing Both Pelhamdale

and the Iden Avenue Entrance Onto the Newly-Constructed

Hutchinson River Parkway Where the State Historic Marker Was

Placed on October 21, 1927.  Source:  Atlas of Westchester

County, Vol. I, p. 1 (Philadelphia, PA:  G.M. Hopkins Co.,

1929).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

On October 18, 1927, members of the Bronx Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution gathered with Pell family members, and Pelham officials at the beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard E. Wagner known as "Pelhamdale" to unveil and dedicate a New York State historic marker regarding Pelhamdale on land adjacent to the Hutchinson River Parkway.  It was the first historic marker erected on the Hutchinson River Parkway.  The date selected for the event was not a coincidence.  It was 151 years to the day that the home was witness to the nearby Battle of Pelham.  For more than 100 years thereafter, musket balls and other detritus of the battle had been found lodged in the walls of the home and on its grounds.

The weather did not cooperate that day.  Thus, the ceremonies were moved inside to the parlor of the historic mansion.

Among those in attendance that day was Ogden Phillips Pell, of New York, 94 years old.  He was a grandson of Revolutionary War Patriot David Jones Pell who once owned the home.  Ogden Phillips Pell was born at Pelhamdale.  He came to Pelham that day especially for the ceremonies.  He had not seen the home in 75 years. 

The State historic marker dedicated that day read as follows:  "Pelham Dale Built before 1776.  Oldest house in Pelham.  Home of Col. David J. Pell; American Patriot, New York Historical Marker."

The program for the event was as follows:

Mrs. T. L. Peck, regent of the Bronx Chapter, welcomed the guests and introduced the speakers.  

The Rev. Charles R. Seymour, pastor of the Vernon Heights Congregational Church, pronounced the invocation.  

Mrs. Felice Chandler and Mr. Bruce De Lette, of Pelham Manor presented a musical program.

Mrs. Peck called the D.A.R. meeting to order.

Town Historian William R. Montgomery, of Pelham Manor, presented a talk on the history of the mansion and the Pell family.  

After the ceremony, tea was served in Pelhamdale, as it had been on countless occasions during the previous 150 years.  After the Iden Avenue entrance to the Hutchinson River Parkway was closed off, the State historic marker was moved to the grounds of Pelhamdale where it remains.

View of Pelhamdale from Iden Avenue on September 3, 2014.

Source: "Pelhamdale" in Wikipedia -- The Free Encyclopedia

(visited May 7, 2016).  What is Believed to be the State Historic

Marker Placed on Tuesday, October 18, 1927 May Be Seen,

Partially Obscured, in the Lower Left.  NOTE:  Click on Image

to Enlarge.

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Below is the text of the article on which today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog is based.  It is followed by a citation and link to its source. 

"D.A.R. PAYS TRIBUTE TO HISTORIC 'PELHAM DALE,' OLD PELL RESIDENCE
-----
State Marker Erected On Hutchinson River Parkway at Site of Oldest Residence In Town of Pelham.  Building Was Erected Prior To Revolutionary War
-----

Turning the page of Pelham's history back over more than a century and one half, the Bronx Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated a marker at 'Pelham Dale,' the old Pell residence at Iden avenue and the Hutchinson River Parkway, Tuesday afternoon.  Mr. and Mrs. Howard E. Wagner, owners of the property were hosts to many members of the Pell family, members of the D.A.R. and celebrities who took part in paying tribute to Pelham Dale the oldest house in the town of Pelham.  Due to the inclement weather the ceremonies were held in the parlor of the historic old mansion instead of at the site of the marker on the property of the Westchester County Park Commission.

The marker is one of a series to be erected by the State at points of historic interest.  It is the first to be erected on the Hutchinson River Parkway.  It reads 'Pelham Dale built before 1776.  Oldest house in Pelham.  Home of Col. David J. Pell; American Patriot, New York Historical Marker.'  Mrs. Elsie Pell Guion, of New Rochelle, descendant of Col. Pell, appeared in the costume of a Colonial Dame and read the inscription on the marker.

Mrs. T. L. Peck, regent of the Bronx Chapter, welcomed the guests and introduced the speakers of the afternoon.  The Rev. Charles R. Seymour, pastor of the Vernon Heights Congregational Church, pronounced the invocation.  Mrs. Felice Chandler and Mr. Bruce De Lette, of Pelham Manor presented a musical program.

Mrs. Peck called the meeting to order with a dinner bell which was found in the Pell mansion and is believed to have been used in the early days of the house.

William R. Montgomery, of Pelham Manor, presented an interesting talk on the history of the mansion and the Pell family.  His address will be found printed elsewhere in this issue of The Pelham Sun.  Few Pelhamites are acquainted with the remarkable history of Pelham Dale.  Mr. Montgomery is an authority on local tradition.

Among the guests were Ogden Phillips Pell, of New York, 94 years old, grandson of Col. David Jones Pell.  Ogden Phillips Pell was born at Pelhamdale.  He came to Pelham especially for the ceremonies after an absence of 75 years.  

Other members of the Pell family who were present were as follows:  Mr. and Mrs. Stephen H. Pell, of Fort Ticonderoga; Mr. and Mrs. Howland Pell, William S. Pell, Miss Muriel Pell, Miss Martha Pell, Howard Kissan Pell, Mrs. Abijah S. Pell, Mrs. Elsie Pell Guion, Philip Pell, Miss Adeline M. Trumbull.

After the ceremonies tea was served.  Mrs. Arthur M. Smith was hostess.  She was assisted by Mrs. John F. Armquist, Mrs. Arthur G. Bailler, Mrs. W. H. Doyle, Mrs. C. J. Hunt, Mrs. G. E. Hancock, Mrs. G. A. Kuhner, Miss Florence D. Leonard, Mrs. W. E. Mangerin, Mrs. Nelson W. McCombs, Mrs. S. C. McKoewn, Miss Jessie E. Parkhurst, Mrs. C. A. Speakman and Mrs. Charles A. Tier."

Source:  D.A.R. PAYS TRIBUTE TO HISTORIC 'PELHAM DALE,' OLD PELL RESIDENCE -- State Marker Erected On Hutchinson River Parkway at Site of Oldest Residence In Town of Pelham.  Building Was Erected Prior To Revolutionary War, The Pelham Sun, Oct. 21, 1927, p. 16, cols. 3-4.

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I have written about the lovely historic home known as "Pelhamdale" (and "Pelham Dale") on numerous occasions.  For a few of many examples, see:

Wed., Nov. 30, 2016:  Article on the History of Pelhamdale Published in 1925 After Tragic Fire.

Thu., Nov. 03, 2016:  1860 Auction Offering Pelhamdale Lots from the Estate of James Hay.

Thu., Oct. 20, 2016:  Fears in 1934 and 1935 that the Historic Home Known as Pelhamdale Would Be Razed. 

Fri, May 13, 2016:  1851 Advertisement Offering Farm and Mansion Known as Pelhamdale for Lease.

Wed., Sep. 23, 2015:  Yet Another Tale of Buried Treasure in the Town of Pelham. 

Thu., Sep. 17, 2015:  An Account of the February 28, 1925 Fire at Pelhamdale, A Home on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fri., Sep. 04, 2015:  Sale of the Pre-Revolutionary War Home Known as Pelhamdale in 1948.

Tue., Sep. 09, 2014:  The October 18, 1927 Unveiling of the Historic Marker at Pelhamdale, the Historic Home at 45 Iden Avenue.

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." 

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

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

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.

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."

Article on the History of Pelhamdale Published in 1925 After Tragic Fire

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."

On Saturday, February 28, 1925, the beautiful Pelham Manor home known as Pelhamdale suffered a terrible fire that nearly destroyed the home.  The new owners of the home, the Wagner family, was in the midst of restoring the historic home.  

The day before the fire, workmen involved with the remodeling of the home built a coal fire in a grate within a fireplace on the second floor of the home for warmth and left it burning when they departed that evening.  At 6:00 a.m. the next morning, John Meltz was on his way to work at the local disposal plant.  As he walked past the home, he saw smoke rising from windows of the home.  He raced to the nearest fire box and turned in an alarm.  The old Pell Mansion was burning. 

Village of Pelham Manor firefighters responded promptly.  The fire was extensive and stubborn.  Soon they called for the assistance of firemen of the First Fire District in the Village of North Pelham.  Temperatures were near zero degrees, making the battle particularly difficult.  At least one of the firefighters, John Roggeveen, suffered frostbite on both hands.  

A crowd gathered as the firefighters battled the blaze. One in the crowd was William R. Montgomery who later became Town Historian. He had a glass negative camera with him and took a few photographs. One of those photographs appears immediately below.

Fire at Pelhamdale, 45 Iden Avenue, on February 28,

1925. Image from Glass Negative Photograph Taken by

William R. Montgomery on February 28, 1925. Courtesy

of The Office of The Historian of the Town of Pelham.

NOTE: Click on Image To Enlarge.

The following week, Montgomery wrote an article for the local newspaper, The Pelham Sun, on the history of Pelhamdale, a home that today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The article is a loving tribute to a Pelham treasure that, at the time was at risk of the wrecking ball due to the fire.  The text of the article appears in its entirety below, followed by a citation and link to its source.

"THE OLD PELL HOUSE
-----
Burned On Saturday, Feb. 28th, 1925.
-----
By William R. Montgomery

The Pell House as it appears in the cut is considerably larger than the old house, which was built about 1750 by Philip Pell, whose grandson, Colonel David Pell, occupied it from Revolutionary times until his death in 1823.  The old homestead was built with thick walls of stone, having two large chimneys, one on each end.  It was two stories high and roofed with hand-made shingles.  The main floor of the old house is the basement of the present building, with a hall extending from the front to the rear.  The former beautiful front entrance facing the east and looking out on the old Boston Road (in olden times commonly known as the King's Highway) can still be seen.  Its doorway is as fine an example of Colonial architecture as one may see anywhere.  If fact, one would have to go to Deerfielld, Mass., to equal it.  The ground around the present building has been made considerably higher than in the early days, and for that reason the old entrance seems to be below the grade.  The view from the house up and down the Hutchinson valley was beautiful and inspiring.  The large chestnut tree known as Gen. Howe's tree, was on this estate, and the old St. Paul's Church at Eastchester could also be seen in the distance.  This old Pell house was the scene of many stirring events during the history of the old Manor of Pelham.

A tradition tells us that it was at this house that the messenger called to give the alarm of the landing of the British troops at Pell's Point.  Upon hearing the news young David Pell (later Colonel) rushed to the river and rowed down to Eastchester, where some Americans were encamped.  We are all familiar with the critical battle of Pelham, so well outlined by William Abbott [sic] in his book entitled 'The Battle of Pelham.'  We also know that this successful retreat of the American Army enable Gen. Washington to escape a well laid trap; Gen. Washington, reaching the heights of White Plains without any serious trouble.

Tradition also informs us that the messenger who carried the news to David Pell was a girl of gentle birth whose nimble feet lightly touched the ground as she ran along the old Pell's Point Road.

'France may revere its Joan of Arc, and England may bow its head at the name of Edith Cavell, but the old Manor had no Longfellow to immortalize this early morning heroine.  She lies in old St. Paul's churchyard at Eastchester, her deeds unsung and forgotten.'

Colonel David Pell lived in the old homestead until his death in 1823.  He likewise, is buried in St. Paul's churchyard.  In 1824 his widow sold the estate to James Hay of an old Scotch family, who enlarged the building by adding several floors and making the original first floor a basement.  He also changed the main entrance to the other side of the building and made two large bay window extensions with a doorway between them.  This leads into a large circular reception room which contained statuary in niches and a fine curved door to correspond with the outline of the room.  Fortunately, this room with its door is saved, except the ceiling plaster.  

Still later this building was further enlarged by raising the roof and adding about four feet of brick work above the stone walls.  James Hay caused to be embedded in the stone wall the Hay coat of arms, which according to Bolton was granted by Kenneth III, King of Scotland, in the year 980, for bravery on the field of battle.

The Hays named the estate Pelham Dale and planted many trees and beautiful shrubs, so that for many years it was considered the most magnificent place in New York.  We might note here that the original Pell's Point Road was situated much nearer the stone house than the present Wolf's Lane.  Wolf's Lane in Pelham Manor was constructed by Mr. James Hay and Mr. Francis Secor at their own expense and for many years was considered private property, being closed to the public one day each year.

Upon the death of Mr. Hay, the estate was sold to Mr. Lord of Lord & Taylor, and later conveyed to the Hargous family, who lived on the place for many years until Mr. C. Coudert of Coudert Bros., a well known international lawyer, bought the property and made further alterations, which, however, detracted from its beauty.

Mr. Rodman, a member of the old Pell family, finally bought the property, and for over fifteen years neglected it.  Later it became the rendezvous of tramps.  Recently the building and part of the grounds passed into the hands of the Wagner family, who are very anxious to restore it to its former stateliness.  The new Hutchinson River Parkway will give it a setting equal to its former beautiful surroundings.

WM. R. MONTGOMERY."

Source:  Montgomery, William R., THE OLD PELL HOUSE -- Burned On Saturday, Feb. 28th, 1925,  The Pelham Sun, Mar. 6, 1925, Vol. 16, No. 1, p. 4, cols. 3-4.  

View of Pelhamdale from Iden Avenue on September

3, 2014. Source: "Pelhamdale" in Wikipedia -- The Free

Encyclopedia (visited May 7, 2016).

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

I have written about the lovely historic home known as "Pelhamdale" (and "Pelham Dale") on numerous occasions.  For a few of many examples, see:

Thu., Oct. 20, 2016:  Fears in 1934 and 1935 that the Historic Home Known as Pelhamdale Would Be Razed. 

Fri, May 13, 2016 1851:  Advertisement Offering Farm and Mansion Known as Pelhamdale for Lease.

Fri., Sep. 04, 2015:  Sale of the Pre-Revolutionary War Home Known as Pelhamdale in 1948.

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.

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."

Pelham Preservation & Garden Society Is Digitizing Glass Negatives and Lantern Slides of William R. Montgomery Collection

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."

The Pelham Preservation & Garden Society is funding the professional digitization of the Town of Pelham's William R. Montgomery collection of glass negatives and lantern slides.  The first two boxes of glass negatives are being prepared by Brooklyn-based digitization studio DiJiFi located at 1166 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11222.

I have written about the William R. Montgomery collection on several occasions.  See, e.g.:

Thu., Feb. 17, 2005:  The Glass Negatives of Former Town Historian William R. Montgomery.  

Mon., Apr. 11, 2005:  More From the William R. Montgomery Glass Negative Collection.

Thu., Sep. 08, 2005:  Glass Lantern Slides Included in the William R. Montgomery Glass Negatives Collection.  

Thu., Oct. 27, 2005:  The Camera Used by Town Historian William R. Montgomery.

The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham, with the approval of the Town Board, recently delivered the first two boxes of glass negatives to The Pelham Preservation & Garden Society for scanning by DiJiFi.  The negatives are being scanned as archival .TIFFs, rendered in digitized positive format as .JPEG files, and linked with scans of the acid-free archival envelopes in which each is stored to capture bibliographic information handwritten on each envelop.  Initial results are very encouraging as the two images below demonstrate.

Undated Image of The Grape Arbor on the Estate

of The Priory During the 1920s.  Photograph by

William R. Montgomery.  Courtesy of The Office of

The Historian of The Town of Pelham.  NOTE:  Click

on Image to Enlarge.

Image of the Archival Acid-Free Envelope in Which

The Glass Negative of The Grape Arbor Image Published

Above Is Stored.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

William R. Montgomery served as Historian of the Town of Pelham during the 1920s and 1930s.  He had an intense interest in, and abiding respect for, the history of Pelham and surrounding areas.  One of Mr. Montgomery's lasting legacies is the very large collection of more than one hundred glass photographic negatives taken during the late teens, the 1920s, and the early 1930s.  These negatives contain images of many historically-significant structures and sites in and near Pelham, many of which no longer exist.

Long after William R. Montgomery's death, then-Town Historian Sue Swanson and Deputy Town Historian Mimi Buckley approached members of his family who still owned the home in which Montgomery once lived to ask about the negative and lantern slide collection.  Through the efforts of Ms. Swanson and Ms. Buckley, the family agreed to donate to the Town of Pelham the entire collection of glass negatives and lantern slides, as well as the camera used to take the photographs, in exchange for having Sue Swanson and Mimi Buckley inventory the entire contents of the attic of the home in which the materials were stored -- a task that turned out to be gargantuan.  Upon completing the task, The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham took possession of the slides, inventoried them, stored them in archival envelopes, and had a number of the more significant slides printed on photographic stock for the Town archives.  The development was significant to save the materials from the heat and humidity of an ancient attic.  

In 2005, I succeeded Mimi Buckley as Town Historian and immediately began scanning the slides and glass negatives.  The scanning equipment of the day was not particularly sophisticated.  Thus, the process of creating usable positive images of each of the slides was difficult, time-consuming, and principally software-based.  Nevertheless, the collection was scanned to .JPEG files and I converted the negatives to positive images for posterity.

Recognizing the importance of the Montgomery Collection, the Pelham Preservation & Garden Society recently offered to fund the professional digitization of the entire collection.  According to the Society, "The Pelham Preservation Society is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1999 for the purpose of fostering community understanding and appreciation of the architecture, historic structures, natural beauty and aesthetic character of the Town of Pelham and surrounding areas."  Its Web site provides a wealth of information about the many civic and philanthropic projects sponsored by the organization.  

The quality of the professionally-prepared scans of the Montgomery negatives appears to be quite excellent as the image of The Priory Grape Arbor published above suggests.  The scanning project will take substantial time to complete, but is well worth the effort.  Due to the magnanimous dedication of The Pelham Preservation & Garden Society, images of historic Pelham structures and sites will be preserved for the Digital Age and the enjoyment of Pelham residents.    

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."

An Account of the February 28, 1925 Fire at Pelhamdale, A Home on the National Register of Historic Places

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."

Early 1925 was a happy time for Deborah E. Wagner, a resident of Carol Place in the Village of Pelham Manor.  She was the owner of the old Pell Mansion known as "Pelhamdale" located at 45 Iden Avenue.  She was in the midst of remodeling the showplace home and planned to move into it in about April 1925.

The home Ms. Wagner chose to remodel once was owned by American Patriot David Jones Pell.  Today the structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Although the home has been significantly altered since the eighteenth century, a significant portion of the home was built prior to the Revolutionary War. 

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 due 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 the list at the end of today's posting.

On Friday, February 27, 1925, workmen involved with the remodeling of the home built a coal fire in a grate within a fireplace on the second floor of the home for warmth and left it burning when they departed that evening.  At 6:00 a.m. the next morning, Saturday, February 28, 1925, John Meltz was on his way to work at the local disposal plant.  As he walked past the home, he saw smoke rising from windows of the home.  He raced to the nearest fire box and turned in an alarm.  The old Pell Mansion was burning.

Village of Pelham Manor firefighters responded promptly.  The fire was extensive and stubborn.  Soon they called for the assistance of firmen of the First Fire District in the Village of North Pelham.  Temperatures were near zero degrees, making the battle particularly difficult.  At least one of the firefighters, John Roggeveen, suffered frostbite on both hands.

A crowd gathered as the firefighters battled the blaze.  One in the crowd was William R. Montgomery who later became Town Historian.  He had a glass negative camera with him and took a few photographs.  One of those photographs appears immediately below.

Fire at Pelhamdale, 45 Iden Avenue, on February 28, 1925.

Image from Glass Negative Photograph Taken by William

R. Montgomery on February 28, 1925.  Courtesy of The Office

of The Historian of the Town of Pelham.  NOTE:  Click on

Image To Enlarge.

The tin roof of the structure made it particularly difficult for the firefighters.  According to an account published the following Friday in The Pelham Sun, the "tin roof kept the flames smothered inside the building and made the firemen's job a slow, tedious battle."

As the morning wore on and the firemen continued to battle the blaze, the casualties began to mount.  In addition to the frostbite suffered by John Roggeveen, two firefighters, Kendall Telford and C. J. O'Reilly Jr., suffered smoke inhalation injuries.  Fireman Frederick Head was injured when he was struck by a falling timber.  Fireman John Amato suffered an unspecified slight injury.

At 9:15 a.m., the Invisible Hand of Providence saved five firefighters who had a "narrow escape" when the roof of the structure caved in.  For longer than another hour, the firemen battled the stubborn fire, finally bringing it under control by 10:30 a.m.

The damage to the historic structure was extensive.  In addition to the fallen roof, the chimney, fireplace and hearth where the workers had built the coal fire collapsed through the floor of the bedroom and tumbled into the dining room on the first floor.  Interior damage and water damage was extensive.  Yet, thankfully, no lives were lost and the injuries suffered fighting the fire were relatively minor.  

Today the restored home known as Pelhamdale remains a Pelham gem.  There is no trace of the damage caused by the early morning fire on February 28, 1925.

Pelhamdale, 45 Iden Avenue, on October 14, 2007.

Photograph by the Author.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"Pell House Burns; Two Firefighters Are Overcome By Smoke
-----
Battle Against Flames In Zero Temperature -- Five Firemen Have Narrow Escape When Roof Falls
-----

Fire of unknown origin early Saturday destroyed the interior of the old Pell mansion at 43 [sic] Iden Avenue, Pelham Manor.  Five firemen narrowly escaped injury when the roof caved in.  Zero weather and low pressure made the work of the firemen hazardous.  The building is owned by Mrs. Deborah E. Wagner, of Carol Place, Pelham Manor, and was recently remodeled.  Mrs. Wagner planned to occupy the house in about four weeks.  The loss is estimated at $10,000.  The alarm was sounded from box 143 by John Meltz, at 6 a.m.  He saw smoke pouring from the windows as he passed the place on his way to work at the disposal plant.

Mrs. Wagner thinks the fire may have come from the fireplace flue.  A bedroom in which one fireplace was located was entirely burned out and fell into the dining room on the floor below.  Workmen employed in the house built a coal fire in the grate on the day previous and left it burning when they departed at night.  It is supposed the flue was defective and the fire resulted.  

The tin roof kept the flames smothered inside the building and made the firemen's job a slow, tedious battle.  Joseph Carrahar, Frederick Head, Robert Powers, John Amato and Gorham Head all had a narrow escape when the roof caved in at 9:15 a.m.  Frederick Head was hit on the jaw by a falling timber and John Amato was slightly injured.  John Roggeveen had both hands frost bitten.  Two other firemen, Kendall Telford and C. J. O'Reilly Jr., were partly suffocated by smoke.  The blaze was under control at 10:30 a.m.  Chief Templeton of the Pelham Manor fire department expressed his thanks to the fire fighters of the first fire district for the prompt assistance they gave his men.  

The burned building is a historic landmark of Pelham Manor and for several years has been known as the old Stone House."

Source:  Pell House Burns; Two Firefighters Are Overcome By Smoke -- Battle Against Flames In Zero Temperature -- Five Firemen Have Narrow Escape When Roof Falls, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 6, 1925, Vol. 16, No. 1, p. 1, col. 1.  

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As noted above, 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:

Fri., Sep. 04, 2015:  Sale of the Pre-Revolutionary War Home Known as Pelhamdale in 1948.

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.

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."

Where Was Anne Hutchinson Park? Even Pelham's Town Board Did Not Know at Tax Time!

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."

The entire Town Board was huddled in the Board room at Town Hall on the evening of Wednesday, May 18, 1938.  To a man, they were scratching their heads in puzzlement.  Finally, they could stand it no longer.  One of them blurted out to the crowd seated in the public section:  "Where is Anne Hutchinson Park?"

Pelham, it seemed, had a park that few knew existed.  It sounded like a lovely park.  The melodic name of "Anne Hutchinson" remains to this day a name spoken sonorously and with profound respect within the boundaries of the little Town of Pelham.  Every schoolchild knows that the famed Anne Hutchinson moved in 1642 to the region that became the Manor of Pelham.  Yet, on that Wednesday evening in 1938, no one seemed able to answer the question "Where is Anne Hutchinson Park?"

Finally an informed reporter for the local newspaper, The Pelham Sun, broke the uncomfortable silence in the board room.  The Village of Pelham Manor had created the park nearly two years before.  

It was, indeed, a lovely park.  It was adjacent to the Pelham Manor Station that once stood on the Branch Line near today's Manor Circle.  It was located on a tiny plot of land bounded on the east by the plaza in front of the station, on the north by Pelhamdale Avenue, on the west by Terrace Avenue (a roadway destroyed when I-95 was built), and on the south by Esplanade.  A detail from a map published in 1914 shown immediately below shows the tiny strip of land that formed the park.

Detail from Map Published in 1914 Showing a Sliver

of Land Designated as Owned by "Mary G. W. Black"

Bounded by Pelhamdale Avenue, Terrace Avenue,

Esplanade and the Pelham Manor Station Plaza.  The

Plot was Designated "Anne Hutchinson Park" by the Village

of Pelham Manor Board of Trustees in May, 1936.

Source:  "Pelham Manor" in Bromley, G.W., Atlas of Westchester

County, N.Y. Pocket, Desk and Automobile Editiion, Vol. I, p. 129

(NY, NY:  G. W. Bromley & Co., 1914).  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

The tiny little park no longer exists.  The area it once encompassed now lies beneath the concrete behemoth we know today as I-95 -- the New England Thruway.

Anne Hutchinson Park was the brainchild of Town Historian William R. Montgomery in 1936.  He proposed to the Village of Pelham Manor Town Board that the tiny little area be designated "Anne Hutchinson Park" in recognition of "the heroism of Anne Hutchinson who settled in this region in 1642, after being exiled from Massachusetts, in a religious controversy."  

Little seems to have been done to publicize the creation of the new park.  Within a year or so, the park already was the butt of trivia questions trying to test local residents' knowledge of Pelham minutia.  See Quiz Proves Knowledge Can Be Gained In Adult School After Classes -- Amusing "Information Please" Program is Presented at Eleventh Night Entertainment.  Local Experts Know Enough to Correct Authorities, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 15, 1939, p. 12, cols. 4-5 (Answer to "Information Please" trivia question was "Anne Hutchinson park is located in Pelham Manor between the Esplanade and Pelhamdale avenue, adjacent to the New Haven railroad branch line.").  There was even talk of erecting a memorial tablet at the little park in further honor of Anne Hutchinson, but that never seems to have been done.  See PELHAM BATTLE ANNIVERSARY WILL BE OBSERVED IN PROGRAM PLANNED BY TOWN HISTORIAN, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 8, 1938, p. 1, cols. 1-2 ("As a memorial to Anne Hutchinson, the first white settler in this section, a Memorial Tablet is to be erected at Anne Hutchinson Park in Pelham Manor at the southerly end of the Esplanade."). 

It seems that even the Village of Pelham Manor -- the very entity that created the little park -- forgot its existence.  Law at the time provided that municipal property dedicated as a park would be assessed for the nominal sum of one dollar for purposes of the Hutchinson Sewer Tax Act.  When the Town of Pelham assessed the property and sought payment of the full sewer tax for the property in 1937, the Village of Pelham Manor dutifully paid the tax without question.  

That all changed in 1938.  That year the Town of Pelham assessed the property as valued at $14,000 and issued a sewer tax bill of $11.41 to the Village of Pelham Manor.  This time the village issued a letter of protest citing a decision providing that "village property used for park purposes is to be assessed at the nominal assessment of one dollar."

That protest led to the meeting held on Wednesday evening, May 18, 1938 at which the Town of Pelham officials sat huddled, scratching their heads and asking "Where is Anne Hutchinson Park?"  A headline in the local newspaper two days later screamed, tongue in cheek, "11.41 Tax Bill For Anne Hutchinson Park Gives Town Board Opportunity To Find Out Where It Is Located."

Local Newspaper Article Noting That Town Board

Did Not Know Location of Anne Hutchinson Park.

Source:  $11.41 Tax Bill For Anne Hutchinson Park
Gives Town Board Opportunity To Find Out Where It Is Located,The Pelham Sun, May 20, 1938, Vol. 29, No. 7, p. 1, cols. 1-2.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

That evening, the Town Assessor was called before the Town Board.  He defended himself saying that "the assessors had not been previously notified that the property in question was a park" and emphasized that "Pelham Manor paid taxes on the property last year."  The Board ended the meeting by instructing the Town Attorney to ask Village of Pelham Manor officials "to submit proof that the property has been dedicated as a park" which, presumably, they did.

Tiny little Anne Hutchinson Park sat quietly and without fanfare even after the Branch Line railroad ended its regular commuter service and the Peham Manor station closed (and later reopened as the headquarters of a model railroad club).  The tract disappeared beneath the concrete of I-95 when that superhighway was constructed in the 1950s, a victim of transportation progress.

"Anne Hutchinson Park Is Proposed In Peham Manor
-----

At the suggestion of Town Historian William R. Montgomery, the Pelham Manor Board of Trustees on Monday night, took steps to officially designate the park adjacent to the Pelham Manor depot of the N.Y., N.H. & H.R.R. branch line 'Anne Hutchinson Park.'  The Town Historian will be asked to prepare an official document relative to the history of Anne Hutchinson, to be filed in the village archives.

Mr. Montgomery proposed the designation of the park in recognition of the heroism of Anne Hutchinson, who settled in this region in 1642, after being exiled from Massachusetts, in a religious controversy."  

Source:  Anne Hutchinson Park Is Proposed In Peham Manor, The Pelham Sun, May 28, 1936, p. 3, col. 6.  

"$11.41 Tax Bill For Anne Hutchinson Park Gives Town Board Opportunity To Find Out Where It Is Located
-----

Protest of a tax bill prompted the Town Board to do a little historical research on Wednesday night.  A letter of protest against the $11.41 tax bill against property known as Anne Hutchinson Park in Pelham Manor was received by the board and this prompted the question, 'Where is Anne Hutchinson Park?'  None of the village or town officials present could answer the question and it remained for a Pelham Sun reporter to inform them that the small park adjacent to the Pelham Manor station of the New Haven Branch Line was recent[ly] officially designated 'Anne Hutchinson Park' by the Pelham Manor Board of Trustees.  The park extends from Pelhamdale avenue to the Esplanade and fronts on Terrace avenue.  

The Hutchinson Sewer Tax act provides that municipal property owners . . . shall pay sewer taxes the same as private property, but Village Attorney Edgar C. Beecroft in his letter of protest called attention to a recent decision which provides that village property used for park purposes is to be assessed at the nominal assessment of one dollar.  The town tax roll lists Anne Hutchinson Park at $14,000 and a sewer tax of $11.41 has been levided against it.

Assessor Edward B. Harder informed the board that the assessors had not been previously notified that the property in question was a park.  'Pelham Manor paid taxes on the property last year,' he said.  'We didn't know but what they were going to do so again.'

Town Attorney George Lambert was authorized to ask the village officials to submit proof that the property has been dedicated as a park."

Source:  $11.41 Tax Bill For Anne Hutchinson Park Gives Town Board Opportunity To Find Out Where It Is Located, The Pelham Sun, May 20, 1938, Vol. 29, No. 7, p. 1, cols. 1-2.

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