Historic Pelham

Presenting the rich history of Pelham, NY in Westchester County: current historical research, descriptions of how to research Pelham history online and genealogy discussions of Pelham families.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Early 20th Century Lawsuit Brought Against the Witherbee Real Estate and Improvement Company Over Title to Lands in Pelham


A brief news article that appeared in the June 5, 1909 issue of the New-York Tribune offers an intriguing reference that seems ripe for follow-up research. The article describes a decision by Justice Tomplins of the New York Supreme Court for the County of Westchester in which he rejects plaintiffs' claims for a partition of 19.74 acres of Pelham land held by the Witherbee Real Estate and Improvement Company. The text of the article appears below.

"Title to Land Valued at Two Million Dollars Confirmed by Court.

Justice Tompkins, of the Supreme Court, filed a decision at White Plains yesterday in which he dismisses the action brought by Mrs. Josephine W. Jessup, Maude A. Apley and others against the Witherbee Real Estate and Improvement Company, involving the title to a $2,000,000 estate in the town of Pelham, which has been contested in the courts for several years. Henry W. Taft, a brother of President Taft, who appeared as counsel for the defendants, at one time owned the property.

The action was brought for a partition of 19.74 acres of land. The plaintiffs are the widow and children of Edwin C. Jessup, who died August 30, 1908, intestate."

Source: Title to Land Valued at Two Million Dollars Confirmed by Court, New-York Tribune, Jun. 5, 1909, p. 14, col. 2.

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