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.

Monday, November 03, 2014

More on the 17th Century Location of the Manor Home of John Pell of the Manor of Pelham


John Pell, often referenced by members of the Pell family as the "Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham," was the nephew and principal legatee of Thomas Pell who bought lands that became the Manor of Pelham from local Native Americans on June 27, 1654.  Born in England in 1643, John Pell traveled to America in 1670 following his uncle's death to claim his inheritance that included the lands that formed the Manor of Pelham. 

Unlike his uncle who remained a resident of Fairfield after purchasing his Pelham lands, John Pell moved onto the lands shortly after inheriting them from his uncle.  It is believed that he built a Manor Home worthy of his vast land holdings.  Its location has long been lost in the mists of time.  Some authorities have suggested two possible locations for Pell's Manor House:  (1) near today's Bartow-Pell Mansion; and (2) on Rodman's Neck, also known as Pell's Point and Anhooke's Neck.  See, e.g., City History Club of New York, Historical Guide to the City of New York, p. 210 (NY, NY: 1909) ("Not far away [from the Bartow-Pell Mansion] is the site of the original Pell Manor House, though some say that it was on the extreme end of Pelham Neck."). 



Image of Primitive Drawing of a Home Claimed by
Some to Depict the John Pell Manor House Near
Today's Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum; Provenance
and Source Information So Unclear that It Cannot
Be Known with Any Degree of Reliability Whether
This Actually Depicts the Pell Home.  Source:  Courtesy
of the Office of the Historian of the Town of Pelham.

Although it cannot be known with certainty, an analysis of the available evidence suggests that John Pell may have lived in two homes in the area. He first may have lived for a time in the early 1670s in a home built by his uncle and referenced in an inventory of his deceased uncle's estate on Pell's Point (today's Rodman's Neck). Evidence suggests that John Pell later built a Manor House near today's Bartow Pell Mansion.

There long has been a debate regarding exactly where John Pell's "Manor House" actually stood.  Most recently, there has been a vigorous, interesting, civilized, and well-documented debate among members of the East Bronx History Forum over whether the home stood slightly southwest of today's Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum or, essentially, on the spot where the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum now stands.  

I have written about this issue before.  See:

Tue., Sep. 12, 2006:  Evidence Sheds Light on Location of An Early Home of John Pell, 2d Lord of the Manor of Pelham.  

Bell, Blake A., The Manor House of John Pell, Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 51, Dec. 24, 2004.

After reviewing my earlier writings on this topic, I returned to one of the maps that I cited in those articles:  "A Draft of the Lands In Controversy Between the Inhabitants of Westchester & the Inhabitants of East Chester Joynd with William Pear Tree & Surveyed & Laid Down 1st August - Graham Lell" prepared by the then-former mayor of New York City, Colonel William Peartree.  I have included an image of the map as well as a detail from the map showing the designation of a structure as that of "Pell."

The surveyed map, with its Scale of Chains, seems to indicate that the Pell Manor House was located southwest of the location of today's Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum rather than on the spot where the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum later was built during the 19th century.  Additionally, there are stone ruins visible in the area beneath the overgrowth southwest of the mansion.  Moreover, aerial photography suggests at least the possibility of the presence of subsurface ruins in the same area (see image below). 

Absent intensive (and successful) archaeological investigation, we will never know the exact location of the John Pell Manor House that Pell family tradition says was abandoned and burned during the Revolutionary War.  Nevertheless, the 1708 Peartree map is one more piece of evidence that suggests, to this author at least, that the Pell structure was southwest of today's Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum rather than on the spot where the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum now stands.



"A Draft of the Lands In Controversy Between the Inhabitants of
Westchester & the Inhabitants of East Chester Joynd with
William Pear Tree & Surveyed & Laid Down 1st August - Graham Lell"
prepared by Colonel William Peartree in 1708.  (Click for Larger Image.)


Detail from 1708 William Peartree Map Showing
Structure Denoted as "Pell" in Area Near Water
Southwest of Spot Where Today's Bartow-Pell
Mansion Museum Stands.


Aerial Photograph Showing Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum on
the Right and a Square Area of Ground with Less Extensive
Tree Growth on the Left Where the John Pell Manor House May
Once Have Stood Facing High Water Line Shown in Lower Left Corner.


Portrait of John Pell, Nephew of Thomas Pell and
Owner of the John Pell Manor House.

I long have championed the need for archaeological investigation of the area southwest of today's Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum.  The possibility that such an investigation could shed light on a late 17th century country manor of a notable New York citizen would be of particular significance and well-worth investigation by archaeologists and students interested in 17th century colonial New York.  Such work, while underway, also could provide even more incentive than already exists for New Yorkers to visit the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum.


Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak." 

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Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Evidence Sheds Light on Location of An Early Home of John Pell, 2d Lord of the Manor of Pelham


John Pell, often referenced as the "Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham", was the nephew and principal legatee of Thomas Pell, First Lord of the Manor of Pelham. Born in England in 1643, John Pell traveled to America in 1670 following his uncle's death to claim his inheritance that included the lands that formed the Manor of Pelham.

Pell lived in the Manor of Pelham. It is believed that he built a Manor Home worthy of his vast land holdings. Its location has long been lost in the mists of time. Some authorities have suggested two possible locations for Pell's Manor House: (1) near today's Bartow-Pell Mansion; and (2) on Rodman's Neck, also known as Pell's Point and Anhooke's Neck. See, e.g., City History Club of New York, Historical Guide to the City of New York, p. 210 (NY, NY: 1909) ("Not far away [from the Bartow-Pell Mansion] is the site of the original Pell Manor House, though some say that it was on the extreme end of Pelham Neck.").

Although it cannot be known with certainty, an analysis of the available evidence suggests that John Pell may have lived in two homes in the area. He may have lived for a time in the early 1670s in a home built by his uncle, Thomas Pell (First Lord) located on Rodman's Neck. It seems possible that John Pell later built a Manor House near today's Bartow Pell Mansion.

Some Evidence John Pell Lived in a Manor House Near Today's Bartow-Pell Mansion

There is at least some evidence that John Pell built a manor house within the boundaries of today’s Bartow-Pell Estate. Its precise location, however, has never been established with certainty.

The area certainly would have been suitable for such a manor house. As Lockwood Barr noted in his History of the Ancient Town of Pelham published in 1946:

“[a]ccess to the water was essential in those days, since the principal mode of travel was by boat, there being no roads through the virgin forests – only Indian trails. When he selected this site, Sir John must also have been influenced by the magnificent view of the Sound – an unbroken sweep of water between Hunter’s Island to the north, and Ann Hook’s Neck on the south. Nearby his mansion Sir John built a small family burying ground, where still rest many of the Pells.” Barr, Lockwood, A Brief, But Most Complete & True Account of The Settlement of the Ancient Town of Pelham Westchester County, State of New York Known One Time Well & Favourably as the Lordshipp & Mannour of Pelham Also the Story of the Three Modern Villages Called The Pelhams, p. 38 (Richmond, VA: The Dietz Press, Inc. 1946) (hereinafter “Barr”).

Robert Bolton’s History of the County of Westchester, first published in 1848, is one of the few published works to record a location for the manor house. Bolton wrote that it “stood south-west of the present residence” known today as the Bartow-Pell Mansion. See Bolton, Jr., Robert, A History of the County of Westchester From Its First Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. I, p. 552 (NY: Alexander S. Gould 1848) (hereinafter "Bolton, 1848").

Based on information including Bolton’s reference, a later author concluded “the old manor house is believed to have stood closer to the shore near the site of the Bartow-Pell Mansion.” See Kestenbaum, Joy, The Bartow-Pell Expanded Landmark Site: A Historic Landscape Report, pp. 4-5 (1991) (copy in the collections of The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum and The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham; hereinafter “Kestenbaum”). The same author noted that a “map of . . . 1708 which shows land in Eastchester granted to a William Peartree and associates by Queen Anne includes the area of Pelham Manor, New Rochelle, Eastchester; a mark which would seem to connote the general location of the Pell Manor house is roughly in this vicinity.” Id., p. 5.

It turns out that at least two early maps seem to show one or more structures located in essentially the same place – a location only a few yards to the southwest of the location of today’s Bartow-Pell Mansion. The earliest map, created in 1708, is entitled “A Draft of the Lands In Controversy between the Inhabitants of East Chester joined with William Pear Tree & Surveyed & Laid Downe 7th August Graham Pell”. The map shows a structure located in an area that would be slightly southwest of today’s Bartow-Pell Mansion. (A copy of the map transcribed by hand may be found in Hufeland, Otto, Anne Hutchinson’s Refuge in the Wilderness – The Second Settler in Westchester County – Where She Settled in 1642 and Died in the Following Year in Publications of the Westchester County Historical Society, Vol. VII, pp. 18-19 (1929) (one of two maps between pp. 18 and 19; it has the caption “Copy of map of land in Eastchester granted to William Peartree and Associates by Queen Anne in 1708. Original in Secretary of State’s Office, Albany, N.Y.”)).

In addition, a very famous map created by an English engineer and cartographer named Charles Blaskowitz in 1776 also contains an interesting reference. The map is entitled “A Survey of Frog’s Neck and the Rout [sic] of the British Army to the 24th of October 1776, under the Command of His Excellency The Honorable William Howe, General and Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s Forces”. The map is maintained in the Map Division of the Library of Congress although a very high resolution image of the map is available via the American Memory Collection of the Library of Congress. Go to http://memory.loc.gov/ and search for Frog’s Neck to access the bibliographic data about, and images of, the map. It was intended to show troop movements leading up to the Battle of White Plains and is considered by historians to be a particularly accurate map of the area for the time. The Blaskowitz Map seems to show a structure with at least two additional outbuildings located in the same place – southwest of the area where today’s Bartow-Pell Mansion is located.

Even without considering the Blaskowitz Map, historian Joy Kestenbaum concluded in 1991 in a report she prepared for the City of New York Parks & Recreation as follows:

“Thus, the old manor house is believed to have stood closer to the shore near the site of the Bartow-Pell Mansion and within the boundaries of the Expanded Landmark Site.” Kestenbaum, pp. 4-5.

Some Evidence that John Pell Lived on Rodman's Neck

The evidence cited above seems compelling. There is interesting evidence, however, that shortly after his arrival in the Manor of Pelham John Pell, 2d Lord of the Manor of Pelham lived on what is known today as Rodman's Neck -- an area long called "Pell's Point", a description quite revealing.

The Records of the Town of Eastchester contain a document dated May 17, 1671 that references "Mr John Pell of ye manor of Annhocks neck". The document reads, in its entirety

"Whereas there is a new road laid out for the common highway into New England neare Eastchester the which is sayd to be much more conveniant than ye former as well for strangers and travelers as ye inhabitants But yet by some persons hath been objected against and a right understanding may be had hereupon in having ye sayd wayes viewed by knowing and indifferent persons Mr John Pell of ye manor of Annhocks neck and Mr. John Richbell of Momoroneck are hereby appointed and desired either by themselves or some understanding persons in such affairs who they shall employe to take a view of ye said roads or highways within three weeks after ye date hereof and to make reports unto me which of them they shall judge most conveniant to be maintained the which thereupon shall be confirmed and allowed of accordingly Given thereupon shall be confirmed and allowed of accordingly Given nder [sic] my hand at Forte Jeames in New York this 17th Day of May 1671

Fran Lovelace

This presenc testifieth Moses Hoit Snr have several parcels of upland as herein certified which their butts and bounds one pec [piece] of land by the second meado"

Source: Records of the Town of Eastchester, Book Two, p. 24 1/2 (Typewritten manuscript of records transcribed by Eastchester Historical Society 1964) (copy in author's collection).

There seems little doubt that Anhooke's Neck (referenced as "Annhock's neck" in the document quoted above) encompassed the area now known as Rodman's Neck. The area around today's Bartow-Pell has never been recorded as part of Annhooke's neck. Rather, that label has long been applied to what is known today as Rodman's Neck but has also been called Pell's Point.

Interesting, there is evidence that Thomas Pell, First Lord of the Manor of Pelham, built a house on Annhooke's Neck before his death in the fall of 1669. On October 13, 1669, the Court of Assize issued an order appointing John Richbell, William Leyden and Samuel Drake to take an inventory of the estate of Thomas Pell. The order referenced Thomas Pell as being of "Ann Hook's Neck". It contained the following reference: "Whereas, Mr. Thomas Pell of Ann Hook's Neck, is lately deceased, and left a considerable estate in this government, of which no inventory is as yet returned." See Bolton 1848, Vol. I, p. 524 (citing Assize Rec. Albany, vol. ii. 78).

The reference to Thomas Pell as being "of Ann Hook's Neck" seems to take on more significance upon review of the inventory of the Pell's estate at the time of his death. That inventory includes a reference to Pell's "House and land in Westchester". Id., p. 527.

Considered in its entirety, this evidence suggests that Thomas Pell, First Lord of the Manor, built a home that stood on Annhooke's Neck at the time of his death in the fall of 1669. John Pell, his nephew, is referenced in the records of the Town of Eastchester as being "of ye manor of Annhocks neck" less than two years later. This suggests that when he arrived in the Manor of Pelham to claim his inheritance after his uncle's death, he lived -- at least briefly -- in the house his uncle had built.

Yet, tradition says that John Pell had a manor house near today's Bartow-Pell Mansion. Moreover, there is some evidence to support that a structure stood in that area on lands owned by John Pell near the turn of the eighteenth century. A reasonable conclusion, it seems, would be that John Pell lived in his uncle's home on Annhooke's Neck until he built his manor house near today's Bartow-Pell Mansion.


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Tuesday, July 28, 2015

John Bartow Who Lived in the Manor Home Built by John Pell in About 1672


John Pell, often referenced by members of the Pell family as the "Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham," was the nephew and principal legatee of Thomas Pell who bought lands that became the Manor of Pelham from local Native Americans on June 27, 1654.  Born in England in 1643, John Pell traveled to America in 1670 following his uncle's death to claim his inheritance that included the lands that formed the Manor of Pelham. 

Unlike his uncle who remained a resident of Fairfield after purchasing his Pelham lands, John Pell moved onto the lands shortly after inheriting them from his uncle.  It is believed that he built a Manor Home worthy of his vast land holdings.  Its location has long been lost in the mists of time.  Some authorities have suggested two possible locations for Pell's Manor House: (1) near today's Bartow-Pell Mansion; and (2) on Rodman's Neck, also known as Pell's Point and Anhooke's Neck.  See, e.g., City History Club of New York, Historical Guide to the City of New York, p. 210 (NY, NY: 1909) ("Not far away [from the Bartow-Pell Mansion] is the site of the original Pell Manor House, though some say that it was on the extreme end of Pelham Neck.").

Although it cannot be known with certainty, an analysis of the available evidence suggests that John Pell may have lived in two homes in the area.  He first may have lived for a time in the early 1670s in a home built by his uncle and referenced in an inventory of his deceased uncle's estate on Pell's Point (today's Rodman's Neck).  Some say the Bowne home on Rodman's Neck was later built on the site of the Pell home.  Evidence also suggests that John Pell later built a Manor House near today's Bartow Pell Mansion.  I have written about this home before.  See 

Mon., Nov. 03, 2014:  More on the 17th Century Location of the Manor Home of John Pell of the Manor of Pelham.

Tue., Sep. 12, 2006:  Evidence Sheds Light on Location of An Early Home of John Pell, 2d Lord of the Manor of Pelham

Bell, Blake A., The Manor House of John Pell, Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XIII, No. 51, Dec. 24, 2004.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog attempts to shed further light on the history of the Manor House of John Pell that once stood in Pelham.  A genealogy of the Bartow family authored by Evelyn P. Bartow and published in 1875 asserts that John Bartow, a son of Theophilus Bartow and Bathsheba Pell lived in the Manor Home built by his grandfather, John Pell (known by Pell family members as "Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham").  The book further claims that Aaron Burr, who married a member of the Bartow family, "was an intimate friend and frequent visitor at the house."  Indeed, the book claims, "It was at Mr. Bartow's house, after his removal to N.Y. City, that Burr was kindly received after his return from exile."



Image of Primitive Drawing of a Home Claimed by Some to
Depict the John Pell Manor House Near Today's Bartow-Pell
Mansion Museum; Provenance and Source Information So Unclear
that It Cannot Be Known with Any Degree of Reliability Whether
This Actually Depicts the Pell Home. Source: Courtesy of the
Office of the Historian of the Town of Pelham.  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

The pertinent excerpts from the book are transcribed below, followed by a citation and link to the source.

"JOHN BARTOW,1 [Footnote 1 reads:  "Bolton's W. C., i, 541, 551; ii. 200, 209, 213, 222; N. Y. Gen. Rec., Jan. 1872; Bolton's W. Ch., 107, 124; N. Y. Marriage Licenses."] eldest son of Theophilus Bartow and Bathsheba Pell, his wife, born at Westchester 1740, lived at Pelham, in the old Manor House of his grandfather, Lord Pell.  He was wealthy, and a great friend to St. Peter's Church, Westchester, of which he was vestryman.  At the old manorial residence of his ancestors, Mr. Bartow kept open house to all his relatives and friends, and his home was the centre of attraction to the society of the neighborhood, from the hearty welcome they always received.  Col. Burr, who had married his first cousin, was an intimate friend and frequent visitor at the house.  It was at Mr. Bartow's house, after his removal to N. Y. City, that Burr was kindly received after his return from exile.  Mr. Bartow sold his estate towards the close of his life, and lived in Spring street, N.Y.  He died in 1816, and was the last of the Bartows who was interred in the family cemetery at Westchester.  The funeral was attended by Robert Bartow, his grandson, the Reids of Eastchester, and many others of the family.  The family of Robert Bartow now reside on a portion of the estate of John Bartow.  A short distance from their residence is a station named Bartow, of the Harlem River Branch.  John Bartow m. first, Mary Ryder, of Jamaica, by whom he had two sons and one daughter; and secondly, in 1771, Ann, d. of Joseph Pell, of Pelham, by whom he had three sons and four daughters, as follows: -- 

1.  Augustus Bartow, b. 1762, of whom hereafter.

2.  Stephen Bartow,1 [Footnote 1 reads:  "Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209; N. Y. Gen. Rec., Jan. 1872; Bolton's W. Ch. 124."] b. at Westchester, m. Mary Thompson, of Catskill, N.Y., and had Sarah Bartow,2 [Footnote 2 reads:  "Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209; N. Y. Gen. Rec., Jan. 1872, July 1874."] m. John Spencer; Edwin Bartow,3 [Footnote 3 reads:  "N. Y. Gen. Rec., Jan. 1872, July 1874."] d. s. p.; Alfred Bartow,3 [See Footnote 3 above] d. s. p.; Emily Bartow,4 [Footnote 4 reads:  "N. Y. Gen. Rec., July 1874."] unm.; Harriet Bartow,3 [See Footnote 3 above] unm.; Maria Bartow,5 [Footnote 5 reads "N. Y. Gen. Rec., Jan. 1872, July 1874; Noble's Life of Cole, 236; American Cyclopedia.] m. Thomas Cole, of Catskill; and Fanny Bartow,3 [See Footnote 3 above] unm.

3.  Mary Bartow, 6 [Footnote 6 reads:  "6) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209; N.Y. Gen. Rec., Jan. 1872."] m. Punderson, son of Basil Bartow.

4.  John Bartow, 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] b. 1772, m. Mary Sands, of Sands Point, L. I., and had an only child, Mary Bartow, who d. unm.

5.  Phoebe Bartow, 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] m. Dr. Turk.

6.  Sarah Bartow, 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] m. Dr. Halleck.

7.  Amelia Bartow, 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] d. unm.

8.  James Bartow 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] m., and had an only child, Eliza Bartow.

9.  Katharine Bartow, 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] b. 1790, m. Mr. Smith.

10.  Bernabeu Bartow, 7 [Footnote 7 reads:  "7) Bolton's W. Co., ii. 209."] named after Don Juan Baptista de Bernabeu, who had married his cousin, died s. p."

Source:  Bartow, Evelyn P., Bartow Genealogy:  Containing Every One of the Name of Bartow Descended from Doctor Thomas Bartow Who Was Living at Crediton, in England, A.D., 1672 with References To the Books Where Any of the Name is Mentioned, pp. 37-38 (Baltimore, MD:  Innes & Co., Printers and Binders, 1875).  


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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Information About Thomas Pell's Treaty Oak Published in 1912


Periodically I have published to the Historic Pelham Blog postings about the legend of Thomas Pell's Treaty Oak. Indeed, I have written extensively about the legends surrounding the tree beneath which Pell supposedly signed the agreement by which Pell acquired from local Native Americans the lands that became Pelham and surrounding areas. Such writings include:

Bell, Blake A., Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak (Lincoln, NE: iUniverse, Inc., 2004).

Bell, Blake, Thomas Pell's Treaty Oak, The Westchester Historian, Vol. 28, Issue 3, pp. 73-81 (The Westchester County Historical Society, Summer 2002).

Tuesday, July 24, 2007: Article About the Pell Treaty Oak Published in 1909

Monday, July 23, 2007: 1906 Article in The Sun Regarding Fire that Destroyed the Pell Treaty Oak

Wednesday, May 2, 2007: Information About Thomas Pell's Treaty Oak Published in 1922

Friday, July 29, 2005: Has Another Piece of the Treaty Oak Surfaced?

Tuesday, June 14, 2005: Ceremony in 1915 to Open Bartow-Pell Mansion as Headquarters of International Garden Club Marred by Tragedy

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting transcribes information about the Pelham Treaty Oak and the old "Manor of Pelham" that appeared in a book published in 1922. A citation to the source follows the excerpt.

"Pelham Treaty Oak and Pelham Manor.

In the summer of 1911 a generous member of the Pell family, residing in New York City, offered to defray the expenses of erecting a tablet in Pelham Bay Park to mark the site of the Pell Treaty Oak, under which, tradition asserts, Thomas Pell purchased the surrounding lands from the Indians in 1654. Our Committee on Sites and Inscriptions thereupon prosecuted researches with a view to identifying the site, but with unsatisfactory results, as stated hereafter. The donor then offered to erect a more elaborate memorial to commemorate the creation of Pelham Manor, and the Society now has the project in hand. In connection with this subject, the Committee prepared the following tentative memoranda in regard to Pelham Manor, the Manor House, Treaty Oak, etc.

Pelham Manor, the area of which will be more definitely indicated hereafter, was originally a part of the territory belonging to a clan of the Mohegan Indians known as the Siwanoys, and in a more restricted way to the Wickquaeskeek Indians. In the early Dutch period these Indians appear to have ranged from Norwalk to the Hudson river, their winter quarters being near Hell Gate. Pelham Neck appears to have been one of their favorite haunts and one of their important burial places.

The Dutch claimed this territory by the same right by which they claimed all of New Netherland, but they reinforced their title to all the land between Norwalk and the Hudson River by a [Page 163 / Page 164] special proclamation in 1640. This title was confirmed on July 14, 1649, when Director General Stuyvesant, in behalf of the Dutch West India Company, purchased 'Wechquaesqueeck' from the Indians.

Between these dates, in the summer of 1642, Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, to avoid prosecution in New England on account of her religious views, fled here with her family and commenced a plantation. In that year the Indian War broke out and in 1643 Mrs. Hutchinson, with most of her household, was massacred by the red men. Her name is perpetuated in that of Hutchinson river, which later formed one of the bounds of Pelham Manor, and also in the name of Anne Hooke's Neck, an early name for the neck of land between Pelham Bay and Eastchester Bay afterwards called Pelham Neck and Rodman's Neck.

The site of Mrs. Hutchinson's residence is not definitely known; but tradition asserts that it was located on the property late of George A. Prevost of Pelham, near the road leading to the Neck on the 'old Indian Path.' Color is given to this tradition by the fact that thirty years ago the ruins of an old house could still be seen on the Prevost estate near the Hutchinson river, a little southwest of the Split Rock. Some ancient apple trees and a fine spring of water near by are also associated with the memoy of this woman. The Split rock is located on the west side of the Split Rock Road, just within the bounds of Pelham Bay Park, a little more than a mile from the Pelham Bridge Road. The rock is thirty-six feet long and twenty-one and one'half feet in its greatest horizontal diameter. It is so completely cleft in twain that an ordinary person can walk between the two halves on the ground level. The cleft is four feet wide at the top, and ten feet from top to bottom [See plate 28. In 1911 a tablet bearing the following inscription was placed on the rock:

ANNE HUTCHINSON
Banished from the Massachusetts Colony
in 1638
Because of her devotion to religious liberty
This courageous woman
Sought freedom from persecution
In New Netherland
Near this rock in 1643 she and her household
were massacred by the Indians.
This tablet is placed here by the
Colonial Dames of the state of New York
Anno Domini MCMXI
Virutes majorum filiae conservant.

[Page 165 / Page 166]

The next proprietor of that neighborhood was Thomas Pell of Onkway, or Fairfield, Conn. Proceeding upon the theory that that territory was within the English jurisdiction, Pell, on November 14, 1654 [sic], obtained from the Indians a grant of all that tract of land called Westchester bounded on the east by a brook called Cedar Tree Brook or Gravelly Brook (later the boundary between the towns of Pelham [sic] and Mamaroneck); on the west by the river Aquehung or Bronx River, on the south by the Sound, and extending eight English miles inland. The grant was signed by the Indian Sachems Annhoock alias Wampage (who is supposed to have taken his name either from Anne Hutchinson or the neck named after her), Maminepoe [sic], and five others, under a venerable white oak tree long known as the Treaty Oak.

On October 6, 1666, in the reign of Charles II., Governor Nicolls patented to Pell all that portion of the before described tract lying between Hutchinson's River (called by the Indians Aquaconounck) on the west side and Cedar Tree Brook or Gravelly Brook on the east side, as an enfranchised township or Manor, as if he had held the same immediately from His Majesty the King of England, etc., etc., his successors, as of the Manor of East Greenwich in the county of Kent, etc.

On October 25, 1687, in the reign of James II., Governor Dongan, in response to the request of John Pell, nephew and heir of Thomas Pell, deceased, for 'a more full and firme grant and confirmation of the above lands and premises,' confirmed the grant in a patent which declared that 'the same shall from henceforth be called the lordshipp and manner of Pelham.'

The name Pelham Manor is preserved in the name of the Village of Pelham Manor, which was incorporated in 1891, and which lies adjacent to but just outside the boundary of the City of New York.

Especial interest attaches to the site of the Treaty Oak and the old Manor House, as being associated with the origin of Pelham Manor. In order that these may better be understood, mention may first be made of certain modern landmarks.

Hutchinson's river, sometimes called Eastchester river, the western boundary of the original Pelham Manor, empties into a bay called Hutchinson's Bay, Eastchester Bay, or Pelham [Page 165 / Page 166] Bay*. [Footnote * reads as follows: "* Some maps give the name Pelham Bay to the bay on the southwest side of Pelham Neck into which Hutchinson's river empties, and some give the name to the bay on the northeast side of the neck."] This bay is crossed by a bridge long known as Pelham Bridge. The road crossing this bridge and running near the shore from Westchester to New Rochelle is variously called the Pelham Bridge Road, the Boston Post Road and the Shore Road. At a point about 3,700 feet northeastward from the Bridge, the Pelham Bridge Road is joined by the Split Rock road coming in from the northward from the village of Pelham Manor. Opposite the end of the Split Rock Road and on the south side of the Pelham Bridge Road, is the entrance to a semi-circular drive leading to the so-called Bartow Mansion, and joining the Pelham Bridge Road again about 600 feet farther to the north-eastward.

The Bartow Mansion is a large stone house standing on the south side of the Pelham Bridge Road about 3,000 feet from the entrance first mentioned. As this building has erroneously been claimed to be the original Manor House, and it serves as a convenient landmark by which to locate other sites, the following data is given in regard to it.

The property forms a part of Pelham Bay Park and came into possession of the City of New York in December, 1888. Bolton's History of Westchester County says that in March, 1790, Thomas Pell conveyed this portion of the property to 'John Bartow and Ann Pell, his wife, grandparents of the late Robert Bartow, Esq.' Upon this property, Bartow erected the residence. The date of its erection is uncertain, but can be approximated. A careful examination of the house has thus far failed to reveal any date stone. It was erected prior to 1848, because it is mentioned in the first edition of Bolton's History of Westchester County which was published that year and which says: 'The dwelling house, which is constructed of native stone, presents a fine Grecian front to the road, with winds on the east and west.' Miss Fannie Schuyler, who lives at No. 380 Pelham Road in New Rochelle, and who is familiar with local history, says the building is over fifty years old, but does not know how much older. A man named Martin, caretaker of the Bartow Mansion for the Park Depart- [Page 166 / Page 167] ment of New York, says that about ten years ago there was an Irishman named Foley, ab0ut thirty years old, employed on the place by the Park Department; that when Foley told Foley's father where he was working, the father said that when he first came to this country he helped quarry stone to build the house. Martin gave the opinion that the house was about ninety years old. Mr. W. D. Morgan, of Broadway and One Hundred and Forty seventh street, says: 'My mother was the daughter of Robert Bartow who built the present house.' He is trying to learn about the date for us.

The house has been occupied in the months of July and August for the last few years, by permission of the Park Department, by the Hay Home and School for Crippled Children, whose headquarters are at 2111 Madison avenue, New York. About forty children are entertained here by this worthy charity.

We have only the most meagre indications of the site of the ancient Pell Manor House, owing to the destruction of the archives of the Pell family by fire.

Bolton's History of Westchester County (edition of 1848), says, with reference to the present Bartow house and the old Manor House:

'The dwelling house which is constructed of native stone, presents a fine Grecian front to the road with wings on the east and west. The old Manor House was pulled down many years since. It stood southwest of the present residence.'

In the edition of 1881, this passage is revised to read as follows:

'The dwelling house, which is constructed of native stone, presents a fine Grecian front to the road with wings on the east and west. The old Manor House, which was pulled down not many years ago, stood near the summer house in the garden a little southwest of the present stone mansion.'

About 175 feet south of the Pelham Bridge Road, near the eastern driveway entrance to the Bartow house grounds, and about fifty-five feet west of that driveway, stands a circular iron fence which surrounds the almost obliterated stump of an oak tree. As this tree, prior to its destruction, was the largest oak tree in the vicinity of the Bartow house, a lively but uncritical imagination [Page 167 / Page 168] fastened upon it the tradition that it was the Treaty Oak under which Thomas Pell purchased the land from the Indians in 1654. This erroneous tradition is perpetuated in the following quotation from the Report of the Department of Parks for 1902:

'Thomas Pell, in the year 1654, became one of the first permanent settlers. His purchase from the Indians included all of the present (Pelham Bay) park lands, and the tree is still standing on a portion of this park under which it is recorded that Lord Pell signed the first treaty of peace with the Indians in 1654, after their endeavor to drive the settlers from their homes. This tree stands in front of what is now known as the Bartow Mansion in this Park and has been broken in two by severe storms; but the lower half of the tree is still in a good state of preservation.'

Mr. Randall Comfort, an authority on the history of Bronx Borough, in the Annual Report of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society for 1910, is more guarded in his reference to the tree, not declaring authoritatively that it was the Treaty Oak, but that it was pointed out as such. He says:

'The grizzled veteran of the forest which up to a year ago stood on the immense grassy lawn in front of the Bartow Mansion was pointed out as the great tree under whose branches Lord Pell signed the celebrated treaty with the Indian sachems on November 14, 1654 -- the noted Pell Treaty Oak.'

Before proceeding to consider the site of the real Treaty Oak, it may be said with reference to the tree above indicated that prior to 1902, the tree had been broken off about midway, in a storm. It continued to thrive, however, and for a number of years continued to bear luxuriant foliage. But there was a hollow in the trunk in which boys built fires and thus killed the tree, so that now, only the stumps of the roots in the ground are to be seen.

As to the actual Treaty Oak, the original edition of Bolton's History of Westchester County, published in 1848, says:

'On the estate is one of the finest oak trees in the country, interesting as the very tree beneath which the Indian sachems ceded these lands to Thomas Pell on the 14th of November, 1654.'

In the revised edition published in 1881, this passage was changed to read as follows:

[Page 168 / Page 169]

'Not very far west of the site of the old Manor House stood, a few years ago, one of the largest and finest oak trees in the country, interesting as the very tree beneath which the Indian sachems ceded these lands to Thomas Pell on the 14th of November, 1654.'

The foregoing would indicate that between the publication of the first edition and the revised edition, the Treaty Oak was destroyed. This conclusion is confirmed by Miss Anne J. Bolton, who lives at No. 220 Pelham Road, New Rochelle, who remembers the Treaty Oak as pointed out to her by her father, the Rev. Robert Bolton. She says that it stood beside the Post Road between Pelham Bridge and the entrance to the Bartow place and that every trace of it has disappeared. She says that while it stood, travelers on the Post Road were accustomed to stop their horses under its branches to enjoy its refreshing shade.

It is apparent therefore that the iron fence in the Bartow House grounds does not indicate the site of the Treaty Oak.

About 350 feet southeast of the Bartow House is a little burying ground enclosed by a low iron railing. On the stone posts at the corners are carved pelicans, from the Pell family crest. In this enclosure may be seen stones bearing the following inscriptions:

'Her lyes Isec Pell, D. Dec. 14, anno 1748.'
'Is her the body of Joseph Pell, eged 31, D. 1752.'
'In Memory of Phoebe Pell, the widow of Joseph Pell. She departed this life on the 22d day of March, 1790, in the 70th year of her age.'
'Here lyes the body of Saloma Pell, born Jan. ye 13th, 1759, and departed this life Octr. ye 10th, 1760. Aged 1 year, 8 months & 27 days.'
'In Memory of Sussannah, wife of Benjn. Drake, who died March 4th, 1763; Aged 22 years.'
'In Memory of John , son of James and Phoebe Bennett, who died Augt. 6, 1765, aged 2 months.'

In 1862, the late James K. Pell of New York erected a marble slab bearing the following inscription: [Page 169 / Page 170]

'This stone is placed here in token of respect for the memory of, and to mark the spot where lie buried the mortal remains of several of the descendants of John Pell, who was born in the year 1643, and died in the year 1700. The son of the Rev. John Pell, D. D., of Essex, in England, and nephew of Thomas Pell, the first proprietor of the Lordship and Manor of Pelham, born in the year 1603 and died in the year 1669. 1862.'

Vandals have made at least two attempts to despoil this sacred enclosure . In the summer of 1910 they dug a hole with the evident purpose of robbing the graves, but abandoned the attempt upon striking stone or concrete. In July, 1911, another attempt was made at night by men who are said to have been Italians, and who landed at the little dock about 150 feet away. A mounted policeman who, when off duty, was visiting some friends who were camping in a tent on the shore near the dock, saw a light in the grave yard as he was riding by on way to his post. At the same time the vandals discovered the policeman and escaped in their boat, notwithstanding the attempt of the officer to stop them by firing his revolver. The excavation which the vandals had begun was adjacent to the site of the excavation made the year before."

Source: American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, Seventeenth Annual Report, 1912, of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, pp. 163-70 (Albany, NY: The Argus Company, Printers, 1912).

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Wednesday, November 05, 2014

A Brief Biography of John Pell of the Manor of Pelham




John Pell, often referenced by members of the Pell family as the "Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham," was the nephew and principal legatee of Thomas Pell who bought lands that became the Manor of Pelham from local Native Americans on June 27, 1654.  Born in England in 1643, John Pell traveled to America in 1670 following his uncle's death to claim his inheritance that included the lands that formed the Manor of Pelham.  

John Pell became a notable and important figure in Westchester County before his death in about 1712.  (Many sources claim he died in a boating accident in 1702, although that does not appear to be the case.)  

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes a brief biography with genealogical information for John Pell.  I have written extensively about John Pell.  Accordingly, at the close of today's post I have included links to two dozen previous articles about John Pell.



Portrait of John Pell.

"John Pelll, generally styled Sir John Pell, the Second Lord of the Manor, mentioned before, was born in London February 3, 1643, and was carefully brought up and educated under the supervision of his learned father.  When the news of his uncle's death reached London, he sailed at once for America, bearing proper credentials to prove his claim to the estate -- among them was a letter from Lord Brereton to Governor John Winthrop of Connecticut.  

October 11 -- 1670, Governor Winthrop wrote to 'William -- Lord Brereton, at his house in Deans Yard, Westminster, London.' 

'Right Honorable

I was at Boston in the Massachusetts Colony when Mr. John Pell arrived there.  By whom I had the great favour of your Lordships letter.  He came into that Harbour very opportunely for the expedition of his business; For one Mr. John Bankes a neighbour of Mr. Thomas Pell deceased; and one of those whom he had intrusted with the estate was in a vessel of Fairfield (the place where Mr. Pell had lived) returning thither; and met the ship coming in; & came back with Mr. John Pell to Boston:  Where I spake with them both; & upon the reading of your Lordships letter, informed Mr. Bankes, that I had full assurance from your Lordship, and divers others, that the person there present, was Mr. John Pell, & he to whom Mr. Thomas Pell, deceased, had given his estate.  And that very day Mr. John Pell imbarqued with Mr. Bankes and sailed towards Fairfield, carrying also with him my letters to the Magistrate and others there, certifying the same to them concerning him, with desires of all good loving respects to him and their helpfulnesse as his occasions should require, and that order might be taken forthwith for his quiet possession of that Estate.  I have heard since of his safe arrival and welcome there; and that he hath accordingly the possession of the lands and houses and goods to which he had right, both at Fairfield, and Westchester; which is a place neere New York; where his Uncle had also a considerable plantation, with good accommodations belonging to it.'

The Governor and Secretary of the Colony of Connecticut issued a certificate of recognition, which read as follows:

'At a meeting of the governor and assistants in Hartford, Dec. 9th 1670, upon the desire of Sir John Pell, the governor and assistants thought good hereby to certify whom it may concern, that they are fully satisfied by several letters and testimonials that the governor hath received from persons of honor in England, that the bearer of them, Sir John Pell, Sewer [sic, actually "Server"] in ordinary to His Majesty, and son of Dr. Pell of London, is the undoubted nephew of Mr. Thos. Pell, late of Fairfield, and the person whom he hath madfe his heir in his last will and testament, to whom the inventory in trust ought to surrender the estate bequeathed to him by the said Mr. Thos. Pell, deceased and the just account thereof according to his will.  Signed by order of the governor and assistants, per me,

JOHN ALLEN,
Secretary of His Majesty's Colony of Connecticut.'

John Pell disposed of his property in Fairfile and lived in his Manor -- the house being located near the stone building now occupied by the Garden Club of America.  He was appointed the first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas 1688 and the first member of the Provincial Assembly for Westchester 1691.  He was commissioned Captain of Horse 1684 and Major 1692, and was a Vestryman and Warden in St. Peters Church.  In 1689 he sold to Jacob Leisler what is now the City of New Rochelle as a Colony for the Huguenots driven from their City of that name in France by the revocation of the edict of Nantes.  The Lord of the Manor gave 100 acres of land to the French Church for its support and maintenance.

John Pell, Second Lord of the Manor, was drowned in the Sound from his yacht about 1702 [sic], leaving by his wife Rachael, daughter of Philip Pinckney, his eldest son Thomas, who became the Third Lord of the Manor.  He was born in Pelham Manor about 1675, and the date of his will is September 3, 1739.  He succeeded his father as Vestryman in the church and held other offices of honor.  He married Anna, by tradition said to be the daughter of the reigning Indian Sachem Ninham-Wampage or Annahock.  As his sons grew up he deeded them large tracts of land, some of the houses on which are still standing -- my great great great grandfather Joshua Pell receiving Hunter's Island and several hundred acres on the mainland.  

On Thomas Pell's death, he willed the Manor property to his son Joseph Pell, the Fourth Lord of the Manor.  He was born 1715 (probably the youngest son), married Phebe Dean; died 1752, and with his wife is buried in the railed-in enclosure on the Bartow place near the site of the Manor House.  As mentioned before this property is in charge of the Garden Club of America.  His son Thomas Pell, born 1744 and married Margaret Bartow, was the last owner of the property, which later passed into the possession of the Bartow family.

Of the seven sons of Thomas Pell, Third Lord of the Manor, only Thomas and Joshua have living male descendants, so far as I know.  Some years ago, Mr. Elbert Roosevelt of Pelham Manor, then over ninety years of age who remembered the English warships in the War of 1812, told me that Lord Pell had been bed ridden for many years, when a mad dog ran in his room, he jumped out of the window and climbed a tree for safety, and then enjoyed several years of active life."

Source:  Pell, Howland, The Pell Manor -- Address Prepared for the New York Branch of The Order of Colonial Lords of Manors in America, pp. 12-16 (Baltimore, MD:  Privately Printed, 1917).

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I have written extensively about John Pell, the nephew of Pelham founder Thomas Pell.   John Pell inherited from Thomas Pell, who died without children of his own, all lands and properties including the Manor of Pelham.  For a few of the many, many examples of such writings, see:

Mon., Nov. 3, 2014:  More on the 17th Century Location of the Manor Home of John Pell of the Manor of Pelham.  

Mon., Oct. 6, 2014:  Executive Council of Province of New York Urges Settlement of John Pell's Boundary Dispute with John Richbell on January 18, 1671/72.

Mon., Jul. 14, 2014:  References to John Pell in the Papers of Edmond Andros, Governor of the Province of New York, 1674-1676.  

Tue., Apr. 1, 2014:  Significant Discovery:  In 1680 and Before, John Pell Sought to Colonize Pelham With Settlers.

Mon., May 10, 2010:  1675 Sale of Horses Located in Norwalk by John Pell of "Ann Hook's Neck".

Mon., Oct. 12, 2009:  More Evidence that John Pell Died Well After 1702 or 1703 When Some Say He Died in a Boating Accident on Long Island Sound.

Wed., Nov. 7, 2007:  A Secondary Source To Follow Up On Regarding When John Pell, Nephew of Thomas Pell, Died.

Tue., Aug. 14, 2007:  Biographical Data About Thomas Pell, His brother, John, and His Nephew, John Pell of the Manor of Pelham.

Thu., Apr.26, 2007:  John Pell Obtains Permission to Allow Native Americans On His Land to Use Canoes in 1676.

Wed., Apr. 25, 2007:  1675 Order by Court of Assizes and Consequent Proclamation Ordering Native Americans to Remove from the Manor of Pelham.

Tue., Apr. 24, 2007:  John Pell Ordered Not To Sell Powder and Shot to Native Americans For a Time in 1675.

Mon., Apr. 23, 2007:  An Armed English Sloop Patroled the Sound Near Native Americans Settled in the Manor of Pelham in 1675.

Fri., Apr. 20, 2007:  1675 Order by Governor's Council Directing John Pell to Take Daily Account of Indians on His Land.

Fri., Apr. 06, 2007:  The Deed Reflecting John Pell's Sale of the Lands that Became New Rochelle.

Fri., Dec. 29, 2006:  Native Americans Ordered to Remove from the Manor of Pelham in 1675.

Fri., Dec. 22, 2006:  Brief Biographies of Thomas Pell, First Lord of the Manor of Pelham, and His Nephew, John, Published in 1912.

Mon., Nov. 20, 2006:  A Biography of John Pell, Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham, Published in 1861

Mon., Oct. 23, 2006:  More Early Evidence That Thomas Pell Had a House Later Used by His Nephew, John Pell, on Rodman's Neck.

Fri., Oct. 20, 2006:  John Pell, Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham, Sells City Island and Then Buys It Back.

Thu., Oct. 19, 2006:  The Governor of the Colony of New York Visits John Pell, Second Lord of the Manor of Pelham in 1672.

Thu., Sep. 14, 2006:  Records of the Service of John Pell, 2nd Lord of the Manor of Pelham, in the New York House of Representatives in the 1690s.

Tue., Sep. 12, 2006:  Evidence Sheds Light on Location of An Early Home of John Pell, 2d Lord of the Manor of Pelham.

Mon., May 22, 2006:  Early References to Pelham Roads in the Road Commissioners' Book Maintained in the Westchester County Archives.

Thu., May 19, 2005:  Scholarly Book About the Father of John Pell, 2nd Lord of the Manor of Pelham, Is Published.


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Thursday, October 20, 2016

Fears in 1934 and 1935 that the Historic Home Known as Pelhamdale Would Be Razed



One of the two oldest homes in the Town of Pelham is the beautiful historic home known as "Pelhamdale."  The address of that home today is 45 Iden Avenue in the Village of Pelham Manor.  The home, expanded and changed on numerous occasions during the last 266 or so years, includes an original section believed to have been built in about the early 1750s by Philip Pell II at about the time of his marriage to Gloriana Tredwell.  Although many articles (and local histories) attribute construction of the home to David Jones Pell, a son of Philip Pell II, those references are incorrect.  

Pelhamdale is one of two Pelham residential structures still standing that include pre-Revolutionary War sections.  The other is believed to be a portion of the Kemble House located at 145 Shore Road in Pelham Manor. Pelhamdale is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Kemble House also should be so listed.  

Pelhamdale, a Pelham treasure, has been like a "cat with nine lives."  Pelhamdale's original portion was spared during the Revolutionary War.  The later-modified structure suffered the indignity of the destruction of its beautiful view and the taking of much of its land as the Hutchinson River Parkway was constructed.  It suffered a major fire in 1925.  

During the last years of the Roaring Twenties and the earliest years of the Great Depression Pelhamdale was threatened a number of times but, as one article summarized:   

"on each occasion it has been rescued at the last moment.  At various times plans have been made for its purchase by the Park Commission of Westchester County, the Westchester County Historical Society, and the local patriotic units, which conducted a rescue campaign four or five years ago, when the filing of building plans in Pelham Manor which contemplated the tearing down of the old building and its replacement by a row of houses."  (See entire article quoted below.)

In 1934 and 1935, during the height of the Great Depression, Pelhamdale was yet another Pelham Mansion whose owner needed tax relief, either by tearing the mansion down so the owners would have to pay only the taxes on the land (but not an "improvement" such as the home) or might gain some measure of relief by selling surrounding lands so that no more real estate taxes had to be paid on those surrounding lands.  Thankfully for today's Pelham, the latter path was chosen.  

There was, however, for a very long time during some of the most difficult years of the Great Depression, a question about whether one of the most historic sites in our little town would survive.  Local real estate agents, according to local newspapers, fanned the flaming reports that Pelhamdale was about to be razed to make way for many, many smaller "home lots."  

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes the text of a number of such articles, including images where available.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.



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.

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"THE PELL HOUSE  Oldest house in Pelham, built about
1750 by Col. David Pell.  Source:  Hope To Save Pell
House As Historic LandmarkThe Pelham Sun, Jun. 15,
1934, Vol. 25, No. 13, p. 1, cols. 4-5.  NOTE:  Click
on Image to Enlarge.

"Hope To Save Pell House As Historic Landmark
-----

Fearing the demolition of one of Pelham's most historic buildings, the old stone Pell House on Wolf's lane, Pelham Manor, a committee, representative of several town organizations, will meet at the Manor Club on Saturday morning to make plans for a campaign to raise sufficient money to save the building from destruction.

Several times during the last few years, the building, which is the oldest in Pelham, has been threatened, but on each occasion it has been rescued at the last moment.  At various times plans have been made for its purchase by the Park Commission of Westchester County, the Westchester County Historical Society, and the local patriotic units, which conducted a rescue campaign four or five years ago, when the filing of building plans in Pelham Manor which contemplated the tearing down of the old building and its replacement by a row of houses.

The property was sold a few years ago for $18,000, and at that time the estate surrounding the building swept down into the Hutchinson Valley.  Part of the land was acquired by the Westchester County Park Commission when the Hutchinson Parkway development was planned.  The reported price paid for the land needed for the parkway was $10,000.  With the boom in real estate in Pelham Manor, the price of the old mansion rose proportionately, and large mortgages were placed on the property which is now assessed at $35,000.00.  It is believed that the property can be secured at a very advantageous figure.

The Pell House stands on a knoll overlooking the Hutchinson River Valley.  It was built about 1750 by Col. David Pell, a staunch patriot and friend of General Washington.  Upon the death of Colonel Pell it was bought by James Hay, whose coat of arms embellishes the wall facing Colonial avenue.  It listed among several owners at different times, Mr. Lord of the famous firm Lord & Taylor.  When the battle of Pelham was fought 158 years ago, the old Pell House became historically notable.  Leaden bullets have been recovered from its heavy masonry."

Source:  Hope To Save Pell House As Historic Landmark, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 15, 1934, Vol. 25, No. 13, p. 1, cols. 4-5.   

"To Meet Monday To Discuss Plans For Pell House
-----

Tentative plans for a campaign to raise sufficient funds to purchase 'Pelhamdale,' the famous Revolutionary War home of Col. David Pell on Iden avenue, were discussed at a meeting held at the Manor Club on Saturday.  The voluntary committee will meet again on Monday at 10 a.m."

Source:  To Meet Monday To Discuss Plans For Pell House, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 22, 1934, Vol. 25, No. 19, p. 1, col. 2.

"BURGLAR NABBED AFTER BREAKING INTO PELL HOUSE
-----

Robert C. Rogers, 28, no home, who was arrested in Pelham Manor early Sunday morning on a charge of second degree burglary, was held for action of the Grand Jury when he was given a hearing before Judge Frank Roberson, Monday night.  Rogers was committed to the county jail pending Grand Jury action.

According to police, they were notified Monday by George Fournier, caretaker of the old Pell Mansion at No. 45 Iden avenue, that a man had broken into the house.  Patrolmen John Moore and Edward Finnan were detailed.  On their arrival, Fournier informed them that the man, after threatening him with a pocket knife, had fled from the house.

The policemen searched the grounds in the vicinity of the house and found Rogers hiding in the shrubbery.  He was taken to headquarters and after questioning, locked up pending a hearing.  According to police records, Rogers was arrested two years ago in Pelham Manor on a vagrancy charge."

Source:  BURGLAR NABBED AFTER BREAKING INTO PELL HOUSE, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 24, 1934, Vol. 25, No. 23, p. 1, col. 7.

"INTRUDER TO FACE BURGLARY CHARGE
-----
(Special To The Argus)

PELHAM MANOR, Aug. 21. --  Robert C. Rogers, twenty-eight, who according to police entered the old Pell mansion on Iden Avenue Sunday morning by removing a screen, was held for action of the Grand Jury last night by Judge Frank C. Roberson.  He is charged with burglary.

George Fournier, caretaker of the mansion and resident in the basement portion told police he heard a prowler in the building Sunday morning and was threatened when he ordered him out.

Rogers told the court he though it was all right for him to enter the building, the upper floors of which are unoccupied."

Source:  INTRUDER TO FACE BURGLARY CHARGE, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 21, 1934, p. 13, col. 5.  

"SAVE THE LANDMARK.
-----

Very definite plans are being made to raze the old Pell House in Pelham Manor.  Unless something is done to preserve this historical site, there is grave danger that it will be lost to posterity.

The property adjoins the Hutchinson River parkway, opposite the new recreation field.  Its walls are pitted with holes made by Revolutionary bullets.  Its masonry is thick enough to be the walls of a fortified castle.  There is an old world atmosphere about it that brings memories of courtly men in knee breeches and powdered wigs, of grande dames in voluminous skirts and dignified mien.  It was from Pell House that view could be obtained of the Battle of Pelham in its final stages.

Whether it be preserved through the efforts of the county historical society, be acquired by the park commission or be given to the township, it will be the result of local effort [illegible]  Only that it be preserved."

Source:  SAVE THE LANDMARK, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 30, 1934, Vol. 25, No. 37, p. 2, col. 1.



"The Pell Mansion, bespattered by bullets from muskets
of Colonial and British soldiers, is the object of fond hopes
of interested groups who would make of it an historic
shrine.  It stands at the end of Iden Avenue in Pelham
Manor near the Hutchinson River Parkway.  Source:
Historic Landmark ThreatenedThe Daily Argus [Mount
Vernon, NY], Jan. 8, 1935, p. 5, cols. 4-5. 

"Historic Landmark Threatened
(Special To The Daily Argus)

PELHAM, Jan. 8. -- The winds of rumor and the winds of fate are whistling around the solid square lines of the old Pell Mansion.

The historic home of the Pell family, which served as headquarters for the British General Howe while Colonial troops and Red Coats were maneuvering in this part of the County, is not as neglected in the minds of interested parties as its physical hulk appears to be, there on a gently rolling prominence near the Hutchinson River Parkway.

Intermittently there comes to the ears of the townsfolk the ominous note of 'real estate development' and as frequently are heard newer and newer alternatives to the plan to preserve it as a Pelham shrine.

No Action Yet

Pelham folks would hate to see the old stone homestead go the way of other landmarks, to make way for modern homes,but as yet no one individual or group has become steamed up to the point of action.

Many of the interested persons are convinced that through the combined efforts of a few groups plus the aid of the entire town, the Pell Mansion can be turned into an historic shrine, and still serve useful and self-maintaining purposes.

Why -- they ask -- can't it be used for a library (Pelham now has only a small public library in two rooms of the Hutchinson School) and in addition serve as a meeting place for local veterans and patriotic organizations?

Many Opportunities

Its high ceiled rooms, parqueted floors, high windows -- its solid construction, and its imposing exterior and interior would lend themselves perfectly to the idea of library, museum an[d] gathering place for organizations.

There are great possibilities, it is pointed out, in putting artists at work recording Pelham's history on the walls of the big rooms.

As the ones who are hopeful of reclaiming the building consider the many uses to which it could be put, they experience once more the sense of conviction that the idea is practical and workable -- but as yet, apparently, this conviction has not resolved itself into definite action.

And in the meantime -- when the realtors, on whose listings the ink of Pell house data has faded a dullish brown -- are asked for particulars, for instance, to state the amount of land, they get the same ominous note in their replies.  They tell the questioner -- so many 'building lots.'"

Source:  Historic Landmark Threatened, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 8, 1935, p. 5, cols. 4-5.  

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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:

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."

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